Reviews

School Sports vs. COVID-19

By: Victoria Ernst

One of the most drastic changes to extracurricular activities due to the coronavirus was the lack of school sports. Although school sports were unable to take place in New York this fall, students have been able to participate in modified athletic activities this spring.

In Fall 2020 Governor Cuomo announced that any form of interscholastic athletic competition would contribute to the rising number of coronavirus cases. He stated that all sports must be held off until 2021. Despite this unfortunate circumstance, the Garden City High School was able to hold pre-season practices, which revolved around the hybrid schedule and allowed for sports of all seasons to be practiced at different times each week. The NYSPHSAA, which guides all high school sporting events within NY, divided each sport into three categories: low risk, moderate risk, and high risk. Cuomo approved the beginning of low risk winter sports, including track and field, boys swimming, fencing, bowling, gymnastics, and rifle, on January 4th. These sports may have some competition between other schools; however, there is no championship season, which consists of Conference, County, and State-wide competition. Unprecedented frigid temperatures and lack of indoor training facilities made training difficult. At the end of January, Cuomo announced that all sports may continue, if local regulations allow such activities to occur. Despite the delayed start, every sport will have a condensed season. Moderate and high risk winter sports competed until March 1, when the fall season began. On April 22, the spring season is expected to begin. At the moment, the timeline for championship seasons is still unannounced. At the moment, only students who are in school every day at GCHS are permitted to attend practice. However, senior athletes who have decided to continue to follow the hybrid schedule rather than attend daily in-person instruction may attend practice every day.

Although many athletes are still disappointed with these changes to their seasons, the athletic department at the High School and the Middle School are dedicating their time and doing everything within their power to getting them back on the field.

Midterm Updates

By: Kate Gambino

Usually, midterms are 8% of students’ averages, but on January 8th, the school announced that we would not be having traditional midterms and there would be no days dedicated to administering exams. Also, there will not be a seperate midterm grade on report cards, so the average of each of the four quarters will have a bigger impact on our final grades. As for the New York State Regents Examinations in June, there is still not a definitive answer whether they will still occur. Once the school is given an answer on the Regents they will let the students know, and explain how final grades for transcripts will be registered. We should all continue to stay focused on the curriculum we are learning, despite the cancellation of midterms and the uncertainty of the Regents exams!

The Life of a Zoom Student

By: Emma Harty

Many families, including mine, have decided to go fully remote during these last few months. It isn’t exactly the same as last year’s quarantine or as fun as everyone might think. Having been fully remote now for three months, I can honestly say it has been like riding a rollercoaster. My teachers try to find ways for remote students to be included in the activities but there is no way we can look through a microscope on Zoom and see what mitotic cells look like, or even participate without shouting over someone in class. These are just the basic struggles that have built a wall around those of us that are fully remote. When I talk to my friends who live in Brooklyn, they are dealing with the same things we all are and I have to remind myself that being in Garden City is a great place to be during this pandemic. In the city everyone on the sidewalk is wearing masks at all times, the streets are often crowded and it is hard to stay apart from other people. I am sure we are going to have a lot of new students next year because everyone is rethinking living in the city. The good news is that we’ve hit our one year anniversary of surviving COVID-19 on March 13 and I don’t know about anyone else but I celebrated with a cake!

