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California Scholars at PVS

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Meet the PVS students who qualify as members of our state honor societies: California Scholarship Federation for high-school students and California Junior Scholarship Federation for middle-school students. The California Scholarship Federation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to recognize and encourage academic achievement and community service among middle and high school students in California. There are approximately 1500 chapters in middle school and high schools throughout the state (CSF website). Palm Valley School has active chapters in both CSF and CJSF. Students qualify each semester using the grades earned in the previous semester. If they become long-standing members through multiple semesters, our upper-school members will graduate with honors as CSF Sealbearers and our middle-school members will be acknowledged as Honor Members at 8th-grade Commencement.

CONGRATULATIONS FALL 2025 CALIFORNIA SCHOLARSHIP FEDERATION MEMBERS 

Chapter 1234 @ Palm Valley School

Isolde Junge

Shayan Habibipour 

Matteo Lam

Shibo (Tom) Hong 

Oliver Martinez

Olivia Puetz 

Gabe Rodriguez-Portugues

Louisa Richardson 

Elijah Berliner

Evan Wang 

Rylie Conway

Pip Watson 

Leah Ferreira 

Zander Eaton

. . . and ASSOCIATE MEMBERS 

Valeria Vazquez

John Webster 

. . . and Honorary ASSOCIATE MEMBERS 

Moses Gizaw

Steven Liu 

Elizabeth Trevino Greenwood

Upper-School honor students qualify based on CSF state rules. For Fall Semester, Spring Semester grades are used.  Only 5 grades may be used to reach 10 points. Academic classes must make up the first 7 points.  An “A” is worth 3 points, a “B” 1. Two weighted grades are allowed. No “D” or “F” grades. 

California Scholarship Federation is a statewide honor society.

Meet the 2025 CSF Officers (from left to right): Treasurer Pip Watson, Secretary Evan Wang, Librarian Olivia Puetz, and Vice President Shayan Habibipour (President Matteo Lam not shown).

CONGRATULATIONS to our FALL 2025 CALIFORNIA JUNIOR SCHOLARSHIP FEDERATION MEMBERS 

Chapter 1418 @ Palm Valley School

Sami Alnabelsi

Madeline (Millie) Flemings

Sarah Alnabelsi

Emmy Kaminsky

Soleil H. Antle

Jackie Pretorius

Julian Berumen

Maxwell Pretorius

Sophia Bottine

Benjamin Rouche

Peter Collier

Calum Webster

Emerson Dunn

Morgan Richardson

Middle-School honor students qualify based on CJSF state rules. For spring-semester qualification, Fall semester grades are used. Students must earn twice the number of points than courses in which they are enrolled. No points are earned for P.E., a repeated course, or work experience. An “A” is  worth 3 points, a “B” 1. Two weighted grades are allowed. No “D” or “F” grades. 

California Junior Scholarship Federation is a statewide honor society.

Faded Smiles

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By 8th-Grade Blogger Soleil Antle 

Our PVS bloggers wanted to explore emotions. Soleil turned to verse. She’s capturing an exchange that happened recently, an exchange that prompted layers of emotions–including, and most strikingly, sadness.

When I think of a strong emotion, sadness comes to mind, the aches and pains, without the blood or the scrapes, a constant reminder of regrets that dangle over your head, like a moment you missed that could’ve changed your life. Your efforts to move past that grief and despair create a hole so large that only greater pain can make an impact. You don’t know how much you love something until you can’t have it. For me, the heartache and sadness occurred in a missed conversation.

An original poem for people who have regrets when talking to a loved one–by Soleil Antlle

The nothingness I feel in my lungs
Conspires against what once was.
Words pour outside your mouth
Not ones I listen to, but ignore. 
Your presence annoys me. 
I’m not sure why,
But in the end I’m not the same. 

Wrinkles fade as smiles turn into frowns.
Hurt, confusion as you look at me.
My sassy smirk of a face grins.
Memories of you holding my hands,
Teaching me to fold, hugging me tight,
Those boastful moments you had about me–
I don’t care; it's ancient history. 

You look at me and see a toddler,
Though I’ve changed. 
Still you imagine my old actions,
A little one who loved so deep.
I’ve moved on to a new journey, 
One too hard for you to climb.

