The Pulse 2020-2021 Issue 3

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February 2021 Volume 21 Issue 3

Featured in this issue: l Reports l Sports News l Reviews

A Speech Contest Like No Other By Max Edelman

Usually, right before winter break, the entire school gathers in the Lasdon Theater for the Harvey School Speech Contest finals. The finals round is the culmination of a monthlong contest where the best speeches are performed in front of the whole school community. However, like just about everything this year, the contest was completely different. Last year, just days before the Lopes Poetry Contest was set to begin, COVID-19 took the world by storm, and for the first time in decades, Harvey canceled the competition aspect of the poetry unit. While some classes still required graded poem presentations, there would not be semi-finals or finals, and there would not be a winner. However, the 2020 Speech Contest would not suffer the same fate. For the first time in Harvey history, all speeches were recorded. Instead of students performing their speeches in front of all their classmates in their English classes, all students recorded their speeches from home, and those speeches were played over Zoom for the class to see. Although there were many changes to this year’s Harvey Speech Contest, some things remained the same.

Of course, speeches still needed to be written with the goal of persuading an audience, and they had to be three to five minutes long. But, most importantly, a winner would be crowned. The Pulse sat down with Mr. Jeff Seymour, chair of the English department, Jan. 12, to discuss how the English department was quickly able to pivot from a traditional speech contest to one that would be possible despite COVID-19. The Pulse’s first question regarded planning and how 2020 Harvey Speech Contest Winner Halima Konteh. the contest needed to adapt. Screenshot courtesy of Karen Grazia. “Our initial thought was if we could do it in classrooms,” Mr. and seniors Keegan Glucksman and Seymour said. “However, we quickly realized that no one wanted to do it with Adama Abdul-Wahab. All eight finalists were selected to compete in the most masks.” Mr. Seymour also stated that unusual finals round in recent memory. due to the ongoing situation, many students were either fully remote (or not in The 2020-21 version of the the United States at all). Meaning, a traHarvey Speech Contest featured a ditional first round of the speech contest unique opportunity to feature judges in the classroom wouldn’t be possible. from all over America. The judges were Tom Leaf of Danbury, Connecticut, Jen This year’s finals included Parrucci from Portland, Oregon, and eight students: freshmen Reid Armas Katie Hacala from Savannah, Georgia. and Kathleen McCullough, sophomores Hudson Chris and Emma Galgano, juniors Renee Chen and Halima Konteh, Speech Contest... cont. on inside cover.

Athletic Dedication Despite the Pandemic By Lauren Grauer

Although COVID-19 resulted in the cancellation of sports for the 2020 spring and fall seasons (and now the 2020-2021 winter season), The Harvey athletic department is hard at work. The Pulse interviewed Harvey Director of Athletics Ray Lacen and soon-to-be NCAA Division 1 athletes Emily McKenna and Kathryn Ogg.

As the two move forward in the softball world, they will not forget the people and experiences that helped them get to where they are today. Harvey was the starting line for Ogg’s softball career. She began on the Harvey softball team in sixth grade and played primarily for Harvey until 10th grade. In her sophomore year, Ogg started playing softball for her travel team called New York Nighthawks. “Playing at Harvey allowed me to really understand that I liked softball. Harvey allowed me to play in a lowpressure environment and gave me the confidence to want to take my softball game to a higher level. Harvey was the foundation for my softball career.”

Mr. Lacen has been putting in countless hours trying to prepare for spring sports. There is not just the usual planning for where home and away games will be, but now he has to think about the health and safety of the players.

The Harvey School 260 Jay Street Katonah, NY 10536

Mr. Lacen’s main goal is to have students get outside onto the field. To make sure sports can go on, the athletic department is keeping an eye out on the state and COVID-19 local levels as well as what the federal government’s Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the state and county health departments are saying. To make sure proper social distancing is enforced, the equipment in the fitness and weight rooms has been spaced far apart. It is mandatory that all equipment is wiped down after each use.

Emily McKenna and Kathryn Ogg before a Nighthawks game in 2019. Photo courtesy of the McKenna and Ogg families.

While Harvey sports have paused, Kathryn Ogg and Emily McKenna have continued to show their commitment to athletics despite the pandemic. Ogg has committed to play softball at Oklahoma State University and McKenna has committed to St. Bonaventure University.

Meanwhile, McKenna came to Harvey as a junior and planned on furthering her academic and softball career at Harvey. Unfortunately, when COVID-19 hit, McKenna was unable to play softball. However, McKenna still took advantage of Harvey athletics, as she played on the varsity volleyball team. This spring, McKenna will start her Harvey softball career. The Harvey Athletic Dedication...cont. on page 9.


OP/ ED

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Bring Back Clubs

Ever since school started in September, The Harvey School hasn’t formally announced any plans for clubs to safely restart. I believe that 75 % of our school’s clubs can be safely run and enjoyed by students and faculty. The Pulse spoke with Mr. Gary Dunn, dean of students, about recent updates regarding the start of clubs. He was very helpful and informative about the issues surrounding why clubs haven’t come back yet.

The Pulse Staff

Mr. Dunn stated that the school is “trying to figure out the best time” for clubs to meet during the school schedule. The school’s main focus is “finding a plan for everyone to meet during the academic day,” and Mr. Dunn “hopes to have a plan in place soon.” Mr. Dunn was also open to suggestions from students about how clubs could return. I offered ideas that could work for the students as well as the staff. This response shows that the school is listening to the students’ opinions and taking them into account, as well.

Editor-in-Chief Max Edelman

I believe that clubs should be brought back soon because clubs would be a way for students to connect. For example, for students like me who have been fully remote, this opportunity gives students a chance to see friends who aren’t in their classes and participate in activities with shared interests. Whether students are learning virtually or in-person, my plan would allow all students to be able to hang out and participate in a group with old and new friends.

Assistant Editor Lauren Grauer

The main issue with bringing back clubs is social distancing. The beauty of my plan is to initially bring back clubs that can easily be virtual. That way, you can still participate from anywhere on campus or at home. One club that can easily start back up by the time students return for the second part of the Winter Term is the Gaming Club. Most popular multiplayer games, such as “Among Us” and “Fortnite,” can be played on phones and consoles.

