Reese Venable

Would you want college admission to be determined by how you scored on one single test, such as the SAT? Probably not. But unfortunately that is the reality for many seniors applying to college. According to the Princeton Review, “the purpose of the SAT is to measure a high school student's readiness for college, and provide colleges with one common data point that can be used to compare all applicants.” This way of measuring intelligence goes almost 100 years, having the first SAT given to 8,000 testers by the College Board in 1926. Originally it was intended to evaluate potential for learning. Since then it has evolved into a test that more 1.9 million high students take each year.

Recently, the SAT has undergone major changes. First, in June 2022, it was announced that no longer would there be an essay portion. Then, in early 2022, “ the College Board announced that the SAT would be transitioning to a digital format starting in 2023 for international students and 2024 for students in the United States” (Manhattan Review). There are a few notable differences between the paper test and this new digital test. For one, the digital version is a 2 hour test compared to the 3 hour original version. Another alteration is that instead of receiving several weeks after, most scores come out 13 days after taking the test. 

Contents changes found on https://www.manhattanreview.com/digital-sat/ 

• shorter reading passages with a single (discrete) question per text

• Texts from a broader range of college-level exams

• Calculator access for the entire math sections

• The digital SAT scores will be provided more quickly, allowing students and universities to make quicker college decisions.

The reason behind the change, according to College Board’s website, is that the digital version allows for more flexibility overall.          

So now that you are aware of the change, you may be wondering what to expect and how to prepare for the SAT. To give a quick overview, there are 2 SAT sections: math and reading, with each section being scored on a scale of 200-800 (Princeton Review). The test is administered each year in the months: August, October, November, December, March, May, and June. The College Board offers 5 tips on how to best prepare for the test. These include starting early, taking practice tests and looking over your scores, studying using Khan Academy, paying attention in your classes, and knowing what to expect (College Board). It is suggested that you give yourself 2-3 months to prepare and during this time it is recommended that you take multiple practice tests so that when test day comes, you’re prepared. Another way to prepare is by buying the Princeton Review Digital SAT Premium Prep Book which can be found on Amazon and includes 5 practice tests and other review tools. I read most of this book and would say key points I would take away are to answer the questions you know first, use the process of elimination often, and never leave questions blank.  Other tips I would personally suggest are to watch videos on Youtube on problems you’ll see on the SAT. I mention this because I remember the day before I took mine I skimmed over a video of how to solve this very difficult SAT math problem. And the next day that same type of problem appeared on my test. 

I understand that all of this may seem daunting, but just make sure you study regularly and create good study habits and you will be fine. And just remember this one test does not define your future success.

Sources:

https://blog.collegeboard.org/what-best-way-prepare-digital-sat

https://www.princetonreview.com/college/sat-information 

https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/help-center/why-college-board-making-these-changes-why-now#:~:text=We're%20taking%20full%20advantage,part%20of%20SAT%20School%20Day. 

https://www.manhattanreview.com/digital-sat/

March Madness, many say, is the most exciting and most followed event in sports as it determines who will be the National Champion of collegiate basketball each year. As a result, only one team leaves happy. It brings out the best in colleges and universities, college basketball players, coaches, and most of all the fans. March Madness occurs in both men’s and women’s collegiate basketball. It is hosted and presented by the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) and is played over a three-week period in March in multiple arenas across the United States; the men’s and women’s tournaments invite 68 teams. It is an exciting time of the year for alumni and current students of many colleges and universities.  

It all starts with Selection Sunday which typically takes place on the second Sunday in March. This is when teams from across the country learn if they have punched their ticket to the “dance”. Teams play 30-35 regular season games for the right to play for the National Championship based on their performance. Each year, both the men’s and women’s tournament brings plenty of excitement, upsets, bracket busters, last minute buzzer beaters, and most of all brings the nation together for a truly awesome event. 

The first NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament was played in 1939; it fielded eight teams and crowned the University of Oregon Ducks as their first NCAA tournament champion, beating Ohio State University for the championship. 

The NCAA men’s tournament field grew to 16 teams in 1951, doubled to 32 in 1975 and expanded to its current size of 64 teams in 1985. In 2001, a play-in game was introduced and that idea expanded to three more games in hat round in 2011. These play-in games are now identified as the First Four. The term 'March Madness' was first introduced to basketball by an Illinois high school official, Henry V. Porter, in 1939.  The term of March Madness wouldn't become associated with the NCAA tournament until Brent Musberger (CBS Sports Anchor at the time) used it during coverage of the 1982 men’s tournament. A few key historical moments from the men’s tournament;  

• UMBC (University of Maryland Baltimore) collected the biggest upset in March Madness history, becoming the first 16-seed to win against a 1-seed. The Retrievers beat No. 1 Virginia 74-54 in 2018. 

• Duke University owns the largest comeback and second-largest lead blown in NCAA tournament history. The 2001 Blue Devils rallied back to beat the University of Maryland after being down 22 points while Duke’s 1989 gave up an 18 point lead to Seton Hall University.. 

• Christian Laettner (Duke), is the NCAA tournament’s all-time leading scorer with 407 points. Only nine players have more than 300 points in March Madness. 

• There have been 83 NCAA tournaments between 1939 and 2023. Kentucky has the most NCAA tournament appearances (58) and NCAA tournament wins (129). 

• UCLA has the most NCAA men's basketball national championships with 11, including a stretch of seven titles in a row between 1967 and 1973. 

• Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski has the most NCAA tournament wins by a single coach (97). He retired from coaching after the 2022 basketball season. 

• The University of Connecticut defeated San Diego State University to win the National Championship in 2023.  

The NCAA women’s tournament began in 1982 with 32 teams invited to the event. Louisiana Tech beat Cheyney State to win the inaugural championships. Since that time, the tournament has grown to 68 teams in 2023. The tournament continues to grow in popularity and has provided a platform for talented women’s basketball players to showcase their skills on a national stage. 

Over its history, the tournament has provided exposure to many of the icons in women’s basketball, including Sue Bird (Connecticut), Cheryl Miller (USC), Lisa Leslie, Rebecca Lobo (Connecticut), Candace Parker (Tennessee), Breanna Stewart (Connecticut), Sheryl Swoopes (Texas Tech), Diana Taurasi (Connecticut) and most recently Caitlin Clark (Iowa). It has also played an important role in the development and growth of women’s basketball, helping to increase its visibility and popularity. 

In the end, March Madness has become a national pastime in the United States. The month of March, means college basketball and lots of it. Whether it's a last minute three pointer, a coach getting a technical, or a Cinderella team winning a game as a severe underdog – March Madness is here to stay.  

Sources: 

Triumph in Women’s Sports: A Brief History of Women's March Madness | 2aDays 

March Madness history: A comprehensive guide to the men's tournament | NCAA.com 

Have you noticed that this winter has been particularly warmer than usual? If so, you are correct in your thinking. The reason for the warmer temperatures than the average 40 degrees is because of something called an El Nino. The dictionary definition of an El Nino is “a warming of the ocean surface, or above-average sea surface temperatures, in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.” It is caused by the reversal of wind and water currents. Due to the surface of the ocean warming, the winds blow weaker than normal and cause the temperature to be slightly higher. 

If you were not aware of Trade winds previously, they are winds that come from the east next to the equator. When we are not experiencing an El Nino, these winds push surface water away from the coast of South America. When we do experience it however, the winds weaken or reverse which is the reason behind the change in temperatures and air currents. The water/air is not being pushed in its usual direction (to the US) but instead towards South America. As you can see this affects many places, not just here. 

Marine life is also impacted by this change. Upwelling is the rising of water from below the surface that also brings up food and nutrients from the bottom of the ocean. Many fish and organisms rely on this process to get their sustenance. When the currents change because of the difference in trade winds, so does the circulation of water. It prevents upwelling and makes it difficult for biotic organisms to receive the nourishment it relies on. They are forced to travel below the surface into what is uncharted territory for them. Another consequence is that the people living on the coast of Peru that eats and or sells fish, undergo a shortage because it lowers the population. This may affect the lives of many people financially and personally. 

We are currently experiencing an El Nino in the winter of 2022-2023. They happen on average every 3-7 years. The last one was 2018-2019 and was a “weak one”. In the past we have had many that were so intense that it “drenched the West Coast with record rain ""in 1982-1983 and 1997-1998”. Moreover, the reason for the harsh rain was because the atmospheric rivers were made much stronger. Despite the fact that they are known to occur every couple of years, the next one predicted is this next winter of the years 2023-2024. It is said to make the winter extremely warm and have much greater effects than this year. The only way we can truly prepare ourselves is gaining knowledge of this subject and only time will tell if we will experience it again next December. 

Sources:

https://weatherspark.com/y/23783/Average-Weather-in-Newark-New-Jersey-United-States-Year-Round 

https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-el-nino-and-what-are-its-effects#:~:text=The%20term%20El%20Ni%C3%B1o%20

https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/tradewinds.html 

https://www.watereducation.org/aquapedia-background/el-ninola-nina#:~:text=El%20Ni%C3%B1o%20tends%20to%20make,or%20Christ%20child%20in%20Spanish. https://www.downtoearth.org.in/video/climate-change/will-el-nino-make-2024-the-hottest-year-on-record--87275#:~:text=The%20Met%20Office%20has%20predicted,that%20often%20peaks%20during%20December. 

On January 18, after five years of silence, indie rock supergroup Boygenius surprised fans with three surprise singles and announced their upcoming debut album. 

The group consists of three beloved solo artists; Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus, and Julien Baker. After releasing one EP in 2018 and going on a tour across the United States, the three musicians returned back to their own solo careers and killed the game in the music industry. 

Phoebe Bridgers has released two full-length albums. She’s been on two solo tours and is set to open for Taylor Swift on the Eras Tour. 

Lucy Dacus, a Richmond, Virginia native, has released three studio albums. In 2022, she toured America, Europe, and Australia. 

Julien Baker is noted for her music’s moody tone and confessional lyrics. She has released three albums, with her third album making the top 40 on the Billboard 200. 

Except for announcing that they would be performing together for the first time in several years at Coachella, the trio gave no hints or clues whatsoever as to their reunion. Once their songs were released, the only announcements fans got were Instagram story posts by Bridgers, Dacus, and Baker with Spotify links to the singles. Little did fans know, according to an article by Rolling Stone, the trio’s reunion had been in the works since after Bridgers released her album, Punisher. She reached out to the group, sending the song “Emily I’m Sorry” after writing it. “Can we be a band again?” she wrote, to which everyone agreed. 

Fans have noted that each of the three singles released (“$20”, “Emily I’m Sorry”, and “True Blue”) reflect each one of the artists’ individual music styles. “$20” displays Julien Baker’s pop-punk vibe with a choppy guitar riff, but all the while melts the trio’s harmonies into a blissful, intricate track. “Emily I’m Sorry” provides a stark contrast from the rough edges of the song immediately preceding. Containing Phoebe Bridgers’ breathy vocals with dreamlike guitar in the background, the track also integrates Dacus and Baker’s harmonies on the chorus. Finally, “True Blue” is a beautifully simple track, headed by Lucy Dacus and featuring her hard-hitting lyrics, which provides a wonderful close to the group of singles. 

Boygenius will be performing these tracks, along with the rest of their album to come, when they join Clairo and Dijon at the Re:SET Concert Series this coming summer. Be sure to give their album a listen when it’s released on March 31st! 

Are American politics more divided than ever? Well, to many, it may seem so. Just last month, for example, it took 15 votes for the new Speaker of the House to be elected. Yes, 15 votes - this is the most votes for a speaker since before the civil war. This process usually only takes one vote. Some of Kevin McCarthy’s fellow Republicans were stubborn about electing him because of their want for committee assignments or even minor differences in opinion. This is just another example of the rapid political polarization taking place in American politics - holding the potential for massive consequences for this nation. 

Research shows that there is a recent trend which has been showing that American politics are becoming more polarized than ever before. Studies from the Pew Research Center show that since 1994, a person’s views towards their opposing party have become considerably worse. In both the Democratic and Republican parties, the view that the opposing party is a threat to the nation’s well being doubled from just around 15% to around 30-35% in just a 20-year span. If we keep up this pace, the hatred will only grow as our nation gets older. 

Why is this a problem? Well, polarization leads to many problems in the government and even interpersonal relationships. Polarized politicians will be less likely if not completely opposed to working together with their fellow politicians across the aisle. When this happens, all Americans suffer as our legislative needs are put on the back burner while the personal politics of politicians unwilling to work together to solve issues comes before anything else. 

Interpersonal relationships can suffer when the political world is extremely polarized. Politics can affect relationships with family, friends, co-workers, and anyone else that you may encounter. Politicians often claim that their enemies and their supporters are enemies with interests that are against the United States. This makes us conditioned to believe that those opposing us are supposed to be our enemies. When we are always told that our enemies are those that disagree with us, how do you expect someone to treat someone else that thinks differently than you?

World Cancer Day is an international holiday that is celebrated every February 4th. It is a day dedicated to raising awareness of cancer and to encourage prevention, detection, and treatment. This specific day is led by the Union for International Cancer Control, also known as the UICC. The goal of this day since its inception in 2000, has been to improve the education and awareness of cancer while acknowledging the impacts it has on people’s lives. Although it is a difficult subject for many, the UICC tries to focus on the positive while reimagining a world where preventable cancer deaths are avoided and access to treatment is equitable for all.

It’s extremely important to spread awareness about cancer. Cancer is defined as “a disease caused by an uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in a part of the body”. There are various types, some of which are more severe and harmful than others. Over the years, cancer continues to negatively impact innocent lives all over the world. For instance, in the United States alone, approximately 600,000 people die of cancer each year. Unfortunately, despite the tremendous amount of effort and time dedicated to preventing it by doctors and researchers, cancer is something that can still seemingly appear out of nowhere. It’s crucial that more people find ways to help and dedicate their time to this important cause.

There are various ways to spread awareness about cancer and encourage others to fight for a good cause. One option that is very popular and most common for individuals is to participate in a community-wide walk/run. For example, one local event that is coming up in a few months is the Prostate Cancer 5K Glow Run/Walk at Green Acres Park in Burlington on May 14, 2023. There are also color runs that help spread awareness about other types including breast cancer, lung cancer, kidney cancer, etc. Another remarkable event that demonstrates that there can always be light found in the darkness is the Light the Night walk. Light the Night is a series of fundraising campaigns that support The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s funding of research to find cancer cures. There are 140 night walks across the United States and Canada where about 1 million people total come together to work to “end cancer.” This event in particular is special for those involved as each of the illuminated lanterns are symbolic. White lanterns are carried by the survivors, red lanterns are carried by supporters, and gold ones are carried by those who are walking in remembrance of loved ones lost to cancer. These are just two examples of ways to spread awareness but you can also donate money to cancer research, post on social media, participate in fundraising challenges, encourage loved ones to get regular check-ups, and more. 

Overall, it’s important to frequently take time to remember those who are or have been impacted by cancer as it impacts many daily. However, despite the unfortunate consequences it can have on those affected, it’s essential to acknowledge the positivity that can be found in unwanted circumstances.

Source:

https://www.lightthenight.org/ https://www.worldcancerday.org/

If you’ve ever bought tickets online for a concert or live event, it’s more than likely that you purchased them from Ticketmaster. Over the past month, ticket-selling giant Ticketmaster has been under fire for a botched Taylor Swift presale. While the company was under investigation even prior to the presale, the sale’s sheer disaster brought even more to look into. 

On November 1st, Taylor Swift announced “The Eras Tour”, her first tour since 2018. Fans were then able to register for Ticketmaster’s “Verified Fan” Presale through November 9th at 11:59. Then those who were selected to take part in the presale received an email from Ticketmaster and a code later that night. Around 3.5 million people registered for the presale, and only 1.5 million received codes, with the other 2 million being put on the “waitlist”. Some fans received “boosts”, which were earned by purchasing merchandise or music from Taylor Swift’s online store. 

So, what went wrong? The day of the presale, which took place on November 15th, Ticketmaster’s servers received over 3.5 billion requests—100 times the number of fans who even registered. The absurd amount of requests were due to a combination of buyers logging in from multiple devices as well as bots gaining access to the presale. Additionally, fans not given presale codes still tried to buy tickets, which added ridiculous amounts of server traffic. Needless to say, Ticketmaster’s servers were not prepared for the sheer chaos that erupted. The app crashed for thousands of people, kicking them out of the sale and preventing them from getting their tickets, even if they were in the process of checking them out. 

Research showed that over 2 million tickets were sold in that presale alone, along with the Capital One presale that was held Wednesday for cardholders. Thousands of these tickets ended up on ticket reselling websites like StubHub and prices were amped up to absurd numbers. On Thursday, however, Ticketmaster tweeted, announcing that the general sale scheduled for Friday had been canceled due to “insufficient remaining ticket inventory”. This, of course, caused immense backlash from angry fans, who cried for investigation into Ticketmaster and the ridiculous power it holds over ticket sales.

According to CNN, The Department of Justice’s antitrust division, since even before Swift’s presale fiasco, has been investigating Ticketmaster’s parent company, Live Nation, to assess if they are abusing their power in the ticket selling industry. In 2010, Ticketmaster and Live Nation merged, essentially creating a monopoly over the music industry that many have fought against for years. On November 15th, following Taylor Swift’s disastrous presale, New York representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tweeted, “Daily reminder that Ticketmaster is a monopoly, its merger with LiveNation should never have been approved, and they need to be reigned in. Break them up.” Cortez was not alone in this opinion, with the tweet gathering almost 400,000 likes and over 41,000 retweets. 

As of December 6, over two dozen angered Swifties filed a lawsuit that accused Ticketmaster of fraud, price-fixing, and antitrust violations. Fast forward a few weeks later, those who received codes and boosts for the presale but were unable to purchase tickets are now receiving emails from Ticketmaster allowing them to “request” to buy tickets. While in theory, this is wonderful news, the tickets are not listed individually, but rather as within certain price ranges. Even worse? The customer can’t even see what seats they’re buying until they go through with the purchase, which doesn’t guarantee great seats. 

Ticketmaster and Live Nation have held monopoly over the ticketing industry for over a decade now. Maybe it’s time, after all, to break it up. 

Sources

https://www.vulture.com/2022/12/everything-we-know-about-the-swiftie-ticketmaster-lawsuit.html

https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2022/12/ticketmaster-faces-antitrust-investigations-and-congressional-hearings-in-wake-of-botched-taylor-swift-presale

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ticketmaster-live-nation-under-investigation-by-department-of-justice/

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/18/technology/live-nation-ticketmaster-investigation-taylor-swift.html

For the average U.S. Citizen in the year 1941, life was relatively normal. Finally coming off of the worst economic crisis in the nation’s history, many were looking forward to the next chapter of their lives. This next chapter would take an unexpected turn on December 7, 1941, a date that has and will continue to live in infamy. 

The global war that would come to be known as World War II raged on in Europe in Asia, with American support being limited and clandestine in nature. Across both seas, war was seemingly everywhere except the Americas. The Japanese across the Pacific were fighting a war in Asia aiming to conquer China and the greater continent as a whole. Meanwhile, in the United States, the U.S. Pacific Fleet was slowly growing in size and strength. The United States was opposed to the war of aggression Japan was fighting and aimed to cripple the Empire economically rather than by force. To do this, the U.S. placed an embargo on trade with Japan; cutting the Empire off from the precious resource of oil.

The Japanese quickly realized that the United States was a threat to their Pacific expansion, as the U.S. held territories and colonies in Hawaii, the Philippines, and other Pacific islands. As a result of all of these factors, the Japanese realized that they must incapacitate the U.S. Pacific Fleet before it could be used against them. They began planning for a surprise attack on the fleet at their port at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. 

On the morning of December 7th, 353 Japanese aircraft began approaching Pearl Harbor. Many ships were attacked, with half of the battleships in the fleet being sunk. Three cruisers and three destroyers were sunk as well, bringing the total number of casualties to 2,403 American soldiers. Another 1,178 Americans were wounded in the attack. 

Shortly after, news quickly spread about the attack throughout the United States and the rest of the world. War was declared by President Roosevelt a day later, accompanied by a legendary speech. Many Americans quickly became supporters of the war, with millions giving their time to serve the country in the armed forces or in the factories. America came together to remember and honor those that lost their lives. 

The anniversary of Pearl Harbor is to remember the lives lost during this attack that forever changed American history. This event changed the trajectory of America for generations to come, and led America into the largest war the world has ever seen. This date, like Roosevelt said, will forever live in infamy.

This article is dedicated to my late grandmother, Anita Stenger (Grammy). 

Throughout life, everyone experiences the obstacles of grief after losing a loved one at least once. For some, their first times experiencing it are at an older age where they are mature enough to fully understand what has happened. For others, they lose a loved one at such a young age where they don’t know how to properly grieve, leaving them confused and lost. Nevertheless, grief is a part of life that we all experience and as much as most despise it, it happens inevitably.

Before being able to fully understand what grief is and how it impacts people’s lives, it’s essential to know what it means. Grief is defined as “deep sorrow, especially that caused by someone’s death”; in other words, it is one’s response to the loss of a loved one. It is also important to acknowledge the “5 stages of grief”. The five stages include denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. It all depends on the person but sometimes these stages can take days, weeks, months or even years. We all grieve differently…and that’s okay.

The Five Stages

Denial

Although denial is often referred to as the “first stage”, that doesn’t mean that all the stages occur in order. As stated previously, grief can happen in various ways depending on the person and how their emotions affect this period of their life. In this stage, it often hasn’t hit the person yet that this is real life and that they have lost someone important to them. Your body and mind is basically numb to the pain as it doesn’t want to feel it. This instead just makes it feel like a nightmare that you want to wake up from but you can’t. It’s not just that you want to deny the fact that it’s real and that it happened, but your brain just can’t comprehend that something like that happened. For those who experience it for the first time, their immediate reaction is to deny it because they don’t know what it feels like to lose someone you cared about and loved so much. To fully comprehend that that specific person is never coming back is a lot to take in at first let alone live with for the rest of your life.

Anger

This stage of grief is definitely more unique depending on the person and how their loved one’s death occurred. Nonetheless, it’s completely natural to feel an overwhelming sense of anger after losing someone who meant a lot to you. All you can do is ask unanswerable questions such as, “Why did this happen?” “Why now?” “How could this happen to them?”. Of course, there are no direct let alone answers to those questions. All anyone can think about is how unfair it seems. I mean there are so many more things that the person would have accomplished or done or maybe even more of life to experience. But the trajectory of our lives isn’t fully in our control. Another natural feeling is guilt which may sound strange, but it’s true. For instance, if someone loses a grandmother, grandfather, etc. the main things you can feel guilty about are why you didn’t do certain things with them earlier or specific things you wanted to say. But you can’t…that’s what causes the guilt and frustration that can quickly control and take over someone’s brain.

Bargaining

Bargaining is the third stage of grief that is a mix of a plethora of emotions. This period refers to when a person chooses to believe that if they act in certain ways, they will feel better. At this point, people also start to ask “what if?” questions, wishing one could travel back in time and do things differently with that person. “What if?” questions can also lead to someone thinking that specific things that affected the deceased person were their fault, blaming them for what are more than likely harmless actions (which are related to similar encounters in the previous stage of anger). Thus, this stage consists of several intrusive thoughts and is essentially a period of overthinking. 

Depression 

The depression stage of grief is often known as the longest and most difficult one. For most people, this is the first word/idea that comes to mind when learning about grief. The pain and suffering experienced during this period is some of the most intense that a person will ever feel, often feeling inescapable. It is common for people to have sleepless nights, have changes in their appetite, and experience mental and/or emotional breakdowns. One will long for this pain to vanish into thin air immediately, but the emotions take time to fully develop and recover. As mentioned previously, this stage can last very long, even up to months or years…all depending on the person impacted. Especially for the late person’s significant other, sibling, or parent, it can make life feel purposeless without the person’s presence which is unexpected and scary.

Acceptance 

The fifth and final stage of grief is acceptance. Although it takes time, people eventually reach the point where they realize that nothing can happen that will reverse the unwanted consequences. Life isn’t fair and there is nothing no one can say or do that will ever change that. Even though we may not fully get over someone’s death, those who experience grief can learn to live again while holding onto those memories forever. 

My Experience with Grief

Now, the reason why I decided to write this article is because my grandmother recently passed away in June of this year. Her death was unexpected and one that put my emotions and body into full shock. I had just seen her four days before it happened and never in a million years did I expect her to be gone so suddenly. This was my first true experience with grief as I have lost loved ones before, but never someone I knew this well. Although I dread experiencing it again in the future, grief is something that we all have to face sooner or later. Since my grandmother’s passing, I now know to value the great times I spent with her and cherish the memories I made. Looking forward, I hope to honor her life by holding her close to my heart and remembering that she is always watching over me. 

Grief is a unique experience unlike any other that humans encounter. The impact it has on a person is strong and unexpected. Yet, it is a complex period of time that allows us to develop as individuals while fully expressing our emotions. 

To all those who are currently grieving, I promise you that it gets better and you will learn to accept the unfortunate circumstances that life can throw at you. It is important that we honor the lives of the loved ones we have lost and cherish what they brought to our lives.

Sources:

https://www.cruse.org.uk/understanding-grief/effects-of-grief/five-stages-of-grief/ https://www.washington.edu/counseling/2020/06/08/the-stages-of-grief-accepting-the-unacceptable/#:~:text=Persistent%2C%20traumatic%20grief%20can%20cause,adapt%20to%20a%20new%20reality. 

Most people celebrate Thanksgiving with their families, eat a good meal and then wake up Friday morning to shop until they simply cannot hold anymore bags… but where did this tradition start? It all began in Philadelphia in the 1950s when so many people would crowd the city to see the Army-Navy football game. It was hard for cops to keep the city safe but also especially hard on business owners when there would be a large number of shoplifters. In 1961, the term “Black Friday” had spread and, by 1985, the tradition had become a nation-wide phenomenon. Shop owners learned to take a holiday that once frustrated them and turn it into one that could benefit them. Many people associate the name of this day to the fact that when stores were in the “red” (with debt) they had an opportunity to get in the “black” by offering discounts and deals to get more shoppers. Originally, the term 'Black Friday' was a racist term coined by Philadelphia cops in the 1960s but was later changed. 

Since then shoppers have gotten more and more invested thinking more about the shopping aspect than Thanksgiving itself. For example, people have gone as far as to sleep outside of the store they most want to buy from, just to be one of the first people in the store. This tradition has now spread to online shopping holidays called “Cyber Monday” and “small business Saturday/Sunday” which was especially important due to covid-19 preventing people from going out in 2020. Although it helped maintain the safety and health of many, it meant there was less shopping done in person. In 2020, there was 37% less in-person shopping than in 2019. 

