The Student News Site of Granite Bay High School

Granite Bay Today

The Student News Site of Granite Bay High School

Granite Bay Today

The Student News Site of Granite Bay High School

Granite Bay Today

Justin Ha

Justin Ha, Co-editor-in-chief

Justin is a senior and co-editor-in-chief. This is his fourth year on the Gazette staff.

All content by Justin Ha

What does a year at GBHS look like? (Year in Photos)

Justin Ha, Co-editor-in-chief
May 26, 2023

Message from the editor: It would be impossible to capture an entire school year, but it was an idea so alluring that I still had to pursue it. I took...

Iris Omega performs at the Landing Spots April drag show. Omega was the host for the show.

Local drag show canceled following community concerns and threats

Justin Ha, Co-editor-in-chief
March 13, 2023

A drag show hosted by the Landing Spot, a non-religious LGBTQ peer support group in connection to Loomis Basin Church, has been canceled after an outburst...

GBHS library displays on indefinite pause

GBHS library displays on indefinite pause

Justin Ha, Co-editor-in-chief
February 17, 2023

Following a new decision from the District office, the Granite Bay High School library is indefinitely restricted from redecorating the library displays....

Holiday (pictured above) wrote a commentary on celebrities leveraging their fame to sway young voters in 2004.

In 2005, he was a Grizzly. Today, he’s a bestselling author.

Justin Ha, Co-editor-in-chief
February 7, 2023

Approximately 1800 years ago, Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius wrote “Meditations,” a foundational text on the philosophy of stoicism. Today, Granite...

In Missing, June Allen, played by Storm Reid, must track down her mother after she disappears on a vacation to Columbia.

Review: “Missing” is a thrill ride built for the modern era

Justin Ha, Co-Editor-in-Chief
February 5, 2023

“Missing,” the first major release of 2023, is a spiritual successor to Aneesh Chaganty’s critical and financial darling, “Searching,” and in...

In April 2022, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill to end the teaching of CRT. Seven states have officially banned CRT, and 16 states have a possible ban in progress.

Opinion: Why are Republican Politicians Denying Critical Race Theory?

Justin Ha, Co-Editor-In-Chief
November 20, 2022

It’s no secret that Republican politicians have chosen critical race theory as their bargaining chip to capture parent voters.  During his midterm...

What Does a Month at GBHS Look Like?

What Does a Month at GBHS Look Like?

Justin Ha, Co-Editor-in-Chief
October 31, 2022

Since the first school day of October, I’ve taken a photo of Granite Bay High School every day in the exact same location. This wasn’t an aimless...

Former Principal Amber Clark alleges school district discriminated against her 

Former Principal Amber Clark alleges school district discriminated against her 

Elise Fisher and Justin Ha
October 11, 2022

In a statement of appeal made public on Oct. 10, former principal Amber Clark detailed the alleged circumstances leading up to her termination and the...

According to a poll conducted by the Granite Bay Gazette of 201 GBHS students, 91% of respondents agree or strongly agree that social media and tech companies are collecting their data or invading their privacy.

Minors receive new protections online under California bill

Justin Ha, Co-editor-in-chief
September 22, 2022

Starting in July 2024, California will be placing stricter guidelines on businesses that provide an online service to minors. AB 2273, which aims to protect...

The Forward party has been marketed as “Not left. Not right. Forward,” but ultimately, it is a centrist political party that will endorse candidates from both sides of the aisle. Despite the political world’s mixed reactions, it will likely have ballot access in all 50 states by the looming 2024 election.

Opinion: The Forward Party is a Step Backwards

Justin Ha, Co-editor-in-chief
September 9, 2022

In an insidious infiltration of the culture, politicians have recently begun catering to Gen Z audiences by harnessing the power of social media, specifically...

Mental health clinicians strike outside of Roseville Medical Center. Kaiser has been experiencing strikes like this one since Aug. 15.

Kaiser Permanente mental health clinicians engage in open-ended strike for support

Justin Ha, Co-editor-in-chief
September 9, 2022

Since Aug. 15, more than 2,000 Kaiser Permanente therapists, psychologists, counselors and social workers have been on strike in dozens of locations across...

According to a national study conducted by the GLSEN, 59 percent of LGBTQ+ students reported feeling unsafe at school because of their queer identity and 69 percent have been verbally harassed for their sexual identity.

GSA’s pride flag vandalized

Justin Ha, Editor-In-Chief
May 9, 2022

“I think that a kind of culture at Granite Bay has been here for years. It's just persisted for so long that it's awful.” senior Izzy Siebum said....

Piekuconis teaching his classroom in January.

Long-term substitute escorted out of class

Justin Ha, Editor-in-chief
April 7, 2022

On March 3, substitute teacher, Aaron Piecukonis, was escorted out of his first period CP English 12 class and was temporarily replaced by physical education...

