FOCUS Issue #2 (Oct. 8, 2021)

HOMECOMING RECAP “HOCO WEEK BRINGS EVERYONE TOGETHER AFTER THE HARD COVID YEAR.” - SENIOR KAITLIN GWIN

ATHLETE OF THE ISSUE

ISSUE ISSUE 22

OCT OCT8,8,2021 2021

2021-22 STAFF Madison Leonard Synthia Davis Bawi Zing Anna Blackburn Audrey Cochran Tyler Corbin Tanisha Downer Elly Kimbual Zoë Krebs Ian Miles Nicole Ni Izzy Potter Ciera Street Van Thim Kert Boedicker Daniel Schoch

Co-Managing Editor Co-Managing Editor Staff Reporter Staff Reporter Staff Reporter Staff Reporter Staff Reporter Staff Reporter Staff Reporter Staff Reporter Staff Reporter Staff Reporter Staff Reporter Staff Reporter Principal Adviser

FOCU

S

TWEET OF THE ISSUE

CONNEC T WITH US

@pmhs.focus

@pmhsfocus

falconsfocus.org

A LETTER FROM THE EDITORS Most would agree that the first the air for each competition, as each

nine weeks flew by in a blur. Last year we were so stuck on just trying to make it through each day. It is hard to remember how fast time can fly by when you’re surrounded by friends and the stress of schoolwork for 45 quick minutes.

Although being back this quarter is a lot to take in, we should take time to appreciate how unified the school feels, coming together for Homecoming, the extravaganza and sporting events.

I felt the excitement radiate in

class anticipated who would be victorious. In this issue, a theme of unity runs through the stories, highlighting the fun ways Falcons have joined together while recognizing the need to stay connected and communicate.

Your managing editors,

Madison Leonard

and Synthia Davis

is one thing AUGUST STUDENTS OF THE MONTH What that you’re most

2022: ABBY MERCER

Proud of?

“One thing I’m most

“Abby is a terrific young lady who comes proud of is how much our class, class of 2022, to class every day with a positive attitude has accomplished at and preparedness to learn. She has a strong Perry, whether it be our work ethic and determination to succeed spirit or hallways or winthat is unparalleled.” ning the class dance-off, -Mr. Hollander just fun class competitions like that.”

2023: JULIANA JERA “Juliana is a wonderful young lady who comes to class everyday prepared to participate and learn. She has a quiet confidence and takes a sense of pride in her work. She participates well in class discussion and is willing to help others when they don’t quite grasp a concept.”

-Mr. Hollander

“I’m in my junior year and I’ve managed to keep straight A’s all the way up until this point.

My GPA is like a 4.3, so I’m pretty proud of myself.”

2024: EDRICK KWALEH

“I’m most proud of my dad because he has been “Edrick is a terrific young man who partici- someone who has been pates in class with great enthusiasm. He has there for me throughout my life. He pretty much a great attitude and good sense of humor. has done everything Along with a strong work ethic, these qualithat I can think of for ties make Edrick a pleasure to have in class.” me. That’s what I’m most -Mr. Hollander proud of.”

2025: TRISNA NGUYEN “Trisna participates in class and helps to establish a positive classroom environment.”

-Mr. Dillon

“I’m most proud of my relationship with my friends because I think sometimes it’s hard to manage everything, but so far this year, I’ve been working hard to balance everything and I think I’ve been doing well.”

4 | News

HOCO RETURNS

“HOCO week brings everyone together after the hard COVID year.”

-Kaitlin Gwin

Photos by Audrey Cochran

Left Waiting:

Car rider line creates delays

Tyler Corbin Staff Reporter

In this school outline, the red dots represent the extent to which cars back up onto Rhake Road on school mornings.

“Seussical” to grace PMHS stage after break

Since the beginning of the school year, the car rider line has initiated long waits and backups on Rhake Road. It seems there must be a fixable problem, but recent history suggests otherwise.

