The Pharcyde, 45.3

the PHARCYDE

Dazzling Celebrations and Traditions: Holiday Assembly Spreads Cheer

Jackson Zetner Assistant Editor

The Benjamin School hosted its Seventh Annual Holiday Assembly on Tuesday, December 5, at Benjamin Hall. The event featured special performances and holiday stories from teachers, faculty, and students. Notable acts included the dazzlers and the band ensemble performing a song together, with the band showcasing two additional pieces. The chorus also joined forces with the band for a collaborative performance.

The Assembly featured the holidays of Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa.

Dr. James Haley orchestrates the holiday assembly annually along with other faculty members.

“Mrs. Austin and Mrs. Salivar organize all of the performances. Mr. Archer manages the video recording and visuals. I recruited two faculty speakers and students to speak about each of the major holidays. I want to showcase members of the community that I think have an interesting story to tell and that we don’t typically have a chance to hear from,” mentions Haley.

Head of Upper School, Mr. Fletcher Carr, promotes the assembly in many ways.

“The format stayed fairly similar throughout the years with someone

talking about mainly Christianity, Judaism, the African American experience, so each year somebody who might represent those faiths and ideas will get selected” adds Mr. Carr.

Sophomore Dazzler Nicole Walsh performed during the assembly along with other members of her team.

“It was a really good experience because we learned a new dance for the assembly. Also, Christmas is one of my favorite holidays, so it was really great to be a part of the Benjamin celebration,” says Walsh.

Drama Director and English Teacher Mr. Jason Peck had his first appearance in the Holiday Assembly with his Christmas family time experiences.

“I was extremely nervous about sharing something so personal but it felt good to share a bit about myself. I think sharing stories like mine is needed as we learn from hearing from our collective experiences and by finding the universal commonality that exists between us. I’d love for us to do more of these types of assemblies,” said Mr. Peck.

Dr. Haley feels very strongly about the holidays and the assembly itself, especially with the Benjamin community.

“This time of year can be stressful, and it is nice to be able to put that on pause for 45 minutes and celebrate

the talent and traditions of the members of this community. The holidays are about being with family, and the Benjamin community is a family too, one that I always feel proud to be a member of, especially at this time of year,” says Dr. Haley.

Junior Andrew Shim performed in the assembly with the band, adding his percussion skills to the talented orchestra.

“We were brought upon the challenge of performing a few pieces at the assembly including ‘Hanukkah, Medley,’ and ‘Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring,’ mentions Shim.

Mr. Carr shared a story of his own about his family traditions and experiences.

“I’m always happy to do that and the idea of sharing stories is always a good thing. The big part of that assembly is to get everyone together and thinking about the holidays and a lot of the good memories.

The Holiday Assembly was a great way to start off the holiday season before students depart for Winter Break after exams.

Dr. Sheehan Appointed as New Assistant Head of School

Caroline Groffman Associate Editor

The 2024-2025 school year will officially include one large change, there will be a new Assistant Head of School. This title was announced on December 6 to the Benjamin community. The job will be filled by none other than the Lower School’s current Head, Dr. Kristen Sheehan. Dr. Sheehan has been at the Benjamin School since 2007 and is very enthusiastic as she prepares to fill this new position starting July 1.

“What I’m looking forward to the most is having the opportunity to be on both campuses and to be in classrooms and getting to know the students much better. I think that’s a really great way of getting to tie our school together and to remind us that even though we are two campuses, we are one big school,” shares Dr. Sheehan.

Mr. David Faus, Benjamin’s Head of School, shares that in order to fill the spot of Dr. Sheehan’s current job,

the school is directing another nationwide search to find the best candidate to fill her shoes.

This position did exist before Covid and the last person to hold this title was Mr. Ken Didsbury, which newer members of the Benjamin community may recognize from the Didsbury Learning Commons, or “DLC” on the Upper School campus. However as Mr. Faus came into his job during COVID, he wanted to get accustomed with the school’s environment before finding someone to take on the responsibilities of being an Assistant Head.

Now that Mr. Faus has spent a few years with the Benjamin School he decided to start the search for the job. He shares that he, along with a group of faculty members, conducted a national search for the best candidate and came to the conclusion that Dr. Sheehan is the best for the position.

“I received a lot of input from the various constraints of the school.

I established an advisory committee made up of faculty and staff that helped me narrow down the field and then interviewed semi-finalist and finalists. A group of students on each campus had lunch with each finalist too,” explains Mr. Faus.

One important message that Dr. Sheehan wants to share with students who may not know her is that she cares very deeply about the Benjamin community and the well-being of the students.

“I am there for them and school is about students. It’s important that their voices are heard and I am part of the administration that’s there to make sure that their experience at Benjamin is second to none,” shares Dr. Sheehan.

Another point that she would like to get across is that she is “passionate, and not only passionate about Benjamin but about education. I always believe there are two sides to stories and we have to listen and find solutions that are the best for everyone,” says Dr. Sheehan.

As an educator and administrator, patience and fairness are two crucial traits that Dr. Sheehan recognizes. Her past jobs include working at a school in Atlanta, Georgia, the Palm Beach County public school district, two independent schools, and then joining the Benjamin School as a Lower School teacher and making her way to the new Assistant Head of School.

Dr. Sheehan has an inspirational story about how she came to be an educator. She originally was studying in college to be a veterinarian, which was her childhood dream. One day, the education coordinator at the zoo where she was working went into labor early and someone needed to take over. The zoo put Dr. Sheehan in her place temporarily and she was in charge of bringing the animals to

elementary schools in the area. After visiting the schools and children, she realized that she had found her new passion and dream career. Since then, Dr. Sheehan has put her all into becoming a teacher and a positive role model in her student’s lives.

In the past years, the Benjamin School has continued to expand in size and opportunity. The addition of the new position as Assistant Head will help the administration organize and improve the growing community.

“Dr. Sheehan will bring a new set of eyes to our academic program, and she will be able to work with me to ensure our faculty has all the tools they need to do their job in the classroom. She believes in Benjamin and the school’s mission. She is a lifelong learner and a student-first leader - she cares about the Benjamin student experience,” explains Mr. Faus.

Adjusting from the Lower School to the High School is certainly a challenge as the students know and having to do that as part of a career is no exception. Dr. Sheehan will be sure

to face new experiences and tasks to complete but with her accomplished past, they should be no issue.

“Because she has spent most of her time on the Lower School campus, she needs to get to know the Middle and Upper Schools in more depth but I have received positive feedback from her colleagues, parents, and the Board of Trustees,” says Mr. Faus.

Dr. Sheehan begins to prepare for her new role with an energetic attitude looking forward to the future and adding her positive presence to the Upper School. With her thirst for learning and greatness, the new Assistant Head’s position will be filled graciously and skillfully.

“I’m always looking for the opportunity to grow as a leader. So, having it be at Benjamin and happening to be the Assistant Head of School just made it all more perfect,” shares Dr. Sheehan.

The Pharcyde Welcomes Dr. Sheehan to the Upper School.

The Dazzlers performed “All I Want for Christmas is You” by Mariah Carey. The performance featured the Dazzlers dressed in Christmas outfits. The Dazzlers were one of three groups to perform during the Assembly along with the chorus and the band. (Photo by Jeremy Ferris)

Senior Jacob Bounds speaks about his Christmas traditions on the Clark Family Farm during the Holiday Assembly. (Photo by Jeremy Ferris)

Dr. Sheehan poses with Mr. Goldberg, former Head of School, and her daughter, Kelly Sheehan, during the Lower School’s Halloween Parade.

(Photo from Benjamin School Archives)

Dr. Sheehan speaks to a crowd of Lower School families during Grandest Friend’s Day.

(Photo from Benjamin School Archives)

Driving Success: Boys Golf Team Clinches State Championship

Jackson Zetner Assistant Editor

Benjamin Boys Varsity Golf claimed their fourth state title in school history on Wed., Nov. 15 at Mission Inn Resort by only one stroke. This is the first state championship for the team since 2009. The boys lived up to the pre-season hype after being ranked number one in the state out of every class all year.

Coach Toby Harbeck has coached the golf team for every State Championship they have won.

“It was a great accomplishment for the entire team - everyone was very excited as the final putt went in. After a few weeks of the season, you get an idea if you are a “contender” or Pretender:.... After the Palm Conference Tournament, I knew we were a very viable contender for a State Championship,” mentions Harbeck.

The team was led by sophomore Jake Valentine, who had a team-low of 148 over two rounds while shooting 72 and 76 each day. Valentine had

the go-ahead birdie on hole 17 to give Benjamin the lead going into the last hole.

“It was such a great experience and it was a memory that I can have for the rest of my life which made it way better” adds Valentine.

Not far behind was freshman

Brooks Colton, who shot a very consistent 74 and 75 to total 149 over both rounds.

The top five team scores included:

Benjamin − 602

First Academy − 603

Episcopal − 604

Lake Mary Prep − 609

Florida Christian − 623

Assistant Athletic Director Mrs. Alexandria Clarke feels very strongly about the state championship win.

“This golf state championship is amazing for the school, and the ability to win at the 1A class is very difficult, so to win that state title is very meaningful” mentions Clarke.

Sweet Success: DEI Event Unites Community

Chase Zur Associate Editor

On Sunday, Nov. 12, the Diversity Council, in conjunction with the Benjamin Parent’s Association (BPA), hosted an ice cream social from 2-4 pm on the Upper School Campus.

All TBS families were invited to this event as the goal was to promote inclusivity and highlight the student clubs and organizations at the school. The Diversity Council spearheaded the event but members from Student Council, The National Honor Society, The Spanish Club, The Benjineers, and The National Art Honor Society were all asked to volunteer and help run some of the activities.

When students entered the event, they were greeted by delicious ice cream where they had the option of choosing either chocolate or vanilla with sprinkles in a cup or cone. The Head of Upper School Mr. Fletcher Carr, Head of Middle School Mr. Charles Hagy, and Dean of Students, Mr. Kevin Jacobsen all attended the event along with several other members of the TBS faculty.

Each Upper School club had their own activity table that they helped organize. There was face painting, fishing, coloring books, bracelet making, pot decorating, cornhole, and music, too.

Vice-President of the Diversi-

Other scorers include senior Pavel Tsar, who had a total of 152 with a 74 and a 78 on days one and two.

Freshman Charlie Woods shot a total of 154, improving on the second day after shooting 78 on the first day and 76 on the second. Senior Tyler Bruneau shot a total of 156, improving after shooting 79 on the first day and 77 on the second day.

“We didn’t really get better. We stayed very steady all year long as everyone on this team contributed to the overall cause... We were a team in every sense of the word even though golf is an individual sport... great team chemistry from the seniors to the freshmen.... Every trip was fun... it is so hard when I have to select only 5 players to play in the State Championship... we could have played 2 teams in the finals and both would have finished in the Top 5,” says Harbeck.

The team is losing a bulk of their group, but Harbeck believes in the team to fill in the spots.

“Losing 4 great seniors but the overall team will not change too much.. 4 of 5 state championship players return so we would like to try and go after another one...if we play and “gel” like we did this year.. there is a good possibility,” adds Harbeck.

This is an outstanding accomplishment for the team, and we wish them the best of luck for next year and congratulate them for their incredible feat. As they lose some of their best golfers, they also bring back many important pieces of their team, the team believes they have another shot at winning back-to-back state championships next year.

Honoring Heroes: A Salute to Veterans

Matt Marasco Editor-in-Chief

On Friday, Nov. 10 in the Healey Gymnasium, the Veterans Appreciation Club held its annual Veterans Day assembly to honor those who serve our country. The assembly, led by senior and co-president of the club Luca Balzano, featured a speech from Purple Heart veteran and Florida Congressman Brian Mast while honoring other veterans in the Benjamin community.

Congressman Mast’s address pulled on the heartstrings of many in the gym. His story of losing both legs and a finger for the United States reminded all of the importance of being selfless and brave throughout life.

