The Communicator v. 51, Edition 3

Page 16

Delve into Eliam Rosenberg’s relationship with music, defined by a passion for experimentation and pursuit of personal interests.

About the Cover

Eliam Rosenberg’s relationship with music is multifaceted, as both a longtime jazz pianist and independent producer. On the cover, Rosenberg is center stage on the piano at The Ark. He played the song “Recorda Me” by Joe Henderson to a packed room. Rosenberg started playing piano when he was six years old. His relationship to music has grown and changed over the years, as it has become an integral part of his identity. Being on stage and engaging with the audience is a relationship that he loves.

Rosenberg’s bond with music showcases one of many unique relationships that are fostered by individuals, which this edition seeks to explore more deeply.

Dear Readers,

Do you remember your very first friend? Your first crush? How do you think the people that are closest to you have impacted your life?

Relationships shape us from early on in our lives; our parents, grandparents, friends and crushes become a part of our identities, influencing our mannerisms, understanding of belonging, beliefs and values.

Each relationship, whether it be the camaraderie of friends, the closetie between a teacher and a student or a budding romance, holds a deep, unique significance in our lives. In this edition, we explored the various ways love and friendship manifests — it is found in familial traditions, binding generations together; in self-discovery through journaling; dating and matchmaking; and in teachers who guide and inspire us.

But even with that in mind, it can be difficult to navigate these bonds we have with loved ones and friends, especially in a world that is both exciting and daunting. We are at points of our lives where we grapple with our schoolwork, emotions, jobs, extracurriculars and even with relationships, making it seem like everything around us is unstable. But relationships are essential pillars in our lives, standing strong when we struggle and face hardships. And relationships are not bound by timelines or predefined moments; we meet and connect with people in various stages of life through different ways whether it be a casual conversation or a shared interest. We are surrounded by the possibility of forming relationships, especially at Community, but the opportunities are endless. Friends can be made at a job, online, a club and so many more.

As a small school, we have the opportunity to foster an environment that goes beyond forming social connections and create an enriching common ground. The people that are close to us are mirrors that reflect our personalities, interests, strengths and even weaknesses.

You, the reader, reflect us. These stories consist of voices from those in our community, voices who are our friends and teachers. And each article and post is a conversation between us, bringing us closer together. This magazine, the website, our social media — these platforms are a bridge and are vibrant spaces for connection and community. In essence, the journey of forming relationships is a testament to the serendipitous nature of interacting with others, highlighting the limitless possibilities that exist for creating relationships at any time.

Your Editors,

PRINT EDITORS-IN-CHIEF

ISABELLA JACOB

SERENA O’BRIEN

RUTH SHIKANOV

WEB EDITORS-IN-CHIEF

ADDI HINESMAN

ANJALI KAKARLA

AILISH KILBRIDE

SANA SCHADEN

SOCIAL MEDIA

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF

CLARA FREETH

MORGAN MCCLEASE

LUCIA PAGE SANDER

ART DIRECTOR

BEE WHALEN

PHOTO DIRECTOR

DANIEL GING

ADVISER

TRACY ANDERSON

SECTION EDITORS

LYDIA DEBORD

LEILA DURRIE

AIDAN HSIA

VEDHA KAKARLA

BRIDGETTE KELLY

CHARLIE LAMAN

ISABELLA MALDONADO

EDDIE MOBILIO BRECK

MAHIR SOOFI

CLAIRE STEIGELMAN

ANTHONY WANG

SPECIALIST JOURNALISTS

EVAN OCHOA

HANNAH RUBENSTEIN

STAFF

KLAVA ALICEA

MARISA ANDONI-SAVAS

ALLEGRA BLACKWOOD

JONATHAN CARTER

LEO CASTILHO

EMMY CHUNG

PIPER COOKE

CECE COSTELLO-SAILE

GABE DEEDLER

CARLOS FINKS

MIA FLETCHER

JASPER FORGEY

KAYLEE GADEPALLI

KYRIE GARWOOD

EMMA GOBLIRSCH

KATE GROVES

STEPHANIE HADLEY

MOLLY HAMALAINEN

EDISON HANNAHS

LUCA HINESMAN

ANNABELLE HOARD

EILIDH HUTCHINGS

JONAH KLEIN

VIOLET KNYAL

FINA KUTCHER

CLAIRE LEWIS

JACK LEWIS

REAGAN MASEK

ELLE MCCREADIE

IVY MILLER

JANAKI NALLAMOTHU

GREY PHILLIPS

MEGHAN PILLOTE

PAIGE PLAVNICK

MIA RUBENSTEIN

PAYTON SLY

IONIE STEUDLE

ELAINE STEVENSON

LYDIA STRASZEWSKI

ZANE SWERDLOW

NINA TINNEY

MALLORY TOWERS

MARIAH ZEIGLER

WILSON ZHENG

Columbia Scholastic Press Association

Crown Finalist for Hybrid Newsmagazine & Website 2024 (Winners announced 3/24)

Crown Finalist & Winner for Hybrid Newsmagazine & Website 2022-2023, 2021-2022, 2020-2021, 2019-2020

National Scholastic Press Association

Newsmagazine Pacemaker Finalist: 2022-2023, 2021-2022, 2020-2021, 2019-2020

Newsmagazine Pacemaker Winner: 2021-2022, 2020-21, 2019-2020

Online Pacemaker Finalist & Winner: 2022-2023, 2021-2022

Michigan Interscholastic Press Association

Spartan Award: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012

The Communicator Policy

The Communicator is a open forum for student expression created by Community High School students. The Communicator does not represent the views of Ann Arbor Public Schools. The Communicator staff seeks to recognize the individuals, events and ideas relevant to readers. The Communicator is committed to fair reporting, providing a platform for student voices and equitable coverage.

For our complete Guidelines & Policy, please go to www.chscommunicator.com

Table of Contents

Cover Story News

6

Into The Arena

I Am Eliam

In this edition, we highlight the versatility and power of the relationships in our lives. In our cover story, we highlight Eliam Rosenberg and how his relationship with jazz has transformed him as both a person and musician.

BY SANA SCHADEN

As students complete another round of CHS’s arena style registration, staff members contemplate its efficacy.

BY SERENA O’BRIEN

10

“Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812” is on the Horizon

CET’s cast list is released for their spring musical, “Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812.”

BY HANNAH RUBENSTEIN

Photography by Daniel Ging

26 68

How Breakups Impact Teens

Students explore how to navigate and heal from heartbreak in high school while managing their responsibilities.

BY BY MOLLY HAMALAINEN

32

Tiny Love Stories

A collection of insights into seemingly “typical” friendships and romantic relationships from CHS students and staff.

BY LYDIA DEBORD, KATE GROVES AND ELLE MCCREADIE

34

Dating Through The Decades

CHS staff provide perspectives and personal stories on how high school dating has changed from the 1970s to 1990s.

BY FINA KUTCHER AND EDDIE MOBILIO BRECK

40

In the Spirit of Shidduch

How Aleeza Ben Shalom, host of “Jewish Matchmaking” on Netflix, continues the cultural legacy of matchmaking in her community.

BY RUTH SHIKANOV

46

Finding The One

CHS staff, Luciana Qu and Maneesha Mankad, tell the story of how they met and fell in love with their respective partners.

BY AILISH KILBRIDE AND ANJALI KAKARLA

52

A Love-Hate Relationship

A reflection on how learning a musical instrument has helped to foster personal growth.

BY JANAKI NALLAMOTHU

6 Movies About Love

Six movie suggestions that highlight what it means to love and be loved.

BY AIDAN HSIA AND LUCA HINESMAN

64 74

Readers Write

Students reflect on relationships that bring them the most joy through short narratives.

BY STAFF

Art Profile: Maggie Williams

Maggie Williams shares how she expresses love through creating art for her close friends and family.

BY NINA TINNEY

NEWS

Into the Arena

This year’s second semester registration continued the longstanding tradition of arena scheduling (unique within the district) and begged the question, how long will it last?

BY SERENA O’BRIEN

The second floor hallway housed a long line of fidgety students trailing from the doors of Craft Theater to the southwest stairwell throughout the morning of Dec. 6, a district wide early-release day recast

into CHS’s second semester registration day. Within Craft Theater was a kind of organized chaos, the walls echoing with noise and lined with tables — those tables lined with teachers — and students milling about in the center exchanging the stickers that secure them a spot in a given class.

The registration process is aptly named: arena scheduling. Every student in each grade is assigned a random number, which establishes their place in line. Seniors get priority, so every senior registers for classes before the junior class enters. Then comes the sophomore class, followed by the freshmen. As registration goes on, classes fill up, leaving those unfortunate students with higher numbers scrambling as their de-

sired schedule falls apart. As classes reach capacity, they’re announced to the waiting students and written on a prominently displayed whiteboard. Barely half the senior class had proceeded through the line before Film Lit took the first slot on the whiteboard.

Arena registration dates back to the early days of CHS. What every student in the school walked into on Dec. 6 was nearly identical to what every student who came before them had walked into, what Jessika Whiteside had walked into for the first time a few years before, what Jen Niner had walked into years before that and what Steve Coron had walked into years before that. In her first year at CHS, Jen Niner was

Photography by Clara Freeth Students, including sophomore Andrew Rooks, line up along the second floor windows as they wait for their turn in the arena. Students completed registration via the arena, their places in line dictated by a randomized number system. “The way we do it offers more leniency to get in classes with your friends, which is really nice,” Rooks said.

thrown headlong into the chaos of arena registration. Coming from Pioneer High School, the American Sign Language (ASL) teacher was accustomed to computer based registration, which was, and is, much more typical of Michigan high schools. She wasn’t the only teacher to be overwhelmed by their first impression of CHS’s unusual approach to registration.

Jessika Whiteside, English teacher, came to CHS at the beginning of the pandemic, so registration during her first year was completed virtually. It was the first deviation from arena scheduling in the school’s history. When students returned to school, so did arena scheduling.

“It was referred to me as the arena,” Whiteside said. “And that immediately made me think of the Hunger Games, which is not a positive, warm, fuzzy thing.”

After 15 years of teaching in Romulus, with more traditional registration practices, Whiteside approached her first round of arena registration with some trepidation. From what she’d heard of registration, it sounded like pure stress.

Although CHS can generally meet the needs and wants of juniors and seniors, sophomores and freshmen often have to make adjustments to their plans. Niner’s first arena registration experience invoked nostalgia (her community college employed the same practice in the 1990s) and generally positive feelings at first, as she witnessed most sophomores, juniors and seniors emerging relatively unscathed. From there, things went downhill.

“Everybody was kind of getting what they wanted,” Niner said. “I think what was, and is, traumatizing is seeing the brand new freshmen come in for the very first time trying to register for classes and realizing that everything’s gone. Lots of tears and frustration.”

When classes have filled, there is little opportunity for recourse apart from joining the waiting list for a class. This can pose a problem for students relying on a certain course in order to meet scheduling requirements.

“I feel a lot of stress, especially when we get to ninth graders, and they need my class for the rest of their schedule to stay the same, or one of the last kids is hinging on a spot in this one class that I have,” Whiteside said. “I physically can’t add more space, but I really want to help.”

Whiteside acknowledges the difficulty of the on-the-spot nature of registration. Decisions, although not entirely final, must be made by students then and there. Although supported by teachers and staff, students don’t have the guidance of parents should

their desired class be filled. By contrast, more common online registration practices generally include parents in the process, allowing them to have more input.

“I wish that they [younger students] didn’t have to make such a big decision sort of on the fly and independently,” Whiteside said. “Personally, as a forum leader, I get several emails after each session that are like, ‘We don’t like this. What can we do to change it?’”

Whiteside believes some of this additional stress for families, teachers, counselors and students could be alleviated by a more spread out process. Despite the added stress the day of, registration has its positives too.

Niner appreciates that the arena scheduling process allows for more mixed classes, creating class environments with students across the range of ages. These blended classes can create beneficial mentorship relationships between upperclassmen and younger students.

“There aren’t many classes that are just freshman,” Niner said. “[Registration] forces a kind of merged experience and helps them get more comfortable with Community.”

Whiteside also finds that arena scheduling encourages students to exercise more independence, able to make decisions outside the influence of friends or family.

“That’s the beauty that I do see in the system,” Whiteside said. “The ability to have some choice and to pursue some passions if your schedule aligns with that.”

In spite of these positives, Niner and Whiteside agree that the arena registration process has become outdated in some ways, creating unnecessary stress.

“In its inception there were a lot less students here,” Coron said. “So you didn’t have 500 plus kids coming through registration. You got to see everybody, you got to talk to everybody, it was just a smaller event. So now it’s like, ‘Wait, why do we have to go through this if some students are really stressed over it?’”

As each passing arena registration solidifies the practice in school history and carries the school farther from those early days, the same question arises. This year’s registration was no different, as Whiteside and Niner wonder whether arena registration should continue to have a place as a CHS tradition.

Photography by Clara Freeth

Emmy Wernimont registers for a class in Craft Theater. She secured a place in her classes by exchanging stickers with teachers. “The sticker system allows you to know exactly what classes and teachers you’ll have in the coming semester,” Wernimont said.

Counselor’s Corner

CHS counselor, Kelly Maveal, wants to try and create a smooth transition between semesters for students and staff.

BY KYRIE GARWOOD AND EDDIE MOBILIO BRECK

Coming back from winter break, Maveal feels that students are filled with energetic yet anxious feelings about finals week and the start of a new semester. Maveal also feels a slight bit of nervousness about the second semester of the 20232024 school year here at CHS.

“My sense is that the students are feeling a little bit overwhelmed about this daunting idea that finals are somehow already next week,” Maveal said. “But they’re trying to balance it out with feeling social and being excited about other things.”

For the week of finals, Maveal helped create scheduled study sessions to help take some of the unhelpful stress off of the shoulders of students. These group meetings were called “Cocoa and Cram” which were a way to try and encourage students with hot cocoa and getting their assignments done to finish the semester off strong. She wanted to help give way

the notes that you have made yourself and to start reflecting on the material and formulate your questions to then be able to bring them into school,” Maveal said. “Obviously your teachers and your peers are not at home with you, so use the time at home to read and review on your own to then bring the questions that you want to collaborate on at school.”

Once finals week has passed and the seemingly universal stress has subsided Maveal hopes students are excited for their classes for the upcoming semester. Although classes have already been selected, Maveal is open to helping students navigate the change in routine.

When transitioning from one semester to the next Maveal stressed the importance of checking your upcoming schedule against your transcript to ensure you are on track to graduate. Along with making sure you are academically prepared, she encourages students to reflect back on previous classes and choose classes you know you will enjoy.

This past quarter my co-president, Morgan McClease, and I, Izzie Jacob, have dedicated the majority of Forum Council’s time to the middle school outreach program. In early November, representatives pitched our plan to the CHS counselors Kelly Maveal and Brian Williams.

into the new semester and create a smooth shift.

Maveal had goals for those attending Cocoa and Cram. Some being final related, and others focusing on getting students to their desired grade for any of their classes.

“We’d drink hot cocoa and have snacks and sort of balance out the stress with some socialization and fun which is a good thing,” Maveal said. “So I wanted to push involvement to come to our study sessions that the school sponsors.”

Something else Maveal wanted for students if they weren’t comfortable or able to join the school sponsored study events is to figure out how to create that balance at home. She wanted kids to come up with questions of their own and try to persevere, but also to come to school open about sharing their ideas no matter what others would think.

“Try to compare them to

“What ignited an interest or a passion that you want to continue with for next semester?” Maveal asks. “What teachers did you really click with or jive with that you want to continue with your learning with next semester?”

Maveal has serious high hopes for this next semester starting with the drive of a resolution.

“I hope we can all reshift our thinking a bit,” Maveal said. “It’s good for us in all ways to step outside for a five to 10 minu break in the middle of the day, and to be away from our screens and away from just the stress and the pressure of this environment.”

Changes from last year included presenting to smaller groups instead of a large auditorium format. Our plan outlined how to address the lack of applicants from historically underrepresented middle schools like Clague and Scarlett. Once we got the green light, we got to work. Forum Council split into subcommittees. Some worked on creating a comprehensive brochure for middle schoolers to take home, while others created a script for CHS representatives to use while presenting. A new addition to the program is the “Connect with Community” QR code form.

It will be an opportunity for middle schoolers and their parents to connect with Forum Council representatives to ask further questions. We hope to establish a connection with students before deciding to apply or not.

and

Maveal hoped for a peaceful second semester. “I think it’s just good for everybody to reset,” Maveal said. “We all need to focus on what good health and balance means for us and that might also include stepping outside for a breather.”

ART BY SANA SCHADEN

Over 50 student volunteers went to middle schools to present the week of Dec. 11. Forum Council leadership is also preparing to go back to middle schools on Jan. 21 to present alongside other AAPS high schools. We hope the revamped outreach program will create a lottery pool that can accurately reflect the demographics of all of our AAPS middle schools.

Photography by Eddie Mobilio Breck Kelly Maveal smiles behind the desk where she spends most of her day helping students

staff.

Beyond the Birds and the Bees

Through Planned Parenthood Peer Education program, CHS student and peer educator Sana Schaden led presentations in CHS health classes in early December to address sensitive health topics.

BY SERENA O’BRIEN

Standing before a rapt audience of her peers, Sana Schaden demonstrated proper use of barrier contraceptives, a task usually relegated to health teachers. Under the supervision of Becky Brent, CHS’s health teacher, Schaden led health classes on Dec. 1 to teach students about consent, healthy boundaries, reproductive health and other critical topics for teens.

This is just one of many presentations that Schaden will deliver at high schools across the district through Planned Parenthood Michigan’s Peer Education program. The program aims to provide high school students with a confidential and non-judgemental resource for information on sexuality and reproductive health. Peer educators are required to complete 40 hours of training in the fall prior to delivering presentations. They must also pass a certification test and agree to adhere to HIPAA guidelines (a confidentiality agreement). This ensures that participants in the program are qualified to educate and advise the students that they educate on delicate personal health topics.

“A lot of the things that we teach about are really sensitive subjects for teens,” Schaden said. “So I think that having somebody your age to talk to you about things that you’re

going through that they’re also going through at the same time makes a really big difference in how the education is received. I’ve found that when adults are teaching this kind of material it can be a lot more uncomfortable and awkward, especially if you’re just being talked at about abstinence.”

Their presentations generally span two class periods, the first focuses on birth control and the second concentrates on LGBTQ+ education and also healthy relationships. The birth control focused session teaches students about both hormonal and barrier methods of birth control, including an interactive demonstration. The second session defines terms relating to sexual orientation and gender identity, giving students the vocabulary to form their

own opinions. They also cover relationships, including topics such as behavior, attraction, healthy communication and consent.

After the prepared material, peer educators open up the floor to questions. Questions are accepted throughout the presentation, but this time allows students to submit anonymous inquiries. By passing out notecards and requiring each student to write something, Schaden ensures anonymity.

As peers, Schaden and her fellow educators are able to create relationships with the students they reach.

“I get a lot of questions from teens about their own personal relationships or personal health,” Schaden said. “Being able to help them navigate that is a big part of what I do.”

Schaden feels that the program has been successful when people feel comfortable enough to come to her after class to discuss their questions or concerns.

The Ann Arbor branch will bring their program to the AAPS high schools as well as private schools in the area, like Greenhills School, and nearby school districts, like Ypsilanti Community Schools. Through a coordinated effort, the Washtenaw County branch in its entirety will reach schools across the county. More broadly, Planned Parenthood Michigan operates this initiative in Kalamazoo County, Kent County, and a conjoined Wayne/Oakland/Macomb County district, bringing comprehensive personal health education, delivered to students by students, to much of southeast Michigan.

Photography by Daniel Ging Sana Schaden holds a bird and a bee, emblematic of the surface level health curriculum that the Planned Parenthood Peer Education program seeks to supplement. Schaden taught these companion lessons, which cover material beyond the base curriculum, in dozens of classrooms this fall. “All of the materials that we use have to go through like an approval process for the district,” Schaden said. “So sometimes getting new materials approved takes a while.”

“Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812” is on the Horizon

Students from three different AAPS high schools auditioned for CET’s upcoming spring musical. The 55 person cast list was announced before winter break and emotions were high.

BY HANNAH RUBENSTEIN

From the seasoned seniors to the few lucky freshmen and everyone in between, the student actors waited anxiously in anticipation as callbacks for Community Ensemble Theatre’s (CET) “Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812” to be released.

“Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812” is about Natasha Rostova, who arrives in Moscow to await the return of her fiance, Andrey, from the war. When she

falls under the spell of the dishonest Anatole, it is up to Pierre, a family friend in the middle of an existential crisis, to pick up the pieces of her shattered reputation.

Earlier that week, a total of 56 students from three different high schools across the district auditioned for CET’s anticipated spring musical. Sadie Barber auditioned for her first in-person CET musical. She had been unable to in the past due to other commitments conflicting with the shows.

“I have always wanted to do a CET show for my high school career in person, as I did participate in ‘Working’ my freshman year online,” Barber said. “I really admire the unique way CET runs, the shows that are chosen, as well as how students lead it. Compared to other companies I’ve been a part of, CET seems like a tight knit community. ‘Cabaret’ was a spectacular show to see and being a part of ‘Just Desserts’ was a wonderful experience.”

Barber wasn’t the only one who auditioned for their first CET show. Pioneer student, Eliana Adler, did as well.

“I am really excited to be involved in CET,” Adler said. “I have seen a few of their shows and have always been really impressed with the performances and the

storytelling.”

Choosing the callback list was challenging for director Emily Wilson-Tobin.

“I am delighted and overwhelmed by the number of students that signed up to audition for the show,” Wilson-Tobin said. “Folks had clearly worked hard to prepare and a huge amount of talent was on display. Casting is never easy, but creating a callback list and then a cast list from such a wide ranging and impressive pool of talent was particularly difficult this time.”

