by Cam Fryar & Joey Dauphinee

Recently, Netflix released part two of Outer Banks. After the insane cliffhanger at the end of part 1, people eagerly awaited the release of part 2. Viewers believed the new season overall was outstanding and that the highly anticipated wait was worth it. I think the new season was very much worth the wait. I really liked the two-part season and the cliffhanger at the end of the first part, which carried over into part two of the season. 

Viewers proclaim that they were very surprised by the ending. However, I liked it because I believe it will contribute a lot to the next season, if or when we get one. 

Senior Marty Ward agrees, “The ending fits the show. They always end off on a big cliffhanger ending.” The much-anticipated wait for part two of this new season was worth the wait as viewers recommend everyone watch the new season. 

Some people have different opinions on the new season, however. Although some may think that the new season was very good, maybe even the best one yet, some think that the new season wasn't as good as the other seasons in the past. 

Senior Owen Pace said, “It was not very good compared to the other seasons and it was very suppressed and I didn't like it at all.” 

We next asked Pace anything he would change about this season and he said, “I love JJ and I would change it to make sure he didn't die.” 

From my perspective, I disagree. I think the season was still very good but I am very upset that JJ died because he was also one of my favorite characters. He brought all the fun to the show, he was a key part of their friend group. As we saw at the end of the season everyone was mad and upset and he would be the one to cheer everyone up but other than that I thought it was good. 

As for the future of the show, it is unclear as to whether there will be a new season. Pace said, “I think they are going to have another one because Sarah is pregnant and that's an awful cliffhanger to leave the fans on.” 

I agree with this interpretation because I believe that they cannot simply end the show on such a big cliffhanger. With Sarah's pregnancy, I believe that viewers will be eagerly awaiting the birth of their child and to see where the show will go after that occurs. 

by Kaitlyn Baio 

School can be a stressful time for all, battling homework, sports, work, clubs and other busy things in your personal life. All these activities can lead to high stress levels in and out of school. When stress comes your way, it can be difficult to cope and navigate in school. There are multiple things that you can do to prevent high stress levels. These techniques will not only lead to a healthier mindset, but they will also improve your mental health. Getting enough sleep, good time management, healthy diet, and mindfulness are all techniques you can practice to help prevent stress. 

Time Management.  Time Management plays a big role in navigating stress levels, as you balance school work with your personal life. One of the primary sources of stress is being overwhelmed with homework and deadlines. Using planners, digital tools, prioritizing your important tasks, gradually working on big assignments, and being on top of your schedule will make time management less stressful and overwhelming. This approach reduces the anxiety associated with last-minute assignments and gives you more balance in your personal life. 

Healthy Lifestyle. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important for managing stress. Ensuring that you get enough sleep, regular physical activity, and a good diet will provide your body with the right nutrients to keep your body and your mind functioning optimally. A busy lifestyle can lead to poor sleep habits, so developing great time management skills will help you incorporate a better sleep schedule into your life. Making sure that your body feels good correlates with how your mind feels, incorporating healthy habits will lead to a clearer mind and an improvement in mental health. It is important to get a good amount of sleep every night and develop good healthy habits that work for you. 

Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques 

Techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, journaling, and taking care of yourself are all techniques that can help calm your mind and reduce stress. Prioritizing your mental health and taking time out of your day to practice mindfulness will make a significant difference on how you deal with stress when it comes on. Additionally, it is important to engage in activities you enjoy outside of school. These can include reading, drawing, watching your favorite movie/ TV show, listening to music, and hanging out with your friends can provide a much-needed separation from the demands of school. 

Implementing these strategies into your daily life can help better manage high stress levels, leading to a more balanced, productive, positive, and enjoyable school experience and lifestyle. At the end of the day, please remember that it is important to find what techniques work best for you, and to never be scared to seek support from friends, family or professional help, such as school counselors or a therapist. 

Pembroke Don Bravo staff photo

Courtesy Facebook

by Navina Bekheit

Just recently, Pembroke was graced with the presence of a new restaurant, Don Bravo. This was not new to many patrons due to its fame in its first location, Marshfield. Everyone who dines there has nothing but raving reviews about the food, the service, and the overall experience in the restaurant. 

The Titan Times sat down with the owner’s daughter, and senior here at Pembroke, Katherine Bautista:

Q: What is your favorite part about working here?

A: The community, everyone feels like a big family, every coworker no matter if they're a cook, a host, a server, they became your brother, your sister, your friend. 

Q: What is the most difficult part of your job?

A: The customers, people can be really rude, people tend to become really impatient.

Q: What is the most popular item on the menu? What’s your favorite?

A: Some of my favorites include the San Jose burrito, the carne asada, and the queso dip. The most popular is the Pina Loca, the burrito your way, and sopes.

Q: Is there a story behind the name “Don Bravo”

A: The word “Don” in Spanish means Mr. or Sir, and Bravo was my Grandpa's last name. My mom made this restaurant in honor of him. It was always her dream to own a restaurant, when that was finally becoming a reality, she thought what better way to honor him than to make it be for him? From the name, all the way to the man you see on the front door, is Bravo. 

Not only does this restaurant house delicious food, but it also houses culture, family, and a gorgeous story behind its origin.