The Quadrangle, January-February 2023

Meet the New Assistant Principal, Mr. K

by Greg Schineis

As the 2022 school year started, we saw Mr. K take over for Mr. Pardue and Mr. Johnson. Mr. K is a very nice guy and I got to interview him Here's how it went

Q: “What was your job before coming to Newfield High School?”

A: “Before I was here I was a science teacher at Comsewogue with different leadership roles and made the jump to administration”

Q: “What college did you attend?”

A: “I went to St Joseph's and Stony Brook I got my administrative certificate from Stony Brook from their educational leadership program and got my certificate for school building certificate and school district leadership”

Q: “What is your best advice for high school students?”

A: “My best advice is to really use the resources we provide at this school like the faculty and staff that want to help the students reach their goals. And be involved because your high school years go quickly and just be involved in clubs and sports and organizations because you can miss out ”

Q: “Why did you want to work at Newfield High School?”

A: “I'm a Newfield graduate so it was nice to come back to where I grew up and walk the same halls I did as a kid, also, I want to help kids who struggled as I did. I wanted to come to the school where my teachers influenced me to become a teacher I grew up in this community and I know how close and tight our community is and keep it that way. Education is about building and keeping connections with the students and the community ”

Q: “What is your background in education, for example, prior experience?”

A: “I've served as a youth court advisor, and grade team leader did a lot of clubs as a community service adviser, and had experience as a leave replacement of an AP of a middle school”

Q: “What are your first impressions of Newfield High School?”

A: “Great, we have great staff, faculty, students, teachers, leadership, and a great community and the building feels like family, they strive to make the students succeed and work to their potential. We all strive to ensure that all our students are successful “

Q: “What changes do you hope to make at Newfield High School?”

A: “It's really not about changes, it's more about building connections with the students, faculty, staff, and with community members. We wanna make sure the community feels involved and can help students be successful.”

Newfield Fencing Does it Again!

by Bricen Peinado

Photos by Gwenn Schechner

Following another amazing league season for both the boys and girls fencing teams for Newfield/Miller Place; both are league champions! And for the third year in a row, the boys are county champions with a victory against Huntington. It was close in the first round, but in the second, the starter sabers stepped up and brought us the lead they needed. Finally, in the third round, the match was finished by foil: Newfield boys fencing were officially champs! With the help of Coach Macc and Coach Schirmer, Newfield history was made! This year all 9 starters from each team qualified for individuals in the county championships. Rishi Pavate placed 1st in men's epee, Marc Lindemann placed 1st, and Anders Dalberg placed 2nd in men's foil. Julissa Spooner placed 2nd in women's epee. Throughout the whole season, improvements were prevalent. Many leaders stepped up at practice, and everyone helped each other to be not only better fencers but better people as well. Spirits were high even after a loss, and everyone tried their best, whether it was on the strip or in practice. With 14 seniors leaving the team, it will be exciting to see who steps up to fill their spots next year.

Improv Night 2023

by Bricen Peinado

Improv Night is a yearly event held by The Newfield Thespian Society to raise money. It is filled with tons of laughs and smiles and a lot of great acting. The opening skit was called “The Machine” which was where all of the actors came out onto the stage repeating a phrase or a sound. In between skits there were a lot of jokes. Skits were picked at random with the actors also being randomly decided. My personal favorite skits were “Wedding Where Everyone Objects” a skit about people getting married when people object for absurd reasons and a whole fuss is made, “Music Nation Staff Settle Dispute Between Two Students” in which the Thespian officers pretend to be Dr. G, Mr. Martinez, Ms. Meichner, and Mr. Austin and try to settle a dispute the same way the people they are acting as would, and “Parents Announcing Divorce While Meeting Mickey Mouse," a skit about a couple with three kids at Disneyland and while the kids meet Mickey Mouse the parents decide how to tell their kids they're getting divorced. Overall it was a great experience and everyone did amazing.

