October 5, 2020
Fall sports look different this year Covid-19 alters the fall sports schedule Carly Grozier, Newscast Producer At Freedom High School, sports play a huge part in the community and student life. Many students choose to participate in and dedicate their time to athletics. This year, the sports restrictions and rules due to Covid-19 are definitely not providing the same experience as past years for many student athletes. Safety precautions have altered the fall season for sports including soccer, tennis, football, volleyball, and field hockey. Depending on the sport, these alterations may be different. When asked about how this season looks compared to previous ones, Caitlin Donello, senior soccer player, said, “When it comes to sports, there will be a few changes, but overall nothing is too different
from other years. Our season is shortened, and we will be playing only 10 games.” Like soccer, every sport is playing less games this season to minimize contact with other schools and players. The football team went from 10 games in a regular season to 5 this year. While masks and social distancing are required in the school building and public places, they are not required on the field due to the amount of physical activity when a sport is at play, because this can be a risk. “Wearing a mask is simple especially when it helps us have the chance for a football season. When we are on the sidelines, we have the gaiters up, but when we are on the field actually in drill or playing, they can be around our necks,”
said Jeremiah Espinosa, senior football player. This goes for most sports as Donello said soccer is similar where on the bench masks are required, but it can be down while they are active on the field. The fall season has become bitter for everyone, especially the seniors, as this is their last season playing their beloved sport at the high school level. “As a senior it is very upsetting to see our last season shortened and have so many restrictions. One of the best parts of soccer games is having so many fans and the riot squad come and support. At this point I have to look at the positives like how we’re still having a senior night. Although I am deeply saddened by this impacting my senior year I have to realize
that the precautions that are put in place are for a good reason,” said Donello. This can be tough on every athlete, but it is best to keep their heads up and stay as optimistic as possible. “Get comfortable being uncomfortable,” said Espinosa, which is advice from Coach Roeder. While their season looks a little different, there is at least one to have, so it is best to adjust and listen to Coach Roeder.
UPCOMING CALENDAR DATES ★ Monday, 10/12 - No School PICTURE DAYS
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Bleachers closed at turf Source:Carly Grozier
Tuesday, 10/14 Wednesday, 10/15
If you would like to make an order this year, please go to orders.christmascitystudio.com & enter School Code FHS20 to place an order. No envelopes or money will be taken during the photo sessions.
Oscar diversity mandate creates controversy Nominations for best picture take on new requirements Andrew Minnich, Editor-in-Chief On Tuesday, September 8, it was announced that the Oscars were now setting a diversity mandate for films to be considered for best picture in which the film has to have at least two of four standards. These standards are “On-Screen Representation,Themes and Narratives,” “Creative Leadership and Project Team,” “Industry Access and Opportunities,”and “Audience Development.” This in turn has created a fairly large controversy as many see the mandate as unnecessarily restrictive on the artist’s vision.
Of course, not every film has to follow these standards like it is the Comics Code Authority, but nonetheless, an Oscar can bring in tons of fame and recognition to a film such as 2019’s “Parasite” which won best picture. Of course, diversity in entertainment is important and needed, but setting this mandate for future Oscar awards is not true diversity; it is just another form of tokenism employed by the Academy. This is most likely a reaction to the previous Oscars as #WhiteOscars was trending when the nominations for last year’s awards were
announced. While the want for more diversity is acceptable, the Academy forcing directors' and sullying their artistic vision because they were made fun of last year for it is not the way to do it. This will only lead to worse filmmaking and more stories with little to no effort to make legitimately good and well developed stories about minorities.
Source: CNN
Instead, these films will mostly just take the same form of tokenism that the Academy has just so they can be considered for best picture.
Taking on virtual learning at home BASD offers e-Learning option Carly Grozier, Newscast Producer This school year, the Bethlehem Area School District (BASD) gave students two options for learning, Hybrid and e-learning. Hybrid means students learn from home three out of five school days, while e-learning means students are at home 100 percent of the time. E-learning students are still a part of the class list, but they do not come into the building two days a week like the hybrid students do, and students do all their school work from their Chromebooks at home. When asked why she chose the e-learning option, Kyleigh Wheeler, Junior, said, “I chose e-learning because my dad is at high risk for Covid.”
With these uncertain times, some students like Wheeler find it best to stay home to keep themselves and their loved ones safe. When asked how she likes e-learning, Paige Telatovich, Sophomore said, “I like that e-learning allows you to have a little more freedom with your day, but you also have to create a routine to follow to make sure you are staying on top of your school work. Also, because of how I do not have to go into school, I have to create my own motivation to do my work. Since I do not have a teacher or students creating that motivation, I have to be disciplined to get my work done which can be hard sometimes.”
Adjusting to this new normal can be difficult, and it takes a little extra effort to get through the scheduling and motivation portion of the day. It is also difficult being alone at home without a teacher there to use as a resource or ask questions at the time learning is occurring. “I do not like not being able to ask my teacher a question in person. Instead I have to email them and hope they get back to me quickly and understand what I’m trying to ask,” said Wheeler. Both Wheeler and Telatovich said they would definitely return to the classroom once the Covid restrictions are lifted.
“I feel like I strive more with being in a classroom setting compared to sitting at my desk at home,” said Telatovich. While e-learning and hybrid are not ideal situations for anyone, the Freedom Family will get through these times together.
Working from home Source: Carly Grozier