Table of Contents Editors-in-Chief Emma Rathgeber Elaine Wang Cover Art Elaine Wang World/National News (page 4) Hunter Maguire, Editor Elaine Wang, Editor-in-Chief Student Spotlight (page 15) Emma Rathgeber, Editor-in-Chief Community/School News (page 19) Emma Rathgeber, Editor-in-Chief Reviews (page 23) Maria Gaztañaga, Editor 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.
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A Note From the Editors Dear Readers, Now that the hustle-and-bustle of the beginning of the school year has died down, we are glad to bring you more news about the world—both inside the school walls and out. In fact, this is our senior year as GCHS students, meaning it is also our last year with ECHO. No matter, we still have three more issues left until then, and we’d like to share this one with you now. This issue highlights tragic political and humanitarian developments taking place throughout the world, in places such as Libya and Myanmar. Similar issues can be seen in the ongoing Israel-Hamas War, where political divisions have led to largescale destruction and suffering. These conflicts raise questions about the relationship between morality and political authority: What responsibilities do political groups have to the people? Where does political authority end and human rights begin? What should be done when these groups go too far? There may be no agreed-upon answer to any of these questions, but our authors have brought you the objective facts so that you can formulate your own opinions. In the world of science, there have been many recent breakthroughs. This issue explores two of the final frontiers: the oceanic and extraterrestrial realms. First, we take a look at discoveries made at the site of a ruined underwater city, providing us with greater insight into historical events. Then, we delve into the successes and failures of the modern-day Space Race as well as NASA’s successful retrieval of an over four-billion-year-old asteroid sample. Of course, no paper is complete without some sports updates. In the World News Section, we dive into the realm of gymnastics and examine Simone Biles’ return to the sport. We also recap this year’s US Open—and also highlight a student who had a closer-up experience at the Open than most. We shine the spotlight on another student as well, this one an incredibly accomplished violinist.
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In the Community News Section, we dissect a hot debate among Garden City residents: What should be done with St. Paul’s Cathedral? Right after that, we look at debate in a different way; that is, the Debate Club at GCHS! In that article, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at the preparation that went into two students’ victory at a local tournament. No paper could be complete without discussing our authors’ favorite (and notso-favorite) media from the past few weeks. In the culminating Reviews section, our authors give their honest opinions on movies—including the famous “Barbenheimer” movie duo—and a widely popular video game. This time of year is filled with all sorts of emotions for every one of us. Whether it’s residual excitement from the holidays, nerves about looming college decisions (we’re seniors; we get it), or stress for upcoming midterms, we hope that you can find time to take a breather and enjoy our Fall/Winter Edition. Happy New Year! Regards, Emma Rathgeber and Elaine Wang
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WORLD/NATIONAL NEWS
Russia and India Race for the Moon By Emma Rathgeber
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In late August, Russian space
more than just scientific weight:
module was composed of a
agency Roscosmos planned to land a lunar module, Luna-25, on the south pole of the moon. This mission would not only unveil important scientific information but would demonstrate Roscosmos’ strength as a space agency. However, things didn’t go as planned. On August 19th, just two days before the planned touchdown, Luna-25 crashlanded on the moon. Part of a series of missions that started decades ago, Luna25 was launched with the goal of studying the physical and chemical makeup of the moon’s south pole. This would include collecting samples of the moon’s thin exosphere as well as lunar regolith, debris on the Moon’s surface thought to contain ice. Proof of the
it was Russia’s chance to reclaim its Cold-War-Era prowess in space exploration. Unfortunately, Luna-25’s crashlanding proved just the opposite. So, what went wrong? The issue originated with Luna-25’s accelerometer, a device used to record the speed of the module. The accelerometer malfunctioned, meaning it could not record when the module reached its target speed. This caused the engines, which were programmed to shut off once the target speed was reached, to stay on for too long. So, what was supposed to be a soft-landing on the lunar surface (that is, a controlled touchdown that causes no significant damage to the spacecraft or its instruments)
lander named Vikram, which was responsible for safely landing on the moon, and a rover named Pragyan, responsible for gathering lunar samples and data. On August 23rd, only four days after Luna25 tragically crash-landed, Vikram successfully landed near the lunar south pole. The objective of Chandrayaan3 was very similar to that of the Roscosmos mission. If successful, this mission would provide valuable information for the scientific community regarding the environment of the moon. Further, the mission word
presence of ice on the moon would not only offer deeper
became an obliterative crash.
insight into the history of the solar system, but would have major implications for future manned lunar missions, as hydrogen and oxygen can be extracted from ice to be used for
While Roscosmos dealt with this catastrophe, another space agency was conducting a lunar mission as well. The Indian Space Research Organization launched their lunar module on
Roscosmos engineers add the final touches to the Luna-25 module before launch. Courtesy of spacepolicyonline.com.
rocket fuel and breathable air. However, this mission carried word
July 14th as part of the Chandrayaan-3 mission. The word
Crater left by Luna-25's crash. Courtesy of cbc.ca.
WORLD/NATIONAL NEWS
Russia and India Race for the Moon
would establish India as a force to be reckoned with in the
to awaken Pragyan when lunar day returned on September
found no signs of ice in the south pole regolith, it did find
current space race. Unlike Russia, India had never before
22nd, but the rover did not respond.
sulfur. This came as a surprise to scientists, as sulfur had never
completed a successful landing on an extraterrestrial body. With Vikram’s landing, however, India has added its name to the short list of countries to execute a soft-landing on the lunar surface, behind only the US, the USSR, and China. Once separated from Vikram, Pragyan roamed the lunar surface and gathered data to be sent back to Earth for analysis. The exploration continued for ten Earth days, until the sun began to set on the moon. Because of Pragyan’s solarpowered batteries, the rover could not function in darkness. Originally, this was supposed to be the end of the mission. However, scientists hoped to prolong the mission through the lunar night by putting Pragyan to sleep until sunlight returned. This was a risky endeavor, as
Nonetheless, Pragyan’s lunar exploration was far from fruitless. In its ten days of operation, the rover took many measurements. The temperature probe on board the rover discovered that just three inches below the surface of the moon, temperatures drop by 110º Farenheit. This proves that lunar regolith is a good insulator, which may be extremely useful for future manned lunar missions, as the underground could serve as an environment to protect astronauts from the extreme temperature fluctuations on the lunar surface. Pragyan also carried a seismometer on board to listen for moonquakes. Three days into the mission, the device detected a slight disturbance, which may have been a moonquake. If this was,
been found on the moon before Pragyan’s discovery. The presence of sulfur on the moon is exciting news, as it could serve as a very helpful resource for building infrastructure on the moon.
lunar night can reach minus two-hundred degrees Fahrenheit and can freeze and destroy electronics. Still, scientists tried word
in fact, a moonquake, it could offer scientists greater insight into the inner workings of the moon. And, while Pragyan word
go, one thing is clear: humanity’s quest to further understand the universe never ceases.