One question posed by many people is why so many more students are using the line than in previous years. Considering the different schedule utilized by the school last year, however, it is hard to tell whether or not there are really more students using the car rider line.

Additionally, according to Team 2025 assistant principal Lucas Klipsch, the car rider line “has always been an issue.”

So, in reality, there is no way to accurately determine

whether or not more people are utilizing the line.

Furthermore, the intersection of Meridian School Road and Rhake Road is an issue outside of school hours anyway, meaning the car rider line only exacerbates an already big issue.

“Backups are generally out of our control due to the four way stop,” Klipsch says. “If you choose to drop your child off at PMHS and get here after 6:40 a.m., you are bound to experience backups and long waits.”

While consistently an issue, the car rider line at PMHS has no real solution.

The Rhake and Meridian School Roads coupled with a large amount of students using the line mean that it will most likely always be an issue.

Tanisha Downer Staff Reporter

Last school year, COVID-19 restrictions precented live audiences and live performances, but this year it’s all coming back.

The fall musical, “Seussical,” is no exception and is being performed live after fall break.

Mrs.Walsh educates the cast about the musical. Photo by Elly Kimbual “Seussical” is an original Odenkirk, cast as one of the impressive and unique characBroadway production, written by Wickersham brothers, is very teristic, according to Walsh.

Stephen Flahery and Lynn Ahrens, Strict COVID-19 safety prethat combines several Doctor Seuss excited to work with the cast, not only because of how great cautions are also being taken All books into one story, with special the performers will be masked, attention to “Horton Hears a Who.” they perform but also because for instance, which is a central “It’s a beautiful show,” director of how much they all grew up together as a family and are reason this show was picked.

Melissa Walsh states. “It features now able to work together.

The characters are fun and multiple fun characters and has Preparation for the profanciful, and the mask theme a great message about valuing goes with their costumes. The people.” The cast is full of experi- duction only lasts one week, audience will also be socially enced seniors who’ve performed in however. The whole cast does not practice together until the distanced. previous shows, including Kumar second week of fall break, an Odenkirk.

Behavior changes after return to in-person learning Izzy Potter Staff Reporter

After 11 weeks of school, students are starting to fall back into the routine of in-person learning five days a week. Hybrid and online learning was difficult and a little awkward for almost everyone. But now, many students appear to be more lively and energetic in classroom settings.

“It seems like students are just way more willing to engage in stuff,” social studies teacher Nathan Orme says. “It feels like classes are talking a lot more, people are answering questions, they tell stories, it seems like people are excited to be around each other.”

“We have to let you Generally, know how to act before teachers enjoy the positive engagement we can get mad at you during class, for not acting that way.”

-Nicole Knight

especially after months of remote learning. But several students, specifically younger ones, still have to frequently be reminded of acceptable behavior.

“It seems obvious that students haven’t been at school all together for a while,” Orme says. “We’re still kind of figuring out how we’re supposed to behave in the hallways...younger students who haven’t been here before are figuring that out.”

Teachers have had discussions with classes towards the start of the school year about how to act at school. For the most part, they have been listening.

“Now that we’re eight weeks in… I would say that we are back to where freshmen typically are,” biology teacher Nicole Knight says. “I think we had a talk in one of my classes and I go, ‘It’s not your fault.

We haven’t been in this capacity for a long time. We’re going to make this known to you. We have to let you know how to act before we can get mad at you for not acting that way.’”

McCleese and Cer’s advice: Become a leader now Bawi Len Zing Staff Reporter

How do current steps impact changes in the future? Student leadership builds the foundation that allows students to start building towards their envisioned futures by learning leadership skills and gaining experience.

Senior Logan McCleese and Esther Zing Cer both have a plethora of experience with student leadership throughout their four years.

McCleese had the opportunity of being class of 2022 class president for two years, leading 600 students while also serving on the Principal Advisory Committee, a group of student that works with Kert Boedicker, principal of Perry Meridian High School through discussion.

