Feature Articles

The Disappearing Penny

by Madeline Coronado

Did you know that pennies have been discontinued, and the ones we have now might be the last ones? Some people think we should keep pennies because when you have to pay something like $10.97, the total won’t be exact without them. You might have to pay extra or round up, which could affect people who don’t want to spend more money.

Pennies are also very historical. They were the first U.S. coins and were first made in 1792, which was a very long time ago — over 200 years ago. However, there is a reason they are being discontinued. It costs about three cents to make one penny, even though it is only worth one cent. The U.S. Mint makes billions of pennies each year, so this becomes very expensive.

Did you know that some old pennies can actually be worth a lot of money? Rare pennies include key dates, error coins, or ones made with higher amounts of copper. Some Lincoln cents are especially valuable and can be worth thousands of dollars because only a small number were made.

The penny was first officially minted in 1793, and early pennies were made of 100% copper until 1857. Today’s pennies are smaller and made from a mix of copper and zinc. The first penny design showed a woman with flowing hair to symbolize liberty.

Pennies are worth one one-hundredth of a dollar, which is why they are called cents. There is even a holiday called Lucky Penny Day on May 23. Some people believe pennies are lucky because ancient civilizations thought copper was a gift from the gods that could protect people from evil.

Because of the discontinuation of the penny, the U.S. Mint expects to save about $56 million. Even though pennies are small, they have played a big role in history — and many people will miss them if they disappear.

Abraham Lincoln: The Wrestling President

How Honest Abe Dominated the Ring Before the White House

by Zariah Wilson

Before Abraham Lincoln became president, he had an impressive wrestling career that lasted about 12 years. He was known for knocking opponents down like a wrestling superstar, winning around 300 matches and losing only once.

According to The Tufts Daily, a student-run newspaper at Tufts University, Abraham Lincoln is often considered the most athletic U.S. president. He began wrestling in the 1830s, and by 1992 he was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, where he was “recognized as the greatest wrestler in history.” Lincoln mostly wrestled in a catch wrestling style, which had very few rules.

Lincoln’s height played a big role in his success. He stood 6 feet 4 inches tall, and at the time, very few men came close to his size. Because of this, he often used his strength, farm skills, and height to perform takedowns and submissions. A takedown is a move that brings an opponent from a standing position to the mat while maintaining control, and a submission is a hold that forces an opponent to tap out, according to USA Wrestling, a site that explains wrestling rules and guidelines.

Since almost no one could challenge him, Lincoln did not always feel the need to train seriously. It is said that he wrestled mainly for the love of the sport. One of his most famous matches was against Jack Armstrong. At the time, Armstrong was a clerk, and his boss challenged the local Clary’s Grove Boys, a group of feared wrestling champions in the area, according to Mental Floss, an educational and entertainment website. Lincoln marched up to Armstrong and challenged him to a wrestling match.

The match ended with mutual respect, not just a victory. However, Lincoln did overpower Armstrong after Armstrong committed a foul, according to the Papers of Abraham Lincoln, a major digital historical collection.

Out of Lincoln’s 300 wins, he lost only once, to Lorenzo Dow Thompson. Even though Lincoln was in his prime, he could not outmuscle Thompson. The match took place around 1832 during the Black Hawk War in Beardstown, Illinois. Lincoln was thrown to the ground twice, and after accepting defeat, he told his supporters to pay their bets and congratulate his opponent.

In the end, Abraham Lincoln’s wrestling career was just as remarkable as his political one. With about 300 wins, only one loss, and a place in the Wrestling Hall of Fame, Honest Abe proved he was a champion long before he became president.

Why Students Need a Break

How Vacations and Time Off Help Students Recharge and Succeed

by Hadley Hayden

You know when you’re sitting at school, picturing yourself by palm trees and the beach? That’s your sign that you need a vacation or some type of break. Students often get stressed when they don’t finish assignments or have a test coming up that they are confused about. Going on short vacations or taking breaks, besides just weekends, can help students return with a fresh mind. Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials states, “Taking time off is one of the best ways to become more creative, make better decisions, and increase your focus.” Vacations are also important because they help lower stress and allow the mind to recharge.

When students return from a vacation or break, they often learn better. They are more focused and able to remember things because they had time to clear their minds. Vacations can also improve physical health. They usually mean more sleep, playing outside, and more movement instead of sitting in chairs staring at a whiteboard. Time with family and friends is another benefit, as students can build stronger relationships. On vacation, students get to explore new places and try new things—opportunities they don’t always get during the school year. So, if you want to take that vacation, just do it and have fun!

Is Hydration Really That Important?

Why Drinking Enough Water Matters for Your Body

Yes, hydration is very important. Still wondering why it’s important? Well, I’ll tell you all about the importance of hydration. About two-thirds of your body is made up of water, and all your cells need water to work. Water is found in your body fluids, such as blood and saliva. No living thing can survive without water, which is why it’s important to keep drinking it. Your body loses water when you sweat, go to the bathroom, or even just breathe. Because of this, you need to drink enough water to replace what you lose.

Why Am I So Thirsty?

You might be dehydrated. Common signs of dehydration include dry mouth, intense thirst, dark-colored urine, and fatigue. Drinking water should relieve mild dehydration. If dehydration becomes severe, it can cause confusion, fainting, inability to urinate, and rapid heartbeat and breathing. Once it reaches this level, it can be life-threatening, and you should seek medical attention. Drinking fluids alone may not be enough to restore your body’s fluids. Doctors may need to give fluids directly to help restore proper hydration.

Am I Drinking Enough Water?

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine note that women should consume about 2.7 liters of water per day, while men should consume about 3.7 liters per day. Lindsey Wohlford wrote an article for the MD Anderson Cancer Center that stated, “One of the best ways to tell if you are drinking enough water is not feeling thirsty.” She also stated, “Other ways to tell your hydration status include your bathroom habits and energy levels.”
“Look for light yellow to colorless urine, regular urination throughout the day, regular bowel movements, and normal energy levels,” she says.

Am I Drinking Too Much Water?

You shouldn’t drink more than 32 ounces of water per hour. An article from University Hospitals stated that “drinking excessive amounts of water can overwhelm your kidneys and dilute the sodium content of your blood. This condition is sometimes called water intoxication or hyponatremia. When this happens, water moves into cells—including brain cells—and can cause swelling.” Some signs that you may be drinking too much water include frequent urination and completely colorless urine. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, headaches, confusion, muscle cramps, and weakness. That is why it is important not to overhydrate your body.

From Falling to Flying: Learning to Snowboard

by Carly Evans

Snowboarding is extremely fun, but it can be hard at first. Snowboarding takes time, dedication, and a lot of patience. If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it. “It’s the hard that makes it great.” — Tom Hanks

History of Snowboarding

The first snowboards were developed in 1965 when Sherm Poppen, an engineer in Muskegon, Michigan, invented a toy for his daughter. He secured two skis together and added a rope to the front so riders could have some control while gliding down a hill. His wife, Nancy, named it the snurfer (a combination of snow and surfer).

The toy became very popular, and more than a million were sold. Later, a man named Jake Burton Carpenter helped turn the snurfer into what we now know as a snowboard. This is when snowboarding changed from a toy into an official sport.

Gear

For snowboarding, you need to bundle up because it can get extremely cold. You will need snow pants, special snowboarding boots, a heavy winter coat, and a good pair of gloves. Wearing extra layers is also a good idea.

For your face and head, you will need a ski mask or neck covering, a helmet, and goggles to protect your eyes. And most importantly, you need a snowboard!

Trails and Levels

There are four main ski trail levels. Green trails are the easiest and are best for beginners. Blue trails are harder and include longer downhill sections. Black trails have steep hills and are meant for experienced riders. Double black diamond trails are extremely steep and are only for experts.

Skiing and Snowboarding

Skiing and snowboarding are both winter sports, but they are very different. Snowboarders use one board with their feet positioned sideways, while skiers use two skis with each foot facing forward. Snowboarders do not use poles and usually wear softer boots.

Skiing is easier to learn at first, but becomes more difficult as skills increase. Snowboarding is harder at the beginning, but it becomes much easier as you continue practicing.

Carly’s Experience

My mom signed me up for snowboarding lessons, so we had to be on the slopes around 11 a.m. My instructor taught me how to put on my snowboard, and we started on the bunny hill. We used a conveyor belt to get to the top.

I struggled a lot at first and even got a big bruise on my knee from falling so much. My lesson lasted about an hour and 30 minutes, which wasn’t too bad. By the end, I started to gain more control.

A few days later, I went to a different ski resort with friends who were also snowboarding. They were doing black and double black trails, so they were really good. I went on the ski lift for the first time as a snowboarder and started on green trails. My friends helped me improve, and soon I felt confident enough to ride comfortably. Thanks to everyone who helped me learn how to snowboard!

Chronic School Absenteeism

by Natalia Pena

Chronic absenteeism is missing 10% or more days of school (18 days) for any reason at all. I know when you space it out, it doesn’t seem that bad. It’s linked to poor academic achievement, lower reading proficiency, and a higher risk of dropping out.

Common reasons kids might not come to school are #1 depression, #2 social anxiety, and #3 bullying. First off, if you or somebody you know is being bullied, tell somebody you trust and a school administrator. If you struggle with social anxiety or depression, it’s always nice to talk to somebody. It’s understandable if you do not feel comfortable talking to somebody you know, so if you feel like that, there are plenty of low-cost or free therapy options.

Now, missing one day of school is not bad at all, but like the examples I’ve shown before, missing a large amount is bad. Mrs. Clymer has heard it all with excuses from students about why they were late or absent. The most common excuses were “didn’t set my alarm” or “overslept.” One of the most honest she’s heard was “dashing with my mom.”

I want to touch base on when I said that missing school is linked to a higher risk of dropping out. That is because when you start to miss school, you start to miss lessons, and when you start to miss lessons, you don’t know what’s going on. So, a lot of the time, people start to miss school more because they don’t want to face all of their missing assignments or might get embarrassed because everybody around them knows what’s going on and they don’t. They also may not want to stay after school because they want to hang out with their friends.

Academics are very important in life and should always be put first, and they will take you far in life. If you’re missing school for an understandable reason, make sure you’re completing work at home on your Chromebook. Make sure you’re on time and coming to school.

Why Exercise Matters
How Moving Your Body Helps Your Health, Mind, and Future

by Austin Rivier

Exercise is one of the most important things you can do for your body. Activities like lifting weights, riding a bike, walking, or working on flexibility and balance all count. Exercise strengthens your heart, muscles, and bones, and it plays a huge role in keeping you healthy. Regular physical activity can significantly lower your risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and even some cancers. By working out, you are doing your body a huge favor.

Exercise can also improve your sleep by up to 35%. Getting good sleep affects how you feel and perform throughout the day. Regular movement helps regulate sleep patterns, leading to better sleep quality and higher energy levels when you are awake.

Reaching fitness goals can boost confidence and improve memory and thinking skills. This is especially helpful for students who spend most of the day in class, since strong thinking skills are important for learning and focus. Activities like weight management workouts and HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) can burn between 200 and 400 calories in just 20 minutes. Exercise also benefits skin health by increasing blood flow, which delivers more oxygen to the skin and helps it look clear and healthy. In addition, regular exercise strengthens the immune system, reducing the chances of getting sick.

Working out can improve mental health by up to 50%. Even simple weightlifting can boost mood and happiness. Exercise can also reduce signs of aging by protecting cells, maintaining muscle mass, and strengthening bones by about 15%. Practicing good time management—such as exercising at the same time each day—can help build healthy habits. Even small activities, like taking a short walk in the morning, can make a big difference.

Exercise releases endorphins, which help reduce stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression. High levels of stress and anxiety can increase heart rate and blood pressure, which can be harmful to your health. Maintaining a healthy weight through exercise strengthens the heart and bones, and for students who play sports, staying active can help prevent injuries.

Caring about your health now is an important investment in your future. Regular exercise can lead to a longer, healthier, and better-quality life.

