Table of Contents
Editor-in-Chief
Hunter Maguire
Cover Art
Amy Xiao
World/National News (page 5)
Lynn Yang, Editor
Community/School News (page 11)
Isabella Fuertes, Editor
Reviews (page 14)
Hunter Maguire, Editor-in-Chief
Faculty Advisor
Mr. McAuley
NOTE: The opinions expressed in the following articles do not represent the opinions of the administrative staff at GCHS, merely those of the writers themselves.
Dar Readers,
A Note From the Editor
I’m ecstatic to be releasing ECHO’s second issue of the 2024-25 year for you all. Please enjoy these articles, written and edited entirely by Garden City’s young writers. From soccer to global politics to pop culture and literature, I hope you each find something that resonates with you and, in the process, learn something new from us and your fellow students.
I’m pleased to say our team of writers has grown from the fall, with all four grades wellrepresented as journalists in this issue. I urge any students reading to consider joining ECHO for our summer issue or during next school year.
Enjoy this issue and the remainder of Spring 2025
Sincerely,
Hunter Maguire
Class of 2025
Drone Strikes in the Russo-Ukrainian War
by Lynn Yang
Numerous shifts in tactics have been observed during the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia, with both armies deploying different military technologies to gain an upper hand.
Among the more recent and significant developments is the use of drones in combat, particularly drone strikes launched by Ukraine into Russian territory These strikes, which have occurred with increasing frequency, represent a new phase in the conflict one where Ukraine is actively targeting Russian military and infrastructure sites using unmanned aerial vehicles.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the war has escalated dramatically, with devastating consequences for both countries. Ukraine, outmanned and outgunned by Russia's military might, has
been forced to adopt unconventional methods to defend itself With increasing access to advanced weaponry and foreign military support from the United States and European nations, Ukraine has begun using drones as a key part of its defense and offense strategy.
Drone strikes have allowed Ukraine to carry out attacks on Russian territory, bypass traditional defenses, and strike deep within Russian borders. These drone strikes, although often smaller in scale when compared with conventional missile or artillery attacks, have had symbolic and practical impact on the conflict, signaling that Ukraine is capable of striking beyond its borders and putting pressure on Russia’s military command and control.
In contrast to numerous Russian assaults on Ukraine,
Ukraine’s drone strikes on Russia have primarily targeted military and strategic infrastructure. These have included attacks on airfields, ammunition depots, radar systems, and key logistical hubs critical nodes that support Russia’s military operations in Ukraine. Drones have also been used to target Russia's power infrastructure, including power plants, substations, and electrical grids, aiming to disrupt both the military and civilian sectors of Russian society.
The drone strikes have significantly impacted Russia, both militarily and psychologically Such strikes have disrupted Russian military operations by damaging key infrastructure, delaying resupply efforts, and forcing the Russian military to spread its own resources more thinly to
A Russian warplane burns after being hit by Ukrainian drones at Soltsy Airbase Courtesy
A map of Ukrainian aerial drone strikes on Russian targets
damaged apartment block in Voronezh, Russia
Drone Strikes in the Russo-Ukrainian War
by Lynn Yang
defend against this new threat. Russia has had to increase its air defense capabilities along its western borders, particularly in regions like Belgorod, Voronezh, and Rostov Oblasts, which have been frequent targets The drone strikes also represent a significant escalation in the conflict. While Ukraine has generally confined its military operations to its own borders, these strikes on Russian territory could lead to further escalation, with Russia potentially responding with more aggressive tactics or even expanding the scope of the conflict Additionally, it remains to be seen whether these strikes provoke international condemnation, though they have attracted considerable support from nations sympathetic to Ukraine’s plight
For Ukraine, drones provide a relatively cost-effective way to target Russia’s vulnerabilities. Unlike traditional airstrikes or artillery bombardments, drones are a smaller upfront investment and are typically more difficult for enemies to detect and intercept. Drones can be launched from Ukrainian soil or from behind frontlines, allowing Ukrainian forces to remain relatively anonymous while, at the same time, inflicting damage on Russian targets Furthermore, drones can be used to shepherd in a more decentralized attack strategy, making it harder for Russia to defend against multiple strikes simultaneously Drones have also helped Ukraine in its intelligencegathering efforts By using drones for surveillance, Ukrainian forces can track
Russian troop movements, detect supply convoys, and gather real-time data on Russian fortifications, which can be used to plan future operations This intelligence is vital for Ukraine’s overall strategy, enabling more effective targeting of Russian weaknesses.
As the war continues to evolve, drone warfare is likely to play an even larger role in future operations. Ukraine’s ability to develop, deploy, and effectively use drones gives it a unique advantage in asymmetric warfare, allowing it to hit Russia in ways that were previously unimaginable. While the strikes have so far been mostly concentrated on military targets, their impact on Russian civilians and military personnel could shift the course of the war
Aftermath of a Ukrainian strike on a residential tower in Kazan, central Russia
Courtesy of Reuters
Grammys 2025 - In Recap
by Alice Oustatcher
February 2nd was an exciting night for TVwatchers and music enthusiasts across the nation, as the winners of the Grammy Awards were to be announced at a star-studded ceremony in Los Angeles, California.
