SCREEN time
ELLE DILORETO
What can’t you find on the TV? You can find almost anything! Weather, news, entertainment, education, culture, sports, music!
It was found that in 2024, globally, people averaged 6 hours and 40 minutes of screen time per day. Almost half (49%) of 0 to 2 year olds interact with smartphones. Those are crazy statistics for people worldwide. Believe it or not there are dangers to watching that much TV.
Do you think screen time is good for you or bad for you?
Research has found that there is a strong link between binge-watching and mental health problems, such as depression, insomnia, anxiety, stress, and loneliness.
Along with this, watching TV can also affect your posture. When you watch TV, it can cause your spine to become curved or weak, leading to pain and musculoskeletal issues (a group of conditions that can affect the muscles, bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and spinal disks).
Lastly, a danger that can occur with watching TV, is the lack of physical activity. If you’re spending more time on the couch and less time exercising, your risk of heart disease, including stroke, is higher.
There are also benefits to watching TV, though
it may not seem.
TV has the ability to create powerful touchstones, which means, TV enables people to share cultural experiences with others.
TV can get people to start reading more often. If you follow up on your favorite TV series, which happens to have originally started as a book, you may be interested in reading the book that inspired the series.
Lastly, a benefit that can occur with watching. The news (current events) and historical programming, can help make people more aware of other cultures and people.
HOW many hours of SCREEN TIME do you average per day?
Here we can see that the most screen time is tied with 2 to 4 hours or 4 to 6 hours, which is a little less than the 6 hours and 40 minutes of screen time an average person watches per day. It also seems that students are aware of whether this much screen time is bad or good for them, and bad takes the lead by a little bit, but it’s important to remember that you know what’s good and bad for you. It’s important to be aware of both sides when watching TV, and make sure you set limits for yourself, to ensure you’re taking care of your health!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SCREEN TIME PAGE 1
ALUMS: 2-3
ENTERTAINMENT: HOWLARIOUS PAGE 4-7
ADVICE PAGE 8
LUNAR NEW YEAR
As the first month of 2025 is coming to an end, the most important festival in Asian culture is about to be celebrated. As some of you might know, it is the Lunar New Year, often referred to as Spring Festival. On January 29th, almost every restaurant, shop, and mall closes down, and everybody goes to their house to stay with their family and friends. It marks the start of a new year based on the lunar calendar. Rooted in centuriesold traditions, Lunar New Year is more than just a festive occasion—it’s a time for family, renewal, and cultural pride.
Preparation for Lunar New Year begins weeks in advance. Homes are cleaned to sweep away bad luck and welcome good fortune, and families decorate with red lanterns, paper cutouts, and calligraphy couplets for prosperity and happiness. For those celebrating, markets and stores come alive as people shop for new clothes, traditional foods, and red envelopes called hongbao or li xi, filled with money to gift to children and younger family members. These envelopes symbolize blessings and good luck. Wishing everyone good luck in the new year!
PETER LIU
THE HOWLER
COLLEGE PANEL
Hello everyone, it’s me again with another killer article. This month I am writing about the College Panel that occurred on January 9th, 2025. I know what you are thinking, not another history article, but I am here to save the day and tell you there is no history involved. I can already hear your sighs of relief. But for those of you who were not attending the College Panel, you missed a very inspirational, funny, and joyful day. Now I will jump in and introduce everyone that spoke.
Our first speaker is none other than the record holder himself for eating 100 chicken tenders for lunch, Christopher Smoker. He graduated from Allendale Columbia in 2023, is currently attending Ithaca College, and is majoring in Political Science: International Relations, and is minoring in economics, business, innovation and entrepreneurship.
Most likely to knit their own sweater is none other than Lee Reddington. They graduated from Allendale Columbia in 2022. They are attending Maryland Institute College of Art for Fibers and Art Education.
Most likely to start a debate on a daily basis. It is none other than James Thornburg. James graduated from Allendale Columbia in 2024, and they are currently attending Hobart and William. They are majoring in history. They admitted that at first they did not like the college, but grew to like it over time.
Most likely to be the person we would call if the world was abducted by pirates because he fences. It is none other than Marcus Frassetto himself. Marcus Graduated from Allendale Columbia in 2024 and is attending the Rochester Institute of
Technology for game design and development.
Most likely to start the party and become a comedian is none other than Harmony Palmer. Harmony graduated from Allendale Columbia in 2023, and she is attending Cornell for Biochemistry. She mentioned that it took her some time and trial and error to find what she wanted to do. She tried biology, but found out that it wasn’t something she enjoyed, found out that she was more interested in chemistry.
Most likely to have an illustration published in Rolling Stone magazine goes to Maya Schwartz. She graduated from Allendale Columbia in 2023. She is attending Rochester Institute of Technology for Illustration.
Most likely to break a glass with her amazing high notes is none other than Gabriela Barelli. Gabriela graduated from Allendale Columbia in 2023. She is attending Cornell University for Performing and Media Arts, and Environment & Sustainability.
