Driving into the Christmas Spirit

See Inside

volume 69, issue 5 The (digital) Newspaper of St. ignatius college preparatory December 6, 2020

Continued in SI NEWS, page 2.

SI Christmas in Photos

Seasons Greetings SI,

The EIC are delighted to extend our warmest andmerriest wishes to you and your loved ones this holidayseason. 2020 has been a difficult year to say the least forall of us. However, throughout it all, we have relied upon

friends, family, and our school community who havebrought us joy and, more importantly, hope in the mosttrying times. We hope this Issue brings you a source of

comfort and an optimistic outlook for the new year. We would also to thank our esteemed moderators, Ms.Nickolai and Mr. Devine, for never failing to radiate a

contagious spirit of enthusiasm and jolliness. They are theMax to our Grinch, neither of whom would be complete

without the other. Please enjoy this Issue over hot chocolate and cookies

with those nearest and dearest to you. Merry Christmas SI and Happy New Year!

Despite these unforeseen times, SI’svalue of giving has not disappearedduring this holiday season. TheChristmas spirit is alive and well here atSI, especially in the Community Serviceoffice’s 57th Annual Christmas Drive. Though there will be no food distribution at St. Dominic’s nor a Toy Purchasing Day, the Arrupe Council and co-chairs Erika Morris ’21 and Jack Quach ’23 have facilitated avirtual fundraising event for the familiesliving at Rose Court (the neighborhoodchild care center that provides forfamilies and seniors alike). With a goal of raising $10,000,families will receive a Safeway andTarget gift card, which will enable theirchildren to pick out a Christmas gift.Given the increasing COVID cases, thesegiftcards grant families the opportunityto shop either online or in person.The S.I. campus normally serves as the

space to spread the word about theChristmas Drive, so the Arrupe Councilwill “feature faculty videos highlighting past experiences with the Drive, alongwith ringing in our Christmas spirit withMusic Ministry and Dance & Drill, so that Freshmen and Seniors alike. can join in,” Jack Quach shared. “Technology and social media,” he added, “can be a strong tool for reaching out to others. This Christmas, the Arrupe Council invitesthe S.I. community to join our hands insupport of others through the virtualspace.” To jump start the festivities, theCommunity Service Office hosted aVirtual Kickoff Party on Wednesday,December 2nd, where members of the SIcommunity shared their unique Holidaytraditions and celebrated the beginning ofthe donation process. Following the Kickoff Party, the “Big

DEAR SANTA...

WE'VE BEEN GOODTHIS YEAR!

HappyHolidays!

My hope is that the spiritof giving reminds of us ofour Christian call to lookout for our sisters and

brothers in need. - Ms. Ana Lopez

Dory Miller '22 & Emma Stecher '21 Contributing Editor & Editor-in-Chief

FRESHMEN CLOSEUPHOLIDAY SPECIAL

SENIOR SUNSET andDRIVE-IN

The campus has put on its annual Holidaydecorations as it awaits S.I. students

WALKING AROUNDTHE CAMPUS

WONDERLAND

SI NEWS, page 3 FEATURE, page 11 FEATURE, page 13 HUMOR, page 27

FROM Your Editors-in-Chief

SI NEWS, page 6

.

A Christmas tree lights up thewalkways in the Commons.

Find more photos on page 11!

ROCKIN' AROUND THEWORLD'S HOLIDAYS

SI NewsDriving into the Christmas Spirit

(continued from front page)Give Day” will be on December 10th with the drive endingon December 19th. In addition to fundraising, the ArrupeCouncil is co-sponsoring a Virtual Christmas Card MakingParty on Wednesday, December 9th. Those attending willbe invited to create festive cards for the families in acontactless drop-off. Hope is needed now more than ever as financialdespair continues to escalate for the most vulnerable. So,all members of the SI community–whether student,parent, teacher, faculty, or alumni–are encouraged todonate. No donation is too small in the eyes of those whoneed it most in this 2020 holiday season. Happy giving, SI!

“I am proud that SI is continuing its commitment to the families of Rose Court. The COVID-19 health crisis has

affected everyone and if we can each give $1, that $1 will go a long way.”

As the semester nears its end and winter-break drawscloser, students’ concerns have begun to shift towards thedaunting subject of finals. Finals week, December 14ththrough 17th, is always a major source of stress for studentsand teachers alike, but this year brings an added amount ofambiguity. With uncertainty surrounding the format, length,and worth of the exams, students have felt increasinglyvulnerable about what impact the current circumstances willhave on their performance. Moreover, it is clear that many teachers share similarconcerns, as they are still somewhat unsure about how tohandle this year’s finals. Tasked with managing both in-person and distanced classes while deciding between projectsor tests, these teachers have a tough year to navigate.

Another teacher who shared her approach tofinals was Ms. Shorrock-Chen, who teaches

Chemistry and AP Biology. Having to deal withboth in-person and distanced classes, she plans ongiving similar style tests, but splitting it up intotwo days for those at home so they are assuredenough time. Ms. Shorrock-Chen described thesedifferences by saying, “Other than the virtualformat and adjustments to the amount of contentwe have covered, the exam will be largely thesame in terms of structure and style of questions.”

Although some teachers plan to use similarformats as last year, it is safe to say that the

2020 winter finals will be different from whatwe’ve seen in the past. Hoping to take somepressure off students, many teachers are opting togive large projects or essays.

Dory Miller '22 & Emma Stecher '21 Contributing Editor & Editor-in-Chief

-Ana Lopez, Community Service Director

Hannah Angsten ’22 and Milan Murphy ’22 Contributing & Managing EditorsThe Final Stretch: 2020 Winter Finals

When asked about her plans for finals, Ms.Miguens, a freshman and sophomoreReligious Studies teacher, expressed a veryoptimistic view of the matter, while alsocommunicating similar uncertainty that most teachers hold. She simplified her hopes and goals for finals week: “Basically, it's still up in the air, but I appreciate theflexibility teachers have in navigating finals this semester. My hope is that students find finals as a helpful way to close the semester, rather than the normalanxiety around finals.”

On the other hand, many teachers willstick to giving exams, whether they arein-personor over Zoom. Despite thesedifferences, almost every teacher hasexpressed some sort of uncertainty orflexibility, which goes to show howhard-working and dedicated ourteachers are to creating a seamless andultimately beneficial finals experiencefor all students.

2

SeniorSeniorSeniorEvents!Events!Events!

Josie Wall '21 Editor-in-Chief

"10/10 pizza and snacks" -MB Ludwig '21

“This was a great way to see classmates wehadn’t seen in a while and be together again!Looking forward to more senior class events

like this soon!” -Josie Wall '21

Photos by Kayla Walker '21and Elly Fry-Ross '21

“The drive in movie was great! It was niceseeing my classmates again while enjoying a

fun movie.” -Sofi Cisneros ’21

“Senior sunset, although cold, was a goodand safe way to see my classmates. I likedhow they organized it by groups and thepizza was an added bonus! I had a really

good time :)” -Campbell Tsung ’21

"Senior Sunset was a great wayto see friends we haven’t seenin a long time which was really

nice." -Noah Gazulla ‘21

"It was fun seeing my friends whilestaying safe." -Eve Sloan '21

"It was really nice to reunite with friends and itreminded me how much I miss seeing people

everyday!" -Jacquey Olechowski '21

SI News 3

SI News

Four SI students – Ethan Tam '22, Daniel Gao '22, Kiera Tam '22, and Cara Yean '21 – developed the ingenious idea tocreate a virtual platform that shines a light on the world ofSTEM and make STEM news more accessible for the entire SIcommunity. Under the guidance of Ms. Dunne, these four students tookup the challenge of creating an online STEM news blog.Tasked with designing his first website, Daniel Gao spentmonths researching the steps and tactics to successfully buildthe current webpage. Ethan Tam described the blog as a platform which “aims togive fascinating STEM news and opportunities to the studentsand faculty at SI.” Although SI currently has a STEM club, thissite is an independent source of STEM news for students andfaculty alike. The news ranges from stories within the walls ofSI, to more global stories such as the elections and Nobel prizewinners. The site also includes a page of resources forvolunteering, internship, and research opportunities. The website functions in part with the International HealthExpansion Initiative (IHEI), which is “a student-led initiativefocused on spreading awareness of global health crises that arenot covered well by the media.” By being a part of thisassociation, the team hopes to enlighten and inform SIstudents of problems outside our SI community.

With the basics of the website deter-mined, the last obstacle was to generate aname for the finished site. Daniel revealedthe truth behind how the team establishedthe website’s name: “I actually got the ideafrom a movie I was watching at the time.The main character received the ApogeeAward, an international science award.”

The site also allows SI students a chance to share their take on the news of STEM.“Students can sign up to be writers for TheApogee Report, where they can report onSTEM news at and outside SI,” Ethan stated.“We have a flexible schedule for all writers,and want them to write on what they’repassionate about.” In order to get on theemail list, email etam22@siprep.org.

Immerse yourself into the world of STEM and check out The Apogee Report!http://theapogeereport.com!

