What is Diwali?
Many students may be wondering what Diwali is, why it’s important, and how millions celebrate it every year, especially because our school now gives a day off for it. Diwali is often called the “festival of lights” because of the colorful lamps and fireworks lit for the holiday every year; however, it signifies much more than that. Diwali is the celebration of light triumphing over darkness, and good triumphing over evil. Diwali is a major festival celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and some Buddhists, each with their own traditions, but with a central theme of light. The word Diwali comes from the term Deepavali, meaning “ a row of lights.” Small oil lamps are placed outside homes and temples to symbolize light driving away darkness, and how faith in good can protect you from all types of evil.
Diwali is primarily a Hindu festival that commemorates the return of Lord Rama to his kingdom in Ayodhya with his wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana after defeating the demon king Ravana, the ultimate portrayal of good triumphing over evil. The people of Ayodhya in India often light lamps to guide him home, and his return is marked by celebrations. For many Hindus, the holiday also honors Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. She is welcomed into brightly lit homes to bless families with good fortune for many years to come.
moment that symbolizes freedom and justice. Jains celebrate it as the day Lord Mahavira, a respected teacher, achieved Moksha(enlightenment). Despite the different reasons religions celebrate this holy day, they all celebrate goodness, truth, and faith. Across India and other countries, Diwali is often celebrated over five days with prayers, family gatherings, and LOTS of food. Homes are also often decorated with rangoli (patterns made from colored powders) on their front porches. Sweets are exchanged with everyone, and fireworks light up the sky. Many families also take time to reflect on their past year and their lives, clearing any heavy burdens from their hearts and being thankful for the lives they have.
In recent years, Diwali has become a global celebration, recognized in many countries. Even in our own AC community, students and families can celebrate by lighting candles, sharing good food, and attending local Diwali events. It is also important to remember that you DO NOT NEED TO BE RELIGIOUS to celebrate this holiday. Diwali is all about connecting with the good in yourself and the good in the world. It is a wonderful opportunity to learn about diverse cultures and embrace the message that hope will always prevail.
ZARAGOZA EXCHANGE
For Sikhs, Diwali marks the release of Guru Hargobind Ji from imprisonment in 1619, a
Diwali is not just a festival of lights; it is a reminder to keep being positive and light the world up with good, no matter how dark things may seem.
The end of October is here which means the Spanish exchange students will be here soon too! The exchange program is an awesome opportunity our school offers where students from other countries are able to come to our school and shadow a student for two weeks, and students from AC are able to do the same thing in the other country. This year the students are from Zaragoza, Spain and are coming from October 25thNovember 8th, and Allendale students will be leaving for Spain, April 10th - April 28th. I am very excited to go on this exchange and get to know RocÍo and my host family better. They are coming at the perfect time to do so many fun things and fall activities. I plan on showing RocÍo around Pittsford Village and doing things like walking along the canal, getting ice cream, and going to Hungry’s. Her one request was that we go to Crumbl Cookie. We will also check out Wegmans (try American snacks), go trick or treating, go to brunch before school, check out Eastview Mall, and go to plenty of sporting events like soccer games and for sure the sectional volleyball game Thursday, October 30th. This exchange opportunity is extremely unique and I can’t wait to do it. I’m equally excited to host RocÍo and show her my world just as much as I am to go to Spain in the spring. If you see a Spanish student in the hall make sure to say, “hi,” and maybe ask them about themselves!
MACKENZIE OPIRA
Photo by Suchandra Roy Chowdhury
THE HOWLER
ORIGINS OF ALL HALLOW’S EVE
Every year on October 31, millions of people around the world dress up in costumes, carve pumpkins, and go trick-or-treating around their neighborhoods. But have you ever stopped to wonder where this spooky celebration really comes from? The story of Halloween goes back thousands of years, mixing ancient Celtic traditions, religious changes, and modern customs into the holiday we know today as Halloween.
