Tapress
Students Recruit New Members at Annual Club Fair
By Aline Waldhauser
The second annual Tappan Zee Club Fair took place on September 22, 2022 where over 30 club officers and students recruited new members
Students at TZHS have an opportunity to join and engage in their interests with fellow students The club fair opened up opportunities to navigate extra-curriculars While existing members of the club sat at their information tables giving out details to observing students, they excitedly showed off their posters or fliers made to attract members Some of these clubs include the Social Justice Club, Environmental Club, and the Discussion Club, all three consisting of passionate leaders who strive to create an environment open to anyone interested
Siena McQuade, one of the presidents of the Social Justice club stated that one of their main purposes “is to raise money for our sister school in Tanzania” and informs that the clubs will “meet weekly to have informed discussions” CoPresident Anna Pastore shared her opinion on the purpose of this club, saying it is “to spread awareness on current events and past events and how they affect us today”
A second important club at the Tappan Zee club fair is the Environmental Club Reilly Johnson, the president, shared that “the purpose
this club is to discuss different environmental issues and create posters to spread awareness ” This includes making art to spread recognition on these global issues in the environment
For people open to discuss any real world issue, the Discussion Club was also recruiting members Cate Doyle, the club president, states that the purpose of the club is “to create an environment where all different types of opinions can be shared in a respectful manner”
The Tappan Zee High School website also offers an opportunity for anyone interested to join the Yearbook Club where students are able to get involved with the design and production of the high school yearbook This offers students to take part in an important and popular item the high school offers, logging year-long memories into a public book
World languages are important to many students at Tappan Zee, which is why each language provided at the school offers a club to anyone interested For instance, the Italian Club celebrates Italian culture, with food, music, holiday traditions, and field trips
With all these club opportunities, students are able to explore their interests and express themselves with a sense of belonging, interacting with other students who have similar
interests, and even potentially taking on a leadership role in the club in later years
When the school year began, students once again flooded the parking lots of Tappan Zee To park at the high school, students had to attend a safe driving course run by the Orangetown Police Department For the first few months, only seniors are allowed to park on campus
Senior Liyana Astafa found this class to be helpful “It restated everything I learned in my driver’s education class, but it was a good refresher," she said "I think it’s important, but I think there are other aspects of driving that could be talked about, too ”
Currently, students have temporary parking passes - red pieces of paper that they keep on their dashboards - but the school plans to number the spots in the parking lot and give numbered stickers Astafa appreciates the idea but does not believe that it will be effective “I don’t think it’s going to change that much about the parking lot There are juniors who are still going to take other people’s spots That’s something they label as something that’s going to be better but I don’t think it will be ”
Astafa only drives when she has an extracurricular activity after school and tries to drive others whenever she can She says, “Parking isn’t horrible if you get there early, but it’s hard to leave the parking lot after school My biggest complaint is that this parking lot has only one entrance and exit Everybody has to funnel into a line Everyone is doing their own thing We’re all student drivers I’m a little nervous about that ”
Other students share Astafa’s sentiment Senior Reilly Johnson thinks that the parking itself is fine but expresses concern with the drivers She said there is a big problem with leaving the parking lot “Two lines merge into one to leave It should be every other car, but people will speed up to cut me off Just be nice,” Johnson said
Some do not share this point of view, though Senior Jack Haughey drives to school almost every day and he finds no issue with parking “It’s perfect It works how a normal parking lot works,” says Jack “I drive to school, leave during lunch, come back, then leave school and I have no issues every time ”
Junior parking did begin for a handful of students right around Thanksgiving Approximately 20 lucky juniors were permitted to park after they completed a safe driving course While seniors park in the lot on Dutch Hill Road, juniors park in the Bataan Road lot
For those students who do not drive, TZHS provides a bus to and from school every day to every student who lives 1 5 miles or further from the school There are crossing guards at six different intersections around the high school and late buses Monday through Thursday arriving around 4:10 PM
members for the Discussion Club
Seniors Begin Biliteracy Pursuit
By Carol DaquilemaWorld Language teachers are starting to prepare their students to pursue the New York State Seal of Biliteracy in the spring The seal recognizes high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English and one or more world languages The seal’s purpose is to prepare students with 21st-century skills, to recognize the value of language instruction, and to affirm the importance of diversity in a multilingual society The award is given to students at graduation as a seal on the student’s diploma and a medallion
To earn the NYS Seal of Biliteracy, students must complete coursework for both English and the language of choice Students must also present a culminating project, usually a slideshow, in both English and the desired language to demonstrate levels of proficiency Members of the world language faculty will then interview the students about the presentation in the language being assessed, using a New York State rubric to evaluate the project and the student’s level of proficiency
Senior Lauren McNamara is one of the many seniors pursuing the Seal of Biliteracy this year She is currently taking French V with Madame Hayes, is co-president of the French Club, is a prospective member of La Société Honoraire de Français (French Honor Society), and has taken French classes for approximately ten years
McNamara said, “I want to appreciate cultures other than the one I was born into,” and she believes earning the NYS Seal is a great first step to achieving that goal
