Embedded Files
Winter Musical: Into The Woods
Winter Musical: Into The Woods
By Elena Aviles
Assistant Editor-in-Chief
This year, for the 2026 winter musical, the Andrew High School Theater Program put on a performance of Into the Woods. This play was originally written by Steven Sodenheim, who was a very influential Broadway writer, contributing to productions such as West Side Story and Dick Tracy. The play began running on Broadway in 1987. In 2022, it was revived and ran from 2022 to 2023. Not only was it a popular Broadway musical, but it also was adapted into a film by Disney in 2014, which had a talented cast and helped bring more fame to the original production.
The central story of this production follows very popular stories from the Brothers Grimm, including characters such as Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, Cinderella, and Jack and the Beanstalk. In this story, several of the characters have their own motivations to venture into the woods. A baker and his wife have been cursed by a witch to be childless, so she makes a deal with them in which they will be able to lift the curse if they can bring four specific items to her. Whilst on their quest to find the items that the witch asked for, the baker and his wife encounter many other characters along the way. Cinderella wishes to go to the ball to meet a prince, and a young boy named Jack needs to sell his cow named Milky White in order to make enough money to survive. Little Red Riding Hood needs to go to her grandmother’s house to deliver food. Due to each of their own reasons, the characters all venture into the woods in search of what they desire.
By the end of the first act, the characters all succeed in accomplishing what they set out to do. The bakers provide the witch with the ingredients she needs to make her potion, which causes her to lift their curse on the couple and allow them to bear a child. The rest of the characters also achieve their goals, including Jack, who is given magic beans in order to sell his cow, and uses them to grow a bean stalk. Through the stalk, Jack was able to steal from the giants in order to help his family prosper, though when the giant caught him, he chased him down the stalk and fell to his death. Despite this, the end of Act 1 ends with a “happily ever after.”
However, in Act 2, the consequences of the actions of each of the characters, especially Jack’s are explored. When the giant’s wife becomes angry and pledges to kill the child who caused her husband's death, she leaves behind her a path of destruction on the entire kingdom and causes the deaths of many. The characters must come together in order to attempt to defeat the giant in order to save their kingdom from complete ruin. The second act explores the complexity to happily ever afters, as they are often not as simple as they may seem and may have complex consequences. The musical encourages the audience to be careful what you wish for and the means you use to achieve it.
The production that the Andrew High School Theater was able to put on was fabulous to watch. This story of love, community, sacrifice, and morality was conveyed through a beautiful set, emotional acting, and breathtaking songs and vocals.
The set was designed creatively to be incredibly flexible, able to be changed often depending on the setting and tone. The trees that were used as the backdrop for the woods were cleverly designed to be seen through so that the audience could see when characters were hiding in the trees. The whimsy of the houses and forest design contributed to the magical mood of the play. The mysterious lighting also contributed to the atmosphere of the story. Not only that, but the design of the costumes also brought the characters to life, allowing them to feel like fully fleshed out people with their own lives and aspirations. The character of Milky the Cow was especially well done and creative.
The performances of the actors were extremely moving and essential to conveying the story properly. All of the actors did a wonderful job at bringing their characters to life in order to tell the story. And of course, the musical would not be the same without the tremendous songs that were played throughout. The quality of sound and the beautiful vocals, especially during the song “Last Midnight” created a moving piece that brought the story to life and allowed the audience to fully connect with the characters through their acting and song.
Overall, this musical was a beautiful production that was a delight to watch. Great job to the cast and crew!
Photos courtesy of the Theater Program
Valentines Activities
Valentines Activities
By Shelby Oliver
Staff Writer
Annually, February 14th serves as a day to celebrate the people whom we love and surround ourselves with. This year, with the holiday falling on a Saturday, couples and friends alike will be spending hundreds on date nights or activities that are not worth the cost. However, there are many inexpensive yet engaging ways to spend time with loved ones this Valentine's. Whether you’re a love bug or looking for an opportunity to bond with friends, here are several crafty and engaging activities to engage in during this holiday.
Baking Valentines Cookies
Need a quick way to satisfy your sweet tooth this year? Look no further than Nestle Toll House’s “Valentine’s Chocolate Chip” cookie dough product. Simply purchase the batter at your local grocery store, and enjoy festive cookies in no time without the hassle of gathering ingredients! For a perfect pairing to this sweet treat, relax and enjoy a movie of your choice.