With nervous jitters, the sound of songs being belted and cups of lukewarm tea filling the hallway, callbacks fell 20 minutes behind schedule. Adler made the best of this extra time by making new friends.

“Everyone was super nice and supportive,” Adler said. “It didn’t feel like a competitive environment like auditions often

Photography by Mallory Towers and Mia Rubenstein Excitement buzzes in the gym as the cast of “Natasha, Pierre, & The Great Comet of 1812” receive their sheet music for the show. Lucy Lowenchuss enjoyed working with her friends during the first dance rehearsal for the musical. “I’m looking forward to all the dances and the songs in the show,” Lowenchuss said. “As well as building a community during live performances.”

can feel. I really appreciated that we started everything off by warming up as a group — it helped break the ice and lessen the nerves.”

The Sunday after callbacks, the cast list was announced.

Many students were hoping to be cast as the lead, Natasha. With a 1/56 chance, the odds were very slim. Barber was cast as Sonya, Natasha’s cousin, who also plays a major role in the show.

“I feel very grateful to have gotten the role that I did,” Barber said. “Although I did have my heart set on Natasha, I think there is a reason for everything in cases like this — maybe I will end up learning more from this character than I would have in the role that I originally wanted. We just do

not always get what we want and that is just how it is.”

This is a show where all of the character work is really important. The actors must develop a strong bond to trust each other on stage.

Adler saw the cast list in the middle of a choir concert, this was when she found out that she was cast as the lead.

“I was onstage when the list came out, but I got to look at it during intermission for the concert and was able to celebrate with my friends, which was really great,” Adler said. “It was super hectic, but super

fun, and I didn’t really get the chance to stress much about the list because I was busy with the concert. I am really excited to play Natasha. It has been a dream role of mine for a long time, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to play her!”

“CET is excited to work on this beautiful show with everyone in the cast and crew who is joining them for the journey,” Wilson-Tobin said.

The shows will take place March 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9 and 10. This is the first year that CET will have a two-weekend show, so you can’t miss it!

Photography by Mia Rubenstein Nina Beals takes her first look at the music book for “Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812.” She was excited to start working in CET again after performing as a member of the ensemble for “Cabaret.” “I am looking forward to meeting the new freshman and getting to sing and dance because it’s super fun,” Beals said.

Winter Harmony: The Arctic Blast Concert

At The Ark, jazz students shone with their performances, exploring jazz history with exhilarating solos.

BY AIDAN HSIA, ANTHONY WANG AND LEO CASTILHO

Blue lights glint on the piano as Will Militzer starts his solo. Accompanied by only a steady bass, his sole mission while playing is to tell the story behind the piece of music. It was part of the reason why Militzer joined Jack Wagner’s jazz class. Developing his solo sound as his piano reaches the climax of the solo, the other instruments erupt back into life. Shannon Kawata, on bass, plucks away at the heavy strings, guiding her combo’s melody. Only months before Kawata had started playing the bass. With her strong foundation in experimenting with the bass, Kawata was propelled into Jazz IV and was one of the last combos to perform at the Ark during this year’s Arctic Blast concert, which features all levels of Community jazz.

After years of practice, jazz students get to show off their skills with solos. Soloing is a balancing act: to keep energy,

flow and nerves all under control in just a few minutes while playing to hundreds of people.

Many of the Arctic Blast’s songs played had origins during the 1960s with roots in the African American community. During Kawata’s solo, she focused on completing the song’s story. If Kawata knew the background of a music piece, she tried to preserve the feeling portrayed in it.

“I feel like music is one of the ways they can preserve whatever their thoughts,” Kawata said. “I wanted my solo to reflect that. The idea of the song itself, as well as the inspiration I get from that story of the music.”

However, soloing wasn’t the only type of performance showcased. Combos had to play in sync with each other, getting just the right sound so that all of the instruments resonated perfectly. Unlike many other schools, the CHS jazz program is split into smaller combos, typically with five to 10 people in each. Jazz performers Kawata and Militzer like the smaller groups, with the chance to have an emphasis on individual instrument voices and getting to know the other players more.

“It’s kind of like a miniature forum,” Kawata said. “You all have the same interest in

performing so you have this unique stability.”

Combos stick together, from the moments where they enter the stage — when nerves are highest for saxophone player Isaiah Horton — to when the final round of applause rings out. Just before concerts, Horton’s nerves always linger, but when his combo comes out and applause rings out, excitement takes precedence.

For Horton, the stage lights make it easier to take everything in. So when his combo is finally on stage, there’s more excitement than nervousness. The build-up to the performance gets him ready to play.

“I like being on stage and performing, so I never really get nervous, more excited to go out and do what I love,” Horton said.

Gigs don’t necessarily mean that you get recruited, but it’s an opportunity that’s hard to pass down. Horton iterates how in the jazz world, good performances yield clips that can be used for scholarships and exposure. The opportunity that CHS band provides is unique in this way.

Jasper Forgey found walking into the jazz concert thrilling.

“You walk up this little hallway and you see all the bright lights on the stage and you get applause,” Forgey said. “I think that’s definitely the most exciting part. You can’t even see who is in the front row but you can see that they’re all there and giving applause.”

Forgey loves the audience’s reactions. From the time they get onto stage to when they get their final applause, Forgey is glad the audience is there as a comfort.

“It’s a good feeling,” Forgey said. “I like the tension and it’s kind of magical. The audience is all there and you can hear their applause and they’re always supportive and cheering, yelling, hooting and hollering to encourage you.”

Jazz director Jack Wagner loves how students support each other.

“I love how the oldest kids are right in the pocket of those younger kids making sure that they’re really feeling supported and encouraged because they remember what it feels like to be so nervous and do this,” Wagner said. “The kids played really, really well. I thought it was one of our best winter shows ever, which is not easy to pull off in December.”

Wagner notes that the performers did so well because of the consistent improvements they had made since the beginning of the school year. In September, Wagner often feels as though some students are not yet confident enough to put together a full performance. But when they bring all their skills together, develop the different components that go into making them a better musician and build up their confidence in their abilities, they can finally tie it all together at the Arctic Blast concert.

Photography by Daniel Ging The Arctic Blast concert allows jazz students to show off their skills. Instruments from violin to saxophone to piano were showcased by student musicians. “I think 90% of our music is improvised,” said Jack Wagner, jazz director. “So it’s much more individualistic, it’s much more creative, it’s much more spontaneous and every day is different.”

Chasing Championships

After a neck-and-neck finals game, the Rainbow Zebra staff volleyball team placed second in the Rec & Ed volleyball championships.

BY HANNAH RUBENSTEIN AND EMMA GOBLIRSCH

Walking through the energetic hallways, Courtney Kiley and Ryan Silvester were in need to find 11 staff members to join a Rec & Ed Volleyball team. They found enough.

The Rainbow Zebras played their first game back in January 2023, placing second that season.

Wanting to be number one in the league, The Rainbow Zebras decided to play for a sec-

ond season in the fall of 2023.

Leading up to the big day of the semi-finals and championship game, the Rainbow Zebras were ranked second out of the 10 volleyball teams in the league. The games occurred on Nov. 29, with the semi-final game at 8:10 p.m. and the finals at 9:20 p.m.

CHS staff members dove for balls, slammed shoulder blades against the floor and high-fived

their teammates throughout the two consecutive hours of playtime.

During the semi-finals, Kevin Starky jumped high for blocks, Michelle Yager assisted the ball to multiple colleagues and Brian Williams came through with his powerful serves. The team won the first two rounds, so they did not play a third round. Kelly Maveal felt electric after the first game.

“That was the best game we’ve played this season,” Maveal said.

Marcy McCormick has been named the team coach due to her previous volleyball experience in high school. McCormick was especially proud of the team’s work during the first game. “Everyone is an MVP,”

McCormick said. “Everyone had a moment where they just shined.”

The Rainbow Zebras went on to play the Red Hot Teamatoes in the final. The opposing team had been ranked fourth and beat the first-placed team during the semi-finals.

Although the Rainbow Zebras lost some energy due to playing for one hour previously, chanting from student spectators brought their morale back up in the final.

The team had their largest fan club of the season yet, filling the stands with cheer and support. The student supporters included Abbi Bachman, Serena O’Brien, Amy Boeving, Poppy Magee, Anya Akhoury, Eva Beals, Emily Yesowitz,

Photography by Hannah Rubenstein Marcy McCormick’s 8-year-old twins (Teo and Toben) showed up for their last game of the season. They have been cheering on McCormick throughout the season as well as a few games the previous season. “I wish we could stay for the final game today but it is too late for us,” Teo McCormick said. “I’ve enjoyed watching my mom play.”

Photography by Hannah Rubenstein

The Rainbow Zebras pose for a photo after placing second. Tracy Anderson’s heart was pounding the entire game. “I want to make people proud,” Anderson said. “But, then at the same time, I’m super afraid to screw up.”

Sadie Barber and Charlotte Rotenberg. They cheered alongside Liz Stern, teacher, and staff kids Toben and Teo Erickson McCormick.

The students showed up with handmade signs displaying their signature chant “Go Meat”and drawings of the players.

“I decided to come to this game because I wanted to support my teachers and hang out with my friends,” said Anya Akhoury, CHS senior.

Toben was excited to cheer on his mom, McCormick, during

his fourth game that he attended of the season.

“I love to see my mom win, and I hate to see her lose,” Toben said. “When I am not cheering on my mom, I love to cheer on Courtney Kiley and Tracy Anderson.”

The team won the first round by just a few points. Going into the second round, they wanted to come on top and be the champions. With many long rallies back and forth, the team ended up losing the second round and going on to the third round. This was the make or break moment: if they lost, they lost the championship, if they won, they won the championship. The referee decided that the two teams would play to 15 points instead of 25 points. The round, yet again, continued to switch favor between the Red Hot Teamatoes and the Rainbow Zebras. Ultimately, the Red Hot Teamatoes came out on top.

Though bummed to have lost, the Rainbow Zebras are determined to return stronger than ever in the coming spring season.

Photography by Hannah Rubenstein Sean Eldon carefully observes the court in preparation for the serve from the opposing team. Eldon has been on the team since last season. “I always have my eyes on the prize while I am on the court,” Eldon said.

Photography by Hannah Rubenstein Kevin Starky spikes the ball onto the opposing team’s side. Tyrone Coleman, a member of the opposing team, The Red Hot Teamatoes, who attempted to block the block, was very fulfilled after winning. “I loved how we all came together as a team,” Coleman said. “When it looked like we weren’t going to do it, we came together and pushed through and we got it.”

Photography by Hannah Rubenstein Students cheer on their teachers with homemade posters. They wanted to show up for their last game of the season. “I wanted to support my teachers and cheer them on outside of school,” Sadie Barber said.

ELIAM ROSENBERG CLAIMS THAT HIS MUSIC WON’T MAKE A CAREER. JUST DON’T ASK HIM HOW MANY HOURS HE SPENDS AT THE PIANO A DAY.

BY SANA SCHADEN

AS A JAZZ PIANIST AND INDEPENDENT PRODUCER, ELIAM ROSENBERG FINDS HIMSELF IN A UNIQUE POSITION AS A MUSICIAN.

Though he is dedicated to his craft, Rosenberg plays and creates mainly for his own pleasure. He does not suffer from the added pressure of pleasing an audience or building a career in music.

Instead, Rosenberg simply plays and produces music because the music brings him joy.

“It’s my creative outlet,” Rosenberg said. “I can’t draw at all, I can’t cook really. So, different things that people do to express themselves don’t really work for me, but the production I kind of have a handle on and I’m able to create the sounds that I like.”

Because he creates solely for himself, Rosenberg is able to experiment and create complex and non-traditional beats with his production. Even when producing on artists’ projects, including his classmate, Elias Kirsch (otherwise known as Big Planet), Rosenberg strives to incorporate his own style.

“I think I really challenge him because me and him listen to very different music, and our influences are different,” Rosenberg said. So, when I work with him, I really challenge the way that he does rap.”

Rosenberg referred to one particular collaboration: Big Planet’s song “Whispering” off his 2023 album, “Independent Love.”

“It’s a very slow, kind of warm, thick sound,” Rosenberg said. “It really challenged the way that he made music, which is great. I like it when artists are able to escape a box that they’re in and they’re able to just kind of explore different things. I’m happy I’m able to provide those sounds for him.”

Rosenberg’s sound is heavily influenced by his jazz background.

Originally, Rosenberg began playing piano around the age of seven at the encouragement of his parents, but he quickly fell in love with the instrument.

Then, freshman year at CHS, Rosenberg was introduced to jazz piano through the CHS jazz program. He was first placed into Jazz III, then advanced through jazz lab and is currently in Jazz IV.

“Jazz has definitely influenced the way I create music,” Rosenberg said. “Both in the way that it’s taught me theory that I didn’t know, different rhythms that maybe I wouldn’t have been thinking of, or different note choices

and harmonies that I now can be very deliberate about using. But, I think it’s more than that. It’s really expanded the music I listen to.”

Rosenberg finds listening to jazz music outside of class is crucial to keeping up with the rigorous program. Additionally, it provides him with a plethora of material to sample when producing.

“If I want to have a cool drum break that I know from a specific jazz song or there’s a cool chord progression,” Rosenberg said. “I just have access to this bank of songs that I didn’t have access to before.”

Boom bap style hip-hop artists often sample 70s era jazz because of its groovy nature. Rosenberg, however, will even sample 20s and 30s jazz on his songs in order to capture the interesting vinyl quality of the recordings. While Rosenberg enjoys sampling jazz on his own, he understands that when collaborating with a hip-hop style artist, it can be difficult to work with jazz.

“MUSIC, IT SCRATCHES THE ITCH,” ROSENBERG SAID. “LISTENING TO IT AND HEARING WHAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE TO SAY THROUGH THEIR MUSIC IS AN EXPERIENCE THAT IS BEAUTIFUL AND IT’S VERY HUMAN.”

“You wouldn’t even necessarily know that I sampled a jazz song,” Rosenberg said. “But it’s in there.”

These subtle hints of jazz pop up throughout the album in the form of background melodies or drum samples taken from a jazz kit.

While his journey with piano began at the hands of his parents, Rosenberg began producing somewhat unexpectedly. One year, for Christmas, he was given a DJ turntable that came with a key to Ableton, a popular DAW (digital audio workstation) for music production. Gradually, he switched over to using FL Studios, commonly used to make modern rap beats or trap sounds.

Now that he is comfortable navigating the software, Rosenberg is focused on exploring less mainstream sounds and incorporating them into his production style.

“I listen to a lot of producer-only albums,” Rosenberg said. It’s just a producer going crazy on a song doing what they know how to do. And these are super cool sounds that aren’t necessarily super mainstream, but they’re out there.”

Rosenberg took his producing even further this past year, and participated in a CR course at the Neutral Zone, a youth driven teen center based in downtown Ann Arbor. Not only was he given access to a wide range of new equipment, Rosenberg was able to connect with other artists in a new way.

“I think honestly, sometimes, it’s hard for people to use the super jazz influenced stuff,” Rosenberg said. “Because a lot of people tend to be attracted to this very heavily, electronically produced sound, which is really cool, but not necessarily jazz influenced.”

When producing for other artists, Rosenberg does still manage to incorporate jazz samples while maintaining a more traditional hip-hop sound. For example, the intro of Big Planet’s aforementioned album, “Independent Love,” was produced by Rosenberg and features a jazz sample.

“You have to get perspectives from different audio worlds,” Rosenberg said. “The goal is obviously to make a sound that stands out and is new. And, if you’re able to appeal to a rock audience as well as a hip-hop audience, because you had influence from both, then you’re able to make something new.”

Whether he’s practicing jazz piano for hours in a day or staying up late producing with Big Planet, Rosenberg finds that music comes naturally to him.

“Music, it scratches the itch,” Rosenberg said. “Listening to it and hearing what other people have to say through their music is an experience that is beautiful and it’s very human. But then me personally, I am also able to enjoy the creative side of it and the creation of it.”

A Journey Through Sisterhood

A sister relationship is one of the strongest and most important bonds in someones life. This is especially true when it comes to Leila and Iris Durrie.

BY PAIGE PLAVNICK

From the minute she was born, Iris Durrie had an older sister she knew she could count on. Iris has always loved being so close with her older sister, Leila. She has had someone to look up to for her whole life, and both girls have gotten the chance to learn and grow up with each other.

Iris quickly learned how important this relationship really was to her when her parents went through a divorce. During that time period, Iris realized she had a best friend and someone who would always be there when she needed anything. Iris began to see Leila not just as a sister, but as a best friend.

“With our parent’s divorce Leila definitely stepped into a second mother position, especially when we’re at my dad’s house,” Iris said.

Iris appreciates the little things that Leila does for her, like taking her to school every day. She knows that she can count on Leila for anything. Most of all, Iris enjoys spending time together on ‘sister dates’ to grab coffee, go thrifting or get food.

Leila and Iris will sometimes argue over clothes, makeup and belongings. However, most of the time, the sisters enjoy sharing their clothes, and planning days to match with each other. This is just one of the ways the two show their love to each other and feel more connected.

“When we go shopping together, we’ll get clothes in different colors, or we’ll split the price and then

share it,” Leila said.

Matching outfits is not the only way the girls can relate and feel closer to each other. Leila enjoys going to the same school as Iris as it gives them more time together, whether that is simply waving to each other in the hallway, popping into each other’s classes during the day, or spending lunch together.

Iris has many memories with Leila, but one of her favorites is the trip the girls took to California in August of 2022. She was excited as her parents dropped the two off at the airport gate as it was the first time that the two traveled just with each other. Iris and Leila were able to learn and grow together, and Iris enjoyed being able to experience such a big moment of growth with one of the most important people in her life.

“It was nice being able to have freedom, but we were also figuring out how to manage it.” Iris said. “We were learning how to do that together, which was so much fun.”

Just as Leila and Iris had to learn independence during their trip together, Iris will have to learn to be truly independent because Leila is going away. She is taking an exchange semester in Spain and will be gone for six month leaving at the end of December and returning in June.

Iris is happy for Leila and glad that she is taking the opportunity,

but is nervous about what her dayto-day life will look like once Leila is gone.

“I don’t know what I’m gonna do,” Iris said. “I have put her into my daily routine, so it will be hard to get used to life with her gone.”

As the sisters reflect on their relationship, they know that it will be challenging to leave each other, but they also realize how vital it is for them both to be apart from each other, so they can learn more about themselves. This also will teach them to not rely on each other all the time.

“I’ve needed to step back in some moments and realize that she needs to learn some things on her own and have that space from me,” Leila said. “I definitely think that space in Spain will help us learn what’s most important about our relationship.”

Iris also believes that it will be important to her ability to grow up and really become her own person.

In times of hardship, Iris is used to having her sister as a support person. Leila is worried that when she‘s gone, she won’t be able to be there for Iris in the same way, because other than their occasional FaceTime call, they won’t be able to have any face-to-face interactions, let alone see each other in person.

“We are very involved with each other’s lives, so it will certainly be hard to be away from her.” Leila said. “I have friends at Pioneer who

will definitely care for her and be there for her when she needs it.”

Leila knows that Iris will be in good hands, which makes her feel better about her having to go, but Iris is still nervous about her leaving.

“Being alone is going to change a lot,” Iris said. “But I also know that I have so many people that will help out as much as they can.”

Neither of the sisters are worried about their relationship suffering once Leila gets back: they both know that it will go back to normal once they are together again.

“Every time we’ve been away from each other for a long amount of time, it’s always been the same when we come back,” Iris said.

When people think of their relationships with their siblings, many

things come to mind. For Leila and Iris, this sisterhood has been a hugely positive part of both of their lives. The girls have found that maintaining a strong connection with each other has played a large part in their experience of growing up. Not only have they been able to create a strong bond with each other, they’ve also made countless unforgettable memories.

The Illusionary Ties of Media

As media grows in relevancy, the reality of one-sided relationships becomes more commonplace.

BY WILSON ZHENG

The rise of social media has brought many great things: being able to share cute cat videos with our friends, being able to see what’s happening in our idols’ lives, and arguably, the most important ability of instant communication. At times, this level of accessibility can feel like any normal part of our lives, such as going to school or clocking in at work.

According to a data report by the World Bank, an international institution that provides knowledge and funding to 150 countries, over 90% of Americans use the Internet every day, with an average of around seven hours online a day. With just a few taps on a screen, we can watch our favorite movies on Netflix and even talk to our friends on the other side of the world.

Shana Cacioppo, the school psychologist at CHS, feels that the Internet has introduced a whole new world of how we connect with others.

“I mean, when I was younger, we had books you could

buy from celebrities or magazines,” Cacioppo said.“But there was no real access to their social media accounts. We mostly wrote letters and there is no access like there is now, where instantly, you can click through people’s profiles and get updates on their life or where they’re at and pictures of their children.”

For the majority of us, the Internet is a great thing, but good things never come with its drawbacks. And as for social media, that would be parasocial relationships.

Parasocial relationships, or interactions, are one-sided relationships where one person, typically the follower, invests energy and time into the relationship, while the other party is completely unaware of the other’s existence. This typically happens through forms of media, with the global networking power the Internet has.

Stemming from admiration, most people start by finding the public figures relatable or inspiring. As you get more and more exposure to them, it starts to create a

ART BY BEE WHALEN

sense of fake intimacy or connection. And just like dating a real person, your attachment can change due to several different factors.

Kelly Maveal, one of the counselors at CHS, speaks about the difference between relationships made online and in real life.

“A normal relationship that we have is quite the opposite from parasocial relationships,” Maveal said. “It’s two-sided. Two real-life humans know each other well, and they are listening to each other verbally. Communicating with each other. I would also say that a difference between the two is that in real life, we have challenges in an authentic human relationship. Some days, we wake up stressed, tired, or hungry, or we have a short fuse, and all of those factors play into the way that we interact with somebody. Whereas with a parasocial relationship, what we’re seeing from these humans, it’s very curated. It’s not necessarily their real authentic, genuine self.”

