The Hawkeye: June, 2021

BLOOMFIELD HILLS HIGH SCHOOL

June 2021

VOLUME VIII - ISSUE 5

Community News

Jaanaki Radhakrishnan wins Princeton Prize

BHHS Junior honored for her efforts to establish racial justice in the Bloomfield community

by CAL MARTINEZ Copy Editor “Racial justice is about the liberation of people of color. It’s not just about equality; it’s about equity and reconciliation with the centuries long history of racism. It begins with abolition work. Be it prison abolition or schooling abolition, abolition is not just about the dismantling of oppressive systems but about replacing them with more just, more equitable, and more healing systems” said Jaanaki Radhakrishnan, one of twenty nine nationwide recipients of the Princeton Prize in Race Relations (PPRR).

The PPRR is awarded yearly to a small number of high school students nationally that have made outstanding, communityoriented efforts in racial justice advocacy. A team of over 400 Princeton Alumnus works together to select one individual per region to receive the award, $1,000, and an invitation to Princeton’s Symposium on Race.

In a world where people of color face constant oppression, the PPRR seeks to highlight the strength of activism. For Radhakrishnan, the award also speaks to the unique pressures she faces as a person of color, and how

continued page 3

The latest start time updates As the world continues to change, students are continuously adjusting

by ABBY CHAYET Staff Writer Since March of 2020, students have been facing a new kind of education. They no longer sit in classrooms with a teacher, but instead, they sit at home in front of a computer. But, in the upcoming 2021-2022 school year, students will find themselves back in the classroom full time. Along with a return to a regular school day comes a discussion of new start times. The newly proposed high school schedule will send the students back 30 minutes later in the morning and will dismiss them 25 minutes later in the afternoon.

The other schools in the district will also receive smaller changes to their start and end times. According to the district’s spokespeople, the times for the high school were carefully calculated to provide students with adequate time to participate in sports and other after-school activities.

On Thursday April 29th, the school board approved the new proposed times in a 5-2 vote. The school board president, Paul Kolin, is in favor of the new time. Kolin stated that he thinks later start times will “help students be more alert,” and that “there will also be [fewer] car accidents.” Due to the thirty minute start time setback, Kolin thinks students will also be “less tardy.” Kolin understands that this is going to be a schedule change and people are going to have to “shift their day,” but he believes “this was a much need-

Bloomfield Unmasked

CDC updates recommendations on mask wearing and vaccine eligibility

by NOA GOLDSTEIN Managing Editor After 436 days of wearing masks while we shop, interact, and live our lives, the CDC has concluded that individuals who are fully vaccinated can now go maskless in public and private gatherings. Not only this, but ages 12+ are now eligible to get the vaccine. The announcement came on May 13, as the CDC officially issued a statement recommending that people “continue on with activities like they did before the pandemic.” Nonetheless, people fully vaccinated must wear masks in crowded places such as doctors, hospitals, and when travelling by public transportation. Shortly after this announcement, president Joe Biden made the official announcement in his presidential address from the Rose Garden.

“Today is a great day for America,” President Biden said. “I think it is a great milestone… which has been all due to our success with vaccinations. Cases are down in 49/50 states, and hospitalization rates are the lowest they have been since April, 2020.”

Immediately following the statement, many states began to adjust their mask wearing guidance, Michigan being one of them. On May 14, Governor Gretchen Whitmer shared her enthusiasm moving forward with the guideline.

“With millions of Michiganders fully vaccinated, we can now

safely and confidently take the next step to get back to normal. We have all been working incredibly hard toward getting back to some sense of normalcy, and today’s news makes all of that work worthwhile,” Whitmer announced in a televised address.

Meanwhile, with the vaccination age being lowered, more than 17 million more people now have the opportunity to get vaccinated.

“I was happy when I first heard that the vaccine age requirement was being lowered,” freshman Michael Dillion said when asked how he felt about the change. “We are closer than ever to getting back to normal.”

Like Dillion states, it seems as though everything is getting back to normal, however, is this really the case amongst everyone? When asking other high school students what they think about the new restrictions/mandates, most of the time they answered with uncertainty.

“When I first heard that the mask mandate was lifted I was honestly surprised,” sophomore Alexa Kessler said. “I am happy that life is starting to go back to a little bit of a ‘normal’; however, I still don’t know how it is going to work because there is no way for stores and other public places

to differentiate vaccinated people from non-vaccinated people.”

She is not the only one with these concerns, as senior Katherine Smith explains some of her worries.

“I know the government had set out a clear plan for how to approach vaccination requirements and I think this really fast compared to the original plan. I just hope people don’t take advantage of the new rules and use it as an excuse to be unsafe,” Smith said.

Even though not all businesses have followed, many stores such as Kroger, Target, Starbucks, and CVS have listened to the CDC orders and lifted their mask mandates. In spite of this announcement, students still say they will continue to wear a mask in these businesses.

“I do think I will continue to wear a mask in crowded places and crowds,” junior Rikki Arnoff said. “I want to be respectful of everyone’s boundaries, especially front line workers, so I will most likely continue to wear my mask in places like grocery stores.”

Although this announcement does bring a mix of emotions to many, happiness and relief are two that stand out. 14 months of masks, social distancing, and quaran-

tine suddenly lifted.

“The pandemic has affected my social life and time spent with friends,” reveals sophomore Alexa Kessler. “Up until pretty recently, I hadn’t been able to spend as much time with many friends and I spent a lot of time on FaceTime versus hanging out in person. Now I feel comfortable not wearing my mask when I am outside in small group settings or in the houses of friends who are also vaccinated.”

Bloomfield Hills High School has recently updated their mask policy following the announcement, lifting the mask requirement for vaccinated individuals when outside, but the requirement inside will still stand. Plans for next school year have not yet been announced.

continued page 3

See more stories at BHHSToday.org

Editorial Policy The Bloomfield Hills High School Hawkeye newspaper is a student publication whose content is chosen by students.

Members of The Hawkeye staff such as the Editors-in-chief, managing editors, photography managers, and section editors oversee the work created for every publication, both in print and online. The adviser and the Editors-in-chief make the final decisions on all content. Opinions expressed in any publication of The Hawkeye do not necessarily reflect the opinions of BHHS, BHHS staff, faculty, or administration.

Submit Letters to the Editor Write a 200 to 300 word letter to the editor and send it to us: hawkeye@bloomfield.org

Follow us: @bloomfieldhawkeye @thehawkeyenews

JUNE | NEWS

PAGE 2

Supreme Court to Rule on Free Speech case Challenging 1969 Precedent

The Hawkeye Highlights

By LENNA PETERSON

Editor-In-Chief

Student sued her school district after being punished for speech that was off-campus

BY MAXIMILIAN SCHENKE Section Editor Since 1969, the Supreme Court case Tinker v. Des Moines has set the precedent for free speech in schools. The Court asserted that schools may punish speech that has a negative effect on campus.

Now, fifty two years later, a new case, Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L., has reached the Supreme Court and may challenge how such cases are handled in the future.

In 2017, then freshman Brandi Levy posted a short, expletive-laced rant on her Snapchat story as a result of not being selected for her school’s varsity cheer team. In another post, she called out the coaches for allowing another freshman on varsity while telling Levy and her friend that they needed a year on JV. She posted this while in a convenience store, far away from campus, yet when her coaches on campus at the high school found out about this, they suspended her from the JV team for one year.

With the help of the American Civil Liberties Union, Levy sued the district for infringing on her right to free speech, as guaranteed by the First Amendment. She was subsequently reinstated as a member of the cheer team, and she garnered the support of the two courts that ruled in her favor.

The Philadelphia-based U.S Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit ruled that the key ruling of Tinker v. Des Moines does not allow schools to punish students for off-campus speech. The school district disagreed with the court’s ruling. The district appealed to the Supreme Court with the justification that districts have often regulated off-campus behavior and that remote learning as a result of the pandemic has further blurred the lines between oncampus and off-campus conduct.

The district also believes that Levy’s Snapchat message was directed at her school and her fellow students and disrupted the community. A coach stated that she went against the school’s athletic

Vials of the COVID-19 Astrazeneca vaccine Photo via The Guardian

US to send 20 million vaccines abroad by the end of June On Monday, the Biden administration announced that an additional 20 million vaccines- including ones that have been approved for use in the United States- will be sent abroad by the end of June. The doses are in addition to the 60 million Astrazeneca shots that Biden initially committed to providing to other countries, meaning that 80 million vaccines are to be shared with the international community as early as next week. It is currently unclear which countries will receive the shipments, and White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki announced Monday that the administration

Secretary Jen Psaki announced Monday that the administration will share more in the coming days about where they are deciding to send vaccines.

The decision comes at a time in which demand for vaccines in the United States is declining, with nearly 60 percent of American adults adults having received at least one shot. As poorer countries struggle to obtain vaccines, experts have warned that global vaccination inequality could worsen the pandemic if the coronavirus continues to mutate.

AndreyaVo,‘22:‘’Yes, I do support the Biden Administration’s decision to send vaccines to other

countries. Many vaccines currently in the United States are being wasted from unfilled appointments, where they can be better used in other countries.’

“Most kinds of bullying

or harassment in schools don’t meet the standard of ‘severe or pervasive.’ ” JUSTICE SOTOMAYOR code of conduct, which required students to be respectful towards their school, coaches, and teammates. The district also said that if they couldn’t punish Levy for her speech, future anti-discrimination, bullying, and harrassment efforts will be much more difficult because schools wouldn’t be able to adequately punish students. Levy’s lawyers disagree; they believe that if the Tinker Case was applied for instances off campus, the speech rights of students would be severely restricted. They argue for a definitive standard for exactly where and when schools can punish a student’s speech. The Court agreed to hear the case due to several courts having dissenting opinions and the strong arguments on both sides during the appeal process.