Throughout his experiences, McCleese strongly believes that he has learned the importance of student

McCleese is attending a leadership event during summer with Mr.Klipsch. Picture provided by Logan McCleese

Cer poses at this year’s homecoming dance after leading World Ambassadors during the parade. Picture taken by Bawi Len Zing.

leadership. Groups like the Principal Advisory Committee are still ones that student have the opportunity to join.

“Student leadership creates positive change, a less intimidating school atmosphere and provides valuable opportunities for students to grow as people,” McCleese stated.

Similarly, Cer has held a leadership position in Key Club for all four years, serving as a director, secretary and president. She is also an NHS secretary, Link Crew leader, President of World Ambassadors and currently serves on the Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council, a group of students who assist the mayor of Indianapolis through joining in on discussions about issues in the community.

“If you really want to do something, take the opportunity now insteading of waiting for a later chance,” Cer advises. “Start as early as possible.”

Devious look at vandalism in school bathrooms Synthia Davis

Co-Managing Editor

A broken urinal.

A missing stall door.

Kool-Aid mix spread across toilet seats.

By now, many students are aware of the viral TikTok trend, “Devious Licks,” which involves vandalizing public property, from stealing a stapler to breaking a urinal. This nation-wide trend has reached Perry Meridian High School, and the administration is looking to put an end to it.

“Here at Perry, it has been restricted to the restrooms. Obviously because we don’t have security cameras in the restrooms,” assistant principal Lucas Klipsch states.

Without security cameras, administrators are unable to find students who have been causing damages.

“We have caught students who have done little things, like putting food coloring on the toilets, but unfortunately, we haven’t found students who have done the big things,” Klipsch says. “We had a urinal broken, we haven’t caught that student. We had a stall door broken off, we haven’t caught that student either.”

Staff members have started to account for these actions by doing frequent restroom checks, closing down bathrooms and having students leave their phones when leaving the classroom.

But having to babysit the student body and repair damages has been time consuming and frustrating to both administrators and the janitorial staff, according to Klipsch.

“Look at it this way,” he says. “When people like JB and Char are out there cleaning up these messes that are unnecessary, they could be doing work to keep the school looking pretty and make everybody happy.”

Athlete of the Issue: Isaac Lian Ian Miles

With fall sports coming to a close, athletes have proven their potential within their respected sport. Although there have been many standout performances throughout the fall season, one member of the tennis team has shined constantly.

Senior Isaac Lian is a four-year varsity player for the tennis team and finished 19-2 at #1 singles before the team regional. Lian has proven to be an opponent no one wants to face on the court.

Lian has made some of his most improvements this past year, playing summer clinics and tournaments, which has led to success on the court.

“My footwork is a lot

better this year, and I am much quicker,” Lian says.

As the season progressed, his focus remained on both individual and team improvement.

“For the rest of the season, I don’t want to lose any more matches Winding up for a serve, Isaac Lian plays in a close match and get some more against Plainfield in the Mid-State Tourney. team wins,” Lian says. Photo By Tyler Corbin Lian finished third in the Mid-State Tourfinance at either place. ronmental Club, and ney, falling just short “I haven’t really Key Club, and Young of staying undefeated looked anywhere else,” Life. against Mid-State ophe says. “These colleges Using his skills and ponents. Even after have everything I’m work ethic to improve losing to his first Midlooking for.” in every aspect of life, State opponent, he has Besides playing tenLian has a bright future gained more experinis year-round, Lian in whatever route he ence and confidence enjoys soccer and decides to take, which while he competes. basketball for fun. He is why he is a wellHe would like to con- is trying to get more in- deserving athlete of the tinue his tennis career volved with the school, issue. at either IUPUI or IUespecially in the EnviBloomington and study

Girls Volleyball: The girls volleyball team is 15-8 and have an upcoming sectional game on 10/12.

Boys Soccer: The Falcons are 11-2-1 and the boys won their Mid-state conference.

