24-25 Semester 1 by ursamajornews

LETTERFROM THEEDITOR

Heyreaders,

HappyNewYear!Aswe’ve beguntosettlebackdown intotheroutineof academics,takesometime toreflectonwhoyouwere lastyear.Isthereagoalyou didn’tmeet? Ormaybeyou haveabadhabityouwant tobreak Whateveritmay be,neverfeeldiscouraged togiveup Growthdoesn’t happenallatonce Start smallandworktowards yourultimategoal Asyou readthroughlastsemester’s paper,pleasetakeinto accountallofthehardwork onthesepages.Yourpeers spentconsiderabletimeon everysingleoneofthese storiesandtheirdedication willnotgounnoticed Not onlyisittheirhardworkand determinationthatmade ourpaperpossible,but yoursaswell Withoutthe outstandingstudentbody hereatBrewer,wewouldbe atalossforwhattowrite about.SoIwanttonotonly giveathankyoutomystaff butalsotoyou,foryour diligenceandwilltoleavean impactontheworldaround you.

Thankyou,

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McDonald’sisLovinOur Spirit

ByLibbiePeacock

In Summer 2024, McDonald’s of North Texas hosted their an Spirit Showdown for all 3A to 6A schools in the area to see w really has the most school pride On Thursday, December 12, the franchise recognized the winning school

Brewer High School accepted the generous donation during the final pep rally of the semester, alongside the pleasure of a few guest appearances

“McDonald’s of North Texas, Grimace and the local owner and operator were present at the pep rally,” Ms. Belisle said “They provided a $1,500 scholarship to Brewer High School, as well as McDonald’s gift cards for seniors.”

Brewer High School was nominated for the competition after a very prideful and spirited student section show out.

“A football parent reached out to the WSISD Communications Office during football season to help get the word out about the McDonald’s Spirit Showdown,” Dr Daryl Porter said

After Brewer had been submitted into the McDonald’s Spirit Showdown, it was then in the hands of the community to raise Brewer to the top.

“Brewer relies heavily on social networking and student communication,” Ms Belisle said “Blue Crew has their own Instagram account and Brewer students do an amazing job of reposting and getting information like this out there ”

With an engaged community like the one here, it’s no wonder that Brewer High School was named the most spirited 5A school in this area

“This year our students have done an amazing job promoting school spirit and engaging the community and their peers,” Porter said.

For Brewer, winning the Spirit Showdown meant more than the title of being the most Spirited school in the area It represents just how much pride Brewer Bears hold for our school

“The Spirit Showdown brings light to the student section and the culture that the Blue Crew has intentionally created this year,” Belisle said. “When students are seen, valued and given avenues to create positive energy, the entire culture of a campus improves.”

Although Brewer won’t be having many pep rallies the rest of this school year, the spirit of the students is high and will only continue to grow as the year goes on

“Winning the McDonald’s Spirit Showdown is one more step in the right direction to get our students excited about the activities at Brewer,” Porter said “It will promote our school and organizations in our community.”

Brewer High School would like to thank McDonald’s of North Texas for the generous donation, as well as the community for fueling the spirit of the Brewer Bears

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CheerNominatedasSemi-FinalistsFor SpiritTeamAward

ByOliviaAdkins

On November 1, the Brewer High School Cheer Team was selected as one of 10 spirit teams across Texas to be spotlighted by David Campbell Texas Football and Kendra Scott They received a $250 check and a football with the award's name

The award was presented at the Brewer vs. Ryan football game. The home side stands filled with excitement for the team as they accepted it

“The recognition felt amazing,” Junior cheerleader Ava Johnston said “I’ve seen our growth as a team since the summer and we always have good energy while having fun on the sidelines.”

Throughout the year, the cheerleaders are consistently rehearsing their routines and performance material to guarantee accuracy at games and pep rallies

“The award shows how hard we’ve been working every morning,” Junior Varsity Cheer Captain Kendell Duvak said. “Our smiles and energy always draw the crowd’s attention along with our outstanding tumbling and stunts!”

In a large group like the cheer team, mutual support and collaboration with one another is the foundation of their successful performances because they rely on each other so much

“Teamwork is crucial because without it we wouldn’t be flexible, so we can be prepared for anything unexpected, and overall have a good time together and create memories with each other and the student section,” Johnston said

As a spirit team, nothing matters more to the cheerleaders than the participation of their peers They manage to keep the student section loud and energetic no matter the game's odds.

“Cheer may be intimidating or look easy, but there is always something to work on,” Johnston said “The main thing to aim for is to be a role model for others Skills shouldn’t discourage you as they aren’t as important as your character and spirit ”

This nomination is a testament to our cheer team’s hard work, school pride and the positive influence they have in our community

TikTok prepared to shut down in the United States on January 19, despite opposition and efforts by the Biden administration and President Donald Trump to reverse it The federal ban has sparked mixed reactions and caused people to resort to other apps

The popular social media platform, launched in 2018, has quickly become prominent It now dominates the Play Store and App Store in downloads, boasting 170 million users in the United States alone TikTok's innovative algorithm, short-form videos and ability to cater to various interests make it unique and preferred over its competitors

Lawmakers have classified TikTok as a national security threat because its parent company, ByteDance, is linked to China They say TikTok poses a risk of the Chinese government accessing US user data The app would become unavailable in the United States, unless TikTok was purchased by an American buyer

PhotoCredits:GoogleImages

PhotoCredits:WhiteSettlementISD

The future of TikTok has caused worry, skepticism and relief among Americans since the bill written by President Trump in 2020 for its ban was signed last April Most users and young people in particular were sad to learn their beloved app was leaving. However, the ban would have impacted nearly everyone online

Even if someone does not have TikTok, they will likely come across a TikTok video on a different platform since TikToks are often reposted onto other apps Additionally, the ban affects the apps made by the same company such as CapCut, a popular videoediting app.

TikTok notably allows users to discuss their opinions and sensitive topics freely Some argue the government seeks to limit freedom of speech and is not concerned about American user data privacy

“It’s not really about safety,” sophomore Bayleigh Phillips said. “It’s about controlling what we see and talk about TikTok stands in the way of their agendas ”

The fear of TikTok going dark has caused many American users to flock to alternative platforms Many are taking refuge in RedNote, a Chinese social media app known for its lifestyle content and user reviews. Some say the move to this app is an act of defiance against the government’s decision to ban TikTok However, many are embracing their newfound “freedom” as TikTok refugees and are now experiencing a different view of Chinese culture on RedNote

If ByteDance sold the app to an American buyer or company, TikTok, worth over 100 billion dollars, would avoid being banned. Potential buyers include Shark Tank investor Kevin O’Leary, YouTube star Mr Beast and other billionaires interested in coinvesting In the past, China opposed ByteDance’s possible selling of TikTok, but they may change their mind after Trump’s order

PhotoCredits:GoogleImages

The app went dark for millions of American users on January 18th It was back in service the next day after Trump promised to take action He ordered a 75-day extension, delaying the ban TikTok’s complicated situation remains ongoing

Trump’sSec auguration

ByHaileyDeLaCruz

Trump is back for his second term in office and had his ceremony on January 20. The 47th President of the United States inauguration was a historic event marked by pomp, ceremony and controversy The event which was initially supposed to be held outside the capitol building, but due to snow, was moved indoors to the Capitol Rotunda

Many famous and political figures attended, including former U.S. President Joe Biden, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Vice President Kamala Harris, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg, former U S President Barack Obama and many more

Trumps inauguration marked the beginning of his second term as President, and it was seen as a significant event in American history. The ceremony was attended by hundreds of people and millions watching around the world

The inauguration was not without controversy and protests Several groups of protesters against Trump's presidency marched near downtown Washington DC, expressing their disapproval of the 47th president. Later throughout the event, Tesla CEO Elon Musk faced major criticism for his gestures made addressing the crowd Many are accusing the millionaire of making a Nazi salute There have been supporters of Musk defending him by saying that he had been instead doing a Roman salute Musk himself has said on an X post, now deleted, that all the allegations are false

Overall, Trump's inauguration was historically an event that marked the beginning of his second era in office Despite controversy and protests surrounding the event, it has become a significant part of American politics and history.