Oral arguments began April 28th. Justices focused on defining the limits of punishments for kinds of speech that may harm other students. Justices Sotomayor, Kagan, Thomas, and Alito offered scenarios falling under various kinds of discrimination, asked if such cases could be considered a violation of other students’ rights, and asked whether a school had the right to punish the offenders in such a case if students felt they had been harmed or discriminated against. Justice Sotomayor questioned if most sorts of delinquent in-school speech would even meet the “very, very high” legal standard of “severe or pervasive” speech, saying that most kinds of bullying or harassment in schools don’t meet the standard of “severe or pervasive.”

As a result, most schools punish speech that meets the “disruption” threshold, yet several Justices seemed skeptical if Levy’s speech even qualified as a disruption.

The Court expects to have its ruling by the end of the term, in late June or July.

Violence erupts in the Middle East Photo via the Associated Press

House Republican Leader McCarthy Photo via the LA Times

Cease-fire ends 11-day war in the Gaza Strip

McCarthy won’t support January 6 insurrection commission

On Thursday, May 20, Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire to end a bloody 11-day war that brought destruction to the region and claimed the lives of more than 200 individuals. The conflict between Palestine and Israel escalated rapidly during the first two weeks of May, with the region experiencing one of the worst rounds of violence since the 2014 Gaza War. One of the main sources of growing unrest has been the eviction of Palestinian families in the neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah. The cease-fire comes after international leaders repeatedly called for peace efforts after eight days of Israeli airstrikes and Hamas rocket attacks that killed hundreds of people, most of whom are Palestinian. Like the three previous conflicts that have ravaged the Gaza Strip, the latest round of fighting ended inconclusively, with both sides claiming victory via mixed messaging.

Siding with Republicans in downplaying the insurrection, House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy announced Tuesday, May 18 that he opposed an inquiry to investigate the attack on the Capitol. McCarthy’s opposition to the accord precedes a House vote later this week to create a panel modeled after the 9/11 Commission. If the bipartisan agreement is passed, the panel would be responsible for investigating the situation in which supporters of former President Trump attacked the Capitol in an attempt to prevent Congress from certifying the Electoral College vote for President Biden. The Republican opposition to the commission follows the remarks of multiple House Republicans who have attempted to write off or ignore events of January 6.

President Biden is met with cheers in Dearborn Photo via the Detroit News

President Biden visits Ford plant in Dearborn

President Biden toured the Ford Motor Co. Rouge Electric Vehicle Plant in Dearborn, Michigan on Tuesday, May 18, with the aim of pitching his lofty $174 billion electric vehicle plan. After taking a testdrive of the company’s electric version of the F-150 pickup truck prior to its public reveal Wednesday evening, Biden hinted at his love of vehicles as he began his remarks. ‘’My name is Joe Biden, and I’m a car guy,’’ the President declared to the crowd.

During his speech, Biden highlighted the proposal within his jobs bill to add approximately 500,000 EV charging stations across the country, with an emphasis on the capacity of some electrified vehicles to help power large items- even people’s homes.

JUNE | NEWS

Page 3

Princeton Prize (from 1) those pressures intersect with her racial justice activism.

“I think being a Black woman who is recognized feels like even more of an accomplishment because we are so often overlooked,” said Radhakrishnan. “But being grounded in the Black community, there was always this sense that you had to be the best, and, and win awards, and just do everything you could to combat the negative stereotypes surrounding Black people. But at the end of the day, it feels great to be able to go back to your community and know that you have represented

“Instead of feeling powerless in the face of [constant discrimination], you’re doing something”

Jaanaki R. Seniors enjoy a safeprom before graduation after over a year into the pandemic.

Photo by Rachel Matz

A Prom-ise fulfilled Despite setbacks, the Class of 2021 enjoys the essential high school tradition of prom

by LINDSEY ZOUSMER Editor-In-Chief After a long year of stress, uncertainty, and missing out on traditions, the graduating class of 2021 at BHHS finally had something to look forward to: Prom.

Although it was different than any other year, administration and student leadership were able to put together a safe and enjoyable Senior Prom. Unlike any other Prom in Bloomfield’s history, it was hosted on the high school’s property in the Legacy Courtyard on May 21 from 6:30-10:30 pm.

There was ice cream, dancing, a tent where students could eat and safely gather, waffles to decorate, and six food trucks: Detroit Mini Donuts, Street Salad, Tacos Te Amo, Hunter House, and Heros and Villians. This provided a variety of delicious food and offered something for everyone.

“My favorite part of Prom

was the food, it was a great assortment,” said Senior Charlie Weiner. One advantage of having Prom in the courtyard was being able to take advantage of all of the options and host food trucks; the Seniors and staff were fans of the dinner and dessert because there was such a variety.

For the past 4 years, the class of 2021 Student Leadership has been fundraising, planning, and preparing for prom, but of course, they faced some challenges. The Seniors were originally going to host their Prom at the Roostertail, but due to Covid restrictions, had to rearrange their plans.

“We faced the most challenges just with the uncertainty of everything, not knowing what we could and couldn’t do, so there were a lot of things that came

together at the last minute because of that,” said Senior Prom Chair Hannah Tilds.

The location was not necessarily a downfall though, as Tilds expresses her appreciation for this unique event: “The most notable thing that makes Prom different this year is obviously Covid, but another thing is that this was the first year that Prom was at BHHS which I think was really special.”

It’s safe to say that it was pretty impressive that the Black Hawks were able to pull off Prom this year, despite various moments of doubt. It was obvious that the seniors were thankful to be with each other one last time and able to experience one of their final hurrahs of high school.

“This was a great way to wrap up high school because I got to

hangout and see so many kids I won’t be seeing as much anymore,” said Weiner.

Experiencing over a year of isolation made all of the students appreciative of this special night, knowing that months ago, no monumental moments of their senior year were promised.

Tilds wraps up her thoughts, “I think what made prime most memorable for most people including myself was just the fact that this was the first time in over a year that the grade could come together for something which was really amazing and made it so much fun and memorable for everyone.”

Senior Celebrations As BHHS seniors say farewell, they look back on memories and accomplishments

by CAROLINE GRIFFIN Staff Writer As the class of 2021 makes their final contributions to their high school careers, BHHS is working to make sure that these last few weeks are memorable for those who are graduating.

Senior Honors Night on May 18th was intended to recognize some of the seniors’ hard work throughout high school and was organized by the seniors’ counselors. Students were specifically honored with awards to acknowledge their four years of hard work and dedication at BHHS. Senior Noah Behrendt was able to attend this event and shared an inside look of what the night was all about. “So many students with GPAs between 3.7-3.84 and 3.85-4.0 were honored during this night. I received the Summa Cum Laude Award. I have worked hard to keep my grades up and study hard so that night I felt very proud and accomplished of myself and my fellow classmates,” Behrendt shared.

Several other events are planned in honor of the seniors, including the Pancake Breakfast.

The annual senior Pancake Breakfast will take place on June 2nd, just a few days before graduation. The Pancake Breakfast is a fun and delicious way to celebrate the seniors once again, and will be held directly following graduation rehearsal on the 2nd.

Another celebration is the annual All Night Senior Party, a special night for all of the seniors to remember. Although adjustments had to be made to the traditional set up in order to maintain Covid protocols, many seniors are excited to be able to attend this annual event and take part in this tradition.

This event follows the graduation ceremony,

which is also taking place on June 6th. Amelia McCourt shared some memorable insights while looking back on high school: “Next year I will be attending Lourdes University and majoring in nursing and will also be playing lacrosse. I look forward to being on my own after graduation and taking a step into adulthood.

My highlight of senior year was even though it was different from the rest of them, I was still able to connect with friends and teachers online. If I could give my freshman self one piece of advice, it would be to know that even if you fail a test or you don’t get the best grade on your homework, you still have so much going for you and you’ll still get into college.”

Another senior, Barry Sabin, adds some of his personal experiences at BHHS. “Next year I will be majoring in business at Michigan and plan to take over the fraternity basketball league. I will forever remember when

the lama came to our lunch one day at school.

My highlight from senior year was attending football games in the fall with Hammer and being with my friends. I have never missed a homework assignment but the most influential lesson I have learned in high school is that I need to find other ways to make up for my lack of physical height in life which is why I work so hard. I am excited to kick back and get a wicked tan this summer after graduation with my friends before we go off to college.”

After graduation, the class of 2021 will officially be done with high school but they’ll head off to their new endeavors with many memories from their time here at BHHS.

BHHS Seniors are honored for their achievements and celebrate their high school career before graduation.

Photo by Rachel Matz

them well.”

Radhakrishnan hopes to continue her work of improving racial equity in the Bloomfield Hills school district by implementing an effective anti-discrimination policy. Despite the diligent work this project requires, Radhakrishnan maintains their motivation through the sense of community they experience while organizing.

“There’s nothing better than being a part of the organizing community. It is very overwhelming, and exhausting, and painful at times, and you should know that going in.

But I think it is absolutely worth it,” said Radhakrishnan. “Doing racial justice work and striving to make a change is, at least for me, one of the best forms of therapy. [It is] one of the best ways to deal with the constant discrimination that you have to face because instead of feeling powerless in the face of it, you’re doing something about it.”

Radhakrishnan’s racial justice work awarded with Princeton Prize Photo by Maria Welborne

Start Times (from 1) ed change.” He feels that the new times are necessary because the 7:25 am start time was just too early for high school students. Although the time change is only thirty minutes, Kolin believes it is “moving in the right direction.”

Cathy McDonald, BHHS Associate Principal, believes there are many positives to the new start time. She feels it will be an exciting new beginning for students in the fall. However, she understands that there are always pros and cons. Often, when something new is introduced, people are hesitant to make a change.

