THE PULSE | MAY 2025 ISSUE
Organized by Logan Kreisberg and Gabi Schneider, the Charity Cabaret took place Wednesday, March 12, 2025 from 6:30-8:30 p m In an email to students, parents, and faculty, The Harvey School announced on behalf of Gabi and Logan, “All donations are going to the Arts & Creative Expression Fund of the New York Community Trust, to benefit the Westchester arts community ”
In an opening statement, Gabi Schneider said, “Last year we founded Harvey’s first annual Charity Cabaret We started it with the hopes of bringing a new and accessible theater opportunity to the Harvey theater community, while also raising money for the arts in Westchester ” Logan gave shout-outs to Mr. Alexander, Mr. Norman, and Jesse Baron, who helped out with lighting and sound
It was important to Logan and Gabi that The Cabaret be open to all Harvey students, with no auditions required Therefore, anyone with an interest in performing had the opportunity to sing if they wanted to.
Hosting 20 singers, their parents, and a multitude of Harvey students, the Lasdon Theater was packed. Seniors Addie Silva and Erin Lapides sat outside the theater collecting donations The recommended amount was $10 for students and $20 for parents. Audience members who want to donate digitally can reach out to Mr Alexander via email
It is easy to say that Sienna Colgan did Betty Rizzo’s “There Are Worse Things I Could Do” from “Grease” complete justice Showcasing a wide range, her voice smoothly fluctuated between alto and soprano notes She championed a balanced mix of belt and a softer head voice throughout the song, leaving many jaws dropped after the three-minute act
CABARET FOR A CAUSE
By Daniela Rynott
An unforgettable performance for all, junior Steve Liu’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” left everyone smiling, especially with his own dance moves during music breaks With everyone engaged, the audience snapped their fingers and clapped their hands along to the tune
Sam Novarro’s emotional performance of “She Used to be Mine” from “Waitress: The Musical” was accompanied by a soft piano tune played by junior Delilah HicksonBilotta, whose song touched the heart strings of all Sam showed real passion through her rendition of this song and left the audience truly stunned by the excellence.
In a delightful collaboration, sophomores Madi Watson, Atari Adler, Chloe Campbell, and ninth graders Jane MacPhail, Via Simmons, and Cassidy O’Neil delivered “Meet the Plastics” from “Mean Girls.” Madi began with a dialogue as Cady Heron, with singing interludes by Cassidy as Regina George, Via as Gretchen Wieners, Chloe as Damian Leigh, and Jane MacPhail as Karen Smith.
Rounding out the musical pieces, Quinn Borzoni impressed the audience with his smooth, crooner-like voice in “If Ever I Would Leave You ” His rich tone and clear phrasing gave the song a classic Broadway feel, and he handled the dynamics well, moving effortlessly between soft and powerful moments His performance was polished and engaging, making it a standout of the night
Audience member and Harvey English teacher Ms Holmes said, “Mr Seymour and I were very impressed by the entire evening. Not only did Logan and Gabi do tremendous work in terms of raising money for charity, but it was also wonderful to hear voices that I’ve never heard before on the Harvey stage, like Mollie and Quinn. It was really great.” Her daughter, Juliet, also added that she was a big fan of all
In a powerful belt, Madi Watson delivered a strong performance of “I’d Give My Life for You ” She transitioned smoothly between quiet, heartfelt sections and big, sustained notes, keeping the audience engaged throughout Her voice was controlled and expressive, making the song one of the most memorable of the evening.
Sophia Thilo’s performance of “Flowers” from “Hadestown” was wistful and emotional. Her soft, controlled vocals and smooth vibrato captured the song’s melancholy tone, drawing the audience in. She handled the dynamic shifts well, building intensity without overdoing it, and she left a strong impression by the end of the song.
At the end of Meaghan Sullivan’s performance of “I Dreamed a Dream,”her little brother Robert ran onstage to hug her as a collective “Aw” arose from the crowd Meaghan’s emotional delivery and controlled vocals captured the song’s sorrowful tone, making it a touching moment
Logan followed up with “Out There” from “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” showcasing his strong range and dynamic expression. At the end of his performance, Robert reappeared to hug Logan, his sister’s best friend
ON PAGE 9
Cabaret performers during the closing number "Louder Than Words " Photo taken by Nate Alexander.
HARVEY NEWS
THE PULSE | MAY 2025 ISSUE
GROWING WITH MS. BEAN
By Jack Amann
With the spring season, people are starting to go outside, and many parents and young children are getting into gardening Here at Harvey, one teacher has taken her love for gardening into a class called Harvey Grown. Ms. Carolyn Bean teaches this English elective, in which she helps students gain hands-on experience
As her name suggests, Ms. Bean fell in love with gardening at a very young age. “I grew up in an apartment, and when I went to my grandmother's house, she would teach me how to garden, and I saw the beauty in being with nature ” Starting Harvey Grown was always a dream for Ms Bean, and when she asked Mr. Lazzaro if there was a way to create a course to combine being an English teacher with her love of gardening, the rest was history!
Last year’s course was very successful, as it included a class with 12 students enrolled. Ms. Bean said, “The focus of last year was to plant native species, whereas this year is focusing on having sustainable plants that we can eat later and maybe next year ”
The Pulse asked about goals for the class and if there are any other opportunities for Harvey students to participate around the school Ms Bean said, “There are plans for the future, including adding multiple plots around the school that students can use to plant any native species they want, and there are many ways the Harvey students can get involved in throwing away waste that can be decomposable to use to help the plants grow, just like the mulch that has been placed around campus during Spring Break.” The soil here at Harvey is very sandy, and the mulch adds more nutrients that can be absorbed by the little natural soil that we have
For students who are interested in gardening and want to learn more about how they can be more environmentally friendly and bring that knowledge home to their parents, there will possibly be an after-school activity next year if there is enough student interest Ms Bean told The Pulse, “An after-school program would be the best thing for all students who want to learn and plant during different times of the year. Unfortunately, there is not much we can do in the winter because of the weather up here in the northeast ”
According to Petrus Landscaping, “Households in the U.S. spent more than 38% of their time gardening in 2023” and “Households that engaged in container gardening in 2022 have increased by 200% in 2023 ” This information indicates that more and more people are getting outside and engaging in gardening activities.
Being environmentally conscious is key to a strong planet that can thrive for generations to come, and getting outside and dirty is not only fun but also a great way to figure out new interests, as there’s a lot of information online about gardening. The Pulse highly recommends students get to know and work with Ms Bean if they truly want to “grow ”
Finished product of a garden bed of native species
Photo courtesy of Carolyn Bean, English teacher and Harvey Grown founder.
