Berner Beacon

Can you guess which furry family member belongs to which teacher? The answers are at the end of the issue!

Teacher Choices

Mr. Joyce (English teacher)

Mrs. Martelli

Frau Kahn

by Chloe Symington and Mia Cespites

Can you guess who the tiny teachers are below? The answers are at the end of the issue!

by Luci Bernstein

With the 2024-2025 school year coming to an end, students will be moving up to their next grades! It can be scary to start a new school year with harder academic and mental challenges. If you need some guidance, you came to the right place! Here are some tips for Berner students in the 2025-2026 school year.

INCOMING 6TH GRADERS

Go to the Walkthroughs

Berner can be overwhelming when you come out of elementary school. Berner is very big compared to Massapequa elementary schools, considering that Berner has three floors and many ways to get lost. But, in August before school starts, Berner always has four walkthrough sessions spread across two days. Usually, there are two hour sessions that you can attend with your friends and schedules. Teachers are in the hallway to guide you, or you can bring an older sibling/parent who went to Berner. If you’re transferring to another school, find out if they have a walkthrough that’s similar to this.

Practice Using Your Lock

If you went to an elementary school where you didn’t have to use lockers, you should practice using your lock. During the walkthrough, 6th graders are provided with locks that they will carry with them throughout middle school and high school. In Berner, there are lockers that can only be opened by locks. If you weren’t taught how to use locks before entering Berner, I recommend asking a trusted adult, older sibling, or looking up a YouTube video to figure out how to open a lock. This will help you succeed in Berner and make your time there much easier since you’ll need to be able to use your regular locker and gym locker (and possibly a music locker depending on whether you play an instrument or not).

Start Making Friends From Different Elementary Schools

It’s always good to have friends from your original elementary school, but Berner is a great way for students to make friends and meet new people. This is your time to branch out and find more people that relate to you so that you have a good amount of friends to carry you throughout your middle school years.

INCOMING 7TH GRADERS

Try Different Study Methods

Since 6th grade is technically considered elementary school in New York State, it’s relatively easy compared to 7th grade. You’re eventually going to have to study if you want good grades, especially if you’re on the accelerated path. Unless you regularly studied in elementary school and 6th grade, it is recommended that you try different study methods and see what works for you. This way, it’s easier for you to start studying once you need to.

by Angelina Miata

Do you enjoy writing? Do you want an activity to do after school? If you said yes to these questions then joining Berner Beacon might be for you! Berner Beacon is an after school club run by Ms. Waterman and Mrs. Cangiano. In Berner Beacon, you can write stories about things you enjoy and share it with the school and your friends! If you want to attend, meetings are Thursdays in room 201 and everyone is welcome! Berner Beacon allows students to write about any topic they might find interesting or a topic they might want to share with the community. Journalists are allowed to write about books, movies, and tv show reviews, fashion tips, clubs, and much more!

Ms. Waterman and Mrs. Cangiano have been running Berner Beacon since 2018 which is 7 years and counting! Ms. Waterman shared: “Berner Beacon is a club where students in all 3 grades come together every week. Students all have a common interest in loving to write and entertain the Berner community. We have gotten such positive feedback from students, teachers, staff and families about how each and every edition of the Berner Beacon is fabulous. There is a lot of hard work put in behind the scenes, so it's rewarding to see it pay off. My favorite part about running Berner Beacon is being able to read a variety of different articles from different students. As an English teacher there are only some opportunities for students to write creatively so this club gives students a chance to write about their interests, spend time with their peers and have an end product (the new edition) that they are proud of. We have a great group of students every year who enjoy writing and collaborating! This year we added a new section to the Berner Beacon, titled “Teacher's Pet," which was fun to get teacher participation and have the students get to know more about their teacher's pets." While Mrs. Cangiano says, “My favorite aspect of running the Berner Beacon is the chance to connect with students from grades 6 through 8—both new and returning contributors. I especially enjoy seeing the final publication come together. Each edition reflects the dedication, creativity, and effort our journalists pour into their work.”

Not only do you get to write about the things that you love, but you get to make new friends and bond over similar topics! Chloe Symington and 8th grader at Berner Middle School says, “One thing that makes Berner Beacon special to me are the memories and friends I make in it. Every year I meet someone new in Berner Beacon and I get to make tons of new memories with them! I also love to write, so I find Berner Beacon a really nice time to write about whatever I want, and get to share it with my peers and teachers!” While Mia Cespites, another 8th grader explains, “Making new friends in Berner Beacon is so much fun! I get to learn more about people and connect further with them which is the best part!” Any topic, within reason, you might want to write about is available at Berner Beacon. “I love writing about the clubs and telling people about how much fun I have in them!” says Luci Bernstein, another student here in Berner Beacon.

When asked what makes Berner Beacon special to them, many students responded with positive answers, for example a 6th grader Ryder Domina said: “The thing that makes Berner Beacon special to me is that it's all like a big recipe for a birthday cake. All of us writers are like the eggs, butter, flour, and sugar in the recipe. We each separately write an important article with our goal trying to make the newspaper intriguing for the reader. When we combine these "ingredients," along with some mixing and baking, we end up creating that newspaper that's similar to a flavorful birthday cake that everyone loves.” While Lilyana Thanasas said “I love the fact that everyone in Berner Beacon is so nice and happy. It makes the atmosphere welcoming and friendly.” If this sounds like a club you might be interested in, check it out next year!

by Mrs. Shehada

Eighth graders participated in a career exploration unit designed to give them a glimpse into the real world. As part of this initiative, students engaged with various guest speakers who shared insights about their professions and career journeys.

Mrs. Shehada’s class had the opportunity to virtually meet Tim White, owner of Tim White Home Improvements, in the Berner Middle School Library. Tim has been in the construction industry for over 30 years and spoke to the students about how he built his company from the ground up.

His story began at the age of 15, when he started working weekends and summers for a construction company, initially picking up debris after renovations. By 23 years old, he was installing vinyl siding, roofing, and windows. Before turning 30, he realized his dream of owning a business and founded Tim White Home Improvements in 1994.

Tim shared how he balanced physically demanding work during the day and sales at night to grow his business. His commitment to customer satisfaction led to the opening of his first showroom in Lindenhurst in 1998. As the company expanded, it began offering services such as kitchen and bathroom remodeling, decks, basements, dormers, and home extensions.

Today, Tim’s company operates a full-service kitchen and bath showroom in Seaford. Over the past decade, it has become one of the largest home improvement businesses on Long Island, due to repeat clients and referrals.

Tim emphasized the importance of treating every customer’s home with the same care and respect one would give their own. He believes that complete customer satisfaction is the key to lasting success.

During a Q&A session, students asked Tim a variety of questions, such as:

• What was your favorite subject in school?

• Did you do an internship?

• Did you go to a college or trade school?

• What was your first job?

• What are three skills needed to be a successful business owner?

• What are the most rewarding and most challenging aspects of being your own boss?

• How did you advertise your company in the 1990s, and how do you advertise today?

• What are the challenges you face working with your family?

• Why is building relationships important?

• Do you have any advice for us?

Tim's visit left a lasting impression on the students and offered valuable real-world insights into entrepreneurship, hard work, and perseverance.

In addition to Tim White’s video conference, Mrs. Shehada’s students also welcomed guest speakers from Massapequa High School’s senior class. These seniors shared valuable advice about making the most of the high school experience. They spoke about the importance of getting involved, joining clubs, exploring elective classes, and actively participating in school life. The seniors also discussed the college application process and emphasized the benefits of building strong relationships with teachers and members of the community.

by Mrs. Kenny- Didamo

In a lesson to help students use their language skills, Mrs. Lanfranchi and Mrs. Kenny collaborated to make a traditional French dish. The two classes followed a recipe and used their food and kitchen safety skills to create the dish.

The classes made crepes, which is a traditional French delicacy. A crepe is a very thin pancake and can be eaten in a variety of different ways. It can be savory or sweet. The students use skills learned in both classes to prepare the dish. Kitchen safety and proper measuring were important parts of this lesson, as well as knowing the equipment and reading the directions in French. This lesson was a great way to use their language skills in a real life situation.

by Zachary Stutz

Are you looking for something to do or just simply love singing? Look no further, and feel free to join NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association)! NYSSMA can get you into All-County, and possibly All-State. You have a few options of songs that you can pick, the higher levels from 5+ it's out of 100, if it’s 1-4 it is out of 28. NYSSMA takes place annually and varies from elementary school students to high school students. If you keep doing NYSSMA, your chance of getting into All-County or All-State increases but it is also score dependent. You also have to focus on sight singing, and posture too, sight singing has a good impact on your score (8/24 of your points) but also your posture counts too as (4/24 of your points).

Interviews:

Chloe Symington said:

1. NYSSMA stands for New York State School Music Association and is a music festival that anyone that plays an instrument or likes to sing can do.

2. My favorite part of NYSSMA is getting to choose a solo that I love, and getting to meet new people. While you don't meet too many new people during the actual festival, you might start becoming closer with people during the practice process.

3. This is my third year doing NYSSMA. I started in sixth grade, and have been doing it consistently.

4. You don't need any requirements! You just need to be willing to put in the work and effort.

There's no set amount of time you really need to practice. You just need to practice until you're confident in your performance and sight reading. I usually practiced for an hour and a half over the course of a week, but it really varied week to week.

5. My coach was the seventh grade chorus teacher, Mrs. Pearsall! I do private lessons with her outside of school. Her maternity leave started right after NYSSMA, so the timing was perfect!

6. Be prepared! If you're singing, bring your permit, a speaker, the accompaniment on your phone, and the book that has your song in it. Try to memorize your song, it helps a lot with your performance! It also helps to not look at your judge. It's just what I do, and it usually helps me. Just imagine you're the only one in the room.

7. Lastly, be confident! NYSSMA doesn't count for anything. You don't get punished if you get a bad grade. Of course that doesn't mean do bad on purpose, it just means don't stress about it!

Another student said:

1. To me, NYSSMA is like a fun way of testing your abilities to what instrument you play or your singing skills. I play the clarinet and I like doing NYSSMA because it's a good way to practice my instrument and to help me get better. It's also cool to learn new notes and new fun things to play.

