the bird on fire

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From Harry Styles to Cinephiles: Favorite Celebrities 

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By Middle-School Blogger Elizabeth Greenwood

One of my favorite celebrities is Kris Jenner. She has built an empire, not just for herself but for her daughters. She has turned each of her daughters into entrepreneurs. Every single one of them has their own successful company: Kourtney with lemme, Kim with SKIMS, Khloé with Good American, Kendall with 818 Tequila, and Kylie with Kylie Cosmetics. Having a good work life balance is no easy task, but Kris Jenner makes it look effortless. As some people may say (at least they say it on tiktok), the devil works hard, but Kris Jenner works harder.

Have you ever wondered which celebrities are favored? Today, I asked students about their favorite celebrity and what makes them stand out from the rest. From raw talent to authenticity. I wanted to know what celebrities my peers like. I’ve gathered insights on what qualities people admire most in public figures, and the qualities that make them unforgettable. Read on to find out the top choices among my peers at PVS.

Who’s your favorite celebrity?

John Webster:  “Jordan Pickford. He is very influential, and he is the best at what he does–although Steve Erwin is a close second. He is the person who got me interested in animals, and is very influential.”

Mr. Kisling: “Captain James T. Kirk because he earns the trust of his crew.”

Mateo Omier: “My favorite celebrity? Harry Styles I guess, but Dua Lipa is a close second.”

Maxwell Pretorius: “Jack Black because he is Steve.” 

Ivana Vega: “I’m gonna say Drew Starkey because he is a really good actor, and because he is fine.”

Addison Uhlhorn: “Zendaya because she is a good person and has many talents.”

Emmy Kaminsky: “Ryker Evans because he is the huzz. Morgan Wallen because he is so fine, and Megan Moroney because she is a girl’s girl, or, as Elizabeth would say, Megan Merooony.”

Jaden Ramer: “Melissa McCarthy.”

Brooklyn Hatrak: “Pete Wentz.”

 Edward Berg: “Lebron because he is Lebron; I think he is perfect.”

Grace Ghaly: “My favorite celebrity is myself. I’m not a celebrity–so, uhh, Billie Eilish.”

Lincoln Johnson: “Ryan Reynalds because he is a good actor.”

Zoey Guess: “Harry Styles because he is attractive and a good singer.”

Zoe Groendyke: “The Rock because I think he is really funny.”

Mia Groendyke: “My favorite celebrity is Theodore Roosevelt because he likes nature, and he was a very funny president.”

Samuel West: “My favorite celebrity is Christiano Ronaldo because he is the greatest soccer player in existence.”

Lorelei Behr: “Chad Michael Murray is my favorite celebrity because he is a good actor.” 

Steve Irwin, “The Crocodile Hunter,” inspires 9th-grader John Webster. Photo Source: The New York Times

It’s clear that the celebrities we admire aren’t just famous–they represent things we value. Hearing from my peers gave me a new perspective on what makes people stand out in the spotlight and in everyday life.

Cool to the Touch: Count Dracula (from Dracula, not Hotel Transylvania)

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By 7th-Grade Poet Sophia Bottine

This past week, Sophia and her baguettes were the hit of the Entrepreneur Fair. When it comes to literature, however, she’s drawn to something a little less wholesome than bread.

I chose Count Dracula from Dracula as my favorite villain because I think that he is a very good villain for my type of poems. I love dark, creepy stories, and Dracula is one of my favorites. Dracula is a part of a very good movie and book by Bram Stoker called Dracula. I think that everyone should know the story–especially since Dracula is inspired by a real historical figure named Vlad the Impaler. 

Count Dracula, 

Dark, bloodthirsty, unforgiving,

A vampire, worthy of his title.

Slithering through the night,

Crawling into houses,

Preying on the young

With blood, sweet and addictive

No man, 

No matter how strong

Or clever,

Can escape from his clutches

You might get fooled though,

By his handsome appearance,

With his dark, slicked-back hair,

Pale, ghostly skin,

Black, emotionless eyes

And smug, condescending smirk

Everything about him pulls you in. 

