The Quadrangle, November-December 2022

Miracle on 34th Street Review

by Saitta Roy

The Theatre Department here at Newfield have been hard at work putting together the fall play, Miracle of 34th Street, since the first day of school. After months of rehearsal and preparation, the Newfield community was able to buy their tickets to see the merry production. The excitement among the cast and crew could be felt when walking through the backstage preparations, with everyone strapping into costume and helping braid each other's hair for wigs. The students of the drama department were very self-sufficient and did not need their director Ms. Joan Meichner hovering over them; she had bigger fish to fry.

Outside the auditorium, there were students and parents hard at work selling concessions. Something noteworthy was the dozens of donuts being sold. These donuts were a donation from Duck Donuts, they gave us 6 dozen donuts per performance, free of charge. Meaning all profits went to the benefit of students!

The show opened with a projected scene of bustling New York on Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade day. Many backgrounds in this play were projected in this manner, an effective mode of background design. Our lead characters were Doris Walker, played by Leah Landron; Fred Gayley, played by Alexander Yagud-Wolek; and Kris Kringle, played by Ezekiel Smith. Smith’s character had the job of replacing a drunk mall Santa. Drunk Santa, who was played by Payton Astromovich. To do his character justice, Astromovich took courage in free-falling backward to portray a comedic level of intoxication.

The set design for Santa’s Mall station was immaculate. It had four grand pillars in the back with jumbo tree ornaments on top, two fully decorated Christmas trees, prop gifts, Christmas lights, and a big chair in the middle for Santa. It was the best set design of the show, with the courtroom as a very close runner-up.

Sean Campbell’s performance as Sawyer, a work psychologist who is feral about getting Kris Kringle into a mental hospital, was by far the funniest aspect of the show. His tone of voice and body language was unmatched, and he even improved a few lines. Such as telling Kris Kringle he was taking him to Taco Bell.

Aside from the comedic value of the show, there was a lot of vocal talent being displayed. To keep the crowd entertained during scene changes, there were small ensembles that sang various Christmas songs in front of the closed curtain. The most chilling number was the performance of "Mary, Did You Know "

Miracle on 34th Street

Photos by Maria DeAssis

2023 Spring Musical Reveal

by Ozzie Hall

Thestartofanewschoolyearalsomeansthestartofpreparingfora newSpringMusicalDuringtheearlydaysofSeptember,asmall postercoveredwithlogosfromvariousmusicalsappearedoutsidethe auditoriumdoorsOnthe9thofthemonth,somestudentsandstaff membersinvolvedinNewfield’sTheatreArtscabinetbeganremoving showsfromthisposter,thusbeginningtheeliminationstyleinwhich thisyear’s2023SpringMusicalwouldberevealed.Thisstyleof musicalrevealhasbecomeapopularnicheonTikTokoverthepast severalyearsNewfield’sTheatreArtsprogramhasstarteditsown TikTokaccounttopostclipsoftheeliminationByThursday, November10th,nineteenconsecutivedaysofremovalswere documented,somefeaturingmorethanoneeliminatedshow.Only fourshowsremainedontheposter:MammaMia,Fame,Beautyand theBeast,andSeussical.However,thebesthadyettocome.

OnMonday,November14thafterschool,theofficialmusical announcementwasmadeintheauditoriumwithagreatspectacleThe possibilitieswerenowdowntoFameandSeussicalThereforthe finaleventwasAllyAlifromtheradiostationBLI,aswellastheatre studentJasmineRecova,whowasgivenreignsovertheLongIsland MusicandTheatreFest’sInstagrampage.Aliwassupposedtoreveal whatwouldbethefinalmusical,butanewrevealreplaceditjust momentslaterTheTheatreArtsofficerschoreographedadancein alignmentwithasongofthesamenameasthemusical,hence releasingthesurpriseinastrikingfashionThe2023SpringMusical wasrevealedtobethe80’sdancedrama,FootlooseThisrevealcame withmuchjoyfromthestudentswhowerepresentattheevent.

This spectacle seems to be a natural progression of the Theatre Arts program Last year’s musical production of The Little Mermaid was a major success--it nearly sold out on all performances and was nominated for several Teeny awards The Little Mermaid was a production that Ally Ali attended, so her presence at the reveal of Footloose was a continuation of her support for the Newfield Theatre Arts program. She stayed for a Q&A with those who remained after the main event, during which she gushed about her love of theatre. She revealed that while she could not decide on a favorite show, one she would love to perform in is West Side Story. Ali’s feelings on theatre are best summed up in a quote from Recova’s interview with her for LIMTF, where she said theatre is “the happiest explosion of fun and creativity.” Spirits are high following the reveal, and the special guest captured this especially, saying, “Newfield is great, and I can’t wait to see Footloose!”

