The Mere Concept of the Sports City Edition Jersey

March 7, 2024 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

By Sophomore Oliver Martinez

In one of my most recent posts, I talked about the best sports jerseys. And, in doing so, I mentioned City Edition jerseys and had them in my list. But what do “City Jerseys” even mean? And, what’s so special about them?

What is a sports City Edition jersey?

In the NBA, a City Edition jersey is a jersey made to express a feeling or remember something memorable about the city in which they are located. In other words, their purpose is “to represent the stories, history and heritage that make each franchise unique” (NBA) .

When were they introduced?

City Edition jerseys have been in production since 2017 when Nike took control of the NBA jerseys. So for the past seven years, every team has had its own City Edition jersey–updated yearly.

Examples of City Edition jerseys—

So, for example, look at this 2022 Atlanta Hawks City Edition jersey:

The meaning for this one is easy to figure out; the letters stand for Martin Luther King, Jr., and since Atlanta is the city where he was born, it makes sense this City Edition jersey commemorates him. It perfectly represents what a City Edition jersey should be. By having a jersey like this, the Hawks make tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and also to Atlanta.

However, there are other jerseys that make it hard to understand what the meaning is.

For example, look at this season’s Grizzlies City Edition jersey:

Can you guess what it’s supposed to represent?

Me neither. I had to look it up. According to NBA.com, “The Memphis Grizzlies 2023-24 City Edition uniform represents the joy growing up playing basketball.” I have no idea how nine lines that look like strips of bacon represent joy and basketball, but apparently that’s what it means.

What’s next for City Edition jerseys?

Typically, people enjoy the City Edition jerseys; however, this season people are really having mixed feelings about them.

2023-24’s City Edition jerseys. Photo Credit: NBA

I’d say a little over half of this season’s jerseys are terrible.

As an example of a bad jersey, look at this season’s Miami Heat City Edition jersey:

The problem I have with this is that “CULTURE” is bigger than “HEAT.” It doesn’t make any sense, the team is called Miami “Heat” not Miami “Culture.” It’s a shame because there is potential with the whole Heat/Culture thing. It’s also super plain and boring; it has the same color as their base jersey. It’s just generally a bad jersey.

One more example of a bad jersey this season is the Washington Wizards City Edition; just look at it:

This is single-handedly ruining NBA basketball for me. It’s an extremely ugly jersey. The gradient on the shoulder part is super ugly. Is that supposed to be rust color with turquoise? This jersey has managed to become one of the worst jerseys of all time. It does nothing right. The colors don’t go well at all, and the font is ugly as can be. I don’t even want to know what the meaning of it is.

Due to jerseys like this, I’ve heard some people say we should take a break from City Edition jerseys for a year so that Nike can reflect on the monstrosities they have created. But, one bad year of jerseys doesn’t mean they are terrible. I would say that to have a good City Edition jersey it has to first of all look good (obviously) but also have a deep meaning behind it that isn’t impossible to figure out.

A good example of a meaningful City Edition jersey came out in 2018-19. We had this Chinese New Year Warriors jersey:

This is a stunning jersey with great meaning, representing San Francisco and its Bay while also paying tribute to the Chinese New Year and the local population that celebrates it.

Major League Baseball City Connect Jerseys

The MLB also has these City Connect jerseys. Baseball isn’t really my thing, but I still appreciate their meaning and looks. According to MLB, “The MLB launched the Nike City Connect program during the 2021 season to celebrate the bond between teams and their home city. This year’s City Connect uniforms explore ‘the personality, values and customs that make each community and their residents unique.’”

A quick example of a City Connect jersey is this Washington Nationals jersey:

According to CBS, “Nationals managing principal owner Mark D. Lerner explained the meaning behind the uniforms, saying: ‘Washington, D.C.’s cherry blossoms represent hope and new beginnings, making them the perfect symbol of this Nationals team.’”

In conclusion, I think City Edition jerseys are a great staple of sports. They’re very memorable and help us celebrate and cherish different cultures from different areas in the US. They are something I look forward to every year.

Now do you understand the concept of City Edition and City Connect jerseys? Did I miss a sport that also does City Edition jerseys? If I did, let me know in the comments.

