The Survey - 20-21 Spring Edition

Cosplay

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Mental health: 3, & 10; Culture: 5, 6, & 12; Sports: 13-17 ...and more!

Much like baseball, football, and basketball, another American tradition is to make a regular car into one for racing. According to automotive writer Jimmy Dinsmore in Congress Must Pass The RPM Act To Save The Aftermarket Industry And Save The Racecars, doing so was “unquestioned for nearly 50 years until 2015 when the EPA took the position that converted street vehicles that compete on the track must remain emissions-compliant” (Torquenews.com).

way, if the Clean Air Act is passed, all modifications to street cars and trucks would be banned altogether.

Dinsmore continues, “SEMA and others have started a petition to have their voices heard.” SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association, helps promote small car modifying businesses so that their shops can thrive and succeed. Likewise, some in Congress have reintroduced The Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act that will allow modifications to cars as long as they pass emissions testing and inspections so they are safe for the road. Twenty-six senators, including Richard Burr, a Republican from North Carolina, and Joe Manchin, a Democrat from West Virginia support the RPM. Having both political parties agreeing is a huge achievement for the RPM Act and will make it more likely it will be advanced.

There are good looking cars on the road that have been either lightly or heavily modified. However, if you want to do your own car build, you might be in jeopardy of never being able to do so since “the EPA maintains that the equipment used to transform a street vehicle into a racecar is prohibited” (Dinsmore Torquenews. com). In other words, though race cars built strictly for racing do not violate the Clean Air Act in any

Written by Shane Augusta, Staff Writer Edited by Alex Greco, Staff Writer

Scientists believe that exoplanets (planets that are out- These quotes explain that some of the oldest rock formaside of our own solar system) that orbit distant suns tions that are found on land were formed underwater. are water worlds, rocky planets completely covered by global oceans. In March of 2021, a team at Harvard “Although the larger ocean would have made it harder discovered that Earth itself was once a water world. for the continents to stick their necks out, it could explain why they appear to have been on the move early New evidence shows that about 3 to 4 billion years ago, in Earth’s history,” says Rebecca Fischer, an experimenthe planet’s oceans had about twice the amount of water tal petrologist at Harvard. (Petrologists study stone.) than today. This means that all of Earth’s continents were Fischer is referring to the movement of continents and once completely under water. Because of this, it made it plate tectonics. If they were submerged they would have difficult for life to start on land. “Titanium concentra- been moving more rapidly. The planet was likely dry tions in 4-billion-year-old zircon crystals from Western until water asteroids hit the newly formed earth that Australia suggest they formed underwater...And some of made it possible for the climate and life. Junjie Dong, the oldest known rocks on Earth, 3-billion-year-old for- a graduate student in mineral physics at Harvard Unimations in Australia and Greenland, are pillow basalts, versity, states, “Too much water, or too little, and it bulbous rocks that only form as magma cools underwa- wouldn’t work.” The ancient water world is a reminder ter (Paul Voosen “Ancient Earth was a water world”). of how Earth’s evolution is what shaped the world today.

Written and edited by Alex Greco, Staff Writer

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Anime and Manga are Japanese comics and cartoons.

They have a long history in Japan, created in 1917 and 1952 respectively. They were mainstays in Japanese pop culture before the art form made its way to the West.

There are all kinds of manga out in the world with every type of genre imaginable, from romance and fantasy to horror and crime. Manga in theJapanese language literally means “humorous picture”. Manga is usually drawn in dichromatic (black and white) tones. Manga is the Japanese equivalent of comics.

Just as there are multiple types of manga there are the same types of anime. Both anime and manga are closely related and if there is a manga out it is highly likely that an anime of it is either going to be released or has already been released.

For example the anime adaptation of the manga Mahoutsukai no Yome or Ancient Magus Bride was released in October of 2017. While the manga was released in November of 2013.

The definition of escapism is “the tendency to seek distraction and relief from unpleasant realities.” Some people use shows, movies, and books, to escape from their “unpleasant realities.” Let me clarify; just because you do things you enjoy and do them to have fun doesn't mean you're trying to distract yourself. It becomes escapism. when you only enjoy these things because they distract you from your life.

Would video games be a good escape for some people?

Well, there is research that shows video games give people social and educational benefits. You can play with your friends while you have to strategize, complete tasks, and work towards a goal. A lot of people love playing video games because they're fun and entertaining. So they

Anime is incredibly popular in Japan not just with children but also with adults because it targets both groups on diffrent topics.

There is anime meant for preteens and teens as well as something for seniors. Conversely, cartoons of the West are mostly geared towards children with others being for those younger than 18.

Anime and manga show an artist's creativity and makes his or her imagination come to life on paper and a screen. When a person reads or watches anime and manga it's like you get sucked into the world that the story creates. You get taught so many powerful lessons about life: how you should live everyday like it's your last (Fairy Tail); how Family is more than just blood (Ancient Magus Bride); you can find hope even in the most hopeless situations (Demon Slayer). Many manga and anime teach important life lessons of how to believe in oneself and to never give up, and that as long as you have the drive you can do anything you set your mind to.

Sierra Roberts, Staff Writer

can be another way to enjoy your time away from reality.

Escapism doesn't mean it has to be something major that you're distracting yourself from either. Maybe you had a bad day, you're procrastinating doing your school work, or you don't want to do something. However, when you keep playing video games instead of doing those things, they start to pile up and become more of a problem.

Now here’s the question: are video games a form of escapism? Well the answer is yes and no. If a person is doing it to forget about what's going on in his or her life for a few hours, then yes. If you just want to play for fun when you're bored or want to do something with

Ava Schell, Staff Writer Studying is one of the most tedious activities for most people, and it is often put off. Listening to music, on the other hand, is one of the most calming activities that children do nowadays. Listening to music is something that can be done when doing other things. Music plays an important role in our everyday lives.When most people think about learning, they see a student in a quiet area concentrated on the topic at hand. This stereotype has sparked debate about whether or not listening to music helps students study.

Although some may doubt whether or not listening to music while learning is beneficial, it has been clinically shown that music reduces stress and increases focus. According to a study published in the journal Scientific Reports, listening to music you're familiar with will help you focus more on whatever job you're working on. It makes us happy to listen to music that we love. Changes to neurological function in the brain are responsible for the feel-good factor. People feel stress-free and relaxed

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when they listen to their favorite genre or album. The right music will make you relax while still improving your focus. When beginning a new assignment, music will help you stay motivated.

