History Archives - the bird on fire

A Look into The Masters

May 2, 2024 by szachik@pvs.org 1 Comment

By 8th-Grade Blogger Jack Edelstein

As Spring colorfully rolls in, I often look forward to many things: more daylight, vibrant flowers, blue skies, and a nice middle ground between hot summers and chilly winters. But, what I look forward to the most is The Masters. The Masters is the most prestigious tournament in golf; every person who plays golf wishes to go or even play in The Masters because of how iconic it is. Here is this rich, history-filled event.

Where and When?

The Masters is held in the very exclusive Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, about 150 miles east of Atlanta. The Masters generally happens during April; this year it was April 11-14.

“I shall never forget my first visit to the property which is now Augusta National. The long lane of magnolias through which we approached was beautiful. The old manor house was charming. The rare trees and shrubs of the old nursery were enchanting.” – Bobby Jones. Photo Credit: *usatoday.com*.

The Start of The Masters

Founded by golf legend Bobby Jones and investment banker Clifford Roberts, who also served as former chairman of The Masters (1934-1976), the first ever “Masters” happened in 1934. At the time it was not called The Masters, instead it was the “Augusta National Invitation Tournament” because Bobby Jones thought that “The Masters” was too egotistical (masters.com). It was then changed to The Masters after five years (1939).

The Green Jacket

The Winner of The Masters is presented with the The Green Jacket. The Green Jacket does not just represent The Masters; it represents the honor of being a Masters champion. The tradition of The Green Jacket dates back to 1937 when the members of Augusta National Golf Club wore them to allow tournament patrons to identify the club members (masters.com). Then, in 1949, Sam Snead became the first Masters champion to be presented with The Green Jacket (masters.com). Only the winner of The Masters can take The Jacket outside of Augusta National Golf Club property. The Jackets were made by Brooks Uniform Company in New York City until 1967 when the Hamilton Tailoring Company in Cincinnati, Ohio, took over The Jacket construction (galvingreen.com). The Jackets are a Masters Green with gold buttons engraved with the Augusta National Logo. The finishing touch is an embroidered patch with the logo on the left breast pocket (masters.com).

The Menu

When The Masters began, Clifford Roberts realized that feeding the crowd that came would be necessary. At the time, The Masters was still a new event, so the organizers used the residents of Augusta kitchens to make cheap, easy-to-make sandwiches, snacks, and drinks (masters.com).

“We want the experience to not only be the best but to be affordable. And we take certain things very, very seriously. Like the cost of a pimento cheese sandwich is just as important as how the second cut (of grass) is going to be.” – Augusta National Chairman Billy Payne, 2007 (masters.com).

Iconic Food Items at The Masters Consist of . . .

Egg Salad Sandwich ($1.50)
Pimento Cheese Sandwich ($1.50)
Pork Bar-B-Que Sandwich ($3.00)

I’ve tried the sandwich flavors, and I think the Pimento Cheese is the best with the Pork Bar-B-Que being a close second.

“We were particularly pleased to learn that you could provide a really good sandwich for twenty five cents.” – Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts in a letter to one of the original makers of the pimento cheese sandwich. Photo Credit: *intentionalhospitality.com*.

Amen Corner

Amen Corner consists of holes White Dogwood (hole No. 11), Golden Bell (No. 12), and Azalea (No. 13). This tricky three-hole stretch can determine a player’s score. These holes have notable water features, and only three players have ever aced (hole-in-one) at Amen Corner. Another significant part of Amen Corner is the two bridges going over the water: The Hogan Bridge, named after two-time Masters champion Ben Hogan and The Nelson Bridge, named after Bryon Nelson, another two-time Masters champion (masters.com).

Hole #13, named Azalea, is particularly challenging due to its dogleg left fairway format. Photo Credit: *masters.com*.

The Masters of The Masters

Players will over time become familiar with secrets of this tournament. The most notable players have been Jack Nicklaus with six wins and Tiger Woods (my favorite athlete of all time) with five. Nicklaus was the first player to win The Masters back-to-back (1965 and 1966) and the first to win it three times (1963, 1965, and 1966).

Tiger won in 1997, 2001, 2002, 2005, and his “get back” win in 2019 (masters.com). In his first Masters win (1997), he won with a historical 12-stroke lead. Then he had back-to-back wins in 2001 and 2002. Then, after his win in 2005, Tiger had arguably his most iconic Masters in 2019 when after 14 years of controversy and poor golf, Tiger came back in his ever iconic Sunday Red and won it all. Fun fact, when Tiger first won The Masters (1997), Augusta National didn’t have a jacket small enough for him.

The GOAT. Photo Credit: *golftoday.usatoday.com*.

Conclusion

The Masters defines what it means to be a champion. This tournament is the greatest challenge in golf, and that’s why the players love this course. It is a great honor to have your name in the history books as a Masters champion, and for 88 years players have tirelessly competed for it. In the words of three-time Masters Competitor Mac O’Grady, “This is where God hangs out.” Let us know what you think of The Masters in the comments.

Fashion Trends Louisa Says We Should Bring Back

April 17, 2024 by szachik@pvs.org 2 Comments

By Louisa Richardson, Freshman

I have always loved fashion. It might not show in the way that I dress, but I have always been fascinated by the clothing of others–especially women’s clothing of nearly a century ago.

These are some fashion trends that I think we need to bring back.

Bias-Cut Gowns

The bias-cut gowns were sort of an old Hollywood trend throughout the 1900s. A bias cut often drapes in the front and sometimes in the back. These gowns must include a neckline cut at a 45-degree angle. These have always been the most beautiful gowns–effortless, timeless, possibly formal, possibly not. Bias-cut gowns give that old Hollywood look that I love so much. They seem to be the one thing I simply need in life–other than corsets that is. Everytime I see these dresses, I always think about how good a wedding dress they would make.

