The Hawkeye: November, 2021

THE

HAWKEYE

BLOOMFIELD HILLS HIGH SCHOOL

NOVEMBER 2021

VOLUME IX - ISSUE II

SCHOOL NEWS

Annual club fair held virtually Variety of clubs previewed at a Zoom driven club fair

by JASMINE WADE Staff Writer From discussing chilling conspiracy theories to playing Devil’s advocate in a heated debate, Bloomfield Hills High School offers over 65 different diverse clubs for students to enjoy.

With such a massive selection, how could one student possibly choose or know which clubs they should select to participate in for the rest of the year? It’s a simple answer: BHHS’s Club Fair, a school-sponsored annual event that showcases organizations and clubs.

This year’s club fair occurred on Sept. 29 and immersed students in a virtual “Open House” Zoom, hosted by teacher advisers and club leaders. The event had three different sessions, each with 10-minute introductory presentations. Students were able to visit sessions for the top three clubs that they were particularly interested in.

Student attendees of the meeting learned a variety of things, such as information about the goals and meeting times of the clubs they

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UNDER FIRE

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COMMUNITY NEWS Fires at Bloomfield Hills Middle School BHMS recovering from setbacks and safety concerns from fires

by FIONA RUDY Staff Writer On Thursday September 16th, a notice went out informing Bloomfield Hills families that a classroom at Bloomfield Hills Middle School had caught fire. In the coming weeks there would be two days of school closings, a virtual day, and several rearrangements to ensure the safety of students and teachers, as well as the functionality of the building.

The fire started in the area of fifth grade classrooms, the details on how the fire began are still unclear, however it seems to have been linked to the construction taking place in the building at the time. The classroom that the fire occurred in was no longer available for use, which sparked a large-scale re-arranging for the school. Eight grade teacher Ms. Sloan spoke about the effects felt by the entirety of the school. Even the teachers who worked in other areas were affected; this is because in order for classes to run effectively, many classes switched rooms.

While speaking with Ms.Sloan, she told about how alert the students and teachers have become. Shortly after the fires, there was an incident of gasoline fumes in the school. Now that

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ONLINE NEWS

The Mysterious Benedict Society: the best of Disney+ For this story and more, visit our website

bhhstoday.org

Graphic by RYANNE LEONARD

After a massive outage, Facebook draws criticism for problems with its algorithm

by CAL MARTINEZ Copy Editor In a CBS “60 Minutes” interview on Oct. 3, a former member of Facebook’s civic integrity team, Frances Haugen, revealed her identity as the whistleblower who leaked internal documents; these internal documents indicated that Facebook’s algorithm is contributing to mental health issues.

On Oct. 4, one day after Haugen’s interview, all Facebook-owned apps, including Instagram, Whatsapp, and Facebook itself, crashed for several hours. The company assures that users’ data was not compromised and that the crash was not related to Haugen’s interview.

In a post, the company stated “​​We wanted to acknowledge the impact the outage has had on everyone who depends on accessing our apps and services every day. To the small businesses discovering new customers, groups bringing people together around shared interests, creators engaging with their communities, and families trying to connect: we’re sorry.”

Although Facebook asserted that it cares deeply about its users in

its apology, whistleblower Frances Haugen argued the exact opposite in her testimony in front of Congress on Oct. 5. Haugen’s testimony revolved around how Facebook’s algorithm intentionally directs users to the most emotionally visceral content, which often provokes negative emotions. Haugen argued that this content poses a danger to teenagers’ mental health, citing research that showed that content related to healthy recipes would transform into content promoting eating disorders.

Central to Haugen’s testimony was that Facebook was not only fully aware of these algorithmic dangers, but welcomed them, as it brought in more money.

“The company’s leadership knows how to make Facebook and Instagram safer, but won’t make the necessary changes because they have put their astronomical profits before people. Congressional action is needed. They won’t solve this crisis without your help” Haugen stated before Congress.

With a variety of social media-related controversies becoming a hot topic at both Washington D.C. and some families’ dinner tables, many people

are rethinking the role that social media plays in their life. Now, many Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp users are concerned about suffering the mental health drawbacks of these platforms, but feel that leaving these platforms would be leaving part of themselves behind. Senior Isabella Brown, who decided to stop using Instagram this past summer, shared some of her experience with handling these conflicting feelings.

“It’s the kind of thing that you recognize has a lot of detrimental effects, but even if it’s bad for you, you don’t care,” Brown said. “You know that the instant gratification outweighs any negative emotions that come up for you.”

The social media giant’s algorithm is drawing criticism for more than mental health problems. In her testimony, Haugen addressed what has been a partisan issue in the past: how Facebook handles violent political content. Those on the left have argued that Facebook has a responsibility to censor factual inaccuracies and hateful content, while those on the right assert that censorship would be a violation of freedom of expression.

Brown’s experience with politics on

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PUPS AT WORK

NO PLACE LIKE HOMECOMING

Therapy dogs join BHS to support and encourage students

The blackhawk traditions return

Photo by PAUL KOLIN

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Instagram sheds light on how Facebook’s algorithm created challenges for her, even in the context of political content.

“I wanted to be able to focus on myself more as opposed to social media, but a lot of the other half of deleting it was that a barrage of Instagram infographics telling me exactly what people thought I needed to hear at all times was a lot,” Brown reflected. “I think especially because it’s consolidating so much news into pretty lettering on 10 slides in those little square formats was killing me a little bit. I wanted to actually not feel bombarded by every single thing.”

The recent criticisms of Facebook have evoked different reactions from a variety of people, but for Congress, Haugen’s testimony brought bipartisan support for addressing the algorithm’s harmful effects on youth.

Both Democratic and Republican Senators stated they plan to take action in response to the information Haugen revealed. For now, users will have to decide what role Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger will play in their lives based on the information at hand.

Photo by AVA FARAH

BHHS HOSTS MSBOA FESTIVAL Marching bands from local schools, including the Bloomfield Hills Black Hawk Marching

NOVEMBERNEWS

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FBI declassifies 9/11 documents Documents shed new light on alleged Saudi involvement.

The Hawkeye Highlights

by LENNA PETERSON and MADISON KESSLER Editor-In-Chief Staff writer

by MAXIMILIAN SCHENKE News Editor September 11, 2021, marked the 20th anniversary of the attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001.

One day later, by an executive order from current President Joe Biden, the FBI released the first of numerous documents detailing their investigations into Saudi Arabian involvement in the attacks.

The order was motivated by a letter from over 1,600 family members of 9/11 victims to the president, urging him to release the documents so that they could know more about the event that claimed the lives of over 3,000 Americans and predicated the longest war in the history of our nation.

The victims’ families believed that the documents would contain information that would prove Saudi Arabian involvement in the plot, which was masterminded by the former member of an affluent Saudi Arabian family, Osama Bin Laden, who was the leader and founder of the pan-Islamic militant group, Al-Qaeda, between the years of 1988 and 2011.

The first document, detailing an FBI investigation called “Operation Encore” that was active between 2006 and 2016, is a report which is 16 pages long and heavily redacted. Contrary to their beliefs, the document did not include any evidence that would clearly implicate any member of the Saudi Arabian ruling class or government in the attack, nor did it clearly show that Al Qaeda received funding from wealthy citizens of the nation of Saudi Arabia.

The report does, however, bring significant insight into how two of the hijackers, Nawaf alHazmi and Khalid al-Midhar, entered the US and were harbored and supported until they participated in the attacks. According to an anonymous source in the FBI document named “PII,” they first entered the US in 2000, under the guise of students.

A Saudi national named Omar al-Bayoumi, also officially a student, held “very high status” at the Saudi Arabian consulate in Los Angeles and is said to have helped them with lodging, financing, travel, and translation for their time in the US. Bayoumi first moved to the US in 1994, having worked for the Saudi Ministry of Defense and Aviation. According to a 2017 court declaration by Stephen Moore, leader of the FBI task force investigating these men, Bayoumi was confirmed to be a Saudi Arabian spy.

The document also linked the pair to a conservative imam named Fahad al-Thumairy, who served at the King Fahad Mosque in LA. Al-Thumairy, said to have held “extremist beliefs”, held diplomatic status as a Saudi Representative. The 2016 report specifically concluded that Bayoumi’s meeting with the two hijackers was preordained and that a third man–Mussaed Ahmed al-Jarrah–ordered Bayoumi to meet with Hazmi and Midhar at a restaurant upon their arrival in LA. Jarrah’s name was accidentally declassified after the FBI failed to redact his name in a 2020 report. Speaking to Bayoumi, Thumairy described the two men as “very significant people” more than a year before the attacks.

Jim Kreindler, a lawyer representing multiple families with 9/11 victims, says the report did “validate the arguments we have made in the litigation regarding the Saudi government’s responsibility for the 9/11 attacks.” Regardless, the 2004 commission ordered to investigate 9/11 and recommend courses of action concluded that Saudi Arabia had no involvement in the attack in any capacity. The commission determined that Al-Qaeda did not receive any funding or assistance from the Saudi Government or wealthy Saudi individuals in the 90s or onward. However, numerous commission members have since said that the commission did not exhaustively investigate whether the Saudi government as a whole had knowledge of or involvement in the attacks prior to their occurrence. Yet, the documents most recently released contradict several conclusions by the 2004 commission, most notably how involved Thumairy and Bayoumi were in assisting the future terrorists; Bayoumi even got them drivers licenses, social security numbers, and flying lessons. Top FBI officials are still in disagreement on whether or not Bayoumi knew about the plot, or if he was just an unwitting accomplice.

As ordered by President Biden, more documents will be declassified and released to the public over the next six months, and this issue will continue to develop. Currently, Saudi Arabia remains an important American ally.

Vials of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine, as approved for distribution.

Photo from ASSOCIATED PRESS

Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is 90% effective in kids According to study details released Friday, October 22, doses of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine intended for 5-to-11 year-olds are almost 91% effective at preventing symptomatic infections for children. If regulators give their approval, shots could begin to be administered by the beginning of November, with some kids fully protected by the beginning of 2022. This would represent a massive expansion of the nation’s vaccine drive, as it would encompass approximately 28 million elementary school-age children. Advisors of the FDA will publicly discuss this information next week, and if the shot is authorized, the CDC will make the final decision on who receives them, and when.

“ I believe the FDA should authorize and administer

the shot for 5-11 year olds as soon as possible, especially if it can help keep kids in schools, families together, and communities safe. We all have ‘one shot’ to do what is right, and that is to take the vaccine and protect others “

LEENA JANDALI ‘22

Redrawn voting map in Texas underrepresents people of color On Monday, October 25, Texas Governor Greg Abbott approved a new, redrawn map for voting districts.

This map holds an advantage for the Republican Party, as the redrawn districts are in their favor. Those opposed are fighting for their rights because the voting map deprives Black or Hispanic people as well as other underrepresented communities of their privileges. Even though these communities are increasing the state’s population growth, the redrawn map has no new districts where Hispanics or Black people hold the majority. This is the first time in history where Texas did not have the Justice Department examine the maps before state approval.

Governor of Texas, Greg Abbott (R-Texas) Photo from ASSOCIATED PRESS

India reaches monumental vaccine landmark On Thursday, October 21, India administered its billionth Covid-19 vaccine, celebrating a profound landmark for a nation who was ravaged by a deadly delta variant surge earlier this year. After a series of blunders during an initial effort to vaccinate its population, the country is hoping to speed up second shots. About 50% of India’s population of almost 1.4 billion people have received at least one dose of the vaccine, while approximately 20% of people are fully vaccinated. The downtick in Covid-19 cases in the country has been attributed to the late success of the vaccination campaign.

India celebrates the administration of 1 billion vaccines Photo from CNN

Beaumont suspends 370+ unvaccinated workers Michigan’s largest medical system, Beaumont Health System, confirmed on Thursday, October 21 that it has suspended 370 of its employees for not receiving a Covid-19 vaccine. Communications Head Mike Geary shared in an email that workers will not be reinstated until they get their shots. Approximately 70 employees have resigned because of their choice to not get their shot, and those who fail to meet vaccination requirements by November 16 will be promptly terminated from their positions.

Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan Photo from DETROIT NEWS

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NEWSNOVEMBER

PUPS AT WORK

by ANNALISE GRIFFIN Staff Writer

Therapy dogs join BHS to support and encourage students

This is Ollie, one of the new therapy dogs hired for BHS Photo by ANNALISE GRIFFIN

There are two new four-legged members of the Bloomfield Hills Schools community: therapy dogs!

Temporarily named Daisy and Ollie, they will begin training as BHS therapy dogs shortly. West Hills and Lone Pine will be the first schools to welcome new friends between the fall and winter of the 2022-2023 school year. Each year, two new dogs will be new members of a Bloomfield Hills School until each school has one.

Margaret Schultz, director of instructional equity and the organizer of the Bloomfield Hills Schools’ therapy dogs, said: “We have been working with Paradise Dog Training, which is owned by Lori and Jack Grigg. They work closely with breeders to get dogs that are best suited for therapy dogs,” said Shultz.

The new dogs are here to help give students the support and comfort they need. Therapy dogs provide students with a friend in a safe, comfortable, and uplifting environment. Studies show that therapy dogs help improve students’ learning abilities and their attitudes towards learning. Therapy dogs are also known to help boost self-esteem and self-confidence, and they also help decrease anxiety levels.

The therapy dogs are here for the benefit of students.

They increase students’ attendance in school, give them the confidence to read and create positive moods to better the surrounding learning environment. In addition, the canine friends decrease anxiety and help cope with depression, resulting in better learning outcomes.

“It is something that we have been thinking about as a district for a few years. Our Director of Special Education, Jennifer Perrone, had worked with therapy dogs in a previous district and was excited about the possibility of bringing dogs to Bloomfield Hills Schools,” Schultz said.

As a result of feeling love and trust from therapy dogs, relationships with teachers and peers are enhanced. The therapy dogs will create ease from social isolation and help kids learn better social skills. Students can learn how to express their feelings to create more trusting relationships.

“Each dog will have a host family that they will stay with, which should be a staff member in the building.

