Holiday Humor
Rebbeca Kleinman, Staff Wirter
Ok, enough with the formalities. I’m not going to start this article with a cheesy introduction about how the true holiday spirit is supposed to be family time. Neither is baking a Christmas casserole that could put an elephant into a food coma with the amount of salt that’s added to it. So what is the true holiday spirit then? Well, it is humor and chaos. And that is exactly what this article is about. Here are some stories students shared about their memorable holiday mishaps. Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even A… “It was either Christmas Eve or Christmas day, I can remember this because it’s the only time I didn’t bully my family for setting up decorations a month early. I think I was watching a cliche Christmas movie and all of a sudden I hear SCREAMING. Which I wasn’t exactly complaining about because the movie was awful anyways, but it caught me off guard because it was my dad. So obviously I get up to see what’s happening but before I even make it inside the kitchen a mouse is full-on sprinting out of the dishwasher. My dad, or whoever it was, freaked out so hard trying to catch it that he knocked over a table, causing me to trip over a chair. We truly tried. I can’t remember much afterward but we probably went to evening mass.” Gill-ty as charged “There was the time I got my uncle, who loved to fish and hunt, a fish-shaped can koozie (cooler). I thought he’d like it but I guess no self-respecting person wanted this as a gift.” Elf on the…plate? You’ve heard of Elf On the Shelf, now get ready for Hate on the Plate. Many years ago, around this time of year when the air was cold and smelled like burnt biscuits and mayhem, there was a woman with poor taste. Unfortunately, I’m related to this woman, but maybe that explains a lot about my personal life choices. Anyways, she once participated in a penny social. This was her first mistake. Afterward, I received a call about how she won something from her outing. It was the most hideous plate any of us had ever seen. Awful. There is no way to describe the monstrosity burdened upon us that day. I’m pretty sure the only reason she won such a dish was because nobody else put their tickets in for the chance of having it. Everyone was laughing because who would want that thing, why would they want that thing? It was all fun and games until that woman said she was giving it to one of us as a gag gift. That’s when the laughing stopped and the tears began to fall. Sure enough, Christmas day came and the plate claimed a soul. The only way to be rid of the curse was to pass it on to someone else. Since then it has become a tradition. Father to son, son to sister, sister to a cousin, and so on. Who knows, maybe greatness will be bestowed upon you one day. Every Kiss Begins With K and Every Break Ends With One Freshman year, I gave my first girlfriend a Pandora ring she really wanted for Christmas. This was 85 dollars by the way, and I wasn’t exactly making the most money with the job I had so it was pretty
pricey. She really wanted it though and I was determined to be a good boyfriend so I got it for her. Less than a month later she asked for a break, and a week later she had her friend text me during the Super Bowl to tell me it wasn’t going to work out. Hot Potato One December, my sister was playing a game with my dad while he was making some sort of recipe involving potatoes. I don’t remember what the recipe was, or how they started playing, but I do remember him getting too invested and chucking a potato at her full force. Either my sister got out of the line of fire or my dad missed by a mile, but the projectile was so fast it left a hole in the drywall. I can’t remember if we ever fished it out of the wall because we didn’t want to make a bigger hole than there already was, but we moved out shortly after that. To this day, there might still be a potato lurking in the walls, patiently waiting for itself to be excavated. Holiday Hellraiser It is like, three different mishaps in one story. The first was on Thanksgiving at my grandmother’s house. We finish dinner and afterward, she pulls out a pie. It’s ice cold though, so Granny proposes, “Why don’t we put it in the microwave?” even though it was covered in tinfoil. Everyone is helping out trying to peel off all the tinfoil, doing their best to make sure we aren’t the cause of a combusted microwave. Grandma puts this dessert in the microwave, and within the first five minutes, it’s smoking. Before she can reach it the whole thing explodes. I felt like I was on National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. We all scour and interrogate this pie like it’s the antichrist, and by God, there is a tiny piece of foil on the INSIDE of the pie. Someone was trying to commit murder. It was just below the surface not to be seen but still exploded our entire microwave. Several weeks later we went back to my grandma’s house because that’s holiday central I guess. This time it’s Christmas Eve. All was going well. We were hanging ornaments on the tree while my grandma was baking cookies. Keep in mind, some of these ornaments are like 80 years old and have lasted for years. When we were hanging the last ornament, my grandma started freaking out about how “her cookies are ready.” They weren’t ready, they had BEEN ready. Smoke was slowly building up and she started cursing out loud all sorts of snazzy catchphrases. And me, being the selfish child who wanted nothing to do with that, turned back around to face this ornamented tree, and all of a sudden it started growing. I realize, “Oh I’m not losing my mind, the tree is just falling.” I threw myself out of the way so fast I collided with the footstool and bruised a muscle in my back. And that tree did not stop until it was satisfied with shattering a good 50% of the ornaments on it. We were picking up the remains and watching out for glass and ornament hooks the rest of the night. The reason the tree fell was because of unevenly distributed weight…in short, all the ornaments were on one side of the tree.
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SIERRA ROBERTS, EDITOR
10 Tips for Saving Money Around the Holidays Written by: Jenna Fiore, Staff Writer Edited by: Alexander Eberlein, Staff Editor
Every year around the holidays people find themselves scrambling looking for gifts and spending hundreds of dollars before they know it. So how can you find ways to save during the chaos of the holiday season? Here is a list of easy tips to help you save some money during the holidays. 1. Create a budget Most teenagers working minimum wage jobs are not making too much money and, if you’re like me, you are spending a quarter of your paycheck at least on gas. If you go into the holidays with a set budget of how much you can spend, you are less likely to go over that budget. 2. DIY gifts Don’t overlook homemade gifts. They can help you save money and sometimes they turn out to be better and more thoughtful than something that you can buy from the store. 3. Secret Santa You can always do a secret santa with your friends. Have one person to buy for instead of buying gifts for a huge group of friends separately. 4. Use cash When you use a debit or credit card you are more likely to spend more money, but if you only take a certain amount of cash you are forced to stick to that budget. 5. Order Online You can always order on the Internet. Because most things can be purchased online you are always able to find the newest deal or free shipping. Plus, you can end up spending far less money than you would being inside of the store. When you’re looking for something more specific, you’re less likely to impulse buy. 6. Start Shopping Early The earlier you start the better your chance of getting good deals on items. The closer you get to the holidays the more the prices go up due to supply and demand. 7. Black Friday Don’t forget about Black Friday where you sometimes get the best deals of the season. Black Friday can be exactly what some people need in order to save a few dollars around the holiday season, but make sure that you are getting what you actually need and not just buying anything on impulse. 8. Don’t Overdo It Don’t feel pressured to buy something for everyone you know and buy them all extravagant gifts. Don’t feel obligated because sometimes the simplest gifts are the best gifts. 9. Cut Back Unnecessary Spending Around the holidays, you spend lots of money that you would not normally spend, so you ay need to cut back on unnecessary spending. Stretch your nail appointment another week or skip Dunkin’ a few mornings. 10. Time Over Money Sometimes the best gift is your time. My grandparents, for example, have always said that my visits are the best gifts that they could get. So, maybe this year instead of going out and buying a meaningless gift, just sit down and have a conversation with someone. So whether you’re setting a budget, shopping online, or just spending quality time with the people you love the most, there are many options to help you save money around the holidays.
