The Cougar Cr ier TheStudent NewsSourceof John F. Kennedy High School cougarcrier.org
April 2022
Issue 4
OPINION: Ukrainian invasion is Putin's war, not Russia's Kennedy student of Russian Jewish ancestry shareshistakeon theUkrainian invasion BY JON PETLAKH Contributor I am an American Jew whose parents were born in the former Soviet Union, my mom in Southern Russia, and my father in Minsk, Belarus, where Jews were mandated to carry their identification cards with the word Jew prominently marked. This singled them out in the sea of Ukrainians, Russians, Belarussians, and other Soviet ethnics, subjecting them to poisonous Soviet Antisemitism. My parents unequivocally support Ukraine's struggle for national sovereignty. Since the invasion, I have been distraught by my friends? and acquaintances?questions. I have been asked, "Hey Petlakh, your mom is from Russia, so you probably support Putin??Questions like these have been asked in jest and seriousness. W hy are they only asking me?The answer is simple; they assume that my parents?Russian backgrounds would somehow constitute some unwavering loyalty to Russia. Nothing could be further from the truth. My parents were never Russian or Belarusian; they
were just Jews residing in that land. The Soviet Union treated them as second-class citizens with such blatant Antisemitism that we couldn't even fathom in the US. My parents are proud Americans, just like I am, with no loyalty to the country that they escaped. Just like the above inane questions, Russia's invasion of Ukraine presents many incongruities. Millions of Ukrainians whose primary language is not Ukrainian but rather Russian. This is especially true in eastern Ukraine, where many don't speak Ukrainian, and many Ukrainian citizens are ethnically Russian. Even President Zelensky's mother tongue is Russian. So why would Putin invade a country that is fraternally and religiously Russian in some areas and bomb the regions of Ukraine? Perhaps it is because Putin is an authoritarian dictator who once called the dissolution of the Soviet Union "the greatest geopolitical tragedy of the 20th century." Putin is not motivated by his desire to restore Communism but instead inspired by his nostalgia for the Russian
BBC
A street in Bucha islittered with destroyed Russian armory.
Empire, denying the Ukrainian people its separate national identity. Putin lacks empathy for his people, callously dispatching thousands of Russian eighteen-year-olds to their magnanimous death. Additionally, Putin also suffers from a colossal superiority complex prompting him to prove to the West that Russia is still a potent superpower. Akin to
previous Russian czars and rulers, whether deceived by their generals or believing in their whimsical and wishful thinking, Putin expected a brief, victorious incursion where his foes would flee and surrender while the locals would greet the Russians as liberators. He did not expect to encounter the high morale and valiant patriotism exhibited by the Ukrainian people fighting for their
homeland against barbarian aggressors. Putin was bombing Kharkiv, Kyiv, and other Russian-speaking cities without regard for innocent civilian lives. The latest American rhetoric calling for the eradication of Putin?s regime has emanated from the opposite sides of our political spectrum. Reckless UKRAINE | Page 6
The Cougar Cr ier | New s | April 2022 | cougarcrier.org
Staff Sam Luck man Editor inchief Jessica Bl umber g Copy editor Ben Gr eco Newseditor Ben Hyman Featureseditor Nik ita Rodov Opinionseditor Kier a Matul ich Artseditor Samantha Schneider Sportseditor Al ana Vocina Managingeditor Al essandr a Bl angiar do Jozel yn Chen Antonina Ger unda Casey Mosk ow itz Staf f Photographer Kar l y Bur l ock Br ook e Cer ami Kathl een Cotton Jak e Fassenfel d Aidan For d Ryan Gar cia Dyl an Ger ing Ava Gol dsmith Sar ah Kl ein Kyl ie Matul ich Jessica Mehr Par am Nagpal Jett Rosen Joshua Shel don Sophia St. Sur in Al ex Zavel son Staf f Mr . Br ad Seidman Dr . Dennis Ur ban Faculty advisors
The Cougar Cr ier ispublished by thestudentsat John F. Kennedy High School. Our mission istoserveasthevoicefor thestudent body by accurately representing thediverseviews and concernsof each of the students. The Cougar Cr ier welcomes all student and guest contributions, including articles, artwork, commentary, and letters. Thestaff reservestheright toreject or edit any submissions that discriminateon thebasisof ability, age, color, creed, gender, gender identity/ expression, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. Correctionsshould beaddressed tocougarcrier@bmchsd.org John F. Kennedy HS 3000 Bellmore Avenue Bellmore, NY 11710 (516) 992-1400 Mr. Gerard Owenburg Pr incipal Volume 55 No. 4 April 2022
W ellness W eek allows students to reflect, de-stress BY AIDAN FORD
Staff writer Kennedy High School is no stranger to tackling mental health issues in multiple different ways, and it was again able to do so through the events held during Wellness Week. Wellness Week was held during March, and with that came multiple different activities that took place throughout the week. Kennedy planned a number of wellness events for the week, including therapy dogs, assemblies, and daily themes that many involved students and staff. These events hold the message of promoting safety for every student and staff member at Kennedy High School. These focus on encouraging a more positive atmosphere around the school. Many students can participate in events that help
Week could not have been possible if not for the staff at Kennedy High School, especially Dr. Netto, Ms. Sapir, and Ms. Rojas. All of these teachers were able to impact Wellness Week significantly, and they were all able to put their input into what it means to them. Many teachers and staff were able to help set up some of the activities during Wellness Week, and each of these activities was able to promote something unique to them. Most notably, Ms. Sapir and Ms. Rojas were able to help organize events during Wellness Week. Both of them were able to help set up activities during school hours. In one of the many activities, Leadership classes would interact with Freshman Seminar classes by participating in many different activities that were
Ms. Sapir, these activities were targeted to handle such issues that portrayed ?a time to be reflective and focus time on mental health and well-being?and be ?a nice break from the relentless pace of school.?Ms. Sapir and Ms. Rojas promoted many messages through multiple activities, such as with the therapy dogs, assemblies, and the different day-to-day themes, in providing students with a change of pace that they usually have to accommodate during the usual school weeks.
