ROARIssue#1
October2024
Featured in theroarnewspaper.org
HeadEditor:AnnaRosciszewski
HeadofPopularCulture:LeilaLucas
HeadofSports:ChloeBelga
HeadofCurrentEvents:AnnaRosciszewski
HeadofSocialMedia:LuciaLaski
CoverArtist:ZofiaRosciszewski
TableofContents
PopularCulture…………………………………………………………………………p.2-19
p.2-6:TopTenTotallyTopicalHalloweenCostumeIdeasbyLuciaLaski
p.7-8:UgliesMovieReviewbyTherinaBrutus
p.9-10:BokserMovieReviewbyAnnaRosciszewski
p.11-14:TheSearchforFallbySorayaLadjiliandGwenythMuirAtkinson p.14-15:TheNewOdyssey:EpicTheMusicalbyZofiaRosciszewski
p15-19:TheHuntforL.A’sBestChocolateChipCookiebyAnnaRosciszewski
CreativeWriting…………………………………………………………………………p.19-35
p.19-21:TheDarkbyLeilaLucas
p.21-26:ItWasaDarkandStormyNight…
p.26-27:ABurningSnowlandbyAnnaRosciszewski
p.27-33:FallVillanellesbytheLFLAPoetryClub
p.33-35:BreathebyLeilaLucas
CurrentEvents…………………………………………………………………………p.36-37
p.36-37:Boeing’sWoesbyJanRosciszewski
GreenPage…………………………………………………………………………p.38-40
p.38-40:WhyarePeopleStillShoppingatSHEIN?ByAlessiaVialle
SportsPage…………………………………………………………………………p.40-41 p.40-41:TennisStarRafaelNadalRetiresbyChloeBelga
LionLife…………………………………………………………………………p.41-43
p.41-43:StudentCouncilFlashInterviewbyChloeBelga
POPULARCULTURE
TopTenTotallyTopicalHalloweenCostumeIdeas
byLuciaLaski
Oooooooh…. Doyouhearthat?That’sthesoundofHalloweensneakinguponyou.Ifyouare strugglingincomingupwithcostumeideasthisyear,fearnot.2024hasbeenaparticularly significantyearforculture,soIroundedupthetoptenmosttopicalHalloweencostumes, 2024-edition!
1. Moo-Deng
Doessheevenneedanintroduction?Foranybodywhois unaware,Moo-Dengisathree-month-oldpygmy hippopotamusfromThailandwhohasrecentlygone mega-viral,gainingmillionsoflikesonsocialmediaandeven beingparodiedonSaturdayNightLive.Themostvital componentofagoodMoo-Dengcostumeisdewyskinand rosycheeks.Throwonsomegrayclothesandsomehippoears andsomebodymightmistakeyou fortheiconicbabyhippo!
2. FourSeasonsOrlandoBaby
“Me!”shoutedthefullyconsciousbabyuponbeingasked, “WhowantstogototheFourSeasonsOrlando?”.ThisviralTikTok babyistheperfectcostumeinspirationforanybodywhohaseverbeen toldthattheyhavean“oldsoul”.Forthisidea,allyou’llneedisa diaperandanactivemind.
3. CharliXCXandTroyeSivan
Notfondofbabiesorhippos?No problem.Foranypopculture
aficionadosoutthere,youhaveprobablyfamiliarizedyourselfwithCharliXCX,theartist behindmega-hitrecordof2024 Brat andqueericonTroyeSivan,withhitsongslike“Rush”and “GotMeStarted”.CharliXCX’s“brats”havetakenovertheworld,bringingclubcultureand musictothemainstream,frombeingparodiedonSNLtohavingthealbum’ssignature chartreusegreenimagebecomepartofthePresidentialDemocraticNominee,KamalaHarris’ socialmediarebrand.GetyourBFFforthisduocostume!Allyouneedtodressupasthe Club Classics singerisalongblackcurlywigandacuteoutfit(thinkminiskirt,whitetanktop, sunglasses).IfyouchoosetodressasSivan,makesuretohaveawhitecutouttanktop,saggy bluepajamapants,andbleachblondehair.Don’tforgettoSWEAT™(XCXandSivan’sheadline tourname).
Openedin2024(andclosedin2024),theDublin-NYCPortalwasaninteractive installationconnectingthepeopleofDublin,IrelandtothepeopleofNewYorkCity,USA throughaninteractivegiantvideochatscreeninthemiddleofbothcitycenters.Understandably, thisportalwasusedinpositiveways,suchasconnectinglong-distancepartnersandbeingableto seecitiesindifferentcontinents,butwasultimatelyabusedbysomeresidentsandforcedto de-activate.Forthiscostume,youcouldeithergoliteralorconceptual.Asaduo,oneperson
4. Dublin-NYCportal
coulddressupasTheStatueofLibertyandtheothercoulddressupasaShamrock.Anotheridea wouldbetostrapatelevisiontoyourselfinNewYorkandfindafriendinDublintodothesame, videochattingbetweendevices.Nowthatwouldbeacostume.
5. TheWillyWonkaExperienceinGlasgow
6. The8YearOldGirlWhoDroveHerselftoTarget
Getyourgirlfriendstogetherfor thisgroupcostume!TheWilly WonkaExperienceinGlasgow wasadullone,characterizedby haphazardlyplacedcandy decorationsinsomegray building,disenchantedOompa Loompas,andnon-canon characterssuchas“The Unknown”.Bonuspointsifyou sportadisappointedlookonyour face.
Aneight-year-oldgirlinOhiorecentlymadeheadlinesafterhoppingin hermother’scaranddrivingherselffor20minutestoTargetwithout injuringanybody Shewentona$400shoppingspreeandmanagedto getaFrappucinofromthestore’sStarbucksbeforegettingcaughtby police.Forthiscostume,youwillneedaFrappuccino,anSUV,anda dream.
Mukbang-youtuberNikocadoAvocado recentlywentviralthisyearafter makinghiscomebacktotheInternet withanextremeweight-loss transformation.Thesocialmedia personalityhasbeencharacterizedby extremefoodconsumptiononcamera, causingmanytoraiseconcernsabout thestateofhishealth.Todressupas Nikocadoinhiscomebackvideo“Two StepsAhead,”whereheclaimsthatheisthevillain,manipulatingviewersandsubscribersto consumemeaninglesscontent,youwillneedapandaheadmaskandaredt-shirt.
Thisformerchild-starturnedherimagearoundthisyear, transitioningintoheradulthoodbymeansofcallingherself a“badgirl”anddevelopingagrungy/rockstarpersona.The “Karma”singerusuallydonsadark,sequinedleotardwith fishnets,shoulderpads,andKISS-inspiredmakeupto match.She’sacontroversialstar,angeringpeopleonthe Internetbyclaimingtoinventthegenreof“gaypop”,a themewhichhasbeenprevalentinmusicfordecades.Get yourhairsprayandyourblacksequinsifyouwanttodress asJojoSiwathisOctober31st!
7. NikocadoAvocado
8. JojoSiwa
9. ChappellRoanattheTinyDeskConcert
Ifyouhavebeenfollowingthemusiccharts,youhave probablyseenthename“ChappellRoan”catapultingto thetop,withhitslike“GoodLuckBabe!”or“HOTTO GO!”.Thisyear,ChappellRoantooktoNPR’sTiny Deskstage,orratheroffice,toperformsomeofher album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess.Todress upasthissinger-songwriterduringherTinyDesk performance,youwillneedaredcurlywig,apinkpuffy dress,whitefacepaint/drag-inspiredmakeup,anda tiara.Don’tforgetlipstickontheteeth!
10.LaPhryge
Lastbutnotleast,howcouldItalkaboutpopcultureiconswithoutmentioningthe biggestglobalsportingeventoftheyear,theOlympics!ThePhrygesareFrance’sofficial Olympicmascots.TheyaremeanttorepresentPhrygiancaps,symbolsoflibertyandrevolution, buttobehonest,theircutelittleeyesmakeitimpossibleformetofocusonallthat.Forthis costume,youwillneedafullbodyPhrygecostumeandawillingnesstomakeitwork.
HappyHalloween!
Uglies MovieReview
ByTherinaBrutus
Uglies:Peoplewhohaven’tundergonetheestheticsurgery
Pretties:Peoplewhohaveundergonetheestheticsurgery
TheSmoke:Arebelgroupthatwantstogivepeopletherighttochoose surgery
Rusties:PeoplewholivedonEarthbeforethedisaster
Uglies (2024)isafilmbasedonthebook
seriesbyScottWesterfield.Themoviecameout onNetflixinSeptember.Basedontheabundance ofcritics,JoeyKing,andthefactthatitwasyet anotheradaptationofaYAdystopianseriesfrom the2000s,IknewIhadtowatchit.ThoughI didn’treadtheseries,I’vealwaysbeenafanof dystopiannovels.So,Iwasexpectingalot.
McG’s Uglies tellsofa15-year-oldgirl, TallyYoungblood(JoeyKing),livinginafuturisticsocietyafteradisasterfacilitatedbythe Rusties,pushingscientiststofindasolutiontotheendlessconflict.Scientistsdecidedtocreate thetransformation,whichallowspeopletoundergoasurgerythatmakesthemperfectontheir 16thbirthday However,thosewhodon’tundergosurgeryareviewedaslesserthan.Tallyand Peris(ChaseStokes)werebestfriends,butPerisgetsthesurgeryandforgetsabouther Tally becomesfriendswithShay(BrianneTju),whowantshertojoinTheSmokeandnotundergothe transformation.Tallydoesn’twantto,asbecomingprettyhadbeenthedreamforyears.Theday beforetheirtransformation,astheysharedthesamebirthday,ShaylefttojoinTheSmokeand Tallyawaitedhersurgery Dr Cable(LaverneCox)withhelditinexchangeforTallytofindThe Smoke,sinceitposedathreattothem.