The host family will bring the dog to the building each day. Other people will then be trained in the building to be able to support the dog and help the dog move through the building throughout the day,” Schultz said.

The new therapy dogs are so excited to help improve students’ academic, social, and emotional well-being, and they are so happy to bring a smile to everyone’s face in the community.

Daisy the BHS therapy dog Photo by ANNALISE GRIFFIN Maggie, the township police’s therapy dog Photo by ANNALISE GRIFFIN

Annual Club Fair Held Virtually from page 1 were considering participating in. Additionally, after the presentation, attendees were allowed an opportunity to ask several questions and seek further personalized information from presenters.

Freshman Mia Bragman attended Club Fair to get a better idea of which clubs she was interested in.

“It’s my first year and I didn’t have any idea of what clubs I want to do, or which ones were going to be the best fit for me,” Bragman said.

After attending the sessions, Bragman stated that she is now interested in participating in Model UN and DECA outside of school.

Club fairs aren’t just monumentally helpful for students, but also for clubs that are seeking to expand their organizations.

Emilie Zakucia is the club advisor for Fashion Club and noted the importance of student attendance in the Club Fair.

“Things like these are so helpful for clubs like mine,” assured Zakucia. “My club is completely new, and we needed to gain some traction to gain enough members to function.”

During her sessions, Zakucia recruited many new members to join her club.

Overall, the BHHS annual Club Fair was a huge success for students and clubs alike.

Fires at Bloomfield Hills Middle School from page 1 students are back in the building, they are hyper aware of strange smells and other signs of another fire.

It must have been a chaotic time for the students and staff who were attending school during those weeks, but according to all reports, the school worked together and was able to handle the situation accordingly. Students were overall helpful and open minded, working through the day’s away from school, moving classrooms, and even getting their work done during a virtual day.

The school has all but recovered from the incidents. Despite the time out of the building most students are up to date on the curriculum, and even with the new learning environments students at Bloomfield Hills Middle s\School have been able to learn and persevere.

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NOVEMBERNEWS

Expansion of Outdoor Learning BHS classes utilize new and repurposed outdoor spaces

by ELLIE ALBERTS Staff Writer Due to Covid and other circumstances, many people have been stuck inside their houses this past year, learning online.

Bloomfield Hills schools are beginning to utilize new and different spaces for learning such as outdoor classrooms and natural spaces. The expansion of outdoor learning has given the students of Bloomfield Hills High School an opportunity to get away from screens and be outdoors. One of the ways students are able to participate in outdoor learning is through taking a class at Bowers Farm or the E.L. Johnson Nature Center. Also, plenty of courses that are taught at the high school have been able to go outside recently, such as AP Psychology in the courtyard and gym classes on the field.

“Being outdoors and around animals during my Zoology class without a laptop in front of me feels very refreshing, especially because of the circumstances surrounding Coronavirus,” senior Addy Bilkie said.

Classes such as Zoology and Science of Agriculture, which had been previously taught in the Model Center at BHHS, have been relocated to Bowers Farm, where students have the chance to interact with animals and do outdoor farm tasks, such as feeding the animals.

“This year my class had to prepare for the new baby chicks to arrive at the farm,” said Senior Danielle Herb. “My peers and I made a warm safe space for them that had everything they needed to live inside the barn.”

The learning environment at the farm is a oneof-a-kind, hands-on experience that is not found in many places. Students are able to create bonds with their peers inside of the classroom and then work as a team when classes are taken outside.

“My class typically starts in a classroom at the farm,

“The classes at the farm just allow a completely different experience than any other course given at the school, and if I was able to, I would definitely sign up for another one.”

DANIELLE HERB BHHS Senior

where we do group projects and activities that help us understand more about the animals around us and how they affect our environment,” Herb said. “At some point during the class period, we tend to go outside to the barn and complete the daily tasks with another student, which allows me to meet more people that have similar interests as me since we both had chosen this class.”

Whether or not someone has a previous interest in being at the farm for a class, many of the courses cover many other concepts. Although, you may find that your favorite part ends up being outdoors around the animals.

“The classes at the farm just allow a completely different experience than any other course given at the school, and if I was able to,” said Herb, “I would definitely sign up for another one.”

Conant Elementary School Photo by BHS

Educational Excellence Conant Elementary School Named a 2021 National Blue Ribbon School

by ALEXA KESSLER Staff Writer Out of 300 schools selected nationwide, Bloomfield Hills’ very own Conant Elementary was a recipient of the National Blue Ribbon Schools Award.

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has recognized and honored outstanding public and private schools in the country for the past 38 years. Within this time, the program has awarded nearly 10,000 schools throughout the United States with one of the two National Blue Ribbon School Awards: the Exemplary High Performing School Award and the Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing School Award.

Conant is one of four schools in Oakland County and one of thirteen schools in the state of Michigan to receive a National Blue Ribbon Schools Award for 2021.

Conant was recognized as an Exemplary High Performing School by the U.S. Secretary of Education, Miguel Cardona, in a September press release. The school was awarded for having some of Michigan’s highest graduation rates and highest achieving students, which was calculated by State Assessments.

Robert Phelps, the Princi- Conant’s recognition to display the pal of Conant Elementary, not- pattern of excellence of the Bloomed the following about the award. field Hills School District and the broader “There community is an apas a whole. plication “Conant has procedure a very spew h e r e cial group eligible of families, schools students, m u s t and staff demonmembers. I strate high or strongly believe that improving everyone student works very scores on hard to make state or students and nationally families feel normed welcomed assessand heard. ments in In turn, famthe last ilies support year testthe staff ed; schools and want Director of Bloomfield must also the best for Hills Schools Elementary Education m a k e our school,” A n n u Phelps said. al Yearly Mrs. KimProgress in accordance with No berly Hempton, the Director of Child Left Behind,” said Phelps. Bloomfield Hills Schools ElementaOther schools in the district have ry Education, added the following received a National Blue Ribbon about the school culture at Conant.

Schools Award in the past, allowing “The staff, students, and fami-

“The staff, students, and families of Conant Elementary are always eager to take on new challenges, explore new ideas, and take risks in order to be the best they can be”

KIMBERLY HEMPTON

lies of Conant Elementary are always eager to take on new challenges, explore new ideas, and take risks in order to be the best they can be,” said Hempton.

When asked about how the school will celebrate this honor, Phelps responded with the following.

“There will be an awards ceremony in early November that will be attended by myself, our Learning Specialist, and Superintendent Watson to officially receive Conant’s [National] Blue Ribbon [Schools] Award. We are looking forward to planning a celebration for students and families,” said Phelps.

This award symbolizes the growth and hard-working mindset of the elementary students and staff, which has allowed for continued district achievement despite the setbacks of the pandemic school year.

Speaking of the hard work of BHS staff, Hempton emphasized: “The staff of Bloomfield Hills Schools work tirelessly to engage our students in thinking that will serve them well both throughout their K-12 journey and beyond. When that hard work gets recognized by the broader educational community, that is absolutely something to be proud of.”

Student Senate Bloomfield Hills High School offers a new student led group, the Student Senate.

by EMMA MERCHANT Staff Writer

BHHS Students Participating in a class at the farm Photo by BLOOMFIELD HILLS AGRICULTURAL FFA

A brand new student group is at Bloomfield Hills High School this year.

The Student Senate, led by associate principal Jessica Lupone, is a committee made up of multiple representatives of different affinity, religious, and leadership groups.

Bloomfield Hills High School offers a wide variety of clubs and student organizations, so it is beneficial and powerful to bring this diverse group of students together to form the Student Senate.

The students and administration have met twice this school year and they are excited for opportunities to bring positive change to our school community. Many of these groups are working toward similar goals, but don’t know what the others are doing or how to work with each

other. The Student Senate gives a missions.” chance for these groups to commuSchool administration saw a need nicate with each other and to work for these groups to come together toward a common goal of establish- to support a mission and vision of ing a comwhat Bloommunity field Hills of learnHigh School ers that is could be. safe and The Student acceptSenate dising of all cussed what students. it would look This group like, feel like, is meant and sound to be a velike to have hicle for student voicstudents es heard and and school supp orted. staff to Students are Associate Principal work tothe majority gether. in this build“We ing, and the wanted to gather the many groups Senate is an intentional way to hear of students, so that they could work the student voice. The administratogether, and support each other’s tion recognizes that student groups

“The goal of the group is to gather student voices and build a positive and inclusive climate” JESSICA LUPONE

and organizations want to participate in meaningful ways to make the high school experience one that is enjoyed.

The Student Senate just held their first meeting this past month, and they will continue to meet throughout the school year. It has been created to be a group that will support students and their success. A constant key focus of this group will be to lift the student voice. The Senate will give students the ability to have an impact to make decisions on important topics that directly relate to students and our school. It will enhance student life and academics.

Mrs. Lupone best sums it up by stating, “I think the goal of the group is to gather student voices and to build a positive and inclusive climate and culture.”

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NEWSNOVEMBER

Pete Bowers and the first BIFF Staff after their 77 hour broadcast.

Photo from THE BIFF

The Biff Turns 45!

BHHS’s radio station celebrates 45th anniversary on air.

by IZZY O’BRIEN Staff Writer This October marks the 45th anniversary of Bloomfield’s radio station: WBFH, “The Biff”.

In 1976, two staffers broadcasted at Andover High School for six hours and, ever since then, the school radio station has only grown.

The Biff is now composed of thirteen staffers and more than ten different shows running every week.

Over the years, a lot has changed.

The studio has grown in size, received nearly twenty awards, and compiled over ten thousand songs to play on their station.

Carol Cochrane, a senior student staffer on The Biff, noted the importance of The Biff’s history in its production.

“Well of course, technology has

changed since the 70’s, so that’s advisors fundraise in a new and probably the main change,” Cocreative way to raise money for new equipment to improve the station. chraine said.“Our main motto is just to always have fun and get listeners, “Last year, we did a 24-hour broadcast where we so I think that were on air live message has really stayed for 24 straight “Our main motto is just to al- hours. We raised the same.”

Every year, ways have fun and get listeners money to get the anniver- so I think that message really new materials and just make sary is celestays the same.” brated by The The Biff betBiff’s staff ter and bigger,” Coden said. and students Plans are still during “Biffin the works for stock.” “It’s our biggest fundBiffstock this raiser and it year, but the staff says they switches up have been brainevery year,” storming ideas for this year’s fundsaid junior Emma Coden, the sturaiser extensively. Staffers aren’t the dent music director for the Biff.

Every year, staffers and student only ones who get to celebrate; stu-

Graphic by SAM SHERMAN

Emma Coden Biff Music Director

dents can also participate by tuning in to the FM or digital radio, participating in Biff fundraisers, donating, or even stopping by the station.

“Students should stop by The Biff; you can check out how to be a VIP staffer,” said Jack Meyer, a senior and the current student general manager of the station.

“One thing that I hear the most is that people walk by that room and have no idea what the benefits are, and they’re juniors or seniors, and it’s too late for them to pursue it. And of course, people graduate, and they say they regret not doing it,” Meyer said.

Over the past forty five years, The Biff has grown in major ways and has offered opportunities to generations of students at BHHS and Andover and Lahser High Schools.

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NOVEMBER FEATURE

College Night Returns University representatives speak directly to students and parents

by HAYDEN BUCKFIRE Feature Editor Back to a fully in-person format, Bloomfield Hills High School’s “College Night,” an event that gives students and parents the opportunity to speak directly with representatives from several universities, was held in the main gym on October 11.

The event, which has been held on an annual basis since BHHS’s founding, lets students walk through rows of pop-up stands and talk to college admissions officers from various colleges to learn more about each school.

Last school year, College Night was held in a completely virtual setting, with students rotating between three 10 minute presentation sections. In this format, students were able to look at three schools that they were interested in.

While this system did provide students with opportunities to learn about colleges and universities that they are interested in, many believe that an in-person format, as used this year and in previous years, lends itself better to learning about as many universities as possible.

Shayna Klein, BHHS counselor, notes the importance of an in-person College Night and its helpfulness for high school students during the college admissions process.

“Students last year were really only able to visit three schools, while here, in one hour, you can visit 15 schools. The virtual format was very limiting,” Klein explained.

An added benefit of College Night is the ability for students to meet with representatives who know the university best.

“College Night is a good way to approach a representative and get your questions answered, get to really know a school, and get information first hand.

A lot of times, information is coming to students second hand from other students,” Klein said. “This way, they can really connect with someone who will either read their application or really knows the college.”

76 universities sent admissions representatives to answer questions and give students an idea of what their university has to offer. Universities such as Western Michigan, Tulane, Purdue, and others occupied tables with promotional materials and representatives answering questions.

Michigan State University, the largest university in the state of Michigan, gave 20-minute presentations in the learning communities. The presentations focused on student life at Michigan State and the admissions process, outlining the importance of several factors in an application.

Military academies such as Army West Point, the Naval Academy, and the Air Force Academy were also present to connect with students.

Many students attending College Night found the event helpful and interesting, and felt that the event opened them up to several new universities and opportunities. The chance to meet with a representative also helped clarify questions on programs and classes.

Junior Tage Smith attended College Night and enjoyed speaking to university representatives and connecting with several colleges that he is personally interested in.

“I was able to put a face to the university which helped me, as well as being able to ask questions directly to admission officers instead of sifting through the university’s website and wasting time,” Smith said. “Additionally, I learned about how new changes in admissions and programs will affect me when I apply to college next year.”

Smith also noted the importance of the college visits on his understanding of schools that he is thinking of applying to.

“By hearing what the university’s campus is like,” Smith said, “I was able to better pinpoint exactly what kind of students would thrive at the universities I am looking at.”

Top: Drum Majors Akita Kotian, Brandon Ho, and Dylan Young lead the band in pass and review. Bottom: The band performs their 2022 show, “Taking up Space”.

Photos by AVA FARAH

BHHS Hosts MSBOA Marching Band Festival Marching bands from local schools gathered at BHHS and performed shows for official ratings

by SEAMUS KEANE Staff Writer As the in-person school year returns, so do school extracurriculars and all of the events that come with them.

