Walpole hosts 300th anniversary parade
The parade traveled through Walpole, spanning two hours
By Nora O'Connor Staff Writer
Exactly 300 years ago in 1724, Walpole became its own town. To celebrate this milestone, Walpole has been commemorating its 300th anniversary throughout the whole year. On Saturday, Oct. 5 the Walpole 300th Anniversary Committee put together and hosted the 300th anniversary parade. Over 8,000 people gathered around Main Street to celebrate Walpole's tricentennial anniversary. The parade started at the Norfolk Agricultural High School, then continued down Main Street, ending at Walpole High School. The route spanned two and a half miles and took about three hours, starting at 11 a.m. and closing at 2 p.m. While there was light rain on the morning of the parade, the weather cleared up and the sun came out in time for the parade to start.
The parade was led by
Walpole police officers and was followed by over 100 floats, different types of cars and marching bands. Law enforcement officers from Norfolk County Sheriff's Department, Massachusetts State Police and Walpole Police Department all took part in the parade. Even the Massachusetts National Guard and Honor Guard were in the procession. There were multiple
animals in the parade, including horses from multiple different organizations, such as the State Police and the Aggie and even service dogs from Golden Opportunities for Independence were featured in the parade. Some floats served as advertisements for local businesses, such as Delany and Sons Funeral Home, Walpole Community Food Pantry, Brennan Tree and
Landscaping and the Walpole Pharmacy. Other floats were sponsored by local churches, including the Epiphany church and the South Walpole Methodist church and schools, like Blessed Sacrament School and the Norfolk Aggie School. There were several different marching bands, like the Waltham American Legion band, the McGann marching band and the North Star Alumni Drum and Bugle Corps. The parade featured various vintage and modern cars driven by volunteers. The procession was closed by Walpole Firefighters in fire trucks. Additionally, there are many upcoming events celebrating the 300th anniversary events. Some include a fall festival on Oct. 26 in the town green. A gala at Lake Pearl in Wrentham on Nov. 2. There is also a Light Up the Town Luminary event being held on Dec. 10. For additional information about these events, visit Walpole 300.com.
Walpole introduces merged middle school
After months of construction, WMS is opened for the 24-25 school year
By: Molly Diggin & Naya Karzoun Staff Writers
After being in construction since fall of 2022, the new Walpole Middle School has opened up for the 2024-2025 school year. Completed at the end of August just in time for the start of the school year, the building combines the two former middle schools, Bird Middle School and Eleanor N. Johnson Middle School. The opening of the school building is the culmination of months of construction as well as efforts by each of the individual middle schools to transition into one joint school.
“It's like a blended family where we are starting to come together and it's just taking some time,” art teacher Madison Langwell said.
The school is divided into three levels. Eighth grade students are on the top level, seventh grade students are in the middle level and sixth grade stu-
dents are on the bottom. Additionally, the school has wings divided by color rather than subject wings. Each student is assigned a color and they are expected to stay in that area for their classes.
“Each level has a different color that corresponds to each class so you don't have to travel a lot unless you're going to a special,” seventh grade student Georgie Barry said.
Although the students are unable to see friends from other colors, they still find ways to hangout during the school day through specials like gym, art, health, music and the opportunity to have lunch together.
Teachers and students are in the process of adjusting to their new work and learning environment, as the staff members and students are working together in the same building for the first time.
“People have different ways of doing things, [so you] don’t assume that everyone knows how to do something,” science teach-
er Jennifer Morrell said. “We all came from different places.”
One aspect of the new building that the school community appreciates is the large windows that bring a lot of natural light into the school. These windows help make the space feel brighter and also give people a pleasant view of the surrounding neighborhood.
“Being able to see outside the windows is a big part of [making the learning environment better],” former seventh grade social studies teacher Lisa Gold-
man said. “In 19 years I could never see outside my windows.”
Their biggest improvements are safety and security. In every classroom and office, there are automatic locking doors that can only open on the inside, or when a keycard is used. They also have cameras all around the school protecting the students and making the envirornment safer.
The students and staff are looking forward to Walpole Middle School’s first year and the many more to come.
Seventh grade history teacher Goldman's desk in her classroom.
Photo/Naya Karzoun
Photo/@downtownwalpole
Norfolk Aggie float passes by center of town.
