The Viewpoint
Mountain View High School 2135 Mountain View Road Stafford, VA 22556
STUDENT NEWS Magazine MVHS VOLUME 13 ISSUE 2
November | December Fill your home with the Christmas spirit by using these design tips. See pages 12 and 13 for inspiration.
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u november| december 2018 u advertisements
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Give-a-Buck
Names with asterisks beside them need to contact Trisha Orndorff to collect their prize! You can email at orndorfftl@ staffordschools.net, come to room 303 after school, or come to room 311 before school. Abby Sussman Adriana Keane *Alexandra Steska* Alex Pritchard *Alyssa Endrizzi* Amanda Jackson *Amari Walker* Amy Ellis *Andrew Prickett*
Andrew Watson Anthony Solorzano Ashley Elliot Ashley Jackson Ashleigh Gray Audrey Sun Austin Molina Austin Butcher Avery Shover Ben Carthron Benjamin Boateng Beth Mowry *Bode Lindauer* Bonnie Adkins Brenda Piper Brennan Rhodes Bridget Gargin
e r u t a e F Figure
After saying a heartfelt goodbye to Katie Werner, the new assistant principal, Mrs. Sullivan, was welcomed with open arms. She came to Wildcat country from Rodney Thompson Middle School. Outside of Mountain View, Sullivan is busy with her 15-month-old daughter. “She is into everything right now so she keeps
me very busy,” Sullivan said. A few of her favorite hobbies include photography and watching football. She said, “Something weird I like to do is go out and find letters within nature.” She happens to have a picture hanging in her office which says “team” spelled out with letters in nature that she came across. Coming to MV, Sullivan said she didn’t plan on entering the school with a list of things to change right away. “There’s already so much to offer here at the View, and my goal isn’t to change it, but there always is room for growth and improvement. There is such a great culture and climate here, and the kids and staff are wonderful. I’m excited to see where I can fit in and where I can help while I’m here.” According to Sullivan, the students are really important to her, and she always wants the best for them: “it’s important to me that the kids here get the education they need so they can graduate. As long as we support you here that’s all that matters.” Working at a high school is a new experience for Sullivan. She previously taught at an elementary school, moved to assistant principal at a middle school, and now she’s beginning her career at high school. “I love it here. I love the high schoolers and staff here, everyone is so amazing,” Sullivan said. If you happen to see Mrs. Sullivan around school, be sure to give her a huge wildcat welcome!
Bryce Harding Bryce Piper Caitlin Mayer Caleigh Eberhart Callie Knight Carol Kabay Catherine Stumpf Danielle Evans *Cheyenne Barlow* Chris Knight Christina Clemens Claire Cebula Claire Watkins Cliff Davis Continued on page 5
Index
by Javonna Brigham
01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12
Cover Advertisement Index Briefs Advertisement Fall sports recap Fall sports recap Fun facts Advertisement Climate change is... Postcard pictures Home for the holidays
@mvtheviewpoint
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Home for the holidays Mind maping Grow better More than an athlete More than an athlete ASMR Advertisement Party ideas
The Viewpoint NOVEMBER| DECEMBER 2018 VOLUME XIII ISSUE II Managing Editors Ruby Jackson Chloe Reid Extra Editor Lexi Strawder Social Media Editor Sophie Perez Copy Editor Danielle Piper Bella Roeske Photography Editor Gia Morreale Briefs Editor Selena Obregon Adviser Trisha Orndorff The Viewpoint is a cross-section of the news and opinions of the student body of Mountain View High School. It is a forum of expression published by Staples. Letters and art to the editorial board are welcomed and should be submitted to room 303.
Staff Writers Brody Albertson, Javonna Brigham, Matthew D’Lugos, Emilee Holmquist, Lexi Jackson, Caroline Pollock, Victoria Rogers, Aisha Santiago-Burgos, Adam Skoloda, Jules Torrice, Damien Veal
Front Cover Ruby Jackson Chloe Reid
Party ideas Books turned into movies Books turned into movies Oh, Christmas tree
2014-2017 International Quill and Scroll First Place Articles 2014-2016 VHSL State Championship First Place Award 2013, 2014, 2015 Free Lance-Star Best Over All Newspaper
2011 Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Medalist Mountain View High School 2135 Mountain View Rd. Stafford, VA 22556 index u november | december 2018 u the viewpoint u 03
What‘s Ne w at the Vi ew? Charity Volleyball
By Sophie Perez
On November 27, Mountain View’s Wildcats Give Back Club held a charity volleyball game in support of breast cancer research. “I decided to organize the game because it has always been a lot of fun for the students to play and to watch their friends play, but more importantly because it gives our club the opportunity to give back,” said senior Lainey Breland. The game was a showdown between sixteen senior boys and members of the girls varsity volleyball team. The score was neck-to-neck between the opposing sides for the majority of the game, but the girls were able to secure the first and second matches. As the third set began one of the announcers, Amari Walker, jokingly declared into the microphone that this set was going to be “winner takes all.” This seemed to give the boys team the extra push that they needed.
Remember Stan Lee
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By Brody Albertson
On November 12, 2018, the world lost a great author living in Los Angeles, California. The founder of Marvel Comics and the creator of some favorite superheroes. Stan Lee left a legacy to remember. On December 28, 1922, Stanley Martin Lieber was born in New York City to Romanian immigrants Celia and Jack Lieber. Stanley Lieber shortened his last name to “Lee” as a writer and started working for Timely Comics in 1939. Timely Comics eventually turned into Marvel Comics in the 1960s in order to compete with their rival: DC Comics. With the creation of the Fantastic Four, Stan Lee experienced his first taste of success. He then went on to create blockbuster superheroes, such as the Hulk, Spider-man, and Doctor Strange. After Marvel Comics received a surge of support from fans, Lee was promoted to editorial director and publisher in 1972. Towards the end of his career, his work inspired the development of films including “Iron Man,” “Thor,” and “The Avengers” series, as he helped with almost all Marvel’s movie releases. Whilst turning 90, Lee launched a YouTube channel in 2012 titled “Stan Lee’s World of Heroes.” It amassed over 659,000 subscribers. After losing his wife in July 2017, his final accolade as a publisher was his release of the movie “Black Panther” in February of this year. Junior Thomas Papsodero said, “It was sad. Actually heartbreaking. Myself and many kids alike grew up watching his comics come to life on screen. To think these stories were made by a normal man is fascinating.”