However, it's easier to concentrate on your idea if you listen to music you're familiar with. When you listen to familiar songs, you know what you're going to hear and can anticipate the same level of noise. Because new music is unpredictable, you'll have to pay attention to which song comes next, and you might lose interest in your work as a result.

If you have an important test coming up, music can be helpful for focus however, it is entirely a matter of personal preference whether or not to listen to music while performing various tasks. For some, music aids focus, and for others, it leads to a lot of disturbances. All you have to do is pay attention to what boosts your performance and concentrate on the work at hand.

Morgan Mask & Isabella Young, Staff Writers

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Border Crisis Written by Jack Scotto, Editor Edited by Shane Augusta, Staff Writer

Over the last 20 years there has been a long-standing debate over the southern border. There is quite the contention over what to classify it as or if there is a crisis at all. Since the late 1960s Democrats and Republicans have tried to address the issue of undocumented immigrants. There have been countless acts passed concerning deportation, border control, and detention centers, but nothing ever has substantiated it.

decimated the poor farmers and their families who live in the countryside. Other problems have plagued the region such as political corruption and instability.

Since the early 1990s, large sectors of the U.S economy have entirely relied on low wage immigrant labor.Today these same people contribute significantly to the lower income labor force.Even though there is a high demand in low wage labor jobs, it is incredibly hard to immigrate to the U.S. For example, the average time it takes for someone immigrating to the U.S from Central America is 10 years, and that comes with a lot of fees people don’t have the money for.

The only way one from Central America could immigrate legally and immediately is through seeking asylum.While this sometimes works, it often leads to people spending countless days in a detention center before just being sent back.

A common criticism of why none of the policies have ever worked is that these policies have never addressed the root of the problem, which would be why people are migrating in the first place. Some of these factors include violence and poverty, some of which has been induced by the U.S from coups and sanctions.

One problem that has affected rural Central America is climate change which has caused storms and droughts that have

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BY RILEY TULLY AND BRIGID DANAHER, STAFF WRITERS EDITED BY JENNA MOSIER, STAFF WRITER

Since the beginning of his career, Harry Styles has been defying stereotypes. In 2010, Styles was like any other teenage boy wearing what every other teenage boy wore.

As he got older, he felt more comfortable and felt as if he could express himself more freely. Although he has gotten negative and positive feedback from the media, Styles never seems to care what people think about him. In a Zane Lowe interview, Styles stated, “If you’re happy doing what you’re doing then no one can tell you ‘re not successful.” His attitude has inspired fans to feel confident enough to express themselves. Also, to not care what people have to say about you, whether it’s clothing or lifestyle choices.

Styles’ fashion choices have caused mixed reactions in the media. There are people in the media who disagree with what he wears.

In December of 2020, Harry Styles appeared on the cover of Vogue wearing a costume dress. His appearance resulted in many different reactions. People argued that what Styles was wearing wasn’t “manly.”

Candace Owens, an author and political commentator, reacted to the Vogue article by tweeting, “There is no society that can survive without strong men. Bring back manly men.” Fans of Styles were outraged at her response and began to attack Owens on social media. Styles was unbothered. He posted an instagram picture of himself in a light blue blazer with a white ruffled shirt captioned, “Bring back manly men.”

Many male fans of Styles and even other celebrities took his side, and

they posted pictures of themselves wearing skirts and dresses on social media. They wanted to show that their clothing choices have nothing to do with their masculinity. Styles’ confidence has helped many of his fans to wear what they want and become confident with themselves.

In March of 2021, Styles opened The Grammys wearing a black leather suit with a green boa.

This didn’t get as much attention as the Vogue magazine cover because people are used to his style now.

Now, the media and others are not as concerned with Harry Styles’ fashion choices because they know that Styles doesn’t care what people have to say about him. Throughout the entirety of his time in the spotlight, Harry Styles has broken gender stereotypes in the fashion industry.

Though the media may have mixed reactions with what the singer wears, Styles has continued to normalize being confident in what you wear even if it doesn’t fit the stereotype.

2021-HARRY AT THE GRAMMYS -NYLON

2020-HARRY’S VOGUE COVER -VOGUE 2010-HARRY’S XFACTOR AUDITION -TALENT RECAP

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It is clear that Harry Styles’ fash ion has evolved over the years!

Written by: Jenna Mosier, Staff Writer and Maya Beiling, Editor-in-Chief Edited by: Brigid Danaher, Staff Writer

In our last edition, we briefly explained how Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markel, left the royal family last year due to their desire to become financially independent. However, Oprah uncovered additional details about their unusual absence during an interview with the pair.

On January 8, 2020, the couple publicly announced they were stepping back from their official duties with the crown: “After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution.”

“Our hope was to continue serving the Queen, the commonwealth, and my military associations,while being financially independent from the crown,” Prince Harry said in a speech. “Unfortunately, that wasn’t possible.” In fact, the queen brutally took away all Harry’s military titles, and told him and Meghan to stop associating themselves with the word “royal” as a part of their branding. Contrary to the media’s belief, the couple said they were left blindsided, forced out of the family, and moved to California for a fresh start.

According to Meghan, the Royal Family refused to financially support their child, refused to give him his royal title, and expressed concerns about the color of his skin. The March 7, 2021 interview with Oprah left everyone speechless. Drama unraveled and left people questioning who to believe. Meghan shed light on the unfair treatment she experienced during her first pregnancy with her son Archie Mountbattan-Windsor:

We were very scared having to offer up our

baby, knowing they weren’t going to be kept

safe,” she said. “In those months when I was

pregnant, all around the same time...we have

in tandem the conversation of [whether] he

won’t be given security, he’s not going to be

given a title. And also, concerns and

conversations about how dark his skin

might be when he’s born.

The queen’s response was completely at odds with this

interview. Buckingham palace released a statement on behalf of the queen:

The whole family is saddened to learn the

full extent of how challenging the last few

years have been for Harry and Meghan...

The issues raised, particularly that of race,

are concerning. While some recollections

may vary, they are taken very seriously and

will be addressed by the family privately.

Clearly, there was a big misunderstanding between the royals with regard to whether the queen said the racial remarks or if it was others in the family. However, maybe Meghan’s words were just misleading? Prince Harry went on to tell Winfrey that the queen has been “amazing throughout” his relationship with Meghan.

