The
Bloomfield Hills High School
Volume VII - Issue II
December 2019
School News Now in 3D
Art department adds new makerspace to their resource center RYANNE LEONARD Staff Writer The visual arts department recently purchased a 3D printer and laser cutter through a grant from the Bloomfield Hills Schools Foundation in order to provide students the opportunity to use the innovations the art world has forged, according to visual arts teacher Matthew Beauchamp. “Some people think that when we are thinking about the arts, we are thinking about the past. But artists also look to the future and these are the tools that our kids in the industry in the future will be using in creative ways,” said Beauchamp. A 3D printer allows a student to design sculptures on software called Sculptris and output it in a physical object made of thin layers of plastic. The laser cutter is used for cutting, scoring, or even etching in pictures. Using this technology, students can print a sculpture of eight inches in about two days compared to the week long projects with traditional ceramics. “It’s more efficient with the 3D printer because you can do things over again if [the sculpture] doesn’t turn out right. When you fire it in a kiln, that’s it,” said senior student Donnie Wilber. With this efficiency, there is also an ability to make more detailed sculptures with digital tools. “You can work and create characters and
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Watson
District news
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Moonbeams for pediatric patients
Bloomfield
Bringing light to patients through Moonbeams for Sweet Dreams JANE ROSETT Staff Writer For the past three years, community members have gathered in the parking lot of Beaumont Hospital throughout the month of December to support children who are hospitalized. Moonbeams for Sweet Dreams is a community event that began so that patients could feel supported and less alone throughout the holiday season. This event was created by the Beaumont Children’s Pediatric Family Advisory Council with the hope of offering more support and hope to children who have a long-term illness at Beaumont. According to their website, “Children can feel isolated in the hospital, with many unable to leave their rooms due to severe debilitating diseases.” Each evening at eight p.m., participants gather directly outside the children’s wing of the hospital. Children in the hospital begin shining their flashlights through their windows and look for community members to be shining lights back to them. Volunteers direct the public to move their flashlights in a right to left pattern that the patients follow from inside the hospital. The boys hockey team recently attended Moonbeams for Sweet Dreams. Junior Lucas Solomon explains his experience and reasons for attending. “Moonbeams [for Sweet Dreams] was a great
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District chooses Patrick Watson to become BHSD’s next superintendent JAKE FOGEL Managing Editor
F
ollowing the conclusion of a national search for a new superintendent, the Board of Education voted on November 20 to select Patrick Watson, current principal of West Bloomfield High School, to step into the role on January 6 this coming year. From a pool of 60 applicants, Watson stood out to school board members as well as student representatives, staff members, and residents of the Bloomfield Hills community. “[Watson’s] interactions with educators, students, and community members in general was very powerful,” said Paul Kolin, president of the Board of Education. The process of searching for the new district leader began earlier this year after former superintendent Dr. Robert Glass announced he would be mov-
ing to New York. The Board of Education reviewed dozens of applications to find the best candidate.” “First we hired a search firm, [which] got all of the applications and narrowed it down to our top nine. So, after…we, as a board, went through and decided to narrow it down to our top four,” said Kolin. “After, we had our first round of interviews, it went down to our final two candidates. Each had a day to meet [with various community groups] and went to every building in the district. Then, we had a second round interview and after all of the feedback, we decided on our superintendent.” From a student perspective, Board of Education student interns Lexie Finkelstein and Kiersten McCollum, both seniors, agreed that Watson would bring a necessary perspective to the district.
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“Immediately when meeting Mr. Watson, he was so eager and excited to come into the district and meet the students, faculty, and staff. He had a really incredible presence in his interview and did a great job answering questions,” said Finkelstein. “I’m just really excited to see his place in our district and for him to get to know the students and for us to get to know him.” Echoing the sentiments of Finkelstein, McCollum believes Watson stood apart because of his unique experience as a principal from a school outside of the district. “Watson is someone who has never been in Bloomfield Hills School District. Therefore, he is an outside source and I think that’s exactly what we need right now,” McCollum said. “I’m excited about everything. I truly think Pat Watson is going to redefine what it means
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to be a part of the Bloomfield Hills Schools community.” Looking forward to his superintendence in January, Watson has expressed interest in gaining insight about the communities at Bloomfield Hills Schools by shadowing students. “It was unique [that] once [Watson] starts work, he wants to have a half-hour meeting with every administrator across the district,” said Kolin. “In every building in the district including elementary schools, middle schools, and this high school, [Watson] will pick a student that has a unique experience and shadow that student all day to get that perspective from a student for what a day in the life is like. I don’t know if I’ve ever heard anyone at a superintendent level do that.”
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December News
3D (from 1) The Hawkeye Highlights
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“WADA bans Russia from major global sporting events for four years over drug test data breaches.
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Following the doping controversy involving the Russian Olympic Team, the World-Air Doping Agency has banned Russia from competing in all international sporting events for four years. Russian athletes not impacted by the scandal are still able to compete as neutral athletes in competitions such as the 2020 Olympics and the World Cup.
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I support the ban. If a nation is able to continue to compete in large events like the Olympics without suffering the consequences of breaking the rules, it sets a poor precedent for the rest of the world. In order to take a stand against doping and illegal medication use, teams that partake is illegal actions should be banned.
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Moonbeams (from 1) way to involve the community and the patients at Beaumont. It gave me an opportunity to support these patients and what they are going through,” said Solomon. “It was evident that everybody had a good time as the community was [very] involved.” Junior Molly Mishulin, another attendee, was shocked by many aspects of this event. “The number of children in the hospital was very unexpected to me. I did not realize how many children in our community are suffering,” said Mishulin. There were approximately 200 community members supporting the children. Junior Sperry Basil also discussed the impact of the event on her and her plans for attendance in the future. “This was such a moving experience. I will definitely go back before the event is over this year,” said Basil. Another student, Rachel Kruman, went to Moonbeams for Sweet Dreams to support her community members. “I thought it was super touching to be able to go and let the kids know we were thinking about them during the holidays! Seeing them shine lights back at us was also super meaningful and I felt like that was their was of showing how appreciative they were that we came out for them!” said Kruman. Stacey Hirsch and her family attended the event to support their community. “I enjoyed Moonbeams for Sweet Dreams because even though we didn’t get to interact with the children, I knew that just by being there we were making their day end in a happy way. I was able to go with my family and support kids in the hospital and their families that are going through a difficult time in their life.” Moonbeams for Sweet Dreams begins nightly at 8 PM from December 1st through the 25th.
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you can zoom in really close and get a lot of details,” said Beauchamp. Senior Donnie Wilber digitally sculpts characters and paints them after printing. “[Sculpting] more digitally is more innovative because you [can] make edits easily instead of having to redo it with your hands. Plus, you can save different versions, compare [them], and pick which one you like best,” said Wilber. The makerspace is not just limited to students in ceramics. Senior Laine Lord, who is studying jewelry and metalsmithing, made fluorescent plastic earrings. Senior Erin Schwartz, who is currently enrolled in photography, etched her photographs into a plastic cube. The 3D printer has been said by students to prepare them for the evolving art world, like becoming acquainted with animation and digitally creating characters. “Learning how to create the models in 3D is a lot easier with Sculptris other than traditional hand-drawn animation. Different companies like Disney are turning to more 3D animation, and even commercials are going more 3D,” said Wilber. The art department also said that the new technology would be applicable to other occupations beyond the arts, such as STEM and the medical field. Currently, the art department is looking to buy more printers as technology improves. They are specifically projecting to purchase a bigger printer to produce larger sculptures or pieces, and to diversify the technology of the makerspace to blend the art disciplines further. “People get kind of nervous about [the future], but I’ve seen it taking place in the industry, and I’m really excited about the kids using these digital tools,” said Beauchamp.
- Brody Mayoras, senior
Rapper Juice WRLD dies at 21 following seizure
Four dead at Naval base shooting in Pensacola
Polar bears moving inland in search of food
Following a seizure in the Chicago Midway International Airport, 21year old rapper Jarad Higgins, formerly known as Juice WRLD, passed away in early December, six days after his 21st birthday. According to Vulture, it is suspected that the seizure was caused by the rapper’s recent addiction to drugs such as Percocet. After having his song “Lucid Dreams” hold the No. 2 spot on the Billboard Hot 100, Higgins leaves behind a previously rising musical career.
A recent shooting at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida has left three sailors dead. The attack was carried out by a 21year old second lieutenant in the Royal Saudi Air Force identified as Mohammed Alshamrani by the FBI. While the motive behind the shooting is still undetermined, it is suspected that the attack was an act of terrorism according to the FBI.
As global temperatures continue to increase, Polar bears have begun to move further inland as a result of habitat degradation and hunger. In mid-December, 60 of the bears appeared on the outskirts of the Russian village of Ryrkaypiy starving and in search of food. According to The World Wild Fund for Nature (WWF), the bears were seen at least a half a mile inland from where they’re usually located. Safety measures have been put in place as the bears continue to appear in urban areas. Photo by Siberian Times
Photo by Bay News 9
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Watson (from 1) Regarding his transition to Bloomfield, Watson explained that, “The main thing I plan on doing the next 90 days is spending time listening and learning about Bloomfield Hills Schools. This will allow me to learn about the strengths and opportunities for growth within the district.” As Watson leaves West Bloomfield High School, his staff from the high school leave him with good wishes. “Watson will bring so much knowledge and experience as the new superintendent. He has a fabulous reputation among staff, students, parents, and the community, and has worked hard developing these tight knit relationships,” said West Bloomfield High School English teacher Jenny Tobias. “Having worked with him my entire 22-year career, I will miss him more than words can express. Bloomfield Hills is so fortunate to be getting such a dedicated person. My own children are lucky to have him as their superintendent.” Watson will continue the transition process until January, when he will take on the new position. “I am humbled and honored by this opportunity. Becoming superintendent means I will be able to have a more impactful influence on the lives of students and all the people who help to support those students,” said Watson. “I’m also looking forward to spending time with and getting to know all the students and staff.”
Patrick Watson posing with Mary Bogrette after the final night of Fiddler on the Roof. Photo by Paul Kolin
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December News
Thanksgiving: the new Black Friday Holiday shopping season begins before the turkey has even gotten cold NOA GOLDSTEIN Staff Writer
Senior Rachel Kruman working at her capstone internship. Photo by Lisa Kruman
Preparing for future success Students take advantage of local internships OLIVIA WHITE Guest Writer The Capstone Project is a course and program recently implemented at the high school that allows seniors to replace a class period with an internship or partnership. Capstone provides students with the chance to explore a potential future career, while still receiving credit as if they were in a class. This project allows students to explore careers that they are interested in, and gives them experience in the workforce. “Capstone is an opportunity for students to learn real life jobs and how they work,” said senior Lucas Bal. Bal has been interning at a local construction company, Tobias Constructions, building houses and learning about the construction industry. In just a short period of time, Bal has learned the ins and outs of what it takes to be successful in the construction business. “Capstone is important to me
because I like being able to leave school and go to work on something that I know will benefit me in the future, and to get an idea of a future job,” said Bal. Josh Tobias, the owner of Tobias Constructions, believes that this program is also beneficial for the company, as it allows for more time to complete projects in shorter periods of time, with the help of high school interns. “Having a high school student intern at my company is very helpful. [However,] it requires a lot of instruction and teaching because construction has to be done in a specific way,” said Tobias. Senior Rachel Kruman wanted to be a part of Capstone because it is a great way to get a head start on possible career options for when she’s older. “I am interested in social work and am working with a clinical social worker to discuss helpful strategies and how she has helped or solved cases, while
keeping everything confidential. It allows me to see what a clinical social worker experiences,” said Kruman. “Especially with college next year, it is important to me that I know what I want to study and am passionate about my major.” Katie Heath is another senior that is involved in Capstone. Katie has a mentorship with the director of Interventional Radiology at Karmanos Cancer Institute. “My mentorship involved preparing for an oral presentation at the 2019 Radiological Society of North America conference,” said Heath Katie gave her presentation on an innovative technique for guided pre surgical lung nodule marketing, on December 1st, in Chicago, Illinois. Capstone gives students experience in the workforce, while teaching them important skills. “My mentorship included creating, editing, and practicing alongside my mentor,” said
Heath. Colin Segesser is another senior in the program. His internship is at a dental office, where he helps organize files and learns about dental procedures. “I am considering becoming a dentist or going into the medical field, so this is a great learning experience for me,” said Segesser. “Capstone is a great learning experience to learn more about different jobs and to see what a real career looks like.” Capstone is a way for students to get involved with jobs that they are thinking about pursuing and focusing on life after high school. It allows for students to make connections and learn from the people who specialize in specific career fields. “I think it is a really cool to get class credit for trying to participate in a career that I am interested in,” said Segessar.