HOSA Christmas Tree By Aisha Santiago Burgos
On November 20, the Health Occupations of America, or HOSA Club, decorated a Christmas tree with pictures of animals from the Stafford animal shelter. This shelter is a no-kill shelter, so the goal is to help rehabilitate these animals. They are currently accepting donations for $1 or more, and after donating, the person can see exactly which animal will receive help from their money. HOSA is currently partnered with the SPCA, which stands for Society Prevention Cruelty to Animals. Medical teacher, Catherine Cherry, and the rest of HOSA enjoy their time helping animals living in the shelter. Cherry said, “It makes me very happy when my students get to see when their hard work pays off.” Sophomore Rachel Castellon said, “Spreading this awareness and doing something to change the world is an accomplishment everyone should want to achieve in their everyday life. This makes me feel like an example to others to help and increase their participation in the world.” The tree will be taken down after winter break, so make sure to stop by and put a donation in to help these loving animals during the holidays.
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u november | december 2018 u briefs
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Mountain View HIgh School
*The names with astericks beside them should contact Trisha Orndorff to claim their prize! See page 3 for more information* Give-A-Buck continued..
Cody Langton *Cordelia Piper* Dallen Coon Dana Cartwright Daniel Thompson Diego Pena-Cortez Dorris Stumpf Dylan Doyle Dylan Garcia Ed Hatcher Emma Stockham Eric Cooke Ethan Ogden Eva Dow Evelyn Pailthorpe *Faith Rutherford* Gaby Manzanares Garrett Cunningham Grace Dalton Grace Dausman Grace Page *Hailey Kortman* Hanna Navarro Harshal Patel Heather Kirkpatrick Hellen Brigham Hung Tran Illeana Mattison
Jacob Hunt Kenneth Knight Nikki Sutton Shaina Karpovich Jacob Jabro *Kerri Hederer* Nolan Conway *Shanna Reed* Jacob Lanham Kevin Crist Nyah Graham Shannon Swerchek Jacob Lizardo Kristin Patton Olivia Brooks Sheldon Hall Jacob Pollock Kyle Smith *Olivia Endler* Shelly Halstead James Stemple Lawren Sheehan Oscar Arias Sidney Givler Jay Gonzalez Linda Brigham Pam Beebe Sierra DeToll Jeffrey Jackson Lisa Starvis Patrick Kabay Skylee Jones *Jessica Jerrell* Lucille Jackson Paul Adkins *Sonia Rivera-Leuis* Jessica Underwood *Mackenzie Proffitt* *Paula Horton* Stacey Williams *Jianna Rios* Mackenzie Rivero Paul Sowa Stellan Hinz Jillian Bleakly Madeline Brence Rachel Jackson Stephen Watkins Jillian Brence Madi Hyatt Rachel Price Susan Raymond Jon Day Madison Delarm Rachel Spina Sydney Givler Jordan Basenback Madison Jones Rebecca Jackson Taylor Mullins Jordan Ortiz *Maggie Hanse* Renato Roscigno Teagan Levesque *Jose Lizardo* Marcos Gonzalez Robert Beckwith *Tessa Dodson* Josh Lewis Marcus Tracy Samantha Grace Thomas Papsedero Kamryn Gray Mark Hutchinson advertisements Samantha McKinnon TJ Beckford q november|december 2017 qthe viewpoint q13 14 q Lizardo the viewpoint q october 2016 q advertisement Karen Mary D’Lugos Sam Rotsch Travis Miller Karina Mucha Meagan Munley Samuel Obregon *Tyler Forsht* Karoline Colucci *Mel Anzuen* Sarah Demmy Vanessa Rowe *Katherine Jackson* *Melissa Brigham* *Sarah Pacheco* Will Patchel Katheryn Cummings Michael Bendele Sarah Roeske Wendy Drogo *Kathy Evans* Michelle Stambaugh Savana Cole Wes Goodman Kavon Herndon Miguel Santiago Scott Pollock William Davis Kayle Lizardo Mykia Linze-Lopez Sean Fijalkowski Zach Ebert Kaysea Calvert Nathaniel Fitzpatrick Selma Keller *Kelly Lester* Ngoc Le Serena Rhodes Kenneth Collins Nickolas Kennedy-lo Seth Thompson
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cross country
The girls cross country team placed second and the boys team placed fifth at the 5A regional meet. The girls team placed 11th at the state meet. Coach Michael Porter said, “Although the team will be losing 22 seniors, the team looks to maintain their successful record as several talented athletes are returning next year.
football
Record: 7-4 The team made it to the regional semifinals. Tyler Haskins and Brenden Heatherman received Offensive First Team All District. Kenny Sherod received Defensive First and Second Team All District. Adin Huntington and Luke Mehr received Defensive Second Team All District. Tyler Haskins had the longest touchdown run with 96 yards. Coach Lou Sorrentino said, “Hosting and winning a playoff game was a great achievement.”
volleyball
Record: 7-11 Volleyball made it to regionals. Jianna Bautch and Nalani McBride received Second Team All District. Maya Barnhill and Jordan Hall received Honorable Mentions. Coach Kim Glassie said, “This year we have a young team this season but a lot of very promising athletes.”
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fall sports recap take a look inside the fall sports seasons by gia morreale | photos by lifetouch and mark hughes
a
thletic director, greg margheim said, “i think the fall sports season went very well this year. field hockey made it to state semifinals, football and volleyball both made it to the regional semifinals, which is awesome. girls cross country got second in regionals and advanced to states and golf had two states qualifiers. cheerleaders won regional champions and made another states appearance. we were very competitive among all sports this season due to the amazing leadership.”
golf
Record: 6-3 The golf team won the subregion tournament and qualified for regionals, placing fourth. Gabby Cuellar and Andrew Watson both qualified for the state tournament. Watson finished in 13th place and Cuellar finished in 30th place. The team shot a school record 155 points in a match against Brooke Point in August.
cheerleading
Record: 3-4 The cheer team won first place in the region 5D championship and fifth in the 5A state championship. Sarah Elllixson, Kaylee Harris, Meg Kenny, Gia Morreale, Victoria Simone, and Kayleigh Wood received First Team All Region. Victoria Simone and Kayleigh Wood both received First Team All State. Gia Morreale received Second Team All State. Coach Sarah Skinner said, “This group of athletes fought through numerous obstacles that would have defeated other teams. Their determination awarded them with a successful season.”
field hockey
Record: 16-5 Jordan Burzynski, Madi Hyatt, Meghan Hyatt, Mackenzie Proffitt, and Mackenzie Rivero received First Team All Region. Kendall Cooke and Lizzie Ranberger received Second Team All Region.