On Wednesday, Oct. 6, BHHS served as the host of the MSBOA (Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association) Festival, inviting marching bands from the local area to perform and receive a performance rating.

In 2020, the festival was cancelled as a precaution against the spread of Covid-19, but it has returned in 2021, with health and safety precautions in place. The bands performed an array of shows, with arrangements of pop, classic rock, and everything in between, including a performance from the Bloomfield Hills Black Hawk Marching Band.

The MSBOA Festival is attended by a variety of local high school marching bands. Each band performs its own unique show and displays its style.

While the event itself is not competitive, MSBOA judges provide a rating to each band after their show reflective of their performance. On a scoring scale of 1 through 5, the Bloomfield Hills Black Hawk Marching Band earned 1s in all judged categories for an overall rating of

1, the highest possible score.

Donald Kim, a senior who attended the festival as a spectator, noted the highlights of the band’s performance. “...The conducting from the drum majors, the enthusiasm from the colorguard, and their diligent work to keep going, even when they messed up.”

Kim said.

“They picked themselves up. The band was enthusiSenior astically ‘in it’.”

Kim explained his appreciation for BHHS hosting the festival, remarking that it “showcases the talent and art that we have at our school.”

The Bloomfield Hills Black Hawk

Swim Coach Recognized for Hard Work Girls swim team Coach Z awarded prestigious award

by MOUHAMADOU TALL Staff Writer Earlier this year, BHHS Design and Technology Teacher and head coach of the girls swim team David Zulkiewski, known as Coach to his team, received the Matt Mann Award from the Michigan Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association (MISCA). This is an award that is given annually to coaches who have demonstrated continued dedication and leadership in their sport.

Coach Z expressed his gratitude in earning this recognition.

“Most of the coaches who have won the Matt Mann Award have won state championships and coached longer than I have,” said Zulkiewski. “It means the world to

me that the MISCA membership recognizes my hard work and dedication to the sport.”

Coach Z also explained his connection to the larger world of high school swimming, further highlighting his dedication to the sport.

“I have been coaching since 1999 (Lahser, Andover, and now BHHS). I have served for 20+ years on our coaches association board (Michigan Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association). I have served as the awards chairperson, zone vice president, and web master. I served for six years as the presdent-elect, President, and past president. My current role as web master has me covering social media posts, maintain-

ing records and results and a variety of other jobs.”

Coach Z also reflected on the things that help to make the girls team a success, such as the hard work and dedication that the team is putting in.

“We create a season plan each spring and begin our season in August with purpose and focus. We are practicing 9 times a week, including before school and competing in the OAA Red Division. Each practice has a purpose and plan that leads to long term success.”

It is amazing to see that the coaching staff here at Bloomfield Hills are getting recognized for what they are doing to keep Bloomfield Hills sports competitive.

Marching Band made frequent appearances at school events this season, performing a pregame and halftime show at home varsity football games, including the homec o m i n g game. Additionally, the band marched the halls on Friday gamedays and appeared at the Dessert Concert, an evening featuring a variety of musical groups across the Baritonist school.

This year, the BHHS marching band presented a show titled “Taking Up Space,” featuring a collection of songs themed around space and science fiction. The show included: “Also Sprach Zarathustra” from

“Festival gives a lot of purpose for all the practice we’re doing to make the show good...”

TOBY BUCKFIRE

2001: A Space Odyssey; “Mars” from The Planets; “Hooked on a Feeling,” featured in Guardians of the Galaxy; and themes from Star Wars and The Mandalorian.

Toby Buckfire, a senior and baritone assistant section leader in the marching band, noted the unique opportunity that MSBOA provides.

“I think it’s really cool to be able to interact with other schools at festivals and see them and their band programs.

Without [the festival] we wouldn’t get the opportunity to,” said Buckfire. “Festival gives a lot of purpose for all the practice we’re doing to actually make the show good since we’re being judged and rated on it.”

The festival served as one of the final performances of the 2021 marching band season, and Buckfire commented on its role in the season experience.

“I think the most important part about the festival is that it’s a great way to just show all the hard work we’ve put off in band throughout the whole summer,” said Buckfire. “It’s like the culmination of all of our practice.”

PAGE 9

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ONLINE NEWS Donda vs. Certified Lover Boy

For this story and more, visit our website

Comparing the two elite albums from 2021 by Kanye West and Drake

by NOA GOLDSTEIN Web Manager 2021 has been a lot of things, but a bad year for music was not one of them.

Huge creators, such as Tyler the Creator, Lil Nas X, Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish, J.Cole, and of course, Kanye West and Drake, have all released studio albums this year. The two releases from West and Drake came in the span of a week, creating a fiery debate amongst fans of the artists, the question being which album is better? Along with this debate, the two artists had some conflict of their own, further hyping up this debate. Although I may be listening to both of these albums for a long time, it’s clear to me that Donda

was more thoughtful and is overall the better album.

These two albums may have come only five days apart, but their concepts are so vastly different. Kanye tributes Donda to his mother, Donda West, who passed away in November of 2007. Certified Lover Boy is not a concept album, with mostly just songs put together under the persona of a “Certified Lover Boy.” Both albums are fairly bloated, CLB with 21 tracks and Donda with 27 tracks. In addition, both albums have many of the same contributors, such as Kid Cudi, Lil Baby, Young Thug, Travis Scott, and Lil Durk.

So, what makes Donda a better album? To start, Donda’s highlights are miles beyond anything

off of CLB. Some of my favorites of the album are “Jail”, “Hurricane,’’, “Off the Grid,” “Remote Control,” “Moon,” “Keep My Spirit Alive,” “Pure Souls,” and “Come to Life.”

“Moon,” featuring Kid Cudi, and Don Toliver, has to be my favorite. Its spacy environment, the angelic chorus, and all three artists’ vocal performances leave me stunned. This stunning effect was something I felt during many listens of Donda; however, on CLB, I don’t think I could say I felt these effects with any particular song. I did enjoy parts of this album, like “Champagne Poetry,” “Fair Trade,” “TSU,” and “IMY2.” However, many songs seemed uninspired, formulaic, and cliche, whereas the highlights on Kanye’s album felt

truly Kanye, in other words, very unique.

Both these albums are long, with many songs used as fillers. But again, it just seems as though Kanye put more thought and time into this album than Drake did. To me, one of these albums seems like something that has been in the works for years, while the other is something more fun and timely. Both are enjoyable, but to me, Kanye is miles ahead of Drake this time around.

bhhstoday.org

PAGE 10

NOVEMBERFEATURE

BLACK HAWK GAMES BREAKDOWN Students from all four grades competed during homecoming week to claim victory in the annual school-wide competitions

The addition of a musical chairs event provided intense competiton between all four grade levels simultaneously.

Photo by SUSAN ADAMS PHOTOGRAPHY LLC

The football competition proved to be a challenge of strength.

Photo by SUSAN ADAMS PHOTOGRAPHY LLC

Juniors celebrated in witch and wizard style: levitation.

Photo by SUSAN ADAMS PHOTOGRAPHY LLC

The junior class claimed victory in the musical chairs competiton.

Photo by SUSAN ADAMS PHOTOGRAPHY LLC

The junior class showed team spirit in the competitons.

Photo by SUSAN ADAMS PHOTOGRAPHY LLC

The senior class leads the charge out of the Black Hawk tunnel in anticipation of the games to come.

Photo by SUSAN ADAMS PHOTOGRAPHY LLC

The junior class enchanted with their witch hats.

Photo by SUSAN ADAMS PHOTOGRAPHY LLC

The sophomores show their school spirit with cow bells.

Photo by RACHEL MATZ

The juniors showing their class spirit in the stands Photo by SUSAN ADAMS PHOTOGRAPHY LLC

The Black Hawk flag is a staple in any Bloomfield competiton.

Photo by SUSAN ADAMS PHOTOGRAPHY LLC

The senior class dominated the dogeball competitions.

Photo by SUSAN ADAMS PHOTOGRAPHY LLC

The freshman class enjoys their first Black Hawk Games competition Photo by SUSAN ADAMS PHOTOGRAPHY LLC

PAGE 11

FEATURENOVEMBER

The Jills perform at the annual Dessert Concert.

Photo by PAUL KOLIN

Concerts are back!

Live performances have returned for the first time since the start of the pandemic

by GRACE KOBERNIK Staff Writer As advancements in vaccines and Covid-19 precautions have arrived, so have the return of live performances.

Music festivals have begun taking place: the first being Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Chicago, with over 385,000 people in attendance. Artists attending and performing at the event included Megan Thee Stallion, Post Malone, Miley Cyrus, and others.

While the return of crowds at such a large capacity sparked controversy online, these events were required to follow the health measures put in place by the Department of Public Health.

In addition to announcements of future concert dates, some artists have already begun their shows.

Artists such as Harry Styles, Pitbull, and Phoebe Bridgers are currently touring after a year and a half long pause.

Mia Shapiro, a Bloomfield Hills High School senior, recently attended a Harry Styles concert on September 20.

“It was so awesome to see everyones’ collective enjoyment towards being in-person together.

The crowd was electric. I am glad everyone was able to be as safe as possible with the requirement of masks and vaccination,” Shapiro said.

Along with live performances returning nationally, they

have also returned to BHHS. On winter concert, and a spring conSeptember 27, the performing cert. In the past year, the opporarts department held their an- tunities to hold such events have nual Dessert been scarce.

Concert.

The fall conBand, choir, was “I loved getting to sing with cert and orchescancelled in tra members my friends in front of an 2020.

The came togeth- audience. Life finally feels winter Coler to perform lage Concert on the foot- somewhat normal again.” was all virtual, with a ball field and collection of in the Main YouTube vidCommons in eos stitched front of family t o g e t h e r. and friends, Jills Choir Member The spring with dessert concert was served afterheld in the courtyard last spring, wards.

Every year, the performing arts as opposed to the auditorium department holds a fall concert, a where it usually is. It has been a

JESSICA SAPERSTEIN

long time coming since Band, orchestra, and choir students have been able to perform all together in front of an audience.

“This concert was super exciting because it was our first combined concert in a while, and the first indoors event for the music program in a while.” said Alan Posner, band director. “The concert is a good way to get people excited about the music program and to talk about volunteer opportunities for students and parents to get involved...The concert felt fairly similar to past years. We made sure everyone wore masks indoors, but the outdoor portion was like our previous events.”

In order to ensure live performances stay possible, small

adjustments were made to keep guests, teachers, and students safe. Masks were required when entering the building, and all of the desserts were individually packaged rather than set out on a table like previous years. Student performers are grateful to resume in-person performances.

“I loved getting to sing with my friends in front of an audience.

Life finally feels somewhat normal again,” said Jessica Saperstein, a member of the Jills choir.

“I was so glad to see all of the people who came to watch. It felt so fulfilling.”

How do students feel about being back in school?

Students share their thoughts about online school versus in-person school, and what it is like to be back in the classroom

by GRACE ROBERTS and ETHAN ENDELMAN Staff Writers Last year was a difficult year; many students found online school especially challenging during the pandemic. Now that Bloomfield Hills High School is back to in-person learning full-time, students have returned to a more normal school environment and many are excited to see what the year may offer. Students can communicate with friends again and enjoy the typical high school experience. Freshmen and sophomores express their thoughts on full-time, in-person school:

As COVID put an end to our “normal” high school lives, we missed over a full year of regular schooling.

However, this year we are finally back to full-in person learning, and many junior and senior students have opinions on this new adjustment.

‘‘This school year has been a drastic change from last year because now, everything is in-person. The benefit of in-person learning is it keeps you focused and attentive, and it allows you to make a connection with

“It feels awesome to be back in school in-person. I love seeing all of my friends back in the building and the main commons filled with people again. It feels normal and we’ve all been longing for that.’’

teachers.’’

WRIGHT PADDOCK

IAN MULLIN

BHHS Senior

BHHS Sophomore

‘‘It feels pretty good to be back in school. I am really hyped to be back. I’m really excited because I like seeing faces and I like talking to people.”

DOMINIC PASCARELLA BHHS Freshman

“The benefits of being back fully in person are being able to be taught the lessons face to face and being able to reach out to your teacher more easily if you need help. I enjoy in-person learning better,”

JULIA ALLEN BHHS Junior

STUDENT LIFE SCHOOL NEWS

Girls Swim Starts off Season Strong Black Hawks compete at invitationals in preparation for state competitions

by TARYN SAROKEN Staff Writer After moving up to the highest division last year based on their state competition performances, the Bloomfield Hills Girls Swim Team has started another season on a high note.

In an interview with coach David Zulewski, he said the team is “making great improvements.” But, the swim team has recognized an issue this season.

“Our major weakness is we graduate with a lot of depth,” Coach Z said.

He explained that it is always hard when seniors graduate, but this year was different.

All of the incoming freshmen did not have an eighth grade season due to Covid, so some athletes came into the season without swimming for over a year.

Despite this challenge, the team started the season strong with a tri-meet against Troy and Detroit Country Day, where the team tied with Troy and beat Detroit Country Day. The following two meets, they then went on to battle Seaholm and Rochester, the state champions and runner-ups.

This year, Bloomfield Hills hosted a Black Hawk Invite, where the team invited five of the best teams in the area. They finished in second place, right behind Groves. At the Black Hawk Invite, swimmer Brooke Thompson broke the school record for the 200 IM. She finished with an impressive 2:10.52, and she is now the new school record holder.

The team has some big meets coming up, including Leagues, Regionals, and States. This year, Bloomfield is hosting the league meet.

Additionally, all of these meets require a certain time to qualify for, so only the best of the best compete. The team will soon find out who has advanced to compete in these meets. Like in years past, the Black Hawks aim for high success.

STAFF VOICE

Bloomfield blunders

BUILT DIFFERENT

by NOAH ROSLIN Managing Editor

BHHS football team has historical season on backs of multi-sport athletes Photos by SUSAN ADAMS PHOTOGRAPHY LLC

Writer calls for increased representation for Latinx students during Hispanic Heritage Month

by AVA FARAH Staff Writer To be hispanic by definition means to be “relating to Spain or to Spanish-speaking countries,” and to be Latinx means to be “a person of Latin American origin or descent,” with the “x” ending used to be gender-neutral alternative to Latino or Latina, according to the Oxford English Dictionary.

