Opinion

By Andre Partin

Are you tired of feeling like a human parachute every time you step outside on a windy day? Do you dream of slicing through the air like a superhero? Well, my friend, you're in luck! With a few simple tips, you can become more aerodynamic and feel like a real-life Iron Man (or woman).

Streamline Your Hair

To start, your hair can make a big difference when it comes to aerodynamics. Long, flowing locks create a lot of drag, so if you're serious about being more aerodynamic, consider a shorter haircut. If you're not ready to make the chop, try tying your hair back into a tight ponytail or bun to minimize wind resistance.

Adopt a Crouched Position

When it comes to reducing wind resistance, your body position is key. The more upright you are, the more wind resistance you create. So if you want to go faster, you need to get low. Try crouching down as much as possible when you're walking or running. Not only will it make you more aerodynamic, but it will also engage your core muscles and give you a killer workout.

Work on Your Stride

Believe it or not, the way you walk or run can make a big difference in your overall aerodynamics. When you take long, exaggerated strides, you create more wind resistance. Instead, try taking shorter, quicker steps. This will help you maintain a more efficient, streamlined position and reduce the amount of drag you create.

Dress for Success

Loose clothing can act as a sail, catching the wind and slowing you down. So if you want to be a true speed demon, you need to wear tight-fitting clothes. Don't worry, you don't have to squeeze into a full-body spandex suit (unless that's your thing).

Opt for tight-fitting garments that hug your body and minimize wind resistance. Look for items that are specifically designed for your sport or activity, as these will often incorporate features like streamlined seams and breathable materials to enhance your performance.

Another important consideration is the fabric. Moisture-wicking materials can help keep you cool and dry, while lightweight, breathable fabrics can help reduce wind resistance and improve your overall efficiency. Some clothing manufacturers even offer high-tech fabrics that are designed to reduce drag and improve aerodynamics, which can be particularly helpful for those looking to gain an edge.

It's also important to consider the design and features of your clothing. For example, clothing with a full-length zipper can help you regulate your temperature and reduce wind resistance, while items with strategically placed mesh panels can improve ventilation and keep you comfortable during high-intensity activities.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Like any skill, becoming more aerodynamic takes time and practice. Make sure to incorporate drills and exercises into your training routine that focus on improving your posture, stride, and overall efficiency.

Mindset is key

Finally, if you really want to take your aerodynamics to the next level, it's time to embrace your inner superhero. Imagine yourself soaring through the air like Superman or Wonder Woman. Visualize yourself cutting through the wind like a knife. By channeling your inner sky-torpedo, you'll not only feel more confident and powerful, but you'll also adopt a more aerodynamic posture without even thinking about it.

So there you have it, folks. With these simple tips, you'll be well on your way to becoming a lean, mean, aerodynamic machine. Now, go forth and conquer the wind!

Published on 5/23/23

By Yenni Lai

According to California’s Department of Vehicles (DMV) laws, all minors starting at age 15 ½ years can apply for a permit to begin driving instruction for their license. Before they can apply for a permit, minors must complete several driver’s lessons and receive a certificate signed by an instructor. 

The DMV states that “[Driver Education (DE)] must consist of either 30 hours or two semesters of professional classroom instruction… or a home study or Internet training program.” 

Studying at home for driver’s education is simpler and more accessible now since it is available on the internet, but costs from a range of $40 to $60 total. 

One afternoon, I encountered a Lincoln High School alumnus who explained that they had a Driver Education course at Lincoln during his time. It was a year-long curriculum, as required under CA laws. Because it was on school grounds, it was also easily accessible to the students. He also mentioned it was a required course for students to graduate. 

Despite the easy access, the school board voted it was best to remove the requirement as many students felt it was unnecessary. Originally, it was up for debate whether or not the course would be optional, but after listening to students’ viewpoints, the curriculum was abolished completely.