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fun facts prepare to have your mind blown with these interesting facts by caroline pollock facts provided by the fact site.
If you type “do a barrel roll” into Google search engine, the page will spin.
Independence was formally declared from Britain on July 2, 1776. On July 4, 1776, Congress approved the Declaration. It was not signed until August 2, 1776.
The “mystery” flavor of Dum Dum is a combination of the end of one batch and the start of a new batch of candy. Alex Kemp, junior, said, “I have always noticed that the mystery flavor always had 2 different color flavors in it. This makes so much sense.”
Sheep, goats, octopodes, and toads all have rectangular pupils.
Wisconsin is named the Badger State because the area’s lead miners used to live in temporary caves burrowed in hillsides, like badgers.
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Portland was named by a coin flip. Had the coin landed the other way, the city would be Boston, Oregon.
A reindeer’s eyes change color. In the winter, they are a deep blue, and in the summer they are gold.
In Switzerland, it’s illegal to own just one guinea pig.
LEGO has a temperature controlled underground vault in Denmark with nearly every set they’ve ever made.
The bend in a flamingo’s leg is an ankle, not a knee.
u november | december 2018 u feature
The tiny pocket in jeans was designed to store pocket watches.
The annual number of worldwide shark attacks is 10 times less than the number of people bitten by other people in New York. “I am just wondering what type of people in New York would bite more than sharks and what caused them to bite other people,” said Nia St. Cyr, sophomore.
A puma, cougar, panther, and mountain lion are all the exact same animal, Puma concolor.
Relative to their bodies, Chihuahuas have the biggest brain in the dog world. Sheldon Hall, junior, said, “How do [chihuahuas] have that small of bodies but that large of a brain?”
A double rainbox occurs when sunlight is reflected two times inside of a raindrop. If you look closely you can see that the colors of the secondary rainbow appear in reverse order.
Bananas are curved because they grow towards the sun.
A group of pugs is called a grumble.
Santa’s reindeer are most likely the R.t. platyrhynchus subspecies from the Svalbard Islands off of Norway.
Before Abraham Lincoln became a politician, he was a champion wrestler. He only lost one match in his career and was inducted into the Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1992.
Bones at Seymour Island show that 40 million years ago, penguins stood 6 feet tall and weighed 250 pounds.
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Climate Change Is Coming A recent report from the United Nations climate change panel depicts the possible consequences Earth and its inhabitants will face if global warming continues by Sophie Perez
Understanding Global Warming So we know that United Nations scientists have stated in the study “Global Warming of 1.5 C” that there will be consequences if global warming temperatures rise by 2.7°F but what exactly does that mean? For starters, the UN scientists reported, with high confidence, that human activity has generated 1.8°F of global warming above pre-industrial levels. However, they conceded that this number has a likely range of 1.44°F to 2.16°F. The study also expresses “with high confidence” that global warming is likely to reach 2.7°F above pre-industrial levels between 2030 and 2052 if rates of accretion remain constant. To give context, in the decade 2006–2016, the mean global surface temperature was 1.566°F (likely between 1.35°F and 1.782°F) higher than the average over the 1850–1900 period. Scientists predict that temperature rates are currently increasing at rates of .36°F per decade due to past and ongoing emissions. Warming greater than the global average is observed all over the world. In the Arctic, one place where warming is the most prevalent, warming rates are two to three times higher even though warming is generally higher over land than water.
Projected Climate Change, Potential Impacts and Associated Risks Now that we’ve covered what exactly the UN report means when they reference global warming of 1.5°C or 2.7°F, let’s move on to what kind of consequences they predict this warming would bring. Even when looking at the areas of temperature change between 5.4°F and 7.2°F, there are some obvious effects that will occur. Mean temperatures in most land and ocean regions would rise, and precipitation patterns would change. On land, we would see these changes come in the form of temperatures that would qualify a day as an “extreme hot day” temperatures in mid-latitude regions rising by 5.4°F. The same can be predicted for “extreme cold night” temperatures which are expected to rise by the same degree. The number of hot days, especially in tropical areas, are predicted to increase as well. It was reported “with medium confidence” that drought and precipitation deficits will also increase. In northern regions with higher altitudes and latitudes, such as places in North America and Asia, there will be heavier levels of precipitation. This increased precipitation will also come with tropical cyclones. High-latitude tundra and boreal forests are especially at risk. This is made evident by the “woody shrubs already encroaching into the tundra.” Shifting the focus to land ecosystems, of 105,000 species studied, six percent of insects, eight percent of plants and four percent of vertebrates are projected to lose over half of their geographic range for global warming of 2.7°F. There would also be various impacts stemming from forest fires and spreading of invasive species. The effects of the temperature change would also bring alterations to our oceans and their ecosystems. The beginning stages of these events can be seen with recent changes to Arctic sea ice and other various warm-water ecosystems. “As an Oceanography teacher, one of the big things we focus on is ocean acidification,” said Sarah Pacheco. “As temperatures rise, the ocean takes in more carbon dioxide. A lot of the stuff you hear about global warming is more carbon dioxide in the air…. It causes coral reefs to die off and shells to dissolve.” Global warming of 2.7°F is projected to shift the ranges of many marine species to higher latitudes, and coral reefs are projected to decline by a further 70–90 percent. Along with increasing the ocean’s acidity, this temperature change would also decrease the ocean’s oxygen levels. These changes in acidity and oxygen levels threaten entire ecosystems of marine animals ranging from algae to fish, and in turn human fisheries.