Fall Sports Recap

Boys Tennis: Finishing their regular season 8-6, the team won their sectional.

Girls Golf: The girls golf team finished their season with a record of 8-5.

Varsity Football: Their record is 2-4. The next upcoming game is on 10/8 at Decatur Central.

Unified Football: The team finished another great season with a record of 1-2.

Boys Cross Country: With a 58-18 record, the boys won their Midstate conference.

Girls Cross Country: Going into the sectional meet on 10/9 the girls have a record of 27-31 .

Girls Soccer: Their record is 2-11-1, improving from past years.

Victor Thang 21’ Picture taken by Audrey Cochran

All regular season records as of 9/30/21

Sports unify student body amidst uncertainty Audrey Cochran

If you have ever

been in a crowd that radiates an exciting and inclusive atmosphere, you know the feeling that Perry Meridian athletics brings, one that makes students proud to be a Falcon.

Most athletes know that being friends as teammates creates an unbreakable bond. When the whole team has that bond, an insane chemistry is manifested on the field or the court that translates to the crowd and then back to the team.

“When the crowd is big and loud, there’s more energy in the team,” senior John Orina states.”

Experiencing that moment of energy on a Friday night is impossible to forget.

Cheering when a crucial goal is scored, following the cheerleaders’ chants, and yelling until your voice is gone make sporting events so memorable for students. According to assistant athletic director

Emily Steinmetz, participating in school sports, whether on the field or in the stands, gives students a sense of belonging.

“We all want to feel like we belong, and I think sports allow us to fit in and be a part of the school,” Steinmetz says.

And when students go back to school the next morning, they talk about the game and the excitement with their classmates.

Orina says he feels more connected to students because in the halls, classmates tell him things such as, “Good job last night” and “Good luck next week.” With excitement about games in the air, everyone is bound to come together through sports.

At pep sessions, each team is cheered on by the entire school. It is a time when the whole school is united by the same goal: to do their best for the school. “It’s a chance to celebrate all the good that happens

The student section dressed in all blue at SHS cheering on the football team. The team went on to win 42-7.

Picture taken by Elly Kimbual.

in sports and in the building,” Steinmetz says.“It makes you feel engaged and noticed.”

Nothing brings students together like supporting each other. Supporting classmates as they fight for the school in athletics is an experience that has to be done in person. It’s a way to demonstrate what we can do for those who aren’t aware and possibly make them more interested and proud of their school. When teams beat rivals or advance to sectionals, students want to be included

and want to be there cheering them on. The energy is everywhere. Sports are also a way to grow closer with classmates outside of academics, according to Senior and multi-sport student athlete, Kailin Gwin.

“It’s really nice to have that outlet from the stressful classroom environment and come together to support each other,” Gwin states.

Overall, sports are one of the biggest aspects at Perry Meridian that build school spirit and bring everyone together.

Kappel speaks on suicide

September was National Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month, but the topic of suicide in teens is always relevant. School social worker Tracey Kappel gives insight into a difficult topic..

by Anna Blackburn

Q: Explain your job as a social worker.

Kappel: A statement that I have used a lot over the years is to say that my job is to help students be successful in the classroom.

That’s like a general statementand I do believe that’s really what my job is. This is a school first and foremost so my job is to be here to support kids and families and help them work through situations in their lives so that they can be successful in the classroom and get their education.

Q: What can our student body do to better help suicidal teens?

Kappel: What we need from the students is just for them to be open to hearing about that and being open to following those guidelines, sharing that information for what they can do for a classmate who may be considering suicide. And also just understanding that there are people who are struggling. I believe that the school district and our school are doing an excellent job at trying to make sure there are resources in the building. Obvi-

ously, they have me. They have quite a few counselors and Adult and Child mental health services.

They are trying to make sure those resources are available for kids if they need that.

Q: What should students do if they suspect someone is considering suicide?

