The Akhbar—'Goodbye Seniors' Edition by American School of Dubai

Cont ent s

Letter From the Editor

The Community Describing The Class of 2020

Some Seniors Answer Some Questions

Student Life

W hat Makes ASD Students Happy?

Creative W ays to Have Fun on Zoom

Seniors

From Beginning To End

From High School to College

Mental Health Awareness

Impacts of The Corona Virus on The Class of 2021

ASD is a Green Flag School!

Message To Seniors From Teachers

UCC: Our Rise To The Top

Grad Movies

Community

Summer Treats

The Fall of the Entertainment Industry During a Pandemic

Sustainability Action Team

W hat To W atch In Lock-Down

The Godfather vs. Scarface

Assassins's Creed: How to Butcher a Franchise

Politics On Tiktok

10 Things To Do In Lock-Down

Entertainment

Looking Back at Four Years of Games

Current Events

Corona Emerged

Let t er Fr om The Edit or Su Min Lee'20

Welcome back ASD!

I hope you are all safe and well at home.

Even with virtual learning, I am glad that we could still present our last issue of TheAkhbar. This issue is very special for both our staff and the entire American School of Dubai. In our Senior Beat, we honor our seniors, the Class of 2020. In the beat, our beloved teachers send their messages, the ASD community describes the Seniors, and we illustrate our path from placing last to winning the UCC.

Freshmen, I am sure you are comfortable with being in high school by now. Keep up the great work. Sophomores, you will soon be upperclassmen! Finish the year strong. Juniors, as much as I pity the Seniors, I pity you for prom being canceled and AP/ SAT exams changing. Your Junior year second semester has been ripped off from you, and I know how stressful that is, especially since this time is crucial to your college admissions. But stay positive. Seniors, congratulations on finally finishing high school. I agree that this isn?t the best way to end our 12 years of education, but at least we are off to a new start.

To my Akhbar staff: thank you for your hard work throughout the year. You all are passionate and lively people that burst with unique ideas. I hope you keep up the great work and pass on your enthusiasm to our future Akhbar team. Before I end my final message as an Editor-in-Chief of TheAkhbar, I would personally like to thank ZoĂŤ for everything she has done for our Akhbar team. She went above and beyond to make TheAkhbar the best version we could present to you.

This issue is dedicated to our Class of 2020. Here is to the promise of the future.

EDITORIALSTAFF

beat edit or s

Repor t ing

Editor In Chief

Senior s

Ishan Das '21

Su Min Lee '20

Zoe McCuaig '20

Millie Grose '20

Copy Editor s

Student Life

Maheen Khan '21

Su Min Lee'20

Lily Baltes ' 21

Ananya Prakash '21

Ferris Elaraby'20

Community

Hannah Reefay '23

Abril Zini '22

Daniella Ucen '22

Archie Sergeant '20

Layout Editor

Enter tainment

Renee Garg '20

Zoe McCuaig '20

Ferris Elaraby '20

Alan Berzinji '22

Advisor

Cur r ent Events

Abril Zini '22

Mrs. Bryant

Hana Jama; '20

Mia Safar '21

All cover images are from unsplash.com

senior s

Message t o senior Mr. Abernathy Seniors, this is probably not the finish that you had hoped for. Commiserate with others about the feelings you are experiencing; being disappointed in the lack of graduation or other typical senior events is normal and understandable. But you also have an opportunity to be creative and embrace the fact that you will have had a different and unique experience from every other cliched high school ending. How you respond to these circumstances, both small-scale and large-scale, will ultimately play a much larger role in defining who you are and who you will become. Choose to be open to flexibility, new challenges, and the chance to turn setbacks into opportunities. The end of this year has already started you on that path. Good luck to all of you!

Mrs. Gerst Senior Class of 2020, W armest wishes as you embark on your new adventure! I am deeply sorry that you were not offered the ending you expected, but may you nevertheless have fantastic memories of your time at ASD to treasure for many years to come. Your class will forever be in my heart as hard-working and incredibly gifted. To my singers: Thank you for four BRILLIANT years of making music in B131. Thank you for always singing from your heart. You have shared countless messages in concert and our choir family will have infinite memories of tie shared with you. To my wrestlers: "Who Are We? We are FALCONS!" Thank you for your hard work, and for being a part of the wrestling family at ASD. Blessing to you ALL!!!!

Mr. Gerst Life is about finding a way through the challenges. This spring has definitely been a challenge, but I know that the Class of 2020 is going to come out of this stronger then ever. Go Falcons!

Mrs. Hurt Dear Seniors - I want to wish you all the best as you move on to a new chapter in your lives. Our world is a dynamic place that has changed a lot these past months. Embrace the change, stay flexible and go out and change the world!

Mrs. Bryant Dear Class of 2020, I technically teach only 8 seniors this year, and yet I have had the pleasure of meeting so many more of you. You are warm and welcoming, friendly, engaging, and fun! First, congratulations on graduating! You've made it! All of your hard work has paid off, and now you are ready to embark on the next phase of your lives. The best advice anyone can give is to always stay true to yourself. I wish you all the best the world has to offer! Go out there and make it yours!

r s f r om t eacher s Mr. Bryant Dear Graduates of 2020, W hat a year! Although I am new and was only able to meet and get to know some of you, I was immediately impressed by the personalities in your class. I want to thank all of you that made me feel welcome, and to my students, I really do appreciate that you made an effort to seem like you enjoyed class. Sometimes. I will miss our discussions, which were often impassioned and always left me in a great mood. Thank you for your imagination and your willingness to challenge yourselves. I hope we all look back on the challenges we faced this year and realize our own resilience. You shall not be overcome.

Ms. Kingston Dear Seniors, As I write this, I am holding back tears as I consider the quirky, silly and at times, impossible students you were in Grade 9 versus the mature and thoughtful young adults you have become. We have shared so many fun times and laughed so much over the past 4 years that when I picture your faces it's always with fond remembrance. Although you have faced times of frustration and anxiety, you have persevered towards finding your authentic selves. If I leave you with one piece of advice as you begin your new adventure, it is this: be kind to your Amygdala. I know many of you are smiling and shaking your head wishing I would stop the broken record but here's the thing. Although I have taught you that it is only when your amygdala works that your prefrontal cortex can flourish in critical thinking and analysis but the amygdala has an even more powerful job. Researchers have discovered "that neural activity in the amygdala directly mirrored the value placed upon generosity, kindness, and charitable behavior (Bergland 2015). This ultimately means that if you protect and nourish your amygdala the more likely you are to be kind to others, to help build meaningful relationships and ultimately make choices towards a sustainable future. You my little chickpeas are the future and I am on pins and needles waiting to witness the magic that is you.

Mr. Crockett Dear Seniors, Here is some advice that I hope will lead to your success in college and beyond: 1. The most important thing is to show up. 2. Shoot for a B+, because the most important thing is to show up and practice, and not to let yourself be paralyzed by a perception that you need to be the "best" (whatever that means). 3. Show up again. Please keep in touch now and then. We'll miss you and we're proud of you.

su min l ee '20

senior s

Mrs. Heath It is really hard to say goodbye to the seniors. They are a dynamic group of both boys and girls that are driven, personable, and fun. This year I had the pleasure of hiking Kili with one of the strongest groups of students. I also witness MESAC successes (unfortunately Varsity softball missed out on our championship), an amazing showing of the musical, beautiful concerts, and many other events. I personally will miss one of the coolest advisory I have had at ASD. W ishing them the best of luck.

Ms. Huang Life is a lot like surfing if you get caught in the impact zone, you've got to get back up because you never know what may be over the next wave.

Ms. Greig Congratulations Seniors! I wish you all the best for the future. Please remember that this time will not define you but rather it is how you deal with adversity that reveals true character. Challenges lead to growth and provide an opportunity for you to focus on what is truly important. You are a strong, creative and independent group that are destined for great things in this changing world. I encourage you to continue to follow your passions and strive to achieve your dreams, no matter the obstacles you may face. Stay the course and good luck!

Mr. Kumar Hi class of 2020. You made it, yest it is unconventional how you made it but you did. Some would say that this graduation isn't the best in the world in the country I would say this is the most unique and the most interesting years ever. As you transition into the big world out there you are at the forefront of this big change that everyone together is facing. This virtual and societal change which will cause many jobs to go but also be created. This is exciting as you will be doing jobs and tasks we may never have heard of and you will be the class to try it out first. I can imagine that may be terrifying but it is also exciting. Your class has shown you can overcome adversity like you just have. So whenever things get hard remember, you got through this which means you can get through anything. All the best and remember you always have a home with us.

Ms. Richards Dear Seniors, Seize the opportunity! It is in these times of uncertainty that you have to to dig deep? dare to BE and do differently. Follow your passions. Don?t let others?definition or expectation of you, define you. Embrace your uniqueness; and don?t lose yourself in someone else?s vision. ?Your playing small does not serve the world. This is nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people will not feel insecure. You are meant to shine.? (Marianne W illiamson). The world needs your beauty and excellence. So shine brightly. It has been a blessing to have served as your high school principal these past two year. I will miss you. I am excited to see the wonderful thing you will do moving forward. Forever Falcons. Congratulations Class of 2020.

Ms. DeRosier The Class of 2020 is so dear to my heart. The reasons you are so special to me are the exact reasons I know you will make a positive difference in this world. Your joy, readiness to help others, sweetness, sensitivity, collective and individual senses of humor, strength of character, resilience in the face of challenge and adversity... This is not the senior year you had dreamt of, but when the world opens up again and you rush headlong into your next adventure, what is waiting for you will be worth that wait. It will be beautiful, exciting, messy, colorful, inspiring, surprising, and full of (eventually) huge hugs! And when life brings its next challenges, because they will indeed come, they won't faze you. You'll be ready to face what comes, you'll know how to adapt to the unexpected, and you'll find ways to brighten tougher chapters with laughter and with love! I will miss you so much!

