WORDS OF WISDOM FOR WALLKILL YOLANDA MANSILLA

A new school year has started and with it comes expectations and lots and lots of work. If you’re a freshman or a sophomore, the next four or three years will be full of work, books, and fun! For those juniors, this will be your most grueling year; it’s important you work hard and maintain your grades. The following is some advice I’ve compiled throughout my years at Wallkill. DO THE WORK: The best advice I can give you is to do ALL your work. When it comes down to it, if you’re at an 89 your teacher will not give you that 90 if you didn’t work hard. Moreover, if you have been doing your work, if you actually had an emergency your teacher is more likely to believe you. Missing work can be the deciding factor between a B and an A. Raise your hand, take notes, and most importantly, complete the homework. GET INVOLVED: Colleges don’t just consider your grades, they consider your involvement.

Wallkill offers a multitude of extracurricular activities ranging from sports to even our very own Valley Voice. Join a sports team. We have multiple depending on the season. Joining a sport allows you to interact with others, build up your resume, and most importantly, do something you love or will learn to love. Wallkill also offers non-athletic clubs such as BASIC (a Christian group), Anime Club, Game Club, Ecology Club, Mock Trial, FBLA, Drama Club, and Pass It Along.(For a full list visit the Wallkill website.) For those who excel academically and are involved in the Wallkill community, you may get the opportunity to be invited into the National Honor Societies or even peer leaders. Student Council has opened its doors for all who wish to join. SOCIALIZE: High school should not b e j u s t b e a b o u t c l a s s w o r k a n d extracurriculars. Participate in school events. Go support the games, the Field Hockey, Tennis, Baseball, Soccer, and Football teams deserve your support. The roar of the crowd and the commaraderie of the game create a fun

environment that you should experience before you graduate. Dances and SuperNight are great ways to socialize with your fellow students and just enjoy a stress free night.

the valley voice FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2018 VOL.41 ISSUE 1

Note from Editor 3 Wallkill Challenge 3 Happenings in the Valley 4-6 Editorial 7 Sports 8-10 Reviews 11-12 Kim’s College Corner 13-14 Fun Corner 15 Horoscopes 16

Inside

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Contributing Reporters:

Advisor: Mrs. MaryAnn Simmons

Editor: Yolanda Mansilla

Graphic Design: Mac Warner

Printing: Mr. Pete Schornstaedt

Photography: Google images, jarrelleducation.com, Paul Michael Kane, Sabina Kunze, Cristina LaPadula, Jasmine Lee, Yolanda Mansilla, The New Jersey Herald, Nicole Verga, WV Yearbook

Stephen Chuquiruna Francesca Ciasullo

Zach Dora Caroline Kim Garett Koch Jasmine Lee

Yolanda Mansilla Sarah McNamara

Mady Piper Nicole Verga Mac Warner

Weronika Wasniowska

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We Challenge You THE VALLEY VOICE STAFF

The Wallkill Valley Fine Arts Department invites you to join its ranks as one of the most successful aspects of Wallkill’s curriculum. From the award-winning visual arts and crafts department to the grand champion choirs, there’s a place for you. The arts go hand in hand with each other at Wallkill, as choir students can be heard filling the library with sweet music during the annual art show and photo club students can be seen snapping headshots of the actors in the spring musical. The Fine Arts Department boasts a warm and welcoming environment for students of all interests. There is truly a place for everyone. Don’t have time for an after school activity? Want to raise your GPA the fun way? Did you know that Wallkill offers multiple AP/Honors level classes within the Fine Arts? Boost your schedule with Studio Art Honors, AP Art

History, or Advanced Choir Honors - classes dedicated to honing the skills of students dedicated to their individual craft. Chris Malone, a member of the musical, marching band, Advanced choir, A Capella Fellas, and Valley Voices, who simultaneously serves as the choir Vice President, has outstanding views on the influence of the arts in our school and community. “Our fine arts programs have reached out to many people in the community. They help students attain scholarships and give them a reason to enjoy school. The arts make our school a happier place.” We challenge you to raise your voices, wield your brushes, and

bang your drums and join us in our superb fine arts department here at Wallkill Valley!