Since the implementation of this program at TZHS three years ago, 25 seniors have earned the Seal of Biliteracy, including three who qualified for tri-literacy, demonstrating the significance of world language in the TZHS community
Administration Shares New Attendance Policy for Students
By Isabella Matthew
The newly implemented attendance policy at Tappan Zee High School for the 2022-23 school year concerns all students who have never experienced an attendance policy before
The new attendance policy allows for 18 absences per full-year course throughout the school year Some students believe that number is unfair Many students think absences should not be limited as long as grades are maintained throughout the school year
Senior Kayla Walsh said, "I believe that the 18 days of absences are not fair because if you are sick or have other personal reasons not to be in school, your grades will be affected by it "
Similarly, junior Milena Balaguer said, "The eighteen days of absences are not fair because we do not know how many days we will be sick throughout the year"
Students believe that the new attendance policy should not be as strict, given that most students currently in the high school have never had to worry about an attendance policy in previous years Walsh said, "I think that if they were going to start to enforce the new attendance policy, they should ease into it and
not be so strict "
Although, from an administrator's point of view, Assistant Principal Ms Luciano said, "We understand that the policy feels new for many, but we are implementing an existing policy Research shows that there is a strong correlation between attendance and student achievement "
Ms Luciano further states, "Another problem numerous students have expressed negative feelings for is the issue regarding absences in lab classes If marked absent on a day when a
Honoring Hispanic Heritage Month at TZHS
By Gabriela DohertyHispanic Heritage month is an important tradition that celebrates Hispanic/latino cultures as well as important figures In many public schools, Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) is often overlooked It starts September 15th and ends October 15th This is chalked up to being an awkward time of the school year and causes a lack of acknowledgement by students, staff, etc
This year, TZ students, organizations, and faculty made efforts to acknowledge HHM while also exploring how TZ as a whole can improve representation during this time
A big aspect of TZ is inclusivity Inclusivity can be seen throughout certain clubs and organizations at school such as Social Justice Club (SJC) Social Justice Club aims to highlight and improve social, racial, religious, and other injustices in our school as well as society as a whole Seniors Anna Pastore and Siena Mcquade are the current co-presidents of SJC Both were very excited about Hispanic Heritage Month
In fact, Mcquade had a lot to say about this important time when asked what this club would contribute As a student at Tappan Zee High School, I feel representation is very important That is one of the reasons why I joined this club in the first place "
"The Social Justice Club created a board about Hispanic Heritage Month that was displayed at the beginning of the 400 hallway, and in our recent meeting we talked about ways to include more Hispanic/Latinx education in our school curriculum, as well as how to bring more of these conversations to a regular classroom One big part of that meeting was discussing the current events happening right now in NYC and ways we can help We plan on organizing a drive or donation event in order to raise money for shelters in NYC," Mcquade said The event she is referring to is the crisis many immigrants are going through right now Since this summer the Governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, has been busing groups of immigrants
from Texas to NYC as a political move By doing this, shelters in NYC are becoming dangerously overpopulated and migrants are now seeking asylum
Spanish Honor Society (SHS) leaders are also trying their best to represent HHM Senior Vivian Rodriguez is also very passionate about Hispanic Heritage Month I am a hispanic woman at TZ so obviously this time of month is very important to me, but I also think that representation should be a concern for the whole year and not just a month I am currently working beside my co-president Zach Sabatini to generate ways we can help show the proper representation for the whole school year
When asking a random group of students if they were aware of when Hispanic Heritage Month was, they were all unaware
Senior Lauren Michel said, I knew about Hispanic Heritage Month, but I wasn't really sure about the specific details about the month like when it ended or started or what it's really about I don't take Spanish but none of my other teachers have brought up Hispanic Heritage Month either When asked what class she thought would be most appropriate to bring up this topic she said, "I think History classes would be the most important place to bring up this topic because it's the where we also learn about Black History month and other important information about minority groups
While TZ is a very progressive school, there is always room for learning and improvement Hispanic Heritage Month is used to celebrate the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America The reason why it is in the middle of the month is because HHM coincides with multiple hispanic regions' independence days and was originally only one week It is important to know the history of this month as well as its people While Hispanic Heritage Month 2022 has ended, it is important to never stop talking, learning, and growing as individuals and a community
student has a scheduled lab class, that class is counted as two absences The teachers have the ability to take attendance for each period separately For any class that does not have this ability, this is taken into account when we are reviewing the data we receive If you're missing instructional time, you are naturally missing important information that will help you succeed in the class "
Walsh and fellow senior Zyna Mathew believe that the lab absence part of the policy is also unfair and that there should be more absences allowed for lab classes if students are going to be marked absent twice for one day
The new attendance policy also states that half-year classes are allowed nine absences, whereas phys ed classes are only allowed six absences
When asked why the two classes have different amounts of allowed absences, Ms Luciano stated, "The number of absences allowed is dependent on the number of times the class meets PE is a cycled course (every other day) which is why it varies from a course which meets every day"
TAPRESS STAFF BOX
Published by the staff of Tapress as a service to the students, faculty, and community of Tappan Zee High School The editors urge members of the community to submit letters to the editors for publication