But, McDonald feels it is a change for the better, and that “BHHS students are resilient” and will easily adapt to the new schedule. Afterall, the students had four schedule changes in the 2020-2021 school year, and handled each one in a positive manner. There are still many decisions to be made, but she is confident that these decisions will be made with the interest of the students in mind.

However, there are many who still question the decision. Jonah Zimmermann, a junior, was hoping for a later start time, but instead of 8:30, he will have to settle for 7:55. He does not like the idea of a “later dismissal,” but understands that he will have to adjust. He believes it will be easier to wake up and will result in “better focus” in his early classes and “improved grades.” However, he is most excited for the extra sleep time. He agrees with studies that show that “sleep is good for the mind.”

The new schedule will not please everyone.

Students will need time to adjust, but they have shown their flexibility over the past year.

The 2021-2022 school year will be a return to in-person learning for everyone, as well as a fresh start for many, and the new start time will allow BHHS students a little less hassle and rush in the mornings.

PAGE 4

JUNE | FEATURE

BHHS Marching Band performs their new show, King and Queens Photo by Lara Alami

Music is in the (spring) air BHHS marching band brought musical flair to spring sports and new opportunities to musicians with its new show, King and Queens.

BY SEAMUS KEANE Staff Writer A new sound can be heard at BHHS during Black Hawk Hour. Music rings out from the football field as the Bloomfield Hills Marching Band practices their spring show. Typically, the Bloomfield Hills Marching Band season runs during the fall, concurrent with the football season; however, this year, an additional spring marching band season took place.

Due to the pandemic, the 2020 fall marching band season occurred in a much more limited capacity, with a smaller roster and rehearsals adjusted for social distancing regulations. In order to make up for some of the lost experience, spring marching band has been launched as an optional extracurricular activity for band students.

“The spring marching band is happening this year because I was looking for a way to keep our band students active and engaged during a pandemic. Online learning is difficult for any class but is nearly impossible for a performance-based class like band,” said band director Alan Posner.

“The spring marching band offers a fun and safe extra opportunity for students to socialize, make music together, and make up for some lost time from this past fall and winter. In addition, I hope the spring marching band will really help with some of my students’ social and emotional needs during this difficult time.”

For the band, practicing and performing in the spring has had a different tone than the usual fall season.

“The spring marching band has been much more relaxed than the fall experience. We are em-

phasizing fun and engagement efit to the students and the level more than high levels of perfor- which they have been achieving mance. I hope that students will so far have made up for it,” said leave every Posner in regard to rehearsal the differwith a smile on “I hope that students will ences bethe their facleave every rehearsal with tween es,” said spring and fall seaPosner. a smile on their faces.” sons.

HowStill, the ever, the student spring seaperspective son is not Alan Posner a perfect remains optimistic fit: it will Band Director in spite of have less the chalrehearsal time than the fall, resulting in a lenges. simpler, more straightforward “Even though we have had less show. time to prepare for our show, I “I always like my students to think we all still enjoy spending perform at the highest possible our time with each other,” said levels, and this is just not possible Brandon Ho, a junior and memwith our rehearsal schedule in the ber of the marching band. spring. However, I think the benIlluminating the distinctions

The Color for a Cause and Feastival States presentation Photo via Lindsey Zousmer

between the spring and fall seasons, Ho explained, “One of the main differences that I like is the exposure to performing at different sports. In the fall, we only performed at football games, but in the spring, we have performed at lacrosse and soccer games.

One difference that I dislike is the time of day we rehearse. In the fall, we rehearsed in the evening, but now we have to rehearse before school starts.”

The spring season show is titled “Kings and Queens,” and it features an impressive lineup of hits from musical royalty: “Beat It” by Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, “Respect” by Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, and “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen. Since there are no football games for the marching band to perform at during the spring, the shows are happening at a new variety of sports and events, such as soccer and

lacrosse games and the Colors For a Cause Color Run fundraiser.

Despite the obstacles, the spring marching band season offers an entertaining musical spectacle for athletes’ parents and spectators, in addition to serving as an opportunity for musicians to spend time with their peers and show off their skills to new audiences.

As Ho concluded, “I think the marching band in general offers meeting new people and bonding with those around them. I’ve made many new friends through band, and I always look forward to meeting new people the next year.”

New resources available for Bloomfield Hills Schools families this summer Photo via Bloomfield.org

Student Leadership scores at States

Stay sharp this summer

Black Hawks succeed at the 2021 Student Leadership state convention

District unveils summer learning opportunities for students

BY LINDSEY ZOUSMER Editor-In-Chief

BY GRACE ROBERTS Staff Writer

Of all the Student Leadership events that take place each year, one that students particularly look forward to is Student Leadership States. Usually, this convention takes place over the course of a weekend in East Lansing, but this year the event was held virtually. Student Leaders from across the state unite to share speeches, get to know each other, and learn about various events that take place at different schools around Michigan.

This year, States was a series of Zoom meetings that took place over the weekend of April 30 to May 2.

Students participated in virtual icebreakers, listened to speakers, and presented the events that they were most passionate about. BHHS still was able to take full advantage of this opportunity with their presentations and blow the judges- and other schools- away.

Bloomfield Hills Student Leadership won two awards. The Color for A Cause/Feastival group, consisting of juniors Abby Sung, and Courtney Atkinson, sophomores Ashley Kronenberg and Alexa Kessler, and senior Riley Shapiro were awarded top three when they presented at the Regional conference, leading up to States. The “Meet Santa Live” presentation won first in the showcase at States. Sophomore Bowie Cooper, and Juniors Cami Krugel, Lindsey Zousmer, and Robert Newland presented this event at states.

“My first stuco states was a ton of fun. My presentation started with the icebreaker charades, so I met a

lot of new friends, many of which appreciated my acting skills. I was thankful for the opportunity to present, despite the virtual setting,” said Cooper.

Abby, who has attended a total of three Student Leadership State conventions, voices her opinion about her first time presenting. “Even though it wasn’t a normal State, I had the best time presenting to hundreds of different student leaders. It was so fun to get to share all the amazing things we do at our school.”

And new states attendee, Robert Newland, had a few positive words to say about his experience. “I had a great experience at States watching other presentations and presenting ‘ Meet Santa Live!’ Lots of people said that they enjoyed our presentation and wanted to implement the idea into their schools’ student leadership. Our group was fortunate to win the competition and it was made possible with the help of Benji, Lindsey, Cami and Bowie.”

Typically, some advantages of attending States are that students get to hear feedback on their events, use ideas from other schools to implement into their own, and get to know leaders from all across the state.

In addition to the presentation awards received, BHHS also had two nominees for student awards. Junior class secretary, Cami Krugel, was nominated for the “Unsung Hero” award, which is awarded to a student who gives exceptional amounts of effort to Student Leadership, but is often overlooked and rarely receives the recognition they deserve. Execu-

tive Board Co-President Maggie Eisenberg was a Student of the Year nominee, which indicates she was an asset to the class as a whole.

Lastly, BHHS Associate principal Jessica Lupone was a finalist as “Administrator of the Year,” and Leadership Adviser Krista Laliberte was awarded “Advisor of the Year.” These honors were celebrated in person by both faculty and students the following week.

“It was an unbelievable honor and unexpected surprise to be awarded the MASC/ MAHS Leadership Advisor of the Year for the state of Michigan,” Laliberte said. “This has been an exciting experience that was only possible thanks to the amazing student leaders and co-advisors that I have worked with over the past 16 years in this role at BHHS.” from all across the state.

In addition to the Presentation Awards we received, we also had two nominees for Student Awards. Junior Class Secretary, Cami Krugel, was nominated for the “Unsung Hero” award, which is awarded to a student who gives exceptional amounts of effort to Student Leadership, but is often overlooked and rarely receives the recognition they deserve. Executive Board Co-President, Maggie Eisenberg, was a Student of the Year nominee, which indicates she was an asset to the class as a whole. Lastly, Ms. Lupone was a finalist as “Administrator of the Year,” and Mrs. Laliberte was awarded “Advisor of the Year,” and the Student Leaders were able to decorate her classroom to celebrate the following week.

“It was an unbelievable honor and unexpected surprise to be awarded the MASC/ MAHS Leadership Advisor of the Year for the state of Michigan. This has been an exciting experience that was only possible thanks to the amazing student leaders and co-advisors that I have worked with over the past 16 years in this role at BHHS,” she said.

With Covid hitting, this has been a year full of change, especially when it comes to school. As many students stayed online for the duration of the year and some went back to school, learning was much different than usual.

To account for this, Bloomfield Hills High School is offering many summer learning opportunities for those who feel behind or want to get ahead.

First off, for students in grades K-8, BHS Summer Academy will include small group instruction, so that students can interact and learn more as a team. The summer academy will focus on building math and literacy skills that the students can carry on through their remaining years of school. It is offered in person, free of charge, and is open to all Bloomfield Hills Schools students.

As summer is meant to be fun and a time for kids to enjoy their break, the classes will only be held for two and a half hours, three days a week, for four weeks. There is also an option to continue on with the classes for another four weeks.

As for high schoolers, there are many different options for summer learning.

Although The learning format is virtual, there will be in-person office hours offered for tutoring and extra support on the Bloomfield Hills High School campus. There are three different options

support on the Bloomfield Hills High School campus. There are three different options that high school students can choose from for the summer program: (1) a student may retake a course in order to improve their grade, (2) recover credits for a course that was not successfully passed during the school year, (3) earn credit for a required course in order to advance and accelerate their high school curriculum.

The last summer learning opportunity is a course called Bowers School Farm Summer Immersion. Students entering grades nine through twelve can earn half of an elective credit through this summer course. It is a hands-on learning opportunity focusing on exploration of self and exploration of place.

