Volume 4, Issue 3

The McHenry Messenger McHenry High School

Freshmen Campus 1012 North Green Street McHenry, IL 60050 (815) 385-1145

Upper Campus 4724 West Crystal Lake Road McHenry, IL 60050 (815) 385-7077

TheMcHenryMessenger.com

ON THE COVER

With many teachers being absent, it leaves many teachers and kids behind on their schoolwork. In my cover photo, he papers piled represents how missing a day at school, can leave you falling behind and confused on the day’s lesson.

Allie Everhart

This month’s cover photographer

5 7 11 13

NEWS

Key Club partners with My Sister’s Dress to donate prom attire MCC to charge for dual credit classes starting next year 3

OPINIONS

More zero hour classes are needed

The new late work policy is flawed

FEATURES

A missing piece Love is in the classroom

SPORTS Cheering on to success Brock Purdy should be permanent QB1 for the 49ers

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

The legend never dies

Celebrating Mac Miller

Volume Four | Issue Three | February 2023 TableofContents

InThisIssue

TheFirstLook

Brooke Nepras prepares to squat 135 pounds during a powerlifting match hosted at MCHS in the Upper Campus weight room on Feb. 1. During this power-lifting meet, many of the lifters reached their goals while having fun. Photo By: Mackenzie Sroka

The McHenry Messenger

Mission Statement

Student journalists have the right to exercise freedom of speech and the press in high school media. The McHenry Messenger is a byproduct of these rights. We hope to use this platform to inform and engage the students and staff of McHenry High School as well as its broader community.

As a student-driven publication, it is important to us that we represent every group within both campuses and provide a platform for them to speak their truth. We intend to provide access to objective, relevant information that they need to know during these unprecedented times.

The McHenry Messenger hopes to maintain editorial independence while continuing to nurture our connections to the community.

As we strive to fulfill our journalistic mission, we recognize that learning and growing through our experiences as reporters, writers and editors is a core aspect of what makes this a student publication. When we make mistakes, our organization is prepared to take responsibility for the stories we publish and hold ourselves accountable.

Hotandcoldthiswinter

As the long winter continues, the McHenry Messenger is proud to announce its third issue of the 2022-23 school year. During the cold wintry, nights, we are happy to provide our readers with quality writing within this print issue and on our website.

Staff Writers

Illustrators and Photographers

Special Thanks to Advisor

Kennedy Tetour, Managing Editor

Allie Everhart, Artistic Director

Vanessa Moreno, News Editor

Alayna Majkrzak, Features Editor

Freedom Tomasello, Opinions Editor

Mackenzie Sroka, Sports Editor

Gabe Santos, Arts and Entertainment Editor

Ella Trimingham, Freelance Editor

Brooke Danz, Copy Editor

Nikki Sisson, Marketing Director

Lydia Lawrence, Business Director

Hunter Blake, Preston Boysen, Savannah Drost, Eli Frommes, Tati Rubi, and Krystal Zamudio

Beth Brackmann, Mia Wiginton, and Annapatricia Cruz

Matt Connor, Betsy Goy, McHenry County College, Gina Nomikoudis, Jeff Prickett, Mitch Stengel, and VIP Dane Erbach

Both the McHenry Messenger’s print and digital editions have been established as designated forums for student editors to inform and educate their readers as well as for the discussion of issues related to their audience. Though the student media advisor is responsible for teaching students sound journalism skills and judgment, this paper does not engage in prior review and, thus, all content published by both editions of the McHenry Messenger reflects only the views of the student staff and not school officials or the school itself (unless attributed accordingly).

If you would like to get in contact with the McHenry Messenger, please email the advisor at erbachdane@dist156.org or call (815) 385-1145 and leave a message on his voicemail.

Visit TheMcHenryMessenger.com for more news, features, and opinions

At the beginning of the year, there were many activities and announcements within our school and community. Now that it’s winter, it may seem like there are fewer activities happening, but a lot has happened since finals. Within this issue, you can learn more about new rules and fees impacting our students this semester and next year, hear what is happening within our sports teams, and hear our opinions about what’s happening in and outside our school district.