Dr. Netto also played a significant role in organizing Wellness Week. She consulted with the Wellness Week Committee to find out which activities would be most beneficial for the students at Kennedy High School and which ones overall benefited their well-being. Through this, Dr. Netto encouraged many of the activities, such as the different themes and assemblies. She also achieved her and the staff?s goal to have Wellness Week be ?a week that can help students cope with all the stress they have during the school life as a student.?Overall, as Dr.Netto phrased it, the staff enjoyed ?watching the students participate in activities that help their issues and PHOTO COURTESY OF K. MOGAVERO seeing them in a Students had theopportunity tospend timewith a therapy dog during WellnessWeek. calm scenery as they participate in events relieve stress and help able to help tackle the time of with one another.?Because promote awareness of the pandemic and also were many teachers and staff students' mental health and able to help promote a helped set up activities during well-being. Most of what relieving of stress for many Wellness Week, students happened during Wellness students. From the words of
could relieve the stress they had in their lives. During Wellness Week, many students could also experience much that the week had to offer through many days of the week. Students such as Sameer Khan and Andrew Stone were able to reflect on many of the experiences they were able to create while participating in many of the activities and give their insight into what Wellness Week personally means for them. Both of them were able to state how to them, as well as their peers, Wellness Week was able to ?be a week that makes everybody feel good and joyful and lets you look forward to moving through the school week more quickly?as well as ?having means to get rid of your stress under control in a tranquil way.?Many students were able to express these feelings because Wellness Week was a nice break in their usually demanding schedule that allowed them time to relax and take on different challenges. Both Sameer and Andrew gave examples of various activities that were beneficial for them and the students. Sameer mentioned that many students enjoyed the no homework and test day because ?it relieved stress and pressure that students usually had during the week.? Andrew said that the yoga activity could ?let you have quiet and time to reflect upon yourself.? Wellness Week was able to successfully spread the message of tackling mental health throughout the building and making sure that every student and staff at the school can feel safe and welcome in the environment in which they are present.
Trivia challenge returns to Kennedy BY AVA GOLDSMITH
Staff writer On March 17th, over one hundred students and teachers gathered in the North Cafeteria to participate in the Cerebral Palsy Trivia Challenge. Here, groups of four prepared to have fun for a great cause. The Cerebral Palsy Trivia Challenge is not an event with questions related to Cerebral Palsy but an event in which donations will be collected for the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County. The United Cerebral
Palsy Association of Nassau County, or the UCPN, has existed to help children and
adults who struggle with developmental disabilities since 1948.
PHOTO COURTESY OF B. FRANK
Thewinning teamsof thetrivia challengedisplay their certificates.
The Trivia Challenge was structured in which groups would sit together and participate in a one hundred question test for thirty-five minutes. This test would then be scored, and the results would be delivered to the trivia participants by the end of the event. In addition, groups were student-organized in which students came together to choose teammates and team names, and some groups even participated in group-themed TRIVIA | Page 4
The Cougar Cr ier | New s | April 2022 | cougarcrier.org
Transition to mask optional policy results in respect in school community BY JESSICA MEHR
Staff writer Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations in New York reached a peak during the long winter months, but as these numbers started to trend downward, our community was able to focus on the recovery path. Fortunately, the rate of positive Covid-19 tests has dropped below 10%, and it continued to decrease over the following months. This can be seen in the percentage of people testing positive for Covid-19 in Nassau County, falling from 24.14%at the beginning of the new year to 3.55%in the more recent months.
ruling can be seen as students can either wear their masks or choose not to. As you walk through the hallways, students can make decisions based on their preferences. Some decided to wear their masks all day; others chose to wear them in crowded spaces; others did not. It is up to the Kennedy students to decide for themselves.
office. If he is surrounded by kids or staff wearing masks, he will put his on, and if the opposite is the case, he will keep his mask off.
Many wondered if the controversy and disagreements in the media and general public would be seen in our school environment. To gain a better understanding from Nicole Giordano, a junior the students at Kennedy who decided not to wear a shortly after the new ruling, mask when the mandate was Mr. Owenburg met with our lifted, explained, "I like to student senators from each smile and I like when people grade to further gain insight. see my smile. I also don't Some stated disagreements think it's very healthy to wear between kids over their a mask all day." Giordano also personal choices surrounding talked about the importance masks. Additionally, some of the sense of normalcy that felt pressured to wear their she felt when the mandate masks or take them off Many politicians and political because of their leaders, now aware friends. But most of the decrease in Somedecidedtowear their masksall day; felt that as a numbers, started to otherschosetowear themin crowded spaces; student rethink the mask othersdidnot. It isup totheKennedy students community, most mandates within of us respected many public places todecidefor themselves. each other. As and one of the students continue most controversial was lifted. to decide their level of beings inside schools. In late comfort, Mr. Owenburg Savannah LoGiudice, a junior, January, Long Island students advised, ?Understanding that expressed similar feelings. "I were able to experience one people have different decided to no longer where a mask optional day. This circumstances and there are mask because I hated wearing resulted from a judge in a different reasons people feel it for over six hours during lower court ruling that the way they feel and the school day." Governor Kathy Hochul?s understanding that and not administration lacked the Our principal, Mr. Owenburg, doing anything to make them constitutional authority to stated that many policies feel uncomfortable is the order people to wear face remained in place. However, key.? coverings. However, the the district came out with new Hochul administration quickly This new mask optional protocols. We still practice restored the mandate policy has brought many distancing and sitting in large throughout New York. changes to our school gatherings. Following this, on March 2nd, environment and the Long W ith many kids conflicted the optional mask policy was Island community. There is about whether or not to wear implemented more still some consistency in our masks, Mr. Owenburg was permanently. Governor society and schools. Students left with an important Hochul now left it up to and staff make their choice to decision for himself. W ith his counties, cities, school wear their masks. As Covid primary goal to ensure all kids districts, and individual numbers remain low, the feel comfortable around him, schools to decide if they want mask policy probably won't Mr. Owenburg brings his to continue requiring masks. change. The option to wear a mask whenever he leaves his mask during the day remains. Throughout Kennedy, this
Virtual Enterprise offers opportunities for future business majors BY JOSHUA SHELDON
Staff writer Virtual Enterprise, or VE, is a meeting of businesses to share ideas and collaborate on marketing strategies. W hile these events are typically relegated to business-minded adults, JFK has allowed students interested in marketing and business management to participate in a mock-virtual enterprise program where they can create their corporations and learn about the world of business. This serves as a bridge, connecting the classroom and the real world. As a result, the program?s goal is to help students prepare for successful careers in the business world. ?VE is a class that simulates a real-life business in all its details, like accounting and financial spending,?said Bradley Liberman, the CMO of SkySource, one of Kennedy?s two virtual businesses. SkySource, which creates a Bluetooth wireless charger, and Imperium, which sells energy-efficient gym equipment, are fully functional enterprises, each with departments, leaders, and board meetings. Both ideas, which simulate realistic future inventions, are decided upon as a class. Once the company name and product are settled upon, everybody chooses a position and works. ?Each student has their own role in the business, with each of the two classes acting as their own unique company,?said CEO Samantha Einbinder. Some roles include accountants, who calculate their company?s
expenses, or planners, who organize its schedule and plan board meetings. Others act as marketers, proposing ideas that can help grow the company and using presentations at board meetings to convince their superiors. Finally, there are the heads of the company: the CEO, CFO, and CMO, who each lead their respective divisions within the company. By role-playing these positions, students can learn to understand what jobs they may prefer and what activities they excel in. Along with helping students get the business credits needed for college, VE helps seniors get the experience of competing against other companies before going into the real world. Recently, the SkySource team made it to the Long Island Finalists competition, which encompasses hundreds of virtual enterprises across the island. Prospective students must take at least two introductory business classes before being eligible to take Virtual Enterprise. The class, which lasts two periods, requires significant contributions but is heavily rewarding in helping students understand the ins and outs of running a real business. ?I would 100% recommend that students interested in pursuing business degrees in college take this program in their senior year, " said Mrs. Zocchia, program head. The Virtual Enterprise class has a lot to offer and exposes students to many new opportunities.
