Focus Edition #3

A Blind Brook High School Student Publication

Issue #3 December 2022

New Faces at BBHS By: Sophia Anello

This school year, Blind Brook High School is delighted to welcome two new teachers, Mr. Olivencia and Ms. Browne.

As the school year is now in full swing, both Ms. Browne and Mr. Olivencia have been able to make strong and positive impacts to the community, right from their own classrooms.

Students and faculty members have had the opportunity to get to know them both and make positive connections with them. It is important that as a school we get to know the new teachers and understand how they are contributing to the

high school.

Mr. Olivencia teaches English Literature and Foundations of Research for 9th and 10th grade. The main focus of this class is to introduce foundational research skills and analyze texts that display events of the world. The course includes research, writing, presentations, as well as seminars to promote deep analysis and critical thinking in the classroom. Sharing his thoughts on his new environment, Mr. Olivencia reflected, “The best part of Blind Brook so far is the community. I genuinely enjoy working with my students and colleagues here. I can honestly say that every day working here, I leave knowing that I had great conversations and a moment of laughter with the people around me.” Mr. Olivencia clearly appreciates and understands the cherished community that Blind Brook has developed. When Mr. Olivencia is not teaching his students in his free time, you can find him diving into a good book, or watching some of his favorite shows such as Survivor, and Stranger

things.

Ms. Browne is a certified Social Studies teacher and currently teaches U.S. History & Government, Contemporary Issues, and Intro to Psychology. U.S. History & Government focuses on the historical development of the United States through study of the early age of America to the present day.

Contemporary Issues asks students to research current issues that are affecting American society and engage in debates and discussions about them. Intro to Psychology is a class based on the study of human behavior. Some areas of study in this class include biological behavior, sleep and dreams, memory and cognition, intelligence, and personality. Ms. Browne teaches a range of different grades including sophomores, juniors, and seniors, depending on the course. Sharing her thoughts on teaching at Blind Brook, she offered, “The best part about being at Blind Brook so far are the students. I find the students are excited to learn, and that makes teaching exciting.”

When Ms. Browne is not teach-

Exciting News for BMPRSS! By: Abby Meron

Bruno M. Ponterio Ridge Street School has been under construction for quite some time. The plan was approved a few years before the beginning of its construction.

This proposed plan included the addition of new classrooms, an updated wing of classrooms for kindergarten and first grade students, along with a new cafeteria that could be used as a space for school assemblies.

The first plans were initiated in 2017 and the construction began in 2019. The school is

nearly finished. However, students and teachers moving in has come with its challenges.

There were many construction delays that kept progress behind schedule, as well as the need to hire a new construction company. Although these setbacks put the construction schedule behind, the project is back on track. Currently, there is no finalized date regarding when the project will be completely finished, but once there is a punch list--which means that they are in the final stretch

of having only a few things left to add--we will have a better idea of the exact end date.

So, what is finished and what is left to do? The courtyard is very close to being completed. In addition, the new main entrance is now open and being fully utilized now that the necessary security measures are installed. All classrooms in the new wing are now fully functional and being used by the students and faculty. Along with this, the elementary school office is completely ready and is

ing her courses, in her free time she enjoys working on her knitting and crocheting projects.

It has been a pleasure to welcome both Mr. Olivencia and Ms. Browne to the high school this year.

The Blind Brook community is excited to continue getting to know our new faculty, making connections, and working with them both.

operating outside of the main entrance right off the new parking lot. There is a new parking lot with entrances that allow for facilitated pick up and drop off of students. In approximately mid-December, the kitchen will hopefully open up for hot lunches and the courtyard will be fully complete. This news is very exciting considering the lengthy process to reach this point. Now, the school can continue to make progress, and the students and staff can adapt to a beautiful, fully-functioning school building!

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Politics

A Suspenseful Election By: Michaela Goodman

As the spotlight focuses on Georgia – the only state with a midterm run-off election scheduled for December – it is important to recognize the key issues that impact and interest Georgian citizens. In December, the state of Georgia will have the ability to turn the Senate towards official Democratic control as its potential “blue” victory would yield a seat ratio of 51-49. This makes it critical to educate citizens on their two Senate candidates, Democrat Raphael Warnock and Republican Herschel Walker, so that the Georgia voters can make informed decisions on which representative will best represent their views in Congress.