Did You Know? Wild and Fun Facts About Animals

Amazing, Weird, and Awesome Truths From the Animal Kingdom

by Julian Kleinow

Get ready for your mind to be blown with cool facts you probably didn’t know about the animal kingdom. From tiny mice that can jump more than a foot in the air, to red-tailed hawks with eyesight up to eight times better than humans, to giant elephants that can hold up to eight liters of water in their trunks and spray it on their backs like sunscreen—animals are full of surprises! If you love fun facts, you’ll definitely want to keep reading.

WATER ANIMALS

Did you know that octopuses have three hearts and blue blood? This is because of the cold temperatures in the deep sea. Two of their hearts pump oxygen to the gills, while the third pumps oxygen to the rest of the body. Their blood is blue because, instead of using iron like humans do, octopuses use copper. Copper-based blood contains a protein called hemocyanin, which turns blue when it binds with oxygen.
Did you know that a shrimp’s heart is located in its head? This placement gives the heart a sturdier protective cage, helping to reduce damage.
Did you know that fish can get seasick? Just like humans, when a fish’s senses get mixed signals—such as feeling movement but seeing something different—the brain sends distress signals that can cause seasickness.
Did you know that starfish don’t have brains? They live very simple lives and don’t need a brain to survive. Instead, they use a basic nervous system.
Did you know that male seahorses are the ones that get pregnant? This is a strategy to produce more babies. After a courtship dance, the female transfers her eggs into the male’s pouch, which works like a uterus. The pouch provides oxygen, nutrients, and a safe environment for the babies. Once the male gives birth, the female can immediately begin producing eggs again.
Did you know that lobsters can taste with their feet? Their legs and claws are covered in tiny hair-like bristles that act like sensors, similar to human taste buds.

LAND ANIMALS

Did you know that penguins propose with rocks? Giving a smooth rock is a sign of commitment and effort, much like a gift in human relationships.
Did you know that a group of ferrets is called a business? The name fits perfectly because of their energetic and chaotic behavior.
Did you know that a cat’s purr can help heal bones? A cat’s purr vibrates at around 25 to 50 hertz, which is a frequency that can encourage bones to heal faster by strengthening bone cells.
Did you know that sloths can hold their breath longer than dolphins? Because sloths move so slowly, they use much less energy and can slow their heart rate by nearly 90%, allowing them to conserve oxygen.
Did you know that squirrels plant thousands of trees? They bury nuts for later, but often forget where they put them, allowing new trees to grow.
Did you know that bison can jump higher than horses? Even though they weigh up to 2,000 pounds, bison can jump about six feet high and seven feet long. They can also run up to 35–45 miles per hour thanks to their powerful muscles.

AIR ANIMALS

Did you know that parrots name their chicks? These names act like contact calls, helping parrots recognize one another and stay connected in large flocks.
Did you know that bats are the only mammals that can truly fly? Birds are not mammals—they belong to a group called aves—while bats are mammals capable of powered flight, not just gliding.
Did you know that a group of crows is called a murder? This name comes from folklore and the way black birds have been associated with mystery and death.
Did you know that flying animals inspired airplanes? Scientists studied the wing shapes and aerodynamics of birds to design aircraft.
Did you know that cranes perform dances to attract mates? These dances help strengthen lifelong pair bonds and improve reproduction.
Did you know that hawks can see prey from up to a mile away? Their eyesight is about four to eight times sharper than human vision.
Did you know that some birds can see Earth’s magnetic field? They have special cells in their eyes called cryptochromes that react to light and magnetic fields, acting like a built-in compass.

As you can see, animals are much more than just cute pets or creatures flying through the sky. They are fascinating, intelligent, and mysterious. The next time you see an animal, think about what makes it special—you just might be surprised!

In Memory of Anne Frank

by Paige Lauver

Anne Frank was a young girl who died during the Holocaust. On her 13th birthday, June 12, 1942, she received a diary, and from that day on, she began writing in it. She wrote about her thoughts and documented her life while in hiding.

The Holocaust took place during World War II. It was the genocide of Jewish people by the Nazis, who were led by Germany. About six million Jews were murdered during the Holocaust, and Anne Frank was one of them.

Anne Frank documented her life in her diary, and even during such a dark time, she still had hope and believed that people were good at heart. Anne wanted to become a journalist and a famous writer, and I hope that through learning about her, that dream came true in some way. She wanted her stories to have an impact and to be remembered. After Anne died in a concentration camp, her father published her diary, and her story continues to be remembered today.

Anne Frank’s diary shared her thoughts, daily life, and feelings while hiding from the Nazis. At the time, Nazis were going door to door, which caused Anne, her family, and others to hide in an attic. This attic later became known as the Secret Annex. Anne and the others hid there for just over two years. During that time, she wrote regularly in her diary. On August 4, 1944, they were discovered and arrested.

Anne was first taken to a prison in Amsterdam, and then she and others were transported to concentration camps. She was sent to the Westerbork transit camp, where she stayed for nearly a month. On September 3, 1944, she was deported to the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration and extermination camp. The train ride took three days, and she arrived on September 6, 1944. Later, Anne and her sister Margot were transported to the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. It was there that Anne and her sister died in February or March of 1945.

I want to explain more about what the Holocaust was like. The Holocaust was a massive and horrifying event. During train rides to the concentration camps, people were packed tightly together, shoulder to shoulder. The trains were extremely hot, and some people passed out before even arriving. Barrels were used as bathrooms, and the journeys lasted for days, not just hours.

When Jewish people arrived at the camps, they were treated terribly. The Nazis took their clothes and told them they were going to shower, but instead many were sent into gas chambers. Large numbers of people were murdered this way.

Women in the camps were treated especially cruelly. Many were forced into hard labor, abused, and separated from their families. Pregnant women were often killed, and many survivors have said they are still unable to share everything they experienced.

Millions of people were killed during the Holocaust. Many died in gas chambers, from mass shootings, starvation, disease, and exhaustion. These events show how dangerous hate can be and why remembering Anne Frank’s story is so important.

Dressed by the Times

How Victorian Era Fashion Reflected Age, Gender, and Social Class

by Madeline Coronado

According to the organization called Epochs of Fashion, Victorian era fashion differed for women based on their social standing. Upper-class women wore elaborate gowns decorated with lace, embroidery, and other detailed designs. Middle-class women dressed in similar styles, but with fewer decorations and simpler fabrics. Working-class women wore more practical clothing, such as functional “walking skirts” and more comfortable corsets that allowed them to move more easily while working.

Men’s fashion during the Victorian era was more consistent across social classes. It focused on tailored garments such as frock coats, waistcoats, and sack coats, which were worn for more casual occasions. These outfits reflected a neat and polished appearance.

A company called Vintage Dancer which specilizes in vintage clothing tells us that women’s clothing was designed to create an hourglass silhouette using many layers. Outfits typically began with a chemise and drawers, followed by a corset and petticoats. Some women added a bustle to create volume in the back. On top, they wore a high-necked blouse and a long skirt that reached the ankles. Accessories such as bonnets, gloves, and boots completed the look. Dinner gowns were required to have sleeves, even if they were short, and necklines could not be too low, as showing too much skin was considered inappropriate. Popular colors included black, blue, and other neutral tones. The color palette was generally dark, featuring shades like maroon, red, burgundy, chestnut, dark green, brown, and blue to create a rich and luxurious appearance.

According to the Ashmolean Museum at the University of Oxford, in Britain, the color purple was associated with mourning. During Victorian times, close relatives wore black for the first year following a death. After that period, mourners often wore purple or sometimes dark green trimmed with black.

Teenage girls in the Victorian era typically wore dresses or skirts based on their age. Girls who were 16 years old wore skirts that reached their ankles. Fourteen-year-olds wore skirts that reached their calves, while 12-year-olds wore skirts just below the knee. Even the youngest girls wore structured skirts or dresses. Boys’ clothing was different. Boys between the ages of 13 and 19 wore scaled-down versions of adult male clothing, including waistcoats, knee-high socks, and sturdy boots. Working-class boys usually wore trousers, often passed down as hand-me-downs.

Babies of both genders typically wore long white cotton or linen gowns, which allowed for easier cleaning and diaper changes. Clothing for young children was gender-neutral until about age five, when boys and girls began wearing different styles. As accessories, babies wore soft caps called bonnets to keep their heads warm, and as they grew older, they wore knitted booties.

What Are The Benefits of Keeping Plants in a Classroom?

by Julianma Wilson

Have you ever wondered why some teachers or staff members have so much greenery in their classrooms? What are the benefits of keeping plants in a classroom? There are many advantages to having plants, including improving air quality, making the room feel more comfortable and breathable, reducing stress, boosting mood through appearance, and even increasing focus.

Along with helping classroom air quality, plants are also great to have at home or in other places, such as at work, if it is allowed and possible. Plants don’t just improve air quality; they also release water vapor into the air, which increases humidity. This is very helpful for respiratory and skin health. Since many buildings use heating systems that dry out the air, these benefits are important for our physical health. Plants can also lower stress levels by decreasing cortisol, which is the hormone responsible for stress. Taking care of plants by potting or watering them is often considered therapeutic and relaxing.

Although there are many pros to having plants in your environment, there are also some cons. Some people may be allergic to certain plants. Allergies can include reactions to pollen, sap, or spores. The body’s immune system sometimes mistakes these things as harmful, even when they are not, unless the plant is toxic. Another downside is that some plants may attract insects, although this usually does not happen if the plants are cared for properly. If plants are overwatered or the air conditions are right, mold can grow. This is something to be careful about, since many people are allergic to mold.

The Big BSB: Bluegill, Sunfish, Bass

by Adrianna Grajek

Fishing may not be for everyone, but I know it’s for me. I’ve been fishing since I was little—about 9 or 11 when I first started. It definitely had me HOOKED! In this article, I’m going to talk about how I caught these fish, what bait I used, and include pictures of me with each fish.

The Bluegill

The bluegill was probably the second hardest fish I’ve ever caught. I used mealworms to catch mine, but Wired2Fish tells us that “a pack of red worms or nightcrawlers will get you started in a hurry,” which, in my opinion, definitely makes sense for why it took me forever to catch these fish—I was using the wrong bait.

The best places I tend to find bluegills are in creeks, rivers, ponds, or lakes. The lake I fish at is the ??????? Lake, but Game & Fish magazine says that “in the Yankee Springs State Recreation and Barry State Game areas, 2,680-acre Gun Lake is popular with bluegill.”

The Sunfish

Sunfish are the most common fish I catch. I use nightcrawlers to catch them, but let’s see what the best bait is according to FishingBooker. Some common “bait choices are nightcrawlers, red worms, crickets, larvae, and small minnows.” So that explains why I catch them so easily—I’m using good bait. I usually catch sunfish at my friend’s pond, but FishingBooker tells us that “as some of the most common fish across North America, you’d be hard-pressed to find a lake or pond that doesn’t hold any sunfish.” So that’s also why I’ve been catching so many.

Big Billy Bass

Even though I’ve only caught one bass, they’re probably my favorite fish to catch. I use nightcrawlers for bait, but HowToCatchAnyFish has something different to say: “Some good baits include crayfish, shad, and bluegill (where legal).” So next time I go fishing, I’ll be trying shad bait.

More Than Just Fun: The Power of Puzzles

by Gabriel Smaw

Puzzles are a unique way to escape reality and give yourself a break from problems and worries. What many people don’t realize is that puzzles can also improve the way you think and learn. There are many types of puzzles, such as traditional picture puzzles where you put an image together. Word searches also count as puzzles, but there are many more types beyond just those two.

According to Madd Capp, solving puzzles helps reinforce existing connections between brain cells and also creates new ones. This improves mental speed and overall thinking skills. Puzzles are especially good for improving short-term memory. Short-term memory helps us remember shapes and colors and visualize the bigger picture to figure out which pieces fit together. This shows that puzzles are more than just a fun activity to do once in a while.

Puzzles can improve memory and reasoning skills, so it should not be surprising that they may also help increase IQ. One impressive benefit of puzzles is that they can help delay or reduce the effects of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Doing puzzles can reduce brain cell damage and support brain strength and growth. Even if you are young, starting puzzles early is still beneficial. Puzzles can also make you happier and help you work better both alone and with others.

