As “the most wonderful time of the year” approaches, the students of Hubbard High School eagerly wait to “hang their stockings with care” and indulge in the holiday breaks that await them. One daunting task holds them back from making it to Christmas break. Midterms. But this year, the Hubbard administration has made a big switch to the yearly schedule involving these exams.

This year, Hubbard High School has decided to have the annual 1st semester exams, or “midterms,” before the December holiday break. In years past, Hubbard would have these series of tests after the break, respectively 1 to 2 weeks after students returned. Many took this vacation as an opportunity to study, or many just forgot the curriculum for the two long weeks of the holiday celebration as a whole. Many factors played into the switch of the schedule. I asked Senior Bella Bonvissuto what she thought of having these exams before the holiday vacation: “I am glad midterms are before Winter Break. I feel like I can just get the studying and tests out of the way before and not have to be concerned about it during the holidays.” Many students at Hubbard, like Bella, have mixed emotions about having midterm exams before Christmas.

No matter how excited one can be for the two long weeks away from school, midterms will always dim their light just slightly, knowing that they will have to face these exams no matter the circumstances in order to get through to the break. So I asked the students of Hubbard High School how they are preparing for these tests. I asked Junior Jeralynn Rudiak about her preparations: “I am going to Starbucks to study, and I'll stay motivated by having a fun drink. I go class by class and review my material each day. For example, Monday is dedicated to math and Tuesday is dedicated to chemistry. After that, I just pray and leave it to God.” Strict studying hacks, much like Jeralynn's, help students manage their time as well as their emotions in this stressful time.

The shift of midterm exams to before holiday break has sparked a mix of reactions among the students of Hubbard High School. While some students are grateful for the exams being moved and having a sigh of relief during break, others face the added pressure and stress of preparing for these tests during the already stressful time of the year. Throughout all the stress, students are dedicated to being “ready” for these exams, whether that be sticking to a study schedule or rewarding themselves with a fun drink. No matter what, the Hub staff wishes everyone the best of luck.

Christmas is rolling around the corner, and families are coming together. Or not, who knows, but many people do enjoy spending time with family and friends around Christmas time.

Differences

The number of traditions is countless. Everyone all over the world celebrates the holidays a little differently. Languages, family sizes, and even religions make the holidays slightly mismatched. A lot of people probably assume the holidays are similar to the movies they see, but that is unrealistic. One movie that really fits the real holiday season is Christmas with the Kranks—a funny, chaotic Christmas movie. Some might say it's a classic, and many might not even know what it is. Maybe a family somewhere in the world watches it as a tradition.

Movie Fixation

Movies are always a big tradition in some families around the world. Christmas movies have really evolved over the years, which can be good for some or sad for others. People really do love their movie traditions. Whether they celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah, movies are always a big deal. Freshman Kendal Nall and Sophomore Yasmin Quinones state their favorite Christmas movie is Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, which they watch every year. Now that is a classic holiday movie tradition!

Food Diversity

During the holiday season, food is basically bigger than the actual holiday itself. Food makes the holiday worth it even when your family is insufferable. One person might not like being with their family, but at least there's food. Freshman Sophia Rising says, “My family is Italian, so we usually have a lot of food during the holidays like fish, chicken, pasta, salads, and a lot more.” She is eating well this Christmas.

Decor Matters

When it comes to decorating for the holidays, each family has a different way of doing it. Whether it's Hanukkah or Christmas, there is going to be decor in someone's house. Mrs. Wack, a world history teacher here at Hubbard, says, “For Christmas, I go all out! I usually do a little at a time beginning just after Halloween decorations come down. So far I have 3 of 7 trees up, and I will add to the indoor decor after Thanksgiving. The outdoor decorations usually go up on Black Friday when I have more family at home to help. If I were to do it nonstop until done, all at once, I suppose it would take me 3–4 ten-hour days. I like my house to look like a Hallmark Christmas movie set!” This is an exact example of there being no such thing as too many decorations. She also says she likes putting smiles on as many faces as possible.

It doesn’t matter the holiday as long as there's a tradition behind it.

Twice a year, the Hubbard Drama Club works tirelessly to bring us two wonderful shows. This fall, they decided to tackle the hilarious murder-mystery-gone-awry, The Play That Goes Wrong. I was lucky enough to be chosen as a member of the talented cast that brought this show to life, and now that it’s over, I’m honored to be bringing some insight about the playful production to our newspaper.