Lady Bears Undefeated in District

ByAlexisWh

their hard work and consistency is worth it With the players passion, coaches' strategy and support from friends and family, the Lady Bears pull through on their road to victory

In the most recent girl's basketball game, the girls played our rival, Aledo High School It was a close game but the team pulled through and won with a final score of 50-46

“It was physical but the girls were focused and ready,” girls varsity basketball coach, Coach Teranie Lewis, also known as Coach T, said

Having the title of being undefeated isn’t easy Something like that comes with a lot of hard work, dedication and commitment

“We utilize pre-season and off-season to work on a lot of the skills we need to get with as a team,” Coach T said

Maintaining something as amazing as the undefeated title does come with its challenges

“Every game is TOUGH,” Coach T said. “Teams give everything they have to try and beat you ”

Getting through hard games is challenging but remember to move as a team can secure these wins A sense of unity and a strong bond is extremely important on and off the court

"These players are daughters, sisters, granddaughters, nieces, friends and kids,” Coach T said. “I believe that they play a lot better when they feel like someone actually likes them for who they are as people."

This season the girls went above and beyond with their admirable determination, congratulations are in order for their great season

GoingAPEforaFieldTrip

ByEvelynQuesada

Ursa Major News

AP Environmental Science students went on a pair of trips to Airfield Falls Trailhead & Conservation Park to gain a greater understanding of how proposed development and human co he ec

Th rea ith the ir developing research project, it gave many of them a realization of how they were working for an Advanced Placement course and not just there for the fun of being out of class.

As many classes at Brewer High School are participating in a series of off campus events, academic or just for the fun and experience of it, one up and coming course recently went on their own outstanding field trip The Trinity trails is a highly popular spot among those in the city of Fort Worth and has created a great opportunity for Brewer's students.

"Being on a field trip for fun, you wouldn’t have any productive expectations," junior Casey Harrell said. "This AP class field trip showed me that although we do get that excitement of being out of school, our main goal is to observe the environment and put what we’ve been learning into practice "

Additionally, each student collected extensive research from observing the environment and how the site came to be From each organism interacting with one another to how the site was built and how humans had an impact on the development of it

"I observed the ways manmade items and construction affected how healthy the site was environmentally, and how the genetic and species biodiversities were mostly affected from the manmade changes due to the pollutants and destruction added to the site," junior Peyton Leonguerrero said

With the course being such a challenging, hands-on experience, it was greatly appreciated as students are being given the opportunity to observe the environment around them firsthand, and comparing what was man made to what Mother Nature had created

"In APES, having the opportunity to take our lessons outside is important so we can apply what we’ve learned in the classroom and observe our environment to understand the present issues and how to address them," junior Olivia Adkins said

Having this as the first field trip of the year in the course, and even for many of the students, the expectations for this trip varied from student to student. Some of the classmates expected the trip to be boring and only there for academic purposes, meanwhile for others, they didn't know what to expect to come from it

"I expected the trip to be challenging because I thought we had to do two projects during the trip," senior Alex Paduano said "The trip was much more fun than anticipated because it allowed me to breathe fresh air and bond with classmates "

Despite the different expectations, the reality of what happened during the field trip was a different outcome Every student that

attended was able to learn something new on the trip Whether it was something simple like how to measure how tall a tree was, or how the ecosystem around them was specifically affected by human activity, there was something for everyone to discover

"The most interesting thing I learned at this field trip was how connected the system had to be to be able to make the ecosystem sustainable and how the construction that was already made to the site made an impact," Leonguerrero said.

There are a variety of ways to teach and a variety of ways to learn, it’s always important to expand your horizons in methods for both While a field trip might sound like a vacation as opposed to an opportunity to gain new knowledge, many students who attended would disagree

“I would tell someone that they should just take a walk through that park,” said Harrell. “They should look at a map of surrounding buildings and think about how they affect the park ”

Everyone has different learning styles, and a field trip might be the opportunity for you to express yours The APES course has done a great job in covering different learning styles, and it might be the best science course for you So go ape for APES

PhotoCredits:EvelynQuesada

HowtoApplyforScholarships

ByAudrielynnDombrock

College application deadlines are quickly approaching

Unfortunately, many students are discouraged from college because of the costs Scholarships are a great option to help pay for tuition and other college expenses However, many students don’t know where to start. These tips from Mr. LeDonne, the college and career adviser at Brewer High School, can help any high school student begin their scholarship hunt

There are several ways students can start applying for scholarships

The beginning isn’t always a simple Google search as many expect Students already in the college admissions process can apply for scholarships through the college

“I recommend students first look on the colleges’ websites that they are applying to,” Mason LeDonne said “Learn what their scholarship process is Are you automatically considered for scholarships with your application? Is there a separate scholarship application you need to complete in addition to the admissions application?”

In addition to applying for scholarships through colleges, high school seniors should complete the FAFSA, which assists college-bound students with their postsecondary plans

“Students will also need to complete their financial aid application (either the FAFSA or the TASFA) depending on their situation The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and the TASFA (Texas Application for State Financial Aid) will help students earn need-based financial aid to help pay for college,” LeDonne said

Many students who submit their FAFSA discover they don’t receive enough aid to cover all the college costs Scholarships are available for people of different backgrounds and with specific interests to help pay for what federal and state financial aid does not

“Each scholarship has its criteria, and students need to read through the scholarship’s criteria thoroughly before applying,” LeDonne said

Local scholarships from the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Latinas in Progress are good options for high school students Additionally, the Terry Foundation, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation offer national scholarships

“Scholarships range anywhere from $100 to full-ride Some scholarships are a one-time award and others are given to students over the course of four years,” LeDonne said. “While going for the big dollar scholarships is important, I like to remind students to also apply to smaller dollar scholarships Often they are less competitive and you can add those up together to help lower your payments ”

While scholarships seem promising and necessary, students go through many hoops during the process just to apply for one It may get tedious and repetitive, but it is still important to go for scholarships anyway

“It takes time to research, find, and apply for scholarships Many will require essays, but the good news is that some of the prompts are the same, so you can re-use one essay for multiple scholarships!” LeDonne said “They only get easier the more you complete them!”

Throughout the many years of school, students are taught to read and follow directions in order to be successful Nevertheless, LeDonne says this is a major mistake students will make while applying for scholarships Each scholarship will have requirements Whether it’s deadlines or recommendations, they are there for a reason and should be considered during the scholarship application process. Finally, the last mistake students make is not applying and losing out on opportunities This can be avoided if efforts are made

“A lot of scholarships do not receive applicants or receive very few applicants, so it is always good to apply and put your name in the applicant pool!” LeDonne said

Although the search for scholarships, following requirements and the application process can get complicated, it is important to keep in mind that the work literally does pay off There is always a chance of receiving a scholarship, but you will only have that chance if you take initiative and start applying

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TheaterHostsFrightfulProduction

ByOliviaAdkins

The second annual Haunted ed by the Brewer High School Theater Department, October 25 Many hardworking students organized it and contributed by acting, designing props, running concessions and more

The hayride begins as you board onto a trailer in front of the cafeteria. You are ushered on by two cousins who explain that the land Brewer High School is on used to belong to their grandfather who ran a circus on it The hayride takes you around the stadium as the cousins tell the tragedy of their grandfather’s failed circus and the clowns who performed there

“The story goes that the clowns retaliated against bullying and it ended with a kid missing,” senior Tristin Godwin said “The parents of White Settlement burned down the circus, ridding the city of the clowns only for the clowns to return as vengeful ghosts ”

As the hayride continues, you start to see disturbing visuals such as a bloodied tent and hanging body bags The cousins say that it’s nothing to worry about, but that becomes unconvincing as the trailer begins to be approached by eerie clowns covered in blood and their pleading phrases of “Come play with me” or “I’m going to get you”.