Letters can be mailed to Tappan Zee High School, ATTN Tapress, 15 Dutch Hill Road, Orangeburg, New York 10962, or emailed to tapress@gmail com All letters must be signed; no anonymous letters will be con-sidered for publication
Tapress reserves the right to edit all materials submitted for grammar and length All submissions become the property of Tapress The views ex-pressed in editorials are the views of the author alone In no way should they be considered to represent the views of Tapress, Tappan Zee High School, or the South Orangetown Central School District
Editor-in-Chief -- Ailish MacDonnell Associate Editor -- Matthew Tobin News Editors -- Nuala Mahady and Isabella Popescu Sports Editors -- Cassidy Chang and Ariana Kupi
Features Editors -- Anastasia Albert and Chris Vanderhoef Advisors -- Christopher Novak and Mark Stanford
STAFF: Liyana Astafa, Carol Daquilema, Gabriela Doherty, Ava Handelman, Celina Holder, Justin Johnson, Cameron Keeperman, Isabella Matthew, Mary McCormack, Jack Pernick, Brandon Slane, Aline Waldhauser, Madeline Wennerod, Carrie Williams
Banned Books Week Spurs Conversation
By Isabella Popescu and Nuala MahadyTo be or not to be banned? That’s right folks, Banned Books Week 2022 has come and gone once again, so clear your minds and kick that brain into high gear! Every year, the American Library Association and Amnesty International celebrate the freedom to read and the joys of being different From September 18th to 24th, books of all shapes and sizes were highlighted to emphasize the freedom to express ideas, as well as the importance of open access to information
The theme of this year’s Banned Books Week was: “Books Unite Us Censorship Divides Us ” The goal of this year’s event was to shed light on the dangers of censorship and the importance of exposure to new ideas and ways of thinking Banned Books Week is always an especially important week here at TZHS, with students and teachers alike joining together to have deep, thought-provoking discussions about the dangers of book banning Book banning is categorized as a form of censorship, and often occurs when government officials, organizations, or private individuals have books removed from school reading lists, libraries, or bookstore shelves This occurs because the group banning the book objects to a book’s themes, ideas, or content
Maks Grach, a freshman, shared his opinions on banning books He believes that “different expressions of ideas are important for society because variety is a great thing to have Having only a few types of books to read is limiting ”
English teachers Ms McMane and Ms Erickson feel especially passionate about Banned Books Week, as they “have been running a Banned Books Project in English 10 Honors for years too many to count!” said Ms McMane
Ms Erickson believes that “the expression of ideas is important for a society’s success ” She said, “I’m much more a proponent of allowing everything on shelves and leaving it up to individuals to censor what they read There’s also a saying that ‘sunlight is the best disinfectant ’ If ideas are truly unworthy, leaving them open to inspection is far better than leaving them under wraps, where they actually might gain more interest and momentum because they are deemed verboten ”
Ms McMane shares the opinion that “books are banned out of fear People do not like to be uncomfortable However, to quote Ray Bradbury, ‘We need to be really bothered once in a while ’”
Reading books exposes people to a world they otherwise would never have known By opening up to the wonderful world of books, people are allowing themselves to learn about others and their experiences "It is the only way to change and grow," Ms McMane said
Books are banned for a number of reasons Some are pretty far-fetched, while others reflect current issues plaguing societies today When asked what they thought the number one reason for book banning is, people had varying answers “It changes over the years Right now, 5/10 of the most banned books are banned because they discuss sexuality, particularly LGBTQ+ issues, which are often a taboo subject in our society,” noted Ms McMane
Ms Erickson said, “People are often uncomfortable with ideas that challenge their own world views, and that discomfort can sometimes translate to fear Thus, they seek to eliminate that which makes them uncomfortable However, I think it's often powerful to expand one's point of view by experiencing some discomfort! As Faber tells Montag in Fahrenheit 451, ‘do you know why books such as this are so important? Because
they have quality And what does the word quality mean? To me it means texture This book has pores ’ The texture and pores of literature may be ugly at times; however, the read may be worthwhile and beneficial ”
Top 10 Banned Books of 2021 (according to the American Library Association and CBSNews com):
1 Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe
2 Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison
3 All Boys Aren’t Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto by George M Johnson
4 Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Perez
5 The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
6 The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
7 Me and Earl and the Dying Girl: A Novel by Jesse Andrews
8 The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
9 This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson
10 Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out by Susan Kuklin
Queen Leaves Lasting Impression from Afar
By Ava HandelmanQueen Elizabeth II, 96, passed away on September 8, 2022 at her home in Balmoral Castle after ruling for 70 years Despite the United States being a whole ocean away from the United Kingdom, the Queen has had an impact on Americans while she was alive which continues even after her death
Numerous people in the Tappan Zee community reacted to the Queen’s passing and mourned her death Ellary Boyle, a sophomore who has family in Worcestershire and Stamford, England, stated, “We were sad to hear of her passing, as it was quite a shock We love and respect the Queen because above all else, she dedicated her life to serving the country Even if you disagree with the monarchy, she did her best to lead with dignity, respect, and ultimately to lead by example ”
Her death will generate quite a change for the residents of the United Kingdom As Boyle said, “The vast majority of the UK do not remember another ruler The Queen has been part of our life for our whole lives ”
Queen Elizabeth’s legacy includes many great triumphs At only 13 years old, she desired to fulfill her duty and enlist in World War II However, the royal family would not allow their heir to be placed in jeopardy She urged her family, and as Ellary Boyle said, “The Queen became a Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) and trained as an auto mechanic as soon as she became of age at 18 ” This action was one of many that turned her into a role model for people all across the globe