Firstly, I spoke with Ms. Davis, the director of the drama club, about the shenanigans that we brought to the stage. “The most enjoyable part was the humor,” she said. “This is such a funny show. I’m proud of all the hilarious shticks we were able to pull off, and our audiences really enjoyed it, too. They really got a kick out of all the craziness, and so did we.”

Ms. Davis stated that the hardest part of putting on the production is the technicality. “Originally, with such a small cast, we thought it would be easy,” she said, “but there was so much more to it than that. We didn’t have the technology and the budget to pull off every single wild shenanigan that was in the script. We couldn’t make, for example, the entire second level fall.” She laughs, “Until tech week, I honestly thought we didn’t have a show. I’m so proud of our club, how we all worked together to make everything fall into place. It was wild, but it was fun.”

No production is complete without a cast, and it was an immense honor to be part of the one that brought our play to life! For me, the main motivation for joining this production was a combination of things. Firstly, I came to adore this drama club after being part of the ensemble for last year’s spring musical, The Addams Family. I also wanted to continue learning about the work and dedication that goes into stage performance. Being a lead came with a lot of pressure and responsibility, especially when it came to learning lines and becoming more comfortable in the spotlight. However, Ms. Davis and the others were immensely supportive of me these past two months. I am extremely grateful to have been a part of this amazing production and to have gotten to work with this wonderful cast. It was so much fun!

While the cast brought heaps of charm and talent to the stage, many of the staged shenanigans were brought to us by our dedicated stage crew. They flawlessly executed everything from the falling wall hangings to fun surprises like the spinning bookcase. I spoke with crew member Shelby Boser, a junior, about the backstage crew’s hard work. “Being in stage crew was a lot of fun, and I met a lot of nice people,” she stated. “Even though we weren’t being seen, I still feel like I had a big part in the play because we had to drop the wall and move the magnets to make everything ‘go wrong’ when it should. And if something necessarily didn’t go as planned, it was The Play That Goes Wrong, so it was okay if there was a little hiccup here and there.” Also a huge part of bringing this play to life was new woodshop teacher Mark Brest, who worked hard to craft us brilliant set pieces like the bookcase. We could not have done this show without his talent!

This show was immensely popular with the students due to it being well-known and hilarious. I spoke to a few students who were in the audience about their experience and their favorite parts of the show. “I can’t pick a favorite part. It was all really great and funny,” said freshman Lucas Scaduto, who came on opening night. “I laughed a lot during the spit-takes with the water.” Senior Ayla Hannon came Saturday and declared that her favorite part was senior Eli Barr’s flamboyant death at the end. “I thought it was very funny and well put together,” said junior Ainsley Wagner. Junior Ilias Maillis agreed, saying that he enjoyed watching the gut-busting fight scene between senior Allison Lissimore and junior Hannah Bonvissuto.

As Ms. Davis stated, this show definitely gave Hubbard Drama a run for their money! Between the inane number of props needed and uncooperative costumes and set pieces, we sometimes believed that The Play That Goes Wrong might not see an audience. Boy, were we wrong! Everyone worked extremely hard to make this show fantastic, and we got three splendid crowds to share it with. The laughter and praise we received, as well as the fun we had, made all the craziness truly worth it. I could not be more proud of everyone that made The Play That Goes Wrong go wonderfully right. It’s truly an experience that taught us all the powers of perseverance and creativity.

Last but not least, see you all in April for High School Musical!

Cabaret, the 1966 musical by John Kander, Fred Ebb, and Joe Masteroff, uses the setting of the “Kit Kat Klub” in Berlin during the waning years of the Weimar Republic to explore themes of political apathy, social decay, and ignorance. Through the shimmering entertainment and under the dazzling lights lies a message that doesn’t quite get through to the characters until it is far too late. The musical highlights how a society on the brink of collapse can be distracted by simple pleasures while dangerous ideologies rise without any attention. Characters like Sally Bowles and the Emcee depict enigmatic performers whose lives unfold during the rise of Adolf Hitler’s chancellorship and Nazism. The musical follows themes of exploration, anti-Semitism, and distraction.

