The Vista Issue 2 Dec. 16, 2021

The Vista

NOTRE DAME ACADEMY*3535 W. SYLVANIA AVE.*TOLEDO, OH 43623*VOL 71, ISSUE 2* Dec. 16, 2021

In This Issue: Recognizing Danger of Dating Violence (p. 2)

Crosstalk: Christmas Yes vs.

Christmas No (p. 4)

Holding the Line on Demerits (p. 5)

Eagles Dance in Nutcracker (p. 7)

Roving Reporter (p.8) The school Christmas tree stands in the Main Lobby. The tree is decorated each year by Executive Student Council and will stay up until students return in the new semester.

Photo by: Chelsea Fall

The Vista

Page 2 News

Dating Violence

Girls Should Learn Warning Signs Mary K. Grzybowski It seems the entire country was caught up in the Gabby Petito case, hoping the young woman would be found safe, but fearing the worst. That came true when her body was found in September. Many hope that the good that can come out of her tragic death is that people will become more aware of the dangers of dating violence.

Dating violence is an increasingly common issue, especially among young people and teenagers. This type of violence warrants its own research and name because it happens between two people in a close relationship.

According to the Center for Disease Control, nearly 1 in 11 female high school students report having experienced physical dating violence in the past year.

Dating violence includes physical, sexual, and psychological violence, as well as invasive behaviors like stalking.

Because of the relationship, which often complicates things that would otherwise be interpreted as violence, it can be difficult for victims to leave the situation or even identify it as dating violence.

Therefore, it is important to learn about the most common signs to avoid this difficult situation.

If you use social media, and especially TikTok, you’ve probably seen the term “red flag” to refer to a quality that makes you want to avoid a person. Though some of the videos are intended to be jokes, the implications in dating violence are the same and very serious.

There are specific qualities in partners that could possibly lead to dating violence or indicate a tendency toward violence. Students need to be aware of these signs so that they can be more safe and aware.

Ms. Rachel Gombos, MSW, LISW says toxic monogamy is one of the most prominent of these signs.

“This is essentially creating an environment where you are solely engaged with your romantic partner for all of

Red Flags of Potential Dangers in a Dating Relationship as Listed at teendvmonth.org *Excessive jealousy or insecurity; *Invasions of your privacy; *Unexpected bouts of anger or rage; *Pressuring a partner into unwanted sexual activity; *Blaming you for problems in the relationship; *Controlling tendencies; *Explosive temper; *Preventing you from going out with or talking to others; *Constantly monitoring your whereabouts and checking in to see what you are doing and who you are with; *Falsely accusing you of things; *Vandalizing or ruining your personal property; *Taunting or bullying; or *Threatening or causing physical violence. your needs. They make rude comments when you make plans with friends instead of them; they make rules in the relationship,” Ms. Gombos said.

She specifically points out that partners who always want to know where you are or forbid you to be friends with someone of the opposite gender are dangerous.

“These things are toxic and create an environment where your partner isolates you,” she said.

Most people can instinctually recognize violence and seek to avoid it when it comes from a stranger. However, when it comes from a close partner in a relationship, is it easy to misinterpret the abuse as something that is allowed between partners.

It is important to remember that circumstance doesn’t change the significance and the consequences of violence.

The grey area between jealousy and protectiveness in a relationship and a

potential for dating violence is difficult to navigate in an already stressful situation.

“When we put boundaries around violence only meaning physical threats, we create the opportunity for someone to not question ‘jealous’ or ‘protective’ behavior,” Ms. Gombos said.

In other words, don’t accept invasions of privacy, explosive tempers, taunting, and excessive monitoring in a relationship just because it doesn’t seem violent in the traditional sense.

If dating violence does occur to an individual, she should first find a person she trusts. It can be difficult for victims of violence to feel safe going to an authority figure right away, so friends are often the first to know and the first to offer support. “‘How can I best help you?’ This response is my first suggestion when someone shares difficult information with you. You don’t have to pretend to be an expert on something when you are not,” she said. Simply listening to a friend and supporting her as she goes to a trusted adult for help may be all she needs from you at this time.