The origins of Halloween can be traced back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. The Celts are a collection of powerful Iron Age tribes that lived about 2,000 years ago in Europe in areas that are now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France. They celebrated their new year on November 1, which marked the end of summer and the harvest season, and the beginning of the cold, dark winter—a time often associated with death. On the night before the new year, October 31, they believed that the boundary between the living and the dead blurred.
During Samhain, people lit large bonfires and wore costumes made of animal skins to ward off spirits. They also offered food to the gods and to the wandering souls, hoping to be protected during the coming winter. Many historians believe that this ancient festival is the root of many Halloween traditions we still follow today.
games like apple bobbing during Halloween.
Centuries later, as Christianity spread through Europe, the Church tried to replace pagan festivals with Christian holidays. In the 8th century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as All Saints’ Day, also called All Hallows’ Day, to honor saints and martyrs (someone who is killed for their religious or political beliefs). The night before it, which is October 31, became known as All Hallows’ Eve, which eventually shortened to Halloween.
When the Roman Empire conquered Celtic territories, two Roman festivals were combined with Samhain. One was Feralia, a day to honor the dead, and the other was a celebration of Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. Her symbol was the apple, and this may be the reason why people still play
In the 1800s, Irish immigrants brought many of their Halloween customs to the United States. At first, the holiday was celebrated mostly in small communities, but it quickly grew in America and evolved. Americans began dressing in costumes, visiting neighbors for treats, and carving faces into pumpkins instead of turnips (which were traditionally used in Ireland). By the early 20th century, Halloween had become one of the most popular and community-centered holidays in the country. Today, Halloween is celebrated in many countries with a mix of old and new traditions. People watch horror movies, visit haunted houses, and decorate their homes with ghosts, bats, and witches. Even though its meaning has changed over time, the spirit of the holiday remains the same: a night to face our fears, remember the past, and have fun in the dark.
TOP 5 Halloween Events in Rochester
Rochester becomes a beautiful place as fall comes around. There are multiple events and activities to celebrate the fall season, from Haunted Hayrides to apple picking. In no particular order, here are five of the most popular events around Rochester.
1. Wickham Farms
At Wickham Farms, located in Penfield, there are numerous activities to partake in while spending an afternoon there: taking a hayride up to their beautiful apple orchid; pumpkin picking; having a donut and one of their famous fall drinks, which consists of vanilla ice cream, apple cider slushy, and topped with whipped cream and a donut. They also offer a pass to their “Barnyard” which consists of activities such as hillside slides, petting farm animals, jumping pillow, mini golf, and many more. Wickham Farms is well loved by the locals of Rochester.
2. Nightmare Manor
At Nightmare Manor, located at Southtown plaza in Henrietta, you can immerse yourself in a haunted experience within this haunted house. It has been known as Rochester’s best haunted house attraction, and is well loved by the people in Rochester.
3. Brighton Farmers’ Market
The Brighton Farmers’ Market, as it says in the name, is located in Brighton, in the parking lot of Brighton High School. Similar to any other typical farmers market, The Brighton Farmers’ Market hosts local businesses and restaurants that bring products to sell. From local farms and restaurants with food trucks, to local craft businesses, The Brighton Farmers’ Market has something to offer for everyone.
4. VerHulst Haunted Hayride
The VerHulst Haunted Hayride is located in Spencerport. The experience of a haunted
hayride is much like a haunted house or haunted mansion, but some may argue that haunted hayrides offer a spookier and scarier feeling. The VerHulst Haunted Hayride as well offers a haunted corn maze, which separates it from other local haunted hayrides, as it is a unique part of the hayride. They also sell Nancy’s Fried Dough, Duke’s Donuts, and general concessions.
