Ask Merle

Dear Merle,

How do I eat healthy in school? The only option is a $20 salad, and I definitely don’t have enough allowance for that. flatbushgirl38

Dear flatbushgirl38,

I’m having the same problem! Obviously when choosing between a $5 Chock bagel and a $20 Jus salad, I’m gonna choose the bagel. Honestly, there’s no way to solve this problem. You should just wait to eat healthy until after you graduate. Enjoy those $5 Chock bagels while you can, or you’ll regret not taking advantage of them (they’re so good)!

Love,

Merle

Dear Merle,

How do I get these high school girls to calm down? If they just made a single file line, things would be so much easier!

Alex from Chock

Dear Alex,

I can’t imagine the daily stress you go through. Take it as a compliment! It just means your food is so good! Nothing beats a hot bagel with chips and a red drink for lunch after a long, tiring morning. You should just pretend you don’t hear anyone who yells at you—that’ll teach them a lesson! We love you, and couldn’t get through school without you!

Love,

Merle

Dear Merle

How do I get my teachers to like me? Every year up until now I’ve been the teacher’s pet, but for some reason this year they don’t like me!

Frustrated senior

Dear Frustrated,

Getting your teachers to like you is one of the hardest tasks to complete in high school. This could be as simple as just saying hello when you see your teachers outside of class, and saying good morning/afternoon when you walk into class. Just like we, the students, have long and hard days, so do our teachers. A simple smile or hello could make their day, while at the same time give that good impression you want to make. Love,

Merle

Dear Merle,

How do I escape the endless cycle of walking up late, then getting early arrival, not waking up for early arrival, and then getting detention? It’s so hard to wake up on time, especially in the freezing cold! @1609avejfanpage

Dear @1609avejfanpage,

I’m almost up to my last semester of high school, and I still never mastered this! My mom and I have this routine where I have to send her a selfie showing that I’m out of bed so she knows I got up. Ever since we started that, I’ve been on time to school and haven’t gotten one late! If that doesn’t seem like it’ll work for you, try setting a funny/fun alarm ringtone, and make sure to change it once in a while so you don’t get too used to it and sleep through it. Good luck!

Love,

Merle

Faculty Fun Facts: Matching

By Robin Rawas

Fun and Games Editor

a) Nurse Fayge b) Mr. Saadia c) Ms. Rosenbaum d) Coach Gurock e) Ms. Shulman f) Ms. Marcus g) Ms. Lamm h) Ms. Benzakein

Met Justin Timberlake Was once the mascot of a professional soccer team Has a black belt in Kung Fu Was on the girls basketball team in high school Color codes her books and apps Harry Potter enthusiast Backpacked through England, Scotland, and Ireland for two weeks Worked at a defense contracting company making bombs

Scotland, and Ireland for two weeks bookshelf and apps on her phone by color. Ms. Benzakein backpacked through England, bombs. Ms. Marcus has a black belt in Kung Fu. Ms. Lamm organizes her books on her a professional soccer team. Ms. Shulman worked at a defense contracting company making baum was on the girls basketball team in high school. Coach Gurock was once the mascot of Nurse Fayge is a Harry Potter enthusiast. Mr. Saadia met Justin Timberlake. Ms. RosenAnswer Key:

Flatbush Cartoon By Jen Kreizman Phoenix Cartoonist

Tailored for Taylor

By Sylvia Saad

Sophomore Editor

With a large number of Flatbush students planning to attend Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour concert in May, outfit ideas are the main thing on a Swiftie’s mind. Considering the fact that Taylor Nation, Taylor’s management team, is notorious for scouting people in unique outfits to upgrade their tickets, fans always dress to impress. Styling an outfit solely based on aesthetics will not cut it at such a competitive event. References to Swift’s past history, albums, outfits, etc. have to be made in order to stand out in the crowd.

In light of the title “Eras Tour,” an outfit has to consist of inspiration from Swift’s different “eras” or albums. Her debut album, Taylor Swift, could influence a country-esque outfit. A white sundress with cowboy boots and hat would fit perfectly in the debut album category.

