The Shield_Vol71_Issue2

Bishop Kenny High School | Jacksonville, Fla. Volume 71, Issue 2

Season

PAGE 11

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Dear Readers,

During this Christmas season, it is with great joy and excitement that we give to you the second issue of the 2023-2024 school year.

In a world that is constantly changing and evolving, we express our personal gratitude for your continued support as we strive to provide insightful, thoughtprovoking and informative content.

In Issue 2, we set our focus on the reason for the season, which is giving.

In this modern day and age, we may become so caught up with the holiday festivities and blessings we have that we forget about those who are less fortunate.

Therefore, in this issue, we explore the power and importance of giving and helping others who may not

Editor in Chief: Anna Bass A & E / Opinions Copy Editor: Rheece Singletary Features / Sports Copy Editor: Giovanna Bettega Feitoza News Copy Editor: Gloria Gjuraj Business Manager: Gabby Nunez Website Manager in Chief: Emily Wheldon Staff Reporters: Chloe Barron, Madison Bolen, India Brophy, Lorelei Carlton, Glory Dansou, Parker Fluhr, Leah Fullerton, Sophia Gredenhag, Serenity Mead Ally Milonas, William Wainwright, Sami Whitney

2 THE SHIELD | DECEMBER 2023

be as lucky as we are.

In our features section, we explore this theme of giving across several different aspects. One of these is altruism, in which we discuss the psychological impact of giving back to others. Additionally, we have included information about the organization UNICEF, which strives to bring aid to impoverished and homeless children around the world. Also, we discuss how individuals with special needs may not have the same educational opportunities as their peers, and potential solutions to this for the future.

In our opinions section, we have a piece that further dives into the reason for the season, discussing how easily the holidays are turned into a materialistic turmoil and why this is

Adviser: Jessica Durbin Mission Statement: The Shield is a student news magazine, published quarterly by journalism students at Bishop Kenny High School, dedicated to empowering and informing the student body by delivering timely, accurate and engaging stories. We strive to uphold Bishop Kenny’s core values while fostering a sense of community, promoting critical thinking and celebrating the diverse voices and achievements within our school. Through our commitment to journalistic integrity and creativity, we aim to inspire and connect our readers, creating a culture of informed and engaged students.

The Shield is a member of FSPA.

harmful.

In our sports and news section, we report on the annual Florida vs Florida State football game, a rivalry tradition observed by many students and alumni.

Additionally, we include a recap of several important news events around campus this past quarter.

In our arts and entertainment section, find a review of the ultimate coldweather comfort food: soup.

Also, we discuss the impact of speaking out on social media and its implications for celebrities.

With fewer than six weeks to create this issue, I am beyond proud to be able to share it with you, and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed creating it.

Merry Christmas Crusaders!

Policy: The policy of The Shield is to provide a forum for student expression.

Advertising: If you are interested in advertising in The Shield, email newspaper@ bishopkenny.org for more information.

Questions, Comments, Concerns: Letters to the editor are encouraged; submit to room 224. Names can be withheld upon request.

1055 Kingman Ave., Jacksonville, FL. 32207 (904) 265-9390 fax: (904) 398-5728 Cover | Rheece Singletary

CONTENTS

08 09 12 14 16 17 18 20

STORIES

THE SHIELD | DECEMBER 2023

‘TIS THE SKI-SON

Skiing, snowboarding this winter season

12 DAYS OF KENNY

Santa came early...here are some gifts for you

INEQUITY UNVEILED

05

Private schools not required to provide special needs programs

CANCELED

The impact of celebrities voices on media

DAY OF THE CHILD

A look into the impact UNICEF has made on universal issues

HOW MATERIALISM STOLE CHRISTMAS

06

And the reason for the season

BETTER TO GIVE

Examining why we are altruistic and how it aids us

CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD

Exploring Christmas customs around the globe

22

ISSUE 2 | INDEX 3

4 THE SHIELD | DECEMBER 2023

NEWS RECAP Glory Dansou | Staff Reporter

Junior Nick Martin makes a soulful performance with a song by “The Backseat Lovers” at the Coffeehouse event on Nov. 15.

Photo by Giovanna Feitoza

Students come together to bring flowers for the memorial of late student Marcus Clark on Nov. 16. followed by a memorial mass on Nov. 17.

Photo courtesy of Alex Unger

Participating in the Florida Law Enforcement K9 Competition held by Bishop Kenny on Saturday, Nov. 18. Officer Casey Walsh from the Gainesville Sheriff’s Office won “Fastest Dog” with her K9 Stern.

Photo courtesy of Allie Rowland

New Attendance Secretary Jennifer Matthews joins front office staff on Nov. 29.

Senior Mike Bernardo goes up for a basket during game against Westside on Dec. 1. Crusaders won 55-45.

Photo courtesy of Yearbook

Photo | Parker Fluhr

ISSUE ISSUE22||NEWS NEWS 55

RALLYING RIVALRY UF VS. FSU Every Thanksgiving Weekend Madison Bolen | Staff Reporter

D

errick Brooks, Tim Tebow, Deion Sanders, Steve Spurrier and many more inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame have helped to build up the football programs of Florida and Florida State.

This rivalry between these two football programs began in 1902 when the teams played each other twice in one season, each winning on their home fields.