With COVID-19 and the ongoing changes in the SFDPHschool regulations, SI retreat coordinators Ms. Miguens andSr. Brannen faced a never-ending list of challenges. Theyneeded to uncover a way to “blend the best of both worlds”and create a virtual sophomore retreat that mimics the in-person retreats of the past. For the past four years, sophomores spent a night awayfrom school and focused on having “a deeper sense of selfand God's presence in their lives.” Activities included groupdiscussion sessions, class bonding experiences, and learningwhat it means to be part of the Ignatian family. Yet, while the purpose of the retreat remains the same, theset-up this year will look a little different. Ms. Miguensrevealed, “We have worked hard this semester to creativelyredesign the retreat to fit an online model. We have had tonavigate the limitations of Zoom and Zoom fatigue that ourcommunity is familiar with this year.”While an online retreatis not the same as being in person with peers, Ms. Miguensassured, “We are confident we can offer a space for Sophsthat will be beneficial and fun!”

Sydni Karanian '23 & Lauren Mandel '22 Contributing Editor & Managing Editor Starting in the second semester, the retreat willhave a theme based on authenticity–a topic whichmany sophomores struggle to maintain via zoom.Ms. Miguens pointed out how the theme ofauthenticity comes at a “critical time,” especiallywhen it is so hard to put into practice. Sr. Sharon encouraged current sophomores to“Put yourself out there - and risk being seen, knownand loved by the retreat and your classmates.”

The Apogee Report: Launching into the World of ScienceLauren Mandel '22 & Milan Murphy '22 Managing Editors

Zooming In On the Sophomore Retreat

The 2019 retreat included the notoriously difficult“Levitating Stick” Exercise

4

Recognizing 50 Years of Service

"Father Fran Stiegeler speaks directly and forthrightly, yet he always teaches withcompassion and a deep abiding love of his students. His time in the military coupledwith his diligence at any task given to him have earned him the sobriquet, CaptainFran, among his Jesuit friends. His spirituality remains well-grounded in service andnot up in the air. Father Stiegeler rolls up his sleeves and gets to work, and he expectsno less from others. He embodies Saint Ignatius' statement in the Spiritual Exercisesthat 'Love ought to manifest itself more by deeds than by words.'"

Recently, the Jesuit West magazine listed Father Fran Stiegeler as a Jubilarian on his50 years as a Jesuit. Father Jack Mitchell, Superior of the Jesuit community, said thefollowing about Father Stiegeler:

Luke McFadden '22 Contributing Editor

Advent Season begins!

SI celebrates the beginning of the Advent season with an Advent Mass FML on December 4. The mass focusedon the theme of making space for hope during these tough times to kick off the season.

Congrats to the 2020 Ludi Winners!Latin scholars of SI who are also a part of the Junior Classical League (JCL) competed in a

tournament where their knowledge was put to the test. Congrats to all the winners!

Tim Abbott Classical ArtTim Abbott Daily Life

Tim Abbott MQAGrace Brady Grammar II

Grace Brady HistoryMatthew Caldwell Geography

Josh Gill MythologyJosh Gill Vocabulary

Dimitra Janssens STEM ChallengesDimitra Janssens Derivatives

Jeffrey Ling GeographyJeffrey Ling History

Rory Lunbeck Adv ReadingAva Ralph Daily Life

Ava Ralph MythologyKaleigh Ruegg Classical Art

Audrey Tam DerivativesAudrey Tam Vocabulary

Samantha Tam MQAAmanda Ting Mythology

Ashley Yoshii MQAAshley Yoshii Classical Art

Team A (certamen) --- Josh Gill,Audrey Tam, Tim Abbott, and

Matthew Caldwell

SI News 5

Holiday Special!

high school exceeded my initial expectations.Despite distance-learning, I thought that my firstsemester went smoothly. I was greatly awestruckby the reception we received on campus: balloons,

faculty, and upperclassmen all made us feelwelcome.

FavoriteChristmas

character: TheGrinch

Best Christmastradition: BakingCookies!

Navigating the campus was a littlehard given that we can’t use the

stairways to go in the samedirection. My teachers were justas fun to be with as they were in

the Zoom calls.

My first semester started out pretty well. As themonths go by it gets more stressful, but it's still alot of fun since I've made a new friend. My favorite memories have been ones of meeting mynew friends! To me, hope is a feeling

someone givesthemselves when theyfeel sad because they'reable to see that at the endof all the suffering there's greatness.

What did the ornaments sayto their friends? I like hanging with you.

Happy Holidays, SI! As the Freshmen wrap up their first semester, they share their sleigh rides exploring the world of high school, the

excitement of returning to campus and the holiday season, and their hopes for the new year.— Jack Quach '23, Managing Editor —

I really enjoyed my first few weeks of high school! It wasdefinitely different to experience this schedule, and I would saythe work ethic is definitely a lot more advanced than what I hadexperienced in middle school.

New Year's Resolution: to reach out to more people and joiningactivities that are school related and help me get involved.

#1 Christmas song: “It’sbeginning to Look a Lotlike Christmas” byMichael Buble

Every Christmas, my familygoes to my uncle’s house,

sharing gifts around aChristmas tree, and sitting by

the fireplace.

My first semester of

New Year's Resolution:to study more

effectively for tests and quizzes and to

stretch moreoften for dance.

My first semester has been an eventful one. It took me alittle longer to comprehend the material, but I see this as agood sign of growth. When I first went to my danceworkshop rehearsal in person, I felt so alive and happy to bein the theatre and dancing with other people!

My first semester experience has

Top Xmas Hit:"Underneath the Tree" by Kelly Clarkson

Your presents isrequested!

I love Christmas morning! My siblingsand I all get up really early and hang outand play board games. Then my familyall open presents and have a bigbreakfast!

1st semester was a lot like

I was expecting actually! It was a little hard because I didn’t

know as many people and I had a lotmore homework, but I had a lot of

fun getting to know everyone.

MerryChristmas

and Happy Holidays!

A memory from first semester was talking to my friends before class without the teacherthere (she was absent). It was a little surreal.

Cayden Tu Niamh ConcannonNiamh Concannon

Isabella Alcantara Megan Ste

cherNam Nguyen

Spencer Phillips

Jazmin

e Hernandez

SI News 6

With 1,500 studentscoming from Marin, SanFrancisco, and the Peninsula,along with 123 faculty membersscheduled to come back toschool, the Building & GroundsCrew at SI had a daunting task ofcreating a Covid-proofedcampus. And with COVID-19guidelines constantly changing,Mr. Meehan and his staff, underthe direction of Principal Levineand Mr. Gotch, worked overtimeto ensure the school was readyfor the SFDPH inspection andopening. According to Mr.Glosser, “Christopher Meehanand his team were great, asalways, in interpreting theguidelines, making the properchanges or upgrades, and beingwilling to adjust the followingweek if the directives changed.”

Although a major focus was puton classrooms, many other areas oncampus needed to be modified inorder to adhere to the safetyguidelines. For example, thebathrooms have been adapted bytaping off certain sinks and stalls.Along with bathrooms, all fourstairwells have been specificallydesignated for going one way, up ordown. Signs are taped on wallseverywhere on campus remindingpeople to wear masks and maintainsocial distancing. Probably thebiggest task the Grounds Crew facedwas creating a safe Commons spacefor students to enjoy their lunchesand resource periods. The Commonswas cleared of the lunch tables andreplaced with desks, fitted with chairssix feet apart for students to safelywork and eat.

Freshman Mia Colabianchi ’24highlighted the positive effects ofthe Grounds Crew’s work, stating, “Ifelt pretty safe returning to school. Ithought the signage telling us whereto walk and which stairs to use wasvery clear. Overall, I felt very safeon campus and can’t wait to goback.” Mr. Glosser recognized Mr.Meehan and his team as an essentialunit within the staff: “What isspecial about Mr. Meehan's team ishow much they care about the wellbeing of our students and faculty.”The Grounds Crew has workedhard to develop an environmentthat gives SI students the oppor-tunity to enjoy on-campus learning.Their hard work and tactfulstrategies helped the SI Communitycome together showing how to beIgnatians with and for others.

SI NewsSam Finnerity '24 and Kai Lamb '24 Contributing Editors

Grounds Crew, Here for You

New safety precautions are in place in order to ensure a safe return to to campus.

Take a look at what's new.

Desks are six feet apart.

One way only stairwells.

Some sinks are taped off to allow for more social distancing.

Be sure to wear a mask!

7

The attention to detail shinesthrough in every single frame’sgorgeous lighting and exaggeratedshapes.. Each character design isstylized, striking, and full ofpersonality. The writing is thoughtful andentertaining, with witty dialogueand hilariously wry jokes. Themessage of Klaus, “A true selfless actsparks another,” is endearing yetpowerful in the way it’s presented.While the village children are anintegral part of the story, Klausuniquely focuses its lens on thegrownups, who are ill-naturedbitter, and disillusioned Jesper and Klaus initially want nothing to do with the town, but after a series of events and mishaps, end up deliveringpresents to the village children every night.

This Christmas, instead of firingup The Polar Express or Home AloneCD for the umpteenth time, try the2D animated film Klaus on Netflix.Directed by former Disneyanimator Sergio Pablos, Oscar-nominated Klaus is a unique,creative take on Santa Claus’s originstory. We follow Jesper, the lazy andspoiled son of the PostmasterGeneral, as he’s sent to the remoteisland town of Smeerensburg by hisfather, who threatens to cut him offif he fails to post 6,000 letters bythe next year. Smeerensburg isdreary and miserable, and thetownspeople are no better. In hisquest to deliver more letters, Jespermeets Klaus, the surly, reclusivewoodsman. Visually stunning andimpressively animated, Klaus standsout as a return to 2D animation.