The draped bias cut dress features an angled neckline. Photo Credit: Alumni

1940s Swimwear

Swimwear pre-WWII was cute, colorful, and modest (for those of you who like that). It also wasn’t too restricting, but rather comfortable. I personally prefer those little swim shorts to our current stringy bottoms that we have in 2024. Not only that, but the ruffles, polkadots, and buttons are so much cuter than the all-exciting color BEIGE that everything seems to be right now. Though beige may be timeless, it is also colorless and boring. I would rather have some incredibly gaudy fashion trend be in style than have this gross beige color.

The V neck makes these swimsuits wildly flattering on multiple body types!
Photo Credit: Rare Vintage

Long Dresses from the 70s

I love specifically the single-colored ball gowns. This bit is more of a rant, but I have literally searched the entire internet for a single-colored long dress, and it is IMPOSSIBLE to find any that are flowy, long, and somewhat cheap (by that I mean less than a typical prom dress).

We should also bring back disco dancing dresses.

The Button Up makes these dresses flowy yet sculpting, a balance that I find wildly difficult to achieve using modern fashion. Photo Credit: fashion image

Corsets

One of the many reasons why I hate Bridgerton is that it is the furthest thing from historically accurate. When watching the opening scene alone, there is already a huge misconception of a popular item from the turn of the century (and centuries before): corsets. We see a young woman being squeezed into a corset with a matron saying, “We need to get you down to the width of an orange and a half.” Corsets are often thought of as being restricting, unbreathable, and organ crushing. Back then, the hourglass figure may have been in, but you can CHOOSE how tight your corset goes. If it is really that tight and unbreathable you can JUST LOOSEN IT! Second, the corsets you see in movies and TV shows are on very rich, wealthy people who wore those whalebone corsets. They were pretty expensive, and, because of that, the more middle class or working-class people wore quilted corsets. Essentially, it was just a stiff undergarment, which (although sewn to be tight) was breathable and stretchy (according to The history of corsets). If you ask anyone in the theater or drag biz, they will tell you that wearing a corset is only as miserable as you make it. So, I really think that we should bring corsets back, as they are merely wired bras that enhance that hourglass figure that most people get plastic surgery to achieve. Even our own local actor Jackie Padgett states, “They are pretty comfortable, but I don’t tie it to the tightest capacity. . . . I always look forward to doing old plays because I get to wear a corset for free!”

Braided Hairstyles & Hats

Another thing we should bring back are braided hairstyles paired with floral, colorful, comically large hats. These hairstyles were worn throughout history (and even now) though I am specifically talking about the Gilded Age hairstyles (late 1800s). The way that people braided hair back then was very elaborate but also didn’t take up all of the head. Usually, it was worn up in a braided high bun (100 years of women’s hairstyles). This was often accompanied by a very colorful hat, predominantly a pastel color with a big flower (or assortment of flowers) (Hat exhibit). Color has faded quite a bit in both fashion, cars, and hats (according to trailblazer); it is just a trend of course, but with all this beige madness and brown color craziness, the world is far more bland. Hats will make the world a more colorful place! For men, we should bring back tall Frosty-the-Snowman hats!

Though they may seem intricate, these hairstyles always add the extra flair and class you SHOULD look for in an outfit. Photo Credit The Frick Pittsburg

1930s Nightgowns

We should also bring back nightgowns–I mean those gorgeous silky nightgowns for ladies that are sort of bowed and long. According to 100 years of nightgowns, nightgowns were originally considered useless and not necessary; then they became a sense of social class (only being for the rich). The nightgowns in the 30s abandoned the hideous style of no figure and boxiness and went for a little bit of a prettier option with some ruffles and decor. From the 30s to the 60s, the nightgowns always opted for the more elegant option but were still silky, soft, and comfortable. This is a trend I can get with.

Light, airy, perfect for sneaking out of your castle in the middle of the night!
Photo Credit: Ladies Home Journal

Gadgets and Gizmos Aplenty

The final fashion trend I think we should bring back are those nice little decorations all over a dress. Whether it’s buttons, the big bows on the back, or random bits of tulle, these small knick knacks made those dresses; they brought the multiple layers together, and they added color and pizzazz (two things we are seriously lacking). Though these gizmos may seem simple, they can put your outfit over the top in a classy-chic way.

Once again adding the customizable flair to your Victorian dresses!
Photo Credit: www.alamy.com

I highly recommend anyone with a lot of guts (and some extra cash) try and make these fashion moves come back–not just come back, but historically accurately come back. This is one of the best ways of honoring our ancestors.

The Past and Present of the NBA: Which is Better?

March 26, 2024 by szachik@pvs.org 1 Comment

By Sophomore Oliver Martinez

Recently, the NBA hosted the All-Star game. Although this is supposed to be one of the most hyped events in the NBA, as it unites the best from each division, it really doesn’t live up to the hype. People are seriously disappointed with it and prefer the way it used to be in the past, when players did make an effort to win and actually played defense. This led many to believe the past NBA is better. But could this be true? To answer, I will compare the past and present of the NBA in three major categories, and then give my opinion on which I think is better. The categories are as follows: Players (two players on each position from each era compared), Jerseys, and Overall Game (Defense, Offense, Strategy). For the old NBA, I’ll be looking at the years 1960-1998 and for the present 1999-today.

The Players

The players are what makes the game so special. The majority of players have their own individual set of abilities that distinguish them. It’s always satisfying seeing a great player display their abilities, like sometimes a player is really good at scoring a three-pointer but not so good at guarding his man. That’s why I’ll be comparing the two best players at every position from the past and the present.

The best point guards from the mid 60s to the end of the 90s were Magic Johnson and Oscar Robertson, compared to today’s Stephen Curry and Chris Paul. Though it’s close, I think that the older players are better. It is difficult to justify the modern players being better when Chris Paul hasn’t won a single ring in 19 years of being in the League. On the other hand, Magic Johnson (who has five rings) is considered the best at his position, only competing with Stephen Curry (who has four rings) and Oscar Robertson who has one ring which is more than CP3’s zero. Since the point guard position’s role has changed so much from an opportunity creator and making many passes to more of finding the open three and heavy reliance on handles, it is more difficult to compare these players, but I would still consider the older era better.