2. My Favorite part about NYSSMA is the stressing out but kinda excited to do it. I like looking forward to practicing a lot the week prior.

3. I have done this since 5th grade.

4. I don't think there are any requirements to be in NYSSMA. As long as your teachers get you a form you should be set to go. Then you have to figure out what piece you are doing. Practice that alot. Depending what level you are doing, you have to know your scales, rudiments, etc. And you should also be practicing your sight reading/sight singing. Then after you definitely know what piece you are doing you have to order your original copy for the judge and one for you. Otherwise if you don't have an original copy the judge might just not judge you!

5. Personally, I try to practice my scales and piece whenever I can. At first at home I listened to the audio recording of my piece and put it with what notes I saw. Then I try the parts that I think I can do. Whatever I need to work on I bracket, and practice during the time in band when we are just setting up our instruments, this way it's like a daily habit and the harder parts that i practice more just become a habit. But, a majority of my time practicing is home. I practice as much as I can but on weekends I practiced more because I had more time. I try to limit myself to practicing no more than 45 minutes at a time because I can overwork the piece and over use my instrument at a time. Especially if you're singing, I wouldn't want to wear out my voice.

6. This year and last year I didn't have a tutor for NYSSMA. This year I went to extra help as much as I could, and Mr. McLoughlin helped me out a lot.

7. I think one thing that helped me out a lot was listening to my piece a lot. I searched up on Youtube the piece and composer and I found it. It helped me do the right rhythms, articulations and a lot more. And don't rush yourself into being the best at your NYSSMA piece right away. As long as you have confidence in yourself that you know your scales, your piece and practice your sight reading/singing that's all that matters. This year when I went to NYSSMA I wasn't so sure about my sight reading, but I walked in there hoping for the best. I tried my best and it went well. Overall practice will always help!

NYSSMA meets every year with your music teacher in NYS, and next time you can start is in winter time, so stop by and ask your music teacher if you’re able to join! Whether you are leaving Berner next year, or just got here, NYSSMA is fun for everyone! Thank you for reading and please think about joining NYSSMA!

by Mia Cespites

Are you looking for a sport to do that doesn't require too many skills? Track might be the one! Track is a very well balanced sport where it can build your speed, stamina, improved cardiovascular health, reduce anxiety or stress and a lot more benefits! If you want to get better at other sports this might help out too. Here I will list some benefits of track so you can feel even better if you do track or want to.

• Consistent running strengthens your heart and lungs

• Running on a track helps to build strong muscles and bones

• Certain track workouts like interval training build your endurance and speed

• Running releases endorphins that basically make you happy and have stress reducing effects.

• Running can improve cognitive function your focus and memory

• Accomplishing goals on track also boost your confidence

There are a lot of reasons why track is a good sport because it can help you so much for now and for your future health. Now we are gonna look at how to get better at track and running. Track isn't only a sport where you use your body. Most of track is in your head. When you don't believe you can do something your body doesn't push itself and thinks you can't do it. But when you believe you can and get yourself hyped, your body pushes to the limits and you get better. If you want to try a new event or race and believe you can, that is a great step for having a good mindset on track. Now, running on a track requires discipline, focus and trying your hardest. If you always push yourself for your personal record or to try new things that is great. When you're running it is good to have a buddy with you to stay motivated and keep going so you can stay with them. If you're by yourself you might not push yourself as much as you would if you were trying to keep up with someone. And if you have someone with you, you both can pace each other so you aren't using all your energy at once, unless you're sprinting! If you want to try pacing yourself better try to control your breathing and your form. You may think that the way you are standing can't affect the way you run but it actually can help you run really great, or not so good. When you are running trying not to look down. If you stay focused on the ground in front of you that gives you proper form. Another proper form for running is good posture. When you're running as said earlier, keep your head up, back straight and your shoulders should be level. Try not to lean too much forwards or backwards while running. Some runners tend to slouch when they get tired and can bother you neck, shoulders and lower back. When you have good form at the end of your run or race that helps you finish off strong! Keeping your shoulders relaxed is another good habit, this way you don't restrict yourself to breathing. When you relax your shoulders and they are square, not hunched, you can breathe a lot easier. Keeping your arms rotating back and forth keeps you from hunching over and making it hard to breathe. Having proper form in running is the key to making it easier for yourself and to get better! Overall, these are some tips to get you going for track!

Sources: https://www.runstreet.com/blog/benefits-of-track-workouts, https://warwick.ac.uk/services/sport/blog/feed/the-benefits-of-track-running/,

https://www.verywellfit.com/tips-for-proper-running-form-4020227,

by Gioia Brown

Baseball Game

New York is like a jelly donut. It's a little plain but then filled with fun! So here are things that you can do in the summer in New York. One thing is to go to a ballgame! You can go to a Mets or Yankee game. Seeing the team you root for is always a blast. WHACKKKKK! HOMERUN! Hearing your favorite player score a run is awesome! Also you know what’s cool, the food and merchandise they sell. It is good especially because it looks and tastes better with a win. So here is the link to get those tickets before they sell out!

Mets Website Yankees Website

Aquarium

Another fun thing to do in the summer is to go to the Riverhead Aquarium. They have so many meet and greets with animals like on April 19 - 20 they had a penguin egg hunt. It is so cool and it is great for the younger kids too.

Here is the link Riverhead Aquarium.

Adventureland

Another thing to do on a hot summer day is to go to Adventureland. Adventureland, an awesome amusement park in East Farmingdale, New York. This year, we can check out the Moon Chaser, Fireball, the spinning Frisbee, and a wild ride, fan favorite called Turbulence. Adventureland has been around since 1962 and has more than 30 rides, including three roller coasters and two water rides, which makes it a super fun place for kids and groups like schools and day camps. You can also play arcade games and grab a bite to eat at the restaurant while you’re there. Adventureland is open on weekends in the spring and all summer long, so it's the perfect spot to hang out with family and friends!

Here is the link to get your rides Adventureland.

Edge Observation Deck

Before you think I am done, don't forget to go to Edge. If you’re looking for an amazing view of New York City, the observation deck at Hudson Yards is the place to go! Standing an incredible 100 stories high, this deck offers breathtaking 360-degree views of the city. Just imagine being up there and seeing all the tall buildings and busy streets from way up high! What makes it really cool is the glass floor, so you can actually look straight down at everything happening below your feet. It’s a little scary but super exciting at the same time, and if you want to relax and enjoy a drink after taking in the stunning sights, there’s a bar right there on the deck. Located at 30 Hudson Yards, this observation deck has become one of New York City's most popular spots for people of all ages. Whether you live nearby or are just visiting, make sure to check it out—it's the perfect spot to take awesome pictures and make fun memories with your friends and family!

So get your edge on Edge.

Jones Beach

One last thing to do is to go to Jones Beach. Jones Beach Island is a fantastic getaway located off the southern coast of Long Island, New York. It is one of the outer barrier islands and is popular among locals and visitors alike. The beach is bustling with activity, making it perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying the ocean breeze. Families run to Jones Beach Island to spend the day building sandcastles, playing beach games, and soaking up the sun. One of the highlights of the island is its impressive amphitheater, which hosts an ongoing concert series throughout the summer. This means that after a day in the sun, you can enjoy live music under the stars, creating an unforgettable experience. The atmosphere at Jones Beach is always lively, with food stands, beach rentals, and plenty of space to stretch out and relax. Whether you want to splash in the waves or listen to great tunes, there’s something for everyone. If you're looking for a fun day trip or a place to unwind with friends and family, Jones Beach Island is definitely worth a visit. Just pack your sunscreen and towel, and get ready for an amazing time by the sea!

Conclusion

In conclusion, summer in New York is full of exciting adventures, just like a jelly donut with a fun-filled center! Whether you’re cheering for the Mets or Yankees at a thrilling ballgame, exploring the wonders of Riverhead Aquarium, or enjoying the rides at Adventureland, there's no shortage of activities to keep you entertained. You can also take your summer fun to new heights at the Edge observation deck for incredible views of the city. And don’t forget the soothing sands of Jones Beach, where you can relax, swim, and enjoy live music at the amphitheater as the sun sets. With so many options available, it's easy to create unforgettable memories with family and friends all season long. So grab your tickets, pack your bags for the beach , and dive into the summer fun waiting for you in New York!

by Chloe Symington

With summer quickly coming up, you might be left wondering what to do during the hottest months of the year. In Massapequa, it might not seem like there’s too many activities. Luckily, I’m about to prove you wrong! Here is a list of activities you can do locally!

1. Go to the Movies

There’s tons of new movies coming out soon, and I’m sure tons of showings of less recent movies. When you’re feeling social on a rainy day, sure it’s fun to go to someone’s house, but it’s always nice to go out. Some nearby theaters are in Farmingdale and Levittown.

2. Go to the Beach

The beach is the best place to spend your summer. You could go to Tobay or Long Beach, but there are more local options. For example, Florence Beach. Depending on where you live, it could be right around the block, or just five minutes away. It’s a super nice beach that doesn’t make you feel pressured to spend the whole day there, being that it’s so local. It has a playground for younger siblings, a pretty bay to watch the sunset on, and a nice area to go fishing.

3. Ride your Bike

There’s so many pretty places to ride your bike. Not only is it healthy, but it’s also so much faster to get places. It’s nice to look at pretty summer scenes, too. Take a bike ride in the preserve! The river is so pretty on a sunny day.

4. Hike in the Massapequa Preserve

Bored on a nice, sunny day? Go on a hike! The Preserve has pretty sights and is really nice! It has a paved pathway, but also branches off into different trails in certain parts. It’s really nice to walk with friends, or to just put in earbuds and walk alone. Nature walks are always fun, whether you’re alone or with a group!

5. Water Gun Fights

Are you hanging out with a big group of friends on a hot day? Cool off with water guns! Water guns are cheap, and can be a lot of fun to play around with! Grab a ton at Five Below for $5, or at a convenience store! It doesn’t matter how many friends are at the hangout, you can all play! You could do a free-for-all, or make teams. But, I recommend a free-for-all if you’re looking for an intense game.