Sally Bowles is a key character in Cabaret who is loosely based off of a real person, Jean Ross. Jean moved to Berlin in her twenties while pursuing her acting dreams. She later went on to be a cabaret singer, and she rapidly became friends with Christopher Isherwood, who wrote Goodbye to Berlin—the novel that Cabaret was based off of. Unlike Sally, Jean went on a vacation in England during the rise of the Nazi regime; she never did return to Berlin. Instead, she stayed in London and joined the Chelsea Communist Party and wrote numerous articles on politics. She remained friends with Isherwood for a good while despite not approving of his depiction of her in his novel. In Goodbye to Berlin, Isherwood showed Jean as a naive girl who did not have an adequate understanding of politics.

The musical can serve as an allusion for modern-day America; many Americans find themselves in similar positions to that of Sally Bowles. She remains blissfully ignorant despite her knowledge of the drastic political climate of her country, just like many Americans today. One of the most preeminent quotes said by her, “It’s just politics, what’s that got to do with us?” still proves itself relevant today. Another major character in this show, the Emcee, opens the show with a song called “Willkommen.” During this song he sings, “Leave your troubles outside! So, life is disappointing? Eh? Forget it!” This lyric welcomes the audience into a personal experience at the Kit Kat Klub, where they are whisked away into a fantasy world where all of their struggles seemingly melt away. At the end of the show, the Emcee makes a comeback, and he is seen wearing a striped set with the Star of David embroidered on it. He then asks, “Where are your troubles now? Forgotten? I told you so.”

The protagonist Cliff fully embraces escapism and distraction to the point of absurdity until he realizes that throughout his fun he has been unwillingly supporting the Nazi Party. Just like Cliff, the audience is taken in by the glamour and dreamlike atmosphere of the distractions of the Kit Kat Klub and becomes one with the show. The Emcee almost treats the audience like a fellow cast member to truly envelop them in the story; the lines between fantasy and reality become more and more blurred as the show progresses. However, Cliff realizes that his lifestyle is absolutely ludicrous and comes to terms with the fact that he has been a bystander in the disaster taking place around him.

All of the characters were too caught up in their exhilaration to care about their surroundings because they never thought it could affect them. The musical teaches a lesson on abandoning escapist desires and facing reality—something that many people are struggling to do today. This isn’t gone about in a merciful manner either; during act two, a bombshell is dropped on the audience, and they realize that they have become accomplices of Hitler just by being bystanders. The show is designed to make the viewers uncomfortable with their morals and question the importance of their desires compared to the lives of others who are suffering by their compliance.

Black Friday has become one of the most recognizable annual events in the United States, and its influence has also spread to many other countries. What was once just the day after Thanksgiving has transformed into a major shopping tradition marked by long lines, early morning store openings, and built-up anticipation. For many teenagers, Black Friday feels almost like a holiday devoted entirely to buying things. However, behind the excitement lies a deeper connection to the consumerist culture that shapes our society.

Black Friday is built on the idea of motivating people to spend as much as possible. Big stores promote dramatic discounts, limited-time offers, and doorbuster deals that create a sense of urgency. Advertisements often make it seem like missing these sales would be a significant loss. This mindset reflects consumerist culture, a belief system that encourages constant buying and suggests that materialistic goods are essential for happiness, success, or social status.

One of the most noticeable aspects of consumerist culture is the way it creates artificial needs. Black Friday is especially effective at this. When shoppers hear about massive sales or see that a product is only available for a short time, they may suddenly feel a desire for something they never cared about before. This fear of missing out, or FOMO, pushes many people to make purchases they did not originally plan. It demonstrates how marketing strategies can strongly influence human behavior.

Black Friday also reveals how consumerism connects to identity and self-worth. Many people take pride in finding the best deals or securing valuable items for lower prices. While saving money is beneficial, the excitement is often tied to a sense of accomplishment or competitiveness. Advertisements create the idea that certain products can improve a person's lifestyle or make them feel more successful. This belief is a major part of consumerist thinking.

The actual shopping experience on Black Friday highlights even more about consumerist culture. Over the years, there have been reports of crowds rushing into stores, disagreements between shoppers, and extreme competition over items. While most people behave responsibly, the fact that these incidents occur at all shows how powerful the desire to buy something can become. When products are marketed as low in stock or extremely valuable, people may act in ways that reflect the pressure consumer culture creates.