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Written By: Ellie Ladouceur, Staff Writer Edited By: Riley Tully, Co-Editor-In-Chief Our local food pantry located right in Warwick distributes over 4,000 bags of food every year. The director, Glen Dickes, oversees the organization; however, Theresa Mandracchia, the supervisor, is the one running the pantry on a daily basis. She packs bags for the families, takes care of the holiday bags, organizes volunteering, and so much more. I had the opportunity to sit down with her and ask some questions. What is the purpose of the food pantry? The Warwick valley food pantry is a local organization that helps supply our community with food, drinks, and other supplies. It’s open two days a week and allows each family to come twice a month. On average how much food do they distribute every week? Every week we feed about 30 families which is approximately 80 bags of food per week. This number can also increase around the holidays. Do you get any funding or is it primarily volunteer-based? We are funded by the food bank in Newburgh, although we do receive many donations such as locally grown apples and pies. What is the average size family attending the pantry? Generally we get families of around four people, two adults and two children, although the size varies frequently. What is the main reason people have to use the food pantry? Most people are working but just aren't making enough money. Their salaries are not enough to supply for their families; therefore, they need help from the pantry. What is the best way someone can help? The pantry is always looking for volunteers and food donations, although in general, the best way you can help is simply by donating money. With the holidays right around the corner, money is extra tight. There are also multiple clubs in our school you can join which help raise money, such as the Interact Club and Empty Bowls. Whether you join a club or donate on your own, you are helping so many families in need. Make sure to give back to your community in any way you can. 4
Holiday Activities Etided by Tyler Ellis, Staff Editor
Short and Sweet by Maya Beiling, Editor-in-Chief
Picture this: you are staring out the frosted window at the snow falling gently to the ground, your fingertips are warmed by the mug of hot chocolate you are holding, the popping sounds and smokey smell emerges from the fireplace—it is the holiday season! I don’t know about you but when I think of the holidays, I think of their nostalgic feel, family gatherings, and the delicious food used to celebrate. As we all know, there are various foods, beverages, and desserts that are a very large part of cherished traditions this time of year. Did you know, for example, that people consume one hundred twenty-two million gallons of eggnog from the time it appears on the shelves in November all the way until after New Year’s? Similarly, many people have carefully crafted recipes that they hold near and dear to their hearts each year. I interviewed some WVHS students that were kind enough to let us in on the ingredients in their family favorites. Peppermint Bark- two 12 ounce packages milk chocolate chips, two 12 ounce packages white chocolate chips, 2 teaspoons peppermint extract, 8 peppermint candy canes, crushed, divided Hot Cocoa- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, ¾ cup white sugar, 1 pinch salt, ⅓ cup boiling water, 3 ½ cups milk, ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract, ½ cup half-and-half cream Sweet Potato Casserole - 6 peeled sweet potatoes, ½ cup brown sugar, ¼ cup butter, 2 tbsp orange juice, 2 pinches ground cinnamon, 1 bag mini marshmallows Although these were the most popular responses, others included gingerbread and snickerdoodle cookies, peppermint meringues, and apple or pumpkin pie. Recipe directions can be found on Allrecipes.com. With that being said, I encourage you to try these delicious suggestions and look forward to trying them with my family. Happy holidays everyone!
Meisters During the Holidays By Phobe Pattock, Staff Writer
Music Hall where we open with a holiday mashup before the Rockettes perform. We also have a winter concert and go caroling around the town. We also get some singing gigs for Veterans Day and other events like tree lightings and dedications. Having all these trips makes the holiday season so much fun! We start learning holiday music in October to prepare for all our events. Starting the holiday music early is nice because for many people it makes them happy. With COVID, the Meisters have definitely had to adapt to the changes that had to be made. Thankfully, we still get to attend most events as long as we have masks and/or are vaccinated. Even though we have to wear masks, we still manage to have a good time. With all the time we Meisters spend together, we form a very close bond and become a family that lasts all through high school.
Many people associate the holiday season with traditions like shopping, baking, decorating, and even music. Others associate the holidays with family and friends. I celebrate the holidays with my biological family but also with my music family in school, the Meisters. We celebrate the holidays together by having parties and doing activities related to the holiday. For example, the two weeks before Halloween we did what we call “secret spooky.” Each person who wants to participate fills out a piece of paper with their favorite candies and other things they like. Then, the papers get passed out at random so each person gets another. We buy candy and other small gifts for our “secret spookies” until Halloween when we get them a final gift and find out who gave our gifts to us. We also go on many trips during the holiday season. One trip we go on is to the Radio City
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What Is Your Favorite Holiday Movie and Why? Written by: Riley Tully, Editor Edited By: Luke Hammel, Editor
As we are now in full effect of the holiday season, there are many traditions that people do each year. Some families bake cookies, make gingerbread houses, pass down stories, or light candles, and others will watch movies together. Growing up, I always watched the holiday classic, A Christmas Story. This is my favorite holiday movie because every Christmas Eve through Christmas day, this movie is played on repeat. I watch it with my family on Christmas Eve in front of our fireplace right before we go to sleep. Since we are in the holiday season, I began towonder what everyone else’s favorite holiday movie was. I decided to go and interview some of the students here at Warwick Valley High School, and here are the responses I received:
Isabella Young: “Home Alone because my family and I watch it every year.” Mary Tobin: “Elf because it is just amazing.” Patricia Valentino: “Elf because it is very funny and it’s very cheerful.” Hailey Moshier: “Shrek The Halls because it’s always been a childhood favorite.” McKenzie Alden: “I’ll be Home for Christmas because it’s a comedy but also heartwarming.” Yirshalem Pinkus: “Elf because it’s funny.”
Holiday Evolution Written by: Gavin Glynn, Staff Writer Edited by: Luke Hammel, Editor The holiday season is always full of wholesome moments like decorating the Christmas tree or spending time with your friends and family. I interviewed people with one question: “What is your most wholesome holiday moment?” You’d be surprised how many people had the same exact answer. No matter what age, gender, or description, every person I asked all described the feeling of being with family. I first asked Ms. Flemming who stated, “No matter how old I get, I love going to my mom’s house and opening up presents with my brothers.” And the more people I asked, the more I realized that they all mentioned family. Brian Buckley said, “ I get to spend time with my sister [when she’s] home from college and [I can] just hangout with my family.” Lastly, I asked Dom Scotto and Joe Holder who both said, “I
love to spend Christmas and the holidays with my family.” It seems as though the mentality of the holidays has changed in us as we have matured. If I asked this same question five years ago, I’m almost positive the answers would unanimously be, “Receiving presents,” but as we have matured, it has become less about the festivities and more about spending time with the people you love. Personally, as a senior with a sister in college, I enjoy spending time with my family the most because it can only happen during the holidays. Within the past year all around me I have had to endure changes. We all grow up and start to realize this time with loved ones is precious because it is limited. We have transitioned from prioritizing gifts to prioritizing family and time with them. 6
Written by: Ava Sheils, Staff Writer Editited by; Alek Grzegorzewski, Editor
Seasonal depression or seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is caused by the different changes in seasons. Symptoms usually start in the fall and drag on all the way through late winter. Symptoms of SAD include feeling depressed most of the day, nearly every day. You lose intrest in activities you once enjoyed, have low energy, have trouble sleeping, experience changes in weight or appetite, feel agitated or sluggish, harder to concentrate, and feel hopeless or have thoughts of suicide. This is common in a lot of people during the winter. Some people don’t even know they get seasonal depression. SAD is more common in females than males. It is also more common in younger adults rather than older adults. Sad affects around 11 million people in the US alone and 25 million more that have a more minor case called the “winter blues.” Scientists have a theory that because of less sunlight in the fall/ winter that the brain makes less serotonin. In fact, SAD
occurs less often in countries with more sunlight. Since seasonal depression has a pattern that is predictable, there are some things you can do to prevent or reduce symptoms. You can try exercising more, haing more light in your home, meditation, yoga, spending more time outside in the fresh air, and being in areas that have more sun. SAD can also be treated with antidepressants or something called phototherapy or bright light therapy which suppresses the brain’s secretion of melatonin. This therapy has been shown to be effective in up to 85% of diagnosed cases of SAD. If that doesn’t work, studies have shown that cognitive behavioral therapy has also shown to be effective. Seasonal depression has an effect on so many lives. Everyone should know the symptoms and treatments because you never know if your “winter blues’’ are actually due to seasonal depression. If you think you may have seasonal depression, contact a professional and see what they can do to help you.
