Mission Viejo Library Teen Voice

Welcome to the Mission Viejo Library Teen Voice - a blog designed to promote teen literacy and provide a voice to teens in our community. When visiting this blog, you can expect to find book, movie, TV and music reviews, study and homework tips, and other topics relevant to teens.

The content is created by and for teens under the guidance of the Mission Viejo Library’s volunteer coordinator.

Students in grades 6-12 interested in earning volunteer service credit and sharing their passions while refining their writing skills are welcome to join the Teen Blog Team. To become a part of the Teen Blog Team, fill out the online application. For more information, contact mvlteenblog@cityofmissionviejo.org.
 

October 2026

Are Art Critics Worth Listening To?
~ Riya S.

Criticism exists in all aspects of life; food critics are exceptionally helpful to see if a restaurant is worth its title, and you may receive criticism on your math homework. We can all agree that criticism plays a useful role in our lives, but what about art critics? Is it worth listening to their criticism? For starters, art critics often have a much deeper understanding of art. Composition techniques and styles are things they can analyze more thoroughly with their skill set, and backed with historical information, one could argue that they have a right to criticize works. Additionally, critics can often help those with less knowledge of the subject matter interpret and understand pieces of art that may otherwise have been difficult to understand. On the contrary, art is often under controversial opinions due to art being subjective. An art critic who grew up under a teacher may grow to form vastly different opinions, and that’s okay. With our cognitive abilities, not everyone will like the exact same thing. Some of us may prefer the sculptures of Ancient Greece, while our neighbors may prefer Andy Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Cans. One sibling may prefer Atomic Habits while the other reads Harry Potter. Additionally, since there are no objectively “bad” or “good” pieces of art, critics often disagree with each other, which often leaves the concern of who can you trust? So should we listen to art critics? I think not. While I think understanding a piece’s history and being able to interpret artistic statements are valuable, at the end of the day, art is meant to be a form of expression, and is meant to be shared to bring emotion to others. With each piece being a contribution to society, no one should have the right to tear down someone’s style, composition, or art. While we shouldn’t bury our opinions, we also shouldn’t go out of our way to criticize a piece of art that an individual created.

Musical Review: Newsies
~ Sophie L.

"Newsies" is a musical adaptation of the Disney 1992 live-action movie of the same name. We follow lead newsboy Jack Kelly, a confident and through a fictionalized depiction of the NYC Newsboys Strike of 1899, and the trials and tribulations of his that come with it.

It seems like a strange premise at first glance - but this musical manages to tell an emotional, hardworking story about the power of youth, perseverance, and social justice against exploitative powers. It's all about how young people can make a stand for themselves and for each other.

The set is wonderful - moveable, stacked scaffold columns mimicking the rooftops of New York are combined with projections that add so much life and detail to the musical. Watching the characters move up and down these ever-twisting layers adds so much dynamism to each and every scene.

The music and performances are also wonderful. Jeremy Jordan's vocal performance as Jack Kelly in the original cast recording is stunning, and it especially comes to a head in the Act I closer, "Santa Fe." So many of the songs are stunning and catchy, from dramatic ensemble numbers like, "The World Will Know" to intimate, powerful ones like "Santa Fe."

There's no wonder the original Broadway production was nominated for a whopping 8 Tonys. "Newsies" reminds us all of what we can do together. It reminds us to fight even when the odds are stacked against us. And it reminds us that even the people viewed as the bottom of society - a bunch of rowdy, orphaned street kids - can change the world.

Travel: Cancun, Mexico
~ Nicholas C.

Cancun is such a masterpiece and a beautiful place to go on a little summer vacation to. Places to stay in Cancun are not a problem, there are so many great and luxurious hotels in Cancun that you can stay at for a great deal. I stayed at XCARET Occidental, and it is one of the best hotels and resorts I've been to. This resort offers so many different perks like buffets and pools outside of every Hotel room cluster. Hotel rooms are divided into little buildings labeled 1 through 30. They are super spacious and the beds are extremely comfortable to get you ready for your next day in Cancun. XCARET has so many amenities as you cross over to the resort where you can go swimming, eat cultural food, and get your tan on.

The first thing I think about when going to the park is the cenotes/rivers. These bodies of water are so natural and greatly refreshing on a hot day. There are 3 rivers labeled azul-blue, rojo- red, and amarillo-yellow. All of them have unique things to offer like azul has a stained-glass passageway, rojo has a bat cave, and Amarillo has a mangrove. Once you finish your swim you can take a picture at the photo points to capture your memory as you head to the refreshments and hammocks area where you can chill until you dry. There are also shows that go on in a stone stadium where there's fire dancing and cultural dances as well as craft making stations where you can learn how to build a cricket out of a leaf.

The cenotes on the other hand are incredibly stunning with green moss and shiny limestone paired with the clear water. These cenotes can be found anywhere on the resort and are great picture-taking spots. Along with the cenotes are natural pools which have so many different kinds of fish and sea creatures and plants you can explore through the natural pools. Cancun is definitely worth your money and is a fantastic vacation spot for spring/summer. I would totally recommend Cancun to anyone who loves scenery and fresh air and loves to take pictures.

Music Review: Heartbreak Weather
~ Janna G.

"Heartbreak Weather" is the second album from X-factor contestant and One Direction member turned solo artist Niall Horan. Originally from Ireland, he auditioned for the X-factor at the age of 16. Instead of getting cut as a solo artist, Niall was combined with four other contestants including a teenage Harry Styles. These five boys would go on to be one of the highest selling boybands of all time, One Direction. After One Direction broke up, the artists started releasing their solo albums. Niall Horan’s first album, "Flicker," was a massive success, creating hit songs like “Slow Hands” and “This Town.” I personally enjoyed the songs and they reminded me of many of the songs from One Direction. However, with his second album, Niall was able to created his own sound.

"Heartbreak Weather" is a pop album that incorporates some elements of pop rock and indie. It consists of 14 tracks including 5 singles and the title track.

Here are the highlights on the album in my opinion:

• "Heartbreak Weather"
  The title track and single did not disappoint. With an indie pop style production and a unique concept created a phenomenal song. Niall describes his love life being disastrous like a season of bad weather, or “Heartbreak Weather.” The chorus is catchy and he compares the romance in his life to bad weather that will not get better. The bridge is amazing as he claims his new lover has saved him from “Heartbreak Weather.” The line goes “Now all the clouds been lifted. Lately, my heart's been so empty. But it feels different when you're with me.” Overall the song was one of the best on the album.
• "Black and White" 
  Another single of this track list is titled “Black and White.” Niall is convinced his current girlfriend is the one he will end up with. He says in the chorus “Yeah, I see us in black and white. Crystal clear on a starlit night. In all your gorgeous colors. I promise that I'll love you for the rest of my life.” The production has more of a rock influence with subtle guitar. Later in the song he describes his life with this women after they got married and got old together. Overall this is a very sweet romantic song about marriage.
• "Everywhere"
  This is my personal favorite song on the album. It is about how he has broken up with his lover and now he sees her everywhere even if she is not. I love the production throughout the entire able as I feel it incorporated the best parts of pop, indie, and rock. But “Everywhere” is my favorite because I find it the catchiest and most typical pop song.
• Honorable Mentions
  "Still"
  "New Angel"
  "No Judgement"

While this album charted well in the U.K. it is disappointing to see that it did not really become popular in America. I can confidently say Niall Horan is the most underrated pop artist I listen to and it is sad he does not get the recognition he deserves. Personally, "Heartbreak Weather" was one of the best albums in 2020. He is currently on tour for his new album which includes some songs from "Heartbreak Weather." I hope this tour can draw attention to his music and I hope you love this album as much as I did.

Red String Theory
~ Rizza Mae R.

What if I told you an invisible red string connects you with people that you are destined to meet? Originating in ancient East Asian folklore rooted in Chinese mythology and Taoist beliefs, the red string theory, or the red thread of fate, describes a red cord or thread that ties together anyone destined to meet. In Chinese Folklore, the red string theory is called the red thread of fate or the red thread of marriage, and according to Chinese mythology, Yuè Lǎo is an old man under the moon and a god of marriage and love. He is in charge of marriages and is believed to be in charge of “the red thread”, which is tied around the ankles of those destined to be together. In China, the red color of the string represents happiness, and it’s often seen in weddings. Similarly, in Japanese and Korean tradition, the red string represents an unbreakable bond between two people; however, it is tied around the pinky fingers of two people destined to meet or be together. The red string is tied to people’s pinkies in these traditions because it was discovered that the ulnar artery directly connects the pinky to the heart. This theory states that the red string might stretch, tangle, and tighten over time, but it can never break, regardless of the time, place, or circumstance, because the bond between the two parties is unbreakable.

This theory suggests that if a person is fated to meet another person, then they are connected with this person through an invisible red string. However, this string does not solely apply to lovers, but to family, friends, or anyone who has a significant role in your life. This means that a person is connected with another person even before they meet. Though this is not scientifically proven to be correct, many people across the world believe this theory. For example, on social media, many people share their experiences of the red string theory by showing a picture of them and their significant other in the same photo long before they met each other, or a picture of them with someone connected with the other person. Also, if a person was assigned a random seat as a person who would become their closest friend in the future, the theory states that they were brought together because of the “red string”. The red string also states that no matter how far apart people are, or if they have different situations, under the red string theory, those two will end up finding each other and crossing paths.

Though the red-string theory is not scientifically true and some people might find it nonsensical, I personally find it interesting because it gives us a new perspective on the relationships in our lives. Maybe meeting these people might be pure coincidence, or there is something, like an invisible string, that connects us so that we cross paths. Whether the red string theory is real or a coincidence, perhaps the mystery behind it makes it fascinating.

To AI or not to AI, That is the Question
~ Olivia H.

We are all in love with Artificial Intelligence, but imagine being a renowned artist. The world knows about you and your beautiful art. Think about the hours you spent combining and mixing paint trying to find the right shade; the time you spent on every little brushstroke. When you are finished, the painting will finally be hung in a gallery, the world will observe it, and feel the emotion and creativity you put into the art piece. Now, on a sadder note, picture yourself at your gallery, only to find out that very few to no people are admiring your work. Instead everyone is focusing on an image created digitally by Artificial Intelligence (AI), an inanimate machine that places no effort, feeling or creativity into it, yet it is considered better. How would that make you feel? I’d like to argue that AI is distorting creative careers because it makes art look too easy, lacks emotion and makes it overall statistical.

Hear me out; until AI is better guided, I’d argue that it cannot replace man made art without sabotaging creativity, and making it seem effortless. In a way, digital art mocks traditional artists who often take weeks or even years to finish one painting. Art created in minutes cannot possibly hold as much emotion as other art forms can. It lacks the patience, dedication, and time used to create a masterpiece. I only have to think of my mom’s expression when she admired my fingerpainting masterpiece to know that AI art conveys no emotion compared with traditional art.

People who claim credit for artwork created by artificial intelligence should understand that their claims do not equal those of artists that have placed endless hours of effort, not to mention the time spent taking classes to achieve notoriety. In fact, art in its intelligent form is deceptive, making us believe that anyone with an internet connection can induce emotion, passion, and feelings with the simple click of a button. In reality, art generated by AI is just a statistical project of numbers and math. Perhaps we can go as far as to say that AI is robbing people’s creativity and artistic careers, especially in the field of art. I am not suggesting we never involved AI; however a solution could be to limit where and how AI is used in art.

Perhaps, we should avoid comparing technological art to traditional art or even better, make them separate categories. Natural creativity and artistic careers need to be preserved. After all, you would not want your originality to be replicated by a bot, would you?

Music Review: Daisy Chain Fields Music Festival
~ Anushka P.

On the morning of June 22nd, 2026, singer/songwriter Olivia Rodrigo sent the internet into a frenzy when she announced her very own music festival, “Daisy Chain Fields.”

Reminiscent of Sarah McLaughlin's “Lilith Fair,” “Daisy Chain Fields” was made up of all female artists, who volunteered to perform to help raise money for charities and organizations that support women and children. This included Baby2Baby, Jhpiego, and National Women’s Law Center.

The artist lineup featured Chappell Roan, Mitski, and Katseye (who unfortunately had to opt out), and paid homage to Rodrigo’s predecessors, like The Breeders, Sarah McLaughlin, and even Stevie Nicks.

On the 29th, as you walked down the field, you were greeted with a huge baby pink, “Daisy Chain Fields” sign, in which multiple lines emerged from, filled with people eager to enter.

The first performance we watched for the day was Mitski-a Japanese American singer known for her sorrowful lyrics, and heart-wrenching melodies. She sang hits like “Washing Heat Machine” and “I Bet on Losing Dogs.”

Chappell Roan graced the Dandelion Stage with her larger than life presence at 7:00 pm. Opening her set with “Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl,” she immediately entranced the audience. Dressed in a lilac flight attendant outfit, inspired by “Fifth Element,” her outstanding vocals and 80s inspired synth pop blew the crowd away. Her 2023 hit, “HOT TO GO!” formed a sense of unity throughout the crowd, as we all lowered our phones to do the designated dance during the chorus.

And finally, one hour after Chappell Roan’s set ended, Oliva Rodrigo herself appeared on the Dandelion Stage for her 1 hour and 25 minute concert.

Olivia then started her set with the lead single off her new album, “Drop Dead.” The upbeat tempo, heartfelt lyrics, and expressive strings set the mood perfectly as the sun was setting on this monumental day. Oliva soon introduced special guest Sarah McLaughlin to the stage. Together, they sang a duet of “Building a Mystery,” and then “Angel” as a tribute to Dolly Parton, who had passed away the previous week.

Staying at her piano, Oliva passionately sang “Honeybee” and “Driver’s License." Shockingly, she made an announcement- Karen O, who was supposed to be 1 of 3 special guests, had had to resign due to a family emergency. She then brought Alanis Morissette to the stage. The two of them sang Morissette's 1995 song, “Ironic.”

Ending with 2021’s "Deja Vu," the crowd was shocked as Oliva parted the stage. She hadn’t brought out Stevie Nicks.

The crowd caused a ruckus, as their repeated chants of “Stevie” echoed through the dim park. It only took 5 minutes for Rodrigo to walk back onto the stage, hand in hand with Stevie Nicks. Dressed in a fluffy skirt, black flowy blouse, with her signature blonde curls, Stevie sang the opening line of Fleetwood Mac’s cult classic, “Landslide.” Accompanied by Waddy Wachtel on guitar, Rodrigo and Nick’s voices blended beautifully together, ensuring a poignant end to this remarkable and historic night.

Movies: Top 5 Best Movies to Watch in Fall
~ Ameena H.

Fall is arguably the best season of the year when it comes to fun events and lets be honest…weather. But it’s also the best season for movies even if you’re not a big fan of horror. Here are some of the best movies to watch during fall with your friends or even by yourself. Purely for vibes and entertainment purposes only.

1. "Dead Poets Society" - I can’t fully speak for this one because I haven’t finished it yet, but it definitely has a lot of meaning underneath the fall vibes with the setting. I think it brings important themes that are still relevant today especially in this literary crisis we’re having. It’s also a good movie if you’re very passionate about literature and sometimes have trouble expressing your true voice in society. With the sweaters, old books, and foggy windows, it adds to the fall atmosphere we only really see in the movies…at least in California. Carpe Diem!

2. "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" - I had to include an absolute classic for people who grew up with the series. Only the first movie though because again, the fall atmosphere is very present. Especially with the start of school at Hogwarts. The great feast in the Great Hall is the cherry on top with floating pumpkins? Very original and very fall. Thank you Chris Columbus.

3. "The Nightmare Before Christmas" - This can only be watched late November or on Halloween because it's basically that transition between fall and winter. Another classic if you’re into Tim Burton stories. This movie brings the perfect essence of Halloween while also bringing the cozy aesthetic of the season Halloween falls into.

4. "Coraline" - I really like this one because it’s an amazing movie to fall into a rabbit hole at 3 am with the amount of theories surrounding it. It kind of seems like Halloween as a movie without it intentionally trying to be scary. It can be a little eerie, especially with the weather which throws me off because of how dystopian it looks but still a great movie with a great plot and a million different conspiracy theories.

5. "Little Women: - A good love story with women empowerment. I honestly would’ve loved living in this time period during fall because of their clothing. This is an excellent pick for you if you’re really into classics and or even early American life in the 1800s.

Book Review: It's Like This, Cat
~ Hugh H.

Image

"It's Like This, Cat," is a Newbery Medal-winning book written by Emily Cheney Neville. The story is about a 14-year-old boy named Dave Mitchell who lives in New York City. Dave does not get along well with this father. They constantly get into shouting matches with each other. One day, after a particularly fierce argument, Dave storms out of the house. He ends up visiting a neighbor called Aunt Kate, who is an eccentric woman known for taking care of stray cats. Dave decides to adopts an orange tomcat from her. He names his new pet Cat.

Dave loves having Cat around. He brings Cat along with him to explore interesting places all over the city. They meet people from all walks of life. One day, they meet a troubled young man named Tom Ransom. Tom is a college dropout with lots of personal and legal problems. Dave learns that Tom has been accused of robbery, so he decides to ask his father to help. Dave’s father is a lawyer, and he knows how to help Tom. When Dave sees his father’s willingness to help others in need, he realizes that his father is actually more compassionate than he thought. Gradually, Dave and his father begin to reconcile their differences.

I enjoyed this book for many reasons. I really liked all of the characters throughout the story, because they are very realistic and interesting. Cat also played an important role, and made the story fun and amusing. I especially enjoyed reading about the relationship between Dave and his father as they slowly began to get along better as the story progressed. As someone with family connections to New York City, I really liked reading about different places mentioned in the book, including places that I have enjoyed visiting. This book has many good themes, such as the importance of family and of caring for each other. I loved reading this book and I would definitely recommend it to everyone.

Sports: LeBron James- The GOAT of NBA history of all time
~ Sunwoo J.

In July 2026, LeBron James signed a contract with Philadelphia 76ers. That’s his 4th team of his whole career and he’s trying to win his 5th NBA Finals for his career. He’s the first player to play 23rd season and he’s the oldest player in the NBA right now. People always debate Michael Jordan and LeBron James who is the greatest but from my perspective, LeBron is the GOAT. In this post, I’m going to tell you about his life and why he is the GOAT.

LeBron Raymone James Sr was born on December 30, 1984 in Akron, Ohio states. LeBron’s mom Gloria was 16 years old single mom when LeBron was born. The family struggled a lot economically so they often moved their apartments during LeBron’s childhood. Gloria realized her son would grow better in a stable environment so she sent LeBron to the family of his coach, Frank Walker who was a local youth football coach and recommended LeBron to play basketball. He was super talented in basketball. He won a couple titles from Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball. He also had a good relationship with his friends. He decided to go to public high school to play with his friends and they won several titles in high school. LeBron was absolutely incredible so he was the subject of a feature article in Slam magazine when he was 16. That’s how incredible he was. His play when he was in high school was not at a high school level. Even NBA players back then said to LeBron like “This kid can be part of an NBA team’s starting lineup even if he goes to the NBA right now”. He also played football when he was in high school. He played wide receiver for his high school football team. He got an offer from a Division 1 college football team. He might have been an NFL player if he wanted to be a football player.

Right after he graduated high school, he participated in the 2003 NBA draft. The Cleveland Cavaliers picked LeBron James as the first overall pick and that’s how his NBA career began. He averaged over 20 points, 5 bounds, and 5 assists per game and he won the NBA Rookie of the year. When LeBron James played so well as a rookie, the Cavs became stronger and stronger. Before they picked LeBron James, the Cavs were one of the weakest teams in NBA history. But LeBron James changed his team and led them to the NBA finals in 2007 for the first time in their franchise history. In the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals, the Cavs played against the Detroit Pistons and LeBron was unbelievably incredible. In game 5 in Detroit, LeBron James led a huge victory away. He scored the last 25 points for the Cavs and the Cavs finished this series in game 6. But in the NBA finals, the Cavs faced the San Antonio Spurs who had Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili. They swept the Cavs in the NBA finals. Although the Cavs lost in the NBA finals, Cavs’ fans expected that LeBron James would deliver the championships to Cleveland. But winning the NBA finals was harder than what they expected.

