Stories |
Stories |
Dedication to the Drumline By Emma Sharman Co-Editor-in-Chief The drumline carries a critical representation of school spirit at any football game or rally. It wouldn’t be the same without the rhythm of the drumline rumbling through the stands and getting everyone’s energy up. Millikan’s drumline recently participated in the very first digital rally of the 2020-2021 school year (the first of its kind), which was spearheaded by Mr. Robinson. ⠀⠀⠀⠀However, beyond their participation in filming for this event, the Millikan drumline has not been able to return to campus for practice. Currently, they are limited to Zoom practices only. ⠀⠀⠀⠀According to PEACE sophomore Aaron Schreiber, “We have been doing zoom classes on our odd days. We hope to hit the field as soon as we can get back to school.” COMPASS junior Kimberly Orellana Lopez has a similar account, stating that, “We have worked on a series of exercises that strengthen our playing technique so that when we eventually go back, we’ll be a stronger group.” ⠀⠀⠀⠀Orellana Lopez mentioned that there’s not much that can be done for instrumentalists for the time being due to Covid-19 precautions, however, “sSome of us have taken it into our own hands and gotten together to practice...in a socially distant manner with masks on. As of right now we are looking forward to having a winter percussion season but everything is so uncertain, we aren’t sure if we will be able to march,” and she adds, “without a doubt, we will continue to work our very hardest and be prepared for next year!” PHOTO COURTESY OF KIMBERLY ORELLANA LOPEZ Millikan’s drumline stands upright on the stage of the Brigham auditorium with their masks on, ready to be filmed for Millikan’s first ever all-digital pep rally. Not So Physical Education By Isabella Talavera Copy Editor ⠀⠀⠀⠀Due to COVID-19, students and teachers cannot come to school for lessons and practice. Different sports teams practice in their own ways, like the football team practicing on the field at school or the dancers performing on Zoom. Millikan PE classes have also taken to Zoom for instruction and exercise. ⠀⠀⠀⠀Millikan’s PE teachers meet their students on Zoom just like other classes to give them their instructions and routines. Students are provided with certain exercises as well as workout videos to follow. The students generally follow the provided workouts, since the goal of PE at home is to keep fit during the current pandemic. Students can be put into breakout rooms of their choosing so they can work out with friends in their classes. ⠀⠀⠀⠀“I don't like PE, I'm not allowed to make much noise or jump as things will start falling down, so it's very difficult to actually do exercises. Plus I'm much more lazy at home, so I'm not even tired by the end of class,” shares COMPASS freshman Jacqueline Nguyen. PE classes and sports teams are extremely limited in what they can do. Students and teachers have to work from home, so there’s no room for teambuilding or team-oriented games. There are no weekly mile runs, bleacher runs, swim units, or generally any sports the students can play. But some students find that a good thing, and they like to keep active with PE. ⠀⠀⠀⠀“I do have PE, it's working out kind of, I manage, I just don't like to do the assignments that require me to have my camera on and work out. But overall, like the workouts aren't easy but neither are they really difficult,” adds SEGA sophomore Angelina Pizano. ⠀⠀⠀⠀“The work is what I'd expect and I'm glad there is no big run day, although that's going to be fixed next year…” SEGA freshman Jordan Johnson explains. Students have mixed opinions about the situation, given that distance learning makes it hard to become motivated about doing work, PE exercises included. There are also technical difficulties, such as freezing or lagging screens. However, as long as they work, students can take this opportunity to stay active in the midst of a pandemic until school opens back up. PHOTO COURTESY OF PXFUEL Because of the need to maintain social distancing, physical education classes have relocated to Zoom. Students and teachers try to maintain a steady personal home workout routine despite the distance learning, something both beneficial and negative to students.