By: Nicolas Ragas

Garden City High School’s Intramural Quiz Bowl competition faced uncertainty in the 2021 season; a trivia match with an annual dozen or more participating teams, adjustments had to be made to preserve the tradition. In a normal year, teams of four would meet in a classroom to compete for the highest possible score. Teams consist of one teacher and three students, and a neutral moderator is responsible for asking questions and determining validity of answers. Two scorekeepers also remain present: one timekeeper, and one individual to tally points. With this roster on hand, it’s readily evident that Quiz Bowl prospects looked ever grimmer as CDC guidelines tightened. In a traditional year, teams sit closely together and often lean in to whisper answers and suggestions. How would Quiz Bowl go on in a socially distanced setting? AP Government teacher Mister Kevin O’Hagan remains responsible for organizing the competition, and was responsible for coming up with a solution to this issue. To adhere to CDC guidelines, the dynamic was flipped upside down in 2021. Historically, there would be 60-120 questions in a round, and each team would take turns answering questions. If one team answered a question incorrectly, the question would go to the next team up, and the team after that if answered incorrectly once more. In the instance that a team answers correctly, a bonus question is given to that respective team. It was tough to consider how this dynamic would remain: 15 individuals in a room, all of whom fail to remain socially distanced. To compensate, a new dynamic was introduced. This year, teams would meet in individual classrooms, usually belonging to the teacher player. Questions would be answered on a Google Form, with time limits in place. These conditions allowed for social distancing to be honored, while also maintaining secrecy during team considerations. 2021’s Quiz Bowl finals round, (consisting of the top three ranked teams from the first four rounds), was as competitive as ever. Team Foley entered the finals in the first place seat, with a team consisting of: Doctor Meredith Foley, Spencer Fair, Emilia Iudica, and Emily Kerimian. Team Slater placed second overall in the 2020 round, and came back with the same team in 2021, going into the finals in the second place seat. As students graduate, student players will often rotate in teams. However, Team Slater played with all juniors in 2020, so came back with all seniors in 2021. The team consisted of: Doctor John Slater, Ian Bailey and Nick Ragas. Team Durkin came into the finals in the third place seat, with a team consisting of: Magistra Kathleen Durkin, Ryan Padala, Cameron Yuen, Robbie Treanor, and Charles Iovino. As there were four students on this team, the team switched between student players each round, with the respective outstanding player acting as a timer and scorekeeper. Just before the finals round kicked off, a mass quarantining of the junior class threw a wedge in Team Foley’s prospects. While Team Slater and Team Durkin were composed of all teachers and seniors, Team Foley had two juniors on their team. Both juniors had to compete online, and technical difficulties posed challenges as the round progressed. Yet, at half time, the scores were about even, with Team Durkin in the lead, and Teams Slater and Foley lagging slightly behind, respectively. In the second half, Team Slater saw a pick up in pace, coming back from their three point lag with a nine point lead at the final question, known as the 12 point turn around. At this point, teams could bet up to 12 points on their score, with no teacher help allowed. Teams Durkin and Foley both estimated a heavy 12 point wager, as each team entered the final question with respective scores of 38 and 35. Team Slater, going in with a score of 47, gave a more conservative wager of four points. Had all teams gotten the question correct, Team Slater still would have won by one point. Teams gave their wagers, and Mister O’Hagan asked the turnaround question: at the end of each stage of the Tour de France, the race leader is given a jersey to wear to symbolize his position in the race. What color is that jersey? Team Durkin answered incorrectly, claiming “blue”, while Teams Slater and Foley secured the answer, correctly claiming “yellow”. With a final score of 51 points, Team Slater secured the victory for Quiz Bowl 2021. To signify their victory, Doctor Slater, Ian Bailey, Jeffy Samuel, and Nick Ragas will have their names immortalized on a plaque dedicated to Quiz Bowl winners. The quartet also found their victory covered in the Garden City News, and honored on the Garden City Public Schools website: all well deserved honors for a hard fought victory.

World of Wonders: Nature Up Close By: Emily Kerimian

When I opened Aimee Nezhukumatathil’s World of Wonders, I had high expectations. After all, it had won the honor of being Barnes & Nobles Book of the Year. I received the book as a Christmas present from my parents and I was immediately enamored with the beautiful illustrations on the cover. You should, of course, never judge a book by its cover, but I admit to having a penchant for books with lovely cover designs. Reading the book, I was not disappointed. Each chapter is dedicated to an animal or a plant. The author, Aimee Nezhukumatathil, describes first her childhood, in which she was constantly moving around the U.S and the impact of often being the only Indian girl in her town. She reveals insights through the flora and fauna she encountered in various places, including Arizona, Kansas, upstate New York, and southern India. Later, she evokes the same imagery as she tells the story of becoming a writer and balancing her life as a writer with being a mother. It is impossible not to feel the awe expressed by Nezhukumatathil as she paints a portrait of nature. This book will make you appreciate the world around you much more acutely and deeply. I feel this book is especially pertinent during these times of fear and uncertainty that drive us to shelter ourselves and embrace technology as a means of distraction, because it urges the reader to appreciate the natural world before it is too late to. This book and its lessons can apply to people of all ages and I recommend it highly to those who enjoy poetry, prose, linear storytelling, and nature.