Tommy DeBenedetti ’22 Managing EditorFriluftsliv in the Bay

A few months ago, my mom andI stumbled across an article thatintroduced us to the term friluftsliv.Friluftsliv is a Norwegian word that– although it is not common toAmerican vocabulary the way it isin Norway – roughly translates toopen air life. It’s fair to say thatsince this moment, my mom and Ihave become a little obsessed withthis word, dropping it after anycomment remotely related tooutdoor living. Friluftsliv is theperfect quarantine mantra, and youcan even pursue a life embodying ithere in the Bay by attending anoutdoor event! This winter, the CaliforniaAcademy of Science continues itstradition of hosting reindeer Cookieand Peppermint. You can visitSanta’s companions in their snowymicroclimate through January 3rd.

What better way to enjoy thewinter outdoors than to learn aboutthe season’s mascot and frolic inone hundred square feet of snow? Or, you might considerexploring Andy Goldsworthy’sexhibit Wood Line. The zig-zag offallen tree trunks located in theeucalyptus woods of the Presidiomake for a beautiful walking trailand the moment you’ve beenwaiting for to show off your balancebeam skills. If you’re not up for a long walkthrough the woods, journeythrough sea, land, and sky at theMoraga Steps in SI’s very ownSunset District. Short and sweet,this “hike” is suitable for people ofall abilities and the perfectopportunity for some funInstagram pics! Be sure to hashtag#friluftsliv or #transcendentalism!

Even in the coldest time of theyear, there is beauty to be found inopen air living. Next time you needa get-away from returning collegesiblings or impending final exams,rather than hiding in your room,try friluftsliv.

These characters who originallyhad self-serving motivations findthemselves changing the town forthe better. They learn that even in thebleakest circumstances, there isalways hope to share with others;this movie is that hope for ourworld now. No matter what holiday youcelebrate, Klaus is an uplifting,beautifully animated, funny, andheartwarming movie that is a must-see for people of all ages.

Arts & LeisurePenny Pyo '24 Contributing EditorKlaus: A New Christmas Classic

Lovers’Lane at the

Presidio

16thAvenue

Tiled Steps

8

Starting off slow, use parchment paper to line rimlessbaking sheets. Speeding up! Whisk 2 cups of brown sugar, 2tablespoons of baking soda, 1 tablespoon of ginger,and 2 teaspoons of cinnamon.Whip up 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract with 1 ½ cupswhipped cream until “soft peaks” begin to form. Begin mixing, and add in 1 ⅓ cups of molasses and thewhipped cream mixture until all are combined. Add in your 9 cups of all purpose flour, which willcertainly form a deep dough. Roll out the dough on a pastry board and move it tothe baking sheets; bake two sheets at a time at275/300 degrees F, depending on the thickness, forabout one hour. Separate the scraps as the gingerbread house piecesfinish baking, and let them cool. The fun occurs in this step. Form your house, andprepare to decorate with some delicious frosting. Beat 2 large egg whites with ⅛ teaspoon of cream oftartar and 2 teaspoons of water, and blend in 2 ½ cupsof sifted powdered sugar for about 7 minutes. Feel free to add sprinkles or different edible decor,and enjoy!!

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Thank you to Sasha Cherkas!

Top 10 Xmas TunesThe EIC

Choral: SI Chamber Singers and Mixed Chorus are proud to present: "HOME, A Virtual Choir Concert".which went live Thursday, December 3rd. It was a collection of choral music put together from this semester.The theme of the concert was "Home," and it also included some holiday selections. Check out the link to theperformance on the SI Website here.

Orchestra: The orchestra and their families will have a Virtual Album Release Party on December 7th. OnDecember 8th a link will be made available to our SI Community to "watch the show." You will be welcome tohear the Orchestra's performance whenever you would like - after December 8th.

Jazz Band: The Jazz Band and their families will have a Virtual Album Release Party on December 8th. OnDecember 9th a link will be made available to our SI Community to "watch the show." You will be welcome tohear the Jazz Band's performance whenever you would like - after December 9th.

How have we come to lovedecorating little houses for Christmas?Gingerbread houses originate all theway from the Victorian era, comingfrom the stories of Hansel and Gretel asthe Gingerbread house is the mainsetting of the story. At the beginning,gingerbread houses were an art, withonly certain professionals beingallowed to create the masterpieces.However, this rule has ceased to existtoday, and people all over the worldwill be making gingerbread houses thiscoming winter. As times have beenlooking grim, a young girl whosegingerbread recipe has kept herhopeful and excited for the Christmasspirit wishes to share her recipe with allof you.

Arts & Leisure

A Delicious RecipeEmma Gorin ‘22 Managing Editor

Scan this QR code to listen to the EIC 's top 10 Xmas tunes!

An Update from Mr. Curry: Performing Arts Performances

9

Arts & Leisure

from your living room! A staple of the Bay Area Holidayexperience, the San Francisco Balletis streaming the show fromNovember 27-December 31 withsome fun activities included withyour purchase! A performing arts school fromDaly City with students of all ageswill also be streaming theNutcracker virtually! Support themand catch a peek of me in a coupleof dances; buy tickets to watch onDecember 25! (for more info:Instagram: @wspadalycity)

’Tis the season of A ChristmasCarols, Nutcracker, and tons offamily bonding. In an ordinaryyear, families and friends wouldcome together in a theater to watcha holiday show. While today’scircumstances are certainlyabnormal, shows could still be thehighlight of your December, but itwould be virtual, of course. Covid-19 derailed the plans ofmany Performing Arts schools andcompanies, but they were quick toreact and got right back on track.Many have worked hours-on-endto ensure a magical show for manyto watch. Many productions will allbe available in the comfort of ourown homes! So, grab a hot cocoa,

because here are some of the bestshows coming your way! 1. One Night Only: The Best ofBroadway! For all of you Broadwayfanatics, this might be the show ofyour dreams. This two-hour specialhosted by Tina Fey will featuremany famous Broadway actors,including Leslie Odem Jr. andAaron Tveit. On December 10th at8pm ET on NBC, grab your familyand friends to enjoy this bound-to-be-spectacular show! 2. The Nutcracker BalletEveryone will be able to experiencethe magical storyline of this elegantyet intriguing dance masterpiece.Be prepared to join Clara and herprince on her exciting journey right

For art enthusiasts, history geeks,and just the curious, museums arethe perfect weekend plans; but,most of the time, routinely visitingthem isn’t realistic due to moneyand time. With COVID-19 shuttingdown prolonged indoor activity andlimiting capacity, several of theworld’s most famous museumshave provided free onlineexperiences for those who wouldlike to “visit,” including those forwhom it isn’t usually possible. The Smithsonian NationalMuseum of Natural History is thelargest natural history museum inthe world. Its online collectionincludes 360 degrees exploration,narrated tours of specific exhibits,and even tours of past exhibits, aluxury not even available in person.Visit this virtual museum any day athttps://naturalhistory.si.edu. While traveling to Europe forsome museum hopping would

never happen a week before finalsin an ordinary year, currently onecan wander through greatinternational museums duringstudy breaks. Even Paris’ Louvreoffers limited virtual tours of someof its exhibits, including itscollection of Egyptian antiquitiesand the remains of the Louvre’sprevious role as a fortress. Visit theLouvre athttps://www.louvre.fr/en/visites-en-ligne. To round out the tour ofEuropean art, check out the VaticanMuseums’ self-guided online tours.You can take your time admiring itssculptures and paintings, and youcan even peruse a completelyempty Sistine Chapel –somethingthat would never be possible undernormal visiting circumstances. TheVatican’s virtual tours are availablefor all at

http://m.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani-mobile/en/collezioni/musei/tour-virtuali-elenco.html. We can find entertainmentduring these unprecedented timesby looking towards these virtualtours and using the resources theseattractions have given us to gain anexperience we may have neverbeen able to outside or from thecomfort of our homes with ourfamilies.

Virtual Shows this Holiday Season!Amelia Chen ’24 Contributing Editor

Jack Stecher'23 & Tommy DeBenedetti ’22 Contributing & Managing EditorsMuseums Re-imagined

Tap intoyour innerart critic

10

“Orchestra gives me asense of hope because

of the unity amongmembers and our

common love for music.”- Samantha Major ’23

“Being in choir at SI gives me hopethat music will continue to flourisheven in challenging circumstances.I find hope in hearing our voicesedited together and seeing that

we are still able to create music asa collective despite being

physically apart.” - Annika Pyo ’21

“I find hope in performingarts by expressing myself

through music. Being able toperform a beautiful piece

together always inspires meand gives me hope.” - Dahlia

Leung ’22

"The performing artshelps me show peoplethe me that they don't

usually see" - ChloeOvbiagele ’23

Finding Hope In Performing ArtsAidan Stecher '23 Contributing Editor

“The Fall Play has given me aplace where I can express myself

by doing something I love andfind joy in my life during times of

struggle. I hope that ourperformance can be a source oflaughter for audiences who may

need it right now.”- Alexander Jordan ’21

Arts & Leisure

Friendly Frosty the Snowman greets the SI students int he courtyard.

Jolly Christmas spirit surrounds the Commons even with six feet of distance.

SI decks the halls with bright and merry Christmas cheer!!