For example, our cover article discusses a problem our school has been experiencing: the number of teacher absences these past couple years. State data from last year suggests that more than half of MCHS’s teachers have had more than ten absences — and this problem seems to be continuing this year. Often times, these absences have left our student body in a predicament.

Despite some of the negatives within our school, their have been an increasing about of positives. Many of our winter sports have been finishing the season off in very positive ways—including girls bowling and wrestling. One of the successful teams we highlight in this issue is our varsity cheer team.

As a staff, we truly hope that our readers enjoy this print edition. We invite you to flip through our pages and read what interests you. If you enjoy our print edition issue, we recommend you check out our McHenry Messenger website, where we post articles

Sports Editor

mchenrymessengr

KeyClubpartnerswithMySister’s Dresstodonatepromattire

Key Club is collecting used prom attire for My Sister’s Dress to sell at affordable prices

MCHS’ Key Club has partnered with My Sister’s Dress to help students have access to more affordable dresses.

My Sister’s Dress is an organization that has been around since 2008. The idea is that people donate old dresses, and the organization collects and resells them for a low price. The money collected is then donated to charity.

This year they are splitting the funds; all proceeds will benefit MCC Foundation Education to Empowerment Scholarship and Home of the Sparrow. The sale will be on Feb. 25, hosted at McHenry County College

from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dresses will be sold for $25 each, and purses, shoes or other accessories will be $5 each, regardless of size.

“You do not have to have proof of your financial abilities or anything,” Key Club Advisor and math teacher Emma Theel states. “Anyone can go and buy a prom dress.”

This event is open to anyone, regardless of financial status.

“I think that organizations like these are wonderful,” said sophomore Jae Wessel. “Instead of throwing out a one-time used dress, you can donate it for someone else.”

The time surrounding prom can

be a stressor for students, especially those struggling financially.

“Not everyone can afford $100 formal items,” Wessel said, “but now through places like ‘My Sister’s Dress’ many more people can enjoy luxuries for cheaper. All while supporting local scholarships and shelters.”

Donations are accepted at Wear Did U Get That in downtown Crystal Lake, Sage YMCA, Smith Physical Therapy and Running Academy, Black Orchid Boutique in McHenry, D&A Salon Apothecary, Curated by D&A on the Woodstock Square Historic District and the Algonquin Area Public Library District.

Volume Four | Issue Three | February 2023

Ella Trimingham Freelance Editor A dress collection box full of dresses waits outside the Upper Campus main office for the Key Club’s dress drive in coordination with My Sister’s Dress. The affordable dresses will be on sale on Feb. 25 at McHenry County College. Photo By: Nikki Sisson

MCCtochargefordual creditclassesnextyear

MCC will now charge a $25 fee per dual credit class taken through MCHS, though there are fee waivers

Starting this upcoming year, all students in McHenry county taking a dual credit course will be charged a $25 fee per semester.

The new implication was finalized in early January. MCHS will be assessing this fee to all students taking dual credit classes when it goes into place next year. Although, certain students are eligible for a waiver of this fee.

“MCC’s offerings of dual credit around the county has exploded over the past 2-3 years,” Carl Vallianatos, MCHS’s assistant superintendent, states. “This $25 per class fee will partially offset the administrative costs associated with thousands of students taking classes and having to be rostered and given credit with the college.”

Taking MCC courses at MCC is priced differently than taking a course through high school. One course taken at MCC is $111.50 per credit hour. The majority of college classes are three credit hours.

“So if we multiply that times three, that would be $334.50,” College and Career Counselor Curtis Menke said. “Again, that does not include any additional fees or textbooks. I usually round up and tell students a three credit hour class and MCC costs approximately $400 after you factor in a textbook fees.”

Even though there will be an up charge in taking a dual credit course at MCHS, it is cheaper than taking the actual course at MCC. Some students also are eligible for a waiver of this $25 fee.

“Students who qualify for the national free lunch program will not have to pay the $25,” Menke said. “I am glad to see that because the last thing I want to see is another barrier in front of students who already have barriers.”

