Colt Chronicle Perseverance & Change
KINNELON HIGH SCHOOL 121 KINNELON ROAD KINNELON, NJ 07405
llustration by Abeeha Zaidi
A HYBRID LIFE Haripriya Kemisetti
THE NEXT CHAPTER
Sammy Bassin
THERE IS AN IMPOSTER AMONG US Gabriella Avagyan
FALLING BACK : Literacy Rates Abeeha Zaidi
THE FALL GALLERY Sophie Solarino
HOSTING SPORTS Jay O’Neill
INDEX 4-5
16-17
The Imposter is “ AMONG US”
Gabriella Avagyan
College Applications Julianna Marston
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A Hybrid Life Haripriya Kemisetti
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Club Meetings Through a Computer Screen Zenobia Ahsanuddin
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Save the Planet: The Beauty of Adaptation Camille Balo
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The Ethics of Going Out Ellis Nunez
Emily In Paris Abeeha Zaidi
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iOS 14 Update Jackie Roberts
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The Young & the Pandemic Andrew Noel
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Midnight Sky & A Heart of Glass
Alanna Gallagher
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A Year With no Concerts Shreyal Sharma
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Louis Tomilson’s Split from Syc Mikayla Smith
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Spooky 2020 Entertainment Sarah Brechner
24-25
Fall Staff Reccomendations Colt Chronicle Staff
26-33
The Fall Gallery Sophie Solarino
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The Next Chapter : High School Zara Yu
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How Teachers are Adapting Sammy Bassin
36-37
Falling Back : Literacy Rates Abeeha Zaidi
38-39
Hosting Sports During a Pandemic Jay O’Neill Pumpkin Illustration by Zara Yu
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MEET THE EDITORS Alana Van Der Sluys
Camille Balo
Julia Hackney
Editor-in-Chief and STEM Editor
Newspaper Adviser
World/Local Editor & Managing Editor
Abeeha Zaidi
Juliana Marston
Emily Mazurkiewicz
Managing Editor & Layout
School News Editor
Opinion Editor
Gabriella Avagyan A&E Editor
Ethan Burt Sports & Features Editor
COLLEGE APPLICATIONS
Amidst a Nationwide Pandemic How the Class of 2021 feels about college applications this year.
By Juliana Marston, School News Editor With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, colleges across the country are accommodating the application process to fit students’ situations; most have gone test-optional, are offering virtual visits instead of in-person ones, and are providing space for students to write about how the pandemic has impacted their lives, like Common App has. These changes make the college application process unique for current seniors, the KHS Class of 2021 included. Some seniors are not worried about the college application process this year. “Honestly, I feel like the whole process is fine and just like any other year,” says senior Lauren Lee. However, she notes that the pandemic did impact her resume: “The thing that really bothers me is that I couldn’t get all the activities I wanted to do done this year to help bolster my resume because of the pandemic.” In contrast, other seniors find the process and its changes this year unnerving. “I feel a little unsure. It’s really stressful, especially because we [the seniors] haven’t had a lot of guidance on the steps of applying,” says senior Sofia Stack. Senior Karolyna Link agrees. “I feel really stressed and overwhelmed by the amount of essays I have to write, and I wish I started writing notes on them in the summer. Also it’s stressful when you start comparing your applications with others.” With deadlines approaching, many seniors share these sentiments. The test-optional policy most colleges adopted this year is also a concern for seniors. “I think it’s kind of a relief but it makes me nervous because then colleges are going to have to read essays and look at the other aspects of the application with a harsher eye,” says Link. She and many other seniors are worried that the test-optional policy will make college admissions officers more critical of their applications.
“I’m still sending my scores to a lot of my colleges for the scholarship opportunities.”
Despite the policy, some seniors feel that having test scores is still important for college applications. “I’m pretty unsure of what to do about it,” says Jacob Prescott. “I’m not a big fan of the tests, but it feels like it’s one of those ‘optional things’ that you kind of need to do.” However, other seniors see the policy as helpful. “I feel that optional testing is beneficial for the students that aren’t great test-takers,” says Stack. The policy is also useful for students who did not get the chance to take their exams due to the pandemic.
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A few students are opting to send scores anyway to apply for scholarships or raise their chances of admission. “I guess it [the test-optional policy] is helpful for some of my more competitive schools, but I’m still sending my scores to a lot of my colleges for the scholarship opportunities,” says senior Maya Vaitovis.
COLT CHRONICLE | PERSERVERENCE & CHANGE ISSUE | SCHOOL NEWS
SCHOOL NEWS
Seniors also have mixed views on whether or not colleges are being more lenient this year. “I think that colleges are definitely more lenient this year with applicants due to the pandemic. A lot of seniors never got to take their SATs, and it took a while to get adjusted to online learning,” says Stack. However, there are some students that disagree. “On one hand, you have things like optional testing and virtual visits in lieu of in-person ones, but on the other hand, it’s still college and it’s still incredibly competitive,” says Lee. “Just because they’re leaving a few things optional this year doesn’t mean they’re going to be any less selective.”
COLT CHRONICLE | PERSERVERENCE & CHANGE ISSUE | SCHOOL NEWS
“Just because they’re leaving a few things optional this year doesn’t mean they’re going to be any less selective.”
Photo courtesy of Sophia Stack
Senior Sofia Stack working on her college applications.