Winfrey said that the Prince continued to hide the identity of those who had racial concerns, but he made sure it was clear that it was not his grandmother or his grandfather.

There are many points of view to this situation. “It was the queen’s fault,” “It was Meghan’s fault,” “It was no one’s fault!” The queen is hesitant to give out Harry’s taken titles, hoping that this will sway her grandson into resuming his official role in the Royal Family. Whether they end up returning to court or not remains to be seen. No matter who you believe, Meghan and Harry sure have one bustling life as ex-royals.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markel on The Oprah Winfrey Show telling their story (Entertainment Tonight, Mar 1, 2021).

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By: Samuel Hewitt, Staff Writer Edited By: Riley Tully, Staff Writer

I get jobs through a website called Stunt Listing which gives coordinators or casting directors my information if they want to contact me for a job, or through connections I have made through previous work. Having parents that are so well known in the stunt industry has been really helpful because I get to learn a lot off the clock too. Sometimes when I am on set, people that I don’t know will already know who I am because of my parents, and it can be pretty intimidating, but it gives me a good opportunity to meet new people. Occasionally on set I need to learn something new on the spot but it never stops me from doing it confidently and willingly, like being involved in an explosion.

Growing up, my mom and dad’s profession has always been an interest of mine. I was always fascinated by stories of things they have done in the stunt business. Both of my parents started out wanting to pursue other careers until they were introduced into the stunt industry, and that introduction led to a very successful career for both of them. After spending most of my free time as a kid jumping out of our barn and getting dragged behind a four wheeler on a piece of plywood, I was told that if I ended up being a stuntman I would learn how to do that safely. That is when I knew I wanted to become a stuntman.

Many people do not realize that there is a whole community of people who do stunts for a living. And since I was very young, I have been eager to be involved with it myself. I loved visiting sets with my mom and dad and sitting behind the cameras on the edge of my seat watching the actors and stunt people perform. The first job I have ever done was for Orange is the New Black at the age of twelve. Being that my mom was the stunt coordinator, I was given that opportunity. My work for that day consisted of jumping out of the back of a bus within the scene. It had to be done three separate times due to the nature of the scene. A few other kids were working that day and I was able to make a few new connections within my age group. That first job really inspired me because it made me realize how many people it takes to do one scene. The people on set have different jobs and no matter who you talk to in the film industry, they always have some of the coolest stories you will ever hear. On the first day on set, a stunt woman I was working with told me, “In the industry, it’s all about who you know, and more importantly, what skills you have.” That means that just because you can get into the industry, it doesn’t mean you are going to be hired because of connections alone; you need to have skill as well. You have to be ready to learn something new, and you need motivation to continue it. Being up for unimaginable things will help you to expand your resume.

Another interesting thing about working in film is getting to be in wardrobe, especially in period pieces, and other fun costumes.

I’ve learned a lot of new skills and techniques such as fight choreography, high falls, vehicle action, and fire safety. Although Covid has made it difficult for me to start to get more in depth with this profession, I have been able to get into the union, SAG-AFTRA. Covid-19 has drastically changed the film industry in both good and bad ways. One reason that covid has badly affected the industry is having to get Covid tested up to three times before you are allowed on set. This almost guarantees complete safety on set, but it is inconvenient to have to travel into New York City to be tested and then having to drive all the way back. You have to be tested three days before you go to get fitted for the scene, a test when you go to get fitted, and even a test when you get to set. If a person that was on set, or supposed to be on set, were to get Covid, they shut down filming for as long as they need for it to be safe to work again. However, one reason that Covid-19 has benefited the film industry is that it usually takes more time to film shorter scenes and get more done, which means more days of work for the crew.

After six years of doing stunts, I’ve learned a lot about my parent’s profession and am excited to start this as my career. With all its ups and downs, the stunt industry has given me an incredible opportunity, and one filled with amazing work and people.

And when people ask me how I got into stunts, my dad told me to always respond with, “I fell into it.”

Getting work for shows or movies can sometimes be a long process because you often have to get in touch with multiple people to find out what you have to do or when you have to be available.

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WARWICK’S FIRST RESPONSE SYSTEMS WRITTEN AND EDITED BY CAROLYN MORRISON, STAFF WRITER

People often don't understand how important a first response system is to a community. They know the basics of how the police combat crime, firefighters put out fires ( and occasionally get cats out of trees), and EMS (emergency medical service) helps sick people. What people don't realize about the world of first response is how much training and work goes into it, but also how much of a family it is. I joined the ambulance corps in October of my sophomore year and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

In Warwick, our firefighters have a drill at least once a week for every week of the year. These drills allow for the firefighters to improve and perfect their skills in a controlled environment so that when the time comes, they are prepared for whatever happens on a scene.

These drills include things such as cutting cars apart in a motor vehicle accident (MVA) simulation, learning how to properly break through a wall, roof, or door, or how to extract people from a building properly and safely.

EMS also does something similar. We do CME (Continuing Medical Education) biweekly. . We join a zoom call (due to COVID) and learn about a specific condition or type of medical care that either has been recently updated, or needs more attention in the EMS world.

State-wide it is a rule that you must be 18 before you are allowed to start becoming an interior firefighter, which means you are allowed to go inside the building. However, most departments allow you to join at 16. So now you may be asking, what's the point of joining if you can't go in for another two years?

Well, there are many benefits associated with joining the fire department in Warwick. When you join you get called to a company meeting and are voted in by the members of the firehouse you are trying to join. Once you are accepted, you have an instant family. Anyone in the house would treat you like a brother or sister, or son or daughter. If having a huge family isn't enough for you, you are also automatically entered into a scholarship opportunity program if you attend our high school. You will get signed up with a pager, bunker gear, a helmet, and an ID number to allow you to purchase first response lights for you vehicle.

Just because you aren't allowed to be inside a

building until you're 18 does not mean you aren't allowed to be on a call with your crew. As long as you attend drills and classes that give you the necessary training and certifications, you are allowed to be on the outside of a fire working a hose, going up in the ladder truck, or just doing whatever you can to help on a scene.

If being a firefighter isn’t something you’re interested in, and you’d rather be on the medical side of first response, EMS may be the way for you to go. You can join our local junior corps at 14 and once you turn 16, you’re allowed to start the process of riding.

You get to help your EMT (emergency medical technician) with taking vitals and transporting patients.