Senior Silas Rooney was honored to have Mast as a speaker and thought his speech was amazing.

“I have had family members serve the country so I believe it is very important to honor the veterans. I loved the speech since it was super motivational and showed that even though his service had a mental and physical toll, he still would do it again for our great country,” said Rooney.

The assembly also spotlighted Mr. Yannotta, who gave last year’s Veterans Day assembly speech, and Mr. Kenneth Archer, the Upper School’s Director of Multimedia Productions. Balzano continued the assembly by honoring all service members by playing a short video showing the importance of what they do for our country.

Co-President of the Veterans Appreciation Club, senior Andrew Lappin, shared his thoughts on having Mr. Archer as a teacher and club advisor.

“Mr. Archer is a great teacher; having him around helps us narrow the projects that we take on to those that are most important,” said Lappin.

Balzano was honored to lead the assembly and believes giving back to Veterans is a great cause.

“Veterans are the backbone of our nation and my heroes. I am grateful to all who have served and those actively serving in the U.S. Armed Forces to keep our country safe. We founded the Veterans Appreciation Club to raise student awareness for the sacrifices men and women in the United States armed forces make for us,” said Balzano.

The Veterans Appreciation Club holds many activities such as this assembly to honor veterans. Some of the activities include raising funds and toys for veteran families staying at the Fisher House in West Palm Beach, a home away from home that houses veterans’ families while they receive medical treatment, collecting over 1000 pairs of socks for Warm Feet For Warriors, working with the Headstrong Project, and the Honor Flight.

Benjamin Welcomes Three Outstanding Individuals into Athletic Hall of Fame

Matt Marasco and Ryan Chait

Editor-in-Chief and Staff Writer

ty Council, junior Victoria Powell, helped lead the event and felt that it was very successful.

“The idea came about because we wanted to bridge the gap between the Lower and Upper Schools while also allowing our club members to gain some community service. We thought that ice cream would be the perfect way to bring everyone together and we wanted the event to be relaxing and enjoyable, so we decided to set up a bunch of different activities. It was great to see all of the different clubs work together and I loved dancing and hanging out with the kids,” Powell said.

Senior and National Honor Society member, Zoe Cooper, had a great time at the event and felt that it was the perfect way to get to know some of the younger Bucs on campus.

“I helped run the bracelet-making station which was so much fun. It was so nice talking to some of the little kids and their parents in such a laid-back setting. There was no stress of exams, tests, or assignments and everyone was able to just talk and learn more about each other. All of the kids looked like they were having such an amazing time and seeing their smiling faces made my day,’’ Cooper expressed.

The Benjamin School Athletic Hall of Fame is founded to honor and perpetuate the memory of those individuals who, either through participation or support of interest, have made outstanding contributions to Benjamin athletics, and who have helped to bring recognition, honor, distinction, and excellence to the Benjamin School and its athletic program. In 2023, three members of the Benjamin community joined this prestigious group.

Coach Hamel joins the elite company after joining the Hall of Fame as only 19 members have been inducted since it was founded in 2013. He is honored to join the Hall of Fame and thoroughly enjoyed the experience of getting inducted.

“To me, it is a great honor to be a part of the Benjamin family and to be associated with all the other honored Hall of Famers. To me it is a very special accomplishment that very few get to experience,” said coach Hamel, “The Ceremony was very well organized and was, as always, very well orchestrated by AD Ryan Smith and

assistants Dave Bailey and Alex Clark. I felt very honored and appreciated. I would like to thank everyone at Benjamin for remembering me and allowing me to be a part of the Benjamin family,” he added.

Upper School Athletic Director Mr. Ryan Smith believes that Coach Hamel was a staple in coaching during his time at Benjamin and beyond.

“Throughout Coach Hamel’s 39-year coaching career, he has demonstrated his coaching talent from Louisiana to Tennessee, to New Hampshire, and finally here in South Florida. His career in athletics began as a basketball coach but eventually, he became a dedicated Athletic Director. Serving as a JV and Varsity Boys Basketball Coach when he first began here at TBS, his trail of success eventually followed him to our girl’s basketball and softball programs. His passion for the game extends beyond the sidelines.,” said Mr. Smith Coach Hamel not only made his players better at their sport, but he made Benjamin better as a whole. He was a pioneer of the lower school’s Olympic games which are one of the

premier traditions each year. He also founded the upper school physical education program which has impacted every student that has come through the high school since.

Coach Hamel loved his time at Benjamin and will always remember the teams he coached. Some of his favorite memories include when Alex Cohen struck out 19 of 21 batters and the numerous 1000-point basketball scorers that he coached.

Another new inductee of the Hall of Fame this year is Mr. Ford Pearson, class of 1987. He is a staple of Benjamin Swimming being a threetime state champion in the 500 free. Pearson went on to be a seven-time all-American swimmer at the University of Florida.

The third inductee of this year was Mrs. Helen Lawler, class of 1996, who demonstrated excellence in soccer, track and field, and academics. She earned two MVPs in track and ran in three state championships including a solo victory in the 400 meter her senior year. In soccer, she earned MVP four times and scored a total of 155 goals. Lawler was the valedictorian of her class and went on to UNC Chapel Hill where she continued her excellence in soccer winning four national championships.

“She was a senior in my second year at Benjamin. She was always friendly and a significant part of the Benjamin community. She was ever deserving of being in the Hall of Fame,” said Upper School English teacher Ms. Mary Ditaranto.

The Pharcyde thanks Coach Hamel, Mr. Pearson, and Mrs. Lawler for the impact they made on the Benjamin community.

Freshman Charlie Woods celebrates after making a put during the State Championship. Woods, a freshman, looks to be a vital piece of the team going forward. (Photo from the Palm Beach Post)

Coach Hamel gathers with his family during halftime of the football game to accept his spot in the Benjamin Athletic Hall of Fame.

(Photo by Jeremy Ferris)

Brian Mast speaks at the Assembly. (Photo from Brian Mast)

Members of the Diversity Council pose. (Photo by Chase Zur)

Members of the Student Council pose. (Photo by Chase Zur)

Beyond the Numbers: Navigating the Weighted GPA Landscape

Chase Zur Associate Editor

In the world of academic records, report cards, and college applications, a Grade Point Average (GPA) plays a vital role.

The GPA is a numerical representation of a student’s academic performance. It reflects one’s overall understanding of the material they learned and the quality of their work and is extremely important when applying to college or a potential job.

Benjamin uses a weighted 4.0 GPA scale, with letter grades corresponding to a specific number value. In a weighted GPA, a certain class carries more “weight” than others due to their proven difficulty. This means that a student could potentially earn more than a 4.0 for an A grade in an honors or Advanced Placement (AP) course, both of which Benjamin offers. The system is designed to recognize and reward students for taking more challenging courses.

However, not all schools use a weighted GPA, in fact, colleges often recalibrate the GPA’s students submit because they recognize that all schools follow a different system. Director of College Counseling, Mrs. Anna Wright, feels that although colleges may recalculate a student’s GPA, the grades that they get during high school are crucial to their success.

“Colleges understand that some schools offer AP and Honors classes while others may not and so they

recalculate the GPA to make it comparable against other schools. So the number of your Benjamin GPA in itself isn’t necessarily important because the school that you are hoping to attend will most likely recalculate it. However, what is important is your grades, and the rigor of your course load. This is of course reflected in your GPA, but the actual GPA number and how the Benjamin school calculates it may or may not be important depending on what university you apply to,” Wright explained.

Wright’s assessment brings up an issue at the heart of the admissions process: are we accurately communicating the rigor students are reporting they feel in class? How are we showing that our class is tougher even though it has the same name as a course offered across the street?

When a student applies to a university, the college receives up to a four-page Academic Profile of the high school they currently attend. Some high schools share class rankings, others show grade distributions, but Benjamin does not.

“We try to point out the areas where students best succeed; that is where we have overperformed in the AP courses, where we have beaten the Florida National Average for those courses, and highlight programs and distinctions of some of the publications at our school. The one thing we do not have is the grade distributions of students. We originally had it on the Profile but after talking to some of the admissions officers of several

Embracing Change: Students Reflect on New Resolutions

Caroline Groffman Associate Editor

The month of December brings great weather in Florida and exciting holidays for all which make it a sought after month that many believe cannot come soon enough each year. With the end of the holidays, though, comes the start of the New Year. Many choose to mark the occasion with goal statements, self-promises, or hopes, better known as resolutions.

The days over Winter Break are greatly appreciated by the students because they are a time to relax and take some time off from being stressed out about school.

“I’m looking forward to spending additional time with my friends and family as well as getting to feast and receive presents during the holidays while also catching up on sleep since we don’t have school,” shares junior Avi Gulati.

Setting goals is a crucial part of succeeding in life and this low-stress, inter-semester period is the perfect time to create them if they have not already been made. Many students have shared that they usually try to make resolutions but do not always honor them. The majority of people do not necessarily physically write out a long list of goals, however one student explains her plan for the next year.

“I don’t typically write down a list of resolutions but I kind of just think about them and what I can do for the new year. One of my new year’s resolutions is definitely going to be to read more and spend less time watching movies and television shows,” shares sophomore Addison Walczack.

As the semester comes to a close, many students decide to make one of their goals or resolutions for the next year to do better at school and get better grades. Seeing a transcript can make people much more aware of how they feel about their grades and what they want from themselves in

universities we found that providing that information was only helping the few top students and hurting the rest of the class. We realized that when colleges knew what the highest GPA was, someone who had a GPA lower than that number was thought of as much less than, so we decided to take it off of our Profile,” Wright said.

However, one thing that seems to set students at Benjamin apart is the quality of the teacher recommendations.

“The teacher recommendations that the faculty writes for our students are like night and day with other schools. The recommendations that the teacher’s are writing not only share how hardworking the students are here at Benjamin, but also help to show the rigor and quality of people. They show that the teachers care about their students here and that the students care about their grades, are good people, and have made an impact with the people around them,” Wright expressed.

When calculating a GPA, students should look at their grades in each class and assign the specific number value and “weight” that goes with it. Honors classes receive a 0.5 GPA boost, while an AP course warrants a full additional point. For instance an “A” in a regular class is equivalent to a 4.0 GPA, in honors it would be a 4.5, and in an AP, it would be a 5.0. After determining the numerical values for each class and factoring in any weight adjustments, total these values and divide the sum by

the number of courses you are taking. This process provides an accurate overall GPA and can help students gauge their academic performance.

Being able to calculate GPA is instrumental for educational success as students are able to gain a good un-

the coming semester.

“I don’t usually make new year’s resolutions but I feel like I should start so next year I want to strive to get good grades and play well at lacrosse,” says sophomore Jake Froot.

Another student explains how she has been successful with her resolutions in the past, the secret: being practical.

“I try to make my resolutions a realistic goal that I can actually follow. So, this year my resolution is just to try to come to school happy everyday,” says freshman Elizabeth Merrill.

Creating these goals for the upcoming year can be a very important factor in how the year goes, if they are carried out. Making aspirations is great unless they are just unrealistic and will not be accomplished. That is why resolutions should be carefully thought about before just coming to conclusions and finding random goals that may have nothing to do with personal reasons.

The staff of The Pharcyde has made their own resolutions:

Matt Marasco: Land a prom date

Joey Tomasetti: Enjoy senior year

Caroline Groffman: Stop procrastinating

Haley Roth: Get more exercise

Reid Waxman: Go to the gym

Jackson Zentner: Hold a 3.5 GPA

Chase Zur: Eat healthier foods

Ryan Chait: Increase family time

derstanding of how they are absorbing the material of classes. In addition to calculating GPA by hand, one can also check https://www.cialfo.co/ which automatically updates cumulative GPA after each semester.