In everyday relationships, every day isn’t a highlight reel. We experience stress, neglect, sorrow and breakup. It isn’t all rainbows and unicorns. On the other hand, parasocial relationships project an idealized image. You only see the good and polished parts of the person you love: their perfect photos which seem godlike or their flawless concert performances rehearsed over a number of months.

But even though they provide a false sense of reality, it is important to note that there is nothing that is entirely bad.

“I think there is something to be said as a benefit of resetting from the amount of work and energy that relationships take,” Maveal said. “Parasocial relationships allow us to take a break from class or a break in the middle, or the end of the day when we’re winding down right at home to relax and not have to exert that effort the real relationships take, but still get something positive in return.”

As teens and adults struggle with identity because of social norms or puberty, these public figures can help us discover what we believe in and value. Through their shared experiences, we can look through the lens of many perspectives which ultimately can help clarify who we are and what we side with.

A thing to note is that parasocial relationships are completely normal. They can happen to everyone — your grandparents, your baby cousins — anyone who interacts with the media is influenced.

The Internet inflates and gets more complex every passing year. As of right now, anyone can instantly connect with thousands, if not millions across the globe, about anything that is happening, from what they’re eating for lunch, to the side of a political or social issue they stand with. We are no longer limited to only talking to our peers around us. We can now speak to the whole world.

“It’s a growth, an escalation of the Internet. And the impact that it’s having on our lives is grand. A topic like parasocial relationships can bring such great value to our lives. And even most of the time, it’s harmless. Most of the time it’s an asset. A positive thing that’s contributing to our lives.” Maveal said. “There is a flip side, there is a risk level. We’re especially focused on this topic with young people, who still need to develop their

brains, and we don’t have all of the research to know the impact media is having on us as humans. It’s to make sure that we’re helping both ourselves and the people that we’re working with to strike that balance and to be mindful of both the pros and the cons of Internet and media use.”

It is important to not get too attached to celebrities, in fact, anyone. At first, it may just be harmless like on their post, but it could very well lead to much deeper involvement. The interconnected nature of today’s platforms allows public figures to seamlessly connect with their audience, which can very easily turn into a sense of extreme closeness and familiarity with no boundaries being set.

“

THE RESPONSIBILITY IS MORE ON US TO BE REFLECTING ON WHAT WE’RE GETTING FROM THE RELATIONSHIP AND WHAT KIND OF VALUE WE’RE TAKING AWAY FROM IT.

“When it’s taking over time in your life, or when you could be doing other things, when it’s becoming intrusive to friendships, or your job, or your schoolwork and all your time at home, and you’re searching up things on the Internet about them or trying to meet them, then it’s gone too far,” Cacioppo said.

If you’re ever in a situation where a parasocial relationship is affecting you, or anyone else, take time to think and consider reaching out to someone you trust. While this may seem like something very fictional, as long as it is impacting some area of functionality, it should be treated as any other emotional, mental or physical issue.

“I would start with connecting with somebody that you trust and an adult that you feel open talking to, and here at school that can be any teacher, that can be a forum leader, that can be counselor,” Maveal said. “And I think that Community can be a place to start. Then we can talk about how to bring that support outside of school. But let’s start here, within our own four walls.”

In this age where social media and the Internet are still really new, it’s important to take just a little precaution as we don’t know how deep it can go. So next time, when you’re off commenting on your favorite celebrities’ posts, maybe try to recognize if you’re stretching it too far. Would they be comfortable with what you’re saying? They’re human, like us, after all.

How Breakups Impact Teens

A look into different kinds of teen breakups, how they impact students and how to bounce back.

BY MOLLY HAMALAINEN

Picture this: you’re 15 and your almost-year-long relationship has just ended after months of tumult. You walk into Algebra only to be faced with your ex-partner and their friends; it’s overwhelming and impossible to learn. Without realizing it, tears begin to form just at the sight of them as panic sets in.

You turn around and walk out the door, grasping on to your dignity and broken heart, but leaving behind the learning that you know is essential. For an anonymous CHS student, Alex, who experienced a similar situation, their only hope at recovering was skipping classes they shared with their ex.

“I barely went to my classes,” Alex said. “My parents wouldn’t let me stay home, so I stayed in the social worker’s room. I wasn’t escaping from it. I was just crying and taking it all in.”

Constantly being surrounded by your ex-partner, rumors and the overwhelming memories at school can exacerbate the pain for a student whose relationship has just ended; it’s nearly impossible for students to find peace and privacy during that deeply sensitive time. Students need to find an escape, driving them out of the classroom and into their beds at the cost of their grades and mental health.

“When students go through break-

ups, they often don’t want to come to school. They don’t want to be seen by people,” Traci Blancke, a social worker at CHS, said. “That can obviously have an impact on their grades.”

Science explains these emotions that drove Alex out of class when they saw their ex. Becky Brent, a teacher and forum leader at CHS, says that it’s “totally brain-related.”

“Every time we see that individual, not only are we getting a huge dopamine release in our reward system, but we’re getting that really awesome oxytocin chemical which is connecting us,” Brent said. “So every time we see that person, we get that beautiful little reward. When the breakup happens, we don’t get that reward.”

This withdrawal means that going to school with an ex is debilitating and it impacts teens more because of the likelihood that they will date someone who goes to their school.

Alex remarked that if their ex attended a different school, recovering from the breakup would have been easier.

“I feel like being in the same school and classes is so much worse,” Alex said. “I see them every single day, and I still have those memories with me. But if I don’t see them at all, I think I’d be able to cope.”

Breakups — whether romantic or otherwise — are usually a negative

event in someone’s life, especially if the relationship was healthy and full of joy. When relationships are unhealthy, however, continuing that partnerships could do more harm for a student than a breakup might. For example, relationships where the partners do not have equal control can sometimes have worse outcomes on those teens than ending that relationship could.

“One of the big themes we like to present as a part of our Health curriculum is control versus equality in relationships,” said Brent, who teaches Health and Wellness at CHS. “We tend to see relationships that are built based on control or more one sided and can get really negative and really detrimental as they evolve, especially if that control and power resides way more within one person.”

If control is imbalanced in a relationship, the partner with less control may not consider ending the relationship as an option, in fear of retaliation from the other partner. That being said, conflict is a normal and expected aspect of close relationships.

“How do you expect to come together as separate individuals to share an experience without having some kind of disagreements about how that should look and what that should feel like,” Brent said. “I don’t view conflict as a bad thing. I think

we can learn a lot about ourselves and about our partner by sharing things that we’re not appreciative of, and then seeing how that evolves the relationship.”

Breaking up with a controlling friend or partner can not only relieve a teen in the moment, but can also teach them deeply important lessons on what they should expect from a companion. Knowing what you like and dislike in a relationship is an essential part of growing up and sets teens up for their long future of setting boundaries with the people around them.

“Breakups can really impact the way you view relationships, how you trust people and how you build relationships,” Blancke said. “This time

of life where you’re finding yourself and differentiating from your parents and adults in some ways, your friends can be a huge support system.”

The deeply complicated emotions that follow a breakup can define the recovery process; the sting of loneliness and the anxiety about what went wrong can feel overwhelming. Shifting one’s mindset and transforming a failed relationship into a learning experience is a way to take advantage of those moments.

“We can really use breakup time as more of a reflective period,” Brent said. “If we shift our mindset into

thinking, ‘I could learn something from this in my next relationship.’ That process can help with that grief that we feel right after the loss.”

While breakups can be especially hard for young students, they’re a normal part of life. They can be devastating events and lifelong lessons, teaching teens what they want or don’t want in a partner or friend. Asking for help and taking time to reflect after a split are crucial parts of recovering that teens shouldn’t take for granted; recovery is the fastest way to take back control of grades, emotions and one’s identity.

Relationship Resources

Where are teens turning for help with exploring relationships with themselves and others?

BY SANA SCHADEN

Finn Anderson, CHS sophomore, remembers only bits of anatomy from his seventh grade health class. And for teenagers like Anderson, that is not enough information to navigate through teen years.

“I ended up having a lot of questions and wondering a lot of stuff about sex when I entered my teen years,” Anderson said. “I was really afraid to ask or talk about it because I didn’t really grow up in an environment where it was super normalized or open to talk about.”

In the pursuit of inclusive and accurate information, Anderson has discovered many resources including online blogs, forums or even social media like TikTok. For Anderson, the key is finding community.

Anderson has also turned to articles from organizations like Planned Parenthood for specific, inclusive information on sex and reproductive health in general.

“Their goal is to educate people for a safer experience rather than to teach abstinence or to scare peo-

ple. They have a more useful goal, in my opinion,” Anderson said. “I think that teaching abstinence or using scare tactics is the worst form of sex education. I could argue that it’s worse than not teaching. I don’t think you can prevent teenagers from having sex by telling them, ‘don’t do it.’”

Instead, Anderson believes that a lack of comprehensive education will lead to many more problems.

“Teens will still have sex,” Anderson said. “But they will go into it without being educated about contraception, the risks of STIs and unwanted pregnancies, even basic things like consent and being aware of what you’re getting into. It creates a very unsafe experience, and teens will be afraid to tell a trusted adult because they’ve only been taught about how bad it is. I think that’s really dangerous.”

For Anderson, allowing for open conversations about sex related questions is essential. He often turns to friends for advice because they can

ART BY BEE WHALEN

relate to him better than adults. However, he recognizes the importance of having a trusted adult to turn to when needed. Anderson named Becky Brent, CHS health teacher, as a helpful and open resource.

“I think sex is a very natural part of growing up,” Anderson said. “Having conversations about it, where it’s a safe space, where you can ask questions or talk about things is really essential to growing up if you are interested if you think you want to engage in sexual activity at any point in your life.”

In her own health classroom, Brent works hard to create a comprehensive curriculum with open discussions to help teens navigate relationships with themselves and others.

“It’s probably why I take my job so seriously,” Brent said. “Everybody looks at health class like it’s just a place to come and hang out. But we really do talk about really important stuff. And it all starts with

who we are as humans, so our identity and affirming ourselves within our identity and then how we share that with other people. Our content, I really strongly feel, helps individuals develop their skills within the context of the content.”

This content includes refusal skills and managing internal pressure to participate in activities you may not be ready for. Brent also emphasizes communication in terms of likes and dislikes.

In addition to teaching her own lessons, Brent invites guest speakers including Peer Educators from Planned Parenthood to teach sex education. Members of the Teen Voice program at Safehouse also come in to talk about affirming boundaries and ensuring safety in relationships.

“What I see in my work with teens more often is the struggle of communication, and how nerve-wracking it can be to say what you really want to say when you really want to say it,” Brent said. “And so many of us are not engaging in the conversation because we’re afraid of it going in a way that we don’t want it to go, or we’re afraid of saying the wrong thing or we’re afraid of hurting the other person’s feelings. I would see that as the biggest struggle in general.”

Brent also realizes that many teens are not interested in having sex or participating in romantic relationships.

“I think we just assume that all teenagers want to be in romantic relationships and all teenagers want to be doing the sex thing and that’s so not accurate,” Brent said. “Teenagers are way more thoughtful and contemplative and really curious about connecting in so many different ways outside of just romance or sex.”

For teens navigating all types of relationships, whether it is romantic or platonic, Kelly Maveal, one of the CHS counselors, is another in school resource.

“I find my role to be a safe place

for students to use me as a sounding board,” Maveal said. “I’m not your friend. I’m also not your family member or your parent or your teacher. I am intending to be somebody that is non-judgmental, nonbiased, and somebody that you can bounce ideas off of, address fears and anxieties with and really start to like think through and process what you want out of your life.”

Maveal finds that her conversations often center around friendships — whether that’s breaking out of old friendships or finding new ones. Furthermore, in a small school, like CHS, students have a limited pool of people to navigate. Maveal finds that by high school, students have a clearer sense of their identity. However, they still depend on adult resources for help with all types of relationships — yes, even romantic ones.

“I thought by high school, that students wouldn’t seek out an adult to talk about dating, and I’ve been surprised by that,” Maveal said. “I know many more relationship stories than I thought I would, which I am pleasantly surprised by. I am more tuned in with the relationships of Community High than I intended to be, which is a good thing. I’m pleased that students trust me to talk through the dynamics of the relationships that they’re facing, especially in dating.”

Other counseling resources at CHS include Brian Williams as well as school psychologist Shana Cacioppo.

Whether it is the Internet, a trusted peer or adult, teenagers depend on these judgment free, comprehensive resources when navigating relationships.

8 Pillars of Health

Dissecting the art of well-being with Colleen Greene and “The 8 Pillars of Health” in relation to our school community.

BY PIPER COOKE

Well-being is an intricate tapestry to which Colleen Greene has devoted her 28 years at the University of Michigan to unraveling. As a senior health coordinator, Greene has had the opportunity to learn more about well-being beyond the physical and mental and has coined “The 8 Pillars of Health.” These pillars weave a personalized blueprint applicable to anyone.

“The 8 Pillars of Health” include physical, emotional, mental, environmental, financial, occupational, social, intellectual and spiritual.

The creation of the pillars required dedicated work and the usage of nationally-recognized research from various facilities. The concept of the eight pillars has been around since the late 1980s, proving its credibility and accuracy with almost 40 years of application.

“It is so important to know that every bit counts,” Greene said. “The whole point of the pillars of health is that they’re supposed to be individualized.”

Each pillar is interconnected to

another: well-being flourishes when it’s nurtured in its entirety. As you delve into these pillars, Greene finds it important to consider how each thread of this intricate tapestry can be tailored to your own narrative of health and fulfillment.

Physical wellness extends beyond exercise, encompassing managing medical needs, nutrition and sleep, among other things. In order to be physically healthy, research tells us that it’s essential maintain every aspect of our bodily health.

The emotional and mental pillar can be one of the most important, especially to high school students, though it can also be a challenge to take care of. Greene encourages those in need to reach out for help. Stress management, healthy relationships, self-awareness and more, are all crucial keystones to mental and emotional health.

The environmental pillar emphasizes creating safe, healthy and sustainable spaces. It may take some trial and error to figure out what you need from your environment, but

nurturing this pillar benefits overall wellness.

As people – especially students –our financial situation can be a foreign responsibility. Regardless, it’s essential to learn financial literacy and assess your finances, especially during the transition to adulthood.

Occupational wellness revolves around career satisfaction, work-life balance and financial stability. High school students can explore career paths, set goals and seek experiences that prepare them for fulfilling future careers.

Social well-being focuses on healthy relationships, effective communication, respect and inclusion. We can nurture this aspect of our well-being by developing social skills and assessing our connections with other people.

Intellectual wellness stretches well beyond school; it also ties in lifelong learning and exploration of interests. Staying curious is one of the best ways to get the most out of this pillar.

According to Greene, spiritual well-being takes on many shapes and forms. It covers broader horizons than religion, encouraging individuals to find purpose in life, explore passions and goals and discover motivation to pursue passions.

“The 8 Pillars of Health” offer a comprehensive approach to wellness that can be applied to anyone’s life, including high school students.

ART BY KAYLEE GADEPALLI

Nina Beals has experienced various environmental changes over the past year, including a new school and job. These changes have entailed immense personal growth and taught Beals more about connection and what she needs from her environment to be successful. From her experiences, Beals knows what she needs from her environments to best support her environmental well-being.

ENVIRONMENTAL

Wilson Zheng emphasizes necessity in regard to financial well-being. Employed at Sweetwaters, Zheng is saving money for college and other costs. He expresses gratitude toward his access to transportation, food, somewhere to live and enough money to support himself.

SOCIAL

Freshman Ella Weinberger moved to Michigan about one year ago, where she initially attended Rudolf Steiner. Now enrolled at CHS, Weinberger has had the opportunity to make more connections given the amount of unscheduled time in comparison to Rudolf Steiner. As a result of the growth of her social well-being, Weinberger has noted a generally positive effect on her mental health.

FINANCIAL

Currently working two jobs, Tia Cocciolone understands the impact that a positive work environment can have.

“Working is a lot more fun when I feel comfortable in the enviroment,” Cocciolone said. She advises all high school students to be aware of how their work environment may have an impact on their occupational well-being.

Cassidy McKenna was previously homeschooled for two years. Due to her unique experiences with different education methods, McKenna understands how to best support her intellectual well-being and understands that some people need different things to be supported. “Right now, I am enjoying some of the topics in school, and I am enjoying the curriculum…but if people don’t enjoy the curriculum then it’s probably not the intellectual journey that would be the best for them.”

CHS counselor Brian Williams has sparked a new interest in physical well-being. Recently, Williams has witnessed the people around him experience various ailments, which have motivated him to intensify his preventative fitness measures. “If I feel physically better, it will help me feel mentally better,” Williams said, “When we feel better about ourselves, everything’s better.”

Regarding her spiritual well-being, Lila Sarnecki harnesses her drive and motivation for future success from the fear of failure. Sarnecki wants to make her family proud while providing for herself and her future children. “I want my children to have more opportunities than I did, and for them to know that failing is okay because they’ll have the backup option,” Sarnecki said.

INTELLECTUAL SPIRITUAL

Claire Theiss has learned the value of therapy and emotional-mental well-being through experience. “Right now, I am in a space that is so much better than I could have imagined a couple of years ago,” Theiss said. They believe everyone should try therapy and it’s surprising how far this one resource can take you.

Tiny Love Stories

A collection of insights into seemingly “typical” relationships and the steady support they bring.

BY LYDIA DEBORD, KATE GROVES AND ELLE MCCREADIE

ELLIE FOX

Ellie Fox may have figured out the perfect friendship formula. Of course, there’s the given: fun things like concerts and baking. But there’s another reactant in Fox’s equation, one she sees as more controversial: conflict. Fox has figured this out from years of silly arguments and genuine resolution with her best friend, Maxine Rosaen.

Although they had been riding the bus together for a year beforehand, Fox and Rosaen officially met in their fifth grade class, where they spent most of their interactions arguing.

“In fifth grade, we always argued,” Fox said. The disputes, in hindsight, were trivial. “We have differences that divided us, but we just laugh at those differences now.”

But during the tail end of middle school, something changed, and the stars fell into place. “We started talking one-on-one at the end of eighth grade,” Fox said. The summer months brought plenty of adventures for the pair, perhaps the most treasured being their session at Camp Al-Gon-Quian. Fox had gone for years and was excited to share the experience with her friend. The forced proximity and lack of connection to the outside world made the girls truly realize how important their friendship was.

Then came freshman year. With Fox attending CHS and Rosaen over at Skyline, they faced the inherent challenge of not frequently seeing each other. Without being at the same school, more communication was required in order to maintain a close friendship. But, they succeeded.

“I think our relationship also

proves even if you go to different schools you can still be really close,” Fox said.

Although they couldn’t share classes and lunch tables, the duo got creative. Their days were filled with walks, baking dates, tri-weekly gym visits and perhaps the most creative: their morning chats.

“We live really, really close. So she takes a bus towards Miller, and I take the bus towards downtown. Every day we stand across from each other, and we call on the phone for like five minutes and have a little morning chat,” Fox said. This year, she is split enrolling at Skyline. While balancing the two schools is difficult, she is always delighted to see her best friend. “Since I split at Skyline now, I do see Maxine every day for a little bit, at least. But it’s still really nice because last year I just didn’t.” Fox said.

Although the girls have grown and matured, there are still occasional disputes. But, in Fox’s opinion, it’d be worse off if there weren’t.

As Fox describes it, the two are honest about their feelings, listen to each other and then resolve the issue with no lingering resentment.

“I think if you just agree with someone you either don’t actually don’t have a real friendship, or one of you is lying to yourself,” Fox said. Eloise MacDougald spent 365 days 3,541 miles from home. Filled with explorations and new beginnings, these days mean more to MacDougald than anything.

ELOISE MACDOUGALD

pared for the move as it was a decision that her family had made years prior. With any big change in one’s environment, it can bring many different emotions, ranging from joy and excitement to anxiety and fear.

“It’s always been something I was looking forward to,” MacDougald said. “I don’t really get nervous about things. I like to just of have them come and deal with it. So I was just happy to go. I was excited.”

After arriving in Scotland, MacDougald quickly realized that Edinburgh was very different from Ann Arbor. Coming from a very rigorous and busy life in Michigan, she completely flipped the switch and had to adjust to the more relaxed and flexible atmosphere that Edinburgh fosters. In hindsight, this switch was exactly what she needed, and was the perfect next step for developing into an adult.

“It kind of allowed me and my brother the room to kind of just be, and have fun, which is different.” MacDougald said.

Landing in a new place, knowing nobody else and having to navigate the cultural and societal differences that Edinburgh brought was a big change, but she didn’t have to do it alone. MacDougald found herself and her siblings supporting each other more than usual.

MacDougald and her family moved to Edinburgh, Scotland for a year during her dad’s sabbatical. MacDougald had always been pre-

ART BY BEE WHALEN

“You arrive in this new country, and you look around and you realize, I don’t know anyone here --- like I knew four people,” MacDougald said. “So your siblings kind of fill the roles of your best friends for a little while until you kind of get your feet under you. And in my case, I mean, my brother kind of continued to fill that role. Like we’re still really tight. I mean, I would do anything for him.”

Let’s go back to those 365 days.

When she first arrived, those days were her best kept secret. MacDougald knew that she would eventually return back to the United States, so she needed an approach regarding friend-making. So, she leaned into her instincts, which was to connect with her peers regardless. It took MacDougald a long time to address her departure with her friends, because she didn’t want it to taint their relationships.

One of the hardest things for MacDougald was being able to move out of her comfort zone and make new friends. MacDougald developed many lifelong friendships that she’ll always take with her.