Tome,thefilmwasreallyaverageforthisgenre.Ican’tsaythatthere’sanything specialaboutthisadaptation.Idon’thaveanyknowledgeofthebookstocompareitto,but,in short,itwasconfusingatbest.Maybethemoviewillpushmetoreadtheseriestobeableto understandit.
ForagroupknownasUglies,anexceedinglylargenumberofthecharacterswere conventionallyattractive.Theyareknownforgivingeachotherlooks-basednicknames,butthey don’thavetheintendedeffect.Tallyisnicknamed‘Squint’thoughshedoesn’thavesquinty eyes.Perisisnicknamed‘Nose’thoughhisnoseevenaddstohisappearance.David’s(Keith Powers)appearancegoeswithoutsaying.Bycontrast,thePrettieslookedasthoughtheywereall wearingtheBoldGlamourFilterfromTiktok.
Asidefromaestheticpreferences,itallmovedtooquickly,resultinginfeelingliketoo muchhadbeenfitintoanhourandahalf.Ioftenfeltliketherewassomethingmissingorthe reasoninggivenforanactionoreventwasone-dimensional.Iassumedthatitwasexplainedin thebook,butitwasleftout.However,thiswasdoneratherpoorly,creatingseveralplotholes andthecharacterslackeddepth.Ifeeltherewaslikelyalotofsymbolismthateitherbecame subtextorwaschangedinthemovie,creatingfurtherconfusion.
Overthecourseofthemovie,Tallybarelychanged.Sheisportrayedasjustanother UglyobsessedwithbecomingPretty,despiteherpromisetoPeristoalwaysaccepthimas enough.WhensheissenttofindTheSmoke,sheonlyenjoysthewayoflife,butitdoesn’t seemtodevelophercharacter Shewasnevershallowtobeginwith,whichdisruptsthe characterarc.Sinceshedoesn’treallychange,herrelationshipslackanysubstance.
Overall,IdoappreciatethegoalofYAdystopiasinthatitcanencourageyouthtotake politicalaction.Thisfilm,however,failstoachievethisgoalinthatthegenerallackof coherenceintheplottakesawayfromthatcentraltheme.Ifyouhaveeitherreadthebooksor aren’texpectingmuchofit,itcanbeenjoyedmore.Assomeonewhodidn’tfitintoeither category,Iwasleftconfused.Despitetheplotissuesandthevisualsattimes,Ididenjoyitfor whatitwas.
Uglies was released by Century Fox on September 13 2024. It is rated PG-13 and runs for 102 minutes.
Bokser MovieReview
ByAnnaRosciszewski
“Letmetellyou:chemistryandboxinghavealotincommon[...]Theyarebothsuper dull”(Okorn,Mitja,20:00-20:23).Now,letmetellYOU:watching Bokser, Icouldnotagreeless aboutboxing,thoughchemistry,ontheotherhand,Icouldgetbehind. Bokser isaPolishsports dramafilmdirectedbyMitjaOkorn.Itisaboutapromisingyoungboxer,JędrzejCzernecki,who fleesCommunistPolandinthe1980salongsidehiswifeKasiainordertotobecomeaworld champion.Thefilmcentersaroundtheideaofunfulfilleddreamsinbothcareerandloveandthe sacrificesthattheydemandfromeachother Itexamineshoweasilyonecanfallpreytothe intoxicatingandfalsepromisesoffameandwealthandforgetthepeoplewhooncemeant everything.Thoughitisn’tbasedonatruestory,itendeavorstorecountauniversalexperience ofpeople,specificallyathletes,whoescapedcommunistcountriesinthelatterpartofthe20th centuryinordertomakebetterlivesforthemselvesandtheirfamilies.Thus,throughits imaginativeanddramaticnarrative,Jędrzej’sstorycangiveushistoricalinsightintothe experienceofthousandsofEasternEuropeanimmigrantswhoriskedtheirlivesfortheuncertain promiseofabetterfuture.
ThefilmbeginswithJędrzej’schildhood.Oneday,hisfather,anOlympiclevelboxer, getsconfrontedbyasinisterman,andhiscareerismysteriouslycutshort.Fromthatpoint onward,Jędrzej’sfather,joblessandanalcoholic,becomesabusivetowardhisson.Heforbids Jędrzejfromboxingandforceshimtofocusonschool,specificallyonchemistry,becausehe wantsJędrzejtohaveabetterlifedespitethecountry’sbleakcircumstances.Whenhisfather dies,Jędrzejseesthathecancarryouthisfather’sdreamofbeingaworldchampionbutvowsto
notrepeathissamemistakes.Withthehelpofhisuncle,hemakesitbiginPoland,becoming nationalchampion.However,hequicklyrealizesthatthereisnofurtheropportunityforhimin Poland–thathispotentialwillbewastedifhestays.Thisisalsowhenhemeetshissoon-to-be wife,Kasia,andthetwoshareatrulybeautifullovestorybeforeescapingtoLondontogetherin questofanewlife.Therestofthestoryfollowsthemastheyfaceincrediblehardshipand exploitationasescapedimmigrantsandthecostsofmakingitbiginacorruptindustry.
IabsolutelylovedJędrzej,playedbyErykKulm,inthebeginningbutlatergrewto despisehim.Hisdownfallisunexpectedandmadeallthemoreheartbreakingbecauseofhow charmingandgoodheisbeforeeverythinggoessour.Ultimately,heisnotacharactertobeliked anddeservestheconsequencesofhisactions.Ontheotherhand,IadoredKasia,playedby AdriannaChlebicka.She’sbeautiful,intelligent,andincrediblyresilient–thetrueheroineofthe story OthernotablecharactersincludeJędrzej’s“cool”andfaithfuluncle,Czesiek,andthe shadowyboxingagent,NickyPresley,whorepresentsthearchetypalbasenessofthe entertainmentindustryboss.
Ireallyenjoyedthis moviedespitenotusuallybeing afanofsportsfilms.Asis typicalforPolishfilms,itwas tragic,bringingmecloseto sobbingtwice.Kulm’sactingis amazing.Hedoesanincredible jobofportrayingJędrzej’sstress, grief,andanger.Thefighting scenes,inalloftheirbloodiness andgrit,weredefinitelynota pieceofcaketofilm,andIthink Kulmdidanawesomejobwith them;someweretrulynerve-rackingtowatch.Moreover,there’ssomegreatcinematographyin thisfilm,especiallywhenJędrzejandKasiaarestillinPoland.Tome,thesescenesarethe warmestandmostaestheticallypleasingofthefilmbecausetheyareveritablythebestdaysof theirlives,despitethepovertytheyface.Admittedly,thisfilmisnotperfect.Ithasitsmoments ofawkwardcinematographyandclicheplotlinesandcharacters.Myleastfavoritepartofitwas therecyclingofcertainsettings,notablythesameboxingringbeingusedeverytime,But,after all, Bokser isadramamovieonNetflix,soIwasn’texpectingamasterpiece.Ihighly recommendthissmallgemthenexttimeyou’reaimlesslyscrollingonNetflixforagoodmovie.
Bokser was released by Open Mind Production and has been available on Netflix since September 11, 2024. It is rated TV-MA and runs for 150 minutes.
TheSearchforFall
By SorayaLadjiliandGwenythMuirAtkinson
UnlessyourfavoriteseasonsareSummerorSpring,LosAngelesisanespecially frustratingplacetoliveduringtheholidays.Withnofallingleaves,nosnow,andhardlyany noticeablechangeatall,apersonhastoactivelysearchouttheseasonsbygoingtothemed eventsordecoratingtheirownhome.So,here’syourguidetofindingFallinaSummercity!
1.Coffee&Chai:Ifthere’sonethingLosAngeleshasanabundanceof,it’scoffeeshops.You canfindoneonnearlyeveryblockandcertainlyineveryneighborhood.Butwhereshouldyou gotofindyourpumpkinspicelatteorchai?First,here’swhereyoushouldnotgo:
-PretÀManger:Insearchofadeliciousfallchai,thesetwoauthorsfirstmadetheirwaytoPret ÀMangerinWestwood,nearUCLA.Letusjustsaythatwecanonlyhopetheircoffeeand sandwichesarebetterthantheirsadattemptatchai.Theirversionofthedrinkwaslackingthat aromaticblendofspices,fallingsomewhereshortofasadmilkyhorchata.Really,ittastedlikeit wassolelycomposedofmilk,sugar,andcinnamon.
-TheCoffeeBean&TeaLeaf:Thiswasthesecond coffeeshopwejourneyedto,andhere,atleast,they hadafewpros,notjustcons.Startingoff,theyhad adorableindoordecorationsandHalloween festivity,whichwaswonderfultosee.Theywere evenplayingtheHarryPottersoundtrack!Here,we decidedtobreakawayfromchaiandwentforcoffee instead.Weorderedapumpkinspicelatteanda PumpkinDryIcedAmericano.However,donotlet theiraestheticappearancedeceiveyou.Bothdrinks weresosweetthatitwashardtodrink,oreven swallow.TheAmericano,surprisingly,sweeterthan thepumpkinspice,hadtobethrownawaydueto themixtureofcloyingsweetnessandharshcoffee beantaste.ThePumpkinSpiceLatte,afallstaple, disappointinglytastedofplasticpumpkin pureethat wasagain,muchtoosweet.Needlesstosay,we weredisappointedafterhavingspentatotalof$14 forbothdrinksthatmettheirendinthetrash.
