Career Day and Your Future Career
BY MUNEER REHEM
On Oct. 16, Washington hosted its third annual career day. Organized by Washington student Julien Souther and Chatree Touch, career day is meant to help students along the path of finding a job. The event featured nine stands advertising a variety of professions, from private investigators to children’s toy designers. Students moved across the esplanade and learned about the possibilities that exist out there for them.
When asked about why career day came to be, student counselor Mr. Touch explained that the event was originally pitched and organized by a student — Michelle Buckman. Touch said, “She approached me and the administrators about a need to have students exposed to careers.” This core goal is what creates career day: to expose students to a wider array of career opportunities and educate them on what jobs they could take after their time in Washington.
Career day offered stands presenting careers in finance, artificial intelligence, health care, military service, beauty, design, information science, private investigation, and beyond.
The majority of presenters at career day were Washington alumni, and when asking Tammy Aramian, executive director of the George Washington High School Alumni Association, how the presence of alumni came to be, she said, “We’ve always tried to have a way for alums to give back to Washington, not only through money donations but also of their expertise and be able to help current students.”
At career day itself, many of the alumni presenting at the stands expressed a desire to give back to the school and inform people of their jobs.
continued on page 5
When asking Johnnie Manzari, member of th
e Apple design team and Washington alumnus, about why he chose to present, he said, “I think it’s something people don’t know is something you can do.” When interviewing Anna Clenshaw, admission director at AVEDA Institute Beauty School, she responded with something very similar, saying, “I feel like it’s good to expose students to all of the options.”
Career day, as Mr. Touch explains it, has been primarily organized by students; first run by Michelle Buckman, the effort was then taken on by Nico Wallitt after her graduation and then by Julien Souther after his. The effort of creating a career day year after year has primarily come from Washington students wanting to give back to their school, past and present.
The hope of career day, as an event that can offer earlier education in career fields, is backed by substantial research. The Georgetown Center for Education and the Workforce estimates that demand for postsecondary education and training will only grow, with 72 percent of jobs in the U.S. requiring some sort of postsecondary training by 2031.
A 2012 study by Education and Employment Research found that there was a strong correlation between early career education and positive student attitudes toward school; in addition, in a review of 67 other English studies on the effects of early career education, 60 percent of them found a positive outcome on academic achievement.
Touch and Aramian both expressed a desire to expand career day for future years, increasing the number of career presenters, but foresee difficulties regarding hosting a larger number of stands within the confines of the school grounds.
Students Celebrate School Pride at Annual Fall Rally
BY PAUL VONG
On Oct. 10, Washington High School held its annual Fall Rally on the football field. Students showed up to represent the school and their respective grade levels in games like tug of war and musical chairs.
The Fall Rally was organized by the school’s Associated Student Body (ASB), led by President Renee Tan, also a senior at Washington, through meticulous preparation that included schedule planning and testing the technology and sound equipment. To boost school morale and pride, the ASB planned several contests and games, including musical chairs and Build a Hamburger, where students dressed up as hamburger buns and raced to stack add-ons, along with other activities that involved the students.
“My favorite event will always be the cheering contest because it brings the entire class together to show school spirit, and it’s also the finale of rallies,” Tan said.
The students, especially the seniors, wanted something else other than school pride: the win. As mentioned above, every Fall Rally features competitions designed to involve students, including games like musical chairs and the deciding cheer competition.
When asked about the planning of such events, Tan said, “Rally games were suggested by all ASB officers and top choices were chosen by Spirit Chairs, for final games to be chosen by all ASB officers again, and same with the Spirit Days.” She also said that changes had to be made to certain games, including Steal the Wig, which was replaced with musical chairs, and moving sumo soccer to later in the festivities due to equipment issues.
But the Fall Rally isn’t just about games; it’s also about fostering school pride. Rallies encourage students to be prouder of their school and its community through active participation.
In response to questions about the event, senior Joshuan Hernandez, who’s on the Washington boys football team, said of the rally, “It is very energetic and very interesting and intense… It was just great.” On the opposite side of the conversation grade-wise, Dexter Pai, a freshman at Washington, said to the very same question that, “[It was] pretty nice. I was helping out for Dragon Boat, and I’m helping out for Wellness.” His role concerning Wellness is that he’s a Youth Outreach Worker (YOW), something he took close pride in. They handed out their usual stress balls during the rally.
But this year’s rally also marked something special: a so-called “Battle of the Birds,” a joint contest between Washington and Lowell High School. Despite the winners of both schools being the seniors, the final say as to which school’s rally won the whole thing was left for the communities of the two schools and anyone affiliated with them to decide.