Deidra Ceesay returns as morning weather reporter
The behind the scenes of being a part of Timber TV
By Sophia Gibson & Adrianna Pinto
A&E Editor & Staff Writer
For the last year and a half, Deidra Ceesay has been the weather reporter on the Walpole High School Timber TV morning news. Ceesay gives the weather report to students by sharing the temperatures of the day, what she recommends others should wear depending on the weather and her personal opinions on the forecast. The role was presented by WHS film teacher, Peter O’Farrell, last school year as he wanted to include a weather portion on the news.
“It just seemed like fun and I wanted to do it. So I kinda just show up and then there is a green screen behind me and I have to stand there,” Ceesay said.
The morning news highlights her personality as she adds her own flair and input to make the weather more en-
tertaining for viewers to watch. Her only preparation before she goes on screen is the predicted weather forecast for the day. She is not given a script and does not come up with what she is going to say beforehand.
“A lot of people think that it’s scripted all the time and really tightly run but it’s pretty loose,” Ceesay said.
Having joined the morning news, she is not only given the opportunity to be in front
of the camera but also experience what it is like to be behind the scenes of news production. Having a role like this in the school can leave students feeling accomplished and give them a sense of belonging in the school.
“I like being known for something cool like that. I like being able to do TV stuff because sometimes I can go to football games and film,” Ceesay said.
A role that brings her into the public eye at school al-
lows for students to get to learn more about her. Both teachers and students now see her as a familiar face of WHS as she is acknowledged for her role by numerous people throughout the day. Once Ceesay graduates, the role will be passed on to another student of WHS and the film production is going to be in the process of finding someone who can fill her role soon.
“When we get to the next semester I’m gonna say on the news that we’re looking for people to fill the role next year,” Ceesay said.
Ceesay plans to let any interested student test out what it is like to announce the weather. They will be able to go to the newsroom and alternate the position with Ceesay everyday so they can get used to the role. Many students believe that to be a part of the news, you need certain qualifications, but anyone can participate by reaching out to Mr. O’Farrell!
WHS welcomes new teachers this school year
Whitmore, Tempesta, Asselin, Silk and Ferraro join the staff
By Sofia Baroletti, Maeve Connors, Gianna Fredrick, Ana Clara Oliveira & Katie Reilly Staff Writers
A number of staff members have joined the WHS faculty for the 2024-25 school year. This year, WHS welcomes English teacher Marisa Silk, history teachers Lillian Whitmore and Paul Ferraro, transition coach Raelin Asselin and special education teacher Alyssa Tempesta to the school community.
Silk is serving as English teacher Bailey Tighe’s longterm sub until January. Prior to teaching, she worked as a summer camp counselor. She studied English and secondary education at Stonehill College and plans to receive her masters in English literature.
“I like having students just be able to learn and gain empathy from other characters’ stories and also think about the history and social context behind different types of text,” Silk said “I also just love working with high school students, it’s an age that I’ve always known I’ve wanted to work with.”
Whitmore taught Modern World History to freshmen at South Windsor High School in Connecticut; now, she teaches sophomore U.S. History and AP Psychology to seniors at WHS. Whitmore attended the University of Connecticut where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in social studies education in 2019, and later earned her
“A goal that I have this year is to create connections with my students,” Whitmore said. “So far my favorite part has been getting to know everyone, students and faculty included.”
Asseline received her degree from Dean College where she studied psychology and went on to receive her masters degree. She finds that her experience
resources that I can use with students so I can help guide them,” Asselin said.
Tempesta graduated from WHS in 2009 and was a long term substitute at WHS before taking on a full time position. Before becoming a teacher at WHS, she served as the WHS Dance Company’s artistic director. Though she originally went
studying clinical mental health counseling helps her to support students’ needs and to ensure she can offer them a safe, comfortable place in the building.
“I believe my past experiences have helped me in my current position because it has provided me with the tools and
to school for communication dis orders and wanted to be a speech and language pathologist, she later decided the classroom was the place for her once she accepted a teaching assistant position after college.
“Number one for me is that my students feel safe in my
classroom. We want to make an environment inside the classroom and out at their internships,” Tempesta said.
Ferraro went to College of Our Lady of the Elms, where he double majored in history and secondary education with a minor athletic coaching. When he came to the school, he was a building substitute, a remote learning management system coordinator and an educational support professional. However, he has always enjoyed working with students through coaching and was able to find an alternative career at WHS that allows him to combine that passion with his interest in history.