In Swift’s next album, Fearless, there are several iconic songs and music videos. In an ode to the “You Belong With Me” music video, Taylor’s iconic pajama outfit could be spruced up. Instead of the flannel pajama pants and T-shirt shown in the video, a skirt with the same pattern as the pajama pants and a top with the same wording as the shirt could have a similar yet chicer effect.

Taylor’s Speak Now era brings chic dresses to play. A reference to the iconic Speak Now album covers, with Taylor in a beautiful purple or red dress (as seen in the deluxe edition) can be made. The tulle purple dress would certainly make a splash at the concert.

A more niche idea to Taylor’s Red (TV) album and its hit song, “All Too Well,” could reference a lyric in the song. \“I still remember the first fall of snow and how it glistened as it fell,” is one line that can be used to construct an outfit. A dress decorated with snow-white pom-poms and glitter added on top will give the effect of glistening snow. This idea also can be applied to “Snow on the Beach,” from the Midnights album. If you’re going for a more stylish rather than unique approach, a red hat similar to the one on the

Red (TV) album cover, white top, and red skirt should do the job. 1989 fans could go for an outfit referencing her hit single “Welcome to New York” and the 1989 album cover. As most students will be attending the concert in MetLife stadium, home of the New York Giants and Jets, you could write “Welcome to New York” in the same font Swift used on the cover all over a light-colored dress or pants. Swift’s Reputation era brings many fashionable prospects. Her usual look during this time consisted of black clothing and an edgy feel. Any black leather ensemble would fit right into this aesthetic; a black leather dress certainly has potential. If you’re looking for a more abstract idea, you could pin black and white ties onto a dress or top, write “lies” and Xs on the white ties, and carry a car-shaped bag as an allusion to the lyrics “The ties were black, the lies were white” and “X marks the spot” in the song “Getaway Car” from Reputation.

The next album, Lover, brings an entirely different vibe. The theme of this album is love and the happiness it brings. The main color palates are pastels, with an emphasis on light pinks. A top decorated with clear and pink Christmas lights making the shape of a heart would be an original idea from the title song. An alternative could be any pink clothing with a heart motif and paper rings as the chosen jewelry from the song “Paper Rings.” Lyrics from the Lover songs have lots of possibilities.

However, Swift’s next album, Folklore, has more complex lyrics to work with. An easy idea is the classic cardigan from “Cardigan,” or mirrorball earrings with a silver dress referencing “Mirrorball.” Although both ideas will be done and lack a little originality, they’re both still great and reliable contenders. Another possibility would be to wear pants with key limes and carrying a purse in the shape of a dog, alluding to “The Last Great American Dynasty’s” bridge. The iconic bridge will be recognizable to the most elite of fans.

Evermore contains somewhat predictable outfit ideas such as a “Champagne Problems” or “Gold Rush” inspired outfit. Although both of those could be very well done, an underrated classic deserves an outfit idea as well. “Right Where You Left Me,” is an unexpected song to reference, but a white dress covered with shattered pieces of glass and a pinned up hairdo would definitely attract attention from Taylor Nation.

Heads will also be turned by Midnights-inspired outfits. A skirt decked out with crystals in the shape of raindrops, paired with an asymmetrical navy top gives the “Midnight Rain” feel. “Paris” lovers could wear a top with an Eiffel Tower motif, paired with a champagne colored skirt.

Regardless of the outfit you choose, all the Swifties on May 28 will look fabulous alongside the best dressed of them all, Taylor Swift herself.

Uggs making a sudden comeback

By Clara Edery

Fashion Editor

If someone told you three years ago that Uggs would be one of this winter’s most sought-after and desired footwear, would you believe them? After years of being considered unfashionable, Uggs are back in a variety of styles ranging from platform soles to mini below-the-ankle cuts. The recent craze for Uggs has many wondering—why? Despite the fact that these shoes have been seen on a variety of celebrities such as Dua Lipa, Kendall Jenner, Kaia Gerber, and Gigi Hadid, many remain confused about why Uggs are suddenly back in style.