The Concept of the Quentin Tarantino Movie

March 6, 2024 by szachik@pvs.org 2 Comments

By 8th-Grader Jack Edelstein

If you were to ask me what my favorite movie genre is, I would say action. If you were to then ask me who’s my favorite director in the action genre, I would say Quentin Tarantino. Quentin Tarantino or Quentin Jerome Tarantino is an American film director. Quentin Tarantino is known for his “stylized neo-noir violence, razor-sharp dialogue, and fascination with film and pop culture” (Britannica.com). Here are the movies that I think represent the Tarantino directing style.

Reservoir Dogs

Tarantino has been in show business since his debut in 1992 with his blockbuster Reservoir Dogs. Reservoir Dogs is about a gang of crooks committing a jewelry store heist, and it goes terribly wrong. In my opinion, I do not think it is his best, but it is definitely worth watching. It was a great way to start a career of becoming a topnotch director.

Pulp Fiction

Then, two years later, 1994, Tarantino released an absolute classic, Pulp Fiction. Some argue it’s his best movie–it isn’t, but it’s definitely close. Pulp Fiction is, to sum it up shortly, “The lives of two mob hitmen, a boxer, a gangster and his wife, and a pair of diner bandits intertwine[d] in four tales of violence and redemption” (IMDb.com). Pulp Fiction is in my top 10 favorite movies of all time, and it is a great example of the distinct and famed Tarantino directing method described by Britannica–neo-noir violent scenes and quick get-to-the-point dialogue.

Inglourious Basterds

Then in 2009, Tarantino made my second favorite of his films, Inglourious Basterds. Inglourious Basterds is about, according to IMDb.com, “Nazi-occupied France during World War II, a plan to assassinate Nazi leaders by a group of Jewish U.S. soldiers” and “a theatre owner’s vengeful plans for the same.” This movie is really great. It shows the noir of Tarantino’s films. We see Aldo Raine and his crew sneaking into a Nazi Theatre; we get trademark Tarantino funny and interesting dialogue; and we witness the Tarantino brutal and famous violence. The stars of this movie are Brad Pitt as Lt. Aldo Raine, Daine Kruger as Bridget, and Christopher Waltz as Hans Landa, who is an exemplary villain. This is a perfect movie for historical fiction lovers.

Django Unchained

Then in 2012, Tarantino released an absolute masterpiece of cinema film making, Django Unchained. Django Unchained is summarized by IMDb.com as follows: “With the help of a German bounty-hunter, a freed slave sets out to rescue his wife from a brutal plantation owner in Mississippi.” In four words–This. Movie. Is. Amazing. What makes this movie so great is that it isn’t a slow and boring Western; Tarantino gives us fight scenes and battles that show the iconic “neo-noir” style of Tarantino, as well as its comical dialogue (especially between Django and Dr. King Schultz). And, its actors–Leonardo DiCapro (Calvin Candie), Samuel L. Jackson (Stephen), Jamie Foxx (Django), and the consistently amazing Christopher Waltz (Dr. King Schultz)–are exemplary. With fast brutal fights and humorous dialogue, this is the perfect example of a Tarantino movie.

Words from Mr. Griffin

I asked PVS Film Connoisseur, Mr. Griffin, about his thoughts on Quentin Tarantino and the concepts and elements of his films. He said…

“I’m a great admirer of Quentin Tarantino. He has been extraordinarily influential on the craft of filmmaking: it’s hard to imagine movies (and television) today without the impact of his style, which at one time was considered controversial and revolutionary. Every major director nominated for an Oscar this year would surely admit to a Tarantino influence. Accelerated action sequences, non-linear and fractured narratives, startlingly brutal violence wedded to a romantic visual panache, deeply ironic and wryly humorous undertones, super-fast dialogue filled with pop-culture references conveyed through rapid-fire crosscutting – all of these are recognized hallmarks of the Tarantino style. He brought to his work an encyclopedic knowledge of world cinema and a glee in upsetting the Hollywood apple cart with stories challenging in their violence and brutality and innovative in their subjects as well as their technique. He took on some of the most iconic American movie making genres – crime thriller (Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill), gumshoe detective movie (Pulp Fiction), Blaxploitation film (Jackie Brown), World War II Nazi drama (Inglourious Basterds), Western (The Hateful Eight) – and turned them on their heads, reinventing and revitalizing these old cinema styles in the process. He took the well-worn “solitary cowpoke in the Old West ”concept, combined its DNA with that of the chain-gang movies of the 40s and 50s, and produced one of the most powerfully anti-racist films of the 2000s, Django Unchained. He was deeply influenced by Korean and Chinese movie making long before the films of those countries became commonly known to American audiences. Tarantino is the Bad Boy of American cinema – his methods and techniques remain controversial, but he’s arguably had as much if not more impact on filmmakers and audiences alike as any other director of the last 40 years.” — Mr. Griffin

If you couldn’t tell, Tarantino is my favorite director. If you do watch a Tarantino movie, let us know in the comments.