5. Stoke Farms
Stoke Farms, located in Scottsville, is similar to other traditional pumpkin patches, but has so much more to offer. There are numerous activities to enjoy at Stoke Farms, such as the paintball target range, low ropes course, candy cannon, wagon rides, duck races, and 35+ more attractions. Stoke Farms is in a beautiful location, and is the perfect place to take photos with friends and family, and even have a bite to eat there.
Photo by Makarios Tang
LAURA MILLER
VITORIA FEIX
THE HOWLER
WHY DO PEOPLE LOVE GETTING SCARED?
ETHAN MCAULIFFE
Every Halloween, people willingly line up to walk through haunted houses, watch scary movies, and tell ghost stories in the dark. It’s a little weird when you think about it—why would anyone choose to feel afraid? Yet millions of people do, and they love it. The truth is, fear isn’t just something to avoid. When experienced in the right setting, it can actually be thrilling and even fun.
From a biological point of view, fear is one of the oldest emotions we have. It developed to keep our ancestors alive. When something scary happens, our brains release adrenaline and dopamine. Adrenaline sharpens our senses and prepares us to fight or run away, while dopamine gives us a rush of excitement once the danger has passed. This mix of fear and relief is what makes our hearts pound but it can also make us smile afterward. That’s the “roller coaster” feeling people talk about after a jump scare
Haunted houses and horror movies use this to their advantage. They create “safe fear”, the kind that makes us jump but doesn’t actually put us in danger. When you walk through a haunted maze or watch a horror film, your brain knows it’s fake, but your body reacts as if it’s real. The lights, sounds, and surprises trigger your fight-or-flight response, but once you realize you’re safe, your brain rewards you with relief and excitement. It’s the same reason
people enjoy skydiving, fast rides, or combat sports.
Psychologists call this “controlled fear.” It’s fear with boundaries, it’s thrilling but not harmful. People who seek out scary experiences usually feel a sense of accomplishment afterward. They’ve faced fear, survived it, and even had fun doing it. In a way, getting scared on purpose is like a mental exercise;it helps people manage stress and build confidence in real-life situations.
There’s also a social side to fear. Think about watching a horror movie with friends. Everyone screams, laughs, and clings to each other. That shared emotion builds bonds. It’s part of why scary movies are so popular on dates and sleepovers. Psychologically speaking, fear can bring people closer together because it triggers protective instincts and shared relief afterward. Interestingly, not everyone enjoys being scared, and that’s okay too. Some people’s brains produce too much adrenaline and struggle to calm down after getting scared, making the experience overwhelming instead of enjoyable. Other pepole simply prefer a sense of comfort over horror. But for those who dont love it, Halloween is the perfect time to experience fear through decorations, stories, and movies.
Next time you jump at a loud noise or scream in a haunted house,
Top Nine Halloween Movies
Halloween (1978) Halloween is by far the greatest movie to watch. It’s particularly unsettling to watch silent, masked murderer Michael Myers rip his victims to pieces when they’re trick-or-treating and wearing costumes. With over ten sequels, remakes, and revivals, the “Halloween” series has endured the test of time (and numerous imitators), yet the original remains the most popular.
Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982) An action-packed third chapter was likely to fail, given Michael Myers’s success in the previous two movies. Fortunately, “Witch”’s crazy plot— an evil organization makes masks that kill kids wearing them on Halloween night—made it a favorite.
E.T. (1982) A youngster Elliott (Henry Thomas) bonds with his new buddy E.T., the mysterious appearing alien who was trapped on Earth after a cosmic crew missed picking him up. After the sun sets on kids running in and out of the homes hunting for candy, Elliot and his crew have a far greater mission at hand – help E.T. phone home.
Donnie Darko (2001) Donnie Darko (Jake Gyllenhaal) sleepwalks out of his house and
meets a scary creature in a rabbit suit, who informs him the world will end in 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes, and 12 seconds – on Halloween. The rest of the film unfolds like a crazy journey inside Donnie’s damaged psyche as he encounters hallucinations of the hideous rabbit figure, who encourages him to perform weird things while sleepwalking.