6. Go Swimming

If you have a pool, jump in it! Water helps you get tanner, so you don’t need to worry about not getting tan lines. If you’re alone, put on some music and do laps around the pool! If you’re with friends, play “Marco Polo” or “Sharks and Minnows”! You could also throw diving toys and try to beat your previous time!

7. Go Fishing

Fishing definitely isn’t for everyone, but it’s worth a try! It’s not too hard to get started with, and we live on an island! There’s a lake or a bay almost everywhere you turn! Grab a fishing rod, a tackle box, some hooks, and bait! (Just be careful with the hooks!)

8. Go to Adventureland

It’s not the cheapest, but it’s certainly local and tons of fun! With Adventureland’s new expansion and a new roller coaster, you can’t get bored! If you’re hungry, stop by the food court! Getting tired of roller coasters? Play a game at one of the stands to win a prize, or go to the arcade! There’s always something fun to do at Adventureland!

9. Go into Town

Town has a ton of stores to spend your day in! You could grab pizza at Umberto’s or Taglio’s, or you could cool off with some ice cream at Carvel or Ralph’s Italian Ices! Town isn’t a particularly expensive place, so you don’t need to go in with tons of money. There’s tons of other shops there, too.

10. Go Shopping

Speaking of going into town to go shopping, you could also get a ride to the mall or the outlets! I always love going to Walt Whitman Mall, since it’s small but still has tons of stores I love. Roosevelt Field Mall is also a great option if you’re ready to spend a full day buying a new wardrobe! Tanger Outlets is a bit farther away, but is still super nice. You get the full mall experience with being outside and getting some sun!

All in all, summer is full of exciting activities and stuff to do! From rainy to sunny days, there’s always something fun to do with or without friends. Whether you’re having a water gun fight with your friends, or if shopping at Walt Whitman Mall is more your speed, there’s always something to do. Have a great summer!

by Melissa Jave

Well, summer is almost here! I’m sure everyone is so excited for summer, all the trips to the beach, going to the pool, going to the park and so much more fun activities that there is to do in the summer! Unfortunately, in my opinion, summer is the hardest season to pick an outfit. I mean Winter is the easiest season ever to pick an outfit, (except for the weather problems!) and autumn as well as spring fall into the same category of: “simple is best.” However, summer is different. For me, summer has always been the most complicated season to pick an outfit. There are so many different occasions, activities, weather, and other factors that influence what you should wear. However, over the years I have developed a system that helps pick an outfit for the day.

Trips to the Beach

It’s always such a great idea to go to the beach, and this section will give you some ideas on what to wear on your trip. No matter what kind of bathing suit you wear; one piece, two piece, bikini, tankini, anything like that (except for a wetsuit) you can just wear it with shorts. I wouldn’t recommend a skirt just based on personal preference. I find that jean shorts work nice, light blue, dark blue, white, black, just nothing too ‘bright’ especially if you have a ‘bright’ bathing suit. No matter what, you want one piece of your outfit to be ‘the star’, something that pulls everything together, that one thing that makes you ‘pop’. It can be the shorts, but usually it’s the bathing suit, it really just depends. You can pick any kind of sandals/flip flops/Crocs, just don’t go too flashy. Neutral colors always look nice, for example; shades of brown, white, black, beige, or anything like that. Always take a big beach bag, trust me no matter what, do not take a small bag. There are plenty of big beach bags that can compliment your outfit, and it’s most likely going to be a neutral color.

Trips to the Pool

This is basically the same concept as a trip to the beach. You can wear a bathing suit, and some shorts, but here is some advice: (especially if you love swimming and really getting in the water) bring an extra bathing suit and an extra pair of clothes. Your shoes can be neutral, or slightly flashy, just not too flashy!

Everyday Clothes

I would always go with a short sleeve shirt and shorts. There were various different styles and techniques I would use, and here I am going to share a few.

• Light and Dark: This is basically when you choose a lightly colored or pastel shirt, and choose dark colored shorts, or the other way around. You could choose white shorts, light blue shorts, or pastel shirts and either a bright or dark colored shirt. Shoes just have to be either opposite the shorts or neutral colors. Dark colors consist but are not limited to: black, navy blue, brown, (brown is a complicated color, just a warning!) dark green, dark purple, (also a complicated color!) and even maroon or burnt sienna. Light colors consist but are not limited to: white, any pastel, some grays, and even gold. If you put these two together, it should make a perfect outfit!

• Pop: You always want something to pop in your outfit. This is often shown in texture, color, or pattern. For example, plaid is difficult to style, but a blue plaid shirt with white shorts and a white under-shirt would be a perfect outfit, if you can style it just right with a hat and sunglasses. The plaid shirt would be the thing that pops. Another example is a leather jacket. A leather jacket with a white shirt and jean shorts would be perfect, and the leather jacket would be the thing that pops. Another example would be through color. You can wear a white shirt with a red skirt, and the red would be the thing that pops. It really isn’t hard to have an outfit with something that ‘pops,’ you just have to know how to style it.

• Accessories: You could have the most boring outfit in the world and make it the most interesting outfit in the world by adding accessories. You could use jewelry, but stick to either gold or silver, as it usually works best with everything. Next would be a hat. You can go with caps for a casual outfit, or a floppy hat for really Summer-y outfits, or a visor for exercise outfits. A purse could also really make your outfit look amazing, but you have to make sure that the purse matches the outfit. Even a raincoat and boots could look amazing, if that’s considered an accessory.

These are a few tips that help me pick an outfit in the summer, and I hope they were helpful! (In some way!) Have a fantastic summer!

by Alexis Cepregi

As summer quickly approaches, the time to plan an amazing summer is now! While a visit to Adventureland is definitely on everyone's list, here are 5 other amusement parks that are definitely worth the drive. Whatever you decide to do, I hope you have a great summer!

1. Hershey Park: Rightfully known as the "Sweetest Place on Earth", this amazing park is in Hershey, Pennsylvania, and features insane roller coasters, a huge water park area, and awesome interactive rides. It is also connected to Zoo America, and is right next to Hershey World where you can make your own chocolate bars and buy giant bags of candy for the drive home.

2. Six Flags Great Adventure: This is a fantastic place to visit as it has an amusement park and a drive through safari! It even has a waterpark and spa attached, so there really is something for everyone in this Jackson, NJ theme park.

3. Busch Gardens: If you're willing to drive to Williamsburg, Virginia, put this one on your list! In addition to roller coasters and thrill rides, there are animal encounters and shows to keep everyone entertained throughout your visit.

4. LEGOLAND NY: If you have younger siblings or cousins to entertain, Legoland, in Goshen, NY, is a great option. In addition to rides and building labs, there are also 4D movies, mini figure trading opportunities, and plenty of shopping areas to explore.

5. American Dream: If traveling more than 2 hours to visit a park isn't on your Wishlist this summer, you can always hit the American Dream in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with its indoor theme park, water park, ski slopes, escape rooms, and more!

by Lilyana Thanasas

• Menorca: While Ibiza might steal the spotlight with its vibrant nightlife, Menorca offers a serene escape, making it the quieter gem of Spain’s Balearic Islands. “Menorca is a fantastic choice for those looking to enjoy a stunning, rugged coastline, embrace a sustainable food scene, and focus on wellness,” shares Aimee Suthann, the owner of Truly Connected Travel. “This island is perfect for large groups wanting to rent a beautifully renovated farmhouse or for couples on their honeymoon who wish to retreat to a cozy room away from the hustle and bustle.” If you identify with the latter, consider booking a suite at Son Vell, a sprawling 450-acre estate where you can unwind in two outdoor swimming pools or take a dip in the crystal-clear waters of the property’s own cala (cove).

• Cornwall: When you think of wide sandy beaches and clear blue waters, England might not be the first place that comes to mind, but Cornwall in the summer is truly enchanting. While St. Ives attracts many visitors, this area boasts numerous charming villages and towns, all just a short drive from the stunning coastlines and turquoise waters. Spend your days swimming and soaking up the sun at Gyllyngvase Beach, Great Western Beach, or Porthcurno Beach, and enjoy delicious seafood at every meal.

• St. Barts: If you're dreaming of a classic tropical escape filled with relaxing beach days and refreshing piña coladas, consider planning a week-long vacation to St. Barts. The winter months are the island's peak season, which means you'll avoid the heavy summer traffic on the narrow, winding roads, and securing those sought-after dinner reservations will be much simpler. For a perfect blend of beach relaxation and exciting adventures, reserve a suite at Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa. Nestled in the tranquil yet accessible Grand Cul-de-Sac area, this hotel serves as an ideal base for those eager to explore the surroundings by Jet Ski or snorkel in the serene, crystal-clear waters (don't forget to watch for sea turtles!).

• Corsica: This year is really shaping up to be Corsica's moment to shine,” says Daryn Schwartz, a luxury and boutique travel advisor with Fora. “With an increase in flights and ferries to the island, we’re anticipating a big boost in tourism. It’s the perfect hidden gem for a summer getaway in Europe.” Ideal for those who crave breathtaking blue waters and rugged landscapes, this French island is also just a stone's throw away from Sardinia, which comes highly recommended by Suthann.

• Sardinia: Sardinia is a true gem, featuring stunning sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and delightful little villages that honor age-old traditions and crafts, like basket weaving and cheese making,” Suthann shares. “ The northern part of the island is just a short boat ride away from Corsica, so you can savor lunch at a charming French bistro and still have time to join a pizza-making class in the evening.

• Hawaii: If you're aiming to prioritize your health and wellness this summer, look no further than Sensei Lanai, a stunning Four Seasons Resort. This adults-only haven on the charming island of Lanai invites you to dive into wellness consultations, pamper yourself with rejuvenating spa treatments, soak up knowledge from engaging lectures, and participate in a variety of well-being classes. You can try guided meditation, aerial yoga, or simply enjoy serene walks through the beautiful gardens.

• Los Cabos: Los Cabos is hot in the summer. You’ll need to pack plenty of sunscreen and SPF attire, but you’ll also be able to find slightly more affordable nightly rates at some of the destination’s best hotels. Given the higher temperatures, add in plenty of water-based activities to your itinerary. Guests at Montage Los Cabos, for instance, can enjoy a sport fishing excursion along the Baja Peninsula, snorkel in Santa Maria Bay, or explore the caves and reefs in the Sea of Cortez while scuba diving.