The graphic above shows how to caculate ones gpa. First find the letter grade which corresponds to the percentage shown on Buclinks. Then, assign a honors or AP boost and find the corresponding gpa. Add those numbers together and divide by the total classes taken and that is one’s GPA.

(Graphic by Chase Zur)

Next Steps for Students After PSAT

Reid Waxman Sports Editor

Students took the first digital PSAT in Benjamin’s history on Oct. 11th. Since these are over, what do students do with these scores?

The PSAT is an important test because it gives an outline for students to tell them what they need to study and focus on for the actual test.

Head of College Counseling Mrs. Anna Wright explains the value of the PSAT.

“The value of the PSAT is in a couple of different ways. One, the students get to test their skills against many nationwide students. After the PSAT, students see what they struggled with and need to work on for the actual test. Two, students get to open all official SAT tools, such as college search, financial aid, career tools, and test prep tools,” Wright said with passion. “The PSAT is essential for the juniors because they can qualify for National Merit. The kids in the country’s top two-five percentile will allow them to get into the National Merit.”

Senior Matias Saiz performed exceptionally well on the PSAT during his junior year, earning National Merit Scholarship program recognition. He explained he prepared for the test.

“I think the PSAT did help for the actual test. It was a bit easier than the actual one but it gives you the fundamentals,” Saiz stated. “I began preparing a month before by taking a mock once every weekend to im-

prove my test-taking abilities. I was happy after I got my score because all my work paid off.”

When applying for the National Merit Scholarship, there is an entire process behind it. Mrs. Wright goes through the steps for it.

“First, students have to meet with their college counselor, and we would help them as if they were applying to anything else, so we would fill out the application with them. They wont find out if they are selected until their senior year,” Mrs. Wright stated. Students can also use this PSAT to reflect on what they must study for the SAT. Sophomore Mikey Tighe talks about how he will approach the actual test.

“Yes, I have to study a lot more, but I also have to pay attention in school because I haven’t learned some of the math yet,” Tighe stated. “It felt easier than it actually was, and I was really surprised, but it doesn’t mean I can’t just not study.”

Giving Thanks: Teacher Appreciation

Haley Roth Associate Editor

It is December again, which means that everyone is shopping for holiday gifts for family and friends. These gifts are not only given to those outside of school but also to teachers. Holiday gifts are a perfect way to show appreciation for all that the adults do in school to make it a safe and comfortable place. These gifts do not have to be elaborate or expensive but rather heartfelt. Here are some great gifts to give your teachers this year without breaking the bank.

One good idea for a teacher’s holiday gift is a gift card. Gift cards are a perfect way to give teachers a present that is not too specific but can help them get new supplies for class or anything they want. Both Amazon and Visa gift cards can work perfectly as affordable but extremely useful gifts. Restaurant gift cards for places

like Starbucks and Uber Eats can also be the perfect gift. There is a Starbucks location near Benjamin, which offers an opportunity for a quick treat before or during a break at school.

Junior Bella Marx explains how she gives teacher gifts, “Usually we will just get gift cards to restaurants for the teachers so they can go out to eat. We know that sometimes cooking takes too much time so it’s nice to give them restaurant gift cards so they know we care.”

Personalized stationery is also not overly expensive but something that could be used nearly every day. Teachers are constantly writing notes so stationery can be fun but also practical. It can also be used all year for any occasion which makes it a good gift for almost any teacher, no matter what subject they teach.

Another extremely thoughtful gift is a heartfelt note. While it may

seem simple, it shows appreciation as well as gives teachers something that shows them just how much good they are doing. It costs barely anything to write a note, but it can change a teacher’s day or year just by showing admiration.

Drink cups, pencil cases, and other everyday objects are also useful gifts. Teachers can always use these types of things as they are at school all day. Simple essentials can be the best holiday gift.

Overall, teacher gifts do not need to cost an extreme amount of money. Teachers can usually use and want everyday items more. Gift cards, stationery, and other mundane items offer a chance for a nice gift that will be used. Remember, the thought is what counts. Make sure to give your teachers something special this year for the holidays.

Sophomore Addison Walczack engages in her New Years Resolution, reading. (Photo by Caroline Groffman

As Benjamin inches closer to the dreaded mid-term exams, it is time to re-examine the end-of-semester exam process and discuss why exams are not necessary.

Mid-term exams are designed to evaluate how much of the material a student has learned over the semester, however, they typically provide limited feedback to students, focusing more on the end result than the learning process. As students rarely get to see what they missed on an exam it does very little to enhance their knowledge of the material for the upcoming semester.

Another issue with the current midterm approach is the overwhelming volume of material students are required to comprehend for the exam. This creates an inherent bias favoring students with strong memorization skills. Some students can effortlessly memorize 30 definitions in just five minutes, whereas others may require ten times that duration. Consequently, students are compelled to cram large amounts of material into their minds just before the exam, a strategy that might yield success in the short term but fails to promote long-term retention of the material.

Moreover, the 15% weighting of the exams in the first-semester grade is arbitrarily minimal, especially considering it was 20% in the near past. While some students put in extra effort to improve their grades, the fundamental issue arises from the realization that, for many students, their grades remain relatively unchanged whether they score a perfect 100 or

Editorial

a modest 60. One must exceed their class average by 20 points to raise their grade by three. For most, where a B+ is average, this would mean earning grades above 100 percent; it would also mean an epic failing of an exam in order to lower one’s grade in any substantial amount. In light of this, some students choose not to exert themselves during exams, contradicting the very purpose of taking midterms.

Another critical concern is the practice of scheduling numerous exams within a single week, leaving students grappling with an overwhelming amount of material to absorb in a short span. With math exams one day, and history exams the next, students find themselves jumping from topic to topic the days leading up to exam week. If exams were more spread out, it would let students gain an understanding of the topics they have covered and worked on throughout the semester. Benjamin could also look into how success in the classroom is dictated by grades, and not a deeper understanding of the material.

The pressure associated with high-stakes exams can be detrimental to students’ mental health. The intense stress and anxiety induced by exam preparation and performance can lead to burnout, sleep disturbances, and a disruption in a school-life balance. In prioritizing the mental health of students, Benjamin should consider alternative assessment methods that promote a more supportive and holistic approach to learning. Continuous assessment, project-based

evaluations, and practical demonstrations can provide a more accurate representation of a student’s abilities without compromising their mental health.

One last observation come exam time is the intensity for students to find an easy way to get a good grade which is most likely done by cheating. With more students finding creative ways to gain an academic edge on an exam, it creates an imbalance between the aforementioned students and the students who are doing the right thing. Although teachers are in the gym looking for cheating, it is hard to keep an eye on so many students at one time. Eagle-eyed proctors should notice a student having formulas in their calculator, words written on their body, or notes on a water bottle. Cheating on exams caused by the amount of people in the gym should make Benjamin rethink the location of exams.

Benjamin should look to rethink the examination process to foster a better learning environment that prioritizes student well-being, a deeper understanding of the material, and less emphasis on end-of-semester grades.

Disagree? A counterargument may be read at www.thepharcyte. com. Or... post your comments online.

*The Editorial is the opinion of the editorial staff of The Pharcyde, and therefore does not have a singular name attributed to it.

From The Editor’s Desk

Matt Marasco Editor-in-Chief

Coming into The Pharcyde as a freshman after a three-year tenure in the Neersyde, the middle school's newspaper, I always hoped to become an editor of The Pharcyde. Now, I am a senior and finally earned the role of Editor-in-Chief of The Pharcyde. Although The Pharcyde may be a distant afterthought to most of the Upper School, the staff and I especially hope to make it into something that students and teachers alike look forward to.

On that note, I would like everyone to let one of us know what they would like to read in the newspaper whether that is breaking news, sports, or highlighting current events in the Benjamin community. Our school is full of talented individuals achieving remarkable feats in various fields— academics, sports, arts, and more. The newspaper serves as a platform to celebrate these accomplishments, providing recognition to your peers and inspiring a sense of pride within the school community. We hope that by highlighting your accomplishments, you will continue to read ours.

Although we still manage to produce a great paper issue in and issue out, it is extremely stressful for me, Joey, Doc, and the rest of the class to cover all the topics with only eight people. We are hoping that more students will join the staff so we can continue to produce the paper in high regard without having to compromise.

There are many benefits to joining the class, especially with the ability to potentially earn honors credit and a .5 GPA boost by becoming an editor. Consider too that the class, Expository Writing, counts as an extra English credit, meaning that when colleges such as the University of Florida recalculate GPA, it still gets counted (potentially making you a more academically attractive applicant). On the topics of editors and college, my immediate predecessors have markedly great legacies: Northwestern, USC, UCLA, Tufts, Georgetown/Cornell, and Dartmouth. Furthermore, the Pharcyde may qualify you to join the Quill and Scroll Society, an international honors society for journalism.

Other than college benefits, The Pharcyde is a much different course than most classes you take over your four years at Benjamin. With everyone working together to produce one product, the paper, it creates a sense of bonding and turns the class into a fun experience every day. Hopefully, I have convinced you to either read or join The Pharcyde, or most preferably both and even if you do not do either, you still can write for us through The Pharcyde club.

As we release more issues over the next semester, we hope to reach a broader audience within our community. If you have any recommendations on how we could achieve our goals, please reach out to any member of the newspaper or me.

Hanukkah 2023: Light in the Darkness

Caroline Groffman Associate Editor

Hanukkah is a holiday that brings Jews all over lots of joy and love between family and friends. The origins of these days begin from over 2000 years ago in Jerusalem. At this time, the Romans came and began a war with the Jews over the land. The Romans had a major upper hand with many more warriors and readiness to fight. The Jews were put into a terrible situation in which they had to fight the Romans and the Second Temple, also known as Herod’s Temple, was destroyed. The meaning of this temple to the Jews was majorly important as it was the place where everyone in Jerusalem went to pray and study among the most knowledgeable and important people. The military of the Jewish people made up of brand new fighters was named the Maccabees. They won and pushed away the Romans, however, there was only a little oil left which was needed to light up the Temple and the town. The miracle of Hanukkah is that the oil that was supposed to last for just one day, ended up lasting for eight days, so the

Founded in 1980 as The Spectator 15 December 2023 Volume 45, Issue 3

The Benjamin School 4875 Grandiflora Road Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33418

Contact Information

Phone: 561-472-5998, ext. 2119

Fax: 561-691-8823

Advisor Dr. John Peruggia

john.peruggia@thebenjaminschool.org

Advisor Emeritus

Mr. Kendall Didsbury

Media Consultants

Mr. and Mrs. Tim Burke

holiday is celebrated for eight days by lighting the menorah.

Today, Jews all around the world celebrate the holiday by gathering with family each night of Hanukkah to light the candles on the menorah and sing the prayers. Lighting the candles on the menorah has specific rules to follow. When putting the candles in place, one is supposed to place them on the menorah from right to left and then light them from left to right using the shamash. The “shamash” is the ninth candle on the menorah and has the job of lighting the other candles. It can typically be found either in the center or on the far end of the menorah.

On the first night of Hanukkah, three prayers are recited while lighting the candles. For the following nights, only two prayers are expected for most Jews. After the candle lighting, different families sing different prayers and songs.

“We always sing “Maoz Tzur”, and “Rock of Ages”, and our prayer book also has a few sentences for what to reflect on each night,” shares college counselor, Mrs. Becca Gold-

EDITORIAL BOARD

Matthew Marasco, Editor-in-Chief

Joey Tomassetti, Editor-in-Chief

Carolyn Groffman, Club President, Associate Editor Haley Roth, Associate Editor Chase Zur, Associate Editor

Reid Waxman, Sports Editor

Jackson Zentner, Assistant Editor Ryan Chait, Breaking News Director

Sage Sorenson, Graphics

STAFF WRITERS

Cameron Bitove Finley Strauss

MISSION STATEMENT

The Pharcyde

berg.