You are on call for a set 12 hour shift and you and your crew are the only people required to respond.

If you are looking to get involved with our volunteer first response system in Warwick, I would highly recommend it. You get community service hours, scholarship opportunities, a new big family, and most importantly experiences that few can say that they have.

Some of the experiences will be intense and a little bit rough to deal with, but in the end it makes you stronger. If you would like to get get involved or just inquire, you can visit the website: www.warwickEMS.com

Logo by Carolyn Morrison

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Many of us have been to see a play, but we may not know what goes into producing one. For example, who selects the right scripts, chooses the actors for their roles, and who designs the sets? What about those behind the scenes? Ava Hanley is one of those people. As the middle school’s drama club student director, she helps students with music and getting their lines down, and she is also involved in staging and making sure everything behind the scenes is running smoothly at all times.

Q: How did you get this job?

A: I started volunteering my freshman year and worked with the previous student director to learn how to do the job for my sophomore year.

Q: What is it about this job that makes you want to do this job?

A: I absolutely love everyone I work with, which makes this job super enjoyable and makes me want to do it. I love working with the whole crew that is involved as well as the cast. I've always had such a positive experience and have loved being able to work with everyone involved.

Q: What are some challenges about this job?

A: The most challenging part of the job is always the week right before the show; it's the first time we get everything on stage at once and is a super chaotic process. Everyone is at rehearsal for a few hours every day of the week trying to make everything perfect for the show.

Since one of my main roles when we get onto the stage is handling almost everything that goes on behind the scenes, it can get a little bit intense that week.

Q: What’s “everything”? Can you describe the job and tell what you do?

A: I start off the year with helping with the audition process and casting, and then later on [I] help get together the callback materials and make sure callbacks run smoothly. During the production I run some of the rehearsals and make sure the production as a whole is on track. I also help the students with running their lines, learning their music, and running their choreography so they're fully prepared for the stage. By “everything” I mean the production as a whole. That pretty much includes microphones, props, costumes, sets, blocking numbers, cues, and especially making sure that all of the students know what they have to do in order to make the production move seamlessly, especially during our one week we normally have on the stage. Since this year is different from what we would normally do, I’m also in charge of recording the students singing, dancing, or doing their scenes in different locations.

Q: What is the best part about this job?

A: I'd say the best part about the job is being able to work with all of the younger kids. I absolutely love seeing how happy being involved makes them as well as being able to make a connection with them too. It's amazing to watch kids that I have known since I was a freshman grow into such great performers and people.

There are different activities that we participate in as students. Each of these roles are interestanting, fun, and important and make school enjoyable such as being a school director.

Natalia Torres. Staff Writer

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By: Kaitlyn Peconie, Staff Writer SPOILER ALERT! Recently the Disney Plus show WandaVision was released, and became a major hit worldwide. This was extremely exciting, especially for MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) fans. The show revolves around two superheroes, Wanda Maximoff (Scarlet Witch), played by Elizabeth Olsen, and Vision, played by Paul Bettany. Wanda has experienced many traumas in recent years. This includes the death of her parents and brother, as well as witnessing the love of her life, Vision, get killed. Each episode of WandaVision portrays a different time period, starting in the 1950s. The show goes through the five stages of grief in Wanda’s perspective.

Wanda creates her own “world” and turns the town of Westview into a place where she is able to cope.

she just wants to be left alone. When she is left alone, her thoughts and everything around her aren’t processing properly. The last stage is “Acceptance.” Wanda is brought back in time with flashbacks during episode eight. Years back, Vision said to her, “What is grief, if not love persevering?”This was a factor that helped Wanda accept her grief and reality.

With that being said, WandaVision and the storyline of grief was very timely compared to the situation we have all been living through over this past year. Many people have gone through losses just like Wanda and have to cope with them.

WandaVision is a show that brings comfort to the viewers and expresses awareness of grief and mental health.

In the first two episodes, Wanda experiences the first stage, “Denial.” Wanda has now created a scenario where she is living in a fantasy world, happily married to Vision. She uses this as her excuse to get away from reality, but there are hints that lead viewers to believe it is not as perfect as it seems. At the end of episode two when someone from the outside world ends up in her bubble, she simply responds, “No,” not wanting anyone to ruin her “perfect life.”

Episodes three and four represent “Anger.” Wanda took everyone that was previously living in that town and made them characters to accomplish this world of hers. One of the characters is Geraldine, whose real name is Monica Rambo. She is a part of S.W.O.R.D. (Sentient World Observation and Response Department), and is trying to figure out what Wanda’s “world” really is. Monica basically blows her cover, which makes Wanda question who Monica really is. Wanda gets mad, and uses her powers to throw Monica out of Westview.

“Bargaining” is shown in episodes five and six. Wanda is slowly starting to realize how this new reality she has created may not be the right solution to help her feel better: “This will be your only warning. Stay out of my home. You don’t bother me, I won’t bother you.” Wanda says this when telling S.W.O.R.D. to stay out of Westview. This is a threat to them, because she is capable of doing worse than what she’s already done.

Pictured here is the WandaVision promotional poster for Disney+ featuring Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff and Paul Bettany as Vision.

The next stage is “Depression”. This is seen entirely in episode seven. Wanda doesn’t even want to get out of bed, and

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Myanmar protestors, The BBC

Written and Edited by Brendan Minett

Myanmar, a Southeast Asian nation whose recent election had offered hope to those wishing to peacefully contribute their voices towards the many issues confronting the country, has now descended into what could end up being a violent revolution.

On February 1, 2021, the Myanmar military seized control of the country after claiming there was fraud in last November’s election. Suu Kyi, the leader of the National League for Democracy party, was effectively overthrown by the country’s military and replaced

by Min Aung Hlaing, the Commander-in-Chief of Myanmar’s Defense Services.

According to NPR, Suu Kyi informed the Myanmar public through the National League for Democracy’s Facebook page to “protest against the coup” and “not to accept the military dictatorship that ended 10 years ago.” Suu Kyi and other civilian leaders have been jailed since then. The Tatmadaw, Myanmar’s military, declared a state of emergency on the day of the takeover and said that the state of emergency will last until “new elections are held a year from now.”

