MANSFIELD, MA -- Açaí and smoothie bowls have become very popular over the past couple of years, and recently, a new smoothie bowl place has opened in Mansfield called Rush Bowls. Rush Bowls has a varied menu for many different tastes which include wellness bowls, endurance bowls, destination bowls, smoothies, energy bites, and even bowls for dogs!

We heard many great reviews so we decided to test it out for ourselves. We decided to try the chocolate-covered strawberry and lemon squeeze bowl (açaí base). It was a little bit pricey compared to other smoothie bowl places, but it was definitely worth the money. The workers are also really efficient and the customer service is wonderful. The base of the bowl was very refreshing and flavorful, but for our personal preference, the ratio of base to toppings was a little off with too much base per toppings. Besides their granola, they are very generous with their toppings and each bowl you get one free topping of your choice and from there you can customize it to how you like.

One of our favorite parts was the color changing spoons – as soon as you put your spoon into the cold creation, it turns from white to blue. Overall, the experience was wonderful and we will definitely be going back soon!

Rush Bowls was launched in 2004 in Colorado and their Mansfield location opened on October 12, 2023. They are located at 90 Copeland Drive in Mansfield and their website can be found here.

NORTON HIGH SCHOOL -- We asked Norton High School students “this or that” questions to get their opinions on competing brands, businesses, and similar things.

The first question we asked was: Would you rather watch a TV show or a movie? The votes were unanimous – TV shows were the big winners. Opinions about this were also unanimous, saying how TV shows are less of a commitment; therefore, making a show series more popular because you can watch one episode at a time that are shorter than movies. Some people also have comfort shows that they can watch over and over again as well as background entertainment while doing activities like cleaning or doing other household chores. 

The next question we asked was: Dunkin’ or Starbucks? We were very interested to find out the results for this one because both of these businesses are very popular, especially for high school students who love drinking coffee and refreshers. Just as expected, this one was split and people had some strong opinions. The positives for Starbucks was that they have more drink options for people who don’t like or don’t want coffee, and they have fun seasonal cups. Dunkin’ lovers stepped in to say that Dunkin’ coffee tastes better and they have donuts and best of all – munchkins. 

The third question we asked was: Toilet Paper Under or Over? Although it was a vague question, people had very set opinions for their side. However, there weren’t many defenders as to why they chose the side they did; it was more of a comfort-based opinion. One person did make a relevant point saying that if you prefer the toilet paper under, it can rub against the wall and get gross. If the toilet paper is over, you don’t have that problem. Overall, people said they prefer their toilet paper over rather than under. 

The last question we asked students was if they prefer Goldfish or Cheez-Its. The votes were split, but Cheez-Its ended up taking the win for this one. One person said that they couldn’t choose between the two; however, they prefer white cheddar Cheez-Its and extra cheddar Goldfish over the regular ones for each. One student made a valid argument for Goldfish, saying that they have a larger variety of flavors, shapes, and sizes compared to Cheez-Its. Asking to choose between these two popular snacks can be a bit tough, especially when there are so many choices within the two sides. 

Feel free to scan the QR code and tell us your opinions!

NORTON HIGH SCHOOL -- The fabled senior year, both full of opportunities yet daunting -- the year that you’ve looked forward to since elementary school days. Does it really live up to expectations? What have been the challenges? We talked to a few different seniors about their experiences to see their thoughts about this monumental year.

First off, what activities are seniors the most involved in? There are a plethora of different activities to be involved in at Norton High, and our class is very committed. We are both officers in Global Citizenship Club, and hold membership/leadership positions in many others.  Other seniors hold leadership positions in many other clubs such as Active Minds; play sports such as Cheer, Tennis, or Track; are a part of Honor Societies; hold jobs; and even participate in outside activities such as community theater. 

What are the things seniors are most looking forward to this year? While there are many aspects of this monumental year to be excited for, I (NS) am most looking forward to graduation and Senior Sunset. I (IM) have been looking forward to senior skip day and prom! Other seniors had a variety of differing opinions. Maeve Gallagher said she was most excited about prom, while Michael Katsikis said he was most looking forward to the last month of school which he referred to as “winding down time.”

What circumstances have impacted the Senior Experience? 

Although we all experienced a gradual return to normalcy from COVID-19 throughout our high school experience, senior year is unique because we face a plethora of new challenges. Many of us are preparing to go to college, planning lists and tours to go on. Many students agree that this aspect of the year has been the most challenging to navigate and has impacted our year the most. Jayda Castillo noted that she felt she was “going in blind” as someone without an older sibling providing guidance, and agreed that it was the most strenuous part of the year so far. Maeve agreed, saying that due to the personalized nature of college applications, it's hard to seek advice.

What has been the hardest aspect of this year?