Beyoncé finally won the highly sought Album of the Year award at the 2025 Grammys (after being overlooked the previous four times she was nominated) Beyoncé entered into the evening with the record number of nominations, 11, for her album "Cowboy Carter" setting a record as the most nominated artist in Grammy history (with 99 throughout her career). In addition to Album of the Year, she took home Best Country Album and Best Country Duo/Group Performance.
Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, Post Malone, and Charli XCX were nominated for seven awards this year, as were Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, and Chappell Roan. Lamar took all five categories in which he was nominated, nabbing Record and Song of the Year awards Roan also emerged as a winner of the night, scooping the Best New Artist award
Comedian Trevor Noah, once the host of "The Daily Show," made a return as the ceremony's host for the fifth consecutive year.
Eilish, Roan, Charli XCX, and Carpenter all gave acclaimed performances, in addition to a surprise guest appearance by The Weeknd, ending his longtime boycott of the awards show he previously deemed "corrupt."
Taylor Swift did not perform this year, but awarded the Best Country Album to Beyoncé. Apart from honoring the music industry's most prestigious awards, this year's show also highlighted the catastrophic fires that consumed areas of Los Angeles, the show’s home city, and took at least 29 lives During the telecast, Noah continuously exhorted viewers as well as corporate sponsors to give to relief organizations, and entrepreneurs who lost real estate in the fires were interviewed on the air. A Los Angeles County firefighter group was called to the stage to give away the final award of the evening and was warmly received by the audience with a standing ovation Keep reading for a complete list of winners.
Beyoncé receiving Album of the Year Courtesy of GRAMMY
Kendrick Lamar pictured with his awards from the night Courtesy of GRAMMY
Grammys 2025 - In Recap
by Alice Oustatcher
Album of the Year
New Blue Sun - André 3000
COWBOY CARTER - Beyoncé (WINNER)
Short n' Sweet - Sabrina Carpenter
BRAT - Charli xcX
Djesse Vol 4 - Jacob Collier
HIT ME HARD AND SOFT - Billie Eilish
The Rise and Fall of a Midwest PrincessChappell Roan
THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT -
Taylor Swift
Record of the Year
"Now And Then" - The Beatles
"TEXAS HOLD 'EM" - Beyoncé
"Espresso" - Sabrina Carpenter
"360" - Charli xcx
"BIRDS OF A FEATHER" - Billie Eilish
"Not Like Us" - Kendrick Lamar (WINNER)
"Good Luck, Babe!" - Chappell Roan
"Fortnight" - Taylor Swift Featuring Post
Malone
Best New Artist
Benson Boone
Sabrina Carpenter
Doechii
Khruangbin
RAYE
Chappell Roan (WINNER)
Shaboozey
Teddy Swims
Song of the Year
"A Bar Song (Tipsy)" - Sean Cook, Jerrel Jones, Joe Kent, Chibueze Collins Obinna, Nevin
Sastry & Mark Williams, songwriters (Shaboozey)
"BIRDS OF A FEATHER" - Billie Eilish O'Connell & Finneas O'Connell, songwriters (Billie Eilish)
"Die With a Smile" - Dernst "D'Mile" Emile Il, James Fauntleroy, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars & Andrew Watt, songwriters (Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars)
"Fortnight" - Jack Antonoff, Austin Post & Taylor Swift, songwriters (Taylor Swift, Featuring Post Malone)
"Good Luck, Babe!" - Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, Daniel Nigro & Justin Tranter, songwriters (Chappell Roan)
"Not Like Us" - Kendrick Lamar, songwriter (Kendrick Lamar) (WINNER)
"Please Please Please" - Amy Allen, Jack Antonoff & Sabrina Carpenter, songwriters (Sabrina Carpenter)
"TEXAS HOLD 'EM" - Brian Bates, Beyoncé, Elizabeth Lowell Boland, Megan Bülow, Nate Ferraro & Raphael Saadiq, songwriters (Beyoncé)
Producer of the Year, Non-Classical Alissia
Dernst "D'Mile" Emile I lan Fitchuk Mustard
Daniel Nigro (WINNER)
Grammys 2025 - In Recap
by Alice Oustatcher
Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical
Jessi Alexander
Amy Allen (WINNER)
Edgar Barrera
Jessie Jo Dillon
RAYE
Best Pop Solo Performance "BODYGUARD" - Beyoncé
"Espresso" - Sabrina Carpenter (WINNER) "Apple" - Charli XCX
Singers Billie Eilish, Sabrina Carpenter & Chappell Roan enjoying the night Courtesy of Billboard
The Weeknd’s unexpected performance Courtesy of Vulture
The 2026 World Cup: A Tournament Across Nations
by Abigail Perisa
The world’s biggest sporting event, the FIFA World Cup, is coming to North America in 2026 and is drawing significant attention
For the first time in history, the tournament will be cohosted by three countries including the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This collaboration is set to make the 2026 World Cup one of the most exciting events in soccer
A New Chapter
The 2026 World Cup will be the first time the tournament is hosted by three nations. Previously, the World Cup was co-hosted only once, in 2002, in South Korea and Japan The 2026 edition is also a milestone because it will be the first World Cup to feature 48 teams, an increase from the usual 32. This change promises to bring even more excitement, with
more countries than ever before having the opportunity to compete in the World Cup
The Hosts
Each of the three host nations has a deep connection to soccer, and the World Cup is expected to showcase their passion for the sport in different ways
United States
While soccer is not traditionally the most popular sport in the U.S., the country’s growing interest in the sport has become obvious in the recent decades. The U.S. will host 60 of the 80 matches, including the championship at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey With the growing popularity of Major League Soccer and the U S National Team's improving performance on the world stage, America’s role as host will showcase the nation’s
soccer evolution.
