The Uniondale High School marching/concert band, led by Mr. Colton Wynter and Mr. Joe Boardman, have been practicing a lot. They recently performed at a special event called the Newsday marching band festival and everyone was really impressed with how good they were.

They are getting ready for some really cool performances that will make a big impression on the audience. Next, they are going to be in a parade for Thanksgiving in Connecticut. They will play music and make the parade even more exciting. After that, they will have a concert in their own town. Everyone is excited to hear the beautiful music and it will make everyone feel warm and happy. The concert will be really special and show how talented the band is.

In the future, the band is getting ready to go on a really fun and special trip to Washington, D.C. in March 2024. The Uniondale High School Marching Band and Concert Band will get to show off how well they can play music, and they will also get to learn about the history and culture of the United States.

The Uniondale High School Marching Band and Concert Band owes its success to two special teachers, Mr. Colton Wynter and Mr. Joe Boardman. Their love of music and hard work help the students to become great musicians. Because of them, the students at Uniondale High School do not just play music, they create beautiful art.

We asked Mr. Wynter, “What made you want to become a music teacher?” and he responded saying “I enjoyed playing music in high school and wanted to become a teacher so I put them together.”

In the words of George Washington Carver, “Education is the key to unlock a golden door of freedom.” Education is certainly a journey of growth, not just for students but also for the dedicated individuals who guide them. Mr. Picone is certainly one of those individuals, being a passionate teacher since 2010. Teaching Global History and Geography 9, and Pre-AP World History, Mr. Picone's journey extends beyond the classroom, aiding students who participate in the clubs that he leads. Mr. Picone has been a constant presence in the hallways of Uniondale High School as he leads over 130 children in addition to another 50 children with his club duties and it's his enthusiasm for extracurricular activities that truly sets him apart

Model United Nations' Journey:

It is clear that Picone has  shown commitment to student growth; he has guided Model United Nations Club which according to unausa.org, is “a simulation of the UN General Assembly and its other multilateral bodies where students perform an ambassador role while debating topics such as gender equality, climate action, global health, and more” for over 10 years. He has taken participants to numerous conferences at local high schools and colleges each school year—creating an environment where students flourish into well-rounded, knowledgeable citizens.

Mock Trials Journey:

In 2017, Mr. Picone founded the Mock Trial club, creating it into a community of legal insight and formal debate. Working together with New York State Judges such as Judge Broderick and Judge Mejias-Glover, the club has become a platform for students to develop public speaking skills, confidence, and research abilities. Regardless of one's future career path, Mr. Picone believes in the importance of participating in Mock Trial. As the Mock Trial/Moot Court Competition gears up for the annual Moot Court Competition in November at the Islip Courthouse, Mr. Picone envisions broader participation and increase in membership in the Mock Trial Club. 

Reece's Journey:

Reece Rene, a bright junior with a passion for Art, History, Government and the President of the Model United Nations Club, Reece has taken on the responsibility with gratitude and determination. In his free time, he enjoys reading, music, and listening to podcasts. At first, running the club initially seemed intimidating to Reece when introduced to him during his sophomore year, but it quickly transformed into a safe and supportive community. As he ventures into the halfway mark of his leadership role, Reece looks back on the tremendous learning experience he has taken away from Model UN. His vision for the club's future is to “ do more in every sense of the word.”; Intending to elevate Uniondale High School's name more than before.

This year's student council is entirely new. From the executive council to the president to the advisor, our student government is completely different from last year. These new faces are chalked full of new ideas for our upcoming school year and plan for 2024. 

When asked about their goals for the upcoming school year, Savannah Hope, Treasurer, stated that they’re “trying to create tradition here,” so that Uniondale High School students now and in the years to come, have events to look forward to, and for future Student Councils to have a foundation to built upon. Among this list are the food drive and the Yard Show, both of which are estimated to occur later this year. They are completely focused on planning ”all the events [they] want to carry out,” says Christian Auguste, Student Board Member, to make sure 2024 is a year to remember.

Aside from building tradition, communication seems to be their primary goal. “[we] want to create a really good relationship that will last for years and years to come,” says Destini Barrow, Student Council Secretary. A sentiment seemingly shared by the entire council. “The more people know about [activities] the more people support them,” says Dusand Barrow, Vice President.  The executive council plans on utilizing not only their Instagram page but potentially even the new Uniondale app that was unveiled on the school's website over the summer to maximize communication between themselves and the student body. It is all about open dialogue for the new executive board. Student Body President, Emely Hernandez stated that she wants the Student Council to be, “a place where students can vocalize what they think.” This executive board is dedicated to fostering a sense of community in the school.  