Obviously, facing major change is hard for anyone to come to terms with-- let alone realizing that we're all departing our small town with the people we've known for a decade. But what other aspects have made this year stressful, daunting or overwhelming? Maeve Gallagher said, “It goes hand-in-hand with college applications, but coming to terms and realizing what I want to do with the rest of my life, and how which college I go to will impact my life.” Most seniors can resonate with this; the idea of choosing what path you want your career to take can be unnerving and many are still unsure. Jayda noted similarly that with college applications, time management has been her biggest concern. 

What do you think you could've done differently to plan around the challenges of this year?

The infamous senioritis is a struggle many to-be graduates face throughout twelfth grade. But many feel that it is approaching too soon, noting that they wished they had not procrastinated so much throughout the first semester, and how that would have benefited them in the long run. Some students also feel that they would've been at a further advantage if they had planned out their college process more carefully throughout the summer. I (IM) personally agree with both of those points, as senior year has by far been my hardest to juggle academically.

What advice would you give your past self now about the college application process?

Although the college application process has obviously been the most encompassing activity so far throughout this year, Maeve and Jayda both wish they had more perspective on it at the time. Maeve said, “I would give my past self the knowledge that in the end, I was gonna get it done, but I should've started earlier than I did. Ultimately, I was gonna end up where I need to be.” Jayda agreed. In finality, the message here is “If it's meant to be, it will be.” Make sure you're spending time finding balance between your studies, college, and social life! Remember that college is what you make it; prestigious schools are great, but it’s up to you to take advantage of the opportunities presented to you. Senior year is supposed to be fun, so don’t hinge everything on your acceptances or denials!

Finally, has this senior year lived up to your expectations of what a stereotypical “idyllic senior year” should look like?

Most of our article has been discussing academics and college, but obviously a massive part of senior year are the activities we do and trying to spend the most time with our friends as possible before our lives go separate ways. I (IM) have had so much fun so far this year, it’s been super cool to attend different senior nights for my friends and celebrate them & their achievements. I also loved the senior cruise! It’s been super fulfilling to spend time with friends that I don’t often hang out with but really value, and I’ve also been a lot more involved in my clubs. Maeve and Jayda both agree that this year has socially exceeded expectations. 

As it’s only the end of first semester, seniors still have a lot to look forward to in the coming months! I’m (IM) most looking forward to spring sports starting, and hosting our multicultural night for Global Citizenship Club. It’s intimidating knowing that we’re already halfway through, and soon we will be moving on to new beginnings, but right now, many of us are trying to focus on the present and making the most memories we can. Soon, we’ll all be in our purple caps and gowns, wishing we were back in elementary school.

For young athletes, school-run sports can be extremely liberating. Whether it’s the strategy, the adrenaline rush, or the simple feeling of representing the community, students take pride in participating in these activities. High school sports can also help students gain great opportunities, such as scholarships or recruitment. However, to keep the sports running throughout the year, money needs to be poured into them to pay for jerseys, equipment, and other essentials. What about the other extracurricular activities? Shouldn’t they get a cut of the funding? How much financial support should schools be getting for sports?

It’s no secret that school sports are expensive. In the past, athletics didn’t require such a big budget, as students and coaches were content with the materials they had and the money was covered by hot dog sales and a local sponsor. Now, the requests have grown more challenging to agree to (referring to high schools nationwide). Whether the concerns are from coaches, parents, or the students themselves, demands call for the latest, most expensive equipment, and inflation certainly doesn’t help this. For schools that aren’t as fortunate as those of northeast, the athletic programs only sapped cash from the necessities. According to Perry LaBounty of the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), “Our district, like every other district in the state, had to make difficult decisions. Many good teachers and programs were lost during that time, including the middle school sports program.” LaBounty is a principal from Independence, Oregon, and the district was able to save $120,000 every year due to trimming it. The article goes on and on with interviews from school principals and superintendents about how the budget of sports can be overwhelming to handle.

Still, that city is all the way across the country. Where does Norton stand in all of this? Assessing the athletic complex that was recently installed in the spaces between the Yelle and the NHS, we can see the costs. The Sun Chronicles reports, “Some [councilmen] and town officials, however, were caught off guard by the proposal.” Their shock was warranted; though people were expecting a new turf field and track, they ended up proposing a multimillion dollar project.

A proposal of such ambition was certainly surprising. All this money that would go to the field seems very unnecessary, even if the sports program in Norton is successful. In the end, we were granted $20,000. Despite that, it’s important to note the amount of money the town council was considering. Over five million dollars for the field can be seen by many as a misplacement of priorities. Textbooks are outdated, and teachers were threatened to be laid off. Even if it would improve the state of the sports program, it’s an absurd request. Though this is not to be an attack on the sports program, should we really be pouring so much into it?