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With some students in school while others work from home, the whole school dynamic at KHS is changing By Haripriya Kemisetti, Staff Reporter From separate cohorts to 30 minute lunches, students are having an entirely unique experience at KHS this year. In just a few weeks, the hybrid schedule has become a new normal for students and staff alike. Some students are still adapting to the schedule. “I would say the biggest struggle I have had with the hybrid and virtual system is switching from home mode to school mode, especially when it is a virtual day,” says senior Ellis Nunez. “The lines get a bit blurred.” Teachers are in the same situation. “ I need to remind myself that we all need to have some work and life balance because I often find myself replying to emails or grading assignments when I should be spending time relaxing or with family and friends,” says biology teacher Nicholas Gebhardt. Technological challenges are also an important factor in the hybrid schedule. “I would say this is more of a general statement, but I find that some students really struggle with technology and troubleshooting computer issues,” says Gebhardt. “Typically, younger generations get better with technology; however, there seems to be a learning gap between the millennials and Gen-z. The shift from Google Classroom to OnCourse has also been a concern. “I feel like most teachers do not know how to use OnCourse, and a good majority of them just do not like it,” says Nunez. “Teachers will assign work, and if they do not put a due date OnCourse will say it is due at the end of the day, and it gets confusing because I do not know if the work is actually due at that date/time or not.”
at home; we use a thumbs up for yes and a thumbs down for no. Nearpod has also been a great tool.” Many teachers are learning to use new resources amidst this new era of education. Students and teachers alike agree that organization is key. “I think that people should focus on themselves, do their work and write everything down on a planner as a way to keep track of all the work and upcoming events...I hope that there is more organization for us as students and teachers [in the future],” says junior Brianna Alteri. In addition, the hybrid schedule does have its benefits. “I am enjoying the hybrid schedule,” says Nunez. “It is nice being able to attend school from the comfort of my room, but it is also nice being able to get out of the house and attend school physically.” The asynchronous Wednesdays, when all students and staff are virtual, is also an added benefit. “ I enjoy having no Zooms on Wednesday because it allows me to complete the work in whatever order I wish,” says junior Abigail Monosmith. Though the hybrid schedule has had its challenges, the community is working together to overcome these uncertain times. “It’s a new year and a new beginning. Everything may have changed but things will get better with time,” says junior Jeneen Almosbeh.
Even with the intense strain that this schedule has put on the school, the community is coming up with innovative teaching and learning techniques to get through these unique times. Science teacher Wendy Bruffy says, “[What has helped me is] good planning. I have non-verbal cues with my students
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Photo courtesy of Abeeha Zaidi
COLT CHRONICLE | PERSERVERENCE & CHANGE ISSUE | SCHOOL NEWS
A HYBRID LIFE
Through a Computer Screen
How extracurricular activities are operating with the hybrid schedule By Zenobia Ahsanuddin, Staff Reporter Although Kinnelon High School has opened up its doors to hybrid learning, the reopening of after school programs is still halted. Students that once said, “I’ll see you after class in the gymnasium,” are now saying, “I’ll see you when I log on!”
school-related activities, outside of school, and gives them a chance to find their interests. “We plan on doing many of our same plans as last year in addition to more virtual meetings to check on each other in these isolating times,” says senior Emma Macmanus, leader of the Mental Health and Wellness Club. “Last year, What once was a busy and bustling time after school, we held various de-stressing events that we hope to do is now pin-drop silent after the bell rings at 2:23. again as long as we can safely hold them.” Students are instructed to go straight home so the deep cleaning process can occur and can no longer Additionally, Science Research Club advisor and stick around after school for clubs like DECA and science teacher John Manning took into account the Academic Decathlon. changing times. “As a result of the current situation, this year’s club will be more independent and projClubs are not able to meet in person or hold tradition- ect-based. There will be much less direct social interal activities such as field trips as in previous years. action and collaboration when it comes to club activiHowever, this is not stopping anyone; considering ties. But as a trade-off, the club doesn’t have to follow that, for the most part, classes are running smoothas strict of a schedule as it used to, so students are free ly while being held online, clubs have also started to participate on their own time.” having virtual meetings. Teachers and club officers have sent out codes for interested students to join the clubs, along with links for recurring members to join their weekly online meetings.
COLT CHRONICLE | PERSERVERENCE & CHANGE ISSUE | SCHOOL NEWS
CLUB MEETINGS
The majority of clubs are up and running or are in the process of being restarted. “I think that in some ways it’s especially difficult to run clubs right now since the amount of big group events in the world today are limited. But on the flip side, Zoom has made it even easier to hold meetings,” says junior Katie Nieto. Virtual meetings allow students to join from the comforts of their homes, while still providing the same type of learning experience. However, the experience is undeniably different. “It’s a lot different and a bit more annoying to participate in,” says sophomore Louie Waibel. “You’re usually with your friends and now you aren’t, which is really sad because that’s a huge part of being in a club. It’s also taken away a lot of fun aspects of being in a club.” Although it is not exactly the same as what it was in the past years, it is allowing students to partake in
Photos courtesy of Chris Montgomery, from unsplash.com
Students at a virtual club meeting.
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THE BEAUTY OF ADAPTATION The science and story of how the world and people have adapted. By Camille Balo, Editor-in-Chief
Natural selection, evolution, whatever you wish to call it, these terms all boil down to the ability of a species to adapt to changes times, and as humans, we are probably one of the species most accustomed to adapting to different situations and with changing times. After all, just in the past century, humans have made an incredible amount of achievements, discoveries, and inventions ranging from the creation of the radio in the 1920s to the takeoff of video communication platforms in 2020. Especially seen with the ongoing pandemic, both nature and humans have adapted to the situations and consequences that have arisen during COVID-19 quarantine. Since quarantine first started in early spring, the world has undergone massive changes, not only regarding human activity but also the current nature of the world. In fact, some people have come to believe that in some ways, COVID-19 is not only a societal and cultural reset for humans, but also a necessary reset for nature and the Earth to gain some fragment of control. After all, despite the fact the pandemic is still an ongoing problem worldwide, research and data has been collected that proves nature has already begun to adapt to the decrease of human activity. In February alone, NASA air quality researches reported a dramatic decrease in nitrogen dioxide emissions from China, specifically from the Hubei province-- one of the epicenters of the pandemic. China, however, isn’t the only country that has experienced a significant decrease in nitrogen dioxide emissions. Countries such as Italy, Germany, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and more have witnessed the decline in pollution and toxic air emissions firsthand. However, nitrogen dioxide emissions aren’t the only form of pollution on the decline; carbon dioxide emissions are also declining. Especially in China, due to a decreased output from oil and coal industrial activities, CO2 emissions following the Lunar New Year were significantly lower than those of previous years. All of these natural resets that have occurred in the span of a year give hope to many environmental activists. After all, it shows that the Earth can heal itself and that, with the cooperation of all people in the world, major world-wide issues such as climate change can be mitigated, and maybe even stopped. However, the Earth isn’t the only entity to adapt to COVID-19; humankind has done so as well. In fact, the ways humans have adapted can be seen by looking outside your window and noticing that the once-busy streets and commercial districts are now all but deserted; by going out for a drive and noticing that the roads are clear of all traffic; by needing to hop on a video call in order to “attend” school and work; and through so many other ways. After all, the video conferencing company, Zoom, has added more users in 2020 than it did in all of 2019, with 2.22 million monthly active users compared to 1.99 million active users in all of 2019, according to Bernstein Research. Moreover, Verizon even reported a 75 percent increase in video game traffic throughout the quarantine period. And, while some may argue that more technology equates to more pollution, coal consumption, and other negative environmental impacts, the capability for adaptation amongst humans is just as hopeful as nature’s ability, and that along with the Earth, we will persevere.