Victims of dating violence should keep in mind that abusers want to try to isolate them and create a situation of dependence, according to Ms. Gombos. Keeping friends and family, especially your parents, close and realizing that you don’t have to go through it alone is the most important part of safely dealing with dating violence.

NDA Counselor Ms. Abby Beham ‘09 said, “If someone is worried about someone's safety, they should let a trusted adult know what is going on. This is not something that a student should have to carry on her own. A student's counselor or any of the Safe Listeners at NDA, as well as a parent, would all be good people to talk with.”

Ms. Beham also suggests other resources: Teen Dating Violence Line at 419-241-7386; loveisrespect.org; and bethanyhousetoledo.org.

The Vista

Page 3 News

Women Reach New Heights as Role Models Regan Carnes From influencing American politics to advocating for environmental issues, the world is full of many diverse and influential women in leadership positions.

Ms. Kathrin Jansen is the Senior Vice President and Head of Vaccine Research and Development at Pfizer. In this leadership role, Ms. Jansen supervises over 700 employees. Thanks to her intelligence and commitment, the company successfully produced and distributed the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in just 11 months, “a remarkable achievement” according to Forbes Magazine.

She has also led the development of vaccines such as Gardasil and Prevnar13. She overcame gender-bias in a maledominated field, as well.

“Follow your dreams, no matter what people tell you,” Ms. Jansen said. Her impact on the drug development industry has saved lives and prevented countless infections.

Rihanna may be a famous singer and actress, but she is also a businesswoman and powerful advocate for social justice.

She owns the company Fenty, which is worth over $2.8 billion. Rihanna uses this successful platform to promote inclusivity and diversity. The company is known for distributing a wide range of makeup products for all skin tones.

Rihanna also uses her celebrity status to fight against racial injustice.

“When I see these injustices happening, it’s hard to turn a blind eye. It’s hard to pretend it’s not happening. The things that I refuse to stay silent on, these are the things that I genuinely believe in,” she said.

As First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden proudly fights for educational rights. A teacher herself, Dr. Biden believes that all students deserve an accessible and affordable college education.

“Teaching isn’t just what I do, it’s who I am,” Dr. Biden said. She is ambi-

tious and diligent, as she balances both her duties as First Lady and her teaching career at Northern Virginia Community College.

“In the position as First Lady, not only does she give voice to that from a place of understanding, she has an opportunity to create a platform and to have influence,” President of the National Education Association Ms. Becky Pringle said.

Greta Thunberg began to spread environmental awareness in 2018 as she initiated the “School Strike for Climate.”

Since then, Ms. Thunberg has addressed the U.N., spoken with the Pope, and led “the largest climate demonstration in human history” in 2019, according to Time Magazine. Ms. Thunberg is known for her honesty and powerful voice. At the age of 18, she inspires young people to use their own voices to demand change.

These women leaders and so many others show that women are powerful and can lead to change.

New NDA Cabinet Aims to Recognize Diversity Chelsea Fall Executive Student Council has added the new Inclusion Cabinet to its governing body to focus on following diversity and promoting inclusion throughout the NDA community.

Senior Niah Lee and sophomore Emersyn Rindler head the Inclusion Cabinet and have some exciting ideas planned for this year.

The girls frequently will create posters and informational news boards about celebrations or highlights of other cultures.

Emersyn and Niah have been designing the bulletin board in front of the Resource Center to celebrate other cultures.

National Hispanic Heritage Month was the first to be on the board.

During this time, they also created a schoolwide presentation where they showed a video and later played a Kahoot for pep points about the information in the video.

“We want people to be informed and excited about different cultures. We feel it's important to know things about other

The Inclusion Cabinet celebrates Indigenous Peoples’ Month. Photo by: Chelsea Fall

people and not just what is happening to you,” Niah said. They look for involvement so that inclusion within the NDA community can grow.

Focusing on different cultures and leaders in those cultures has been the most important part of the cabinet.