“Getting to play a clown was lots and lots of work,” freshman Corey Leverett said “You had to be creative with what you said and how you acted My favorite part was doing all of the fun makeup ”

The clowns did a great job of being terrifying. Throughout the hayride, they would yell at and harass the riders. Even a few of them jumped onto the trailer and got in the rider's faces to scare them as much as possible The clowns got creative with their interactions by dancing, sword fighting and similar things that kept riders on their toes

“We absolutely freaked people out and scared their boots off,” junior Skyler Holloway said. “Both young and old were terrified.”

The hayride proved to be a success the night of, but the most significant part was all of the hard work that went behind the scenes Tech theater students spent their time preparing props and costumes that brought the whole production to life.

“I was involved more with the development of the hayride instead of the actual planning,” Godwin said “I loved getting to paint, shape and build a bunch of props that were used in the attraction ”

Despite the fantastic execution of the Haunted Hayride, not everything is as smooth as it seems There is always room for error and mishaps

“Some props came apart, and there were occasionally ads playing during the music,” Leverett said “The costume and makeup changes were also uncomfortable and difficult to work with ”

The Hayride was an entertaining and engaging event that brought the community together for a memorable evening More than just a lively activity, it served a purpose by raising funds to support the theater department

“Our department wanted a fun way to fundraise money for future projects,” junior Jerimiah Orr said. “I enjoyed planning with everyone else and sharing our ideas ”

Overall, the Haunted Hayride was the perfect entertainment for the students of Brewer and their families By attending student-run productions and events like the hayride, you are also supporting the aspirations of students who find joy in creating and planning these activities and their departments

PhotoCredits: FelicityMcDade

TheBear’s DiningDen

ByLibbiePeacock

White Settlement ISD will now offer free supper to any student 18 and younger at the middle and high school campuses Hours of operation include Monday to Thursday from 4 pm to 5:45 pm at Brewer Middle School and 4:15 pm to 4:45 pm at Brewer High School

The menu for upcoming meals and addresses for both campuses are available on the White Settlement ISD website.

PhotoCredits: WhiteSettlementISD

“WSISD uses the USDA’s Child and Adult Care Food Program or After School Care Program, which offers free meals to any student when enrichment activities are offered,” Child Nutrition Director of WSISD, Adam Whitten, said “The program began at Brewer High School to feed students who stayed late for clubs, athletics, fine arts, tutoring, and other programs. Last year, we decided to work with the middle school to offer more students meals as soon as construction of the new kitchen was completed ”

White Settlement wants the community to know about this offer for kids, to provide as many meals to their students as they can They are taking action in many ways to inform students.

“WSISD will share the information to their social media, as well as campus social media,” WSISD Communications Director, Desiree Coyle said “District and campus newsletters have been emailed and texted to families Details are also on the WSISD website, White Settlement Bomber News and signs placed on the campuses ”

However, this offer does not apply to everyone in the community Only certain people are eligible for supper

“Any WSISD student 18 and under and individuals 21 and under who are enrolled in a school program for the mentally or physically disabled can receive free supper,” Whitten said. “As well as individuals 21 and under who are enrolled in RCCI.56.”

White Settlement prioritizes its students’ health, and food quality is a major factor in a child’s well-being That’s why sourcing good food is important for not only free suppers but all means provided by the district

“We purchase as many foods as locally as possible, using local farmers and dairy and meat suppliers,” Coyle said “All foods used by child nutrition are grown or made in the USA ”

The district also understands every child may have certain needs They cater to dietary restrictions and allergies for all students

“The student must inform the server or bring and scan their ID or enter their ID number for the cashier to see the allergy list,” Whitten said “Our dietitian, Candace Strickland, works with nurses and parents to plan alternative meals for students with allergies or dietary restrictions ”

There’s no need to rush to supper or fear making it on time. White Settlement has prepared for any turnout of students, so plenty of meals will be available

“We prepare meals based upon the previous menu cycle, afterschool participation, and communication from teachers and coaches,” Coyle said. “We also have food ready to be cooked and served as needed so that every student will be served a meal We will not turn away any students ”

White Settlement ISD will continue to provide free supper to students for as long as kids participate in afterschool programs and funding is available. If you are eligible for this offer, don’t forget to get your free meal on either the middle school or high school campus at dinner time!

PhotoCredits: WhiteSettlementISD

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ConstructionofQuikTrip NexttoCampus BringsConcern

ByNoahFinch

PhotoCredits: GoogleImages

About a month ago, construction began on a structure right around the corner from our very own Brewer High School. Students and parents discovered that it would be a QuikTrip truck stop, and while many people are excited about the opening of the new gas station, some concerns have been raised based on proximity

“I think it’s beneficial to the students who drive cars cause it’s a closer gas station,” senior Yerik Colon said

Very often, a community of people such as the one here at Brewer has a general fear of change Being surrounded by open fields for so long can certainly be scary for parents and student drivers who spend a lot of time driving to the school

“I think people are gonna have to leave earlier to drop their kids off if they wanna get to work on time,” Colon said. “I’m glad I drive myself so my parents don’t have to worry about it ”

From a student perspective, though traffic may be a big factor, QT is well-regarded for having surprisingly good food Pair this with the act that a commute to a gas station might be a lot shorter, and it may not be such a bad thing.

“I think it’s gonna be very helpful having a gas station there cause you don’t have to travel far to get gas or breakfast,” Colon said “If you didn’t have time to grab anything then it's pretty beneficial for you ”

With mixed feelings being apparent among the students of Brewer, the real question is how the staff who found out about it first feel, and how those feelings may have changed over time

“I found out probably right when school started,” Principal Dr Daryl Porter said “I do think it is close to the school but I am confident in the measures that we’ve set up with our security guard and the way people enter and exit ”

One of the main concerns that the majority of students and especially parents have with the new gas station is the traffic that would be brought on by a truck stop right next to the school Big trucks and regular vehicles would have to share the road leading to the school in the mornings and after school

“Ultimately it'll be an adjustment until we get a routine,” Porter said. “It may be rough for a few days or weeks but ultimately people will figure it out, but for us, communication is key Once we find out when it's going to open we communicate to parents and students with a heads-up ”

Brewer has had quite a change of scenery in the past few years, first, the warehouse covered a ton of ground and brought new roads that some students could even use to get home faster The horses that used to graze in the fields around us were relocated Despite all of this, QT will likely bring the biggest change to our schedules

“I feel during school time it’s not going to affect us at all,” Porter said “Maybe before and after school students may have to figure out how to battle traffic and time management practices ”

Despite the concerns, many positive aspects come with having a gas station so close to the school Whether it's food, last-minute gas, or having somewhere to wait so you can pick up your sibling when you have early dismissal, it serves a purpose in the lives of every student and staff member.