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A Sweet SUITE SURRENDER
Written By: Lena Jodry, Staff Writer Edited By: Jenna Mosier, Co-Editor-in-Chief Photos By: Thomas Bushey, WVCSD Communications Relations Coordinator The lights went out on the Warwick Valley High School Drama Club’s production of The Drowsy Chaperone on March 14th, 2020, and have been dark since. That is until they took the stage once again for their fall play, Suite Surrender. Suite Surrender is a farcical play about two feuding divas who end up in the same hotel suite. Along with many other characters who add to the comedic aspects, this is the perfect way to reintroduce live theatre to the public. Of course, since COVID is still an issue in the world, the cast, crew, and audience members had to take COVID precautions. The cast wore clear masks during the performance so that the audience could see their
Suite Surrender. I’ve never been in the
we did not have any scene changes or very many props, all of the students working behind-the-scenes were instrumental in putting on this show. Our set was beautifully constructed by Mr. Manno’s Set Design class. Our “Drama Mamas” made sure everyone looked the part in fabulous costumes. Mr. DiLeo played an instrumental role in our production as the show’s producer and as the Drama Club advisor. I am incredibly proud of and grateful for each and every student involved in the production of Suite Surrender! Ms. Trovato worked tirelessly to put on this remarkable show, and along with her colleagues and all the students involved, it was very suc-
faces. Audience members also had to follow COVID protocols, which included wearing a mask the whole time inside the high school, not eating or drinking in the auditorium, audience members had to arrive with the group they sat with, and they could not move around their seats once they were seated. Student volunteers ushered people to their seats and taped off their section. This was so that another group couldn’t sit directly next to another. Despite all these precautions, everyone was so excited to be back on the stage live. The excitement filled each member of the cast, including Anthony Roca, the president of the drama club, who had a few things to say about this experience. Anthony said, “I was so happy when I walked into that first rehearsal for
When asked about this experience, and her first time directing a high school show, Ms. Trovato said: My first experience directing a high school show was wonderful! This show was the first live, in-person performance on the WVHS stage since March 14, 2020, so I think everyone was ready to get back into the theater and make some magic. Because we followed health and safety protocols in rehearsals and during the performances, we were able to bring back something special to our Warwick Valley community. Hearing the laughs, gasps, and applause live was truly special. The cast worked hard to prepare for their performances. It was amazing to see them work as a team to develop memorable characters during rehearsals. The crew also did a great job with this show. Even though
cessful. This laugh-out-loud production had people cheering, gasping, and walking out of the auditorium with smiles across their faces. With a beautiful set that appeared very similar to an actual 1940s hotel suite, a cast that had people engaged from the beginning, and every single person behind the scenes that helped make the play happen, they deserve all the recognition and praise that they are receiving. If you missed Suite Surrender, don’t worry, because the drama club will be having their spring musical, Little Shop of Horrors, on March 18th and 19th (more information will come out closer to the dates). If Little Shop of Horrors is anything like Suite Surrender, audiences will be in for such a treat.
cast for a fall show, and I’m glad I was this year with such an amazing group of people. It really felt like we never left.” The cast for Suite Surrender contained 11 people which allowed for them all to build great on-stage chemistry with one another. Their relationships with each other were apparent to all who saw the show, for it enhanced the performance of the actors. Not only was this the first live performance since the COVID pandemic first began, but it was also Ms. Trovato’s WVHS drama club directorial debut. Ms. Trovato, a French teacher at the high school, was overjoyed with the way this show went.
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Interview: Ms. Shafer
Witten by: Abigail Gatdula,Staff Writer Edited by: Dennis Wilson,Editor After the retirement of Mr.Persad, we welcomed a new member of the music department. The ruler of rhythm, Ms.Shafer, joined our team at Warwick Valley High School as our band director. Kind, talented, and passionate, she leads concert band, wind ensemble, and the marching band with pride.
my masters recital, which was held at Julliard. Playing at Julliard was intense, but when it was done it was just a great moment to have. How many instruments can you play? What’s your favorite? I can play all band instruments and also the cello. My favorite has to be the saxophone.
When did you first get interested in music? I first became interested in music in the fifth grade, which was when we could start instruments, and it kind of just developed from there throughout my high school years. I started with the saxophone.
How does music influence your life? It influences my life, not only for my career, but all the aspects because I use it for everything. When [I’m] talking and hanging out with [my] friends, even when [I’m] going somewhere, even when I’m running, I’m listening to music. I think it just has become a part of my daily framework.
What got you interested in pursuing music as a career? That was when my high school teacher asked me to help tutor some of the younger saxophone players. I had a lot of fun watching their growth and development and watching them [learn how to play a piece of music] after some time. What was your major in college? For undergrad, I double majored. I took saxophone performance and contemporary music studies. My masters was in music education.
Columbia graduate and saxophone prodigy, Ms. Shafer has a true passion for music and is dedicated to making sure all her students are well challenged and performing the best they can. I’m pleased to have her as our new band director, and as a fellow band member myself, Ms. Shafer will definitely bring out the best in all of her students.