The Gators and Seminoles have always presented their fans with great games, but both teams have had their ups and downs. The Gators had the longest winning streak of nine years (1968-1976), but more recently the Seminoles had a five-year winning streak (2013-2017).

PRE GAME PREDICTIONS

The spread for the 2023 game predicted that FSU would beat UF by 6 points, which is interesting, considering both of the starting quarterbacks were out for this game. Also, the over/under was 49, according to CBS sports.

GAME RECAP

The first half was a success for the Gators as FSU did not score until the last 26 seconds of the half, leaving the score at 12-7 at halftime.

The Seminoles kept up their momentum from the end of the first half, and scored another touchdown only 2.5 minutes into the half. In the end, FSU cleared the spread by beating the Gators with a final score of 24-15.

FSU is currently on a twoyear winning streak for this rivalry, but who knows how the tables could turn for next year’s game.

Former Florida quarterback from the class of 1966 and head coach from 1990-2001,

Steve Spurrier, presented Tebow with a College Football Hall of Fame plaque.

TIM TEBOW

At the end of the first quarter, former Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, class of 2009, was honored for his college football career.

Bishop Kenny alumni gather at the Miller family tailgate before the game.

Total Yards

M. Johnson Jr. Rushing Yards M. Brown Complete Passes

6 THE 6 THESHIELD SHIELD||DECEMBER DECEMBER2023 2023

Tebow is part of the selection of the 2023 College Football Hall of Fame, where he will become the tenth Florida Gator to be inducted since 2006. This is a record for players in the College Football Hall of Fame out of the teams in the SEC.

TRADITIONS

Generations after generations have passed down their love for this rivalry, and over a century later, it is still going strong.

Bishop Kenny and Florida alum Victoria Miller has attended this rivalry game since her college days and continues to share this tradition with her kids.

“I love how this game brings all of my family and close friends together,

especially since I have two busy kids in college,” Miller said. “This is an easy way to spend quality family time with them.”

Both of Miller’s kids are Bishop Kenny alumni. Currently her son, Scott Miller, is a junior at Florida State, and her daughter, Isabella Miller, is a sophomore at Florida.

Because of their divided household, this makes game day extra competitive for the Miller family.

Sophomore Sophia Miller is the youngest child, which makes her the ultimate tie breaker. Which college will she choose?

“I’ve always grown up being a Gator fan my whole life,” Sophia said. “My brother

just decided to be the rebel of the family and go to the enemy’s side. But I still want to follow in my mom’s footsteps.”

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS

Including FSU’s win against Florida, FSU now has an undefeated record of 130. What more could a team ask for? Well, on Sunday, December 4, the four teams for the College Football Playoffs were chosen, however FSU was left out of the draw.

The last spot narrowed down to FSU or Alabama, with the College Football Playoffs committee choosing Alabama for its eighth appearance at the playoffs.

This is the most of any college team in history.

Why is this decision so controversial? FSU is the first undefeated

team from a “major Power-5 conference” to be excluded from the playoffs since the start of the program in 2014, according to CNN Sports.

Some fans argue that this decision robbed FSU solely due to Alabama’s reputation and the success of head coach Nick Saban. The committee argues, though, that FSU is not the same team it was when the season started. Their first and second string quarterbacks are injured and FSU is currently playing with its third string quarterback. With this as a factor, the committee does not think that FSU would look good on TV playing against the three other teams chosen for the playoffs.

Despite all of this controversy, FSU still proved that they are a competitive team with an impressive 13-0 record.

Grace Petre (Class of 2023), senior Jayce Lam and senior Mateo Rojas cheer for FSU in the second half.

Total Yards

T. Benson Rushing Yards T. Rodemaker Complete Passes ISSUE ISSUE22||SPORTS SPORTS 77

TIS THE SKI-SON Skiing and snowboarding this winter season Sophia Gredenhag | Staff Reporter Winter vacation calls for trips to snowy destinations. Snow sports like skiing and snowboarding are popular activities, and the East and West Coast offer thousands of ski resorts, but which is more favorable?

WEST

A

smaller portion of students will travel out west for powder snow, according to survey results. If you are willing to travel a long distance with big crowds for good snow, the west will be the ultimate winter destination.

Popular resorts in the west can be as far away as a 40-hour car drive, or up to a 7-hour flight to the destination.

The climate is, however, more favorable for snow sport conditions. Powder snow is much more common in the west, and is easier to ski and ride on, especially for beginners.

Junior Brooke Curry has gone skiing in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, since

she was three and prefers it because of her familiarity with the area.

“It’s really fun going flying the mountain on black slopes,” Curry said.

Colorado, Washington and California have some of the most populated ski resorts in the country, according to Forbes. Having big crowds decreases the time you could be on the slopes, and increases the time waiting in long lines. Largely populated resorts in the west tend to lack that local and cozy feel.

If you are willing to travel a long distance with big crowds for powdery snow, the west will be the perfect winter destination.

Do you go skiing/ snowboarding?

EAST

T

he majority of students prefer the East Coast for skiing and snowboarding, according to a survey. The East Coast has easy access by car or plane that attracts many families wanting a winter getaway. To me, resorts in the East Coast tend to have a homey and welcoming feel which creates a cozy atmosphere.

When searching for the perfect place to ski, cold weather is an important factor.