Mexico
Mexico is a soccer powerhouse with a rich World Cup history, having hosted the tournament twice before, once in 1970 and again in 1986 The passion of many Mexican fans will make World Cup matches in the nation’s cities unforgettable. Mexico’s involvement in the 2026 World Cup is an amazing opportunity for them to show their long lasting love for the game
Canada
Canada’s soccer culture has been rapidly growing in recent years, with both the men’s and women’s teams making impressive achievements on the international scale Hosting the World Cup will give Canada the chance to showcase its talented players and develop a
The 2026 World Cup: A Tournament Across Nations
by Abigail Perisa
new generation of soccer stars. Matches will be held in popular cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal, where soccer is quickly becoming one of the most popular sports, behind hockey.
Stadiums and Locations
The tournament will be held across 16 cities, with the U S hosting the most matches and the championship Stadiums such as MetLife Stadium, AT&T Stadium, and the Rose Bowl will enhance the excitement of the tournament.
Mexico’s rich soccer culture, Canada’s vibrant cities, and America’s world renowned soccer stars are all expected to help in making this a special World Cup in history.
The wide range of venues across these countries provides an incredible opportunity for soccer fans from around the globe to experience the World Cup amid diverse scenery From the busy streets of New York to the beautiful beaches of Vancouver, the tournament will be a collaborative celebration of diversity and unity
Soccer’s Expanding Reach
With 48 teams participating, there will be opportunities for countries to play that have not been a part of this tournament in the past. This expansion will create more thrilling matches and a more global sense of competition. Fans will get to see new soccer nations perform, offering new rivalries and competition throughout each game
Economic & Cultural Impact
The World Cup is expected to bring tremendous economic benefits to the host countries. Tourism, development, and global visibility will provide a huge boost to the local economies. In addition, the event will strengthen the cultural ties between the three host nations, as soccer fans from all corners of the world will come together to celebrate the beautiful game.
Overall, the event will have a lasting impact on the soccer culture in North America. It will leave a legacy of improved facilities, increased youth sport participation, and a greater
appreciation for soccer all over the world.
Looking Ahead
With over a billion people expected to tune in worldwide, the 2026 World Cup will be a global celebration of sport, culture, and unity. For soccer fans, it represents an opportunity to witness history being made as North America takes center stage
As we count down the years until the 2026 World Cup, the whole world is getting excited This tournament will not only define the future of soccer in North America but will also inspire millions around the globe to come together and celebrate the world’s most popular and beloved sport.
Lessons from a TikTok Ban
by Oscar Zhou
Imagine the indestructible tanks rolling closer and closer to your trench, crushing your comrades into pieces The fellow soldiers you were talking to yesterday are shot and become cold, dead bodies today. There’s nothing you can do Meanwhile, you look up to the top of the well-decorated war-time command center and there stands your officer, who’s giving orders about the areas the soldiers should conquer next But you know these areas are the same for the entire year Soldiers were continuously fighting and dying with no achievements at all. Yes, I’m describing the life of a soldier during World War I, but the notion of a military conflict applies to a current, modern “war,” the one between TikTok and the U.S. government.
The reason for a TikTok ban in the U S was simple the government feared that the content displayed in the app would be leaked to the Chinese Communist Party. In February 2019, ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok, was caught collecting data from minors In June 2022, Buzzfeed News reported TikTok has a “master admin” with access to all
information on the user’s account Finally, in December 2022, ByteDance utilized TikTok to track information of American journalists. Through the three examples above, it was not hard to establish that TikTok can be used by ByteDance to track information from minors, important people, and journalists Thus, the people running TikTok most likely hold serious information in their hands and may accidentally (or otherwise) spread that data out.