The students will be able to interact with the animals and outdoor community at Bowers School Farm. They will experience innovation, communication, and social emotional learning. The class will be held in-person on Tuesdays and Thursdays from nine a.m. until noon for eight weeks and begin on June 22.

The cost is $200.

Summer learning is an opportunity for students to be immersed into a fun and engaging learning environment while getting extra help before the school year begins. It is a chance for students to spend time with other kids and become more confident in their academic abilities. The District encourages families to look into these events.

PAGE 5

JUNE | FEATURE

DECA Competes at Internationals Students present, participate at virtual competition

BY HAYDEN BUCKFIRE Staff Writer

First place multiple state champions Photo via Paul Kolin

Speaking their way to success BHHS Forensics Team Shines at States

BY LENNA PETERSON Editor-In-Chief On May 1, 27 BHHS students pulled out their devices, logged into Tabroom.com, and competed at the State Final Forensics competition, hosted by the Michigan Interscholastic Forensics Association (MIFA). States were held virtually this year due to COVID-19, and forensics students participated in a reduced number of preliminary rounds, as well as semifinals and finals, in order to compete for a state title. Three competitors from BHHS were state champions in their respective categories: Eva Otremba in Sales; Cole Bewick, Andrew Zupancic, Kristina Gould, Alexis Forman, and Nicky Little in Multiple; Lenna Peterson in Broadcasting. Collectively, the BHHS team came in second place in Class A of school divisions, with thirteen students finishing as finalists and twenty two as semifinalists.

Danielle Tier, the head coach of BHHS’s forensics team, outlined the changes that were implemented in order for students to compete safely amid a pandemic.

“One major change in the State Tournament was reducing the amount of preliminary rounds from four to three. This was done

to allow the tournament to start coaching times, due to the virafter school was completed on tual coaching, was really helpful Friday to accommodate those for students and coaches alike,’’ schools who needed or wanted said Tier. to compete from their school Leena Jandali, a junior and buildings. The rest of the changcompetitor in the category of es were the same that were Informative, reflects Tier’s senimplemented throughout the intiments surrounding virtual vitational season: mask requirecompetitions. ments for group events, spacing ‘’This year’s digital state tourrestrictions for group events, nament was a really interesting virtual compeand bittertition for all,’’ sweet experiTier explained.

As an “I am very proud of what ence.

She also cominformative mented on the the BHHS Forensics Team c o m p e t i t o r challenges that was able to accomplish in who uses vithe team faced sual aids, bein order to con- such a challenging year.” ing stationed tinue with the at home was season due to definitely COVID-19. convenient!

“It was a Although very different competing experience to Forensics Head Coach from home coach this year didn’t feel compared to others. It is much ‘the same’ this year, I am super more difficult to really congrateful that the state competinect with newer team members tion still took place; I was devthrough only virtual coaching. astated when they cancelled it It was also difficult to see how last year. The biggest challenge the team members were reactI faced this year was finding ing to the loss of the more fun motivation. Finding the motivaand social aspects of forensics. tion to overcome that has been However, there were some posiespecially difficult when I’m not tive elements too. I think that surrounded by my teammates the variety and flexibility of and coaches. But nonetheless,

Danielle Tier

whenever I start performing, my motivation seems to come back,’’ said Jandali.

Jandali also expressed her gratitude for those who made this virtual season possible. ‘’This has been a great learning year. And I am incredibly grateful for all of the BHHS forensics coaches’ hard work and efforts this year, especially with navigating the new [virtual] platform. I am also so grateful for MIFA. They are the reason we had a season this year, so I can’t thank them enough.’’

Tier shares these same feelings of gratitude and pride. Reflecting upon the season, she shares, ‘’I am very proud of what the BHHS Forensics Team was able to accomplish in such a challenging year. We won five invitational tournaments and earned 2nd place in the state, with three State Champions.

Overall, I know that the team learned a lot more than just forensics competition this year, and that makes me a proud coach.’’

Live theatre is back in Bloomfield Hills BHHS Performing Arts Department performs‘ Into The Woods’’safely amid COVID-19

BY NAOMI PARR Staff Writer After a year without live theatre, the Bloomfield Hills Performing Arts Department produced Stephen Sondheim’s “Into the Woods” from May 13 through the15. Although it was different from past musicals due to COVID safety rules, the show was a joy for all who participated and attended.

First, the cast size was significantly smaller than past productions in order to have COVID-safe rehearsals and backstage spacing. While last year’s musical, “Fiddler on the Roof”, had nearly 90 cast members, “Into the Woods” had only twenty-four actors on stage. The actors involved were also masked in designated singers masks. These allowed actors to sing to their full capacity without their masks limiting the sound that they produced.

Director Mary Bogrette commented on the impact of wearing masks onstage.

“I feel like the actors had to really step up their game for their physical performance, specifically the eyes, eyebrows, and forehead in order to signal to the audience who was speaking,” said Bogrette. “We are really good at acting from the neck up and I’m trying to get people to incorporate physicalizations into their character performances.”

Offstage there were also COVID-adaptations such as removing the pit orchestra playing live music during the production. The pit orchestra members, in normal circumstances, are required to play their instruments in a small space with no ventilation. In order to provide an opportunity for the musicians to showcase their talent while ensuring COVID safety, they instead played selections from the show during the outdoor intermission.

The number of technicians were also significantly reduced in order to ensure that the backstage area was well spaced. Into the Woods featured an elaborate two-story set with four staircases, platforms, a slide, and several entrances. This maze-like structure did not move throughout the show, which relieved technicians of having to change the set between each scene and therefore required fewer tech members backstage. While other schools often use stagnant

props to make up trees in the woods, the BHHS production featured students as dancing, moving trees.

This also reduced movement of set pieces.

Despite these changes, the BHHS production of Into the Woods was a stunning production featuring timely themes. In the second act, the characters endure change and tragedy without direction for how to proceed. Eventually, they determine that their solace is each other, singing “No One is Alone” featuring lines like “Life was so steady, and now this! When are things going to return to normal?” The show proved a different kind of relevance this year.

Director Mary Bogrette commented on this timeliness.

“If anything I think [coronavirus] made the message of the show hit harder and in a different way than previously,” said Bogrette.

In all, Into the Woods is a story about finding hope in the face of loss. Many characters are dead by the end of the musical, and all remaining characters spend time feeling lost and alone. Despite their instincts to despair, they learn that they can and must go on. They find hope in unity and acknowledge that

they are not the same people they were at the start, and never will be again.

In the play’s program, Mary Bogrette’s director’s note paired poignant quotes from Into the Woods with her own dedication: “‘The sky is getting dimmer. I think I see a glimmer.’

This production is dedicated to every student, parent, and educator who made it through the woods and even more so to the teachers, parents, and students who are still ‘in the woods’ and struggling to find the right path out. Sometimes people leave you, halfway through the wood.’ This production is dedicated to anyone who has lost someone this year. ‘You are not alone.’ This production is dedicated to anyone who has felt alone this year… May you all find balance, love, forgiveness, and hope in your lives. May you never feel ‘alone’.’’

After a year without live theatre, the Bloomfield Hills Performing Arts Department was able to produce Stephen Sondheim’s “Into the Woods” on May 13 through the15. Although it was different from past musicals due to COVID safety rules, the show was a

Eleven Black Hawks students competed at the ICDC (International Career Development Conference) taking place the week of May 3 to May 8. The competition was held in several stages fully virtual. The BHHS students who qualified for ICDC were Eryn Stern, Isabelle Goldstein, Karishma Shah, Anna German, Lizzie Wilburn, Heather Chen, Akita Kotian, Jaanaki Radhakrishnan, Sanju Swamy, and Fei-Fei Xiao.

DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) an organization at Bloomfield Hills High School, serves as an outlet for students to grow as entrepreneurs and thinkers, as they are presented with challenges throughout competitions, and encouraged to solve them creatively. Qualifying for the international competition is difficult; first, competitions are held at a regional level within Oakland County, then state competitions are held for students throughout the state of Michigan, and then, finally, students can qualify for Internationals. Students from around the United States, territories, and Canada competed at this year’s event.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, events were held fully virtual this year, unlike competitions in years past. The DECA club itself has run virtually after school each week for the entire school year.

In a normal year, DECA would travel to a host city somewhere within the United States for a week of festivities along with the competition.

Although students have missed out on the opportunities of a live, in-person competition, they still have enjoyed competing against others, while creatively and intuitively competing in their business field. Setbacks have changed the ways Black Hawks students have participated in clubs this year.

Matthew MacLeod is the sponsor of DECA at

“When they [students] go in front of a judge, it depends what their events are; the beauty of DECA is there are so many types of competitions,”

Matthew MacLeod DECA Sponsor

Bloomfield Hills High School, helping to coordinate students throughout the school year and manage Bloomfield’s DECA Chapter.

“For internationals, our students had to submit a project, then a short video presentation. The video presentations are then scored, based on how you did on the presentations, a small select group of students are then invited to present in front of a judge,” said MacLeod.

Lizzie Wilburn and Anna German finished in 7th place internationally in their business category, advancing to the final round. The particular focus for their presentation was on a specific business that they had prepared.

MacLeod explained the process.

“Students put together a portfolio to submit to judges, then they also have to do a presentation of their product or business,” said MacLeod. “When they go in front of a judge, it depends what their events are; the beauty of DECA is there are so many types of competitions.”

Like MacLeod states, DECA includes a wide variety of categories in which students can compete, for example, personal finance or retail. Ultimately, evaluation is done by several judges and graded on thinking skills, entrepreneurship, and creativity.

Categories could entail presenting a pre-prepared plan, or doing a roleplay or impromptu response presentation. The categories are centered around multiple career “clusters” in business, including Business Management, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Finance, Tourism, and Personal Finance.