Many answered Suu Kyi’s call and protested the military’s power-grab. Some even expressed their frustration through social media by live streaming on Facebook, with some clips reaching over a hundred thousand views. On February 20th, tensions in the country reached a dangerously high level when

security forces violently cracked down on protesters in the city of Mandalay. Two people would, unfortunately, lose their lives. State-run media claimed that the events took place due to “security measures” and they were caused by “striking shipyard workers attacking police”, Reuters reported. At a separate crackdown on March 27, 2021, the bloodiest since the coup, a fourteen-year-old named Pan Ei Phyu was killed in her house for opening the door to protesters fleeing the military. “She suddenly fell down and I thought she had slipped. But then I saw the blood on her back and realised she had been shot,” the girl’s mother told the BBC. She originally gained fame over the video-sharing app TikTok, where she recorded herself singing pro-democracy songs.

Since the military took over government affairs in February, they have been criticized on the international level. President Biden responded to the coup by saying it was a “direct assault on the country’s transition to democracy and the rule of law.” As unrest grew in the country, the United States immediately suspended the 2013 Trade and Investment Framework Agreement, which helped Myanmar “integrate into the global economy,” said the Associated Press. White House press secretary Jen Psaki later confirmed that “the U.S. has also slapped export controls on Myanmar and added several Burmese businesses to a trade blacklist.”

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How The Vietnam War

Impacted Music Written and Edited by Harrison Rogers, Staff Writer A little over a year prior, musical artists from the U.K. would gain popularity in the states through television and radio. Bands such as the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Kinks and the Who achieved much success with their new rock music. This musical revolution further developed the counterculture of the time. Due to high publicity, songwriters and bands heavily experimented with subjects concerning the civil rights movement and America’s involvement in Vietnam.

As we entered the late 60’s, the American peoples’ consciousness of the war became even stronger.

Political activists and protestors charged their crusades, and songwriters continued to make their mission statements heard. Artists such as the Doors, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Bob Dylan spoke their minds on the conflict through their lyrics. This music was made easily accessible to the troops in Vietnam through radio, portable record players, early cassette players, and live performances. After visiting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, Doors frontman, Jim Morrison, reacted to the publicity the conflict received. He wrote, “Wait until the war is over/ And we’re both a little older // Breakfast where the news is read /Television children fed… Bullet strikes the helmet’s head // And it’s all over for the unknown soldier” (1968).

US Soldier playing acoustic guitar in Vietnam

In March of 1965, the first American combat troops entered South Vietnam. What followed was a decade of conflict and political unrest, fueled by the fear of communism continuing to spread in Southeast Asia. On the homefront, families worried as their fathers, sons, brothers and husbands awaited their conscription into the military.

Numerous young men were drafted, many not knowing the full scope of what they were fighting for. During these tense times, many found sanctuary in the ever-developing music of the era.

Another development was that troops were not formally segregated, allowing for the commingling of various cultures and styles of music, as the troops generally had to listen to music together.

If there is one righteous thing that we can take out of the conflict in Vietnam, it would be a social awareness that has since been expressed in all art forms.

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Written By: Patrick Gardiner, Staff Writer Edited By: Jacob Gibel, Staff Writer For the past 25 years there has been a common belief among many sports fans, casual and committed alike: the Knicks suck. As the Knicks have typically been at the bottom of the NBA standings and have made the playoffs only six times since 2000, the fans are right.

Being the laughing stock of the NBA for so long but also such an esteemed franchise, Knicks fans all reminisced of the greats that carried teams along in the past such as Patrick Ewing, Walt Frazier and Dave Debusscere. In 2011 there was a glimpse of hope as AllStar Carmelo Anthony was traded to the Knicks from the Denver Nuggets. But once again, it was to no avail as he was traded in 2017 with no Finals appearances.

mate of Zion Williamson at Duke, who is also making a contribution averaging 17 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. Lastly, Derrick Rose, the man who overcame one of the worst possible injuries and the youngest MVP ever, returned to the Knicks halfway through the season from the Detroit Pistons. Rose requested a trade telling Pistons head coach Dwayne Casey, “Coach, I’ve only got so many miles left in my legs.

I want to make sure I go to a situation where I have the chance to make the playoffs this year.” Rose is averaging 12 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game.

But why is it important to New York City? A town that has faced so much hardship over the past year?

Well, whether we like it or not, sports play a major role in history, culture, and even politics. They show us the best of human ability and make us feel compelling emotions of pride for our home team or country.

If we look back 20 years ago, after the events of September 11, 2001, the sports world became a beacon of patriotism and strength. When George W. Bush threw out the first pitch in the 2001 World Series, he claimed it was ‘the most nervous moment’ of his presidency. The pitch was perfect, and although the Yankees lost that series, it showed that New York was okay, and that we were stronger than ever. Although two very different events, when we find ourselves in times of trouble or strife, we look to sports, art, music, television or eachother to lighten our spirits.

Flash Forward to 2020, the Covid 19 Pandemic hit, and it hit New York hard. Leading in covid cases and with rising crime rates, and heavy lockdown procedures, it is safe to say New York was hit hardest. People were starting to believe the ‘Old New York’ was back again and would be as bad as it was in the 60’s and 70’s.

New Yorkers were fleeing; roughly 3.57 million people left Manhattan in 2020 alone which resulted in 34 billion in lost income according to a study by Unacast.

In a time of darkness an unlikely hero appeared. The New York Knicks were over .500 wins in the halfway mark in the season, the first time since Ewing took them to the NBA Finals in 1994, steamrolled by Julius Randle, RJ Barrett and Derrick Rose.

Randle, the team leader and the man who is largely responsible for the team's success, was a part of the young Lakers 2014 core who were all traded away and who all happen to be superstars of their own. Randle is averaging 23.2 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 6 assists per game. He was also selected to be a part of the All Star game, the last Knick to do so being Kristaps Porzingis in 2017. Behind the big man is RJ Barret, former team-

So with the Knicks in playoff contention, the Yankees on their quest for world series 28, and the Giants making large pre-season moves with the acquisition of Kenny Golladay and Kyle Rudolph, New York sports are on the uptrend. The city is going to be okay and stronger than ever.

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Written by Andrew Mindes, Co-Editor-in-Chief Edited by Maya Bieling, Co-Editor-in-Chief In 1929, the defensive infield shift in Major League Baseball was born. The shift is when a fielder or multiple fielders move their position in the field, trying to predict where the ball will be hit by a certain hitter (based on past results) . Although the origins of the shift date back to 1929, the shift was popularized in baseball in the 2010’s, especially against left-handed pull hitters. In 2020, MLB teams used a defensive shift on 34.1% of plate appearances. It is usually annoying for hitters that do not hit the ball to all parts of the field and can be immensely helpful for pitchers in those cases. Recently, fans of baseball have been divided on this question: Should Major League Baseball ban the shift?