Staple articles of clothing are the foundation of all fashion. A clean white T-shirt, a plain pair of jeans, and a simple jacket are essentials to ensure you will always have an outfit to put on—basic or not. Uggs fit right into that category of basics. They’re so appealing to their customers because they aren’t an extreme fashion statement, and just about anyone can wear them. You can take any style and/or shape of Uggs, and cater them to your own taste. They’re perfect for day-to-day wear. You can dress them up or throw them on with a pair of jeans and a T- shirt while going shopping, like celebrity Hailey Beiber. Fans have been going crazy over recent photos of Beiber wearing her platform embroidered Tasman Ugg slippers. She paired the slippers with blue jeans, a dark green button down, and a large, white sherpa vest. However, you can also dress Uggs down with sweatpants and a hoodie for running errands and hanging out with friends.

Uggs are also extremely comfortable. They are made from natural wool shearling, which ensures your feet will stay warm all winter. The inside is lined with sheepskin, which allows your feet to breathe well so they don’t get sweaty. Uggs also feature soft and flexible outsoles, which provide extra cushioning and insulate your feet.

You might be interested in buying Uggs for yourself right now, but good luck finding them! A variety of sizes of Uggs cannot be found online. The Uggs website is sold out of many different styles, as are popular websites such as Amazon, Zappos and Bloomingdale’s. Even if you were to find your desired style and size, they would surely cost far more than the retail price. Uggs have been increasing in price ranging from $100 to $400.

If you do manage to get your hands on a pair of Uggs, think about how you can style them to make them your own!

By Arlette Mann

Fashion Editor

Slow fashion and sustainable fashion are two new movements that were created to combat fast fashion and have recently been gaining traction. But do people really know what they are?

First, it’s important to understand what fast fashion is: the rapid production of cheap and trendy clothing meant to be worn for only a few months before it goes out of style and/or falls apart. Many wellknown brands create such items, and the term has become synonymous with retailers like Shein, Zara, and H&M, to name a few. These companies often replicate other brands’ designs, and produce them with cheaper materials in order to sell them at lower prices. Fast fashion is so rampant because it gives consumers the instant gratification of seeing something trending and being able to buy it that night. The rise of fast fashion in recent years has allowed for trends to cycle out much quicker than before, and now a look can go out of style in just weeks.

Fast fashion has caused many problems, including dangerous working conditions in factories and negative impacts on the environment. Low-quality clothing doesn’t last the customer very long and ends up in landfills soon after being made. Additionally, the cheap materials these clothes are made of are not recyclable or biodegradable, leaving them residing in these landfills for decades or even centuries.

Hence the rise of slow fashion and sustainable fashion. Even though they sound similar, slow and sustainable fashion refer to two different alternatives to fast fashion.

Slow fashion is concerned with the production process, ensuring a regular quantity of clothing is in the market. Practicing slow fashion would reduce overproduction and overconsumption, and involve buying longer-lasting, high-quality products. In general, it’s usually the smaller brands who focus more on slow fashion. This was the only type of production system used in pre-industrial times. There were no factories, and thus much less clothing to go around, and products were made by hand with a much greater attention to detail. Some brands have begun to bring back slow fashion; however, many people will continue to buy fast fashion, because they want the newest thing for a cheap price.

Sustainability is another important concept that has been slowly making its way into the fashion world. Sustainability is the idea of making sure that what we are doing now will not affect the future in a negative way, while still fulfilling our present needs. There are a lot of different ways to incorporate sustainability into fashion. First, by using eco-friendly methods in production, such as reducing water consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Another way to sustainability produce clothing is by being cognizant of the materials being used. Environmentally friendly materials such as recycled fabrics, organic cotton, and wool can be much easier to recycle into new clothing. Lastly, there is a responsibility on the consumer to shop sustainably as well. There are many ways to do this, such as shopping less, upcycling old clothing, and taking care of clothing so that it can last longer.

Shein is a popular ‘fast fashion’ retailer

Neutral sites: the future of NFL football

By Simone Amkraut

Sports Editor

Home-field advantage: a concept as old as competition itself. Think of the thousands of Pittsburgh Steelers fans waving a sea of Terrible Towels as they amp up the decibels at Heinz Field, a packed-tothe-gills student section of Cameron Crazies haranguing their hapless opponents at Duke University, or Mr. Whammy putting the kibosh on opposing free throw shooters as he riles up the Nets’ home crowd at Barclays Center.

