Since this is the last edition of the year, I felt it was time to address the elephant in every room, that end-of-year sluggishness.

Everyone is feeling a bit under the weather, whether it be from the bug or the spring chills, feeling tired from exhausting the brain, or even simply trying to struggle through the last of the school work. All in all, everyone seems pretty zombified. 

It may be different if it was 80 every day and we could swim and enjoy a nice warm day outdoors, but unfortunately, it’s still a little bit til our days are free, so we must keep chugging on to get to our one relief: summer break. But, as we move through the seasons it’s important to remember the memories we’ve made. New friends, new people, new experiences, and former challenges that have been overcome. We are all not the same people we were at the beginning of this year. 

As you reach that end-of-school-year fatigue and feel like dropping out or crying dramatically, begging to not come back, remember the positives of this year. You are a new person, you have accomplished a lot, and as you arrive at that last bit of motivation you have to get through the year and insist on giving up, remember that in the beginning, there was a version of you that dreamed of this moment, who told themselves that they would relax and enjoy every moment. If this is your first year of high school, good luck, but if it’s your last and you are now graduating in a few weeks, take this time to enjoy all the memories you’ve made, and when you look at that old picture, take time to appreciate the person you were, the person that got you to this point in your life and accomplished whatever successes they may have achieved. 

Remember that all the little things add up to this moment and that all of that energy wasted on dying inside can be used to enjoy whatever is left of your high school experience, whoever you are and however far along you may be. 

Remember to smile and say hello to an old friend before you go, I know it seems awkward and I might not even be able to do it, but you’re much braver than I am, so say hi to someone who added joy to your life. 

Remember to be open to new possibilities and experiences, anything can happen while we are apart and you are away for the summer, and in the fall, I’ll be here to hear all about it. 

Lastly, remember to keep up that moment and keep pushing through your final few days, you’ve made it this far, what’s the point in stopping now?

Since 1992, April has been specifically dedicated to acknowledging the effects of stress on people of all ages. It is important to remember that stress doesn’t just impact someone mentally, but physically as well. Finding healthy ways to handle stress is key to staying happy and positive throughout our daily lives. Stress is often overlooked, and seen as something all people have to deal with on a daily basis. However, stress should be taken seriously, as we all have the ability to take actions to control and regulate stress levels. By doing this, stressors can be almost eliminated, and there is more time to focus on living your best life! 

Stress can stem from many different reasons, and it can mean something different to everyone. Generally speaking, stress is deemed as a mental, physical, or emotional tension on the body. Stress can come from numerous things such as money, work, school, and the list goes on! Symptoms of stress also differ for individuals. Some people experience panic attacks, others have an increase in blood pressure, and it can even cause some people to miss out on a good night of sleep. Stress may leave you feeling irritable, depressed, and with overall low energy. Just being in an unfamiliar situation can cause stress! Experiencing stress isn’t ideal, but it is unavoidable. 

As humans, we can’t just get rid of all of the anxious feelings instantly, but there are actions we can take to minimize the effects. For example, taking basic self care actions is crucial to help cope with stress. Prioritize a healthy diet, a good night of sleep, and an exercise routine. Also, avoid things like drugs and alcohol, as they are negative coping mechanisms that only lessen stress for brief periods of time, but leave negative effects that tend to spark addiction. Sometimes, finding a new hobby can help to take one’s mind off life’s stressors, and give someone something fun and exciting to look forward to! Additionally, don’t be afraid to reach out to others; even considering seeing a therapist is a smart move. Stress is real, and no one should feel ashamed. Talking to a friend, parent, or professional may seem scary, but in the end it is something that will help one ease high levels of stress. Talking to others can even help one feel less alone. We are more common than one might assume, and opening up can provide comfort and a sense of safety with one another. 

Stress is experienced routinely by almost everyone. Acknowledging instead of ignoring stress will help people to find ways to solve underlying issues. Being aware of what causes stress as well as knowing how to cope can lead to a happier and healthier life! Never be afraid to speak up about how you feel! You’re not alone, even if it may seem like it. 