However,dispiritedaswewereatfindingasatisfactoryfallbeverage,wetestedourluck onefinaltimeinamodernbutcozyItalianrestaurantatTheGrove:
-SognoToscano:Afteralongdayofdisappointingchaiandcoffee, wewerestarvingforsomethingwecouldactuallydigest.Thenewly openedSognoToscanoprovideduswithauthenticItalianservice andcuisine.Somethingweimmediatelynoticedweretheadorable minipumpkinsoneachtable,aswellasanamazinglycomfortable andcozydarkgreencomplementaryblanketthatwarmedusright upasthesunbegantoset.Besidesthedelectablefood,wehad foundit.Atlast!Ascrumptiouschailatte!Whilenotauthentic,it wasmorethanjustajumbleofcinnamonandsugar(we’relooking atyou,Pret),anditwasn’tsosweetthatwechokedafterthefirst sip.Hooray!Thewarmchaisoothedourtragicchai-lesssoulsand weweregladtohavebeenabletoendthedayonasatisfactory note.
2.TheGrove:Forittotrulyfeellikefall,oneneeds tobefullyimmersed.AtTheGroveshopping center,theeffortstoraisethefallspiritwere present.TheGroveisanotherdestinationworth mentioningforitsenthusiasmfortheholidays.No mattertheseason,theGrovewillbeappropriately decorated.
Assuch,onourvisitonOctober11th,the shoppingcenterwas,ofcourse,decoratedforfall. Whileitwasn’tcompletelydecked-out,itdidhave therightambience.Certainindividualshopswere individuallydecorated,butnothingawe-striking.It isimportanttonotethattheyhadsignsoutsaying thatOctober19thand20ththeywouldbehostinga fallfestivalincelebrationof90yearsat3rdand Fairfax.Overthatweekend,therewillbemanyfall activitiestimedthroughoutthedaysuchasapetting zoo,apumpkinpatch,livemusic,andmore. Aswemadeourwaydown,followingtherailsoftheclassicGroveTrolley,weimmediately realizedthattheFarmer’sMarketportionofthatareawouldbethetruehighlightofourouting. Rightoutsidethereisaphoto-opstandwhereyoucanputyourheadinandposeasapumpkin, which,ofcourse,Gwynethpartookin.Whenyoustepintothemarket,it’samaze-butascary
cornone,onefilledwithlivelyfallcheerandhomeyvibesallaround.There’severykindoftreat, includingabobashopthatopenedjustafewweeksago.FromLittleJohn’sEnglishToffee HousetoHokiSushi,mostofthemerchant’sshopsweredecoratedwithorangeleafedgarlands, webs,lights,andmore.
IntheshoppingcenterportionoftheGrove,wespentaconsiderableamountoftimein theBarnes&Noble,browsingtheshelvesandadmiringthedisplayofgothic,horror,andspooky literaturepickstheyhadputout.Thebookstorealsoincludesacaféonthetopfloorwhichwe steeredclearofasevenjustthethoughtofanotherlattewastoo muchforustohandle.Backtothebooks,thebottomfloorwas adisplayofallgenressetoutonsmalltablesforquickandeasy browsing,from“newnon-fictionforthefall”to“spooky stories;”itwasapparentthatthestorewasfeelingtheRory Gilmoreaesthetic.Aswemadeourwayup,westoppedby someEnglishclassicssuchasFrankensteinandDracula.The genrediversitydoesn’tendthere,andwetriednottojudgethe newfall-themedromancenovelsthatallhavethesamestyle covers.Thestorewasalsofilledwiththecutestmiscellaneous Halloweenitemslikeskullbookends,ghostmugs,Halloween wordsearchbooklets,scentedcandles,andmore!Overall, BarnesandNobleprovideduswithaveryentertaining experience,filledwithfallateverycorner!Forthat,wegivea 10/10!
Fromthisarticlewehopeyoupleaselearnfromourmistakes:don’ttrustjustanycafetobeable toprovideyouwithdecentchai!No,no.Thereallessonisnottogiveup.Afterourfairshareof trialsandtribulations,wewereabletoextractfromourlocalareasafunautumnday.Takethis articleasanincentivetogodiscoverthecityandfindfallnearyou!
TheNewOdyssey:EpictheMusical ByZofiaRosciszewski
ItiswellknownthatHomeroncetoldhis storiesorally Eventually,afterdecadesoforal tradition,Homer’s The Iliad and The Odyssey came tobewrittendowninAncientHomericGreek.In moderndays,onecannotevenfathomthatsuch complexepicswerefirstheardratherthanread...
However,oneJorgeRivera-Herransdecided toadapt The Odyssey tobeheardoncemore–this timeintheformofamusical!
Epic the Musical isamodernretellingof Homer’s The Odyssey whichstartedtogain popularityonTikTokin2022withthesong “WarrioroftheMind.”Themusicalisbrokendown intosagas,whicharestillcomingout.Themostrecentinstallment–theseventhsaga–cameoutin Septemberof2024.However, Epic doesdiffergreatlyfromitsoriginalsourcematerial:toadapt toamoremodernaudience,Riveratooksomecreativelibertyinchoosingamorechronological ordertothestoryandchangingsomeelementstobetterfitanoverarchingmessage.
Whilethefirstbookof The Odyssey startsoffwithAthenaattemptingtoconvinceZeus tohelpOdysseus, Epic beginswiththebattleofTroyandthestartofOdysseus’...well,odyssey! Riverachosetotellthestoryinsuchawayastoappeasehismodernaudiencethroughmaking theorderofeventslesscomplexforhislistenerstounderstand.Furthermore,Riverafocuses heavilyonOdysseus’journeyleadinguptothedeathofhiscrewratherthandedicatingalarge portionofhismusicaltotheaftermath.Althoughthemusicalisyettobecomplete,thefirstsix sagasoutofninefocusonthejourneyasopposedtotheoriginalinwhichthejourneyisonly roughlyhalfofthestory Despitenotbeingaccuratetotheoriginalinthisregard,theorderin whichthisnewversionistoldseemsnecessaryinreceivingtheaudiencethemusicalhas managedtogarner
Riveraalsoaddsmanyelementstofurtherthestoryheisportrayingtotheaudienceofthe musicalwithhisoverarchingmessage.Hefocusesespeciallyonthecharacterdevelopmentof Odysseusbyhavinghimdevelopmoreofapersonalrelationshipwithhiscrew Asaresult,he becomestrulychangedthroughoutthenarrative:hestartshisjourneywithmercywhensparing
theCyclops,butendswithindifferenceandruthlessnesswhenwiththeSirens.However,some choicesmadebyRiveraaremoresorelatedtofittingthestoryintoamusicalformat.For example,in The Odyssey,Odysseusis chainedupasthecrewpassesthroughthe territoryoftheSirens.However,Odysseus screamingthroughoutthewholesegment wouldnothavebeenidealforamusical. Therefore,RiverahasOdysseusputwaxin hisearsliketherestofhiscrewandusehis intelligencetoreadthelipsoftheSirens, formingadialogueinoneofthemost popularsongscalled“Suffering.”Manyof thesechoices,despitenotbeingaccurateto theoriginal,allowforgreatersongsto emergeforthelistener’senjoyment.
Oneuniqueaspectof Epic the Musical isthatitisonlyaconceptalbum,meaningthat thereisnoactingorstageperformancetogoalongsidethesongs:itissupposedtobetoldpurely inanoralformjustlike The Odyssey Tome,thisisfascinatingbecause Epic caneasilystand aloneasmusicwithouttheuseofvisualstobackitup.However,muchlikeHomer’swork, throughtime,manyhaveexpandedontheoriginalmaterial:animatorshavecreatedartto supportthesongs.Thiswasanaturalevolutionoftheaudioformat,butithascreatedadedicated communitysurroundingthemusical.
Onecansayforcertainthat Epic the Musical hasinterestedawholenewcrowdtothe storyof The Odyssey.ThroughthecreativelibertiesRiverahastakeninordertocreatehiswork, Epic hasattractedalargeaudiencetotheinterestingsubjectofGreekmythology.
TheHuntforL.A’sBestChocolateChipCookie
ByAnnaRosciszewski
Thechocolatechipcookieisarguablythemostscrumptiousandreliabledessert.Itissoldat almosteverycafe,restaurant,andsupermarket.Thatbeingsaid,itsqualityisquestionableat times.Thus,whenyoudofindanamazingchocolatechipcookie,yourwholeworldcanchange thenceforth.Thatiswhyfindingtheplacewiththebestchocolatechipcookieshaslongbeena journeyofmine.Luckily,theconclusionofSATseasonhasallowedmetofulfillthissidequest. IconductedmyresearchduringafreeperiodonacloudySeptembermorningandhadmyfriends helpmeratethecookies.Herearemyfindings:
1-BeverlyHillsCookies
Thislocal,smallbusinessismyfavoritecookiespotinLosAngeles.Assoonasyoustep inthroughthedoor,yougetastrongwhiffof freshbakedcookiesandawarmwelcome.Their chocolatechunkcookieisdelicious;itschocolate ischoppedentirelybyhand,andit’sbakedfresh everydaybytheshop’sbaker,Wendy.Though myopinionmaybebiasedbecauseIworkthere, Ithinktheirchocolatechunkcookieisthebestin thecity.Therecipeisover50yearsoldandis whatstartedthebusiness.It’snottoosoft onthe outside,butgooeyontheinside;andeachcookie hasacavernousinterior Withahotcoffee,this cookieisdivine.Theyhaveitwithwalnuts,no gluten,andasavegancookieaswell.Also,the ambianceofthestore,aswellasthecustomerservice,islovely
Rating: ����������/����������
2-CoffeeCommissary
CoffeeCommissaryisadimcafelocatedbytheschoolonMotorAve.Greenvinesline theredbrickwalls,andthesmellofcoffeeperfumesthewholeshop.Theirchocolatechipcookie hascaramelandseasaltinit,makingitanelevatedcookiewithoutstrayingtoofarawayfroma traditionalchocolatechipcookie.Thisplacealsohasvegancookiesthatcanrivalanyregular cookie;theyareperfectlycrunchyandchocolatey.IseriouslytrynottogothereeverytimeI haveafreeperiod.
