The Mirror | Van Nuys High School | Dec 2020 | Volume 107 |Issue 2

3
NEW CLASSROOM MODEL
How hybrid learning eventually
will replace distance learning
7 17
HOLIDAY FAVORITES Students
share the recipes they look
forward to making this season
RESPECT THE HUSTLE Minimum
wage workers get little respect and a
lot of shame about their occupations
theMIRROR
DECEMBER 2020 | Van Nuys High School | Van Nuys, California
SECTIONS
CURRENT EVENTS 3
PERSPECTIVES 5
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 13
PRO | CON 16
ATHLETICS 19
WORST YEAR EVER?
DONALD TRUMP
CORONAVIRUS
WILDFIRES
DEPRESSION
RECESSION
UNEMPLOYMENT
HUNGER
RACISM
GOODBYE
2020
COULD 2021 BE ANY @)%$*ING WORSE?
vnhsmirror.com

| DECEMBER 2020 |
PAGE 2
theMIRROR
THE
KING
HAS
FALLEN
QUICKLY ON THE RISE
Despite being open for 30
years, former Donut King
owner Andrew Pheng
(inset), behind an acrylic
safety shield, has sold the
business to Quickly, one
of the largest milk tea
franchises in the world.
By ANDRE RODAS
THE MIRROR EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Right around the corner
from campus, Donut King
has been a place for students
to fill their stomachs
up with donuts, boba and popcorn
chicken for 30 years. Then the pandemic
hit with its stay-at-home orders.
Now, one of the most beloved local
Van Nuys hangouts is having trouble
staying afloat because business has
dried up.
For a shot at survival, the former
owner Andrew Pheng was forced to
sell his store to Quickly, a boba milk tea
franchise. As part of the deal, Pheng is
staying on as manager.
Debt has continued to pile up. Very
few customers are walking in and
ordering anything.
“Right now it’s just survival mode,”
Pheng admitted. “We have no plans at
the moment. We’re taking it one day
at a time and are hoping people will
come in.”
“Small businesses never got business
assistance, which has made it
even harder to stay open,” he said. “We
have all these bills piling up and we’re
going to owe a lot of money.”
Most customers of the former
Donut King were
high school
students, since
the shop is just
a block from
school in the
strip mall at the
northeast corner
of Victory Blvd.
and Kester Ave. With campus being
shut down for over nine months, students
haven’t supported the business
like they once did.
It is unknown when students will
return to campus, which puts the
local donut shop in a very awkward
position.
“If you ask any student what they
were going to do after school, the
majority of them would say they’d be
coming here,” Pheng said. “Their support
helped keep us afloat.”
According to Yelp.com’s Local Economic
Impact Report, nearly 100,000
establishments that were temporarily
shut down have closed permanently
due to operating restrictions caused
by quarantine. Small businesses continue
to struggle, barely making ends
meet.
One-in-five business owners anticipate
they won’t make it until the end
of the year according to the National
Federation of Independent Business.
Many bars and restaurants have been
unable to survive and have already
closed their doors for good.
“I understand that during these
times we have to stay safe, so there
are other ways to order from us,”
Pheng explained. The safest way to
support the business is by ordering
through the phone and paying at the
location.
By the time you’re there the food will
be ready and you won’t even have to
step inside, according to Pheng. There’s
an outdoor window customers can
knock on once they have arrived. After
the payment is complete, the customer
will have the items handed to them
and be set to go.
Quickly is now available on food
delivery services Doordash and Uber
Eats so customers won’t even need to
leave the comfort of their home.
“We want all our supporters
to stay safe which is why we are
introducing these new options. We
don’t want them feeling as if they
are at risk.”
Quickly is open Monday through
Saturday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and
Sunday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
PHENG: THE MIRROR | IVAN DELGADO; DONUT: SHUTTERSTOCK | NEW AFRICA
FOCUS MOTIVATION
STUDENTS ARE STRUGGLING TO STAY
MOTIVATED DURING QUARANTINE
Quarantine orders have been in place for almost a
year and the pandemic has upended nearly every
aspect of modern society. All the days have blended
into mundane nothingness with the same routine
on repeat day after day. Naturally, people have lost
motivation to complete schoolwork, workout or even
participate in the activities they once loved. Covid-19
has undoubtedly changed the classical lifestyle of
teenagers but some still find a way to keep themselves
motivated and productive.
‘‘
Usually, at this time of year, I’d be on the move
constantly. Of course, I had lazy days as much as
the next guy, but quarantine and learning from
home really made me want to work harder. I took
up crocheting Amigurumi, I actually joined clubs
which I wouldn’t have done in person. Even in
art, which I’ve been doing for as long as I can
remember, I tried out new types of art and found
out new things ABOUT my art.”
‘‘Danielle
Beverly Regino 10th grade
Has your MOTIVATION declined
since the start of quarantine?
NO 35%
YES 65%
‘‘
I still usually am able to stay productive
and manage my time wisely. In order to
stay motivated, I have been keeping a
consistent schedule and have been doing
my hobbies as well as other things I enjoy
as much as I can to make it feel as if things
are more normal.”
Tanni Nandi 11th grade
Has your WORK ETHIC declined
since the start of quarantine?
NO 48%
YES 52%
Has your PRODUCTIVITY declined
since the start of quarantine?
NO 35%
YES 65%
My motivation and work ethic have declined a
lot since it’s very hard for me to learn in my room
on a screen with a lot of distractions around
me. I also learn way better in the actual school. I
haven’t been motivated lately but what I used to
do is listen to K-pop for a while and then do my
homework because I would be in a good mood
after listening to K-pop.”
Gutierrez 9th grade

theMIRROR | C U R R E N T E V E N T S |
| DECEMBER 2020 |3
LAUSD plans classroom return
FALL AWARDS
& RECOGNITION
Acting students recognized at
virtual drama competition
Students in the drama program participated
in the Drama Teachers Association of
Southern California (DTASC). Although the
competitions were virtual this year, students
coordinated with each other to prepare for
the competition.
With the help of student directors and
VNHS alum, Jacob Zelonsky, the students
practiced for the competition. This year, the
competitors rehearsed through Zoom and
filmed their pieces. The pieces were submitted
to the DTASC judges.
On Nov. 15, the awards for the virtual
DTASC competition were announced. Senior
Edward Malcom placed third in the Audition
Monologue event, qualifying for finals.
“When I found out I placed third, I was literally
ecstatic and couldn’t stop shaking; I was
so thrilled,” Malcom said.
The Musical Theater group, led by seniors
Anais Unanyan and Natalie Chavez got an
Honorable Mention.
“I was on maternity leave for most of the
leading up to DTASC and during the awards
so I was beyond proud of the drama students
who worked on their competition pieces on
their own,” drama teacher Ms. Mollie Lief said.
• KASEY KIM
Academic Decathalon team
makes strong show in scrimmage
The Academic Decathlon (AcaDec) team
placed fourth overall in LAUSD after attending
its first virtual scrimmage on Nov. 7.
Along with placing, the team won 21 individual
awards in music, science, art, literature,
social science, social studies and economics.
AcaDec competitions consist of 10 events:
multiple choice tests in art, economics, math,
music, social science, literature and science;
performance events such as speech and
interview and an essay based on either art,
literature or science.
This year’s overall curricular theme will be
The Cold War.
The event ran smoothly with no technical
problems.
The team officially got fourth place in
LAUSD but when including the GPA — a factor
AcaDec takes into account when scoring — of
new members, the team would have placed
second.
“It was a very high finish,” AcaDec coach
Mr. Jonathan Mitchell said. “Our goal is always
to make the ‘top 10.’ Anything under ‘top 5’ is
amazing.”
“The team performed extremely well, especially
when considering how hard it has been
with lockdown and not being in class.”
• ANI TUTUNJYAN
School newspaper recognized
with first-ever Pacemaker award
The Mirror has been recognized as a 2020
National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA)
Pacemaker Award winner in the category of
High School Newspaper/Newsmagazine and
a Silver Medalist for the Columbia Scholastic
Press Association (CSPA) Crown Award for
2019-2020 publications.
The Pacemaker Award was announced
during the JEA/NSPA Fall National High School
Journalism Convention on Nov. 21 in a virtual
awards ceremony. The Mirror was among
19 high school newspapers/newsmagazine
publications named Pacemakers. As for the
Crown Award, it was announced through a
press release on Dec. 3 that The Mirror won for
hybrid news.
Although being named finalists once
before in 2016, The Mirror had yet to receive
a Pacemaker. “I expected that we would be
nominated for the Pacemaker, but I never
thought we would win,” Journalism Adviser
Ron Goins said. “I’m so proud of my staff. Year
after year they demonstrate how dedicated
they are to journalism.”
Demonstrating excellence in areas including
coverage, writing, editing, design and
photography, The Mirror now is considered an
example of peak student journalism.
• ISABELA DIAZ
By ANDRE RODAS
THE MIRROR EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Nine months ago covid-19 forced all schools in
California to close their doors. Teachers were
forced to teach online and students were forced
to learn online in one of the most dysfunctional
semesters ever.
In March, it’ll be a year since LAUSD schools shut down,
but not much has changed. In the meantime, LAUSD officials
have been hard at work on a plan to eventually get
students and teachers back into the classroom, even as
covid-19 rages out of control.
Last week, LAUSD was once again forced to completely
shut down campuses, requiring all personnel who had been
working on school sites, including administrators, office
workers and some teachers to work from home.
Saying that safety is their first and primary concern,
district officials are cautiously proposing a slow return to
campuses using
California releases its first
digital contact tracing service
California has rolled out its new voluntary
smartphone tool to alert people if they
spend time near someone who has
tested positive for covid-19.
Those who have activated the tool
who test positive for coronavirus
will receive a verification
code from the California
Department of Public
Health and can use that
to anonymously alert other
participating phone users they
might have exposed over the past 14 days.
The tool doesn’t track people’s identities
or locations. Instead, it uses Bluetooth
wireless signals to detect when two
phones are within 6 feet of each other for
at least 15 minutes.
Here’s how to access the smartphone
tool on iPhone and Android devices:
Android users
• Download the CA COVID Notify app
from the Google Play store
iPhone users
• Go to your Settings
• Scroll down and turn on your Exposure
Notifications, hit continue
• Scroll down to select the United States
• Select California
• Read the terms; agree if you accept
• Tap “turn on notifications”
a hybrid learning
model. When infection
rates decrease,
some students will
go back to campus
to classes in person,
while others join
the class virtually
from home.
Teachers will
teach remotely
and in-person at
the same time
continuing to use
tools like Zoom. In
some cases, hybrid
classes will include
learning elements
like online exercises
and pre-recorded
videos to support
face-to-face classroom
sessions.
While a hybrid
model is being considered
as an option
for next semester it
comes with many
concerns.
“At this moment
in time the covid
cases are at an all-time high so that doesn’t bode well for
returning,” Principal Yolanda Gardea said.
As classes continue to meet using a completely online
format, students and their parents or guardians are being
asked for input about what could happen next semester.
A recent parents meeting with Principal Gardea on Dec. 1
revealed what will happen on campus if a parent chooses to
send their child to do hybrid learning.
In the District’s current vision of the hybrid model in
middle schools and high schools, small groups of 10 to 14
students will remain together in the same classroom for
the entire school day, instead of moving from room-toroom.
Teachers who are on campus will switch classrooms
instead. In-person classes will only be for a portion of the
week. The days when students are not at school they will
continue with online learning.
HYBRID
LEARNING
ONLINE-ONLY
LEARNING
Masks will be required at all times and students will be
subjected to a daily health check.
At any time, parents will have the option of having their
children return to online distance learning.
At designated points in the school calendar, parents can
choose to switch from distance learning to hybrid learning.
For this hybrid model to be successful, schools must continue
to strictly follow rules and guidelines set by the district.
To provide a safe environment on campus, Principal
Gardea has been purchasing and stockpiling PPE (personal
protective equipment), signs and stickers that emphasize six
feet distancing and in/out signs for doors.
For some students, hybrid learning seems like a great
way to reconnect with classmates, as well as an opportunity
to learn more effectively without technical issues such as
slow wifi connections, lagging videos, robot voices and other
difficulties Zoom presents. “My WiFi keeps cutting off and
teachers aren’t understanding about it,” junior Fatiah Lawal
said.
Like many students, senior Miana Abramson can’t wait
to reconnect with her peers. “I want to return to campus
because I miss my friends,” she said. Quarantine has made it
impossible for most students to have any in-person interactions
with their peers.
Shayan Alamgir believes online learning has made his senior
year “the worst thing ever” partly because of the lack of
motivation it presents. Online learning has made it difficult
for many students to learn properly.
Campus shutdowns have made it especially difficult for
seniors who have been looking forward to attending their
prom, grad night and walking the stage to pick up their diplomas.
Last year all of those events were cancelled. The possibility
looms that the same may happen for the class of 2021.
To others, hybrid learning seems to be too much of a risk,
especially with covid-19 cases increasing at an alarming rate.
Van Nuys is a hot spot in Los Angeles County, with 6,520
cases being reported over the period of Nov. 26 to Dec. 9.
“Cases are increasing and I don’t want to put my family in
danger,” Ijtsi Murillo said. Other students, like Kylie O’Donnell,
are “happier at home” because of the time they are able to
spend with family.
Some teachers believe that the hybrid model isn’t the
best choice. “To be perfectly honest I see a lot of issues with
the hybrid model of returning to school,” graphic design and
yearbook teacher Ms. Miya Kuromiya said. “The logistics of
managing hybrid [learning] from a teaching standpoint and
then to do it safely add a whole new layer of challenges to be
dealt with.”
The lack of a social connection that students complain
about affects teachers as well. “The obvious benefit [of inperson
learning] is sharing your classroom space with your
teacher and classmates once again and so many of us have
been feeling so disconnected and cut-off,” Ms. Kuromiya said.
When online learning was announced, it seemed like a
dream come true to many students. Now it can feel more
like a nightmare. “We are truly making the path as we walk it.
Everyone has been phenomenal from students to teachers
and administration and to see them all managing these
crazy times together is truly amazing,” Principal Gardea said.
Whatever the next steps are toward getting back into the
traditional classroom learning model, one thing for sure is
that it is not going to happen anytime soon. With Christmas
and New Year’s approaching, the spread of covid-19 doesn’t
seem like it will slow down. There have been 566,005 confirmed
cases in Los Angeles County, with averages of over
10,000 new cases everyday.
• Students attend campus for a portion of the week with fewer students on
campus at any given time
• Students will remain in the same classroom while on campus, with the same
group of students in a consistent cohort
• Students continue learning online on days when not on campus
• During on-campus days, students may engage in both in-person and remote
instruction while on campus
• Students will continue learning with a full schedule of courses
• Meals provided daily
• Can opt into online-only learning model at any time
• Students participate in all learning online, with a mix of live instruction with
their teacher and independent work time
• Students will continue learning online 5 days a week
• Meals available on campus through Grab & Go
• Can opt into Hybrid Learning Model at designated points in school calendar
SOURCE | LAUSD