• Sumba: Typically, summer isn’t the ideal time to explore Southeast Asia. It tends to be hot, humid, and rainy. But here’s the twist: Indonesia is a standout exception—though we’re not talking about Bali. Instead, keep Sumba on your radar. During this season, this rural and untamed destination enjoys its dry season, offering perfect weather for surfing, hiking, and relaxing on the island’s breathtaking beaches. If you’re looking to indulge, consider booking a stay at Nihi Sumba, a place that has repeatedly snagged the World’s Best Award.

• Folegandros: Summer 2025 is all about discovering lesser-known locations. So, instead of joining the crowds on Mykonos and Santorini, enjoy a Greek vacation on the Cycladic island of Folegandros. Consider a stay at Gundari, a luxury boutique hotel set on a cliffside with 30 bioclimatic villas, a solar-powered infinity pool, and unparalleled views of the Aegean Sea.

• Argentina: Still not ready to say goodbye to ski season? Why not chase the chill by heading down to Mendoza, Argentina! You can enjoy the slopes at Las Leñas ski resort from mid-June to mid-October. And if you want to add a little something extra to your trip, make your way north to Susana Balbo’s Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites. This wellness and wine haven is the perfect place to unwind after a few exhilarating days on the mountain; plus, the spa suites even feature their own private dry saunas for that extra touch of relaxation.

Source: https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/summer-vacations/summer-vacation-ideas

by Riley McCormack

Animals

1. Did you know a group of owls is called a parliament?

2. Did you know somewhere between 50% and 80% of Earth's living organisms are in the ocean?

3. Did you know polar bears aren’t white. Their colorless fur reflects light, making it look white?

4. Did you know a grizzly bear’s bite is so strong that it can crush a bowling ball?

5. Did you know bees have five eyes – two in the front and three small eyes on top of their heads?

6. Did you know butterflies taste with their feet?

7. Did you know rats laugh when they’re tickled?

8. Did you know that bats have thumbs?

9. Did you know only female mosquitoes bite?

10. Did you know a shrimp’s heart is in his head?

Humans

1. Did you know when a human blushes, they feel it in the lining of the stomach too as it also turns red?

2. Did you know your heart can sync to the rhythm when you listen to music?

3. Did you know your small intestine is taller than you and measures about 23 feet?

4. Did you know you will not be able to breathe and swallow at the same time?

5. Did you know the brain is made up of 60% of fat?

6. Did you know the information travels to your brain at a speed of 268 miles per hour?

7. Did you know the human body consists of organs in a singular count and pairs. However, the organs that are present in pairs, you only need one to survive?

8. Did you know a human heart can beat outside the body as well?

9. Did you know the human body is that we humans shed about 600,000 skin particles every hour?

Science

1. Did you know giraffes are 30 times more likely to get hit by lightning than people?

2. Did you know identical twins don’t have the same fingerprints?

3. Did you know animals can experience time differently from humans?

4. Did you know all the world’s bacteria stacked on top of each other would stretch for 10 billion light-years?

5. Did you know wind turbines kill between 10,000 and 100,000 birds each year in the UK?

6. Did you know there’s no such thing as a straight line?

7. Did you know you travel 2.5 million km a day around the Sun without realizing?

8. Did you know there’s a planet mostly made from diamond?

9. Did you know LEGO bricks withstand compression better than concrete?

10. Did you know it's almost impossible to get too much sugar from fresh fruit?

Sports

1. Did you know Babe Ruth wore a cabbage leaf under his cap for good luck and to keep cool he reportedly changed it every two innings?

2. Did you know about 42,000 tennis balls are used in the 650 tennis matches in the Wimbledon Championship?

3. Did you know the average golf ball has 36 dimples?

4. Did you know the longest recorded point in tennis took 29 minutes?

5. Did you know Olympic gold medals are 93% silver, six percent copper and 1 percent gold for the finish?

6. Did you know before 1859, umpires sat in padded rocking chairs behind the catcher?

7. Did you know the FIFA World Cup tournament has been held 21 times and in 17 different countries?

8. Did you know that 12 teams have never won the Superbowl?

9. Did you know the New England Patriots have appeared in the Superbowl 11 times?

10. Did you know that Mexico holds the record for the most losses in the FIFA World Cup with 25?

Sources:

https://www.boredteachers.com/post/fascinating-animal-facts

https://www.nectarsleep.com/posts/fun-facts-about-the-human-body

https://www.sciencefocus.com/science/fun-facts

https://www.statscore.com/sport/did-you-know-that-fascinating-facts-from-major-sports-events-around-the-world/

https://sportseventsmediagroup.com/14-random-sports-facts/

by Caitlin Cepregi

I’m sure everyone has felt frustrated before when they had to memorize historical facts for a social studies test, but did you know there is a much more interesting way to learn about history? This year, I was able to see a few Broadway musicals and realized that a lot of the things we learn about in class can also be seen on the stage! Several shows focus on specific time periods or events, and while these may not tell you everything you need to know to pass your exams, they can definitely help. Here are a few to consider. Whichever one you choose, I hope you enjoy the show!

1. Hamilton: Hamilton is an AMAZING musical based on the life of Alexander Hamilton, one of the founding fathers of our country. The show also features other important historical figures, such as George Washington, Aaron Burr (sir), Thomas Jefferson, and King George III. The story is very clear, the music is outstanding, and everything is performed in such a memorable way that it should definitely help you if you are ever tested on the American Revolution.

2. Six: If British history is on your study guide, consider checking out this pop rock musical focusing on the 6 wives of Henry the VIII of England. With the help of an all-girl on-stage band, each wife tells her story and shows the audience how they are each more than just a king’s ex-wife. The themes of girl power, resilience, and owning your own story shine in this show.

3. Hadestown: If you prefer Greek mythology, check out this fantastic show based on the stories of Orpheus, Eurydice, Hades and Persephone. The show tells their stories from a unique perspective, and focuses on the importance of never giving up and the power of relationships. Percy Jackson is not in this one, but it definitely does not disappoint!

4. Les Misérables: This powerful production is set in 19th Century France and explores the political and social landscape of the time as it follows the life of Jean Valjean who was imprisoned for stealing bread. Although this musical is no longer showing on Broadway, you can watch the movie version on Amazon Prime, Max or Apple TV.

5. Evita: This show details the life of Eva Perón, the First Lady of Argentina and explores the political and social issues between 1934 and 1952. Although her life began in poverty, Evita worked to become a successful actress, gained power after marrying President Juan Peron, and ultimately became a beloved figure in Argentinian history through her acts of charity and social movements, until her untimely death from cancer at the age of 33.

by Emily McCormack

The Outsiders

I highly recommend this movie. It is a really good movie. It is about two groups the Greasers and the Soc’s. The Greaser’s are poor and considered “hoods”, They steal food and they get beaten up by the Soc’s all of the time. The Greasers, Ponyboy Curtis, Johnny Cade, Sodapop Curtis, Darrel Curtis, Dallas Winston, Steve Randall and Two-Bit Matthews. And the Soc’s, Sherri (Cherry) Valance, Marcia, Randy and Bob. One night at the drive in Ponyboy and Johnny meet Cherry and Marcia so at the end of the movie they decide to walk them home. Bob, Cherry’ boyfriend threatens to fight Ponyboy and Johnny because they were with Cherry and Marcia. Ponyboy and Johnny walk back to Johnny’s house and they fall asleep by the fire. Ponyboy wakes up in the middle of the night and he realizes that he is out past curfew so he rushed home to find Darry and Sodapop in the living room. Darry hits Ponyboy because of that so he runs away back to Johnny’s house. He wakes him up to tell him that they’re running away. On the way they passed the park and they stopped by and they saw a red mustang car. They had realized it was Bob and Randy and their other friends. Ponyboy and Johnny upset them and then they caught them and drowned Ponyboy while they made Johnny watch. When Johnny was on the cement he managed to get his switchblade and stab Bob. He saved Ponyboy from drowning. They knew they would have to be put in jail so they ran to Dally for help. They met Dally at this party and he gives them a gun, 50$ and tells them that he will be there soon. He tells them to catch the next train to Windrixville and to go to the old abandoned church to hideout. Once they get there they go to sleep. Ponyboy wakes up to a note from Johnny saying how he went to get some groceries. Johnny comes back with some bread, baloney, a copy of the book “Gone With The Wind” and bleach. Johnny figured since the cops will be looking for them so he bleached and cut their hair. They spend days eating baloney sandwiches, playing card games and reading “Gone With The Wind”. Dally then comes and treats them to a meal at Dairy Queen. They then decide to leave but on their way back they find the church in flames. Johnny, Dally and Ponyboy rush into the church to save the children in there. One by one they grab and take the children out of the church. Once Johnny was saving the last child the church collapsed on him and the ambulance was notified immediately. They all ended up in the hospital, they were as it said in the paper “Hoods turned Heroes” they were heroes for mothers and fathers worried about their kids. Families came to visit them in the hospital. Soon enough Dally and Ponyboy were released but Johnny wasn’t looking so good. Meanwhile that was all happening the Greasers and Soc’s decided that they were going to have a “rumble” or a fight. But Randy decided he isn’t going to participate in it all because of Bob. He knew violence wouldn’t do much and it didn’t although the Greasers won nobody was as excited as they were before. While the rumble was going on Ponyboy was in the hospital watching over Johnny as he slowly slipped away. Johnny told Ponyboy to “Stay Gold”. Those were the last words he ever said. Ponyboy began to walk home as he silently reassured himself “Johnny isn’t dead he's not dead” But he was. When he got back to the house everyone was lying out on the couches and chairs bandaging their cuts and their hands. Ponyboy announced to them how Johnny was dead, they didn’t speak much but Dally wasn’t there. He ran out of the hospital as soon as Johnny passed. He robbed a grocery store and ran and once the cops caught him he took out his heater (gun), But it wasn’t loaded, but the cop didn’t know that so the cop shot Dally and Dally collapsed to the ground and died. Dally only loved one thing in life and Johnny was that one thing so if Johnny wasn’t alive he figured he had nothing to live for. They all were at the Curtis house Ponyboy got sick. He woke up days later asking if someone was sick, then he asked if he was the one who was sick. When Ponyboy went back to school he wasn’t doing the best with school like he used to. His grades were lowering so his English teacher asked him to write an essay about something to raise his grade he wrote an essay called “The Outsiders”.

