April Updates
April Updates
by Aaliyah Benard
Beyoncé's Renaissance World Tour was a major music event that took place in 2023. It was her first tour since 2018 and supported her album Renaissance. The tour included 56 shows across Europe and North America, starting in May and ending in October.
The concerts were known for their impressive visuals and high-energy performances. Beyoncé performed songs from Renaissance along with hits from her other albums. The stage featured advanced technology, including a giant screen, sculptures, and robotic arms.
The tour was a huge success, grossing $579 million, making it the highest-grossing tour by a female artist at that time. It attracted nearly 2.8 million fans worldwide and received positive reviews for its production and Beyoncé's performance.
For those who couldn't attend, a concert film titled Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé was released in December 2023, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the tour.
Magic Vs Celtics Heat Vs Cavaliers
Warriors Vs Rockets
The NFL Draft is an annual event in which National Football League teams select eligible college football players to add to their rosters. It typically takes place in the spring, usually in late April. The draft consists of seven rounds and spans over three days. Each team gets one pick per round, although trades can alter that number. The order of selection is based on the previous season's standings, with the worst team picking first and the Super Bowl champion picking last.
The draft begins with the first round on Thursday night, which is the most anticipated part of the event. Rounds two and three happen on Friday, and rounds four through seven are on Saturday. Players who are chosen are often seen as future stars, though many will face intense competition to make a final roster. The draft is heavily covered by sports media and draws millions of viewers.
College players must declare for the draft, and only those who meet eligibility requirements can be selected. A key part of the pre-draft process is the NFL Scouting Combine, where athletes are evaluated on physical and mental skills. Teams also hold private workouts and interviews with prospects. Mock drafts, predicting who teams will select, are popular leading up to the event.
The draft allows teams to rebuild and improve by adding young, affordable talent. It is a critical part of roster building in the NFL. Fans are highly invested, especially for teams in need of a franchise quarterback or star player. The location of the draft rotates annually, turning it into a traveling fan experience.
A player's draft position can affect their contract value and expectations. First-round picks often sign lucrative deals, while late-round picks and undrafted players must prove themselves. The draft has produced legends like Tom Brady a 6th-round pick and Peyton Manning a 1st-overall pick. It is both a strategic chess match for teams and a life-changing moment for athletes. Ultimately, the NFL Draft is a blend of hope, analysis, and spectacle that shapes the future of the league.
-Deshawn white
First round picks-
Travis Hunter (WR/CB – Colorado)
Elite two-way player
Could go No. 1 overall depending on team needs
Shedeur Sanders (QB – Colorado)
Strong arm, high football IQ
Son of Deion Sanders; proven leader
Cam Ward (QB – Miami)
Transferred from Washington State
Mobile QB with NFL-caliber arm talent
Carson Beck (QB – Georgia)
Pocket passer with pro-ready traits
Strong 2024 season could vault him up boards
Will Johnson (CB – Michigan)
Lockdown corner with size and speed
Potential CB1 in the class
Mason Graham (DT – Michigan)
Disruptive force on the interior
Excellent motor and strength
Luther Burden III (WR – Missouri)
Game-breaking receiver
Dangerous after the catch
Denzel Burke (CB – Ohio State)
Solid technique and ball skills
Consistent performer in the Big Ten
Quinn Ewers (QB – Texas)
Big arm, flashy upside
Needs consistent production to stay high on boards
Ashton Jeanty (RB – Boise State)
Explosive runner with receiving ability
Potential to be RB1 in a lighter RB class
Weekend 1 kicked it off with so much energy. Lady Gaga wowed the crowd with a surprise set featuring Gesaffelstein. Missy Elliott and Megan Thee Stallion preformed, with surprise guests like Queen Latifah and Courtney LaPlante.
Weekend 2 kept the energy high with unforgettable performances. Lady Gaga kicked things off Friday, mesmerizing the crowd with her powerful voice and commanding stage presence. Saturday saw Green Day fire up the crowd with a lively and sing along set. Post Malone wrapped up Sunday with a set that left fans with lasting memories.
Coachella is known for being the biggest festival that takes place in Indio California. It is headlined by 3 major artists in the music industry and they perform while throwing a big performance on the main stage (coachella stage). Artists are typically given 1 to 2 hours to perform their music on the stage selected to them. Although with going to Coachella if you pass their curfew time you will be charged with a $1,000 fine and it will increase by the minute you go over the curfew. Regarding the time limit at the festival it is a great way to meet people, experience multiple mini concerts, and a great opportunity to try new foods & experiences.
-Daejah G. & Audrey G.
APRIL FOOLS
April 1st is a day where people play lighthearted pranks, jokes, and hoaxes on each other usually with the goal of making someone laugh or look silly in a fun and harmless way.
5 Facts About April Fools Day
It's not a official holiday but its celebrated world wide
In the UK and a few other places, April Fools’ pranks are only valid before 12 PM.
Major companies and news outlets sometimes run fake stories. A classic example is BBC’s 1957 “Spaghetti Tree” hoax, where they aired a fake documentary showing spaghetti growing on trees.
No one knows exactly how April Fools' started. Some believe it dates back to 1582, when France switched from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar. People who still celebrated New Year's in late March or April 1st were mocked as "fools."
Different countries have their own versions:In France, it’s called Poisson d’Avril (“April Fish”), and kids stick paper fish on people’s backs.In Scotland, it’s a two-day event involving pranks and “kick me” signs.In Brazil, it’s known as Dia da Mentira (“Day of Lies”).