What were your previous jobs? I taught grade four all the way through twelfth and college. I taught band in the Bronx and Baltimore. Prior to coming [to Warwick], I also taught at Minisink. I have been a guest conductor for colleges and All County. How have you adjusted to the environment at Warwick? I think I've adjusted pretty well. Students and faculty have all been very welcoming along with the community. As for my student’s playing, I think we’ve gone a long way since September. Even with COVID and as a new teacher, [we’ve] gone quite far. Now it’s time for more challenging music. What challenges do you face as a HS band director? I think the challenges [I] face overall are making sure everyone is challenged enough with the music and that [I’m] keeping the learning environment fun. What are your musical influences? My musical influences are any composer. I like to listen to all genres. I like classical but I love the new contemporary. I also like to listen to popular music to get a sense of what students are interested in. What are some of your biggest musical accomplishments? I think my biggest musical [accomplishments are] writing my masters dissertation for Columbia University and [performing at]
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The bandwagon effect is a cognitive bias that causes people to think or act like others. While on social media, we are often found relying on the opinions and actions of others, which is what guides us to make decisions for ourselves. These “trends” can often serve as a mental shortcut, allowing people to just go with the flow instead of developing their own opinions. This process of decision making can be caused by a variety of factors, but most commonly it is just the fact that individuals, regardless of age, are easily influenced by trends on social media. In past years when social media wasn’t as popular, younger individuals were likely to be swayed, but now, with the presence of social media in almost every aspect of life, almost everyone is influenced or altered by these trends regardless of age. I had an opportunity to sit down with Mrs.Fogler, who teaches AP Psychology. After asking her a few questions about the bandwagon effect and if it is incorporated into her curriculum, she enlightened me on her personal views on the topic: Q: How do you address the bandwagon effect in your psychology classes, and what is the reason why you teach these types of topics? A: There is a whole chapter on social psychology, group behavior and the influence of peer groups, and how you may change your behavior based on the group that you want to be part of. Q: What about “Devious Licks?” What would make normally well-behaved kids trash their own school buildings? A: The Devious Licks trend 100% has a correlation with the bandwagon effect. When kids saw other kids doing this, they wanted to do it to fit in. Q: What are the positives and negatives of the bandwagon effect? A: If you are copying prosocial behavior that is following rules and norms (like a lower level student who hangs out with the AP kids who then encourage him/her to do better in school), then it’s definitely positive. But if you are copying negative behavior, like bullying, then there’s definitely a negative correlation. Q: Do you have any concerns about how teens are affected by the bandwagon effect through social media? A: Absolutely. As a mother of three teens, I have always been worried about them chaning t h e i r behavior in order to fit into different social groups. This is why I always want to know exactly who my kids are friends with. There are also a lot of effects social media has on anxiety disorder, and there is definitely a connection with how you act in school and in groups based off of social media. After speaking with Mrs. Fogler, I learned more about the bandwagon effect and its influence on society today. I found her views on the subject really interesting, and I think it is something that more people should be cognizant of because it is so prevalent in our everyday lives.
Written by: Ally Turner, Staff Writer
Edited by: Maya Bieling, Co-Editor-in-Chief
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NEW TEACHERS: MR. RAa MJATTt AN & MRS. WAYTE
The Warwick Valley School District has hired over 30 new teachers for this school year. I had the opportunity to sit down and interview new geometry teacher Mr.Ramjattan, along with new English teacher Mrs. Wayte. I asked them about how it is working in a new school, and I got to know them a little outside of a school environment. Q: What made you want to become a teacher? Mr. Ramjattan: “I enjoy helping people, and there is a nature about me of helping people and taking a leadership role.” Mrs. Wayte :“I always had a passion for helping others. I was also inspired by my sixth grade teacher.” Q: Who was your favorite teacher? Mr. Ramjattan: “My twelfth grade English teacher. She made the class really fun. [For example], the class was reading a Shakespearean play and she made us act it out instead of just sitting there and reading.” Mrs. Wayte: “His name was Mr. Pastore. It was the first time in my life I wanted to go to school. He just made learning fun and I always wanted to be like him.” Q: What is your best teaching experience so far? Mr. Ramjattan: “My teaching experience has been pretty good for the most part. There have been the positive moments and challenging moments, but the challenging moments are what makes teaching fun for me.” Mrs. Wayte: “I would say when the students used what I taught in the real world.” Q: What word would you use to describe yourself and why? Mr. Ramjattan: “Adaptive, because in every situation, in every class, there is a different flow.” Mrs. Wayte: “Enthusiastic, because I love what I do and I think that it’s really seen in the classroom.” Q: What is it like working for a new school district? Mr. Ramjattan: “It’s like starting a new job because I never know what the expectations will be and I won’t know until I start teaching and get into the flow of things, but it’s also exciting.” Mrs. Wayte: “Working for a new school district is exciting. Learning about the school community and working with a different population -- there is so much to do and so much to take in.” Q: If you weren’t a teacher, what occupation would you want to do? Mr. Ramjattan: “I would be an architect. I like designing my own things and creating my own visions.” Mrs. Wayte: “My dream job was to be a voiceover artist. I always wanted to be a cartoon character.” Written by: Latrell Willis, Staff Writer Edited by: Kieran Currao, Editor
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Analiese Maciel: Writing to Foster a More Educated Future Written and Edited by Laura Kaplan
Analiese is a Warwick Valley High School senior with a knack for writing and a passion for educating Gen Z on relevant issues. In the midst of a pandemic reality, Analiese was able to find community and intersect those two interests by diving into volunteering as a researcher, writer, and editor for a handful of youth-run, nonprofit writing collectives. Do you think that writing for non-profits will help you in your future studies? If so, how?
When did you first develop an interest in writing? “When I was little I would write little stories. As middle school came, I would slowly write more stories. In high school, I was like, okay - creative writing! [I] upped it a little more, and then I started writing [non-fiction] in junior year.”
“Yes, because when you write about current events, you’re educating yourself on the things that actively contribute to these things. Because my [future college] major is political science and international relations, it’s obviously going to help me because I am learning about the history behind things and why certain things happen. So if I’m ever debating, I can bring up these really quick facts or the research that I have done for these articles, and it will just be really easy. Also, you have to research things, so you have to verify [and] make sure [they are] valid. It’s just helpful, you know? You’re verifying your information and using it in your future.”
What are the names of the non-profits that you write for? “So, I write for three! ListenSpeakAct, Youth Upholding Democracy, and Fit for the Future Project. Fit for the Future focuses on educating Gen Z on health - mentally, physically, sexually - just because there is a very large disconnect between Gen Z and their health. ListenSpeakAct is just current events explained in very short, broad articles - nothing too special. Then Youth Upholding Democracy is really long articles focused on a main topic, idea, or theme. So if I wanted to write [about] the reasoning behind the Israeli conflict, I would write an article about the things preceding that actual conflict.”
What do you think is the value of a collective run fully by Gen Z? “I think it’s really good because a lot of Gen Z people are turned off by adults speaking, so when it comes from someone who resembles them and is the same age as them it’s less intimidating. They will actually open their ears to listening, and they won’t think it’s bad. At the same time, I do think that Gen Z has a lack of care toward a lot of things, so it’s good written down on paper, but is it really going to help? It does do some good, though, because for those that are actually willing to learn, I think it’s definitely helpful.”
How did you get involved? “Just [through] Instagram. I was looking for some extracurriculars [and thought], ‘how could I find stuff that has to do with politics but also is doable?’ so I went on Instagram, found some small accounts, I applied, and I got the position as staff writer!”
For more writing from Analiese and other contributors, visit:
What are some stand-out topics that you have written about?
Youth Upholding Democracy ListenSpeakAct
“I’ve written around 12+ articles. I’ve written about the root between social media and mental health [and] about how social media perpetuates these very toxic stereotypes. You know, making everyone feel very insecure. I’ve written about how cigarettes are marketed toward the Black community and how banning them is good. We were kind of speaking about the history behind that. I’ve also written about the misdiagnosis of certain reproductive issues in men and women and how they’re on the rise because of pollution.”