At the shooting guard position, the best from the past are Michael Jordan and Clyde Drexler compared to today’s best, Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade. Personally, I would take today’s best all day over the past. The older combine for seven rings (MJ has six, Drexler one), while the players of the present combine for eight, (Kobe has five, and Wade has three). This is also somewhat based on personal preference; I just prefer Kobe over everyone in the NBA. That’s why I think the present is far better in this position.

Legends of the sport, Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan deep in discussion during the 2003 NBA All-Star game. Photo Credit: Los Angeles Times

The best of the small forwards of the past are Larry Bird and Julius Erving. It’s tough to decide between Dr. J (Julius Erving), and Scottie Pippen, but out of respect I think Dr. J deserves it. And, for the present, LeBron James and Kevin Durant win. This is a no-brainer. The present wins by a mile and a half. LeBron James is arguably the best of all time, and Kevin Durant is a top player of all time as well. Larry Bird and Dr. J just can’t compare to the legacy these two players are building.

The best power forwards of the past are Karl Malone and Charles Barkley. The best of the present are Tim Duncan and Dirk Nowitzki; once again, the players of the present are just better. In a way, Tim Duncan is like Kobe except they played different positions; they both have five rings and won all with one team. Dirk also went on a crazy playoffs run, even beating the Miami Heat super team in 2011. Neither Charles Barkley nor Karl Malone won a ring, but they’re both very dominant players who knew their game really well and scored loads of points.

Finally, the best centers of the past are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Russell. For the present, the best are Shaquille O’Neal and Nikola Jokic. The past takes this win; Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was extremely dominant and managed to score tens of thousands of points without the three-point line and also winning six rings. Bill Russel’s record is unbeatable; he has 11 rings. Shaq and Jokic are great but are nothing compared to what Kareem and Bill Russel did for the game.

Overall, the present has better talent in most positions. But what about the apparel?

The Jerseys

In the past, jerseys were made by Sand-Knit (AKA Champion); there are some really nice jerseys like the showtime Lakers jersey:

Icons of basketball Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy, and Magic Johnson rocked this iconic Lakers jersey. Photo Credit: silverscreen

These are extremely clean and look great. I personally prefer when the jersey has the logo of the brand that made the jersey printed onto it, but these are great regardless. I like the way the “R” stretches below the “S.” Even the modern Lakers jerseys take inspiration from these.

Another great older jersey is this Super Sonics Classic jersey:

This jersey is great; the basketball going around the “SONICS” in a circle looks good, and I like that the letters go kind of on an upward slope.

I love that these jerseys were simple and showed what the team was about rather than trying to get some secret meaning behind an insanely overcomplicated designed jersey. One complaint I would have is the quality of the numbers and logos because they were kind of like stickers, and when you use the jersey a lot, the numbers would kind of start to peel off, and it would ruin the jersey. Overall, older jerseys look great.

Now, the newer jerseys. This is when Adidas and Nike, and a little bit of Reebok, come in. Although I would argue that Adidas didn’t make the highest quality jerseys, they have some classics–like the special edition Christmas jerseys which were some of the most amazing jerseys ever released.

I love the way the lettering works; they look so smooth. They’re not simple enough to be boring but not complicated enough to be mind-boggling.

Another example of some great Adidas jerseys were the 2014 jerseys that had the players’ first name rather than the last name.

These are really cool, maybe not the most creative design. But, it is refreshing to see something different being done with the jerseys. They made the logo smaller, and emphasized the player’s first name rather than last name. I think it looks really cool. I kind of wish we could still buy these.

I won’t even put a picture of Reebok jerseys; in my opinion, they are extremely lazily designed and are very low quality.

Lastly, there are the Nike jerseys, which are the ones we have now. I’ve already talked about my favorite Nike NBA jerseys, so I’ll only mention one. Here is the Black Mamba Lakers jersey:

Photo Credit: helmut=lakers-to-don-black-mamba-jerseys-for-game

The jersey holds a huge meaning, representing the Black Mamba himself, Kobe Bryant. It looks great, the black makes great contrast with yellow. Even though it’s just the basic design with yellow and black, it looks super clean, and it looks even better in-game.

I struggle to decide which era has better jerseys; it’s really hard to come up with an answer because in the past the NBA almost never made a horrible jersey, but instead made simpler ones with solid designs but generally more boring. Today’s NBA can make incredibly bold designs that work 65% of the time and are very interesting, while the other 35% are just terrible jerseys that are quickly forgotten or are never really popular. I’d say the deciding factor is that since my collection is based primarily on apparel of this era, I’ll give the win to today’s jerseys.

Overall Game

Today’s game is way more offensive than before. The reason why is that in 2004-2005 the NBA got more serious about hand-checking. “Hand checking is when a defender illegally uses their hand or arm to touch or control an offensive player’s movement. It’s a personal foul” (homeschoolhoop). Now, the defenders can BARELY touch the defender without the refs immediately calling a personal foul on them. Thanks to this, every game goes to around 110-120 points scored by each team (basketballreference). In the mid 1990s to 2000s, teams scored 95 ppg each; that is a crazy difference and is all thanks to the hand-check enforcement. On top of that, refereeing has gotten so annoying recently, with refs calling fouls on basically everything, from hanging on the rim to literally just passing the ball to the ref–anything can get you a technical foul. In a way, refs are just too soft nowadays, soft meaning they get annoyed easily and call almost anything a foul. “As of January 14, players have been ejected 29 times so far in the 2023-24 season. Moreover, the sheer number of these rulings has led to many fans calling the NBA and its refs ‘soft.’ Some players have received techs for the smallest and most ridiculous infractions” (LWOS). I can see why the NBA would implement these changes though. More points equals more viewership and more intense games which attracts more people. However, I also argue that it is more satisfying to watch a team score because they created a brilliant play that allowed them to score rather than the other team just playing lackluster defense or the referee calling a foul on non-existent contact. So, for this category, I have to give it to the older NBA.