In recent years, many stores have pushed to begin their holiday sales on Thanksgiving as opposed to Black Friday; however, Thanksgiving sees fewer shoppers and smaller sales. In 2017, of the 154.4 million people that went Thanksgiving weekend shopping, about 34% shopped on Thanksgiving, according to the National Retail Foundation. In a school survey, 32% of students and staff said they would rather go shopping on Thursday, with many citing the crowds of Black Friday as the reason. “I’m not a big fan of crowds,” said English teacher Nicole Basinski. “Shopping on Thanksgiving helps to avoid crowds, and [I] can still get good deals.” In the same survey, 68% of students said they would rather shop on Black Friday than Thanksgiving. This is due to the hype and better deals. “On Black Friday, there are bigger sales and better deals, and although it might be crowded there’s still online shopping,” said sophomore Calvin Mitchell. “On Thanksgiving, fewer stores tend to open, and I like to spend time with my family.” Not only does Black Friday prompt more stores open at earlier times, but the deals and hectic nature of the day attracts many more possible buyers. “I like Black Friday shopping because I get to go with my friends, and the craziness of Black Friday is very exciting,” said sophomore Heather Chen. “It’s the experience that makes it great.” While some stores like Bed Bath and Beyond, Gamestop, Target, Walmart, and Macy’s stay open in the evening of Thanksgiving day, there are many stores including Costco, Home Depot, and Apple, that have chosen to close their doors until the early hours of Black Friday instead to encourage family time for their workers and customers. For many people, Thanksgiving is a holiday about relaxing and being home with family. “Thanksgiving for me is trying to spend time together as a family,” said Spanish teacher Candice Toma. “Establishing traditions with my family and kids is a thing I really try to achieve, especially since there are so many other things going on.” Thanksgiving traditions might be cut short by new added holiday stress. “The holidays have always been enjoyable for me, but the older I got, the more stressful it has become. Everything seems rushed, and there’s a lot of things to do,” said history teacher David Jenvey when asked about the holiday stress. “When it comes to Black Friday and Thanksgiving, the pressure to go out and get things and not missing out on a certain deal makes me very stressed.” Some families’ traditions revolve around certain companies or stores being open on Thanksgiving. For example, most movie theaters stay open on Thanksgiving annually. “The movies are a place for families to come together on the Holidays,” said Jon Goldstein, owner of the Maple Theater. “The theaters need to stay open on these days to provide a place for families to go and have fun.” As for the employees at theaters, most of them enjoy working on the holiday. “Most of the employees don’t mind working because it’s a very happy time for everybody,” said Goldstein. “From the employees to the customers, the holidays bring joy to almost anyone, no matter what you are doing.”
Stores having Black Friday deals. Photos by CNBC
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December Feature
Foundation sends out grants Lineup of teachers receive foundation grants for their educational projects JORDAN HAMILTON Guest Writer The Bloomfield Hills Schools Foundation, a philanthropic partner supporting Bloomfield Hills Schools, funds teaching and learning opportunities and experiences for the students and community at-large. In their own words, the BHS Foundation raises and stewards funds and other community resources to support BHS in providing exceptional opportunities and experiences for students. Currently, the BHS Foundation targets funding to the following core and cocurricular areas: academics; visual, performing and applied arts; health and physical education; and athletics. Grants are awarded in a range of sizes, from those that impact the entire district to more targeted initiatives for specific schools, programs, grades, classrooms, teams, or clubs. One of the beneficiaries of the BHS Foundation is Chinese teacher Angela Lee-Jan. She described the project for which she received a grant, sharing details about the role the grant played in making her project happen. “I received a grant for our school’s student exchange program with a high school in Taiwan. As a part of this program, we are sending out gifts to these students in Taiwan. Gifts will be sent back to us from the kids in Taiwan as well. The problem with this is that overseas postage is very expensive, and that’s what the grant will be used for,” said Lee-Jan. “Previously, we would have to raise money, rely on donations, [or I would] even cover it myself to help out with the funds. I’m very excited to be able to utilize the grant for this.”
“It shows that the school, community, parents, and shareholders all support our vision and allow us to explore different and innovative ways to be able to educate our students.”
Memorial display dedicated to the 6 classmates from the class of 1997. Photo by Christine Tang
Compass Fund supports mental health Foundation honors classmates from the class of 1997 MARI LYNN Staff Writer The Compass Fund, a grant program established by the Andover and Lahser graduates of the class of 1997, supports initiatives around the district related to social-emotional health. In remembrance of six of their deceased classmates, with an action plan to assist those who have lost their way, $3,000 was raised to award funding towards causes such as suicide awareness, anti-bullying, inclusion, substance abuse, and mental health understanding. Months before their 20th reunion, the Andover class experienced a double tragedy. One of their former classmates took her own life after her 11-year-old son committed suicide. “Their tragic story touched all of my fellow classmates, including our counterparts at our rival school. Both the Lahser and Andover Class of the 1997 Reunion Committees decided to join forc-
es to honor her, and six other AHS/LHS 1997 classmates that had tragically committed suicide or overdosed,” said Vice President of the Bloomfield Foundation and Andover graduate, Christine Tang. Alumni were able to come together to organize a memorial display to honor and recognize their classmates that had passed away two decades after their graduation year. In the attempt to prevent further loss, the fund provides resources and tools for community members in the district. Kat Crawford, co-creator of the program, said, “We decided to call it the Compass Fund because we wanted the name to signify a foundation that supports students who had lost their way. The idea behind the symbol is that it would help focus many different places where kids could have a difficult time getting back onto the path of success, and help them
find their way.” Potential Compass Fund projects are placed under review by 12 Board members through the Bloomfield Hills Schools Foundation grant application process. Proposals are then evaluated and categorized, with an emphasis on the rating of innovation and impactfulness. The first recipient of the fund was high school social worker, Wendy Olah. Using her grant, she had pamphlets placed in the counseling office that promote health and wellness through the discussion of sensitive topics. The next grant was awarded to West Hills Middle School for the ESL Puzzle Partnership. This partnership program helps build and strengthen connections between students by having them work together on a puzzle. East Hills Middle School also received a grant dedicated
to the practice of mindfulness. Teachers were given the chance to take a course to address the regulation of emotions and engagement with factors such as stress and anxiety. “Having these kinds of opportunities available for students to get help, and creating more awareness of issues that people might be experiencing is exactly what this class wanted,” said Cathie Badalamenti, executive director of the Bloomfield Hills Schools Foundation. The members involved in organizing the Compass Fund and its donations encourage more people to submit requests for funding. Crawford said, “Nobody is going to turn away a kid that says ‘We want more programming to support our health and wellness.’”
Angela Lee-Jan Chinese Teacher Lee-Jan hopes the project will be able to provide both Bloomfield students and students from Taiwan with cultural, educational, and life experiences that they wouldn’t be able to encounter within the classroom. Visual arts teacher Peg Pasternak shares this sentiment. Although previously she had not known much about the BHS Foundation or its activities, she decided to apply for a grant, as her classroom was in need of new tablets for graphic design classes. “My classroom was in dire need of new digital tablets for our graphic design and digital art classes. Fortunately, we were able to use the grant to purchase Wacom digital tablets and we are very excited to see what the students can do with these,” said Pasternak. Although she did not have much prior knowledge of the grant process, she was able to receive a grant. “You may not know a lot about the foundation grants or the BHS Foundation but they are super helpful in helping teachers continue to support learning in the classroom and really care about seeing what the students can do with these new resources,” said Pasternak.
Mrs. Laliberte posing with her class and her grant. Photo by BHSD
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December Feature
Senior Lindsey Beck performing for the audience. Photo by Georgia Zimmerman
ITS troupe showcase held Actors practice for Michigan thespian festival CASSIE ENGLISH Staff Writer The International Thespian Society troupe ventured to the ThesFest at Detroit’s TCF Center on December 13 and 14. Thespians were able to travel with their friends, attend workshops presented by experienced teachers, and learn about colleges with programs to fit their interests. There was also the option for members to audition for an individual event that involves preparation, performance, and adjudication in a selected area, and for seniors to audition for scholarships. While only two seniors auditioned last year, five took
on the challenge this year. Senior Roni Kane chose to audition for acting scholarships at this year’s festival. She attended the festival two of the past three years, and feels excited to put herself out there with a possibility of scholarships. “[The festival] is a supportive environment and I think it’s nice that it gives people the chance to showcase their talents and receive feedback,” said Kane. “It also gives me an opportunity to connect with my friends and make new friends out of a classroom setting, and to meet theatre students from different schools around the state.”
Senior Kathryn West prepared an audition and an individual event. She’s the first student from BHHS to ever audition in the realm of costume design. “You get eight minutes and can talk about anything you want. I’m doing my scholarship presentation for costume design, production management, and choreography,” West said. “It’s been a lot of choosing shows and figuring out what I want to design, looking at scripts, researching, and talking with the directors about what they want for the show.” There are eight performance and 10 technical categories. 20 students were
selected to perform and be adjudicated at the festival, performing in categories such as solo singing and duet acting and presenting in areas such as stage management and prop management. Anyone who chooses to perform at ThesFest is adjudicated by three expert judges and given written feedback, as well as a rating of either Good, Excellent, or Superior. One student from each school in attendance is nominated to perform at the closing ceremony. This year’s nominee was Lindsey Beck, a senior who recently performed the role of Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof.
“I chose one of my musical theatre solo and ensemble pieces and sent in a recording to [Ms. Bogrette], and she asked me to do it!” said Beck. On December 6, theatre director Mary Bogrette and vocal director Jessica Riley hosted the second annual ThesFest Showcase, which allowed students to rehearse their presentations, songs, and scenes in front of an audience and receive critiques from their directors before being adjudicated at the actual festival. “I’ve done the forensics lock-ins at the middle school and [Ms. Bogrette] says it’s very similar to that… so I
presume that it will be helpful getting feedback and just performing it in front of people,” said Kane. 10 performers and auditionees chose to perform at the showcase for their friends and family before being professionally adjudicated a week later. “I’ve never really performed in front of 2,000 people before and now I’ve been asked to do that soon,” said Beck. “I think just getting a few performances of this number under my belt will be really helpful because then I’ll be more prepared for the actual performance.”
gelis [BHHS math teacher] plays the violin, so she will
be playing with us. Also, one of the retired teachers from the district will be playing the trumpet with us. A lot of parents and alumni will come and join us. So, we have a lot of musicians coming,” said Wolf. If someone would like to be a part of the concert, they are asked to fill out a Google Form stating that they would like to be a part of the concert, and they will then be emailed the music to practice on their own, with one rehearsal before the start of the concert.
The music department hopes to make this a new tradition. “This is actually the second year we have done it. We did it two years ago and it was a huge success, so now we are doing it every other year,” said Wolf. Wolf, Posner, and choir director Jessica Riley have been working together to make the Collage Concert the best one yet. “I am really looking forward for the students to have a lasting memory of a great musical experience,” said Wolf.