The Fall Rally, for most, is one of the most looked-forward-to events in the first semester. For some, it marked a looming realization about their time at the school. “...I guess it just made me realize I’m really about to be out of here and this is the last one for my time in this class,” Hernandez said.
Overall response to the rally was generally positive. “...It had a good energy, slot of people [who] came together, it was just great,” Hernandez said of the festivities. For others, the rally was enjoyable. Ezra Barany, a physics teacher at Washington, jokingly said in his own comedic style about the rally, “...Imagine a turkey that has been placed in the oven, and is golden crisp… and has a wonderful succulent stuffing of potatoes,... and yams, all sorts of delicious spices.”
The Fall Rally may be long over, but the ASB has planned other events they hope students will enjoy, like Halloween Day’s Fall Fest and Homecoming. Tan said that the ASB is “always up for suggestions on any events.”
Class of 2026 Welcome Senior Year with a Historical Turnout
BY MOLLY JONES
On September 19th at 5:30 a.m. George Washington’s senior class of 2026 came together on the football field to mark the start of their final year of high school and create a historical attendance record for the relatively new tradition.
The tradition was originally created by the class of 2025 in hopes of building a stronger community among the seniors for their last year in high school. This year’s class of 2026 Associated Student Body organized the event in collaboration with the school admin for senior bonding, following in the footsteps of the previous year, and carrying on the tradition.
“This year I feel like the senior class has more spirit. This is a really good turnout this year compared to last year, the weather’s better and everyone seems more engaged this year”, said admin Paulina Rivero. Despite the foggy weather the seniors enjoyed hot chocolate, bagels, and activities like parachute tag, planned by the senior ASB board.
Many of the attendees described feeling like everyone was coming together and building a stronger community. “It seems like people are in their little friend groups and enjoying their time and talking”, said senior Prathna Rathanak, when asked how the atmosphere at the event felt. Others described how they came out to senior sunrise specifically for the bonding and fun activities. While other students said they were excited to soak up the last school events of their high school years. Last year with the tradition being brand new the Admins and Associated Student Body were still figuring out Senior Sunrise, but this year it’s more cohesive with activities, food, and more.
Senior Sunrise, being a relatively new tradition, had an astonishing turnout of about 100 students which according to admin Nitty Dupree who has chaperoned both years of the tradition was “much better than last year”.
Senior Sunrise while showcasing the senior classes community, also highlights the bright futures ahead of the students. Many attendees describe being “Excited to leave San Francisco and go to college” or “Looking forward to meeting new people”. Showing that while being excited to have fun during their senior year students are also looking forward to their futures.
With the event being held so early many didn’t expect such a turnout when compared to last year. “They’re here at five in the morning which surprises me, it’s like a hangout,” said Paulina Rivero when asked about the amount of students who attended even with the early hours. Many students brought blankets and computers to watch movies together during the event while they watched the sunrise through the fog.
Senior Sunrise created a stronger community within the senior class and exemplified the bright futures of the Class of 2026. The event has surpassed expectations and created a model for future senior classes to hopefully continue the tradition for years to come.
The Substitute Shortage: What Washington is doing to fill empty classrooms.
BY MUNEER REHEM
For the first half of the fall semester, Ms. Karlovic’s Film as Literature class had no permanent teacher and went effectively untaught — she’s not alone. Washington and schools across SFUSD are struggling with a substitute shortage that has left classrooms without instruction and students falling behind.
Since the end of COVID-19, there has been a consistent shortage of available substitute teachers in SFUSD, causing classes to go untaught for months and students to miss out on the education they come to school for. Despite many new hires between last year and this year, some classes still don’t have a permanent teacher. Ms. Karlovic’s class is one example of a wider problem affecting schools across SFUSD.
One student from Ms. Karlovic’s Film as Literature class, when interviewed about his experience with substitutes in English classes, said, “I’ve only had a constant teacher for the first two years,” adding that it “was a similar situation with English class last year, and we didn’t have a solid teacher till spring.” dents in these classes are often left without meaningful work or are assigned busywork just to have something to be graded on.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, SFUSD has faced a persistent shortage of both teachers and substitutes. Many educators left the profession due to health concerns, and state regulations now limit substitutes to serving only one long-term contract per career — leaving classrooms across the district understaffed.