Some people may wonder if these benefits only apply to picture puzzles, but the answer is no. According to Speed Cube, there are over 50 different types of puzzles in the world. These include Rubik’s Cubes, mazes, crossword puzzles, word searches, picture puzzles, and brain teasers.

In conclusion, there are many different types of puzzles, and the benefits are endless. If you ever feel bored, try picking up a puzzle. You never know how fun or interesting something can be until you try it.

10 Books to Read on a Cozy Winter Afternoon
By Annie Eichorn

1. "The Other Half of Happy"
by Rebecca Balcárcel
Why: This book is about her journey to understand how she fits between two cultures.

2. "Harbor Me"
by Jacqueline Woodson
Why: This book is about a group of friends who come together to share stressful situations they’ve experienced and how they recover from them.

3. "Malala"
by Malala Yousafzai
Why: A memoir by Malala Yousafzai detailing her life in Pakistan’s Swat Valley and her advocacy for girls’ education.

4. "Counting by 7s"
by Holly Goldberg Sloan
Why: This book is about how, when you feel lost, you might want to swim against the tide—trying something new or thinking about a different way to approach things.

5. "The Golden Hour"
by Niki Smith
Why: This graphic novel is about a middle school girl dealing with PTSD and anxiety.

6. "To Kill a Mockingbird"
by Harper Lee
Why: This book follows a young girl as she learns about racism, injustice, and the experiences of Black people in her community.

7. "The Outsiders"
by S.E. Hinton
Why: This book is about teenage boys, two rival groups, and their conflicts in the 1960s. It takes place in Oklahoma.

8. "Crunch"
by Kayla Miller
Why: This book is about a middle schooler dealing with the pressures of money and friendship.

9. "Before the Ever After"
by Jacqueline Woodson
Why: This book is about a 12-year-old boy whose father, a former NFL player, suffers a CTE-related injury. It shows what it’s like to live with a parent in the hospital.

10. "Wonder"
by R.J. Palacio
Why: This book is about a young boy with facial differences who transfers from homeschooling to a 5th grade private school and what he likes and dislikes about the experience.

Hunt Beyond the Harvest by Julian Kleinow

Most people nowadays don’t spend much time outdoors, and I know everyone has different interests, but I think more people should be outside since it's scientifically proven to be very healthy for you. If you feel like you’ve been needing a break from being indoors, there’s a perfect hunting season starting November 15 and ending November 30 called “opening deer gun season.” Before you stop reading this article, let me try to convince you that it’s not cruel or pointless. I know a lot of people who assume bad things about hunters, which I do not like because it’s not true. I would appreciate it if people didn’t call us names for no reason. I don’t care if you don’t like hunting, but I don’t like when people say we are cruel. It’s the same thing that happens to the burger you’re eating or the bacon on your plate—the only difference is that those animals were raised on a farm. Hunting isn’t about going out and killing animals for fun; it’s about getting outside with family and friends, chilling, talking, and hanging out. When it’s time to hunt, you want to make a clean, ethical shot so the animal doesn’t suffer. Then we get our food quickly and quietly so we don’t ruin hunting spots for later in the season.

The Process

One of the only things I don’t like much is getting up at 5 a.m., but once you’re actually awake, it’s not bad at all. After getting up, we make hot cocoa and coffee, then pack our food in a bag. Next, we head downstairs, get dressed, and pack up. Since we load our bags in the truck the night before, we don’t have to worry about that in the morning. Then we’re on our way! Sometimes there’s more deer movement in the morning, other times in the afternoon—it just depends on the weather, location, time, and even how the deer feel.

Hunters around the world compete by trying to take the biggest trophy part of an animal. For deer, the antlers and how many points they have are the trophy. For a turkey, it’s the size of its fan. For a rabbit, it’s the skin and weight. Different animals are measured in different ways. So, if we see a deer in the morning, that’s what we look at. If you’re a first-time hunter, you might want to harvest whatever comes out because it’s awesome when your first deer walks out. My first deer was only a spike, which means it had two points—just the two main beams coming out of his head.

If you do harvest one and know how to field dress it, then do it. If not, you can take it to a butcher and they will know how to do it. Trust me, it does not smell good at all, but it’s part of the process.

Reflections at Day’s End

At the end of every hunt, whether we were successful or not, we still had so much fun. I’m not saying it’s exciting the whole time—you are mostly just sitting and waiting for a deer—but at the end of the day, you realize you had a pretty good time. Many days we come out of the woods with no harvest, but that’s exactly why it’s called hunting, not killing.

At the end of the day, hunting gives you an awesome experience. It’s not about going out to kill, kill, kill. After harvesting one, you send up prayers and thank the deer for the meat it provided and how blessed you are to have it.

The process of getting into hunting isn’t hard. When you want to try it for the first time, you start with an apprentice license, which you can use for two years. If you like it and want to keep hunting after that, you can take a hunter safety class at Michigan DNR’s website, where you learn how to properly handle a firearm, how it works, where to aim, and more. Click on the button below to go directly there:

I’ve made some of my greatest memories hunting, and I think if you went out, bought a license, and tried it, you would too.

MIchigan DNR Hunter Safety Class

Red 40 Revealed

by Raegan Rowe

See all the pictures above? Do you know what they all have in common? If you didn’t know, they all contain a dye called Red 40. Red 40 could be the reason you feel more tired or why your grades aren’t as high, but there is an easy fix to this. Let’s learn about Red 40 and its side effects.

Red 40 is a dye frequently used in many of our go-to snacks. You probably wouldn’t expect it, but 29.8% of the foods and snacks we eat today are made with Red 40. Cleveland Clinic Health states that Red 40 can cause side effects like “hyperactivity, including ADHD,” and many other issues including “behavioral changes like irritability and depression, hives and asthma, sneezing, watery eyes, skin irritation, migraines, and allergic reactions.” Red 40 also contains benzene, which is a known cancer-causing substance.

“Researchers also found tumor growth in animals that consumed high doses of food dyes, though it can be hard to translate what this means for kids,” says Zumpano. Many people try to cut Red 40 out of their diet, but it’s difficult since it’s in so many everyday foods such as yogurt, energy drinks, sports drinks, chips, ice cream, protein powders, candy, etc. A lot of these foods are things we eat almost every day. However, there are alternatives. Instead of eating foods with dyes, you can look for organic or dye-free substitutes, which are better for your body and help encourage companies to stop using artificial dyes.

CBS News states that starting in December, stores will sell Simply NKD versions of popular snacks that have no artificial flavors or dyes. Brands like Cheetos and Doritos will be the first to appear in stores with a new look but the same taste—just without dyes or artificial flavors. Other companies will be removing dyes from their foods by the end of 2027, including brands like Birds Eye, Duncan Hines, and Slim Jim.

The key to avoiding dyes is label reading. Take note of the foods you are purchasing that contain dyes, and find a healthy alternative that tastes just as good but is better for you.

The Science of Snow

by Natalia Pena

What is snow? Snow is not frozen ice; it is precipitation in the form of ice crystals. Up close, snowflakes look like tiny, beautiful crystals. For snow to fall, the atmosphere needs moisture, and snowstorms heavily rely on the temperature in the atmosphere. Snow begins to form at 32°F or 0°C. When there is warmer air near the ground, we get heavier snowfalls because warm air can hold more moisture. An area can be cold, but if it is dry, that area will barely get any snow.

Did you know that humidity levels help determine the shape of a snowflake? According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, we get long, noodle-like ice crystals at around 23°F and very flat crystals at around 5°F. I don’t know about you, but that was really surprising to me when I found that out!

Here are some more snowflake shapes:

At 0°C to –4°C, snowflakes are thin hexagonal plates and star shapes.
At –6°C to –10°C, they form hollow columns.
At –10°C to –12°C, they become sector plates with interior designs.
At –12°C to –16°C, you get what many people call the “perfect snowflake.”

That’s why no two snowflakes are alike.

Do you like snow? If so, why? According to YouGov, some of the most favored holidays are Christmas and New Year’s—and winter holds both of those. Do you like winter because of the snow or because of the holidays?

Want to win this prize?! Check out our Beautiful Locker Contest under our Contest tab.

Ways to Organize Your Locker

by Yeirialys Treacy Ramos

Attention Springbrook students! Do you have the most beautiful, organized, or creative locker in the school? Now’s your chance to prove it! The Brook Report is hosting a Beautiful Locker Contest, and everyone is welcome to enter. Just sign up on The Brook Report website. The deadline to enter is November 25th, and judging will take place on December 1st, when we’ll take a picture of your locker. Show us your style, your neatness, or your awesome creativity!

Is your locker messy and unorganized? You don’t know where to start or what to do? One way to organize your locker is by beginning with the easy stuff, like trash or other disposable items. After that, take out your backpack, coats, and everything else. Take them home, then organize your backpack by removing all the useless papers you don’t need anymore.

Put your backpack back into your clean, empty locker. You can decorate it with pictures or even put a mini mirror in it to make it look cute and simple. Some people like to keep their lockers dirty and messy, but that can attract unwanted attention from bugs and other things. Make sure to never leave trash in your locker — for example, food — because it will leave crumbs, and when you move up a grade, the new student taking your spot will be very disappointed.

Some things you can’t do to your locker include drawing graffiti or writing on it to make it look cool. Doing so could result in school-based punishments like suspension, fines, detention, or legal action such as criminal charges, additional fines, and restitution to cover repair costs.

Show off your beautiful, organized and clean locker - you just may win this prize! Enter now!

How Animals Prepare for Winter

by Gabriel Smaw

Most people know how some animals react to winter—how birds begin moving to warmer climates and how certain animals eat heavily in spring and summer and then hibernate for winter. But how animals prepare for winter goes deeper than just those things, especially depending on the species and the habitat it lives in.

According to Project Learning Tree, squirrels hide acorns in the ground or in trees—anywhere they can store them. When the time comes and they need food, they dig them up. As I said at the beginning of this article, many land mammals eat a lot during the warmer months so that when food becomes scarce, they have extra body fat to survive on.

Food is not the only factor involved in preparing for winter. Animals also begin to change their appearance. Just like we humans put on coats and gloves, animals develop thicker fur that protects them from subzero temperatures. Many animals also need camouflage, so the color of their fur begins to change—often to white—to blend in with snow or other surroundings depending on their environment.

One category I haven’t talked much about is birds. Birds don’t migrate only because temperatures drop but also because food becomes harder to find. You may think birds are the only creatures that migrate, but whales and some fish migrate to warmer waters as well. Surprisingly, even earthworms migrate, which is incredible to think about.

In conclusion, there are many different ways animals prepare for winter—from migrating to warmer areas, to hiding food, to building up fat reserves. All animals are different in the ways they adapt. Maybe look up even more things animals do to survive winter; you might be surprised by what you find.

Why Do Leaves Change Color in the Fall?

by Carly Evans

“Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree.” — Emily Brontë. Some people love when the seasons change and the fall leaves turn colors. There is a route in Traverse City where you can see all the pretty leaves right by the lake. If you want to know the science behind leaves and how they change color through the seasons, then this is the article for you.

According to the Smithsonian Institute, as the seasons change, the temperature drops, and the leaves change colors. As daylight hours become shorter, the green color on trees breaks down and gets less sunlight (chlorophyll), revealing the yellow, orange, and red that were already in the leaf. Leaves fall from the trees because the shorter days and colder weather signal trees to enter a resting state to survive the winter cold. Trees that change colors to red, orange, or yellow are called deciduous trees.

Evergreen trees stay green all year round. Deciduous trees usually have larger leaves. Most of the year, deciduous trees are green because of the chlorophyll they use to absorb energy from sunlight during photosynthesis. How much and how fast the leaves change depends on the location on the globe. The best colors appear when the weather is sunny, dry, and cool. Places that are cloudy, damp, and cold won’t see the same degree of color change.

According to the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, it all starts inside the leaf. Leaves have color because of certain chemicals called pigments. There are four specific types of pigments in leaves: chlorophyll makes leaves green, xanthophylls make them yellow, carotenoids make them orange, and anthocyanins make them red. Leaves are green in the spring and summer because that’s when they are making the most chlorophyll. This is important because it helps plants make energy from sunlight through a process called photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the process used by plants, algae, and some bacteria to change light energy into chemical energy.