This Holiday season,Inside SI asked membersof the performing arts

program where they findhope in their program.

Read the otherornaments to see how

they responded.

“Dance gives me hope tofind the joys in life whilemotivating me to work

harder to better myskills, mentality, andphysical well being.” - Jasmine Gatus ’23

11

Feature

“My New Year’s Resolution for 2021 is to read more books.”

Hindsight is 2020: Resolutions for a New Year

Cayden Tu '24 Contributing Editor

“My New Year’s Resolution for 2021 is to eat less, exercise more, geta vaccine, & let's roll.”

- Fr. Francis Stiegeler SJ

W

“I don't make New Year's resolutions because generally when I make a decision tochange something, particularly a bad habit, I just start working on it right away.”

“My New Year’s Resolution for 2021 is to survive. I try to limit almost-dying to once in acalendar year, and after last year, I’m just trying to make it through 2020. Literally.”

“My Resolution for 2021 is to remember that ‘the past is history, the future is a mystery,but TODAY is a gift, that is why we call it the PRESENT.’"

"My resolution for 2021 is to pick up the phone and CALL myfriends more frequently!”

“My New Year’s Resolution for 2021 is to truly appreciate all that I have.”

Many people are excited for 2020 to come to a close after a challenging, unprecedented year. As we alllook forward to 2021, we face the future with hope thanks to our dedicated SI teachers and leaders.

Some of our SI faculty and staff celebrities have shared their resolutions with you:

We appreciate our extraordinary teachers and leaders who have taken the time to share theirhopes for 2021 with us, along with all of the SI faculty who continue to make our return to

campus a positive, memorable experience.

- Mr. Eric Castro (Social Science Teacher)

- Dr. Tasia Davis (School Dean)

- Mr. Paul Molinelli (English Teacher)

- Mr. John DeBenedetti (Math Teacher)

- Dr. Kimberly Cody (Biology Teacher)

- Principal Michelle Levine

12

What are your hopes for this year’s Pasko even as it goesvirtual?Milla: For Pasko this year, I hope we can celebrate as acommunity like we have done in the past years. It’s notgoing to be the same, but hopefully we can still enjoyeach other’s talents. Since Pasko is virtual this year, I hopemore people attend and get a chance to celebrate thiswonderful event with us. We will definitely bereminiscing about the Pasko events in years past.Rozet: Although we will be apart, I hope that everyonewill still experience the joyful sense of community thatmakes Pasko so special. Señor Orque and Ms. Wong: We hope to continue thelong-standing and wonderful tradition of Pasko,celebrating Christmas. The celebration of Pasko at SI iskey to SIPAC. The SIPAC leadership board is very excitedto present the show this year in a new format!

Feature

Christmas lantern known as the “parol.”The parol is a star-shaped ornamentallantern traditionally made out of bambooor capiz shell and is typically displayedduring the Christmas season. Recently, Disney released its very firstall-Filipino Christmas short film titled,“From Our Family to Yours” whichshowcases many cultural aspects of theFilipino-Christmas tradition of Paskoincluding the custom of parol making. Inthe film, the tradition of parol making ispassed down from generation togeneration and is an iconic symbol of theChristmas spirit in Filipino culture. The parol symbolizes the victory oflight over darkness and is a sharedexpression of goodwill and hope duringthe Christmas season. For many Filipinos,the making and hanging of parols outsidethe home represent

the star of Bethlehem that guided theThree Wise Kings to Jesus’ manger side.Many display parols in their homes todemonstrate their preparedness in themidst of the birth of Jesus. Having a significant number ofstudents a part of TFC, SI annually hosts aPasko celebration which can be attendedby any member of the SI community.Yadao recalls that the event is a way “toshowcase the Filipino tradition ofChristmas through food, music, and art-making like the parol.” It is wonderful tosee that SI has given students of Filipinodescent the opportunity to celebrate theirculture and share it with the SIcommunity. With all that has occurred in 2020, wehope that by sharing the tradition of theParol with our SI community, we alsoshare its ignited symbol of hope.Maligayang Pasko SI, see you all in thenew year!!

What are you doing differently for the virtual Pasko?Milla: This year we will have singing and instrumentalperformances, but we will miss out on some dances andthe fashion show.Rozet: Pasko isn’t Pasko without the delicious food, sowe’re offering a take-home meal option cooked by SI’skitchen. Check out the SI website for more details!Señor Orque and Ms. Wong: For the first time, theshow will be broadcast via Zoom. We hope to have alarge turnout on Zoom!Anything else you would like to share?Milla: I encourage everyone to attend Pasko this year tokick off the holiday season!Rozet: Pasko is free this year, so I encourage everyone toattend! Our student performances are going to put on anincredible show that you won’t want to miss!Señor Orque and Ms. Wong: You can also find moreinfo here: https://www.siprep.org/parent-portal/parent-clubs/sipac/pasko-2020

Pasko is a Christmas celebration that showcases Filipino culture, including traditional food, music, and dance.2020 marks SI’s 12th annual Pasko celebration run by the Saint Ignatius Parents Asian Club (SIPAC). However, it willbe held virtually this year to keep the SI community safe. ASC co-presidents Milla Kohli ’21 and Rozet Parinas ’21 and moderators Señor Orque and Ms. Wonghighlighted some differences for this year’s Pasko celebration and shared their hopes for the annual event.

Christmas season is fastapproaching, and families across theworld are getting ready to celebratethis special holiday! However, youridea of Christmas may be completelydifferent from your neighbor’s.Christmas is celebrated differently inall cultures. There are differenttraditions, different meals, andsometimes even different names! ForFilipinos, this holiday is known asPasko. Reanna Yadao, the VicePresident of The Filipino Culture Club(TFC) at SI says, “Pasko is the biggestholiday of the year. Because thePhilippines is 90% Catholic, Christmasis more of a religious celebration.” ForFilipinos, the celebration is bright,lively, and full of traditions. One large part of the Paskocelebration is the tradition of the

The Parol: A Beacon of Hope During the Christmas Season

Virtual Pasko 2020

Jamie Gatus ’21 and Keira Tam ’22 Managing and Contributing Editors

Jackie Acosta '22 and Bianca Hallinan '23 Contributing Editors

13

Siena Rangel ’24 - “I really enjoy doing a gift exchangewith my family called white elephant every year. I alsoenjoy decorating my Christmas tree while watchingChristmas movies with my family.”

Marc Helwee ’24 - “Usually we have a large familygather with 9+ people and we hang out for a bit then wesay prayer and eat a very big dinner, after that we havedessert and open presents. Pretty much there is a specialchair and everybody gives their presents to the personin the chair, and everyone takes turns in the chair.”

Dr. Cody- “I, along with my big Italian family, go to myNonni's (grandma) house to make homemade raviolis. We make hundreds of them in preparation forChristmas dinner where we all come together tocelebrate. This is one of my most cherished traditionsbecause I get to spend time with the entire family and inparticular my 94 year old Nonni, who still manages tocoach us on how to properly roll out ravioli dough andto add the perfect amount of stuffing to each ravioli.”

Many students are also excited forthe New Year to bring a fresh start.Miya Macnew ’22 said, “At this time ofthe year, knowing that the New Year iscoming up gives me hope that with itwill come a fresh start and newbeginnings that will hopefully bebetter than this past one.” People are wishful for a betteryear and have faith that next year willbring the world changes that need tobe made. SI’s return to school plan isalso a source of joy and hope formany students. Lola Cerchiai ’22explained, “Right now, it gives mehope that freshmen are on campusgoing to school in person and thatthere is a safe return to school plan forthe whole school.” This plan givesmany students faith that normalcy willcome soon and

The year 2020 brought forthmany new unfortunate realities forpeople all over the world, includingthe students and faculty at SI.COVID-19 has changed everyone'slives. Yet, hope still plays a role ineveryone's lives. Studies haveshown that it serves as a bufferagainst the impact of negative andstressful life events and helpshumans define their lives. Although the holidays will lookdifferent than they have in the past,Christmas and the New Year give asense of hope and joy for many.Traditions may be altered this year,but reconnecting with God duringthe holiday and having theChristmas spirit excites many.

Nam Nguyen ‘24 Contributing Editor

Peoples’ Favorite Christmas Traditions!

Feature

Sources of Hope Bringing the SI Community Together

Lindsay Ryan '22 Contributing Editor

excitement to see their teachersand friends in person. Witnessing how many people,including students and faculty atSI, have acted during this timegives many people faith inhumanity. The way people havehelped people whether in personor virtually over the past ninemonths is truly honorable. Although at times, a hopelessfeeling darkens the day, the SIcommunity has found ways toremain hopeful for the future andwhat it brings.

LaVon Smith ’22- “My favorite Christmas tradition is whiteelephant with my family. It’s always funny to seeeveryone’s reactions to gag gifts and every year is filledwith memorable moments.”

Wesley Tse ’21- “My family plays a game throughout theChristmas season where we say “Christmas” everytime wesee a house with Christmas decorations. It can get quitecompetitive between my brother and I but it’s all for fun.”

Alex Kao ’23- “During our Christmases, we like listening tocringy Filipino Christmas music and eating at our favoriteChinese restaurant for dinner!”

Sabine Hickey ’23- “One household tradition I love is bingewatching Christmas movies. My two favorites are HomeAlone 2 and Love Actually.”

