J
FEATURES VOL. 2 NO. 2
STUDENT
LIFESTYLE
Front: At the Annual Lighting of the Trees, brightened ancestral oaks and snowy skies transform the bluff into
Back: Filling the Admin Building with warmth, the traditional Christmas tree decks the historic halls of the White House.
THE CREW
EDITOR’S NOTE
As the holiday season surrounds us, the Jubilee Sta could not be happier. Continuing the Christmas Cookie Bake-o has been nothing short of exciting as we invited judges from around the Upper School to share eight dozen cookies. In this edition, we cover events throughout the second quarter, both in-school and out. Handing out the latest magazine never fails to amaze me, and for that I thank you. I hope you enjoy this issue and its recap of the past nine weeks. Have a wonderful break, and we’ll see you in 2025!
Amelia Hicks ‘27
CONTRIBUTORS
ere’s nothing like working on a hard project and then seeing it come to life. e team at Jubilee welcomed me as a new member this year, and I’ve had a great time writing articles.
Brody Gwaltney ‘26
We all love being around our family and friends, giving and receiving gi s, and traveling. Better yet, we all love a long break from our academics. We made it-Merry Christmas!
Mary Burton Merchant ‘26
Christmas. e one time of year where I can sleep for as long as I want. Mowing the lawn? at can wait. I’m tired.
Sebastian Winstead ‘27
I love pizza gold sh. If there’s one thing in the world that I love more than anything, it’s pizza gold sh. I’d eat it all day, every day if I could. See you in 2025.
Laura Buffington ‘28
Merry Christmas, Admirals! Imagine it actually snowing in Alabama for Christmas...how cool would that be, especially with all of the lit up trees. Enjoy reading the Winter addition of the magazine!
Zoë Langley ‘28
HOMECOMING 2024:
BY MARY BURTON MERCHANT
Aweek lled with festivities, Homecoming is one of the Admirals’ favorite traditions year-to-year. In their vintage sweater uniforms and saddle shoes, the cheerleaders led spirited crowds at the peprally and the football game, celebrating between touchdowns with an ultimate Bayside victory of 27-7 against Cottage Hill. One of the most anticipated aspects of Homecoming took place during hal ime when Woodie Collins ‘25 was crowned Homecoming Queen.
e students’ most memorable Homecoming competitions, Studmu n and Powderpu , were nothing short of spectacular this year. e Class of 2025 swept Studmu n Friday a ernoon, making the victory theirs for the second consecutive year. Micah Howard ‘25, who was named MVP, described the moment by saying, “It was cool—I didn’t expect it, but I played well in the crucial moments, so it was deserved.” Powderpu , however, had a shocking result as the Freshmen destroyed both the Seniors and Sophomores and were named champions for the rst time in Bayside history.
To end the night, by popular vote, Charlie Merchant ‘25 was crowned Homecoming King. Grooving to the tunes provided by DJ Misdemeanor, alumnus Cole Carpenter ‘21, Upper School students enjoyed a night of dancing and socializing at e Waterfront. From the game to the parade—complete with student-made oats!—to the tradition of sporting the theme on Friday’s Homecoming t-shirts, Homecoming “Down by the Bayside” will live on in our memories for years to come.
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1. During the Homecoming game, Kelan Stacey ‘25 and his Admirals football teammates are all smiles with a strong lead heading into hal ime.
2. Coronated as Homecoming Queen, an excited Woodie Collins ‘25 stands with her family for a photo in her sash and crown.
3. Staring down the opposition, Eli Williams ‘25 mentally prepares for the next set during the Freshmen v. Seniors game of studmu n.