To conclude, both the past and present of the NBA have amazing talents, apparels and overall game. But, it should be noted that the NBA has improved over the years, and that’s why the newer NBA performs better in most of these categories. My personal opinion is that this modern era is better than the older. But, then again, I didn’t grow up watching Michael Jordan, or collecting the Sand-Knit jerseys, so due to that, I may have to admit a bit of bias towards this newer generation.

What do you think? Do you prefer the newer or older NBA? Let me know in the comments.

The History of the NBA

December 13, 2023 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

This semester, thebirdonfire.org bloggers examine History: the PVS history teachers, the complicated history of the speakership, the history of science. Oliver picks one of his favorite topics. He tells us how it all began in the NBA.

By 10th grader Oliver Martinez

The NBA has been around for over 70 years, and it has been filled with memorable moments, changes, and talents. So, I decided to write about that precisely, the history of the NBA. This will be composed of three sections: early NBA days (1940s-early 1970s), middle NBA days (latter 1970s-2000s), and the modern NBA days. There will be three subsections in each: one detailing the most important and interesting moments of this era; another mentioning key changes to the game; and a last one naming the top players of that era and their accomplishments–note, all of these players are either in the Hall of Fame or are in the 75-year Anniversary NBA List.

Early-NBA Days (1940s – 1970s)

The NBA is the National Basketball Association which was founded in 1949 when two leagues, the National Basketball League and the Basketball Association of America fused together, which technically makes the NBA 74 years old as of 2023. However, the Basketball Association of America was the bigger league, and the NBA itself considers the founding of that league in 1946 the actual original founding of the NBA. The NBA considers itself to be 77 years old.

Back in 1946, there were 11 teams: the Boston Celtics, the Chicago Stags, Cleveland Rebels, Detroit Falcons, New York Knickerbockers, Philadelphia Warriors, Pittsburgh Ironmen, the St. Louis Bombers, Toronto Huskies, Providence Steamrollers, and the Washington Capitols (NBA.com). From these 11 teams, only three are still here today: the Celtics, the Philadelphia Warriors (now the Golden State Warriors), and the New York Knickerbockers (now the New York Knicks). All the other teams folded due to financial problems.

By 1970, there were 17 established teams which still stand today: the Bucks, Knicks, Bulls, Lakers, Suns, 76ers, Pistons, Celtics, Wizards, Warriors, Rockets, Sonics (now the OKC Thunder), Hawks, Kings, Blazers, Clippers, and Cavaliers.

The major changes over time were the teams, but also the rules changed: the most notable changes being the introduction of the shot clock in 1954 (nytimes), and then, ”in 1951, the free throw lane was widened from six feet to twelve feet” (limaohio). In 1969, the current NBA logo was designed; it was the iconic Jerry West in the logo.

From the 40s to the 70s, the most notable players were Bob Cousy, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Oscar Robertson, and Jerry West.

Some of their accomplishments were noteworthy. Bob Cousy was the leader in assists in the NBA for eight years; he played in 13 All-Star games in a row, and, to top it off, he won six rings (championships) with the Celtics, including a five-peat (five in a row) from 1959-1964. Bill Russell won a staggering ELEVEN rings, making him the player with the most championship rings ever. To put that into perspective, he, as one player, has more rings than all franchises in the NBA except for the Lakers (17) and the Celtics (17). Lastly, Wilt Chamberlain won two rings with the 76ers and the Lakers. He also holds the record for most points ever scored in one single game, dropping an astonishing amount of 100 points in a game against the New York Knicks while playing for the Philadelphia Warriors in 1962; also, he’s the only player to ever drop a quintuple double–over ten steals, ten blocks, assists, rebounds, and points (sportskeeda.com). He’s also widely considered one of the greatest players to play the game of basketball. Oscar Robertson teamed up with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to get the Bucks their first chip ever, and he is considered one of the top centers of all time. And, Jerry West is the face of the NBA (literally) as he has been the logo for over 50 years now. He won a ring later in 1972 and made the All-Star roster fourteen times and all-NBA ten times.

Middle-NBA days (1970 – 2000s)

The NBA in the late 70s had a somewhat bad image as some games weren’t even televised, and there was evidence of drug abuse. Actually, according to apnews-NBA drug abuse, “up to 75% of NBA players used cocaine and one in ten smoked, or freebased, the drug.” Thankfully, NBA Commissioner David Stern helped get rid of this problem; according to basketballnetwork-David Stern, “He put up free counseling, rehab, and treatment centers for players dealing with addiction. The programs didn’t click at first, so Stern resorted to implementing a strict policy that would ban players if they were caught under the influence of illegal substances.” This all led to the use of drugs being eradicated in the NBA.

Someone worth mentioning was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Kareem was basically LeBron James and Kobe Bryant before there was LeBron James and Kobe Bryant. Kareem went on to play until 1989; in these years, he became the top scorer of the NBA, won six rings with the Bucks and the Lakers, won multiple MVPs, Finals MVPs, nineteen-time NBA All Star, fifteen time All-NBA, eleven-time all defensive. Kareem was a brutal point scorer and created the famous “skyhook.”

According to the NBA, some of the best moments of the 70s include The Lakers going undefeated for 33 games in a row, Jerry West hitting a three pointer from 60 feet away to win the game, Suns and Celtics going into a triple overtime in the finals.

The best moments of the 80s were Kareem becoming the top scorer in the NBA–a record that lasted from 1984 to 2023 (nba.com). Michael Jordan dropped 63 points on the Celtics, causing Larry Bird to call him, “God disguised as Michael Jordan” (nba.com).

The best moments of the 90s include the first “dream team” winning gold for the USA in the Barcelona Olympics, Michael Jordan three-peating… twice, and John Stockton becoming the top assister in NBA history.

Remarkable rule changes in the 70s to the 2000s include increase of referees from two to three then back to two some years later then permanently back to three. Timeouts increased from six to seven. And the 3-point line was changed from 23 feet, 9 inches to 22 feet around the basket (marca).

The most notable players of this era are Karl Malone, Dr. J, John Stockton, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, and Michael Jordan.