This holiday despite, its negative start, turned out to be one of the biggest shopping days all year and can now have a positive impact on business owners for the holidays. Whether you go shopping in person Friday or online Monday, you will see deals and sales only offered once a year.

Sources:

www.businessinsider.com/black-friday-history-changes-over-past-decades-2019-11#-with-events-kicking-off-everywhere-from-belarus-to-london-to-so-paulo-26 

www.history.com/news/black-friday-thanksgiving-origins-history 

www.blackfriday.com/news/black-friday-history 

You’ve just come home from a concert. Your ears are ringing from all of the noise. Your legs are exhausted from all of the dancing. Your voice is close to nonexistent from all of the singing. But, oddly enough, you can’t help but notice how good you feel. If this is you, rest assured, you’re not alone. Concerts have been proven to improve your mental and physical health in multiple ways.

To begin, concerts are a uniting experience. The simple concept that everyone in the room is there for the same reason is one of the most powerful feelings. Especially in general admission shows, it is very easy to form friendships with the people around you at shows, and they can quickly become your dancing partner for the night. Once the lights go off and the music starts, the whole crowd bonds over their love for the same artist, which is enough to send chills down your spine. The crowd of a concert serves as a protective bubble from the outside world, and for those next few hours, nothing matters except being there with everyone and soaking in the music.

Not only do live shows allow for human connection, but they also promote feelings of well-being. In fact, O2 and a behavioral scientist from Goldsmith University discovered that only 20 minutes at a concert can increase feelings of well-being by 21%. Feelings of self worth and closeness to others can increase by 25%, and mental stimulation a whopping 75%. Also, concerts decrease the release of stress hormones such as cortisol. 

Studies have shown that concerts have a substantial impact on your physical health as well. Simply put, being excited at a concert releases endorphins, neurotransmitters which block pain. Additionally, concerts are a great workout. The combination of walking around the venue and dancing around all night keeps your body moving and in shape. Singing along to the lyrics of your favorite songs also works out your diaphragm, the muscle responsible for 80% of your breathing. By strengthening your diaphragm, you can in turn boost aerobic capacity and performance.

From creating connections with other humans and boosting mental well-being to providing an excellent physical workout, concerts are a godsend for our mental and physical health. So the next time you’re debating whether or not to buy those Taylor Swift tickets or go to that Coldplay concert with your friends, consider the wonderful benefits the show could have on you. Everyone should go to more concerts.

Sources:

https://health.usnews.com/wellness/mind/slideshows/6-reasons-going-to-concerts-is-good-for-your-health

https://flypaper.soundfly.com/play/why-we-really-really-need-live-music/#:~:text=In%20fact%2C%20research%20shows%20that,by%20up%20to%20nine%20years.

https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/musculoskeletal-and-rheumatology/2018/october/breathing-exercises#:~:text=It's%20the%20muscle%20that's%20responsible,boost%20your%20overall%20aerobic%20performance

As most don’t realize, May is Military Appreciation Month. This month is supposed to be dedicated to all the men and women who dedicated their lives to serving our country and risking their lives for our nation. As a granddaughter of two veterans, I always try to acknowledge their service as well as that of others. Considering that this month is supposed to appreciate those who are currently serving and those who have served, I figured it would be interesting to interview both of my grandfathers about their experiences serving in the military. 

Interview with Mike Venable (served in the United States Army from 1966 to 1981) 

What made you want to join the military?

I wanted to be a pilot and the military offered the best training and quickest opportunities to achieve that goal. 

Did you know that you always wanted to be in the military? 

 Yes

What time did you serve from (what years)?

1966 to 1981

What was your favorite thing about serving in the military?

Traveling the world, being responsible for men and equipment at a very young age, and serving my country and helping keep it safe.

Why do you think it is important for all citizens to acknowledge veterans and current members of the military?

To show how much they appreciate and understand the sacrifices members of the military branches have made to ensure the American way of life is always protected.

Interview with Joe Stenger (served in the United States Marine Corps from 1966 to 1969)

What made you want to join the military?

I felt that every citizen owes some kind of service to this country because of all we have as a people compared to the rest of the world. If we don't defend our way of life, we will not have it for much longer.

Did you know that you always wanted to be in the military? 

Back in my generation many of us felt a strong tug towards the military way of life. My Uncle Ken was an Army Colonel and we visited him at his duty stations, and I enjoyed the experience. Joining the military was not an unusual experience for me.

What time did you serve from (what years)?

I was sworn into the Marine Corps March 22,1966 and was sent to Quantico for Officer training. I was commissioned on May 28,1966 Second Lieutenant in the USMC, went to the Basic School for 20 weeks for infantry training and then on to Ft. Sill in Oklahoma for Artillery training. On March 27th, I flew from the states to Vietnam. I spent 13 months in Vietnam and then I went home to Marine Barracks Brooklyn to be the Brig Officer. I was discharged from active duty on May 18,1969.

What was your favorite thing about serving in the military?

My favorite thing about the service was the people I met from different parts of the country. This is a big country and a lot of great Americans, but being from New York I thought everybody was like me, the great part they all had regional differences. I am still in contact with some of my Marines and the one binding thing in our relationship is that we are Marines. That is the constant whether we are from New York, Georgia,Texas, or California.

Why do you think it is important for all citizens to acknowledge veterans and current members of the military?

Military service is not for everyone but Freedom is not Free, someone paid a price for our freedom and over the years we have lost one million people defending your right to  practice your faith, go to your own schools, live where you want. Respect the uniform of your country and the veterans that wore it, until you do it yourself you have no idea what it takes.

Overall, it is important to acknowledge the veterans of our military as well as those who are currently risking their lives as it is no easy task for one to take on. Remember, whenever you see or encounter a veteran, make sure to appreciate them for their service as you never know how much it could mean to them. 

Over the past several years, the reselling app, Depop, has taken the world by storm. An online alternative to thrift shopping, the site provides a wide variety of secondhand goods, ranging from clothes and shoes to books and jewelry. Scroll on TikTok for long enough, and you may even stumble across someone promoting their Depop store. Though many Gen Z have certainly heard of the platform before, umpteen of them are likely unaware of the benefits that the site, and thrifting as a whole, have on our planet. 

The environmental impact of fast fashion

Before working to combat fast fashion’s detrimental impact, it is important to understand what exactly fast fashion is. For those unfamiliar with the concept of fast fashion, it can be defined as trendy clothing that takes inspiration from the runway or celebrity styles and is produced at warp speed and sold for cheap. Fast fashion supports the idea that in order to stay relevant, people must keep up with the latest fashion trends, and in turn, is one of the largest causes of pollution. Due to the pressure put on companies to put out on-trend pieces, the production speeds increase and corners are cut. One factor of fast fashion’s harm to the environment is the toxic and cheap dyes they use. In fact, these dyes contribute to the fact that fast fashion is one of the major water polluters in the world!

Clothing from fast fashion retailers such as Shein, H&M, or Zara, use cheap fabrics like polyester, which are made from fossil fuels and shed microfibers when washed that contribute to the plastic in our oceans! Not only does the production of clothes harm our water, it also uses up copious amounts as well. Also, due to the breakneck speed at which these items of clothing are created, massive amounts of clothes are thrown away by consumers, leading to 11 million tons of clothing being thrown away in the United States each year. Because these garments quite rarely break down, they sit in landfills and release enormous amounts of toxins into the air. 

How Depop works to slow the spread of fast fashion

Depop is an excellent place to search for vintage, modern, or unique clothing of all kinds. While undoubtedly in the past there has been a stigma around secondhand clothing, the popularity of resale sites such as Depop has helped eliminate its severity. 

Many are wary of buying secondhand clothes, such as from a thrift store, because they have no way of knowing who previously owned them. However, Depop is a great way to break into secondhand shopping, especially for those who want to know where their clothes are coming from. Every listing shows the seller’s profile, many of whom have several listings and reviews, and sometimes even an Instagram attached to their account. This makes it much easier to scope out the potentially fake accounts and find reliable, good-quality sellers.

So, how does Depop help slow down fast fashion, anyway? Well, as no new clothes are actually being produced, that means that no natural resources are being wasted in the process, as well as reducing the amount of pollution emitted. Because you’re purchasing the goods secondhand, the energy and resources used to create the pieces have already been used, and you aren’t causing any more to be wasted. Additionally, buying secondhand clothes prevents the previous owner from possibly throwing them away and contributing to the textile waste issue that exists in the world. 

What sets Depop apart from other thrift stores?

Some people who thrift at in-person stores face the issue of not finding the pieces that they desire, which they could instead easily find at fast fashion stores. This may lead them to becoming discouraged from secondhand shopping as a whole and to revert back to supporting the fast fashion industry. However, Depop is designed with its key audience in mind. There is no question that the site is primarily aimed at members of Gen Z, organizing its homepage into clothing categories that are trending or eye-catching. Because just about anyone can sell their clothes on Depop, the listings are innumerable, increasing the chances of a shopper finding that one specific item. Many sellers post clothing pieces that they have never even worn, and are brand new with tags. This provides a great alternative to buying the same pieces directly from the brand, and in doing so, reduces its harmful effects on the environment.  

As a whole, Depop is an excellent alternative to shopping from major brands, and a tremendous step in the right direction for our planet. While it may not give the same experience as browsing at the mall until you find the perfect dress, you can certainly find yourself lost in Depop’s endless amount of listings, like you would find yourself lost in racks of clothing! It may take slightly more dedication to find particular items, but that makes the end result so much more gratifying. After all, there is no feeling quite like knowing that you did your part to help the planet, while getting a cute outfit out of it!

Sources

https://www.fastcompany.com/90686730/how-depop-became-both-a-style-and-social-hub-for-gen-z

https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/depop-sustainable-fast-fashion-clothes-climate/#:~:text=Depop%20says%20that%20it's%20%E2%80%9Cshaping,app%20grow%20without%20sacrificing%20sustainability.

https://goodonyou.eco/what-is-fast-fashion/#:~:text=Fast%20fashion%20can%20be%20defined,speed%20to%20meet%20consumer%20demand.

https://www.thegoodtrade.com/features/what-is-fast-fashion

https://www.hennepin.us/choose-to-reuse/tips/benefits-of-buying-secondhand

The “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive occurs on the second Saturday of May every year and is one of the most significant food donation events. It was founded by the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) to help fight hunger nationwide. The NALC was founded in 1889 and it represents the protection and safety of postal workers in the United States. The NALC is involved in multiple other fundraisers and events outside of the “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive and is very involved in helping and bettering communities.

The food drive began in 1991, when the president of the National Association of Letter Carriers at the time, Vincent R. Sombrero, and various other leaders of the organization, including Postmaster General Anthony Frank and AFL-CIO Community Services Director Joseph Velasquez, held a pilot drive that occurred in ten different cities. This pilot drive was so successful that the leaders quickly turned it into a nationwide and annual event. It is held in the spring to restock food pantries after they run out of donations from holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas when lots of people donate food. In 1993, the food drive collected over 11 million pounds of food in one day! 

The food drive is able to be successful thanks to the postal workers who pick up the food and the community members who donate it. Essentially, community members leave a bag of non-perishable food items outside their house or next to their mailbox, so that when a letter carrier comes by, they can pick it up and all of it gets donated to food pantries in need. 

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), there are currently over 38 million Americans who are food insecure, or in need of food, or reliant on food drives, including 12 million children. This problem has only escalated with the COVID-19 pandemic as many families lost jobs and sources of income. Unfortunately, pick-up donations were stopped the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic; however, this year will be back to the usual pick-up food donations! The National Association of Letter Carriers is helping to combat hunger in the United States through their “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive, which is the biggest one-day food drive in the country. This food drive has provided just under 2 billion pounds of food since its foundation three decades ago. It is important to donate food when you can as it benefits a large number of Americans facing food insecurity and being threatened by hunger. This food drive, along with other food drives regardless of size, remains a crucial component of the fight against hunger.

Sources:

https://www.nalc.org/community-service/food-drive/food-drive-history 

https://www.nalc.org/community-service/food-drive https://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america 

The trial between Amber Heard and Johnny Depp can be extremely confusing to a person without any legal experience. They use many different terms such as hearsay, sustained, leading and much more. The judge also put a timer on each person to keep the trial moving along. 

Starting with the legal terms used in this case, hearsay is when a testimony is given by a person under oath but they state something from outside of court. For example, if you were told by your friend outside of court that they saw the abuse this would be hearsay because you yourself did not state it. If a lawyer on the opposite team claims it was hearsay, the judge can then sustain it. This means that the testimony given cannot be used or accepted as evidence. In Amber Heard's trial, it is clear that her lawyers were not well prepared because the judge sustained almost every question to the point that they essentially ran out of questions. Another term was leading. This is when a question is asked and it suggests a particular answer from the person's lawyer. An example is “You said he was home Friday correct?”. This clearly shows that the lawyer wants them to state yes to their question. 

Something that people find interesting is that Johnny won’t even look Amber Heard in the eyes. When they pointed that out Amber stated that it was “because he’s guilty. He knows he’s lying. Otherwise why can’t he look at me.” Johnny turned to his lawyer and people think he is saying “I don’t want to” to Ben Chew but this has not been confirmed. Later, Camille (one of Johnny’s lawyers) pointed out that Johnny Depp promised Amber she would never see his eyes again. Amber stated she did not remember him saying that. This could be interpreted in many different ways. He could be not looking at her because of trauma or because he did not want to see her ever again. 

On May 19th, it was stated that Johnny has 18 hours and 30 minutes left in court and Amber has 8 hours and 14 minutes left. This is beneficial for Johnny Depp because his team can use that time to be the last one to talk and leave the jury with his testimony in mind. Knowing Johnny’s team consists of Camille Vasquez and Ben Chew, I have no doubt that they will use it to their advantage. They have been essential for Johnny Depp in this case and will continue to be for the rest of the trial.

In conclusion, although this trial can be very confusing and hard to understand, hopefully this cleared some questions up for you. It is important to watch this case with an open and unbiased mind because you can learn a lot. It is a way to educate you and keep you updated on the trial. There is only a little more time left and I hope now you can watch and understand what they are saying. 

Sources

https://news.sky.com/story/depp-v-heard-live-heard-breaks-down-in-tears-as-pictures-showing-face-after-johnny-depp-threw-phone-at-me-shown-in-court-12587975 

https://inews.co.uk/news/johnny-depp-lawyer-who-legal-team-amber-heard-trial-court-case-1597906 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uorN-D01Viw 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EuLwJFVqgY 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIRXsgDZP1o 

Abortion has been and is a touchy subject for all people, especially women. An abortion is defined as “a procedure to end a pregnancy” and is done by either a surgical procedure or taking medicines. Abortions most often occur due to the fact that having a baby would interfere with one’s education (most likely if it was a teen pregnancy), the woman doesn’t have the financial resources to support the baby, or the woman was taken advantage of sexually. They became nationally legalized in 1973, with the decision of Roe v. Wade (410 U.S. 113) after there were several states where abortions were illegal. With the controversy of Roe v. Wade arising after the possibility of Roe v. Wade being overturned was leaked, it is important to recognize the history of his landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision. 

Before diving into the history of this famous decision, some of you might be wondering what “overturned” means in relation to the United States government. To overturn a court decision basically means to “disagree with a decision made earlier by a lower court” (this all depends on what “level” of court is being dealt with). This implies that if the Supreme Court was to overturn Roe v. Wade, it would then be up to each individual state to decide how they would handle the legalization of abortions. 

If Roe v. Wade gets overturned, it would completely divide the country as it is one of the most complex issues that our government has dealt with within the past 50 years. While some states are in full support of legalized abortions, there are countless states who strongly oppose it and are willing to enforce anti-abortion laws. Some of the states of which are most likely to do so include Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Kentucky, and Utah. A percentage of the people in these states, especially women, are frightened of what could possibly happen if there were to be bans on abortion. Having bans on abortion could lead to several consequences including “illegal” abortions to be performed instead of getting it done by a doctor or “professionally”. On the other hand, there are numerous states who will continue to support the legalization of abortion including California, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, and more. Of course, there are also states that are in the middle and could go either way when it comes to implementing anti-abortion laws or not such as Georgia, South Carolina, Arizona, and Michigan. Either way, if Roe v. Wade gets overturned, there will be various mixed perspectives, leaving plenty of people frustrated.

Now, how exactly did Roe v. Wade come about? Roe v. Wade was a legal case decided by the United States Supreme Court on January 22, 1973 ruling that unduly restrictive state regulation of abortion is unconstitutional (the vote was 7-2). The topic of abortion became a significant issue a few years prior in 1970 when “Jane Roe” (Norma McCorvey) instituted federal federal action against the then district attorney of Dallas county, Texas (where she lived at the time). Roe was passionate about this issue after she had wanted to have an abortion because she was unemployable and severely depressed. The Supreme Court opposed her assertion of the fact that women should have the right to terminate pregnancy in any way and at any time. The Court eventually attempted to balance the state’s various interests in the health of a pregnant woman and in the possible life of fetuses. It made the point “after which a state’s compelling interest in the woman’s health would allow it to regulate abortion” at around the end of the first trimester of pregnancy. 

Prior to the recent discussion about the case, there have been challenges made against Roe v. Wade in the past. For instance, in Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey (1992), it was established that “restrictions on abortion are unconstitutional if they place an “undue burden” on a woman seeking an abortion before the fetus is viable”. There have been other court cases as well including Gonzales v. Carhart (2007), Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt (2016), and June Medical Services L.L.C. v. Russo (2020).

Overall, it is important to acknowledge and understand the history that led to the Supreme Court decision of Roe v. Wade in order to form an opinion about the issue. This decision will forever be one of the most famous and impactful cases that altered the course of United States history.

Sources:

https://www.britannica.com/event/Roe-v-Wade 

https://time.com/6173196/abortion-trigger-laws-bans-roe-v-wade/ 

As most of us are aware, AP exams are very well upon us. At this point in time, any content-based studying is pretty much set in stone; with little time to prepare, icing is just being put on the cake. Thus, rather than sharing resource videos and study materials, I want to approach the AP® exam advice differently– that being going ‘meta’ on preparing for the exam. 

But what does ‘meta’ even mean, and how will taking this approach help you earn a 5 on the exam? Well, meta is just a prefix indicating something that is simultaneously transcendent and self-referential. Originally stemming from the ancient greeks, it means “after, along with, beyond, among, behind” . The ‘meta’ I use here is not to be confused with the most common hearing of the prefix, metaverse, which is much more ‘micro’ than it is ‘meta’; the metaverse is a ‘universe’ inhabiting a bigger ‘universe’ (the one us humans live in).  In the existing context, going ‘meta’ on the AP® exam means studying how-to-study for the test. This includes pre-test preparations, studying techniques allowing you to cover much more material in much less time, and applied psychological theories to ensure you are in your best mental state while sitting in the chair come test day. We will look at how to remember more information, how to study more efficiently and effectively, and how to be physiologically prepared for the dreaded exam day. To fully understand a domain, it is important to study the ‘machinery’ of the system from an outsider's perspective; this is sometimes called a meta-analysis. And thus a great scientist studies the methodology of science, an artist the nature of art, and test taker the inner workings of a test! 

1. Physiological Preparation

1.1 Rest

Rest is an essential part of any task that requires intellectual focus and determination. Without good rest, your mind will not be in the state of fluidity that is needed for a 2-3 hour exam. You may be inclined, especially if you are cramming in material, to stay up late studying hard the night-before the test. Truth be told, this is just about the worst thing you can do the night-before. Studying for hours on will not benefit you because, when you wake up, you will remember little-to-nothing that you studied previously. This is because the information you were learning was not deeply-processed into your memory (more on that later). So, going into the exam looking and feeling like a zombie because you crammed half the exam material into one night of studying, is to put it simply, a horrible idea. The night before, you are much better off getting a good night's sleep, and having your full concurrent ‘brain power’ than losing sleep for a few memorized concepts— because, truthfully, that is all that will stick in your memory. If you must look at material before the test, save the cram for the morning of— at least at that point you will be fully energized. 

1.2 What, If Anything, Should I Eat Before the Exam?

This question may seem puerile, but in reality it is vital to your test taking success. For this specific question, it is worth distinguishing between the morning and afternoon exams, at 8am and 12pm respectively. Let us first begin by talking about the morning exams. My recommendation is to eat something filling but light, as you will be in a chair for 2-3 hours with a mere 10 minute break halfway through. Eating something too heavy will result in lackluster focus and feelings of fatigue and exhaustion, while eating something too small will leave you stomach grumbling in the silent room, and nobody wants that while trying to figure out the consequences of behaviorism or the identity the United States established after declaring its independence. Likewise, drinking water is extremely important and certainly should not be putatively trivial. In fact, it has been found that those who drink water before performing a cognitive test have increased cognitive performance and those who do not drink water before report being more confused in tense than those who did (Edmunds & company, 2015). Lastly, for those of you who drink caffeine, depending on your tolerance, it may be worth consuming a moderate amount of caffeine before your test. Many studies have shown that a moderate amount of caffeine can lead to improved cognitive performance and focused attention (Foskett 2009), (Tallis 2018), (Rogers 2005, 2000). 

1.3 Exercise?

Yes, exercise can improve your performance on the AP® exam. Many studies show the effects of increased cognitive ability after exercising routinely, of which I will not exhaust you with over-necessary citations. However, I will invite the reader to listen to Wendy Suzuki’s research, reflections, and subjective experience with exercise and improved cognition, as the information is concise, relevant, and eloquently explicated. If you do not exercise regularly, at least try to get some on the day before the exam. Whether that be walking around your neighborhood, going for a bike ride, hike, or lifting weights, exercising for a bit will not only make you feel great, but will help you sleep better the night of the exam. 

1.4 Brief Conclusion

Though it sounds like a secondary concern, your physiological state at the moment you are taking the test is of the utmost significance. Ignoring the fundamentals will leave you sorry you did so. Point being made, do not disregard your beloved hypothalamus, as your hippocampus will be very thankful if you don't. 

2. Studying the Exam Itself

Fortunately, everything you need to know about the exam itself is online for you to take in. Let us explore some of the most essential resources to look into.

2.1 Read Your CED

Reading your CED is just about the most beneficial 15 minutes you can spend studying for the exam. CED stands for Course and Exam description, and each class has a comprehensive, over 100 page long CED. Of course, you do not need to read the entire thing, but it is necessary to look at the exam description near the end of the text. In this description, you will be able to see the exact structure of the exam: how much percentage each section is worth, how many questions there are, how much each unit will be weighted for the exam questions, and much more. Knowing what's on the exam will give you a good idea of what to study for and what the exam graders are looking for to earn points. This is especially useful if you are cramming because, essentially, you can see what will give you the most ‘bank for your buck’ with studying time. For example, if units 3-6 are 75% of the exam and units 1 and 8 are 10% of the exam, you are much better off studying units three through six. However, other factors come into play. Consider this: Unit 3 alone is worth 18% of the exam, and unit five is only 12%. However, in class, your teacher went over unit three extensively, and you have a far keener understanding than that of unit five. Thus, unit five might be more optimal to study for. Ultimately, the logistics of your study time are up to your own subjective dillemia, but looking at the CED is necessary for doing well nonetheless. Seeing the material come exam day as a shuffling of questions with a generally maintained structure is much more beneficial than seeing the exam as a complete jigsaw puzzle. 

2.2 Look At Previous Exams

One of the other great features of the AP® website is that they release previous exams from years before. Looking at these can not only provide you with practice exams to study with, but also afford you a model on how to answer questions. When the previous exams are released, there are always accompanying example responses from students who took that exam; these students got a perfect score (5) on their essays and thus you can use their sample responses to analyze exactly what the graders are looking for. Student models also function as a good comparison tool; comparing yourself to the student’s response can allow you to get an approximation of your potential score, and hence how much studying you need to put in. 

3. Psychological Techniques

One of the personal benefits from taking the AP® Psychology exam is that in much of the material, concepts of the mind and behavior can be applied to improve the way you study. We are afforded the ability to study how to study.  Here we shall take a look at a few of these concepts and theories, and how they will help us earn that sweet sweet 5 on exam day. 

3.1 Framing

Mindset can be everything walking into that room on exam day. The beauty of a concept as vague as a “conflict” or “hardship” is that it is subjectively interpreted and ambiguous. Such a process— that is, the capability for a problem to be seen differently  when formulated distinctly is called framing. So how can we frame this in the context of the AP® exam? Certainly without bad irony. Being serious, having an optimistic and confident outlook can put you in the right frame of mind for test taking. If you hold the opposite mindset, chances are you will not perform well. Studies have shown the benefits of optimistic and confident mindsets, and again, I will spare you the citations. The point is that confidence is indeed key and going in with the mindset that you are going to crush the exam is not only folk but clinically psychologically proven to boost your performance. Nobody likes a Debbie downer, a pessimistic Pat, including the AP® test. 

3.2 Shallow and Deep Processing

Earlier, I mentioned that spending all night the day before the exam would be in vain because the information was not deeply processed and indeed that is the case. If you merely study something and repeat it in your head a few times, and write it on your test, you will have only shallowly processed it. This means you will forget the information very easily, and it will not connect with other pieces of information through a process of cognitive associations known as priming. On the other hand, if you study repeatedly with the accompanying context and research of a concept, you will have deeply processed the information. I myself used an example of this while studying for the AP psychology exam. I knew that facial recognition was a primary way the humans encode information and associated terms with; I also knew I was really good with names, specifically people I met or seen before. Thus, I searched up every psychologist whose names appeared in the Psychology 101 textbook, and viewed images of the associating names. This helped me remember the names and accompanying theories of the psychologists because I was able to connect it to a visual image in my head, and since there was context behind the names I studied, the information was deeply processed and had semantic nature. When something is semantic it simply means it has meaning. In this context the names of the psychologists were not just arbitrary names but actual people whose faces I have seen before. Similar applications can be made for battles, island court cases in history exams, body parts and cells in biology, chemicals in chemistry, and ad (i)finitum for the limited number of exams there are. In a word, when the syntax has semantics, the terms, concepts, names, and dates have context to refer to.

3.3 Arousal

With every task there is an accompanying physiological state of arousal. Arousal ranges from high to low and each degree of arousal is optimal for certain tests. Naturally, we are interested in the optimal arousal for the AP® test, so let's describe the correlation between different level tasks and degrees of arousal. When performing an easy task, the optimal level of arousal is high, because there is little risk in showcasing overconfidence in front of others. However, we know that an AP exam is no walk in the park, so that doesn't exactly hold any relevance. Instead, we want a low level of arousal, in which we are calm and focused, but not sleepy or fatigued. This relationship is represented by the Yerkes-Dodson Law in which a performance-arousal graph has the slope similar to an object in projectile motion. Of course, it's easier said than done to go in cool and confident, so if you are struggling with test anxiety, try some breathing or meditative practices. But ultimately, the more frantic, the worse you will perform. 