The Cougar Cr ier | New s | April 2022 | cougarcrier.org
TRIVIA from page 2 costumes. Throughout the challenge, students and teachers had the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets with the hope of winning great prizes sponsored by local businesses. All money raised, including raffle tickets and a twenty-dollar donation to participate, goes directly to the UCPN to help those in need.
Research program that focuses on community service events through John F. Kennedy High School. Mrs. Frank, Advanced Science Research Teacher and organizer of the CHARM Committee, stated that ?the flexibility of the students involved in CHARM was a key complement in the event being able to run.?Mrs. Frank was incredibly proud of
the Trivia Challenge. Mrs. Frank believes that the Cerebral Palsy Trivia Challenge ?gives students an opportunity to take the lead.?As well as the opportunity to ?support a good, practice team-building skills and participate in some simple good fun.? This year's Trivia Challenge raised over $600 for the UCPN. This year's first-place winners were ?The Breakfast Club?with teammates Sophia W arren, Desiree Rigaud, Michelle Brown, and Dr. Urban.
Despite the challenges posed by Covid, John F. Kennedy High School was the only school in Nassau County to donate to The Cerebral this foundation last Palsy Trivia year. And this year, PHOTO COURTESY OF B. FRANK Challenge is an there were certainly Mr. Soel and histeam dressed aspiratesfor thecompetition. excellent challenges with opportunity for the CHARM Committee for putting on the event. students to participate in a being able to continue with Originally the event was fun, team event that helps a the Trivia Challenge this year. supposed to run on December local cause. The events of the She especially appreciates 17th, but due to a spike in Trivia Challenge showcase being able to ?see the CHARM Covid cases, the event had to students of John F. Committee work together to be postponed to March 17th. Kennedy?s abilities to work see through a project to its The Community Health and together, push through end.? Research in Medicine challenges, and care for (CHARM) Committee is a There are also many benefits those within their student-run group through for the many students who community. the Advanced Science participated as competitors in
Arts showcase to be held in mid-May BY SOPHIA ST. SURIN
Staff writer How many of us remember sitting in class anxiously waiting to share our talents with our kindergarten class? Of course, it?d likely be different anxiety in our high school years: rather than looking forward to delivering your performance, being ready to get it over with. No matter the stomach knots or excited heel tapping preceding your performance, you could always count on the sensation of accomplishment following the recital of your final lyrics or dance of your closing sequence, knowing that you gave the best of what you love doing the most. On May 17th, we are bringing the familiar excitement of artistic presentation and performing to you as John F. Kennedy High School celebrates the arts with its first Arts and Talent Showcase! But, more importantly than the excited attitudes towards the upcoming show is its purpose and inevitable impact. The talent show can happen with authoritative support from English teachers Mrs. Mogavero and Ms. DiGennaro! During their take-fives during rehearsals
for JFK?s 2021 theater production Our Town, junior Eric Rogers proposed the idea of a talent show to the cast and crew ?on a whim.?Rogers? drama peer Alexandra ?Alex? Levitt shared, ?We [cast and crew] just enjoyed the casual environment while singing or telling jokes into the mic.?She also tells us about the positive impact the arts have had on her and Eric alike! These two students, according to Alexandra, wanted nothing more but ?to share that love-and give others the opportunity to do so.?In realizing that the friendly ambiance among artists deserved to expand beyond the drama circle, Levitt took the initiative to help Rogers get the idea off the ground by taking on administrative obligations and thoughtfully suggesting the extension of an art showcase section. The grander motive behind this event is to reintroduce the necessity of creating spaces within schools that encourage the expansion of authenticity and zeal for art. As wonderfully voiced by Levitt, ?Often, people's interests don?t fall within the traditional school subjects, so it?s important to take the time to recognize them, too.?As a
student body, we are lucky to have access to extracurriculars that promote different arts. However, many other schools do not provide these activities for young artists, and several families who cannot afford to invest in their child?s dreams and abilities outside educational institutions. This is why all proceeds will immediately go to Americans for the Arts. This non-profit organization strives toward highlighting the modern significance of the liberal and creative arts and making the arts more accessible to all.
Culture club allows students to share, learn BY CHRISTOPHER SANCHEZ spread, such as historical facts Staff writer about Greece. A greater community of students has Culture Club is an excellent formed over the past few club offering that allows years. ?This club has really students to share and learn opened my eyes to very about other cultures and captivating cultures backgrounds. As of the worldwide and introduced me 2021-22 school year, this club to new delicacies too,?said fosters 40 culturally culture club member Sameer well-rounded students. Every Khan. He held a sushi roll he year, the leaders of this club made at the club?s latest create assignments for meeting about Japanese students to obtain a certified cuisine. membership and get more involved in the club. This year, Kassidy McGlynn (President) and Nikolaos Rekkas (Vice President) have coordinated an assignment highlighting the variety of cultures and experiences within JFK?s student body. Students were told to create a presentation about a country of their choice. They would then share information about its culture, gastronomy, geography, and history. ?These activities are aimed to create an interactive community to better familiarize members with each other and foster bonds,?Mrs. Fiorentino, the faculty advisor, explained. The presentations did not fail to impress. Countries from all over the world were represented, ranging from Turkey to Haiti to Israel to Australia. Vibrant dances were performed, such as Marinera Norteña, a traditional dance from Peru. Exquisite traditional foods were savored, such as Mango Sticky Rice, a treat from Thailand. In addition, fascinating knowledge was
As the school year approaches its final quarter, the club is poising itself towards electing new leadership to carry on the torch that this club has lit for over ten years at JFK. For those in need of a club requirement for the National Honor Society, Vice-President Nikolaos Rekkas explains how this can fulfill that requisite while also embarking on an enjoyable cultural journey with friends. ?We?re always looking for new members, and we have many more plans and opportunities for next year!? said Rekkas. President Kassidy McGlynn also had a lot to say about her passion for the club. ?If you join Culture Club, you're able to share your unique experience while also learning about others, and at the same time, it's fun and meets honor society requirements,?she explained. The club meets every Monday after school to discuss and participate in different cultural events across the globe, whether that?s Day of the Dead, Mardi Gras, Hanukkah, and many more holidays and celebrations.