4| DECEMBER 2020 | | C U R R E N T E V E N T S |
theMIRROR
CREATIVE COMMONS | GAGE SKIDMORE
Biden will
be the next
President.
Now what?
By ANI TUTUNJYAN
THE MIRROR EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Receiving the most votes ever
cast for a U.S. presidential candidate,
the 46th president will
be stepping into office Jan. 20
with a lot of promises to keep.
President-elect Joe Biden is entering a
presidency like no president before him
has: amidst a global pandemic, a war on
systemic racism and a country more
divided than ever before.
Biden collected his votes by pledging to
enact new policies swiftly that diverge the
U.S. off President Trump’s current path
and voters plan to hold him accountable.
Here’s a look at what might be coming:
COVID-19
Biden has set ambitious goals to change
the course of the coronavirus pandemic
and has vowed to get “at least 100 million
covid vaccine shots into the arms of the
American people” during his first 100 days
in office.
Biden plans to spend $25 billion on
vaccine production and disbursement,
and calls for the vaccine to be free for all
Americans.
He also plans to provide free testing
for all and hire 100,000 people to set up a
national contact-tracing program.
Biden has promised to begin working
on a new covid-19 aid package before
taking office by coordinating with local
politicians.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
In the wake of national protests calling
for racial justice, Biden plans to combat
racism through economic and social programs
to support minorities.
He has pushed to extend the Voting
Rights Act, which prohibits discriminatory
voting practices.
Biden has rejected calls to defund police
but has promised reforms to address
the treatment of the Black community. He
plans to invest $300 million into community
policing measures .
ENVIRONMENT
Biden will head into office with hopes of
making the U.S. an international leader on
climate change.
He plans to immediately reenter the
U.S. into the Paris Climate Agreement.
Biden has also proposed a clean energy
plan which includes getting the country to
net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
HEALTHCARE
Biden plans to expand the existing Affordable
Care Act, also known as Obamacare.
This will include insuring an estimated 97
percent of Americans.
EDUCATION
Biden has endorsed several pieces of
education policy such as student loan
debt forgiveness, expansion of tuition-free
colleges and universal preschool access.
The president-elect has expressed support
for the College for All Act which would
eliminate tuition at public colleges and universities
for families making up to $125,000.
IMMIGRATION
Biden’s primary goal is to
undo many of Trump’s
immigration policies.
He has said that on
his first day in office, he
will produce immigration
legislation that creates
46TH CHIEF
Joe Biden
promises to
change course
from the prior
administration
when he takes
office in Jan.
2021.
a pathway to citizenship for 11 million
migrants living in the U.S. illegally and
DREAMers, who are part of the Deferred
Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
program.
Biden has said he will pass an executive
order establishing a task force focused on
reuniting children and parents separated
at the U.S.-Mexico border.
ECONOMY
To address the immediate impact of the
pandemic, Biden has vowed to extend
loans to small businesses.
Biden supports raising the federal minimum
wage to $15 an hour — a measure
popular among his younger voters.
CREATIVE COMMONS | GAGE SKIDMORE
‘‘
Seeing a person like
Kamala is a huge step in
progress for this country.”
ISABELLA RIVERA
JUNIOR
STUDENT OUTLOOK WHAT KAMALA HARRIS’ WIN MEANS TO ME
Nov. 7 marked an unprecedented date in US history: the first ever Black woman and the first ever Asian woman was chosen to be vice
president-elect of America. Women across the nation rejoiced over Kamala Harris’s victory as a win for all women seeking better representation
in government and for younger generations of women to come. Harris’s win is also historic because not only is she the first female vice
president-elect but also the first woman of color. Americans can only hope that her triumph will pave the way for more women of color in
high-position leadership roles. Female students share their thoughts on what Harris’s victory means to them:
THREE FIRSTS Kamala Harris
will be the first female, Black
and Asian VP when she takes
office in Jan. 2021.
FATIAH LAWAL Junior
As a Black woman in America Kamala Harris‘s
victory means absolutely nothing to
me because I am also an immigrant which
means I have no chance of being in office
so I’m pretty impartial about it. I am happy
that she became vice president though,
because she’s an inspiration to other
young women of color. I think it’s great
that she is the first woman of color to be in
office but at the same time I don’t support
some of her policies and her past actions
as a prosecutor, specifically towards Black
individuals. I hope she’ll be open to criticism
and change while in office.
ISABELLA RIVERA Junior
Although Kamala hasn’t always
stood by what she proposes to
stand by, now I think that seeing a
person like Kamala is a huge step in
progress for this country. It is about
time the US began to have more
women in politics. Representation
is also key to growth so that our
voices are heard and our opinions
are taken into account when making
laws and regulations. I personally
was happy Kamala won, since
her current policies seem to be for
the better of this country.
TANNI NANDI Junior
As an Asian woman in America, Kamala’s
victory means hope and pride to me.
Throughout history, we haven’t seen much
representation of women in politics, so this
victory I believe brings hope and compassion
for young women like myself. It feels
relieving to see better representation in our
government because it allows youth and
women like me to feel that my voice matters
and is supported. I was happy when I found
out she would be the next Vice President
because she has been a role model for me
and someone I have always looked up to in
our government.
COURTESY | FATIAH LAWAL COURTESY | ISABELLA RIVERA COURTESY | TANNI NANDI

theMIRROR | P E R S P E C T I V E |
| DECEMBER 2020 |5
BLAST FROM THE PAST
Students share their favorite toys, trends
and experiences from their childhood
NOUN PROJECT | GREGOR CRESNAR;
ANGELICA VENTURINA
THE MIRROR STAFF
FLICKR | PINKE
TREASURED TIMES Students pay homage to tossed and
forgotten toys such as (above L to R) Littlest Pet Shop, the
Nintendo DS and Silly Bands, that helped shape their character
and overcome their childhood fears.
The odd, rubbery scent of
plastic fills your nose as
you stroll down the toy
aisle of a Walmart. Suddenly,
you hear a shrill, nightmarish
laugh erupt from behind you.
Startled, you quickly whip your
head around only to find that the
source of the giggle was a Furby, sitting
on the floor of the aisle. You let
out a laugh of relief and pick up the
owl-like, robotic creature. Memories
of elementary school come flooding
back.
Childhood, for many teenagers,
was a simpler time when assignment
deadlines, getting enough sleep and
figuring out what career path to take
after graduation were not worrisome.
With rarely any time to relax, one
becomes susceptible to yearning for
the past, falling back on what’s known
as “nostalgia.”
People can revisit the past with a
single glimpse at their favorite childhood
TV show, a whiff of Hubba Bubba
bubble gum or a quick glance at the
toy aisle of any retail store. The various
trends, shows, toys and movies associated
with their childhood inevitably
brings a person back to a time of relative
peace and happiness.
Childhood toys may remind someone
of the connection they shared
with others.
16-year-old Jennifer Llanos found
that the Littlest Pet Shop toys helped
her form unexpected bonds with others
around her.
“There are many toys that I remember
from childhood, but one type
that really stuck out to me were the
Littlest Pet Shop toys,” Llanos said.
“I think they became such a special
part of my childhood because I made
several friends through these specific
toys.”
“My first best friend actually introduced
me to them. Later on, I met
my other childhood best friend, and
Littlest Pet Shop was a toy that was
never left out. It would always bring us
PEXELS | STAS KNOP
together to play.”
16-year-old Valeria Luna engrossed
herself with the trendy Bratz and
American Girl dolls. She owes her confidence
and sense of style to them.
“When I was younger, my all-time
favorite toys were Bratz dolls and
American Girl dolls,” Luna said. “I
looked up to the Bratz dolls in particular,
mostly because they sparked
my interest in fashion. To be honest,
they really influenced the way I carry
myself today, especially how I dress.”
“I don’t think I’d be who I am today
without them,” she said.
In some cases, childhood toys can
be the encouragement needed to
overcome the fears of the unknown.
The terror children may have felt
at the prospect of being left alone in
the dark, for example, would dissipate
through the comfort of their own toys.
15-year-old Marcela Aguirre Aguilar
got over her anxiety of going to the
bathroom alone in elementary school
when her first grade teacher gave her
a Barbie doll.
PEXELS | PATRICK GAGE
“Barbies were probably my favorite
toys,” Aguilar said. “I used to have this
irrational fear of the lights shutting off
when I was in a bathroom, so I never
went there at school. But for some
reason, carrying the doll with me
helped me feel like I wasn’t alone. So I
brought the doll with me everywhere,
and my fear kind of just faded away.”
Despite the sentiment and joy
many people associate with childhood
toys and items, some choose to discard
those possessions as they grow
out of their childhood interests.
For 17-year-old Lesley Lutin, the
passing of time led to a change in
interests.
“I still have some of my favorite
toys such as my [Nintendo] DSi which
I still play on,” Lutin said. “But I don’t
have my Bratz and Barbies anymore
since I grew out of them. As I grew up,
I guess my interests sort of changed
and I didn’t have a need for dolls like
that anymore.”
“As kids, we’re constantly changing
and growing, so our interests are
changing and growing with us.”
In other cases, the wistful recollection
of the past can drive a need
to preserve those memories and
emotions as long as possible. By
keeping toys and items from the
past, people are able to re-experience
the emotions they felt once
more.
While Aguilar doesn’t necessarily
play with Barbies anymore, she still
values them because they remind
her of the playdates she used to
have with her childhood friends.
“I do get nostalgic sometimes,”
Aguilar said. “I don’t really hang out
with those friends anymore, since
we all grew apart, but Barbies were
probably the fondest memories I’ve
had with them.”
Llanos still keeps her Littlest Pet
Shop toys to this day. She says that
they evoke the more positive aspects
of her childhood. “It’s like a part
of my childhood is being kept alive.”
FURBY TALKS BACK One of the most
beloved and feared children’s toys, the
Furby was banned from entering the U.S.
spy agency NSA’s property due to concerns
that could be used to record and repeat
classified information.
‘‘
They hold so many
memories and every
time I see them, the
feelings I felt as a
child come rushing
back.”
JENNIFER LLANOS
STUDENT
FLICKR | AMANDA