Terrifier 2 (2022) With its relentless gore (claims of viewers fainting, vomiting, and becoming unwell during viewing), the lowbudget film, which was shot for $250,000, became such a viral hit that it generated $15.4 million. A new slasher icon appeared out of nowhere. That would be Art the Clown, who spends a long and terrifying Halloween night trying to murder a teenage girl and her younger brother.
Scream VI (2022) The Carpenter sisters (and their masked stalker) relocate to New York, where, as the movie’s tagline puts it, “no one hears you scream.’In order to unravel the sinister Manhattan mystery and defeat Ghostface, Sam (Melissa Barrera) and Tara (Jenna Ortega) team up with “Scream” veterans Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox) and Kirby Reed
(Hayden Panettiere).
IT (1990) An ancient, shape-shifting demon that preys on the children of Derry, Maine, every 27 years is ready to confront seven teenage outcasts in their darkest nightmares. Over the course of one terrifying summer, the friends form a bond and must face their own fears in order to fight Pennywise, the murderous, bloodthirsty clown.
La Llorona (1933) According to Hispanic American legend, La Llorona is a furious ghost that wanders about bodies of water, lamenting her children, whom she drowned in a fit of jealousy after learning that her husband had betrayed her.
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019) Three friends find a cursed storybook on a disastrous Halloween night in 1968, which marks the beginning of Alvin Schwartz’s popular children’s book series. Stories that unexpectedly develop in the pages, such as those about a homicidal scarecrow and a growing spider bite that bursts to release an army of creepy spiders, haunt the youngsters in the days that follow, leaving them horrified.
MARC VOLOSHIN
THE HOWLER
Interview with MIGUEL
ETHAN HILDRETH
I interviewed Miguel Fran, an exchange student from Zaragoza, Spain. He lets us know about his experience in a new country. Have you ever been to the United States before? No, I have never been to America before. What countries have you visited? I have been to France, Italy, Ireland and China. What were you most excited about when you learned you would spend two weeks here in America? I was most excited about learning about American culture and having fun What is most different about America from Spain? Meal times are very different. Lunch is at 3pm and dinner is at 11pm in Spain. What are your thoughts on America so far? It is very cool, it is very cold though.
What trip are you most excited to go on while here in the States? I am excited to go to the Strong Museum of Play.
What is one thing you think America does better than Spain, an what is something Spain does better than America? America lets people drive at 16 and get a job, so they are more independent. Sport fan’s are better in Spain.
What do you think of Allendale Columbia? I think the activities you do here are better than in Spain, for example here you do projects together while in Spain we read a lot of books.
Thank you Miquel for answering our questions, we hope you enjoy your stay here in America. Thank you for having me.
COLLEGE APPLICATIONS
KATE MAY
The first deadline has arrived on October 15 for our seniors. These deadlines apply to schools in the South, such as UGA, Clemson, and South Carolina. The stress is over for some, but others are still working to make sure theyre applications are perfect for the soon to come, November 1st early action or decision deadline. I personally did not apply to any schools in the south, so I still have a few weeks to finialize my application and make the final edits to my essay.
All of my schools require a personal essay, yet none of them require test scores. I started my personal essay in the college workshop may term, there I kind of got my ideas in order and began my introduction paragraph! I recommend this for anyone who wants to decrease the amount of stress that comes in the fall. In this workshop I began to learn how to use common app, the whole week consisted of getting framleir with things and applications I would be using when applying to colleges in the fall. I have decided to apply early action to all of my schools, the deadlines are November 1, 15 and December 15th.
Meeting with Ms. Nevenger has became a thing that all seniors do more and more as their deadlines are approaching. Wether it is
small questions about application fee wavers, or having her read over your essay. This is what all seniors are doing to make sure they have the best possible chance of getting into their top school. For the class of 2026 at allendale, based on what I have heard, the top schools that people are applying to are Syracuse, Clemson, Pitt, and St. John Fisher. These are all very different schools, so I find it interesting that our class is interested in them. For most colleges, the most important things are recommendation letters, transcripts, and personal essay.