Sam Alexander Emma Galgano Kevin Li Amanda Mohamad Alexia Roisenvit Razi Tanksley

Another advantage of restarting the gaming club is that there would be more capacity for members. Since there are a multitude of games that can be played online, like billiards and UNO, more students can enjoy playing while remaining protected from COVID-19. Another club that can safely return in 2021 is The Big Questions Club. It has already proven that it’s able to be held safely because last spring there were virtual meetings held during the club time that was on the virtual spring schedule of the 2019-2020 school year. Ms. Holmes, one of the advisors to The Big Questions Club, said that club time was a wonderful way to see students who were not in her class. Also, this pandemic has certainly been a time when students have had “big questions,” so clubs also served as an important outlet for students to discuss their thoughts.

Faculty Advisor Virgina Holmes

We could also start a chess club. Chess is a sport that is both learnable and playable online, and students would still be able to chat with others. One reliable chess website, chees.com, has millions of members who can play other members worldwide for free. As a member for several years, I could both play and teach other students to master one of the most played sports in the world. I would suggest having clubs on a specific rotation. On every third Day A, clubs will be held at the same time slot that the advisory meeting would happen. That way, the school schedule would barely have to change, and clubs would have a reasonable meeting time. I hope that students will be able to have their club time to bring a bright spot during the hardships of life and school.

Winter 2021 Pulse Staff

Sincerely, Razi Tanksley

Speech Contest...cont. from cover.

Mr. Seymour stated, “This contest gave us the opportunity to reach out to judges anywhere. Because the location wasn’t a factor in this year’s contest, we could look anywhere for judges.” The finalists’ speeches were compiled into a 45-minute video that was shared with the school during the advisory period Jan. 12. After a contest that featured eight amazing speeches, a winner and an honorable mention were crowned. Senior Adama Abdul-Wahab was the honorable mention, while junior Halima Konteh was declared the winner of this one-of-a-kind virtual speech contest. While Mr. Seymour believes that the speech contest went over smoothly, he hopes to be back together as a community in person for next year’s contest. “The Poetry Contest will probably look similar to this year’s Speech Contest. However, if we can do something live, that is something we may explore. But it’s good that we now know that we have something that works if we need to use it,” said Mr. Seymour. In a year like no other, the Harvey Speech Contest was no different. Despite the obstacles, the Harvey English department and students were able to give us another astonishing contest. Missing from photo: Kevin Li


Reports

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A President’s Best Friend By Emma Galgano

From birds to ponies, alligators to tiger cubs, and dogs to cats, the tradition of pets in the White House has been around for almost 300 years. After four years of no presidential pet, it’s time to look at some of the strangest and greatest pets in the White House. Presidential pets are friends and provide stress relief during long days. U.S presidents have claimed that their pets are celebrities, writers, geniuses, and even their closest companions. The history of animals in the White House dates all the way back to George Washington. The New York Times stated that George Washington had several dogs, including fox hounds and coonhounds. Even John Adams had two mongrel dogs named Juno and Satan! However, not all presidents had the standard dog or cat. Thomas Jefferson had grizzly bears, John Quincy Adams had an alligator, and Martin van Buren had tiger cubs. John F. Kennedy had over 20 pets. Teddy Roosevelt even had a pony! Business Insider stated that John Quincy’s alligator was a gift from French Revolutionary War hero Marquis de Lafayette. The alligator lived in the unfinished East Room (reception room), spending most of his time in the bathtub.

George H.W. Bush made over $800,000 from his dog Millie. Millie was Bush’s assistant and celebrity. Millie appeared in episodes of “Murphy Brown,” “Wings,” “Who’s the Boss,” and even an episode of “The Simpsons.” She is considered one of the most famous animals in the United States. Millie made most of her money off royalties with her book “Millie’s Book,” a New York Times bestseller that also spent 23 weeks on “Publishers Weekly’s” hardcover bestsellers list. The Washington Post stated that not only was Millie a star, but she was also Bush’s personal assistant. Bush once said, “My dog Millie knows more about foreign affairs than these two bozos” (referring to Bill Clinton and Al Gore). Several past presidents say that having an animal companion looks good politically. Harry Truman said, “If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog.” Even President Obama got a dog after he was elected, because he felt the pressure and thought it would bring more joy to his long days. The New York Times stated that Abraham Lincoln’s Secretary of State, William H. Steward, gave Lincoln two cats, Tabby and Dixie, since he was a cat fan. “At one point, he told a friend that Dixie was ‘smarter than his entire cabinet’ and ‘didn’t

talk back,’ which was a bonus.”

The New York Times stated that Donald J. Trump and James K. Polk are the only presidents not to have a presidential pet while President John F. Kennedy and two of his in office. Describing Trump, children playing with his presidential pony, Macaroni. Photo courtesy of JFK Libraries. The New York Times reported that “having a dog seems ‘phony’ to him, and his base likes him just fine regardless.” Trump One of the first announcealso stated that he “doesn’t have any ments that Biden made after winning time for a dog.” the election was “time to put a pet back in the White House.” First Lady Dr. Jill Biden promised her husband Even though Trump did he could get a cat if he won the elecnot have any pets, President Joseph tion. This would be the first White Biden sure has a lot! House cat in over a decade. She followed up and said, “I love having The New York Times stated that President Biden has two German animals around the house!” Shepherds, Champ (12 years old) and Although Biden’s pets will Major (2 years old). Major would be running around the White House, be the first shelter dog in the White White House History stated one House. major rule in the White House is that Biden has always had a spe- animals are not allowed inside the White House Visitor Center. cial connection to Champ. Biden’s grandchildren named Champ, and it Presidential pets have a lot was a perfect name because Biden’s more history than most think. They father would often tell him to “Get keep presidents focused and keep up, Champ.” them calm. From being authors to talkers, presidential pets are defi Champ and Biden are nitely the stars of the show! genuinely best friends. Even during an interview with “60 Minutes,” Joe Biden decided to have Champ right by his side.

Victim of a Killing Spree: Brandon Bernard By Amanda Mohamad

Dec. 10, 2020, will now live as a day in American history, where after an extremely unprecedented year, all hope seemed lost. At 9:27 p.m., 40-year-old Brandon Bernard of Killeen, Texas was executed by lethal injection of pentobarbital as punishment for being an accomplice to a crime when he was 18. Bernard is the youngest person in 70 years to receive a death sentence in the United States. According to HuffPost, his death was the ninth death penalty to be carried out during President Donald Trump’s administration. Brandon Anthony Micah Bernard was born July 3, 1980 in San Antonio, Texas. By 1985, the Bernard family had moved to Killeen, Texas, where Brandon resided during the majority of his childhood. The divorce of his parents and Bernard’s cousin, Melsimeon Pollock, having moved in with the family in the early 1990s, according to Wikipedia, led to what some may consider Bernard’s downward spiral. Pollock and Bernard started burglarizing houses in their teen years. This criminal behavior resulted in several changes in Bernard’s life, including multiple school changes, serving five months in a juvenile

detention facility, and becoming a member of local gang “212 Piru Bloods.” Bernard’s actions failed him in his attempts to gain employment and join the United States Army. However, he was able to receive his GED and complete his senior year at Killeen High School from 19971998. Bernard’s crimes unfortunately did not stop at burglary. The actions he took at 18 years old on the fateful afternoon of June 21, 1999, would determine the rest of Bernard’s life.