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COLT CHRONICLE | PERSERVERENCE & CHANGE ISSUE |STEM
STEM SAVE THE PLANET:
COLT CHRONICLE | PERSERVERENCE & CHANGE ISSUE |STEM
Photo courtesy of NASA
Photo courtesy of Carbon Brief
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A Status Update on Vaccines for COVID-19 By Zenobia Ahsanuddin, Staff Reporter From what was supposed to be a short and temporary lockdown has now stretched on for about eight long months. It is keeping the people on the edge of their seats by asking, “When will it all end?” Recently, news has broken out that a vaccine is almost ready to be dispensed. Usually, it takes years of extensive research and testing before safely being available for use; however, due to the severity of the COVID-19 virus, a cure is needed faster than ever. First starting in March, studies included deciphering the SARS- CoV-2 genome, and went through three stages of testing and verifying. The main goal is to stimulate the immune system and produce antibodies, which help to combat the disease. So, what are the different phases of producing a vaccine? When a new virus is discovered, scientists go through the process of breaking it down and analyzing it. To produce an effective vaccine, they need to fully understand what it is, and the effects it gives. Then, once they begin to create possible vaccines, they test it on various cells and then give it to lab animals. These often include mice or monkeys, because their immune system is most similar to humans. This stage is best known as the “preclinical testing” stage, where all possible vaccines are tested. For the coronavirus, at the end of this stage, there were 87 possible vaccines in development. Next, Phase 1 entails safety trials where it is fully safe to administer the possible vaccines to a small group of people. This is usually just to gather a general overview of how well the vaccine works, and how it helps the immune system. At the end of this phase, scientists are able to confirm whether or not the vaccine can be given to a greater number of people. Phase 2 then goes onto expanded trials, where the vaccine is given to hundreds of people and is split into concentrations. In other words, each age group is separated and closely monitored to observe how it affects people of different ages. This step helps to finalize the vaccine’s safety and ability to stimulate the immune system. Finally, Phase 3 is when scientists give the vaccine to thousands of people, and are able to create a sort
of mock population, where it closely resembles the actual human population, and they can see how easily the virus spreads afterwards. Additionally, based on the number of people in Phase 3, it can then become evident if certain side effects arise, because the genetic variation is both greater, and easier to monitor. In January, vaccines were developed based on messenger RNA, or mRNA, which helps to produce certain proteins in the body. The pharmaceutical company Moderna, developed this before most of the other companies, giving them a headstart on development. The vaccine would then have to have specified information that when it would be injected into the body, it would make a certain protein that targeted COVID-19, by enacting the immune response. It then went through the filtering process and passed throughout the stages, where the potential BNT162 passed through all tests. Then, on July 27th, the Phase 3 clinical trial began, and tested on 43,538 participants, and 38,955 who received a second dose during November, showing its effectiveness. Recently, companies have come a long way from what they were in March. The drug making company, Pfizer, was then able to show data in early November that their Phase 3 was proving to be 90% successful, says BioPharma Drive. They were able to conclude that their vaccination would prove protective against the ongoing virus. As of now, Pfizer needs to get approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), for an emergency use drug, showing that the vaccine is almost ready, according to the New York Times. Moderna also plans to follow in the same footsteps in several weeks in hopes to gain approval. The end of Phase 3 for the majority of vaccine making companies showed that a mode to control and prevent COVID-19 could be developed. Both Pfizer and BioNTech are in the midst of analyzing the data from the second dosage which test candidates received. This is required for the FDA’s Emergency Use Authorization, especially since candidates are usually to be monitored for two years before releasing a vaccine, says Pfizer. By generating the correct and wanted data, the safety will be demonstrated, and the FDA can mass produce the product. If all goes well, the vaccines are expected to begin being administered to the people anywhere from December to January.
COLT CHRONICLE | PERSERVERENCE & CHANGE ISSUE |STEM
IS THE END NEAR?
Above, the timeline shows the success of Phase 3, and what the next step is for the BNT126b2 vaccine.
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COLT CHRONICLE | PERSERVERENCE & CHANGE ISSUE |STEM
Timeline by Zenobia Ahsanuddin
The Ethics of Going Out
With a literal global pandemic affecting the planet, you’d think people would stay inside to prevent the spread of the virus. So why is everyone suddenly throwing parties and not wearing masks nationwide? By Ellis Nunez, Staff Reporter
Adviser’s Note: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this opinion article belong solely to the author and do not reflect the view of The Colt Chronicle Staff, Kinnelon High School, or its students and staff members. While it is necessary for many people to go outside, not just for necessary items but also for work, for those that can afford to stay inside, it would benefit everyone if they did.
COVID-19 does not seem to be going away anytime soon, so every safety precaution counts. When going out make sure to wear a mask, and keep a distance of six feet from other people. It is important that everyone follows the safety precautions set by the CDC and their government because COVID-19 can infect anyone, and until there is a vaccine these precautions are all people can do.