According to SUNY ESF, temperature, light, and water supply can all impact the degree and duration of fall leaf colors. Low temperatures above freezing favor anthocyanin formation, making bright reds in maples. However, early frost will weaken the beautiful red color. Rainy days can increase the intensity of fall colors. The best time to enjoy a nice autumn day is when it is cool and dry—not freezing, but crisp and comfortable.

Enjoy all the beautiful colors that appear on the trees; they will only last for part of the year.

The Dangers of Energy Drinks
by Alayna Flores

Do energy drink companies target youth?
Yes, they do. These companies advertise on common apps that young people use. Sometimes they use influencers as a way to persuade youth to buy energy drinks. Big companies like Monster and Red Bull typically target young males ages 18–34 or people within that age group. They reach this audience by sponsoring events related to extreme sports, gaming, and music.

Does drinking too many energy drinks affect my daily life?
Yes, drinking too many energy drinks can significantly affect your daily life. It can lead to issues like sleep disruption, anxiety, heart problems, and potential weight gain. Short-term effects include heart-related issues, dehydration, and blood sugar spikes. Long-term effects include weight gain, dependence, and sometimes even mental health issues.

Are energy drinks bad for my health?
Yes, energy drinks can be harmful to your health, especially when consumed regularly or in excess. They can negatively affect the heart, such as by increasing blood pressure. They can also cause sleep disturbances, anxiety, and dehydration. The high sugar content can lead to an increased risk of weight gain, type 2 diabetes, and dental problems like cavities.

How much caffeine is too much caffeine?
For teenagers between 12 and 18, it's recommended to stay under 100 mg of caffeine per day. Adults can have up to 400 milligrams (mg) of caffeine per day. If you consume too much caffeine, there can be consequences to your health.

“Decaffeinated” does not mean caffeine-free
An article from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration states: “Decaffeinated coffees and teas have less caffeine than their regular counterparts but still contain some caffeine. For example, decaf coffee typically has 2 to 15 milligrams in an 8-fluid-ounce cup. If you react strongly to caffeine in a negative way, you may want to avoid these beverages altogether.”

Just because it tastes good doesn't mean it's healthy

Big companies like Monster and Red Bull make the drinks taste good to convince you to buy and drink them. However, what they don't tell you is that these drinks can slowly make your health worse every time you drink them.

by Madeline Coronado

Memory is a process your brain uses to store past experiences and recall them later. People use memories every single moment of their lives. Short-term memory is a way to store information temporarily, and it only lasts about 15–30 seconds. Long-term memory is where you can store information for a much longer time—it could last days, months, years, or even a lifetime.

People can remember things that happened to them by experiencing a similar situation again and realizing the same thing occurred a long time ago. People say that remembering faces is easier than remembering names or voices. The opposite of remembering is forgetting. Forgetting is when someone tells you to do something, but you don’t remember to do it, so you forget.

Motor-skill memory helps people remember how to do physical things they have done before. It can be short-term or long-term memory. People use motor-skill memory to remember dance steps or how to ride a bicycle.

Emotional memory is a type of long-term memory that includes strong emotions. It can remind people of frightening things that have happened to them before. Some scientists think this happens to prepare someone for the future.

Factual memory can be short-term or long-term. It helps people remember things such as faces, names, voices, numbers, and experiences that happened to them.

What are mnemonic devices, you may ask? A mnemonic device is a learning technique that helps people of all ages remember information. There are many different ways to use mnemonic devices, such as rhymes, spelling patterns, and much more.

Cited by Britannica Kids and Twinkl.

MNEMONIC DEVICES

Some tricks that might must help you remember things!

“Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally” – Helps students remember the order of operations in math: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction.
“HOMES” – A quick way to remember the names of the Great Lakes: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior.
“My Very Excellent Mother Just Served Us Noodles” – A classic way to remember the order of the planets from the sun: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune.
“Every Good Burger Deserves Fries” – Used in music class to remember the lines of the treble clef: E, G, B, D, F.
“LEFTY LOOSEY, RIGHTY TIGHTY” – A helpful rhyme for remembering which direction loosens or tightens screws, jars, or bottle caps.
“I Before E Except After C” – A helpful spelling reminder, especially for tricky words like achieve or receive.
“FANBOYS” – Helps students remember the coordinating conjunctions: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So.
“Red on yellow, kill a fellow; red on black, friend of Jack” – A safety rhyme to remember the difference between venomous and nonvenomous snakes (just for fun—not for field trips!).

The Rise of Popular Trends

How everyday items became global sensations

by Yierialys Treacy Ramos

Have you ever thought about how certain trends started? When and how did some people get the idea? Well, in this article you'll learn all about it.

Have you ever wondered when Crocs were invented and by whom? The founders of Crocs, according to Wikipedia, are Scott Seamans, Lyndon “Duke” Hanson, and George Boedecker Jr. In 2002, the three men saw a boat clog made out of lightweight, non-slip material called Croslite, and then they got an idea. The first model sold out its 200 pairs and was known as a summer shoe, often mocked for its “ugly” design. According to WWD, Scott Seamans, Lyndon Hanson, and George Boedecker Jr. were the first to wear and launch Crocs in 2002, initially marketing them as comfortable and functional boating shoes.

Who founded Stanley, and when was it created? In 1892, according to the National Inventors Hall of Fame, the inventor of the Stanley cup was William Stanley Jr. His invention was the first all-steel, double-walled vacuum bottle. People now use it as a water bottle—mainly girls, though sometimes guys too. There are many colors to choose from with different types of designs. According to Stanley (1913), a Stanley refers to Stanley brand drinkware, particularly the popular Quencher tumblers, which are large, insulated water bottles with a handle and a straw.

The first person to build a computer, according to Complete IT, was Charles Babbage, who designed one in the 1820s and 1830s. The first personal computer was invented by Michel/Andre Truong in 1973. According to multiple sources, a computer is an electronic device operating under the control of instructions stored in its own memory that can accept data (input), process the data according to specified rules, produce information (output), and store the information for future use.

Global Feast

Thanksgiving Traditions Around the World

by Andrew Veres

American Traditions
Have you ever wondered what other countries do for Thanksgiving? Well, you are going to find out right now. In America, families usually gather together and have a feast. Some of the foods include turkey, cranberries, stuffing, and pumpkin pie. One of the most popular things to do on Thanksgiving is watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. The parade is located in New York City. It is full of giant character balloons, elaborate floats, marching bands, and celebrity performances.

German Traditions
In Germany, they celebrate what is called Erntedankfest. Erntedankfest stands for “Harvest-Thanks-Festival.” It is held every year on the first Sunday of October. Erntedankfest is Germany’s harvest festival, celebrating the final harvest of food crops for the season. The focus of the holiday is gratitude. While the official date for celebrating Erntedankfest was set in 1972, the celebration of a harvest festival is a long-held German tradition, possibly even centuries old. Some of the foods they eat are Apfelkuchen (apple cake), Apfelwein (apple cider), Bier (beer), Erbsen (peas), etc. (Jacyb Porter – The Official Rosetta Stone)

Chinese Traditions
In China, Thanksgiving is called the Mid-Autumn Festival, or Moon Festival. It is on the 15th day of the 8th month in the lunar calendar. The Mid-Autumn Festival is considered a harvest festival (Sara Lynn Hua – TutorABC Chinese). Some of the main courses for Thanksgiving are roasted duck, pork, stir-fried turkey, char siu pork, Mongolian hot pot, Sichuan-style dishes, and pork belly. The most popular sides are rice, chow mein, salads, etc. They eat pumpkin pie just like Americans do for dessert on Thanksgiving.

Brazilian Traditions
Brazil celebrates Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November, the same day as us! They call it “Dia de Ação de Graças,” which stands for “Day of Thanks.” A Brazilian Thanksgiving is inspired by American Thanksgiving, and it was introduced by the Brazilian ambassador in the 1940s. They have similar American foods like turkey, mashed potatoes, and apple pie. The country’s national dish, feijoada, might make an appearance as well. Brazil has one of the most fun Thanksgiving celebrations due to the different ways people celebrate, and there are lots of cool things you can do, like dance. (Jennifer Gunnar – Rosetta Stone)

Canadian Traditions
The first Canadian Thanksgiving brought Canadian pilgrims together to give thanks for their new lives. Thanksgiving in Canada is held on the second Monday of October. About six weeks before America starts craving their turkeys, the Canadian Thanksgiving spread looks similar to their southern neighbors’, though traditional poutine (French fries topped with cheese curds and gravy) sometimes makes its way onto the dinner table. (Jennifer Gunnar – Rosetta Stone)

All Traditions Around the World
Some of the countries that celebrate Thanksgiving are the United States, Canada, Liberia, Germany, Grenada, Japan, Norfolk Island, Saint Lucia, and Brazil. Many other countries have different traditions, like India, Ghana, Nigeria, and Israel. They may not do the same things as other countries, but they still have their own traditions they respect. They all gather together and celebrate, just like we do.

Turkey Troubles

by Zariah Wilson

Have you ever thought, “Dang, Thanksgiving was a mess”? Well, there is probably a family out there that has had the worst—or funniest—Thanksgiving stories. According to Emily Goodman, Reader’s Digest, this story is called “All Meat and No Potatoes.”

“It was Thanksgiving, and preparation was in full swing. Suddenly the power went out.” She went to restart the circuit. She heard a sound as she was going back to the kitchen. Her mother-in-law was holding an electric beater (that she was using for the mashed potatoes). When she held it up, mashed potatoes started to decorate the walls of the kitchen. An hour later, they sat down to Thanksgiving dinner—with fewer mashed potatoes than usual.” — by Marjorie Beall

According to Macaroni Kids, a local resource for family fun: “You know those darling plastic plates that they sell at Walmart this time of year?” Julie found out the hard way that they cannot hold an 18-pound turkey. While passing around dishes, that turkey went crashing to the floor.” — by Julie

“Last year, while shopping for a turkey, Becky’s kids wanted to show their strength, so they took turns lifting the turkey. One of them gave her back the turkey without warning, and that 15-pound turkey landed straight on her toe! She sobbed her way through the checkout line. It wasn’t broken, but she did lose a toenail. And it still isn’t back to normal,” she says. A funny thing that happened while she was at the X-ray: the doctor told her that Thanksgiving is their busiest time of the year!” — by Becky

“While smoking the turkey on the back porch, enough heat formed and burned a hole in the decking. The smoke tilted against the back door and caught the house on fire! Luckily they were able to keep the fire down with some water hoses (since the fire department got lost on their way there). In the end, they still ate the turkey—‘it was a little dry.’” — by Eric

According to Emily Goodman, Reader’s Digest, this story is also called “All Meat and No Potatoes.”

“Several years ago, Michael hosted his first Thanksgiving dinner. He washed his dishes in the dishwasher overnight, but something went wrong on Thanksgiving morning. His plastic-handled silverware had melted into what looked like museum art! Luckily the houseware store was open. He then went to buy more two hours later, but it was years before he hosted a big family gathering again!” — by Michelle Harbor

Cutie Pie — “Thanksgiving was at Tina’s aunt’s house, and she had promised to bring two pies—but not her puppy (Slugger was six months old). She had baked a magnificent pumpkin pie with delicate pastry leaves embellishing the crust, and a blueberry one with a buttery woven lattice (a crisscross pattern). Before she left, she had wrapped the pies in a bunch of foil and returned home to half-eaten pies and a purple puppy!” — by Tina Koening

Why Two Heads Aren’t Better Than One — Days before he and his wife got married, he was invited to Thanksgiving with his in-laws. He volunteered to bring a Caesar salad. He got a recipe from a restaurant and had to put in 5 cloves of garlic, but at the time he did not know the difference between cloves and the whole head of garlic! And when his father-in-law tried it, he said, “Wow… that’s tart,” he said. — by John Certuse

If you want more funny Thanksgiving stories, click on the box below for some funny videos about people’s Thanksgivings:

Thanksgiving FAILS for the Whole Family

THE HISTORY OF THANKSGIVING

by Julian Kleinow

Thanksgiving is a holiday celebrated by people all over the world, and to me it is very fun, so in this article we’ll be explaining how Thanksgiving started and many more things! Thanksgiving is thought to have started in 1621 in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The colonists of Plymouth began building a good relationship with the neighboring Wampanoag tribe, who taught them about fishing, hunting, and farming. By that fall, they had enough food to hand out to their community and also had the Wampanoag join them in a three-day feast in honor of the help they received. In 1777, the Continental Congress declared that all 13 of America’s colonies should celebrate a national day of Thanksgiving that year in celebration of the win over the British at Saratoga.