Rating: ����������/����������
3-ZooiesCookies
ZooiesCookieshasanexpansivevarietyofcookies despitethesmallsizeoftheirstoreandlocationin thecornerofalittlefoodmarketbytheschool.They havemanydifferentkindsofsimplechocolatechip cookies:brownbutter,“chewie”,and“chunkie”-to nameafew Theirchocolatechipcookieisdelicious
becauseitissoftandchewyandhasaneversoslightcinnamontaste,whichbringsthewhole cookietogetherandmakesittastewarm.However,theatmosphereoftheirlittlecookieshopis bleakatbestanddoesnotdoitscookiesanyjustice.
Rating: ��������/����������
4-McDonald’s
IdonotknowwhatkindofmagicMcDonald’sisputtingintheircookies,buttheyare delectable,especiallywhenyoufirstgetthemoutofthebox.However,theydohaveaslight plastic-ytastetothem.Thesecookiesareverynostalgictokidswhogrewupgoingto McDonald’s.Ivividlyrememberwolfingdownfour-piecechickennuggetsinordertohavemy cookie.However,thoughtheytastegoodandaredefinitelythecheapestonthislist,McDonald’s cookiesarenotthemostaestheticallypleasingandquitesmall.ThehomeofRonaldMcDonald iscertainlynottheplacetogetaprettycookie.
Rating: ��������/����������
5-Starbucks
Awarmed-upchocolatechipcookiefromStarbuckshasyettofailmyexpectations.They aresocrispyyetsoftontheinside,andevenmoresowhenwarmedup.However,aswithmost coffeechains,noneoftheirpastriesarefresh,givingthetasteoftheirchocolatechipcookiean inauthenticflavor.Istillthinkthiscookieisgreatonthegothough.
Rating: ��������/����������
6-Costco
Costco’schocolatechipcookiehaswitnessedlotsofpopularityonTikTokforgood reason.Theirchocolatechipcookieisveryvanilla-yandwarmwithoutbeingoverlysoft. However,buyingacookieatasuperstorefoodcourtfeelsprettyweird,especiallywhenthe worldaroundyoureeksofhotdogandgiantpizzas.Ialmostdon’ttrusthowgooditis.
Rating: ��������/����������
7-InsomniaCookies
Forme,InsomniaCookiesdonotliveuptotheirhype.Theirchocolatechunkcookieis okayatbest,butIcertainlywouldnotcraveitinthemiddleofthenightastheirnamesuggests.
It’smadewithmilkchocolatechunks,whichgiveitamildlysweetchocolatetasteinsteadofa richone.Moreover,it’sprettysmallanddry.Idefinitelywouldnotgobackforasecondtaste, butIrecommendittopeoplewhoaredesperate.
Rating: ������/����������
8-CrumblCookies
CrumblCookiesiswaytoooverhypedinmyopinion.Firstly,theircookieslookanemic, withahuesograythattheyvergeongreen.Theyareextremelydenseandtoosweet,whichis hardtodowithachocolatechipcookiebecauseitismeanttorepresentaharmonybetweendark chocolateandcookiedough.AnotherproblemIhavewithCrumblisthattheirstoreissetupto offernocustomerserviceandnojoyatall.Itlacksanysortofbakeryvibeandinsteadfeels almostindustrial.Normally,Iwouldn’tmindpayingmorethanthreedollarsforacookie,butI didn’tassociatetheirchocolatechipcookiewithanythingbutmisery,andthus,Iwastornat havingwastedtendollarsonameaslypackofthreeminicookies.Iwouldn’tofferaCrumbl cookietomyworstenemy
Rating: ����/����������
9-Dunkin’Donuts
Idon’tknowwhyIexpectedadonutchainto havegoodcookies.Theydidnotatall.Their chocolatechipcookiesstoodalone,wrappedin plastic,inasadlittledisplayaboveaseaof beautifuldonutsarrangednicelyinadisplay thatpracticallyspannedthestore.Thecookie itselftastedlikeagrocerystorecookieandwas justnotgood.Iwouldnotrecommendthiscookie-stickwiththedonutsinstead.
Rating: ��/����������
10-Lokal
Lokalhastimeandtimeagainimpressedmewiththeirsandwiches,buttheirchocolate chipcookieshaveneverbeforestoodouttomeenoughtotry.Upontastingone,Irealizedthat theynotonlylooklikepuredough,buttheyarepuredough!Itwasaveritablechallengetofinda chocolatechipburiedinone;and,whenIdid,Idiscoveredithardlyhadachocolate-ytasteatall. Lokalisagoodplacetogetasandwichorcoffee,butIwoulddefinitelynotrecommenditasa
bakery.
Rating: ��/����������
Disclaimer:Unfortunately,DiddyRiesedidnotmakemylistastheyopenedlaterthanwhenI arrivedattheirstore.Scandalous.I’msuretheircookiesaregoodthough.
CREATIVEWRITING
TheDark ByLeilaLucas
IfearIamlosingmymind.Icansenseitleavingme,slowlybeingpulledintothat impenetrablewallofpurenothingness.Beforeyoujudgememad,asreadersoftendo,allowme timetoexplain.Iamofperfectlysoundmindandbody,and,fromanyreasonableperspective, amafunctioninghumanbeing.Andyet...Icanfeelthethingencroachingonme,gradually stealingallthatmakesonethemselvesandpullingmeintoitsvoid.Itwillnotstop,Iknowthat, andnodelusionswillbeabletotrulyconvincemeotherwise.PerhapsIamnotmakingmyself clear,soallowmetorephrase;Iamnotafraidofthedark.Ihaveneverbeenafraidofthedark. Whatdoesthedarkhavetodowiththeslippingofmysanity,youmayask?Afterall,the absenceoflightisnotsomehorridcreaturecapableofruiningme.Nevertheless,thedarkisnot alive,andisthereforenothingthatthehumanmindcantrulycomprehend.Thinktoyourself, reallythink,ifyouhaveeverbeenintruedarkness.Notaroomenclosedbyheavywalls,so blackthatshouldonewavetheirhandinfrontoftheirface,theywouldnotbeabletoseeit,nor anexpanseofnatureenclosedbythegossamerthreadsofstarsanddelicategassesofthenight sky.Neitherofthesearetruedarkness.Truedarknessmayneverforminaspacefulloflife.Itis aheavy,stagnantweightuponone'sshoulders,soblackandstickythateventhedepthsofthe oceancouldnotcompare,andwithapressurethatweighsdownnotsolelyuponthebody,butthe mindtoo.Thereisnopossibilityofescape,andifevenashredofradianceattemptedtoenter,it wouldmostcertainlydieuponthemomentofarrival.Intruedarknesstherearenostars,no sound,andnolife.Whydoyouthinkthathumansallfearit?Wefearallthatwecannot understand,anddeath,beingincomprehensible,isterrifying.Darknessanddeath,youmust understand,aresointertwinedthattheyareoneandthesame,givingtruedarknessaformthat humansmaynot,anddonot,wanttounderstand.
Thedarkissilent.Youmaythinkthatyouknowsilence,but,again,youwouldbewrong. Silenceanddarknessgohandinhand,asterrorsoftendo.Whenaplaceissodarksonottobe categorizedasaplaceanymore,silenceisthere.Adeep,shudderingquietthatchillsone’svery bonesandpressesdownupontheireardrums,witharoarsolouditmightswallowthemwhole. Indarkness,lightandsoundneverpenetrate.Onemayfindthemselvestryingtoscream,butthe voicedies,forwheninsilence,itsimplycannotlive.Norisanyotherlifepresent.Whenfound incompletedarkness,onesimplyceasestoexistintheworldoftheliving.Itisimpossible.After all,seasonalaffectivedisordersareawellknownfactorofpoormentalhealth.Amplifiedbya million,onemaybegintograspthetrueblindnessthataccompaniesthedark.
Idonotknowwhenitmarkedme,butIdonotbelievethatitisamalevolentbeingeither. PerhapsthiswasmyfateeversinceIwasveryyoung,andthelifethatIunderwentinthe meantimewasmerelyareprievefromtheoppressivenightthatsoonstoleme.Idoremember, however,thatwhenIwasachildIdidnotunderstanddeath.Althoughitiscommoninsmall children,asadultsbelievethattheyaretoofrailtounderstandthefinalityofourdemise,thatwas notthecase.ItwasnotthatIfearedmortality,onthecontrary,deathanddarknesswereregular companionsofmine.AsasmallchildIwouldsneakawayintothedarkestrecessesIcouldfind, thepurelifelessnesswelcomingmeintoitsshroudedsepulcher Youmaythinkmeunwell, perhapswithafascinationforthemacabre,butthatissimplyuntrue.ItisjustthatIwasdrawnto thedarkandit,inturn,envelopedme.
DespitemyattemptstolocatethedarknessIsoughtasachild,Ineverencounteredituntil wellintomytwenties.Yousee,darknessisnotmerelyanabsenceoflight,butastateonecannot escapefromnomatterhowhardtheytry,withitsstiflingpresencestealingonefromthewaking worldandintoitscacheofdeathandsilence.Justasdeathismorethananabsenceoflifeand silenceismorethananabsenceofsound,truedarknessisfargreaterthananylackoflight. AlthoughIsoughtitinmychildhood,Ihadneverquiteunderstoodthat.