Bernard’s trial was held in the year 2000 in federal court, where he was found guilty of two counts of murder and received his death sentence. He spent 20 years in jail before his execution. Christopher Vialva, the gunman, was executed in September 2020, and the other gang members involved in the crime were given lesser sentences.

While Bernard was on death row and even after he was Brandon Bernard (left) pictured with his family. executed, prosecutors, political Photo courtesy of helpsavebrandon.com. figures, and celebrities debated that Bernard’s death was not deserved. Reality star Kim Karvehicle over to the side of the road Bernard, along with dashian and Senator Bernie Sanders by the Belton Lake recreation area. Christopher Vialva and several other are two of the most notable figures During the ride there, the pastors teenage male gang members, apwho publicly fought against Berproached youth pastors Todd, 26, and begged their perpetrators to let them nard’s punishment and later criticized free and acknowledge Jesus. Ignoring the government for carrying out the Stacie Bagley, 28, at a gas station, them, the teens poured lighter fluid asking for a ride. When the couple execution. into the car as the couple sang “Jesus agreed, Vialva held the pastors at gunpoint, forcing them into the trunk Loves Us,” which would be their last Additionally, former prosewords. of their car. The gang members later cutor Angela Moore, who previously proceeded to rob the Bagleys of supported Bernard’s death sentence, Vialva shot the pastors in their money and jewelry, including changed her views after reconsiderStacie’s wedding ring, as reported by their heads, and Bernard set the car ing the crime. Moore stated that on fire. Todd was immediately killed United Press International. Brandon Bernard was an adolescent by the gun shot, but Stacie’s cause of when the crime was committed, and death was smoke inhalation, accord Driving the Bagleys’ car, ing to her autopsy. Victim of a Killing Spree...cont. on page 5. the young men eventually pulled the


Reports

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The Collapse at the Capitol By Razi Tanksley

On Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington D.C., the sun was rising, and Joe Biden was about to be certified by Vice President Mike Pence as the next U.S. president by Congress. But that was just the calm before the storm. For on that day, was the surge. During the process of the ceremonial counting of the electoral votes to certify the election, thousands of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol Building. Hundreds of these rioters raided through the doors and violently looted the offices. One rioter was caught on camera stealing Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s lectern. In a video captured by the HuffPost’s Igor Bobic, one lone African-American officer was even chased up a stairway to escape a horde of rioters going after him. Some of the rioters in that scene, including a man in a QAnon shirt named Doug Jensen, is now facing federal charges. Even after the riot ended, other horrors were revealed. Rioter Robert Keith Packer has been identified as the man in the “Camp Auschwitz” sweatshirt. As reported by Curt Devine and Scott Bronstein, Packer’s sweatshirt “bore the name of the Nazi concentration camp where about 1.1 million people were killed during World War II, has evoked shock and disbelief on social media. His shirt also stated, ‘Work brings freedom,’ which translates to ‘Arbeit macht frei’ that was on the

concentration camp’s gates.” Specifically, many of the rioters who supported Trump showed intentions of killing Trump’s Vice President, Mike Pence, publicly in front of the Capitol Building. Reuters editor Jim Pourg tweeted, “I heard at least three different rioters at the Capitol say that they hoped to find Vice President Mike Pence and execute him by hanging him from a Capitol Hill tree as a traitor. It was a common line being repeated. Many more were just talking about how the VP should be executed.” The rioters were so driven to execute Pence, they even had a gallows with them that was placed in the front path of Capitol Hill. According to Reuters, this idea of Pence being a traitor was fueled by Trump’s statement about the Vice President having the power to overturn the election. Multiple deaths took place during the riot or soon after as a result of it. One of the rioters was a woman named Ashli Babbitt who was shot by a Capitol police officer. Also, Officer Brian D. Sicknick was severely injured protecting the Capitol and unfortunately later died in the hospital. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi stated that to honor him, “flags at the Capitol will be flown halfstaff.” Deaths not only occurred at the sight of the riot. Overwhelmed

Rioters storming Capitol Hill. Photo courtesy Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images.

by grief, U.S. Capitol police officer Howard Liebengood committed suicide four days after the violent attempted coup took place. According to Claudia Koerner and Julia Reinstein, his death was caused by seeing his fellow officer, Brian Sicknick, being brutally attacked. Sicknick died the next day. Liebengood’s family lawyer, Barry Pollack, stated, “His death is a tragedy that has deprived all of us of a dedicated public servant.” Donald Trump was impreashed, making him the first president to be impeached twice. Leading up to the inauguration, security was tightened in Wash-

ington D.C. According to NPR’s Bill Chappell, there were many social media threats leading up to Inauguration Day. Chappell reported that police were “on high alert in state capitals around the U.S. After warnings that pro-Trump extremists might attempt to storm legislatures.” Chappell also reported that “since the assault, social media outlets and tech companies have been making it more difficult for conspiracy theorists to repeat false claims that the Nov. 3 election was rigged and that Trump was not truly defeated by President-elect Joe Biden.” As Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th president, we are awaiting a bright future ahead.

History Is Made By Emma Galgano

For the first time in history, Georgia will be represented by a Black reverend and a son of Jewish immigrants in the Senate. On Nov. 3, 2020 (Election Day), none of Georgia’s senate candidates received 50% of the votes. This led to a runoff election with Raphael Warnock (D) versus Kelly Loeffler (R) and Jon Ossoff (D) versus David Perdue (R). On Jan. 6, 2021, America finally had the winners: Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff, making the Senate 50-50. According to CNN, Georgia’s electoral system has strict rules that say that a candidate running for senator must receive at least 50% of the vote to be declared a winner. If both Republican and Democratic candidates receive the majority of votes, it goes to a runoff election. Before Ossoff and Warnock were declared winners, the Senate majority was 48-50, and the power was leaning to the Republicans. With a Democratic president, it is always more comfortable if the Senate leans toward your party. This allows for the passing of the president’s policies and legislations. Over 4 million residents in Georgia voted in the runoffs. That’s

54% more than Georgia’s 2018 gubernatorial election. A strong turnout from Black voters and other voters of color fueled Warnock and Ossoff’s historic win. NBC states that roughly 30% of the registered voters in Georgia are Black, and 92% of the Black voters supported Democratic Senate candidates. Both candidates in the Democratic and Republican Party are qualified and well-educated.

