You NEED THERAPY, DOG! SLEEPING IN CLASS? IT MAY NOT BE YOUR FAULT
THERAPY DOGS IN THE CLASSROOM
Therapy dogs are used in a variety of settings – from hospitals to nursing homes, shelters to business, elementary schools to universities – and are united under one purpose: to support and comfort everyone they encounter. Unique from service dogs, therapy dogs typically serve the greater community rather than perform a specific task for a single disabled owner. In school settings, therapy dogs use their specialized training as well as their instincts as social animals to provide students with socio-emotional, cognitive, and mental health benefits, which eventually translate to numerous positive behaviors including improved calmness, cooperation, problem-solving, and interest in learning.
As many dog-owners have experienced, these animals, also known as “man’s best friend,” are quite talented at making connections with people. When therapy dogs visit a classroom, they can help students feel more secure and loved. For many children, social skills do not come easily, and having a non-judgmental dog to spend time with can help those students avoid feeling isolated while building their confidence. Supporting these claims regarding students’ socio-emotional development, a 2006 study focusing on students with severe emotional disorders revealed that when a therapy dog was in the classroom, students became more emotionally stable, their attitudes towards school improved, and they were more receptive to learning lessons about responsibility, respect, and empathy. A 2003 Australian study that investigated the same subject, but with second-graders not known to have emotional disorders, found similar results. When a dog was in the classroom, “The group became socially more homogenous due to decreased behavioral extremes,” “formerly withdrawn individuals
BY ARYANA SAEDIData shows that we, as adolescents, require around 9 hours of sleep per night (specifically 9 ¼ hours) for proper development and functioning. However, we are notorious for not getting enough sleep, which takes a toll on the mental and physical health of our generation –making sleep deprivation an epidemic.
Based on the data received from our very own sleep survey, only 8% of our student body gets the recommended amount of sleep.
HERE’S WHAT WE SEE
We are expected to spend these four years of our lives dedicated to learning and achieving success in our academics. We are expected to be well rounded, participating in sports and other extracurriculars, holding a job, and partaking in other aspects of being a teenager. We are also expected to use this time to discover ourselves, develop healthy relationships, and figure out our futures. If this is the map to
DATA BY JAMES THORNBURGbecame socially more interested,” and “children paid more attention to the teacher.”
Students can also experience significant cognitive benefits when reading to therapy dogs. A 2017 study analyzing the impacts of reading to therapy dogs on reading attitudes among second graders found that “scores assessing academic reading attitudes increased significantly among the children who read aloud to dogs.” In addition, a 2003 study investigating the effectiveness of Paws for Reading, a program using dogs to improve literacy in children, showed incredible results. Not only did the majority of participants “improve their reading skills by at least two grade levels” in just one academic year, but several of the participants fell in love with Paws for Hearts and “became mentors and introduced others to the program.”
It is very clear that therapy dogs can be a huge help for students who may be struggling with social difficulties, mental health concerns, or low literacy. While these groups may especially benefit from therapy dogs, these wondrous animals can be taken advantage of by anyone for mental health ‘maintenance.’ According to Veterinarian, Dr. Marta Vieira, just petting a dog releases the body’s “feel good” hormones, dopamine and serotonin, leading to a more positive mental state. In addition, research has shown that dogs lower the boy’s cortisol, the main stress hormone that can cause anxiety and depression.
THERAPY DOGS IN ROCHESTER
Many people are unaware of Rochester’s hidden gem that plays a small but vital role in maintaining the health of our city. Founded by Paul Anthony in 2021, RocDog is a local 501(c)(3) non-profit which aims to support the Rochester community through therapy dog services. The organization’s official mission statement is to:
Provide complete Therapy Dog Services to those in need.
Provide specialized “Therapy Support Dogs” to Special Needs Families. Provide an environment where our Certified Therapy Dogs and Handlers can thrive.
Staying true to their mission, RocDog has networked with over 165 handlers and 128 certified therapy dogs, visiting more than 110 different Western New York facilities including law enforcement agencies, hospitals, senior care facilities, primary and secondary schools, universities, libraries, and more. RocDog has made a profound impact on our community, changing lives, and building the aforementioned benefits of therapy dogs come to fruition.
AC TAKES ITS FIRST STEPS
On February 9th, Allendale Columbia had its first-ever therapy dog
success, then there are not enough hours in the day to be successful. The message is that if we want to succeed, we have to compromise our health.
Instead, we can barely keep our eyes open throughout the school day, forget learning and innovating. By the time 3:00pm rolls around, we have been operating on spare batteries for almost nine hours.
HERE’S WHAT WE DON’T SEE
Experiencing poor sleep leads to high levels of hormones that can raise our blood pressure, which, over time, can damage our hearts. When we continuously do not get the proper amount of sleep we are opening the door for medical complications down the road, such as heart disease and strokes. So now we have to worry about that too?
THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER
We often sacrifice sleep during the week in hopes of catching up on the weekend. But we never do, and it’s not possible anyway. There is no going back, and according to Harvard Health “...[we] can’t cheat on sleep and get away with it.” The sad truth is, the system is unlikely to change for us, so maybe it is time we reorganize our priorities. Maybe it is time we put our health before a letter grade. Maybe it is time we revolutionize the system for ourselves. •
visit from the incredible non-profit, RocDog. During this wonderful event, Upper and Lower Schoolers alike were able to cuddle with the friendly goldendoodle Jonah, and ask the owner, Paul Anthony of RocDog, any questions about therapy dogs and the organization. Overall, Jonah was a big hit across all grade levels; however, my favorite part was watching the third and fourth graders’ faces light up when they saw the adorable pup.