Dear Marley…again

March 1, 2024 by szachik@pvs.org 2 Comments

This is Marley.

You can catch Marley most days in front of the Upper-School dropping off and picking up Jess.

Marley lives with senior Jess Billimore and her family. And, while Marley loves Jess and family best, she graciously embraces the whole Palm Valley community (when the mood strikes her). Marley is here, today, once again, to answer your questions and offer you some of her wisdom.

Audrey Guess – Marley, can you help me with my math homework please?

Hi Audrey! I wish I could, but I don’t want to.

Landon Elder – Can you do a double backflip?

I can sit (on my own terms), and I can also roll over, which is pretty close. Can you do a double backflip, Landon?

Gil Maruvada – If you had one wish, what would it be?

Hi Gil. My wish would be for a sister because Jess really wants another dog, and I think a sister would be cool.

Mr. Jowett – How can I maintain inner peace?

Hi, Mr. Jowett! I love this question. My best tip would be not to place so much value on what others think of you. For example, people always think I’m an annoying chihuahua, but I know that isn’t true, so I don’t let it bother me!

Ms. Zachik – In the morning, when I’m trying to get to school, how much time should I dedicate to my dog Charlotte who really wants to play.

Hi, Ms Zachik. I think you should take her to school with you and let her play all day long!

Tori the Barista – Who is your favorite barista here at the Vintage Coffee House?

Hi, Tori! I love you all equally, but I think I am the best barista! Everyone should go to the Vintage Coffee House. It’s my favorite place because I get to see all my friends and they have dog treats!

That’s it for today, guys! I hope everyone enjoyed the chit chat. Do you have any questions for Marley? Contact Marley through thebirdonfire.org or through Jess.

Jack’s Advice On How to Not be Annoyingly Rude

March 1, 2024 by szachik@pvs.org 2 Comments

By 8th-Grader Jack Edelstein

To be honest with you, there are a lot of things that people do that just irritate me. The things they do are not really serious but just so annoying that it’s like, “Really?!” An example of this is when people don’t move in the middle-school HALLWAYS (you know who you are). People have things to do, places to be, so please stop moving so slowly, or move off to the side. But, there are other things that really annoy me, and I’ll tell you what they are. I’ll also give advice on what YOU should do to stop it–because if you’re annoying me, you’re probably annoying others.

Not being able to accept you are wrong

I’m guilty of this; I’ll be honest, but I accept that I’m wrong for doing it. An argument turns sour when you can’t accept that you’re wrong. You want to make sure you’re correct with your evidence and own up to it when you’re wrong. “The pinnacle of ignorance is not being able to admit to your own mistakes,” says senior Gil Maruvada. It feels like you make it much more serious and personal then it has to be when you demonstrate no intellectual humility. Advice on how to stop this stubbornness? Actually listen to the person you are talking to. Simple as that.

Using unrelated or untrue points in an argument

Again another argumentative irritation is using unrelated or false points in an argument. Stop doing this. People who do this are out of things to say, or they switch the topic of the argument. It’s actually really rude when people do this. You’re willfully ignoring the point of an argument. Advice on how to stop this, don’t lie.

Talking over people

I have a severe dislike when people talk over me. Especially when they are dominating a conversation when I really want to say something. Please just close your mouth for one minute and let me say what I want to say. When people talk over, it does two things: makes the conversation very boring, and it actually makes it not even a conversation–it becomes a lecture. Advice on how to not make a conversation into a lecture? Stop, and listen to me, or whoever you’re talking to, then take your turn to respond. Easy as that.

Acting stuck up

My final maddening habit that people have is acting stuck up. You are not better than everyone else. Don’t act super disrespectful to teachers or adults. It’s just a major… ugh. I see these people, and I wish someone would humble them. Advice on how to stop this? Be humble, and respect people who are older than you.

Conclusion

If you do any of these habits, fix them. I know that sounds rude, but people do not think you are cool for being stuck up or not letting people speak. Ask the people around you if you do these annoying things about how you can stop. Anyways, if you have any other advice on how to not act rude, let us know in the comments.