All four candidates for Georgia run-offs (Warnock, Ossoff, Perdue and Loeffler). Photo courtesy to David Wright and Alex Rodgers.

According to David Perdue for Senate, David Alfred Perdue Jr. is an American politician who first served the United States Senate in 2015. He attended the Georgia Institute of Technology and is currently the CEO of Reebok.

Loeffler for Senate website, Loeffler was appointed by a Brian Kemp (Georgia’s governor) to the Senate, because the past senator resigned for health reasons. She became the second female to represent Georgia in the U.S senate.

According to Britannica, “as a senator, Perdue became known for his conservative views.” Perdue is a prominent activist toward banning same-sex marriage and abortion. He also supports legislation to limit immigration.

Loeffler was previously a successful business owner. She was the CEO of Bakkt (a financial service provider). Loeffler became the wealthiest senator from this success and is estimated to have a net worth of $800 million.

The other Republican candidate for Georgia’s Senate is Kelly Loeffler. According to the Kelly

Raphael Warnock, one of the Democratic candidates for Georgia’s Senate, ran against Loeffler and

received most of the votes. According to The New York Times, Warnock was previously a senior pastor for Martin Luther King Jr.’s church. Jon Ossoff, the other democratic candidate for Georgia’s Senate, ran against Perdue and received over 50% of the vote. According to ElectJon, Ossoff believes in “ensuring every Georgian has excellent health care, delivering historic investments in clean energy and infrastructure, and rebuilding this economy, so working families and small businesses thrive and root out corruption. Hence, the government serves the people — not private interests with legions of lobbyists.” History is Made...cont. on page 5


Reports

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TikTok: A Platform for Change By Lauren Grauer

As we try to forget the hardships 2020 handed us, TikTok was able to provide us a little levity in the year. TikTok has become a platform people feel comfortable turning to when they or family members need help. TikTok gives its users the opportunity to share a video up to a minute in length, with topics ranging from comical to educational videos. During the 2020 holiday season, many celebrities volunteered to open up their pockets and help raise money for TikTok creators in need. David Dobrik, a YouTube star, created a challenge called #DavidsHoliday where he partnered with Current, a mobile banking app, to give back this past holiday season. The challenge was opened up to all 2.6 billion users. The users were given the opportunity to share a video explaining why they were worthy of the money Dobrik would give them. Some users shared sensitive stories while others wanted to uplift a family member or friend. One participant with the username @katie_pattok wanted to uplift her sister who is 21 and has been raising her two younger brothers independently instead of finishing her college career. The video @ katie_pattok made about her sister’s situation reached Dobrik, and he stepped in and donated $25,000 to Katie’s sister. Dobrik suggested the money be used to buy Katie’s sister a nice gift or help pay the bills.

Another participant with the username @lalalandkindcafe spent her life in the foster care system, was abused, and grew up alone. The user is now pregnant with her baby, named Violet, and she would like to give her baby a better life than she had. Dobrik kindly decided to donate a whopping $50,000 to @lalalandkindcafe’s cause.

The Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement was driven by social media, specifically Instagram. On June 2, 2020, all Instagram users did not post anything other than a black screen to show their support for BLM. This activism transferred to Tik Tok. Janet W. Lee who writes for Yahoo Entertainment quoted Blake Chandlee, who Chandlee said, “Diversity in content, and the kinds of creators that were creating content on the platform went from pretty simple offerings to diversity around cooking and DIY and education.”

TikTok has also become a place for people to voice their opinions. On Dec. 12, The Pulse came across a video by a woman with the username @swinsie_d. The woman talked about other women following their dreams and believing in themselves. This video had such passion, and the user really wanted to get her message out there. TikTok creators really want to spread positive messages about the causes they are fighting for.

TikTok works as an algorithm; the more likes, comments, and shares the video gets, the more likely the video is to get more views. TikTok creators have figured out the best way to get more views through using hashtags and creating videos that are attention grabbing. Creators have used these techniques to spread awareness for a cause or help someone in need.

Generation Z is our future, and they are one of the biggest consumers of TikTok. TikTok and social media educate young adults on how to make your voice heard. According to the BBC, a 16-year-old named Gillian used TikTok to organize a strike over teacher pay. Gillian said, “I turned TikTok activism into real life activism.” TikTok was able to help Gillian spread awareness for the cause she was fighting for. Instagram has also become a place where the next generation of leaders have been able to find a voice in social activism.

TikTok also invites users who have a following into the “creator fund,” which allows for creators to make a profit off their videos.

Photo of TikTok user @kingzippy raising money for his father. Photo courtesy of @ kingzippy.

Victim of a Killing Spree...cont. from page 3 History is Made...cont. from page 4

Ossoff was previously a documentary film producer and investigative journalist. He attended the London School of Economics and Georgetown University. According to CBS, Ossoff is the youngest Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate since Joe Biden in 1972. The 2020 presidential election and 2021 runoffs saw unprecedented voter turnout. This is a large part because of voter registration efforts by trailblazers like Stacey Abrams. Abrams took her passion and love for Georgia and used it and mobilized Black voters. She registered an impressive 800,000 new voters. Warnock was projected to take a Loeffler’s seat early morning on Jan. 6, 2021. Ossoff was projected to take Perdue’s seat awkwardly in the middle of MAGA rioters barging into the capitol. Wolf Blitzer (American journalist, television news anchor and author who has been a CNN reporter since 1990) announced Ossoff the projected winner by interrupting footage of rioters

shattering the Capitol building’s windows. Loeffler and Perdue conceded in a very respectable and admirable way. Loeffler recorded a two-minute concession speech congratulating Warnock on his success. Loeffler went on to say, “While my heart breaks at not being able to continue to serve Georgia and America, I am tremendously proud of all we achieved together.” She finished her speech with “conservative American values will continue.” Perdue also conceded Jan. 8, 2021. Perdue stated that he won the general election but did not get 50% of the votes. CNN described this reaction as “passive aggressive.” However, he did go on to congratulate the Democratic Party and Ossoff for their run-off win. America is going through historical moments every day, and the Georgia elections will certainly be one of those moments.

therefore his brain had not been fully developed enough to control careless impulses. She also noted that during his time in jail, Bernard never violated any disciplinary rules.

alty, but a Black man whose role in the crime was done simply out of fear for his own life, was killed despite petition from the very members of the jury that sentenced him to death.”