“Some of the people that I love the most and trust, and would safeguard my life with are five hours ahead across an ocean,” MacDougald said. “But I wouldn’t trade that for the world.”

“They were just under the impression that I was staying forever,” MacDougald said, “So telling them that I was leaving was really hard.” But even after she did tell them, her friends across the ocean continued to support her and be her rock. Now, with both her CHS friends and her Scotland friends, MacDougald has a solid circle of people.

“My philosophy around friends is just to collect them,” MacDougald said.

Despite her reservations about the move, MacDougald will forever treasure the joys the year brought. Moving was hard. Leaving was hard. But it was an adventure filled with new relationships and lessons she wouldn’t have learned otherwise. In the end, she remembers and cherishes the experiences, and MacDougald will forever be grateful for her time in Scotland.

RYAN SILVESTER

“The Office,” sunshine and ice cream. These three simple things take Ryan Silvester right back to the very beginning of his relationship with his fiancé Julianne Fava.

Silvester didn’t have much hope in the dating app. It was 2017, and these apps weren’t certified with success stories. He certainly wasn’t expecting it to bring Fava into his life.

It was Dec. 9 2017, and a new profile had matched with his, Julianne Fava. From their very first conversation, Silvester knew she was special.

“What is your favorite thing in the world?”

This was one of the first conversations they had. Silvester asked and Fava answered. From there, he learned that they shared a favorite show: “The Office.”

The more they talked the more they realized their similarities. When they matched, Fava was finishing her semester at Michigan and Silvester was in Florida. Many people who use dating apps lose interest if they can’t meet up as soon as possible. But for Fava and Silvester that just wasn’t the case. They built a relationship on frequent and meaningful conversation, even if it was over the phone.

After around three weeks of talking, the pair finally found a day they could meet up: January 1. New Year’s Day,” Silvester said. “It was like the first day we could possibly have met each other and we’re like ‘Yeah, let’s do it.’ So our first ever date was on January 1. And it was like we already knew so much about each other.”.

After a failed restaurant reservation, the two found themselves at

a smaller restaurant. But the venue change didn’t dim their night. Filled with recollections of their winter breaks and bustling conversation, there wasn’t a second of first date awkward silence.

“We didn’t say I love you or anything like that for a long time but just like the butterflies that I felt on that first day,” Silvester said.

In a romantic turn of events, they did eventually dine at the originally planned restaurant. And as fate has it, this was the day they exchanged the words, “I love you.” And it was perfect.

“It just melted into this moment where it just felt right,” Silvester said.

Although that night was the first time they said the words out loud, Silvester had loved Fava for a while. His affection for Fava had manifested subconsciously, in a way it was always there.

“There wasn’t a specific moment when I knew I fell in love with Julianne,” Silvester said. “It was a collage of memories and moments.”

Memories and moments Silvester plans on spending the rest of his life developing. Coming into a full circle, Silvester proposed right next to the couples’ favorite bench. “As soon as I had planned to get married, that was the only spot that seemed feasible.”

And she said yes.

Sunshine, Ice Cream and “The Office.” From their very first conversation, the pair agreed on the simple magic of those things. And if they hadn’t taken the download of faith, they would never know that they did.

“I get told so often that I’m a lucky one, and I am so lucky,” Silvester said.

A look directly into the perspectives of CHS staff on how high school dating has changed over the decades.

BY FINA KUTCHER AND EDDIE MOBILIO BRECK

From Moon Shoes to Jordans, high schoolers have always been dating, but not in the way we are familiar with today.

Rotary phones, disco dancing and Queen. In an era pre-dating technology, any sort of messaging system aside from telephones, social interaction was almost entirely done in person.

“It was really different because of the way that you’d communicate with people,” Liz Stern said, a CHS science teacher and member of the high school class of ‘78. “Communication was always face-to-face.”

Because of this, romantic relationships tended to be social occurrences than private one-on-one interactions.

“A lot of times you’d talk to your friends and you’re like, ‘Oh I really like that person’ and they can act as

your ‘go between’,” Stern said.

For Stern, a large differentiating factor between now and then was the almost non-existent presence of homosexual relationships in the 70s.

“There was not a presence of anything at all but heterosexual dating. That was it,” Stern said. “If you wanted to date somebody of the same gender, it just didn’t happen.”

At a conservative high school like Stern’s, being openly homosexual was not an option for many students.

“I think that there was a lot of trauma associated with having to hide or not even acknowledge who you were really attracted to,” Stern said. “I think it took people getting out of high school and being able to get older to figure out that they could date who they wanted to.”

ART BY EDDIE MOBILIO BRECK

Passing notes, landlines and Rocky Horror Picture Show were part of the 80s, which were full of fun and music. Some 40 years ago, our teachers at CHS were finding their way through relationships and focused on getting home before curfew.

Danelle Mosher could spot major differences in dating sequences between the 1980s and today. French teacher and CR Instructor at CHS, Mosher revealed some memories that, for her, began collecting dust. Digging deep into her thoughts, she recalled those times in high school when stakes were high when someone’s “crush” was in the room.

Mosher thought of times when notes were passed from one another, confessing feelings back and forth, arranging dates and possibly even becoming partners. She would keep her eye out for slips of paper coming her way and what came after that.

“It went from someone who likes you to flirting with them and maybe sending notes to each other,” Mosher said. “But eating lunch together and hanging out would really help to get to know the person.”

Dating seemed to be a slower process for Mosher because of some specific factors. Having shared phones that ran on landlines was a homebase for fear. When Mosher heard the ring of the hung-up telephone on the wall, her parents would answer as she nervously thought it could be someone she had been waiting for.

Landline phones were connected in each home, depending on if you had more than one. It was possible to pick up one of the phones, and someone else pick a different one up and listen in on your conversation. This struck a little bit of nervousness in the eyes of Mosher, seeming that she’d wanted to have private conversations. Fortunately, her parents were very considerate and let her have her time.

“They would call and your mom would answer and you just talk,” Mosher said. “But my parents were very respectful. You’d sit and talk on the phone for like hours at night. I don’t know what the heck we talked about.”

Social media can now be used to strengthen a relationship with its quick communication. It’s something that wasn’t put into the world until 1997 making it a little more of a thought-out process for some people, including CHS librarian, Jeri Schneider. Schneider had encountered a few instances where dating was a possibility throughout high school. Major events that lead to these opportunities were school dances where people would try and find a date and hopefully create a spark.

“We usually would have a dance every month,” Schnei-

der said. “That was a chance where people could either ask somebody to go, but usually, I think usually for dances, people would go with friends and then you’d meet up with people you know.

Schneider has realized recently that through the use of social media, it’s easier to communicate with others ever since her son became involved in it. He was involved in MySpace right as he’d graduated high school, which was new to even Schneider herself.

“He might have had Facebook at some point,” Schneider said. “I don’t even remember when Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter all that stuff came out. I think that came out after he was done with high school.”

Leaving an era of Cabbage Patch Kids, we enter the 90s, a time of activism, social justice and Tamagotchi.

“It was so much more in person,” said CHS teacher Chloe Root. “It was just so much more direct.”

Root spent the beginning of their high school years at Huron High School, but eventually transferred to CHS. During these years, they observed a key difference between the amount of queer presence across the different schools.

“At Huron, I felt like I was not ‘out.’ I would hear people say homophobic stuff all the time,” Root said. “I wasn’t a member of their GSA, but I was an “ally” of the GSA. I was not about to try to put myself in danger.”

After transferring to CHS, Root was finally able to feel at home. “I always felt really safe here,” Root said.

Despite CHS typically being more open to queer students than other schools, there were still less openly LGBTQ+ individuals during this time.

“It was a very small group of people that were ‘out’ at community — way fewer than now,” Root said. “Basically everyone who was ‘out’ was in the GSA too. That was how we identified each other.”

70s, 80s and 90s alike, dating has changed a ton over the past 50 some years as the CHS staff laughed as they remembered the moments of their teenage years. Recalling the memories that shaped their lives, even just a little bit, shows how they are now.

V E O C S H

CHS alumni reflect on their high school relationships and what Community taught them about love.

BY IVY MILLER

“Community saved my life by treating me like I had worth,” said Andrea Lahodny, who graduated from CHS in 1991. CHS was a sanctuary for her; the unique level of respect between students and adults made Lahodny feel especially secure during a challenging time in her life.

f O

“I loved the independence and also the respect I received from teachers and other staff,” said Lahodny, who graduated from CHS in 1991. “I felt listened to and like my thoughts and ideas were valued.”

Lahodny recalls that forum relationships were more distant. Few forums did bonding activities off campus, like camping, but these connections were found in other ways.

“I think my relationships with adults shaped me a lot, because of the respect and freedom we were given by the adults around us,” Lahodny said.

In addition to a wide group of friends, she felt cared for by many staff members. Perhaps the most significant relationship was with Susan McBride, the secretary for the counselor.

“She was one of those people who made you want to be the best version of yourself because that’s what she saw in you,” Lahodny said.

Lydia Cocciolone, class of 2023 graduate, felt similarly about her former forum leader, Ryan Silvester.

“He was always so supportive of me no matter what, and I believe he really trusted me which is really meaningful to me,” Cocciolone said.

She found many people at CHS to be kind and feels very lucky to have had the opportunity to have attended the school.

“I think the whole Silvester forum has learned a lot about love and community because Ryan has grown up as a teacher with us,” Cocciolone said. “The class of 2023 was his first class he had for all four years and he did a really great job of holding strong morals and being kind.”

Her relationships with her peers also extended out of the classroom. Cocciolone ran cross country and track at Skyline High School. She thinks that this helped to broaden her friend group and find unique connections.

“After four years of getting to know the other people in my grade, I felt like I got to know so many of them,” Cocciolone said. “I think the whole class of 2023 got really close, especially in our senior year.”

She adopted a more open-minded approach to meeting new people during her time at CHS and Cocciolone plans to carry it with her through college and beyond.

“I have this new understanding that any person I meet could end up being a good friend of mine,” Cocciolone said.

She is compelled to talk to a variety of people that she meets because of the experiences she gained at CHS. CHS draws kids from all over the district which allowed Cocciolone to have a diverse group of friends.

Chava Makman-Levinson, class of 2020, is also grateful for her lifelong friendships that began at CHS.

The COVID-19 pandemic hit during Makman-Levinson’s senior year. Her class could have been torn apart, but made extraordinary efforts to stay connected.

“We went from being regular high school seniors to being the first COVID-19 graduating class togeth-

er, which brought us even closer,” Makman-Levinson said.

These strengthened relationships are ones that Makman-Levinson knows she can lean on in times of need, even years later.

“The funny truth is that sometimes I almost forget these are friendships that began in high school, since we have made such a large amount of memories since,” Makman-Levinson said. “It is just very special that we do share those roots and that they’ve seen me through so many phases of my life.”

Chava Makman-Levinson also had a particularly strong bond with one of her teachers at CHS. Marci Harris taught French at Slauson when Makman-Levinson was in middle school, and later moved to CHS.

“When I found out she was going to teach at Community, I was elated,” Makman-Levinson said. “Her kindness to me was astounding, and I always felt very at home with her being at CHS.”

Makman-Levinson also feels exceptionally grateful to Maneesha Mankad and Marcy McCormick for helping her master challenging topics without judgment. They offered her support and consistently showed excitement toward helping students learn.

Makman-Levinson is a senior at the University of Michigan study-

ing environmental science. She loves every minute of college and still gets to see her family with ease.

Makman-Levinson has a special and ongoing connection to CHS: her younger brothers, Jonah and Elijah, are sophomores split enrolled at CHS and Pioneer.

Many Ann Arbor families with students at CHS have deeper familial connections to the school. Cocciolone’s sister, Tia, is currently a sophomore at CHS.

Cocciolone graduated from CHS in 2023 and now attends the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Wash. She loves the natural areas in the area and continues to run competitively. Although the time difference and the geographic barriers between the sisters are significant, they find ways to stay connected.

Lahodny is yet another alum with current relationships with people at CHS. Lahodny lives in Ann Arbor with her husband and daughter, Ruby, who split enrolls at CHS and Pioneer. Though she didn’t know it at the time, her husband attended Huron High School at the time that she went to CHS. Lahodny is working as a financial analyst for Michigan Public Radio and feels proud to be an alumnus of CHS.

“It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows but as far as a high school experience in the 1980s, it was what I needed at the time,” Lahodny said.

HUG MORE

The importance of physical touch and the benefits of a hug.

BY KLAVA ALICEA

When babies are born, they enter the world experiencing a high level of physical contact. For nine months, a baby has been tightly connected to another human. After babies are born, and separated from this connection, they require enormous physical contact.

A newborn baby experiences positive touch in various ways, such as being held and rocked to sleep or having their diaper changed. Even small acts of physical contact teach a baby that their body is a safe place, which further grows confidence

When a person receives physical touch, a hug for example, there is a sense of security and calmness; those feelings release neurochemicals — serotonin, oxytocin, and dopamine, in the brain. Serotonin, oxytocin, and dopamine are neurochemicals

known as the “happy hormones” of the brain. When a newborn does not experience “happy hormones’’ from touch, there is touch deprivation. In severe situations, with touch deprivation, research has shown that children are more likely to suffer from attachment disorders, and they tend to be more violent.

Sexual health and trauma therapist Heidi Sproull further explained the necessity of physical contact for children.

“Human bodies are driven for touch, and if a child is not getting positive touch, they will seek negative touch: pushing and shoving, biting, kicking — an emotional outburst occurs,” Sproull said. “It’s how a developing brain and body learn where they begin and end and where the rest of the world begins.”

ART BY BEE WHALEN

In other words, it’s how we learn boundaries. These interactions are critical to emotional development.

It has been proven that people who experience more physical contact have a longer life, less disease, and are less prone to depression and people who are not exposed to physical contact experience increased mental health troubles.

“People who don’t get enough touch have more depression, have more anxiety, and in extreme cases, can develop different chronic pain disorders just from not getting enough physical touch,” Sproull said. “When a person does not receive enough physical touch, it can lead to feelings of insecurity, shame, and not belonging.”

Sproull discussed the mental de-

velopment missed when a young adult does not receive an average amount of physical contact.

“What happens is they learn that their body is not worthwhile, and it creates a fundamental feeling of shame and that it is not seen as a vehicle for positive connection,” Sproull said. “A kid can withdraw, avoid eye contact, and avoid deeper and more intimate conversation — it’s not just touch.”

Hugs can also create bonds within a family. Micah Stevens family is one example. In between the playful roughhousing and wrestling with his brothers, Stevens received many hugs from his mother as a child.

“My mom in particular gave me a lot of hugs when I was younger, and then I’d play-fight with my brothers,” Stevens said.

Lydia DeBord believes that before she gives a hug to a person, an emotional connection has to be built.

“I’m not someone who will meet a new person and then hug them. A connection has to be built first, emotional then physical, but the physical is earned in my opinion,” DeBord explained. “Hugs say ‘I like you.’ You mean something to me clearly, and I’m acknowledging your existence in a physical way.”

Samantha Magee emphasized how relationships become deeper and more meaningful through physical contact.

“Physical connection is important when building connections with people because it adds a layer of interpersonal communication,” Magee said.

Blen O’Brien finds comfort and a sense of security in both receiving

and giving hugs. O’Brien remembers being hugged from a young age by her family, particularly her father. In the O’Brien family, Mr. O’Brien is known as the hugger of the family. “Sometimes he just hugs us randomly throughout the day for us to know, hey, I’m here for you.”

A hug speaks more powerfully than words. When O’Brien hugs her friends, it shows her friends that she cares for them and that she is present with them, without speaking. Hugs are a nonverbal form of speaking that forms deeper connections.

Sally Kope, a former sexual health therapist and author of “Sex Matters for Women,” shared a story of a connection made through a hug.

Her husband, Marty Kope, and the young chef at their senior living home formed a connection through a hug.

When Sally Kope had asked the chef if she could reserve a room for Marty’s 90th birthday party the young chef imparted some wisdom.

“Sally, every morning, every time I see Marty, he hugs me,” the chef said. The hug carried meaning for the chef and for Marty --- so much that the chef didn’t charge the couple for the wine that they had requested for the party.

Physical touch builds the connections that we long for as humans. Connections make people happy. Connections make people feel safe and loved. Handshakes and hugs are more than a greeting; they form relationships. “Touch is not simply a concept or something that’s nice. It’s essential,” Kope said. “Hugs are reaffirming. I belong. I’m here.”

In the Spirit of

SHIDDUCH

Unveiling the intricacies of Jewish matchmaking, which shape the goal to find love within the Jewish community.

BY RUTH SHIKANOV

What if finding your soulmate was more than just chance? What if it was an age-old tradition? Beyond the randomness of serendipity, Shidduch or Jewish matchmaking is rooted in community and connection, preserving tradition yet embracing the contemporary. For Aleeza Ben Shalom, host of “Jewish Matchmaking” on Netflix, she fell into the matchmaking world after a good friend of hers told her about the job.

“When I first got married and we had two young kids at home, I started volunteer matchmaking online,” Ben Shalom said. “In matchmaking, you’re not just pairing yourself off with somebody, you’re joining a family, you’re joining a community, you’re literally a part of the world and somebody is picking that life partner to join them on this life path.”

Ben Shalom works with people from a wide spectrum of backgrounds, ages, locations and religious observances, forming personal connections with clients as they work together towards the important goal of finding a marriage partner.

“Matchmaking is an important role in all communities across the world,” Ben Shalom said. “Finding a life partner is the biggest decision that we make. A job, you can change. You don’t like where you’re living, you can move.”

The importance of matchmaking is not an opinion that only Ben Shalom holds — Leila Bank’s parents met on a Jewish dating website. Both of Bank’s parents grew up Jewish, which is an integral part of their identities; raising a family tightly rooted in Jewish traditions and values is a shared goal. To Bank, there was no external pressure from her

ART BY SANA SCHADEN

grandparents, but rather an internal pressure because her parents demonstrated how significant being Jewish is.

“I’ve talked to both my parents about it and my dad especially talked about how it’s easier to be with someone who’s Jewish, especially if you’re looking to marry and have kids,” Bank said. “You want to raise your kids Jewish and that doesn’t have to be a conversation. It just goes unsaid.”

The continuation of this cultural legacy, the passing down of traditions and the celebrations of religious holidays creates enduring bonds that unite Jewish families, which Ben Shalom observes among other religious communities

“I work with faith based matchmakers all across the globe,” Ben Shalom said. “We all have conversations in every community: Hindus, Muslims, Christians and Jews. Everybody has this philosophy of marrying within your faith, so that you can continue on the culture, the traditions, the religion, the beauty of what your community has to offer.”

As an Orthodox Jew herself, Ben Shalom recognizes that matchmaking is a part of the routine in the Orthodox community, but the practice is gaining popularity in the secular community.

“Matchmaking is something that’s going to be more widely accepted and more regularly used as a part of the process of finding your person,” Ben Shalom. “Dating apps will always be around, they’re out there and they’re popular, socially meeting online virtually is going to be out there, so is meeting in-person at events and programs. I think that’s all going to be there. But I

think that matchmaking is going to start to take a piece of that market share and say ‘no, but we have some thing to offer too.’”

Bank, who is secular, sees the ap peal of Jewish dating apps, given that her parents met on one, but the act of matchmaking requires a high er level of commitment and consid ers it to be her last resort.

“You’re dating to marry whereas when you’re on a dating app, you can go on one day and decide, no, thank you,” Bank said. “But you can’t re ally do that with a matchmaker. It’s like once you’re in it, you’re in it.”

But Ben Shalom feels that with matchmaking gaining popularity, that mindset will diminish.

“Some people will think, ‘ugh, it’ll be my last ditch effort and if I can’t do it on my own, then I’ll do it,’” Ben Shalom said. “But if you look online, at all of the shows and resources out there, they even have “Love is Blind” and these others where there isn’t a matchmaker, but it kind of is like there is a matchmaker because there’s people in the back, setting it up, bringing the right people in and then throwing them into these different scenarios to bring them together.”

family; within family, we find the power to shape a world where peace is not just a distant aspiration, but a lived reality. Ben Shalom emphasizes that finding a life partner and building a family actively contributes to communities and the world at large.

Matchmaking is not just the bond that shapes the lives of those seeking a match; it is also the cornerstone for futures where Jewish traditions, love and connection thrive among successful matches which lead to families.

“Most of my clients turn into friends and then we keep in touch. It’s this heart and soul business,” Ben Shalom said. “I get messages from clients at first with one child, then three. It’s very sweet.”

Ben Shalom believes that the quest

“People are going to be building their lives around the relationship that they build, that is the community that we’re involved with. One of the new phrases that I started to talk about is that world peace begins at home,” Ben Shalom said. “If we have peace in our home, we find a partner and we build a loving, healthy, happy relationship, and we have peace from the foundation. When we go out into the world and we go to work, we’re going to be happy and healthy. And when I go out into my community, I’m going to be healthy and happy and when I travel, I’m going to be healthy and happy.”

Photography by Nina Tinney

Kaylie Peters holds up a cup from a traditional Japanese tea set. Peters was taught that in a tea ceremony it is customary to present things with two hands. “My Baba has taught me a lot about Japanese culture,” Peters said. “It’s all credited to her.”

The Tie

Kaylie Peters describes how her grandmother has shaped her relationship with her culture.

BY NINA TINNEY

6,303 miles. That is the distance separating Kaylie Peters from Japan. But it is her grandmother — her home cooked meals and stories — that ties her to this place and makes it feel less far away. Peters’ grandmother was born in Tokyo, Japan in the 1940s. After experiencing the horrors of World War II, she left her homeland to pursue her education. In a fairly short time she got her physical therapy degree at Cambridge University, met her husband and moved to the United States.

Though Peters’ grandmother was familiar with moving around, it was in that moment, when the plane’s wheels skidded on an American tarmac, that she knew she was starting a new life — a life in which she would live in several different states, slowly grow her family and settle down in the crowded city of Fort Worth, Texas.

