Holiday Spread

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THE BEACON • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2024

to p 1 0 t hi n gs w e’ r e n ot b ri n gi n g i n to t h e n ew y ea r 1. Bargeman 6. Confiscating (We love you) eyelash curlers 2. Wawa sizzlis

7. PE as a senior

3. Half-swiping 8. AI checkers 4. Instagram notes

9. “Working” at the help desk

5. Dunkin’ no donuts

10. Tiktok...

SANTA

SAN T A C L A

US

Norah Caplan Director of New Staff

.D Ms

e lo s Sa ntos

1. Name three of Santa’s reindeer Delos Santos: Rudolph Santa Claus: Donner, Blizten, Rudolph 2. What did Frosty the Snowman do when a magic hat was placed on his head?

Delos Santos: Melt Santa Claus: Came alive 3. How many nights of Hanukkah are there?

Delos Santos: Oh my god…I need ChatGPT for that question…Eight (Used three lifelines.)

Santa Claus: Eight 4. In the 12 Days of Christmas, what was the gift on day five?

Delos Santos: Counted her fingers and, with some hints, concluded: gold rings Santa Claus: Gold rings 5. What is the candle holder in Kwanzaa called?

Delos Santos: Takes a sip of water and shakes her head no Santa Claus: A Menorah 6. What is Santa Claus’s real name?

Delos Santos: Lord Jesus Christ Santa Claus: St. Nicholas Claus 7. What is the traditional game played during Hanukkah involving a spinning top?

Delos Santos: Is it…a Beyblade?

Santa Claus: Dreidel 8. What is the name of the Grinch’s dog?

Delos Santos: Dipsy…Tipsy?

Santa Claus: Santa’s Little Helper?

9. When is the Winter solstice?

Delos Santos: It’s near Winter, of course, around November?

Santa Claus: December 21 10. What is Santa’s most famous way of entering a house to

deliver gifts?

Delos Santos: The hoo hoo hoo…? Entering the…chimney? The hoo hoo hoo!

Santa Claus: The chimney!

The winner of “Are You Smarter than Santa Claus?” is…Santa Claus!! With a score of eight, he came out on top with more correct answers than physics teacher Ms. Delos Santos.

Keep up with your facts.

Who knows, you may be the next contestant!

See answer below. • Answers: 1.

Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, Rudolph (any 3 of these 9) - 2.

Came to life - 3.

Eight - 4. Five gold rings – also acceptable five golden rings. 5. A Kinara - 6.

St. Nicholas - 7.

Dreidel - 8. Max 9. December 21 10. The chimney

from page 1

There’s more than just Christmas!

PHOTOS BY JAVIER THOMPSON

SANTA VS. SANTOS - Santa Claus poses in his suit on the side of a highway with a bell in hand and science teacher Maria De Los Santos smiles in the halls of JR. Santa knows when you’re awake and knows if you’ve been bad or good, so it was no surprise he knew the most correct answers!

Within the first few seconds of December, holiday cheer is in full swing. As the temperature drops even further, people get swept up in holiday music, food, and family tradition, and are blind to the many other holidays December has to offer. During this time, it’s important to recognize and celebrate other, often overlooked, cultural traditions.

Let’s learn about all the holidays that this season brings.

Bohdi Day: Celebrated by Buddhists, Bohdi Day celebrates the moment “Historic Buddha” (aka Siddharta Guatama) achieved enlightenment. As legend has it, the Historic Buddha was a privileged prince who was sheltered from the injustices of the world until he ventured out into his kingdom. Much to his shock, Buddha encountered the sufferings of his people and realized something had to be done. To find an answer, Buddha meditated for weeks and, when he awoke, he was enlightened to the root of human suffering. This momentous occasion is celebrated through prayer, meditation, and decorations of colorful lights and beads.

Yule: As one of the oldest winter solstice festivals, Yule has been celebrated long before Germans practiced Christianity.

The festival uses light, fire, and feasting to celebrate the winter solstice—the shortest day of the year. Traditionally, the holiday was marked by a large log that burned throughout the multi-day festival,

and this tradition is still seen today through many families’ tradition of serving a wood shaped cake on Christmas.

Saturnalia: One of the most popular Roman festivals, Saturnalia celebrates the Roman god of farming and harvest, Saturn. The god is honored by the suspension of work and the making of wax candles, fruit, and statues.