On March 11, 2021, MLB announced that this season in Double-A baseball(minor leagues) they will be implementing defensive positioning limitations. This requires all four infielders to stay on the infield dirt and they said they will possibly require two infielders on each side of second base in the second half of the Double-A season depending on how it goes. The MLB is doing this to increase the batting average on balls in play to potentially create a better product for the fans. This could be the first step in MLB hinting towards limiting or ultimately banning the shift in the major leagues in the future. Banning the shift could create more exciting web gems when infielders need to use their athleticism to get to a ball. When asking about banning the shift, Mets shortstop, Francisco Lindor, said, “The shift has got to be cut down. Let me do me. Let me make

the crazy play. Let me be like, ‘OK, he’s going to pull the ball. I can’t be on that side of the base’.”

Conversely, there are reasons to keep the shift in baseball. Teams spend tons of time planning on how to strategize against certain hitters to limit hits, so taking away that aspect of the game can be a significant disadvantage to very analytical teams. Also, the shift can encourage hitters to hit more home runs which could create a more exciting product for non-baseball fans.

The end of the shift as we know it, or at least a huge limit to it, may be coming in the future to baseball. There may not be a consensus, but fans will need to wait until the rule is implemented before making final judgments.

After reviewing both sides of the argument, do you think Major League Baseball should ban the shift?

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Rookie Quaterback Rankings Written and Edited By Kieran Currao

The NFL draft just passed, and everyone is focused on the quaterbacks, specifically, the five quatertbacks drafted in the first round: Justin Fields(Bears), Mac Jones(Patriots), Zach Wilson(Jets), Trevor Lawrence(Jaguars), and Trey Lance(49ers).

Starting at the top, Trevor Lawrence is the best quarterback from this draft class. He has very few weaknesses. He has great arm strength and can make every throw. He also offers a lot in the run game, as he is a good athlete. He has great poise and pocket presence, he knows when to stay or leave the pocket, and he makes the right throw from each situation. My only critique would be that he is so naturally talented, he can get sloppy with his mechanics and this affects his accuracy. Overall, I believe he is a fantastic prospect, and will be a great quarterback for years to come.

Next, Zach Wilson is the second best quarterback from this class. There are some questions about his game, such as the level of competition he played, but I think he is a real good player.

He does have some flaws; however, his arm strength is good, not great in my opinion. If his feet aren’t set, the ball often flutters in the air, or is underthrown. Yet, if he can capitalize on some of his pros, he will be a very good player. For example, he is very good at improvising if the play breaks down, and he tries his best to always make winning plays rather than settling. Overall, he is a good prospect who could benefit from sitting behind someone for a year.

Onto my third best quarterback, I have Trey Lance. I understand the complaints some people may have with him. He has basically one season of tape, he played probably the worst competition in Division I college football, and he played in a relatively simple offense. They are factors, but his talent is so incredible that I can’t put him lower than third. He is by far the best running quarterback in this draft. He will run around you, but he will also run through you. His accuracy can be spotty at times, but he has great arm strength. Along with some of the other negatives, he was really only asked to make one read in college, so his ability to read a defense is relatively unknown. Overall, I think Trey Lance’s talent is amazing.

If it wasn’t for some of the factors that do not have much to do with

Trevor Lawerence (media release photo)

his ability to play football, I would have ranked him even higher.

Onto number four this is Justin Fields. His raw talent is undeniable, but there are a number of things that concern me. In college, he was asked to make multiple reads, but he did a pretty bad job at reading the field. He often fails to take his eyes off the first read. Sometimes this worked for him. In the college football semifinals against Clemson, he threw six touchdowns, yet there were some big flaws in his game. He sometimes missed receivers that were wide open and would throw it to a covered receiver simply because it was his first read. Along with his inability to read a field consistently, he is not composed well in the pocket and tends to collapse under pressure. As much as I am critiquing him, he does have talent. He offers a lot as a runner. He also has arm strength and great size for the NFL. Overall, he is incredibly raw and would benefit from sitting, but he NEEDS to sit behind someone for at least a year.

Fifth and finally, I have Mac Jones. I don’t think Mac Jones is particularly bad anywhere, I just don’t believe he is great anywhere either. His floor is decently high but I can’t see his ceiling being all that high. His accuracy is good, but his arm strength is just okay. He got to throw to probably the best offense in college football history, so that helps him. With this being said, I think that Mac Jones will have a long NFL career as a backup or fringe starter. He is a good leader and is very smart, so these things will help him stay in the league for a long time.

Those are my five best quarterbacks from this year’s draft class. This is what I believe but we have to take all draft rankings with a grain of salt. Being a successful NFL player does depend on your talent, but there are so many other factors. For example, I think Zach Wilson is great, but he ended up on the Jets, so he will be starting week one behind a terrible offensive line. We also do not know how these players’ work ethics are, and how they are as people, which will greatly impact their success. With all that being said, it should be fun to see how all these players pan out.

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Gender inequality is prevalent all around the world and the NCAA is complicit.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is an organization led by several members dedicated to the success and well-being of college athletes, including both men and women.

Every year, the March Madness tournament takes place for college basketball. Brackets are set up and games are played throughout the month and losing teams go home. It ends with a championship game and the winners are awarded a trophy.

This year, due to COVID-19, a bubble was implemented to allow the teams to play while remaining safe. All teams were isolated from their friends and families and stayed in hotels, only coming in contact with their teammates and coaching staff. There were two bubbles for the men and women and the NCAA was responsible for the conditions provided to all of the teams.

However, distinct differences were observed between the NCAA’s treatment and care for the men’s teams versus the women's.

