2021-2022 Issue 4
Table of Contents Page 1: Solid Ground Opening Pages 2-3: Drama Show "Selfie" Page 4: Finals Prep Page 5: Toys for Tots Page 6: Christmas Traditions Page 7: White House Christmas Decor Page 8: All I Want for Christmas Page 9-10: Christmas Music Q&A
Solid Ground's Grand Opening by Alex Hughes
Immanuel’s long awaited coffee shop inside of the Eagle’s Landing Cafeteria opened up to students and parents on Monday, November 29. It had previously been open to staff from November 15 to the 19. With the official opening occurring the week after Thanksgiving, lines were long and interest peaked. Solid Ground serves Kuppa Joy coffee. That’s rightinstead of having to travel to Kingsburg or Fresno for your Hallelujah, Amazing Grace, or Kuppa Heaven in the morning, it's waiting for you at school. Coffee is available in the morning, break, lunch, and after school to students, and if you are worried about making it to class on time, there are premade 16 oz drinks for grabs. One of the most interesting parts about the coffee shop is that it employs students. High schoolers are given service hours and the opportunity to gain work
experience. They are taught how to use the machines, prepare the drinks, and give great customer service to patrons. Some students intend to use that experience in the near future. “I decided to work at the coffee shop because I wanted to work at a coffee shop after high school,” senior Mady Ronlake stated, “and I knew that this would be great work experience and looks great on my resume.” If you have been to Solid Ground’s and hope to get involved, there is still a great opportunity to join the team. With flexible schedules, on-campus work experience, and Kuppa Joy coffee, it's an opportunity you can’t pass up. Go support your campus’ new coffee shop, whether that is with a purchase or by joining the team.
Seeing Through a Screen: Selfie Takes On the Facade of Social Media by Hannah Brown
Immanuel’s theater department, led by director Mr. Merritt, opened their season with the production of Selfie: an introspective look into the lives of teenagers and the falsities of social media. It is a humorous show, with plenty of laughs and sarcasm, but there are also moments of sincerity. One character deals with an eating disorder, another struggles with divorced parents while one learns to navigate the trials of first love. Senior Elijah Thomas, who played the character Zack, is in his sixth year of drama. “I’m excited,” said Thomas, “I’m glad we’re doing a show again since we haven’t done one since May.” Sophomore Ava Fedor is in her first year of drama. She explained, "I'm excited but very nervous. This is the first show I've
ever done.” She played the character Jessie, “a girl who counts out her calories because it's very important to her. At first she is happy about losing weight but realizes it's not healthy to obsess over it.” The show was staged in the Performance Lab which is a much different experience than doing a show on the big Chapel stage. “It’s not as intimidating and feels like I’m easing into the show,” Fedor shared. Senior Jill Balakien remarked that, “There are many variables like microphones and sound you have to deal with on the big stage, so anything can go wrong. Being in the Performance Lab eliminates some of those variables." She played the
character Kaitlyn, “She is a romantic, she daydreams about love and throughout the play [she’s] hit with a very realistic situation.” One of the best parts about being in a show is the great cast of people you get to work with. “It’s been a really chill year,” Thomas commented, “We’ve had a lot of time to prepare and focus more on our movements instead of cramming everything at the end.”
“I’ve enjoyed being with a group of people who are willing to put in the work. They want to perfect their skill,” Senior Jamee Lindahl explained. Lindahl played the character Morgan whom she described as, “...quirky, weird, and not fully understood.” When asked what they hope people will take away from the
show, Fedor answered, “That they’ll feel like they spent their night well and that’s the place they wanted to be.” Balakian remarked, “That what you see online is not always the truth. What is on social media is not always accurate."
Lindahl responded, “Society is always centered around social media, I’m hoping people will realize everyone has their own story and that nobody is what they seem like on a screen.” Thomas exclaimed, “Join drama! Drama is fun!”
It's the Most Stressful Time of the Year by Sienna Mehling
Every time high school students get to December, their minds are not necessarily focused on Christmas. Instead it is on finals. This is the one week that can determine whether you pass a class or not. No pressure. Well, now that I have you more stressed out than you need to be, here are some tips and maybe some tricks on how to study for finals and get that A, or maybe at least pass that class. Instead of using a tutorial period as a time to play a fun game with your buddies or catch up on your Instagram feed, maybe you should start studying and reviewing over some material from your classes. Even go to those classes and ask your teachers questions about that final. Plus your phones should be in your backpack. Our very first final is on Dec 14, 2021. That is the first day of our four day mental breakdown so you should probably start preparing now or at least start looking at your past work from this semester. Some of you might have to start digging in the trash cans. You know those people you laugh with and cry with? Make them study with you. It is always good to have a few minds working together and helping each other out during this hard week and maybe you guys can shed a few tears together.