6| DECEMBER 2020 |
| P E R S P E C T I V E |
theMIRROR
ARTWORK COURTESY | MS. JENNELLE SONG
VIVID STROKES Artist Jennelle Song uses the light and shadows surrounding
a subject matter to guide her through her artistic process in
watercolors, like the bass players (above), photorealistic animal images
like the dog (right) and portraits like the boy eating ice cream (below).
Artist and teacher Ms. Jennelle Song
reveals her creative processes
ANGELINA GEVORGYAN
THE MIRROR STAFF
Art is a highly subjective concept,
often viewed in various
ways based on a person’s
religious, political and national
background as well as their personal feelings,
tastes and opinions.
It is difficult to provide a single definition
of art because
SCREEN CAPTURE
everyone’s perception
of art and its
meaning differ.
“Art is something
that I think about
constantly, sometimes
even unconsciously,”
art teacher
MS. JENNELLE SONG Ms. Jennelle Song
said. “Every person,
every corner, every color, every object,
every light and every shadow become
subjects of my art.”
Ms. Song both teaches and creates art.
She specializes in an assortment of genres
including landscapes, calligraphy, portraits,
animal portraits and other medleys.
Every artistic process is unique to the
artist. They can decide which various artistic
techniques to use in order to achieve
their desired goal.
“When I see the light touch an object
and the shadow that follows it, I want to
paint it to emulate it,” Ms. Song said. “The
technique I use depends on my mood or
the mood of the subject matter. At times,
it’s also a challenge I take on myself to
make something as realistic as possible.
One of my favorite art techniques in history
is Trompe-l’oeil.”
Trompe-l’oeil is an art technique in
which the use of vivid imagery creates an
optical illusion and depicts objects with
photographically realistic detail.
Another distinguishable factor among
artists is their work ethic. Some artists
stick to a structured plan when working
on an artistic piece, while others make decisions
as they move through the project.
“I start out structured, but my indecisiveness
and perfectionist tendencies
force me to move into the directions that I
did not originally plan on.”
Artists create for different reasons,
whether it be to record history, to teach
something, to reflect the beauty of nature
or to provoke others to change their perspective
or outlook.
“Usually, my artwork comes from inspiration,
but at times, I do want to make a
point or tell a story,” Ms. Song said.
Ms. Song finds it difficult being satisfied
with a complete project. “Everything I do
could be better.”
The question as to whether an aptitude
for art is an important factor in becoming
a successful artist is still up for debate in
the world of art. Some people think that
artists are born artists, while others believe
that artistic success is merely a result
of practice and dedication.
“It would be nice to have talent, but
practice truly makes perfect,” Ms. Song said.
“I have seen students grow astoundingly as
artists within just a few years of hard work.”
No matter what a person believes the
secret to artistic success is, everyone has
potential. Practicing and learning new skills,
accepting constructive criticism and bringing
satisfaction to the people viewing their
art are several ways to improve one’s skills.
Artists often struggle to create art for
a target audience while staying true to
themselves and their artistic point of view.
“As artists, we all have unique styles
that come through no matter who our
target audiences are,” Ms. Song said.
Ms. Song’s passion for art translates
well to her teaching career, as she tries her
very hardest to inspire her students and
to provide them with the resources and
knowledge they need to be artists.
“Hopefully, students take away better
technical skills,” Ms. Song said. “I believe
that when you have superior technical
skills, you can create whatever you want,
and be as artistic, creative and imaginative
as you want.”

theMIRROR | P E R S P E C T I V E |
| DECEMBER 2020 |7
HOLIDAY RECIPES
Students share their favorite holiday treats
It’s no surprise that baking and cooking are part of most students’ winter break plans.
After a semester of online school and college applications for some, hitting the kitchen
will serve as an effective way to unwind and reconnect with family. Whether it’s baking
sweet treats or cooking savory and mouth-watering dishes, this holiday season will be
nothing short of delectable. Here are some students’ favorite holiday recipes:
SUPPORT A CAUSE
Wear it to show your support for the BLM
(Black Lives Matter) movement.
Inner layer made from 100% cotton.
$14.00 at Brave New Look:
www.bravenewlook.com
Hot Chocolate Bombs
Alina Barlow, Senior
I feel like hot chocolate is such an iconic staple
during winter and the Christmas season. Even
though we’re in California with some of the
warmest weather out there, we still get a
nice amount of cool weather during winter.
I’m not a big coffee drinker so hot chocolate
is definitely my go to drink this time of year.
This season I’ve been making hot chocolate
bombs and cannot wait to make more. They
are so much fun because you get to watch the
chocolate encasing slowly melt into the milk
along with the mix-ins.
Ingredients:
• Graham crackers
• Marshmallows
• Sprinkles
• Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa Mix
• Milk chocolate chips
Preparation:
Mix the marshmallows, sprinkles, graham crackers
and hot cocoa mix in a bowl. Set the bowl
aside. Grab a pot and pour in the milk chocolate
chips and slowly melt them on the stove
at medium heat. After the chocolate is fully
melted, pour it into half circle molds. After the
chocolate cools and hardens in the molds, fill
them with the topping mixture and reseal them
before dropping them into a warm mug of milk.
Brownies
Annie Tran, Senior
I enjoy making these brownies because my
friends enjoy eating them.
Ingredients:
• 2/3 cup butter or margarine
• 5 oz unsweetened baking chocolate, cut into
pieces
• 1 ¾ cups sugar
• 2 tsps vanilla extract
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
Preparation:
Mix all ingredients
carefully in a bowl.
Transfer the batter
to a tray
and bake in
the oven at
350° F. Take
the brownies
out when
you can stick a
toothpick in that
comes out clean.
Apple Pie
Sophie Bocanegra, Senior
During the holidays, I love baking for my family.
Everyone has different tastes, so I try to make
things for everyone. One recipe I love using is
my apple pie recipe. When I was much younger
I got an apple tree from a nursery and planted
it. Now every year when it blooms I use its
fruit to make pies, turnovers, etc. It’s a great
thing because not only is it fresh but it’s a fun
way to make use of the food you have around.
I love baking and during the holidays it’s an
especially beautiful way of being together and
showing how you care.
Ingredients:
• 2/3 cups sugar
• ¼ cup flour
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• Pinch of salt
• 8 medium apples
• 2 tbsp butter
• Pie crust
Preparation:
Peel and chop the apples. Mix the sliced apples
with the sugar, flour, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt
and butter. Place the mixture in the pie crust
and create a crosshatched pattern using excess
dough on top of the filling. Bake for 25 minutes
at 375° F.
Gingerbread Cookies
Stella Gonzales, Senior
Every year, I look forward to making gingerbread
cookies with my family. We use a simple
recipe, but it always does the job. Foolproof
and delicious. My family only makes these
cookies during the holidays so that we can
associate them with the holiday season. The
taste gives that perfect reminder that Christmas
is coming up.
Ingredients:
• 2/3 cup butter
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 2/3 cup molasses
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 ½ cups flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tbsp ginger
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp allspice
• 1/3 tsp ground cloves
Preparation:
Mix all the dry ingredients and wet ingredients
in two separate bowls. Slowly add each
mixture to a third bowl and combine well. Put
the dough in the refrigerator and let it chill for 2
hours. Roll the dough into small balls and bake
them in the oven for 8-10 minutes at 375° F.
Remove them carefully and enjoy.
FACE FASHIONS
Make a statement with a mask
You gotta wear ’em on your face, so why not be bold? Make a political statement or represent
your favorite anime character. You can find them in all types of colors and prints,
making them the perfect last minute gift. You can even get one for yourself.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends choosing a mask
that has two or more layers of breathable, washable fabric. The mask should completely
cover the nose and mouth and fit snugly against the sides of the face, without gaps.
• ANTONY NEPEYVODA & JULIA PFAU
RAINBOW
Wear it to show your
LGBTQ+ pride.
Hydrophobic proprietary
poly-blend fiber
$14.99 at Cover My
Mouth: covermymouth.
com
BE A CLOWN
Help you show
off your circus side.
100% polyester
$12.49 at Etsy/
LincolnTeesShop
SPARKLE
An eye-catching mask
that will surely spark a
conversation.
Ultra-soft cotton
$16.99 at Cover My
Mouth: covermymouth.
com
JAWS!
Scare your buddies
with this
terrifying shark
mask.
100% polyester
$12.99 at
Peachteeshop.
com
NARUTO
Express your inner weeb.
Premium Material
$15.00 at Etsy/
NarutoMasks
GRINCH-MAS TIME
Don’t let covid steal Christmas
from you.
Cotton and Poly blend
$20.00 at Zazzle: zazzle.com
SHUTTERSTOCK | DYMITRIO

8| DECEMBER 2020 | | P E R S P E C T I V E |
theMIRROR
I N APPRECIATION OF
COFFEE
By NICOLE NAZAIRE
GUEST WRITER
have one large iced vanilla
latte please.”
Every morning I find
myself in the same Dunkin’
“I’ll
Donuts drive-through, ordering the same
drink, with the same wide grin on my face.
If you told me 10 years ago that I couldn’t
start my day without coffee, I wouldn’t believe
you.
I started religiously drinking coffee in the
beginning of freshman year. My best friend
and I would go get Starbucks drinks after
cheer practice or after school, and it became
a weekly ritual to get coffee with her.
My love for coffee extends back to when
I was just a kid and would sneak sips of my
mom’s here and there.
Now, I drink coffee not only because I
love it but because I need it. It gives me the
energy I need to get through school and
the rest of my day. Nothing else can get me
through the loads of schoolwork and keep
me up while I am studying late into the
night.
But I mean what’s there not to love? The
aroma, the character, the diversity.
Each coffee bean has its own distinct
taste, bringing the individual cultures of the
world into one eight-ounce mug.
There are so many different variations
of coffee. Iced, blended, hot and the newly
popularized whipped coffee.
My absolute favorite type of coffee is a
latte. It can be hot or cold, as long as it’s got
the perfect balance of espresso and milk.
I usually like to order coffee but I’ve been
trying to make coffee at home.
I like to use bottled espresso and creamer
to make my coffee. I can drink up to three
cups of coffee a day.
One of my favorite types of coffee I made
during the height of quarantine was the
South Korean whipped coffee, also known
as dalgona coffee. Making it has been the
perfect way to pass time in quarantine.
It’s a strenuous process but the payout
is certainly worth it. For the best results, I
manually whip equal parts instant coffee,
sugar and hot water. Once it has turned into
a heavy, caramel-like consistency, it’s ready
to be added to any milk of choice. I typically
just go for dairy milk.
It may seem silly to love a beverage as
much as I do, but I don’t know where I’d be
without my good ol’ cup of joe.
BREWTIFUL DAY Coffee is a part of life for most
students, and whether it’s lattes or cold brews,
coffee lovers always look forward to their daily
dose of caffeine.
SHUTTERSTOCK | AMENIC181
KNOW YOUR COFFEE LIKE A BARISTA
Next time you order coffee at your local Starbucks, bring the knowledge of a barista with you. Knowing the
difference between a cappuccino and latte will ensure that your coffee order is brewed to perfection.
Espresso
Milk Foam
Steamed Milk
Espresso
Milk Foam
Espresso
Water
Espresso
Milk Foam
Steamed Milk
Espresso
Espresso Cappuccino Macchiato Americano Caffé Latte
INFOGRAPHIC: THE MIRROR | ANI TUTUNJYAN; CUP: NOUN PROJECT | CHANETSA

