Luke Sonderman Archives - Page 2 of 3

Luke’s Scary Picks

November 2, 2022 by szachik@pvs.org 1 Comment

By Junior Luke Sonderman

Halloween has come and gone. Still, it’s fun to break out those movies that make us not want to sleep at night. From the old Chucky movies, to some of the new terrifying movies full of crazy CGI–personally, I love scary movies. Here are some of my favorites. Check them out when you get sick of the lame holiday movies that are heading our way.

1. Smile

I don’t want to spoil anything as this movie is still in theaters, but, if you like jumpscares, then get your diaper on and head over to the movie theater. This movie will make you jump, I promise. It has some of the most unexpected jumpscares while having a pretty decent storyline for a horror film. You’ll never look at a smile the same way.

2. Lights Out

Before seeing the movie Smile, this was my favorite horror movie. Lights Out is about a mother who lives in a house with the ghost of her childhood friend. The catch is that this ghost only lives in the dark and cannot enter the light. Not only is this movie very creepy, but it has some pretty big jumpscares. If you watch this movie, watch it in the dark. It makes the experience much scarier.

3. Sixth Sense

Okay, I gotta throw some classics in here. The Sixth Sense is a great movie with a crazy twist. It really isn’t very scary. It is much more eerie. The storyline is very complex, and it is one of those movies that makes much more sense after watching a second time. This movie would definitely be on my list of movies everyone needs to watch before they die.

4. Happy Death Day (The first one)

You probably won’t find this on any lists of the horror greats, but Happy Death Day is one of my favorite horror films. I think this is one of the movies that really got me into the horror genre. It is a psychological slasher movie with a plot that lies around a college student named Tree, who is killed every day by a mystery killer with a mask, but wakes up after every death reliving the same day. Kinda like Groundhog Day–but darker.

5. The Blair Witch Project

The Blair Witch Project is a bizarre movie. All of the video is meant to look like it was a real recording recovered from personal cameras of documentarians who are investigating the mythological Blair Witch, but, trust me, it’s completely fictional. The movie feels so real that it will make you shiver. I have always loved this movie and have seen it multiple times.

Most of these movies can be accessed on streaming platforms and even in theaters.

Dino Diet

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

By Junior Luke Sonderman

As our final health post, we return again to the issue of diet. Luke . . . has some concerns regarding an all-meat diet.

Hate to break it to all the vegans, but humans are supposed to eat meat. Now, if you want to hear my opinion on veganism you can read my blog article I wrote last year (“The Most Unhealthy Diet That Is Spreading Fast“). I’m here now to talk about the polar opposite of veganism: Carnivorism.

What is a carnivore diet?

A carnivore diet is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. It is a diet that consists of only animal products and excludes all vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, and all other non-animal foods (health.clevelandclinic.org). To someone who loves meat, this diet may sound like heaven. But, there are lots of downsides to this diet (just like there are downsides to the vegan diet).

Upsides to the carnivore diet

This diet consists of lots of protein and fat, but near zero carbs.

Low carb diets are actually very popular when it comes to weight loss, but to be honest low-carb diets are just diets for people too lazy to hit the gym, jump on a Peloton, or just knock out some push ups every morning. The body transforms carbs into glucose (sugars) which can be used as energy. The thing is if you don’t use that energy (go to that spin class, do that hot yoga, hit the gym, go for a run)… then that glucose becomes fat.

The reason all of that doesn’t apply to this diet is because with the massive protein and fat diet, you can get ridiculously shredded from the amount of protein you are consuming while having energy from the fats. With no carbs, when you work out, the theory is you will keep a low body fat percentage and increase muscle mass.

Downsides to the carnivore diet

To keep things plain and simple, this diet is considerably as deadly as Trump’s McDonald’s diet which consists of McDonald’s Egg McMuffins for breakfast, meatloaf sandwiches for lunch, and a McDonald’s order of two Big Macs, two Filet-O-Fish sandwiches for dinner (theculturetrip.com). But seriously, the amount of saturated fat in this diet is absolutely ridiculous. Lots of saturated fat equals a high cholesterol which will lead to heart disease. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Eating too much protein can also cause kidney issues, which is yet another reason why this diet can KILL YOU.

The Transportation Security Administration Theater

October 18, 2022 by szachik@pvs.org 1 Comment

If you know Luke, you know he has opinions. Here, after an uncomfortable episode at the airport, Luke takes on TSA.