Honors dual credit classes at MCHS consist of Business INCubator (1 credit), Chemistry (1 credit), College Composition I and II (0.5 credit), French

Tati Rubi Staff Writer

III and IV (1 credit), German III and IV (1 credit), Speech (0.5 credit)

Regular dual credit classes offered at MCHS include Computer Literacy (0.5 credit), Manufacturing I (1 credit), Metals I (0.5 credit) and Teaching as a Profession II (0.5 credit).

“It’s very acceptable,” said Althea Polo, a sophomore that takes dual credit chemistry. “I don’t think it’ll affect me personally as much. I take dual credit classes and I feel that it is worth the money. Getting that time with the teacher everyday to ask for help rather than sitting in college class once a week makes all the difference.”

There are 649 dual credit enrollments at MCHS, as of this year.

“I don’t think that this is dramatically going to decrease the amount of students who take dual credit courses with us,” Menke said. “I see it as an inconvenience, but I don’t think it’s going to dramatically prevent or deter students from taking our dual credit classes.”

Morezerohour classesareneeded

which can lead to a better mood throughout the day. According to Total Wellness, “Breaking an early morning sweat will reward you with a rush of endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine – feel-good chemicals that will boost your mood and help zap stress.” By working out in the morning, these molecules will begin at the very start to your day rather than half way through during a regular gym class. A student that is in a better mood, is more likely to focus during class. Often times early morning classes feel slow and lifeless, but a student that has already had a class and is experiencing a release of “happy molecules” will be less tired. According to Healthline, “ A 2019 study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that morning exercise improves attention, visual learning, and decision-making.” Paying attention and being alert is vital for most classes in order to get good grades. Every student takes classes, and those that succeed in the classes are the students that are alert and focused in the classroom.

Most students within MCHS

often take six to seven classes throughout the day, however there are some students who need or want to take eight classes. However, it is not possible to drop lunch and pick up a class, so students can turn to zero hour classes. Taking a zero hour class produces more availability within a student’s schedule, according to Nicole Bacigalupo, an eleventh grade counselor at MCHS.

While taking a zero hour class can open up space in a students schedule, it can lead to students taking on too many classes. This can result in students becoming overwhelmed throughout the day by the amount of class work they take on. So it is important that students in this situation are willing to put in the extra work. They should also check with their counselor before taking zero hours as a way to take eight classes, to make sure they are able to handle it.

Zero hour classes can benefit students in many ways physically and mentally. MCHS should implement more zero hour classes so students are able to start their day earlier or take all the classes they would like to take.

Volume Four | Issue Three | February 2023 Opinions

Zero hour and ninth hour classes provide many benefits to students, so more classes are needed

Mackenzie Sroka Sports Editor Students have many reasons for taking classes outside of MCHS’s regular eight-hour class schedule. Whatever the reason, students benefit from having more options for credit before and after school. Photo By: Mia Wiginton Opinion

Thenewlatework policyisflawed

MCHS’s new

At MCHS, the amount of late work turned in by students has steadily increased over the years. In an attempt to combat this problem, the administration has implemented a policy that requires students to turn in late work within a 7-day period, no longer allowing work to be accepted after this time. While this policy could be deemed an effective way to deter students from turning in late work, it has created a system that can be seen as unfair to students who genuinely need more time.

“We talked a lot about it with all of the admin and department chairs to clarify what the late work policy should be; before, we didn’t have guidelines around it. So people were turning in work at the end of the semester all the way from the beginning of the year, and by that point it’s kind of too late, so there has to be deadlines around things so that people learn responsibility,” says Jeff Prickett, principal of MCHS.

However, this policy does not take into account circumstances outside of a student’s control. The policy may be too harsh on students who have difficulty balancing their workloads and are

unable to submit work on time. Many students at MCHS participate in many extracurricular activities or work after school, along with having plenty of other classes to worry about. They may not have time to finish all of their work at once. With that being said, it is important to consider the individual circumstances of each student when it comes to an academic policy.

