Issuu

MainstreaM Volume 54, Issue 1

Paint Branch High School 14121 Old Columbia Pike Burtonsville, Maryland 20866

December, 2023

Panteras Bailadoras

New dance team shines at County Competition!

Table of Contents News Meet Mrs. Krawczel 4

Latin Dance Team Shines 5 Marching Band 5

Center Celebrating What People Love Most About the Holidays 8-9

Features Opinions Seniors Reflect/Look Ahead 6 Four-Day School Week 10 Seal of Biliteracy Test, 6 Fall Play Finishes Run 7 Stress: Perception or Reality? 7

Points for Participation 11 Animal Testing 11

Panteras Bailadoras take 3rd Place in MCPS Competition.

Entertainment

Colorism in Hollywood 12 Video Game Characters in Movies 12 Doctor Who? 13 Editor’s Picks for Holiday Music 13

Perspectives Finishes Another Successful Show.

Meet Mrs. Krawczel by Abigail Alem

Would a 4-Day School Week Work? by Elizabeth Hernandez-Bustamante

Table of Contents - December 2023

Sports Winter Athlete Profiles 14 Smacktalk/Backtalk 15 Holiday Word Search 15

Back Page Senior Spotlight 16 Word in the Hall 16

8-9

PB Gets Into the Holiday Spirit by Yeabsira Getachew

Colorism in Hollywood by Michael Evans

Smacktalk/Backtalk by Ryan Bobb & Naher Ghebru

Letter From the Editors W

elcome to the first print edition of Mainstream for the 2023-2024 school year. Throughout these first few months, the new journalism team has worked day after day to learn and refine our editing skills to put together a first issue we can be proud to share with our readers. Since the beginning of the year we have seen our new writers produce some strong articles that, along with those from our returning student-journalists, grace the pages of this issue. The articles in this issue cover a wide range of topics including pieces on colorism within Hollywood, the pros of a four-day school week, whether stress is real or imagined, and many others. Additionally in this first issue, we seek to inform readers about our new principal, Mrs. Krawczel, report on the success of our Latin Dance Team and Marching Band, and offer some strong thoughts by our staff opinion writers. I’d like to thank the entire Mainstream staff for their hard work and dedication, the editors for their willingness to jump right into the sometimes difficult editing process, and Mr. Woodward for his invaluable help as an advisor, editor and teacher. We could not have done this without any of you. Editor-in-Chief

Mainstream Staff Editor-in-Chief Sage Suddleson News Editor Abigail Alem Features Editor Sumer Elsalawi Center Editor Yeabsira Getachew Opinions Editor Abigail Alem Entertainment Editor Sage Suddleson Sports Editor Ryan Bobb Front/Back Page Editor Sage Suddleson Staff Writers Omar Akbari Bianca Barkmeyer Chaya Blount Raheim Briddell Anaya Davenport Bereket Debebe Michael Evans Jalissa Franco Naher Ghebru

Elizabeth Hernandez-Bustamante

Zachary Kamba Joyce Kapangala Betel Mekonnen Damion Tatum Efratha Tewodros Emilio Villatoro Lazo Noelle Williams Adviser Brian Woodward

Mainstream Policy

Mainstream Patrons Mr. White - The Kimmel Family - Marilyn Dodd The Magid Family - Mr. Ellis - Robin Ingram Coach Blackwell - Mrs. Mitchell - Dr. Bangerd Diana Roberts - Christine Tang - Mr. Schrumm The Schiffgens Family The Japanese Program at PB

If you would like to support Mainstream by becoming a PATRON next year - please contact Mr. Woodward at b r i a n . w o o d w a r d @ m c p s m d . n e t - Patronships are $20. Patrons are recognized in each print issue and a copy of the newspaper is sent to them.

Scan to check out Mainstream online!

Mainstream is a public forum that is published by the journalism students of Paint Branch High School. Every effort has been made by the staff to ensure that the news is accurate and free of bias. Letters to the editor are welcome and will be published as space allows. All letters are subject to laws governing obscenity, libel, privacy, and disruption of the school process, as are all contents of the paper. All letters should be submitted to advisor Brian Woodward in room 3301 or sent to Paint Branch High School, 14121 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville, MD 20866. To contact the Mainstream via e-mail send correspondence to: Mr. Woodward at: brian.woodward@mcpsmd.net