A Note from the Editor Welcome back, Rangers! Summer flew by and so did our nights of s’mores and our days of swimming. It’s time to dig into our books and stop procrastinating. For some, like myself, it’s our last year so let’s make it count and make this year as memorable as possible! For others, it’s the first year of high school or of sophomore and junior year, so my advice is simple, “work hard.” This is the time to work as hard as possible because it will be worth it.

- Yolanda Mansilla

Photo courtesy of Sabina Kunze.

Photo courtesy of WV Yearbook

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HAPPENINGS IN THE VALLEY

NEHS: THE POWER OF LANGUAGE AND COMMUNITY BY: MADY PIPER

The National English Honor Society has met over the summer to plan out this exciting year with tons of events and activities to participate in, whether you are in the society or not. Starting in November, the NEHS will be holding a letter writing campaign to Veterans. Once written, they will be distributed to a place like the American Legion Post in Franklin and sent out directly to them. It is the NEHS’ hope that they can spread good cheer and thank the veterans for their service to our country. As an ongoing activity, they will be reading the the children in the Child Development classes. Last year the society did this during Dr. Seuss week, and the children loved it, so they decided they would read more frequently this year. The members hope to perform this activity at least once a month and bring smiles to the children’s faces once again. Next, they wish to get a tutoring program off the ground, by meeting with students who appear to have difficulty in their English classes. Members of the English Honor Society will be matched with these students and assist them in studying for quizzes or tests, help memorize vocabulary, or assist with the information regarding books they are reading in their classes. In tandem with this project, members of Mrs. Simmons’ AP English Language and Composition class (who are also members of the honor society) will begin a “Peer Pals” program with students in Mrs. Traglia’s class. Stay tuned for information regarding this project in our next issue. Finally, the NEHS wants to collaborate with the Art Honor Society. The idea is to write our own books/stories in two different ways: one can be the art student provides a piece of artwork for the English student to accompany with text. The second option: the English student can write a story which the art student can illustrate. This is a fun creative project that Mr. LoGiudice could print for the students and advisors to have as a keepsake. Now this may seem like a full schedule already, but that is not all the NEHS has in store for this year. There is much more but to be shared another time. Read the next issue to learn about upcoming activities!

ASK A STUPID QUESTION DAY THE VALLEY VOICE STAFF

September 28th is National “Ask a Stupid Question” Day! Everyone’s heard the phrase, “there’s no such thing as a stupid question,” but we all have questions we are too scared to ask. This holiday is the perfect day to finally get those answers! Send any and all stupid questions, no matter how dumb or silly, you may have to mwarner20@wallkillvrhs.org and they shall be answered in the next edition of the school paper. I can’t wait to see and answer your questions!

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WALLKILL WELCOMES NEW STAFF! BY: YOLANDA MANSILLA

A new school year has started and along with new freshman faces, we now have new educators! The science department welcomes Whitney Decker as a Biology and

Environmental Science teacher. Ms. Decker previously taught at West Orange High School and Andover Middle School. Not only does she have a degree in Biology, she also has a teacher’s certification for teaching special education classes. Ms. Decker will be coaching cross country this year and despite her lack of experience, she is optimistic and eager to work with the team. She is excited to be a part of our community since she was an assistant teacher here previously during her time at college. An avid learner and teacher, Ms. Decker’s advice is simple, “Do your best because what you do now will matter in the future.”

Also joining the Wallkill Science Department is Jim Jarrell. Mr. Jarrell is replacing Mr. Hildebrand after his retirement. As a teacher of AP physics, AP computer science, Pre-calc and physics, Mr. Jarrell enjoys his students who have

already warmed up to him and his teaching style. Senior We r o n i k a Wa s n i o w s k a comments, “He inspires us to work hard and think outside the box. We learn to associate concepts from class to the world around us. I walk into that classroom eager to learn and ready to understand.” In addition to teaching at Wallkill, Mr. Jarrell has his own business - Jarrell Education, where he teaches students SAT, ACT, and AP Prep. Add i t i ona l l y, Krista Lau-Munoz

joins the Science Department and teaches Chemistry and Environmental Science. This is Mrs.Munoz’s fourteenth year of teaching. She has worked at Hopatcong School District, a tenured job Paterson School District, a tenured teaching job at Pequannock Township School District, before coming to Wallkill Valley.