COVID-19 started around the end of 2019, and since then, it has kept getting worse. Everyone was forced to quarantine in the beginning to avoid the spread of the disease, but it could not stay that way for long. Eventually businesses started opening back up, and states started letting people go out. Once this happened, COVID cases skyrocketed. Many citizens of the United States started going out to parties and traveling again, and all of these activities contributed to the rise in cases in the United States. The United States is the No. 1 country with the most cases of COVID-19. As of Oct. 20, the United States has 8,212,981 total cases with 713,640 cases occurring in the last two weeks, and 220,119 total deaths. Many people believe that the coronavirus disease is just another flu that affects victims for some weeks and then goes away, but that could not be further from the truth. The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center states that the coronavirus disease appears to be 10 times as deadly as the flu and is 10 times deadlier than the H1N1 swine flu strain.
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Phto courtesy of Tim Mossholder
As we transition back to a non-quarantined society, safety measures such as masks and social distanc become a top priority.
COLT CHRONICLE | PERSERVERENCE & CHANGE ISSUE |OPINION
OPINION
Improves Accessibility and Security By Jackie Roberts, Staff Reporter
Adviser’s Note: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this opinion article belong solely to the author and do not reflect the view of The Colt Chronicle Staff, Kinnelon High School, or its students and staff members. Technology comprises much of the world today, whether that be accessing emails, the news, or simply messaging friends. Because of all these uses, most tech companies have formulated a user-friendly layout, but some have mastered this better than others. Take Apple whose, according to Yahoo, “extreme user-friendliness has always been Apple’s greatest strength.” This is seen in Apple’s latest update, iOS 14, released Sept. 16, which has increased efficiency, including accessibility shortcuts and added security. Among all the new features, the most noticeable is the “app library” (see top right image). The app library is an added page on a user’s home screen which organizes all the apps by category. This helps users find their apps just by knowing which category they are in. This means no more searching through page after page of disorganized apps. Another shortcut is “widgets,” additional large icons that can show useful information. Users can select what they want to show on their home screen, information such as the weather, reminders, health tracking, or even the time. While widgets are optional to add to the home screen, they allow quick access to frequently-viewed information. Added shortcuts even make messaging easier. Users can pin conversations which allows for easily finding a certain person or group among all of the recent chats. There is also a new feature that allows users to respond to specific text messages. Overall, these shortcuts help users navigate the interface faster.
added security, which has better capabilities and privacy than before. For instance, the iPhone now allows users to see which app accessed their camera and microphone last and has a more private WiFi connection. These features allow users to have peaceof-mind when using devices. According to Wired, these “new mobile operating system should make you and your data safer than ever.” “I definitely like that I can see what apps use my camera and mic,” said junior Kristyn Carroll. She also noted how much more comfortable she felt knowing who can see and hear her. The new security features do not stop there; the iPhone will also let users know if a password is problematic because it is easily guessed or used elsewhere. It will also let users know if their credentials are spotted in a data breach. This prevents the stealing of valuable information, including identities. Not only is information theft prevented through more secure passwords, but also by limiting apps and websites that try to access user information through pictures, location, user tendencies. This is done by turning off the tracking capabilities of apps, which means a more secure use of technology.
COLT CHRONICLE | PERSERVERENCE & CHANGE ISSUE |OPINION
iOS 14 Update
The increased ease of access and security in iOS 14 has better functionality than previous versions because of these new features. Overall, this is a better and safer use of technology because users can feel at peace knowing they can use their phone easily and that their information will not be stolen.
On the other hand, not all users found the update advantageous. Junior Claire Zhang said, “I don’t think [the update] adds to the functionality of the iPhone or makes it any easier to use.” She did note, however, that she likes “the new layouts because they are more personalized and give a fresh new look.” Despite some mixed reviews, iOS 14 still has
NEWS
HEALTH
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A Concerning Battle
Young people’s reaction to the pandemic is very concerning, but why? By Andrew Noel, Staff Reporter Adviser’s Note: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this opinion article belong solely to the author and do not reflect the view of The Colt Chronicle Staff, Kinnelon High School, or its students and staff members. When the spread of the coronavirus first began, a lot of people took it very lightly, comparing it to the ebola outbreak of 2014. This was a fair comparison, as at the time, only China was affected by the virus. During this time, young people continued to live their lives as if there was not a pandemic about to start, which is also understandable. However, on March 13,when Kinnelon officially ended its in-person instruction for what turned out to be the rest of the school year, people should have realized that this disease was way worse than Ebola and threatened their own health. This scenario presented the perfect opportunity for teenagers to prove that they were mature and disciplined enough to enter the real world. It is an opportunity that, unfortunately, they did not take. They continued to hold large gatherings without social distancing and continued to put themselves and their families at risk for getting the virus, all in the name of hanging out with friends. A lot of young people used the victim card by saying things to the effect of “poor me, I cannot hangout with my friends, my life sucks right now.” This arrogance is what is concerning. We have thousands of people dying and no sign of it slowing down, and you are going to complain that your life sucks because you aren’t supposed to see friends? I would struggle to spare a thought for those tenagers who said this and got the virus. These are the same people who are mad at the government for not finding a way to end the pandemic, when in reality, it is the arrogant teeenagers who are fueling the thing they want to end so badly. This blindness is also concerning. Some people may say that even if they are responsible, the pandemic would still be just as bad. This is not the case. Look at New Zealand and Japan for example; they were both able to open up completely because their citizens were responsible. We have young people who are supposed to lead us into the next generation and do things like get humanity to Mars, who are worried about not seeing friends. The blame does not all belong with the younger kids however. A fair amount should also be put on their
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parents, who are okay with their kids risking their lives in the name of having fun. Once again, if we can’t trust parents to have common sense, then how do we expect them to help us overcome the biggest issues in the world like global warming, or, you know, the pandemic? I have always been curious, what will the world look like in 20 or 30 years? The pandemic has partly answered this question: It will look like a place with high death rates where people lack common sense and empathy. The good news is, there is still time to fix this issue before the teenagers of today inherit the world.