“Personally, I enjoy a QT hot dog,” Porter said “I think they have really good customer service and it could benefit our kids by providing jobs The employment of our students is a benefit ”

There’s good in everything if you’re able to look hard enough. Despite many parents having concerns about the safety issues that would come with a new and sought-after establishment so close to their kids’ high school, the school is aware of the effects and more than prepared to face them head-on

“We prepare for everything outside of these walls as well but whether a business is built 100 yards or 1000 yards away we are prepared for whatever may come,” Porter said “Ultimately we have good systems, one way in one way out At least during the school day, there’s always a security guard, APs and other people watching the doors and front gates With our current system, we’ll be okay, and if we need to adjust, we always will ”

Despite what comes from the gas station being the main concern for the parents and students, what goes to the gas station is the discussion among the upper-level staff members, such as the principal

“I think the students will be thinking that they can visit it during the school day,” Porter said “We have always been and will continue to be a closed campus, so adding restaurants or convenience stores doesn’t change our policy ”

With a gas station that has surprisingly delicious food so close to where we spend the majority of our day, it’s easy to imagine that temptation will be high for students hoping to grab a snack during their lunch periods. Unfortunately, though, this is not something that Brewer

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allows students to do Though this is an unfortunate reality, it does not mean that there is no good in the situation

“If a community is not growing then it's dying,” Porter said “It shows that people want to invest in where we are, and I wanna make it known that safety is our number one priority and that we have a safe campus and we are prepared.”

Whether it’s a gas station, a warehouse, a horse farm, or a farm across the street, Brewer is prepared for whatever goes on outside its walls The safety of the students is and will remain the top priority of our school and its staff If your concern lies with the safety, disruption of your schedule, or change that the QT will bring, rest assured that Brewer is prepared for whatever comes out of it

ByAdilynZepeda

PhotoCredits:MsBanat

People should join Book Bunch to read good books, discuss literature, and make new friends,” Banat said

EvolvingAIApps

ByLilianaLopez

AI is rapidly evolving, becoming something we use for everyday life From helping design unique recipes, manage mental health, to saving the earth and much more, AI apps have helped change the world

The invention of AI has helped many people with their day to day tasks Specifically, a popular AI app people have downloaded is “Taste Buddy,” which suggests recipes based on users dietary needs

Book Bunch is a student-led organization where students meet in Ms Banat’s classroom after school on Tuesdays to read and discuss books The club is open to any student at Brewer High School who is interested in literature and wants to meet with people who share similar interests

Pre AP English 2 teacher, Ms. Banat, was motivated to start Book Bunch by a few students she had several years ago Upon discussing literature with her students, Banat realized that their tastes in novels were similar and with students' encouragement, Banat created Book Bunch

“They asked me if I would be willing to sponsor a club for readers, and I said I would love to,” Ms Banat said “This is the kind of group I wish existed at my high school ”

Since Book Bunch is student-led, every member in the club gets a say in which novel is chosen A “to-be-read” list is compiled based off of summaries and book covers; then a group vote is taken to decide which book to read.

“My favorite memories during Book Bunch are always our discussions about the book once everyone has finished reading,” Banat said “Things get heated when we talk about the way a book ends or the way certain characters are treated ”

All you have to do to join Book Bunch is show up to a meeting The book the club is currently reading is called “The Only One Left” and is a mystery/thriller

One of the features is that users can upload a picture of their ingredients and it will give you a meal to cook. It's a good way to make meals if you have no idea what to do and don't have much

Meanwhile, the app “Mood Mingle” is made for people to share their feelings or emotions with others with similar experience in their emotions based off emotional states and personality traits The app makes sure to provide a safe and supportive environment for its users.

Another standout app was “Eco Guide,” an AI app that promotes sustainable living for others Eco Guide analyzes user habits and offers personalized recommendations to reduce the use of carbon This app helps optimize home energy uses and suggests more earth based options to decrease the use of carbon.

These new apps are helping people be healthier and live with less struggles within their daily lives, making tasks easier and more enjoyable As these apps continue to advance, they improve and push the boundaries between technology and people, opening new ways of doing things using new AI apps

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Volunteering 4 a Brighter Future

ByLibbiePeacock

If you're a high school student a t to leave a mark in a child’s life and raise a world of leaders program for you Academy 4 brings together inspiring high schoolers and curious fourth graders to forge a bright future for this generation

When you volunteer with this program, you are assigned a fourth-grade student to connect with throughout the school year, but it is so much more than a mere hour once a month

“My most memorable moment while in Academy 4 was when we got to take a picture with our mentees because just that one small picture can capture a year full of memories that we made,” senior Alyssa Gavrel said.

Academy 4's takeaways are beneficial for several reasons This program is especially appealing to those who plan to have a child-centered career after high school

“I’ve always wanted to be a teacher when I grow up and Academy 4 helps me understand how to talk and connect with younger kids,” junior Alicia Oliver said

Alongside learning about child behavior and communication, you have the opportunity to affect an elementary student’s day-to-day life and their life on a bigger scale

“I believe we are having a major impact on our elementary kids,” senior Lilliana Garza said “The kids see the goals we have set for ourselves and the positive energy we give to all our peers and our littles We create a bond with these kids to show they always have someone and they can grow to be there for someone as well ”

High School isn’t your only chance to be a part of Academy 4, as this program accepts mentors of all ages At any point in your life, you can reach out to leave a mark on a child’s life

“I’m very excited to be participating in Academy 4 for my second year, and if my schedule allows me to next year, I will definitely be participating again,” Gavrel said

This program not only effects the elementary students, but the mentors as well It takes a lot to be a person that kids can look up to

“Every month I get to meet with my student and see the influence I have over them,” Garza said “This program truly is a wonderful experience as we begin to help shape the future generations.”

Connecting with your student on such a deep level throughout the school year is such an uplifting experience It makes you feel like you are truly making a difference in a child's life

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MEDIA MAJOR

PhotoCredits:GoogleImages

Wicked Takes Flight onto the Big Screen, but

Does It Live Up to the Hype?

By Audrielynn Dombrock

The highly-anticipated movie adaptation Wicked (2024), set long before Dorothy stepped foot on the yellow brick road, is a whirlwind of magic telling the tale of the two notorious witches of Oz

Wicked (2024) is set in the reimagined land of Oz The story begins with the backstory of Elphaba, the misunderstood and feared green-skinned girl, and introduces Glinda, the bubbly and ambitious golden girl They meet at Shiz University where they become unexpected roommates and soon friends. As their friendship grows, so does their understanding of the truth about the Wizard of Oz. Shiz becomes a treacherous journey for Elphaba and Glinda, leading them toward contradictory paths

Cynthia Erivo’s performance as Elphaba was stellar Her musical numbers, especially “Defying Gravity,” were powerful She showcased Elphaba’s vulnerability and spirit with passion Ariana Grande was on point playing the role of charming and wise Glinda Her performance of “Popular” and soprano vocals throughout the movie were wonderful Nevertheless, Grande’s acting was noticeably lacking compared to the rest of the ensemble Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero was interesting and added to the dynamic between Elphaba and Glinda The Wizard’s character, played by Jeff Goldblum, was also executed well.

The music was undoubtedly phenomenal Erivo and Grande’s stunning vocals captured the musical aspect and perhaps even better than the stage musical version of Wicked Bailey’s performance of “Dancing Through Life” as Fiyero was unexpectedly pleasant

The vivid set of Oz brought the film to life The background did not fail to enchant The costumes also fit both of the characters’ personalities Glinda sparkled in pink and glittering gowns to represent her charm and was reminiscent of the original Good Witch. Elphaba wore dark clothing which reflects on her character as a symbol of defiance.