The 2022 ICDC conference will be held in Atlanta, Georgia, and take place in April. The competition will be DECA’s first in-person competition since the 2019 competition held in Orlando, as 2020 (originally slated for Nashville) was canceled in its entirety and 2021 competitions were held virtually. Several Bloomfield students qualified for International competitions last school year.

The ICDC marks the end of the DECA calendar for the 2020-21 school year, but students are already excited for what next year’s competitions could look like.

Eleven Black Hawks students competed at the ICDC (International Career Development Conference) taking place the week of May 3 to May

Students perform in ‘‘Into The Woods’’ Photo by Carli Camens

The DECA ICDC 2021 logo Photo via Eryn Stern

Page 6

JUNE | OPINION

Opinion

Silver Linings of Quarantine Editor reflects on how the most negative turn around became a positive experience

Protecting our Privacy The importance of online privacy in today’s society

by OLIVIA WHITE Staff Writer Whether we are researching for homework, online shopping, or watching Netflix, we are constantly on the internet. Online privacy, which is the right to keep information and data from web searches private, sounds like a right that everyone should have. Privacy, in any matter, keeps a person feeling safe and comfortable, so why should we lose our privacy once we open our web browsers?

It is important to keep privacy online for many reasons. One example of this is preventing data from being stolen or analyzed, and avoiding fraud. Online privacy should be protected because we, as individuals, should be able to continue our online lives without the fear of being hacked or tracked.

Have you ever been searching for a product on Safari, and the next day the same advertisement shows up on your Instagram feed? This has happened to me before, causing an alarmed feeling, as if every move I make online is being watched.

I believe that online privacy is crucial because being able to feel safe while online is extremely important. In light of the recent inability to be in-person together, we spend more and more time online everyday. Whether we are video chatting, writing articles, or anything in between, our lives have shifted to a predominantly online society. As we continue to invest our personal information into the web, we put our information and data at risk.

So, ultimately, protecting our privacy online will keep us feeling safe and protected at all times.

Adviser Rachel Matz Editors-in-Chief Seth Kruger Lenna Peterson Eryn Stern Lindsey Zousmer

STAFF

Sure, it hasn’t been fun, but it’s changed everything

by SETH KRUGER Editor-In-Chief

by LINDSEY ZOUSMER Editor-In-Chief When midnight struck on January 1, 2020, excitement filled the world.

A new era; one filled with new adventures, opportunities, and culture. Goals were set, plans were made, and everyone was thrilled to see what was in store for the roaring twenties.

However, as soon as March hit, everything took a complete 180. Every upcoming event was cancelled, we were trapped inside, and every hope we had for this new decade was vanishing before our eyes. I soon realized that quarantine would not just be the next few weeks, but rather a lifestyle we had to get used to. In utter disappointment, I had to erase everything I was looking forward to on my calendar: joining my brother on his senior spring break, executing the Senior Leadership events we had been planning all year, and going to camp that summer.

After a few months it settled. Just like everyone else, I could not have any social interactions other than a socially distanced walk or Zoom call, I had no structured schedule, and very little to look forward to. I craved a sense of normalcy and spent most of my time wishing for quarantine to end.

My whole perspective changed on a walk with my mom toward the middle of April. I took a moment to really reflect on the past month and a half of my life and how much I had missed out on.

I spent too much time waiting for the days to pass, even though I usually embrace every moment in my life, whether they are high or low.

My mom said to me, “Linds, you’ll never have this much time in your life ever again. Take advantage of this blank space.” So, I did.

The next couple of weeks for me were filled with new activities: family game nights, tie dying, drawing, walks, new workouts, calling friends, etc. But, I also took time to thoroughly enjoy the downtime, new netflix shows, watching sunsets, and sleeping in… things that I rarely had time to enjoy during my usual busy schedule.

I quickly noticed that what my mom said was true. A typical day in my life, pre-COVID, consisted of frantically running from school, to club meetings, to dance, while also squeezing in family time and homework. My entire perspective on this setback changed, as my life at that time was completely the opposite of what it had been previously; that was not necessarily a negative thing.

I stopped wishing things were different and started embracing all of the new opportunities that this blessing in disguise had to offer. Not to say I necessarily miss quarantine, and the lonely feeling that came along with it, but it is undoubtedly something I will never forget, and served as a wake up call to me that we are all able to make the best out of any situation that is thrown our way.

Not many high schoolers are locked in their homes for half of a year, but also not many high schoolers get that much time and freedom to try new things, spend time with family, and learn more about ourselves.

COVID taught me how to just enjoy life

Managing Editors Noah Roslin Benji Stern Brandon Yaker

Meet the Editors-In-Chief

LINDSEY ZOUSMER

SETH KRUGER

ERYN STERN

LENNA PETERSON

Web Manager Noa Goldstein

Promotional Manager Abby Chayet

Copy Editor Cal Martinez

Staff Writers Byron Brooks Hayden Buckfire Emma Coden Izzy O’Brien Ashley Fogel Claire Greenspan Caroline Griffin Alexis Guerrieri Noah Kam Seamus Keane

Design Editor Ryanne Leonard Section Editors Isabelle Goldstein Max Melamed Maximilian Schenke

Grace Kobernik Alec Mayoras Madeline Moss Isabella Muchnick Michaela Nash Noami Parr Joshua Rillema Grace Roberts Samantha Sherman Skylar Stearns Ashton Taylor Jasmine Wade Abbey Weitzman Olivia White

COVID has, quite frankly, sucked the enjoyment out of things in life. People have lost touch with what they enjoy. Part of this comes from the restrictions of COVID-19 as sports, movie theaters, restaurants, and other in-person activities were restricted and essentially shut down for a while. These everyday activities are making a comeback since their original shutdowns, but, after quarantining for months, it’s evident that people are forgetting how to enjoy the things they have in life.

When I first emerged from my quarantine, once the weather turned warm and we knew how to safely interact outside, I felt lost. Looking back on it, I realize that I missed a lot during those few months last spring. Cancelled track and soccer seasons left me falling out of shape.

College basketball cancelled the entire March tournament in the midst of one of the best Michigan State basketball seasons we’ve seen, so there went the world of sports. School was a drag of online assignments, and there was no joy in learning, and going into a summer break didn’t feel as satisfying because we didn’t work for it.

Sure, summer was enjoyable. I was able to work at my day camp and see familiar faces there, but everything just felt different. People felt deflated and emotionally drained by the quarantining experience, and camp energy just wasn’t the same.

And sure, I got my first varsity soccer season over the summer and fall as well as a marching band season, but it just wasn’t as exciting as it should have been.

We were out of soccer shape from quarantining, and no one really felt the excitement of a limited interaction band camp.

I could continue to list off all of the things that I missed out on during the spring quarantine and limited summer experiences, because there were countless opportunities and events that were taken away. But, as I’ve recently taught myself, there’s a positive side to everything. It’s just a matter of finding these positives, because they can often be elusive.

Take the effects of COVID for example.

We all know that, to go out in public, you have to wear a mask and stay socially distant from others around you (at least for now). Sure, this may be difficult to adhere to and the idea of being restricted is uncomfortable, but it’s pretty hard to smell someone’s BO if you’re six feet away from them, as opposed to being packed in on a subway.

I’ve also applied this concept of “the bright side” to my personal experiences, post-quarantine. Online school, while exhausting, provided opportunities to learn about innovative technology and communication with services like Zoom and Google Meets. Plus, being quarantined helped me realize how much I missed the outdoors, whether it be running or playing basketball with friends.

There is no question that life has been challenging, and trying to be positive during these times is beyond difficult. But, just by simply taking any issue, event, thing, or whatever else comes up in my life now, and analyzing it for any possible positive outcome or side effect, I’ve found my way to returning to positivity in life, and I hope that using this mindset can help anyone else who struggles to just be happy.

June| Opinion

Opinion

Unplug in order to recharge Editor reflects on battling pandemic burnout amid virtual activities

by LENNA PETERSON Editor-In-Chief

Taking a moment out of your day to appreciate the tiniest moments of bliss - whether it be through savoring that first sip of iced coffee, getting a breath of fresh air by going

“Within the last 14 months, I have found myself increasingly drawn to small moments of peace within my days where I am able to put aside my technology in order to mentally recharge.”

Lenna Peterson Editor-In-Chief

on a walk, or spending time with those that you cherish - can make a world of difference during these unparalleled times. There is an immense amount of power in actively being mindful of the world around you (and not just the one on your screen). Through making a point of putting away your laptop and taking a break from endless scrolling, you’re breaking the cycle of repetition and fighting burnout. Subsequently, mindfulness allows you to slowly become more grateful for all of the small, invigorating moments in your days, even as uncertainty threatens to cloud our worlds. So the next time you feel yourself slipping into a cycle of monotony within your daily routine, consider the value of finding small moments of peace through which you can give yourself a rest. Sometimes, you might just have to unplug in order to recharge.

A COVID-19 life lesson Editor reflects on the importance of not taking high school sports for granted

by ERYN STERN Editor-In-Chief

I have a confession: my laptop is my security blanket. Recently, my MacBook charger became frayed to the point where my laptop no longer would charge. It was the night before virtual forensics State Finals, my laptop was at 18%- and losing battery by the second- and I was to the point of sheer panic.

Luckily, I was able to find another charger before it was time to compete, but amid my anxiety, a realization struck me: I am far too dependent upon my technology. We all are.

And the pandemic hasn’t exactly helped.

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, we often have no choice but to resort to online platforms in order to gather safely. But between Zoom calls for school, extracurriculars online, and an endless stream of emails in your inbox, it can feel impossible to take time away from your screen. Couple your commitments with the inability to interact with family and friends face-to-face and a surge of horrifying headlines, and the very thought of peeling yourself away from your devices is even more overwhelming. But within the last 14 months, I have found myself increasingly drawn to small moments of peace within my days where I am able to put aside my technology in order to mentally recharge.