“I’ve always loved working in history and have always had a love for the [subject],” Ferraro said.
Beside teaching at WHS, Ferraro is also the head coach of the swim and dive team as well as unified track.
Additionally, Ferraro was a student at WHS and loves being able to come back and work with some of his former teachers. For Ferraro, working with the students, whether it is in the classroom or on the field, they are one of the best parts of his job.
“The students here are engaged and it’s a great group of kids [to be able to teach and coach,]” Ferraro said.
Walpole High School is excited to welcome these five new teachers for the 2024-2025 school year to the WHS faculty!
Ceesay is recorded by the film crew in front of a green screen.
Lillian Whitmore, Alyssa Tempesta, Marisa Silk, Raelene Asselin and Paul Ferraro join the WHS staff
Photo/Timber TV
Graphic/Sophie Murray
Banning books in school is detrimental for students Restricitng book access hinders students’ ability to learn about the world
By Sophie Murray Editor-in-Chief
Books are essential for learning. They stimulate one’s imagination and creativity while strengthening vital skills like vocabulary, memory and critical thinking. They introduce readers to new ideas and perspectives, shaping more empathetic individuals. A study done by the Kingston University in London found that people who enjoy reading books over using electronics are kinder and empathetic in social situations. However, despite positive effects, there has been increasing pressure from parents and community groups to ban certain books in school libraries. The books most typically targeted for bans involve themes relating to different minority groups or religions.
“30% [of banned books] [include] LGBTQ+ characters or themes and 30% include characters of color or discuss race and racism,” the website Banned in USA website states.
Contrary to popular belief, books do not impose ideas onto readers; rather, they teach them about these concepts, helping us raise a more accepting and inclusive generation. Therefore, instead of banning books,
we should encourage students to read these so-called “controversial” titles to expose them to the diversity of the world.
The primary reason schools are being pressured to ban books is because some parents feel the books conflict with their social or moral values. However, they often overlook that their beliefs do not represent every student and family in the school system. Therefore, banning books about religion, race, or sexuality undermines students who do identify with those lifestyles. This reflects the lack of trust parents and communities have in their educators’ professional opinion as to why they bring diverse literature into their libraries.
“[Our book] collection also aligns with the school’s curriculum,” Elm Street Elementary School ibrarian Kristen Moses said. “I seek to have books that reflect a range of cultures, experiences and perspectives so all students can see themselves represented in our collection.”
Censoring carefully chosen books is detrimental to students because restricting access to diverse perspectives takes away the chances to learn about different cultures, ideas
and beliefs. This risks producing and raising close minded individuals instead of teaching them to be accepting of all.
“Book bans often target underrepresented voices and can reduce opportunities for our students to understand the struggles and experiences of others,” Moses said.
Another argument regarding book bans is that some topics are deemed too “heavy” for children to understand. However, limiting exposure to certain subjects deprives students from engaging with complex issues, hindering their ability to develop their own viewpoint. Additionally, censoring complex issues teaches students
that certain ideas are viewed as “unacceptable” or “wrong.”
“[Banning books] canmarginalize already marginalize groups,” Walpole High School librarian Aubrey Lamar said. “[I felt] deep concern for the potential censorship of information and access to diverse perspectives. It is disturbing to think that free access to information is being undermined.”
Overall, banning books only has detrimental effects on students. People that don’t agree with certain book choices should embrace our evolving worlds ideas and beleifs With this, we will be able to foster open-mindedness in the newer genereations through the power of literature.
Chappell Roan recieves backlash for her behavior Celebrity
By Madilyn Cataloni Opinion Editor
Pop-star Chappell Roan canceled two of her shows in Washington D.C on September 28 and New York City on September 29 amid backlash from fans. After her quick rise to fame, she appeared to be struggling with her new found responsibilities.
In a statement posted on her Instagram story, Roan explained that she was too overwhelmed and felt too much pressure which resulted in her being unable to perform in order to prioritize her health. While many fans sympathized with her and applauded her for setting boundaries, others were frustrated with her lack of professionalism.
While it is understandable needing a day to destress, at what point is it a privilege to call out the day before? Roan had committed to playing two shows, but canceled with less than 24 hours notice. Fan’s who were going to the festival to specifically see her were left without refunds and were disappointed that they could not see their favorite artist perform.