Icy and slushy conditions makes it difficult to ski, especially for beginners.

The 2022-2023 winter season on the East Coast saw an increase in temperatures and a wet, warm winter, according to the New York Times. On the East Coast, it is never guaranteed there will be

Which snow sport do you prefer?

Which coast do you travel to?

Snowboarding 33.3%

No 49.1%

Yes 50.9%

88 THE THE SHIELD SHIELD || DECEMBER DECEMBER 2023 2023

Skiing 66.7%

good snow.

There are fewer crowds in the east compared to the west, according to theTVTraveler. com.

Junior Dilyn Miller enjoys snowboarding on the East Coast at Snowshoe Mountain in West Virginia.

“I’ve been snowboarding for three to four years, and I really enjoy it,” Miller said.

The Blue Ridge Mountains, Adirondack Mountains and Green Mountains across North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Vermont are the most popular destinations along the East Coast.

If you and your family want a winter destination easy to travel to and don’t mind having imperfect snow conditions, the east is the best option.

East 52.4%

West 52.4%

12 Days of Kenny Santa came early...here are some gifts for you Ally Milonas | Staff Reporter

On the first day of Christmas...

On the second day of Christmas...

On the third day of Christmas...

Mrs. Thurson gave to me, a “Go with God or don’t go at all”

Mrs. Schmidt gave to me, two dingle notes

Ms. Penny gave to me, three bags of cookies

On the fourth day of Christmas...

On the fifth day of Christmas...

On the sixth day of Christmas...

Dean Condit gave to me, four e-hall passes

Mrs. Hurtt gave to me, five essay grades

Mrs. Gallup gave to me, six proof lessons

On the seventh day of Christmas...

On the eigth day of Christmas...

On the ninth day of Christmas...

Mrs. Ritter gave to me, seven Cohort updates

Mrs. Cabrey gave to me, eight service hours

Mr. Pichardo gave to me, nine homework grades

On the tenth day of Christmas...

On the eleventh day of Christmas...

Gmail gave to me, ten college reminders

Mr. Eaves gave to me, eleven tests in Lockdown Browser

On the twelfth day of Christmas...

Canvas gave to me, twelve notifications

ISSUE ISSUE 22|2|FEATURES | SPORTS 9 9 ISSUE FEATURES

10 THE SHIELD | DECEMBER 2023

Season Exploring what it means to help others and give back to our community in the modern day.

Anna Bass, Lorelei Carlton, Giovanna Feitoza, Parker Fluhr and Leah Fullerton

ISSUE 2 | GIVING ISSUE 2SEASON | NEWS 11 11

INEQUITY UNVEILED Private schools struggle to address special needs programs Anna Bass | Editor-in-Chief When considering a structured education program for their child, any parent would easily say they desire the best environment possible. However, for some families, this luxury is not an option.

Children with special needs are limited in their education outlets due to their unique conditions and lack of resources in schools, especially private schools.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education (IDEA) Act is an American legislation originally passed in 1975 that ensures children with special needs are provided with appropriate education and related services, but only in public school systems.

By law, private schools are not required to provide special education programs in their schools or appropriate education services to those children within the schools.

Parents make the decision to enroll their child into a Catholic school for a variety of reasons, the main one being the foundation of faith that its curriculum is based upon.

Additionally, Catholic schools may be able to

provide higher quality education compared to public schools because of their resources, most of which are provided by substantial means of the Church itself.

The fact that students pay tuition in Catholic schools also contributes to the opportunities that the schools are able to provide.

Therefore, parents choose Catholic schools to ensure their children are provided with higher quality resources to prepare them for college and for life.

In regards to people with special needs, the Catholic Church asserts that their lives are respected and cared for as much as any person, and that the community of the Church should uphold this and carry it out.

The Holy See, the central governing body of the Catholic Church, published a series of documents in 2000 regarding individuals with special needs and disabilities, and the Church’s position on protecting and providing for them.

“The person with disabilities has rights and duties like every other individual,” according to the Preparatory Committee of the

12 THE SHIELD | DECEMBER 2023

Vatican, from the Holy See. The Roman Catholic Church does not discriminate against these individuals in any matters specifically associated with the Church.

But the matter of education still stands.

While one of the

assumed “rights” should be the right to an education, social and political governing offices of America would, in a sense, disagree. As previously stated, children with special needs are not able to acquire the same education programs as neurotypical children in private schools. Although it would make sense that Catholic schools would provide resources and programs for children with special needs, they may not

because they are not legally required to provide these programs.

Another line from the same document published by the Holy See seems to contradict this.

“The Church should be in the front line in protecting the rights of child or adult with disabilities to education in all the formation environments run by church realities, from infant school to universities,” the document claims.

The Catholic Church professes to protect individuals with special needs in their educational ventures, but since special needs programs are not legally required in private schools, not all Catholic schools can provide the resources necessary for all children to receive an appropriate education.

At Bishop Kenny, there is a program for individuals with learning disabilities called the Learning Resource Program, or LRP. Designed for students who need academic support in order to succeed in average classroom environments, the Applied Communications course allows students to

*Statistics from Pew Research Center

have one-on-one support for their freshman and sophomore years, according to the Bishop Kenny Course Catalog.