Symphony, Concert, Campus, and Black Hawk Band practicing for Collage Concert. Photo by Georgia Zimmerman
Collage Concert grows Collage Concert expands to include entire district GRACE ROBERTS Guest Writer The Collage Concert is the first formal concert of the year, presented by the entire Bloomfield Hills High School music department: band, choir, and orchestra. It is held in the theater on December 17 and 18. “The Collage Concert [consists of] every single musician at this school, in the band, orchestra, and choir, performing a two-hour long concert without any breaks in between for applause. It goes
from group to group, all over the auditorium,” said orchestra director Scott Wolf. This year, the BHHS music department has decided to extend the performance to the entire district and community. All instrumentalists and vocalists are invited to rehearse and perform alongside the school’s musicians for a special performance of “Sleigh Ride,” which is performed each year. The event is open to parents/guardians, younger siblings, staff, community members, and anyone who can play an instru-
ment or sing. “For example, Mrs. DeAn-
“We want to support music education in the classrooms as well as in the community as a whole”
Alan Posner Band Director
STREAMIN +
Unlocking the Disney vault New streaming service offers nostalgia and new content for a broad audience by LAINIE RUBIN Staff Writer On November 12, 2019, the Walt Disney Company launched Disney+, a TV and movie streaming service featuring the entire Disney collection as well as Disney-owned properties like Marvel and Star Wars. In just the first day, there were over 10 million users accessing the platform. “Disney has called Disney+ the future of the company,” said Mike Sorrentino, an American television personality, in an interview from cnet.com. Aside from initial connectivity issues (the streaming service crashed on its opening day leaving many unable to connect), subscribers were on board with Disney+ right away. “I was very impressed with the setup of Disney+ when I first logged in. It’s super easy to find anything I want because of all of the different sections on the website that I can choose,” said senior Chloe Gouda. Junior Martina Jwaida also found the app
easy to navigate and felt nostalgic doing so. “I thought it was very cool to see all the shows I used to watch and all the old movies that aren’t available on Netflix and Hulu. I was super excited to see my favorite childhood show which is Wizards of Waverly Place” said Jwaida. Disney+ was first distributed to the United States, Canada, and the Netherlands. About a week after the launch, Disney+ extended to Australia and New Zealand. Ricky Strauss, the president of the content and marketing related to Disney+, states that by March 31, 2020, Disney+ will broadcast to the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. In addition to buying a standalone subscription, users also have the option of bundling Disney+ with Hulu and ESPN for a higher price point. “I bought the $12.99 subscription because it comes with a Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ ac-
Disney+ becomes new rival for long-standing streaming companies The future of Disney+ and responses to its launch by SANJU SWAMY Business Manager Disney+ has plenty to live up to with Netflix as its main competitor, but with a launch that gained more than ten million subscribers in its opening days, Disney+ doesn’t seem to be worried . In addition to gifting us Baby Yoda, from the Star-Wars adaptation The Mandalorian, Disney+ and its inclusion of movies from media companies such as Pixar, National Geographic, Marvel, and Lucasfilm allows for a larger audience with varied cinematic interests. Since Disney+ offers a cheaper monthly price than Netflix, consumers will take into account the affordability of the app and be more inclined to purchase it. The arrival of Disney+ poses a serious threat to the future of Netflix, HBO, and other mainstream services. Creators of Disney+ have covered all the bases necessary to appeal to consumers: cheaper subscription costs, promotions with Verizon, package deals, multiple screens, and a Hulu option for mature audiences. These are all guarantees of a prosperous future for Disney+, but its long-standing licensing agreements with Netflix can hinder the positive gains we’ve seen so far. Now that Disney+ is a competitor in the stream-
ing game, it will suffer a foregone loss in revenue by ending these license deals with Netflix. According to Vox writer Peter Kafka, Disney has been licensing movie rights to Netflix for years and making hundreds of millions of dollars in the process. By starting anew, Disney+ has spent billions of dollars obtaining the technical resources needed to operate an independent streaming service with unique programming. Focusing on the positives, Disney CEO Bob Iger revealed in a CNBC interview that he expects subscription to grow steadily and predicts that Disney+ will have close to 90 million subscribers by 2024. Disney executives remind skeptical analysts that their recent acquisition of FOX, as well as the revenue made by its core businesses, outweigh the loss in revenue brought forth by launching Disney+. Like Disney+, Netflix has its own share of problems because a majority of its content is licensed and the owners have the right to stop selling their content to Netflix. Hit shows like Friends and The Office will be leaving Netflix in 2020 and 2021 respectively. What does Netflix have to say about all of this? At the
by BEN SILBERMAN | Design Editor
New York Times Dealbook Conference, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings admitted that he isn’t afraid of a little competition. In fact, their [Netflix’s] strategies to keep subscribers happy are similar to those of Disney+’s. They will continue to pour billions of dollars into expanding their content library by creating more hit originals like Stranger Things and Orange Is the New Black. Both parties have plenty to offer, but there is no foreseeable “better” streaming service. Disney does have a nostalgia factor, making movies available to subscribers from the 1920s like Steamboat Willie and The Ugly Duckling. Meanwhile, Netflix has a 160 million subscriber head start, which is expected to rise even more in years to come. As a consumer, the best thing to do is sit back and watch as both Disney+ and Netflix keep the streaming universe alive with classics that never get old and new titles that continue to surprise us all, but the question still remains… who will come out on top?
count. That way, I am able to use all three streaming websites all on one account,” said Jwaida. In addition to new and nostalgic Disney Original shows, Disney+ includes content from Disney, Marvel, Lucasfilm (Star Wars), Pixar, and National Geographic. “I don’t have a favorite show; however, I love that Disney has all of the throwbacks from when I was younger, so I watch those a lot,” said Gouda. Disney+ can be streamed on phones, tablets, computers, and connected TVs. Each account offers up to four devices with seven separate profile users. Content is available in English, Spanish, French, and Dutch, and closed captioning and audio and navigation assistance are available to help viewers enjoy the app and its content more fully. Within the first year, Disney+ plans to have up to 500 movies and 7,500 TV episodes
available for streaming. “I am super excited to see where Disney+ goes in the future,” said Jwaida. “I enjoy all of these video networks because it gives me so many more options of shows to watch on many different sites.”
NG GIANTS
Disney+ dominates the streaming world Why Disney+ is the best streaming service on the market by LAINE LORD Managing Editor Given that Disney owns practically everything under the sun, it’s about time they joined the streaming world. Joining an already crowded playing field, Disney+ had big shoes to fill, but so far, it has most definitely done so. Exclusive fan-favorites such as Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars movies make Disney+ virtually unbeatable, and despite going up against streaming giants like Netflix and Hulu, Disney+ comes out on top. Now let’s get down to exactly what Disney+ has to offer and how it changes the game for TV and movies. Let me start with Marvel. Even seven months after the release of Avengers: Endgame, it seems as though Marvel has stayed in the spotlight, especially with the theatrical release of Spiderman: Far From Home this past June, and not to mention a massive fanbase awaiting the next phase of movies. Therefore, by having 16 Marvel classics now on Disney+, anyone craving Avengers action would have to make their way over to Disney+. However, due to previous contracts and a two-year post-theatrical release rule Disney+ has, the live-action Spiderman
movies as well as Black Panther and Avengers: Infinity War are currently unavailable on Disney+. In addition to almost the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, Disney+ is also home to another huge fanbase: Star Wars. Since Disney’s LucasFilm buyout in 2012, Disney has had control of the creation and production of everything Star Wars-related. At the moment, the original and prequel trilogies - as well as shows such as The Mandalorian, The Clone Wars, and several others - make up the Star Wars selection on Disney+. Additionally, Star Wars: The Last Jedi will be making its way to Disney+ on December 26, which will be six days after the theatrical release of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Furthermore, as if Disney+ couldn’t get any better, it brings back everyone’s childhood with Pixar and Disney classics. Getting our Pixar favorites on Disney+ was easy money, but getting the old Disney classics resulted in the expungence of the Disney Vault. The Disney Vault prevented people from having the ability to purchase any Disney movie on VHS or DVD at any
time, thus allowing Disney to drive up demand for their own movies after their box office releases. This tedious profit-hub is now no longer, therefore allowing viewers to stream any of the 116 Disney animated features that Disney+ has available at any time, any place. Whether you are watching a National Geographic nature documentary or binge-watching all of the Iron-Man movies, it seems as though Disney+ has a little something for everybody. Due to the wide variety of content that Disney+ has to offer, it is clear that they are the superior streaming service.
Credits: Vecteezy.com, Disney, Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Apple TV+
8
December sports
BOYS BASKETBALL
BOYS SWIMMING
Basketball team playing during practice. The boys basketball team just began their season having their first game and home opener on December 10 against Rochester High School. The team is playing in the OAA Red division which is the top league in the state. The team is currently being lead by Junior Captain Mason Canfield, as well as Senior Captains Collin Hecker and Brad Zousmer, Senior Tyrone McGinnis and Senior Ilyaas Rasheed. Photo by Georgia Zimmerman
Varsity boys swimmer at the teams first meet where they kicked off their undefeated season of going 2-0.
GIRLS HOCKEY
Girls hockey team playing against another team. The team hit off their season with a record of 2-0. Photo by Scott Campbell
Photo by Erin Schwartz
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Black Hawk Sports Update Wrapping up the Black Hawk sports as the winter season kicks off
SKIING
BOYS HOCKEY
The ski team begins the winter season being led by captains Erin DiMarzo, Ava Richardson, Henry Baessler, Kyra Nicholson, and Nate Busch. The team looks to open their season with their first race taking place on January eighth.
The boys hockey team starts another successful year with a record of 3 wins, 0 losses and 1 tie. The hockey team also recently won a trophy called the “Hills Cup”, which they’ve retained for the past 4 years. The team is lead by captain Colin Segasser as well as assistant captains Nicholas Reitmyer, Roman Brown and Fletcher Woolley.
Photo by Daniel Tieger Photography
World of Sports Thanksgiving Day means three things: family, food, and football. Thursday, November 28 featured a three-game slate. The early game pitted the Detroit Lions against their division rival, the Chicago Bears. The game ended with a 24-20 victory for the Bears. Lions quarterback David Blough made his NFL debut and threw for 280 yards and two touchdowns. On his first completion, Blough threw a 75-yard pass to wide receiver Kenny Golladay for the Lions’ first touchdown of the game. The Lions are one of two teams in the NFL to have played on every Thanksgiving since 1978. Thanksgiving also featured the Dallas Cowboys falling to the Buffalo Bills and New Orleans Saints rising above the Atlanta Falcons. The week of Thanksgiving also signifies rivalry week in college football. At noon on November 30, fans around the world witnessed the 116th installment of “The Game,” as Ohio State traveled to the Big House to face the Michigan Wolverines. This game was all Buckeyes, who extended their winning streak against Michigan to eight games with their 56-27 victory. Buckeyes running back J.K. Dobbins ran the ball 31 times for 211 yards and four touchdowns. Thanksgiving is also one of the most exciting times for NCAA
basketball. Dubbed “Feast Week,” college basketball teams played in tournaments across America and surrounding islands during Thanksgiving week. The Michigan Wolverines won the 8-team Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis. In their 3-game run for the title, Michigan knocked off two top-10 teams. This luck didn’t continue into the Big 10/ACC Challenge, when the newly appointed #4 Wolverines lost 58-43 to the #1-ranked Louisville Cardinals on December 3. #11 Michigan State also lost big that night, losing to 10th ranked Duke 87-75 in the Big 10-ACC showdown. On the second day of the event, Ohio State crushed North Carolina 74-49 in a top-10 showdown. Just one week later, it was time for conference championships from December 6-7. These games would decide the College Football Playoff fate for a number of schools. In the Pac 12, Utah lost all playoff hopes as they fell to Oregon. #6 Oklahoma beat Baylor in close overtime fashion to take the Big 12 title and the 4th spot in the playoffs. Clemson dominated the ACC championship and claimed the #3 spot in the playoffs. They will meet the #2 seed Ohio State, who edged Wisconsin 34-21 in the Big 10 title game. The #1 seed will be LSU, who routed Georgia 37-10 and took the SEC championship.
