by Natalie
All about the Lancer Spirit 4
Editorial from the Lancer
Spirit staff 5
Winter fashion trends
Morgan Laczynski 7
Sweet treats for the Holiday season
Emma Desrosiers 9
Senior Joey Cain’s project 11
Domenica Vacca
Mr. LHS is back! 12
LSO App information 13
Kelly Egan
Senior Amanda Robinson will be cutting hair for the fourth time during the Day of Giving Assembly 15
Kelly Egan
Emma Desrosiers
Natalie Merhib
Jill Mazzola
Michaela Horan
Arianna Conomacos
Dillon Tufts
Domenica Vacca
Lizzie Sosa
Hanna Carroll
Meghan Carroll
Morgan Laczynski
Sean Cornett
Editor-in-Chief
Asst. Editor-in-Chief
Magazine Chief
Business Manager
Copy Chief
Opinions Editor
Executive Sports Editor
A&E Editor
Features Editor
Sports Editor
Creative Writing Editor
Fashion Editor
Multimedia Editor
The Lancer Spirit is a news publication of Londonderry High School, which includes both a news magazine and a website. The staff of student journalists strive to accurately and ethically report events and topics that are relevant and interesting to the LHS community.
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Londonderry Volleyball
Michelle Wooding
The Soucy Family: Andy, Kim, and Malei
Mitchell Family
Presents wrapped in silver and gold foil. A prim and pristine tree standing proud in a corner, covered in lights like fairies. A star or an angel perched upon its highest branch. Children tucked away in their beds, sugar plums dancing above their heads. Mice left with crumbs too small even for them. Candy canes and peppermints traded around like gold coins. Christmas carols are stuck in our heads.
Most people are quite familiar with these Christmas traditions and sayings, with 93% of Americans celebrating it. However, we do not often think of the other traditions and holidays associated with this time of year. It’s important to take time to acknowledge other holidays and their traditions; to learn more about them and respect them and the unique perspective that each of them gives towards the world.
One holiday that many are familiar with is Hanukkah. Hanukkah is celebrated on the 25th of Kislev, a month in the Hebrew calendar that normally falls in November or December. While Hanukkah itself is not originally a religious holiday, it has become an extremely popular event in Judaism. It’s meant to celebrate the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after it had been desecrated by the Seleucid King Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Antiochus IV Epiphanes was a king of the Seleucid Kingdom of Syria who rose to power in 170 B.C.E, and was a massive proponeent of the Greek panthion. He was an especially big fan of Zeus, often claiming that he himself was an incarnation of the god of thunder. He wanted to create a cultural unity
among his kingdom, and used violence and strict enforcment of his new religious policies in regards to the jewish people in face of growing protests. Some argue that he is responsible for the creation of the stereotype of the apocalyptic antichrist.
One tradition from Hanukkah is the lighting of the Menorah. The tradition has been part of the holiday for over 1,800 years. Menorahs have nine candles, one being used to light all of the other candles over the eight-day period in which the holiday takes place. A family’s Menorah is commonly displayed in a window, and a relatively more recent tradition is the gifting of a present on every day of Hanukkah.
Playing Dreidel is another tradition and game that is played during Hanukkah. This game includes a spinning top, an iconic image of Hanukkah. Many other Hanukkah traditions include: giving out gelt otherwise known as donations, cooking food in oil, eating dairy, or singing one of the many of Hanakkuh’s dedicated songs.
Another holiday celebrated in December is Kwanzaa. This is an extremely young holiday in comparison to Hanukkah or Christmas, having only been around for about 50 years. Kwanzaa was created by a professor of African studies at the California State University Maulana Karenga to celebrate African social and family values.
Unlike Hanukkah and Christmas, Kwanzaa has no religious meanings behind it. While it is primarily an African-American holiday, it has been
slowly spreading to other parts of the world as well such as the Caribbean.
Similar to a Menorah, Kwanzaa utilizes a candle holder called a Kinara that features seven candles; one black, three orange, and three green. They are placed on a straw mat called a mkeka. Kwanzaa lasts seven days, each day holding its own meeting: unity, selfdetermination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. An ear of corn is placed underneath the Kinara for each child in the family as well as a cup of unity and a fruit basket.