As climate change has emerged as a weighty concern, incumbent Senator Warnock sponsored the Solar Energy Manufacturing for America Act in August 2022. This act included various new tax credits for solar firms. This, along with the Inflation Reduction Act, “included manufacturing credits that will translate into billions in clean-energy invest-

ment.” Additionally, Warnock sponsored a bill that capped co-pays for insulin at $35 a month for Medicare patients.

In the past, Warnock has also supported “negotiating prescription drugs for seniors, and broader health benefits for veterans suffering from toxic burn pit exposure.”

Yet, despite Warnock’s past environmental successes in Congress, climate change is not foremost on most voters’ minds. An Emerson College poll found that the economy is the top issue for all voters and abortion is the top issue for

women. However, Republican candidate Walker believes that “people are more concerned about the economy than their loss of abortion rights,” which has led Walker to lead an extreme “Pro-life” campaign.

Although Walker says he does not believe in abortion, he has softened his stance from once an extremist point of view - no abortions and no exceptions to agreeing with Georgia’s law that allows exceptions for rape, incest, and the mother’s life, while prohibiting abortion after six weeks. This is a switch from his remarks earlier this year.

In terms of the economy, Walker spoke out against both the Biden administration and his Democratic opponent. “Within two years, inflation has gotten worse,” Walker claims, “They have raised taxes and have had reckless spending with our money. We need to become energy independent again.” Current Senator Warnock refuted the reckless spending claims through his past achievements as a Senator which included advocating for economic relief for the 60% of Georgia citizens facing student loan debt, and even meeting with President Biden directly to convince him for its cancellation. Walker also claims that, if elected, he will help Republicans bring inflation down, and lower both grocery and gas prices - though this is easier said than done.

Though Warnock emerged from the November election with a majority of 49.4%, Walker has come in very close at 48.5%. This means that every voter should return in December to make sure their voices are heard, and that the candidates receive the votes that they deserve.

Health and Science

The Omicron Variant and the Surge of Cases Coming With It By: Yana Vorobiev

In a very short time, the highly infectious Omicron COVID-19 variant has upended many aspects of our lives. Similar to Delta and other variants, Omicron causes similar symptoms including cough, fever, and fatigue. However, the Omicron variant is less likely to cause severe diseases such as pneumonia that may require hospital admission. If you have recently been in close proximity to someone with COVID or COVID-like symptoms, there is a significant chance you could have contracted the virus without having symptoms.

The Omicron variant is much more contagious than the Delta variant because the viral load is significantly higher in Omicron, which means that someone infected with Omicron is more infectious than someone infected with Delta.

Recently, testing for COVID-19 has become significantly higher in demand, making it harder to access testing sites. If you have COVID-19 symptoms, it is better to be on the side of caution due to how infectious Omicron is. Currently, an average of 200 cases of COVID-19 are reported daily in Westchester County, and cases have been rising in the past few days (although the trend has been neutral since around mid-September). According to Hopkins Medicine, "The available commercial diagnostic PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and antigen COVID tests still appear to work to identify the omicron variant. We will know more in the coming weeks about how well the rapid at-home tests perform to detect the new variant."

It is important to note

that, yes, you can become infected with COVID-19 even if you have been infected previously, especially because there are two different variants. Though this is less likely within the first 90 days of initial infection, it could still occur. The Centers for Disease Control recommends testing 5-7 days after “close contact with a person with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.” The CDC defines close contact as being less than six feet away from an infected person for a total of fifteen

minutes or more over a 24-hour period.

The Omicron variant spreads far faster than the Delta and other variants, and precautions that were suggested for previous variants need to be followed strictly and regularly.

Simple things such as washing your hands more often, wearing masks, testing under any suspicion, staying out of packed public areas, and most importantly getting vaccinated, are all crucial to maintaining the health of the population.

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Arts and Entertainment iPads Have Made Their Way to the Blind Brook School District By: Abigail Weintraub

When the school year began, Blind Brook High School’s students were greeted by the building’s familiar beige hallways, plentiful stairwells, and benevolent teachers. With the timely return of students excited for the school year, and masks no longer concealing our smiling faces, there was something else in the district significantly new to freshmen and returning students alike: iPads.

Each student at Blind Brook High School has received their own school-issued personal device.

This new addition to the district’s technology is anything but lackluster. The iPads come with a detachable keyboard as well as a stylus. They are also equipped with an iOS Self-Service app, allowing students to install school-provided apps as they choose. With an abundance of features that allow for easy annotating, drawing, and setting reminders, the new iPads are sure to elevate productivity in the classroom.

