The Raider Flash- Volume 5

the

Summer summer

issue

FEATURING: Spring Musical Wonka wowed audiences Blind Boxes From Smiski to Sonny Angels Bar & Bat Mitzvahs Seventh grade soirees

Table of Contents

3 Spring Musical 4 Dress for Dinner 5 Gossip Girl Compatibility 6 Nails 7 Community Service 8 Makeup 9 Hairstyles

By Layla Rivera & Eden Sotolongo

By Lily Garcia & Jimena Franco

By Philippine Ritter & Lucia Moreno Lopez Rua

By Sophia Ersinzon & Amelia Di Mattia

By Sofia Villagomez Harnes & Maria Antonia De Farias

By Victoria Gonzalez & Duda Rodrigues

By Olly Miranda, Mika Rodriguez, Liza Trujillo

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10 Starbucks Summer Menu 11 Colorful Cute Blind Boxes 12 Jewelry 13 Coachella 14 Book Reviews 15 Bar & Bat Mitzvahs 16 Summer Blockbusters

By Olivia Trejos & Emilia Barreiro

By Priscilla Freeman & Emma Perez

By Pia Arango & Stella Roubach Tomeo

By Natalia Botty & Clementina Coll

By Anabella Rodriguez & Liana Moyer

By Antonio Padoveze Goncalves

By Sameena Shroff & Sofia Vives

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Students express their style through hair across the campus.

Stunning Styles

Hair Down

Ponytail

Braids

“I like wearing my hair down because it is easy and it looks good.”

Carolina Caporal (7)

“I like wearing my hair in a ponytail because a majority of the time, it’s hot, and it gets my hair out of my face.

It’s a cute way to look put togehter and clean.”

Quinn Noyes (8)

“I think it’s fun to switch up your hair.

This week I wore my hair down, in a bun, and a braid.”

Ana Leyba (8)

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performing to perfection April 16-18, Middle School students performed WIlly Wonka as the 2026 Spring Musical.

Eighth grader Luke Gelber plays Willy Wonka in the Theatre Department’s production of Willy Wonka. The show revolved around five children who won tours of the famous Wonka Chocolate Factory. During this show, Gelber dedicated himself completely. He was focused every rehearsal and was memorized two weeks in. His complete dedication was evident during the shows.

“As a kid, I loved the original Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, so when the musical was announced I knew I wanted to audition. I was beyond excited when I got the role and I was so proud of myself,” said Gelber. “I knew going into rehearsals I wanted to bring a focused vibe to everyone and inspire the others to maintain focus. I think the show was one of my best performances.”

During the four months of rehearsal, every student worked tirelessly balancing school and rehearsals. Many students learned a lot more about time management. Some even had sports after rehearsal as well. Sixth grader Nyla Benitez, managed being a principle, school, and being a part of the girl varsity soccer team.

“I have a ton of things after school and it’s really easy to get overwhelmed. I did this by using my tutorial time wisely, even though I really wanted to go hang out with my friends, I didn’t. Instead I did the majority of my work in tutorial which was super helpful,” Benitez said.

One of the most memorable moments of the musical was being backstage. Backstage was where students got to make so many memories. They were able to do self awareness circles. Seventh grader Olivia Figueiredo Assumpcao spent her time talking in a circle.

“I started the self awareness circles last year with Ava. [Anthon] We started them as a way for everyone to feel included before the shows. Then ton of people started joining,” Assumpcao said.

Photo by Sheila Ringel

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Expect Nothing Less Raiders show off their fashion for a dinner out.

Off the Shoulder

Dinner parties are all fun but when it comes to dressing out, it becomes the highlight of the night. Whether there is a dress code or not, the more decked out, the better. “If I were to go to a dinner I would wear my blue Pacsun jeans with an off the shoulder top from Aritzia and my blue Adidas spezial shoes,” said Philippine Ritter (8).

Gossip Girl is a very popular teen drama series from the 2000’s. This show has been popular since it was released and people love it for the interesting characters, amazing ships, and interesting plot twists.