To enter the show, you need to pay $5, and attendance is a $10 fee. It starts at 7 PM on May 17th in the school?s courtyard? be there or be square! Don?t miss the opportunity to witness Kennedy?s prospective creative prodigies or take a leap of faith on that stage!
PHOTO COURTESY OF B. FRANK
NikolaosRekkasleadsclubmembersin an origami-making activity.
Opinion
SUBMIT TO: Room 228/ Room 329 John F. Kennedy High School Bellmore, NY cougarcrier@bmchsd.org
Unsigned editorials and cartoons are the views of the staff; personal commentaries reflect the views of the writers. Submissions and letters are edited for accuracy, clarity, and fairness.
April 2022
Col l ege admissions pr ocess is fl aw ed, needs change BY JETT ROSEN n an attempt to make the admissions process fairer, Congress wants to try its hand at regulating college admissions. But, unfortunately, it can?t. The college admissions process has inherent flaws which won?t change until other inequities are addressed.
I
Thoughts of college defined my high school education, just as I know it did for many of my peers. I took my ACT in the fall of my junior year, and I am, to this day, writing more essays to augment and update my applications. Two out of my four years of high school were actively dedicated to the next step. Our class choices and out-of-school activities are heavily influenced by what colleges want to see. It?s not enough to be at the top of your class anymore? if you're going to be competitive, you should at least be a team captain who started three nonprofits. The pandemic ate my sophomore year, and my activities?resume got thinner while school was all but canceled. My first year taught me about the dirty underbelly of admissions when the Varsity Blues scandal broke. After that, discussions of college dominated my high school years.
We can all agree that there are flaws in the system that need to be addressed. But every proposed improvement has its downsides. Take legacy, for instance. It doesn?t make sense that something so out of a student?s control can make or break a college?s decision. Certain lawmakers agree, for in early February, two Democrats, Sen. Jeff Merkley, Ore. and Rep. Jamaal Bowman, N.Y., introduced a bill to ban legacy admissions by colleges. A number of schools have already agreed to do this? almost half, actually? but this doesn?t mean that legacies can?t attend their parents?alma maters. It simply means that these applicants don?t get a leg up on legacy alone.
but the pandemic forced admissions officials?hands when 50 students taking a test in a room became a public health hazard. The National Center for Fair and Open Testing had lobbied to toss these tests for years because they were tied to socioeconomic status. W hite and Asian-American students fared much better on them, prompting litigation that caused the University of California system to forgo them, starting in 2020, for reasons unrelated to the pandemic.
to hire editors who can spruce up and then smooth out written statements. Even less advantaged students can find an adult to wield a red pen on their essays. Paid or not, this has probably happened for years, and students with parents who don?t speak English or lack traditional educational backgrounds suffer a disadvantage.
Relying solely on grades troubles experts as well. W hite, affluent students get almost an entire grade higher than their Black and Latino counterparts. And looks also More than 1,815 schools can factor into grades, for removed the SAT/ ACT researchers at the University requirement for people of Miami found, in 2009, that applying this year like I am. grades are inherently But eliminating the tests is subjective and that female problematic as well. students deemed attractive by their professors received Historically, standardized better marks than This plan has others. Personality limitations, "Thecollegeadmissionsprocesshasinherent and grooming were though. First, the flawswhich won?tchangeuntil other inequities also positively children of alumni correlated with areaddressed." of more elite better grades, colleges and leaving tests were designed? and universities make more economically disadvantaged were effective at? acting as money, according to a 2020 students more of an uphill equalizers and allowing more study, at least 20%more than climb. Jewish students into elite alumni of less prestigious colleges. As a result, Jewish colleges. So even if Perhaps fairness is found in students tripled in less than a admissions offices wipe legacy gerrymandering an incoming quarter-century in the early status from applications, the first-year class for a 1900s. relative greater wealth and predetermined racial balance. education may provide an But, unfortunately, The Los Angeles Times advantage to these applicants allegations that an admissions editorial board recently called anyway. committee does it can land a for colleges and universities school in front of the to eliminate the essay portion Removing standardized tests Supreme Court, and the of applications because it?s too is another option, one that easy for more affluent families recent granting of certiorari had been discussed for years, to the Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard proves that.
SB NATION
Rick Singer, above, facesup to65 yearsin prison for fraudulently inflating test scoresand bribing collegeofficials.
No matter what changes in the admissions process, my experience with it revealed an unfortunate truth: applicants can, and do, fake anything and everything. After the Varsity Blues scandal, admissions officers are likely doing more due diligence, but that doesn?t make it impossible to set up a photoshoot that makes me look like I?m on the Canadian curling team. Of course, I?m not? and everything on my applications is bona fide, but the point remains that
admissions officers cannot verify everything from every student's resume. The Varsity Blues scandal wasn?t a new story in which people were willing to break the law to gain an advantage in highly selective colleges. In the 1980s, Alexi Indris Santana tricked the Princeton admissions team into admitting him without a high school transcript because he claimed to be self-educated. In the 1990s, Lon Grammer, a community college student intent on attending Yale, faked a transcript and background. I think something can be done to make the process as fair as possible. Only 3%of applicants attend schools that admit less than 50%of the applicant pool. Poorer students are told to get a degree rather than set their sights high. If more students applied, incoming first-year classes might be made of more diverse, intelligent, and motivated students who haven?t used anything other than their smarts and hard work to get where they are. W hat may be a solution is changing the aspirations of high school students - and not by taking overachievers down a notch. You can?t win if you don?t play. Suppose structural inequality permeates everything, and purging it is almost impossible. In that case, I?m not sure why education reform advocates think tinkering with one aspect of the application apparatus will reduce other pressing inequities. If it were that easy, we would have done it already. To make the admissions process fair, they?ll have to dismantle themselves, and this reality deserves discussion. The question remains whether fairness can be brought to a system that serves an inherently unfair society. Jett Rosen iswill attend the University of Michigan thisfall.