Mrs. Munoz has her Masters in Educational Technology and her Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering.If she had to give any piece of advice to her students she suggests, “Try, try,try…keep on trying.”She decided to come to Wallkill Valley because it was close to home. Her hobbies include reading (suspense, horror, or mystery) novels, but she doesn’t have a lot of time because of teaching.

Mrs.Munoz is a Yankee fan and was at the winning game for the 1996 World Series. Mrs.Munoz says that she enjoys the students at Wallkill because of how respectful they are and how willing they are to learn. (Continued on page 6. See New Teachers.)

Photo courtesy of Jarrell Education.

Photo courtesy of Jasmine Lee

Photo courtesy of Jasmine Lee

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(New Teachers - continued from page 5)

The Language Department this year welcomes Christina LaPadula, the new Italian teacher. La Padula completed medical school in Italy and attended Montclair State University. She has her Bachelor’s Degree in Italian and Spanish Education, a Master’s Degree in Education Technology, a Master’s Degree in Special Education, a Master’s Degree in Learning Disabilities Teaching Consultant and is currently enrolled in a PhD program in Special Education Leadership.

When LaPadula was younger, she had a pet lion cub named Simba and she wanted to be a doctor!

Mr. LaPadula offers great advice to not only her own students but to the entire student body of Wallkill: “Be yourself and be a leader. Don’t follow the bad apples; stand for yourself; set examples and goals.” She e m p h a s i z e s t h e impor t ance o f be ing

entirely your own person and not going along with the crowd who goes down the wrong path.

Mr. Sean Neal, like Ms. Decker, is no stranger to Wallkill. Previously, he was a paraprofessional working with the students in our special education department. Now, he takes over the reigns in business, computers, personal finance, robotics, programming, and computer technology after earning his Bachelor’s Degree in business at William Paterson University. He has a strong desire to help his students explore the various opportunities in the business/computer science departments. His advice, although you’ve probably heard this before, is worth taking; “Pay attention in class, listen to teachers, and take all the advice given to you.” Currently the coach of the varsity boys soccer team, we wish him luck at Wallkill and in his future endeavors.

A final welcome to all the new teachers and good luck at Wallkill from The Valley Voice!

Note: Stephen Chuquiruna, Jasmine Lee, and Nicole Verga contributed to the writing of this article.

Photo courtesy of Jasmine Lee

Photo courtesy of Cristina LaPadula

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EDITORIAL

A blanket of sorrow was dropped upon the United States on August 25, 2018 as former United States Senator and 2008 Republican Presidential Nominee John McCain left us after a battle with brain cancer at age 81. However, the life that McCain had was a life well lived. Born on August 29, 1936, McCain made it his goal to show his patriotism for a nation that dominated in so many ways. After graduating from the United States Naval Academy in 1958, McCain was deployed to Vietnam where he served as a ground-attack pilot. When his plane was shot down in Hanoi, McCain and his crew were taken as prisoners of war. At this point in his life, McCain began to show his big heart for his country and his fellow soldiers. In the prison, McCain refused to be released if there was a soldier who had been there longer than him. He would later be awarded the Purple Heart and the Legion of Merit. The Maverick from Arizona was later elected to his first government position as a U.S. Representative in 1982 and from this date on he would hold a political position for the rest of his life. Following his time in office as a Representative, McCain would then be elected as a U.S. State Senator where he would serve as a Republican from 1987-2018 as he succeeded the father of modern day conservatism and 1968 Republican Presidential Nominee, Barry Goldwater. In 2000 McCain launched a failed bid for president but lost the Republican nomination to Texas Governor and future Presidents of the United States George W. Bush. In 2008, he would again launch a bid for the presidential nomination under the Republican Party and after a

disappointing start and shaking up the campaign staff, Senator McCain had a tremendous turn around and indeed won the nomination. Although a campaign full of class and patriotism, he would go on to be defeated by Democratic Nominee Barack Obama and his running mate Delaware Senator Joe Biden. Not even the selection of Conservative firebrand and the most popular governor in America at the time, Sarah Palin tapped as his running mate was enough to bring the American hero to the White House. Although not victorious, students of history and political science like Connor Mendes, WV Alumnus, argue

