Jina Mahsa Amini’s death as a catalyst for change

By Amelia Waite

TEHRAN, Iran -- On September 16th, 2022 Jina Mahsa Amini –- an Iranian Kurdish woman -– was arrested by religious morality police for not wearing a head covering. They later claimed that after the detainment she suffered from a heart attack and passed away; however, witnesses believe that they saw her beaten to death by the same police.

 Her death sparked outrage across the city. Women of the entire Middle East began to shout “Jin, Jiyan, Azadi” -- or, in English, “Women, Life, Freedom”.

Mahsa Amini’s death was not the first time this Kurdish phrase has been used, however; in fact, its origins date back to the late 20th century with Kurdish freedom groups. The meaning has shifted internationally to support the fight against gender oppression.

Women took to the streets, burned their hijabs, and cut their hair. They were not only protesting the society’s unjust, oppressive laws for women, but the Islamic Republic as a whole.

Iran’s morality police -- and their harsh, misogynist power under the name Gasht-e Ershad -- was not the only problem with the Islamic Republic. Their authoritarian regimes suppress basic human rights and political freedom. Elections are unfair: the Supreme Leader (Ayatollah) selects a Guardian Council who then selects political candidates, barring anyone they seem unfit. The Ayatatollah, who is now Mojtaba Khamene after his father’s death, ultimately has the final choice. Iran as a country is nothing other than authoritarian. 

Women of all ages are among the most oppressed group. The Islamic Republic enforces Sharia Law, meaning women must cover their hair and wear loose clothing. Mahsa Amini was murdered by the Gasht-e Ershad for “not abiding to Sharia”. She was wearing a headscarf, it just did not fit their standards. Her tight pants also fueled their reason for her arrest.

Mahsa Amini’s death brought a new wave of feminism to Iran. Women were finally empowered and outraged enough to fight back against the oppressive grip they have been under for decades.

Despite the war against Israel and the United States, women continue to stand up for their rights. They continue to protest not only on the streets with signs and chants, but in their daily lives by going against set dress codes.

Women of Afghanistan have had their progress set back because of conflict. Growth made in twenty years was almost fully erased when the Taliban took back over in 2021. Thankfully war has instead inspired the women of Iran even more.

Even after four years, her absence is still felt. Jina Mahsa Amini’s death sparked a revolution in the authoritative Iran. Her memory is a catalyst for change -- for gender equality and an end to Sharia Law.

Resident Evil: A Closer Look at Zombie Media

By Caroline Abreu and Emily Munafo

On September 18, 2026, Zach Cregger’s newest film hit theaters across the country. Adapted from the popular video game of the same name, Resident Evil follows Bryan Hodukavich, played by Austin Abrams, a medical courier who has to survive the first night of a zombie outbreak as he attempts to bring a rush delivery to a hospital in Racoon City. Cregger draws audiences into this apocalyptic world by using elements from the game that create an incredible immersive experience.

Resident Evil is not the only popular zombie media to have appeared in the last few decades. On October 31, 2010 the hit television series, The Walking Dead, released its first episode and quickly became one of the most popular pieces of zombie media on television. The two pieces of media, while similar through their shared genre, are very different stories. The Walking Dead follows the story of Rick Grimes, a former sheriff with a wife and child, who fights over the span of years to protect his family and the people he found along the way from the virus and other humans. The show features an ensemble cast that each have their own motives and character arcs. Resident Evil on the other hand follows the story of one man who is trying to survive only the first night of the zombie apocalypse while protecting a medical package. The difference in the time that the story spans as well as the importance of ensemble cast members created a stark difference in how they each approached zombie media.

Since George A. Romero’s Night of the Living Dead came out in 1968, zombie movies have kept the world in a chokehold. The concept of a zombie apocalypse is entertaining, but is our infatuation with zombie media justified? This strain of television tends to follow a similar structure: apocalypse starts, main character gains a found family, completes an important mission, and the story has a bittersweet ending. It seems basic, but draws viewers in every time. Just like any other story, zombie movies appeal to those with escapist tendencies, but these films have the unique ability to fully bring viewers into the world in which the story takes place. The modern setting and somewhat scientific basis of these films allows everyone to easily imagine what a zombie apocalypse would look like in their lives, making the concept significantly more appealing. The relatability of characters in this media adds to this idea, making it easier for the average viewer to picture themselves in the world. Despite the mostly modern time-frame of these movies, the natural elements of this story ground our love for these films in human nature. In a world where stress is focused on finances and deadlines, a setting where basic survival is necessary can often seem ideal in comparison. 