Another success of Queen Elizabeth’s was her 2013 royal approval of the Succession to the Crown Act Boyle stated, “One of my favorite accomplishments is that she helped to change the
law so that the oldest child (not the oldest male child) becomes monarch Hence making things much fairer for females in the royal family”
In a world full of derogatory opinions towards women, Queen Elizabeth made their voices heard and respected This act not only forever changed the place of women in the monarchy, but it was and would continue to be a symbol of power for women everywhere To show respect and celebrate the Queen, Boyle and her family watched the funeral service all day and toasted a bottle of "fizz" in her name
Queen Elizabeth’s life was not one without challenges, yet it was how she faced them that made her become an exemplary model When talking about her, a world history teacher at Tappan Zee High School, Ms Carroll, stated, “Her ability to withhold personal opinions about issues was extraordinary She consistently, and for so many years served as a source of stability (for which she was often criticized) for the sake of unity and national identity”
While Queen Elizabeth's life was one to be celebrated, it also held a great deal of controversy Many people chastise the British monarchy for its past Now that Queen Elizabeth has passed, her firstborn, King Charles III, has become the successor to the throne He will also be the oldest man to assume the throne
Ms Carroll said, “There are some parts of the Commonwealth very divided on the history and circumstances of their relationship to Britain I would think that King Charles will have to deal with some of the animosity directed at the crown While it's difficult to predict, I would imagine he will try to emulate his mother and stay above politics ”
Freshman Alyssa Chiappa said she looks up to the Queen as an inspiration for aspiring to her dreams Since she was little, her main ambition was to become a leader in society Chiappa stated, “I had always thought that to be a leader or a person of importance you had to be a man That is until I learned about Queen Elizabeth, a beloved and essential woman in the United Kingdom who quickly became my role model For me she was something more; she represented that my goals were possible At only 25, she was reigning over the British Empire and challenging people's ideas of women ”
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Students Welcome Return to Normal
By Carrie WilliamsTappan Zee High School's juniors are experiencing their first “normal” year of high school since 2019 Without strict social distancing requirements and mask mandates, many students say they are more connected to teachers and their peers than they’ve been in the past three years
“I haven’t been taking the past few years seriously, so I feel like I really need to step up my game this year,” said junior Megan Blaskovic “But I’m excited to participate in normal school events like pep rallies and homecoming ”
Other students like junior Declan Oliva agree “Sophomore year was different because we were coming straight out of the height of Covid, and now everything is back in full swing this year,” Oliva said
While students remain excited about the school year, the accompanying stress that goes with it is inevitable With homework, testing, and stricter attendance policies, students will feel the pressure of attending school and transitioning back to a "normal" workload
By Celina HolderThe newly constructed Wellness Center in the 700s hallway is a place for students to come and focus on their mental health They can talk to any of the prevention counselors there or simply use the space to rewind and relax from the stress of school Many kids used this space last year and it was shown to improve a lot of their grades and mental health Now that the Wellness Center is bigger and better, even more kids can use the space at the same time
Students shared how they feel about the school becoming more proactive in caring about students' mental health Junior Milena Balaguer, said, “I think that's great because I have many friends that talk to the prevention counselors there ” Mrs Scott, the school prevention counselor, also said, “I love it It makes me happy that the administrators find students' mental health important ”
The Wellness Center has many benefits, but the most important thing is how the students feel about it Junior Jack Kryger said, “I think it's good because it gives students a place to go when they need to get well ” Mrs Scott also said, “Seeing all the students use the space last year really showed us that this was something that was needed ”
Many students do not even know about the space and what it is used for Hopefully, now that it is open again, more students will use it There are also teachers there to talk about what is going on in a student’s life Kryger said, “Now that I know there are teachers there to help, I would go because sometimes it's nice to be understood ” Balaguer added, “Some people are going through hard times and just need a break from school ”
According to the State Comptroller, “New York became the first state to require that health education in schools must include instruction in mental health The Law mandates all school districts to ensure that their health education programs recognize the multiple dimensions of health by including mental health and the relation of physical and mental health to enhance student understanding, attitudes, and behaviors that promote health, well-being, and human dignity”
Throughout New York, people are coming together and building better schools by making the students feel safer Knowing that your school cares about you and your feelings has been proven to help with a positive mindset and overall improved academics
With the isolation of the pandemic, mental health struggles have been affecting students all around the world
According to a survey conducted in 2021 by the CDC, approximately 30 percent of all high school students experienced poor mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic 19 9 percent had seriously considered suicide Extreme feelings of hopelessness were prevalent in students regardless of gender, sexual identity, or race
TZ prevention counselor, Ms Scott shared advice on how to deal with stress throughout the school year
“Routine is really good for mental health ” Ms Scott said “Getting enough sleep, eating right, and making time for the things you enjoy, are all good habits ”
Ms Scott said, “My job as prevention counselor is to support students when they need help, to be an advocate and ear to listen I am willing to listen and give advice ”
Another perk of the new space is that all Wellness Center teachers in one spot Mrs Scott is just one of the many great teachers that students can talk to whenever they feel the need Next time you are in the 700s hall, come check it out!