3.4 Abrupt Conclusion

Because you do have a test to study for, I wish not to make this article too extensive. Hopefully some of these musings afforded you with SOME takeaway knowledge. If there was one I would really try to crush, it would be the cool and confident mindset. Anxious minds are too focused on their anxieties, and hence cannot think back to the material they need to retrieve for the test. So go in there feeling great, and crush it. Realize there is nothing you can do to better prepare yourself than to hold that confident and calm attitude. A tranquil mind is a focused mind, and in the spirit of tranquility, I leave the final words to Jiddu Krishnamurti:

Only when the mind is still, tranquil, not expecting or grasping or resisting a single thing, is it possible to see what is true. It is the truth that liberates, not your effort to be free.

Daniel Durant. Sean Berdy. Millicent Simmonds. Do any of these names seem to ring a bell? If not, you aren’t alone. Unfortunately, in Western media, Deaf actors tend to go unrecognized; more often than not, directors will cast hearing actors to play Deaf characters! But the representation the Deaf community gets is already so sparse—why take away from that by casting a hearing actor to play a role that only a Deaf person could authentically portray? It is crucial in today’s society to represent the Deaf community in our media. After all, over five percent of the world’s population experiences ‘disabling’ hearing loss. Of course, that doesn’t go to say that there has never been representation of the Deaf community in mainstream media! The following are some stellar examples of Deaf representation in modern media.

Recently, the movie, CODA (2021), has taken the film world by storm. ‘CODA’, which stands for ‘child of a Deaf adult’, is a term used to describe those with one or more Deaf parents. Sometimes, CODA’s are born hearing, but are essentially raised as though they, themselves are Deaf! This is also the case for CODA’s main character, Ruby (Emilia Jones), who learns to navigate the world as her parents and brother’s interpreter in every situation. She wakes up every morning bright and early to help her family with their fishing business, handling the business transactions with the hearing people at the dock due to her role as the only hearing and speaking family member. However, after joining the choir at her school, Ruby quickly discovers her passion for music and develops a liking for her duet partner. Because of her newfound interest, she is forced to balance her family and choir commitments. This film, (which has won countless awards, such as SAG and Academy awards!) did a fantastic job at portraying the emotional conflict that CODA often experiences. Although some situations, such as the lack of interpreter services at the doctor’s office, seemed to be a bit outdated, the majority were authentic, relatable experiences that many CODA audience members were able to resonate with. Overall, CODA is an excellent step in the right direction, with a cast of actual Deaf actors and a tear-jerking plot!

When many think of American Sign Language, they remember the TV show, Switched at Birth. The show ran from June 2011 to April 2017. It follows Bay Kennish (Vanessa Marano), a wealthy teenager raised by both of her parents with a brother. In chemistry class one day, while doing blood tests, Bay realizes that her blood does not match either one of her parents’; this leads her to get a DNA test and confirms that she is not, in fact, the biological child of her parents. Later, Bay discovers that she was switched at birth with another teenager named Daphne (Katie Leclerc), who turns out to be Deaf. Switched at Birth, with most Deaf characters portrayed by real Deaf actors, provides an excellent glimpse into Deaf culture and ASL. Even the hearing characters in the show learn how to SIMCOM (simultaneous communication; speaking and signing simultaneously), which is no easy feat! The show manages to teach important lessons about the Deaf community, such as accessible technology, the importance of lipreading, and the fact that many Deaf people don’t want to be “fixed” with cochlear implants. In general, although Switched at Birth is no longer on air, it provides fantastic opportunities for the hearing community to learn about Deaf culture and even pick up some sign language skills along the way! Also, the inclusion of actors who are actually Deaf themselves was, of course, the bare minimum, but took the show to a whole new level. 

Finally, another film that follows a Deaf character is the post-apocalyptic horror movie, A Quiet Place (2018). Though the plot does not revolve around its Deaf character, it is an excellent representation of the Deaf, regardless of its surreal circumstances. The film takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where monsters hunt via sound; even the slightest footstep can get someone killed. Evelyn (Emily Blunt) and Lee (John Krasinski) struggle to raise their three children while also desperately trying to fight against the monsters themselves. Reagan, one of the children, (Millicent Simmonds) is Deaf and uses a cochlear implant, but mainly communicates through sign language. Simmonds is Deaf and relies on sign language herself, which allowed for the cast to learn some as well! The majority of the film takes place in silence, which adds to the tension, while also representing the anxiety that sometimes comes with not being able to hear in stressful situations. The characters are seen communicating through sign language at several points throughout the film, which is captioned for the hearing audience. Just like in CODA and Switched at Birth, the inclusion of ASL in the film allowed for the audience to engage in Deaf culture and even pick up a little sign! While some argue that the inclusion of Regan’s cochlear implant emphasizes the belief that Deaf people must be “fixed”, it still was a monumental win for Deaf culture.

At the end of the day, any representation is a win for the Deaf community. It is incredibly important that the media includes the Deaf population in their work, just as Deaf people need to be included in society as well.

There is no planet B. 

Every April 22nd, we recognize Earth Day. Earth Day is a celebration of the beauty of the earth, but more importantly a global initiative to acknowledge environmental issues and educate on ways to conserve our planet.

Earth Day was introduced by Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson in 1969. Nelson was seen as one of the most influential leaders of the modern environmental movement. He saw the idea of Earth Day becoming a grassroots, large-scale event “to shake up the political establishment and force this issue onto the national agenda.”

Denis Hayes, a student president at Stanford and environmental activist, was selected as Earth Day’s national coordinator. Hayes worked alongside other students and staff members from Nelson’s senate office to put together the project.

The success of the Earth Day concept from Nelson was immediate. Nelson explained, “Earth Day worked because of the spontaneous response at the grassroots level. We had neither the time nor resources to organize 20 million demonstrators and the thousands of schools and local communities that participated. That was the remarkable thing about Earth Day. It organized itself.”

Nelson’s original idea for Earth Day was to have teach-ins at colleges and universities to educate on the ways we negatively impact our environment. These teach-ins mimicked teach-ins that were already occurring about the Vietnam War at the time. 

20 million people demonstrated for Earth on the first Earth Day.

The success of Earth Day also was seen because of the environmental harm and damage people began to see. Air and water pollution were normal. No one thought any differently about it for a long time. One example of the damage people began to see occurred in 1969. The Cuyahoga River in Cleveland, Ohio caught on fire and caught the attention of the national media.

The first Earth Day also had long lasting effects. One being that around one quarter of Americans believed that protecting our environment was crucial.

Also, President Lyndon B. Johnson saw the negative effects of pollution and environmental damage and signed a multitude of acts into law as a part of his “Great Society” plan. Some included, The Endangered Species Preservation Act (1966), The Land and Water Conservation Fund Act (1965), the National Historic Preservation Act (1966), the National Trail System Act (1968), the Solid Waste Disposal Act (1965), the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (1968), and the Wilderness Act (1964).

In addition, President Richard Nixon established the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1970. 

Furthermore, Earth Day is still recognized every year to this day. Globally, it has led to changes to better protect our environment and education about environmental harm and climate change.

You may be wondering, what are ways I can help? There are so many ways! Here is a list of some easy ways you can begin to help planet Earth today:

1. Don’t buy single-use plastics. Reusable water bottles are found at pretty much every store these days, and all over the internet!

2. Conserve water! Take shorter showers and do not leave the water running when cleaning dishes or brushing your teeth for example. Two things that help me take shorter showers is either setting a 5 minute timer or listening to a song that lasts for around 3-5 minutes!

3. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! Yes, it sounds so cliche, however, they are three super important ways to help our environment. 

4. Consume less animal products. Meatless Mondays are a very easy way to accomplish this!

5. Drive less. Carpool if you can! Riding a bike or walking are great to do if possible.

6. Purchase second-hand items like clothing and decor.

7. Turn off your lights when you are not using them.

With April being World Autism Month, it is important to note television shows and movies that portray autism, and whether or not the media's representation is always accurate. Autism is a spectrum disorder, meaning that it can affect someone in a wide variety of ways and it impacts each individual differently. This makes it incredibly difficult to accurately represent Autism in the media as not all those diagnosed with Autism will be able to entirely relate to it. That’s not to say that certain shows haven’t been able to represent Autism in a way that accurately depicts the disorder, many have while some have tried but wound up offending the community instead. 

One example of a controversial movie is “Music” by Sia starring Maddie Ziegler. This movie angered many people within and surrounding the Autism community. To start, many criticized the decision to cast a neurotypical actress to play an Autistic girl when an individual with Autism could have been cast to create a bigger impact and give the Autistic community a greater voice. They also failed to include individuals with Autism in the film-making process, creating a stereotypical representation of the disorder. For example, the movie depicts the main character, who has Autism, being restrained as a method to calm her down. The director of advocacy at the Autistic Self Advocacy Network spoke about how dangerous this depiction is, as the Autistic community has been fighting to end the use of harmful restraints that have been forcefully used on individuals with Autism, and even killed some. Had they consulted with individuals with Autism, spreading dangerous information, such as this, could have been avoided. 

On the other hand, many shows or movies have been able to better accurately represent an individual with Autism and the challenges they may face. One example is the TV show “Atypical” which follows Sam, a high school student, with Autism. He has what is labeled “high-functioning Autism,” meaning that he is able to communicate and he demonstrates independent living skills. Sam has difficulties understanding social cues and often fixates on his interests, like penguins, and these traits are commonly seen in people on the spectrum. However, this show is still seen as slightly controversial by some who wish he had been depicted as non-verbal to represent those with Autism who have difficulties with communication. 

One representation of this characteristic in the media is the short film titled “Loop” by Disney and Pixar. It depicts an African-American non-verbal girl, all characteristics rarely represented in Autistic characters, on a canoe trip. Many viewers have seen this as a positive step in the right direction to fully represent those with Autism, as characters on the spectrum rarely represent individuals who are unable to communicate. One article quoted it as, “a breath of fresh air for positive and accurate autism portrayal in a world in which popular media is quick to present stereotypes, misinformation, and under-representation.” The main character's Autism is not portrayed as negative or unfortunate, and it is rather seen as a part of her and celebrated. 

Though everyone has different opinions on characters portrayed with Autism in the media because Autism can be shown in such a wide variety of characteristics, it is important to continue to strive to accurately depict different types or perspectives of the disorder to create a wide array of characters that those diagnosed with Autism are able to connect with within the media.

Sources: 

https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2021/02/15/sia-new-movie-music-angers-autism-community/6735331002/ 

https://www.cnld.org/is-atypical-an-accurate-representation-of-autism/ 

https://researchautism.org/autism-representation-in-the-media/ 

https://speakingofautismcom.wordpress.com/2020/01/27/an-autistic-review-and-analysis-of-loop-a-breath-of-fresh-air-for-positive-and-accurate-autism-portrayal/ 

Whether high schools should have a later start time or not has been a topic of debate for the past few years but it has never gained enough attention to the point where there has been a possibility of legislation being passed. Until now of course. 

Recently, Chatham High School is moving back the start of the school day by 40 minutes effective at the start of the 2022-2023 school year. Currently the start time is 7:40 but starting next year, classes will begin at 8:20. The main reason for doing so was that the more students age and progress through grades, the less sleep they receive. Especially with more challenging classes, time-filling extra-curricular activities, and sports, high school students are struggling to get even 7-8 hours of sleep. Yet, the recommended sleeping time for teenagers (13-18 years old) is 8-10 hours per day. With the current situation, getting even eight hours is a rare occurrence for most.

This proposition started a discussion in the state of New Jersey arguing that high school classes should start no earlier than 8:30 in the morning. Considering all of the various benefits that a later start time provides, it is a possibility that could become a reality. To name a few, starting later would promote increased attendance at school, improved academic performance, higher quality sleep, better physical health, etc. Yet, this also would potentially create several other problems for both students and staff.

In order to understand the perspectives of several Seneca High School students, I sent out a form to our audience and staff to know what they hope for.

When asked whether New Jersey high schools should start no earlier than 8:30 am, 83.3% of the students said yes. One student supported that argument saying, “I think high school in NJ  should start later because most of the time students are up late completing homework, at a sport, working, or all of the above. As a result, high school students don’t get enough sleep which either ends up making them late for school or sleeping in class and not paying attention.” 

On the other hand, the opposing side explained, “I think that high school in NJ should start at the same time that it does now because the current time provides ample time after school to participate in school activities and complete homework. Starting school later would also encourage students to go to bed later, meaning there is little positive effect on the overall quality of sleep.”

When asked why people either like or dislike the current start time, most said that they dislike the current start time because they believe that it was too early for students and teachers causing it more difficult to fully pay attention in school. Others also added that it gives students minimal time to sleep. Yet, some liked the current start time because it means that we are able to get home earlier which gives teens more time to complete homework after school.

Considering that starting later would provide several benefits including high quality sleep, increased academic performance, and better physical health, the survey questioned the audience about which one in particular would prove to be the best benefit to students. The vote was actually scattered all over the place, but the majority agreed that increased academic performance would be the most beneficial result of a later start time.

Yet, there are multiple negative consequences that could come out of high school having a later start time, the teens were asked about what they believe would be the worst consequence. One student explained, “I think that the biggest negative impact that starting later would have on the students is that it would decrease the amount of time students have after school to study, complete homework, attend club meetings, and practice for sports.” That said, if schools started later, students would have to be willing to pay a price.

The last multiple choice question that the survey asked was what time should Seneca High School start. The options included 7:30 am (the current start time). 8:00 am. 8:30 am, or 9:00 am. The only two that received votes were 8:00 am and 8:30 am with 66.7% of the vote going to 66.7%.

Overall, the debate over whether or not high schools in New Jersey should start later is one that heavily impacts students and one of which, our voices should be heard. Do you think that schools should start later?

Ms. Zeigler recently conducted an experiment to monitor how many notifications her students received in one day, and where they came from. In just one school day, her students got a total of 2,278 notifications! This was over five classes, so that averages to just over 455 notifications per class! If a class is one hour, that is around seven and a half notifications per minute. All of these notifications in school can be a distraction, especially when only 95 out of 2,278 notifications were school-related. 1,434 out of 2,278 notifications were from Snapchat, which amounts to 63% of the total notifications. 

This begs the question; what is the effect of phones in classrooms? I asked a student, (who chose to remain anonymous), and he answered; “I think that phones discourage students from finding something interesting in the school environment.” I think that this quote sums it up perfectly. In specific, I believe that middle school (where we did not have our phones) was a lot of fun and that it wouldn't have been the same if we had our phones. If we had our phones in middle school, we would have not had the same experience as being without. 

If phones are such a distraction to our students, why not ban them? I have a reason why we don't; we are young adults and should be able to be responsible for ourselves. I understand enforcing it in middle school, but as young adults, we should be able to limit ourselves on screen time. If we simply turn on Do Not Disturb, we would not be tempted by those seven and a half notifications per minute. 

What do you think? Should we ban phones in the classroom? Do you get on average more or less than seven and a half notifications per minute?

Birth order. Some believe that it has a large impact on the personalities of siblings while others believe that it has little to no effect. Often, there are even stereotypes established for each different sibling. Well-known stereotypes are that the firstborn children are typically controlling leaders, the middle children are reckless and rebellious, and the youngest the most spoiled. While all of these stereotypes do exist, and in some cases may be true, there are several other factors that affect one’s personality. For instance, age gap can play a role (depending upon how large it is) in determining the relationship between two or more siblings. Not only that, but gender and the number of siblings within a family can also play a huge role.

In order to get a better understanding of birth order and to get various perspectives, the entire Bird’s Eye View Staff, including myself, filled out a “Sibling Perspective”, where we all detailed our experiences being the “oldest, middle, youngest” sibling.

Paige Venable

Sibling Order: Oldest

Sibling Number: I am the oldest sibling out of 3. It goes me, my sister, and then my brother (girl, girl, boy).  I am the oldest sibling out of 3. It goes me, my sister, and then my brother (girl, girl, boy). I’m 16, my sister is 14, and my brother is 11.

Perspective: I definitely believe that birth order has an impact on a child’s way of life and their relationship with their siblings/family. I think being the oldest sibling has also had a large impact on my character. For instance, since I’m the oldest child of three, I have a natural instinct to take care of them whenever it’s just us alone and watch over them. It has also affected my ability to value my responsibility, even outside of the house, as being the oldest girl, I have to take responsibility for several things. It affects my lifestyle in the house because whenever I may get in trouble with my siblings, I usually get blamed as I am “so and so” years older than my brother and/or sister and should set a good example for them. Thus, I try to be the best “role model” I possibly can for them which encourages them to reach or exceed my expectations. Yet, being the oldest sibling comes with several perks as in my mind, I can view myself as more “superior” than my siblings just because I’m a few years older than them. Of course that also comes with a lot of difficulties too at times, but I wouldn’t trade being the oldest sibling for anything.

Meghan Lepsis

Sibling Order: Oldest

Sibling Number: 2 younger siblings. One 14 year old brother and a 12 year old sister

Perspective: I think that birth order has a big impact on your personality. For instance, I have grown up babysitting my younger siblings which I think has made me take on more responsibility and some skills in caring for younger kids. I also think that my two siblings who are closer in age fight a lot because of that close age gap. When describing our personalities, I would describe my youngest sister as the most crafty/creative, my younger brother as the most athletic and headstrong, and me as the most ambitious and driven. 

Campbell Maenner

Sibling Order: Youngest

Sibling Number: I am the youngest sibling out of three. It goes my older brother, my twin brother, and then me. My older brother is 25 and was born in 1996 and my twin and I are 17 and were born in 2004 (there is an 8 year difference between my older brother and my twin and I).

Perspective: I think birth order has a big impact on a child’s personality and their relationship with their siblings. Being the youngest and only girl, my brothers definitely have always looked out for me. I have always looked up to my older brother which is why I am like him personality wise. I am actually much more like my older brother personality wise than my twin. I always say my twin and I are complete opposites. My older brother and I share a lot of the same traits like being responsible, hard-working, kind, considerate, empathetic, ambitious, trustworthy, etc! Having a sibling that is 8 years older than you is hard because we have always been at different stages in our lives and it does affect our relationship. He definitely took on a responsibility when we were born, my parents always tell us how much he cared for my twin and I when we were babies. When my twin and I were born my older brother was in 2nd grade, when we finished elementary school, he had just graduated high school. Currently, he lives in Pennsylvania with his girlfriend and their dog. He has his own job, he will be attending law school soon, and he is living his life! We are able to see him around once every two months because our lives are so busy. It is hard not seeing him as often as I used to. I text my brother quite a bit throughout the week and he talks on the phone with us throughout the week as well! 

Ashley Smith

Sibling Order: Youngest

Sibling Number: I am the youngest out of my sister & I. She’s 20 & I’m 18

Perspective: If you asked me a few years ago, I’d definitely say that I felt like I was constantly treated like a child. I guess now that I’ve matured and am technically a legal adult, I’m treated as such, both by my sister and my parents. Growing up, they definitely were more strict with her & had more rules in place. With me, they’re more lenient, though not by too much. There never was much of a difference in love though- it’s clear that they love us both so much, not one over the other. In terms of if it has had an impact on my development, I feel that it has. While my sister is the more responsible, organized & artistic sibling, I would refer to myself as having more kind, caring & bubbly traits. She likes to keep to herself & is a very neat person, whereas I love to talk & be surrounded by others. Her and I have had the chance to grow closer recently, and we even work together at Starbucks. It’s kind of awesome to be so close with her since when we were younger, we constantly fought. Now, I can’t even remember the last time we disagreed on something besides who should get the last Eggo Waffle.

Morgan Loftus

Sibling Order: youngest

Sibling Number: Youngest of 2; One older sister who is 3 years older than me.

Perspective: If you asked me last year, I would have said that I hated being the youngest because I often had to live in my older sister’s shadow. However, now that she’s at college six hours away, I realize that I would love for her to be back home! The responsibilities put on me pretty much doubled now that she isn’t living at home! Also, being the younger sister to someone who excels greatly in school, I have always put pressure on myself (not from my parents) to be “as good” as my sister—even though we simply excel in different areas in school. I always dislike being referred to as “so-and-so’s-younger sister”, because I feel like it creates the expectation that I have to be just like her or even better! However, I do feel like as a child, I got away with a lot of things because I was the youngest, which was certainly a plus! As far as our relationship goes, I would definitely say we have a great sibling relationship! It’s kind of strange, because when she’s away at college I miss her, but whenever she comes home for break, we end up bickering sometimes! I can definitely notice an improvement in our relationship as we gain more freedom with our lives. In fact, we’re going to three concerts together this spring and summer, which is something we never would have done before she moved out!

Lillie Bailey

Sibling Order: Youngest

Sibling Number: I am the youngest out of two and have a 12 year age gap. 

Perspective: Most of the time I feel like an only child simply because of our age gap. My sister was 12 years old when I was born so we really haven’t gotten to form a bond with one another because we have always been at different maturity levels. I did not get to grow up with her as a preteen or a teenager. So I do not feel like we have a bond most sisters have. I never feel like the youngest, I catch myself sometimes saying I am an only child because I forget I actually have a sister because of how little I see or talk to her. In my case it’s not the order, it's the age gap that really causes a problem for us. 

Ryder Streep

Sibling Order: Oldest

Sibling Number: Oldest of 2, one younger brother–twenty months younger.

Perspective: Birth order is a very interesting topic. The combination of both birth order and number of siblings invites intriguing and fun dynamics. Being the oldest of two, and less than two years older than my brother, it set up for some interesting parallels and contrasts. The slight difference in age was not that of a twin yet not that of a traditional “older brother” situation. I think it is always enjoyable to reflect on me and my brother who differ in approach but inhabited the same environment and overall experience. Growing up my brother and I would often quarrel yet also share some precious time together in psychological harmony. Now that I am older, I feel it is best not to examine the “why’s” and “how’s” of how two siblings differ from one another, but rather to appreciate and embrace the unique preferences and characteristics— the slight change in beliefs, ideas or style. To habit the same environment through the foundational stages of imprinting one's personality with another person is an experience to cherish. And not only to cherish but to share an invaluable bond and connection with. Overall, the folk psychological term “brotherly love” completely undermines the deeply embodied (both biologically and ecologically) unification one shares with their sibling.

Mason Craig

Sibling Order: Oldest

Sibling Number: First (One younger sister)

Perspective: My birth order had a pretty big impact on who I am. I almost feel a subconscious need to look after my younger sister. This feeling has translated into relationships with other people as well, as I think that I am more empathetic because of my birth order. 

Overall, birth order can definitely have an impact on sibling relationships and how they interact with one another. Either way, it is a unique concept that can spark various conversations about its effect on personalities.

Every year millions of fans tune in to watch March Madness and all their favorite college basketball teams play. This year was especially interesting because St. Peter’s University, a New Jersey Catholic college, surprised everyone with their basketball team. They made it to round 8 (also known as the Elite Eight) being in seed 15. Sadly, they lost against UNC, but still beat Purdue that was in seed 3 which was an accomplishment in itself. 

Being one of the 11 NCAA Division 1 universities in the metro Atlantic-Athletic Conference makes it an amazing New Jersey school. With this season behind them and the next hopefully better than the last, it can cause their applications to rise providing them with even more players. Their head coach Shaheen Holloway not only prioritizes winning but also having fun. He stated,  “I got a bunch of guys that just play basketball and have fun. That's all we do”. Clearly, this team and school would be a great place to go for college if you are looking to stay in New Jersey. We are all excited to see next year's team and the future for St. Peter’s.

Sources:

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/25/sports/ncaabasketball/march-madness-scores.html 

https://www.saintpeters.edu/ 

Every April 10th, National Encourage a Young Writer Day is celebrated. This national day allows budding and new writers to work on their writing. This day inspires and motivates these emerging writers to follow their passion and practice their art. There are many ways you can encourage your young writers. By buying them a journal or reading their written work, you can help form their creative minds. Another way to help these writers is by encouraging them to read as this will help expand their imagination and expose them to different writing styles. It is so important for young writers to feel supported in their writing journey and this day is all about that. 

The phrase “the pen is mightier than the sword” is used all over the world. And in the world of scholars, this is proven right. With every new work published a door is opening for someone. So if writing is so important, why do only 1 in 3 (34.5%) children and young people say they enjoy writing? While no one knows the exact reason, today is the day to encourage them to give it another shot. 

Furthermore, there is no specific information on when and how this day came into existence. For the longest time, it was assumed that writing had been invented in a single civilization, in ancient Sumer specifically. However, the discovery of the scripts is ancient. Scholars now recognize that writing may have independently developed in at least four ancient civilizations — Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, and in the area of Southern Mexico, and Guatemala. It was in ancient Egypt that the earliest solid evidence of Egyptian writing differs in structure and style from the Mesopotamian and must therefore have developed independently. While this gives us a lot of insight into the writing system, and its importance of it; it does not give us an idea of when this national day came into existence. 

Overall, National Encouraging Young Writers Day is an important day to celebrate as writing is an expression of creativity and thought that allows children to let out their feelings on paper.

Many people pride themselves on the ability to be able to recite a large amount of the digits used in “pi”. A large number of people have learned the digits from ASAP Science’s video on “100 digits of pi”, as I did when I was trying to study for extra credit on March 14th... 

If you’ve had a math class at Seneca, you probably know well about pi day as it is our math department’s day to shine! Several teachers will take a break from their typical teachings to celebrate this special day. For those of you who are easily confused with math terms like myself, “pi” (π) is a math device used to help calculate the area and the circumference of a circle. It was discovered in 1706 by William Jones. Jones had served at sea at a point in his life, teaching mathematics on board Navy ships to his fellow soldiers. This is where he became interested in navigation. Since mathematics tied into the art of navigation, it only made learning it that much more appealing. Through this, he was able to calculate different methods of navigating the sea. It wasn’t totally clear just how he came to discover pi, but it was clarified that in 1761, it was proven by Johann Lambert. Originally, we only knew about 500 or so digits, which may seem like a lot. However, due to technological advances we now know of over 6 million digits!! 

Pi day is celebrated in many different ways here at Seneca. Some people will bring literal pies into their math class for their classmates to enjoy, along with other circular shaped snacks! Jokes and puns about pi are made as well to lighten up the mood. Many classmates will compete in a “who knows more digits of this infinite number” challenge, sometimes even just for the bragging rights! While not everyone takes this day seriously, it’s a blast when it’s made the most of. A little friendly baking or memorization challenge is always fun, especially when accompanied by humor! If you're looking for a new challenge, maybe try memorizing some digits of this number. Most people only know “3.14”, so if you can make it past that, you’ve accomplished something pretty cool. Take some time to try it! You never know when it could come in handy!

