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      • Fun & Games

      “Pet Trouble” Mad Libs

      Paolo Dimacali
      April 12, 2019

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      Paolo Dimacali
      About the Contributor
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      Paolo Dimacali, Reporter

      Paolo Miguel Dimacali is currently a junior in his first year of journalism. Paolo loves all food, with freshly baked cookies being his favorite smell....

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      The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the country to cl The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the country to close many businesses, transforming how most people live their lives. But for the workers providing essential services, staying home is not an option. Read about these student workers in Reporter Alyssa Garcia’s article. Link in bio. ⁣ ⁣ Photo: Anthony Ortiz, a graduated senior of Evergreen Valley High School’s Class of 2020, disassembles boxes that previously held stocked items at Walmart. ⁣ ⁣ Photo by Alyssa Garcia, Reporter.
      Check out Reporter Vidya Achar’s run-through of Check out Reporter Vidya Achar’s run-through of the virtual senior graduation posted to YouTube on June 12. Link in bio.
      On June 16, promoting eighth-graders and graduatin On June 16, promoting eighth-graders and graduating seniors had a chance to receive their diplomas and celebrate with UPA staff at the Class of 2020 Diploma Drive-Thru. Senior graduates attended the event dressed out in their caps and gowns and had the opportunity to shake hands and take photos with the directors to commemorate the milestone. “My favorite part was seeing all the teachers there cheering and supporting us,” graduate Natalia Alvarez said. “Plus I really liked being able to do the caravan with my best friends who were right next to me, so it felt like we graduated together.” With the 2019-2020 school year on campus cut short due to COVID-19, many were disheartened to see senior year traditions canceled, one of the most notable being the in-person graduation ceremony. Despite this, the virtual graduation on YouTube and Diploma Drive-Thru have served as closure for many seniors, marking the end of high school as they enter a new chapter in their lives. “It’s bittersweet leaving the one place where I knew everybody and beginning my journey as a young adult developing my career,” graduate Unity Aldaco said in an Instagram post after the drive-thru. “I’m eternally grateful for everyone who made an impact on my life, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for me!! Anyways, guess who graduated?!” First photo: Graduate Mekhyle Ndah stands up in his family’s convertible, waving in celebration as staff and faculty cheer him on. Second photo: Graduate Alan Jacob Villareal walks across the parking lot to receive his diploma. Third photo: Graduate Surafeal Aragaw walks to the portable stage where the directors wait to award him his diploma. Reporting by Janessa Ulug, Managing Editor. Photos by Alyssa Garcia, Reporter. Check back tomorrow for Reporter Vidya Achar’s rundown of virtual graduation. Link will be in bio.
      Gov. Newsom issued a statewide order requiring Cal Gov. Newsom issued a statewide order requiring California residents to wear masks in public places on Thursday after California reported a record-high 4,233 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday. Santa Clara County has strongly encouraged the use of face masks since mid-April.⁣ ⁣ Check out Copy Editor Akshara Kollu’s step-by-step guide on how to make a face mask. Link in bio.⁣ ⁣ Photo by Akshara Kollu, Copy Editor.
      Akshara Kollu (11) jumped up from where she was si Akshara Kollu (11) jumped up from where she was sitting, teeming with excitement as she dashed to the backyard where her parents were. She had just received an email naming her the new ASB President for the 2020–2021 school year. Having lost the first time as a sophomore going into her junior year, Kollu made it a point to try again, and all the work she put into the campaign and promotions paid off. Kollu mentioned that running for ASB President was different from running for class representative, seeing as she had to appeal to the entire school as opposed to just her grade level. Kollu wrote all her ideas out onto a Google Doc and made a spreadsheet for when promotions should be put out, with her friends supporting her for the length of her campaign; one of Kollu’s friends, Julia Khinno (11), even made her campaign poster. Alongside the thorough planning and her own ideas, Kollu wanted to emphasize the importance of hearing the student body’s voices and suggestions as well as turning constructive criticism into positive feedback. She plans on implementing polls for students with subjects ranging from games that are played at rallies—or switching up the types of rallies UPA has—to the themes future dances should have. Other plans Kollu has heading into the upcoming school year include free dress birthdays, marked by a free dress sticker from the office, as well as hearing more from the middle schoolers. “I’m hoping ASB can find a way to bring spirit while staying six feet apart,” Kollu said.⁣ ⁣ Photo: Kollu’s campaign poster was designed by Khinno for Instagram.⁣ ⁣ Reporting by Emma Fulton, Reporter.⁣ Photo courtesy of Akshara Kollu (11).⁣ ⁣ Disclaimer: Kollu is a copy editor for Aquila but had no part in producing or editing this post.