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u november | december 2018 u news
postcard pictures make your christmas card stand out on your friends' and families' mantels
by Matthew D’Lugos
sneads farm
national park service
Surrounded by woods and fields, Snead’s Asparagus Farm is an exciting place for pictures with new scenery around every corner. Snead’s Farm is located in Caroline County, Virginia and grows hundreds of Christmas trees every year. To get into the farm you have to pay a small fee of $5, but if you are looking for a professional photographer you don’t have to look far. There is a professional photographer session offered for $ 20. Many people come to Snead’s Farm to cut down real Christmas trees and take them home to decorate for the holidays. When it snows these trees stand out and turn into a sea of dark green on a bed of white snow. The trees grow in rows and give natural frames for any pictures. “Going to Snead’s Farm was always fun to go with friends, and we always took great pictures,” said sophomore Ruby Darling. After walking through the farm there are trails that wind along a small creek and up a hill with swings and a zip line. Here you can take amazing pictures going down the zip line, sitting on the swings, or just standing with the trees. Snead’s Asparagus is all around a wonderful place to take pictures for postcards, scrapbooks, or for picture frames in the house.
chatham manor
national park service
Chatham Manor sits on the top of a hill across the river from Downtown Fredericksburg. It is an old house built in 1771, used during the Civil War and as a plantation house. The house also has many places to take amazing pictures all around the property. This grand house overlooking the Rappahannock River was for many years the center of a large, thriving plantation. Next to the main house were dozens of supporting structures like an ice house, barns, and stables. This magnificent Georgian mansion, its various outbuildings, and the historic ground surrounding it represent a small preserve where the entire scope of Virginia heritage from Colonial times to the 20th Century. Today Chatham is part of Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Park Service. The buildings and grounds are open daily 9:00-4:30. Five of the ten rooms contain exhibits and the rest of the building, as well as the outbuildings, are park offices. “Chatham has the best view of Downtown Fredericksburg,” said sophomore Mattias Anderson.
fredericksburg battlefield national park service
Fredericksburg is one of the most famous battles of the Civil War. On December 13, 1862, General Ambrose Burnside launched a series of brave attacks against General Robert E. Lee’s position on the heights behind the town. Lee’s men stayed in a strong position behind a stone wall at the base of Mary’s Heights and successfully blocked repeated Union attacks. You can begin your visit to the park at the Fredericksburg Battlefield Visitor Center, exhibits and 20-minute film inside the building talk about the battle. You can also take a guided walk down the Sunken Road, one of the heaviest fighting, and then return to the visitor center by following the national cemetery, where 15,300 Union soldiers are now buried. After leaving the visitor center, you can drive across the river to Chatham, an 18th-century plantation that served as a Union headquarters and hospital during the war, and then go down Lee Drive, the 5-mile-long park tour road that follows the Confederate line. “The trails that run through the woods are the best to hike on,” said junior William Patchel.
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Home for the
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Transform your everyday household into a charming winter wonderland with ease using these dazzling design tips by Chloe Reid and Ruby Jackson |
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Photos by Chloe Reid and Ruby Jackson
coffee bar
centerpieces
Tired of purchasing the same centerpieces every other house has? Making your own is a great way to add personal touches and make your decorations stand out this holiday season. Anything clear can work as the base of this centerpiece, and you have endless freedom when it comes to what goes on the inside. Here are a few ideas. Pine cones and garland can serve as some greenery on your table. “Create a serene winter holiday tableau with this simple arrangement: birch bark wrapped around glass cylinders filled with plants found easily at this time of year. Trimmings from the holiday tree and scented geranium leaves snipped from a houseplant accentuate the amaryllis blooms,” according to Martha Stewart’s website. If you’re looking to brighten things up, consider using lights, bows, and even ornaments. Adding taste to your table, it can be fun to include candy for you and your guests to nibble on before or after a meal. Bringing a literal winter wonderland to your table, fake snow is a great idea. Don’t limit yourself to just one; the perfect combination of these fillers can really take your centerpiece to the next level.
Are you a coffee addict looking to get in the holiday spirit? These coffee decorations are “mint” for you. Simple additions, such as candy canes, festive colors, and holiday-themed cups, can make the world of a difference. A tasty bonus to a typical cup of joe could include peppermint, chestnut, toasted marshmallow, crème brûlée’s, and gingerbread. Make sure to fill your mug to the brim with festive sprinkles, chocolate curls, cinnamon sticks, and your choice of holiday seasonings. “I like hot chocolate with whipped cream and hot fudge on the whipped cream and then sprinkles on top of that,” said senior Heather Donald. Looking at the bigger picture, be sure to spruce up your table as well. This could range anywhere from basic tablecloths to decorative garland to miniature Christmas trees. In addition, a chalkboard could act as a blank slate for some lighthearted holiday wishes. You could also add some sweet touches with candy in a jar. Enhancing your coffee table with themed decor is just one of many ways to immerse your house in the joys of the season.
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u november | december 2018 u feature
n w o
Whether you hang stockings with care or lay lights accordingly, the mantel is the perfect attention grabber of the family room. Gathering around the fireplace can be revamped this holiday season by capturing the essence of Christmas. Your mantel is the perfect canvas for all your holiday spirit. “Something that we always put up for Christmas each year is this type of picture frame and within that, we put up pictures of all of our family: passed away and present. We hang that up on our wall, and when Christmas time comes around we reflect on family because that’s what Christmas time is all about: gift giving and family and spending time with them,” said senior Emily Narvaez. Family tends to be a common reason for the season; however, there are many ways of showing holiday spirit. Other festive items that work just as well could range all the way from bright candles to crisp garland and wreaths. Leave your mantel dressed in holiday style with decorations that can easily transition between seasons, such as decorative pillows, greenery, ribbons, vases, and inspirational signs. “[After Christmas,] leave the flocked evergreen garland, shiny votives, crystal, and silver candlesticks and even the boxwood wreath for a fantastically decorated fireplace focal point for the remainder of the cold-weather season,” said HGTV’s website.
C h ris t m a s C o u n td
Mantel Decorations
The days may seem to go by slowly, but the holiday season is right around the corner. The anticipation can be overwhelming. This is a perfect way to watch the days tick down. Pick the layout and shape of your choice, but we recommend something festive like a Christmas tree, present box, or wreath. Putting your countdown on a chalkboard works seamlessly; however, objects such as a poster or an interactive pocket calendar work just as well. When setting it up, make to start on the first of the month and mark every day leading up to Christmas. Feel free to add sweet treats to your countdown too. To keep track of your progress, you can also make a decorative marker to affix to the current day. A cute elf or a mini wreath will do the job, maybe even an ornament. “When I was little, I used to have a little change wreath at my grandma’s house, and every day you would take out change. My cousins and I would split it between each other,” said junior Kayleigh Wood. This could work specifically for any holiday worth counting down to.