Scared of any further information leaks, Congress finally decided to ban TikTok as of January 19, 2025. As a response, roughly over half a million furious TikTok users turned to the Chinese app Rednote These new users of Rednote felt that the Chinese were not stealing any information, and furthermore protested the government’s unjustified decision prohibiting TikTok. Although their behavior was extreme, it was not illogical It could be understood that users, not governments, were the innocent people who endured the consequences of such a conflict Some TikTok users stated that TikTok was the only source they receive happiness
A TikTok posted by President Donald J Trump’s presidential campaign Courtesy of NBC
Protestors oppose a TikTok ban in front of the Supreme Court Courtesy of Semafor
Lessons from a TikTok Ban
by Oscar Zhou
from, and, if they lost TikTok, they lost everything. Luckily for them, TikTok was reopened one day later through President Trump’s work For TikTok supporters, the storm of an impending ban had stopped, but the clouds in the sky haven’t faded away.
Now, you might ask, what’s the connection between World War I referred to earlier and the crisis of TikTok? The answer is, when two countries or two hostile groups fight each other, the ones who pay for the consequences are always innocent civilians, soldiers, and in this case, users. In the past, people died in battle, while now, citizens suffer the consequences of these disputes between countries and companies. A death on the battlefield is not the same as the loss of an app, but both demonstrate a lack of power for the individual citizen or soldier Both hurt, as death and loss of hope impact people significantly. Fortunately, these incidents are avoidable. With help from the United Nations, it’s possible to form an International Investigative Organization to investigate only ByteDance without shutting down TikTok In addition, if the technology is being misused, only that country or person should be investigated. In this way, innocent users will not be implicated anymore. In short, TikTok’s only purpose is to bring entertainment to people, without regard to politics or the current conflict
TikTok’s Singaporean CEO Shou Chew testifies during Congressional hearings on a TikTok ban Courtesy of People
Courtesy of The Associated Press
A screen displays the message shown to users during TikTok’s brief ban in January 2025
Content Moderation Controversies
by Emma O’Neill
On January 7th, 2025, Mark Zuckerberg announced changes to his company Meta’s policies surrounding content moderation that angered many. Zuckerberg revealed that he would be getting rid of Meta’s fact-checking policies, making it less restrictive what people can say on Meta’s apps and the kind of content they can put on them. Meta will also be changing its content moderation policies on politics and reversing the changes once made to reduce the amount of political expression put in people’s feeds. Content moderation practices were also relaxed to focus on more extreme and illegal content
Meta’s fact-checking program was initially launched in 2016 for independent experts to help users evaluate what they see online and read more critically. However, just like everyone else, experts had their own political biases that affected the censorship. Also, too many posts would get censored by accident. Meta will be replacing its fact-checking program with a program similar to X’s community notes. This program will allow Meta users to add contextual notes to posts to help others gain a broader perspective on content that could potentially
be misleading Mark Zuckerberg has stated that Meta is “going to work with President Trump to push back on governments around the world that are going after American companies and pushing to censor more”.
These content moderation changes have sparked angry reactions Many people are worried that Meta’s platforms such as Facebook and Instagram will turn into communities that are hateful and full of misinformation, and exacerbate the spread of harmful content. The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights has said that the new moderation changes have posed a threat to civil rights and that content moderation is important for protecting marginalized communities from harmful content
There was also outrage sparked on February 26th, 2025, due to many Instagram users seeing Reels that were graphic and violent Meta apologized for the error and said that the Reels shouldn’t have been recommended, but many users think that this occurred due to the recent changes in content moderation and that the restrictions need to be put back in place Andy Burrows, Molly Rose Foundation’s executive, which was set up by teenager Molly Rose’s family after killing herself in 2017 after seeing distressing content on Instagram, stated that “as Instagram rolls back content moderation this is likely to be a sign of things to come. Meta’s changes will mean this type of content is more freely available and will more often be recommended to appear in user’s feeds”.
The Palisades Fire
by Isabella Fuertes
The Palisades Fire which began in early January, rapidly spread across Los Angeles, threatening some of the city's most affluent neighborhoods and landmarks. The fires, driven by hot temperatures, dry conditions, and strong winds, caused widespread destruction, forcing evacuations and leaving a trail of devastation across Malibu, Bel-Air, and the Hollywood Hills
As the flames continued spreading through various parts of the city, damage to both residential properties and historical landmarks increased. Among those affected are several high-profile celebrities, whose homes have either been damaged or evacuated as a result of the fires.