Obviously, celebrities have to deal with different struggles than the regular nine to five workers. When someone accepts
breaks are a privilge
gles than the regular nine to five workers. When someone accepts a job position, they have to sign a contract acknowledging that they know what they are signing up for. When becoming an artist, Roan knew what she was signing up for being a public figure. Her career began taking off when she opened for Olivia Rodrigo during her Guts World Tour in 2024. She got to witness first hand the stresses of going on tour, performing and being a celebrity. Now that her own career is taking off, her previous experience should have aided her transition into stardom.
Roan has also had numerous controversies before canceling her shows. In a TikTok video calling out her fans, she asked that they not come up to her in public to ask for photos or yell from their cars to say hi to her. While paparazzi can get overwhelming, Roan depends on her fans to keep her career afloat. Roan should expect that they would be excited to see her in public. Fan interactions are something that all celebrities experience, and is a notable aspect of fame. In comparison to other artists, Taylor Swift has performed over 140 shows in her
formed 140 shows in her Era’s World Tour spanning from 2023 to 2024. Despite weather complications or sickness she has only canceled three shows due to a terrorist attack. In another instance, popstar Katy Perry found out her husband was going to be divorcing her right before going on stage for one of her shows, but continued to power though regardless. While Roan may not be wanting her new found stardum as it is overwhelming, once the public has found you it is really hard to get out of the public eye, a concept very hard to grasp as a
new popstar. While the adjustment has been hard for Roan, it does not justify being rude to fans in real life or over social media. Some even heavily argue Roan needs more media training to protect herself from instances like these in the future. Overall, it is clear that Roan has not yet realized that instead of a normal person, she is now a famous and recognizable public figure that has caught the publics attention. In order to live this new lifestyle, she must alter her actions and behaviors to reflect her job and expect certain fan expectations.
Banning books takes away from vital learning opportunities for students.
Graphic/Vanshi Shroff
While Roan is beloved for her music and lyrics, she has become heavily disliked for her recent behavior towards fans.
Graphic/Madilyn Cataloni
By Mia Destito Editor-In-Chief
Over the years, Google has become synonymous with online searching. Any question can be answered within seconds of a Google search. Nowadays, whether it be TikTok or ChatGPT, Gen Z is always finding the most advanced and efficient resources to access information. Unfortunately, members of Gen Z are steering away from the use of Google which is leading to misinformation from unreliable platforms.
TikTok consumes the time of many teenagers’ lives. The app started off solely for entertainment purposes and is beginning to gravitate towards a search engine.
Differing from Google search results, TikTok has an algorithm with a focus on keeping you on the app as long as possible. Rather than giving you the efficient answer that Google is able to provide, TikTok will feed you content based on previous videos you’ve interacted with.
“TikTok is also not out to inform you either, it mainly wants to generate as much interaction as possible,” Professor
of Digitisation and Social Media Tom De Leyn said in an interview with the Brussels Times. “So it recommends videos that elicit a lot of reactions, and that users are less likely to verify. TikTok also has much less experience with content moderation and filtering search terms, so you can see it has a long way to go in that area.”
TikTok is able to distract its users from the purpose of their search. Rather than finding one set answer to your question, TikTok now provides search suggestions under many videos which expands curiosity and results in many unnecessary clicks. These suggestions result in associations to the content you are consuming, keeping users intrigued and on the app for longer amounts of time.
Using TikTok for researching information can warp someone’s perspective of a topic. The biased information that TikTok feeds its users can be toxic. Rather than aiming to educate people, TikTok creates entertaining content that solely satisfies its users. The limited content people are being fed can lead to tunnel vision that limits people’s perspective on certain topics.
Differing from TikTok, an app created for entertainment purposes, Google was designed solely for its abundance of information. Although Google can also make strange associations, it does not have algorithms that harm its users in order to keep it a successful platform.
“Google tries to direct users as quickly as possible to sites where they can verify suggested information. Additionally, Google has added filters and security mechanisms over the years,” De Leyn said. “For example, if you look up a well-known person, you usually end up at the relevant Wikipedia page.”
With the use of social media expanding, its user’s attention spans are shrinking. Teenagers use TikTok so frequently because it is an efficient and mindless way for them to process information. Videos on TikTok are short and engaging, therefore it is utilized by younger generations. Google searching requires reading and research while younger generations prefer entertainment that engages them and their shortened attention spans.
