The Whale

The Whale Pierson’s Middle School Magazine February 2022

If Ever a Wiz There Was!

By Islay MacGowan After months of rehearsals, Pierson Middle High School theater has returned to the stage with the musical, The Wizard of Oz. Made up of a cast of talented singers and actors, the performance had viewers immersed in the familiar characters and joyful music.

I had an opportunity to speak to the cast and members of The Wizard of Oz to get their thoughts and insight on the musical.

In an interview with Ally Cottrell who played the lead of Dorothy: What was your favorite scene and why?

I loved Munchkin Land because it gave me a chance to see all the actors together; to see them perform their parts to their best abilities.

What do you like most about acting?

Seeing how my acting has improved from when I was young. It is like an amazing jump!

Describe some fun character traits for the role you played?

Dorothy is kind of clueless at times but loves all the people she meets and is always willing to give them a chance.

Asher Friedman who played Tin Man definity put his whole “heart” into his role. This was his first real play. In an interview with him, I asked: Describe some fun character traits for the role you played.

The Tin Man wouldn’t hurt a butterfly. He grasps for something he thinks he needs but already has.

I like the ‘Oz’ scene. When the Wizard of Oz showed up and said, “I’m Oz the great and powerful.” I had to experiment with different ways of acting frightened. This ended up with a more funny me! I was also able to see other people’s reactions.

What do you like most about acting?

I like to imagine being someone else and understanding their character.

Mr. Freij, the producer, gave us some insight on the production.

What inspired you to choose the Wizard of Oz for the school musical?

The initial theater meeting included only 7th and 8th graders since the 6th grade was not allowed to participate. But the Wizard of Oz was their idea and so they auditioned and were able to act in the musical.

It was super exciting for the Pierson community to be back in the theater and watch the incredible singing and acting of our students after such a long time. Even more exciting for the students participating!

Bethany Dellapolla, the director and choreographer, did an incredible job, especially during this tough time. We truly appreciate the amount of dedication and effort that went into this musical, from the backstage crew and performers to the production crew. Also a big thanks to all who came to see the show!

Culture Gram KANJI OF THE DAY!

By Ben Rywkin In this monthly column we will be learning a lot about the culture, language, religion, food, recipes, history and customs of Japan!

Japanese Onigiri Rice Ball Recipe This tasty and easy Japanese snack is perfect and fun to make for school or home lunch! Onigiri is quick and portable so it's easy to carry around!

That makes it perfect to bring to picnics! The first recorded rice balls go back to the eleventh century

We’ll start with Japanese proverbs! A proverb is a short inspiring phrase to give someone a better understanding of life. Why are proverbs so important in Japanese culture?

Proverbs are very important because they are lessons learned that are passed down from generation to generation. There are proverbs about tea, food, death, learning, love, friendship, patience, and perseverance. Many of them refer to Japanese philosophy, culture or nature.

An example of a Japanese proverb is; Nana korobi yaoki. (Japanese) In English, this translates to: Fall seven times get up eight Someone who falls seven times and gets up eight could be called invincible or in Japanese korosenai. “T” in the proverb “nana korobi yaoki” has the word “koro” in it “Koro” is short for korosenai which means invincible or impossible to destroy.

of Japan! These tasty rice balls were a favorite of the samurai in their time! Samurai were Japanese swordsmen.

INGREDIENTS:

INSTRUCTIONS:

Serves 1-2

Rinse the rice in a mesh strainer until it looks clear.

To make onigiri rice Bring to a boil over high balls you will need: 10.6 oz of japanese short grain rice 13.2 oz of water 1/4 sheet nori seaweed pinch of salt Shiso perilla leaf (optional) Sesame seeds (optional)

Possible fillings: cooked chicken cooked salmon Tuna mayo Pickled plums

February is Black History Month

By Islay MacGowan

Tsukemono Japanese pickles

heat, stirring occasionally.

Reduce heat to low,cover, simmer rice until the water is absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes.

Let rice rest, for 15 minutes IMPORTANT STEP Before handling the rice, combine 1 cup water with the salt in a bowl to dampen hands.

To add fillings take half of the rice ball, stuff with filling, and remold.

Mold into balls or triangles but keep them relatively small.

Sprinkle seeds on the outside Optional but recommended: Wrap bottom of the onigiri with ¼ sheet of nori seaweed. This is nutritious and will hold the rice ball together.