Gen Z is, thus far, the most open and accepting generation to grace the streets of America. For example, they have pushed for open approval of gender fluidity, gender equality, and redefined gender roles. No longer are women automatically considered to be delicate creatures who need to be taken care of and treated with the utmost gentleness, just as men are no longer expected to be emotionless pillars of strength and stoicism. Gen Z has embraced the fact that all individuals should be treated as individuals with their own personal strengths and weaknesses; the members of Gen Z demand equal expectations and respect for all people, and recognize, as Coi Leray does in her song, that “girls is players too.” Yet, ironically, these same social justice warriors seem to be blind when it comes to one group of people who are mercilessly and openly disrespected on a daily basis: teachers. This teacher wants her Gen Z students to remember that “teachers is people too.”

Teachers have the same capacity to feel sadness, embarrassment, and dejection as the rest of the human population.  Sometimes though, it seems as if students forget that the person standing in front of them in the classroom, or asking for a pass in the hallway, is actually a living, breathing, and feeling being.  In the past, I have had students curse at me, call me names, and refuse to follow simple directions. Often, such behavior is a result of the students’ own bad moods, and their inability to communicate what irks them. Usually, after calming down, these same students apologize, and I accept the apology. As an empathetic person, I understand that people have bad days, and sometimes, as imperfect beings, we take out our frustrations, anger, and anxiety on an innocent victim. I, too, have been guilty of such infractions. When I realize that I am treating someone unfairly or unkindly though, I apologize and work to change my attitude. I am especially humbled when I don’t recognize my poor behavior on my own, and am called out for behaving poorly. Never have I ever told somebody whose feelings I just hurt that it was their role and responsibility to put up with my antics, yet, that is exactly what I have been repeatedly told by students this school year. Apparently, I “signed up” for verbal abuse, ridicule, and mockery because I became a teacher, and if I don’t like it, I can quit.  

I will not quit my job, nor will I just accept that my role is to weather the storm of abuse from people who are still learning to navigate appropriate social interactions, just because I chose to work in a school with young people. Instead, I’d like to do what I actually “signed up” for and educate our youth.  Much of the learning that happens in school is social-emotional skill building. I want to tell students when my feelings have been hurt, and explain why I feel the way I do so that they can learn compassion.  Unfortunately, I have found it very difficult to communicate my feelings effectively because I am immediately shut down for being “too sensitive.”  So, if you are reading this, please reconsider your words and your tone when speaking to your teachers, and remember to treat them the same way you’d want to be treated. When you tell a teacher that she looks ghoulish, and point out the dark circles and bags under her eyes (I’m looking at you, Max), just apologize when she says that she feels bad instead of doubling down on your comments “because it’s true.” Geesh, teachers is people too, and we deserve some respect.

Introduction

As we come closer to June many of us are preparing for the Regents exams. We are all going over material and attending review classes just for caution. Although unpopular, they are deemed essential and crucial. As a matter of fact, in the State of New York, you need to pass at least 4 Regents exams to graduate. Imagine all of the stress the students are experiencing right now. The real question is: why do we have to stress ourselves over these exams? I would be lying if I told you I didn't share the same sentiments as many others regarding this topic. I entirely disagree with everything this exam stands for, from the curriculum covered to the time constraint. So I will list all the reasons why Regents exams, and all standardized testing, cause more harm than good to students.

Effects On Students’ Mental Health

Making these exams a focal point of students' whole high school experience can take a toll on them. Many students have shown how, under pressure, they don't perform well when taking these types of tests. So, just imagine all the anxiety they feel as June approaches quicker than they think. This causes some barriers when learning; people tend not to try to perceive information when they feel like they are not going to understand the information being told to them. This is called listener apprehension and it is very common among my peers and in teens across the world. This is so unfair because many teachers don't understand the mental struggles of their students, and later tell them that they don't try their best, which is wrong in many ways. This treatment can lead to many more problems, like getting bad grades, skipping, making bad decisions, and even getting depressed. 

Unfair to Underprivileged Students

It would be a lie to say that poverty does not affect the Amsterdam population. Many teenagers end up getting jobs at early ages so they can help to support their families financially, while others wake up early for school and then have to return right to their homes after school to take care of their loved ones. Many of them are obligated to grow up too quickly and prioritize things like knowing how to cook or being concerned about how much money is due for the upcoming rent instead of learning the setup of the Regents exam or knowing the tips and tricks to pass it. The time constraints present in a low-income household play a big role in student's inability to attend after-school review classes, while the kids with more stable financial situations have the opportunity to go to these review classes. This causes a disadvantage for a lot of students because they don't get a chance to familiarize themselves with these exams, and therefore have a greater chance of failing these exams.