“After the Presidential debate I turned to TikTok to
find the highlights reading a summary student Sophie Many TikToks ated under the bias. It is easier tion to be altered through short TikTok is mainly personal opinions, from factual news can be accessed
Similar Chat GPT is a for finding efficient questions. Chat ware that can logue and answer tion as fast as you As useful as the a lazy way to get you are looking be a search for or even a search ity, ChatGPT short answers learning and thought
If one a question on would be given various websites could absorb information the topic of their GPT hands out small increments where its users
highlights rather than summary of it,” WHS Sophie Murray said.
TikToks are crelens of personal easier for informaaltered and edited videos online. mainly a source of opinions, differing news websites that accessed on Google.
to TikTok, a cheat system efficient answers to GPT is a softgenerate diaanswer any quesyou can type it. tool sounds, it is the information for. Whether it a school project search out of curiosfeeds its users that limit their thought process.
was to search Google, they given hundreds of websites where they information on their choice. Chatinformation in increments to the point do not expand
their knowledge on a topic. Google now has an AI feature that appears at the top of Google searches where any question searched can be answered in a single sentence for you. As harmful as the lack of research can be for younger generations, why would anyone complain if AI has made their lives so much more efficient? Soon enough, Google could even crash since many people don’t see a need for it anymore.
“Google may be only a year or two away from total disruption. AI will eliminate the Search Engine Result Page, which is where they make most of their money,” a creator of Gmail Paul Buchheit posted on X. “Even if they catch up on AI, they can’t fully deploy it without destroying the most valuable part of their business!”
With more and more people utilizing platforms such as TikTok and ChatGPT for information, we may be witnessing the fall of Google. This could harm future generations by diminishing their curiosity to expand their knowledge on different topics. The continuation of lazy internet searching will more likely than not weaken our society in the near future.
Walpole sports support breast cancer patients Teams wear pink to bring awareness
By Katelyn O’Brien Staff Writer
Since 1985, October has been dedicated to bringing awareness throughout the 31 days to the two million women diagnosed with the deadly disease of breast cancer every year. Within recent years, especially in sports, bringing awareness by wearing pink during the month of October has been increasing. Walpole High School sports teams have been showing their support in many ways throughout this month.
The WHS girls volleyball team hosted their annual “DigPink” game on Oct. 8 which was dedicated to bringing awareness
to the community about breast cancer. The event included a guest speaker, Colleen Sullivan, who is a breast cancer survivor. The event was a fundraiser for breast cancer and ultimately raised over $800 for the Jimmy Fund and Sullivan Stronger which are foundations that Sullivan works closely with. She started the charity by walking in events like the Boston Marathon to raise money for others fighting the battle of Breast cancer. The foundation works alongside Dana Farber Cancer Institute to further research and care for patients.
WHS girls and boys volleyball coach Zachary Okolowitcz has been a coach for several of these dedication games. He looks
forward to these games every year, and believes it is beneficial to the volleyball program. Along with Sullivan, Okolowitcz speaks at the event expressing his respect for her, and all other patients and survivors of breast cancer.
“Knowing that athletes are standing and helping for other things greater than just themselves I think is important to the community,” Okolowitcz said. “The girls like playing knowing it’s a day to support breast cancer, so I think the energy around it is positive”.
Additionally, other sports at WHS are participating in wearing pink to show awareness to the community. The cheer team participates by wearing pink bows and using pink pom poms and girls soccer takes part by wearing pink socks and hair ribbons. The field hockey team also supports by wearing pink socks during home games for the month of October.
Not only do the athletes show their support during October, but the fans also take part in bringing awareness. At WHS football games the entire student section dresses in pink showing unified support for those with breast cancer. At the volleyball games, pink T-Shirts with the phrase “Together We Fight” are sold, and Walpole cheer and football teams sell shirts online and at
games with “In October We Wear Pink” written across the front allowing people of all ages to express their support to the cause.
“It is nice to throw something important into the game other than just the sport.” Okolowitcz said. “I think it is good to support things that definitely affect a lot of people around and I know parents and family members and friends that people know have gone through the battle, maybe even won or lost it, so awareness is always a good thing for the community,”
To help support breast cancer awareness check out the Sullivan Stronger and Jimmy fund website to help reach their goal of raising $3,000. You can also purchase pink shirts at Walpole sports events and wear pink to show support throughout the month of October!