Sarah Josepha Hale’s Push for a National Holiday

By the mid-19th century, many states celebrated the holiday; however, the date could be different by days or even months. A magazine editor named Sarah Josepha Hale wanted to make it a national holiday. She believed that it would help unite the nation heading toward the Civil War. She began writing a campaign trying to convince politicians to make it a national holiday. In 1863, it finally worked, and President Abraham Lincoln made it a national holiday, declaring that the last Thursday of November is Thanksgiving.

Reflecting on Centuries of Celebration

In the 20th century, the NFL was made, and to make it more popular, the Detroit Lions created a Thanksgiving Day game. Parades also became a tradition, with the first parade ever being kicked off in Philadelphia, called the Gimbels Day Parade, in 1920. Then, of course, it is nowadays where people gather and reconnect with their loved ones to celebrate this amazing holiday. It's crazy to think it started 9,000 years ago with the colonists of Plymouth and the Wampanoag tribe. I hope you are all thankful for everything you are provided and have a good Thanksgiving!

How Different Religions Celebrate Thanksgiving

by Adrianna Grajek

As you may know, on the fourth Thursday of November, there’s a very special holiday when families gather together and enjoy a big feast with their loved ones. It’s a day to feel grateful for all you have, and this day is called Thanksgiving — the one day a year you can eat as much as you want and no one will judge you. But how do certain religions celebrate this holiday? In this article, we will talk about three religions and how they celebrate this amazing holiday.

Christian Thanksgiving

Did you know that how you celebrate Thanksgiving doesn’t just depend on where you live or your family traditions, but also on your religious beliefs? Here are some ways Christians celebrate Thanksgiving. They usually enjoy a big turkey, and many cook it in the oven, though others prepare it differently—smoked, grilled, or even in sandwiches. GotQuestions informed us that “prayers, sermons, and songs of praise were important in the celebration. Three days were spent in feasting and prayer. From that time forward, Thanksgiving has been celebrated as a day to give thanks to God for His gracious and sufficient provision.”

I don’t know about you, but this opened my eyes to how Christians celebrate Thanksgiving in such a meaningful way.

Jewish Thanksgiving

Now we move on to the Jewish culture, and I personally have been wondering how they celebrate Thanksgiving. Here’s what Aish taught me about how Jewish people add their own twist to the holiday: “For many American Jews, the fourth Thursday in November is a chance to gather with family, eat copious quantities of turkey and stuffing, and perhaps pass out during an afternoon football game. Yet for a minority of Jews, the embrace of any non-Jewish holiday ritual poses challenges.”

I find it very interesting that many Jews celebrate Thanksgiving like most people do. That just proves your religion doesn’t change who you are or how you celebrate certain holidays.

Muslim Thanksgiving

Now we dive into Muslim traditions. After learning about how Christians and Jews celebrate Thanksgiving, I wondered: Do Muslims celebrate differently? The IQRA Network helps answer that question: “Muslims may celebrate Thanksgiving as a day or custom, but Islam advises us not to.” Why does Islam advise against it? IQRA explains: “Through hadith, we know that we are not to imitate anything outside of what is found in the Quran and Sunnah.”

Conclusion

So now we know how three religions celebrate Thanksgiving in their own unique ways. Now the only question I have for you is: How do you celebrate Thanksgiving? Do you have any special family traditions? I know my family always cooks a turkey with macaroni and stuffing and watches football.

The Case for Chess as a Sport

by Andrew Veres

Is a sport defined by physical strength, or by strategy, skill, and competition? As more schools start chess clubs, we are all facing a new question: Should chess be recognized as a sport? Most sports are recognized for physical qualities like strength, speed, and toughness. For example, football is known for its hard hits and how players handle those hits. In chess, none of that is involved. We are going to find out if chess is considered a sport or not.

According to Leigh Steinberg, for an activity to be considered a sport, it must have skill, competition, and physical prowess. Chess has skill and competitiveness, but it does not have physical prowess. People who play chess are often known for their intelligence. Albert Einstein played chess, and he even came up with the Einstein–Szilard refrigerator! As I was saying, you don’t need a huge brain to play chess—you just have to practice and want to get better.

Chess is considered a sport, and it is widely recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Chess is not an official Olympic sport yet, but it was featured in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney as an exhibition sport, as an e-sport in the 2023 Olympic Esports Week, and it has been a sport in the Asian Games since 2006. If you want to get your brain going, try chess. It may be in the Olympics soon—it is getting noticed more every day and is spreading across the world right now.

The Effects of Positive Thinking: What Does It Do?
by Julianna Wilson

Positive thinking is very important. Positive thinking boosts your morale and self-esteem. It’s not only great for you—it’s good for the people around you too. No one wants to be surrounded by negative thoughts all day, because negativity can spread to others, decrease morale, and build up stress.

Without positive thoughts, you may think that you “can’t do anything,” that things are “all your fault,” or you may struggle with simple daily tasks that seem easy to everyone else. It’s extremely important to take care of yourself in general, and positive thinking is one big step you can take that helps a lot. Trust me—it’s not as hard as it may seem. If you’re constantly overwhelmed by bad thoughts, you just need to ignore them and immediately tell yourself the opposite. Comfort yourself. Give yourself something to feel confident about. Try thinking of how great you are, and if that doesn’t feel true yet, tell yourself how important you are, how cared about you are, and how much you matter, etc.

Managing your stress is another big step that can help everyone. A lot of stress actually damages your body, believe it or not. According to research from the Mayo Clinic, some positive health benefits of positive thinking (or having high self-esteem) and stress management include increasing your life span, lowering levels of depression (and helping manage long-term depression), reducing pain or distress, and even improving physical health. It’s still unclear why people who think positively gain these benefits, but it is definitely something great to strive for. Don’t you want to be happy and healthy too? I thought so.

Positive thinkers often become more optimistic and more physically active, which is great for gaining back motivation for everyday tasks—especially if you’ve been depressed or mentally or physically exhausted due to stress. Stress and depression can really drain your energy and make it hard to do simple things like brushing your teeth. It’s nothing to be ashamed of; we all struggle differently.

MINECRAFT

Movie Review

by Mehdi Ouali

Have you ever wondered what the Minecraft movie was like? You're in the right place because we will be doing a review of the whole movie, but we will make it short and sweet. First, we need to look at what the story is about. It is about four people who get transported into a cubic world and try to escape. Now that you know what the Minecraft movie is about, let’s review it.

Many people say that this movie is really good and fun. People have been waiting for years for Minecraft to make a movie, and they finally did. The first part of the movie is where most people were not very interested, except for the very beginning when Steve was a child. When the crew gets sent to the Minecraft world, it starts getting more interesting. Steve shows the crew the world and even the village, but in the village they see a pig wearing a crown, and some people got emotional. If you don't get it, they were referencing a famous YouTuber from the past who made Minecraft content named Technoblade. Everyone loved him for his Minecraft content, but he passed away from cancer at the age of 23.

Steve then explains his backstory about being trapped in the Nether with the cube. There is a queen hog who tried to take his orb so she could take over the Overworld, but Steve escaped. So the characters gear up and try to find the other piece of the cube to escape, but it is in a woodland mansion. When they get there, that’s where the iconic scene comes from: “CHICKEN JOCKEY!” One of the characters fights the chicken jockey. If you don’t know what a chicken jockey is, it's just a baby zombie riding a chicken.

After they get the cube and try to escape the queen hog (if you were wondering, her name is Malgosha, and she has a general named General Chungus), they come to the Overworld and have a big battle. Steve and his crew win the fight, and now they can go back to the real world. When they go back to the portal, they ask Steve if he is coming, but he says no, and that’s how the Minecraft movie ends.

Before we finish, we have some quotes from professional critics. One from the New Mexico Daily Lobo said, “I love Minecraft and I hated A Minecraft Movie.” Most people strongly disagree with this quote because they like how creative it is, which the critic did not. Another one from Forbes said, “Minecraft Movie reviews are in, and a billion dollar haul is nigh.” (Nigh in this context means almost.) That critic was neutral and said he had seen worse trailers, but the movie was still enjoyable.

So now we have reviewed the Minecraft movie and even looked at some quotes from professional critics.

The King of Pop

by Madeline Coronado

Michael Jackson, the most famous singer in the world, is also known as the King of Pop. He was born on August 29, 1958, and died on June 25, 2009, at the age of 50. Michael Jackson died from an overdose of the anesthetic propofol. He grew up in Gary, Indiana, where he lived with his parents and siblings in a small two-room house. While they lived in Gary, the family started a group called the Jackson 5, which included Michael and his four brothers.

Michael Jackson went to public school while living in Gary, but once he moved to California, he attended Gardener Street Elementary School in Hollywood for only a few months. When the Jackson 5 became successful, he left public school and was tutored privately. The Jackson 5 performed together from 1964–1989. Michael was originally the youngest in the group until his younger brother Randy was born and later joined, replacing Jermaine after he left.

Michael Jackson had three children: Prince Jackson, born on February 13, 1997; Paris Jackson, born on April 3, 1998; and Bigi Jackson, born on February 21, 2002. Michael Jackson had two wives—Debbie Rowe, whom he was married to from 1996–2000, and Lisa Marie Presley, whom he was married to from 1994–1996. His parents were Joseph Jackson and Katherine Jackson. Michael began performing at age five with his brothers in the Jackson 5, which included Marlon, Tito, Jackie, and Jermaine. His sister, Janet Jackson, is also a singer and has won five Grammy Awards. Michael Jackson himself won 13 Grammys.

Michael Jackson had many hit songs, including “Smooth Criminal,” “Billie Jean,” “Thriller,” “Bad,” and “Beat It.” A fun fact about Michael Jackson is that he donated over 300 million dollars to charities. A not-so-fun fact is that when he was dying, his last words were, “Please, please give me some milk.” “Milk” was his nickname for the powerful anesthetic propofol. The day before he passed away, on June 24, 2009, he sang “Earth Song.”

Michael Jackson’s idol was James Brown, who he said was his greatest inspiration and role model since he was six years old. Another fun fact: “Thriller” has 1.087 billion views, and in the first two years after it was released, he made 134 million dollars from it. Many people know Michael Jackson was an incredible singer, but did you know he was also an amazing dancer? He was especially known for his famous moonwalk. His most famous song was “Billie Jean,” released in 1982 on the album Thriller.

Michael Jackson made over 150 songs throughout his career, which lasted for around 50 years, since he started singing when he was only six years old.

Laugh More, Stress Less

by Raegan Rowe

Why can cracking a small joke have a big effect on your body? Studies have shown that laughing actually has health benefits, including how laughing can actually protect you against a heart attack. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood. Which can protect you against a heart attack. Henry Ford Health gives many reasons about how laughing can protect your heart. Laughing also brings out those feel good vibes by reducing stress hormones. A good laugh with a buddy or just in general lowers your levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, which helps you feel way more relaxed and brings out your good energy. These studies have been proven by the National institutes of Health.

Laughing also helps with your immune system. This is shown because laughing increases the number of antibody-producing cells which boosts your immune system. “Laughter also increases the number and activity of critical immune cells, such as T-cells, B-cells, and Natural Killer (NK) cells. NK cells are especially important for fighting viruses and tumors. More boosting effects of laughter can be long-lasting. Research increased NK cell activity for up to 12 hours after laughing just for a little bit.” This information came from the organization Research Gate.