COLT CHRONICLE | PERSERVERENCE & CHANGE ISSUE |OPINION
The Young & the Pandemic
COLT CHRONICLE | PERSERVERENCE & CHANGE ISSUE |OPINION
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THERE IS AN IMPOSTER ‘AMONG US’ During a time of so much change and hardship, the newly-popular game ‘Among Us’ takes over the world By Gabriella Avagyan, A&E Editor
Whether you first saw it trending on Twitter, in a YouTube video, or in an article like this one, Among Us seems to be in every corner of the Internet lately. So what exactly is this game about? Among Us is an online multiplayer game that’s available to play both on mobile devices and on the computer, and is essentially a murder-mystery and sci-fi game mixed into one. The game is similar to the social deduction game, “mafia,” where there is an uninformed group of innocents and an informed group of killers. If your role is a crewmate, then your job is to complete all your tasks and work together with the rest of your crew before everyone gets killed. If you are assigned to be an imposter, then you must act as if you are a crewmate and fake the act of doing tasks, but actually discreetly kill everyone on the spaceship to win. Players can choose to host a game and either make it open to the public or a private group for just friends. With just a push of a button, a player can join a public game or enter a code to enter a friend’s private game. There’s multiple different maps to play on-- “The Skeld,’’ “Mira HQ,” and “Polus”-- which keeps the game from getting old. The Skeld is a classic that can’t be beat, but Mira HQ is also super fun to play. Because you’re often playing with a new or random group of people every time, it’s always a unique experience. Conversely, if you choose to play with the same group, it’s a great way to make friends. The game is one of the best free games to get lost in during the pandemic; there is definitely a reason it took the Internet by storm. At a time where the world feels so disconnected and changed, the game can offer its own slice of perseverance. Senior Kayla Tehrani says “I enjoy that Among Us is such an interactive mystery game that can be played with people anywhere around the world, it’s exciting yet stressful.” Although she only started playing a month ago, she says it’s already been addictive. Tim King, junior at Clarkstown High School North in New York, says “I have played Among Us and I started playing about a month ago.” When asked about what he likes most about the game, he said, “All of your friends can play it and that its not expensive.” The game is only $5 to play on Steam for PC, and is free on mobile. The game is a great way to connect with friends you already have, and is also great for meeting new people. Tim continues, “It’s pretty addictive if you have the right group of people to play with [but] playing alone really dulls my sparkle.”
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COLT CHRONICLE | PERSERVERENCE & CHANGE ISSUE | A&E
A&E
COLT CHRONICLE | PERSERVERENCE & CHANGE ISSUE | A&E
USE IMAGES FROM :
Illustration by Abeeha Zaidi
HOW HARD CAN CHANGE REALLY BE? From “regarde” to “intéressant” in a month. An American girl’s journey of finding her place in Paris and not just her new workplace.
By Abeeha Zaidi, Managing Editor & Layout
Emily, a simple “regarded” American goes to the “brutally honest” and un-American country, Paris. How does an American fit into Paris? French don’t want the opinion of an American, so why is she there? She wasn’t even supposed to go; it was her boss who was, so why is she there? Do things play out for her, or is it just a disaster?
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her; sometimes they do amazing things for her, and sometimes those amazing things truly have a darker side to them.
Well, the first season of the series is out now, so you can check out the 10 short but addicting episodes now on Netflix. It is the ultimate clash between the genre romance and comedy.
The French around Paris criticize her clothes and find her ability to not speaking French and living in France, very impolite. She rarely hears the words “enchante,” apart from her sous-chef neighbor Gabriel; a Mandarin-speaking Nanny - who ran away from her rich family in China- Mindy Chen; and the nice girl at the flower store - who she soon becomes best friends with- Camille.
It starts with Emily arriving in Paris, with luggage that she has to carry to the fifth floor; it has only been a few minutes, and she’s already messed up floor numbers. It’s like an alternate universe, not another country.
But are those three people enough for her to make Paris her “new home”? Who are the ones who will make her experience worse? Does she stay in Paris? Is she able to fit in?
Her first day at work was not a normal day; her boss hates her and she apprehends - what appears to her to be dysfunctional - the French workplace. She tries to give her boss ideas, but they don’t always benefit
Well, change is hard, and moving from country to country is harder, but how does Emily deal with it? To find out watch “Emily In Paris” on Netflix!
COLT CHRONICLE | PERSERVERENCE & CHANGE ISSUE | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
‘EMILY IN PARIS’
By Alanna Gallagher, Staff Reporter
On Sept. 29, Miley Cyrus released two new singlesL a cover of “Heart of Glass” by Blondie and an original song called “Midnight Sky,” which was performed at the iHeartRadio music festival. Cyrus was a former Disney Channel star who has sung all types of genres of music, from country-pop to punk. Her two new songs are definitely more in the pop genre that she normally sticks with, but there are some new elements that fans have never heard from Cyrus before. “Heart of Glass” was originally sung and released by Blondie in the late 1970s. Although Cryus has usually stuck within the pop genre, “Heart of Glass” is still a pop song but has more elements of disco and new wave in it, something that has never been heard from Cyrus before. However, it was wonderfully sung and this choice of music at the iHeartRadio music festival had fans completely shocked and left in awe. “Midnight Sky” was also performed at the iHeartRadio. It was a bit of a few genres of music, including hints of disco, rock, and pop. The song talks about her free spirit while also addressing some of her past relationships. “Midnight Sky” has quickly passed multiple other of Cyrus’ more popular songs in just a few weeks. It has surpassed “Party in the U.S.A.” and “We Can’t Stop” and is at 116 million streams and counting on Spotify.
Illustration by Abeeha Zaidi
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‘MIDNIGHT SKY’ & ‘HEART OF GLASS’
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How has the absence of concerts due to the pandemic affected the lives of Kinnelon students?