Photo by Erin Schwartz
Basketball team playing against Pontiac. The girls basketball team opened their season recently currently with a record of 1-1. The team is playing in the OAA Red division which is the top league in the state. The team has 18 remaining games before the district finals. The team is lead by Captains Jordan Banks, Angelina Savaya, and Eme Johnston. The team hopes to measure up against past season in which they won 12 or more games for 10 straight seasons, including last season when the team went 12-9. Photo by Georgia Zimmerman
Winter Sports As the temperature drops and the holidays roll closer, winter sports gear up for yet another season. Girls and boys hockey, boys swimming, girls and boys bowling, girls and boys skiing, girls and boys basketball, boys wrestling, as well as the figure skating, competitive cheer and poms teams all prepare for another season this winter. The boys basketball team kicked off their regular season with a victory at home game against Rochester Adams on Tuesday, December 10. Returning players Collin Hecker, Mason Canfield, and Brad Zousmer led the varsity team as captains for the 2019-2020 season. The girls basketball team hosted their season opener and fell to Oxford High School on December 3. This season, they’re led by Eme Johnston, Angelina Savaya, and Jordan Banks. On the ice, the boys hockey season began with a game against Troy on November 21 where they secured a victory, 2-1. They
also won out a 5-1 against West Bloomfield to take home the city cup on Saturday, December 7. The girls hockey team kicked off their season with
a game against Plymouth High School. The girls of the gymnastics team started their second season at the Holt Invitational on Saturday, December 7. The winter
competitive cheer team also began their season on December 2 at the Novi Winter Warm-Up. The boys swimming and diving teams will start their competitive season with a home meet against the University of Detroit Jesuit High School and North Farmington High School on Thursday, December 12. On December 7 and 8, the ski team hit the slopes to compete in their first meet, led by captains Ava Richardson, Kyra Nicholson, Erin DiMarzo, Henry Baessler, and Nate Busch. The varsity bowling team competed in their first competition on Saturday, December 7. The JV and varsity team headed to Clarkson on Wednesday the 11. The figure skating team’s first competition was on Tuesday, December 3. The team heads to Detroit Skating Club on Thursday, January 9 for their next competition. The boys varsity wrestling team takes on Groves on Saturday, December 14.
Upcoming Events 12/19/2019
12/21/2019
1/6/2020
Boys hockey @ 5:40pm
Girls Hockey @ 5:00pm
Girls basketball @ 7:00pm
9
December sports
Seven Blackhawks athletes sign their national Letters of Intent. Photo by BHSD
Signing day for BHHS athletes Seven seniors sign Letters of Intent to play collegiate athletics BRANDON YAKER Staff Writer For a handful of BHHS students, high school will not be the final stop in their athletic careers. On November 13, seven Black Hawks signed their NCAA National Letters of Intent to play college sports next fall. “Signing Day has been a tradition since 2013, when BHHS opened,” said secretary of athletics Jackie Osborn. “You can stop in to the trainer’s room and see the Wall of Athletes, which each athlete also signs on signing day [to leave] their stamp for us to be inspired by.”
Osborn coordinated the signing day event along with athletic director Avis Najor. “Planning the event includes gathering together the students that have already committed to collegelevel play and inviting their friends, family, teammates and coaches together for a recognition celebration,” said Osborn. “The number of D1 and D2 players we are putting out there stood out from this year’s event.” Alec Ward committed to Central Michigan University to play Division 1 football. Ward put up high numbers as a receiver this season for the Black Hawks and looks to
continue playing receiver for the Chippewa’s football program for years to come. Naomi German is a level 10 gymnast at Olympia Gymnastics Academy who has been practicing her craft for the past 11 years. She qualified for the Junior Olympics in 2018 and will be continuing her academic and athletic career at Michigan State University as a member of their gymnastics team. Soccer commit Gabby Tremonti will be joining the University of Dayton’s girls soccer team. Tremonti has been playing since she was four years old and competed at the highest levels of youth
soccer with clubs like Vardar and the Michigan Hawks. Tremonti will be graduating early this December and joining the Flyers for school and soccer shortly after. BHHS is sending two baseball players to the collegiate level for the 2020 season. Dominick Cowdrey has been the starting centerfielder for the BHHS baseball team for the past three seasons and received All-District and AllLeague nominations. After his last year of high school baseball as a captain, Cowdrey is off to Davenport University to continue school and baseball. Conner McCormack is also a three-year
varsity baseball player who commited to Grand Valley State University. McCormack earned All-District honors as a junior and captains the College Connect travel team during the summer. Two athletes from the BHHS volleyball team will be extending their careers in college as well. Brooke Bosart is a three-year varsity volleyball player. She signed to continue playing volleyball at Denison University in Granville, Ohio. Senior Alexa Rousseau has been a BHHS student and athlete for her entire high school career. After four years of varsity volleyball, Rousseau is headed
to Evanston, Illinois to play volleyball for the Northwestern Wildcats in the Big 10. “My favorite part about signing day was celebrating something so special to me that I’ve worked so hard for with my closest friends, family, and peers,” Rousseau said. “After I signed that paper, I felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. It validated my future and made me feel so relieved. The short time after signing felt so surreal and was one of the happiest moments of my life. I had never felt more appreciated and celebrated before.”
The Biff is playing holiday music!
Start Listening:
12/ 17
10
December op/ed
Pressing
Pause
Staff reflects on the appeal and potential detriments of binge watching Long gone are the days of Blockbuster video stores and DVD rentals; however, this generation has never lacked access to entertainment content. Streaming services, which had a slow rollout earlier in this millenium, has now reached an unprecedented ubiquity. Unlike a weekend movie rental, however, streamers are not watching a movie or two on the weekends. According to a recent Netflix survey, 61 percent of TV streamers regularly engage in binge watching. Now more than ever, binge watching has become more common and accessible. However, it is vital that students understand the consequences that follow a weekend of Netflix bingeing. Watching hours of TV a night is not productive for anyone. Spending too much time on streaming services can quickly develop bad and addictive habits. Binge watching is fun in the moment, but after wasting too much time we often feel guilty for being so unproductive. Even Netflix checks in on us after a few episodes to see if we are still watching (and, hopefully, to encourage us to take a break). At the end of the day, television serves as a distraction.
While too much time binge watching anything has its drawbacks, there are some perceived advantages to the streaming services themselves over traditional cable or network TV. Most streaming services release an entire season of a show at once, rather than a new episode each week. This allows for easier watching and less suspense. In the past, we’ve had to hold onto each episode and savor it until we got a new one, now the easy access has taken priority over content. We’ve become so used to having everything easily accessed, and the ability to watch it so fast and get immediate satisfaction and closure over a story, we don’t savor it because we know the end is available and we want to find out what it is. Not all binge watching is necessarily bad. If we have nothing to do and many episodes are available at once, binge watching is inevitable. While binge watching is distracting, unmotivated students looking for a distraction can waste just as much time watching cable TV, or procrastinating in different ways. At our age, it is up to students to know when it is time to hit pause and study.
What students think
“Binge watching is a big distraction with so many platforms out for streaming now. It becomes pretty tough for kids to sit down and do their work”
“Binge watching is a very “Binge watching is really bad because it distracts you big problem that most high schoolers deal with. I see from getting things done, kids watching tv all class, they in school and out, and it barely have time to focus on prevents you from paying themselves and their studies.” attention in class.”
Brad Zousmer - 12th
Carly Bernard - 10th
Adviser Rachel Matz Editors-in-Chief Lara Janosz Darby Krugel Kaitlyn Luckoff Kushal Sanjeev
STAFF
Managing Editors Jake Fogel Laine Lord Jenny She
Noah Roberts - 12th
“Students in high school are old enough to decide how they spend their time. There are bigger distractions for high schoolers that are more harmful.”
“Binge watching creates too big of a distraction for students. When people could be studying, a lot of times they are watching TV instead.”
Rikki Goldman - 12th
Tanner Slazinski - 11th
Design Editor Ben Silberman
Social Media Manager Jillian Sacksner
Copy Editor Izzi Harber
Business Manager Sanju Swamy
Photography Manager Georgia Zimmerman
Staff Writers Vansh Bhardwaj Noa Goldstein Cassie English Ashley Fogel Isa Halsband Seth Kruger Ryanne Leonard Mari Lynn
Section Editors Sonya Barlow Shelby Jenkins Kaitlyn Keele Marlee Sacksner
Jane Rosett Noah Roslin Lainie Rubin Erin Schwartz Fallan Sherman Gabe Singer Brandon Yaker Lindsey Zousmer Guest Writers Mariah Al-Atraqchi Niranjan Anatharaman Noah Brook Sara Cabral Gabriel Cali
Frank Ducu Caroline Griffin Lexi Guerrieri Jordan Hamilton Grace Kobernik Alec Mayoras Kalyn Mullens Elizabeth Nwagwu Lenna Peterson Skylar Stearns Eryn Stern Abbey Weitzman Margot Wester Olivia White Hanna Winter Brandon Yaker
11
December Op/ed
Caffeine craze The benefits of teens consuming caffeine MARLEE SACKSNER Section Editor When you wake up in the morning, you brush your teeth, get dressed, and, of course, pour yourself a cup of coffee. It’s the daily routine of millions all over the world. Caffeine is essential for a teenager’s everyday life. That extra boost, either from coffee or a plethora of other beverages, gets them through the day. Teens need caffeine to function, especially for those with early school mornings rolling by. With tons of homework piling up daily and time running short, teens are staying up later to get everything done and use that caffeine later on to counteract the growing dreariness seen more and more. Consuming caffeine is a very fast and effective way to wake teens up. Although it can become addictive, consuming it in moderation is key in order for caffeine to be used at its best. According to the Hospitals Contribution Fund Research Foundation, the average consumption rate of caffeinated beverages among the ages 14-17 is 5.5 cups per week. This includes teens in high school who use caffeine as a source to help them operate at school. So many teens choose to drink caffeinated beverages because they increase alertness and therefore decrease exhaustion, which is essential nowadays due to teens’ busy and long schedules. Although some may disagree, caffeinated beverages are arguably better-tasting compared to regular drinks like juice or milk.
“From bubbly Coca-Cola to creamy coffee, there is some type of delightful caffeinated drink out there for everyone.” Not only can caffeinated products taste good, but they also have beneficial components. As Senior Editor at Gallup Lydia Saad explained, “...while there are some risks associated with consuming too much caffeine, in moderation the drug is associated with improved concentration and memory as well as potentially lowering the risk of certain cancers, Parkinson’s disease and stroke.” With news like this who wouldn’t choose to have caffeinated products in their daily life? Specifically, caffeine can improve long-term memory, which is yet another reason why so many people should consume it, especially teens. John Hopkins University explained the study examining the effects of caffeine on ones memory conducted by Michael Yassa, an assistant professor of psychological and brain sciences at Johns Hopkins. “Michael Yassaand his team of scientists found that caffeine has a positive effect on our long-term memory. Their research, published by the journal Nature Neuroscience, shows that caffeine enhances certain memories at least up to 24 hours after it is consumed.” According to Magnus Health, “Nearly 75% of teens consume caffeine on a daily basis.” This shows the massive popularity of these products within teens. Whether a teen is trying to stay up to continue studying for a big test or attempting to wake up and prepare for a busy day ahead, teens choose these types of drinks because they work. Depending on where you go, coffee or any other caffeinated beverages are relatively cheap. For example, the average price for a cup of coffee, which is one of the more expensive caffeinated beverages, is $1.50. With prices like these, drinks with caffeine can easily appeal to almost every type of consumer. Just looking at the number and benefits of caffeine products out there, there is no reason why you shouldn’t be driving to your nearest Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts, or 7-Eleven to pick up your favorite caffeinated beverages.