A mideseason recap of the WHS football team Stategies and goals the team hopes to accomplish
By Joe Curran Sports Editor
After a start to their season full of both ups and downs, the Walpole High School football team is entering the second half of their season. They are currently 1-4, but have played very strong competition and kept it close. The team is still hopeful about their post-season chances and will keep working towards their aspirations.
“The goals haven’t changed at all,” head coach Christopher Sullivan said. “Our goal is always to be one of the last teams standing and try to win the championship.”
Although the team has not changed the destination, due to some key injuries they have been forced to change how they will get there. As the season has gone on, Walpole has gone from a more pass heavy offense to being much more focused on the short and run game, while on defense, they have begun blitzing more often. In many of their losses, Walpole held the lead going into half time, but were unable to finish the job. Though they have
been improving on this flaw and are beginning to look better. For instance, they managed to hold the lead for much longer during their game against Needham.
“I told the team that I feel like we hadn’t played four quarters in any game up until this point,” Sullivan said. “The most exciting part for me was to see them go out and compete and
stay ahead for three quarters.”
The team’s makeup has changed drastically since last year. Many key players have graduated, but Walpole has also gained many new stars. Many of last year’s freshmen have moved up to varsity and are now making an impact on the team, while the juniors and seniors are falling into leadership roles as ex-
perienced members of the team. The new freshmen team has been playing well and Sullivan expects that a large number of them may be able to make varsity come next year. four or five by Sullivan’s count. Although the loss of the graduated seniors is felt, the team has been able to stand on its own this year and will keep moving forward.
“The seniors last year were very good players, we had some dynamic players in that class. We had really good leaders. They were tough, they were mentally tough as well. They’re a big loss for sure, but that’s in the past and the team we have right now is what we care about at this moment,” Sullivan said.
Although not the perfect start to the season that Walpole was hoping for, they have persevered and managed to have a strong first half even with one of the hardest schedules in the state. As the season goes on, Walpole intends to keep doing what has been working and improve upon their weak spots, hopefully leading to a competitive postseason.
Athletes and fans wear pink throughout October.
Scan to donate to Sullivan Stronger!
Photo/Courtney Dorherty
Walpole High won its first game of the season 21-18 against Foxborough
Graphic/ Katelyn O’Brien
“Joker: Folie à Deux” leaves fans disappointed The Joker returns to theaters as a sequel
By Caitlin McCabe Staff Writer
The infamous Joker is in theaters once again as a sequel but this time with a musical touch to it. “Joker: Folie à Deux,” directed by Todd Phillips, stars Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga as psychotic love interests that meet in prison. Arthur Fleck, also known as the Joker, is in jail after murdering five people including a famous musician. While there, he meets love interest Harley Quinn. As Fleck navigates his way through his trial for his devious crimes previously committed, it becomes difficult for him to decipher the difference between his fantasies and reality. This film is significantly unlike the other Joker movies. It has a dark and eerie mind bending element to it but instead of the Joker wreaking havoc around Gotham City, he is trying to figure out who he is along with the rest of the world. The state of his mental health will determine his future villainous life and if his relationships will end up how he hopes they will. Moreover, we see another side of the evil duo in this thrilling musical. Fans are used to the Joker causing trouble and
trying to get away with it. However, in this specific film, he is locked away and being tried for his mischievous actions. It is different from what we have been exposed to in comparison to any other movies featuring the Joker and Harley Quinn. Because of this change in direction, multiple viewers have made complaints against it and given the movie bad ratings. The difference in perspective is not adored by the fans and is in fact disliked.
“I think the movie is a joke to its viewers and I think it would have been better if it was not intended for Joker,” an anonymous WHS student said.
Despite the fact that this film is not very well liked because of the alternative standpoint, Joaquin Phoenix is a perfect match for this role. He does a fantastic job portraying the Joker along with Gaga as Harley Quinn. While known for her musical talent, Gaga also possesses impressive acting skills and her voice paired with his sounds wonderful. Although the storyline is not admired by fans, their characters are very well written and are executed marvelously. They make people really think about the plot of the movie and all the little details one could analyze. On top
of that, the actors made a significant improvement to this film.