Apart from “Ma’oz Tzur,” some other Hanukkah songs include “Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah,” and “Sivivon Sov Sov.” Along with these classics comes Adam Sandler’s iconic “The Chanukkah Song” which he performed on Saturday Night Live in 1994.

The holiday season contains many different holidays and celebrations of religion. During this time, Jews typically embrace their religion even when they may not be very religious for the rest of the year. While the gifts are a fun part of the holiday, the origins of Hanukkah are important to remember when receiving presents and playing dreidel.

“Hanukkah is important to me because I feel like it's important to embrace your Jewish identity, stay true to the roots of Judaism, and spend time with your family,” says junior Leah Klein.

While there are the fundamental parts of Hanukkah, each family most likely has its traditions. Some of these could mean special songs, an heirloom menorah or dreidels, and

GENERAL

The Pharcyde, the Upper School newspaper of The Benjamin School, is published seven times a year. 1,200 copies of The Pharcyde are distributed to 487 students and 57 faculty members and are available in the Upper School office.

The Pharcyde encourages submission of Letters to the Editor. Send your feedback, criticism, or outside opinions in 150 words or fewer to matthew.marasco24@thebenjaminschool.org.

The Pharcyde reserves the right to edit all letters for length, grammar, and clarity.

many other practices.

“We have a little at-home prayer service that we've been using since I was a little girl. It was printed in our temple newsletter and my parents saved it and had wax dripped all over it then made copies of it for my brothers and me,” says Mrs. Goldberg.

Spinning the dreidel is another long-lasting Hanukkah tradition that is apparent in many Jewish homes today. The start of the dreidel game was because the Jews were forced to hide any type of Jewish identification to avoid persecution. So, the dreidel became an important custom over time as the one game that could still be played as part of the culture.

This year is an even more important time to celebrate for many Jews because of the current situation in Israel today. Because of the inhumane attacks that the terrorist organization, Hamas, has relentlessly carried through, Israeli citizens find themselves in a terrible position to balance how to live their lives while being safe in a war zone.

“It's nice to hang out with your whole family together and it makes

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OPINION

The opinion articles in this paper are the opinion of the writer or the majority opinion of The Pharcyde Editorial Board. They are not the opinion of The Benjamin School or our advertisers.

me super thankful and it's a super happy time. I think, this year, it makes you appreciate what you have even more because of everything that's going on in Israel right now,” explains senior Hudson Byrne.

Most families in Israel are preparing for Hanukkah and looking forward to what little light in their lives they can find right now as their country is devastated. Instead of any large parties that would typically take place outside or at venues, the majority of people are just celebrating inside of their homes with maybe some close family that live nearby.

Several Israelis are bringing food and other necessities for the soldiers in the Israeli Defense Forces, or the IDF, Israel’s military. Some are using their resources as caterers or other similar jobs to put together small Shabbat services and parties for the soldiers for a break in their long distressing days.

Despite these hard times, The Pharcyde encourages everyone to find the light in the darkness.

QUOTATION POLICY

Anyone interviewed by The Pharcyde will have the chance to correct and edit their quotations before the paper goes to press. If they would like to change their interview before the quote confirmations get sent out, they can contact the student who interviewed them and ask to redo the interview.

MEMBERSHIP

The Pharcyde is a member of the Florida Scholastic Press Association, American Scholastic Press Association, Columbia Scholastic Press Association and the National Scholastic Press Association.

VHL: Time-Wasting Burden or Life-Changing Tech?

Finley Strauss Staff Writer

Upon hearing the word “VHL” (Vista Higher Learning), terror tends to strike students. VHLs are Spanish or French review lessons that generally lead to hours spent on mind-numbing questions or videos. However, students are starting to stand up against the platform.

Before diving into why VHLS are used, providing a background is necessary. Ms.York, Chair of the MS World Languages department, provided a history of VHLs. Ms.York explained that “before the richly embedded platforms like VHL, World Language teachers used a variety of materials: such as textbooks, CDs, workbooks, game packets, online websites, or materials that the teachers made themselves. Oftentimes, teachers still use materials from these previous sources as supplementary activities.”

The implementation of VHLs is not favored by students, as freshman Rita Janin explains, “VHLs are so broad that I never know what to do. They are also boring and so difficult to learn.” This learning fatigue leads to an unwillingness to learn languages while making students question their understanding. Sometimes, even if you spend an abundance of time on each lesson, students still end up confused and with low grades.

However, Ms. York believes that VHLs do not lead to this learning fatigue, claiming that “teachers assign work from the VHL SuperSite platform for a variety of reasons: to have students practice vocabulary and structures they are learning in

class; to introduce new material, to watch or listen to additional content provided by the publisher, and as additional listening or writing practice.”

Ms. York also argued that the VHL platform is essentially a World Languages lab available to anyone with a computer and headphones because of its accessibility.

Despite the platform’s constant availability, Maia Sonntag Camejo, a freshman in French-3 Honors, feels VHLs are a waste of her time.

Sonntag has been completing VHLs for years and feels that “VHLs are so confusing and long that I never know what to do. Points are taken off for no reason.” She thinks that VHLs are graded so unfairly and give hours of work weekly.”

This unfairness and waste of time is disputed by most of the foreign language teachers. After interviews with Mrs. Gonzalez Lopez, Ms. Gustafson, Mrs. Salivar, Mrs. Tejera-Mede, and Ms. York, all are in agreement that the VHL activities allow students to work independently at their own pace. They also argue that VHLs allows students who were absent during class time to easily access the material without the teacher.

Señora Salivar believes that because the program is used at the university level, the difficulty level is warranted.

Ms. Salivar explained that because “Benjamin is a college preparatory school, the purpose is to be trained for when you take higher level courses at university. VHLs are used by FAU and other universities across the state.” Regarding the difficulty level and amount of VHLs typically assigned, she explained that sometimes even two weeks are given to students

Energizing

the

to complete their assignments which is comparable to paper assignments.

Nick Skillin, another freshman, is in Spanish 2. Recently he had 75 VHLs to complete and felt that they were a waste of his time. Ms. York argues that even though they might have felt tedious or seem like a lot, the automatic grading features of VHL are very helpful for specific material, such as verb conjugations or vocabulary drills which are critical to a foreign language. If it was a paper assignment, points would be taken off immediately, but VHLs give students another chance.

Freshman Kenneth Craig Thompson (KC) feels frustrated in his Honors French class, claiming that his teacher, in one week, posted 30 VHLs and all of the VHLs were due the next day. KC feels that “VHLs take a lot of time away from other things I need to be working on. What is the point of them?”

Señora Tejera-Mede claimed that “if students think homework, in general, is boring instead of a practice opportunity, then it doesn’t matter if you do paper homework or VHLs.”

Teachers do understand that homework, whether VHL or on paper, can be tedious. So, some foreign language teachers use VHLs differently. For example, Ms. Gonzalez Lopez implements a mixture of lessons that might have a more positive impact on students. There might not be a need for an all-out ban if VHLs could be used in different ways. Instead of doing homework for hours on VHL, assigning lesser amounts or giving greater time to do them might be beneficial.

Ms. Gonzalez- Lopez does not

Debate: Pros and Cons of Energy Drinks

Reid Waxman Sports Editor

Celsius, Red Bull, Monster, are just some of the drinks students use in school to stay awake and pay attention. These caffeinated drinks have different outcomes on students whether they are in school or out of school. Although some parents and schools think energy drinks have too much caffeine in them, they are beneficial for students, and it helps them in all sorts of ways.

Not only do students take them to stay awake during the school day, it makes them more alert. The caffeine in energy drinks go to the central nervous system, and it reduces feelings of fatigue.

According to the National Library of Medicine, “27.7% of students use energy drinks and the majority, corresponding with the 93.0%, use them for activities such as sports and studying, and improves their focus.”

Not only do energy drinks help during the school day, but they also help after, and during sports. Some energy drinks contain ingredients like taurine and B-vitamins, which are meant to improve physical performance out on the field or the gym.

When journalists at Sports Medicine Reports wrote an article about the energy drink pros, they found a study, where “a recent meta-analysis shows energy drinks have the potential to increase performance in muscle strength and endurance.”

Upper School Academic Dean Mrs. Caroline Guzman is supportive of the energy drink, and points out that there are energy drinks in the vending machines at school.

“I don’t have a problem with

students drinking energy drinks. I support it if they are drinking it in moderation. With energy drinks in the vending machines, students can take a break and fuel themselves up for the next class,” Guzman stated. “Especially with students that have ADHD, the caffiene actually helps them focus more. If students drink too much caffiene, it will make them jittery and make them have the opposite effect, so students should know their limit if they are drinking something like this.”

The caffeine in the energy drinks is a stimulant for ADHD. In recent research studies, additudemag.com says that “caffeine could be useful as a treatment, as it appears to normalize levels of dopamine and improve attention in people with ADHD.”

Many students in school have this same problem, and it helps them out. I have ADHD, and the consumption of caffiene before school helps me focus and be more lively in class. I am way more attentive than I was when I do not have energy drinks.

Sophomore Chase Connor has ADHD, and thinks that the caffiene in energy drinks benefits him during the school day.

“They help me stay awake in class, which makes me focus better on what the teachers are saying. When I take notes, I can take notes and listen to what the teacher is saying,” Connor explains.

Senior Nick Cecchini is an avid energy drinker and drinks them out of school.

“The energy drinks are good for me because they have me always on the balls of my feet. Whenever I am tired, I can just go to the gas station and get an energy drink quickly,” Ce-

have exact or specific data on an increase in test scores from VHLsbut she does believe that assigning smaller amounts of VHLs leads to an uptick in positive results. “In class, when students are working on the VHLs I see them begin to think. I help them and can give positive feedback which increases understanding and participation, but I would like to see specific data as well to see if VHL truly leads to an increase in scores.”

The stress that VHLs have inspired in students is palpable and seems to correlate to the number of exercises being assigned.

On the other hand, it seems that no matter how variable teachers try to make their lessons on the platform, some students will simply not be persuaded to embrace the system.

What’s the solution? Conversation. Students need to vocalize their concerns with their teachers, who could also do a bit more to explain the many benefits VHLs offer. Students should ask for a lesser amount of VHLs and request more class time to do them when needed, and students could space out the timing their VHLs if multiple continue to be assigned.

How Does the Banning of Literature Play a role in Society

chinni explains. “When I have an early tee time for my golf tournament, energy drinks help me, because they both wake me up and make me focus up.”

While energy drinks have its benefits, it could also hurt a student during the day. The health concerns with excessive consumption of energy drinks could lead to increased heart rate, high blood pressure, and disrupted sleep patterns.

A simple Google search reveals several ongoing studies on the dangers of energy drinks, especially in teens. Because of this, drinkers need to educate themselves before binging. We encourage people to speak with their doctors before consuming energy drinks in any significant amount, especially if they are on other medications.

The School has shared additional information on energy drinks recently. We encourage everyone to read the advisory that was distributed.

(Photo by Custom Drinks)

Cameron Bitove Staff Writer

In early September, students of Erindale Secondary School in Canada returned from their summer vacations to be met with a startling void within the confines of their educational institution. The Ontario public school reportedly condensed its collection of books by half, implementing a process of elimination by removing all books published before 2008.

Sophomore, Reina Takata recalls, “This year, I came into my school library and there were rows and rows of empty shelves with absolutely no books.”

According to the Ontario education minister, the process was due to an “equity-based book weeding process,” that he has since called for an end to. Among these books were The Catcher In The Rye, the “Harry Potter” series, and even The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank. David Green, The chair and trustee of the Peel District School Board, relayed to CBC that the book weeding procedure was “rolled out wrong” and the school board has “plans to communicate with parents about the weeding process.”

In a meeting with the National Post, the Peel District School Board’s (PDSB) director of education Rashmi Swarup vocalized, “PDSB teacher librarians have not been given the direction to remove all books published with a publication date older than 2008, nor has the board received provincial direction to remove particular books from our collections.”