Making flashcards is so 2015 so instead make a Quizlet! They actually really help when studying for a test, and they have many different games to help you study as well. Your sleep schedule during finals should be a little bit different then your regular one. There will be some of you that will study for that day's final at two in the morning and others of you that don’t, but a teacher once told me that you are better off getting eight hours of sleep that night and not studying then staying up all night and studying because then you won’t be well rested. I don’t know if this is scientifically true but it sounds smart. Okay in all seriousness though, finals really aren’t that bad. Take things slow and take your finals one day at a time.
This Season Toys for Tots Gives to Those in Need by Nievah Martinez
Christmas time is the season of giving. Gifts are given to family members, friends, neighbors, and other special people in our lives and communities. Giving gifts signifies that you love and care for someone, but what about those that are unable to provide gifts for their children during Christmas? In this time of rising costs for basic necessities, many families cannot provide toys for their children because their paycheck is spoken for as soon as they get it. Organizations like Toys for Tots provide gifts to children all around the world who live in poverty. Materials like toys, sporting equipment, books, electronics, and backpacks are permitted to be donated. This organization was founded in 1947 by the Marine Corps as a way of donating to children in need. Bill Hendricks, who was the official founder, was close with many celebrities. including Walt Disney. Walt Disney designed the first Marine Toys for Tots poster which consisted of a miniature three car train, and later became the official logo for the company. It formally became a national organization in 1948 and to this day distributes an average of eighteen million goods to seven million children each year. Toys for Tots mission is to bring hope to impoverished children and a reason for them to believe in their future.
They make it possible to donate not only during the Christmas season, but also all year round. Listed in their website are various ways to donate, like online, through paypal, through mail, etc. A unique aspect of this operation is that it contains multiple donation programs aimed towards specific groups of children, as well as different ways to assist their company. A few of these programs include the literacy program which helps enhance children’s reading abilities, the Native American Program, geared toward aiding Native American children, and Peer- to-Peer fundraising, which is a way for someone to start their own personal Toys for Tots webpage. This foundation offers public information and education programs in order to encourage people to become involved in donating. While many people donate each year, there is an issue of toy shortages and delays due to COVID-19. Concerns of people being able to donate due to “lack of toys on the shelves” has become a prominent issue this year. Sources like the KMOV4 state that the subject of their toyless shelves has begun to affect those in need of these materials. When typically businesses who offer Toys for Tots donations are finding that they have a notable amount of donations, this year they are “getting down to the wire,” as stated by Salvation Army.
While toys are the customary thing to donate, due to shortages of toys, another way to donate would be through a check. You can also opt to donate online through the Toys for Tots website. Toys for Tots makes donating accessible to any person or situation, and encourages all to donate for the betterment of these children and their futures. So, since it’s the Christmas season, how will you choose to give a gift this year? I urge you to give to those who are in need of a little love and care this Christmas.
Christmas Traditions by Annah Stevens It’s almost Christmas, which means it’s time to celebrate with friends and family. In this article, a few people were interviewed about their Christmas traditions and their favorite holiday foods.
Sophomore Sophia Dick: What is a tradition that your family does every year? We do something called the pickle hunt. It's where you try and find the pickle ornament on the tree and whoever does win something or just bragging rights. What’s your favorite Christmas food? My Mama’s southern homemade Mac and Cheese
Sophomore Haley Lack: What is a tradition that your family does every year? My family would go out on Christmas eve and look at Christmas light and when we get home we watch Charlie Brown Christmas and frost sugar cookies. What’s your favorite Christmas food? My favorite Christmas food is either ham or cranberry sauce
Freshman Haley Luper: What is a tradition that your family does every year? At Christmas, my family goes to all of my grandparents' houses and open gifts . What’s your favorite Christmas food? My favorite Christmas food is mashed potatoes.
Senior Sydney Peters: What is a tradition that your family does every year? We always drive around looking at Christmas lights and then watching the Charlie Brown Christmas Movie. What’s your favorite Christmas food? My favorite Christmas food is cinnamon rolls.
Junior Sadie Carpenter: What is a tradition that your family does every year? We decorate our church every year for Christmas. What’s your favorite Christmas Food? My favorite Christmas food is green bean casserole.
Christmas Decor: The First Lady's Playground by Evan Kaufman
The presidents aren’t the only big decision makers in December. Every year, the First Lady is given the task of decorating the White House for the Christmas season. As the years have gone by, many First Ladies have made their mark on how they decorated the White House. It all started back in 1889 with President Benjamin Harrison, and his wife Caroline Harrison. President Harrison was the one to first put a Christmas tree in the White House, and Mrs. Harrison was the one to decorate it. From there on, it became a tradition to have a Christmas tree in the White House. The first use of Christmas lights happened in 1894 during
Grover Cleveland's presidency. It was not until 1961 when Jacqueline Kennedy decorated the Christmas tree with an official theme. She had chosen a nutcracker theme, and decorated it with angels, ornaments, birds and characters from the Nutcracker ballet. From there on, it became a tradition to not only decorate the Christmas tree with a theme, but the whole White House. The placement of the tree is most commonly in the
Entrance Hall and The Blue Room. As the years have gone by, many First Ladies have had their own themes and styles that have made them stand out from the rest. In 1980, First Lady Rosalynn Carter had a Victorian theme and decorated the Christmas tree with Victorian dolls, fans, tapestries, laces and dollhouses. Carter's theme represented how America was finally embracing Christmas. Hilary Clinton decorated the Christmas Trees with the theme “Year of the American Craft.” She was able to get artisans to come and hand make all of the ornaments for the Christmas trees. Around 2,000 ornaments were made and were made out of glass, wood, metal and ceramics. More recently, in 2017, former First Lady Melania Trump was given the theme “Time-Honored Traditions”. In response to that theme, Trump decorated the Christmas tree with glass ornaments that had every seal of every state and territory.