Regardless of the mixed reviews, “Joker: Folie à Deux” is a dark piece of cinema that shows the true skill of the performers that participated in the challenging roles and it shocks the audience. Knowing what Fleck had to go through to become who he really is beneath the clown makeup or behind the smile is an alternative take on Joker that we have not seen yet. It is one point of view that most people
thought they would never see. Even though the actors did a phenominal job acting out their characters, because of this different standpoint it is disliked and not very appreciated.Their impressive skills are disregarded as a result of the poor plot. Overall, this musical motion picture will keep you up at night wondering what, when, how and why certain events took place in the film or if Phillips intended for seemingly unimportant elements to mean a lot more than what meets the eye.
Concerts take over Boston this fall
The city was treated to various
By Jeffrey Todd Staff Writer
Over the past few weeks, Boston has held a pop music trifecta, with performances from Conan Gray, Sabrina Carpenter and Gracie Abrams. Each brought their own unique sounds to the city, from heart-wrenching ballads to danceable hits, the city’s concert goers have been spoiled by three of today’s rising stars. Gray kicked things off with his “Found Heaven on Tour” at MGM Music Hall at Fenway on Sept. 25 and 26, performing to a packed house of devoted fans. Gray’s brand of emotional, diary-entry-style songwriting was a hit with the crowd. He started the night off with “Fainted Love”, a fan favorite that had the audience screaming from the first verse. The raw live vocals from Gray allowed for an utterly enjoyable experience from every seat in the venue. Throughout the night, Gray switched between up-tempo tracks and slower, more introspective songs like “Heather” and “Astronomy,” showing off his ability to connect on a deeply personal level. The minimalist staging kept the focus squarely on Gray and his vocals, which were spot-on for the entire
show. His vulnerability with his song choice felt authentic, creating a powerful connection between him and the audience.
Not long after, Carpenter arrived with her “Short n’ Sweet Tour” at TD Garden on Oct. 3, bringing a different energy to Boston. Carpenter’s show was pure pop fun, full of playful hits like “Nonsense” and “Juno,” however it wasn’t only feel-good anthems. She made the crowd laugh with her quick banters between songs, making the show feel surprisingly intimate for a pop concert. Yet, the hits from Carpenter electrified and made the performance a whole lot more vibrant.
One of the standout moments of the night came when Carpenter slowed things down with “because i liked a boy,” a heartfelt ballad that allowed her vocals to take center stage. The show was a well-rounded pop experience—fun, energetic, but with moments that showcased Carpenter’s depth as an artist. While she has 5 other albums, Carpenter’s “Short n’ Sweet” album proves to be her most genuine, confident, and most favorited album by many fans.
Wrapping up the hit fall concerts in Boston was Gracie Abrams who brought a com-
concert tours from uprising stars
pletely different vibe to MGM Music Hall at Fenway on Oct. 9 with her “The Secret of Us Tour.” Abrams’ music is genuine, vulnerable and deeply personal and her performance reflected that. Her sophomore album, “The Secret of Us” shows true colors, regret, and true commitment to a relationship.
Her setlist featured fan favorites like “I miss you, I’m sorry” and “I Love You, I’m Sorry,” with Abrams’ delicate voice filling the room. The raw emotion and natural vocals allowed for her production and lyrics to embrace the audience. She has this amazing ability to make a
large crowd feel like a private listening session, something not many artists can pull off. In just three weeks, Boston got to experience three unique pop concerts, each offering something different. Gray’s emotional honesty, Carpenter’s polished pop charm and Abrams’ intimate storytelling left fans buzzing, and feeling heard as they left the venue. It’s rare for a city to host so many rising stars in such a short time, but Boston embraced every minute of it. It is safe to say, these shows will be remembered by the city of Boston, and all of the attendees for a while.
. Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix star in “Joker: Folie à Deux.”
Photo/IndieWire
Fans
Graphic/Jeffrey Todd
Accepting your natural hair can boost self esteem Naturally curly hair deserves to be embraced
By Vanshi Shroff Graphics Editor
People with curly hair often struggle to embrace their curls because of how beauty standards favor people with straight hair. However, wearing your natural hair has so many benefits. There are several different kinds of curly hair, ranging from loose waves to extremely coily curls. You can find your specific hair type by looking at a chart of curly hair types, which ranges from 1A hair (loose waves) to 4C hair (tight
ringlets.) Once you’ve determined your hair type, you can find products and routines that are specific to your hair’s needs. Personally, as someone with 2B/2C hair, there are a few steps that I make sure to follow. First, I like to make sure that I don’t wash my hair too often as that can cause breakage and damage my hair more than necessary. For most people, washing your hair once every few days is ideal, and you should always follow up with a good conditioner to keep your hair hydrated. As for styling, you want
to use products that match your hair type. For my 2C/2C hair, I make sure to always put leave in conditioner to lock in the moisture. This really makes my curls soft and less frizzy. I don’t use too many staying products to avoid them weighing down my hair. Because of this, I usually end my routine with a little bit of curl cream or mousse. However, if you have more defined curls, you may wish to use a gel to help hold their shape. Wearing your naturally curly or wavy hair can help tremendously with self-acceptance.