Table of Contents - December 2023

Getting to Know Mrs. Krawczel Abigail Alem News Editor Mother, educator, and now acting principal of Paint Branch High School--meet Mrs. Pamela Krawczel. Of course, we all know that Mrs. Krawczel’s arrival at PB was not as simple as just being named acting principal and stepping into this important leadership role at the school. On August 11, 2023, The Washington Post published an article by Alexandra Robbins and Nicole Asbury that reported shocking and troubling information about Dr. Joel Beidleman, an MCPS administrator who had been named the new principal of Paint Branch in June. According to Robbins and Asbury, Beidleman had “18 verbal or written reports submitted to the school district…by staff members, parents and union stewards since 2016” levied against him. Robbins and Asbury’s article revealed serious allegations regarding improper behavior by Beidleman with colleagues that, according to those interviewed for the piece, were not only not addressed appropriately by the district, but also, in some cases, not addressed at all. Not long after the article’s publication, MCPS placed Beidleman on extended leave. While this unfolded, the new school year was quickly approaching and PB was in need of a new leader, a person who could take over at a crucial time. In mid-August, Mrs. Krawczel got the call from MCPS that she would be taking over as principal at PB. At the time of the call, Mrs. Krawczel was actually with her family at her daughter’s baton twirling meet in London, so receiving the call was a bit surreal. Not only did Mrs. Krawczel have to transition into her role as PB principal suddenly, she also had to deal with the effects of an ongoing investigation of Dr. Beidleman. Regarding this, Mrs. Krawczel says she felt that MCPS handled the situation the “best that they could” during what she described as a time where the district has a “county-wide principal shortage.” The county, Mrs. Krawczel states, was “aware of my skills.” She knew that calling on her would be the best bet. Before being named acting principal at PB, Mrs. Krawczel was in the midst of her principal internship at Damascus High School. As soon as Mrs. Krawczel got back from London, she had to wrap up any work and projects she was doing at Damascus and leave for PB the next day. This quick turn around was difficult as “there wasn’t much of a transition,” she reflects. Now a full four months into the role of principal at PB, Mrs. Krawczel has had time to settle into the position, which has provided an opportunity for her to look ahead to goals she wishes to achieve. Even though Mrs. Krawczel was ready to step in and take over as principal, she has faced many challenges with the new role. “I’m an introvert, generally, so I’m not a big personality,” she explains, “and I build relationships slowly so kids don’t know me as well.” She feels that “it’s hard in the principal role because I spend so much time with adults.” Additionally, she notes that, with a packed schedule, “the only time I really do see students is in the hallway when I tell them to go to class.” One plan Principal Krawczel has is to connect more with students, so that they can familiarize themselves with her. She 4

News - December 2023

believes that photo by: Abigail Alem being able to connect with students more would impact the school positively and help students understand that she isn’t just “a random lady in the halls telling them to head to class,” but someone they can connect with. One new thing she Mrs. Krawczel, who attended and graduated wants to do is from MCPS schools, has been a teacher and implement more administrator in the county for over 30 years. social media coverage and presence at school-wide events. “I’m lousy at social media, but I see a need for it,” she explains. One of Principal Krawczel’s plans is to build fences around the open wooded areas and trails that lead onto the school campus because it would add an extra level of security. Furthermore, she hopes to continue to revamp and practice evacuation routes to ensure that they’re safe and manageable for all students and staff. She states that the evacuation procedure “isn’t perfect, but it’s getting there.” In addition to developing and implementing more safety measures, Principal Krawczel wants to bring more wellness activities to the already existing PB Wellness Wednesdays. In terms of what she wants to do, she notes “I want to expand that [Wellness Wednesdays] a little bit…one opportunity could be after PSAT testing to have fun events.” She adds that, “it’s not only great for stress relief, but for community building.” She understands that students’ classes don’t always offer a lot of time to socialize or “to do things that are just fun…so I definitely want to try to expand wellness days.” In fact, she plans to do it even if it means just starting “off small and growing from there.” Principal Krawczel wants her time at PB to be productive and she wants to have a positive impact on all PB students. “I want them to enjoy school and I want it to be a safe space,” she says before adding “and I want to make sure we’re improving things for kids in all areas from academics to wellness.” One of Principal Krawczel’s top priority is to create rules to ensure the safety of all students and faculty while also having a balance of fun activities. She firmly believes that there have to be “rules and processes that benefit the kids…we have to establish rules that work in the best interest of students.” Overall, Principal Krawczel hopes for a prosperous school year and believes that with the new relationships she’ll form, she will be able to have a positive impact on Paint Branch.

Bianca Barkmeyer Staff Writer

Latin Dance Team Shines

The vibrant sounds of music and applause filled the air as families, friends, and neighbors gathered at The Music Center at Strathmore for a day of joy, connection, and shared experiences. On Monday, November 20th, the Panteras Bailadoras participated in the MCPS Latin dance competition at Strathmore, representing our school’s Latino community. As a first-time competing team, the Panteras Bailadoras competed against six other schools in the junior division and brought home three trophies in the following categories: Merengue Duet, Bachata Duett, and Best in Show (group performance). Panteras Bailadoras is a Latin

dance team that was established at PB in January 2023. This year’s team, with the help of team sponsor, Ms. Solano, and their choreographer, Nelson Ortiz, managed to do in one year what it takes many teams years to accomplish. Much of this came from an immense amount of support and an intense training schedule of practices which took place five times a week (Tuesday through Saturday). On the day of the competition, nerves were high and anxiety was real, especially performing on stage in front of almost 2,000 people. The overwhelming feeling had everyone on their toes. However, the team practiced until the final hour, ensuring that everyone and everything would be perfect. From making sure routines would be in sync, every