But don’t fall into his trap,

Because he will kill.

He will burn.

He will destroy.

He will do whatever is needed

Whatever he wants

All while laughing. 

He is the mightiest,

The cleverest,

The monstrous,

An honorable King,

Count Dracula…

My Favorite Villain in Literature: Captain Hook

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By 7th-grade poet Morgan Richardson

A couple weeks ago we had a creative-writing prompt: Who’s your favorite villain? Morgan liked Captain Hook–so much she turned her affection into a poem and a full-blown post. Enter . . . Captain Hook.

My favorite villain is Captain Hook. I remember the movie Peter Pan from my childhood, and Captain Hook always made me laugh with his many shenanigans. His many adventures and hunts to track down Peter make up parts of his evil nature. The Captain is always angry, but what really pushes his buttons is the tick tock Crocodile on the hunt for his blood. I decided to write a poem about Captain Hook and his many quests. 

Deep in Neverland 

His boat rocks among the sand

A silver sharp hook on his right hand

A kinky mustache and eyes grim.

A frightful frown after losing a limb.

His anger reaches over the brim.

A mighty crocodile slithers in the sea.

Tick Tock, Tick Tock the rhyme of a bumble bee–

Must escape by climbing up a tree.

Stalking and waiting to use his claws.

Was that Peter Pan I just saw?

Stuck in Tick Tock the crocodile’s jaws

The Captain will never track down Tink.

His planned takedowns have their kinks.

Peter is gone before Hook can blink.

Always followed by the first mate, 

Threatening crew members, 

deciding their fate.

If you run you’ll get stuck on his hook,

All the kindness and lives he took.

A story so great it should be in a book.

No one can beat the cruel Captain Hook.

What’s Your Favorite Song?

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By Sixth-Grade Bloggers Dior Halum & Sophia Nayfack

We’re talking about favorite things this week. Sophia Nayfack and Dior Halum turned to music. Everybody’s got a favorite musical something. So, they surveyed the Middle and Upper School, asking Palm Valley students, teachers, and staff such questions as, “Who is your favorite musical artist?” and “What is your favorite genre?” As expected, there is a wide variety of opinions at Palm Valley School.

Our Music Correspondents talked to the following:

Senior Rachel De La O 

Dior: “What is your favorite song, and who sings it?”

Rachel: “‘Lover, You Should’ve Come Over’ by Jeff Buckley.”

English Teacher Ms. Maguire

Sophia: “What is your favorite nursery rhyme and why?”

Ms. Maguire: “‘One Misty Moisty Morning’ because it is so fun to say.”

Sophomore Olivia Puetz

Dior: “What is your favorite song and why?”

Olivia: “My favorite song is ’Promise’ by When in Rome because it’s from my favorite movie.”

7th-Grader Emmy Kaminsky

Sophia: “Who is your favorite singer and why?”

Emmy: “I have two–Megan Moroney because she is a queen and Morgan Wallen because he’s a huzz.”

Sophomore Brooklyn Hatrak

Dior: “What is your favorite song, and who sings it?”

Brooklyn: “‘Headfirst Slide into Cooperstown on a Bad Bet’ by Fallout Boy.” 

8th-Grader Zoe Groendyke

Sophia: “What is your favorite genre of music, and what is your favorite song in that genre?”

Zoe: “My favorite genre of music is classical and the song is Prokofiev’s ‘Peter and the Wolf of 67 Saint Saens.’” 

7th-Grader Sarah Alnabelsi

Dior: “What is your favorite nursery song and why?” 

Sarah: “‘Hey Diddle Diddle’ because it rhymes nice.”

Sophomore Rylie Conway

Sophia: “What is your favorite song and why?”

Rylie: “‘Oakland Island’ because I like the beat.”

Sophomore Evan Wang

Dior: “What is your favorite nursery rhyme and why?”

Evan: “‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ because it is nice and calming.”