“These leaders represent the message that we want to spread within our community. They show what it means to be inclusive and are strong women within their cultures,” Emersyn said.

They want to show the importance of

women in other cultures, as well as promoting the message of diversity throughout leadership.

Being an all girls’ school, it is important to the Inclusion Cabinet that not only do they focus on including diversity, but also include important women who share this message.

They also have a focus on indigenous women throughout history who have fought for their rights as women and the rights of their culture.

These women promote the message that Niah and Emerson have been promoting throughout the school year.

The leadership ability of these women and their attention to spreading awareness of their cultures is important to sharing the lessons with the NDA school community and society.

Students will continue to see the Inclusion Cabinet make people more aware about inclusion throughout society.

“We are excited to see the changes that we can make in inclusion this school year and are happy to be spreading the messages that we are,” Emersyn said.

The Vista

Page 4 Op-Ed

Choices to Make Your Christmas Bright Christmas Yes  Crosstalk Christmas No Chelsea Fall Hallmark Christmas movies are essential to getting into the Christmas spirit because of their heartwarming stories and happy endings.

The River (channel 101.5) playing Christmas music before Thanksgiving is a good choice because it gets people excited about the season.

Black Friday sales happening all November are great for the holiday season. Instead of making a huge fight the day after Thanksgiving, it gives people time to relax and take their time. It creates way less chaos in the long run.

Going on vacation on Christmas has many benefits. You don't need to stay in the cold snow in order to feel the Christmas spirit. Spending time with family is the most important part of the holidays, so vacation makes that easy.

Pumpkin Spice Lattes are way better than hot chocolate.

They bring a new flavor and bring a happy feeling of fall which is beneficial to getting prepared for all the end of the year holidays.

It's a Wonderful life is an important Christmas movie that is better suited for the holidays. It has a heartwarming message that shows the message for the Christmas Season. It also includes a tradition of generations newer movies can't give.

Turkey for Christmas is a generational tradition that has lasted for decades. It is part of family traditions and is enjoyed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Opening presents on Christmas morning creates a sense of excitement and suspense that doesn't come if you open them on Christmas Eve. It is a great way to come together on Christmas morning and gives you a good reason to wake up.

Frosty the Snowman shares a good message about friendship and patience that other Christmas movies don't have. It's a happy Christmas movie that all kids enjoy and a beloved traditional Christmas character.

The Vista Staff Volume 71 Issue 2 The Vista is a publication of Notre Dame Academy by the students of Journalism II and III. The office is located in room 113 of the school.

Unsigned editorials represent a majority vote of the newspaper staff.

Editor in Chief: Chelsea Fall Second-Year Reporters: Regan Carnes Mary K. Grzybowski Adviser: Mrs. Julie Sells

Hallmark Christmas movies are cheesy and create unrealistic expectations for Christmas. These movies have unreal plots and often don’t show actual situations that happen.

The River (channel 101.5) shouldn’t play Christmas music before Thanksgiving because it gets people ready for the wrong holiday.

Black Friday sales all of November takes the fun out of Black Friday. It doesn’t allow for the point of Black Friday which is to find sales the day of and instead takes the fun and the thrill out of the shopping.

Christmas at home allows for much more family time and traditions. Christmas is all about being with the people you love and being at home with those people. Vacationing on Christmas can make unnecessary stress during the holidays.

Hot Chocolate is a classic holiday drink that makes people happy and excited for Christmas. It has the original Christmas flavor that people love during the winter holiday season, and you top it with marshmallows.

Elf is a funny and happy holiday movie that uses modern day comedy to make a heartwarming Christmas story. The classics might have out-of-date humor, but movies like Elf are funny today to keep the Christmas magic alive.

Ham is a classic Christmas food that everyone can enjoy during the holidays. It is easier to make than a turkey and brings people together the same way that a turkey would.

Opening presents on Christmas Eve makes kids happy on Christmas and gets them ready for Christmas morning with the rest of their family. It makes the suspense of more presents more exciting for them and makes a great family tradition.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer creates a heartwarming story that shows kids about bullying and how to overcome it.