Such support is incredibly valuable to the home team. This was clear from lifeand-death battles for actual land in ancient times. It is just as true today when the oddsmakers in Las Vegas set the betting lines for games. Bettors on NFL games know full well that playing at home is worth at least 3 points to the home team. So why have NFL teams so readily accepted that half the league should get one more home game than the other half?

For as long as professional leagues have existed, regular seasons have consisted of an even number of games, thereby ensuring that every team plays the same number of home and away games. Balance. Equity. Fairness. That was universally true, until last year. In 2021, the NFL implemented its first 17-game season, the first odd-numbered total of games in a season since 1961.

One of the reasons the NFL gave for expanding the schedule to 17 games was the ability to play regular season games in overseas markets without forcing teams to give up one of their 8 home dates. Growing the game globally is fine, but is it worth the price of competitive imbalance, with one half of the League hosting an extra home game while the other half has to play an extra road game?

The Commissioner and the owners along with the players’ union agreed at the time that the two conferences (the NFC and the AFC) would alternate which one’s teams would get the extra home game from season to season.

Perhaps there is a more equitable solution: 16 neutral-site games.

Why sacrifice competitive balance when you can achieve the dual goals of increased revenue streams and the expansion of the global footprint at the same time? With 16 neutral-site games, each team plays a balanced home-away schedule of 16 games like it had for over 60 years, and each team also plays one neutral-site game.

The NFL already plays 4 such games (this year the League had showcases in England (twice), Germany, and Mexico. Adding 12 more similar sites is definitely a doable proposition. Clearly, the world is interested (the four international games were quick sell-outs). Plus, there are other U.S. cities that do not have their own franchise that would surely welcome the opportunity to host an NFL game. Imagine NFL games on every continent. Cities like Rome, Rio, Athens, Paris, Tokyo, Madrid, Sydney, Beijing, Seoul, Barcelona, and Montreal all have both the venue and the population to meet the NFL’s hosting needs. How about cities like Birmingham, Alabama; Salt Lake City, Utah; Richmond, Virginia; or Oklahoma City, Oklahoma— all cities that have local populations that could easily sell out a local venue?

Competitive balance, increased revenue, and a larger global footprint? Sounds like a win-win-win!

The New York Giants and Green Bay Packers played in London in October

FIRST-PERSON

Bus delay forces frustrating forfeit, but team will fight on

By Isaac Dweck

Senior Editor

This year, the varsity flag football team is arguably the best team competing in Flatbush’s name. Sitting atop the league standings at 5-0, we were looking to continue our undefeated season against Mesivta Netzach HaTorah, or Netz, a yeshiva based in Woodmere, New York. Although we had clobbered most teams we have played against so far, this game was different. Netz was, and still is, viewed as the best team in the league by those who follow the league closely; they were also 5-0. We prepared all week for the biggest matchup of the season, one that would have drastic playoff implications in the future and prove if this year’s Flatbush football team are legitimate contenders.

All league games are played at Lawrence High School’s football field in Cedarhurst, which is approximately an hour away from Flatbush. Every week, we travel by bus to and from the game. On Sunday, December 4, Flatbush’s highly anticipated matchup against Netz was scheduled for 3:45. Coaches Mo and Joe called for all players to be in school at around 2:10 to load the buses, so the team would arrive at the field with a half hour to warm up and stretch. By 2:10, the Commons was filled with juniors and seniors wearing white Flatbush football jerseys, tossing around a ball, and blasting music on a speaker; we were zoned in.

At around 2:30, the bus had still not arrived to take us to the game. We started getting worried that we wouldn’t make it to the field with enough time to stretch and warm up. By around 2:50, we were worried we’d miss the game entirely and began formulating a plan to drive to the game, taking all the players in five different seniors’ cars. Coach Joe decided to call the bus company one last time and was informed the bus was five minutes away. We decided to scrap the plan and wait for the bus. The bus did not come for another half hour. For the entirety of the drive, we were unclear on whether we would be even able to play. We put our cleats on and went over the game plan in hopes that the league would understand our transportation struggles. When we arrived at the field, all we saw were Netz’s players and the refs driving away. We missed the cutoff, which was 4:00, by 15 minutes. We were forced to forfeit the game.