step would be on beat, and every head piece for the girls would be perfect, the team was focused. “The energy, passion, and finesse they brought to the dance floor truly set them apart,” said Ms. Solano following the competition. “It’s evident that their hard work, countless hours of practice, and genuine love for Latin dance paid off in the best way possible.” In relation to what Ms. Solano stated, not only did the event showcase their talent, but it also revealed the team’s bond, teamwork, and their commitment

photo by: Ms. Solano

to representing our school’s strong Latino community. This team’s success has officially paved the way for future members and will continue to shine bright and bring many more glorious moments. Perhaps team captain, PB senior Jose M. Fernandez, captures the feeling the best: “Viva las Panteras” (Long live the Panthers)!

Marching Band Finishes Successful Season Damion Tatum Staff Writer Drums, Trumpets, Flutes, Flags, all the composition of a perfect marching band. On November 16, 2023, Paint Branch High School’s Marching Panthers ended their season with a well-deserved awards ceremony for all the band members held by Band Director, Mr. Alexander Mann. Led by five seniors (Melanie Lancaster, Kyrah Brooks, Caylin Tatum, Veronica Antezana and Robert Thompson) who will graduate in June and become official PB Band Alumni, this year’s marching band consisted of 20 members total. These twenty members were made up of four flag twirlers, five drummers, a cymbalist, two trumpeters, two clarinetists, a trombonist, a saxophonist and a flutist. With a season that runs from August to November, the marching band had a pretty eventful one. While they began the year with a slightly smaller

cast than last year with just 13 members, by mid-season an influx of newcomers helped the team grow and make them stronger. Throughout the season, the band delivered strong performances and established strong personal connections. Everyone played an equal role whether they came in with strong musical experience or were fairly new to it. The marching band practiced twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school, mostly practicing their drills and how they planned to enter the football field at halftime and before the game. In addition to performing at both home and away football games, the marching band performed at school-based events such as the New Student Orientation and the NCE 8th Grade Open House. Additionally, they performed at in-school events such as the pep rallies in September and October. On a larger level, they performed alongside other high school bands at the annual MCPS

photo courtesy of PB Marching Panthers

The PB Marching Band and some members of Wheaton High School’s band gather during a football game at Wheaton. band showcase at Colonel Zadok Magruder High School, where they performed their yearly signature Panther Sequence. On the final meeting day of the year’s band season, the session ended with the five seniors “signing out,” which consists of

them painting their hands and pasting their handprints onto their sign-out poster, which was then posted in the band room. Each member’s final band moment consists of this tradition, which has them recording a part of themselves for posterity. News - December 2023

Senior Winter Check-In!

Sumer Elsalawi Features Editor

As fall gives way to winter, PB seniors find themselves thinking about their futures while reflecting on their final first quarter of high school. For some, athletics drove their schedule, while for others the responsibilities that accompany senior year were the force that directed their attention. However, no matter what took up most of their time, for all of them the pressure of college applications, senior year events, and other tasks played a crucial role in their season. For PB varsity volleyball player Maya Ogbogu, the end of fall sports brought her mixed emotions as it was her “last high school season of volleyball, as well as last time going to high school football games.” However, she understands that there is still a lot to look forward to, sharing that she is excited to get some rest and is ready to finish “senior year strong, along with beginning club volleyball season outside of school.” PB varsity football player Deon Key shares that the fall flew by and it “hasn’t hit that it’s over.” Because football played such a prominent role in his fall season and first quarter, he notes that he now has a lot of time on his hands. Deon mentions that he wants to use this time to “lock in, dedicate time to college applications, and maintain good grades.” PB Poms Pantherette Sandra Pereira shares similar thoughts to Deon on the pacing of the fall. She notes, “I just feel like it went by so fast; it really flew by.” For Sandra, her season continues as Poms runs through both fall and winter before finishing with their annual counties competition in February. Her new goals include “fully submitting all college applications, getting down our competition routine, and having fun!” PB class council president Djenabou Bokoum says that “stressful is an understatement” when expressing her experience in the fall this year. When describing her main stressors, she mentions “navigating through this new process, and balancing it all was exhausting.” She adds, “Senior year throws so many new things at you and requires you to think a lot about your future, which can be daunting.” Now that applying to colleges is out of the way for her, she’s excited to “find the peace I’ve been longing for and enjoy the rest of the school year!” As we bid our farewells to the fall and embrace the winter, new exhilaration fills the air once again. This provides the perfect opportunity to start a fresh new season and look forward to what the winter has in store this year!

Sandra Pereira is anticipating the new season and “excited to get to competition!”

Deon Key is ready to use his new-found free time to “lock in” on school and complete college tasks.

Djenabou Bokoum is eager to finally enjoy herself and have a “great rest of the school year!”