It also teaches kids to be themselves and that you shouldn’t change yourself for anyone.

Editor’s Corner Hey NDA! I hope you enjoy reading this issue of the Vista. We have been working really hard to get this issue to you, and I'm so excited to share it with you. I hope that after your exams you all have a fantastic Christmas Break and a happy New Year. This issue has a lot of Christmas topics, so I hope that you enjoy reading them as much as we enjoyed writing them.

The girls and I have been working really hard so I hope you enjoy reading while you begin your Christmas Break.

- Chelsea

The Vista

Page 5 OP-ED

Teachers Should Be Uniform As students have settled into their new classes and become accustomed to new teachers, the disconnect of policies between classrooms has become clear.

Issues like dress code, food, and iPad usage are often switching from room to room, creating many issues for students. School policies have been set in place for many reasons, yet girls have found ways to get away with certain issues, depending on their classes and teachers.

Once they begin to know their teachers, girls know what each teacher will allow or not allow, regardless of the policies.

While some girls may see this as a way to bend the rules and be more comfortable at school, it would be better for the entire school if all teachers kept their policies the same.

Keeping the policies consistent in every classroom would encourage girls to stay in order for the entirety of the school day and to avoid trying to get away with breaking policies.

For example, sweatshirts and sweatpants are policies that are more heavily enforced from some teachers than others. It would be more beneficial for girls if they were to keep the policies similar when moving from classroom to classroom. Then girls don't have to rush to change what they are wearing based on what teacher they have next.

Lines by Mary

It would be better for them to know that whatever classroom they are walking into will continue to have the same rules and policies on things, regardless who their teachers are.

This can lessen the girls’ anxiety when it comes to disciplinary actions that they may receive based on wearing a spirit shirt instead of the uniform shirt.

This applies to what girls can bring into the room as well.

Some girls try to hide coffee travel mugs if they know they are going to a class where it might not be allowed.

Hiding such things in their purses can cause many issues, especially if a spill would happen.

Keeping similar policies helps girls to not get caught in a mess that they don't want to clean up because they will stop trying to push the envelope.

If they know every teacher will enforce the rule, it makes it a lot harder, and pointless, to try to break the rule.

School policies are in place, no matter where the girls are in the school. If all teachers enforce the rules equally, it would create less problems for the girls in the long run.

This will also keep the girls from getting demerits in different classes and would take away the anxiety that comes with them.

By Mary K. Grzybowski

An Eagle’s View

A Christmas Wish List for Eagles Mary K. Grzybowski This Christmas, the NDA faculty, staff, and students have put together a Christmas list to be sent to the North Pole. The Vista has compiled it here for Santa’s convenience.

Mrs. Chapman requested a set of virtual reality headsets to go with the anamatoge table, so that eventually students will be able to do full-length labs simulating episodes of Grey’s Anatomy. Students are especially excited to be working with the esteemed Dr. Derek Shepherd.

In an attempt to apply the same handson learning to their own curriculum, the English Department requested a way for students to virtually experience the books they are reading. Though the initial trials did yield higher test scores, sophomores who read Orwell’s 1984 consequently had trouble in their math classes, insisting that 2+2=5.

Ms. Joseph wants a full-time chef to work in her office and make snacks for the IB girls so she doesn’t have to keep stocking it with candy. Preferably, the chef would prepare something non-spicy, as most of the girls enter the office with tears in their eyes already.

Mrs. Wilkens wants additional time allotted to her chemistry classes so that they can practice Just Dance without it cutting into their studies. AP Chemistry students reportedly had “significant difficulty” taking the AP Chemistry test last year, but didn’t skip a beat when joining the NDA Hip Hop team.

Students who frequently use the elevator request that there be big-band elevator music inside to match with the elevator grill, so that it both looks and sounds like they are in the 1940s.

The Tech Nest wants an automatic messaging system to be added to their phone and emails so that when teachers call, it automatically shoots back “Did you try turning it off and on again?” According to data from last year, this is predicted to boost their efficiency by 150 percent.