By Junior Luke Sonderman

One of the biggest pains of flying is going through TSA (Transportation Security Administration) security. From long lines, to rude officers, to being groped during extensive pat-downs and having to take belts and shoes off, TSA is just no fun. But, how much is TSA really protecting air transportation? Is TSA really trying to sniff out bad guys, or are they just trying to look official to make travelers feel more comfortable?

My Personal Experience with TSA

I’ve never really minded flying. It’s always been pretty enjoyable for me. That was until I had a flight from Palm Springs to San Francisco at 6:30 a.m., all alone. I got to the airport an hour or two early and made my way to the security checkpoint. Everything was normal. I took my shoes off and put my bags up on the conveyor belt. The bags went through with no problem. I walked through the metal detector without having any beeping or metal detection. As I went to grab my bag, a TSA officer asked me to step aside. I went with it because like those dudes have guns. He asked me if I wanted to be searched in front of everyone or in a private room. Now, I’ve had my fair share of security pat-downs at public events and when using public transportation, so I just told him to get it over with. What I didn’t know is that I was about to have an extensive search of every nook and cranny of my body. He started off with the chest, neck, and under the hair. He checked behind my ears and in my arm pits. Now, I thought that this was a bit of a strong search. The guy didn’t have to check behind my ears. I can’t fit a bomb back there anyways. But, then he got to my hip, rear end, then crotch region, and that’s where I had the surprise of a lifetime. I felt groped, harassed, and confused. That man’s fingers went where I very much didn’t want them to go, and I never got an answer for why he searched me.

What TSA is Actually There For

TSA is commonly referred to as a “security theater.” This basically means that TSA is a security administration put in place to make people feel safe and secure while flying, when in reality they aren’t really keeping you safe from anything. Jason Harrington, a former TSA Agent, says that “Yes, TSA agents are ogling or making fun of your naked physique in the full-body scans. Yes, they are racially and politically profiling certain people for extra screening. Yes, the body scans are ineffective and can be easily manipulated” (theatlantic.com). He went on to say, “It was a job that had me patting down the crotches of children, the elderly and even infants as part of the post-9/11 airport security show” (theatlantic.com).

In 2015, Homeland Security ran a study on TSA and how effective the security checkpoints were. They sent 70 agents through TSA security checkpoints with hidden weapons and fake bombs, and 67 of them made it through security without getting stopped (nbcnews.com).

Now, I’m not here to say that you aren’t safe flying because to be completely honest, TSA works. There has not been a successful large-scale airline attack in the United States since the creation of the TSA. Though what I will say is that if TSA isn’t catching guns and bombs behind my ears… can we please bring larger self-care products and not take our shoes and belts off? Let us just walk through the metal detectors. Please, spare us getting to the airport two hours early and having to spend extra time packing everything in the tiny little 4 oz bottles.

Cancel Cancel Culture

September 29, 2022 by szachik@pvs.org 2 Comments

thebirdonfire.org bloggers spent the week examining cultures and countries. Luke looks critically at the phenomenon of a social culture.

By Junior Luke Sonderman

What is cancel culture?

In recent years, you may have heard people talk about politicians, actors, social media influencers, and even everyday people in society being “canceled” for something they say, promote, or do. This is the foundation of cancel culture. To be canceled is basically to be cast out of society or from any social group. This may mean being banned from social media, losing employment, or being labeled as someone not fit to function in society.

Why is cancel culture so prominent today?

Personally, I believe that cancel culture is so prominent because it is the easiest and fastest way to hold someone accountable for their actions while not giving the accused a chance to make their case. In 2019, the 27-year-old Former Editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue Magazine, Alexi McCammond, “parted ways” with her job after an “anti-asian and homophobic” tweet from when she was 17 resurfaced (heritage.org). The platforms advertising was pulled and Vogue had to let go MCammond (heritage.org). One out-of-context tweet from ten years ago can be grounds to fire an employee and cancel someone from society. It is the easiest way for people to ruin someone’s social reputation without giving them a sliver of a chance to salvage it.

Where does freedom of speech play a role in cancel culture?