Kermit Jones (left) and Kevin Kiley (right)

The road to Congress: Meet the front-runners in District 3’s midterm election

Justin Ha, Editor-In-Chief
February 24, 2022

The midterm election is nine months away and many of the key candidates are gearing up for the road to Congress. District 3, fresh off its redistricting,...

According to KFF, 66% of minors ages 12-17 in the United Sates have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

California bill would give teenagers the right to consent to vaccination without a parent

Justin Ha, Editor-In-Chief
February 17, 2022

With a wave of anti-vaccination sentiments and teenagers' recent eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine California state Sens. Scott Wiener (District 11)...

Sarah Jackson watching her son, GBHS student Adarius Jackson, lying dead in the Every 15 Minutes simulated crash.

Every 15 Minutes Recap

It is a chilly Wednesday morning. A student whispers. Outside of Granite Bay High School, the messy aftermath of a car crash sits ominously. A crowd of...

According to KFF, 22 percent of white, evangelical Christians refuse to vaccinate.

Commentary: Dear Placer County pastors: support the vaccine

Justin Ha, Co-Editor-in-Chief
November 27, 2021

In studying reactions to the COVID-19 vaccine, researchers found that 22 percent of white evangelical Christians refuse to vaccinate. This is eight percent...

Anthology and romantic comedy, The French Dispatch, was publicly released on Oct. 29, 2021.

Movie Review: The French Dispatch

Justin Ha, Co-Editor-in-Chief
November 4, 2021

   “The French Dispatch,” American director’s Wes Anderson’s tenth film, displays the auteur at his most inventive.    The film is an...

Dylan Samuel (orange jersey) shoots a ball at the goal, supported by volunteer Paige Beater.

Soccer Sundays: Weekly soccer games for disabled members of the community

Justin Ha, Co-Editor-in-Chief
October 31, 2021

“Pass to Dylan! Pass to Dylan!” “Go! Go! Go!” “Shoot the ball Grant!”    This Sunday, Soccer Sundays ended its second season. Soccer...

Local 39 engineers are stationed outside the Kaiser Permanente located on Eureka Road. Their strike is comprised of two tents, around a dozen engineers and the inflatable grim reaper pictured above.

Kaiser engineers going on strike turns into a month-long standstill

Justin Ha, Co-Editor-in-Chief
October 30, 2021

It has been more than a month since over 750 Kaiser Permanente engineers began their strike at 24 Northern California locations. The strike began on...

Mikuni is closing on Mondays due to being short staffed. This is one of the many sacrifices that businesses need to make to adapt to a smaller staff.

Employee drought leaves local businesses understaffed and unprepared

Justin Ha, Co-Editor-in-Chief
October 4, 2021

If you walk into any of the seven Mikunis in California that CEO, Taro Arai, owns, you will find a busy sushi restaurant bustling with activity. Patrons...

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, around 20% of guardians refuse to vaccinate their teens. This has resulted in many teens feeling unprotected and uncared for during the pandemic.

Commentary: Minors need to be in control of their vaccination status

Justin Ha, Co-Editor-in-Chief
September 16, 2021

As the COVID-19 pandemic plows forward, it has become increasingly obvious that many minors’ health are being held hostage by their guardians and the...

A supporter of Kevin Kiley drives along Highway 680.

Kevin Kiley: Granite Bay Grizzly gunning for governor

Justin Ha, Co-Editor-in-Chief
September 5, 2021

Before he was an assemblyman running for governor of California, Kevin Kiley was a Grizzly. Kiley graduated as the valedictorian of Granite Bay High...

Amber Clark (center) poses with the Grizz Nation leaders at the 2021 Decades Rally.

Amber Clark: The new principal of GBHS

Justin Ha, Co-Editor-in-Chief
August 19, 2021

Out of the 2,046 students attending Granite Bay High School, it is roughly 600 students’ first year on campus. Of course, a portion of that number includes...

Movie Review: Kajillionaire

Movie Review: Kajillionaire

Justin Ha, Staff Writer
January 5, 2021

Off-beat, quirky, emotional and heartfelt. Miranda July’s “Kajillionaire” follows the journey of Old Dolio Dyne (named by her parents after a...

With these simple steps your political party will be on top in no time!

Satire: How to radicalize a political party in four steps

Justin Ha, Staff Writer
January 5, 2021

The year is 2016 and you are a political figurehead, influencer or politician who is looking to score some voters for the upcoming election.     Nobody...

Junior Shreya Nagunuri poses after a debate competition

How the Debate Team Adapts to 2020

Justin Ha, Staff Writer
December 9, 2020

In one of the most volatile times in history and coming out of possibly the four most divisive years in politics, the debate team is keeping the art of...

Protestors call for police reform after being prompted by recent events.

