Embedded Files
Earth Day
Up until the 1970s, buildings and factories could happily dispute as much dirty, black air as they wanted. But, there was no Clear Air Act, no EPA, and no Clean Water Act. There were no legal regulations as to what companies could do. Nothing to protect our environment. Until the spring of 1970 when Senator Gaylord Nelson created Earth Day as a force to spread the news about our world. This issue was finally put into people’s minds nationally! This worked so well, that in December of 1970, Congress authorized the creation of a new federal agency to take down environmental issues. The U.S. Environmental Agency. On this year’s Earth Day on April 22nd, go out to do something kind for the environment! Something small goes a long way.
By: Leiland Wisniewski '25
Starting Over
One thing I thought I knew for sure was that we would never let each other go. We were infinite, a bond that could never be broken, tethered together for the rest of our lives. Everyone told me to let it go, it’s not like you were going to wake up. They told me I needed to start over, to find someone else."The coma is going to last for the rest of her life." I never believed that, or more so I never wanted to believe it. The visits became less frequent and I felt guilty, but I just couldn’t do this to myself anymore. Every time I came to see you it was worse and the pain felt like an open wound, but this time was different because I came to say goodbye. I left you with fresh flowers on your bedside table, the way you always had them every time I visited your apartment. A long way south I moved to an empty room that should have been filled with your light. I went through the motions of life every day, picking up the pieces that you left me, and mending myself back together. At first, it was hard but soon enough my world of black and white started to show some color. I met her and it was undeniable that she was put into my life for a reason. Truthfully, you would have loved her and I think I love her too.
…
She was ethereal as she walked down the aisle, her vows to me sacred, whispered words that only someone you were inevitably supposed to end up with could utter. As we turned to walk together hand in hand, I saw a glimmer in the corner of my eye. I searched the crowd of people just in time to find the ghost of you clapping and smiling with tears in your eyes. In that moment I saw your approval, your understanding, your pride. You wanted this for me. As they say, time heals all wounds, but they never mention how wounds leave scars. I would always carry a piece of you through my life, a piece of my heart would always be yours. Just because you’re not here with me does not mean you’ll never be there for me. So as I start this next chapter in my life with her, I want to thank you for the ones you were in and the lessons you gave me. Without those, I never would have become the man I am today or ended up with her.
By: Mackenna Holben '26
The Little Mermaid ~
Cast & Crew Interview
Name: Elizabeth Chadwick
Grade: 12th
Role: Maid
Clubs: Valley Voices, Reading Olympics, DND, AV Club, and Debate Club
Hobbies/Interests: reading, writing, and piano
How Long in POP: 1st year
Why POP: All of her friends are there. She was in theater class and enjoyed it so much, that she wanted to continue with the full musical. Feels like she belongs.
Favorite Song or Performance: Positoovity
Name: Megan Yobb
Grade: 12th
Role: ensemble
Clubs: GSA - Vice Pres
Hobbies/Interests: crafty, loves to craft things
How Long in POP: 1st year
Why POP: A lot of her friends were in it and she wanted to spend more time with them.
Favorite Song or Performance: Under the Sea
Name: Ellia Strause
Grade: 10th
Role: ensemble
Clubs: GSA, DND, and French Club
Hobbies/Interests: art, performing, and media consumption
How Long in POP: 2nd year
Why POP: Dad introduced her to Performing arts and really fell in love with it. She always knew that she wanted to be a part of the musical.
Favorite Song or Performance: Kiss the Girl OR Poor Unfortunate Souls
Name: Aliah Fox
Grade: 10th
Role: ensemble
Clubs: n/a
Hobbies/Interests: soccer, basketball, and swim
How Long in POP: 1st year
Why POP: Sister told her to try out, and she always wanted to act.
Favorite Song or Performance: n/a
Name: Abby Witinski
Grade: 10th
Role: ensemble
Clubs: DND, LEO, Reading Olympics, Valley Voices, and TSA
Hobbies/Interests: singing, painting, reading, and stuffed animal enthusiast
How Long in POP: 3rd year
Why POP: Loves the theater community, says we have a very talented special group of kids.
Favorite Song or Performance: Kiss the Girl
Name: Nicollette Hluchy
Grade: 12th
Role: crew
Clubs: n/a
Hobbies/Interests: drawing, singing, and field hockey
How Long in POP: 3rd year
Why POP: Likes musical theater.
Favorite Song or Performance: n/a
Name: Savannah Golowski
Grade: 10th
Role: crew
Clubs: Valley Voices
Hobbies/Interests: drawing and lifting
How Long in POP: 2nd year
Why POP: Friends joined and wanted to be a part of it.