Inspired Senior Adds Enhancements to Rail Trail
By Liyana AstafaSafe Routes Club, created by senior Matthew Tobin in December 2020, is described as a “causal, interest-based club ” The main purpose of the club is to create safer and more appealing ways for students to walk and/or bike to the high school from focal points in the community
The club regularly participates in walk audits, where its members walk to a particular location to determine how safe it is to walk to and from the high school When asked how the safety of the routes is determined, Tobin states, “We look for the conditions of sidewalks and crosswalks, bike lanes, driver behaviors, and how useful a trail is for getting from place to place ” So far, the club has evaluated routes beginning at the rail trail to Sparkill, the rail trail to Blauvelt, and the middle school to the high school
While the club has made so much progress already, they aren’t stopping solely at walk audits On October 8th, five students and some supervisors installed nine posts along the rail trail approximately a half mile apart “This project was the hardest part of the club yet due to the physical labor,” says Tobin, after bringing eight-foot wooden posts and pounds of concrete to the site along with the other members After approving the club’s project, the town was kind enough to drill holes into the sides of the trail for the posts to be cemented The members
placed the posts into the holes and filled them with water and concrete to secure them in the ground The club’s next initiative is to create sign designs labeling particular spots and their distance from TZHS to put on the posts Being the only project of its kind so far, installing the posts was different from the club’s frequent walk audits Tobin states, “While they are still important, walk audits are just walking on a certain route and identifying problems Installing the signs was a hands-on activity where we tried to improve the walking environment directly”
Although the club's principal focus is to create safer and more appealing routes to and from the high school, Tobin believes it is also much more than that “Transportation is an issue that sounds boring to a lot of people, but in reality, it has huge implications in every realm of the world including the environment, public health, racial disparities, and economics It is so important to know because it is so much more than just transportation ”
After creating and running the Safe Routes Club, Tobin is keenly focused on finding his replacement to keep the club alive “It’s such an important mission, and I am looking forward to finding the next group of people who care a lot about safe routes and its mission ”
Common App Manages Students' Decisions
By Ailish MacDonnellThroughout the fall semester, seniors across America applied to colleges for early action, early decision, and regular decision The Common App is an online portal connected to students' school emails used to apply to colleges Common App is connected with more than 1,000 colleges and universities Using Common App is a much simpler way for seniors to add their information to apply to schools because it is all in the same databases that most colleges look at
On the Common App dashboard, students have the opportunity to enter their test scores, GPA, and extracurricular activities onto one profile, which all of the colleges get to see Students do not need to submit the same information on their stats every time they have to apply to a school There are a few exceptions to schools who do not use Common App, such as the military academies and Georgetown, but most of the schools in the United States use Common App, which makes it easily accessible for the majority of students
When applying to schools, students usually get three main options for admissions One is regular decision, which has a deadline of January 1 It sounds like its name, regular, and students can decide to apply to these schools for regular decisions later on, if they want less commitment Second is early action
Early Action is more commitment to a school, but it is nonbinding It is saying to a school that you have a higher likelihood of attending compared to just making a regular decision The main difference between early action and regular decision is that early action has an earlier deadline (as in the same) which is November 1st This also means that students usually get their early action results in December
The most committing type of application for students through the Common App is Early Decision Early Decision is binding This means that if a student decides to Early Decision to a school and they get in, they have to go there The
positive to Early Decision is that it improves the chance of admission because you are guaranteed to go The application deadline for Early Decision is the same as Early Action, and students usually receive their results around the same time
Senior Meline Kalishian sees the positives of using Common App in terms of deadlines “I really like the Common App because it is a really straightforward application and it shows all your colleges and the due dates so you never miss a deadline You also know that you’re submitting all the right things Having it all in one place it is really easy for me to refer backand-forth from ” The accessibility of the Common Application makes it easy for seniors like Kalishian to apply to their desired schools
The Common App gives the number of days until the deadline to apply, and reminds students through emails and texts if they need more work on their application
Applicants Should Consider All Factors Regarding College Decision Process
By Justin JohnsonThere are thousands of universities in the US to choose from, and it’s very important that applicants take the time to consider all of the factors that are involved in making a decision Although there are many things that can weigh into the schools students consider, it is essential to look at all of them as future high school graduates prepare for their futures
A study by CNBC revealed that choosing the wrong school can lead to depression and academic burnout if a student feels overwhelmed, alone, or unhappy The researchers found that those who went to a school that wasn’t suited to their wants and needs were more prone to anxiety, depression, and stress
There are many factors to consider, but widely those considered most important are location, cost, prestige, campus life, and the majors offered Often, someone’s ideal college may not be available, because one or more of these factors aren’t what they desire However, students should consider all of the following before they commit to a school
Location is one of the easiest to see Where the school is located is often a large reason why a student does or does not choose a school Senior Vivan Cho strongly believes that “some people are interested in rural areas, whereas others favor the city” Ultimately, it depends on the student's preference Students will be at their school every single day for four years, and since they will spend all their time there, choosing a university with a location that they love and feel comfortable learning in is incredibly important
Students should also consider whether or not they want to go to a university in a larger city or a smaller town, or if they want to go farther from home to experience new things or stay closer in order to stay near family and things that they’re familiar with