Some of the accommodations provided are extended testing time, organizational study skills and consultation services with teachers, parents and administration. However, these services are not the equivalent of those that a student with an IEP, or

Individual Education Plan, are offered in a public school setting.

Other Catholic schools in the Jacksonville area with programs that allow opportunities for individuals with special needs include Catholic grade school Morning Star, and Bishop John J. Snyder High School and its Foundations program.

At these Catholic schools, students can experience the fundamental aspects of a religious education while still achieving individual goals through personalized academic plans.

With this intent, it is time for legislation to move further in the direction of equality for people with special needs in the matters of education, specifically changing the law so that the IDEA Act protects these individuals in

all educational institutionspublic, private and nonsecular.

Those with disabilities, mentally, physically or otherwise, will be allowed the same opportunities as those without them in any school in the nation, without restriction.

Once the IDEA Act is able to protect people with special needs in every institution in the country, then these unique students should be allowed the same opportunities alongside their peers. The programs for special needs students within the private and nonsecular schools would then be akin to those in public schools, and may vary from separate classes that cater to the individual’s needs, or education resources and tools that the student may use within regular

classrooms.

The Catholic Church is built upon the values of faith, hope and love, which are instilled within its institutions and infused into the curriculum. Therefore, the goal is to work towards an understanding that individuals who have special needs and abilities are not denied this opportunity of education and are provided with a safe haven for learning and growth as they prepare for their futures.

To learn more about the relationship between special education and the Catholic Church, visit https:// www.ncregister.com/news/ catholic-schools-and-specialneeds.

Courtesy of Creative Commons

ISSUE 2 | GIVING SEASON 13

CANCELED

The impact of celebrities voices on media Lorelei Carlton | Staff Reporter

I

magine you are eating at a restaurant with a friend.

The waitress approaches the table and asks what you wish to order. You tell the waitress that you would like a steaming bowl of tomato soup. It is now your friend’s turn to order and they decide to try the spicy shrimp pizza.

You immediately make a disgusted face at your friend.

“Pizza and seafood do not belong together!” you shout.

Your friend’s face turns bright red and you notice she becomes quiet for the rest of the meal. After dinner, your friend leaves without saying goodbye.

What went wrong? Did you take it too far? Did you make your friend feel bad for her choice of food?

Now, imagine that you called your friend out in front of the entire world.

Celebrities have a global stage in the form of social media. The world looks up to these figures, sometimes through fashion trends, or political decisions, and they hold platforms of immense power. With such power comes the opportunity to

speak out on hardships or controversial decisions that the world is facing.

When celebrities take the opportunity to use their voice, they are vulnerable to support or to disapproval, and people on the internet will always have something to say. And if they choose not to speak out, these celebrities may be subject to further backlash.

American actor Noah Schnapp, who is known for his role as Will Byers on Netflix TV series “Stranger Things,” has previously openly shared his Jewish heritage, so when he heard of the attack on Israel, he shared a message to his Instagram followers:

Backlash

Cancel culture has become a prominent way to abandon all support of a celebrity or an influencer when they perform an action or use their voice in a way that could be taken as offensive to a particular group of individuals, or to society as a whole, according to Pew Research Center. This is especially true on social media.

The media is buzzing with diverse opinions concerning the war in the Gaza Strip since Hamas launched its initial attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. One person who shared his views regarding the war caught the public’s attention.

14 THE SHIELD | DECEMBER 2023

“As a Jewish American, I am afraid. Afraid for my brothers and sisters in Israel, who have been senselessly attacked by Hamas,” Schnapp said. “I am truly heartbroken to see the brutal murders of innocent children, women and soldiers fighting to defend themselves.”

However, a video of Schnapp was released in which he is “smiling,

laughing, and seemingly recording those surrounding him who held up stickers reading ‘Zionism Is Sexy’ and ‘Hamas Is Isis,’” according to teenvogue.com.

Viewers found this behavior incredibly insensitive and inappropriate given that after Hamas attacked Israel, Israel fought back directly against Gaza.

This assault led to the Gaza Health Ministry reporting that more than 11,000 people in the Gaza Strip were killed.

Considering these circumstances, Schnapp’s audience were angry with him, and elevated the situation by suggesting the boycott of season five of “Stranger Things,” which just started filming, and the removal of Schnapp from the cast.

All of the hate Schnapp is receiving led him to turn off his comments on all social media platforms, including Instagram and Tiktok.

Similar consequences are also seen in those who show open support of Palestine.

Mexican actress Melissa Barrera was dropped from “Scream 7” after Spyglass

Media Group feared that the public would interpret her social media posts as antisemitic, according to Vogue.com. Fans expressed outrage and suggested a boycott of “Scream 7.”

Barrera’s pro-Palestinian posts included opinionated terms, such as ‘genocide’ and ‘ethnic cleansing,’ to describe the attacks that Israel has made against Gaza.

Barrera’s situation, compared to Schnapp’s, illustrates opposite ends of the spectrum regarding media anger and uprisings.

Schnapp faced backlash from the public and support of his team (as of now), while Barrera faced backlash from her team and majority support of the public.

underrepresented voters.

Swift has maintained a persistent partnership with the organization based on her previous collaborations with them and her influence serves as a valuable tool for them to refocus a larger audience on getting more involved with politics.