However, efforts are being made by the school and the English department to assign a long-term substitute to these classes so students can get back on track. When interviewed about the situation, Mr. Brinton, head of the English department, explained that the school had found a long-term substitute for Ms. Karlovic over the summer. “Dowaliby was going to be the substitute for the semester,” he said, “but after the first few days he stopped showing up.”
Despite Mr. Dowaliby’s sudden absence, the English department has managed to find a new substitute. “I reached out to a student teacher who we had three years ago,” Mr. Brinton said, “and he was very excited to come back to Washington and work.” The delay in his arrival, Mr. Brinton noted, is due to SFUSD’s human resources department, which he described as “notoriously slow.”
In California, a substitute teacher can only serve one long-term contract in their career. During the pandemic, many teachers also left the profession due to health concerns or to care for vulnerable family members. Together, these factors have created an extreme demand for substitute teachers statewide — and a shortage of people qualified or allowed to fill that role.
As of Oct. 9, the official long-term substitute, Mr. Plowman, has begun teaching the Film as Literature class. Mr. Plowman plans to teach until the spring semester, when Ms. Karlovic returns from maternity leave.
The Rise of Media Club at GWHS
BY JAMES COLEMAN
On September 19th at 5:30 a.m. George Washington’s senior class of 2026 came together on the football field to mark the start of their final year of high school and create a historical attendance record for the relatively new tradition.
The tradition was originally created by the class of 2025 in hopes of building a stronger community among the seniors for their last year in high school. This year’s class of 2026 Associated Student Body organized the event in collaboration with the school admin for senior bonding, following in the footsteps of the previous year, and carrying on the tradition.
“This year I feel like the senior class has more spirit. This is a really good turnout this year compared to last year, the weather’s better and everyone seems more engaged this year”, said admin Paulina Rivero. Despite the foggy weather the seniors enjoyed hot chocolate, bagels, and activities like parachute tag, planned by the senior ASB board.
Many of the attendees described feeling like everyone was coming together and building a stronger community. “It seems like people are in their little friend groups and enjoying their time and talking”, said senior Prathna Rathanak, when asked how the atmosphere at the event felt. Others described how they came out to senior sunrise specifically for the bonding and fun activities. While other students said they were excited to soak up the last school events of their high school years. Last year with the tradition being brand new the Admins and Associated Student Body were still figuring out Senior Sunrise, but this year it’s more cohesive with activities, food, and more.
Senior Sunrise, being a relatively new tradition, had an astonishing turnout of about 100 students which according to admin Nitty Dupree who has chaperoned both years of the tradition was “much better than last year”.
Senior Sunrise while showcasing the senior classes community, also highlights the bright futures ahead of the students. Many attendees describe being “Excited to leave San Francisco and go to college” or “Looking forward to meeting new people”. Showing that while being excited to have fun during their senior year students are also looking forward to their futures.
With the event being held so early many didn’t expect such a turnout when compared to last year. “They’re here at five in the morning which surprises me, it’s like a hangout,” said Paulina Rivero when asked about the amount of students who attended even with the early hours. Many students brought blankets and computers to watch movies together during the event while they watched the sunrise through the fog.
Senior Sunrise created a stronger community within the senior class and exemplified the bright futures of the Class of 2026. The event has surpassed expectations and created a model for future senior classes to hopefully continue the tradition for years to come.
EmpowerHer Club Installed at George Washington High School
BY AVERY HAYES
Empower her is a club that aims to empower girls at George Washington High School and around the world, specifically Nepal. The club partners with an organization called Unatti Nepal to help girls living in poverty through donating money raised from bake sales. This club can provide interested Washington students an inclusive community.
Club Vice President Orianna Jooss Moren addresses the question, why Nepal? “It’s a lot more intense in Nepal,” talking about period poverty in specific, she says, “People might not have any access to the items [period products] and when people don’t have access to period products, they can turn to items that might not be safe.” It is important to note that around 20% of Nepal’s population lives below the national poverty line. This means that many people are affected by this and the club can make a huge impact. This gives Washington students perspective and empathy from experiencing something that they may have not heard of before.
EmpowerHer plans to donate 80-90% of their fundraised money to the Unnati Nepal foundation. The other 10-20% will cycle back for club resources. Looking at Lowell’s statistics, club President Olivia Coleman says, “last year EmpowerHer Lowell raised $7,000, that’s enough for 460 period packs and 115 menstrual education workshops in Nepal.” EmpowerHer at George Washington aims to raise money through bake sales and other events.