We stayed at the field and scrimmaged for an hour, then rode the bus for an hour back to school. You could feel the devastation on the bus the whole way home as we had been forced to take a loss we were not even able to fight for in the biggest game of the season. We all had that game marked on the calendar since before the season started, and we were robbed of the opportunity to show who we are as a team. We would have felt much better if we had gotten to play and lost than just forfeiting, because we would have at least had a chance to fight for ourselves.

As a team, we are very frustrated with what happened. Through no fault of our own, we were forced to forfeit the biggest game of the season and now have 1 in the loss column, sitting right under Netz in the standings. I know one thing for sure, though: we will use this loss as a chip on our shoulder and carry it into all our future games, because we know the team that we are and we know that we do not deserve that loss.

phoenix@flatbush.org | 11

Time for a fantasy redraft

By David Marcus

Entertainment Editor

Here are the top 5 picks that were taken in fantasy football drafts this summer.

Jonathan Taylor, RB, IND

Christian McCaffrey, RB, SF

Derrick Henry, RB, TEN

Cooper Kupp, WR, LAR

Austin Ekeler, RB, LAC

Most of those picks did not pan out like we thought they would. Here is what a redraft would look like if we drafted our fantasy teams with the knowledge we have today.

Austin Ekeler, RB, LAC

Ekeler is the only player on this list that was drafted in the original 5 above. In a Chargers offense that has not met expectations, Ekeler has thrived in fantasy football, being the number one-ranked running back. He has recorded 12 touchdowns in 12 games, and has 270 full-PPR fantasy points through 13 weeks. Ekeler’s insane receiving ability will make him a first-round back for many years to come.

Josh Jacobs, RB, LVR

This offseason, the Las Vegas Raiders declined the option to pick up Josh Jacobs’ fifth-year contract option, and boy, has Jacobs taken that personally. Jacobs leads the entire NFL in rushing yards, scrimmage yards, first-down rushes, and yards by contact. He is even in consideration for the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year, which is surprising given that he was drafted in the sixth round of many fantasy drafts. Jacobs would be the second player taken if there was a redraft today.

Stefon Diggs, WR, BUF

Sunsets, waterfalls, and watching Josh Allen throw the football to Stefon Diggs are some of the most beautiful things you will ever witness. The Bills can attribute their 9-3 record (through week 13) to the pure talent of Stefon Diggs. The pass catcher is currently the top-ranked wide receiver in fantasy football, and he was taken mostly in the second round of drafts. With 271 fantasy points through 13 weeks, Diggs has taken over the wide receiver position.

Jalen Hurts, QB, PHI

It HURTS to say this, but yes, a quarterback would be taken top 5 in a redraft. Jalen Hurts has taken a massive leap as a passer, and as a rusher this season. As the Eagles sit at the top of the league, Hurts is sitting at the top of fantasy QBs. He is the highest-ranked player in all of fantasy football. His nine rushing touchdowns and his 20-3 TD-INT ratio is the reason he has a whopping 304 fantasy points through 13 weeks. Expect Hurts to possibly win MVP, The Super Bowl, and many fantasy football leagues.

Travis Kelce, TE, KC

Kelce is the top tight end in all of fantasy football, having 250 points, and he is the 11th overall player in fantasy. Who’s the number two tight end, you ask? Well that would be Mark Andrews, who has 150 points and is the 60th ranked player in fantasy. Travis Kelce has taken over the tight end position, and many people have begun to put him in the GOAT TE conversation. Mahomes’s number one target has 12 touchdowns through 13 weeks. Since the tight end position has been extremely weak this season, having a player like Travis Kelce is definitely worth a top 5 pick.

Varsity football team continues dominance

By Shelly Zebak

Contributing Writer

On the first day of tryouts, it was already clear to Coaches Joey and Mo Maswary that the Varsity Football team had the potential for something special this year. And with more than half the season in the books, they have not been disappointed by their Falcons’ performance on the field. In fact, the only thing that has managed to slow down this team was their own transportation.

Buses aside, this has been a very promising season for Flatbush, as they have not only won every game they have played to date, they have done so convincingly. That is the direct result of Flatbush having as solid a roster across the field as it has ever had. In the past, the team has had a dynamic quarterback, a speedy wide receiver, a lock-down defensive back, and a beefy lineman. But never has it had all of those things at the same time—until now. And, the record shows it!