A Trip to The Moulin Rouge

by Leah Landron

This year for our Theatre Arts Broadway trip, we went to see Moulin Rouge. Moulin Rouge is a jukebox musical, meaning almost all of its songs are popular songs from a specific genre/artist, instead of being all original music. Moulin Rouge is filled with various pop-rock songs ranging from Shut Up and Dance with Me, to Firework, to Take on Me The songs weave in and out of each other to tell the story of a writer who, while mistaken for a Duke, meets and falls in love with the star of the Moulin Rouge Club Those two main characters, Christian and Satine, embark on a secret love affair, all the while trying to save the Moulin Rouge from bankruptcy by putting on a new show to win the real Duke’s investments.

The musical was beautiful, from the insane set pieces to how the songs effortlessly transitioned to grab at your heartstrings I believe there was seldom a dry eye in the house. I loved how songs we all know and love became characters’ words that made sense in the story. The story and score were both incredibly well written, with twists and turns that left you simultaneously distraught and overjoyed in the end.

It was a wonderfully magical senior year field trip for me, as when our group split off for lunch, my group went to a monstrosity of a candy store, a cupcake boutique, and Barnes & Nobles. Other groups explored other parts of the city, ranging from ice-skating to Bryant Park to grabbing sushi. I greatly appreciated the freedom we were given to choose our destinations, even if it meant later learning I should have recalibrated Google Maps. We got to learn by watching the actors and gain practical life experience as a part of the same adventure. Overall, it was a glorious time at the theater and I plan to savor it in my memory for years to come

Newfield in Washington DC

By Alex Shulder and Bricen Peinado Photos by Weronika Karpio

On November 17, forty-four Juniors and Seniors from both Newfield and Centereach High School went on a field trip with their social studies classes to the nation’s capital. Students were able to visit some of the city’s most famous memorials and monuments, even touring Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer’s office.

We departed from Newfield at 6 AM Thursday morning and arrived in Washington DC in the early afternoon. The first stop was the White House, which took us into an urban area of Washington DC. We had a nice view of the north side of the White House, and many students took pictures. The next stop was the World War II memorial, which features dozens of pillars going around an oval-shaped fountain pool, to commemorate those who served in the war. Fifty-six is the exact number of pillars, each one symbolizing a US State, territory, or the capital itself. After that, we visited the National Museum of African American History & Culture, which showcased many displays about slavery in the 18th and 19th centuries, and the civil rights movement in the 20th. There were also lots of exhibits within these categories, such as those about the Abolition Movement in the mid-18th century, and the changes in pop culture and sports from the 1950s to the 1980s.

After our dinner at California Pizza Kitchen, there were still three more memorials to visit. First was the Korean War Veterans Memorial, which was one of the most intriguing ones to me. It featured 19 statues of soldiers and a reflective granite wall. Etched into the wall, from a distance, would appear to be mountains similar to the terrain in Korea, but upon closer inspection, you could see the faces of soldiers who died. The 19 soldiers also have importance, because if you include their reflections on the granite wall, there would be 38 total soldiers, which is a very symbolic number in this war The Korean War not only lasted 38 months but the war was also fought over the 38th parallel, which was the dividing line of latitude between North and South Korea. After this, our next stop was the Lincoln Memorial, another one of my favorites. In this Greek-style memorial, sits one of the biggest statues in Washington DC, a nineteen-foot-tall, free-standing statue of Abraham Lincoln. Inscribed on the walls of the memorial were two of Lincoln’s most famous speeches, the Gettysburgh address, and his Second Inaugural address On the outside of the memorial, the thirty-six columns represent the 36 states in the Union at the time of Lincoln’s death, and the bordering on the top of the memorial features 48 states, only

excluding Alaska and Hawaii which were not states yet. Our last memorial of the day was the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, one of the saddest in the capital. Designed by 21-year-old college student Maya Lin, the memorial symbolizes a large wound healing, because of national controversies caused by the war. Names are still being added to the wall to this day because many people were never confirmed to be KIA, due to the nature of the war

The second day was arguably the best part of the trip. After waking up, packing, and having a quick hotel breakfast, we got back on the bus and made our way to the Capitol Building. The security line was surprisingly quick, and before we knew it, we were meeting up with tour guides, one of whom is a Newfield alumni, and entering Senator Chuck Schumer’s office The inside of the Capitol Building is beautiful, every wall is hand painted and there is lots of history throughout the rooms and hallways.

Our next stop on the tour was upstairs to the rotunda. The giant frescos were painted in 1865 by Constantino Brumidi, an Italian artist who moved to the U S The beautiful artwork depicts many symbols of the values America was founded on. Following this was a trip to the statue room in which there are statues donated by every state depicting an important figure from the state.