Although she experienced some negative

Praise

In contrast to cancel culture, when celebrities do or say something considered praiseworthy by their audience, their platform spikes and they build a deeper connection with the public.

Singer and songwriter Taylor Swift exemplifies what it means to embrace that bond with her fans by using her voice to their benefit.

On Sept., 19, 2023, Swift posted a story to her Instagram encouraging her followers to register to vote through Vote.org.

“I’ve been so lucky to see so many of you guys at my US shows recently,” Swift said. “I’ve heard you raise your voices, and I know how powerful they are. Make sure you’re ready to use them in our elections this year!”

Vote.org, a nonpartisan and nonprofit organization, strives to boost voter participation and connect with marginalized and

comments from her haters regarding the post, most of the media ran to Vote.org’s website within seconds.

In fact, Vote.org reports that 157,041 eligible voters browsed the site after Swift’s story. More importantly, out of the 157,041 people, there was an 115% increase in registration for 18-year-olds compared to 2022.

Additionally, after the September post, Swift came on Instagram again in November to reach out to her audience about the upcoming polls.

“It’s Election Day!” Swift said. “If you are registered to vote in Colorado, Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, or Virginia, it’s time to use your voice. Find out what’s on your ballot before you arrive to the polls by visiting Vote.org.”

Swift’s efforts to engage her audience in voting paid

off when more than 40,000 new registrations were made through Vote.org.

Silence

Any time a celebrity uses their voice to speak their own opinions, the media will have some type of reaction.

It is the celebrity’s own risk of whether the media will support or disapprove of the opinions at hand.

Some influencers, given the risks associated with their platform, choose to stay silent when approached with a difficult situation.

In November 2022, Balenciaga released its annual holiday campaign displaying children holding teddy bears in bondage harnesses.

Some people across social media took the campaign as a form of child exploitation and flooded Balenciaga with accusations and threats to cancel the brand.

American television personality and businesswoman Kim Kardashian has a history of collaboration with the brand, and was expected by the media to speak out immediately regarding the scandal. However, Kardashian stayed silent for more than a week after the campaign was released.

The public made themselves present in Kardashian’s comment section, some accusing her of contributing to the controversy, while others questioning why she hasn’t spoken out yet, especially as the mother of four children herself.

Kardashian addressed the media through Instagram and Twitter.

“I have been quiet

for the past few days, not because I haven’t been disgusted and outraged by the recent Balenciaga campaigns,” Kardashian said. “But because I wanted an opportunity to speak to their team to understand for myself how this could have happened.”

She went on to explain that the images in the campaign left her feeling disturbed, and that all children’s safety must remain a top priority.

Kardashian’s initial silence earned her thousands of negative comments and criticism, and the backlash is an ideal example of how even when celebrities do not take the risk of using their voice, they may still receive hatred from the public.

At the end of the day, celebrities can only do so much to use their voice (or not use it) in a way that reflects who they are as a person. It is easy to forget that our words do have an impact on other individuals.

However, when we open our eyes to see that celebrities are only human, we may find that the hate we put out into the world will not create change for the better. It will only lead to fear in speaking out, ultimately limiting our ability to understand life through new lenses.

ISSUE 2 | GIVING SEASON 15

DAY OF THE CHILD

A look into the impact UNICEF has made on universal issues Giovanna Feitoza | Features Section Editor

C

hildren play an underestimated role in the shaping of the future of society.

When a child’s upbringing is disrupted by a tragedy or unprecedented circumstances, it directly influences the kind of opportunities they will receive as adults. A starving child in the favelas of Brazil who does not have access to a proper education will struggle a lot more to make ends meet later in life compared to a child who was lucky enough to grow up in a more politically stable country and local environment.

The United Nations, an intergovernmental organization designed to maintain international peace, recognized the setbacks that children whose lives are disrupted by tragedy experience and decided to take steps towards remedying these issues.

Hence, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) was formed on Dec. 11, 1946.

Today, UNICEF has a headquarters located in New York City and operates as a branch of the United Nations that aids in funding humanitarian work for children in need worldwide.

Although the branch in New York focuses on operations within America, the whole organization has provided humanitarian aid for a total of 190 countries.

In terms of education, UNICEF has brought countless resources and supplies to children without access to education, refugees of war or natural disaster and children who have fallen behind their classmates due to unprecedented circumstances or mental health struggles.

One of UNICEF’s biggest programs involving education is titled the “Kids in Need of Desks” (or K.I.N.D) Fund. The program is focused in the country of Malawi, where more than half of the young student population are forced to sit on the floor in school due to a shortage of school supplies. Since the foundation began in 2010, over one million kids have been given access to desks, chairs and many other school supplies needed for them to complete their education.

On top of just supplies, the K.I.N.D Fund has provided many young Malawian girls with scholarship opportunities to open the door for them to receive a higher education.

16 THE SHIELD | DECEMBER 2023

On top of addressing the education crisis in multiple impoverished countries, UNICEF strives to offer underprivileged kids access to affordable and compassionate healthcare.

UNICEF’s healthcare

workers and volunteers offer childcare services to mothers and infants in need, and have helped to lower the infant and maternal mortality rates in the countries they’ve worked in.