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Meet Our New Activities Director By Emma Sharman Co-Editor-in-Chief Mr. Robinson is taking over for Andrea Itson as Millikan’s Activities Director and FOCUS Advisor from the 2020-2021 school year onwards. While it is a rather unusual time to begin a job that is so reliant on human connection, Robinson is in it for the students and he’s up for a challenge. ⠀⠀⠀⠀According to Robinson, his new position brings many new duties. He lists some of the essential responsibilities as the Activities Coordinator as follows: Overseeing student groups, programs like ASB, events, building overall school spirit, managing digital platforms, facilitating the ASB budget, student store, fundraising, and supporting Millikan’s culture climate goals by instilling a sense of belonging in students. ⠀⠀⠀⠀“This has always been a position I have dreamed of. I graduated from Millikan and when I started working here five years ago, we already had an amazing Activities Director. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would get such a tremendous opportunity,” Robinson says. ⠀⠀⠀⠀He describes his prior time as a middle-school teacher as one step in helping him towards his goal of helping students to obtain new knowledge as well as teaching them the importance of individuality and growth. He adds, “As the Activities Director at Millikan, with the help of my ASB and FOCUS student leaders, I now get to help provide an experience for our student population that is filled with energy and school spirit.” In light of the current situation, Robinson explains that “this is truly an unprecedented year, and I’ll never stop trying to provide that Millikan spirit that we’ve built together over the last few years. As you plan an event or activity, you need to understand that things won’t always go as hoped,” He emphasizes how indispensable it is to be adaptable and flexible, “and be willing to try a second or third option.” ⠀⠀⠀⠀Despite everything, Mr. Robinson takes a joyous and hands-on approach to his duties, stating that “the main responsibility of the Activities Director is to have the entire student population in mind. Everything we do is for the students!” PHOTO COURTESY OF MR. ROBINSON New Activities Director Mr. Robinson excitedly poses for a selfie with Millikan’s mascots Millie and Robbie Ram Sign Language Club Now Handy Over Zoom By Paris Blanco Co-Editor-in-Chief ⠀⠀⠀⠀Created last school year, the Sign Language Club continues during online learning. Founder and President, PEACE sophomore, Crystal Duncan, started this club last year after coming from a middle school with students who are hard of hearing. ⠀⠀⠀⠀“My friends and I all began learning sign language to communicate [with the students who are hard of hearing] and decided it was a good idea to bring to high school,” states Duncan. ⠀⠀⠀⠀As for content, Sign Language Club spends time learning sign language and about deaf culture. Much of this is done through movies and videos that are about people who are hard of hearing as well as sign language. Although all of the founders of the club have the ability to hear, they have learned from a teacher who is deaf and only shares what they know. ⠀⠀⠀⠀Duncan also says, “I believe sign language is an important topic to learn about because hearing people learning it will bridge the barrier between the deaf and hearing community.” ⠀⠀⠀⠀With Sign Language being offered at Millikan as a club, many wonder why it hasn’t been converted into a class. ⠀⠀⠀⠀QUEST Junior Lindsey Yates shares, “This is probably because of able-ist thinking reducing sign language to less than an actual language. Or, Millikan just didn't want to add it as a language course option for budget reasons. I would love an ASL class at Millikan where we could learn it better and faster than in a club.” ⠀⠀⠀⠀Though, QUEST counselor Ms. Barragan explains that it is due to a lack of teachers and funding because “most language teachers need to teach or have the ability to teach another class besides their language.” ⠀⠀⠀⠀Nevertheless, Sign Language Club meets every Monday at lunch. As of now, the club meets over Zoom via this link. PHOTO COURTESY OF CRYSTAL DUNCAN This Zoom screenshot features the Sign Language Club’s 2020-2021 members. They are all holding up the sign for “I love you.” Club President, Crystal Duncan, is also featured in the upper left corner. The Curious Case of Zoom Cameras By Isabella Talavera Copy Editor This year, all of our classrooms look different: each and every person at school is using Zoom, something we know all too well how to use now and didn’t think twice about last year. At Millikan, we have Zoom Norms given to us by administration. Naturally, our mics are muted unless we want to talk, but cameras are a different story. ⠀⠀⠀⠀I think we should enforce cameras on. Like the teachers, I find it incredibly awkward talking to black rectangles with only names on them. I can’t ask for help or even talk because I don’t know the faces behind those names. I perfectly understand why people are uncomfortable or unable to turn on their cameras, but this already blank virtual classroom feels even