Glinda and Elphaba’s friendship was touching and felt genuine for the most part However, there was a lot of room for improvement in the relationship between the two The development of their friendship was there but was rushed The runtime of the movie was relatively long considering the original Broadway version and that Wicked (2024) is a part one

Even when considering it was only the first part of the whole story, Wicked (2024) had the potential to translate the magic of the stage production into a better interpretation Though many parts of the movie were wonderful, it felt incomplete but still brought magic to the screen

Embracing Simple Survival Simulators

Ursa Major

ByJadeCarballea

Released on March 28, 2017 by Videocult and published by Adult Swim Games, Rainworld is an underrated survivalist platforming game that places the player into a post-apocalyptic world where you seem just like an insignificant piece compared to a vast ecosystem

Rainworld is brutal, in a sense that you’ll be dying very often due to the fact you’re playing as prey instead of the predator The game begins with a cutscene where the creature you play as, Slugcat, is ripped away from its family during a storm and are washed away into a whole new world, alone

The controls are easy to get a hold of and there is a mechanic called cycles, where after a certain amount of time you need to find shelter due to heavy rain that you’ll have to keep track of It might sound easy, but it’s how you react in dangerous situations that really decide if you progress or not

Mostly everything can harm you. The main monster that you’ll encounter are lizards, but they also vary in abilities due to color. Every creature has a unique AI that makes encountering them feel new, but also terrifying due to the lack of an extensive tutorial

This is all not mentioning the stunning visuals, which uses a pixelated style, while also having incredibly detailed landscapes

Rainworld is definitely a gem worth checking out Even if it seems tough without a tutorial, the real joy lies within finding things out on your own and learning from your mistakes while playing

Mufasa:theMovieWe

Didn’tKnowWeNeeded

ByAdilynZepeda

PhotoCredits:GoogleImages

The Lion King, originally made in 1994 by Walt Disney Feature Animation with a “live action” version that came out in 2019, is a beloved movie with an emotional theme of leadership, family and growing up The Lion King is a well known masterpiece with a great soundtrack, story and animation. The movie’s new prequel, Mufasa, which was released on December 20, 2024, didn’t get the same

feedback from the audience as The Lion King did

One of the most popular Broadway songwriters of our time, LinManuel Miranda, wrote the songs in the Mufasa movie Although being well known for Hamilton and Encanto, Miranda’s work in Mufasa has disappointed viewers. The specific song “I Always Wanted a Brother,” has people joking that they almost walked out of the theater because of how bad the song was The lyrics are said to be unoriginal and repetitive and the character singing, Taka, has a mysterious Australian accent even though the movie takes place in Africa Mufasa’s soundtrack, apparent poor animation and an “unnecessary storyline,” have gotten harsh criticism.

While it’s easy to get behind not loving the soundtrack and comparing it to older Disney songs, Mufasa was overall a great movie Understanding Mufasa’s humble background and learning about Taka’s ( Mufasa’s friend-turned-brother) origin story was an enjoyable experience. The characters' personalities and relationships are simply shown to us in The Lion King but watching the characters that we already know and love develop into their personalities and create friendships in Mufasa makes us love the characters even more

The animation in Mufasa is good. You can see expressions on the character's faces and it isn’t too difficult to tell which lion is which as long as you’re paying attention. You don’t need to have an open mind to like Mufasa; the movie fits into the Lion King franchise perfectly If you enjoyed The Lion King, you’ll like the Mufasa movie just as much

PhotoCredits:GoogleImages

Chromakopia:TheAlbum ThatCaptivatedtheWorld

PhotoCredits:GoogleImages

Ursa Major News

ByEvelynQuesada

On October 28, 2024, American rapper, singer, and record producer Tyler Gregory Okonma, professionally known as Tyler, The Creator, released the internet's hottest album of the year, Chromakopia The album contains a total of 14 songs including

features from Daniel Caesar, Teezo Touchdown, Glorilla, Sexyy Red, Lil Wayne, LaToiya Williams, ScHoolboy Q, Santigold, Lola Young, and Doechii. The songs in the album had a wide range of moods going from your "main character hype tuesday afternoon" to your "bitter self-sabotaging sunday night" Spotify Daylist

PhotoCredits:GoogleImages

The execution of each lyric and song was greatly written and portrayed through the energy and emotions Tyler has as each second of the songs passes by Tyler dropping teasers on his Instagram and on YouTube helped improve the engagement for when he dropped the album I remember coming to school before the album was released and so many people were already talking about it. I was especially excited for the album to come out as I am an avid Tyler listener and fan I mean, he was my number 1 artist on Spotify Wrapped

The album starts confidently with “St Chroma” which was the song Tyler initially teased on Instagram and YouTube. The song has such an exhilarating feel to it I couldn't wait for the release so I could add it to my workout playlist There is this adrenaline feel to the song that really gets my heart racing and really switches my mood. Tyler seriously couldn't have picked a better song to tease the album, or could he?

Later in the album, about seven songs after “St Chroma,” “Sticky” has its time to shine “Sticky,” with no hesitation at all, was overall the best song in the album With features from GloRilla and Sexyy Red, the song was perfect all the way around I think the internet collectively agreed, (purely based on the amount of times I saw

or heard something about the song) and besides the fact that Sexyy Red is featured, “Sticky” is the best song in the album GloRilla on the other hand, is my favorite feature verse in the entire album. I love her music and how style so her being a part of a song in the album really made it complete I do believe if Tyler had chosen to choose ‘Sticky’ as the teaser, his album would have gotten a lot more traction but I am glad he went with “St Chroma” because it fits greater with the concept and inspiration of Chromakopia

Similar to “Sticky,” “Like Him” was one of the more favorited songs from the album The song reaches into the more intimate and emotional side of Tyler “Like Him” connects to the theme of Tyler growing up with his father absent from his life This topic reaches deeply towards his listeners as he has written songs previously about his father and how much he resents him So to come out after years of writing poorly about him, because he grew up believing his father didn’t want to be a part of his life, with a song that reveals that was not the case at all shows an incredibly shocking reality in his life and how he experiences the same emotional tolls to those without the fame he has

The album introduces some incredible transitions from song to song that really drags me deeper into the album. The transitions are so seamless, if I'm not actively looking at my phone, I can't figure out the end of one song to the start of another Because of the invisible transitions, I feel as though I have to finish the entire album as I cannot find the end of a song My absolute favorite transition between songs was from the end of “Rah Tah Tah” into “Noid” with no questions asked I could listen to those ten seconds of solely transitioning for hours and not get bored. I know there's so much to say about only a transition but trust me when I say it pulls you into the album even more

PhotoCredits:GoogleImages

Even though the more popular songs from Chromakopia outshine every other song in between, all of them together created an amazing and fast growing album The album earned great numbers of streams when it was released. In the first 24 hours, Chromakopia reached about 86 million streams, averaging over six million per song. To further push the attention and popularity of the album, in cities starting in Philadelphia, moving south into Dallas, and continuing east to Los Angeles, a green 18-wheeler was seen with ‘CHROMAKOPIA’ on its side Regardless of what my opinion on the album is, the internet and Tyler’s listeners proved the album was one to listen to from start to finish.

TheReinventionofa CollectingClassic

ByOliviaAdkins

Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket was released on mobile ap the end of October 2024 but only recently caught the attention of Brewer students

The game simulates collecting Pokémon cards and battling other players while eliminating the cost that comes with collecting physical cards You can open two packs a day for free and then use hourglasses you collect to speed up the wait time

The game also features the classic battling mechanic where you build a deck with the cards you pull from packs and battle with other players. Along with battling others, you can also showcase your favorite cards and display them to the community

Overall, the reinvention of Pokémon cards as a mobile app gives those who wouldn’t go out of their way to buy the physical product the opportunity to experience collecting them by making it more accessible and for no cost.