Inretrospect,Iwasveryluckytohavesurvived.Otherswouldhaveperished,anditwas notofmyownwitsthatIdidnot.SometimesIwondertomyselfwhetherIwassaved,orrather haltedfromaninevitableend.Whetherornotmymindisintactanymore,thatisupfordebate.It happenedonacool,windymorning,thekindwherenightanddayblendtogether.Thoughmy memoriesoftimeinlightaremuddled,IhavereasontobelievethatIlivednearthesea.Idonot recallwalkingwithothers,thoughIamnotconfidentthatIcouldretainthatinformation,seeing aspeoplearesuchstarkoppositestothedark.Onewayoranother,Ihadendedupbythedocks. Itwasstillveryearly,andtheskywasbeginningtofadefromitsinkygrandeurintotheweak wispsofpinkandorangethattickledthehorizon.UnderneaththewornstripsofwoodIsawthe murkywaterlappingatunyieldingsupports,shabbylumbertheonlyblockadebetweentheocean andme.Ihadalwayspreferredtowalknearthedocks,astheearlymorningwaterwasgloomy anddark,somuchsothatitwasalmosttangible.
Irememberfeelingapullwhich,evennow,isnotentirelycleartome.Youmust understandthatthisdarknessIreferenceisnotabeing.Itisnotalive,anditiscertainlynot aware.Itis...primordial.Aforcethatisneithersupernaturalnorofthisworld.Some,likeme,are
entrancedbyit,withacravingthatissatiatedonlywhenencompassedbythisabsenceof substance.ThatmorningIfeltitmorestronglythaneverbefore,asenseoflongingeatingaway atmysenses.Notsimplyanitchinthebackofmymindbutaroar,pullingandpushinglikethe ebbandflowofthewaterslappingbeneathmyfeet.Icouldfeelmyselfbeingdrawntowardsthis thing...andIknewtherewasnofeasiblewayofpreventingmyselffromenteringthewater,soon feelingthepressureandtheslow,meanderingwaythatlightleft,leavingmeburiedwithnothing butthecool,perfectdark.
Ijumped.Thereisnootherwaytosayit,and,frankly,Ihavenouseforlies.Darkness doesnotweavewebswithwords,itsimplyis.Policereportsclaimitwasattemptedsuicide,and Iamtheonlyonewhoknowssurelythatitwasnot.Ididnotmeantoendmylife,onlytofeel thatpuredarknessthatIhadsoughtforsolong.Thankfully,asthereportssay,alocalfisherman doinghisroundssawmeflingmyselfintothewaterandrantoretrieveme,pullingmefromthe inkydepthsandphoninganambulance.Iremembernoneofthat.Onlythatforamoment,one single,solitarymoment,Ifelttruedarkness.ItisafeelingthatIwillneverforget.
Idonotknowhowmuchtimehaspassedsincetheincident,nordoIcare.AllIknowis thatthedarkhasstolenmeonceandforall.Mydaysblurtogetherinahazethatliftsexclusively indarkness,lifenolongerholdinganymeaningtome.InolongerfearthatIamlosingmymind, forInowknowthatitwaslostlongago.Thedarkhascomeformeand,oneday,itwillcomefor youtoo.
PerhapsIamafraidofthedarkafterall.
ItWasaDarkandStormyNight…
BytheLFLAPoetryClub
"TheCreature"
Itwasadarkandstormynight, Thespindlytreesbentandcracked Andmadewayforthunderstreakedlight, Thecreaturecrouched,grimywithsootandmud, Lurkinginunholyshadows,justundersight, Itcamefromtheeternalpitsofflame
Withrottenteethandserpenttongue,aterriblebite,
Inthebrokenwindow,itsawitself,
Theskinpiercedwheremaggotssewedtheirseedswasenoughtofillitwithfright, Itforgotwhatitwastobehuman
Whenitsolditssoul,itsbirthright, Tostalkthetorrentwindsforwhatitlosttotheswallowofeternity.
"HallowedNight"
Itwasadarkandstormynight
Thewindsdidblowahollowfright
Onloathsomecreatureseverstirring
Throughfrostedgale’sconstantwhirring
Nohopebesideremainsdeterring
Thefrozenwinter’schurlishbite
Afatedeprivedofallrepent
Apassingfabledgreatlament
AgirloncelovednamedAnnabel
Ataleonlyheartcouldtell
Ofsorrownopoemcouldquell
Nevermoreeverwell
Herdeathaghastdecrepitleaves
Asullensoulaloneaggrieves
Cursèdseraphimcauseofblight
Absconderofallpureandwhite
Halcyondaysofveiledlight
Forsakenonthishallowednight
"Pumpkin"
Itwasadarkandstormynight, Fogcrawlsacrosstheemptystreet, Acandleflickersinsidethehollowpumpkin.
Footstepsecho,thenvanish, Thenightholdsitsbreath.
Fogcreepsthroughcrackedpavement.
Themoonhangsthin,tired,andcold.
Ashadowflickersattheedgeofsight. Thewindchewsondistantsounds.
Somethingiswaiting—andit’sclose.
"TheBoyintheDark"
Itwasadarkandstormynight
Andalldoorswereshut
Forthefeelingofimmensefright
Waspresentineverybody’sgut.
However,walkinginthedark
Therewasayoungboy
Andonajourney,hedecidedtoembark
Withanunusualamountofjoy
Allthecreatureshidingintheshadow
Werestunnedbyhisgait
Forhowcouldoneusefeartobestow
Whenhewastoofearlesstotakethebait?
Sotheboywalkedforth,withoutadversary
Andmadeithomesafeandsound.
Thestormynightisnotsoscary
Whenonetreatslifeasaplayground.
Itwasadarkandstormynight,
ThestarswereblurredbytheIncandescenttwinkleinmyeye.
Asmyvisionwentinandout, Istopped.
Helpme.
Helpyourself.
"You"
Twasanightsodarkandstormy
Whenyouknockeduponmydoor
"Vision"
Inthedarkyoustoodbeforeme
Asthemistblewonthemoor
Whowereyou?Whywereyouhere?
Ididnotknowityet.
Myheartandmindhadfrozewithfear
Astime'dmademeforget
Wherehadyougone?Ihadbeenblind, Somanyyearsago
Yourlaughter-echoinmymind, Yourcoffindownbelow "TheWind"
Itwasadarkandstormynight, Thewindcarriedwhispers
Ofyourhollowpromises.
Ilaidonmyside,eyeswide, Waitingforyourcall. Igrewtiredofasking, Mysilenceasubtledefiance
AndIwenttosleep. "Nightmares"
Itwasadarkandstormynight
Anillusioninanillusionwithin
Thestreetstheylayinscathedsin
Wherecloakedinsicklysilverhesplit
Runningblindrampantandresigned
FromthemurdersintherueMorgue
Twelvesharplythechurchbellstrikes
AndIthinkI’veheardyourvoicebefore
Inawhirlingreflectioninblackandwhitein
Whatmightberecurring;acommonmidnight
Adarkandstormynight,amirrorinmymindtonight.
ABurningSnowland
ByAnnaRosciszewski
Apeacefulvalley,trappedunderaheavingblaze,strugglestorollout, Troubledstreams,blanketedwiththickfoam,tricklebetweenthelushplain, Ashowerofdaisiesgetslostintheirsaccharinedew,dreadoftheloomingdrought, Acascadeofstonescondemnsfledgingpines,amountainofpain.
EmbeddedinHimalayanfoothills,crimsontearsrustinfertilesoil,thestingofsalt. Snowleopardsemergetoweatherthefeverishsun,wideeyespalegraywithfear, Awildthirsttosurviveashuntersprowlshackledland,hungrytoassault, Anonslaughtofbulletssoundstornstreets,asentencetosmokeandflames,todisappear,
Captured,beaten,andmangled,aneternalrupturebetweenmotherandson, Asuddendiversionfromlaw,fromhumanity;anationsavagedatwillofthefrenzied, Preciousfurrippedaway;agonycomeswhenechoesthefuryofagun, Youth’sbolddissentforfreedomextinguishes;markedasmilitiainunseengraves.
Outsideeyesmisledfromthesuffering,piercingscreamsmuffled,silenceflowsout. Agitatorsstalkedlikeprey,unprotected;lawyersvanish,deniedtheircourt,
Outofwork,theirlivesaresacrificed:anewclamorinthecities,yearningsforlibertybreakout, Atranquilcountry,itspeopleforeverbetrayedandstolen,weepswithgapingwounds.
FallVillanelles
BytheLFLAPoetryClub
“ReachingTowardthePyre”
Acreativemindmaynevertire.
Inspirationmayhitanymoment
Likeasmokingbranchbeforethecrackoffire.
Theangelssinginaholychoir
WhilehumansstruggleagainsttheserpentAcreativemindmaynevertire.
ApollomaycomposewithhisgoldenlyreWhilehumansstruggleslaydormant
Likeasmokingbranchbeforethecrackoffire.
However,toallidolswhomweadmire,Painissimplyaninvestment. Foracreativemindtonevertire.
AsinternalconflictriseshigherandhigherWritingbecomesevermorebrilliant, Likeasmokingbranchbeforethecrackoffire.
And,atanymoment,lifemayexpire Hencewhypoetryisnevervacant: Beforetheend,creativemindsnevertire. Theyarelikeasmokingbranchbeforethecrackoffire.
“FriendshipBracelets”
Ourbraceletswillneverbeastightlyknottedasbefore, Swirlingpatternsofcoloronceadornedourwrists, Surelyourliveswillentwineoncemore.