Seal of Biliteracy Success The Seal of Biliteracy Test is an assessment that students take to certify their proficiency in a language besides English. The test is offered for a wide array of languages to represent as many of the languages that students speak in the state. The fall test for the seal took place on November 16th and 50 Paint Branch students tested. PB World Languages Resource Teacher Ms. Tomas said that this number increased from last year. She noted that while this test session included only seniors, the next testing session in January 2024 will be available to both juniors and seniors. The test is free for seniors but juniors have to pay a $21 fee. As for who takes the Seal of Biliteracy test, Ms. Thomas says that the test is mostly taken by “native speakers,” but adds that 6

Features - December 2023

Efratha Tewodros Staff Writer

there are a decent number of students who are not native speakers and either “took the language or are taking it.” One student who is currently taking a language and took the test is PB senior Jessica Monthe, who said that she took the test because she “just wanted a paper certification of me being able to speak Spanish as I have been learning [it] in school and through music.” She added, “I think I’ve worked hard enough to pass the test.” While many students work hard, the test is challenging as there are four sections they need to pass: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. According to Ms.Tomas, most students are stronger in certain areas than they are in others.

It’s a Wrap: Perspectives Finishes Fall Production Sage Suddleson Editor-in-Chief A tale full of mystery, conflict, and murder awaited audiences during PB Perspectives’ four-night run of the fall play Murder on Center Stage. The narrative of the show follows a college theater cast that is in the throes of a production of Romeo and Juliet along with their director and teacher, and two feuding janitors who threaten the cast as they work to figure out why they are locked in the theater. The Perspectives production crew worked for months to finish the set - including building a functional balcony - and painting the set to the desired “half-finished’’ state that is required of the storyline due to the in-universe production of Romeo and Juliette being in-progress. Seniors Melody Segal and Zy’Ann McCoy took on the lead roles of terrified teachers Ms. Shotwell and Mrs. Blestar, respectively. Portraying the wily college students were Alexa Cassels as Terry, Jenna Reaves as Sharon, Kai Falcon as Mike (with Gladis Padilla acting as understudy), and Quinn Naugle as David. As for the feuding janitors at the heart of the story, disgraced former theater star-turned janitor Jessica was played by Box Darisme and her spiteful rival Mr. Stanley was depicted by Ahmed Sidee. If you missed this year’s fall production, stay tuned for details on Perspectives’ spring musical, Amélie Teen Edition.

(above) A scene from “Murder on Center Stage.” (below) The Tech Crew provides key behind-the-scenes support for Perspectives’ shows.

Stress: Perception or Reality?

Betel Mekonnen Staff Writer

Have you ever pondered why school feels like such a burden for many people, maybe even yourself? Well, the truth is, school takes most of the blame for teens when they have to deal with a lot of stress, but whether or not this is perception or reality is an important question. In her article, “Managing Stress in High School,” Pamela Reynolds brings up a variety of factors students could be stressed about, including the academic demands of high school and their futures. She writes, “In high school, not only are you worried about next week’s English, History or Calculus exam, but you’re also worried about applying to college and taking the SAT tests, too.” Often, students blame their stress on school work and teachers who are always assigning a large amount of homework. In fact, according to Pamela Reynolds, 45% of students said they had a hard time concentrating on school work. However, it may be time

to look at all the work with a new ideology. Roaming through the halls of Paint Branch are students who deal with this issue each and every day. Those who shared their thoughts expressed that homework does indeed have a negative impact on them. However, the general consensus among them was that this is actually more of a perception because they see procrastination as the main culprit of their stress. Ruth T., a junior at PB, shares that her stress levels have increased since the beginning of the school year. “The amount of assignments I have been given since the start of the school year definitely increased my stress levels,” she states. “I went home crying a lot of times due to the amount of pressure my assignments put on me. I stay up doing homework till midnight sometimes past - to get perfect grades.” Ruth blames both her teachers and herself for this stress, but does admit that procrastination plays a role. “I take a two-hour nap and end up procrastinating through my assignments.” Another PB junior, Bethania

M., feels the work that’s mainly causing her an increased amount of stress is from her AP classes. She says, “I don’t think teachers take into consideration how many assignments we are given from our other AP classes. If one teacher is giving their students a large amount of work, then it’s going to leave the student with no choice but to procrastinate on their other assignments, since one assignment is so time consuming.” Bethania feels the main reason assignments cause students a large amount of stress is their unhealthy working habits, which often include purposely pushing off their work for later and ending up with nothing done. A third PB student, senior Mckenzie W., shares that the stress that comes from school assignments are both perception and reality. Mckenzie says, “Based on how you handle your workload outside of school will have you at peace or stressed out. I know for me, my stress level has definitely increased ever since work from all my classes started piling up last quarter. I’m

literally struggling every single day.” Mckenzie blames the increase of her stress on the countless amounts of assignments she is given throughout her classes. She says the expectations her teachers have for her to finish her work on-time also causes her an increased amount of stress. She does accuse herself of procrastinating, though most of the time this is due to the difficulty of the assignment. “If my preception of the assignment is stressful then I’m most likely pushing it for later,”. These three upperclassmen have advice to help students handle the stress caused by school assignments. Some of these solutions include asking teachers for help and not pushing your assignments until the last minute. In regard to these, Bethania notes that while she can’t control what teachers assign, she can control her behavior. “There isn’t much I can do about the teachers and how much work they chose to assign, but I know students can help reduce their stress by trying to get their work done on time and not procrastinate.”

