Many New Year traditions are celebrated around the world. Although there's many different ways to celebrate, and many places to go, some people find it difficult to find out what they want to do or where they want to go for New Year’s. Of course new years can be fun at home with your family, but if you want to travel, this would be the perfect opportunity. 

It is known around the world when new year’s eve is here and when new years arrive, but a big difference is how people celebrate it around the world and the meaning behind it. Some places around the world that celebrate some interesting traditions are Denmark, Brazil, Spain, Japan, South Korea, and Scotland. 

In the U.S new years it has one of the most popular traditions around the world. Millions of Americans gather around their television sets (or on the streets of Times Square) to watch the ball drop at the stroke of midnight each year. 

Kicking off in 1907 to ring in January 1908, New York Times owner Adolph Ochs created the event to draw attention to the Times’s new headquarters, and it’s been an annual spectacle and one of the most popular New Year’s Eve celebrations ever since. Something that’s also popular around the world is big firework displays that go on once the clock hits midnight.

The tradition in Denmark is to smash plates in front of your neighbor’s or friend’s doorstep. This is done because It is said to leave all any ill-will and aggression behind as you move into the New Year. People hope to find them after midnight as it brings good luck. 

Eating Lentils is another tradition that is done in Brazil. The meaning of this is that these represent money meaning good fortune in the year ahead. Brazilians also believe that lentils bring lots of luck and positive energy to the individuals eating them.

Las Doce Uvas De La Suerte (The Twelve Lucky Grapes) is a tradition that is conducted in Spain. When the clocks hit midnight in Spain, you'll find people reaching for grapes, and this is because there is a tradition to eat one grape each time the clock strikes at midnight. The idea is that this will bring you 12 lucky months in the year ahead.

Other countries like Japan and South Korea ring bells to mark the end of the year and to start off the new year. These traditions and more are celebrated all over the world. So if you need a place to celebrate the new years, here are a few places to look into. But if none show your interest, you can find many other places with special traditions to celebrate. 

by Alexi Cook
published November 2023

As we all know, on Thanksgiving we eat. We celebrate the many culinary traditions from our family origins, highlighting the melting pot that is America. Most Americans celebrate on the fourth Thursday of November but now we’ll take a deeper look into how it's celebrated all around the world in different cultures’.

For most people Thanksgiving represents time to be with family, and for many it’s also a time to eat as much as you can. From the freshly roasted turkey, to moms cheesy baked macaroni, many American cultures come together to influence one of our most famous and beloved holidays, and the diversity of different dishes is at the center of it all.

Here are some dishes and different celebration styles from different cultures in honor of the day we call Thanksgiving.

First, we’ll take a dive into African American culture. You’ll usually see a lot of Black families and friends gather around a big thanksgiving styled meal. The meal usually consists of yams, collard greens, turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, baked mac and cheese, and other traditional Black dishes. The environment is usually very friendly and upbeat. 

For Hispanic-Americans celebrating Thanksgiving is sometimes known as “Dia de Accion de Gracia” or “Dia de Dar Gracias,” but the Thanksgiving name and festivities for Hispanics are often a customized blend of Hispanic and American traditions.

Hispanics usually include traditional dishes from their native cultures into the holiday. For example Cubans often have platanitos maduros, black beans, and yucca dishes present at their tables. Argentinians usually have Milanesa, an array of breaded meats, on their Thanksgiving tables. Mofongo is a popular Thanksgiving dish for Puerto Ricans. For Venezuelans, ensalada de gallina, a type of chicken salad, is a must-have at a Thanksgiving feast. Dominicans usually substitute the traditional American desserts, like pies, for bizcocho. Similarly, Colombians replace traditional American desserts with another desert called arroz con coco.

According to villalaestancia.com Hispanics celebrate Thanksgiving on the third Thursday of November.

When it comes to Indigenous people, rather than a celebration of peace and shared prosperity, Thanksgving represents the dark shadow of genocide and resilience of Native people. Every tribe may have a different way of spending Thanksgiving. Some tribes may get together with their families and share a meal, exchanging prayers and stories that have been passed down through generations by their ancestors. Other tribes may fast for the entire day.

For most Native Americans, Thanksgiving is not looked at as a celebration but a day of mourning their lost loved ones from the attempted genocide.

When it comes to the White community the way they celebrate Thanksgiving isn’t much different from how the Black community celebrates theirs.

Some dishes you might find on a caucasian families Thanksgiving table includes turkey, stuffing, gravy, cornbread, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce and different types of pies. Their gathering also includes watching football with family and friends and watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade. 