After the 09-10 season, LeBron became a free agent player and many teams contested each other to sign with him. On July 8th 2010, LeBron showed up on the Decision TV show. He said “I’m going to South beach and join the Miami Heat”. After he said that, the Cavs' fans felt betrayed by LeBron. They burned his uniforms and showed their disappointment. The Miami Heat acquired LeBron from the Cavs and made a super team. They had Dwayne Wade, LeBron James, and Chris Bosh. Throughout the 10-11 season, the sports media and fans treated LeBron James as a villain. The Heat had a slow start in the beginning of the regular season but they found their own pace and made the playoffs as the second seed of the Eastern Conference. In the playoffs, they beat Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics, and Chicago Bulls and headed to the NBA finals. They faced the Dallas Mavericks who had Dirk Nowitzki in the NBA finals. Everybody predicted that the Heat was going to win the NBA finals but the Mavericks beat Heat in game 6 and won their first NBA finals in their franchise history. LeBron got criticized and humiliated from the media and fans after the 2011 NBA finals. But he didn’t collapse. He worked what he needed to develop and he played really well not only during the regular season but also during the playoffs. Heat won back to back titles in 2012 and 2013 and his dream became true.

LeBron James became a free agent player again in 2014 because his contract with the Heat was over. Many teams competed against each other to get him but LeBron decided to go back home. LeBron wanted to apologize for the Decision that he announced to move his team to the Cavs' fans and deliver the championships to his lovely home town. The Cavs picked Kyrie Irving in 2011 and brought Kevin Love from the Minnesota Timberwolves during the 2014 offseason to win the NBA finals. That’s how the Cavs built a solid starting lineup with LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love. In the 14-15 season, the Cavs got 2nd seed of the Eastern Conference and made the NBA finals but Kevin Love got injured in the first round. Western Conference champion was the Golden State Warriors who had MVP, Stephen Curry. In game 1, LeBron scored 44 points and forced overtime but the Cavs lost. The Cavs had another disaster. Kyrie Irving got injured and got out for the rest of the series. LeBron tried to carry his team as much as possible but the Cavs lost to the Warriors in game 6. In the 15-16 season, the Cavs became a much stronger team and clinched the Eastern Conference. The Cavs made the NBA finals easily without any injuries. They faced the Warriors again and they got 73-9 in the regular season and set the new record. Stephen Curry became an even more incredible player. He became the first player   to be unanimously voted MVP in NBA history. Everybody said the Warriors are going to win again and the Cavs were trailed by 1-3 in game 4. If they lose one more game, this series is over but the Cavs and LeBron didn’t forfeit. In game 5, LeBron James and Kyrie Irving scored 41 points each and took game 5 at San Francisco. The Cavs won game 6 easily at their home and forced this series to game 7. Game 7 became NBA history. Both teams didn’t score that much and LeBron and Stephen Curry’s performance wasn’t their best. In the late of 4th quarter, the score was 89:89 and both teams hadn’t scored for almost 3 minutes. The Warriors had a crucial transition chance to score and everybody thought they'd score this one. But LeBron James chased Andre Iguodala at lighting speed and blocked his layups. It’s one of the most legendary moments in NBA history. After his block, Kyrie Irving hit a huge clutch 3 pointer and the Cavs took a 3point lead. Warriors tried to respond as much as possible, but they missed it. The final score was 93:89, the Cavs made the most dramatic comeback in NBA finals history and won their first NBA finals in their franchise history. The Cavs became the first NBA team to make a comeback from 1-3. After the game, LeBron became so emotional and said this. “Cleveland!! This is for you!!!”. After 2016, the Cavs also made the NBA finals in 2017 and 2018, but Warriors bought Kevin Durant who is one of the best scorers in NBA and Warriors beat the Cavs easily.

After 2018, LeBron moved his team to the Los Angeles Lakers. Everybody cheered for him because people knew how much he sacrificed for the Cavs and how emotional he became after they won the NBA finals in 2016. The Lakers won the championships with LeBron in 2020 and LeBron got his 4th NBA title. He played for the Lakers 6 years more after he won his 4th NBA finals.
After the 25-26 season, LeBron decided not to play for the Lakers again and he signed a contract with Philadelphia 76ers. The 76ers will be the last team he played and LeBron’s still hungry to win another title.

LeBron’s life was tough. He was born into a very poor family, failed many times, and was also humiliated by the media. Despite all those pains, he overcame all of them and became the GOAT in NBA history. That’s the reason why people love LeBron and admire him. He will be remembered forever.

Why Do We Say “Ok?”
~ Riya S.

One of the most common, widely known words in the twenty-first century is the word okay. But how did this word come to earn this title? The word okay actually originated from the late 1830s, and was intended to be used as an inside joke. At the time, Boston in particular had an interesting linguistic fad: abbreviating intentionally misspelled words. Some examples of this were "know yuse" (KY) instead of no use, "oll wright" (OW) replaced all right, and "oll korrect," or OK replaced all correct. This caught the attention of Martin Van Buren, who, in his presidential campaign, used the term OK to stand for Old Kinderhook, the town he was born in. While KY and OW faded away after time, OK stuck around.

Music Review: Purple by Olivia Rodrigo
~ Anushka P.

“Purple,” the 7th track on Olivia Rodrigo’s critically acclaimed album, “You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl so in Love,” is an underrated masterpiece that perfectly bridges the two distinct sections of this album together. It's not quite exhilarating enough to fit in with the electric red of the first half. And it’s not depressing enough to fit in with the sullen blue of the end of the story. It's a perfect blend of both- hence the name “Purple."

The first verse and chorus of the song start off content. Rodrigo details a relationship, two people who were orbiting each other, without knowing their paths would cross- similar to Taylor Swift's 2020 “Invisible String.” Rodrigo claims, “It’s crazy, how I used to visit your town like a tourist. Now I've got a local grocery store and a favorite florist.” By pure luck or chance, these two people, who had never met, were right under each other's nose. This leads to the chorus- “You…made our paths intersect till the two lines formed a circle.” The chorus only emphasizes how these two lines (aka the two people) continued to move straight ahead, until fate mingled and let them stumble upon each other- now the lines met are entwined in each other’s life.

Yet, the 2nd verse and chorus start to blur the narrative a bit. Whereas now, it’s not as exhilarating as it might once have been. She subtly starts to hint about how their individuality is being traded in, to instead rely on themselves as a pair. This can also be symbolized by the recurring piano melody that plays during this verse. At the beginning, before she starts to deeply assess the situation, the melody is prominent; you can hear every single note- symbolizing Rodrigo's individuality, and clarity in herself as her own person. But, as the verse continues, and she further explains the merging that begins to occur, this same piano melody gets buried deeper into the mix- almost too quiet to hear unless you really focus on it. Demonstrating that as she gets deeper sucked into this relationship, she begins to lose herself. At the end of the 2nd verse, right before the chorus hits, Rodrigo sings that “It’s crazy. I had big dreams till I tied myself to you.” This is the exact point in the song where Rodrigo divulges from her previous fairytale story. Now the listener can tell things are wrong. With a voice that can convey as much emotion as Rodrigo’s, she sings the lyrics a bit obliviously, blissfully unaware of the weight her statement holds.

The song closes out with a simple, yet impactful acoustic guitar. This ending demonstrates the windows of clearness in the relationship. She asks a bunch of rhetorical questions. She uses imagery and metaphors of colors to describe the dullness she begins to feel. She’s finally processing the faults.

“Purple” may not be the most popular, or fan favorite, but no one can deny its objective excellence.

September 2026

Doomscrolling-- Not as Bad as it Seems
~ Ellie K.

Everyone’s heard it before. “Social media rots your brain.” “Teenagers spend too much time scrolling on their phones.” “Instagram is evil.” Studies show it decreases attention span and is a easy distraction.

But set these statistics aside for now; I want you to think about it from a modern perspective. 95% of American teenagers have social media (Social Media and Youth Mental Health, National Library of Medicine). That means they are constantly seeing similar content, language, and world events. You could even say it is like a modern newspaper-- without it, teens can feel isolated and out of the know. They wouldn’t be a “ball-knower” or understand jokes from viral reels or new slang. As a highschooler, I’ve witnessed this in real time. Teens without social media tend to be the same ones that feel more behind/alone.

Additionally, social media is an incredibly connecter between people. I’ve found myself at times not knowing how to start a conversation with someone I’ve followed on Instagram, so I send them a reel. Something funny or relatable. This sparks the conversation with ease and lets people share interests and stay in contact. Sending someone a reel is letting them know “I was thinking about you” without having to constantly assure someone of that. There’s also reels targeted towards this type of connection-- certain ones say things like “Send this to someone who you miss.” It makes expressing feelings a little easier.

To address a large argument-- some say this ease of connection makes things less meaningful and require less commitment. This can be the case for some, but I find at least for me, it aids in deepening relationship in total-- not taking away from social areas or other connectivity skills.

Social media also inspires people. It shows easy or creative recipes in an understandable and short video; it creates a platform where you can be passionate about your interests and find people who feel the same; it shows teens how many possibilities there are; it diffuses culture at a faster rate than ever, fostering understanding and empathy.

This is the first time I have dove into this thesis, so bare with any logical flaws. However, I think it is an area that needs to be discussed. Social media has become an essential part of teenage life-- we cannot deny that. I feel instead of making people feel guilty for being apart of a new generation, we should understand how things are changing and how that may be a good thing.

 

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Book Review: If Cats Disappeared from the World
~ Liam C.

"If Cats Disappeared from the World" by Genki Kawamura is a book about a mailman who learns he is soon to die. After the devil tells him that it’s his last day, he makes him a deal: He would extend the mailman’s life by a day, in exchange for removing one thing from the world.

Compared to the plot, the book does not talk much about the items getting removed themself or the devil. Mainly, the book talks about the mailman's shift in perspective of life when he was about to die. I have never come to tears when I’ve read a book. However, this one genuinely brought tears to my eyes. Maybe it's because I haven’t read many books like this before, where I mainly read mystery or suspense. There are lots of jokes and non-serious parts, but somehow the mood shifts greatly.

The book is originally written in Japanese, then translated to English, which may be the reason why some of the words feel wrong, or bland. It is also important to note that the entirety of the book is supposed to be a letter, which may be why the book is very simple. I would put this book at fifteen or older, due to a sentence of  suggestive content. Besides that, anyone thirteen and older could read it.

I would recommend this book to everyone, as I think it is very well written. Though it doesn’t have the best use of language at some times, the story and overall meaning changed my perspective of life.

Korean Military Service
~Sunwoo J.

BTS, one of the most famous K-pop groups in Korean history, performed at the 2026 World Cup final halftime show. But BTS had not performed together for almost three years before making their comeback this year. Do you know why?
Because the members had to serve in the military.

In this post, I’m going to explain Korea’s military service system and why it matters so much to Korean men.

First, why do Korean men have to serve in the military? After World War II, Korea gained independence from Japan, but the Korean Peninsula was divided into U.S. and Soviet occupation zones. This eventually led to the creation of South Korea and North Korea.
In 1950, the Korean War between South Korea and North Korea began. The war stopped in 1953 with an armistice, but the two Koreas never signed a peace treaty. Technically, they are still under a ceasefire today. Because of this situation, military service remains mandatory for most Korean men. This applies even if someone is a member of a world-famous K-pop group like BTS.

In the past, Korean men often served for around three years. Today, the length depends on the branch of the military. For example, Army service currently lasts 18 months.

Before beginning military service, Korean men normally go through a physical examination. The government decides what type of service they can perform based partly on their health and physical condition. Some people with serious medical conditions or disabilities may perform another type of service or may be exempt. For example, if someone has a serious physical disability that makes military training impossible, the government may decide that he cannot serve as an active-duty soldier.

There are also special rules for some elite athletes. Athletes who win a gold medal at the Asian Games or any medal at the Olympics may qualify for special military-service treatment, although they still have certain obligations.
Most celebrities, however, do not receive this kind of exception. Actors and K-pop idols normally have to complete military service too. That is why the BTS members served before returning as a group this year.

One famous case shows how seriously Koreans take this issue. Steve Yoo, whose Korean name is Yoo Seung-jun, was one of the biggest singers in South Korea in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He became a U.S. citizen in 2002, shortly before he was expected to begin military service in Korea. Many Koreans believed that he changed his citizenship to avoid military service. The controversy became so serious that the Korean government restricted his entry into the country. His case became one of the best-known examples of how strongly Korean society feels about military-service obligations.

In conclusion, military service means much more than simply joining the military for Korean men. It reflects South Korea’s history, national security and the idea that citizens share responsibility for protecting their country. Military service can interrupt college, careers, sports and even the careers of global celebrities. But for many Korean men, it remains a major part of growing up in Korea.

Understanding military service can therefore help people understand Korean society a little better, including why BTS disappearing for several years was much more than a K-pop story.

 

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Book Review: John Steinbeck's Tortilla Flat
~ Jacob W.

Content warning: "Tortilla Flat" includes very heavy alcohol use and themes of addiction, as well as depictions of poverty and theft. The work, published in 1935, also depicts sexist and racist views of people at the time. Viewer discretion is advised.

“The story was gradually taking shape. Pilon liked it this way. It ruined a story to have it all come out quickly. The good story lies in half-told things which must be filled in out of the hearer’s own experience.”

Few writers can describe poverty as both miserable and strangely liberating, but John Steinbeck does exactly that in his 1935 breakout fiction novel, Tortilla Flat. Danny and his friends---including Pilon, Pablo Sanchez, Jesus Maria, The Pirate, and Big Joe Portagee---all live together in one of two of Danny’s inherited homes; the other, unfortunately, burns down early in the story. The group lives in a neighborhood known as Tortilla Flat, located in Monterey, California. The group is extremely destitute, yet they still reject material wealth in favor of camaraderie, friendship, and gallons of wine. To earn money, there’s only one way they know how---through stealing, deceiving, and lying.

There is no surprise why this novel paved the way for Steinbeck’s future legendary status as one of the greatest American writers of all time: beneath the story’s hilarious misadventures and somewhat tragic characters lies an incredibly profound exploration of friendship, generosity, human nature, and even true masculinity.

One tool that Steinbeck utilizes in this story is the parallel and reimagining between the paisanos’ stories and the legends of King Arthur and his Knights. According to folk stories, King Arthur was a British leader who defended Britain from Saxon invaders in the 5th and 6th centuries. Later Romantic writers and poets added Merlin, a bearded wizard, and the castle Camelot. In Steinbeck’s novel, Danny is King Arthur; Pilon is Merlin; the other friends are the Knights of the Round Table; the house is the Round Table; and Monterey is Camelot.

In both stories, the characters are good, pure men who follow a chivalric code regarding charity, friendship, and helping other people. However, rather than looking for the Holy Grail, a prized artifact in Arthurian legend, or fighting dragons, the paisanos lead simple “quests”---buying more wine, helping a neighbor, or finding hidden treasure in the woods!

Young readers who enjoy playful twists on folklore, lighthearted stories, and a collection of mini subplots rather than one linear storyline would totally dig this book. Steinbeck’s prose is easy to read, but includes archaic and sometimes derogatory language. It is best for readers who can handle mature topics, especially regarding addiction, poverty, and theft.

Steinbeck proves that a kingdom does not need a castle; a king does not need a crown; and a life does not need great wealth to be fulfilling.

The secret to immortality
~ Arushan A.

The "immortal jellyfish" scientifically known as Turritopsis dohrnii, discovered in 1883, is a mini, translucent invertebrate famous for its ability to repeatedly the cycle of life. 
Jellyfish normally go through a lifecycle that begins with an egg. Then  it slowly grows to a larva which attaches to a  solid surface. Where it grows into a polyp, a tiny, stationary, tube-like early stage that attaches to the sea floor. Once the polyp is big enough it’ll start to bud off and an adult jellyfish known as the medusa drifts into the ocean. After it reaches its mature stage it can return back to the polyp and grow into an adult once again. Thus, results in that when faced with physical damage, old age, or environmental stressors. This remarkable ability has sparked scientific interest in its potential applications in understanding aging in humans.

The immortal jellyfish belongs to a class called  Hydrozoa (taxonomic class of miniature , mainly marine predatory animals in the phylum Cnidaria ), not the class Scyphozoa (real jellies), meaning it is not a true jellyfish. While native to the Mediterranean Sea, it has spread globally, likely through ship ballast water.

The Immortal jellyfish is a carnivore that feeds on zooplankton, fish eggs, larvae, and small mollusks using stinging cells called nematocysts on their tentacles. Typically has between 8 and 90 tentacles. While native to the Mediterranean Sea, it has spread globally

Next time you make a mistake remember that a jellyfish far away could just restart.

Black Holes
~ Akshanna A.

A Black Hole is an astronomical body that prevents anything from escaping because it is so compact. Black holes aren’t really holes, Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity describes gravitation as the curvature of spacetime, and predicts that any compact mass will form a black hole.

Black holes form when massive amounts of mass collapse under gravity. Most black holes originate from the death of massive stars. 
Nuclear fusion in the core of a star produces energy that balances the pull of gravity, keeping it stable. When the nuclear fuel runs out the star can no longer generate enough pressure to counteract gravity and the core collapses causing a black hole.

The boundary around the black hole is called the event horizon. It marks the point of which nothing can escape once past the line. This is not because black holes “suck in” matter. It is caused by the space time curvature which is what causes all matter to lean towards its center. Because a massive amount of matter is packed into an infinitely small space, its gravitational pull is so intense that nothing nearby can escape its path once going past the event horizon.

Black holes don’t always stay the same size. They grow by absorbing matter such as nearby stars and dust. They warp spacetime due to their intense mass which creates a vacuum where they bend gravity and spacetime towards the center of the black hole, almost like a deep funnel in space.

Though you don’t have to worry about a black hole getting so big that it sucks everything in because gravity gets weaker with distance and space itself is expanding indefinitely. Black holes can’t reach distant objects because they aren’t inside their event horizon. As a black hole feeds on surrounding gas and stars, the matter heats up and creates powerful radiation and energetic jets. This outward pressure acts like a cosmic wind, blowing nearby gas away and cutting off its own food supply.

If our Sun was replaced by a black hole with the exact same mass, Earth would not get sucked in. It would continue orbiting the black hole in the exact same path, because the total gravitational force and the mass is the same.

So in conclusion black holes are an extremely dense space object that bends spacetime and gravity causing all matter to go towards its center once past its event horizon.

 

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Book Review: What it’s Like to be a Dog: Adventures in Animal Neuroscience
~ Elane F.

I really, really like dogs. I would describe myself as a dog person. However, sometimes I wonder what it’s really like to be one of these amazing creatures. Maybe you relate, maybe you don’t, but either way, I highly suggest the book What it’s Like to be a Dog by Gregory Berns. This nonfiction book looks into what it might be like to be one of our furry friends using awake MRI studies.

A bit of background on why this is so groundbreaking: the vast majority of MRI scans for animals take place under anesthesia. However, while being asleep makes animals compliant, it also means they can’t follow any instructions, perform tasks, or react to stimuli. This is where training comes in. Gregory Berns, a neuroscientist and the author of this book, was the first person to train unsedated dogs to enter MRI machines. This state of alertness allows him to monitor the brains of dogs while they perform actions, giving us a more complete picture of how they think. This book investigates all things related to dog and other mammal neuroscience, and it is truly fascinating to read.
Here are some of my favorite facts from this book:
•    Experiments suggest that dogs label objects using verbs rather than nouns. This means that instead of calling something “the blue ball” they might instead think “bounce, roll. chase, grab.” These verbs, in their world, stand in for nouns.
•    Not all dogs prioritize the same things: some are more food motivated while others prefer praise.
•    Similarly, individual dogs vary widely in their attention spans and regulatory abilities.

In addition, this book investigates the question of if dogs really love us unconditionally, or only because we provide food and care. Another thing I love about this book: instead of just giving you the answer right away, it provides plenty of background information so you can understand different perspectives. In this case, it talks about evolutionary history and different food sources for dogs (feral dogs, disgustingly, tend to consume a lot of feces.) Instead of spoiling the answer for you, I’m going to suggest you go read the book as the answer is intriguing.

While I really enjoyed reading What it’s Like to be a Dog, I do have a couple of minor complaints. It seemed a bit repetitive at times, a pitfall many nonfiction books fall into. Some information seemed like it was repeated numerous times so that the book length could be increased. However, other than that, I had very few complaints and found it to be an enjoyable and highly informative read into a subject I knew very little about.  I suggest this book to anyone interested in learning more about neuroscience, man’s best friend, or both.

 

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Movie Review: Epic (2013)
~ Cate M.