Features - December 2023

b) Paint Branch Merch

Pros of a Four-Day School Week And Why We Should Adopt One

Elizabeth Hernandez-Bustamante

Staff Writer

Do you ever sit in class on a Friday and watch the clock, waiting for the bell to ring? Or have you ever wished that every weekend could be a three-day weekend? Of course, almost any student could hear “shorter school week” and automatically be in favor of it.Yet after hearing the benefits of it, I’m sure parents, school staff, and communities will also favor it. The simple benefit that everyone should be behind is evidence showing that a shorter school week can help student morale, improve attendance, and raise overall grades. Across the nation, public schools have struggled with student attendance, and a shorter school week may be a valid solution. This, according to multiple sources, is a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the bad habits many young students picked up during this time. Carol Vidal, MD, writing for the

Should MCPS Move to a 4-Day School Week?

National Institutes of Health’s Library of Medicine, notes that attendance for students has been bad since 2021 and doesn’t seem to be getting better. To me, this issue can be addressed by making each school week shorter, as it will bring more motivation for students to show up because full weeks can be daunting.

“...a four-day school week would be a great way to impact students and school communities.” According to the article “Does Four Equal Five? Implementation and Outcomes of the Four-Day School Week’‘ published by the Rand Corporation, studies in Idaho, New Mexico, and Oklahoma found that when a school switched to a four-day school week it saw improvements in student attendance, attitude, and emotional well-being. All these benefits combined could lead to better mental

MIT-conducted research by D. Mark Anderson and Mary Beth Walker, shorter weeks lead to better attendance, better focus within classrooms, and ultimately better test scores in general. If better test scores are achievable, shouldn’t we try our best to achieve them? This would be a great help to teacher morale as well, as teachers will be more motivated to teach students who want to learn. Overall, higher test scores

“I think they should, because no one likes school. I think that we should have like an extra day for the weekend so we could prepare better.”

“’Yes! I do think school should be four days. An extra day will give everyone an opportunity to reset. However, we already have an attendance issue. How would we address that?”

- Sarah Kelkay, 10th

health for the student body as a whole. With students in a better head space, they will be more willing to learn, therefore making teachers more excited to teach. If students are in school attending their classes more often they will, without a doubt, be capable of higher test scores. According to

Opinions - December 2023

- Dr. Phillip

can impact positively on both teachers and students. The better grades and attendance that come with a shorter school week affect students in many ways and all of this leads to higher student morale. With a more vigorous morale, students become more excited about school and extracurricular activities. As a result, students will be more motivated to achieve academic success and be more involved in the school community. This will benefit everyone within the school and out, with parents being content with their children’s education, the school having higher test scores, and most of all students being on the road to a bigger and brighter future. Overall, I believe that a fourday school week would be a great way to impact students and school communities. The value of it is not only that it offers more time off for students and staff but creates a better academic experience that improves teaching and learning.

“I think we should have a 4-day school week because it allows us to make up assignments that maybe we slacked on.” - Stacey Rivera, 9th

Points for Participation

Make Time for Yourself and Your Interests Bianca Barkmeyer Staff Writer I just took my physics test and I just know I failed. And right after class ended, I went straight to Pinterest to find my next nail design. I file to determine the nail’s form. I blend hues to create the ideal blue. And as I paint my nails, new feelings of fulfillment and enjoyment flow, easing the disappointment from failure. Life is already so stressful for many of us, especially when school decides to bombard us with more stress from schoolwork. Instead of wasting precious leisure time lounging on the couch, scrolling through TikTok, we should instead take up

activities that will help us manage stress. Research in the article “University of Reading” shows that, “having a hobby is associated with lower levels of depression and may even prevent depression for some.” Losing interest and joy in things you normally like doing is one symptom of poor mental health. Though some doctors prescribe antidepressants, they are less effective in comparison to the treatment of social prescribing which is (basically) taking up a hobby. When our lives get hectic and we engage in a hobby, the activity transforms the

stressful turmoil of life into a soothing reprieve. Chemical messengers in the brain, such as dopamine, which helps us feel pleasure, are released when we participate in an activity that we enjoy. These substances can then increase our motivation and make us wish to engage in the hobby once again. We are reenergized with greater energy and happiness when we take time for ourselves to indulge in a passion, ready to return to life. It’s important to choose hobbies that you genuinely enjoy and that align with your interests. What brings one person joy may not do the same for another, so it’s

important to find activities that resonate with you personally. Consistently participating in hobbies and incorporating them into your daily or weekly routine can contribute to a more positive and stable mental state. It’s not always easy finding free time from dayto-day with trying to fit in responsibilities, schoolwork, and other activities. However, the school has endless clubs for students to enjoy, even for a short period of time. Take a break and try to experience a new hobby and if you don’t have the time, there is a 45-minute lunch break that holds club meetings.