“I can’t imagine what it felt like to move to such a different place,” Peters said. “Especially in the 1960s, in a country that is predominantly white, it would be hard to express yourself. But my Baba pressed on.”

Peters’ grandmother was steadfast in her efforts to preserve her culture. She became a head of the Japanese society in Fort Worth and taught dozens of people in the area how to carry out traditional tea ceremonies. She also taught her children Japanese sayings, prepared bento boxes full of dumplings and sweet egg and told them stories of her time in Japan, never failing to remind them of where they came from.

“She was always trying to integrate the culture,” Peters said. “She wanted her children to know that they were Japanese and that wasn’t something they should ever hide or be ashamed of.”

Years later, her efforts affect a new generation. From the salty nori packed in her lunchbox to the little charms and trinkets hanging off her backpack, Peters is surrounded by Japanese culture. And these things are just a fraction of what Peters’ grandmother has shared with her and her sister over the years.

But that does not prevent Peter from experiencing doubt. Being only a quarter Japanese, Peters worries at times that she cannot claim this culture as her own. Having lived her whole life in the United States and being miles and miles away from Japan, that quarter can start to feel small. But whenever her confidence starts to waver, she knows she can turn to her grandmother.

“She is always teaching my sister and I about Japanese culture,” Peters said. “And even though we might not look like our Japanese relatives, she always makes sure that we feel like we are a part of the family.”

As the two sisters have grown to be more in touch with their Japanese side, they have great enthusiasm for the customs. The pair will enjoy traditional holidays, art and music, and have even learned how to host their own tea ceremonies. But even more valuable than that, the pair enjoys their grandmother’s company.

In all of this time spent with their grandmother, the sisters have found her to be an endless source of inspiration. Acting as a sort of matriarch in their family, the young girls admire her work ethic, her drive and above all her bravery. The bravery it takes to move across the globe, to uproot one’s life and start it anew.

“My Baba is someone that I will forever look up to,” Peters said. “She always encourages people to be themselves and to embrace who they are.”

In her teachings, Peters’ grandmother has done just that. In homemade meals, gifts and tellings of family history she has encouraged her granddaughters to be unapologetically themselves. Over time, Peters has come to understand that within the Polish, German and Scandinavian parts that make up her whole, she belongs in the Japanese part just as much as the others. That she is a puzzle and can find belonging in each and every piece.

Now, with every plate of dumplings and sip of tea, every kimono carefully tied in place and every evening spent listening to stories, Peters’ love for her grandmother grows, the tie with her culture strengthening.

Navigating Final Show Emotions

A closely bonded student-teacher duo share their journey as the year comes to an intermission.

BY MARISA ANDONI-SAVAS

PARKER HAYMART

In the backstage bustle, where the hum of anticipation permeates, resides the stage manager of Community Ensemble Theatre (CET). As Senior Parker Haymart steps into auditions, rehearsals, and performances, a new approach unfolds, marking a significant shift in his theatrical journey. At CET, Haymart has always embraced silliness and enjoyment. However, a bittersweet sentiment now colors his experience as the much-anticipated spring musical, “Natasha, Pierre & the Comet of 1812,” approaches — a show he’s been eagerly awaiting since its announcement last year.

Mixed emotions now tug at Haymart as he grapples with the realization that this marks his final performance.

“Getting all the pieces to come together is always exciting,” Haymart said. “I have so much faith in this show. I know it’s going to be so fun. But then also throughout the whole thing is always a thought in my head, this is the last time I’m going to see it all come together.”

Navigating this emotional terrain, Haymart finds himself uncertain about balancing the excitement and bittersweetness. His approach evolves in phases, with the initial

stages bringing excitement, yet he anticipates the encroaching sadness as the show’s end draws near — especially during senior send-offs. Despite the impending emotional complexity, Haymart eagerly looks forward to reuniting with friends and the CET community for one last memorable experience.

“I’m trying to focus on the now and how I still have so much time with CET and not focus on the endpoint,” Haymart said.

In the magnetic environment of CET, students effortlessly forge close bonds, particularly during tech week. Over the years, Haymart has worked with various individuals, witnessing their transitions while remaining a constant presence. His connection with Hannah Rubenstein, CET’s co-stage manager, and Emily Wilson-Tobin, CET’s Director, deepens, providing insight into their personalities through partnership and teamwork.

“I’ve learned their food cravings and the way they work. We’ve learned how to work together and collaborate seamlessly and we rarely have kinks,” Haymart said.

As a part of the overall crew student leadership, Haymart and some others have started to put on a performance for the cast during tech week. It has become a new tradi-

tion, as a way to say break a leg to the performers. One of Haymart’s favorite memories of bonding has been performing these short shows between performances on Saturday. They danced and sang to a song from “Pitch Perfect.” Those involved would sneak off during rehearsals and crew days to practice the dance. Sometimes it would be all of them or just two of them, whoever was there had a fun time working hard to learn the dance, choreographing it and learning the words with it.

When they finally got everyone in the theater for the performance they had light cues and microphones and props to accessorize the halftime show. It was a big collaborative effort of the crew giving a performance back to the cast.

“When we do the dance, I feel like a superstar doing it. It was a lot of fun with our costumes and choreography,” Haymart said.

As a cherished tradition, senior send-offs loom on Haymart’s horizon, evoking a blend of anticipation and trepidation. The heartfelt reminiscences shared during these farewells resonate, yet the departure of familiar faces, whether acquainted or not, leaves a poignant impact.

“I think this is a really beautiful way for me to end my time with this community, as well as other seniors to end their time here,” Haymart said.

Characterizing his senior year in one word, Haymart chooses “electric.” It encapsulates the constant jolt of energy, excitement and dynamic beauty that defines his experience. The anticipation becomes palpable in the midst of the myriad activities and people contributing to this once-in-a-lifetime, never-ending journey.

“The anticipation is insane,” Haymart said. “There’s so much going on with so many people doing so many things. To hear and see everything, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

CET’s

He has developed many bonds while stage managing, especially during Tech Week, when he spends his time calling shows. “I didn’t know coming into CET that I would find all these connections,” Haymart said. “I wouldn’t trade these friendships I have with everyone for anything.”

Photography by Hannah Rubenstein

stage manager, Parker Haymart, calls the dress rehearsal in the light booth.

EMILY WILSON-TOBIN

As the curtains rise on the second act of senior year in high school, the stage is set not only for the crescendo of musical endeavors but also for a reflective pause. Amidst the harmonies and choreography, it becomes evident that the heartbeat of Community Ensemble Theatre (CET) lies in the quiet yet profound relationships forged behind the scenes. The spotlight turns towards the transformative connections that define the shared journey in musical theater during this pivotal senior year.

At the helm of it all stands CET’s director, Emily Wilson-Tobin, offering sage words of advice. Despite witnessing numerous senior classes graduate, Wilson-Tobin is still navigating the best ways to cope. One strategy involves focusing on her excitement for the seniors, contemplating the next chapter of their lives and the discoveries awaiting them, serving as a reminder that the upcoming phase will, hopefully, be very enjoyable.

“I work in a space that is always fluid, so I’m always going to be experiencing loss,” Wilson-Tobin said.

Wilson-Tobin has come to realize the ongoing nature of relationship-building, something she thoroughly enjoys. She believes this is why bidding farewell becomes a more challenging endeavor for her. Simultaneously, she underscores the importance of allowing herself to feel the sadness, considering it a crucial element of the healing process.

“Allowing myself to be sad about it, I think, is really important,” Wilson-Tobin said.

In response to this emotional journey, she has implemented a week-long Senior Send-Off. Gathering thoughts and anecdotes from everyone involved allows her to reconnect with seniors, whether she has just met them or known them for years. This ritual serves as validation for the bonds formed and strengthened during the show process.

Reflecting on the recent production of Tina Howe’s “Museum,” Wilson-Tobin highlights the challenge of integrating new students into a show with multiple vignettes. She observed the initial anxiety of newcomers walking into a group

where pre-existing bonds were already established. However, as the production progressed, she witnessed the transformative power of mentorship and shared play, leading to a visible sense of belonging among the cast.

“As a result of the mentorship and the collaborative play, I started to see a visible feeling of belonging,” Wilson-Tobin said.

With her experience in witnessing the graduation of past senior classes, Wilson-Tobin offers valuable advice to those grappling with the bittersweet emotions of farewells. She emphasizes the importance of providing a safe space for students to feel whatever emotions arise, reassuring them that it’s okay to be sad and acknowledge the loss.

“I think if we pretend this isn’t happening, we’re not doing ourselves any service,” Wilson-Tobin said.

She also guides seniors in recognizing the impact they’ve had on CET, encouraging them to appreciate their achievements and the contributions they’ve made to the theater community.

“Look at how you’ve made your mark, look at what you’ve done, look how you’ve brought people in and created new traditions,” Wilson-To-

bin said.

Crucially, Wilson-Tobin strives to help seniors realize what comes next. Whether or not it involves theater, she emphasizes that what they have experienced in the CET community will always be a part of them. They carry those experiences into something new, different, and, in her opinion, better. The uniqueness and emotional charge of senior year, according to Wilson-Tobin, lie in the weight of the word “last.”

“It is the last fall play. It’s the last musical. It’s the last Just Desserts. Knowing whatever it is that’s next, whether it’s college or moving right on to your career or a gap year, I think it’s a transition into adulthood that is completely unique,” Wilson-Tobin said.

In the world of theater, each performance is a unique, unrepeatable moment, even when captured on video. For Wilson-Tobin, recognition is both gut-wrenching and deeply cherished, marking a transition to adulthood — a concept she believes should carry less pressure.

“My biggest advice? Be okay with living with the unknown at this point,” Wilson-Tobin said. “Live in it, enjoy it. You have so much adulting to do. Don’t rush it.”

The two have grown so close it’s as easy to fall into meaningful conversations as it is to work together in silence. “I’ve learned a lot about who she is and I’ve admired her since the beginning,” Haymart said. “It’s so much fun working with her.”

Photography by Hannah Rubenstein Haymart and Wilson-Tobin work together seamlessly.

Finding The One

Luciana Qu and Maneesha Mankad tell their unique love stories and how they ended up with their spouses. Each couple with their own unique story to tell.

BY AILISH KILBRIDE AND ANJALI KAKARLA

In 2012, Luciana Qu met her future husband, Kai Qu, at Michigan State University (MSU). During the first few months of knowing each other, they kept in touch but only as distant acquaintances. That is until Kai Qu became Luciana Qu’s friend’s roommate.

Slowly, after spending time in their mutual friends’ room, they began hanging out just the two of them. This eventually led to them spending every day of winter break together during Luciana’s junior year and Kai’s sophomore year.

“We hung out a lot over winter break,” Luciana Qu said. “ It just so happened that we were really into the same movies and we just really clicked. And it was really great. But the situation was complicated. It just didn’t happen.”

It wasn’t until four years later, in

2016, that the two started dating. The relationship moved quickly with the two moving in together three months into the relationship.

“I think things moved really fast because we just really liked each other,” Luciana Qu said.

The two didn’t see a need for a big celebration. They knew how they felt about one another, and that seemed like enough. Three years into the relationship, they eloped. It wasn’t until after the two had been legally married that they told both sets of parents that they had tied the knot. Their parents weren’t surprised, but encouraged a larger ceremony to celebrate with friends and family.

With the help of their families, they planned their wedding in three months. It was an all-inclusive wedding, right on the border of Detroit and Canada overlooking the river. If

it weren’t for their parents insisting that the two have to have a ceremony they wouldn’t have because it didn’t feel like a natural next step.

Because there was such a long gap between the two first meeting, being friends and then progressing into a relationship, Qu’s first impression of Kai was that he was kind of dorky and plain. She wasn’t interested in him very much. Now she understands that his quiet personality is reflective of the fact that Kai is a deep thinker and there are so many ideas going on in his head.

“I would say that we just kind of get each other,” Qu said. “We just get each other’s vibes. We don’t have to talk very much. I think that it’s one of those relationships where you are just super good friends. We are best friends, but we also really love each other.”

Photography by

Destany Colagrossi

Luciana and Kai Qu pose for photos by the waterfront in Detroit. They took photos to document their special moment. “I would say we just kind of get each other,” Qu said. “We just get each other’s vibes. We don’t have to talk very much.

I think it’s one of those relationships where you are just super good friends. We are best friends, but we also really love each other.”

On her first day in the United States, after coming here from India to get her master’s in statistics at The Ohio State University (OSU), Maneesha Mankad was set up with a tour guide in a blue sweater. She would soon find out that the man in the blue sweater, Vivek, was the president of the Indian Student Association. Most of the students who were into politics at the university that she came from in India were seen as “notorious,” which made her think twice about this new tour guide that she had just met.

He was instructed to come over and check in on Maneesha’s apartment the first night she was at OSU.

“It was his friend’s apartment, so I couldn’t say no,” Maneesha said. “My mom’s voice started playing in my head telling me that this could go sideways. This is a strange city. I didn’t know anybody in this part of the country. I thought to myself that I didn’t want a strange man coming into this apartment, but I can’t say no to him because it’s his friend’s apartment that I’m staying at until I find a place on my own. So he comes over and the whole time I’m plotting how to get him out.” Her first attempt to get him out was to point out that he must be busy because he was working on his Ph.D. at the time. However, the two

were on break from school which allowed for an easy response on his part. Despite her many attempts to get him away, he stayed. They began hanging out in the same friend group. She quickly started to notice his sense of humor, conversation abilities and intelligence

“We could talk for hours on end, but I was all of 20 years old and I did not want a relationship,” Maneesha said. “I was super serious and career-focused and I had no interest in having boyfriends at that point.”

Slowly, Vivek’s friends began to express to Maneesha how great he was and each accolade that he came with.

A few months later, Vivek wrote Maneesha a note asking if she would go out with him. After reading the note, Maneesha asked Vivek to meet at a local coffee shop where she explained that she wasn’t ready to be in a relationship yet.

“If I hadn’t fallen in love with him before that, I definitely did then,” Maneesha said. “What a great guy who has all the right attitude about how to treat women. He even knew how to respectfully address my reluctance to date him.”

Following this conversation, Vivek wrote again to Maneesha telling her that he was happy to be friends and was just grateful to be able to spend

time with her. He told her that even if things don’t work out and her path takes her somewhere else that is perfectly fine. Maneesha would go on to travel multiple times in the following months and began to learn that distance can make the heart grow fonder. She knew that once she started to miss him, she might be ready to try something.

When Maneesha got back to OSU, she would go on her first date with Vivek on the fourth of July.

“He told me that we would meet up with our friends at the fireworks,” Maneesha said. “He picked me up and we went over there and I looked and all I saw was a million people that were lined up by the river. We just kept walking for a while, looking for our ‘friends.’ He told me that we would run into them. So, it took me a little bit and after that, I realized I’m not gonna meet them. That was when I realized that it was our first date.”

The two have now been married for 30 years. Maneesha knew that she wanted to fall in love with someone who respected her and her morals, and Vivek checked every box. As they have raised their two daughters, they remind them of the importance of choosing a soulmate you believe wholeheartedly in, like Maneesha and Vivek.

“I am one of those people who is very careful in my choices,” Mankad said. “I’m not just going to commit lightly, because it mattered to me that my future husband was someone I could respect and identify with.”

Photography Courtesy of Maneesha Mankad Maneesha and Vivek Mankad pose on their wedding day. They took photos to document their special moment.

About Love

BY IONIE STEUDLE, CLAIRE LEWIS AND GREY PHILLIPS

While attending high school, it’s easy to get caught up in the crossfire of hormones and heartbreak. But through it all, Eleanor Farrell has loved and learned. Relationships come in all shapes and sizes, and nourishing the connection between friends, family and partners has been one of her biggest learning experiences.

Growing up, Farrell would sit next to the library shelves in her kindergarten classroom. She described making bonds as boiling down to “you look for what is similar.” She spied the only other blonde in her class, Elle McCreadie, and the logic of a 6-year-old said that they were destined to become lifelong friends. Through school and summer, they have always had each other. But as Farrell and McCreadie have passed through grade school, middle, and now most of high school, they have grown more differences than similarities.

These differences cause them to get on each other’s wits end here and there, but even though they get on each other’s nerves from time to time, Farrell said, “We’re just loving someone through the things that you know, make them, them.”

Turning towards romantic relationships, Farrell has come to realize her boundaries. “It’s interesting to see what I used to settle for,” Farrell said. “I used to assume that my needs were too much.” She accredits this fault to the lack of communication she’s experienced in the past.

With her current girlfriend, she is happier than ever. But setting boundaries and expectations can feel uncomfortable. With both Farrell and her girlfriend being non-confrontational people, establishing how discourse should go beforehand helped them realize that they don’t always have to agree.

“When you go into every confrontation or talk with someone assuming that you’re going to end up on the same page and you don’t, it can just be a letdown,” Farrell said.

But after their realization, communication between them became more of a dialogue rather than a monologue. Changing the tone of the discussion has proved beneficial for Farrell and her girlfriend. It’s like how in real estate they say “Location, Location, Location,” except with relationships it’s more “Communication, Communication, Communication.”

Farrell believes that if you have the choice to love someone, do. “Love people, it’s kind of fun,” Farrell said.

Through the crossfires of hormones and heartbreak, Eleanor Farrell has loved and learned. For Farrell, relationships come in all shapes and sizes, and nourishing the connection between friends, family and partners has been one of the biggest learning experiences for her.

“No.” A word we’ve all heard, more often than not from our parents. “No you can’t go out tonight.” “No, I don’t want him to come over.”

“No, not today...”

STAFF EDITORIAL

We have wanted sleepovers, or late night drives, or weekends away, and many of us, from time to time, have been denied.

For the vast majority of us, our parental figures hold sway over our social lives (or held it in our youths). They are the ultimate authority dictating who we spend our time with and when. That authority gives them the power to completely hamstring a relationship, whether it be newly burgeoning or as old as we are. How much sway that they hold varies by orders of magnitude.

There is certainly a case for their involvement. The primary threat to the well-being of a child is other people, and the primary role of a parent is caretaker. In having custody of a child, they take on a certain responsibility to ensure that no harm befalls that child. It follows then, that parents would take action to protect their children from other people. For the most part, parents are entirely well-intentioned in this vocation, wanting only what is best for their children. Issues arise when parent and child disagree upon what, exactly, is best for them.

There are some instances when the parent’s role is evident. We can almost surely all agree that parents should not allow their teens to consort with a middle-aged sex offender. We would likely all agree that no parent should entrust a stranger on the street with their five-year-old daughter. But the line quickly grows fuzzy.

The matter of age is a key example of this fogginess. Most parents would likely agree that at a certain point, age differences can become inappropriate. However, most parents would also likely disagree about where exactly that point is. Should a 16-year-old be dating someone twice their age? Certainly not. A 17-year old and a 25-year-old? Probably not. An 18-year-old and a 22-year-old? Unclear. What about an 18-year-old and a 19-year-old? That passes muster. Now make the 18-yearold a 17-year-old. Is it acceptable for them to date? Now, what if they started dating when they were 15 and 17? Clearly, the question becomes difficult to answer. Not to mention a host of other factors that merit consideration, including the merit of the suitor.

This leads to a second gray area. Should a parent have the power to impede a friendship or relationship simply because they do not like the other person in the pairing? Most children would consider this an abuse of power. Why does it matter if your mom likes your new friend? She doesn’t have to hang out with them. But what if the

reason your mom doesn’t like your new friend is because they treat you badly? What if your dad thinks your girlfriend is going to break your heart? Take it even further, what if your parent thinks that they pose a threat to you? What if a friend is taking advantage of you? Or a partner is abusing you? Shouldn’t your parents intervene? Isn’t it their responsibility?

Parents do have a responsibility to intervene. Adolescence is an important time for development, especially when it comes to decision making. We tend to be more impulsive in our youths, sometimes making decisions that will negatively impact us in the future. Parents, with the benefit of their fully developed brains, can help us make more responsible choices. Additionally, with years of experience under their belts, they can offer insight into healthy friendships and relationships. However, in making all of their children’s decisions, parents can prevent their children from gaining valuable experience that will become essential as children leave the nest. No one can be helicopter-parented forever, and no one can be fully independent while their parents are still dictating every relationship, be it platonic or otherwise, that they are in.

Making mistakes is how we learn, and there are a great host of mistakes that can be made when it comes to forming and maintaining relationships. Friendships begin, they end, and they change. So do romantic relationships. Navigating these relationships with some degree of independence is essential to development. Having bad friends teaches us how to choose better ones. Losing friends can teach us to be better friends. Dysfunctional relationships can show us what it is we need and want in a relationship, as well as what we most definitely do not need and certainly don’t want. If our parents are always at the wheel, we never learn how to steer.

As a result, parents must achieve a delicate and difficult to maintain balance. A balance that allows their children to make mistakes, but also prevents them from being seriously hurt. It is not an easy balance to find. But children can help. Open and honest communication between parents and children can help parents to establish boundaries, as well as give children an avenue to address those boundaries. With flexibility, consideration, and empathy for their children’s complicated thoughts and feelings, parents can keep them safe while respecting their independence.

Disappointment flashed across my teacher’s face when I couldn’t remember the next note. Time stood still as I tried to remember what came next and avoid my teacher’s eyes. It never worked. Her eyes always found mine, and in those moments, I wanted to curl up and hide and pretend like it never happened. I felt embarrassed that my fingers couldn’t move to the right spot after practicing all week to get it right.

As a 5-year-old, receiving that feeling from a teacher I looked up to hurt my self-esteem and confidence. It made me realize how much I value others’ opinions.

I was invested in the violin from a young age. I would be in the same basement of my violin teacher’s house every week. I started to dread those lessons because I feared my teacher would say I didn’t do enough.