THE PULSE STAFF
Lead
Benji Cutler
Logan Kreisberg
Sports
Brandon Levine
Writers
Jack Amann
Ted Clement
Connor Harrington
Daniela Rynott
Arav Shah
Rohan Singh
Liam Tarpey
Faculty Advisor
Virginia Holmes
Special Thanks: Chris Del Campo
OP/ED
THE PULSE | MAY 2025 ISSUE
TELEVISION SHOWS ARE TAKING OVER THE CINEMATIC LANDSCAPE
By Benji Cutler
Dear Harvey Community,
As an avid movie lover who feels so much joy every time I step foot into a movie theater, I regret to say that the current state of television is excelling far beyond the mess that is Hollywood Yet, this surge of quality shows on popular streaming services such as Netflix, Apple TV+, and Max has solidified that we are moving into a new age of pop culture, where the best pieces of media can be accessed in the comfort of your home The rapidly increasing difference in creativity and originality between TV and film is an overall sign of the direction that mainstream media is going, and it is no mere coincidence
The biggest recent example is “Severance” Season 2, created by Dan Erickson and directed by Ben Stiller on Apple TV+ Running from Jan 17 to March 21, the show centers around the concept, “What if your entire consciousness was literally split in half between your work life and your home life?” and the many scenarios that this mind-bending idea creates The show is quirky, weird, hilarious, emotional, thrilling, endlessly intriguing, and it is the prime example of the limitless possibilities of television when creative visionaries are given full freedom.
Even in superhero media, the likes of “Daredevil: Born Again” and “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man” on Disney+ along with “Invincible” Season 3 are far superior to the large majority of generic, sloppy comic book films in theaters.
“Invincible,” specifically, its newest season running from Feb. 6 to March 13, continues to be a brilliant display in gorgeous action and unbelievably large-scale stories Yet, its close focus on intricate, emotionally complex characters set in such an entertaining world of heroes and villains truly makes it stand out above the rest
But arguably the best limited series I have ever watched, “Adolescence,” created by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham also dropped on Netflix March 13 This four-episode British series where each episode is shot in one stunning continuous take follows 13-year-old Jamie, his family, friends, and community after he is accused of murdering his classmate, leaving the audience with the deeply emotional, mental consequences that follow for everyone involved. The amount of raw, gut-wrenching weight in this show was absolutely breathtaking, where each episode takes you through one intense, never-ending journey after another where you are living and breathing with the characters and feeling every ounce of grief, anger, horror, and utter devastation.
Another phenomenal show running from March 26 to May 21 is Seth Rogen’s “The Studio” on Apple TV+, a hilarious, extremely relevant, and intense satire on the current state of the corrupt, franchise-ridden Hollywood industry, ironically approving the themes in this entire article Plus, with an already stacked main cast, the show is packed with Hollywood cameos and hundreds of references to iconic films that make the watching experience a movie lover’s dream
Rogen and fellow showrunner Evan Goldberg’s comedic genius run free, as they already proved to be some of the best comedy writers in the modern era with “Superbad,” “Pineapple Express,” and “This is the End ” Shows like this one continue to indicate the freedoms that creatives are being given to put their true visions on the small screen, and audiences continue to respond because of how easy it is for them to enjoy these brilliant stories
The plethora of amazing television does not end here, because from April to June, we are receiving “The Last of Us” Season 2 on Max, the best piece of current “Star Wars” media in “Andor” Season 2 on Disney+, “Black Mirror” Season 7, and the final season of “Squid Game” on Netflix
Thus, the reason why TV is currently thriving is rather simple when you get down to it: there are simply more chances and there is more accessibility
Hundreds of new shows are released on streaming platforms every year, and audiences do not look for IP, fan service, and nostalgia in television anymore; they simply look for good television
With every show in the palm of their hands at the comfort of their homes, audiences have no reason not to pick the best shows rather than the biggest blockbusters Thus, studios are beginning to realize that with the rise of streaming services, they need to focus more on making high-quality shows with increased budgets, stacked casts, and talented filmmakers signed onto creative and original stories
On the other hand, when major film studios like Warner Bros. or Disney can only release a handful of movies each year, seeing one movie flop is a huge detriment to their brand And what the past 25 years has proven to Hollywood is that franchise popcorn flicks bring in lots of cash, as just three of the 57 films that grossed more than $1 billion at the worldwide box office since 2025 are fully original premises
Mainstream audiences only go out of their way to theaters to see projects they have already heard of, movies that are more like blockbuster events Yet, as the quality of those movies continues to dwindle and it is never certain when and where movies will be streaming, people turn to television more often to get their fill of great storytelling
In the age of streaming services, studios are having harder times getting viewers to go out of their way to buy a ticket to the theaters when they can simply choose from millions and movies and shows from their couch As the adjustment is now visibly being made, these billion-dollar companies now know that the best way to make a profit is through the streaming service itself, and what draws people to their platforms is simply good television. Although I will always love movies first and foremost and pray that movie theaters remain alive and well in the world of pop culture, I am not complaining with just how many original, unique, and thought-provoking shows we are getting on TV each and every week.
Sincerely,
Benji Cutler The Pulse Co-Editor
Stills from the 2025 shows "Adolescence," "Invincible," "Severance," and "The Studio " Photos courtesy of Netflix, IGN, Deadline, and Apple
REPORTS
THE PULSE | MAY 2025 ISSUE
THE INFINITE BENEFITS OF SLEEPAWAY CAMP: A SUMMER OF LIFELONG GROWTH
From the day I was born, my life has centered around sleepaway camp. My dad has spent nearly every summer since he was 10 years old at Brant Lake Camp for Boys (BLC) in the Adirondack Mountains, as a camper, counselor, and assistant director My mom has worked as the camp doctor numerous times, and my sister just completed her 10-year journey as a camper at Point O’Pines Camp for Girls. I have spent every summer of my entire life at BLC, from crawling by the lake to being a camper for seven weeks to now being a full counselor for children ranging from ages 6 to 14.
It is safe to say that my life would not be the same without camp, and I know that every single one of the bunkmates I grew up with, the kids I take care of now, and even the counselors I have met from across the world can all say the same thing: Camp is undeniably a life-changing experience that cannot be replicated in any other setting
Yet, I have realized as I have grown older that many people in my community and the wider majority of the world are not nearly as familiar with the concept, or they simply have no idea what makes playing sports all day and sleeping in wooden cabins for seven weeks without technology so special.
Well, I have come to realize that sleepaway camp can look extremely daunting, odd, or intense on paper However, simply put, sleepaway camp gives both children and counselors an opportunity to experience an isolated microcosm of real life, where they learn how to be responsible, how to be a friend, collaborate with others, take care of themselves, and how to become a better person overall
By Benji Cutler
What truly makes sleepaway camp so difficult to replicate is just how closed off it is from the rest of the world, especially with the absence of electronic devices and daily communication with friends and family. Although this may sound scary to some, Brant Lake Camp director Max Gersten stated in an interview with The Pulse that “Camp has always been a unique place to remove outside societal/social pressures that many kids feel. A place where you feel comfortable to be your most free self.”