Those in the public eye are not the only ones who are anti-death penalty. The Pulse interviewed Harvey senior, Zara Hume, co-president (along with senior Densley Blake) of Harvey’s Cultural and Racial Equality (C.A.R.E.) club. Hume said, “I do not believe it is anyone’s job to play God. I believe Brandon Bernard deserved to have his case retried. But he was let down by the very system put in place to protect him.”

Zara encourages the Harvey community to take action against the death penalty, regardless of race, stating, “I’ve always believed that as individuals we have a right to education. We have a right to understand the society around us. However, many people do not know of the realities of death row. I would suggest my peers educate themselves. Gather as much information as possible.”

In terms of the impact on the Black community, Hume continued, “The execution of Brandon Bernard affected the Black community in various ways. Number one being, the loss of hope. Brandon Bernard spent his life, alone, in a dark cell, 23 hours a day. It makes you think about what type of system we live in.” Hume also told The Pulse, “We live in a world where the white man who opened fire on a Black church during their bible study was not given the death pen-

Furthermore, Hume concluded, “I also believe they should align themselves with organizations against the death penalty that they believe in. Lastly, I suggest they spread the word and do everything they can to ensure that justice is served fairly and equally amongst all people in our society. Not just the poor ones or the black and brown ones, but for everyone.” The Pulse thanks Hume for sharing her thoughts, and while Brandon Bernard may be gone, the hope for justice is still here.


Harvey News

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Behind the Scenes: Harvey Development Interns By Amanda Mohamad

The Harvey community expands far beyond its current students and teachers. Thousands of alumni have come and gone through The Harvey School since its opening in 1916. Whether they have stepped foot onto campus or not since their graduation, or were at last year’s homecoming, Harvey manages to keep everyone connected to their alma mater. The Harvey Development Team maintains all aspects regarding Harvey alumni from monthly newsletters to fundraising events, and they also contribute to supporting the Harvey Parent Association. Ms. Danziger (Director of Development), Ms. Vicente (Young Alumni Coordinator and Assistant Director of Admissions), Ms. Christian-Reid (Director of the Annual Fund), as well as many alumni make up the development team. Ms. Danziger said, “I would say the core of what we do is to really support the community. We really build, support, and maintain the parent, student, faculty, alumni community. We are really a big part of the connection between the parents and the school, and same with the alumni. We really are the bridge that keeps the alums connected to the school once they graduate.” Alumni that take part in the team include middle school science teacher Mr. Greg Janos, who gradu-

Ryan Spiro, Class of ‘22, calling alumni. Photo courtesy of Mr. Janos.

ated from Harvey in 1998. “It’s been great,” Mr. Janos says. “I think the part I like most is seeing the school in a different perspective. I like working behind the scenes and putting in the work, and there’s a great team up here.” But this team would not be possible without student perspectives. Since the 2019-2020 school year, the development team has recruited student interns to contribute to development-related projects. Ms. Danziger continued, “When we look at all of the connections we have, the alumni ones are the hardest to maintain because it’s really hard when a student first

leaves to keep them a part of the Harvey family. So, we decided to start working with juniors and seniors, so that students start to understand what we do and why it’s important to stay connected.” As for the 2020-2021 school year, despite the pandemic, there are nine Harvey Development Student Interns: one sophomore, seven juniors, and one senior. These students come from a variety of academic, cultural, and extracurricular backgrounds. While many have been attending Harvey since middle school or freshman year, there are also a few new students participating, including sophomore Nekia Bland and junior Lily Dalrymple.

of the student interns participated in a phone-a-thon after school. These students included the Class of 2022 students Ella Cohn, Giselle Groff, Halima Konteh, Amanda Mohamad, and Ryan Spiro, as well as the Class of 2023 student Nekia Bland.

The development team has been teaching these interns what Harvey stands for: community. Despite the diversity within the students themselves, these students are learning to effectively work together along with the faculty of the team.

Ryan Spiro, who participated in the phone-a-thon, said about being a student intern, “I think it could look great on my college resume for when I go to college. I think it’s always great to get in touch with all of the alumni and have connections all over.”

As for the types of students that work with the team, “We look for someone who is engaged in their education and in The Harvey School. It is really important that everyone has school spirit and is able to tell the Harvey story,” Ms. Danziger says. The interns have worked together, not only to understand what the development team does, but also to help them. On Dec. 9, 2020, six

During the phone-a-thon, the interns made phone calls to alumni of The Harvey School to thank them for donating money to the Annual Fund in previous years and to ask if they would like to donate again. Students were able to learn about the Harvey experiences of the alumni, as well as share their own experiences during the unprecedented times of the COVID-19 pandemic as a Harvey student.

The Pulse is proud to showcase the Harvey Development Team and its interns, reminding us that the community is much more than those who are learning and teaching. Harvey continues to be a significant part of the life of alumni, which would not be possible without this dedicated group!

Sports News Why Should We Stay Active? By Alexia Roisenvit

During these challenging times, staying active can be difficult. However, staying physical and participating in athletics is vital to remaining healthy in body and mind. The Pulse interviewed three Harvey students about their experience with exercise during COVID, and they shared the importance of these activities in these times. The first student that The Pulse spoke with is Jose Polanco. Polanco talked about his passion for baseball and how he has been playing since he was 9 years old. He practices baseball and trains in the gym after school. Polanco stated that it is important for students to do physical activity after school because sitting all day is not healthy for you. Polanco said, “Even though we are going through a hard time, it’s no excuse not to be exercising or at least walking 10 minutes a day.” He talked about how he has managed to work out at home and also safely at the gym. He wants to play college baseball and be able to play professional baseball in the future.

The second student The Pulse interviewed was Andrew Ortiz. Ortiz has been staying active since quarantine started, as he goes to the gym at least three times a week. Ortiz said, “When I workout after school, it takes my mind off school, and it makes me relaxed. I am happier in general.” He also talked about how COVID-19 affected his routine due to gyms closing earlier, and also because they closed for a long period of time while the coronavirus was at its peak. When Ortiz is working out, he always practices social distancing and wears a mask. Ortiz recommends his friends to stay active, because it makes you feel happier, and you feel more productive. Ortiz continued, “I know some people are really scared about COV-

ID-19, and they don’t want to be in contact with anyone at the gym, so I suggest walking.” He also confirmed that he will be going to the gym until college, because it is already part of his routine.