Many students, including myself, use online courses that cost money to fill up the requirement for Driver Education. Many different private companies have the same courses for students, but the cost is still fairly high everywhere. There are some discounts, but not everyone may be aware of or may have access to them. Sites such as Groupon have discounts for students looking for Driver Education. If we were to reimplement driver’s education classes in our school, it can give those students who don't have access to these courses a better, free chance to get their permits.

Another benefit of an in-school driver's education program on school grounds is that it provides a specific time of the day for students to focus solely on their driver’s education. I struggled with focusing while doing online courses at home, so I would’ve appreciated a time of day to just focus on my Driver Education. Additionally, students have more in-person resources when at school. If students need further assistance with their courses, they can ask their teacher for help outside of class. 

There are many significant reasons why students need to learn to drive. Some drive to work, and some just need to drive to school. If students could learn these real-life skills in high school, it can provide a space for all students to access this necessary resource.

Published on 5/23/23

By Brandon Wu

Our school lunch menu has a plethora of options that many students are unwilling to consume. After careful consideration, here is a list of foods that I would say are more than edible. What  I will not be including are any of the rice dishes since the rice here changes from hard sticky and white to brown on an occasional basis.

The first pick is yogurt parfait. It’s plain, simple, and very boring, but it usually won’t do a number on your stomach. Considering that I am lactose intolerant and that there are those who live with the same infliction, this still isn’t the worst option. The parfait consists of vanilla Greek yogurt and supposedly “wild blueberries,” which is topped with granola or sometimes corn flakes. Overall, the parfait is sweet, and it honestly feels more filling than a salad or even a grilled cheese sandwich. The best part is that there's no plastic like string cheese sticking to a plastic wrapper.

The second choice is the Szechuan Chicken Dumplings. With more Asian flavors, the dumplings come in strong as it includes tamari, sesame oil, and pepper flakes. There is not much spice, but the little take-out box of 6 dumplings can for sure satisfy some major savory munchies.

With a watery marinara sauce, the Cheesy Garlic Bread comes in as the third choice with basic ingredients and a slightly above-basic taste. Gone is the possibility of plastic cheese and replaced with not the gooiest cheese pull, but it can definitely be set apart from the trash.

Honestly, I’m struggling to find a proper reason to put the BBQ Chicken Drumstick on this list, but considering the portion size and undeniable amount of chicken meat, there was no reason not to. The chicken drumstick is an identifiable part of the chicken, so you don’t have to worry about the possibility of the inside being made out of soy. Meanwhile, the mild barbecue sauce is tangy and helps the bland dinner rolls that are served on the side.

While on the topic of talking about chicken, our next item is the Chicken Bites and Breaded Boneless Chicken Wings. Usually, either of these is served with honey mustard. I don’t know if these are fully made up of chicken but with the breading and honey mustard that is served alongside, it is delightful as a substitute to whatever chicken nugget someone maybe is craving.

Coming in hot is the Fiestada Stuffed Beef Sandwich which looks to be a replacement for the “Taco nada”. This fluffy bread stuffed with beef and cheese is not bad when compared to a steak and cheese Hot Pocket. Even if the cheese gets off the roll and becomes hard, the meal won’t be ruined. With its size, I’d still say that you won’t be disappointed on a hungry day.

The most consistent food, I would say, is the slice of Pepperoni/Cheese Pizza. I’m not talking about the individual handheld circle pizza with the audacious sauce, plastic cheese, and soggy pastry. Unlike that pizza, these slices of pizza are true to the name with a crispy crust, a sauce with visible herbs, optional turkey or pepperoni, and subpar cheese, this combination is served every Friday like a last break before being sent off to the weekend. Although it may not be the best lunch, it's a lunch that I can expect and will never truly hate.

The last item being reviewed might be a discontinued one as I didn’t see it on the school menu this month and it's the BBQ Chicken Quesadilla. This foil-wrapped, two-piece wonder was served with “avocado aioli” and chunks of actual chicken almost like junk food. This combination can be downed multiple times over without being boring. Despite the tortilla varying in texture, the taste is still the same.