Commentary: Why we shouldn’t defund the police

Justin Ha, Staff Writer
December 2, 2020

While there have always been screams of social injustice relating to race in America, this summer those voices have been amplified tenfold. I’m sure...

GBHS students and alumni share their opinions on the student cheering sections name change.

Different backgrounds bring different views on the “Tribe”

Justin Ha, Staff Writer
November 12, 2020

In recent years, there has been discussion of changing the student section name from Tribe to one that is more favorable due to the concerns that the name...

The cast of Hamilton, pictured above, is comprised of many people of different races than the historical characters they depict.

Commentary: When is it okay for the race of a character to change?

Justin Ha, Staff Writer
October 26, 2020

While issues of inequality continue to plague the United States, our country has made great strides in balancing the scales for oppressed individuals in...

Janitors at GBHS are required to spend extra hours to diligently clean the campus in order to allow for Hybrid Learning.

Janitors in overdrive

Justin Ha, Staff Writer
October 20, 2020

In the ongoing battle against COVID-19, the janitorial staff is the frontline defense for Granite Bay High School. As students and faculty transition...

As GBHS reopens, there is a lot of uncertainty in regards to which teachers will be teaching remotely or on campus.

Classroom Compromise: District works to accommodate all teachers’ needs as schools reopen

Justin Ha, staff writer
October 13, 2020

Leading up to the district’s reopening 178 teachers who believed they would be teaching from home had the rug pulled out from underneath them and discovered...

No Pressure features tracks such as Celebration, Amen, and Perfect

Music Review: No Pressure

Justin Ha, Staff Writer
September 25, 2020

   On July 16, 2020, the Maryland based rapper, Logic, announced on Twitter that he would be releasing his sixth and final studio album under the title...

As transgender athletes more commonly compete in sporting events, the question is being raised of who they should compete with.

Commentary: Transgender athletes should compete with their biological sex

Justin Ha, Staff Writer
September 23, 2020

It seems like every few months there are a dozen or so stories about a transgender athlete who is shaking up “the norms” of the athletic world. These...

Normally, students would be able to access the comfortable GBHS Wellness Center.  In quarantine, however, the resource has had to become virtual.

Counseling in quarantine

Justin Ha, Staff Writer
September 22, 2020

Amidst the worldwide pandemic, protests and the economy tanking, it is easy to forget about one’s mental health. The quarantine’s repetitive “Groundhog's...

Commentary: Problematic or not, Kanye is reformed

Justin Ha, Staff Writer
January 31, 2020

There was a lot of unexpected events this year, but something nobody predicted was artist/rapper Kanye West’s conversion to Christianity. Prior to...

Commentary: Old literature may be outdated

Justin Ha, Staff Writer
November 22, 2019

The “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” “Of Mice and Men.” “Romeo and Juliet.” All of which are titles that Granite Bay High School students...

As a precaution against California literally catching  on fire, PG&E has recently turned off power in certain areas.

Recent power outage affects many teachers and students on campus

Justin Ha, staff writer
November 21, 2019

In October, PG&E turned off the lights for thousands of houses in Northern California. More 800,000 properties, including homes in Placer County,...

GBHS provides various sorts of hot lunches, including pizza from Papa Murphys, cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders and tacos.

Students consider health of school’s hot lunches

Justin Ha, staff writer
November 18, 2019

   In previous years the school lunch crisis was on the minds of many Americans, but as the news cycle devoured the topic in its insatiable need for...

Is retail shopping dying?

Is retail shopping dying?

Justin Ha
October 28, 2019

A new shopping center on East Roseville Parkway is in the early stages of planning, but some critics wonder if it’s really necessary. There is not...

Commentary: Politics have come for comedy

Justin Ha, Staff Writer
October 18, 2019

In the months leading up to Donald Trump’s election in 2017, there was a series of Saturday Night Live skits about the debates that rapidly grew in popularity. After...

Natalie Quilala faces off Rachel Kowalchick, trying to win the first quarter sprint for Granite Bay.

Women’s varsity water polo outlasts Oak Ridge

Justin Ha, Staff Writer
October 2, 2019

It was the first day of October and while most people were doing homework or hanging out with friends, the girls' varsity water polo team was viciously...

Commentary: Video games don’t lead to violence

Justin Ha, Staff Writer
September 27, 2019

Because of a string of mass shootings over the past year, there has been a narrative being pushed that video games are causing violence. Some believe...

Kevin Kiley works to pass bills and establish a budget for California. Kiley is currently focusing on legislation pertaining to mental illness.

Kevin Kiley continues to succeed

Justin Ha, staff writer
September 25, 2019

Kevin Kiley didn’t know he was headed to the Ivy Leagues and eventually the California state legislature when he was a student at Granite Bay High –...

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Justin Ha