WhyYouShouldGreetThis EpicMusicalWithOpenArms

ByCaseyHarrell

In June 2019, Jorge Ri udent at the University of Notre Dame, wrote a co musical as his senior thesis This musical, Epic: The ed on Homer’s The Odyssey, originally written betwe It stays mostly true to the source material, but Riv e details to tell the story the way he desired The story of The Odyssey follows a Greek general, Odysseus, and his fleet on his journey home to the island of Ithaca as he narrowly escapes encounters with all kinds of Gods and monsters after the end of the Trojan War

Rivera’s changes are in the songs titled “Ruthlessness,” “Thunder Bringer” and “Charybdis.” In “Ruthlessness,” Odysseus and his crew find themselves in the land of the giants, Laestrygonia In both iterations of the story, Odysseus’ fleet of 12 ships is destroyed, reduced to one ship, being his own In The Odyssey, the Laestrygonians are the ones who destroy Odysseus’ crew, but in Epic, the God of the Ocean, Poseidon, is the one to do it Rivera made this change because the reason for Odysseus’ fleet being destroyed was that he blinded the Cyclops, Polyphemus, who is Poseidon’s son Because of this, Rivera deemed it more personal if it was Poseidon to be the one to do the deed

In “Thunder Bringer,” Odysseus and his crew are fleeing from the home of the Sun God, Helios, after Odysseus’ second in command, Eurylochus, butchers one of his cows since he and the crew are starving As they sail away from the island, they hear echoes of thunder as a storm approaches from afar, signaling their

inevitable demise at the hands of Zeus In Epic, Zeus descends from the heavens to Odysseus’ ship, monologuing about how mortals are confident and prideful, but their confidence always crumbles once he applies pressure Zeus goes on to explain how since his crew ate Helios’ cattle, someone must die, as that is the punishment for such a crime Zeus gives Odysseus the choice between the lives of his crew, or his own. Odysseus contemplates it, eventually choosing for his crew to die, as his motivation to see his wife and son again is greater than that of keeping his crew alive Eurylochus tries to appeal to Odysseus, but it’s too late, as Zeus prepares to strike down the ship, the crew along with it They try to make a final stand, rushing at Odysseus with their weapons drawn However, before they can get close, lightning flashes across the sky and their ship is destroyed, plunging everyone into the depths of the ocean. However, none of this happens in The Odyssey Zeus doesn’t give Odysseus a choice, nor does he say anything to him or the crew Instead, they were previously warned by a prophet that if they butchered Helios’ cattle, the crew would never make it home, while Odysseus would be drastically delayed Rivera made this change because he wanted to portray Zeus as a menacing and intimidating figure and have him play a more central role

In “Charybdis,” Odysseus is sailing the seas on a raft when he is confronted by another spawn of Poseidon, Charybdis, a creature that can make violent whirlpools by swallowing large amounts of water In Epic, Charybdis is portrayed as a sort of final battle, one last push before he makes it home. However, in The Odyssey, Charybdis is introduced right after Zeus strikes down Odysseus’ crew, where the Greek general is left stranded on a rogue piece of debris from the wreckage of his ship Additionally, in Odysseus’ final voyage back to Ithaca, his only obstacle was his raft being destroyed by Poseidon, but he was already close to home and was given a magical scarf that prevented him from drowning, so his voyage wasn’t particularly threatened by that Rivera made this change with Charybdis to have

Ursa Major

PhotoCredits:GoogleImages

one final, large obstacle for Odysseus before he makes it home “Overall, the soundtrack is pleasant and emotionally powerful The musical adaptation gave a unique ability to bring ancient stories to life through modern music Odysseus is an enjoyable and interesting character due to his deep human vulnerability and heroic strengths,” junior Jean Anez said. “His journey represents not only a physical, literal odyssey, but a huge psychological exploration of identity, resilience and longing to return home The songs ‘Polyphemus’ and ‘Remember Them’ stood out to me because they both blend raw emotion of confrontation with qualities that describe Odysseus’ character effectively ”

Due to the outdated words and poem structure, one might be deterred from trying to read The Odyssey, but Epic makes the story easier to understand by putting it into an easy-to-digest format that you can listen to at any time

“I really enjoyed Epic It’s an entertaining and creative retelling of classic myths, and I’d absolutely recommend it,” freshman Ryan Willis said “I enjoyed Penelope’s character the most; her resilience and strength when dealing with the restless suitors really stood out to me ”

Epic: The Musical is not only well received by Anez and Willis, but millions of fans worldwide Each saga gains millions of listens on Spotify within mere days of release, and all place in iTunes’ top 10 albums, with some being ranked number one.

“I’d recommend this musical to anyone fascinated by mythology, classical literature or new storytelling ideas Its potential to make ancient stories accessible and emotionally engaging could attract history lovers and casual music enjoyers,” Anez said

Overall, Epic: The Musical puts an ancient story into a more modern medium while keeping it emotionally invested Whether you’re a fan of the story, the mythology or just good music, you should give Rivera’s project a chance; you might find your new favorite artist

SquidGameSkyrocketsin PopularityOnceAgain

ByCaitlynDemers

After nearly three years of a cliffhanger, Squid Game, directed and written by Hwang Dong Hyuk, returns with a brand new cast of characters and a fresh set of innocent children’s games turned deadly

Gi-Hun, the beloved main character, abandons his trip to America to dive headfirst back into the dangerous games, unsure if he’ll make it out Gi-Hun is determined to put an end to the bloodshed once and for all, no matter what it takes

It was clear many people were delighted to see Squid Game dropping its second season because, after just a few days, it was the third most watched season on Netflix The show has become number one in nearly ninety-two countries as of now

Squid Game garnered a generally positive response from its critics, but was deemed inferior to season one They say that season one was like a snowball when it came to attention, slowly growing and gaining its audience with its captivating and new concept

Not wasting time, season two jumped right out of the gate, yet, critics state it could never match the season one hype.

As fans finish up season two, they are left on the edge of their seats due to yet another cliffhanger, leaving the possibilities endless.

Fans eagerly await the next season despite no announcement of its release date Though, with it being filmed back to back with season two, there's almost a guarantee it will come out this year

PhotoCredits:GoogleImages

Ursa Major News

HowtobeaBetterLearner

ByOliviaAdkins

In our fast-paced wor ectively is essential for academic success and persona student navigating your studies, understanding your le g y nd what strategies work for you makes all the difference

A lot of students find themselves juggling school, sports, clubs and jobs, which can feel overwhelming at times But those extra activities can help you grow and learn new things beyond just what's in the classroom That's why it's super important to create study habits that give you enough time to handle everything you’re juggling

“My best habit is to just get it over with so I have time for everything else,” junior Rory Brady said. “I also love to use personal planners and to-do lists to keep myself on track and find at least an hour a week to set aside for homework ”

Other students find success in changing up their surroundings and using time-based techniques like blocking off time for their work and giving themselves structured breaks.

“I tend to procrastinate frequently,” senior Casey Collier said “Changing up your setting on where you do your homework, like going to a Starbucks or public library, really helps to set a different mood to be productive I also use the Pomodoro technique because it times how long you work on a task and gives you a break and then repeats.”

PhotoCredits:Mrs Urbina

Even with student's work in and out of the classroom, they can’t properly flourish without the presence of an involved teacher who motivates them to commit to their goals

“Exploring the world helps gain perspective,” English IV and journalism teacher Flor Urbina said “As teachers and counselors, we introduce students to broader experiences through literature, films and college tours. Exposure to new opportunities can spark motivation. How students maintain that motivation varies, but many use goal charts or vision boards to keep their aspirations visible and stay on track ”

Learning in the classroom is as successful as participating in the activities of both the teacher and the student. Believe it or not, teachers are the biggest advocates for your education and do their best to see you succeed

“In the classroom, your focus is the most important,” Urbina said As teachers, we plan our lessons with you in mind Give us the attention and you will gain something greater in return The biggest challenge students face is not believing in themselves and being afraid to fail, but what they don’t realize is that failing helps us perfect our craft.”