While the executive board members are new to being board members, they were able to learn from their predecessor, Nachurel Mitchell, last year's Student Council President. Before leaving, she reminded the new council to divide work amongst themselves to make sure everything flows well. Not only did she impart wisdom, but she left notes and resources to Hernandez to help smooth the transition of power in our student government. 

Mr. O’Sullivan, the new advisor stated that he has taken this position because he is frustrated with the lack of student involvement. He is working to make this a place anyone feels comfortable going to. “We are trying to make events that are for students, by students”, he says, inviting anyone interested in joining to come to a meeting. 

If anyone is interested in joining the student council see Mr. O’Sullivan in room 219 and follow them on Instagram at @uhs_studentco.

Does wearing bookbags ruin your outfit? In schools worldwide students are starting to abandon bookbags and carrying tote bags. They are seen as more practical and more amusing, where the old book bag is starting to be seen as boring and are being left aside. Tote bags were brought back around 2021 because a stigma was built around bookbags. Tote bags were not the only thing popularized students are now carrying handbags, designer purses or even no bag at all! It all started when Marc Jacobs created “The Tote Bag''. It was very popular among students in school because it was more stylish and not dull like an average bookbag. Many brands took advantage and started creating canvas tote bags with fun and modern designs. They were seen as more useful since they could be used for more things like going to the beach, everyday bags or even traveling. 

New Balances, the ultimate “dad shoe”, are now starting to come back. They are now being seen by a younger audience. The stylish shoe brand is beginning to sell new and improved styles that fit into this generation, creating neutrals and colorful to fit teenager’s aesthetics. What used to be seen as ugly and only for old people has innovated into the new cool. As described by Highsnobiety, a global fashion and lifestyle brand state “Over the past two years, the brand’s silhouettes have been frequently donned by an increasing number of marquee celebrities like Gigi Hadid, Timothee Chalamet (along with so many others). All being responsible for placing New Balance in the public eye and captivating the hearts of mainstream culture.” Using newly loved influences that teenagers are currently obsessing over is what has impacted their styles. Stores such as FinishLine and NewBalance are overhyped with trending wardrobes. 

If you haven’t noticed, Crocs are the new everyday comfy shoes. Crocs are the type of shoes you either love or hate, and in this generation teenagers have become their absolute fandom. These water resistant clogs that are meant for your beach and pool days are now seen all over school and work environments. A blog from upstep issuing “Are Crocs Good or Bad for Your Feet?” states “Crocs provide a perfect alternative for people that would otherwise have gone barefoot on the beach, pool area, and in the yard. Beyond this, Crocs have become popular among different classes of people warranting use to even malls and supermarkets.” The comfort, fit, as well as the variety of colors and styles are all details that keep attracting their large audience.

Over time, as more and better designs are released, they continue to gain recognition by appealing to a wide audience and selling for reasonable costs. I'll let you choose what fashion trends you like most; trends tend to last longer than fads, so you may make that decision. 

Recently, Dr. Varkey, an English teacher at Uniondale High School, was awarded the Educator of Excellence award. She would characterize her work philosophy as someone who works hard and is concerned with her pupils' needs. She is a teacher who is prepared to assist anyone in need, even if she does not enjoy or want to draw attention to herself. Her goals in life were to earn her doctorate, to be helpful, and to teach. All of which she has accomplished. 

Dr. Varkey was nominated for the Educator of Excellence award, which she traveled to Albany to accept. This award was presented during the New York State English Teachers Council (NYSEC) meeting. She was one of three Uniondale teachers who received the award. This council is a local section of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE). 

At first, she felt conflicted about receiving the award, but she also enjoyed being there. The social aspect of the event was a highlight for her as the environment allowed her to "meet other people that do the same job [...], that have the same research interest, that are trying to work on the same kind of problems." She added, "It was nice to see people excited about the positive aspects of teaching." 

Dr. Varkey also feels it is beneficial for teachers to attend these conferences and for districts to send them. She believes many educators refrain from participating because districts must pay for them.

 Despite being in New York and being a statewide ceremony, when she looked around the room, she felt she saw mainly "people from smaller communities or white communities [while] in New York, we have a lot of minority communities." 

She added, "I didn't see teachers there from these communities." She believes that "it would be nice to see neighborhoods like this to be represented at these conferences." She hopes in the future for the possibility of some grant to help other teachers attend such conferences and learn from fellow educators.