Pro/Con: Caffeine for teens Pro: Marlee Sacksner
Con: Jillian Sacksner
Can’t take caffeine Teenagers drink way too much coffee JILLIAN SACKSNER Social Media Manager Caffeine is a killer. To be considered a caffeine addict, one must need it to function in their life. Caffeine is arguably a drug because of these addictive qualities. With so much caffeine in a single cup of coffee, there is no reason why a drink like that is something that should become part of a daily habit for teenagers. About 250 milligrams of caffeine (or about 3 cups) is considered to be an average amount to consume for a healthy adult in one day, but consumers, especially teenagers, tend to go way beyond that limit. In just one cup of coffee, you get almost a third of your daily value at 95 mg of caffeine. So, a gargantuan intake through multiple cups of a drink including anything from 500 mg to 1000 mg is clearly bad for any growing teenager. Caffeine intake has been on the rise in the past decade with the appearance of coffee shops like Starbucks and Biggby on every corner. At the same time, there has also been a lot of research on the extremely consequential health risks you take when consuming too much coffee in one day - all the way from high blood pressure to causing deadly heart disease. Caffeine intake needs to go down. Caffeine intake causes much more than just heart risks. For example, according to studies by The Center for Disease Control and Prevention, sugary caffeinated beverages can cause obesity in adults and children alike. Since all of these people become addicted to all types of pop due to the caffeine within
“Consuming caffeinated products is a terrible habit to have, so it’s key to never start. ” them, they are unable to control how much they consume. Therefore obesity, addiction, and withdrawal when not consumed for a longer period of time are possible effects. This specifically impacts teenagers which is seen by the ever increasing obesity rate in children. Since there are so many negatives with caffeine, everyone should realize that caffeine intake should be limited in their life. This dreadful chemical prevents getting a good night of sleep. High school students often stay up late and get up early, so they rarely get enough sleep. When adding caffeine to this trend, students will be unable to perform to the best of their ability at school since caffeine keeps them up all night. Students constantly fall asleep in school without their caffeine in the morning, and then by the end of the day, they aren’t able to sleep at night due to the caffeine buzz. Even doing this, however, they will not be able to fully engage due to their lack of focus, and therefore will struggle throughout the day when taking exams or even just participating in class. Performance in school is affected by caffeine intake so much so that students often see these harmful effects reflected in their grades. However, according to the University of Michigan, the side effects of a student on caffeine are detrimental to their studies, specifically on their focus in class and how attentive they are in class. So, if students do choose to stop drinking caffeine entirely, they will be much more likely to perform better in school.
a guide for newbies
S TA R WA R S T I M E L I N E prequels ep. 1, 2, 3
new trilogy
original trilogy 18 year gap
ep. 4, 5, 6
ep. 7, 8, 9
30 year gap
4. A NEW HOPE 5 . T H E E M P I R E S T R I K E S BAC K 6. RETURN OF THE JEDI
1 . T H E P H A N TO M M E N AC E 2 . AT TAC K O F T H E C L O N E S 3. REVENGE OF THE SITH
7 . T H E F O R C E AWA K E N S 8 . T H E L AS T J E D I 9 . T H E R I S E O F S KY WA L K E R
plot: The remainder of the Resistance faces off against the First Order once again as Rey, Finn, and Poe Dameron's journey concludes. After Luke Skywalker's death in The Last Jedi, Rey must use her knowledge of the force to defeat the First Order.
M A I N C H A R AC T E R S Kylo Ren
rey
Sith Lord
Scavenger from Jakku
Son of Han Solo and Princess Leia turned to the dark side.
Rey was trained in the force by Luke Skywalker.
Finn
emperor Palpatine
Former Storm Trooper turned Resistance soldier
Sith Lord
Palpatine is the former Chancellor of the Galactic Republic turned evil.
Finn escaped from the First Order in The Force Awakens.
Poe Dameron
Skilled fighter pilot for the Resistance Poe and his droid BB-8 are inseparable.
Side characters C3PO
R2D2
chewbacca
Lando calirissian
Rose tico
Princess leia organa
Film information
Director: J.J. Abrams Budget: $200 Million Release: 12.20.19
by Ben Silberman | Design Editor
Sources and credits: StarWars.com, Disney, LucasFilms, CNN, NPR
vec tee z
2019-20
y.c o
m
Holiday Issue
12 15 holiday contents 5 3
News
4
Feature
5 6
2019: A year in review
Holiday traditions at BHHS
Feature BHHS students donate to those in need
Editorial Black Friday
7
Opinion
8
Opinion
9
10-11
Letters to the editor
On: the gift of giving, merry Hanukkah, and should athletes play during the holiday season?
Pro/Con A snowy holiday season
10-11
Centerspread feature: A decade in review
12
Opinion
13
Entertainment
On: dialogue across divides and materialism during the holidays
12 days of Mr. Macleod
14
Entertainment
15
Entertainment
Review of: Last Christmas, Let it Snow, and Noelle
Review of: Frozen 2, Knives Out, and A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
16
Comics
17
Entertainment
December and Holiday
Traveling Charlie
18-19 20
News/Feature:
Inside look behind Netflix original Q&A: Up close with film screenwriter
AC Holiday break reading list
NEWS
Photo Credits: Wikipedia, Stereogum, BBC, The New York Times, Disney, Engadget, ABC News, Deadline, IMDb, Forbes, Us Weekly, 660 News
2019: a year in review
IZZI HARBER Copy Editor
2019 marks the end of the 2010s, a decade in which so much has happened in everything from pop culture to politics to sports. If you’re a senior like me, you also know that leaving 2019 means entering 2020 the year we graduate and start college. But before you start worrying about that, let’s recap all of the good, the bad, and the in between of 2019. The year immediately kicked into high gear when in January, a simple picture of an egg posted on Instagram set the record for the highest number of likes on a photo. Shortly after, the New England Patriots won the Super Bowl and President Donald Trump gave his State of the Union Address, which marked the halfway point of his first term in office. At the beginning of spring, news of the college admissions scandal emerged, shocking the nation. Around 50 people
were involved, including actresses Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman. Parents were accused of paying a middle man, so to speak, to either change their child’s test scores or to bribe athletic coaches to let their child in on an “athletic scholarship.” The scandal, which is not yet a thing of the past for Loughlin as she is still fighting in court, has certainly brought attention to the ways in which college admissions are flawed and corrupt. In lighter spring news, the Jonas Brothers reunited, the first ever photo of a black hole was taken, and Avengers: Endgame hit theaters. The beloved Marvel movie broke many records, including being the highest-grossing film of all time. The months leading into summer were packed with major events as well. May marked the end of Game of Thrones and the entrance of a new member of the royal family; Prince Harry and Meghan Markle gave birth to their son, Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor. Also, the state of Alabama
was in the spotlight when they signed an anti-abortion bill into law. However, as of today, the bill is blocked and abortion is still legal in all 50 states. In late June, Toy Story 4 hit movie theaters, and it was arguably the best movie of the summer. All of the original characters were back together, and the addition of new voices to the cast such as Keanu Reeves made the film enjoyable for all ages. As for the best TV shows of the summer, there is only one worth mentioning: Stranger Things 3. It set a record as it was watched by 40.7 million households in its first four days on Netflix. I would go as far as rating it an 11 out of 10. The second half of 2019 has been a blur. From the raid on Area 51 to 16-year-old climate change activist Greta Thunberg to the start of the still ongoing Trump impeachment process, there has been a lot to take in. Personally, my fall consisted of listening to Post Malone’s album Hollywood’s Bleeding on repeat and over, and applying
bug spray in hopes of avoiding EEE, a mosquito-borne disease that caused half a dozen deaths here in Michigan. As snow started to fall and temperatures started to drop in November and now December, Disney and Apple launched their streaming services, Disney+ and Apple TV+, respectively. Celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and Matthew McConaughey joined Instagram, and the next Grammy Award nominees were announced. Lizzo, Billie Eilish, Lil Nas X, Ariana Grande, and Taylor Swift were some of the most popular artists of the year. 2019 was truly an eventful year. Some other honorable mentions of the year are the rise of TikTok, Popeye’s chicken sandwich, and Kylie Jenner becoming a billionaire. I’ll be sad to see 2019 go, but I think we can all agree that 2020 will have even more in store.
The Hawkeye Holiday 3
Holiday Traditions
at BHHS
Gracie George - Freshman
Brody Snyder - Junior
Ella Salisz - Sophomore
Q - What is your favorite gift to receive?
Q - How do you celebrate New Year's Eve?
Q - What's your favorite holiday drink?
A - Usually gift cards, because I can get anything I want
A - I stay up and hang out with my friends
A - Sparkling cider
Sem Dammer - Sophomore Daniella Rasi - Sophomore Meaghan O'Connell - Junior Q - Why are the holidays important to you? A - They're important because I go to the Netherlands to see my family
4
Q - What's your favorite holiday movie?
Q - Do you travel anywhere over the holidays?
A - Probably A Christmas Story
A - I go to New Jersey!
Feature
Students discussing fundraisers and community service events during a Student Leadership meeting. Photo by Georgia Zimmerman
Giving back this holiday season BHHS students donate to community causes
FALLAN SHERMAN Staff Writer SKYLAR STEARNS Guest Writer For the upcoming holidays, many clubs and student organizations have been hosting fundraisers to support those in need. Throughout the month of December, Key Club is participating in a holiday drive by adopting a family through Volunteers of America, a non-profit organization that provides assistance to low-income families throughout the United States. It holds the program from September until the end of December. “We sign up to become sponsors and we pick a family from a list based on the number of people, distance, and what we will be able to provide for them,” said Mahee Doshi, president of the club.
As a way to raise money for their fundraiser, Key Club holds a series of events such as their annual Key Club Coldstone Fundraiser, which occurs during the fall. In addition, the members of the club donated a majority of the items that are given to the adopted family, while the rest of the money that is raised from the cold stone fundraiser is used to purchase additional items. “[The gifts] range from toys, clothing, gift cards for meals and groceries, and other household needs,” said Doshi. “Once the members bring in their gifts, we hold a meeting to work together and wrap the gifts in order to deliver them to the family in time.” Key Club has been participating in this event for the past few years, and they plan on continuing it in future years based on the positive results from participants and families.
“Every year we always receive a great amount of participation from our members. They bring in gifts or donations to give to the family of our choosing by the time of holidays,” said Doshi. Along with Key Club, Learning Community A200 is also giving back to the community by adopting a family. The sophomores in the community and their teachers are donating to a family through the Volunteers of America Organization as well. In order to participate, students could sign up for an item to purchase for the family in need. The A200 staff have looked for ways to incorporate more service opportunities for their students during each holiday season. One of the teachers in charge of the fundraiser, Kathleen Fellin, explained some of their new strategies to allow students to have a voice. “There are several students who were
very excited to help in any way possible. I took those students who were interested and had them read through the long list of families who requested help this holiday season,” said Fellin. As for the impact the drive had on their community, Fellin explained the beneficial effects on the students who took part in the event. “The students were able to decide on their particular family. It was a very powerful experience for them,” said Fellin. The A200 Learning Community plans on further pursuing the fundraiser with a few modifications in the future. “I would like to continue this next year. Buying a specific gift for a certain person in need is a meaningful experience but tt would be a more personal experience for our students and families if we adopted two families instead of one,” said Fellin. Another group of students that are also participating in holiday drives this year are the Academic Resource Program (ARP) students, led by their advisor, Jessica Haines. They are partaking in a gift card drive for the Lighthouse of Michigan in Pontiac as a way to give back to the community. Through this fundraiser, kids could donate gift cards to help families and seniors purchase food items and household necessities. In past years, the ARP students took part in adopting families to give gifts to. However, this year, the gift card drive served to help support those families that missed the signup for the Adopt-a-Family program. “Our class has been collecting gift cards for since November 18 until December 6 with the cards being donated the week of December ninth,” said Haines. The ARP students were able to sufficiently fulfill the goals of their fundraiser as they raised close to $400 in gift cards overall. Recently, Haines introduced this new fundraising event of donating gift cards as a way to affiliate her students with goodwill and contribution. “The students helped to calculate the total amount of cards collected,” said Haines. “I find it important to expose students to volunteer and charity opportunities and my hope is that students will continue to participate in volunteer opportunities in the future.”
The Hawkeye Holiday 5
Editorial Behind
Black Friday
What Students Think
Our thoughts on the hype and hysteria of the holiday shopping season Thanksgiving comes with many gifts for high school students: a relaxing five days off of school, a delicious meal with family, and time to reflect on the positive aspects of the past year. However, this season also brings a more controversial tradition: Black Friday shopping. There are over a hundred million Americans who choose to brave the crowded stores on Black Friday. Clearly, there are benefits to shopping on this day. The sales offered are often the best deals of the entire year. This is very important to high schoolers who may be looking for a cute winter coat or a shiny new laptop. There is no denying that Black Friday can help keep our wallets full, if we shop carefully. This shopping day is also a positive social event. Many students go to the mall with their friends on Black Friday, navigating the deals and crowds as a group. During winter in Bloomfield, there aren’t many options for places to have fun with friends. Black Friday offers the coveted opportunity to spend time with loved ones in a unique setting. However, we also must acknowledge that there are also
6 The Hawkeye Holiday
drawbacks to a day where our nation focuses solely on shopping. Black Friday, in its purest form, is just for buying items. This contributes to America’s already prevalent focus on consumerism. The day also promotes fast fashion, which is inexpensive clothing that is produced very quickly in order to keep up with trends and market demand. The industry is infamous for adding pollution and waste into a world that is already reeling from the effects of global climate change. The more consumers purchase these products, the more fast fashion grows. Black Friday gives these companies a boost, harming our environment. Therefore, we must reflect on both the benefits and drawbacks of Black Friday, and encourage the student body to shop mindfully. Some sales are positive for our bank accounts, but buying something just because it is on sale contributes to the negative consumerism that threatens to destroy our planet. We urge you to enjoy the deal-heavy shopping with your friends and family, but to remember that it’s not necessary to buy items for the sake of having more material possessions.