As a Latinx person in the Bloomfield Hills community, I have consistently struggled with a lack of Hispanic representation in the curriculum. At this school that boasts inclusivity, students learn nothing about the Latino trailblazers who helped make this country into the complex society it is today. Where is the acknowledgment of heroes like Sylvia Rivera, who assisted in the Gay Liberation Movement of the 1960s, or Ralph Lazo, who stood up against the unjust forced internment of Japanese Americans? What about Octaviano Larrazolo, who was the first Hispanic American to be a U.S. Senator? These stories are not told due to the fact that our school’s curriculum is fully Eurocentric. This means that the curriculum of our school is centered around white perspective and white history, inferring that European culture is dominant and therefore

Play the fight song!

Our Bloomfield Hills Black Hawks are off to the best start in school history with a 9-0 record and stand alone at the top of the OAA Blue after a win over dellow undefeated team Troy High to clinch a league championship. A major difference from last year to this year is firstyear seniors,

tions. Wide receiver/sprinter Evan Knox is one of the stars of the offense; tight end/center fielder Shane Winter is another offensive weapon on the juggernaut offense, and there are many more dual athletes up and down the roster.

This trend is mirrored in professional sports as well. According to movement specialist Phil Loomis, all ten of the top tight ends in the National Football League for the 2021-2022 season played at least two sports in high school, and four played three sports.

It is also

some of whom are additionally multi-sport athletes. Both sides of the ball are sprinkled with hockey, basketball, and baseball players, as well as cross country runners, wrestlers, and swimmers. Their success serves to complement a multitude of evidence that specializing in a single sport is less effective in building athleticism than playing multiple.

Additionally, athleticism is more valuable than sport-specific skills. And although the student section might think they are the reason for the historic start, there is no denying the impact athleticism has on winning.

Starting left tackle Cars o n

clear that playing multiple sports is more than just beneficial from a physical standpoint as it is also a segway to become better technically and instinctually quicker than starting from scratch.

When asked about how skills translate from the rink to the gridiron, Speaks responded, “In hockey, I have learned to read plays and players so that I know where the play is going. This helps to play defensive back in football because I can read where the play is going and figure out how to stop it.”

Boike went a different direction with his answer, outlining the physical tools that translate; he went o n

B r o d s k y, starting cornerback Drew Speaks, and kicker Jack Boike are all captains of their respective main sports. Boike, a baseball player who is being recruited by colleges, has played five total sports throughout high school, proving his range as an athlete. Brodsky spent time on the varsity basketball team freshman year and has been a fixture on the court ever since, becoming a captain this year. Additionally, this is his first year playing tackle football.

Speaks has played hockey for years; he has been on the varsity hockey team since sophomore year, and will be the captain of the varsity hockey team this year. Like Brodsky, this is his first year playing tackle football.

John

O’Hara has p l a y e d baseball his whole life, and this is his first year playing tackle football as well.

Moving down the lineup, point guard/quarterback CJ Jackson has accounted for twenty eight touchdowns with only two intercep-

to s ay, “ I n hitting, I create power from twisting off the back foot and staying low, then pushing through my legs,” he explained. “This helps in football because, in kicking, it’s all about creating power through staying low through the ball.”

Coming off of a 3-4 season and losing their starting quarterback, Tanner Slazinski, among many other key players, the expectations for this season were mixed, but the team has shown up and showed out through seven weeks, reflected by a ranking of 91st in the state by thedzone. com.

“We are a speed and skill team, and we use that to our advantage.”

Boike described, “We don’t try to change who we are; w e

utilize our strengths.”

When your strengths are athleticism and instinctual ability from other sports, there is no reason for a team not to use those strengths as much as possible.

continued page 16

PAGE 15

PAGE 18

EQUESTRIAN TEAM TAKES DISTRICT CHAMP.

FREEDOM TO EXPRESS

Bloomfield Hills challenges for a three peat of titles

Graphic by PARKER COMENSKY

The Hawkeye Editorial on the importance of freedom of speech

PAGE 22

Photo from SONY MUSIC

LIL NAS X MAKES IT BIG WITH DEBUT ALBUM Review of Lil Nas X’s new album, “Montero”

PAGE 14

NOVEMBERSPORTS

Fall sports recap All of the details regarding the Black Hawks fall sports

by MAX MELAMED, Sports Editor

The Black Hawk Volleyball team is off to a blistering 15-7 record as they celebrate their sweeping victory against Oxford. Senior captain, Ava Petrucci, number 8, made a key block to complete the sweep against the opponent.

The Black Hawk Varsity Volleyball Team resiliently stood up Oxford, and the Hammer Authority was behind the squad, enthusiastically cheering them on.

“We are a talented group of girls this year. We are still trying to figure out how to beat these top teams in the state. I am super happy to be a part of this team and excited to be the captain this year,” said Petrucci.

The Bloomfield Hills Poms Team poses in front of the school at the beginning of the season. The Poms team, made up of high-level dancers, performs a variety of routines. Sometimes, the choreography focuses on an in-sync performance, but other times it includes some crazy acrobatics! Seniors Lindsey Zousmer, Samantha Milch, and Shira Ellis put together an “easy” dance routine for the boys’ and girls’ poms dance, and it was difficult for the boys to keep up.

“Dancing at games during the poms season is one of my favorite parts of the year, and I love the team! We have so much fun preparing for our routines and performing during halftime!” said Milch.

Watch out for these exciting Poms groups during halftime, as they might just be performing another dance.

Photo by PAUL KOLIN

Photo by PAUL KOLIN

The Bloomfield Hills Cross Country Team is off to a roaring start this year. Led by star senior runners Grace and Kate Jenkins, the girls’ side of XC is hitting record times. On the boys’ side of the track, senior captain Haytham Mohilldean is hitting faster times and is ranked higher than ever due to years of experience.

Haytham commented on the success of the team and his teammates.

“The Jenkins [sisters] carry,” Haytham said, and he then continued, “Kate is up there. Kate is one of the best in the state.”

Haytham also mentioned the success of runners Rocco Deangelis, Praneel Basu, Rahaan Malik, and Donald Kim. When asked about team challenges as a whole this year, Haytham described their daily practice schedule and how much of a toll daily practice takes on the body of a runner. All around, it was a long and grueling season, but within the struggle the team found many rewards and successes.

Photo by DONALD KIM

The boys tennis team finished second in the state this year after a hard-fought but successful season. This came from lots of practice, as they spend an average of six to seven hours a week improving after each school day.

“I think our biggest struggle was learning to work together, especially at the beginning of the season. Our team was a fairly new team, since seven out of the sixteen players were new this year.” said Brandon Ho. The team slowly but surely continued to progress by playing and practicing more and with their new players. The varsity team recently took their talents to the state championship, finishing second in the state overall and with four wins in their respective divisions.

Photo by ANNE CHEN

With 2021 coming to an end, the Bloomfield Hills fall sports season is finishing up. Sports this season consist of: boys tennis, girls volleyball, cross country, girls swimming and diving, boys football, boys soccer, equestrian, girls golf, and last but certainly not least, both girls poms and cheer. All of these sports have either just finished their season or are wrapping up in the next couple of days. The Varsity A

boys tennis team finished with a record of 12-0-1 and finished second in states for Division 1. The team finished with four flight winners, which is twice as many as any other team. Furthermore, Varsity B boys tennis also went undefeated with a record of 9-0-0.

Staying on the topic of undefeated seasons, the Black Hawk Varsity football team won the division 1 OAA Blue title with a

The Bloomfield Hills High School Girls Golf Team had an exceptional season, making it to the Michigan State Finals. However, the journey was not easy. It was an uphill challenge, and the girls made it to the top through hard work and dedication to their craft.

Team Captain Esha Varchasvi commented on the season as a whole and the future of Bloomfield girls golf “Our season ended a couple of days ago, and as Sydney and I [the top two players] are leaving, the team may struggle next year, but there will be some new freshmen trying out,” said Varchasvi.

Varchasvi described how the team starts practice by talking about improving struggles, then move into drills, and end practice with some fun challenges. Even after the uncertainty of going to states due to lower regional scores, the team pushed on and left their mark on the state championship this year.

The Black Hawk Soccer Team poses in front of the scoreboard following a narrow victory. In the defensive struggle against Pontiac, the soccer team squeezed by 1-0. Goalie Kosta Sergakis, representing the International Academy, pitched a shutout during the game. Senior striker Tommy Hedges helped the team stay undefeated in the league by putting one in off a rebound. He got the ceremonial game ball afterward.

“The season has been great so far, and the boys are awesome. We are improving and playing better every game,” said Logan Mann, a sophomore first-year varsity player.

As undefeated league champs, this team had a successful season.

Photo by DICKSON

record of 9-0. They now compete in the state tournament.

The girls swim team is competing in the league meet from November 3-5, and we wish them the best of luck.

The girls golf team finished second in the league while tying for first in the state regional to get to the state finals for the eighth consecutive season. Just a week earlier, three of the opposing teams at the regional had beat

our Black Hawks by 20+ shots.

When the rematch began, the girls “got out and after it” early and played solid throughout the entire regional tournament.

The girls volleyball team has shown their opponents who’s boss, having a current record of 22-10.

The boys varsity soccer team killed it this year, finishing their season with a 5-4-4 record while winning the OAA blue division

Photo by PAUL KOLIN

championship. Sadly, they lost in districts on penalty kicks after being tied 2-2.

Our boys and girls cross country teams have been doing great this year. They are currently preparing for the nationals meet, which will take place soon.

While fall sports may be wrapping up, we look forward to winter sports tryouts getting started in the coming weeks.

Photo briefs by NOAH KAM Staff Writer and JOSH HALPRIN,Staff Writer

PAGE 15

SPORTSNOVEMBER

Equestrian team captures district championship Bloomfield Hills challenges for a three peat of titles

by ANNA BICKERSTETH Staff Writer It all began on September 18th, when the

BHHS Equestrian Team won the MIHA District Championships for the third time in a row.

BHHS won decisively and emerged undefeated in all flights. Within districts, team members compete in specific classes: Western, English, Saddleseat, and Speed. Within each class, there are four to five categories.

“It was fun to go into districts with my team and work alongside each other in our classes and with all

of that teamwork, “we were able to go undefeated,” said Maddy Cooper, Senior Captain.

As the season emerged from a year of Covid-ridden issues, the team feels as though they grew from these difficulties.

“We had to combat challenges with the team in multiple classes, but it was powerful to know that we could grow stronger from those challenges instead of giving up,” Cooper said.

Despite the adversity and nerves, the team was prepared and set to earn their championship.

“It’s always a little trict Championship victory, nerve-racking going up the team advanced to the against other teams, but I Division A Regionals, which t o o k thought place that our “It was powerful to on Octeam did a great 1st know that we could tober through job hangrow stronger from 3rd. dling it.

“We We were those challenges instead had a always prepared ton of of giving up” fun and a n d ready to e n d ed up comp ete Senior Captain placing w h e n fourth c a l l e d ,” said Jules McClary, Senior overall. We went up against Captain. some really competitive Through their MIHA Dis- and polished teams, so I’m

MADDY COOPER

Varsity football success The ins and outs of what has led to the recent victories of the team

by MAX MELAMED Sports Editor The Black Hawk varsity football team has started this season off with a bang.

Winning their first seven games in a row, the team has succeeded in many aspects of the game.

Although the scoreboard has displayed victories, what has led to said victories is a different story.

When asked about what makes this season different from previous seasons, Aaron Zekman, tenth grade varsity football player, had a simple response.

“This year, we just wanted [victories] more than ever, right from the get-go.”

He also mentioned how the team has been putting in more work than ever to prosper and knows the conference championship is a team goal this year.

“The sky is the limit for this team as long as we just keep putting in the work and executing,” Zekman said.

Ishaan Singla, varsity football player, echoed Zekman’s ideas.

“We are more disciplined and motivated this year. We have conditioned a lot this season and have done so better than the teams we have played, so that has been a huge factor to our success.”

Like Zekman, Singla also men-

tioned how he would like to continue the team’s winning streak through the conference championship. From the second game onward, Bloomfield has scored at least thirty points in each game while holding their opponents to fourteen or fewer points in all but one game, and they hope to continue that trend in their upcoming games. With playoffs right around the corner, students are riled up and ready to see our Black Hawks fight for the championship.

Going for the shot Girls field hockey becomes official sport

by BYRON BROOKS Staff Writer The BHHS Varsity Girls Field Hockey team unfortunately lost the first round of playoffs to Father Gabriel Richard High School 2-0; they led a strong charge this season going 6-4-2, and this game was their first round of playoffs.

Seniors Addy Bilkie, Caroline Griffin, & Lexi Guerrieri along with other members of the team worked hard and put up a strong fight against Gabriel Richard although they were ultimately bested in the end.

The team had their Senior Night just the week prior where

the senior members were handed roses and took pictures with their families to send them off.

The team was a club not long ago and it is amazing to see the progress that they are making since they’ve been an official school sport for such a short period of time.

Senior Ella Mohring said “It was really cool to see how the team progressed the 3 years that we were together, this is our first year as a real team sport instead of a club sport and we are still fine-tuning our play.”

While some of the star senior players on the team will be leaving soon this summer, junior prospects are likely to make the

games a must-watch for years to come.

Watch out for the Women of Bloomfield as they make their splash next field hockey season!

Photo by SUSAN ADAMS

super happy with our overall placement,” McClary said.

The team also got to try new things and compete in different sections.

“We competed in some classes that we had never done before, so it was super fun to try something new and different,” McClary said.

Overall, the team and spectators agree that it was an amazing season for the Black Hawks.

“It was a fun last season, and I am glad that I got to end my senior season knowing that I have grown

so much from my freshman season, and that I have accomplished so many things that I didn’t think I would be able to do when I first started,” Cooper said.

McClary also reflected on her favorite memories from the season.

“I think that watching Speed is always the best part of the season,” Cooper said. “We all paint horses together, dress up and make sure to cheer each other on. It’s super fun to just watch people give it their all!”