theMIRROR | P E R S P E C T I V E |
| DECEMBER 2020 |9
A decline in reading
among Americans
By ANGELINA GEVORGYAN
THE MIRROR STAFF
As the use of technology is
constantly increasing in
the daily lives of Americans,
the amount of time
individuals spend reading has significantly
diminished over the years.
According to the American Time Use
Survey from the Bureau of Labor Statistics,
the measure of Americans who read
for pleasure has fallen by more than 30
percent since 2004. In that year, approximately
28 percent of Americans ages
15 and older read in their free time. This
figure decreased to roughly 19 percent
in 2017 and has continued to decrease
as people invest more and more of their
time into technology.
The American Time Use Survey
displays that while the average amount
of time spent reading significantly
diminished between the years 2004 and
2017, the average amount of time spent
watching television noticeably augmented.
Furthermore, the study recorded
that in 2017, the average American spent
more than 2 hours and 54 minutes per
day watching television, nearly 10 times
the amount of time they devoted to
reading. The increasing reliance on various
other technological devices including
computers, cellphones and video games
has also contributed to this phenomenon.
“The lure of easy entertainment present
on TV and internet videos is a widely
spread phenomenon and because a
lot of people are known to resort to it,
it becomes almost an excuse for our
students to be okay with not reading
enough,” English teacher Ms. Etleva
Aidinlli Hasa said. “However, I also think
that people who are naturally drawn to
reading still do so.”
“I mostly spend my time reading for
school,” freshman Gianna Lovino said.
“But whenever I have the time, I enjoy
reading mystery novels for fun.
Reading is beneficial for cognitive and
communication skills. It enhances one’s
critical and analytical thinking. It also
improves one’s vocabulary, language
command and communication skills.
In addition, reading not only broadens
one’s imagination and enhances their
creativity, but also expands knowledge
and improves focus and concentration.
Therefore, this gradual decline in
reading among Americans poses a
challenge to individuals affected by this
trend, as well as to society as a whole.
Although it can be difficult to incorporate
a new activity into one’s daily life,
there are many strategies that people
can employ in order to improve their
reading habits.
“I suggest finding something in their
interest to read,” Ms. Hasa said. “There
are great materials for any subject.
Maybe reflecting a bit on how the reading
act impacts them.”
A few other recommended strategies
include defining one’s purpose for reading.
Setting a reading goal and finding a
quiet place in order to avoid disruptions
can help one remain focused on accomplishing
the set goal.
It’s also important to remember that
reading is not meant to be a chore. By
giving up books that the reader does
not enjoy, they can help free up time for
books that do hold their interests.
“Well, I don’t read a lot and I am kind
of picky with the books I choose to read,”
freshman Genrikh Kovalchuk said. “But I
do have a few books I like and have read
more than once, including ‘White Fang,’
‘The Only Thing To Fear,’ ‘The Hunger
Games’ and ‘Dive.’”
“I love some of the books I teach such
as ‘1984,’ ‘Brave New World,’ ‘The Sun Also
Rises’ and ‘The Great Gatsby’ — I think
they are so important,” Ms. Hasa said.
“One of my favorites has always been ‘Les
Miserables’ by Victor Hugo, a story that
invites all ages and covers a wide gamut of
issues. A couple other ones are ‘Pride and
Prejudice’ by Jane Austen and ‘Never Let
Me Go” by Kazuo Ishiguro.’
Audiobook trends have significantly
increased over the past few years, especially
among younger audiences. Roughly
48 percent of listeners are under the
age of 35. This brings into question the
idea of whether audiobooks or physical
books are more
effective of a
resource. Various
case studies
have brought to
light that neither
reading physical
books or listening
to audiobooks
are necessarily
better or worse in regards to reading
comprehension — it is simply a matter of
preference.
“I enjoy reading books,” Ms. Hasa said.
“I appreciate having the chance to read
something at my own pace, in my own
voice; having also the chance to go back
to a difficult passage or reread something
beautifully expressed several times, to capture
and enjoy its aesthetic effect, makes
for a great, substantial experience.”
“I think sometimes those that use
audiobooks miss out on this experience.
But I think more important than how
we receive the stories or the knowledge,
through reading or listening, is what we
read or listen to; the value of it.”
“I would advise students to find a
novel or a book they are interested in, to
find a quiet corner and be with the book
even for just 15 minutes a day,” Ms. Hasa
said. “There is something wonderful in
the intimacy you form with the story
and the characters. You experience what
they experience in your safe corner, you
see the world from their point of view
and without realizing you grow more
and understand better.”
“It feels great to return to that corner
every day knowing the characters wait
faithfully for you to make them come
alive in your mind and heart.”
‘‘
Having also the chance to go
back to a difficult passage or
reread something beautifully
expressed several times, to
capture and enjoy its aesthetic
effect, makes for a great,
substantial experience.”
MS. ETLEVA AIDINLLI HASA
ENGLISH TEACHER
STACKS A new study finds that Americans are
reading less and less, but finding appealing
topic may help form healthier book habits.
MS. HASA: | SCREENGRAB; BOOKS: SHUTTERSTOCK | PEDROSALA

10/11| DECEMBER 2020 | | C O V E R S
This year has been a whirlwind. From a deadly pandemic and people fighting over a roll of toilet paper to a global
movement for racial justice, 2020 has surely had its fair share of world-shifting events. People can only hope that
2021 will be a more tranquil, middle-of-the-road year, and with covid-19 vaccines rolling out, that may be a possibility.
But only time will tell. For now, here’s a look at some of the events that changed modern society forever:
By Ani Tutunjyan & Andre Rodas | THE MIRROR EDITORS-IN-CHIEF
A deadly virus
Panic buying, hysteric anti-maskers,
statewide shutdowns and
death.
These seem to be common
themes of this year.
2020 was welcomed with the
hope of new beginnings and for an
even better decade than the last.
Now with over 16.5 million covid-19
cases and 300,000 deaths in
the U.S. alone, life as we once knew it
has forever changed.
March rolled around and a
nationwide lockdown was instituted.
Students happily slammed
their textbooks shut, excited for an
extended spring break, and adults
looked forward to a mini-vacation
from work. It seemed like the greatest
gift the year had to give.
Those ideas were quickly upended.
Two weeks turned into two
months and now almost an entire
year.
Chaos swept the world. In the U.S.,
people stockpiled toilet paper, disinfectant
wipes and canned food.
Covid-19 has impacted every
aspect of modern life.
Hospitals overflowed with sick
individuals whom doctors and
nurses of all specialties were tasked
with treating. It was something the
medical field had never seen before.
Without a clear understanding
of what the virus was and how it
affected each individual’s body, doctors
couldn’t do much more than
hold the hand of the sick patient and
hope their body was able to fight it
off.
As some time went by, doctors
began to grasp a greater understanding
of covid-19 and learned
when to give a ventilator and when
not to, when to prescribe Advil and
when not to. And they did all this
with limited masks and protective
gear. Putting their lives on the line to
save others’.
People lost loved ones and were
forced to grieve in a world they no
longer recognized.
Many people’s mental health is
also declining as a result of the isolation
caused by quarantine.
Thousands of Americans lost
jobs due to nationwide closures, and
the U.S. entered another economic
recession in June.
In spite of all the negatives, people
also found ways to smile throughout
the year.
They took up hobbies they never
had the time for before like painting.
The nation saw the rise and fall of
popular trends like whipped coffee,
Animal Crossing and “Tiger King” — a
way to fill the mundane hours of a
stir-crazy life in quarantine.
As the year comes to an end,
things may be looking up. The U.S.
has rolled out covid-19 vaccinations
to vulnerable groups such as healthcare
workers and those living in geriatric
care facilities. The vaccine will
be available to the general public by
mid-2021. Will the vaccine be a cureall
for this disastrous year? We’ll just
have to wait and see.
In the meantime, the fight against
this deadly virus is not over. Cases
continue to surge and it’s important
to continue to social distance and
wear masks when in a six-feet proximity
to another person.
Civil unrest
The killing of George Floyd at the
hands of police in Minneapolis
in May ignited anger across the
country and around the world.
Black Lives Matter is now the
largest movement in U.S. history
with about 15 million to 26 million
people in the United States having
participated in demonstrations.
Floyd’s murder revived attention
to similar cases earlier in the year
like the killings of Breonna Taylor in
Kentucky and Ahmaud Arbery in
Georgia.
People marched through the
streets against police brutality were
tear gassed and shot with rubber
bullets.
Some protests turned violent, and
it seemed like the media preferred
focusing on the looting instead of
holding police accountable.
The protests reminded Americans
how often Black people both
throughout history and now have
suffered similar injustices with no
reparations and no change to the
status quo.
Even with the whole world
watching, police shot and partially
paralyzed another Black man, Jacob
Blake, as three of his children
watched from his car.
While there is a heightened
awareness of the racism that has
plagued our country, the fight for
racial equity will not be over until
actual change is seen.
The U.S. was not the only place
fighting for civil justice.
Hong Kong residents continue to
protest for their independence from
China while facing severe police
brutality.
Thousands of people in Poland
also marched to protest a high-court
ruling in October that imposed a
near-total ban on abortion.
Armenian-Americans rallied
against the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict, an ethnic and territorial
conflict between Armenia and
Azerbaijan over the area, and for
national recognition and aid of the
conflict in October with hundreds of
thousands gathering in Hollywood.
Nigerians continue to protest
against the police brutality of the
Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
Thousands of people in India are
protesting with farmers against laws
the farmers feel will devastate their
livelihoods and create an opportunity
for private companies to exploit
the entire agricultu
The fight for jus
only starting.
(Un)Peacefu
of power???
W
ith the divid
try continu
presidential electio
be hotly contested
This election wa
ment as Joe Biden
a victory for Donal
mean four more ye
tion and damage, w
ers worried that Bi
create a country th
longer want to live
Americans anxi
days after Election
the results. Preside
was declared the w
presidential race. H
joyously poured in
dancing and honki
of President Trum
to be a feeling of un
ity, something long
American people.
However, the ot
America indignant
the streets to chall
outcome. They refu
anyone but Trump
dent for the next fo
That sentiment
President Trump h
refused to acknow
Trump and his t
push baseless claim
voter fraud.
Days following t
Trump requested a
Georgia’s votes bec
between Biden and
slim — less than 14
January 20
The first case of covid
reported in the U.S.
January 6
First travel warnings for
Americans visiting China
February 4
President Trump delivers State
of the Union address after which
House Speaker Pelosi tears up
copy of his speech.
January 23
Wuhan, China
goes under
lockdown.
February 6
NASA astronaut Christina Koch
returns to Earth after 328 days in
space, a record for a woman.
February 9
“Parasite” wins
best picture
Oscar, first
non-English
language film
to win.
February 24
Producer Harvey
Weinstein convicted
of rape &
sexual abuse.
March 11
The WHO declares
coronavirus outbreak
a pandemic.
March 16
Dow plunges 2,997
points in the worst
drop since 1987.
April 5
White House recommends
people wear
masks while in public.
April 27
US hits 1 million
coronavirus cases,
about one-third
of cases reported
worldwide.
May 31
President Trump announces plan
to designate “Antifa” a domestic
terrorist group.
May 25
George Floyd killed by a police officer in
Minneapolis, sparking protests against
police brutality & racial injustice. Protests
& rioting follow to present.
June 3
Three fired Minneapolis police officers
charged with aiding & abetting murder for
roles in George Floyd’s death.
June 15
Supreme Court
rules employers
cannot discriminate
on basis of sexual
orientation or
gender identity.
June 23
Bolton memoir publish
allegations of miscondu
June 28
Covid cases pa
million worldw
JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE
January 8
Prince Harry &
wife Meghan
Markle announce
British royal
family exit
January 22
President Trump
downplays coronavirus.
“We
have it under
control. It’s going
to be just fine.”
February 5
Senate acquits President Trump
on all impeachment charges.
January 26
Kobe Bryant, his teen
daughter Gianna & seven
others die in a helicopter
crash in CA.
February 23
Ahmaud Arbery
is shot and killed
while jogging in
Georgia.
February 29
First coronavirus
death is reported
in the U.S., though
earlier deaths will
be reported later.
March 13
Breonna Taylor is
shot and killed by
police in Louisville.
April 13
IRS begins sending stimulus
checks to Americans.
May 5
Video showing Ahmaud
Arbery’s killing is leaked.
May 7
Gregory & Travis McMichael
charged with murder
in Arbery case.
May 29
Former police officer Derek
Chauvin charged with murder
and manslaughter for
his involvement in killing of
George Floyd. Twitter places
content warnings on posts
made by President Trump
encouraging violence against
protesters.
June 10
U.S. becomes first
country to reach 2 million
coronavirus cases.
June 20
President Trump hold
tended rally in Tulsa a
never plan to attend b
June 1
Protesters cleared from Lafayette Park in Washington,
D.C. with pepper spray & rubber bullets prior to
Trump walking from White House to photo op.
ICON CREDITS: Royal by Adrien Coquet; Aeroplane by Icongeek26; Coronavirus by barurezeki; Movie by Alice Design; President by Bernd Lakenbrink; Space Shuttle by Icongeek26; Air crash by ProSymbols; Murder by Luis Prado; Court by Adrien Coquet; Donald Trump by Lorie Shaull; Court (building) by ProSym
crat donkey by Ian Ransley; Explosion by Nociconist; Death benefit by Timothy Miller; Ballot by Adrien Coquet; Magazine by Diego Naive; Women by emka angelina; Gender Neutral by A.L. Hu; vaccine by JuliAya. All icons from the Noun Project under Creative Commons license