The thoughts of you hold me back, 
But I yearn for one thing as I leave–
A conversation of sentimental exchange,
One where I tell you I love you, 
Though I never did get that conversation 
As I drove away watching you wipe your tears.

The same depth of emotion that makes it so hard for people to hide their feelings is also what frightens them when trying to reveal their heartbreaking vehemence. For me, not being able to have that single conversation has kept me thinking of what could’ve been in those moments. I missed a talk that could’ve patched a broken relationship. – Soleil

How to Become The Alpha 101

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The Bird on Fire blog staff voted to explore Power and Leadership as their second theme. Soleil and Sarah took a balanced, high-road approach. Now, it’s time for darker, more scheming, . . . more Machiavellian perspectives.

By Middle-School Alpha, Morgan Richardson

Alphas get a bad rap. But, somebody has to lead the way. There are alphas all throughout the  natural world and in just about every group gathering. This is my step-by-step guide to becoming the infamous alpha. As an experienced alpha, I know the craft well. I’ve practiced on friends, family members, classmates, dogs and cats. I believe that everyone should be able to lead when called upon to be The Alpha.

Step One: Bark or meow to allow other species to know you’re the Alpha. You need to assert dominance loudly.

Step Two: After you’ve claimed your domain, deliver a continued sassy attitude to let others know you are the one-and-only Alpha and you’re here to stay. For instance, you could meddle with the property of those you want to dominate: rip their pencils in half, and “acquire” their lip tints. Another option, laugh at side characters incessantly until they run away. 

Step Three: Optional, but you can urinate on the floor to let people know you own this realm. It works with dogs and cats and some say jellyfish.

Step Four: Never act scared around bigger alphas, even when you’re cornered. Always make sure you don’t appear inferior. Puff yourself out; wear claws; wear your attitude BIG.

Step Five: Call people out on little things–like them stealing your favorite chew toy . . . or best friend.

Step Six: When necessary, don’t be afraid to lie.

Step Seven: Drop throwaway ambiguous lines to keep the less dominant on their toes. Saying “six seven” can mean various things, but since it’s nonsensical, it mostly shows power and dominance and sometimes produces advantageous confusion.

Step Eight: If necessary, step outside your kindness; for example, you can become like Bluey or Peppa Pig. Peppa Pig is mean to her friend Suzy Sheep; Bluey is a dog (and dogs are always alpha), and she is a sassy big sister.

Step Nine: Ignore people; especially side submissive characters. Side characters are irrelevant compared to you. Do we mourn the Star Trek “away teams” we know little about when they’re lost in space? No. Who was King Henry VIII’s brother? We don’t care. Who dated Travis Kelce in high school? Whatever.

Step Ten: Start your villain arc: throw trashcans; wear a shock collar (‘cause shocks intimidatingly don’t faze you); start wearing a black cape. Consider joining Nevan’s Villain Club on campus.

Note: thebirdonfire.org does not support the throwing of trashcans. Morgan’s on her own here.

Step Eleven: Remember: You are the main character and the alpha; if this guide does not work, bark until people listen.

Step Twelve: I am the Lorax, Guardian of the Forest, and I say, in the words of The Lorax movie, “LET IT GROW LET IT GROW you can’t reap what you don’t sow plant [The Alpha] seed . . . I say LET IT GROWWWW.”

Source: The Lorax (film) song:chrome-extension://ehnniokiiebpinnfegpkdlcamgdcaaje/block_screen.html?id=ad1169d5-65a7-4a4c-bb32-89c058fcc547

What It Takes to be a Good Leader

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By Sarah Alnabelsi, 8th Grade

Have you ever wondered, “I’ve never heard of this person, why do they have so much power?” You might think being a leader is just having authority and appearing tough, but there are many more aspects to it. The Center for Creative Leadership says being a leader requires “…integrity, self-awareness, courage, respect, compassion, and resilience.” Let’s break down these leadership qualities.

Necessities to Being a Good Leader:

  1. Lead with integrity.

The Cambridge Dictionary defines integrity as “the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles that you refuse to change.” Being honest and standing up for what you believe in is one of the most important qualities of being a leader. For example, think of the Lorax from the movie The Lorax. The Lorax sticks to his beliefs, one in particular – no one should cut down the trees. That’s how he gets all the bar-ba-loots and animals to look up to him as their leader. If he were to switch up his beliefs and start cutting down the trees, he would be letting all his followers down; therefore, he’d be a bad leader.