PAGE 16

NOVEMBEROPINION

Bloomfield Blunders from page 13

promoting a white supremacist worldview.

However, once a year, there is a span of thirty one days when we are invited to celebrate the rich history of the Latinx community. It is a time when we can finally honor those whose accomplishments have been buried. Except, our school has not done anything for the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, and therefore, has not done anything for Hispanic students.

There is one quote that I am awfully fond of by Dr. Jose P. Rizal, and it goes as follows: “Know history, know thyself. No history, no thyself.”

When you don’t know where you came from, you don’t know yourself, and when you don’t know yourself, you don’t know where you are going. Knowing the history of our people benefits our community immensely. When we are taught about powerful, world-changing individuals like us, it widens our perspective and our future possibilities. If teachers were to include the multitude of inspiring Latinx people who have changed the country and the world in their curriculum, we would feel valued, seen and heard. Teachers could help us to break down the harmful stereotypes that prevent us from reaching our full potential.

Another Black Hawk who shares a similar opinion is senior Salomé McCuen-Ogando.

When asked about her opinions on the school’s response to Hispanic Heritage Month, or lack thereof, McCuen-Ogando shared, “I feel like we would benefit from being taught about our people because it

“We as Latinos are so commonly pushed aside, reduced to cliches while non-Latinx enjoy our food and the parts of our culture that they deem fun, interesting and exotic.”

AVA FARAH Staff Writer

tells us about how certain things from our culture blend into the American culture.”

I wholeheartedly agree with McCuen-Ogando; we as Latinos are so commonly pushed aside, reduced to cliches. Meanwhile, non-Latinx enjoy our food and the parts of our culture that they deem fun, interesting, and exotic. Our history, our foods, our language, our people, are tokenized, hypersexualized and disrespected. So, for thirty one days out of a year, our school should be putting its best foot forward and respectfully bringing Hispanic heritage (not just chips, salsa, and jokes about Cinco de Mayo) into the classrooms to be taken seriously and honored.

Overall, it is extremely important that our school teaches the history of Latinx and Hispanic people in America. We have helped form this country, and Hispanic students would benefit from knowing our history is valued by the education system. We deserve to have our culture respected by our teachers and peers, and we deserve to have our stories told.

Students at BHHS care and sympathize with each other to form a safe learning environment Photo by NIRANJAN ANANTHARAMAN

Bee Stings and Bickering Editor reflects on the importance of empathy and understanding

by BENJI STERN Managing Editor I don’t think that getting stung by a bee is all that big of a deal.

I got stung the other day, and if I had to rate my pain on a scale of one to ten, with one being the least amount of pain I’ve ever felt and ten being the worst, I would probably rate it a three or a three and a half.

I told my friend Daniel about my experience with my bee sting. He said when he got stung by a bee just a few weeks before, he thought it was quite an unpleasant experience. Daniel rated his pain at about a six or a six and half out of ten.

As we were talking, a third friend of mine, Rafe, walked over and joined the conversation. We caught him up to my experiences, and as soon as Daniel relayed his pain rating for his bee sting, I began to hear a buzzing noise.

Bzzzzz.

Coincidentally, a bee had landed on Rafe’s arm, and when I spotted it, I slowly gestured to alert him of the bee’s presence. He turned his

attention to his arm and as soon as from ourselves. However, what we he saw it, he lurched backward and must realize is that, in reality, it is started whipping his arm in a frenzy, easier to connect than we think.

Naturally, not everyone has shared trying to get the bee away. In all that the exact chaos, Rafe same exmust have perience aggravatwith the ed the bee, Covid-19 because pandemmoments ic.

Many later it people got came back Covid, and to sting him many peoin the calf. ple didn’t.

Rafe Many peowinced and ple experigrabbed enced the his leg. We loss of loved then disones while covered others did that he is Managing Editor not. Noneextremely theless, evallergic to ery person bees. Not on this enlong aftire planter, his calf et is going swelled through a up, and we had to take him to the ER. global event that is making history.

Today, it seems incredibly diffi- This is an enormous shared expericult to relate to any other person ence, where everyone on earth can that shares a differing viewpoint find common ground to stand on.

“Today, it seems incredibly difficult to relate to any other person that shares a differing viewpoint from ourselves.”

BENJI STERN

When we come together to discuss an issue, whether it’s healthcare, racism, politics, or requirements for graduation, we all have some common ground. We are all humans. We all have had experiences, and it helps if we can talk about them. It helps if we can sit down to figure out what we share. Through reciprocal communication, we can find that there is something we can bond over. It will probably have nothing to do with healthcare, racism, or politics. Maybe it’s a favorite ice cream flavor, a beloved sports team, or a mutual friend. No matter the topic, once we connect with people on a human level, we can start talking about the heavy topics.

We will probably disagree about some, maybe even most, things, but just having the conversation creates common ground. From there, we can acknowledge that the other person comes from a different place. We’ll learn that we have different pain tolerances, but it’s all the same bee sting.

Mid Week Support New bell schedule brings a change to Advisory placement

by ABBY CHAYET Promotional Manager

Revised bell schedule for 2021-2022 school year, including a new morning advisory Photo from BLOOMFIELD.ORG

Bloomfield Hills High School has come up with a revolutionary idea.

Wednesday mornings now begin with Advisory, starting at 7:55 a.m. Advisory, which is a time for students to get extra help in the morning and check in with their teachers, has typically taken place in the middle of the day and was fully in-person. Now, it is the first class of the day, which allows students to complete their assignments from home without coming into the building.

Those who choose to come in can complete their assignments or seek help from their teachers. In addition, those who ride the bus can get to school at their usual arrival time and use this period to review current assignments, study, or get ahead on future assignments.

Morning advisory is innovative

and valuable, and it should place. If the Student Advisory be offered everyday. This can Committee had approved afprovide students much needed ternoon extra time to advisory meet with we susteachers and pected participate that many in clubs. It is students beneficial to w o u l d students and leave beit helps them fore advicatch up on sory even their work started. and meet This would with teachlead to a ers. less proMorning ductive advisory is school day. favored by Morning Promotional Manager many in the advisory P r i n c i p a l ’s is better Student Advisory Committee as because if you don’t need to the prefered time for advisory. come in you can sleep in. I am Last year, students voted and it grateful that we don’t have an won, but not by much. The afadvisory period in the middle ternoon advisory was in second

“Imagine the luxury of having the choice to sleep in or attend Advisory every single day.”

ABBY CHAYET

of the day because if you don’t have anything to work on, you are just sitting there.

Imagine the luxury of having the choice to sleep in or attend Advisory every single day. If your assignments have been completed and you don’t need extra help, you have the option to stay home. For those who need guidance from a teacher or just a quiet place to work they can come into school and have a productive morning.

The choice is theirs, and no one will tell them which to choose. This provides all the students the ability to make the choices that are best for them.

It is a great lesson in time management and independence.

This new advisory schedule is a great way for students to manage their school work and get help from teachers.

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OPINONNOVEMBER

OCTOBER PUZZLES!

Photo from CREATIVE COMMONS

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CONNECT THE DOTS Should teens trick-or-treat?

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Leave Trick-or-Treating To The Younger Kids

by SKYLAR STEARNS Staff Writer We all are aware of the traditions that come along with the legendary holiday, Halloween.

We are approaching Oct. 31, which raises the question: should teenagers be participating in trick-ortreating? Many of us have amazing memories from Halloween night, and I believe that those beloved memories should remain in our childhood.

Although Halloween is known for its “scary” festivities, the holiday is supposed to be fun for the younger crowd. Once teenagers reach a certain age, they no longer find walking from house to house and collecting candy that they won’t even eat entertaining. Therefore, teens have been known to create mischief on Hallow-

een, including egging and toilet papering homes, scaring younger children, stealing candy for themselves, and more. For these reasons, many families have made the decision not to participate in Halloween activities at all, and that is a huge disappointment to younger generations.

I am not implying that teenagers should sit home all night and do nothing, but there are many age-appropriate activities that they could participate in. For example, they could stay at their homes and hand out candy to younger children. I recommend finding a group of friends to hang out with and make Halloween your own! You could binge watch scary movies, attend local Haunted Houses such as Erubus, or go for haunted hayrides!

We also need to think about the safety of our children. Even though

trick-or-treating is a known and, for the most part, safe tradition, you can’t ignore the fact that children are walking the streets at night, approaching strangers’ homes. By eliminating the teen crowd, it would make it much easier to keep an eye on the little kids.

Other than the concern of safety during this holiday, having fun is the most important part! If teenagers are racing through the streets, scaring kids, and stealing the candy before kids can get to it, this does not make it fun for the age group that the holiday was created for. Many children find teens and adults who they don’t know intimidating, so let’s leave trick-or-treating to the little ones, and let them make the amazing memories we all did.

Writer reflects on the opportunities and challenges of the past year, and hopes for the future.

In the past couple of years, we have been through a lot, from school shutting down to online classes through Zoom.

Today, we are back to 100% in-person learning because the Covid-19 vaccines are now available to high school students and teachers; however, we must still wear masks in the building. Even with these advancements, Covid cases are still increasing due to students struggling to keep their masks on.

Zoom learning was rough on both the students and the teachers. Not being able to interact and see people face to face is difficult. Teachers felt like they were talking to themselves while teaching last year because everyone was muted and had their

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everywhere, you don’t know where it is safe to be.

Frankly, I am concerned that we will have to go back to Zoom calls during this school year. The Covid cases in high school kids are rising quickly and are a concern to parents and students alike.

In order for schools to stay in-person, we must collectively take precautions such as keeping masks on, cleaning the building regularly, and maintaining social distance. The current worry being that students are not always wearing their masks correctly, which causes an increase in Covid exposure. In-person learning is the right move at this stage of the pandemic, but we have to strictly stick to these guidelines in order to maintain the safety of our student body.

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Black Hawks are back

cameras off.

Since we are back to in-person learning, students and teachers can now interact without needing an electronic device, albeit, talking through masks. Students are now interacting with other students and are learning more than when they were online.

I prefer in-person learning because I learn better when I can physically see the teacher. It is much easier to communicate with teachers and students physically rather than in virtual environments. Even though I used apps like Discord and FaceTime to talk to my friends, it was not the same as physically seeing them.

In addition, I missed the social aspect of school because you can’t be social during a pandemic, and the Zoom classes did not give way for any social interactions. With Covid being

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First day of school on September 8th, as students come into the building for full in-person Photo from BH SCHOOLS

by ASHTON TAYLOR Staff Writer

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PAGE 18

Learning about balance in life

by SETH KRUGER Editor-in-Chief

Freedom To Express

by THE HAWKEYE STAFF

HAWKEYEEDITORIAL

It’s only been a few months of school… What have we learned?

THE

NOVEMBEROPINION

The first few weeks of school have been like our classic Michigan weather- a highly unpredictable whirlwind of change and honest confusion. Right now, the thought of, it’s snowing in September? can be closely compared to, I have a test tomorrow and three missing assignments? As all of us, students and teachers alike, continue to resubmerge ourselves into the in-person school experience, it is evident that we have frankly forgotten how to live our lives efficiently during the school year.

Almost any student you approach in the first few months of the 2021-22 school year will, without fail, be able to list at least three or four major stressors in their life that stem indirectly or directly from school. Sure, this may not be too surprising. High school is high school, and almost every student is naturally inclined to enroll in AP, IB, or Pathway classes. But, no matter how many or how few challenging classes one might be in, stress is stress, and time is time.

But now, the idea of time is being reinvented in our lives. Since we have returned to a relatively normal life (still mid pandemic), at least considering the lens of activities and time commitments, everyone has had to readjust to what it’s like to really live with time. Going in-person to school, then to an athletics practice, and then to another commitment is much different than sitting in bed with a bowl of cereal as you represent yourself with a black square in class.

Even still, it’s not like we never lived the stressful life of a normal school year. Realistically, only one full school year passed with adjusted at-home learning schedules. So why has it felt infinitely more stressful to deal with the in-person experiences and school year this year than it has in years past?

In my life, I’ve recognized the biggest culprit that has caused this fairly normal school year to feel so much more difficult than other normal school years. It’s all about balance. After being isolated and deprived of action and opportunities for so long, an overload of action and opportunities throws off our internal balance (even though, realistically, we’ve done it all before). No one was able to consistently continue their activities throughout the pandemic, including me. I fell out of physical shape, lost my touch in studying, and forgot how to manage my time properly, since I essentially had no responsibility.

But, now that we have moved back into “normal” life, I discovered that the more I focus on keeping myself organized and balanced, the more successful and, more importantly, less stressed I’ve been. Sure, this may not be the end-all solution for everyone’s struggles this school year, but the next time you find yourself out of balance with your emotions, take some time to recognize the things you do in your life.

Make sure life has a balance of pleasure, work, happiness, productivity, and all other positive emotions that will ultimately improve your quality of life, so you do not feel like it’s snowing in September.

Choosing Wellbeing Over Work Editor discusses how the pandemic has altered workplace culture

by LENNA PETERSON Editor-In-Chief

“Freedom of the Press” Graphic by PARKER COMENSKY

Metro Detroit native and professional journalist Danny Fenster was arrested in Myanmar in May following a political coup. Fenster was attempting to board a flight home to Detroit when he was placed under arrest; he is currently imprisoned in Insein Prison in Myanmar along with thousands of other journalists and political prisoners.

His arrest and current imprisonment have garnered world-wide attention and support, and highlight the fundamental need for a free press and the protection of journalists.

In reflecting on the dangers of pursuing professional journalism, the Hawkeye staff has also reflected on the necessity of student journalists and a student press. As a publication, we deeply value the opportunity to present our peers with important news and student perspectives. Below are some

individual reflections on the necessity of a student press.

In the midst of the sadness and fear that Fenster’s situation invokes, the Hawkeye staff collectively considered our privilege to be part of a student-run newspaper. So often we overlook the opportunity to express ourselves and keep others informed through the press, and the impact that can result from our writing.

We are so fortunate to have the freedom to be empowered and empower other staff who are equally as passionate about writing, and the ability to write without censorship, conveying our opinions and emphasizing the importance of student voice. The newspaper is our outlet to express ourselves, address issues that we care about, and bring attention to certain aspects of the community. Below is a collection of thoughts and opinions from members of the Hawkeye staff.