Michael Jordan and his team of superstars, which included Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman, three-peated on two different occasions and went 72-10 in a regular season. Karl Malone was very consistent and became one of the top power forwards ever; he was nick-named “the mailman” for his constant delivery. John Stockton, a teammate of Karl Malone, became the player with the most assists and surpassed Magic Johnson. Larry Bird is one of the most iconic shooters of all time, having a funny, unorthodox, jumpshot; he won three rings and is the meaning of what it is to be a Celtic. Magic Johnson is widely considered the best point guard ever, only rivaled by Stephen Curry. Johnson won five rings in his career and won three MVPs, made many All-Star appearances and all-NBA, too. He was an amazing passer, as he averaged 11.2 assists per game and 24 points per game (Quora- Magic Johnson). Julius Erving, better known as Dr. J, won one ring in his career, entered the Hall of Fame, revolutionized the game of basketball as he introduced new fancy ways of dunking the ball; on top of that, he was an 11-time All Star, won an MVP, and, as a bonus, LeBron James said he would put Dr J on his all-time starting five.

Modern NBA days (2000 – today)

The best moments of this generation include the iconic duo of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, a duo which led the Lakers to a three-peat: something that hadn’t happened since Michael Jordan’s Bulls. After a long career, Michael Jordan finally retired in 2003 from the Washington Wizards. One of the best NBA drafts happened in 2003; that included LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, etc. In modern days, Kobe Bryant scored 81 points, which is the closest someone has gotten to beating Wilt’s 100. Derrick Rose became the youngest MVP ever at 22. LeBron finally won a championship in 2012. In 2016, LeBron returned to the Cavaliers and got them their first championship. The Warriors won 73 games in one season, which remains as the unbeaten record to this day.

The important rule changes included the following: 1) Instant replay was created to help referees; 2) Teams were given nine timeouts, but then it was dropped back down to seven per team.

The most notable players of the era were Ray Allen, Tim Duncan, Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, James Harden, Dirk Nowitzki, Allen Iverson, Dwyane Wade, Shaquille O’Neal, Chris Paul, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant.

Since there are a lot of notable players in the last 23 years, I will go over them briefly.

Ray Allen was the number one three-point shooter for a long time until being passed by Steph Curry. Tim Duncan or “The Big Fundamental” won five rings and earned himself that title as his style of play was considered “boring” but fundamental. Kevin Durant with the Warriors was one of the most lethal scorers ever. Giannis Antetokounmpo is the best player in the NBA currently, has won a ring, and is very consistent. James Harden is a top three-point shooter and created the infamous step back travel where he takes up to four stepbacks before shooting the ball; although he never won a ring, he came very close on many occasions. Dirk Nowitzki is a giant scoring menace; he won one ring and is a Hall of Famer; standing at 7 ‘0”, it was really hard to stop him. Allen Iverson was a great player; he was inducted into the Hall of Fame. He came very close to winning a ring though he never did. Kobe Bryant even said he was one of the hardest players to guard. Dwyane Wade had a fulfilling career, winning three rings with the Miami Heat and teaming up with some of the best of all time like Shaquille O’Neal and LeBron James. He was also inducted to the Hall of Fame in 2019. Shaquille O’Neal is considered by many to be the most dominant player ever, only rivaled by Wilt Chamberlain. He was huge standing at 7 ‘1 and weighing 330 pounds. Nobody could stop him; he broke an insane amount of 12 backboards in 19 seasons in the NBA. He also won four rings. Chris Paul is one of the best point guards of all time. He has never won a ring, but he is a brilliant player with a great scoring ability and has been able to dominate even though he is one of the smallest players on the court. LeBron James is the best player in NBA history. He has four championships, is the top scorer of all time, and is in the top 10 of a lot of the top categories. He has played with and against some of the best players of all time and has been dominating the league for over 20 years and has remained consistent even though he’s aging. And, Kobe Bryant is probably the most influential player ever as he has had much success as an individual and with the Lakers, too. He has generations of fans all the way from the 90s to even today and from all over the world.

The NBA has had a lengthy history. Since its founding in 1946 it has encountered ups and downs and hundreds of changes. It has seen amazing talent come and go as the years pass.

Did I miss anything? If you think so, leave it in the comments.

The History of Our History Teachers

November 30, 2023 by szachik@pvs.org 2 Comments

By Freshman Louisa Richardson

Our History teachers here at Palm Valley are very popular with the students. Whether it is the many students they teach, or the many students they don’t, the PVS History staff is well known. Our Blog theme this week is History, so my big smart brain thought, Why shouldn’t I interview the History teachers? I asked both Ms. Schapiro and Mr. Satterfield a series of questions about their careers and their lives. I learned a lot about Mr. Satterfield (for example, he has a dog named Felix). I also learned that Ms. Schapiro has been teaching for 40 years! History is a funny thing, mostly because it can be so wild. Both of these teachers seem to know a lot and seem to enjoy it!

Part 1 (Mr. Satterfield)

What is your favorite time period to teach in History?

My favorite time period to teach in History is the period in US History after the Civil War and before the turn of the century because I find that this time period is often overlooked as we just jump from the Civil War to World War I and the Great Depression. But, really, Reconstruction contains a lot of information about who we are today. This is the time of great tragedy for Native Americans and a good change for technology and politics, and our relationship with the rest of the world.

Is there a specific person who makes this unit enjoyable? (In History)

Sitting Bull–because when we study Sitting Bull or Crazy Horse (Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse were two leaders of the Lakota Sioux) we are forced to examine our own ideas of what it means to be American, a hero, and changing history, what it means to win and what it means to lose. I also like Seraph Young; she was the first woman to cast a vote. She cast a vote in Utah 50 years before the 19th Amendment was ratified, so when we study her we are forced to think about how our government actually works, and sometimes it is different then the way we think it does. And, we learn about what it means to make progress, and it forces us to examine some of our preconceived notions about certain states or regions.

What is your favorite grade to teach?