A viral post from Sedona Prince, a member of the Oregon women's basketball team, highlighted the differences between the men’s and women’s weight rooms at these convention centers. This post caught the attention of 16 million viewers and showed off a single dumbbell rack and a stack of yoga mats for the women compared to several stacks of free weights, dumbbells, and squat racks for the men spread out in a large workout room. Many high profile athletes

went to Twitter to express their opinions on the situation. Steph Curry tweeted, “wow-come on now! @marchmadness @NCAA yall trippin trippin.” WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu also chimed in and said, “Women’s @NCAA bubble weight room vs Men’s weight room... thought this was a joke. What is this?!? To all the women playing in the @marchmadness tournament, keep grinding!” After the immediate backlash the NCAA faced, NCAA Senior Vice President of Basketball, Dan Gavitt, came out with a statement: "I apologize to the women's student-athletes, coaches, and committee for dropping the ball on the weight room issue in San Antonio; we'll get it fixed as soon as possible.” The committee took action and the women's weight room was modified and greatly improved.

The NCAA is an organization that brings in about $18 billion dollars a year, yet they were incapable of giving the women’s teams the same accommodations as the men’s. Altogether, the men’s weight room was far nicer, their food was of much higher quality, and there were more commodities in their swag bag. The women are hard-working, dedicated athletes, just like the men, and deserve fair, equal treatment. In sports, gender discrimination is observed. Girls all over the world are not giving up though and will continue to fight in the battle against gender inequality.

Paige Girardi and Megan Desrats, Staff Writers Edited by Megan Desrats

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NBA MVP Candidates Written by Luke Hammel, Staff Writer Edited by Andrew Mindes, Co-Editor-In-Chief

The NBA MVP Race has been an interesting one this year with no one player being the runaway favorite for the award, unlike the prior year where Giannis Antetokounmpo was the favorite for just about the entire season. This season has been plagued with injuries to the top players throughout the year, swinging the MVP race seemingly every week. With that being said, here are my top 5 MVP candidates this year:

Nikola Jokic

Averaging an impressive 26.5 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 8.4 assists per game, “The Joker” has been nothing short of impressive this season. He has also led the Denver Nuggets to the 4th seed in the Western Conference with a record of 45-24. Though his teammate Jamal Murray went down with a torn ACL, it will be up to him to keep his team winning as he is not far ahead of the next two guys on this list.

Joel Embid

Joel Embid has been sensational this season averaging 29.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. His team, the Philadelphia 76ers, sits atop the Eastern Conference with a record of 47-22. In the beginning of the season, he and Lebron were the favorites to win MVP, but with injuries hampering both Joel and Lebron, they have dropped down the list.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

The reigning back-to-back MVP hasn’t slowed down this season, averaging 28.2 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game. Though he has still been great this year like in the past two seasons, the only reason I don’t see him being higher on this list is because of injuries, and his team record is not as good as years past, with the Milwaukee Bucks sitting at the third seed in the East with a 44-25 record. Also the two people above him have been just as good, if not better than Giannis this year.

Damian Lillard

Damian Lillard has been the most clutch player in recent years. Lillard is the guy you want with the ball at the end of the game, which is why he’s on this list. He has still been great this year averaging 28.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game, but at the end of the day, what puts him on this list is what he does in the clutch. His MVP chances are low given that his team, the Portland Trail Blazers, is only sixth in the Western Conference; however, I still believe he has to be mentioned in the conversation.

James Harden

James Harden has been outstanding this season, averaging 25.1 points, 8 rebounds, and 10.9 assists per game. Being on a team with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant takes his chances away though. His team, the Brooklyn Nets, are second in the Eastern Conference, but compared to everyone else on this list, James Harden, in my opinion, is the least deserving of the award.

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I n t er v i ew : M r . Di L eo Ch elsea M u r dock , St af f Wr it er Th e spr in g m u sical is som et h in g t h at t ypically t ak es place ever y year at War w ick Valley High Sch ool. Sin ce w e ar e st ill in a pan dem ic an d w e n eed t o t ak e ext r a pr ecau t ion s, it can be dif f icu lt t o do so w it h a m u sical. I ask ed M r .DiLeo a f ew qu est ion s abou t t h e m u sical an d h ow t h ey adapt ed du e t o Covid.

Q: Wh at m u sical did you do an d w h at w as it abou t ?

A: [We did] Songs for a New World, written by Jason Robert Brown. It is a song-cycle musical that is nothing but musical numbers. The numbers in the show all deal with aspects of life that we all go through during some point in our lives.

Q: How lon g did st u den t s pr epar e f or t h eir r oles?

A: The cast rehearsed virtually and in person with either Ms. Hanson, our chorus teacher who is our vocal director for the production, or with me as director. We both started off rehearsing virtually via a special Google meet, but as guidelines relaxed, we were able to rehearse in person, following safety protocols. This occurred since early March. In addition to rehearsals, cast members are expected to learn their songs independently and fully understand the meaning behind the lyrics.

Q: How did Covid af f ect t h e pr ocess? Wer e f u ll pr act ices allow ed? Wer e you allow ed t o h ave an au dien ce f or t h e sh ow ?

A: Covid-19 impacted my drama program drastically. We did not have a live show this year due to gathering regulations, so I opted to direct and produce the show in conjunction with the communications department to create an on-demand video our residents [were able to] rent via a streaming service. As mentioned above, we were practicing both virtually and in person.

Q: Have t h er e been an y addit ion al ch allen ges t h at you w ou ldn't n or m ally h ave h ad du e t o covid?

A: Yes, there were some challenges. First, keeping our students safe. Next, having to work with masks on! That's never good when working in theater! And lastly, getting our community to log in to a computer to see our show was the final challenge we encountered.

Despit e t h e ch allen ges, t h e cast an d cr ew pr oved t h e "sh ow m u st go on" ...an d it did!

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Interview: Julie Brown Written and Edited by Nick Murray

There are all sorts of roles we play as students in school. We’re athletes, musicians, actors, and artists. Some of us participate in student government and others take part in technological activities. Then there are those who take on leadership roles.

One such person is Julie Brown. She is the school’s student auditorium manager.

Q: How did you get the position of auditorium manager?

A: I interned as a tech for a year in the auditorium as a freshman. In my sophomore year I was hired as a technician, and then my friend Patrick, the former manager, offered me the job.

Q; Why did you want this job?

A: I chose the job for the “high school experience.” I don’t do sports, so I figured I’d join another team. I have some really great stories and memories from tech that I otherwise wouldn’t be able to share if I was sitting at home scrolling on my phone.

Q: As an auditorium manager, what does your job entail?

A: As of right now, not too much. With Covid, my job has basically become adjusting lights for the band and making videos to train my replacement. Usually though, I handle the scheduling of technicians for events, and I am the main soundboard operator.

Q: What is the best part about being the auditorium manager?