Mr. Gatto Greetings Class of 2020, W hat a momentous time in your lives and for many reasons more than it just being your graduation year. It could be easy to fall into the trap of listing all of the reasons how this is unfair to all of us, but this isn't a healthy place to dwell, nor is it a joyful act. So, how do we focus on being joyful. One idea is over the next few months as high school comes to an end, try and take some space to be reflective about the things ASD has meant to you over the time you've been here. I challenge you to try and take time to send a message to one person that has left a positive impact on your life while at ASD. This doesn't have to be a teacher, a family member, or a best friend. However, those are also great people to start with. Gratitude received and given contributes to a person's overall well-being, in these times, nothing could be more important. I hope through this process you can focus on the benefits and moments that have long contributed to your ASD experience, not the last few that shouldn't define it. For many of you, I've known you since middle school, coached you, taught you in PE, AP European History, AP Psychology, or told you not to take the elevator. I will be thinking of my memories and times with those of you I've known and watched mature into young adults who are bound to do great things. "W herever you go, go with all your heart" - Confucius I wish you all the best and hope somewhere in the future we can meet again.

Ms. Kim ASD seniors, congratulations! You made it! I have so many special memories of this class of 2020. As you began high school as freshmen in 2016, so did I as a new teacher at ASD. I?ve watched you grow, and it has been a privilege. Showers of blessings on you as you embark on your new journey. Dream big with confidence!

CLASS of 2020 Am er ican Sch ool of Du bai 9

senior s

Intellectual Thoughtful Genuine The class of 2020 has always been an inspiration to me.

Full of spirit A class that makes each moment count, whatever the situation!

Incredible

They are like brothers and sisters to me. Really is sad to see them leave, but I hope someday in the future that we all meet again to reminisce on everything we did, and all the fun we had.

Better luck next year, boys!

Fri

Creative individuals

Super kind

Incomparable

Reliant

HOWWOU COMMUNITY t heCLass

Dynamic

Driven

All responses survey sent to th student

Hardworking The seniors have done a great job setting up ASD for continued success with supporting our Earth and our community both inside and outside the campus walls.

Cheerful

Changemakers

Inspire others Persistent to achieve different goals

They are resilient and trailblazers! Passionate to change the world

W t

Rocky Road ice cream. I like metaphors. A perfect blend of taste and texture, with a few nuts thrown in.

Determined

Funny and energetic people

Strong Service-orientated leaders Ethical

Open-hearted Supportive of the lower classes I always know that I can turn to them for guidance. They have never failed to always make me feel heard and understood.

ble A bunch of amazing people

Friendly

The relationships they have with each other is really inspiring

OULDTHE TYDESCRIBE s of 2020?

ses are from a o the faculty and ent body.

Caring Comedic

Trustworthy

Confident Lively

They have been a great class to watch and will be greatly missed in the High School.

Outgoing

Have a lot to offer the world!

W inners (in terms of UCC) They have been an inspiration for years

W illing to participate in various activities

Unique

They are leaders Sets an example for other classes

They represent a good part of the ASD community

Maheen Khan '21

senior s

Fr om Beginning t o e

25%. That?s how much time a senior who has been at ASD since K1 spends on campus out of their whole life. This do

aren?t actually awake while they?re at school, especially now, 25%of any person?s life is a lot. It is so rare to stay at the

old friends and hello to new ones; teachers have left, and new ones have taken their place, yet these few seniors have

Saakhi Anand - K1 W hat is your favor ite memor y at ASD? ?Something I'm going to miss about ASD is the community. The ASD community has allowed me to meet some of the kindest people I know today. I will also miss my friends that I've been able to cherish memories with. Shout out to W LA, I love you guys.?

Leya Samhoun - K1 W hat's the biggest change you exper ienced at ASD? ?I completed K1 at ASD with my classroom in a little villa and graduated from a remarkable campus, so I would definitely say the biggest change I've seen was transitioning into the new campus we have today.? W hat is your favor ite memor y at ASD? ?My favorite memories at ASD were the amazing Inspire trips I was able to take, especially the Nepal trip this year, and being a part of the choir.?

Hana Jamal - K1

W hat is your favor ite memor y at ASD? ?My favorite memory was my W W W and Inspire trip to Tanzania.? W hat's the biggest change you exper ienced at ASD? ?The move to the new ASD campus was definitely the biggest change. It opened up a lot of opportunities for the school overall.? W hat ar e you going to miss most about ASD? ?I?m going to miss the small community and all the friends I?ve made here.?

W hat ar e you going to miss most about ASD? ?One thing I will miss most about ASD is seeing my friends every day in classes, the hallways, and at lunch.?

Hamza Rasool - K2

end: 14 y ear s at asd

Lily Bal t es '21

s doesn?t count the time when you?re asleep, any afterschool activities, or early mornings. W hile some might argue that seniors

the same school for most, if not, all of your life. These few seniors have watched the school change and grow, said goodbye to

ave stayed for the past 13+ years. They had the chance to see ASD grow and change as a campus and as a community.

Diala Abuhamdieh - K1 W hat is your favor ite memor y at ASD? ?I've made so many good memories at ASD, but my favorite memory is trekking in Nepal with my friends during the week without walls in 7th grade.? W hat's the biggest change you exper ienced at ASD? ?The biggest change I've seen at ASD is when we changed from the Jumeirah campus to the Barsha campus in the 2011/ 12 school year.? W hat ar e you going to miss most about ASD? ?I am going to miss the community as ASD the most. I have met so many amazing people through academics, athletics, and the arts!?

Joon Cha - K1

W hat is your favor ite memor y at ASD? ?My favorite memory at ASD would have been my first and last prom and my graduation. However, since those two events have not occurred, my favorite memory would be a homecoming and the nights when I performed on stage for the musical and the 10-minute plays.? W hat's the biggest change you exper ienced at ASD? ?Other than the physical change of moving campuses, the biggest changes I have seen at ASD are the opportunities for students to explore academically, artistically, and athletically.? W hat ar e you going to miss most about ASD? ?My friends, the friendliness and care of my teachers and the ASD faculty, and to be completely frank, I will just miss ASD as a whole because I have been attending this one school since K1."

Through thick and thin these seniors have stuck it out, growing and learning along with ASD. They?ve made memories with their friends, all while traveling the world. Memories from high school dances and sports events, musicals and performing arts, assemblies (as boring as some of them may be), and international trips. It may sound cheesy, but once a Falcon, always a Falcon. Good luck to the seniors; you have a bright future ahead.

senior s

UCC: Our Rise Dear Seniors,

As our last year of high school comes to an end, I thought why not re-cap one of the community?s most competitive activities during the school year. The Ultimate Class Competition has been a running tradition every year, where all grades compete against each other in mini-games for points and awards. We?ve come a long way since Freshman year!

2016 - Fr eshman

4t h

Our first year in high school was a scary, new adventure, especially with the upperclassmen looking down on us saying, ?Freshman bedtime!?But hey, what?s a competition without some teasing of the other grades?As Freshmen, we did not know what to expect at UCC, and we lost miserably, especially in the 4-way tug of war, which the Class of 2017 won. They set the standards high! Little did we know after coming in 4th, we?d redeem ourselves the following years. Our class climbed up the ranks, and we rose to the top as champions!

2017 - Sophomor e

2nd

After our devastating, yet not surprising loss the previous year, we came prepared! We showed up stronger and more competitive than ever. We were ready to show the other grades what Class of 2020 was made of. Our Sophomore year, we aimed high and won the 4-way tug of war! We still weren?t able to win UCC against the Seniors, but we did beat the Juniors.

e To The Top 1st

Zoe McCuaig ' 20

2018 - Junior

As Juniors, we walked onto the field with determination to win UCC! We knew we had more competition from the Sophomore class but we still had to watch out for the Seniors. We crushed the mini-games that year though we were defeated in the 4-way tug of war by the Sophomores. The victories from the mini-games and awards got us the points that allowed us to finally take the title of 1st place!

2019 - Senior

1st

Our class came in 1st place last year, and we had to maintain being victors. We came with our game faces on and went all out for our final UCC experience! We brought all we had in every mini-game, but what we were most excited for was to redeem ourselves in the 4-way tug of war. After last year's travesty, we brought our A-game and pulled off another victory! As our last UCC, we placed 1st and won the tug of war, making this year one of the most memorable events of our high school experience.

Looking back at the last four years, we?ve grown so much and have shown that even through our differences, we were able to overcome the toughest obstacles. Thank you to my graduating class of 2020!

Ar chie Ser geant '20 1. How have you been feeling about this entire process of social distancing, especially with being a senior that is graduating? 2. W hat have you been doing to keep yourself busy while in quarantine? 3. W hat will be the first thing you do once this whole thing is done? 4. Are you looking forward to the things in your future?

2. I?ve been playing guitar a lot. It?s been a great way for me to take a break from my work or just looking at a screen. I tried my best not to watch too many tv shows or movies while I had to do work, but now that school?s basically over for us that?s all I?ve been doing. 3. Directrix is going to try to record our album. We were actually two days away from our session at a studio before they told us they had to close. After that, I?ll just hang out with friends all summer.

Zaina Tripp

1. I?m not sure how I feel. It?s been really weird and I definitely miss school and all my friends and teachers, but it?s also been nice being able to do my work at my own pace. Still, I wish I could?ve said goodbye to everyone in person and have that last Subway sandwich for lunch.

1.It's quite sad that we won't get to have the traditional prom and graduation ceremony, but I am glad to have more time to explore my own personal interests while we've been home. 1. Honestly I've been fine with social 2. Other than working on my AP's, distancing and the fact that it is senior I've been working through a list of year doesn't bother me, I was never excited for all of the graduating movies I want to watch, cooking ceremonies anyways. and baking, and getting ready to move. 2. I've been reading books and been going out on walks. I've even started a 3. Fly to the US :) youtube channel! 4. Yeah, now more than ever. I think it'll be really interesting to see Q.3 I'm looking forward to going out to how everything adjusts after things restaurants again so probably go out to eat with friends. start going back to "normal".