Page 7

AAPI Heritage: Much deeper than boba tea One month is not enough time to cover centuries of AAPI history

by MADDY MOSS Staff Writer Each May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, which is a way to recognize and celebrate the achievements of AAPI in not only America, but around the world.

AAPI Heritage Month celebrates significant milestones in AAPI, including the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants in the United States on May 7, 1843, and the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. Approximately twentythousand Chinese immigrants worked on and completed the railroad on May 10, 1969. While the railroad brought economic prosperity, it also stood as a symbol of the government’s exploitation of Chinese immigrants. However, this is shockingly similar to the way we appropriate AAPI culture in mainstream media today.

Many people forget that when AAPI brought their culture to America, they brought their dumpling recipes, boba tea, and sushi. Americans love these foods; however, when lunchtime hits and AAPI students bring out their home-cooked meals that may look unappealing to non-AAPI students, the exclamations of “ew!” and “gross!” don’t go unnoticed. Many young AAPI feel ashamed to eat their culture’s food and feel as if they need to adapt to fit “American standards”. It’s as simple as others only appreciating the “good” or “delicious” part of AAPI culture and frowning down on other aspects of their heritage.

AAPI Heritage Month is an important month to celebrate and shine a light on AAPI. As good as that may be, a single month is not enough time to do AAPI justice. There are millions of AAPI, and just a month is not sufficient to cover all their achievements.

BHHSTODAY.ORG

Our lives would be completely different without the achievements of AAPI. From our favorite clothing brands to technology, without AAPI we would not be as advanced a society as we are today. We need to show our appreciation and support for them, not only in May but all year round.

During AAPI Heritage month, many small AAPI businesses are in the spotlight.

But the second that June hits, many of those small businesses see a decrease in sales and traffic. Instead of big companies and websites only featuring AAPI during May, they should be promoting small AAPI businesses year-round.

The many big brands that support AAPI Heritage Month are also the brands that take advantage of AAPI workers in poor Asian countries.

Sweatshops, such as Nike’s, take advantage of lower labor costs, terrible work environments, and even child labor. While they preach women’s rights, the idea that anyone can do anything, and equality, their cheaply manufactured items, handmade by women and children, say anything but that.

Why address equality and human rights while you are making capital off of bargain labor? Big brands such as Nike need to strive to create a more equitable world for AAPI, especially because they have the means to do it.

Nevertheless, corporations and the general public need to stand with AAPI. In the months leading up to AAPI Heritage Month, we have seen a surge in AntiAsian hate crimes across the country. From mall shootings to COVID-19 microaggressions, many Asians do not feel safe celebrating their heritage. Right now, the AAPI community needs extra support from others.

Becoming educated brings us one step closer to creating a safer world, not only for AAPI to feel safe, but for everyone.

“APPI Heritage Month is an important month to shine a light on APPI. As good as that may be,a single month is not enough time to do APPI justice.

There are millions of APPI, and one month is not sufficient to cover all of their achievements.”

Maddy Moss Staff Writer

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic last spring, the MHSAA (Michigan High School Athletic Association) made the decision to cancel all spring sports. This was devastating for high school athletes from across the state, as many had been training for months during the off-season to prepare. Despite the frustration many student-athletes faced, canceling spring sports helped keep the players and community safe, and COVID-19 transmissions down. The decision to cancel spring sports did not only impact many of my peers and the many student athletes in Michigan, but it also impacted me.

I have been on the BHHS Varsity A Girls Tennis Team since my freshman year. This is one of my favorite extracurricular activities, and tennis season was definitely the highlight of my freshman year. Going into my sophomore year, I was practicing very hard for the spring 2020 season and was looking forward to having the opportunity to compete again. However, when tennis season arrived that spring, we only made it through the first day of practice, and then the season was unfortunately canceled. This decision was devastating for myself and thousands of others across Michigan, along with many more athletes around the nation.

It has now been a little over a year since my tennis season was cancelled, and I can say that I learned a lot from this experience. Before tennis season was cancelled last year, I never truly realized how much the sport and my teammates meant to me. Like the rest of my team, I was occupied with schoolwork, friends, family, and other extracurriculars. I never had the time to truly appreciate what a great opportunity it is to be able to play on one of the best tennis teams in the state.

The thought of not having the opportunity to play for an entire season never once crossed my mind, so I definitely took aspects of my freshman season for granted. The spirit bags, team dinners, practices, winning the regional competition, matches, and the state competition were some of my favorite parts of the season, just to name a few. Once COVID-19 hit, I began to really appreciate the experiences I had during freshman year and wished that I could only get them back, even if it was just for one day.

We often don’t think about the amazing opportunities we have, such as being able to play high school tennis, but when we’re not able to participate anymore, we come to cherish the memories we had and will do anything to get them back.

Now looking back on this past tennis season, I made sure to appreciate everything so much more than I would have if COVID-19 never existed because the experiences during tennis season are unlike anything I will ever experience again. I will always remember the memories I just made during the 2021 season, such as winning the state competition individually and as an entire team.

No matter what you’re involved in, whether that be a school sport or club, I want to emphasize how important it is to cherish every moment of it. When we look back and remember our high school experiences, our accomplishments and memories made on sports teams and in clubs is what we’re always going to hold dear. For me, it will be winning the three doubles state championship title and the moment my entire team and I knew that we had become Division 1 State Champions for the first time. For you, no matter what the experience is that you will remember forever, never take it for granted.

You will look back and always be thankful that you made sure to appreciate every second of it.

Follow us: @bloomfieldhawkeye @thehawkeyenews

Page 8

June | FEATURE

ABBY SUNG, ‘22

GRACE PHILLIPS, ‘21 I am so glad that I decided to be a LINK! It has been such an amazing experience and has taught me so much about what my peers might be going through. Not only that, but I have gained such valuable friendships with the other students that I have been paired with. Before taking this class, I feel like I did not know a lot about things like Autism or deafness or how they might affect the people around me. This is the first time in my life where I have actually been taught about different disabilities and how people with them conquer them. I am so happy that I have had this opportunity!

JACK BEHRENDT, ‘21 You become more educated about ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) and other disabilities. You also learn how to be more supportive and, in general, a better friend. Every LINK’s experience is different, but in the end, LINKs become more knowledgeable, responsible, and supportive.

I love being a LINK because it gives me the opportunity to learn more about disabilities, as well as gain new friendships!

You should become a LINK because it’s an amazing opportunity to get to know someone and give them the social experience they desire! I gained a better understanding of autism.

LINKed to BHHS Students reflect on the first year of a new peer program

by NOA GOLDSTEIN Web Managing Editor

GRACE BIKERSTETH, ‘22 Being a LINK has been such an honor. I have learned to be a part of something bigger than myself and to give back to the community. I loved being a LINK because it has taught me many life lessons such as learning to be patient with others, putting others before yourself, and simply being there for those who need you now more than ever. Not only have I learned new life lessons, I have built connections and friendships with others that will last forever. I have created bonds and was able to first-hand experience what it is like to change someone’s life in such a major way; I further realized that the smallest things can make the largest difference in one’s life. Everyone should become a LINK if they have the opportunity because they will experience something that is so special: changing lives for the better.

BELLA MUCHNICK, ‘22 I like being a LINK because I get to build such strong relationships with my buddies. They are always so positive and meeting with them always puts me in a better mood!

I think people should become a LINK because not only does it have an optimistic effect on your LINK buddy, but it truly can make a quality effect on your life too. It is also great to learn new things from your LINK ; it’s interesting to hear different things from their perspective. Something I gained from being a LINK is the knowledge that true happiness and joy doesn’t stem from if a person has a disability or not. It depends on your outlook on life and your environment!

JESSICA SAPERSTEIN, ‘22 I love meeting new people and forming friendships with others! You should become a LINK because it is a great opportunity to grow as an individual while helping others grow too! I have gained leadership skills, I have become more patient, and I have made new friends!

8 questions with Mrs. Haines

by ISABELLE GOLDSTEIN Section Editor Q: What is the most memorable experience you have had as a teacher at Bloomfield Hills High School?

A: I would have to say that starting the LINKed to BHHS Peer to Peer program this year has been a unique experience, but very rewarding. Despite being in the middle of a global pandemic, LINK students really rose to the occasion and made connections with peers at a time when having the support of friends was so valuable. I could not be more proud of the LINK students; they have truly made a difference!

Q: What drew you to becoming a teacher?

A: I’ve always enjoyed working with students, and I really enjoy the school atmosphere. What I find great about working with high school students is that we [as teachers] have the chance to see students discover their interests and pursue their goals even beyond their years at BHHS.

Q: What is your favorite part of your job?

A: Making connections with students and seeing the progress that they make.

Q: What is a hidden talent of yours?

A: I’m not sure if this qualifies as a “hidden talent,” but I love to organize and plan itineraries for vacations.

Very “virgo” of me.

Q: What do you believe is an interesting fact about yourself that would surprise your students and colleagues?

A: My husband and I love to travel! I have been to five continents and 27 countries. I can’t wait to plan our next big adventure!

Q: How long have you been at BHHS? A: This is my third year at BHHS. I taught at WHMS for 7 years before coming here.

Q: What did you study in college?

A: I studied Psychology in my undergraduate at MSU then pursued my teaching certificate and masters in special education.

Q: What is one piece of advice you could share?

A: To be willing and open to try new things and go to new places. As a big advocate for traveling, something that Anthony Bourdain said that has stuck with me is: “Travel isn’t always pretty.

It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind.”