The removal of literature was reportedly “in response to a provincial

directive from the Minister of Education…[and] appears to have led some schools to remove thousands of books solely because they were published in 2008 or earlier.”

So what does this mean for the future students and educators? A senior from The Benjamin School voiced his opinion on the topic by stating, “I think that it negatively affects the understanding of the past and it contributes to a sense of false information spreading throughout schools and society.”

The continuous debate on this topic underlines the importance of intelligent and inclusive methods for managing educational resources. As Erindale Secondary School navigates this difficult terrain, it represents a microcosm of bigger social debates about educational institutions' roles in crafting narratives that contribute to the intellectual progress of future generations. The 2023 incident emphasizes the importance of ongoing introspection and flexibility in ensuring that educational environments remain dynamic, diverse, and representational of the complex tapestry of human knowledge and experience.

These three drinks are not the only caffieneted drinks that help students throughout the day.

Sophomore Reid Waxman completes a VHL assignment for his Spanish class. Students at Benjamin have varying opinions about the usage of VHL in language classes. (Photo by Joey Tomassetti)

A Year of Firsts

2023 was one for the history books. Here’s a sampling of some of the year’s noteable firsts....

Eras Headliner Breaks Record For Sales by a Female Artist.

Taylor Swift’s re-recorded “Speak Now” album debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200, her 12th No. 1 album, surpassing Barbra Streisand’s record for #1 albums by a female artist

Georgia Crushes TCU in Record-Setting Championship.

College Football, National Championship, SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California: #1 Georgia beats #3 TCU, 65-7; 58 point victory most lopsided win Championship Game history.

West End Celebrates Ramadan.

London’s equivalent of Broadway glowed with 30,000 festive holiday lights strung up to mark the Islamic holy month of Ramadan for the first time this March. Sadiq Khan, London’s first Muslim mayor, ceremoniously lit the “Happy Ramadan” display of lights depicting the phases of the moon. The installation was the first Ramadan celebration of its kind in a major European city.

Fifteen-Year Club is Born.

Eleven members of the Class of 2024 have been enrollled continiously at The Benjamin School since WOW, making history as the first members of the Fifteen-Year Club. The group’s inaugural members are: Izzy Casher, Shane Giaimo, Julian Janin, Tyler Kelly, Chase Malamala, Canyon Rauch, Christian Smith, Logan Smith, Maggie Smith, and Zach Smith.

Taurasi First in WNBA to Score 10k Points.

Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi becomes first WNBA player to reach 10,000 points as she drops 42 points in a 91-71 win over the Atlanta Dream at Footprint Center, Phoenix, Arizona

Cells From Two Male Mice Produce Offspring. Scientists from Osaka University in Japan have created mice from two biologically male parents for the first time, according to a study published in March in Nature. Scientists took skin cells from the tails of male mice and used them to generate eggs that were implanted into female mice, eventually producing live offspring. The reproductive feat could have future implications for fertility treatments and the preservation of endangered species.

Fab Four Hits One Billion on Spotify.

George Harrison’s “Here Comes The Sun” becomes 1st Beatles song to register a billion streams on Spotify, it is also the oldest song to do so.

Jimin amd Jungkook Become First Korean Solo Artists to Top the Charts.

Jimin, a member of the K-pop group BTS, became the first South Korean solo artist to top Billboard’s Hot 100 with “Like Crazy” in April. The weekly rankings reflect the most popular songs in the United States across genres. Several months later, fellow BTS member Jungkook became the second South Korean solo artist to take the No. 1 spot with his single “Seven.”

Geologists Extract Rocks from Earth’s Mantle.

After several unsuccessful attempts dating back to 1961, researchers drilled into the Earth’s mantle, retrieving sample after sample of the coveted dense rock for the first time.

Scientists deployed an ocean drilling vessel to a spot where the mantle has been pushed up closer to the ocean floor because of the tectonic activity near the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

A 3-D scan of the Titanic Wreckage shows more detail than ever before.

A full-size 3-D scan of the Titanic wreckage was revealed for the first time, showing detailed images of both the ship and its three-mile debris field. The more than 715,000 still images were captured by Magellan Ltd., a deepwater seabed mapping company, more than a century after the ship sank in 1912.

President Trump First to Be Indicted.

Former US President Donald Trump is indicted by a Manhattan Grand Jury on charges over hush payments paid to porn star Stormy Daniels - 1st US President to face criminal charges

Paralyzed Man Walks Again Using His Thoughts.

With the aid of brain and spinal implants, a man with paralysis was able to walk again more than a decade after his injury by using his thoughts, according to a study published in Nature. The implants, which use artificial intelligence technology, decoded electrical signals in his brain and sent messages to his muscles, allowing him to stand and walk with the aid of a walker.

Shohei Ohtani, pitcher and hitter extraordinaire, became the focus of the winter meetings, setting tongues ablaze when he signed a 10-year, $700 million salary to move up town from Anaheim to join the NL’s Los Angeles Dodgers in Chavez Ravine.

Regulators Approve First OTC Birth Control and Depression Meds.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a nonprescription birth control pill for the first time. Opill is expected to become available at pharmacies and grocery stores across the United States in early 2024. Weeks later, the F.D.A. approved the first postpartum depression pill. Zurzuvae was found in clinical trials to take effect in as little as three days, unlike other antidepressants, which can take at least two weeks.

Female Director Helms Box Office Juggernaut.

The Barbie film passes $1 billion at the global box office - its director Greta Gerwig is the first solo female filmmaker to do so.

First Methane-Fueled Rocket Launched.

A methane-fueled Zhuque-2 rocket, created by the Chinese private space company Landspace, reached orbit. Although it is a greenhouse gas, methane is widely viewed as more environmentally friendly standard kerosene-based fuel.

LeBron Sets Another Record.

LeBron James scores 38 points to become NBA’s all-time leading scorer as the Lakers go down 133130 to Oklahoma City Thunder in Los Angeles; surpasses Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s 38,387 career points

Chinese City Hits Record Low Temperature.

China’s northernmost city, Mohe, records record low temperature of -53C (-63F)

India Lands Spacecraft Near Moon’s South Pole.

India became the first country to successfully land near the moon’s south pole, a shadowed area of rugged terrain where prior missions by India and Russia both ended in crashes. India’s Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft touched down about 370 miles from the south pole in August. The landing made India the fourth country to launch spacecraft that reached the lunar surface, after the former Soviet Union, the United States and China. Scientists have been eager to explore the area after traces of water in the form of ice were discovered there.

White Kicks Way Into History Books.

Lily White, ‘24, becomes first female kicker on the Varsity Football Team.

A.I. Helps Decipher Ancient Roman Scroll.

Artificial intelligence has helped interpret part of an ancient scroll for the first time in modern memory. In August, a computer science student’s A.I. model extracted the ancient Greek word “porphyras” — or “purple” — from a Herculaneum scroll, one of hundreds that were buried and preserved in ash after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79.

Virgin Galactic makes its first space tourism flight.

Virgin Galactic flew its first group of tourists into space in August. Three ticket holders, including a mother-daughter duo and an Olympian, were launched into space from New Mexico in the VSS Unity, a rocket-powered space plane. Hundreds of people are on the waiting list for future flights, according to Virgin Galactic, with tickets currently priced at $450,000.

Đoković Sets New Grand Slam Record

French Open Men’s Tennis: Novak Đoković beats Casper Ruud of Norway 7-6, 6-3, 7-5 in 3 hours, 13 minutes for his men’s record 23rd Grand Slam singles title

Microplastics Found in the Clouds.

Researchers in Japan have found evidence that microplastics are in the clouds, according to Environmental Chemistry Letters, raising questions about possible climate effects. Scientists from Waseda University in Tokyo found airborne microplastics in clouds above Mount Fuji that they believe came mainly from the ocean.

Category-5 Storm Forms in Every Ocean in the World.

A Category 5 storm, which packs winds of at least 157 miles per hour (252 kilometers per hour), formed in every ocean basin in a single year for the first time on record. Meteorologists tracked storms in the seven ocean basins which make up the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans. Experts say that rising ocean temperatures played a role in the year’s active storm season.

Lethal Variant of Bird Flu Reaches Antarctica.

The HPAI H5N1 virus was confirmed in bird and seal populations on Bird Island in Antarctica for the first time in October, alarming conservationists who note that native wildlife have no defenses against many viruses, which could potentially lead to lower breeding numbers or even the extinction of isolated species.

The GOAT Returns and Adds To Her Legacy

er in the year,

won all-round gold at the World Championships in Antwerp, Belgium, - becoming the most decorated gymnast ever with 34 world and Olympic medals.

Researchers Discover 13.2 billion year old Black Hole.

Using data from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory and the James Webb Space Telescope, researchers confirmed the existence of the universe’s oldest black hole recorded to date. It is estimated to have formed about 470 million years after the Big Bang and is 10 times bigger than the black hole in the Milky Way.

The Heat Is On.

From November 2022 to October 2023, Earth experienced its hottest 12 months on record, according to the nonprofit organization Climate Central. The group’s analysis shows that global temperatures have risen 1.3 degrees Celsius (2.3 degrees Fahrenheit) above preindustrial records, alarming environmental and climate scientists, as the data is nearing the 1.5-degree Celsius (2.7-degree Fahrenheit) global warming benchmark set by the 2015 Paris Agreement

Ronaldo Signs For $200+ Million

Cristiano Ronaldo joins Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr for the “biggest salary ever in football”, leaving Manchester United after criticizing it publicly. Ronaldo’s contract has been estimated by media to be worth more than 200 million euros per year($220m).

Doomsday Clock Ticks Closer to Midnight

Doomsday Clock reset 90 seconds until midnight, the closest it has ever been (set up 1947) by Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, due partly to war in Ukraine

Ohtani Shatters MLB Salary Records

Gymnast Simone Biles (26) wins her record 8th US Championship in San Jose, California American. Lat-

Biles

Fall Play Review: Grown-Ups

Cappies Critic Offers Her Take On The Upper School’s Fall Production

Sarah Abisror Guest Writer

Summer’s here and it’s time to head back to camp! Come to Camp Indigo Woods to eat lots of s’mores, participate in the Rainbow Summit, make new friends, and protect your campers from a national crisis?! The Benjamin School’s spectacular performance of The Grown-Ups tells the tale of a summer like no other.

The Grown-Ups was written and produced by Nightdrive, a youthful theatre company, in 2021. Since theaters were shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they invited small audiences to their backyard to watch their performances. Critics enthusiastically described it as “the coolest new play you probably can’t see.” Its plot follows a group of counselors at a summer camp as they congregate after putting their campers to sleep. They tell each other their “Oh, yays” and “No, ways” and work through internal conflicts. But when they hear about a meme-turned-impending threat, they must figure out the best way to preserve the magic of camp while keeping the kids safe.

Xan Blount (Cassie) perfectly executed the entirety of her character’s arc. She flawlessly conveyed a wide range of expressions, especially during the emotional reveal of her connection to this camp. David Frear

(Lukas) showcased his special skills, including playing the guitar and speaking Spanish! He utilized impeccable characterization that assisted in his believability. He cultivated chemistry with Rebekkah Merkel (Maeve) that developed beautifully throughout the show. Merkel delivered a constantly clear understanding of her character as she learned to let go of tradition.

Sage Sorenson (Becca) displayed phenomenal comedic timing. She was extremely expressive in every moment - from telling campfire stories to expressing her frustrations with her best friend. Her nuanced acting choices were reminiscent of a true camp counselor. Demonstrating superior vocal inflection, middle schooler Harrison Poulakakos (Aidan) impressively acted alongside his older castmates. A standout moment of the production came at the end as he recited his exceptionally moving monologue.

As a whole, the cast provided tremendously realistic and three-dimensional characters. They interacted with each other well - creating unique dynamics between every combination. Although actors hesitated to

deliver certain lines, they recovered immediately and stayed engaged in the story. Their consistent stage business was an asset to their production, especially since it was produced in the round.