Recently, Haiti has experienced an outbreak of cholera with no reported cases. Although the outbreak is a real threat to the Haitian population, very few cases of cholera have actually been documented. To fight the outbreak, UNICEF has been working on providing clean drinking water and sanitation to the most affected areas of Haiti. Following news of the cholera resurgence, the

Haitian government has been pushing for a nationwide vaccination campaign. In support of the campaign, UNICEF has partnered with Haiti’s Ministry of Health in administering oral doses of cholera vaccines to young children and educating communities on the risks of cholera.

On December 11 2023, UNICEF will celebrate 76 years of service to children and families worldwide.

On this day, remember the impact that even a small act of kindness can have on a child in need. Donation can be the first step towards making the difference we wish to see in the world.

To learn more about UNICEF’s humanitarian work or donate to UNICEF, please visit their website at unicefusa.org.

HOW MATERIALISM STOLE CHRISTMAS And the reason for the season

A

s the holidays are coming around the corner, more and more people are rushing around to try and find the perfect gifts for loved ones.

The materialistic side of Christmas is rapidly starting to drown out the true meaning of the holiday.

On average, the US spends almost 900 billion dollars on gifts alone. The question is, are Americans more involved in the materialistic side of the holidays?

Materialism is “putting the pursuit of possessions, or stuff, above all else,” AP Economics teacher Jon Pichardo said.

During the holidays, this ideal starts to become more common. Americans have even made full holidays surrounding money or materialistic gifts like Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

These two days have even evolved into Cyber-weekends and even Cyber-week.

While other U.S. holidays honor a historical or religious event of significance, these days are solely designed to feed the American hunger for materialistic goods.

Americans leap for these chances to buy more for less, and the incessant marketing doesn’t help.

Advertisers use tactics to appeal to consumers during

the holidays, like an appeal to emotions. When eager buyers see an advertisement that makes them happy, the buyers are more inclined to buy the product. This only perpetuates the idea that we need gifts in order to have a happy and satisfied holiday which overshadows the real

meaning of Christmas.

Forbes Magazine explains it perfectly.

“In the U.S., we are trained to open our wallets and spend like mad during November and December,” CEO and founder of Proxima Alex Song said. “Brands expect that type of behavior, and they count on consumers to spend.”

As a country we are hammered into splurging on meaningless products during the holiday season, but why aren’t the true ideals surrounding the holidays hammered into us just as much? Why do we feel the

constant need to overlook the reason for the season?

“Today’s economy is the result of materialism, not the cause,” Pichardo explains. “Our desire to be comfortable is first and foremost. As long as we have our Starbucks and Netflix, nothing else matters.”

The issue with this is that people value comfort above the things that really matter and we take what matters for granted. If we’re sitting comfortably on Christmas morning surrounded by a mountain of gifts, hot breakfast and a huge tree stretching up to the ceiling, then things like family and the birth of Christ matter are being taken for granted.

Christmas is a time to celebrate what we already have and should not be an expectation of what we want to receive.

“Those gifts are temporary,” Religion 2 teacher Brandon Eaves said.

“You can’t take them with you when you die. You may lose them. They may get destroyed.”

And yet, that’s what seems to matter to us, right?

Don’t get me wrong; Christmas gifts should not be taken away. Gift giving is a generous act that displays Christian values. But a kid wakes up on Christmas

Parker Fluhr | Staff Reporter morning and is disappointed because he didn’t receive a $550 Xbox. So, how can we kill the monster of materialism?

“Allow the gifts to lift your eyes to the Giver,” Eaves said. “Like Job in the Old Testament, we need to love the Giver more than the gifts.”

Christmas should be a time spent surrounded by loving family and friends.

Many families have traditions like leaving cookies out for Santa and playing games.

Making memories like these are what should be valuable to anyone celebrating the holiday.

The truth is, Christmas is not about gifts any more than Easter is about egg hunts.

“The true reason we celebrate Christmas is because God has come to give us ‘good news of great joy for all people.’ Eaves said, quoting the book of Luke, 2:10. “Christmas is a joyous celebration of the good news that God became a man to save us from our sin and to save us for eternal life with Him.”

ISSUE 2 | GIVING SEASON 17

BETTER TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE Examining why we are altruistic and how it aids us Leah Fullerton | Staff Reporter

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ltruism, by definition, is the desire to help others without expecting anything in return. It’s not always done on purpose, either. When you hold a door open for someone, help your parents with groceries or do any other task that likely strikes you as unimportant, you’re actually being altruistic.

These acts of kindness promote wellbeing in those you assist.

However, being a good person doesn’t go without its perks. Studies prove that altruism actually plays an important role in improving the do-gooder’s health, both mentally and physically.

Altruism releases endorphins, which results in the infamous “helper’s high.” A helper’s high is a rush of positive emotions that someone feels when they do a selfless deed.

Two endorphins are responsible for the majority of your feel-good emotions: dopamine and oxytocin.

“When something awesome happens to you, like someone gives you a free coffee, you get this dopamine surge,” psychology teacher Jessica Durbin said. “But doing good deeds for others releases oxytocin, which is a warm, fuzzy feeling hormone whose effects last longer than dopamine, typically.”

Doing good can relieve stress and make

you feel more confident in yourself, according to the Mental Health Foundation.

Additionally, doing service work can ground you and put your life into perspective.

Being more aware of your circumstances and appreciating how your acts of kindness can benefit others may help you feel more

optimistic and satisfied in life.