Pee Wee’s Big Adventure

A man lives in a small town, his name is Pee Wee Herman. He has a happy life and a dog named Speck. Suddenly one day his bike gets stolen. He looks everywhere and assumes its Franis. Francis wanted his bike all along so he assumed it was him. But it was him he hired and paid someone to steal it for him. Francis gave up once Pee Wee went on the air to announce to everyone if they could help find him. So it got shipped away in a car. Pee Wee was upset walking in the cold rainy street when all of a sudden he saw a place called “Madam Ruby’s” He went in to get his fortune told. She asked for his wallet and scammed him by looking through his wallet finding pictures of his bicycle. She tells him his bicycle is in the basement of the Alamo. But the thing is there is no basement in the Alamo. So Pee Wee decided to hitchhike to Texas. He gets a ride from a man named Mickey. Mickey was an escaped convict. He still had the shackles and handcuffs on his hand. So when Mickey picked Pee Wee up on the side of the road they ran into officers asking if they saw Mickey. At this point they were wearing disguises so it was kind of believable that they weren’t in sight of Mickey. So again they were driving to Texas, It was very late at night and it was Pee Wee’s turn to drive. He suddenly saw a weird stop sign that took him and Mickey off the cliff. Mickey screams at Pee Wee to leave so he’s stranded by this place right by a diner. A large drug picks him up and he tells the woman that she should just drop him off at the diner and she says to tell them that large marge sent him. Once he got to the restaurant and told them, the people at the restaurant told him that she died 50 years ago. Pee Wee got so scared that he ran away and he found himself working for the diner. He met a girl named Simone and they became friends. They would watch the sunset on the dinosaur statues everyday. Simone soon left to go to France to pursue her dream of living in Paris on Pee Wee meets up with all ethe people he’s met on his journey to find his bike at a drive in movie.

by Melissa Jave

Plot

This novel was written by Danielle Valentine, in 2004. The two main characters are Olivia and Reagan, and they are two polar opposites. Olivia is the ‘normal’ one out of the two. She goes to school, has friends, an older sister and 2 parents. At least, that’s what she thought. One day, she finds out that her father wasn’t actually her biological father. She was born the night of the murders, and her mother went into labor due to the stress of the events that occurred that night. Reagan started out with a normal life. That is, until some teenager made a podcast about the murder case that happened about 16 years ago. One day, her mother woke her up and forced her to make an impossible choice.

Olivia was born at Camp Lost Lake, which raised her suspicions on who her biological father really was. Her mother’s ex boyfriend, Jacob Knight, was a camp counselor as well as her mother, and apparently, Jacob cheated on his wife. However, that’s a different story. This news completely changes Olivia’s life, as she goes on a life-threatening adventure trying to find out more about her family’s bloodline.

In the court of public opinion, Reagan’s mother was found guilty of three murders. Reagan could either go with her mother on the run for the rest of her life, or she could stay behind and live a normal life. Reagan chose her mother. However, she doesn’t believe her mother could be a murderer. She was determined to find out who framed her mother and make them pay.

You see, 16 years ago at a campsite named ‘Camp Lost Lake’, a counselor made up a story to get kids to behave, about a witch who would terrorize kids if they misbehaved. One day, one of the camp counselors, Jacob, was found murdered in the archery range by his own arrow. The arrow was shot in his neck, leading to instant death. That was the first murder. The second, was a teenager, Gia North. She was nearby after recording another mystery (that unravels later in the novel) with her camera for her blog. The camera wasn’t found until 16 years later, so they never used it as evidence for the case. She saw the whole thing, and the next thing she knew, an arrow was flying at her face, leading to her instant death. The last murder was another teenager, Matthew Knight, whose body was never found. Everything pointed to Lori Knight, who was Jacob’s wife, a camp counselor (along with Jacob) and Matthew’s aunt. Before Jacob’s death, Lori found out he had cheated on her, and the arrow that killed him had her fingerprints on it. To add to that, when they found Lori, she was covered in blood. The murderer was only known as the Witch of Camp Lost Lake, who always wore an ugly and terrifying witch mask. 16 years later, the camp is reopening, helping Olivia find out the truth about her family and helping Reagan prove her mother’s innocence. However, the witch is back, and each step the girls take closer to the truth, the closer they get to death itself.

More About The Book (Don’t Read If You Don’t Want Spoilers!)

I absolutely loved the book, it always kept me on the edge of my seat, and I could not put it down! Every time I thought I knew who the killer was, some plot twist threw me off guard. The plot twists were spectacular, it was a book I thoroughly enjoyed, and on top of the mystery, there were love triangles! I have no idea how the author was able to add so much drama amongst the characters while they were constantly running for their lives. At first, I thought the killer was Miranda, Matthew or Karly. As I got more into the book, I didn't suspect it was Matthew, and I thought it was Miranda, but I did have Karly as a suspect in the back of my mind. However, when Regan got into the police car, I knew it was Karly. It made so much sense too, the motives, how she did it, and when/where. However, the ending I never saw coming. I knew Matthew was still alive when they said they never found the body, but I never expected him to kill Andie like that, unless a bear trap in the face doesn’t kill you. I also did not expect the plot twist that Andie was Olivia and Reagan’s real mother! I suspected she was pregnant, but not with the twins! However, I did expect that Olivia and Reagan were twins, as it just made sense.

I absolutely loved the love triangles. There were two overall: the first one was between Reagan, Jack, and Olivia. In the beginning of the story, Reagan and Jack seemed to really like each other (Jack was Reagan’s best/only friend, which is why Reagan didn’t want them to date at first). However, when Olivia met Jack, she instantly got a huge crush on him. Oh, and the part where they were hiding from the Witch was absolutely amazing in its own way! (Pages 168-176) I think that’s when Jack started to like Olivia! The second love triangle was between Jack, Reagan, and Hazel. (Hazel is Olivia’s best friend.) Reagan liked Jack in the beginning but when she spends some time alone with Hazel, she starts to like her! Then, later on, they kiss! (Pages 200-204) That scene caught me off guard, but what I think was the best and most interesting part was that Jack had no idea that Reagan and Hazel liked each other, and he just walked in on them kissing. He saw the whole thing, and then he got shot with an arrow on the shoulder, but that’s a different story. (Spoiler alert, he lives!)

The Murderer and the Murders/Injuries (Don’t read if you don’t want spoilers!)

I totally understand why Karly did what she did. (Not justifying her, just saying I understand why.) She didn’t just go off on a rampage because she spilled her coffee or something, she had real motives. She had to take care of her dying mother all her life, and when it was finally her brother’s turn, (Jacob was her brother) it turns out he wasn’t going to take care of her after all! On top of that, her mother’s inheritance would entirely be going to the twins, Olivia and Reagan! So, Karly lost it.

• Jacob Knight: Karly killed him with his arrow after learning that he was not going to take care of their dying mother after all.

• Gia North: Karly killed her with an arrow after Gia saw Karly kill Jacob.

• Sawyer (Last name unknown): Sawyer saw Olivia and Reagan together then was killed with an arrow by the Witch.

• Eric Weisel: He was strangled and found in the woods. I think Matthew killed him.

• Andie D’Angelis: She was killed by Matthew, Matthew threw a bear trap in Andie’s face, supposedly killing her.

• Karly Knight: As Karly is attempting to kill Reagan, Olivia, and Andie up in the light tower, Reagan grabs her hand and spins her around, knocking Karly off-balance. Olivia and Reagan push her into the window, and it breaks leading to Karly’s death as she falls down.

• Reagan: Reagan steps into a bear trap, set by Matthew. Her ankle is crushed, but luckily the group finds crutches for her later. Later in the story, when she is running from the witch with Hazel, an arrow brushes her arm, causing her to bleed. A few minutes later, on the same leg that got caught in the bear trap, her calf gets hit by an arrow. At this point, her leg goes numb and she is crawling away from the witch, trying to do anything to stay alive.

• Jack (Last name unknown): After he walks in on Reagan and Hazel kissing, the Witch shoots him in the shoulder with an arrow. With the Witch actively hunting them down, Reagan and Hazel leave him on the ground. Olivia, Andie and Hazel find him later, and Hazel takes him to a hospital while Andie and Olivia go to find Reagan.

• Matthew Knight: He was up in the light house with Andie, and they got into an argument while Andie was pregnant with the twins. At one point, Andie got so angry with him that she pushed him, and he fell through the window. I don’t know if she was actively trying to push him out the window but… Anyway, he ended up surviving the fall, but he went insane and later killed Andie and perhaps Eric.

Where To Buy It

You can buy it at Barnes & Nobles for $18.99, and on Amazon for $9.49 or $12.99. It also may be located at your local Target or Library, and it is $10.99 on a Kindle and $0.99 as an Ebook/Audiobook. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did, and that you check out some other books by this author, (Danielle Valentine) such as How To Survive Your Murder and The Summer She Went Missing.

Happy Reading!

by Kennedy Eslinger

Found Heaven is an album from Conan Gray. It was released April 5, 2024. It was Conan’s 3rd studio album. If you aren’t aware of Conan Gray, he has very popular songs such as "Heather," "The Cut that always Bleeds," "Maniac," and more. He has 3 studio albums called Kid Krow, Superache, and Found Heaven, he also had an EP called Sunset Season. He recently released his first deluxe version of his album Kid Krow, celebrating the 5 year anniversary of its release date. It had live versions of his songs; "The Cut that always Bleeds" and "Heather" (including an extra verse), and a vault track called "Bed Rest." If you haven’t heard of any of his songs, I seriously suggest listening to him. That’s just some background information about the artist. In this article, I will be rating the songs and adding some background information about the songs.