Table Setting Here’s a fun way to bring Frosty to the dinner table. Arranging your plates to look like snowmen is a simple and creative way to tie youthful holiday touches in yet another aspect of your home. First, make sure you have all the supplies necessary to complete this project. Have accessible three white plates varying in size, baby carrots, red and black napkins, buttons, and silverware. Start by laying out the plates vertically and by increasing size. Now you have the body; time to add decorations. Recreate a scarf by folding a red napkin between the top two plates. On top of the smallest plate, place a black, squared napkin as its hat. Next, be sure to add arms made of silverware. Use a carrot and buttons to perfect its features. Complete the look by adding three black buttons up the middle plate. This quick and easy table decoration shows off your holiday spirit in an unconventional and unique way.
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Unlike traditional note taking or linear text, a mind map’s structure resembles how one’s brain functions much more closely. Since it is an activity that is both analytical and artistic, it engages your brain in a much richer way, helping in all its cognitive functions. ”I believe mind mapping is a very helpful technique when writing. It helps you organize the information you want to write about, and allows you to have a better understanding of it,” said Laura Peterson, sophomore. Mind mapping can help students comprehend information and facilitate a better understanding of connections between ideas. It also makes it easy to organize ideas and concepts. “I think mind mapping is most helpful when studying and trying to understand complex topics because you can write out everything related to that concept, and see how each detail corresponds to each other,” said Caroline Loving, junior.
u november | december 2018 u feature
by Caroline Pollock
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Take a look at what mind mapping is and how it can improve your quality of life
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Grow better Raising plants this winter can help you be happier by Danielle Piper
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stablishing a routine is one of the many ways to improve stability in mental health, and caring for a plant can be a simple activity to slow down your day by maintaining a daily care schedule. According to “The Lancet Psychiatry,” having a fuller daytime routine than nighttime routine can lead to better sleep cycles and overall better mental health. A large factor in senior Taylor Walker’s everyday routine is her plants. She said, “I have to water the palm tree every Saturday, and the cacti get misted every 2 weeks. The air plants don’t require water or soil, so I don’t have to do anything with them. I dust the palm tree when I water it, just to make sure it doesn’t suffocate.” These simple tasks may not seem like much, but they add to the great things plants can do. Having plants at home have countless benefits according to Texas A&M University. Caring for and just being around plants has been shown to improve relationships and increase compassion for others. Nurturing activities like gardening can also be therapeutic for victims of mental and physical trauma, and the presence of plants reduce recovery time for patients in hospitals.
Junior Amelia Milliard said, “As dumb as it sounds, I tell my plants I love them all the time.” Texas A&M University also found being outside in nature, and doing a little physical activity, increases energy levels, work performance, immune system functionality, and overall happiness. Growing flowers in the home also increases happiness by reducing stress and anxiety levels and creating a “natural aesthetic” that is calming to many people. Walker said, “I have ten cacti in my room, and a bunch of other plants around the house I got for aesthetic purposes. I have a cactus and marble themed room. “
In NBC’s “Why Indoor Plants Make You Feel Better” by Sophie Lee, easy plants to grow like orchids, succulents, and snake plants improve sleep because they continue to release oxygen at night, keeping the air fresh. They’re also relatively inexpensive, and can fit in with any style preference; like cacti for bohemian, lucky bamboo for minimalism, or African violets for shabby chic. Milliard is a seasoned parent of spider plants, corn plants, ivy, peace lilies, snake plants, marimo balls, succulents, air plants, and hosta. “I’ve kept most of them for about three years now. I think plants look lovely, and I personally am a lot more happy when I’m near nature, so it’s a way to have that in my room,” said Millard. House plants like these, as well as others like sprouts and chia pets are good starter plants.
“Some good advice for someone starting a garden would be to get plants that are hard to kill to start off so you can get used to taking care of them,” said senior Sully Smith. Other tips to keep in mind are to be aware of your plant’s water, sunlight, humidity, and soil depth needs. Milliard said, “My advice is to keep a schedule when to water your plants, make sure their pots are big enough and can drain, and to look at the specific care for each plant. I think the longer you have a plant the easier it is to care for because you know the needs of it.” Overwatering and overexposure are some of the quickest ways to kill a plant, so do research when you first adopt or sprout them so they can stay healthy. Smith has to water his plants daily, “I have five jalapeño plants; they’re thirsty boys. I have them to eat because I like spicy foods, and I know what chemicals are on them. Store bought vegetables have pesticides and other stuff.” Nature is easy to incorporate into everyday life, and the benefits provided by house plants can add to its overall quality; just start with one, then grow the family gradually for a simple and healing pastime.