Kwanzaa starts on Dec 26. Traditionally, hand-made gifts are exchanged rather than store-bought ones. The sixth day of Kwanzaa, called Kuumba, is intended to celebrate creativity and families gather to make gifts and do fun crafts that are normally exchanged on the final day of Kwanzaa dedicated to faith called Imani. On Kuumba, families gather together for a huge family dinner called Karamu.
As you can see, there are many holidays for all kinds of different and diverse cultures. We encourage you to learn more about all of these different traditions and holidays, and the different perspectives on the world this holiday season.
Morgan Laczynski FASHION EDITOR
Winter may be the most love or hate season of the year. You can never stay warm, and it’s always painfully cold outside. But one of the positive things about winter is the fashionable trends you can follow. Cute pants, sweaters, shoes, jackets, good perfume, and lots of layering. Throughout junior Maya Daabouls school year, she’s changed and so have her outfits. Her hair is always done, her tops always match her shoes, and she always has the ‘perfect look.’ Daaboul is always seen in a crowd full of people because her outfits always stand out. She always starts her outfits out with the ‘sandwich theory’, an outfit planning tactic that is used by many students in the lancer nation. Daaboul then makes sure she has low rise jeans.
“I like low rise jeans way better than high jeans,” Daaboul said “They just fit so much better and way more flattering”.
Then she has her gold jewelry to tie it all together. Gold rings, necklaces, and earrings.
“I love having a full set of earrings,” Daaboul said. “I think they look so pretty.”
Daaboul not only makes sure her outfits are cute, but she also loves having accessories. She has two rings on each hand, and she also has her cross necklace. So cute, so gold, and so Maya!
As sophomore Lindsey
Mckinnon wears her cute smile, she also has a cute fashionable sense. When she walks in the halls, her outfits always catch my eyes. She starts off with the basic long sleeve and pants, but she finds ways to spice up her outfits. Mckinnon’s shirt is a navy blue color that she puts together with cream cargo pants. She pulls this style off
so well. Then she is wearing black converse with a black vest.
“I love my black converse, they are so comfy and they also match with so many things,” Mckinnon said.
Fashionable and cute? What a perfect match. Now moving onto Mckinnon’s hair, she is rocking the slick back bun. This hairstyle is so easy, and so cute. No hair tools needed, just a brush and some gel. It fits her and this outfit perfectly. Finally, she has heart earrings to go along with her heart necklace.
Her jewelry is not only so cute, but she wears
‘pinterest’ inspired that walks by. Her
her outfit amazes shirt, with a white cardigan. Do we again, we see the sandwich theory. For accessories she has her pearl shell necklace, and her gold bracelets. She is not only dressed for success, but is dressed with style.
1BASIC BUT CUTE
Lindsey’s outfit is perfect for any occasion, and she pulls this off!
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Arianna’s outfit is super cute and stylish!
Emma Desrosiers
ASST. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
As the air begins to chill and the ground begins to frost, the realization comes that your pick me up needs to bring holiday cheer. Luckily, one of the most highly approved fast food/coffee chains by the general public, Starbucks, has just what you are looking for! Not only are they bringing back seasonal favorites, they have added festive drinks and desserts to their menu just in time to ring in the holidays. Whether you are looking for a coffee alternative with a little bit of spice like the Iced Gingerbread Oat Milk Chai or a traditional, timeless flavor like the Iced Caramel Brulee Latte, these specials are ready for your taste of approval. I tried four items listed below and am loyal to them, meaning this review is fully biased. Let me know if you agree, and what your favorite holiday treat from Starbucks is in the poll!