Senior Lily Jones

Sophia: “What is your favorite song and why?”

Lily: “‘Ivy’ because it talks about spring, and that’s my favorite season.”

Math Teacher Mr. Gil

Dior: “What is your favorite genre of music, and what is your favorite song in that genre?”

Mr. Gil: “Pop and ‘Birds of a Feather.’”

Ms. Emma 

Sophia: “What is your favorite song, and who sings it?”

Ms. Emma: “‘I Fall Apart’ by Post Malone.”

Freshman John Webster

Dior: “What is your favorite song, and who sings it?”

John: “‘Beautiful’ by U2.”

Sophomore Louisa Richardson

Sophia: “What is your favorite song, and who sings it?”

Louisa: “‘Gypsy Woman’ by Crystal Waters.”

Freshman Nevan Owsley

Dior: “What is your favorite song and why?”

Nevan: “‘My Way of Life’ by Frank Sinatra because his music is nice.”

8th-Grader Ryder Gardner

Sophia: “What is your favorite genre of music?”

Ryder: “Rap.”

Sophomore Leah Ferreira

Dior: “What is your favorite song, and who sings it?”

Leah: “‘Pink and White’ by Frank Ocean.”

History Teacher Mr. Satterfield 

Sophia: “What is your favorite nursery rhyme and why?”

Mr. Satterfield: “‘Humpty Dumpty’ because of the rhyme.”

Senior Kiera Nash

Dior: “What is your favorite song, and who sings it?”

Kierra: “‘West Coast’ by Lana Del Ray.”

Sophomore Shayan Habibipour

Dior: “Who is your favorite singer, and why do you like them?”

Shayan: “Bad Bunny because me and my sister both like him, so it’s a good bonding experience.”

7th-Grader Julian Berumen

Sophia: “What is your favorite song, and who sings it?”

Julian: “‘Sloppy Seconds Pt 2’ by Lay Bankz.”

6th-Grader Levy Laberge Ranger

Sophia: “Who is your favorite singer, and what is your favorite song by them?”

Levy: “‘Earfquake’ by Tyler the Creator.”

6th-Grader Mikel Lomsky

Sophia: “Who is your favorite singer, and what is your favorite song by them?”

Mikel: “‘Midnight City’ by M8T.”

6th-Grader Charlie Joyce

Dior: “Who is your favorite singer, and what is your favorite song by them?”

Charlie: “‘Outkast’ by Ms. Jackson.”

6th-Grader Daniel Bagheri

Sophia: “What is your favorite song and who sings it?”

Daniel: “‘Franchise’ by Travis Scott.”

6th-Grader Miller Bacal 

Dior: “What is your favorite song, and who sings it?”

Miller: “‘Peach Fuzz’ by KMD.”

There is a variety of music taste throughout the entire school. Some people like Rap and some like Country, but there was not one person who had the same favorite song, which is very interesting. We would like to thank all the people who let us interview them!

Flammable Hot Dog

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A 40-second film by Mark Huber

Movie Poster by Mark Huber: Catch the film “Flammable Hot Dog” below.

Again from the Piggy Universe comes a video depicting Mark Huber eating a hot dog (that’s really a stick of dynamite that his brother, David, has placed in a bun). This is Mark’s latest and longest Google Slides movie as of April 2025. Enjoy!

What’s Happening?

This tells you what is happening in case the video is too fast to understand.

0:03: Cloud moves to show title and creator of movie.

0:04: Cloud blocks title and creator of movie; perspective changes to show Mark’s house. Mark opens door.

0:05: Camera zooms into Mark.

0:07: Mark closes door.

0:08: Mark holds out hot dog and thinks about where to eat. David hops into view.

0:09: Perspective changes to close-up view of hot dog; David throws sausage away.

0:10: David places stick of dynamite where sausage was.

0:12: Perspective changes back to zoomed-in view of Mark’s house.

0:13: David hops out of view.

0:14: Mark’s face lights up; Mark says “Ah-HA!”