4. I?m definitely looking forward to the future. I?m kind of worried about all the responsibilities that come with being an adult, but I?m also really excited to go to college and focus on the areas of my 5. Don't be boring and have fun. learning and the extracurriculars that I really want to continue.

5. There?s so much I wish I could say. ASD?s become a sort of home for me over these past four years. All the amazing friends I?ve made and teachers I?ve had have made me who I am today. Thank you for everything, ASD.

Jackson W hisenhunt

5. W hat do you wish to tell ASD in this final chance of ASD being able to read something with you in it?Tell the school whatever.

Berk Ergoz

senior s

SomeSenior s answer SomeQuest ions

4. Yes, where I am going to study, cases have dropped off dramatically and they are opening up again so I feel confident the worst is behind them and it's safe to study there. 5. Thanks for all the amazing memories and relationships I've made here at ASD, I'll truly always appreciate everything this school has done for me.

Fr om High School t o Col l ege Daniel l a Ucen '22 The transition from high school to college can be understandably stressful, but it is also an exciting time for many. College allows a student to study a major that they are genuinely interested in and want to pursue as a career. They are given freedom and independence to make important decisions for themself, and it sets them up for the real-world. However, the transition from high school to college is a significant change. Students often have to move away from family and friends, they have to take care of their own needs, and the workload is greater and harder. Seniors, here are a few tips from ASD graduates to make your transition to college as smooth and stress-free as possible: 1. ?Be well organized to stay on top of assignments and projects. It?s a good idea to keep a daily planner, either online or on paper, with due dates and important reminders.? - Alex Ucen, ?19 2. ?Good work ethic is really important in college.? - Zane Shuman, ?19 3. ?Joining a sports team made my transition to college much easier because it allowed me to meet lots of different people and the time commitment meant that I didn?t have a lot of time to think about missing home.? - Kulsam Gulahuseim, ?19 Here are some additional tips that you might find useful in your transition to college: 1. Don?t be afraid to ask for help. Just because you?re in college, doesn?t mean that you are not allowed to ask for help anymore. Use resources at your college, such as tutors, teachers, friends, and other staff (Harvard). 2. Explore your interests and take classes you enjoy. College is all about finding out what you love to do and learning more about that subject, so you can continue to pursue it as a job (Talkspace). 3. Don?t bite off more than you can chew. Make sure that you have enough time and energy to excel at fewer classes rather than fail at many (Harvard). 4. Always make sure to take time for yourself. Studying 24/ 7 does not work. You need to make sure that you give yourself breaks and moments to unwind and destress. W ithout these necessary times of relaxation, you will find studying to be much more tiring and challenging (Talkspace).

senior s

Fer r is El ar aby '20

Gr ad Mov ies Fer r is Buel l er 's Day Of f

FerrisBueller?sDay Off is a pop-culture phenomenon that?s been referred to countless times in all sorts of media. The movie boasts a likeable cast of characters from the charismatic Ferris Bueller himself, to his uptight and revenge-driven principal, to the fan-favorite and timid Cameron. Although the film starts out with Ferris trying to have some fun while cutting class with his friends, it turns into a much more character driven story by the end. Cameron?s journey especially hits home. FerrisBueller?sDay Off also perfectly represents the uncertainty that many seniors feel. The characters have no idea what they?re going to do during the day, much less what they?re going to do when school is over. But the good news is that that?s perfectly okay.

Esquire

Gr ease There?s not much to say about Greasethat hasn?t already been said before by so many others. The music is iconic, the characters are memorable, and the love story is timeless. Although it may have not aged perfectly and basically started the horrible-yet-hilarious trend of having 30-something-year-olds playing highschoolers, it?s a classic. The best thing about Greaseis its ensemble cast. It reminds people of how fun it was to be part of these big groups of friends and to share so many memories together. To those who have yet to see it, Greaseis a must-watch. CNN

Super bad Superbad is often referred to as a modern classic, and for good reason as well. It definitely evolved the high school genre of film by subverting the expectations of such films. The movie starts out like so many others, with two seniors trying to get girlfriends before they leave for college. However, their focuses shift by the time the movie is over. Superbad does away with the cheap tricks and cliches of so many high school movies and instead provides a more character focused story that hits home. This is not to say that the film isn?t funny. Superbad has become notorious for its iconic humour, namely ?McLovin?. The chemistry between Michael Cera and Jonah hill could not have been any better throughout the movie. At the end of the day, Superbad is the quintessential high school movie that breaks the mold and rises above and beyond its competitors. It encapsulates just how important it is to hold on to close friends before leaving school.

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St udent Lif e

MENTAL HEALTHAWARENESS ANANYA PRAKASH'21 According to the W orld Health Organization (W HO), mental health is ?a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.?Mental health has always been a topic of discussion. W hile some people have taken it seriously, others feel that it is not an issue to be bothered about. There was a time when discussions about mental health were suppressed. Our society was not very accepting and considerate of the people who went through mental health issues. This led to a lot of problems and hurdles for those who were suffering. As a result, they started to hide themselves and their problems. Also in earlier days, people thought that having a mental problem meant that the person was mentally challenged. W hat they did not understand was having a mental health illness is just like having other diseases like lung disease or heart attacks, for example. People found it easier and normal to talk about his/ her problems and diseases in other parts of the body, but if somebody talked about their mental state, people used to go silent and considered it shameful. It was almost as if that person had committed a crime. W hile there a lot of mental illnesses, some of the common ones are - Anxiety disorders - Mood disorders - Psychotic disorders - Eating disorders - Addiction disorders - Personality disorders - Obsessive-Compulsive disorder - Post Traumatic Stress disorder - Stress Response syndromes

teenvogue.com

- Dissociative disorders- Factitious disorders There are a number of causes and factors which could cause mental illnesses. Some of the causes are - Personality factors - Early life environment (for example - a negative childhood) - Trauma and stress - Drug or alcohol usage - Other biological factors - Genetic factors

Pinterest.com

adaa.org

There are various methods for managing mental health problems. Treatment is based on individual preferences. and what works for one person may not work for another. Some strategies or treatments are more successful in combination with others. For example a person living with a chronic mental disorder may choose different options at various stages in his/ her life. Treatments such as medication, psychotherapy, and even self-help are helpful during the treatment of mental illnesses. The individual needs to work closely with a doctor who can help them identify their needs and provide them with suitable treatment.

Art and music therapy have recently become very common and one of the most effective treatment therapies in today?s world. Art therapy can be used as a complement to traditional mental health treatment. The aim is to manage behaviors, process feelings, reduce stress and anxiety, and increase self-esteem. Creating art can help people acknowledge and recognize feelings that have been lurking in their subconscious whereas research shows the benefits of music therapy for various mental health conditions, including depression, trauma, and schizophrenia. Music acts as a medium for processing emotions, trauma, and grief. In addition, music can also be utilized as a regulating or calming agent for anxiety or for dysregulation.

Years ago, The W orld Health Organization declared that the month of May will be celebrated as Mental Health Awareness Month. Since 1949 people, especially in the US, dedicate the whole month to raising awareness and thus highlighting issues that are urgent and important to discuss and solve. W ith the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it is very important to maintain your wellness. These could be tough times for people who are directly or indirectly affected by the virus, but if all of us stand together, we can fight it out. Plus this is a great time to catch up with family and friends, pick up a new talent, or continue with something you probably wanted to do but could not because you were so lost in this race called ?life?. Dance, sing, wikipedia.com paint, play, talk, meditate, calm down, and think positively for better mental health.

marketwatch.com

St udent Lif e

Being thankful

Having the time to properly relax without stressing out about anything

Going to the beach with my friends.

W riting

Seeing unbridled joy in someone else. It gives me hope.

W henever a person is genuine about something they say and you can feel that genuineness.

Talking about life with no phones as distractions, in a place where I feel safe

Self-care like skin routines, groo just eating well, taking care of m feeling fresh and opt

Creating stronger relationships Having great conversations with my family through family with people you wouldn?t game nights or watching expect movies.

W atching my friends and family succeed at something they?ve worked hard for

Pai

W bei

W henever I?m feeling down and overwhelmed, I go to my room and play guitar for as long as I feel like. I like to play along to songs, too, because it?s cathartic being surrounded by sound while you play.

A memory that makes me happy God/ Allah was when I traveled to England A with my girlfriend and we walked through green fields. I Looking at old photos and will never forget that. memories Laughing super hard with friends

Being with the people I love

Playing basketball

Thinking about the future and all of its opportunities and experiences

Dancing

Seeing my parents in love

Listening to my friends talk about their passions

Talking to someone I haven't talked to in a while

This pandemic is giving might never get again. F time with family. I think for granted. I?ve learned every situation because if different perspective,

Communicating with my friend the pointless things we did durin garden, baking and funny sto In hard times, it's best to focus on the good. These are answers to a randomly conducted anonymous survey sent to members of the student body asking the question: W hat makes you immensely happy?

What makes asd s

Finding new music

Painting

Knowing that everyday is a fresh start; the past does not define you

Having someone I trust at all times

ooming, exercising, or of myself has kept me optimistic.

W orking really hard and being proud of myself for it

Thinking about all the great times and memories I've had

Completing artworks that have taken days or weeks makes me feel proud and getting to look at the whole piece in its entirety. Chillin?with the boys #stayhomedontsimp

Going to new places and meeting new people.

Growing and becoming a better person everyday

Traveling

The sun on my skin. I live in an apartment with no balcony. I just want to feel the sun.

Vibing to music YouTube & Netflix Conversations that leave a mark

Seeing my younger sisters learn something new

Animals and nature Going to large gatherings

s Being surrounded by people who are supportive and have similar interests as me.