Finally, we’ll take a look into how Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving. Canadian Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday of October which is a whole month and a half earlier than Americans. Thanksgiving isn’t really a big deal to Canadians. They celebrate the holiday with just a simple turkey dinner with their immediate family according to almanac.com. Football is a part of the Thanksgiving tradition in Canada as well. Each year they have an annual Thanksgiving Day Classic doubleheader that is broadcasted nationwide and is hosted by four teams from the Canadian Football League.

How will you celebrate your Thanksgiving?

published November 2023
by Alex Amitoelau

For those who do not know, Hammond Central offers a program for students called JROTC, or Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp. Sgt. Tyrone Sheriff is the JROTC instructor here at HC and has run the program since year one. 

Sheriff served in the military for 24 years and has been a part of the JROTC program for nearly 15 years. He started doing JROTC in high school. 

“The main goal I have for students is for them to pass the course and to motivate young people to become better citizens,” Sheriff said. 

The JROTC program includes drills and competitions such as Physical fitness competition, drill, and Raiders and marksmanship (which is shooting).

According to Sheriff, he believes that JROTC affects students by instilling discipline, structure, leadership, character improvement, and physical fitness into their everyday routines.

“The Most beneficial part of my job is being an educator, but the most difficult part is being ready to retire,” Sheriff said. 

Sophomore Ezquiel Valdez joined JROTC to help receive his credits for PE, but also wanted to take a class that would help keep him motivated and humbled. 

“JROTC has taught me how to show more respect and has helped me to become more responsible. I feel like it has taught me to be a better man and example for others,” Valdez said. 

Sheriff believes that when students join JROTC and stick with it for all four years of high school, that he can most definitely see the difference it makes in students’ demeanor and behavior. 

According to head counselor Michele Arnold, students are able to fulfill the Grad Pathway Requirement 2: Learn and Demonstrate Employability Skills pathway by joining JROTC. 

Service-based learning (SBL) integrates meaningful service to enrich and apply academic knowledge, teach civic and personal responsibility (and other employability skills), and strengthen communities. 

SBL can be classified by three core indicators:
1. Integrating academic study with service experience
2. Reflecting larger social, economic, and societal issues
3.  Collaborative efforts between students, schools, and community partners. 

If any students are interested in joining the JROTC program, it is encouraged to go visit your counselor and see if that is an available option for you. 

The U.S. Army Demonstration truck made a stop at Hammond Central earlier this month so the JROTC students could take a tour and see what the U.S. Army has to offer. 

by Victoria Cifuentes
published November 2023

The Five Nights at Freddy's (FNAF) franchise has gained huge popularity over the years within its video games, books, and merchandise. Its unique blend of horror, suspense, and lore has created a dedicated fanbase eagerly awaiting the movie adaptation. The film's ability to bring the beloved characters and terrifying atmosphere to life on the big screen is a testament to their power.

Finally, fans had something new to look forward to within the world of FNAF.  The movie had fans worldwide buzzing with its spine-chilling storyline and animatronic horrors of the eerie atmosphere of Freddy Fazbear's Pizza, to the jump scares that have become synonymous with the franchise. The film promised to deliver the same heart-pounding excitement that fans have come to love. The suspenseful plot and stunning visuals was able transport viewers into the world of FNAF like never before.

Cast of the new FNAF movie includes some amazing actors! The film stars Josh Hutcherson, who plays the main character, Mike Schmidt, and Elizabeth Lail, known for her role in the first season of the Netflix hit You, who plays  as the supporting role. Alongside Hutcherson and Lail, Matthew Lillard plays as the ultimate villain. For those who follow YouTube influencers, the movie also includes a cameo from Cory Williams, who goes by the YouTube tag CoryxKenshin.

Many fans were excited to see Williams make his big screen debut in the new FNAF movie. His charismatic personality and love for FNAF has brought an extra level of excitement and authenticity to the film. Fans were thrilled to see him on the big screen, especially for his  contributions to the FNAF community. 

After watching the FNAF movie, I personally felt that it did not live up to my expectations in terms of scariness. However, one aspect that stood out to me was how cool it was to see fans dressing up as the characters. Their dedication and creativity added a fun and immersive element to the movie experience. It is always great to see fans showing their love in such a passionate way.

The film's potential to bring the beloved franchise to life on the big screen and its impact on the gaming-to-movie adaptation genre made the release of the film a highly anticipated event. With its thrills, chills, and a dedicated fanbase eagerly awaiting its arrival, the FNAF movie is hoping to leave an indelible mark on both the gaming and cinematic worlds.