Mr. Anthony told The Howler that he has one primary job when he brings Jonah around: to make people smile. After all of the amazing feedback from students and staff, we can confidently say that the team accomplished their goal. Mr. Anthony and Jonah will be visiting AC once each month for the rest of the school year, so do not worry if you were unable to attend the February event. We hope these regular visits will lead to a strong relationship with RocDog, and a continuing AC therapy dog program for years to come. •
CITATIONS
https://rocdog.org/
https://www.therapydogs.com/how-do-therapy-dogs-help-in-theclassroom/#:~:text=There%20is%20intense%20pressure%20on,the%20stimulation%20of%20 social%20behavior.
https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1173578.pdf
https://www.signaturehealthinc.org/blog/blog-feed/the-correlation-between-dogs-andimproved-mental-health/#:~:text=These%20are%20the%20%E2%80%9Cfeel%20good,you%20 know%20can%20release%20oxytocin.
EVENTS COLLEGE QUIPS With NEVINGER
SOPHOMORE FORUM
A CLASH THAT DOESN’T LEAD TO CANCELLING
BY JAMES THORNBURGThe tradition of the forum was established by Mrs. Simpson, Allendale Columbia’s 1946 headmaster, in order to encourage pupils to
already had three forums, the most recent being the sophomore forum.
On March 2, 2023, the sophomore forum took place. The forum covered cancel culture or “accountability culture,” which the MerriamWebster Dictionary defines as “the practice or tendency of engaging in mass canceling as a way of expressing disapproval and exerting social pressure.” The five speakers this time were Lizzie Bissonette, the moderator, Oliver Riveros on how canceled culture has impacted celebrities, Shay Hyland-Houser on the dangers of cancel culture, Maddy Manske on the impact of cancel culture on politics, and Ella Herberger on the benefits of cancel culture.
BY OLIVIA FRIES
JUNIORS THIS ONE’S FOR YOU!
Start talking to your families about building your college list. Have a conversation with your parents about what you are looking for in a college, and listen to any suggestions and ideas they may have. Remember, you are a team.
FACTORS TO CONSIDER
Location and distance from home Money and scholarship opportunities
Programs for your major
Overall size and class size
Social and athletic scene
Study abroad and special programs
take a stance on issues and learn to argue. Today, the tradition continues through Mr. Hunt who leads the charge on the forums and serves as an editor for the speeches. When asked what he liked about the forum, Mr. Hunt told The Howler, “The forum is the ideal academic exercise. It entails research, organization of ideas, and public speaking.” This school year, Allendale Columbia has
Overall, the forum was wonderful with the speakers making interesting arguments about the impact of cancel culture on society and politics. A particularly interesting argument was made about private companies like YouTube and TikTok and how they restrict free speech (though they are within the bounds of their terms and conditions). Congratulations to all the speakers on the forum. We can only hope the ninth-grade forum will be just as exceptional. •
CONTACT Mrs. Nevinger at enevinger@ allendalecolumbia.org with questions and make sure you’re signed up in SCOIR. •
FOLLOW
EVENTS
AFRICAN AMERICAN READ-IN
BY EVELYN KACPRZYNSKI
The ‘African American Read-In’ is a national event dedicated to hearing and amplifying Black voices during Black History Month. Dr. Bissonette, English and Humanities director at Allendale Columbia School, started the tradition in 2021. The event took place in the Ursula Burns Dining Commons on the 14th of February, “explor[ing], shar[ing], and celebrat[ing] [works] by African American writers.” “It really feels like the event has grown into something our whole community
of the BSU, both read their own pieces at the event. “My journal entry was about the Buffalo shooting – a traumatic event to me. My cousin lives in Buffalo and she was at Tops just before the shooting. The next morning I had a tough talk with my nieces about racial inequity in America – they were four and six – and that was really hard for me,” explains Harmony. “I wanted to share what it’s like to endure these kinds of events as a Black person in America. The shooting in particular felt so real and so close, so I wanted to express how real it felt to me.” Harmony shares that she cried while giving the speech because it felt so emotional to her.
“I read ‘Gray’ which was an original piece that I wrote last year. The piece surrounded my feelings on the BLM protests, police brutality and the feeling of a lack of control in a society that wasn’t built to include me. This piece felt like a wake up call for myself to keep fighting for my rights but also hopefully for others who don’t understand what it means to be Black in America” Nya shares.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: MAX DOUD
BY AMY OLIVERIis involved in; an event that is filled with support.” says Indy, director of Summer Leap and advisor of The Black Student Union. “The African American Read-In is a chance for students to get up in front of the AC community and read something that is personally meaningful. It is completely voluntary to read, and I am so grateful for the students who have been willing to stand up there and share what’s important to them” Dr. Bissonette reflects.
Harmony Palmer and Nya Hauser, leadersHarmony emphasizes that “The African American Read-In is a very good celebration of Black artistry and creativity; important as it is a recognition of race and difference.” •
The AC community may not know that Max Doud is a local musician. He is a singer, guitarist, songwriter, and performer. He even has two original songs released through a record label. Max plays gigs every weekend and you may see him at local festivals in the summer. He was lucky enough to open for national touring artists, Hinder in Niagara Falls. Max shared, “I absolutely have the best part time job ever and hope to make music my career!” •
FOLLOW MAX ON INSTAGRAM TO FIND OUT ABOUT HIS UPCOMING SHOWS!