When applying to colleges, some colleges require a supplemental essay. These are questions that are specific to the college and have a word maximum or minimum. Some questions are general, like “Why are you interested in the program your applying to”, others being more specific like “Why are you interested in this college”. I personally do not have to complete any supplemental essays for the colleges im applying to, which I like because that means I get to focus more on my personal essay.
Overall, I will be submitting my college applications next week, and I cant wait to see where I end up!
TOP 10 Foods At
SARA CORTÉS LUIS
Prepared Meals & Grab-and-Go Foods
You get fresh, high-quality food without the cooking or cleanup.
Fresh Bakery & Desserts
Everything tastes “homemade but better,” especially that Ultimate Chocolate Cake.
Wegmans Sub Shop
The subs are huge, fresh, customizable, and taste like something from a real deli, not just a grocery store counter.
Organic Produce Section
The fruits and veggies actually look so fresh, you’re making a healthy choice on quality.
Cheese & Charcuterie Section
Even a casual snack turns into a gourmet moment.
Wegmans Brand Snacks & Dips
They taste just as good (or better) than bigname brands.
Hot Food Bar
It’s comforting, warm, and perfect when you want a homemade-style meal but don’t want to cook after a long day.
International Food Aisles
It feels like a small world market, you discover sauces, noodles, and snacks you don’t find in regular stores.
Coffee Bar & Specialty Drinks
It’s like treating yourself to a café stop while shopping.
Health & Wellness / Specialty Diet Items
You feel seen, because in a lot of places it’s difficult to finf these items, and here you have gluten-free, plant-based, or just into wellness, you find things that actually fit your lifestyle.
THE HOWLER French Student Visits
On Friday the 24th we had Mael come and visit Allendale Columbia for a day. Mael is from France and his main language is French with not a lot of experience speaking English. It was definitely a fun and interesting experience spending the day with him. We both used each other to practice each other’s native languages and it taught me a lot about the French language. It was definitely a challenge speaking French with a native speaker but we managed to get along just fine.
We managed to bond with each other over the day by arguing about futbol (soccer). I really think arguing over sports is one of the easiest ways to bond with anyone on this planet. Initially I thought the culture differences between us would make it hard to find anything in common but football brought us together.
Later in the day, I interviewed Mael and asked him about his experiences in America thus far into his 2 week stay.
Bonjour Mael, why are you visiting America? I am visiting America to see family friends, and to experience America
Where in France are you from? I am from Besancon
Why did you choose Allendale Columbia to come and visit? I had already visited the Brighton School but I didn’t go to any classes and just walked around, Allendale Columbia was the only school that we found that could provide this experience.
Do you play any sports? I play handball in France.
Are you interested in American sports? I’ve always been interested in American sports, especially basketball, I would really like to go see a NBA game once in my life.
Have you tried much American food? Yes, I’ve tried a bunch of different restaurants while I’ve been here, I really enjoyed Chick-Fil-A.
Which do you prefer? American or French (food)? American food!, definitely.
What are the differences between French and American schools that you’ve seen since you arrived? Classes are definitely a lot harder in France compared to America. In France, I have lunch at home and longer breaks but here in America you’re stuck in the school.
Do you prefer American or French school food? I think American school food is way better than French school food, I don’t even try to eat the food at my school.
We had a fun day today and I learned a lot about French culture and language. Mael told me he had a great time while he was leaving and enjoyed spending the day at AC over Brighton!. Even through all of the challenges, and a lot of google translate, we managed to have a day full of learning and new friendships.
Interview with VP HILDRETH
CLARK LOVETT
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what led you to join the Student Council? I ran for vice president because it is a great extracurricular, and I wanted to help my school improve.
