The Best of Black History Month

Julia Dubnof ’23, Siobhan Minerva ’24, and Ilana Zahavy ’24 Editor-in-Chief, Arts & Entertainment Editor, Senior Design Editor

BSU events: a full calender

Siobhan Miverva ’24 Arts & Entertainment Editor

As your calendar makes the switch to February, Black History Month is brought with it. This is a time of refection, appreciation, and celebration. It brings awareness to the enslaved people who were brought to the United States against their will during the seventeenth century, as well as life in the African diaspora since. There’s a wealth of history, resistance, culture, and endurance that is worth respecting as well as celebrating. At LMSD, the Black Student Union (BSU) has events all month planned to mark the important occasion.

BSU represents the Black community here at LM. Their goal is to empower, teach, and advocate. They have worked to organize an array of club events taking place throughout the month of February.

When did Black History Month begin? Why was February chosen? What is the signifcance of songs from the Civil Rights movement? To both quiz and educate students on questions such as these, BSU hosted an exciting game of Jeopardy during Lunch & Learn on February 3.

Students were divided up into four groups with the goal of winning a gift card. Competitive edge flled the room as questions arose on topics relating to Black culture such as music, slang, his- for about forty kids, everyone had fun and enjoyed spending time with their friends.

Following a successful jeorpardy game, students can sit back and enjoy a show with performances showcasing the talent of your peers. The Black History Month Showcase will take place on February 15 at 6:30 p.m. Show your support and enjoy performances, presentations, and interactive stations. There will even be refreshments to accompany the spectacular evening. Chefs, bakers, and foodies alike are called to join BSU in a cooking night. On February 22 at 6:00 p.m, students can show out and display their skills in making chicken and biscuits with the club. Finally, in order to end this eventflled month with a bang, BSU will be hosting a party on February 24 at 7:00 p.m. Students can bring their friends for a night of memories, while also celebrating Black History Month. With so many celebrations, it’s easy to get involved and have some fun. The annual MLK day of service brought out many people from the community, and this energy should continue through the month of February, and thoughout the entire year. Look to the announcements and fyers around the school for any chang-

LM students’ favorite media showcasing Black voices

One way to mark Black History Month is through Black art. Read books by Black authors, celebrate Black musicians, and watch movies and TV shows that tell Black stories.

Books:

*The recomendations here were collected from students via Instagram and Google surveys.

Movies: Black Panther, Get Out, Moonlight, Hidden Figures, Just Mercy, Boyz in the Hood, Menace to Society, The Hate U Give

Musicians: Kendrick Lamar, SZA, Frank Ocean, Megan Thee Stallion, Doja Cat, Giveon, Brent Faiyaz

Voices in African

TV Shows: BMF, Power, Black-ish, Rap Sh!t, Moesha, Family Reunion, Raising Kanin

How do students feel?

Literature (VAAL) students reflect on the class, Black History Month, and LM education

“Learning about historic and current Black authors and studying their novels alongside getting a perspective on what was going on during the time periods that they were released has increased my understanding about Black life across a multitude of time periods and perspectives.”

-Sulaiman Mathew-Wilson ’23

Q: What is the value of studying Black and/or African American studies in school? A: Learning about my culture and history

-Ira Dixon ’23

“I believe [VAAL] should have more information about African American Culture, and how we were kings and queens well taught. Not the more diminishing side where we are slaves and are always against each other.”

-Tyquezz

Thompson ’23

Operation AA: Amazing Ace

Inbal David ’23 and Oyindotun Okunade ’25

contestant was introduced through a catwalk, participated in a Q & A, raised money for a charity of their choice, danced, and performed a one