Well, it is partially true that in the United States, citizens are free to speak their mind without having interference from the government. But, private organizations like Twitter and Instagram are free to sensor anything they like on their personal platforms. Recently a social media sensation Andrew Tate was permanently banned from Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok for being a “dangerous individual or organization” (variety.com). Andrew Tate’s rise to fame came from his controversial views on gender stereotypes, gender equality, and how he thinks men should treat women. His confident and insouciant demeanor as well as his supercars and money has made him a large appeal to teenage boys who want to live like him. Spreading misogyny and sexist ideas to the next generation is a very dangerous plague, but is it the job of companies like Twitter and Instagram to censor what is on their platform?

“Censorship is telling a man he can’t have a steak just because a baby can’t chew it.”
Mark Twain

It is the job of social media users to make opinions and decide for themselves what is right or wrong, not the job of the platform. Just because there are young teens on social media, companies should not censor and tailor their platform for what they should and shouldn’t be exposed to.

Why cancel culture is so dangerous?

Although cancel culture does silence some people with dangerous and controversial beliefs, cancel culture can also ruin the lives of people who have made mistakes. We are sending a message to the world that it is not okay to make mistakes and forgiveness is no longer something that is acceptable in society. We are also accepting blatant censorship as an American norm that is right now confined to private companies but is spreading quickly to our education systems and leading us away from a free, democratic nation.

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?

EV vs Combustion Power

September 6, 2022 by szachik@pvs.org 1 Comment

When I asked our bloggers to illuminate a cause, I didn’t really expect muscle cars to be of focus. But, I was forgetting Mustang fanatic Luke Sonderman was in the house.
Blog Advisor Zachik

By Luke Sonderman

Electric cars are taking the world by storm with some of the highest performing vehicles on the market for extremely low prices. Are these cars worth getting, or should you ride in style in a classic combustion?

Tesla Model S Plaid

The Tesla Model S Plaid is a piece of straight-up raw performance. With a 0-60 (mph) of just under 2 seconds, a top speed of 200mph, and over 1000 horsepower, the Model S Plaid is the definition of speed (tesla.com). Starting at only $140,000, you will not find a car with these specs in this price range or even at all! Yes, I know $140,000 is a lot of dough, but hear me out. The 2023 Ferrari 296 is one of the highest performing super cars on the market. With a 0-60 (mph) in 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 205mph, this thing is a monster (motortrend.com). With similar specs to the Model S, the 2023 Ferrari 296 starting price is $317,000. I think that anyone could agree that the Tesla Model S Plaid is without a doubt the highest performing car of 2022 and is also the best deal.

Now let’s get into why the Tesla Model S Plaid is not worth your 140 grand. First of all, it is absolutely no fun. The most thrilling parts of owning a high performance sports car is the sound, the look, the interior, and then of course the actual performance. Yes, the Model S passes the performance test, but it’s like driving a really fast golf cart. The interior looks like an Ikea design, and the exterior looks like an Apple Magic Mouse. When it comes to sound, well, there really isn’t any.

Ford Mustang Mach-E GT

One of my least favorite electric vehicles that is rising on the charts is the 2022 Mustang Mach-E GT. This hunk of junk has 480 horsepower, a 0-60 (mph) of 3.5 seconds, and a top speed of 124mph. The specs aren’t nearly what the Model S Plaid’s are, but this car starts at $65,000 so don’t expect a supercar. Still, a 3.5 0-60 is very quick, and it is still a high performance vehicle.

The real reason I hate this car so much is because they named it a Mustang. The name Mustang has been reserved for Ford’s muscle cars since the 60s. Mustangs are my favorite cars, and I was so disappointed when they made this ugly EV SUV a Mustang when it is not. It looks very, very weird on the exterior, but the interior is alright. Is it worth $65,000? Absolutely not! Get a REAL Mustang GT. A loud piece of muscle.

Chevrolet Corvette C8

As a Ford fanatic, I hate to give Chevy any credit for anything… but the 2022 C8 Corvette is a pretty sick car. This 8-cylinder monster comes equipped with 490 horsepower, a 0-60 (mph) of 2.9 seconds, and a top speed of 194mph (stingraychevrolet.com). Corvettes are known for their lightweight body and power-packed engines that make them so fast. Starting at only $61,000, this car is definitely the best bang for your buck when it comes to sports cars (roadandtrack.com).

Now, this car not only has the performance of a supercar, but it has a fighter jet style interior. If I bought a sports car, I would want it to look like a fighter jet. Now the exterior is cool, don’t get me wrong, but I favor the older model exteriors such as the 2017. When it comes to what I’m looking for in a sports car, it has the noise, it has the performance, it has the interior, and it has the coolness factor. When it really comes down to it, I would probably spend my 60g’s on a Mustang, but if you are looking for a speedy, quick car, then I would totally go with the 2022 Corvette C8.