Junior Emily Rrukaj has earned over 1,800 service hours during her time attending high school.

“When I see the happiness doing service brings to others, it makes me happy,” Rrukaj said. “I feel fulfilled after doing service, like I know I’ve done something amazing.”

Rrukaj finds satisfaction in inspiring others to do service work and knowing that she’s a positive influence in others’ lives.

“I think this feeling is something everyone should feel.”

You don’t just help yourself mentally when you do good; you can also help benefit yourself physically.

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When you commit acts of kindness, you may be increasing your own lifespan, according to Psychology Today. The idea is still being researched, but studies have shown promising results that hint at a connection between altruism and one’s lifespan.

Studies in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences support this bold claim; they indicate that people who possessed high levels of optimism generally had longer lives.

Other studies have found connections between altruism and organ wellbeing. For example, the American Heart Association reports that acts of goodness lowered blood pressure in older adults, improving their heart health and reducing the risk of stroke or heart attack.

It’s important to note that if you aren’t careful, altruism can sometimes negatively affect you. For example, doing service work too frequently can burn you out and cause feelings of stress.

Time management is a must here, and it’s important to remember to make space for yourself, too. You can’t pour from an empty cup.

Still, the benefits outweigh the potential downsides.

The perks of altruism don’t end with your mind and body – by doing good for others, you are inspiring those around you. Altruism

on a large enough scale can encourage kindness throughout an entire community, according to Verywell Mind.

English teacher Alexandra Ladson is the faculty sponsor for Interact Club, a club dedicated to giving students a chance to serve their community, and has seen firsthand how doing service affects both her students and those they serve.

“The students that get involved in Dance Marathon work so hard to create an event that is so fun while also supporting the most vulnerable in our community,” Ladson said.

Dance Marathon, an annual event through Children’s Miracle Network, raises money for 170 hospitals that help children all across the United States and Canada.

When you and your peers unite under the common goal of providing service to others, you may feel as though you’re a part of something bigger than yourself because you’re all working together to help people. This feeling is “belonging.”

“When they get the opportunity to meet miracle children that the funds support,” Ladson said.

“It’s such a beautiful and rewarding experience.”

HOT COCOA HOW-TO National Cocoa Day celebrated on December 13 Lorelei Carlton | Staff Reporter Parker Fluhr | Staff Reporter

1. Add Cocoa Start by adding your cocoa mix to a microwave-safe mug. If you choose unsweetened cocoa powder, you can add white sugar for a touch of sweetness.

Make sure to add your dry ingredients together first.

2. Add Milk

Next, add your choice of whole milk, 2%, or an alternative milk, such as almond milk. You can also choose to simply use water instead.

3. Stir Together

Stir constantly until evenly mixed. This will likely take around 2 minutes. It’s important that the mixture is smooth.

4. Pop in Microwave

Set your mug in the microwave for two and a half minutes on high.

5. Enjoy!

Whether you’re out looking at Christmas lights, or cozy next to the fire watching a Hallmark movie, this recipe is sure to hit the spot.

Recipe from www.allrecipes.com

ISSUE ISSUE22| |FEATURES FEATURES 19 19

CHRISTMAS AROUND THE W RLD

Belgium: Inge Thomas

Exploring Christmas customs around the globe Chloe Barron | Staff Reporter India Brophy | Staff Reporter

Latin teacher Inge Thomas is fro infuses Belgian customs into Ameri together on Christmas Eve and has goes to midnight Mass. American fa gifts on Christmas morning, but Tho Belgian practices.

“The presents are much smaller because the big day for presents is Saint Nicholas Day,” Thomas said.

Saint Nicholas is where we get t Christmas season, Santa Claus.

Nigeria: Igbe Odion

Columbia: Alexandra Escobar

Spanish 2 teacher Alexandra Escobar moved from Colombia in 2012. The celebration of Christmas in Colombia starts on December 7, which is called “Día de las Velitas,” also known as the candle day. It celebrates the Immaculate Conception of Mary. For Escobar, December 16 through 24 is like a family reunion.

“We pray the Novena de Aguinaldos,” Escobar said. “This commemorates all of the things leading up to the birth of Jesus.”

Christmas Eve is celebrated with her family. All the kids wait until midnight and they get their gifts that are brought by Jesus. They eat buñuelos, Colombian tamales and natillas, which is a special dish, similar to flan, that is only eaten on Christmas.

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Junior Igbe Odion and his family moved from Nigeria to America in his sophomore year.

He spends the Christmas holiday with his family enjoying the “good vibes” of the season.

“I celebrate with my family, the ones I love, and good food,” Odion said.

Some foods that the Odion family eat on Christmas are rice, turkey and mashed potatoes.

Brazil: Isabella Santabarbra

Senior Isabella Santabarbra and her family ar still in touch with their roots from Brazil. Santabar was born in America, but her family still celebrate Christmas traditions brought by her parents from Brazil. On Christmas Eve, her family gathers toget to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

“Our tradition is that we have the Nativity and we leave the manger empty,” Santabarbra said. “A when it hits midnight, we put Jesus in the Nativity Santabarbra’s family makes a birthday for the Baby Jesus. They sing Happy Birthday to Him and fully acknowledge the reason for Christmas.