Not only is the timeline for accepted work flawed, but the idea that not allowing students to turn in work after a specific amount of time will motivate them to do their work is unrealistic. A student who does not want to do their homework in the first place is unlikely to care that they’re on a tight deadline. Teachers should be more focused on finding out why students lack the motivation to do the work rather than just creating more strict rules against them. Ultimately, these policies fail to consider the root cause of why students don’t complete their work, whether that be because they just don’t want to or because they don’t understand the content. Many teachers have discovered grading policies that work for them and the way

Freedom Tomasello Opinions Editor

their classrooms run on their own, so it is unnecessary for the administration to step in and try to create a new policy that may not work for that classroom setting. “I have always fallen into the camp that zeros should not be used to encourage students to get stuff done,” Kristian Hokinson, a math teacher at MCHS, states. “I will continue to encourage my students on a daily basis to turn in work, whether it is late or not. I can always then go back into the grade book and change the grades to completed. I will not be limiting them to only 7 days, though. I still want to acknowledge that students learn at different paces, and sometimes it might take more than 7 days for a student to be ready to makeup a missing assignment or assessment. I’d rather them take 2 weeks to make it up, but be ready enough that they will be successful and not just take it to ‘get it done.’”

Although this policy may benefit some teachers who struggle with a copious amount of late assignments, it fails to recognize the root of the problem and likely won’t work as the admin intended it to in the long run.

Amissingpiece

Week after week, a student walks into their class room to a large empty desk. The chair that was supposed to have their teacher in it sat cold and empty just like it did almost everyday. The student huff and finds their normal desk as they wait for a substitute to fill that void that their teacher is leaving. The students have to teach themselves the content that a teacher is meant to be at that desk lecturing them about. They huff as they gaze at the desk that still sits empty long after the bell rings announcing third period.

At MCHS, many more teachers were absent during the 2021-22 school year than many other nearby schools. According to the Illinois School Report Card when MCHS is compared with the similar schools in the district, like Huntley and Crystal Lake South, MCHS has a significantly larger amount of teacher absences. Only 50% of teachers at MCHS have missed less than 10 days of school while other schools like Huntley and Crystal Lake South have anywhere from 69-89% of teachers missing 10 or less school days.

“We look at all our school report card data each year very introspectively so we can improve,” states Carl Vallianatos, the Assistant Superintendent for Learning and Innovation at MCHS. “Certainly there is a connection between our student achievement data and the other two most important metrics: student chronic absenteeism and teacher attendance.”

Over the years, since the COVID-19 pandemic started, there have been issues with attendance at MCHS. Whether it is students, or now teachers, there is a deep impact in people’s motivations to participate in a school community. This impact on motivation, therefore attendance may be a product of something else.

“The main question that we need to figure out — is it that people are sick, or are they burnt out?” Ryan Ellison, the co-president of the McHenry Community High School Educators Association questions.

The possibility of more teachers being burnt out, not only after the rough

semesters following COVID-19 shutdowns, but many new implementations that have come along with a new edition to the school. The stress of blended learning, and more students cutting class than any years before. Ellison says there’s a possibility that burnout is a part of the problem, but it cannot be the only cause, as other schools in similar situations are not following the same absentee trends within all areas of the school.

Adam Maleinus, a social science teacher at the Upper Campus, states, “I don’t know the reasons for all the various [teacher] absences. There could be a variety of answers, but I think it’s something that’s going to have to be analyzed more. Though, there is something bigger than just, teachers missing school and why it happens too often at MCHS.

A part of this issue is how this chronic absenteeism in teachers affects a students daily life at MCHS. A teacher missing a lot of school days can often put the academic career of a student in jeopardy.

“I know that when I have to make sub plans, you’re trying to make it as easy for the substitute teacher as possible.” Ellison states. “To be able to manage the class you’re not gonna have a substitute teacher teaching an entire lesson.”

The relationship between students and teacher is important, and often an integral part of success in an academic environment. Though, it is not limited to the academic part of school. If a student’s teacher isn’t in school for days on end, it is deprives a student of quality academics as well as the social aspects that come inherently with school.