POPS Concert 2023

by Sarah Gephardt

Orchestra

Newfield Performed their 42nd annual Friends of Music “POPS” concert on Monday, February 13th where they presented scholarships totaling to 5,400 dollars to 9 hardworking and deserving students The concert started off with the Philharmonic Orchestra performing “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” with soloists: Kayla Sasso, Aamir Sheikh & Jashandeep Singh, starting the concert off in a whimsical mood. After that, the combined Philharmonic and Concert Orchestras performed “Selections from The Hunchback of Notre Dame'' with soloist: Aamir Sheikh,” Selections from Phantom of the Opera'' with soloist: Abbie Chen, and lastly “Themes from Star Wars: The Force Awakens.'' Percussionists Juliana Negron, Alexander Shulder, and Dylan Taub accompanied all three pieces. Mr. Martinez added his own personal touch to the ”Selections from Phantom of the Opera'' performance where he wore a white half mask just like the play while conducting to pay his respects to a show that he respected and admired. A surprise for the final piece “Themes from Star Wars: The Force Awakens” included the orchestra having bows that lit up giving the appearance that they're playing with lightsabers, adding a creative and exciting touch to the great musical performance the orchestra worked tediously to perfect The three scholarship recipients from orchestra were Abbie Chen, Kayla Sasso, and Leah Landron for their hard work and impressive talents over these past four years

Chorus Band

The second part of the concert was the Combined Chorus performing “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” Conducted by Mr. Austin and Ms. Sposato. It should be recognized that our chorus teacher Mrs. Meichner is currently out due to surgery, making the performance an extraordinary feat that exemplifies the strength in the Newfield community in coming together during Mrs. Meichner’s recovery. The scholarship winners were Jules Mast, Eli Horowitz, and Heather Austin who all amazed teachers and classmates with their beautiful voices throughout their years here at Newfield

The Combined Bands performed “ABBA on Broadway” conducted by Dr Goldstein followed by “Grease!” conducted by Mr Austin The band scholarship winners are Ezekiel Smith, Sean Reynolds, and Cameron Unger who all are well known for their magnificent skills and efforts in band When asked “What piece are you most excited for?” Dr Goldstein responded with,” That’s very hard for me to choose because I love them all, and I love them all for different reasons I have to say, the piece I’m looking forward to the most is the “Battle Hymn of the Republic” at the end for the grand finale because we’re combining everyone together and it’s a very meaningful piece of music in the history of our country and Newfield High School ”

His very well spoken thoughts now bring us into the Finale performances by the Combined Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Philharmonic Orchestra & Select Vocal Ensemble The group performed patriotic music such as “Our America '' and the previously mentioned,” Battle Hymn of the Republic”. These pieces had challenges which were overcome by the groups such as high notes for sopranos in chorus and the difficulty of rhythms and controlling dynamics so the chorus can be heard. This Finale represented unity of the country including patriotism and also unity for the school with all the different groups coming together in order to present and flawlessly execute the perfomance. It was especially felt by the crowd as evidenced by their tears and applause. All performers should be incredibly proud of themselves and of the success of the POPS Concert!

B BLALACK CK HISTORY HISTORY iis s

Newfield Celebrates Black History Month

by Ozzie Hall

February is Black History Month, and this past February students and staff at Newfield celebrated the month by recognizing influential African Americans throughout history, both on the morning announcements and a display in the hallway. On the announcements, figures such as George Washington Carver, an inventor and scientist, were acknowledged. Notably, Carver pioneered the idea of crop rotation.

The display in the hallway was made up of posters and slideshows created by students. All posters and slideshows were centered around the theme of resistance, and they cover a wide range of African American figures. They range from athletes like Michael Jordan and Serena Williams to political figures like Rosa Parks. They also include lesser-known figures like Madam C.J. Walker, the first woman to become a self-made millionaire.

The project, led by the Social Studies department--especially Mr. Matlock and Ms. Klein--has 84 students in its Google Classroom who participated in creating slideshows and posters.

The Importance of Black History Month

by Cayla Louis

During the month of February, it is the celebration of Black History Month. If this term is new to you, just know it originally started in 1926 by an African American historian named Carter G. Woodson. Since then a lot has changed, Black History Month is now not only celebrated in America but in the United Kingdom, Canada, Netherlands, and Ireland as well. You may ask why is it so important to celebrate black history? To that, I say that it is a way to look past the history of slavery and racism but instead highlight black achievements and success.