What does being Vice President mean to you personally? It means getting to work with other great students to help make our school a better place.
What has been your favorite moment or achievement so far in this role? I helped my grade band together to ban food in our lounge. Wesson Riveros and Daniel Cao helped plan the meeting and get it off the ground, with my help. How do you and the President work together to support the student body? Emilio is a great man, and a great president. While Emilio is the bigger person in power, he always makes sure that I and other have a voice. What challenges have you faced as Vice President, and how did you overcome them? To be honest, there are no challenges because everyone does their job to the fullest extent.
What are some projects or initiatives you’re currently working on or excited about? We are currently planning a spirit week leading up to Halloween.
How do you stay connected with students and make sure their voices are heard? I ask students what their thoughts are, and make sure the feel heard, and the government is serving them.
What qualities do you think make an effective student leader? I believe being mature, reasonable, realistic, and also being willing to hear everyone’s opinion are very important to being an effective student leader.
How do you balance your schoolwork, extracurriculars, and your role in Student Council? I try to have good time management, honestly though, it can be a struggle, but if I couldn’t handle the stress, then I shouldn’t have become vice president.
If you could make one big change at the school, what would it be and why? Hopefully, we could make a change to the seating program
during lunch. Free seating all the time would allow students who don’t have classes with their friends to see them at least one period a day.
What advice would you give to students who want to get involved in Student Council or leadership roles? Be in the moment and do it now. Don’t wait for ‘the right time’, the sooner you joi,n the more experience you can get and the better you can be at it.
How do you and the rest of the Student Council make sure your decisions represent everyone, not just a few voices? Although we try our hardest to talk to every student, we mainly use the class representatives to make sure the classes are heard. They can especially get to the lower levels that we can’t reach with ease. What do you hope to accomplish by the end of your term as Vice President? I hope we can make some significant changes to the school, mainly for the students experience at the school.
NOA LUNG
THE HOWLER
SPORTS ROUND UP
LIAM MITCHELL
October is here, and that means playoff baseball. The biggest wild-card matchup, a continuation of the storied rivalry between the Red Sox and Yankees, was set to unfold. Game One featured two of the best pitchers in the game: Garrett Crochet for the Red Sox and Max Fried for the Yankees. Since 2021, the wild-card round has been a three-game series, and there has yet to be a team to lose game one and still come back to win the series. The first game saw the Yankees fall to the Red Sox 3-1, thanks to Crochet’s pitching masterpiece—eight innings, 117 pitches, and only one run allowed. With their backs against the wall, the Yankees responded in Game Two. An eighth-inning, two-out double by Austin Wells scored Jazz Chisholm from first base, giving the Yankees a 4-3 victory. In Game Three, rookie Cam Schiltler took the mound and dominated with eight innings, twelve strikeouts, and just one walk—a feat that had never been reached in postseason history. With that win, the Yankees accomplished something no team had done in this era of the wild card: come back from a 1-0 deficit. They advanced to face another division rival, the Toronto Blue Jays, in the ALDS (American League Division Series).
The other American League wild-card series featured the Detroit Tigers against the Cleveland Guardians. In July, Cleveland trailed Detroit by 15.5 games and was below .500, but they mounted a historic comeback to win the division—an achievement no other team had accomplished in this era. The Tigers, who had struggled offensively in the final two months of the season, had a major advantage in Game One: reigning Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal. Skubal threw 107 pitches and struck out 14 batters—both career highs— across seven and two-thirds innings of one-run baseball. The Tigers scored two unearned runs in the seventh inning and held off Cleveland’s threat in the ninth to take the series lead. Game Two was another low-scoring affair. Tied 1-1 in the eighth, Cleveland’s offense came alive, erupting for five runs on a pair of home runs to win 6-1, forcing a decisive Game Three. In that winner-
take-all matchup, the Tigers broke through in the sixth inning with Dillon Dingler’s home run. In the following inning, Wenceel Perez’s two-RBI single started a rally that added a total of four more runs, giving Detroit a 6-1 lead. Despite a late push from the Guardians, they fell 6-3, sending the Tigers to Seattle for the ALDS.