Over all, surrounding yourself with people and things that give you a good laugh is overall a good way to bring out your good energy and give you some good laughs. Laughing also helps your brain, body, and muscles feel way more relaxed and focused. You'll start feeling good and being happier just by laughing. Who knew laughing could do all of this for your mental and physical health?!

Stressed Out? You’re Not Alone by Paige Lauver

Have you ever felt stressed out with school, work, or classes? If you do, this article's for you!

So first, some may ask “What is stress?”

Here are some symptoms of stress!

Feeling nauseous, short tempered, and depressed.
You get sick more often
Having headaches, stomachaches, and even more aches.
You feel way more tired than you usually do
If you have a test the next day it could mess up your sleep leading to sleep loss
Skipping meals can even be a sign of stress

So, what can YOU do about this?

Well let's start from the top of the list. What can you do when you feel nauseous, short tempered, or depressed? Well there’s a couple. I know for depression that going to sleep at 9:00-9:30 can help a lot. And if you feel nauseous you can also use your 5 senses, don’t know what that is? That’s okay I'll tell you!

5: Look around and name five things you can see.

4. What can you feel? Focus on the textures, is it bumpy, smooth?

3. What are three things you can hear? Is it tapping, voices,

keyboard, writing?

2. What are two things you can smell? Is it air freshener, is it

an old book, is it perfume?

1. Focus on what you can taste.

That can help bring you back to your reality and awareness of what's going on around you. So the next thing on the list is getting sick often. Consider your hygiene, sickness comes from germs, are you washing your hands frequently, are you sharing things with friends? That can lead to sickness. Sickness can also lead into not eating a lot, trust me you NEED to be eating especially at the age you are at. Not eating can lead to headaches, even if you don’t have time for breakfast, get a water bottle!. Having headaches and stomachaches, How to avoid headaches is to be well rested, DO NOT skip meals, even exercising can help. How can you avoid stomach aches? Well don’t overeat, you need to eat but don’t overeat. Over eating can even make you feel nauseous as well. Drink a lot of water, water helps with a lot of things, no not a sip of water will do the trick. Try to drink 5-8 bottles of water.

Have you ever felt like curling up in a ball, crying and never coming out because you have a math test?

It is okay! Don’t stress about it too much. If you know it is upcoming and you have time to study, STUDY. I promise it pays off in the end. Coming from Kaleb Shemberger he has said that he grabs a note, grabs the study guide and changes the numbers and practices that. I know you don’t want to study but it is way better than failing and you will feel better after studying. But just remember that the test won’t really be that bad as you think it is. And now once you have studied and the test has come you will know how to do the problems and it will even help you in the future. Also I know some teachers allow you to make cheat-sheets so if they do allow you to do that, DO IT. It could actually help you and you wouldn’t even know it.

Have you ever felt like you were going to have a panic attack while in school/class?

First let's think about what is causing this? Maybe you embarrassed yourself, this paper work is too hard, you had a fight with your best friend. Whatever this is, we are going to tell your teacher that you are having a panic attack. Now let's also talk about symptoms of a panic attack. Maybe you are actually just nauseous.

Rapid heartbeat
Sweating
Shortness of breath
Chest pain or tightness
Dizziness or light headed
Shaking
Numbness or tingling
Hot flashes or chills.

Now that we have the symptoms and you now know you are about to have a panic attack, let's go back to talking about the teacher. Go to the teacher you have and tell them you are about to have a panic attack, they should let you go down to the office and just have a moment to collect yourself, cry if you need to. And also sometimes if Mrs. Ely isn’t with someone you can go into her office and she will calm you down and help you with breathing and stuff.

Is someone gossiping about you and you don’t know what to do?

Let's talk about reminders. Well the first thing is that you have to remember someone talking about you is not better about you. People talking about you are not better than you in any way. “But she is prettier” “But she is more popular.” That does not matter, they are popular for the wrong reasons.

Now let's talk about what to do, if they are your friend and you are scared of anything. If you are scared she/he will hate you, make rumors about you, etc. Just talk to them. I promise it will be okay. Well I guess they could do the things I listed but when you remove them from your life you will feel so much better. Now think about it, would you want to keep being friends with the person who is talking about you or get it over with and deal with what they do. Also think about it, they could just not do anything. And I know a lot of people think fighting will help but it won’t. It will literally just make things worse, and most likely you’ll probably still have beef afterwards.

Now what should you do? What if these people want to fight you? Well we are not going to do that, why aren’t we going to do that? Because they aren’t worth your time. Fighting is not worth it and that also goes for the future, think about it this way. In the future you don’t like something your coworker did? You can’t just fight them. Plus fighting is immature. Talking it out and figuring it out and being able to talk one on one is way better than fighting. So we are going to talk it out with the person. Maybe you do it online, maybe you do it in school. Whatever it is you are going to stay calm while doing it. This is middle school. Just enjoy your life and stay out of drama. It really is not worth your time and you could be doing so much more better things.

Do you ever feel like running away and standing in the middle of a rain forest instead of coming to school?

A lot of people have this problem so you are not alone just know that. There are so many people in your school/grade who don’t want to come to school. But you have to, something you should do is think about something that is worth coming to school everyday, maybe it's seeing friends, maybe it's seeing your favorite teacher, whatever it is, appreciate it while you can. School is not your whole life so appreciating it while you can is a good thing to do. Maybe you don’t want to come to school because you are getting bullied, well let's talk about what you can do. Just ignore them, they simply do not matter and they are not worth your energy. Yes it can be hard to just avoid/ignore them. But it is way better than talking to them. If you do not interact with them they will get bored, act unphased and just keep being you. People will always have something to say about you plus you only live once. Now let’s talk about maybe you just are struggling with things like mental health, friends, whatever you can think of. Days can be hard to get through, I've been in your shoes, but it will get better, there's nothing more that I can say. Life is tough and it will continue to be for the rest of your life but you are going to have to deal with it. Since it is hard right now, think what you can do to prevent this happening in the future and think on how to cope. Is your coping style music, writing, drawing, hanging out with friends, baking, cooking, painting. Whatever it is, just do that.

“Did You Know” Facts About Space

By Gabriel Smaw

There are a ton of interesting things out in the world about nature, animals and lots more but what about things out of this world? What I'm talking about is space, space is almost infinite, a void of solar systems, stars and planets.

According to Sky At Night Magazine all of the other planets in our solar system could fit between the earth and the moon which is insane when you think about it because the moon looks pretty big in the night sky and also Jupiter is huge in comparison to earth and the moon.

Did you know that a Gamma-Ray burst releases more energy in 10 seconds than our sun in its entire life? Another fact about gamma rays is that they are completely random which means a gamma ray burst could hit earth and by time it hit you would be gone.

Did you know that space is not completely quiet based on what people say? It is true that space does not transfer sound waves in space like it does on earth but there are electromagnetic vibrations in space that can be translated into sound with instruments. Most people expect space to be silent and it is a common fact that most people know.

This next fact is a really unknown fact. It is also crazy to think about. We live in the Milky Way galaxy and apparently in 2009 scientists studied a giant gas cloud at the centre of our galaxy and it was composed of chemicals like ethyl formate which is responsible for giving raspberries their flavor and it also has a smell of rum. The other chemical the gas cloud was composed of was ethyl alcohol which is known for making alcoholic beverages. Finally I hope you had an interesting time reading and learning about space and its phenomena.

Tiktok Trends

Ever wanted to

post a video on

TikTok but you don’t

know what to post?

This article is all about

the trends you can do

on TikTok.

by Yeirialys Treacy Ramos

There are tons of TikTok trends that people try out when they want to become famous. Some popular ones that students might do at school include dancing with friends or taking part in funny challenges.One entertaining trend is the “Rock, Paper, Scissors Food Challenge.” In this trend, two people stand in a parking lot or an open space and play rock, paper, scissors. Whoever wins gets to start eating the food while the other person runs away, then races back before the winner eats it all! It’s hilarious to watch—especially when someone trips or when the food disappears too fast.

Other popular TikTok videos include baking and crafting trends. Around Halloween, many people post creative baking videos featuring spooky desserts and themed treats. These videos aren’t just fun to watch—they’re also a great way to learn how to bake and decorate unique delicacies.

Of course, dance trends are a TikTok classic. Everyone seems to love showing off their moves! One school-appropriate dance is the CitiRokk trend, which is inspired by the famous Renegade dance.

There are also plenty of fun, creative ideas to try with friends, like before-and-after transitions using trending songs—such as one from Sabrina Carpenter’s recent album—to show off a glow-up, a mindset change, or even a new outfit. Another idea is the “Come With Us to Shop” trend, where one friend goes on a blind shopping spree and picks something they think the other will love. The big reveal and reactions make it both funny and entertaining to watch.

No matter which trend you try, TikTok is full of fun, creativity, and laughter—just make sure to keep it positive and appropriate for school!

Middle School Makeup: Keep It Simple and Sweet!

A fellow student shares easy, beginner-friendly tips for natural looks, smart product choices, and what to avoid when starting with makeup.

by Paige Lauver

Since we are starting middle school, I’m assuming you might want to try some makeup. So let’s talk about what not to do. (You are beautiful just the way you are!)

What not to do

Don’t do a full face. Keep it casual.
Don’t throw random colors on your face.
Don’t leave things unblended.
Don’t wear huge lashes.

Now that we have some of those things out of the way, let’s talk about why we shouldn’t do them. First: a full face. You’re in middle school — let’s be real — you don’t need a full face of makeup! Why shouldn’t we throw random colors on our face? Because you don’t want to look like a clown. Pink, blue, purple, orange, yellow, green, red — bright eyeshadow is a no-go for school. Stick with neutral tones. Also, don’t wear bright red lipstick unless you need to for an event or a sport. Don’t leave hot pink blush unblended — seriously, don’t. About blending: this one should be self-explanatory. You don’t want to go around with unblended bronzer, blush, or anything else. And lashes — lashes are okay! I’m talking about really big lashes, to the point where you can’t see your natural eyelashes. That’s too much.

How to do makeup (a simple routine)

Here’s a “perfect” basic routine and some tips on how to use each product:

Concealer (Use for under-eye bags or breakouts. If you don’t have those, I wouldn’t recommend it.)
Bronzer (It’s good to have some color if your skin is pale.)
Blush (Again, good for adding color.)
Mascara (Just lengthens your eyelashes and adds a little pop.)
Lip gloss (A nice finishing touch.)
Setting spray or powder

How to use each product (in order)

Concealer
Don’t use a lot — three dots under each eye is enough, trust me. Now about blending: don’t blend it right away. Wait 3–5 minutes so it’s a little drier. If you blend too soon, there’s too much product and it can look like paint. If you wait, it’ll look smoother. Use a brush first to dab in little circles. This helps it look natural. Don’t spread concealer over your whole face — just under eyes and on breakouts. After blending with a brush, go in with a beauty blender. Be careful, because beauty blenders soak up product — it can remove excess so you don’t look cakey.

Bronzer
Do one swipe on each side of your forehead. If you put makeup everywhere except your forehead, your face will look like two different colors. Then apply it to your cheekbones. Blend it with a brush if it’s cream; if it’s liquid, a beauty blender can help take off excess. Remember, beauty blenders soak some product off.

Blush
Many people mess up blush. The placement depends on your face shape. Watch a video or try different spots until it looks natural. Don’t overdo it.

Mascara
This is kind of self-explanatory, but people still mess it up. Use an eyelash curler first so your lashes look more lifted. Try the 3-2-1 method:

Place the curler at the roots of your lashes; press and release slightly 3 times.
Move to the middle of your lashes; press and release twice.
Then press once at the tips.

After curling, apply mascara to the tips of your lashes. Putting it at the root mostly darkens them but doesn’t lengthen. If you want long lashes, focus on the tips. Also, choose a volume mascara if length is your goal.

Lip gloss
Apply it on your lips — that’s it. It shouldn’t go anywhere else.

Powder or setting spray
Powder helps keep your makeup from looking cakey. You don’t want to walk around looking like you have a cake on your face. Use a light dusting of powder. If you want your makeup to last all day, use setting spray too.

Tools: beauty blender, powder puff, brush — what’s the difference?