Animal Testing is Never Valid Efratha Tewodros Staff Writer the fact that they share 98% of their DNA with humans, according to Animal Research at Stanford. While testing medicines and improving science is very important, there are many alternatives such as in-vitro tests. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) writes that IVDs or in-vitro diagnostics are, “tests done on samples such as blood or tissue that have been taken from the human body.” Vitro-testing models are “cheaper, faster, more precise, and more reliable test results compared to animal models,” according to Frontiers in Medical Technology. The cruelty of animal testing lies in the fact that they are treated as disposable objects. When we allow this to occur as a society, we ignore their pain and suffering while knowing better options are available. Number of animals tested per year (in millions)

Have you ever wondered what your toothpaste, laundry detergent, shampoo, and pain relievers have in common? All of those things were likely tested on animals before being sold to you and many animals were harmed in the process. Annually, approximately 110 million animals are killed in laboratories in the U.S. alone according to the organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). According to them the animals include, but aren’t limited to, dogs, cats, rabbits, monkeys, fish, and birds. Animal testing is widely considered cruel due to the suffering and harm inflicted upon animals but it’s still practiced. During testing, animals are put into small cages and deprived of their natural habitats. Frequently, they are forcibly tested and exposed to toxic substances, causing severe health issues and, occasionally, death. If the animals don’t die during testing, they “are typically killed” according to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). Additional cruel conditions that are often found in animal testing labs include “injecting or force-feeding animals with often harmful substances, removing animals’ organs or tissues to deliberately cause damage, forcing animals to inhale toxic gasses, and subjecting animals to frightening situations to create anxiety and depression,” reports Cruelty-Free International, an organization that works to create a world where no animals live in laboratories. A common pro-animal testing argument is that there is no other accurate way to test medicines and improve scientific study. One specific fact that is often pointed out in favor of testing on mice is

Countries that animal test

Graph Information from: Cruelty Free International

Opinions - December 2023

entertainment

Calling Out Colorism in Hollywood Michael Evans Staff Writer

Have you ever noticed how the bigger movies in the film industry and the more popular artists that you see reach success faster often have lighter skin complexions? This is because of colorism, a form of bias that causes prejudice and discrimination against individuals with a dark skin tone, typically among people of the same ethnic or racial group. Colorism is prevalent throughout the entertainment industry, particularly in music, television, and film. The breakthrough representation of minorities in Hollywood blockbusters has ignited a frequently overlooked discussion about whether prejudice isn’t just about the color of a person’s skin, but the shade. The entertainment industry has its ways, and those ways are not always right, to the point where your skin color can make a difference in a role you don’t get. The idea that light-skinned minorities are given more privilege and opportunity than their darker-skinned peers is unfair. Seeing lighter-skinned actors get bigger roles in movies or TV shows, or musical artists achieve more success in a smaller amount of time is strange. Looking specifically at the music industry, it is easy to see in rap that lighter-skinned women are marketed to success faster, marketed more openly, and given more opportunities. When you look at women rappers with dark skin complexions you see that they’re often overlooked and have to work extra hard just to be acknowledged, like rappers Flo Milli, Bree Runway, Doechii, and Kash Doll. In comparison, their peers, rappers like Ice Spice, Coi Leray, Glorilla have had more mainstream success. Examining the film and TV industry we see another example of this privilege in Zendaya. In fact, this is even apparent to her as she has opened up about her awareness of colorism in the industry. In an interview for Glamour (2017) with Yara Shahidi, she stated “I’ve talked about this before, but can I honestly say I

wouldn’t be in the position I’m in if I weren’t a lighter-skinned black woman? No.” According to the OWN website, “Black men and women speak out about the prevalence of colorism in Hollywood, and discuss how they grew up bombarded with images of light-skinned and white actresses in lead roles, which perpetuated the belief that dark skin was “ugly.” Lack of representation, meaning not seeing people that reflect their own identities, can make children feel like they do not fit within their immediate society. In 2016, the film industry was buzzing over a biopic for an icon in black music history, Nina Simone. While the focus leading up to the film should have been about the artist, significant focus was given instead to the fact that the actress playing the role was a light skinned actress named Zoe Saldana. In what can only be called an insult, the wardrobe and makeup department dressed her up to look like the iconic singer in terms of wardrobe, but they crossed a line by painting her skin to make her complexion much darker and gave the actress a prosthetic nose. This travesty caused a lot of controversy throughout the industry and caused a lot of confusion as to why Hollywood would not cast a darker-skinned woman to fit the role naturally. According to The Guardian, the actress has since apologized for playing the role, “I should have never played Nina,” Saldana said, taking accountability for this situation. The entertainment industry has wronged people of color in many ways, and its exhibitions of colorism are no exception. The public needs to demand more and demand better. We need to speak up and get the industry to understand that what they are doing is wrong and that what they consider marketable makes a huge impact on how we view the industry. What has been pushed on us for years and is still happening currently is not okay and it is time for change.