Painting Pottery at Color Me Mine
Looking for an opportunity to be creative while spending time with loved ones this year? Head to “Color Me Mine” where guests select a piece of pottery to paint, have it baked in a kiln to bring out the paint’s elaborate colors, and take your piece home with you! There are many locations to choose from, along with many ways for you to express your artistic side this Valentine’s Day.
Recreate Your First Date
For all of the couples looking for a nostalgic activity to do this Valentine’s Day, why not return to the moment that began all of your memories? A fun challenge this holiday would be trying to recreate and relive the moment to its core; the same outfits, dinner orders, etc.
Swap Painting Challenge
Want to see how you and your loved one’s ideas unite? Try the viral “Swap Paintings” Challenge, where each person begins with a blank piece of paper or canvas and continuously swap their artwork every five minutes, constantly adding or adjusting each other's art work. Will this challenge create a masterpiece, or will you discover you both have unique ideas of what is considered art?
(Need inspiration to start? Try searching “Swapping Canvas Trend” on social media like TikTok!)
With willingness to spend time with those we love, a day full of appreciation and happiness is worth any dime spent creating sound memories. No matter what amount of money you are able to spend this Valentine’s Day, let this holiday remind you of the importance of surrounding yourself with love and gratitude.
The Lost Layers Of Love
By Sarina Mohammad and Gianna Collazo
Staff Writers
With this cutting cold freezing us into our homes, I am reminded of a time much colder than the snow that falls endlessly from the sky. Being in the comfort of my home amidst this icy chill takes me back to when my own house had become a place of confinement instead of comfort. Six years ago, a deadly pandemic swept the Earth, a famine to the lives of people, and a dirty pick pocketer of life. I have the privilege to say I remember it all, even the loss.
With Valentine's Day coming up, a day in which we are to celebrate our loved ones–those we hold closest to our hearts, I am reminded yet again of how grateful we should be for those around us. Though Valentine's Day is often known for its romantic traditions, I feel it’s important to hold the value of our platonic relationships on a similar pedestal. Life is fickle, and yet love is the strongest sense of all living things. There are three sections of the heart, three places filled with endless space to cater your adoration to those you hold dear:
Section 1 - Familial Love: - “I look down at my sisters hurrying through the snow. My sisters, who despite everything, came for me.” - Holly Black
Love has always been complicated; it's been trying, resistant, and compelling all at once. There is one type of love we do not have to earn, one we should not starve for. The love from your family is the only type of love you are born into, a rich inheritance of a sense of belonging provided by those you are related to. Family is the foundation of love; they teach you what it is to be unconditionally loved throughout all trials and tribulations in your life. They are in every sense of the word, your home. This section is short and sweet, because familial love is inherent. One does not need a lengthy explanation to understand the depth of a mother’s love or the camaraderie built from sharing a room with a sibling for the majority of one’s life; it’s just always there for you to fall back on.
Section 2- Friendship Love: - “Theseus: Stop. Give me your hand. I am your friend. Herakles: I fear to stain your clothes with blood. Theseus: Stain them. I don’t care.” - Anne Carson
I think the space our friends hold in our hearts is unique and respective to each dynamic. With one’s family, you did not necessarily receive a choice in the matter - they were already in your life from the moment you entered this enigma of a world. However, you chose your friends, regardless if you’re still friends with the same people you were semi-coherent and chronically crafting with in Kindergarten or if you met your chosen people a few months ago when you spontaneously joined a group of people playing Imposter (and you were the Imposter, putting in your most concerted effort to evade the treacherous fate of losing). As the rounds continue and the cycle repeats, you might be reminded of the cycles of your life. When I think of seasons of my life, I think of running track with my friends, I think of the way we start our laps all together, the way that with each passing lap some begin to fall behind, and by the end of it the closest to me still remain. When I think of my friends and how they came into my life, it’s almost like the unexpected warm, completely enveloping sensation when the sun’s rays collide with your face on a terribly cold day. When I think of my friends, I am reminded of how incredible it is that we get to experience the tumultuous rollercoaster of adolescence at the same time. I think that, in order to survive in an everchanging world, it is essential to laugh in sync and to binge read a book or a show at the same time, experiencing the world together through all these miniscule moments. It is crucial to frantically rehearse the steps of the signal transduction pathway during your lunch before your biology exam in twenty minutes. It is absolutely necessary to debrief about the messiness in your life over froyo, your friend simultaneously listening to your woes and silently questioning your matcha and bubblegum flavor combination. This Valentine’s Day, I urge you to be, if only the smallest bit, sentimental over how delicate life is, and how the firm foundation of friendship can make it all the more powerful.