CANDYLAND: WILLY WONKA
BY GRACE VAN BORTELEvery Middle School student involved in a club is supporting the ever-popular musical Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka. In an exclusive interview with some of the main cast members, we get an inside peek at how it’s going. Don’t miss the performances on March 17 & 18th at 7pm. This is going to be a great show!
Q. HOW DO YOU GET INTO CHARACTER?
Oliver: I have been doing theater for a long time, so I kind of just get into it immediately. Charlie is similar to me in a lot of ways as I think we look similar and are kind-hearted.
Sydney: Just get into the mindset.
Teddy: You just do it. Fun Fact: I have to speak with a German accent!
Q. HAS ANYTHING BEEN CHALLENGING FOR YOU?
SCHOOL STORE CHANGES COMING
BY JAMES THONRBURGChange is coming to the school store. While the current school store only sells salty snacks and Arnold Palmers, sweeter things and more drinks are coming. If you’ve recently checked your email, you’ll find a survey from Kai Polozie asking what you want to see in the school store. The current most asked for items are Crunch bars, Takis, and Oreos. The school store staff are also looking to diversify their drink selection to include many flavors of Prime, Gatorade, Arizona Green Tea, and perhaps Sprite.
Q. TELL ME ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH THIS MUSICAL.
Ethan: Pretty good.
Nora: Pretty fun.
Sydney: A lot of fun and made a lot of new friends.
Teddy: Very fun to play a main character.
Q. DO YOU HAVE PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE ACTING?
Ethan: A few plays.
Nora: A few school musicals.
Sydney: Only the Addams Family play last spring.
Teddy: Beauty and the Beast earlier this year.
Q. DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE LINE?
Oliver: “Really? This is the best birthday ever!”
Nora: “This is Phineous Trout, where the sweet has turned sour.”
Teddy: “Is ze room getting smaller, or am I getting taller? Ah-ah-CHOO!”
Ethan: [It’s h]ard to get homework done because there is a lot of work going into the play. It’s a good academic activity to work on outside of school.
Nora: It’s challenging that the vocals range a lot from high to low.
Sydney: It’s hard to figure out where to go when people are missing.
Teddy: Vocalizing tenor in the Oompa Loompa song and changing octaves with each line. •
Did you know: Middle Schoolers are making candy that will be sold at the play during intermission!
THE CURRENT SCHOOL STORE MENU INCLUDES
Chips
Pop-Tarts
Cheez-its Pringles
Assorted candy bars
Rice Krispie Treats
When I asked Chris, the overseer of the school store, what’s happening with school store operations, he responded with “we’re looking to move into sweeter items, like candy.” He also told The Howler “the motto of the school store is ‘For the people.’ We will always offer the lowest price possible that still allows us to restock our store.” Chris also plans to rotate special products throughout the year according to seasonal tastes.
Order your golden tickets at https://acstheatre.ludus.com
Other students involved in the store are Awak Thongjang, who is in charge of marketing, Kai Polozie, who works inventory, Thomas Riveros, who is in charge of finances, and Tommy Duver, who runs the snack stand at break. •
Swiss Miss Arnold Palmers
PI DAY WITH MR. NEELEY
BY OLIVIA FRIESFor those of you who do not know or may have forgotten, Pi Day takes place every year on March 14th (3/14), a date representing the first 3 digits of pi and Albert Einstein’s birthday. The first Pi Day celebration dates back to 1988, when American physicist and Pi Day founder Larry Shaw held a circular parade and fruit pie feast at his place of work: the San Francisco Exploratorium. The celebration
Blueberry pie RECIPE CRUST
NotE
I go with the 10-inch two-crust recipe so I am sure to have enough crust. I buy the expensive quarters of shortening because I hate measuring shortening. I also have a scale so I can weigh ingredients, or you can look up weights on the Internet. You can also use store-bought crust; however, you run the risk of a mediocre pie.
Ingredients
1 cup (190 g) shortening
2 and 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
7-8 tablespoons COLD water
Steps
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit
2. Cut shortening into flour and salt mixture with a fork or a pastry cutter until particles are the size of small peas
3. Sprinkle with water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until all flour is moistened and pastry almost cleans the side of the bowl.
4. Gather pastry into a ball; Divide in half. Wrap the second half and keep it someplace cool until you are ready for the top crust.
did not end there, however. In 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation to make Pi Day an official holiday, and now, 35 years later, Pi Day remains a true international phenomenon.
So, what’s the big deal with pi anyways? Pi is used in math to calculate angles and the circumference of a circle. While it doesn’t
5. Shape the first half into a flattened round on a lightly floured surface. Use a rolling pin to roll the pastry from the center to the outside in all directions giving it a turn occasionally and keeping it a somewhat circular shape.
6. When it is large enough to cover the bottom and sides of the pie plate, fold it in quarters and transfer it to the pie plate and then unfold it. If you need to patch any holes, use a little cold water as a “glue” and stick some of your excess pastry where needed.