Fit for the Future Project
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Andrew Reda, Editor I interviewed senior Jack Landau and asked him questions about his bodybuilding and lifting lifestyle. He gave me his advice and talked about what he does to progress every session. He told me his goals, what he does to achieve them, and how you can achieve them too. Q: How many meals do you eat a day? What are your goals by doing this? A: I eat five to seven meals a day, each of them being right around 1000 calories a peice. My goal while eating this much food is to just get bigger and maybe lift heavier weights. Q: What supplements do you use and why? A: I take a multivitamin, fish oil, D3, whey protein, and creatine. The reason I take these is because I feel they are helping me throughout my lifting journey a lot. Q: What is your split (simple way to divide lifting sessions for specific muscle groups)? A: My split is push (chest and shoulders), pull, (back and biceps), and legs. I lift right around six times a week.Most of the time I'm supposed to have one rest day, but I’ll usually use that rest day as a day to get caught up on any muscle groups I didn't work hard throughout the week. Q: What advice would you give to someone who is new to lifting? A: Some advice I would give to someone who is in the gym is to start with lighter weights and work on form before going to heavier weights. Really work on getting a split, and work on targeting key muscle groups. Q: What are your long term goals with lifting weights or bodybuilding? A: My long term goals are to probably bench 275, squat 365, and deadlift 415. After the interview I learned that Jack Landau is dedicated to what he does and he genuinely loves it.
Rocco Silvis, Staff Writer There are a variety of students at Warwick Valley High School, but Chris Ruffo, at a young age, is starting his entrepreneurship. What is an entrepreneur? An entrepreneur is a person who organizes and operates a business, taking on greater than normal financial risks (Entrepreneurpost.com). Chris is a senior, and has had a passion for reselling shoes and other merchandise ever since he was young. This is what Chris had to say about his business plans for now and the future. Q: What inspired you to sell shoes? A: I started collecting shoes when I was young, and I saw a way to make profit. I always had a passion for shoe collecting. Q: How do you obtain your shoes? A: Meeting other resellers, making connections and relationships, as well as joining draws on apps like Nike. Q: How long do you plan on having this shoe reselling business? A: I want to do this till I am financially stable for the future. Q: What’s the most expensive shoe you have came across? A: Paris dunks; they are $100,000. I went to a convention called Sneaker Con and met a bunch of people and acquaintances, [and I made] connections. Q: Describe what is the most expensive shoe you have owned? A: Dior Jordan 1s, only 8500 pairs, they are my long term investment. They retail for $2000 and they will go up because they are handmade and are of limited supply.
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At Warwick Valley High School, the arts are cemented as part of the culture. Senior Arden Montenaro knows this culture well. However, his art of choice may not be your first guess. Arden is prolific in the art of deception. He is a magician who’s been mastering his craft for almost half a decade, specializing in entertaining crowds and making people scratch their heads in confusion as they attempt to break down his tricks. Recently, I’ve been lucky enough to have the chance to interview him. During the interview we covered his feelings about magic, what the future holds, and his journey as a magician. This is what Arden had to say. How would you define magic? Some people see magic as an artform but to me it's more of a feeling or idea that the audience member feels, and how they’re perceiving the trick rather than what I’m doing myself. How long have you been doing magic? About 4 years. Why do you love doing magic? It started as seeing how far I could get into deceiving other people and evolved into making other people happy and entertaining them. Who inspired you to do magic? [I was inspired by] a substitute that did a trick in one of my classes in eighth grade. I saw someone do that trick online earlier, and when I got home I looked up a tutorial on how to do it. How long does it usually take you to practice a trick until you feel like you’ve mastered it? In terms of learning a new move I’d give it probably like an hour or two every day for a week until I feel like I get it down, but the dialogue comes almost naturally. It's by far the easiest part, but to get the movements down it would take about an hour or two a day for a week. Going into the digital age do you feel that it’ll be easier for people to figure out your tricks? Not really because only the people who are truly interested in the art itself will be the ones actually figuring out how they are done. It also encourages me to do my best job when performing tricks, to do it in a way that is the hardest for them to figure out, and it elevates the pressure and encourages me to do better. Do you plan on pursuing magic as a full time career? Right now I wouldn’t do something as much as having my own show. Only because when you have your own show it's almost as if the audience is expecting a certain brand. I just like to blow people away in an original way every time and I feel like if I did a show it wouldn’t be the same. Whether Arden opts to pursue a professional career or not, he will no doubt continue to entertain crowds whenever he can, wherever he goes. To see Arden performing a few tricks, go to WVTV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42D2ncsQR40&t=901s 15:10
Aidan Steng, Staff Writer
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The world is ever changing and so are the trends that come with it, especially the new makeup lines that enormous amounts of people buy. For many people, makeup is the most important tool in their routine for getting ready every day. Makeup is mainly used to enhance or change the way we look and to make us feel more confident. Some makeup lines that have been around for two or more years that are growing in popularity include Fenty Beauty by Sephora, Kylie Cosmetics, Milk makeup, Glossier, Burts Bees, and more. Sephora is a powerful beauty presence motivated by seven core values: respect, passion, innovation, initiative, expertise, balance, and teamwork. It is a French retailer of body and hair care and beauty products. It has over 3,000 brands, with its own private label. Sephora offers beauty products including skincare, body, fragrance, lotions, and hair care. Sephora believes beauty should be used to “support and encourage bold choices in beauty and in life.” Their purpose and mission statement is to inspire fearlessness. Similarly, Rihanna’s Sephora beauty line, Fenty Beauty, was used to empower and include. Makeup became Rihanna’s tool of choice to express herself, portray her radiating moods, and help her become the icon she is today. She launched a makeup line “so that people everywhere would be included,” focusing on a wide range of shades to match many skin tones. Most importantly, Rihanna creates makeup to inspire: “It should never feel like a uniform. Feel free to take chances, and take risks, and dare to do something new or different.” she says. Comparably to Sephora and Fenty Beauty, Kylie Cosmetics is a newer line focussing on boldness as well as cruelty-free products. Kylie’s new line features everyone’s favorite iconic Lip Kit in multiple shades. It also includes her high glosses, matte liquid lipsticks, brow makeup, and eyeliners. Kylie made sure that everything is clean, cruelty free, and vegan, and products have ingredients that are replenishing for your skin. “I’m obsessed with it, and I know you guys are going to love it too,” she
says. Not only is the new lip kit cruelty free, the new formula lasts as long as 8 hours and has a comfortable touch on the lips. Another high line that focuses on boldness and cruelty free products is Milk Makeup. This company took the beauty world by storm with its outstanding formulas and unique packaging. Milk makeup does a good job including everyone by having makeup for both bold, full coverage looks and minimalist looks too. If you're looking to try something new or to switch to a cruelty-fre brand, Milk Makeup has some amazing finds for everyone. “Whether it is skin care or makeup, we can guarantee you'll find a new staple for your routine right here!” Says Sarah Siegel, an assistant editor in the New York Office. Another beauty line that is created around nature is Burt's Bees. Respecting nature, this line works to protect biodiversity, which preserves our own place in the world. The Burt’s Bees Foundation supports honeybee health. The products they create are all recyclable in efforts to better All of their products are created with ingredients from nature to nourish and hydrate your skin. Burt’s Bees selects nutrient-rich ingredients to help support strong and healthy skin. All of their products are over 95% natural. Burts bees also has a no animal testing policy. Finally, Glossier's popular skincare and beauty products create “effortless, dewy looks.” The brand is known for it’s classics like Boy Brow, Cloud Paint, Balmshell lip gloss, and more. Its company targets people with lower budgets for easy and affordable products. Eva Saucedo, a local WVHS student has the glossier lip gloss. She bought it because “it lasts long so it’s worth the money and is very pretty.” Makeup is a big part of many people’s lives, and it is important to follow the newest lines. People tend to use makeup to be more confident, sociable, and assertive. Some of the best makeup lines that help people do this are Sephora, Fenty Beauty, Milk, Burt’s Bees and Glossier.