Now, First Lady Jill Biden has decorated the White House. The theme she chose was 'the gifts of the heart' and every room was decorated differently based on the room. Some people are saying that Biden played it safe when decorating, but nonetheless, the decorations are still a great sight to see, and a great tradition to look forward to every year. Christmas decorating is a fun task that anybody can do with anybody. You get to unleash your creativity and show what you can do. Although political biases may skew your opinion on the president, it is a nice breath of fresh air to see even the presidential family gearing up for the Christmas season.
All I Want for Christmas by Virjinia Aleman
Christmas is almost here and asking for gifts isn’t just for little kids. Even high school students have that special thing they want. We all know we won’t get everything our hearts desire for the holiday, but I asked several students to be honest about what they would want if there were no limits. Everyone needs to dream! 1. If money was no object, what would you want for Christmas? 2. What are you really hoping realistically to get for Christmas? 3. What’s the most memorable Christmas gift you ever received? Keaton Martella: 1. Sweatshirts 2. Lululemon shirts/shorts 3. Dirt Bike Haley Luper: Hmm….. if money was no object? 1. I guess I would just like clothes; idk I’m not that picky. 2. I’m hoping to get some more rings. 3. The most memorable gift was my piano. Isabella Aleman: 1. If money was no object I would want a dog. 2. I'm hoping to get new shoes for Christmas. 3. The most memorable Christmas gift I’ve ever received was my laptop. Mary DeGraw : 1. If money was no object I would for sure want either a wakeboard or an electric bike. 2. For Christmas I really want some new clothes, and maybe a new pair of shoes. 3. The most memorable Christmas I’ve got was last Christmas when I got a beach cruiser.
Taylor Lathrop: 1. A cute blanket and guitar picks 2. I'm hoping to get on Santa's good list 3. When I was 4 I got a little play house and it was the best thing ever. Sienna Mehling: 1. I would want a Porsche Cayenne, white with black interior 2. Pink Prada bag 3. My first American Girl doll Nievah Martinez: 1. Designer jewelry ring or necklace, gold or diamond 2. Mary Janes 3. DS with games from my grandpa Brandt Strickland: 1. Sports car 2. VR set 3. Airsoft gun Maritzah Cibrian1. I’d want to go on a trip with my family to Italy or the UK 2. Birkenstocks 3. A Cadillac that Cristabel and I received from my Tio
Christmas Music Q&A by Taylor Lathrop
Virjinia Aleman, Freshman What is your favorite Christmas song? Where Are You Christmas What is one Christmas song that you don't like? Silent Night What is one adjective that described Christmas music for you? Jingle Bells Do you prefer the music or the lyrics the music, and the rhythm
Virjinia Aleman
Pentatonix
Niki Deaver, Senior What is your favorite Christmas song? White Winter Home What is one Christmas song that you don't like? The song they always play at Walmart What is one adjective that described Christmas music for you? Jolly Do you prefer the music or the lyrics? The feeling of the music
Brandt Strickland, Freshman What is your favorite Christmas song? Jingle Bells What is one Christmas song that you don't like? Silent Night What is one adjective that described Christmas music for you? Childish Do you prefer the music or the lyrics? Music Frosty The Snowman
Jaden Gomez, Freshman What is your favorite Christmas song? Frosty The Snowman What is one Christmas song that you don't like? Jingle Bells What is one adjective that described Christmas music for you? Annoying Do you prefer the music or the lyrics? Lyrics Brandt Strickland
Mrs. Ayers, Teacher What is your favorite Christmas song? I'll Be Home For Christmas What is one Christmas song that you don't like? The Christmas Shoes What is one adjective that described Christmas music for you? Joyful Do you prefer the music or the lyrics? Lyrics
Haley Luper
Haley Luper, Freshman What is your favorite Christmas song? Jingle Bells What is one Christmas song that you don't like? Little Drummer Boy What is one adjective that described Christmas music for you? Overrated Do you prefer the music or the lyrics? Lyrics
Christian Van Doren, Freshman What is your favorite Christmas song? Carol Of The Bells What is one Christmas song that you don't like? Jingle Bells What is one adjective that described Christmas music for you? Exciting Do you prefer the music or the lyrics? Music Anabeth Kroker, Sophomore What is your favorite Christmas song? Jingle Bell Rock What is one Christmas song that you don't like? Joy To The World What is one adjective that described Christmas music for you? Ringing Do you prefer the music or the lyrics? I like both the music and the lyrics