0:15: Mark says “I’ll eat right here!” and eats hot dog. Swallows hot dog whole.

0:16: Mark’s eyes go wide, realizing that he ate the dynamite.

0:17: Mark says, “That doesn’t taste like sausage…”

0:18: Mark says, “That tastes like-”

0:19: Mark explodes; smoke clears to show Mark covered with ashes.

0:20: Plate drops.

0:21: Mark yells, “DARN IT DAVID!!!”

0:22: “Fifteen minutes later” sign is shown.

0:23: “Fifteen minutes later” sign is taken away; David is being chased by Mark.

0:24: David stops running.

0:25: Mark stops running; Mark turns to face David; David gets scared.

0:26: Mark gets so angry, his skin turns dark red, and smoke comes out of his ears. Then, he explodes.

0:27: David is covered with ashes, and his eyes are huge. Mark says, “Welp, I’m going inside now. Bye!”

0:29: Mark turns toward the door.

0:30: Mark hops to the other side of the door and opens it.

0:31: Mark goes inside the house and closes the door.

0:32: A “The End” sign is chucked into view.

0:37: Slideshow Mode is exited.

0:40: Screen Recording ends.

Food On a Deeper Level

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By Middle-School Blogger Soleil Antle 

Food is more than a meal; food is more than a thought; it’s the reason for our existence. There is a deeper level of communication between us and our food. We express ourselves through our baking/cooking as people always give their proudly baked meals to their families and friends who might be grieving or thriving in the world. If you really think about it, food connects all people. 

Some people escape their sadness and bury themselves in their food, as it becomes comfort and pleasure. Emotionally, food is always there: the textures, flavors, aroma, and the visual attraction. You can sometimes hear food, like the bacon sizzling on a stove. After a bad day you just want to sit down and enjoy your favorite meal, whatever it might be. Flavor plays a big part in the emotional side of food; it’s hard to explain, but when you taste a meal that has clearly been worked on, you can feel the special connection between the chef and the plate–unlike fast food that is just pure chemicals thrown into a bag, with no love. My mom, an incredible cook, bakes from her heart. I can’t describe the amount of times she has stood at the oven all day whipping up something amazing. One of my personal favorites is her Blondies. They are vanilla brownies which are crunchy outside and soft inside. The whole seventh-grade class is obsessed with these, and you can see the smiles erupt on their faces every time we smell them. You take one bite, and you just want to eat the whole batch. 

Others take pride in their culture creating special dishes and sharing them through the community. For example, Thanksgiving, here in the United States we celebrate by gathering together and sharing a large feast with turkey, potatoes, jams, stuffing, etc. We talk with people we haven’t seen in ages and share laughter. A lot of families also have special traditions like eating potluck style where each brings a favorite dish.

Another way families are brought close together is making memories like cooking for the first time. I remember being a toddler and standing on the stool just so I could reach the countertop to decorate sugar cookies with my mom. She would go all out and grab all the sprinkles and icing she had, making sure my sister and I would have the best time. It was always a competition as to who would get the bigger spoon to lick off the batter. It still tasted great even though it wasn’t even baked.

As a result food is more than nutrition; it’s a wonderful thing that brings joy and comfort. When I come home from a long day of school and practice, I just want to eat the delicious food my mom is preparing in the kitchen. It brings a smile to her face when my sister and I tell her how good her food is.

Sources: 

The Deeper Meaning of Food In Our Lives
The Meaning of Food

Erewhon Smoothies: More than a Drink–a Lifestyle

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By Middle-School Blogger Elizabeth Greenwood

When most people think of smoothies, they don’t picture something glamorous, but Erewhon changed that. Erewhon is not any normal grocery store. Erewhon is an upscale grocery store; it is a health and wellness paradise. The shelves are stocked with all healthy and organic products–which is why their smoothies are so amazing. With their glowing colors, healthy ingredients, and celebrity collabs, these smoothies are more than something you drink–they’re an experience. Here is why I think Erewhon smoothies are not just drinks; they’re a lifestyle. 