One of the most exciting parts of Day Two was being able to meet two capital workers and ask them questions The first one we met has been working for Senator Schumer for over a decade and is from Long Island. The other person is from Florida and has been successfully campaigning for Democrats in red areas. They were asked a range of questions that included topics such as the January 6th Insurrection and their personal party background and values

Once we were done with a quick meal in the Congress Canteen we went across the street to the library of congress. Built in the 1930s, it houses a Gutenberg Bible, a plethora of books from Thomas Jefferson's personal library, and a section of books meant for researchers only. And just like the Capitol Building, it really is beautiful. This concluded the trip and we took the bus ride back to New York.

Overall this trip was amazing. We’d like to give a big thank you to our chaperones/teachers Mr. Latham, Ms. McMillen, and Mr. Rennard for organizing and creating this opportunity for us to make unforgettable memories while also learning

G.O. Gives Back!

By Zayda Hernandez

The Fall Blood Drive

On November 4th, 2022, Newfield High School was privileged enough to donate 88 pints of blood to the New York Blood Center Each donation has the potential to save up to 3 lives Hundreds of additional students attempted to donate but could not due to various restrictions However, the wolverine spirit was high in the gym where the drive was located Everyone who donated received refreshments and a McDonald’s voucher after donating. It was an amazing turn out and a great chance to give back to the community.

The Food Drive

G.O had their annual Thanksgiving Food Drive on November 10th, 2022. It was a huge success thanks to everyone’s donations. The class with the most donations was Ms. Meichner's first period class who also won the bagel party contest. Advisors Mr. Sommer and Ms. Montana, accompanied by their cabinet members, and a few staff members drove to St. Margaret’s Food Pantry where hundreds of non-perishable foods and twenty frozen turkeys were donated.

Drivers Safety at Newfield

By Saitta Roy

“Some of you don't care, it’s the hardest thing to do,” said Allen Ferrari, a retired police officer who has seen firsthand the deaths of teenagers due to fatal car crashes. Ferrari, along with his crew from the Town of Brookhaven, paid visits to Newfield on December 14th and 16th to show us students the dangers of unsafe driving Ferrari opened our eyes to some bone-chilling facts: Suffolk County has the highest rate of car accidents in the state, and Middle Country road is one of the most dangerous roads to drive on in New York. Alongside these facts, he told stories and presented news articles demonstrating the tragic ways teenagers have died, ranging from decapitations to being burnt alive in their vehicles

Ferrari’s message stretched beyond just wearing your seatbelt and abiding by traffic laws-- he encouraged us to frequently have more conversations with our parents as you never know when anyone can be taken away from you. His voice echoed in the otherwise silent room, filled up with students with tears dripping down their faces.

A student in attendance described the presentation as “really emotional and very in-depth”

The second day of the program was much lighter and 100% tearless. Ferrari and the crew brought in bumper cars and laid out a track in the New Gym. The purpose of this was to show that distracted and drunk driving leads to more accidents, which in this case was knocking into orange cones.

Square Dancing is Back!

by Mr. Piccininni

Photos

TheHolidays TheHolidays

AT NEWFIELD AT NEWFIELD

Holiday Highlights

By Riley Firenze

Hanukkah

Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that is celebrated for eight days during the winter months. The history behind it is that after a three-year battle to stop the desecration of a Jewish temple, Judas Maccabeus went into the temple to find only a day's worth of oil, but by miracle that small amount of oil was able to light the temple for eight days. In modern times, Jewish people celebrate by lighting eight candles on a Menorah which symbolizes the eight days the Temple’s oil lasted. They also celebrate by playing with dreidels, a top game, and eating latkes, a traditional potato fritter.

Kwanzaa

Unlike many of the winter holidays, Kwanzaa is not a solely religious holiday It was created in 1966 by a Californian professor to celebrate African American values. It lasts seven days from December 26thJanuary 1st. Each day is dedicated to a different principle. These principles are unity, selfdetermination, collective responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith On December 31 there is a community feast where Black Americans join with other Black Americans wearing clothes of their ethnic background.

BoxingDay

Boxing Day is the Black Friday of England and the Commonwealth. It is the day after Christmas, December 26th, and people celebrate it with Rugby and shopping People also used to hunt foxes on Boxing Day, but that has been banned and restricted in many of the countries where Boxing Day is celebrated. The origins of Boxing Day came from St. Stephen's Day, a Saint who was dedicated to helping the poor. Servants who were needed for Christmas celebrations in the old days used to get the 26th off to celebrate for themselves and their employers would give them bonuses.