Nothing holds a student back more than academic burnout This occurs when you keep pushing yourself and don’t balance your work with the rest of your life

“Physical and mental well-being are so important regarding school work. If you're not feeling your best, your academics will reflect that,” Brady said “To get out of a burnout and keep myself motivated, I just keep reminding myself that this will all pay off whenever I get into my dream college ”

In the classroom, we can observe our peers' performance and determine whether they serve as examples or not. We can also do our best to inspire and uplift them in their learning

“Try asking more questions,” Collier said “It’s never bad to ask questions and there are no bad questions if you are genuinely interested in the subject matter ”

In the end, we all have the chance to be great learners. It just depends on your mindset and the approach you take to your education

TheGreatestGivingGuide

ByEvelynQuesada

As the holiday season co d and the excitement of opening Christmas presents fades, it gives the thought of all of the gifts given this year that weren’t asked for nor relevant to our wish lists In hopes that the present you gifted your brother's girlfriend isn't seen as 'lame', here is the greatest gift-giving guide for some inspiration not only for Christmas, but for birthdays, graduations, and 'just because' gifts to become the best gift giver your friends and family will be looking forward to receiving gifts from

Gifting the most expensive item in the market doesn't always mean it will be the best or most convenient gift you will give during the season of gifting For teenagers on a budget, DIY gifts are a great opportunity to showcase your creativity and genuine thought, care, and effort put into the gift. A simple heartfelt letter including your favorite memories with your significant other, a photo album with every picture you and your best friend have taken since y'all met in elementary school and if you're especially gifted in the world of art, a portrait drawing or painting of your mother's childhood pet whom she cared for deeply is enough to bring happy tears to her eyes

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Another fairly inexpensive gift, depending on what you see fit, a gift basket is another idea gifters have shown their creativity and generosity through in recent years. The gift basket themes and names range from the seasons and holidays During the Halloween season, 'boo baskets' become the hot trending gift often being filled with Halloween-themed snacks and goodies and other personal items the receiver would enjoy During the winter time, 'burr baskets' take over and, like the 'boo basket', are filled with treats appropriate for the season and other goodies to the receivers personal liking. Besides being a seasonal gift, they are perfect for other gifting occasions if you would like to have your present stand out on the gift table and be the first one opened

If you're not afraid to spend your life savings, an experience-based gift is an amazing opportunity to get out of the house with your loved ones and to create life-lasting memories. Whether it's tickets to their favorite artist's concerts or a vacation to the Bahamas, there's no chance it won't be held close to their heart Even something small yet meaningful like a reservation to a nice dinner or a trip to their favorite shopping spot still shows how you think of them and what they favor most

At times, we run into roadblocks when trying to find the perfect gift for someone who seems to already have everything The nicest pair of shoes, the newest phone model and a room decorated to the max So what exactly is there to give them other than gift cards and money? Going back to the gift basket idea, filling the basket with simple yet useful items like a hand lotion, a blanket, some fuzzy socks, treats for them to enjoy and topping it off with a meaningful card or letter is a great way to present someone with a gift when you don't know exactly what to gift them

everything that needs to get done by the time the morning, evening, and night shift ends That goes for the kitchen, the store, the gas pumps, the pavement around the store and the trash that falls around the store and next to the pumps.

Throughout the day, I also handle the register, greeting customers with a smile and a hello and checking them out The manager usually is the one that is always handling the register but we have a rule, 3:1 Whenever there are more than 3 people in line there is a buzzer that we ring for another clerk to help out When it reaches an exceeded amount, we buzzer another clerk to come to the front too. This ensures the customers aren’t waiting forever and get their stuff checked out in a decent manner

Besides all of these great ideas, the most important part of the gift is the meaning and intent behind it Whether you take these ideas for your next gift or not, don't forget to make it meaningful for the receiver to cherish well.

BehindtheScenesofaQT Worker

ByBrileighRay

Working at QuikTrip, or QT as it's often called, is hard yet interesting In the morning, a clerk prepares the kitchen and store for when the kitchen opens This gas station is open 24 hours Its doors are always ready for the morning rush of customers looking for their caffeine fix and breakfast on the go

The kitchen clerk sets out the premade biscuits and croissants along with breakfast tacos that are delicious Once the morning turns to afternoon, the kitchen clerks start preparing pizzas to make and set out for those who want them QT makes sure all inventory is stocked through every shift everyday

While on the clock, there is something on the computer called DAW DAW stands for daily assignment worksheet and it displays

When the store gets busy, it's all hands on deck We work as a team to make sure the lines move quickly and efficiently When help isn’t needed anymore, clerks return to where they were at. One clerk stays in the kitchen until closing, one is on the store stocking and cleaning and another is doing DAW while the manager handles the register

When the evening is over and it reaches 10 p m , the night shift clerk comes in and the kitchen is officially closed If it’s needed, a clerk might stay longer for the kitchen or to help with the register Then the next day everything repeats itself.

StudentsWithJobs

TheBalanceBetweenEarningandLearning

ByLibbiePeacock

In today’s world, many students struggle with the question of whether or not to get a job Getting one could mean a decline in academic performance for some, for others it might bring financial independence or real-world experiences.

“I work at Compass Children’s Academy as an assistant teacher,” senior Hailee Deter said “Having this job helps me because I am able to use the skills I’ve learned at the daycare and apply it to dayto-day life ”

Despite the valuable lessons learned that can be applied to all fields of life, juggling both school and work can unmistakably be challenging for some students

“I do feel overwhelmed sometimes, it’s a pretty tiring process to do but you get used to it,” senior Irita Orr said “Sometimes, though, you do have those ‘off’ days ”

The reason for students obtaining jobs varies in their personal lives Some students need jobs for their financial situation and others get one to fill an empty schedule or provide for casual spending

“I got a job in high school because I need to start saving to buy a car, pay for gas, buy gifts for others, as well as purchase necessities,” senior Azrael Kassam said.

However, these students’ jobs are only temporary Many high schoolers with jobs currently have plans to relocate or search for higher grounds

“I probably won’t keep my job after high school,” Deter said. “I’m searching for a job to work once I get into college ”

Having a job in high school could introduce some challenges to some students These are situations that a student should consider before applying to jobs

“Personally, my attendance isn’t affected by my job. Your job should ask you for your availability and you can schedule accordingly,” Orr said “My grades aren’t bad at all and my mom won’t let me miss school for work ”

Dedicating so much time to both school and work can not only take its toll on a student’s academic performance but also on their mind and body.

“I often come to school tired or sleep through my alarms,” Kassam said “I have been pretty overwhelmed with juggling both, especially when testing ”

Being an employed student is sometimes the best option for people, depending on their future plans and financial assistance

“In today’s society I would recommend having a job, things are expensive as it is,” Orr said “It takes a lot of money to afford college or an apartment, and if your parents can’t or won’t financially help you, then all you’ll have is yourself ”

Handling both high school and a job can be hard for young teenagers, but in recent years many students are taking up the responsibility of both Although the lessons they learn are personal to each individual, life experiences are worthless when it comes to balancing earning and learning

Ursa Major News

WhyitisImportanttobeOptimistic

ByEvelynQuesada

In today's time, where the world is run on the internet, social media and the ridiculous posts we come across, we take in too much of it and let it affect us Our optimism is an important factor in who we are, how we develop and spending the majority of our time scrolling and assimilating every piece of information and letting it change who we are is a growing issue Keeping our positivity throughout anything we experience is so important for our personal growth and development for society as a whole.

The reality of being optimistic appears as if it's something out of a fairytale as no one seems to believe it is important or even have an ounce of optimism The confidence of the current generation looks to be declining because of the amount of time spent scrolling our lives away and it continues adding to the already existing damage many have experienced.

"Social media has had a very negative effect on our generation and the generations growing up today," junior Elizabeth Standerfer said "I believe that people are more negative because of the comparison to other people's fake lives "

Being able to look at every situation in a positive manner, no matter the event can show a huge difference in who you are Having an optimistic outlook in challenging situations helps to find peace and the best in every situation no matter how much reflection comes with it

"In my experience, positivity looks and feels better in any situation, especially when using laughter to avoid irritation," sophomore Josiah Floyd said "Just take a deep breath and make a joke "

Having hope and not doubting yourself can help in the long run whether you believe it does or not From a promposal to an important job application, the mindset you have while doing it is what sets the bar for yourself.