Many affected residents, including celebrities, have shared their experiences and offered support to the ongoing
relief efforts. Reality star Kim Kardashian was one of the first to announce that she and her family were evacuated from their Calabasas home, although reports suggest the house had not been directly impacted by the fire Kardashian was sure to urge her followers to stay safe and express her gratitude to first responders
Actor Leonardo DiCaprio shared that his Malibu home was also under threat from the flames. DiCaprio, who has long campaigned for climate change awareness, took to social media to express his concern about the fires and the ongoing climate crisis that is exacerbating the frequency of wildfires
Pop singer Lady Gaga, who resides in the Hollywood Hills, also updated fans, confirming that her home had been evacuated Despite the scare, Gaga’s message remained
optimistic, telling followers, "Stay safe, we will rebuild."
The impact of the Palisades Fire was not limited to residential areas Several of Los Angeles’s most iconic landmarks were also put in danger. The Griffith Observatory, one of the city’s most recognizable attractions, remained intact but was at risk from fire spreading into nearby areas.
The Hollywood Sign, another iconic landmark, also faced the threat of destruction. Fortunately, the sign itself was spared, though the surrounding hills suffered significant damage The fire has devastated much of the natural landscape in the area, raising concerns about the future of local wildlife and the environment.
In addition, Universal Studios Hollywood, a major tourist destination, was temporarily closed as a
The Palisades Fire
by Isabella Fuertes
precautionary measure.
Although the fire did not reach the studio’s main lot, nearby areas were impacted by smoke and forced evacuations, disrupting both visitors and employees.
As the fires raged, thousands of residents across Los Angeles were forced to flee their homes.
The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) was forced to work around the clock to contain the fire, with crews battling difficult terrain and unpredictable winds The smoke from the fires also made air quality in many parts of the city hazardous, with residents being urged to stay indoors. The heatwave gripping the area,
combined with dry conditions and Santa Ana winds, created a perfect storm for the fires to spread rapidly.
While the fires caused significant loss and hardship, many local organizations, including the Red Cross, mobilized to provide assistance to those affected. Shelters were quickly set up, and emergency relief efforts continue to provide food, water, and medical care to now-displaced families.
Many celebrities have pledged their support, with some donating large sums to aid those affected by the disaster Fundraisers and charity events are being organized to help those who have lost their
homes and belongings in the fires.
As the city weathers this crisis, residents and first responders continue to show resilience and solidarity. The Palisade fires have highlighted the urgent need to address climate change and better prepare for future wildfires. The road to recovery will be long, but Los Angeles is a city known for its strength, and its people are determined to rebuild.
Courtesy of The Los Angeles Times
Scorched residential areas along Los Angeles’ Pacific coast and across the city
A Q&A With Mr. Albani
by Chloe Lin
This January, the Garden City High School Orchestra was given an opportunity to perform at Disney World in Orlando, Florida, enjoying the rides and amenities of “The Most Magical Place on Earth” in the process. Freshman Chloe Lin interviewed Mr Albani, our high school orchestra director, before and after the trip to document the experience and anticipation leading up to it Read on for more
Q: How do you think this trip will benefit students' growth in music?
Mr. Albani: This trip will give the opportunity for both orchestras to come together and perform new and exciting pieces that we are getting to prepare specifically for Disney. That includes learning popular Disney songs Performing at Disney Springs is going to be a new experience that we haven't done before The stage is at the center of a very busy and popular shopping center. This will invite audiences to sit down and listen, people that have never heard us play and don't know who we are. word
Q: What do you think will be the biggest challenge on this trip?
Mr. Albani: I think one of the biggest challenges is going to be trying to make sure everything is remembered as we travel from place to place. Some of the days are quite busy, with performances, early morning rides and (us) traveling to various parks. Making sure that everyone has everything that they need each day is going to be tricky because there's a lot of small items and things involved in packing when preparing for a performance followed by a day in the park.
Q: Are there any special activities that are planned for this trip?
Mr Albani: Yes, there are We have a workshop with a special professional musician that has been involved with many professional performing activities around the world She will be leading us to work through various Disney pieces and (will) give us the opportunity to see what a professional musician at Disney does
Q: What are you looking forward to the most?
Mr. Albani: The performance, as it is… as I have heard, it is a very memorable place to perform. Getting to perform Disney music at the heart of Disney is a memory that will stick to me forever.
Courtesy of Lauren Marino
A Q&A With Mr. Albani
by Chloe Lin
Q: Were there any particular moments that stood out to you as highlights on the trip?
Mr Albani: Watching at the beginning of the trip, as people went around the parks in their usual groups of friends, and seeing on the third and second day as the groups evolved into much bigger groups of people was so exciting to see.
Q: In what ways do you think this trip helped students grow as musicians or individuals?
Mr Albani: My hope is that the new friendships and connections that were made during the trip can last, and those memories and experiences will be something that brings the class closer together and be shared with future students, which will make them excited in which being part of the music program offers
Q: Were there any unexpected challenges or surprises that you had to manage?
Mr. Albani: When we were going to our performance, there were some changes in scheduling which made things tighter than they were supposed to be and it didn't give us the same amount of time that we would have had to warm up and prepare. The students were such professionals that they were able to adapt to the situation without any issues and were able to give a spectacular performance.