Holiday Hallway Decorating

Photos by Riley Firenze

November Student of the Month: Rose Fernandez

by Diya John

Let me introduce you to the November Student of the Month for Newfield High School, Rose Fernandez! She has been an active member of our school community and takes part in various clubs. She has been in class council for the Class of 2023 for all four years holding her position as president. She is also an active member of the Yearbook Club. Rose also volunteers for various events held by G.O. such as the annual Blood Drive and taking photos for the Newfield sporting events. Rose’s inspiration transpired from her mother as, “she has taught me to become the woman that I am today and I could never thank her enough.” Some challenges Rose faced included dealing with a lot of stress and anxiety while trying to figure out time management in which she found that the best way to deal with this is by stepping back and taking a breath. Some advice Rose has for underclassmen is to put yourself out there! Rose says, “everyone has so many skills and talents and if you show people what you are capable of you will be someone’s role model just like how my mom is for me.” She plans to attend Stony Brook University and major in child education, as she aspires to one day teach little kids and become a role model for them. Once again, Congratulations Rose, “don’t settle for average, be the best you can be.” as you always say!

December Student of the Month: Anthony Alberti

by Diya John

Creative Corner

The Impossible Journey

by: Weronika Karpio

They sat in the woods, with no supplies or food, shivering as quietly as possible so the thing would not hear them Many people believed that the reason all those soldiers were sent near Siberia was because of how cold and impossible it was to escape nothing grew there with the average winter temperature below -22F so why was there a monster haunting the ods? People could die perfectly well by the harsh treatment of the diers or unforgivable mother nature. So what compelled the soviets to ease this 15ft tall Chort, one only heard in folklore? Why would they mmon him, an evil spirit who attacks anyone?

e three Polish soldiers attempted to flee their working camps and return he Motherland to help end the war with the nazis. Stanislaw (28), szard (20), and Andrzej (17) were all captured from different areas of and, but they were in the same run-down military car that transported m to the worst gulag in Soviet history, Kolyma. They immediately started nning how to escape. After two months of work and barely surviving, they aded the eyes of the guards and fled into the forest. They knew that the est would serve no better than the camp, but they would rather take the ance of making it to a town than die under brutal captivity. They were not en a day into walking when they noticed it: the Chort, with its long horns, foot red body, and demon-like features making it blatantly obvious in the d, almost blinding snow. They hid in a hole, one probably left by the ort’s hoof, waiting for it to pass They had heard of the Chort’s cruelty in ries but never thought the stories were real. The being, walking with the g ce of a cat, was so big the youngest of the group, Andrzej (going against the protests of his companions), peeked around the ground and tree and could not see the monster But he could tell, deep in his soul, that thing was near them; its eyes made one feel like a thousand pounds had been put on them. So, the soldiers huddled and waited, praying that the forgiving and let them pass. They did not know that less tha away, the Chort was watching And he quite enjoys a chas

Illusions i Create

Poem by: Ruby Tanisa

How is it capable of creating the biggest of illusions fooling everyone around, as they see the brightest of smiles and laughter. Only to never realize the actual madness and desperation behind this very illusion. Because behind it, creates a blinding flood of tears. Tears that are capable of drowning a being so often —until it becomes a habit. As it grabs onto its heart, it gasps for air. Begging for a moment to be able to breathe in Silence, however, can not exist, as it is just an illusion. An illusion that hides the yelling, the screaming, the pain, of one's thoughts, of one's feelings. None of this however can be seen, as it is just an

Sunkissed

Poem by: Rosmalin Paulino

You were the sun, You rose and lit up my world. You warmed my heart with the smell of your cologne, The soft warm touches, Your sunlight smiles, and the calm breeze of your voice

Then sunset came, and you were gone. Leaving me, cold and numb. In a sea of loneliness and doubt, hoping that you would come and save me

Drowning in a sea of darkness a light appeared, the moon, my moon. Always there, but not always seen. The comfort in your quietness lit up the stars and galaxies of my heart. And once again, I sparkled in the midnight sky.

Dark Corners of the Min

Poem by: Weronika Kaprio

Have you ever walked down an alley or street

Avoiding eye contact as they speak Walking then running with fear building up The dark corners served no comfort in the night

For when you ran for blocks on end You stopped and thought “Was this truly the end?” Because while we as the viewer saw nothing but darknes You as the central figure saw those eyes following For it has been weeks since they started stalking

Never once have they crept closer But when you are not looking, from the corners of your You can see them closing in You turn and expect them on top of you, right there in y

But nothing, not even a shadow Paranoia builds and your mind breaks

No one seems to care about these eyes but you alone Soon you will be locked here like the rest of us So run and hide, don’t get caught, till the morning dew c With the morning light bright as ever, and the ey forever?

They have hidden in the darkness of the corners Waiting for your mind to wander

LEAH LANDRON PRESIDENT

RILEY FIRENZE STAFF WRITER

MARIA DEASSIS PHOTOGRAPHER

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