Playing guitar and writing songs.

Playing soccer, it lets me get away from other things going on and having a group of people that support me on the field.

Being reminded that just because we are apart from each other it doesn't mean we are alone

ng us an advantage which we n. Finally being able to spend ink that sometimes I take that Achieving my goals ned to always take the best of se if you look at something in a ve, you can end up loving it.

Being trusted with a secret

Timothee Chalamet

Any kind of physical activity

ends through zoom every night, catching each other up on all uring the day. I tell them about skipping work, tanning in my stories about my mom cutting my hair and me dying hers

MAheen Khan '21

st udent s happy?

St udent Lif e

Impact s of t he cor ona v ir mia safar '21 We all feel for our Class of 2020 seniors right now. They?re missing out on many of the traditional milestones and rights of passage normally enjoyed as their high school years come to an end. We also have no envy as they find themselves trying to picture what their first semester in college will look like given the uncertainty brought on by the current global pandemic. But what about the current high school juniors, the current class of 2021?Really, we should be equally concerned for how COVID-19 will impact our options as we begin our college search.

Here?s why: For students setting their sights on a college education, life has brought about a series of challenges. High schoolers suddenly must navigate online classes, build resumes without access to standardized testing or extracurriculars, and must decide where they?d like to attend without visiting campuses.

All around the world, countries are locking down, learning from this pandemic and beginning to enforce social distancing. This meant the closure of schools and the transfer to online distance learning for millions of students, suddenly getting an education online for the first time, upending the only learning and college-preparatory structure students have ever known. Many students who had underperformed earlier in their high school years and were planning on fixing their extracurriculars and grades are left with finding a new solution to this issue at hand.

Source: Voiceof America

ir us on t he cl ass of 2021

Source: CNN

Another task that juniors are normally burdened with is hours of preparing to take standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT, which scores impact their college acceptance. So far all dates that were previously scheduled for these tests to take place have been canceled and postponed. According to the W ashington Post, ?1 million high school juniors are missing the chance this spring to get their first SAT score, and many others face the uncertainty about when they can take the ACT.?College Board, the organization that administers the SAT, however, released a statement that they are committed to offering test dates as soon as it?s safe to do so, stating that the first confirmed test date will be in August, meanwhile preparing an online system if schools do not resume in the fall. Despite this setback, many universities have sympathized and have created a test-optional form of applying, easing the stresses of many juniors. On April 1st, the University of California college system, which enrolls around 280,000 college students every year, announced that the requirement of standardized testing will not be required.

W ithout letter grades or standardized testing, students must find new ways to impress colleges and the colleges must find new ways to assess millions of applications. Formerly, colleges would look at extracurriculars on applications to understand students beyond their grades; however this has been restricted due to the coronavirus as well. Nevertheless, students must persevere and attempt to build their resumes and applications and are doing so through the participation of virtual forms of volunteering as extracurriculars, still determined in spite of these obstacles.

Covid-19 has brought about many issues in our everyday lives and will continue to affect every aspect of it. The challenges it has brought to education will first be affecting the graduating class of 2021, but it will continue to affect the coming classes as even if the social distancing measures subside, these changes will continue to have a significant impact on how students apply and attend college for years to come.

St udent Lif e

Cr eat ive Ways To Have Fun O Lockdown has technically come to an end; though there are still many restrictions on what we can and cannot do. Being stuck inside is definitely not the most exciting way to spend the last half of the school year; however, there are still fun ways to stay entertained during quarantine. Zoom has been a great way to keep in contact with both friends that live here in Dubai and friends that may live around the world. Here are some fun and creative ways to spend time on Zoom!

Pl aying Car ds It?s game night! If you are forced to have family game nights, this may not attract your attention; however, this is one game you

Imagecredit: skribbl.io

wouldn?t want to play with your family. Cards Against Humanity isn?t your average card game, so make sure you keep your voices hushed when reading the cards aloud. Playingcards.io has games such as Crazy Eights, Checkers, and Cards Against Humanity! Another fun game is Pictionary on skribble.io! This is a fun way to get your brains working, but also a great time to make fun of your

Imagecredit: playingcards.io

friend?s drawing skills. Lastly, there is the OG game, Kahoot. Find quizzes to play with your friends or make your own, either way, this will be a fun way to test your random knowledge.

Imagecredit: fosi.org

W atching Movies Together W atching movies with friends or your S.O. has always been a great way to pass time. Being in quarantine makes that a bit harder, but with Imagecredit: Flizzyy

Imagecredit: CNA Lifestyle

Netflix Party, you can watch movies together. However, using Netflix Party only allows you to type to your friend on the side chat. If you are

Mak ing a Pr esentation

looking for a way to still talk during a movie, you can always use the screen share function on

Making and sharing a slide presentation is another way to spend

Zoom. Screen sharing can also be used for other

your time and is honestly super fun. Making a presentation on

activities as well.

your own or working with your friends is a great way to pass the time. You can each have your own slides or work together, then later come together to present to each other. Some things you can present about are why a certain tv show, movie, or character is your favourite and/ or why you like original or remake tv shows or movies more.

On Zoom Wit h Your Fr iends Zoe McCuaig '20 & Lily Balt es '21 Cook ing & Bak ing If you're looking for some other options that aren?t all online, why not cook or bake with your friends? You and your friends can use Zoom to cook/ bake the same recipe or even have a contest! Cooking and baking has always been a good stress reliever. You can use this time to make some new recipes you?ve been wanting to try and maybe try different cuisines from around the world like French, Greek, German, Spanish etc. One more idea is to cook a three-course meal with your friends and have a dinner Imagecredit: KatieSmith

night! In addition, why not add a theme?

A Themed Dinner A themed dinner is a great way to have a laugh with your friends! It?s a great way to have fun and do some improv, especially if you're trying accents! Your group can choose a theme or make one up. To really dive into the theme, show up at the dinner table dressed up! Some super fun examples could be the Scooby Gang, characters from a common tv show or

Imagecredit: Gulf ShoreLife

even each other! They are always a go-to, and are easy yet entertaining themes. Another great idea is to tackle the decades. Choose a certain decade and try to fit that theme for the night by coming to the dinner table dressed to impress with your decade old music. As mentioned previously, you could cook a specific meal to fit the theme! You and your friends could also make up characters for each other and give specific characteristics that you have to follow for the themed dinner. Lastly, if your up for a challenge, try hosting a Murder Mystery dinner! This is essentially the board game Clue but instead you take on your roles. This will take some time to plan out since you will need to create backgrounds for each character, make clues,

Imagecredit: TheSpruce

determine who you want as the murderer, and the story of the murder. This would be a really fun way to spend your themed dinner party!

St udent Lif e

ASDis now a gr een f l ag School ! Eco- School s ASD Did you see the big Green Flag hanging by Gate 1 (before virtual learning) and wonder, ?wow! W hat is that??Well, it is an award from the Eco-Schools organization presented to ASD! Eco-Schools is a global sustainability organization that engages 59,000 schools in 68 countries, and ASD is proud to be one of those schools.

Eco-School Advisory Board celebrating being awarded theGreen Flag Award!

The goal of Eco-Schools is to inspire students to protect the environment and take ownership of their actions. A group of student leaders has created yearly action plans and environmental reviews over the past three years to dive deeper into the issues that impact the ASD community and make real positive changes. As a step to become more sustainable, they created an Advisory Board composed of students, faculty, parents, staff, and admin from all divisions to meet together and discuss how to best incorporate and document environmental change occurring around campus. Such efforts helped ASD to achieve the highest level of recognition from the Eco-Schools organization ? the Eco-Schools Green Flag Award. This award is only given to schools that meet the highest sustainability criteria and that have passed evaluations from the official organization. The Eco-Schools team is very grateful for this award and will work even harder to make ASD more sustainable. This year, the team is focused on maximizing the amount of food waste that gets composted in the industrial composter we now have on campus. They are streamlining a new waste disposal system that encourages students to correctly dispose of their waste. Moreover, they are also working to spread accurate knowledge about categorizing waste. For example, did you know those subway wrappers cannot be disposed of in the paper section because of the food residue?As of now, they are facing a rough patch due to virtual learning, but the sustainability leaders will not stop implementing sustainability efforts. The students believe that with all the support from our Eco-Schools Advisory board and all the community members that have helped along the way, they can make the best of the new situation!

Communit y

Surviving F Recently, consumers have noticed how the latest fashion trend is sustainable and ethical fashion rather than seasonal fits or a sensational must-have off of a celebrity?s Instagram. As more people notice the disastrous effects of the textile industry, the fast fashion movement is on its way out of popularity. According to 7 Billion for 7 Seas, the fast fashion industry produces 1.2 billion tons of CO2 equivalent every year which is nearly 5%of all global emissions. That?s more carbon emissions emitted than air travel and international shipping! The process through which clothing goes from thread to shelves leaves landfills full of out of season clothes that did not sell or were made in excess by large companies. Additionally, many large companies like Urban Outfitters, Dior, and Forever 21 rely on underpaying workers in foreign countries and forcing them to work long hours in unsafe factory conditions in order to produce cheap clothing as quickly as each item goes in and out of style. According to 7 Billion for 7 Seas, the death toll in Bangladesh is 1,800 workers since 2015 due to factory fires and building collapses. Although no clothes are ?eco-friendly?since the process of making and wearing garments requires a carbon footprint, there are many brands working towards solving the issues created by the fast fashion industry.