Not only is EmpowerHer focused on making sure people have access to menstrual products, but they are also focused on how society treats
menstruators. “How society thinks of menstruators that are on their period is a lot more intense there. There are still some traditions and things where women and menstruators are treated differently when they are on their period,” explains Vice President Jooss Moren. Menstrual education workshops are one of the ways they plan to break the stigma about periods in Nepal.
This club was originally installed at Wash because club President Olivia Coleman went to a club benefit at Lowell. She was inspired and was ready to get involved by starting Wash’s own branch of EmpowerHer. By speaking to the members of Lowell’s EmpowerHer, she was able to find out how she could bring the club to her own highschool. She started by finding people who would be interested and a sponsor who would care just as much as her team.
Both the President and Vice President are very passionate about feminism. Orianna Jooss Moren mentions that she has been passionate specifically about period activism. “It’s fighting for menstrual equity, which is the idea that everybody deserves to have menstrual products and not be treated differently for being on their period.” This is a belief that led her to become an active member in EmpowerHer.
This club is supposed to make an impact, but still be enjoyable. President Olivia Coleman says they are trying to, “create an inviting space.” It is also pointed out by Jooss Moren that, “even if you are not a girl, you can join this club. If this is something you are passionate about and you’re like ‘this is important,’ come join our club!” The club is still open to new members and meets on Mondays during lunch in room 325 for people who are looking to join.
New Librarian Brings Fresh Future To Washington
BY IVETT TISCARENO
George Washington’s library looks different this year as students eat lunch among the bookshelves, join freshman mixers, and take part in activities, thanks to Ms. Rosen’s creative plans to refresh the library and increase involvement.
After years of dedicated service, Ms. Philipp retired last spring, leaving behind a strong foundation for the library’s future. But in recent years, student engagement in the library had declined, and the space felt more like a quiet study hall than a vibrant hub for the school community. Stepping into this role, the New librarian, Ms. Rosen, brings a fresh vision to reenergize the space, aiming to replace the outdated library structure with a more welcoming environment where students feel inspired to read, connect, and take part in new activities. Her plans mark the beginning of a new chapter for the library and the school community “I’m excited about creating moments where kids are connecting with books, finding friendship, and feeling a sense of ownership and comfort in the library,” said Ms. Rosen
You might have noticed the change in rules if you find yourself in the library. One particular rule students often have a problem with, before entering the library. Specifically, during lunch, there was “No Food allowed.” Ms. Philipp was heavily encouraging this rule last year, not allowing students to eat in the library, and if she heard the slightest crackle of a wrapper, she would ask you to leave. But this year it’s different; Ms. Rosen has changed that rule, allowing students to come in and have their lunch in the library, creating a new space to have their lunch.
To start the year with excitement, Ms. Rosen has organized a series of events in the most recent weeks. She’s hosted mixers for Freshman, our class of 2029, providing snacks and games to welcome new students, and launched a New Activity each day following along with Spirit Week. Promotional posters will be put up around campus to encourage participation all throughout the school year, so be on the lookout for new activities in the library! “I’m really excited about doing these activities for our school,” said Ms. Rosen as she spoke with excitement.
Ms. Rosen’s goal is to specifically target and drive out those who are afraid to show a little school spirit, who are afraid to connect, By creating these activities. She has created her own book club, following along with letting other clubs take place in hosting their meetings. She highly highlights the library being open early in the morning and encourages it as a place to hang out. She also encourages after-school tutoring in the library. “ I think it’s nice to have a warm space to do those things.” So far in results, 430 students have checked out a library book this grading period.
The main goal is to work towards increasing student involvement and building a stronger sense of community. This year, students have noticed some changes in the variety of activities being offered compared to the past. “There’s the same number of people, but there’s more variety now,” “ I think it’s really cool that she incorporates these ideas of activities, this is new for the library “ said a senior class student Betty.
“There’s a big change in making the library more interactive. I’ve helped with making posters for mixers, which, as a senior, I’ve never seen or experienced myself, so this is new.” Said TA library helper. Looking ahead, the library staff and students are positive about the changes. Following the recent retirement of the longtime librarian, the library team is working to introduce and engage students ongoing. With these changes underway, the library is becoming an even more vibrant environment to learn and a community in the months yet to come.
encouraging this rule last year, not allowing students to eat in the library, and if she heard the slightest crackle of a wrapper, she would ask you to leave. But this year it’s different; Ms. Rosen has changed that rule, allowing students to come in and have their lunch in the library, creating a new space to have their lunch.