(thecarconnection.com)

Mustang Shelby GT-500

Now the car I have been waiting for… the Mustang Shelby GT-500. This is definitely my favorite car, and I believe it is the coolest car on the market. This supercharged 5.2 liter 8-cylinder muscle car comes packed with 760 horsepower, 180mph top speed, and a 0-60 (mph) of 3.5 seconds (guideautoweb.com). I know what you’re going to say…. I know it has way more horsepower than the Corvette, and it is still a bit slower. But, this car is a powerhouse. The wow factor of this engine will blow your mind. It is loud, powerful, and very pretty. As a muscle car, Mustangs have a generally heavier body than most every sports car, which is why they tend to be slower than cars like Corvettes and Teslas. But the power you feel under the hood of a 2022 Mustang Shelby GT-500 is nothing like a little Tesla or 400-horsepower Corvette.

Of any of the cars on this list, this one would be the one I would get. The GT-500 has everything I look for in a sports car. It has impeccable performance, a crazy engine, a very loud exhaust, and it has a beautiful interior and exterior. Although I may be biased as a Mustang owner, I believe that this is the best car money can buy. Starting at $70,000, the GT-500 is the epitome of style, power, and fun.

(motortrend.com)

In the end when it comes to gas vs. electric, I would go with gas. I’m a junkie for speed, noise, style, and power, and electric vehicles do not have all of those characteristics. If all you care about is a minimalistic aesthetic and a quick little golf cart, then I would get a Tesla. But if you want some real power and muscle, go with a Mustang.

The Art of Collecting Vinyl

August 24, 2022 by szachik@pvs.org 2 Comments

By Luke Sonderman

Why Vinyl Records Are Still Relevant

Vinyl records were released to consumers almost 90 years ago, giving everyday people the ability to listen to the exact music they want without having to turn on a radio (thevinylrevivers.com). This revolutionary invention changed the way people could enjoy music forever!

To this day, vinyl records have been one of the most prominent ways to listen to music amongst the pickiest listeners. Now, you may think that vinyl is dead because of streaming and downloading music, but YOU ARE MOST UTTERLY WRONG! Mark Michalek of Fluance, a home theater company, said, “[A] proper vinyl pressing will reproduce an uncompressed signal with no additional artificial sound processing such as dynamic compression resulting in a greater effective dynamic range for a more life-like sound” (techradar.com). Through the uncompressed vinyl sound we can allow our ears to hear all of the frequencies of the music as if it was being performed in front of us. With streaming and downloading, we do not get the same live effect.

Collecting Vinyl

Listening to the sound on vinyl records isn’t the only part of the massive appeal. Vinyl records have become collectables, and some even sell upwards of two million dollars! (hmv.com) Many vinyl stores sell their records pre-owned which creates a large vinyl scavenging frenzy. When a collector walks into a vinyl store, they have no idea what treasure they may walk out with. You may buy a first edition Led Zeppelin print worth thousands, or you may find an old worthless Zappa album that isn’t worth skat.

Personally, I don’t search for valuable gems. I just look for pre-owned cheap records from groups I like because the new prints are wicked expensive.

What To Look For When Buying Pre-Owned Vinyl

Inspect the vinyl record’s cover. If the cover is in good condition, it is a good sign that the record will also probably be in good condition. If the cover is in bad condition, the record will most definitely be in bad condition. When you find a record in perfect condition with a very beat-up cover, there is a large chance that the cover is not original to the record and the same can be said vice versa.
Check if the record has a sleeve inside the cover. Never buy a record without a sleeve. The vinyl cover will scratch the record if there is no sleeve protecting it. Of course, if a sleeve is very torn and worn, the record was probably taken in and out of the cover many times. Usually, record stores will replace the sleeve if it is torn, which is good because when you buy a record you want to be able to maintain its condition.
Of course, you need to check the condition of the record itself. Often, used records in record stores have accumulated lots of dust and grime which you will want to brush off before purchasing the record. After dusting off the record, look for any scratches on the record. As a general rule of thumb, if you can feel a scratch with your finger, then the stylus (needle) will be able to feel it too. Also check to make sure that the record isn’t warped and is completely flat.