Filling Notes
Back in Hornell I would go berry picking on Blueberry Hill and immediately wash the berries and freeze them, already measured in 4-cup increments. When I wanted to make a pie, I would take out a bag and let it thaw the night before I planned to make the pie. But, if you opt to use frozen berries, put the bag in a shallow dish while it thaws as there may be liquid that could stain counters, etc..You may also want to use this liquid when you make your filling
Ingredients
¾ cup sugar
2 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (if desired)
4 cups fresh (or frozen) blueberries
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons butter
sound particularly exciting, this number has major implications for the fields of physics, construction, music theory, medicine, aeronautics and the list goes on. Wondering how to celebrate Pi Day this year? Well, look no further! Beloved mathematician Mr. Neeley is here with The Howler to share his favorite pie recipe with the AC community.
Steps
1. In a large bowl mix ½ cup sugar, flour, cinnamon, and gently stir in blueberries.
2. Put the filling into the pastry lined pan. Sprinkle with lemon juice, and dot with butter
3. Roll out the top crust and cover. Squeeze the edges of the crust together and even out as you do so. Cut off excess if there is too much crust, but I don’t usually bother.
4. Create a pinch edge as follows: place index finger on the inside of the pastry edge and thumb and index finger on the outside edge. Pinch pastry into a V shape and continue all the way around the pie.
5. Cut slits in the top of the crust so steam can escape. You can create a design if you wishmaybe the number π!
6. Usually when I make a pie, I also sprinkle the top with a mixture of ½ teaspoon of cinnamon and ¼ cup of sugar.
7. Before you put the pie into the oven, cover the edges with 2-3-inch strips of aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning. Carefully remove this foil during the last 15 minutes of baking.
8. Bake in the center of the oven until the crust is brown and juice begins to bubble through the slits (35-45 minutes). This pie can run over as well so you may want to put a shallow foillined pan on a lower shelf to catch any drips.
10 Questions With Maguire
BY EVELYN KACPRYZINSKIQ. WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT TEACHING?
“Being interviewed for the journalism class!”
Q. WHAT WAS YOUR HIGHLIGHT OF 2022?
“Going to Senegal”
Q. WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES?
“Playing guitar, knitting, and avoiding social gatherings; something interesting about me is that I wrote a book about Chicago: Chicago then and Now. I also gave walking tours while I lived in Chicago”
Q. WHAT WOULD BE THE TITLE OF YOUR MEMOIR?
“Everything I know I learned from Rock and Roll”
Q. DID YOU ALWAYS WANT TO KNOW YOU WANTED TO BE AN ENGLISH TEACHER? IF NOT, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE?
I DON’T WANT TO FIT
ON BEING NONBINARY AND THE BEAUTY STANDARD
BY JAMES THORNBURGI am nonbinary and I have been out for about five years. I wear skirts and sweaters; t-shirts and blouses; ties and necklaces. I have had short and long hair. My hair has been dyed in every color imaginable. I have piercings galore in my ears. I wear plaids and florals. I wear binders and push-up bras. In short, I wear anything and everything and I fit nowhere. Society does not have a place for nonbinary people; in some ways, this is a tragedy. There is no bathroom for us at most locations. Most sex ed doesn’t include us. And sometimes we are even killed. But society also doesn’t have a place for nonbinary people in the beauty standard and this is a gift. Nonbinary people are so much more than a standard, we are a spectrum.
Q. WHAT IS THE CRAZIEST THING YOU’VE EVER DONE?
“I spent three weeks studying Shakespeare tragedies in the Mojave desert in Utah”
Q. WHERE DID YOU GROW UP?
“Chicago”
Q. ARE YOU A CAT OR A DOG PERSON?
“Dog person, they’re not evil like cats”
Q. WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT?
“Bar chords on the guitar”
Q. WHAT GENRE OF MUSIC DO YOU LIKE BEST?
“Rock and Roll”
“I didn’t set out to teach, I just liked to read and write, but over the years I feel like I’ve come to exactly the right place. When I was really young, I might have said that I wanted to be a journalist because I liked to write”•
In America, men are supposed to be strong and muscular while women are expected to be petite and toned. I am neither. While my legs are toned my stomach is jiggly. My arms are strong but not petite like women’s arms are expected to be.
In America, men don’t wear makeup and women are supposed to wear it all the time. Every morning I paint on bold eyeliner with large wings and put on blush. But unlike most women, I don’t wear foundation or black mascara. Instead, I paint my lashes a thousand different colors.
In America, men are expected to be hairy and women are supposed to shave. When I shower, I shave my arms but not my armpits. I keep my legs hairy and relish the feeling of touching the sprouts of hair there.
In America, men are masculine and women are feminine while I am both and neither, my siblings are both and neither. My siblings wear eyeshadow, belts, skirts, and suit jackets. My siblings get tattoos, piercing, breast augmentations, and bottom surgery. My siblings take estrogren and inject testosterone. My siblings shave their bodies and grow a beard. My siblings grow their hair out and cut it off. My siblings wear necklaces, neckties, and chokers. My siblings cover up and show skin. My siblings wear clown core, goth, and streetwear aesthetic. My family expresses themselves any way they want and there is no way a beauty standard can encapsulate that. •
HOWLARIOUS
PARK MIX UP: A LOGIC PUZZLE
HOWLARIOUS
BY MAYA SCHWARTZ
BAM! BOOK ALBUM MOVIE
1984
REVIEW BY JAMES THORNBURGI believe with all my heart that every American should read 1984. The book as a whole is fantastic, and Orwell does a great job of adding dimension to the characters. 1984 is a book about a man named Winston who lives under the watchful eye of “Big Brother.” However, 1984 is about so much more than a man; it is about communism and, in a more relevant sense, censorship. The type of censorship portrayed is not exactly “canceling” as we know it today, but rather the alteration of what is truth and history. Read it, be disturbed by it, cry when it’s sad. It is truly a work to marvel at.