The costumes, designed by Evelyn Peyovich, allowed individual expression and uniformity to coexist. She gave the staff members campthemed accessories and crafted designs on their shirts to represent their personalities. The extraordinary set and lighting combined to produce the atmosphere of the woods. They worked in conjunction with the sound design - as classic camp cheers were played during blackouts to preserve this atmosphere.

The Benjamin School’s remarkably powerful production of The Grown-Ups balanced comedy with a heavy plotline. Despite any unfathomable circumstance they face, the staff at Camp Indigo Woods are dedicated to nurturing the leaders of tomorrow.

Sarah is a Cappies Critic from Cooper City High School. This review was written as part of the Cappies program.

Director Shares Tale Of Holiday Meal

Mr. Jason Peck

Upper School Faculty

What you are about to hear is a mash-up of many holidays. Before my father passed away a little over two years ago and before my Great Aunt Gita, who was the matriarch of our family, passed we used to meet and gather regularly during the holiday season. Here is what I remember

The word. . . anecdoche

n. a conversation in which everyone is talking but nobody is listening, simply overlaying disconnected words like a game of Scrabble, with each player borrowing bits of other anecdotes as a way to increase their own score, until we all run out of things to say.

-From The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

So much time has gone into setting this table but no one has eaten yet. There is a certain picturesque calm staring at a highly decorated, organized and cared-for table. Soon the moment will come quickly when the platters and plates are stuffed with traditional foods. The Gefilte Fishthough in my family we make it with

chicken and call it Gefilte Chick, followed by the Matzoh Ball Soup, followed by the brisket and kugels; massive corn pudding, a feast of potatoes, green bean casseroles, and, oh, the stuffing. I could live on this stuffing.

Many of the women in my family, lined up for their missions, will file from both kitchen doors and parade around the chain of tables, four by my last count.Tables that stretch across the dining room and the living room that has been cleared of its couches and armchairs to make room for all five generations of mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, aunts, grandparents, uncles and cousins. There will be new babies and the occasional absentee to recall. There will be new girlfriends or boyfriends, awkward questions like, “What happened to...” “so-andso,” followed by embarrassed laughter, pointy elbows jabbing into ribs, and chiding.

The parade of women and food will muffle the decibel level in the crowded room but will not mute it. Nothing can mute this holiday feast. There will be the constant din of “pass-this” and “I-didn’t-get-any-ofthat.” Of catching up, agreement and disagreement. Of laughter and shouting.

All of us shout. Our family has always operated at a yell, sometimes in Hungarian or Yiddish, but always as if the person you are speaking to was a trifle deaf and we have no concept of waiting for another person to finish before we speak. We just speak louder. We speak at once, all of us. A mash of voices. A wall of sound, bouncing off the hard-wood floors scuffed with tread marks from the heels of my Great Aunt Gita’s shoes.

Better

Than Never

Beatles Release Final Song, “Now and Then”

Chase Zur Associate Editor

On Nov. 2, 2023, The Beatles marked a historic milestone with the release of a final song, “Now and Then,” sixty-one years after their first single.

The track is incredibly raw as Lennon looks back on his life and his relationship with McCartney. Despite the fights and disagreements that Lennon and McCartney have had in the past, he explains that he feels nothing but love and respect for his friend. It seems that “Now and Then” was Lennon’s final way to convey this message to McCartney and helps to show fans why McCartney and Starr were so determined to finish the song.

The simplicity of the song further enhances the emotional aspect of it. The calming guitar, piano, and drums in the background truly allow Lennon’s words to take center stage. The reader is able to focus solely on the honest sentiment that is carried through the lyrics.

the most popular bands during their time. Their songs are timeless, some of their most popular being “Hey Jude,” “Let it Be,’’ “Yesterday,” and “Yellow Submarine.” In the 1970s, the band decided to split up because of internal differences, but their influence is still felt today.

Now, in 2023, the Beatles have continued to make history with their new song. Lennon wrote and recorded the song at his home in New York City in the late 1970s, but he died before he could release it. After his death, his wife, Yoko Ono, gave the demo to the remaining Beatles. Harrison, Starr, and McCartney wanted to finish the song, but could not separate Lennon’s voice from the piano on the demo they had received.The project seemed impossible to complete and was stopped until a new type of AI technology was invented.

And as she comes to greet you she will always approach with her very odd trademark line spoken in her very thick Hungarian accent, “Vell . . . its nice to smell you” . . . but there will be no smelling this year. The cacophony will continue even as we eat, with full mouths and choruses of “oh- this-is-delicious”- “the bestyou’ve ever-made,” even though it is the same dish, the same recipe every year. And when the food, which took days to prepare, is consumed within minutes, and all lean back with swollen bellies swearing we will not eat for a week, when the dishes are cleared and washed and stacked, leftovers divided into containers so that everybody gets a doggy bag, then we will linger over dessert, far too many desserts, laughing with joy at being together, yelling the length of the table to make sure we speak to everyone there. On this night, dinner will be followed by a high-stakes version of Spin-the-Driedel with the older children getting in on the gambling and the younger ones screaming and tussling in one of the bedrooms atop the pile of coats and purses on the bed, until someone remembers he has to work tomorrow, and another remembers the traffic they will surely hit on the highway.

Even leaving is boisterous, with hugs and goodbyes. God forbid you should leave without saying goodbye to each and every person.

Then the final farewell waves on the driveway before settling into the car for the long ride home. The door slams shut and all is silent.

And sad.

Until next year.

The Beatles’ new single and final masterpiece, “Now and Then,” stands as a testament to the timeless nature of this classic band. Lennon left the song unfinished and despite the several challenges it took to release it, Starr, Harrison, and McCartney united together to share Lennon’s words with the world. The Beatles continue to make history almost sixty-five years after their first song and serve as a huge inspiration in the music industry today.

Four men named John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr formed the iconic band known today as the Beatles.

They started as a local rock n’ roll group who played in local clubs and bars. Their pop songs with new sounds and themes were a huge hit, and they began traveling and performing all over the world.

With their best-selling music, numerous number-one hits, and large following, the Beatles became a global phenomenon and one of

Back in 2021, Peter Jackson, the filmmaker of the popular series “The Lord of the Rings,” decided to film a documentary on the Beatles called “Get Back.” It covered the making of the Beatles final album, “Let it Be,” and had raw footage of the Beatles in the studio recording several songs for their album. After listening to several hours of unclear performance film, Jackson knew he needed to use machine learning to separate the voices onto recording tracks. He did just this, and the documentary was released in November of 2021 and is currently streaming on Disney Plus. Using this same AI technology, McCartney and Starr started to work on the song again and were finally able to isolate Lennon’s voice from the demo track. McCartney redid the base, Starr added some drums and the two were able to completely finish the song. They were also able to incorporate guitar parts played by Harrison before he died as well. This new use of AI technology not only salvaged an amazing song but also demonstrated the potential of AI in influencing the future of music production.

The success of “Now and Then” has been remarkable, as it has reached #2 on the listing of the most popular Beatles’ songs on Spotify with over 30 million streams. The song incorporates a number of elements of the group’s characteristic sound and includes a heartfelt chorus featuring both Lennon and McCartney’s vocals.

Mr. Peck and the Drama Club pose for a picture after their performance of Grown-Ups. (Photo by Jeremy Ferris)

Rebekah Merkel (Maeve) and David Frear (Lukas) gather by the campfire during the first showing of the play. (Photo by Jeremy Ferris)

Pictured above is the album cover for “Now and Then.”

(Photo by Capitol Music Store)

“And if I make it through it’s all because of you.”

-Paul McCartney

Mr. Peck delivers a rousing talk during the Holiday Assembly. His story of a family dinner moved many in the audience.

(Photo by BTV)

Singing and Stringing: 2023 Winter Music Festival A Success

Joey Tomassetti Pharcyte Editor

On Fri., Dec. 8th at 7 p.m., the Winter Music Festival took place in Benjamin Hall. This is always an exciting event as it signifies the end of the first semester.

Like last year, there were performers from all three levels of Benjamin. The Third Grade Strings “Mozart Ensemble,” the Middle School Performance and String Ensembles, and the Upper School Concert Band, Chamber Ensemble, and Chorus were all showcased.

The conductors of the show included Mrs. Kirkland Austin, Mrs. Belen Clifford, Mr. Ransom Miller, and Mr. Andrew Winters. Some of the songs that were played were “Hanukkah,” “A Festive Christmas Celebration,” “Into the Storm,” and “Jesu, Joy of the Man’s Desiring.”

Senior Shane Giaimo, who plays the trumpet, gave his thoughts on the group’s performance.

“I believe the show went extremely well. Everything went smoothly and I think we sounded really good, even though we don’t practice that often as a group,” said Giaimo.

Giaimo’s favorite song was the final piece because it was a combination of all the high school and middle school music students.

“It was really cool to be a part of that, just because of the age dif-

ference and how they’re going to be in our spots one day,” explained Giaimo.

Senior Tristan Mack, who also plays the trumpet, says that his favorite song was “Into the Storm.”

“It’s a very fun song for the trumpets because of all the different notes you have to hit and I think everyone enjoyed it,” explained Mack.

When asked how he thinks the group can improve as a whole, Mack cites tempo as their only issue.

“We had trouble at times staying together in tempo, so if we could work on that and try to improve our cohesiveness as a group, we’ll sound even better,” noted Mack.

Senior Matias Saiz, whose favorite song was “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” attended the Winter Music Festival. He thinks it is important for students to support their classmates at events like this.

“It brings us closer as a community and from a musical standpoint, it also expands our horizons to new songs and new ways to express our emotion,” explained Saiz.

Overall, the 2023 Winter Music Festival was a success as usual. Great job to everyone involved, including all the performers, conductors, and attendees of the show. The next performance for the band will be the Spring Music Festival towards the end of the school year.

Another Successful Fall Sports Season Capped Off By Awards Ceremony

Ryan Chait Staff Writer

This year’s Fall Sports Awards took place on Dec. 8 in the Healey Athletic Center. There were individual awards for the respective players

in football, volleyball, golf, cheerleading, cross country, bowling, and swimming.

The event was led by Upper School Athletic Director, Coach Ryan Smith and Assistant Athletic Direc-

tors Mrs. Alexandria Clark and Mr. David Bailey. Smith kicked off the event by speaking of acknowledging academic achievement.

“The fall varsity sports awards are an opportunity to recognize our fall athletic teams, student-athletes, and coaches for their commitment, dedication, and achievements. It’s important to recognize all the student-athletes and coaches from the team while also acknowledging those students who performed at a high level or were great leaders and teammates,” said Coach Ryan Smith.

Then, Clarke, Bailey, and Smith called each team up, read out the names of all members, and shared some of the best memories from the season.

Article continues on page 11.

Mensch On The Bench: A Jew-ish Tradition

Haley Roth Associate Editor

As the holidays approach, lots of people begin to prepare for their annual traditions. Whether they are for Hanukkah, Christmas, or Kwanzaa, traditions offer the perfect chance to have fun and make the holidays special for your family.

One Christmas tradition that is very popular for those who celebrate is the Elf on the Shelf. During the month of December, parents and older siblings will continue to move the elf every night so that when the younger children wake up, they get to see the elf doing something new every day. This simple tradition has turned into elaborate scenes with parents making elves look like they are baking, decorating, and more.

For those who celebrate Hanukkah, this type of tradition has been missing for a long time. Younger kids can play dreidel with gelt or help make latkes in the kitchen, but there are not as many funny and enjoyable traditions. Many children felt left out as all of their friends celebrating Christmas would talk about their elves every day.

This eventually led to a more Jewish form of the elf being made. The Mensch on the Bench has become the equivalent of the Elf on the

Shelf for many Jewish households.