Plot - "Epic" takes place in an enchanted forest wherein a society of almost microscopic people live. The story stars Mary Katherine, or MK, as she tries to reconnect with her father after the death of her mother. MK’s father, Randy, is obsessed with proving the existence of these microscopic people; this obsession led to the separation of him and MK’s mother. MK quickly becomes a major part of the society when she is bestowed with the task of protecting the Pod which is the life of the forest. She meets Ronin soon after this; he helps MK protect the Pod. Ronin enlists the help of Nod, the son of his friend who passed away. Nod’s masterful bird riding skills make him a valuable part of this unlikely group. Throughout the story, MK, Ronin, Nod, and various other characters work together to help the Pod bloom under the light of a full moon.

Unfortunate Reviews: "Epic" as an epic - "Epic" was unfairly labeled by critics as a 65% rotten tomato movie. The common consensus among critics is that "Epic" was not really an epic. For clarity, an epic is a work of elevated style (traditionally a poem) featuring a hero who navigates a grand scale or even supernatural event. One critic claims “…regrettably "Epic" was always going to lose the fight against its hyperbolic title.” This could not be more untrue. "Epic" perfectly fits the definition of what an epic story is. The central hero—MK—is tasked with protecting a pod. Allowing this pod to bloom under the light of a full moon ensures that the forest maintains balance and is not taken over by rot. This is a grand scale event; it determines if a whole society is going to be taken over or even eradicated by their enemies. As for elevated style, if "Epic" is praised for anything, it is praised for its animation style. The way light is animated is reminiscent of an old digital camera, but it maintains the quality of something like a Disney production.

Beautiful Simplicity - "Epic" is not a complex movie, it has no life-altering advice, and it does not have some underlying meaning found by dissecting the whole movie. It seems like people don’t appreciate simple movies anymore; we are so used to expecting movies to be astonishing that we have lost the love for simply entertaining movies. If "Epic" was a failure, I guess I have terrible taste.

 

Tips For Incoming Middle Schoolers
~ Natalie W.

As an eighth grader who has gone through the switch from elementary to middle school, I can understand how difficult this transition may be. To help those who are nervous or unsure about middle school, I have compiled a list of tips and tricks so that you can make the most of your middle school experience!

1. Write down your homework every day
Even this may seem like a small detail, this simple task is a determining factor of whether you flourish in school or have trouble keeping up. Some of my classmates didn’t write down their homework every day, and forgot to turn in their homework leading to lower grades and sometimes zero credit on an assignment. A simple detail such as using a planner can set you up for success during your middle school years and beyond.

2. Don’t cheat
We are only human, so forgetting to study for something or forgetting to turn in an assignment every once in a while is inevitable, but trying to cheat will only worsen the situation. If you forget to study for something, you might get an opportunity to make it up, but when you eventually get caught for cheating, the outcome will be much worse.

3. Write neatly and take notes
I cannot stress enough how essential having legible handwriting is in middle school. Many teachers deduct points for assignments that are messily completed, so taking the time to make your assignments neat is better than getting a lower grade for being disorganized. Taking notes is also important, especially in middle school and high school. Taking notes helps information to stick. You can also look back on your notes if you can’t remember a part of your teacher’s lecture.

4. Find Your People!
Middle school can be a big change and for a lot of people, they are completely alone at their new school. The way I found most of my friends I have today are from clubs and extracurricular activities. By joining these activities, I was able to find people who had similar interests to me. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there because your friends will come naturally.

5. Have an emergency kit
Having an emergency kit at school can be a lifesaver. In your kit you could include things like a small first aid kit, and any toiletries you need. If you have a locker, you can store an extra sweater or cardigan in case your classrooms are chilly.

Although middle school may seem intimidating, as long as you are prepared, you’ll have a smooth transition between elementary and middle school, and you will soon be making memories from junior high that you will keep for a lifetime!

 

Humpback Whales: The Grand Giants
~ Mira R.

Last month, I took a road trip to Alaska, and I saw something extraordinary: humpback whales feeding. Huge bubbles appeared at the surface of the water as the humpbacks exploded out of the water, scooping up thousands of small fish and krill. This type of feeding is known as bubble-net feeding. At first, I thought it looked like chaos, but then I realized it was a highly coordinated group attack — and that these whales migrate thousands of miles “alongside me” to feed here!

The leader of the humpback pod circles their prey, using their blowholes to create bubbles. This concentrates the crustaceans in a “bubble barrier,” making a clump of krill and fish that the humpbacks can swallow in one big gulp. Humpback whales feed in this way because grouping their prey makes hunting more efficient. Although these whales feed globally, they prefer migrating to colder waters in the summer and fall to feed, as cooler waters have a higher abundance of nutrient-dense krill and fish. Bubble-net feeding is more common and well-known in places such as Southeast Alaska, where humpbacks gather before they migrate to warmer areas to breed.

After feeding in cold, food-abundant waters such as the Subantarctic and Southeast Alaska, humpback whales gather to migrate to warmer regions like Hawai’i and Brazil. Most of these whales start this migration between June and August and start their return journey around September–November. Some migrations last around 3,000 miles, while others are up to 8,000 miles! Humpback whales migrate for thousands of miles to breed, give birth, and nurse calves because these waters are calmer and safer for the calves.

Humpbacks are also very different and distinct from other whales — they have very long pectoral fins, a pair of fins on the side of a marine animal, which make up twenty-five to thirty percent of their entire body length. There are also ridges along these fins and markings on their tails, which help tell humpback whales from other species. Male humpbacks also have distinguishable, complex songs that can go on for 10–20 minutes, whereas other whale species’ songs, such as blue whales’, are very simple and only last for a few seconds. Also, these whales are mostly solitary, but they gather with other whales to feed and migrate to warmer climates to breed and nurse calves.

However, while some humpback populations are recovering, several others around the world are still considered endangered. In the 1950s and ’60s, when commercial whaling was popular, humpback whales were heavily hunted, which caused their numbers to drop significantly. Studies show that the eastern Australian humpbacks made a big recovery only after the end of the whaling era. Currently, there are still threats that humpbacks encounter, such as ship strikes and getting tangled in fishing gear. Luckily, governments are enforcing laws to stop commercial whaling and encourage population management.

In the end, humpbacks are majestic creatures who, although some groups are endangered, still manage incredible feats. These mammals are truly breathtaking, and I am so happy that I got to see one with my own eyes. Through their determination and distinctiveness, they amaze people all over the world, just like me.

 

How Do Geckos Stick to Walls?
~ Charvi S.

Have you ever wondered how a gecko can climb up walls, even on the ceiling, and not fall off? You might think it's because they have sticky feet. But if you’ve ever held one before, you probably noticed that they actually don’t.

A gecko’s toe pads are covered in hundreds of thousands of miniscule hairs made of keratin. These hairs, called setae, are around the width of a human hair, roughly 100 micrometers long. At the tip of each of these individual seta, there are up to 1,000 structures called spatulae. Spatulae are smaller and flatter, with triangular tips. They only measure about 200 nanometers across. Since they are very tiny and flexible, they can easily fit and mold into the microscopic nooks and crannies of basically any surface.

Geckos rely on a physics principle called Van der Waals forces, which are weak electrodynamic attractions that occur between molecules, happening down to the atomic scale. Electrons are constantly moving inside an atom, so at any time a lot of them could gather on one side of a molecule. This means they would be distributed unevenly, causing a short-lived electric charge called a dipole. This makes one side of the molecule slightly negative while the other side is slightly positive.

When the tip of a spatula gets within 1-2 nanometers of a surface, that temporary charge influences an opposite charge on the molecules making up the surface. The opposite charges attract, therefore keeping a connection between the gecko’s foot and the wall.

While one Van der Waals bond is much too weak to hold a gecko up, around 1 billion spatulae make simultaneous contact, making the collective molecular bond so strong that it could theoretically hold up much more than the weight of a mere gecko.

So the next time you see a gecko climbing your walls, think about the little physics going into all of that effortless scurrying, right down to the tiniest little atom.
 

Symbolism of Lord of the Flies Explained
~ Finley H.

Mild spoilers.

"Lord of the Flies" by William Golding is a very influential novel that explores the themes of civilization versus savagery. Golding makes insightful connections between the bounds of civilization limiting people’s abilities to fall into savagery; without the laws and moral codes of society constricting oneself, allowing desire to take over becomes an easy feat.

Symbols are prevalent throughout the entire novel, whether they are illustrated by one of the boys or an object they influence the story heavily.

The conch represents law and order. It is the basis of the democratic processes that Ralph and Piggy instill in the beginning of the novel by calling the other boys to their location to meet together. Ralph uses the conch to call the boys to a meeting and discuss plans or the problems they are facing as a group. It also allows boys to speak their opinions when they hold it during such meetings. Shells, like society, are fragile. The eventual breaking of the conch shows the complete chaos that the boys have slipped into. It illustrates the end of reason, prompting the boys to delve into their savagery and lose their civilized nature entirely. 

 

C'est la vie
~ Rizza Mae R.

Life is unexpected and often throws curveballs our way. Sometimes, big moments in life test our strength, or small things, such as spilling coffee on yourself when you’re already running late. Despite these setbacks, all we can do is take a deep breath, keep moving forward, and say, “C'est la vie.”

C’est la vie, pronounced "say la vee," is French for "that's life" or “such is life.” Though the exact origin of this phrase is uncertain, the earliest documented use dates back to the late 1880s, but English speakers started commonly using this phrase by the late 19th century to shrug off life’s setbacks. C’est La Vie revolves around the idea of letting go. Sometimes, life doesn’t go our way, and there are some things we can’t control, so C’est La vie reminds us that life will present difficulties, but that’s just how life is. Whether it’s a change of plans or a moment of disappointment, remembering C’est la Vie helps us find peace with those setbacks instead of dwelling on them and letting them dictate our moods. It reminds us that life doesn’t go the way we want it to, but that’s what makes it beautiful.

"C'est la vie" is a phrase that should be used more often by people. Our lives will constantly be filled with setbacks and hurdles that test our strength, and C’est la Vie can be used as a tool to ground us and help us see the beauty in life. I often use this phrase because there are so many imperfections in life, and I often dwell on them for days or even weeks after they have passed. During this period of my life, I have been faced with difficult challenges that can make it seem hard to keep moving forward; however, by thinking about the phrase C’est La Vie, it reminds me that those imperfections are just part of life’s many challenges. Also, it has helped me see the beauty in life rather than the negatives, because it helps me acknowledge those small setbacks as things that will pass rather than letting them taint my mindset or my view of life. Life is short and unpredictable, so the next time you face a small setback, think of C’est La Vie and allow yourself to acknowledge that those imperfections are just part of life.

 

3 Tips on Back-to-School Time Management
~ Aarika G.

Hello! Today I will be sharing with you some of my time management skills that have taken me years and months to develop, and these are practical tips that are easy to implement in your daily life.

1. Use a planner. I’ve been using my planner since seventh grade, and let me tell you, this small notebook is my commonplace. I log all of my assignments, due dates, tests, practices, everything in this one book. I highly recommend finding one that fits your needs and the things that are necessary for your lifestyle because trust me when I tell you, this will help you feel and become more organized in the long run. Another great benefit of this is that its great if you tend to forget things easily!

2. Use Google Calendar. Google Calendar is my place where I input big events or the main events and things that would take a lot of time. This is also a place where I could place high priority items or events that are happening further in the future. To make this even more effective, I add notifications to remind me when these deadlines come close. 

3. Don’t waste time. During lunch breaks or when I’d come home, I would immediately start my homework to allow my brain to flow productively and to recall the information I learned in school. This would allow me to do more work in a shorter time and have time to more tasks for other days.

That’s it for now! I hope you implement these tips in your everyday life and hopefully benefit from them!

 

Romeo and Juliet Balcony Scene Review
~ Yunah C.

It is undeniable that Act II, Scene II of Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy "Romeo & Juliet," known popularly as the Balcony Scene, is one of the most well known of all theatre. It is heavily referenced in countless forms of media and continues to be noted as one of the greatest romance scenes written for a play. This immediately puts an immense amount of pressure on all productions of Romeo and Juliet to do this scene justice while having something fresh to offer.

In the production directed by David Leveaux, starring Orlando Bloom and Condola Rashad, this scene is staged, like many others, in a more contemporary, emotionally realistic approach for it to be more accessible and easier to understand for modern audiences. However, this production remains extremely faithful to the script and still allows the audience to experience the scene much as it was written. And while this could make the already hard-to-understand Elizabethan English sound even more confusing, Bloom and Rashad make up for it in the honesty of their performances. Their naturalistic delivery and expressive faces and gestures are significantly impactful in helping the audience understand important things or moments that help them follow the overall scene. For instance, when Juliet mentions her concern that Romeo will get caught, Rashad's eyes widen and she uses gestures continuously, which clearly convey her fear and panic. While the audience may not completely understand the words that the actors are saying, Bloom and Rashad helped significantly in bridging this possible gap and made the scene engaging for all, regardless of how much Shakespeare the audience may or may not understand.

In addition to the emotional depth, there were certainly lighthearted comedic moments that made the production even more enjoyable. This is particularly evident towards the end of the scene, when Juliet repeatedly says goodnight but continues returning to speak with Romeo while the Nurse calls for her. Rashad's playful timing, animated expressions, and flustered attempts to end the conversation highlight Juliet's excitement and nervousness, creating humor without diminishing the sincerity of the romance. These moments provide a welcome contrast to the intensity of the scene and give enjoyable moments for the audience before tragedy hits. 
Despite these strengths, it is sometimes evident that Rashad and Bloom’s youthfulness seemed forced and at times it was unconvincing that these characters were supposed to be kids in their teenage years. This heavily affects the emotional impact of a story that relies heavily on the naivety and innocence of the main characters.

Overall, Bloom and Rashad’s take on the titular characters in this scene stand out as charming, lighthearted, and a strong, faithful adaptation of Shakespeare’s most famous play.

 

Going Into Highschool as a Teenage Girl
~ Laura S.

Being a teenage girl is such a roller coaster, especially if you’re entering a new phase in your life - high school. Yes, high school is academically challenging, but it can also feel like the longest social game you will ever have to play. Juggling friends, grades, sports, and all the other hiccups in life is never easy, but the good thing is that it does get easier if you give it time. I know it is much easier said than done, but as a teenage girl entering my junior year, I have learned so many lessons that I didn't know before going into high school.

No matter what your friendships looked like in middle school, high school has a way of changing them. Even if you’re going to the same high school as your best friend, let me tell you now before it hits harder later: you will always find yourself with people that you would’ve never imagined you would be friends with. High school is the place where you truly begin to find your people, and despite how it’s portrayed in movies, high school is not a popularity game. Socially, I would focus on building deep friendships based on trust and companionship with two or three close friends. At the same time, don’t be afraid to become friends with mutuals, or people you see in your classes that share the same personality traits as you. At the end of the day, it is important to remember that you can always be friendly without being friends.

As I’ve said before, balancing your life is never easy. There are always going to be days when you feel tired or lazy, when time commitments conflict, or when assignments somehow have to fit in between everything else. But if there’s one thing I can say now to keep you from falling down a hole of procrastination, it’s this: stop telling yourself “I can always do it later.” Chances are, “later” will come a lot faster than you think. Scary, I know, but trust me, I’ve been there and done that. My best advice is to set up a weekly plan and stick with it. Pace yourself, be realistic with what you can accomplish, and don’t try to cram everything in one day. Most importantly, leave some time for yourself. Giving your body and brain time to relax and reset is just as important as getting your work done, and finding that balance will keep you from feeling completely overwhelmed.
 

Three Book Recommendations and Why They’re Worth Reading
~ Riya S.

"Aru Shah" by Roshani Chokshi
Plot: The book follows twelve-year-old Aru, an Indian living in a museum run by her and her mother in Georgia. She soon learns that she is the reincarnation of Arjuna, one of the five Pandava brothers that serve as the main heroes of the ancient Hindu epic, the Mahabharata. With her “sister” (another reincarnated Pandava brother), she goes on a quest to prevent the end of time.

Why I enjoyed it: I tend to enjoy books with characters I can relate to, but besides that personal preference, "Aru Shah" is told in a very humorous manner. To quote my friend who also read the book “I loved how unseriously serious it was.” The events of the book are interesting and crucial for the characters, but the book maintains an almost silly tone for the most part.

1:Aru Shah and the End of Time
2:Aru Shah and the Song of Death
3:Aru Shah and the Tree of Wishes
4:Aru Shah and the City of Gold
5:Aru Shah and the Nectar of Immortality

"Friday Barnes" by R.A. Spratt
Plot: Friday Barnes comes from a family of Nobel Prize winners, geniuses, and more noticeably, two parents and multiple elder siblings that couldn’t have less of a clue of where she is and how she’s doing, with the exception of her uncle. After solving a burglary, Friday uses the reward money to better her education by enrolling in a boarding school, which seems to be as chaotic as her home. With the help of her sleepy roommate, Friday solves mysteries and crimes for her peers at her new boarding school.

Why I enjoyed it: If Sherlock Holmes was a twelve-year-old girl with no sense of social cues coming from a family of scientists living in the 21st century, it would be Friday. Her name itself displays how unique her character is, and with humorous and witty dialogue, along with many unsolvable mysteries that Friday explains simply, I would highly recommend this series. The author, R.A. Spratt, also sneaks in random fun facts in some of her books as well, and you’ll finish the series knowing about the Svalbard Seed Vault, CERN, and many more.

Book 1: Girl Detective 
Book 2: Under Suspicion 
Book 3: Big Trouble 
Book 4: No Rules 
Book 5: The Plot Thickens 
Book 6: Danger Ahead 
Book 7: Bitter Enemies
Book 8: Never Fear
Book 9: No Escape 
Book 10: Undercover 
Book 11: Last Chance
Book 12: Collision Course 
Book 13: In Plain Sight
Book 13: Nothing to Lose (Unreleased)

"The Naturals" by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Plot: The story follows 17-year-old Cassie Hobbes, whose mother was murdered when Cassie was young. Before her death, her mother taught her the art of profiling, being able to just look at someone and figuring out many things about them; their personality, where they’re going, even how they like their eggs. After being scouted by the FBI, her talents are used to solve cold cases and catch serial killers for the domestic intelligence and security service for America.

Why I enjoyed it: "The Naturals" is very fast-paced and starts out with a bang. At no point in time while reading it was I even the slightest bit bored. Two profilers, an emotion reader, a human lie detector, and a girl who could probably win the International Math Olympiad twice, all while being able to take a twenty-minute power nap, solving cases the best the FBI couldn’t solve? “Boring” is a thought you will not have for the entirety of reading this book.

Book 1:The Naturals
Book 2: Killer Instinct
Book 3:All In
Book 4: Bad Blood
Book 5: Dangerous Impulses (Unreleased)
 

The Transformative Power of Saying Yes
~ Gemma G.

At its core, the word "yes" is an orientation toward life. When we adopt a "yes" mindset, we shift from a state of comfort to a state of exploration, where we remain open to the unexpected. Saying yes is an act of courage that invites growth into our daily routines.

Here are some of the primary benefits of embracing this idea:

• Accelerated Learning: Every time you say yes to a new social setting or an unfamiliar skill, you accelerate your learning ability.
• Expanded Networks: Opportunities mainly come through other people. By being open to collaborations, you naturally widen your social circle, thus creating a huge amount of potential that wouldn't exist if you remained closed off.
• Increased Resilience: When you say yes to new challenges, you inevitably encounter obstacles. Navigating these hurdles builds resilience that teaches you to adapt to changing circumstances.
• Discovery of Interests: We don't know what we love until we try it. Saying yes provides the effort necessary to discover passions that were previously hidden.

The Balance
The most effective way to use the power of yes is to treat it as a tool for intentional living. To protect your time and energy, it is vital to pair your "yes" with a clear understanding of your priorities. A helpful framework is to ask yourself if a new opportunity aligns with your core values. If it does, say yes! If it doesn't, saying "no" is okay because it is an act of self-respect.

Remember to choose your yesses wisely, but never be afraid to step out of your comfort zone.

 

Book Review: The Prison Healer
~ Lilyanna A.

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"The Prison Healer" by Lynette Noni is a fantasy novel and the first book in a trilogy. It follows the story of a girl, Kiva, who was sent to the brutal prison Zalindov. Most sent to this prison only survive a few weeks due to the back breaking work that is forced upon the prisoners but Kiva is able to survive longer by working as the prison healer.

When the Rebel Queen is caught and sent to the prison, it becomes Kiva’s job to take care of the deathly ill women until the Trail by Order, which is a series of challenges only the most dangerous prisoners are forced to participate in. The Rebel Queen is supposed to be the first to participate in the challenge. When a message from Kiva’s family arrives telling her to not let the queen die, Kiva volunteers in her place, knowing that no one survives the challenge.