High schoolers spend way too much time focusing on what they can get instead of what they already have. This leaves us with a constant need to jump to stores and their deals leaving us with an almost obsessive nature. Maxym Wolberg - 12th
I believe that some high schoolers need to understand that there are many other things that can make you happy than just going out to buy clothes, games, etc. Matti Shaffo - 12th
Opinion
Letters to the Editor Dear Editors,
Dear Editors,
Dear Editors,
I am writing in response to your article “Signing Off’ in the November issue of The Hawkeye. This article caught my eye because I think that DK’s story is really inspiring and it could inspire young athletes. As an athlete myself, I always find it interesting how some athletes inspire others in unique ways. I find this article special to our high school because DK is the only deaf student on our school’s varsity football team. I would love to hear more quotes from people on the team or his classmates that are constantly around him, and that enjoy spending time with him. Many people know who DK is but I think that reading more about him or personal quotes could add even more insight. The article has made my appreciation for DK increase and I now know more about him and his story.
I am writing in response to your coverage of sleep deprivation in the most recent issue of the newspaper. Sleep deprivation is a super common thing in teenagers nowadays. As I read this I realized that I’m really not getting enough sleep. As a USAV athlete I need to keep my grades, attendance, and workouts, with practice constant. Keeping my sleep schedule normal is not my top priority. When coming home from school I have the gym, then volleyball, then homework, dinner, and more homework. This leaves me going to bed at 12:00 at the earliest giving me five hours of sleep, when kids my age need at least 8. My parents and teachers blame it on my electronics being a distraction or making it “hard to fall asleep” but your brain is moving so fast from doing homework it can’t slow down in five minutes. It needs at least an hour of no electronics or hard work to be able to fall asleep normally. Thank you for sharing this important information with our community.
I was really impressed with the What In The World page because it discussed a lot of topics that we hear about but we don’t get a chance to talk about in classes. The topic that really caught my eye was the Vitamin E relation to the vaping cover. Reading that article really surprised me because I knew there were downsides to vaping but I didn’t really know the specifics so the What In The World was a really nice close up look on a portion of that article. I think it’s really cool and creative how we have a school newspaper that covers global issues that really impact us in unknown ways. Thanks for always finding the issues and topics that always relate to us high schoolers.
- Claire Spektor (10th)
- Tyrone Mcginnis (12th)
- Madelyn Terrance (10th)
We want to hear what you think Write a 200-300 word letter to the editor and send it to us: hawkeye@bloomfield.org
The Hawkeye Holiday 7
Opinion
voices of the hawkeye staff The gift of giving
The holidays are not about receiving gifts, but about making people happy SONYA BARLOW Section Editor Waking up on Christmas Day knowing there are presents sitting under the Christmas tree is such an exciting feeling. Unwrapping gifts surrounded by my family immediately gets me into the holiday spirit. Nevertheless, there are many in our community who are unable to be surrounded by family at the holidays or for whom presents under the tree may be sparse or nonexistent. Although everyone enjoys receiving gifts, this time of year should mean so
much more than that. However, living in a materialistic world, we often take the holiday season for granted. Every time I walk into a store during the holidays, I immediately see plastic Santas, “ugly” sweaters, and Christmas decorations. Even before adding in the purchase of presents, materialism can be largely associated with the holidays, leading to waste and distorting the meaning of the season. Instead of focusing our energy on finding the best gifts or out-decorating our neighbors, the true ‘reason for the season’ should be giving. In order to ease feelings of being left
out of the holiday spirit, it is important that we give our time and love to children who may be without their families, people who may be struggling to support themselves, neighbors who may need extra care, and patients in hospitals who may be feeling isolated or alone; this is the best gift that we can give. At the end of the day, our goal should be to make everyone around us have a smile plastered on their face because everyone deserves to be happy during the holidays.
Merry Hanukkah?
Hanukkah: the blurred holiday of the most wonderful time of the year ASHLEY FOGEL Staff Writer As the saying goes, it’s the most wonderful time of the year. However, it has always seemed more like “the Christmas-only season.” Did the world forget about Hanukkah or is it just not that important? Right after Thanksgiving, the lights all over my street are bright, but my house is dark. I would go to my friends’ houses to see their beautiful holiday decor, and I’d commiserate that Hanukkah doesn’t get decorations. To me, because they are celebrated at the same time of year and often hailed as counterparts, it made sense that Hanukkah and Christmas were equal; but I quickly learned that the holidays
8 The Hawkeye Holiday
are completely different. It took me a while to understand, but now I know that Hanukkah is not just a Christmas knockoff. In comparison to the rest of the Jewish holidays, Hanukkah does not have a strong religious significance. In fact, for many, the reason for celebrating Hanukkah in the first place is because it is at the same time as Christmas. The emphasis on gift giving and extreme decorations come from the large influence of Christmas and companies often make Jewish versions of decorations so that people like me are not left out and to capitalize on the holiday-season frenzy. Missing Elf on the Shelf? Check out Mensch on a Bench. Candy canes too “Christmasy” for you? Flip it upside
down and dye it blue and you have a “Hanukkah J.” Perhaps the wackiest inventions are the counterparts to Christmas trees and Santa: the Hanukkah bush and Hanukkah Harry respectively. In reality, these things have nothing to do with the observance of Hanukkah, and chances are, if Hanukkah fell during March or August, few would observe it in the first place. Hanukkah is not supposed to be about parties, decorations, or even presents. Hanukkah is not “Christmas for Jews.” But as long as companies and pop culture continue to market them as equivalent, let’s rock around the Hanukkah bush and have a merry Hanukkah!
Family vs. football
Should athletes have to play during the holiday season? SETH KRUGER Staff Writer One of the main enjoyments of the holiday season is family time. We surround ourselves with aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings, parents, friends who feel like family - every relative imaginable. Heated arguments about politics or yelling at the TV about a sporting event typically occur at holiday family gatherings. While we yell at our TV as if Matt Stafford can hear us, the Stafford family sits at home watching too. Matt’s seat will be empty this holiday season, while his family gathers together without him. This is because Stafford will have to play football for the Lions taking himself away from family time. Should professional athletes be allowed to take time off to spend time with their families? Should leagues themselves provide a break in game schedules so that players can go home for the holiday season? It is undeniable that sports are a special part of the holiday season for many families. The NBA has its top-tier matchups on the NBA on Christmas Day. Not to mention the professional football games on Christmas Day like the matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Oakland Raiders in 2017. It can be considered an honor to play on a large stage when playing during the holiday season. Still, no matter how much of an honor it is to play or how integral sports are during the holiday season, the players, coaches, and staff of professional teams need to have the option to separate their work with their personal lives. This is no different than anyone else who works in any other profession. One should always be able to put what is most important first: family over football.
Opinion Wishing for a winter wonderland A snowy holiday season adds fun and ambience to an already great time of year ABBEY WEITZMAN Staff Writer What’s better than waking up and putting on a fun holiday sweater with warm, fuzzy socks while looking out the window to see snow piled up, ready for making snow angels? Michigan is known for its snowy winter season, so having snow during the holidays is inevitable. With snow, we are given numerous fun activities to do outside and inside, which provides the opportunity for families to bond with each other. Together, they can bake cookies, roast chestnuts, and decorate their homes. The snowy season also gives kids the chance to try new activities such as skiing, snowboarding, and sledding. It provides a time for children to let their imaginations run wild by building snowmen and forts out of snow. The list goes on and on, and the smiles are never-ending. Many families also have a tradition of decorating their homes with lights, trees, and statues. The snow adds on to the excitement of decorating and adds extra holiday cheer. When the snow comes, so do many family traditions. A family tradition that I follow is once it snows at least once, my grandma, cousins, and I set a date right away for when we are all free and make snow-themed cookies. The number of snowflakes and snowmen created over the years are uncountable. Having snow on the ground while making these during the season, only makes them more enjoyable. In the end, a snowy holiday season is better than one with no snow because of all the fun and excitement that comes along with it. We are able to spend more time with family because of all the extra activities that the snowy season provides. There is more time to have a family night, watch movies, and make memories that will last a lifetime.
Snow thank you Anything is better than a white holiday season SANJU SWAMY Business Manager
PRO/CON: A snowy holiday season
It’s that time of year again. The holidays have finally returned, and, sadly, they brought the arrival of snow as well. During the holidays, snow can be an obstacle in a lot of situations. Snow can put a dent in your holiday plans, whether you’re taking a flight to visit distant relatives or driving to your grandparents’ house. Snowfall makes traveling from point A to point B that much harder and frustrating. Historically speaking, snow has serious negative impacts locally and globally. When people are unprepared to drive in snowy conditions, they can get into accidental collisions. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “seventeen percent of all vehicle crashes occur during winter conditions.” With these obstacles brought forth by snow, we can’t ever reach the mindset we need in order to be completely rested during winter break. Celebrating with family during the holidays is a universal thing, and snow prevents people from enjoying this time to its full extent. On a positive note, there is a solution to combat these frozen winters. While it can become pricey, a nice family trip to Florida, California, or any place that is not a winter wonderland can be key to escaping the frost. Vacationing in a warmer home is always so much better because you can forget all your snow pants, gloves, hats, and all other winter accessories and just relax in the hot sun by the pool. So far, this winter has been pretty green and people will be thankful because they can resume all the holiday-themed activities they had planned. Although the holidays are traditionally juxtaposed with the amount of snow on the ground, the holidays can be just as special without snow.