As the years go by and social media and the internet continue to storm the lives of teenagers and even younger children, the importance of this “metaphorical and physical disconnecting” exponentially increases. Gersten has seen this growth firsthand, being a fourth-generation BLC camper, counselor, and director in the Gersten family and thus knowing camp life and its benefits inside and out. Parents have no need to worry, however, because there are often many ways for families to still connect with their children, through visiting days, letters, phone calls, and other forms of communication
Many sleepaway camps, including BLC, build everyday life around a mix of competitive and recreational sports Not only do these physical activities improve campers’ health and athletic skills in sports such as basketball, baseball, soccer, and tennis, but they are also used as outlets for teaching campers lessons that they will hold with them when they move through high school, college, work, and all of adulthood
Competitive sports are often heightened during “Color War,” which divides the camp body into teams that compete in a plethora of sports games and events to ultimately crown a winner. While this strong competition may come off as dangerous and too intense, especially for younger campers, Gersten believes that “bad competition is bad, but good competition is an essential tool in developing a host of healthy productive skills.” Referencing some of the many traits developed through wellorganized competitive sports, Gersten adds, “winning, losing, teambuilding, resilience (maybe the 'buzziest' of words for child development) are just a few of the skills we gain 'accidentally’ through sports.”
Many of these pathways into child development are also revealed in nonathletic activities, such as arts and crafts, talent shows, theater, and at BLC, participating in a camp-wide Song Contest.
CONT. ON PAGE 14
A journey through my 17 summers at Brant Lake Camp alongside my family, new and old Photos courtesy of BL C photographers
REPORTS
THE PULSE | MAY 2025 ISSUE
THE CRAZY TRAIN’S FINAL STOP
By Connor Harrington
Ozzy Osbourne, The Prince of Darkness, is set to perform his final show July 5, 2025 in Villa Park, Birmingham due to his declining health and age In addition to the event being Ozzy’s last concert, it will also be the first time the original members of Black Sabbath have performed together in 20 years
The show, which has been titled “Back to the Beginning,” will feature performances from Metal titans such as Slayer, Metallica, Pantera, Anthrax, as well as other metal and rock icons The star-studded event will celebrate the creators of metal, Black Sabbath, and Ozzy will even perform a short solo set before joining his former bandmates for his final bow.
Formed in Birmingham in 1968 by guitarist Tony lommi, drummer Bill Ward, bassist Geezer Butler, and Ozzy as the lead singer, Black Sabbath stood out from the bright psychedelic sounds and imagery of the 60s Its music was bleak, bluesy, and dark; the imagery and themes they incorporated into their music was based on the occult
Their debut record, “Black Sabbath,” was not initially praised and was met with a mixed reception by critics, but since then, the album has had an enormous impact on the metal genre as a whole. From the down-tuned guitars, to the cold atmosphere, to Ozzy’s pain and anguish filled vocals, metal would not be metal without Black Sabbath pioneering the genre
The band went on a tear in the early 70s and released countless classic records such as “Paranoid,” “Master of Reality,” and “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath,” to name a few Black Sabbath was one of the most popular bands in the world with Ozzy at the head However, Ozzy was kicked out of the band in 1977 due to his increasingly erratic behavior and his frequent drug use.
Even after being kicked out of the band that made him famous, Ozzy went on to achieve even greater notoriety as a solo artist His first two albums were very popular in metal communities and were commercially successful Yet, a lot of stories that became famous were due to Ozzy’s behavior and his excessive drug use.
Possibly the first thing you may have learned about Ozzy is his biting the head off a bat onstage According to Rolling Stone Magazine, in a 1982 performance, a fan threw what Ozzy assumed to be a toy bat and bit the head off it. Realizing his mistake, he spit the head out and got rabies shots after He wrote about this moment in his memoir, recalling that it was “the worst aftertaste you could ever imagine ”
This was not Ozzy’s first offense in killing animals through the strength of his jaw In 1980, while signing the first record deal of his solo career, he planned to release doves in celebration However, due to his intoxication and the CBS executives not noticing, it is claimed Ozzy grabbed one of the doves and bit its head off
The stories made Ozzy something of an enigma in the metal scene and a successful one at that Over the course of his career, he sold more than 100 million records, including both his solo career and Black Sabbath In 2006, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Black Sabbath, and in 2024 as a solo artist. He not only has been recognized in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame but also at the UK Music Hall of Fame, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the Birmingham Walk of Fame He has won awards like Global Icon Award and Ivor Novello Award
He even went on to have his MTV reality show in the early 2000s and one on A&E that began airing in 2016, which was less popular. His MTV reality show, “The Osbournes,” was based on him, his wife and manager Sharon, and his two children, Kelly and Jack. Their third child, Aimee, refused to participate and publicly criticized her parents' behavior on the show. The show followed the daily lives of the Osbourne family, and it would feature major events such as Sharon’s battle with cancer and the all-terrain vehicle accident that almost killed Ozzy. The show also showed a little more of who Ozzy was and portrayed him as appearing disoriented and eccentric as he navigated family dynamics with his wife and children
Now, as he prepares for his final bow in a genre-defining event, sharing the stage with icons from the metal scene, it’s impossible to ignore his legacy Ozzy Osbourne didn’t just help invent a new genre of music he also ignited the flames to an entire counter-culture While metal has now branched out to a myriad of different sub-genres, it all traces back to Ozzy and Black Sabbath Without Ozzy, it might not have happened
On July 5, The Prince of Darkness will perform alongside his former bandmates for the final time As he reunites with Black Sabbath for one last mind-melting, heaven-shaking, performance, he will remind the world he was not only a part of metal’s history, he was its heartbeat From defining a new genre of music to a successful solo career, from pop culture icon to reality television anti-hero, Ozzy Osbourne has been unapologetically himself. He is raw, vulgar, and chaotic. He is the rarest breed of human – too crazy to forget, too human to hate There will never be another. He is the prototype. The rest? Crude copies
Ozzy Osbourne posing for a picture Photo credits to Ilya S. Savenok and Getty Images.
THE PULSE | MAY 2025 ISSUE
THE ARTIST’S GOODBYE: THE FINAL DAYS OF WARREN ZEVON
By Ted Clement
What words could be used to describe singer-songwriter Warren Zevon? Chaotic, twisted, charming, messy, and utterly brilliant come to mind Depending on which of his acquaintances is speaking, a listener could hear tales of an American genius, a charming rogue, or a raving lunatic. However, in the summer of 2002, the prolific songwriter best known for his smash hit “Werewolves of London” added another label to his identity: Terminally ill Zevon was diagnosed with lung cancer. Thus, he had a choice to make. He could seek treatment or get the opportunity most artists would beg for: the ability to write one's own ending
Zevon chose to forgo treatment and focus on the creation of his final album, “The Wind ” On Aug. 28, 2002, Zevon would write in his diary, “Rough day. I went to the doctors. They tell me I have lung cancer They say I have only three months to live In the time I have left, I want to record as many songs as fast as I can. Right now, it’s the best way I can think of to say goodbye to my friends and kids.” To understand Zevon’s choice, one must understand the struggles that made him embody the label “tortured artist ”
Zevon had hits, but he never quite breached mainstream status. He had major success in his early career but never quite matched the success of his sophomore album “Excitable Boy,” which was filled with hits like “Werewolves of London,” “Lawyers, Guns, and Money,” and more He once was asked by a fan to sign a copy of one of his later albums, to which Zevon remarked, “You must have been one of a hundred people to buy the thing ” Zevon’s lack of commercial success could be attributed to his difficult, often violent, personality.