Olivia Mills ’21- “Every year without fail my sisters and Itake a picture with Santa at Macy’s. It was endearing as kids,embarrassing as tweens, and pure comedy as teens.”

14

After many weeks of onlinelearning, the Class of 2024 jumped withelation at the news of reopening. Theadministration divided freshmen intocohorts to increase social distancing,and each group is being brought ontocampus every other week. Freshmenalso experienced the unique waysBuildings and Grounds organized thehallways and staircases. A key element to reopeningrequires social distancing withinclassrooms. Each room has thewindows and doors open to increase aircirculation with all desks placed six feetapart. Other precautions weredefinitely unconventional; forexample, teachers holding math classin the gymnasium. With the incomingwinter weather, one could say thatlearning conditions are a bit less thanfavorable. The entire community wasespecially thankful for all the hardwork the faculty had put into makingthe reopening a reality. SI continues tokeep our campus safe with dailyannouncements about social distancingand wearing masks along withreminders to wipe down desks betweenclasses. Mr. Escobar explained hisexcitement in finally seeing studentsroaming the halls of SI again: “We arethrilled to welcome the class of 2024onto campus. It was the culmination ofa lot of work by a lot of folks, butseeing parents take those first dayschool pics and looking into thoseexcited yet jittery

frosh eyes made it all worthwhile.Hopefully, students felt welcomedand now realize that we are all inthis together, and now, we can act‘for and with’ each other to keepour community safe and healthy.” Many students shared theirexperiences on campus comparedto distance learning. Abby Reed ’24thought “Going from Zoom to in-person really highlights thebenefits of talking face to face.”Finn Coulson ’24 related, “I foundmyself actually participating inclass. Being able to shout out theanswer without a delay was prettynice. In class, everyone was a lotmore engaged in learning which iswhat I think school is all about.People like school because theycan hang out with friends and eatlunch with their classmates. Mostpeople don’t like school because ofthe academic part and to me,Zoom is ONLY the academic part.It cuts off everything fun aboutschool.” Caroline McFadden ’24 foundlunch to be an important time tosocialize and meet other freshmen.She described how “during lunchwe eat in the bleachers marked outsix feet for each person to sit onand daydreaming of the day whenwe can finally be together as aschool and watch many sportsgames.” Meanwhile at home, those onZoom have also had to adjust tothis

new style of learning. Whilethere may no longer be the samenumber of participants in aZoom meeting, they can see andhear their in-person classmatesthrough the eyes and ears of the“OWL,” a 360 speaker andcamera in the classrooms. Starting high school is nevereasy, especially when navigatingthe confusing campus.Thankfully, on the first day ofschool, there were manyupperclassmen to help thefreshman. Jonathan Lim ’24agreed: “The moment you feltlost there was always someone tohelp you find your way. At first Iwas a little nervous but SIwelcomed me with big smiles.Sometimes it’s hard adapting toa new community, but SI madeit easy.” Overall, the raw feeling ofseeing our amazing teachers in-person was an experience unlikeany other. The feeling ofconnecting with classmates andfriends, both in-person andthrough Zoom, was unique. Oncampus, teachers were with usmost of the time, monitoringour safety. If a week was gettinghectic, there would always beWednesday, a perfect time for abreak in the week. Thereopening was well organized, amemory freshmen will notforget.

FeatureA Fresh Start

Jeslyn Oum ’24, Cayden Tu ’24 Abby Reed ’24 & Caroline McFadden ’24 Contributing Editors

15

I believe Saint Ignatius’s decision to reopenthe school was great. It allows the students thechance to finally go back on campus and forfreshmen to experience what SI is in a safe manner.For many grueling months now, students havebeen locked in their houses because of COVID-19.When the pandemic hit, staying at home for schoolseemed like a great idea, but that changed quickly.Many students were getting tired of going on Zoomfor classes and being shut off from the outsideworld. Many students’ mental health took a hit astheir social life was cut and they were stuck to thescreen all day. As the school reopens, students areable to get back on track, improve their mentalhealth, and finally experience SI again. Additionally, a lot of planning and thoughtwas placed for this reopening to work. The hybridschedule allows only a portion of students to go at acertain time so that if COVID-19 is ever brought tothe school, only those students could be exposedwhile the others stay unaffected. Desks areconstantly cleansed and social distancingprecautions are in effect. Teachers and students are separated behindplexiglass and some teachers who are older aregiven more precautions and can even stay home.Hallways have lanes and certain stairways go in onedirection. Saint Ignatius planned for their students,ensuring the safety of their and everyone else’slives. It will all be worth it in the end once theschool finally reopens to everyone.

Out of all the times St. Ignatius College Prepcould have reopened, this is probably one of theworst possible times to do so mainly due to anunforeseen surge in cases. According to the New York Times, the numberof new COVID-19 cases in the United States hasgrown by at least 100 thousand per day sinceNovember 4th. The number of cases in the UnitedStates exceeded 13 million after Thanksgiving.Estimates say that the number of actual cases couldbe 6 times higher than confirmed figures. Far more alarming, the death toll hasaccelerated to over 257,000 cases, with a daily rateof over 2000 deaths a day the last week ofNovember. Even with all the measures and precautionstaken to prevent the spread of the virus andenforce such measures, it is unlikely students willfollow them. A poll conducted amongst SI studentsshowed that more than 60% of students already donot follow mask mandates and social distancingregulations when they go outside. The poll also revealed that the popular claimof how students have been deprived of socialinteraction since the school closed down isn’t eventrue. The poll revealed that 90% of sophomoreshave physically met their friends at some pointsince the school closed. Considering the statistics and how thepandemic is currently raging in the United States,the decision to reopen SI now seems like a ratherdangerous idea.

Hardrian Barki '23 Contributing Editor

Anti Reopening

Op-Ed

Dylan Sunga '24 Contributing Editor

Pro Reopening

Reopening St. Ignatius Campus

16

er part and get the vaccine to stopthe spread of the virus. Manypeople in our country are worriedabout the vaccine being unsafe andhaving unknown side effects. Whilethis sentiment is completely valid,so far two vaccines have proven 94%effective in testing, according to theNew York Times, which is a verygood sign that it will work well inthe general population. Not onlywill this vaccine help to savemillions of lives, it will also help ourworld go back to a sense ofnormalcy. The sooner we can all go backto school and all of the activities wehave been missing out on because

Op-Ed

Looking forward to receivingsomething under your Christmastree from Santa is exciting as a kid,but I think we should all open oureyes to remember that providinghappiness for others—not in amaterialistic way— is really whatChristmas is all about. Sorry, Santa

As activist Bryant McGill says,materialism really is an identitycrisis. Even Madonna wrote a songabout it. I am not going to lie aboutthe fact that a lot of people arevictims of buying things to definetheir self-worth or to make animpression that may not have anyeffect at all—and this is not exactlyduring this gift-giving season, butrather their whole lives! I do admit I am one of thesevictims at times. Christmas is thetime of year where you buy peoplethings to express your love forthem. This is a great tradition thathas been going on for centuries.Over time, though, the truemeaning of Christmas can possiblybe hidden for many people.

So, why is materialism gettingin the way of celebrating the truemeaning of Christmas? Accordingto the American PsychologicalAssociation, psychologist TimKasser says, “To be materialisticmeans to have values that put arelatively high priority on making alot of money and having manypossessions, as well as on image andpopularity, which are almost alwaysexpressed via money andpossessions.” We all know Christmas is forthe birth of Jesus Christ. Wecelebrate His nativity on December25. The point is to celebrate humansalvation and human existence,thanks to God, Jesus, or whateverhigher power we believe in.

When was the last time you sawyour extended family? When wasthe last time you were able to goanywhere without wearing a maskand staying six feet apart? Almost 10 months ago the COVID-19 viruschanged the entire world, butgetting the vaccine can help us getback to normal. Producing anddistributing the COVID-19 vaccineis one of the most important issuesin the world today. Teams of scientists areworking incredibly hard to makethis vaccine and to widely distributeit. It is the best solution our countryhas right now to solve this problem,which is why everyone needs to do

of COVID-19. If people choose notto get the vaccine, it will prolongthe spread of the virus and preventus from taking part in the activitieswe did before the pandemic.

Getting the vacineMegan Stecher ’24 Contributing Editor

Markaela Gadduang '24 Contributing Editor

Materialism

17

Op-Ed

I recently invested in acassette player, wooed by its 80snostalgia and dance scenesshowcased in Guardians of theGalaxy. I bought some of myfavorite albums to comfort methrough this venture into unchartedmusic terrain. When I began myfirst listen, however, to Elton John’sCaptain Fantastic, I realized thatmany of the songs, and their orderin the album, were foreign--shocking because I consider Eltonone of my favorite and mostimpactful artists.

Most of my generation’sinteractions with music comes fromcurated playlists- cherry picking thefirst favorites of each album anddiscarding the rest. Unknowingly,we give carefully crafted works ofart a “kindergarten-safety-scissorhaircut” that butcher what the artistcurated for our ears. This manipulation of albumsprevents us from recognizing theartistry and the artist’s intentions. The intentionality and thought thatpermeates that collection of songs

and their chosen order becomes anunsuspecting casualty of this cycle. When I was listening to CaptainFantastic on my walkman, I foundmy heart almost skip with theunexpected layering of tracks-- sounlike how I had ever experiencedthese songs. We need to return to listeningto albums the way they were meantto be heard and- if a cassette playerisn’t handy- embrace an avoidanceof the shuffle button.