The Cougar Cr ier | Opinions | April 2022 | cougarcrier.org
NBC coverage of athletes failures, mental anguish demonstrates lack of respect in media BY ALEXANDRA LEVITT
Contributor ?It wasthebest of times; it was theworst of times.? This is the opening line of Charles Dickens?s A Tale of Two Cities, but it is also an appropriate description of the life of a professional athlete. During the lead-up to the Olympics in Tokyo, gymnast Simone Biles was the ?golden girl.?After her unprecedented domination in the 2016 Rio games, that success was expected here, too. Biles was favored to win every event; she was the historically influential women?s gymnastics team leader. This legacy was not one NBC would be quick to forget, often putting the burden of American success on Biles?s shoulders ? a torch she never asked to carry. However, as it soon became clear, that was not going to happen. Somewhere between the frequent commercials and catchy slogans, NBC forgot the human behind the ?golden image?they had fabricated for her. She had the ?twisties,?a gymnast?s worst nightmare ? especially in competition. Biles later described it as a loss of spatial awareness? something significant to the safety of the events in which these athletes would powerfully maneuver ? often in the air ? only to complete gracefully. The apparatus is a challenge but becomes nearly impossible when the gymnast cannot comprehend their body placement. Ultimately, Simone Biles pulled out of the team final and later the majority of the individual events? decisions for which she was mercilessly ridiculed. In a post on
UKRAINE from page 1 statements, calling either for Putin?s assassination or his overthrow, by war-mongering Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and President Biden, respectively, exacerbate the problem and galvanize Putin?s support among the Russian people. I would think we learned from the years of failed foreign policies and attempted regime changes in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, and other nations. Sadly, this is not the case. By prosecuting his gory and pointless war, Putin achieved
Instagram, she wrote, ?I truly do feel like I have the weight of the world on my shoulders at times.?Biles has consistently advocated for mental health awareness, often talking about her anxiety when competing. However, that was not acceptable; they wanted their star to compete, and they wanted their ratings. Despite the outpouring of support from athletes and other prominent figures, NBC did not accept ?mental health? as a viable reason not to compete. Every hour, like clockwork, there was some mention of Biles and the hope she would still compete. There was this undeniable push for her to step back out onto the floor, despite the threat to her safety and well-being. NBC replayed footage of Biles walking out of the arena? just before she pulled out? ad nauseam. NBC took advantage of her honesty and success in favor of their ratings and some Olympic drama. Many took this as a lesson? in the future, we will recognize the mental health of athletes as more than an afterthought to their performance. This, of course, is an idyllic perspective in a world that values ratings and clicks over health and consideration. But unfortunately, less than six what the Ukrainian nationalists could not achieve over this past century, namely Ukrainian unity. W hile Zelensky?s bold leadership in this crisis should warrant him a Nobel peace prize, it is inconceivable that he would be the ideal president for this post-war Ukraine as it undergoes a rehabilitation and rebuilding process. It is an arduous task for any Ukrainian president, especially for someone who is Jewish, to remain a Ukrainian national hero. W hat will post-war Ukraine look like? W hat will happen if the millions of Ukrainian refugees will not return to
months later, NBC?s corrupt intent reared its ugly head. Coming into W inter Olympics, alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin was undeniably performing at her best. She had won two gold medals (from previous Olympic games) and three Overall W orld Cup Titles. Because of this, much of the media coverage surrounding the upcoming games in Beijing centered around her and her projected success on the slopes. Ads and commercials would run on repeat, promising that, on race day, Shiffrin would be on the top of the podium with a gold medal around her neck. This was not hard to miss, as even casual viewers knew the four names for whom NBC catered their coverage: Jessie Diggins (XC Skiing), Shawn W hite (Snowboarding), Chloe Kim (Snowboarding), and Mikaela Shiffrin (Alpine Skiing). Of course, this practice is expected of NBC sports; however, their fixation on these athletes has crossed a line.
To the disbelief of everyone watching, in her first giant slalom race, Mikaela Shiffrin skied out. Of course, the coverage continued? not failing to mention her mistake. W hile this coverage was not ideal, it does not come close to the level of disrespect that followed. Just two days later, Shiffrin was back, competing in her specialty event: the slalom. She was, and still is, known to be the best slalom skier in the world. However, she once again skied off the course, disqualifying her from the event. In shock, Shiffrin stayed on the side of the slope. She sat with her hands to her face for nearly twenty minutes, just trying to process what happened. Instead of allowing Shiffrin this space, NBC chose to highlight her failure. A still shot of Mikaela Shiffrin on the mountain filled the screens of NBC viewers for twenty entire minutes. Even as the event went on, ignoring the success of other athletes, the commentators
could only talk about Shiffrin. After replaying her short run on repeat, they turned their attention to Shiffrin on the hill. Once she got off the hill, NBC still did not learn its lesson. As she walked towards the tent to get out of her uniform, they stopped her for an interview. Through tears, Shiffrin was forced to answer questions about the event she had just spent the past half an hour trying to make sense of. She was not in the space to talk to the media, and everyone watching knew that? yet they persisted. W hile the Olympic stories of Simone Biles and Mikaela Shiffrin vary greatly, it is not difficult to pull out the emerging theme: the media has a lack of respect for athletes and their mental health? caring more about ratings than the athletes who provide them with the content. NBC has not learned its lesson and may never will. As viewers, it is our job to hold them accountable for their mistreatment of athletes and demand better.
NBC BAY AREA
Mikaela Shiffrin, left, and SimoneBilesfaced similar strugglesduring their recent Olympiccompetition.
Ukraine? W hat will happen if many young Ukrainians leave Ukraine for the EU if granted work visas? W ho will be rebuilding this new Ukraine? W ill the West cease its addiction to Russian gas and oil and eliminate the sanctions? W ill Putin?s butchers be accountable for war crimes? In the meantime, we are inspired by Zelensky?s words, "I need ammunition, not a ride," which embodies the Ukrainian spirit. So with that, I proclaim, Slava Ukraini and Glory to Ukraine! PHOTO COURTESY OF J.PETLAKH
Jon Petlakh wearing traditional embroidered attiretoshow hissupport for Ukraine.
Featur es April 2022
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Ar ts April 2022
BY ZACHARY LANDSMAN Staff writer W hen I visited New W ave Seafood in W antagh, I was thoroughly impressed with my dining experience. My preconceived notions of the restaurant being solely a fish store and could only supply fish as a whole were proven to be incorrect. The service was nothing short of incredible. Everyone who works at New W ave Seafood has extensive knowledge of the menu and the dishes and takes care of their customers to ensure a genuinely positive experience at the restaurant. They had recently undergone renovations for the new decor of the restaurant side of the establishment as it is half fish market half restaurant. I recommend this to all, especially after a long beach day or a warm spring day.
your friends check it out. The restaurant serves pretty much any type of fish or shellfish, and for my land lovers, they have dishes that include chicken and even steak! Initially, I was somewhat reluctant to check out this restaurant as it was seemingly only a fish store; however, one of the excellent workers at the front of the store would see me come in with my dad every week to pick out fish. He?d suggested we sit down for lunch, and, oh boy, was that a borderline life-changing decision.
visits to the restaurant in the past month expressed their sincere enjoyment about working there and how the working environment is so positive and one that most would succeed under. However, most of the veterans I spoke to who had worked there for many years expressed that they enjoyed teaching the young staff and how good it felt to pass their trade-off to someone else. The Covid-19 pandemic had a detrimental effect on the establishment, as they had to close their restaurant. W ith the increasing shipping issues and labor shortages, it is difficult to maintain the price and quality. However, after my experience here, it was abundantly clear that they tried their best to keep the cost down, and the quality was A grade. Their loyal clientele continued to make purchases as the quality never declined.