India’s Pragyan lunar rover before launch. Courtesy of firstpost.com.
What’s next for Russia and India? Each country has its own plan for how to continue. Russia plans to launch Luna-26 in 2027, hopefully with a better outcome than this time around. India plans to build on their success by sending astronauts to the moon in 2040. While India ultimately won the race against Russia to land on the moon, the entire space community will benefit from and have the opportunity to build upon Pragyan’s findings. Though we don’t know exactly how these future missions will
Photo of Vikram lander, taken by Pragyan rover. Courtesy of bbc.com.
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WORLD/NATIONAL NEWS
Simone Biles’ Return to Gymnastics By Sarah Tusiani-Eng
After dropping out of the women's team
Due to her poor mental health during the
during the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, Simone Biles made her highly-anticipated return to competitive gymnastics in the U.S. Classic this past August. Simone Biles is an American artistic gymnast known for having the most world medals in her sport. Biles began her elite career in 2011 and since has placed 1st All-Around at the U.S. Classic and World Championships in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, and most recently in 2023. She is known for performing with an ease that her competitors have difficulty replicating. Biles is also the first African-American to be an all-around world champion, claiming the title at her first world championship in 2013. Biles competed in her first international competition since her absence at the World Championships in Antwerp, Belgium from Sept. 30th-Oct. 8th. At this competition, she received five medals, including gold medals for the balance beam, floor exercise, team award, and all-around champion. On vault, she received a
2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, Biles took a two year break from gymnastics. The pressure she felt having millions of people watching her gave her mental blocks she called “the twisties,” a feeling of having no control over her own body. Although Biles has had years of experience perfecting difficult gymnastics skills, she would often feel lost when performing her craft. Having “the twisties” can also lead to a higher risk of injuries when an athlete is spinning and flipping at top speed. This crisis caused Biles to drop out of the Olympic Games in 2021 prior to the team finals. She only returned to the competition for the balance beam finals, receiving a bronze medal. During her absence from the sport, Biles spent time reflecting on her own mental health. Since her return, she has commented about her frequent therapy and feels she is in a much better place mentally and physically than before.
silver medal for her performance of her newest routine, named after herself. The “Biles II”
up for themselves. She is demonstrating the definition of being a champion by having courage and rather than hiding your differences and flaws, owning them. The world is eager to watch Biles’ legacy grow and see whatever she chooses to do next!
begins with a Yurchenko double pike, followed by a roundoff onto the springboard, a back handspring on the vault, and two backflips with straight legs. This ambitious maneuver is usually
Today, Biles is inspiring younger girls to be fierce and show their inner strength by speaking
only performed by men and is the most difficult vault in the women’s scoring code. In addition to her other achievements at this year’s World Championship, Biles, at the age of twenty six, became the oldest woman to win a world championship medal.
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Biles flies through the air on the vault. Courtesy of abcnews.go.com.
WORLD/NATIONAL NEWS
The Cries of the Golden Land By Isabella Fuertes
Myanmar is under military coup. Previously
military’s
actions.
Despite
never
outright
known as Burma, Myanmar is a country located in Southeast Asia and is known for its fields of magnificent golden pagodas. Yet, it is in a state of crisis. A military coup is the sudden and violent overthrow of an existing government by a smaller group. In this case, this smaller group consisted of military personnel in Myanmar, known as the “Tatmadaw”, meaning “military coup”, led by senior general Min Aung Hlaing. The country had a history of military rule, but it began to experiment with democracy in recent years. There were attempts at free elections, and foreign investments increased. The election of Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD party in 2015 was a landslide, proving how well democracy had resounded across the country. But, not all control was in the people. The military had made it a requirement for 25% of the parliament within the country to consist of the military within the new constitution of 2008. This enabled them to counteract reforms by Suu Kyi
speaking against the military, Suu Kyi was put on trial, and sentenced to a total of 33 years in prison, including 3 years in labor camps. She has also already spent 15 years under house arrest. Myanmar is made of 135 officially recognized indigenous ethnic groups or tribes and organized into 8 national races. The minority tribes and races are subjected to unfair treatment and are systematically kept at the bottom of the social ladder to benefit the majority. The Burmans are an example of this. As the dominant race in Burma, the military regime supports policies that guarantee places in government and upper society for individuals of this race. The recent change of the country’s name from “Burma” to “Myanmar” was to be more inclusive of the many tribes present in Myanmar, since the name “Burma” was derived from the name of the Burman tribe. War
and her NLD party. In addition, Suu Kyi had become something
independence from the country of Myanmar.
between some of these tribes and the military regime is occurring because of a desire for
like a puppet to the military party. During the terrible crackdowns on the Rohinga people, a stateless Muslim minority who live in the Rakhine state, the military killed children, raped women, burned homes and land (with “scorched earth” tactics), and used fear to push over 800,000 Rohinga into Bangladesh. The military claimed they were carrying out counterterrorism actions, but the UN described it as “a mass campaign of genocide”. Suu Kyi defended the word
Image of the beautiful pagodas in Myanmar. Courtesy of timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
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WORLD/NATIONAL NEWS restricted freedom of speech and assembly. On July 25th, 2022, the junta announced the execution of four men, the first in the last 30 years, after being convicted in closed trials that fell far from international standards. World Report 2023 has also stated that “at least 273 people have died in police or military custody in
A picture of one of many Rohinga refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh ravaged by a massive fire, leaving thousands homeless. 300 shelters were burned down and another 500 were damaged. Courtesy of VOA News.