Each year since 2010, LM has presented the Amazing Ace. What is the Amazing Ace you may ask? Well it’s part talent show, part charity fundraiser, part dance performance, and part pageant. Each event has its own theme, this year it was Lost In Space. The show started out with a short flm introducing the confict: Earth has become uninhabitable and LM needs to relocate to a new planet. The ten contestants for the 2023 Amazing Ace were: Julian Allen ’23 as Earth, Inbal David ’23 representing Saturn, Simona Fisher ’24 as Pluto, Grady Gardner ’23 representing Uranus, Camille Halbert ’23 as Venus, Alveena Khoday ’23 representing the Moon, Jacob Ross ’23 as Jupiter, Daniel Vossough ’24 representing Mars, and Amber Wong ’23 as Neptune. You may have also caught our incredibly talented emcees hosting the show: Eden Dizengof ’23 and Andrue Herold ’23. Each the next Amazing Ace. The sidekicks this year were Bob McLaughlin ’23, Etienne Idol ’23, Roxy Charap ’23, Taryn Kimmel ’23, Maria Dymek ’23, Anika Xi ’23, Gus Walls ’23, Benjamin Snyder ’24 and Addison Garner ’23. David’s sidekick, Idol, says that “the role of being a sidekick is not only extremely fun, but important in taking the load of of the contestants. We help raise money for their charities, attend practices, and some are part of the talent portion too. It’s just been awesome from the start.” Aside from the people you see on the stage, there’s a crew of people working behind the scenes to make this show come to life. The Stage Manager, Lily Greenberg ’23, and her assistants, Dylan Elgart ’23 and Nicky Silverstein ’25, coordinated all of the performances from behind the curtain. A team of helpers backstage, the runcrew, all wore alien antennas during the show and were a huge help in getting the props, sets, and microphones in place. Rose Solga ’23, the Costumes and Props Coordinator says “I really love the Amazing Ace because it’s a lot more arts and craft-y than what I usually work with. It involves a lot more people, so it’s really exciting to explore the ideas that other people have, making their wild plans come to life.” She worked with assistants Danielle Gesser-Sapir ’24 and Isabel McMullen ’26. With talented Aelen Gallagher ’25 on sound, and Liam Cunningham ’23 and Talia Earl ’25 on lights, the show ran seamlessly. Although, none of this would be possible without the mastermind behind this operation, Nora Christman. The cast and cast and crew are so fortunate to have such a vibrant and dedicated coordinator, she is truly an inspiration. Not only does she put so much time and efort into this event, including creating the contestant posters you may have seen hanging on the library windows, she also cares for each student who chooses to participate. It is very rare to hear Christman turn down an idea, no matter how outlandish it may be, in fact, she encourages everyone to be themselves and showcase talents, creativity, and personality. Most importantly, she frequently reminded contestants to have fun, and that the Amazing Ace is about raising money and putting on an entertaining show. At the end of the performance, the contestants lined up on the stage to fnd out who would be this year’s Amazing Ace. But before that, Ross was awarded a prize for raising the most money for his charity, the American Association of Cancer Research. Then, they announced David as the winner of this year’s Amazing Ace. She received an honorable donation to her charity, Planned Parenthood, a crown, and a bull dog bobble head trophy. Every year as this tradition passes by, the school is reminded of how satisfying it can be to work for a charitable cause, while having fun. This year’s contestants produced an impressive performance and raised a

“We

Golden Globes ft. the orchestra

Sebastian Havira ’23

Arts & Entertainment Editor

The 80th Annual Golden Globes ceremony took place on January 10th, gathering all nominated actors and crew members for a vibrant night. Although the night was flled with laughter and acceptance speeches, there were certainly moments of awkwardness. The show was hosted by comedian Jerrod Carmichael, who (in my opinion) lacked confdence and strong delivery skills with his jokes. The comi cal part about Carmichael hosting was his agitation directed at the crowd when they failed to give him any notice once the commercial breaks ended. The only time the crowd turned their attention to the 35-year-old comedian was when he made ofensive remarks about celebrities (specifcally Whitney Houston and Tom Cruise). His shallow “jokes” caused the Golden Globes to receive the lowest viewer ratings in history (6.3 million). For the 81st annual Golden Globes, I sincerely hope that Carmichael does not return, yet again, this opinion is subjective.

On a lighter note, many actors and actresses were recognized for their out standing performances in television and flm. For some, the acceptance speeches were short and direct, however, others seemed to ramble over the allot ted time for each acceptee. Actors such as Austin Butler (Best Actor in a Motion Picture—Drama, for Elvis), Michelle Yeoh (Best Actress in a Motion Picture— Musical or Comedy, for Everything Everywhere All at Once), and Colin Far rel (Best Actor in a Motion Picture—Musical or Comedy, for The Banshees of Inisherin) accepted the Golden Globe, however, they stopped mid speech to address the annoying instrumental music that played over them. Michelle Yeoh even went as far to yell, “Shut up!” to the orchestra. Thankfully, these comments were taken humorously by the crowd.