Kappel: The key thing is to make sure that concern is shared with a safe adult. It’s wonderful that classmates listen to and encourage each other. I love that, but what they need is a safe adult to figure out what the next steps may be.

Q: What are some of the most common warning signs found in suicidal teens?

Kappel: There are three different categories for warning signs: there’s specific talk, behavior, and mood. They can specifically speak about wanting to kill themselves or harm themselves. They could express verbally feelings of helplessness or hopelessness.

They might behave in a way that they are isolating or withdrawing

from activities. Oftentimes you see their mood change- they’re depressed, they’re angry, they’re anxious, they’re irritable.

Q: How do you think things have changed from pre-COVID to now regarding suicidal thoughts?

Kappel: I see that there are many more students that are struggling emotionally than I had seen. Something we’re having to help kids and families manage is getting back into a routine and getting back into having to follow certain guidelines, expectations, and rules. Just the “normal school day.” That’s very challenging for kids. A lot of students in this building didn’t come to school for 18 months if you consider when we were first sent home back in March. That has been something that obviously I have never had to manage before.

It’s something totally different.

In general, I’ve just seen a lot more kids struggling with their mental and emotional health.

If you need help: Resources at our school: -Mrs. Kappel- school social worker -Adult and Child Mental Health Services *ask your class counselors for more information Substance Abuse Resources: -SAMHSA:(800)662-HELP

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:

-1(800)273-8255- available 24/7 -online chat: https:// suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/ LGBTQIA+ Resources: Trevor Project: (866)488-7386 -text START to 678678 (Mon-Fri 3pm to 10pm)

BIPOC Resources: Visit https://www.mhanational.org/BIPOC-mental-healthmonth to find resources based around race

Other: ADAA- Anxiety and Depression Association of America IMAlive- online chat with trained volunteers (24/7)

Other: 7 Cups of Tea- online resource where you can chat with either trained volunteers or random volunteers from around the world Befrienders- Find support via telephone, online, text message, in-perosn, and others

SPEAK OUT Suicide is the 10th lead- TEACHERS

by Ciera Street ing cause of death in the Teachers of courses such as English and Art are likely to recognize a change in student behavior due to the expressive nature of their class.

United States Here we see different persepectives from these teachers.

“The student body needs a change. What are some things teachers can do to better help suicidal teens?”

PERCENT OF SUICIDE ATTEMPTS

15 10 5 0

9th

10th

11th

12th

Suicide attempts differ base on grade. Information from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

In 2017, ~6,200 people ages 15-24 died by suicide in the United States

17%

7%

percentage of high school students who have seriously considered attempting suicide

percentage of high school students who have attempted suicide

based on a 2018 study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Christine Dearth -- Art Teacher -- “Students feel alone. Some feel as if they don’t have anyone to talk to. They can come to me, personally or I can open a class conversation. This shows kids they can talk about it and not bottle it all inside. It’s also really eye-opening, with guest speakers. Having someone come in and speak about the subject could be beneficial for the students.”

Jenifer Reed -- English Teacher -- “During suicide prevention month, I could take more active roll and have a really open and honest conversation about it.

Maybe even get Mrs. Kappel as a resource person to either lead or help supplement that conversation.”

Julie Carey -- Psychology Teacher -- “The most important thing is to talk about it. The more we talk about it the more people know that they’re not alone and that there is help available.”

Deaths by suicide differing by race 25 20 SUICIDES PER 100,000 PEOPLE

Suicide attempts by grade

15 10 5 0

ALL

WHITE

BLACK

Pop culture creates misconceptions In American culture, there are movies that show stereotypical suicidal deaths caused by someone having a really upset moment. Due to this portrayal, there are some who believe that people commit suicide because of a single event. But in a lot of cases, that is not the case.

Most of the time, suicide is caused by many factors, including psychological disorders such as major depression. Mental illness can have a serious impact on a person’s behavior.