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH

By Islay MacGowan

“They fought slavery, prejudice, and injustice — and changed the face of medicine in America.

They invented modern blood-banking, served in the highest ranks of the U.S. government, and much more. In honor of Black History Month, read the inspiring stories of 10 pioneering black physicians.” National Institutes of Health Black History Month is an annual event that is celebrated every February to educate people about the significance of African American heritage and history.

The idea first originated in 1926 when Carter G. Woodson, an African American historian, scholar, and journalist, declared the second week of February for this purpose.

In 1976, 50 years after the first celebration, President Gerald R. Ford designated the entire month to acknowledge the contributions and achievements of African Americans. He said "Seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history."

(History.com) The reason why Black History Month is in February is because President Lincoln’s and Frederick Douglass' (American abolitionists) birthdays both occur within that month. Both men fought for the rights and the emancipation of Freedmen and were fittingly recognized for their contribution to this movement. Each year focuses on a different theme. This year the theme is Black Health and Wellness; paying tribute to healthcare workers and medical scholars.

“The Muse” by Zeza Tavares-Leitao ”I started this with one idea in mind; to make it look very realistic. I thought I would just do it quickly. I put all ideas aside and also neglected painting it for days. Midway in creating painting, I took a step back and truly saw how sickly and bland she looked. She looked lifeless and unrealistic, and you could really see that I barely tried while painting her. First I was going to start over, but then I realized what and who I do this for. I don’t paint to please others, I do it for my own pleasure. Maybe this isn’t my favorite piece but it reminded me why I paint. It’s easy to forget your love for something special. But you always have to remember that no matter what you do, don’t attempt to please others.

Always aim to please yourself.”

Care for Our Common Home

By Benjamin Ezeir Global warming is when carbon dioxide and air pollution collect in the Earth's atmosphere and absorb sunlight and solar radiation. Pollution can last centuries in the Earth's atmosphere. It traps the sun's heat and causes our planet to get hotter.

Other gasses like carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, water vapor, and synthetic gasses are called greenhouse gasses. Their impact is called the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect has caused the temperature of the earth to rise 2 degrees fahrenheit. You might not think that's a lot but if you have a fever that rises 2 degrees, you will probably feel pretty sick.

Each year that goes by, scientists learn more about the effects of global warming. If all of us aren't able to reduce the pollution, scientists think that climate change may lead to the deaths of more than 250,000 people around the planet. It will also force about 100 million people into poverty by 2040. Global warming is already starting to take effect on the United States. If we don’t begin to take steps to control greenhouse gas emissions, there will be disappearing glaciers and animals, rising sea levels, forest fires, massive storms, and more.

One of the biggest ways to impact climate change is to speak up! Some ways you can do that is to talk to your friends and family. You could make a family garden or just go around the beach or your neighborhood collecting trash. Some other things you could do is use less water or turn off the lights when leaving a room in your house. Or instead of going to a grocery store and having to buy three plastic bags you could bring your own bag instead.

“Sustainability means meeting our own needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (McGill university)

Wondering how you can help fight against global warming?

Most people would think that because global warming is such a big problem they won’t be able to make a dent on its effect, but that's not true.

There are thousands of people helping clean the earth every day, and every one of them makes a big difference. As more people become aware of ways to continue to help the earth, the effects of global warming can be reduced. The planet will not only become cleaner but less animals will become extinct and our oceans will be safer for everyone.

CREATIVE

CORNER

The Season of Rebirth

The Storm we call Winter

-By Olivia Quinn-

As winter comes to a close the season of spring emerges.

It is the season of rebirth, but at the same time the changes that take place are quite indistinct.

Furthermore, the development of this new season is quite fascinating.

Bare trees are replaced with branches of buds.

Leftover snow slowly disappears from sight.

The sun starts to peak out more often and the grass gets greener.

You can hear the birds start to chirp.

The crispness of the air is exchanged for a subtle hint of humidity.

A dizzle is a daily occurrence.

Vibrant colors start to become noticeable.

Flowers begin to surface as they break free from their buds.

Each nuance forms the attributes we know spring by.

From the change of weather to the growth of plants, every modification has an importance.

Nature continues to grow and flourish and next thing you know summer presents itself.

As the storm we call winter passes and spring comes to bring new light, butterflies come to suck sweet nectar out of each and every flower. And as this is happening, we are at Pierson, starting to enjoy mask breaks now that we don’t have to shiver in the cold. I welcome you, Spring!