that John McCain is “the most qualified nominee to ever lose a presidential election since Henry Clay.“ John McCain is remembered today by the actions he took while in o f f i c e a n d t h e bipart isanship that he brought to the table. As a part of the “gang of eight,” McCain formed a bipartisan

solution for the path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants within the United States, something that is rarely ever seen across party lines today. Also, in dramatic fashion in his return to the Senate since being diagnosed with brain cancer, John McCain was the deciding vote to fail the proposed repeal and replacement of Obamacare with a Republican healthcare bill. Today we are in a political climate where we are so divided in the political arena that we care more about our opponents failing than America thriving and it would serve us well to look to the wisdom, compassion, and unwavering patriotism that the “Arizona Maverick” John McCain displayed every day of his life in the noble pursuit of putting country first.

REMINISCING ON THE DEATH OF A HERO BY: GARETT KOCH

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SPORTSTAKING SHOTS AND

MAKING GOALS BY: MADY PIPER

School is back in action and so is the girl’s soccer team. The team has been practicing the entire summer, playing 8v8 scrimmages to stay in competitive form, and are ready to take on the season. Friday, August 31, the team won their scrimmage against Booton, 5-1. It’s a very promising start to the season. The team lost ten seniors last year, but they are roaring to go and make states once again even with the big loss. It is not stopping them from making big plans. This year they have one senior, Madysen Piper. She is trying her best to bring the much needed experience to the team, along with the five juniors, including Kayla Baker, the Captain, who has done a great job leading the team with a positive, hard-working attitude. The team got together one practice and went over their goals for the year. They bought a white board and wrote ten or so team goals to accomplish on it and are hanging it in their team room. Every time they accomplish a goal, they get to wipe it off the board and write a new one. They are always aiming higher. One goal is to get a s h u t o u t . T h e y a r e expecting big things, and so are the people around them. R o m a n Calendreau visited the girls during practice one day and motivated them to push and support each other through everything: ups, downs, injuries, etc. Always be there! It really inspired the girls and created a great atmosphere for an amazing practice.

STAY HUMBLE AND STAY HUNGRY

BY: ZACH DORA

For the first time in school history since 1991, the Wallkill Valley Rangers football team started the year off strong with five wins over the North Warren Patriots (33-6), the Kittatinny Cougars (6-2), the Kinnelon Colts (33-3), and the

P a r s i p p a n y Redhawks (33-0) S u s s e x T e c h Mustangs (27-10). The Rangers spent t h e s u m m e r working diligently lifting and going

over plays. The team spent a week a t H a r m o n y R i d g e

campground bonding and working hard in the summer heat to get things done. “The grind” as it is called, has begun to pay off for the Rangers as it is the first time they have been 5-0 in the history of the school. The team is led by captains Justin Rivera, Jake Lonsky, Kyle Berry, and Cole Weekley. Junior, Kevin Armstrong comments on the season, “ We really want to take it one week at a time, focusing on a new team each week.” Senior Shane Simon added “the phrase for this year is ‘stay humble and stay hungry.’” The Rangers mindset: always want more but don’t brag about it. The Rangers continue their season, taking on the Sussex Tech Mustangs for Homecoming on September twenty-eighth. The Rangers are looking forward to a season of hard work to reach the playoffs behind their captains and their quarterback, Alex Mastrioanni. A big congratulations to the guys on five consecutive wins! Keep up the good work you can do it!!