The Best Advice in the World on How to Get a Good Night’s Sleep

February 29, 2024 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

By Sophomore Oliver Martinez

We’re approaching Quarter 4 and nearing the end of the school year. Classes are getting more difficult. There are more tests, and extracurricular activities are becoming more demanding–all of which can result in a struggle to get a good night’s sleep. So, here I have compiled some ways of getting a good night’s sleep in order to be rested and ready for school the next day. First, I’ve compiled some scientifically proven facts by reliable sources about restful sleep. Second, you get my own anecdotal advice on how I manage to get a good night’s sleep.

Scientifically Proven Facts

Don’t drink coffee at night.

As we all know, coffee is used to stay awake. So, it makes sense that if you’re going to sleep, do not drink coffee as it will keep you awake. According to sleepfoundation, “Caffeine promotes wakefulness by blocking adenosine, a sleep-inducing chemical.” Staff Writer Danielle Pacheco and Dr. Dustin Cotliar, Sleep Medicine Physician, also advise you to “avoid caffeine at least 8 hours before bedtime to ensure better sleep quality” (sleepfoundation).

No electronic devices at night.

So, according to cdc.gov, it is recommended that you “Remove electronic devices, such as TVs, computers, and smart phones, from the bedroom.” I don’t know if I really agree with this, it sounds kind of lame. But the reason why is because “Tempting as it might be to use your computer or phone before bed, studies have shown these devices can interfere with sleep by suppressing the production of melatonin, a natural hormone released in the evening to help you feel tired. . . . This leads to neurophysiologic arousals that increase feelings of alertness when you should be winding down instead” (sleepfoundation). Honestly, the use of technology helps me wind down faster, but I can’t go against the science, I guess.

Exercise.

Exercise naturally makes us tired. And, according to cdc.gov, getting “some exercise [. . . and] being physically active during the day can help you fall asleep more easily at night.” This suggestion makes a lot of sense. Sometimes I go play basketball with my friends, and when I come back, I’m so tired the first thing I do is go straight to bed and get a great night’s sleep. Getting exercise to help with sleep I 1000% agree with, and I would recommend.

My Own “Totally” Accurate Advice

Choose the perfect position to sleep.

The position in which you sleep is very important and most definitely affects how you wake up the next day. Here is a picture, for your reference, of the different sleeping positions:

There are endless possibilities for how you can sleep. I personally prefer #2. However, #1, 6, 15, and 16 are kind of lame but aren’t the worst. #3, 4, 5, 8, 12, and 14 will make you wake up with horrible back or neck pain. #13 just looks ridiculous. I wouldn’t want to sleep like #18 because I feel like I would die due to lack of oxygen. Anyway, the point is that you need to pick a good sleeping position to ensure a good night’s sleep.

DON’T go to sleep early….

I know this sounds like it doesn’t make sense, but whenever I go to sleep at like 8:30 p.m. and wake up the next morning at 7 a.m., I genuinely feel more tired than when I went to sleep the night before. I recommend going to sleep at 10:30 p.m. and waking up at 6:30-7:00 a.m. the next morning. It’s the perfect eight hours of sleep. I think the only occasion when it’s fine to sleep 10+ hours is when you’re sick.

Chug Water.

For my last piece of advice, I recommend you drink tons of water before going to bed. It may be a little dangerous in case you need to use the restroom, but honestly chugging water just makes me fall asleep faster. The reason why is that it refreshes you, and it also makes my throat not be dry which helps me breathe better, and that’s why it helps me fall asleep faster. Also, if you wake up in the middle of the night, drink more water. And, drink again when you wake up the next morning, too. Chugging water is risky but most definitely worth the healthy hydration in my opinion.

There it is, a compilation of advice from proven facts that you should most definitely use and my awesome advice that obviously works and definitely will help you have a better night’s sleep. Finals and APs are coming. You’ll need good nights of rest. Do you have any advice of your own? Let me know in the comments!

Things Jess is Bringing into 2024

February 27, 2024 by szachik@pvs.org 1 Comment

By Senior Jess Billimore

While she’s not yet working for Consumer Reports, we’ve got our own Jess Billimore with ratings, reviews, and advice on products she’s tried. Here are a few she liked so much in 2023, she’s gonna keep using them right on through 2024.