“Without the press, the flow of information would be greatly obstructed. What information and perspectives are accessible would become very limited, the ability of people to take action and rally support for issues they care about would atrophy. I engage with news sources primarily to learn about politics. My most commonly used are the New York Times and Associated Press. Staying informed about politics gives me a better understanding of current events and also prepares me to engage in the political system as an adult.”

SEAMUS KEANE Senior

“Having a free and fair press is of utmost importance. Being able to share your own opinions, to share the truth, and to criticize the government without fear is necessary to having any shred of democracy, equality, and freedom.”

CAMERON KAUFMAN Senior

“Having a student-run newspaper allows the teenagers of Bloomfield Hills High School to read stories and news articles from the perspectives and writing of people their age. We get to choose which stories we feel should have a spot in the paper and that we feel are important for other people in our high school and the Bloomfield Hills community to know about. We are not influenced by adults who typically control the media; we are able to let our voices be heard and write about topics that we truly care about.”

ALEXA KESSLER Junior “Having a student-run newspaper has a big impact at BHHS, because it gives students the opportunity to share their thoughts, creativity, and passions with people around them, and students are able to connect with it because it is written by people their age.”

In the time prior to COVID-19, it was not uncommon for students to muddle through their school days, clearly sick but attempting to maintain their composure in order to not fall behind in their classes. Brutal Michigan winters, coupled with increasingly severe flu seasons, would cause coughs and sneezes to become integrated within the cacophony of noise during passing periods. The same concept can be applied to students’ mental and emotional wellbeing, too. Under immense amounts of pressure to succeed in numerous facets of life, teens are crumbling under the expectations set by the community around us.

Consequently, the pandemic has permanently transformed the fabric of our society’s workplace standards. A swift transition to virtual learning, mask-wearing, and caution surrounding staying at home when sick placed a new emphasis on prioritizing personal health in the name of public safety. The rise of platforms such as Zoom and Google Meet have made it easier than ever to work from home when necessary in order to protect the health of a greater community; this same distinction must be made when it comes to our mental health.

Attempting to suffer through our days while struggling - both physically and emotionally - only further harms our

“How can we expect ourselves to thrive when we can barely even survive?”

LENNA PETERSON Editor-In-Chief

capacity to learn and grow. How can we expect ourselves to thrive when we can barely even survive? One of the very few silver linings of the pandemic is that it has quite literally forced us to take a step back and reconsider our priorities in life: our health, safety, and relationships with others.

As the state transitions back into a more “normal’’ school environment this year and students inevitably begin to slip towards burnout, let’s not fall back into our old habits of ‘’sucking it up’’ and attending school even though we desperately need to rest and recover. Taking time for ourselves is productive. Although an extra nap or day off may set you back temporarily, in the long run, it will do you much more good than harm. It’s time to normalize choosing wellness over workacademically, professionally, and socially.

Although the pandemic may have been a setback in almost every aspect of life, it has become a wakeup call for society; it is time for us to move forward and not only recognize our own wellbeing, but actively choose it over work, each and every day.

ETHAN ENDELMAN Sophomore “Being on Newspaper allows me to share my opinions and essential facts with the community. I can write stories that reflect the change I want to see in the world.”

RUBY STOLLER Junior

Photo by FOCAL POINT STUDIOS

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

STAFF

Managing Editors Noah Roslin Benji Stern Brandon Yaker

Design Editor Ryanne Leonard

Promotional Manager Abby Chayet

Copy Editor Cal Martinez

Web Manager Noa Goldstein

Photography Manager Michaela Nash

Staff Writers Abbey Weitzman Olivia White Emma Merchant Alexis Guerrieri Fiona Rudy Ellie Alberts Ashley Fogel Ethan Endelman

Section Editors Maximilian Schenke Max Melamed Isabelle Goldstein Hayden Buckfire

Caroline Griffin Byron Brooks Ava Farah Ben Saperstein Tyler Richmond Taryn Saroken Skylar Stearns Cameron Kaufman Sam Sherman Ruby Stoller Rachel Shepard Parker Comensky Noah Kam Grace Kobernik

Photo by STEPHANIE LYNNE PHOTOGRAPHY

Isabella Muchnick Jordyn Tepper Malik Alabbas Alexa Kessler Niranjan Anantharaman Madeline Moss Jasmine Wade Isabella O’Brien Grace Roberts Fiona Rudy Alec Mayoras Annalise Griffin Grace Main Rachel Shepard

Ashton Taylor Seamus Keane Madison Kessler

PAGE 19

OPINIONNOVEMBER

The Power of our Voices Editor emphasizes the importance of Gen Z’s ability to make a change

by LINDSEY ZOUSMER Editor-in-Chief My day consists of going to school, practice, work, eating dinner with my family, doing homework, and heading to bed. In spite of this seemingly simple schedule, I daily experience hatred, exclusion, bullying, injustice, and things that I want to change, so I am determined to do just that.

I once viewed myself as a minor: a small 5’3” student who was weak and incapable of making a difference, but now I recognize the harm in that perspective. As I look around my classroom at 28 other individuals who are just as qualified to stand up for what they believe in, I feel hopeful. The fact that we are young people only makes us more powerful. Our minds have a longevity ahead of us, time to educate ourselves and dedicate to projects in which we are passionate, create realms of kindness and safe spaces that could change lives. Our voices now are more important than ever.

Whether it is bullying you witness in the school building, a homeless person that you empathize with on the sidewalk, a hateful message you see online, or someone who is struggling with their mental health, we all have the power to make a difference. We are always told to say something when we see something, but do we ever fully understand the importance of that concept?

Inviting someone to your lunch table who has had a hard day is such a small moment for you, but probably makes an incredible difference to them. When you see discrimination happening, saying something can stop it from going farther. Even simply reposting sucicide

“Our minds have a longevity ahead of us, time to educate ourselves and dedicate to projects in which we are passionate, create realms of kindness and safe spaces that could change lives. ”

LINDSEY ZOUSMER Editor-in-Chief

hotlines can save lives.

I encourage you to find an outlet in which you can use your voice; there are so many platforms. Writing for the newspaper is one way I use mine, but social media, protests, petitions, and debates are all great opportunities.

And even beyond that, it is so important to say something when we see something. There is so much conflict in our world, so our voices are more powerful than ever.

The most common misconception is that we are “just kids.” We are far from “just” anything.

We are the next generation of change, the next wave of hope, and the next chance for love and positivity. The world is at our fingertips, and together, we have the power to create change.

Photo by FRAMEABLE FACES

PRO

by MADDY MOSS Staff Writer

Saturdays are for Halloween The holiday does not belong on the 31st Flannels, pumpkin-spiced everything, and apple

cider.

It feels like nothing could dampen the autumn spirit. Last year, Halloween was on a Saturday, which was a relief to many students and families because they did not have to worry about school, and they had an extra day to recover from festivities. However, due to stricter Covid-19 restrictions, many were not able to participate in traditional Halloween activities. This time around, due to the mass rollout of Covid-19 vaccinations, many feel safer going out than they did a year ago.

This year, Halloween falls on a Sunday, and many students are faced with the tough decision of choosing to stay up late and suffering the consequences the next morning or skipping the holiday and going to sleep early in order to be well-rested for school. For many teens, Halloween is a time of staying out late and having fun, so the idea of having school the next day is not pleasant.

Instead of celebrating Halloween on the traditional October 31, it should be moved to the last Saturday of October, no matter what the actual date turns out to be. It would allow for students to have more fun on Halloween without the stress of school the next day.

Most students will be driving or carpooling with their friends. If Halloween were moved to the last Saturday of October, students could go to their Halloween activities earlier in the day, instead of after they get out of school. This means that their activities would end earlier, and they could reliably get to their destinations and home early enough to

be safe.

Moving Halloween would also give students a free night off from school to relax without having to worry about homework or waking up early.

In addition, moving Halloween to the last Saturday of the month would benefit families with small children by allowing trick-ortreating to be moved earlier in the night and keeping children safer. Kids often wear dark costumes or do not pay attention to their surroundings, which is why many parents opt to go with them. As most parents won’t be stuck in rush hour traffic or racing home from work on a Saturday, children will be able to take them trick-or-treating earlier.

Others may argue that Halloween should not be moved to Saturday because of centuries of tradition. But tradition isn’t the only thing that plays a role in when holidays are; the Uniform Monday Holiday Act helped more holidays that aren’t on the same days every year. This change would be in line with many other observations like Thanksgiving which is always on the third Thursday, Memorial day which is always held on the last Monday in May, and Labor Day, on the first Monday of September. Instead of hosting Halloween on every 31st of October, we should shift to it being every last Saturday.

This will help curb absences of students who are celebrating the holiday. Moving Halloween to a safer and more fun day would benefit our students, families, and community.

PRO vs

CON Should Halloween be moved to the last Saturday in October?

The Dangers of Procrastination Editor discusses why waiting until the last minute is the wrong way to go

by ERYN STERN Editor-In-Chief As high schoolers, we are all guilty of procrastination. Whether that be starting an extensive project the night before it is due or cramming for a unit test, it is fair to say that at one time or another, we have all found ourselves procrastinating.

In the moment, it seems that saving all of our homework for the last minute is fine; we can hang out with our friends now and then do our work later. But, we keep on saying “later” and soon find ourselves starting to study for the test the night before.

The seemingly harmless decision to procastricate results in a lot more than not being prepared for our tests or failing to complete our projects on time. It leads to large amounts of stress, poor mental health, sleep deprivation, and long nights of constant studying. Soon, we find ourselves having to spend hours playing “catch up” in our classes, and the material that we are learning is probably not being comprehended as well as it should be because we are cramming.

But, it doesn’t have to be this way. If we plan ahead and study a little bit each day, our stress levels will likely decline, our grades will improve, and those long, awful nights of cramming will hopefully be over.

Instead of pushing off your homework so you can watch a movie with your friend or go out to dinner with someone one night, stay home to do your homework. Trust me, you will be thankful for your decision to do so when you’re prepared for the test the night before.

Of course, it’s great and healthy to go out with

“The seemingly harmless decision to procrastinate results in a lot more than not being prepared for our tests or failing to complete our project on time. ”

ERYN STERN Editor-in-Chief

Photo from CREATIVE COMMONS

CON

Halloween’s Rightful Place Why Halloween is October 31, period

by TYLER RICHMOND Halloween is the greatest Staff Writer

time of year; it’s not just my favorite; it simply is the best.

I mean, what other time of the year are you able to eat seven and a half pounds of candy without getting a single weird look? Or parade around town wearing a horrifying zombie mask? Or put realistic dead bodies on stakes in your front yard? One of the main cultural and most memorable aspects of Halloween is the date: the last day of the spookiest month, Oct. 31. Can you remember the date that Labor Day takes place? Or President’s Day? Although many people don’t know the dates of the previously mentioned holidays, Halloween’s date is just so very memorable. To be frank, changing the date of Halloween would be simply terrible and whoever wishes for said change deserves to be zombified and cursed by a witch.

Let me just tell you there are more reasons why Halloween is on the 31st than there are abs on my chest, (and that is definitely saying something!) Oct. 31 has been known as “All Hallows’ Eve” for centuries, so the date is historically significant, as it is known as the time at which the ghosts and ghouls rise from the grave and must be warded off by trickor-treaters. (I like to think the parents don’t want to ward off the ghosts, so they just send their children out into a paranormal mindfield in silly costumes so that they can deal with the dilemma instead, and as a reward, the kids are given candy.) If the date of Halloween is changed, Oct. 31 is no longer significant, and the historical aspect of Halloween somewhat diminishes.

On an equally depressing note, Halloween is dying. While Thanksgiving is proudly celebrated by Americans, Halloween has continued to lose steam over the last decade.

On an equally depressing note, Halloween is dying. While Thanksgiving is proudly celebrated by Americans, Halloween has continued to lose steam over the last decade. Fewer and fewer kids are celebrating, and I believe, in many ways, parents are to blame. Less trickor-treaters, less candy bowls on doorsteps, less Halloween spirit. If the date of Halloween was suddenly changed, chaos would ensue.

Confused parents would not be sure whether to take their kids out on Oct. 31 or some other day, or some parents simply might decide to skip out on the holiday altogether… it sounds terrible, spooky even. Changing the date of Halloween would end the holiday once and for all. Instead of kids taking more than one piece of candy, they’ll be taking none. It would also mess with the economy surrounding candy sales, but that’s another story.

The final argument as to why Halloween should stay on the 31st may seem insignificant, but in truth, it may be most vital. The question is: without Halloween, what would the media present during the spooky October season? For example, the film Halloween is ruined in a world where Halloween is no longer on Oct. 31. One of the most iconic parts of the film, which adds an unmatchable element of horror, is the role of the villain and how the Halloween season combined with a spooky movie can make you feel like you are in the same shoes as the main character. If the date of Halloween is changed, the film may feel outdated, and the spirit of the holiday is ruined. This aspect applies to hundreds of classic movies, television shows, games, and it leads to the entertainment industry losing its appeal during the Halloween season.

In conclusion, don’t move Halloween. It’s comfortable where it is now. Halloween is a very important holiday. Plainly put, scaring children is fun, and candy is delicious.

your friends and take a night off from studying. But what leads to procrastination is making these choices over and over again. Balance is the key to living a less stressful life, and one of the best ways to live a more balanced life is to stop procrastinating.

No one is perfect. We all can have better time management at one time or another. But, the fewer times we fall into the “procrastination hole,” the better and more balanced our lives will be.

Photo by BRIAN MASSERMAN

PAGE 20

NOVEMBERENTERTAINMENT

Falling for Trader Joe’s 10 items from Trader Joe’s Fall Product Line ranked from best to worst

by RUBY STOLLER Staff Writer Every year, customers line up around their local Trader Joe’s just to purchase their expansive list of new fall products. I set out to try and rank 10 of their newest fall themed items. Narrowing down my list of products was difficult because there are so many delicious items that bring a warm spirit to the soul.