1. Found Heaven

"Found Heaven" is the title track. It’s a very unique track that caught my attention the most when I first listened to the album. When I first listened to the song, I was delighted by the beginning/intro of the song, I can’t really explain it so if you wanted to hear it, you can listen to the song on all platforms. The song itself is about finding your own form of happiness and living how you want to. This was the first song Conan wrote for this album and the reason it’s called Found Heaven. It truly is a beautifully written song and well produced song. It is my favorite on Found Heaven.

2. Never Ending Song

This song was the first single released for Found Heaven. It was released on May 19, 2023. This song was a surprise when it was first released since his past 2 albums had more of the sadder and 2020s bedroom pop feel, while this song introduced the 80s vibe the rest of the album had. Some fans stopped listening to Conan past this point because it didn’t have his old vibe but Found Heaven was meant to be experimental and "Never Ending Song" demonstrated that perfectly. It is about a painful relationship that will never end. This song was my 3rd favorite single of the five (NES, Winner, Killing Me, Lonely Dancers, and Alley Rose).

3 . Fainted Love

This song is another pop song that has an 80s vibe to it. It’s one of the more popular songs on the album for the reason of the incredible writing and fun beat. The song is about loving someone who doesn’t love you enough back but you don’t give up on them. At the end of the song, in the last chorus, he puts so much emphasis on the words “fainted love” showing how much he wants any love at all. It was the opening song on his tour so I remember how much emotion he put into singing this song. This is definitely one of my favorite songs on the album.

4. Lonely Dancers

This song was the 3rd single released on February 9th, 2024. This song balances Conan’s old style of pop music (such as "Disaster" and "Maniac") with his new 80s feel and it works very well in this case. What I mean by this case, the song Killing Me had a similar feel to this song but I mostly like Lonely Dancers better. This song is about 2 people heartbroken who found comfort in each other's company, avoiding and forgetting about that pain.

5. Alley Rose

This song is the 5th and final single of Found Heaven, and it was perfect as the last single. The song is absolutely heartbreaking and the meaning of the song is even worse. The song is about Conan finding love for the first time and going to London to meet his lover but then ghosting him after he went all that way to meet them. The song was originally called Abbey Road, as in the road in London, but he changed to Alley Rose instead. It was the perfect last single for this album because the song is so beautifully/well written and brings back "Superache" vibes, which makes a lot of old and new fans of Conan adore this song.

6. The Final Fight

This song is the 6th track of the album and 1 of 3 songs that didn’t make the cut for Found Heaven on Tour. The song is about the aftermath of a relationship ending and trying to grow and move out from this experience. The song is the shortest song on the album, being only 2:11 minutes long. Many fans believe this song is the part 2 of the "Kid Krow" song, "Fight or Flight," which is my personal favorite song currently, and it makes sense since "Fight or Flight" talks about the actual relationship and The Final Fight explores the end of the relationship, which makes people believe the two songs are connected. People also believe the song is the aftermath of Alley Rose since the lyric video of The Final Fight has cities and a lyric in the song is “saw the New York lights”, so people believe this is Conan coming back from London, back to America after the events of Alley Rose. There is no proof of this so these are just fan theories. However, this song isn’t one of the stronger songs on the album in my opinion.

7. Miss You

This song is the 7th song on the album and one of the most underrated as well. It was also not included in the FHOT setlist like; "The Final Fight" and "Forever with Me." The song is about breaking up with someone then just suddenly realizing that you regret losing them and begin missing them. This song is unique to me in the album because all the other songs mostly talk about Conan’s lovers wronging him and this song is the other way around, showing a more realistic standpoint. The song is very 80s pop, which reminds of Micheal Jackson’s discography. I was very disappointed by this not being on the setlist for the tour. This was definitely underrated but still not one of my favorites on this album.

8. Bourgeoisies

This song is one of the fan favorites of the album and one of mine too. The song has a fun beat that is very danceable, and I can confirm, it’s very fun live as well. The song title is a word made up by Conan but a bourgeoisie is wealthy people and upper class people, but he just made it plural, creating the word: Bourgeoisies. The song is about wanting to be with rich people, considering Conan’s background of growing up poor, this song makes a lot of sense. A song from Kid Krow called Affluenza (a condition affecting rich people that makes them act out) that contradicts Bourgeoisies. Aflluenza talks about staying away from rich people and money and Bourgeoisies talks about wanting more money, which I think is quite interesting to me. I personally love this song, one reason is during FHOT, each concert day he wore a new shirt with a misspelled version of Bourgeoisies, making fun of how the fans reacted to the song name. This song is so fun!

9. Forever with Me

This song is the 9th song on the album and one of the 3 songs that didn’t make the cut for Found Heaven on Tour. The song is a ballad about remembering something that was short but meaningful. It was one of the longest on the albums as most of the songs were three minutes or less. This is one of the most underrated songs on the album and I’d even say his whole discography. It gives off the 80s vibes that every other song has while still keeping the emotion of the song. I was very saddened when Forever with Me wasn’t included on the set list because it is one of my favorites on the album.

10. Eye of the Night

This song is another pop song (specifically new wave) song. The song is one of the shortest on the album being 2:21 minutes long, it is the 2nd shortest song on the album, but The Final Fight is 10 seconds less. The song is about the feeling of being watched by his ex and being driven insane by it. Fans theorize that it is referencing popular and iconic songs from the 80s, such as “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor , “Somebody’s Watching Me” by Rockwell, and the structure and production of the song sounds like “You Give Love A Bad Name” by Bon Jovi. I really enjoy this song and it sounds incredible live. I’d rate it 8/10.

11. Boys & Girls

This song started off as my least favorite on the album that wasn’t already released as a single. It still, today, is one of my least favorites on the album but it has since grown on me. The song is about wanting a person that everyone else likes as well. The song is a form of Synth-pop and one of the shorter songs on the album being 2.22 minutes long. Some facts about the song is that the instrumental of the song was featured in the beginning of the Lonely Dancers music video, which was released in February. Surprisingly, this song took Conan the longest to write on Found Heaven. I did really enjoy it live but it still is one of my least favorites on the album.

12. Killing Me

This song was the 5th single from Found Heaven. It was released October 31st, 2023. It is a song that is in the Synth-pop and Dance-pop subgenres. The song is 3:24 minutes long. The song is actually about being killed by your partner. He wrote the song while having a 6 month long flu that he got from his partner and he had to have surgery to have his tonsils removed because of it. The song was supposed to be released along with a music video but because of his emergency surgery, the leaks of the video and the choreography were scrapped and the video was never released. The song was announced Friday, October 13th which isn't a coincidence since the song was a Halloween song and the scrapped music video had a creepy vibe. This song isn’t one of my favorites and I actually disliked it when it first came out in 2023. Like Boys & Girls, it has grown on me a bit more but it still isn’t a song I casually listen to.

13. Winner

I absolutely adore this song. It was the 2nd single for Found Heaven released August 25, 2025. The song is a part of the pop and power ballad genre that was also similar to Conan’s previous music (such as Forever With Me and The Exit) and Alley Rose which would be later released. The song is about his family issues and his past. The song reminds people of the song Family Line on his album, Superache, which also explored these themes. People also compare the 2 songs because they are both depressing. The song became Conan’s biggest solo debut with 1.34 million streams, which beat out Never Ending Song which previously held that title. This song was my favorite single out of all of them. It was my top song in 2023 with 55 listens, which isn’t a lot but I had gotten my phone in the middle of the year and I didn’t listen to music a lot back then. My top song in 2024 was “Fight or Flight” by Conan Gray with 998 listens. I still love this song and it was incredible live as well. There was a fan project where we got blue pieces of paper and we held to our flashlights to make a blue light.

by Ryder Domina

Here at Berner Beacon, we have a bunch of creative writers, including me. In the summer of 2024, I wrote a short story that I called Matcha-Girl. Then around spring of this year, when I was thinking of an article to write for Berner Beacon, I found this short story hidden in my Google Drive and decided to edit it and put it in the spring edition. A lot of people who read the Berner Beacon loved it and thought it was an incredible story. I love when I get encouragement from other people about my writing. It uplifts my day. Fast forward to now, I’m thinking of what to write for the summer edition. I don’t have any ideas for another creative writing piece, but then I think about writing. A lot of people told me they struggle with creative writing or aren’t good at it. I thought about how I could help people get better at creative writing and decided to share my tips and tricks in a fun-filled tutorial, inspired by a tutorial I saw on another edition in the Berner Beacon. I will also use references from other writing pieces, even my own. So if you need some help with creative writing or just want to get better at it, here’s my process!

1. Brainstorm and Choose Your Topic

The first thing you need to do before starting a creative writing piece is to brainstorm what you want to write about. Brainstorming is a problem-solving method that involves coming up with creative ideas and solutions. Creative writing is fiction, so your story will have to come entirely from your mind. You might get stuck when wondering what to write about, so I suggest that you look around where you are and inspiration might strike, or you could decide to write about your favorite things or something you think about often. Your story could be anything- from a fantasy, something to do with vampires or wizards to something like a realistic romance story between two people, like Matcha-Girl. I came up with the idea for Matcha Girl just by taking a look around where I was, and the thing that caught my eye was a matcha latte that I was drinking. Sometimes inspiration comes just like that! Once you come up with an idea of what you're going to write about, you need to start crafting your plot and characters.

2. Story Essentials (Plot, Characters and Conflict)

Characters play many roles in a story. They move the story along based on their actions, decisions, and feelings. They also explore different themes of human nature and life as they face many obstacles along their way. Characters can make a connection with the reader, as the reader can relate to their struggles and feelings, making the characters meaningful and intriguing. Characters are also personalized in many ways by the author, each having different interests, likes, and traits. When you craft your characters for your creative writing, you should start thinking about these things, such as their personality and motives in the story. You can come up with an idea for your characters in your head or write it down. This is an important story essential in your creative writing piece. Once you have finished crafting your characters or at least have an idea for them, think about your plot. A plot is the events that are going to occur in the story, told from a narrative, that drive everything forward. And in the plot, there must be a conflict that should generally affect your main character (s) or supporting characters, which are the problem or obstacles the character has to face in order to get to their goal or motive. Remember: The plot and conflict are the most important part of your creative writing piece. Without it, your story would be boring and I don’t think a lot of people would want to read a boring story. There would be no action, and nothing happening. You can come up with a plot idea in your head, but a better idea is to grab a sheet of lined notebook paper, write the words “plot” on the top line and start writing an idea that’s a couple sentences long. Remember to ask yourself this question when writing a plot idea. What do you want to happen in this piece? You can edit your plot, or create a new plot as many times as you’d like. But once you’ve finished crafting your plot, we can start writing.