police stations, military interrogation centers, and prisons”, and it is likely that there have been more. While the military is often closed off and
The people of Myanmar adamantly resist the new military regime. These activist movements have drawn some of the biggest crowds in the country since 2007. Activists have organized the Civil Disobedience Movement, and people will honk horns, bang cans, and give a three finger salute to symbolize their discontent. However, in February of 2021, the military retook control over the country. Internet access is being periodically shut down, and more and more people are being arrested. This includes not just political figures, but also writers, journalists, artists, social media people, and human rights defenders. The release of around 6,000 prisoners in Myanmar as part of the National Day amnesty included the release of several people who were arbitrarily detained: an
secretive about their incentives, it is likely that its leader, Min Aung Hlaing, wishes to prevent government reforms from Suu Kyi and the NLD party and make a desperate attempt to salvage his own career and future. Some in the military support the coup, but many more do not. Russia and China have blocked a UN resolution condemning the coup, but most countries do not approve of the military government in Myanmar and wish to help the country recover. Clearly, Myanmar is in crisis. It is reported by the Peace Research Institute of Oslo in 2022 that “6,000 civilians [have been] killed in 20 months since the Myanmar coup - significantly higher than previously reported”. The military employs a strategy of limiting information for most people, both within and outside of the country.
Australian professor; a former United Kingdom ambassador to Myanmar and her husband, a Japanese filmmaker; and an American botanist. Such information is often covered up as
It is hard to know for sure truly how bad the situation is. What is known is that the people of Myanmar are under attack by a vicious military regime. Military operations are being conducted
necessary police work, but the systematic suppression of the people’s voice by the police is evident. It is becoming increasingly difficult to receive updates about what is going on in
word
Myanmar. According to World Report 2023, “The junta security forces have carried out mass killings,
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arbitrary arrests, torture, sexual violence, and other abuses that amount to crimes against humanity.” Furthermore, the junta have severely word
Rohinga refugees crossing the border into Bangladesh. Courtesy of cfr.org.
WORLD/NATIONAL NEWS against the people of Myanmar. They target medical centers, schools, and religious centers with bombings and gunfire in an attempt to destabilize civilian life. They fear the voice of Myanmar. Institutions around the world must amplify these voices so that they may grow loud enough to be heard. The continuous war within this country is like that within Ukraine, and yet it receives nowhere near the same amount of reporting. Myanmar might become yet another country toppled and crushed under the weight of tyranny and corruption. But, with enough external pressure and new motivation, Myanmar can overcome its military regime and become a democracy once again.
Myanmar on the map of Asia. Courtesy of britannica.com.
A chart of major ethnic groups in Myanmar by region. Courtesy of aljazeera.com.
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WORLD/NATIONAL NEWS
The Intertwinement of Two Cultures By Shujin (Sarah) Chen
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Exciting discoveries took place in the deep at
treasures belonging to the temple dedicated to
the site of the 3000-year-old sunken city ThonisHeracleion. The lost city was originally found in 2000 in the Mediterranean sea near the city of Alexandria, Egypt. At initial inspection, the archeology site contained remains of a temple dedicated to the Egyptian god Amun-Gereb. Amun-Gereb is the god of air, who merged with Ra, the sun god, to form the well-known deity Amun-Ra. The highly respected wind god had the power to grant pharoahs the right to rule. It was not until September of 2023 that researchers found remnants of a place of worship for the Greek Goddess Aphrodite at the same excavation site. The artifacts found in this excursion included Greek imported bronzes and ceramics, and even wooden beams. The archaeologists also discovered more word
God Amun: a pair of gold earrings, a gold pendant, an alabaster to hold perfume and cosmetics, and devices used in rituals. Many are left wondering why there was a temple of a Greek goddess in Egypt prior to Alexander the Great conquering the region. As research shows, Thonis-Heracleion was the only port city in Egypt on the Mediterranean coast 3000 years ago. It oversaw international trade, especially with the Greeks. The people in the two empires had a good relationship considering that the Egyptians allowed the Greeks to build a sanctuary for their goddess of love, Aphrodite, on Egyptian ground. The city itself was later destroyed by natural disasters including earthquakes and tsunamis. Its existence was forgotten, mentioned only in ancient texts, until it was rediscovered in 2020.
Courtesy of kuna.net.kw.
Courtesy of kuna.net.kw.
WORLD/NATIONAL NEWS
NASA Returns Sample From a Nearby Asteroid By Emma Rathgeber
In 2016, NASA launched their OSIRIS-REx spacecraft to
the sample landed safely on Earth. This marked the first
however, involve Bennu’s age and composition. Bennu was
collect a sample of a nearby asteroid. The spacecraft traveled
time that successfully
had and
formed 4.5 billion years ago, when the solar system was in its
over 4 billion miles to reach its target, and, after collecting the sample, started on its two-year journey back home. At 8:52am on September 24th, the sample landed on Earth. OSIRIS-REx endured quite a journey to retrieve the sample. It
brought back asteroid samples to Earth. However, this was not a first for the world, as Japan retrieved asteroid samples twice before on its Hayabusa missions in 2010 and 2020. Following its landing inside the US military’s Utah Test and
infancy. This means Bennu can give us greater insight into the early solar system. Plus, Bennu is rich in carbon, and potentially water as well, so it can help us learn more about the history of life in the solar system. Combined, these
first reached Bennu, the sampled asteroid, in 2018. After orbiting Bennu for two years, OSIRIS-REx approached the
Training Range, the sample was transported to a clean room to be kept uncontaminated. It stayed there for one day before
factors made Bennu the perfect candidate for this mission. The pending results of the mission promise to teach us
asteroid’s surface, touched down for a brief instant, and used a robotic arm to scoop up a
heading to the Johnson Space Center in Houston for analysis. In the coming years, scientists
much about the formation and characteristics of the early solar system, and even of life here on
regolith sample. Then, the spacecraft resumed orbiting Bennu for several months before making its way back to
at the Johnson Space Center will analyze the sample’s physical and chemical properties and will distribute
Earth. OSIRIS-REx’s work is not done yet, though. The spacecraft didn’t land with the sample because it has another
Earth. Four billion miles later, OSIRIS-REx and the onboard sample reached Earth. Flying within 67,000 miles of Earth’s
portions of the sample to various scientific institutions for further research. With tens of thousands of
important task to complete in space: visiting Apophis, another nearby asteroid. More on that in 2029.