Walking into Erewhon is like stepping into a dream: minimalistic, colorful, and clean. The best part? The best part would be the Tonic Bar where the smoothies are made.The Tonic Bar is sleek and modern, with marble countertops where the ingredients are displayed. It almost looks like a cafe. Behind the counter is where the baristas work making the smoothies and other drinks. When first trying these smoothies, you question everything you’ve ever thought about blended fruit. 

My first Erewhon smoothie was a defining moment, an experience that shifted my perception of what a smoothie could be–which for me, was enough to justify the price. Each smoothie can be anywhere from $18 to $23; it is definitely a splurge, but it is worth every penny. Let’s just say if coconut cream, sea moss, and organic almond butter had a fashion show, Erewhon smoothies would be the runway.

Everyone talks about their celebrity collaborations–-because let’s face it; Erewhon is the perfect place for them–but the truth is, all Erewhon smoothies make you feel like you just stepped out of a Pilates class. 

Yes, they’re expensive. Yes, they’re just smoothies, but if you think about it, it’s a self-care ritual that can brighten your day. Erewhon smoothies are proof that health can be delicious and photogenic. Erewhon smoothies are made with healthy ingredients like sea moss and collagen, which are really good for your skin.

Erewhon smoothies are more than smoothies. They define happiness by turning something so simple into a whole experience. I believe that everyone should have a chance to try one at some point in their life. As long as Erewhon sells smoothies, I will buy them. Personally, my favorite smoothie is the Malibu Mango, which is made with mango, coconut cream, and almond milk. If I had to choose another one, I would choose the Hailey Bieber smoothie made with strawberries, hyaluronic acid, avocado, and dates. 

Photo Credit: Erewhon Market

My Grandpa’s Good Food

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By 6th-Grade Blogger Reagan Kaminsky

My grandpa recently turned 80 years old. My family and I knew we had to do something unique for him on this special occasion, so our entire household got together and created a cookbook full of the recipes we love that Grandpa makes. My grandpa is an outstanding cook, creating wonderful dishes that vary from Swordfish Dumplings to Pumpkin Cheesecake. For this week’s Food blog post theme, I decided I was going to write a poem about how much joy all of his recipes bring to my family. 

Here, my Brother, Chase (right), poses with my grandpa (left) while Grandpa shows off his cookbook on his 80th birthday.

Dishes clanking, family chatting,

You’re in the kitchen cooking, but there’s still time for laughing.

A variety of smells fills the air, but they come together somehow.

You shout, “Come to the table, dinner’s ready now!”

You serve each bowl with care while children eagerly wait.

We finally dig in; your cuisine always gets a “5 Star” rating.

Next, you bring out the very last course.

Again, you serve with care, never with force.

The chatting stops everyone easily finishing their plate.

Soon, the room erupts in “That was great!”

Your food not only brings love, joy, and cheer,

It brings family together, where all problems disappear.

California Pizza Kitchen–Behind the Scenes

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By Middle-School Blogger Greenlee Bartley

A lot of people have favorite restaurants, and I’m one of those people. My favorite restaurant is California Pizza Kitchen (also known as CPK). I got introduced to it when I was very little because my mom and aunt used to work there. I asked them for info about what life was like working for CPK.

First, I interviewed my Mom, Trisha:

I asked her, “What was your favorite part about working at California Pizza Kitchen?”

And, she said, “All of the friendships I made while working there, and a lot of [those friends] I am still friends with today.” 

Next I asked her, “Why did you choose to work there?”

She responded, “I didn’t choose; my mother brought home an application and told me to apply.”

Then I asked her, “What were your favorite and biggest accomplishments working at California Pizza Kitchen?” 

She said, “Becoming a counter bar trainer [which is someone who trains people on how to serve customers at the counter bar], and opening new locations.”

Here you see my mom working at CPK in the 1990s.

Next, I interviewed my Aunt Summer about her experience behind the CPK scenes:

I asked her, “What was your favorite part about working at California Pizza Kitchen?”