The Hate U Give: A Must Read for Our Times

By: Mary Grlic

Earlier this year, my peer Corinne Lafont and I started a book club at the high school. Our first book that we read was The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. It is both a social statement with a significant message about the Black Lives Matter movement, as well as a heart wrenching story following 16 year old Starr Carter. After seeing her childhood friend Khalil get shot by a policeman, her world turns upside down as she deals with the internal and external impacts of the shooting. Starr is split between two worlds: her hometown, Garden Heights, and her life in her school, Williamson Prep. The Hate U Give follows her as she deals with Khalil’s shooting, but also emphasizes her youth, as she deals with a lot of unencountered territory when she is only in high school. As a teenager from Garden City, I cannot even imagine going through what Starr endured. Despite being so distant from her experiences, I found her to be quite relatable: she’s a sixteen year old girl just like me. This intensified her story for me, making me realize this stuff is real, raw, and extremely traumatizing for a young girl. It’s something we always hear about, but we never believe it until it happens - Starr is a perfect example of that. Her friend Khalil is subject to police brutality and shot by a white cop, despite being innocent, having no gun on hand, and not being resistant. The story follows the aftermath of the shooting and how it impacted Starr’s life. Despite being the witness to the crime, she has difficulty speaking up about the incident, silence becoming a theme throughout the book. The Hate U Give not only brings awareness to police brutality, but also exemplifies how it can impact the lives of those who witness it. The book pushes teens to make positive changes, despite fears and pressures they may feel from society. As the novel was written in 2017, The Hate U Give is extremely relevant to modern events concerning equality, police brutality, and the Black Lives Matter movement. Khalil was shot despite being innocent, having no gun on hand, and not showing any resistance towards the cop, who Starr calls by his number, One Fifteen. Khalil’s story exemplifies how unfair and cruel the world can be, and the way one person can impact an entire community. I think everyone should read this book to truly understand what is going on in our world, and how your voice can always be heard. The Hate U Give is one of my favorite contemporary books, and I definitely plan to watch the movie soon!

The Nightingale: WW2 Secrets & Suspense

By: Maria Gaztañaga

The Nightingale begins with an elderly woman reminiscing about her life during World War II in France. She brings us back to 1939 where we are introduced to Vianne, her loving husband, Antoine, and daughter, Sophie. News of the war began to spread through their lovely town of Carriveau, worrying everyone about what was to come. Their questions were answered when a draft took place forcing all the men to join the war, including Vianne’s husband. Vianne struggles to take care of her daughter Sophie, but she has the help of her best friend, Rachel, and her daughter, who just so happens to be the same age as Sophie. Readers are then brought to meet Isabelle, who we later learn is Vianne’s younger sister. Isabelle is being reprimanded for her behavior and is expelled from one of the many boarding schools she has attended. Being old enough to take care of herself, Isabelle heads for Paris in hopes of convincing her father to let her live with him. As the Nazis begin to invade Paris, Isabelle’s father believes it is no longer safe for her and sends her to live with Vianne. On her way to Cariveau, Isabelle meets a young man and falls in love with him, but he does not feel the same way about her. After a long journey, Isabelle finally makes it to Vianne, but the two aren’t on the best terms due to their traumatic childhood. As the war worsens, German soldiers begin to billet at people’s homes. Unfortunately, Vianne and Isabelle are forced to open their home to a Nazi. Isabelle, being the outspoken person that she is, continually stirs up trouble because she despises the Nazis. As time passes, Isabelle is given the opportunity to help by joining a resistance movement and she gratefully accepts. This new job brings her back to Paris where she takes on the alias of The Nightingale. Isabelle’s new job requires her to help the Allies, causing her to be wanted by the Nazis. At the end of the novel, readers are brought back to 1995 and it is revealed who the older woman truly is. The Nightingale is a mesmerizing tale about two sisters and their efforts to help out during the war. Although they choose different paths, they are always brought back to each other. The novel is rightfully a number-one New York Times bestseller, promising audiences a compelling experience.