Carl Hiaasen, a friend and novelist stated, “[Warren] was wild. I think he’s figured that he’d survived to this point what most normal men would not survive ” His first wife Crystal told The Guardian, "He had tons of charisma, but when he didn't want people coming up to him, he had charisma in reverse.” He was often abusive and manic, a condition only worsened by his drinking After all, one must be quite a prolific drinker for Hunter S Thompson to call him a “dangerous drinker ” On his final “Letterman” performance, Letterman (a man Zevon called “the best friend my music ever had”) would remark, “You did enjoy yourself to the point of punishing others,” to which Warren responded, “That’s not the way you put it outside of meetings, but if you want to say it” before laughing.
What made Zevon’s final days so powerful was his “warts and all” approach to his own story When speaking to his manager Bridgette Barr, he told her, “We have to go show-biz mode” and “I’m giving you permission to use my illness in any way that you see fit to further my career right now.”
Zevon’s final album would focus mainly on death and serve as a final goodbye to the world Death was a familiar concept for Zevon Barr once said, “[Death’s] always been his humor... death has been a pervasive theme in everything he’s ever done.” One cannot help but feel that Warren may have had a prophetic vision for his story His prior two albums were called “My Ride’s Here” and “Life’ll Kill Ya,” which take on an eerie new meaning in the context of his diagnosis. Zevon was notoriously afraid of doctors and described himself as “doctor phobic ”
courtesy of warrenzevon com
He joked, “I might have made a tactical error in not going to a physician for 20 years It was one of those phobias that really didn’t pay off ” Letterman would remark, “I’m stricken by the irony of your work now,” to which Zevon replied, “That’s the strangest part of it … I guess artists have some kind of instincts or feelings about things that can’t be put into words I can’t really complain I did take the covers of my albums to the doctors and told them this is why I’m not so shocked.” Zevon once mused, “I always have been interested in writing about death, you know, Hemingway said all good stories end in death
And Zevon certainly told a good story in “The Wind.” Zevon was in tremendous pain in the making of the record. He would be short of breath, but he delivered all he had into every song “The Ringer” reported about these sessions, “Suddenly, Zevon had a flash of inspiration: ‘I should cover Dylan’s “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” for my album, to return the favor and also because well, you know ’”
CONT. ON PAGE 12
Photo
REPORTS
THE PULSE | MAY 2025 ISSUE
HARD WORK, HUMILITY, AND HEART: A JOURNEY TO MIT
Carlos Mendez, a 17-year-old teenager, was accepted into the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with a full scholarship. He is valedictorian of College Achieve Central, a Plainfield, New Jersey charter school, where 100% of the senior class has been accepted to a four-year school of higher education.
With the entire senior class accepted to four-year colleges and more than $20 million in scholarships awarded, Mendez’s story is one of many but it stands out for its embodiment of the school’s mission His success reflects the combined efforts of supportive educators, resilient families, and a school culture that refuses to accept limitations based on background or income
In an interview, Principal Natica Brown told NBC News, “Every chance we get, we celebrate education because our culture has to be built on that in order for our children to believe that their education is going to take them to successful places ”
Although he is one of the 4% of students accepted to MIT, Mendez got into a half dozen other Ivy League and top-ranked schools, among them Brown University, Rice University, Dartmouth College, and Amherst College
By Daniela Rynott
On Facebook, College Achieve Central writes, “With a 4 3 GPA, 11 AP courses, and perfect 5s on AP English Language, AP Spanish, and AP U S History, Mendez is a true academic force ”
Ten points off from getting a perfect score, Mendez earned a 790 on the math section of the SAT, scoring a 1530 total. Coming from a Central American background with Spanish-speaking parents from Honduras and El Salvador, Mendez’s achievement is impressive to say the least.
College Achieve Central continues, “From studying in Tokyo through the Summer of a Lifetime program, to attending Princeton University, to leading in the National Honor Society, Anime Club, and Robotics Club Mendez embodies drive, curiosity, and heart … through it all, one thing remains clear: Mendez is on a mission to use his education to give back to his community ”
Most central to Mendez’s story is the pride he has inspired in his parents, as he is the first in his immediate family to attend college. His father told NBC News, “First, I want to thank God because what is happening right now is something unbelievable and we are really happy -– my wife and I we are so proud of our son We work every single day for him to be a good person, to be a good student, you know, and fight every single day, you know, to be a better person ”
Mendez is planning to major in environmental engineering This passion stems from his mother’s Honduran culture, due to a past visit of which he says, “There was a big issue with the palm oil industry and how it damages the environment, and that really inspired me to, like, want to become an environmental engineer and give back to my roots ”
The harvesting of palm oil has proved to be a large environmental risk in Honduras, especially within wetland habitats. Furthermore, “green deserts” can come about solely from harvesting palm oil, leaving the ground “weak and unable to support healthy plant growth without adding ever-increasing amounts of synthetic fertilizers,” as the Nature Conservatory states
Environmental pioneers like Mendez are concerned about issues such as biodiversity and deforestation due to the palm oil industry in Honduras. Researchers believe that sustainability within the industry is possible, but there are many great steps to be taken Scholars such as Mendez, therefore, are crucial for future legislative advancements.
Mendez tells NBC News, “I don’t come from too much, honestly, but my mom has said before, like, and my dad has, that if they were given an infinite amount of money, they wouldn’t even have a cent of it because they would just give it away, and I think that’s been something that’s settled in me I want to give back to people because they’ve done good to me I want to do 10 times more good to them.”