  1. Have self-awareness.

Self-awareness is when you understand yourself, including your strengths and weaknesses. If you know your strengths and weaknesses, the more effective you can be as a leader. For example, maybe you are really good at making people laugh, but get distracted easily. A self-aware leader would understand that they should focus during serious situations, while still taking advantage of making people laugh.

  1. Demonstrate courage.

Being courageous is essential to getting your point across, especially when you’re a leader. For example, sharing a new idea or making a point on something might be scary, but a good leader would use courage to be able to speak freely with no worry. 

  1. Show respect.

Showing respect may sound simple, but it’s very important. Being a leader may require upsetting scenarios. For example, you might have a scenario where someone says something that you disagree with. It’s important to always be kind no matter what someone says; show respect. A good leader would not let someone’s words distract them and make them defensive or angry. A good leader, instead, will be mature about it and continue to be respectful and focused. 

  1. Have compassion.

Compassion in any scenario will make people see you as a good person. As a good leader, it’s important to always listen thoughtfully and compassionately to what someone has to say. You should acknowledge that it probably took lots of courage on their part to be able to say something, and, in return, you as leader should give feedback or even take action on it. 

  1. Demonstrate resilience.

Resilience, in simple words, means being able to push through challenges; not letting anything stop you from fulfilling what you want to do. This is a necessity, especially as a leader where you are met with many challenges. If you let mishaps get in the way of your leadership, it shows weakness and inability to fulfill your job. People would prefer a strong leader rather than one that gets irritated easily.

In conclusion, a good leader doesn’t just appear tough. It requires being a good person, and not letting things get to you. The Center for Creative Leadership points out that being a good leader requires “intentional effort,” meaning you can’t expect it to come naturally, you have to have an objective–being a good leader. The article also says that “…leaders are made, not born.” This means that you aren’t born with leadership, it’s a skill that you should grow with and learn. 

Graphic created with Canva AI

     

Sources:

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/integrity
12 Essential Qualities of Effective Leadership

Is Power a Good Thing?

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This week, our bloggers consider the in’s and out’s of power and leadership. Soleil begins with a balanced approach. Wait until you get to Sami’s, Mason’s, and Morgan’s pieces on power run amuck.

By 8th-grade writer Soleil Antle 

Power is defined as “the capacity or ability to direct or influence the behavior of others or the course of events,” so says Leadership Magazine.  

Thus, power is an extremely influential force. But, remember: not only can it inspire greatness; it has the ability to destroy. When power lies in the hands of someone who has the will to improve and create opportunities while opening doors of new wisdom and ideas, it is capable of shaping history, impacting nations, and changing lives. Think of the accomplishments of Martin Luther King, Jr., George Washington, and Oprah Winfrey. However, power comes with responsibility. When that ability is abused and turned into manipulation and lack of empathy, it turns power dark and dangerous. 

Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered his famous Civil Rights “I have a dream” speech before an estimated crowd of 250,000 (constitutioncenter.org).

When you have power, you control, and when seeking a positive outcome, it takes influence, perseverance, responsibility, and compassion. Abraham Lincoln, though a powerful president, faced many setbacks, personally and politically. He endured business failures, losses in elections, family tragedies, etc. (abrahamlincolnonline.org) But that didn’t defeat him; he continued excelling by persevering and using his determination, and that elected him President. He ended up making a powerful impact leading the county through the Civil War, uniting the Union and even ending slavery. He was one of the most influential people to use their power for good.   

Abuse of power often leads to an exploitation of the human condition. To have an impact on the people around you, your approach must be appropriate. I know that personally if a decision were to be made that affected me, I would like to contribute input rather than being told what to do. Regarding my education or career choice, I want to choose, do my research, and find a school or profession perfect for me that reflects my interests, because this is my future. I wouldn’t like it if that was chosen for me. 

If you use your influence to explore the thoughts and opinions of others, you show your respect. If you gather other people’s opinion on big tasks, that could change the way they are living in a good way, and you are more likely to follow through on the commitments you promised them. People want to have a say in what is happening around them; otherwise, they see you as someone who is thoughtless and only in it for the title.  