Online shopping has changed Black Friday, but it has not reduced its consumerist impact. With Cyber Monday, constant online sales, and targeted digital advertising, the pressure to shop extends beyond physical stores. Online shops use personalized recommendations and advertisements to encourage impulse purchases, making it even easier for shoppers to buy without thinking. As a result, Black Friday has expanded from a single day to an entire season of over-consumer activity.

In the end, Black Friday is more than just a shopping day; it is a reflection of how consumerism shapes behaviors and reality. It shows both the excitement of finding good deals and the pressures created by a society that often relates success to material possessions. By researching Black Friday closely, one can gain a better understanding of consumerist culture and decide how they want to participate in it moving forward.

Introduction

“It’s time…” says Mariah Carey. She means it’s time for the next article of Liv Talk, but also Christmas, I guess. Just kidding—welcome to “Liv Talk: The Christmas Edition.” I am going to dive deep into traditional holiday questions and give my personal advice and opinions.

Question 1: Who would you rather fight: Rudolph or Frosty?

Starring: Mr. Stoffer and Rhegan Kelley

Mr. Stoffer is our amazing U.S. History and U.S. Government teacher. When asked if he would rather get into a fight with either Rudolph or Frosty, he says, “Frosty, because I can melt him.” I believe this was the smartest and most efficient answer he could’ve given. Just imagine Frosty coming at you. You may be intimidated at first due to his large figure; however, you could just set him on fire. Those coal eyes would come to your advantage.

Rhegan Kelley, a freshman at Hubbard High School, argues, “You don’t know how fierce that pipe is.” Which is a fair statement. On the other hand, I think Rudolph would WHOOP somebody. Have you ever seen a deer kick a person? Also, I am sure Rudolph would not come alone to this fight. He is always following his friends Hermey, Yukon, and his more recent friend, the Abominable Snowman. The only people Frosty would bring would be the kids who brought him to life. Frosty is the only good and intelligent answer to this question.

Question 2: What is your favorite Christmas cookie?

Starring: Ace Johnson, Olivia Reichard, and Steven Gregory

The holiday season seems to be based mostly on gifts, decorations, and family. However, there is more to Christmas than just the basic celebrations. For example, Christmas cookies. These might not seem so important, but if you give Santa better cookies, shouldn’t that lead to better gifts?

Ace Johnson, a junior at Hubbard High School, answers my question, “What is your favorite Christmas cookie?” with: “Gingerbread, because I am a savory guy.” Olivia Reichard, a senior, also expresses, “The almond snowball cookies because my grandma makes them really good.” Lastly, Steven Gregory, another senior, passionately explained he loves the basic sugar cookie—not store-bought ones, the homemade ones you cut out in fun shapes with frosting on them.

I think gingerbread, the almond snowball cookie, and the classic sugar cookie are all top-tier cookies. However, my personal opinion is that the basic no-bake cookie is the BEST. Around the Christmas season, you are probably really busy. You are so focused on buying gifts, wrapping endless amounts of presents, preparing dinners, decorating, getting ready to go to a family member’s home, etc. The basic no-bake cookie is an easy cookie to make, only taking about 2 minutes. On top of the quick timing, a no-bake cookie is delicious. Many other cookies are just as amazing, but these might just be the most convenient.

Question 3: What is on your wishlist?

Starring: Ralph Lucarielli and Catie Lissimore

Ralph Lucarielli is a junior at Hubbard High School. I asked him, “What is on your wishlist?” He answered confidently, “I want a Hellcat.” This is very funny to me. Ralph can barely even drive his Dodge Charger. He is the guy who, after school, ZOOMS out of the parking lot at 2:22. He is always the guy accelerating so fast you are glued to the seat of your car. The other day, I went to Dunkin with him, and he ran a stop sign. He didn’t even slow down. I personally think that for Christmas, Santa should bring him extra driving lessons.

Catie Lissimore is a sophomore at Hubbard High School. After talking to her, I discovered she wanted Starbucks gift cards because, “...Starbucks is really expensive.” I am guessing that her answer sparked from a discussion in Mr. Rupe’s Honors Chemistry class. During that period, Catie told me how Mr. Rupe stated, “...you could afford a trip to Italy with how much money you spend on Starbucks.” Mr. Rupe is a savage teacher. When I had him for Honors Chemistry last year, he would always talk about his “Grinch aura” and how much he could relate to the Grinch. Maybe Mr. Rupe is the great Starbucks Grinch.