1. Pumpkin rolls - These decadent treats take first place in my book. The rich and gooey rolls paired perfectly with a tall glass of non-dairy pumpkin oat beverage for dessert.

2. Butternut squash mac n cheese bites - It was a close race, but the butternut squash mac n cheese bites take number two. The crispy exterior was met by a sweet, savory, and pillowy soft butternut squash mac n cheese interior.

3. Organic pumpkin spice granola bark - In number three comes the organic pumpkin spice granola bark. This treat embodies fall in one bite. Hints of nutmeg and the perfect amount of pumpkin flavor makes for a delicious and quick fall treat.

4. Maple sea salt kettle corn - In fourth place, maple sea salt kettle corn is a reliable and tasty choice. A deliciously sweet and salty snack that is perfect for on the go.

5. Pumpkin butter - While this treat was bursting with fall flavors, like cinnamon and clove, it lacked a pumpkin flavor. In fact, I thought it was apple flavored. While delicious, it’s flavor did not match the item description.

6. Maple pecan clusters cereal - A hearty and filling breakfast choice that will set your day up for success. The various textures and flavors meld together to create a truly spectacular experience.

7. Pumpkin bagels - While the scent is capable of transforming a whole room into fall, the taste did not live up to my expectations. The pumpkin flavor was underwhelming and the bagel was rather bland.

8. Chocolate mousse pumpkins - While the chocolate cake and mousse in this fall snack was absolutely delicious, I had to give it a lower rank because it was not fall flavored. The pumpkin design was simply adorable and perfect for a fall gathering.

9. Pumpkin greek yogurt - Two flavors that should never be mixed again. The strong taste from the greek yogurt did not mix with the spicy and warm flavors of pumpkin spice whatsoever.

10. Butternut squash soup - I had high hopes for this fall soup, however they were squashed. This soup tasted like baby food and I needed to add my own seasonings after cooking it. I would recommend this as a base to another dish, however I would not eat this soup plain again.

As delicious as the products for Trader Joe’s fall line are, I am left to anticipate the creative and tasty snacks their team will develop for their winter selection.

Pumpkin Spice Crumb Muffin Photo by MADISON KESSLER

Flavors of fall Two delicious fall recipes to make at home

by MADISON KESSLER Staff Writer Every fall, pumpkin spice goods fill the shelves. While I personally love to indulge in fall-flavored treats, I would rather have the homemade experience of making my fall favorites from scratch. These two fall recipes include your staple fall comfort foods: pumpkin spice and caramel apples. First, preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Before making the batter, spray or grease a muffin pan with oil or butter. Next, in a large bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice,

Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Rolls Take 1st Place Photo by POPSUGAR

by CAMERON KAUFMAN Staff Writer and Graphic Designer

and salt together with a whisk until well combined. Then, in a smaller bowl, stir the oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, pumpkin puree, eggs, and milk together until thoroughly mixed. Once both the mixes are complete, pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Fold the batter until the wet ingredients are well incorporated. Spoon the batter evenly into liners, filling them almost to the brim of the pan.

After the muffin batter is complete, start the crumb topping. Whisk the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and pumpkin pie spice together until combined. Stir in the melted butter until a dough texture starts to form. I would use less butter because the dough is very oily. Break the dough into smaller pieces. Sprinkle crumbs evenly on top of the batter and gently press them into the pan.

Bake for five minutes at 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, keeping the muffins in the oven, reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake for another 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the muffin comes out clean. Allow the muffins to cool while you make the maple icing. To make the drizzle, whisk the confectioners sugar, maple syrup, and milk together until smooth.

I suggest making less icing because the portion is very large. Drizzle all over the muffins and serve warm.

To begin, preheat the oven to 350

degrees Fahrenheit. Continuing on, prepare the cheesecake’s crust.

Mix the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and brown sugar until well incorporated. Firmly

press the mixture into the bottom of a greased, eight-inch springform pan. Bake the crust for five minutes, and then, set it aside. and vanilla extract until light and fluffy. Change the amount of gin

ger depending on your preference.

I suggest using a hand mixer or a stand mixer with the whisk attachment. Peel and thinly slice the green apples. Right after, pour the cheesecake mixture onto the crust and line the top with apple slices.

Stir the rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter until a crumbly blend forms.

Sprinkle the topping over the layer of apples. Bake for 30 minutes until the top layer turns golden brown and the cheesecake is cooked through. Drizzle on the caramel and enjoy. I recommend refrigerating the cheesecake and serving it cold.

Both of these fall themed desserts are delicious in their own ways. I would rate both recipes four stars out of five. The Pumpkin Spice Crumb Muffins are sweet, chewy and have the perfect fall flavor. However, I personally felt they were a little too sweet. The first thing that caught my taste buds was the sweetness of the icing. The Caramel Apple Cheesecake was light, fluffy and perfectly balanced. I loved the cheesecake, but it was more fall spiced than caramel.

The only caramel was in the drizzle and the flavor profile didn’t come through strongly. Overall, these recipes are sweet, fall spiced desserts that leave you wanting more.

PAGE 21

ENTERTAINMENTNOVEMBER

Faith, sleep and Roblox Twenty One Pilots takes the virtual stage in the Roblox metaverse

by RYANNE LEONARD Design Editor Live performances have suffered a great deal throughout the pandemic, but the music industry has adapted in many ways, opening doors for new avenues to reach fans and engage audiences.

In comes Roblox, which has introduced the concept of virtual concert “experiences” to artists, one of these artists being the musical duo Twenty One Pilots.

Drawing the attention of over 12.5 million visitors to the event, Twenty One Pilots hosted one of these virtual concerts to promote their new album, Scaled and Icy. The pre-show lasted from Sept. 15 to 17, while the show itself took place from Sept. 17 to 19, bringing a fanbase together in an immersive and interactive experience.

The event kicked off with a two day long pre-show, where players could explore the Mayberry-esque lobby. Players had the opportunity to earn or buy exclusive merch and avatar customizations through the lobby’s scavenger hunt, merch booth, and three games with exclusive quests. Players could also tour the set and “paint the town” with iconic symbols and lyrics from the album using the graffiti mechanic.

After a few days of anticipation, the concert commenced with a performance of “Saturday” in the main lobby, with giant avatars of both Tyler and Josh, the members of Twenty One Pilots. From there, the audience chose which song from the setlist to be performed next: “Car Radio”, “Stressed Out,” “The Outside,” or “Heathens.”

The setlist itself was diverse in terms of era and sound,

“Interactivity of each performance and their surreal environments created an immersive experience, overcoming the setbacks of the virtual restrictions”

RYANNE LEONARD Design Editor

Taylor Swift “Fearless, Taylors Version” Photo by PITCHFORK

A new era for Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift is owning her career for the first time since she entered Nashville in 2005

by ASHLEY FOGEL Senior Columnist In the hit song “New Romantics,” Taylor Swift sang: “I could build a castle out of all the bricks you threw at me;” this line would mirror her career in many ways over the next couple of years.

While most 14 year olds were busy with homework, Taylor Swift was busy creating a career that excelled far higher than she’d ever expected.

Swift, just a young, fresh-faced girl from Nashville, signed to Big Machine Records in 2005 with nothing more than a guitar and the songs she wrote in math class. At 16, she released her debut album, Taylor Swift, making a household name for herself. Two years later, she won her first Grammy for her second album, Fearless. Her career was clearly taking off, and as a young girl with no experience, she didn’t know how to protect herself. As she said in her ear-

ly song “Change,” “It’s hard to fight when the fight ain’t fair.”

Over the next 12 years, Swift would go on to release six more award-winning albums before her contract ended at Big Machine, who reportedly bullied her by taking advantage of her fast rise to fame as a teenage girl.

In 2018, Swift switched labels to Universal’s Republic Records. However, Big Machine still owned her music from the albums she released with them.

Although she wrote and sang the songs, she didn’t own them.

Swift would go on to release

three more albums, crossing between different music genres, and receiving both praise and hate throughout the process.

In February of 2021, Swift shocked the world with an unusual post on her Instagram account.

She announced that she re-rec o r d ed her version of Fearless and would be incorporating songs never heard by the public. This new album would be directly under her name, free of her record company. She released the album in April, and it skyrock-

“This is a new year. A new beginning. And things will change.”

TAYLOR SWIFT

eted on the charts, making it to number one on multiple occasions. After the emotional uproar of the first re-recording settled down, Swift announced she would be re-releasing all of her albums and taking charge of her career’s direction. In June of 2021, Swift came to social media again to announce the release of Red (Taylor’s Version), which will come out in November.

“This is a new year. A new beginning. And things will change.” as she said in an early song, “Change.” And it is true.

This is a new era for Swift and things will change. As a strong, independent, and successful female artist, Taylor Swift is an excellent example for young women across the world. Putting her own future in her hands, Taylor Swift is showing all women and girls that they can do whatever they aspire to and be the best version of themselves every day.

incorporating both emotional and upbeat songs across albums like Blurryface, Vessel, and Scaled and Icy, with the noteworthy exception of Trench.

The different forms of interactivity of each performance and their surreal environments created an immersive experience, overcoming the setbacks of the virtual restrictions. The set of “Car Radio” allowed players to jump and fly through the cosmos and along musical staffs, while “The Outside” and “Stressed Out” switched between different levels or areas of the set. Each individual experience of the songs reinforced a strong connection with the player and the music, encapsulating each song with mesmeric visuals.

With numerous other artists taking advantage of virtual outlets for concerts, including Lil Nas X, virtual experiences are an experiment of the pandemic, providing more accessible connections for fans. Having taken part in these virtual events, including an additional livestream event back in May 2021, Twenty One Pilots will be taking the physical stage this fall with the international “Takeover Tour.”

Twenty One Pilots Roblox Performance Photo by RYANNE LEONARD

Me encanto “Encanto” Disney’s new animated Latin American film announcement

by LEXI GUERRIERI Staff Writer Disney’s newly announced animated film, “Encanto,” releases in theaters November 24.

The film is supposedly straying away from previous animated fantasies, claiming to go the route of “magical realism” and present Disney’s first Latinx princess.

The film features the magical Madrigal family, who live hidden in the mountains of Colombia, nestled in an enchanting place called the Encanto. Each member of the Madrigal family is gifted at a very young age with unique powers such as the ability to heal others or supernatural strength.

However, Mirabel is the only one in her family who was never

granted any special powers.

She learns that the magic surrounding the Encanto is in danger and decides that she is the Encanto’s and her family’s last hope.

Mirabel is a young girl who director Jared Bush described as “imperfect, weird and quirky, but also deeply emotional and incredibly empathetic.” She is voiced by Brooklyn Nine-Nine actress Stephanie Beatriz. The film also features voice actors from shows like

Orange is the New Black and That ‘70s Show. In an interview with Good Morning America the directors made it clear they were

“ Ve r y keen to have it be a definitive Latin American Disney musical.” After much thought the producers and direc- tors decided to set the film in Colombia: the home of magical realism.

There is something special to be found in every frame, whether that is a distinctively Colombian mannerism or terms of endearment in the dialogue. Disney wanted to make it special for Colombians to be able to recognize things from their home country. None other than Lin-Manuel Miranda, the actor, singer, songwriter, and playwright, wrote the music for the animation. Two songs are entirely in Spanish, and the music influenced the creation of the characters. Make sure to go see “Encanto” in theaters on November 24.

Disney’s new movie announcement, “Encanto”.

Photo from IMDB

PAGE 22

NOVEMBERENTERTAINMENT

THE

HAWKEYEREVIEWS The Sylv-er lining for Sylvan Table

by BRANDON YAKER Managing Editor

Sustainable farm-to-table restaurant Sylvan Table opens 2021 in Sylvan Lake, Michigan.

Photo by PAULA PASCHE

FOOD Photo by MADDY MOSS

The moment I stepped into Sylvan Table for my spontaneous 9:15 reservation with two friends, I was overtaken by the gorgeous light fixtures and rustic ambience. As a lover of all modern/rustic architecture, I was instantly blown away by the beauty of this place. Bloomfield Hills High School Senior Grace Roberts, who works at Sylvan Table said “Sylvan Table is a very unique restaurant. It’s one of the only farm to table restaurants around here, which is definitely why so many people love it. It is set on a huge property with a barn in the back of it, which is home to chickens and pigs. The restaurant itself is a 300 year old barn transported from Maine, so a lot of people come just to see the cool interior of the restau-

MUSIC Photo by CHARLOTTE RUTHERFORD

rant.”

While this breathtaking interior was definitely a highlight, the food was equally impressive. The full array of farm to table ingredients was on display, as we enjoyed multiple phenomenal and beautifully-plated courses. The menu is extremely interesting and unique to any other restaurant I’ve been to.

The full list of starters, mains, sides and desserts are consistently rotating/changing based on which ingredients are in season and freshest.

We started with the prosciutto flatbread with figs, a combination I hadn’t tried before, and I was already blown away. The flavors blended so well together and I would love to experience this dish again. For our main dishes, my friend and I shared the lamb chops while my other friend took a chance

on the rabbit ravioli. The lamb chops were cooked to perfection and left me wanting more.

I got the chance to try the rabbit ravioli and was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed my first rabbit experience. We finished up with a couple sides of vegetables which were simply unreal. They were perfectly seasoned and fresh from their own on-site farm.

This was undoubtedly one of the best and most fun dining experiences I have ever had.

The food, vibes, and views were top notch and I would jump at the chance to come back. I highly recommend that everyone take a visit to Sylvan Lake for fine dining at Sylvan Table.

FOOD Photo from STARBUCKS

Not just sushi: a whole experience

Lil Nas X makes it big with debut album

Falling for Starbucks seasonal menu

JORDYN TEPPER Staff Writer

NOA GOLDSTEIN Web Manager

OLIVIA WHITE Staff Writer

Kura Revolving Sushi Bar, located in Troy, has become very popular in the Bloomfield Hills community.