To start the year with excitement, Ms. Rosen has organized a series of events in the most recent weeks. She’s hosted mixers for Freshman, our class of 2029, providing snacks and games to welcome new students, and launched a New Activity each day following along with Spirit Week. Promotional posters will be put up around campus to encourage participation all throughout the school year, so be on the lookout for new activities in the library! “I’m really excited about doing these activities for our school,” Said Ms. Rosen as she spoke with excitement.
Ms. Rosen’s goal is to specifically target and drive out those who are afraid to show a little school spirit, who are afraid to connect, By creating these activities. She has created her own book club, following along with letting other clubs take place in hosting their meetings. She highly highlights the library being open early in the morning and encourages it as a place to hang out. She also encourages after-school tutoring in the library. “ I think it’s nice to have a warm space to do those things.” So far in results, 430 students have checked out a library book this grading period.
The main goal is to work towards increasing student involvement and building a stronger sense of community. This year, students have noticed some changes in the variety of activities being offered compared to the past. “There’s the same number of people, but there’s more variety now,” “ I think it’s really cool that she incorporates these ideas of activities, this is new for the library “ said a senior class student Betty.
“There’s a big change in making the library more interactive. I’ve helped with making posters for mixers, which, as a senior, I’ve never seen or experienced myself, so this is new.” Said TA library helper. Looking ahead, the library staff and students are positive about the changes. Following the recent retirement of the longtime librarian, the library team is working to introduce and engage students ongoing. With these changes underway, the library is becoming an even more vibrant environment to learn and a community in the months yet to come.
Lucky Number 7°
By: Militsa Linker (Assistant Editor)
In the 2024-25 school year, GWHS switched its class schedule to add a seventh period, and a poll of students who experienced the switch found that 60.3% of them wanted to keep it going into next year.
School Bathrooms: No privacy, No cleanliness, and No Change
By: Chloe Gensler (Staff Writer) & Diana Feng (Staff Writer)
In the last 10 years at George Washington High School (GWHS) in San Francisco, the bathrooms have not been updated, they are unhygienic, students are vaping and nothing has been done to revamp the bathrooms in years.
Loading: Queens
By: Adella Hand (Editor-in-Chief)
This March 19-22 George Washington High School’s Drama Department is putting on a Spring Play production of “Queens” by Kristen Doherty in the school auditorium.
The Coronation: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Queens
By: Annabelle Kennedy (Staff Writer )
George Washington High School's tech crew of 20 students is taking on a big challenge this semester: the upcoming production of 'Queens.'
The Starting Journey Of The GWHS Mock Trial Team
The Starting Journey Of The GWHS Mock Trial Team
The Starting Journey Of The GWHS Mock Trial Team
By: Jiaxin Tang (Online Editor)
In-front of a real court judge, GWHS’s new mock trial team participated in the SF county mock trial competitions at the San Francisco superior courthouse from Jan. 28 to Feb. 6. The 18 team members created GWHS’s first ever mock trial milestone.
Why Are Students So Tired In Class?
The Starting Journey Of The GWHS Mock Trial Team
The Starting Journey Of The GWHS Mock Trial Team
By: Abreshmina Usman (Staff Writer)
A whopping 85% of George Washington High School students agree to extra sleep time needed, according to the survey of 301 students which was collected on Feb.5. to determine the reasons for tiredness of students in class.
How Overcrowded Classrooms Are Affecting Students And Teachers
Students at George Washington High School fear to come on campus.
Students at George Washington High School fear to come on campus.
By: Dennis Tang (Staff Writer)
In 2024-2025, George Washington High School faces overcrowded classrooms due to teacher shortages and decreased funding, impacting 2,073 students with larger classes and less support. SFUSD may face massive budget cuts.
Students at George Washington High School fear to come on campus.
Students at George Washington High School fear to come on campus.
Students at George Washington High School fear to come on campus.
By: Alexa Marroquin (Staff Writer)
Students at George Washington High School claim that they feel more unsafe as the school year continues as the increase in physical altercations and lack of security. Cause uneasy feelings in students at GWHS.
GWHS Clubs and Music Programs Thrive on Fundraisers
From fun bake sales to concerts, students at George Washington High School are finding creative ways to fund the activities they love. These fundraisers not only raise funds but also unite the school community, fueling school spirit and enhancing student life.
The Price of Memories
As graduation approaches, one of the biggest traditions for seniors is getting their iconic senior portraits taken. The different backgrounds, outfit changes, and seamless retouching, seems like a fun ordeal for many seniors when trying to capture the perfect snapshot. These photos represent their time at Washington and can be shared with classmates, teachers, and families. However, the high cost of these portraits has made this important rite of passage out of reach or a burden for many.