Werodeourbikes,theworldourstoexplore, Freeofworries,filledwithjoy,voicescallingtothewind, Ourbraceletswillneverbeastightlyknottedasbefore.
Suddenlythingschangedandweweren’tthesameanymore, Sweeteffervescenceofchildhoodsummerslost, Surelyourliveswillentwineoncemore.
Istillhearourlaughterfrombehindthedoor, Insideyouroldroom,wesharedsecretsunderthecoverofnight, Ourbraceletswillneverbeastightlyknottedasbefore.
Beinginyourpresencewasneverachore, Yourfamilyenvelopedmeasoneoftheirown, Surelyourliveswillentwineoncemore.
Wecrosspaths,exchangesurfacelevelsmiles,andsorrowknotsaroundmycore, Imissyou,I’msorry.Doyoufeelthiswaytoo? Itriedtotiemybracelettightly,butmywristbecamesore Surelyourliveswillentwineoncemore.
“OrangeStreetlight”
OrangestreetlightskinasIpassit, Theasphaltbearsaname, Istillthinkofyouabit.
Downaroaddimlylit, Bathedinthesurreal,arcane OrangestreetlightskinasIpassit.
Allyourjokes,allyourwit, Ashell,shadowyoubecame, Istillthinkofyouquiteabit.
Ionlysawitinshades,Iadmit, Whatashame!
OrangestreetlightskinasIpassit.
ThoughItrytoforget Thefeeling,theblame, Istillthinkofitabit.
Eyessore,searchingtheyquit Sinkintothelongburningflame OforangestreetlightskinasIpassit.
Waningmarmalade,moonlit Nightsforthedaythatnevercame, OrangestreetlightskinasIpassit, Istilldreamofyouabit. “SealingThoughts”
Ifoldthepageandhopeitsaysenough, Somewordscomeeasy,whileothersfeeltough.Thewaxdriesslow,thesealisstrongand rough.
Thepenfeelsheavywhenthedayisrough,Butlettershelpwhenthoughtsgetintheway.Ifold thepageandhopeitsaysenough.
Itrytowrite,butsometimesit’sjustfluff— IhidethefeelingsIdon’tknowhowtosay. Thewaxdriesslow,thesealisstrongandrough.
Iwonderifthey’llreadbetweenthestuff,Ormissthemeaninghiddeninthesway.Ifoldthe pageandhopeitsaysenough.
Eachletterholdsmythoughts,bothlightandgruff,Witheveryline,Isharewhat’shardtoplay. Thewaxdriesslow,thesealisstrongandrough.
Theflameburnsbright,thewaxmeltssmoothandtough.Somewordsareeasy;othershardto say Ifoldthepageandhopeitsaysenough. Thewaxdriesslow,thesealisstrongandrough.
“Carthagodelendaest”
SplatteredinscarletflourysandlaystheCarthaginiancrest, WashedbycrackedbloodandyourRomaninhumanity, Maniacallyyousay,Carthagodelendaest.
Watchthegreatdistancepriderunsbeforefallinglikeallofthefinest, Whereyouhadswornmeasuresbeyondruin,toridthecityofallentity, SosplatteredinscarletflourysandlaystheCarthaginiancrest.
SwallowingascaldingsurmisetheSenatesearsitsspearstothewest, Whilerampageropesyourfragileimperator’seyesintoevilvacuity, Maniacallyyousay,Carthagodelendaest.
Onlyfortheyrosegrandioseanddaredtoexposerichesintheirchest, HowforlorntheywerepostsecondPunicwar,foryoutoseethreatintheirprosperity, Now,splatteredinscarletflourysand,laystheCarthaginiancrest.
Stillheartscanbeatstridentlyfromunderground,evenastheirbodieslayatrest, Sosurelyunabashedyoucancryinallofyourglory,dripinacridimpurity, Maniacallyyousay,Carthagodelendaest.
Althoughthosewhobesoughteradicationextraordinaireremainedignorantatbest,
Offateweavingtheirthirstintodrieddistorteddelusionsofimmortality, ForsplatteredinscarletflourysandlaystheCarthaginiancrest, Andmaniacallyyoustillsay,Carthagodelendaest.
Thepastisnotdead-itisnotevenpastItrepeatsanditcirclesandechoesintime
Thefutureandpast-naughtbutone-firstandlast
TheOurborossnake-ancientmasteroftimeTailforeverensnaredinitsjaw
Thepastisnotdead-itisnotevenpast
Themistakesofthepastallforgotten,erased Aswefindthemagain,onlydifferent,rephrased
Thefutureandpast-naughtbutone-firstandlast
Thiscycleofdeathandoflifeisforever Ev'rlastingaslongasthependulumswings
Thepastisnotdead-itisnotevenpastThefutureandpast-naughtbutone-firstandlast
Besweet,betrue. Robmeblindlyofmyfire Iwillhateyou. Thenightshivers,becomingblue.
Thedaysingsbrightlyofshame, Besweet,betrue.
Myheartwandersatyourcue, Runningthroughthedesertofyourveins
Iwillhateyou.
Dogspantingalongtheavenue, Theonlywordstheyknowcomefromtheirmasters, Besweet,betrue.
“BeSweet”
Imightneverbidyouadieu, Yourphrasesseepedinblackmatter, Besweet,betrue. Iwillhateyou.
“Easytosay”
Easytosaybutuncleartosee, WhenIwakeupnexttoyou, Somethingthatmeansmoretome,
Youlingerallday,heavyandstarry, Solovestruck,andyouhadnoclue, Easytosaybutuncleartosee.
ButIswearI’vestillgotthekey, It’salwaysaquestionofwrongorright, Somethingthatmeansmoretome.
I’mbeggingyoutokeepyourholdonme, Dieforyou,baby,Ijustmight, Easytosaybutuncleartosee.
Iknowyouhearallofmypleas, Despiteallelse,yoursmilestillgleamssobright, Somethingthatmeansmoretome.
Yourloveislikeatease, Ijustpraythatyoudon’tbite, Easytosaybutuncleartosee, Somethingthatmeansmoretome.
“OrangeJuice”
Earlylightcastoversmallhandspressingorangefruit,
Peelstowerasthemorninggoeson, Grownhandsdothesameastimetakesroot.
Largestringedbagsoforangesinplenitude, Theorangestandisnowabygone, Earlylightcastoversmallhandspressingorangefruit.
Juiceturnsbitterwithaccidentalgrapefruit, Memoriesandstoriesareslowlytimeworn, Grownhandsstilldothesametostoptimefromtakingroot.
Youthcomewithfeelingirresolute, Bondsovercitrusdawn, Earlylightcastoversmallhandspressingorangefruit.
Gettingolder,notknowingwhatImaysuit, Thesimpletaskbecameforgone, Yet,grownhandscontinuetodothesamebeforetimetakesroot.
Ifeelasenseofquietude, Asorangejuiceisnowlonggone, Earlylightcastoversmallhandspressingorangefruit, Grownhandsdothesameastimetakesroot.
Breathe
ByLeilaLucas
Youneverknowhowharditistobreatheuntileverybreathyoutakeischargedfor. Whentheintakesofairchangefromgivingyoulifetoweighinguponyourmindandbody, becomingjustanotherexpensetobepaid,yourmind...changes.Nobodythinksaboutevery singleintakeofbreath,norshouldthey It’sasnaturalas,well,breathing.Oxygenisthegiverof life,andwithoutit,noneofuscouldgracetheworldoftheliving.Ineverthoughtabout breathingmyself.Itookitforgranted,justasIdideverythingelsethatInowhavelost.Ithought thatIwasgiventhesweet,sumptuousairthatwouldsustainmeandfocusedmyminduponother aspectsoflife,thingsthatIwishIhadcorrectedwhenIhadthechance.
Ihavealwaysbeenafrugalman.Asachild,Iwouldsaveeverypennyofmyallowance inaporcelainpiggybankhiddeninacornerofmyroom,savoringtheclinkingsoundasthe coinsdroppedtothebottom,slowlyfillingupboththejarandmymind.Ididnotdreamof riches,ohno,nordidIwishtobuysomefancynewfadthatwassweepingthenation.Merely
havingthemoneymademehappy,andIfulfilledmyambitionssimplybywatchingmypile growandgrowwitheveryweeklychore.AsIgrew,thehabitdidaswell.Myfirstjobwasatan icecreamparlor.Iwasjustbeginningtoventureoutoftheworldofadolescence,and,at16,the busiestplaceintheneighborhoodwasthebestwaytostart.Everyday,sordid,dimwittedpeople wouldambleinandoutoftheshop,choosingtoeatthehorrid,sugarfilledatrocitiesthatwe servedunderthemaskofasweettreat.Icouldhardlystandit,but,asthepersonworkingthe cashier,Iwasentitledtothelion'sshareofthetipjar.Theclinkofthosecoinsweretheonly thingthatsustainedmysanity.Idetestedtheiridioticsmileseverytimetheypassedbythe register,wishingmea“goodday,neighbor”or“seeyounexttime,buddy".Itsickenedme.ButI toleratedit,lookingpasttheirdulleyesandintotheglisteningjarnowfullofcold,pressedmetal.