During the PowderPu nal, Riggins Hammock ‘28 gives a pep talk to the freshman team, including Savannah Cochran ‘28 and Mary Campbell Elmore ‘28
DOWN BY THE BAYSIDE
PEER HELPERS UNITE
IN TRAINING
bayside attends an annual peer helper conference BY SEBASTIAN
WINSTEAD
Smiling a er their meeting, the 2024-2025 Peer Helpers look forward to returning to campus equipped with new knowledge.
ayside Academy’s Peer Helpers traveled to e Wharf in November to participate in the annual Peer Helpers Jubilee along with a multitude of others from area schools. e organization received keynotes from several speakers, ranging from comedic actors to FBI agents. e day was well-spent, learning about how to comfort others who may be struggling with depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues. Ava Bindon ‘27 stated, “ e conference rea rmed my desire to be a Peer Helper because I saw so many like-minded people there. I have always known that helping others is important and [it’s an] interest of mine, but I have never quite been able to put my feet to that desire until this conference.” Bayside’s Peer Helper program is sponsored by Mrs. Rosenbohm, Mrs. Evans, and Mrs. Clanton, and it meets every ursday.
TRUNK-OR-TREAT
Set up started early, as Upper School students decorated their cars to the delight of younger Admirals who “trunk-or-treated” their way around the parking lot. Accompanied by parents, eighth grade buddies, teachers, and friends, costumed Early and Lower Schoolers received chocolates and candies from the older students. From farmers complete with a John Deere tractor and chickens to yellow Minions and Christmas elves, it was a Community Time treat for all.
1. Surrounded by captivating bubbles, Harry Everett ‘36 smiles contentedly as he looks on at the festivities.
2. Scouting out the popular trunks, Eleanor Newman ‘34 and Catherine Luedecke ‘34 plan their “treating” route.
3. Catching bubbles, Everett Cutright ‘35 and Anne Carson Vance ‘35 traverse the lot with bags lled with candy and sweets. 1 2 3 4
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Going for gold, Tristin Malone ‘26, Wells Lambert ‘ 26, and Major ompson ‘26 welcome trunk-or-treaters such as Fels Rider ‘34, who enjoy the farm-themed display.
Inspired by Nick Saban, Bo Miller ‘26 hands out candy to gleeful children.
Sticking to their theme, Courtney Baker ‘25, Sebastian Winstead ‘27, Jackson Go net ‘26, and Ben Klecker ‘26 give out cookies to young candy connoisseurs.
DEBATE IS GREAT
admirals shine in speech & debate competition
BY LAURA BUFFINGTON
Believe it or not, research indicates that up to 85% of the population experiences anxiety surrounding public speaking. Mrs. Rosenbohm con rmed this statistic, stating, “Public speaking is probably one of the top most anxious things that anybody can do.” Luckily for us, however, Bayside has several extracurricular activities that help students hone these very skills. One that comes to mind right away is Speech and Debate. Speech events allow students to showcase their interpretation, analysis, and presentation skills, while debate helps competitors think on their feet and persuasively outwit the opposition.
Under the guidance of Coach Ottolino, the Admirals Speech and Debate Team competes in state-wide tournaments typically held in Montgomery or the greater Birmingham area. However, in November, Bayside hosted the rst debate tournament this area has seen in the last y years, and the Admirals won big, taking home lots of hardware. Be sure to congratulate all of Bayside’s recent Speech and Debate winners.
FRESHMAN RETREAT
this fall’s deep dive in freshman fun
BY ZOË LANGLEY
In October, Bayside’s Class of 2028 embarked on an amazing retreat to Camp Grace in West Mobile. e retreat gave students a chance to have fun with classmates, build leadership skills, and connect with God. e perfect spot for outdoor adventure, Camp Grace provided freshmen with exciting challenges like high ropes courses and ziplines, all while relaying the importance of teamwork.
MOCK TRIAL
no objections to this team’s excellence
BY SEBASTIAN WINSTEAD
In a display of talent and professionalism, our school’s Youth Legislature team competed at this year’s State mock trial tournament held in Montgomery at Loveless Academy Magnet Program High School. Despite being a relatively small group, Bayside’s competitors advanced through intense rounds, impressing judges with their legal prowess and collaborative spirit. e team faced o against some of the top schools in the state; yet, the Admirals consistently delivered well-structured arguments, persuasive testimonies, and sharp cross-examinations.
is performance was especially meaningful, as it’s been a season of challenges for the team. For example, collaborating seamlessly, the team prepared an unavoidable last minute substitute just before departing for state. ey came into the competition prepared to show they were not to be overlooked, and they more than delivered on that promise.