Through my numerous times visiting the restaurant I had seen the facilities in which they cook in I could only describe it as a very well oiled machine despite having only two chefs in the kitchen they seemed to have a handle on where everything was in the kitchen as well as managing to keep their workspaces extremely clean and tidy as those are the best conditions to work under. In addition to this, they seemed to understand the menu very well, and execution timing was seemingly outstanding. Most menu items were made from scratch; they were coming out fast yet maintained that balance of timing and quality, essential in the restaurant PHOTO COURTESY OF NEW W AVE SEAFOOD industry. Thecrabcakesat New WaveSeafood area perfect start toa deliciousmeal.
Grabbing a refreshing bite of seafood here is fantastic! Because of its rustic warm, and welcoming feel, I would certainly suggest you and
I talked to most of the staff about the restaurant and their thoughts on working there and how the Covid-19 pandemic affected them firsthand, and how it still does. Though I had never personally gotten to ask the owner any direct questions, I
didn?t want to make it obvious they were serving a makeshift critic. Most of the staff I had gotten the privilege to speak to over my multiple
I perused the menu looking for items. I should go to the case where they store all of the fresh fish they sell and ask some of the workers what's new, fresh,
exciting, and delicious. On this particular day, monkfish tuna and halibut. I selected all three and a few appetizers, including the fried calamari, raw oysters, and crab cakes. First, let's start with the appetizers. A common and known problem with calamari is that if it is not fresh and cooked perfectly, it will be fishy and chewy, but I could not have been mistaken at this restaurant. The calamari was perfectly cooked, had a slight chew to it as it should, and glistened in the beautiful oil in which it was fried. Accompanied with this were the delicious three sauces that included a kung pao sauce, a traditional tomato sauce, and a spicy Thai chili sauce, essentially for all types of people having a sweet, savory, and spicy profile to them. And of course, one of the most challenging and demanding dishes in the world, crab cakes as a proper balance of ingredients and spices could make or break the dish, again a superb and well-executed dish as I am not usually a fan of crab cakes this wholly opened my eyes to how delicious they could be if done correctly. Last but not least, the oysters, wow, what a crisp, delightful get, sweet and salty at the same time flavor you will not get this type of freshness at any other establishment right here is what set this restaurant apart from all the others is the quality of the food that they serve I don't think in my entire life of eating raw seafood I have had a better oyster over my times going here and the month I have noticed that there are stop a wide variety of assortments of oysters each of them with their flavor profile if you are a novice to eating raw oysters I would strongly suggest The Blue Point oyster as it is on the less fishy side and more salty for a more enjoyed experience for a less sophisticated palate. Next and what I would say with the highlight of my dining experience was the entrees right off the bat as they had selected the tuna as one of the main fishes for me to try. I noticed the bright rich color of the tuna which is one of the signs of great
freshness and quality of the fish. As I had sunk into my first bite of the seared ahi tuna I noticed that the fish seemingly melted in my mouth which was a texture that one I can only describe as heavenly. The next dish I tried was the halibut a white fish that has very similar consistency to a piece of chicken that is on the bone which I would suggest for people who don't usually like fish It was threaded with a lemon sauce on top and the lemon really cut through the fish providing a fresh yet seemingly acidic and tangy flavor that needed to the overall dish making it quite delectable. The last dish I had tried was the monkfish, although I had doubts about the name and the origin of the fish as monkfish seemed intimidating. It was the best fish that I had tried in my entire experience at the establishment. It was so delicious and sweet yet at the same time savory and salty, providing for the perfect mouthfeel and balance of flavor. I would recommend this to anyone and everyone who has stepped foot in this restaurant and will step foot in it, as it most certainly opened my mind to how I feel about fish in general. As I had ventured to this restaurant multiple times by myself, the last time it was with my entire family, my sister continuously got the classic chicken fingers and fries. Although this restaurant may seem geared toward shellfish, there is a land-based part of the menu. W ith some strategic convincing, my sister allowed me to try some, and I would never have imagined that a fish-based restaurant could serve such delicious chicken fingers and fries as I could see that it was being made fresh right before my eyes which is something you don't see every day in professional kitchens. Overall my experience over the few times I went was nothing short of amazing it was simply inspiring to me as I am in the culinary program at Kennedy High School now. W hat great things can be done in a kitchen and W hat an impact food, specifically good food, has on people as on multiple occasions, it did brighten my day
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Book r eview Normal People By Sally Rooney Hogarth
Normal Peopleby Sally Rooney is a genuinely unforgettable and deeply personal story. It follows only two main characters, Marianne and Connell, throughout their late high school years and into early adulthood. Connell and Marianne?s relationship is complex and propelled by social issues and what it means to be liked by peers. Normal Peopleis based in 20th century Ireland; Rooney uses this setting as the backdrop of Connell and Marianne?s relationship. The first part of the book takes place during their senior year. The two main characters stand at very opposite ends of the world socially. Marianne never truly fit in at her high school
and is often teased. On the other hand, Connell is well-liked and popular but deeply insecure. He is very anxious that all his friendships are fleeting. This fear often pushes Connell to make choices he doesn?t always want to make. As well as being polar opposites socially, they have opposite economic standing. Marianne?s family is very wealthy but neglectful of her. Connell?s mother struggles with money and works at Marianne?s family estate. This is where Connell and Marianne spend the most time together. As their attraction builds, the reader begins to root from them. However, when they are back in the school setting, they are strangers again. Sally Rooney plays with real-world issues and ties them into the relationship
between two very different people. In romance books, relationships are often thrown into these highly fantastical situations that allow the characters to see the true colors of their love interest. This is not the case in this love story; Connell and Marianne have a preexisting relationship. The readers get the hint that Connell and Marianne have known each other and have been slowly building this shared dependence on each other. Usually, I don?t enjoy pre-existing relationships, especially when it is the central romance of the book. These relationships don?t usually grow as much as new relationships do throughout the course of the story. This is not the case in Normal People; Rooney masterfully ties in Connell and Marianne?s personal growth throughout some of the most
pivotal moments in their lives to develop their relationship. About halfway through the book, Connell and Marianne experience the change between high school and college. Connell, once reliant on his group of high school friends, must try to make his way in college. At the same time, Marianne is excited to start anew. The way Rooney dives into Connell and Marianne?s changing feelings truly makes the reader believe that Connell and Marianne could very well exist in the real world. Sometimes a reader can wonder if these characters apply to real life.
these characters but not their minds. Sally Rooney manages to combine deeply personal thoughts and feelings while still staying on track in the story. W hen a tragic event shakes Connell?s world, he finds his mental health detracting, while Marianne suffers from low self-esteem and suppresses emotions from her traumatic family life. I express some caution before you read because there are very dark moments in the book. However, these moments show the true grit and strength of Rooney?s skill. She takes a deep dive into these themes skillfully. Normal Peoplegoes far beyond the genre of romance. It is unmistakably human.