The week-long festival originally began on December 17 and directly contributed to the creation of two distinct holidays: Christmas and New Years. Additionally, the custom of hanging Christmas wreaths began from the Saturnalia tradition of decorating one’s house with nature and greenery.

Las Posadas: Observed throughout Mexico and Guatemala, Las Posadas is a Christmas celebration deeply rooted in Latin culture. The festivities span nine days, where groups of people go door to door, singing songs and asking for lodging that is refused each night. Then, on Christmas Eve (the last night of the festival), the group reaches the designated house. There, the travelers finally enter to an evening of prayer and song that ends with a star-shaped pinata.

The winter months bring more Christmas trees and Chanukah candles. Holidays and festivities are celebrated across the globe that you may not be familiar with.

So this holiday season, take time to acknowledge different cultures while keeping true to your own winter traditions. •

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2024 • THE BEACON

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The best (and worst) holiday specials from our childhood ¡Corteza de Menta deliciosa!

Jordana Sloane Peyton Shum Junior Editors

As the temperature begins its steady descent into freezing, the desire to snuggle into the couch with a soft blanket and hot chocolate in hand increases.

While watching Hot Frosty is great, binging prime Disney Channel era holiday episodes is even better.

Here are some great (and some awful) Disney and Nickelodeon episodes to bring on the nostalgia this holiday season.

Austin & Ally and Jessie: “Austin & Jessie & Ally All Star New Year” This two episode crossover was a bit peculiar. The first episode was just an Austin & Ally episode with Jessie slapped on it for promotion purposes. It starts with Austin and friends’ lengthy journey to perform at Times Square on New Year’s Eve, while the second episode features a fully grown woman stealing a song from an eight year old. Overall, this was a flop and a waste of time.

Hannah Montana: “It’s the End of the Jake As We Know it” (Season 4, Ep 5) Another flop, Hannah’s season 3 holiday episode could be described as a regular episode with a dash of Christmas spirit.

However, we couldn’t give up on our favorite teen pop sensation, so we tried a different season.

The season 4 episode “It’s the End of the Jake As We Know it,” was like we were transported to a different planet, one that actually recognized that Christmas was a holiday. Hannah’s Christmas is stomped on repeatedly when she learns that her boyfriend is cheating on her. Why, Jake, why?

Hannah beats him up on live TV, while her dad steals Jake’s clothes. #GOALS

Victorious: “A Christmas Tori” (Season 2, Ep 13) Featuring a Secret Santa and Cat’s brother’s Christmas beef, this Victorious episode was pure gold. However, we did experience some brain cloudiness with all the presents gifted between the cast.

How did Robbie rent a cotton candy machine that came “WITH

A MAN” and where can I get one?

Can my Secret Santa please get me a good grade like the one Tori gave to André? And if so, can they give it to me in Biomed?

KC Undercover: “Holly Holly Not So Jolly” (Season 2, Ep 22) Featuring our queen Zendaya, this episode tackled some serious topics. KC hides that she is going to therapy from her family. She feels like she doesn’t know who she is anymore and reflects back on her glory days in the spy industry.

If you’re feeling a bit lonely and sad over the holidays, or perhaps missing your days as a spy, this episode is a great way to feel acknowledged, but also get in a good laugh.

Elmo’s World: Happy Holidays To end our trip down memory lane, we have to end with the show of our childhood: Sesame Street.

We had high hopes for the hour long Elmo’s World special, which said it was going to teach kids about Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. Yay education! Sadly, it was very Christmas centric and the quality was fuzzy, to say the least. Plus it featured some “odd moments”, like when Elmo kept making out with a door under the mistletoe or doing a very suggestive dance. Nonetheless, it was an enjoyable watch that should keep your little cousins entertained, and make you go “did he just do that?” when you have to babysit over the holidays.

If you still have a concerning obsession with Disney Channel and Nickelodeon shows like us, turn on your TV, and snuggle up because “You’re watching Disney Channel!”•

How to give back during the holidays Maddie Nusbaum Junior Editor

‘Tis the season to be jolly and there is no shortage of ways to spread holiday cheer in the nation’s capital. From donating coats, to wrapping gifts, to planning caroling at elderly homes, DC has a wide variety of ways to give back to those in need! Not sure where to start?