I enjoy teaching a variety of grade levels so I don’t have to stick with a certain level of maturity every day.

Was there a topic you were particularly interested in as a kid?

I liked the development of public lands such as national parks and national forests, and reservations as well. Early on I became interested in who controls what land, and what they decide to do with it. Glacier National Park is my favorite.

My least favorite time period to learn about that I enjoy teaching is the Civil War. When I was young it seemed very straightforward and boring. As I grew older and read more, I realized how very un-straightforward it was.

Why is it important to study History?

To understand where we came from and who we are today and because every time I introduce myself to someone and they ask me what I do I always get the same response…

“I hated History in school, and now I am fascinated by it. I wish I would have paid attention in school.”

What is your favorite subject to teach?

World Geography–I taught that a couple years ago in Utah and really enjoyed it.

Where is your favorite place to teach?

I’ve been lucky enough to teach in a lot of different places, and I can’t pick a favorite, though I will say that Thailand, China, Colorado, California, and Utah all present their own opportunities.

Part Two (Ms. Schapiro)

What is your favorite part about being a teacher?

I get to keep being a learner; I don’t have a single week go by without learning something new from my students, or the material. I love to spend time with kids, and they keep me young.

What is your favorite time period to teach?

Ancient Egypt, or Medieval West Africa. This is because there are areas of this study that are crucial in the general history of the world. I also never learned these as a kid; their societies are so complex and interesting.

Is there a specific person who makes teaching this unit enjoyable? (In History)

My favorite person to teach about is Alexander the Great because he taught us that no matter how much power you have you can still be a good leader. My other favorite is Eleanor of Aquitaine because she was the first person to be queen of both France and England, and she was very admirable and fierce.

What is your favorite grade to teach?

It greatly depends on the subject, History in general I prefer middle school, and English in general I prefer high school, with philosophy being a tie, and cooking would be DEFINITELY high school.

Was there a topic in History that you were uninterested in as a kid that has changed today?

The musical Hamilton got me far more interested in that era in history, and even got me to read the book.

Where has been your favorite place to teach?

I taught at a school in LA for students who are very bright but had learning or emotional challenges. I had no idea that I could even teach people who had those problems, but I was desperate. I was there for four years, and it was super rewarding. I feel like it made me a better teacher.

Do you have any advice for students who want to become teachers?

Marry rich (she said with a chuckle). In all seriousness, think carefully about your quality of life. I don’t make a lot, but I am very happy with this job. I still get up in the morning excited to go to work. In my 40 years of teaching, I have only ever not wanted to be a teacher during 9/11. I will always choose teaching.

What inspires you to teach?

There has been some pushback with critical thinking, I feel a deep responsibility to teach them HOW to think critically and judge info for themselves.

Why is it important to learn History?

Those who don’t learn History are doomed to repeat it. I tend to emphasize people in History because it sets a great example for the kids. I feel that teaching young girls about powerful women can set a good example.

History can be tricky, and a little bit confusing at times. Both of these teachers are excellent at what they do, and are very passionate about teaching in general. I loved sitting down just to talk to both Mr. Satterfield and Ms. Schapiro.

Why Ethiopian Coffee Culture is So Fascinating

October 5, 2022 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

We know Indy digs coffee. He has his own Coffee Room, for goodness sake. So, when I asked the Blog group to explore the theme of CULTURE, Indy combined his love for coffee with his unquenchable curiosity and dove into the culture of Ethiopian Coffee.
Blog Advisor Zachik

By Junior Indy Behr

The idea of roasting and brewing the seeds of coffee plants was likely first thought of in the East African nation of Ethiopia. As a result, a fascinating coffee culture has developed over many centuries that is still present in Ethiopia today. Over 400 million pounds of coffee beans are harvested in Ethiopia annually, and the beverage created is enjoyed across the world.

The History of Ethiopian Coffee

Legend states that in 700 BCE, a man in Ethiopia one day approached his goats and found them to be doing something best described as dancing. He determined that this was a result of them consuming red fruits of the coffee arabica plants that are native to Africa. There is a divergence of opinion of what comes next in this legend, but most versions agree the man excitedly told a monk he had found a plant that would keep people awake.

One version states the monk was thrilled and that he ate the beans to pray longer and sleep less. The other story is that the monk dismissed the goatherder’s findings and threw the beans into a fire, accidentally creating the first instance of roasted coffee beans, which the man then ground and then boiled, creating the first ever cup of coffee. Coffee then made its way around the world, first with travelers going to Yemen through the Red Sea with coffee on board (coffee also grew well in Yemen), and it spread throughout the Middle East. It then made its way into Europe and Asia and eventually traveled throughout the entire world.

The Growing of Ethiopian Coffee

Coffee in Ethiopia is relatively easy to grow as it is native to Ethiopia. It is actually the fifth largest coffee-producing country in the world, and there are over 15 million farmers who spend all of winter plucking the fruits from trees by hand. With over 390 million pounds of coffee being exported from this country annually, this nation has had a massive impact on the coffee industry. Coffee is a significant supporter of Ethiopia’s economy as a result of this. Coffee production in Ethiopia has been severely damaged by climate change and government crises in recent years. However, many coffee companies from around the world have established cooperatives to help fund small coffee farms in Ethiopia.

Yirgacheffe is a subregion in Sidamo, Ethiopia. The region grows a large amount of the coffee made in Ethiopia, and many people call its product one of the world’s best varieties of coffee. Its flavor is chocolatey with notes of fruit. Harrar is another large coffee-producing region. Its product is unique in that the coffee is dry processed as opposed to wet, and its flavor is earthy. This region also grows peaberry coffee, which is a rare species where each cherry of coffee has one bean instead of two. Though I have only had the opportunity to taste this variety once, I enjoyed it a lot. It was very light and almost tasted like tea.

Ethiopian Coffee Ceremonies

Ethiopia’s culture is still very much influenced by coffee in the present day. The Ethiopian coffee ceremonies have been seen throughout the world as a way of bringing people together to have conversations over a cup of delicious coffee. The beans are roasted on an iron pan, and people often inhale and appreciate the smells that coffee gives off while it roasts. The coffee is then ground in a mortar before being put into a clay pot with very hot water to brew.