One of the most critical things Rooney takes on is mental health in young adults. Usually, in a novel told in third-person, you are given insight into the lives of
Another Disney animation film lives up to the standard BY DYLAN GERING Staff writer Encantois one of the latest and most popular animated movies from Disney. Those who have not seen it may be wondering, ?W hat makes Encantoso special??or, ?W ho?s Bruno??Encantois a lighthearted Disney movie about a family with unique ?gifts?that will undoubtedly leave a smile on your face after watching it. Encantobegins with the main character, Mirabel, explaining that every member of her family is granted a gift early in their childhood. Given to them by a magical candle in their sentient house called Casita, these gifts manifest in special abilities unique to each Madrigal family member, such as shape-shifting. W hen Mirabel is supposed to receive her gift, though, nothing happens. This means that Mirabel is the only member of her family that doesn?t have a gift, much to the dismay of Mirabels?s grandma Abuela, the matriarch of the Madrigal family. Abuela?s relationship with the rest of the family is the central conflict throughout the movie. Her high expectations weigh down her children and grandchildren, specifically Mirabel, since she has no gift. Abuela?s mistreatment of her family causes the foundation of their house, Casita, to crack. One example of Abuela's mistreatment is Isabela, Mirabel?s older sister,
who can control plants and grow flowers from thin air. From the outside, she seems perfect in every way: she?s loved by Abuela, has a handy gift for the town, and is even engaged to a man from a noble family. However, it?s revealed that Isabela only does any of this for the family. She is pressured to create perfect flowers and marry a man she doesn?t love. Isabela started as the character I disliked the most, constantly bratty, spoiled, and mean to Mirabel. But this revelation made me like her a lot. Then there?s Bruno: one of Abuela?s children, Mirabel?s estranged uncle, and the one we don't talk about. Bruno left the family years ago, and nobody knows why. His gift is the ability to see into the future. The problem is that the townspeople begin to blame Bruno for causing bad things to happen when his prophecies are harmful, even though he?s just seeing what will happen anyway. Bruno?s gift is deemed unhelpful to the town by Abuela, and he banishes himself in shame. Mirabel discovers that Bruno never actually left the family and that he's been living behind the walls. Even though he was cast away from his family, he still loves them, which adds to Bruno?s
characterization as somebody who genuinely cares about his family. W ith the help of Bruno and her sisters, Mirabel can reconcile her relationship with Abuela. The resolution is a beautiful moment where Abuela realizes, thanks to Mirabel, that she needs to love her family for who they are, not just for their gifts, and that they don?t need to be perfect 100%of the time. It was a very satisfying end that didn't feel rushed. One of my favorite aspects of this movie is how all the characters are incredibly complex and have understandable motivations
for everything they do. Of course, you can?t talk about Encantowithout talking about the music. The songs in Encantowere all done by Lin Manuel Miranda, famously known as the creator of the Hamilton musical. Every song in Encantois excellent. My favorite is ?W hat Else Can I Do??Manuel Miranda did a fantastic job with this score, and unless you've been living under a rock, I?m sure you know about the song ?We don?t talk about Bruno ''. Lin took a lot of inspiration from Latin American music when writing these songs. It makes
them pleasant to listen to and a form of appreciation for Latino culture. Even if musicals aren?t your thing, the pieces in Encantocan be enjoyed by everyone, so I highly recommend listening to the soundtrack if you can?t watch the movie. You can, and should, watch Encanto, which is available on Disney+. Encantohas appeal in nearly every aspect: beautiful animation, deep and relatable characters, a fantastic soundtrack, and a story that draws you in and concludes satisfyingly. I had a lot of fun watching Encanto.
DISNEY
Mirabel, center, isthenon-magical member of theMadrigal family in thenew animated Disney film, Encanto.
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BASEBALL from page 16 varsity team is off to a 2-2-1 start. Along with Varsity Head Coach Gattus, seniors Zach Ganca, Blake Peyser, Matt Cohen, Brad Rowe, Jack Vesely, Gianni Pace, and Jake Tolipano have stepped up and led the way. Junior standouts include Grayson Goodstein, Alex Goldstein, Nick Rinaldi, Nick Pizzirusso, Peter Kourkomelis, Anthony Firriolo, Cory Falk, Ethan Saperman, Josh Blum, Chris
Field, and Ben Mehani have been tremendous assets on the mound, in the field, and at the plate. ?We are also looking forward to having sophomore pitcher/ outfielder Jack Finkelstein returning to play,?said Gattus. Everyone?s hard work is what makes this team so strong. ?I am very grateful to coach such a great group of student-athletes who are fun to be around, compete hard in practice, play hard in games, and make each other better every day.? On Friday, April 8, the varsity baseball team beat
Sewanhaka High School 12-1 to complete a 3 game sweep with Nick Rinaldi and Josh Blum combining to strike out 6 batters over 5 innings. Anthony Firriolo was the offensive star with 3 hits and 2 RBIs, while Ganca, Peyser, Rowe, and Goodstein all collected hits as well. They have improved to 3-2-1 on the season before a huge series against Calhoun. The Kennedy baseball team hopes to surpass expectations and continue Kennedy's spirit of sportsmanship and success.
Chris Pasatieri | CMPDESIGNZ
Thevarsity baseball team is2-2-1 after twoseriesof leagueplay.