Section 3 -Love for Oneself: - “If you have the ability to love, love yourself first.” – Charles Bukowski
There is a type of love that is oftentimes the most difficult to find. Some spend their whole lives searching for it, not knowing it is exactly where they stand, within themselves. Loving yourself is one of the hardest things we as humans can do for ourselves. To love ourselves is to accept ourselves fully. It is to love yourself blindly the way you love your spouse or your friend. It is to care for yourself the way you often find yourself caring for others. It is to put as much attention into the feelings of others as you do for yourself. We spend our lives dishing out the love from our hearts to those we claim need it and sometimes forget to leave some for ourselves. Learning to love yourself is about gently holding your faults and learning to accept the parts of you that are different. It is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself. With this upcoming Valentine's Day it is important to love and cherish yourself the way you do others. Do not forget to celebrate all that is you, and the bliss of life, for every day is not guaranteed.
Valentines Day Gifts, DIY Edition
Valentines Day Gifts, DIY Edition
With all the talk of love in the air, it is a good time to show those who are important to you how much they mean to you. Whether it’s a significant other, family member, or friend, you can show your appreciation without breaking the bank.
Conversation Heart Boxes:
Craft stores are filled to the brim with heart-shaped cardboard boxes for little cost. Pick a few up, paint them, and attach (or draw) the recognizable phrases from the Sweetheart boxes we’ve all gotten as children. Feeling extra nostalgic? Fill them up with the candy they represent!
Conversation Heart Picture Frame:
Use those extra conversation hearts to make a frame for someone special. You can find an old frame around the house or make one out of cardboard. Level up by adding a picture of you and your recipient in the frame.
A Hug in A Mug:
Fill up a mug with small items your loved one likes (think candy, a plushie, lip gloss, hand lotion, hot chocolate or tea, etc.). Add a little note for a special touch.
Reasons I Like/Love You Jar:
Find an old mason jar and decorate it (or leave it blank). Cut up small hearts or squares out of paper and write down all the reasons you care for the person you are giving it to. This is customizable to any theme you’d like to use. Some ideas: reasons you are my friend, reasons I appreciate you, etc.
Cookies:
Grab some heart shaped cookie cutters from the back of the cabinet or you can pick some up on the cheap at stores like Dollar Tree, Target, or Walmart. Whip up a batch of your favorite cookie mixture and give a batch or two to the people you care about. Extra points if you talk them into helping you bake!
Gift of Friendship:
You do not need to get or make your loved ones gifts on Valentine’s Day. Telling them how special they are to you or spending some quality time is enough. Have a game night, throw on a movie and pop some popcorn, or simply put aside a few hours to hang out. You are enough.
Ideas found on Pinterest
Valentine's Recipes
Get together with your favorite people and share a Valentine's Day themed meal. Here are some options for every level of cook!
DINNER
Heart Shaped Pizzas
Heart Shaped Pizzas
Equipment
Equipment
2 Heart Cookie Cutters (large & small)
Ingredients
Ingredients
Pre-made Pizza Crust
Pizza Sauce
Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
Pepperoni
Instructions
Instructions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees
Use a heart cookie cutter on a pre-made pizza crust (or if you prefer, shape fresh dough into hearts)
Add sauce, cheese, and toppings
Cook until cheese is melted and crust is golden, about 10-15 minutes
Heart-Inspired Chicken Parmesan
Heart-Inspired Chicken Parmesan
Ingredients
Ingredients
Chicken breasts
2 eggs
3/4 cup bread crumbs (Italian-seasoned is great)
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper (optional)
String Cheese
Red pasta sauce
Your favorite pasta
Instructions
Beat the egg well to make an “egg bath” coating then place it in a small, rimmed dish. Place the bread crumbs and parmesan cheese (and salt and pepper) into another small, rimmed dish. If needed, pound the chicken a bit for an even consistency–I don’t necessarily do this unless it’s a pretty chunky piece.
One at a time, dip the chicken breast into the egg wash, coating both sides, then into the bread crumb mixture, fully coating both sides.
Place the breaded chicken breast onto an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet.