surface, the spacecraft ejected the sample and continued out
Near-Earth asteroids to choose from, why was Bennu selected
into space. The sample raced through the atmosphere, reaching a speed of 27,650 miles per hour before its
for this mission? Well, there are several reasons. For one, Bennu’s orbit brings it within relatively close proximity to
parachutes deployed and slowed its descent to 11 miles per hour. After 13 minutes of descension, word
Earth compared to other celestial bodies and asteroids. The two biggest reasons, ww
NASA obtained
Bennu, the sampled asteroid. Courtesy of space.com.
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WORLD/NATIONAL NEWS
Libya’s September 11th By Hunter Maguire
Twenty-two years to the day
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remains
under
the
national
districts avoiding damage and
after 9/11, when New York’s Twin Towers were attacked in one of America’s deadliest disasters in history, another tragedy unfolded in Derna, a port city in eastern Libya. After heavy rainfall from Storm Daniel, a Mediterranean cyclone, two dams burst, flooding the city and killing at least 11,300. The death toll is expected to rise as more victims are identified and accounted for. Why did this disaster unfold? How were so many people killed? What’s being done to find victims and help survivors? These questions don’t have simple answers, but faulty engineering, Derna’s climate and topography, and Libya’s fragmented political system
government’s control. Derna is located at the mouth of a wadi, a usually dry river valley that fills with water during storms. As a result, Derna is prone to flooding, and has experienced five major floods since 1942. Two dams, the Mansour Dam and the Derna Dam, were erected by a Yugoslav company in 1973 and 1977 to protect the city by a Yugoslav company, but the dams had not been maintained since 2002 and failed at around 3 am local time on the 11th. Dams like the two that collapsed in Derna are designed to store large volumes of rainfall, but when they fail, they instantly unleash a wall of
destruction. Along the riverbed, entire neighborhoods were washed away completely, leaving few or no survivors. Even where apartment blocks and homes remained standing, many living on ground or second floors drowned, trapped by the flooding. Additionally, no warnings or evacuation orders were issued by Derna’s government or the faction controlling eastern Libya, even as floodwaters rose beforehand. Experts a year ago found that the dams in the Wadi Derna (Derna Valley) were vulnerable to collapse. However, nothing was done at the time and residents were not alerted to the danger they lived and worked downstream from.
each played a pivotal role in the making of this catastrophe.
water, rendering anyone downstream unable to escape.
How has Libya’s political
Why did this happen? For days, Storm Daniel deposited heavy rainfall in
Because of this fact, floods caused by dam collapses are more deadly than natural floods, in which water levels
situation impacted this tragedy? Prior to 2011, Libya was ruled by Muammar Gaddafi, a
Libya, especially in the eastern half of the country. Since a civil war that ended with a 2020 ceasefire, eastern Libya has
rise gradually. Why was the death toll so high?
socialist dictator that came into power after the nation’s ruler, King Idris, was overthrown in 1969. He proclaimed the nation
been ruled by a renegade military commander, Khalifa Haftar, while western Libya word
Floodwaters rushed through much of Derna’s city center, with only three of its ten worddd
as a “Jamahiriya”, state of the masses, but in practice, his government controlled all wordd
WORLD/NATIONAL NEWS political and economic policies. Although living standards and literacy improved significantly during Gaddafi’s rule, dissenters
the nation’s eastern half. Additionally, a former justice minister claimed that Gaddafi orchestrated the Lockerbie
Government of National Accord, Libya’s internationally recognized government located in Tripoli. A ceasefire was
were killed or imprisoned and much of the nation’s wealth remained in the hands of a few
bombing. In early March, Gaddafi’s loyalist forces led a
established in 2020, but the country is still divided. Today, the LNA and Tobruk
oil-rich oligarchs. After 1988, when Gaddafi
counteroffensive, retaking key cities in the east but failing to
government control eastern Libya, including the city of
refused to allow the extradition of two Libyans involved in the
capture Benghazi, where the uprising began. Meanwhile,
Derna, and the GNA controls western Libya.
Lockerbie bombing of a PanAm flight in the United Kingdom that killed 259, Libya became an international pariah and was put under U.S. and U.N. sanctions. Despite ending a nuclear weapons program and reducing support to terrorist organizations across the globe, the country remained isolated from the international community. Gaddafi’s downfall began in February 2011, as peaceful protesters in the eastern city of Benghazi (associated with the Arab Spring) were killed by government forces. Within
NATO issued a no-fly zone over Libya, began airstrikes on Libyan government forces, and blockaded the country. By August, NATO strikes and rebel battles had worn down Gaddafi’s government, taking the capital Tripoli. In October, his home city of Sirte was captured, and he was killed while trying to flee. Despite the fall of Gaddafi’s government, numerous armed rebel groups continued fighting, including Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army. By 2014, a second civil war broke out between Libya’s House of
Small scale fighting continues to occur in Libya, and much of the nation’s infrastructure is outdated, decaying, nonexistent, or destroyed. Consequently, the dams were not maintained and residents were never warned about the flood risk Storm Daniel’s heavy rainfall posed. Libya’s political division and lack of a capable government has also hindered rescue and recovery efforts in Derna.
weeks, protests had risen up across the nation and the Libyan government had lost control of word
Representatives, known as the Tobruk government and backed by Khalifa Haftar, and the wordd
partner of the Red Cross, and Doctors Without Borders are taking donations to aid victims of the dam disaster.