Many agree that the school’s new devices have evolved from the old Chromebooks. While, like Chromebooks, they require careful handling, the iPads are more

compact and easier to carry in one’s bag, as they are smaller and don’t require a case. In addition, they don’t lag as often, but students may still encounter technical problems every now and then. Like any new technology, the iPads will definitely take some time to get used to.

However, the change overall is for the better.

As technology advances and iPad usage increases, many classes in the district are going paperless. Apps such as Notability and Classkick are

used for many class assignments, from annotating a passage about plant cells to completing a digital worksheet for geometry. Even our school’s art courses utilize Sketchbook and FlipaClip apps to make phenomenal digital creations.

Reducing paper usage can save materials and make learning engaging.

Although this is only Blind Brook’s first year providing students of all ages with iPads, both students and teachers in the district are adapting

to these new advancements quickly. Taking advantage of the iPad’s benefits while simultaneously facing the devices’ technical challenges can help students and faculty learn about overcoming difficulties.

And those are lessons that can be applied to many of life’s challenges.

Viewpoints

Taking the Temperature on the College Process for Seniors By: Hunter Greenspan

With most college applications in, and the first quarter over, all that is left for many of Blind Brook’s Seniors is to eagerly anticipate college decisions, and more. However, this application process is no easy task, and has produced a mixed bag of opinions and anecdotes for many students.

One such experience is that of senior Zachary Strauzer.

When asked if he has learned much, has any regrets, and if the process was overall positive or negative, Strauzer states, “I think I was pretty proactive on my college process.I

I was on top of my supplements pretty early in the year and got most of them done before I came back to school. The only major thing that was difficult for me was the main college essay. I spent a little over a month going over it with Dr. Kenyon.

It was a rigorous process, but overall I think it fine-tuned my writing skills as a whole, so I’d say it was mostly a net positive in that regard, despite the stress surrounding it.”

Continued on Page 4

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Viewpoints

Should Senior Athletes Be Exempt From Gym Class?

By: Ella Mensch

Yes: Seniors should be allowed an exemption from physical education class. Playing a high school sport takes lots of time, and student athletes are under a large amount of pressure to perform their best both in school, and in their sport. Most high school sports have practices every day for two plus hours, and games or matches that can last until late at night, especially if there is an away game. This leads to stress of not completing homework, the anxiety of not being able to fully study before a test, and poor grades on assignments because of lack of time available to complete them. Students are exhausted from all of the exercises they are putting their bodies through, and not being able to fulfill the rest that their body needs because they are up so late doing schoolwork. Students who participate in sports could use one free period pro-

ductively to do homework, study, or plan out their schedule. Having this time to organize themselves could improve their mental health and reduce stress. Giving students who are already partaking in a large amount of physical activity one period to start doing work could remove some unnecessary pressure they experience.

The main purpose of students attending a physical education class regularly is to make sure that all students are taking care of their bodies.

Everyone, including students, must participate in some form of movement to ensure a balanced lifestyle. However, if students are already engaging in physical activity at a high level after school through their sport, this extra hour of movement one to two times a week is not crucial, and could be time better spent doing things that are conducive to their learning.

No: Seniors should not be exempt from gym because physical education class requires students to try new sports and move their bodies in ways that they would not normally think to do. This is something that benefits senior athletes as much as it does all other students. Gym class also expands students’ horizons by exposing them to new sports they may

like, and senior athletes should get that same exposure. Gym class also gives students--including senior athletes--the opportunity to develop new skill sets that they may not already have.

So, what do you think?

Should senior athletes be exempt from gym class, or should they be required to participate?

Taking the Temperature on the College Process for Seniors Continued from Page 3

The college process can be incredibly stressful, but also an extremely rewarding and exciting process. College is an amazing time in people's lives, and a huge milestone that high school students look forward to. It is clear why there are so many conflicting feelings surrounding this. The stress of

the process is mainly due to the large amount of work, and the significance of each application. Blind Brook senior, Joshua Levy, reflected on some of the stressors of the process.

Levy explains, “For me, the major stress inducer was that when writing essays, you don't know what the person who is

going to read it is looking for and how they will interpret it.

For example, I may write about an experience that I had, but the admissions officer reading it may simply view my experience through the lens of the privilege that I hold. The stress was, I guess, balancing how I read this versus how someone

else reads it. I also talked about my essay with Dr. Kenyon and she would always mention that I should choose words to make my essay ‘elevated and eloquent,’ and part of the challenge was picking out these words.”