3. Start your Creative Writing Piece and More Story Essentials

This is the fun part. You finally get to start your creative writing piece. Now that we have a topic, characters, a plot, and conflict, we can begin writing. For material, you can use paper or a journal and a pencil, but I mainly use a cellular device because it’s easier, such as an iPad or a Chromebook. I don’t recommend using a pen or anything with ink to write because if you make a mistake, you can’t erase and crossing things out just gets a little messy, in my opinion. Get ready, though. I’m about to drop a lot of information in this step.

When you start, you can quickly pick which point of view you want to tell the story from. Point of view is the perspective from which the story is told by. And perspective is how an event, problem, or occurrence is seen. There are three points of view: first person, second person, and third person. The first person point of view is told through the perspective of a character in the story, by using pronouns such as “I”, “me”, and “my”, seeing their own thoughts and feelings. Ex: As I walked downstairs, I was revealed to an interesting scene. The second person point of view addresses the reader directly, making them feel like they are a character in the story, using pronouns such as “you”, “your,” and “you’re” to do this. Ex: As you walk downstairs, you are revealed to an interesting scene. The third person point of view is told by a narrator who is outside the story (not in it), by using pronouns such as “he”, “she”, “it”, or “they”. Ex: As he walked downstairs, he was revealed to an interesting scene. There are two types of third person point of view: limited and omniscient. Limited is where the narrator focuses and reveals the thoughts and feelings of one particular character, while omniscient is where the narrator focuses and reveals the thoughts and feelings of all characters, events, and settings in the story. It doesn’t matter what point of view you use. I’ve experimented with all points of view when writing, and they all sound good. I mainly use a first person point of view because it’s more direct and easier. But once again, this is just my opinion. Another good element you can put in your writing is having two or more perspectives in the story. Some authors have two or more perspectives for different characters, which switch throughout the story. I’ve even seen some Berner Beacon writers use two or more perspectives in their creative writing piece. This adds more depth to the story and you can see one or more sides of a problem or event. I’ll give you a little example.

Situation: After school, Molly asks her friend, Mia, if she wants to hang out at her house, but Mia says she has a lot of homework to do and has to study for an important exam also. Mia nods and the two girls part ways. Here’s both girls' thoughts when they get home.

Molly’s perspective: I should stop wasting time by lounging around and doing nothing and do my homework and study for exams. Mia has the right idea.

Mia’s perspective: I should’ve made more time to hang out with my friends and relax. School shouldn’t stop me from having fun and taking a break. Molly has the right idea.

See how the element added something extra to the storyline? It makes the story much better, and like I said, it adds depth. But this is just optional and you can do it if you choose. Now that we have our materials and gone over some story elements, we can pick up our pencils, or in other cases, get ready to type. Titles (which you don’t have to use, actually) aren’t important at the moment- you can pick one now but I suggest picking one later. If you want to figure out a title later, just write or type the words, “My Creative Writing Piece” on your writing material and under it, “by: (your name)”. You can swap it out later or not. The first couple sentences are actually pretty important. They start out the story, establish the tone and grab the reader’s attention immediately. Here are some examples of good first sentences.

Where The Crawdads Sing first sentences: Marsh is not swamp. Marsh is a space of light, where grass grows in water, and water flows into the sky. Then within the marsh, here and there, true swamp.

Fish in A Tree first sentences: It’s always there. Like the ground underneath my feet.

Moby Dick first sentences: Call me Ishamel. Some years ago- never mind how long precisely- having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me on shore, I thought I would sail about a little and see the watery part of the world.

"Matcha Girl" (my short story) first sentences: “Jess, you coming?” Amy was asking me if I wanted to come check out this coffee shop with her that had recently opened up in town.

Do you notice something similar about all these first sentences? They all start out the story by establishing the tone right away and grabbing your attention. That’s what you want to try and do when you start writing. So go ahead, under your name, indent (with the tab bar on a keyboard or two fingers on the page) and write or type in your first couple sentences.

Now you can start writing your story. What you want this piece to be? Now, obviously, I can’t tell you how to write your story. It’s yours. And I have nothing to do with it. But here is a link to a website that can provide some good writing tips that can help you below this sentence:

https://www.immerse.education/beyond-syllabus/creative-writing/creative-writing-tips/

I highly suggest using these tips! Trust me, they will help greatly. Also, remember to have these things in your creative writing in case you forget:

• A topic

• Amazingly-crafted characters

• An organized plot

• A conflict that affects the character(s)

• The point of view and perspective you want to write the story from

• A theme or message

Don’t forget the story elements!

There are a lot of different parts of the course of a story or elements. I’ll explain them all. First is the exposition, which is how the beginning of the story starts, where the characters, and setting are all introduced. Then as the story progresses, there is the rising action, which are the events that lead up to the main conflict in the story. The climax is when the conflict arises and gets to a high point. Then comes the falling action, which is the steps and measures that are taken to fix and resolve the conflict. Finally the resolution, which is how things end up in the story, usually with the conflict being solved. You should make sure all these elements are or will be added in the course of your story. For more of a visual picture, there is an image of a story element mountain below this article.

4. Continuing Your Creative Writing

If you aren’t having trouble with your writing, you can skip this step and move on to the next part of the tutorial, which is editing. But if you are, well, I think I can help. Sometimes continuing your writing can be hard. You may not know what to write next or you might be having writer’s block. It’s happened to me many times before. So if you’re stuck, read over what you’ve already written so far. Think of some ideas that can help continue the story along greatly. What will further the plot? And remember, you want action in your writing, descriptive details, and the chance to grab the reader’s attention and make them want to keep reading. Here are some more tips that will help you overcome writer’s block.

1. Take a break from your writing and do non-writing activities, such as sports or a nature walk. You might get inspiration.

2. Bullet point your ideas

3. Stick to a routine

4. Write some messy sentences

5. Write something else

6. Change your location

7. Set yourself a challenge

8. Determine the root cause

9. Read some works from other authors. You might feel inspired by their style of writing. This is one I commonly use.

Continuing your writing can be hard, but eventually, I think you’ll come up with some good ideas.

5. Editing and Concluding Your Writing: The Final Step!

Now is the part where we are close to finishing our creative writing! We’ll start with a couple things. First of all, for length, your writing should be as long as you need it to be. Obviously, it doesn’t have to be book-length, but it should at least tell a story and try to grab the reader’s attention. And for conclusions, not all stories have to have a certain happy ending. Some stories

can have a different ending, such as a cliffhanger (which of course, makes room for a part 2 or sequel to your creative writing, if you want), a sad ending, a funny ending, or just a meaningful ending. The main thing about creative writing is it’s your own story. You create this little gift that comes from the depths of your mind and imagination. It’s special and it’s simply yours.

You should conclude your story in the way you desire and that’s really it.

When you finish your creative writing draft, next is the one thing that’s a little annoying but is the last essential step to make your writing better, like a maraschino cherry on top of an ice cream sundae: editing. The reason why I think editing is important after writing is because of what I learned happened when I didn’t edit my writing. When I was younger, before I was in middle school, I used to write these small nonfiction books that were typically a minimum of 20 pages long. They were all based on biology. Plant life, animals, different environments, and habitats. I loved that stuff. And I still do today. I got most of my information from the internet, and then I wrote it down in little sections. Sure, not all the information was accurate and the illustrations were kind of messy and rushed, but to me, it didn’t seem to matter. It took a day to write one and when I finished stapling it, I was ready to read it to my parents. A couple times, when I came up to my parents to ask if they wanted me to read the book to them, they would wonder, “Are you sure you don’t need to edit first?” I shook it off, in a hurry to show it to them. But when I read the book aloud, there was always something off. Not all the information sounded correct. Some of it sounded silly and ridiculous. And sometimes the words would be misspelled or I would accidentally put a word in a sentence more than once. And I ignored it then, but I did think I should’ve edited the book first instead before reading them to my parents so it would’ve sounded better.

Now, I know this isn’t related to creative writing and all the things I’ve talked about in this article so far. But it is a pretty good example of how editing is a very important part of the creative writing process. So now that you have your finished draft on paper or on a cellular device, it’s time to edit. When you edit, start reading the entire story from the beginning, And as you read, do these things.

1. Replace a sentence or a word if one doesn’t sound right or correct.

2. If you accidentally used a word twice in a sentence, fix it to make sure it’s only used once. Ex: We played played in the park.

3. If you don’t have punctuation at the end of one of your sentences, add it in.

4. Erase sentences that don’t belong or fit into your storyline.

5. Make sure you know the definition of what certain words mean. I used to think the word

supercilious was a good term that meant inspiring or bright when I was younger. But I learned it actually meant acting or behaving like you are better than someone else. So if a word doesn’t mean what you originally thought it means and you used it in the wrong way, erase it or replace it with another word. Make sure you are using correct grammar, spelling, and capitalization. Grammar rules are something I bet everyone has learned in school since the first and second grade, so you probably know how these rules work.

Now, sometimes, you may forget to check over a word or sentence that may sound incorrect, so I suggest that you reread your story at least twice to make sure it sounds correct. You should edit your story until it sounds good on your behalf. Remember, it doesn’t have to be perfect, but editing will make your writing sound better. Edit as many times as you need.

Conclusion:

Awesome! You finished and edited your own creative writing story! Great job! Now you can do whatever you want with it! Show it to your parents, your teachers, enlist it in a short story competition, maybe try even getting it published if you can (it’s possible!), or something totally different. Thank you for reading my creative writing tutorial! Hopefully it helped a lot!

Remember, keep writing! Maybe your writing in your own opinion doesn’t sound too good now, but with practice, it will surely get better! Now I have to edit and reread this article twice before I submit it!

by Caitlin Cepregi

Have you ever wanted to be a writer, but just weren’t sure where to start? Sometimes, you just need a little inspiration in order to get going. Writing prompts can be used in order to get an idea to start writing. To help you get started, here are some fantasy writing prompts. Don’t worry, if you like the idea of one, but not everything it says, you don’t have to completely follow all of it. You can change it around a little bit in order to make it fit.