Sometimes, psychological disorders can cause people to have delusions or illusions that lead them to

API*

HISPANIC NAAN**

Some studies have shown that race and culture may affect suicide rates. Information from National Center for Health Statistics’s study Suicide Rates for Females and Males by Race and Ethnicity: United States, 2017 by Sally C. Curtin. *API- Asian or Pacific Islander **NAAN - Native American or Alaskan Native

suicide. Many psychological disorders are also co-morbid—or often found together — like anxiety and depression.

A 2003 study in “Psychological Medicine” and a 2005 study in the “Journal of American Medical Association” found that psychological disorders cause 90% of suicides.

Those same individuals also battled socio-cultural disadvantages such as not being able to live in a good neighborhood and discrimination.

Even though different cultures teach different ways to react to differ-

by Nicole Ni

ent situations, race, ethnicity and religion do not determine the outcome.

People who tend to have suicidal thoughts can decide to commit suicide impulsively or suddenly, with or without a plan.

Those making plans are to be most worried about because it shows their dedication to committing suicide.

Suicide is a result of accumulating events as well as a final trigger.

Many times, those events are the same as the ones that had led to one or many psychological disorders.

Musical salvation: student function improves through music A noisy, rambunctious class setting seems like a severe problem, yet that same classroom can quickly quieten as the teacher opens Spotify.

For many students, listening to music can aid in homework completion, improve overall productivity, reduce anxiety and increase motivation.

Music can enhance how efficient students are when it comes to assignments and can improve their focus.

“With music, I can stay focused and hours go by, but without it, I get distracted super easily,” sophomore Luke Layton says says.

Along with allowing a better focus, according to Jenifer Reed, Reed an English teacher, with music, students are “more likely to be on task” and can reduce the number of issues within the class itself.

Both of these accounts indicate the importance and impact of listening to music while doing schoolwork, and how music can help with the completion of work.

Tying in to improving productivity, listening to music alongside schoolwork can reduce anxiety.

With the ability to start work eas-

92% 100%

By Zoë Krebs

ier, music can reduce the actual amount of looming work, which can cause much anxiousness. ”When music is playing kids are more relaxed” and can “feel more at ease,” biology teacher Nicole Knight says.

A reduction of stress would not only improve moods but would also positively impact the quality of work completed.

Just as music reduces stress, it also helps with student and teacher motivation. According to sophomore Aliza Soyster said, music can put you in a “more productive mood” and can help students start work sooner than they could without. Music can provide a sense of a different location and can help with relaxation.

As can be seen, music has a wide range of benefits and uses.

Both in the classroom and for personal uses, music can be helpful to many people as a prominent academic tool for studying and getting work done.

of students tested, while listening to Baroque music, retained vocabulary words and phrases they learned. of students tested can also recall the language they learned with almost 100% accuracy after studying with Baroque music.

Information taken from a course at Penn State Universty

TEACHERS OR MUSICIANS ???

By Synthia Davis

English teacher Benjamin Tatum plays with Stereo Deluxe in June 2011.

BENJAMIN TATUM In his college days, you could find him playing gigs across the country, meeting new people and couch surfing while touring. Now he is in the classroom, occasionally playing cover songs at restaurants.

English teacher Benjamin Tatum began his music career by singing in church and at age 14 formed a band, Stereo Deluxe, with his two best friends for their eighth grade talent show. The band was inspired by musical artists such as Green Day and Weezer.

While he enjoyed meeting new people, travelling--especially to New York--and performing with Stereo Deluxe, Tatum’s favorite memory is when they won Battle of the Bands at the Vogue in Broad Ripple.

“It was a sold out show, and most of the people were there to see us,” he states.

The band played together for 15 years, however, Tatum now plays solo gigs at local bars and restaurants.

He compares playing music to being in a learning environment.

“I basically make every mistake possible before I perfect a song,” Tatum says. “I relate this much to writing and being in an English class, learning from my mistakes to become a better writer or teacher.”