Above, Natalia Mianowski. Photo courtesy of NJ Herald

Photo courtesy of NJ Herald

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WALLKILL XC WELCOMES NEW COACH AND RUNNERS BY: NICOLE VERGA

The Cross Country team, known for being one of the strongest athletic groups at Wallkill, hopes to engage in another successful season under the guidance of its new head, Coach Kaitlyn Chegwidden. Adjusting to a new coach can be hard, especially after forging such strong bonds with the former coach, in this case our beloved Coach Lucas, who led the Cross Country team to multiple victories and was recently inducted to the Wallkill Valley Athletics Hall of Fame. Eric Ebisch, a Freshman who feels at home in his place on the tight-knit varsity team, says, “The motivation Coach Chegwidden’s gives to the runners is what makes her a great leader for the team.” Ebisch, who has already begun to make a name for himself in the Cross Country scene at Wallkill, says that cross country is his sport because “I can run distance and I have speed. Running clears my mind. I find it enjoyable.” Ebisch’s statements make Cross Country sound like a walk (or run) in the park, but it's not always a breeze. “The hardest part about Cross Country is keeping a steady pace and passing others on the trail. Sometimes you go too fast at certain points and run out of breath,” Ebisch says. The Valley Voice wishes luck to the Cross Country team as they prepare to race into a new season under the guidance of Coach Chegwidden. Also, be sure to congratulate sole team senior Dylan Gerisch on a stellar career at Wallkill Valley as he dashes into his final season. Go Running Rangers!

MEET THE SPIRITED WV CHEER SQUAD BY: JASMINE LEE

Meet the Wallkill Valley Cheerleading squad, a group of determined and spirited girls who work hard to bring home the gold for our school’s football team. Ms. Tussey, Wallkill Valley’s cheer coach, stated that, “This year's squad is led by Demi Hernandez, Legacy Hicks, and Shannon Apolito. It is the largest squad ever with 28 girls, 17 of which are seniors. The girls are having a great time cheering the boys on to a 3-0 start!” Bella Salvatore, one of Wallkill’s varsity cheerleaders, says that one of the reasons why she enjoys being a part of cheer is making unforgettable memories and creating bonds with her teammates, who are like family. Some people may think that cheer is all fun and games but it takes a lot of skill and teamwork. Bella said that, “being on the varsity team is different from the junior varsity team because you have more responsibilities and are expected to achieve more.” We can all expect great things from our Cheer Squad, who will continue to cheer on our football team to victory and grow stronger as a team and as individuals.

GIRLS TENNIS OFF TO A TREMENDOUS START BY: WERONIKA WASNIOWSKA AND SARAH MCNAMARA

The Wallkill Valley Girls Tennis team started their season with a bang. As all the Varsity players are experienced, the team is stronger than ever on and off the courts. They give their best in every match, and motivate one another with endless support. With Sarah McNamara at first singles, captain Weronika Wasniowska at second singles, Madison Bowden at third singles, captains Katie Andrews and Emily Murphy at first doubles, and Victoria and Vanessa Hasbrouck at second doubles, the team is bound to succeed. Junior and first singles player Sarah McNamara said, “Joining tennis three years ago was the best decision I have ever made. The team has become a family on and off the courts, and I don’t know where I’d be without this sport and the wonderful people involved. I fall more and more in love with the game every time I play; ask anyone, they’ll tell you I’m obsessed. And they’re absolutely right.” Holding the number one position in the conference, the Wallkill team is already proving they’re a force to be reckoned with. Congratulations on a good start to the season and good luck with the games to come!

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MARCHING RANGERS: BACK TO THE AWESOME 80s BY: NICOLE VERGA

The new and improved Marching Rangers are roll-stepping into the 2018 season to bring you some throwback jams from the eighties. The Rangers’ show consists of “Jump” by Van Halen as their energy-packed opener, a tender, ballad interlude of “Open Arms” by Journey, and an upbeat finale of “Livin’ on a Prayer” by Jon Bon Jovi. The Rangers, now seventeen marchers strong and led by Drum Major Sabina Kunze, have endured copious amounts of sunburn and rain along the journey to perfect their drills, but they haven’t let that dull their spirit. They can be heard shouting cheers with the cheerleaders and blaring encouraging tunes from the stands at football games, filling the crowds with enthusiasm. When the Marching Rangers hit the field, the crowd cheers with glee to see them stepping in time, their plumes fluffing as they go. Marching Band Junior and 2018 Drum Captain, Jenna Bronstein, comments on how the adrenaline of the crowd impacts a performance: “The energy of the crowd definitely affects our performance. If they are talking and not paying attention to the show that’s kind of disheartening and I personally don’t perform as well, but if they genuinely enjoy the show and are supportive it’s fun to perform and I think everyone does a lot better.” The Marching Rangers are set to attend a Rutgers University football game in October, where they will be given an opportunity to perform as well as watch other marching bands from around the state perform. Under the guidance of Mr. Colarusso, the band hopes to continue to grow both in number and knowledge, and to continue dazzling audiences with their drills and music!