The Psychology Behind Compulsive Clothes Shopping The numerous online shops that sell cheaper clothes such as Shein and Romwe use specific strategies in order to market their brand to younger consumers as there is a significant psychological connection between shopping and pleasure. According to a team of researchers from MIT, Stanford, and Carnegie Mellon, a study in 2007 analyzed the brain?s reactions while test subjects bought clothes and discovered that the parts of the brain associated with pleasure were active. In addition to the act of pleasure purchasing, the study also found that test subjects were happier to buy items for a ?good deal?. This effect is known as ?transactional utility? and Tom Meyvis, a professor of marketing at NYU?s Stern School of Business and expert in psychological effects of consumption, states that ?You see this a lot with clothing, part of the joy you get from shopping is not just that you bought something that you really like and you?re going to use, but also that you got a good deal.?Online stores that mass-produce clothing products perpetuate this cycle of pleasure shopping by aiding the compulsivity of the issue with fast and free shipping around the world. According to theAtlantic, ?The obsession with looking at products, even if no purchase is intended, is especially prevalent among Millennials, the generation that grew up in the age of the Internet.?New studies are still being conducted to find the significance of compulsive online shopping especially in younger generations that are used to receiving instant gratification from growing up with social media. Many social influencers promote these big fast fashion brands by advertising Romwe clothing in their posts or making clothing haul videos on YouTube.

ImageCredit: TheWell Essentials

How to Slow Down The Fashion Industry

Although social media appears to encourage fast fashion, movements of ?slow fashion?promote a healthier and more ethical way to shop for clothes by increasing the longevity of garments worn and reducing the carbon footprint of clothing purchases. YouTubers like Kristen Leo, Wear I Live, and The Fashion Citizen are excellent examples of sustainable fashion activists leading the movement towards ethical purchasing through videos critiquing mass-market retailers and advocating for ways to shop better.

Fast Fashion

Kal ey Bl ack '20

According to these vloggers and The Good Trade, some trustworthy brands include Pact, Boden, Everlane, and Reformation; however, the number of these fair trade brands is endless and many of them vary from low-price to high-price depending on where they were produced, the time the product took to create, and the fabric used. Renting and borrowing clothes is also on the rise amongst sustainable fashionistas and is a great solution to quenching the thirst of compulsive shopping. Rent The Runway Unlimited and Tulerie Designer Clothing Swap are two of the leading apps for clothing renters who are willing to share their closets, but some of these services cost up to 100 USD for swaps and shipping creates a carbon footprint. W hile there are many brands that pay their workers well, provide timeless fashion pieces, and have environmentally friendly merchandise, this may not be a reliable option for some consumers. Thus, thrift stores and second-hand clothing shops are other sustainable options for those trying to support slow fashion. Thrift ?flipping?or even refurbishing old clothes is a creative outlet for those wanting more unique garments in their closets and makes clothing feel more personalized to one?s tastes and preferences. Consequently, finding good quality clothes in piles of overcrowded thrift stores can be time-consuming for those who cannot afford to spend that time searching; therefore, ending the cycle of cheap fast-fashion becomes a more complex and difficult issue. Fast-fashion especially targets those who don?t have access to fair trade brands, the money to afford quality clothing, or the time to find stores with environmentally friendly clothing.

ImageCredit: Anuschka Rees

The Importance of ?Conscious Consumption?

Furthermore, every fast-fashion brand has a score of how sustainable and ethical they are. Some brands like H&M, Pull and Bear, Forever 21, and Gap have significantly higher scores than others, thus, not supporting these brands would significantly make a closet more sustainable. Websites such as https:/ / fashionfootprint.org/ and https:/ / www.thredup.com/ fashionfootprint calculate a personal carbon footprint for an individual?s wardrobe and are an important way to understand the impact of shopping habits. Similarly, a company recently created a website that allows people to check the rating of companies they support https:/ / portal.higg.org/ which is another method for supporting brands that have less of an impact on the environment than other fast-fashion brands. These websites account for the length of the lifespan of clothing, the chemicals used in manufacturing, waste produced, water usage, and carbon emissions of shipping. The most valuable way to support slow fashion is by being a conscious consumer and supporting brands aiming to change the fashion industry. According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the production of plastic-based fibers for textiles uses up to 342 million barrels of oil every single year, and even washing clothes can cause up to 700,00 fibers to come off in a laundry cycle. Every piece of clothing owned and worn affects the health of the environment and the safety of workers. As a result, ending the cycle of fast fashion by thinking through each purchase rather than compulsively buying a temporarily wanted item is imperative to helping fight climate ImageCredit: Ethical Fashion change and protecting ecosystems.

Communit y

10 t hings t o do i Being in lockdown is putting all of us in a lazy mood. W ith what we?re used to doing in our spare time being off-limits at the moment, here are 10 things to keep you entertained when you?re bored in lockdown:

1. Find A New Netflix Show: W hat better way to spend your time than watching TV?Lockdown is the perfect opportunity to watch shows and movies you?ve always wanted to see but never had the time for. There are plenty of new TV shows on Netflix to binge watch. HereAreSomeRecommendations: Never have I ever, a coming-of-age dramedy about a young woman who, after the death of her father, decides she wants to change her life and elevate her social status. Outer Banks follows a group of teenagers on a treasure hunt. The Vampire Diaries follows the life of a teenage girl who falls in love with a 162-year-old vampire and her life drastically changes from there on. youtube.com

2. Declutter/ Organize

3. Bake/ Cook:

Belongings: Have you ever looked through your drawers and found random items you don?t need or use anymore? Well, if that?s the case, then get cleaning because, with nothing else to do, you might as well be organized! If you need help, you can find numerous videos on Youtube showing you different organization techniques.

Since we?re spending all day and eating every meal at home, why not try out some fun recipes?This could be the moment to try out all those recipes you screenshotted but never actually tried.You can find interesting recipes on BuzzFeed?s cooking website, ?Tasty?. offset.com

4. Online Shop: In need of new hoodies for staying home all day?Or a new outfit for after lockdown?Just search for your favorite brands and then online shop until you drop! You can order from noon.com, amazon, namshi, and many more websites. popsci.com

pxhere.com

o in l ock down

Hannah Reefay '23

5. Do Your Nails: Are your nails getting too long and cracking?If so, why not do your nails yourself?You can simply file and use polish or, if you want longer nails, buy some fake nails and cut them to your preferred length. You can find many videos on Youtube showing step by step tutorials on how to do your own nails.

6. Draw/ Paint:

pinterest.com

You can always go on Pinterest to look for drawing/ painting inspirations and references. Painting and drawing can be especially therapeutic during these stressful times, so why not try it out?If you aren?t a fan of drawing or painting, you can also color in a coloring book. pinterest.com

7. Go Swimming/ Tan:

8. W orkout:

If you have access to a pool, why not use it to your advantage?You can have fun and get a tan at the same time. If you don?t have a pool but still want to tan, you can always just sit outside during the prime tanning hours (11am-4pm). Don?t forget to use at least a low level sunscreen.

aquamagazine.com

9. Make A New Playlist: After listening to the same songs on repeat all day, you might enjoy some new music. If so, you can scroll on TikTok for new music or look through Spotify?s recommended playlists.

After watching netflix and baking all day, you might as well workout and get off the couch! It?s important to use your time to improve your health.There are many free workouts online like on Youtube, or there are apps you can download. You can simply type in the kind of workout you want and get hundreds of results.

pinterest.com

10. Go On A W alk:

developer.spotify.com

If your neighborhood allows it, go on a walk around your house to spend some time outside. We?re in our homes all day, so if you can spend a few minutes outside, you should.

Communit y

Summer The summer is so close, and you know what that means! Sunny days at the pool or beach, hanging out with friends, playing sports, not going to school, or simply hanging out at home with family in case of a lockdown. But, summer also means long, hot days, and to withstand the heat, what is better than some cold, refreshing summer treats?

Strawberry Pineapple Punch This sweet fruit punch is simple and delicious.

Ingredients: -

4 packages of unsweetened strawberry-flavored drink mix powder (0.13 ounce)

2 cans of pineapple juice (46 fluid ounce)

1 cups white sugar

4 quarts water

2 liters ginger ale

Fresh cut-up strawberries and pineapple (optional)

Directions: 1. In a large pitcher, add the pineapple juice 2. Next, add the strawberry-flavored drink mix powder 3. Add the white sugar 4. Add in the water and mix the ingredients together well 5. Then, add in the ginger ale 6. Mix all of the ingredients together well 7. Put in the refrigerator 8. W hen serving, you can add pieces of cut-up strawberries and pineapple for a bit of freshness 9.

Serve cold

10. Enjoy! (All Recipes)

Madeby Me

Tr eat s

Daniel l a Ucen '22

Strawberry Jello and Vanilla Parfait This dessert is light, fresh, and sweet.

Ingredients: For Jello -

1 packet of strawberry (or other berries) flavored Jello mix

1 cup of cold water

1 cup of hot water

Cut-up strawberries (or other berries)

For pudding -

1 packet of Jello instant vanilla pudding

2 cups of cold milk

Directions: 1.

Pour the Jello mix into a bowl

Boil 1 cup of water and add to Jello mix

W hisk the water and Jello together until dissolved

Add 1 cup of cold water

Mix

Put the bowl into the refrigerator to set

W hen the Jello is slightly firm, but not completely set, pour

Madeby Me

into small cups and add the berries 8.

Put the cups into the fridge to set

For the pudding, add the pudding mix into a bowl

10.

Add the cold milk and whisk lightly

11.

W hen the pudding begins to thicken, pour onto the set Jello

12.

Put into the fridge to solidify

13.

Serve cold with whipped cream as a topping

14.

Enjoy!

Communit y

W hat To Watch in L ockdown T his is the perfect time to catch up on T V (even though it may lead to binging). Here?s what we?ve loved watching recently. We hope you enjoy! - M illie & Renee ?20 TheDevil Next Door (2019) ThePerksof Being a Wallflower (2012)

IMDb

This gripping short documentary series reels the audience in as it follows the true story of the accusation and trial of John Demjanjuk, a Ukranian-American man who was thought to be Ivan the Terrible from Nazi extermination camps during the Third Reich. This is a great series (5 episodes) to watch with family on a serious and thrilling topic.