      One UPA student said on their Instagram story, “ One UPA student said on their Instagram story, “The Class of 2020 are the main characters,” and the UPA administration brought that idea to life by having over 100 portraits be played at the home of the San Jose Earthquakes. In order to properly congratulate UPA’s senior class in a time of national crisis, Executive Director David Porter caught wind of the staff of San Jose’s Avaya Stadium wanting to congratulate seniors in the area. One established contact and a slideshow later, the senior portraits of the entire Class of 2020 were played on the stadium jumbotrons on June 3, which could be seen in clear view from Coleman Ave. This grand display of appreciation from the school, however, does not mark the end for the events in store for the seniors. As for the Class of 2020, mark June 16 on your calendar, and arrive in style. “The decision to get the pictures up was a no brainer—the Class of 2020 deserves all the accolades we can provide,” Porter said. “There will be a Diploma Drive-Thru on June 16 from 11-12.  The shelter-in-place guidelines have relaxed enough to allow for this event, and it should be a party.”⁣ ⁣ First photo: A slide congratulates UPA’s Class of 2020 for graduating. ⁣ Second photo: Dev Paul’s (12) senior portrait is displayed.⁣ Third photo: Kevin Benjume’s (12) senior portrait is displayed.⁣ ⁣ Reporting and photos by Kristian Crowther, Co-Editor-in-Chief.
      Bright pink backgrounds and animated light bulbs f Bright pink backgrounds and animated light bulbs fill screens as a welcome to an Instagram account run by Pari Gupta (11), “Operation Think Positive.” On April 22, Gupta started an account designed to inspire positivity in anyone who needs it. When you open the account you are welcomed with the motto “Stay positive, keep smiling” as well as a logo of a light bulb, representing an idea. She was inspired by her friends and peers who have always commented on her positivity and optimism. Her posts started with replying to direct messages by turning negative thoughts positive. When she started posting quotes and more content, she received feedback from others that her posts were helpful. “People think it [optimistic thoughts] everyday but don’t realize it,” Gupta said.⁣ ⁣ Not only do her posts spread optimism to other people, but they also spread optimism to herself. “Most of my posts relate to how I’m feeling that day,” Gupta said. “I put it into words and then let everyone else know this is a better way to feel what I’m feeling.” Her posts include quotes as well as some words of wisdom to accompany the message of the quote. Her content is a way for her followers to see a positive quote, take a second to read it and think about it since people do not often look up “positive quotes” on Google and other platforms.⁣ ⁣ Reporting by Britney Stout, Reporter. ⁣ Light bulb image courtesy of PNG Mart.
      As one enters the Zoom call hosted by Executive Di As one enters the Zoom call hosted by Executive Director David Porter and the officers of UPA’s Black Student Union (BSU), they instantly hear the passionate notes of “A Change is Gonna Come” by Brian Owens Soul and his father Thomas Owens. The song signified the change that is meant to happen for the black community worldwide, and especially within the UPA community. The Zoom roundtable discussion on June 2 held 79 participants; it consisted of students, teachers, parents and staff alike. As Porter shared his slides of pictures to enable discussion amongst the BSU officers, participants submitted their comments of support or questions for BSU officers to answer in the chat. Such questions and comments inquired about the change that could start at UPA. The answer from BSU leaders was students learning to empathize with their black peers and teachers informing their students more about black history, such as the Black Lives Matter movement. Change, as pointed out by the discussion, starts from within. The unwavering support from the majority of participants outweighed the negative and racist comments of a few, proving that change starts with empathy. ⁣ “I think the most important thing to learn from this movement right now is just empathy,” BSU president Jordyn Roberson (11) said during the Zoom discussion. “You don’t really have to agree on all the things the Black Lives Matter movement agrees in and pushes for, but I think the main thing that people can all agree to have is empathy—not only sympathy but empathy.” ⁣ ⁣ First photo: Porter plays “A Change is Gonna Come” by Brian Owens Soul and Thomas Owens as more participants join the Zoom.⁣ Second photo: BSU vice-president Nur Ambaw (11) speaks about what the picture on the left (a BLM peaceful protest) means to him.⁣ Third photo: BSU officers discuss ways change for the black community can happen at UPA.⁣ ⁣ To watch the Zoom round table discussion, click the link below. ⁣ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8JDA2cU6kQ&feature=youtu.be⁣ ⁣ Reporting and photos by Betty Nguyen, Creative Director.
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      “Pet Trouble” Mad Libs
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