I spent hours practicing how to hold a violin under my chin, how to position my feet and how my fingers wrapped around the bow. Most importantly, I learned how to listen to myself. She would make me repeat a piece so many times that I would become bored, but it still wasn’t good enough for her.

It felt like it never was. I always felt like it was my fault, like I didn’t do enough and the lesson was a waste. It never occurred to me that maybe it wasn’t my fault until later in my life.

When I finally switched violin teachers, I felt more free, but the fear of ‘messing up’ stayed with me. The feelings of embarrassment soon turned into disappointment for myself, and that turned into more pressure on myself. Even today, I still worry to the point where I’m sweating because I’m scared that it won’t be perfect. But I’ve learned that music isn’t something I can perfect.

One turning point in my musical journey that taught me perfection shouldn’t be a goal was during a recital. We were in a church, and I wore a white top and a black skirt. I knew the piece by heart, but there was one section that would always trip me up. If I got the first note of the section right, I was set.

By the time of the concert, I was confident I’d nail it. But when that section came, I stood up there blankly and didn’t play a note. I panicked. The silence grew louder as everyone waited to hear another note. My fingers couldn’t think. Holding my tears in, I stopped my piece there and sped-walked over to my mom.

My mom snuck me out so she could calm me down. I was full-on crying by that point. My chest heaved and my breathing was unsteady. Her encouraging words helped me get back up on the stage at the end of the concert to play my piece again. I didn’t want to do it. I would have rather left the church and not talk to anyone. I felt like a disappointment. To myself, my mom and my teacher. How could I not remember the piece? I had prepared so much for that moment but couldn’t pull through.

Looking back, I’m proud of myself for going up a second time and finishing my piece. I played to see my mom smile and her face glow. In the moment, I would’ve felt more joy and a sense of relief if I had played it right the first time. But because I wasn’t ‘perfect,’ I have the mem-

ory of that vivid recital. It was a sunny day, and I was excited. My mom and dad sat on the left side towards the back. I remember the people: my teacher, her daughter and the other students I looked up to. I remembered what the church looked like: the steps that we took to enter, the intricate wooden door leading into the church and the little bench that my mom calmed me down at.

That experience taught me that music isn’t flawless. It’s something that is played for enjoyment. I can look at a piece of paper with black lines and circles and read a whole new language. I can perform it in a way that hasn’t been played before, emphasizing certain notes and phrases based on my liking. I can read the music and make it louder or softer. I can change the tone of the music so that it expresses my thoughts and feelings.

Over the years, practicing an instrument has become more and more of a solitary activity. Sometimes practicing is more of a chore — a responsibility like my homework is. Because I’m alone, it can be hard to convince myself to practice and block out time in my schedule.

However, practicing alone has allowed me to explore and experiment with different ways I can play the piece. It’s a way to get away from school and stress. I can get lost in the rich sounds of my violin that echo warmth and melancholy as I fall into my own world.

Playing an instrument stimulates my brain differently than other activities. It makes me use different ideas and knowledge that’s not just memorizing, but more trying out new fingerings or patterns and applying techniques to change the feel of the music.

It shows me what independence can look like: learning tools that can help me in the future, making decisions based on my opinions and having the confidence to start over whether it’s relearning a piece or rewriting an article.

Playing the violin has taught me patience and concentration. I learned these skills from the very beginning as I would constantly get frustrated with myself. Practicing takes concentration and commitment to push through the hard days.

Having a task I repeatedly come back to has allowed me to create strong habits. As an elementary schooler, it was difficult to stay engaged for long periods. But slowly building up my mental endurance and concentration over time has let me use those skills to focus for longer times and avoid burnout.

Above all, the violin has shaped many aspects of my life. It’s a large part of who I am. Time will always move forward, it doesn’t stop. It’s always best to try and play the next note and continue with no hesitations.

Music has been with me my whole life. Every experience I’ve had with the violin has impacted the way I play, my thoughts, the way I carry myself and the way I express myself. I will always need and enjoy others’ help, but sometimes it’s nice to be able to do things on my own. My musical journey has not ended yet. I may have created a first note, maybe a first page, but I haven’t composed an ending yet.

The Idea of Love

I have always loved the magical idea of love, but the love we see in movies isn’t quite what real love looks like.

BY ISABELLA MALDONADO

I love the idea of love. For as long as I can remember, love has been something that I have wanted to attain. The illusive feeling of falling head over heels for someone and having a fairytale ending, the kind where you’re so in love your foot pops (just like in “The Princess Diaries”). But being in love in this day in age feels so unattainable, it’s practically a fairytale in itself.

As a young girl, I fell in love with the movie “The Beauty and The Beast,” from the dresses and talking antiques to the magic of falling in love, I was head over heels for the movie. Our names Belle and Bella are even similar, so how could I not dream of being Princess Belle? But when wanting to be Belle becoming a princess and befriending talking candles wasn’t the most fictional part, falling in love was.

My parents have been separated for what feels like the beginning of time to me, so I never had a true example of what being in a loving relationship looked like. I remember at the start of kindergarten we had to draw a family portrait. Most kids in my class had a portrait of a classic American family: a mom, a dad, a sibling or two and a dog to top it off. But mine looked nothing like theirs. I had two different family portraits, one with just me and my mom, and one with my dad and half-siblings. When seeing my friend’s parents happily married, I was left with a pestering question: What is love? It was one of my favorite questions to ask as my mom tucked me into bed, “Why is the sky blue?” “What happens if

you leave water boiling?” and “What is love?” A question holding so much weight slipped in between questions on the oddities of the world.

I want to know the answer to the question, “What is love?” Does loving the idea of love just mean you don’t truly know what it is?

With my generation, I feel as though the idea of love has gotten even more out of reach. The multitude of movies about captivating love stories coupled with the never-ending confusion of high school relationships is a heart-wrenching concoction for hopeless romantics. Movies like “The Notebook” and “10 Things I Hate About You” put the majority of high school relationships to shame. At the start of high school, I would sit with my friends and watch movies like these, and wish for a magical love story, but love isn’t linear.

The kind of love in these movies has always left a hole in me wondering if something like this exists, and I think it does, but not in the picture-perfect kiss in rain kind of way, that superficial way of thinking is the idea of love, not actual love.

I think in some ways the kind of love that is realistic is what fulfills me and drives me. I no longer chase for the love story of a lifetime. I am content with the actual love that I have found in friendships and family. Love is hard. Love is trust. Love is respect. It is better to have a love that is real rather than have a movie kind of love. Love does not define you.

ART BY BEE WHALEN

Bigger Than a Definition

Taking a closer look at the impact that different models of society have on us as individuals will help us understand how to better engage with each other.

BY ALLEGRA BLACKWOOD

I have never made a Father’s Day card. That may seem like an inconsequential thing considering all that I do have, but it was something that I thought about every year when in elementary school my teacher would announce that it was time to craft that year’s Father’s Day gift. I read whatever book I had immersed myself in at that time and watched as my classmates made cards, paper suits and ties. At the end of the day, I never had a gift to put into my backpack.

When I got home after my classmates had spent the last hour of school making Father’s Day gifts, I was greeted with open arms by my mom. Growing up my mom has been my rock. Every single day she inspires me as she takes the time to pay the bills, help me with household chores, and still manage to dedicate her extra time to me.

I have never once thought of my mom as simply “my adopted mom;” Since I could talk I have always called her mama. She’s the one who was there for me when I had a hard day at school and I needed someone to talk to. She was the one that makes sure we always celebrate Ethiopian Christmas, on Jan. 7 in order to honor my culture. She is the one I run to whenever I need a hug. On the other hand, whenever someone asks me how many people are in my family, I don’t know what to say.

Do I go with my “biological family,” the people that are blood relatives of my mom, do I include all of the family friends that I call my aunts, uncles, cousins, grandmothers, and grandfathers? When I make a family tree, who am I supposed to put on it? Do I put Emily on the tree?

She’s known me ever since I was a little kid, she got me the blanket decorated with hearts and peace signs when I was little that I still use to this day. Or do I put my “biological cousin,” Athalia on that family tree? Ever since I was little we have always been close, especially since I jumped on her bed every morning whenever she came to visit at 6 a.m. Recently we had a family trip to Colombia, my mom had stayed home, and so my aunt and uncle were put in charge of me. At one point I walked around the streets of Colombia with my cousin in tow. We left a family dinner early in order to talk. I couldn’t help but ask her why she took pity on me, “Tía Karla’s poor little orphan daughter who wasn’t even biologically related to her.” With no hesitation she turned to me and said “Don’t ever say anything like that ever again.” She told me that it didn’t matter that I was adopted because we were family no matter what. It didn’t matter that we weren’t related by blood, because she was the one that wished me Happy Birthday every year, and held me when I was little after we had finished making

Christmas cookies.

I was sometimes nervous about going to big family events like weddings or funerals. When my cousin Nioly’s wedding rolled around I was so excited for her, and although I knew there wouldn’t be anyone there my age, I knew my cousin, and she was a lot of fun. When it was time to take family pictures with the bride and groom, I stood to the side at first. I wasn’t sure whether or not I should be included. Not only did my cousin make sure that I got in all of those family wedding photos, she personally took a bunch of selfies with me that I love and cherish to this day. While I wasn’t the person biologically related to my cousin, she viewed me as family and wanted to include me in her special day.

I suppose the meaning of family is different for every single person. Family can be your best friend, family could be your former elementary school teacher, your favorite tiny-business owner or even someone that you haven’t even found yet. One of the most crucial things in life is figuring out what the definition of family means to you, not a random dictionary definition.

AGREE TO

Having strong parental relationships should be a priority for teenagers.

BY PAIGE PLAVNICK

From the minute you’re born, you spend a large amount of time around your parents. They are the people that you know you can rely on, who take you to school and who buy your toys. As one grows up into their teenage years, how much should this relationship be prioritized?

Although stress piles up with friendships, schoolwork and extracurricular activities, those should never be prioritized over parental relationships. It is so important to set aside time to spend with parents, because there are many beneficial effects.

Emmy Wernimont is a senior at CHS. She tries to set aside time with her parents, even when life gets busy, and schoolwork piles up. She finds that spending time with her parents helps relieve some of the stress that comes with school.

“I do think it’s important to spend time with your family, especially as I’m thinking about going to college,” Wernimont said. “After this I probably won’t live with them ever again.”

Some people think that it is more important to prioritize school, friends and other activities while in

high school because of how stressful it can get. Although schoolwork should occasionally be prioritized, a parental bond is so important for growing up and learning life lessons. This connection is so important for teenagers, even though they don’t always realize that in the moment.

Studies from the University of Michigan are now showing that any type of parental figure is important in a child’s life, which means that this should be prioritized especially in teen years.

A close relationship with parents can increase academic proficiency, because stress levels decrease and parental figures can help push teens to their greatest potential. This means that a strong parental relationship will unintentionally strengthen academics.

Strong relationships with parents in teenage years also yield social and emotional benefits. Teens learn vital social behaviors and strategies for mental health from parents.

Giselle Shikwana, a sophomore at Pioneer High School, is close with her parents and enjoys spending time with them. She has found that as school work piles up, her parents are able to help teach her import-

ant organizational skills with her schoolwork. Shikwana enjoys being able to have quality time because it makes her feel more open with her parents, and she has the time to tell them about events in her life.

She has also found that the things she is learning from her parents don’t only help with school but also in social situations. This is important because she is able to apply their advice in difficult situations.

“My parents help teach me how to be successful and confident,” Shikwana said. “This has really helped with social situations because I am able to be myself”

In an article from Middle Earth, an organization focused on teaching teens responsibility, and independence, it says that “Several studies demonstrate that positive parent-adolescent relationships also are associated with self-confidence, empathy, a cooperative personality, and psychological well-being.”

Due to the changes in hormones, social lives, school and relationships during teen years, parental figures are essential in navigating these adjustments. They are there to provide advice and support, which is especially helpful throughout teen years.

DISAGREE

Having a strong relationship with both parents and friends can help you be successful as a teen.

BY MIA RUBENSTEIN

As a teen, having a strong bond or relationship with at least one of your parents is important.

However, to a greater extent, having a tight relationship with both your parents and your friends can help you be successful in life and school.

Having a close relationship with at least one of your parents can help you in life, as parents teach many important life lessons and serve as role models for their children.

Parents can also influence the development of their children’s values and help create core memories and traditions that they will remember for the rest of their lives.

Tia Cocciolone is a sophomore at CHS. Her mom has taught her independence and how to take on responsibilities.

“She’s definitely taught me a lot about self motivation,” Cocciolone said. “Because she isn’t very pushy for me to do stuff, but she still makes me want to do my chores to contribute to the health of the household.”

Cocciolone believes that while her parents have different kinds of input related to her education, two types are both appreciated.

“My dad is more concerned with

my education in social ways and experiences, while my mom definitely cares about my grades,” Cocciolone said. “I feel like the combination of both of those encourages me to not only pursue things that I enjoy, but also value my education and think about my future.”

It is clearly shown that having strong relationships with parents are important. However, research also shows that having strong relationships with friends as a teen is crucial.

In a 2016 study led by Uink, Modecki and Barber, it was found that teens’ development and sense of belonging is because of their strong reliance on relationships with friends.

They also found that when teens are suffering from a trauma, they overcome the trauma better with guidance from their friends than they do with adults or parents.

The article states, “Peers can encourage teens, cajole them out of a bad mood, or simply take their mind off worries. While educators, parents, and other adults may feel responsible for soothing teens’ stress, Uink also encourages them to help young teens cultivate their power to help each other.”

As a teen, having strong relationships with friends can offer support and joy in times when life is difficult or stressful.

CHS freshman Lucy Lowenschuss loves the support and joy that comes along with having friends in classes.

“They help me not fall behind and push me to do my work,” Lowenschuss said. “We can just have conversations and work together, getting through hard parts and laughing at good parts.”

According to a study conducted by University of Virginia’s Professor of Psychology, Joseph Allen, “Good teen friendships equal success later in life.”

As described above, it is shown in research done by professionals that having a healthy balance of teens’ relationships with their parents and friends is important for success in life and school.

Community High School students have illustrated the importance and value of balancing close relationships with both family and friends.

“I definitely get a lot of support from my friends and family,” Cocciolone said. “I’m independent, but I got my people.”

The Adaptation Of Arranged Marriages

How the ancient tradition of arranged marriages in South Asian culture has evolved while simultaneously maintaining its roots.

BY SANA SCHADEN AND ISABELLA JACOB

Dust filled the air as I, Isabella Jacob, retrieved my grandparents’ wedding album. My grandma pointed to a tall, frightened looking man with an army sized family surrounding him. She told us the story of how she met him, her future husband, a few days before they got married. A Hollywood romance or the concept of falling in love was foreign to her as she retold the story. My grandmother’s family had a stack of paper, all containing potential suitors for their eldest daughter, and they noticed my grandfather spoke English.

Since my grandmother had already immigrated to America, they thought he would have an easier time getting a well paying job in the states. This sole skill was the basis of why my grandparents got married; it was a decision made to help the success and hopefully finances of the family. Love, compatibility and the feelings of the bride and groom were not in consideration.

Today, they’ve been married for over 50 years.

The start of the story though is often what’s hidden, my grandmother originally didn’t want to get married. Since she was the eldest of her family her parents worried if she didn’t get married it would tarnish the reputation of the family.

A major contribution to the continuation of the system of arranged marriages is rooted in upholding a “reputation” of a family that disproportionately affects women to this day. This outdated system continues to place sexist social standards over the well being of women and is used as a system of class reproduction in South Asia and the diaspora.

Arranged marriages have been a part of South Asian culture for centuries. Many historians believe that arranged marriages in the South Asian subcontinent started in around the fourth century when Vedic religions started to lose their stronghold to more classic forms of Hinduism. Rather than deciding your future partner by yourself, arranged marriages incorporate a family into deciding. Traditionally, their priorities for compatibility value caste, appearance and social and economic status rather than personality and interests. Social determinants affect whom your child can marry.

Couples who belong to marginalized communities are disproportionately affected by the negative impacts of arranged marriages. According to a study published in the Indian Journal Of Community Medicine, 39% of women reported they were abused. Women who have a lower household income, illiterate or belong to a lower caste are at a higher risk of experiencing domestic violence.

For others, arranged marriages have started to adapt in a technologically interconnected and advanced world. In the past, parents in India made nearly all of the decisions in regard to their children’s arranged marriages — from partners to wedding plans to living arrangements. Now, individuals exercise significant autonomy in the marriage process. Many matches are made by parents and their children through online marriage sites. While it is essential to differentiate between modern and historical, often repressive arranged marriage, the issue of social reproduction persists today. Even through modern arranged marriage sites, families take into consideration a plethora of factors about a prospective partner.

According to an article by CNN, “Matrimonial sites

function in a similar way to dating sites, encouraging users to post their personal information to find a match… Occupation, income, religion and caste are all listed. For women, the post might also specify their weight, body type and complexion.”

Factors like race, religion and class often play a large role in matchmaking. For example, Hinduism is built on a system of castes, a pyramid of hereditary social classes that determine one’s status. Families often avoid partners in lower castes than their own. In fact, according to an article in the Harvard Political Reviews, around 90% of South-Asian marriages take place within one’s own caste.

This system maintains a long standing social hierarchy that preserves prejudice and oppression of lower castes.

Though racial diversity as well as other types of diver-

“

INSTEAD OF THE WESTERN MODEL OF “FAIRY TALE LOVE,” FAMILY COMES FIRST AND LOVE COMES SECOND.

sity within a marriage are essential to societal progress, it is important to consider how arranged marriage works well in some cases.

For example, the expectation in an arranged marriage is to adapt to one another. Instead of the Western model of “fairy tale love,” family comes first and love comes second. According to an article by The Times of India, “When you are in love with someone and wish to choose them as your life partner, you need to make many compromises. Love marriages demand give and take and you will have to sacrifice many things to meet the expectations of your lover to facilitate the marriage union.” The expectation that your partner should be your sole support system is much less with arranged marriage. Instead, partners often rely heavily on family support, making smaller acts of service or empathy from your partner feel more significant.

Though the system of arranged marriage started and continues to be used as a system of social reproduction, it has also evolved into a family system that often supports women in India who are increasingly working outside the home to have built-in support not often found in Western culture. Modern arranged marriage asks us to question how we choose partners and the needs we have not just in relationship but to raise a family successfully. It is true that individuals exercise greater autonomy finding a match now than ever before, however, the risk of forced marriage does still exist today, particularly within lower income communities. Perhaps, modern arranged marriage simply perpetuates the idea of marriage as a system of social reproduction and refusal to break traditional values more explicitly than love marriage, both being institutions of patriarchy.

The Dreadful Talking Stage

The talking stage is nothing but confusion and awkwardness, why is it even necessary for us to have it?

BY ISABELLA MALDONADO

Absolute confusion. That is what the so-called “Talking Stage” feels like most of the time. According to Cosmopolitan, the “Talking Stage” is “a vague descriptor for an early pseudo-relationship full of texting and talking — and maybe even full-blown dates and hookups — but no commitment.” The most important part of that definition is that the talking stage is vague — so vague that you could be in one and not even know it. The biggest supporter of the talking stage for teens has been the app Snapchat.

Over 350 million Snapchat users are part of Gen Z, which explains why the app is notorious for being where teens meet. Although Snapchat has been the biggest platform for high school teens to engage with each other, the quickly disappearing conversations and “Snapscores” have just added to the confusion of being a teenager, and more specifically, the confusion of the talking stage.

Most of the time it starts like this: someone adds you or vice versa on Snapchat, you start sending streaks or send a simple “Hey,” and from there you start the treacherous journey, no matter how long or short, of the talking stage.

“The talking stage can take ages and I think that’s horrible,” said CHS junior, Eloise MacDougald.

MacDougald defines the talking stage as different for everyone, which is where the confusion starts. She never knows beyond the fact that they have a mutual interest in each other what they mean to each other.

In MacDougald’s perfect world, she would become friends with a person first and then find out that they have the desire to be more than friends. She wishes that she would know that they would work together before spending countless hours on the confusion that the talking stage brings.

“If you’re friends with them and there’s still that like tension or romantic intention or something then you know that like it’s there,” MacDougald said. “You already like each other as people and you’re compatible.”

Although MacDougald would rather start a relationship with someone she already knows for a fact that she’s compatible with, she finds that it’s not usually how that works. MacDougald finds that it is necessary to use Snapchat to talk to people and form connections because of Snapchat’s popularity, but the app adds a plethora of new hurdles to the teen dating scene.

“I think it’s the new age that Snapchat has brought us into because it’s so easy to just add someone in your quick adds or get someone’s snap,” MacDougald said. “Just because people are less inclined to just go up and start speaking to someone and people don’t really see each other. It’s just more complicated. So Snapchat is kind of a way that we’ve adapted to that.”

When meeting someone online and having your first

connections be through the screen, it is hard to tell who they actually are. You have no idea if the person on the other side of the screen is truly someone you’re compatible with. When you don’t get to often see how a person is in their friend groups or in social situations it can be hard to tell the kind of person they are underneath the niche things you tell each other about yourselves.

“At the beginning it’s more about how you portray yourself rather than like who you actually are because it’s so easy to create someone else on Snapchat for yourself to be,” MacDougald said.

As the talking stage goes on, the muddled view of what you mean to each other does not clear. The communication skills of teenagers are usually not great, but when you add in the newness of a person and not knowing how you feel it adds another layer to a haze of unclarity. Claire Theiss, sophomore, thinks that most of the confusion surrounding the talking stage comes from a lack of communication and honestly on both ends.

“The talking stage is typically like the foundation of a relationship and like, if you aren’t communicating during it, most likely you aren’t going to be communicating well if you actually end up being in a relationship. That’s not healthy,” Theiss said. “I feel like most of the time talking stages go nowhere because no one’s bold enough.”