https://www.popsugar.com/beauty/Best-Milk-Makeup-45053021 https://www.sephora.com/brand/fenty-beauty-rihanna https://kyliecosmetics.com/en-us/discover/about https://www.burtsbees.com/values/ https://www.sephora.com/beauty/about-us
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Sienna Thurber, Staff Writer
Written By: Sienna Battifrano, Staff Writer Edited By: Riley Tully, Co-Editor-in-Chief
Senator Martucci, serving his first term for the forty-second NYS Senate District, grew up in Minisink, Orange County. He and his wife Erin have 3 children named Mike Jr, Catherine, and Elizabeth. For his campaign, Mike ran on Conservative, Republican ,and Independent party lines. Mike is an active member of his community which influenced him to become Senator. At the young age of 22, Mike used his savings and created a school bus business called Quality Bus Service. Quality Bus Service has over 550 employees and more than 350 school buses that provide necessary services to thousands of local school children each day. I had the privilege to interview Senator Martucci and ask him a few questions. Q: What are your (future) plans and goals as Senator? A: One of the big things that I want to be working on, we started working on, is creating opportunities for young people who leave high school. So basically when you leave high school you go to college. A lot of people go to college, but those people who go into the workforce can't make a lot of money. Right? So in this area, one of the things [that’s missing is] skill workforce training. If you left high school, you [might] decide you want to become a union carpenter or a union electrician or, ¨I want to become a dental hygienist,¨ or ¨I want to become a radiology tech,¨ instead of going to a traditional college. {You can go] to a tech school where you then can leave and make a good amount of money so you can live in Warwick. I'm not talking about earning $20 an hour; I'm talking about earning a good living. So one of the goals is to develop opportunities for young people with respect to workforce training. Let’s say you're a high school student and college isn't really part of your future. You don't like school, school isn't your thing. Rather than having to go into the workforce and making a small amount of money, staying in your parents’ house until you're 30 years old and then having to leave this area because you can't afford it, is creating those partnerships. We're working on a couple of large partnerships. Some of them have to do with the building trades like the unions, plumbers, electricians, and carpenters. You can go get a two year college degree where you can learn some important skills, basic skills that you need, and you can pair it with a trade. Q: What are your biggest challenges as Senator? A: When you're part of a legislature it's always the case that not everyone agrees. The biggest challenge is making sure that we can work together to find consensus on big issues. One of the things again that's challenging is and it's getting more and more difficult as time goes on is bringing people from all different backgrounds, all different beliefs, different parts of the state together to really move forward on issues that are important. Q: What is your favorite thing about being Senator? A: What I enjoy most is getting to meet new people. You know when you're the Senator you get to do a little bit of everything. The job encompases all sorts of different businesses and groups. You get to meet with senior citizens, high school students. So one of the cool things is you get to learn a little about everything. Q: Do you have any advice for high school students looking to get into politics? A: Yes, I would encourage high school students who are interested in politics to reach out to an elected official in their area, whether to be a local mayor, local village trustee, a town supervisor, a town council member and offer to volunteer with them. You get to see firsthand the sorts of things that they deal with. Senator Martucci has the best interest of all high school students, regardless of party lines, or if they are college bound. He works hard every day to ensure bright futures and good opportunities for everyone. 16
One of the most important points of milestones few years to break that record as well. Brady will look in sports are the legacies created. Certain players will back on his special attributes and milestones and rebe remembered differently than others because of their member them forever. For example, Brady currently has spectacular moments on the field or court. Milestones seven Super Bowl championship rings, six with the New are considered special because most common players in England Patriots and 1 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. that athletic field will not reach the peaks that the great This is not only the most Super Bowls ever by a player, ones have achieved. Tom Brady is considered more but it is more than any other franchise in NFL history. than great and keeps getTom Brady’s talent and ting praised for being drive helps him be sucthe G.O.A.T. (Greatest cessful in the NFL. Brady of All Time) in foottops another mark in NFL ball as he’s still slinging history by having the it like he is in his prime. most games with three In 2020, newplus touchdown passly acquired Buccaneers es at 97 games. He also quarterback Tom Brady, has recorded 37 games became the first NFL with four or more touchquarterback to throw for downs which is also the 600 touchdowns, beating NFL record throughout retired Saints quarterback the history of the game. Drew Brees’ all-time reTom Brady is tied with cord of 571 touchdown 4 others playing 14 Pro passes. This touchdown Tom Brady Thepewterplank.com Bowls, the all star game record may be held for a of the NFL. Additionally, while considering Brady is still going strong at 44 years Brady holds the throne for most passing yards in which old in his twenty-second season in the NFL. Additionhe has 81,479 and he’s still going! Brady joins two other ally, Brady’s longevity is something to be celebrated as elite quarterbacks, Peyton Manning and Brett Favre, as a milestone considering he’s only sustained one big inthe only quarterbacks in the NFL to beat all 32 teams. jury. The injury he sustained was in 2008 where he suf It is going to take some time for another Tom fered a torn anterior cruciate ligament during their seaBrady to enter the league and be as accomplished as him. son-opening victory against the Chiefs and missed the Brady was drafted in the 6th round with the 199th pick remainder of the season. It’s hard to believe that Brady by the New England Patriots and it was by far the best started his career as a third string quarterback but endmove of all time in the National Football League. He is ed up receiving the spotlight during his third year in no doubt a first ballot hall of famer as he was part of the the NFL where injuries caused him to become a starter. 2001-2019 Patriots dynasty that he carried to nine Super At this rate, he will have another milestone to bowls which is the most by any position in NFL history. celebrate as currently he is the second oldest quarterBrady is still playing strong, still breaking records, and back to play in the NFL and I can see him going another I think he will be the G.O.A.T. for a long time to come.
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By: Alexa Borner, Staff Writer
Edited By: Jenna Mosier, Co-Editor-in-Chief
There is so much more to life than money, but imagine getting unfair compensation for your hard work and dedication. You’d think you’d have no problem with equatibility when you’re getting paid by one of the biggest multibillion dollar industries in the country, yet certain members of this organization still manage to get paid fewer pennies on the dollar. For example, professional cheerleaders get paid $150 per game. You may say that’s a reasonable price for three hours of work, until you realize it’s the NFL paying the bill. We always see the stars on the screen, but what about the hardworking hands that make it all happen behind the scenes? There is a wide variety of jobs in the industry besides the ones done by millionaires. For example, towel boys and waterboys are part of the organization. The job is how it sounds, keeping the team hydrated and providing players with towels or any other needs. There are advantages, such as the free gear you get from the team to wear on the sideline according to Fanbuzz.com. Yet, how do you even get a job like that? Most of the time, people with connections to family members and friends involved in the NFL get you the job over someone with no association. Since this isn’t a very well-known job to the public, no one really knows what degrees you need to get there, but most water and towel boys have at least a high school degree (Fanbuzz.com). The average salary is $53,000 a year, according to Stack.com, which is quite reasonable compensation for that level of education. Further, it is a good amount of money considering the job requirements. On the other hand, there is the cheerleader role. Most of us have only seen them on the sidelines, but what does the job really entail? Erika Wilkins,
a former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader claimed, “Practice starts at 7pm Monday through Friday, but you better be there by 6 or 6:30 at the latest in the locker room practicing before practice” (NYPost.com). She also mentions “practices would last between three and six hours, and you need to show up ‘camera-ready’...with styled hair and full makeup.” So not only are cheerleaders spending multiple hours at practice a week, but they are spending extra time before practice getting ready. Though a football game is normally only three hours at most, Erika tells us that being a part of the game day experience is a “12-hour day.” In fact, Wilkins sued the Dallas Cowboys organization in 2017 for lost wages. She says, “Cheerleaders were paid less than the team’s mascot.” She states that the man dressed in a cowboy costume made $65,000 a year plus commission. Erika comments on the fact that she was being paid “eight dollars an hour for practices, a flat fee of $100 her first year, $200 her second, and $300 her third year, yet pay increase is capped at $500.” To say the least, people who dress up as a team’s mascot are getting paid more than athletes who pour their heart and soul into the sport they love to barely get paid minimum wage per hour. In contrast, there are around fifty cheerleaders and one mascot. So I could see where the organization is coming from when paying one person $65,000 instead of an entire squad of cheerleaders. Likewise, it is also true that cheerleaders can make extra money by advertising and marketing on top of their normal salaries. Nevertheless, that still doesn’t justify waterboys making $53,000 a year while cheerleaders are getting paid pennies on the dollar. I think it’s time to make a change and give these cheerleaders the compensation they deserve.