Last but not least, The Pulse interviewed Jason Yudell. Yudell has played basketball at school and has continued playing during quarantine. He is active and maintains a proper balance of eating and exercising so that he stays in good shape. Unfortunately, COVID-19 has limited the amount of people he can play with on the court. He keeps his circle small, and sometimes just plays with his brother and father. Yudell also always wears a Jose Polanco playing baseball. mask.

Photo courtesy of William Perez.

Yudell suggests his friends go on runs, walk, or even practice any sport they like alone. Yudell said, “There is no need to go to a gym where a lot of people are going to be there. You can always grab a soccer ball or even your lacrosse stick and practice. It is always fun to be active even with those little things.” In general, Yudell thinks that being active impacts his well-being, because when you are active or consistently active, you mentally feel happier, you feel better about yourself, you are more motivated, you do better work, and you wake up in the morning to do things, as opposed to laying on the couch and feeling lazy all day. He would like to continue playing basketball in college, but not in the competitive scene. The Pulse thanks these students for their time in being interviewed. It is important to stay safe, and, most importantly, active throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Stay safe and release some happy endorphins while exercising!


Sports News

Page 7

Race Past the Pandemic By Kevin Li

F1, which stands for Formula One, is a well-known race car competition. There are 10 teams competing for the championship title every year. You might recognize some of the teams, like Ferrari and Mercedes. In about 20 races, 20 drivers will run every match highly concentrated, but the results often depend on the quality of the car. Because of the importance of the car, F1 constructors will try to improve the car’s performance by upgrading every spare part. Different kinds of tires and the time each team takes on pit stops are some of the other components that make the F1 more unexpected. The finance part of racing is very complicated. According to roadandtrack.com, the best team in 2017 earned 10 times more than what the lowest rated team earned. There are also many companies who invest in those F1 teams. You might be familiar with some of them, like Puma and Microsoft. Race car driving is also one of the most dangerous sports on earth. Though the protection systems on the race tracks are considerably safe, there were still incidents where

because his team, Haas, had already replaced him with their new drivers. According to Formula One’s official website, after the Abu Dhabi GP, the F1 2020 season has come to an end. As everyone who follows F1 expected, Lewis Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain at the Barcelona Hamilton of Catalunya racetrack. Photo courtesy of CTV News. Mercedes won the championship drivers’ lives were threatened. One of 124 points ahead of his teammate the most famous incidents happened Valtteri Bottas. It is no surprise that in 1994. According to ESPN, Ayrton Mercedes won the best constructor of Senna who won three champion2020, with both of its drivers on the ships, crashed his car on San Marino podium. Red Bull came in second. GP, and died shortly after. Red Bull had an inconsistent season because their second driver, Albon, Luckily, no one was badly underperformed in several matches. hurt in the 2020 season. But according to Formula One’s website, Most F1 teams confirmed in the Bahrain Grand Prix, Romain the drivers who will be racing next Grosjean crashed his car into a year. According to Mercedes’s ofbarrier, causing a big fire. Grosjean ficial website, Bottas confirmed that escaped the fire in about 28 seconds, but his hands suffered injuries. Many he will race for his team for the 2021 season. media predicted the Bahrain Grand Prix would be Grosjean’s last race

According to formula1.com, Ferrari signed Sainz, who left the McLaren team. According to motorsportmagazine, Verstappen extended his contract until 2023, and Riccardo will be going to McLaren. 39-yearold Fernando Alonso will return to Renault, where Haas choose to bring in two youngsters, Michael Schumacher’s son Mick Schumacher, who won F2 of season 2020, and Mazepin, who also have several years of Formula 2 experience. Formula 2 racing is a lower tier than Formula one. A team that performed well in Formula Two could be promoted to Formula One. Due to the pandemic, F1 rescheduled every race. According to racefans.com, the first race was back July 3 at the Austrian GP, and the last race ended Dec. 11. About 10 races were canceled due to different reasons. According to the F1 official website, the new season will contain 23 races. The first race will start March 21, 2021, at Melbourne Australia. The new schedule also features the first ever World Championship race in Saudi Arabia.

Marlins Mash Barriers By Max Edelman

On Nov. 13, 2020, the Miami Marlins made baseball and American sports history when they hired former Yankees and Dodgers assistant general manager Kim Ng as their new General Manager, making Ng the first female general manager in the history of the big four sports. Baseball has been in Ng’s blood her entire life. According to ESPN, Ng was a college softball player at the University of Chicago, and after college, she immediately began working in the front office with MLB teams. Ng’s front-office career began as an intern with the Chicago White Sox organization after she graduated from the University of Chicago. Shortly after, Ng was made a full-time employee with the White Sox and was named the assistant director of baseball operations, a role she would be in for six years (from 1990 to 1996). In 1997, Ng worked in the American League office of the MLB for a year in 1997. In 1998, Ng broke the first of many barriers she would break during her front-office career. When Ng was hired by the Yankees, she became the youngest MLB assistant general manager ever, at just the age of 29. In her four-year stint

with the Yankees, the Yankees made the World Series all four years and won three of them. The league was beginning to take notice of the young assistant general manager, so much so that she caught the eyes of the Los Angeles Dodgers. In 2002, Ng would make the cross-country trip to Los Angeles where she would take the assistant general manager role with the Los Angeles Dodgers, a role she would hold for nine years. Following her tenure in the City of Angels, Ng would once again work for the MLB as the Senior Vice President of Baseball operations and she would report to former Yankees and Dodgers manager Joe Torre. But in 2020, Ng would break the glass ceiling and become the first female general in major American Sports history. Just days after America made Kamala Harris the first female vice president, the Miami Marlins made Kim Ng the first female, and first Asian American, to become the general manager of an MLB team. Ng told NBC that she was in “utter disbelief” when she was informed that she got the job as the next Marlins general manager. But Ng is up for the test and will not let

the fact that she will be the first woman in this role lightly. Ng also told NBC, “This challenge is one I don’t take lightly. When I got into the business, it seemed unlikely a woman would lead a major league team, but I am dogged in the pursuit of my goals. And for a MarMarlins General Manager Kim Ng. lins team that just Photo courtesy of ESPN. shocked the MLB world by making the prospects you have, to know your the playoffs in 2020 and upsetting minor league system. Throughout my the powerful and heavily favored career, at each step of the way, we Chicago Cubs in the first round, Ng had young players. We had young, is coming into a very highly coveted core, premium players.” Ng hopes position with the Miami Marlins. to utilize the plethora of prospects the Marlins currently have to build Ng has wasted little time a championship caliber team in the making moves to prepare the Marlins Sunshine State. for the season ahead, signing numerous players such as First baseman’s While Kim Ng may have Jesus Aguilar and Garrett Cooper to broken the barrier, the job is not done remain in Miami. Ng has also stated yet. Ng is expected to bring a title to that she hopes to give the younger Miami, and only time will tell if she players a chance to get time in the delivers. major leagues this upcoming season. “I think the most important thing in this whole thing is to know