Vallianatos states, “When you are out of school and look back at your most impactful teachers it is rarely the content that jumps out. It is the relationships that people remember and make a difference.“

More than that, the absence of a teacher can distract a student from what they should be focusing on in school. Whether it is social or academics that should be focused on, an absent teacher can pull a student’s mind away from those things.

Joseph Sacramento, a Senior at

Alayna Majkrzak Features Editor

MCHS states, “I had encountered times where I had a teacher out of class more than twice a week. Most of my friends and I were first off concerned for our teacher.” Sacramento says. “And second, annoyed that our quizzes, tests, or assignments got pushed back.”

This lack of connection between teacher and student that is caused by the absence of teachers can also impact the motivation of students. Some students see teachers missing many days of school as more than just burn out. Many students see teachers missing many days of school as being let down by an adult set in place to help them learn.

“When I had a teacher who missed a lot of school I felt let down by them and often felt unmotivated to do work in that class,” junior Brooklyn Hardt states. “I believe that some students have thoughts like, ‘If my teacher isn’t putting in the work, why should I?’”

This disconnect between student and teacher is evident and can be very hard on the students at MCHS. A lack of motivation, as well as frustration with the adults who are supposed to be there to provide help and support. Students are often left feeling unmotivated and upset when their teachers are consistently missing school. School is meant to be a community of people working together, and when a piece of that is missing it has more of an impact than just data on a report card.

“The pandemic showed us that learning is a group activity and it is best done in person while connecting and building positive relationships with each other.” Vallianatos states. “That piece is missing right now in some circles of our school.”

A student walks in their classroom, the smile on their face falling as they see the person who was in place to teach them is missing. This missing puzzle piece leads to a frown forming on their face as they look at the sub sitting in their teachers chair for the fourth time in the past two weeks. They know they aren’t getting what they need academically, and not getting what they need in terms of connections within the school community.

Loveisinthe classroom

Married teachers at MCHS — many of whom have met while working at the school— are more common than some students realize

Lydia Lawrence Business Manager

Volume Four | Issue Three | February 2023 Features

Photo By: Annapatricia Cruz

Upper Campus science teacher Beth Caruso stares at the copy machine with impatience at the end of the school day, frustrated that the box of metal and screws isn’t working properly. Just as she’s about to give up and head back to her classroom, another teacher appears around the corner and notices her struggling. Anthony Caruso arrives right on time, helping her with the copy machine, and getting a wonderful marriage out of it too.

There are many teachers at MCHS who have found their match within the school. Just like all couples, they have their strengths and weaknesses, but theirs may look a little different. From scheduling events to avoiding arguments that happened before a school day starts, these are some of the unique struggles that come with being married in the same school.

Many couples that actually met at this school including Beth Caruso. “According to Mr. Caruso, he came to my rescue one day after school. My aggression towards the copier must have been attractive. But that’s one of the things I love about him — he’s my knight in shining armor.”

Raymond Currie, a science teacher at Upper Campus also talks about how he met his English teacher

wife Marla at the Freshman Campus back when it was called East Campus, “We met here in 1994 when we were both hired at East Campus. We started dating in December of that year and 11 months later got married in November 1995.”

These couples had met at school by fateful chance, almost like a movie scene. Behind the scenes however, there can be troubles when working with your partner in the same building.

Separating work and home life can be difficult for couples that are especially working together. “It’s hard to leave work at work,” says Mitchell Stengel, an English and journalism teacher, who married his wife and English teacher Leah over the summer.

“For example, we go home and talk about our days and talk about curriculum and lessons and our classes.”

Timing and planning when working in the same place with the same hours can also be an issue. “A big challenge is we are both required to go to faculty meetings after school and our kids, when younger, would need to be picked up from their school,” explains Gary Myers, a senior counselor at Upper Campus.

Although there can be some struggles when your co-worker is your partner, there are struggles in

every relationship. The key is working together to ease the troubles; literally and figuratively for these couples.

Currie explains that it’s easier to understand one another, “It is great because we understand the time and effort it takes to be a teacher and the struggles one can have. It makes understanding easier if a person has a bad day. You can be more compassionate and understanding because you share similar work experiences.”