Theiss thinks more than half the time talking stages don’t turn into actual relationships — people who once thought they had a connection turn back into strangers who were never enough to have a name for each other like an ex, but definitely weren’t nothing. It can be disappointing to see someone you used to know become someone you can’t make anything but polite conversation with anymore. Through social media it can be even worse, watching them live their life without you and think about the potential of what could have been.

“If it’s someone that you genuinely liked and had feelings for and you bonded, it can be sad to see that just disappear and then watch them because you still see them,” MacDougald said. “You still see them and you still see their life from an outsider’s perspective, and I think that’s sad to see that you’re not included in their new life.”

Although the talking stage is hard, confusing and ruthless, it is also what makes being a teenager interesting. The more you live and experience life, no matter how upsetting it might feel at the time, it shapes you into the person who you are. We should see the talking stage less as a stressor and more as an experience to learn how to communicate with people we care about. Take a step back and remember that you’re living your life for the very first time — it is okay that you don’t know everything.

Why the simple act of writing one’s thoughts might be the key to improving our health and relationships.

BY JONATHAN CARTER

Journaling is something that has been a source of inspiration in my life for a while now. The idea of documenting my life in a small unprotected journal was more than comical to me. However as time went on my life became more and more hectic, filled to the brim with new stresses, new pains and new challenges. The need and case for journaling became one of more and more importance for me. And in hindsight, it was probably for the better.

In a way, I had been journaling for years. Social media, a place for documenting and sharing our lives, is a form of journaling — just an extremely public form of it. Documenting everything publicly and living in the public sphere took a toll on me. Reducing the time I spent journaling on these platforms, and increasing the time I spent journaling in my notebook in a quiet room with a dimmed light bettered my mental health and improved my relationships. Taking pen to paper and writing what’s on one’s mind until there’s nothing left to write, it’s a lost art form we must consider picking back up for our minds, for our health and more importantly for our relationships.

Back in May, after numerous attempts from those around me, I tried to get myself into journaling. I finally decided to try it after my sister, Amber, gifted me an Opal House Monogram Journal from Target for my 16th birthday. My sister Amber, who loves to write, has been journaling since she was a senior in high school 14 years ago.

She never considered herself a writer, or even close to one, but when faced with a break-up she turned to journaling as a way to cope with her grief.

“I never considered myself a writer, and still don’t but the stresses of life lead me to the wonders of journaling,” Amber said. “I’m just mad that I didn’t get into it earlier. There’s just numerous other times that the de-stressing journaling provides could’ve helped me throughout my teens.”

I didn’t take it seriously at first and honestly didn’t know how to. I didn’t even know where to start, what to write about, or what to use to write in the journal.

Should I erase it? Keep writing? Does this sound right?

These are just a few of the questions that I would constantly ask myself every time I decided to pick up the journal. I’d spend hours just looking at blank lines on the thick, glossy paper, afraid to write with the pen my sister encouraged me to write with.

“Once you place that ink down there’s no coming back,” Amber said. “The journal was a place for the constant stream of thoughts, not a constant stream of correction.”

In hindsight she was right, but I was there thinking about the possibility of someone finding this journal. It’s difficult to be intimate and free with something like a journal. Especially if it’s your first time. You have to be brave and bold and eventually you’ll find your stride. I soon found my stride. One week later, I filled the entire book. It was everything others promised it would be:

therapeutic, relaxing, empowering and freeing. I found myself choosing to journal over posts on social media. Sometimes it is best to leave things closed in something that’s only for our eyes. If I had found this out sooner maybe I would have better relationships with some friends and relatives. If I would’ve taken my grief and anger about some of the break-ups and fights I’ve had over the years to a journal and de-stressing in that way, how would I be better off in the end? How would that transfer and present itself into the now?

So then I guess the question presents itself: What is journaling?

In essence, journaling is the process of letting your ideas and thoughts flow out into a notebook or some other digital medium. If you ask me, it’s best to let this process progress and play out onto a page. But to each their own.

There are so many different ways to journal and that’s what makes it a great choice. If you have a to-do list with some tight deadlines or a daily schedule to keep track of, if you need to do some note-taking or need to make a grocery list, journaling is a great way to manage and your daily routine. You can write all of these things on the notes app or a Google Doc, but there’s nothing quite like putting pen to paper and physically writing it

I could go on for ages but the point is if you’re like I was and don’t know where to start, where to turn to, or how to even wrap your head around a journal, there are so many prompts or journal types you can choose to jump-start your journey. You don’t journal because you feel like you have to (although some do for organizational reasons). You should journal because you want to. It should be an enjoyable experience that you almost have to be pulled away from.

With all of this, I encourage you to pick up a pen or pencil and find yourself a dedicated notebook you can call a journal. And just spend 30 minutes writing down anything and everything that comes to mind no matter how crazy, how bland, how boring, or how irrelevant you might think those thoughts are. I promise you your mind, health and relationships won’t regret it.

As the name suggests, you write love letters to each other in a love letter journal. You can just write love messages to each other in an ordinary journal. Along with the location of the diary, a schedule would be decided upon. These are genuine declarations of your love for one another, and they would be enjoyable to reflect on over time.

If you and your partner have struggled to communicate effectively or get along, it could be a good idea to start a Conflict Resolution Journal. Take out two diaries, one for each partner. When you start to argue, take a moment to write out your feelings and ideas in the conflict resolution journals. Take as much time as necessary, then switch journals and have a conversation (ideally reaching a peaceful conclusion).

Sharing this journal with friends would be a lot of fun if you wanted to find out how they perceive you and vice versa. You start the process by having each friend write down three things about their other friends that they think their friends are “most likely to.”

READERS WRITE

Short personal narratives centered around staff experiences with people, places and things they love.

LUCIA PAGE SANDER

I think I must’ve practiced for hours that day, grinning each time I sprinted toward the lemon-hued, grapefruit-sized soccer ball. We were preparing for my first true soccer season, my brother and I.

Me, tirelessly taking shot after shot in the direction of our makeshift goal.

Him, standing dutifully in the opening between our living area and dining room, saving some shots, but letting more roll by.

Almost a decade and a half later, my life revolves around the same activity; I spend hours each week behind the wheel en route to practices humming along to songs of every genre; I’ve slept in innumerable hotels and vans and airport shuttles traveling the country with my parents; I’ve grown to expect a giggle-induced stomachache from my teammates’ absurd stories, regaled while we go through the familiar ritual of knotting our laces and securing our shin guards.

The feeling of the ball at my feet and the grass below my cleats is familiar in the way writing my name is, the way pulling into my driveway is, the way brushing my teeth is.

But making such a significant investment — what occasionally feels like my life’s savings — in just one thing is to give it a great power: the power to break my heart.

On the worst days, when my feet don’t feel so fast and my judgment isn’t so sure, I feel adrift, like the rope holding me to such a huge wedge of my identity has come untethered.

My sport has granted me a childhood full of camaraderie and life lessons, but has taken the role of the more traditional teen hardships my peers have faced. Instead of dramatic, seesawing friendships or theatrical first breakups, I’ve lamented bad passes and lost tournament finals. I’ve bawled over ruthless coaching feedback and the overwhelming weight of college recruitment.

The game taught me that love comes with pitfalls and obstacles, but when that love is built on solid footing and sits atop a heap of cheerful memories, it triumphs.

ELLE MCCREADIE

According to the tattered pages of a book we called “Our Life,” Eleanor Farrell and I began our friendship during kindergarten recess. She liked that my blonde hair resembled hers, and from then on, it was definite: we were long-lost twins.

In all honesty, that book we made in art class might be far from the truth and just the result of our imaginative five-year-old minds, but I like to think it was all real.

“Our Life” is really the only thing we have to show for the beginning of our 12-year-long friendship, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. For as long as I can remember, it has always been the two of us: Elle and Eleanor, Eleanor and Elle. If not anything else in my life, she is a constant.

In many ways, it feels vulnerable to know someone so well and to be known by them just as deeply. In my friendship with Eleanor, there have been moments when I worried about opening up to her, but once I did, I realized that vulnerability is what makes our relationship so strong. She’s never given me a reason not to be myself around her. Eleanor has cried with me at my worst, cheered me on at my best, and believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself.

She and I have grown up together, and throughout those 12 years we continue to grow closer. While our kindergarten selves believed we were twins, we quickly realized that was not the case. We connect at the core of who we are, but truthfully, the rest couldn’t be more different. Eleanor is the sun, I am the moon. She’s an extrovert, I am an introvert. She’s a day in the city, I’m a day at the beach. But our opposites work in the best way. I bring elements of myself to our friendship that Eleanor doesn’t have, and she does the same for me. There’s always something to be learned from each other, and in the end, it’s only made us better friends.

At some point, our friendship became a bit of a bubble. There were always other people in her life and in mine, but while they came and went, Eleanor never did. Somehow, we’ve managed to stick together for so long that it feels like a sibling bond. A little part of me will always hold on to when we were all each other knew, but as our circles expand past each other’s company, it makes me happiest to see others get to know and love her just like I do.

In the end, the two of us have never been something that I’ve had to overthink. The best parts of our relationship live in the comfortable silence we share because we simply understand each other. And no matter what happens in the future, I will never regret our friendship. Finding a friend so young who chooses to stick by you time and time again is not something that happens for everyone, so I consider myself incredibly lucky.

Everyone deserves an Eleanor.

CLARA FREETH

As the summer drags on and the leaves eventually turn to brown, my camp trunk sits quietly under my bedroom window collecting dust.

The bright orange enamel lining — just barely visible underneath a sea of stickers — sits atop rectangular sheets of plywood: the inside slightly splintered, lined with hot glue dots and still-sticky strips of double-sided tape. Its front displays a scribbled Sharpied list of every cabin I’ve ever been in.

After my very first summer, I had made up my mind that I would return with a trunk of my own resembling the one I had seen at the foot of my leader’s bed: drowning in stickers. From then on, my head was always on a swivel, in search of fun colors and silly designs. Accumulated in gift shops and stuffed inside envelopes, each sticker is unique: a pickle, a moose, an egg.

My summers consist of Council Rings and Ganzas, all-camp games and Saturday Night Shows; the make-shift spotlight of a flashlight’s beam shining on concerts performed from top bunks; the following not-so-quick, notso-quiet shuffling back into bottom bunks as the comfortable ache of laughter fills our stomachs.

In June and July, my trunk is full of shorts made for hiking and shirts made for running: an extra laundry bag, face paint and silly costumes. But for now, it sits empty, collecting dust as the scent of pine slowly fades, waiting for summer to arrive again.

VIOLET KNYAL

People often ask me, “Violet, why do you like Garfield so much?” And I search the inner folds of my brain to find an answer. It does not appear.

After a recent visit to the children’s section in the library, it came flooding back. It all started with my sibling and his love for books. Every week he would beg my mom to take us to the library to get new books to read because he had finished the ones we had gotten five days ago. I wasn’t quite as enthusiastic as him about reading because I was younger and was slower at reading so sometimes it was difficult to finish all the books we had gotten the week prior.

One day as I walked through the graphic novel section, I stumbled across a very special set of books, I took one off the shelf and started to read.

These books were perfect for me to learn how to be a better reader. There was a minimal amount of words on the page and there were many stories to experience and laugh at. That day, I checked a few out, and to my

surprise, I finished my books faster than my brother which was very exciting. So after that, I continued to check them out, and I took them wherever I went. If I was going to my grandparents’ house, I had my books with me. If I was going to the dentist, I had my books with me. Even when I went on a trip out of state, I had my very precious books with me.

If you haven’t caught on yet, the books that I found that day were Garfield books. Garfield was a very large part of my childhood, and I really loved that little orange cat, but as I grew up I lost that connection to Garfield and moved on to more advanced books. I would see him here and there, it wasn’t very consistent, but around the start of this year he appeared on my explore page on Instagram, and I immediately fell back into the Garfield lifestyle.

Now, I post Garfield on my Instagram story every day, so I can share my love of Garfield with everyone.

Movies About Love Movies About Love Movies About Love

BY AIDAN HSIA AND LUCA HINESMAN

Six movies portraying a wide variety of unique types of love.

AIDAN’S PICKS

Interstellar by Christopher Nolan

In the last 21st century, Joseph Cooper, a retired NASA pilot who’s turned to a life of farming, is sent on a mission into space that could determine the future of humanity. He embarks on his journey, not knowing when — or if — he’ll return. With the distance and time growing ever longer between him and his family, “Interstellar” excellently depicts how love lasts, even through the toughest of situations, and how few things transcend time — one of them being love.

“Interstellar” is among director Christopher Nolan’s best works. In line with his other movies, “Interstellar” features remarkable cinematography and sound. With its iconic black hole — which depicted a black hole before there were official pictures — the film also provides some of the best digital visuals put to the screen.

The score, composed by Hans Zimmer, showcases some of the best pieces put into cinema, like “Mountains” and “Cornfield Chase.” However, “Interstellar’s” outstanding visuals and score don’t overshadow its story, the heart of which is about the love between a father and daughter. The relationship anchors a story of space travel into something anybody can understand. And the eternal bond goes beyond the constraints of the universe — time and space.

The film also features great performances from Matthew McConaughey and Jessica Chastain, who perfectly express the desperation and heartbreak both of them feel. The performances uplift “Interstellar” not only as a film about space exploration, but an exploration of love and the human spirit.

Portrait of a Lady on Fire by Céline Sciamma

In the late 18th century, painter Marianne was commissioned to make a wedding portrait of a bride, Héloïse. However, Héloïse refuses to pose, as the man she’s to be married off to is someone she’s never met. To paint her, Marianne must observe Héloïse and paint her in secret.

“Portrait of a Lady on Fire” is a slow burn of love between two women: an artist and her subject. The film revolves around the two characters’ dynamic, as one must simply observe the other throughout much of the film. The film’s cinematography guides the narrative, focusing many shots on the shared looks between the two and their entangling relationship.

But the cinematography also captures the beauty of the setting: an isolated island off the coast of France. From a rouged beach and cliffs overlooking the sea to the quiet painting of a portrait, each shot is masterfully done, letting the audience see the evolution of Marianne’s and Héloïse’s relationship.

Céline Sciamma’s 2019 film, “Portrait of a Lady on Fire,” unfolds slowly, leaving many things unsaid as its two lead characters fall in love. It culminates in a fantastic piece of French cinema and a film with one of the best love stories.

Moonlight

by

Barry Jenkins

Through the lens of three distinct periods in a man’s life, “Moonlight” is a compelling dissection of a man’s journey through identity, sexuality and parental figures.

In “Little,” where Chiron is a child, he struggles with his upbringing in Miami, when he encounters Juan, a drug dealer. However, through Juan, the relationship provides a father-son connection that Chiron was never able to experience at home. With compassion and understanding, Juan forms the very foundations of Chiron’s life.

In “Chiron,” the audience experiences the nuances of love for Chiron. Through the adolescent years of his life, he develops feelings for his classmate, Kevin, though struggles with masculinity, the nuances of sexuality and troubles of drug use in the household.

In the last act, “Black,” Chiron has been toughened through life’s challenges. And with a trip back to his hometown of Miami, Chiron encounters Kevin once again. “Moonlight” explores the reunion with the past experiences of each character’s relationships.

“Moonlight” won Best Picture at the 2017 Oscars and for a good reason. The cinematography throughout the film is amazing, capturing every moment in a beautiful composition and enhancing the character’s worlds. The use of color perfectly encapsulates the complexities of both emotions and the world lived in.

Similarly, the actors in “Moonlight” put in their best work. Although Mahershala Ali’s character only appears for part of the movie, his performance stands out as one of the best and stays with both the characters and the audience long after. Chiron’s three actors also invoke the quiet curiosity of childhood, the inner challenges of adolescence and the yearning for relationships, and the stirred-up feelings behind years of repression and emotional armor.

Barry Jenkins’s 2016 film is one of the best movies about love in recent years. Based on the play, “In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue,” “Moonlight” is a masterclass in literacy and cinematography.

LUCA’S PICKS

Moonrise Kingdom by Wes Anderson

“Moonrise Kingdom” is directed by the one and only Wes Anderson. I would say that it is my favorite Wes Anderson movie for a lot of reasons. I enjoy the beautiful cinematography that appears in each Anderson movie, but especially this one. The plot is adorable and unique, yet layered and includes multiple character stories.

The plot mostly revolves around two kid’s love story. They both decided to run away from their homes together because of their mutual admiration for each other. However, a strong storm is headed toward the island, so a bunch of oddball adults decide to organize a search team and locate the kids before something terrible happens. The kid’s love is unraveling and so do many other characters’ relationships.

Love as a kid is weird to many. You tend to not know if it is real or if it’s supposed to feel like the way it does. Is it true or valid? Should you wait until you’re older? The answers depend too many.

“Moonrise Kingdom” explores this idea in a stunning depiction of childhood love, but also poses the question: how far will people go for love or protect someone they love? The parents and adults search for the kids because they love them. On the other hand, the kids don’t stop building their bond because they believe in their relationship. Love is consistent.

The Farewell by Lulu Wang

Lulu Wang is the director and writer of “The Farewell,” a true story that is based on her actual experiences.

“The Farewell” stars Awkwafina as Billi Wang, who is a Chinese American woman in her early thirties. She unexpectedly learns that her grandmother has stage four cancer when confronted by her parents. Billi and her extended family decide not to tell the grandmother about her diagnosis because they believe the fear of cancer is what kills someone.

After learning their beloved grandmother is terminally ill, the family returns to China to visit their grandma for the last time. Since they rarely visit, they need an excuse:; a fake wedding. The family decides to host a fake wedding for Billi’s cousin from Japan. The movie unfolds from there and displays Billi’s interactions with her family.

The movie centers around a twisted kind of love. Billi and her family are trying to protect her grandma from the fear of cancer, yet are lying to the grandma’s face. This is a special kind of love in my eyes. It’s powerful how they are protecting the grandmother from the truth and are holding onto her for as long as they can. Surely, they feel guilty for lying to her about something so serious, but in their eyes, it’s for the best.

I adore how this film depicts a special kind of love and the lengths people will go to in order to keep someone protected.

Juno by Jason Reitman

The movie “Juno” includes an incredible cast of Elliot Page, Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner, Allison Janney and, J.K. Simmons, and etc. They deliver a layered movie full of love in the face of complications. Lots of love sprouts in the movie and shows the power that love holds and how it is so necessary for all.

The story centers around Juno, a quirky, strong minded young woman who faces an unplanned pregnancy. She is in her teenage years and realizes she isn’t in a place to raise a kid. As a solution, she then decides to become a surrogate for a family looking for a child.

Juno is trying to cope with falling pregnant and needs a strong support system. When meeting a family that she will be a surrogate for, she tries to build a friendship with them. At first, she begins a strong relationship with Jason Bateman’s character, but in the end creates a strong friendship with Jennifer Garner’s character, Vanessa. The part I love is how Juno then builds a beautiful friendship with Vanessa. They become a team and Juno knows Vanessa is worthy of being a wonderful mother. She trusts her to take care of her child and knows she is giving her one of the greatest gifts in the world. They form a love for each other and the child.

Gratitude isn’t the only type of love but so is friendship. Leah, Juno’s friend, who is portrayed by Olivia Thirbly, stays by her side throughout Juno’s entire pregnancy, even as their classmates ridicule her. Standing by your friend when everyone else has ignored or been disgusted by them is true friendship. I loved how Leah has so much love for Juno that she sticks with her.

Lastly, the stigma surrounding teen pregnancy is real. It’s not uncommon to disown your kid for becoming pregnant, but Juno’s parents, portrayed by J.K. Simmons and Allison Janney, continue to parent and support Juno. They don’t leave her which shows a lot about them as parents. “Juno” is full of many variations of love, yet every version is alive and very real.

Platonic Love in Media

When asked to pick a fictional relationship, how many people would pick a couple? With romance at the forefront, platonic relationships often go overlooked in media.

Entertainment, whether song, book, movie or TV show, can highlight the diversity of loving connections in an extraordinary way.

BY KAYLEE GADEPALLI

Healthy platonic relationships in media are often overshadowed by the quintessential idea of romantic love. Two people, perfect for each other, who don’t need anyone else. In countless movies, books and songs, romance is at the center.

In reality, people can have incredibly meaningful relationships with no romantic attraction whatsoever. Narratives with platonic relationships at the forefront can create a new sense of motivation for characters, which propels forward both the plot and the development of characters.

PARENTAL LOVE

“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” is an animated action movie that follows the story of a teenage Spider-Man, known for its unconventional and stunning visual work. It was released in the summer of 2023 and was met with raving reviews and plans for a sequel. The driving force of the movie is the relationship between Miles Morales (Spider-Man) and his parents.

Throughout the movie, while they occasionally butt heads on the topic of Miles’s schoolwork and absences, Rio and Jeff Morales are there to support their son unconditionally. They never speak down to him or each other, and it’s clear how love is present in their family unit through the handful of scenes they share in the movie.

PET LOVE

“Heartstopper,’’ a coming-of-age story rich with LGBTQ+ characters, touched hearts all over the world when it came out in the spring of 2022. The TV show portrayed every relationship thoughtfully, including the one between protagonist Nick Nelson and his dog, Nellie.

The bond between a pet and caretaker, despite its relevance and importance to the lives of both animal and human (as any pet owner will agree) is rarely recognized as a relationship. But throughout the show, as Nick struggles with his sexuality and friendships, his dog is there to support him.

The careful direction of the filming clearly shows Nellie’s love for Nick: curling up next to him, offering comfort as he deals with identity issues, and helping Nick feel comfortable hanging out with Charlie Spring, the classmate he befriends in Season 1. Watching this relationship will put a smile on your face and remind you to appreciate the animals in your life.