Horace Mann, known as the father of standardized testing in America, was the secretary of the Massachusetts State Board of Education from 1837-48. Before 1945, all examinations were primarily taken orally. Upon a sudden visit to European schools in 1843, Mann came back convinced written exams surpassed oral ones. Mann and other members of the Board of Education prepared and administered written exams to Boston students. Many of the teachers and students have never experienced a test like this. Mann received a lot of backlash from teachers and students saying how this does not include every student’s needs. Clearly, these types of tests have stuck around despite years of protests from students and teachers. Now standardized has become a basic part of any student’s life. Starting as young as third grade in New Jersey, students are expected to take annual testing in math, English, and science. These tests can determine which classes you are placed in if you can graduate, they even tell you if you are average or less than average. 

While many educators and board members believe these tests show your level of intelligence or the level of education you received. These tests are actually proven to be very unfair and outdated. Standardized tests ignore developmental and experiential differences among individuals. Especially relevant are differences in the ability to engage in logical or reasoned thinking. Standardized tests, by definition, are a one-size-fits-all instrument featuring one correct answer for every question. Additionally, approximately 20% of U.S. high school students have high test anxiety while another 18% have moderate test anxiety. These statistics show that these tests can prevent a student from showing their full potential on these academically challenging tests.

In the year 2022, more than 76% of all undergraduate colleges are test-optional. These schools have taken these studies to heart and made these scores optional. While colleges are listening to the statistics, many high schools are still judging students based on these scores. These tests have been outdated for years and many high schoolers can tell you they do nothing but harm.

March first of each year begins Women’s History Month! But many turn a blind eye to the history of the month itself. It is important, no matter your gender identity, to celebrate the numerous achievements of women throughout history—not only in March, but all year round, as well! 

Originally, Women’s History Month was not a month at all. It was created by educators in 1978, in Santa Rosa, California as Women’s History Week. The mission, like that of Women’s History Month, was to recognize the influence women have had on society. Over the course of several years, more and more cities across the country joined together to celebrate the week. 

Eventually, in 1980, then president Jimmy Carter declared that the week of March 8th was now officially Women’s History Week. He pushed everyone in the country to join in on the celebration, noting that the “achievements, leadership, courage, strength, and love of the women who built America was as vital as that of the men whose names we know so well” (Carter, 1980). 

Seven years later, in 1987, Congress declared the entire month of March as Women’s History Month. However, the United States is not the only country that celebrates Women’s History Month during March! Other countries such as Australia and the United Kingdom recognize the month as well. The United Kingdom’s parliament invited female Members of Parliament to share their experiences across their social media platforms. Additionally, they hosted online and in-person events such as a lecture from their Works of Art Team. Furthermore, the Royal Australian Historical Society highlighted important women in Australian history on their website!

The great thing about Women’s History Month is that there is no “right” way to celebrate Women’s History Month—it is unique to every person! For example, you most likely have seen at least a few social media posts regarding the month. Many people, especially on International Women’s Day, have taken to sharing the influential women in their own lives. Women’s History Month may also be taught in schools, with activities to further students’ knowledge on influential women through history. 

Even in other months, it is crucial to recognize women who have shaped the world as we know it. Many women have made substantial contributions to our society but are still excluded from our education. These women are just as important as those who we are taught about in school, and we should use this month to educate ourselves and others about their efforts, along with continuing to recognize the familiar names.

Susan B. Anthony was born on February 15, 1820 in Adams, Massachusetts. She was raised a Quaker, which was a religion that preached equality for everyone. However, she knew it wasn’t fair that she had less rights as a woman. In the 1850s, Anthony started speaking out. She was known for her speeches and petitions. Then, in 1856, she became an abolitionist. Anthony, alongside fellow women’s rights activist Cady Stanton, started a Newspaper called The Revolution. Although African-American men were given the right to vote through the 15th amendment, African-American and other women in general were still unable to vote. Anthony became so infuriated that she still cast a vote, leading to her being arrested and fined for $100 (which she never paid). Susan B. Anthony continued her fight for over 50 years but unfortunately passed away before women were granted the right to vote. However, her voice and influence still lives on today.

One figure you likely have never heard of is Florence Howe. Howe began teaching women’s studies before it was even recognized. She protested in the women’s rights and anti-war movements in the 1960s and refused to pay income taxes as a protest against the Vietnam War. Florence Howe also founded the Feminist Press, a publishing company that began by publishing authors whose works had gone out of print. The company still remains today as one of the longest running women’s publishing houses.

Finally, Alice Coachman was the first black woman to win an Olympic Gold Medal. Coachman, at the age of 24 during the 1948 London Olympics, won the high jump for the United States. This achievement allowed her to be awarded her medal by King George VI and congratulated by President Truman at a White House ceremony. While she was growing up, Coachman was not allowed to train at athletic facilities alongside white people. This caused her to innovate–she would use sticks and ropes to fashion her own jumps. Needless to say, these benefited her in the long run as she went on to make history.

These are only a few of the thousands of influential women our world has seen. This March, encourage yourself to research and discover more of the great female influences on society! Many go unnoticed, and spreading awareness about these underdogs is what the true spirit of Women’s History Month entails. 

By the time you are reading this, March 13, 2022 has passed. March 13, 2022, makes it two years from the last day of normal school until March 7, 2022. March 13th was an eventful day for many of us, as it was for many around the world. It was the day that COVID was declared a national emergency by the president. Only two days prior, the CDC declared that Coronavirus was now a pandemic, the first time since 2009 that a virus was declared as such. Two days after March 13th, on March 15th, many states enacted social distancing and shut down public schools to combat the spread of Coronavirus. And finally, on April 3rd, 2020, the government recommended that we should all wear masks when out of the house. 

It has been just short of two years of mask-wearing, and it was quite a shock to see new faces in school albeit being in school with them. Although the pandemic was an overall bad thing for society, I believe that the trauma that many people dealt with during this time will change society in ways that you may never imagine. For example, I predict that there will be a larger percentage of American workers that work from home instead of working in an office or a dedicated workspace. With Covid, we were all sent home and forced to work from home, leading to the realization that it is possible to get through the same workload from home as it would be from a dedicated workspace. 

Another potential societal change that could have bad consequences is the politicization and polarization of everyday topics. Topics such as vaccination, mask-wearing, and other Covid-related topics quickly became a battle of left versus right. In my opinion, (ironic…) people becoming polarized on pretty much everything led to many people no longer being able to communicate or socialize without having some level of predetermined view on someone’s character due to political affiliation. 

Although it is fairly similar to the last one, distrust in government has taken a large rise due to the pandemic. The lockdowns affected many people, and many people saw them as unnecessary and harmful. Referring back to the last change, I also believe that a lot of this untrust in government is due to the rapid politicization and polarization of many topics. As soon as the pandemic became political, both sides immediately began to pick a side and began to not trust the politicians and lawmakers that were not on their side. 

There are also fears that Generation Z (Us!) will enter the workforce at a time when the world is in a recession. This is similar to millennials, who entered the workforce during the time of the Great Recession (2007-2009). This can cause many problems, such as Generation Z Americans getting a later start than the generations before them, causing economic growth to possibly slow. 

What do you think? Do you know any other possible societal changes that could happen because of the pandemic?

To the LGBTQ+ community: There is nothing wrong with you. You are so loved, valued, and worthy. I and so many others accept you for who you love or who you are. I know hateful bills like this one make that hard to believe, but it is the truth. You are so loved. As a member of the community, I feel your pain and fear myself. 

This bill hurts members of the LGBTQ+ community, like me, so profoundly. 

In Florida, a bill formally named “The Parental Rights in Education Bill” but more widely known as the “Don’t Say Gay Bill” is currently sitting on Republican Governor Ron DeSantis’s desk, waiting to be signed into law. 

The Florida Senate passed the bill in a 22-17 vote. Previously, the bill passed Florida’s house in a 69-47 vote.

The Don’t Say Gay bill seeks to hurt the LGBTQ+ community numerous ways. First, it would ban the teaching of sexual orientation and gender identity from kindergarten through third grade and forbid the teaching in grades 4th through 12th when it is deemed not “age-appropriate” by parents. This concludes that if parents are not happy with sexual orientation or gender identity being taught in schools, they can complain to the School’s Board of Education or sue the school district.

This bill would also erase the teaching of LGBTQ+ history and lessons that include the LGBTQ+ community. 

Since it’s been introduced, it has received opposition from LGBTQ+ advocates, celebrities, students, politicians in both parties, and the White House. President Biden called this bill “hateful” as he tweeted last month, “I want every member of the LGBTQI+ community -- especially the kids who will be impacted by this hateful bill -- to know that you are loved and accepted just as you are.”

This is not the first time Florida has attacked LGBTQ+ rights. Last year, Florida’s Legislature barred those who identify as transgender from participating in women’s and girls’ scholastic sports. 

State Representative Joe Harding (R) was the representative who introduced this bill. He said it would prevent “a school district deciding they’re going to create a curriculum to insert themselves.” Moreover, he also claimed this bill would not ban discussions of gender identity and sexual orientation; it would just deny it from being taught in the curriculum. But, on the other hand, the bill did ban discussions in its early stages. Many opponents of the bill criticize its vague language.

Also, in the early stages of this bill, Harding filed a devastating amendment to this bill. The amendment would have required a school to inform parents if a student came out as gay. Harding later withdrew the amendment as it received an enormous amount of backlash and criticism in the media.

State Senator Dennis Baxley (R-Ocala), one of the bill’s sponsors, stated this bill would address the “social engineering” in the classroom. He believes that this “social engineering” leads more kids to come out as gay and transgender. 

State Senator IIena Garcia (R-Miami) expressed her support for the bill saying, “gay is not a permanent thing. LGBT is not a permenant thing.”

Florida residents expressed their support for this bill at a judiciary committee hearing back in February. These discriminatory words and hate have broken my heart. As much as I do not want to repeat these beliefs, I need to point out and rebuttal what supporters of this bill around the state and country falsely believe. 

One resident stated, “Children in kindergarten do not need to hear about 100 different sexual orientations, sexual preferences in reality, and gender identities.” 

A second Floridian stated our children should not be a part of this “social experiment.” They also added that teachers could tell students to pick any gender they want to identify as.

Another resident implied that the teaching of sexual orientation and gender identity was “indoctrination.”

A final Floridian expressed that children can be traumatized by this “non-biblical” issue. 

Children do need to hear about all sexualities. They are already taught and exposed to heterosexuality, yet is it so wrong for them to be taught that LGBTQ+ people exist? It is terrible for them to be shown that it is okay to be who you are and love whoever you love?

Sexuality is not a choice. Nobody wakes up one morning and decides that they are gay, bisexual, lesbian, pansexual, transgender, non-binary, etc. Indeed, it is not a preference either. It is who we are. 

Sexual orientation and gender identity are not a trend. It is not a social experiment. Additionally, it is not called your orientation or identity is for no reason. As I stated above, it is who you are. 

Adults are not indoctrinating children when they openly discuss sexuality and gender. The truth is, they are being taught that the LGBTQ+ community exists, they are accepted for who they are, and they are loved. 

What is truly traumatizing for children is being discriminated against for being LGBTQ+. Equally important, a large number of people have suffered religious trauma. They are taught that God must hate them, something is wrong with them, or they are not loved. I will go into further details about this specific issue later in this article. 

According to the Trevor Project, 52% of LGBTQ+ kids in middle and high school have reported being bullied. As well, 42% of LGBTQ+ youth have seriously considered suicide. This issue is so near and dear to my heart, not only being a member of the community but also struggling with anxiety and depression myself. As I opened up in an article, I wrote on depression, I have been in the darkest place you can be before. The place where you believe the world is better off without you. Nobody should feel that darkness. However, so many in the community, including myself, have felt that before. Hate is what is traumatizing us. 

One can only imagine the number of lives we could have saved from suicide if one person had been accepting toward someone, or from a young age, we had all been taught that it is okay to love who you love or be who you are.

School should be a place where all children can feel safe, including LGBTQ+ youth. 

Supporters of this bill believe the LGBTQ+ community is pushing their own agenda. 

Governor DeSantis has signaled he will sign this bill into law. However, he’s recently told reporters, “How many parents want their kids to have transgenderism or something injected into classroom instruction?” 

Later that day, a spokesperson for DeSantis, Christina Pushaw, tweeted that opponents of this bill are most likely “groomers.” Hearing this shattered my heart. This was one of many comments made me feel emotional while I was doing research. Pushaw implies that those part of the community or allies are most likely manipulators, sexual predators, and abusers. To sum it up, she believes we are involved in pedophilia. It is horrifying and disgusting that someone could believe that. 

Another argument opponents of this bill have made is that the discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity brings about sex. They falsely claim that sex is being taught to elementary schoolers when sexual orientation and gender identity are discussed. Sexuality and sex are two COMPLETELY different topics. 

Sexuality does not just include homosexuality; it is also heterosexuality. It is also crucial to note that sexuality and gender are fluid and are a spectrum. 

Other opponents say that children do not need to be brainwashed and force-fed sexuality and gender issues, yet they are. We always have been in cartoons, Disney movies, books, theater plays, TV shows, toys, etc. No one ever talks about this, though, because it involves heterosexuality. It is only an issue when it is homosexuality. 

The LGBTQ+ community has always been around. LGBTQ+ is a more modern term. LGBTQ+ people never just came to be back when the Gay Rights Movement began, for example. The reason we recently got the freedom to marry those of the same sex and civil rights protections is that for centuries we have been silenced. Historians agree with that. Homosexuality and different gender identities have always been here. For example, in pre-colonial times, Indigenous tribes acknowledged third genders and three-five different gender roles in their communities.

Growing up, we expected to marry or be attracted to someone of the opposite sex. We know nothing different. I knew nothing different. We are expected to act in ways that align with our sex. Boys are expected to be tough, athletic, and strong, and girls are expected to be kind, polite, and nurturing.

People of the LGBTQ+ community and those with family members in friends in the community just want to talk about themselves and their loved ones openly. All we want is acceptance. All we want is to be treated equally as those who identify as straight and cisgender.

Those in heterosexual relationships have always been and can openly talk about their marriages, partners, and families. 

I can only think about how this bill has also affected LGBTQ+ teachers in Florida. They should not have to hide their identities or who they love. As someone who is not only part of the community but wants to be a teacher myself, it hurts me to think about what they have to feel and go through right now. Not only teachers in Florida, but the pain and hurt LGBTQ+ teachers around the country feel. 

To LGBTQ+ teachers and educators everywhere: You are so loved and worthy. I and so many others appreciate you and what you do so much. I am proud of you for being so strong and brave. You inspire me. I will continue to fight for you. 

Even though this bill has sadly gotten support, its opposition overrides that darkness.

Thousands of students across Florida have led protests and walkouts in opposition to this bill. Many were holding up signs and giving speeches expressing love for the LGBTQ+ community. Chants like “We Say Gay!” can be heard at these protests. 

On March 7, State Senator Shevrin Jones (D-West Park), the chamber’s only openly gay lawmaker, described his journey coming out. While shedding tears, he told his fellow constituents that he struggled with his sexuality for 30 years before coming out to his family. He lost friends. Also, he mentioned, “I don’t think y’all understand how much courage it takes for these children to show up every day.” His story is one of the many brave stories those in the LGBTQ+ community can tell. 

Cathryn M. Oakley, the state legislative director and senior counsel at the LGBTQ+ advocacy group Human Rights Campaign, said in a statement, “The Florida state legislature is playing a dangerous political game with the health and safety of LGBTQ+ kids,” she continued, “The existence of LGBTQ+ people across Florida is not up for debate. We are proud parents, students, and teachers, and LGBTQ+ people deserve to exist boldly, just like everyone else.”

LGBTQ+ advocacy group, Equality Florida, put out a statement in response to the bill, “Let us be clear: should the vague language of this bill be interpreted in any way that causes harm to a single child, teacher, or family, we will lead legal action against the State of Florida to challenge this bigoted legislation.”

In a previous committee hearing, another member of Equality Florida, Jon Harris Mauer, replied that “We’re parents, students, and teachers. We are your brothers and sisters. Conversations about us aren’t something dangerous that should be banned.”

Celebrities like Ariana Grande, Brandi Carlile, Shawn Mendes, and Kerry Washington have called out the discrimination and hate this bill brings.

To those in political office or everyday citizens who support bills like this: You cannot legislate the LGBTQ+ community away or remove us out of existence. We are here. We have been silenced; however, we have been around forever. We will continue to be around forever.

To them, it seems like our existence is a threat to all children out there. 

To all who use religion as a reason to be hateful against the LGBTQ+ community: I ask that you think about what “loving one another” means. You do have the right to have any religious beliefs, but using religion as an excuse to discriminate is not okay. Discrimination, in general, is not acceptable. I believe in a God who loves us ALL and created ALL of us in his image. There is no picking and choosing who is created in his image. 

As someone who identifies as a lesbian myself, this bill, bills like it, and the discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community breaks my heart and hurts me deeply. My heart and my prayers are with other members of the community who are feeling this same pain. I am sending you all my love and so much strength. You are so strong.

Like many in the community, I struggled to come to terms with my sexuality, and I struggled to come out. In the past, I have been told homophobic comments, heard homophobic remarks, and called gay slurs. As I mentioned before, hate like this has caused me to believe in the past; the world would be better off without me. I am so grateful that I kept fighting, I am here to share my story and be an activist. 

As someone who is faithful, for the longest time, I believed that God must hate me, or something was wrong with me. This is not true. I believe God created and made me in his image. God does not make junk; he creates beauty. He loves me for all that I am. I am here for a reason.

To the girl who publicly came out in January, I am so proud of you. I am so happy I am still here.

To all who have supported me on my journey: Thank you. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for accepting me. Thank you for being there for me. 

To one special person who has been there for me this year who is my biggest cheerleader (you know who you are), thank you for reminding me to be my true, authentic self. Thank you for reminding me of my bravery, worth, and strength. Thank you for reminding me of all the love I have. Thank you for reminding me of the love God has for me. Thank you for giving me so much love and care. Thank you for saving my life and fighting for me. I appreciate you more than you know. I am forever grateful to have met you and to know you. You inspire me. You are so loved, worthy, brave, and strong. Never ever forget that. 

I hope sharing my story can give hope to any of you out there struggling with your sexuality or gender identity. I will always accept everyone for who they are. I will always fight for you. I choose to be the light in a room or world full of darkness. I will always be an activist and advocate for our community. If this article can just hit one person, it is so worth it.

Love is patient. Love is kind. Love never fails. Love always drives out darkness and hate. Love is love. Love always wins.

I am so happy to say that I am a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community. I am a proud lesbian. 

To all in the LGBTQ+ community: I am so proud of you. You are so strong, loved, worthy, and brave. Never stop being who you are. You inspire me. You are never alone. The world needs you. Continue to shine bright. Continue to dream big. Continue to thrive. You are here for a reason.

Always be your true authentic self. 

Never ever stop saying gay. 

If you are struggling or know anyone that is struggling, please reach out to any trusted family member or loved one, teacher, coach, counselor, any other trusted adult, or utilize one of the resources listed below. It is okay not to be okay, you are NEVER alone, and the world is better with you in it.

LGBTQ+ Resources:

*In case of an immediate emergency, call 911 or go to your local emergency room*

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 1-800-273-8255 or visit  www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

Crisis Text Line: Text SIGNS to 741741 for 24/7, anonymous, free crisis counseling

Trans Lifeline: 1-877-565-8860

The Trevor Project’s Trevor Lifeline: 1-866-488-7386

LGBT National Helpline: 1-888-843-4564

LGBT National Youth Talkline: 1-800-246-7743

GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network): https://www.glsen.org/ 

Human Rights Campaign: https://www.hrc.org/ 

LGBT National Help Center: http://www.glbtnationalhelpcenter.org/ 

Sources:

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article259180423.html 

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/12/opinion/florida-dont-say-gay-bill.html 

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/dont-gay-bill-passes-florida-senate/story?id=83301889 

https://apnews.com/article/dont-say-gay-bill-passes-florida-legislature-b173917e985833963e45a8d0464a4399 

Women all around the world have been fighting oppression and biases for centuries. While we have come far in society over time, many women are still battling for equal rights. International Women’s Day is a celebration of the cultural, historical, and political accomplishments of women. This day, March 8, also is supporting the actions against gender inequality. March 8th has been the fixed date for International Women's Day since 1914, when the day was moved to be in line with Russian women who celebrated the day on February 23rd on the Gregorian calendar. International Women’s day has had a tradition of having themes; in 2005 the theme was ¨Woman in Decision Making¨. 2021´s theme was ¨Better Relations with Men¨, and the 2022 theme is ¨#BreakTheBias¨. These themes are meant to draw attention to problems and inspire people to take action.

I assume most people have heard the trending sound all over Tik-Tok, ¨How many women do you know that actually have hobbies?¨ Where he goes into good, nurturing, feminine qualities that men see as "green flags". Shout out to @GoodBroBadBro for being the prime example of why #breakthebias is the theme this year. These type of biases contribute to keeping women from growing in their environments and support uneducated, sexist opinions of women's capabilities and value. 

In every aspect of a woman's life they may face biased advice, often from men, on how to "be a woman". As a country we have made tremendous steps on the path for Women's Rights, and, as the country trucks on, it is important for all of us to continue to use our voices to support our society's fair treatment of all citizens, regardless of gender. Sometimes we can contribute to problematic misperceptions without recognizing it.

So this International Women's Day, take a second to reflect on how you can be an advocate for women and gender equality. Thinking before we act and speak is one of the first steps if our goal is to #breakthebias.

For many, upon hearing the words “Covid-19 Pandemic”, visions of isolation, loneliness, and depression flood their brains. However, for some, thoughts of art, new perspectives and boundaries, and flourishing opportunities come to mind. With the wake of this seemingly never-ending pandemic, artists everywhere of all varieties have been forced to reimagine their crafts. Musicians performing virtual or audienceless concerts, singer-songwriters using social media to promote their art, writers weaving the pandemic into their storylines, and artists using Covid-19 as their muse are just some examples of how the pandemic has affected traditional art forms. Despite the changes in approach, Covid has allowed for new opportunities society has never before imagined. 

As we inch closer back into pre-pandemic plays, concerts, and other live events, it is important to reflect on the several virtual performances that took place over the pandemic. Numerous music artists performed at online concerts. Unlike a traditional, in-person concert, viewers from countries all around the world were able to join in for the same show! One artist who did just this was Niall Horan. In fact, Horan’s concert, on November 7, 2020, drew in viewers from over 150 countries. At $20 a ticket, he sold over 125,000 tickets, totaling to over $2 million. However, Horan made it clear that he was not personally profiting from the ticket sales; he was giving the money made off of merchandise and tickets directly to his touring crew. In a time of lost jobs and economic insecurity for many, he used the difficult situation to not only unite his fans, but give back to his own crew as well. 

Niall Horan was not the only musician to use this new normal to their advantage. With the rising popularity of the social media app, TikTok, many aspiring musicians and other creatives used the app to find a voice and self-promote during the pandemic. Especially during the initial stages of the lockdown, creatives were forced to reimagine their crafts and marketing tactics. Even those who didn’t have an existing platform were met with increasing boredom. For some, their strategy for fighting said boredom was to create music and share it on social media apps just like TikTok. Scroll on your “for you page” for a few minutes, and it is more than likely that you will come across a small artist’s video. For example, an alt folk artist, Daniel Nunnelee, shared an audio of his unreleased song, “Pick and Choose” on the app, and almost instantly, he gained a substantial amount of support and positive feedback. Nunnelee was faced with thousands of people asking him to release the full song. This was a remarkably smart marketing tactic, because before the song was even released, the artist knew he would have people listening to it when it was out! Admirably, he used a time of existing isolation to create art that would, in turn, unite thousands of people across the globe.

Aside from music specifically, the pandemic has influenced other art forms as well. Covid has also allowed for writers to create new storylines within TV shows or books. Jodi Picoult, author of popular books like My Sister’s Keeper and The Storyteller, published a pandemic-influenced book in November of 2021. While many cringe upon the thought of implementing Covid-19 into a work of fiction, Picoult saw it as a way to unite, explaining, “‘I have written a book about this one experience that everyone on the planet has lived through’” (www.wyff4.com). The novel, entitled Wish You Were Here, takes place during the very beginning of the pandemic and focuses on a main character stranded in the Galapagos. Reviewers raved over Picoult’s ability to seamlessly weave the current crisis into a work of fiction, something very few have been able to accomplish. 

Not only did novelists use the pandemic as a means of inspiration, but screenwriters as well. Several popular TV shows, such as “Grey’s Anatomy”, “Black-ish”, and “This Is Us” have managed to incorporate the pandemic into their storylines. The wake of Covid-19 allowed for writers of these shows, among others, to create new stories that they know are relevant and resonate with their audience. “Grey’s Anatomy”, a popular medical drama series, obviously focused on the medical professionals’ perspectives throughout the pandemic. “Black-ish”, although a family-centered sitcom, featured a medical perspective as well, as one of the main characters on the show is a doctor. The show seemed to tackle a horde of other covid-centered situations, as well, though, such as dating as a teen during a pandemic, and the strain on families during extended time together. Furthermore, many fans of “This Is Us” were skeptical of the writers’ ability to seamlessly incorporate a pandemic into their storyline considering the nature of the show. But, thankfully, they pulled it off successfully, without making it a major plot point.

Finally, many artists, such as painters and digital artists, have gained their inspiration from the many emotions they faced throughout isolation. A San Francisco local, Jennifer M. Potter, created an emotionally-engaging digital piece entitled “Social Distancing in the Mission”. She told the Washington Post, “I drew this after picking up groceries one day. As I walked around the neighborhood, I was heartened to see how people and small businesses were adapting. Even though we can’t socialize in the usual way, seeing everyone make an effort strengthens the sense of community I feel, and I wanted to share that feeling with others” (Washington Post). For centuries, art has served as a unifying force among strangers. This piece was no different as it perfectly encapsulated the small victories we have felt in communities all around the world. 

While many people have focused on the losses they have faced due to Covid, it is beneficial to also acknowledge the platforms it has created. People everywhere have been forced to reanalyze their daily lives and how they interact with people, leading to new innovations in technology, socialization, and specifically, art. With the rise of technology, artists everywhere did not have to suffer as tremendous of a loss as they may have if the pandemic had occurred, say, one hundred years ago. In fact, it could be argued that the pandemic actually benefited artists in the context that they discovered new perspectives of their craft! 