Bake the chicken in the oven at 425°F for 30-40 minutes, depending on size, until fully-cooked (the juices should run clear…I will often make a small, deep cut into the chicken breast in a place that will be covered up later to check to make sure all the pink is gone.).
Remove the chicken from the oven and set aside.
Carefully cut a string cheese stick into four quarters the long way. Begin placing it on top of the still-hot chicken in the shape of a heart. Use toothpicks to hold the cheese in place if needed. Together the two string cheese slices will make a heart outline with an opening.
Pink Sauce Pasta
Pink Sauce Pasta
Ingredients
gluten free penne, or your favorite pasta shape
jarred marinara or spaghetti sauce, Gino's or Rao's recommended
jarred alfredo sauce, Rao's recommended
Instructions
Cook pasta in boiling water until al dente then drain. Add equal amounts or marinara/spaghetti sauce and alfredo sauce into the empty pot then stir to combine and warm over low heat.
Add drained pasta back to the pot, stir to coat, then serve.
Ideas found on Pinterest
DESSERTS
Fruit Charcuterie Board
Fruit Charcuterie Board
Ingredients
Ingredients
Chocolate-Cream Cheese Dip:
2 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
Chocolate-Cream Cheese Dip:
2 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
Raspberry Yogurt Dip:
3 ounces raspberries
2/3 cup full-fat Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
Raspberry Yogurt Dip:
3 ounces raspberries
2/3 cup full-fat Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
Fruit Board:
1 small cantaloupe (about 1 pound)
4 green kiwis
1/4 cup honey
8 ounces seedless green grapes, snipped into bunches
8 ounces seedless red grapes, snipped into bunches
1/4 small seedless watermelon (about 12 ounces), cut into triangles
1 navel orange, cut into 12 wedges
16 ounces strawberries, stems on, halved
1 pint blueberries
6 ounces blackberries
One 8-ounce wheel Brie
4 ounces manchego cheese, thinly sliced into triangles
Fresh mint sprigs, for serving
Fruit Board:
1 small cantaloupe (about 1 pound)
4 green kiwis
1/4 cup honey
8 ounces seedless green grapes, snipped into bunches
8 ounces seedless red grapes, snipped into bunches
1/4 small seedless watermelon (about 12 ounces), cut into triangles
1 navel orange, cut into 12 wedges
16 ounces strawberries, stems on, halved
1 pint blueberries
6 ounces blackberries
One 8-ounce wheel Brie
4 ounces manchego cheese, thinly sliced into triangles
Fresh mint sprigs, for serving
Directions
Directions
For the chocolate-cream cheese dip: Add the cream cheese, heavy cream, confectioners’ sugar, cocoa powder and vanilla to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whisk on medium speed until stiff peaks form, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a small ramekin or bowl and chill until ready to serve.
For the raspberry yogurt dip: Process the raspberries in a food processor until smooth. Strain the raspberry puree through a fine-mesh sieve into a medium bowl. Add the yogurt, honey, vanilla and lemon zest and juice and stir until well combined and light pink. Transfer to a small ramekin or bowl and chill until ready to serve.
For the fruit board: To cut the cantaloupe, first remove the peel: Start by cutting off a small piece from the top and bottom (the stem end where you can see a little spot from where the cantaloupe grew and the end opposite to it). Then turn it onto one of the flat ends and, starting from the top and following the contour of the cantaloupe, cut off the peel with the knife, making sure to keep as much of the flesh intact as possible. Continue until the entire peel is gone.
Next, leave the cantaloupe sitting on one of the flat ends and cut directly down through the middle. Use a spoon to scoop out and discard the seeds and membrane. Turn the cantaloupe halves over so the hollow sides are facing down. Slice the fruit crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices in the same direction as the top and bottom slices were cut. Chill in an airtight container until ready to serve.
To cut the kiwis, keep the peel intact and insert the tip of a paring knife about 1/2 to 1 inch into the center of a kiwi at a 45-degree angle. Repeat this step to create a “V”. This is the start of your zigzag. Continue this pattern around the entire kiwi. Gently twist and pull the fruit until the 2 pieces separate. Repeat with the remaining kiwis. Chill in an airtight container until ready to serve.
For the fruit board: Arrange the chocolate-cream cheese dip and raspberry yogurt dip on a board. Add the honey to a small bowl and place on the board. Fill in around the board with the cantaloupe, kiwi, green and red grapes, watermelon, orange, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, Brie and manchego. Fill in any blank spaces with mint sprigs.