The new year is well into its second month! Everybody’s talked about new things in the new year, but there were so many great products that I found last year. I don’t want to leave them behind. So, here are the items I discovered and loved in 2023 that I am definitely bringing into 2024 with me.

Starting off strong with the Owala water bottle–I got this as a Christmas gift, and I love it so much. Unlike many other water bottles I have tried, this is completely leak proof. It also keeps your water cold all day, which is great for school. Owala water bottles are super pretty and come in a huge variation of colors, so there is something for everyone.

Next we have a hair mask. Fino is a Japanese brand that I discovered on TikTok. I have tried several hair masks before, and this one really lives up to the hype. This mask makes your hair super soft and silky. I could see these results after just one use. Last year I damaged my hair with heat and frequent bleaching; incorporating this hair mask into my hair routine has helped massively, and I can see myself using this product for years to come.

Staying on the topic of hair moves me to my favorite curler ever, the Conair Curl Secret InfinitiPRO Curling Iron. I can’t express how much I love this. To begin, it’s so much more time efficient than a regular hair curler; I can finish my whole head within 10 minutes. I also no longer have to worry about burning myself as it has a protective guard and does all the work for you, so you don’t even need to know how to curl hair! I try to avoid using too much heat, which takes me to my final reason for loving this product, and that is the curls last for days!

Now, for one that surprised me, and that is the Hooga Red Light Therapy Wand. I had heard a lot of good things about red light therapy in general. I didn’t know if it was legit, but I did some of my own research and it totally is: “Red light therapy (RLT) is a treatment that uses low wavelength red light to reportedly improve your skin’s appearance, such as reducing wrinkles, scars, redness and acne. It’s also touted to treat other medical conditions (my.clevelandclinic.org). You may be wondering, how does this work? As we age, our skin produces less collagen and what red light therapy does is penetrate deep into the skin, stimulating the cells that produce that collagen. Then, this new collagen moves up to your skin’s surface, reducing fine lines and wrinkles. Now, a full-on red-light facemask is quite expensive, potentially a future investment for me. For now I just have the wand. I’ve had it for about two months, and I’m already seeing some of the benefits, such as brighter skin and reduced redness. This really has elevated my self-care routine. I would recommend the Hooga Red Light Therapy Wand.

Finally, the Miss Dior perfume! I know you are probably thinking, really, a perfume? But, this would have to be my all-time favorite scent. I love it so much and try to save it for special occasions, which could be a reason I like it as I associate it with good memories. As for the scent, it’s very fresh, floral, and light. I get so many compliments whenever I wear it!

That’s all for today! What would you most like to try?

Mirabelle Lee is Riverside County Poetry Out Loud Champion!

February 15, 2024 by szachik@pvs.org 5 Comments

On Thursday, February 8th, junior Mirabelle Lee, her parents, the family dog, Ms. Zachik, and Mr. Koehler traveled to downtown Riverside where the Riverside Arts Council hosted the Riverside County Poetry Out Loud Competition. On stage, Mirabelle recited, in Round I, “My Dad and Sardines” by Toi Derricotte. She followed up with “To The Ladies” by Lady Mary Chudleigh in Round II. Before a panel of four judges, Mirabelle won! She advances to State Poetry Out Loud on March 17 and 18 in Sacramento. If Mirabelle wins there, she heads to Washington, D.C., for national Poetry Out Loud competition.

Palm Valley has been fortunate. We’ve sent half a dozen recitators to Poetry Out Loud State Competition. Jackson Dean (Class of ’19) went so far as to place 3rd in the state. Mirabelle continues this fine tradition.

Valentine’s Day. What’s the Point?

February 14, 2024 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

By 8th-Grader Jackie Padgett

Lots of people associate Valentine’s day with love, hearts, chocolate, and those little candy hearts everyone gets. But what’s the backstory of it? Surprisingly it is as happy and candy associated.

How did this start?

Valentine’s Day has been around for a long time and has been celebrated in many different ways. It includes a mix of Christian and ancient Roman history. Some say Canterbury Tales author Geoffrey Chaucer gets credit. If you didn’t know (surprisingly not everyone did) the full name of the holiday is Saint Valentine’s Day. Who is Saint Valentine? Well, the Catholic Church has multiple martyr saints who go by the name Valentine (Britannica). One of the stories says that Valentine was a priest who worked during the 3rd century when Claudius II of Rome ruled. Cladius II thought that men who didn’t have families or wives were better soldiers, so he banned young men from getting married. Valentine thought this wasn’t right, so he secretly helped young couples get married. He was soon ratted out and executed (History). Another story says that Valentine (another priest under Claudius, but this one was imprisoned), wrote letters to the jailer’s daughter and signed his name as “Your Valentine.” Other versions say he was an imprisoned bishop and healed the jailer’s daughter from blindness then wrote her letters (Britannica).

