SEARCH RESULTS

Back to Articles News Back to Sections Anti-Bullying Week By Raj Singh Volume 2 Issue 2 November 19, 2021 Image provided by Intro Film The Students Against Destructive Decisions, SADD, is a club dedicated to helping students of Valley Stream North High School not to hurt themselves, stop bullying, and stop kids from consuming harmful substances. Recently we participated in Anti-Bullying Week, and of course as SADD members we would step up and spread the message. On October 22nd, 2021, the Senior High Student Council, SHSC, and SADD set up decorations for Anti-Bullying Week. This included setting up streamers and pasting up anti-bullying messages and posters across the hallways and walls. This was done to increase awareness about bullying and spread positive, encouraging messages for the week. The centerpiece for the work, which was put up a week earlier, was a large poster with paper hands representing that we are one, and that we should all exemplify kindness, stop bullying in our schools, and create an equal environment. These statements would be on the halls for the whole of the next week, informing those who walked the halls what to do and how to behave kindly to others in our school. The club members and honor society members worked hard, but the reward in the end was great, leading to an exciting and happy Anti-Bulling Week that would propel our school forward as the free and successful place it is. Let us remember our core values of respect, integrity, and kindness. In conclusion, due to the hard work of our resident SADD workers, we had a successful campaign by spreading our posters and streamers across the halls and walls with assistance from the SHSC. As a SADD member who actively participated in these events, I am quite proud of what we have done, and you can bet we will do more in the future, and it will be even better. This will not be the last time you hear from us! BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Entertainment & Media Back to Sections REVIEW: John P. McCarthy takes a break from editing the Sports Section to watch (and rank) Disney Movies By John McCarthy Volume 1 Issue 5 February 12, 2021 Image provided by Disney On January 4, 2021, I purchased a subscription to Disney Plus and have since ventured into all kinds of Disney movies. If you have Disney Plus, the original, Safety, is a must-see, but I digress as this piece is all about PIXAR. For my own amusement, I decided to rank all the movies I have watched in the past month. I decided to share my thoughts and give explanations on my top ten movies and why I believe they set themselves above the rest. However, I enjoyed every single movie and it was very tough placing movies low on the list. My full list of all 23 PIXAR films is at the end. Watch out for SPOILERS! 10. Soul The latest PIXAR installment sets up a funny, ironic story of the circle of life with 22. Her journey with Joe Gardner shows the importance of life and selflessness to give others a chance at living their dream. Gardner learns that his love for jazz is his dream, and he got so close to playing with one of the greats, Dorothea Williams. As Gardner and 22 move through life in ways they never have, each of them learn that life is a gift itself. 22 finally gets her first shot at her own life, after Gardner is able to get 22 to earn her elusive Earth badge, and Gardner, by the grace of Terry, despite Jerry, gets another shot at life on Earth. Soul depicts a nice narrative based on learning the true privilege it is to live. 9. Cars 2 As the only sequel in my top 10, Cars 2 provides new energy and twists to the Cars universe. Lightning McQueen is invited to one of the biggest races worldwide, sponsored by Miles Axlerod and Alinol - the new alternative fuel source he plans to showcase. A major theme of Cars 2 is loyalty to your truest friends. McQueen, confronted by polar opposites in the pre-event and Mater chooses to lash out at Mater telling him he needs to act differently to fit in. Subsequently, Mater makes a fool out of both cars from Radiator Springs. Next, dramatic irony takes the forefront as Mater entangles himself in espionage, where spy cars are convinced he is their American contact. Throughout the first two races in the spectacle, cars burn up because of old oil-dependent “lemons'' that exploit the properties of Alinol. All in all Mater fights to save his best friend and turns out to become a great spy. It turns out Miles Axlerod was behind it all, plotting this catastrophe to banish the thought of alternative oil forever. With great irony, action, and surprises, Cars 2 lands a spot on my top 10. 8. Onward In following the trek of two brother elves, Ian and Barley, to help bring back their father for one day, PIXAR teaches us to respect and love the people who have disappointed us, and see inside their heart. Ian, at first, does not believe in the magic that Barley is so invested in. Somehow the initial magic spell only brings back the legs of their father. They now have to journey to find another phoenix gem that can finish the spell. On this quest, the fantastical Barley and practical Ian clash on how to continue their adventure. Only when they learn to trust each other can they bring back their father...all of him. All his life Ian has wanted a chance to meet his father, but when their father was sick, Barley forewent his opportunity to say goodbye out of fright, the opposite of how his character was portrayed in the present. Another switch in personality comes at the climax when Ian braves the dragon, forgoes his only chance to meet his dad and lets Barley finally say farewell. 7. Up Carl Fredricksen, a retired balloon salesman and his wife Ellie’s dream was to explore the world and place their house on Paradise Falls. However, Ellie does not make the trip Carl had planned. She died shortly before, in the scene widely accepted as the most sad and emotional in any Disney movie. Junior Wilderness Explorer Russell, initially unbeknownst to Carl, accompanies Fredricksen on his escape to Paradise Falls. They reached the area the falls were located, but Carl needed the balloon-powered house to be closer. On this trek they meet Kevin, the mystical Snipe, that Carl’s idol, Charles Muntz, so desperately wanted to capture. When Russell befriends Kevin with chocolate, the two protagonists find themselves on the bad side of Muntz and his many dogs…except Dug. Carl, wanting to get rid of Kevin when they first encountered each other, has a change of heart, knowing Russell could not leave letting Muntz capture Kevin, and Fredricksen knew it was the right thing to do. In an epic old man battle, Carl, Dug, and Russell are able to save Kevin, a fitting ending to a movie all about the freedom of choice and exploration. 6. Cars Lightning McQueen is speed. As a rookie, he is taking the racing world by storm. After the race that would decide the Piston Cup Champion ends in a three way tie, McQueen, Chick Hicks, and the King must meet in California to decide it once and for all. Of course, a film must have more conflict than just racing, so McQueen gets off track and ends up in a small town, Radiator Springs. Initially, McQueen is infuriated that he has to do community service for a small, no good town he wrecked. With time, however, he realizes the beauty of a small town and its nice, friendly people and even falls in love with a beautiful Porsche, Sally Carrera. Also, he meets a racing legend Doc Hudson, who teaches him to “turn right to go left”. There are many metaphorical parallels that can be drawn there. In the ultimate race for the Piston Cup, McQueen is the clear winner by using Doc’s maneuver, but after the King has a devastating crash McQueen stops right before the finish line, lets unsympathetic Chick Hicks win, then turns back to help the King finish his final race before retirement, a chance Doc Hudson never got. This movie is slightly above average in action and humor, factors I hold in high regard for a good movie, but the feel good, friendly vibe Cars emanates makes it a household PIXAR film. 5. The Incredibles Superheroes are living among us, but they are not in action; their assignment is to act like normal humans. Although Elastigirl might be alright with this, her husband Mr. Incredible desperately wants to get back on the scene. Like a dream come true, he receives a call from someone saying his services are needed. Staging as he is on a business trip, he goes on his mission, only to find out he’s been played by his ol’ pal Syndrome. As revenge for being pushed aside by Mr. Incredible, Syndrome has carried out an elaborate operation killing major supers, now luring Mr. Incredible to his death. For leverage, the movie has the whole Parr family journey to save their father, spewing drama for the whole family. Violet and Dash provide comic relief in the ways of traditional sibling conflict. The Incredibles has some of the best action for a PIXAR film that gets the heart pumping. Syndrome seems to have comebacks after every minor victory for the Incredibles, which gives the movie more suspense and casts more doubt. I was amazed at how well The Incredibles stood the test of time when I rewatched it. 4. WALL-E The beginning of WALL-E might be the longest humorous sequence in any PIXAR movie. The quirks and hobbies of WALL-E and his attitude toward them are hilarious. WALL-E then meets Eve and he falls in love at first sight. Although she tries to kill him several times at first, he still shows her his collections and stays with her when her directive of finding life on Earth puts her to sleep. The connection between these characters happens early for two new companions compared to other Disney movies. WALL-E takes on a new direction of preserving this connection, and of course saving the day. Autopilot has taken advantage of the humans and wants to prevent going back to Earth by whatever means possible. The captain finally realizes that life can no longer be played on easy mode in order to create the best world possible and save Earth. WALL-E can be thought of as a satire, warning us about the potential future of our planet, especially our people who can barely walk in the movie. WALL-E gives a strong message in the midst of a funny, emotional, and action-packed story. 3. Inside Out This movie is full of emotions, and stars five of them: Joy, Sadness, Fear, Disgust, and Anger. Riley’s family just moved from Minnesota to San Francisco and instead of managing her emotions, her emotions manage her. A minor inconvenience is that Joy and Sadness are lost outside the headquarters, so consequently Riley cannot be happy. The emotions trying to settle the situation and comfort Riley is ironically funny because they try to bring happiness in their own way. Joy and Sadness meet Riley’s former imaginary friend Bing Bong, and together they try to get the two emotions back to headquarters, and get Riley to remember Bing Bong. After taking some wrong turns and falling in the memory dump. Joy and Bing Bong are essentially forgotten. Using Bing Bong’s rocket, he propels Joy out of the chasm, giving her hope that she can save Riley. However, Bing Bong is then forgotten forever. Then, Joy realizes when looking back at one of Riley’s memories, that Sadness is important in becoming happy, showing that sadness is sometimes comforting and needed to turn dark times around. 2. Finding Nemo Marlin, a widowed clownfish loses his son to divers, taking Nemo to P. Sherman 42 Wallaby Way, Sydney. Marlin, always being overprotective of Nemo is now living his worst nightmare. Through an epic journey under the sea to reunite a father and his son, Finding Nemo has great visuals and cameos from different sea life. From the shark gig that parallels something of an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting to the sweet ride on the EAC with Crush and his turtle dudes, Marlin and his new forgetful friend, Dory, provide comedic tension and thrilling escapes. I find it ironic that Marlin, a clownfish, when called on to make a joke totally drops the ball, but throughout the movie is so ironically funny that the clownfish nature actually does fit his personality. Nemo encounters new friends in Philip Sherman’s office’s fish tank where Nemo shows newfound determination and his unwavering courage. Nemo and his friends escape the office just before Darla’s wrath would ensue. The shifts between Nemo’s perspective and Marlin’s perspective emphasizes the unknown challenges the other has overcome to ultimately meet again. Marlin now has more confidence in Nemo, violently shaking him to get up for school when they are home and safe. 1. Coco Miguel longs to be a musician, but his family forbids it. Music has destroyed their family and Miguel’s abuelita is strict to allow no trace of rhythm in the Rivera household. Instead their family has the very exciting tradition of shoemaking. On the day of the dead, family members come back to the land of the living and see their living relatives. However, you can only cross over if your family has put your photo on the ofrenda, an offering table for the dead. Miguel idolizes Ernesto De La Cruz and gets so caught up in playing the guitar in the plaza, that Miguel joins him in the land of the dead. Hector, on the verge of being forgotten, helps Miguel find De La Cruz as Miguel may be his only shot at going back to the land of the living. Upon finding De La Cruz, Miguel believes he is his great grandfather because his guitar was in their ofrenda, peeled behind the photo of his great grandmother. Shockingly, it wasn’t De La Cruz’s guitar, but Hector’s. Hector wanted to return home to his family and leave the music world, but De La Cruz could not thrive without his songs. So, Ernesto poisoned his best friend. Miguel was able to return home and destroy De La Cruz’s reputation. In an emotional scene, Miguel uses the forbidden music to help Mama Coco remember her father, Hector. She kept a picture of him hidden in her drawer, so Hector would not be forgotten just yet. The twist with the identity of Miguel’s great grandfather, the amazing music, and the final emotional scene with Coco makes Coco my favorite PIXAR movie. Here is the full list 1 - 23: Coco Finding Nemo Inside Out WALL-E The Incredibles Cars Up* Onward Cars 2 Soul The Incredibles 2 Monsters Inc. Toy Story 4 Cars 3 Monsters University Toy Story 3 Ratatouille Toy Story Finding Dory The Good Dinosaur A Bug’s Life Toy Story 2 Brave BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Obbession By Navrosedip Kundlas Volume 3 Issue 1 November 7, 2022 Image provided by Green Robe Girl just tell me why It feels like you're obsessed with me Cuz you've been spreading rumors Like its butter on bread, please   Obsession ain't a good thing honey You need to drop it, please Cuz you've been painting pictures Like I'm someone that you know   We used to be best buddies, now look at us, oh Sitting on opposite sides of the room We used to gossip all day Now I can't stand the sight of you   You’re the one that wants to fight but you’re the victim too? Playing both sides of the story doesn't look too good for you After all you can't be the villain and the hero too Every story there's one main character, and that sure ain't darn you   Laughing at each other's jokes, now I just want to choke All those pictures in my room, need to burn them down Accusing me of hurting you when I actually sewed you back Wished I saw your true colors, before it was too late   Girl just tell me why It feels like you're obsessed with me Cuz you've been spreading rumors Like its butter on bread, please   Obsession ain't a good thing honey You need to drop it, please Cuz you've been painting pictures Like I'm someone that you know   Every class we had together, we were inseparable, oh Now I make sure we're as separate as can be Paring up for every class, now I run across the room Only god knows why I trusted you   Spilled all my secrets to your so called "friends" Hope they're treating you like you've treated me, facts All that staring you've been doing, isn't getting you anywhere So I suggest you drop the act, ‘cuz it looks like you're obsessed   All my friends been telling me, how you always darn ask If I've gotten another best friend or did I replace you I'm used to pain honey, so don't worry, that's right I moved on right after I blocked all your socials, oh   Stop following me around, it’s getting creepy I know you want to come back, but I'll never let you Hurt me once shame on you, hurt me twice shame on me There's no three times the charm, in friendships, sweetheart   Girl just tell me why It feels like you're obsessed with me Cuz you've been spreading rumors Like it’s butter on bread, please   Obsession ain't a good thing honey You need to drop it, please Cuz you've been painting pictures Like I'm someone that you know   It's so sad how this turned out, it could have been forever Every time I walk the halls, I think of you honey We used to be the best of friends, isn’t that right? It’s such a shame, you let jealousy, come in the darn way BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Connecting Elaine Ching Volume 4 Issue 2 January 16, 2024 Image provided by Elaine Ching Everyone knows. I was at my friend’s house yesterday and they asked about you. Didn’t even say a word, they just knew. Maybe I didn’t have to say a word. Have you invaded my life that much? Even my phone knows. I was texting my mom and Autocorrect assumed that I was going to talk about you. Didn’t even type in a letter, but it just knew. You really take up that much of my phone storage, huh? Am I that involved with you that you’ve managed to just “spellcheck” yourself into my life? The store seems to know too. I was in the most unromantic place, the meat aisle. Right by the deli cuts and the raw chicken, doesn’t exactly say “think about your love life” But even then. The label said they shipped it in from your hometown. And suddenly, I was about to break down at Stop and Shop , and not even the fancy part of it. My own home manages to bring you up too. I was just doing my laundry. I guess I just forgot what load I was moving to the dryer. And there it was. The wet, cold, pile of what used to be white clothes, now stained your favorite color. Great. Even my own home appliances seem to agree that I’ve been permanently changed by you even when you’re not here. Just when I think you can’t get to me anymore When I’m alone. When I left my phone upstairs. When I make sure there is nothing that is associated with you around me. When I have tried every single trick in the book to get rid of you When everything is about me, not you It’s still about you. And sure, I could’ve brushed off their questions, said I didn’t want to talk about it Or just hit “undo” to get rid of Autocorrect And a town is just a town Somewhere with other people, people who aren’t you, separate from you Or maybe a color is just a color, it was just a color before I met you, but now it’s not. Now everything I see has some connection to you. And I know I hate this, and I complain, and I whine, and I cry, and I say, “I wish I could move on” But I don’t think I really mean it. Because does everything connect back to you or do I just connect everything back to you? BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Advice Back to Sections Ask Ala: Schoolwork, Scheduling, and Stress By Ala Paruch Volume 1 Issue 2 November 24, 2020 Image provided by The Journal Q. How do I better manage my time? A. Everyone is different and not every method might work for you; however, you have to try and find out. Regarding time management, making a “to-do-list” using the agenda book usually works for me. You can add your homework as you go through the day in addition to your personal activities. There are obviously other ways to manage your time. You can try setting a routine for yourself. For example, ‘start homework at 5:00 pm,’ or ‘start chores at 6:30pm.’ Routines help you make sure you stay on track. Another important part of managing your time would include knowing your limits. If you feel tired or know that you have other events planned, it is okay to say “no” and not accept someone’s offer. Additionally, plenty of time-management apps exist that you can download on your phone, if you find that you use your phone more often than the traditional pen and paper. Q. How can I manage my stress? A. Similar to time management, stress affects everyone differently and can be caused by different stressors. Firstly, you have to try to identify your stressors. It might seem unnecessary; however, it will prove to be crucial. Often, in high school, overload of work can cause stress. In that case, I would advise you to try to make a schedule to make your workload more organized. If tests bring you stress, meditation could help, either right before the test, or every morning. It helps to relax and calm down, as well as has many scientifically proven benefits. If stress often seems to be too much for you to handle, speak up and talk to someone about it. You can turn to your friends or a trusted adult. Q. How can I improve my grades? A. Improving your grades starts with the will to improve your grades. This might be the most difficult step, but motivation proves crucial here. Improving your grades will be a gradual process. They won’t go from seventies to high nineties in a matter of one test. You will have to set up a system for yourself to always do your homework, as it is good practice and helps you remember information better and always study before tests. When you have questions about material covered in class, don’t hesitate to go to extra help, ask your friends or even use sites such as Khan academy. It is important to understand the concepts presented in class and apply them with some practice such as homework (as annoying as it may seem). Additionally, if you understand the concepts, you’ll find yourself not having to painfully memorize as much information and you will remember it better. Hope that helps and see you next time! BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Entertainment & Media Back to Sections The Johnny Depp Court Case By Sahar Ali Volume 2 Issue 7 June 13, 2022 Image provided by Marca So, many of us have heard about the now-infamous case between actors Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, right? You might have consumed some information via social media regarding the exes’ lawsuits against each other. You might have even seen memes surrounding the case through apps such as TikTok or Instagram. In this article, I aim to efficiently outline and explain the events that led up to the case, specifically in hopes of providing necessary context. The case revolves around famous actors Johnny Depp and Amber Heard. Depp is best known for playing Captain Jack Sparrow in the movie series, Pirates of the Caribbean . Heard is best known for her roles in Never Back Down , Drive Angry , The Rum Diary and Aquaman . In February 2015, the pair wed; however, their marriage only lasted until January 2017. Later in 2018, Amber Heard wrote an op-ed published in the Washington Post . It was headlined “I spoke up against sexual violence – and faced our culture’s wrath. That has to change.” Heard never mentioned Depp’s name in her account, but she makes it abundantly clear that her ex-husband abused her during their short marriage. After the publication of this op-ed, Depp sued Heard in March 2019 for defamation. In short, defamation is a false statement asserted by a third party about an individual in public. This may damage one’s reputation. It may include statements in written or verbal form. In this case, only the written op-ed was considered. In simple terms, Heard’s op-ed is the root of this case, and Depp won the suit. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Editorial Back to Sections OPERATION GREEN LIGHT JUST AHEAD! Chris Cavaliere Volume 5 Issue 2 November 25, 2024 Image Provided by Turner Publishing, Inc. Valley Stram North Spartans proudly wear green, their school color. Green is the color of hope. We wear it to show school spirit for our sport teams, clubs and for the pride we have for our school community. How about we shine green for our veterans this month? Did you know that November is National Veterans and Military Families Month? Veterans Day is November 11th. Respecting veterans and their families on a day or a month needs more recognition. Greenlight a Vet is a campaign of recognition, support and appreciation for our veterans and their families. It’s simple: change one lightbulb at your home to green. Just think of driving through our community at night during the month and seeing homes with green lightbulbs shining bright. We could start a great conversation and message of gratitude. Lightbulbs symbolize ideas. We can plan assemblies and share ideas on how to continue honoring veterans though our Student Council, National Honor Society, students and teachers. We can expand appreciation by participation at Wreaths Across America. It happens in December and May for remembrance during the holidays and for Memorial Day. I have placed wreaths at veterans’ gravesites at this event and it gave me a feeling of pride. I was also lucky enough to participate in a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider at Arlington Cemetery. Veterans should never be forgotten. Do you know the significance of folding the American flag and how it should never touch the ground? Do you know how to retire a flag? I am a Boy Scout, and I’ve learned many protocols that symbolize respecting veterans. Let’s learn and honor our veterans together. Participation in Operation Green Light will continue the Spartan spirit in a way that has never been done before. Think of this, one night a veteran or a family member of a veteran drives through the Valley Stream community and sees streets of homes with green lights shining! I have had one in the front of my house for many years. This will be an incredible “Thank You” for them all to receive, so let’s start the conversation and let’s make it happen. Sources: https://www.nysac.org/issues/veterans-affairs/operation-green-light/ https://www.militaryonesource.mil/media/toolkits/service-provider/national-veterans-military-families-month/ https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/ https://www.va.gov/opa/publications/celebrate/flagdisplay.pdf BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections Who will be the Men's Singles Winner of Australian Open 2024? Rehmat Kaur Volume 4 Issue 2 January 16, 2024 Miami Open Australian Open is a tennis tournament that takes place every year and is the first of four tournaments in which players win Grand Slams. It is hosted in Melbourne, Australia, and this year it began on January 8th for singles, January 15th for doubles, and January 18th for mixed doubles. It is played on hard courts and features the greatest male and female tennis players from across the world. Players advance through rounds to compete in the final when they earn the trophy and Grand Slam championship. Daniil Medvedev vs Alexander Zverev (Semi-final) Daniil Medvedev, destined for greatness, has emerged as the finest athlete of his time. He just advanced to the Australian Open final with a superb 5-7, 3-6, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5), 6-3 victory over Alexander Zverev. It is Medvedev's third Australian Open final, and sixth grand slam final overall, and will be his first against someone other than Novak Djokovic or Rafael Nadal. Medvedev's win against Zverev demonstrates the enormous mental advantage he has developed over his opponent. Even though Zverev controlled their first four games, Medvedev has steadily reversed the trend, winning 11 of their last 13 matches. Medvedev survived both tiebreaks by playing tremendous tennis. Jannik Sinner vs Novak Djokovic (Semi-final) Jannik Sinner won against Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open semi-finals; it is Djokovic's first loss at this position in a competition. Sinner, a young 22-year-old Italian, dominated Djokovic early and saved a match point by forcing him to hit a forehand into the net. Djokovic could have surrendered peacefully, but he used a lunging backhand and a stunning topspin lob to keep the match alive. Sinner's strength was enhanced by Djokovic's failure to perform even basic Djokovic things early on, such as stretch games until his opponent's play collapsed or utilizing his serve to trap Sinner at the back of the court. Sinner broke Djokovic five times, the final one coming shortly into his final set. Sinner clinched the victory with one final beautiful forehand down the line. After the thrilling wins in the semi-finals against their opponents by both Sinner and Medvedev, they will fight on Sunday for the title and the trophy at Rod Laver Arena. Why could Jannik Sinner win? Jannik Sinner, the Italian tennis player, feels confident despite playing just 19 full sets in the competition, compared to Medvedev's 25. He ended two long-running streaks in late 2023, including victories against Djokovic at the Nitto ATP Finals and the Davis Cup Finals. Sinner has won over three matches with Medvedev, all occurring around the close of last year. Medvedev's energy levels might also be a concern because he has won two five-set matches in a straight, whereas Sinner has only played one set. Sinner, on the other hand, performed admirably in the semi-finals in terms of groundstroke control and serving. Regardless of his tennis experience, Medvedev could find himself having to shorten points and be more aggressive. In the end, Sinner is projected to maintain his momentum and win his very first Grand Slam championship after defeating the number one. Why could Daniil Medvedev win? Medvedev, with his remarkable resilience, has demonstrated tenacity in defeating Ruusuvuori and Zverev. He is predicted to come out on top over a skilled but inexperienced opponent, Djokovic, who is recovering from his emotional high after getting eliminated and losing the chance of the 11th championship. Sinner hopes to make history as the first Italian to win a Grand Slam since 1976, and his expertise at the highest level is minimal but will be critical. However, nerves may play a role in Sinner's first Slam final, as Medvedev is notorious for his ability to make life difficult for his opponents. Medvedev currently leads their rivalry 6-3, with outdoor hardcourt matches drawn 1-1. “I absolutely admire Daniil Medvedev, but I hope Jannik Sinner wins his first-ever Grand Slam. He really does deserve it a lot, going against number one is no easy thing. He is extremely talented, and his past performances show it. According to the stats he has less of a chance of winning, however, I believe he is playing like he has never and has become the crowd favorite!” - Rehmat K. Sources: https://www.atptour.com/en/news/medvedev-zverev-australian-open-2024-sf https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/jan/26/daniil-medvedev-stuns-alexander-zverev-in-five-set-australian-open-epic-tennis https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/39391142/jannik-sinner-ends-novak-djokovic-australian-open-reign-semifinals https://theathletic.com/5229189/2024/01/26/jannik-sinner-novak-djokovic-at-the-australian-open/ https://www.atptour.com/en/news/medvedev-sinner-australian-open-2024-final-preview https://www.nittoatpfinals.com/en/scores-centre/head-to-head/singles/mm58/s0ag BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles News Back to Sections A Divided America: Can We Actually “Build Back Better”? By Craig Papajohn-Shaw Volume 1 Issue 2 November 24, 2020 Image provided by POSO It’s over. At approximately 11:30 AM on Saturday, November 7th, the state of Pennsylvania, with its 20 electoral votes, was declared to 77-year-old, former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., putting him over the 270 threshold of electoral votes needed to win the presidency. He would be announced as the future 46th President of the United States with his running mate, Senator Kamala Harris, being declared the future 49th Vice President of the United States. Former Vice President Biden would only be the second practicing Catholic elected as President, and Senator Harris would be the first woman in the position of Vice President. This is not to mention Harris is of Black Caribbean and South Asian descent, which makes another first for an American VP. While this is a monumental win for Democrats, the results of the Senate and House races have made Americans, especially Democrats, question whether the country can actually “Build Back Better,” as well as whether the varying political visions of the Democrats caused the party to lose seats in the House. The infighting of the Democratic Party has been an issue over the last decade, recently exemplified when 29 Democrats, across the large spectrum of the party’s beliefs, ran to become the Presidential