Q: Will you consider organizing another trip like this in the future?
Mr. Albani: Absolutely, the only thing I would change is potentially spending a little more time at some of the parks. The first day we had two parks (to visit) so maybe we spent a little more time with animals (Animal Kingdom) Other than that I think it worked out very well. Both our performance and workshop were in the morning so it worked out very well and being able to have a full day in the parks having fun instead of leaving (for) the performance in the afternoon would have been very chaotic.
Q: What was your favorite memory from this trip?
Mr Albani: My favorite memory was the end of the first day, after an incredibly long day sitting and watching the fireworks at Epcot, just thinking "we did it here ” It finally all fell on me, like, it's real. The whole time leading up to it the trip didn't feel quite real It wasn't until that moment until it became real
Courtesy of Lauren Marino
Congestion Pricing Comes to New York
by Lynn Yang
New York City has long faced the challenge of congestion. With millions of people relying on the city's transportation infrastructure daily (and millions more using personal vehicles in the densely populated city) the question of how to ease traffic congestion and improve air quality has become a pressing one.
One solution that has gained traction is congestion pricing, a policy aimed at reducing traffic in the most congested areas of the city. But what exactly is congestion pricing, how does it work, and what impact will it have on New Yorkers?
Congestion pricing refers to a strategy of charging drivers a fee to enter certain areas of a city, typically during peak traffic hours. The goal is to reduce the number of vehicles in heavily trafficked zones, which eases congestion, reduces air pollution, and funds public transportation projects. Many cities like London, Singapore, and Stockholm have previously implemented congestion pricing systems, using the revenue generated to improve their public transit networks and create more
sustainable urban environments
New York City’s congestion pricing plan, approved in 2019 and rolled out on January 5, 2025, charges vehicles entering Manhattan below 60th Street. This area, which includes the Financial District, Times Square, and other major hubs, is the most congested part of the city, with thousands of vehicles crowding the streets every day
Currently, the price is about $9 during peak hours, but it varies based on factors such as time of day and the level of congestion For instance, drivers currently pay a higher fee during rush hours and a lower one during overnight times. The revenue generated from this system is expected to go toward improving the city’s public transportation infrastructure, including the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), which operates buses, subways, and commuter trains
Under the new system, drivers entering the designated congestion zone are charged electronically, much in the same way tolls are collected on bridges and tunnels. Instead of
A map of affected areas of Manhattan
A sign on 62 St. notifies drivers of the congestion pricing toll nd Courtesy of NBC New York
Congestion Pricing Comes to New York
by Lynn Yang
stopping at toll booths, vehicles have their license plates automatically scanned, and the toll deducted from an account This type of system, known as open road tolling, is designed to minimize delays.
To ensure fairness, the system offers exemptions for certain vehicles, such as emergency vehicles, and has reduced fees for residents who live in the congestion zone Some exemptions and discounts may be applied in the future to low-income drivers or electric vehicles, helping to incentivize greener options.
One of the most significant benefits of congestion pricing is its potential to reduce traffic congestion in one of the world’s busiest urban areas. Fewer cars on the road will lead to smoother traffic flow, making commuting more predictable and less stressful. Additionally, with fewer vehicles idling in traffic, air quality will improve, benefiting both the environment and public health.
While congestion pricing has many potential benefits, some argue that it could disproportionately impact low-income drivers
who depend on cars for commuting, especially those who cannot afford to pay tolls. Others have voiced concerns about how the plan will affect local businesses and the economy, fearing that higher transportation costs could lead to fewer customers in certain areas.
However, the city has promised that the revenue generated will be used to make public transit more affordable and accessible, particularly for low-income riders. Additionally, the plan’s design includes efforts to ensure that residents within the congestion zone are not unfairly burdened.
Congestion pricing in New York City is an ambitious and innovative solution to one of the world’s most persistent urban challenges. By reducing traffic congestion, improving air quality, and funding public transit, the city is taking a giant leap toward a more sustainable future This vision for a more efficient, greener, and less congested New York City is one that could have lasting positive effects for generations to come
Congestion relief signage on Second Avenue
Courtesy of Raman Patel
Courtesy of CNN
An M train crosses the Williamsburg Bridge, a roadway affected by congestion pricing measures aimed to promote transit use
Boys' Soccer's Big Season
by Gianluca Damiano
The score is 2-0, with only a couple of minutes left.
Garden City High School, representing Long Island’s best for Division AA soccer, is playing against Clarence, representing Upstate New York’s best for Division AA soccer Center defensive midfielder Justin Woodbine and striker Myles Watson have just scored in the space of a couple of minutes, with Watson’s penalty kick seeming to erase any hope of Clarence winning their first state championship.