Serena & Nate

Serena is the main character in Gossip Girl, and is Blair’s best friend. The two girls get into a fight when Serena, randomly leaves Manhattan to go to boarding school. When she gets back, Blair finds out that Serena and Nate, who is Blair’s boyfriend, got together secretely, Many love the couple so much because they act the same and have known each other for so long. “My favorite gossip girl ship is Serena and Nate because they are really cute together and they match each other’s energy really well,” sixth grader Helena Ersinzon said.

Blair & Chuck

Blair and Chuck have always had a spark since the beginning of the series, when they were both in the same friend group. But things take a turn for the two, and they end up dating, and stick together for the whole series.

“My favorite Gossip Girl ship is Blair and Chuck because they are very compatible and they act the same,” eighth grader Natalie Perkins said.

Short & Sweet Gulliver girls are not short in style.

Students take every opportunity to strike with their style. “I would wear a mini skirt from Zara and a tan colored tank top from Aritzia,” said Harper Worthington (6).

Keep it Casual What is a party without a stunning new outfit to show off? Gulliver students are ready to impress all eyes every day and night. “To a dinner party, I would wear khaki pants and a button down shirt,” said Zackary Krys (8).

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Gossip Girl Compatability

Serena & Dan

Serena, who has just gotten back from boarding school, meets Dan, who is new to their school. They first become friends, but viewers have always realized something with the couple. It was a coincidence, at first that their parents dated when they were young, but it really contributes to their chemistry. “My favorite Gossip Girl ship is Serena and Dan because they have a lot of chemistry and they have been together for so long they match each other well,” seventh grader Ava Anthon said.

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Making a Difference

Hands make the Outfit English teacher Maria Gonzalez also enjoys having her nails done.

“I like my nails becuase hands are a reflection of ones personality,” said Gonzalez.

Eliana Kestin (7) love having her nails done, “I like using a light pink color because it makes me feel chic fancy,” said Kestin.

Middle school students usually have small ways of expressing who they are through details and accessories. One of the most popular ways to do this is through nails. Nails vary for every student with some designings having gems, french tips and odd shapes to others being a simple color. This helps many students to show themselves and gain confidence every day.

Seventh grader Bianca Schwartz doesn’t just always have her nails done but she also does themselve, “ I’ve always loved being creative and I like being able to display it,” said Schwartz.

Meet two students who are making a difference in their community.

“This year to complete my comunity service and do my part, I put out a box in Pinecrest Gardens where people could stop by and put their used or unwanted soccer gear. Such as, cleats, balls, shoes and whatever other gear and equipment they had. This project was speciffically created for immigrants who do not have enough money to be able to buy new and fancy equipment to wear when playing soccer. I decided to do this because soccer is a big thing in my life and I feel as though everyone should be able to follow a dream or passion such as I did with soccer, and also because I know how much it could and will really help those who want to become soccer players. I feel super proud of myself knowing that I helped somebody.”

Santiago Krauze (7) “I made about sixty turkey and cheese sandwiches for those that are either homeless, starving, or that can’t afford a good meal. Then I put all of the sandwiches in one of the community fridges that’s pretty close to where I live.I decided to do this becasue I wanted to be like a helping hand for those who needed it most. I also wanted to give back to my community, it just felt like the right thing to do. I definetly feel super happy and very proud of myself knowing that I have made an impactful difference in my community. I definetely plan on doing more to give back in the future.”

Lucas Ortega (7)

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Upcoming Movies Highlight of my Day Students were asked about what their go-to makeup product is.

Kylie Cosmetics Lip Liner The lip liner from Kylie Cosmetics is perfect to carry around in your purse. “My favorite makeup product is the Kylie Cosmetics lip liner because it matches my lip color and is really easy to put on but it still looks good,” said Laura Rueda (8).

Patrick Ta Blush

The blush from Patrick Ta includes a powder side and a cream side.“My favorite makeup product is my blush from Patrick Ta. I love using this blush because it is in the perfect shade and it really brings out my features,” said Isa Marcano (8).