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Despite any personal beliefs, I am sure that many of you have heard about the generally recent drama in the NFL. The Packers have faced serious consequences due to the lack of following the mandatory safety protocols for the NFL. All NFL players must be vaccinated to play, with few exceptions, and fines are given to any teams with players who are not. Aaron Rodgers, the Green Bay Packers’ quarterback, was found to be unvaccinated after investigations due to a positive covid test. Rodgers tested positive for coronavirus a week prior to investigations (week of 11/1/21), soon after, it was found out that Rodgers was not vaccinated. A $300,000 fine was given to the Packers because they didn’t enforce the safety rules. The fine was also based on Rodgers not wearing a mask at press conferences and outside of football events, such as Halloween parties. The president of the Packers’ organization, Mark Murphy said, “We respect the League’s findings and we recognize the importance of adherence to the COVID protocols to keep our team and organization safe and healthy.” So, despite the fine, the packers have taken full responsibility. Although the Packers have accepted their faults, Rodgers had something else to say about the situation. He stated that he had immunity to the virus based on previous encounters, and he had been following the rules of his personal medical team. Also, Rodgers explained to the press that he is allergic to an ingredient in the Pfizer and Maderna vaccines, therefore he could not receive either of the two. He also claimed that he stayed away from Johnson & Johnson vaccines due to hearing about adverse reactions to them. Rodgers made the point that 19
the CDC advised that those allergic would find other sources of protection from the virus. Rodgers said, “Health is not a one size fits all for everybody, and for me, it involved a lot of study in the offseason...My medical team advised me that the danger of an adverse event was greater than the risk of getting COVID and recovering.” The NFL had proceeded to fine Rodgers regardless of the reasons why he did not get vaccinated. Many wonder, “Why didn’t the NFL know about his allergy to begin with?” Some think that it was due to selfish reasons, or that he used the “allergy” as an excuse. This is because if he had revealed that he was not vaccinated, then he may have still been able to play, but his safety protocols may have been different. For example, when he went to press conferences, etc. as I mentioned earlier, he would’ve had to wear a mask and possibly social distance. There are pros and cons to this situation for Rodgers. On one hand, if Rodgers does have an allergy to the vaccine, then his not being vaccinated is understandable. He got to dodge an adverse reaction and go back to the Packers after his 10 day quarantine. On the other hand, maybe the lie about being vaccinated wasn’t worth it for Rodgers. While in quarantine, Rodgers missed the week 9 game against the Kansas City Chiefs, where his team lost 13 to 7, and he missed several days of training while on Zoom. Overall, whether Aaron Rodgers did the right thing or not, the NFL certainly has made it clear that they are taking safety protocols very seriously from here on out. Written By: Jenna Mosier, Co-Editor-in-Chief Edited By: Maya Bieling, Co-Editor-in-Chief
Deadly Dehydration
An In Depth Look at The Dangers Of weight cutting extremes In the art of combat sports, fighters are matched up against fighters their natural size. It would be illogical and unsafe for a 225 pound heavyweight to be paired against a 145 flyweight. Though many martial arts committees have established varied weight classes in each sport, this doesn’t stop fighters from trying to make the pounds disappear. Some of the world’s most prestigious fighters have struggled to make weigh-ins, however, and have lost opportunities at destined title shots. For those who do manage to lose enough weight, it sometimes lands fighters in the hopsital. For this reason, weight cutting weight should be banned from all of MMA. Athletes will naturally do anything to put themselves in the best scenarios to succeed. Fighters will attempt to eliminate water weight to match against smaller opponents. This is accomplished by dehydrating the body as much as possible up to weighins. Although the UFC banned the use of intravenous fluids to rehydrate the body prior to fights, fluids can still quickly and easily be replaced, so whoever drops the most weight in water will be heavier and more muscular at fight time after gaining the weight back. As easy as it sounds, this is severely unhealthy for the body. If a natural MMA 150 pounder cuts 25 pounds to fight at 125, he is losing 17% of his body weight. This limits MMA fighters to only fight 2-4 times a year. Cutting mass in muscle and fat will decrease an athlete's ability to perform but will not affect an athlete's nervous system and brain. On the other hand, extreme de-
hydration can leave metabolites in the center of the nervous system which can cause long term conflicts. If extreme dehydration is continued, there will be an increase in cerebrospinal fluid in the
Connor McGregor at 145 pounds Sportsfile/Corbis/Sportsfile via Getty Images
Connor McGregor at 170 pounds Getty Images
brain. This will make the brain heavier and cause more momentum towards the floor after strikes landed to the head. This will cause easier concussions, brain trauma, and CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) problems (Drparenteau.com). Although weight can easily be replenished and allow fighters to hold advantages on opponents, it's not necessary to win fights. At UFC 246 in January 2020, Conor McGregor, a natural 145 pounder, bulked to a 170 weigh in to fight Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone. Cerrone is a natural 180 pounder and cut down to 170 to fight McGregor. Come fight time, Cerrone rehydrated to his natural weight of 180 and fought McGregor at 170. Although being the smaller fighter, McGregor defeated Cerrone in 40 seconds proving size doesn't play as big a role in MMA, along with the idea that weight cuts are not necessary (Drparenteau.com).