emptier when there are no faces. It’s especially important that we maintain our relationships during quarantine because we shouldn’t lose those already existing and new relationships. When we hopefully return next semester, it’s still going to be awkward because we didn’t get to know each other over Zoom. It’s great that we even have platforms to use for this current school year, and so we should use them to the fullest. ⠀⠀⠀⠀Lots of teachers tell their students to have their cameras on so that they can continue teaching to actual people and faces. Other teachers tell their students to have their cameras on so that they can take roll and acknowledge their students’ presence, while others might want their cameras off so students aren’t distracted. In doing so, they can ensure that their students are watching and paying attention, and they won’t have to teach to black rectangles the whole time or deal with distractions. Of course, some teachers do understand the difficulties of Zoom and understand camera preferences. ⠀⠀⠀⠀“For us teachers it is sooooo sooooo hard to teach to black rectangles! We have no idea if you understand us, if we need to repeat or re-explain.. I did not enter this career to be a YouTuber!” explains PEACE teacher Andrea Glenn. “I know so many students' computers get laggy with cameras on, that sucks and is not fair.. so I get it.” ⠀⠀⠀⠀For students, there are multiple reasons as to why they don’t want to turn on their cameras. Sometimes their connections are poor and their computers can’t support their cameras, and they’ll freeze up as a result. Other times, students get self-conscious and don’t like looking at themselves, or they’re not feeling well in general. They can do other activities while their cameras are off, or they may have other people in the room with them. “I definitely prefer camera off, and I know that the majority of students agree with me as well. With the camera on, we feel so much more pressure to look our best even though we're at home and we shouldn't have to worry about it,” says COMPASS junior Elyana Lopez. “Teachers definitely have other ways of checking if we're there and engaged, by asking questions and telling students to answer verbally or in the chat, and most students do reply to those requests. Having a camera on causes a lot of anxiety that is simply unnecessary.” ⠀⠀⠀⠀A good compromise that some classes use for cameras is turning them on during attendance or specific activities and lectures, then turning them off during independent work so students don’t feel like they’re constantly being watched. Yes, it’s good to see other people’s faces so you aren’t talking to emptiness, but it’s important to take in both the feelings of both teachers and students when it comes to cameras due to teaching and learning in the middle of a pandemic. The important thing is that everyone is in attendance, and that regardless if their cameras are on, hopefully learning and teaching move on. PHOTO COURTESY OF MOHAMED HASSAN FROM PIXABAY Depending on the size of classes, more or less cameras will be turned on, either revealing attentive students or several black rectangles to talk to throughout the day. 2020 ASB Elections By Paris Blanco Co-Editor-in-Chief ASB has announced their 2020-2021 election winners. The positions up for running included President, Vice President, Junior Class President, Sophomore Class President, Freshman Class President, Treasurer, Secretary, Communications Director, and Committees Chairperson. ⠀⠀⠀⠀After a count of all the online votes, the results are as follows: Jai’La Du Rousseau for President, Daija Wade for Vice President, Isabelle Clarke for Junior Class President, Jazmine Bravo for Sophomore Class President, Leah Facterman and Hailey Ibarra for Freshman Class Presidents, Emily Satterthwaite for Treasurer, Jacqueline Miranda for Secretary, Valerie Bravo for Communications Director, and Gracie Veith for Committees Chairperson. ⠀⠀⠀⠀“As Vice President, I honestly just want to make our school smile. Times are hard right now and are probably going to continue in this treend for a while longer,” says Vice President elect and COMPASS senior Daija Wade. ⠀⠀⠀⠀President elect and QUEST senior Jai’La Du Rousseau states, “I am excited to have this opportunity and I’m, so grateful that the student body chose me to be representative of the student population. My ultimate goal is to take into consideration the concerns of each student.” A Forever Remembered Day By Sophie Bright Editorial Page Editor ⠀⠀⠀⠀“It is now my great honor to introduce the President Elect of the United States of America, Joe Biden,'' announced newly appointed Vice President Kamala Harris as she was giving her victory speech. ⠀⠀⠀⠀November 3rd marked the start of a very important week in US history. It was the beginning of elections for President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, and Former Vice President Joe Biden and his running mate senator Kamala Harris. Every year, most US citizens go to an election polling pop up on November 3rd to vote for their President Electpresident elect. This year however, the election results were not final on election