Favorite Song or Performance: Her Voice
Name: Lizzy Miller
Grade: 10th
Role: crew
Clubs: French Club
Hobbies/Interests: jewelry making and sewing
How Long in POP: 1st year
Why POP: She thought that it would be fun to do stage crew.
Favorite Song or Performance: Ursula death
Name: Austin Kerper
Grade: 12th
Role: Windward
Clubs: n/a
Hobbies/Interests: biking, video games, singing, and acting
How Long in POP: 5th year
Why POP: He says he is able to use his own talents to have fun and multiple personalities. It's helped him become more confident and more outgoing.
Favorite Song or Performance: Les Poissons
Name: Nico Solvino
Grade: 11th
Role: Sailor AND Chef
Clubs: Cross Country, Track, Swim, Band, Chorus, Valley Voices, Jazz Band, Jesus Club, and Youth Group
Hobbies/Interests: n/a
How Long in POP: 1st year
Why POP: Wanted to step out of his comfort zone and try something different; he's glad he did. He said, "all of the people are amazing."
Favorite Song or Performance: Positoovity
Name: Larsen Hale
Grade: 12th
Role: King Triton
Clubs: DND, Debate Club, AV Club, Academic Challenge, Reading Olympics, Science Olympiads, NHS, and Track
Hobbies/Interests: 3D printing, DND, art, theater, and piano
How Long in POP: 2nd year
Why POP: Enjoys acting and his friends are in it.
Favorite Song or Performance: Positoovity
Name: Lorenzo Hartman
Grade: 11th
Role: ensemble
Clubs: Debate Club, World Languages, Mock Trial, French Club, and World Affairs
Hobbies/Interests: theater, Taekwondo, golf, and learning languages
How Long in POP: 3rd year
Why POP: A great group of kids and atmosphere. Makosch is a great person.
Favorite Song or Performance: Chef Mayhem scene
Name: Abigail Tenney
Grade: 12th
Role: Ursula
Clubs: Mock Trial, TV Studio, Academic Challenge, Reading Olympics, Jazz Band, Marching Band, and Valley Voices
Hobbies/Interests: reading, theater, and costuming
How Long in POP: 3rd year
Why POP: Loved theater since 4th grade, and always loved the previews. As soon as it was possible to audition, she did.
Favorite Song or Performance: Ursula death
Name: Gracie Torres
Grade: 10th
Role: Ariel
Clubs: Student Council, Jesus Club, and PYEA
Hobbies/Interests: BCTC, singing, Ukelele, poetry, and running
How Long in POP: 3rd year
Why POP: In elementary, when she saw her first musical, she wanted to be in it immediately.
Favorite Song or Performance: Positoovity
Name: Aubrey Bensinger
Grade: 10th
Role: ensemble
Clubs: French Club
Hobbies/Interests: reading and art
How Long in POP: 2nd year
Why POP: Always just wanted to do it and she knew all of the songs in Mamma Mia.
Favorite Song or Performance: She's in Love
Name: Justin Weidner
Grade: 11th
Role: Jetsam
Clubs: n/a
Hobbies/Interests: video games, coding, and trumpet
How Long in POP: 1st year
Why POP: Felt like he missed out last year and really enjoyed it.
Favorite Song or Performance: Kiss the Girl
Name: Luke Burnette
Grade: 9th
Role: Sebastian
Clubs: Valley Voices
Hobbies/Interests: dancing and singing
How Long in POP: 2nd year
Why POP: Saw Hairspray at old school, and fell in love with it. Wanted to join as soon as possible
Favorite Song or Performance: Les Poissons
Name: Mason Leh
Grade: 10th
Role: Eric
Clubs: PYEA, Student Council, NHS, LEO, and Valley Voices
Hobbies/Interests: friends, family, and work
How Long in POP: 2nd year
Why POP: friends
Favorite Song or Performance: Fathoms Below
Name: Preston Hidalgo
Grade: 11th
Role: Grimsby
Clubs: Jesus Club and Valley Voices
Hobbies/Interests: baking and lifting
How Long in POP: 1st year
Why POP: Loves acting and making a fool of himself.
Favorite Song or Performance: The Contest
Name: Emmit Mackes
Grade: 12th
Role: Pilot
Clubs: TV Studio, PYEA, LEO, Academic Challenge, Mock Trial, and Science Olympiads
Hobbies/Interests: play music, video games, and kayak
How Long in POP: 2nd year
Why POP: Loved it after being forced to join. Says Mrs. Makosch "hunted him down to join."
Favorite Song or Performance: Chef Mayhem scene
By: Grant Miller '26
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