Not only well-liked for their quality sushi, Kura is known for its enticing experience. This sushi bar’s unique and attractive attribute is in its name: revolving. Unlike other restaurants, the customers do not sit at a normal table and wait for their food to be hand-delivered to them. Customers at the Kura Revolving Sushi Bar sit at a counter and wait for their food to be brought to them on a revolving conveyor belt. This unforgettable restaurant has been highly recommended, so I was very intrigued and excited to try it out. I can definitely say its high-quality environment did not disappoint me.

Eating at the Kura Revolving Sushi Bar brought me a new perspective when it comes to eating out. Most restaurants in the Bloomfield Hills area display the same restaurant operations: your server takes your order, they bring your food, you pay, and then you leave. At the Kura Revolving Sushi Bar, the meal is not only about eating, but it is also about the experience. The staff was extremely friendly and the service was great.

In addition, there was a wide variety of different appetizers, sushi rolls, entrees, sides, and more. I personally found all of the food to be very fresh and delicious. My favorite item that I had there was the Nigiri, more specifically the Tuna Nigiri with yuzu, a citrus fruit. I found this roll to be addicting. I also really enjoyed the dessert options. My most favored dessert is called Taiyaki. It is a donut in the shape of a fish, stuffed with sweet red bean paste. It was topped with vanilla ice cream and was absolutely divine. It is safe to say that there are a lot of options that can fulfill the cravings of many customers.

Overall, eating at Kura Revolving Sushi Bar was a very positive experience. The only negative comment that I have is how busy the restaurant can be at certain times of the day. If you are planning on enjoying a meal at 6 p.m. on a Saturday night, I recommend you call ahead to make a reservation. The restaurant offers an app that can be used to make reservations prior to arriving.

Despite the busy atmosphere, the energy in the restaurant was superb, and it was definitely worth it. I would absolutely recommend going to the Kura Revolving Sushi Bar for delicious food and a great experience.

Viral sensation and pop artist Lil Nas X has just released his electrifying debut album, Montero, after months of anticipation.

Nas’s claim to fame comes from his 2019 single, “Old Town Road,” which ended up becoming ranked as the most successful single of any artist ever. Since then, he has blown past onehit-wonder boundaries with extremely popular releases such as the haunting title track “Montero,” the booming “Industry Baby,” ft. Jack Harlow and the reflective “Sun Goes Down.”

These three tracks gave listeners a taste of what to expect on the album, with songs ranging from anthemic pop to poppunk to hip hop.

Listening to this album, I was thoroughly surprised by the emotional depth that Nas dives into. He was able to change moods throughout the album, by varying the style of his songs, without it sounding unorganized. Starting off the album, “Montero,” “Dead Right Now,” “Industry Baby,” and “That’s What I Want” are all examples of Lil Nas’s pop talent. Every one of them is extremely catchy with interesting lyrics about coming out, his new life in the spotlight, and his struggles that coincide with fame. However, as listeners dive into the album, songs like “Life After Salem,” “Sun Goes Down,” and “Void,” show a different side to Nas as he talks about his struggles with depression, family addiction, and suicide. These shifts in sound and topic make the album sound more complete. Not to mention, all of the featured artists on this album, including Doja Cat, Elton John, and Megan Thee Stallion, add depth and new voices to the record.

Honestly, the level of maturity on the project was not what I expected from Nas. Nas falls into traditional pop stereotypes at times, but he makes many unique, creative choices and is more emotionally mature in his lyrics than most pop artists right now. Although it was not perfect, the album was quite an impressive debut, and I cannot wait to see what direction Nas goes in next.

As we turned a new leaf from summer and plunged into the next season, Starbucks released their highly anticipated fall menu.

This year, the fall line was brought back to stores earlier than ever. The Pumpkin Spice Latte is a staple in the Starbucks seasonal collection, along with the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew.

But, this year, Starbucks introduced a new flavor: Apple Crisp Macchiato. This drink comes either hot or iced, so I decided to change up my typical Starbucks order and try the iced version of it. It is safe to say, the Iced Apple Crisp Macchiato was a “one and done” for me. This drink, which combines apple and coffee flavoring, was an overwhelming cross of two very bold flavors. I rate this drink a two out of five stars, and do not recommend it.

On the other hand, the seasonal Pumpkin Cream Cold Foam is the perfect fall addition to the menu. I love to spice up a non-seasonal starbucks drink, such as an Iced Chai Latte, by adding pumpkin cream cold foam. It truly captures the perfect autumn taste.

Even if you aren’t in the mood for a fall drink, don’t worry; the seasonal food menu is back and better than ever! The Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin, the Pumpkin Scone, and the Pumpkin Loaf are the current autumn food items on the Starbucks menu. The Pumpkin Loaf has a satisfying hint of pumpkin topped with diced nuts, and it can be paired with any drink.

I would definitely recommend this item to anyone looking for a quick but festive fall bite to eat. The Pumpkin Scone, topped with icing, is the ultimate sugary treat, while the Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin is a delicious combination of salty and sweet.

If you are a more “DIY” coffee drinker, Starbucks has also created a grocery store line of fall coffee blend, cold brew, and creamers that you can purchase to make your seasonal drinks at home. Although this seasonal menu only stays until November 1st, the infamous PSL can still be made for you, no matter the season

ENTERTAINMENTNOVEMBER

PAGE 23

A worthy addition to Marvel universe Photo from MARVEL STUDIOS

BELLA MUCHNICK Staff Writer

Marvel Studios’ “Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings” is the newest member to join the highly acclaimed Marvel Cinematic Universe. Hitting theatres in early September, the action movie has been adored by dedicated Marvel fans. Directed

by Destin Daniel Cretton, “Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings” took a different approach to the average superhero movie.

Jam-packed with breathtaking fight sequences, this film also contrasted from a typical action movie by portraying such a vulnerable narrative. The story follows Shang-Chi, who adopted the American name Shaun (played by Simu Liu). We follow Shang-Chi living in the shadows of San Francisco with his best friend Katy (played by Awkwafina). Straying from most superheroes who are deemed showy or obnoxious, Shang-Chi carries a sense of wisdom, tranquility, and strategy to his disputes.

Using cruelty only when provoked, he sets a perfect example for superhero kids in this era should look up to. Shang-Chi is faced with a dilemma when his father Xu Wenwu (played by Tony Leung Chie-Wai), founder of a deadly crime association Ten Rings, sends soldiers to capture him and bring him back to his family home in China. The heart-wrenching story of Xu’s wife’s murder, motivated him to cause harm and deadly disturbances around the world for years to come. It is up to Shang-Chi to help restore their family and put an end to their father’s deathly rage.

Shang-Chi took a spin on a destiny fulfilling story. The focus on detail this movie acquired helped achieve visually gratifying battle scenes that instantly captivate the viewer. The fight scenes continued the peaceful yet exciting style of the movie.

Right off the bat, we are struck with a fight scene on a moving bus. The scene sets the tone for the unpredictability of the movie. The slow-motion scenes helped portray the gracefulness of the main character and story. Also, unlike standard action movies, Shang-Chi demonstrated near-perfect CGI where we could easily see the hand-to-hand combat. Being able to clearly display martial arts is something most movies similar to this lack. Further, because we are introduced to a new character, the movie is simple to understand because we don’t need any prior knowledge like most marvel movies. Ultimately, the adventure produced by Shang-chi was a wonderful way to introduce a new marvel superhero and the new phase of the cinematic universe.

The movie musical Dear Evan Hansen, starring Ben Platt, released September 23, 2021.

Photo from UNIVERSAL PICTURES

You will be found amazed by DEH Dear Evan Hansen goes from broadway stage to big screen

by ISABELLE GOLDSTEIN Entertainment Editor A film adaptation of the Broadway musical Dear Evan Hansen took to theaters on September 24th, sparking the interests of broadway followers, musical theatre buffs, and enthusiastic movie-goers.

Starring actor and singer-songwriter Ben Platt and produced

by Adam Siegel and Marc Platt, Dear Evan Hansen rated a 31% on Rotten Tomatoes, and received both positive feedback and negative critiques. The musical, set in a high school environment, is nationally renowned for its storyline addressing teenage mental health issues. Presenting a unique, inside perspective to overlooked high school experiences, Dear Evan Hansen is captivating on many levels, yet still

left me a little underwhelmed.

Dear Evan Hansen addresses teenage mental health through the lives of the two main characters, Evan Hansen and Connor Murphy. Loose acquaintances at school, Connor and Evan timidly interact with each other in the school library when Connor catches Evan writing a letter addressed to himself. Connor, angry towards Evan’s letter, steals it, leaving the library and the school for the remainder of the day. The following day, Evan is pulled into the office where it is brought to his attention that Connor has taken his own life.

When Connor was found, the last left with him was Evan’s letter, leading Connor’s parents to believe they were friends. Unable to break their hearts, Evan complies to their assumption, starting a trail of lies to soon catch up

with him.

Through dramatic characterization, beautifully crafted musical ballads, empowering moments of dialogue, and the raw portrayal of high school, the movie effectively conveys a message regarding teenage mental struggles. As an audience member, I had to fight back tears as I formed an emotional connection to characters and aspects of the plot. To boot, the movie was quite a rollercoaster, combining musical theater and traditional teenage drama. Even with so many positives to elaborate on for hours, Dear Evan Hansen still left me a little unsatisfied. I love Ben Platt and was excited to see him star in the film, but it was hard to take him seriously as he is a 28 year old embodying a high schooler. His character felt unrealistic. As well, the movie was in-

The Best “What If?” Episodes Ranked

New Disney+ series introduces multiverse to Marvel

Squid Game: Worth the hype?

MALIK ALABBAS Staff Writer

by BEN SAPERSTEIN Staff Writer What if the Avengers were all killed before they united? What if there were zombies in the Marvel Universe? In the new hit Disney+ show “What If?” these questions and many more are answered. This fascinating animated show spins off of the main Marvel Cinematic Universe. It came out this August, and each week, a new 30-35 minute episode premiered. They all focus on their own unique premise, altering one specific event in the main Marvel timeline. Here are the four best episodes of “What If?” that you must see (spoiler warning):

Photo from NETFLIX

What would you do for money? How far are you willing to go?

These questions are all addressed in Netflix’s newest and most popular Korean drama, Squid Game. The show follows Seong Gi-Hun, who is millions of dollars in debt, divorced, lives with his mother, and is jobless. By every definition, he is a loser.

However, as a person, he is very caring, especially toward his daughter who lives with his ex-wife. Gi-Hun is given a chance to pay off his debt if he calls a number on a mysterious card given by an even more mysterious man. After calling, Gi-Hun is drugged and transported to a bunker in which he wakes up surrounded by hundreds of others like him. In this mysterious location, the people transported play children’s games for a whopping cash prize - 45.6 billion won (or 58 million US dollars). Seems easy enough right? But there’s a catch, if you lose, you die.

While watching the show, I became enthralled by the bizarreness and twists and turns the show provided. Everything from the pink costumes and weird masks the administrators of the game wear to the bizarre layout of the games the participants played captivated me. Another thing that was interesting was how the participants would team up with each other thinking that they could win the prize as a group and split the money, even though it was explicitly stated that there could only be one winner. So throughout the show, there was always this concept of disillusionment, that they kept lying to themselves just to survive.

In total I finished the show in 2 days, binge watching uncontrollably. So if you do plan on watching, buckle up and prepare for a thrilling show that will have you staying up until 3 AM telling yourself one more. If you have watched this show and are looking for a new show similar to Squid Game, I highly recommend you watch Alice in Borderland which is also on Netflix.

credibly long, lasting for an excessive two hours and 17 minutes creating a sense of time standing still. Dear Evan Hansen was well written and produced, but I wish they found a way to carry the plot along faster.

With so many talented actors and actresses, a much needed new perspective on the high school experience, and may I say again, an amazing repertoire of songs, I really enjoyed spending my Saturday night at the movies relaxing with quality entertainment and treats. If you enjoy dramatic story plots combined with theater this is the movie for you. I recommend you stop by your local theater to experience Dear Evan Hansen.

#1. “What If… Ultron Won?” Hopelessness has never been more apparent than in this episode, as heroes and villains alike hastily get defeated by Ultron with nothing to show for it. Ultron ascends what it means to be intimidating and has power that has never been seen before in the Marvel Universe.

As per usual, the quick fight scenes are phenomenal, and the spectacle is higher than ever before in this show. This episode excels at making you feel completely defeated and pessimistic, just like the characters. #2. “What If… Doctor Strange Lost His Heart Instead of His Hands?”

In this episode, you will experience an emotional rollercoaster. Doctor Strange suffers so much hardship from the love he has for his girlfriend, Christine. With his good intent and willingness to do anything, he straddles the line between good and evil. By the end, he devolves into the very thing he used to fight against.

This is an amazing character study that showcases what desperation can turn a person into. #3. “What If… The Watcher Broke His Oath?”

Combining characters and plotlines from all the previous eight episodes, this episode delivers on everything you could ask for in a finale. Ultron remains incredibly menacing, and the unique powers of every character creates a dynamic and intense battle. There are a couple of twists and turns that make it appear like all the heroes have lost, but their ingenuity helps them defeat an entity much more powerful than themselves. You are constantly rooting for our heroes to succeed the entire time. #4. “What If… The World Lost Its Mightiest Heroes?”

Mixing together elements from the previous Marvel films, this episode masterfully creates a distinctive story that is very dark in tone. Using a mystery murder format, you are constantly on the edge of your seat and eager to find the culprit. Since the episode is brief, there isn’t enough time to fully flesh out the mystery and optimize the intrigue. When the culprit is finally revealed, it turns out to be rewarding and even makes you question why you didn’t think of the murderer initially.

Overall, “What If” serves as a noteworthy thought experiment that addresses how characters and events influenced their stories. The compelling concepts give life to the show, making it a distinguished addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Photo from MARVEL STUDIOS

UPCOMING EVENTS NOVEMBER SUN

MON 1

TUE 2

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3 Half Day

Dia de los Muertos begins

WED

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THURS 4

SAT

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Diwali

Blood drive

10

FRI

11 Veterans Day

Fall back!

(Daylight Savings Time ends)

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18 School Musical

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School Musical

26 Native American 27 Heritage Day

Half Day

28 Hanukkah Begins

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Thanksgiving

School Musical

Break!