On the National League side, the Dodgers began their quest to go back-to-back against the Cincinnati Reds. Shohei Ohtani set the tone early with one of his two home runs in the first inning, and Teoscar Hernández contributed two more, as the Dodgers rolled to a 10-5 win in Game One. Game Two started differently, with the Reds scoring two runs in the first inning. The Dodgers answered with eight unanswered runs to take an 8-2 lead. Cincinnati attempted a comeback but fell short, losing 8-4, resulting in a series sweep and sending the Dodgers to Philadelphia for the NLDS.
The final wild-card series took place in Chicago, where the Cubs faced the Padres. The Padres struck first in Game One with a double by Xander Bogaerts, but the Cubs shut down the Padres afterward, scoring three runs on home runs by Carson Kelly and Seiya Suzuki to take the win. With their season on the line in Game Two, Padres pitcher Dylan Cease delivered three and two-thirds strong innings, while Manny Machado’s two-run homer and Jackson Merrill’s sacrifice fly led San Diego to a 3-0 victory, forcing a decisive Game Three. In Game Three, the Cubs loaded the bases against Yu Darvish in the second inning. Pete Crow-Armstrong, who had struggled throughout the postseason, hit an RBI single to give Chicago the lead. The Cubs held the advantage until the ninth inning, when Jackson Merrill led off with a solo home run. Then, Cubs Brad Keller struck out Xander Bogaerts on a controversial strike call in a 3-2 count. However, Keller fell apart loading the bases by hitting two batters. But, Andrew Kittredge replaced Keller, shutting down the Padres, securing the Cubs’ first postseason series win since 2017, and sending them to Milwaukee for the NLDS.
CLARK
ETHAN HILDRETH
Clark Lovett is a Senior here at Allendale Columbia and member of the Gold team. In this interview Clark shares with us his experiences during the golf season. Clark provides feedback on this season and advice for next years players.
How do you think the golf season went this year?
I think it was subpar, we lost more than we won. We have a lot we could work on.
What could you do to improve as a team?
We could work harder and kick kavin natrajan off the team.
What’s a moment you were proud of this season?
When I beat Kavin natrajan and Lauren garson in a match.
How did it feel being a senior on the team this year?
The coach expected more from me. I had to try my hardest and be an example for my teammates.
Would you say you enjoyed this season? It was really fun, I’ll miss it when I go to college.
Is there anything you want to say to your teammates for the golf season next year?
Kavin, you should retire.
Will you continue to play golf in college?
Probably but not for my school team. I enjoy golf and hope to continue playing the sport in my free time.
What is your fondest memory from this season?
When we won our final game by three strokes. Is there anything you want to say to your coaches?
Thank you for coaching me, I had a great time.
BAM! Halloween Edition
CALLA SCHWARTZ
Since it’s October, this month’s issue of BAM (Book, Album, Movie) will be Halloween themed. I read, listened to, and watched media that was all new to me so I would be able to rank with an unbiased opinion.
BOOK: THE TELL TALE HEART (Spoilers Ahead) I chose The Tell Tale Heart by Edgar Allen Poe. I had never read any of his work before, so I was excited to choose this short story as my introduction to his writing style. This narrative is a thriller about a madman who murders an old man because of his “vulture eye.” The killer then buries him underneath the floorboards, making sure to leave no trace. Soon, three police officers arrive after a neighbor reports hearing a scream. The killer invites them in with confidence, however, he starts to hear a low, thumping sound that grows louder in his head. He convinces himself the police can hear it too. In a fit of madness, he reveals that the “sound” is coming from beneath the floorboards, revealing himself as the killer. I really enjoyed this read, as it’s told from the perspective of the killer. Although it was very short, Poe didn’t lack any details in his writing, illustrating the story to the reader. I would recommend it to people who like thrillers and horror stories. Overall, I would give it 5/5 stars.