Artist: Zeza Tavares-Leitao

On the Movie-ie

By Casey Finelli

WARNING! Spoilers to

Shang-Chi and the 10 Rings are included in this essay.

impossible to survive but somehow Shang-Chi did it even though he had no superpowers and didn’t acquire the rings yet.

My grandparents and I watched Shang-Chi and the 10 Rings a couple weeks ago, and I thought it was adequate. It had good acting and did not have a lot of plot holes. However, parts of the movie didn’t make much sense. This made me feel confused and frustrated. Therefore, I would rank the movie an 8 out of 10 because the captive scene didn’t seem possible, the awakening scene was made based on false information, and the drowning scene was unrealistic.

In conclusion, I ranked Shang-Chi and the 10 Rings an 8 out of 10 because Trevor couldn’t have survived in the dungeon for that long, the movie contradicted the trading cards, and Shang-Chi couldn’t have survived that long in the water.

Although the film’s actors were adequate, some scenes left me bewildered and dissatisfied.

Mandarin held a man named Trevor captive for years in his dungeon. Trevor was in his late 50’s and was slightly overweight. The dungeon was dusty, damp, and dark. He also had a pet who was really plump. Trevor had limited access to either food or water in the dungeon, and the little food that he got he split with the pet who was really fat. So, being held captive for years in that scenario, it would be really hard to stay alive for that long.

Another reason why Shang-Chi and the 10 Rings is an 8 out of 10 is that the movie contradicts the 1991 Marvel Entertainment Group™ trading cards. In the movie, Mandarin awakens The Great Destruction. However, according to the 1991 Marvel Entertainment Group™ trading cards Mandarin awakened the dragon named Fin Fang Foom. Furthermore, the trading cards say that Fin Fang Foom was slumbering beneath the Great Wall of China, not the village Ta Lo like the movie says.

My final reason on why Shang-Chi and the 10 Rings is an 8 out of 10 is that when Shang-Chi is drowning, he is in the water for about 10 minutes.

He had nothing to keep him afloat, and he was about 100 meters underwater. Therefore, there was no way that he could have swam to the surface in time. Not only that, but he fought with Mandarin before he was drowning and got sucker punched in the chest while Mandarin had all 10 rings on. These reasons make it physically

Getting to Know You ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ms. Carriero, Pierson Middle High school principal, has served as an administrator since 2013.

Since she is so loved by her students, investigative reporter Jack Grzan decided to interview her as Pierson’s person of the month.

What made you become a teacher?

I was a decent student but I always loved working with kids and having fun. I love the idea of learning and learning new things. I always enjoyed the challenge of learning something that was difficult for me and to create tools to make learning fun for my students.

By Jack Grazan What do you like to do in your free time?

During the pandemic, I learned how to surf. I formed a womanhood, a girl gang in the water. I love to run and exercise. Right now I am training for a half marathon in April.

The final question is something I actually didn’t find out until my mom told me. I hear that you like surfing and that you have a dog.

I do! Her name is Ella. She is a rescue. She was found on the side of the road with 5 other puppies left there when their mother died. She is 11 years old now and loves running on the beach and hanging out with me!

What do you love to teach?

I started out as a physical education teacher but my favorite teaching job was working as a special education integrating co-teacher in New York City.

I taught 7th grade math and science. I really loved helping and supporting the students.

What was the most fun thing you ever did?

When I was younger I traveled to Barcelona, Spain and played field hockey internationally.

It was the first time I felt like an adult. Even though I was only 16, I traveled throughout Europe with my team.

What do you want middle school students to know about you?

I would like students to feel comfortable to come to my office anytime to talk about anything. I want to get to know each one of you and how you are doing.

Middle school can be tough for students and teachers. We are all in this together.

Senior Editor: Isabelle Caplin Advisor: Kira McLaughlin

About Our Senior Editor Isabelle Caplin My name is Izzy Caplin and I am the senior editor of Pierson’s Middle School Magazine, The Whale.

I have contributed to and worked with editing the school literary magazines and newspapers since sixth grade and was very excited to be given the opportunity to act as senior editor for The Whale this year. I am currently a sophomore and contribute to the high school newspaper and literary magazine.

I love to write and work with younger students who share my passion for writing.

I was recently published in The Eldridge Tide and Pilot Book and take creative writing courses through the school and John Jermain Library. I have also participated in writing workshops during the past two summers. My positive experience with the literary magazine allowed my love for writing to grow.

By Gigi Papazian