Fun fact: George Orwell was born Eric Arthur Blair. He used a pseudonym partly due to a fear of failure, and partly because he didn’t want his parents to read what he wrote. •
AMERICAN IDIOT GREEN DAY
GENRE: PUNK
RATING: 10/10 (SOUND PRODUCTION)
REVIEW BY GABE COSTANZOAmerican Idiot was written as a comment on the post-9/11 world. Themes of fear and xenophobia were emerging, and this album was an accusation that mass media was stirring up paranoia and confusion in our society.
In keeping with the hard-rocking, inyour-face style that Green Day has become known for, the song “American Idiot” features heavy, distorted guitar and bass riffs on power chords interspersed with punk-like, declamatory vocal phrases delivered by guitarist and lead vocalist, Billie Joe Armstrong. Harmonically, the song stays within one key, which is driven home repeatedly by the guitar and bass riffs on the verses. The chorus offers some harmonic variety, with a chord progression that is also used in an instrumental bridge section that brings the listener back to the opening material. The mixing engineer created some contrast in the vocal track (around 2:15) to sound like it may be coming out of an old radio or TV set. Drums punctuate the song throughout, with an unrelenting groove that powers the song from beginning to end. •
NOPE
JORDAN PEELE
GENRE: HORROR/ SCI-FI
RATING: 8/10
REVIEWBY
GRACE VAN BORTELAfter the mysterious death of their famous horse trainer father, siblings Otis and Emerald Haywood set out to save their family horse farm. In an unexpected turn of events, the duo soon discovers a strange phenomenon in the sky above their ranch that they believe is a spaceship. The siblings decide to record the alien ship, so that they can send it to Oprah and make money to save the ranch. However, as the movie progresses, the spaceship becomes more than an alien, but an angry monster that must be destroyed.
This movie has so many layers, and it may take more than one viewing to understand the symbolic nature. Interestingly, Nope is divided into subtitles named after different animals in the movie, and the spaceship itself is referred to as a spectacle. The main characters all chase fame and glory, “the spectacle,” for different reasons.
While not a movie I would usually choose to watch, I appreciate the complexity, symbolism, and suspense it delivers to the audience. Nope definitely left me thinking. In addition, the film has beautiful cinematography, with many of the ranch scenes filmed in Santa Clarita, CA. The main character, OJ, is brilliantly played by Daniel Kaluuya, while his sister is played by Keke Palmer, who is hilarious.
I would recommend this movie for mature audiences as there is violence, gore, and inappropriate language. •
PHILOSOPHY WITH ADAM WANG
BY ADAM WANGIn this article, I want to ascertain whether or not a multiparty system can offer a more diverse, moderate, collaborative, and adaptable mechanism for the United States. Arguably, we are in a turning era of time that has two parties holding distinct understandings of American identity, in most of American history there is a hidden four-party system where overlapping and capricious exist. The growing polarization is almost a consensus.
WHY DO WE NEED A MULTIPARTY SYSTEM?
Given that the current zero-sum bipartisan system- the winner-take-all electoral system, two disciplined, organized national political groups- deepens the stakes in partisan conflict, which obstructs the compromise in politics and cooperation in the nation. Both parties utilitarianly not to waste resources and time in the districts, where they are less likely to win. As a result, the originally blue district is increasingly blue, and the red district is increasingly red, whereas the purple swing district is declining quickly.
In the history of humanity, the idea of peace created by the three is not uncommon. Voltaire observes that: “If there were only one religion in England, there would be danger of tyranny; if there were two, they would cut each other’s throats; but there are thirty, and they live happily together in peace.” Today, partisan diversity is even a consensus that modern developing democracies rarely adopt the bi-party system represented by the United States. Looking at South Korea’s Constitutional Assembly of 1948 held by the U.S. The Military Government established a multiparty system for Korea, rather than a bipartite one.
Though it is undeniable that conflicts and disagreements are the norm in democratic politics, the role of politics is to reconcile these differences and get them marching toward the common good. But the growing
disagreement comes up with “American identity.” Political parties mobilize voters by tapping into resentment and exploiting, parties have a logical private interest to mobilize their supporters in such a way, as pulling away from such a vicious race means a possible defeat. In a way, multiparty reform is like a struggle against monopoly in the political party and the rigid belief in “American identity.”
HOW DO WE BUILD A MULTIPARTY DEMOCRACY IN THE UNITED STATES?
In order to build a multiparty democracy in the U.S., implanting the PR or RCV system in the U.S. to outlaw the winner-take-all elections would be ideal.
The Multi-Winner Ranked-Choice Voting system requires the voters to rank the candidates in order of preference. When candidates are eliminated from the bottom of the list, the votes of those eliminated are automatically transferred to the next choice of their supporters. In this way, each ballot plays a role. In this perspective, we shall determine the top x number of candidates who should enter the lower house according to the populations of each state. Meanwhile, the larger the population of the district is, the threshold for winning shall be increased proportionally to avoid too many parties. A ballot as follows imitating the Australian multi-winner RCV: Such an electoral system while retaining the simplicity and conciseness of the current bipartisanship elections, it also gives parties the right to choose their preferred ranking order and candidate, which is more acceptable for both parties that currently have a direct interest in the current election system.