A beauty blender soaks up excess product. If you only use a beauty blender, your makeup might look faint.
A powder puff is mainly for applying powder. I don’t recommend it for blending concealer, blush, or bronzer.
A brush makes products more noticeable — which can be good if you want them to show — but be careful to blend well.

Cream vs. liquid vs. powder

If you use liquid concealer or products, layering matters. Many people make the mistake of putting powder over liquid everywhere. The only powder you should use over liquid is for blush or setting powder. If you see someone who uses powder over everything, we’ll probably tell instantly. So use liquid first, then powder blush (if you want).

For bronzer, I personally don’t like powder bronzer — it can look choppy or cakey. But if you prefer it, just make sure to apply liquid first, then powder.

Brands — you don’t need expensive stuff

You’re in middle school — you don’t need to spend $56 on one concealer. Expensive products often break out sensitive skin. Stick with drugstore brands that are usually safer. Some good drugstore brands: e.l.f., Maybelline, NYX, and Wet n Wild. These tend to be light on the skin and less likely to irritate. Skin is different for everyone. What works for an influencer on TikTok may not work for you. Don’t feel pressured by trends.

Examples:

e.l.f. is affordable and offers many good products. It’s lightweight and beginner-friendly.
Maybelline lasts all day and is known for good concealers (for under eyes, breakouts, and redness). But avoid applying heavy layers on pimples — that can irritate them.
Pixi also has good shades and is gentle, so it’s a good choice if your skin is sensitive.

You can find these brands at Ulta, CVS, Walmart, etc. Many of their products are oil-free and help your base look smooth rather than cakey or oily. Products with oil can clog pores and cause acne. Lightweight formulas help your face feel comfortable and healthy.

The Shot Heard Around The World

By: Julianna Wilson

During the night of April 18th, 1775 it was noticed the day before that hundreds of British troops were sent from Boston with a mission by King George III himself to seize all military supplies stockpiled by American patriots residing in Massachusetts, along with orders of British officers needing to arrest these American leaders. The British had set foot towards Lexington by the morning of April 19, approximately around 70 minutemen had arrived early just before the redcoats. They stand lined up right across from each other just standing before each and every single one of their eyes, the minutemen are greatly outnumbered by around 700+ redcoats and with other British allied regiments it seemed like the minutemen would not stand a chance against these men…

Suddenly a shot is fired within the silence between the soldiers before havoc breaks through, beginning a fierce battle between these men which we refer to as the Battle of Lexington and Concord today. It's still uncertain which side necessarily shot at the other first, which only led to chaos; we can assume it was a flimsy musket malfunction or someone who didn’t want to follow orders on either side. After being startled and the clash between the American minutemen and British redcoats came to an end, eight Americans were laying dead and about the same amount of men were injured resulting in needs of immediate aid, while only one redcoat was injured…

The minutemen are clearly inexperienced and lacking strategic skills. Minutemen were often just volunteers, drilling more frequently and being prepared with ammunition more than the American militia's main regiments and regulars. They served as a quick response to come help and assist within battle, they were a key part of the American revolutionary wars like Lexington and Concord for example, these militias were even claimed to be fully trained and ready to fight “at a moments notice”.

The British moved on to Concord after the poor minutemen fled with injured men, that same day the British came face to face with an armed group of local patriots at Concord’s North Bridge. Both of the sides shot at each other leaving two colonists and three redcoats dead. We call this ‘The Shot Heard Round The World’ which was a term created by an American writer and poet named Ralph Waldo Emerson featured in his poem “Concord Hymn" illustrated in 1837 to represent the shot allegedly fired by American patriots at the North Bridge in Concord, Massachusetts starting more conflict and being the beginning of the American Revolutionary War. The British were forced to retreat back to Boston quickly while being fired at by militia men hiding within roadside cover like trees, and brick walls that resulted in very many casualties approximately 273 in total.

Rooted in Pride: How Adrian Public Schools Shaped a Community

From one-room schoolhouses to modern classrooms, Adrian’s schools have grown

with the city—fostering success, unity, and generations of "Maple Pride."

compiled by Brandon Gautz

From the beginning, Adrian Public Schools have been integral to the success of our city. They have educated generations of Adrian citizens and been the driving force behind the city's growth through a well developed plan, by creating a talent path of graduates to fill jobs and create new businesses in Adrian.

As a student here, I can honestly say the schools mean a lot to everyone. It’s not just a place where we learn, it’s a big part of our community. The pride people have for Adrian Public Schools is something you can feel from the start. These schools have been more than just buildings. The people inside them have helped shape our town and made it what it is today.

The story of Adrian Public Schools goes way back to the 1800s when the town was just starting to grow. The first schools were very small, just one room where all the kids sat together, no matter their age. As more people moved to Adrian, the schools needed to grow too, so new buildings were built. The schools started offering more subjects like math, science, and history, and they also added activities like sports and music to give students more opportunities.

The sports teams at Adrian Public Schools are a huge part of what makes the schools special. The football and basketball teams have been really successful over the years, winning a lot of games and championships. The whole town gets excited when the teams do well. It’s not just about winning, it’s about coming together as a community to support our players. Everyone cheers on the teams, and that energy makes the town feel closer. Even if you're not on the team, you still feel part of it, and that’s something I think is really cool about Adrian Public Schools.

It’s not just sports that make Adrian Public Schools stand out. The academic programs here are also really strong.Lots of students have gone on to do amazing things in their careers, like becoming doctors, teachers, or artists. There are even students who have won awards for their achievements in subjects like science and math. The schools really prepare students for the future, and it's awesome to know that so many people who went to these schools have done great things.

The arts are also a big part of Adrian Public Schools, whether it’s band, choir, or theater, there are so many chances to be creative. I’ve seen some amazing performances over the years. It’s really cool how the arts help students express themselves and build confidence. The music programs have been successful too, with awards and recognition for the students who put in the work. Being able to perform or play in a band or choir is a big deal at Adrian Public Schools, and it’s something that brings everyone together.

Over the years, Adrian Public Schools have had their challenges, too, as in the 1970s and 80s, there were financial problems that made it hard to keep everything going. Even when things were tough though, the people of Adrian stepped up to make sure the schools stayed strong. They held fundraisers, voted on new ways to raise money and worked together to support the schools. That’s something that really stands out to me –how much the community cares about the schools and how they always find a way to keep them going.

As time went on, the schools kept up with changes in the world. When new technology started becoming a bigger part of everyday life, Adrian Public Schools made sure students had the tools they needed to learn. Access to computers and technology help us stay connected to the world. The schools have always made sure we’re prepared for the future, no matter how much things change.

One of the biggest things that makes Adrian Public Schools stand out is the maple tree. The maple tree is the symbol of the city and the schools because it represents strength and growth. Just like a maple tree grows tall and strong over the years, Adrian Public Schools have faced challenges but always kept growing. No matter what happens, the schools keep standing strong, and the people of Adrian always come together to support them. That’s why "Maple Pride" is such a big deal, it’s about pride in the schools and pride in how far they’ve come.

Today, Adrian Public Schools are still a huge part of the community. It’s not just about going to class and doing homework, it’s about being part of something bigger. The schools bring people together, whether it’s at a football game, a graduation party, or a concert, everyone in the town feels connected to the schools in some way. "Maple Pride" isn’t just a slogan, it’s something we all feel. We take pride in our schools and the people who make them great.

Adrian Public Schools have shaped this town in so many ways. They’ve helped students grow and succeed, and they’ve helped make Adrian a place where people support each other. From the early days with those small one room schools to the big schools we have now, Adrian Public Schools have always been a big part of this community, and just like the maple tree, they’ll keep growing and standing strong for many years to come.

Are Teens Too Tied to Their Phones?

by Giselle Shipperbottom

Do you think kids these days or people in general are overly attached to their phones? As a teenager I would say yes, we are way too attached to our phones. The average time teens spend on their phones is about 8 hours a day, mind you that's just an average. I mean you never know, teens could be spending way over 8 hours a day. But it’s also not all our fault. I say this because teens are always stuck inside their house with nothing to do, especially when the weather is bad, so all we have left to do is be on screens. But, that’s no excuse.

The real question is, WHY are teens so overly attached to their phones? According to What Phone Addiction Looks Like in Teens and How to Help, “Having access to the technology on a 24-hour basis caused us to develop a dependency upon our devices.” That dependency is also used during school. Some students depend on their phones to help them with school work, so that’s another reason why teens are overly attached to their phones. I think school is supposed to teach us hard work and effort and that’s all just getting taken away because of technology handing everything to teens.

If you’re trying to lower your screen time, here are some things you could do instead of being on your phone. If the weather is nice, go outside! Go for a walk, bike ride, scooter, etc.! You can also color. Coloring is a good way to clear your mind and get some creativity back in your life. Cleaning is also another way to clear your mind and we all know that refreshing feeling after you get done cleaning. Those ideas are just 3 in a million. So when you get a chance, take a break from your phone.

Teens And Social Media

How Would Teenagers' Lives Be Without Social Media?

by Julianna Wilson

Would their lives be better?

According to research about social media, I believe that teenagers' lives would be better. In ways like how their mental health will be affected, what that teen is exposed to for their age, and how safe they may feel. There could even be a lesser chance of depression, anxiety, stress, and even insecurity coming from social media but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to develop these disorders. Without social media, your child would less likely be prone to grooming, manipulation, and probably bad relationships you’d never want them to have. Their life wouldn’t be worse, just excluded because due to individuals they know with social media, like their friends and even people they look up to would most likely be talking about it quite often. I choose to agree with this because of my own experiences with people I know always talking about their following or accounts.

Does social media benefit society?

Social media does benefit society in many ways. It helps with connecting, and meeting new people, discovering way more than you probably would in person, like many different cultures, and beliefs. You can even create and be a part of a community. Although there may be a lot of pros about social media, there are also many cons. Some communities may not be the best place to be, some people you meet may not be good people. Oh, and content? Yeah, there isn’t always going to be appropriate content, comments, and even suggestions. There are plenty of terror groups supported by minors, which is concerning. Although I think it’s just a phase, it’d be safer if anyone just stayed away and joined communities they know feels safe to them, communities that are normalized and believed to be a better place.

What aspects of social media could be improved?

I think social media (everyone collectively) needs to be different on how it lets people shape its reputation. A better way to have a contained and controlled community. Now yes, there’s no way someone can just control millions of people and make them act pretty perfect. But, if you own a group, or you’re a part of one, just do your best to set that role model feeling, create inspiring content or leave nice and memorable comments, and even suggestions.

Well, what if you see a concerning, or even harmful person/group? Yeah, I know everyone usually says “Oh, just scroll, block, or ignore them.” No. That shouldn’t always be the case. If you see someone hurting another person, or even a community, don’t be afraid to speak up about it or even confront those individuals. Then again, you shouldn’t make the internet a big part of your life, even if it feels good to just be you. It gets bad when you start letting these things get to you everyday… Although many users just seem to be out of the ordinary, be aware, there are many users that like to rage bait. What's rage bait? It is when a person, or something does a thing to make another one or even a community mad. The name explains itself, the rage baiter acts and puts on a show so they will get the attention they want. These people can be intentionally harmful, or they're just playing a little scheme. Usually it is teens who decide to be this online persona.

So… Do you think teens should have social media, or not? Think of the benefits, think of the consequences.

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TWO AUTHORS AND THEIR TAKE ON DRAMA

How to Avoid Drama

by Emma Francis

A lot of people are in drama in this era, in and out of school. So here is how to avoid it. You need to remember who your real friends are. People are always going to have a friend who they shouldn't trust at all. Second tip, you need to stay as loyal to your friends as possible, always tell the truth and keep their secrets. Third tip, make sure if you have a problem with someone you go talk to them about it to fix the issue, it was probably a misunderstanding or miscommunication. Fourth tip, be open to other people and stay focused on what's important to you. Abigail Brenner from Psychology Today says five ways to avoid drama are to create healthy boundaries, watch how you interact with others, be a good human, stay positive, and develop strategies to remove yourself from drama.