The cost of university can also tie in with location; schools within the state often offering
discounted tuition to those who have resided in the state their entire lives Many students who want to pay less will go to an in-state school if that is available to them
The cost of a college education often plays the heaviest hand in where a student chooses to go, as rising tuition costs force students to make hard choices about where they can and cannot afford to attend For example, senior Philip Matthew said that “tuition greatly affects every student” and is the “deciding factor” for many Some students are forced to turn down offers from prestigious schools due to financial reasons
Prestige is a good thing to have in a school but not always necessary In the past years, according to Psychology Today, there has been a balance between hard-to-get-into universities and the quality of education that can be achieved elsewhere While getting into an Ivy League school can benefit students seeking a job fresh from college, there are many institutions that may still provide the same quality education
Campus life is something considered slightly less important, but students should research their college of choice to see if there are activities or clubs that they enjoy there, and to see if they would be able to make friends and have a good time on campus while learning
And of course, the final factor is majors Above all, students should major in something that they are passionate about and like to learn When researching universities, students should make sure to look at all majors offered to see what the school is known for, which department is best, and which specific school could be best for them based on their intended major
The college decision is a huge one, and all prospective students should feel incredibly proud of themselves for going through the extremely difficult and tedious process of deciding which one is right for them
National Importance of SAT Scores Continues to Decline
By Chris VanderhoefThe college admissions process continues for millions of students across the country For many years, a student's SAT score was a critical aspect of their application However, the SAT has gone from being very important in college admissions to being just considered in many schools in the past few years With most universities having a test-optional policy, questions have been raised considering the relative importance of standardized testing
The SAT is a multiple-choice test designed to measure a high school student's readiness for college The test is supposed to test students' knowledge of topics and ability to apply what they have learned
The SAT has three sections: reading, writing, and math comprehension The reading section asks you to read five passages in 65 minutes and answer the questions The test takers must interpret and understand the ideas stated in the documents to answer the questions well Then there is the writing section of the test This section tests the application of grammar The 25+ rules of grammar must be known to do well on this section Finally, there is the Math comprehension section In this section, students must use their knowledge in algebra, geometry, and more
The SAT's universal form provides a vehicle through which students can be compared to other students from across the country This is why it was been so prevalent in the college admission process in years past
Yet some high schoolers believe the test should be eliminated As one senior from Tappan Zee High School said, "I think students should not have to study for another standardized test, college application shouldn't be based on one test should be based more on extracurriculars "
An interesting topic is highlighted here, how much should SAT matter in applications?
Additionally, The SAT is supposed to be an indicator of intelligence Ava Bourne, a Tappan Zee high school senior, feels otherwise
"Everything should be test-optional," Bourne said "The SAT is ridiculous; it does not show how you are as a student It is just too much " She brings up a fair point Students already have to study for their classes and participate in extracurriculars, sports, and outside activities It is a lot for students to handle So should SAT even be used for college admission?
Many colleges around the country believe that the SAT is not crucial for applicants' admission As of 2022, over 1,700 universities in the US have a test-optional policy Test optional means that the SAT is not required, and other parts of your application will be considered instead However, the SAT still provides a considerable boost for those who take it and submit good scores, making it almost indirectly mandatory for students
Regardless, one thing is for sure, as the college application continues to evolve, the importance of the SAT and other standardized tests will be questioned and reconsidered by TZHS students for years to come
Girls Tennis Continues to Build on Tradition
By Madeline Wennerod
As the girl's tennis season ended, the graduating seniors reminisced about their past seasons While the tennis season is very short, it is usually packed with many matches, practices, and team bonding activities The seniors spoke about their experi-ences with tennis throughout high school
The graduating seniors and coaches have a lot of faith in the future seniors for the 2023 season Senior Anna Pastore had advice for and promising words about the future seniors of TZ girls tennis "I have a lot of confidence that the upcoming seniors will do a great job next year; I think the biggest thing to emphasize as a senior is to be a positive force for your team," Pastore said "Tennis is 90% mentality, and what made us so successful this year was our positive attitude throughout the season Don't take the losses too seriously, and always walk into a match with a clear head "
While the TZ tennis team suffered a few losses this year, their strong mentality kept them thriving and strong Coach Silver had something similar to say about how the upcoming seniors can prepare for the next season, "I guess the best advice that I can offer is that whenever seniors graduate, one of the things that it brings is opportunity It creates a situation where spots are available from top to bottom in the lineup, and hard work can lead to great results Even though the season officially starts in August, the work should start immediately at conditioning, working in off-season programs, and getting ready mentally and physically for next season "
One major event that the tennis team attended this year was the 2022 County tournament A
tennis tournament is an annual event where most Rockland school districts compete against each other The tournament is usually a big event for all the girls on the team, and this year was no exception The team finished in third place, and five of the girls won individual medals Senior Catie O'Keefe said that she is "very happy with how we played in the tournament this year Due to some players being sick or having to miss, we had to change the lineups a bit the day of, but I everyone really stepped up to the changes and played great even on such short notice "
The girl's tennis team recently celebrated their senior day for Pastore and O'Keefe Coach Silver described how "senior day provides an opportunity to really showcase the amazing indi-viduals that have dedicated themselves to our program for a number of years "