I will say, not all foods deserve to be served to this generation but the food I mention here barely meets that criteria and I hope the lunch program improves with time. And if you have any qualms with this list, you can catch me lining up to snatch a snack when these lunches are being served.

Published on 5/23/23

By Sophia Truong

Raised by my immigrant grandparents, every moment at home was spent submerged in Cantonese. Even though I had the ability to speak clear American English, I struggled in school with reading and comprehension. At one point, a girl scolded me for attempting to read a book “too complicated” for me, before taking the book away from me and urging our teacher to tell me which texts were “more on my level.”

This incident instilled in me a spite-fuelled, lifelong love of reading, as well as a drastic intro into the world that was invisible systemic barriers. In an era characterized by the purported inequality-crusher that is affirmative action, the question still remains; how do we bridge the divide that policies such as affirmative action do not cover?

We have a moral, social obligation to uplift everyone in society, stemming from years of historical disadvantage and abuse. To fully understand the problem, first, we must identify it in each facet. 

As I grew older, I noticed a linguistic divide subtly appearing among my other friends and peers. One friend would mention struggling in English class, noting a similar home situation to mine. Another would stare in confusion at given texts and assignments and upon noticing my stare, turn defensively and state that she, like me, was born in America. 

This problem of English language adjustment doesn’t just persist in those born in the U.S. to non-English speaking parents. From a census of the population taken by the United States Census Bureau around July of 2022, 51% of the population in San Francisco was identified as White; the other 49% was shared between Asian, Pacific Islander, Black, Hispanic, and Native American groups. Thirty-four percent of the total San Franciscan population was foreign-born; 41% spoke a language other than English at home. 

In a city as rich in wealth and job opportunities as San Francisco, there is no shortage of newcomers looking for better opportunities. This opens up an entirely new can of worms. In terms of disadvantage, arguably nothing is more daunting than trying to navigate an unknown system with little to no knowledge of said system and speaking a different language. It is incredibly demoralizing and excruciatingly difficult and can set one back for many, many years. 

Take some of the newcomer students at Lincoln for example. Upon arrival in America, when placed in a public school, they are eventually evaluated on their knowledge of the English language. Their scores determine what type of support they need--some are simply placed in SFUSD’s Newcomer Program among peers of their current grade, while others are pushed between different grade levels, with many being told to repeat entire years or to retake certain classes. 

Intelligence and motivation are not determined either by accent or turn of phrase. Yet, strong language comprehension has increasingly become a benchmark for success in this country. In this sense, perhaps this problem becomes not a matter of support--as each solution is individual and personal, and one can’t possibly reach everybody. Rather, it becomes a matter of redefining how we evaluate intelligence and our conception of the value of motivation. 

One doesn’t need to have AP-level English to convey complex ideas and thoughts. Such things, from my experience, can be done through simple, elementary-level English. Traditional tests can often leave many at a disadvantage--rather, there should be more credit given to participation in group projects and interaction in class discussions. 

“Basic” is subjective. Nothing is too basic. There should be less cultural shame, in relearning concepts considered elementary or immensely straightforward. Common knowledge in one environment is not common in another, and we need to make that okay. 

Yet, this solution only solves one problem. What about the other tangible ones, such as wealth?

Historically, the U.S. has had a past of favoring the white majority over a plethora of marginalized groups, by creating a network of laws that enforced an oppressive, visible financial net over many minority members trying to climb through America’s capitalist system. 

Famous cases include the Homestead Act of 1862, which provided 60 acres of federal land to anyone who agreed to farm and live on said territory. “Anyone” to the government was subjective-- as African Americans, Chinese immigrants, as well as Indigenous tribes were barred for various reasons from legally owning any type of property. 

This granted white landowners a monopoly over the land market, as well as an exclusive way to build generational wealth through the owning of a multitude of assets. Often used as a failsafe method among the middle or upper classes, the lack of generational wealth is one of the main driving factors behind one’s placement in our society. 