A common piece of advice that can be heard coming from the coaches on the sidelines of a Wallkill Valley Field Hockey game is, “Sticks down!” This simple statement means a lot when it comes to this fast-paced and complicated game. Hustling around the field and reading opponents’ passes before they are made would be completely useless if sticks are flailing in the air and nowhere near the ball. Another necessary component to successful play, however, is completely a mentality. Keeping heads up during games and practices throughout this season will ultimately be the key to the Rangers’ success. A positive outlook on the rest of the season will help secure the victorious season that every player has been working towards since preseason began in the summer. Currently, the Rangers’ record is 2-7. After losing incredibly important players to graduation, the girls on the team knew this season would require some adjusting. So far, many young players who have never played varsity before are stepping up and proving themselves.

Key newcomers include freshmen Natalie Armstrong, Julie Murphy, Gianna Sienkiewicz, and Saige Slater. In addition to these talented, young athletes, countless upperclassmen have been focusing hard on their positions and are constantly learning how to improve their skills. As the second half of the field hockey season is beginning, the future looks promising.

After being down 4-0 at their away game against Lenape Valley on September 22nd, the Rangers could have easily crumbled under pressure and put their heads down. However, during halftime Coach Steiger asked the girls to do one thing: score a single goal. The team rallied together and scored two goals in the second half within minutes. Despite still ending the game in a loss, this feat displayed the Rangers’ ability to never accept defeat and always push harder. With this same attitude throughout the rest of the season, the Wallkill Field Hockey team’s chances at success seem highly likely.

Good luck, Ladies, during the second half of the season.

KEEPING OUR HEADS UP AND OUR STICKS DOWN BY: FRANCESCA CIASULLO

Photo courtesy of Michael Kane

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REVIEWSSIERRA BURGESS IS A LOSER: I’D TAKE THE SUNFLOWER

BY:YOLANDA MANSILLA

Inclusive, raw, funny, and tear-jerking, Sierra Burgess is a Loser is one of the newest Netflix hits! This high school movie is unlike an other. Not only does it feature a more diverse cast, it also includes diverse character backgrounds. Shannon Purser, previously known for her role as Barb on Stranger Things, plays Sierra Burgess, a high school student with body issues and a shy but confident personality. Actor Noah Centineo, “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before,” once again plays the teenage jock who falls for the nerdy girl. While this film was meant to be a romantic film, it had its hit or miss moments. The concept of the film was concrete, an “ugly” girl catfishes a hot football jock with a nerd heart, a jerk, and he falls in love with her personality but thinks she’s the hot cheerleader. The movie blurs a line: why is it romantic? This guy is getting catfished and why should he love her despite her lies? While it’s amazing, the movie chose a girl who was not necessarily skinny. It would have been much better if he had fallen in love with her knowing what she looked like. Hollywood is making great strides in body equality but it needs to stop portraying curvy women as insecure hotheads who hurt others at the first sign of betrayal. I watched this movie already cautious of the catfishing concept and I left it fully aware of how it went wrong. As a “curvy” girl myself, I found the film degrading. It characterized girls such as Sierra as nerds, insecure, and afraid. The reality is the majority of the jack-of-all-trade, secure, and confident woman I have met have not been “skinny.” The film wished to show the concept of falling in love with inner beauty, but the reality is it never showed Sierra truly falling in love with herself. If Hollywood wants to be more inclusive to body types, it’s time they start treating them like the other body types. For once I want to see a film where the leading actress happens to be curvy, cinnamon rolls and all, not one where a curvy woman happens to find love. Sierra considers herself a sunflower not a rose, but the message that should have been given to the viewers is that either flower is beautiful - it just matters who appreciates the flower the most.