At the same time, Kiva is trying to help patients fight off a deadly plague that has taken over the prison. With the threat of losing her job, she navigates experiments and tries to find a cure while also facing the Trail by Order.

From the second I picked this book up, I knew it would be good. The writing style was captivating and beautifully written. From the stress of the trails to the sweet moments of Kiva caring for her young friend, I could not put this book down. The book explores the unfairness of life and how people should not be judged by their situation but what they do about it. 
Even though Kiva spent most of her childhood in prison, she was able to hold on to her humanity and ability to care for others. She stays hopeful that her family will rescue her and she makes strong connections with other inmates. Kiva’s loyalty to her family pushes her past both her physical and mental limits through the Trial by Order and everyday life in prison.

 

Salmon Spawning: A Stunning Sight
~ Mira R.

Before I went to Alaska, I didn’t even know what salmon spawning was. I just thought it was something boring about salmon laying eggs. Even after watching more videos than I could count, I kept thinking that I wouldn’t like salmon spawning, and I still felt this way even after our road trip had started. After watching even MORE videos on salmon spawning and listening to my mom talk about it, I finally realized that salmon also go through a physical transformation while swimming several hundred miles upstream. The salmon don’t even eat while on this journey, and after going through this painstaking journey to lay their eggs, they just die afterward!

Looking back, if I hadn’t agreed to go, I would have missed out on something amazing. So, after days of my mom asking us to go see salmon spawning, my dad and I finally gave in, and we went on a hike to see the salmon swimming upstream. It was boring at first, and I thought I had wasted my time watching those videos. The longer we waited, the more bored I became. I kept thinking that I wouldn’t see anything and that I would regret hiking for two miles. But, coincidentally, after five more minutes, we saw salmon exploding out of the water. The scene was so utterly beautiful, and salmon were jumping several feet out of the water! It was fascinating to see the salmon make this giant journey back to their birthplace just to lay eggs, and I’m so glad that I went on that hike to see the majesty of the salmon swimming upstream.

Salmon spawning is when salmon migrate back to the streams or rivers where they were born. On this journey, they swim upstream, which is very painstaking and strenuous. The salmon don’t even eat while they are migrating! They have to use all their energy and fat to get to their birthplace, which is so fascinating. The actual reason behind why salmon do this is so they can find a good place to lay their eggs. This place also has to be safe to ensure that more salmon eggs successfully hatch.
When salmon reach adulthood, they migrate to their birthplace, swimming upstream past many obstacles along the way. During the migration, they experience many physical changes, such as males developing hooked noses. Once they finally reach their natal streams, where they were born, the female rubs her side into the dirt, creating a hole where she can lay her eggs. Once the female lays the eggs and the male fertilizes them, they cover the hole with gravel and eventually die.

When I was in Alaska, I went on a hike to see salmon spawning, and after doing some research, I realized I saw Coho (Silver) salmon. Coho salmon have black dots on their back and some silver on their tail. Pink (Humpback) salmon, the most abundant Pacific salmon species, also have black spots on their back and their tail. Sockeye (Red) salmon, however, don’t have any black spots on them, but they have neatly arranged scales on their body. Finally, King salmon, the largest salmon species, have round, black spots on their back, tail fin, and jaw. During spawning, these salmon go through many physical changes, such as growing a hooked nose, growing a hump on their back, and having their scales change color.

One importance of salmon spawning is that salmon transport nutrients and energy across salt- and freshwater bodies. This is exemplified during the migration to their natal streams, where they spread their genes into eggs that eventually grow into salmon. This process stabilizes and maybe even increases the salmon population. Salmon spawning is also significant because it affects the entire food web. By laying new eggs to replace the parents once they die, the number of salmon stays relatively the same. If it went down, the number of organisms that eat the salmon would also go down due to food shortages, etc. So, salmon spawning not only stabilizes the salmon population but also steadies the whole food web.

To conclude, I’m very happy that I went with my parents to go see salmon spawning, even if I did have to wait for 10 to 15 minutes. I was surprised by how eye-catching these salmon could be, and it was an amazing experience. To all the other teens, I highly recommend going to Alaska — or really, anywhere that has salmon spawning — to see the salmon jumping multiple feet out of the water. Although it might seem underwhelming at first, once you wait, it will surely be one of the most fantastical things you will ever see.

 

Book Review: The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
~ Natalie G.

"The Inheritance Games" is a trilogy by author Jennifer Lynn Barnes. This series follows Avery Grambs, an ordinary high schooler who lives in the custody of Libby, her half sister with a distinct gothic style. One day at school, Avery is called to the principal’s office only to encounter a mysterious young man named Grayson who seems to have authority over the principal. He explains that Avery was included in the will of famous Texas billionaire, Tobias Hawthorne and that her presence is required at the reading of the will at the Hawthorne estate. Avery travels to the estate and discovers that the millionaire left her the entirety of his fortune as well as a cryptic message. In an attempt to find out the reasoning behind the billionaire’s strange decision, Avery uncovers secrets and answers that go far beyond the surface level. On her quest for answers, she gets to know the billionaire’s four grandsons, Nash is the eldest who has a distinct Southern drawl and has a particular cowboy style. Grayson Hawthorne is the second oldest with a cold and polished personality who is distrustful of Avery. Jameson is the highly competitive grandson who is not afraid of a risk. Finally Xander is the youngest of the four grandsons and is highly intelligent and skilled in engineering and inventing. Avery finds herself falling for both Grayson and Jameson  but who will she choose in the end?

"The Inheritance Games" series are among my favorite novels due to their rich plot and unexpected plot twists that draw you further into the story. Jennifer Lynn Barnes describes the characters and scenes in the novel so vividly adding to the story. "The Inheritance Games" is overall a great read for middle schoolers!

Intensity Rating: 4/5 
There are quite a few action packed sequences throughout the novels and a few instances where the protagonist and other characters get wounded but overall, these parts do not last long and are not too descriptive.

Profanity/Substance Usage/Drinking: 2/5
Some mild profanity is used throughout the novel but nothing too severe is said. A few instances of underage drinking occur throughout the novels.

Overall Rating: 5/5
I truly enjoyed reading these novels and highly recommend them. There are many different books set in the same universe that expand the plot even more in addition to the core trilogy. One thing I really loved about this series was the character development. Many of the main characters developed and changed throughout the series which was an aspect I really enjoyed.

 

Music Review: BRAT by Charli XCX
~ Janna G.

BRAT is Charli XCX’s studio album. BRAT is one of Charli XCX’s most confident and confrontational projects so far. Charli XCX is known for pushing the limits of music. On BRAT Charli XCX fully embraces a electronic club sound. Of looking for mainstream polish BRAT prioritizes attitude, experimentation and emotional honesty. The result feels intentionally messy and unapologetic.

The track "360" is one of the defining songs on BRAT. "360" sets the tone for the album. The song is minimalistic and repetitive. It is intentionally so. This creates an effect that mirrors BRAT’s club inspired character. The lyrics focus on self awareness and image. They capture the pressure of being seen and judged by the public. The track "Von dutch" also leans into confidence. "Von dutch" pairs production with a confrontational delivery. The song feels intentionally abrasive. "Von dutch" reinforces Charli XCX’s refusal to soften her sound or message for mass appeal.

BRAT often sounds loud and chaotic. Yet moments of vulnerability appear beneath the surface. The track "So I" stands out as one of the emotional songs on BRAT. "So I" offers a pause from the relentless energy. The song reflects on loss and grief. BRAT’s simplicity makes it one of the impactful moments on the album. In contrast the track "Apple" uses a tone to explore generational trauma and family dynamics. "Apple" blends subject matter with upbeat production. This contrast highlights Charli XCX’s ability to address topics without losing BRAT’s overall energy.

Production plays a role in shaping BRAT. The heavy use of synths, sharp beats and repetitive structures mirrors club culture. In club culture feeling and movement matter more than storytelling. Some listeners might find BRAT’s approach overwhelming or inaccessible. Brat’s approach is clearly intentional and central to BRAT’s message. BRAT is less about perfection and more about expression. BRAT captures extremes rather than polished narratives.

Overall BRAT is a statement, from Charli XCX. BRAT challenges pop expectations. BRAT is not an album designed to be liked. BRAT prioritizes authenticity and creative freedom. Through production a confident persona and moments of unexpected vulnerability BRAT solidifies Charli XCX as an artist who is willing to take risks and redefine what pop music can be.

 

Book Review: Sarah, Plain and Tall
~ Hugh H.

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"Sarah, Plain and Tall" is a Newbery award-winning book written by Patricia MacLachlan. The story is told from the perspective of a girl named Anne Witting, who lives in the Midwest during the nineteenth century. Anne’s mother had died the day after giving birth to Anne’s little brother, Caleb. The two children and their father are still mourning the loss of their mother and wife. Jacob Witting, the father, decides to put an advertisement in the newspaper for a mail-order bride, because he cannot handle his parental responsibilities alone. A woman named Sarah Wheaton from Maine writes back and accepts the offer, but only on a one-month trial basis. She describes herself as “plain and tall.” Soon after she arrives with her sea shells and her pet cat, she shows signs of missing her home by the sea. However, the children quickly become attached to her, and they worry that Sarah will leave them after the one-month trial ends.

I was not sure what to expect when I began reading this book. It is surprisingly short, even for a children’s book. Even though the book is very concise, it addresses serious issues and conveys deep emotions. I was highly impressed by the resilience of Anne’s family after such a devastating loss. They showed a remarkable ability to move forward with their lives as best as they could, while still honoring the memory of their beloved mother and wife. I also appreciated how Sarah did her best to fulfill her role as a new member of the family despite her feelings of loneliness. This book teaches a lot about how to deal with difficult challenges. It also teaches the importance of families. Overall, I enjoyed this book much more than I expected and I would recommend it to everyone.
 

August 2026

Music Review: Nana Grizol 
~ Finley H.

Ruth by Nana Grizol is a melodic folk punk album that features sleazy guitars, intricate and vibrant trumpets, and sincere, vulnerable vocals. The music embodies the feeling of basement shows with its earnestness and garners the feeling of intimacy due to its raw emotional and instrumental aspects. The album features 11 songs and was released in 2010. The appeal of the album stems from the eloquence of the lyricism in its introspective manner about mortality, connection, and the struggle to find meaning.

I love this album because it highlights the highs and lows of the human experience while maintaining a hopeful, comforting manner instead of falling into lofty irony or despair. It encourages valuing everyday interactions with those around you and simple truths.

My favorite tracks are “Cynicism,” “Blackbox,” and “Atoms.” All three tracks follow the same line of thought: pain and loss are a natural part of the human experience and offer growth in the future. These harsh moments of anguish are usually juxtaposed with the idea of gratitude and awe, illustrating that hard times pass and can result in further happiness. Each song also pushes away “cold logic” in exchange for emotional vulnerability, therefore promoting a life of emotion rather than relying on rationality and the words of those who preceded us.

Cynicism:
This song addresses how people use cynical ideas and emotional detachment as a shield from pain. Hilton claims that “cynicism isn't wisdom, it's a lazy way to say that you've been burned” - this lyric critiques detachment from life because of negativity from past experiences. Cynicism is a cop out, it offers too easy of an answer rather than living life presently after a difficult moment.

Blackbox:
The second track on Ruth is "Blackbox" and it is my favorite song. This song explores the difference between over-analyzing life and truly living it and experiencing life around you. Hilton claims that the song is about people being stuck on philosophies and theories to the point that they lose out on making connections with the people closest to them - as seen through the lyric, “oh and it's so crazy the ways we all sabotage our very own peace of mind.” At the same time, it reflects on mortality and its inevitability as well as the emotional weight of living.

Atoms:
While it retains the same message about the impermanence of life and the value of connection, "Atoms" reminds listeners that everything they are made of - every atom - has been recycled and lived through the entire existence of the universe. Matter can not be created nor destroyed, so even after the end of our lives, the universe continues to recycle parts of us and everyone that came before us. Our bodies link us to other people, other passions, experiences, and allow us to “live,” to some degree, forever.

Book Review: Shadow and Bone
~ Eden B.

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo, is seriously such an amazing book! I started this series over the summer and can´t seem to stop reading it, I actually read this book in only two days. Shadow and Bone follows the story of 17 year old orphan Alina Starkov who discovers that she is able to unleash powerful forces and is a summoner, and she must question herself, her future, and everyone else as she uncovers the truth about the powerful Darkling and his dark forces.

This book, which is part of a trilogy (right now I am currently reading the second book), has become one of my favorite fantasy series that I have ever read. Leigh Bardugo, does such a great job of captivating the readers and creating a suspenseful, dramatic energy that follows throughout to her audience. This book is part of the Grishaverse, which includes several other books written by Leigh Bardugo such as "Six of Crows," which is also on my to read list. Overall, this book is just incredible and unimaginable.

I would overall recommend this book for any fantasy seeking readers out there, and people who are huge fans of Harry Potter, The Cruel Prince, and any other fantasy young adult books. Netflix has also created a "Shadow and Bone" tv series which is available to watch today, and is on my bucket list to watch. "Shadow and Bone" is currently available to check out at the Mission Viejo Library today!

Making Yogurt, Easier than Maintaining a 0-Day Duolingo Streak
~ Riya S.

Over seven thousand years ago in Mesopotamia, yogurt was accidentally created after milk was exposed to bacteria, or soured in warm temperatures (bet you didn’t know that). Since then Turkish texts dating as old as 1100 BCE have mentioned yogurt, the peasants of Ancient Greece ate it with honey, it was seen in the kitchen of the Indian emperor Akbar, and Genghis Khan fed his soldiers yogurt. Now, as of 2024, the average American consumes 14 pounds of yogurt annually.

Making yogurt is quite simple, you only need milk and a yogurt starter, which you can take from any store-bought container of plain yogurt. When my mother and I first started making yogurt, we got our starter from our neighbor, who got a starter from her sister, who got it from her mom, and who knows how far that trail leads. Basically, you just need half a cup of yogurt, 8 cups of milk, a pot, a stove, and an oven (don’t worry about accidentally burning the house down, you won’t need to turn the oven on).

1.    Boil the milk. Stir occasionally to prevent the bottom from scorching and the milk from boiling over.

2.    Let the milk cool until you can dip your clean finger into it without burning yourself. If it’s there, take out the thin layer that forms on top of milk when it gets hot.

3.    Pour the starter in and mix it until it is fully mixed in.

4.    (OPTIONAL) Transfer the milk into a container of your choice. This makes it easier to store in the fridge later on.

5.    Keep it in the oven for 4 hours and up to overnight. Do not turn the oven on.

6.    Once it’s done, cool it in the fridge, and make sure to keep a bit aside to use as a starter for next time.

There you have it! Easier than maintaining my glorious 0-day Duolingo streak (I’m very proud of my hard work). Now, the possibilities are endless. You can have it with honey, put it in a smoothie, or even make Greek yogurt by straining it with a cheesecloth. If the ancient Mesopotamians can do it, you can do it too.

Enjoy :)

Hadestown
~ Sophie L.

The story of Orpheus and Eurydice is a famous one, and one that's been told time and time again. What's one more for the road?
In light of the recent proshot that has been released in theaters, it's a great time to discuss the iconic Broadway musical "Hadestown," and a few of the reasons I consider it to be my favorite musical of all time.

"Hadestown" is a musical retelling of the Greek tragedy of Orpheus and Eurydice, wherein Orpheus has to lead his lover out of the underworld without looking back, alongside the story of Hades and Persephone. It's all set in a more modern, Great-Depression-esque era.

It's got love, heartbreak, tragedy, and hope all wrapped up in an amazing experience with some stellar work with lighting and other stage effects (fog, turntable...). The dynamic between Orpheus and Eurydice is consistently funny and heartwarming to boot.

The play also has a very unique musical style! It combines your typical musical-theater style with jazz and folk influences, which really help bring the retelling alive in a fresh way. 

"Hadestown" even features the pit musicians on-stage and in-view of the audience, which makes the experience much more dramatic and intimate, and made them feel like an important part of the story. It's a nice treat to see the less recognized parts of the crew get their fair share. The musicians even get named shoutouts during one of the songs!

"Hadestown" also works as an allegory for political matters, such as greed, exploitation of labor, and climate change. But even without these themes, this musical is meant to be a beacon of hope.

"Hadestown" is a musical about trying again, and again, and again. About trust, about doubt, about following your heart and striving for the impossible. I cannot recommend it enough.

Avoiding Sophomore Slump
~ Morgan D.

I wanted to discuss a minor but still important topic which is avoiding the sophomore slump. First off, freshman year was for identifying all of your strengths and weaknesses. Junior year is where things start to get real and make your base profile for college applications. Sophomore year is in the middle of that, but it is key to get a head start on the process. You must maintain your grades or if you’re struggling improve them. They want to see good progress turn into a trend that will hopefully catch the admissions eye. Freshman year you already tried everything out. Now, you need to narrow it down to 2-3 extracurriculars that you actually enjoy and maybe are specified toward your desired major. Admissions want to see that you picked activities that are targeted to what you take pleasure in. They don’t want to see you choosing a hundred different clubs that don’t have any meaning behind it. They rather want quality over quantity essentially. 

Thus, in those clubs they want to see evidence and numbers that you attended the meetings. They aren’t just counting how many you do. Not only that but they want to see you produce and make whatever you are in better. They want to see you take action and responsibility to lead. You don’t have to be in a title role to do so, admissions rarely care that they just want to see a change made. Challenge yourself to see what you are capable of not just to get into college, but for yourself. 

Finally, a key factor to make sure you stay on top of it is to create a passion project. Sophomore year is the perfect time frame to do so as junior year is where all the APs, SATs, and testing occurs. You want to create something that targets a desired problem that is personalized to you somehow. You have to document every step of the process and you can continue to improve your project for however long you want. 

By following some of these steps and being proactive with your sophomore season, it will show in junior year. The key is that some things may come at you at once, but you must remember to take one step at a time. Don’t say you're surviving sophomore year, you’re thriving through it.

Isla Mujeres, Mexico
~ Olivia H.

Everyone knows where Mexico is located, but what few have really heard about is Isla Mujeres. It is a small island on the north coast of Cancun; a short ferry ride away from the main port. As a tropical getaway, it has crystal clear waters, white sand, and rich culture. Some of my favorite things to do on the island include snorkeling, riding golf carts, and simply playing at the pool or the beach. With such a beautiful landscape, who doesn’t want to visit everything? Other pastimes that one can do include visiting Mayan ruins on Punta Sur, scuba diving to visit the Underwater Art Museum (MUSA), or visiting the Centro (center) of the town to enjoy market vendors and local delicacies. What most people do not know about this small island, is that behind its tropical landscape, there is a vast amount of history. For example, did you know that although it was the Mayans who discovered the island? However, it wasn't until the Spanish colonizers who arrived in the 1500’s that gave the island its current name. Isla Mujeres directly translates to “Island of Women.” 

After hours of fun, it's time for everyone to eat! There are many local restaurants and street food vendors available at all times selling all types of meals, including seafood like ceviche, American food such as hamburgers, and Italian fare, of course! My favorite restaurant is called Asia Caribbean. It mixes Caribbean and Asian meals in order to create a tropical and traditional taste. I typically order sushi, since they make different versions than are available at home. For example, Mayan sushi includes fried plantain! Apart from seated restaurants, there are also many street food vendors. This includes dessert carts that sell churros, snacks, and taco carts. During my last visit, we ate at a stall that sold Choripán, which is actually a South American sandwich made with grilled sausage, chimichurri sauce and crusty bread. Even though it’s not traditional to Mexico, the vendor altered the chorripan in order to give it a little taste of the Island by adding manchego cheese. It was delicious! After dinner, my family usually goes out for dessert. The fan-favorite are marquesitas, which are basically thin and crunchy crepes rolled up and filled with toppings of your choice such as nutella, banana, or caramel. Churros are also a traditional dessert! Oftentimes they are stuffed with chocolate or candies. My personal favorite dessert are marquesitas filled with caramel and banana slices.

Although I have visited the island almost 15 times, there is still much for me to see and learn about. Isla Mujeres is my happy place, and maybe it can be yours too!
 

Event Review - Symphony In The Cities
~ Lilyanna A.

On August eighth, the city hosted their annual Symphony In The Cities, where the Pacific Symphony played music from the "Main Theme from Star Wars" to American Classics like the “Star Spangled Banner”, the “Olympic Fanfare" and “America the Beautiful”. The music started at seven but activities and games for children started at four. This event took place at the Oso Creek Community Park and ended around eight thirty.