“I was interested in their ability to remove air contaminants, such as dust. I also read an article on how plants can reduce stress, and I’m in governor’s school [CGS], so I need that,” said Walker, senior. There are few reasons not to cultivate a botanical space, and it is surprisingly easy to start, even for beginner gardeners. feature u november | december 2018 u the viewpoint u 15
Find out how athletes influence our daily lives by Brody Albertson
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“Shut up and dribble.” I am sure all of us have heard this
But why would the professional athletes even be given role model status to begin with? Well, some people don’t have role models at home. Also, generally speaking, people think sports teach good character. Maybe in the lower, more amateur levels of sports, but not in professional sports. Professional athletes will do anything to win, even if it means stepping over someone or doing something unethical. Take Tom Brady, for example. A couple years back the Patriots were accused of deflating balls to make them easier to catch, thus making it
In her defense, she uses this “shut up and ___” phrase a lot. She wrote a book called “Shut Up & Sing” talking about how celebrities from Hollywood are subverting America via talking about politics. So in her opinion, that was blatantly happening in the situation concerning LeBron James. However, what did James say? James said, “Diversity is what makes this country so great. We should all continue to speak up and fight for ideas that bring people together regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, religious beliefs or any other differences. It is important that we as athletes continue to use the platform we have to speak up for what we believe in.” The majority of us would agree with this statement, but it is without context to why Trump would pass these immigration laws in the first place. Everyone has a different opinion on immigration laws, and that is another topic for another day. However, touching on the last part of what James said, many athletes have begun to use their professional platform to express their opinions on current events. It’s happening more than ever in football, tennis, and especially in basketball. Everyone wants to hear what these athletes have to say, and using their platform to inspire positive change is always better than not using it at all. But how powerful are the words they speak? How do professional athletes affect our society as a whole? It’s no secret that the athletes influence the youth. Most kids who play a sport most likely will tell you who they look up to, or who they want to be one day. This is the “role model effect.” This applies to more than just professional sports players, but in general, it’s an effect that helps push a person to more success that seems attainable by creating an image relatable individuals. If you’ve ever had a role model, you may be able to relate to this. More often than not, a young athletic person’s role model will be an athlete, most likely one outside of their family. Many children between the ages 5-15 are involved in sports as three out of four American families with school-aged children have at least one child participating in organized sports (roughly 45 million kids); however, after age 15, 80% of kids quit sports altogether, according to the Boston Globe. They often, still retain their love for the sport and demonstrate that by watching professional sporting events. Interestingly enough, only 10 percent of professional athletes were inspired by another professional athlete to continue their current sport (59 percent parents, 28 percent friends, 3 percent other), according to The Conversation. Junior Brendan Heatherman said, “I look up to J.J. Watt because of his determination, commitment, and hard work he puts in to succeed in his goals.” Junior Dylan Doyle said, “My role model was Jason Witten because he got to play football as his job and was good at it. He also helped his community.”
easier for them to play the game and win. Kids who look up to Tom Brady and the Patriots will now think they need to cheat to win. Is that the message we want our kids to be receiving? NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley once said he wasn’t “paid to be a role model,” and that “parents should be the role models.” But whether they like it or not, most professional athletes are subject to being role models, and they should act like one on and off the field. On the court, there are emotions that are running through a player’s head about their next move or strategies. But what does an athlete do off the field? The answer is we don’t know. Junior Dylan Doyle said, “My role model was Jason Witten because he got to play football as his job and was good at it. He also helped his community.” When professional athletes pop up at charity or brand events, they are employed to do so by the brand. They’re being paid to be a representation of the brand when they show up to these events and put on a smile. But why don’t we hear about these stories in the news? The truth is that they just aren’t that interesting. Every once in a while they will be referenced, but these stories aren’t juicy. It’s much more likely for a story about a professional athlete caught doing something bad to be plastered all over the news instead of something good. The general public, casual fans, etc. tend to prefer the drama of a superstar athlete getting caught with drugs instead of a superstar athlete donating $500,000 to charity because it’s less interesting. Catch my drift? So if the media is running with stories like these, then how does it influence society’s youth? Well, to be frank, it’s bad. If we had more positive stories in the news, then I think the youth would be more positively influenced by professional athletes. But it just won’t happen. Most professional athletes don’t uphold themselves well enough to even be considered role models. You have to look at the best of the best to find role models. People like LeBron James and J.J. Watt are amazing role models due to their commitment to their community, and their clean slate when it comes to controversy. And if something bad came out about the few athletes who are good role models, we would lose all hope in athletes to inspire our future. When the best have off-field problems, it’s usually a good indicator that most others have them as well. Sophomore Braden Jory said, “I look up to LeBron James as a role model, but not due to his play but more of his community work. He started a school, and he’s generally just a great guy.” But nonetheless, people will look up to professional athletes, no matter what I say. They make millions of dollars playing something you enjoy watching or playing, and who wouldn’t want to do that?
quote by now. A few months ago Fox News host Laura Ingraham was quoted saying this on her daily talk show towards LeBron James after he made public comments about President Donald Trump’s new immigration laws. From her standpoint, she was trying to tell LeBron James he should stick to talking about what he is good at (basketball), and let people like her talk about politics. According to Ingraham, in no way was this supposed to be interpreted in a racist way, but it was by many.
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ASMR is a tingling sensation experience that gives its audience a way to relax by Jules Torrice | Photo by Wikimedia Commons
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wide variety of people, like Caighley Eberhart, sophomore, who said, “I find any video related to ASMR weird, but relaxing at the same time.” This sensation that begins on the scalp and moves down the body is triggered by certain sounds such as crackles, soft voices, or hearing certain soothing sounds such as tapping, whispering, and brushing is not just found on the web. Two other ways to listen to ASMR include Spotify, or any other music streaming service, stations, and Whisperlodge. According to the Whisperlodge website, it is a therapeutic experience and part living art installation. This hour-long live ASMR experience gives a one-on-one experience with a guest in a series of visual, auditory, and haptic treatments that can relax the body and mind. The sessions take place in New York and San Francisco and cost around ninety dollars. Overall, ASMR can be used to help people. According to Forbes, benefits of ASMR can include reducing stress level, improve blood flow, improve mood, etc. So by either searching on YouTube, listening to a radio station, or going to a session at Whisperlodge, ASMR can provide relaxation.
ave you ever experienced that cringe-worthy feeling you get when you hear nails scrape on a chalkboard? Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) is the exact opposite. ASMR is an experience that gives a person an oddly satisfying tingling sensation anywhere on the skin. ASMR is also known as Attention Induced Head Orgasm (AIHO) and Attention Induced Euphoria (AIE). The growing trend of whispering sounds into a microphone and then posting it on YouTube helps the ASMR community find relaxation in just a click of a button. In 2010, ASMR videos were first uploaded on YouTube. One of the many people who make ASMR videos include Maria Viktorovna, the founder of the YouTube channel “Gentle Whispering ASMR.” According to a CNBC article on “ASMR in YouTube,’ by Michelle Castillo, Maria is the “queen” of the ASMR genre. She doesn’t physically touch her viewers, but they still watch her videos to feel the tingling sensation. This can help the viewers unwind or go to bed. “Gentle Whispering ASMR” has more than 872,000 subscribers, and her most viewed videos have around 47 million views. Her videos are enjoyed by a
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Party Ideas
If you’re looking for an unconventional and creative way to get you and your friends all together, here are four mini party ideas you can use for a fun time
by Selena Obregon | Photos by Flickr | background photo by Public Domain Files
color party A much easier party to put together is a color-themed party. Choose a color for guests to coordinate an outfit around, then buy snacks and make food that is all that same color. Finally, wind down and watch movies with that color’s name in the title. For example, a black-themed party could be a “blackout,” with foods that are that color or close to it (such as Oreos or brownies), and movies like “Black Panther” (2018), “Men in Black” (1997), or “The Black Cauldron” (1985). Another color idea to focus on is pink. Dress in pink, make pink lemonade and cotton candy, and watch “Mean Girls” (2004) or one of the many “Pink Panther” movies made.