A Case Against Shuffle PlayIzzy Spanswick '21 Managing Editor

Dec 24. 4pm Mass & 12 Midnight Mass Dec 25. 10am Mass Find all streaming liturgies with, choir & instrumentalists at:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiYkU7Wtc-4

Christmas Mass at SI Church Information

18

The Black Lives Mattermovement brings awareness to theoppression, racism, and dis-advantages that Black people face intoday’s society. The organizationwas created by Alicia Garza, PatrisseCullors, and Opal Tometi in 2013 inresponse to the death of TrayvonMartin. The Black Student Union is anaffinity group at SI that creates acommunity and safe space for theBlack students at SI. I had theopportunity to interview ReannPhillips’23, who is the co-publicistfor BSU, about her thoughts on theBlack Lives Matter protests and herhopes for the future. 1.Inside SI: What are your hopeswith the outcome of the Black LivesMatter movement?Reanne Phillips: Probably the mostimportant outcome I hope the BLMmovement can accomplish ismaking the world safer for the Blackcommunity.

From everything that’s happenedin the past few years, there havebeen times I've been afraid formyself and my other friends thatidentify with being black. 2. Does the Black Lives MatterMovement give you hope for a betterfuture?Most definitely. The Black LivesMatter movement started in 2013and already has support not only inthe country, but throughout thewhole world. This fight for equalityhas honestly been going on for toolong. I'm just always keeping anoptimistic mind that one day wecan stop fighting for inequality weface in our everyday lives. 3. How do you think SI reactedto the Black Lives Matter Movement?How can SI better support Blackstudents of color? I believe SI hasdone a pretty good job with makingtheir opinion with BLM. from theMagis Safe Space, BSU individuals,and Ms. Levine's message in the

beginning of the year to thesophomores -- all have given mea feeling of safety in our schoolcommunity. SI can better supportBlack students by checking up onus, just seeing how we’re handlingthings, especially during the timeswhen something happens. To me,just knowing that someone caresand supports me can go a longway. 4. How can SI students andfaculty members be better allies forBSU?Do your research, it can go areally long way! As one of thevery few Black individuals at SI, itfeels like my job to informeveryone about living as a personof color. Like I said before itreally goes a long way!

In early November, Prop 16, aproposition to reinstate affirmativeaction in California, lost. Californiais known to be democratic-leaning,so it was a shock to many when Prop16 did not pass. I invited Mr.Lorenzo, a first-year SI collegecounselor, to give his insight intoProp 16’s losing and advice tostudents of color.

Inside SI: For those unfamiliar withProp 16, what is it exactly?

Mr. Lorenzo: Proposition 16 was anattempt to repeal Proposition 209(passed in 1996) that stateddiscrimination and preferentialtreatment were not allowed inpublic employment, education, and

contracting regardless of aperson's/group's race, sex, color,ethnicity, or national origin.Hence, California remains as oneof ten states that has bannedaffirmative action policies. If Prop16 passed, CA public institutions,including the University ofCalifornia and California StateUniversity System would havebeen allowed to develop and useaffirmative action programs thatgrant preferences based on race,sex, color, ethnicity, and nationalorigin.

Inside SI: What are your thoughts onProp 16 losing?

(continued on p. 20)

Affinity GroupsBSU'S Hope for a Better Future

Izzy Escalante '22 Contributing Editor

Ethan Tam '22 Contributing Editor Prop 16

Strength in numbers

Reanne Phillips

19

Inside SI: What do you think studentsat SI should know about affirmativeaction?

Mr. Lorenzo: SI students shouldknow affirmative action wasdesigned to address the systemiceffects of racism and discrimiationin public employment, education,and contracting. In the event ofhiring or college admissions, thecandidate must meet thequalifications. The idea is tooutreach and to extendopportunities to those who havebeen historically disadvantaged.

Lastly, affirmative action is notreverse racism. Racism isconnected to power where one hasit and one does not. It is notpossible to reverse this dynamicbecause in our society all racialgroups do not have equal power.

Inside SI: Should students of color beconcerned, especially for collegeapplications?

Mr. Lorenzo: No, because collegeadmissions is a nuanced and oftenholistic review process where manyfactors are considered. Anacceptance or a denial is never tiedto only one specific aspect.Additionally, each college has theirown set of institutional objectivesand initiatives that shape theirdecision making. This includes, butis not limited to diversity,academic interests, special talents,etc.

Inside SI: Finally, do you have any tipsfor students who are concerned aboutProp 16 losing?

Mr. Lorenzo: For those concerned, Irecommend reading and learningmore about Prop 209 to understandhow we got here. Then, take actionwithin your respective peers,families, and communities. Seek outmentors and learn how to educateothers about this issue. Lastly, don'tlose hope, there will be anothereffort to get this back on the ballot.It's not too early to get yourselfinvolved in this process.

Students of color and minorities need tostay united and hopeful.

Students gathered through zoom atthe Diwali Dance event hosted by

ASC. Pictured here they can be seenshowing off their dance moves!

(continued from previous page)

Mr. Lorenzo: It was disappointing,but not surprising because COVID-19 and the racial justice movementhas revealed how much of ourcountry is still not willing to face oradmit to the systemic effects of whitesupremacy, slavery, and coloniali-zation. For all the press and per-ception California gets for being"blue and liberal," having Prop 16lose by almost 2.5 million votesshould be a wake up call that we stillhave plenty of work and education todo.

Inside SI: Do you believe this will affectminorities negatively?

Mr. Lorenzo: Yes, the effects of Prop209 have been devastating for theenrollment of Black, Latinx,Indigenous, Southeast Asian, andPacific Islander communities at theUniversity of California. Prop 16would have been a step in the rightdirection to address this problematictrend and increase educational andcareer opportunities for ourmarginalized communities. Instead,they will continue to besystematically oppressed.

On December 1st, BSU hosted a GOYBentitled what is "Black" in order to

contribute to the ongoing and essentialconversations about race. Keep your eye outfor more affinity group events like these as

the year goes on!

Affinity Groups 20

Doubtless, anyone who has stepped foot on the SIcampus has seen Annika Pyo ’21’s art hanging in the hallor featured in The Quill. Ever since she was in the 6thgrade, Annika has explored what it looks like to seeherself reflected in her own art. She tells me that in morerecent years she has “made more art about what it’s liketo be Korean American,” because it is something she hasa “specific perspective on and experience with.”

“As an Asian American going to SI, in the beginning,I really felt the pressure to blend in with my white peersand I remember freshman year I would want to like buyVineyard Vines and buy Hydro Flasks and buy all thesebrands that I saw the other kids buying. I felt like mywhite classmates kind of saw me in a different way andwould talk to me a little differently from their fellowwhite classmates. It was something that I had neverexperienced before.“ So that piece is called ‘I Don’t SeeColor’ because it’s taking that phrase that a lot of non-BIPOC like to say in order to seem all-inclusive and thatthey don’t see race. But if you don’t see my race, youwon’t get to see my Korean culture. You don’t see thehistory of my family. And you don’t see the experiencesthat I have at school because you want me to feel likeeveryone else and make me feel like I fit in.”

After a conversation with her mom about girls her agein Korea wanting double eye-lid surgery as a birthdaypresent, she wanted to take on another thought-provoking piece. She gathered wrapping paper to make asymbolic representation of the packaging on a birthdaygift. Annika painted on eyes, then took a real needle andthread to do little stitches over the eyelid. She recalled, “itfelt so weird to sew these stitches into my paper and itmade me think of how unnatural it is that girls are tryingto change their natural monolids to adhere to westernstandards.”

As Annika looks toward her future beyond SI, sheplans to apply to various art schools. Traditionally, themedia, family, friends, and an individual’s internalizeduncertainty paint the idea of studying and taking on acareer in art as something available exclusively towealthy, white families. “In general for the longest time, I didn’t think I wasgoing to be applying as an art major. I just didn’t thinkthat was an option at all because I grew up hearing ‘Ohyou know you should become a doctor or go into STEM.Or at least you should become a lawyer or somethingthat’s stable.’ I told my parents I want to go to art schooland this is what I want to pursue.” She paused. “Theyweren’t super excited about the idea at first. Even as theydid come to support my decision, they sometimes stillhave comments. If I ever complain about my work theymight say things like ‘You wouldn’t have this problem ifyou chose a science major.’” As president of the SI Visual Arts Club, she plans toshowcase art from students on Instagram and “give thema place where they can talk about their art becausetypically students don’t really get to share thebackgrounds of their ideas, inspirations, and processes.”The club’s page aims to emphasize the person behind the“art you would normally see in the hallway or in TheQuill.” With her gift for art and risk-taking, Annika’screativity transcends any attempts to stifle her identity asa young Asian American woman.

Affinity Groups

One such piece is a self-portrait of her looking intoa mirror. Her reflection on one side of the mirror isdressed in traditional Korean Hanbok clothing, but thegirl on the other side is in a basic tube top. The idea forthe piece derived from a Bay Area art competition’squestions of: Why do I count as an Asian American onthe 2020 Census? And why is it important to not onlyparticipate in the Census but also share our history?The prompt really hit home for her as she was able todraw upon experiences from her freshman yearonward.

”I Don’t See Color” by Annika Pyo ’21

”Birthday Gift” by Annika Pyo ’21

For More Art by Annika Pyo ‘21 click here and Check out InSIde SI’s Christmas Banner!