Since this year was America’s 250th anniversary, this year was very patriotic. When you entered the event there was a mock reflecting pond and cardboard cutout of the Lincoln memorial. There was a blowup eagle and other fun, creative decorations.

Activities for the kids included a bounce house, mechanical bull, introduction to musical instruments and face painting. This year, there was also a petting zoo and a BMX show. There were also food trucks but many people brought picnics to enjoy before the performance. This event is very family friendly and my family along with my young cousins had a fun time.

As a musician, I was very impressed by the performance and would definitely recommend this event. Singing along with the Symphony was the opera singer, Kresley Figueroa. She had an amazing voice and sang highlights from the musical “West Side Story” and “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” from "The Wizard of Oz." At the end of the performance, there was a firework show and they recognized each branch of the United States military.

Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back
~ Sophia B.

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.… there was Star Wars! I will continue my Star Wars series reviews with Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back! For background knowledge, Star Wars is a film saga of family/sci-fi movies created by the renowned George Lucas. I will be exploring the different aspects of Episode V below.

Plot & Story:
The film starts on the icy planet of Hoth, where the Rebel Alliance has a base after destroying the Death Star. Luke Skywalker is attacked by a Wampa while outside on patrol. He is on the brink of death, but due to a vision of Obi-Wan Kenobi telling him to seek out the Jedi Master Yoda on the planet known as Dagobah, he barely survives. Han Solo rescues Luke and takes him back to the base.

The Empire finds out about the Rebel base, and Darth Vader launches an attack. The Battle of Hoth is one of the most iconic battles in Star Wars, where you might remember the AT-AT walkers marching across the snow as the Rebels try to evacuate and protect their base. The Rebels end up escaping, but they are forced to scatter across the galaxy.

Luke decides to go to Dagobah and listen to Obi-Wan, where he finds a small, old creature. This creature turns out to be Jedi Master Yoda, one of the greatest Jedi to ever live. Yoda begins Luke’s training and teaches him that the Force is more than just moving objects. During his lessons, Yoda explains how strong emotions like fear and anger are paths to the dark side.
During this time, Han Solo, Princess Leia, Chewbacca, and C-3PO narrowly escape from Imperial forces aboard the Millennium Falcon. They travel to Cloud City with the hope of reuniting with Han’s old friend, Lando Calrissian. Although Lando is very hospitable and friendly at first, Darth Vader has already arrived and forced him into betraying the group.

While on Dagobah, Luke senses that his friends are in danger. He has not yet completed his training, but decides to leave Dagobah, even against both Yoda and Obi-Wan’s warnings that he is not ready to face Vader. To Luke, his friends are more important, and he believes that he can save them.

On Cloud City, Vader traps Han Solo and freezes him in carbonite, and the bounty hunter Boba Fett takes him to Jabba the Hutt. Before Han is frozen, Leia admits her feelings for him in the iconic scene: “I love you,” to which Han replies, “I know.”

Luke arrives too late to stop the trap, and he fights Darth Vader. During their lightsaber duel, Vader overpowers Luke and cuts off his hand. This is the scene where Vader tells him, “No, I am your father.” Luke refuses to join Vader on the dark side and decides to fall into the depths of Cloud City instead of surrendering to the dark side.

The film ends with Luke being rescued by Leia, Lando departing with Chewbacca to find Han Solo, and Luke receiving a robotic hand.

Book Review - Immortal Consequences
~ Lilyanna A.

"Immortal Consequences" by I.V. Marie is a young adult fantasy novel that follows the story of a school in the center of purgatory. The school that teaches its students how to guide lost souls into the afterlife. When a student spends enough time in the school, they are forced to leave behind their humanity and help those lost souls reach the afterlife for the rest of eternity. But, once every ten years, the Decential chooses one student to compete in a set of trials to prove themselves worthy to escape this fate. Yet this year in the story, not one, but six students are chosen, each with an important and strong reason to win.

The six are bonded through competition and have found a friendship, even in knowing that only one will be able to escape the horrors of their future. They work together and protect one another from danger during the trials, knowing that only one of them will win. This bond added depth to the characters’ personality and made them more loveable and realistic.

I deeply enjoyed this book and had a hard time putting it down. From unexpected romances to thrilling twists and turns, "Immortal Consequences" will keep you engaged and invested from start to finish. I fell in love with each and every character and wanted them all to win. The product of I.V. Marie’s story telling leaves readers feeling a part of the story and truly present with the characters.

The romance aspect of the novel was also just as exciting, but did not overpower or take away from the plot, creating a perfect balance between the plot and romance. I found it notable that the characters were able to fall in love and create connections with others even after death.

I am currently reading the newly released second book in the series, "Ruinous Ends," and am just as invested as I was in the first book. I will also be keeping an eye out for the third book in the trilogy being released this October.

Dear Evan Hansen: Musical vs Book
~ Ellie K.

"Dear Evan Hansen" is a story about an anxious high schooler, Evan Hansen, who spins himself a tale and convinces everyone of a fake personality and story he made for himself. Throughout the plot, he gets deeper and deeper into this false role he created, and he can’t find a way out without exposing himself as a fraud. This story had a musical, book, and movie adaptation. I’ll be comparing the musical and book without major spoilers for either.

The story started out as a musical by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. It opened on Broadway in 2016 and was nominated for 9 different awards. The most distinguishable feature of this play is the life-like acting that Ben Platt utilizes in his role as Evan. He brings with him both depth and comedy, as well as a natural sort of awkwardness that comes with every high schooler. One of the key features of the musical is, of course, the music. "Dear Evan Hansen" shows a grand display of emotions and development through their musical numbers. A great example of this is in the song “Words Fail,” where Ben Platt shows the true devastation that Evan feels through his raw tone and intentional voice cracks.

The book came a few years after in 2018, written by Val Emmich. The main story is the same, following the descent of Evan’s self-sabotage. But while the musical uses songs to convey emotion, the book uses internal monologue and description. Emmich goes more into depth about Evan’s mental state and personal thoughts. We get a glimpse into Evan’s anxiety disorder and how it affects his decisions and actions. Another major difference is how Connor Murphy-- a large character in the musical-- is more thoroughly fleshed out in the book. We get flashbacks from his perspective, as well as friends he had, his social life, and the mental struggles he faced. Personally, I liked this element of the book and how it elaborated on Connor, whereas in the musical we don’t get much about him as a person. Another main difference between the book and musical is the resolution. While the fundamental concept of the resolution is the same, the book cleans up a few more loose ends. Without revealing too much, Evan basically takes a bit more time to reconciles with people he affected.

No matter whether you watch the musical or read the book, both tell Evan Hansen’s story beautifully. Especially for teens struggling with anxiety or depression, "Dear Evan Hansen" is a message of honesty, belonging, and individuality.

What is a Proxy Species? 
~ Charvi S.

In a natural environment, when the population of a species is depleted and cannot be replaced, what’s the solution? Usually you would expect something like cloning, using saved DNA, and basically reviving the species itself. However, it’s much more complicated than that.

This is where proxy species come in. Essentially, a proxy species is a genetically similar stand-in that scientists use in place of an extinct species for de-extinction and/or study purposes. So, when scientists want to try and basically recreate an already extinct species, they search for and use a proxy species as foundation.

However, since proxy species aren’t exactly identical to the extinct species, scientists must use them as a base instead of a total replacement. From there on, the DNA of the proxy can be edited to have the main, differentiating traits of the extinct species.

For example, the company Colossal Biosciences recently used the gray wolf, which was in this case the proxy species, as a base. Scientists studied the DNA of a dire wolf and a gray wolf to identify similarities and differences. They then used those as reference and edited the gray wolf DNA, giving it the base characteristics of a dire wolf, such as thicker fur, broader skulls, and lighter coats.

There is still a common misconception though. The dire wolves aren’t exactly the species that existed thousands of years ago, since ancient DNA is incomplete. It would be much more accurate to consider them gray wolves with dire wolf-like characteristics.

Ultimately, proxy species are a crucial tool for scientists to use for de-extinction efforts, when the original species is no longer available. By combining the use of modern technology and living animals, proxy species have significantly changed the future of de-extinction, science, and restoring lost traits to the natural world.

Movie Review - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
~ Atharv M.

The movie "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" is the movie for the fifth book in the novel series Harry Potter, and is one of the best movies in my opinion. In case you are unfamiliar with the series, Harry Potter is a wizard who was adopted by horrible muggles (non-magical people) named the Dursleys, who hate magic.

The opening scene starts with Harry sitting on a swing by himself in the middle of an open field in a playground. His cousin Dudley Dursley is there as well, making fun of Harry about traumatic events that have happened in his past. He is there with his friends, and they are all laughing at Harry. I personally have never liked Dudley, and he hasn't done anything meaningful during his screen time in the Harry Potter series. The scene shifts as the clouds turn gray and rain starts pouring down. Harry and Dudley run into a tunnel where they can find shelter and not get soaked. While Harry and Dudley are in the tunnel, two Dementors (ghost-like creatures that suck your soul out) fly in and attack Harry and Dudley. Dementors have given me nightmares for a long time, and they have these horrible presences that make the viewer feel scared as well. Harry manages to evade the Dementors using the Patronus charm, which is a spell that channels all of one's positive emotions towards the Dementors and overwhelms them.

A theme I've noticed in this series is that in every single book, Harry always ends up suffering. Harry has to take Dudley home, and on the way he meets Arabella Figg, who is a person born into a magical family but cannot perform magic. It is found that she is an undercover spy working for the Order of the Phoenix, a secret magical group of people fighting against Lord Voldemort, the main antagonist of the series.

California's Humidity
~ Olivia B.

I am sure that most people have noticed California's unusually humid weather these days. Southern California is typically known for its dry heat. Yes, it gets quite hot in the summer, but not with this level of humidity. There are many factors that have impacted the weather, resulting in this drastically wetter and hotter summer: The ocean waters are higher in temperature than average, there is incoming moisture from monsoons in the east, and moisture from the tropical south is coming as well.

To start off, the abnormally warm Pacific waters are increasing humidity by speeding up the process of evaporation. Warm water molecules, moving faster than cold water molecules, enter the air more quickly, causing the ocean surface to heat up and pump water vapor into the air. Typically, a cold ocean is what cools down Southern California and results in "June Gloom." Because of the high ocean water temperature, this cooling system does not work and instead leaves us with humidity. You may be wondering, however, why the ocean is so much hotter this time. It is because of the strengthening El Niño. This event, which is expected to bring significant rainstorms in winter, is heating the ocean water by weakening "trade winds." Under usual circumstances, the trade winds blow across the equator from east to west, bringing warm water to Asia (which is why Asia is humid). When this happens, colder water is able to rise to the surface along the West Coast of the Americas. But when an El Niño occurs, trade winds collapse, allowing warm water to come to Southern California.

Next, the North American Monsoon is bringing moisture. The intense sun during the summer bakes the interior desert Southwest, putting high pressure over the region. Winds around a high-pressure system spin clockwise, bringing the hot air from the east and southeast to California. The moisture from the monsoonal winds become trapped by terrains, contributing to the humidity we are experiencing.

Lastly, there is also moisture from the tropical south, through a gradient of continental pressure. The gradient brings humid air out of the tropics. Heat over the interior desert makes a low-pressure area in the north. Cooler and denser air sits on the tropical oceans in the south. Flowing from high to low pressure, tropical air goes up into the Southern California basin.

All of these factors, working together, are causing our strangely humid summer. Simple changes in our weather may not have simple reasons, after all.

Book Review - To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
~ Aarika G.

Genre: Romance 
Age: 13+
Trigger Warnings: death of a parent, bullying, underage alcohol use

If you were thinking about picking up this book, consider this a sign to do so. In “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” by Jenny Han, you get romance, you get comedy, you get tear-jerking moments, you get it all.

In this novel, you follow Lara Jean Song Covey, a teenage girl in her junior year of college. She’s what most people call a hopeless romantic. She has all the famous rom-com movies memorized and the sweet moments curated in her memory. Lara Jean also has a habit of writing letters to her past crushes describing her love in detail and the qualities she’s found in them.

However, one day, she comes home and sees all her letters have vanished into thin air. Her secrets, her loves, her crushes that she holds so dearly and close to her heart are gone. And one of those letters is written to her sister’s boyfriend, whom she also had and still has a crush on. How will Lara Jean survive junior year’s pressures as well as the embarrassment of her letters being sent out?

I love this novel because there isn’t too much romance, as it also balances sisterhood as well as the tough moments and times of high school. You get to become a part of Lara Jean’s world and mind because, though on the outside she seems calm and collected, you see the chaos that rummages through her teenage brain and what happens when she has a crush on a boy. It’s funny, it's adorable, it's tearjerking, it's beautiful- pick up To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before available in the Mission Viejo Library!

Why do people pay thousands for sneakers?
~ Sunwoo J.

Sneakers were once designed mainly for sports, but today some pairs sell for thousands of dollars. To many people, this seems irrational. However, sneaker culture has become much bigger than fashion or athletic performance. Modern sneakers represent identity, exclusivity, culture, and even business opportunities, which explains why so many people are willing to pay extremely high prices for them.

Before Air Jordan, sneakers were just basketball shoes. Color of shoes was almost white until Nike manufactured the Air Jordan 1. In 1984, Nike which was an unpopular sports brand back then signed with Michael Jordan and manufactured Air Jordan 1. Unlike other sneakers, Air Jordan 1 was only black and red even if the rule was 51% of the shoe has to be white. Nike paid fines instead of Michael Jordan. That’s a starting point that sneakers became a part of culture and fashion.

After the success of Air Jordan, sneakers became more than just sports equipment. They became connected to basketball culture, hip-hop, fashion, and personal identity. Many people began wearing sneakers not because they played sports, but because sneakers represented style and status. Popular athletes, musicians, and celebrities influenced sneaker culture even more, making certain shoes highly desirable.

Another major reason people pay thousands of dollars for sneakers is rarity. Companies such as Nike and Adidas often release limited numbers of shoes, which creates hype and competition. Because these sneakers are difficult to purchase, resale prices increase dramatically. Some people even treat sneakers as investments and resell them for profit. In modern sneaker culture, rarity often increases value more than the actual material of the shoe.

Sneakers also give people a sense of identity and belonging. Wearing a certain pair of shoes can represent personality, taste, or connection to a community. For sneaker enthusiasts, shoes are not simply products—they are part of culture and self-expression. This emotional connection is one reason why people are willing to spend so much money on them.

In conclusion, people pay thousands of dollars for sneakers because sneakers have become much more than athletic shoes. They represent culture, exclusivity, identity, and business. From Air Jordan to modern limited releases, sneaker culture has transformed simple footwear into valuable symbols of style and passion.

Take Responsibility for Your Life
~ Gemma G.

One of the biggest turning points in life is realizing that nobody else is responsible for your future except you. While family, friends, and circumstances can all influence your life, at the end of the day, your decisions shape the person you become. The moment you take responsibility for your life is the moment you gain control over it.

Many teenagers fall into the habit of blaming other people or situations for their problems. It’s easy to blame teachers for bad grades, parents for stress, friends for drama, or circumstances for lack of progress. Constantly blaming everything around you prevents growth because it shifts all the power away from yourself. If you believe your life is entirely controlled by outside factors, then you also believe you have no ability to change it.

While you cannot control everything that happens to you, you can control how you respond. Your mindset, effort, choices, and actions are always within your control. That is where real growth begins.

Own Your Choices
Every decision you make has consequences. The habits you build today slowly create the life you will live tomorrow. Choosing to study instead of procrastinating, taking care of your health, being honest with people, and managing your time wisely may not seem important in the moment, but over time these decisions shape your future.

On the other hand, avoiding responsibility usually creates bigger problems later. Ignoring schoolwork leads to stress. Avoiding difficult conversations damages relationships. Blaming others prevents self-improvement. Temporary excuses often create long-term consequences.

Responsible people understand that their actions matter. Instead of making excuses, they reflect on their choices and think about how they can improve in the future. This mindset is powerful because it focuses on solutions rather than excuses.

Accountability Builds Confidence
A lot of people think responsibility is only about obligations, but it also builds self-respect. Every time you follow through on your commitments, you prove to yourself that you are capable. For example, imagine setting a goal to improve your grades, exercise consistently, or save money. Every time you stay disciplined and follow through, you strengthen trust in yourself. Over time, this creates confidence because you know you can rely on yourself even when things become difficult.

The truth is that responsibility and freedom go together. The more responsible you become, the more control and independence you gain over your life.

Stop Waiting for the “Perfect Time”
One of the most common traps people fall into is waiting. Waiting to feel ready, waiting for motivation, waiting for confidence, or waiting for the “perfect time” to start improving their life. But the truth is, that perfect moment rarely comes. If you wait until everything feels right, you’ll probably end up waiting far longer than you expect. Most real progress starts with action despite feeling uncertain. All you need to do is take the first step.

To Conclude
Taking responsibility for your life is one of the most important steps toward becoming mature and independent. Life will never be perfect, and you will make mistakes along the way. But responsible people do not let mistakes define them. Instead, they learn from them and continue moving forward.

At the end of the day, your future is being shaped by the decisions you make right now. The sooner you take ownership of your life, the sooner you start building the person you truly want to become

Movie Review - Hillbilly Elegy
~ Joonseo H.

"Hillbilly Elegy," based on J.D. Vance, the incumbent United States vice president’s memoir, is a 2020 film directed by Ron Howard. The movie is a depiction of Vance’s childhood in rural Appalachia and Ohio. The film’s core themes include generational poverty, drug addiction, and mental health struggles among lower-class Americans. Although this movie exposes harsh realities such as educational gaps and substance abuse, its core message is perhaps that having a steadfast, unwavering supporter enables one to overcome these seemingly invincible systematic barriers.

One scene I particularly recall from "Hillbilly Elegy" is when Mamaw (Vance’s grandmother) begs a food delivery worker for extra meals. Following that, Vance understands the deep struggles his family members are incessantly facing, and he decides to do what he can to assist his impoverished family by working hard at school, helping with chores, and getting a job. This illustrates the depth of their financial instability and his grandmother’s willingness to sacrifice her own priorities to ensure her grandson is well-fed. Another scene is where Vance and his abusive mother, along with his grandparents, visit the family’s crowded, chaotic traditional home in Jackson, a poverty-stricken and dismally isolated town deep in the Appalachian mountains of Kentucky. One can observe these historical cycles of large, unprivileged families in this context. They were often forced to work in coal mines and factories with low pay just to survive, where large oligarchs confined their tedious lives to company towns, and climbing up the social ladder was not unseen but rare.

Despite the monstrosity of the weight of lack of education, mental health trauma, and addiction, Vance succeeds in getting good grades, entering law school at Cornell, starting a career in politics, and eventually becoming the vice president of the United States all because Mamaw acts as an anchor. I noticed this when she worked hard to protect her grandson from bad influences, like the time she banished all of his friends who could not spell “Mississippi” at all or when she bought him a graphing calculator that he needed for school when it cost nearly a hundred dollars. The movie reminds us that one does not need a perfect environment to succeed. Rather than that, it may be better to have one person who believes in you.

Despite all this, one criticism I have against the film is that it is fraught with some bleak content that might not interest all audience groups. The movie also heavily relies on constant shifts between two different timeframes which seem to degrade its core message in some way. Neither does it provide a clear insight into the Appalachian lifestyle.

The movie may involve mature content and is R-rated, so caution is recommended for those who are concerned.

Music Review - Think Later by Tate McRae
~ Janna G.

"Think Later" is the sophomore album from Canadian singer, songwriter, and dancer Tate McRae. This is a largely conventional pop record, with roughly half of the tracks consisting of slower, emotionally driven ballads and the other half made up of upbeat, dance-influenced songs. While the album does not radically reinvent the pop genre, it succeeds in refining McRae’s sound and presenting a more confident and self-aware version of the artist.

One of the album’s most successful tracks is “greedy,” which quickly became a standout hit. The song is built around a sharp, infectious hook and assertive lyrics that emphasize desire and self-confidence. It represents a shift from McRae’s earlier work, which often focused on insecurity and heartbreak, and instead highlights her willingness to embrace boldness and control. Similarly, “exes” uses an energetic beat to explore lingering emotional attachments to past relationships. The contrast between the upbeat production and the reflective lyrics adds depth and prevents the song from feeling shallow or repetitive.

