By Sarah Perez December 10, 2025 Sophomore Olga Balanchuk  considers Russian values an integral part of her life. Since moving to the United States from Russia in 2016, Balanchuk has consistently demonstrated the will to enhance her learning and excel academically after learning English in 2nd grade.  “My family aimed for me and my sister to succeed. Having gone to high school and university in Russia, my parents have witnessed firsthand how academics impact you

By Ariel Lee Feb. 11, 2026 Free-range chickens enjoy sunlight, bushes and the opportunity to dust bathe, a relief from stress that their caged companions lack. In Claire Latane’s book “Schools That Heal,” she claims that open campus spaces and classrooms with large, scenic windows impact students positively, yet their inclusion is rare. Modern school campuses are often defined by design elements that have been compared to prisons, seeming less like free-range

By Lauren Law Feb. 11, 2026 Jane Hong Art Once a paddle-sport for retirees chasing low-impact fun on community courts, pickleball has stormed into the mainstream, captivating Gen Z and millennials with its fast-paced rallies and social buzz.    The name “pickleball” is widely attributed to Pickles, the Pritchard family dog, known for chasing stray balls during early games. The sport originated in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, when Joel Pritchard, Bill

By Winston Chu Feb. 11, 2026 Jane Hong Art Under the glaring lights of the Houston Astrodome, 30,000 spectators in the crowd and over 90 million fans tuning in from their televisions eagerly watched female player Billie Jean King compete against male player Bobby Riggs in the first ever Battle of the Sexes. Nearly 50 years after the iconic moment when King threw her racket in the air after defeating Riggs in straight sets, the Battle of the Sexes has finally re

By Brandon Koo Feb. 11, 2026 Mingyue Xiao Art The frigatebird serenely glides across the open ocean, wings locked in place and eyes half-closed over waves that stretch for miles. A brief lapse of attention could result in a fatal plummet, yet the bird continues in a state of half-sleep and half-awareness. It rests yet remains just alert enough—for animals like the frigatebird, sleeping fully can be more dangerous than staying awake.  Sleep is essential for near

By Melvin Najarian Feb. 11, 2026 For years, potlucks and shared food have been a familiar part of student life at school. From club meetings to cultural celebrations, bringing food from home has allowed students to connect with one another and build a sense of community. However, San Jose Unified School District (SJUSD) recently enforced restrictions on outside food brought onto campus during the school day, limiting potlucks and other edibles brought as treats