By Shreyal Sharma, Staff Reporter The year of 2020 brings a devastating pandemic stealing the lives of millions. A catastrophic news that disappoints people by confining them at home, separated from their friends, without much entertainment. Public activities are halted and people are forced to endure a year without concerts. As the terrifying pandemic still continues to dictate many lives, concerts and tours worldwide have been canceled or postponed to next year. News of these thwarted plans saddens many Kinnelon High School students who were looking forward to jumping back to their everyday lives. Concerts are crucial because “They are entertaining and the energy in the room is just incredible,” says freshman Sara Barrow. “They are enjoyable for everyone as it is a big part of people’s lives. A lot of people’s social lives revolve around concerts for entertainment.” Before the pandemic, many even bought concert tickets only to be frustrated by this unfortunate news. “I bought a lot of tickets, and now I get refund emails. A lot of the concerts are giving us our money back, or they are giving you tickets to next year’s rescheduled concerts,” says junior oJennifer Jacko. Students ponder on their prior experiences with concerts. “I went to a Taylor Swift concert. It was really fun as you get to see the artist, and everyone is hyped up, jumping and singing to the lyrics. You feel included and connected even though everyone is a stranger,” says junior Isabel Lin. They are agitated as they realize that they will have to miss out on their favorite artists. “My favorite singer had just released a new album, and I was super excited to get the ticket in April for his tour to America in July,” says senior Sophia Vitale. “I’m a die-hard fangirl for this artist, and I had saved up enough money to get a front-row seat and VIP backstage pass. I was extremely upset that they canceled.”
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Although the changes throughout the year have been tedious and challenging, students have adapted to the changes. “Drive-in concerts are a lot of fun, you buy one ticket for your car, and you can bring four people. You can sit on top of your car, and the cars would be lined up opposite to each other so you can see the stage from a distance,” says Jacko. Vitale added, “There’s an open field with a stage that’s setup with speakers, lights, a fence, and other props. Ticket holders drive into the spot on their ticket, and there’s a couple of concession stands that sell food, snacks, and drinks. When the artist is ready to perform, they usually do an extremely loud soundcheck then the concert starts. They usually tell you to bring earplugs if you’re up close.” But the in-person concerts will be missed, as Vitale says, “Nothing beats an in-person concert where you can feel the bass beat through your body.”
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A YEAR WITH NO CONCERTS
AND HIS CHART-TOPPING ALBUM One Direction’s biggest star goes in a new direction.
By Mikayla Smith, Staff Editor World-class superstar and the most decorated writer of intergenerationally known band One Direction, Louis Tomlinson, topped headlines once again. Since his debut in 2010, Tomlinson and his bandmates have been credited to Simon Cowell and his record label Syco for their success and discovery. Tomlinson however, proved one thing undeniably: Cowell does not own him and is not the sole reason for the multi-millionaires continuous prosperity. In 2017, the now independent singer signed a contract with his career-long mentor and released his debut album Walls on Jan. 21. After a decade of rumors floating around about Cowell’s mistreatment of the band, including talk of Liam Payne’s struggle with alcohol, Zayn Malik’s eating disorder, and the closeting of Harry Styles, Tomlinson cut the final chord. He announced his official separation on July 11 in a tweet. He said, “Hope everyone is doing ok! Just wanted to let you know that Syco Music and I have agreed to part ways. I’m really excited for the future and to be back in the studio writing the next album. Can’t wait to finally see you all on tour!! Stay safe and see you soon, Louis x.”
“Walls” is the third-biggest debut album of 2020, and charted number one after it’s release. Amazingly, it charted again–eight months after it first hit the public. In eight countries, “Walls “went No. 1 on iTunes after fans held a series of “streaming parties” in an attempt to get the artist to come back online. He did return to Twitter for two hours on Oct. 1 and chatted with rightfully proud fans more than he typically would. He answered a series of questions about new music, his life in quarantine, and personal recommendations (including that of a song called “Where We’re Going” by Gerry Cinnamon, which I could not endorse enough). It’s clear to see that Louis Tomlinson is, and always has been, a musical force without Cowell, perhaps more so now that they have little to do with one another. It will be fascinating to see his conquests in the future, and just how deep Cowell’s influence infests.
Illustration by Abeeha Zaidi
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LOUIS TOMLINSON’S SPLIT FROM SYCO
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SPOOKY 2020 ENTERTAINMENT
Just becuase Halloween is over, doesn’t mean you can’t continue to spike your adrenaline levels all autumn long.
By Sarah Brechner, Staff Writer This year’s Halloween looked a little bit different than years prior, but that just means all of the candy you bought, that would usually be distributed to your trick or treaters, went to you. You probably even still found yourself hanging up orange and purple lights that luminate the spooky halls of your home, and adding decor of ghosts, pumpkins and skulls galore. Although the holiday came and went this year, you can still sit down and relax with a glass of apple cider and a Halloween movie to soak in all of that Halloween spirit.
“Harry Potter & the Half Blooded Prince” (rated PG) This specific Harry Potter movie is a great movie for any occasion, whether you’re just in the mood for some magical nostalgia, or if you’re looking to be scared and on the edge of your seat. As Death Eaters cause trouble in both Muggle and Wizard worlds, Hogwarts is no longer safe for students to participate in. Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) suspects new dangers lurking within the castle walls, and Dumbledoor is more open-minded to Harry’s sneaking suspicion than ever before, preparing his witches and wizards for the final battle against Lord Voldemort with defense against dark arts classes. There are some cases of love that run wild through the air, but tragedy is amongst them, and Hogwarts may never be the same ever again.
Image from Common Sense Media
This movie is available on YouTube, iTunes, Google Play Movies & TV, Vudu, and Amazon Prime Video.
“Hubie Halloween” is the new Adam Sandler Halloween movie that is all the buzz on Netflix this year and was released on Oct. 7, so it is at your disposal when you’d like. This is a spooky movie based in Salem, Mass. that is sure to make you laugh while also eager to see what happens next! On Oct. 31st in Salem, Massachusetts, a town’s eccentric, devoted community volunteer and the good-natured object of his fellow citizen’s derision and meanest pranks, finds himself in the midst of a real investigation, for a real murderer. This movie is only available on Netflix at the moment.