Students who have classes in the JA Wing request that the school install airport moving walkways so they don’t have to run through the hallways to get to class in four minutes. This is predicted to reduce walking time by 70%, though this reduction may be offset by time spent in the luggage check line.

Merry Christmas, Eagles!

The Vista

Page 6 Feature

Mr. NDA Core Team Works for a Great Show Regan Carnes The Mr. NDA Core Team, escorts, and contestants from SFS and SJJ are preparing for the upcoming Mr. NDA show.

Mr. NDA is run by NDA students. Girls in grades 10-12 can apply for the Core Team. If they are chosen, they work diligently to plan and coordinate the event.

The core team is divided into four committees: script, social media, photography, and decorations.

All members of the Core Team contribute to writing the script, putting together costumes, taking photos, running social media, and building set decorations.

“To be a Core Team member, we look for students who can collaborate with others, who are willing to think out of the box for new creative segments,” comoderator Mrs. Jackie Terrill said.

Escorts are another key role in Mr. NDA. It takes lots of time and effort to be an escort. “Once they are selected by the contestants, escorts need to be willing to work hard to learn choreography and be open to trying new things. Most importantly, they need to support their con-

testant,” Mrs. Terrill said.

The contestants are twelve boys from SJJ and SFS who are selected for the show by the Core Team. As contestants, the boys will dance with their escorts, demonstrate their talents, tell jokes, and answer insightful questions.

“While it could be initially described as a male beauty pageant, it is much more than that,” Mrs. Terrill said. “Mr. NDA is a wonderfully creative show that is entertaining and fun for all.”

Mr. NDA meetings are held every Sunday for several hours. Additionally, the Core Team meets at lunch during the school week.

“During a normal meeting, the contestants and escorts practice dances on the stage,” Core Team member and senior Emily Dansack said.

“The Core Team members usually meet in Fitz Commons, and they group into committees and plan the show together,” Emily said.

Mr. NDA has faced some challenges with this year’s show. “Everyone on the

Core Team (except for one person) and the moderators [Mrs. Terrill and Ms. Abby Beham] are all new to running the Mr. NDA show. We are learning what it takes to organize, create, plan, rehearse, and bring a show together,” Mrs. Terrill said.

"The show is definitely lots of work, but we all have really good ideas, and I know the show is going to be great,” Emily said.

In addition to lots of work and dedication, the Mr. NDA team has lots of fun.

“One fun aspect [of the show] is to see the creativity of the Core Team. They have such great ideas on what the show should contain, and it will be new and fresh for everyone.

“Another fun aspect of the show is that at the end of each rehearsal, the Core Team comes [into the PAC] to watch the choreography that the contestants and escorts have learned that day. We watch them dance to a song and it brings the show to life. Everyone involved is willing to work hard and have fun together,” Mrs. Terrill said.

Broomball Adds New Team, More Fun Chelsea Fall

NDA’s broomball team has a boom of new members.

The broomball team usually has a small number of girls on one team; however, because of increased interest, about 12 girls have joined the team. This is because many seniors have decided that they wanted to join for their senior year and have a fun time playing a new sport.

Broomball is a club sport that is closely related to ice hockey, going back to the late 1800s. It is played by two teams of six people each, and unlike in ice hockey, players wear ice boots.

The aim is to score as many points as possible through the goals on either side of the ice. Each team has one goalkeeper, two defenders, and three attacking players who score the goals.

The sport is similar to ice hockey in the physical aspect.

“The game is similar to other games like basketball and hockey, so it was easy to pick it up and play my senior year,” said senior Maddie Lenkay.

The similarities helped the girls to be able to play even with no prior experience.

The girls who decided to play enjoy the game because of its sense of competition and its fun

spirit.

“There are 12 of us on the team and it’s a really fun way for us to get together and have fun,” said Senior Joan Hartlage.The girls love to be on the

ice and continue to have fun even if they have no experience playing the game.

Broomball has gained popularity among the senior class as many of them have decided to play without much prior knowledge. It creates an easy and fun-spirited game.