During Covid-19, cultural anxieties surrounding illness were on the rise. Quarantine isolated us in these fears and interrupted the routines that we had become accustomed to. The rapidly changing world during this era created a greater desire to fall back into our basic instincts--nature and survival. The simple and familiar world that zombie media brought us during a time of doubt created a significant rise in the popularity of apocalyptic films. With relevant themes such as found family, human instinct, reconstruction, and hope, zombie movies provided the reassurance that people needed during a time of uncertainty: the hope that we could rebuild.

Fall Movie Guide

By Rylan Savas

Fall is a time to cozy up and turn on the TV, but every year it gets harder to find good things to watch that give you that autumnal feeling. Not every fall movie needs to be Halloween related.

First up I have The Goonies. This classic 80s adventure movie is about a group of kids who go on a treasure hunt in order to try and save their house from being taken away from them. The story has nothing to do with Halloween, and I’m not even sure it’s set in the fall. Set in foggy, gloomy Oregon, a group of misfit kids go on a hunt for lost treasure to save their house from being foreclosed.  A fun fact about this movie is that a scene with a giant octopus was cut from the movie but in the end of the movie the scene where the kids mention it was left in the final cut. If you like the TV show “Gravity Falls,” you’ll like this movie.

Next I have St. Elmo's Fire. Another classic 80s movie. Set in Georgetown, eight best friends from college are trying to find their footing as they set into adulthood. Problems arise with relationships, money issues, and love, when young adulthood doesn’t start out the way they imagined. This is a great movie particularly for young adults to watch and relate to. The main reason for this movie to be on my list is the incredible fall aesthetic set in a beautiful historic college town. If you like the TV show “Friends,” you’ll like this movie.

Knives Out (2019) -- this is the first movie in the Knives Out series. Detective Beniot Blanc tries to find out how a rich billionaire died. The setting is beautiful and eerie. You won’t be able to figure out who did it until the moment they reveal it. A fun fact about this movie is that it was filmed just next door in Borderland in Easton.

The Twilight Zone, a classic. This series follows a new story each episode that all take place in “TheTwilight Zone,” a fictional dimension that lies between reality and imagination.  These stories are a mix of horror and science fiction. This series is great for binge watching or a quick watch.

Although being one of the biggest shows on Netflix, Stranger Things might not come to your mind when you think of what to watch during Halloween. Seasons three to five focused on a different vibe than the first two seasons. The first two seasons focus more on a sci-fi horror mystery vibe. If it’s been a minute since you’ve watched the first seasons, now is a great time to enjoy the nostalgic, beloved series.

Meet NHS' Newest English Teacher, Ms. Veiking

By Ms. Birkett

Students may have noticed an unfamiliar face in the English hallway this fall – Ms. Kacey Veiking, NHS’ newest English teacher. This year, she is teaching senior English, freshman English, and True Crime and Horror.

Ms. Veiking graduated from Mansfield High School in 2021 and attended Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut. She graduated with her bachelor’s in 2025 and just graduated and received her master’s this past spring.

During her time at Sacred Heart, she was a student teacher at Hillcrest Middle School in Trumbull, CT. She also held two internships: one at Fairfield Ludlowe High School in Fairfield and another at Discovery Magnet School in Bridgeport. Before that, she was a substitute teacher at the Jordan Jackson Elementary School in Mansfield.

Ms. Veiking says she has always wanted to be a teacher: “As a kid, I used to play school and teach my ‘students’ the homework my teachers would give me. In college, I decided I wanted to become an English teacher because I found a love for writing.”

She is off to a great start at Norton High School. “So far, I love the community this school has,” Ms. Veiking states. “I feel so welcome by both staff and students. I really enjoy the classes I am teaching as well!” She says she is most excited to meet all of the students and attends as many events as she can.

Ms. Veiking’s favorite book to teach is F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, and when asked to describe herself in three words, she said she would choose “creative, curious, and tall.” A former basketball player and coach herself, she is also an avid Boston Celtics fan!

Another interesting fact about Ms. Veiking is that she loves to travel; she lived in Rome for one summer during college and went to a different country every week.

Ms. Veiking has been a wonderful addition to the Norton High School staff and we are excited to see the positive impact she makes on our school!