Image from imdb.com
“The Wretched” (not rated) “The Wretched” is a horror/thriller that is sure to increase your adrenaline level and make your palms sweat. This movie is perfect for Halloween because who doesn’t love to be absolutely terrified and sinking in their seats with a hand over their eyes? A defiant teenage boy, struggling with his parent’s imminent divorce, faces off with an old witch who has possessed the neighbour next door. This movie is available on Hulu, YouTube, Vudu, and Google Play Movies & TV
Image from Common Sense Media
COLT CHRONICLE | PERSERVERENCE & CHANGE ISSUE | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
“Hubie Halloween” (rated pg-13)
FALL STAFF RECO
“The Dear Body Podcast” by Jessi Jean -
“Strang
Image from Stitcher.com A podcast for women and girls to empower them to be comfortable with their body, while mantaining it and taking care of it ! Reccomendation by Mrs. Van Der Sluys
A show about a bunch of fr through adventures and ove ities in their life. A great sci warm in your bed ! Reccomendation by Riley M
“A Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984)
“A Very Large By Tah KINNELON HIGH SCHOOL
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Image from Amazon I saw it this October and it was a really fun horror movie. It details the preserverance and creativity used by the protagonist to thwart Freddy Krueger.
A book about a girl with a many and made fun of by e curious jocks and her are p and it leads to friend ship a to get perspective, and a ge
Reccomendation by Alex Garcia
Reccomendation by Abeeh
ger Things”
Image from Wikipedia.com riends and thier families going ercoming paranormal activi-fi show to watch , while all
Macmanus
e Expanse of Sea” hreh Mafi
Image from Tale Away scarf and how she is fearedby everyone. However , one of the partnered up for a project ... and more. A great book to read enreally a good romance novel.
ha Zaidi
“Teenager Therapy” - Podcast
Image from teenagertherapypodcast. A podcast where a few friends talk about life as a high schooler and a teenager, and how they overcome difficulites everyday. They make problems as a teenager normal, and make you feel like you’re not alone! Reccomendation by Abeeha Zaidi
“August” by Taylor Swift
COLT CHRONICLE | PERSERVERENCE & CHANGE ISSUE | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
OMMENDATIONS
Image from Genuis This song is about a time in your life that you enjoyed so much but time slipped away. Here, Swift is reminiscing on a time in her life with a significant other she loved very much, but the time with them went by so fast and she wishes for it back. This song js featured in her album “Folklore” that came out this summer. Reccomendation by Alanna Gallagher
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The Fall G
Photography by S
Gallery
Sophie Solarino
The New York City skyline peeks through a stretch of red, orange, and yellow trees during what is known as “golden hour.� With the rise of new COVID-19 cases in New York, the Empire State Building is best observed from a distance. -Sophie Solarino
With fall comes the cold weather and warm colors of leaves falling from the trees. Many believe catching a falling leaf can grant good luck. -Sophie Solarino
The lack of safe indoor activities resulted in a turn to hiking. Even as weather gets colder, staying outside for at least 10 minutes per day is a good way to take care of mental and physical health (American Hiking Society). -Sophie Solarino
Trees and leaves grow to vibrant oranges and yellows as fall takes over the Ramapo Reservation in Mahwah, NJ. -Sophie Solarino
NEXT CHAPTER: HIGH SCHOOL Freshmen share their opinions on their first month By Zara Yu, Staff Reporter
One of the things that has changed greatly for students is how they are actually learning. Teachers have resorted to using Zoom and Google Meet to interact with their students and assignments are all completed online. Freshman Claire Wang commented, “Online learning makes it harder to focus on class because there are distractions at home like bad Wi-Fi and students not being able to join their The traditional classroom setting has been replaced with computers and Zoom lessons, while school days meetings.” are now filled with sitting in front of screens. If nothOne issue that came from this new hybrid and all ing else, these changes have created a very strange online format for school is getting involved with the beginning of high school for this year’s freshmen. community. New challenges arose when it came to The jump from middle school to high school is alextracurriculars because it is important to stay safe ways a major transition, even more so this year. when doing activities. Freshman Jordan Doty says, “High school has been a lot different from PRM. As a KHS student, you have Freshman Troy Schneider said that he was able to get involved in school extracurriculars by joining so much more freedom than as a student at PRM.” the soccer team and attending KHS football games. Doty goes on to say that, as there are more teachers at KHS, the people in her classes have greatly difWith the pandemic, the step to high school has been fered from in middle school. a little more difficult for the freshmen. Regardless, freshmen enjoy the new freedom that comes with Freshman Nathan Bautista also enjoys the freedom that comes with high school and says that “a big plus high school and look forward to seeing the new opportunities that will be available to them. is the rotation schedule we use.” With the beginning of the new school year comes new freshmen, eagerly awaiting to embark upon their high school journey. However, this year is a bit different than those prior. As the COVID-19 pandemic has spread, everyone has been affected,and students have been no exception.
As high school is vastly different from middle school, the freshmen have taken the first month to adjust to the new setting. With the pandemic, teachers have to find ways to help students become accommodated with the school. Doty says, “In the beginning, it was a little overwhelming being a student doing the hybrid schedule with teachers using all different tactics to keep students involved when online and in person.” Bautista says that while students were not prepared for the pandemic, as time went on, students adapted to the new format, from taking tests to handing in assignments virtually.
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Photo from @surface from unsplash
COLT CHRONICLE | PERSERVERENCE & CHANGE ISSUE | FEATURES
FEATURES
By Sammy Bassin, Staff Reporter “‘Frustrating’ is the word that comes to mind first,”sscience teacher John Manning says, “but ‘informative’ is the word that sticks….There’s no doubt that this new normal has been hard.” Many teachers and students have approached the new year with anticipation, but schools have had to make drastic changes due to COVID-19 and take extra precautions to ensure the safety of everyone. These times have been difficult for everyone, but it is hard to know just how great of an impact on education these changes have had.
These times have posed many challenges for both students and teachers, including troubles with technology as well as focusing on equal opportunities and forming bonds with others. Despite these obstacles, students and teachers alike are working to get as much as possible out of the school year.