A: The best part of my job is the people. The people you work with, the people you train, and the people you’re making everything happen for— it’s a wonderful feeling to be representing this awesome crew of technicians.

Q: What are some challenges about this job?

A: Trying to be something greater in the eyes of those older than you. I’m still a student, and sometimes the people running the event with see you as incompetent and too young. Also, maybe trying to wake up at 8 a.m. for tech week on the weekends. That’s a battle between me and my alarm clock.

Q: How does being an auditorium manager make you feel?

A: I’m confident in myself that I’m able to lead such a great team. I love my job and working with the other techs.

The people I work with are all so great and are the backbone of most of what goes on in the auditorium.

This year and last year brought a lot of challenges to the school year, but that did not stop Julie from enjoying her job as auditorium manager.

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Tyler Ellis, Editor, and Andrew Reda, Staff Writer

Many people would prefer an occupation outside of the typical 9-5 office job. Some want to weld, fly planes, build homes or work on cars, and for those kids, traditional high school courses aren’t the best fit for them. We at Warwick Valley High School are extremely lucky to have a special program offered to us in CTEC (Career and Technical Education Center), and many students may be considering that path for high school and further in life. I decided to interview a student who attends the program to get his perspective.

Kyle Sass is a student at CTEC who is currently learning about the ins and outs of aviation. With his mom being a flight attendant, the want to fly is in his blood. When asked what he enjoys about CTEC, he explained how he enjoyed getting out of the school building early and the different aspects of learning. “I enjoy the different environment I get from CTEC. It's different from regular school,” he commented. Kyle explained how he flies planes out of the Orange County Airfield. “It's a cool experience learning how to fly a plane and eventually flying it yourself. Not many people can say they have done that.” Even if he doesn't stay with being a pilot for his career path, Kyle has lifelong experience of being a pilot.

es in the culinary arts and health careers, and more. They help students learn basics and very important information about the lessons and topics. The classes will definitely get you ready for a job related to what you choose which is another reason I love it as an option. I personally do not attend CTEC, but I have heard many great things about it from my friends who do attend. The only thing negative I would say is that it is not near our school and you will need to take a bus or drive yourself there.

Overall, I think CTEC is a great program and is something I would recommend to students who are thinking about it. This school definitely has options to help young students pursue their dream job instead of being stuck with 9-5 jobs or jobs they hate. CTEC is a special program for Warwick students.

I think CTEC has stellar programs with many opportunities and options for students to pursue. They have many classes, such as cosmetology, welding, animal science, classKyle Sass (photo provided by Sass)

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Interview: Rori Legris Written by Kelly Downes Edited by Natalia Torres Fashion is a beautiful and unique way to express one’s self. I recently interviewed a very talented and confident young woman who is very creative and fun when it comes to fashion. Her name is Rori Legris. She is a junior and loves cosplay, and if you didn’t know what that is, it’s the practice of dressing up like a character from a movie, book or video game. Her love for fashion is charismatic and personable.

Q:How would you describe yourself?

A:“I describe myself as a pretty artistic person and [one who is] caring.”

Q: What are your interests?

A: “I like dressing up, cosplay, art, and music.”

Q:How would you describe your personal style?

A:“I’m usually just in jeans and a t-shirt, so basically regular edge.”

Q: Who is your biggest influencer?

A: “My mom is a big influence. She would take me to the Renaissance Faire every year.”

Q: What is your favorite cosplay look?

A: “My favorite look would probably have to be somewhere in the fantasy realm, whether it’s pirates or victorianesqe fashion.’’

Q: How much time do you spend when creating a certain look?

A: “Some days it will be an hour and it could take two hours other days for a bigger look.”

Q: Is it costly?

A: “ I spend quite a bit of time saving money and I mostly pay for everything; my parents will pitch in here and there.”

Q: Why is cosplay and fashion important to you?

A: “Fashion is important to me because it’s one of the easiest ways to express one’s self and feel comfortable in your own skin.”

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Sam Tyzbir and Jacob Gibel, Staff Writers Autism is commonly defined as a “developmental disorder of variable severity that is characterized by difficulty in social interaction and communication and by restricted or repetitive patterns of thought and behavior.” But is that all that autism is limited to? Is there more to the spectrum of autism than meets the eye?

Let’s see what the founder and president of the Autism Awareness club at WVHS, Ainsley Goldman, has to say on the topic. According to Ms. Goldman, autism is not as simple as many people believe. It is a complicated and quite fascinating developmental disability that not only affects social and communicative ability, but it affects how the brain works as a whole. Ms.Goldman is currently promoting autism awareness all over Orange County through fundraisers and family friendly contests. Some of these activities included contributing a dollar to take a shot from halfcourt to win a variety of different fun prizes. She and other supporters also ran a “pot of gold” fundraiser which raised a total of $455. Ms. Goldman plans to donate to various charities including Autism Speaks and The Autism Society of America.

Q and A: When did you first create the Autism Awareness Club at WVHS? It was founded one year ago (Ms.Goldman’s sophomore year).

Why did you start the club?

I wanted to start a fundraiser for Student Senate. I was already familiar with autism and how it affects others, and a lot of people are unaware about certain specifics about autism.

What is your goal for the club?

The goal is to raise money and awareness for non profit organizations along with gathering more members inside the club within and without the high school.

What events does the Autism Awareness Club host?

[We do] themed events to raise awareness and provide aid for children and adults. [This allows] for life long bonds to be made.

How can someone join the club?

Go to Mr.Fasolino’s room and ask to join the Autism Awareness Club.

After further research and conservation with Ms Goldman, I have learned a lot about autism and how it affects people's everyday lives.

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AUTISM FACTS: •Autism is a developmental disorder that causes difficulties with social interactions and communications.

•It is one of the fastest growing developmental disorders which affects 1 in 54 children, and it varies from person to person.

•Autism can be associated with genetic mutations or genetic disorders, such as Rett syndrome.

•Behavioral, educational, and family therapies may reduce the symptoms and support children’s development and learning.

•World Autism Awareness Day is recognized every April 2. Throughout the month of April, the organization Autism Speaks holds autism-friendly events and educational activities to try and increase people’s understanding of autism and to help gain worldwide support for those with it.

Have a restful and enjoyable summer!

-The Survey Staff

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The content of this paper reflects students’ writing efforts and views which do not necessarily represent WVCSD or the Survey staff.