You never know what the person reading your application will like. At the end of the day, the college process is not formulaic, and there are miniscule deciding factors that can make or break people’s chances of getting into a specific school. Not knowing whether or not your application will be enough is incredibly difficult. But the application process is a mix of uncertainty and accomplishment, with much to be learned from it. However, one viewpoint that most seem to share is that it’s a relief when it’s over!

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Sports

A Volleyball Victory By: Max Corbin

for and it’s the reason why we got so far. Now the girls have a drive and urge to win it all for us seniors who are leaving.”

While the seniors will be missed, the future of the team

On Friday, November 4th, the Blind Brook Volleyball team defeated Albertus Magnus in the Section 1 Class C Finals. Although the match was played in a neutral location at Mahopac High School, the Trojan crowd still showed up, and to say they were electric would be an understatement. They were roaring with excitement, ready to cheer on the school.

The Trojans had a tough start to the match, losing the first set 25-19. However, the team was quick to regroup and get back on track, winning the second

is in good hands. This was truly an amazing achievement for the Blind Brook volleyball team.

set 25-20 and the third set 255. To put the final nail in the coffin, the Trojans finished the match winning 25-16 in the last set.

Senior captain Halle Greaige shared her thoughts on the victory. “We all went into the season open-minded and ready for whatever was going to come at us. Finishing that final set to win sectionals was such a great accomplishment. All of us were so happy and couldn’t believe it! This family and bond we built is the best thing I could have asked

Good Fortune in Philly By: Jacob Moore

For Philadelphia, a city that is widely considered one of the premiere sports locations in North America, things have looked grim for awhile. Sure, the Eagles did win a Super Bowl in 2018, but other than that, there hasn’t been much to gloat over. The Phillies last won the World Series in 2008.

The 76ers’s last championship win was in 1983. The Flyers’s last Stanley Cup win was in 1975. The Philadelphia Union have never won an MLS cup.

On the surface, Philadelphia does not seem to have the emphasis on its pro sports like other cities do, such as Los Angeles or New York. But watching any home game quickly shows this is not the case, with crowds roaring as loudly as they can in support. Philadelphia is infa-

mous for some citizens climbing street poles in celebration when teams succeed in the playoffs. Recently, the city of Philadelphia and its passionate fans have found more reason to climb poles once again.

Just two weeks ago, it seemed as though Philadelphia was entering a new sports renaissance, which made its fall, as two championships slipped through Philly’s grasp, so much more devastating.

This year alone, Philadelphia has found two of its teams in the finals for their respective sports. The Phillies found their way into the World Series and the Philadelphia Union the MLS Championship.

The Phillies were never expected to be in the World Series to begin with, finishing the season

as the sixth seed, with a record of 87-75. Just enough to make it into the playoffs with a new expanded format. The key in any championship run, especially baseball, though, is to get hot at the right time, and that's just what the Phillies did. They beat the St. Louis Cardinals 2-0 in the wild card series, advancing them to the divisional round.

They played the defending World Series champs Atlanta Braves, and upset them with a 3-1 win. The Phillies went on to win the NLCS against the San Diego Padres 4-1, sending them into the World Series. They faced off against the Houston Astros, and quickly became the favorites among baseball fans around the country. The combination of lovable players ranging from Bryce

Harper and Kyle Shwarber to playing against a team a few years removed from a massive cheating scandal in the Houston Astros, made them hard to root against. Philly fans were running rampant in the streets, which only made the series loss 4-2 hurt that much more. The Phillies couldn’t finish the job.

What about the Union?

Continued on Page 6

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Good Fortune in Philly Continued from Page 5

On the same day the Phillies lost in the World Series, The Philadelphia Union took on LAFC in a nail-biter soccer match that went into a penalty shootout, as the score was 3-3 at the end of regulation.

LAFC won 3-0 of PK’s, ending the Union’s historic season in heartbreak. The Union had a terrific season, too. Leading up to the championship, they found themselves as the first seed in the Eastern Conference of the MLS, with a record of 19-10. This earned them a bye in the first round of MLS playoffs, and they won their second round matchup against Cincinnati, 1-0, advancing to the conference finals. Their matchup was the former MLS champions, the NYCFC. They cruised through that match, too, winning 3-1. All this success just to come up short in the end is heartbreaking.