French Teacher Breezey Fox performs at Ale Emporium in Greenwood on July 10, 2021.

BREEZEY FOX Everybody has seen the teacher around the hallways with the bright pink hair, covered in tattoos and dressed in a “y’allternitive” style.

But little do they know, outside of the French classroom, they could find her playing at local venues and festivals with her band, The Indy Annies.

French teacher Breezey Fox came from a musical family, joining choir in her early days before forming a band with her brother and sister, eventually touring the country, sometimes in front of crowds of 10,000 or more people.

With their band, Rodeo Rudy Love, she performed at Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel in Providence, Rhode Island.

“It wasn’t the largest venue we played, but it was beautiful inside and the energy of that crowd was one of the best from the entire tour,” she recalls.

Fox reattained her musical passion a few years ago, joining The Indy Annies. The band plays country music, with inspiration from independent artists from Nashville, TN. They also recently won Battle of the Bands, allowing them to open for touring bands next summer.

A Reward We Have To Share

By Madison Leonard Now that students are back full-time, severe cafeteria overcrowding has become an issue. Coupled with COVID-19 concerns, students and staff are looking for ways to find more space.

To help with this goal, the Environmental Club received permission to cut off a section of the senior

patio and buy new furniture, to install a junior patio.

While I understand that a cafeteria being filled to the brim is a problem and getting a junior patio would help solve it a bit, it still feels like a slap to the face for seniors.

The current senior class, and those who came

before us, had to wait their entire high school careers for the privilege of eating on the patio.

And while seniors are not technically getting anything physically taken away, we are giving up part of our reward to a class that did not have to work as hard and long for it. Seniors had no say in the

decision-making process and were forced to accept something they were unaware was happening in the first place.

The junior patio is more likely here to stay, but next time a big decision that affects a certain class; it would be wise to involve them in the decision making process.

Donda outshines CLB

Kanye West and Drake both released their new albums four days aprt, between August and September. Although Drake had a higher number of listeners, West takes the trophy for the better album.

West kept pushing back the release date for his album, which angered many fans but when it finally arrived, it lived up to expectations.

Kanye had three listening parties for the album, and it was highly anticipated.

It definitely deserves Album of the Year.

“Donda” was a masterpiece by West, as it incorporates elements from his old albums, but allows listeners to differentiate how much his producing skills have

By Van Sui

evolved. He also includes a dynamic between gospel and lyrics about abuse and domestic violence.

The best song on the album, “Hurricane,” is a collaboration with Lil Baby and The Weeknd.

Listeners describe this song as heavenly, but there is a deeper meaning as well, which includes how blessed they are to be in such a good place and gives thanks to God with verses such as, “Father hold me close, don’t let me drown, I know you won’t.”

“CLB was very average compared to Donda, which had a variety of styles/ better meanings,” junior Trisnie Nguyen says.

The production

and sounds start to sound alike after track 10 in a way that it becomes repetitive. The problem with Drake’s album is that “CLB” had similar songs to those he had written in the past years. Drake is a great artist, but this album was not his best.

Although Donda was overall the better album, some honorable mentions in “CLB” are “Girls Want Girls,” “Way 2 Sexy” and “Fair Trade.”

“Both albums were good but in my opinion, Donda was better,” senior Mang Bawi says. “Drake offered nothing new to the table, but Donda, it’s almost like the ultimate album for Kanye.”

A BEST SONG: “HURRICANE, FT. LIL BABY AND THE WEEKEND”

+ B

HONORABLE mentIONS: “GIRLS WANT GIRLS”AND “WAY 2 SEXY”

Halloween Costume Inspo

Mrs. Hunter

Mr. Webb

Mrs. Knight Mrs. Stafford

Coach Schoch

Mr. TEVERBAUGH

Mrs. Towne

CARVE THESE DESIGNS INTO A PUMPKIN, TAKE A PICTURE AND TAG @PMHSFOCUS ON TWITTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A PRIZE!