T O R Y |
theMIRROR
re sector.
tice and equity is
l transition
e in the couning
to grow, the
n was destined to
.
s a pivotal movoters
feared that
d Trump would
ars of destruchile
Trump votden’s
win would
ey would no
in.
ously waited four
Day to find out
nt-elect Biden
inner of the 2020
alf of America
to the streets
ng at the ousting
p. There seemed
ity and solidarcraved
by the
her half of
ly poured into
enge the election
sed to accept
as their presiur
years.
was shared with
imself who has
ledge defeat.
eam continue to
s of widespread
he election,
recount of
ause the margin
Trump was so
,000 votes. The
recount affirmed Biden’s win but
that did not satisfy Trump as he
requested an additional recount
whose results also declared Biden as
the winner.
Trump’s legal team also held a
series of media events to present
what it claims is evidence of voting
irregularities that would overturn
the election results in battleground
states. With legal battles headed
towards deadends, these events
served primarily as a way for the
campaign to motivate Trump’s base.
Attorney General William Barr
told the Associated Press on Dec. 1
that thus far, the Justice Department
had not seen evidence of widespread
voter fraud that would change the
outcome of the vote. This came after
Barr has authorized U.S. attorneys
to pursue any allegations of voting
irregularities during the elections.
The U.S. Supreme Court also
rejected Texas’ and Trump’s bid to
overturn the election on Dec. 12.
Trump acknowledged for the first
time that he would leave the White
House if the Electoral College voted
for Biden on Thanksgiving Day. The
electoral college affirmed Biden’s win
with 306 electoral votes on Dec. 14.
However, Trump shows no sign of
giving up his post as he continues to
make claims of voter fraud.
Reports have also suggested
Trump may choose not to attend
Biden’s inauguration.
This leaves the country questioning
whether Trump will follow
America’s long tradition of peacefully
transitioning power between
political parties or if he will refuse to
acknowledge Biden as president all
together. Americans will just have to
wait and see.
The worst year ever?
2020
THE YEAR OF WRECKAGE 2020 saw it all: a deadly
pandemic, a movement for racial justice and a presidential
election which seemed to have no end.
SHUTTERSTOCK | F16-IO100
2020 TIMELINE: AS THE YEAR UNFOLDED
ed which includes
ct by president.
ss 10
ide.
July 7 Brazil’s President Jair
Bolsonaro, tests positive for
covid-19.
August 11
Kamala Harris is chosen
as Biden’s running mate.
August 28
“Black Panther” actor
Chadwick Boseman dies
at 43 of cancer.
September 18
Supreme Court Justice
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
dies at 87.
October 6
Rock legend Eddie
Van Halen dies following
a decades-long
battle with cancer.
November 7
Joe Biden becomes presidentelect
with 306 electoral college
votes & more than 81 million
popular votes. Harris becomes
first Black woman & first Asian
woman to be elected vice
president.
November 29
Biden announces allfemale
senior communications
team, including
several women of color.
December 11
FDA approves emergeny
authorization of Pfizer
covid-19 vaccine.
December 11
FDA approves
emergeny
authorization of
Pfizer covid-19
vaccine.
December 12
Supreme Court rejects
bid to overturn election.
December 14
The US officially rolls
out covid-19 vaccine
with healthcare workers
being first to receive it.
JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER
s sparsely atfter
teens who
uy out tickets.
July 16
Unidentified federal agents
snatch Portland, Oregon protestors
off the streets, whisking
them away in unmarked vehicles.
August 18
Joe Biden officially
selected
as 2020 Democratic
nominee.
August 24
Massive explosion
at Beirut port kills at
least 190 causing
thousands of injuries.
October 2
President Trump
tests positive for
covid-19.
October 26
Senate confirms Amy
Coney Barrett to Supreme
Court to fill vacancy
created by RBG’s death.
November 3
Presidential
election ends in
uncertainty, with
four states still
counting votes.
December 1
“Juno” actor Elliot Page publicly
comes out as transgender.
November 13
Harry Styles makes history as first solo
man to be on cover of American Vogue
in ball gown.
December 7
UK resident
Margaret
Keenan, 91,
becomes the
first person in
the world to receive
covid-19
vaccine.
December 14
Electoral college
affirms Biden’s
win with 306
electoral votes.
bols; Book by Katariana; Woman by Wilson Joseph; Demo-
TIMELINE: THE MIRROR | STAFF

12| DECEMBER 2020 | | C O V E R S T O R Y |
theMIRROR
SHUTTERSTOCK | F1-ISO100
2020
This year has been nothing short of eventful. It has had its up and downs — mostly
downs — so we asked students in an online survey about the how the year was for
them. 76.5 percent responded that it was a bad year, confirming what most people
probably think, while the remaining 23.5 percent actually thought it was a good year.
What was
the WORST
part of
your 2020?
‘‘
Finding out
that spring
break was
gonna last the
whole year.”
SUNZIDA HYDER
10TH GRADE
‘‘
The covid-19 pandemic which has
placed us in a seemingly endless
quarantine, and the racial and political
tensions which have divided
the country more than ever.”
JOEL ARIAS JR.
10th GRADE
‘‘
Family
Feeling lonely,
isolated, and
bored.”
LORENA GUEVARA
9TH GRADE
‘‘
My running
season was
ruined due to
covid-19.”
DIEGO AGUIRRE
10TH GRADE
‘‘
Being home all the time,
having no privacy to do
my zoom meetings, and
constantly arguing with
my siblings.”
AKSEL ORTIZ
11TH GRADE
‘‘
members
getting covid-19,
and the war that
happened in Artsakh.”
MANUK AGABABYAN
11TH GRADE
‘‘
Discovering
What was
the BEST
part of
your 2020?
Still being able to
connect with my
friends and getting
better at my art.”
KAYLA STEWART
10TH GRADE
‘‘
“Getting
I became close to people
and built better
relationships with my
friends and family.”
ANDREA HERRERA
9TH GRADE
‘‘
I
Finding other
activities that
I’m interested in
that I didn’t know
I was like skateboarding.”
HELENA HUERTA
9TH GRADE
‘‘
Committing
to
dye my hair.”
APRIL MENDOZA
11TH GRADE
‘‘
new
music to listen
to and watching
movies on the
weekends.”
EDUARDO ABURTO
10TH GRADE
‘‘
to
a school for
college baseball.”
HOLDEN DADDARIO
12TH GRADE
‘‘
got a girlfriend
and fell in love.”
COLLEEN MACDONALD
10TH GRADE

theMIRROR | A R T S & E N T E R T A I N M E N T |
| DECEMBER 2020 |13
CREATIVE COMMONS | DANA BEVERIDGE
KID CUDI’s
Man on the Moon III
THE STORY COMES TO AN
END
By SHAAN BHATIA
THE MIRROR NEWS EDITOR
A
decade after he
released “Man
on the Moon II,”
rapper Kid Cudi
released the long-awaited
sequel “Man on the Moon III:
The Chosen” at midnight on
Dec. 11.
A single released by Cudi
in collaboration with Eminem
in July, “The Adventures of
Moon Man & Slim Shady,”
hinted at the release of a new
album in which Cudi raps on
the outro, “The trilogy continues.”
This was the first hint
after 10 years of waiting that
there would be a continuation
of Kid Cudi’s “Man on the
Moon” trilogy.
On the final album in the
series, Cudi continues to
discuss his internal struggles
with titles like “Damaged,”
about the effects of his tour
life and partying which ends
up putting him in a damaged
state of mind, while
“Lovin’ Me” talks about the
importance of self-care and
self-love which leads him to
find happiness.
The 18-track album
features artists such as the
late Pop Smoke and Trippie
Redd, but is oddly missing
Kanye West, who consistently
appeared in Cudi’s previous
albums and even signed Cudi
to his GOOD Music label in
2008.
“Cudi’s album was definitely
worth the wait,” senior
Rebekha Miranda said. “I love
how he had a story for each
song, I just wish some were
MAN ON THE MOON: Kid Cudi returns with the final installment of the trilogy after a decade-long hiatus.
longer. It truly was something
great that has happened during
the pandemic.”
Cudi’s “Man on the Moon”
series of albums are stories
following Cudi’s alter ego “Mr.
Rager” who represents the
struggle between good and
bad. His narratives use his
unique rap flow, with verses
that summarize his internal
feelings and external actions,
coupled with a beat consisting
of a blend between various
genres from hip-hop to
jazz to soul.
His debut album and first
album in the series, “Man on
the Moon: The End of Day,”
was released on Sep. 15, 2009,
debuting fourth on the Billboard
200 list and receiving
three Grammy awards.
Followed up the success of
his debut album, his second
studio album, and the second
album in the “Man on the
Moon trilogy, Man on the
Moon II: The Legend of Mr.
Rager” was released on Nov.
9, 2010, reaching number
three on the Billboard 200 list
and going Platinum in 2018
as certified by the Recording
Industry Association of
America (RIAA).
Taylor Swift dropped her second album this year, “Evermore.”
The bottom line: Her fans have not been disappointed.
By JULIA PFAU
THE MIRROR FEATURES EDITOR
Grammy winner and platinum
album holder Taylor Swift
dropped her surprise 15-track
album, “Evermore,” last week
on her 31st birthday as a gift to her fans.
The new album is an extension of “Folklore,”
released earlier this year.
“Evermore” explores wide-ranging
themes from ex-romantic partners
(which Taylor Swift album doesn’t?) to
con artists. The album has received high
ratings with 4.5 stars from The Rolling
Stone and 5 stars from audiences via
Google Reviews.
“Ever since I was 13, I’ve been excited
about turning 31 because it’s my lucky
number backwards, which is why I
wanted to surprise you with this now,”
Swift said on her Instagram.
“Evermore” features multiple collaborations
with other artists including Haim
and The National and Bon Iver.
EVERMORE:
Taylor Swift
released her
ninth sudio
album to
critical acclaim
from
fans and
media alike.
Like “Folklore,” “Evermore” tells stories
from points of view other than just Swift.
The character Dorothea, a girl leaving
her small town to seek out stardom, is
reflected in two tracks: “dorothea” and “‘tis
the damn season.” Could Dorothea be an
alter ego?
The song “dorothea” is told from the
perspective of a boy from her hometown,
and “‘tis the damn season” focuses on the
idea of Dorothea returning and reconnecting
with him during the holidays.
Other tracks such as “gold rush” focus
more on Swift herself, with fans assuming
the track was written for her ex-boyfriend,
metrosexual Harry Styles, drawing a relation
between the lyrics and Style’s appearance
and characteristics.
Fans were surprised because unlike
most projects, the new album’s release
was unannounced. It hadn’t even been
hinted at.
“I was really shocked about it [“Evermore”]
and I’m just in love with the
album,” listener Fatiah Lawal said. “My
favorite on the album has to be ‘willow.’”
With such high ratings and positive
feedback from fans, “Evermore” is on its
way to reaching the extreme success of
other albums in her discography.
Ten Grammys and nine platinum
albums make Swift one of the most influential
and prosperous singer/songwriters
of all time.
She is praised for her wide range of
skills which include playing the piano,
banjo, ukulele, guitar and electric guitar.
Beyond the music industry, Swift is
also a movie actress, with roles in “Cats”
and “The Lorax.”
Even with her chart-topping songs and
millions of records sold, Swift is known
for remaining humble and eschewing the
one-sided relationship most celebrities
maintain with their fans.
Meet-and-greets are free at her concerts
and participants are chosen by her
team and her mother. Swift also invites
selected fans to Secret Sessions, private
meet-and-greets sometimes held in her
home, where she bakes for her fans and
takes time to meet, talk and sing with
them. Swift’s immense appreciation
towards her audience has undoubtedly
helped her establish a loyal fanbase.
The albums “Folklore” and “Evermore”
are nothing short of audience appreciated
and critically acclaimed. Swift’s lyrics and
overall sound depict stories and create
impactful imagery. It’s no surprise that
these albums will be as successful as her
others.