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Charlie Figueroa, staff writer Patrick Gardiner, Editor
Trey Hayden, Staff Writer Last year during the indoor track season I got injured and had to stop running. I was out for the whole season and more. I couldn’t run during the full indoor and cross country seasons and came back just in time for the outdoor track season to start. I started practicing again and was the most out of shape I have ever been and was not ready at all to race again. I had my mind set on quitting after the season was over. With the first meet coming up my coach put me in the two-mile where I ran 13:45, three and a half minutes slower than what I should’ve been running. I was embarrassed but at that moment I decided to work as hard as possible to get back into shape and have my best season possible next year. After the track season had ended, I was all in on training for cross country. I ran and worked out every morning over the summer. I have never worked harder for anything than I did during those three months. By the time I had come back nobody really believed that we had a chance to go anywhere as a team. Our first race back I had run better than what was expected and we won the meet. As the season went on, we kept winning and I kept improving. As we got closer to the county and section championships, we knew what we had to do to compete with Monroe, the best team in the section. At counties we didn’t race well and came in second to Monroe. This wasn’t too big of a deal because it was sections that mattered which was the next week. All week at practice we discussed what we had to do and made sure we were ready. At the section cham-
pionship we ran well as a team but didn’t win which definitely hurt because we knew there was nothing more we could’ve done. They just ran better than us. I came in seventh overall and fourth outside of the winning team so I qualified for the state championship. The state championship meet was the next Saturday so two of my teammates and I had the week to train together and get ready. We left Friday morning and ran the course once and then relaxed in the hotel until the next morning. It had started to hit me that I was about to run the biggest race of my life so far and I got extremely nervous. We got a small breakfast and then made our way to the course. The course was a golf course and it was raining all night so it was very muddy. There were huge crowds and you could hear them cheering for every race that went on. My race was the last race of the day so I was able to see a few of the other races before I had to warm up. After the warmup I put my spikes on and headed towards the line with the rest of the section that qualified. Very soon after, the race had started and as fast as it began, it finished. The extremely muddy conditions made the race very tough and the rolling hills lasted the whole race. The crowds were deafening which made the race much more fun. I finished third in the section and 42nd in my race. Overall, I finished 75th out of 477 in the merge which is all of the races combined. I am very satisfied with how I was able to finish my cross country career.
Tyler Ellis, Editor
Football has been something I’ve loved since I was little. From playing youth games on Saturday mornings to varsity games on Friday nights, the feeling of putting on your game day jersey never gets old. Growing up with your teammates and building bonds and friendships is just something that comes along with the game. As you can imagine, taking my pads off after we were eliminated from the playoffs was hard. It would be hard no matter what, but it being my final high school game just made it even worse. It was as if all my memories I made growing up with the sport flashed before my eyes. Instead of the usual thanking of my coaches for the season, it was instead a thank you for all the time throughout my high school athlete career. As we broke our huddle, I ran back to go hug my parents and thank them as well. They have been my biggest supporters my whole life. Next fall will be weird for me. No Friday night lights, no practice every day, instead I'll be watching from the stands every Saturday. Everything good eventually comes to an end, but it only allows for new experiences to happen.
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Written by: Kieran Currao and Haukken Thompson Edited by: Gabriel Chermak In our school, we have many awesome musical artists, across a wide range of genres. A lot of them are in the music production club. We took some time to sit down with them and ask them some questions about their musical careers. First up, we asked senior music producer Shaaz Rizvi:
Q. Who is your inspiration for making music and why? A. I have lots of inspirations, but the biggest inspiration for the type of beats I make would probably be Kendrick Lamar. He is inspirational to me personally, because he makes music that is meaningful, while still being creative and unique. Q. What are you trying to accomplish by making music? A: As of right now, I am just looking at music as a hobby. However, in the future, I would look into it as an entrepreneurial activity.
Shaaz Rizvi
Second, we asked senior music producer Ben Samberg:
Q. Have you had any commercial releases? If so, how did you release them? A. Yes, I have. I produced a few singles that were released through Distrokid. Distrokid is a website where you can pay a small fee and then upload music to be released on all streaming platforms.
Senior musical artist, Aiden Steng, was next up on deck:
Q. What type of music do you make, and can you explain what that is?
Ben Samberg
A. I make Alternative rock music. This is a style of music that has influence from the rock music world. Q. What instruments do you play, and when did you start playing them? A. I play lots of instruments -- guitar, bass, drums, viola, piano -- and I sing. I began doing all of these in third grade.
These are just some of the very talented musical artists and producers in our school. Hopefully these questions and answers can help give a look into these very talented individuals.
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Aiden Steng
Why Vinyl? Written & Edited By: Harrison Rogers, Staff Editor
“Preface”
For the better part of the 20th century, the vinyl record dominated as the predominant form of manufactured listening mediums. With technological advances, other formats began to eclipse this purportedly unfashionable commodity. Over the past decade, however, this seemingly archaic medium has made an astounding resurgence. Is this revival simply a fad, resulting from some sort of marketing ploy? Or do these LPs have a valid superiority over their contemporary counterparts?
“Retrospective”
The phonograph record, or vinyl record, came to prominence in the early 1900s, as household entertainment systems and music players were in their infancy. If we fast forward a few decades to the postwar economic boom of the late 1940s and early 1950s, the mass production of vinyl records heightened to accommodate for the growing population and sense of consumerism. This format would remain dominant for decades to come, until we inevitably entered the digital age; although, some kept the flame alive.
“Nostalgia”
This sudden revitalization came about partly due to the nostalgia factor. That experience of opening the gatefold, meticulously placing the disk on the turntable, and dropping the needle lets the hypnotising spinning enchant you before you embark upon the sonic journey of a lifetime. For those individuals, it’s the sense of comfort and familiarity that keeps them from letting go, and you can’t blame them. Additionally, when you buy a physical medium, you are not only receiving the music, but are in possession of a piece of art. Where an iPhone can give you a digital snapshot of an album cover, and a CD or cassette can give you a fraction of what was intended to be seen, a record sleeve gives you a full 12 inch repre-
sentation of the artwork in all its glory. With all of that being said, is nostalgia the only leg that vinyl has to stand on? And if so, how long will it last?
“Warmth”
The greatest debate that has plagued the audio community for decades is the idea of digital vs. analog sound. While both have their benefits, some swear by the “warmth” of analog audio. While there isn’t definitive evidence supporting the idea that vinyl sounds “better” than a CD, for example, the idea that vinyl sounds more distinctive is completely valid. Vinyl records produce a certain crackle and pop that isn’t present on any other format. These imperfections enhance the music for some and may be viewed as “better.” The supposed “warmth” of an analog recording is possibly just a metaphoric expression used to describe the feelings captured in the recording and the ones it evokes in the listener. This whole “digital vs. analog” debate goes straight out the window, in a sense, when talking about modern music. Nowadays, most modern vinyl pressings are produced from digital masters anyway. The sound doesn’t magically get better, but it definitely sounds like vinyl, and there’s nothing else like it.
“Conclusion”
“What’s old is new,” as they say, and everything comes back into fashion at some point or another. Will the vinyl record stand the test of time? Based on the general love and appreciation for them, coming from people spanning generations, it appears that the vinyl record is here to stay. Though the majority of music consumption in the 21st century is that of digital media, there is still something to be said for the value of physical mediums. Those dusty relics of a bygone generation have transcended to appeal to a new age of music adorers, and little is more powerful than the gift of music.
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Holiday Poem
Written by: Summer Tyler Green needles glow; tree dressed in red and gold A single star placed on top lights up the ceiling The house lit up in colors Stove warm The same lights are hung Same spirit in the air Weather below zero Nights became cold Days lost time in the sun Despite the discomfort Nothing seems worse than the lockdown A time when time felt slow No joy Music played in a somber way With the Christmas season around the corner Out comes cheer and glee The rekindling flames Stockings hanging above Lovely to see us all here Sitting by the fire When asked what I want for Christmas I can only speak one word In my precious home filled with love I only wish to see you Wrapped with a bow under the tree To see happiness Under the tree this time Will help the pain to ease There’s a whisper coming with the breeze The night is silent
The content of this paper refelcts students’ writing efforts and views which do not necessarily represent WVCSD or the Survey staff.