THE CURTAIN RISES ON “ANNIE JR”
esrt wows audiences once again
BY ZOË LANGLEY
In November, Bayside Academy students involved in Eastern Shore Repertory eater took to the stage in its production of “Annie JR” held at the Daphne Civic Center. Performing for an audience of over 4,500, including several Lower School Bayside classes, yielded an unforgettable experience. e energy in the venue was jubilant, as the cast brought the classic story of hope and resilience to life.
One highlight of the production was the way the cast and crew came together during the intense rehearsal schedule. Tech week was challenging, with early call times and long hours of rehearsals, but the performaces were worth every second.
roughout the experience, those involved supported each other to stay focused and energized, whether it was learning how to do stage makeup, adjusting hairdos to stay in character, learning choreography, or participating in funny vocal warmups. Every cast member worked hard to make “Annie JR” unforgettable.
A er the nal curtain call, a sense of accomplishment and pride resonated with the cast. Many le with new friendships, unforgettable memories, and a deeper appreciation for theater. e Daphne Civic Center became more than just a new venue; it transformed into a place where everyone involved shared a story, worked as a team, and inspired others. For those from Bayside, “Annie JR” served as a reminder that hard work, passion, and community support can lead to something truly special.
1. Working in groups to form tighter bonds, ninth graders participate in various team-building activities.
2. A er a rivieting performance at State, Bayside’s Mock Trial team anticipates the results.
3. Atop the bunks, Admiral Vivian Ramagosa ‘31 performs in Annie Jr.
IN DEPTH WITH MRS. PETERS
how adventures led to a career in educati0n
BY BRODY GWALTNEY
From varied and cantankerous wildlife to sapphire-colored, coursing waters, there's nothing quite like the natural beauty one witnesses on a visit to the continent of Africa. Mrs. Peters rst obtained her Masters degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, and International Health and Global Studies at UAB. e program required an internship in a developing country, and, with her advisor’s connection to Uganda, the choice was clear. According to Mrs. Peters, “I was there for a little less than six months, and that was such a unique experience because when you are living somewhere that is completely di erent than you have ever known, it is really good for you just as a person. So, in addition to all of these things, I learned how their public health works, who the people are, and how they get it done.” Mrs. Peters’ love for Uganda is clear, as is her immense knowledge in the eld of science. A er her return from the country, she recounted, “I looked for jobs in Public Health, at the CDC and things like that, which was how I wanted to use my degree, but I ran into my old teachers in Birmingham, and they encouraged me to get onto the substitute teacher list at their school…I did that and…I loved it. I went back and got another Masters degree in secondary education. My husband originally went to Bayside, so he always wanted to live in Daphne. at's what brought us here.”
Mrs. Peters had an experience that will never be forgotten, one that--eventually--brought her here to Bayside. She’s studied the environments of Africa, provided aid in Uganda, and is now an educator in the Science Department at Bayside. Mrs. Peters imparts to her students how the eld of science can bene t both our community here and other communities abroad.
64 SPORTS COMPLEX EXPANSION
the scoop on bayside’s newest construction project BY
SEBASTIAN WINSTEAD
The Bayside community looks forward to the signi cant addition of the new middle school building currently under construction, yet the recent announcement of a state-of-the-art facility located at the Bayside Academy Sports Complex deserves its own spotlight. is expansion is anticipated to be one of the nest additions to our greater campus area and will cater to the athletic and recreational needs of the Admiral community. ough it may have initially been overshadowed by the excitement surrounding the middle school construction, the complex is quickly gaining attention for its advanced design and impressive features, Coach Trotter states: “ is building will provide additional space for Bayside Athletics from YDL to Varsity teams to practice, train, and play. It will feature a Gym/Training Space that can host practices, meetings and games. We really wanted this building because of the strained space for our sports teams to practice, train and play.”
e facility will also serve as a hub for school spirit, allowing Bayside to host even more events that bring the community together to celebrate the achievements of the school’s student-athletes. is new addition to the Sports Complex not only enhances Bayside’s athletic programs, but it also re ects the school’s vision of fostering well-rounded, driven individuals.