Starting with my top pick, the iced Caramel Brulee Latte from Starbucks easily takes the cake. The fact that this beverage is not sold year-round is a mystery to me. The basic caramel latte doesn’t even hold a candle to this masterpiece curated by the baristas at Londonderry Starbucks. I have never once been disappointed in this drink because it is genuinely impossible to mess up. It does not matter if you like coffee or if you don’t, you will enjoy this drink. You can opt to get it without the whipped cream and caramel crunch ribbons but I am not sure why you would deprive yourself of the joy, magic, and fun included. The caramel syrup is a bit thicker and sweeter than the original caramel syrup and makes for a perfectly iced and smooth dessert while doubling as your pick me up source of caffeine for the day. I could go on for pages but there is truly nothing bad I have to say about this drink. Coming in second place from Starbucks is the Iced Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte from
Starbucks. The reason I adore this drink so much to write a review about it is because it is so customizable to the beholder’s preferences. You want sugar cookie cold foam? Go for it. You want vanilla sweet cream cold foam? Yes please! You want oat milk instead of almond milk? I won’t disagree with you. You could change any aspect of this drink, which people very commonly do, and it will still taste incredible. Another bonus point for this drink is awarded for the very premise that it is perfect for non-coffee drinkers. The drink seriously hits the nail on the head by tasting identical to a sugar cookie. It also comes with red and green crunchy sprinkles on top which only adds to the holiday cheer. You have to try this one, however you like it!
Taking third place from Starbucks is the Iced Gingerbread Oat Milk Chai. It is difficult for me to place this drink in the bottom of the top
three because it is just that good. This drink led me to the life-changing, world-altering discovery that I like chai. I thought that I didn’t like chai because back in the fall, I didn’t necessarily enjoy the Pumpkin Chai Latte, but I have now realized that the pumpkin syrup was the culprit to my displeasure. This drink tastes like an original iced chai latte to a tee, so if you’re not a gingerbread fan, you are still guaranteed to enjoy this beverage. There is a hint of gingerbread spice and to add a seasonal kick, pumpkin pie spice is sprinkled on top of the oat milk froth. This drink is creamy and sweet from the first to the very last sip and is one of the most highly recommended beverages for those who enjoy dairy alternatives. The oat milk is perfectly suitable and I would not alter this drink in any way, shape, or form.
Another reason you should cave in and sit through the lengthy wait of
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the Starbucks drive-thru this season is to get your annual holiday cup! This year’s theme is ‘Share the Joy’ and there are four different designs to choose from; Party Plaid, Peppermint Swirl, Ribbon Spool, and Bauble Wrap.
“This year’s holiday theme is ‘Share the Joy,’” Kristy Cameron, Starbucks’ creative director, says in a news release. “It’s our shared human experience and togetherness that makes the season special.”Each cup features a seasonal design: Party Plaid was inspired by a classic, but modern plaid scarf, says Bridget Shilling, the designer behind this year’s cup collection, while Peppermint Swirl combines the “familiarity of tissue paper and the swirling shapes of peppermint candies.”Ribbon Spool looks as if it’s wrapped with colorful ribbons, Bauble Wrap features mod, retro holiday ornaments, and the cold cup is all about those snow-white baubles and sparkles.
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Domenica Vacca A&E EDITOR
A new student-run choir has been singing their way into Londonderry performances. This student-run choir, known as Nove Voci, was created by senior Joey Cain for his senior project with the help of LHS choir director Danielle Loschiavo and LHS music director Serge Beaulieu.
“Originally, my idea was that it was an eight-person choir,” Cain said. “Eight parts so soprano, alto, tenor, and bass but it’s split. The idea was that I was just going to pull people that I knew, but Mrs. Loschiavo thought it would be better if I held auditions, so that was a whole thing where I had to make flyers, schedule auditions, and get ready for auditions and then do them and evaluate them to the best of my ability.”
This choir includes seniors David Todd, Ellie Holcombe, Kelly Egan, Killian Daron, Michaela Horan, and Timothy Dolan, juniors Dylan Anderson and Reya Rivera, and sophomore Kelsey Sweet.
“He announced it to the class and told us about it,” senior Killian Daron said. “It sounded like a fun thing to sign up for and try out.”
Cain has proven to be able to run this choir efficiently and ensures everything runs smoothly.
“He’s so good at giving us notes, conducting us, and making sure we’re
all on the same page,” senior Kelly Egan said. “He’s very organized and has a Google Classroom page. He made a whole doc of all the different events we have.”
Cain’s musical knowledge has drawn in other students to audition to get a chance to learn from him.
“I thought it would be a great opportunity to do some singing outside of school,” senior Ellie Holcombe said. “Joey’s a great teacher, and I thought it would be great to learn from him as well.”