14| DECEMBER 2020 | | A R T S & E N T E R T A I N M E N T |
theMIRROR
Holiday films to
binge-watch over
the winter break
FULL-COURT
MIRACLE
Basketball player Lamont Carr
becomes the head coach of the
Philadelphia team after suffering
knee injuries. Carr meets Alex,
a Jewish boy, who desperately
needs a basketball coach for
his school’s team. Based on
true events, “Full-Court Miracle”
shares a Hanukkah story.
Available on Disney +
HOW THE GRINCH
STOLE CHRISTMAS:
Living high up in Mount Crumpet
with his dog Max, the Grinch loathes
Christmas time with a passion. In
an attempt to steal Christmas from
the neighboring Whoville, the Grinch
plans a cunning scheme. However,
his plans take a turn when Cindy Lou
Who, a girl from WhoVille, shares the
warm, inclusive holiday festivities
with the Grinch.
Available on Netflix
ELF
Growing up as an elf in the North
Pole, Buddy never seemed to fit in.
Navigating through the unfamiliar
world, he finds his way to New York
City in hopes of finding his birth father.
However, when Buddy arrives in
NYC, his father doesn’t believe that
Buddy is his son. Through a series of
chaotic events, Buddy and his father
attempt to build a relationship.
Available on Vudu
HANUKKAH
HOPE
An injured
basketball star
rediscovers
hope for his
team with the
guidance of a
young Jewish
boy with a burning
passion for
the sport.
A CHRISTMAS
RUINED
The sinister
green Grinch
plans to ruin everyone’s
Christmas
in the town
of Whoville.
UNFIT FOR THE
NORTH POLE
Buddy was accidentally
sent to
the North Pole
as a toddler.
After realizing
that he isn’t an
elf, he travels
to New York to
search for his
real father.
SOURCE | DANIEL L. PAULSON PRODUCTIONS SOURCE | UNIVERSAL STUDIOS SOURCE | WARNER BROS

theMIRROR | A R T S & E N T E R T A I N M E N T |
| DECEMBER 2020 |15
From shopping for the holidays online to sharing the festive
season with friends and family virtually, this year’s festivities
aren’t going to be the same. However, one thing stays constant:
holiday movies. Whether you’re quarantined at home with family
or alone for the holidays, here are some movies to bring you
into the festive spirit.
NOELLE:
When Noelle’s father retires from
his Santa Claus business, her
brother Nick takes over as Santa
Claus. However, Nick disappears
before Christmas. Noelle goes on
an adventure to find Nick to save
the business and Christmas.
Available on Disney +
SAVING
CHRISTMAS
Noelle must find
her brother Nick,
the new Santa
Claus, before
Christmas is
ruined.
HOME ALONE
Wishing that his family disappears,
Kevin’s dream comes
true when he is left behind from
the McCallister’s Christmas
vacation. As Kevin enjoys his
freedom home alone, he senses
something fishy. Kevin needs to
protect his house from burglars.
Through witty tricks and traps,
can 8-year-old Kevin successfully
ward off two burglars?
Available on Disney +
A CHRISTMAS
CAROL
Cold-hearted, bitter Ebenezar
Scrooge hates everything
about Christmas. On Christmas,
Scrooge is unexpectedly
visited by ghosts that take
him back to his past to relive
parts of his memories and
show him his future in an attempt
to redeem the meanspirited
Scrooge.
Available on Disney +
2020
WRAPPED
The tops of 2020
2020 was undoubtedly an unforgettable year.
Despite the closure of entertainment hubs
resulting from covid-19, all areas of entertainment
delivered and continued to bring joy in
times of darkness. With an isolated population
looking for a distraction from the safety
of their homes, these best of 2020 provided
a sweet escape from the chaos outside our
doors.
Video Games
The Last Of Us 2 (2020)
Hades (2020)
Animal Crossing New Horizons (2020)
Doom Eternal (2020)
• Ghost of Tsushima (2020)
TV Series/ Documentaries
• Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness
(2020, Netflix)
Queen’s Gambit (2020, Netflix)
Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005, Netflix)
The Mandalorian Season 2 (2020, Disney +)
• My Octopus Teacher (2020, Netflix)
Songs
Positions by Ariana Grande (2020)
Good News by Megan Thee Stallion (2020)
Dakiti by Bad Bunny & Jhay Cortez (2020)
TKN (feat. Travis Scott) by Rosalia (2020)
• Therefore I am by Billie Eilish (2020)
Album releases
• EL ÚLTIMO TOUR DEL MUNDO by Bad
Bunny (2020)
Good News by Megan Thee Stallion (2020)
Plastic Hearts by Miley Cyrus (2020)
Sin Miedo by Kali Uchis (2020)
• Circles by Mac Miller (2020)
Movies
All the Bright Places (2020, Netflix)
Hamilton (2020, Disney +)
Clouds (2020, Disney +)
Bad Boys For Life (2020, Hulu)
• Wonder Woman 1984 (2020, Unreleased)
A ROBBED
CHRISTMAS
Crafty kid Kevin
McCallister outwits
bandits.
SPIRITED
HOLIDAY
Three spirits
visit the miserly
Ebenezer
Scrooge to take
him to his past
in hopes of
transforming
his bitterness
towards Christmas.
SOURCE | WALT DISNEY PICTURES SOURCE | 20TH CENTURY STUDIOS SOURCE | WALT DISNEY PICTURES

16 | DECEMBER 2020 | | P R O & C O N |
theMIRROR
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: THE MIRROR | ANTONY NEPEYVODA; DOG: PEXELS | GOOCHIE POOCHIE GROOMING
VOLUME 107 | ISSUE 2
PRINT EDITORS-IN-CHIEF
Andre Rodas, Ani Tutunjyan
ONLINE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Aaron Mejia
LAYOUT EDITOR
Antony Nepeyvoda
CURRENT EVENTS EDITOR
Shaan Bhatia
PERSPECTIVES EDITOR
Julia Pfau
PRO & CON/SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR
Gwen Langi
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
Kasey Kim
ATHLETICS EDITOR
Andre Davancens
PHOTO EDITOR
Ivan Delgado
PODCAST EDITOR
Sevak Harutyunyan
SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR
Csarina “Nina” Jarencio
ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR
Angela Proca
ASSISTANT ONLINE EDITOR
Nathan Han
Furry friends
and
fashion trends
FELIPE RODRIGUEZ
A
haircut for a fresh appearance.
New piercings for an edgier look.
A change of hair color to catch attention.
These are all decisions we make to maintain
a fresh look and reflect our personality through
our sense of style. We let our aesthetic speak for our
personalities.
But we’re seeing more and more pet owners use their
pets as an artistic outlet. Piercing their eyes, dying their
fur and even tattoos.
Pet owners in favor of using their pets for fashion
statements treat their animals as accessories by having
their appearances modified, and in the process causing
them harm.
Hair dye poses a dangerous threat when used on
animal fur and can result in skin problems such as irritation,
itching and burning.
If a pet ingests dye, it will be exposed to poisoning
from internal burns. The animal’s natural odor can be
DOGGONE Furry
friends don’t need
cosmetic enhancements.
affected by the chemicals in the dye. The dye can be
rejected by certain species and change their behavior
entirely.
Dying a pet’s fur will also place a great amount of
stress on them. Fur dying isn’t a quick process and a pet
will have to sit for an hour or more in fear, especially if
it’s their first time.
There are also owners who get their pet’s ears
pierced. Piercings are another fashion trend that works
well for humans but is troubling for pets because of its
negative effects on pets’ health.
Dog ears alone have a high chance of getting an
infection and an ear piercing would only increase those
chances. Animal piercings can also get caught on different
objects and cause the pet pain, and possibly tear their ear.
These decisions are made without considering the
damaging effects on the animal’s health.
Not only is this fashion trend harmful for pets, but
allowing them to suffer from dangerous conditions in
order to make a fashion statement is immoral.
Pet lives need to be prioritized over their appearance,
and owners failing to do this should not be able to have
pets.
When owners make the decision to become responsible
for a pet, they take on a parental role. If a parent
forced their child to get their hair dyed or ear pierced
against their child’s will, everyone would agree that the
parent is in the wrong. Why aren’t pet owners held to
the same standard?
There are other ways to give pets some style. Buy
them clothes or take them to a groomer to give them a
creative haircut. Pets can have a unique look in a safe
way.
There’s a fine line between accessorizing your pet
and treating your pet like an accessory.
Using your animal as a fashion accessory is selfish
and irresponsible. Please don’t do it.
STAFF WRITERS/PHOTOGRAPHERS
Alison Arevalo
Eleonora Badikyan
Adriana Contreras
Melanie Contreras
Isabela Diaz
Daniel Espinoza
Sam Eusebio
Itzel Gallardo
Jerry Garcia
Angelina Gevorgyan
Anzhela Harutyunyan
Briana Jasso
Andy Joachin
Aiza Kang
Terrence Lazo
Monica Mazariegos
Bobbie Lynn Medrano
Owen Mitchell
Angel Rendon
Felipe Rodriguez
Andrew Vega
Angelica Venturina
Jazlyn Xocoxic
Canella Yuson
JOURNALISM ADVISER
Mr. Ron Goins
ABOUT US The Mirror is the student newspaper
of Van Nuys Senior High School in Van
Nuys, California, a district of Los Angeles,
published six times per year. Opinions
expressed in bylined commentary articles
and columns represent the views of the individual
writer and do not necessarily reflect
the views of The Mirror or the Editorial Board.
DISTRIBUTION Copies are free to students,
faculty and staff and are available in
Room 112, Second Floor, Main Building.
READER PARTICIPATION Unsigned editorials
represent the majority opinion of the
Editorial Board. Letters to the Editor may
be delivered to Room 112 or mailed to The
Mirror, 6535 Cedros Ave, Van Nuys, CA 91411.
Letters must be signed and may be edited
for space to conform to The Mirror style
and format.
ADVERTISING Advertising questions may
be directed to Isabela Diaz at idiaz0064@
mymail.lausd.net, or by telephoning (818)
788-6800. Publication of an advertisement
does not imply endorsement of the product
or service by the newspaper or the school.
MEMBERSHIPS National Scholastic Press
Association (NSPA), Columbia Scholastic
Press Association (CSPA), Southern California
Journalism Educators Association
(SCJEA) and Los Angeles Press Club.