Here are some fantasy prompts (I found them on websites):

1. What if you received a special watch as a gift and it kept talking to you?

2. You open the mailbox one day and find a strange letter addressed to you. The time has come to fulfill your destiny, it reads. The world is counting on you. Come quickly, and bring your secret sketchbook.

3. You discover a book in your parents’ bedroom that describes everything you’ve ever said and done. But the book is a hundred years old, and you’re just twelve. Or so you thought.

4. What if your mother told you you had to go to Peru and fight a monster you’d thought was a legend?

5. An enchantress creeps into a room unseen, her cloak of invisibility her only protection. She just needs to get the book and get out of there. She shudders as she hears a loud rip. Her cloak is caught on the door!

6. Your aunt shows up at your house unannounced and declares she is taking you on yet another quest. “Grab your bike, your bearded dragon, and your book of incantations. The rest of the club members are waiting.”

7. A child discovers they can breathe underwater and so they explore sunken ships around their coastal town as they get older, until they make a troubling discovery. Write their story.

8. A modern-day protagonist works in a zoo and rehabilitation facility for endangered fantasy creatures.

9. Catching the wrong bus by accident leads a middle-schooler to a school that resembles their own but is located in a secondary magical world, perhaps with magical creatures.

10. You and your family are on a hike when you stumble upon a group of witches in the forest, in the midst of casting spells.

Hope you like these fantasy writing prompts!

by Bridget Feola

Bob wasn't your ‘average’ guy. He was a hero. A pretty famous one too. Him and his girlfriend Tricia, along with their dinosaur friend Gary have saved the world countless times. Though he was a hero, he was kind of silly and wasn't very serious most of the time. He had always fought the same villains. Ban Jan, Pain Jane, Bruce Cruel, and a few unimportant ones. But this day was different. Bob sat on his porch. Tricia was hanging out with her friend Saphira out on the moon. Bob had no idea she even had friends on the moon. But he wasn't going to stop her. His ‘brother’ Xavier walked by. Bob was adopted, and so was Xavier. Neither really ever thought of each other as siblings. Bob also knew how much Xavier disliked Bob. Xavier had broken Bob's first ever sword a while back, and was furious when he found out he had gotten a new one. “Hey!” Bob said nicely and smiled as Xavier walked by him. Xavier just grumbled and walked away. Their mother just said he's in his ‘rebellious teenager phase’ and he wouldn't be hating Bob forever. Though Bob knew why he hated him. He had valid reason too. A few years back before his family adopted Xavier, Bob was only about 13 or 14, when he fought his toughest battle yet. There was a man, he once heard Xavier call him Ellis. Ellis was Xavier’s father. Though he wasn't his biological one. They had never found out who his biological father was, but it was definitely not Ellis. Xavier was only about 8 at the time, yet he seemed to remember everything. Ellis was everything to Xavier. Ellis cared for Xavier as his own son. Bob, of course, didn't know that at the time. Ellis was one of those stereotypical ‘supervillains’ just without the ‘only caring about themselves’ troupe. He, like many others, wanted to take over the world. Bob of course, being the hero he was, even at 13, had to stop him. Bob and Xavier had never met at that point. That day Bob had chased Ellis out to who knows where. He only cared that he wouldn't be causing trouble around anymore. All that was left of Ellis was Xavier. In all of the chaos, Ellis had told Xavier that he had to stay here, while he left to go fight off Bob. At 8 years old, it must have been hard to grasp the meaning of the danger there was. It was partially Bob’s fault too. Bob had mistook Xavier for some lost kid that had gotten caught in the crossfire, and had purposefully separated the two thinking Ellis was attacking Xavier. Afterwards, Bob’s adoptive mother had adopted Xavier as well. A little bit after they took him in they found out that he had been Ellis’ son. It was too late by then, and they were not just going to give him back. Xavier never let go of any of it. He heard Xavier crying frequently. Bob and Xavier also had a sister, Bria. She was the only not adopted child of their family. Xavier was not very close with either of them. Xavier was really only close with this one guy he had met at school 1 or 2 years before. Keirn. He was Xavier’s best friend. Bob liked Keirn. He was an outgoing type of guy, which matched well with Xavier’s quiet and calm personality. Though Xavier really didn't talk to anyone besides Keirn. Keirn was nice. He always stuck up for Xavier when Xavier was too scared to. His family had never told the public about Ellis, people just bullied him because they thought he was weird. Bria sometimes tried to talk to him and be nice, but he wouldn't talk to her. He would let her talk, but never said anything back. Though when Bob talked to him, he just walked away with a scowl on his face. He understood why Xavier hated him, he just didn't get why he was so hung up on this after 9 years.

“Hey Bob! Xavier! Bria wants to talk to you two!” Bob heard their mother call.

Please note: This is just a sneak peak of a larger story.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450 g) strawberries, hulled and sliced
• ¼ cup (60 ml) extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons (45 ml) balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon chopped shallot
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) honey, or maple syrup
• ½ teaspoon salt
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 8-10 ounces arugula or spinach greens, or a 50/50 mixture
• ½ cup Italian parsley leaves (tender stems are okay) or basil leaves
• 1 cup sliced cucumber, English seedless or Persian cucumber preferred
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
• ¼ cup sliced red onion
• ½ cup crumbled feta cheese

Make the dressing

• Combine ½ cup of the sliced strawberries with ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil, 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon chopped shallot, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon honey, ½ teaspoon salt and black pepper in a blender or small food processor until the dressing is smooth and creamy.

Make the salad

• Put the arugula and spinach in a large salad bowl or a large serving platter. Top with the remaining strawberries, parsley leaves, 1 cup sliced cucumber, sliced cherry tomatoes, ¼ cup sliced red onion and ½ cup crumbled feta cheese. Drizzle with 3 tablespoons of the dressing and toss together gently. Serve the salad with additional dressing on the side.

Source: familystylefood.com

Ingredients

• 1 large watermelon

• 1 cantaloupe, halved and seeded

• 1 honeydew melon, halved and seeded

• 2 (15 ounce) cans mandarin oranges, drained

• 2 (20 ounce) cans pineapple chunks, drained

• 2 cups halved fresh strawberries

• 2 cups seedless grapes

• ½ cup water

• ¼ cup white sugar

• 2 tablespoons grated lemon zest

Directions

1. With a large, sharp knife, remove the top 1/4 section of the watermelon. With a melon baller, scoop flesh from the inside of watermelon, removing as many seeds as possible. Leave 1/2 inch of flesh inside the shell of watermelon. Scoop cantaloupe and honeydew in the same manner, removing as much flesh as possible and discarding the rinds. Refrigerate watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, oranges, pineapple, strawberries, and grapes separately until ready to assemble.

2. Combine water and sugar in a small saucepan over medium-high heat; bring to a boil. Remove from heat and continue stirring until sugar has completely dissolved. Stir in lemon zest. Set syrup aside to cool.

3. To serve, place chilled watermelon balls, cantaloupe, honeydew, oranges, pineapple, strawberries, and grapes in a large bowl. Pour syrup over and toss thoroughly. Transfer fruit mixture to watermelon bowl. Set aside any fruit mixture that will not fit. There will be enough fruit to refill the bowl.

Source: https://www.allrecipes.com/

Ingredients

• 1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
• 3 cups heavy cream, divided
• 50 chocolate sandwich cookies, such as Oreos, plus more for topping (from a 25.5-oz. package)
• 3 (6-oz.) containers raspberries, divided

Directions

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese on medium speed until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla, and beat on low speed until combined, about 30 seconds. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Increase the speed to medium, and beat until smooth, 1 minute more.
2. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl. Add 1 cup of the heavy cream, and beat on low speed until smooth. Add the remaining 2 cups of heavy cream, increase the speed to medium high, and beat until soft peaks form, 1 to 2 minutes.
3. Spoon ¼ cup of the cream mixture into the bottom of a 9-inch square baking dish, smoothing into a thin, even layer.
4. Top the cream mixture with a single layer of cookies, breaking some as needed to fit. Spread about 1 1/2 cups of the cream mixture over the cookies, smoothing into an even layer with a spoon or offset spatula. Top with an even layer of raspberries from 2 (6-ounce) containers. Add another 1 1/2 cups of the cream mixture, smoothing into an even layer. Top with a final layer of cookies, then add the remaining cream mixture on top, smoothing into an even layer.
5. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to 12 hours.
6. Decorate the cake as desired with crumbled cookies and the remaining raspberries. Use a serrated knife to slice and serve.

Source: https://www.thepioneerwoman.com

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cup frozen raspberries
• 1 large ripe, sliced and frozen banana (1 banana yields ~1 cup)
• 1/2 cup pomegranate juice
• 3/4 cup orange juice
• 3/4 cup Plain Unsweetened Almond Breeze Almond Milk

Instructions

1. Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until creamy and smooth, scraping down sides as needed.
2. Taste and adjust flavor as needed. Add more milk or fruit juice if too thick. Add more frozen banana if not sweet enough. Serve immediately. Freezes well (or make into Popsicles)

Source: https://minimalistbaker.com/summer-in-a-cup-smoothie/

1. Frau Kahn (Max)

2. Mrs. Martelli (Paisley)

3. Mr. Joyce (Joesy)

Tiny Teacher #1 is Mr. Salamone!

Tiny Teacher #2 is Mrs. Miller!

Tiny Teacher #3 is Mr. Luc!

Tiny Teacher #4 is Mrs. Cullinan!

Tiny Teacher # 5 is Ms. Menelly!

Tiny Teacher #6 is Mrs. Kenny!

Huge thank you to all of the journalists who worked tirelessly to produce such thought provoking articles, beautiful creative writing, and fun comics this year! We continue to be amazed by your tenacious attitudes and commitment even during these unusual times! We look forward to working with you again next year! Wishing all 8th graders the best of luck moving on to AMES! We will miss you!

Best wishes,

Mrs. Cangiano and Ms. Waterman