If all of that checks out, then you should be good to buy the record. When spending large amounts of money on vintage records, I would recommend you ask the store owner if you can play the record before purchasing it, but I buy my records for less than 10 dollars, so it’s not a big deal to me.

Here is a list of recommendations for used vinyl albums you should buy:

Houses of the Holy – Led Zeppelin
Appetite for Destruction – Guns and Roses
Wasting Light – Foo Fighters
Shout At The Devil – Motley Crue
Physical Graffiti – Led Zeppelin
2112 – Rush
Too Fast For Love – Motley Crue

Luke’s Top 5 MLB Fantasy Picks

May 19, 2022 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

By Luke Sonderman

Although sports like football may capture a lot of the attention in the United States, baseball, in my mind, is the best sport by a long shot as each player plays such a unique role in a game that is very strategic. Every year I research the league leaders for my fantasy baseball team, and this year I have created a list of my favorite baseball players.

Number One

Nolan Arenado

redbirdrants.com

Nolan Arenado, of the St. Louis Cardinals, has been a star third baseman since his time on the Rockies. So far this year, Nolan has kept up a 0.330 batting average and is one of the league leaders in batting (mlb.com).

Number Two

Manny Machado

Manny Machado, also a third baseman, is the star for the San Diego Padres who is stuck in the shadow of Fernando Tatis, Jr., I think that he is incredibly underrated with a batting average of 0.385 so far this season (mlb.com). As Tatis is on the 90-day injured list for a broken wrist, Machado is finally getting the attention that he has deserved.

Number Three

Shohei Ohtani

I know, I know. Everyone won’t stop talking about Ohtani; I promise you I’m not a bandwagon. But Shohei Ohtani deserves the praise he is receiving as he is not only one of the best pitchers in the MLB, but also one of the best batters as well. It is very rare for pitchers to be strong offensively, but Ohtani is the most well-rounded baseball player in the whole league. With a batting average of .285 this season and an ERA (earned runs average per 9 innings) of 3.08, I believe that Shohei Ohtani is the #1 Fantasy Draft Pick because he is solid in all areas.

Number Four

Jazz Chisholm, Jr.

One of my first fantasy picks this year would have to be Jazz Chisholm, Jr., second baseman of the Miami Marlins. I have always loved 2nd basemen because of their crazy agility, and, usually, they are very good baserunners. Jazz Chisholm, Jr., has a batting average so far of .300 (baseball-reference.com) which has been a major boost to the Marlins’ lineup.

Number Five

Paul Goldschmidt

I didn’t want to put more than one person from a single team onto this list, but I have a special love for the St. Louis Cardinals. I have been surrounded by Cardinals fans my whole life, and I have lots of family in St. Louis. Cardinals fans are just so passionate about the sport which makes them very easy to like. Paul Goldschmidt, the Cardinals first baseman, has been one of the Cardinals’ stars this year, picking up a batting average of .283 (espn.com). Goldschmidt always comes in clutch when the team needs him to and is always scoring points in Fantasy. There are other first basemen ranked higher than him, like Freddie Freeman, but I personally like Goldschmidt as a player more than the others (maybe just because he’s a Cardinal).

So if you still want to put together a fantasy baseball team, there is plenty of time left in the season. I would definitely recommend you try to snatch these 5 players as they were on my top 5 for the Fantasy draft.

2022-23 New Head of Upper and Middle School

May 19, 2022 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

By Luke Sonderman

After Mr. and Mrs. Coffey announced their departure from Palm Valley after the 2021-22 school year, a search looking for who would fill Mr. Coffey’s shoes began. After a thorough search, the school landed on Mr. Winter, a current history teacher at Palm Valley.

Mr. Winter came to Palm Valley this school year (2021-22) teaching 8th grade US History, 9th grade Human Geography, and AP US History. He has a background in teaching history and in administration. In an email interview between Mr. Winter and myself, Mr. Winter said, “I believe that it is important [to continue to teach], so I can continue to connect with students in the classroom. In my previous administrative experience in public schools, continuing to teach was never an option, so I am grateful that I can do this. What it is I will be teaching hasn’t been solidified yet, so stay tuned!”