HOUSE DIVIDED
the iron bowl: looking back
BY MARY BURTON MERCHANT
The 2024 Iron Bowl looked promising, as both e University of Alabama and Auburn University football teams were having surprisingly average seasons compared to recent years. Alabama, the then reigning SEC Champions, headed into their game against Auburn 8-3, their worst record in over ten years. On a high from their previous week’s win against Texas A&M, the Tigers approached the Iron Bowl with a 5-6 record; however, the faith-building upset against the “Home of the Twel h Man” stirred both Auburn Nation and fans of e Capstone to wondering who would pull o the victory at this year’s rivalry match. With both teams’ postseasons on the line—Alabama grasping at the possibility of making the playo s and Auburn hoping to be bowl eligible—the Iron Bowl dominated Baysiders’ Saturday-a er- anksgiving.
Alabama fan Miller Terry ‘26 is a two-time legacy of the university and hopes to attend one day herself. She shared, “I didn’t have a lot of hope for Alabama because of our last game against Oklahoma.”
On the other hand, Sara Sahlie Marcato ‘26, fan of the Tigers, reported, “I thought [Alabama] had been playing badly, but I knew they would give us their best game […] Maybe if we had played in Jordan-Hare, we would have had a better chance of winning.” e Tide ended up winning 28-14 over Auburn. However, Auburn is hoping for revenge with home eld advantage next year.
1. Big Al (Andrew Ray ‘30) looks on, striking intimidation into Auburn fans. 2. A view of the Iron Bowl from the top of Braynt-Denny stadium.
Credit: Parker Pittman ‘26
POLITICAL PENDULUM SWINGS RIGHT
and how to outsmart media bias
BY AMELIA HICKS
Sound the TRUMPets! e 2024 presidential election has come to a close a er the Republican ticket of Donald J. Trump and J.D. Vance won the presidency with 312 electoral votes, according to the Associated Press. Trump will step into o ce in January of 2025 to serve as forty-seventh president as Joe Biden, who led the country the past four years, departs the role. A survey sent to Bayside Upper School students which asked their opinion on the 2024 election outcomes produced the following results: With only 86 students voicing their partiality, 75.6% selected Trump and Vance, while 18.6% opted for Harris and Walz. e other 5.8% either promoted independent candidates or yielded to indecision. Since Alabama traditionally leans Right politically, the Bayside survey results were not surprising. However, the Democratic ticket received a substantial number of votes by Bayside students showing that both parties are well represented on campus.
Despite the controversies of political parties, it is important for young adults and teenagers to be aware of the country’s politics. Engagement in widespread events like the presidential election are crucial to maintaining the democracy in which America thrives. One way both students and faculty can remain informed about politics and news in general is through obtaining information from vetted media outlets. ere are even resources such as the Interactive Media Bias Chart for Education by Ad Fontes Media that can be used to measure the bias and reliability of news outlets and even individual articles.
Years ago, a movement by teenagers across the country started to lower the voting age to sixteen.
Participants felt that the younger generation was also an integral part of America’s public; therefore, their voices should be heard by the casting of ballots. Bayside students, however, feel di erently. A whopping majority of 65.1% of the 86 Upper School Admirals who voted believe that the voting age should not be lowered, and only 34.9% believe it should.
As many Americans know, the Democratic Party is represented by a donkey and associates itself with the color blue, while the Republican Party is represented by an elephant and accociates itself with the color red. Without political a liation, the majority of Bayside students who participated in the vote preferred elephants to donkeys and the color blue over the color red.
VOLLEYBALL STATE COMPETITION
bayside athletes settle it on the court
BY BRODY GWALTNEY
This year, Bayside’s Volleyball Team competed in the State Tournament at the Crossplex in Birmingham. Our Lady Admirals advanced to the 7A Volleyball Quarter nals but fell to Bob Jones High School in the nal match with a score of 25-21. is loss marks two years since the end of Bayside’s record-setting winning streak; however, the team has not lost heart and neither has its fans.
