Education Secretary Betsy DeVos released a proposal on Nov. 29 detailing new policies relating to how all education facilities address sexual harassment and assault allegations. The rules address the responsibility placed on schools under Title IX, the federal protection law against discrimination. DeVos claimed the intention of the policies is to balance the rights between […]
Superficial relationships aren’t worth your time
Written by Aanji SinIllustrated by Nicholas Forman Dating is no longer about getting to know someone better. It’s a text in between homework assignments, or holding hands throughout the school day to let your peers know about your new significant other. High school “relationships” have exclusively become ways to pass the time. They’re an easy substitute for […]
Santa should have no place in public education
Illustration by David SohnStaff Illustrator Throughout elementary school, I distinctly remember participating in a fair share of Christmas-themed school activities. From writing wish lists for Santa to reading books centered around the North Pole, my small Pennsylvania elementary school heavily integrated Christmas celebration into its curriculum. I am only half Jewish and do culturally celebrate Christmas, […]
The importance of a local perspective
The California midterm election on Nov. 6 prompted South Pas citizens and SPHS students to register to vote. The massive scope of the election seemed to draw a crowd, as 364 SPHS students participated in the California Mock Election on Oct. 9, which modeled the real election this week. Engagement in national and global politics […]
When does free speech justify hate speech?
Written by Tiger Staff Illustrated by Oscar Walsh Associate Photo Editor A woman has been standing on the corner of Bank and Fremont before and after school for the past few years, attempting to pass out religious pamphlets to SPHS students. Their religious aspect is not what phases students, but the homophobic remarks contained in them. […]
Don’t put me on a ‘woke’ pedestal
Written by Maya Williamson Copy Editor Illustrated by David Sohn I am known in my social clique as the token “woke” friend, there to explain all things problematic to those of my peers who are less socially aware. This trope is itself problematic in nature. As I have come to understand, being a woman who is more […]
How Students Should Judge Colleges with a History of Slavery
Written by Cat Flores Staff Writer Illustrated by David Sohn There are many things that you can easily find out about colleges just by conducting a search. Their acceptance rate, tuition, different programs offered, and scholarships are all factors used in finding the ‘right’ college. However, one thing that’s not so easy to find out is whether […]
Death doesn’t give our heroes a free pass
Written by Audrey Ernst Staff Writer Illustrated by Elaine Yang Design Editor This article contains descriptions of domestic violence that some might find disturbing. In June 2016, Geneva Ayala was faced with a difficult decision. How she would like to be sexually assaulted, barbecue fork or barbecue brush? She was given that choice by her boyfriend at […]
I’m not a terrorist, but your jokes don’t offend me
Illustration by Elaine Yang Staff Illustrator I have a necklace that says my name in Arabic. Every time I wear it I get asked what it says and every time I respond with “ISIS.” This joke plays on the countless terrorist jokes I’ve been subjected to — the shock value is a bonus. My time […]
South Pasadena’s dwindling middle class
Illustration by Truman Lesak Design Editor South Pasadena has always been a town that draws young families looking to settle down. If there is a moving truck on the block, it’s probably the harbinger of a new family, drawn by the quality schools and “mayberry” liberal community, or a family moving out, left empty-nested after […]
South Pasadena’s misuse of Community Development Block Grants
Illustration by Finley Mullen Staff Illustrator Over 40 years ago, the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) was introduced by President Gerald Ford. The grant was enacted to provide municipalities with monetary assistance from the federal government to develop housing, and was voted into law bipartisanly in 1974. 44 years later, the City of South Pasadena […]
SPUSD needs clearer student-teacher boundaries
Illustration by Kate Rogers Staff Illustrator South Pasadena High School thrives on the relationship between community and school. School is integrated into so much of students’ lives: we run into our teachers at the grocery store, we go to school with our teacher’s kids, and we spend hours in after-school tutoring sessions. Naturally, relationships form […]
Save room for Jesus, please
Illustration by Isabella Frescura Staff Illustrator Picture this: you’re walking down the hall of the 400s building. You’re late to Spanish class. Suddenly, you are bombarded with the animalistic growls that could only possibly come from the mauling of a small animal or the sound of two fish being slapped together. It takes you a […]
Fast times at South Pas High
Illustration by Finley Mullen Staff Illustrator My older sister hated high school. When she came home for winter break during her freshman year of college, she refused to even step foot on the SPHS campus. As an eighth-grader, this came as a shock to me. I had survived all of middle school with the hope […]
With a vote over net neutrality two days, the fate of a free internet is at stake
Illustration by Elaine Yang Design Associate Editor The last few weeks have been filled with discussion about net neutrality, yet the majority of the American public knows little about what these Internet regulations are, and what effect their repeal will have. Special interest groups have taken advantage of this collective ignorance to propel their agenda […]
Despite a mantra of tolerance at SPHS, conservatives are often left silent
Written by Peter Wang Opinion Associate Editor Illustration by Kate Rogers Staff Illustrator South Pasadena is known as a safe and welcoming place for all people; we are proud of our principles of social progress and tolerance. While SPHS may appear to champion acceptance of people, the collective atmosphere and attitude on campus is unaccepting […]