Date

Date

Date

BLANK GAME @ TIME BLANK GAME @ TIME

BLANK GAME @ TIME BLANK GAME @ TIME

BLANK GAME @ TIME BLANK GAME @ TIME

PAGE #9

JUNE | SPORTS

Spring Sports Changes to spring sports made amid COVID-19 pandemic

by MAX MELAMED Section Editor

BHHS Girl’s Varsity A Tennis Team celebrates their victory after becoming D1 State Champions.

Photo by Paul Kolin

Making History BHHS Girls Varsity A Tennis Team Becomes State Champions for the First Time

by MAX MELAMED Section Editor It all started on Thursday, May 20, when the BHHS Girls Tennis team won the Division 1 Regional Title. BHHS won six of the eight flights, and finished with 29 total points, which put them in first place. This performance allowed the team to qualify for states on June 4 and 5 in Okemos.

“It was a great day for us. We had pretty high expectations going into the day, but you never know how things will play out. We really did play well in every flight. I was really happy for the girls. They were very prepared and played very well,” said Bloomfield Hills tennis coach Chris Dobson in an interview with the Oakland Press.

Later came the MHSAA Division 1 State Finals, which took

dated walking into states,” place on June 4 and 5. BHHS said junior and state chamentered the state championship ranked second but they pion Noa Goldstein. “There didn’t let that stop them from are so many different teams, and so much pressure going becoming State Champions. into the tournaThree out of ment. However, the four BHHS I eventually got doubles flights entered the “To share this moment over that feeling t o u r n a m e n t with all of my my team- and all that was as the number mates was incredible left was excitement. It was such one seed while many of the and this was an expier- an amazing day.”

BHHS ended BHHS singles ence that I will always up winning three flights also remember.” flights in the state earned high finals: one douseeds. During bles with Hanthe tournanah Tomina and ment, BHHS Noa Goldstein, had to work two doubles with extremely hard BHHS Girl’s Varstiy A Carly Bernard and and play very Tomiwell in order to Tennis Team Member Raegan na, and three win the state title. doubles with Eryn Stern and “I was initially super intimiNatalie Raab. Four doubles

Anna Bickersteth

with Ellie Alberts and Grace Bickersteth, four singles with Julia Yousif, and three singles with Grace Shaya made it to the finals.

“It felt like such a relief after working so hard all season and I have been playing tennis for my entire life so it felt amazing to be a state champion,” said sophomore and state champion Raegan Tomina.

Despite their number two ranking going into the tournament, BHHS became State Champions. This was the first time this has happened for the team.

1 singles player Anna Bickersteth said the following about what it meant to become State Champions.

“It was amazing to become State Champions because we all worked so hard during the season.”

Spring Sports Season Recap

by SETH KRUGER Editor-In-Chief

Girls Tennis The girls tennis team continued their annual dominant run of regionals as they advanced both singles and doubles teams to the state competition, where they clinched the Division 1 State Championship title for the first time.

Boys Baseball The varsity baseball team has had a successful year with a winning record and a path that can lead to a deep run in the playoffs.

Boys Golf The golf team enjoyed a successful season as they participated in many local tournaments with many top-three placements in events such as the Pine Lake Classic and competing at Oakland University.

Boys Lacrosse The boys lacrosse team played to a dominant season and a high seed in the playoffs, where they dominated the district rounds and made it to the district finals.

Girls Lacrosse

Softball

The girls lacrosse team played dominant second-half comeback style games on their way to a 15-3 win to clinch the league title and a matchup in the regional finals.

The Blackhawk softball team found their way to a winning record and a high seeded berth in the playoff tournament.

Girls Soccer The soccer team found their way to a successful goal-filled season and a positive record as they won their way through a trip in the district playoffs against rival schools.

Track and Field The track and field team had a record breaking season with district, region, county, and league championships throughout the season on their way to competing in the state meet.

In the spring, there is so much to do: enjoy the nicer weather, start preparing for finals and the end of the school year, and more, but for many of the students here at BHHS, spring means that it is time for the spring sports season. Due to Covid, most, if not all sports were shut down nearly immediately last year; this left students anxious and excited for this upcoming season.

An abundance of changes were required to have a successful and safe season this year. Garrett Kirschner, the goalie for the JV lacrosse team, and Aaron Zekman, who is on the JV baseball team, were two of the many athletes who experienced the loss of a season last year When asked about how this season has gone so far, Kirschner said, “It’s great having a season, even though we’ve had issues having games due to COVID, shortage of refs, and some schools not having a JV team. I’m just glad we can have a season this year because we couldn’t last year.”

Plenty of changes were made for the season, but when asked what the largest one was, Zekman said, “The biggest change from other seasons has to be the constant reminder that we are in a pandemic; it is hard to play with a mask on and to constantly be getting tested.”

It is more difficult to bond with teammates during this season, as students still must distance themselves from one another. A similarity between Zekman, Kirschner, and presumably many other students is that they do not mind the precautionary measures as long as they can have a season. Kirschner stated that, “I’m fine with these requirements as long as I am able to play my sport,”

NBA tries new playoff format It made playoffs more competitive, but many, including The King, opposed it

by ASHTON TAYLOR Staff Writer COVID-19 affected the sports industry drastically, especially with the loss of profit and compromised safety. Due to this, the NBA changed their playoff format to make them more competitive, profitable, and safe.

The NBA playoffs have been the same for many years, but to make them more competitive, the league worked to change the format; this year, the NBA added the play-in game round. The play-in games took place when the regular season finished. It took the seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth seeds in each conference to play additional games to determine the new seventh and eighth seeds. The current seventh and eighth seeds will play a game to decide the new seventh seed, and the ninth and tenth seeds play a game to be the eighth seed. The loser of the seventh and eighth seed game will face off against the ninth and tenth seed winner to claim the new eighth seed.

The NBA community has mixed opinions about the play-in games. Some players and coaches think that this is an excellent opportunity to increase the stakes of the playoffs, while others think it’s a waste of time and you should not be rewarded for being ninth or tenth seed.

Lakers all-star LeBron James was not fond of the idea, as he stated in an interview: “whoever came up with [the NBA play-in format] needs to be fired. “ James as well as others feel that playing in the play-in tournaments can increase risk of injury, making the playoffs less enjoyable.

James went on to say that “the number one thing for our ball club: we need to be healthy, and we need to be at full strength.”

On the other hand, Kendrick Perkins, a former NBA player, feels differently about play-in games. Perkins believes that by adding the play-in games, players and coaches will take the regular season seriously, making the regular season and playoffs more competitive.

“I love it because teams and players can’t take regular-season games for granted [anymore]” said Perkins.

The NBA play-in tournament took place from May nineteenth through the twenty-first—And they were the most entertaining games of the season. The games came down to the wire and highlighted the players’ passion for the game. The Lakers faced off against the Warriors in the Western Conference, and the Lakers won 103-100, making the Lakers the seventh seed. The Warriors then faced off against the Grizzlies, which was the biggest upset of the season: The Grizzlies beat the Warriors 117-112.

In the Eastern Conference, the Wizards faced off against the Celtics, but the Wizards fell short. The Celtics claimed the seventh seed, while the Pacers and Wizards fought for the eighth seed. The Wizards beat the Celtics 142-115, making them the new eighth seed.

The objective of the play-in game was to make the regular season and the playoffs more competitive.

Many people are fans of the play-in games, while others are more doubtful. How will the play-in games affect the future of the NBA?

PAGE #10

Reviews

JUNE| ENTERTAINMENT

TV

TV

A netflix hodgepoge of insight

A not so mysterious mystery

by BENJI STERN Managing Editor

by IZZY O’BRIAN Staff Writer

Netflix has had its fair share of flops, but Ginny and Georgia is not one of them. Few pieces of film, TV, or any other media have succeeded in capturing the essence of the high school experience as well as Ginny and Georgia has done. The series follows a young mother, Georgia, her daughter, Ginny, and her son, Austin, as they move to the town of Wellsbury, Massachusetts and navigate through all of the ups and downs that follow. There are so many nuances and intricacies that make this show exceptional, which makes it difficult to find a place to start, but we can certainly try.

First of all, it tackles more real life problems than any other show I’ve come across.

Here is a list of just a FEW of the issues that Ginny and Georgia addresses: bullying, drugs, abuse, politics, racism, love, sucicide, self harm, sex, sexuality, co-parenting, virginity, and privilege. And, I am not kidding, the list goes on.

Additionally, the show fits into a variety of categories. There is humor, horror, mystery, and political drama - all seamlessly intertwined. The show is versatile and appeals to every possible demographic. It is truly a human story.

Moreover, the quality of production is on another level. The acting is genuine and impactful. The camera quality is unique, and the creativity is memorable. The coloring choices have a huge impact on the story, and it all comes together to create a reality that all audiences can identify with.

Plus, the show has original songs and poems that independently could be viral works of art.

Each episode starts and ends with a voiceover of Ginny’s thoughts and perspective, and her insight sets the framework perfectly to let each of the separate storylines unfold. There are always several narratives taking place at any given time and the way they all affect and connect to one another makes the whole show a thrill to follow.

I highly recommend watching Ginny and Georgia for viewers of all ages; it is absolutely a show you won’t forget.

“Teen mystery show ‘Cruel Summer’ is mostly praised by critics as ‘addictive,’ and ‘compelling’,” shared USA Today, but those aren’t the words that I would choose to describe the show.

We follow the main characters: Jeanette Turner, played by Chiara Aurelia, and Kate Wallis, played by Olivia Holt, on a not so mysterious journey. The series began airing this year and releases new episodes every week. Thus far, only five episodes have been released on Hulu and Freeform. Going into the show, I had high expectations after watching the preview, but I was let down.

Hulu describes the show as a mystery, but there is nothing mysterious about it. The basic storyline makes it easy to predict what will happen next; there are no shocking surprises or big “ah ha” moments. Each 45 minute episode is filled with too much dialogue, uncomfortable acting, and a shockingly unshocking storyline that leaves the viewer uninterested.