There is so much rich history behind this month. For example, did you know that February was chosen because both former President Lincoln, who was responsible for issuing the emancipation proclamation, and Frederick Douglas, who was an African American abolitionist, shared a birthday in the month of February? These two scholars were pillars of the African American community and were chosen in order to honor their legacy. February is a time to celebrate the numerous accomplishments that for so long had been overshadowed or ignored. Black history is American history, it should not be forgotten or overlooked but instead appreciated and celebrated. There are countless African Americans making history every day. For so long racism and prejudice were ingrained in American culture but we have been slowly changing for the better. Remember not every black person excelling is a famous abolitionist, and there are many other ways that you can help the black community. Take some time to lift up the black voices in your community and every month should be Black History Month as they should always be appreciated.

Shirley Chisholm

by Brianna Carlson

Shirley Chisholm was born on November 30, 1924, in Brooklyn, New York. She was born to Charles Christopher St Hill and Ruby Seale, making Shirley the oldest of three children. Shirley Chisholm is widely known for being the first black woman ever to be elected to the United States Congress.

Starting from childhood, at the age of 5, Shirley and her two sisters traveled to live with their grandmother in Barbados on a farm in the Vauxhall village. On May 19, 1934, Shirley moved from Barbados to New York In 1939 Shirley was attending a High School located in Bedford–Stuyvesant, a neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York. During high school, Shirley was elected by her peers to be vice president of the Junior Arista honor society. After graduating high school, Shirley went on to attend Brooklyn College, where she majored in sociology and minored in Spanish. Throughout her college years, Shirley was recognized for her debating skills, as well as her commitment to the Harriet Tubman Society and the Delta Sigma Theta sorority.

In 1964, Shirley ran for a seat in the New York State assembly. Appealing directly to female voters, Shirley won the seat in December, receiving over 18,000 votes over the opposing candidates. During her time in the New York State Legislature, Shirley held the 175th, 176th, and 177th seats. In August 1968, Shirley was elected Democratic National Committee woman from New York. That same year, Shirley decided to run for a seat in the U.S. To do so she ran for the 12th congressional district in New York. In the general election, Shirley beat her opponent James Farmer making her the first black woman to be elected to Congress. In 1972, four years later, Shirley became the first African American to run for a major party's presidential nomination. She achieved this while running in the 1972 U.S. presidential election; while running for the election, Shirley became the first woman to run for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination

Although Shirley made many achievements in the political scene, unfortunately, she left Congress in January 1983 and moved to Williamsville, New York. Shirley then held the Purington Chair while working at Mount Holyoke College for four years. In 1984, alongside C. Delores Tucker, Shirley cofounded the National Black Women's Political Caucus. Later on in her life, Shirley helped form the African-American Women for Reproductive Freedom. In 1991 after the death of her husband, Shirley moved to Ormond Beach, Florida. In 1993, Shirley was nominated to be the United States Ambassador to Jamaica but sadly she was unable to take the position due to poor health. On January 1, 2005, Shirley passed away in her home and was buried in the Birchwood Mausoleum at Forest Lawn Cemetery located in Buffalo, New York.

Valentine's Trippy History

by Weronika Karpio

Valentine's Day is known for love, chocolates, and the famous cupid, but this only dates back to the 14th century, there is an interesting story far beyond that. There are connections between Valentine’s and the ancient Roman festival Lupercali, but that only celebrated the coming of spring, not love. When or why the holiday started is vague, with some connections to a Pope wanting to get rid of the Roman festival or people just celebrating Saint Valentine. The fact that Valentine’s Day actually celebrates a saint's deathday is largely forgotten, but it does make sense in the grand scheme of things, since Saint Valentine is the patron saint of engaged couples and happy marriages, many do pray to saints to make their specific prayers more likely to happen. Saint Valentine died on February 14 about 270 CE at the hands of the emperor Claudius II Gothicus, and there is a legend that connects to our current traditions, that is that Saint Valentine signed a letter “from your Valentine” to his jailer's daughter, whom he had befriended. We do this today when we want to give someone a secret love letter. Another reason this holiday is connected to St. Valentine and love is because he defied the emperor’s ban of marraiges (he thought marraige made men bad soldiers) and secretly married couples. Now, you know the actual reason this day is celebrated, not because people back in the day thought it was a good day to tell their love, but because a person who represents love died on this day remember that when someone gives you flowers.