Carlos Mendez is not only a role model to his classmates but also an inspiration to young people across the country His story is a powerful reminder that with hard work, humility, and a heart set on giving back, anything is possible. As he steps into a future of environmental innovation and community impact, Mendez stands as living proof that greatness can come from anywhere and that the journey to success often begins with believing in yourself and your roots
Carlos Mendez and parents celebrating his achievement as valedictorian at College Achieve Central Photo taken by NBC News
SPORTS NEWS
THE PULSE | MAY 2025 ISSUE
A
The Harvey boys varsity basketball team finished the season as one of the most successful teams in school history with a 20–3 record, winning both the HVAL Championship, and the NEPSAC Class C Large Schools Championship What made this season special was not only the bond between teammates and the drive to improve, but also the fact that they were building something bigger than basketball. From the very first day of preseason, the team set the tone of intensity and accountability Practices weren’t just a routine they were battles. Every drill was competitive, every rep counted, and every player pushed one another to get better “We all just wanted to make each other better,” Jonah Kass told The Pulse “From one-on-one drills to defensive sets to conditioning, nobody ever gave an inch We brought it every day ”
Head coach Denis Arnautovic established a culture of focus and mental toughness from the start. He told the players that the season would be over before they knew it and that they would not be given anything. Jonah said, “Right from the beginning, Coach made sure that we had the right mindset to always be focused ” He continued, “He kept reminding us that if we were not focused, then it would slip away from us ”
The Cavaliers started their season with a loss to Hamden Hall Although it was disappointing, that game became a turning point; it fueled their hunger and set the tone for what would come next. “The practices that followed that Hamden Hall game were different,” Daniel Bussey told The Pulse “We weren’t just playing to win we were playing to prove something.
SEASON TO REMEMBER
By Brandon Levine
Daniel continued, “That loss lit a fire in us ” One of the most important games of the season was played on the road against The Masters School The game went to overtime, and it was played in an intense environment. It was a test of will power and execution, and Harvey was able to pass it According to Jonah, “That game really showed us what we were capable of Winning in that manner and in that environment gave us the confidence that we could go as far as we wanted.”
As the season went on, the Cavaliers played with growing confidence and clarity They won against Wooster and Forman. As their chemistry deepened, so did their sense of purpose “By the end of the season our confidence kept on increasing,” Daniel told The Pulse “We found out how good we were, but we also knew that we could not just rely on talent. We had to bring the energy and effort every single night ”
By the time the HVAL Championship came around March 1, Harvey was at its peak and ready for a rematch The opponent they had was Watkinson School, who had beaten Harvey in the HVAL Championship the year before, a loss that still haunted the Cavaliers Jonah stated, “We remembered that feeling Last year, we lost to Watkinson in the championship This year, we knew we had something to prove. We were going to make sure it was our game to win ”
The Cavaliers made that statement loud and clear From the tip-off, they dominated on both ends of the floor, playing with purpose and intensity Harvey cruised to a commanding 86–52 victory, reclaiming the title and silencing any doubts “That win was big for us, but we knew we weren’t done yet,” Jonah told The Pulse. He also stated, “After that game, our mindset shifted immediately to NEPSAC We wanted to bring home both trophies.”
In the NEPSAC Class C Large Schools tournament, the team kept its foot on the gas. They beat The Wheeler School in the quarterfinals and defeated Greens Farms Academy in the semifinals, 73–59. That set up a rematch in the championship against none other than Hamden Hall, the team that Harvey had lost to in the first game of the year
Daniel explained to The Pulse that this game displayed the progress the team had made The team transformed into a stronger unit, which showed their improved mental and physical abilities and better teamwork The Cavaliers performed their duties with composure and enthusiasm Every possession became a fight, yet they relied on their thorough preparation combined with trust in each other and strong leadership The team earned Harvey the NEPSAC Class C Large Schools Champions victory when the final buzzer rang Jonah expressed his determination to The Pulse by saying that the team would not go home after putting in so much effort before the match
Jonah told The Pulse that the Cavaliers won these games with their brothers, which made everything meaningful Also, according to Daniel, every member of the team played a crucial role. The team's distance in competition becomes unknown when each member gives their full dedication The winners do not achieve success by just attending, as there’s work that goes into it People win through consistent daily dedication, regardless of observation from others The group received praise from their coach Denis Arnautovic for demonstrating both resilience and leadership abilities According to Coach Arnautovic, this group stood out because of their response to difficult situations. Throughout every challenge, the team treated opportunities for growth and stayed focused on the ultimate goal
The Harvey Cavaliers achieved more than just victory in their games They built a legacy The Cavaliers completed a remarkable 20-3 season by claiming two championships while forming bonds between teammates that will persist beyond the last game
Photo of Harvey’s Varsity Boys Basketball team after winning the HVAL Championship Taken by a Harvey parent
SPORTS NEWS
RORY MCILROY WINS 2025 MASTERS: THE COMEBACK OF A LIFETIME THE
PULSE | MAY 2025 ISSUE
By Rohan Singh
Aug 15, 2025, was the day Rory McIlroy finally won at Augusta National. After 11 hard years without a major championship, McIlroy fulfilled the last task needed for his legendary career to win a Masters In a sudden-death playoff against Justin Rose, McIlroy finally won the 2025 Masters and was just the sixth golfer ever to win the career Grand Slam
McIlroy shot a final round of 69 to end up at 11under-par for the tournament, tying him with Justin Rose Rose played with him step by step all week On the first playoff hole, while McIlroy sunk a 10-foot birdie putt under pressure, Rose had to make a par putt He missed to the right, and just like that, the green jacket was McIlroy’s. "This is everything I've worked for, everything I've dreamed about," McIlroy told CBS after his win. "To finally get this one It means more than I can say."
McIlroy’s last major before Sunday was the 2014 Open Championship. A lot has happened since then for McIlroy, with plenty of good, bad, missed cuts, blown Sundays, and unanswered questions about whether he would win another, especially this one. Golf Digest notes he has finished in the top 10 at Augusta seven times since 2015 Every year, it seemed just that things would happen in a way to prevent him from winning it This time, McIlroy held steady and patient, and when the time came, he came through with one of his most clutch performances
As if this Masters Tournament needed more hype, there was a rematch with Bryson DeChambeau It was only a year ago at the U S Open up at Pinehurst where McIlroy had the lead late before he imploded over the last few holes and let Bryson sneak by him for the onestroke win That one stung; he wore it on his face as he walked off 18 Fast-forwarding to this year, Bryson was back in the final tee-time pairing alongside McIlroy, and Bryson didn't play his best golf; he finished in a tie for fifth.
But McIlroy made sure the chips flipped According to CBS Sports, McIlroy called this win “redemption” and “the proudest moment of his life.”
A legacy-defining career moment had everyone watching on their feet Golf fans have been waiting more than a decade to see McIlroy put on the green jacket. The emotion, the history, and the drama it had it all People cried. Grown men hugged, as seen on CBS's “Legendary Best Golfer in the World ” Tiger Woods himself was watching on the 18-hole greenside and was one of the first to congratulate McIlroy. “McIlroy earned that,” Woods told CBS “No one deserves it more ”
McIlroy now joins Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Ben Hogan, and Gene Sarazen as the only players to win all four majors: the Masters, U S Open, Open Championship, and PGA Championship
Considering the burden he has been carrying for all of these years, this one may mean the most
What's next for Rory McIlroy with the career Grand Slam all wrapped up? He is already moving on to what's next – The Open Championship at Royal Portrush, back in his home of Northern Ireland, which is where it all started. And after this comeback, maybe he'll go back-to-back Now, it’s all about building on this moment and adding to his already legendary career
CHARITY CABARET CONT.