Get Ready to Show Your Colors: Spirit Week Hits GWHS
Get Ready to Show Your Colors: Spirit Week Hits GWHS
Get Ready to Show Your Colors: Spirit Week Hits GWHS
By Hiwan Tedla
This week, students at George Washington High School are getting creative for Spirit Week, a fun tradition that boosts school pride and community spirit. From Oct. 9 to Oct. 13, each day features a different, unique dress-up theme, leading up to the big Rally on Friday.
To learn more about this exciting week, I spoke with Sophie Wong, a member of ASB as Spirit Board. With four years of experience in student leadership, Wong shared insights into how the themes were chosen. “We asked students for their ideas through a Google form, making sure everyone could join in and have fun,” she explained. This year, students can look forward to favorites like Pajama Day and the new tradition of hallway decorations, where each class has a designated floor to show their creativity.
Wong believes Spirit Week is all about bringing people together. “I hope everyone feels included and excited to be part of our school,” she said. The ASB promotes the events through announcements, social media, and colorful posters around the school to encourage participation.
The week wraps up with the rally, where students compete in a color war—freshmen in gray, sophomores in black, juniors in white, and seniors in red. “It’s all about having fun and showing our school spirit,” Wong added.
As the week unfolds, students are reminded that Spirit Week is not just about dressing up; it’s about uniting as a community. “Every outfit is a way to express pride in our school,” Sophie said. With excitement building, Washington is set for an unforgettable Spirit Week!
College Becomes a Reality for Seniors at College Night
Get Ready to Show Your Colors: Spirit Week Hits GWHS
Get Ready to Show Your Colors: Spirit Week Hits GWHS
By Thao Le
Roughly 40 families showed up to College Night, hosted by the PTSA, just last week on Sept. 25, 2024. The meeting started at 6 p.m., offering families a chance to ask questions regarding the college admissions process, financial aid, personal insight questions, and college resources. The informational presentation was led by Chatree Touch, George Washington High School’s enthusiastic college and career counselor, who kindly reassured attendees with his various tips.
“I thought college night was quite informative,” Kara Howa smiled when questioned how she regarded the event. Howa, a senior student, continued recommending the event to future seniors, “Yeah, I think it will help them to get a better direction of what they want to do.”
College Night is an annual event meant to help families find their footing as they venture toward college applications. The short PTSA run-down before College Night officially began with mentioning the science department needed new calculators which parents were happy to consider as they decided how to use the school budget.
During the College Night presentation, Touch, located in Room 115F, brushed over the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) process and tips regarding personal insight questions.
ASB Student Board’s Vice President’s mom and PTSA even shared her own experience with college admissions, mentioning The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE), which allows for tuition-saving access to schools that the program partners with. This includes over 160 schools in Western America.
Touch helped reassure families that he would be there every step of the way following the college admission process.
College is an enormous milestone that takes a lot of effort from students and support from families. Rest assured since College Night and Touch, using the email TouchC@SFUSD.edu, are here to help!
Washington’s Annual Homecoming Dance is Almost Here After Being Postponed
Washington’s Annual Homecoming Dance is Almost Here After Being Postponed
Washington’s Annual Homecoming Dance is Almost Here After Being Postponed
By Tessa Roznovsky
After being postponed due to some conflict, George Washington’s 2024 Homecoming dance is right around the corner. The dance will be held in the gym on Saturday, Oct. 19, starting at 7 p.m.
Originally, Homecoming was scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 11, which is why Spirit Week and Fall Rally do not align with the week of the dance. The date was changed after some controversy around its overlap with Yom Kippur, an important Jewish holiday.
Now, students have an extra week to figure out what to wear. This year, the theme is “Miami Nights,” so students should plan to dress accordingly. The theme is not super specific, which allows for creativity and individuality among the attendees. Homecoming is a semi-formal event and should be treated as such. Students should try to find something that stays on theme but is comfortable to dance in. The dance will last about three hours, so comfort is important.
The dance starts at 7 p.m., and the doors will close at 8 p.m. All students and their guests need to enter from the Beacon gate on 30th Avenue. Food trucks and a photobooth will be available, along with a free bag check. Students must bring their ticket and student ID in order to enter.
Tickets will cost $25 per person and will be required for entry. However, there will be a presale, where tickets can be purchased for just $20. There is no reason to miss this deal, so students should be ready to stand in line once it begins on Oct. 7, 2024. The presale will last until Oct. 11. Regular sale begins Oct. 15 and ends Oct. 18. Anyone interested in bringing a guest must first fill out the guest form, and the guest ticket must be bought alongside a student ticket. Guest tickets will cost $25 each.