Anna said that she "had a great experience with tennis in high school It's sad to feel it coming to an end The team has always been a supportive group of girls who all enjoy playing " Pastore also discussed how the team had "a great season; we had a great team of girls this year, all such talented and fun people We had a lot of fun this year"
O'Keefe also shared her experience She said, "My experience with tennis at the high school had been great Coach Silver is very kind and my teammates are a lot of fun It's a great way to start the year"
Coach Silver offered some kind words to the graduating seniors, saying, "The first thing I would like to say is thank you Thank you for your time, effort, commitment, heart, and soul during the last four years I am going to miss
Football Program Anticipates Strong Future
By Cameron KeepermanComing off of an 0-9 season last year is not the reputation the Tappn Zee Dutchmen football program wanted to have After that disappointing season, the status and popularity of TZ football declined That, combined with a drop to the independent league and the loss of those who graduated, forced the TZ coaches and players to come together and rebuild the program
That process started with a foundation and core When asked about some of the goals, Coach Ianucci focused on increasing the players' participation He was definitely optimistic about the fact that the junior varsity and the middle school football team have increased the number of athletes The modified team had close to 50 players That definitely bodes well for the future of TZ football
Those numbers at the lower level are even more critical considering the varsity team has about 25-27 players Even with the low numbers, Coach Ianucci stated that some starters are sophomores, and these sophomores already play a significant role on the team Even with the
bright future, Coach Ianucci would like to see even more participation throughout the program "We also are looking for anyone that thinks they would be able to help the team be successful, come out and give football a chance "
Some juniors from last year, now seniors, were considered leaders on this year's football team and had a significant role to play Senior Brett McCarthy, who was the starting running back and linebacker last year, was the starting powerback and linebacker this year, and was considered the leader of this year's football team
Looking to the future, McCarthy was focused on the legacy he hoped to leave behind when he graduates this spring He said he wants to leave a positive legacy for his teammates and encourage them to win and continue to play the tough brand of football they tried to play this year
Some might wonder what kind of attitude and goals seniors like McCarthy had this year compared to last McCarthy said he just wanted to have fun last season considering the team's
winless record However, this year, McCarthy said that he and his teammates were much more focused on victories, and the results were definitely better
Senior Danny Albanese, a starting offensive tackle, also had something to say about the legacy he other seniors on this year's team want to leave behind for the young team Albanese stated, "I want to lay a foundation of leadership and respect for fellow teammates as well as the legacy of winning " In the past years, this was not achieved
Albanese had significantly different goals from last year to this year Like McCarthy, Albanese just wanted to get on the field and have fun last year, but Albanese focused on making his presence known this year He earned himself the role of a significant leader on the Team, along with the nickname "Philosopher of the Offensive Line" due to his many questions, which not only helped him but the team as well
It seems to be a common factor for most seniors to leave a legacy of confidence and leadership, both of which are vital to winning games and successful programs The hope is that rebuilding the program turns into reloading from year to year
Albanese, McCarthy, and other seniors look to focus on leaving a legacy of winning for their underclassmen, which has been successful so far The team went from 0-9 last year to a turnaround season that culminated by punching their ticket into the 2022 independent league playoffs
Team Leans o F i d hi E i e
By Ariana Kupi and Ailish MacDonnellFall sports during 2021 pushed through many adversities Shortened seasons and wearing masks created a different feel, particularly for volleyball, one of the only indoor fall sports who had to wear masks this past year This year's team was ecstatic about ditching the masks and getting back to just playing Junior Keira Meyers, said, “The team vibe is fun, it might be tough sometimes, but we really try and keep our energy up and pick each other up We do pasta parties which is a good bonding experience for the team, making us have better chemistry” Teams talk about game plans, and it can help relieve nerves about playing
Most teams at Tappan Zee strive for a team that not just wins but creates a comfortable feel with each other, an inclusive environment, and somewhere one can also be a better student
Junior Isabelle Lai added, “It can be hard playing with teammates you might not especially like or get along with every single day, but everyone on the team gets along well and supports each other It’s nice to play in a nonjudgemental environment, with positive people I feel like I am getting better, and my teammates are there to support and encourage me "
Unfortunately, injuries took a toll on this year's team with various starters out for multiple matches Senior middle hitter and four-year
The
6-12
up
season, there is still optimism for next year
With starters Isabelle Lai, Kailey Dolan, Alyssa Chiappa, and Keira Meyers returning next year, their experience and leadership will be critical in what they hope will be a bounce back season for the volleyball team
TZ Girls Soccer Faces Tough Opposition
By Cassidy Chang
The girl soccer team ended the season with a 12-4-2 record, good for second place in their league
Senior Charlotte Hanchar and Emma McHugh discussed their thoughts about the
season Hanchar, a team captain, has been playing soccer since she was four McHugh has also played since she was four Both played for TZ since their middle school years Hanchar is a center mid, and McHugh is a left midfielder Both
players agree that the most difficult part part of the season was playing against their tough opponents and losing a few matches by one goal, including a match against Albertus Magnus, a team that was number one New York’s Section One at the time
Junior Megan O’Prey said, "We held our ground against the best school in the state and came so close to winning, but an unforeseen call caused them to score a penalty shot We tried to catch up, but they weren’t able to ”
During the game, everyone was nervous about proving to the team that they were more capable than many people thought
Of course, in all games, competitions, or matches athletes have their regrets Hanchar's biggest regret is "feeling defeated when we're losing The game isn't over until it's over"
McHugh, however, has a different in-game regret “Some of my biggest regrets while playing are thinking back to the past plays and what I could’ve done differently at the moment ”