theMIRROR | P R O & C O N |
| DECEMBER 2020 |17
I work an unwanted job and I’m earning an
unbearable wage. Where’s my respect?
GWEN LANGI
PRO & CON EDITOR
“Do good in school. You
don’t want to be flipping
burgers for the
rest of your life.”
In one form or another we’ve heard this
from teachers, family and even friends.
They think they’re motivating us to do our
best but they’re actually job shaming.
Job shaming is when someone is
treated differently based on their job,
which includes treating someone’s
profession as less valuable or less challenging
than based on personal values
and interpretations. It’s an issue that
isn’t discussed enough, but needs to be
corrected.
Fast food workers are the most common
targets of job shaming. These jobs
are wrongfully depicted as the “or else”
professions.
A stubborn stereotype is that fast food
is an industry made up of last-resort
positions that only desperate teens want
so they can make some pocket change.
This is false. According to the National
Employment Law Project, the average
fast food worker is 29 years old. Over 40
percent of sector workers are actually 25
or older. One-third have some higher education
and 26 percent are parents. These
statistics debunk the myth that such
workers are uneducated and lazy.
Fast food workers are required to be
on their toes while on the job. They are responsible
for accurately taking and making
sometimes complicated orders quickly. It’s
not an easy environment to work in—especially
as a first job for young adults.
More than half of all fast food works
take a second job to make ends meet. They
definitely aren’t lazy. A low minimum wage
is largely to blame. It’s not the worker’s
fault that McDonald’s, Burger King and
Wendy’s don’t pay a living wage.
I’ve worked at a fast food restaurant
for the last four months. My job has
given me a deeper insight into the situation,
especially during the pandemic. The
common misconceptions about working
a minimum wage job reinforce the belief
that such jobs are easy. But that’s not
the case.
I’ve had customers who’ve complained
about everything from the size of the
ketchup packets to how their dollar bills
weren’t crisp enough. They come in with
complicated orders and expect them to
be fulfilled in impossible times. Customers
give terrible attitudes for insignificant
reasons.
My most memorable conflict so far was
when a customer from England claimed
I completely messed up his order even
though he verified multiple times it was
correct. He began yelling and became
physically aggressive. He bad-mouthed
my establishment and it’s services, angrily
stomping out after shouting it was “such
an American thing to do.”
Cooking food and taking orders doesn’t
require specialized skills, but juggling
multiple complaining customers while
preparing orders as fast as possible makes
the job difficult.
The pandemic has proven that restaurants
and their workers are essential. With
over 85 million Americans eating fast food
every single day, it’s unreasonable for fast
food workers to be used as the butt of
jokes. The fast food industry is one heavily
relied on in America.
Fast food jobs typically aren’t anyone’s
first career options. This doesn’t mean
that they are any less significant or undeserving
of respect. Anyone working for
their living should be respected regardless
of title. Someone has to do the work.
Next time you’re in the drive through
leave the disrespect at home and remember
these workers are the reason you have
a meal.
SHUTTERSTOCK | SMIRART
SOMEBODY’S GOT TO DO IT Essential workers are treated poorly because their jobs are perceived as less valuable than others.
THE POWER OF
POLITICS
By GWEN LANGI
THE MIRROR PRO/CON EDITOR
As Donald Trump’s presidency
comes to an end,
many of us can only hope
the next four years aren’t
as divisive as the past four years.
It was easier to co-exist with those
who had opposing political views
before Trump’s presidency. We’d agree
to disagree and politics was a subject
avoided to prevent tension. It was tiptoed
around at family gatherings and
kept out of classroom discussions.
Politics has always been a contentious
subject but Trump’s victory in
the 2016 election amplified the voice
of his supporters. They were comfortable
with vocalizing their hate
and bigotry because the president
did the same.
The last presidential election took
place in 2016 when I was only 13-yearsold.
Politics hadn’t found it’s way into
my life yet and it seemed like a conversation
only grown-ups had.
But this time it’s different.
Political views are now a dealbreaker
and there’s no escaping the political
conversation.
This year’s presidential election was
a nasty fight coming from both sides
that was hard not to follow. It was impossible
to turn a blind eye to the fact
that our country is divided.
Politics has crept into every corner
of our lives, even the most personal
relationships with our friends, family
and significant others. I lost friends, cut
off family and distanced myself from
those whose political opinions didn’t
agree with mine. Some will laugh,
disagree with me or say that I’m overreacting
but opposing political views
are no longer something I can find a
middle ground with.
The candidate you support tells a
lot about your values and beliefs. This
year’s election brought the truth and
character out of many.
Covid-19 has been turned into a political
issue although there isn’t much
to debate about. People protested
against wearing masks, the lockdown
and the possibility of a vaccine.
Those who turned the pandemic
into a political debate would rather
put their family and themselves at risk
of being infected than miss out on a
party. They’d rather believe conspiracy
theories about a vaccine and spread
misinformation instead of protecting
their friends and family against a
disease we’d never encountered before.
It showed how selfish many people are
and that is a trait not worth keeping
friends for.
California experienced several
record-breaking wildfires this year
and when we were in desperate need
of help, President Trump failed us. He
refused to acknowledge the science
supporting climate change and told
Californians “It’ll start getting cooler.
You just watch,” with no evidence supporting
his statement.
Those who deny climate change
pose a dangerous threat to our environment.
Science shows that if our
carbon footprint isn’t reduced fast
enough flooding is more likely, communities
will be displaced and habitats
will be lost.
Trump failed to acknowledge racism
on multiple occasions, telling the
Proud Boys, a far-right group often
associated with violent protests, to
“stand back and stand by.” Trump is
notorious for his verbal attacks against
women with his most memorable line
encouraging others to “grab ’em by the
p*ssy.”
It’s impossible to remain neutral
with issues like this at hand.
Favorite pizza toppings and music
genres are topics that friends can
agree to disagree on — not human
rights or racism. The election is over
and Trump’s presidential term is over
but the progressive fight for Americans
has just begun.
Think about which side of history
you choose to stand on and choose
your friends appropriately.

18| DECEMBER 2020 | | P R O & C O N |
theMIRROR
HOLDING TEENS
HOSTAGE
GWEN LANGI
PRO & CON EDITOR
Sharing my location
with my parents,
having a strict curfew
and getting my phone
taken away.
Parents believe that having
total control over their
kids’ actions will make them
obedient.
But the more my parents
tried to control what I did,
the easier it was to do things
right under their noses.
Skipping school, sneaking
out and partying — all without
their knowledge.
Children whose parents
keep a short leash on
them growing up often
take advantage of their new
freedom and make poor decisions
when they are let out
into the world on their own.
My parents require me
to share my location with
them at all times. This is
more than a safety concern,
it’s a control tactic. It’s an
invasion of privacy, and trust
between a parent and their
child is easily lost when control
tactics like this are used.
Another excessive control
tactic that strict parents
use is snooping through
phones and social media
accounts. Not only is this
another way to break
trust between parents
and children but it’s also
ineffective.
Apps such as “Fake Calculator”
and “Photo Vault”
work in favor of those with
overbearing parents.
Fake calculator apps look
and act as a normal calculator
but when you enter a
special series of numbers it
unlocks a folder where you
can hide pictures and videos.
Photo vault apps work
similarly to hide pictures and
videos of your choice with
password protection.
Wanting to keep parts of
your life private from your
parents doesn’t make you a
bad or rebellious kid. Parents
aren’t always understanding
and comforting which is why
some kids choose to hide
things from them.
Everyone has a right to
privacy and being a parent
doesn’t allow you to violate
that right.
When parents allow their
children to open up to them
freely, trust is gained and
the child will feel comfortable
confiding in them. But
an overbearing parent that
When help turns into hurt:
Overbearing parents that shelter
their kids only set them up to fail
shows no respect for their
child’s boundaries will make
their child resent them and
communicate less with them
because they fear the consequences.
As a result, children
will continue to find themselves
in trouble without the
guidance and support from
their parents.
Tyrannical parents sever
the emotional attachment
between themselves and
their children, which can
have a damaging effect
on their children’s mental
health. The pressure that
children with overbearing
parents feel to succeed often
leads to depression, anxiety
and low-self esteem. Parents
forget how hurtful words
can be and will say things
without thinking of the effects
it has on their children.
Sheltered children will
find it difficult to cope with
the real world. They’re used
to having decisions made for
them and being told what
to do. Making decisions and
taking initiative in situations
is not an easy task for those
who were sheltered as a
child.
Parents are supposed
to guide their children, not
criticize and punish them
for every mistake they make.
Parents do hold a position of
authority but overstepping
their children’s boundaries
defeats effective parenting.
TYRANNICAL PARENTS sever the
emotional attachment between
themselves and their children,
which can have a damaging effect
on their children’s mental health.
SHUTTERSTOCK | NICHOLAS SUTCLIFFE