Question 4: What is your favorite Christmas song?

Starring: Steven Badurik and Mr. Maietta

Steven Badurik is a junior at Hubbard High School. When asked his favorite Christmas song, Badurik responded, “White Christmas, but specifically sung by the Philadelphia Eagles…” He later goes on to explain that his favorite part of the song is when Jordan Mailata hits the high note. He said the high note tackled his heart and brought both his love of football and Christmas together.

Similar to Steven Badurik, Mr. Maietta, our Financial Literacy and Entrepreneur Mindset teacher, said his favorite song is also “White Christmas.” Except Mr. Maietta says, “...I only like the old one though, because it reminds me of Home Alone, which is my favorite Christmas movie.” Home Alone is one of the most popular Christmas movies and is a favorite all around the world. Although Mr. Maietta and Steven both loved the same song, they were both able to connect with it in a different way.

Question 5: Which teacher would make the BEST Santa?

Starring: Breanna Grilli and Logan Elavsky

Christmas gifts are the responsibility of one big man: Santa Claus. What if Hubbard High School made its own personal Santa, though? Who would be the jolliest, and who would be the Hubbard Scrooge?

Breanna Grilli, a sophomore at Hubbard High School, gave her opinion. She says, “I think Mr. The King would be a really good Santa… He’s a very jolly and happy guy…” She then continues and claims Mr. Rupe would be the biggest Scrooge. She says, “He just has a negative, like anti-Christmas vibe about him.” However, I disagree with this claim. Firstly, because Mr. Rupe decorates every year for Christmas, unlike most teachers. Secondly, Mr. Rupe has admitted to being the Grinch rather than Scrooge.

Logan Elavsky is a senior at Hubbard High School. When asked this question, he responds, “I think Mr. Moriarty would make the best Santa because of how jolly his spirit is. For some reason, he is always in an amazing mood.” Along with Mr. Moriarty’s amazing mood, he has also dressed up to be many characters before. One time, I was taking a CCP Algebra quiz, and Mr. Moriarty walked in dressed as a Greek god. It was very funny, and he was very apologetic for disrupting our class. Elavsky later explains the biggest Scrooge is… “Mr. Killian. He is an evil meanie, and he hates happiness.” He also explained to me the evil, scary looks Mr. Killian gives him during jazz band. Logan can see the evil Scrooge through Mr. Killian’s laser eyes.

Liv’s Final Thoughts

Sadly, that was the last question of this Christmas edition. There were many different ways people in our school celebrate and enjoy Christmas. It’s nice that we all can come together this season and share the same love for this holiday. You’d better start preparing for the joy coming your way this holiday season. I will see you all next month for more fun topics and questions. Merry Christmas, and to all a Liv night!

In all, the 2025 football season was a pretty successful one. The Eagles ended their season with a record of 7-4. Not only was this one of the best seasons the Eagles have had in a few years, but it was also a season where many school records were broken. Senior Anthony Clark broke the record for receptions in a game with 11 catches. Junior Dylan Bucher set a new record with 186 receiving yards in a single game. Braydon Songer, a senior, was even able to break two records—both in passing yards: 371 passing yards in a single game and 2,339 passing yards in a season. This season was so successful for the Eagles that many players were selected for both the NE8 Conference 1st and 2nd teams.

The Hubbard Marching Band also had a very successful season. This season was more challenging than some in the past. The “Queen” theme brought longer and more demanding music than previous years. With the more challenging music, all members of the band really had to come together to make everything work, whether they were in the flagline, a majorette, or playing an instrument. Every member made a difference in how the season would turn out. In the end, this season was very successful and left the members proud of how their hard work had paid off. People were so impressed with this year’s show that the Hubbard Marching Band was even considered to play at halftime at a Cleveland Browns game.

Overall, this season was extremely successful across the board. The football team came together as one to produce an amazing season, one that many will proudly look back on. They put in a lot of hard work, and it clearly showed, not only to our school but also to others, that they can hold their own in the NE8 Conference. The cheerleaders were also able to showcase their talent with the help of their new coach, Mrs. Gasser. They enjoyed their time on the field while cheering on their home team. The band, along with the majorettes and flagline, also gave their all to stand their ground. They proved they could play the most challenging music and demonstrated that they are one of the best bands around.