Newfield's Roving Reporter

Diya John & Ruby Tanisa

As we roamed the halls of Newfield High School, we asked people: What is your biggest ick?

Ava Stebbins, Sophomore

CHEWING WITH MOUTH OPEN

Ashleigh Murray, Junior

TALKING TOO LOUD

Jaquelyn Lima, Freshman

SELF-ABSORBED/NARCISSISTIC

Josh Singh, Sophomore

CHEWING WITH MOUTH OPEN

Joshua Adams, Sophomore BEING A "NON-HUGGER"

Mehek Ansari, Sophomore BAD COMMUNICATOR

Rosmalin Paulino, Sophomore

BAD/DRY COMMUNICATOR

Chris Richardson, Junior NOT TAKING AP PHYSICS/POOR

HYGIENE

Anonymous, Junior

POOR HYGIENE/ASTROLOGY

Sarah Parvez, Senior POOR HYGIENE

Umaymah Khan, Junior DISRESPECTFUL/IMMATURE

Saitta Roy, Junior BUZZCUTS

Riya Batta, Junior NO DRIVE/MOTIVATION

MOST POPULAR ANSWER: POOR HYGIENE

Newfield's Roving Reporter

Diego Cardenas & Farrah Khatoun

As we roamed the halls of Newfield High School, we asked people: What would you want to receive from your crush on Valentine’ s Day?

Brendon Adao, Sophomore

CHOCOLATE

David Nicasio, Sophomore

HUGS

Xavier Delgato, Sophomore

BUILD-A-BEAR

Daniel Villatoro, Freshman

A HUG

Joshua Adams, Sophomore

A BOX OF CHOCOLATES

Joel Ramos, Sophomore

A KISS

Destiny Aiello, Sophomore

CHOCOLATE

Mehek Ansari, Sophomore

A KISS

Newfield's Roving Reporter

Ava Stebbins

As I roamed the halls of Newfield High School, I asked people: How much do you think Americans spend on Valentine's Day?

Average Spending on Valentine's Day

MOST POPULAR ANSWER: $20-50

COLLECTIVELY, AMERICANS SPEND $25.6 BILLION IN 2023.

January Student of the Month: Zayda Hernandez

by Diya John

Zayda Hernandez is the January Student of the Month for Newfield High School! She is involved in all school events and holds leadership positions in many clubs. Zayda is the historian of G.O., historian/writer/editor of The Newfield Quadrangle, president of the Film Club, president of the National Foreign Language Honor Society, and member of the Leadership Club, DECA, and Mock Trial Zayda gets inspiration from her sister as she taught Zayda that anything is possible as long as you work hard for it, therefore, she says “I always try my best in everything I do because it is the only way of achieving my dreams.” Zayda moved to Newfield High School during her junior year. As she was not familiar with any of the students or teachers, it was initially difficult to participate in extracurriculars Despite this challenge, she decided she was going to be less shy and focus on surrounding herself with people who have positive impacts, pushing her to be better. Some advice Zayda has for underclassmen is, “Don’t get involved in drama or focus on the little things that don’t matter because high school goes by too fast to care about that.” Zayda often found a lot of her success through managing her time wisely, with the use of schedules and planners. Zayda has not decided on a college yet; she wants to study Digital Media and Marketing. Congratulations Zayda!

