November Edition

Happy Thanksgiving, Needham High, and congratulations on making it through Quarter 1! It did indeed feel like it was ten years long, but don't fret – only three more terms to go ;)

We have been hard at work over in room 726 putting together this fantastic edition for you, and we really hope you enjoy. Yearning for some knowledge this Thanksgiving break? Check out our articles about Thanksgiving's history and implications, the Rittenhouse trial, or the 1991 Needham High Thanksgiving Game drama. Want to scroll through some lovely pictures? Check out our photo journals of Girls Volleyball's State Champion game, SAMD's The Little Mermaid, Girls Field Hockey, Chorus and Strings Fall Concert, or Senior Field Day (finally!). Also from our wonderful Hilltopper staff, we have pieces about senior burnout, "effective" study methods, and the strange phenomenon of the phrase "2enior2," if you're looking for a chuckle.

Just four more weeks until winter break! You've got this!

♡ Alex, Bayley & Talia

Girls Volleyball Wins (Again): Photo Journal

Photos by Kate King

Courtesy of Highlander

Thanksgiving: Shifting our Perception of Indigenous History and Taking Action

By Alex Goodale and Talia Bloom

On the surface, the history of Thanksgiving seems positive. In 1621, Governor William Bradford invited Native American allies to a celebratory feast, and it is this image -- one of friendliness and gratitude between the native tribes and new settlers -- that Americans envision when thinking about the holiday’s origin. But what is this holiday really about?

Courtesy of CNN

The Kyle Rittenhouse Trial: America’s “Justice” System

By Alex Goodale and Talia Bloom

The acquittal of Kyle Rittenhouse was met with both cries of outrage and triumphant cheers. Regardless, it is clear that there are inequities in the justice system based on the difference in treatment of Rittenhouse and people of color.

Courtesy of Hadas Duchin

The Spooky Season Decor!

By Hadas Duchin

As the leaves are changing colors and the days are getting colder, the town of Needham is once again getting ready for the spooky season. Every year, Needham begins the annual decorating season for one of the scarier holidays; Halloween. Here are some of The Hilltoppers top picks of the scariest Halloween decorations around town.

Courtesy of Milford Daily News

The Thanksgiving Game of 1991

By Emily Flanagan

Every year on Thanksgiving, Needham and Wellesley have their annual face-off. No past game is quite as memorable as the one in 1991. A so-called bomb in the field, national attention, and the postponement of a historical match-up? This should be a Needham legend, and yet, nobody knows of it.

Courtesy of IMDb

"Eternals" and the Marvel Problem

By Nick George

In an effort to sell this idea of a cinematic universe, Disney and Marvel Studios have purposefully formularized many aspects of their production process so that the style and tone of their movies are consistent throughout the franchise. With so many MCU shows and movies coming out, it is only a matter of time before the Marvel movie fizzles out and goes the way of dinosaurs… unless something changes.

Courtesy of Cici Hunt

SAMD 2021: The Little Mermaid

By Emily Flanagan and Talia Bloom

The Little Mermaid has always been one of my favorite movies, so when I heard that my high school was putting on a production of the musical, I knew I had to go. To say I enjoyed it is an understatement.