CONCLUSION
Given that we are now in an era where the two-party system is becoming increasingly zero-sum, we need to change the current winner-take-all electoral system and steer the United States toward multi-party democracy. Because of the diversity and partisan accommodation that a multiparty democracy brings, our democracy can usher in more civic engagement, less confrontation, and focus more on the minorities’ representation. I have proposed an exemplary U.S. Electoral Reform Packet that brings change on the Constitutional level. •
Citations
Curry, James M., and Frances E. Lee. The Limits of Party : Congress and Lawmaking in a Polarized Era. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2020.
Cramer, Katherine J. (Katherine Jean). The Politics of Resentment : Rural Consciousness in Wisconsin and the Rise of Scott Walker. Chicago ; University of Chicago Press, 2016. Disch, Lisa Jane. The Tyranny of the Two-Party System. New York: Columbia University Press, 2002. https://doi.org/10.7312/ disc11034.
Downs, Anthony. 1957. An economic theory of democracy. New York: Harper.
Freedom House. “Countries | Freedom House.” freedomhouse.org. Freedom House, July 24, 2022. https:// freedomhouse.org/countries/freedom-world/scores.
Gilmour, C. Edwin. “THE FUTURE OF THE AMERICAN PARTY SYSTEM.” India Quarterly 38, no. 1 (1982): 20–50. http://www. jstor.org/stable/45071710.
Im, Hyug Baeg. “The US Role in Korean Democracy and Security since Cold War Era.” International Relations of the Asia-Pacific 6, no. 2 (2006): 157–87. http://www.jstor.org/ stable/26156543.
Lee, Drutman. Breaking the two-party doom loop: the case for multiparty democracy in America. Oxford University Press, 2020.
Plato. (1943). Plato’s The Republic. New York: Books, Inc., Reilly, Katie. “Read Hillary Clinton’s ‘Basket of Deplorables’ Remarks about Donald Trump Supporters.” Time. Time, September 10, 2016. https://time.com/4486502/hillaryclinton-basket-of-deplorables-transcript/.
Roese, Neal J. “Backlash Effects in Attack Politics.” Journal of Applied Social Psychology 23, no. 8 (1993): 632–53.
Thomas. 1912. The Summa Theologica of St. Thomas Aquinas. London: Burns Oates & Washbourne.
U.S. Const. art. I, § 3.
U.S. Const. art. IV, § 1.
HAC-INSIDE THE DEN
SECTIONAL SUCCESS
BY OLIVIA FRIESA few top athletes rose to top during the winter sports season’s Sectional competitions, and The Howler is very excited to share their success with the AC community. For Indoor Track & Field, Aidan Bouge ‘23 was named Class A5 Section V Champion for the 55-meter hurdle event. With a time of just 9.19 seconds, Bouge earned himself a place in the state qualifier meet. Bouge reflects on his victory: “The season really prepared me for outdoor track. I am really excited about running.” As his final season approaches, the AC community is proud to have a runner such as Aidan representing our school. The next Indoor Track & Field star is Tommy Duver ‘23 who placed third for both shotput and weight throw in the Sectional meet. Duver set two personal records for these events, throwing an impressive distance of 39’ 8.5” for the shotput and 42’ 10.5” for the weight throw. Reports from the meet indicate that Duver would have placed second in these events had it not been for a “seven-foot behemoth with his own student section” who crushed the competition.
On the girls team, Katie Chapados ‘26 placed 3rd in her 1000-meter run with a speedy time of 3:32.8, and 2nd in her high jump (4’ 8”). Her twin, Jessica Chapados ‘26 also rose to the top of the competition, earning 4th place in her 600-meter run event. Together, the dynamic duo were able to shave off around 20 seconds from their 4x800-meter relay event, securing 2nd place for the team. As they are only freshmen, the Allendale Columbia community is excited to have these sister track stars in the HAC athletic program for many more years.
HAC Swimming & Diving also saw great achievements in their 2022-23 season. The girls team scored 8th place out of 12 teams overall in the GRNO Intersectional Championships. Together, the AC student athletes Chloe Terio ‘27, Ella Herberger ‘25, Mollie Klinkbeil ‘25, and Leia Shearer ‘23, scored 5th place in the 200-yard medley relay, and 6th place in the 200-yard freestyle relay out of the 12 participating teams. On an individual level, Tario scored 2nd place out of 16 girls for her 200 and 500-yard freestyle, Herberger scored 8th place out of 18 for her 100-yard breaststroke, Klinkbeil scored 9th place out of 18 for her 100-yard backstroke, and Shearer scored an extremely impressive 8th place out of 36 girls for her 50-yard freestyle.
Overall, the boys team placed 3rd in the Section V Class C Championships, an incredible feat. However, Boys Diving, in particular, stood out this year as Kiran Natarajan ‘24 and his younger brother Kavin Natarajan ‘27 placed first and third respectively in the competition. On Thursday March 2nd, AC even had the honor to send Kiran Natarajan off to compete in the New York State Championship tournament where he ended up being a finalist, earning 13th place. •
HAC-INSIDE THE DEN
BY OLIVIA FRIESSPRING . HOME OPENERS
Be a part of the Wolf Pack and come support HAC spring sports during each of their home openers (listed below). As discussed in the last issue of The Howler, it is vital for our teams to have an active student section to optimize their chances of success. Follow @hacwolfpack on Instagram for updates on what to wear, and be ready to cheer on your fellow studentathletes.