February Student of the Month: Amanda Knoph

by Diya John

Congratulations to Amanda Knoph, Newfield High School’s February Student of the Month. Amanda is a talented and well-rounded student, showing involvement in all aspects of school. Amanda is the secretary of the National Honor Society, a member of the Spanish Honor Society, and a member of the National Art Honor Society. She was also a former m of the Middle Country Varsity Gymnast Team; now continuing gymnastics with outside-of-school organization. She also active volunteer for the Middle Country Library and the Literacy Expo. Her resil older sister is her inspiration as she has a been there for Amanda; helping and enc her. Amanda claims her sister puts her a everything she does. The toughest challe Amanda has faced is doing things outsid comfort zone. Amanda says she is usual person, though she learned that going ou her comfort zone helps build her charact exposes her to new aspects of life. Aman “Never give up or think that you can't ac something because if you put your heart whatever you do, you can achieve anyth Amanda plans on attending Stony Brook University, going in as an undecided ma interested in pursuing a career in math or science.

Clublicity: Drum Club

Ava Stebbins

THE DRUM CLUB

As many of you may know, Newfield High School has a very prevalent Music & Drama department. But one of our hidden gems you may not know about is the Drum Club, run by Mr. Austin and Dr. Goldstein. Drum Club runs after school on Wednesdays, where students are able to practice their musical techniques and skills by learning new rhythms and music on several different instruments, not only drums

INSTRUMENTS AND MUSIC

Instruments including the triangle, the bongos, high drums, middle drums and low drums, the xylophone, the cowbell, and so many others are used in rehearsals Students can also appreciate other cultures, as the Drum Club often plays music from different countries and areas around the world, such as Africa and South America. There are several different genres that students learn to play as well, and it gives them opportunities to explore different kinds of music.

Contributions To Our Community

Several students were interviewed about the drum club, and almost all said that joining Drum Club has helped them improve their musical skills, including their rhythm, timing, and overall technique. The club was extremely welcoming and friendly, with all of the students and the teachers heavily engaged and passionate about their playing and music While all the instruments were very simple and low maintenance, their was a wide variety of emotions and the students were extremely innovative with how they played. Overall, everybody was very engaged with the music and their playing, easily having fun and learning within their community.

Students interviewed: Miranda P, Thomas L, James S, Eddie G, Josh A, Kevin M, and Dylan D

Creative Corner

The Eye's Mystery

Creative Writing by: Weronkia Karpio

Can you solve the mystery? Why did two teens go swimming in a lake but never return home, can you answer it? Is it supernatural or criminal, whatever happened to the two teens? In the middle of summer, August, on the hottest day of the year, two teens snuck out of a campsite where their parents slept and went for a midnight swim, all was going good with one of the teens, Oliver swimming and ducking under the water and the other teen, Mia, fished in the vicinity of where Oliver swam. Is your curiosity peaked? Maybe not but know this, they did not drown that night. Mia kept feeling tugging on her fishing line but never once did she reel it in or check that she did not hook Oliver, while Oliver swam mostly underwater and never once complained of Mia's fishing hook near him, but as one might predict Oliver swam into Mia's hook and punctures his hand, an ordinary teen would howl in pain and get a med kit but all they did was take the hook out and return to what they were doing, they were acting trance like never once breaking their routine, Oliver went back to swimming and Mia continued to fish. Maybe some environment description will help you figure it out. The lake looked like an eye, round, surrounded by trees on all sides, the nearest city was almost 45 kilometers away, and it was all nature out there with only campers spread out every 5 kilometers. While they continued their routine Mia somehow got injured, with two deep holes in her neck that seemed to be made by a small weapon, she was bleeding profusely but did not make a sound, Oliver swam up to her but try as he might the bleeding did not stop and they never did go back to the campsite to try and get help. To this day no one knows where they went, a trail of blood was spotted near the lake but quickly ended, there were no big predators near there as the forest was a major campsite, and no bones or bodies were ever discovered, they had seemingly vanished. If you closely read this, one thing might bother you: how do we know the details and what they did if they snuck away or why they acted in a trance? The only answer is that there weren't just two teens in that lake, something inhumane was in there with them.