Rhode Duo Rhode Pocket Pocket Blush Blush and and Lip Lip Tint tint Duo

The Rhode blush and lip tint are a perfect duo and bring out your features. “I love using all the Rhode makeup products but especially the lip tints and the pocket blush because they are light weight and don’t look like I have so much makeup on,” said Silvana Holschneider (8).

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Here are three must-see movies hitting the theaters over the summer.

Animation When Bonnie’s childhood toys discover a hidden workshop where forgotten playthings rebuild themselves, Woody and Buzz race against time and technology in the fifth edition of this film series one toy at a time. This movie comes out June 19, 2026. “I’m excited for it to come out because I’ve watched all the other movies before and I can’t wait to see a new movie based on what I watched when I was little,” said Eduarda Rodrigues (7).

Sequel Andy Sachs (played by actress Anne Hathaway) returns to the fashion world as a mentor for training a new generation of stylists, this time as editor-in-chief of Runway magazine. When her apprentice faces sabotage from a rival designer, Andy must choose between protecting her student and bringing back the killer instincts she thought she’d left behind. This movie comes out May 1, 2026. “I really enjoyed the first one and I’m excited to see what new story this one will bring,” said Emily Trejos (7).

Superhero Tom Holland and Zendaya are back, teaming up as main characters in the upcoming movie Spider Man Brand New Day, which comes out in theaters right towards the end of summer on July 31, 2026. The movie picks up at the end of Spider-Man: No Way Home, and now the world is forgetting Peter Parker’s existence. Now, Parker’s focus remains solely on protecting New York City from street-level crime without being noticed. At the end of it, only one Spider-Man can decide which day gets to be brand new. “I think there’s going to be a lot of new characters in this movie, so I’m really excited about that,” said Nicolas Sabagh (5).

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Starbucks Summer

New Summer menu becomes a hit with students.

Dubai Chocolate Brownie Bite

“To me, the Dubai chocolate brownie filled bite was not good. I think Starbucks has done way better regarding chocolate and Dubai mixed together in a brownie. I don’t think these mix especially this one. It was quite bitter, and I felt like I was biting into soil when I took a bite out of itwhen I processed the flavor I Couldn’t think because I was busy tricking my brain into thinking I wasn’t eating dirt.”

Emma Perez (8)

Summer Drink Menu

“The summer Starbucks drinks were really good especially the many Matcha. The other drinks are Really good too because they screamed summer to me the most.

I really recommend these drinks and food because it is welcoming us into a new season full of laughter and fun.”

Priscilla Freeman (8)

Frog Cake Pop

Blind Boxes

Recently blind boxes, especially Sonny Angels, have been gaining a lot of popularity because of the suspense there is before opening them. These figurines come in a huge variety of series which are all colorful and have their own personal charm making customers fall in love quickly.

“I like collecting Sonny Angels because they are really cute and it is fun to open the boxes and see what you get.

There are also a lot of different collections for it and you can choose which one you want and you can also trade with your friends which makes it fun,” said Sofia Queen (8).

Hippers

A form of Sonny Angels offers a more practical way to carry them.

Smiskis Series

Another product sold by Sonny Angel gains popularity.

Smiskis, Sonny Angel’s green cousin, is another fun blind box that has gained popularity recently.

These come in a wide range of sets to choose from, each being fun and cute. “I love Smiskis because their poses are so cute and I love their simple design,” said Pia Arango (8).

Series Rankings

Students vote on their favorite Sonny Angels series.

Sonny Angel Hippers are an alternative to regular Sonny Angels, as these come in a resting position.

These can be attached to anything, ranging from

phone cases to car

dasbhoards. “I think the

Sonny Angel Hippers are

really cute and I like how ]

they’re sitting instead of

standing up,” said Liana Moyer (7).

“I think that the cake pop from Starbucks is really good and it tastes really amazing. The texture of the cake itself is like perfect consistency and it really pops the flavor and I also think the frog image looks so much cuter. It makes it look more cute.”

Stella Roubach Tomeo (8)

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Jewelry

Students express what they enjoy and like about wearing jewelry.

COACHELLA RECAP

“I wear jewelry because it adds more accessories and it makes me feel more put together.”