On the more emotional side of the album, “run for the hills” captures the anxiety and confusion of being caught in a relationship that feels unstable. The song’s gradual build mirrors the growing sense of urgency in the lyrics, reinforcing McRae’s strength in pairing musical structure with emotional storytelling. Another notable track, “hurt my feelings,” stands out for its directness. Rather than dramatizing heartbreak, McRae delivers the song with a restrained tone that conveys emotional exhaustion and maturity, suggesting growth in how she processes relationships.

Throughout "Think Later," McRae maintains a cohesive sound that blends bedroom pop production with personal lyricism. While some tracks follow familiar pop formulas, the album remains engaging due to its consistency and emotional clarity. Overall, "Think Later" represents a step forward in Tate McRae’s artistic development. The album may not be groundbreaking, but it effectively showcases her evolution from a vulnerable pop newcomer to a more confident and polished artist. Through strong standout tracks, she solidifies her place in contemporary pop music.

What Are Wisdom Teeth And Why Do People Get Them Removed?
~ Rizza Mae R.

If you’re around 17-25, or approaching that age, then you have probably heard people talk about getting their wisdom tooth removed, or you’ve seen the videos circulating social media of people “acting funny” after getting their wisdom tooth taken out, but you probably wonder what wisdom teeth are and why people get them taken out.

Also known as third molars, wisdom teeth are the last permanent adult teeth that push through the gums and are located behind the second molars in the corner of the jaw. In a typical person, there are four wisdom teeth; however, some people have fewer or none at all. When a person is in their early childhood, at around 7-10 years old, those sets of teeth grow inside the jawbones until they erupt in late adolescence. A common misconception about wisdom teeth is that removing them can cause one to lose their “wisdom”; however, the name “wisdom tooth” comes from the fact that the set of teeth erupts at the ages of 17 - 25, which is considered the “age of wisdom.

Though removing wisdom teeth is optional, there are many factors that would make removing them important. If there is limited space in the mouth, then the wisdom tooth can’t emerge from the gums properly, causing it to be impacted, meaning that they are partly or fully trapped in the gum tissues or in the jaw. A partially erupted tooth traps food and bacteria, posing a risk for infection. This can cause pain, infection, and even damage to the teeth nearby, and can cause complications in the future if not treated, such as severe decay, crowding, and gum disease. If a wisdom tooth is causing pain or discomfort, then it is important to go to a dentist to get it removed!

In order to remove wisdom teeth, the dentist or surgeon must numb the mouth and give the patient sedation. They numb the area of the wisdom tooth, and if gum tissue is trapping the tooth, they will cut it in order to reach the wisdom tooth and extract it. After the teeth are extracted, they stitch the gums closed, and gauze is placed to stop the bleeding. This whole process typically takes 40-60 minutes and is painless due to the numbing process they undergo. There will be soreness and aching afterwards, but it will eventually heal.

Though the process of getting wisdom teeth removed might sound scary, not having them removed and being at risk for infection and pain is more scary! If you feel pain in your wisdom tooth, it is best to go to a dentist and get them extracted!

Book Review - The Catcher in the Rye
~ Anushka P.

J.D. Salinger’s 1951 classic, "The Catcher in the Rye," is a comedic, yet subtly somber novel, centering around 17 year old Holden Caulfield. After getting expelled from Pencey Preparatory Academy, Holden ventures around post World War II New York City, attempting to postpone his parent’s knowledge of his displacement, while dealing with the underlying grief of his little brother, Allie’s death. I feel that Holden Caulfield is one of the best examples of a real teen in literature.  

One main theme of this book is navigating the challenging time of bridging childhood to adulthood. Salinger does a great job in crafting Holden, realistically portraying a teen who struggles with this issue. Holden isn’t watered down to fit in with a stereotype. He’s not trying to be a teen role model. Instead, he’s brash and crude-evident with strings of curses embedding his dialogue.

Additionally, Salinger produces a well written juxtaposition: what makes Holden so true to himself and other teens, is his affinity for lying. Holden is a perfect example of an unreliable narrator, his thoughts often clouded by his strong feelings. He doesn’t always tell the straightforward story. Instead he weaves in his own anecdotes, swaying his experiences to make himself the victim. It’s refreshing to see a character who’s messy and muddled: traits that make him feel like a true person.

Salinger does a remarkable job of showing and not telling within his writing. Throughout the book, Holden’s attributes of his personality aren’t explicitly stated. The reader learns to understand Holden, and find out his issues. An implicit detail about Holden, is his struggles with mental health. Though never directly confirmed, Holden displays multiple signs of bipolar disorder. His bipolar symptoms can be observed, as he constantly flips between stages of mania and solemn depression.

For example, it’s visible when he goes on a date with Sally Hayes. Previous to their meet up, Holden constantly brings up the fact that he only tolerates her. But during their ice skating date, he dissolves into a fit of mania, proposing on the spot that they get married and run away. When Sally rejects his bizarre idea, he very quickly plummets into anger and resentment, a full 360 from his previous infatuation. I believe that these instances, where Salinger doesn’t use straightforward facts, builds up Holden’s character, making him more relatable and fleshed out, as the reader really needs to study Holden in order to fully understand him.

Though "The Catcher in the Rye" has got to be one of my favorite books, it does cover deep and intense topics that may not be suitable for preteens and younger teens. I think Salinger does a beautiful job in establishing Holden’s character, making him real, cluttered, and honest. Holden isn’t just a simple character in a book, he’s a mirror to teens learning how to properly grow up.

Book Review - The Whipping Boy
~ Hugh H.

"The Whipping Boy" is a Newbery Medal-winning book written by Sid Fleischman. The story is about two boys named Horace and Jemmy. Horace is a wealthy prince, but everyone calls him “Prince Brat” behind his back. He always gets away with bad behavior and never gets punished because the law forbids punishing royalty. On the other hand, Jemmy is a whipping boy. He is a poor orphan and former sewer rat cleaner who is forced to be punished in the place of Prince Brat. Whenever the spoiled prince fails his lessons or misbehaves in any way, Jemmy gets whipped for it. Unfortunately for Jemmy, he usually gets whipped multiple times a day.

One day, Horace realizes that he has become tired of his life in the palace. He decides to run away from home, and he makes Jemmy go with him. After traversing into the woods, the boys are captured by two rough highwaymen who decide to hold them hostage. The prince cannot read or write but Jemmy seems well-educated, so the criminals mistake the two for each other. Assuming Jemmy is the escaped prince, they hold him for ransom. As for Horace, they decide to beat him up. To outsmart the outlaws and escape from this predicament, the two boys learn to rely on each other. This leads to an unlikely friendship between them.

I was amazed at how good this book is despite being so short. Even though the book is less than a hundred pages long, it feels well-paced and takes it time developing the story. I loved the way the relationship between Horace and Jemmy gradually developed. I especially enjoyed reading about the personal growth of Horace. He was totally spiteful and selfish at the beginning of the story, but through his challenges he became a different person. This is a great story about empathy, loyalty, and taking personal accountability of our own actions. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to everyone.

Could Scientists Create a New Species?
~ Charvi S.

Scientists discover new species all the time. Whether it be a little bug or a whole mammal, there are millions of species on the planet. All of them evolved to be the way they are naturally, but is it possible for scientists to create a new species? One with its own unique characteristics and looks?

First, it’s important to know what really defines a species. What does it really mean when a scientist refers to something as a “species”? The meaning and use of the word varies slightly based on the scientific concept, but the plain dictionary definition of a species is “a group of individual organisms that can breed and produce fertile offspring.”

If scientists wanted to create an entirely new organism from scratch, they would theoretically need to design and construct a genome containing all the genetic instructions needed to build it, and then insert it into an egg cell. Theoretically it’s possible, but if they are designing anything other than simple bacteria, it’s very, very difficult. Bacterial genomes can contain around 500,000 letters and one simple DNA loop. However, for larger, more complex organisms like mice or humans, the genome’s size can be over 3 billion letters and structured into 20-40+ chromosomes. At that sheer scale, it’s almost impossible to code an animal without having mistakes and issues in the DNA.

DNA is also packaged inside the egg cells, tightly wound up around specific proteins into chromosomes. In this day and age, scientists don’t have the technology nor the ability to chemically package the artificial DNA, especially into such a complex and perfect shape.

Even if scientists could design a completely artificial genome, getting it to function inside an egg cell is yet another issue. As organisms develop, the thousands of genes inside them interact in specific ways, so any small error in the process could prevent the embryo from developing correctly, eventually dying.

However, despite the many restrictions, scientists can precisely and heavily edit an existing organism’s genome to give it other characteristics. So, creating a whole new species from scratch isn’t exactly possible yet, because it would require creating a distinct organism and also developing a reproductively capable population and having unique genetic traits. Still, scientists are constantly developing advancements in genetic engineering and synthetic biology, bringing us closer to understanding how organisms can be changed or created.    

Why I openly hate Romeo & Juliet
~ Ameena H.

“Romeo, Romeo, tis a foul and loathsome thing.”

This is exactly what I thought after finishing "Romeo & Juliet" during my freshman year of high school. Since this book was in the curriculum, I was forced to read it against my will. As a kid, I used to think the story was romantic. Star-crossed lovers who died for each other. However, they left out the fact that they only dated for three days and six people ended up dead. It’s really not as deep as most English teachers put on the book. Maybe it was seen as something more exciting during Shakespeare’s times but in today’s age, stories like these are seen countless times. This story seems like it desperately wants to be seen as deep but really it’s as shallow as a pond. Romeo was literally upset for 5 minutes give or take over another girl named Rosaline. To be fair, there were some good literary themes in the book. But they were too obvious and it doesn’t bring any new ideas or change my mindset in any way. This book seems good to read in 7th grade when you’re just learning about how to analyze a book but not for a freshman English Honors class. The only good thing that came out of this book was the "Romeo + Juliet" film with Leonardo Dicaprio in it. This book seemed like it would be a better film idea than a book idea. Reading the book felt too fast and shallow; watching the movie definitely helped bring more emotion and depth to the story. At the end of the day it is a play, but that's exactly why it shouldn’t be read and should be watched instead. If you’re going to be a freshman soon and have to read this book, you have my condolences.

Book Review - And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
~ Liam C.

If you are someone who loves a good mystery book, "And Then There Were None" by Agatha Christie is a book worth reading. The story is about ten people who are all invited to an island by a mysterious host. When everyone starts dying one by one, they realize there is a murderer among them, and there is no one they can trust.

The amount of suspicion and suspense that the book created was beyond everything that I’ve read before. Getting scared from a book is not a feeling that I believed could happen, but this book made me physically uncomfortable, as if someone was watching me as I read. Some of the descriptions were gruesome or creepy to think about, so I would not recommend the book for anyone under 12.

The story is incredibly well thought out, as there are no plot holes I can think of. I did not guess the ending or expect it at all, and yet it still made perfect sense. By the end of the book, the killer's identity is still not given away, but all of it is explained in the epilogue.

The only parts that were a bit confusing were the beginning, where many characters were introduced in the first few pages, which made it hard to keep track of everyone and what their occupations and personalities were. The older writing style feels a bit off at first, as the dialogue is written with a semi colon and not quotation marks, but after a while it becomes normal.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a murder mystery, or at least loves to read, since this book could get them into mystery itself. Overall, the book was one of the most gripping and well thought out plots I had read.

Book Review: Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat By Hal Herzog
~ Elane F.

I am by no means a vegan. I eat meat, dairy, and generally lots of animal products. That being said, I still consider myself an animal lover: I refuse to kill bugs in my house; I always cup spiders before putting them outside. If I were to meet a chicken, I would find it adorable and even pet it, all while knowing that I might go home and devour a 10 piece chicken McNugget after. I am aware of how hypocritical I am, which is why after reading the description for the second edition of "Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat: Why It's So Hard to Think Straight About Animals" by Hal Herzog (long title, I know), I knew I had to read it. In summary, this book dives into the complex relationship between humans and animals, analyzing different dynamics such as pet and owner, food and consumer, test subject and researcher, and even cock and cockfighter.

I think my favorite chapter was on animal testing, which also blended into the issue of pest control. It raised the issue of how lab mice have stricter regulations for treatment than the mice that might be running around a research facility. Many glue traps approved for use on these “rouge” mice, often escapees from the lab, would never be allowed for ethical use in an experiment, which I found sad but also thought provoking. This book was fascinating in how it bridged the gap between philosophy and biology, particularly animal behaviors. It also had a lot of fun facts, including an interesting discussion of scientific theories on the domestication of dogs.

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in an introspective read that allows us to reflect on our own behaviors and relationships with animals. It certainly changed my perspective on the life that is found all around us. While I suppose I am still a hypocrite, after reading this book I am now an educated hypocrite which is surely better.

Book Review - It All Comes Back to You by Farah Naz Rishi
~ Iris N.

One word first: WOW. Like, really, wow. I’m an avid reader of books, and this is one of those books that I completely sped through, from a combination of reading before getting ready for school, after homework time, and 6:00 in the morning when I wake up, and late-night reading.

Everything added up- the humor, the romance, the characters, the tension, the shrouded mysteries of one of the character’s mysterious past- which all combined to make an absolutely golden book! Kiran and Deen, the main characters, are exes and enemies- but they are forced into contact again when their siblings (Deen’s brother Faisal and Kiran’s sister Amira) start dating. However, they can’t deny the spark that begins to grow between them. Along with this, they are each online in a game called Cambria, where they chat with each other under anonymous usernames, each believing that the other user is a random person online, not each other. I loved the exes-to enemies-to lovers romance with Kiran and Deen.

The author interested readers even more by revealing Kiran and Deen’s past texts and memories one by one, which drew me in more and more, showing their past relationship, and how it affects their actions still in present day. It’s also cool how I got to learn more about Muslim culture by the elements of it that were added into the book. The difference between Kiran and Deen’s families and their dynamics also added another layer to this amazing story. Kiran’s willingness to sacrifice her own happiness for her sister and Deen’s loyalty to his older brother, whom he owes a great debt to, is heartwarming. I really enjoyed reading the texts in Cambria (a popular video game in the book) between two anonymous characters that are Kiran and Deen, although they don’t know the identity of the other person. I liked the random questions they chatted about- although random, they were fun to read, and developed the characters much more, reflecting their values and thoughts. The banter between Deen and Kiran made me laugh out loud. The slow-burn, second chance romance is amazing! Deen and Kiran are clearly meant for each other, but have a past history, and their siblings’ engagement complicates things even more… along with Deen’s brother, Faisal and his shady past– and the CRAZY plot twist that comes with it! It’s also cool how, in the end, there is room for the reader's imagination in how the relationship between Deen and Kiran will continue. The idea of a sequel to this book is interesting, and I would for sure read it, but I’m not sure what else the author could dream up…

Would I read this again? YES! I have currently reserved Farah Naz Rishi’s other books from the library, and am excited for more.

The Nightmarishly Beautiful Works of Kafka
~ Ellie K.

Franz Kafka, a German-language novelist, is notorious for his existential stories. He writes with a wonderfully simple vocabulary, conveying themes of bureaucracy, alienation, and control. Readers have even adopted the word “Kafka-esque” to describe any haunting, bizarre, and highly metaphorical works. Although his career peaked in 1945, his views on government and isolation are still relevant today. If you are interested in this kind of writing, here’s where to start with Kafka:

1. "The Metamorphosis"
Considered Kafka’s most famous work, "The Metamorphosis" tells the story of a man turned into a bug. He navigates his new life as his family struggles to adapt to his new circumstances. This story explores the all-too-familiar theme of loneliness as the man-- once beloved to his family-- is seen as a vermin. Although the situation is ludicrous, it will surely capture your heart.

2. "In the Penal Colony"
Although a short story, it packs a tremendous tale. An explorer visits this penal colony, or prison. There, he encounters an inventor and his gruesome machine, created for punishing and killing the prisoners. This story tracks the inventor’s descent into madness as he reflects on this “traditional” machine that used to be so beloved by the community. Kafka tells of this perversion of justice with an intense plot twist at the end.

3. "Letters to His Father"
A collection of letters Kafka sent to his father, trying to repair their relationship, wanting to fix flaws that both his father and him had, and retelling of memories that still pained him. These raw, found letters can bring one to tears— especially considering the letters never reached his father. His mother intercepted them and saw it best that he never read them. Their complex relationship is relatable to people today.

4. "The Trial"
Kafka and his bureaucratic commentary are especially prominent in this book. It tells of a man who is to be arrested and fined, but he cannot figure out why. He goes to extents, sent from department to department chasing some reason or sense. The book runs quite long and can be a difficult read, but it adds to the theme and shows Kafka’s exasperation with the government.

Kafka is my favorite author of all time. I’ve even got a sticker of him on my phone case. His works are incredibly deep and well written— it really makes you realize how humans have felt the same feeling throughout history.

Commedia Dell'arte
~ Olivia B.

Commedia dell'arte (also known as commedia alla maschera, commedia improvviso, and commedia dell'arte all'improvviso) is an Italian form of theater that lived from the 1500s to the 1700s in Europe. Actors of this professional theater used a simple outline of a plot and improvised their own lines. An important part of commedia dell'arte is the characters: stories used archetypal characters that were recognizable and easily identifiable. There are many iconic character types that were introduced through commedia and continue to be used today. Commedia's cast was divided by four groups: the Zanni were servant and clown characters, the Vecchi were wealthy old men and masters, the Innamorati were young upper class lovers, and the Il Capitano were self-appointed captains.

Arlecchino/Harlequin (Zanni) is one of the most famous out of all the stock characters. He wears a colorful, checkered costume and typically holds a batte, used to change the scenery. He is characterized by his light-hearted personality and duties as a servant (though he tends to interrupt his master's plans). Another important trait is Harlequin's devotion to his love interest, Colombina. He often competes against another character, Pierrot, in order to win Columbine over, utilizing his wit and cleverness.

Colombina/Columbine (Zanni) is another stock character of commedia. She is known as Arlecchino's mistress and the unrequited love interest of Pierrot. Although she was a servant, she danced on the stage. At the time, women were not permitted to play a part in stories, but they were allowed to dance in between the action. She wears a short, patched dress and holds a tambourine, used to fight off men's advances. Colombina often disguises herself to trick, seduce, as well as confuse others. Although her relationship with Arlecchino is well-known, they are not always lovers in stories.

Pierrot (Zanni) is a character that is depicted as a sad, melancholic clown. Often, he yearns for Colombina, but is rejected and left behind for Arlecchino. He presents himself with a painted white face and a blouse with large buttons, paired with baggy pantaloons. Many different cultures adapted him to fit them: Decadents represented him as a foe of idealism, modernists called him an observer of the mysteries of the human condition, and symbolists made him a lonely sufferer.

Pantalone (Vecchi) is an important character of commedia dell'arte. He is extremely greedy and powerful, holding a position at the top of the social order. Some theorize that his name stems from a saint in Venice, Saint Pantaleon. Others suggest that his name comes from Venetian merchants, called Piantaleoni. However, neither of these ideas have been confirmed, and it is more likely that the name Pantalone simply comes to mean 'old fool.' As a symbol of money in the world, this character thinks of nothing else but his work as a tradesman and merchant.

Commedia dell'arte has characters such as Il Dottore, Pulcinella, Sandrone, and more. The art has had a major impact on theater today, and I encourage you to dive into this rabbit hole and discover more about it!

Bergen, Norway
~ Nicholas C.

Norway is such a beautiful country that I got to see and experience. Norway is most famously known for its Northern Lights, which I unfortunately did not get to see. But Norway does have a lot of other amenities that are just as beautiful to see. My trip to Norway was for a dive meet because I am a diver, and I got lucky enough to experience the ADO Arena. Everything about the dive well was exquisite: non-rusty platforms, quiet and bouncy springboards, and heated water. They also had a hot tub and showers, as well as a sauna in the locker room. The staff provides lunch for the divers and a spacious bleacher area where parents can watch. They have a water slide and a kids' water park where little ones can play and have fun, and they also have a customized gift shop with the ADO Arena logo on everything.

Norway has a lot of things to showcase. Houses in America are modern, sleek, usually White and maybe a sunburn orange for the roof tiles, but in Norway, those houses are red, they're orange, they're blue, yellow, green; they’re pops of colors, and when I saw the colors, it was refreshing to see so much color in a city. The mountains had houses full of color on them, and the mountains didn't just look brown and green; they were colorful. The boats and shops were painted bright colors, and everything was bold and vibrant. And they have a wide cultural variety of foods from different countries like Mexican, Thai, Japanese, and American. I got to try Paella, a Mexican dish with seafood and rice, and it was delicious. I ate some American food, including a cheeseburger and truffle fries. I learned that the best salmon comes from Norway. Also, the hotel breakfast there was better than any breakfast I've ever had. They had all kinds of different artisanal breads, eggs, homemade fruit jams, assorted fruits, meats, cheeses, salads, and even fresh juices and smoothies. There were so many nutritious options, and it's almost like they knew that divers were coming. Some days if we had an early practice we would eat before and after practice since the breakfast buffet was until 10 a.m.