DEAR EVAN HANSEN: THE BEST BROADWAY SHOW EVER! BY: STEPHEN CHUQUIRUNA

Dear Evan Hansen is a Broadway musical that follows a young adult, Evan Hansen, who struggles with social anxiety. He writes letters to himself that were assigned by his therapist to help him check himself daily. Evan isn’t very social and has few to no friends but has had feelings for Zoe Murphy for a long time. The characters surrounding Evan Hansen are mainly Connor Murphy, Zoe Murphy, Jared Kleinman, and Alana Beck. Connor Murphy being the suicidal teenager, Zoe Murphy the sister, and Jared and Alana are friends of Evan Hansen. Connor Murphy is a young adult who suffers with depression, anxiety, and anger management issues. He unfortunately commits suicide early in the musical. Later on Evan Hansen becomes a vital part in Connor Murphy’s suicide as the story progresses. This story’s theme is about lying. After Evan Hansen lied about a series of letters from Connor, he had to suffer the consequences by telling Connor’s parents the truth and dealing with their reaction. It’s a good way to see how much trouble you can get into by lying. It also helps you see things from an anxietic’s perspective. Overall this show was extremely entertaining and I recommend it to all young adults.

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Christopher Robin is the story of the beloved children’s character Christopher Robin, but with a twist: He has grown up and left the 100 Acre Woods. Married with a child, he has a trouble-filled job as a financial advisor at a luggage company. As he turns away from spending time with his family to focus on his job, his childhood friend, Pooh, comes back to help him get back in touch with his inner child. Christopher Robin focuses mainly on the titular character and Pooh. Robin is a character we have seen before: an overworked and overly serious parent who needs to remember what it is like to be a child. Similar characters in movies such as Elf and Smurfs, make Robin a stale character. Though this is

an unpopular opinion, I did not enjoy the character of Pooh. I found him to be frustratingly naive with a much too simplistic view on life. While Robin was panicking over real-world problems and trying to explain them to the bear, Pooh would only respond with confused and nonsensical lines. Pooh would also directly destroy Christopher Robin’s home and work and never get any sort of comeuppance for it. While the bear was clearly intended to be childish and endearing, I instead found Pooh frustratingly idiotic. The other beloved characters of the Hundred Acre Woods are sparsely found throughout the film, thankfully, as I find most to be one-note and occasionally obnoxious. However, if you are a fan of said characters and were excited to see them on the big screen, prepare to be disappointed: The focus of this movie is very much on Robin and Pooh and NOT on Eeyore, Tigger, and the rest of the crew. The plot of Christopher Robin is, in concept, something that COULD work if something fresh was added. However, I cannot say that they for his help finding his missing friends. Meanwhile, Robin is struggling to complete a task assigned to him by his boss, leaving his family to go on vacation alone as he toils at his work. The plot doesn’t have

anything that hasn’t been seen before in many other movies. It is the same plot of the overworked adult being reunited with his family and inner child. Thus it is about Pooh finding Robin and begging bare-bones that the majority of the movie is spent watching Robin and Pooh running about the screen and talking. This does not make for a very exciting or engaging movie, especially when the characters aren’t saying anything particularly thoughtful or comedic. All animals and stuffed animal characters in Christopher Robin are CG-Animated, which Disney has been utilizing very often in its live-action adaptations such as Pete’s Dragon (2016), The Jungle Book (2016), and Alice in Wonderland (2010). Disney has nearly perfected this craft, with its animation being incredibly fluid and lifelike. The watcher can see every bit of fur on every animal, and despite having simplistic faces, their facial expressions and emotions shine through wonderfully. My only complaint is that they occasionally seem “too” realistic, which makes them feel uncanny and like they should not be. For a Winnie the Pooh movie with an incredibly whimsical idea behind it, the overall tone of the film is very dark, realistic, and filled with a sense of hopelessness as Robin tries and fails to solve his problems at work. However, this doesn’t clash with the whimsy of talking stuffed animals. In fact, it creates very jarring differences between the two tones of the movie, making it feel like two completely different movies: One of a father struggling with relatable work issues, and the other of silly and naive talking stuffed animals. Christopher Robin isn’t really a movie that needed to happen, and I’m not even sure who it’s supposed to appeal to. Children wouldn’t be able to relate to Robin’s struggles, as they are without work. Adults and teenagers may find themselves annoyed with the childlike naivety of the characters, or offended by the fact that the beloved characters from their childhood are being haphazardly smashed together with a grimmer plot. If a child wants to watch a Winnie the Pooh movie, I would suggest watching one of the older, fully-animated features. Christopher Robin feels like another one of Disney’s attempts at cashing in on the audience’s nostalgia for its old animated movies with plots we’ve already seen. In Eeyore’s own words, this movie is a “Disgrace. Shame. Humiliation.” Thus, I would not recommend Christopher Robin to anyone.