Sophomore Farrah Lane ‘27 stated, “Obviously we didn’t go all the way, but I think we can next year. We had a really good team, and it was just fun to play with everyone. We have a really good team environment, and we worked so hard. [We] all got super close together. My favorite part about the state tournament, in general, was playing under pressure and everyone being so focused.”
As seen through these hopeful athletes, Bayside intends to pursue the 7A Volleyball State Championship in 2025, and since both losses and victories empower us to keep striving for victory, we look forward to supporting the Lady Admirals as the team continues to work year-round in pursuit of excellence.
As she soars toward the net, Farrah Lane ‘27 blocks the volleyball from entering Bayside’s part of the court.
JUST KEEP SWIMMING
let’s talk swim team
BY LAURA BUFFINGTON
aking up the Admiral Swim Team, Garreck Snell ‘26, Boyce Magli ‘26, Kendall Byrd ‘30, and Abby Schoensiegel ‘25 have signi cantly progressed this year, shaving a multitude of precious seconds o their nishing times. Starting at forty-seven seconds to swim a few laps, Schoensiegel dropped seven of these on her nishing time a er only one month of practice. Although most of the athletes were seasoned swimmers, Schoensiegel was a newcomer, but that didn’t stop her from bonding with the team. Illustrating the swim team’s welcoming environment, she told of a moment while traveling in the car to a meet when teammate Magli made a funny noise causing Mountain Dew to rush out of Schoensiegel’s nose as she laughed, getting on her other teammates. Shoensiegel said, “I don't know what noise it was, but it made me laugh. I'm 99% sure it got on Garrick and Boyce. is is just proof that Bayside has such a welcoming community.” When asked about her favorite part of swim, Schoensiegel mentioned the adrenaline rush she gets at the end of a race. is season has been progressive and fun for the Bayside Swim Team, for both the old and the new members.
TAKING DOWN THE COMPETITION
bayside athletes excel in wrestling
BY AMELIA HICKS
Pinning opponent a er opponent, Bayside Wrestling has started its season o strong. Although it will intensify a er Winter Break, tournaments have already begun. Wrestling seems like a pretty self-explanatory sport; however, common knowledge lacks some key components: Conditioning for a wrestler is not just practice on the mats, but it also includes heavy cardio, weights, and agility training. ompson Coker ‘26 described the average practice: “During [practice], we start with a ve to ten minute warm-up. We usually do ten to twenty minutes of line wrestling at full speed, and then we do a good een more minutes of conditioning…usually running or stations [li ing weights].”
ough the team practices and competes together, at its core, wrestling is a solo sport. Regardless, practicing against teammates actually builds a bond between the competitors, cultivating not only a complex skill set but also a strong support system. Another possible surprise is that not all wrestling meets are the same; for instance, athletes wrestle in either duels or tournaments. While duels are quicker and simpler, Coker reports to prefer tournaments: “In duels, you just wrestle and you either win or lose your match, but in tournaments, if you do [well], you can keep going.”
A wrestler’s opponent is determined based on weight classes. erefore, for certain matches, a wrestler may be required to gain or lose weight and to do so rapidly. Cutting, or shedding pounds, can be extreme, so post-weigh-in meals are nothing short of amazing. Noah Breeland ‘26 says that his go-to meal a er weigh-in is Whataburger. With a team full of winning athletes, Bayside Wrestling is sure to draw lots of spectators as the season continues over the next few months, so make plans with friends to support the Admirals on the mat this winter.
Securing a pin, ompson Coker ‘26 captures his opponet in a headlock.
Photo Credit: Mena Brevard ‘25.
Swimming his hardest, Garrek Snell ‘26 breaststrokes his way to the nish.