The practices and games are held at Sylvania Tam-O'-Shanter and are typically held later at night to avoid much conflict with other sports.

Our seniors created at fun team who are excited to play without much stress for their senior year.

Every year our broom ball team is given a name, however this years are yet to be determined. Our Coaches this year are Marisa Sturn and Megan Mejia . Marisa Sturn is our head coach and Megan Mejia is our assistant coach.

Broomball has been a great opportunity for many Notre Dame girls to get involved in a fun new sport. The similarities it has brought many people in and has continued to be a fun sport for many years. Its recent popularity has shown through the new sense of team and the lively spirit that comes with the new girls on the team.

The Vista

Page 7 Feature

‘Nutcracker’ Brings Christmas Traditions Chelsea Fall Every year since 1941 the Toledo Ballet has done the production of The Nutcracker.

Notre Dame girls have been a part of this tradition for many years and have continued to make the story come to life.

It allows girls involved in the ballet to show off their talents and use their skills to create a unique retelling of the story every year. The girls involved show passion and hard work, especially during the Christmas season where they perform.

The Nutcracker is loosely based on a story by E.T.A Hoffmann where a girl befriends a nutcracker who comes alive on Christmas Eve and begins a battle against the evil Mouse King. This story is shown through many generations, and many Notre Dame girls have played the parts of many of these characters.

“I started off as a mouse my first year

in the nutcracker and slowly worked my way up through the main leads. It has been an important part of my life for about 13 years now,” said senior Sadie Evener. She shows the importance of tradition and how doing the

show each year has a different effect on the girls.

The Nutcracker requires intense training and a heavy schedule in order to be sure that everyone is well prepared for the show. They go through daily rehearsals and stay long hours at the studio in order to make the show come to life.

“I have rehearsal everyday and often stay to teach the younger kids so that they know their choreography and where to stand,” Sadie said. The dedication from the girls is essential to the show's success.

These girls put a lot of time and effort into the show. Through its grueling rehearsal schedules or its intense training, these girls bring the show to life every year. Their use of their time, energy, and skills are important to making the show the best it can be.

Tips to Improve Study Habits, Grades Regan Carnes Whether it be practicing successful study habits or working on organization skills, there are several opportunities at NDA for students to improve their grades.

One effective way to improve your grades is to always properly prepare for tests.

Class grades are often weighted, meaning your test scores are the most important and prevalent aspect of the course.

“Compare studying to practicing basketball. Every chance you get, you grab the ball and practice free throws. It can get frustrating when you miss, but you keep trying until you can get 10 in a row. This is the same as studying, your brain is always making connections, so the more you look at an idea or concept, the more it will become part of your knowledge base,” Mrs. Jessica Beaverson, Dean of Students, said.

An efficient way to prepare for tests is by spacing out your studying. If you cram for exams the night before, it will be an overwhelming process.

To prevent unnecessary stress, it is important to take breaks and review the material over an extended period of time.

This method allows you to be fully present and pay attention while you study.

“If you review what you did in class each night, [the material] will stick with you longer,” Mrs. Beaverson said.

Another productive way to study is to test yourself.

Forcing yourself to recite the information you need to study ensures that you have the material memorized for your test.

That being said, make sure you are understanding the information, not just memorizing it.

“My favorite way to study is by making Quizlets and testing myself,” senior Lauren O’Brien said.

You can stay on top of your studies by staying organized.

Always keep your planner updated and use binders, colors, and labels to keep things neat. Studying will go faster if you know where to find all of your notes and assignments.

One of the most important things to do is see your teachers.

They are always available to talk and answer questions during Student Flex

Time.

Additionally, math teachers are able to help during Math Lab. Math Lab takes place after school on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursday until 4:15 and in the mornings from 7:30 until 8.

“I see my math teacher at SFT to review before tests. It is very helpful and helps me to get better scores,” sophomore Lindsay Carnes said.

Peer tutors are also a useful resource at NDA. They can monitor your progress and studying habits and give you feedback and advice along the way.