The Philadelphia Eagles, 76ers, and Flyers are all currently still playing in-season. The Eagles are the best team in the NFL so far, with an undefeated record of 8-0.

The Eagles won their last Super Bowl in 2018, and after that win, they made massive changes in the following years. They fired head coach Doug Pederson, traded quarterback Carson Wentz, and drafted quarterback Jalen Hurts and wide receiver DeVonta Smith. They added big this previous offseason, trading for star wide receiver AJ Brown, drafting first round pick Jordan Davis, and trading for cornerbacks James Bradberry and C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Under coach Nick Siriani and breakout quarterback Jalen Hurts, the Philadelphia Eagles are unstoppable, and looking to add their second Super Bowl in five years.

The 76ers have been no stranger to heartbreak in the past. Last season, they lost to the Miami Heat in the second round, in 2021 they lost to the Atlanta Hawks in the second round, and in 2020 they lost to the Boston Celtics in the second round. In 2019, they lost brutally to a game 7 game winner by Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors. Through-

out the 2010’s, the 76ers have been accustomed to the phrase “Trust the Process,” as they tanked for better draft picks for years. Head coach Doc Rivers and the 76ers think this is their year. Last season, they made the blockbuster move to trade for former MVP James Harden. Joel Embiid has been the franchise man for many years now, being so close to winning his first MVP two years in a row. With emerging star Tyrese Maxey, the 76ers have created their Big 3. Right now they sit as the sixth seed, with a record of 7-7. With a lot of season left to play, they plan to take charge and win this competitive Eastern Conference.

Throughout the late 2010s, the Philadelphia Flyers were one of the better teams in the NHL. They were always near the top of their division, with records such as 41-21, 4226, and 39-33. Recently, they haven't found the same success.

In 2020, they finished with a record of 25-23, and in 2021, they finished with a record of 25-46.

They look to turn around this

year, as they currently sit with a record of 7-6. There isn’t much to report at the moment because of how early we are into their season.

Philadelphia has found itself with a multitude of success across most major sports this year. While the Phillies and Union did not win it all, they still had historic seasons with many of the franchises greatest moments and players.

The Eagles have started off hot, and hope to take that energy to the second half of the season.

The 76ers and Flyers sit comfortably right now, but hope to go on a run with all the talent they have on their rosters. Philadelphia fans have been dealt some pretty good teams in the year 2022, and hopefully soon will be able to climb their street poles in celebration once again.

A Note From the Editor-in-Chief News changes drastically from one minute to the next. Just a few days ago, incumbent Raphael Warnock defeated Herschel Walker in the Georgia run-off Senate race, marking the conclusion of a tense election season and solidifying Democratic control of the U.S. Senate. Even more recently Brittney Griner, an American WNBA player, was released from a Russian prison in return for the United States releasing Viktor Bout, a notorious arms dealer, back to Russia. And these dramatic shifts occur not just on the national and international stage, but in our daily lives as we see with all of the college early action and early decision notifications this month. One day, a college senior may be looking into a seemingly unfathomable, amorphous future, not having a clear picture of what life will be like next year, or even where that life will be, and the next day a college acceptance may come and provide a gift of clarity and concreteness. It’s a good reminder that although one day may seem dark, a ray of light may pierce that darkness the very next day. This is one of the messages that the Bring Change 2 Mind Club is working to promote here at BBHS, and I applaud their work and their efforts to bring attention and empathy to mental health struggles.

As we prepare to celebrate the holidays and turn the page to a new year, I hope we all try to be mindful that everyone needs an ally when the days are difficult, and that a spark of joy and light may be just around the corner, ready to change your perspective on everything.

-Anna Baker-Butler

Focus Staff Editor-in-Chief: Anna Baker-Butler Operations Managers: Zoey Possick and Rachel Horn Multimedia Directors: Jordana Esterow and Charlotte Zelin Webmaster: Natalia Terentiev Layout Editor: Sophie Possick Social Media Manager: Melina Kohilakis Editors Features: Ben Messafi, Politics: Kunjal Kothari, Arts and Entertainment: Sydney Anmuth, Health and Science: Emily Tian, News: Abby Goldstein, Viewpoints: Hailey Mallah, Sports: Joshua Dweck

Writers Ella Mensch, Hunter Greenspan, Jacob Moore, Max Corbin, Michaela Goodman, Yana Vorobiev, Abigal Weintraub, Abby Meron, Sophia Anello