They have a big dinner that includes a traditional Portuguese turkey dish. The next morning, the wh family opens presents.

om Northern Belgium and ican life. Her family gets a turkey dinner, then amilies typically open omas’s family sticks to

r than they are here December 6, which is

the figurehead for the

re rbra es m ther

Myanmar (Burma): Pausian Mang

Syria: Tina Safar

Junior Tina Safar’s lineage goes back to Syria. On Christmas Eve night, Safar’s church has a party, then everyone in her extended family goes to her house to open and exchange gifts. On Christmas Day, presents are opened with her immediate family and at night, Safar’s grandmother cooks dinner for the whole family. The dishes include grape leaves, rice, a chicken and eggplant dish and fish.

Even though the Safars keep lots of traditions, some were left back in Syria. “[In Syria,] people dress up as Santa and drive around in their cars honking their horns and playing music,” Safar said.

Senior Pausian Mang’s family moved to America from Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. The Mang family brought Burmese traditions to America that they practice around Christmas time.

Only 6% of the nation’s citizens identify as Christian, according to worldrelief.org. Most of the population is Buddhist because the country was isolated for a long time. For them, Christmas is not like a religious season, but celebrated more as a time to spend with family.

Mang’s family gathers together to eat food, play board games and enjoy each other’s presence. Some people on Christmas eat traditional foods like sticky rice and milk tea.

“We don’t really celebrate Christmas,” Mang said.

“We see it as a get together.”

Burmese celebrations are small compared to the ones in America.

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ISSUE ISSUE22| |FEATURES FEATURES 21 21

Panera Cream

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or my first soup, I ordered the classic broccoli cheddar soup, which is a creamy cheese soup with big hefty pieces of broccoli and matchstick slices of carrots.

If you despise broccoli this is not the dish for you.

You have to taste them in very big portions and the base doesn’t dull this flavor down. Carrots aren’t my favorite, but they’re sliced thin and the other flavors in the soup hide them well.

There aren’t any visible

cheese pieces, just a little taste in the creamy base, which is a plus in my book.

It’s also not as thick as I assumed it would be it’s almost to the point where it’s a little watery. But everything in the soup balances together perfectly and I will definitely go back for more.

Veggie

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or my second Panera soup, I got the “Creamy Tomato Soup,” and I was not disappointed.

It had cute little croutons on the top of a bright red soup. The seasoned croutons were easy enough to crunch, and as I mixed them into the soup, they maintained the crunchiness and did not become soggy, which is amazing.

The soup itself, though, was a standard tomato soup. It was thicker than the broccoli cheddar soup, and it had big chunks of tomatoes as well, which was not what I wanted.

I enjoyed the soup because it reminded me of a very rich tomato sauce,

and if I had ordered a grilled cheese, it would’ve sealed the deal.

But the soup was mostly your regular tomato soup with little bits of bread and tomatoes mixed throughout.

It didn’t have any special seasoning or anything else to make the flavor stand out. I’d only order this again if I had something to dip in it.

22 THE 22 THESHIELD SHIELD| |DECEMBER DECEMBER 2023 2023

KENNY KR

‘Tis the soup season

Rheece Singletary | A&E and Opinions Editor

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he season of warm hot chocolates, beanies and fuzzy socks is upon us. Which also means the season of soup is back!

I always look forward to the feeling of going into a restaurant on a cold day and getting a bowl of soup to warm

RAVINGS up. So I’ve tried both a cream and broth-based soup from Olive Garden and Panera and found out which one soup-ed in and saved the day.

Olive Garden Cream

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irst I chose the Zuppa Toscana for my cream option. It’s a cream base with sausage, kale and potatoes. The flavor shined through on this soup, with the spiciness of the sausage being the main component. It was nice to have some spices in there after Panera not coming through in that category.

But once I reached the potatoes, the spices were lacking. They were bland and not my favorite part of the soup.

Focusing back on the sausage, I was glad that it

was not soggy, as most meat in soups are soggy and soft.

They were more firm, and a little tough to chew. But they tasted like they had been freshly cooked and hadn’t been sitting in soup for 10 minutes. With the spiciness and flavor, it was easily my favorite part of the dish.

The kale didn’t make an impression on me at all and to be honest I forgot it was there, as I could barely taste it.

This soup wasn’t terrible but I wouldn’t order it again.

Veggie

O

rdering their “Minestrone” second was a mistake, because it was my least favorite soup out of all of the soups I’ve tried.

I’m not a big veggie person from the start, but I enjoy a little veggie soup here and there. But not at Olive Garden though. I do not recommend it.

It was a tomato broth with noodles, beans and MANY veggies.

Starting off with the broth, it was the worst tasting tomato broth I’ve ever had.

It tasted like expired Chef Boyardee’s spaghetti sauce. It ruined the entire meal.

The veggies themselves were okay but nothing special. There were little shell noodles in there but they

were super soggy and not very pleasant to chew. It’s a preference of mine to have different textures inside of my soup, so if you enjoy the vegetables to not be crunchy this would be a good soup for you.

Nothing in this soup was memorable and the broth ruined the entirety of it. I could barely take bites because of how gross it tasted. Because of this I was unable to finish the soup because I had lost my appetite.

If I were to describe it in one word, it would be mush.

I do not recommend this if you’re a vegetarian and looking to have some soup at Olive Garden.

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