Song of Achilles: A New Twist on Old Tales By: Emily Kerimian

If you enjoy mythology, then Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller is right for you. Miller, a classics major, writes her novels with a twist; her protagonists are not the traditional heroes of epics like Achilles and Odesseus in the Iliad and the Odyssey, respectively, but rather characters that are frequently overlooked or vilified. Song of Achilles is told from the perspective of Patroclus, Achilles’ closest friend and lover. The plot of the book is both recognizable to mythology fans and accessible to those new to the genre. The novel is centered around the Trojan War, however it begins with Patroclus’s childhood until the time he meets Achilles. Even if you know the ending of the story, you can’t help but continue reading. Miller’s knowledge of Greek mythology is legendary in its own right and her writing is equally prodigious. One of the most striking features of her writing is her ability to foster empathy for her characters. The flaws and insecurities of her characters are likely those that any reader can relate to; for instance, the desire to fit in, or the desire to live up to expectations. I highly recommend this novel, because it combined all the elements of a story that I enjoy, such as romance, adventure, and destiny. The only aspect of the novel that I did not enjoy was the fact that it ended. This is a book that I could see easily being made into a movie. If you enjoy this story, I also recommend Miller’s novel, Circe, which reveals the past of the mystical sea witch, Circe, and the circumstances that led her to cross paths with Odesseus.

Benji: A Movie to Warm Your Heart By: Caroline Crouchley

Trying to find a way to beat the pandemic blues? Running out of things to do? Look no further than the movie Benji airing now on NETFLIX. If you are not a pet lover already prepare to have a change of heart because this movie takes friendship to a new level. Let us just say a furry one! Benji is the perfect movie to watch alone and with your entire family. I give the movie a fivestar review for adorable and heart wrenching dog moments, emotional ups and downs and the possible need for a box of tissues. The movie starts with a threatening dog catcher who captures Benji’s mother and siblings while he was still a puppy. Alone in the world Benji tries to make do finding any morsal he can in dumpsters and nearby hot dog carts. One day he meets eyes with a likeable boy named Carter who sees how food deprived Benji is. He immediately becomes enamored with the dog and feeds him strawberries which becomes an important theme running throughout the story. From here on the relationship begins as Benji follows the boy home to meet his sister Frankie. Both Carter and Frankie fall in love with the dog and finally decide to name him Benji. They hide the dog from their mother, a single mom who works as an ambulance driver. When the mom finds out about the dog, she is very upset. She does not want the responsibility of having a dog to take care of as she is already struggling mentally with her bills, job, and the raising of her children alone. Carter and Frankie’s father is gone in the story and the children miss their father very much. Having Benji to love and take care of helps to fill the void that is in their hearts about their Dad. Unfortunately, they must abandon their newfound friend Benji, leaving him outside in the rain without a family once again. In the meantime, a horrible misfortune happens to the young brother and sister. The story takes a long and scary turn as the visit to the local pawn shop turns into a criminal investigation. Carter and Frankie find themselves in a very dangerous and frightening situation. What will happen to Carter and Frankie? Can anyone help or save them? Tears of fear and tears of joy envelop the audience as the story unfolds. If you are not a pet owner yet, you might start thinking about that quarantine furry friend you and your family have been longing for. Hint-if your parents do not think getting a dog is a good idea make certain you prepare the popcorn and the drinks and watch alongside your parents! Maybe a dog is in your future! If you already have a dog it is the perfect movie to watch with them to show your appreciation and affection for. Enjoy!