Eventually,IgotoutofthatHell-scapethatmasqueradedasanicecreamshop,leavingto pursuemy“brightfuture”,aseveryonesaid.DespitewhatIhavetoldyou,Iamnotantisocial, nordoIdetestpeople.Onthecontrary,Ithinkthathumanbeings,asawhole,arewonderful.Itis simplythatIdetestpleasantriesandsocialinteractionthatserveonlytofulfillsocietalnorms.I amdisgustedbythelengthsthatstrangerswillgotohidetheirtrueemotions,insteadchoosingto maintainappearances.Perhapsthatiswhymoneyattractedme.Moneyisunchangeable,cold, hard,andinhuman.Itmaybeanentirelyman-madeconstruct,butitisnothinglikethewretched idealizationthatwecalloursociety Moneyisthereforonepurpose,andonepurposeonly:to countthevalueofwhatweholddear IwouldbescornedshouldIsaythisoutloud,butmoneyis thetruestformofhonesty Cashandcurrencydonotlie,oratleastthetruekinddoesn’t.Idon’t careforbartersystemsoranythingelsethatradicalsseemtothinkwillimproveoursociety
Youmaythinkmeamiser,EbeneezerScroogeeven,but,deepinyourheart,youknow thatIamright.Humansandtheiremotionsaremessyandunpredictable.Moneyisnot.Itwillbe nosurprisetoyouthataftergraduatingfromcollegeIbecameabanker.Afterall,whatother professionwouldplacemeinsuchdirectcontactwithmoney?Iwouldcomehomeeverydayto alovingwifeandtwochildrenafterspendinglong,longdaysatworkcountingit.TheAmerican dream,youmightevensay.Ihadeverythingandwantednothingmorethantomaintainthis perfectfantasythatIhadsocarefullycraftedformyself.Ofcourse,itdidhelpthat,aftermy parents'untimelydeath,Iinheritedtheirfortune.Callitluck,goodorbad,butnoonesawthe traincomingthatendedtheirlivessoabruptly.Needlesstosay,IhadallthemoneythatIcould everneed.Myeldestdaughterwenttothefinestschoolinthecountry,aplacereservedonlyfor theeliteandpowerful.Iboughtherwayin,ofcourse.Mywifeownedthefinestjewels,things thatduchessesandqueenscouldonlydreamof.Mysonwasthetalkofthetown,ringingin everybody’spraisewithhissuavemanners,aidedbythedeluxesportscarthathereceivedupon his16thbirthday.Ihaditall,andmylifewasperfectforforty-sevenyears.
Nobodycould’veseenitcomingand,frankly,Istilldoubtwhethermyrecollectionsare trueormerelyabreakdownofmyfeveredmind.Aweekaftermy47thbirthday,mywifefellill. Shewashealthy,andhadnevershownanysignsoftherare,geneticdiseasethathadapparently bypassedbothhermotherandgrandmother.Shewasbeautiful,kind,strong,andgone.My childrenreturnedforthefuneral,ofcourse,butleftsoonafter Theywereadultsnowandhad
theirownlives,leavingmealonewithmymoney.Oh,themoney.
Yousee,aswealthyasIwas,mywifewastentimesthat.Herfamilyhadownedalarge numberofestates,and,afterherpassing,italldefaultedtome,herhusband.Iwasswimmingin money,morefiguresthanonecouldeverthinktocount.Itwasincheckingaccountsandwadsof cash,drawersofjewelryandswathesofland.Iwasfilthyrich.Thelittleboyinme,theonewho eagerlyawaitedthesmallcoinsallottedtohim,criedoutwithjoy,watchingallofthismoney suddenlyappear.Mychildrenneedneverworryfortheirfuturesagain.Theirmotherhadmade sureofthat.ThefirstnightthatIwenttobedafterallofheraffairshadbeendealtwith,andthe childrenhadlefttogotheirseparateways,wasthefirstnightthatIhadevertrulyfelttheweight ofanemptyhouse.
Themoneycalledtome,fillingthevoidthattwochildrenandalovingwifeoncehad.As everysecondtickedby,itbecameheavier,myrichesswarmingtowardsmeinamassof inexplicablewealthandsadness.IhadallthatIhadevertrulywanted,andyetitwasstrangling me.ThatwasthefirstnightthatIdidnotsleep.Itwasnotthelast.Thenexttwoweekswere filledwithcountingmoney Inpreviousyears,thatjobhadceasedassoonasIleftthebankto returnhome.After,though,itneverstopped.Iwentthroughlifeinadaze,runningfromone dreary,wealthfilledplacetoanother,thenwithdrawingtoanemptybed.Ididnotsleep,asthe money,theweightofadeadwife,andalifespentdealinginwealthpresseddownonmychest. Doyouknowwhatitfeelsliketobecrushed?No,Isupposeyouwouldn’t.Itisaninteresting feeling,havingtheairpushedoutofyourlungswhenitshouldbesuckedin.Everybreath becamemylastone,andIhadnopowertostopit.Thishasbeenmylifeforthepastmonth.I cannotsleep,andmywakingworldismuddled.TheonlytimeIfeelpeaceistheinstantthatIlay inbed,knowingthattheenormousweightofmyricheswillsooncrushme.Icannotbreathe.
Coronersnote:Mr.Richardsondiedtwodaysafterthisletterwaswritten.Itwasfoundon hisnightstandtable,andwas,atfirst,treatedasasuicidenote.Uponfurtherinspection,Mr. Richardsonappearedtohavediedfromtwocollapsedlungs,andhisdeathwasruledanatural occurrence.Mr.Richardson’schildrenhavebeennotifiedabouthispassing.Theonlycurious thingabouthisdeathwasthattheentiretyofhiswealthhasgonemissing.Policeare investigatingthetheft,butit,allofit,seemstohavevanishedintothinair.Theonlymoneythat wasfoundwasagoldcoin,seeminglyplacedinthecenterofMr.Richardson‘smouth.
CurrentEvents
OPINION: Boeing’sWoes
ByJanRosciszewski
Thelastfewyearshavebeenverytoughontheworld’slargestaircraftmanufacturer,with theirproductionnumbersandstockpricefollowingtheleadoftheirplanes,bycrashingand burning.Theproblemstrulystartedin2018and2019,withmanyhigh-profilecrashesoftheir 737MaxBoeingplanetakingoverthenews,particularlywithLionAirFlight610andEthiopian AirlinesFlight302,resultingin189and157fatalitiesrespectively,withnosurvivorsineither flight.Thisseriesofeventshadsevereconsequencesforthecompany,butthestockpriceonly fellfromroughly$400ashareto$340,soitwasnotnecessarilythestrawthatbrokethecamel’s back.Thatoccurredin2020though,asthepandemicnaturallyledtodeclineintraveldueto restrictions,andthusareductioninthedemandforBoeingplanes.
Theirstockpricereacheditslowestpointinyears,withapriceof95$onMarch20th, 2020,butsoonreboundedtothe150-250$range,butnotwithoutnewissuesforthecompany. Thecompanyreportedalossof4billionbetweenAprilandJuly2024,whichledtoCEODavid L.CalhounbeingreplacedbynewCEOKellyOrtbergamereweekafterthereport.Thenew CEOnowplanstolayoffalmost10%ofthecompany’sworkforce,whilesimultaneouslyhaving alargeportionoftheirunionizedworkersintheUnitedStatesonstrikesinceSeptember13th, thoughanagreementisexpectedtobereachedsoon.Thecombinationofanimplosionin demandandplaneordersfollowingthepandemicandmechanicalerrorshasledtothemedia scrutinizingthecompanymorethanothersinthespace,withsmallunrelatedproblemslikea
mis-installeddoorfallingoffinJanuarycausinganear10%decreaseinstockpriceinthedays following.AsBoeing’sprofitabilityisfalteringandtheirdebtincreasing,itremainstobeseenif theFed’srecentinterestratecutswillbeabletorescuethemanufacturer,orifthecompanywill facebankruptcyoragovernmentbailoutinthefuture.Unlikethestructuralintegrityofthe company’saircrafts,thenewCEOwillhavetoholdfirm,andnotletthepressureriphimapart.
Onasourernote,manyofthewhistleblowerswhoreportedthecompany’sproblemshave diedinmysteriouscircumstances,soyouheardithere,Ididnotaccidentallyfalloutofa window.
Here'saBoeingmemethatIwantedtoshare:
Sources:
Josephs, Leslie. “Boeing’s New Outsider CEO Ortberg Takes the Helm, This Time from the Factory Floor.” CNBC, CNBC, 8 Aug. 2024, www.cnbc.com/2024/08/08/new-boeing-ceo-kelly-ortberg.html
“Check out Boeing’s Stock Price (BA) in Real Time.” CNBC, www.cnbc.com/quotes/BA. ASSOCIATED PRESS. “Key Events in the Troubled History of the Boeing 737 Max.” AP News, 8 July 2024, apnews.com/article/boeing-plea-737-max-crashes-b34daa014406657e720bec4a990dccf6.
Isidore, Chris. “Tentative Deal Announced to End Boeing Strike.” CNN, 19 Oct. 2024, www.cnn.com/2024/10/19/business/boeing-deal-to-end-strike/index.html
GREENPAGE
WhyarePeopleStillShoppingatSHEIN?
ByAlessiaVialle
Thesituationfeelsfamiliar.Yourfriendsaysimploringly,“Idesperatelyneednewoutfits forspringbreak,somethingcheapbutcute,”andshepullsupabrightscreenwiththeletters SHEINpaintedblackacrossherphone.
Whatwouldyousay?Wouldyouevengivepause?
Asyouscrollthroughyourfriend'sglamorousandridiculouslyaffordableoptionsforher dreamvacay,youmaywonderhowitwouldbepossibleintoday'seconomytohaveatanktop retailfor$5.Yet,evenifitdoesseemstrange,theaverageteenagegirlwouldnotblink.She wouldrememberthatcutetankshesawinaSheinhaulonTikTokfromherfavoriteinfluencer whoseemsjustlikeherandwouldn’tthinkanythingofit.
Click.Buy.Repeat.