Supporting each other really does give people more motivation according to Caruso. “We’ve learned that when you have the unconditional love and support of someone at work, someone who will go above and beyond for you, it makes the job that much more enjoyable. It’s that much easier to wake up in the morning and get motivated to do our best. Of course, we do it for the students first and foremost, but working together cements our family and creates an unbreakable bond.”

Caruso walks toward her coffee machine in the morning, feeling tired and cold. She goes to press the start button on the box of metal and dials, but the light doesn’t turn on. Sighing, Caruso begins to take a look at the machine when her husband Anthony comes into the room — her knight in shining armor.

Cheeringontosuccess

Girls Varsity cheer bring in their best efforts throughout the season while making new goals along the way.

As the girls gather together and set the base for their flier, the crowd is standing with excitement and anxiousness for what’s about to come. On Saturday, Jan. 28, the girls varsity cheer team went to sectionals, despite putting forth their best efforts in their routine the girls fell short two points to make it to regionals.

This season the girls have built a strong relationships and have created a great team through hard work and dedication over the past year.

“Everyone has been working very hard and we have a very good relationship where we all trust each other,” stated Katie Lewis, a junior on the varsity cheer team.

While the girls have grown tremendously as a team, they have also had to face challenges together to do so. The girls have had many injuries and illnesses here and there throughout the season but have overcome them together as a team.

“Injury and illness always pop up and force us to make changes at any second throughout our season,” explained Samantha Carlson, head coach for the varsity cheer team. “This may include pulling people off the mat and having athletes relearning a new routine in just one practice.”

A big challenge the girls had to face this year was having to figure out the formations and the difference in motions from 20 people to 11, especially since sometimes they would only have 3 days to learn the changes to a routine along with working towards perfecting it.

“This was definitely stressful since we only had 3 days to perfect the changes,” commented Lewis. “I know that the amount of people being taken off of the mat was very stressful for everyone and even though I was one of the 11 chosen. They still cheered us on everyday and that always makes a big difference.”

This season compared to last season shows great amounts of growth and progress made in the past year. The girls have completed many goals this year and have overcome challenges with positive mindsets. Regardless of the amount of goals they have accomplished they will begin to make new ones for the upcoming season.

“I would like to see us go into the new season with more confidence,” explained Maggie Maciaszek, a junior, on the varsity cheerleader. “I think that if we go into next year’s competitions with the mindset that we’re capable of doing all of our skills in the routine, then we’ll be a lot more successful.”

The girls varsity team has made incredible accomplishments as they worked hard all season. This lead them to sectionals and the ability to accomplish many of their goals this season. They are hopeful to continue this success next season as well.

Volume Four | Issue Three | February 2023 Sports

Krystal Zamudio Staff Writer The varsity cheer leading team leaps in the air during a performance at Rolling Meadows High School on Dec. 7. Photo By: VIP

BrockPurdyshouldbe permanentQB1forthe49ers

Hunter Blake Staff Writer

Choosing a team’s starting players can often be a difficult task for coaches, professional or not. This case was for the San Francisco 49ers this season, as they had to go through three quarterbacks to find their true starter. With the season now over, it is clear who the starting quarterback job for the near future should go to, Brock Purdy. Purdy, otherwise known as “Mr. Irrelevant” being the last pick of the first round in his draft class last year. However, he shined during his rookie season this year after taking over Week 13 against the Miami Dolphins. In the stretch until the end of the season, he went an impressive 6-0 and looked like a mainstay in the first-string quarterback spot for the 49ers. With the 49ers losing their recent playoff game against the Eagles, there has been much speculation over who should take over the first-string quarterback spot next year, with veteran Jimmy Garoppolo healthy and soon to be second year rookie Trey Lance healthy. But, with the way Purdy played after taking over, he has earned the spot at first-string quarterback next year for the 49ers.