Sources

https://screenrant.com/covid-19-tv-storylines-2020/

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13841384/

https://www.npr.org/2021/11/30/1060015365/famed-author-jodi-picoult-novelizes-the-pandemic-in-new-book-wish-you-were-here

https://bookclubchat.com/books/review-wish-you-were-here-by-jodi-picoult/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2020/07/06/art-pandemic-readers/

https://www.wyff4.com/article/security-video-russian-military-vehicles-cross-ukraine/39198714

The Winter Olympics are back! The origin of the celebration dates back to 1924, when the first was held in Chamonix, France. Since then, they have been held every four years, excluding a brief pause in 1936, due to World War II. The 2022 Winter Olympics began on February 4th and will end on February 20th. This year, they are being held in Beijing, the capital of China, along with certain events in Yanqing and Zhangjiakou. However, it is impossible to ignore the backlash the host country is receiving due to its human rights violations against Uyghur Muslims (cbsnews.com). Because of this, the US, UK, Canada, along with seven other countries, have “declared a diplomatic boycott” against the games, meaning they sent athletes but no official ministers or officials (www.bbc.com). 

Aside from the lack of officials from several countries, the games have proceeded as normally as possible considering the Covid-19 Pandemic. This year’s Winter Olympics consists of over 109 medal events in sports such as skiing, figure skating, hockey, and snowboarding. Due to the pandemic, no tickets have been sold to the general public and only “selected” audience members from inside the country are allowed to attend (www.olympics.nbcsports.com). 

Despite it only being day seven of the Games (as of February 10th), there have already been some remarkable moments to highlight! The first U.S. gold medal of this year’s olympics went to a snowboarder named Lindsay Jacobellis! Her first Olympic games was in 2006, when she made a fumble that unfortunately cost her the gold medal. However, she explained that she likely would have quit the sport if she won the gold medal back then, because she wasn’t quite enjoying it (thecut.com). While on the subject of gold medals, a fifteen-year-old figure skater from Russia, Kamila Valieva, earned her first gold medal on February 6th! In fact, she is the first woman ever at the Olympics to land a jump called the quad Salchow. This jump requires the skater to make four complete rotations in the air, and Valieva landed it perfectly!

If you may have missed the first few days of the Winter Olympics, not to worry—there are plenty of events left to watch! Although there are over 109 events to name, some fan-favorites include figure skating, snowboarding, skiing, and hockey. Figure skating began on February 3rd and will continue until the 19th. Olympic snowboarding events started on the 4th and will end on Monday, February 14th. As for skiing, alpine and freestyle skiing last from February 2nd to the 18th. Finally, women’s hockey also began on the 2nd and will continue until the 16th, the 19th for the men. For a complete schedule, visit www.NBCOlympics.com!

If you are one of those looking to watch the Olympics in its remaining ten days, you must take into account the thirteen-hour time difference between the Eastern Time Zone and China Standard Time. This means that the evening events will air during the morning in EST, and vice versa. The Olympics are available to watch on various platforms, including NBC Universal, Peacock, and several streaming services. For specific times and channels check the schedule online! The 2022 Winter Olympics have certainly gone by in a flash thus far, and the last few days are likely to do the same! Be sure to check out some of the events for some thrilling entertainment!

As of February 6th, Russia has amassed 3/4 of the troops necessary to invade Ukraine. Since March of last year, Russia has been mobilizing troops near its border with Ukraine, the largest mobilization of troops at the Ukrainian border since Russia’s invasion and annexation of Crimea in 2014. The world is worried about a Russian invasion of Ukraine, as it would have massive consequences for the world and especially NATO, the military alliance led by the United States. Although it is unknown if NATO will intervene as an alliance in Ukraine, it is presumed that the United States would intervene. If the United States intervenes, Russia could stop the flow of natural gas to western Europe, which constitutes a third of Europe’s supply. If Russia stops, the price of natural gas in Western Europe would skyrocket as Europe’s natural gas reserves are low. 

The 3/4 of troops stated previously amounts to around 100,000 Russian troops, which seems small in comparison to Ukraine’s military which is estimated at around 250,000 soldiers. The problem lies in the fact that Ukraine’s military is often seen as incompetent, while Russia’s military is seen as one of the best in the world, often attempting to compete with the United States. The total force of the Russian military is around 1,000,000 soldiers, but the Russians are currently unwilling to devote more troops to their mobilization near the Ukrainian border. 

Many American citizens and politicians are against a possible intervention in Ukraine. The President of the United States of America, Joe Biden, has claimed that he would not send troops to intervene, but has sent more and more troops to Eastern Europe. The United States could put thousands of American lives on the line if they eventually decide to intervene.

If the United States does not intervene, it begs the question of what precedent is to be set if we allow Russia to go on a war of aggression to conquer land in Eastern Europe. After all, the number one Russian demand was for NATO to stop expanding into Eastern Europe. If we do not intervene and stop Russia, the precedent could be set that the United States and NATO will not attempt to stop aggressive Russian expansion in Eastern Europe. If we do not stop Russia from invading Ukraine, Russia could target Belarus and the Baltic countries next. 

What do you think we should do about Russia’s aggression? Should we intervene? Or should we not intervene? These are just a few of the many questions being asked about this new geopolitical crisis that could affect the lives of every person on Earth.

February 2nd marked the 36th annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day. On February 3, 1987, President Ronald Reagan signed Proclamation 5606 which created Nation Women in Sports Day. Women’s sports receive a lot of backlash, many people often treating them as a joke. At high school and college levels, many of the young women fail to receive the proper funding. While professional female athletes get compared to men, we have all heard WNBA jokes. How the women can’t dunk and the men’s basketball is just more interesting. This is what every female athlete deals with every time they put their jersey on. Thus, this day is dedicated to all female athletes and to appreciate what they have accomplished over the years. Not only that, but they continue to inspire young female athletes to keep moving and realize their full potential. 

We have many girl sports right here at Seneca: basketball, soccer, cheerleading, softball, field hockey, etc. All of these girls work hard every day at practice to perform well and pursue their athletic dreams, yet they fail to receive the recognition they deserve. Even on this special day, they barely get more than a post on their school’s Twitter page.

I interviewed three students, all female athletes from Seneca. Ashley Grello, a Junior who has participated in Cheerleading for the past three years. Nikki Mejia-Ranno, a Junior who has swam for Seneca since her freshman year. And finally, Kate Matthiessen who is currently playing for the Seneca Girls Varsity Basketball Team.

Ashley Grello Interview

Q: What stereotypes do you face as a cheerleader and how do you handle them?

A: Some stereotypes of cheerleaders are that we are dumb and selfish. I just continue to be myself and act like it doesn’t affect me.

Q: Why do you continue to do cheerleading?

A: I continue to cheer because I love the energy and environment. Our team is like a family. I have gotten so close to all the girls on the team. 

Q: What is something you’d like to say to a younger girl thinking about starting cheerleading? 

A: Something I would like to say is cheerleading is a great way to meet new people and be yourself. Joining the team is one of the best things I’ve ever done.

Nikki Mejia-Ranno Interview

Q: Why do you continue to swim?

A: I continue to swim because of the coaches and because I’ve been swimming for a good amount of time. 

Q: What is something you’d like to say to a younger girl thinking about starting to swim? 

A: I would say that it can get really challenging, but once you get past all of the nerves, the meets and practices are very fun regardless if the team wins or loses.

Kate Matthiessen Interview

Q: What stereotypes do you face as a basketball player and how do you handle them?

A: It’s normally said how girls can’t be “as good” as boys at basketball and that the way girls play is so much different. But most of the time we work harder, and the outcomes of our games are better. 

Q:  What is something you’d like to say to a younger girl thinking about starting basketball? 

A: Go for it, you’ll never know who you’ll meet and how good you can really be at the game. 

Overall, women’s sports, at all levels (high school, collegiate, professional, etc.) often get pushed to the side. We never fully give female athletes the credit they deserve and that is something that needs to change. To all the female athletes out there, continue to play your hardest and never give up!

How It Got Started 

In 1915, Carter G. Woodsen and Jesse E. Moorland founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (also known as the ASNLH). This organization supported and promoted accomplishments made towards the African American community. It is now known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. In 1926, they sponsored a National Negro History Week. More specifically, the second week of February to commemorate the birthday of Fredrick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. Frederick Douglass was a slave in Maryland until he escaped and became a respectable leader in the Abolitionist Movement. Abraham Lincoln was the President of the United States when he issued an emancipation proclamation declaring that “all persons held as slaves are, and hence forward shall be free.” 

Centuries after the start of Negro History Week, colleges had began Black History Month to give more time to talk about the topic. In 1976 the President of the USA, Gerald Ford, recognized Black History Month. He urged the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” From then on the whole month of February was a chance for schools and communities to discuss and celebrate equality. 

Important People in Black History:

Sojourner Truth 

Sojourner Truth was a slave who escaped and became an advocate for civil and women’s rights. She was born in New York in 1797. In her teens, she met a slave and they ended up having five children together. Years later, she ran away with her baby Sofia. Sojourner sought out the Van Wageners who were an abolitionist family. They bought her freedom and sued for the freedom of Peter, her five year old son. A year later, she moved to New York City and worked for a minister. She had renamed herself Sojourner Truth because she said that the spirit called on her to speak the truth. 

William Lloyd Garison and Frederick Douglass met Sojourner and Garison’s anti-slavery organization inspired Truth to preach more about the immoral reality of slavery. Even though she didn’t know how to read or write that did not stop her from creating her own autobiography with the help of Olive Gilbert who helped publicize it. Soon after she became well known for her work. She met women’s rights activists and started a lecture tour where she shared her speech, “Ain’t I a Woman?”, in which she spoke on racial and gender inequality. She inspired many, helped slaves escape and was ultimately invited to the White House. Her contributions to the United States are immeasurable and should not be forgotten. 

Garrett Morgan

Garrett Morgan was an inventor and businessman who paved the way for other African American inventors. He was born on March 4, 1877 and only had an elementary education when he began work as a handyman for a wealthy landowner. Later on, he took a job at a sewing machine factory because he enjoyed learning about sewing machines and how to fix them. He gained a patent and started his own repair business. His business was a success which gave him an opportunity to marry Mary Anne Hassek and they had three sons. With the money he gained from his business he gained financial freedom and was able to invent. His most successful and popular inventions include a breathing device (which was the prototype for gas masks used in World War 1) and the traffic light.

Alice Coachman

Alice Coachman was the first black woman to win a gold medal in the Olympics. She was born in Georgia and had a love for track and high jump, yet growing up in the South in 1923 made that difficult. She resorted to using old equipment and running on dirt roads. In 1996, after her Olympic win, she told the New York Times, “If I had gone to the Games and failed, there wouldn’t be anyone to follow in my footsteps. It encouraged the rest of the women to work harder and fight harder.” After she retired from track she started the Alice Coachman Track and Field Foundation which was created to help young athletes financially. Later, she was inducted into the Hall of Fame and even had an elementary school named after her. Coachman lived to be 90 years old and was an inspiration to all African American athletes. 

In conclusion, Black History Month is a time to not only continue the discussion of equality and discrimination in America, but also to pay tribute to the many African Americans who made great strides in the community. The whole month of February is dedicated to Black History and I hope you take this opportunity to learn more and educate others. 

Sources:

https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-month

https://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured-documents/emancipation-proclamation#:~:text=President%20Abraham%20Lincoln%20issued%20the,and%20henceforward%20shall%20be%20free.%22 

https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/sojourner-truth 

https://www.biography.com/inventor/garrett-morgan 

https://www.usatf.org/athlete-bios/alice-coachman 

Every year on February 2nd, the world watches as Phil the Groundhog (Punxsutawney Phil) peeks out of his burrow to see if spring is on the way. If Phil sees his shadow, it’s believed he gets scared and runs back into his burrow predicting another six weeks of winter; however, if it isn’t scared back by his shadow, it’s claimed spring will come early that year. This event takes place in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, and is broadcasted on national television. Though other states have adopted their own weather-predicting groundhogs, the one in Pennsylvania is the most well-known. 

The first Groundhog Day took place on February 2, 1887. This holiday has roots back to ancient Christians that would give out candles for the winter and the candles determined the length of that winter. When German settlers came to Pennsylvania, they expanded this idea to animals. They chose a hedgeho at first and later switched to the groundhog. In 1887, a newspaper article claimed the groundhog, named Phil, was able to predict the weather, and the traditional Groundhog Day was born.

While the holiday stems around superstition, some modern-day science backs it up. Every February, male groundhogs peek out of their burrows to determine whether or not to wake up the females for the spring. Therefore, if the groundhog doesn't go back into its burrow, it is warm enough to wake up, indicating a possible early spring. Research shows that groundhogs are even coming out of hibernation about a month earlier than they were decades ago, aligning with global warming. Scientists claim that the groundhog is right about 40% of the time. So while the groundhog being scared of his shadow is superstitious, some research provides evidence supporting the possibility that the Groundhog’s predictions are not completely random.

Overall, Groundhogs Day is a unique and special tradition in the United States and has been for years. This year, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, meaning we have 6 more weeks of winter! Yay…

Sources:

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-groundhog-day 

https://sciencemadefun.net/blog/the-science-behind-groundhog-day/ 

Even in some of the earliest recorded civilizations, music was a unifying force among humans. Today, music’s relevance is substantial in cultures everywhere, and it has been proven to provide many benefits to the mind. Not only can it improve mood, memory, and mental health, but music can also be a form of therapy for people from all walks of life.

A song playing on the radio and instantly lifting your spirits or the joy you gain from hearing your favorite artist live are just a few examples of music improving mood. Studies have shown that it can “boost the brain’s production of the hormone dopamine”, which “helps relieve feelings of anxiety and depression” (www.northshore.org). Not only does it boost dopamine, but listening to music involves “the same pleasure center in the brain as other forms of pleasure” (www.psychologytoday.org). The amygdala, the part of the brain that is responsible for mood and emotions, directly processes music. A study by Kim Innes, a professor of epidemiology, proved that meditation and music have similar effects, in that both produce positive moods (www.time.com). 

Music doesn’t only have the ability to improve mood, but it can improve memory, as well. There have been numerous cases of dementia patients being able to tie certain songs to memories from their younger lives. Specifically, Harvard Health states that “listening to and performing music reactivates areas of the brain associated with memory” (www.health.harvard.edu). This provides a scientific basis for memories people may have associated with specific songs. Memory and music are closely tied together, research has found. 

Mood and memory are not the only things affected by music, but mental health, too! Playing an instrument, hearing relatable song lyrics, or even writing your own, can all contribute to flourishing mental health and treating mental illnesses. Similar to journaling to benefit mental health, writing and composing songs is a great coping method. It is no coincidence that listening to calming music can allow the listener to feel less anxiety— instrumental or classical music actually reduces anxiety by up to 65% (www.openminds.org.au). 

Over time, new forms of medicine and therapy have developed. One kind of therapy that is being used increasingly often is called music therapy. Music therapy was first officially recognized in 1945 by the United States War Department. Its purpose was to help patients in Army hospitals. From veterans with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) to people with chronic illnesses, people from all backgrounds are able to be treated with music therapy in the present day. This form of therapy can work by going in for sessions, or it can take place in schools and hospitals. Music therapy typically consists of one or all of the following: creating music, singing, listening to music, talking about lyrics, or playing instruments. (www.clevelandclinic.org). Its benefits include those in emotional, psychological, physical, spiritual, cognitive, and social areas. For example, it can actually reduce pain or asthma episodes (www.clevelandclinic.org). 

In today’s society, music is everywhere. With the plethora of physical and mental health benefits it provides, it makes sense how much the world embraces music in all of its forms. In the future, if you find yourself in a stressful situation, consider listening to an acoustic or a classical song—your brain will thank you!

Whenever a teen complains of having a problem or being stressed, they immediately get shut down. What reason do they have for being stressed? “Wait until you are an adult then tell me about your problems!” most will say. There are some other reasons why self-care seems so out of reach for many teens. On almost every social media platform you will see some woman in her matching workout set drinking her green smoothie out of a mason jar talking about how “You too can learn to love yourself with these three simple steps”. Yeah, it can make you feel pretty bad about yourself, right?  

Since self-care has been made out as selfish and this luxurious process, many teens learn coping mechanisms for whatever they are feeling and once they are adults or on their own, they continue these poor habits. However, if the idea of self-care was introduced at a younger age, these problems and stresses could possibly be more manageable. 

To begin with, self-care can help reduce stress. Taking a break in a tub of warm bubbles or in the company of an experienced masseuse can help your body release all the built-up stress so you are able to take that mental vacation. This is called the relaxation response that allows you to keep that refreshed and relaxed feeling. Many teenagers have after-school jobs and homework once they get home. This relaxation response can help you manage the workload without the overbearing fear of not getting it done. Prioritizing your body and mind can remind others as well as yourself that your needs are important. Having a well-cared-for body can make you feel good about yourself and your life, and convey to others that you value yourself. Giving your body some special treatment is a natural way to relieve stress. Meditation, massages, baking, sleeping, these activities continue to be effective tools for relaxation as we get older, but we sometimes forget to utilize them.

Sometimes self-care is not as fun as taking a well-deserved nap. Self-care can include cleaning your room, studying for that test, going on that run. While this may be boring or not as self-indulgent, it is part of your daily basic necessities. When you’re stressed, it can be tempting to put off these tasks in favor of a more relaxing activity under the guise of self-care. But think about it like this: keeping up with your schoolwork and maintaining a comfortable living space is self-care for Future You. Doing all the not-so-fun stuff now can lead to a relaxing bubble bath or a nice long nap. 

Overall, self-care is important for everyone but especially for teens, it leads to good healthy habits in the future. While it may seem tedious now or pointless, if you start small, you will eventually see beneficial results. 

With the new year comes new traditions, meaning that most people claim they will start a new habit or modify their behavior to better an aspect in their life; however, after a few days or weeks, many of these goals become forgotten aspirations. One reason these resolutions don’t stick, could be that they are so big and daunting that starting them can be stressful or seem impossible. Many new year's resolutions are too vague, like eating healthier or working out more. Setting specific goals for yourself makes the tasks seem less daunting and more manageable. Instead of claiming you are going to go to the gym, plan specific workouts you can do in a set amount of time each week, slowly building up the workouts as you progress. 

Not all your New Year's Resolutions have to be a big commitment, you can create small tasks you want to accomplish or start doing. For example, reading for a set amount of time each day or week doesn't have to be time consuming or stressful, in fact reading can actually help reduce stress. If you set a specific goal for how much you want to read in a day, week, month, or year based on your available time, you can easily achieve that goal that you modified for yourself. 

Another example could be spending a certain amount of time outside. Especially with the cold weather and shorter days, people spend the majority of their time inside working, learning, or doing other activities. Setting a goal to spend 20 minutes outside a day is a great way to reduce stress and achieve your goal. This could assist in achieving goals for working out as well. 

Finally, another seemingly small yet important New Year’s Resolution idea could be to practice mindfulness or participate in an activity you enjoy for no other reason than that you enjoy it. This could be journaling, drawing, baking, meditating, sewing, or anything else that makes you happy. Set a goal to make sure you spend time focusing on yourself and you may find that you reduce your overall stress.

With this New Year, remember to set attainable goals for that you will be able to reach and surpass without adding on a ton of stress. Try setting specific goals that range from small habit changes to long-term lifestyle goals.

On the third Monday of every January, the United States observes Martin Luther King Jr. Day in honor of late Civil Rights Activist, Martin Luther King Jr. In November of 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed a bill making MLK day a federal holiday after a lengthy 32-year battle. On January 20, 1986, the first federal Martin Luther King Jr. Day was observed. However, it took until 2000 for all 50 states to adopt it as a state holiday. 2022 marks 36 years of Martin Luther King Jr. Day being observed.

On January 15, 1929, Michael King Jr. was born in Atlanta, Georgia to his parents, Reverend Michael King Sr., and Alberta Williams King. He was the middle child with two other siblings, Christine and Alfred. Martin did not have Luther in his name until a trip to Germany in 1934. His father added Luther to his name in honor of a Protestant leader in Germany named Martin Luther. Martin and his siblings grew up attending Ebenezer Baptist Church where his grandfather, A.D. Williams, was a pastor. When A.D. died in 1931, King Sr. took over as pastor. Overall, Martin and his siblings had a very joyful upbringing. Their mother taught them how to play the piano very young and their father and grandfather gave them spiritual teachings. 

Although they had a very happy home, the King siblings started seeing the injustice and inequality black people faced at a very early age. Jim Crow laws were in full effect during their childhood. One of Martin’s first experiences with segregation was when the family was ushered out of a shoe store because black people were not allowed in that specific shop. Sadly, this was not the only experience of discrimination and hate Martin would face in his childhood. Martin Sr. fought against segregation and believed prejudice was considered an affront to God’s will. At the age of five, King Jr. entered public school and was baptized.

Martin Jr. was a very smart student. He attended Booker T. Washington High School where he skipped grades nine and eleven. Astoundingly, at the age of 15, he entered Morehouse College in 1944. Although very smart in high school, he struggled with feeling unmotivated through his first two years of college. Martin was inspired by the President of Morehouse College, Benjamin E. Mays, to use his faith as a force for social change. While he struggled in the beginning, in 1948, he graduated with a degree in sociology. King then attended Crozer Theological Seminary in Chester, Pennsylvania. In 1951, he graduated as the valedictorian of his class. Furthermore, he got accepted into Boston University where he continued his education for his doctorate degree. 

At Boston University, he met Coretta Scott, who he would later marry and have children with. At the time, Coretta was an aspiring musician and singer attending New England Conservatory School in Boston. Martin and Coretta got married in June of 1953. They went on to have four children, Yolanda, Martin Luther King III, Dexter Scott, and Bernice. 

At the age of 25, Martin completed his doctorate program and earned his Ph.D. In 1954, he became the pastor at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama.

King was a leader of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a civil rights protest where African-Americans refused to ride city buses in Montgomery, Alabama due to segregation. Four days before the boycott, Rosa Parks, an African-American woman, was arrested for not giving her bus seat up to a white man. The Montgomery Bus Boycott was the first mass demonstration against segregation. 

Civil Rights leaders knew how much more the issues of segregation needed to be recognized nationwide. Martin Luther King Jr. along with Ralph Abernathy and 60 other ministers and civil rights activists founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. The SCLC helped put together non-violent civil rights protests, lectured religious and civil rights leaders on segregation, and helped Black people become registered to vote.

King is most notably known for his famous “I Have a Dream Speech”. On August 28, 1963, he stood near the Lincoln Memorial and spoke to over 200,000 people in Washington, D.C. He spoke the famous words, “I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." 

His “I Have a Dream Speech” led to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 being passed. This act allowed the federal government to take action and desegregate public accommodations and ban discrimination in publicly owned facilities. Also, it led King to win the Nobel Peace Prize for his activism in 1964.

In 1968, King was assassinated by a former convict named James Earl Ray. He was standing on a balcony outside his room in the Lorraine Motel where he was shot. It took an international manhunt and two months for Ray to be found and jailed. He later would plead guilty and be sentenced to 99 years in prison. After King’s assassination, people took to the streets to riot and hold demonstrations.

All in all, Martin Luther King Jr. was a pioneer for civil rights. He is by far the most well-known activist to have been alive.  If there is one thing we can learn from him, it is to never judge others based on their appearance, but as he said, the content of their character. Let’s continue that dream for King. We must always choose to love one another no matter our appearance or differences. 

Sources:

https://www.biography.com/activist/martin-luther-king-jr

https://www.history.com/news/martin-luther-king-jr-day-controversial-origins-of-the-holiday

https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/how-martin-luther-king-jr-s-birthday-became-a-holiday-3#:~:text=President%20Ronald%20Reagan%20signed%20the,states%20had%20already%20adopted%20it.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Martin-Luther-King-Jr-Day

It’s often said that the graduating class of 2020 had a rough senior year, because they lost everything to this sudden, scary, sinister pandemic with only three months left of their high school career. This followed along with the class of 2021, because they lost out on a lot as well. However, some people argue that the class of 2022 didn’t have it “that bad” or that others may have “had it worse”. The intention of this writing is not to claim ownership of who should have more pity, but to instead talk about why the class of 2022 should also receive acknowledgement for their severe struggles for the past two years.

2018 was the year that Seneca High School would host its final “normal” school year. Yet, none of us were aware of that at the time. The class of 2022 were incoming freshmen at that point in time. They got to make memories with their friends, attend all school events without restrictions, and did almost every assignment on paper. People would make friends, they’d smile & they’d cry; there was no hiding it. It had its ups and downs and it was a memorable experience for almost everyone. The end of freshman year rolled around and nearly everyone was having the time of their lives. Teachers would play games after their final assignments were handed out, treats would be thrown around in celebration of a hard year's work, and friends would hang out in the halls; their contagious smiles spreading to those around them. 

Their sophomore year started out the same as the year prior. Things were going as before until rumors of a virus around Christmas time started spreading. People would make jokes and poke fun about it because we thought it would soon blow over; but in reality, everyone was looking forward to the two weeks off school. Friday, March 13th of 2020 rolled around and we got the announcement that we’d be virtual for two weeks. Then, two weeks turned into every week…for the rest of the year. Many students in the class of 2022 were excited because they could sleep in more, but there were those who found this to be awful. Hardly any teachers would set up zoom meetings or google meets, so it didn’t feel like a “real” school experience that we were all accustomed to.  Everyone made do with what we had, and it wasn't long until summer hit. Many Seneca students would comment that this didn’t feel like a regular summer, because when the in-person school year ended, that felt like the start of summer, meaning they feel they missed out on at least half of a school year.

When the announcement was released that we would be alternating cohorts to come into school for 2020-2021, many were relieved to experience a sense of normalcy for the first time in months. When they opened the doors on that first day, it was anything but. All around, there wasn’t a smile in sight. Mandatory wipedowns of each desk at the start of class resulted in dried out hands. Lack of lunch and lowered interaction left some kids feeling alone and anxious. Everything had changed, and several people opted to be fully virtual. This made our once united Seneca Family feel like a broken and small shell of itself & the effects lasted for the entire year.

This year, things are starting to lift up a bit. We can see all of our friends & peers again. We have the ability to socialize during lunch and mandates have relaxed a lot, allowing us to still have fun. Our only “normal” school year, however, was freshman year. It’s disappointing to know how much we missed out on, through the past (almost) two years being really wonky. It makes it seem like we’ve missed out on most of our high school experience that all teens look forward to. Deep down I still feel like a sophomore, maybe a junior, despite the fact that in seven months, I’ll be moving into my college dorm. We got a taste of a normal year here at Seneca during 2018, and it was really fun for so many students. After that got ripped away, it’s hard knowing we could have had a much easier, fun few years here. There's so much more in the unknown that we cannot foresee, and it makes me nervous for the class of 2023 as well; their situation is similar to ours. The best the class of 2022 can do at the moment is try to know that we’ve powered through everything and deserve this year to be a great one and so far, it seems that it’s shaping up to be just that! 