“I’d like to try throwback! It gives you more room to be creative because there are so many eras you could cover.” - Angela Tran, senior
mafia party Anyone who’s played “Mafia” by Apostrophe Games knows it can be a fun game and icebreaker, especially with larger groups. The object of the game is to find out who’s in the mafia before the town gets overrun. According to the official rules on Apostrophe Games’ website, “There are two teams, the Mafia and the Civilians. And there are two phases: day and night. The civilians win if they eliminate all the Mafia players, and the Mafia wins if they outnumber the civilian players. First, choose someone to be the moderator. The moderator hands out the cards and may either randomly assign roles or may choose what role each player gets.” After the roles are assigned, the moderator tells everyone to “go to sleep.” In their respective turns, regulated by the moderator, the mafia silently chooses a victim, the nurse chooses someone to save, and the cop chooses someone to accuse. It’s a bit challenging to play at first, but after one or two rounds everyone becomes acclimated and the fun begins. The only drawback is you need a group of at least six players plus one person to be a moderator is needed to play. So, if you want a super fun Mafia experience, why not make an event out of it? The full instructions for playing the game can be found at http://www.apostrophegames.com/mafia. To make the theme come together, try making some food famously associated with the mafia in media, such as spaghetti and meatballs. You could also finish the night off with a few classic mobster films. Some of the most notable gangster movies are “The Godfather” (1972), “Scarface” (1983), and “Goodfellas” (1990).
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marathon party Another simple party idea is a marathon party. Simply choose a movie or TV franchise, and dress as characters from that franchise. If they talk about food in it, make food for that too. The Marvel Universe is a good starter franchise to do. Dress as characters from the franchise, and make food like shawarma from the 2012 film “Avengers,” or a Burger King double cheeseburger from “Iron Man” (2008). An easy costume idea for Marvel could be to wear a burgundy jacket with a gray shirt and black jeans to dress like Peter Quill from “Guardians of the Galaxy.” Another example of a franchise to do is “The Office.” Dress in workplace attire to embody the characters of the show and watch episodes of it together. Since “The Office” doesn’t follow a strict plotline, you could virtually start at any point in the show. For some snacks, you could make or buy soft pretzels in celebration of “Pretzel Day,” which appears in season three.
“I’d like to try a throwback party. The ideas are bold, and I like how people can dress as different things for different years.” - Catherine Stumpf, sophomore
“I think I’d want to try the throwback party because it would be fun to dress in the different clothes and watch old nostalgic movies. You could also go out with your friends beforehand to thrift stores and buy some vintage clothes to wear for it.” - Audrey Sun, senior
throwback party The past few decades have become iconic, and looking back on them with friends can be a fun way to bring everyone together in a blast to the past. The first step is to choose a decade and have your guests dress in it accordingly. Since some of the most widely known movies in American pop culture are from these decades, select a few movies to enjoy together complete with some memorable snacks from that time. Some decades to base a throwback party on are the ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s. For reference, some notable movies from the ’70s are “Jaws” (1975), “Alien” (1979), and “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” (1971). A few films from the ’80s that are staples of that time are “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (1986), “The Breakfast Club” (1985), “16 Candles” (1984), and “Karate Kid” (1984). Lastly, for the ’90s, there’s “Jurassic Park” (1993), “Titanic” (1997), “The Sandlot” (1983), and so many more famous films. For snack ideas, jello salads were popular in the ’70s. An ‘80s party could be catered with McDonald’s happy meals which became popular in this decade. Fruit snacks, Push-up Pops, and Scooby Snacks would make for some great ‘90s themed food. You can also look online for more ideas to incorporate from your decade into your party.
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Books turned into movies Well-known books like “Harry Potter” by J.K. Rowling have been made into movie adaptations, but take a look at some you may have not known were books first by Lexi Jackson | Photos by Lexi Jackson
The Maze Runner by James Dashner
“The Maze Runner,” a dystopian novel by James Dashner, is about a group of kids who have no recollection of their pasts,’ and are trying to survive and escape the maze they are stuck in. In the book, Thomas, a boy who just arrived in the maze, remembers his name immediately, which was much less than it took the other boys. In the movie, however, Thomas wakes up not remembering anything at all. One of the biggest differences between the book and film is that in the book people survived griever stings, a giant spider-like monster because they have a cure for the sting. Contrastingly, in the film, Teresa, the first girl to arrive in the maze, brings the cure with her. In addition, Thomas and Teresa have a stronger bond in the book than in the movie because they have a telepathic bond which they find out while she’s in a coma in the book. Also in the book, Teresa is the cause of “The End,” where the maze doors stay open through the night, allowing the grievers to come in, unlike in the movie where she has nothing to do with it. Seeing the movie prompts people to read the book because they want to know more about it. “I prefer the movie because it was the reason I wanted to read the book,” said sophomore Cierra Te’o.
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The Help by Kathryn Stockett Set in 1962 Jackson, Mississippi, “The Help,” written by Kathryn Stockett, is a fictional novel about African American maids working in white households. In the book, Constantine, a maid, has a daughter who is white. It was shocking because the parents were both African American, but it was the result of Constantine’s father being white. Because of that, Constantine is forced to send her away, thus creating a strained relationship. As a result, a stronger bond is established between Constantine and Skeeter, the daughter of the family she was working for and the author of “The Help,” In the movie, however, her daughter was dark skinned, not light skinned. Senior Sarah Sabal said, “Generally most movies takes the main plots and subplots of the book, but doesn’t necessarily cover all the minor details because of the movie’s finance.” There are also several scenes that are different in the movie including one where Minny, another maid who helped write the book, and her boss Celia discover a naked man in Celia’s backyard who refused to leave and proceed to beat him with a shovel. Also, Stuart, Skeeter’s boyfriend, proposes to her but breaks up with her after he finds out about the book. In the movie, though, Stuart never proposed.