Reviews

Page 8

The Queen Takes All A Review by Alexia Roisenvit

“The Queen’s Gambit” is a Netflix original, meaning you can only watch it on Netflix, and it premiered Oct. 23, 2020. This coming-of-age drama was created by Scott Frank and Allan Scott based on a novel that was written by Walter Tevis in 1983. The name of the main character of this miniseries is Beth Image of the final match in “The Queen’s Gambit.” Harmon, played by Anya Photo courtesy of Phil Bray. source: https://newrepublic. Taylor-Joy. Beth Harmon com/article/160387/the-queens-gambit-re-imagined-chess is an orphan who aspires to become the world’s greatest chess player. She In my opinion, this show experienced a lot of trauma in her was indeed a masterpiece. I never childhood, and due to these tragthought that chess would be so edies, she created an alcohol and interesting and that it could give you drug dependence. so many opportunities. One aspect of this show that viewers should be Audiences also see how aware of is that it can trigger those this show touches on the topic of with addictions, so I would not feminism. Beth Harmon doesn’t watch it if that is a sensitive topic become deterred by the fact that for you. she is a girl and how hard it was for women to succeed during those Moreover, Kashyap talks times. She just focuses on becoming about Beth Hamon’s passion for a world-renowned chess player. chess and how her obsession increases throughout the series. Beth What I most liked about Harmon acts as a role model for this show was how Beth Harmon those who have dreams that seem proved everyone wrong and kept unreachable. I agree with Kashyap’s doing what she most liked: playing statement, because this show has chess. She never stopped, and she made me realize that if you follow never doubted her abilities. Being a what you most like and put all your girl in the 1960’s was not a problem effort into it, you are always going for her. to succeed. This show gave me the courage to finally choose my major I had mixed feelings about in college (photojournalism). Even Episode 5, though. In this episode, though I have received negative Beth keeps encountering repeated responses about my choice, I know problems, and for me, this was unthat if I set my mind to my goals, necessary, because she had already I am going to succeed like Beth been through a lot throughout her Harmon when playing chess. childhood. In the end, however, it made her even stronger. Everyone should watch this show to be inspired about their This Netflix miniseries has future and see that everything is received many positive responses. possible if you put your mind into On the Netflix website, one of the it. “The Queen’s Gambit” has a very reviews listed comes from Muclear storyline, and everyone that hammed Ali Inamdar. He wrote, watches this show will be satisfied “This show, while concise, is both with the ending. compelling in its theme and is at the same time a directional master In general, this miniseries piece.” has a really powerful message about feminism and how Beth Harmon Moreover, we also have overcomes obstacles in the game Amulya S. Kashyap’s perspective of chess. Again, this is a show with about “The Queen’s Gambit.” In her triggering topics, so be careful when review on Netflix, she states, “This watching the show. Anya Taylor-Joy series turns out to be 2020’s true did a stunning job when playing winner. Truly an exemplary series Beth Harmon. She was deeply showcasing one of the oldest and committed to telling Beth Harmon’s most intellectual games in our histo- story, and I truly enjoyed her perforry and the show truly pays homage mance. to this breathtaking game. Most of us have grown up on chess, moving pawns across the board or watching Gary Kasparov and Vishwanathan Anand, but a little girl taking center stage in a male dominated game while conquering her vices makes this show’s each scene worthy of view time.”

This is The Way: A Review of “The Mandalorian” Season Two A Review by Sam Alexander

On Oct. 30, 2020, the space traveling Din Djarin continued his adventure in season two of Disney +’s exclusive television series “The Mandalorian.” Directed by John Favreau, the story is about Din (also known as Mando) trying to find a Jedi for his small green companion that most fans call Baby Yoda. Season two of “The Mandalorian” is everything that “Star Wars” fans all across the galaxy dreamed of. With appearances by (Spoiler Alert!) Temura Morrison as Bobba Fett, Rosoria Dawson as the powerful Ashoka Tano, Katee Sackhoff as Bo Katan, and the return of the one and only Luke Skywalker voiced by Mark Hamil. With all the appearances of some fan favorite characters, “The Mandalorian” gave Disney some credit when it comes to “Star Wars.” The characters, scenery, and music were all epic, and the story causes the viewers to want to keep watching and watching. In Chapter Nine, the first episode of the second season, Din is on the hunt for other Mandolorians to help him on his mission. The show starts with a bang, as the recognizable Boba Fett Armor is being worn by Tatooine Marshall Cobb Vanth. At the end of the episode, Temura Morrison quickly walks off screen. This is important for fans, because Morrison played Jango Fett in “Attack of the Clones.” For those that don’t know, Bobba Fett is a genetic clone of Jango, so it makes sense that the character of Bobba Fett in “The Mandalorian” is portrayed by the same actor. Another notable character that is seen in “The Mandalorian” for the first time in live action is Ashoka Tano, the former Padawan of Annakin Skywalker in the animated show “The Clone Wars.” Ashoka’s appearance in “The Mandalorian’’ was more than spectacular, as her character was portrayed perfectly by Rosiro Dawson. Ashoka’s first scene on the planet of Corvus, when she is going through the trees and taking down armed guards, is so amazing. It is important to mention how astonishing Ashoka’s white lightsaber blade looked!