But, just as Garden City’s first ever State Championship seemed a sure thing, Clarence striker Patrick Krough ran down the sideline, getting a cross in to his midfielder Andrew Gulde and bringing the game back to within one goal With about 8 minutes left, Clarence’s hope for a comeback was renewed.
As a part of Garden City’s varsity team, I happened to be watching all of this from the sideline, and I can tell you that all of us on the bench and the fans in the stands were extremely nervous after this goal
To be honest, those eight minutes felt like an eternity, but I had faith in our defense and its strong players, like Charlie Koester, Thomas, Fargione, Dylan, Fisher, and Jacob Antilety. Play after play, they cleared the ball and locked up Clarence After those eight minutes had ended, I don’t even remember them having had a shot on goal
The seconds ticked down to zero, and Garden City Soccer had finally done it. The word
boys’ team had won their first state championship in history, a true cause for celebration.
Still, it’s impossible to forget the path that this incredible team took to win the championship, one that began with their undefeated regular season Not only did they get revenge on the Manhasset team that eliminated them from the playoffs the previous year (winning 3-0 both times), but they dominated in almost all of their games against opponents like Division Ave and Hewlett Even when teams provided Garden City with difficult competition, they showed resilience, coming on top against Southside 1-0 and against Fort Hamilton 3-2.
It was in the playoffs when they really started to shine. With early dominant displays against New Hyde Park and Great Neck North (winning 4-0 and 3-0 respectively), as well as amazing performances from Myles Watson, Justin Woodbine and Connor Griffin, they moved on to face Glen Cove in the county final Coming into this game, Glen Cove’s striker Enry Hernandez had scored 8 goals in 3 games and appeared to be a serious threat. However, he was shut down for almost the entirety of the game by Koester and Fargione, and Garden City won by a comfortable 2-0 scoreline with goals from Luca Profeta and Connor Griffin
Now, for the first time since 2017, Garden City had reached the Long Island Championship and would now face Comsewogue They were
Boys' Soccer's Big Season
by Gianluca Damiano
on an incredible run after upsetting #1 ranked team in the state, Smithtown High School, and were looking to make States for the first time in their history.
However, Garden City had other plans, and Myles Watson scored what would end up being the decisive goal, seventeen minutes in. Now facing Tappan Zee in the regional finals, an unlikely hero stepped up to the occasion, scoring the crucial goal that would turn the tide in GC’s favor: Dylan Fisher The team’s right back had locked up Tappan Zee’s star player Brady Jacob’s for most of the match, and also scored the goal to send Garden City to States for just the second time in their history. The game against Goshen Central was highly anticipated, but ended as an easy 2-0 victory for Garden City, with Dylan Fisher scoring yet again with another incredible header and substitute Jack Shorr netting another one late in the game. Finally, they had reached the championship.
All of this brings us back to Garden City’s victory in the State Championship. Without the contributions of coach Paul Cutter and assistant coaches Luke Connolly and Mike Lind, this historical achievement would not have been possible. Their emphasis on discipline and bringing the very best out of players through hard work is admirable. Ultimately, the collaboration between them and the incredibly talented Garden City soccer players is what brought our team the long-awaited State Championship trophy
Courtesy of The Garden City News
Coach Cutter with seniors Connor Griffin & Justin Woodbine
Celebrating the win in downtown Garden City
Courtesy of The Garden City News
Courtesy of Newsday
Team members celebrate the victory & perfect season
Mr. Rebolini Returns (Briefly)
by Isabella Fuertes
You may remember a bittersweet ECHO article from this past year, spotlighting two veteran GCHS English teachers, Ms Oriani and Mr Rebolini
However, little did we know one of these teachers would be returning to us in the 2024-2025 school year. You’ve heard it right: Rebolini returned (before retiring again!)
Filling in for Ms. Dolan, who unfortunately had to take an extended leave of absence, Mr. Rebolini temporarily put his retirement plans on hold The transition was both smooth and challenging; Mr. Rebolini taught the same coursework as he had previously, but now had to wake up bright and early or, dark and early, that is at 5:30 A.M., and could no longer have his “2nd cup of coffee at [his] leisure”. Yet the experience of seeing friends and old students again was one Mr Rebolini
looked forward to.
Despite the unique circumstances, Mr Rebolini found the experience of teaching very natural He leaves with fond memories; students would come up after class, and ask him questions about Hamlet or particular poems into the next period. Mr. Rebolini takes these “special” moments with him into retirement. Enjoying the classroom environment (“the best place”) and time with students, he nonetheless felt it confirmed his decision to retire, with the busy school days making him glad he can “return to retirement ”
So, how has his retired life been? According to Mr Rebolini, restful! The downtime has given him the chance to read numerous books he wanted to read. In addition, Mr. Rebolini has been writing independently
He is currently writing poetry, fiction, and autobiographical work I inquired if his “second retirement” would factor into his work on the latter, but received a tepid response. Mr. Rebolini’s answer was evasive: “wait a good while, and check your local Barnes & Noble!”