Isabela Molina '21 Contributing Editor Art Spotlight

21

800,000 student-athletes the best opportunity tocompete in Season 1 Sports, once allowed by theCDPH and local county offices of public health, theCIF State Office is removing all Regional and StateChampionship events from the Season 1 Sportscalendar. By canceling Regional and StateChampionship events, more student-athletes willhave the opportunity to participate in a longer season,rather than a truncated season with Regional andState post-season play for a limited number ofschools.

Additionally, boys volleyball will be moved toSeason 2 to avoid the loss of a second full season,and an updated Season 2 calendar to include boysvolleyball will be posted in January.The CIF is confident this decision is a necessary andreasonable action for our member schools,student-athletes, and school communities in light ofthe current statewide crisis. This revision to the CIFState 2020-21 Season 1 Sports calendar offers ourSections and Leagues the flexibility and needed timeto plan for the return to practice and competitiononce updated guidance is provided by the CDPH.

Here is a message from the California InterscholasticFederation (CIF):

Due to the continued surge in COVID-19infections, the California Department of Public Healthhas postponed the issuance of its updated youth sportsguidance. The California Interscholastic Federation(CIF) does not expect the CDPH will issue anyguidance allowing for schools to return to full practiceand competition until after January 1, 2021, at theearliest. Thus, all full practice and competition startdates are officially on hold until updated guidance isissued. Therefore, to provide the 10 CIF Sections, our1,605 member schools, and more than

SportsUpdate On High School Sports

The governor's office has completed a planned returnto athletics. However, with the recent spikes inCOVID-19 cases, the publication of this document hasbeen paused and will be released when the cases areminimized. In the meantime, under currentdirectives from the San Francisco Public HealthDepartment, Wildcat teams are working out inStrength and Conditioning pods wearing facemasksand following social distance guidelines.

Once Governor Newsom releases this document, andthen after the CIF, CCS, and WCAL make theiradjustments to the current schedules, the SanFrancisco Public Health Department will make theguidelines that all San Francisco Schools must adhereto. Once this document has been reviewed by all thoseparties, the SI Athletic Department will be able torelease specific information about high school sports,tryout information, etc. Please see flow chart below:

A Memo From MulkerrinsMr. Mulkerrins SI Athletic Director

22

Sports

Congratulations to all of the wonderful athletes who signed on November 12 forCollege Signing day. We recognize your hard work and dedication to the sports you play and are so excited forwhat your future holds. The accomplishments you have received are amazing. We are also very honored that you will represent SI in the winter and spring seasons of 2021. Check out additional SI student college signings

in our next issue. Best of luck in the future for these wildcats. Go CATS!

Senior Spotlight - Congratulations!Lola Cerchiai '22 Contributing Editor

23

Despite the pandemic having shut down multiple sporting andtourist attractions, the comingWinter might be more exciting withthe possibility of skiing and snow-boarding resorts reopening in theU.S. On August 27th, 2020 the CEOof Vail Resorts published a letter tothe public announcing what the skiseason would look like for its 34Northern American resorts thisWinter. Many ski resorts notassociated with Vail Resorts havefollowed their lead for safeoperation.

Resorts are planning onrequiring face coverings, gloves, andsocial distancing on the mountain,including on chairlifts, gondolas,and lift lines and will limit crowdsby requiring advance ticket sales.Despite the announced plans, thereis still concern that these measuresmay not be enough and that skiresorts should be shut down forpublic safety reasons. Personally, I believe themeasures these ski resorts areplanning for reopening are morethan adequate and will ensure a safeexperience during the pandemic forguests. Unlike many other activities,most people wear masks or facecoverings anyway while skiing orsnowboarding in order to protectthem from the wind or cold, somasks won’t be an onerous orunusual requirement.

In addition, most patrons already wear gloves to protect their handsfrom the cold. The only issues wouldbe social distancing, as people mightwant to embrace or talk with theirmasks lowered on the slopes.However, as long as people only sitwith the group they are travelingwith and avoid crowds, there will belimited risk of spreading COVID-19to people not in their party,especially since almost all the timewill be spent outside.

For many people, myself included, skiing and snowboardingis one of the most popular activitiesin the Winter, and the thought offresh powder being untouched onan empty mountain is devastating.One way or another, people willfind a way to ski or snowboard,whether that is trespassing onto amountain or backcountry skiing inunsafe conditions in which theycould get hurt. These risks could beeasily prevented by opening skiresorts in which people can safelyhave fun doing the things they love.If these precautions are taken thenthe mountains should open so wecan all have fun and be outsidetogether.

SportsOPINION: Should Ski Resorts Open This Winter?

Maya Macnew '22 Contributing Editor

At this ski resort in Washington extraprecautions for social distancing such asmasking up and standing at least six feet

apart were highly recommended forattendees. This will probably be whatmost ski resorts look like in the nearfuture. (Photo: New York Magazine)

24

Kamala Harris, the daughter ofIndian and Jamaican immigrants,was born right around the corner inOakland. Harris is a very experiencedpolitician, having previously servedas Attorney General of Californiaand as a US Senator. In 2019 Harrisdecided to run for president, butinstead watched as Biden becamethe Democratic nominee forpresident. This was not the end forHarris. In August of 2020, Joe Bidenannounced Kamala Harris as hisrunning mate for the 2020 electionfollowing the civil unrest takingplace in the United States. Thepublic was pushing for a female vicepresidential candidate, specifically aBIPOC female, and Biden delivered.

After a long and hard-foughtcampaign, Joe Biden and KamalaHarris emerged as the winners of the2020 election. This was a historicwin as Kamala Harris will nowbecome the first female, Black, andSouth-Asian American VicePresident. Kamala Harris has been a first inmany positions throughout hercareer, but she has now shatteredone of the biggest glass ceilings ingovernment. Her mother, ShyamalaHarris, was a big influence in herlife; as Harris has mentioned manytimes, “My mother would look at meand she’d say, ‘Kamala, you may bethe first to do many things, butmake sure you are not the last.’”Maya McClain ’21 commented aboutthe significance of Harris’s new roleas

On Monday, November 9thpharmaceutical companies Pfizerand BioTeve announced thesuccessful testing of a vaccine forCOVID-19. Later that week on Wednesday,Moderna reported that it too hadfinished developing a vaccine.Their tests report a 94.5%effectiveness. According to the Department ofHealth and Human Services (HHS),the US government plans toproduce and deliver 300 millionvaccines beginning in January of2021 under Operation Warp Speed.They also reassured the public thatthese vaccines would be safe andeffective.

Both companies will be involvedin Operation Warp Speed.According to Moncef Slaoui, thehead distributor of the vaccine,vaccinations could be available assoon as December 11th or 12th.Thefirst recipients will be firstresponders such as doctors, nurses,healthcare professionals, andessential workers. If 70% or so of the populationwere immunized this would allowfor true herd immunity to takeplace,” said Slaoui. “That is likely tohappen somewhere in the month ofMay, or something like that basedon our plans."

Junior Aiden Wong said that thenew vaccines will bring “much-needed hope for the Americaneconomy, especially retailbusinesses, just in time for theholiday season.” America has been hit particularlyhard by the virus, with an estimateddeath count of over 260,000 as ofThanksgiving. With the advent ofthese vaccines, there’s finally lightat the end of the tunnel.

Vice President-elect, saying “Forthere to be an Asian, and a SouthAsian, in this role is huge for theentirety of the Asian Americancommunity. My grandparentsimmigrated to the US from India,and for them to see themselvesrepresented in the second-highestoffice in the country means a lot. Kamala Harris’s ground-breakingvictory has allowed many womenand people of color to seethemselves finally represented inour leaders and to ignite some hope.

Outside SiThe Announcement of A COVID-19 Vaccine

Spencer Philipps '24 Contributing Editor

Kamala Harris: First Female, Black, and south asian Vice President

Simone Idiart '23 & Reilly Derrick '22 Contributing & Managing Editors

25

Dr. Eric Goosby, SI class of1970, has recently beenappointed to the BidenCOVID task force. In 2017, Dr.Goosby was awarded SI’sSpiritus Magis Award for hisoutstanding work in themedical field, particularlyAIDS research. Dr. Goosby is a professor ofmedicine at UCSF and is oneof three UCSF facultymembers appointed to thethirteen-person board. Hewill be joined by colleaguesDavid A. Kessler and RobertM. Rodriguez to advise thepresident and vice president-elect.

"The Advisory Board will shapemy approach to managing thesurge in reported infections;ensuring vaccines are safe,effective, and distributedefficiently, equitably, and free; andprotecting at-risk populations,”Biden said, stating his furtherendeavors in regards to thepandemic. Aside from being an expert oninfectious diseases, Dr. Goosby hasan impressive resume. He was afounding director of the RyanWhite CARE Act and a notablecoordinator of President Obama’sGlobal AIDS relief plan. He wasthe UN Secretary-General’sSpecial Envoy on Tuberculosis,

Many families celebrate three generations of attendanceat this annual event and were very disappointed when SFBallet announced that they were canceling Nutcrackerperformances for the first time this winter due to Covid-19. Since March, all SF Ballet live performances have beencanceled and have been streamed online to a record-breaking one and a half million people. The San FranciscoBallet has announced that they will also be streaming theNutcracker performance online instead of the traditionallive performances. The San Francisco Ballet website is also offering asurvey for the community to offer suggestions and ideasfor how we can get through these times while stillupholding these holiday traditions. Even though wecannot all be together to enjoy these performances, theholiday joy of the Nutcracker lives on despite COVID-19.