What relief efforts are happening in Derna? How can others help? The Libyan Red Crescent, a
Additionally, Islamic Relief Worldwide has been working on the ground to provide food, blankets, and beds for affected families and has committed $125,000 to support Derna.
Derna in September 2023. Courtesy of nbcnews.com.
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WORLD/NATIONAL NEWS
2023 U.S. Open By Maria Gaztañaga
The US Open brings thousands of people together to celebrate one of the most beloved sports in the world, tennis. Each year, the Open leaves fans with lasting memories and experiences, whether they see matches in-person or simply watch on television with family. This year, the tennis tournament brought many shocking surprises, most of all the winner of the Men’s Singles Title. Many people had their hearts set on the Spanish player Carlos Alcaraz winning, but in the semi-finals, he was beaten by Russia’s Daniil Medvedev. Up until then, it seemed clear that Alcaraz would face Serbian legend Novak Djokovic in the final but obviously, it was not to be. Despite this, Medvedev and Djokovic faced each other in the final and as most people predicted, Djokovic took home the US Open Championship trophy.
Courtesy of NPR Coco Gauff hoists the Open championship trophy after routing Aryna Sabalenka in three sets.
The Women’s Singles were just as enticing as the Men’s. Many fan favorites, such as the United States’ very own Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula, Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus, and Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina, played this year. Gauff and Sabalenka both made it to the final and played for the worldwide title of champion of the US Open. It was uncertain who would win after the second set, but in the end, Gauff emerged the victor. She made history by becoming one of the youngest female winners in US Open history at the age of nineteen, second only to her idol Serena Williams, who was
Novak Djokovic kisses his trophy after defeating Daniil Medvedev to win his record-breaking twenty-fourth Grand Slam. Courtesy of france24.com.
seventeen when she first won. In addition to the many exciting wins, this year's US Open celebrated fifty years of equal pay amongst men and women. Prior to 1973, women who competed in the US Open received only a portion of the prize money men did, but this policy was overturned when champions like Billie Jean King advocated for female players to receive the same pay as their male counterparts.
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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
GCHS Student Reaches for the Tennis Stars By Hunter Maguire
“Making all these friends and being still connected with them
year. Only 150 are selected, and few positions become available
and other staff members. Since it’s the ball crew’s job to return
now... It was just a journey of a lifetime,” says Lauren Marino
each year because ball crew members are invited to return.
tennis balls to players in a timely manner, they play an
of her time as a U.S. Open ball girl. Lauren’s been closer to top tennis players than most fans ever will get—but most of all, when remembering her experience on and off the court, she gushes about her love for
“It was super competitive. I was going in not even knowing what to do, but I feel like my athleticism helped out,” Lauren explains. Applicants also had to take a test on their tennis knowledge, but for Lauren, this was no
important role on court, and players understand and appreciate this fact. Even without getting to know the players personally, ball crew members like Lauren return to their regular lives with unforgettable memories from
the game and the people behind the scenes she met along the way. “It varied so much in age,” Lauren recalls of the ball crew.
sweat. Her and her older sister, Jacqueline, spend their free time glued to the television, glancing at the tennis world’s
their time working the Open. Usually first years are placed on lower courts, but one day, Lauren checked her court
“I think the oldest person was sixty-five, and there were people that were a year younger
latest tournaments and matches. For that reason, one of the highlights of her U.S. Open
assignment online to find she’d be working at Louis Armstrong Stadium—the U.S. Open’s
than me. It was just so awesome.” Like any modern teenager, she keeps in touch with her
experience was meeting some of tennis’s leading umpires in the staff dining hall. “They work on Carlos Alcaraz, they
second largest court—with three veteran ball crew members. There, she was chosen to hand four balls to Iga
friends from “work”, from as far afield as Pennsylvania and California. However, it’s clear that her position at the U.S.
work on Nadal, they work on Djokovic... it’s amazing. I get to see them watching the matches and their perception of
Swiatek, the then-world-No.1 women’s tennis player, for the Emirates Ball Flight, in which players hit signed tennis balls
Open—the final Grand Slam of the year and one of the most
the players.” Despite being up close and
into the audience for lucky fans to catch. She was also on court
important events in the tennis world—was no ordinary summer job. Over a thousand people,
personal with tennis greats, the ball crew isn’t allowed to interact with players at all. Nonetheless, players are “for
as Frances Tiafoe, one of America’s top tennis stars, played Adrian Mannarino, a fussy French player. “He
teenagers and adults alike, try out for a ball crew spot each word
the most part, super nice and respectful” to the ball crew word
needed to know where all the balls were, at every single wordd
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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT second,” Lauren says with a laugh. Swiatek, though, was word
“super nice,” saying “thank you, thank you” to Lauren wordd
Photos courtesy of Lauren Marino.
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during their together.
brief
moment
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Amy Xiao: A Musical Prodigy By Elaine Wang
Amy Xiao, a junior and
foundation in note reading that
Music Festival and Long Island
prolific violinist, has achieved great heights in her musical career. This past summer, Amy attended the Lunigiana International Music Festival, a prestigious 10-day program in Tuscany, Italy, which she was able to attend free of charge with her Nassau Music Educators Association (NMEA) Scholarship. During the festival, she studied with international conservatory students and Professor Chloe Kiffer, a renowned musician and part of the faculties of the Manhattan School of Music, the University of North Texas, and the FaceArts Institute of Music in Shanghai. In her own words, meeting conservatory students from countries all over the
set the stage for starting the violin in 2nd grade. She dabbled in the flute, recorder, kazoo, ukulele, and viola throughout her elementary school years before focusing back on violin in 5th grade, when she moved to Garden City. That year, Amy joined the local Children’s Orchestra Society and, under the instruction of Dr. Yeou-Cheng Ma, Yo-Yo Ma’s sister, was first exposed to the thrill of virtuosic playing. She believes her turning point was in 6th grade, when she went from last chair of the second violins to concertmaster of the Junior Symphonic Ensemble in the span of one year, and realized, “I can do it.” Soon after, she
String Festival Association (LISFA) orchestras and has performed at Weill Recital Hall (located in Carnegie Hall) and Dimenna Center. On top of that, she has placed in international music competitions throughout her high school career, including (in reverse chronological order): the Canadian International Music Competition (2023), Trinity International Music Competition (2023), New York Young Virtuoso Competition (2022), Quebec International Competition (2022), Camerata Artists International Competition (2022), Lyra Competition (2021), and Young Maestro International Competition (2021).