The Curriculum

All teachers are forced into subscribing to prescribed curriculums. This means that the curriculum also needs to move at a quick and steady pace.  This makes it possible without extra help or support. Again, this is not a realistic household responsibility on top of being a high school student.  Another problem with the curriculum being forced upon us is that teachers are put in a situation where they have to teach t to the test instead of actually instead of teaching in a way that students learn in a meaningful or authentic way. This is obviously an issue because classes, subjects, and overall concepts are being forgotten, all because New York State decided that these exams are more important than actually meeting students’ learning needs. When looking in from an outside perspective, we are just wasting our precious time on nothing. 

Conclusion

At the end of the day, New York State, like many other states, will need some sort of standardized testing to monitor the progress of the school, which is fine. What is not fine is how the setup of Regents is flawed, and nothing is being done to correct it. All the negative impacts of this stressful testing will affect us all one day in ways far more reaching than anyone expects.

The King of Rock and Roll: that’s how the world knows him, Elvis Presley, one of the most influential musical icons of all time. But, like any star, Prestley faced many challenges and difficulties throughout his career. Baz Luhrmann masterfully managed to put Presley’s life into an award winning film, starring  Austin Butler as Elvis. The film mainly focuses on Presley’s relationship with his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, and how it was believed that the Colonel took advantage of Presley and played with his money, which could have been a catalyst in the eventual downfall  of Presley’s career. Through the costumes, production design, cinematography, and even acting as a whole, Baz Luhrmann managed to recreate Presley’s world for the big screen.  

Austin Butler put a lot of effort and work into this role as Presley. He prepared for years before filming to make sure he mastered the embodiment and voice of Presley. He took countless voice lessons to ensure he could bring Presley to life within this film. He even still has hints of “the Elvis voice” today. His dedication paid off, Butler was nominated for both a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for his role as Presley. Despite not winning the Academy Award, he did take home the Golden Globe for Best Actor. Earning the role of Presley was also laborious. Butler went through a grueling audition process that took over a year, beating out actors like Miles Teller and Harry Styles. He was nervous to even play this role because he wanted to make sure he got it right, and did justice to Presley’s legacy. He spent years listening to, researching about, and even talking with Presley’s family, eventually forming a close bond with Presley’s daughter, Lisa-Marie, and his ex-wife, Priscilla. So many people who grew up with Presley, had high expectations for this film, and the performance that Butler was to give. All in all, Butler made the Presley fans and family proud.

Another huge factor in bringing the life of Elvis Presley to the big screen was wardrobe. Presley could not be fully embodied without the outrageous sparkling outfits he wore to his performances. Catherine Martin did an outstanding job with costuming in Elvis, which earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Costume Design. In collaboration with director Baz Luhrmann, they wanted to create a distinctiveness between each decade that was presented in this film. They wanted to show Presley’s rebellion and difference to others through what he was wearing. Authenticity was also of utmost importance. She even developed multiple recreations of the same outfit, tailored specifically to look best for certain poses. For instance, in the outfit Butler wore for the filming of the ‘68 special, he had different versions of that outfit, one made to look best while standing, another that was made for when he sat, and even more for many other poses. Martin designed around ninety costumes just for Austin Butler, with a substantial nine thousand costumes made for the film all together.

Similarly, through the art of production design, Catherine Martin and Karen Murphy worked tirelessly to bring things like Prestley’s home, and the stages upon which he performed, to life. The most astonishing aspect of the set design in this particular film were the little details that often went unnoticed by many viewers. Like Colonel Tom Parker’s office, which appeared to be a simple sight in a broad aspect, but, upon closer inspection, held many small details that made it look more authentic. For instance, it held things like personalized stationery, Elvis memorabilia, and many more minute details. Another important element when thinking about the production design is how the scenes and entrances of the actors will seamlessly connect. The production design team had to purposefully think about how entrances and exits were being laid out, due to the fact that each scene and location were not being filmed in the same area or on the same sound stage. Everything needed to be cohesive. They also needed to think about where the cameras needed to be positioned. Production design had to work closely with Mandy Walker, the head cinematographer, for this film, because it was crucial to achieve all of the right angles. Additionally, the set needed open spaces for the cameras to go in order to film a shot that was at the right distance for the scene. Just like the production design, cinematography has a similar and equally important impact on the quality of the film, and they often work together cohesively to create a masterpiece.  