SheinisaChinesefastfashioncompanyfoundedbyChrisXu,anAmerican-born entrepreneur Itssaleshavesoaredovertherecentyears,goingfrom$10billionin2020to$100 billionin2022.ThesecretbehindShein’srecipeforsuccessisactuallyquitesimple:the inexpensivecostoftheirclothing.AccordingtoNationalPublicRadio,Millennialand GenerationZwomenmakeupthemajorityofSheincustomers.AndpartofShein’sappealto thesebuyersisitsabilitytodrop10,000newproductsdailyandforalltypesofwomen.
Youmightwonder,howisthisevenpossible?
Sheinisabletoproducesuchunheardoflargequantitiesofproductsadaythroughtheir useofvirginpolyesterandextensive amountsofoil.Duetothis, approximately6.3milliontonsof carbondioxideareleftbehindbyShein annually,accordingto Times Magazine.Shein’sabilitytomass produceproductshasalsobeenlinked toaccusationsofbreakinglaborrules andtreatingtheirworkerspoorly. ManyemployeesatSheinworkedfor 75-hourshiftswithlittlebreaks,
accordingtoChannel4intheUnitedKingdom.NotonlyisSheinnegativelyimpactingthe environmentandallegedlybreakinglaborregulations,buttheyalsohavebeenaccusedofvarious unethicalbehaviorssuchascopyingdesignsofsmallbusinessesandabusingimporttaxes.
IfyouarereadingthisarticleorhaveevertriedtogoogleSheinandseenthelistof unethicalpracticesthisbrandisaccusedof,youmightbethinkingtoyourself,“sowhydopeople stillshopatShein?”TheanswerliesinShein’scunninguseofsocialmediainfluencers.Those TikTokhaulvideosdonebysmiling,beautifulteenagersholdingtheir50plasticshinybagswith clothinginsideistheanswer.Sheinpartnerswithhundredsofmicro-influencerstodisplaytheir clothingandgiveoutdiscountcodestomaketheseproductsmoredesirabletotheir impressionableteenageaudience.
Sonexttimeyourfriendwantstobuythat$5tanktop,takeasecondtopauseforyourself, yourmoralcompass,andyourplanet.
SPORTSPAGE
TennisStarRafaelNadalRetires
ByChloeBelga
“Inthislife,everythinghasabeginningandanend.AndIthinkit'sanappropriatetimeto putanendtoacareerthathasbeenlongandmuchmoresuccessfulthanIcouldhaveever imagined”iswhatthirty-eight-year-oldRafaelNadalsaidwhenannouncinghisretirementon October10,2024.HisillustrioustenniscareerwillthusconcludewiththeDavisCupinMalaga inNovember,wherehislastmomentsplayingprofessionallywillbeforhiscountry,Spain. Whilehisathleticaccomplishmentsareextraordinary,intruth,itisthephilosophyherepresents thatwillremaininthepublic’scollectivememory,andultimatelydifferentiatehimfromany othertennisplayerinhistory
Regarding his career, it is primarily shaped by superlatives: one of the most precocious tennis players (youngest man to achieve the Career Slam, i.e. winning all four Grand Slam tournaments, by age 24), the most determined, most hell-bent player, and theplayerwhosetthe greatest challenge perhaps inallsportshistory—theonemostlikelytonevergetbroken—thatis, winning Roland-Garros, themostphysicallydemandingoftheslamsfourteentimes.Forcontext,
the previous record held for many years by tennis legend Bjorn Borg was already considered very difficult to beat. Borg had won it six times. Beating the record of fourteen times would mean not only having to start winning very young, but consistently as well.Furthermore,itwas calculated that Nadal has had a 97.4% match-winning percentage there. Hence, now, the following anecdote from 2004 seems quite silly. In the2004DavisCupfinal,Spainhaddecided to replace Ferrero, who was the 2003Roland-Garroswinner,witheighteen-year-oldRafaNadal.
Andy Roddick, World No.2, upon hearing this, was ecstatic: “The happiness that I felt because they subbed in RafaNadaltoplayagainstmeonclay,inSpain…”Roddickreminisced,realizing howridiculousitsoundstoday.
Moving away from his indisputably historical achievements on clay, to understand what makes Nadal truly unique in his discipline requires an understanding of what tennis encompasses.
Imagine. You’re facing two opponents. The first is across the net. The second is yourself—you’re on your own, dealing with your mistakes, your thoughts, and growing in intensity as the match progresses. Professional matches can sometimes last up tothreehours,or even five, and the result can then be in the hands of just a couple of seemingly small points. Technique,tactic,endurance,andutterconcentrationthereforeallhavetocometogetheratonce. ThisiswhereRafaNadalexcelledlikenobodyelse—inthementalaspect.Hewasknown to fight for every point, driven by some Hemingway-ish toreador’s passion. Better than any player, he was able to erase the previous point from his mind to focus onthenext,evenwhenit was an unfair call; he played point by point to an extreme. Such an attitude can easily be reflected in people’s daily lives for more mundane tasks. Moreover, while the vast majority of
tennis players, if not all, lash out, breaking under the psychological intensity of the match, and have all, at least once, angrily broken their racket, Nadal has never done so, and has never thrown anything out ofanger.Hestayscomposed.Therespectingrainedinhimisalsopresentin all aspects of his life, as off the court, it is maintained that even with fame, he has remained simple and approachable. These values he embodies, and of course, the imprint he left on Roland-Garros, led him to notably be the only non-French person to carry the 2024 Olympic flameduringtheverylastminutesoftheopeningceremony.
Furthermore, as supported by the reoccurring, serious injuries the tennis star has often had to come back from,hehasalwaysfollowedakindofstoicphilosophy.Seneca,inhis Letters from a Stoic, wrote, “Do not go out of your way to make your troubles any more tiresome than they are and burden yourself with fretting [...] Everything hangs on one’s thinking” (146). And his thinking is exceptional. After having wonhisfirstRoland-Garros,Nadalwasdiagnosedwith a rare foot deformity, and was told, atjusteighteen,thathiscareerwasover Yet,thisdidn’tstop him in the slightest. He once said, “Ilearnedduringallmycareertoenjoysuffering.”Whileone can still wonder how many more slams he could havewonifhehadhadahealthierbody,Nadal likely isn’t wondering that at all—because, to him, it is what it is, and he absolutely made the most of it.Itishisattitude,hisunrelentingspirit,thatholdshiminsuchhighesteemvis-à-visthe public, and it is the reason why he is perpetually praised as the ideal example for younger generations.
LionLife
StudentCouncilFlashInterview
ByChloeBelga
It’sanewschoolyear,andyouknowwhatthatmeans...anewstudentcouncil.This year’selectionsbroughtforthpresidentBardiaAhanin,vicepresidentJulianMurchison,and secretaryAlbertoBalbuena,withacampaignmainlyfocusedonschoolspirit.Now,itcan certainlyfeellikewedon’treallyknowwhatgoesononcewecastourvotes,hence,theROAR decidedtotakeinitiativeandbrieflyinterviewourstudentbody’spresident,Bardia,tohopefully getalittlelookbehindthescenes.
Q1:Sowhat’scrackalackin?
What’scrackalackinisthatit’scurrentlyOctober.There’salotofworkthatneedstobe done,bothwiththeStudentCouncilandalsowithouracademics.Butwe’llgetitdone.
Q2:Okay!What’syournextmove?
Sofornow,whatwe’vedone...Well,thefirstthingwasthatwewantedtogetfemale hygieneproductsinthegirls’bathrooms,andthedaythatwerealizedwegotelected,wereached outtoMme.Chustaboutit,andweweretoldthatthere’sprogressthat’sgoingtobemade.They justhavetohaveameetingwithM.PetautonandMmeKabbaztosetitup.Andafterthat, there’sHalloweencomingup.Sowe’resettingupthebooths,thegames,andwegotalotoffun gamesthatarecoming.There’salsogoingtobethehauntedhouseagain.So,there’salottolook forwardto!
Q3:Great.Sowhereareweatwithschoolspiritatthemoment,inyouropinion?
I’dsayit’sgoingverywell.Ifeellikethebiggestprogresswasthefactthatwe’vebroughtthe mascot,andIthinkthatwasreallygood.Andthemascotwasjustourfirstbigstepintohaving schoolspirit.Obviously,wehavemoreonthewaywiththeturfthatwe’regoingtobedisplaying downstairsonthesecondfloor Butyeah,themascotwasjustthebeginning,and there’salotcomingsoon.
Q4:Whathasbeenthemostimportantchallengeyou’vefacedthusfar?
I’dsaymymostimportantchallenge—forallthreeofusactually—I’ddefinitelysayithastobe managingboththeStudentCouncilandourwork,becausewe’reallintheBFI,andhavingto
Left to Right: Julian (Vice President), Bardia (President), and Alberto (Secretary)
handleboththatandhavingtodotheStudentCouncilmeetings...Ithasdefinitelybeena challenge.Andbesidesthat,we’dalsosayschedulingbecausethere’salotofstuffthatwewant todo,andwehavetohaveaspecificscheduletogetitalldone.Becauseweallhavealotof goals,andwehavealotofplansindifferentaspectsoftheschool,it’sallbeenachallenge,but we’retryingtofigureitoutastimegoeson.
Q5:Alright.Lastly,isthereanythingyouwantthestudentbodytoknowrightnow? Wearegettingstuffdoneregularlyandtherewillbestuffgettingdoneinthefuture.
CLUBADVERTISEMENT
SouriresforSeniors
SouriresforSeniorsisafunclubinwhichwemakeartandvisitseniorhomes,givingthem snackscardsandgenerallyjustchattingwiththem.MeetingsareeveryotherMonday,andit’sa greatplacetosocializewithyourfriendswhiledoingsomethingforthecommunity.