world (including Venezuela, Mexico, Beijing, Hong Kong,
auditioned for the Manhattan School of Music’s precollege
If Amy could give one piece of advice, it would be to
Iran, etc.) “taught [her] a lot about what pursuing music can look like” and expanded her view of the music world. Amy
program under the guidance of Ms. Ella Heifets, which she has been part of since 2020. In addition to being the
“balance between the grind and smelling the roses. You’ll always be surprised by what you’re capable of, so keep on
will forever cherish her memories of Lunigiana, from the music to the lunches, trekking, and midnight talks.
concertmaster of the Manhattan School of Music’s Precollege Symphony Orchestra, Amy has a plethora of other awards
grinding. There are a lot of things that seem unattainable, but if you keep on trying for them, you’ll learn a lot along
Her musical journey began in 1st grade, when she started on the piano and picked up a word
under her belt. She has consistently been in the first four chairs of the All County word
the way. However, it’s also important to appreciate living life. We’re here to be happy and word
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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT make others happy, and that’s why we do things we love. If everyday becomes a monotonous grind for some
if passion is your only strategy for achieving a goal, and you’re consistently slacking off from the grind, that’s no good either,
pair of twins and their different points of view of their life story, since it “really encapsulates the human
abstract goal that provides you no pleasure, life becomes no longer worth living. It’s okay to
since it’s really discipline and habit that drive you towards your goals.”
experience organically” and reveals that “it’s a small world after all.” Her favorite movie is
take a step back and just be there. Life is so long that one
In her free time, Amy enjoys creating digital art. Her favorite
One Million Yen Girl, a story of hope that “inspires [her] to keep
‘off day’ isn’t going to send you to the streets. On the other hand,
book is I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson, a novel about a
on searching for [herself] too.”
word
word
Amy performs at the Lunigiana International Music Festival in Tuscany.
She rehearses a violin piece at the Manhattan School of Music honors recital at Greenfield Hall.
Amy is also a member of a chamber group that performs at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Photos courtesy of Amy Xiao.
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COMMUNITY/SCHOOL NEWS
St. Paul’s…What's It All About? By DJ McDonough
For years, there has been a constant grumble
In 1993, following numerous meetings, the
about St. Paul’s. For some, it has been a place to play sports. For others, it has been a monument representing the history of Garden City. Still for others, it has just been a dangerous eye sore. Our generation has grown up with the building just “there.” Recently, its fate has been a passionate discussion among residents in Garden City. So, what should we know about St. Paul’s? Let’s start with some factual data about St. Pauls. The historic main building on the St. Paul's campus remains the longest remaining structure in Garden City’s history. The 100,000square-foot building is located on a 48-acre parcel of land owned by the Village of Garden City. The building was constructed in 1883 by Alexander Turney Stewart’s wife, Cornelia, as a memorial to her late husband who founded Garden City. St. Paul’s was first a military school and then a prestigious private boys preparatory school. Some of the facilities of St. Paul’s included gymnasiums, ball rooms, a chapel, a pool, laboratories, libraries, dining halls, an infirmary, residences, and classrooms. Some better known former students of St. Paul’s
Board of Trustees purchased the St. Paul’s property from the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island for 8.5 million dollars. The Board of Trustees appointed a Committee on St. Paul’s to explore appropriate uses for the historic main building, while preserving the fields for residents’ use. Over the past 30 years, many possible uses, such as redeveloping the building to be used as the Garden City High School or as an assisted living community, were explored and rejected for various reasons. Although the Village made some attempts to maintain the building, its lack of use has resulted in roof leaks and water damage. There is a need for significant repairs to make the once-magnificent Victorian Gothic building a usable space again. In 2023, the newly appointed mayor and board of trustees disbanded the Committee on St. Paul’s. As a result, the newly formed St. Paul’s Alliance came forward with a recommendation to use the historical main building for a community center for children,
school include William Bradford Turner (who won the Medal of Honor in WWI) and both of
education, performing arts, athletics, and STEM. On October 21st residents voted in a public opinion poll for one of two options:
Donald Trump’s brothers, Robert and Fred Trump. St. Paul’s existed as a school until 1991, when the school closed after the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island entered bankruptcy. The building is on the National Registry of Historical Places and was selected in 2003 by the Preservation League of New York State as one of its "Seven to Save" endangered properties.
teens, adults and senior citizens. The center would be equipped with spaces for special
Proposal 1: Preservation, full or partial at a cost of $60.4 million Adaptive reuse (phase 1 of full preservation) would make the majority of word
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COMMUNITY/SCHOOL NEWS the building safe and usable. Facadism (partial preservation) at a cost of
to propose to the board a 33,000-square-foot community center for teens, seniors, performing
$43.1 million which would make the exterior structure safe and ready for the
artists, and athletes. It would include open and closed turf fields and covered tennis courts.
building of a new structure behind the facade (not included in the cost)
There are high hopes that the residents of the village may finally come to a consensus and be able to enjoy the St. Paul’s facilities now that the majority has expressed a desire to keep one of the last remaining historic structures in Garden City.
Proposal 2: Demolition of the Building for use as parkland at a cost of $14.7 million The final vote was in favor of preservation (2635) to demolition (1704). So what now? The St. Paul’s Alliance plans word
For more information, you can visit: https://www.stpaulsalliance.org https://www.gardencityny.net/291/St-Pauls.
Courtesy of preservationlongisland.org.