I got to go on a fjord Cruise to the Norwegian fjords with my dive team. The fjords were beautiful such amazing rock and land formations, even waterfalls. Everything was within a short distance of the hotel, so we could walk to everything. The scenery was beautiful, and the train station in Bergen is beautiful. And the cherry on top, the gelato was impeccable. We ate gelato every day! My favorite flavors were salted caramel and cookies and cream. The people from the Norwegian dive team were super kind and welcoming to the US dive team. Everything was great and well planned out, and if you have the chance, take the opportunity to visit Bergen, Norway. It is a small city with big charm.

Book Review: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
~ Yunah C.

As a teen the 1950s feels almost like ancient history and much more distant than it seems. Furthermore, when we think of literature in the 1950s, we often imagine outdated stories that seem irrelevant to today. However, there are many books that were ahead of their time and Ray Bradbury’s "Fahrenheit 451" is a prominent example.

Bradbury’s book establishes a world where books are burned and critical thinking and independent thought are discouraged. While this does not completely mirror our society today, there are definitely some similarities. We live in a world where less people read for pleasure and social media takes over much of our lives, making Bradbury’s warning for the loss of reading and independent thought alarmingly relevant.

Throughout the book we see Mildred spending time in the living room where three big-screen televisions cover her walls. The room is essentially her whole world and she calls the people on the screens her “family”. She is almost completely cut off from reality. This mirrors houses having televisions on walls and more and more people disconnecting from society due to social media. Her use of in-ear radio receivers called “seashells” mirror the use of wireless earbuds. Although these devices are technically fiction, Bradbury predicted with a surprising degree of accuracy the rise of modern technology and how people would install entertainment in their walls and utilize devices worn in the ears. This strongly portrays the way we strive for constant entertainment and make it effortless to access in order to avoid boredom and thinking.

"Fahrenheit 451" also remains relevant today because of the themes of censorship. Throughout the years, many books have been challenged or banned from some schools and libraries. While it is nowhere near the level of censorship of Bradbury’s novel, these concerns are still significant today. Libraries provide opportunities for people to read and explore new perspectives and ideas, which is exactly what the world of the book was trying to prevent. His novel reminds us of the importance of having access to books and being able to think for ourselves.

Ray Bradbury has warned us about many of the issues in our society today in a book that was written over 70 years ago. The relevance of this novel is why it is worth reading today, and as a teen it gives us the opportunity to reflect on kind of future we want to create. 

 

July 2026

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Book Review - The Moth Keeper
~ Eden B.

"The Moth Keeper" is a beautifully written and illustrated book by Kay O´Neill that follows the story of a girl named Anya who is appointed as a Moth Keeper, which is the protector of the Moon-Moths, but even as she is motivated to pursue her job and support her village, she dreams of being under the sun, however it could cause complications and problems for everyone.

Kay O´Neill is one of my favorite authors, their books are always so beautifully illustrated and crafted to bring attention to the book and the story, I love the graphics so much. This book especially captures many stunning drawings and illustrations to make the story more captivating and sensational for the audience, which is what has grabbed my attention in the first place. The first book I read written by Kay O´Neill, was "The Tea Dragon Society," which I love a lot, it is my favorite series written by them, and then I continued readings books by them and each time they have always been a way for me to relax and be captivated by the story, as it has many elements of fantasy in it, but it leans more as a comfort fantasy book.

I would recommend this book for any fantasy seeking readers, and also readers who are hoping for a comfy, relaxing book. I am always so excited to read the new release of books that Kay O´Neill writes and illustrates, as they are such outstanding quality books for anyone. The Moth Keeper is available to check out at the Mission Viejo Library!

 

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Book Review - The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner’s Dilemma
~ Hugh H.

"The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner’s Dilemma" is a children’s novel written by Trenton Lee Stewart. The story revolves around four children named Reynie, Sticky, Kate, and Constance. At the beginning of the book, the children are confined within the carefully guarded home of Mr. Benedict at a place called Stonetown. This confinement is necessary for the children’s safety because they are being hunted by the villainous Mr. Curtain and his henchmen, known as the Ten Men. Mr. Curtain is also trying to hunt down a machine in Mr. Benedict’s possession called the Whisperer, which has the ability to control minds and manipulate memories. The children must work together to outwit Mr. Curtain and protect the Whisperer.

This is the third book in the series and I really enjoyed it. One of my favorite things about this series is the character development. Many of the characters are very clever and entertaining. I also love reading about the different puzzles and mysteries that need to be solved as the story progresses. This book has a lot of interesting elements, including secret codes and telepathic messages. I felt totally engaged throughout the story. The book is almost four hundred pages long but it reads extremely quickly because it is so well-paced and enjoyable. I had a hard time stopping once I picked it up and started reading. I would definitely recommend reading the previous books in the series before reading this one, because they give important background to the events and characters here. Just like the others, this book is filled with adventure and many exciting twists and turns. I would highly recommend this along with all the other books in the series. The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner’s Dilemma is available for check out at the Mission Viejo Library.

 

Spend More Time with Yourself 
~ Gemma G.

In today’s world, being alone is often viewed as something negative. Because of this, many people become uncomfortable with being by themselves. Silence can feel awkward, and being alone can sometimes get lonely. However, learning to spend time with yourself is one of the most important things you can do for your mental and emotional well-being.

Doing things alone is so important for any teenager because it helps inner strength flourish. When things aren't going your way in some places, finding joy in other things that you love to do promotes self-love and reminds you that your happiness does not have to depend entirely on other people or outside success. Spending time by yourself allows you to recharge mentally, discover new interests, and build confidence in who you are as an individual. Over time, these moments of solitude help you become more emotionally independent, which is a very important part of growing into adulthood.

Finding Joy in Your Own Company - Spending time alone does not have to mean sitting in silence doing nothing. In fact, some of the most enjoyable experiences in life can happen when you are by yourself. The key is finding activities that genuinely bring you peace and fulfillment.

You could go on a walk while listening to music, read a book, journal, exercise, draw, cook, play an instrument, or simply sit outside in nature. Even these small moments allow you to slow down and appreciate all the little things that come with life.

Nature in particular can be incredibly calming. Nature reminds people that life does not always have to move at a fast pace. Sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself is to pause for a moment and simply exist without all the added chaos in your life.

Another healthy habit is reflection. Reflection means taking time to think honestly about your emotions, goals, mistakes, and growth. Many people avoid reflection because it forces them to confront difficult thoughts, but self-reflection is one of the best ways to mature emotionally. You begin understanding why you think the way you do and what changes you may want to make in your life.

To Conclude - Learning to enjoy your own company is a sign of emotional strength. You really do realize that happiness does not always come from external factors, and sometimes the most meaningful moments happen when you are simply alone with your thoughts, appreciating life for what it is.

 

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Hawaii
~ Nicholas C.

When you think of Hawaii, you think of paradise and tanning on the beach with sunglasses on, but it’s so much more than that. Hawaii has so much culture and plenty of activities to experience the true Hawaii. When you visit, you don’t want to waste your time. A top attraction for me is food because I'm usually hungry when I get off a flight, so I find a local spot near the hotel that satisfies my cravings. My favorite food truck is Giovanni’s shrimp truck, which also has a location in a produce market. Giovanni’s is simple yet striking. I get my garlic scampi plate with freshly cooked shrimp covered in garlic scampi sauce and minced garlic on top of a soft bed of white rice. A fan favorite snack from all around the islands is spam musubi, which is cooked spam on white rice wrapped in Hawaiian seaweed. It's a staple in my trip every time.

Hawaii has so many cultural and fun activities, like Hula dancing and parties, to parasailing and snorkeling. Hawaii has something for everyone. My personal favorites are the snorkeling tour, which showed the glistening, clear blue water and the bright colors of different corals in the reef. The boat had a little platform which you could jump off, and I was back flipping the whole time. I also spent time on the sea trampoline, which was super fun. Tons of people enjoyed this tour and had lots of fun making memories, including my family.

After bathing in the salty ocean water, you’re always going to want something sweet. A local favorite is shaved ice and Dole Whip. Shaved ice comes with so many flavors, my favorites are Blue Hawaii, Pina Colada, and make sure to get it with fresh mochi and condensed milk drizzled on top of the ice, it's perfection itself. Filled with fun, Aloha Stadium is not just a stadium but a marketplace with so many different items you can get. Aloha Stadium is a must in my trip because of all the different foods, like Hawaiian barbecue, poke, and katsu. And so many vendors sell such fun Hawaiian things like towels, plushies, keychains, clothes, accessories, luggage, and more. Aloha Stadium is the best place to get your souvenirs.

 

Beyond the Clouds
~ Jannelle G.

Have you ever wondered about the mysteries that lie beyond the clouds? Or questioned where we and everything else we know began? Well, what we know —thanks to the scientists who paved the way to our understanding— so far is that galaxies, stars, planets, and many other things contribute to this vast universe that has yet to be understood.

I, just like almost everyone else, am curious and enjoy thinking about the cosmos. My favorite topic is the origin of stars and the impact they have once they die. The theory of the Big Bang tells us that the universe was mainly hydrogen and helium. Stars are formed through nuclear fusion —the process in which two atoms fuse to form a heavier atom, releasing large amounts of energy that powers stars— to create other heavier elements like carbon, nitrogen, etc. When stars get older, they will eventually die in a cosmic event known as a supernova explosion, in which they release the elements into space. Many call this “stardust”, and those remains are eventually part of new stars, planets, or even life on Earth!

The most intriguing part is: those same hydrogen and carbon atoms that were once formed in ancient stars, are now carried within you! Down to the carbon in our cells, the oxygen we breathe daily, and even the calcium in our bones were created in ancient stars that form the beautiful night sky we know today.

From now on, if you ever happen to look up at the night sky and feel so far from its reach, remember that you are looking at the same universe that created you.

 

How did the South Korean international soccer team lose twice during a group stage and not advance in a round of 32? (updated version)
~ Sunwoo J.

I am a Korean high school student living in the United States, and I have followed the South Korean national soccer team for many years. Soccer holds a special place in Korea, especially because of the national team’s historic run to the semifinals of the 2002 World Cup.

The 2026 World Cup brought high expectations. Canada, the United States and Mexico hosted the tournament, and FIFA expanded the field from 32 to 48 teams. South Korea qualified again with what many Korean fans considered one of the strongest squads in the country’s history. The team included several players from major European leagues, including Son Heung-min, Lee Kang-in and Kim Min-jae.

Many experts expected South Korea to reach the round of 32. The team had drawn Mexico, the Czech Republic and South Africa, which appeared to be a manageable group. South Korea also entered the tournament without major injuries or serious concerns about the playing environment. However, South Korea finished with one win and two losses. After losing to Mexico and South Africa, the team failed to advance. For Korean fans, the result felt especially disappointing because the team appeared to have several advantages. In this post, I will explain why South Korea failed to reach the round of 32.

Before the World Cup began, many Korean fans had already raised concerns about the strategy of head coach Hong Myung-bo. Hong had once been one of Korea’s most respected soccer players. He played as a defender during the 2002 World Cup and helped South Korea reach the semifinals and finish in fourth place.

Because of that achievement, Koreans remember Hong as a legendary center back. However, his reputation as a coach has become much more controversial. Many fans questioned whether he had developed a clear strategy for the national team.

The expanded World Cup format also increased expectations. Before 2026, only 32 countries participated, and the knockout stage began with the round of 16. With 48 teams in the tournament, the knockout stage began with the round of 32. This gave South Korea a seemingly easier path to advance.

South Korea started well by defeating the Czech Republic 2-1. In the second match, however, the team lost 1-0 to Mexico. South Korea did not record any shots on target until the 88th minute. The match felt slow and frustrating because the team struggled to create meaningful scoring opportunities.

The final group-stage match against South Africa exposed even greater problems. South Korea lost 1-0 despite knowing that South Africa’s goalkeeper and defenders could deliver accurate long passes. The Korean team applied little pressure and repeatedly failed to stop South Africa’s counterattacks.

South Korea also struggled in attack. The team recorded no shots on target during the first half and often appeared unsure about how to move the ball forward.

For example, when Lee Kang-in received the ball, his teammates needed to create space, move toward the wings or make runs behind the defense. Instead, several players remained still and gave him few passing options. This suggested that the team lacked a coordinated attacking plan.

After the match, many Korean soccer experts and online commentators criticized Hong’s approach. Fans also reacted negatively when he appeared to blame the players and offered explanations that did not address the team’s strategy problems.

Hong resigned after the tournament, bringing South Korea’s 2026 World Cup campaign to an end. Many Korean fans will remember this tournament as a major missed opportunity. The team had talented players, a favorable group and a realistic chance to advance. However, talent alone could not replace preparation, movement and clear leadership.

This failure also taught me a broader lesson. When a leader makes a mistake, the leader should accept responsibility rather than blame others. Strong leadership requires more than authority. It requires preparation, accountability and the willingness to learn from failure.
 

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Book Review - The Reappearance of Rachel Price
~ Ray D.

Genre: Mystery
Age: 13+
TW: Mild violence

In "The Reappearance of Rachel Price," author Holly Jackson crafts another shocking mystery novel full of unique twists and turns. Since I’m a fan of Jackson and her other works, I knew I had to read it the moment I saw it.

Bel, is featured in a documentary about the disappearance of her mother, Rachel Price, who was assumed to be murdered — until she suddenly reappears. (Just like the title says 🤯)

As Bel unwillingly interacts with her mother, she notices slip-ups and holes in her mother’s story and has to figure out what really happened with her mother, before it’s too late.

As with most of Holly Jackson's novels, I enjoyed this book. The premise is unique, since almost all other mystery novels are about solving a murder. I really appreciated the change.

I was able to constantly analyze what Rachel was saying, how she interacted with the other characters, and what she was like. She was a fleshed out character, mostly due to the fact that she's still alive. In traditional mystery novels, the victim is murdered and remains either a blank slate or a caricature, making them just an excuse for the plot to start.

The clues were well thought-out and released at a good pace, making me second-guess what really happened again and again. However, I do have one minor complaint: one essential clue felt shoe-horned in and somewhat of a stretch. Despite this, I greatly recommend "The Reappearance of Rachel Price" to any teenager wanting a book that breaks the mold of what a mystery novel looks like. The Reappearance of Rachel Price is available for check out at the Mission Viejo Library.

 

Book Review - Take Me to Your Leader by Neil deGrasse Tyson
~ Elane F.

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I’ve been on a bit of a nonfiction kick for the past few years. However, despite my strong interest in aliens and extraterrestrial life, I had never actually picked up a book on the subject until "Take Me to Your Leader" by Neil deGrasse Tyson caught my eye. Maybe it was the conspiratorial vibes of other books, or the fact that many of these books seem to be aimed at elementary and middle school aged boys. This book avoids both of these pitfalls to create a very enjoyable book on all different aspects of aliens landing on Earth. The book utilizes a lighthearted tone which allows the book to feel more like a conversation with a friend rather than a lecture from a teacher. One note I have is that this book doesn’t quite match what you expect from it: the book jacket paints it to be more scientific while I found a lot of the book to be a review of aliens in pop culture. However, I still found the speculations to be thought provoking and I had never really thought about how strange some of our habits here on Earth might seem to an onlooker! Overall, this was a great book and I would recommend it to anyone looking to get into reading nonfiction with a light and fun read!
 

Book Review - A Separate Peace
~ Finley H.

In the midst of World War II, the novel "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles follows Gene Forrester through the maturing years of his late teens. His best friend Finny offers the boys attending Devon a constant peace from the anxiety of soon being sent off to war. Finny rebels throughout the novel because he cannot accept the darkness, envy, and conflict of war, instead replacing it with ideas rooted in his innocence as a 17-year-old boy. Finny’s innocence in his actions reflects the loss of innocence during wartime and how hard someone will fight to keep it.

Finny first rebels against the societal norms of private school through breaking the rules. These actions begin when he somehow charms Mr. Prud’homme into letting them escape trouble - Gene, Finny, and the Super Suicide Society, had been missing classes. When confronted for going against school policy, Finny diverts Mr. Prud’homme’s disappointment to astonishment by owning up to what they did, charming his way out of trouble. Finny does not care for rules or hierarchy in Devon - he finds joy in nonconformity and spontaneity. Another important rule at Devon was the dress code, which Finny broke by wearing a bright pink shirt to symbolize the first bombs being dropped on Western Europe. In doing so, Finny removes the fear surrounding the escalation of war and relates it to the hilarity of his foolish outfit. His innocence remains intact because he detaches himself from the harsh reality of war and turns it into a joke. The war seems less serious when it is celebrated by a boy in a pink shirt calling it patriotism. Through violating school rules, Finny illustrates his innocent boyhood by creating diversions to avoid facing the war directly.

Although Finny is regarded as the most athletic person at Devon, he does not participate actively in competition. Gene states that Finny does not believe in losing in sports, which is shown by his creation of the game “Blitzball,” named after the “Blitzkrieg” war tactic. The game involves multiple people and no teams, but the most important aspect is that nobody can lose. This shows his aversion to loss, which goes against nearly every sport and societal norm surrounding sports. By naming it after a war tactic, he once again creates a way to make war seem less frightening, attaching it to an unserious game with no real meaning. Concurrently, it shows his denial of conflict; in war, one side will always lose, and since Finny cannot accept the idea of loss, it displays that he cannot truly understand war. The hatred between sides and the idea that someone must lose go against the way Finny fundamentally views the world. He is too innocent to understand war, especially when he believes no one should lose.

Wartime is another area where Finny rebels, although his motivations have changed. Originally, he could not understand conflict and hatred, but later he cannot accept that he is unable to participate in the war. After he breaks his leg, he creates stories about how the war is not real - he claims it was invented by the “fat, old men” in government. Finny does this to escape the reality of not being able to fight in the war. His thinking becomes childlike because he cannot cope with either the war or life without it. This displays the slow loss of innocence - at one point he wanted to escape war, but once he no longer had the ability to participate in it, he wanted it back. It was too overwhelming until it was no longer within his reach. Because of this, he creates a separate peace away from the war. He invents false stories, games, and adventures to bring peace to Devon so the others do not have to endure the horrors of war.

Gene says that when Finny left, there was no longer peace at Devon. Finny created a world without conflict because he could neither handle nor solve such atrocities. Once Finny begins to recognize the reality of war and dies, the peace leaves Devon, making room for troops to set up camp. As peace left, war took its place.

How did the New York Knicks finally become NBA champions for the first time in 53 years?
~ Sunwoo J.

On June 13 2026, NBA finals game 5, the Knicks and Spurs competed against each other to win the NBA finals. The Knicks were leading this series by 3-1 and the Spurs needed to win this game if they wanted to win the championship and dream of a miracle. Jalen Brunson didn’t allow them to continue the series and he scored 45 points, leading the Knicks to win the championship for the first time in 53 years. After that game, Jalen Brunson cried while he gave an interview and I felt so emotional about him as well. Today, I’m going to talk about how the New York Knicks finally won the NBA championships for the first time in 53 years.

In the 1973 NBA finals, the Knicks beat the Lakers by 4-1 and won their second NBA championships. Their basketball was completely team basketball and everybody contributed for their championships. Walt Frazier and Willis Reed were the best players for the Knicks back then. But after 1973, the Knicks' players became old and got hurt so they didn’t reach the NBA finals unfortunately. 
After Willis Reed retired, the Knicks were looking for a player who can be a leader for them and deliver championships like Willis Reed. They picked Patrick Ewing in 1985 and the Knicks became a strong and tough team like early 1970s. But unfortunately, they faced the Chicago Bulls led by Michael Jordan and lost to them in every single playoff series. Despite that, they reached the finals in 1994 and 1999 but they lost to Houston Rockets led by Hakeem Olajuwon and San Antonio Spurs led by Tim Duncan. 

After Patrick Ewing’s generation, the Knicks became one of the worst teams in the NBA. They didn’t make the playoffs over and over again until Carmelo Antony signed with the Knicks. Although the Knicks made the playoffs with Melo, they were eliminated in the second round by the Pacers and that was the best record during the Melo era. 

After the Melo era, the Knicks acquired Tom Thibodeau who used to be a head coach for Bulls in 2020 and bought Julius Randle. In the 20-21 season, they made the playoffs for the first time in 8 years as 4th seed of the Eastern Conference but they lost to Atlanta Hawks by 4-1. But that was a huge accomplishment.