Here are a few ideas…

J. Crew Coat Drive: Already doing holiday s h o p p i n g i n G e o rg e to w n ?

Donate a new or gently used coat to J. Crew and get $25 off your next purchase. J. Crew, located in Georgetown, has partnered with One Warm Coat, a non-profit organization that provides coats to children and adults. The aim of this drive is to collect winter and distribute them around the city to ensure everyone stays warm during the holiday season. Donations last from now until December 31st!

Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program: The Angel Tree holiday assistance program through the Salvation Army allows

individuals to sponsor a child and purchase new toys, clothes, shoes, or gift cards on their wishlist. All across the US, families struggle with holiday gift expenses, so this program makes sure every kid has something to unwrap under the Christmas tree. Sponsor “elves” can either bag items directly and bring them to the Angel Tree warehouse, or purchase online and ship them to that location!

G o o d Karma Holiday Program: A Wider Circle is well known as a donation center in Silver Spring, but during the holiday season, their donation drives expand to cover many different areas. Throughout December, A Wider Circle is hosting a drive where individuals can drop off unwrapped toys, books, educational games, and gift cards as a way to help families during the holidays, giving children something special to enjoy this holiday season. A Wider Circle is also collecting non-perishable foods, as well as grocery store gift cards so every family can have a nice holiday meal!

Edlavitch DC Jewish Community Center:

Every year on Christmas day, the Edlavitch DCJCC organizes its largest volunteer event of the year, providing many different ways to participate and spread holiday cheer. Volunteers can deliver gifts to families in need, s i n g

carols at homes and hospitals for the elderly, serve meals, donate blood, and so much more. It costs $20 to volunteer, and all funds go toward holiday gifts for those in need! Edlavitch DCJCC’s goal is to make each holiday season extra special. •

GRAPHIC BY LINH NGUYEN

Noa Gordon Kalpana Shipler Editora de deportes Editora junior

Ya ha llegado el invierno, y debido a la bajas temperaturas, estamos pasando todo nuestro tiempo dentro de casa. Esto nos ha dado la oportunidad perfecta para experimentar con nuevas recetas. Después de un día largo y difícil, nos encontramos con una receta fácil de preparar y absolutamente deliciosa: Corteza de Menta. Aunque el proceso fue largo, valió la pena completamente.

Al comerlo, el calor refrescante de la menta se extendió por nuestro cuerpo, haciéndonos sentir un calorcito muy agradable. ¡Nos que damos más que satisfechos y definitivamente te lo recomendamos!

Ingredientes: • Chocolate blanco • Chocolate semi dulce • Aceite neutro. Bastones de caramelo triturados.

Necesitarás entre 2 y 3 bastones de caramelo Processo: Cubre el fondo y los lados de un molde para hornear con papel pergamino o papel de aluminio, alisando las arrugas para facilitar el desmolde. Resérvalo.

Capa inferior: Derrite 6 onzas de chocolate blanco en una taza medidora de líquidos. Agrega 1/4 de cucharadita de extracto de menta. Vierte el chocolate blanco derretido en el molde preparado y utiliza una espátula o cuchara para esparcirlo en una capa fina. Coloca el molde en el refrigerador durante 10 a 15 minutos o hasta que esté casi firme.

Capa intermedia: Coloca el chocolate semidulce en un recipiente pequeño resistente al calor o en una taza medidora de líquidos. Agrega 1/2 cucharadita de aceite. Derrite.. Una vez derretido, agregue el 1/4 de cucharadita restante de extracto de menta.

Vierte todo el chocolate semidulce sobre la capa de chocolate blanco y extiéndalo suavemente con una espátula.. Devuelve a colocar la bandeja en el refrigerador durante otros 10 a 15 minutos.

Capa superior: Coloca el chocolate blanco que queda en un tazón pequeño o en una taza medidora de líquidos. Agregue la última 1/2 cucharadita de aceite.

Derrita. Vierte sobre las capas de corteza y extiéndalo hasta formar una capa suave. Espolvorea con bastones de caramelo triturados.

Congela la corteza, aproximadamente 1 hora. Una vez endurecida, quita el papel de aluminio o el papel pergamino y rompelo en trozos. •