This coming-of-age film, based on the novel by Stephen Chobsky, follows the story of a teenage boy, Charlie, who navigates his way through high school and hardship with the help of older friends. Be ready to feel all kinds of emotions while sitting through this movie, starring Logan Lerman, Emma W atson, and Ezra Miller. SpaceJam (1996)

Extraction (2020)

W ikipedia

Netflix?s recently released film Extraction follows the story of Tyler, who is hired to rescue the son of an imprisoned crime lord in Mumbai. The two characters face many obstacles and have to fight their way to safety. If you like a bit of action make sure to check out Extraction starring our favourite superhero, Chris Hemsworth.

Amazon

Throw it back with this classic starring the Looney Tunes and Michael Jordan! SpaceJam is a great lighthearted film that everyone in the family will love.

Something Sweet! I f you are looking for something to do in quarantine here are some super easy no- bake desserts worth your time in the kitchen.

Oreo Cookie Balls Makes: 24 Prep Time: 5 minutes Total Time (time to set): 2 hours

Ingredients 1 (14-oz.) package Oreos 1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, softened Wikipedia

Pinch kosher salt 1 (12-oz.) package chocolate chips, melted Pinterest

Directions -

Use a food processor to crush cookies into fine crumbs.

Add all but 2 tablespoons crushed cookies to a medium bowl. Add cream cheese and and salt and stir until evenly combined.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a small cookie scoop, form mixture into small balls and transfer to prepared baking sheet.

Freeze until slightly hardened, about 30 minutes.

Dip frozen balls in melted chocolate until coated and return to baking sheet. Sprinkle with remaining cookie crumbs. Freeze until chocolate hardens, about 15 minutes.

Communit y

Confetti Squares Makes: 16 Prep Time: 5 minutes Total Time (time to set): 2 hours 20 mins Ingr edients Cooking spray 2 c. chocolate chips 1 c. peanut butter 4 tbsp. butter 1/ 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract Pinch kosher salt 1 (10-oz.) bag mini rainbow marshmallows Just So Tasty

Dir ections -

Grease an 8?-x-8?baking pan with cooking spray.

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt chocolate chips and peanut butter together.

Turn off heat and stir in vanilla and a pinch of salt.

Let cool to room temperature.

Stir in marshmallows then pour into prepared pan.

Refrigerate until set, 2 hours.

Ent er t ainment

The Fal l of t he Ent er t ainment Pande

Ar chie Ser g The Covid-19 Pandemic has affected every and anything because of the need for people to stay indoors under quarantine. One major subject that was affected by the pandemic would be that of the Entertainment Industry. W ith production delays, original release dates being canceled, and any and all things being pushed back in the year. It is sad times for people who rely on movie theaters and new movies for both living and or just entertainment value.

Covid-19 has taken a lot out of everything and anything and a huge thing being affected was that of anything entertainment.

Movie Delays Even before the COVID-19 pandemic was as big as it was, many production companies had already started to pull

univers

their movies from their original release dates knowing that they wouldn?t be getting a huge income from the international box office. The first big movie to have done this was NoTimeToDie, originally releasing in April but being pushed back until the 25th of November. It then came to movies that would be releasing in March like A Quiet PlacePart 2 and Peter Rabbit 2: TheRunaway being pushed back through the year causing a turn in how movies would be released during this year. Huge movies

imdb.com

like Fast and Furious9 started the trend of movies that were coming out early 2020 to then change to a whole

get

year later and come out in 2021. A movie called The Lovebirdswould then start the trend of movies originally being planned for a theatrical release but then being bought by a streaming service and then being released onto said streaming service. The productions of movies were obviously affected by the pandemic and any and all movies still in production were indefinitely pushed back ceasing any form of forwarding production for these movies. imdb.com

Indust r y Dur ing t he Time of a demic

r geant '20

Movie Theaters Speaking of the dramatic decision made by some theaters to not show any more of Universal Pictures movie in their theaters, more specifically, AMC theaters. AMC?s CEO, Adam Aron, was so distraught at the fact that Universal had decided to release their film On-demand rather than wait for a time to be released in theaters. AMC?s response to Universal having released its movie On-Demand was that they will now not be showing any

deadline.com

of Universal?s movies in their theaters. Adam Aron stated this, ?Unfortunately I missed the similar message in Universal?s announcement ? not only did Universal provide no commitment for the future window ? but Universal was the only studio that tried to take advantage of the current crisis and provide a ?day-and-date?release of a movie that was not yet released.?(Indiewire.com) Besides this whole debacle with AMC and Universal, movie theaters have obviously fallen under hard times as they are not able to make any income as

versalpictures.com

no one is going to the movie theaters. This would be the first time in nearly 26 years that movie theaters as a whole have earned zero income. All theaters have been shut down indefinitely, and there is no known date in which movie theaters may reopen. It is being feared that movie theaters will not be able to come back from this especially with the fear that no one will want to go to the movies because it is difficult to social distance. The timings in which theaters across the world is most likely going to work differently for every country and place. China had attempted to try and get people back to the theaters earlier in the quarantine phase but of course, to no avail, it didn?t work. Still, despite most things, most theaters are hoping for summer to be their time to shine especially with the fact that many production companies have moved their movie premieres to the summer but more specifically August, but until all of this truly gets sorted out, we will maybe never know the final outcome for our worldwide movie theaters.

getfandom.com

Online and On-Demand Speaking more about the fact that some theatrical releases of movies have been moved to On-Demand and streaming services, it?s been happening all around. Movies that used to be in theaters were moved onto On-Demand to continue to try and earn an income for that movie. This happened for Birdsof Prey, Bloodshot, Bad Boysfor Life, and many others. Frozen 2 would be a good example of a movie being added to a streaming service, Disney+ to be specific, but the reasoning for why they did it is more wholesome rather than a business tactic. They wanted families with young children to be able to enjoy the animated movie all while having to stay inside trying to make that time with those young children a little easier. A very recent event occurring during this whole On-Demand situation is the fact that the movie TrollsWorld Tour made more income in the first three weeks of being released than the prequel had while being released in theaters for five months. This

imdb.com

recent situation has already caused some dramatic decision making from theaters.

Ent er t ainment

Ishan Das'21

TheGodfat her (1972)vs Scar face(1983)

In today?s bout, we will be comparing two movies that are considered by some to be two of the greatest movies ever made. Today they will be fighting for their spot as the greatest gangster movie of all time. Introducing first: to my left corner, this movie is a crime drama released in 1972 and has a professional record of 29 awards including 3 Oscars and 7 nominees. Directed by Francis Coppola and starring an all-star cast including Al Pacino and Marlon Brando. Fighting out of Paramount Studios: TheGodfather. And to my right corner, this movie is also a crime drama released in 1983 and has a professional record of 0 wins and 6 nominees. Directed by Brian De Palma and starring an all-star cast including Al Pacino and Michelle Pfeiffer. Fighting out of Universal Pictures: Scarface.

Round One - Character Development: In the first round, we would have to give the edge to ?The Godfather?for character development. In the movie, we see the journey of Michael Corleone as he goes from a loving, smart young man to a cold, calculated, and ruthless Mafia boss. Michael is the youngest son of the crime boss Vito Corleone. At the start of the movie we see Michael as a shy but smart man. Michael has recently returned from serving in the army after the infamous attack on Pearl Harbour. Although Michael loves his family, he really wants nothing to TheWallpaperCave do with the way that they operate often describing himself and his father as being very different: "That?s my family, Kay. It?s not me." However, things start to change after an assassination attempt on Michael?s father. Michael decides to take revenge and guns down rival boss Sollozzo as well as a corrupt police officer, and then flees to Sicily for a while. During Michael?s time in Sicily, he marries a local woman named Apollonia who is later killed due to a car bomb. Michael returns to New York after his brother Sonny is killed and is forced to become the head of the Corleone crime family causing a drastic change in his personality and character. We see this change set in stone in the famous baptism scene where Michael orders the deaths of the family?s enemies, and at the end of the movie, Michael?s new wife Kay watches associates of the family kissing Michael?s hand and referring to him as Don Corleone, his fathers alias, as they close the door. In the movie ?Scarface?, Al Pacino?s portrayal of the fearless drug lord Tony Montana was phenomenal; however, there there is a lack of development for him as a character. The story of Tony is a very impressive one and takes living the American dream to new heights. A political refugee from Cuba who, using his street smarts and brutality, becomes one of the biggest drug lords in the country. Tony is a very charismatic and egotistical character who has a habit of constantly looking down on everyone. He is the same pers- RogerEbert son at the star of the move as he is at the end, a 'chazza'. In the movie, a chazza is described as a Yiddish word for someone who is greedy and wouldn?t hesitate to double-cross a friend or a partner for his own gain: ?See, the guy, he wants more than what he needs, He don't fly straight no more.? We see this when he kills his best friend Manny for marrying his sister and when he betrayed his boss Frank Lopez by making deals that cut him out and pursuing his then-wife. Since the start, all Tony ever cared about is the money and the power, and no matter how much he has, nothing is ever enough. This is exactly what led to his downfall. However Tony is seen to have some sort of moral conviction when his new boss and drug overlord Alejandro Sosa asks Tony to kill a journalist exposing secrets. Tony agrees but then refuses and kills one of the hitmen in the process as the journalist was driving around with his wife and kids. Tony states, ?You think I?ll kill two kids and a woman.?It was this betrayal of Sosa that caused Tony Montana?s death. 'TheGodfather 'wins this round with a score of 10-8

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Round Two - Action: In round 2, we assessed the action in both movies, taking into account their quality and quantity. W hen it comes to action, Scarface undoubtedly wins the second round of this matchup.