The other is income. Unlike owning assets, which are usually inherited, income can be influenced--in some amount--by personal decisions throughout one’s lifetime. Affirmative action is primarily designed to target said income by providing opportunities in higher education and the professional workforce after high school.

  Despite this, Thomas M. Shapiro, professor of Sociology and Public Policy at Brandeis University, states in his essay, “Race, Homeownership, and Wealth, “Generational home wealth, rather than income, accounts for 60% of the total wealth among America’s middle class.” He adds, “Two families with similar incomes, but widely disparate wealth most likely do not share similar life trajectories, and we must consider this when thinking about inequality and public policy.” 

In other words, even if a person from a low-income household is placed in a high-income job, it is unlikely that in their lifetime, they will ever be fully free from the constraints of poverty, due to a lack of the buildup of generational wealth.

Unfortunately, with America’s current inflation-boosted mortgage rates, and the high demand in wealthy cities, buying a good home is an extremely excruciating process. To make matters worse, even the act of renting is heavily disputed, with landlords often extorting or exploiting their low-income tenants.

“Over the years, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have restricted housing aid to the poor, but expanded it to the affluent in the form of tax benefits for homeowners.” Matthew Desmond, a Professor of Sociology at Princeton University, and author of the much acclaimed “Evicted,” explains. 

For many, even the act of trying to navigate the system of loans and investments can seem daunting and unknown. Resources on the internet bombard the new reader with unknown economic jargon, deterring some and confounding others. Suddenly, attempting to learn about basic budgeting becomes learning about not-so-basic governmental economic policy. 

Money is the language that everyone speaks. In a world defined by resources, wealth, and the pursuit of comfortable living, why is it not mandatory to learn about such topics? Algebra, English, and even History are all requirements for getting into a good college. Financial knowledge is a requirement for getting a good roof over your head. 

Ten years after I was scolded for reading at the wrong level, I was told by my new English teacher that I had one of the highest Reading Inventory scores she had ever seen. Ten years of honing and perfecting my English comprehension. 

Bridging the socio-economic divide established in the bedrock of American society will take even longer. It could take decades, possibly throughout an entire generation. Bringing awareness to the problem is just the starting point. Yet, is this not the pinnacle of the philosophy of American advancement? Of finding flaws, and thus striving to create new solutions?

Published on 5/23/23

By Brandon Wu

Up above my friend Andre Partin has made a list of the best fruit and in number one is cherries. This amazing fruit is sweet, sour with hints of almond smells and woody flavors. This drink is simple, sweet and captures the essence of a cherry while looking fun and celebratory.

Ingredients:

1. Cherry Syrup

   1. Substitutes: Grenadine, Maraschino Cherry Liquid(the heavy syrup), reduced cherry juice

2. Any Cola boiled with a stick of cinnamon

   1. Substitute: (Dr. Pepper)

3. Preferably Tonic water (soda water works as well)

4. Lime/Lime Juice

5. Cherries/Maraschino Cherry(Optional)

6. Whipped Cream

With all the ingredients assembled you can just throw it all in together but for that real photo effect you’ll want to follow these steps and measurements.

1. Make sure everything is chilled from the ingredients to the glass

2. Pour in 1-2.5 ounces of your cherry syrup without hitting the side of the glass

Now add in squirt or about 2 teaspoons of lime juice

3. Drip from the side about 9 ounces of your spiced cola and make sure there is space for whipped cream and so that it doesn’t fully mix with syrup making a layer.

4. Pour the same amount of tonic water as the amount of cherry syrup earlier

5. Now add in squirt or about 2 teaspoons of lime juice

6. Top this with whipped cream and a cherry

7. Voila “The Partin Jubilee” serve and satisfy those taste buds

Overall a very fun drink and was enjoyed alot when making this recipe and serving the extras to friends and family. 

Published on 5/23/23