ALBUM: HALLOWEEN NIGHT I chose Halloween Night by WYS & The Jazz Hop Cafe. WYS is an artist who makes lo-fi and jazz music. This album is 40 minutes long, containing 15 songs. Each song represents a different room in a haunted house that is being explored by three children. The music is mostly instrumental, except for some short dialogue in the songs “Charlie and Molly” and “The Elevator’s Ghost.” The album starts with a jazzy song titled “The Mansion”, and the final song, called “Exit the Mansion,” is more chill and spooky. I would recommend this album to halloween lovers who enjoy more relaxing jazz-hop music. Overall, I would give it 3/5 stars.
MOVIE: GOOD BOY I decided to watch Good Boy (2025) directed by Ben Leonberg. Good Boy is a horror film about a dog named Indy and his ailing owner Todd who move to an old rural home that’s inhabited by a demon. As its presence becomes more prominent, Todd’s illness worsens, and Indy realizes that he’s the only one who can protect his owner from the sinister demon. I thoroughly enjoyed this film. Following the dog’s point of view throughout the entire film was a really unique choice that I had never seen before, but the outcome was incredible. I would recommend Good Boy to people who like animals and a good jumpscare. This movie is PG-13, but there are bloody scenes, so I wouldn’t recommend it to sensitive viewers. Overall, I would give it 3.5/5 stars.
THE HOWLER
AC Fashion trends
CORA BARTON
Everybody in AC is different
Whether it’s expressing interests or styles, clothing is a big part of someone’s identity.
Trends of clothing has changed over and over again as years and decades go by,
If it’s with tube tops, bell bottoms. Or neon and bright flashy colors, to mullets and bobs.
It’s always changing.
Then there’s the 1990s, where Rock and Roll, Hip Hop, Grunge type music was very appreciated. There was a mix of people wearing very grunge outfits with ripped jeans, combat boots and monochromatic looks. Or just adding their own to it.
In the early 2000s, a lot of low rise jeans, tracksuits, Y2K aesthetics that included mesh tops and more shiny metallic fabrics. Mini shoulder bags were some major accessories for some.
Styles like boho-chic that were commonly seen by people wearing yoga pants and peasant blouses.
There were also skater styles, including baggy graphic tees, Converse or Vans and sometimes studded leather bracelets, and of course the obvious skate board, unless people were prepared to be called a poser.
Trends in this era were often influenced by celebrities by pop stars, and movies such as Legally Blonde and Mean Girls. IIn AC everyone has
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their own unique style, some with brighter colors than others, others with simple styles, or more outgoing ones.
Some people look the same to me on how they dress, and others have the same style as others but add some of their own spark to make it different like them.
I often see a pattern in what people will wear throughout the week, like baggy jeans and a sweater or hoodie, but always different kinds to maintain their look.
Others I watch constantly change until they find something that they think suits them and expresses themselves how they want to be seen. People are always going through phases with how they dress, they could change that phase every year or stick with it if that’s how they feel comfortable.
When you walk into either the CPC or the lunch room when students are present, you can see all the diversity of clothing and hair styles. And sometimes that’s how a lot of people find something in common with each other and make friends. If people see how comfortable others are with how they dress, others can look and appreciate their clothing, or even try it out for themselves.
That is why I believe that AC is such a safe and accepting community, they have students and teachers who all express themselves without a second thought of what others might think.
Vitòria Adam Feix, Cora Barton, Sara Luis Cortés, Ari Hagelberg, Ethan Hildreth, Clark Lovett, Noa Lung, Kate May, Ethan McAuliffe, Laura Miller, Liam Mitchell, Mackenzie Opira, Shourya Penakalapati, Calla Schwartz, Marc Voloshin
Vince Bissonette