She said, “Getting a discount on the food when I ate there.”

Next I asked her, “Why did you choose to work there?”

She said, “Because my sister worked there, and she got me the job.”

Lastly I asked her, “What were your favorite and biggest accomplishments working at California Pizza Kitchen?” 

She said, “My biggest accomplishment was becoming the best server they had and eventually a server trainer.” 

Why I like CPK:

California Pizza Kitchen is one of my favorite restaurants. I love the vibe there because it has lots of windows, and I like that because I love natural lighting. Also, I love the food. It is mainly an Italian restaurant with pasta, pizza, salads, drinks, desserts, and more! I love them for their pasta. I get buttered fusilli. My favorite and only California Pizza Kitchen location I’ve been to is the one on El Paseo, and I really recommend it! 

What’s Your Favorite Candy?

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By Middle-School Bloggers Calum Webster and Mason Conway

Candy is a seemingly innocent topic, but it is heavily debated. Do you like Mounds Bars or Almond Joy? Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup or Nerds Gummy Clusters? Whoppers or Milk Duds? The topic about what candy is best gets talked about often. In order to get to the bottom of people’s opinions here at Palm Valley, 7th-graders Mason and Calum went out interviewing to discover the best candy to chomp on.

7th-grader Julian says of candy, “My favorite candies are Sweet Tarts, and Twizzlers are my least favorite.”

7th-grader Silvanita says she dislikes “Snickers because I do not like the peanuts in it, and I love Nerds because of the sweet flavor.”   

8th-grader Edward replies, “Hi-Chews taste amazing, and Milky Ways . . . too sweet.” 

10th-grader Rylie says she likes “Haribo Raspberry because they are crunchy on the outside, sweet in the middle; . . . she hates “black licorice because it tastes horrible.” 

Teacher Mr. Killeen recommends Godiva because “it’s pretty high quality and consistent quality. He hates “Werthers.” He says, “It is blah and too sweet.”

7th-grader Sami says, “Elephant Poop Chocolate” is his favorite because of its nice texture. “This is a real thing!” Sami adds. “Dubai Chocolate” is his least favorite because he says it “tastes like grass.”

7th-grader Jaxon’s favorite candy is the “Kinder Bueno bars/eggs because they have a creamy hazelnut filling,” and he says his least favorite candies are “Milk Duds because they look and taste like over baked cookies.”

7th-grader Emmy says she likes “The lollipops from the kids’ meal at the sushi place in Mammoth,” and she doesn’t have a least favorite candy.

7th-grader Max says, “My favorite candy is chocolate-covered pretzels,” and he adds, “My least favorite candy is Vegemite.”

7th-grader Ben says, “My favorite candy is Twix because of the carmel,” and he adds, “My least favorite is Dots because they taste artificial.”

8th-grader Moses says his favorite candy is “Reese’s Pieces because the peanut butter tastes good,” and he says, “I hate Almond Joy because it tastes so bad.”

7th-grader Devlin says, “My favorite candy is og Hershey’s,” and adds “my least favorite is Whoppers because they suck.”  

7th-grader Gavin says he does not have a favorite candy, but he has a favorite place to get candy–”it is by far See’s Candy.” And, he says that his least favorite is “Dots because they don’t taste like anything, but they have a weird factory taste to them.”

8th-grader Addison says she likes “Nerds Gummy Clusters or Watermelon Sour Patch Kids,” and she says my “least favorite is probably black licorice because it is gross.”  

Candy sells. PVS middle schoolers mixed and matched their favorites at the CJSF candy “salad” bar.

This has been a really fun project searching for the best candy, but the PVS community has not decided upon a clear winner.

Calum and Mason received a lot of great answers–from Dubai chocolate to Vegemite–but logged no clear consensus. However, Ms. Zachik adds, “Judging from the rush for Nerds Clusters at the CJSF Candy Salad Wednesdays, I’d say Nerds are a courtyard favorite.”