Traditions around the World

In America, people celebrate Valentine’s Day by gifting chocolates, writing letters/cards, making a nice flower bouquet, or going out to a nice dinner, sometimes even presenting a loved one with nice new jewelry. Celebrations of love occur around the world. Come with me to see the variety of love tokens. In Argentina, they don’t really celebrate Valentine’s Day, but they do have a July “week of sweetness” (Travel Triangle). Couples go out on dates and give each other chocolates. In Korea, people celebrate days of love every 14th of the month, and every month has a different “ theme.” For example, December 14th is the day of hugs. Ghana decided to change Valentine’s Day to national chocolate day. They get tourists to come and visit the restaurants and performances all based on chocolate. In Bulgaria, they celebrate San Trifon Zartan (Day of Winemakers) on the 1st and 14th of February, where they enjoy a nice glass of wine with their loved ones. The men in Spain, for Saint Dionysus Day, will make their partner a macadora, a little figurine made out of marzipan. [Can you find a picture?] These figures get gifted on October 8th. If you’ve ever felt lonely on Valentine’s Day, Estonia has you covered. On February 14th they celebrate a friends and family version of Valentine’s Day. Don’t worry–couples are included as well. In Japan, the women have to buy all the gifts for their partner, and the partner can return the favor a couple months later. Finally, Wales celebrates in a very interesting way. On February 25th, couples exchange handcrafted wooden spoons as a gesture of love.

An example of handcrafted spoons related to the Wales tradition. (I absolutely love this. It’s strange but in a good way, it’s special.) Photo Source: Travel Triangle

Short and Sweet Surveys–

I was curious as to what our school thought of Valentine’s Day, so I asked a few Palm Valley teachers and students the following questions:

1. What are your opinions on Valentine’s day?

2. What do you think the “point” of Valentine’s Day is?

They surprisingly had very varied opinions.

Freshman Louisa Richardson is surprisingly suspicious of couples who join together right before Valentine’s Day.

“Valentine’s Day is impeccably overrated for couples who have just started dating a few weeks before. However, that is not always the case, but usually it is. For couples who have been dating more than a week, they can celebrate Valentine’s Day just fine. Buy the chocolate. Otherwise it makes me a little suspicious. It’s all a little too convenient.“
Louisa Richardson

Mr. Hesson, one of our math teachers, shares a very thoughtful answer.

“I’ve never much liked this holiday. When you’re single, it’s meaningless at best and miserable at worst. But even when you’re in a relationship, it tends to feel more like an obligation than a real reason to celebrate being in love. In my relationships, the anniversary was always the important day, the day when I would get excited about finding the perfect gift and planning the perfect day. Birthdays could be like this too. But on Valentine’s, the celebration was always pretty forgettable – a nice dinner, a fancy dessert, or some other bland pseudo-romantic indulgence.
“I believe that the purpose of holidays is deeply personal, and that each of us should enjoy whatever celebrations we find meaningful. If some people value Valentine’s and use it to celebrate love with genuine gratitude and joy, then it could be a great thing for them. But I would imagine for many it serves no real purpose.
People often decry this holiday for being overly commercialized too. And yeah, it is. They all are. It doesn’t really bother me in this case. It would be nice if more of our celebrations could be dislodged from the machinery of business and capital, but that’s difficult to achieve in this country, and V-day is no more egregious in its commercialization than any of the other major holidays.”
Mr. Hesson

6th Grader Millie Flemings answers simply:

“Personally I like Valentines, and I think of it more as a way to show your appreciation to people as a holiday for love.”
Millie Flemings

One of my favorite responses comes from one of our history teachers, Mr. Satterfield.

“Valentine’s Day, like any other holiday, is what you make of it. Critics will tell you that it is over-commercialized, that it puts pressure on those who are in relationships, and that it excludes those who are not. All of this is true, and the day can be a bleak one for many.