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COMMUNITY/SCHOOL NEWS
Debate Club Wants You! By Tara Murphy
Should the United States federal government
received a half qualification for the the New
forgive all federal student loan debt? Does this question spark an immediate answer? Do you need to think about it? Would considering that the facts might change your opinion? Such was the GCHS debate team’s quandary in their most recent tournament on November 18th. Pitting them against teams from other Long Island schools, including Jericho and Syosset, this competition was an especially exciting one for our debaters. Prior to the debate, each two-person team prepared arguments supporting each side, as well as rebuttals to arguments they anticipated from their opponents. This preparation aided them in the four exhausting rounds each team would compete in, made especially difficult by the fact that the side each team would defend was decided only minutes before each round. Thanks to excellent preparation and quick thinking, GC’s debaters emerged successful. In fact, freshmen Ibby Chohan and Juliet Stampfel placed fifth out of more than forty teams and
York State Grand Championship Tournament in April. This was an especially impressive victory considering Juliet and Ibby have only competed once before. When asked why they decided to join Debate Club, both Ibby and Juliet admitted their initial hesitance in joining due to a lack of public speaking experience. However, anecdotes from upperclassmen about the benefits of the club convinced them to try it out. Both debaters are grateful that they allowed themselves to be “debated into Debate Club,” not just because of their success in the November tournament, but because of the academic benefits as well. “Debate Club has improved my public speaking skills,” said Ibby, “and I definitely think that it will help me in my future academic career.” Juliet agreed, stating that, “Debate Club has allowed me to grow my writing and researching skills, and I think that my experience will really
word
agreed that Debate Club is a valuable experience. Despite pre-competition nerves, the fast-paced nature of debate makes time fly, and each competition is fun as well as rewarding. Whether you hope to compete in every tournament or just watch some exciting verbal
Courtesy of militaryhistorynow.com.
help me with an upcoming English assignment.” All who competed in the recent tournaments
sparring at meetings, Debate Club is a great place to meet new people and strengthen your academic skills. The club meets every Tuesday after school in Room 144. We’ll see you at the next meeting!
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COMMUNITY/SCHOOL NEWS
The All-New Bioinformatics AI Club By Mannat Jain
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At the Garden City High School, the
We often invite guest lecturers to speak about
Bioinformatics AI Club—founded by Mannat Vikramaditya Jain—pushes the boundaries of biomedicine, programming, and science. We learn about modern machine learning techniques, analyze new search stemming algorithms, and use bioinformatics libraries to examine DNA, chemical formation, and toxicology in the Rust programming language. word
advances in the field, with notable examples including Dr. Vikram Sheel Kumar, CEO of Clear Creeks Bio, and Manoj Kandpal, the Director of Research Bioinformatics at Rockefeller University. We've met on alternate Fridays for the first half of the year and are now moving to meet biweekly on Wednesdays. Join us!
Mannat teaches his club members the ins and outs of Rust, a popular coding language.
Mannat runs the Bioinformatics AI Club’s table at this year’s club fair.
Dr. Vikram Kumar speaks to the club about his work in the field of bioinformatics.
A poster made to advertise the club.
Photos courtesy of Mannat Jain.
REVIEWS
Mediocre Mutant Mayhem By Alessandra Pinto
On August 2nd, Teenage Mutant Ninja
opportunity to emphasize showing appreciation
Turtles: Mutant Mayhem hit theaters. The movie focuses on turtle heroes Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michaelangelo and their desire to be viewed as normal teenagers while also trying to protect New York City from Superfly, a villian mutant. For someone who has never been interested in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise, I somewhat enjoyed this movie. It was paced well so it wasn’t boring or hard to follow, the animation was colorful and interesting, and it contained positive messaging such as facing your fears that allowed viewers to take a lesson away from it. However, I disliked the movie’s lack of character development and dialogue. In the beginning of the movie, the viewer learns that the turtles are forbidden from leaving the sewer they live in for fear of being captured by the government for experimentation. Regardless, the turtles tell their father that they’re running errands, but actually explore the city instead. One night, the turtles come home to pizza, music, and cardboard cutouts of celebrities set up by their father. He explains to them that he
for family and the fact that your actions can have an impact on how other people feel. Because the movie tried hard to appeal to a younger audience, there were moments where the characters use current slang popular among teenagers/tweens. This didn’t work well because slang was forced into characters' lines, making them seem ingenuine. In addition, the language also took away from the timelessness of the movie. Words and sayings change over time, and kids watching this movie in ten or twenty years may not be able to relate to characters referencing outdated trends. In summary, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem had more good attributes than bad, but not by much. I give it three stars.
knows that the turtles want to be a part of the outside world, so he tried his best to bring the outside world to them. Instead of showing gratitude, the boys hastily thank him and rush out into the city again to run another “errand”, leaving their father hurt and defeated. The next time the boys see him is when he saves them from another mutant, and the previous event is never addressed. I think that this was a missed word
Photos courtesy of imdb.com.
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REVIEWS
The Endless World of Teyvat: Genshin Impact By “Saber”
I have been playing Genshin
currently available, each with
support. The game currently
Impact for over 3 years now, and honestly, I love it! Despite the fact that I am an in-game veteran, there is always something new and challenging to do. Genshin Impact is an open world action RPG initially released on September 28, 2020 that offers a fantasy world map and a diverse gameplay, including both quests and exploration. This game is available on Android, IOS, Windows, PlayStation 4 and 5, and the Nintendo Switch, and is played by over 64 million people worldwide. The game’s great popularity can be attributed significantly to its stunning visuals and immersive world graphics, backed by fun game mechanics and a unique story. The game has a plethora of
subdomains, story quests, challenges, and puzzles. The setting of the game includes vast fields, forests, mountains and snowy terrains in the nation of Mondstadt (inspired by Germany), Asian monuments and architecture in the large port city of Liyue (inspired by China), a Japanese style archipelago in Inazuma (inspired by Japan), rainforests and deserts in Sumeru (inspired by South Asian and Middle Eastern countries), and underwater exploration with an elaborate ferry aqueduct system in the prosperous city of Fontaine (inspired by France). What also makes Genshin Impact unique to me is the flexibility it offers. I am able to level up any character and have the freedom to choose the role
offers 72 meticulously designed playable characters, available in-game from the game’s wishing/gacha system. The enemies, mob bosses, and weekly domains are also masterfully designed with the regional theme in mind. If leveling and exploration aren’t for you, the game also has a world building feature within a separate mini dimension that many people, including me, use to design their own homes and unique spaces. The furnishing menu is vast and even lets me design floating structures and gardens! Genshin Impact is an amazing RPG that has won the Game Award for best Mobile Game and is definitely worth the time of checking it out. I ABSOLUTELY recommend it
areas to explore in all of the map’s five regions that are
any character plays on the team, whether main DPS, sub DPS, or
to anyone looking for a great experience!
www
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Official promotional art of Genshin Impact’s Inazuma region. Courtesy of miHoYo (HoYoverse).