“The Mandalorian” season two poster. Photo courtesy of Deadline.com. It is interesting to see how connected Grogu is to the “Star Wars” universe and how he was being trained by some of the greatest Jedi Leaders on Coruscant (a planet well known in the lore of “Star Wars”). This connection makes “The Mandalorian” so much greater! Fans want to see the legacy of “Star Wars” being carried on. It is so wonderful that the events that occur in the prequels are mentioned in this encounter. The final words from Ashoka to Mando are to take Grogu to a different planet that holds “The Seeing Stone.” Here, Grogu will be able to connect with a Jedi that will be able to successfully train him. (Spoiler Alert!) This jedi will end up being Luke Skywalker, as he makes his appearance in the last chapter. Season two of “The Mandalorian” is spectacular. With so much character development and action-packed sequences, “The Mandalorian” alone is worth the Disney+ subscription. Rotten Tomatoes gave the season a 94%, which means it was certified fresh and definitely worth the watch! A Rotten Tomatoes top critic, Chris Stuckman, writes, “It has elements of the original trilogy and the prequel trilogy -- as well as the prequel lore -- that I love. It takes the best of both of those worlds.”

Ashoka also informs Mando of Baby Yoda’s real name: Grogu. This reveal was so exciting, because fans waited to know the name of The Child since the first chapter.

Importantly, The Pulse agrees! “The Mandalorian” kept the lore and love of “Star Wars” alive. It brought a new hope to the galaxy, and now fans eagerly await the arrival of season three.

Ashoka talked about Grogu’s backstory as she says, “He was raised at the Jedi Temple in Coruscant…Many masters trained him over the years. At the end of the Clone Wars when the Empire rose to power, he was hidden. Someone took him from the Temple, then his memory became dark. He seemed lost. Alone.” (Elle.com)

So, members of the Harvey community, if you haven’t watched “The Mandalorian” yet, we recommend it. Remember- This is the Way.


Reviews

Page 9

This Year Just Got Freakier A Review by Sam Alexander

Released Nov. 13 2020, in theaters and for rental on Amazon, the film “Freaky” introduces a new and interesting take on the horror/ comedy genre. Directed by Christopher Landon (“Happy Death Day”) and produced by Blumhouse, this film is a wacky, fun, and wild ride. The Pulse rented “Freaky” on Amazon. com for $20, and let me tell you, it was worth every penny. “Freaky” begins with an awesome and gory murder sequence, as four high school students are brutally killed by The Blissfield Butcher (Vince Vaughn). The Butcher is revealed to take a special dagger called La Dola. The next day, teenager Millie (Kathryn Newton) encounters The Butcher, and when The Butcher stabs her in the shoulder with La Dola, they switch bodies. The movie is about Millie returning to her body and surviving The Butcher’s murderous desire. “Freaky” has some outstanding shots and wonderful lighting. These shots create frightening, anticipating moments, as certain characters don’t know that The Butcher is in the body of Millie. Another thing that makes “Freaky” even more entertaining is the gore. As a slasher movie fan, I appreciate bloody effects as much as the next guy, so the creative kills and unique suspenseful sequences make “Freaky” a good horror film. It is also extremely funny, and Vince Vaughn’s (The Butcher) acting is incredible, because he can portray a teenage girl trapped in a man’s body and an evil killer. But that humor is expected when talking about director Christopher Landon, who works well with the comedic take on slasher films. Landon also directed the movie “Happy Death Day,” which is also funny, has great effects, and a unique premise.

“Freaky” was bound to be interesting, and I was not disappointed. Slasher movies can be so repetitive. We are already used to Michael Myers jumping out of a closet and pinning a body to a wall, or Jason Vorhees somehow getting from one end of Camp Crystal Lake to another, so seeing “Freaky” is a refresher. Everything about “Freaky” is enjoyable, and the story itself was also oddly moving. There is an overall message of love and the importance of family. On Roger Ebert’s website, film critic Tomris Laffly writes, “For a movie that doesn’t reinvent the wheel in neither horror nor comedy, the most noteworthy accomplishment of ‘Freaky’ is how gleeful it makes one feel that something so proudly old-fashioned can exist today without feeling dated.” And The Pulse agrees with this statement. “Freaky” is definitely not the greatest horror movie or comedy ever created, but it has heart and a good message, and that makes it worth watching. Horror film fanatic and The Harvey School’s very own Student Council co-president Tyler Wallach described the movie, stating, “It’s wild, fun, bloody nonsense, and I love it!” “Freaky” is certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, coming in with a score of 80%, with a total of 190 votes. For a horror film in 2020, 80% is certainly not a bad score. Now, is “Freaky” worth the $20 and the one hour and 43 minutes runtime? Well, The Pulse would say yes. “Freaky” is most definitely worth it, especially for the fact that you can stream it on Amazon. Even though “Freaky” will most likely be cheaper to watch in a few months, renting it now is better for a few reasons. One, it allows the box office for the film to do better, and it pro-

Athletic Dedication.....cont. from cover.

Cavalier softball team wishes they had more time with McKenna as a teammate, since she will be graduating this school year. When The Pulse asked McKenna what she is looking forward to the most as a Harvey softball player, she said, “I am excited to grow bonds with my teammates and be a role model for my younger teammates due to the experiences I have had due to softball.” Mr. Lacen started as the athletic director in the fall of 2019 and has made significant changes to Harvey’s athletic programs, despite all sports going on hold due to COVID-19. Mr. Lacen has established the goal that Harvey sports will become consistent, and he has already started creating consistency through “creating programs instead of teams.” For example, Mr. Lacen noticed there was a lot of talent waiting to be discovered during 2020 boys basketball tryouts. Mr. Lacen then teamed up with the athletic department to create a ninthgrade team as well as junior varsity and varsity. This way, ninth graders are allowed a chance to hone their skills and get ready to be stars at the varsity level.

For years there has been a coed tennis team that combined middle schoolers with the junior varsity players. Mr. Lacen knows that for player development to occur, there must be a separate middle school team and junior varsity team. Mr. Lacen also initiated the Athletic Leadership Council. The first meeting for the council occurred in December 2020. The council will work together to create a clear vision for Harvey athletics. Mr. Lacen said, “I am constantly preparing what we will do next and how we will move forward.” Reflecting on McKenna and Ogg, Mr. Lacen said, “I have not seen either one of them play due to COVID. However, I have had conversations with them, and I can tell they are both working hard toward the sport. Their passion will leave a mark on Harvey. They are showing younger student athletes that this is how it goes when you work hard. It is very exciting to follow their careers.”

The movie poster for “Freaky.” Photo courtesy of FilmAffinity.

vides more support to the company. And two, there is always something special about watching movies when they first come out. “Freaky” is probably one of my favorite movies that I have seen in some time, and that is because it was just filled with comedy, excitement, and horror. By the end of the film, the audience roots for the characters as they make decisions to try to defeat The Butcher. So, Pulse readers, if you have $20 to spend, and about two hours, “Freaky” is our recommendation to you.


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