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The reason Scarfacewins this round is because of the amount and significance of the violence in the movie. We are shown the harsh and dangerous life of crime that comes with Tony?s career path throughout the movie, from the ?drug deal gone wrong?motel scene at the start of the movie to the infamous and outlandish mansion shootout at the end. The reason Scarfacewins this round is because of the amount and significance of the violence in the movie. Those scenes of violence also show us Tony?s character, how he has no problem with killing, especially when it is for his personal gain:"I kill a communist for fun, but for a green card, I gonna up real nice."

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They also show how quick Tony is to jump to violence, especially when he feels betrayed.We see this occur when Tony kills his best friend Manny Rivera immediately after he discovers that he married his sister as Tony is extremely overprotective of her. Through these scenes we also see that Tony has a sort of soft side for women and children. This is demonstrated when he kills one of Sosa?s hitmen for setting off a bomb that would?ve killed their target's wife and kids. W hen it comes to a movie like TheGodfather, violence is mild and isn?t as important as it is in Scarface. Scarfaceneeded violence to show off Tony Montana. But in TheGodfather the characters are shown by how they dealt with people in situations. TheGodfather showcases violence as a way to exhibit how discrete the mafia was. Most of what they did was done in secrecy. Except for a few, most scenes in the movie depicting violence or killings were clandestine. There were also times in which they were off-screen such as when Clemenza and Lampone killed Paulie Gatto. After going for a drive, Clemenza pulls over and walks away to use the bathroom. W hile BeforeTheCyborgs the camera follows Clemenza, we hear a gunshot then return to see Gatto?s dead body in the car. Another example is when Michael confronts his brother-in-law Carlo Rizzi, after assuring him everything would be fine, and instructing him to get in a car to go to the airport, one of his capos (assassins) strangles him with piano wire from behind as the car drives away. W ith that said, there are still scenes in the movie where the killings are being done violently and publicly often to send a message. Examples of this are when Sonny is killed in a hail of bullets by Barzini?s Capos on the causeway and when Michael orders the killings of seven mob bosses towards the end of the movie during the baptism scene. 'Scarface'wins this round with a score of 10-8

Round Three - Story: W hilst TheGodfather and Scarfaceboth tell a story about the grittiness of being a criminal, whether it being involuntary or a choice, round three would have to go to TheGodfather. TheGodfather is a complex and unique movie that is based on the best selling book written by Mario Puzo in 1969. It was also the first mafia movie written by, directed by, and starring Italians. W hat makes this movie a true masterpiece is its ability to articulate its characters? motives, relationships, and evolution. It shows us their flaws and immoralities without forcing our judgment upon them which was something that was very uncommon for movies during the time of its release. We see them represented in the movie through recurring themes of power, loyalty, betrayal, business, and family. The theme of TasteOfCinema family is the most important theme in The Godfather. An example would be Vito Corleone.Throughout the movie, Vito is seen as being the embodiment of a good family man, preaching: ?A man who doesn't spend time with his family can never be a real man.?This shows how much Vito cared about his family above everything else. As the movie progresses and Michael takes control of the family, we see the family more divided than ever. A scene that highlights this very well is when Michael kills his brother-in-law Carlo for indirectly causing the death of his brother after agreeing to be Godfather to his and his sister?s child. The movie also gives us a sense of realism in how the criminal underworld really worked. Unlike previous movies, there were no big shootouts and unnecessary violence to prove who was more powerful. Instead, everything was low-key and done in secrecy and you needed to be smart and patient in order to last long in the business. The reason I thought the Scarfacestoryline, although really good, was inferior to TheGodfather is that its main attractions were the characters and not the story, at its core it's just another story about a man?s ruthless pursuit of the American dream. It doesn?t paint a big picture just like TheGodfather does. However, what Scarfacedoes really well is its ability to foreshadow events. This is illustrated best when Frank Lopez advises Tony with two rules: ?Lesson number one: Don't underestimate the other guy's greed!?and ?Lesson number two: Don't get high on your own supply.?As you could guess, ScreenRant both of these quotes came to frution.The first lesson came true when Frank Lopez underestimated Tony?s greed, and although thinking of him as a loyal friend, he gets betrayed and ultimately killed. And for the second quote, we see this when Tony gets addicted to the cocaine he supplies, and it eventually starts to affect his mind and causes him to make harsh decisions, such as killing his best friend. 'TheGodfather 'wins this round with a score of 10-8

Concl usion We now go to the Judge?s scorecard for an official decision. Scoring it at 28 for TheGodfather and 26 for Scarface. And the winner by majority decision and STILL the raining, defending, greatest gangster movie of the world: TheGodfather. It was a good matchup, but sadly, only one of Al Pacino?s movies came out victorious.

Ent er t ainment

Lo o k in g Ba c k Fe r r i s E l a r a b y

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High school was (mostly) a lot of fun. I learned a lot of valuable lessons, met a lot of great people, and, most importantly, I played a lot of video games. Now that it?s finally over for me, I?d like to look back and contextualize each year of my high school experience with video games.

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Near the end of my rather uneventful and, quite frankly, (word for bad) sophomore year, I decided to pick up God of War (GOW ), which had been out for almost three months. I had always been interested in this game, even before hearing all the glowing reviews when it came out. Also having been revealed at E3 2016, the trailer for GOW really stuck with me. I had never been a fan of the franchise, which, up until that point, had been ?hack ?n slash?action games. But this trailer showed a different type of game. A more deliberate and story-focused game. At that point, I could tell that GOW was definitely something I should keep my eye on.

The majority of games I played in my sophomore year felt somewhat uninspired and forgettable, so I was eager to get my hands on something that stood out. Thankfully, GOW was exactly that. The game?s presentation is absolutely stunning, the combat is violently satisfying, the story is gripping and the father-son relationship throughout was an emotional rollercoaster. The game left me begging for more once it was over. GOW is one of the most beautiful games I?ve ever played, in all aspects, and I?m glad it came to me at a time where my passion for gaming was at a low point. It reminded me of why I love video games, and I?m grateful for that.

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To put it bluntly: the class of 2020 really got screwed over this year. Things really couldn?t have gone worse these last couple of months. The best way for me to cope with that was by ripping demons?heads off in Doom Eternal. I had a lot of fun with 2016?s Doom when I played it in my freshman year. Shooting hell-spawn into indistinguishable gory chunks with a double-barreled shotgun was disturbingly cathartic. Naturally, everything about Doom Eternal is bigger and badder than the original. The gameplay is more fast-paced and far more challenging. Additionally, a lot of new mechanics are introduced that help break the monotony that the original occasionally suffered from. Chopping demons in half in DoomEternal was nothing short of a treat. Polygon

However, balance is important. Although unleashing rage in DoomEternal was fun, I also had to calm myself with Animal Crossing: New Horizons(ACNH). The cutesy graphics and relaxing gameplay of ACNH are polar opposites of Doom. The game had me complete seemingly mundane (but really addictive) tasks such as paying off debts, trading fruit, and contributing fossils to a museum all in hopes of further developing my island. I had previously dismissed other entries in the Animal Crossing franchise because I thought they looked boring. However, the sense of achievement I experienced when completing said tasks is inexplicable. Overall, both Doom and Animal Crossing are great for stress relief. The means by which they achieve that, however, could not be more different.

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Br e a t h o f Just a couple of months before I started high school, Nintendo officially unveiled Breath of theWild (BOTW ) at E3 2016. Extensive gameplay footage was released to show fans the new game. I was blown away by how impressive the game looked. Everything from its graphics to its new gameplay mechanics captivated me. Yet, Nintendo left just enough out of the promotional footage to keep fans curious and wanting more. However, no release date was given. Freshman year started and everything regarding the game went relatively quiet. It wasn?t until January 2017 that Nintendo stated that BOTW would come out on March 3rd along with their brand new console, the Switch. Those two months were the slowest I?d ever experienced.

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Finally, release day came. Thanks to Nintendo, I was able to reconnect with a friend I?d had a recent falling out with while we waited in line for our pre-orders on March 3rd. After that, we exchanged notes on the game and gave each other different tips and tricks. BOTW ?s open ended and non linear gameplay allowed for each player to have a different experience with the game. I would constantly lose myself in its vast open world and find myself gazing at its beautiful vistas. Zelda: Breath of theWild is a game like no other and I will never forget it or my experiences with it.

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Sp id e r - M a n E3 2016 was probably the greatest gaming event in years. Not only were Breath of theWild and God of War announced, but Sony officially revealed a new Spider-Man game for the PS4. Everything about the trailer was mesmerising: the graphics, the web-swinging, the combat, even Spider-Man?s new suit. Although I had to wait over two years to play the game from that point, Marvel?sSpider-Man (SM) couldn?t have come out at a better time. I was worried given the fact that it came out during my junior year of high school (not as bad as they say), but the game thankfully released towards the beginning of the school year. I loved playing every second of SM. The game?s web-swinging is the most satisfying game mechanic I?ve ever experienced. To calm myself down from stress, I?d simply take ten minutes to roam around the game?s fully-realized Manhattan.

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Not to mention, SM?s story is really gripping and not only feels true to the source material, but it also takes its own risks and feels unique. Because of this, the game created, in my opinion, the definitive Spider-Man. W henever I think of the character, SM is the first thing to come to mind. I?m thankful I played the game when I did because it taught me an important lesson about perseverance. Although I wasn?t fighting crime in my junior year, I, like many others, had a lot of work on my hands. Seeing Spider-Man continuously put in the hard work despite how tired he was in SM inspired me to do the same with my academics. I guess the next logical step from that is learning how to climb walls.

Now that high school is over for me, I can?t wait to move on and do the exact same thing I?ve been doing these past four years but in college: playing video games. Especially since the new console generation is right around the corner, I?m really excited to see what new experiences will be available. So long, Akhbar.