FROM PAGE 1
Bringing more humor to the night, Emily Bigman brought energy to “Taylor the Latte Boy,” with her expressive performance keeping the audience entertained She balanced the song’s comedic and musical elements well, making it a fun and engaging part of the show Similar in tone, Lena Boyce’s rendition of “Girl Scout” from “Beetlejuice” was playful and engaging Her strong vocals and welltimed expressions brought out the song’s humor, keeping the audience entertained She handled the fast-paced melody with ease, making her performance both fun and memorable.
Gabi Schneider delivered a bold and energetic performance of “Life of the Party,” showcasing her strong belt and stage presence Delilah sang “Fly, Fly Away” with clear, expressive vocals, bringing out the song’s emotional depth, and she later joined Mollie Weisberger for “Alone in the Universe,” where their harmonies captured the song’s hopeful and heartfelt tone.
Atari Adler gave a confident and dynamic rendition of “Me and the Sky,” handling the song’s storytelling aspect with ease Meaghan Sullivan and Logan Kreisberg brought humor and chemistry to “Crazier Than You,” making it a fun and engaging duet Mollie Weisberger’s heartfelt performance of “On My Own” captured the loneliness and longing in the song with her expressive vocals Gabi Schneider and Lena Boyce wrapped up their set with “Secondary Characters,” delivering great comedic timing and a strong vocal balance that kept the audience entertained
The cabaret closed with “Louder than Words” from “tick, tick BOOM!” in a group performance that featured various student soloists The Harvey Newsletter reports that the cabaret raised “more than $1,100 for charity, with more to come All proceeds will go toward the Arts Westchester Nonprofit Funding Area of the New York Community Trust ”
The Charity Cabaret not only showcased the immense talent within the Harvey community but also demonstrated the power of the arts to bring people together for a meaningful cause Thanks to the passion and dedication of its student organizers and performers, the event left a lasting impression on all
Rory McIlroy celebrates his historic victory at the 2025 Masters. Photo taken by Frank Pingue of Sports Wire
SPORTS NEWS
THE PULSE | MAY 2025 ISSUE
TORPEDO BATS ARE TAKING MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL BY STORM
While baseball is a sport known for its traditions, coaches and players are always looking for new ways to gain a leg up on their competition. That's why when talks about a new bat design began, the idea exploded with popularity. This new bat design would be known as torpedo bats due to their uncommon torpedo or bowling pin-like shape
According to The New York Times, the torpedo bat design is credited to former MIT physicist and current Major League Baseball analyst Aaron Leanhardt Leanhardt accomplished the majority of his work on the torpedo bats while working with the New York Yankees, and he only recently started working with the Miami Marlins
The idea behind these new oddly shaped bats is to help hitters make better and more consistent contact with the ball Most of the weight of the bat is shifted lower, which allows hitters to have more control over their bat and makes it feel lighter overall. The barrel is also thicker and rounder than a regular wood bat, which makes it easier to barrel up pitches and reduces weak contact As reported by FanGraphs, Aaron Leanhardt stated, “It’s just about making the bat as heavy and as fat as possible in the area where you’re trying to do damage on the baseball ”
By Liam Tarpey
According to The Associated Press, New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe stated, “The concept makes so much sense. I know I’m bought in.” Also, as reported by Cleveland com, Cleveland Guardians outfielder Lane Thomas says, “It looks like it works I’ll need to see it for a couple of more weeks before I go and get one.”
As stated by The Associated Press, torpedo bats helped the Yankees hit 15 home runs during their opening series against the Brewers Volpe, Jazz Chisholm, Paul Goldschmidt, Cody Bellinger, and Austin Wells all used torpedo bats. Through the use of these new bats, the five of them produced nine of the team’s 15 home runs in their first three games, which began to catch the entire league's attention
However, not all of this attention was positive; Brewers relief pitcher Trevor Megill rejected the idea of torpedo bats and told the New York Post, “I think it’s terrible I feel like it’s something used in slow-pitch softball.” Outfielder for the Chicago White Sox, Andrew Benintendi told ESPN: “I had never heard of it. I’ve used the same bat for nine years so I think I’ll stick with that ”
Regardless of coaches’ and players' opinions of torpedo bats, they are legal and will remain legal. This is because of MLB Rule 3 02, which states, according to Cincinnatti com, "The bat shall be a smooth, round stick not more than 2 61 inches in diameter at the thickest part and not more than 42 inches in length. The base shall be one piece of solid wood."
More and more players have begun trying out torpedo bats, and they’ve seen positive results This has led to a major increase in demand for torpedo bats Victus Sports, the main company producing these bats, has been working overtime to meet these needs. They are now producing hundreds of these bats per day And it isn’t just players in the MLB using these bats; college players, high school players, and even younger players have also taken interest in torpedo bats.
While not everyone is making the switch to torpedo bats, it’s hard to ignore the impact they’ve had on baseball as a whole. An increasing number of players are seeing results with these new bats and their popularity is continuing to grow These bats may look strange to us now, but in a few months, they could become the new norm in baseball.
Yankees outfielder Jazz Chisholm Jr using a torpedo bat Photo Credits to Larry Brown Sports
SPORTS NEWS
THE PULSE | MAY 2025 ISSUE
CENA GOES BAD: WHAT COMES NEXT?
John Cena is inarguably one of, if not the, greatest professional wrestlers ever. Since his debut in 2002, “Big Match John” has epitomized the role of “the company man ” In the theatrical world of professional wrestling, Cena was the ultimate clean-cut “babyface” (wrestling slang for good guy) For his 23-year career, Cena never once played a bad guy He wore bright-colored clothes emboldened with his motto of “hustle, loyalty, and respect ” Older fans of WWE resented Cena for this and often would boo him if he went against a more “edgy” character Chants of “Let's go Cena” were often met with deeper chants of “Cena sucks ” An infamous “If Cena wins, we riot” sign has become a sort of iconic image among wrestling fans And yet, WWE never pulled the trigger on a John Cena “heel turn” (wrestling lingo for becoming a villain)
When John Cena announced that he would retire at the end of 2025, most fans expected him to remain the same childhood hero they grew up with When Cena won the right to face WWE Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes for the championship, fans were excited to see the two generation-defining faces of the company fight And then, with one kick to the groin, the unthinkable happened Cena delivered a cheap shot on Rhodes, smashed him with the championship, and choked Cody with his own tie The crowd was shocked as the unthinkable happened: “Super Cena” had gone bad
To understand what makes this story so interesting, one must understand what makes professional wrestling unique. Pro Wrestling is a blend of theater and sports that is not seen in any other form of entertainment. Because it is “scripted,” wrestling lies somewhere between reality and “suspension of disbelief ” A good wrestling match or story must make the audience let themselves get caught up in the magic of the show and ignore “reality ” But with a bona fide celebrity like John Cena, this is hard to do
By Ted Clement
John Cena was a hero to millions of children around the world, and in 2022, he set the Guinness World Record for greatest number of wishes fulfilled under the Make-A-Wish foundation. Part of what made Cena’s turn so shocking was that he had this long history of being a genuinely good person. To complicate this further, fans have begged for years to see a villainous Cena. After all, fans want new characters and storylines. For WWE to successfully pull off this heel turn, it needed Cena’s new persona to be just as unique as the distinguished career he had before.