I am a Fool

Creative Writing by: Riya Batta

I hate the English language, but I more intensely hate how it's always been my sole sanctuary. When everyone else's eyes filled with pure disgust and disappointment at the complexities that clawed away at my throat, all 171,141 words and their infinite possible combinations served as the lozenge to soothe the burns. But this is not something I find comfort in. I don't find pride in the layers of scars that plague my soul: am rather ashamed at the fraudulence of my own being that my naturally masquerading nature gilds over them. But you aren't. You kiss those scars as though my skin's infused with gold. You find divinity in the Devil and call her God. For that, I call you a fool, but God what I fool I am for you. The graceful graze of your fingers against my skin calms my chaosinfested mind the way only perfectly-rhymed poetry did. The passionate energy in a quick but pure kiss permeates my maliced blood and balances it with bliss the way only the Letters to Milena did. Your being confounds me. I often question your actuality and ritually pray to a God I don't even believe in, for if your existence proves to be just as fraudulent as mine, choose to remain in this perpetual state of psychosis so I can indefinitely love each and every crevice of your soul through this bitter-sweet hallucination. Oh, what a jubilant fool I would be. Your ornamenting traits have made a home within me previously where the fire furiously burned. Consequently, I can finally declare I'm content with my sanctuary-- not the random arrangement of letters and sentences and novels, but the emerald-infused pools of glistening golden honey warmly accompanied by that shining smile of endearment. You are greater than all 171,146 words and their infinite possible combinations. You are my sanctuary.

A Hug from Nature

Creative Writing by: Rosmalin Paulino

The subtle appearance of goosebumps appear on my skin as the cool noon breeze passes. Standing before the wire fence overlooking the vast area full of trees animals and insects. The distorted long scream of nature retreats and comes back louder. The once full vibrant branches of the palm trees, beautiful song of birds and honey bees, with beams of light coming down from the heavens. Now stand with dull wet branches swaying with the harsh wind. Listening to the stillness and pacific melody as tears come down from the angels up in heaven. The howl of the wind calms me as I look out into the canvas of nature as the painters alters the never-ending beauty.

When I was mourning, the winds breathed me back to life, when the world kept throwing me on the ground, the clouds were there to soothe me with the ever-lasting song of comfort. As people disappointed me over and over again, the vast land of wonder continued to support me. While I cried out for someone to love me, the trees opened their arms and held me. As the coldness and evil of the world started to drown me the sun was there to lend me light and love. The forest breathed me back to life and guided me when no one else could. It renewed, refreshed, and healed scars that were not visible.

Blue Moon

Poem by: Weronkia Karpio

Once did I see such a rare occasion

That a blue moon shone mid winter

On an even scarcer flower

I looked on with wonder

Never knowing its sacred power

A lover like you

Blooms once in a blue moon

The silver light adoring you

Those blue moon hues skim

The shimmering lake

Surrounded by woods

In the middle of such nature

Did I see you bloom

Those beautiful purple hues

My golden petals did not compare

But how wonderful did we pair

Not only am I gold of color

But my heart shines the same

Your hues may be purple

A color fit for a royal

With the meaning of conceit

But pride is far above you

Whereas you look for truth

Our meeting together

Rare than purple gold

But on such a night

With a blue moon in sight

Did both our buds bloom

On a faithful winter night.

Poem by: Rosmalin Paulino

"Keep it down"

That's what I tell myself when it gets hard

When it feels as if I'll shatter into a thousand pieces When those thousand pieces feel like they're tearing my heart into shreds of nothingness

"You're perfect, you're smart" They say but they don't know.

If they peek a glimpse at the flaws and scars littering my heart and soul, What will they think?

"Keep it down"

They don't have to know, that I fear what they think That a mask is painted on my face every morning

That the girl they once made fun of out of love

Is now a girl that looks in the mirror every day and cries at what she sees.

The same girl that once dreamed of her future Is now the girl that dreads her next day.

THE QUADRANGLE STAFF

MARIA DEASSIS PHOTOGRAPHER

LEAH LANDRON PRESIDENT

YA BATTA AFF WRITER

OZZIE HALL EDITOR

WERONIKA KARPIO EDITOR

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DIYA JOHN TREASURER RUBY TANISA SECRETARY SAITTA ROY V I C E P R E S I D E N T

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PHOTOGRAPHER

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