The Hawkeye Holiday 9
E D A C E
D
IN
R
W E I EV 9
201 0 1 0 2
40%
By Kushal Sanjeev and Isadora Halsband
$2.70
billion was made at the box office by “Avengers: Endgame,”making it the highest grossing movie of all time
10 The Hawkeye Holiday
increase in America’s debt
BY the Numbers
A closer look at the top moments of the past decade
10) 2012 - BUTT FUMBLE 24 million people tuned in to watch the New England Patriots battle their division rivals, the New York Jets, on Thanksgiving Day. The Patriots had a 14-point lead when Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez rammed into his teammate’s rear, forcing a fumble that the Patriots would take for a touchdown. The play is ranked the fourth worst play in NFL history. Honorable Mentions: Gangnam Style, Obama re-election. 9) 2011 - GAME OF THRONES AIRS FIRST EPISODE On April 17, 2011, HBO aired the premiere episode of “Game of Thrones.” The fantasy series, based on a novel series called “A Song of Ice and Fire,” premiered to critical acclaim and audience obsession. Although many viewers were disappointed with the final season that aired in 2019, the series introduced viewers to an entirely new world and was watched by nearly 3 million viewers weekly. Honorable Mentions: Oprah’s last show, Adele releases “21.” 8) 2010 - APPLE DEBUTS IPAD On January 27, 2010, Apple Inc. debuted the first-ever smart tablet. The iPad was a game-changer in Silicon Valley and vaulted Apple to the top of the technological world. Weighing 1.5 pounds, the iPad was essentially a hybrid between a touchscreen smartphone and a laptop computer. With about 2 million apps available on the iPad’s App Store, it was perfect for kids and adults alike. Honorable Mentions: Ebola outbreak,
Odell Beckham Jr. catch. 7) 2014 - ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge went viral in July 2014. A person would video-record themselves having a bucket of ice water dumped on their head and would nominate three people to follow suit within 24 hours. The nominees could either oblige or make a donation to the ALS Association. Many celebrities participated in the challenge, including Will Smith, Bill Gates, and Oprah Winfrey. Over $100 million was raised for the cause. Note: Peter Frates, the man who initially started the viral trend, passed away on December 9, after a seven-year battle with ALS. Honorable Mentions: Lebron’s “The Decision,” Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. 6) 2019 - GRETA THUNBERG On December 11, 2019, climate activist Greta Thunberg became the youngest person to ever win the TIME Magazine Person of the Year. The sixteenyear-old made a speech at the United Nations Climate Action Summit, admonishing world leaders for being increasingly financially centered and ignoring important issues such as climate change. She was also seen glaring at President Trump who, when asked about climate change, said, “I don’t know if it’s man-made.” Honorable mentions: Avengers: Endgame breaks grossing record, impeachment hearings, college admissions scandal. 5) 2018 - LARRY NASSAR SENTENCE In January 2018, USA gymnastics physician and MSU athletic trainer Dr. Larry Nassar was sentenced up to 175 years in prison on multiple counts of
1:59:40
Eliud Kipchoge ran the fastest ever marathon time at
criminal sexual conduct, child pornography, and tampering with evidence. Initially exposed by a few athletes, ultimately over 150 lawsuits were filed against Nassar, both state and federal. Nassar’s victims numbered over 250, including two-time Olympic medalist Ally Raisman, and many spoke out publicly against Nassar, garnering support from millions worldwide, pushing forward the #MeToo movement, and prompting many national amateur sports organizations to institute significantly stronger protections against such abuses. Honorable mentions: University of Maryland Baltimore County upsets Virginia. 4) 2016 - COLIN KAEPERNICK KNEELS 2016 was highlighted by San Francisco 49er Colin Kaepernick and his decision to kneel during the national anthem to protest civil inequality. He said, “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.” As the season progressed with Kaepernick continuing to kneel during the national anthem, players began to join, sparking a national debate as to how the NFL should respond. Even President Trump weighed in, chastising Kaepernick and calling on NFL owners to take disciplinary actions. Kaepernick’s actions vaulted him into a pivotal role for the Black Lives Matter Movement. Honorable Mentions: Cubs win World Series, Villanova’s Kris Jenkins game-winner, Warriors blow 3-1 lead. 3) 2017 - TRUMP INAGURATION On January 20, 2017, Donald J. Trump was elected the 47th President of the United States of America. The
824,000
viewers finished all eight episodes of “Stranger Things” on its debut day
multi-millionaire real estate mogul was previously known for his book, “The Art of the Deal,” as well as his reality television program, “The Apprentice.” Trump became the first United States president to win the presidency without previously holding public office. To win the election, the controversial New York native defeated Hillary Clinton, the first woman to win the Democratic primary. Honorable Mentions: Falcons blow 283, total solar eclipse, Muller investigation. 2) 2013 - BOSTON BOMBING The Boston Marathon is one of America’s greatest traditions in one of its oldest cities. However, tragedy struck the famed race on April 15, 2013, when two homemade pressure-cooker explosives went off at the finish line. There were three casualties and over 250 injuries. Following a highly-publicized city-wide manhunt, the bombers - two self-radicalized Islamic extremist brothers - were apprehended; one was killed and the other was ultimately sentenced to death. Honorable Mentions: Kick Six, SB XLVII Blackout, Nelson Mandela death. 1) 2015 - SAME-SEX MARRIAGE LEGALIZED On July 26, 2015, the Supreme Court struck down all state bans on same-sex marriage. This monumental decision, a major step in securing equal rights for all sexual orientations, changed lives around the country as it guaranteed the LGBTQ+ community the constitutional right to marry. Prior to the Court’s ruling, 37 states had already legalized same-sex marriage, beginning with Massachusetts in 2003. Honorable Mentions: Deflategate, Aaron Hernandez’s trial.
6.5
Photo licensed for reuse by Creative Commons, IMDB, and CNBC
NOAH ROSLIN Staff Writer
billion people viewed “Despacito” making it the most viewed clip on Youtube
The Hawkeye Holiday 11
opinion
voices of the hawkeye staff Dialogue across divides Bringing together families during the holiday season NOAH BROOK Guest Writer Over 50 percent of Americans say that the conversations they have relating to politics with their family members cause stress and frustration, leading them to ignore or avoid those same holiday family reunion conversations. Politics aren’t going away and neither is the polarized language that we use when we talk about them, but treating the issue as hopeless, and removing yourself from following it, is only going to exacerbate the issues. We’ve grown tighter within our own individual groups, leaving us less connected to the other side more than ever. This isolation has made us exponentially more comfortable, but the comfort has come at a cost; over half of all Democrats and Republicans stated in recent polls that they
are afraid of the other side. This holiday season, I challenge readers of The Hawkeye to set aside their fear of the other side in an effort to start having more meaningful conversations with the family members whose politics we disagree with. Enclosed I have three suggestions for how you should go about this. First, I encourage you to de-escalate. Initiating conversations comes with the acceptance that we may find ourselves in an uncomfortable argument. This is expected, so don’t let it sneak up on you. As the one interested in advancing positive dialogue, you are going to have to remain the bigger person at all times, and this comes with conceding many of your own arguments. You may become frustrated with your role because it forces you to recognize that you are having a dialogue with those you disagree with to
foster respect for the other side; not convince them your right. Next , I want you to remember your body language and the signals you are receiving. What we lose when we converse online is our ability to communicate with our body language. If you hear something you agree with, nod your head with vigor. Whoever’s talking will greatly appreciate it. Our body language is often noted by our peers more often than ourselves. Nevertheless, it is crucial that we take notice of how we are feeling during the debate because it is our body’s way of letting us know things. If you start to feel a headache coming on or your body is becoming tense, it may be time to move on to a new subject. Lastly, go into each moment without judgment. Often what is most troubling about having conversations with our fam-
ily is remembering all of the other times you’ve spoken. Every time you interact with someone you’re in a long term relationship with, it is more than just the moment; it’s 10, 20, or 30 years of interactions your mind can recall. Remembering all of those interactions can make it difficult at times to focus on what is being said presently, but staying in the present can help prevent turning our expectations for how things are going to turn out into a reality. It may be hard to hear that our divisions will start to close when you begin embracing more respectful dialogue because often we hear things that are so opposed to what we believe. The divide between what makes us uncomfortable to hear and what crosses the line is often hard to spot, but I have no expectation for you to tolerate comments rooted in bias and hate.
Presence over presents
Writer emphasizes the true meaning of the holiday season LINDSEY ZOUSMER Staff Writer As the holidays approach, there is so much on our minds. Did we get the best Black Friday deals? What wrapping paper do we choose? What will be under the tree? What night of Hanukkah will I receive or give each gift? All of these questions are only related to one thing: items. Often during the holiday season, we focus on what to physically give and receive, rather than focusing on who is surrounding us while we celebrate. Each holiday season, we focus too much
12 The Hawkeye Holiday
on what is under the tree, rather than thinking about who is sitting at the table. During Christmas, children wake up early in the morning and their immediate response is to go eat breakfast and open gifts. Before Christmas day, parents are scrambling to get their kids’ the latest gadgets or perfect presents. However, Christmas is supposed to be a joyful holiday about spending time with family and being happy, not necessarily about the gifts. It’s important that we leave time to bake cookies with friends, give back to the community, acknowledge families for everything they do, make hot
chocolate on a snowy day, tell stories by the fire, and, most of all, enjoy the essence of the holiday season. This season should primarily be spent appreciating and reflecting, rather than shopping and receiving. On a similar note, Hanukkah originally had nothing to do with receiving gifts. This holiday celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple. The eight days are meant to be filled with lighting candles, blessings, singing songs, and family time. Gifts have nothing to do with this Jewish holiday; it is so much more than the presents.
Celebrating this happy season can be done just as well, if not better, without gifts. Families often forget the real meaning of the holiday season as a result of being showered with gifts. When we look back on the 2019 holiday season, odds are we may not even remember the new gaming system our grandma gave us or the new outfit we received from our friend. Instead, let’s focus on whom we had the pleasure of celebrating with, and cherish those memories for years to come. Presence, even if it does not seem like it, always outweighs the presents.
entertainment
12 Days of MacLe d SHELBY JENKINS Section Editor
1. Christmas music is acceptable the day after Thanksgiving is the m d r a o ha Bo y classro d d u B m 2. My t thing in s coole
3. Sugar cookies are superior to Gingerbread 4. I am
a Slyth
erin, 1
00%
5. The theme song to my life would be Kenny Chesney’s “Island Boy.”
“Parks e r a s w o orite sh ffice” on 6. My fav O e h T “ and and Rec” loop
7. My superpower of choice would be time travel 8. If I w e be a c ren’t a teac hef her I w o
uld
9. I tend to sing in my head A LOT during class 10. A trip to Scotland is at the top of my bucket list 11. I’ll take the Jonas Brothers over One Direction, hands down 12. I love wearing matching pjs, eating frozen pizza, and watching “Home Alone” with my wife and kids on Christmas Eve
The Hawkeye Holiday 13
reviews Holiday season’s last pick
Let It Snow into the holiday
A new (wo)man in the red suit
LENNA PETERSON Guest Writer
HANNA WINTER Guest Writer
MARIAH AL-ATRAQCHI Guest Writer
Meet Kate (Emilia Clark) - a young, depressed Londoner who works in a year-round Christmas shop as an elf. Her life takes a turn for the better when she meets Tom (Henry Golding), a charming, handsome guy who seems to be too good to be true. As the holidays approach, Kate and Tom’s romance buds into the greatest gift of all. Directed by Paul Feig, there were high hopes for the film when it was released on November 8; however, it was unable to live up to these expectations. The slow start to Last Christmas, along with poorly executed humor and an overly cheesy theme bothered me throughout the movie. In addition, the mentions of social justice issues such as immigration, homelessness, Brexit, and LGBTQ+ rights were addressed in a cliché manner, which felt stereotypical to me. Plot inconsistencies created loopholes within the movie that were difficult to watch. While some moviegoers may have been able to look past these issues, I simply could not. However, they didn’t completely hinder the overall experience. Surprisingly, Last Christmas is able to pick up towards the end when a shocking plot twist occurs. I honestly did not see this turn of events coming, but in hindsight, this change was obvious throughout the film. The overall tackiness of this film does prevent viewers from catching on to the plot twist; however, many important aspects such as humor and character development could have been improved upon to better the viewing experience. When searching for the next rom-com this holiday season, look past Last Christmas and turn to literally any other Christmas movie to get into the holiday spirit.
Another holiday season calls for new holiday movies. Let It Snow is a light-hearted Christmas film based on Let It Snow: Three Holiday Romances, a novel by Maureen Johnson, John Green, and Lauren Myracle. With an intriguing plot and great acting, including performances by a few unfamiliar faces, the movie, now streaming on Netflix, should definitely be on everyone’s radar. Let It Snow intertwines the lives of teenagers in rural Illinois on Christmas Eve. Julie Reyes (Isabela Merced) was accepted into Columbia University; however, she doesn’t want to leave her sick mother. Meanwhile, Tobin (Mitchell Hope) has to make a decision whether or not to tell his best friend, Angie (Kiernan Shipka), that he loves her and Addie (Odeya Rush) and Dorrie (Liv Hewson) are best friends dealing with their own relationship problems. While the movie doesn’t necessarily have main characters, the director, Luke Senillin, does a superior job “wrapping” together all of the characters’ stories into a cohesive narrative and wrapping them up with a Christmas bow. Teenagers all go through difficult times in their lives and I was surprised to see these somewhat untraditional themes in a Christmas movie. This unique perspective adds layers to the film that other Christmas movies lack, making Let It Snow one of a kind. However, the movie does move a little slow. The entire movie takes place in one day, therefore, sometimes it is too detailed in regards to each character and their story. Within Let it Snow, the Christmas spirit and cheer is clearly expressed and even though the movie might seem a bit slow, it is definitely worth the watch.