Manning says the biggest obstacle so far has been technological limitations. Not everyone has the best devices and software or the fastest WiFi, making it difficult and time consuming for all students and teachers to stay on the same page. English teacher Jason DelPiano says that his preferred, animated teaching style has been difficult this school year. Juggling social distancing as well as attending to virtual students, DelPiano says he has had trouble “forging relationships with the kids while we are separated by distance, masks, shields, and computers.” DelPiano goes on to explain the difficulties in balancing virtual and in-person students whilst keeping the class entertaining yet informative.
COLT CHRONICLE | PERSERVERENCE & CHANGE ISSUE | FEATURES
HOW TEACHERS ARE ADAPTING TO THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR
Photo courtesy of Andy Falconer through Unsplash
Students eat lunch at a safe distance to avoid the potential transmission of COVID-19.
However, despite troubles with the new normal, there is always a bright side. Math teacher Noah Blanchard is happy to be fully paperless as it is less wasteful and overall better for the environment. History teacher Danielle Elia even expressed some gratitude, as the new educational format has given her the opportunity to receive feedback and better her plan lessons, allowing classes to run far more smoothly and efficiently. There is no doubt that this year is putting teachers’ creativity to the test as they attempt to cover the same material through a greatly altered medium.
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FALLING BACK
Literacy rates decrease as COVID-19 rates increase in less developed countries. By Abeeha Zaidi, Managing Editor & Layout
As schools and colleges return as normal after the COVID 19 pandemic, the choice between online and virtual has been difficult in the U.S. However, in less developed countries - where they don’t have the privilege of free education - citizens are struggling with keeping their students in school, in particular, those who face poverty. Technology has been an issue all around the world. In poor neighborhoods, schools lend out laptops and give access to free lunch even when closed; but the WiFi issues remain. Due to the price of education in low-economic countries, many of those who were attending school have stopped, as parents have decided it is not worth the money. Moreover, the lack of technology in these households prevents them from going to school virtually. According to prnewswide.com, “COVID-19 has forced more than 1 billion students and youth out of school, triggering the world’s biggest educational disruption in history, almost overnight.” On Sept. 8, International Literacy Day, instead of celebrating international literacy and its growth over the past few years, people all over the world are now concerned about how to keep literacy rates high even during these conditions. The ones who are most affected by the pandemic and its relation to education are girls and those in poor households. Many around the world are facing economic disruption, and where education
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is not free, students have had to sacrifice it in order for them and their families to survive. This has had an immense effect on the efforts of girls in thirdworld countries, as they were just getting the privilege to get an education and used to the normalcy of it; however now due to the pandemic, families have less of a reason to send them. During a theguardian.com interview with Henrietta Fore of UNICEF, she said “When we had children out of school during the ebola crisis, in Sierra Leone, the number of girls who became pregnant doubled during that time period.” Other worries include the decrease in literacy rates and how they can lead to an increase in abusive activities in homes. Moreover, the kids in developing countries that do not have access to WiFi and technology have had to forcefully quit schooling and turn to participating in labor. Now kids in those countries, that were previously in schools, are back on the streets, losing the efforts of many to get the youth to be more educated than those in previous generations. It seems like impossible choices have to be made, and these decisions have been overseen by the world. Children need to be protected and educated , and there needs to be a plan for the return of normalcy (or at least as close to normalcy) in education, as it is affecting the young generations ability to learn and grow.
COLT CHRONICLE | PERSERVERENCE & CHANGE ISSUE | LOCLA/WORLD
LOCAL/WORLD
LIGHTROOM
| LOCLA/WORLD
COVID- 19 has affected both the education in Ameria, but especially the education in third world countries, and places where literacy rates were growing. Parents are unabe to support thier kids education, leading them to go back to thier old life- child labor. Photography by Sophie Solarino
HOSTING SPORTS
DURING THE PANDEMIC By Jay O’Neill , Staff Reporter Adviser’s Note: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this opinion article belong solely to the author and do not reflect the view of The Colt Chronicle Staff, Kinnelon High School, or its students and staff members.
to take more safety precautions than the professional leagues such as the NFL and the Premier League. Unlike the professional leagues, Kinnelon has decided to delay the fall sports season in order to guarantee safety. According to many athletes, “delaying the season allowed athletes to be able to go to the gym once they opened.” This would help athletes to build strength necessary to lower risk of injury.
Many student athletes are eager to make a return to fall sports. However, because of the ongoing pandemic, many parents are still concerned, as COVID-19 has posed serious threat to elderly peoBefore the gyms were opened, Kinnelon was able to ple with underlying conditions. come up with practical ways to hold practices with little contact possible. Nicky Gioia, a senior varsity There were many concerns COVID-19 would starter on the soccer team said that, “most sports are cancel sports, but Kinnelon has managed to host mainly doing conditioning in order to follow the six sporting events in a safe manner so far. With the feet apart rule.” It would allow players not only to pregathering restrictions, people were worried about vent catching the virus but also prevent unnecessary how sports would continue. Another concern injuries. was that student athletes would be more prone to injuries due to poor preparation for the season. What about the parents that want to watch their son/ In fact, injuries are common in most professional daughter at a sporting event? The Kinnelon Athletics leagues because of a lack of preseason training. Will Twitter tweeted, “I am excited to announce a fantastic Kinnelon be more prepared for injuries than the digital ticketing platform for our Football Games. This professional leagues? will allow us to reserve tickets for families and limit capacity.” Parents won’t have to worry about all the A very controversial topic was if the fields should physical contact required to purchase a ticket or about have stayed open during the summer. Once the crowded bleachers while maintaining a true expeCOVID-19 started growing concerns, Kinnelon rience spectating the game. made the decision to close fields because many scientists were still in the process of understanding It’s up to Kinnelon to continue to make sure that how deadly the virus was. In retrospect, many athathletes are safe because they are more susceptible letes are enraged that they got rusty over the sumthan professional athletes to injury. Based on its track mer due to the fields being closed. Since Kinnelon record, Kinnelon is likely to handle whatever situation has acted based on the information provided by the is thrown at them appropriately. media, no one seems to believe Kinnelon has made any bad judgment. As of now, it seems as if Kinnelon has been able
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SPORTS
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