One acceptance speech that stood out throughout the entire night was Jennifer Coolidge (who won Best Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Television Show for The White Lotus). Coolidge gracefully accepted the prestigious award, still managing to make the audience laugh even with her vulgar and sporadic language. Coolidge received more laughter in her acceptance speech than Carmichael did throughout the entire night—good for her! Another win that I caught myself applauding was Cate Blanchett’s win for Best Actress in a Motion Picture—Drama, for her role as Lydia in Tár. However, it was accepted on behalf of Henry Golding (who presented the awards for this category). Other stars, such as Zendaya (who won Best Actress in a Television Series—Drama, for Euphoria), Brendan Fraser, Taylor Swift, Kevin Costner, and Amanda Seyfried (who won Best Actress in a Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television, for The Dropout) were also not present. Fraser, who received a nomination for his role in The Whale spoke out against the Golden Globes and how he will “not participate.” After being sexually assaulted by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s president, Phillip Berk in 2003, Fraser has declined all invitations to the Golden Globes since. Even without some of Hollywood’s most recognized actors and actresses, the show was an overall success (in some ways). The night ended with Steven Spielberg’s The Fabelmans winning Best Motion Picture—Drama. With a roaring applause, the crowd stood and honored the win. Although there was defnitely some competition between the flms, it was great to see all of the actors and actresses supporting each other, despite some losing. Hopefully the Academy Awards will be even better.

Valentine’s movie night

When the calendar hits February, the very frst thing that immediatly comes to mind would be Valentine’s Day. If you’re looking for something to do, whether it be alone or with others, watching a movie is always a good idea. Depending on if you want to curl up for some laughs or cry over a heartbreak, there’s a movie out there for you. Here’s a list of six must watch Valentine’s day flms to make your search for the perfect movie a little easier.

Valentine’s Day: Starting of quite ironically, the movie Valentine’s Day is the perfect romantic comedy from 2010. It follows intertwining couples and their expectations of the pressuring day. It shows you the true ups and downs a relationship can bring, and keeps you guessing whether they will make up or break up. You can’t go wrong with the cast which includes Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Bradley Cooper and even Taylor Swift, making her acting debut. In this outstanding movie, there’s not much to not adore.

La La Land: La La Land is a 2016 romantic musical comedy-drama flm, starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. It takes you on an emotional roller coaster as their love story overlaps with their passion and dreams about making it big in LA. The cinematography, costume design, and music bring the story alive, and make it a flm you will never forget.

The Notebook: Starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, The Notebook is a classic that must be viewed on the most romantic day of the year. It is a touching story about the true power of love, and the miracles it can bring. By the end, hearts will be full and I doubt that there will not be a single dry eye in the room.

Dirty Dancing: Have you ever heard your parents rave about Dirty Dancing but wonder if it lives up to its fame? Well, Dirty Dancing, a romantic dance flm from the 80’s, certainly lives up to its hype.

Jennifer Gray plays the young adult named Baby, who at the end of the summer would classify herself as a hopeless romantic. However, she surprisingly realizes that she’s catching feelings for her summer dance camp instructor, Johnny, played by Parick Swayze. This movie has not only many realistic apects, but nostalgic ones as well that will completely captivate you. Anyone who watches it, especially on Valentine’s day, is sure to love it, and also might feel the sudden motivation to spend the rest of their lives at their local dance studio!

10 Things I Hate About You: 10 Things I Hate About You is a fan favorite which stars Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger. When Cameron, a new student at Padua high school, desperately wants a date with Bianca, he does anything he can to bend her father’s strict set of rules. This even means trying to set up Bianca’s cold and uptight sister Kat, with the school’s bad boy, Patrick. You are sure to be on the edge of your seat as these two teens learn they have more in common than they frst perceived. You are guaranteed to fnd something entertaining, whether it’s Kat’s consistent sarcasm or Cameron’s absolute desperation to win Bianca’s heart.

How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days: Lastly, How To Lose A Guy In 10 days is another iconic 2000’s movie perfect for Valentine’s Day. Andie Anderson (Kate Hudson) is an advice columnist who is looking to write a piece on how to get a man to leave you in ten days after she gets the thumbs up from her editor. As she attempts to scout a man for her experiment, she fnds Ben Berry (Matthew Mcchonugy), a confdent executive who thinks quite the opposite. He believes he can make a girl fall in love with him in just those short ten days. When their worlds collide, their plans don’t necessarily go as smoothly as they presumed. This rom com is a light and fun watch, and has something for everyone.

This crafted list of movies brings romance and comedy as you venture for the perfect watch this February 14th. If you only watch one, or attempt all six, you’re sure to take quick attention to the loving stories they bring. Have a fantastic Valentines Day!