And in this goal, I would say WWE has succeeded WWE had a month to build up its biggest show of the year, WrestleMania Cena versus Rhodes would be the main event on Sunday, April 20 In the lead-up to the match, Cena declared on March 24, "I will win that championship and retire with it. I am taking it home with me! I will be the last real champion in WWE.” This is a totally novel idea in wrestling.
Cena’s “plan” is to rob the fans of the entire history of wrestling WWE has been around for 72 years and has a rich history of champions Cena would essentially retire with this championship, which would essentially force that history to reset as no one could be the “real” champion unless they defeat him Furthermore, Cena addressed criticism that had been leveled at him in the past Cena would tell Cody “I’m not gonna cook you, I’m gonna bury you They’ve been saying for years John Cena buries talent, I don’t bury talent, I bury mediocrity, I am talent ”
Cena also didn’t change his iconic walkout song “My Time Is Now” or his ring gear For all intents and purposes, John Cena hadn’t changed his look This is where Cena’s acting chops are on full display, as he can convey his new persona without a change in look
At WrestleMania, Cena would have his first match since the heel turn. He wrestled slowly with very basic moves as if to mock the fans who used to chant “You can’t wrestle” at him. The match wasn’t nearly as much of a spectacle as the main events of past years. Cena didn’t hit any insane moves or display any real “OMG moments.” However, to those familiar with his past matches, his character change was clear
In the closing moments of the match, Cena would try to use the WWE Championship as a weapon before Rhodes managed to grab the belt himself With the referee distracted by Travis Scott (yes, that Travis Scott), Cody had the full ability to hit Cena with the belt and knock him out. And yet, Cody remained the good guy and couldn’t bring himself to win underhandedly. This hesitancy was enough time for Cena to deliver a low blow before showing Cody none of the mercy he benefited from as he smashed the championship into Rhodes. 1,2,3 and Cena became a 17x world champion, finally surpassing the decades-old record held by Ric Flair.
John Cena in action against Cody Rhodes during WWE Elimination Chamber at Rogers Centre on March 1, 2025, in Toronto, Canada. (Rich Freeda/WWE via Getty Images)
CONT. ON PAGE 14
SPORTS NEWS
WILL THE MAPLE LEAFS END THEIR 57-YEAR DROUGHT? THE PULSE | MAY 2025 ISSUE
By Arav Shah
The National Hockey League (NHL) team the Toronto Maple Leafs from Toronto, Ontario, have built their team around the core four: Auston Mathews, William Nylander, Mitch Marner, and John Tavares. Their combined worth is above $300 million, and each player is making above $6 8 million a year The Leafs pay $46.65 million for those four players. Fans are watching to see if they can win the Stanley Cup this year and end the long dreadful drought, as the last time they won was 1967
The Maple Leafs were considered the team with the brightest future in the league in 2016 with their four superstars However, they have been first-round exits and have only reached the second round one time since then They went through many staff changes and goalies but still haven’t won a Stanley Cup yet
This year could be their best chance, given they have a new coach Craig Berube, who is known for toughening up the players and getting their mentality right for the playoffs Also, they have a new goalie duo who have been stellar all season.
Anthony Stolarz has a Goals Against Average (GAA) of 2 76, and Joseph Woll has a 2 28 GAA The management team has also added some more defense with Brandon Carlo and Chris Tanev, who have added more strength to the defense and depth They also have Matthew Knies, a young player who has been great this season, too
This team is arguably the most talented team in the league and they have the most depth, but will they be ready to compete psychologically and play good hockey? Will the core four play well on their ninth try? According to the Score, the core four has only won one playoff series in nine years.
They have had a team of superstars since 2016 and have never met the expectation of winning a cup. The team and management have put it all into this year, so will it pay off, and will the Leafs lift the trophy? They have to get past Ottawa, which could be easy or give them a little bit of trouble
This feat will be challenging, though, as they have to play either Tampa Bay or the Florida Panthers, who are both formidable, really good teams in the league
This is the Maple Leafs’ time, given that Mitchell Marner’s and John Tavares’s contracts are up. Both could possibly not be wearing a Maple Leafs uniform next year So, if there is a time to win, it is now If they don’t win this year, the team will look very different next hockey season The management will have to make some significant chances like breaking up the core four and more. They have an elite offensive and defensive core this season with a lot of depth, so this is their time to end the drought!
ZEVON CONT. FROM PAGE 6
Fellow musician Steve Gorman recounted, “And everybody laughed It was like, yeah, this would be the time, dude ” The final song of the album “Keep Me in Your Heart” is Zevon’s final goodbye. The heart touching song is the perfect goodbye for a man like Zevon. The opening lines are “Shadows are fallin' and I'm runnin' out of breath / Keep me in your heart for a while / If I leave you it doesn't mean I love you any less / Keep me in your heart for a while ” Zevon remarks on how he wants his loved ones to remember him The final, heartbreaking line is “These wheels keep turnin' but they're runnin' out of steam / Keep me in your heart for a while ” And he has remained in his fans' hearts
While he didn’t live to see this album's success, it won him five Grammys His final work served its creator’s purpose, as it gained him the mainstream success he earned Furthermore, it redefined his legacy He is no longer an unsuccessful, cult-classic, alcoholic but instead a charming rogue
Many of Zevon's fans see him as a hero for his last days, which Zevon somewhat disliked He once remarked, “They are all saying it’s like heroic I won’t get treatment, and I think there is something so incredibly morbid about that … I was really shocked and disappointed in people when I read that ‘That's why he's our hero cuz he won't get treatment.’ I think it’s a sin not to want to live ” Still, I like to think Zevon would be smiling to know The Pulse would write about him more than two decades after his death.