Photo Credit: Mrs. Snell
BLOOD, SWEAT, AND CHEERS
behind the scenes with the cheer team
BY MARY BURTON MERCHANT
The cheerleaders can always be found at pep rallies and during football and basketball games, but much more takes place behind the scenes that many people miss. Every summer, before the football season begins, the cheerleaders head to UCA Cheer Camp. is year in Gulf Shores, the team won rst place in the dance routine, band dance, and cheer categories and second place in sideline. Mai Mai Chatwood ‘25, Lanee Imperato ‘25, Graceyn Kern ‘26, and Marley Ullock ‘26 were named UCA All-Americans. Additionally, Graceyn Kern ‘26 and Virginia Merchant ‘26 were presented the Pin It Forward Award, recognition given by a UCA sta member to commend cheerleaders for their enthusiasm and outstanding qualities. Merchant said, “With it being my rst year doing cheer, and with a mostly new team, I was really proud of all of us for our accomplishments at camp.”
Ullock, this year’s Iron Man, shares that her favorite cheer tradition is “the bus rides to every away game because I love being with the whole team and getting ready together.” e cheerleaders' many traditions, including cheer camp and bus rides, make for a closely-knit team, creating long-lasting memories for years to come.
3. Dribbling down the court, Eliana Blossom ‘27 gets the breakaway and heads toward victory. Photo provided by Eliana Blossom ‘27. 1 2
1. Posing for the camera, the cheer team is all smiles as they wind down a er working so hard.
2. Amplifying school spirit, the cheer squad shouts with joy into their megaphones.
CROSS COUNTRY BRINGS HOME BRONZE
girls xc wins third at state
BY BRODY GWALTNEY
B
ayside’s Girls Cross Country Team applied their formidable athleticism in this year’s State competition, demonstrating what it means to be an Admiral. Shelby Fargason ‘26, was recently named “6A Runner of the Week” by the Mobile Optimist Club. Performing at the Jesse Owens Classic the weekend prior, Fargason nished third overall in the Silver Division with a time of 18:58, second-best in school history. Also honored by the Optimist Club and as AHSAA All-Star runners this year were Catherine Doyle ‘25 and Annie Midyett ‘25. In addition, Midyett and Fargason were voted Super Seven top runners for Mobile/Baldwin County. Girls XC has had an outstanding season and nished third overall in the State tournament. e Boys Cross Country Team started strong at Regionals and because runners maintained a competitive spirit, Boys XC clinched 6th Place. With Witt Everett ‘30 earning a Varsity letter as a 7th grader and the title Rookie of the Year, the future of the team looks bright.
NOTHING BUT NET
lady admirals crossover into the new year
BY AMELIA HICKS
At long last, basketball season is underway. e Bayside Girls Varsity Basketball Team is dribbling their way to a great year. With only ve people on the court per team, it’s impossible to miss star athlete Eliana Blossom ‘27 making her way toward the goal. Fueled by her Celsius, Blossom constantly proves her value to the program. Regarding her pre-season preparation, Blossom said, “We’ve been having a lot of practices [with] a lot of defensive drills, along with shooting a lot. [ e team’s] been very active.” Even though the team’s games did not begin until November, the Lady Admirals started training and competing in tournaments over the summer. eir rst game was last month, and Blossom is lled with optimism for the year: “We’ve been doing pretty well…[some] games could have been better, but we’re getting there.” It will be exciting to see the team progress as their season goes on, especially since they have gained several new players this year. ankful for the growing team, Blossom added, “It’s much better this year; we have a lot more [players, and] I think it’s going to be a great year.”
Similar to Blossom, the outlook of Molly Hagan ‘25 also embodies a positive forecast: “I think we're really improving and [will] see a big jump in wins. I also think that our team has really bonded.” With an assortment of ages on the team, friendships among athletes across several grade levels are forged, and it shows on the court. Make sure to support Bayside Girls Basketball as the season continues throughout the ird Quarter.
I think we’re really improving and [will] see a big jump in wins. I also think that our team has really bonded.”
A college trip to Colorado with Caroline Marron ‘25 and Amelia Marron ‘25 lled up Ann Auxford McKenzie’s ‘25 break. McKenzie remarked about her trip out West: “I went to Colorado State because that’s where I’m going to school next year.” e three Bayside seniors enjoyed their time in the mountains.