The team seems to have a great bond; they frequently go to “grab food after practice or games as a pick me up,” says O’Prey “We would hang out outside of that as well,” she added
As this is the seniors’ last year of high school before they go off to college, one of their captains left a message for them Hanchar said “For the underclassmen, I would tell them to not give up When we give up, we don’t perform our best ”
Cross Country Squads Focus on Teamwork and Improvement
By Brandon SlaneThe cross country teams continued to roll this year ith the girls finishing in the top 12 in the state and the boys in the top 20 Juniors Sophia Fenton and Bryce Anderson both qualified for states this season as well!is thriving during the early races this season
Fenton had nothing but good things to say about the team “Our girl's team did well! We have a lot of new freshmen this year and also a lot of returners so it was fun to kind of work together as a team and get to know people I think since we are so close with each other it helped us succeed in meets ” Working as a team inspires team bonding, which is very important for a sport that has a team as large as cross country
Fenton added, “I think just running together every day builds a very special bond and we work each day to become the best we can A lot of people don't realize that cross country is a very big team sport because every spot counts points-wise, so just the aspect of having to work together every race makes us close "
According to Coach Driscoll, teamwork is very important especially when the competition is as difficult as it is this year “We are in a very strong league and section in the sport of cross country, but we only worry about ourselves and realize when the time comes, we will be ready to race against anyone As we hit the midway point of the season, both teams were improving which is what you want to see ”
Improvement is directly related to the motivation of the runners Anderson embraced the challenge of the competition “Knowing that we are a team of underdogs and that a lot of people doubt how good we are helped keep us motivated ” Coach Driscoll noted, “In terms of motivation, we give them immediate feedback from their races and what they can do better and improve on for the next race ” Anderson also mentioned the strategies he uses “Speeding up as the race moves along surprises a lot of people that are ahead of me because they know as they are slowing down I’m speeding up ”
With Fenton and Anderson back next year, TZ's cross country teams are in good hands
TZ Swimm
By Mary McCormackOn September 11, 2022 42-year-old Perez passed away peacefully in his surrounded by his friends and family afte ing a long battle against esophageal cance Perez was born in Brooklyn, New Yo raised in Rockland County with his sis parents Perez attended Tappan Zee High where he was also on the swim team graduating high school, Edgar went on to Binghamton University where he contin love for swimming After graduating Perez founded and coached the New Sharks Aquatics Swim Team in 20 additionally coached the swim and dive his former high school
Perez was able to do so much with his touch the hearts of many He was a grea and even better friend to all
Freshman Ailish O’Hara said that du time coaching the Tappan Zee High swim team, Perez would “always push ev to be better than they ever thought they co He never failed to make anyone laugh o during and outside practices and was h always just a happy person no matter w was going through ”
Although for most of his time coach high school team he was unwell, he showed up to practice and gave it his a Tappan Zee Alumni Irma Medunjanin s “none of [the girls] were blind to the un was though he was struggling, dedicated team and would always show up to pract was there for us ”
No matter the season, Coach Per dedicated to making everyone on th better Not only was he there for all the sw
mers, he was also there for their families
Freshman Lani Boa said, “In 2017, when I first moved to America, Edgar was always there to help my mother who had a hard time speaking English ” She also said that “he was my first coach and worked with me in order to make me the swimmer I am today”
During his time coaching the team, Perez also made many lifelong memories with the swimmers Senior Emma Lussen said that her favorite memory with him was that “after every race I swam, he would fist bump me and say ‘Good job Lussen ’ Although it was small, it was something that he would do after every race and that made me feel good about how I swam ”
Boys Soccer Season Ends in Section Finals
By Jack PernickThe Tappan Zee boys soccer team continued to dominate during the 2022 season Throughout the season, the players looked as good and locked in as ever With the season coming to a close, the players had the opportunity to achieve their massive goals
The boys had huge wins in games against teams they lost to last year They defeated Somers 2-0 and defeated Eastchester, the team that knocked them out of the sections in the seminfinals last year, 2-1 These wins showcase just how talented and different this group is from other teams in the past
One of the senior team captains, Aidan Haley, spoke about what makes this year's team stand out
Haley, a center back said, “The team has awesome chemistry on the field because we are a
close group of guys off the field This year's team is different from others in the past because besides playing together on the field, we all get along great and hang out at each other's houses the night before games ”
Haley said the team getting together nights before a big game and throwing pasta parties highlights the friendship between one another He sees this as a big reason for the team's success
Standout juniors Jack Kryger and Jack Murphy also spoke about the success of the team
Just before the end of the season, Murphy, a right midfielder, said, “The season [was] going just as planned We started the season with the aspiration of bringing home a league championship, section championship and, hopefully,
more ” Although the team fell just short, losing in the section finals, their hard work and camaraderie definitely helped them achieve many of their lofty goals
Kryger, one of the team's strikers, also highlighted how some underclassmen coming off the bench truly rounded the team out “Some big young guys coming in off the bench were Oliver Sciorra, Antonio Mazzola, and James Alexander All first year varsity players and all very reliable guys coming into the midfield ”
The overarching theme with this TZ soccer team seemed to be the uderclassmen playing like veterans, and it was outstanding to witness This was especially true when star striker Kryger missed the end of the regular season due to injury Haley called Kryger a guy with an “amazing future in soccer post high school and I expect to see him on the field at a Division I college ”
Players like junior left midfielder Ryan Shalvey and sophomore striker Brady Jacobs will definitely stepped up in Kryger’s absence Kryger was able to return to the field for the Section Final game
Despite the tough loss, the Tappan Zee Boys Soccer team made a lasting impact, breaking records for goal scoring and earning state-level recognition for players Brady Jacobs and Jack Kryger With these players returning next year, fall can't get here fast enough for the Dutchmen soccer program