Drama is often created by those who seek attention and excitement. There will always be someone in your school that seeks attention. If you find yourself getting into drama more often try to learn to take more responsibility over yourself instead of blaming others when you get yourself into the drama. Make sure you also choose your battles wisely. You could be in this mess over something stupid so be the bigger person and tell them how you could solve this problem.

Remember that you are incharge of your own feelings, not others. No one can tell you what you can and can not do with your life. Try to avoid being in drama the best you can and stick with people who you think is a good influence on you and others. Tell an adult if you think drama between you and someone has gotten to a point where you don't want to go to school or anywhere for that matter. If drama between you and your family has been happening, talk to your school counselor or counselor for help and tips to make you feel more confident.

How to Deal with Drama

by Julianna Wilson

Drama, we all should be familiar with it. Sure, there’s more than one type of drama but in this case we’re talking about the drama that has to do with a relationship between you, and usually someone else. Drama is especially common in an educational and working environment (school and maybe even your job). That's what we’re here to discuss today.

It is quite easy for rumors and lies to be spread just through a few peers being led all through just one person. So you’d better have an understanding defense or backup for yourself because these things are never usually pretty or fun to deal with. As an example, say you and a friend are talking about a certain someone, and your friend makes a “joke” or says something they probably shouldn’t have. Someone passing by hears them, and takes it seriously or believes it, once that person gets to their group of peers it starts getting mentioned and passed around, and becomes a rumor. Now that certain someone is beginning to have a bad reputation all because of someone eavesdropping on you and your buddy’s conversation.

Now, you may be wondering; “How do I come up with ways to avoid something like this happening, or staying out of any drama?” Well, it depends on your environment, and who you choose to be around or surround yourself with. No, this doesn’t mean you have to isolate yourself from certain people. Just limit how much time you spend with a certain someone if you think something with them is going to impact you emotionally, and maybe mentally in a way you dont want it to. You should also keep an eye on how you speak, or note how others decide to use their language and common sense. There have been lots of cases (experiences) where you may be guilt tripped, manipulated, or forced onto someone's “side” against another person, or individuals.

Now, this doesn’t mean you’re set, and going to stay out of drama for the rest of your life. It's still bound to happen eventually. Just remember this, don’t pick sides, try to stay as unbiased as possible depending on the situation if it isn’t against you, and have a truthful explanation for your reason. Even make agreements, apologize, or better yourselves to fix it. Taking a break away from someone for a short while shouldn’t hurt, and use it as time to fix how you act towards that person or people.

Keep Our School Clean

Do you pick up your trash at school?

Here are the reasons you should.

by Emery Hudson

Fewer Sick Days: If the school is clean, there will be less germs. You can't stop students from bringing germs to school, but you can stop germs from leaving the school. Healthier students are better prepared for learning. If the school is clean, people will want to go to that school. Think about it, if there was a clean school and a dirty school you would want to go to the clean school wouldn't you? With better attendance, the school would have more people on count day, so that means more money for the school so we can get more school supplies, and better school supplies means a better learning experience. Parents would want to do more things for the school. Safety would be much better if there wasn’t stuff all over the floor. You could slip and fall and possibly get a concussion. We should have a “strong sense of school pride” and take care of our own Springbrook Middle School

If the school is trashed, a bug or rodent problem might develop. So if there was a rodent problem there would be mice or rats running around the school and getting into the lockers and eating through bags and bugs are just gross to be around so we wouldn't want either of those, right? But if the school has garbage all over it this might happen. Keeping the bathrooms clean is also important. Do you really want to go into a bathroom used by every other student that is trashed? And leaving things on the bench is just asking someone to go through your stuff and steal things. If you lust leave your bag on the bench it might get taken to the lost and found. Have you seen our lost and found table this year? It’s out of control because it gets filled up so fast.

So, do your part to keep Springbrook clean. Start small, just pick up after yourself at lunch, in the classroom, or at your locker. If you see garbage on the floor, pick it up. Help make Springbrook Middle School a great place to learn!

Get Off Your Screens! Go Outside!

by Mitchell Barnett

Phones and tv’s and game systems are not good for your health because it can cause neck pain, metal stress and headache. Being outdoors provides a break and for you to relax and recharge. Your screen can cause you to have bad vision and going outside is a good exercise. Even if you're just walking out and about or riding your bike, going outside can make you sleep better. Having just a little run can burn calories too. Going outside provides vitamin D and an immunity boost, cleans your lungs and lowers your heart rate. Watching your phone all day or playing video games can change brain activity and reaction times. The average person's screen time is 6 to 8 hours a day when the normal average should be down to 2 to 4 hours a day. Going outside is amazing for spending time with family and friends. Going outdoors is a way for you to get some space for your screen and have a little relief. The outdoors is very peaceful. You can go on hikes, mountain climbing and fishing. Having a lot of phone time is a bad way for you to have a cracked neck because looking down for so long can make you have back pain. Tv’s are what impact your eyes you can have in strain and blurred vision. Staring at the tv for too long can cause irritations and headaches and itchy eyes and back ache, you can feel dizzy and nauseous and have watery eyes. Too much screen time can even cause poor sleep and motion sickness.

‘’When we're in urban environments or the office all day, we can experience sensory overload, resulting in tension and mental fatigue. Studies have shown that our minds and bodies relax in a natural setting. This increases feelings of pleasure and can help us concentrate and focus more effectively,” according to studies in the National Library of Medicine. This just means when we’re inside all day at school, especially on our chromebooks, it will help us be better students by just going outside.

Personal Hygiene

by Mya Gonzalez

It's good to keep up your hygiene, but sometimes you don't have the right products or it's not something you can just do, due to certain circumstances, but there are people all around this building that can help. You can contact talk to or email Ms. Blackmon at kblackmon@adrian.k12.mi.us and ask her for some supplies like deodorant, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, bar soap, feminine products, toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash, and chapstick. Ms. Blackmon will always be willing to help you when you are in need so that you can keep up your hygiene because hygiene is so important. It can help with your physical appearance, it helps protect you against illnesses, it helps refrain body odor, it boosts your self respect and self confidence, it can also help with your academic performance and so many more things. That is why it is so important to have good hygiene and to make sure you're taking care of yourself. Besides, we all want our school to smell good, don’t we?!

Does VR Affect Your Brain More than a Regular Device?

by Emery Hudson

Do you have a Virtual Reality headset? Here’s a small list of headsets: Oculus 1,2,3, Oculus Rift, and PlayStation VR. There are large differences between VR and regular devices. For one, you get up and move with a VR device because you are the character. You have full control over them so you are moving around, but to what point does it affect your brain more? The short answer is yes and this is why according to Kathryn Segovia from the University of Stanford “in VR environments we project our eyes to look at things far away but in reality there are only a few centimeters away.” That can mess with our perception.

Also, it should not be surprising that “children are affected even more; most children believe something they did in VR really happened” according to CNN reporter Sandee LaMotte. VR can affect motor skills and cause “disorientation symptoms, nausea, malaise, and discomfort referred to as cybersickness” says health coach Beata Sokołowska and the blue light emitting from the headset can be harmful and “can cause damage retinal cells and cause vision problems such as age-related macular degeneration”

So, yes VR does affect your brain more than a regular device but there are also positives to VR. The fun concept of VR can help with learning, “anxiety and mental health issues,” in an article from Health News Today.

The VR headset is just a computer strapped to your head but you can get ones that have no technology in them and you slide your phone into them and some people think this is better for you but is just as bad as the normal VR headset because it is the same 3D videos/games it is just less powerful of a vr headset so it cases the same damage.

Did you know that Nintendo has a VR headset? Well you might have it and you didn't know. It's the Nintendo Switch: you can buy a kit that lets you build a cardboard VR headset that you slide the switch into. But, this also can affect your brain the same way.

So, I think you get the pattern now - all VR affects your brain the same. The 3D technology for all devices do the same thing, but, if you do the VR with you phone, nothing is in 3D so it’s the blue light damage you have to protect yourself from by using blue light glasses with it. Like most things, you can't prevent everything; 40% to 70% of people get VR sickness and many more get eye damage so it is safe to still use V, but to limit the time spent on it to prevent any long term damage.

The Dangers of Vaping

by Landen Fouty

I’m going to talk to you about the dangers of vaping, why vaping is not better than cigarettes, and also how the Vaping industry affects our planet.

First off let's talk about how vaping destroys the body, and why vaping is SO addictive. An article from What's The Harm? written by the Texas Department of State Health Services, “The way that vaping harms the body is through toxic chemicals that enter the body through the airway that can damage organs, the brain, your lungs, and skin/face because sometimes vapes can EXPLODE in your face, causing deformities in your skin, and leading to painful burns.” An article named What’s in an E-cigarette? written by the American Lung Association says, “Nicotine is highly addictive and that it negatively affects adolescent brain development. Also, vapes contain a chemical called Acrolein and it is a herbicide primarily used to kill weeds, which can cause irreversible lung damage or in some cases lead to death.” It gets even worse because vapes also have a chemical that contains HEAVY METALS!!! Such as nickel, tin, and lead which can lead to trouble breathing and different diseases.

Now we are going to move on to how vaping is NOT better than cigarettes, and after a LOT of research I found information on an article called 5 Vaping Facts You Need to Know written by Dr. Michael Joseph Blaha stated that tobacco cigarettes have about 7000 chemicals in them, but vapes are still under research to see how many chemicals are used in a vape.

And Lastly, I’m going to talk about how the Vaping Industry affects our environment. In an article named Vape Fact Sheet written by the Lung Foundation Australia says, “Vapes only contain some components that are recyclable, but most of the components have a large amount of toxic waste, and micro plastics that can be consumed by wildlife. Also the vape contains a battery that if left under heat can explode, which if left in the sun can also explode, sending e-liquids, chemicals, plastics and nicotine into the air.” And the most expected effect on the environment out of all of the effects, is the effect on you, because every time you let the vapor out of your mouth, if in a room, or a confined area, can release small, harmful particles into the air, and once breathed in, can cause it to be very harmful to breath in.

So make a smart choice of what you're breathing in, because 2800 people are taken to the hospital per year because of vaping, but almost zero have died of breathing air since the beginning of time, so make a smart choice, don’t vape.

Are Video Games Healthy?

by Emery Hudson

Do you play video games? 65% of people play video games and according to Kids Health in an article about video games, Dr. Elana Pearl Ben-Johnson states that “some studies have shown certain video games can improve hand–eye coordination, problem-solving skills, and the mind's ability to process information.” But gaming does have some negatives like Well Powers’ article on the same topic, “Unsparingly excessive use of video games has been shown by some studies to have negative effects like problems with sleep, depression and anxiety.”

But here are some ways to make video games heather according to Francesca Lunzer’s article about making games heather, “Choose games wisely. In some games, even modest amounts of play—30 minutes a day—have been shown to improve memory ability in adults of all ages and some studies have found that playing 3-D video games could also boost the formation of memories. Participants were allocated to either a group that played video games with a 2-D environment or a 3-D environment. After playing the games for 30 minutes per day for 2 weeks, the students were given memory tests that engaged the brain’s hippocampus.” (According to the Cleveland Clinic the hippocampus is the small part of your brain that helps with your learning and memory). You might want to share that bit of information with your parents!

The advanced online gaming security company, Kidas tells us that “being a good multi-tasker is absolutely essential! When playing video games, especially multiplayer ones, research has shown that it increases the ability to multitask. You've probably heard this before: Don't sit too close to the TV. You’re going to hurt your eyes! As it seems, researchers say that when it comes to gaming, this might not be the case. Many research studies have shown that playing video games in moderation helps improve the eyes ability to discern color.”

On the other hand,there are some negative effects of gaming according to Maria Aurelia “wjp studied Psychology and Early Childhood Development. “Sleep Disorders – The blue light emitted by screens and the stimulating nature of video games can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to insomnia or poor-quality sleep. Emotional Numbing – Repeated exposure to violent content in video games may lead to desensitization to violence, making individuals less sensitive to the suffering of others.” You can avoid some of this by wearing blue light glasses and just playing these games in moderation.

So, it’s up to you; do you think video games are healthy or unhealthy? I guess the answer is it depends on you.

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