It is wild that 2022 is only NINE DAYS AWAY! With the Covid-19 Pandemic, it feels like we are still living in 2020. New Year’s resolutions and goals are very popular when New Year’s rolls around but with so much uncertainty, what are people actually predicting for 2022? What will be the biggest issues we face in the new year? Will there be some sort of normalcy? Some of the main topics of 2021 were the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change, economic issues, human rights inequalities, and mental health awareness. I asked people around me “With the occurring issues going on in the world, what are your predictions for 2022?” After asking a lot of people in my life and researching online, there were a few recurring predictions people made. The top 5 recurring predictions I found were: things will go back to normal in regards to the pandemic, the pandemic will get worse again, more people will switch to working from home, mental health will become even more talked about, and more companies and cities will become greener.

It’s almost been two years since the Covid-19 pandemic began. With vaccines being widely available to everyone ages 5 and up, many people have been left with a sense of relief and hope for the future. To continue, the vaccines have been proven to reduce the risk of transmission and severe illness. This has allowed for places to reopen such as restaurants, schools, stadiums, theaters, and so on! More normalcy was felt in 2021 due to the vaccines being developed and made available to the public. However, with holiday travel, gatherings, and new variants arising, cases are on the rise yet again. This brings me to the next prediction, some people believe Covid-19 will only get worse again. 

Recently, a new variant known as Omicron was found in South Africa. It has spread to the United States with more cases now being found around the world. Doctors and scientists have said it is a concern because of its high number of mutations and rapid spread. Covid infections have skyrocketed here in New Jersey and the country as a whole. This has left broadway shows being canceled, professional sports games being postponed, and much more. Also, there are lots of questions floating around in regards to, “What do we do now?”. For some, it brings them back to March 2020, when the global pandemic first begna. Furthermore, for others, they feel fear and worry because they do not want to go through another quarantine. Thankfully, even if there is a surge of Covid, experts say it will be less severe because the vaccines prevent severe illness in most cases. 

Remember in March 2020 when people started working from home? Well, that has not gone away. Around 45% of Americans are either working remotely full-time or part-time. Hybrid work is the most preferred way to work for employees who work remotely. For many, working from home has allowed them to be closer to their family and have more time to accomplish tasks. There is no need to worry about getting to work on time and you can save gas for example. In addition, many office buildings have been left empty because their workers are now working from home. This is either because of Covid safety precautions or companies no longer want to pay for space that is not being used. It is believed that the number of people that will work remotely will continue to rise due to Covid, money saving, and preference. 

Another big topic that has come with the pandemic is mental health. There have been elevated rates of insomnia, anxiety, depression, alcohol and drug use, and grief. Specifically, anxiety and depressive disorders diagnoses have severely increased. Isolation, social distancing, Covid-19 itself, unemployment, and financial trouble are just a few reasons as to why mental health challenges have increased. It is very important that if you or anyone is struggling you reach out for help to a trusted person in your life or helpline. You are never alone. 

Recently, many countries and companies have made promises to fight climate change. The United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Norway are some countries that have promised to reach net zero emissions by 2050. Many countries have adopted the Paris agreement to fight climate change as well. Equally important, some car companies have made goals to go all electric by a certain date in the future. Moreover, many restaurants and fast food chains have added plant based options to their menus. These are just a few of the many ways countries and companies are going more green!

There is a lot of uncertainty that comes with a new year, especially with the situation we are currently in. Remember, we are all in this together and we can get through it together. No matter what happens in 2022, here at the Bird’s Eye View we wish you a happy and healthy New Year!

Sources:

https://www.mirror.co.uk/tech/expert-predicts-top-trends-2022-25745253

https://news.gallup.com/poll/355907/remote-work-persisting-trending-permanent.aspx

https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/exploring-the-global-consequences-of-the-covid19-pandemic

https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/stress-coping/cope-with-stress/index.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fdaily-life-coping%2Fmanaging-stress-anxiety.html

https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/climate-action/

Baseball has come to a stop. 

When the clock struck 12:01 am on December 2nd, Major League Baseball stopped. This was the result of the expiration of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association. Let’s look at why this happened, and what both sides want. 

First off, let’s look at what the owners of the 30 Major League teams want in this new CBA. The biggest talking point of the side of the owners is the proposal for a $100 million salary floor, meaning that teams must pay a hard minimum of $100 million per year in mbined salary. This is known as a “Salary Floor”. This would be important because there are many teams in the league paying their players combined well under $100 million, and it is no secret they are some of the worst teams in the league. The owner’s second large proposal was a change to the luxury tax system. Currently, teams paying over $210 million in combined yearly salary must pay a “luxury tax” to the league. The amount when you have to start paying the tax is set by the league every year. Currently, three teams pay the luxury tax. The amount you have to pay is relative to the amount in the salary paid to players each year. The owners have proposed a change to this system, with teams paying over $180 million dollars a year being subject to the tax. The owners also wanted a change to the current playoff system, making it 14 teams instead of the current 10 team playoff system added in 2012. This new system would include the team with the best record from the American League and National League (The two leagues that make up Major League Baseball) both getting a “bye”, guaranteeing that those teams would get to skip the first round of the playoffs. 

The players are not in favor of these salary limitations, and they have made it very clear they want increased compensation for players. They are opposed to the idea of a salary cap, which is a regulation in place where teams can not pay their salaries over a certain amount each year. It is worth noting that Major League Baseball is the only big four sports league (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL) without a salary cap. The MLBPA’s main concern is the want for more player control over their contract, specifically younger players and minor league/international prospects. If you are drafted, you are under the control of that team that drafted you for 6 years, although it is possible not to sign. The MLBPA wants to change this, and make sure that young players have the control over their contract that they want. 

The owners gave three separate proposals to the MLBPA, all three were rejected. The reason for the three different demands may seem strange, but the latter two demands included certain compromises to the Player’s Union. These compromises included; A draft lottery modeled after the NBA and a universal designated hitter (DH) to hit in place for the batter in both the National League and the American League, whereas now only the American League uses one. The salary floor and luxury tax thresholds were also modified for these new demands, seeing increases in both as the demands went on, attempting to appease the MLBPA. 

When will this end? Well, to put it simply: we don’t know. If this lockout lasts until at least February, Spring Training will be affected. Anything later could affect the regular season. This could mean pus- back or just loss of games. One thing is certain, however, this lockout will remain for at least until the beginning of 2022.

The Nobel Peace Prize Award is one of the most prestigious awards to date, given to someone who goes above and beyond to maintain peace between nations and promote peace worldwide. Alfred Nobel, a Swedish scientist and the creator of dynamite, left his fortune to be “annually distributed in the form of prizes to those who, during the preceding year, shall have conferred the greatest benefit on mankind” (from Nobel’s Will). December 10th is known as Nobel Peace Prize Day, the date of Alfred Nobel’s death, where the Nobel Prizes are presented annually. While the Nobel Peace Prize is arguably the most well-known, Nobel funded other prizes in other areas of art or scientific innovation such as chemistry, physics, physiology, medicine, and literature. The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo, Norway, while the other awards are awarded in Stockholm, Sweden.

Some notable past winners of the Nobel Peace prize include Martin Luther King Jr., Theodore Roosevelt, Malala Yousafzia, the Red Cross, Barack Obama, and Nelson Mandela. All of these people and organizations were awarded this prize for attempts made towards peace between people and nations. The Prize has also had some controversial winners and nominees throughout history. For example, in 1939, Adolf Hitler, who killed close to six million Jews throughout the Holocaust, was nominated for the Peace Prize. 

Even Alfred Nobel, whom the prize is named after, is seen as controversial and hypocritical. The creator of the Nobel Peace Prize, which set out to promote peace worldwide, was also the creator of one the biggest weapons used in war, dynamite. Some sources say he regretted his greatest invention and created and funded the Nobel Peace Prize as a way to fix the problems that his invention created, but a quote implies that he intended for his invention to be used as a weapon which would bring peace through war. Nobel stated, “Perhaps my factories will put an end to war sooner than your congresses: on the day that two army corps can mutually annihilate each other in a second, all civilized nations will surely recoil with horror and disband their troops.” This may mean that his invention of dynamite was intended to bring peace through violence and fear. Perhaps Nobel really did create the prize as an act of regret for his most famous invention, or maybe he created it to encourage innovation for future generations. 

Overall, despite some controversial winners, most recipients of this award have committed their lives to encouraging and maintaining peace or for breakthroughs and innovation in science and it remains important to acknowledge them.

The day after Thanksgiving is known for two things: lots of sleeping or lots of shopping. Most years, Black Friday is the busiest shopping day of the year, with lots of sales and lots of shoppers. For these sales to be present, the shelves need to be stocked to the max. If you haven't noticed by now, the global shortages of almost everything has caused shelves in stores to be near empty, with those remaining items having an inflated price. The global pandemic shut down the production of various essential items across the globe, with major consumer and industrial economies affected alike. When I realized that Black Friday is coming up, I instantly thought about how the shortages and economic hardships would affect this holiday of frantic consumerism. 

The lack of goods produced bundled with unemployment and lack of workers has led to massive inflation, unemployment, and shortages. The inflation rate in October of 2021 was 6.2%, up from 0.9% in September. This inflation is the largest since November of 1990 when the inflation rate was 5.4%. Inflation leads to the increase of prices across the board especially in areas such as food, energy, and technology. For example, gas is up 50% from a year ago, and energy is up 30% from a year ago. With goods having an increased price on average of 6.2% and massive work and item shortages, Black Friday this year will be shaken up drastically from what we know and love. 

My prediction for Black Friday this year will be very popular. Shoppers will see that item in front of them and know it's there, unlike shopping online where delays and shortages are prevalent today. Since there will be countless shoppers and not as many products to sell, I predict that stores and businesses won’t have as many or as drastic sales as usual. The social aspect of this will be great, as many shoppers will panic and rush to the stores. I and others predict this can cause violence and problems due to the multiple shoppers without lots of items to buy. Rumors and confirmed cases of nationwide or international strikes occurring on Black Friday and Cyber Monday have sent shockwaves throughout the media, with a group of disgruntled Amazon workers planning to protest on the company’s biggest days of the year. 

In recent years, Black Friday is becoming more and more digitized with the invention of Cyber Monday and massive sales on eCommerce giants such as Amazon. Many retail store’s websites also feature large sales, but not on the level as the ones in the store. I believe that this year there will not be many sales on websites other than Amazon due to the worker and product shortages worldwide. I predict that most of the sales and discounts will only be available in retail stores around the country. 

In conclusion, Black Friday this year will more than likely be packed and difficult to get products. I believe  that inflation, shortages of workers and goods, and unemployment will play as key factors in harming and slowing down this year’s holiday of consumerism.

Campbell Maenner

October marks two extraordinary events for the LGBTQIA+ community. The celebration of LGBT History Month and National Coming Out Day on October 11. The LGBTQIA+ community represents people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, nonbinary, and many other identities! October is truly a celebration to honor LGBTQIA+ rights and icons, as well as being proud of who you are!

Back in 1994, Rodney Wilson, a Missouri high school teacher, felt passionate about having a month dedicated to LGBT history. He rallied community leaders and other teachers to support his cause. October was the month selected, one reason being National Coming Out Day was a part of this month! The following year, the General Assembly of the National Education Association passed a resolution to include LGBT History Month as a commemorative month.

When LGBT history month was first celebrated, it was seen as a commemoration and a fight for equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. Presently, LGBT history month honors LGBT icons who have paved the way for the community. Every year, 31 new icons are recognized every October. To name a few, Susan B. Anthony, Karine Jean-Pierre, Janis Joplin, Janelle Monáe, and Ritchie Torres are figures being celebrated this month. 

National Coming Out Day was founded in 1988 by Richard Eichberg, a psychologist, and Jean O’ Leary, a gay rights activist. Their goal was to raise awareness for LGBT-identifying individuals and the community’s civil rights movement. October 11th was chosen because it was the anniversary of the second major National march on Washington for Gay and Lesbian Rights in 1987. Fun fact, over half a million people attended the second National march!

National Coming Out Day is a celebration of authenticity, love, and being proud of who you are! This year’s theme is “Born to Shine.” No matter what sexual orientation or gender identity you identify with, you can shine as bright as the sun and glow in someone else’s life every single day. Coming Out is not easy whatsoever, and it is okay to not be ready. Remember, come out when you are comfortable and it feels right. You are so brave no matter if you have come out already or not. Please know, you are strong, worthy, and so loved no matter what sexual orientation or gender identity you are. 

Here at The Bird’s Eye View, we accept you for who you are and are so proud of the person you are. Seneca’s GSA (Gay/Straight Alliance) is a welcoming place for anyone who identifies within the LGBTQIA+ community or is an ally! 

Sources:

https://lgbthistorymonth.com/background

https://www.glaad.org/blog/celebrate-lgbt-history-month

https://www.ucf.edu/news/why-do-we-celebrate-pride-month-in-june-and-lgbt-history-month-in-october/

https://www.hrc.org/resources/national-coming-out-day

https://www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/resources/coming-out-day

The month of June is a happy one, especially for those in the LGBTQIA+ community. Represented by the rainbow-colored flag, Pride Month is a month for those who are gay, bisexual, asexual, transgender, non-binary, or anything in between to celebrate who they are and how far they’ve come as a group. Despite its joyful meaning nowadays, the first Pride Month was actually a darker moment in our history. In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the events that have brought us to where we are today. 

On June 28th, 1969, riots broke out in Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in the Greenwich Village section of New York City. These were called the Stonewall riots or Stonewall uprisings. In the event, nine police officers entered the Stonewall Inn on the account the bar had no license to be selling liquor. They arrested all of the employees at the time and jostled most of the patrons there. The police officers also took multiple customers into custody for not wearing “gender appropriate” clothing (at the time New York authorized this type of arrest).

One of the most notable people at the riot was Marsha P. Johnson, a transgender woman of color and an activist. Although she wasn’t there in the beginning, many credit Johnson for throwing the first brick or shot glass that sparked the riots and engaging the already angry crowd. She, along with another transgender activist and self-proclaimed drag-queen, Sylvia Rivera, paved the way to help homeless LGBTQIA+ youth, creating the organization S.T.A.R., the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries. The Stonewall Inn would later be marked as a historic landmark in 2015 and a national monument by President Barack Obama in 2016.

The incident at Stonewall Inn would trigger the start of many pride parades to come, and the first parade would take place a year after. This year, 2021, will be the 52nd anniversary of the riot and the 51st pride month to come.

The antagonism of LGBTQIA+ individuals would continue throughout history as it still does today. During World War II, for example, homosexuals were marked with a pink triangle by Nazis. This was the same label they used for those who were seuxal predators. This also made the color pink be seen as feminine instead of masculine, as most people during the time despised homosexuality. 

In 1952, the American Psychiatric Association listed homosexuality as a form of mental disorder. The following year, in 1953, President Dwight D. Eisenhowever would sign an executive order that would ban homosexuals (or as he called it, “people of sexual perversion”) from federal jobs. This would remain in effect for around two decades.

In 1993, President Bill Clinton, would put into place the policy of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,”  which allowed homosexual men and women to join the military as long as they kept their sexuality a secret. This was President Clinton’s response to his own campaign about lifting the ban in the military.

In 1998, a man named Matthew Shepherd was pistol whipped, tortured, and tied to a fence because he was gay. In response to this, President Barack Obama signed into law a new hate-crime act, commonly known as the Matthew Shepard Act. 

The Boy Scouts of America restricted gay men in the program until 2015, and in 2017 the program would allow transgender boys to join in with everyone else. Two years later, in 2018, President Donald Trump would enact a military ban that restricted almost every transgender individual from military service.

Despite all of these setbacks, the community continues to grow as does acceptance of LGBTQIA+ members. What has been written in this article is only a fraction of what the community has suffered, but we will continue to push forward and support one another. 

Remember to have pride in yourself, and remember our school offers a Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA), run by one of our advisors for newspaper club, Mrs. Lambusta!  

Sources:

https://www.britannica.com/event/Stonewall-riots

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2021/06/03/what-pride-month-means-look-history-lgbtq-celebration/7504029002/

https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/when-was-first-gay-pride-parade-origin

https://www.history.com/topics/gay-rights/history-of-gay-rights 

June 21st is the National Day of Music. Whether you enjoy playing an instrument, singing, listening to an underground band or a popular mainstream artist, it is the day for you to go and appreciate the many ways that music has shaped who we are. You can use music in such a variety of ways including using it to study and concentrate or to forget everything for a few minutes and just listen to the lyrics of your favorite song. There are around 100 countries along with 450 cities around the globe coming together on June 21st to celebrate. Music has been incorporated into many cultures around the world as a form of self-expression that transcends language barriers. So, put in your earbuds or plug in your speaker to enjoy your favorite tunes for the National Day of Music. 

Juneteenth will take place on Saturday, June 19th as a day of celebrating the emancipation of enslaved black Americans. This day may also be called Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Liberation Day, or Emancipation Day, but they all have the same meaning; to celebrate the ending of slavery. On June 19th, 1865, General Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas with the news that all African Americans who were enslaved now had their independence. Many in the black community take time to celebrate this day every year, but many other people are still unaware of the holiday and its significance. It can create space for all Americans to spend time reflecting on progress we have made as a country, and recognizing that there are still challenges that we have to face to make the United States truly an equal place. 

People all over the United States celebrate this special day by having picnics and family reunions, or by attending rodeos, street fairs, parties in the park, and historical reenactments. Some places even hold Miss Juneteenth pageants, where black women ages 15-18 compete to win the crown. One staple that most Juneteenth festivities can not go without is strawberry soda. The drink represents the red soda that enslaved Americans drank right after they were freed, since they were not permitted to drink it before. The color red is symbolic of the determination that the enslaved had and the challenges that they had endured. So, on June 19th, take a few minutes out of your day to take part in the celebration and recognition of Juneteenth. Many local towns, including Marlton and Moorestown, are hosting public Juneteenth celebrations for the first time this year.

This past Saturday was National Loving Day. You’re probably wondering how this differs from Valentine’s Day, right? While this holiday does have to do with love, it's not just about spreading it.

In June of 1958, Richard Loving and Mildred Jeter shared their vows of marriage. Loving was a Caucasian man, and Jeter was an African American & Native American woman. They were married in Washington D.C. and all was well until one month later when an arrest changed their lives and began the process of changing American society. The police arrested the Lovings at 2 am under the charges of violating Virginia’s anti-miscegenation law, which deemed interracial marriages a felony. They decided to take this case to court and, after years of court battles, it ended up in the Supreme Court of the U.S. in April 1967. On June 12,1967, it was determined that a ban on interracial marriage was unconstitutional and that it violated the Fourteenth Amendment. That court case marks a moment in history where the unconstitutionality of racist laws was recognized and changed. It’s one of the most significant legal decisions in the civil rights era, and changed so many lives. The Supreme Court ended all prohibitions on interracial marriage after this. 

While National Loving Day may not be what you thought it was before, hopefully it has even more meaning now. On that day, there was more opportunity for certain people to marry whom they wanted. It was a huge step in history, and is extremely underrated. Happy (late) National Loving day to you and all your friends & family. Here’s to marrying the people we love <3.

The first of each June is World Reef Awareness Day, which serves as a call to action for consumers, businesses, and organizations to support and raise awareness to our ocean’s coral reef system. This year is the third annual celebration of this holiday. Coral Reefs are much more important than what many believe them to be. They provide food, habitats, and cultural importances to us as humans, and other marine species. Coral reefs are essential to the survival of countless ocean animals and serve as a food source and habitat. Without these plants, these animals could go extinct, causing predators to lose their food source all the way up the food chain. It is estimated that around 30-50% of coral reefs are damaged and dying, predicting that by the end of the century, coral reefs could face extinction. 

The biggest and main threat to coral reefs is people and society. For instance, damage to these plants can be caused by temperature changes in water, pollution, invasive species, physical impacts from ships, and harsh weather. While some threats such as weather and erosion are essentially out of our control, pollution and climate change can be linked to humans as the cause. 

The National Ocean Atmospheric Association (NOAA) Coral Reef Conservation Program has dedicated itself to saving these vital structures. Their plan consists of four parts: One, improving habitat quality by reducing nuisances and invasive species that threaten the corals; two, preventing loss of coral structure and habitat by identifying high risk areas and removing physical threats such as wreckages; three, enhancing coral reef population resilience by researching and finding new techniques that will improve coral resilience and increase survival of coral larvae; four, improving coral health and survival by controlling the spread of coral disease and trying to reduce impacts of predators. Additionally, the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program restores coral reefs by planting coral nurseries, ensuring healthy and safe habitats for corals to grow in, and building up the corals' resilience to common threats.

Now you might be wondering, “What can I do to help conserve coral reefs?”. To start, try purchasing and using coral reef-safe sunscreen. Many sunscreens contain harmful chemicals that rub off in the ocean and can damage coral reefs. One main harmful chemical is oxybenzone so when buying sunscreen, try to take an extra minute to check the ingredients to ensure this chemical is not listed. Additionally, we can avoid using plastic where possible and when we do, we can ensure it is properly disposed of in the garbage can instead of the ocean. Finally, we can gather a group of friends and do a beach cleanup by grabbing some garbage bags and walking down the beach collecting trash so it doesn't end up polluting the ocean. This day started as a hope to inspire others to find ways to help save the coral reefs and assist in helping to save them, make sure to spread awareness and help preserve the coral reefs!

Click the link below for more helpful information!!

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/habitat-conservation/restoring-coral-reefs#:~:text=Coral%20reefs%20are%20damaged%20due,of%20its%20coral%20reefs%20already. 

Unbeknownst to many, May is National Mental Health Awareness Month which is a time for people who struggle with mental illnesses to feel acknowledged. One of the biggest sponsors of this month is NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Illness) whose goal is to spread the message that “You Are Not Alone”. NAMI wants every individual who struggles with any form of mental illness, diagnosed or not, to have an outlet when they feel like they have no one else, which is why they have a number available on their website to speak to one of the NAMI workers. NAMI stresses that “Together, we can realize our shared vision of a nation where anyone affected by mental illness can get the appropriate support and quality of care to live healthy, fulfilling lives — a nation where no one feels alone in their struggle” (nami.org). 

Mental illness is much more common than most believe, and there are many more diagnoses than just the “mainstream” ones like depression and anxiety which is why we need to spread awareness about it. When we educate ourselves, we can gain more valuable knowledge and help the people around us who are silently struggling. Signs of struggle might include having trouble concentrating, loss of appetite, no interest in things they previously enjoyed, being easily irritable/quick mood changes, and having a loss of energy. If you see someone around you who looks like they may need someone to talk to, be there to support them and encourage them to find the help they need.

No one should have to suffer in silence, especially when there is an abundance of resources that we can rely on--a few of which can be found in the links below. Also remember that we are part of an incredibly supportive group of teachers, counselors and even peers with whom you can share your thoughts or struggles. Just know, whatever you are going through, you will always have someone who can help and who truly cares about you. 

The Bird’s Eye View staff would like to recognize those struggling with a mental illness; we want you to know that we see you and are here for you, and that we are proud of your courage and strength. Whatever you might be going through, just know that you got this and that it will get better (we promise <3)!!

Tons of people are excited for this upcoming weekend because it unofficially marks the beginning of summer. Pools, sun tanning, and beaches are what many people may imagine when it comes to that warm season. However, the week before Memorial Day weekend is special in its own way. National Backyard Games Week is a span of time where both adults and kids can be active while having fun. It's an inspiration to get outside and enjoy the warm weather while it lasts. You can play tons of games, including but not limited to:

• Cornhole

• Hula Hooping

• Red Light, Green Light

• Tag/Freeze Tag

• Soccer, baseball, football, any sports

• Bike Rides

• So much more!!

Our own Seneca Family is participating in this by having our Nest Fest on Friday, May 28th! There are tons of organized games and activities, so we can enjoy the sun while spending time with our friends and making memories. We all hope that everyone has a great time at our first-ever Nest Fest and we hope that everyone will get a chance to have some fun in the sun this week! There are so many opportunities and the weather has been beautiful lately- take advantage of it! Have a wonderful week!

May is known as National Military Appreciation Month. May was chosen to be Military Appreciation Month in 1999, due to the fact that there were already multiple individual days set aside to specifically celebrate the military’s accomplishments. However, people should take the time to truly learn more about our armed forces and why they are so special to the stability of our country.

To start, the United States Armed Forces are made up of six branches: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Space Force. 

Army - The Army is the fighting force that works to defend and serve our nation by land, sea, and air. This branch also has specific elite groups such as the Army Rangers and Special Forces who receive specialized training for more advanced combat situations. 

Marine Corps - As for the Marines, they are known as one of the most elite fighting forces in the entire world. They serve on U.S. Navy ships, protect naval bases, guard U.S. embassies and provide an always-ready quick strike force to protect American interests anywhere in the world. 

Navy - The Navy is known for maintaining, training and equipping combat-ready naval forces that are capable of winning war, maintaining the freedom of the seas, etc. The United States Navy personnel expertly operates essentially every type of military equipment in the country’s arsenal. 

Air Force - The Air Force is the branch of the military that mainly focuses on air defense, but actually only a small percent of its members get the chance to fly missions. Most of the airmen and airwomen work on flight support missions, handle base affairs, protect bases, construct new airstrips, guard missile sites, and do rescue missions.

Space Force - The Space Force is fairly new but it still serves an important role. Their main mission, as stated by Congress, is to maintain, protect, and expand the United States fleet of advanced military satellites that form the structure of U.S. global military operations. 

Coast Guard - Finally, the Coast Guard is known for enforcing the nation’s laws at sea, protecting the marine environment, performing crucial life saving missions, etc. 

Additionally, the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard are reserve components of their service and operate in part under the command of state authority.

In addition to the fact that the entire month of May is designated to honoring and paying respect to past and present military members and their families, there are also specific military holidays throughout the month. Some include, Loyalty Day, VE Day, Military Spouses Appreciation Day, Armed Forces Day, and Memorial Day. 

The dates for each are as follows:

Loyalty Day - May 1, 2021

This day is officially designated by Congress as a “special day for the reaffirmation of loyalty to the United States and for the recognition of the heritage of American freedom.” Loyalty Day has been officially marked and recognized by every U.S. president since the late 1950’s along with an official proclamation.

VE(Victory in Europe) Day - May 8, 2021

Since this specific date marked the end of a long and brutal war, this day celebrates the end of World War II on the European front. Not only does the U.S. recognize this special day, but other countries around the world celebrate it every year as well!

Military Spouse Appreciation Day - May 7, 2021 (the Friday before Mother’s Day)

As stated in its title, Military Spouse Appreciation Day honors the military spouses who have to sacrifice so much on a daily basis in support of their service member’s mission. This was officially proclaimed as a holiday in 1984 by the 40th U.S. President Ronald Reagan before it became part of Military Appreciation Month later on in the 1990’s.