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

If you have not seen Glass Onion yet, this is your sign. Spoilers ahead! Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery came out September 10th. It takes place in the same universe as its predecessor, Knives Out, which was released in 2019, and Daniel Craig returns as detective Benoit Blanc. The cast is absolutely stacked. Edward Norton plays tech billionaire Miles Bron who invites his closest friends, the “Disruptors,” played by Kate Hudson, Leslie Odom Jr., Kathryn Hahn, and Dave Bautista, to his private Greek island residence, the Glass Onion. The truth about their relationships comes to light, and a murder is committed. There are technically two murders involved in the story, but one happens before the movie even begins, and that is the murder of Andi Brand, Miles’ former partner. Many claim the movie is predictable and not as interesting as Knives Out. Personally, I don’t think it should be compared to Knives Out in terms of its “goodness” (writing-wise) because of their clear narrative diferences. The setting of each flm accounts for the careful ambience that both movies distinctively provide. Others claim that the plot is predictable, and I agree with this somewhat. Although, the plot isn’t always the whole point of the movie. You have to look closer and spot all the little details and easter eggs. I’m not gonna lie, I watched the movie like three times in a week, but for good reason. Every time I watched it I noticed new things. I realized that what changed the movie for me is that Miles didn’t come up with any original ideas, everything he has ever done was stolen from someone else. The main plan by Andi’s was to send puzzle boxes to the disruptors. He hired a puzzle box maker, which was Miles’ original murder mystery for the group to solve. It was written by murder mystery novelist Gillian Flynn, based on his attempted murder of Andi/Helen, in which he got the idea from Blanc! A crazy chain! It’s suggested that Miles lacks integrity and originality. In my opinion, Glass Onion was great. If you didn’t love it, try rewatching to catch more little details. Those details are what make the movie so genius, like the mural of Kanye and the drawing of Miles’ face on Brad Pitt’s body. The main criticism is that it wasn’t as good as Knives Out, which, as stated previously, isn’t a fair comparison. They’re just not the same! This movie focuses less on the actual murder and more on the story. Further, the characters are well-developed, allowing you to dive deeper into the plot. As the viewer, you know why each character would have a motive, so you begin to construct your own ideas on who could be guilty. My favorite part was at the end with the fre and destruction. When Helen said, “you did get your wish—to forever be remembered in the same breath as the Mona Lisa.” And the song choice for that scene was just absolutely perfect. Not only was it about the Mona Lisa, but it contrasted amazingly with all the fast-paced action in the scene. Another really good visually appealing choice was the use of the light house when the power was out. Due to the absence of light, a good portion of the movie would have been dark, and crucial points in the plot would have been lost. The lighthouse light adds interGlass Onion is a must watch, whether you liked the original or not!

Five years ago, the up-and-coming artist SZA was catapulted to stardom after the release of CTRL, her debut album. Ever since getting a taste of her music, fans have been desperate for more. Naturally, when SZA returned to the spotlight this past December and released her second album, it immediately rose to the top of the charts. SOS held the number one spot on Billboard’s Top 200 for more than fve weeks. With this album, SZA explored a diverse range of genres, including R&B, rap, pop, rock, and more, seamlessly molding her voice to match each one. This stylistic versatility allowed her to show how much she has grown as an artist, and solidifed her reputation as a major talent in the music industry. Although SZA featured a diverse group of artists on the album, she didn’t let herself get lost amidst their voices. Her presence is felt through the beat, fnding harmony and balance between artists like Travis Scott, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Phoebe Bridgers, and Don Toliver. Setting the tone, the album begins with the song “SOS,” a deep dive into SZA’s inner monologue, dealing with a mix of everyday problems, from relationship issues to insecurities. The singer crafts heartfelt lyrics that capture her thoughts and emotions. Her listeners can form a personal connection to the music. When asked about the album, SZA herself said “it’s about heartbreak, it’s about being lost, it’s about being pissed.” And she conveys these themes masterfully.

As the album advances, SZA dives deeper into her personal life; it’s full of self discovery, self refection, and growth. Being famous comes with many struggles, but instead of singing about them, SZA chose to write about parts of her life that fans can relate to. The song

“Kill Bill” is a fantasy about killing her ex. “Seek and Destroy” reveals how SZA navigates her emotions in a breakup. “Special” details her giving all of herself to an ex and having to fnd ways to accept herself in the aftermath. “F2F” is about accepting her feelings about her past relationships—and that’s only the beginning.

At frst, the mixed genres of SOS make the album seem scattered and unorganized, but listening to all 23 songs from start to fnish reveals its true unity. SZA skillfully tied together a wide scope of genres in the album, managing to unite the songs with smooth and efortless transitions. By letting herself be open and vulnerable, SZA created an album that every single listener connects to. She lets herself work through her emotions, while allowing her audience to do the same.