A “Mensch” in the Jewish culture is someone who is always kind and is looked up to as a leader of morals in a community. Moshe was one of the original Mensches, so he became the blueprint for the Mensch on the Bench. This toy teaches the importance of the holiday of Hanukkah while also being a fun replacement for an Elf on the Shelf. Parents can move the Mensch around every night and surprise their children in the morning.

Many high school students now look back on their family tradition of the Mensch on the Bench fondly as it made them feel included in the fun of the holidays.

“It was fun because it included the Jewish side of the holidays that is sometimes not included as much,” said Junior Bella Marx.

Sophomore Lila Cooper shares how important the Mensch was for her, “It was really fun to still get to have some of the same traditions as some of my friends and it was fun to wake up in the morning and see the Mensch.”

Many children play with the Mensch throughout Hanukkah. It created memories with siblings and was something that whole families could participate in.

Bella Marx remembers playing with the Mensch with her sister, “We would feed it crackers and it would leave us notes. My sister and I loved finding him every day.”

For many Jewish children who felt left out of the fun of the Elf on the Shelf during the holiday season, the Mensch on the Bench was the perfect toy to make them feel special and included. Families treated the Mensch like an elf while also using it to teach stories of kindness and the holiday of Hanukkah. The Mensch on the Bench may not be a normal or old tradition for many Jews, but it shows the Jewish culture through a children’s toy and is now a loved part of the eight nights of Hanukkah.

Tis’ the Season: Nutcracker Returns to Upper School For Third Straight Year

Joey Tomassetti Pharcyte Editor

For the third year in a row, the Nutcracker will return to Benjamin Hall. On Wed. Dec. 13th at 7 p.m., the Dazzlers, Sparklers, and other Lower School students will be joining the Vero Beach Ballet company to present The Nutcracker on the Indian River.

The Nutcracker Ballet is based on the story “The Nutcracker and the King of Mice” written by E.T.A. Hoffman. Although what is seen on stage today is different from the original story, the basic plot remains the same; the story of a young German girl who dreams of a Nutcracker Prince and a fierce battle against a Mouse King with seven heads.

Upper School students will not be required to watch the show during the school day. Head of the Fine Arts Department Mrs. Sara Salivar explains why this year is different.

“This year, we were not able to

schedule the Indian River Nutcracker until December 13, which is the week before midterm exams. We decided to invite the 5th graders from the Lower School to attend the program. Our Upper Schoolers would be in their last block period of the semester on Wednesday, December 13 so it was not a good idea to pull them from classes for an assembly,” noted Mrs. Salivar.

“We have students participating in the assembly, but they will mostly be involved in the evening show at 7 p.m. I hope many students will attend the Nutcracker in the evening. It will be well worth it,” added Mrs. Salivar.

The Dazzlers will be playing a large role in the performance.

“They will be dancing in many roles including the Waltz of the Flowers, and other marine and wildlife characters in the show. The Indian River Nutcracker is very unique in that it is set in South Florida and includes so many of the environmental

features that are unique to our area,” explained Mrs. Salivar.

Mrs. Salivar shares why The Nutcracker on the Indian River keeps returning to the Upper School.

“It is good for our community to have such a professional production in our beautiful Benjamin Hall facility. I especially enjoy working with Ballet Vero Beach’s talented Artistic Director, Adam Schnell, who happens to be Mrs. Goldberg’s brother. He is such a creative person and I love the way he interacts with all of our young dancers. What a great opportunity for our dancers to be able to work and collaborate with a professional dance company,” said Mrs. Salivar.

There will be discounted tickets for students and faculty, so even more of an incentive to watch. If you are attending, please arrive by 6:45 p.m. in order to purchase your tickets and get seated in time. Enjoy the show!

The Upper School Strings Ensemble conducted by Mrs. Austin performed a medley of delightful seasonal tunes during the Winter Music Festival. (Photo by Erika Sousa)

In this train station scene, the protagonist, receives a nutcracker who comes to life when the clock strikes midnight. (Photo By Jeremy Ferris)

Shown above is the effortlesly performed Swan Lake dance, which is one of the most famous scences in the show. (Photo by Jeremy Ferris)

Pictured above is one of the most important scences of the 2022 performance of the Nutcracker by the Vero Beach Ballet Company. (Photo by Jeremy Ferris)_

The Mensch on the Bench also comes with a book that tells the story of Hanukkah through the eyes of a true Mensch, Moshe.

(Photo from Amazon)

All Athletes who received an award for their oustanding performances, pose for a photo with their plaques after the Fall Sports Awards Ceremony. (Photo by Jeremy Ferris)

College Playoffs Are Set, But Is There a Clear Favorite?

By Joey Tomassetti Pharcyte Editor

After a weekend of suspenseful finishes and compelling arguments, the College Football Playoff Final Four is set. First, the one-seeded Michigan Wolverines will face the four-seeded Alabama Crimson Tide in the Rose Bowl. Then, the two-seeded Washington Huskies will take on the three-seeded Texas Longhorns in the Allstate Sugar Bowl later that night.

The Rose Bowl will be played in Pasadena, California at 5 p.m. Eastern time. The Sugar Bowl will be played in New Orleans, Louisiana at 8:45 p.m.. Both games will be played on New Year’s Day.

With the new twelve-team playoff format being integrated next year, many college football fans are disappointed that the fifth-ranked Florida State Seminoles were left out of this year’s playoffs. With star quarterback and Benjamin alumni Jordan Travis out for the season with an ankle injury, the Selection Committee made Florida State the first team ever to miss the playoffs after being undefeated and winning their conference championship game.

“We’ve never had a year with eight teams at the top as good as these are, and the five conference champions one through five, we’ve never had it come out that way,” CFP executive director Bill Hancock said. “My feeling is it probably was the toughest.”

Senior Andrew Lappin is a believer in the top four teams being selected for the playoffs.

“FSU is one hundred percent not one of the best teams. They just do not have the talent a team like Bama has. FSU would’ve gotten whooped

by whoever they played in the first round if they had made it. The Jordan Travis injury basically ended their season and they will never be the same without him,” argued Lappin. Now, The Pharcyde will analyze each of the playoff teams and predict how the College Football Playoffs will unfold.

#1 Michigan:

Michigan has been a great team these last few years, but they have consistently fallen short when it has mattered most. Two years ago, it was in the Orange Bowl as a twoseed against three-seeded Georgia. Last year, it was in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl against TCU as a heavy favorite. Now, all the pressure is on the Wolverines and Jim Harbaugh as the number one seed. With the committee ultimately choosing Alabama over Florida State as the number four seed, Michigan’s path to the championship is significantly more difficult. Even though they have an unfavorable matchup, Michigan has two things going for them: their potent defense and their strong running game. Quarterback JJ McCarthy is a perfect fit in Harbaugh’s offense and Blake Corum is one of the best running backs in college football. If they can lean on them and their defense, they will have a great chance to defeat Alabama and potentially win the National Championship.

#2 Wahington:

Maybe the biggest underdog of the four teams, Washington was probably the steadiest team in the country this year. They never wavered and seemed to play better at the end of the season when it mattered most. Even after beating Oregon earlier in the year, the Huskies were a heavy underdog against these same Ducks in

the Pac-12 Championship. But in the end, Washington and Michael Penix Jr. got the job done and now find themselves in the College Football Playoffs. Speaking of the Heisman candidate, Penix was the definition of consistent for this Washington team. But a quarterback would not be as good as he is without help from the rest of his offense. Penix Jr. plays behind an amazing offensive line and has the luxury of throwing to targets such as Rome Odunze and Ja’Lynn Polk. Having an elite running back like Dillon Johnson in the backfield also helps. If Washington can make their matchup with Texas into a shootout, it will be up to the defense to stay solid and send them to the Championship game.

#3 Texas:

Texas is back in the College Football Playoffs and it feels right. This Longhorns team is tough, has playmakers all over, and is hungry to return to its first National Championship since 2009. Led by former Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian and quarterback Quinn Ewers, there is plenty of talent for the Big-12 Champs. Receivers Xavier Worthy and Adonai (AD) Mitchell have been great all year, but the offense is missing a significant weapon. Stud running back Jonathan Brooks tore his ACL a few weeks ago against TCU, subtracting a significant piece from the Texas offense. Luckily, CJ Baxter has stepped into the lead-back role and has been good enough, but they will need him to be great to outscore Washington. Ewers will also have to make the smart plays, which he has struggled to do at some points this season. If Texas starts the game strong and makes Washington ner-

NFL Chaos At The Midseason Turn

By Jackson Zentner Associate Editor

The playoff race is heating up as injuries, surprise wins, and shocking losses have refined the league’s landscape. With a splash in Miami, and a scare in Buffalo, added with a fourway tie for two wild card spots in the NFC, the playoff race is getting competitive during the final stretch of the 2024 season.

Though they are tied at nine wins and three losses with the Baltimore Ravens, the Miami Dolphins take the top seed in the AFC because of the tiebreaker between the two teams. They are coming off a massive win against the Washington Commanders. Their most impressive showing is their record against teams in their division sitting at three wins and only one loss. They are second in the league in points per game at 32.0.

The offense is led by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa who is third in the league in passing yards with 3,457. Star receiver Tyreek Hill has 1,481 yards of Tua’s passing yards, which is a league-high and continues at a pace for the NFL single-season record.

On the ground, Raheem Mostert leads the NFL in rushing touchdowns at 14 through week 13. The conference leaders look to continue their success in hopes of leading the conference around playoff time.

Miami Prediction: 12-5

Starting off hot to the season, the Philidelphia Eagles have been the most dominant team on offense and defense in the NFL. With their incredible trick plays, such as their famous “Tush Push” which has been a very important factor in their offense, they have proven to be a Super Bowl candidate. Their 93.3 percent rate of

the “QB sneak” has created a dominant four-down strategy for the team.

Quarterback Jalen Hurts has two elite receivers to throw to including A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith. A.J. Brown eclipsed 1,000 yards, but has slowed down significantly.

Although the team lacks on the defensive side and in the secondary, there is no doubt about the ease of a playoff for the Eagles.

Philadelphia Prediction: 15-2

The Buffalo Bills have been nothing more than disappointing this season after losing five of their last seven games. The team started the season strong with three wins and only one loss, but has fallen to .500% at six wins and six losses.

Quarterback Josh Allen is second in the league in interceptions at a pathetic number of 13 INTs. Though the offense as a whole is fourth in the league for yards a game and fifth for points per game, they have not been able to finish out the games on top. During their losing stretch, the Bills fired their offensive coordinator which has not seemed to have any positive or negative effect on the

vous, it will be hard for the Huskies to get back in the game and halt the momentum.

#4 Alabama:

The sky is blue, Christmas Day is on Dec. 25th, and Alabama is back in the College Football Playoffs. Some things never change when you have Nick Saban as head coach. Saban and the Crimson Tide find themselves in a tough matchup against Michigan. As explained above, the Wolverines’ potent defense and running attack will prove to be a tough challenge for the Crimson Tide. But this defense is ready for a challenge like this, led by one of the best defensive backs in the country in KoolAid McKinstry. The offense is where the team has struggled at times this year. In some games, Alabama got stuck in the mud and was never able to get in a rhythm in both the air and on the ground. As of late, quarterback Jalen Milroe fortunately has this team looking a lot better than

they did earlier in the season. Milroe is not the most talented quarterback by any means, but he gets the job done. In the College Football Playoffs though, Milroe will most likely have to step up his game to be able to support his defense. If he can play well, Alabama has as good of a chance as any of these teams to win yet another National Championship.

The Pharcyde’s College Football Playoff Prediction:

Semifinal: No. 4 Alabama defeats No. 1 Michigan in the Rose Bowl 27-24. Semifinal: No. 3 Texas defeats No. 2 Washington 35-24.

National Championship: No. 4 Alabama defeats No. 3 Texas 31-28.