Autumn
ere is no place like New England for the autumn season. Isabelle Daniell ‘26 knew just where to go for the perfect view of fall foliage: Boston, Massachusetts. Her trip, however, was not planned for the orange leaves.
Instead, Daniell said, “I went up to Boston to tour Boston University and to see my brother and watch him play football for Harvard.” Captivated by the city, Daniell added, “I liked this street called Newbury Street; it’s like the number one shopping street in the world.”
With a fall break lled with trying new things, Savannah Cochran ‘28 vacationed with family in North Georgia. Cochran listed her adventures saying, “We y- shed on the Soquee River which was extremely fun…then we went to the Barnsley resort [where] we got to relax and I learned how to shoot a shotgun…” ough she claims the break was a relaxing getaway, there is no doubt Cochran’s trip was lled with excitement and fun.
Excursions
BY AMELIA HICKS
Shands Nebrig ‘27 enjoyed his break up North. Exploring the city that never sleeps, Nebrig reminisced, “During Fall Break I went to New York City, and I went on a bunch of touristy attractions. My favorite thing was going to SUMMIT One and leaning over on a glass wall, 91 oors up in the sky. e view during the sunset and night time was immaculate.”
Soaking in Florida’s sunshine, Maddie Craig ‘27 spent her Fall Break in Seaside with friends and family. Summarizing her getaway, Craig said, “It was a lot of fun…We went to the beach, which wasn’t super hot, and we went into Seaside to shop, it was fun to walk around and see everything.”
Visiting family, Virginia Merchant ‘26 and Mary Burton Merchant ‘26 shopped and stayed with their cousins in Dallas, Texas. A er many visits, Virginia’s favorite part of the city is twofold: “I really like seeing my cousins because we typically only see them at Christmas. We went to a mall that had every store imaginable.”
A WICKEDLY GOOD WEEKEND
how one “popular” film is “defying gravity”
BY ZOË LANGLEY
Universal Pictures released “Wicked” in theaters the weekend of November 22 to great acclaim, and fans of the show are still beyond excited. A er nding success on Broadway for over twenty years, producers decided to bring this musical to the big screen, relaying the untold story of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, BEFORE Dorothy shows up in Oz. e story follows the pair as they develop a tangled friendship. e cast is lled with amazing actors. Known for her powerhouse vocals, Cynthia Erivo plays Elphaba while pop star Ariana Grande takes on the role of Glinda. eir performances are sure to be heart warming, adding even more magic to the already magical story. “Wicked” is directed by Jon M. Chu and is split into two releases, with the nal installment hitting theaters a full year from the rst: November of 2025. Whether you’re already a “Wicked” fan or not, this movie is de nitely one to add to your watchlist. Get ready for an experience that will defy gravity!
A FAVORITE THANKSGIVING TRADITION
1. Happy to help the worthy cause, Libby Moore ‘25 and Lynnen Hackney ‘25 carry boxes from carline.
2. Filled with gratutude for the Bayside community that came together to feed close to 600 families, Key Club members glow a er packing the truck.
Ekey club leads drive to help others in need
BY MARY BURTON MERCHANT
very year, Bayside students take home anksgiving boxes to ll with items such as stu ng mix, cranberry sauce, and gravy. ese boxes get delivered to churches through Catholic Social Services, whose mission statement is “to provide service to people in need, to advocate
IMPRESSIVE PSYCHOLOGY
bayside’s highly sought-after psychology class
BY BRODY GWALTNEY
As Ms. Lamberti states, "A signi cant portion of the course covers an overview of positive psychology.”
“Living the Good Life” is the mantra of positive psychology, which highlights the beliefs and emotions that can make your life better. Living and understanding what makes life special can have an enormous bene cial impact on one's life.
Despite the easy-going atmosphere that Psychology presents, it is ultimately up to a students own commitment in order to realize its bene ts. Ms. Lamberti believes that “Positive Psychology could help Bayside students deal with problems in their high school life.” Anyone can reap the cognitive rewards of taking psychology if you dedicate yourself to the class and to its ideas.