“Even so, you don’t have to go buy an overpriced gift of dubious utility. You don’t have to out-do last year. And you don’t have to wallow in loneliness. Instead, you can use Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to show someone how much you love them in whatever way you see fit (even if that person is yourself). That doesn’t have to cost a cent — it simply requires a thoughtful assessment of what your special person wants. More often than we realize, what that person really wants is time — quality time, uninterrupted and undistracted — with you.”
Mr. Satterfield

I don’t have too many strong opinions on Valentine’s Day myself, but the raspberry milk chocolates that arrive from See’s Candies are something I look forward to every year. I might even add spoon making to my calendar now.

Fun fact– if you want to see Saint Valentines in person, you can! His skull is supposedly in a church in Cosmedin, Rome (National Geographic).

What do you think about this holiday? Tell me in the comments!

Movies I’m Excited to See in 2024

February 8, 2024 by szachik@pvs.org 1 Comment

By 8th-Grader Jackie Padgett

I absolutely love movies–especially movies in movie theaters. It’s always been a “tradition” in my family to go to the theaters, get popcorn and pretzels, and sit in those black (sometimes slightly uncomfortable) cushioned seats. So I compiled a list of movies I’m excited to go see in theaters in 2024.

#7: Inside Out 2

The bottom of this can’t-wait-to-see list is Inside Out 2. Trust me I’m as shocked as you that it made it to the top seven. The reason for this is because I can’t even count the number of times I watched the original Inside Out when I was younger, so the franchise has a special place in my heart. Surprisingly, we don’t know too much about it other than there are four new emotions. Anxiety is orange and has this kind of high ponytail feather hair and is voiced by Maya Hawke. The other ones are Embarrassment, Ennui (“a feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of occupation or excitement.”– Oxford Dictionary), and Envy.

#6: Night Swim

I have a love-hate relationship with horror movies, and Night Swim is definitely on the love side of that. It’s my #6 because I don’t know if I’ll feel compelled to see it in theaters (‘cause I’m a little scared) or watch it at home. What stuck me in the trailers were the horror events. In one, you reach into the pool filter (the one by the side), and a monster grabs you and tries to pull you in. Terrifying, I know, but I’m sure we all thought this would happen to us when we were younger. I don’t know about you, but I feared the pool lights going out and a monster hanging around at the deep end of the pool ready to drown you. Some of the shots they show in the movie are really cool-looking–like blood floating in the chlorinated pool water. The reason I might not see this in theaters is because the monster they have looks terrifying, and it’s the same producers as M3GAN, so they definitely have the creepy doll monster thing under their belt.

#5: Wicked

Surprisingly for me, I put Wicked at #5. I really love the original musical, so you’d expect it to be higher on my list. I’m mostly worried that it isn’t going to be as “magical” as it was when I first watched it. (It was also the first musical I’d ever seen, and if you know me, you know I love musical theater.) I do really hope they keep the songs similar as movies tend to slow down some tempos, and most of the time the slow-down ruins the song.

#4: Mean Girls

Mean Girls is my #4 most-anticipated movie of 2024. As with most of these remakes, I loved the originals, so they automatically get bumped up on the list. I was also in a high-school production version of Mean Girls with Musical Theatre University at Palm Canyon Theater, so seeing the play I was in not too long ago become a movie is very exciting. Sadly, the movie had to cut a lot of songs as the musical had 21 (the movie version only has 13), and they cut one of my favorites, “Where Do You Belong,” as it doesn’t really move the plot along. Another thing they did was exactly what I didn’t want them to do–slow down a song. They ended up having, in my opinion, weird background music to “World Burn” (one of Regina’s big solos) that was slower compared to the one on Broadway. I’m seeing this movie really soon, and I can’t wait to hear how the actors sing and how different or similar it is to Broadway versions.

#3: One Love

#3 on my wish list is One Love. I love these types of movies. I think they are called dramamentaries…? They did this with Elvis, and I thought that movie was pretty good. I really liked the Priscilla one, too. Well, this one is about Bob Marley, and I like his songs, but I don’t know that much about him, so I’m excited to learn. They apparently already made a movie called One Love back in 2003, which references Marley’s music but is not about his life. It still seems worth watching to compare. I really have no expectations for this movie. It just sounds really cool, and I love the poster.