day due to the amount of mail in ballots that had not been received from Covid-19 regulations. Most people mailed in their ballot to avoid crowds, causing it to take two to three days for all of the ballots to be mailed in and accounted for. ⠀⠀⠀⠀The election results were close for days with 270 electoral college votes needed to win, Biden was leading at around 250 electoral votes. Trump stood at around 230 votes when finally on November 7th, the election was called and the results showed that Pensivania had received most of their mail in ballots and decided the election with Joe Biden being the next president elect of the United States. ⠀⠀⠀⠀“We did it Joe. You're going to be the next president of the United States,”-Kamala Harris a line that will forever go down in history. ⠀⠀⠀⠀On November 7th, it was the first time in history there was an enormous celebration that took place all day. The news interviewed many pedestrians celebrating in the streets. There were people honking horns and yelling down the streets of many big cities around the world. ⠀⠀⠀⠀Joe Biden addressed the public and gave his victory speech in Wilmington, Delaware on November 7th at 8:38 PM ET. In his speech he addressed the matters of Covid-19 and what he would do to solve this global issue faster. Those movements will not take place however until the Inauguration takes place on January 28th of 2021. ⠀⠀⠀⠀“It's time to put away the harsh rhetoric, lower the temperature, see each other again, listen to each other again.” Biden said. He wants to provide a growing and healthy community and get all the global issues under control, starting with Covid-19. “This is the time to heal in America.” ⠀⠀⠀⠀This was the first time in US history where people were to not crowd and gather to watch the victory speech take place but to socially distance, wear masks, or even just stay seated in their cars. During his speech you could hear the excitement in everyone's voices as they scream and cheer, and you can hear the cars honking their horns in celebration. ⠀⠀⠀⠀President Trump however was not pleased at all with the outcome of the election. Only a few short minutes after the results had been announced, he tweeted “I WON THIS ELECTION, BY A LOT!” and overall just seems to be in denial according to other tweets that have been posted over the course of the month. Most of which include “If Biden was president then…” and “I won the election…” Trump also called for a recount in states like Georgia in Pennsylvania. He still believes that once all of the mail in ballots have been received that he will come out on top. ⠀⠀⠀⠀President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris made history as she would be the first woman of color to be elected into the White House. Biden has issued that the following day after the inauguration there will be a stay at home order or a more secure or strict rule put in place on Covid-19 management but specific details were not provided. ⠀⠀⠀⠀We can hope that the state of the world will only get better in time to come. In Defense of Ethnic Studies in High Schools By Paris Blanco Co-Editor-in-Chief Although ethnic studies has been a part of college curriculum for years, recent Assembly Bill 331 would require ethnic studies as a high school course. According to Northern Arizona University, “Ethnic studies is the interdisciplinary study of race and ethnicity, as understood through the perspectives of major underrepresented racial groups in the United States.” ⠀⠀⠀⠀There are a vast number of reasons as to why ethnic studies should be introduced and required in a high school. ⠀⠀⠀⠀First off, students would be given the opportunity to learn not only about themselves, but about their peers and friends. Ethnic studies would allow for students to gain a greater understanding of their own cultures, as well as other unfamiliar cultures. ⠀⠀⠀⠀According to ELA Special Education teacher, Mr. Newman, “The Euro-centric curriculum that is pushed by the district and state frequently fails to address the accomplishments and beauty of cultures outside of the Western European scope, often times focusing specifically on white washed versions of the hardship and oppression faced by Black and African, Indigenous, Latinx, and plethora of Asian cultures in our society.” ⠀⠀⠀⠀Additionally, in light of past and especially more recent issues concerning race, ethnic studies are becoming ever more important. On top of ethnicity, ethnic studies examines the socially constructed categories of race, class, gender, and sexual orientation. By receiving an ethnic studies education, students would be given the tools to navigate the present’s social issues through understanding how we got here. ⠀⠀⠀⠀Specifically, this assembly bill would require at a minimum a one-semester course that would be based on an ethnic studies model curriculum that districts could use to fashion their own version. Implementation of the bill would occur during the 2025-26 school year. ⠀⠀⠀⠀Last year, the Assembly passed AB 331 with a 63-8 majority. On August 20, the Senate Appropriations Committee, which writes legislation that allocates federal funds to numerous