Mentored Study is another tool at NDA. Anyone can take the course, and benefits include “a designated time to meet with a tutor as well as study and organization skills,” Mrs. Beaverson said.

The most important thing to remember when trying to improve your grades is to never give up. There is always something you can do to raise your grade.

“Yes, it is frustrating when you get a grade you didn't expect, but it is part of the learning process. Each time, you should reflect on what you can do better next time,” Mrs. Beaverson said.

The Vista

Page 8 Backtalk

The Rant: Christmas Movies In recent years, we have seen a decline in older Christmas movies with many of them beginning to do reboots due to a lack in their popularity. However, many people only watch the newer movies and forget about the past classics that were loved for many decades. Movies such as White Christmas and It's a Wonderful Life are no longer hit movies and are often forgotten and are replaced by movies like Elf . We should be sure to continue to appreciate the works that came before our time.

Movies like White Christmas and It's a Wonderful Life are timeless movies that need to be appreciated during the Christmas season. The traditional Christmas movies have a sense of nostalgia that newer Christmas movies don’t bring.

They focus on heartwarming and happy stories while newer movies focus on adding the TV “magic” from the latest technology. It is important that we focus on the stories rather than the ‘wow’ factor of today's movies.

Most Christmas movies today are movies that have already been done. Reboots that are done today are not as good as the original based on the fact that the story has already been done. These movies typically only add a new technological update which only takes away from the original story. Movies like the grinch share the original Dr. Seuss story that everyone can appreciate. In the new Grinch movie, it gets rid of the original rhyme scheme of the book and takes away from the actual story.

Older Christmas movies share the sense of tradition that brings people together on Christmas. It is important to share that sense of family throughout the holidays and these movies not only bring people together but share a message of Christmas spirit that can be enjoyed by everyone in the family. These stories share lessons that are important today even if the movies were from a long time ago.

These movies are important to the Christmas season and bring back a sense of nostalgia and happiness that everyone can enjoy. With the timeless stories that have told heartwarming stories for generations and focus on the story rather than the artificial “Christmas magic” that can be added. Watching these movies is an essential part of the holiday season that everyone should enjoy.

Roving Reporter Roving Reporter Teacher Edition: Student Edition: What Would You Like To What’s at the Top of Your Get Pep Points For? Christmas List?

Regan Carnes

Chelsea Fall

“I’d like to get pep points for singing at Mass!” – Mrs. Lauren Moor

“I really want to have a nice mop at my house for Christmas.”

- Senior Marley Wilhelm

“I would like to get pep points for dancing to the Kahoot lobby music! The ‘adventure’ theme is the best!” – Mrs. Kate Caventer

“Fuzzy Blankets are the number one thing on my Christmas list this year.” - Sophomore Audrey Wittkop

“I would like to get a pep point every time a student has an 'Ah Ha! I get it!' moment in my class.” – Mrs. Jackie Sperling

“The #1 thing on my Christmas list is some corduroy pants from urban outfitters.” - Junior Ava Foor

“I would like to get pep points for every time a student says ‘we have a test today!?’” – Ms. Shiloh Jackson

“I really want some new fuzzy blankets this year.” - Freshman Bella Calamuggio

“I would like to get pep points for the number of people I can get to smile in a day!” – Mrs. Jessica Beaverson “I'd like to get pep points for taking a 5-minute mental health break during the day! ...or for getting to work on time.”

– Ms. Abby Beham “I would like to get pep points for each Post-It note I use!” – Mrs. Beth Corrigan “I would like to get pep points for writing college recommendations.” – Mrs. Laura Gallaher

“Starbucks gift cards are the number one thing on my Christmas list this year.” - Sophomore Maurin Gaubert “I want a mini photo printer for Christmas.” - Senior Grace Sanford “The #1 thing want for Christmas is a bunch of bags of spicy Doritos” - Junior Jordan Tracy “Gift cards to American Eagle and some new sweatpants are at the top of my list this year” - Freshman Kaitlin Diggins