#2: Dune Part 2

Dune Part 2 is #2 on my watch list. It took me a hilarious amount of time to fully watch through the first one with Timothée Chalamet. I watched the first 30 minutes of it then thought it was boring. Then I watched the last 30 minutes of it at a friend’s house. After that I got motivated to watch the full thing through but ran out of time as I rented the movie. Finally I re-rented it and watched the entire thing. During this saga of watching Dune, I really enjoyed the camera angles, so I’m excited to see more of that. I don’t remember loving the blue eyes in most shots, but maybe I’ll change my mind.

#1: Lisa Frankenstein

#1 I-can’t-wait-to-see is none other than Lisa Frankenstein. I think this movie just looks really cool. I really like the neon theme with the pinks and teals they have in the trailer and the poster. Though many people say romance movies are pretty cheesy, I still really like them. Lisa Frankenstein happens to have some romance, lots of comedy and a bit of horror. I think that makes a pretty rounded-out movie. Plus, it’s set in the 80s, so we get my personal favorite music style and really fun outfits and hair. The trailers do make Cole Sprouse’s makeup as Frankenstein’s monster a little bit weird looking, so I’ll be keeping an eye out for that.

Some of you may think I have “horrible movie taste” (Quote Louisa Richardson), but this is my opinion. If you are excited for any movies this year, tell me in the comments, I’d love to add them to my list.

A New Year’s Post for The Haters

February 6, 2024 by szachik@pvs.org 3 Comments

By Freshman Louisa Richardson

I hate New Year’s resolutions. I hate everyone asking me about what my New Year’s resolution is. I misread the situation. I say something funny or realistic, and they say something that I think is a joke because it’s so unrealistic, BUT THEY ARE BEING SERIOUS. Another reason I hate New Year’s resolutions is that they are always given up on. When you fail, you feel bad.

Ever since I was a kid, my mother (whom I love) has asked me what my goal is in the summer, winter, and of course for the NEW YEAR. For several years, I got away with saying that I wanted to learn how to do a back handspring, until the fateful day that I quit gymnastics. So then after that, I started learning something called sarcasm. Essentially every time someone asks me my New Year’s resolution, I either lecture them about why established habits are better, or I say some rather odd response: my favorite being, “Chair,” but my go-to is “to high dive off of the sun.” Such replies are said, of course, with a completely straight face. I am sick of New Year’s resolutions. The thing is that other people aren’t. I have heard countless times, “My New Year’s resolution is to go to the gym and work out every day!” Fun fact the gym has the most membership cancellations right after the new year (70.4 percent to be exact) (New York Post). Which brings me to my next point, why New Year’s resolutions are unrealistic.

New Year’s resolutions have always been rather unattainable. The top resolutions in general are to save money and go to the gym (Massive entertainment). Despite the fact that only 9 percent of New Year’s resolutions last for more than a few months (OSU), I still hear so many people talking about these completely unrealistic expectations for themselves! Though these unrealistic expectations lead to frustration, disappointment, and sadness (Counseling), people still want to put themselves through the trial of New Year’s resolutions! According to a study in 2014, 35% of these resolutions are completely unrealistic, and 23% are forgotten (Face off). According to reclaim.ai, 80% of these resolutions are thrown out by the second Friday in January. Quitting your resolutions by the second Friday of January apparently is so common that the day is known as “Quitters Day.” Many people believe that the largest reason why resolutions fail is because we as humans set the expectation a little too high (Very Well Mind). I can’t help but agree. The thing we really should start doing is setting habits.

My New Year’s habit this year is to move my body for at least 45 minutes. It’s not a wish, or an unrealistic goal, but a simple walk. It helps lower blood pressure, build muscle, and even helps blood to flow a little easier (Honor Health). Movement is great for mental health! Walking for just 10 minutes a day can increase positive mood, alertness, and reduce stress and anxiety (Mental Health Foundation). Taking a walk with my mom, neighbor (and best friend) Kate, or even just calling some friends while I walk is my favorite pastime right now–that and climbing trees. If you need a little mental health and physical pick-me-up, try to get outside for at least 15 minutes every day. You will feel better. I highly recommend these New Year’s habits because they will help you in the future. Whether your habit is to get outside, walk, or wear more makeup, it’s always good to start a habit that invests in yourself, even if your need is catching up on your sleep. After all, in the words of our blog teacher herself, “Even humans need to hibernate–just like bears.”

As you can see, there have been studies upon studies for these sorts of resolutions and expectations, and . . . failures–which very much backs up my speculation that perhaps New Year’s resolutions aren’t so great after all. Perhaps next year, a resolution could be to start making good habits.

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