In Zevon’s legendary final Letterman interview, he would leave behind wisdom we should all take to mind: “Life's a lot of fun You have to remember that and keep having fun.” Zevon quipped, “I’m working harder and you know you put more value on every minute. I always thought I kinda did that, I really always enjoyed myself but it’s more valuable now You’re reminded to enjoy every sandwich ” When asked if he knew anything about death due to his experiences, Zevon paused before answering, “Not unless I know how much you're supposed to enjoy every sandwich ”
The charismatic enigma that was Warren Zevon showed all of us that even in the face of death, we must push forward Life is worth living to the fullest, and every sandwich deserves to be enjoyed
Maple Leafs teammates on the players bench Photo Credits to TSN
REVIEWS
THE PULSE | MAY 2025 ISSUE
LET’S TACO ‘BOUT TACOS: PARTE DOS
By Logan Kreisberg with Contributions from Olivia Barsky
Once every few years, a momentous occasion occurs: new neon lights are installed, the first batch of house-made tortilla chips are baked, and the doors of a new Taco Project are opened to the public!
For those of you loyal readers of The Pulse, you may remember a very special article from last spring If you recall, we reviewed three of the five current Taco Project locations at the time. However, a new location in downtown New Rochelle was added April 15, 2025.
This was such an exciting milestone for the Taco Project community that Pulse editor Logan Kreisberg and international correspondent (and former Harvey student and Pulse writer) Olivia Barsky had to reunite to taco ’bout these tacos once more!
Although most Taco Project establishments have the same menu and decor, there were still aspects that made this location unique The space is not cramped and the seating is not tight due to the high ceilings, open floor plan, and ample square footage We were also greeted with balloons and free stickers.
We approached the counter to order our meal and purchase our drinks The servers were friendly, but they were still trying to work out the kinks of this new business and familiarize themselves with the register.
To share, we ordered chips and guacamole, steak tacos, battered fish tacos, and (most importantly) sidewinder fries. This location earned extra points for being the only Taco Project we’ve reviewed with steak available.
We waited a few minutes for our amuse-bouche: spicy guac and chips
However, we were soon disappointed because the guac was incredibly mild. Additionally, the chip to guac ratio was majorly skewed to many chips, not enough guac 7/10
Nevertheless, the Taco Project won back our hearts when they brought out piping-hot, scrumptious nuggets of gold. But quickly, another problem arose: despite being advertised as coming with three dipping sauces, our plate was missing blue cheese dressing We asked the staff if they could bring us a cup of this Taco Project trademark, but they said that it wasn’t in stock. So, we substituted with additional chipotle aioli Still, it is impossible to give these fries anything less than a 10/10
Finally, our entrees came out, and we “half-sied” our two orders of tacos Similar to our experience at the Stamford branch, our food was originally brought to the wrong table Not to fear, it ended up in the right hands eventually. We were thoroughly impressed by our steak, which was complemented by a green salsa. We gave this dish a 9/10
Our last bite of this meal came from the fish tacos. The battered fillets of white cod were perfectly crispy, tender, and golden. However, we felt there was a bit too much cabbage added on top A squeeze of lime perfectly rounded out this dish We gave it an 8.5/10.
International Correspondent Olivia Barsky holding up spicy guacamole and tortilla chips Taken by Logan Kreisberg
Ultimately, we walked out of this fine dining establishment feeling full and satisfied In our rankings of the locations we have visited, we would place the New Ro branch second, just after Tarrytown (which we unofficially visited this past summer) and Pleasantville, the two locations that are tied for our top spot
Let our review serve as a testament to the consistent quality of every Taco Project location Just be advised: Indulging too much might leave you in a ta-coma!
THE PULSE | MAY 2025 ISSUE
JOHN CENA CONT. FROM PAGE 11
Cena would tell a reporter in the post-show news conference to “Tune in to ‘Monday Night Raw’ [tomorrow] to see how I will ruin wrestling and keep in mind you are now talking to the last real champion Step your game up ” His threat to “ruin wrestling” is likely what will fuel the next part of this story
Cena only has a maximum of eight months left in his career, and fans around the world are waiting to see what happens next in this story One thing is for certain: While he may be a bad guy on screen, Cena is responsible for providing hours of entertainment to wrestling fans across the world His work with MakeA-Wish reveals a man who truly wants to give back to his fans. And even though Cena is playing a heel, I think fans can trust him to give his all into the final days of his career
SLEEPAWAY CAMP CONT. FROM PAGE 4
Beyond camp activities, however, the one aspect of sleepaway camp that truly makes it so special and so hard to replace is the community. Living with the same group of people for seven weeks without much outside communication or distractions practically forces both campers and counselors to live as their “truest and most present self,” as Gersten states, creating an incredibly authentic and active environment Gersten feels that the combination of “the quantity of time spent together” that “crams years worth of bonding into one summer friendship” along with “the quality of this shared experience” come together to turn fellow bunkmates and even fellow counselors into “lifelong friends ”
On that note, the endless benefits of sleepaway camp immediately travel to the counselors, as well, because not only do they learn how to simultaneously take care of themselves and their campers, they are also spending their summers with the campers every step of the way and feeling all the same effects of living in a camp environment When discussing another source of growth for counselors during camp, Gersten says, “Replace the fun of the day-to-day activities with the reward of helping a kid conquer a fear or just seeing them make a small improvement to their self-confidence You might find out that feeling is more addictive than any in the world!”
Lastly, when asked if there is anything else he would like readers to know concerning the benefits of sleepaway camp, Gersten highlighted the “personal growth and independence” built from going to camp He told The Pulse, “The act of simply getting on the bus can be a huge hurdle for a lot of kids. Overcoming homesickness is a skill that you will carry for life Realizing your life can still be full and safe without your parents.”
Gersten concluded by once again sharing that the benefits of sleepaway camp all stem from “the 100% present nature of camp,” saying, “In a world that feels more and more splintered and divided it's incredibly refreshing to bond with people, face-to-face, over something special ” Not to mention, throughout my 17 years of life, I have rarely come across a camper who did not have “the best summer ever” just because of simply how much fun they had
The benefits subconsciously seep into each camper’s life as they grow older, but what sticks with them are the late nights talking to their friends, the card games during rest periods, the half-court knockout game where the kid who barely plays basketball somehow wins, the “cool counselor” who played the best music during bunk cleanup, or even just the mosh pits during lunch when Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” starts playing With just how many activities, meals, events, sports games, trips, and unforgettable conversations go down across the seven weeks, there is absolutely no way a child can go home and not talk about the timeless memories they built
Looking beyond my own perspective, I realized just how difficult, and understandably so, it can be for both children and the parents to make the adjustment if they are not familiarized with camp life Yet, once a camper gets off that bus for the first time, it is practically impossible to live without camp. Every friendship, every work experience, every obstacle, every collaboration, and every single day of that camper’s life will forever be impacted by their unforgettable summers at sleepaway camp.
THE PULSE RECOMMENDS SPRING ACTIVITIES
Ms. Holmes Pickleball
Benji Cutler Kan Jam
Logan Kreisberg Kayaking
Brandon Levine Basketball
Jack Amann Gardening
Ted Clement Spending Time with Friends
Connor Harrington Rugby
Daniela Rynott Tennis
Rohan Singh Golf
Arav Shah Lifting
Liam Tarpey Baseball