It all starts with the offense, keyed by quarterback Sammy Weinwurzel. Weinwurzel brings both a cool head and a steady hand to the helm. With protection provided by Eli Mizrahi and his fellow linemen and the fleet feet and sure hands of the Falcons receiving corps headlined by Jack Alhadeff, the boys have an offense that can strike quickly as well as maintain sustained drives to salt away games when the team has a comfortable lead late.

The defense has proven equally successful, thanks in large part to the play of Sammy Zeitoune and Abie Tawil. It is truly the balance on both sides of the ball that has led to the team’s dominance on the field so far, and Weinwurzel is quick to acknowledge that. “Since day one, this team has been on the same page,” he said. “Whether it’s offense or defense, we all trust each other to do our own jobs, and that’s what’s led to our success. Any set back in that area just made us grow stronger for the future.” The team’s perfect record was marred when they had to forfeit a game because the team bus did not show up in time to take them to the game. Despite the frustration over that incident, with a few weeks left to play in the regular season and playoffs on the horizon, it looks as if the bus troubles may only be a bump in the road as these Falcons look to make their dreams of a first championship a reality.

Though their record is now blemished, the question still remains if there is a team in the Mesivta Football League that can actually stop these Falcons on the field. Weinwurzel knows there is still work to be done, but the camaraderie developed along the way is key to their success. “This team has become a family and winning has become the standard,” added Weinwurzel. “We’re excited to see how far this team can go.”

Sportsman Spotlight: Goldman dominating the Athletics Department

By Maurice Silvera

Editor-in-Chief

Senior Jack Goldman is nothing short of an athletic triple threat at the Yeshivah of Flatbush. How many other students can say they’re a valued member of the football, baseball, and softball teams?

It only makes sense that Goldman’s sports debut occurred many years ago. One of his first memories of playing baseball was being a part of Victor Gindi’s Little League program. He fondly recalls how his team, the Orioles, won the league during his first year in the program. This triumph spurred him to continue playing sports, and he spent many Saturdays playing street games of football with his friends.

He joined his first school sports team in sixth grade: the hockey team. He was on the football team in 10th grade and reprised his position of wide receiver this year. Additionally, he’s played center field on the baseball and softball teams since 11th grade. His year-long hiatus from the football team in 11th grade can be attributed to the long-lasting effects of Covid; the football team didn’t play a single game in 10th grade—they only had practices—and Goldman felt quite discouraged by the game. However, he returned better than ever this year, and he’s ecstatic to be back!

When Goldman steps up to the plate, he feels an intense drive to win. He expresses that it’s “as if nothing else in the world matters except for me getting a hit. I want to do anything I can in my ability to get on base.” But Goldman acknowledges that any game comes with pressure, whether it’s the routine nerves before his quarterback calls “Hike!” or the feeling that every eye is on him when it’s the bottom of the ninth and he’s at bat. To overcome that apprehension, he endeavors to “block it all out, and just focus on what I need to do to help my team win.” This seems to be good advice, as his team did win the division last year.

Goldman makes sure to set himself up for success by following certain routines. He stays at the top of his game by practicing even when he’s not in school. Going to the batting cages when he can is one of his favorite ways to practice, and he still plays football every Saturday with his friends all these years later. To prepare for every game, Goldman likes to “put my headphones on, listen to some music, and lock in” beforehand.

There are many aspects of being on sports teams that Goldman appreciates, including getting to play the sports he loves, winning, and just having fun in general, but he values spending time with his teammates the most. He describes an enormous sense of camaraderie between him and his teammates. “I like to treat my teammates like they’re my brothers. Like I’ll do anything for them,” Goldman asserted. He believes that strong team chemistry is vital to winning the game, maintaining that, “We don’t even need to communicate. It’s as if they know every single move I’m going to do, and I know what they’re going to do.”

While Goldman loves being on three sports teams, he admits that it can be quite overwhelming at times, especially as a student athlete. Juggling long school days and schoolwork with hours of practice and multiple games a week is something he is still trying to figure out. But it’s all worth it when he gets to celebrate with his team after a win by “going for dinner with the teammates, building up some more chemistry, and getting back to work.”