Story by Aanji SinContributor Photos Courtesy of Sophie GarciaContributor Sophie Garcia has a habit of selling herself short. The humble SPHS alumna has been thoroughly invested in visual arts as well as SPHS’ track and field team, though many of her accomplishments go unnoticed by her peers. From the neon green dragon painted on her […]
Just Mercy has never been more relevant
Story by Quinn ManzoStaff Writer Illustration by Tarry SongStaff Illustrator Just Mercy’s significance goes beyond its merits as a well-made film. The story that it tells forces the viewer to confront a truth that many are too sheltered or unwilling to acknowledge, even as it is brought to brighter light every single day: racism is […]
School board recommends total distance learning to begin, passes hybrid models for future implementation
Story by Kahlen Miao Staff Writer Photo by Ella Jayasekera Photography Editor The South Pasadena School Board advised Superintendent Geoff Yantz to begin the 2020-2021 school year with 100 percent distance learning at its meeting on Thursday, Jul. 16. The board also approved hybrid instructional models for both the elementary and secondary levels that will be utilized when […]
Tournament of Roses 2021 Parade cancelled over coronavirus concerns
Story by Zoe Schlaak Staff Writer Photo by Oscar Walsh Staff Photographer The 132nd Tournament of Roses New Year’s Day Parade was cancelled on Wednesday, July 14, due to safety concerns about the coronavirus pandemic. After discussing with the USC Keck School of Medicine, parade officials concluded that there is no plausible way to operate the […]
Coronavirus case increase prompts statewide reclosing of businesses
Story by Eddie Zhou Staff Writer Photo by Oscar Walsh Staff Photographer California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a revised order requiring the immediate closure of moderate-risk businesses after a recent uptake in coronavirus cases — effective Monday, Jul. 13. Additionally, Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) announced its plans to hold instruction strictly online come August in […]
Punisher: Heartbreak and healing
Story by Georgia ParsonsStaff Writer Illustration by Alicia ZhangStaff Illustrator Phoebe Bridgers’ Punisher is a reassurance in the darkest of times. In her first album since the 2017 release of Stranger in the Alps, Bridgers explores the same heartbreak, but instead emphasizes her journey on the path to healing. The native Pasadenan is best known […]
School board discusses health measures for a potential return to in-person learning
Story by Charlie Betts Staff Writer Photo by Ella Jayasekera Photography Editor The South Pasadena School Board discussed the health protocols necessary to safely reopen schools in August at its meeting on Thursday, Jul. 9. Dr. Michael Smit, an infectious disease expert, recommended safety guidelines to the Board in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus. The […]
SPUSD announces suspension of all athletics programs
Story by Kimberly Hsueh Staff Writer Photo by Sarah LeeStaff Photographer South Pasadena Unified School District (SPUSD) announced the indefinite suspension of athletic programs until further notice in its special school board meeting on Thursday, July 9. On the following day, SPUSD sent emails informing parents and guardians about the district’s current health guidelines and education codes. […]
‘Digital blackface’ — a subtle perpetuation of stereotypes
The digital era of the 21st century has given people a new platform to enforce America’s structural racism in the form of ‘digital blackface.’
Intersection: Books, movies, and TV shows about and/or created by LGBTQ+ people of color
Story by Georgia Parsons & Eddie ZhouStaff Writers Illustration by Tarry SongStaff Illustrator Intersectional LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream media is growing increasingly prevalent as film, books, music, and TV strive to be more inclusive. Although queer and racial stereotypes still appear frequently in popular media, more projects continue to move towards telling stories about complex […]
The pitfalls of hustle culture
Story by Eddie ZhouStaff Writer Illustration by Alicia ZhangStaff Illustrator People are conditioned to believe that constant productivity is a requisite step in order for one to succeed in an increasingly competitive world. In turn, many attempt to overexert themselves in order to match perpetual productivity idealized by the media. This resulting external pressure manifests […]
TAAGLAA: Collective Constellation
Story by Kimberly HsuehStaff Writer Photos by Charles WhiteContributor Limitations on social contact outside have caused people to seek entertainment online. Recently, various zoos, museums, and art galleries in Los Angeles have begun to reach out to their audience through virtual tours, so I decided to explore one. From Feb. 8 through Aug. 1, the […]
District faces legal action for ties to SPEF’s tuition-based summer school
Story by Haelee Kim Staff Writer Photo by Ella Jayasekera Photography Editor South Pasadena resident John Srebalus raised the possibility of legal action against South Pasadena Unified School District (SPUSD) due to their awarding of credit to the tuition-based South Pasadena Educational Foundation (SPEF) summer school classes. Srebalus’ lawyers stated that the District’s current embrace […]
D.U.D.E.S. performances and outdoor community artwork replace traditional Fourth of July parade and fireworks
Story by Quinn Manzo Staff Writer Photo by Oscar Walsh Staff Photographer Dads Uniting Dads in Education and Service (D.U.D.E.S) is bringing the Fourth of July festivities to South Pas residents in light of the cancellation of the annual parade and fireworks show. In addition, the South Pasadena Recreation Department and the South Pasadena Arts […]
Matthew Dudley: A virtuoso in the making
Story by Haelee KimStaff Writer Photo courtesy of Matthew DudleyContributor A graduated senior, Matthew Dudley has a bright future in front of him. A love for music that spanned across his whole life, Dudley always took the initiative to go above and beyond to fulfill his passions. “I always wanted to be a musician,” Dudley […]
Residents with signs supporting BLM discover clusters of nails on their driveways
Story by Sam Grotenstein Staff Writer Photo by Amy Betts Contributor South Pasadena residents who had publicly shown support for the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement through lawn signs recently found piles of nails left on the end of their driveways. Amy Betts was the first community member to report the incident on a local Facebook group, […]