Djokovic takes a stand on current vaccination guidelines BY NIKITA RODOV Opinionseditor Tennis has historically had a long list of diverse characters, all bringing unique and powerful presences. Novak Djokovic, a 34-year-old Serbian righty, is well known for his role as one of these characters. Holding 86 career titles, the title of all-time leader in awards, and a current world ranking of 1st in men?s singles, Djokovic carries an impressive track record. In anticipation of securing his record-extending 10th Australian Open and 21st Grand Slam title, however, recent controversy regarding adherence to international Covid-19 regulations has left him questioning his dedication to the sport. W ith Australia currently sticking firmly to some of the world?s strictest Covid-19 guidelines, including a required vaccination status for all visitors and residents, Djokovic?s personal choices regarding the issue have posed yet another challenge in the progression of his professional season. Observing strict diets, exercise regimes, and overall personal health, the master
athlete has also decided that it is best in his interest not to get any variation of the Covid-19 vaccine. W hile some have argued that this reflects a controversial ?anti-vax?take, Djokovic has quickly clarified that this is false. He has reinforced his judgment by stating, ?I just don?t have enough clarity of how the Covid vaccine will affect me and whether it?s going to create a certain effect on my game, and I wouldn?t have the benefits that I would normally have.?Additionally, he has come out to say that he respects the global vaccination program and would not be wholly opposed to vaccinations in the future under more comfortable circumstances. No matter Djokovic?s evaluation of the circumstances, the champion?s decision has undeniably left fans, opponents, and even entire nations in a flurry of emotions. On an earlier visit to compete at Melbourne Park, under the exception that Djokovic had recently suffered through the virus, Australian immigration authorities and the Australian public seemed concerned about the immediate risk of exposure and the image of
TENNIS.COM
Novak Djokovicwill return toGrand Slam play in May at Roland Garroswherehelook for his21st championship.
power and privilege the world-renowned athlete had portrayed. After an initial detainment, Djokovic was released by court order, detained again, and finally deported. However, the matter had unwound into an even further debacle as global debate stirred with Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke?s statement that the player?s actions could have been a threat to public order in the country because his presence would encourage anti-vaccination sentiment. Conversely, there have been many professional athletes, and even top coaches such as Rob Steckley, who have
voiced support for Djokovic. The coach, who has earned numerous titles and helped players like Denis Shapovalov earn their own, recently commented, ?I have the utmost respect for Novak Djokovic? when you really know his story and his beliefs, I think that?s what humanity is all about, and that?s what he believes in.? Despite the variety of concerns, it is important to question what is to come for the future of Djokovic and the sport of tennis as a whole. Although the future of Covid-19 and its numerous recent strains is still
uncertain, nations like France are beginning to loosen up on their restrictions on players such as Djokovic and even ordinary tourists. French Open tournament director Amelie Mauresmo has even concluded that ?as things stand, nothing is in the way of Djokovic taking part in the French Open.?Ultimately, the ordeal has shown us that while global views on Covid-19 remain limited, grounds for athletics and entertainment have become more accessible to all, including those who choose not to vaccinate.
Spor ts April 2022
New coaches, veter an tal ent highl ight Kennedy basebal l season BY SAM SCHNEIDER Sportseditor Baseball season is back, and the Kennedy JV and Varsity Baseball teams are filled with new talent from the players and coaches. This year, both teams' rosters underwent a few changes. Besides the new first-year students, two new coaches with quite impressive resumes were added to the program. The new JV Head Coach, Zach Goldstein, graduated from Calhoun High School in 2012 and continued his athletic career playing baseball at Southern New Hampshire University. He was a two-time Nassau County Class AA Champion and Long Island Class AA Champion in 2012 while playing for Calhoun. During his collegiate year, he was
named the 2017 NE10 and D2CCA East Region Player of the Year. He was also named a D2CCA All-America Honorable Mention in his last three collegiate seasons and recognized to the NE10 All-Conference Team. Adding to his long list of accomplishments, he holds South New Hampshire University?s career records for triples, runs scored, and on-base percentage. Additionally, he spent one year playing professional baseball for the Long Island Ducks in 2017. So it?s clear he knows his stuff when it comes to playing baseball, but what about his coaching experience? He was a coach for the Adelphi University Baseball program for three seasons. The new Varsity Assistant Coach, Joe Roche, graduated
Chris Pasatieri | CMPDESIGNZ
JakeTolipanohad 11 strikeoutsin a completegamevictory against Sewanhaka on April 4.
from Clarke High School in 2015 and continued his athletic career playing baseball at SUNY Farmingdale. He was an All-Conference catcher and
member of the 2013 Class A County Championship baseball team while playing for Clarke. He won a championship in the 2019 Skyline Conference during his
collegiate career. After just two weeks of regular season play, the BASEBALL | Page 15
Teams look to avenge past upsets as NHL playoffs loom BY RYAN GARCIA Staff writer The NHL playoffs are right around the corner, with April marking the last month of regular season play before the playoffs. The Stanley Cup playoffs remain one of the most exciting playoffs in North American sports, with loud crowds, heart-stopping action, and plenty of miracle runs. W hich teams will secure their spots in the playoffs?This year the field is nearly set, with the Panthers, Leafs, Bruins, Hurricanes, Rangers, Penguins, Lightning, and Capitals sitting relatively comfortably in the East. Out West, the Avalanche, W ild, Blues, Flames, Kings, Oilers, Predators, and Golden Knights all hold playoff spots, but the Stars, Jets, and Canucks are pushing to snag a wild card spot. The best will go at it for the Cup, and it should remain highly competitive. The Confer ence?s Best Out in the East, the Florida Panthers are looking to avenge an early playoff exit at the hand of their in-state rivals in the Tampa Bay Lightning, as they?ve secured
102 points which are the most in the East by 7 points over the Toronto Maple Leafs. In addition, no team in the East has scored more goals. W hile
Avalanche are the top dog, with their 104 points being the best in the entire NHL. They?re looking to be the first team this season to eclipse 50
the Franchise?s 3rd Stanley Cup Trophy. Sur pr ise Contender s The New York Rangers were
sub-.500 last year but sit with 41 wins and are the West?s 3rd best team in points. So while the conference is weaker than the East, they also remain a team that made massive improvements this year, and if they can figure out how to topple the Goliath in Colorado, they?ll have a real shot to win the Cup. Many of these teams are looking to bounce back at the right moment and make a playoff run.
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Igor Shesterkin and ChrisKreider areboth breaking out for theNew York Rangersthisseason.
their goals allowed are more average, this hasn?t stopped them from posting the best Goal Differential in the East, and they look to capture their first-ever Stanley Cup. In the West, the Colorado
wins, and with their 13 point advantage over 2nd place in the Minnesota W ild, there?s no doubt that they?re going to make a deep playoff run. They?ve dominated the West all year, and they look to get
not good last year, but they?ve shot up to the league?s 5th best team in points, cruising to a playoff spot. If they can heat up for the playoffs, they?ll be able to make noise. The Calgary Flames were
These NHL playoffs look to be a blast, and teams like the Islanders, Stars, Golden Knights, and Jets are still pursuing playoff spots. As teams are starting to clinch playoff berths, the competition gets even tighter and more intense. Let's see which teams can make a push and improve their resumes before the conclusion of the regular season. Be sure to keep an eye out for what could be a wild finish to the season before the incredible playoffs. So, who is your favorites to win the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs?W ill one of the surprising contenders take it home or will Tampa go for the three-peat? We will find out very soon.