Every holiday season over 75,000 people flock tothe War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco tosee the San Francisco Ballet’s performances of theNutcracker and experience the flood of holiday joyit brings. This San Francisco tradition goes back to1944 when SF Ballet presented America’s firstcomplete Nutcracker ballet; SF’s holiday traditionsoon spread to every major ballet company in thecountry.

and served under two, soon to bethree, presidential administrations. Dr. Goosby, throughout hisprestigious career, has truly been ableto embody the sole message of SIthroughout his work: men andwomen, with and for others.

Eric Goosby '70: Influencing America' Health

Leia Kwan ’23 and Nina Schmidt ’23 Contributing Editors

Megan O’Sullivan ‘22 & Lauren Keim ‘22 Contributing Editors

Outside Si

Dr. Eric Goosby stands on the left of Dr. Fauci.

The Show Goes Online

SF Ballet’s The Nutcracker moves online. Despite COVID-19,holiday joy lives on.

26

Humor

From the Senior Class of 2021 – Dear Santa,please get us back to campus in time to have asenior prom, in time for a Senior Sunset at theBeach with an actual sunset, in time to enjoyhaving senioritis, and in time for an in persongraduation.

From the Freshman Class of 2024 – Dear Santa,please get rid of the virus so we can clog the 1stfloor hallways so no one else can get by.

From the Sophomore Class of 2023 – DearSanta, kill the virus so we can drive to schooland park in the faculty spaces.

From the Junior Class of 2022 – Dear Santa,keep the virus just long enough to kill off anyidea of colleges reinstituting the SAT or ACTexams for admissions.

From Donna DeBenedetti – Dear Santa, endthe virus so I don’t have to teach from outsidethrough my classroom window when it’sraining.

From Roger and Ginger – Dear Santa, bringback the kids and all those food treats – enoughof Fr. reese’s Weight Watchers for Doggies.

From SI Baseball – Dear Santa, we want to playlast year’s Bruce Game and keep the trophy atSI – come on, play ball, Santa!

From SI Buildings Staff – Dear Santa, please,please, please stop the pandemic before theymake us tear down any more shelves, cabinets,and walls to fit in one more desk in a hybridclassroom.

From Ted Curry and SI Drama actors – Dear Santa,we have two shows waiting for audiences, pleasereopen the theatres so we can Lend a Tenor to Pippin!

From Father Steigler – Dear Santa, please end thevirus so we can get back to school. I have too muchcandy and don’t want to eat it by myself.

From Mr. Patterson – Dear Santa, please make mystudents laugh at my jokes – it hurts to teach to deadsilence in Zoom.

From the Deans – Dear Santa, send kids back so wecan send someone to detention!

From Mr. Gotch – Dear Santa, even though I am nolonger a dean, make sure to drop off coal to my“special list of criminals” which I have enclosed. Youknow who they are (and so do they!).

From the Crew Team – Dear Santa, please give usmore erg equipment so we can suffer on our 2ks evenmore than before covid.

From Ms. Sanchez – Dear Santa, I’m gonna hit youwith a field hockey stick if we don’t get to play anygames this year!

From the WWC -- Dear Santa, please end covid so wecan continue to embarrass ourselves in front of the 8thgrade parents. We love making up facts when we don’tknow the answer.

From the English Department – Dear Santa, pleasehelp us so we don’t send students to breakout roomsnever to find them again.g

From the Kitchen Staff – Dear Santa, end the virus sowe can celebrate once again with bread bowl days oncampus. We left you some milk and CommonsCookies as a bribe.

W

Dear SantaPhilip Luongo ‘23 Contributing Editor

27

Volume 69 Issue 4

December 6, 2020

Benevolent Censors: associate editor for Production: Mr. Peter Devine

Ms. Carole Nickolai

Hallmark MoviesWyatt Brichler ’21, Maya McClain ’21 Contributing and Managing Editor

With the holiday season in full swing, it’s the time of year for hot cocoa, Christmas carols, sweet treats, and aChristmas staple -- Hallmark holiday movies. Films like Our Christmas Love Song, A Christmas Prince, A ShoeAddict’s Christmas, and Mingle All the Way are defining aspects of the holiday season, bringing Christmas spiritand magic to homes all around the country. What you might not know is a few of our very own SI teachers havestarred in their very own Hallmark christmas movies.

Dark Souls of Christmas— Alone on Christmas Eve, evil scientistMr. Maychrowitz spends his evening playing Dark Souls. Afterhours of staring at his monitor, he is teleported into the world ofthe game. After battling his way to the most powerful demon,Black Dragon Kalameet, the mad scientist has a change of heart,realizing instead of killing demons, he should show them love andcompassion. In a moment of clarity, he befriends Black DragonKalameet. As he says goodbye to his new friend, ready to travelback home, he realizes the true meaning of Christmas. “He holds thetitle the first pacifist speedrun of Dark Souls ever recorded”

A Very Juanes Christmas— A young,bachelor Sr. Cafasso travels home toArgentina for Christmas weary, unspirited,and newly single. While taking a stroll aroundhis neighborhood, he hears the sweet soundof La Luz by Juanes playing softly in thebackground. Through his recently discoveredpassion for Juanes, Cafasso discovers the truemeaning of Christmas. “He is loco de amor”

We were sure that this year would spell out ourdoom.But with a vaccine on the way and the season for awinter coat,It’s looking like 2020 might end on a high note.There are people celebrating and spreading cheer,What a Christmas miracle to conclude the year.So, to the five people who will read thisI wish you all a very Merry Christmas (orHanukkah or Kwanzaa).

A Christmas Black Hole—Ms. Kellar, a young physicist, travels tothe small country of Herzoslovakia in order to do groundbreakingresearch on blackholes at the Herzoslovakia Institute of Math andSciences. She begins tutoring a failing college student with anundeniable charm, but unbeknownst to her he is the crown princeof Herzoslovakia. Through the twists and turns of their romance,she breaks scientific barriers and discovers the true meaning ofChristmas. “When she's with him, time slows just as time slows pastwithin the event horizon of a black hole.”

As the Christmas season grows near, We start to welcome the spirit of holiday cheer.Michael Bublé is playing on every radio stationAnd Mariah Carey becomes the anthem of the nation.Decorations go up, houses are covered in lights,And everyone’s starting to move on from the past year’s frights.Congrats 2020 on being the longest year ever!Everyone always claimed the Grinch was so clever,But things are starting to take a turn for the betterWith break coming soon and the perfect sweater weather.Obviously, 2020 was filled with many stories to tell,But I think we’re all ready to say farewell.With many Zooms coming to an end,After the months of trying to make it our friend,And the most wonderful time of the year coming soon

Contributing Editors: Wyatt Brichler ’21, Matthew Caldwell ’21, Kalel Gadduang ’21, Kassy Navarrete ’21, Courtney Yee ’21, Hannah Angsten ’22, Izzy Escalante ’22, Lola Cerchiai ’22, Ronan

Greene ’22, Anthony Jin ’22, Lauren Keim ’22, Dory Miller ’22, Megan O’Sullivan ’22, Lindsay Ryan '22, Grace Walsh ’22, Ashley Yoshii ’22, Cat Young '22

Hadrian Barki '23, Bianca Hallinan ’23, Simone Idiart '23, Sydni Karanian ’23, Leia Kwan ’23, Ella Liang ’23, Reilly Moriarty ’23, Aidan Stecher ’23, Jack Stecher ’23,

Markaela Gadduang '24, Kai Lamb '24, Caroline McFadden ’24, Kate McFarland ’24, Nam Nguyen ’24, Jeslyn Oum ’24, Spencer Phillips ’24, Shea Tran ’24, Addie Vida ’24, Megan Stecher '24, Phillip

Luongo '23, Nina Schmidt '23, Maya McKnew '23, Isabela Molina '21, Dylan Sunga '24, Cayden Tu '24, Keira Tam '22, Amelia Chan '24, Penny Pyo '24, Sydni Karanian '23, Hannah Angsten '23

Michelle Benavente '21, Lucia Doty '21, Elly Fry-Ross '21, Jamie Gatus ‘21, Maya McClain '21, Izzy Spanswick '21, Sofia Blenkinsop '22, Tommy

DeBenedetti '22, Reilly Derrick '22, Will Devine '22, Emma Gorin '22, Lauren Mandel '22, Milan Murphy '22, Caeli Riordan '22, Ethan Tam '22, Aiden Wong '22, Lindsay

Yamamura '22, Jack Quach '23

Luke McFadden ’22

Sofi Cisneros ’21, Jackie Acosta ‘22, Branden Oum ’22, Reilly Derrick ’22,

Jack Quach '23, Shea Tran ’24, Allie Wall '24, Lily Wall ’24, Ethan Tam '21

Layout:

Managing Editors:

Fiona Baxter ’21, Fiona McNamara ’21, Emma Stecher ’21, Luke Veit ’21, Josie Wall ’21

Editors-in-Chief

InSI

de S

I

W

Humor

Black Holes on the Naughty List once again

a Christmas MiracleLindsay Yamamura '22 Managing Editor

28