Ethiopian coffee is served with things like sugar or salt, and frankincense is lit to create smoke that some believe rids the room of bad spirits. People are expected to drink at least three cups of coffee, as they believe one’s spirit transforms after three cups are enjoyed. However, there is no limit to how much coffee one can have until all of it has been consumed.

History Of The Cahuilla

September 27, 2022 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

I asked the Blog Staff to look into a country or culture of interest, to take us there, let us experience something of daily life that might not be our own. Penny takes us home. And, home for Penny and her ancestors is the Coachella Valley. If you’ve been hiking in the canyons to the south of Palm Springs, you may have visited Penny’s own “Andreas” Canyon.
Blog Advisor Zachik

By 7th-Grader Penny Andreas

The Coachella Valley has been around for quite awhile, along with its native tribes and cultures. One tribe specifically, the band of the Cahuilla Indians, has called the desert home for generations. I am native, and it’s important to keep our stories alive, along with our traditions. The Cahuilla natives have been around for thousands of years, but there are many different versions of how they ended up in the Andreas Canyon. One of them is told by Alejo Patencio, a tribal spiritual leader. It begins with two brothers Mukat and Temayawut, who were born by a swirling mass of color when the world started. At their birth, Mukat and Temayawut created all of the oceans, mountains, and the sky.

Then, the two brothers made the first people. Mukat chose to create humans by carving black mud and carefully sculpting. Temayawut decided to use white mud, and hastily carve them. When they were both done, compared to Mukat’s, Temayawut’s looked unrefined and rushed. After arguing about whose people were better, Temayawut decided to leave Mukat. So overall, Mukat is said to be the creator of the Cahuilla. This lesson and overall beginning shows that it is better to take time and not rush things.

Bird Singing And Dancing

One thing that is extremely important in this tribe is its ceremonial Bird singing. Bird singing often tells the story of lessons that were learned about life, such as the origin and migration. Bird singers, when performing, will always have an instrument called a rattle. The Cahuilla bird singers have been using rattles for thousands of years, even before the Europeans came. Just as your fingerprint is yours individually, that’s what a rattle is like. Each one is completely different from the others. However, every rattle is made the same. The holder must pick out a squash or gourd from a vine, and then boil it in water for 20 minutes, and it is often filled with pebbles to keep the gourd or squash from floating above the water. After it has become hard and completely dried out, they fill it with seeds of spirit. The seeds come from places you love and value. For instance, my favorite place is Andreas canyon. (If I was a bird singer, I might put palm-tree seeds in my rattle.) From the seeds is where you get the steady beat of the rattle. When men tend to always sing, the women dance. Every bird dancer has their own bird dancing dress. They choose patterns and colors they think reflect themselves.

These are a few examples of bird dresses (takookmedia.com).

The Cahuilla Social System

I’ve grown up with Cahuilla teachings. To understand clearly the structure of the Cahuilla social system, I suggest you visit the Agua Calienta Band of Cahuilla Indians website. I’ve borrowed the following information from aguacaliente.org.

Moieties

The Cahuilla are divided into two groups known as Wildcat (tukat) and Coyote (Isil). These Moieties, based on native blood percentage, are believed to originate from when the Cahuilla first started, which guided marriage rules among people. Only one group can marry another member from their group.

Clans

Within each Moiety, the Cahuilla were set into clans, and it wasn’t until the 19th century when they started to work together. The present-day Agua Caliente is now made up of the three clans: Kauisik, Panik, and Wanakik.

Lineages

Lineages are made up of extended families inside a clan, with a man leading each household. Every lineage had its own food gathering areas and village.

Every culture in the world is important, and every culture has its own story. Every story even has its own lesson. I think it’s very important to share these stories and spread culture. I encourage you to spread your stories with the world!

The Greatest Automobiles of the Decades . . . according to Luke

September 20, 2022 by szachik@pvs.org 1 Comment

By Junior Luke Sonderman

As you may have figured out in my previous posts, I am a bit of an auto geek. I usually always discuss newer cars that are post-2000, but I want to take a little dive into my favorite cars of each decade–starting in the 1950s. Although I tend to favor muscle cars, I’m going to really try to expand my list all the way from trucks to race cars.

The 50s

My favorite car of the 50s would easily have to be the 1952 Ferrari 212 Barchetta. I discovered this car because the band Rush wrote a song about it called “Red Barchetta.” After discovering what a “red barchetta” was, I found this 50s race car. I’d never seen anything like it. Only 82 of the 1952 Ferrari 212 Barchettas were made, and recently one was auctioned off at a whopping price of 7.5 million dollars (topspeed.com). With a 2.5 liter V-12 engine and 160 horsepower, this little car was a great race car and also well equipped to be road driven (topspeed.com).

The 60s

I will try to keep the amount of Mustangs on this list to a minimum, although it will be very hard for me. But for the 60s, the 1965 Mustang GT Fastback is by far #1 on my list. Probably the coolest car ever, this was the first real year of production for the Mustang line. This body style is what set the foundation for the many Mustangs to come, including the latest models. When I think of American muscle, I think of this car.

The 70s

For the 70s I am going to slip away from the performance vehicles and throw in the 1975 Ford Bronco. The 1975 Ford Bronco is one of the most wanted vintage cars today and is one of the most beautiful cars that you’ll see cruising the coast of California. Although the Broncos are incredibly unreliable, they are very easy cars to fix and have many interchangeable parts with other Ford trucks.

The 80s

I’m going to take a little bit of a jump in price for the 80s. The 1988 Lamborghini Countach is arguably the sexiest car ever. Featured in one of my favorite movies, The Wolf Of Wall Street, the Countach is my favorite car from the 80s. The 12-cylinder engine produces 450 horsepower which may not sound like a lot, but 450 horsepower in the 80s is comparable to 750-800 horsepower today (motortrend.com).