Chocolate Cake
Chocolate Cake
Ingredients
Ingredients
1 ¾ cups all purpose flour
2 cups granulated white sugar
¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 ½ tsp baking soda
¾ teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1 cup buttermilk or substitute by putting 1 tbsp white vinegar in a cup then filling the rest up with milk; let stand 5 minutes until thickened
½ cup butter melted
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 cup hot coffee or 2 tsp instant coffee in 1 cup boiling water
Instructions
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350ºF. Grease and flour (using cocoa powder ideally – see note) two 9-inch baking pans and line them with parchment circles.
In the large bowl of a standing mixer, combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, and salt on low speed for one minute.
Add eggs, buttermilk, melted butter and vanilla extract and beat on medium speed until batter forms, about 30 seconds. Pause to scrape down sides and bottom of mixer bowl as well as the paddle. Beat 15 seconds more, until mixture is mostly smooth.
Remove bowl from mixer and stir in hot coffee with a rubber spatula. Batter will be very runny.
Pour batter evenly between the two pans and bake on middle rack of oven for 25-35 minutes, until thermometer inserted in the middle reaches 190ºF.
Allow to cool 15 minutes in pans, then run a butter knife around the edges of each cake. Line two cooling racks with parchment paper. (See note)
Place a cooling rack over top of each pan. Wearing oven mitts, use both hands to hold the racks in place while flipping the cakes over onto the racks. Set the racks down and gently thump on the bottom of the pans until the cakes release. Cool completely before handling or frosting.
Chocolate-Covered Ice Cream Hearts
Chocolate-Covered Ice Cream Hearts
Equipment
Equipment
heart cookie cutter
Ingredients
Ingredients
pint of strawberry ice cream
3 oz. chocolate of your choice
coconut oil
*optional (candy melts in pink, red, or white)
Directions
Lay a pint of strawberry ice cream on its side and cut into 1-inch-thick rounds with a large serrated knife; peel off the carton. Cut out hearts with a 2-inch cookie cutter, place on a rack set on a baking sheet and freeze 30 minutes. For the coating, combine 3 ounces chopped chocolate with 3 tablespoons coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl; microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring, until smooth. Pour over the ice cream hearts. Freeze until set, then drizzle with melted candy melts.
Overview of the Science Survey
By James Abraham
Editor-in-Chief
Recently, District 230 sent out a survey to all current science class students asking about their experiences in the sciences of VJA, the classes they have already taken, and classes they would like to see in the future. While the options look enticing for prospective students, it’s not very clear what exactly they’d be getting into. Here’s an overview of the possible science classes our school will offer in the future.
Forensic Science
Forensic Science is the application of science to law. It is a broad category that has jobs ranging from police officers, engineers, doctors, and many more. This is a great class to select if you are interested in working in justice when you’re older, or are simply interested in learning about crime. In this class you’re able to get in-depth hands-on work with things such as crime investigation, DNA analysis, and much more. Internships with forensics or crime scene workers are hard to come by as a high schooler, so this is a great opportunity. Forensics science is a very science heavy class, encompassing biology, physics, and chemistry consistently.
Careers: Medical examiner, forensics engineer, forensics pathologist, evidence technician
Healthcare and Medicine
The name of this class is very self-explanatory. This is an excellent class if you’re looking into nursing or going to medical school, as the access you have to medicine as a young person is very limited. You will experience job shadowing, medical simulations, and skills necessary to be in the healthcare field.
Careers: Nursing, sanitization expert, any career that requires medical school
Genetics and Biotechnology
In this class, you will learn more about what makes up humans. You will learn about genetics and inheritance, biology, and the application of technology to biology. You will learn about the devices that go into genetic engineering, bioengineering, and biomedical engineering.
Careers: Biomedical engineer, biological engineer, geneticist, genetic engineer
Microbiology
In this class you will look into microscopic organisms. This includes viruses, fungi, bacteria, parasites, and other organisms. You will also learn about real world applications such as food and environments with microorganisms, and how to use microorganisms for medical purposes.
Careers: Immunologist, lab tech, quality control
Botany and Horticulture / Academic Environmental Earth Science
These classes are similar so I lumped them together. In these classes you will learn about and explore planting, agriculture, and the environment. With our very own greenhouse, you can get high quality hands-on learning. These classes range from soil quality and plant growth to industrial/environmental impacts and landscaping.