This College Football Playoffs should be an entertaining one, as having different teams than usual can lead to classic games and new storylines. It will be interesting to see who can come out on top in the last year of the four-team playoff format.

Wins Ballon

By Ryan Chait Staff Writer

This is the Oscars of soccer. Every year, the Ballon d’Ors (or Gold Balls) are presented to the world’s best soccer players. The awards are presented by France Football in conjunction with the UEFA (Union of European Football Associations). This year, the 67th Ballon d’Ors took place on October 30th in Paris. Eight awards were distributed.

Ballon d’Or:

team.

The defense has been very solid, only allowing 18.9 points per game, which is fifth in the league. Obviously, there are problems that do not just include the team’s on-field play due to the high statistics they have. The Bills are looking to turn it around during the final stretch of the season.

Buffalo Prediction: 8-9

The San Francisco 49ers have surprised everybody this year. After having a historic run during last year’s playoffs, quarterback Brock Purdy has solidified himself as an MVP candidate throughout this season. Their record does not rely on their offense, but their defense is ranked highly in a lot of categories, such as being first in interceptions and third-down stops. Fred Warner, who leads this offense, is a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year. This team is looking the best they have been in the last decade, and will only get better throughout the season.

San Francisco Prediction: 12-5

The Ballon d’Or is the MVP. The top 3 nominees were Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, and Kylian Mbappé. Lionel Messi won his 8th Ballon d’Or, the most prestigious award a soccer player can earn. With his win, Messi increased his lead over Cristiano Ronaldo (5) for most trophies by a player of all time.

Ballon d’Or Féminin:

The top 3 nominees were Aitana Bonmatí, Sam Kerr, and Salma Paralluelo. Bonmatí won the award for the first time beating her twenty-nine other competitors.

Kopra Trophy:

The Kopra Trophy is awarded to the player who appeared for the most clubs in a single season, to Real Madrid’s center-midfielder Jude Bellingham.

Yashin Trophy:

The Yashin Trophy is presented to the best goalkeeper. The top 3 nominees were Emiliano Martínez, Ederson, and Yassine Bounou. Martínez won the award by beating 2nd place Ederson by just under 100 points.

Gerd Müller Trophy:

The Gerd Müller Trophy acknowledges the best striker. This year, the top 3 nominees were Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé, and Harry Kane. Haaland just edged out Mbappé to win his first trophy.

Sócrates Award:

The Sócrates Award goes to the

player who dedicates a significant amount of time to their community. Real Madrid’s left-wing Vinícus Júnior unanimously won the award, his first Sócrates Award.

Men’s Club of the Year:

This year’s Men Club of the Year was unanimously voted to Manchester City for having seven of the thirty nominees for the Ballon d’Or, one of the ten nominees for the Yashin Trophy, the winner of the Gerd Müller Trophy, and of course for topping the UEFA Champions League for the fourth time in club history.

Women’s Club of the Year:

This year’s Women’s Club of the Year was FC Barcelona for having six of the twenty-nine nominees for the Ballon d’Or Féminin, and of course for winning the women’s UEFA Champions League.

This year’s Ballon d’Ors contained some surprises and confirmed some long-held expectations.

Alabama starting quarterback Jalen Milroe (left) and Alabama head coach Nick Saban (right) will look to take advantage of leapfrogging Florida State and bring the Championship trophy back to Tuscaloosa. (Photo from Yahoo Sports)

Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill (left), Jaylen Waddle (middle) and runningback Raheem Mostert (right) celebrate a touchdown with Waddle’s “Waddle” celebration in a game versus the Carolina Panthers in Week 6. (The Boston Globe)

Lionel Messi wins his 8th Ballon d’Or and makes history.

(Photo from Business Sports)

Soccer Season Kicks-Off: Bucs’

Back to States Has Only Just Begun

By Joey Tommassetti Pharcyte Editor

The Benjamin Boys and Girls Soccer seasons are off to a fast start as November comes to a close. Each team has already played three games, with the boys sitting at 3-1-1 and the girls at 5-0.

The Boys’ team opened their season with wins against St. Andrews School and Cardinal Newman and then lost a close one against North Broward Prep right before Thanks-

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Hoban explained. “When we made the regional semifinals last year and lost, it gave us a reality check that we can go further if we work harder.

giving break. Then on Mon. 11/27, they tied Oxbridge Academy 1-1, and on Tues. 11/28, they defeated University School 3-0.

After winning Districts and losing in the Regional Semifinals last year, the team is looking to bounce back with a younger, rejuvenated team.

“The team’s end goal is to make it back to states and hopefully win it this time around,” said senior and Captain Zach Neidoff.

Playing centerback for the Bucs, Neidoff describes how this year’s team differs from the 2022 team that fell short nearly a year ago.

“We lost seniors Luke Egizio and Luke Casper, but I think their loss hasn’t been felt as much as expected due to players like Brendan Matz and Gavin Gelinas stepping up and into the positions that they left behind,” explained Neidoff.

Junior striker Maddox Hoffman is looking to score as many goals as he can this season. He discusses what the team has done well this season and where they can improve.

“I think our biggest strength so far has been our ability to successfully replace the seniors that we lost. Our biggest weakness has been finishing the chances we are creating for ourselves, which comes down to better execution,” said Hoffman.

The Girls’ team went into the break on a high note, winning their first three games against St. Andrews School, Wellington High School, and Dwyer. Then on Wed. 11/29, they beat Treasure Coast High School 3-2, and on Thurs.11/30, they defeated

Westminster Academy 6-0.

Senior and Captain Lily White has goals for this season besides returning to the State Championship.

“I want to be a good leader for my teammates by helping them perform to the best of their abilities and by helping us grow close as a team,” said White.

After losing seniors Maddie Popilek, Cameryn Grissman, and Anna Smithy, the team has a different feel this year

“It’s definitely been different. We really miss their abilities and talent, their enthusiasm, and their personalities as they were all fun to be around. But I really like this year’s group too. We have a lot of great players and should win a lot of games again,” noted White.

Sophomore striker Sofia Balistreri explains how the team is trying to mitigate some of the changes.

“We’re putting players where they don’t normally play, and that can sometimes be a struggle, but we’re working through that day by day. Players like Sam Woods and Emily Simon have been huge for us. I think as the season goes on, we’ll end up having a really strong defense,” said Balistreri.

The Boys’ next game is at Gulliver Prep on Tues. Dec. 5, while the Girls’ next game is on Tues., Dec. 5 at home against Pine Crest. We wish both teams the best of luck with the rest of their seasons.

The Basketball Season Has Just Started Off With A Bang

By Jackson Zentner Associate Editor

The Benjamin Boys Varsity Basketball team is looking to improve this season after finishing with sixteen wins and eleven losses last season. The team took a huge blow after losing seven seniors and four starters, which now leaves the young squad with a lot of shoes to fill.

Senior Captain Christian Balistreri is a strong contributor to the team especially beyond the arc, as he was third on the team in three-pointers made last season. He was sixth on the team in points while being behind four seniors in the starting lineup. He has a real chance to shine this year and lead the team when he returns from injury.

“It is my senior season, so I am really excited and I want to just try and help the team because we have a lot of underclassmen who will get a few opportunities. The team is lacking a lot of height, which is going to make us rely on not taking bad shots and creating more scoring opportunities by moving around and not just crashing the boards,” mentions Balistreri.

Sophomore Adam Balogoun-Ali made a huge difference to the team last season, as he started as just a freshman. He had a little over two hundred points, which was third on the team and a fifty-two percent field goal percentage, which was second on the team.

“This season is really important for me because I am going to have a bigger role on the team. My goal is

Sophomore Adam Balagoun-Ali drives to the hoop in the thid quarter of their game against the Pine School. “This season is going to be fun, because I get to shine more than I did last year,” Balogoun-Ali explained with passion. “Since we lost a lot of seniors last year, this will be a tough year for us, but I feel like we will power through.”

for us to improve and just show progress through the season because that can help for next year,” says Balogoun-Ali.

A young and promising player is freshman Griffon Alterman. He is a shifty guard, , and has the ability to get to the rim quickly. He could have a possible role on th.e varsity team this year.

“I am excited for this year because it is my first year and I am hoping that I make varsity. I am hoping that my time at Benjamin includes a state championship,” adds Alterman.

Senior Hudson Byrne will also be one of the players to have an expand-

last year against

“We were very solid last year, and the chemistry was there. When we got through the season, it only got better. Now, the chemistry has gotten stronger, and we are ready to fight for a state championship in my last year,” Balzano explained.

Fall Sports Awards Continued From pg. 9

The fall season has been extremely successful with all teams competing in district tournaments. Boys and girls golf, swimming, and girls cross country all made it to the state competition with the boys golf team even taking home a state title.

The remarkable achievements of the fall season are a testament not only to the impressive athletic talent of the teams, but also to the exceptional leadership qualities of the seniors.

Senior Maggie Smith, and member of the volleyball team, feels honored to be acknowledged for her efforts in Benjamin athletics.

“I love being involved in sports, especially at Benjamin where it is so important to each and every student. I was awarded the Varsity Volleyball Coaches Award. I think that I was given this because of my commitment to the team for the past four

(Photo by Erika Souza)

ed role this year after having limited numbers last season.

“I want the team to thrive and I want to make the season special because it’s my senior year, and maybe do a little better than my brother in his senior season,” says Byrne.

The boys have started the season with two wins and two losses with a desire to improve from the early losses. They have a hefty season ahead of them, and it sounds like all of the players are ready for a long, but fun season. Best of luck to the team this season! Go Bucs!

years. I have given my whole career to this team and I am truly going to miss it when I go to college. I was one of the captains of the team this year, so receiving this award truly meant the world.”

Freshman Emma Lewis, a member of the girls’ cross country team, enjoyed her first sports season at Benjamin and was given the Rookie of the Year award.

“Winning this award (Rookie of the Year) is an honor. I did not think I would be getting an award and I am very excited to see where the rest of my high school running career takes me,” said Lewis.

Overall, the Fall Sports Awards Ceremony seemed to be a great way to recognize the exemplary performances of the fall sports teams. As we move into the next season, The Pharcyde can not wait to see the successes of those teams.

Junior Dillon Hoban dribbles up the field in the Bucs’ Regional Semifinal matchup against Taylor High School last year. (Craig Franzen). “I

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The Varsity Girls’ Soccer team poses for a picture after a preseason victory against Wellington. (Hillary Carney). Sophomore Sienna Barboni is super excited for the season. “I am super excited for the season because I love all the people on the team and high school season is always fun,” Barboni stated. “I love traveling for games and doing team bonding. I really think we are going to win states, and we are undefeated and confident.”

Senior Luca Balzano clears the ball away in the boys game

American Heritage (Craig Franzen)

The Girl’s Volleyball team was sucessful this season. “This season was so much fun, and I had a great time with my friends. Most of these people will play beach volleyball in the spring with me, so I am excited for that,” Brodner said.

Monday, January 8

Classes Resume

Have a wonderful winter break...

Imani - Faith

Kuumba - Creativity

Nia - Purpose

Ujamaa - Cooperative Economics

Ujima - Collective Work and Responsibility

Kujichagulia - Self-Determination

Umoja - Unity

Principles of Kwanzaa

Winter Word Search

Holiday Playlist

However, as soon as I was big enough, I was moving trees… lots of trees. My family and I would spend most weekends in December at the nursery. I started as an apple cider and cookie stocker and twine -col lector, and eventually, as I grew, would be baling and securing trees on cars.”

“Growing up, my family owned and operated a Christmas tree nursery. For us, Christmas usually started the day after Thanksgiving. This is when we headed over to the nursery and were met by a tractor trailer loaded with 500 freshly-cut Christmas trees. Our family would spend the day (and several other days each Christmas season) unloading, drilling, and putting trees on the stands. In the beginning years, I was small, and my job was to cut open the trees, which were wrapped in twine for tight packing.

Jacob Bounds