The person who we would all find if the Wi-Fi went out is none other than Adam Rodgers. He graduated from Allendale Columbia in 2023. He is attending Syracuse University for Computer Engineering.
Most likely to paint murals over the entire school is none other than Sophie Diehl. She graduated from Allendale Columbia in 2022. She is attending Ithaca College for Theatre Production and Design.
How did AC prepare you for college?
AC prepares you to write and research well.
AC helps you select classes for basic curriculum.
What is some advice for choosing a college?
There is no such thing as a perfect college. You should look for what the school has to offer you for your major.
Go with what feels right and what makes you happy.
Big named colleges that are known do not define happiness.
What do you wish you knew about your college before going?
Things at college will not be perfect. You will find something that you don’t like.
At larger schools it may be tricker to find help.
Getting help from counselors and healthcare staff can be tricky at times.
How did you know what major you wanted to go into?
Know your strengths and what makes you happy.
It is normal not to know what you want to do. Don’t choose what you think you should do, but what you want to do.
It’s normal to have doubts. That could mean that major is not for you and that could be an opportunity to change your major.
Make time and opportunities to do what you love and be flexible.
Don’t limit yourself, “If you love your job you won’t have to work a day in your life.”
It’s okay to change majors.
Do something you truly enjoy.
Experiment with different things, if you want to join a club but you are unsure, do it anyway to see if you like it.
What is the social life of a college student like?
Find the right group of people that share common interests.
You will lose friends along the way, but you will also make new friends as well.
Make friends with people that are in the same classes as you are.
Push yourself out of your comfort zone. Make opportunities to meet new people. You will find your people. It will take time. Go to campus activities and orientation.
Having friends will make your college experience fun.
Finding your core group is important.
Are teachers willing to make accomodations?
It varies, it depends on the professor. Some are strict and won’t accept late work.
Communication with teachers is extremely important. Make connections.
If you show that you care, they are willing to help you.
Show up to class on time and prepared.
THE HOWLER
What was it like going from Allendale Columbia to a large school with more people you don’t know?
It is hard to acclimate, but it is exciting.
Be willing to become more open to opportunities.
Everyone is looking for someone to talk to and lean on for support.
Become somebody’s person.
You are not gonna lose everyone You will still have your family and friends during college.
Call your parents. They miss you and just want to make sure you are okay They are also learning to accommodate.
A
day in the life of a college student?
Balance your schedule. Know when you have classes and when you have free time.
Turn work in on time.
Find the little things that make you feel okay,
whether it’s getting a job or doing your favorite hobby.
You are allowed to have an on campus job. Build structure for your day if you need it. If you want to plan out every second of the day that is completely fine. It is whatever works for you.
It takes time to adjust to the college student lifestyle.
“When you love it, it won’t feel like work.” You will figure it out. The students like to call it “Adulting 101.”
The small writing assignments if not done can add up really quick and drop your grade. Do the assignments as soon as they’re assigned.
Thank you for reading my article! I hope this calms your nerves for college or applying for college.
CHIP TIER LIST
A tier list is a ranking of different concepts, ideas, items, or themes. It can be about literally anything and ranks whatever is in the subject from worst to best, typically ranging from F tier (worst) to S tier (best).
Tier lists originated from video games, where people would rank certain
characters or game modes based on how good they are, then spread to other topics through social media like tiktok and youtube. Nowadays you can find a tier list of just about anything!
HOWLARIOUs
HOWLARIOUs
HOWLARIOUs
HOWLARIOUs
AMORA ASKS!
AMORA THONGJANG
New Year new advice! In 2025, we decided to switch up Amora’s advice column, and this time Kate will be giving Amora advice on new questions she has in the new year.
Amora: What are some resolutions I can start in the new year?
Kate: One beneficial resolution for starting the new year is to be more organized and manage your time better. These are super easy resolutions, and it is never too late to start. One way I keep myself organized is by making to-do lists. This is very effective especially if you have a busy schedule.
A: How can I keep up my resolutions?
K: Set reminders on your phone, use a planner, and stay on top of your work.
A: How can I better my school life in the new semester?
K: In the new semester, find classes that interest you, maybe even ones that will apply to your interests in the future. Stay ahead of your work so you can start the new semester ahead.
A: Have you had any setbacks or struggles in your resolutions so far?
K: I haven’t had any setbacks or struggles, because I haven’t pursued much of my New Year resolution. I feel like if I do get set back, I could just start over again.
COPYRIGHT JANUARY 31, 2025
PUBLISHER
ALLENDALE COLUMBIA SCHOOL
thehowler@allendalecolumbia.org
Marina Ellmaker, Caitlin Swartz, Mackenzie Opira, Elle DiLoreto, Tayler Perkins, Jack Bogue, Peter Niu, Jeremiah Strader, Kate May, Amora Thongjang, Bri D’Lallo
Audriana Williams, Siena Ardizzone, Jack Diehl, Ari Hagelberg, Evan Krenzer, and Ryan D’Arduini
COPYEDITORS
Elle DiLoreto, Vince Bissonette DIRECTOR
Amy Oliveri LAYOUT
Amy Oliveri