Brock Purdy deserves a permanent starting job on the 49ers because of the inconsistent performance and play time of Garoppolo and Lance. Lance, a rookie who was supposed to be their first-string quarterback, started 2 games and went 1-1 and got hurt in his second game, where he only had 3 passing attempts and threw for 30 yards. In his first game lost to the Chicago Bears, who had the worst record in the NFL this season. On the other hand, Garoppolo did have a solid season going 8-3, but he was very injury prone and lost some questionable games to the Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons. Garoppolo

at times, also seemed inconsistent and to only play well with newly acquired running back Christian McCaffery. But Purdy, since taking over, seemed very consistent overall and ran the offense well until getting hurt early against the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game. He has received praise around the whole 49ers organization, especially his coaches. According to NBC Sports, in an interview coach Kyle Shanahan said, “When you coach someone, you want to get them better, whether you’re right, wrong or whatever.” It’s just about getting someone better, so you have to find a way to get it to him, and just work on his personality. It’s been really easy because I don’t really have to worry about how he’s feeling too much. You just tell him what you see because that’s what he wants. He likes to be coached.” With this praise from the head coach, it’s hard to really see Purdy moving out of the starting spot, being coachable and consistent around the team.

Purdy deserves to start for the 49ers because of his ability to step up when needed. For example, Purdy was the third string quarterback for the 49ers and the 49ers had no need for another quarterback. With Purdy’s ability to come into the Week 13 Dolphins game early and go on to take the team to the NFC championship is very impressive, considering him being a third string. It also his reliability and versatility, with being a “nobody” and then gaining national attention around the NFL.

With the 49ers season coming to a close last week in a playoff loss against the Eagles, their future is looking bright going into next season. With offense and defensive stars Christian McCaffery, Deebo Samuel, and Nick Bosa. The introduction of Purdy as starting quarterback to the team only increases their chances of success for the future. With the way Purdy played during his rookie season this year, he deserves the full right of first-string quarterback for the 49ers going forward.

Thelegendneverdies

Nikki Sisson Marketing Director

“Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” hit theaters Dec. 21, 2022 and has been a huge success ever since. This film centers around the beloved hero, Puss, who is on his last of nine lives, and has to compete with both new and old characters for one wish that could grant him his lives back. This film digs deeper than the first one and is able to cover more serious topics in a way that makes sense to its younger audience.

Puss in Boots is a character in DreamWorks Shrek franchise, but got his own feature film in 2011. In this film, he teamed up with Kitty Softpaws, a mysterious thief, and Humpty Dumpty, Puss’ lifelong friend, to steal magic beans. However, Humpty turns out to be plotting against Puss, and turns the town against him.

In “The Last Wish,” there are several antagonists, Goldie and the Three Bears and Jack Horner being two, as they race Puss and Kitty for the wish. However, the true “villain” of the movie is death itself, portrayed

as a wolf. Throughout the movie, the wolf appears after whistling a sinister song, stalking and following Puss, as he struggles to accept the fact that he has no more lives to spare. In the end, Puss realizes that having one life with no chances to redo everything is what makes it so special, and is able to “fight off” death (the wolf) in a sword fight. He accepts the fact that they will meet again, but doesn’t feel the need to wish for his nine lives back.

This was a huge step up from the first movie, as the main conflict went from Puss’ lifelong friend betraying him to confronting mortality. But they handled it well, despite being pretty creepy for younger kids. This movie seems to focus on lots of internal conflict, as Puss overcomes his denial of fear and learns to live his life despite having none to spare. Puss and Kitty also learn through a stray dog how to put the past behind them and learn to trust again.

Despite the drastic change in tone from the first to second movie,

the animation style seemed to receive the opposite effect. “The Last Wish” features amazing animation with comic book style fights. Oftentimes, studios feel the need to make animations look as realistic, or non-cartoonish as possible, and this movie seems to ignore that idea without going over the top.

The cast features some returning members, as well as some new, surprising voices. Antonio Banderas returns as the voice of Puss in Boots as well as Salma Hayke as Kitty. Florence Pugh (Goldielocks), Olivia Coleman (Mama Bear) and John Mulaney (Jack Horner) are some notable new cast members. Alongside the incredible voice acting, the movie features an amazing soundtrack that immerses the viewers into the story.

Overall, “Puss and Boots: The Last Wish” was worth the wait for those who grew up on the first movie and even those who didn’t. It is relatable and entertaining for people of all ages, and definitely worth a watch.