Life of Pie by Yann Martel
Pi Patel gets stranded on a boat after a shipwreck with a Bengal tiger in Yann Martel’s “Life of Pi.” In the book, Pi’s father shows him a starving, 500 lb. Bengal tiger attack and kill a goat to teach him to be cautious of the animals, as they could easily kill you. In comparison, the movie shows Pi feeding a tiger named Richard Parker with his bare hands. Pi’s brother tells their dad what Pi did, and their dad makes them watch Richard pull a goat through the bars and eat it. Another large difference between the two is that Pi, being raised Hindu, is taught Islam by a Muslim baker; in the movie,however, this does not happen. Later in the book, after the shipwreck, Pi throws out a buoy to help Richard Parker get onto his boat; which already had a hyena, zebra, and orangutan. Though in the movie, Richard is hiding under a tarp, and Pi only notices when he peeks under. Furthermore, in the book, the hyena kills the zebra on the first day, then on the second day, the hyena kills the orangutan, and on the third day, Pi kills the hyena. The movie simplifies this and made the fight happen at one time.
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
The story of Louis Zamperini as a captain during World War II is told in Lauren Hillenbrand’s novel, “Unbroken.” The book tells the story of Zamperini’s childhood and his life post and prewar, while the first movie only showed his childhood and time as a prisoner of war (POW). The book goes into a deep understanding of after the war and dealing with PTSD and alcoholism. In the movie, his brother, Pete, told him, “a moment of pain is worth a lifetime of glory,” as Louis was leaving for the Olympics. However, according to Zamperini’s brother, he actually said, “A lifetime of glory is worth a moment of pain.” One thing that wasn’t mentioned in the movie was that Zamperini met Adolf Hitler at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. Hitler shook his hand and said, “Ah, you’re the boy with the fast finish.” According to the Entertainment Weekly website, the prisoners of war had a “pet” duck named Gaga that would walk around their camp and lift up their spirits. One of the most disturbing parts of the book was when Gaga was brutally murdered by a Japanese soldier. Angelina Jolie, the film director, said Gaga wasn’t in the film “because we felt it was unnecessary.”
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares
Buying a pair of pants that magically fit four very different sized girls wasn’t exactly the plan for Lena, Bridget, Carmen, and Tibby’s summer in “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,” a novel by Ann Brashares. In the movie and book, Lena is visiting her family in Greece and begins a relationship with a boy who happens to be from a family that is feuding with hers. Lena’s grandmother becomes fond of Kostos, the boy she’s friends with, and tries to set them up together; however, in the movie, her grandmother tells Lena that she should end their relationship. Another difference is that Kostos spies on Lena as she’s skinny dipping in a lake, and that isn’t even mentioned in the movie. She tells her grandmother about the occurrence, and it causes an bigger feud between the families. Tibby becomes friends with a young girl named Bailey who has Leukemia. After Bailey dies, Tibby gets depressed and doesn’t do anything she used to do, though in the movie she doesn’t go through that.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” a novel by Stephen Chbosky, is about Charlie: a shy teenager starting his freshman year of high school. Freshman Savannah Kopp said, “I think the movie was very good, but personally I like books better and it’s definitely on my list of books to read.” The book is not as well known as the movie, so most people are more likely to have seen the movie. The book is a series of letters written by Charlie to a person we never meet. The movie shows Charlie writing letters, but Charlie doesn’t narrate the story. One event in the book is Charlie’s sister getting pregnant, and he takes her to get an abortion. In the movie, this never happens. Charlie’s sister is also hit by her boyfriend, but this gets downplayed in the movie. Another small change from the book to the movie is when Charlie and his senior friend, Sam, are kissing, but then he gets a flashback of his aunt sexually abusing him. In the movie, however, it’s Sam touching his thigh that triggers the flashback.
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See how the meaning behind the Christmas tree has branched out over the years by Ruby Jackson and Chloe Reid | Photos by Ruby Jackson and Chloe Reid
“Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house” families were gathering to celebrate the holiday season. Hanging ornaments, candy canes, and lights may be something that we’re used to now, but that wasn’t always the case. According to ABC News, thousands of years ago, pagans originally used the evergreen tree for decoration and to bring joy during the winter solstice. There is also evidence that Egyptians, Druids, Vikings, and Romans have previously used the evergreen tree for their own beliefs and purposes. Many theories have come to light about how the evergreen tree was brought into Christianity. However, one very prominent in this timeline takes place in Germany. According to The History Channel, “Germany is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition as we now know it in the 16th century when devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes…. It is a widely held belief that Martin Luther, the 16th-century Protestant reformer, first added lighted candles to a tree.” Though the evergreen tree developed its Christian roots at that point in history, it wasn’t made popular until 1846 when Queen Victoria gathered around it with her family. Freshman Lindsey Dotson said, “All of my family gets together and we decorate it. We usually put an angel on top because it represents everyone in Heaven that we know.” “One of the cool things about getting older is that you start to accumulate more ornaments. When you’re and you put up a Christmas tree, you don’t have any ornaments, and you have to go buy them. As you get older and your kids get older, there’s lots of handmade ornaments. That is what I would say is one of my favorite parts about the Christmas tree and decorating for Christmas,” said vice principal Chelsea Tryon. The evergreen tree has moved out of the traditional home setting and into the public’s eye. With monumental Christmas trees appearing in New York City and Washington, DC, visiting these attractions is a common holiday tradition. According to the Rockefeller Center’s website, their Christmas tree in New York was first put up in 1931. Decorated with tin cans, cranberries, and paper garland, this was a beam of light for people during the Great Depression. Today, the Rockefeller Christmas Tree is decorated with about 30,000 lights and a star made of Swarovski crystal. Every year more than half a million people gather to view this spectacular sight and experience the festivities. “I’ve seen it once. It’s pretty amazing. It’s big, and it looks like what you imagine Santa’s workshop would look like,” said sophomore Destiny Gnansounou. The evergreen tree has many roots and a long history of bringing joy and happiness during the holiday season.
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