government agencies, approved this bill. Despite the length this bill has gone, on September 30, California Governor, Gavin Newsom vetoed the bill claiming that the latest draft needs revision. The author of the bill, Assemblyman Jose Medina, plans to reintroduce the bill next year. ⠀⠀⠀⠀All in all, ethnic studies is an integral part of early education in order to diversify knowledge and better represent the origins and reality of our nation. PHOTO COURTESY OF CALIFORNIA STATE ASSEMBLY DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS Taken on March 13, 2019, Assemblyman and AB 331 author Jose Medina presents the bill in the Assembly Education Committee. Asynchronous Days - Are They a Healthy Option for Students? By Emma Sharman Co-Editor-in-Chief ⠀⠀⠀⠀In hopes of providing teachers with some online learning assistance in the form of training, the LBUSD has implemented an altered schedule which includes a new concept--asynchronous days. ⠀⠀⠀⠀Teachers have had to learn Canvas quickly and lack sufficient time to transfer their lessons online. Furthermore, Ccanvas is brand new to many - if not all - LBUSD teachers, even those who are incredibly well-versed in technology. ⠀⠀⠀⠀Suffice to say, asynchronous days are pretty essential for teachers. I would argue that they are incredibly important, but are currently too inconsistent for students and teachers to really utilize. ⠀⠀⠀⠀Many students and teachers stated that they believe asynchronous days should be implemented on a weekly or monthly basis in order to be truly useful. The consensus seems to be that students and teachers are in need of this time to catch up on work, though the purpose of asynchronous days is fairly subjective. Plenty of students have found the time helpful. ⠀⠀⠀⠀For instance, SEGA Freshman Charles Broughton states, “Yes, I think we should have asynchronous days every week or every other week on a Monday or Friday just to catch up on work...I have really found them useful.” MBA Pathway lead and English Teacher, Ms. Midori Sanchez explained, “I surveyed my classes and overwhelmingly, my students were happy with [asynchronous days].They felt like they had choice, flexibility, and also could get off Zoom for a bit. I think these types of days should be planned more often, but include days for parent conferences or for teachers to have planning time in addition to training.” ⠀⠀⠀⠀This brings me to the important question, if we’re using the day to complete assignments that were created specifically for our asynchronous time is anyone able to use this much-needed opportunity to catch up on work? Are teachers and students really able to complete all necessary tasks? This goes for teachers as well - if they are being made to sacrifice valuable catch-up/planning time to sit through these lengthy training sessions, they aren’t being permitted to take full advantage of the asynchronous days either. It should not be viewed as an inherently bad thing for students and teachers to take a break, especially in the midst of an age where everyone is suffering from the consequences of excessive screen time. \ PHOTO COURTESY OF THEBESTSCHOOLS.ORG Safe-Tober By Sophie Bright Editorial Editor ⠀⠀⠀⠀COVID-19 is really kicking our butts this year. It's taken away our social life and now it’s taking away our opportunity to eat candy and knock on people’s doors in cute and crazy costumes. ⠀⠀⠀⠀Halloween has always granted us the opportunity to see friends and participate in fun traditions that have been practiced since the 1930’s. Trick-or-Treating is by far the most well known. ⠀⠀⠀⠀Due to recent guidelines put into place by the City of Long Beach, Trick-or-Treating has been taken off the table. ⠀⠀⠀⠀However according to our most recently conducted Millikan Corydon Questionnaire, the Millikan community expressed a divide between people who are not celebrating and those who are. One person who is having a small celebration is Luke Fleishman, a 9th grade COMPASS student. He said “I have had this group I've hung out with all through COVID-19, and we haven't had any complications, we are having a party.” ⠀⠀⠀⠀On the other side of things, there are people who are making sure to stay as safe as possible and to just simply stay at home and not do anything. ⠀⠀⠀⠀“No, I won't be doing anything.” Says a SEGA 10th grader Seamus Fitzpatrick. “Staying safe away from big crowds of people.” The City of Long Beach launched a press release on this topic and specified what the protocols are for this season. It was said that “Door-to-door trick-or-treating should also be avoided as it can be very difficult to maintain proper physical distancing, ensure that everyone is appropriately masked to prevent disease spread and because sharing food is not recommended.” ⠀⠀⠀⠀Although there is a small portion of people who are planning on trick or treating safely, it is encouraged to be as safe as possible. ⠀⠀⠀⠀May all your quarantine festivities be spookily safe this year. Happy Halloween everyone! PHOTO COURTESY OF @TSTARS ON PINTEREST These are some cute Halloween masks that represent this year’s Halloween season really well. |
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