The 90s

Although this car’s design has only had very minimal design changes over the decades, the 1995 Porsche 911 Turbo S Coupe has to be one of my favorites of this list. This 911 is a fast, well-handling, and slick sports car. With a roaring 6-cylinder engine, this car has a whopping top speed of 183mph (excellence-mag.com).

Modified 1995 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.8L 6-Speed

The 2000s

Okay, I promise this will be the last Mustang I talk about, but I would feel wrong if I didn’t put my car on here. The 2008 Mustang is what most people think of when they think of a Mustang muscle car. It has the classic pony style body and was one of the most widely produced Mustangs. I personally have the 6 cylinder, not the 8 cylinder, but the 8-cylinder GT is a powerhouse of a car.

The 2010s

It may seem bizarre, but my favorite car of the 2010s is the 2018 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro. It is just a cool looking truck. Although I am a Ford guy, I have to go with Toyota on their trucks because they are just so good looking. The TRD Pro comes in a 6-cylinder engine and can be ordered with different off road and sport packages.

The 2020s

For the 2020s I gotta stick with Toyota with the 2022 Toyota Tundra TRD. The 2022 Tundra TRD has the big classic Tundra build with a blacked-out grill. It also comes with turbo-charged V6 that has the power of a V8 but the gas mileage of a 6 cylinder.

There’s no telling what Luke will be driving in the 2030s. Perhaps he’ll go old-school Mustang. Perhaps it’ll be hovercraft. What’s been your favorite vehicle over the years?

The Place I Would Like to See

September 20, 2022 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

If Alyna could go anywhere back in history, she’d go to the opulent Titanic . . . , only to helicopter out before any iceberg appeared on the scene.

By Junior Alyna Rei

There are many places in the world I would like to see. The places I would love to visit are pretty well known. Something I would like to experience is the Titanic before it sinks. I want to see the atmosphere and the feeling of the biggest ship on water. Obviously, I’d rather not see or live through the end of the Titanic and the ship sinking. I’m basing what I envision of the Titanic off of the 1997 film. It was that lavish movie that gave me the idea of writing this post.

Who do I want to see on the Titanic?

From the 1997 film of the Titanic, I would love to see Rose and Jack and how two opposites fall in love. (I am aware that they never existed). Another person I would love to meet is the captain. Hearing how the Titanic launched would be very fascinating to hear. Perhaps we could converse over a many-course dinner.

What would I like to see?

Just being on the ship would make me happy. One of the many things I would like to see are the two parties, the rich and the poor. I would like to experience both–whether that is a fancy dinner with royalty or an energetic dance party with hundreds of people, I would beg to see any of those scenes. Another iconic and popular setting I would love to see or rather stand on is the very front of the ship, the bow. I want to stand in that tiny space and see the dolphins and flowing water below me with the sunset in the distance.

Why the Titanic?

The Titanic was one of the most iconic creations on the planet. And to see how it was in the film makes me want to be there. I want to feel what the people felt boarding the ship. I want to taste the delicious food. I want to see the water and beautiful sunsets from the deck of this huge ship.

Since the Titanic is not with us right now, or at least above water, other places I would like to see are the cool museums that honor the Titanic and have the coolest facts about the ship. Some of these museums are in Springfield, Belfast, Southampton, etc. I believe those museums are the closest I will be to the Titanic.

My unknown memories

September 8, 2022 by szachik@pvs.org 1 Comment

I tasked the blog staff with bringing to life a historical period. Penny chose to return to the earliest moments of her life, to those moments she was too young to recall. After doing some research with her mother, she pieces together what those moments might have looked like to an older “Penny” who visits and observes.
Blog Advisor Zachik

By Penny Andreas, Middle-School Blog Correspondent

December 31, 2009

The hallways were quiet. I walked down the maroon hallway, the floor creaking underneath. I heard laughter. I heard a mother, with a sweet and caring voice. A father, speaking with pride. As I walked through the hall, a door appeared. I slowly walked up to it. I held the cold bronze door handle, connected to the dark oak door. I opened it, finding a small room with a couch, table, TV, and a bookshelf. The mother was sitting on the floor, holding her child. And the father, sitting on the couch reading. I walked around the room, noticing small things. The fish bowl. The one chair in the corner. The stack of cards on the table. My mother. I walked up to her and sat down. She sang to the baby, “Hush little baby, don’t say a word. Momma’s gonna find you a hummingbird.” I immediately recognized the song. She sang it to me every night. My small crib. My blankets. My walls painted purple. My dark brown desk. My fluffy blue carpet.

My father takes the baby to sit on the couch and turns on the TV. He plays a show. It’s black and white, with many characters. He looks at the baby, and says, “Penny.”

December 27, 2011

I’m walking down the hallway again. The floor is not wood, but concrete. This time, to my left is the door, and it’s light brown with a copper handle. I open the door, but this time I’m in a different room. It’s big, and open. There’s a small bed sitting in the corner, along with a nightstand. There are numerous drawings hanging on the walls, obviously made by a toddler. At the window, there’s a girl seated, playing with toys. The curtains are open so light comes through. She talks to herself, perhaps solving a conflict. I walk towards her and realize she does not see me. Instead of talking to her, I sit next to her. I start to understand what she’s saying. “The princess is locked up in the tower! Someone must save her!!!” I laugh to myself, amused by her emotions and such enthusiasm. Then I look at her face, and realize…it’s my face.

December 24, 2013

Walking through the hallways again, it’s not plain. The same drawings are on the wall, and photos of that same girl with my face and my name. I stopped abruptly in the hallway. Could that girl have been me? Suddenly I found myself in a hotel room, the great windows showing a view of downtown. The two king-sized beds packed with sheets are in the corner. I see three suitcases. I remember seeing them somewhere. One of them is open, with a gift inside. I find the little girl again, sitting on the floor. She is speaking to someone, with a nervous crack in her voice. “Do you think my mom will be okay? Am I really going to be a sister?” I know who she’s talking to. I know exactly who it is. My grandma. And I know exactly who the girl is. I know exactly who I am.