Armed Forces Day - May 15, 2021 (third Saturday)

This holiday is self-explanatory as it is the day that we Americans celebrate our military forces. Unlike Veterans Day(celebrates those who fought for our country) and Memorial Day(those who died while serving our nation), this is the proper day that honors both the men and women who are currently serving as well as those who previously served in the past.

Memorial Day - May 31, 2021 (last Monday of the month)

Being one of the most well-known military holidays, Memorial Day honors the service members who died while serving for the United States of America. In fact, this specific holiday has roots dating back to the post-Civil War era, when citizens would make spring flower memorials on the graves of the late soldiers.

As for ways that you can honor and celebrate the brave souls that have or are currently serving our nation, below are multiple ways to do so!

• make plans for Memorial Day

• volunteer for a veterans’ cause

• recognize local veterans or ones in your family

• celebrate patriotic aspects(the National Anthem, the flag, etc.)

• send a card or care package

• organize a school event

• help a military spouse

Overall, no matter what day, holiday, week, or month it is, everyone should take the time to honor and celebrate those who served for/are serving for our country. From all of us at the Bird’s Eye View, we are wishing all the brave souls out there an amazing rest of Military Appreciation Month and a safe and happy Memorial Day Weekend!!

Sources:

https://www.uso.org/stories/2699-what-is-military-appreciation-month#:~:text=Officially%20designated%20by%20Congress%20in,so%20much%20for%20our%20freedom. 

https://www.american.edu/sis/centers/security-technology/the-purpose-and-mission-of-the-space-force.cfm 

https://www.gocoastguard.com/About-USCG#:~:text=America's%20Oldest%20Maritime%20Defenders&text=In%20times%20of%20peace%2C%20the,performing%20vital%20life%20saving%20missions. 

https://www.todaysmilitary.com/ways-to-serve/service-branches/army#:~:text=The%20Army%20is%20a%20powerful,training%20for%20advanced%20combat%20situations. 

https://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/marine-corps-recruiting-faqs.html#:~:text=The%20Marine%20Corps%20is%20one,fighting%20forces%20in%20the%20world.&text=Marines%20serve%20on%20U.S.%20Navy,interests%20anywhere%20in%20the%20world. 

https://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/us-navy-overview.html#:~:text=The%20Navy%20maintains%2C%20trains%20and,from%20Humvees%20to%20aircraft%20carriers. 

https://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/air-force-missions-values.html#:~:text=The%20Air%20Force%20focuses%20on,sites%20and%20even%20do%20rescues. 

https://www.vehiclesforveterans.org/7-ways-to-celebrate-military-appreciation-month/ 

https://www.diplomaframe.com/chc-blog/5-special-ways-to-celebrate-military-appreciation-month/ 

Happy National Endangered Species Day! Unfortunately, this holiday is not one of the most cheery, as it is tasked with spreading awareness for animals that are being wiped off the face of the Earth, by humanity alone. We’ve all heard of the countless animals teeter-tottering on and off of the Global Endangered Species list. Even in today’s environmentally-aware world, struggling species continue to be mercilessly eliminated from existence and many more will follow in their doomed footsteps, without massive intervention.

As mentioned earlier, humanity is, in most cases, the toxic root of animal extinction.  Whether by demolishing their wooded habitats, or polluting their shimmering oceans, people are deciding the fates of thousands of animals, with little care for anything but the money in their pocket. In fact, in today’s day and age, scientists project that rainforests will only be around for another 40 years, as a result of industrial and developmental drives. These environments provide specialized protection for hundreds of species native to them, many, if not all, of which will be eliminated following the death of their home. On the flip side, scientists fear that around half of the global coral reefs have been destroyed already, and it is known that “⅕ [th] of all coral in the world has died since 2015” (Sloactive). These “rainforests of the sea” provide shelter to a fourth of all marine life, of which do not stand much of a chance with the loss of more and more coral (Sloactive). The main offenders to this infrastructure of the Deep Blue are combinations of pollution, the warming of waters, overfishing, the physical destruction of these corals, and the process of ocean acidification (when the ocean becomes too acidic after taking in an excess of carbon dioxide from the air). In addition to habitat loss, some species’ populations are being rapidly depleted by illegal hunting. One example of this crime is toward rhinos, which are poached for the horns of ivory. If taking their primary defense mechanism isn’t enough, poachers heartlessly leave their tranquilizer victims to die and slow death by blood loss, once the horn has been removed. These are only three of countless concerning instances where the human race, itself, is playing the judge’s role when deciding which species gets to live and which ones don’t. In all reality, if humanity continues to make these arrogant decisions, it will suffer greatly from these natural losses in the near future, as eventually ecosystems will collapse in on themselves without the ability to function, at all.

In recent years, countless endangered species have been on the brink of extinction. A few of these species include the vaquita, the Amur leopard, the North Atlantic right whale, Kemps Ridley sea turtles, Sumatran elephant, and the Black rhino. As all of these animals are currently considered to be critically endangered, it is vital that people across the world work together to save these species. 

Please do your part to help redeem these species by donating to reliable organizations or simply making it a conscious effort to keep your environment clean. In the long run, keeping the energy you require in day-to-day life to a minimum also helps reduce pollution. To learn more about endangered species around the world or make a charitable donation, go to WWF Species Directory.  Remember, humans aren’t the only species living on this planet.

Sources:

• http://csc.columbusstate.edu/summers/Outreach/RainSticks/fRainforestFacts.htm#:~:text=Rainforests%20once%20covered%2014%25%20of,both%20developing%20and%20industrial%20countries.

• https://sloactive.com/coral-reef-crisis-guide/

• https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/scientists-work-to-save-coral-reefs-climate-change-marine-parks#:~:text=Despite%20their%20importance%2C%20warming%20waters,coral%20reefs%20around%20the%20world.&text=Genetics%20is%20also%20becoming%20a,with%20more%20heat%20tolerant%20coral.

• https://conbio.org/groups/sections/marine/save-the-vaquita

• https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/directory?direction=desc&sort=extinction_status

• https://people.com/pets/north-atlantic-right-whale-close-to-extinction/

• https://www.savethesound.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Kemp%E2%80%99s-Ridley-Sea-Turtles-swimming-e1564419618366.jpg

• https://dynaimage.cdn.cnn.com/cnn/c_fill,g_auto,w_1200,h_675,ar_16:9/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.cnn.com%2Fcnnnext%2Fdam%2Fassets%2F190726095644-01-namibia-black-rhino-file.jpg

• https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/28hWyXFGHPhm20nTVG4pT0n/sumatran-elephant

• https://onekindplanet.org/top-10/top-10-worlds-most-endangered-animals/

As many do not know, May is National Physical Fitness Month! Considering the fact that there are multiple ways to move your body and boost your energy, below are just a few ways to get some awesome exercise!

• go on a run with your sibling, friend, your dog, or even yourself!

• walk around your neighborhood or if you’re at the beach, take advantage and go down to the boardwalk

• do jump rope exercises

• follow along with any sort of workout on YouTube(HIIT, abs, legs, etc.)

• start your day with some relaxing yoga

• go on a bike ride

• lift weights

• play tennis, pickleball, or volleyball for fun with some friends

• end your night with stretches to get your body loose for the next day

We hope that you will take advantage of the beautiful weather that is coming upon us this month and get outside for some exercise! Happy National Physical Fitness Month!!

National Pay it Forward Day will take place on April 28th this year; this day is not organized by any particular organization or fundraiser, but it is encouraged that everyone participates to spread kindness all around. This national day is used to bring joy to others around you, as well as receiving random acts of kindness yourself. As of 2021, there are over 80 countries around the world participating in National Pay it Forward Day, and 100 state and city proclamations. 

The idea of paying it forward on April 28th, is that by every person doing a small act of kindness, a huge impact will be created across the world. The goal for this year is to have over 10 million random acts take place. Here are some things that you can do:

• Pay for an individual's meal or drink

• Help someone who is in need

• Donate blood

• Donate to a worthwhile charity

• Write a note telling someone how much they are appreciated 

• Share information about National Pay it Forward Day on your social media platforms

Whether it be a small or large act or kindness, brightening another person's day is the main goal of this upcoming event. Make sure to get out there and help make the world a better place!

The holiday we know as Earth Day marks the anniversary of when the environmental movement began in 1970. Every year it is celebrated globally on April 22nd, and advocates for the conservation of our natural resources. Not only that, but it’s one of the largest secular observances in the world.

The founder of Earth Day was a man named Gaylord Nelson, a junior Senator from Wisconsin. Spurred on by a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California in January of 1969, Senator Nelson called to action a team of national staff (amounting to 85 people) in order to promote public consciousness about air and water pollution. He appointed Republican Congressman Pete McCloskey as his co-chair and young activist Denis Hayes to organize campus teach-ins.

They chose April 22nd to get the most support from students: around Spring Break and final exams. That year, anti-war protests against the Vietnam War were popular with the study body. Senator Nelson wanted the same energy being funneled into his conservation ideas. The first Earth Day inspired 10% of the American population, or 20 million people at the time, to get involved with groups that had been fighting against oil spills, polluting factories and power plants, raw sewage, toxic dumps, pesticides, freeways, the loss of wilderness and the extinction of wildlife.

“By the end of 1970, the first Earth Day led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of other first of their kind environmental laws, including the National Environmental Education Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and the Clean Air Act. Two years later Congress passed the Clean Water Act. A year after that, Congress passed the Endangered Species Act and soon after the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act,” (https://www.earthday.org).

In 1990, a group of supporters came to Denis Hayes once more to make a campaign for the health of the planet. However, this time, Earth Day became globalized! Around 200 million people in 141 countries came together to help promote our planet’s conservation efforts. Earth Day 1990 encouraged the increase of recycling and led to the 1992 United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, a conference held from June 3rd to June 14th. Later in 1995, Senator Nelson would receive the Medal of Freedom from Bill Clinton for his efforts.

Earth Day in 2000 had a record 184 countries with 5,000 environmental groups advocating for the issue of global warming and clean energy use, something we still face today. Hundreds of people gathered at the National Mall in Washington, DC. There was also an immense drum chain that traveled from village to village in Gabon, Africa. It sent a clear message of the need to call for action about global warming and clean energy, addressed specifically to world leaders all over.

Certain activities that take place on Earth day are environmentally related, such as planting trees, cleaning up parks or water sources, or just simply recycling. Rallies and teach-ins featuring environmental sustainability are a big part of how the United States celebrates Earth Day, similar to how Denmark participates in the March for Science. Tokyo, Japan celebrates a two day celebration in Yoyogi Park, where families are able to participate in activities to learn more about the environment and how we can help it. Spain holds a 24-hour Global Unity and Regeneration Gathering, and Switzerland hosts a green sale to raise funds to plant trees on school grounds. The Philippines features marathons, including a 5K, 10K, 21K, and 42K. South Africa hosts an Earth Expo as India promotes the protection of the Asian elephant, an endangered species.

Earth Day is a special celebration and a promotion to taking care of the planet we live on. The worldwide anniversary is also an amazing representation of the unity we all possess with one another. After all, the only way we can help the Earth is by working together.

Sources:

https://www.earthday.org/history/

https://www.americanforests.org/magazine/article/senator-gaylord-nelson-father-of-earth-day/ 

https://worldtreasures.org/blog/earth-day-the-history-of-the-worlds-largest-secular-observancehttps://www.dynamiclanguage.com/earth-day-celebrations-around-the-globe/ 

Did you know that April is World Autism Awareness Month? It’s a month to focus on sharing stories, showing support, and providing opportunities to increase awareness and acceptance toward individuals with Autism. April 2nd is World Autism Awareness Day, and many public venues host events with “sensory friendly” events for children with Autism to play, interact, and socialize. Additionally, many people wear blue or participate in the “Light it up Blue Event,” in which you switch out an outdoor lightbulb to one tinted blue. All of these actions are done to help raise awareness for Autism. You may also see autism awareness and advocacy represented by a puzzle piece or a rainbow infinity sign. 

Autism is a developmental disorder that affects language, behavior, and social interactions. Autism is considered to be a type of spectrum disorder, meaning that no two people with autism will be affected the same way. The impact autism can have on someone's life varies because each individual with autism presents with unique characteristics on the large spectrum of traits. For example, two people who are both diagnosed with autism can have completely different ranges of levels of communication or language, with one person being fully capable of communicating on their own, while someone else requires assistance. In other words, every single person with this diagnosis is unique and while some can share certain characteristics in one aspect like language, they could be at completely opposite sides of another spectrum like social development or emotional development. Therefore, those diagnosed have a distinct set of strengths and weaknesses that might not be the same as someone else with Autism. Some people may need consistent care or help throughout their lives while others may be completely independent.

Signs of autism typically appear within the first two years of life with the average age to be diagnosed being around four years of age. Some common characteristics of autism include difficulty with speech, delay in play skills, repetitive behaviors, lack of eye contact, difficulty recognizing/expressing emotion, and difficulty socializing. It is important to recognize that not everyone diagnosed with autism will show all of these traits and most diagnosed show a mix of some. These characteristics can have a substantial impact on someone's life including difficulty with focus, attention, organization, making friends, memory, time management, emotional control, sensory processing, and more.

There has been much research over the years in hopes of finding a specific cause behind autism. While the cause is still widely unknown, however, the disorder is believed to be influenced by certain variables including genetic mutations (though no specific gene or chromosome has been proven to single handedly cause autism), non-genetic influences, and environmental factors.

Additionally, one out of every fifty-four kids in the United States has been diagnosed with autism or about 1% of the world population. About one in every 36 boys is diagnosed with autism while about 1 in every 144 girls is diagnosed, making boys 4x more likely to have autism than girls. Since 2000, autism prevalence has increased by 119.4% in the US, increasing 6-15% per year from 2002-2010.

If a child is showing common signs of autism, it is important to seek an evaluation.  A diagnosis can help lead families to the resources that fit their child’s needs. First, a child is observed, usually by the parents to see if the child is reaching certain milestones like speech or playing with others, this process is called developmental monitoring. Next, if the parents see that the child is not meeting these milestones, they can see a doctor who will ask the parents questions and keep a checklist of the child's progress. Then, if the doctor is concerned with the child's progression of these milestones, they can have a developmental evaluation done. This is done by a specialist who takes an in-depth look at the child's development through observation and more tests to see if the child needs special intervention. They can be diagnosed by a developmental pediatrician, child psychologist, pediatric neurologist, or a child psychiatrist.

There are many different programs or specialists that can help those diagnosed with autism reach these milestones. A speech language pathologist (SLP) can help with language skills, an occupational therapist can help with fine motor skills like buttoning a shirt or holding a pencil properly, a physical therapist can help with gross motor skills like throwing or kicking a ball, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), or a special education teacher can use Applied Behavior Analysis therapy to find a treatment approach that is specifically targeted for the individual child’s needs.

Unfortunately, due to the lack of social and emotional development, many children with autism may be bullied in school. Studies show that around 46% of middle schoolers and about 70% of high schoolers, who are diagnosed with autism, are bullied by others. They can be a target of bullying due to poor self-esteem, difficulty showing or processing emotions, or because they socially distance themselves from their peers. If teens would understand that those diagnosed may be struggling to make friends or put themselves out there, then less bullying incidents would occur.

So how can you make a difference in someone's life who has been diagnosed with autism? To start, you can reach out and invite them to have lunch with you or sit next to you in class to make them feel included and seen. Additionally, you can be an upstander when it comes to bullying and say something to the bully or to a teacher to prevent incidents like this from occurring in the future. Anyone can brighten anyone else's day with as little as a smile.

Click the links below for two articles to get a great understanding of autism!

https://the-art-of-autism.com/understanding-the-spectrum-a-comic-strip-explanation/

https://the-art-of-autism.com/understanding-the-spectrum-a-comic-strip-explanation/ 

Did you know that only a year ago, an estimated 90% of all restaurants were considered to be Mom-and-Pop shops? These small businesses were some of the worst hit during the Covid-19 pandemic, suffering severe losses in profit and, in some cases, even being forced to permanently close their doors. In an effort to honor the many thousands of hardworking Mom-and-Pop business owners, March 29th has been nationally dedicated to the appreciation of these people. Since the past year has been harder than ever for many, it is important that we show our support in our own community!

You might be asking, “What can we do to help these small businesses in need?”.  Simply having dinner out at one of these restaurants is always an option. If there is a limited customer capacity in effect, or you do not feel comfortable dining alongside the public just yet, you can order take out to ensure your safety and that of others. If these options do not appeal to you, consider leaving a positive review for a few small businesses online. Remember, the businesses for which we are showing appreciation are usually not part of a large food chain, or a chain, at all. Being a very tech-savvy generation, high schoolers have the ability to spread awareness for the national day on the 29th by posting stories on the social media platforms, accompanied by phrases like Happy National Mom & Pop's Shop Day!, Remember to Shop Your Local Mom & Pop's Today!, Grab Dinner from [Small Business Name] Today, or #NationalMom&PopShopDay.  With so many ways to help, what's your excuse?

Wondering which shops in our area are considered to be true, family-owned, Mom and Pop shops?  Try Nixon’s General Store, Massimo’s, Pizza 206, Russo’s Fruit and Vegetable Farm, or Upper Crust Pizza. The next best way to help out is to purchase your everyday necessities from local small businesses like Leo’s Ice Cream, White Dot, Sal’s Pizza, Ragazzi’s, or Dadz. The opportunities are endless, and wherever you shop you can be confident that your contribution is making a positive difference for the well-being of a small business owner.

In conclusion, as Mom-and-Pop shops make up so much of America’s bountiful economy, it is important that we take a day to honor the owners of these businesses.  Each of these small businesses in Tabernacle and surrounding towns play a vital role in the development of our community, so why not help them to succeed with a nationwide celebration on the 29th?  Today, help us to commemorate these motivated individuals that help our community to flourish and prosper, everyday.  Shop small, Seneca!

Sources:

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa-small-business/mom-pop-shops-worry-they-will-be-squeezed-out-of-small-business-coronavirus-aid-idUSKBN21L1EG

https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fmiro.medium.com%2Fmax%2F1024%2F1*P-XZ6h9pBleChEdLxKo1jQ.jpeg&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fmedium.com%2Fthe-dish%2Fmom-n-pop-2-0-made-by-humans-d8dafee4507f&tbnid=bhTw7n4XbgGP7M&vet=12ahUKEwjogoDBrdXvAhXCFN8KHQcEAOgQMygTegUIARDZAQ..i&docid=ePD3ihrzF2aD7M&w=1024&h=768&q=mom%20and%20pop%20shop&safe=active&ved=2ahUKEwjogoDBrdXvAhXCFN8KHQcEAOgQMygTegUIARDZAQ

Countless events have been canceled or postponed ever since Covid-19 became the cause of a global pandemic around March of 2020. Luckily, we have made significant progress since going into lockdown. However, that doesn’t mean that we haven’t had any setbacks along the way. From having to go completely virtual last March, to hybrid school re-openings in the fall, creating a vaccine, schools getting temporarily shut down, etc., there have been many ups and downs on the road. 

One of the many events Covid-cancelled in 2020 was the well-known March Madness tournament. Fortunately for NCAA basketball fans, the organization is being allowed to hold the tournament in 2021. The Bird's Eye View has the scoop on what March Madness will look like this month.

What is March Madness?

March Madness is one of the most popular basketball tournaments ever known. Basically, it is a basketball tournament that is held by the National Collegiate Athletic Association, also known as the NCAA, annually throughout the months of March and April. Not only that, but it’s a single-elimination tournament with a total of sixty eight teams that all compete in seven rounds for the championship.

History

The history of this well-known tournament begins all the way back during the year 1939. The first-ever NCAA Division 1 basketball tournament was played that year with a total of eight teams competing. The University of Oregon took the title, beating Ohio State 46-33 in the final game with a 29-5 record during that season. Eventually, in 1951, the tourney grew to include sixteen teams, then it doubled to thirty-two teams in 1975! Finally, in 1985, it grew to 64 teams, just 4 short of the current 68 teams.

Over the years, the March Madness tournament has evolved and changed immensely. For instance, it wasn’t originally associated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association until Brent Musberger, an American sportscaster, used it during coverage of the tournament in 1982. 

When it comes to different records, UMBC holds the title of biggest upset in the history of March Madness after becoming the first 16-seed team to win against Virginia (No. 1 at the time) with a score of 74-54 in 2018. As for major comebacks, Duke University fought back to beat UMD after being down twenty-two points. One of their former players, Christian Laettner, is March Madness’ all-time leading scorer with a total of 407 points! Interestingly enough, only nine players have over 300 points in this tournament. Finally, for most championships, the University of California Los Angeles, commonly known as UCLA, holds the title with a total of eleven championships. They even held a consecutive streak of title wins from 1967 to 1973! Yet, the University of Kentucky has the most tournament appearances with fifty-eight, and NCAA tournament wins with 129.

How is it Usually Run?

Luckily, some aspects of this famous tournament are staying the same. For example, Selection Sunday is the official day when the Selection Committee reveals the entire NCAA tournament bracket, including all of the teams and seeds. This year, it took place on March 14th. Along with that, they’re still having the Final Four, which will take place on April 3rd and 5th this time around. 

Practically the central aspect of March Madness is the bracket. Fans across the country have the opportunity to fill out a bracket of their predictions of how the tournament will play out. Specifically speaking, it’s a grid of every single team involved and the path they must follow to the Final Four as well as the championship game. It is very unlikely that anyone could predict the outcome of the tournament 100% accurately. Considering the fact that there are sixty-eight teams in total, statisticians have estimated that there’s approximately a one in 9.2 quintillion chance! Nonetheless, fans still compete to try to accurately predict it. 

How is it Being Held with COVID-19 Restrictions?

Since the NCAA is trying its  best to continue the tradition of this tournament during a pandemic, there are some restrictions and requirements. The Marion County Health Department officially approved the medical protocols that were shared by the NCAA. Not only that, but the association is working with a local health provider in order to manage coronavirus testing for players, coaching staffs, etc. 

Traditionally, March Madness has many

 destinations for the tournament to be played in ranging from various cities, states, and separate venues. However, this year it will be held in Indianapolis, IN and it will be the only destination of this month-long event. There will be six venues total including the Lucas Oil Stadium, Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indiana Farmers Coliseum, Mackey Arena, and Assembly Hall. As far as practice goes, teams will practice at the Indiana Convention Center where there are many courts set up within the building. During the duration of the tournament, the teams will be housed on hotel floors, with physically distanced meeting and dining rooms, along with secure transportation to and from the venues.

Overall, despite the minor changes and new regulations, March Madness is still promised to be one of the most entertaining and thrilling athletic tournaments of the year!

Sources:

https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/bracketiq/2021-02-24/what-march-madness-ncaa-tournament-explained https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2020-05-27/1939-ncaa-tournament-bracket-scores-stats-records#:~:text=Oregon%20won%20the%20inaugural%20NCAA,the%20national%20semifinals%20in%201939. 

As Black History Month ticks down to a close, we are jumping into an equally important month of awareness. March has been known as Women’s History Month by the United States of America since it was first celebrated in 1987! Though the month is commemorated in numerous different ways throughout the country, it was created to draw appreciation and awareness toward the massive achievements that womankind has made since the dawn of America. In addition, International Women’s Day takes place on March 8th each year, marking a powerful recognition for all the girls in the world! Below, a few of these monumental figures are acknowledged for their vital achievements in American history. 

Rosa Parks

Parks is most famously known for her actions in 1955, when she refused to give up her bus seat to a white man. This event took place in Montgomery, Alabama, and sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott! Although she was arrested, jailed, and fined for her “disorderly conduct”, she has gone down in history for being a vital contributor to the ending of racial segregation in the USA. In fact, by the end of the bus boycott, the Supreme Court had ruled bus segregation as wrong, according to the U.S. Constitution and put an end to it.  

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

RBG was the second female Supreme Court justice ever.  She served 27 honorable years on the SCOTUS bench, and within that time played a role in deciding important cases like the United States v Virginia. Not only was Ginsburg an overachiever in her many years of studying and ruling, but also a major activist in pursuit of bringing gender equality and civil rights for all to the USA. RBG may have lost her battle with cancer on September 18, 2020, but she will long be remembered and recognized as a legendary feminist. 

Alice Paul

Paul was born in New Jersey, but while studying in England began her inspiring journey in social politics. Back in the USA, Alice Paul joined the National American Woman Suffrage Association, later in 1916 creating the National Woman’s party.  Through countless protests, parades, and even political imprisonment, Paul struggled along the path in bringing women's voting to America. In today’s day and age, she is known for contributing to the creation of the 19th amendment, and for being an extremely vocal advocate for women’s rights.  

Cloris Leachman

Cloris Leachman is known for being a very talented American actress, and the winner of 8 Emmy awards and even an Oscar!  She filled many roles in comedy and television shows, including Lassie, Kiss Me Deadly, and The Migrants. Leachman recently passed away in January of 2021, at 94 years of age.  She has left behind an unforgettable legacy of being a thoughtful mother of 5, an inspiring role model in the acting industry, and a remarkable American woman.

Mae Jemison

Jemison is known for being the first African American woman in space. Aside from her adventures in zero-gravity, Mae Jemison is admired for graduating high school at only 16 years old. As an outstanding student, she immediately began her collegiate-level education at Stanford University. She is only 64 years old, but has won many awards including the Elizabeth Blackwell Medal, received the Essence Award (1988), and was named the Gamma Sigma Gamma Woman of the Year (1989). Today, she is also known for founding Jemison Group, which is an organization that works to engineer new technology.  

March is important because we are given the opportunity to honor remarkable women like these. Make it a priority of yours to educate someone you know about an influential woman in American history this month! Together, we can show the appreciation deserved to all of the female figures that came before us.  Happy Women’s History Month!

Sources:

• https://www.loc.gov/exhibitions/rosa-parks-in-her-own-words/about-this-exhibition/the-bus-boycott/rosa-parks-arrested/#:~:text=On%20December%201%2C%201955%2C%20Rosa,%2C%20and%20his%20wife%2C%20Virginia.

• https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/rosa-parks

• https://www.history.com/topics/womens-history/ruth-bader-ginsburg

• https://www.history.com/topics/womens-history/alice-paul

• https://www.britannica.com/biography/Cloris-Leachman

• https://www.biography.com/astronaut/mae-c-jemison

• https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/jemison_mae.pdf

• https://www.biography.com/.image/t_share/MTE1ODA0OTcxNzQ5Mzc3NTQ5/rosa-parks-9433715-1-402.jpg

• https://queenseagle.com/all/letter-rbg-fostered-a-better-and-a-more-beautiful-world-for-all

• https://www.nps.gov/bepa/learn/images/Alice-Paul-raises-glass1az.jpg

• https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/22/Cloris_Leachman_1970.JPG

March 13th through April 15th is National Deaf History Month where we celebrate and learn about the achievements of deaf people in history. On April 15, 1817, the first public school for the deaf in the United States was established by Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and Dr. Mason Fitch Cogswell. This date has also been used to celebrate National American Sign Language Day.