In-game screenshot of Genshin Impact’s Fontaine region. Courtesy of miHoYo (HoYoverse).
“Barbenheimer”: The Double Feature That Saved Cinema
REVIEWS
By Ella Pocock
The past few years have been a rough era for those whose
Barbie was the much-awaited live action addition to the iconic
that nowadays seems to be a thing of the past. Unfortunately
future prospects lie in the arts. In an age where we seriously
Mattel toy franchise, having been vaguely mentioned as
for Hollywood, that requires taking risks, which they hate.
consider whether AI chatbots should replace screenwriters, leading to the first SAGAFTRA strike since 1960, film majors across America are even more cynical than ever. When most critics think “blockbuster movie of the
being in the works since 2009. When indie darling director Gerwig of critically-acclaimed Lady Bird (2017) and Little Women (2019) was announced as the film’s creative mastermind, viewers were ecstatic. Adding to the ecstasy
However, that’s exactly what Barbie did—and that’s why it’s the highest grossing movie of 2023. Now, is Barbie really all that? It might be hard to imagine that a children’s toy brand could pump out an introspective
summer”, a post-ironic feminist think piece and a World War II historical biopic tackling the horrors of mass destruction
was the fact that the screenplay scored a PG-13 rating. A more mature, ironic take on the allAmerican brand—described as
narrative dissertation. But I can say with confidence—yeah! Starting off in an extravagantly pink and patriarchy-free
aren’t typically what come to mind. But lo and behold, during the prime time of underpaid
“Truman Show-esque” and directed by a woman known for her more serious and
female Utopia known as Barbieland, the movie details the struggles of Stereotypical
actors and monopolizing streaming services, they were precisely the two films that did exactly what critics have long
devastatingly heartfelt character-driven stories—was exactly what viewers needed. Audience fatigue is a real and
Barbie (Margot Robbie) as she finds herself amidst a depressive existential crisis alienating her from her
been saying the film industry needs—they brought people back to movie theaters. “Barbenheimer” (the internet-
devastating plague. These days, it seems like everything is a remake of a remake of a remake or the seven-hundredth addition
otherwise blissfully happy Barbie peers. Journeying to the Real World (AKA Los Angeles), she and Ken (Ryan
coined title amalgamation combining Greta Gerwig’s
to an unrelenting and formulaic franchise. Live action
Gosling) realize that the creation of Barbie has not, in
Barbie and Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer), took the internet by storm and ultimately dominated the box offices and
adaptations, remakes, nostalgia bait—these film tactics that dominated the box office in the 2010s are simply overdone and
fact, eradicated the plights and tribulations of women everywhere—with the Real World instead being run by
twitter feeds of summer 2023. Both films were very much anticipated in their own right. word
uninteresting. What filmgoers want is a new cult classic with the immortalizing iconography word
men. While this causes the literal walls of Barbie’s reality to cave in around her, it’s wordd
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REVIEWS nothing but great news for Ken. Sick and tired of being Barbie’s forgotten and overlooked sidekick, Ken decides to bring
trial for treason against the United States government. Directed by acclaimed blockbuster filmmaker
—and Emily Blunt as Kitty Oppenheimer, the title character’s jaded wife. Critics have praised the two
patriarchy back with him to Barbieland, turning it into “Kendom” and converting
Christopher Nolan (of The Dark Knight trilogy, Tenet, Interstellar, Inception, Dunkirk,
movies for their brilliant screenwriting and acting. Despite the whole gag of the
Barbie’s Dreamhouse to his own personal Mojo Dojo Casa
Memento, etc.), Oppenheimer diverges from the usual faults
Barbenheimer double feature beginning because of their
House (yes, he really calls it that). With the help of a mother-
attributed to biopics of scrubbing away the flaws of
supposed differences, both films ironically contain some
daughter duo from the Real World (America Ferreira & Ariana Greenblatt), Barbie must pick the hard but ultimately rewarding path of freeing the Barbies from the control of the Kens. What starts off as a satirically over-the-top comedy eventually evolves into a much deeper analysis of what it means to be a woman in the real real world, including the superficial expectations of perfection placed on girls from a young age, and societal forces like toxic masculinity causing men to objectify and mistreat women.
their titular historical figure in order to make them more likable towards a general audience. The film very much presented Oppenheimer as the deeply controversial and infamous figure he was. Furthermore, the narrative was deeply emotionally impactful and complex, leaving my thoughts heavy and contemplative far beyond the roll of the credits. Aside from Murphy’s incredible performance, the show was often stolen by Robert Downey Jr. as Lewis Strauss— Oppenheimer’s accusatory rival
similar messaging pertaining to the 1950s Atomic Age and fancy shoe polishing of American propaganda. Unlike most internet trends, “Barbenheimer” has some merit in sticking around—not just because dressing up to go to the movies is fun, but because the return of viewers to theaters in a post-pandemic America has reawakened more than just our love for cinema: it’s reawakened the film industry itself.
In stark contrast, Oppenheimer is a gritty historical drama detailing the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy),
word
the director of the Manhattan Project and “father of the atomic bomb” that masterminded the development of nuclear warfare. We see a young Oppenheimer transform from an ambitious and cynical university student to a man on word
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Courtesy of ebay.com.
Courtesy of amazon.com.