The choir is still relatively new, having only started a few weeks prior, so there is still a learning process for each of the members.
er’s voices better,” junior Reya Rivera said. “I think the more we sing together and the more we practice together it’ll just be better.”
The choir recently had a performance on the 2nd of the month at the town commons.
“There was a tree lighting at one of the churches near here so we got to sing a couple of our carols and it was a really fun and cool opportunity,” Egan said. “Since there’s only nine of us it’s a really pure and condensed sound and the audience seemed to enjoy it. It was our first gig so it definitely wasn’t perfect but we have a lot more rehearsals so we’ll improve but for our first gig I think it
Cain has been planning for his senior project since the end of his junior year and most of his plans are still in the works.
“I have big stuff planned but I don’t have the information for it yet,” Cain said. “The concept is a charity concert of some sort with a charity I’m still choosing to help raise awareness and to also share music and love.”
Cain has proven his ability to conduct this choir in a way that works for each of the members.
“The songs Joey picks are really pretty and I think that he picked them because he knows they’ll suit all of our voices,” Egan said. “You can just tell he’s made to do this and he’s going to go very far.”
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Kelly Egan
ASST. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Senior Amanda Robinson was eight years old when she sat in a black salon chair, cut her hair to her shoulders, and donated it to help create wigs for those with cancer. Now, ten years later, she is preparing to donate her hair for the fourth time in her life on the gymnasium floor with other donors surrounding her.
“I just think it’s exciting,” Robinson said. “I like the environment of it.”
Robinson was first inspired to donate her hair in second grade when her mom decided they would do it together.
“She was just like ‘yeah we’re gonna donate,’ I don’t remember why we did it,” Robinson said. “I was so young that I didn’t know why I was doing it either. I just remember it being really short.”
Once Robinson saw her hair short, she was sure that wouldn’t be the last time she’d donate.
“I kinda just liked how my hair looked throughout the stages,” Robinson said. “It would see it very short and then I would [want to] grow out and cut it again.”
When Robinson was in fifth grade,
Photo by Kelly Egan
she decided to cut it again in honor of her fourth-grade teacher who had breast cancer.
“I was [already] planning on doing it again, but then she had breast cancer and I was like yeah I’m definitely doing it,” Robinson said.
During her freshman year, she got to watch LHS students donate their day on the annual Day of Giving fundraiser for the first time. After the assembly, she pledged to donate during her sophomore year. This was a different and “exciting” experience for her.
“I had only ever done it in a hair salon, so it wasn’t a big deal or anything,” Robinson said. “But it was so fun because I was surrounded by a ton of other people also cutting their hair.”
Robinson finds this event “helpful” and “so positive,” and commends pep rally coordinator Steven Juster for putting on this fundraiser every year.
“[Juster] is just great,” Robinson said. “He builds it up and he makes you feel good about it.”
Juster refers to every person who donates their hair as an “angel,” and feels Robison is the epitome of this title.
“She is so sweet and always leads with a smile,” Juster said. “She creates miracles.”
Every year, Juster puts up posters around the school of people who have already donated or have pledged to donate for the upcoming year.
Juster chose Robinson for a poster during her sophomore year not just because “her hair was long and beautiful.”
“Amanda would never ask for any recognition, which made her the perfect candidate for an inspiring poster,” Juster said. “She inspires people by who she is every day.”
Amanda’s inspiration for current and
Scan the QR code to read reporter, Kaylee Mague’s story on Lancer Lengths.
future Lancers to donate their hair is very valuable according to Juster.
“There are a few students of whom you could say, if a guest visited the school, I would want that student to greet the person at the door, for a first impression of us,” Juster said. “[Robinson] would be one of those students.”
Juster’s encouragement led Robinson to pledge to donate her hair on the upcoming Day of Giving assembly again during her senior year. She
“doesn’t know how to describe” the joy and excitement that goes into this fundraiser.
“It’s a bunch of [people] who like donating their hair to help others,” Robinson said. “It’s just very positive.”
Robinson encourages all students to donate their hair if they have the opportunity.
“I mean, why not?” Robinson said. “It’s so easy to grow your hair back out. It’s just such an easy way to help someone.”
Christmas AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR