Story by: Kiara Wisniewski. Shamrock Shakes are a staple to starting the spring season. Shamrocks shakes are sold at McDonald’s from the end of February through the month of March. This festive shake brings a minty flavor to Saint Patrick’s Day. Whether you don’t want to pay the upcharged price every time you want this treat, or you want it all year long, I’ll be trying, and sharing a Shamrock Shake knock-off recipe.

Welcome to my impromptu baking show! If you’re new here, last time I made Christmas cookies, by substituting doughs and fillings to see which combination worked best. This time, I’m only going to do one recipe, with the goal to make a shake comparable to that of the controversial Shamrock Shake.

To start things out, I will measure and arrange all of my ingredients, so I don’t have to scramble to remember how much of what I will need next. This recipe is actually very easy, as it’s just dumping most of the ingredients in a blender, blending, and then topping with whipped cream. Before I put the ingredients in, I decided that I wanted to do the food coloring last; that way I can gauge how much to put in based on the volume of the other ingredients. This is because it’s crucial to get the shamrock color, as shamrocks are widely associated with Saint Patrick’s Day. It is also a sacred plant in Ireland (it used to be referred to as a Seamroy), symbolizing the start of Spring.

Once everything is in the blender, you can start blending the ingredients on a low speed. If you are going to double (or triple) the recipe to accommodate guests, I’d recommend starting on a high speed, and then eventually going to a low speed. It might take a few minutes, so you may want to look up a few facts about Saint Patrick’s Day like I did. Did you know that America held the first Saint Patrick’s Day parade, yet Saint Patrick himself was born in Britain? Yeah, I thought that was interesting too.

After blending the shake, you can just pour it into a cup. I would suggest a clear one to see the nice green, and then topping with the whipped cream. If you want to take an extra step to really zhoosh it up, you can add crushed chocolate to the top (for a little extra mintiness, crush up mint chocolate), add a cherry to the top or add whatever else you want.

The shake turned out better than I anticipated. I thought it would be lacking in mintiness, or that it would be too thick with so much ice cream, but it was very similar to the consistency of the Shamrock Shakes. Although it was $19.56 (plus the $25.97 for the blender), I now have enough supplies for at least ten shakes. When I was making them, I also made shakes for my family, leaving tons of extra supplies left. I would also say that these shakes are larger than a medium sized Shamrock Shake, so in the long term, it is a cheaper way. It is a decently easy recipe that is largely comparable to a Shamrock Shake.

Ingredients:

Blender- $25.97 at Walmart (for Hamilton Beach; there was a Mainstays one for $19.99)

Food Coloring- $2.96 at Walmart

Heavy Whipping Cream- $3.12 at Walmart

Mint Extract- $4.00 at Walmart

Peppermint Extract- $1.58 at Walmart

Vanilla Ice Cream- $4.95 at Aldi

Whipped Cream- $2.95 at Aldi

Recipe:

3 scoops (about ¼ cup each) of vanilla ice cream

¼ cup heavy whipping cream

½ teaspoon of peppermint extract

5 drops of green food coloring

Desired amount of whipped cream for topping

Once you gather your ingredients, measure them all (except the whipped cream) into a blender container. Then you should blend on a low speed, until it’s at a smooth consistency. Then pour the shake into your cup, and top with whipped cream.

Story by: Jin Wilson. February 25 was the long awaited release date of Elden Ring, the newest game from Fromsoftware, creator of cult-classic series Dark Souls. A departure from the semi-linear composition of its predecessors, Elden Ring is an open-world game, meaning that you can go anywhere without completing the game's story, allowing you to take it at your own pace. The game does this masterfully while keeping all the FromSoft difficulty many have come to love, and it's a serious contender for the 2022 Game of the Year Award.

Exploration:

Exploration quality is integral to open world games, because if a game is too empty or full, it can feel like a drag to explore. Elden Ring doesn't push you towards any place in particular, and doesn't have quest or location points that lead you in a specific direction. The only thing the game gives the player is a general direction of the story quest.

Exploration is optional, but it does provide rewards that you wouldn't obtain otherwise, like weapons, spells and summons. You can find optional dungeons and enemies around the map, which creates a fulfilling experience whenever you decide to wander off the beaten path. The movement options help the exploration feel natural. The mini dungeons give a nice break from the open world by letting you dungeon crawl and fight different enemies in a secluded area while looking for the boss door, eventually reaping the boon of your effort. All in all, the exploration of the game is naturally integrated so no matter where you end up, you don't find yourself bored.

Combat:

As with most games created by FromSoft, Elden Ring is on the higher end of game difficulty. It does not matter if you've played any or all previous FromSoft games, you will die. A lot. And that's not only fine, but it's encouraged in a way. Every enemy in Elden Ring has multiple moves and attack strings, and all of them can be either evaded or parried. By dying to these different combos, you learn how to properly dodge and counter them effectively.

There are many respawn points around the map, and they come in two varieties. Sites of Grace are the main respawn points, and they are used in a variety of ways, from leveling up, to refilling your restoration potions. The most common area to find one of these spots is at the beginning of a new area, or next to a major boss door. The second type of respawn point is the Stakes of Marika. You can't use these in the same way as the Sites of Grace, as they are reserved for being near a harder fight. Whenever you die near a Stake of Marika, you are given the option to go back to the stake, or to the most recently visited Site of Grace, giving you the chance to fully recuperate and formulate a new strategy.

Story:

The stories that FromSoft spin are a unique type. There is the base story that you're integral to, which covers the main plot points and the arc that you experience, and then there is the extra lore, which is accessible by looking at item descriptions and doing side quests with non-player characters, or NPCs. NPCs are basically characters that the game has made, which use artificial intelligence to move, fight or talk. That means that all unnecessary dialogue is up to the player's discretion, so people have the decision to learn more if they please.

As for Elden Ring's main story, you play as the Tarnished, a lowly warrior with no title. Your travels take you to the Lands Between, a land of magic and miracles, which was once a peaceful and tranquil area. It was ruled by Queen Marika, and with the power of the Erdtree, she was an immortal and powerful leader. The titular Elden Ring was a conduit of the Erdtree's power, and allowed these various forms of magic and powers to be used freely. Marika had multiple children who were classified as Demigods, and they went on to rule the various areas of the Lands Between. One day, a dark order with the power to kill immortals set out to kill one of the great lords named Godwyn the Golden, and the Elden Ring was shattered. As a result, the Erdtree's connection was weakened, and the various Demigods warred with one another, creating the current state of the world. As a Tarnished, your job is to reform the Elden Ring by collecting the great Runes, magical items that hold great powers held by the various Demigods, by killing them, which is easier said than done.

Elden Ring is a breath of fresh air; its setting and progression makes for such a naturally fun experience that you can't play without feeling like you're accomplishing something worthwhile and unique. Even just fighting a new enemy for the first time, or getting decimated by a boss for the fiftieth time, feels like a learning experience, and as you play you can feel yourself getting better at the game. Endurance is an important skill in the game, but if you put in the time, the payoff is rewarding.

Story by: Jin Wilson. Buildings reduced to rubble, raid sirens blaring and everyone living in underground bunkers. The feeling of a country torn to ruin washes over anyone who bears witness to the scene in front of them. That is the current state of the eastern European country Ukraine, as it is ravaged by Russia's troops. As more people die and war rages on, the question of "how did it come to this?" presents itself at the forefront of many people's minds.

Before the war began, Ukraine was trying to become part of NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, which is an intergovernmental alliance where its main goal is to protect the countries under it. If a member of NATO is ever under attack, other members of the alliance will provide aid with either troops, weapons or supplies. This alliance was founded in 1949 under the North Atlantic Treaty, with the original purpose to stop the expansion of the Soviets, and to deter nationalist militarism. Over time, NATO has become a more generally protective force in both Europe and North America, and has prevented conflicts over land or borders from getting too far out of hand. Ukraine has had an interest in joining NATO for a while because of the prospects of an increased military power and protection from larger countries that border the nation. Nations like Russia, which is massive in both size and power, were a frightening neighbor for Ukraine, as invasion would mean almost certain takeover. Ukraine was once part of Russia, and split away when the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, so the idea of being retaken over has been a looming threat.

On February 24, 2022, Russia began to invade Ukraine with heavy infantry, like tanks and fighter jets, entering from both the northern and southern borders of the country. Explosions rained down on many of Ukraine's cities, including its capital, Kyiv. Right before the invasion began the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, had been working on peace talks with Putin. He advocated for a peaceful resolution, while also ensuring that if Russia invaded, the Ukrainians, including himself, would fight back with everything they had. Many nations have deemed Russia's invasion unprovoked, including some Russians, calling it a "war of aggression".

As of March 12, 2022, the invasion of Ukraine has not ceased, and has instead escalated in severity. A 40 mile long Russian convoy is currently traveling through the country to Kyiv, and bombings rain down on a daily basis. Civilian buildings are being targeted, like stores and hospitals. Thousands of Ukrainians have died in just a few short weeks, and hundreds of thousands are trying to evacuate their decimated homeland while trying to reunite with their families. But even still, there are still those who stay and fight, many of whom are volunteer fighters with no prior experience with war, all standing together to fight back against the destruction of their beloved homes. They give everything they have and more to keep the people and the home they love safe. The power of the Russian military is strong, but the will to fight for what is right could very well prove to be stronger.

The war between Russia and Ukraine may not end for a long while. The US and other countries have placed sanctions on many exports from and imports to Russia. Companies are also doing their part by restricting stores and products in hopes to stop Russia due to financial strain. However, that may not be enough to stop them completely. Troop deployment is currently being heavily advocated against by President Joe Biden, but it may eventually happen. All that can be done is hope that the war stops soon and donate to charities like Global Giving or the International Medical Corps, which both have sections that support the Ukrainians in need.

Story by Ben Lloyd. The NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Men's Basketball Tournament is a sometimes unpredictable tournament where any team could beat another. March Madness lasts three and a half weeks this year. Going from March 13 to April 1, 68 teams from around the country will compete for the title. Last year, the Baylor Bears won and will be coming back again this year.

Every year 32 teams are automatically qualified for the tournament by winning their own conferences or regional tournaments. The other 36 teams get picked by a section committee. The section committee looks at team records, rankings and opponents faced to decide what teams to select. If a team is strong enough, they are granted access to compete in the tournament.

"Madness" does not only come from the basketball being played. The tournament can be fun for people who like to make predictions about games and the ultimate winner. Fans make their own brackets, either through an online organization or in person with a group of friends or co-workers.

Most people bet on one of the top 10 seeded teams to win. Freshman Kouki Yatani believes the #2 seed, Arizona, will win the tournament because “they have a solid team.” People will tend to do a lot of research about a team's players and coaches before choosing their brackets. Others believe that the #9 seed, Wisconsin, will win. Mr. Tom Murphy, Home and Careers teacher, wants them to win simply because he “loathes Duke,” and loves the BIG 10 teams, which are mainly midwestern teams.

Who will win the tournament? Who will make money off of it? Who will lose their life savings? Watch the tournament throughout the month and find out. The tournament will be streamed on CBS, TBS and ESPN.