Turning Video Games Into Movies

Noelle Williams Staff Writer

movie. Recently, Nintendo game developer, Shigeru Miyamoto, announced on Nintendo “I have been working on the live-action film of The Legend of Zelda for many years now with Avi Arad-san, who has produced many mega hit films.” The newest game dropped in the Zelda game series, Tears of the Kingdom, caused major hype in the video-game community, as, for the first time ever, Nintendo will be working alongside their long-time rival, Sony on

wants to take over and rule it himself. Another game that would make an interesting addition to the movie roster would be Earthbound, released originally in Japan as Mother. The game centers around a gifted boy named Ness who is capable of using a variety of PSI powers, travels the world, meets new friends, and saves the planet from evil aliens. Any video-game character has the prospect of getting their own movie, but some stand out from the others.

There’s a variety of videogame mascots all around the world. If you don’t know their name then you’ve probably seen the character or heard of them in another way. The film industry has also been developing movies based off of these franchises: the Super Mario Bros. movie, the Sonic the Hedgehog movie duology (with an upcoming third movie currently in the making) and Pokémon’s Detective Pikachu. This makes one wonder what other game characters have a chance at getting their own 12

Entertainment - December 2023

the movie’s development and financing. With these two companies now collaborating it sparks conversation over what other video-games could be adapted into live-action or animated movies. An admirable videogame character that would make an amazing movie would be Kirby, a pink ball of mighty strength that has the ability to inhale his enemies. His movie could be based off of his first ever journey across Dream Land to save it from his arch-rival, King Dedede, who

entertainment

Doctor Who?! David Tennant Returns for Three Specials Sage Suddleson Editor-In-Chief Viewers of the long-running British sci-fi show Doctor Who were shocked and elated last year when the Thirteenth Doctor, Jodie Whittaker, regenerated into a familiar face, but not the one that had been announced previously, Ncuti Gatwa. Instead it was David Tennant, the actor perhaps best known for his run as the Tenth Doctor. Regeneration, where the titular Doctor’s body and personality completely change, is a plot device that has been used by the show since its inception to explain why many different actors have played the character. Tennant’s surprise appearance also came with the announcement that he would play the Fourteenth Doctor for three special episodes commemorating 60 years of the beloved series. This three episode run also marks the return of a fan-favorite companion to the Tenth Doctor, Donna Noble, who will be portrayed by actress and comedienne Catherine

Tate. Noble will be joined by her family, along with some new additions since they were last seen, including her daughter Rose Noble (played by Yasmin Finney) and alien Beep the Meep (voiced by Miriam Margolyes) in the first special episode, “The Star Beast”. Details for the other two special episodes, “Wild Blue Yonder” and “The Giggle,” have been kept under wraps since they were announced, though one casting was revealed as fans learned that Neil Patrick Harris will play “The Toymaker”, a character who hasn’t been seen on the

show since 1966. The lack of information on these specials leaves fans to wonder what exactly will happen to the beloved characters of the Doctor and Donna. Those anxiously awaiting Ncuti Gatwa’s run as the Doctor won’t have to wait too long as Gatwa’s first Christmas special “The House on Ruby Road” will be released on Christmas day, and shooting for his second series as the Doctor is already underway. All three specials, as well as Gatwa’s upcoming seasons and specials, can be found on BBC iPlayer in the UK and Disney+ elsewhere in the world.

Kelly Clarkson Underneath the Tree

Mariah The Scientist Christmas in Toronto

Justin Bieber Mistletoe

Abigail Alem

Quick Facts!

Sumer Elsalawi

Yeabsira Getachew

Doctor Who is the longest running scifi show in the world (despite an eight year hiatus from 1996 to 2005!) TARDIS, the name of the blue police box that the Doctor travels in, stands for Time and Relative Dimension in Space (because it’s bigger on the inside!) Both future Twelfth Doctor Peter Capaldi and future companion Karen Gillan appeared in completely unrelated roles in the Tenth Doctor episode “The Fires of Pompeii.”

John Legend Bring Me Love Ryan Bobb

What holiday song would you recommend that Mainstream readers listen to? Entertainment - December 2023

Winter Athletes Talk About Expectations for This Season Alim Sesay

Abigail Daniel

Basketball

My expectations for this season are... To win games and play each game as a team.

My expectations for this season are... To have a better record and become division and region champions, and then go to states.

My personal goals for this season are... Do whatever it takes to stand out but also be a team player

My personal goals for this season are... To become a better scorer, be a leader for my teammates, and get recognition from colleges.