Boys Tennis
March 23, 3:45 pm vs. East Rochester
Track & Field
April 11, 5:00 pm vs. Bloomfield, Honeoye, East Rochester, Geneva, Palmyra-Macedon (AWAY - Track & Field does not compete at home)
Boys Baseball
April 12, 4:30 pm vs. South Seneca/Romulus
Girls Softball
Apr 12, 4:30 pm vs. South Seneca/Romulus
Unified Basketball
May 2, 4:30 pm OR May 4, 4:30 pm (opponent TBD) •
Highlight . of . the Season Award
The HAC winter sports season was very exciting this year, filled with thrilling comebacks, personal records, and sectional victories. However, in the midst of all of this success, The Howler would like to recognize one specific moment that stood out as the 2022-23 Winter Sports “Highlight of the Season.”
Similar to an NFL MVP or Nobel Prize, being the athlete behind The Howler’s “Highlight of the Season” award comes with the utmost prestige. This award is given to an HAC student athlete who made an athletic play to be remembered by the AC community for years to come. For the winter sports season, The Howler staff had no trouble selecting our first ever recipient for the “Highlight of the Season” award.
This season’s award is proudly presented to Awak Thongjang ‘23 for his incredible Senior Night dunk which narrowed the gap between HAC and Bloomfield to three points with less than four minutes to go, created tremendous momentum for the team, and left the Wolf Pack cheering like never before. As someone who witnessed this incredible play with my own two eyes, I can say it was certainly a time to be alive. Watch the full clip using the QR code below.
Now, let’s have a quick word with our recipient, Awak Thongjang:
Q. WHAT WAS GOING THROUGH YOUR MIND WHEN YOU DECIDED TO GO FOR THE DUNK?
“I saw that I had an open layup, and I was thinking ‘oh well, I’ll go for the dunk.’ However, when I went up, the guy went up with me, and then I was thinking ‘oh shoot why did I do this.’ Once I saw I had made the dunk, I was like ‘oh well, I guess I made it.’
Q. HOW HAS YOUR LIFE CHANGED SINCE YOU MADE THAT DUNK?
“I became a permanent starter for a while. People congratulated me left and right. In fact, I was told I made the second dunk in the Gannett gym in AC history.”
Q. HOW DO YOU FEEL AS THE FIRST EVER RECIPIENT OF THE HOWLER’S HIGHLIGHT OF THE SEASON AWARD?
“I feel honored to receive this award, and I am happy that I was recognized for my athletic accomplishments.” •
HAC-INSIDE THE DEN THE
Train in the off-season with Weightlifting CluB
BY THOMAS DUVER, OLIVIA FRIES, AND KAI POLOZIE
full workout WiTH KAI (ADVANCED)
DAILY WARM UP: foam roller and rowing machine for knees
MONDAY: high intensity interval training (10-12, 2-minute intervals; 185-203 heart rate)
TUESDAY: arms, shoulders, chest also legs and abs (2 hours)
WEDNESDAY: longer anaerobic threshold work (2, 10-minute intervals; 165-185 heart rate)
THURSDAY: back, biceps, abs also chest and shoulders (2 hours)
FRIDAY: steady state cardio (1.2 hours; >145 heart rate)
SATURDAY: legs and abs (2 hours)
SUNDAY: rest day
home workout with Tommy (BASIC)
3 sets of 10 pushups (3 days/week)
20 body weight squats (3 days/week)
3 sets of 20 crunches (3 days/week)
Cardio: run/walk/bike for at least 30 minutes (5 days/week)
Unified Basketball sign-ups
BY OLIVIA FRIESUnified Basketball sign-ups are officially out! Unified Basketball is open to all Upper School students who are interested in this once-
Disclaimer: These exercises are a general guideline. Tailor each activity to your own ability, changing sets or reps as needed. People with underlying conditions should consult their doctor before participating in this workout routine. The Howler is not responsible for any harm that occurs as a result of this workout. •
in-a-lifetime opportunity to work with, and compete against, students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Practices will start the week of April 10th-14th. Scan the QR code to claim your spot on the team before it is too late.
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Colleen Doyle at cdoyle@allendalecolumbia.org, Seth Hopkins at shopkins@allendalecolumbia.org, or Olivia Fries at ofries23@allendalecolumbia. org for more information. •
“Any workout is better than no workout. Do something.”
KAI POLOZIE
“Don’t compare yourself to others, compare yourself to your past self. Your goal should be selfimprovement.”
TOMMY DUVER
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Car Dependency: It needs to end
BY MAYA SCHWARTZ
The phenomenon of car dependency is taking over our lives. Cities are demolishing historic buildings in order to build more roads, people are spending more money on gas than ever before, and people’s homes are being taken away to construct new roadways. In the future, it is likely most cities will consist of nothing but roads, made to serve cars instead of people.
Along with ruining the landscape of the world, car dependency will eventually destroy our climate. Cars are one of the biggest contributors to global warming, releasing
WILL CHINA’S HANDLING OF REAL-ESTATE QUESTIONS HINDER economic growth?
