Issue No. 10

California Wildfires

By: Emma Waston 

Do you have any pets? 

No, I don’t. But I have a grand-cat… and  a husband with allergies!

What was middle school like for you? 

When I grew up, it was called junior high school. We weren’t on teams, and it was like an introduction to high school–then they developed the middle school concept with teams. I was in a grade 7-12 school just like Masco, which I loved, and school was my jam.

What do you like to do in your free time? 

I like to read, play with my grandson, and play mahjong (a game with tiles). I also do a lot of traveling, and I recently picked up pickleball.

What is your favorite actor or musical artist? 

I like Meryl Streep and Jennifer Aniston, as well as comedians-to-actors like Ray Romano.

For musicians I like Barry Manilow, I listen to Beatles and Queen music.

My favorite books are historical fiction, because it’s like learning something in a story.

Right now, I'm reading a book about the greatest racing horses around the Civil War, but at the same time I'm also learning about the end of slavery and how the trainer was treated.

What are you afraid of? 

I don't own pets, so I’m leery around pets, especially big dogs. I also have the typical fears as a person gets a little older, like suffering from health problems.

Do you like teaching math? What is your favorite part of teaching math?

My least favorite part is grading. I love everything algebra, and I love when I see my students really get it–like that lightbulb going off that I just connected. I also like word problems because it puts meaning to the math. They’re challenging, and that's the kind of math I prefer.

What is your best childhood memory? 

Traveling. My parents were big about taking us places–we had grandparents in Florida and relatives in California. I grew up on Long Island in New York and we would often go to the city to celebrate holidays–there were big Thanksgivings, big July 4th parties, and Hanukkah celebrations.

Who do you admire most in the world and why? 

I know it sounds corny, but I admire my husband. I love his drive, his work ethic, and his intelligence, and the way he's been a dad and now grandpa. He’s my favorite person in the world.

What do you like most about Masco? 

I live in the tri-town, so this is where my kids went. The teachers have been amazing; both my kids have been able to connect with their teachers. I’ve formed great friends, which showed most during COVID, when we supported and helped each other. The teachers are the backbone here–a school is just walls and desks. I'm proud to say that my kids went to Masco and I teach here. It’s the people that make the difference.

What is your proudest accomplishment? 

In life, my proudest accomplishment is my kids. They’re both good and hardworking people, and I’m so proud of them. Professionally, it’s my ability to change careers, so I always say to people that I went to college to learn how to learn and be resourceful. I haven’t been teaching my whole life–I started in advertising, then human resources, then finally teaching. The ability to pivot and change careers and how each phase of my life was worked out of that way is something I’m really proud of.

The middle school theater department has spent a good four months doing rehearsals, set builds, and more in preparation for The Drowsy Chaperone. Their hard work was all worth it in the end as they performed an amazing production. Directed by Ms. Marsella, and featuring Maria Peluso as the Drowsy Chaperone, Matt Donnell as Robert Martin, Sonya Moran as Janet Van De Graff, Casey Doherty as the best man George, Fynn Ryan as Kitty, Grace Browne as Victor Feldzieg, Natalie Walsh as Aldolpho, and many more who have not yet authorized me to put their names into the paper. They’d love to thank Asher Conway for all her help because without her the show wouldn’t exist. 

Can you imagine whole neighborhoods engulfed with flames? Well, thousands of people in California, just lived through this exact thing. In California, many people lost their homes. These were the most destructive fires that California history has ever seen! These fires are mostly all contained now, but they destroyed neighborhoods all over Southern California. At least 29 lives were lost. The wind speeds were intense. The Palisades fire has burned more than, 23,700 Acres . The Eaton fire has burnt over 14,000 Acres. The last fire, the Kenneth fire, has burnt 1,000 acres. Thanks to all of the firefighters' great service for getting these fires contained. So far in total over 57,670 acres burnt, 29 fatalities, 443 fires. These fires are such an important issue that needs to be shared all over the world; here is a link where you can donate: 

Wildfire Recovery Fund - California Community Foundation 

2025 California Wildfires Disaster Relief | American Red Cross 

                    Works Cited:        

Information Link