All in all, Elvis was extremely well done in every aspect of filmmaking, from acting to production design. It is highly recommended for  all to see this film, as it has aspects that everyone can enjoy.  Baz Luhrmann never fails to create a riveting and eye-catching film that remains unforgettable to its audience. 

After the closing night of Into The Woods, all cast and crew members breathed a collective sigh of relief; “We’re out of the woods!” The three performances had taken their toll, however, it was gratifying to see the months of hard work had finally paid off. Prior to the showings, though, our director Mr. Stefani reminded everyone that for two of the three showings, an adjudicator from Proctors would be surveying the musical. This was for the High School Musical Theatre Awards (HSMTAs); it was Amsterdam’s first time applying to the event, and we were hoping for some recognition, however, none was really expected.

When it was finally discovered that the group was nominated for three awards, we were beyond thrilled to have been chosen. The three nominations were for Best Student Orchestra, Best Set Construction, and Best Musical in Tier C. And with the best musical nomination came the biggest honor of all: we would be performing on the Proctors stage for the award ceremony. So, immediately upon the news, we began scrambling back into the groove of after-school rehearsals. 

This had come up rather quickly, so the group was only given about two weeks to decide on a musical number and refine it in order to perform for the crowd at this event. The song Ever After was chosen, as it was one of the biggest group numbers in the show, and highlighted a variety of performers. We began with in-school practices, however closer to the event, we traveled out to Proctors to get more comfortable with their stage, theater, and pit musicians. On the first day, we started an almost immediate bond with Ballston Spa, who was nominated for best musical for Mean Girls. We got there, sang in the GE Theater, and left; the overseers were extremely efficient when it came to organizing all of the separate acts.

In the next couple of rehearsals, we were able to work on the main stage, which allowed us to spectate the other schools’ performances as well. The other best musical nominations in our tier were for Mean Girls and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. These acts were phenomenal, and it was clear that these schools were some of the greatest in the region. It was so exciting watching all of the schools perform, as their talent and skill were immeasurable. We were being recognized among the best of the best.

On the day of the awards ceremony, the group arrived early at 1:30 p.m. in order to be fully prepared for our act. It was definitely nerve-racking, considering there was only one opportunity to practice before the actual event. We were the first act up, as well; since we were in Tier C and our school’s name came first alphabetically, we opened the pieces for the best musicals. We got through our practice run, which led to hours of waiting and hearing the other performances being done. We made the most of it though, and in no time, we were eating dinner an hour before the event’s start. We got plenty of pictures at Proctors’ “red carpet” event and then proceeded to get into our costumes for the final presentation of our show.

When we were finally queued for our performance, the anticipation was incredible. The amount of excitement everyone was feeling was immeasurable, and for good reason: we were performing for over one thousand people! Being onstage and singing for such a crowd was a feeling that could never be replaced; it was truly exhilarating to be a part of such a talented group. After the performance, we once again sat in the dressing rooms and were able to listen to the other groups showcase their productions and receive their rewards. The room was still quite crowded, but it allowed for some fun games, bonding, and mingling with other schools that weren’t currently performing.

Ultimately, no awards were won, however, it was an incredible experience to perform on the Proctors stage, and such an opportunity would not have been possible without the amazing number of students and adults who put this show together. No one department or group could be recognized alone; Into The Woods was an example of how collaboration between many sections of talented people can create an amazing product. This is an opportunity that will not be soon forgotten, as it provided a unique chance to perform on a new stage, meet new people, and get a taste of the fantastic acting community our area has.

In the grass I sit, looking at the sky

Soda bubbles in my mouth and burns down my throat 

Puffy clouds with dandelion fluff pass me by

A thirsty gulp, this time, finds its way past my teeth

The bus comes once more and departs once again

To angered stomach acids, it is soon to meet

And the person who boards is one of my truest friends

I burp and snap my tongue, sighing a great big heave

The sun shines, I let out a sigh

The sun, like soda, burns, soon to set, and I know it shall leave

The day ends once again