Tickets can be purchased in Room 120 during lunch and after school, same as previous years. Both cash and card will be accepted.
Homecoming’s new date gives students extra time to prepare for the “Miami Nights” theme. Stay updated on ticket sales to enjoy this upcoming semi-formal event!
Explore Your Future: Career Day Brings Professionals to GWHS
Washington’s Annual Homecoming Dance is Almost Here After Being Postponed
Washington’s Annual Homecoming Dance is Almost Here After Being Postponed
By Jolie Li
George Washington High School will host its third Career Day on Oct. 16 from 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., offering students a chance to connect with other professionals from various work fields. This event will be held in the esplanade, where tables will be set up for guest speakers, allowing students to walk around and network freely with them.
Career Day is a great opportunity for students to ask questions and learn about different careers that might interest them. “There will be some professionals attending like scientists, private investigators, private equity staff, software developers, sales operations, auditors, and accountants attending,” says Jirachanon Anurakdaenthai, one of the event organizers.
Students can discover the skills and education required for each profession, and what a typical workday looks like. They are encouraged to come prepared with questions and think about what to gain from the event. This is a chance to gather real-world advice from different professionals who will share their success stories and the obstacles they faced along the way.
“This event is basically an opportunity for students to network and ask questions to professionals from all sorts of careers and backgrounds,” Anurakdaenthai adds. In addition to the in-person opportunities during Career Day, students can also connect with professionals year-round. Anurakdaenthai explains that Career Day is co-sponsored by PACE (Professional Advancement and Career Exploration), which also offers online webinars for high school students to network with guest speakers from various industries. Some of these professionals may even offer internships or mentorship programs for those looking to gain hands-on experience beyond the event.
So save the date! Career Day is a great opportunity to gather information and guidance for your future. Be sure to take advantage of this opportunity to explore the possible professions that await you after high school.
GWHS Speech and Debate Team Goes Undefeated This Weekend
GWHS Speech and Debate Team Goes Undefeated This Weekend
GWHS Speech and Debate Team Goes Undefeated This Weekend
By Eliza Moore
The GWHS Speech and Debate Team triumphed at the Golden Gate Speech Association Debate Tournament this past Sunday, Oct. 6. They went undefeated in all three rounds at Emerald High School in Dublin, California, in the varsity division, despite rookie experience with a new format. The team went up against five different schools from various counties, showcasing their talent as they worked to qualify for state-level competitions.
The GWHS Speech and Debate Team triumphed at the Golden Gate Speech Association Debate Tournament this past Sunday, Oct. 6. They went undefeated in all three rounds at Emerald High School in Dublin, CA, in the varsity division, despite rookie experience with a new format. The team went up against five different schools from various counties, showcasing their talent as they worked to qualify for state-level competitions.
“We weren’t expecting to win...so it was really exciting when they told us that we went undefeated all three rounds,” said Austin Li, captain of Washington's Speech and Debate team. As Li and his vice-president Edward Guerrero grinned and held their golden trophy - topped with a sparkling model of a podium - aloft, you could tell just how excited they really were. What made their performance even more impressive was that the team had never competed in the challenging ‘Public Forum’ format until their win this weekend. Public Forum requires the team to conjure up four types of speeches, as well as face three grueling periods of questioning called “crossfires.” Despite never having gone through this demanding competition format before, the Washington team was among only five varsity teams to go undefeated in the tournament against teams from public and private schools throughout California. Li told me that “this win builds confidence that we can still perform extraordinarily, despite our inexperience.” He hopes that this early victory will be a platform for the team to step off into a year of successful competition. And there's no debating that.
GWHS Interact Club Takes on Ocean Beach Pollution
GWHS Speech and Debate Team Goes Undefeated This Weekend
GWHS Speech and Debate Team Goes Undefeated This Weekend
By Samantha Wan
On Saturday, Oct. 5, George Washington High School’s Interact Club, along with many other schools, plans to take on the challenge of cleaning the community’s Ocean Beach.
Ocean pollution has always been a problem that threatens our world. People are becoming more and more careless, developing poor waste management practices, which leads to the increase in litter we see on our beaches today.
According to Clean Water Action, a campaign that values the environment and community and strives to protect and improve these aspects of life, “Marine plastic pollution has impacted at least 267 species worldwide, including 86% of all sea turtle species, 44% of all seabird species and 43% of all marine mammal species.” The influence pollution has on our marine ecosystem not only hugely affects the ocean’s species but can also be a danger to us humans, as “plastic debris is polluting the human food chain.”