nominee for the party. The large spectrum of democrats includes the progressive, liberal, and centrist (or moderate) wings. In this election, the Republicans flipped 11 seats in the house for a net gain of eight, with 8 races yet to be called (As of 11/19/20). Polling suggested Democrats were supposed to gain 10-15 seats, but rather, they lost seats, putting Nancy Pelosi’s position as Speaker of the House in peril. The weakened majority in the House came as a shock to Democrats and Republicans alike. The progressive wing of the party was blamed for these losses based on polling, proving that the Democratic party is not shifting as much left as polls suggested. Many centrist Democrats pointed fingers at Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, saying that her self-described democratic socialist agenda caused voters to turn away from the Democratic ticket in the down-ballot races. Even some members of the progressive caucus such as California Representative Jared Huffman (CA-2) concurred, stating, “I think Republicans did get some traction trying to scare people on this ‘socialist narrative.’” The results of the House races gave implications that Americans do not agree on policies such as Medicare for All (abolishing privatized healthcare), defunding the police, abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and a federal job guarantee. Representative Connor Lamb (PA-17), a centrist Democrat, claimed the progressive policies are “unrealistic” and that the false promises being made, cost Democrats in key races. He further went on to say that the Biden administration should keep the progressives at arm’s length. Additionally, moderate Republican and former Ohio Governor, John Kasich, who supported the Biden-Harris ticket, bluntly stated, “The Democrats have to make it clear to the far-left that they almost cost him this election.” The multiple accusations generated a defensive response from Representative Ocasio-Cortez stating to the Times , “I don't even know if I want to be in politics.” The deflection from the Congresswoman reflected the division within the Democratic party and displayed how the many sides of the party cannot seem to be, let alone act unified. Former Vice President Biden has pledged that he will be a president for all Americans, not just those who voted for him. However, the divide within his own party might make it difficult for him to reunite the heavily divided nation. This becomes especially challenging with a divided Congress. The Democrats have a slim majority in the House, while the Republicans have a 50-48 majority in the Senate (as of 11/19/20), with two runoff races in Georgia taking place in January that will determine which party has the majority in the Senate. With President Trump refusing to concede, a smooth transition of power is unlikely to happen based on Tweets that he has sent. The lame-duck President has retweeted multiple times, “WE WILL WIN,” even though all major media outlets made the call that the former Vice President would be the projected 46th President. The former Vice-President will have adversities to overcome, no matter the circumstances in Congress. In order to “Build Back Better”, Joe Biden will need to reach across the aisle to work with both parties to amend the great divide in our country. The Biden-Harris Administration will be responsible for establishing new precedents for future generations. The former Vice President is known for his ability for working with the Republican Party, which is reassuring in our currently divided nation. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Entertainment & Media Back to Sections Mean Girls (2024) – Pros and Cons Maleah Gossai Volume 4 Issue 4 May 29, 2024 Image Provided by Elaine Ching Over the last decade, many have pointed out that Hollywood has been doing more reboots and sequels than ever before. These criticisms came out at a time of Disney live-action remakes of classic animated films and sequels upon sequels to movies that either didn’t need it or had several sequels already. These criticisms have only proven truer with this year’s release of Mean Girls , a screen adaptation of the Broadway musical based on the 2004 movie. Mean Girls (2024) hasn’t just been critiqued for being a reboot of a cult classic, however. No, the criticisms go much deeper than that. The film, despite being a musical, was not at all marketed like one, leading many to believe that it was a cheap, cash-grabby remake rather than an adaptation of a Broadway show. This, along with claims of the actors not doing the characters justice and of the film just being bad, left a sour taste in the mouths of many viewers. However, today I’ll delve deep into the pros and cons of the film, at least from my perspective, to evaluate if these complaints are justified or if people were just desperate for a reason to hate the movie. Pro : The movie brings the musical to more people. As any musical fan knows all too well, seeing shows live on Broadway is, unfortunately, expensive . Many who wish to see a show will likely not due to the high price of tickets, which can be at least a hundred dollars a person. So, the release of a film adaptation of Mean Girls the Musical provides many aspiring theater kids with the opportunity to experience the musical for a fraction of the price. While yes, movie tickets have gotten much more expensive in recent years due to inflation, many who can’t afford Broadway tickets can still afford movie tickets, and