According to Ms. Lamberti, " e challenges are my favorite aspects of positive psychology." Exploring this idea further, the class emphasizes that what people have grasped about human behavior can be changed once we have acquired it. Even if people don't succeed at something, true success depends on how well they rise to that challenge or what they do if they don’t meet the challenge. e philosophy presumes that being determined when pursuing a goal, whatever it is, helps in achieving it. Having positive self-worth also aids in accomplishing one’s goals. Understanding ourselves from the outside in--all the way to the interior of the mind--can help us reach greater heights, more successes, and an enhanced well-being.
Second Annual Christmas Cookie Bake-off
On December h, less than twenty-four hours a er Santa visited Bayside’s Blu for its yearly Lighting of the Trees, Jubilee Magazine hosted its Second Annual Christmas Cookie Bake-o . Eight dozen cookies were prepared, decorated, tasted, enjoyed, and judged by selected students and faculty members on the brisk, overcast morning. Using a ve-star system to rate each cookie on appearance and taste, the competition yielded a clear winner: Junior Shelby Fargason’s peppermint meltaway cookies, which were inspired by a Sally’s Baking Addiction recipe. Fargason’s recipe, listed to the right, would be the perfect addition to any baker’s Holiday season. Rounding out the top three places, Virginia McCrory ‘25, Elin Backman ‘25, and Courtney Baker ‘25 won silver with their caramel sugar cookies, and bronze went to the sugar cookies vividly decorated with iconic Christmas images made by Burk Brown ‘25, Kelan Stacey ‘25, Christian Duckworth ‘25, and Luke Ferguson ‘25. All cookie competitors should be proud of their creations, as nal outcomes were quite close.
“I knew that this one had something special to it.
The peppermint pieces on the cookie is a nice compliment to the chocolate.”
-Cookie Taster
WINNER: SHELBY FARGASON ‘26
Peppermint Mocha Cookies
Directions:
Ingredients:
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1 cup all-purpose our
- ½ cup & 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons espresso powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 8 ounces white chocolate
- 3 large candy canes, crushed
1. In a large bowl using a handheld or stand mixer tted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together on medium high speed until u y and light in color, about 2-3 minutes. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract, and then beat on high speed until combined. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk the our, cocoa powder, baking soda, espresso powder, and salt together until combined. With the mixer running on low speed, slowly pour into the wet ingredients. Beat on low until combined and then beat in the chocolate chips. e cookie dough will be thick and very sticky. Cover dough tightly and chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours and up to 3 days. Chilling is mandatory for this sticky cookie dough.
3. Remove cookie dough from the refrigerator and allow it to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes. If the cookie dough chilled longer than 3 hours, let it sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes. is makes the chilled cookie dough easier to scoop and roll.
4. Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Line large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Set aside.
5. Scoop and roll dough, 1.5 Tablespoons of dough each, into balls. A medium cookie scoop is helpful for this step. To ensure a thicker cookie, make the balls taller than they are wide (almost like a cylinder or column). Arrange 2-3 inches apart on the baking sheets. e cookie dough is certainly sticky, so wipe your hands clean a er every few balls of dough you shape.
6. Bake the cookies for 11-12 minutes or until the edges appear set and the centers still look so . Tip: If they aren’t really spreading by minute 9, remove them from the oven and lightly bang the baking sheet on the counter 2-3x. is helps initiate that spread. Return to the oven to continue baking.
7. Cool cookies for 5 minutes on the baking sheet, and then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely. e cookies will slightly de ate as they cool.
8. Melt the chopped white chocolate in a double boiler or use the microwave. For the microwave, place the white chocolate in a medium heat-proof bowl. Melt in 15 second increments, stirring a er each increment until completely melted and smooth. Dip each completely cooled cookie halfway into the white chocolate and place onto a parchment or silicone baking mat-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle crushed candy canes on top of the chocolate. Repeat with the rest of the cooled cookies. Place the baking sheet into the refrigerator to help the chocolate set for about 1 hour.
Credit to Sally’s Baking Addiction for the recipe adapted for the winning cookies.
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