Sitting through the show felt like a chore, and the only thing that kept me from turning off the television was the hope that I would be proven wrong.

Cruel Summer sets its storyline in three major parts that are constantly alternating.

Surprisingly, it is easy to follow along because they do a great job of establishing different settings. Creating the story from three different perspectives was the only enjoyable element that I have not seen many other shows do successfully.

The show’s age recommendation is TV-14 because it is filled with darker topics, yet the script and acting is portrayed as though it is meant for 10 year olds. There is little depth to the acting; plainly put, what you see is what you get.

When considering the unique outline of the show, I can see how viewers may be compelled; I mean, it is one of Freeform’s most watched shows. Only two more episodes are expected to come out to tie together the season. Who knows, maybe I will be stunned by the ending. Until then, I rate this show a 2.5/5 and cautiously recommend that you watch it for yourself; you may or may not be surprised. cursus risus at.

Gravida cum sociis natoque penatibus. Tortor vitae purus faucibus ornare suspendisse sed nisi lacus sed. Fringilla urna porttitor rhoncus dolor purus non enim praesent elementum. Leo urna molestie at elementum eu facilisis. Neque aliquam vestibulum morbi blandit cursus risu

PAGE 11

JUNE| ENTERTAINMENT

Reviews

Benji’s bites

by BENJI STERN Managing Editor

“Croissant.” Should it be pronounced in the Americanized way of “CruhSahnt” or perhaps more akin to the traditional French sounding “KwuhSaunh?” We may never know or agree, but one thing is for absolutely certain, one of the best items you can get from Cedric’s Servery at BHHS is his famous Egg and Cheese Croissant Sandwich.

The sandwich consists of a buttered croissant split into two, with two eggs and cheddar cheese layered in the middle. There is also the option for a similar sandwich where the second egg is replaced with a thin sausage.

Occasionally, one will discover parmesan cheese sprinkled delicately on the top.

I would like everyone reading this to know that several mornings this semester, I abstained from my mom’s offers for a home cooked breakfast so

inside.

Anyone who has been to A200 at BHHS knows about Cedric and his servery. Cedric is always playing music and there to help out with anything you need. He consistently creates a lively atmosphere throughout the halls. The environment that Cedric fosters in his corner of the school makes the experience of eating his food exponentially better. He always makes his food fresh the day of, and keeps it warm and ready for students to take right off the warming shelf.

If you are deciding between stopping somewhere like Starbucks, Dunkin, or Tim Hortons on the way to school, I recommend instead paying a visit to Cedric for your morning meals.

Additionally, with the school’s free lunch program, there is no cost to the students. It is extremely convenient to grab and go, and it tastes great.

Overall, I do enjoy this sandwich for my breakfast, and I encourage students to head over to Cedric’s and try it out for yourself!

FOOD

TV

MOVIE

44 scoops of yum

Shadow and bone: netflix’s newest fantasy

Slaying demons and expectations

by ABBEY WEITZMAN Staff Writer Do you ever have that strong craving for ice cream? My order used to be a scoop with rainbow sprinkles, whipped cream, and a cherry on top. But that changed as soon as I was introduced to 44 Scoops.

From the moment you walk in you are greeted with “Hello, how are you today?” You feel so welcomed and it only gets better. The name 44 Scoops comes from the 44 different flavors of sweet, creamy, delicious ice cream available daily.

You can get the flavor of your choice in a cup, cone, or blended into a shake. The only downside is that it can get a little expensive, but if every once in a while you decide you wanna spice things up, this place is definitely for you.

This is a small ice cream shop but known for their milkshakes.

I know when people think of a milkshake they think of some blended ice cream and milk. I’m not talking about that though.

I’m talking about 44 Scoops Milkshake Masterpieces.

Once you pick your flavor, an employee will take it and blend it to the perfect smooth consistency. They then grab everything they can find around them and layer it on top like a tower. From sprinkles and whipped cream to brownies, sour candy, and even a twinkie. They don’t call them a masterpiece for no reason, it’s because they are a true piece of art… yummy art.

Do you know anyone with a birthday coming up? They also have cakes, and cute little birthday ice cream cones decorated to look like an adorable clown. You can even go in and ask the owner to make a special cake for a special occasion.

All in all, 44 Scoops is an amazing ice cream place. It is filled with some of the most cheerful people I have ever met and it makes you want to go more often. The ice cream is scooped to perfection and the milkshakes are some of the best art I have ever seen. Go try your very own scoop or milkshake masterpiece today. c

I could indulge in this sandwich for the sole purpose of reviewing it here. So, what does master foodie, cuisine expert, handsome genius, Benji Stern think of this source of sustenance? Well, I’ll tell you.

To start, I love the flavor. The eggs and/or sausage are always seasoned just the right amount.

The taste isn’t overwhelming with one flavor or another, and it isn’t too subtle that you miss it altogether. The occasional parmesan cheese on the top half of the croissant always adds a little zest. The one recurring issue that I have with this sandwich is the excessive butter in the croissant. When you pick up the sandwich, it immediately begins oozing butter.

The solution is to grab some napkins since it will surely get messy..

Aside from the butter, there is an even distribution of the other elements with just the right amount of cheese, an appropriate sized sausage patty, and a croissant proportionate to the amount of filling

by CLAIRE GREENSPAN Staff Writer Shadow and Bone is Netflix’s newest original TV series. Based off of the book trilogy Shadow and Bone, the series also incorporates parts from the Six of Crows duology. Both Shadow and Bone and Six of Crows are written by author Leigh Bardugo.

The series takes place in a fantasy world similar to that of Eastern Europe, the war-torn country of Ravka. The main conflict is that a giant wall made of shadow and darkness called the Fold separates one half of Ravka from the other. The main character, Alina Starkov, discovers that she is a Grisha, a person who possesses the ability to manipulate the elements: sun, shadows, chemicals, air, wind, and fire.

Alina discovers that she has the power to summon the sun and possibly bring down the Fold after it caused centuries of war and poverty. Alina goes on a journey to harness her powers of sun summoning in order to bring down the fold, but there are many people, such as thieves, soldiers, royalty, and even other Grisha who try to get in her way.

Shadow and Bone is an amazing series with every captivating episode leaving viewers on their toes, wanting to see more, and guessing what happens next. This is one of the most unique and fascinating fantasy worlds I have ever seen. Every single character has a unique quality to them that draws audiences to develop personal connections and relationships with each character. No matter who a character is, whether they are an enemy or a protagonist, you will find yourself rooting in their favor.

In addition, the series had subtle hints of humor and irony to lighten the dark moods and story plot.

There are so many plot twists, heartbreaking moments, and heartwarming moments that made this show so entertaining to watch. The storyline is original; the lore and characters are creative and interesting, and overall the story is unique. I highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys the thrill of fantasy and the ravishing feeling of being left on the edge of your seat each episode.

by RYANNE LEONARD Design Editor Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba has become a widely adored anime series. It is on multiple streaming platforms and ranks fourth most popular anime on AniList. The movie, Demon Slayer: Mugen Train, is no different since its premiere on April 23, holding second on the US Box Office as of May 3, 2021. The film surpassed expectations, receiving immense praise and attention.

The series occurs in a world crawling with blood thirsty demons. The protagonist, Tanjiro, witnesses his family slaughtered by a demon while his sister, Nezuko, transforms into a demon. Tanjiro’s journey throughout the anime is to find the demon overlord Muzan Kibutsuji and save Nezuko. Tanjiro enlists in the Demon Slayer Corps and is eventually directed to Mugen Train, infested by a dream-controlling demon.

Surrounding this story, Demon Slayer is visually stunning, utilizing CGI and animation to create an immersive, detailed experience. The animations of Tanjiro and Rengoku’s elemental techniques are vibrant and powerful as they beautifully dash across the screen, adding to the breathtaking visuals.

Beyond the animations is a captivating story. From the start, the plot builds tension through foreshadowing encounters with demons and ominous behavior from passengers. The film constantly hangs the characters, ignorant of surrounding dangers, in limbo between success and defeat, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.

Amid the chaos, the characters’ backstories further evolve from the first season of the anime. The movie provides insight into Tanjiro’s past with his father and the unknown techniques of his fire breathing practices. Both Inosuke and Zenitsu start to break their character molds from the first season, Inosuke becoming more humble,although reluctant, and Zenitsu building courage. We also get a glimpse into the backstory of Rengoku, a Hashira, or upper rank Demon Slayer, and build an emotional connection to him.

In tune with the first season, Mugen Train touches on existential and profound concepts. The film builds upon the key themes of forgiveness, compassion, and understanding the underlying pain and beauty in evil. In addition, it introduces the idea of prioritizing the welfare of others over personal sentiments and desires.

Overall, Demon Slayer: Mugen Train is an essential addition to the anime series. From the visuals to the inspiring messages, it is a great conclusion of the first season and beautifully sets up the second season.

Page 12

June | Feature

Spring in the hills

Student organizations move learning and events outdoors

The band performs its first concert of the year outside in the Legacy Courtyard.

Photo by Lara Alami

The BHHS Color Gaurd practices with the marching band on the football field. This is the first time the marching band has performed a spring show.

Photo by Lara Alami

The annual Bring your own Dog (BYOD) dog park fundraiser was held in Franklin this May.

BHHS students and community members participate in Color for a Cause, a color run fundraiser sponsored by Student Leadership to support Beaumont Childrens Hospital.

Photo by Abby Sung

This year’s BYOD featured pet adoptions as well as activities to support rescue organizations

Students experience the culture of Bowers Academy at the annual Multicultural Celebration, held this year in th Legacy Courtyard

Students decorated the school entrances with positive messages during UMatter week, June 1-4.