BY THOMAS RIVEROSbillions of tons of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. These gasses could end up negatively affecting our climate, disrupting the balance of nature and making the Earth uninhabitable for humans.
So, if humanity wants to survive far into the future, we need to stop depending on cars. •
YOU ARE GETTING PROBED
BY NOLAN REDHEADI urge readers to take the following claims seriously.
The Pentagon released documents that they were using mind control research on troops. There is now evidence that 5G waves are used to control human and animal brains. What is stopping the government from testing this
Over the past year, China has experienced a decline in its housing market. Concerns have grown over whether the decline will continue and if it will spread to other industries. Today, property development accounts for around 2530% of the Chinese GDP. The main reason for its outsized share of GDP is that China’s urban population has been growing tremendously since the 1990s when farmers began moving to cities to work in factories. In 1998, the Chinese government introduced the presale system that allowed property developers to sell apartments before they were complete. The buyer gave a down payment and paid monthly mortgage installments as the apartment was constructed. This system meant the property developers got all of the money upfront and could do whatever they wanted with most of it before they had to worry about finishing the project. This law, along with excessive amounts of debt, meant developers grew expeditiously, selling millions of apartments.
One of the primary issues with the Chinese Communist system is that it creates incredibly high GDP growth targets, and uses whatever means necessary to achieve them. What these have caused over the past ten years is overinvestment into projects that cost more than they contribute to the economy.
theory on the general population?
As for protecting one’s self from 5G dangers, the idea of wearing a custom tinfoil hat to prevent 5G waves is heavily suggested. Although getting a custom tinfoil hat could get expensive, an easier and more affordable way to protect yourself is to make one out of aluminum foil. First take one yard of foil out of the roll, shiny side up. Then, wrap it around
An important way the Chinese government works towards its targets is through Window Guidance, which is a policy that allows The People’s Bank of China to compel other banks to extend credit to certain sectors of the economy (specifically real estate). With such a large amount of cheap money, developers let their balance sheets run wild.
In 2020, the CCP realized that property developers were creating economic instability through excessive borrowing. To remedy this issue, they decided to implement the Three Red Lines policy which forced developers to clean up their balance sheets. However, many were far too indebted and, as a result of lost funding, many projects were halted. Even though their houses were not being built, people were still expected to make their mortgage payments. Consequently, many stopped paying them entirely. In December of 2022, the world’s most indebted property developer, China Evergrande, defaulted on its U.S. dollar bonds. Although the company has not yet collapsed, it seems inevitable unless the Chinese government steps in. The company is in a total of 300 billion dollars in debt which is equivalent to around 2% of China’s GDP.
It seems likely that the Chinese government will take over Evergrande and other failing property developers. China appears to be moving towards a more state-centered economy, which will likely decrease its overall growth in the coming years. •
your head counterclockwise. This stylish new hat will protect you from future threats.
I would like to hear conspiracy theories from you, the reader. Please submit a picture of you in a tinfoil hat to thehowler@ allendalecolumbia.org and your favorite conspiracy theory to be featured in the next issue. •
CLASSIFIEDS
Muse
Are You an Artist, a Writer, a Photographer? Submit to AC’s Literary Art Magazine - MUSE. Scan this QR code to submit your work!
THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG
April 21-22
Order tickets at https://acstheatre.ludus.com
STUDENT RUN INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS TO FOLLOW
Godkin saves orphaned
axolotls
from harsh life in CountryMax
BY OLIVIA FRIESCome down to S2 to meet Mr. Godkin’s new pet Axolotls. Axolotls, also known as the “Mexican Walking Fish” are a type of salamander originally from Lake Xochimilco and Lake Chalco in Mexico City. Axolotls differ greatly from other salamanders in the sense that they are neotenic, keeping their juvenile features for their entire life. This permanent adolescence also means that axolotls are fully aquatic creatures, typical of salamander larvae. Perhaps the most interesting fact about axolotls is their ability to regenerate body parts. Axolotl limbs, lungs, heart, spines, jaws, and parts of their brain can regenerate numerous times and retain full function. Due to these “powers,” scientists have been closely studying the axolotl in hopes of learning more about their healing abilities and finding ways to apply them to modern medicine. While axolotls come in many morphs - or types - Mr. Godkin’s are golden albino and wild type.
MASTHEAD
Copyright March 15, 2023
PUBLISHER
Allendale Columbia School
Staff
Olivia Fries, Evelyn Kacprzynski, Nolan Redhead, James
Thornburg, Grace Van Bortel
Contributors
Aryana Saedi, Adam Wang, Thomas Riveros, Kai Polozie, Thomas Duver, Brent Neeley, Gabe Costanzo
Illustrator
Maya Schwartz
Copyeditors/Proofreaders
Maya Crosby, Morgan Farrow
LAYOUT/DIRECTION
Amy Oliveri
These new AC pets are facing a serious issue, however. They do not have names. To help solve this problem, Mr. Godkin is posting a survey open to all Upper School students, where they can vote on their favorite name for both the golden albino (yellow) and wild type (black) axolotls. Use the QR code to have a part in this democratic process necessary to the future of the STEM department. AC is very excited to welcome these incredible and mysterious creatures to campus. Mr. Godkin tells The Howler, “anyone who wants to check them out can feel free to pop in to S2 whenever I don’t have class.” •