Power is not defined by its title: President, Queen, Governor, etc. When used selfishly for personal gain, it creates a divide, and you model ill action. As a kindergartner you have an older buddy who is typically a role model, someone you look up to. Whatever they do you learn from–right and wrong–and might try doing it yourself. Innovations, ideas, connections come from political and social experiences that help guide you to make stronger decisions, pushing boundaries you once thought were unbreakable. I’ve learned as a gymnast that it’s not all about how you perform but who you are as a teammate. I tend to do better when I’m in a healthy mindset and making rational decisions that better benefit me and my gymnastics. Your motive determines your outcome. 

“I’ve learned, power doesn’t control you, but what you choose to do with it defines your destiny.”

— Soleil Antle

Volleyball at Palm Valley School: More Than Just A Game

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By Sarah Alnabelsi, 8th Grade 

Volleyball is the best sport to play, no matter what level team you join. Volleyball at Palm Valley School is especially exciting with Coach Erenberg. With his help, volleyball has been a big part of the Palm Valley School community. You may have noticed the banners hanging from the gym, or frequent practices or games happening. “Coach” makes every practice fun, even if it seems difficult. Games are also even more lively with Coach on the sidelines, cheering us on and occasionally yelling. Whether on the A or B team, varsity or middle school, Coach Ken Erenberg pushes you to give your best and ensures everyone feels part of the team. Volleyball at Palm Valley isn’t just about winning games (although we win a lot); it’s about learning, improving, and having fun.

I asked some Palm Valley School volleyball players what the best lesson Coach Erenberg has taught them. Here’s what they said:

Coach taught 8th-grader Silvanita “how to serve the ball.” She also thanked her teammates for helping her along the way.

8th-grade Morgan finds it a helpful reminder when Coach calls out: “TALK!” and “GET LOW!”

8th-grade Emmy says, “Coach taught me that sports aren’t all about skill; they’re also about dedication and effort.”

8th-grade Sophia says Coach tells her, “Don’t be scared of the ball.” 

Coach tells 8th-grader Emerson, “It’s better to be learning than to be sorry.” This means it’s okay if you make mistakes; learning from mistakes will help you in the future, and you shouldn’t be upset.

8th-grade Millie finds it helpful when Coach reminds the team, “Don’t lean back!” When you’re going for a bump, don’t lean back, or the ball will go backwards.

8th-grade Ivana likes when Coach says, “Teamwork makes the dream work.”

Senior Matteo appreciates Coach reminding him to “have court presence.”

And, me, I personally find it very helpful when Coach says to “Keep my arms straight.” I think this is one of the most helpful lessons because keeping your arms straight will let the ball go straight–a fundamental skill in volleyball.

Finally, I asked Coach Erenberg himself what he thought the best lesson he could give someone is. Here’s what he said: 

“The best way to learn is by repetition.”

–Coach Erenberg

Overall, volleyball at Palm Valley is more than just a game. It not only teaches helpful skills for the sport, but also teaches helpful lifestyle skills such as teamwork, dedication, patience and much more. Thanks, Coach.

Coach Erenberg shepherded in a lot of volleyball banners that hang now in the PVS gym. Can you count how many?

The Most Interesting Game Ever: Kerbal Space Program

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By Eighth-Grade Blogger Mason Conway

What makes a game interesting? Is it a jumpscare around every corner, or an action-packed fantasy? I personally believe that the best games are the unusual ones, something refreshing can be so nice once in a while. The game that has the most quirk is Kerbal Space Program made by Squad game development group. 

In Kerbal Space Program, you, the player, run a space agency with little green workers called Kerbals. You are faced with choices that can make or break your gameplay. Maybe you don’t put a parachute on your rocket to save a little extra money, but then your rocket crashes without a parachute and the little Kerbal inside dies. You now have a reputation as a failed builder who takes shortcuts.

Kerbal Space Program takes place in the Kerbol system, which is a replica of our solar system. Everything revolves around Kerbol, which is the in-game sun. Moho is Mercury; Eve is Venus; Kerbin is Earth; Duna is Mars; Jule is Jupiter, and Eeloo is Pluto.

If you were a player in the Kerbol system, this is the image you’d see of the Kerbal Universe (Photo Source: NamuWiki).