Returning to the high school allowed Mr. Rebolini the rare chance to meet the English department’s two replacement teachers: Ms. Laucella and Ms. Bocca Curious on their interactions, I was greeted with Mr. Rebolini’s praise for them: “They were great!” He described them as “two fine, young teachers,” each with “energetic and bright” personalities. In his short time back at the school, he was “pleased” with both, fondly declaring that “it has been nice working with them ”
Courtesy of Garden City Public Schools
Mr Rebolini with current seniors in 2024
Mr. Rebolini Returns (Briefly)
by Isabella Fuertes
While Mr. Rebolini has no particular advice for retiring teachers, he does have some for young teachers responses reminiscent of his words in our previous article. He believes it is essential for teachers to “always focus on the student and the relationship with the student, because it is the most important aspect of being a teacher.” Getting to know your students and making connections, he believes, is essential for good teaching. “Relationships are the most important thing; if you can’t connect, you won’t be effective as a teacher ” In this way, Mr Rebolini hopes his time teaching has set an example for future teachers.
While we will miss Mr. Rebolini with fresh grief, it was a fortunate experience for the GCHS community to see his face in the hallways again ECHO wishes Mr. Rebolini a peaceful retirement
Courtesy of BuzzFeed
Mr Rebolini in his earlier years at Garden City High School
No Country For Old Men
by Hunter Maguire
If you’re a senior (current or past) in Mrs. Dolan’s AP English Literature class, you’re probably familiar with Cormac McCarthy and his work, specifically the novels All the Pretty Horses and No Country for Old Men
Two of McCarthy’s many contemporary Western works, each is able to indict and recontextualize tropes about heroism, violence, wealth, dreams, and journeys in an evolving, mid-century Texas (1949 and 1980, respectively)
I enjoyed both books, but from here on, I’ll be focusing on No Country for Old Men. NCFOM (as I’ll abbreviate it) is different in tone from All the Pretty Horses: mature, weathered, and deeply cynical in its assessment of a modernizing frontier society
The narrative is driven by Ed Tom Bell, the novel’s only
first-person character and sheriff of tiny Terrell County, Texas, a windswept, western territory near the Mexican border Sheriff Bell is devout, protective of his constituents, and conservative: he bemoans the changing times and a loss of tradition, lamenting that once you quit hearing "sir" and "ma'am," the rest is soon to foller.”
Further contrasts between the Old and New West become evident; our “protagonist,” Llewelyn Moss, is introduced during a feeble attempt at hunting in the shrubby landscape, clearly set apart from the dominant men of classic Westerns Moss’ wife, Carla Jean, dreams mystically of her future husband for a hundred days before finding him, not in the desert or saloon, but at work in the Walmart sporting goods aisle
The greatest crisis in
the borderlands of the New West, however, is the growing heroin trade from Mexico and Latin America. Money, people, and substances flow almost unrestrained across the border, inducing a crisis of faith in small-town lawmen like Bell, powerless to stop this new form of violence. This development powers the novel, as Moss, during his “hunting” excursion, discovers a massive drug deal gone wrong, replete with dead bodies, shot-up trucks, and a briefcase containing $2 4 million in cash.
Anton Chigurh, a seemingly sociopathic hitman, and the novel’s arguable antagonist, is also connected to the drug trade, executing the will of greater forces (and economic interests) as he attempts to recover and return the money.
NCFOM is as much of a moral and philosophical excursion as it is a classic thriller.
No Country For Old Men
by Hunter Maguire
The standard-fare morality of cowboys, outlaws, and innocents is nowhere to be found: here, empathy and goodness are more often punished than rewarded. Moss chooses to take the millions for himself, but returns with water for a dying survivor, a fatal mistake. There, a group of men pursue him, and though he escapes, he is identified and forced to leave his Jeep in the process.
Its most interesting character, however, is Chigurh Despite the irreverent, indiscriminate, and barbaric way he kills, he maintains a morality (however twisted) and purity of intent across the novel
Unlike members of the Cartel or Moss, he is immune to persuasion and seemingly uncorrupted by wealth. He depersonalizes his own acts, viewing himself as an agent of fate, far from the murderer
with discretion and desire to kill others consider him to be. Before shooting one character, he famously utters, If the rule you followed brought you to this, of what use was the rule? Twice, he flips a coin to determine others’ fates, arguing that a coin toss is the “best he can do” while complying with fate
I’ve tried not to spoil too much here, but in summary, No Country for Old Men is definitely a new favorite of mine The plot is meticulously constructed, but the spiritual depth of the novel shines even brighter Profound questions about death (and the significance we attach to it), memory, self-preservation, and free will are raised by NCFOM for those engaged enough to find them.
To those of you reading, I hope you pick up the novel soon and enjoy it as much as I did!
Courtesy of Amazon