With our school’s Interact Club committing to a beach cleanup this weekend, it gives an opportunity for the students to seek out about marine life, as well as helping prevent more waste entering the oceans. Educating students on the topic of pollution, and giving them a chance to contribute to the city’s environment, allows a deeper understanding on the importance of protecting marine ecosystems.
Staying aware of our city’s pollution and oceans is critical, as it sets our world forward from the amount of waste it is currently facing. When more and more people take part in opportunities to help the environment, such as the Ocean Beach Clean up, it really does make a difference.
Club Fair Kicks Off New School Year
Club Fair Kicks Off New School Year
Club Fair Kicks Off New School Year
By Lillian Hannan
Continuing George Washington High School tradition, the yearly club fair was hosted on Sept. 11 during advisory. Where Washington students gather around the esplanade and UCs in massive crowds, listening to speeches on why students should join various clubs.
Club Fair is held to give clubs an opportunity to increase their membership and give students a chance to find clubs that interest them. Wash does this by having Clubs set up a booth outside, which students adorn with sign up sheets and candy, enticing students to sign up in exchange for free candy. Even though this initial sign up may be influenced by the draw of sugar, many Club Presidents report that Club Fair helps significantly increase members and bring attention to their club.
When asked about the productivity of Club Fair, Thao Le, the Club President of Vietnamese Student Association explains, “It really helps promote all the smaller clubs as well as get out information for the newcomers like the Freshmen.”
Due to the fact that Washington is such a large school, it can be extremely helpful for students and particularly underclassmen to join clubs, therefore finding smaller communities they connect with and will enjoy being part of. Club Fair acts as a community builder, connecting students to their interests, hobbies, and each other.
Although finding these communities are important, Washington has over 60 clubs and due to the amount of booths, Club Fair can be a chaotic experience that may be overwhelming. So, if you weren't able to get to all the booths you wanted to, find the list of all active clubs posted in the main hallway.
However, if you don’t see anything that interests you, creating your own club is always an option!
Senior Jerseys CANCELLED
Club Fair Kicks Off New School Year
Club Fair Kicks Off New School Year
By Asha Ingram
In September, this year's decided seniors jerseys were revealed by ASB. Despite seniors being able to vote on it, the decided jersey has been less than popular, with many expressing disappointment over the result.
Seniors this year were originally allowed to choose one of three options: hockey, football and baseball jerseys, via a google form at the beginning of the school year. From this vote ASB narrowed it down to the Baseball and Football jersey options. With over 200 seniors voting on this final Instagram poll, Football eventually won with 128 votes, narrowly beating out Baseball with 118 votes.
The original jersey featured a red jersey with “Washington 25” logo on the front, followed by a “Seniors 25" logo on the back of the jersey. Both of these logos were in big white block lettering with a black border. The jersey also features an eagle on the left sleeve. This result, when released, has caused an overall negative consensus among the seniors.
“I was initially really excited to buy a jersey,” said student and Vietnamese Student Association President Thao Le. “ I was a little disappointed with how it looked in the end.” Le expressed her disappointment, particularly about the jersey’s design. “I wouldn’t say it's because it's a football jersey; I just feel like it lacks design compared to last year,” she said.
Seniors at Washington will have to wait until Oct. 9 to see the jerseys in person due to manufacturing delays caused by the recent Hurricane Helene on the east coast.
As for the negative feedback, ASB has adjusted the design of the jersey in the hopes that the overall opinion of them will improve.
What do George Washington Students think about this year's bell schedule?
What do George Washington Students think about this year's bell schedule?
What do George Washington Students think about this year's bell schedule?
There has been a lot of discussion between students at George Washington High School over the new bell schedule being implemented this year. The new bell schedule has students questioning if this change will bring new opportunities or add additional stress to their already busy schedules. George Washington decided to change the bell schedule for the 2024-2025 school year.
Behind-the-Cameras of Wash House Weekly
What do George Washington Students think about this year's bell schedule?
What do George Washington Students think about this year's bell schedule?
While watchers know the popular Wash House Weekly videos shown every Wednesday at George Washington High School, few know the chaos that drives the staff behind-the-cameras. At George Washington High School, we care, especially when it comes to forging a strong community amongst students and staff. Wash House Weekly is the hub for student outreach. Every week, they find ways to promote student involvement and unity amongst Washington High.