COMMUNITY LOVE

The Percy Jackson series is a childhood favorite of many, spinning a fantastical adventure of demigods in the modern world over the course of five books. “The Battle of the Labyrinth’’ is the fourth book in the series, and it’s a particularly heartwarming example of one of the most overlooked relationships of all: the relationship between members of a community. Everyone has some form of community relationship in their life, from classmates to school clubs to sports teams, but not many see this as an actual relationship because it involves more than two people. In the actual battle of the Labyrinth, Percy fights alongside friends from the summer camp “Camp Half-Blood,” the only safe place for the mortal children of gods.

Throughout the series, Percy (and the reader) connect with different campers, and the culmination of these friendships raises the stakes and intensifies the battle. It results in an impactful representation of how the people we surround ourselves with affect us and our lives.

SELF-LOVE

The song “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus was released in early 2023 and still remains popular a year later due to its powerful beat and strong lyrical imagery. “Flowers’’ is a revolutionary break-up song because it pushes the idea that the best revenge is living well.

With themes of female empowerment, independence and a message of self-love at the forefront, the pop song reminds listeners that one of the most important relationships to nurture is the one you have with yourself. We all have the capacity to love ourselves, and you can always choose yourself over a relationship that isn’t working out. Any love you give must always come second to your own self-respect. Cyrus invokes the thought that one doesn’t need any other person to be whole. After all, you can always buy yourself flowers.

Maggie Wiliams

An artist shares how they use art as a love language.

BY NINA TINNEY

From the moment Maggie Williams was able to hold a pencil in her hand, she has been creating art. Doodling in the margins of her assignments or experimenting with pencils and paints, her creativity is constant.

But out of all the things that Williams creates, her favorite is her birthday cards. From simple drawings of birthday cakes and balloons she did when she was young, her cards have become detailed works of art. Often done in pencil, Williams will draw in a very playful, cartoony style, personalizing each card to whomever is receiving them.

“I try to make my birthday cards really funny,” Williams said. “When I’m getting ready to make one I think to myself: What would this person like? What would they find funny? How can I make them laugh?”

For instance, for her younger sister’s birthday Williams was inspired by their shared love of Nickelodeon TV-shows. Drawing characters from “H20 Just Add Water” and “House of Anubis,” she wanted to make the card truly special. Filling it with inside jokes and references to things the pair had laughed about in the past, it ended up being a hit. As a perfectionist, Williams will spend hours upon hours trying to perfect her cards. She will draw dozens of variations until her hands go numb and her pencils dull. Taking into consideration not only the person, but also what TV-shows they watch, what books they read, which pop culture references that they would be likely to pick up on, it all goes to show just how much she cares.

“I would say that gift giving is my love language,” Williams said. “I love being able to make people happy or to make them laugh with my art. It’s just the best feeling for someone to look at your art and say ‘Wow this is cool!’”

Williams believes that there is something special about making things by hand, that there is a charming quality to pencil drawings and paintings you can’t quite find anywhere else. In going out of her way to make these hand made birthday cards, she had found them to be the most personal gift she could give.

And though there are many ways to express your love for someone, both artistic and not. It is through silly cartoons and inside jokes that Williams does it best.

Photography by Nina Tinney Maggie Williams works on a sketch in the art room. Williams has found that she feels most at peace when she is drawing. “I think I have always liked art,” Williams said. “I like looking at it, I like creating it. It’s just great.”

Romance Roadmap

BY PIPER COOKE

Light-hearted and festive, this quiz is intended to uncover your relationship style ---- don’t take it too seriously, enjoy!

Do you believe in love at first sight?

YES NO

Would you describe yourself as a hopeless romantic?

YES NO

OUTCOME A

Do you think a strong friendship is the best foundation to a relationship?

YES NO

OUTCOME B

Do you value grand romantic gestures?

YES NO

OUTCOME C

Does shared humor take precedence in your relationship?

YES NO

OUTCOME D

OUTCOME E

OUTCOME F

Outcome A:

The dreamy romantic. You believe in fairy tales and happily ever afters --- your ideal relationship is one of grand romantic gestures and storybook moments.

Outcome B:

The realist. You value deep connections built over tie. For you, love is about mutual respect and understanding rather than an “instant spark.”

Outcome C:

The adventurer. You are all about excitement and spontaneity in love. Your perfect match is someone who is ready to explore the world and try new things with you.

Outcome D:

The planner. Stability and security are key for you in relationships. You prefer well-thought-out plans over spontaneous escapades.

Outcome E:

The comedian. Laughter is your love language. You believe a shared sense of humor is the secret to a long, happy and healthy relationship.

Outcome F:

The intellectual. You find a meeting of the minds irresistably attractive. Shared interests and stimulating conversations are the way to your heart.

Out Loud.

Out Loud. Out Loud.

Three albums to hear now.

BY EVAN “GUMMY” OCHOA AND JAKE WILLIAMS

“DATA” by Tainy

Producer Tainy has been making reggaeton hits and headlines since the age of 16. Working with the likes of Daddy Yankee, Wisin Y Yandel, Bad Bunny, Rauw Alejandro, and J Balvin, his experience is unmatched by any other super producer in their early 30s. Unknown to most, however, was the debut studio album brewing for decades. After Tainy released EPs and collab albums under his name starting during the late 2010s, his rollout for DATA consisted of sparsely released singles. Even the single “Lo Siento BB” with Bad Bunny and Julieta Venegas ended up dropping two years prior to the release of DATA.

The sound of “DATA,” however, contrasts in the routine reggaeton the music industry has become accustomed to. The drums hit harder, the songs are cinematic, and influences of techno, house, and synth-pop are present when they never showed themselves before. What Tainy does on “DATA” gives reggaeton a much needed makeover, revolutionizing the sound for a new generation of artists. “FANTASMA” is a futuristic twist on the classic reggaeton formula with uprising artist Jhayco. It’s morphing nature shows Jhayco going over any and every seamless transition Tainy puts into the track.

Similarly, “COLMILLO” starts off as a Latin house track with booming synth bass lines and an old school reggaeton sample of Yaviah’s “Contacto” in the background. This slows down into a slowed down reggaeton track, with a lively feature from Jowell Y Randy with their signature cartoonish delivery. Thematically, songs on “DATA” can range from classic perreo club music to heartbroken love songs, crooned by the likes of Rauw Alejandro’s passionate vocals, or The Marías’ falsetto hooks.

Tainy’s versatility, which is showcased on other songs like the synth pop cut “Sci-Fi,” the Latin trap epic “PARASIEMPRE,” or even “PARANORMAL” dabbling in vaporwave aesthetics, makes “DATA” a truly unique experience. Given Tainy status as being a pioneer in the genre, it’s a breath of fresh air knowing he’s always been open to reinvention.

“Fountain Baby” by Amaarae

In the past year, Amaarae’s music has taken off in the R&B and Afropop realm, getting co-signs from artists such as Kali Uchis on her hit single “SAD GIRLZ LUV MONEY.” Her mix of sweet high-pitched vocals complement the heavy layer of textured afro-beat drums. Amaarae’s ability to carry a cohesive collection of songs in this style was put to this test, however, on her second studio album “Fountain Baby.” If she proves anything, though, it’s that she can do this perfectly and more.

With the album’s opening moments, “Angels In Tibet” brings an orchestral touch to her signature sound, kicking off the album’s themes of love, power, and self-empowerment. Sweetness drips from Amaarae’s hazy afro-beat landscapes, composed of understated, yet vibrant synth pads and horn accents that course its way like glistening streams. With songs like “Reckless & Sweet” and “Aquamarie Luvs Ecstasy” follows a similar formula, be it more of a low-key aesthetic.

Amaarae, however, is not shy about showing off her range in genre-mixing. “Counterfeit” contains heavy percussive Caribbean influence and steel drums, production akin to a Pharell Williams song. “Princess Going Digital” mixes Afrobeat rhythms with synth pop elements, containing crunchy synth chords and bombastic drum breaks sounding straight out of an 80s pop hit. Ammarae even closes out the album with a bang with “Come Home To God,” where a solo acoustic guitar develops into an anthemic rock epic.

With a tracklist that never falters to entertain, the poetry of Amaarae found in Fountain Baby details the complexity in romantic relationships, power dynamics, and intimacy. All of this is paired with a project that simply sounds stunning; its glossy presentation underlined by layers of emotion make it one of the most danceable albums of the year that still manages tugs on your heart strings.

“That! Feels Good!” by Jessie Ware

Jessie Ware’s 2023 album, “That! Feels! Good!” is a sensual, groovy album that is also absurdly catchy. The 40 minutes of disco and pop are so well assembled and paced that you won’t even notice the time flying by.

After a slower cut with the opening track, the second song, “Free Yourself,” really gets the album going. The driving piano keys that are synced with the drums practically force you to nod your head in time with the song. Ware’s incredibly fun writing is shown a lot on this song in the infectious repetition that are her verses and choruses. He smooth vocals lend themselves perfectly to this rhythmic bop that doesn’t slow down for even one second.

The third song, “Pearls,” utilizes twinkling chimes and playful la’s baked into the beat. The real star of this song though are Ware’s vocals. The amount of hooks and memorable ideas on this song could supply an entire album but ware decides to condense them all to one song which can feel overwhelming in the best way possible.

This is a disco album through and through but the seventh song, “Freak Me Now” leans into that fact a little further than most other songs. The pulsating kick drum mixed with what sounds like air whooshing by and another bass line sure to get stuck in your head makes this one of best songs on the album. Ware’s over the top charisma, sounding like she’s luring you on the dance floor, pairs perfectly with Clarence Coffee Jr. on background vocals who sounds like a DJ instructing you onto the dance floor.

“That! Feels! Good” is one of the best albums of 2023 and is absolutely worth a listen but it also deserves a warning as once you give it that first listen you won’t be playing anything else for a long time.

Threads

of Love

of Love

BY ADDI HINESMAN AND MORGAN MCCLEASE

Alissa Maglothin talks about embracing the 70s and connecting generations through fashion.

Alissa Maglothin loves everything about the 70s: the fashion, the music, but most importantly the connection it gives her to her grandparents.

Maglothin and her grandparents have always been close. With a single mom balancing college and motherhood and her grandparents living 10 minutes down the road, Maglothin spent every minute she could at her grandparents. When Maglothin was younger, she was close to her grandpa, spending their time together watching Barbie movies and drinking strawberry milk.

But as Maglothin grew older, she found it harder and harder to relate to him. As a result, she became closer to her grandma, spending her school mornings in the car listening to James Taylor, Carol Kane and The Temptations, singing along with her grandma.

“They both showed me what a healthy, loving relationship looks like,” Maglothin said. “They both love each other so much after 40 years and work so hard to make each other’s dreams come true.”

As a child, Maglothin loved fashion, but when she reached middle school, the pressure of fitting in took over. She turned to wearing baggy clothes, feeling like she had to hide her body, her confidence in fashion fading away.

It was her grandparents that brought her love for fashion back. Maglothin decided she wanted to lean more into the 70s aesthetic, which made her grandparents super happy as they grew up in the 70s.

“They’ve always been there for me, so being able to connect with them on that level meant so much to me,” Maglothin said.

One day while over at her grand

Maglothin wears an almost completely monochromatic look. There is a silhouette of a short skirt. She also did a graphic liner makeup look to tie the outfit together.

parent’s house, Maglothin remembers her grandpa showing her his CD collection from the 70s, the two going through them together for hours. Afterward, Maglothin’s grandpa made her extra copies of the CDs she enjoyed, a gesture that meant a lot to her.

“My grandpa doesn’t talk a lot, he’s very blunt and stern,” Maglothin said. “And I just remember him saying I looked like my grandma when she was younger, and we had grown further apart as I got older, but it just really reminded me of our special times together.”

Since then, Maglothin has found empowerment within herself and the clothes she chooses to wear.

“I realized that I don’t care if people like my outfits or if people think I look good because I feel really happy,” Maglothin said.

For Maglothin, fashion is more than what she puts on her body, it builds up her confidence, and showing that confidence is something she believes sets her apart from other people. Being able to represent her true self with what she wears has helped her build a community and connect her to other people with similar styles.

Poetry Q&A

Emily Yesowitz explores the uniqueness of writing in her poetry.

BY LUCA HINESMAN

What does the Poetry Club mean to you?

Poetry Club is so important to me. It’s just a place full of like-minded people! It really helps me to open my mind and see other perspectives and styles of writing. Everyone there has grown so much…we all really grow from each other I think. Poetry Club is an amazing way to share whatever you are thinking about whether cryptically through metaphors or more directly. We really work to make it open to everyone and to stretch people’s ideas of what poetry “has to be”.

What poet inspires you the most?

My favorite poet is Amy Gerstler. I absolutely adore her work. I am especially inspired by the way she bends the rules of poetry. When I am feeling writer’s block I read work of hers because her unique style reminds me how fluid and flexible poetry is and should be. Sometimes it’s hard to remember that poetry is supposed to be fun, and she helps me remember that.

What do you like to write about in your poetry?

They mostly reflect the people and places around me. I am always most inspired when I am traveling as there are so many new places to see and things to do. I especially love to write about home. I have so many poems written about home. Mine, others, imaginary ones. I also often mirror poems I have read. It’s inspiring.

When did you start writing poetry?

I have always preferred books with rich descriptions and creative writing styles, so I think in a way I have always loved poetry. But I didn’t really begin to write until 8th grade or so. It became a way to share emotions and events in a more creative way. I expect I will continue writing poetry for as long as my hand can hold a pencil.

What does literature mean to you?

Literature is such a beautiful art form. It is a way to make even the simplest ideas and images into rich, beautiful moments that can be shared with anyone. Literature is truly like nothing else, its range is crazy. Every single person has the ability to find a piece of writing they love, and that is so special. It isn’t for a certain person or group… it’s for everyone!

Emily Yesowitz is currently a senior and member of poetry club.

Ryn WAUGH

Marcel Proust’s questionnaire, created in 1890, featuring Ryn Waugh.

BY CLAIRE LEWIS

WWhat is your idea of perfect happiness? I think stability and contentment, especially within yourself. A lot of people chase things a lot of their lives and I think that’s fine, but you can’t be happy while you’re constantly in pursuit. A lot of happiness has to be in the present, and it doesn’t have to be this big complicated thing. I think if eating, or walking your dog makes you happy, that’s as perfect as you can get. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? Hypocrisy. I think it’s very human, to be hypocritical, but you really have to be self aware. Otherwise it can lead to strife and sadness. What is the trait you most deplore in others? A lack of empathy. When and where were you the happiest? When people are laughing, I love being around humor and joy. Which talent would you most like to have? Karate. I’d love to be a black belt without having to work on being a black belt or being violent. I’d love to have the skills of someone who devoted their life to a skill without having to devote my life to it… like the matrix. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I’d give myself wings, for sure. I think wings are sick, but I always sleep on my back, so that might be an issue. What do you consider your greatest achievement? I guess just personal growth. I think most people undervalue their growth. People grow, but you never really think about your growth. I think it’s important to appreciate in yourself and others. If you were to die and come back as a person or things what would it be? A fish specifically like deep sea fish, I’m thinking maybe an octopus. What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery misery? Believing that nothing can get better ever again. Just utter hopelessness. What do you most value in your friendships? Respect, humor, and also being a nerd. I’m not friends with anyone who isn’t one. I like people who are passionate about things, even if it’s things that I’m not personally passionate about. Who are your favorite writers? Ursula Le Guin, Neil Gaiman, Tamsyn Muir and Brandon Sanderson. Who are your heroes in real life? Ursula Le Guin. She was super progressive for her time. She has the carrier bag theory, that the first tool of mankind wasn’t a weapon but a pouch, or something to carry things in. I think she’s incredibly intelligent and prolific. She’s a huge idol for me. What is your motto? The time will pass anyways.

Shish Taouk (Chicken Skewers)

BY RUTH SHIKANOV

Grilling skewers is an age-old tradition in my family. We typically grill when the sun doesn’t set at 4 p.m., the air is warm and sounds of bugs and birds fill our backyard.

On the grill is sizzling meat and vibrant vegetables, balanced with aromatic spices. Grilling might be mundane, yet it is another method of cooking that is a part of my “culinary portfolio.” There is a flavor that cannot be replicated elsewhere and the minimal ingredients embraces simplicity — sometimes less is truly more.

Grilling in the winter may have been out of the ordinary, but there was a smile on my face as my dad and I stood in the freezing cold, watching the coal turn a glowy orange and the steam of the meat evaporate into the air.

My dad is kind of like my partner in crime when it comes to cooking; I’m not his sous-chef or fry cook, and he is not mine. My relationship with food is heavily influenced by my cooking journey with my father. I have learned many lessons in the kitchen that go beyond learning how to cut an onion correctly or creating a smooth Bechamel; cooking is about versatility and brings people together.

I am so grateful to my dad and all we have cooked together. I hope that we always get to continue grilling, whether it be in the snow or the blazing sun.

Ingredients:

2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast (cut into large chunks)

½ cup plain whole milk yogurt

¼ cup lemon juice

¼ cup olive oil

6 garlic cloves crushed

1 white onion

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 teaspoon paprika

¾ teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon oregano

½ teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon black pepper

Directions:

1) In a large bowl, add the ingredients for the marinade: yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, tomato paste and all the seasonings. Whisk to combine. Put the chicken cubes in the same bowl. Cut the white onion and place in the bowl, thoroughly tossing it with the chicken.

2) Cover and let it rest in the fridge for at least four hours, or overnight.

3) Once ready, put the chicken on skewers right before grilling. Grill on medium heat for five to eight minutes per side. Serve with pita bread, lettuce, rice and herbs!

Humans of Community

What does “I love you” mean to you?

BY LUCIA PAGE SANDER, CLARA FREETH AND LEILA DURRIE

Addie McCreadie

“I think there’s a really important difference between like ‘love you’ and ‘I love you’ because adding the ‘I’ makes it a lot more personal. I also think it’s a lot easier to just say ‘I love you too,’ because it’s not like you’re initiating it. I tell my friends and my family that I love them — anyone that I’m really close with and have a connection with. I do say I love you to my friends a lot, but I have to get comfortable with them first. I don’t think I told people I loved them as much in elementary school — not to my friends, at least, but I definitely still said it to my family. Once I got a little bit older, I understood what it meant to me, so now it carries more weight. To have someone say ‘I love you’ to me gives me a really big sense of importance to that person. It’s very confirming, like you mean something to someone.”

Ryan Grant

“I think ‘I love you’ means that I care about the person I’m saying it to the fullest extent of my capabilities, and I appreciate them being here. It means that I respect them and value them. When I tell my parents that I love them, that’s me showing gratitude and being grateful that they’re there and that they’ve given me all that they have. That goes for anyone who’s ever helped me. I say ‘I love you’ to my friends all the time, and I’ll give them a hug too. For me, that’s an essential part of part of friendship. When someone tells me that they love me, it feels good, but it can feel awkward too. If I don’t love the person who said it, I usually just say ‘thank you.’”

Milly Sandstrom

“It can mean different things in different contexts, like romantic love versus platonic love, like loving your family. Behind it all, it also can mean like, ‘I depend on you, my life would be different without you.’ When I say, ‘I love you,’ that means that person is important to me and that they’re more important to me than my own needs sometimes. Showing your love instead of saying it can be better though, because actions speak louder than words, so conveying love indirectly by even just like a “good night” or a hug is special too. My best friend will not let me hang up the phone unless I tell her that I love her, because what if I died right now? We’d regret that and I think it’s very important to leave a conversation and be settled.”

Aja Bullard

“When I say ‘I love you’ to other people, it’s because I care about them and I have their best interests in mind, like I would do almost anything for them. Loving someone is caring about them deeply. Sometimes girls will just say ‘I love you’ to other girls even if they don’t believe it… that’s just a girl thing. That’s not necessarily limited to girls though, anyone can say they love you and not really mean it. With my family though, I always know they mean it, I’ve always told them I love them. I’ve said ‘I love you’ to my mom when I get out of the car for as long as I can remember.”

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Our Turn

Staff members discuss everyday instances of love.

BY LUCIA PAGE SANDER

Kaylee Gadepalli

Paige Plavnick

“When I was in elementary school, my dad would always make me a lunch for school. He would pack me a lunch box full of stuff, and I think once that stopped his way of showing love is to set his alarm every morning to make sure I’m up and moving. Eventually, I had to learn how to make my own lunch, but he still makes sure that he’s doing something to show his love to me in the mornings. Another thing is before I go to bed every night, I tell my parents I love them. That’s the way I like to fall asleep, knowing that I’m loved in my household with both my parents. They’re the people I love the most. While I love my sisters, the connection with my parents is just different. Those are the people who support me more than anyone else.”

“When I see my dog in the mornings before I go to school. I get up pretty early, so I don’t really see the rest of my siblings, but every morning I say, “Bye Mabel!” to her right before I leave the house, and that’s just nice. It’s kind of nice to be alone in the mornings. I’m really not a morning person, so I like to have that solitude to wake myself up and get ready for the day. Most mornings I need some time to like, become a human. I have three siblings and we all do different extracurriculars, so we’re kind of like planets orbiting each other. We see each other sometimes, but we’ve all got different stuff going on. I do kind of miss the days when we were younger and we could spend more time together, but it’s cool to see them grow up too and know that we’re always gonna be there for each other even when we are busy and have different lives.”

Sana Schaden

“I feel loved and appreciated by my friends and family when my friends check up on me and make plans with me. Even when we’re both busy, we still make time to hang out even if it’s just at school for a little bit. What we do depends on the friend and different friends make you feel appreciated for different things. For example, some of my friends I’ll play tennis with and we’ll practice together and with others I’ll go on drives with and get food, and with my long distance friends — especially seniors from last year — we’ll text a lot and check in on each other all the time. I try to spend time individually with different people because I really value quality time. When you spend quality time together with someone one-on-one, you get to know somebody better than you would otherwise. I try to be somebody that people can open up to and I think that happens a lot more one on one.”