You can’t shoot a rocket into the vastness of space without a place to build the rockets first. The VAB, or Vehicle Assembly Building, is located on Kerbin. This is where you start the game and where you build rockets in the Kerbal Universe. The VAB in the sandbox mode, or creative mode, gives you everything in the game you need to build with. However, in career mode you only start with basic stuff and unlock new rockets and more through the tech tree; the tech tree is a building that you use to research new stuff. In Kerbal Space Program, science points are needed to progress through the tech tree. You can get points by performing science experiments on different planets. You have to do exploratory jobs to earn points to build rockets.

You start the game building rockets inside the Vehicle Assembly Building (Photo Source:  wiki.kerbalspaceprogram.com).
Mason shares with us the image of his technology tree in Kerbal Space Program. Says wiki.kerbalspaceprogram.com, “The Technology tree allows the player to unlock more advanced parts for constructing craft. Sami furthers explains, the tech tree is needed when you play in career mode. (Photo Source: wiki.kerbalspaceprogram.com)

What follows is footage of my space station. In the game, I used the station for gathering scientific data while in orbit. The game requires data gathering to get points so players can build more rockets.

                                   

Kerbal Space Program might not be action packed or full of epic boss fights, but it has multiple unique little quirks–things like stranding Kerbals on the moon or building a Duna base. That’s why I think it’s the most interesting game out there. You can actually learn something while you play. Thanks, Mr. Kisling (PVS Technology Teacher–who brings Kerbal Space Program to the masses).

Arguing is Good for Friendship 

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By Sami Alnabelsi

Have you ever been irritated with a friend? For instance, do you have a friend who tends to be a know-it-all or condescending? Or, maybe they’re indecisive when you need a decision. Or, maybe they have a habit of interrupting. Or, they have an opinion that differs from yours. Well, here is a simple solution. Just argue. If you talk about your issues with your friend, you are more likely to solve the issue. The only rule: have a constructive argument. Let’s talk about it. 

How to argue constructively:

Productive arguments

  1. The number one rule in having a productive argument is having an open mind. Listening doesn’t mean acceptance, but it means having the ability to understand your friends’ issues. One tip if you aren’t very open minded is to set a date to argue with your friend when you are not preoccupied with something–like meet on a weekend. According to Psychology Today, “One of the biggest mistakes when trying to talk things out is coming into arguments with raw emotions and not actually taking into account what your friend is saying.” Having a free schedule that day will allow your brain to be clear of any worries, and you can focus on the issues between you and your friend. 

Having a good mindset

  1. Another great tip is having the mindset that talking things out is not really a threat but more of an action that can help you and your friend get even closer. Arguing might feel nerve wracking at first, but in the end, it will all be worth it. Some of you might go into arguments with your mind fixated on what it will result in. You should be flexible when you go through these arguments and realize that you’re understanding someone else’s perspective. 

Stand your ground

  1. While you should be open minded, you have to make sure you stand your ground. Sometimes in friendships, there might be someone who is the “know-it-all” and you can’t just agree with them on everything. Don’t be afraid to tell your side of the story. 

Remember no one is perfect

  1. You must understand that not a single human being is perfect, and while your friend may bring up instances where you should change, it doesn’t mean you MUST change. It’s also vice versa; if you tell your friend something you dislike, you can’t expect them to change. It may take time or won’t even happen at all. 

In conclusion, having arguments can be very beneficial if they are taken seriously and conducted in a respectful and constructive manner. This will result in an even closer bond with your friend as you get to understand their side of the story.

Which version of Sarah and Morgan is more aligned with Sami’s advice on “How to Argue with a Friend”?

Sources:

https://www.wsj.com/health/wellness/friend-fight-relationships-838e36d5
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/conflict-matters/201802/the-benefits-of-arguing

The Power Of Pee

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By 8th-Grade Blogger Morgan Richardson

Morgan’s not just click-baiting you here. Think of elephants traversing the open savannah . . . pooping.

In those droppings are seeds and nutrients. The elephants are literally dropping the seeds of growth in that habitat. Well, Morgan looks to the effects of animal urine, on sea and on land.

“Animals have the power to destroy our earth, or preserve its beauty.”

–Morgan Richardson

Most people couldn’t imagine the wonders urine does for our world. 