with the movie recently hitting streaming, this brings the experience of Mean Girls in the comfort of one’s home, providing those who maybe can’t fork over the hundreds of dollars for a trip to Times Square with the chance to watch the Tony-nominated musical. Con : The songs in the movie fall flat. There’s a reason the movie was marketed without any mention of the songs: it’s because they’re not exactly the best. The songs from the new movie lack the same emotion, depth, or even just the composition as the ones from the original Broadway cast recording, and it shows. Take the song “Stupid with Love” as an example. It’s a song by our main protagonist Cady Heron about how she may be intelligent but simply cannot understand love and how it works as she navigates feelings for Aaron Samuels, the movie’s love interest. In the musical, actress Erika Henningsen sings the song with emotion, matching the song’s peppy and bright instrumentals with her vocals. However, in the movie, actress Angourie Rice, while her singing is pleasant, sings with less tone variety, making her iteration of the character seem much less enthusiastic than Henningsen’s. The song “World Burn” has this issue, too. The song, sung by our main antagonist, Regina George, is meant to convey how Regina feels after she realizes she’s been conned by Cady and as she begins framing Cady for having written the infamous Burn Book. In the original cast recording, actress Taylor Louderman sings the song with rage in her voice, exactly conveying how Regina felt in the moment, and the backing vocals reading out the terrible things written in the Burn Book make the song one of the best in the musical. In the movie, actress Renee Rapp does an excellent job as Regina, but the backing vocals and instrumental fall short of doing what made the original so great. Pro : The movie incorporates more diversity through its new cast. The original Mean Girls wasn’t exactly the most diverse movie. Sure, it was the early 2000s and diversity was not as good as it is now, but it still could’ve done better. This issue is somewhat adjusted in the 2024 adaptation, with three of our main characters – Janis, Karen, and Damian – being actors of color. Karen, now Karen Shetty rather than Karen Smith, is played by Indian actress Avantika Vandanapu. Janis, now Janis Sarkisian instead of Janis Ian, is played by Hawaiian actress Auli’I Cravalho. Damian, now Damian Hubbard rather than Damian Leigh, is played by Black actor Jaquel Spivey. While sure, nothing can ever truly “fix” the original film’s diversity issue, and yes, Hollywood should be funding original films with characters of color rather than rebooting films and casting actors of color in them, this more diverse cast is a welcomed change from the original film and gives people of various backgrounds a chance to see themselves in a movie as classic as Mean Girls . Con : It’s far, far too soon to reboot a cult classic. The original Mean Girls is having its 20th anniversary this year in October. However, while 20 years is a long time (especially since this movie is older than I am), it feels way too soon to shove the original to the side in favor of the new movie, especially one as ingrained in pop culture as Mean Girls is. The movie is a classic, there’s no denying it, and while the new movie can stand on its own as an adaptation of the musical, it just feels like a cheap attempt at making money based on existing intellectual property (IP), which, unfortunately, it is. Maybe if it had been worked on for longer, if it had been given a few more years for the original movie to become an “old movie,” it would’ve been more successful as a reboot. The original Mean Girls has never been an “irrelevant” franchise, as its sheer status as a classic 2000s teen flick has been enough to cement in the minds of adults and teens. If the movie had been pushed back a few years to a 2029 release date for the film’s 25th anniversary, maybe it could have been an excellent, critically acclaimed musical adaptation that pays respect and homage to the original. As it stands, the movie falls into the same category as Disney live-action remakes: a film created in order to capitalize on the success of the preexisting IP of a beloved franchise. That’s not to discredit the movie’s quality in any way, of course, but the film has that air of “Hollywood cash grab” to it that unfortunately can’t be canceled out by its uniqueness as a musical reboot rather than just a remake. Final Verdict: It’s a good movie; it’s just a product of Hollywood’s current state. As someone who checks all the boxes for this movie’s target audience, I can safely say I liked this movie. It’s no cult classic, of course, that status still belongs to the original, and while the music isn’t on the same level as the original musical’s, it’s still a fun, enjoyable watch. Much of the criticism was unfounded, likely caused by the fact that people couldn’t handle that they rebooted Mean Girls at all, but in most cases like this, the internet often blows things out of proportion. Sure, it’s a cash-grabby reboot greenlit by Hollywood execs in order to squeeze a quick buck out of one of the most beloved 2000s movies out there, but it’s a good cash grab that makes for a good time, especially when watched with friends or loved ones. The internet isn’t always to be trusted, and this case is no exception. Mean Girls (2024) is an entertaining movie that will surely entertain fans of original and new fans alike. BACK TO TOP