Carolina Guerrero (8)

“I like wearing jewelry because I like how it looks and there so many options so every day I have something different to match my outfit.”

Emma Perez (8)

I wear jewelry because I want people to know that I have style and it makes every outfit feel special.”

Priscilla Freeman (8)

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Coachella 2026 was an amazing experience like something out of a fairytale. There were so many performances and things to do. It wasn't just a festival, it was a place where people got to express themselves and meet new people from all over the world. “I know that Coachella is an event which brings a bunch of people together along with music artists who perform their hearts out to their loving fans, and how you get to explore and have the time of your life, it's kind of like a bunch of concerts into one,”said 7th grader Victoria Gonzalez .Many students enjoyed the experience through Via livestream.

Sabrina Carpenter headlined the opening night, dominating the stage. Her songs were incredible and people loved all her iconic outfits. Then came rave-core day. It was loud, fun, and energetic. That day was also called Bieber day which was a very special day for many because it marked Justin Bieber’s Major return to the stage after a four- year break from fame.

“My sister went to the events and she really liked Justin Bieber's because he’s not really

that popular anymore but he did really well.” said 6th grader Sofia Reynolds.

Then officially wrapping the both weekends of Coachella was Colombian singer Karol G which was joined by many famous spanish singers such as Becky G, Wisin, Mariah Angeliq, and Greg Gonzalez.

One of the most attention grabbers were the 2026 Coachella outfits, which many students exclaimed about how they would style their outfits. The most popular outfits worn were Micro shorts ,Crochet sets, Sheer fabrics,Mini skirts, and Bikini tops. “If I had the opportunity to go to Coachella I would probably wear black micro shorts , then a white crochet sweater and then probably a cute top and head scarf and then boots,” said 7th grader Miranda Arcia.

The campgrounds were so exciting with many food options and photo ops. The only downsides were high wind going from 35–40 mph which caused significant damage to camp areas, blowing over tents and canopies. Overall Coachella 2026 was on to remember for a lifetime, having music, art, and just people coming together.

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brilliant books Bar and Bat Students from all grades share opinions on the books they read for school.

Mitzvahs

Grade 8 “My favorite school book this year, as an EDGE student, is Refugee because my teacher explained it in a very cool way and we got to see all the perspectives in the book of each kid going through their situations. We also got to find out how they all correlate in the end of the story.”

Jimena Franco

Grade 7 “As a seventh grade Honors student, I read And Then There Were None and I really liked reading it because it was very fun to read and after every chapter I always wanted to read more of the story.”

Bar and Bat mitzvahs were the hype for seventh graders. In Jewish tradition, when a child turns 13, they become an adult. They have a coming of age ceremony, following after a party with all their friends and families. Bar and Bat mitzvahs have guests, food, photo booths, dance floor, a DJ to get the vibe going, and more.

Seventh grader Jett Gola had to sing and also read from the Torah in front of his friends and family, in order to do his bar mitzvah. After he did all that his friends and family celebrated him with a big party with lots of activities.

“During my ceremony I sang and read from The Torah while my family watched me represent my religion and pride,” Gola said.

Per tradition, seventh grader Kaia Berkowitz had her friends and family carry her in the air in a chair while singing a special song.

“A tradition that I did at my bat mitzvah was when my family and friends carried me on a chair while playing Hava Nagila,” said Berkowitz.

Seventh grader Celine Beekman’s favorite part of having a bat mitzvah was her bat mitzvah community service project.

“I raised money for cancer children to help pay for their treatments and facilities,” said Beekman.

Students enjoy celebrating their friends for their Bar and Bat Mitzvahs.

Katelyn Gonzalez

Grade 6

“As a sixth grade Honors student, we read a lot of books, but out of all of them my favorite was the Percy Jackson novel. It was easy to understand and I feel like there was always some sort of adventure going on. It was super interesting in my opinion.”

Gustavo Bellinatti Grineberg

Grade 5

“My favorite book I read is Hana’s Suitcase because it taught me about the story of the Holocaust and how unfair it was. We also, other than just reading the book, did a ton of background research about where Hana stayed and her family.”

Pedro Villa 15

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