8 minute read
ARTS
Christmas classics: the inside scoop from an outsider’s perspective
Rachel Greenberg ’22
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Assistant Creative Director
t’s a cold winter evening. Your windows are frosted with ice, and the fi replace is warm-Iing your feet. But wait. You don’t know what Christmas movie to watch? Not to fret! I, Rachel Greenberg, someone who has never celebrated Christmas in her life, has got you covered. Here are the top three Christmas movies that made me want to experience Christmas for myself.
Graphics by Madeline Michalowski ’22 Photo by Ella Shi ’23
Graphics by Rachel Greenberg ’22 Rachel Greenberg ’22 Photos by Cami Photos by Cami Vynerib ’23 Vynerib ’23
Let’s start strong with a classic: “It’s a Wonderful Life,” a 1946 fi lm directed by Frank Capra. I fi rst saw this movie in Ludlow, Vermont. It was a little bit after my family and I had lit the menorah. Ironic? I don’t know. It was late November and I decided to queue up an old movie. This motion picture, which is widely said to be one of the greatest movies of all time, is a drama that follows the life of the main character, George Bailey. There are laughs, heartwarming moments and characters you’ll fall in love with. This black and white fl ick brings class to your winter movie night and will be sure to put you into the holiday spirit. On my very merry movie Christmas list we have “A Christmas Story.” This fi lm encapsulates what I imagine every kid feels on Christmas: the longing for a gift, praying to see it under the tree, on that very special Christmas morning. The movie is humorous, too. Peter Billingsley stars as Ralphie in this famous holiday fi lm as a little boy fl eeing a bully and dreaming about his ideal Christmas gift. If you’re looking for a fun family classic, this one’s for you. Next up on the roster we have the hilarious “Home Alone” classics. There were two original movies of “Home Alone” made with actor Macaulay Culkin playing the role of Kevin. Those are the ONLY “Home Alone.” In the fi rst movie, our main character is left home alone as his family goes on a trip to Paris. He’s overjoyed, but when he fi nds that two burglars are trying to break into his home, everything changes. The best part about this movie is that it never gets old. This movie brings out the little kid in everyone. It’s everything we ever dreamed: being home without our parents, buying whatever we want with all the independence we could wish for... There’s thrill and excitement sprinkled with jokes and laughs. If you’re looking for a fun Christmas binge, this movie is a lot of fun.
Students share favorite gifts
ARTS |19
or many, there is nothing better than the joy of waking, dressed in fl annel pajamas, listening to the sound of a crackling fi re, an-Fticipating opening wrapped presents under a tree. For others, watching orange and yellow fl ames dance with one another on the menorah, while enjoying traditional Jewish food, waiting to open a gift brings the feeling of fulfi llment. This feeling is something many staples students have experienced, and over the years, they have received various gifts which they hold close to their hearts.
Tessa Tobias ’24 - Trip to Miami
recent surprise trip to Miami, a Chanukah gift from her family, stands out
Aas being among the most special as it was a gift of togetherness. “I was really excited to spend quality time with my family,” Tobias said. “I feel that this unforgettable time is more valuable than any other object I’ve gotten, like shoes or a shirt.” unforgettable time is more valuable than any other object I’ve gotten, like shoes or a shirt.”
PhotosbyTaliaVarsano ’ 24
Alice Fielding ’22 - Spotify Playlist
he developed a greater appreciation for Spotify when her father developed a greater appreciation for Spotify when her father
Screated a personalized playlist for Christmas last year.“I hadn’t ever heard any of the songs before because my dad picked ones that reminded him of me, ones he thought I would like based on what he’s heard me listen to.” thought I would like based on what he’s heard me listen to.” Graphics by MadelineMichalowski’ 22 & El l e V ai l ’ 2 3 Miles Cahn ’24 - Framed Photo
or many, receiving gifts that honor memories is the most special, like
Ffor Miles Cahn ’24. He, his brother and parents went on a once in a lifetime trip to Croatia where they visited the Dinara mountain and enjoyed lifetime trip to Croatia where they visited the Dinara mountain and enjoyed the breathtaking views. For Christmas last year, he was given a framed photo from the breathtaking views. For Christmas last year, he was given a framed photo from his parents. “Receiving the photo brought back so many memories, so I put it by his parents. “Receiving the photo brought back so many memories, so I put it by my bed as a daily reminder of the good times I had there with them.” my bed as a daily reminder of the good times I had there with them.”
Graphic by Karina Murray ’22
21 | SPORTS
Staples fencing team lunges into fi rst season
Broadcast Director
wo years ago, Anna TPan ’22 won the Fencing Summer National Quali ers and was sent to Columbus, Ohio to represent Connecticut in the national tournament. Now, with extensive private fencing experience in the foil, épée and sabre, Pan is ready to share her passion with the Staples community. With the help of co-founders Gleb Syomichev ’23, Max Piterbarg ’24 and Peter (PJ) Loranger ’24, Pan gained support from Staples at the end of her junior year to create a Staples fencing club team. “I was inspired to form this team in hopes to open up the world of fencing to others,” Pan said. “I have observed that not only are fencers rare in our community, but also across the nation.” The co-ed team of 25 athletes is led by Coach Jim Roberts, a former Division I athlete at Sacred Heart University. Throughout November, the team held weekly captain’s practices preparing for the start of their offi cial season in mid-December. “There’s a good balance of games, exercises and skills that make for a fun, yet challenging experience,” Jeffrey Pogue ’23, a captain of the épée team said. “And while there was a lack of organization in the beginning, as the season progressed, everything became much more organized.” During practices, the team will start a warmup, followed by a captain-selected conditioning activity to improve stamina and endurance. Instructed by their captains, the team will proceed with footwork practice. Captain of the foil fencing squad Max Piterbarg has fenced for six years, qualifying for three Summer National events and a Junior Olympic event. While dates for competitions have yet to be announced, the team will compete against other school fencing teams. “As a club, we plan to continue training and improving our current fencers to build full squads for all three blades [foil, épée and sabre] and eventually, strive to win the State Championships,” Piterbarg said. Currently, the team is not considered an offi cial varsity team, and thus, any equipment, weapons or transportation costs are not funded by the athletic department. “The standard for any club to be considered for a varsity sport would be at least two successful years as a club,” Athletic Director Marty Lisevick said. “We want our kids to have the opportunity, but we also want them to be successful at the varsity level.” Within these next two years, the team must prove adequate participation and success in meets to be classifi ed as an offi cial varsity team. As of now, the team looks forward to their upcoming season as they work to increase participation and engagement. “Fencing is not one’s ‘typical’ sport, like soccer, basketball and football, that our society is usually engaged in,” Pan said. “I hope in starting our school’s varsity fencing team, this would grow our fencing community and provide another sport or hobby that one takes interest in.”
FOIL TARGET AREA EPEE TARGET AREA SABRE TARGET AREA
FENCING CAPTAIN
Captain Anna Pan pract ces twice a week while leading her new team.
Photo by Camille Vynerib ’23
THE ANATOMY OF THE SWORD
THE GRIP
Graphic by Rachel Greenberg ’22
THE BLADE SHAPE
THE GUARD Graphic by Lilly Weisz ’23