Volume Four | Issue Three | February 2023 ArtsandEntertainment

After 11 long years, Puss in Boots gets the action packed sequel he deserved — and more

Released at the end of 2022, “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” brought new energy and interesting visual effects to a franchise that seemed like it might have been at its end.

Review

Photo By: DreamWorks Animation

CelebratingMacMiller

Despite his untimely death, celebrated musician Mac Miller’s catalog is full of life and energy

On Jan. 19, 1992, Malcolm McCormick — who would come to be known as Mac Miller — was be born. From a young age Malcolm took interest in music, particularly hip hop. McCormick learned piano, guitar, bass, and the drums by the age of six, and, by age 15, burst into Pittsburgh’s burgeoning rap scene home to the likes of Wiz Khalifa. However, rap was not the only thing he had his sights set on, and he would later spend his career attempting to prove himself to be not a rapper, but a musician.

Mac, who went by the names of Delusional Thomas, Larry Fisherman, and Larry Lovestein (accompanied by band “The Velvet Revival”) throughout his career was a factory for art. Throughout his career, aside from studio albums, he would release 13 mixtapes under various aliases, with only a few being available on streaming platforms. Each of his mixtapes could require an article of their own, so for the purposes of this story we’ll be focusing on studio albums and mixtapes available for streaming.

Mac’s first big project was mixtape “K.I.D.S”, which would see him finding himself in the middle of the frat rap genre. While charming, by the larger community he was seen as childish, up through his first studio album “Blue Slide Park.” This label would be something Mac would spend the rest of his life trying to shake.

His second widely released mixtape “Macedelic” would be the first instance of a darkness that would be ever present in Malcolm’s life. It’s no secret that Mac struggled with drugs, and was constantly trying to go sober, relapsing, and then attempting to go sober again. This tragedy gets put in the spotlight throughout his discography.

Fan favorite “Watching Movies With The Sound Off” would be Mac’s first real acceptance into the rap community,

and he would follow it up with “GO:OD AM,” a big commercial hit for him. However, after these, Mac would release what I think is his most ambitious work.

“The Divine Feminine” is a jazz/ funk fusion record which sees Mac showcasing songs that he had been writing for a long time, but never released. I think this album was Mac’s first real step into musical maturity and experimentation. However, this showcases another point of contention in his life. His very public relationship with Ariana Grande, which is largely the credit for “The Divine Feminine”’s topics, would end abruptly. Grande would cite Mac’s problems with drugs as a key reason for their split. Mac would get a DUI following this event, although it is unknown if the two events are related.

Related or not, Malcolm’s life was becoming fraught with problems. This is why his final non-posthumous release “Swimming” is so telling. The album continues his musical evolution, and the dark topics. Mac most eerily foreshadows his own fate on the song “Self Care” where he talks on his addiction and his fear that it might be the end of him.

Unfortunately, nobody knew how

Gabe Santos Arts and Entertainment Editor

right he was. On Sep. 7, 2018, just over a month after “Swimming” was released, Mac would be discovered unconscious in his Studio City home by his personal assistant, who would call 911. Malcolm was pronounced dead on the scene at 11:51 a.m. by an overdose that was determined to be accidental. He was 26. His death would shake the hiphop community, and music in generalparticularly, past lover Ariana Grande would catch hate online, with some blaming her for his death, which is terrible. Ariana would say that Malcolm was the love of her life, and a large part of her album “Thank U, Next” is assumed to be written about him (specifically “Ghostin” and “Imagine”)

Apart from her, friends such as Thundercat, Earl Sweatshirt, and Anderson .Paak would publicly mourn him with a tribute show held on Oct. 31 of that year. Arguably his best album, “Circles” originally intended to be a companion to “Swimming” would be posthumously released on Jan. 17, 2020. Malcolm would never truly fulfill his potential, and his loss is an example for all in the music industry how dangerous addiction can be. His music remains a shining star in the larger rap catalog, and in music in general.

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Malcolm James McCormick, AKA, Mac Miller, onstage at the Coachella Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California, on April 14, 2017. Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times / TNS

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