Mandy Harvey was a contestant on the 12th season of “America’s Got Talent” and received the golden buzzer, from judge Simon Cowell, for her astonishing voice. She came onto the show at the age of 19, ten years after she lost her hearing due to the nerves in her ear deteriorating. Harvey started singing when she was four years old but had doubts after she lost her hearing. However, she persevered and started singing again through muscle memory, trusting her pitch, and using visual tuners. Additionally, she takes off her shoes to feel the vibrations from the speaker on the floor to stay in time with the music by recognizing the beat. On the show, she performed her own song titled “Try”, inspired by her own story and adding, “After I lost my hearing, I gave up, but I wanted to do more with my life than just give up.” Since performing on the show, Mandy has released four albums along with countless singles and covers of other songs.

Kitty O’Neil was a famous stunt woman and daredevil in the mid 1970s to the early 1980s who lost her hearing at a young age. She was given the title, “world's fastest woman” as she was able to reach speeds of around 600 mph in a rocket car in Oregon on a dried up lake. She lost her hearing when she was 5 months old due to smallpox that nearly killed her. Kitty went on to learn to play the piano and cello by using her feet to feel the vibrations of the music and trained as a diver. She was practically guaranteed a spot at the 1964 Olympics for diving, but broke her wrist and was diagnosed with spinal meningitis. Although she was told she would never walk again, she proved everyone wrong when she was up and moving two weeks later. After her recovery, she wanted to do something with speed, so she became a stunt woman and appeared in many TV shows and movies including “Baretta,” “Airport 77”, and “The Blues Brothers.” Kitty unfortunately passed away on November 2, 2018 at age 72 after battling cancer.

Tamika Catchings played in the WNBA(Women's National Basketball Association) for the Indiana Fever from 2002 to 2016, earning a MVP title and won Defensive Player of the Year. She was diagnosed with a hearing disability at the age of three and wore hearing aids throughout her early childhood. In second grade, she threw her hearing aids across a field walking home from school after her peers made fun of her for wearing them. Tamika learned how to read lips and how to communicate without her hearing aids, and started playing basketball shortly after. She continued playing basketball at the University of Tennessee and for the Indiana Fever in the WNBA. Catchings has used her platform to spread awareness about hearing loss and is a huge inspiration to people everywhere.

With this upcoming Deaf History Month, it is important to acknowledge and recognize the contributions and achievements of people with hearing impairments. During this month, many libraries or other public places may be hosting events to raise awareness for hearing loss such as online learning events, visual art, speakers, and more. In addition, it is crucial to remain respectful and compassionate to everyone, including people with hearing loss.

Sources:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/kitty-oneil-deaf-daredevil-who-became-worlds-fastest-woman-dies-at-72/2018/11/04/5d88dc9c-e044-11e8-8f5f-a55347f48762_story.html 

https://www.wbur.org/onlyagame/2020/01/03/tamika-catchings-hearing-impairment-university-of-tennessee-wnba 

The month of March is Brain Injury Awareness month, a time dedicated to helping understand ABI (acquired brain injury) and the two types: traumatic and non-traumatic. Acquired brain injury is not hereditary, congenital, degenerative, or induced by birth trauma. Traumatic brain injury (or TBI) is when the brain is affected by external sources, such as a concussion, while non-traumatic brain injury is internal factors, such as a lack of oxygen.

The chronic condition ABI affects at least one in sixty people, meaning more than 5.3 million children and adults live with a permanent brain-injury disability in the United States. 

The Brain Injury Association of America is a ligation group that dedicates its work towards increasing the understanding of brain injury as a chronic condition, reducing the stigma with brain injury, showing the diversity of injuries, and improving the care and support available. 

The organization also runs the hashtag, #MoreThanMyBrainInjury, to educate others on what it's like to live with one. Unfortunately, many peoples' disabilities have a strong stigma around them. The campaign is attempting to dissolve stereotypes and give a chance to people with brain injuries to speak up about it.

Brain injury is a leading cause of death and disability in the United States. At least 2.8 million Americans undergo a traumatic brain injury each year, with the majority (47.9%) being from falls. 17.1% are from being struck by or against something, and 13.2% are from motor vehicle accidents or unknown causes. The minority of brain injuries (8.3%) are from assaults.

Something to remember: a person with a brain injury is a person first, and their condition does not define them, and no two brain injuries are exactly the same. We are all different and the effects of an injury are complex and range greatly from person to person. These are dependent on the cause, location, and severity. The location of the brain injury is one of the vital factors in an injury.  The brain is divided into six lobes: the frontal lobe, temporal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe, cerebellum, and lastly, the brain stem.

The frontal lobe is responsible for things such as attention, organization, awareness, personality, and judgment. An injury to this area may affect someone’s ability to control their emotions or cause difficulty speaking. 

The temporal lobe deals with hearing and memory. An injury to this area may lead to troubles with communication or memory.

The parietal lobes are someone’s sense of touch, identification of sizes, shapes, and colors, as well as their visual and depth perception. People with trauma in this area might have issues with their five primary senses.

The main function of the occipital lobe is vision. An injury to this area may lead to trouble seeing or perceiving the size and shape of objects.

The cerebellum is responsible for a person’s balance and coordination, as well as motor skills. An injury to this area might affect someone’s movement.

Lastly, the brain stem controls your involuntary survival functions, such as breathing and heart rate. This can lead to a coma or paralysis.

As well as lobes, the brain is also divided into two sides, commonly known as the left side and the right side. The left side is more rational and analytical, dealing with facts and logic. The right side is more emotional and creative, regarding someone’s imagination or empathy.

An injury to the left side might result in impaired logic or difficulties in expressive/receptive language, as well as troubles with the physical right side. An injury to the right side can cause someone to have issues with their visual memory as well as altered creativity and music perception. Their left physical side might also be affected.

The brain is a complex and vital organ, one we use every day. It’s incredibly important to be safe out there to prevent certain injuries to the skull, as well as spread awareness about the issues people face. Make sure to visit www.biausa.org for more information and awareness!

Sources:

https://www.biausa.org/public-affairs/public-awareness/brain-injury-awareness

https://www.biausa.org/brain-injury/about-brain-injury/basics https://www.biausa.org/brain-injury/about-brain-injury/basics/function-of-the-brain 

The National Day of Unplugging this year is on Friday, March 5th. On this day, it is encouraged that everyone stays off of all technology including cell phones, laptops, televisions, and all other types of electronic devices. In the past years, this Unplugging Day was used to create thousands of in-person activities all around the world. Due to COVID-19, and in-person gatherings being limited to a very small amount, this day will now be used for connecting with family and friends who are in your immediate group. The NDU will be hosting contests and collabing with charitable partners to make this day just as memorable as it was pre-coronavirus. 

Although this event only occurs one day a year, going offline for small periods of time is overall very beneficial for your mental, emotional, and physical health. When you are constantly online, watching videos or scrolling through social media, you start to lose touch with the real physical world. We can all agree that social media can grow to be very toxic in a short period of time, so when we disconnect ourselves from the source of the problem, we can grow away from that feeling of sadness and/or jealousy that is put into our minds. Also, taking time for ourselves away from all of the chaos that is constantly occurring in the world, can help us to be more happy and enjoy the simple things in life. One of the biggest benefits that staying off electronics has, is increasing movement and exercise rates. Twenty years ago, children spent almost every free minute that they could outside, playing with their friends. However, children of the newer generations feel like going outside is a chore, and not so much an amusing activity. They are too distracted texting friends, playing video games, or posting pictures, that they never appreciate the beautiful outdoors. It’s recommended that kids get at least thirty minutes of exercise a day, which does not occur as much as it should. 

The National Day of Unplugging can be used as a personal mental health day, a day to enjoy nature, or a day to connect with family and friends face to face. All of these create a much more personal touch than talking to them over a screen, which is why you should consider participating on March 5th. 

The Cherry Hill Public School District will be the first in all of New Jersey to make an African American history course mandatory for graduation. On Tuesday, February 23rd, the Board of Education voted on whether or not this class should be mandatory, and the final decision was a yes, 8-0. 

Creating this class will open up many opportunities and help to make Cherry Hills’ very scarce African American population feel more involved and included when they are learning about history. The mention of African Americans and the struggles that they have experienced at this point is very rarely mentioned, if at all in school. Since it hasn’t been required for teachers to teach about it, they rarely bring it up in class discussion. This is why making a Black History course mandatory will be very beneficial. Not only will it make individuals’ learning more inclusive, but it will also create an understanding and grow a sensitivity to all different races throughout the school. The superintendent of the Cherry Hill District fully supports the idea of a Black History course being established, and is one of many that is filled with joy that the idea has been approved. Now that the idea has been passed, a curriculum must be created and it is said that the school will have to hire another teacher to teach that class as well.

Now that the course has been approved and passed, it is hoped that students will start to understand the severity of racism and that what they say can have a strong impact. If individuals learn about the history of the words that they use and the things that they say, they will start to grow an understanding of why it is offensive and not appropriate to do so. Overall, creating a Black History studies course will benefit all individuals who take it.

One of the most notable holidays during February is the famous Valentine’s Day, when many couples exchange gifts and demonstrate their love for one another. The day itself is noted to be a recognition of love and affection, however, most seem to focus on the romantic side of things.

Romantic relationships are often depicted as the most important type of connection you can have with someone, but we all know the relationships you form as early on as  toddlerhood — platonic relationships, or friendships-- are incredibly valuable.

For some reason, the people you interact with every day on a friendly basis, who affect your mood and support you throughout your life, are depicted within our culture as less important once you meet the “person of your dreams.” In the past, it was most common for romantic relationships to start out as friendships, but this trend has changed over time. From reality TV to dating apps, society has become obsessed with sparking romantic relationships between strangers, and it can feel like friendship has become less important in the grand scheme of things.

This concept can be alienating to those who don’t feel/occasionally feel romantic attraction (aromantic and grey-romantic) and find their satisfaction/happiness in their friends, or just people who don’t like romance. Despite the well-meaning romantic theme and tropes of Valentine’s Day, some may feel alienated as their concept of love is considered less valid or important than others. Ironically, this can make people feel even more alone.

On the other hand, one of the many types of love that has slowly begun to make its way into the forefront of society’s awareness is self-love. Throughout the teenage/young adult years, one of the many experiences we'll face is rejection, whether that be from a crush, someone we considered a friend, or just someone not being attentive to us. No matter who you are, being shunned is disheartening. It makes you feel like you're unworthy or not good enough. These feelings are valid, however, no one should let another person define their worth, no matter how much they love and support you. You are the only person who defines yourself. 

Self-love is arguably the most important type of love, as you cannot love others without loving yourself. This idea applies to almost anything in life — How does a teacher teach her students without learning the material herself? No matter how selfish you think it is to put yourself first, it is one of the best things you can do for yourself and others. Who will be there to care for others when you cannot care for yourself? The very concept of love is giving, but if you don’t give yourself love, you cannot give others love.

Valentine’s Day should be an equal opportunity day of celebration for ALL types of love-- romantic, platonic, self, and every type of love in between. Keep that in mind this year when choosing how you'll celebrate.

On Wednesday, January 20th, America watched as a new page was turned for our country.

Early that morning, former President Donald Trump stood before supporters and cameras, thanking them, his staff, and his family for the past four years. Melania Trump then took the microphone briefly, thanking her husband’s supporters as well. Trump then continued his speech, which was later revealed to have strayed from his intended one, stating that he and his administration will be back in some form, and closing with “Have a good life. See you soon.” He exited on his plane to the Village People's “YMCA,” preparing to leave for the Mar-A-Lago resort in Florida, breaking a 150-year tradition by not attending the inauguration.

Many governors, senators, and other former American leaders, however, did attend, including the Bushes, the Clintons, and the Obamas. Amy Klobuchar, Democratic Senator of Minnesota, and Roy Blunt, Republican senator of Missouri, both had a speaking role. Father Leo O’Donovan, a longtime friend of Biden’s, took the podium and delivered the invocation. The Armed Forces Color Guard then presented the colors, and Lady Gaga, accompanied by the President’s Own National Band, sang a moving, emotional rendition of the national anthem. Following that, Georgia Fire Captain Andrea M. Hall recited and signed the Pledge of Allegiance. 

At 11:41 a.m, Kamala Harris took the Vice Presidential Oath, sworn in by Supreme Court Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayer. Jennifer Lopez then took the stage, along with the President’s Own United States Marine Band, to perform “This Land Is Your Land.” Before the end, she interjected her singing, with “Una nación, Bajo Dios, indivisible, con Libertad y Justicia para todos!” which translated, is the last line of the pledge of allegiance, “One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all!”

And finally, at 11:48 a.m, Chief Justice John Roberts swore in Joseph Biden as the 46th President of the United States of America.

Joe Biden then delivered his inaugural speech, stating, “This is America’s day. This is democracy’s day.” He spoke of unity and patching the framework of it. He led the crowd in a moment of silence to honor the Americans who have passed and those who have lost family members and friends due to the pandemic. 

“It is time for boldness, for it is so much to do,” he said, in regards to the multiple pressing issues. “[...] We’ll write the next great chapter in the history of America.”

Once Biden had finished his speech, Garth Brooks took the stage to sing “Amazing Grace,” asking the American people to sing the last verse along with him. Following him, 22-year-old poet laureate Amanda Gorman recited “The Hill We Climb,” to the crowd. 

The celebrations did not stop there, as Tom Hanks hosted “Celebrating America,” an inaugural special peppered with familiar faces, such as Bruce Springsteen, Tim McGraw, and Katy Perry, among other celebrities, but also featuring several every day Americans who have shown empathy, creativity, and charity during the pandemic.

The day was one of work, as well, as Biden took to the oval office quickly to sign multiple executive orders, including, but not limited to, ones regarding the pandemic, financial relief, and climate change.

“We shoot for the moon, and plant our flag on it,” Harris said, later that evening, addressing Americans in her first speech as Vice President. “We are bold, fearless, and ambitious. We are undaunted in our belief that we shall overcome, that we will rise up. This is American aspiration.”

The year 2020 is finally over and we can now move on from it and keep it in our past. From the entire world getting shut down, to the Presidential Election, it was not only hectic, but a year that we will never forget(in a bad way for most). This year threw major curve balls at essentially everyone, yet, that didn’t stop us. Since 2020 was such a unique and crazy year for many, we all wanted to go into 2021 feeling confident and ready for the new year. Therefore, just as anyone does at the beginning of every year, most set resolutions to accomplish. Unfortunately, it might’ve been more difficult for people to accomplish them last year due to everything going on. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t achieve them this year! Continue reading to find out about common resolutions that people set at the beginning of the new year.

A resolution is defined as, “a firm decision to do or not to do something” (Oxford Languages). Resolutions are looked at as a positive thing because in simpler terms, they’re goals that we strive to accomplish. Not everyone, but most people write down or keep track of goals that they want to reach during that year at the very beginning. Nonetheless, there aren’t any limits or “restrictions” for resolutions. For example, they can be anything from improving physically to improving mentally.

To start, one common resolution that people may not think of at first is to stop procrastinating. I know that my fellow teens, let alone any students, out there reading this, are guilty of it, or at least I am. Procrastinating is definitely not a good habit, but some of us just end up having to if we have busy schedules. Not only that, but it’s something that can be hard to get yourself out of once you constantly do it over and over. Fortunately, there are quite a few ways to prevent it if it is one of your goals. Some recommend making a to-do list(I’ve personally done this and it helps me A LOT) which can be very beneficial. If you write down which tasks you want to get done at the beginning of the day before you forget, it can actually help you on many levels. For instance, according to The Guardian, “just making a plan to get them [tasks] done can free us from this anxiety”. It not only keeps track of what we have to do, but also reduces our stress levels.

Another very popular goal that people set for themselves is to lose weight, exercise more, and eat healthier(or just one in particular, although they all go hand in hand). Many people set this as a goal to feel more confident or to even just improve their health. Yet, it’s similar to the previous one because getting out of shape or not having as much time to exercise can potentially deal with having a hectic schedule, thus, having little time to do so. Luckily, one good thing that came out of quarantine was the amount of free time that everyone had on their hands. Now that we have basically moved past quarantine, some schools are still completely virtual. Nonetheless, for many schools, including ours occasionally, they end up switching to virtual only temporarily. Therefore, if you ever have some free time, take advantage of it and get some fresh air and go for a run, walk, or even do yoga. If you’re ever feeling stressed out and need a break(not a five hour long break), go out and get some exercise. It can be found as being very relaxing and soothing and often, we just need some time to ourselves.

Lastly, another one that can be a very good goal to set is to spend more time with your loved ones and live life to the fullest. Oftentimes, we get so wrapped up in what’s going on in the news and everybody else’s lives, instead of our own, when that shouldn’t be the case. Life offers so many opportunities and they obviously don’t all come at once, thus, we need to just slow down and realize how lucky we are. Another thing that was good that came out of 2020 is that people started to not take things for granted. For instance, many students tend to find school as a miserable and horrible place. Yet, that should be the last thing we view it as. Schools and teachers help guide us on the right path in life and set us up for success and a great future, indicating that we should be ever so grateful for it. 

Overall, even though 2020 wasn’t a year we all want to remember, it’s time to move on from the past and focus on the present. When you have some time, feel free to write your own list of goals that you aspire to achieve this year. Even though you might not accomplish all of them, in the end, at least you took the step to write them in the first place.

Twenty-twenty was a year that changed us all. Our definition of normal was crumpled and reinvented into something we never could’ve expected. While at first glance it seems like one of the worst years of our lives, we have to ask ourselves, was 2020 entirely bad? After thinking about how we have all changed throughout the year, I asked a few students here at Seneca how they feel too. These are their responses:

Freshman Vanessa Auty explains, “I feel not only that I’ve changed but everything and everyone around me has become more clear. I feel more aware of my surroundings and realize how important it is to think about the things I can do to help right now.” She  continues, “From January 2020 to January 2021 I’ve become more free-minded because I’m not worried about what others think, and [I’m] more focused on myself and what I can do to improve not only my life but my communities.” 

Sophomore Emma Morrison says that now that 2020 is over, “I definitely feel like I’m more ready to better myself and put myself first.” As a friend of Morrison’s I find it  inspiring to hear how much they have grown. In this growth, they could show their peers that they too can improve themselves. Morrison continued, “I’ve started focusing more on school and surrounding myself with positive energy.”

Junior Kaitey Kunz tells how, “I have changed in many ways but [in 2021], I feel lighter with less stress and depression as well as being to find myself and who I truly am. In January 2020, I was a girl who showed a lot of people my tough wall but so far in January of 2021, I have let the protective wall down and been able to open up to others.”

Senior Gillian Ingrao remarks, “I definitely have changed a lot as a person from January 2020 to January 2021! I was given a lot of time to self-reflect during quarantine and become a better person. I learned not only how to treat others with more kindness but I learned how to treat myself with kindness too, which was one of the most important things I took away from 2020.”

Every person experienced some sort of growth over 2020. So many of us became emotionally stronger and we learned to adapt to our new circumstances. Changing to an entirely different way of learning also strengthened us all, because we had to learn how to use different resources. Before jumping to the conclusion that 2020 was a horrible year, think about how many changes you went through. Ponder what you’ve overcome. Appreciate the person you are now, and what it took for you to become that person.

With the start of 2021 comes celebration of new beginnings and the highly anticipated end of 2020, which wreaked havoc for many people across the globe. Many want to take this new year as a fresh start and form some New Year's resolutions for 2021 in order to ensure a better year. However, it is believed that 80% of these resolutions fail to become habits. There is actually quite a bit of science that goes into forming habits, and with this knowledge, perhaps more people will be successful in making these resolutions stick throughout the new year.

To start, we need to understand what habits are. Habits are settled tendencies that are formed through routine or practice. They have three basic components to them: the cue, the action, and the reward. The cue is what pushes you to take action and make a change while the action is the part where you start to drop or form this habit through changes in routine. Finally, the reward is the part of the habit where you receive a positive bonus for doing this activity, whether it be physical or mental. On average, most people have to perform the task for 66 days before it becomes a daily part of their life. Therefore, a New Year's resolution isn’t completely achieved until early to mid March. 

Just knowing the basic science behind habits won’t ensure success, so the question remains: why do so many New Year's resolutions fail? A couple of factors can cause a habit to break or to never even start. First, many people go into their resolution with impatience and give up because they are not seeing the results they desire right away. Additionally, some people tend to go overboard on their resolutions, making an impossible schedule that is completely different from their previous lifestyle. This makes the change abrupt and causes people to give up quickly from the overload of changes all at once causing excess stress. Finally, many tend to hate the process and it ends up feeling more like a chore rather than a positive change by choice.

With all of that being said, how do we avoid these failures and successfully achieve our New Year's resolutions this year, let alone any year from here on out? First, go into the process with patience. Results don't happen overnight and it can take weeks or sometimes months to see or feel a positive change and/or difference in your life. Don’t lose faith, be patient, and stick with it and with time will come change. Next, through slow subtle changes, you avoid extra stress due to routine similarity and a higher rate of success for forming a new habit. Overloading yourself with tons of changes will just stress you out, but if you gradually add new parts to your routine, you will relieve stress and increase the rate of success. Finally, add some fun aspects to your routine so it doesn't feel as much of a chore and gives it a positive connection. For example, give yourself a free day every week or so, or a treat for every milestone. You will be more motivated if you know that at the end of this you will have something to look forward to whether it be a sweet treat, day with friends, rest day, or something you find rewarding. 

Overall, with this knowledge and background of New Year's resolutions and the science that goes into forming habits, success increases. However, only individual willpower can guarantee absolute success. Therefore, create a specific goal to aspire to achieve, find your motivation, whether it be physical or mental, and make it fun! 

Sources:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2018/02/13/the-science-behind-adopting-new-habits-and-making-them-stick/?sh=3d1fc9a343c7 

https://jamesclear.com/new-habit 

https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/10-reasons-why-new-years-resolutions-fail.html 

As fall comes to an end and winter is right around the corner, you begin to see an upcoming rise in holiday decorations pertaining to Thanksgiving. Of course, everyone knows what this holiday is about-- the concept of gratefulness. Being grateful has shown to be uplifting for yours and others’ mental state as well as relationships with others. Overall, appreciating what you have is one of the best things you can do throughout your life.

Sadly, some are less fortunate than others, yet are still just as grateful. The little things matter in life, whether that be holding the door for someone or just using your manners. If you want to do more than just saying hello in the morning, try to participate in community service! Plenty of people are willing to help and donate to those who need it.  

Community service opportunities are always popping up, especially when you’re in middle school or high school. Some might not care and not even consider it or just think it’s pointless; however, community service is so much more than just earning hours and giving back to the community. As previously stated, community service is all about taking time out of your day to make someone else’s day, or even life, better. Even though you might never know who or how, through volunteering and community service, someone’s life can change for the better. 

Some ways that you can help out with community service are by volunteering with your church (specifically their youth group if you’re a teen), helping out at a local animal shelter, soup kitchens, etc. For example, within our area, there are many churches that are in need of help with certain events, especially around the holiday time which is made even more challenging because of the pandemic. If you’ve never volunteered before, there’s no better time than now to start.  Linda Xerri, the advisor of YES at St. Mary of the Lakes Church wrote, “Throughout history, many great civic and spiritual leaders have recognized the importance of community service and giving back to those in need. This is never more evident than during this present time of pandemic where people not only locally, but across the globe are hurting”. She continued, “So many people all around the world are struggling physically, emotionally and economically due to coronavirus. Consequently there is no better time for those who can help to do so.” 

Thus, if you have some free time on your hands this holiday season, try and reach out to any organizations that offer opportunities for volunteering, obviously while staying safe with COVID-19 still being among us.

As the first week of November approached, our nation held its breath, anticipating the announcement of the next projected president of the United States of America. It was widely known that the stakes were high, some even claiming it to be the most important election of their lives, or in American history. Modern-day issues riding on the election included the nation's economy, health care, violent crime, and the Coronavirus pandemic. Unsurprisingly, the Democratic and Republican parties suggested very different plans for dealing with these obligations, creating high levels of turmoil between protestors on both sides. However, other variables also influenced this election's results, many of which were governed by the COVID-19 Pandemic.  

When the Coronavirus disease caused a nationwide quarantine in the early months of 2020, most citizens of the USA and even President Trump believed it would be over within a few months. Unfortunately, this general assumption proved to be incorrect, as more than nine months later, the fifty states are still bouncing back and forth from a position of quarantine to reopening, with the potential return to lockdown looming. In turn, the Coronavirus pandemic also created complications through the election process. For example, the mail-in ballot was introduced as a popular alternative to voting in-person, as an attempt to avoid spreading the virus at polling places. COVID-19 also was responsible for the lower number of attendees at the campaigns and debates of the presidential candidates. During the debate on October 15th, at the Knight Concert Hall auditorium, only 115 people were permitted to observe the event, although the room usually holds over 2,000 people.  The pandemic also affected which candidate Americans thought appropriate to vote for, as both major presidential candidates offered different proposals to manage the COVID-19 virus. President Donald Trump aimed to continue reopening the US, while Vice President Joe Biden suggested a more cautious approach, including increased testing and investment in a vaccine.  

In the end, Seneca High School’s home state of New Jersey voted blue, giving Joe Biden and Kamala Harris the state’s fourteen electoral votes. However, many Americans were still on the edge of their seats from November third to the seventh, as America’s 2020 Electoral College Map showed its true colors. Around midday on the seventh, voters were finally given results: Joe Biden and Kamala Harris had taken the title of the next projected president and vice president of the United States. 

Unfathomable joy flooded parts of the country in the wake of this influential announcement.  Many celebrated the successful political duo in major cities including New York City, Miami, Denver, Detroit, Austin, and Los Angeles. Harris showed her excitement and relief in a videotaped phone call to Biden, congratulating him on the big win, which quickly went viral. Biden, later that night, gave his victory speech in his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware. Here, he pledged to “restore the soul of America”.

In contrast, other Americans, many centered in more rural areas, were deeply disappointed with the results of this election, including President Trump, who still does not appear to be taking the statistics with much diplomacy. So far, he has filed at least fifteen lawsuits, each claiming that there was an issue with the election process and dubbing the results “biased” and “tampered”. Trump is also demanding recounts in some states like Georgia, though the democratic party is still in the lead. 

Although some are less accepting than others of the 2020 election results, the people have spoken and every vote has been counted or recounted. At this point in time, Joe Biden will be the next American president, accompanied in office by Vice President Kamala Harris.