What should Panther fans expect from you and your team? A state championship!

What should Panther fans expect from you and your team? A lot more energy and wins!

Ezi Serrano

Euphemia Lamptey

Wrestling

Indoor Track

My expectations for this season are... To never get pinned and get the team to have the same amount of confidence as me.

My expectations for this season are... Overall, have a good and memorable season with my teammates.

My personal goals for this season are... Go undefeated, become stronger, and not get injured. What should Panther fans expect from you and your team? From me, always expect a little taunting and obviously winning. As for the team, expect us to never quit.

My personal goals for this season are... Have an injury free season; have good personal records; make it to New Balance Nationals; be a state champion for any event. What should Panther fans expect from you and your team? A possible school record from boys and girls relays.

Interviews and photos by: Ryan Bobb 14

Sports - December 2023

Smacktalk

Backtalk Naher Ghebru Staff Writer

Ryan Bobb Sports Editor

My “Best NBA Starting 5” consists of the 5 best players at their position right now regardless of traditional fit on the court. The leader of this team is Mavericks star Luka Doncic. From pouring in an average of just over 31 points per game to bringing down over 8 rebounds a game and 8 assists, he does it all. What he’s able to do at 6’7 is unreal. At shooting guard, I have one of the league’s brightest stars in the Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards. He’s led his team to the league’s best record and is my pick because he can do it all; from getting to his spots on the perimeter to hitting a pull-up midrange whenever he wants, he’s elite. Teams have to be careful of his insane explosiveness since he isn’t afraid to jump with anyone and put someone on a poster. Plus, even with all that offensive talent he’ll get back on defense and lock down the opposing team’s best guard. At small forward is someone who has dominated the league since he came in and is arguably the best player of all time: Lebron James. While Jayson Tatum was intriguing, James does everything you can ask for on the court even at 38 years old. Whenever he touches the ball, teams have to be alert since he can score at will and he also has some of the best vision in the association. Power forward is probably the hardest position since you have guys like Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, and Zion Williamson. But the one who stands out the most is the Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is just so dominant in what he does on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. This is something you just won’t get out of many guys. At the center position is reigning finals MVP Nikola Jokic who makes basketball look effortless. He can score from anywhere which is why he averages 29 points per game. Add to this the fact that he can rebound the ball as well as anyone, as his 13 boards per game show. What might be his best skill, though, is his passing as he averages just under 10 assists per game. Jokic is a triple-double machine who can make any pass and hit any shot.

My “Best NBA starting five” is made up of unstoppable players. The point guard of this team will be Stephen Curry, a player who averages 29 points per a game and who many people say is the best point guard in the league right now. Before Curry came into the league, no one had ever seen anyone like him - especially with him hitting shots from near halfcourt. In fact, some say he is the best shooter in history, so you can see why he’s my point guard. At the shooting guard we have Luka Doncic, who is averaging 31 points per game this year. The last two seasons, he averaged 24 points, and now with the help of Kyrie Irving some of the weight has lifted off his shoulders, which has led to him putting up bigger numbers. Starting at the small forward position is Lebron James, a player many say is the best of all time. He is a 19-time all star who has four championship rings. Also, he is number one on the all-time scoring list. This year he is averaging 28 points, six assists, and seven rebounds. Playing in his 21st season, the numbers he has this year puts him in rare company. At the power forward position we have Giannis Antetokumpo, the Greek Freak, who is averaging 30 points per game. He and his team are tied for third place for the best record in the league right now. He is not on this list because he’s the Greek Freak, he’s on this list because he is one of the top players in the league and is very talented on both offense and defense. At the center position we have Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets. Jokic, who averages 29 points, 13 rebounds, and nine assists per game, has his team, the reigning champions, tied with the Milwaukee Bucks for the third best record this season. He is the best center in the league not just because he averages so many points but because he is a playmaking big man, and his ability to score at-will is scary.

Best NBA Starting 5

Winter Word Search FLURRY SNOWY SNOWMAN HOT CHOCOLATE NEW YEARS MERRY TREE PRESENTS ICY CHILLY WINTER LIGHTS Sports - December 2023

featuring... Describe your senior year so far in one word. Demanding.

Describe your senior year so far in one word. Interesting.

What would you say the most challenging task as a senior is?

What would you say the most challenging task as a senior is? College applications while juggling school work and other responsibilities.

What are you currently looking forward to? Right now winter break! But also senior year activities and graduation.

What are you currently looking forward to? Graduation.

Trying to make the school year count while managing college applications, school work, sports, and social life.

Seifer Cushman

Sumer Elsalawi

Word in the Hall What is your New Year’s resolution?

“My New Year’s resolution is to learn a new skill!” Callie Heckel, 11th

“Next year I want to be more involved in the community.” Saron Yohannes, 11th

“Less screen time!” Mrs. Kelel Page Content by: Abigail Alem and Sage Suddleson