The holiday season is, no doubt, the most wonderful time of the year. Noelle, a new holiday film was recently released on Disney+ and provided a new and modern twist on the classic character we all know and love, Santa Clause. The film begins with a short scene that introduces Santa Clause as the father of the main character, Noelle Kringle (Anna Kenrick), and her brother Nick Kringle (Bill Hader). Noelle imagines a North Pole in which the job of being Santa Clause is passed down through generations of Kringle men, meaning that the incapable Nick is next in line. His sister, on the other hand, is much more talented and capable for the job, but held lesser responsibilities growing up. When all goes wrong and Nick flees the North Pole, Noelle and her nanny, Elf Polly (Shirley MacLaine) set out to find Nick and attempt to convince him to come back. Although the film was a bit corny and juvenile, what more can you expect from a lower production Disney Christmas film? I personally don’t feel that Noelle is a film that would profit if it were to be released in theaters, but that is exactly why it was made available on a monthly subscription platform such as Disney+ that allows you to view it right from your television or mobile device so that when you decide on a movie to watch you think “why not?” Yet, Noelle, in its way, puts a modern spin on a child’s film. Santa has always been an old white man with a long beard and a big belly, but who says he has to be? Who’s to tell us that Santa can’t be a young, capable girl in today’s world?
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reviews It’s time to let Frozen 2 go
Knives OUT but the mystery’s IN
Going back to the neighborhood
IZZY O’BRIEN Guest Writer
GRACE KOBERNIK Guest Writer
ERYN STERN Guest Writer
The long wait is finally over for Frozen 2. The hype of the movie overwhelmed the internet when the sequel was first announced in 2015, but the wait was, unfortunately, not worth it. The movie, directed by Jenifer Lee and Chris Buck, was released on November 27. We follow Elsa (Idina Menzel), Anna (Kristen Bell), Kristoff (Jonothan Groff), Sven, and the lovable Olaf (Josh Gad) into a magical forest to learn about their past so they can save their kingdom, Arendelle. Some new characters are introduced along their journey in hopes of not only saving their home but investigating what happened to their parents. I really tried to enjoy the movie, but I was left disappointed. The songs were nowhere near as memorable as the first movie. For this reason, I was underwhelmed. The movie also did not connect well with the children in the audience. In fact, the story had a mature theme dealing with Elsa and Anna’s parents’ passing. Although it is a key piece of information in the storyline, it wasn’t a theme that the targeted audience could connect with. The overall action of Frozen 2 was prolonged, and there was not enough time spent on the ending. It was too short and predictable, and it felt like the buildup was all for nothing. Olaf’s sly comments were the only thing keeping me interested, but it wasn’t enough to make me love this movie as much as I love the original. In fact, I would rather re-watch Frozen 100 times than see Frozen 2 again.
Knives Out, a thriller and murder mystery movie directed by Rian Johnson, will take you on a rollercoaster of theories and lies that are expertly unraveled throughout the movie. Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer), a wealthy, elderly man, celebrated his 85th birthday with his family, and the next morning, he was found dead. His death was ruled as an assumptive suicide, but detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) arrives on the scene suspecting a different cause of death. Throughout the movie, several motives and secrets are revealed, and every member of the Thrombey family is questioned. I appreciated the fact that the actors playing the Thrombey family portrayed great chemistry. With actors such as Chris Evans, Katherine Langford, and Jamie Lee Curtis, the dynamic of the family was entertaining to watch. I found it particularly interesting how the tone of the movie completely shifted from being harmonious to incongruous. One enjoyable aspect was the humor because it contrasted well with the seriousness of the plot. Every time I thought the movie was over, a new storyline would rise. Because of this, I was slightly confused at times and the movie felt extremely long. I thought the ending was anticlimactic due to the clues given along the way. Pieces of background information were revealed throughout that made the ending way too predictable. If you’re looking for a movie that makes you think, Knives Out is the film for you. Although I found the movie to be interesting and engaging, I would not choose to watch it again.
One of the most recognizable figures on television, Mr. Rogers, whose show Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood aired on PBS from 1962 to 2001, is back in the hearts and minds of audiences, this time on the big screen. A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, based on the life of Fred Rogers (Tom Hanks) and his friendship with journalist Llyod Vogel (Matthew Rhys), sheds new light on the TV star and humanizes the emotional impacts of a dysfunctional family. The movie begins with Lloyd being assigned an article on Mr. Rogers. After contacting Mr. Rogers for an interview, their initial conversations steadily grow and eventually help Lloyd realize the beauty that life brings. Both actors flawlessly communicate this emotion through dramatic scenes and incredible acting. The relationship grows throughout the course of the film, and Lloyd and audiences alike can see Mr. Rogers’ powerful impact on the world through one of my favorite scenes: the filming of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, using the same miniatures and neighborhood appeal of the original show. As a viewer, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood allowed me to look at the world in a different light. It demonstrated that not everyone has an easy life and controlling our emotions in order to connect with others is very important. It is a film that will truly brighten up your day and put a smile on your face. Many valuable lessons can be learned from this life-changing movie and this should definitely be one of the next films you see.
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Comics 3
By Niranjan Anatharaman
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F for Effort
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They’ve been Plotting
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Be Realistic
entertainment
Traveling Charlie
Join the Hawkeye tradition by taking this picture wherever you go on winter break. Whether its spending endless days at the beach or enjoying your staycation at a local coffee shop, take this festive picture of our principal, Mr. Hollerith, with you. Submit a picture and the winner receiving a prize will be chosen by Mr. Hollerith. Your picture can be submitted via Twitter (@thehawkeyenews) or Instagram (@bloomfieldhawkeye)
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Q&A Knight Before Christmas Cara J. Russell talks about her career as a screewriter did you first know that you wanted to be a Q : When screenwriter for movies?
you have any advice for anyone looking to be Q : Do in the film writing industry?
my senior year of high school, I saw Robin Hood: Prince A : “In of Thieves with Kevin Costner. That completely dates me,
advice is don’t give up no matter how long it takes. A : “If My you love what you’re doing, find a way to pay your bills
I know. I was the last one in the theater watching the credits and that was when I knew I wanted my name up on the screen one day.”
while you pursue your dreams. And if you want to be a writer, you have to read! Read everything you can. Make sure your grammar is near perfect. Know your pronouns, please, I beg you. My friends thought I was kinda crazy when I said I was moving to Hollywood to be a screenwriter. They were all like, “Umm yeah... okay, good luck!” When people tell you something can’t be done they are telling you their limits, not yours. It takes time, a lot of hard work, and perseverance but if you constantly work on your craft, accept constructive feedback, and never give up, you can make your greatest dreams come true!”
Q : Once you graduated from the University of Miami and earned a certificate from UCLA, what were your next steps to making a name for yourself?
took 20 years for this Netflix movie to happen. I was A : “Itconstantly writing scripts, working, rewriting- writing is
rewriting; it’s very true. And now with all the streaming services, there’s a need for a lot more content. Back then it was much harder to break in. So, I was constantly writing, and I had a day job to pay my rent. I worked at Fox Sports for 16 years. We did all the football, baseball, NASCAR, college football - all the live on-air sports. It was a lot of fun, and I just kept writing on my own time. “
Q : What were some of the first movies that you
wrote? How did they shape you into being a better screenwriter?
first screenplay I sold was called The Big Grab/Can’t A : “The Buy My Love. You can see that on PixL TV, the PixL You-
Tube channel and/or the Hallmark Drama channel. Before I sold that script, I had a friend who tore it to shreds. He said, ‘This doesn’t work.This is bad.’ He was brutal but constructively honest with his comments. To become a better writer, you really need honest feedback. And then it’s constantly rewriting. Networking too. Networking is huge. It really is. It’s all about who you know in this industry.”
Q: A:
What are some of your upcoming projects? “I have a movie airing on Hallmark in February called Valentine’s Match Up. I’m finishing another project for Hallmark that should film in the spring. I have several other projects in development that I’m not allowed to talk about until they happen. Fingers crossed. I have a project in development with Suzanne Todd [Alice in Wonderland] that I’m hoping works out. It’s a romcom. I’m glad that romcoms are coming back. Everything is cyclical in this business. The success of The Knight Before Christmas is opening more doors, which is amazing. Like I said, it only took 20 years! If you liked Knight, please tweet @Netflix and tell them you want a sequel!”
The Knight Before Christmas By: Mari Lynn and Kushal Sanjeev
18 The Hawkeye Holiday
Knighting a new holiday classic KAITLYN KEELE Section Editor The Netflix original movie, The Knight Before Christmas, written by Cara J. Russell and directed by Monika Mitchell, was released on November 21. The love story between Brooke (Vanessa Hudgens) and Sir Cole (Josh Whitehouse) is set in 21st century Bracebridge, Ohio with a medieval twist. “I knew I wanted to do a Christmas movie. I was brainstorming what titles would be a fun play on words,” said Cara Russell, screenwriter of the film. “I thought of the poem, ‘The Night Before Christmas.’ Night -Knight. I thought somebody had to have made that already because it was way too obvious, but no one had done it. So I quickly pitched it before somebody else picked up the same idea out of the cosmos.” Russell works for Motion Picture Corporation of America (MPCA), a production company based in Los Angeles. She pitched the idea to Executive Vice President Amanda Phillips Atkins, and later to the owner of the company, Brad Krevoy. From there, the movie script was written and Netflix then purchased it. Russell’s dream of having her name in the
credits became true once againKnight being her 6th produced film- after Netflix decided to produce her movie for this year’s round of new Christmas films. The casting of Vanessa Hudgens and Josh Whitehouse among others brought the movie to life, according to Russell. “The cast was great. I met Josh and Vanessa on set. They were both great and really nice. They were prepared, they knew their lines, and they knew their characters inside and out. I loved the choices they made; how they wanted to play each scene with the emotions,” said Russell. “She [Hudgens] made a couple of lines her own. That’s what actors will do sometimes to make the characters their own. I thought they both did a great job and Josh played such a lovable, hilarious knight.” Russell also named every character after someone in her family. Characters Brooke, Paige, and Madison are named after her nieces, and Eileen and Fred were inspired by her grandparents. The main character, Sir Cole, was also named
after her nephew. “My nephew, Cole, is four years old and he thinks it’s him in the movie. That this is his movie. He thinks that the knight is him all grown up. He has everyone calling him Sir Cole now. I got this video from my sister of Cole saying ‘I’m the main character. I can do whatever I want.’ My sister said, ‘You created a monster,’” said Russell. Although the movie is a love story about Christmas magic, Russell also hopes that it brings light to a new understanding of life. “The real message is [about] accepting people and being kind and caring. [It’s also about] believing in true love, but also not sacrificing yourself for a relationship,” said Russell. “Especially for high school girls, [Paige’s character] shows that you should have your goals but don’t sacrifice them or yourself for someone else or a relationship. That’s true for guys too. I’m sure you’ve seen it, I’ve seen it, friends who just lose themselves completely and give up their own goals for somebody else. You can have somebody in your life and pur-
sue your dreams too.” Currently, Russell hopes to write a sequel about Brooke and Cole visiting the 1300’s to help Sir Cole’s brother, Geoffrey, with his own quest. Her hope is that the movie will get enough positive reviews in order to make that happen. “What has been amazing is the response to it. It’s bigger than I ever dreamed. I think it’s kind of shocking everyone. Everybody’s talking about the movie,” said Russell. “Everyone I know has had viewing parties and it’s blowing me away. The tweets are hilarious. The memes and Buzzfeed articles are hilarious, even the mean ones. Luckily most of them have been positive.” Her plan is to franchise the movie in order to continue the tradition of the “Twelve Nights of Christmas.” “Hopefully there’s a sequel. My ideal dream would be 11 sequels - Two Knights Before Christmas, Three Knights Before Christmas, all the way up to 12 Knights Before Christmas. That’s my dream,” said Russell.
Photo licensed for reuse by Creative Commons
Screenwriter discusses the process and inspiration for a Netflix original
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HOLIDAY BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
The Hawkeye staff shares their favorite reads
The Art of Racing in the Rain Garth Stein
Where the Crawdads Sing
The Tattooist of Auschwitz
The President is Missing
On the Come Up
Leah on the Offbeat
Color Me In
Delia Owens
Angie Thomas
Heather Morris
Becky Albertalli
Bill Clinton James Patterson
Natasha Diaz
The Starless Sea
Erin Morgenstern
Internment
Samira Ahmed
With the Fire on High
Elizabeth Acevedo