When asked about current policy change, Mr. Winter said, “One of the first things I will be doing before school is out for this year is to speak with as many staff and students about those things that really work well, those things that may need to be looked at closer, and any new ideas to enhance the experience here at PVS. From there, I will start to work closely with Dr. Sherman to then take what I have learned from staff and students to inform any new policies or procedures that will benefit everyone here.” He also commented on students’ voices saying, “Student voice is very important, and I want to be able to help bring those voices forward. This does not mean everything that students would love to see in place or to change will happen, but it does mean that I will not make all decisions on my own.”

After the administrative merger of the Middle and Upper School in the 2021-22 school year, I asked Mr. Winter what his plans were for either keeping them together or creating privileges and policies to separate the Middle and Upper School. He responded saying, “I believe there are certain things that should be reserved for Upper School, so that Middle Schoolers have something different to look forward to as they move into the upper school.” Mr. Winter also commented on the AP and Elective selection choice saying, “This is the time of year when those decisions are being made, but the bigger contributing factor in class and AP choices comes down to how we are staffed, and what each staff is able to teach. Our first priority is to ensure that required classes are for sure being taught. Then, based on the number of staff we have and the number of periods there are available, we can get an idea of what can truly be offered in the form of AP or elective offerings. Currently, we offer 6 AP classes, and a handful of various elective offerings. If we are able to expand these, again based on staff availability as well as budget, I agree that this would be one of those things that could expand the high school experience.”

In conclusion, it looks like Mr. Winter has a very open mind about new policies and ideas for the 2022-23 school year. It will be interesting to see what changes come next year, and if you have any suggestions or ideas for next year, Mr. Winter encourages you to reach out to him.

A Little Bit About Jesse

May 18, 2022 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

By Luke Sonderman

Jesse Denyer, Class of 2022, has recently committed to University of Alabama after receiving an academic scholarship. There is a lot to Jesse (mostly good things), so let’s take a brief moment to talk a little bit about her.

Jesse not only loves to play and watch sports, but she also loves coaching them. Jesse has been playing basketball, volleyball, and golf throughout high school as well as assistant coaching Middle School Flag Football. If you ever get into an argument about sports with Jesse, my best advice would be to run for your life. YOU WILL NOT WIN!!!

With this love for football and the Dallas Cowboys, you may have a hard time reaching Jesse on Sundays because she is probably in her favorite jersey watching the Cowboys’ game. When I asked Jesse who her favorite football player is, she said,

“All my favorite players are only my favorite cuz they’re hot (yes, Joe Burrow, I’m talking to you). Seriously though my favorite player last year had to be Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs. He was basically the light on the slowly sinking ship that is the Cowboys. I mean 11 interceptions in one season… come on. If you’re gonna watch your team lose it might as well be entertaining. Plus he went to Bama, so bonus points.”
Jesse

Recently, I have turned Jesse into a baseball fan by making her go to a San Diego Padres game and join a Fantasy Baseball league with me. She has become a very big fan of the Padres, specifically of Manny Machado and Joe Musgrove, and even has a Manny Machado jersey. Now, if you try to talk baseball with Jesse, she will school you about how her Padres are better than your team (especially if you’re a Dodgers fan).

Jesse’s music taste is very broad to say the least. When I asked her who she likes to listen to, she said,

“I’ll listen to anything from Merle Haggard to Doja Cat. Peter Tosh to 50 Cent. Pink Floyd to Justin Timberlake. Linkin Park to Frank Ocean. You name it, and I probably jam to it. I do have a special spot for country, though (sorry, everyone). Anything going on in my life, there’s a country song for it. Some of my favorite memories have a country song attached to it. They just do it different.”
Jesse

If you have ever been to Stagecoach Festival, you weren’t alone. Jesse was right there beside you, singing her heart out, always in the front row trying to make eye contact with whoever is performing and maybe catch a souvenir guitar pic or set list.

I asked some of Jesse’s classmates, friends, and teachers to describe Jesse with one word. This is what they said:

Ms. Zachik – Saucy
Mrs. Coffey – Efficient
Mr. Griffin – Confident
Ms. Castellano – Witty
Mr. Winter – Aggressive
Hambik – Depraved
Sara – Fierce-minded
Jane – Upbeat
Harli – Resilient
Roman – Realistic
Isabella – Blunt
Joss – Funny
Lilah – Bossy

If I had to describe Jesse in one word, it would probably be fun as she always does something to stir the pot. In all honesty, Jesse is a very special person to me and to the many people who know her, so if you haven’t had a nice long talk about literally the most random subjects with Jesse… definitely start up a conversation with her before the end of the school year. She will quite literally talk about anything with you!