Headed by Ms. Pallone and Mr. Singh, the Bridges Club's mission is to foster communication between communities across Nassau County. The club's goal is to have meaningful conversations and learn about different worldviews and aspects of life.

Wednesday, November 8th, was Bridges' first trip of the year. The club met with the Bridges program at Oceanside High School. The focus of the meeting was communication. Kids from Oceanside sat with Uniondale kids in small groups and learned about tactics for effective conversations. Together, they learned different ways to make their discussions constructive. The primary skill being taught at the event was the looping method. This consisted of asking people follow-up questions, imitating their body language, and listening to communicate effectively.

Later, Mr. Latorre, the head of Bridges in Oceanside, asked the students to take a personality survey. It determines what a person values in their life. The students were then asked to discuss their feelings about their results and whether or not they agreed. They used this to continue their conversations and discuss how they see themselves and their life goals.

Most of the trip was spent getting to know each other. The afternoon was spent comparing life experiences. This meant talking about themselves in a larger group setting. There were three groups, Ms. Pallone, Mr. Singh, and Mr. Latorre, each leading one. It was to get everyone more comfortable talking to each other and speaking publicly. The questions were "Who do you go to for advice," "If you could use truth serum on one person, who would it be and why?" and "What quote has changed your life and why?" All the questions were intended to be lighthearted to get people talking. Each group got to bond over their shared life experiences and talk.

This is only the beginning of Bridges. They plan on continuing their mission as the year progresses with Oceanside and hope to see what can be accomplished across the two communities. 

Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights, celebrating good over evil. Diwali is also known as the day Lord Ram returned to Ayodhya with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman after defeating the ten-headed demon king Ravan, who was also a devout follower of Lord Shiva and a learned scholar. Diwali is also highly associated with Mother Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, who was born from the churning of the ocean of milk, and Lord Ganesh, the elephant-headed god of wisdom and remover of obstacles, who is the son of Lord Shiva and his wife, Parvati.

Primarily a Hindu festival, Jains, Sikhs, and Newar Buddhists also celebrate Diwali variations. Diwali is an official holiday in many countries, including Trinidad and Tobago, where my family hails from. During Diwali, celebrants light diyas, and clay oil lamps and decorate the floors with rangolis, an art of decoration made with flower petals or other colored powders. Diwali observers eat no meat or animal products; only vegetarian and eggless meals are prepared. Those who celebrate cleansing their houses (Diwali cleaning) to welcome Mother Lakshmi into their homes and bring prosperity and happiness for the coming year. The rangolis are also used as a symbol of welcoming Lakshmi. Individuals will typically share gifts and apply mehndi as well.

Diwali is celebrated over five days: Dhanteras, Choti Diwali, Lakshmi Puja (Diwali day), Govardhan Puja, and Bhai Dooj. Each day has a particular significance. Certain bhajans (devotional songs) are sung, and celebrants buy distinct items. For example, people purchase gold and metals on Dhanteras, and brothers visit their sisters who pray for their well-being in return for gifts on Bhai Dooj. In addition, on day four, Govardhan Puja, Lord Krishna defeated Lord Indra, the god of war and weather, by lifting the massive Govardhan Mountain to provide the villagers of Vrindavan shelter from torrential rains. 

The third day of Diwali, the height of the festival, is what’s known as Diwali day, deemed the darkest night of the Hindu lunisolar calendar. Celebrants’ homes are aglow with lights and are ready to welcome the gods into their homes. People wear new clothing during the day and new traditional outfits, such as sarees, salwars, and kurtas, in the evening. Much of Diwali is dedicated to Mother Lakshmi, and at dusk, family members gather for the Lakshmi puja, a worship ritual. Prayers are offered to other deities, including but not limited to Lord Ganesh, Lord Shiva, Lord Krishna, Lord Ram, Lord Hanuman (the monkey god), Mother Durga, and Durga’s fierce manifestation Kali. After the puja, people will light numerous diyas and place them in all rooms in the house, light fireworks and firecrackers to ward off evil and add to the festive mood, and share and eat exceptional food and sweets. Curry Chana and Aloo, Roti, Gulab Jamun, Kurma, and Barfi are just a few of the specialties my family makes during Diwali.

Diwali is celebrated by so many people all around the world. It brings so many people together to celebrate good over evil and worship them. I hope that more people will see the beauty in Diwali and appreciate it for what it is.