Soul: A Movie to Make You Laugh By: Alexandra Burke

The new movie Soul on Disney Plus is truly one to watch. Not only does it have a beautiful message and comedy at the right moments, but it is extremely heartwarming. With a killer lineup of actors and actresses including Jamie Foxx and Tina Fey, this movie is 100% worth the hype. Joe Gardner, a Jazz musician, finally gets his big break playing for the Jazz legend Dorothea Williams. He lands a role performing in her band, but unfortunately falls into a giant manhole in the sidewalk. While trying to get back to Earth he has to help lead 22, an unborn soul, in finding her spark or passion in life. 22, who was practically unteachable, goes through an amazing journey and changes in many ways. Soul teaches that life is a blessing, even if it doesn't go as planned. It will have us asking the question we have asked since we were 5, ¨What is my purpose?¨ or ¨ Why am I here?¨ This movie is not one to miss and if you haven't watched it yet I definitely recommend it.

By: Kate Pappas

When the first season of Dark was released on Netflix on December 1st, 2017, it made history as the streaming service’s first German-language original series and it didn’t disappoint. After two children go missing in a quaint German town, the show follows four families and their twisted involvement with each other as they search for the missing kids.Although the sci-fi mystery series initially presents itself as a wicked drama through its intricate web of affairs and deceit, the story introduces supernatural elements that quickly spark inquisitive curiosity in its viewers. With many plot twists, the series utilizes its characters to mislead viewers, making even seemingly predictable story turns surprising. As a result, the show’s driving force seems to be its elaborately confusing plot rather than its characters, who act as pawns of one of the series’s overarching themes: the idea that no one truly has free will-- we just think we do. Things happen because they have to happen, simply because our fate is inevitable and predetermined. Despite the show’s appropriately dark themes and elements, it stands out as a well done, beautiful, and puzzling supernatural mystery series that’s worth having to endure watching it with English subtitles.

Wandavsion: A Marvel TV Series

By: Melissa Ng

Everyone knows Marvel always finds a way to impress audiences with complex yet entertaining movies and TV shows. Among the new Marvel releases of 2021 is the series WandaVision, now streaming on Disney+. This new show gives a story to two well-known avengers: Wanda Maximoff and Vision. Following both characters’ significant roles in Marvel’s Infinity War and Endgame movies, the two get to shine in their new series. The show began airing January 15th, each episode containing classic sitcom tropes of different eras. The first episode is ‘50s black and white, husband and wife shenanigans with, of course, studio laugh tracks at appropriate times, giving viewers some I Love Lucy vibes. Moving onto the next episodes, we progress into later eras, including my personal favorite, episode 3 in the ‘70s, based on the classic Brady Bunch sitcom. However, the show isn’t just a homage to familiar comedies of different times; moreover, it wouldn’t be a Marvel show without the complicated meanings layered throughout. The show is unique as it doesn’t even reveal any main plot in its first episode, other than little blips if you’re very attentive, only making it seem like an innocent storyline with references to decade classics. The Marvel Universe is very complicated and there are many layers to each story involved. WandaVision is another example of the intelligence of Marvel writers and creators, successively making yet another project with endless twists and turns. Without any spoilers, all I can say is this: when it comes to Marvel, nothing is ever what it seems. Marvel notoriously puts Easter eggs in all of their works, sometimes hinting at the plot’s future. They also like to put hidden meaning into seemingly simple things to make fans conspire about the story’s end. Fan theories are fascinating to hear when trying to analyze the plot yourself. If you’re looking for a new series to watch that’ll constantly have you playing detective, this is the show for you. There are endless amounts of guesses people can make about the show’s direction, leaving the end product an exciting “edge of your seat” viewing experience.