theMIRROR | A T H L E T I C S |
| DECEMBER 2020 |19
SCREEN CAPTURE | GOOGLE
0-LOVE
Covid-19 hits tennis
By ANDRE DAVANCENS
THE MIRROR SPORTS EDITOR
For nine months now,
the campus tennis
courts have been
abandoned.
No more serves, no more
fouls, no tennis balls flying over
the fence. No sweaty palms, no
new scuffs on shoes. The courts
lay dormant, a time capsule from
before the pandemic, waiting for
their team to return to the red
concrete again with a hunger for
victory.
Even though the courts are
idle and no practices or games
are being held, Coach Min Woo
So’s job is to prepare the tennis
program for when his players
can take to the courts again.
It’s a challenge.
As the 2019-2020 season
ended in October 2019, the girls
tennis team was the third seed in
their league. Their championship
run ended in the first game of the
playoffs when they were defeated
by San Fernando High School.
The boys team’s never even
played a single game, as covid cut
WORD
Jaymee Domenden
Girls Captain
Despite the rough times,
I have high hopes for
tennis, that we will have
a season. I hope that we
are all able to go back to
school, maybe not how
it was before, but close
to normal.
FROM
THE
their season short in March of
this year before it even began.
Coach So has to find a way to
keep his returning athletes motivated,
fit, and mentally strong
even with the hassle of online
school preventing them from
crossing the courts.
You can’t play tennis on Zoom.
So the only solution is to encourage
both teams to continue to
practice. Public tennis courts
remain open. The athletes utilize
these courts in addition to working
out from home via Zoom
with Coach So.
The new semester will not
mean the beginning of a season.
Despite that, he hopes that he
can see his students in practice.
In light of the stricter stay-athome
orders, he has been doing
his best to keep his students in
shape.
“We aren’t holding any inperson
practices at the moment,”
Coach So said. “Our athletes are
working out on their own and as
a team during Zoom meetings.”
Recent studies have confirmed
what many students
already know, that social isolation
leads to depression and anxiety.
The program looks to address
this issue.
While Zoom is not the ideal
tennis court, it allows for the
team to combat the symptoms
of isolation. Boys team captains
Alex Kim, Jonathan Lee and
Joshua Nam as well as girls team
captains Jaymee Domenden
and Van Handke started to host
zoom meetings two to three
times a week. The plan was to
create socially-distanced activities
for the team. These activities
aim to reduce stress among
teammates.
The team captains facilitate
conversation through a game
called social popcorn. In this
TENNIS CAPTAINS
Jonathan Lee
Boys Captain
It’s hard to communicate
and talk to others
but, breakout rooms
provide a relief to the
problem. I hope in
the future, we can go
back to school and get
started.
COURTS ADJOURNED Before covid-19 the tennis courts were occupied by hardworking athletes.
Alex Kim
Boys Captain
It’s a little disappointing
but
given what we
can work with
it’s the best we
can do.
game, teammates ask each other
questions in order to get to know
each other better on and off the
court.
Coach So believes that this
builds strong relationships between
team members.
“During this difficult time, I
believe it is crucial for students to
have social interactions to get rid
of stress and anxiety,” he said.
Although a return to campus
is extremely unlikely, Coach So is
still hopeful that they can make
the best of the second semester.
But covid seems to have other
plans. An order issued on Dec.
7 by Superintendent Austin
Beutner closes all campuses
and activities indefinitely. No
one knows if or when tennis and
Joshua Nam
Boys Captain
It’s up to us to prevent
the disease from spreading
to those around us.
To progress as a team,
we all need to work
together so I am hopeful
for the future and what is
to come.
other sports competitions will
resume.
For the team, which has faced
many setbacks, recruiting new
players hasn’t been an issue. It
hasn’t lost any members. In fact
the team has grown, they now
have even more students on the
team than there were last year.
While the new athletes are not
very experienced, Coach So remains
hopeful that he will be able
to mentor them to success.
“Though it’s not the same
online, I believe the team has
bonded quite a lot. We try our
hardest to connect with one
another and update each other
on how everyone is doing,” girls
team Captain Jaymee Domenden
said.
Van Handke
Girls Captain
Even though we
can’t do much right
now, hopes for the
future are high that
we can go back to
practice..
PLAY BALL: LaMelo Ball makes waves in the basketball world
By ANDRE RODAS & SAM EUSEBIO
THE MIRROR STAFF
rom being a starter on one of the
greatest high school basketball
F teams of all time at only 13 years
old, to being the youngest American basketball
player to ever sign a professional
basketball contract, LaMelo Ball’s journey
has been nothing short of incredible.
LaMelo grew up in Chino Hills, California,
with his parents, LaVar and Tina Ball,
and his brothers, Lonzo and LiAngelo. He
attended Chino Hills High School to play
basketball with his brothers on the same
team. Melo’s importance to the team was
that he was a skilled basketball player
like his brothers. In his Chino Hills career,
LaMelo went on to average 16.4 ppg,
and 3.8 apg in his freshman year. For his
Sophomore year, he averaged 26.7 ppg,
and 10 apg.
In this year’s NBA draft, Ball was
selected third overall by the Charlotte
Hornets. The oldest brother Lonzo, was
selected second overall by the Los Angeles
Lakers in the 2017 draft with LiAngelo
signing a recent non-guaranteed one-year
contract with the Detroit Pistons.
Melo is not new to the spotlight. He
has been the most famous and talked
about prospect since LeBron James.
CREATIVE COMMONS | ZACK SAMBURG
BIG BALLER
LaMelo Ball
suited up for
the Illawara
Hawks, which
he has now
purchased with
his manager
Jermaine
Jackson.
Without having even played a single
game in the NBA, the youngest Ball
brother boasts an impressive six million
followers on Instagram and has been in
his own reality show, “Ball in the Family,”
which follows the lives of the whole Ball
family.
He even released his own shoe on
his 16th birthday which later made him
ineligible to play NCAA basketball. The
shoe was named “Melo Ball 1’s” and was
created by his family brand, the Big Baller
Brand.
His sophomore year of basketball was
full of highlights. He was making shots
from halfcourt and exploded for a 92
point outing.
His father, decided it was time to take
his son’s game to the next level his junior
year. LaMelo left Chino Hills High School
and signed a pro contract with Vytautas,
a professional basketball team in Lithuania,
a small country in Northern Europe.
LiAngelo Ball joined him for the season.
Ball went on to average 6.5 ppg, 2.4
apg and 1.1 rpg in a disappointing season
that was ultimately cut short for the Ball
brothers due to their father pulling them
out after disagreements with the head
coach.
From there he went on to play for
the JBA (Junior Basketball Association),
sponsored by his father’s brand Big Baller
Brand. In the JBA, Melo got an opportunity
to play against others near his age
group. However the JBA was cancelled
after only one season due to low ratings
and not enough viewership. The JBA was
looked down upon and has been compared
to a lower-level foreign league.
The basketball world was shocked
when Ball announced he would be going
back to high school. He played at Spire Institute
Academy, located in Geneva, Ohio.
His time there helped boost his draft
stock once again after a disappointing
outing in Lithuania and a season spent in
a looked down upon league.
Spire went on to finish the season undefeated,
with an impressive 17-0 record.
Ball went on to average 21.6 ppg, 1.9 apg,
and 0.9 rpg.
Before his ineligibility, LaMelo had committed
to play basketball at UCLA, where
Lonzo played his first and only season of
college basketball. In what would have
been his freshman year of NCAA basketball,
LaMelo played overseas once again.
This time it was in a much better league
and team in Australia. His time with the
Illawarra Hawks of the NBL was very
impressive where he had averages of 17.0
ppg, 6.8 apg, and 7.5 rpg in 12 games.
His final major move before officially
becoming an NBA player was leaving his
father’s brand and signing an endorsement
deal with Puma.
Despite many critics attacking him
from such a young age and not believing
he was an NBA ready talent, he has made
it to the league in a very unique never
seen before way. Hype continues to surround
the now 19 year old who has been
looking better than he has ever been.
Ball went from being 5’8 his freshman
year to now standing at 6’8. The
point guard is ready to make his case on
becoming a future NBA star.

20| DECEMBER 2020 | | A T H L E T I C S |
theMIRROR
SCREEN CAPTURES | THE MIRROR
VIDEO GAMING
Skins=wins
SCOPED Buy a Factory New Souvenir AWP Dragon Lore skin or buy two real AWP sniper rifles. Either way you’ll pay upwards of $14,000.
ANTONY NEPEYVODA
ESPORTS IN REVIEW
In the real world, a Big Mac at
McDonalds costs $3.99, but in the
virtual gaming world, an M-9
bayonet virtual knife in “CS:GO
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive” costs
more than $500.
Virtual skins are downloads that
change the appearance of characters in
video games. For video games like “CS:GO,
Dota 2” and “TF2 (Team Fortress 2),” these
skins are purely aesthetic.
“CS:GO” esports has a unique culture
around these weapon skins. All the pros
use them while they play. Stewie2K, a pro
player for Team Liquid, a professional
CS:GO team, has a strong collection of
skins like a StatTrak M4A4 | Howl, a gun
in CS:GO worth thousands of dollars.
Players like collecting these valuable
items, but many don’t even use them.
Skins work like cryptocurrency or
stocks on Steam, a video game digital
distribution, where gamers are able to
purchase or trade for items.
There are different ways to get skins. The
first way is to get them from the source: to
open up loot boxes like cases from “CS:GO.”
Loot boxes are essentially treasure chests
one can find during a match.
All “CS:GO” skins can also be dropped
for free after finishing a game but are usually
never worth more than seven cents.
The reason these skins and many like
them are worth less than other skins is
that they are usually in very bad condition.
“CS:GO” skin conditions, float — like
some players like to call them — range
from battle-scarred in the worst condition,
to factory new in the best condition.
The closer the float an item is, the closer
it is to being brand new. Condition always
affects the value.
There are two other methods outside of
the game that require spending money to
obtain skins. The obvious one is to buy the
skins from the Steam marketplace, which
sells almost all the skins that are available..
The second way is to go to third-party forprofit
websites and pay for them..
Skins and cosmetic items, modifiers
that change the way certain items look
in game when equipped, were added to
“CS:GO” and “TF2” in 2013 and were released
over time as different collections of
cosmetics were made into cases.
Different games have different cosmetics.
“TF2” has player clothing accessories
for their player to set them apart from
the other team while “Counterstrike” has
skins for their weapons because starters
are really bland and not eye-catching.
These cosmetics change the outfit and
what characters are wearing in game.
There’s many reasons why
these items have gotten so
expensive. The fact that they
can be traded and sold on the
Steam Community Market
gives them some value, depending
on how many people
want the item. Rarer items are
in shorter supply, increasing
the value. To get the Strange Professional
Killstreak Australium Medi Gun, a gun in
“Team Fortress 2,” a player must complete
a very hard mission which rarely gives
already rare Australium items.
Real life events can also affect the value
of cosmetic items. In “CS:GO,” when a major
event takes place the cases, skins and
stickers, which are used on the gun skins
for extra customization, are awarded to
fans who watched the event. These items
quickly increase in value because they are
no longer awarded to players after the
event ends.
For example, a case given to viewers
of “StarLadder Major: Berlin 2019” who
watched the tournament live on Twitch
is worth about $340 — after only two
years. When it was first released it sold
for only $30.
One case that contains the Souvenir
AWP Dragon Lore, was sold for $61,000,
even though it does not ensure a reward.
The value continues to rise despite low
odds. Opening it is moderately high-risk
because it may not contain the most
valuable items. Another item in the case,
GOLD BARS For $157 you can buy this golden gun or 2.65
grams of gold, the choice is yours.
a Souvenir M4A1-S | Knight, is valued at
around $1000.
There are other ways for items to
change value in “Team Fortress 2”.
The “TF2” update last year caused
a case depression. The glitch occurred
when the game was updated last year.
Rare items were guaranteed to be unboxed
from cases. Panic set in as the cases
rapidly increased in price while prices
of the items in them decreased. The game
developers were forced to freeze transactions
of the new items as a temporary
fix. Eventually they decided only the first
item unboxed the broken cases could
be traded. All others were untradeable,
rendered basically useless.
I have my own “CS:GO” skins. They can
be viewed in your inventory, or in-game.
I obtained most of my skins through
in-game level-up drops. After having the
skins for an extensive amount of time, I
can report that they are pleasing to the
eyes, but that’s about it. They do not have
an effect on game-play. But if you frequently
play “CS:GO” then owning a skin
might be beneficial.
THE MIRROR | IVAN DELGADO
DEJA VU: LAUSD sports cancelled again
FIELDS CLOSED Football field empty, track practice
is cancelled, no wrestlers cutting weight.
Last month it seemed like student athletes were going to
slowly be returning to campus.
Schools were developing safety plans. Once all athletes
had been cleared they would be able to resume practice
without any complications. Most sports played on campus
require athletes to practice close to one another but
masks would have to be worn at all times.
It looked like things were slowly getting back to normal.
In December, the sounds of dribbling basketballs and
serving volleyballs were to be heard once again.
But one cold fact about a pandemic is that it is unpredictable.
Covid-19 doesn’t care about plans.
Back to square one. No sports. No practice. LAUSD
shut everything down again. Covid began spreading like
wildfire.
A public statement released by LAUSD on Dec. 7
states “Los Angeles Unified is also temporarily suspending
athletic conditioning programs for student athletes.
The changes on school campuses will all be in effect by
December 10.”
The beginning of the season of high school sports in
California was set to commence this month.
Athletic conditioning for LAUSD schools started Nov. 9,
however not many schools were prepared to let studentathletes
back on campus. Assistant Principal Marc Strassner
was in charge of creating a safe plan that would have
let teams condition on campus.
“Once a plan has been approved we will inform every
one of the start date and begin our athletic conditioning
program,” Mr. Strassner said.
Students who are interested in participating in the
now postponed afterschool conditioning will have to
submit a few things before they can return on campus,
when the all-clear comes. A current Athletic Packet
completed and submitted will be required as will a current
Athletic Physical, a recent negative covid test and a
covid-19 waiver.
All practice and competition start dates are now officially
on hold until updated guidance from the District is
issued. • ANDRE RODAS