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The Bird is the Word: Sophisticated Schoolyard Shenanigans

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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.

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

What’s the Hardest Sport and Why?

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By Middle-School Bloggers Mason Conway, Calum Webster, and Elizabeth Greenwood

Here at thebirdonfire.org, we argue over everything–including Why my sport is harder than your sport! We thought we’d take it to the Palm Valley sidewalks. We asked people what they believe is the hardest sport and why. We know what the hardest sport is (Water Polo!), and we know everyone else is wrong, but wanted to hear their insights. Their answers surprised us, displaying a wide range of perspectives on the physical and mental challenges involved in different sports.

John Webster, What’s the hardest sport? “Formula 1 or rock climbing. F1 is difficult because you are driving at a high speed and you risk your life, but rock climbing is also difficult because there is a demanding mix of physical strength and balance.”

Mr. Kisling : “Open water swimming because if you stop, you drown.”

Ms. Maguire: “I think that decathlon is the hardest because you have to be able to run a marathon and do all of those sports really well, and I think that is really hard.”

Devlin Roosevelt: “Soccer because sometimes the refs are blind.”

Mateo Omier: “I think boxing or wrestling because you get beat up every single time.”

Maxwell Pretorius: “Boxing because you can get hurt.”

Ivana Vega: “I would say wrestling because you can genuinely die.”

Addison Uhlhorn, What’s the hardest sport? “Hockey because it’s physically demanding on multiple different levels.”

Emmy Kaminsky: “Hockey because you have to skate while you are fighting while holding a stick while moving a puck.”

Jaden Ramer: “Ice Skating because you have to be precise.”

Brooklyn Hatrak: “I agree with Jaden because you have to be flexible.”

Sami Alnabelsi: “The hardest sport and why? I don’t know soccer because the refs are blind.”

Grace Ghaly: “Soccer because the coaches in soccer are mean.”

Ryder Gardner:  “Hardest sport? Football because you have to do conditioning.”

Jaxon Pacilio, What’s the hardest sport? “Football because you get get hit really hard.” Photo Credit: Mason Conway

Sarah Alnabelsi: “Soccer because it has a lot of running.”

Zoe Groendyke: “Ice Skating.”

Mr. Killeen:  “F1 because you have to be short.”

Riley Jorgensen: “Football because it’s the most physical sport possible.”

Coach Jake: “I would personally say football.”

Julian Berumen: “Volleyball”

Cindy Wang: “Volleyball’’

Silvinita Garcia:” Volleyball or basketball.”

Now, Elizabeth says…

As you can see from the wide range of answers, everyone has a different opinion on what makes a sport difficult. Whether it’s the physical demands of hockey or the precision of figure skating. It’s clear that all sports require hard work and dedication.

And, Calum adds…

In my opinion, water polo is the hardest sport for a couple of reasons. First, you have to be treading water for a long period of time. The game is 50 minutes long with only 13 players and 7 playing at a time, and you can only get subbed out after a goal or a time out. So you are for sure going to be tired after the game. Secondly, you can only use one hand at a time. You can not pass in from hand to hand. You either have to dribble it or drop it in the water. This can be really hard because you are going to have to have a really good grip on the ball. The ball is constantly in the water, which means it is going to be wet and slippery. In addition to that, you can only shoot from 5 meters or farther. Finally, it can be a very physical sport. There is a lot of fighting that goes on under water that the ref doesn’t see. That is why water polo is the hardest sport.

Finally, Mason concludes…

I’m going to agree with Calum on this one, I can barely swim, so imagine swimming for that long. If I was to try to play water polo, I would be at the bottom of the regulation 20-feet deep pool. Some people like to drag the players when the refs are not looking, which sounds terrifying; I’d die. I also believe lacrosse is one of the hardest sports solely because you’re allowed to break your stick over someone; the sticks they use are made out of carbon fiber and hard plastic, which I imagine would hurt a lot.