So they acquired Jalen Brunson from the Dallas Mavericks and Josh Hart by trade. They made the playoffs as 5th seed and beat the Cleveland Cavaliers by 4-1. But they lost in the 2nd round to the Miami Heat by 4-2. Although they lost to the Heat in the 2nd round, they accomplished a lot and assured that Jalen Brunson would bring a championship to New York. They bought OG Anunoby by trade during the 23-24 season and Jalen Brunson averaged 28 points during a regular season. He was a part of the top 4 scorers of the NBA. They got 50 wins against 32 loses and got 2nd seed in the Eastern Conference. They faced Philadelphia 76ers in the first round and won 4-2 in the series. Jalen Brunson scored over 40 points in 3 consecutive games and the Knicks met the Indiana Pacers in the second round. They used to take a lead of the series against the Pacers but they lost in game 7 because they suffered from injuries a lot. 6 players got injured during a playoff including Jalen Brunson. 

Before the 24-25 season, they traded Julius Randle and Donte Divincenzo to the Minnesota Timberwolves and got Karl-Anthony Towns from Wolves. They got 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference and made the playoffs again. They beat the Detroit Pistons in the first round and made an upset against the Boston Celtics in the second round. They faced the Pacers 2 consecutive playoff seasons and lots of NBA fans regarded this series. In game 1, Knicks were up by 17 points at the middle of 4th quarter but Aaron Nesmith hit 6 3 pointers in the fourth quarter and Tyrese Haliburton beat the buzzer and won game 1 dramatically. That game affected the Knicks' players a lot and they lost in game 6. 

After the 24-25 season, they wanted to win the NBA finals desperately and thought Tom Thibodeau was not the best head coach for the championship. So they fired him right after the playoffs and hired Mike Brown. Many Knicks’ fans were concerned about the new head coach but he proved that he can lead the Knicks to a championship. They had a historic playoff run; they didn’t lose a single game from game 4 of the first round against the Hawks to game 3 of the NBA finals against the Spurs. During that historic winning streak in the playoffs, they’ve made incredible comebacks against Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals and Spurs in the NBA finals. Especially game 4 of the NBA finals, they were down by 29 points at the beginning of 3rd quarter but they came back and OG Anunoby tipped the ball in at the last possession and led the victory for Knicks in game 4. And that tip will be remembered for several decades. In game 5, Jalen Brunson scored 45 points out of 94 points for the Knicks in this game and the Knicks finally became the NBA champions once again.

After game 5, Jalen Brunson hugged his father who is an assistant coach of the Knicks emotionally and got finals MVP. Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Mikal Bridges used to play together for Villanova when they were in college and they delivered the Larry O’Brien trophy back to New York. I’ve watched NBA finals and seen emotional moments a lot but this championship story will be one of the most unforgettable stories for me.

Movie Review - Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope
~ Sophia B.

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.… there was Star Wars! I will continue my Star Wars series reviews with the second prequel, Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope Review! For background knowledge, Star Wars is a film saga of family/sci-fi movies created by the renowned George Lucas. I will be exploring the different aspects of Episode IV below.

Plot & Story:
The film starts with a stunning space battle where we are introduced to iconic characters Princess Leia, Darth Vader, C-3PO, and R2-D2. The princess is transporting secret plans for the Death Star, a super weapon capable of annihilating planets. The plans are safely given to the droids as they take an escape pod down to the desert planet of Tatooine.

The droids are captured by Jawas who travel to sell them to a nearby moisture farm owned by the Lars family. Here, we meet Luke Skywalker. I like to think of him as the boy on the edge of the world. No real prospects, stranded in a desert wasteland, yet his gaze turns to the dual sunset of Tatooine.

He inspects the droids and triggers the secret message from Princess Leia “Help me Obi-wan Kenobi, you’re my only hope.” Luke figures out that this droid must belong to “Ben Kenobi,” a nearby hermit.

These early scenes are great. Great on their own and great for the larger story. My favorite line is about Luke from his aunt and uncle: “Luke's just not a farmer, Owen. He has too much of his father in him,” "That's what I'm afraid of."

They find Ben Kenobi, and they discover he is Obi-wan Kenobi, the Jedi Master and hero of the Clone Wars. Obi-wan recounts his dear friend, Luke’s father, and teaches Luke the basics of the force.

We hear the full message from Princess Leia. These plans must be delivered to Alderann with her father and contain information vital to the survival of the rebellion against the Empire. 
They hire the fastest pilot, Han Solo, a charismatic scoundrel. They depart for Alderann.
On the Death Star, the leader of the battlestation, Grand Moff Tarkin, informs the council of Admirals and other military leaders that the Imperial Senate was abolished by the Emperor moments ago. Fear of the Death Star will keep order in the galaxy.

The Grand Moff turns to interrogate prisoner Leia about the location of the rebel base. He threatens to destroy Alderann, so she gives him a fake base location. He destroys the planet anyways. He is emotionless and in full control. Beyond Leia, Tarkin sent the message to the galaxy: we have the means, and we will use it if you defy us.

Han Solo, Luke, Obi-wan, and Chewbacca arrive at debris from Alderann and are pulled into the Death Star tractor beam. They scheme their way into some stormtrooper uniforms and work to disable the tractor beam and save Leia. Obi-wan is killed in the escape. Darth Vader had his revenge on his old master and friend….

The film ends with the rebels being tracked to the rebel base on Yavin. The Death Star closes in but a daring bombing raid by Luke and other rebels succeeds. Obi-wan instructs him as a force ghost to disable his ship’s targeting technology and trust in the force. He makes the shot, and the Death Star is destroyed.

The film ends with a joyous celebration where military honors are awarded.

How to Make the Most Out of Summer
~ Amelia W.

It’s no secret that summer break is a highly anticipated event, usually occurring between June and August. However, for a lot of students, including myself, this holiday can pass by in the blink of an eye. Every summer, you tell yourself, “This is my summer. I’m going to have the best time ever.” Then, suddenly school is in 3 days and the only thing you’ve accomplished is a longer screen time. This post is all about having a summer that is productive, relaxing, and fun, no matter how much time is left before school starts again.

1. Time. You can’t have a good summer if you don’t make time actually experience summer. Sleeping in until noon and going to sleep at midnight isn’t the best way to spend summer and probably isn’t the healthiest. Aiming for around 8-10 hours within the sleep schedule you use during school is the smartest way to feel energized during the day and makes it easier to transition back to school. Of course, following an extreme schedule throughout the entire day can be stressful, but having a routine in the morning and night is a good way to start and end your day strong.

2. Bucket Lists. Everyone wants to do as much as they can during the summer, but few are able to pull it off. A different solution could be bucket lists. Choosing 10-15 activities and solidifying them by writing the activities down. My favorite thing to do is using colored paper and bright markers to decorate and make my bucket lists look more fun. The activities don’t have to extraordinary; small goals are great, too!

3. Outdoor Time. As tempting as it is, bed-rotting all day is not a healthy use of time. Whether it’s going on a vacation or just checking out a new spot in town, spending time outside is enjoyable and adventurous. Even just a short walk helps boost energy and mood. Some examples include picnics, beach days, and gardening. Another idea is bringing out a fun activity and doing that outside. It could be something from your bucket list or something else. Hobbies like reading, drawing/coloring, crocheting, or bracelet making are options.

I hope this post helps anyone struggling with lost summers and continuing productivity throughout the entire year. Have a good summer!

Walking Through the Streets of Vietnam
~ Morgan D.

The moment I arrived into the streets of Vietnam, everything was moving so rapidly. Motorbikes were weaving through the traffic, street vendors lined up on the sidewalk, and the rhythm of Vietnam’s daily life was suddenly unfolding right in front of me. I only knew that this was my hometown, where my parents are originally from and where they grew up for the first few years of their lives. This city wasn’t anything close to our small town, Mission Viejo. Walking through the streets of Vietnam was exhilarating to see how people interacted with each other, the smells of various foods, and seeing the joy in everyone’s lives.

One of the very first things I noticed was seeing how kind everyone was to each other. My family and I entered our hotel, and they immediately offered us complimentary tea. Outside, everyone on their red stools in their tiny houses would just be talking, laughing, and sharing meals together. Their sense of community was so welcoming, friendly, and benevolent. However, there was also a different side to Vietnamese people. My mom wanted to buy a knock-off Lululemon purse at the original price of 800,000 dong which is $30. My mom bargained down to 250,000 dong which is $9. These street vendors had different kinds of skills because many of them are entrepreneurs trying to make a living.

Another experience that surprised me was crossing the street. At first, it seemed like “Crossy Road” trying to get across with all the motorbikes swiftly moving. We drove through Hanoi, Vietnam with the sweetest tour guides leading us. We stopped by numerous local restaurants to get a taste of authentic Vietnamese food that helped me become immersed into the culture. One of my most favorite experiences in Vietnam was how throughout my whole trip, I got to have a little taste of my own culture. Every new nourishment I tasted, Vietnam would always find a way to bewilder me with the endless, savory flavors.

In conclusion, walking through the streets of Vietnam was an unforgettable experience that I will forever cherish. From the speeding motorbikes and crowded markets to the kindness and joy of people, every little moment taught me something valuable about my culture and community. Visiting helped me appreciate where I come from, giving me a deeper understanding of my family’s history and core values. Seeing Vietnam in person made me realize how grateful I am to have such amazing opportunities I have today. Overall, people should take the opportunity to understand and learn about their own unique culture whenever they can. Whether it be traveling to your homeland, meeting your own people, or trying your own food can help alter the way you see the world through the eyes of your own ethnicity. My trip to Vietnam not only helped me understand where my family came from, but also the warmth, resilience, and spirit of the people who call it home.

The History That Shaped Mission Viejo’s Identity
~ Morgan D.

The suburban city, Mission Viejo wasn’t just meant to be a normal city, it was meant to be shaped around the people who lived there. The city is known for Spanish mission-style architecture that Donald Bren had a deep passion for. Donald Bren was a real-estate developer that had co-founded Mission Viejo back in 1963. He had originally drawn up the blueprint for this suburban city. His focal-point was to have a “live, work, play” design. This meant that he wanted to have a variety of houses, condos, and apartments so that people could live here no matter what social status. The work part exemplifies the offices and corporate campuses built close-by. Finally, the play factor was designed to hold recreation centers, family-friendly parks, malls, movie theatres, and several fitness centers. To add on, it was meant to essentially preserve the historical past of early California, holding the “adobe” like walls and houses. Mission Viejo wasn’t anything ordinary as it showcased a warm community for citizens to live in. It was built around the “California Promise” which is a powerful WWII ideal of living in a high, sustainable suburban city with optimum weather, affordable prices, and safe area. People looked forward to moving to a sufficient environment with reasonable aspirations. Though, as time passed, real-life took play and economic shifts arose. This ultimately increased Mission Viejo’s prices and food supply. Constructors had focused on installing car friendly areas, leisure-focused, and family-oriented infrastructure to build around that “California Promise”. Not only did they focus on creating the Spanish architecture style, but also to build a comforting, family-friendly community.

Additionally, their design philosophy behind this middle-class city is called the “Environmental Master Planning.” The constructors dealt with Mission Viejo as it was their own piece of art. They planned to have every house, road, and hill work together somehow. They prioritized implementing the pristine Spanish-Mission aesthetic while also incorporating gratifying views, cool breezes, and a welcoming feeling. Planners had turned Mission Viejo into an excellently orchestrated suburb with controlled traffic, pedestrian walkways, and beautiful hills. Unlike most post-WWII cities that grew naturally over time, our city was planned down to the very first blueprint. We had planned to have neighborhoods mold into the hills of Mission Viejo. Another example is how Irvine seems like more of a rigored uniform house and landscape. It gives people more of a modern-tech feeling. Meanwhile, our city gives citizens a chance to embrace a welcoming atmosphere. Our rolling terrain of hills includes a red tiled roof that evokes the historic spirit of early California. The artistic choices that were made truly resemble the “California Promise” that people were eagerly anticipating.

Lastly, Mission Viejo still upholds the original identity we were first designed to be. We have strictly remained to our layout of possessing that warm community, welcoming feeling and elegant Spanish style. We have been consistently ranked one of the top fifteen cities in California. It is a family-orientated space with quiet, safe roads extending past the rolling hills. The Spanish-Mission aesthetic extends throughout the whole city. Though, the central essence of our city is the man-made Lake Mission Viejo. This is the jewel of Mission Viejo as it serves as its commercialized resort for only residents. Ultimately, our city is so special because it preserves the American Dream feeling that withholds the spirit of the past. Personally, as a resident of Mission Viejo, I can say that I am spoiled to be living here, with the near-by beaches I always go to with my friends and I often visit Irvine Spectrum occasionally. It is amazing how close-by things are so I can have a taste of everything at once. Overall, It came from a single blue-print that was beautifully orchestrated that puts citizens' needs first, creating a welcoming, hospitable space.

Why You Should Start Reading Obituaries
~ Rizza Mae R.

If a person told you that reading people's obituaries can change your life, what would you think? When a video came up on my feed suggesting to read obituaries often to change the perspective on life, I initially thought it was unusual and was skeptic of it. What makes reading the overview of someone's life so memorable? People who read obituaries often note how doing this can change a person's perspective on life. After doing some research and trying it out myself, I understood it immediately.

An obituary is a written notice of a person's death. This can come through many forms, such as the usual, [Name] passed away on [Date] surrounded by loving family. While obituaries are revolved around the death of a person, they also provide insight on what type of person or who the person was. It can offer so many perspectives on life. For example, reading a perspective on someone who comes from a different background from you gives you a different perspective on how life is for others. Reading obituaries insights to a different life that may be completely different from yours, and seeing those different lives can change the way you view your life and the lives of others. This can make a person be more empathetic and open-minded, which are some crucial traits in life. They highlight and paint a picture on a person's character and contributions to society. They might highlight a person's passions, hobbies, or personal achievements that make a long-lasting impact.

Also, obituaries encourage people to enjoy their lives. Though it is cliche, it's true that life is short, so enjoy it. Life is unexpected and can throw anything your way, so time is limited. Reading obituaries can help you see different perspectives on death and how short or long life can be. Reading these overviews of the lives of others can be a reminder of the diverse ways people find meaning and purpose. It can encourage us to reflect on our own values and what we hope to be remembered for. They encourage us to consider our own legacy and to live in a way that reflects the contributions we made to this world, so that when others read our obituaries in the future, it insights into a meaningful life you had.

Book Review - We Are Not Free by Traci Chee
~ Safiatou D.

The historical fiction novel "We Are Not Free" tells the story of 14 Japanese American teenagers during World War II. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, they are forced to enter relocation camps. From several perspectives, the novel shows how each teenager handles discrimination, fear, and the loss of freedom.

One of the novel’s biggest strengths is its characters. Although there are many narrators, each has a unique personality and perspective. The experiences feel more realistic through this, and it is easy to understand their stories and emotions.

The setting is moving as well. Chee describes the camps in a way that helps readers understand what the narrators had to live through every day. The details of their lives help readers understand history and the impact it had on people. The dialogue reflected the hardships they went through and the strength of the friendships between the narrators.

The pacing is mostly good, but it can be difficult to keep track of the many narrators. I had to re-read a few chapters to fully remember every character’s name and understand the flow of the book. But once that is done, the different perspectives become imperative to the novel and elevate the telling of the experiences.

The novel helps readers understand how injustice, fear, and discrimination affect innocent people. It demonstrates how important it is to stand up for your and others’ rights, even when it is difficult. The story is emotional, but highlights how hope and resilience help communities persevere during difficult times.

I would recommend "We Are Not Free" to high school students and anyone interested in historical fiction. Readers who want to learn about the Japanese American incarceration during World War II will especially be intrigued by this novel. It does have some mature scenes and strong language, so this novel is more for older readers. 

Overall, I would give this novel 5/5 stars. It is an important and memorable story that explores themes of loss, perseverance, and the importance of community.

7 Summer Study Tips for a Rising Senior
~ Safiatou D.

If you are a rising senior, summer is the perfect time to get ahead without spending your whole summer doing schoolwork. Here are a few tips to make senior year less stressful:

1) Make a schedule.
This schedule should be loose. You do not need to study for hours a day; instead, 30-45 minutes a week is enough to stay on track.

2) Check the summer assignments that you may have.
If you are taking AP, Honors, or IB classes, you may have summer work. For me, I simply checked my school’s website to see what I was assigned so that I could space the work evenly over the summer with a schedule.

3) Start thinking about college essays. 
Most colleges have pages dedicated to tips for your application. Be sure to visit these websites so that you can start preparing your personal statements or PIQs. You can make lists of your accomplishments, challenges, and extracurriculars to get started.

4) Read, read, read!!
Reading is a great way to stimulate your brain, and it can be exciting! A good book, articles, or even blogs can help you improve your reading and writing skills.

5) Set an academic goal for the school year.
Whether it is a target math grade, being more organized, or getting a 5 on your AP exam, having a goal can keep you motivated throughout the school year.

6) Stay organized
Create a spreadsheet to monitor your college apps, scholarships, and deadlines. This will help you in the future so you will not be frazzled.

7) Enjoy your summer!
Hang out with your friends and family. Relax and make memories! These are crucial to your success! Balancing your summer is imperative to a great school year! Good luck!

Book Review - The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams 
~ Hugh H.

"The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams" is a Newbery-honor book written by Daniel Nayeri. The setting is the Silk Road of central Asia during medieval times. The story begins as a twelve-year-old orphaned monk named Omar is being chased by a mob of angry monks who want to stone him to death. A portly merchant named Samir intervenes and buys Omar from the monks for the price of six bolts of silk. Samir introduces himself to Omar as the “seller of dreams.” He changes Omar’s name to Monkey and forces him to be his servant. It turns out that Samir is a conman who swindles people everywhere he goes. His criminal past catches up with him when he learns that six assassins have been hired to kill him for scamming past customers. Monkey makes a deal with Samir, that if he can save Samir from the assassins then he will win his freedom.

I enjoyed this book for many reasons. I was impressed by the personal growth of Monkey as the story progressed. He is a deeply religious person and he is very genuine and honest. I also appreciated the development of the other characters, including Samir as he gradually developed feelings of trust and loyalty toward Monkey. I like how this book feels like it could have happened in real life, while also having a magical feel to it. The pacing is very fast and exciting, to the point that it almost feels hard to keep up with all the action. The story is very well told and it teaches good lessons about love and loyalty. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I would recommend it to everyone.

 

How the Pistons 'Jordan Rules' created Michael Jordan's greatness
~ Sunwoo J.

Do you know that Michael Jordan struggled against the Detroit Pistons? Even though he is considered the greatest basketball player of all time, he experienced failure and faced many challenges early in his career. From 1988 to 1990, Jordan and the Chicago Bulls repeatedly lost to the Pistons, who were known as the “Bad Boys.” In this post, I will talk about the Bulls vs Pistons rivalry and how the “Jordan Rules” helped create Michael Jordan’s greatness.

In the late 1980s, the Pistons were one of the strongest teams in the NBA. They had players like Isiah Thomas, Dennis Rodman, Bill Laimbeer, and Joe Dumars. Their defense was extremely physical and aggressive. They often used hard contact, especially when opponents attacked the basket. On the other hand, the Bulls were a rising team and considered underdogs. Even though they had Jordan, they could not get past the Pistons.

To stop Jordan, the Pistons created a defensive strategy called the “Jordan Rules.” They used double and triple teams, forced him into difficult positions, and made heavy contact whenever he drove to the basket. They didn’t just try to guard him—they tried to wear him down physically and mentally. At that time, the NBA allowed much more physical contact, so many of these plays were called normal fouls instead of flagrant fouls.

Despite all of this, Jordan did not give up. Instead, he used these losses as motivation. He worked to become stronger physically so he could handle contact better. He also began to trust his teammates more, understanding that basketball is a team sport. Over time, the Bulls improved as a team, not just as individuals.

Finally, in 1991, everything changed. The Bulls defeated the Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals, ending years of frustration. This victory marked the beginning of the Bulls’ dynasty, as they went on to win six NBA championships. The Pistons walked off the court without shaking hands, showing how intense the rivalry had become.

The “Jordan Rules” were designed to stop Michael Jordan, but instead, they helped make him greater. Through physical defense, tough losses, and constant pressure, Jordan became stronger, smarter, and more complete as a player. This rivalry shows that greatness is not built easily—it is created through struggle, failure, and perseverance.