"When I took my driving test I felt very confident and prepared instead of being scared, and I did pass my driving test and got my license," senior Danny Mondragon said

Although it is important to be optimistic, finding a limit and being realistic is also important. As contradicting as it is, too much positivity can begin to harm us if we think too far ahead of ourselves and take in too much Just like an illness, the positivity you have in any aspect of your life can spread into and affect your mental and physical health whether it's positively or negatively

"If you are too optimistic, disappointment can hurt you if things don’t work out in your favor," Standerfer said "You can still think and prepare for the bad while having the outlook that no matter what happens, it will be okay "

Having the mindset to continue pushing forward throughout any event can bring you great success. Accomplishing goals is everyone's priority, and positivity can increase your chances of doing so by a landslide Academically or outside of the classroom, keeping a positive mindset will be well worth it in the end

"No matter the span of the goal, whether it s finishing the dishes early or graduating college, optimism inspires me to keep going and keep pushing because I know the payoff will be beautiful," Floyd said

Perception is reality. Your view of the world will structure how you experience life If you have a negative perspective, you're much more inclined to face negative experiences On the contrary, if you face things with a positive and confident attitude, your experiences will reflect that

"Socialmediahashadavery

negativeeffectonourgeneration andthegenerationsgrowingup

today,"juniorElizabethStanderfer said."Ibelievethatpeopleare morenegativebecauseofthe comparisontootherpeople'sfake lives."

PhotoCredits:GoogleImages

YourCounselorisMoreImportant

ThanYouThink

ByAdilynZepeda

Being a counselor is hard work. Pressure comes with guiding students academically while also creating a safe space for the students to talk about their personal lives Brewer High School counselor Beth Sweeney has been a school counselor for 10 years and has experienced all the ups and downs of her job

“The hardest part of being a counselor is serious conversations and figuring out what has to be done to make a difference,” Sweeney said

Being a counselor is all about supporting students Even through hard times and difficult decisions, watching students overcome obstacles and walk across the stage for graduation makes the challenges worth it.

“It’s rewarding to know that I was there during pivotal times,” Sweeney said

Some students may feel hesitant to reach out to a school counselor Whether it’s because students are uncomfortable, shy or worried about getting in trouble, counselors are here to help and should be reached out to if a student is struggling

“It’s not a negative thing to talk to a counselor; you’re not in trouble. We’re fun, easy people to talk to,” Sweeney said

Mental health awareness has changed over the years Since 2020, mental health has gone from hardly being talked about to being one of the most important topics schools try to communicate about with students. It’s important that students are comfortable talking about mental health so that they are able to get help easier.

“Mental health awareness has changed for the better It’s become less of a stigma,” Sweeney said

While counselors can’t fix everyone's problems, they can give tools and advice to help students. They can introduce students to different coping mechanisms and help them learn what’s best for their mental health

“It’s important to identify the problem,” Sweeney said

Counselors are smart, hard working people It’s important to acknowledge their work because they really make a difference and take a weight off the shoulders of students.

ByEvelynQuesada

Year’s Resolution by Aaron Sustaire

BHSBEARS24 Profile

Yourtopalbumsthisyear

Chromakopiaisapowerfuldeclarationof individualityandTyler,TheCreatorkeeps thealbumunifiedwhilestillhavingadiverse rangeofstylesandsoundsinthealbum Itis amasterpiece,”seniorBriannaDeFalco said

“’NorthernAttitude’byNoah Kahanmakesmefeellow-key seen,anditissorelatable,” juniorElleryVaughansaid

“Lana Del Rey’s lyrics are beautiful, yet powerful Listening to her songs is like a spiritual experience every time She’s an inspiration for sure,” sophomore Kaiya Alexis said

“‘THE GREATEST’ by Billie Eillish; I enjoyed listening to this song because I can strongly relate to most of the lyrics in the song, and the melody is very catchy,” junior Daniel Rodriguez said

“Selena Gomez is incredibly good when it comes to writing lyrics and putting the honesty and hard work in writing them She speaks about how love can be a great thing, and it can put a smile on your face,” senior Chris Gutierrez said

“’AmEN!’byBringMetheHorizon; It’saveryloudsongthatscratchesan itchinmybrain It’sthesongthatgot meintometalandmyfavoriteband,” seniorElizabethDouglassaid

“The Marias’ lead singer has an enchanting voice that has a calming effect ‘Ruthless’ & ‘No One Noticed’ are my top favorites,” sophomore Michael Lemon said

Onrepeat

Takealookatwhatsongs Brewerstudentshaveon repeatthesedays.

JesseOrozco,12 Headlines,Drake

MylesPierce,10 Scheherazade, Nikolai RimskyKorsakov

AprilRicks,11, OverTheSky,Hitomi

GraceJowers,11 Amyrillis,Shinedown

MercedesHolliday,9 WastedTimes,TheWeekend

KevinJackson,12 YouMakeItEasy,Jason Aldean

AngelicaBueno,11 GoodLuckBabe,Chappell Roan

TreyMorton,12 Earrings,Malcom Todd

ElicitySerrano,10 WUSYANAME,Tyler, TheCreator

EvaHorn,10 ThePartyandAfterParty, TheWeekend

MicahGonzales,10 Valedictorian,Khantrast

FelicityMcDade,12 Pink+White,FrankOcean

PaolaRaza,10 TuFoto,Ozuna

LillieMayfield,9 rightwhereyouleftme, TaylorSwift

The Ty Myers album The Select has impacted me with his lyrics as well as how he can change the style of his songs to speak to us in different ways Emergence of talent he is very accomplished especially being a young new country artist,” senior Julia Esquivel said

“I like the entire album, but ‘Pink Matter’ flows the best Whenever you need a good song to relax to or just a song to play as background noise, it’s definitely ‘Pink Matter,” freshman Dusty Patterson said

Hi BHS! I’ve been doing treats since 8th grade, I make a variety of treats and crafts I’m on Facebook and Instagram as @dippedby yaneth Thank you to everyone who has supported throughout these years at this district. Contact me for any inquiries or questions!

Sweet, spicy, and totally addictive Sages’ Sweet Heat brings the best dulces enchiladas around! Sweat treats around! Sweet treats with a fiery kick Perfect for any craving!

Support Brewer’s Student Entrepreneurs

Brewer High School has a history of having students starting and running their own businesses while also pursuing their education.

Help these students businesses grow by supporting them.

FromSalutatoriantoLawnCarePro: YourNeighbor,YourLawnExpert

Hi, I’m William Perkins, a proud graduate of Brewer High School and your Salutatorian from last year’s class. Today, I’m bringing my dedication and GRIT to serving our community with a top-quality lawn care services! At Green Groove Lawn Care, we specialize in: -Lawn mowing -Weed control and fertilization -Shrub and headgear trimming -Flower bed maintenance

Let a local you trust care for your lawn like it’s my own! Call/text 682 246 2884 or visit greengroovelawncare com to schedule your service today

Hey readers, I’m Olivia, and I’ve been crocheting since freshman year and decided to turn my hobby into my business I make an assortment of items from hats, bags, stuffed animals and flowers Though these are my most popular sales, I am welcome to making any other items you have in mind. Buy a handmade gift for yourself or a loved one today! Visit my Instagram @lakesideyarnhaus or Etsy @lakesideyarnhaus etsy com

Hey there! I’ve been creating flower arrangements since 10th grade and have a variety of options available You can find me on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram as @creationsby.mae.Thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout the years in this district Feel free to contact me with any inquiries or questions!