Ent er t ainment

Assassin's cr eed: How t o But cher a Al an Ber zinj i 22' Fr anchise The once beloved franchise Assassin'sCreed has found every brutal way to assassinate itself and individuality as a franchise all in one game. AC Odyssey, the latest installment in the franchise, was released late 2018. Now you may be wondering why this is being talked about now; the answer to that is the next installment just had their grand reveal. So let?s delve into a couple of things AC Odyssey did wrong and how this impacts Assassin'sCreed as a franchise. polygon.com

The newest AC Odyssey builds on the now popular RPG gameplay style that its predecessor AC Originscreated. AC Odyssey mimics similar gameplay to popular games like TheWitcher, and Elder Scrolls. But unlike these two games, AC Odyssey lacks a charm that The W itcher and Elder Scrollshave. At the beginning of the game you can choose to play as Kassandra or Alexios (no difference except gender). For simplicity we will proceed on the assumption Kassandra has been selected. W hen playing an RPG, the arguably most important part of the game is immersion. This game has dialogue options like many popular RPGs do, but it completely misses the mark. Other games such as TheWitcher or Elder Scrollsmasterfully show the two ways character dialogue decisions could go. Geralt, the main character of TheWitcher, is a character who has pre-established personality traits. You can make dialogue decisions, but all the options are still something Geralt would say. Then you can go the Elder Scrollsway, where the entire character's personality and name are determined by you. AC Odyssey falls in between, somewhere you don't want to be because if you asked any player of AC Odyssey to describe Kassandra?s personality, they wouldn?t be able to. As Kassandra, you can choose to help a starving child or save a village from bandits, but then slaughter that village right after. This makes Kassandra lack what it takes to be a truly compelling character. You aren?t motivated to do the next quest because you can?t understand why she would do the next quest. The protagonist is stale, and as a player I?m completely uninvested in what would happen to her. I can?t feel for Kassandra like I do for a character like Geralt, because Kassandra?s polygon.com choices don?t represent something she would do; it represents something anyone could do. Let's talk about the world. AC Odyssey pulls off depicting ancient Grecian monuments in outstanding accuracy. But where the world begins to become bland is, well, the world. AC Odyssey?sdevelopers were more concerned with making a large open world, rather than a good one. You?re never tempted once to leave the quest you are doing to explore the world. It gets to a point where it?s mind numbing: you settle into this feeling of constant ambiguity, you can?t tell two areas apart from each other, and every place you visit loses identity. This causes the open world?s quality to dwindle until there is nothing. So what I?m getting at with this is the overall impact on the franchise this empty husk of a game has had. In a game part of the Assassin'sCreed franchise, a powerful compelling main character inside an immersive world are staples of the franchise. You always feel the premise of the games; you are an assassin working in the shadows. But AC Odyssey gives us a shell of character, in a big but dull world, who isn?t even an assassin. I use the word death to describe the state of the franchise because of one simple thing: I?m not looking forward to the next game. There?s nothing the developers can do to repair the damage AC Odyssey has had on the franchise. It?s thrown lore out the window, it?s retconned hundreds of things, and worst of all, it kills the Assassin'sCreed identity. The franchise is dead - it?s not on break; it?s not going through a patch; it?s plagued by a studio with internal issues that choose different writers for DLCs with zero to no communication. It?s a game with a fanbase so divided no one knows what they want. It?s become a game like FIFA, where every year the studio releases the same game for monetary gain. It?s the death of a franchise.

Cur r ent Ev ent s

Pol it ics on TikTOK Al an Ber zinj i '22 TikTok: the social media platform that rose to popularity summer 2019. Its catchy songs and easy to learn dances gave teens a fun past time and gave others a place to express their creativity. However, TikTok has recently developed a subgenre growing in infamy. That is political TikTok. Political TikTok rose after a viral video of a girl dancing in POTUS Trump merchandise spread across TikTok. Slowly this subgenre grew, and a couple of teens found themselves at the forefront of this political ?war?.

Politics on TikTok started to become big when groups of politically vocal teens banded together to make versions of the ?Hype House?but in relation to politics. The two most famous are the ?Liberal Hype House?and the ?Conservative Hype House?. The LHH has a following of 122.5K, and the CHH comes in with 494K. W hat started as civil conduct and debate slowly turned into something much more concerning.

Major concerns began to arise when false information started to be spread. According to TikTok?s website, there are 800 million active users on the app. W ith the added ?overnight celebrity?power TikTok brings, it?s easy for false information to be spread like a wildfire. Two rumors that spread through TikTok both had to do with the impeachment of President Trump. One rumor stated that Trump would be kicked out of office, while another stated that Trump was eligible to run for a third term. After heavy backlash towards TikTok, both posts were

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deleted. According to the Wall Street Journal, TikTok in a statement said that they value the stopping of the spread of false information. They state ?We do not permit misinformation that could cause harm to our community or the larger public.?.

But overnight another problem arose. Popular political teen commentators @nickvideos and @emmuhlu started a political ?war?that left a bitter taste in many people?s mouths. Nickvideos makes conservative commentary while Emmuhlu makes liberal videos. No one thought anything of it until Emmuhlu made a video which many deemed inappropriate and disrespectful. Emmuhlu put up a picture of Nickvideos talking about how much she wanted to assault Nickvideos for his ?racist?and ?homophobic?videos. A lot of liberals and conservatives alike did not like this video because it stood against what political TikTok stood for: civil debate. In retaliation, Emmuhlu adopted the title ?Barb Queen?and called her fans ?barbz?. Barbz is also the name of the popular rapper Nicki Minaj?s fanbase. This seemed to be on purpose because quickly after Emmuhlu changed her profile picture to a picture of Nicki Minaj on TikTok.

The ?Barb Queen?Emmuhlu told her fans to not engage in civil debate with conservatives and instead leave Nicki Minaj lyrics in the comment section of Nickvideos?s videos. It seemed harmless at first until Emmuhlu?s ?barbz? followed her violent mentality against Nickvideos. The situation started to become scary when one of the ?barbz? doxed Nickvideos. Liberals and conservatives alike were appalled by this, especially considering that Nickvideos is a minor.

At the height of her reign, The ?Barb Queen?had the power to enact cancel culture on anyone she disagreed with. But seemingly overnight, The Queen was dethroned. Videos of Emmuhlu using offensive racial slurs spread across TikTok. One of them depicted Emmuhlu screaming the n-word to a group of black teenagers. Her own fan base turned against her in a day.

This brought up the discussion from many that it shouldn?t have taken her saying the n-word for Emmuhlu to be cancelled. Members of the LHH stated that Emmuhlu was bad news from the moment she threatened to assault Nickvideos. As well, the discussion of cancel culture was brought up. Many fear that we now live in a political climate that opposing opinions can?t be spread. This drama was even picked up by popular celebrities such as Madison Beer who weighed in on the topic.

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W hile TikTok provides a platform for healthy discussion that proves our generation capable of deeper thinking, it showed the PC culture our generation has adopted. Many fear of being cancelled for speaking their mind, and now cancel culture has turned violent. Threats of burglary and pyromania should never be involved in civil coversations. Politics is about compromise. It is not us against them, it's us as a collective people against a problem. Our generation must come together for civil discussion so that we can progress upon the work of past generations.

Cur r ent Ev ent s

Cor ona Emer ged And t hepot ent ial end t o gl obal Wil dl if eTr ade? Hana Jamal '20

ImageCredit: National Geographic

COVID-19 is an infectious zoonotic disease, meaning it originated from animals. W hen humans are exposed to diseases that harbor in animals, it is frequently rooted in human behaviors, which includes international wildlife trade. Unsurprisingly, this is the suspected source of the coronavirus. COVID-19 will leave its mark, with long periods of social distancing and massive overall economic costs. There has been more discussion about changing and identifying behaviors that have led to the zoonotic diseases being exposed to humans. If the coronavirus outbreak can teach us anything, it should be that there needs to be a substancial stopping of global wildlife trade. But how realistic is this?

Markets for Disease Getting their name from the melting ice used to preserve dead animals, as well as to wash the blood off the floors from butchered animals, wet markets can be ideal locations for epidemics. They are mainly seen in Southeast Asia and are known for selling everything from fruits and vegetables to exotic game. Commonly found in bats, it is suspected that the coronavirus was passed through a trafficked mammal before jumping to humans. The virus?s transmission to humans is believed to have occured in a wet market in W uhan, China. At markets like these, live wild-caught animals, farm-raised animals, and livestock intermingle.

The stressful and unsanitary environment is ideal for infection.

The current outbreak is just the latest example of human diseases originating in animals. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Ebola are all zoonotic. There has been a call from the New York-based W ildlife Conservation Society to stop illegal trafficking and poaching of wild animals, but also ban live animal markets that trade wildlife. However, wildlife trade is complex, and a ban isn?t a realistic way to respond to the current global pandemic. Despite how it is usually presented, wildlife trade involves more than wet markets. It includes legal and illegal trade on an international level. It includes fisheries, from wild harvesting to breeding in captivity. It includes the trade of all land species. Measurable in billions of dollars annually, a ban on wildlife trade isn?t appropriate; the improvement of wildlife trade with a direct focus on human health is a more feasible response.

ImageCredit: BBC

Bans are Far from the Answer W ithout a doubt, wildlife trade regulations should be reviewed in light of our current situation. And while bans seem to be the logical solution, there isn?t a direct positive correlation on public health. It will not end the trade, and more likely will move it into the hands of organized crime. This could potentially pose a risk of transmitting disease as wildlife trade will be unregulated. It won?t stigmatise consumption either as long as consumer demand exists. To be effective, bans need to be in step with local social norms. However, this is unrealistic as law enforcement is often under-resourced. W ith so many factors to consider, rushing to implement a wildlife trade ban in response to COVID-19 will not effectively end animal-to-human disease outbreaks. The conversation is ongoing and still being heavily discussed. ?Smart regulations?could potentially be used to aid the process, which are new measures that are culturally appropriate to locals of the region it is imposed on. Improved regulations that focus on health will be something we will see in the future, along with all the other changes that have come out of this global pandemic.

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