Careers: Environmental scientist, horticulturist, arborist, ecologist
Meteorology
This class focuses on weather, atmospheric conditions, and the climate. You will learn and uncover storm patterns, environmental impacts with the climates, and real world effects of things like natural disasters.
Careers: Weather anchor, meteorologist, storm chaser, EPA employee
Aerospace Science
This class will have a lot of engineering and physics, but it focuses on its applications to aerospace travel and technology. You will learn about space and space exploration, physics fundamentals, rocketry, and physics as it applies to space and flight.
Careers: Aerospace engineer, propulsion engineers, system engineers
Food Science
While this sounds like (and is) a fun class, this is not what people expect. It isn’t like culinary. Instead of just making food, you will be learning of the science behind it. You will learn about safety and sanitation, sustainability, the chemistry of cooking and baking, and how food is made on a large scale.
Careers: Food scientist, quality assurance, ingredients development, food process engineer
Zoology
This class is similar to the biology curriculum except with a major focus on animals specifically. This is a perfect class if you’re an animal person. This class covers evolution, ecosystems, conservation, and science as they relate to animals.
Careers: Zoologist, marine biologist, palaeontologist, park ranger
Advanced Chemistry / Advanced Physics
While our school has both academic and AP chemistry and physics, these classes are very different. While they don’t cover the breadth nor offer college credit that the AP variants do, they offer a curriculum that isn’t set by the College Board. For this, you’ll be learning things in these classes that you wouldn’t learn in the AP classes, such as organic chemistry, applied engineering, and more. You will also have a lot more opportunities for real world applications. These are great standalone courses or preparatory courses for their AP classes.
Careers: Chemist, chemical engineer, mechanical engineer, pharmaceutical chemist
Robotics
Robotics is an engineering class that specifically focuses on machinery and robots. It will include the design of robots, coding, engineering, and other common parts of robots. You will learn about the applications of robots to the real world and the potential/expansion of robotics in many industries.
Careers: Electrical engineer, computer programmer, software engineer
Review of Stranger Things 5
By Roxanne Moraga
Staff Writer
After waiting almost three years since Stranger Things Season 4 was released, Stranger Things Season 5 was highly anticipated and was a major success. The fifth season took about a year to film and was released on three different dates, which were: November 26, Christmas Day, and the series finale on New Years’ Eve.
Stranger Things is a science fiction Netflix series set in the 1980s about a group of friends who must defeat an evil man with supernatural powers, who they call “Vecna,” and many other obstacles such as creatures called Demogorgons and the Mind Flayer. Stranger Things 5 is the season conclusion to the trending series. The main characters include: Eleven “El”/Jane Hopper, Mike Wheeler, Will Byers, Dustin Henderson, Lucas Sinclair, and Max Mayfield. Other important protagonists are: Jim Hopper, Karen Wheeler, Nancy Wheeler, Holly Wheeler, Joyce Byers, Jonathan Byers, Erica Sinclair, Derek Turnbow, Robin Buckley, Steve Harrington, Murray Bauman, and Kali. The main antagonists are: Vecna/Henry and Dr. Kay/the military. The protagonists’ core goal in the fifth season is to officially defeat Vecna, but along the way, they discover secrets greater than themselves that change the whole world and their outlooks of friendship, relationships, and family.
Music plays a vital role in Stranger Things. In Season 5, Max Mayfield famously says, “Music has a way of finding you, even in the darkest of places.” Even when trapped in Vecna’s mind, Max’s favorite song, “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)” by Kate Bush helps her navigate and persevere. Other popular songs from this season include: “Upside Down” by Diana Ross, “I Think We’re Alone Now” by Tiffany, “Mr. Sandman” by The Chordettes, and “Purple Rain” by Prince. “Purple Rain” was especially important because it soundtracked the ending of the final episode of the season.
If you are planning on watching Stranger Things 5, I recommend watching all of the previous seasons so that you understand the backgrounds and experiences of the characters. There were many ups and downs throughout the show, but overall, the final season of Stranger Things brought an epic conclusion to the amazing TV series.
Top 5 SUPER Streamable Movies in 2025
With the weather keeping us snuggled up indoors, it is the perfect time to relax at home with a movie. Here are some highly rated SUPER films to stream that can free you from feeling cooped up in February.
Captain America: Brave New World
Streaming on Disney+
Superman
Streaming on HBO Max
The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Streaming on Disney+
Marvel Studios' Thunderbolts*
Streaming on Disney+
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