Elephants have huge bladders that can hold 18 liters of urine (livescience.com). Weirdly, it’s not the elephants that pee the most. Blue whales and fin whales pee 260 gallons a day (nationalgeographic.com). Whales are one of the world’s greatest animals that do wonders for our planet using their urine. Whale pee is healing our oceans. The nutrients inside whale urine help shallow waters become healthy. Whales transport nitrogen and phosphorus from their pee; it helps areas that lack those chemicals become healthier by creating phytoplankton growth. Without whale pee, many marine species wouldn’t exist.   

While some animals protect our planet with their pee, others don’t. Cows produce the most polluting pee of all. Their farts, burps, and urine all contain methane. Methane is 25 times more damaging to the planet than CO2 (epa.gov). 1.5 billion cows pollute our earth with nitrous oxide emissions and water pollution (m.farms.com). Though it may feel like there is no solution to this problem of too much methane, others find a way. A herd of cattle in Germany was potty trained to lessen greenhouse gasses. They were only allowed to urinate in one designated area (bbc.com). This experiment lessened ammonia emissions and the unlikely event of water contamination, while also enabling easier collection and treatment of the urine for potential use as fertilizer. If we keep trying to save our planet from these toxic gases we may create a healthier planet Earth. 

Urine has a huge impact on our world. It acts as a natural fertilizer to plants and the ocean, but can also leave us with pollution which can damage nature globally. Animals play a key role in saving the planet, and destroying it.

Photo Source: World Wildlife Fund

Who Better to Talk about Friendship than Your Teammate?

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By Soleil Antle

When writing about friendship advice, Soleil thought who better to ask than her gymnastics teammates, a group of teenage girls as thick as thieves. These girls train countless hours in the gym, being each others’ biggest supporters and helping each other with any and every task. But, what advice do they have themselves about building a strong friendship?

Question: What advice do you have for building strong friendships? 

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Ava P: 

“The advice I have is to always speak honestly; the best thing you can do is tell the truth. Also make sure you are there to support and listen to the other person as much as possible. But most importantly be honest. It’s also good to make sure you keep in contact with them. You don’t have to see someone everyday, you can text or call your friend as long as you have a way to communicate.”

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Quinn:

“Respect people for who they are and don’t judge them for doing things differently than you do. To build a strong friendship with someone you would want to feel comfortable being yourself when you are with them. For me especially when I’m with my teammates at gymnastics I feel comfortable as I know we all respect each other for who we are, even if we have different opinions on things. 

Even though some of my teammates are a lower [gymnastics] level than me, I still choose to treat them with the same respect as someone in my own level. Whether you’re in level 4 or 10 it doesn’t impact the person you are, friendship shouldn’t be defined by your status.”

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Ava I:

“A strong friendship is built on kindness, honesty, and trust–being there for your friend, listening when they need to talk, and making time to have fun together. When both people care and put in the effort, the friendship grows stronger.”

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Lindsay: 

“My advice on being in a strong friendship is to be honest and be yourself. Don’t change who you are so that you can have a strong friendship and pretend you like things the other person likes to have a stronger bond. Be true to yourself and who you are. Be open and honest about how you feel. A friendship is stronger if you are open and honest with the other person about how you are feeling. It is always easier to talk things out than to be dishonest and potentially hurt the friendship and bond you have created.”

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Zoe:

“A piece of advice I have for building strong relationships is to show empathy. Showing up for someone and trying to understand their situation is something only a true friend would do and helps create a strong friendship. This creates a strong friendship because it proves that even in tough times you know that you have each other’s backs. A strong friendship is built through consistency and trust. Continuing to show up for your friends time and time gains their trust. If your friends know you are there for them, and can trust you, that is a real, genuine and strong relationship.”

When you have a team as strong as this one, so well connected with a genuine bond, it shows that these little things matter. Friendship isn’t about the title: it’s about being each other’s biggest support, comfort, and joy. Every single one of these girls loves each other, and it’s evident as they are always willing to listen or help one another in a difficult time. I don’t know how many times these girls have given me pep talks or helped me with a skill, but I do know our friendships are a forever bond that’s rare to have. — Soleil

Fellow gymnasts and Soleil at a team dinner exchanging Secret Santa gifts.
Lindsay and Soleil on a paddleboarding excursion after practice.