Dangerous: A Controversial New Album By: Nicole Russo

After much anticipation, Morgan Wallen released his second album, Dangerous: The Double Album on January 8th. Wallen started teasing this album back on November 19 when he released three singles, “Still Goin Down”, “Livin’ The Dream”, and “Somebody’s Problem”. The songs were hits, and fans could not wait for his new country album to be released. As the album title reveals, his new album was a double album consisting of 30 songs he started writing in 2018. With all the work Wallen, Big Loud Records, and Republic Records put into this album, Wallen was furious when the album was accidently leaked. A week before the planned release date, some Walmart stores mistakenly sold his album early. Upset that years of his work were being released by some retail company, Wallen decided to leak a couple tracks from his new album, saying “I’ve been working on this album for three years and I’ll be damned if I’m gonna let Walmart do the leaking like that. So just keep up with me on here, and I’m gonna start doing the leaking of the songs myself. It’s kind of messed up, but I don’t shop at Walmart anyway”. Fast-forward a couple of days to January 8, when the album was officially released and fans instantly fell in love. Some of the top tracks included the song the album was named after, “Dangerous”, “Wasted On You”, and the classic country romance song, “Sand In My Boots”. Personal favorites of mine include “This Bar” and “Me On Whiskey”. All was looking great for this young country star until a video of him under the influence using a racial slur went viral in early February. In response to the video, Big Loud Records suspended his contract indefinitely, and the Academy of Country Music Awards declared him ineligible for this year’s awards. Despite also being removed from playlists and radio stations, Wallen’s sales continue to skyrocket. Wallen has publicly apologized for his actions and hopes to learn from his mistake. So what’s next for this album and this artist? Many say his career is over and rightly so. Except his fans, who are buying up this album in record numbers. Only time

Courtesy of Amazon

Evermore: A Surprise Pandemic Album

By: Maria Santos

Evermore, Taylor Swift’s ninth studio album, was released on December 11, 2020, not even five months after the release of her eighth studio album, Folklore. Evermore is an extension of Folklore and is called a “sister record” by Swift due to the similarities in music videos, photoshoots, and genre. Unlike Swift’s previous albums, Lover, Reputation, and 1989, which are all pop, Folklore, and Evermore are both alternative/indie. Swift is once again shifting genres just as she did when she made the revolutionary switch from country to pop. Swift amazed fans with the following tweet on December 10, three days before her birthday: “ever since I was 13, I’ve been excited about turning 31 because it’s my lucky number backwards, which is why I wanted to surprise you with this now. You’ve all been so caring, supportive, and thoughtful on my birthdays and so this time I thought I would give you something!” The positive feedback and reviews of her album must have been quite the birthday present for her. The internet was particularly impressed with Swift’s productivity during the pandemic. Although most people, including myself, find it difficult to stay motivated while stuck at home, Swift has been more motivated than ever. She had a brilliant team, including Aaron Dessner, Bryce Dessner, and Jack Antonoff, to help produce her album, but people are still astounded by her energy and drive. Comedian Blake Erskine asked, “what kind of vitamins is Taylor Swift taking to be so productive, and can my doctor legally prescribe them to me?” Swift’s hard work has definitely paid off. Evermore sold over one million copies in the first week of its release and was streamed more than 220 million times, making it the fifth-biggest U.S. album of the year 2020. However, the feedback for Evermore hasn’t been all positive. A Utah theme park is suing Swift over rights to the album name. Evermore Park in Pleasant Grove, Utah, claims that Swift’s merchandise bearing the album name violates its “Evermore” trademark. They argue that her merchandise is affecting their sales and that their Google search traffic took a hit after the album’s release. They are demanding $2 million as recompense.

A spokesperson for Swift responded, saying, “The fact is, this frivolous claim is coming from Ken Bretschneider, founder, and CEO of an experience park and according to Utah Business, ‘As of June 2020, at least five lawsuits have been filed against Bretschneider and the Evermore group by major construction companies like Sunroc, AGC Drywall and Construction, Geneva Rock, Mountain Point Landscaping, EME Mechanical, Kreativ Woodworks, and NFH Distributing (Beehive Brick and Stone).’ The companies claim ‘they are owed between $28,000 and $400,000.’ “ I wouldn’t confuse a Taylor Swift album with a Utah theme park, but that’s just me. Regardless, I expect Evermore will continue generating headlines.