Straightening or blow drying your hair can really destroy your self confidence and make you want to change your appearance. Additionally when you use heat to style your hair it can ruin your natural texture and just make you want to wear it curled less. Depending on your curl pattern and hair texture, there are many ways you can keep your curls healthy and looking their best. Because everyone’s hair is different, there isn’t one perfect routine for everyone, so it is important to find one that works best for you.
Niche costumes are becoming more popular
Social media is influencing costume inspiration
By Rebecca Schmidt Staff Writer
Every Halloween, the same popular costumes pervade social media pages and overflow Halloween stores. Over time, people reinterpret them, year after year only with occasional tweaks or additions. These so-called “basic” costumes are tried, true and very popular.
“Witches, mermaids, vampires, princesses, pirates, athletes, cops, prisoners and lifeguards are all popular costumes,” Walpole High School student Sophie Murray said.
Accessibility contributes significantly; well-known costumes are easy to find inspiration for and simple to purchase. A quick search online reveals a plethora of ideas that would satisfy most people. However, over the last couple years, people are choosing to move away from recognizable, basic Halloween ideas to niche costumes.
“Due to the rise of social media, I’ve noticed people are trying to find more unique costumes that aren’t mainstream,” WHS student Sofia Baroletti said.
With apps like Tiktok, this trend of less “mainstream costumes” seems prevalent in annual costume inspiration videos. Imagine slideshows with
collages of different elements of costumes with catchy Halloween songs playing in the background. It makes sense that people already find their niches on TikTok because the algorithm floods their For You Pages with anything they interact with.
“Recently, I’ve been watching “Gossip Girl,” and duo Serena and Blair costumes are all over my For You Page,” WHS student Gianna Frederick said.
By guiding viewers down a rabbit hole of their specific niches, people see solely what they are interested in, which applies to costumes too; the inspiration they receive for costumes on social media directly stems from those interests. For example, if someone interacts with pop culture moments on social media, they might see inspiration for or be inspired by that iconic moment when Hailey Bieber stepped out in a red mini dress and heels while Justin Bieber wore a sweatsuit and crocs; it is a perfect couples’ costume. Or maybe even Abby Lee Miller, a person with an abundance of viral moments to recreate. If history interests someone, they could see inspiration for historical figures’ costumes, like Catherine of Aragon or Alexander Hamilton. It is all about a
specific
that
others might not understand. While mainstream costumes might be easier to find, niche costumes can actually be straightforward to put together. For example, if a person goes to private school, dressing as Ladybird, from the movie “Ladybird,” would be simple: they already would have a school uniform and would only need to buy pink wrap for an arm cast to make it recognizable. Or maybe dressing as Felix from the movie “Saltburn.”
This would just require purchasing gold wings since people typically already own jeans or a jean skirt as well as a white tank top. In the end, niche costumes will never be as prevalent or popular as mainstream costumes, that would be an oxymoron. However, social media enables people to find their niches through platforms like TikTok and Instagram, and, consequently, niche Halloween costumes will become more widespread.
Products that Katie uses:
Joico Color Balance Purple Shampoo
Luseta Keratin conditioner
Not Your Mother’s Defining Curl Talk Cream amd mousse
Bellisso Biotin Hair Repair Serum
person’s
niche
Niche costumes can be made with items from your closet.
Products That Ms. Ferguson uses: Curlsmith Weightless Air Dry Cream
Redken All Soft Mega Curls
Kinky Curly Curling Custard
Ouidad VitaCurl Mousse
Products that Sophia uses: amika Mirrorball Shampoo and Conditoner
Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Mousse
Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Gel
Ouidad Moisture Lock Leave in
Products that Addy uses:
Mielle Leave in conditioner
Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Cream
Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Mousse
Graphic/Rebecca Schmidt