CHRISTOPHER ROBIN: NEW MOVIE SAME CONCEPT BY: MAC WARNER

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10 TIPS FOR VISITING A COLLEGE BY: CAROLINE KIM

As college application season approaches, it is important to visit colleges to determine what type of college is the best fit for you. To help you on your college process, here are ten important tips for visiting a college!

• Write a list of questions to ask about the college, whether it be about financial aid, admissions, or campus/student life.

• Stop by the admissions center for any questions and to let the college know you visited. At some schools, visiting shows demonstrated interest which can sometimes factor into admissions.

• Be prepared. Wear comfortable shoes, dress according to the weather, and arrive early.

• Try eating at the dining hall or student center.

• Talk to students on campus and stop by different academic departments.

• Email a professor beforehand to see if you can sit-in on a class.

• Plan ahead of time and if you are going on a tour, register early as spots may fill up quickly, especially during the summer.

• Take the official campus tour, and feel free to explore afterwards on your own.

• Bring a notebook and a pen to take any notes about what you like about the school, any interesting features, and what to remember/keep in mind for admissions.

• Stay open-minded throughout the tour!

Good luck, Juniors, on the start of your college search journey and always remember to visit all of the colleges you wish to apply to so that you can find the best fit for you!

KIM’S COLLEGE CORNER

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This summer, I toured two colleges that reside in Providence, Rhode Island: Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). These col leges are located right next to each other and share a collaborative partnership in which a student at one university can take classes and participate in clubs/events at the other. In fact, the Brown/RISD Dual Degree program, which I am interested in, takes this relationship to a further level, allowing students to graduate with a bachelor’s degree from both schools, the student attending both schools over the course of five years. In order to see if both of t h e s e s c h o o l s a n d t h a t particular program are the best fit for me, I toured both schools in August. I toured Brown first, and in true Brown fashion, we got to pick a tour guide out of three options. Brown is known for freedom and choice with their Open Curriculum, which allows a student to take whichever class he/she wants without worrying about a core/g e n e r a l e d u c a t i o n requirements. My tour guide took us around campus, showing us several different libraries such as the Sciences Library, l andmarks /d i s t ingu i sh ing statues/establishments like the Van Wickle Gates, the Main

Green (a grassy outdoor area where many events/activities occur), and the Quiet Green (a less busy grassy area for relaxing and studying). She talked about her experience as a student at Brown, emphas iz ing the collaborative nature, passion, and friendliness of Brown students. She also mentioned the widely available research opportunities, as she got to do research with her professor as soon as the first week of freshman year just by showing her interest and asking her professor. The information session a g a i n p o i n t e d o u t t h e collaboration at Brown and the freedom they give students to pursue multiple academic interests and experiment and try new things. In addition, the admissions officer highlighted the affordability of Brown with generous financial aid. The following day, I visited RISD, attending both their information session and campus tour. During the tour, I was able to see the campus center/dining hall, dorm rooms, illustration studios, the graphic design department, and the Nature Lab, which features a collection of animals and plants. I learned that RISD is also very collaborative, as the workload is intense and very rigorous, especially freshman

y e a r. R I S D e m p h a s i z e s experimentation and risk-taking in art, assigning projects that constantly challenge students to think outside the b o x a n d t r y n e w a n d unconventional ideas. The RISD Assignment, o n e o f t h e a d m i s s i o n s requirements, is proof of that mentality. The Assignment r equ i r e s a l l p rospec t ive students to create two works using one of the following words: error, verify, and forge. No rules or guidelines or res t r ic t ions exis t , and a perfectly polished piece of art is not required either. The artwork can be captured in a video, and the more creative and unusual the better. A s a n a r t i s t w h o struggles with experimentation and doing what makes me uncomfortable, I believe RISD will help me test my creativity a n d c o n t i n u e t o m a k e interesting and meaningful artwork. Also, as someone with several different academic in te res t s , Brown’s Open Curriculum and collaborative nature fits perfectly with what I am looking for in a college. Therefore, the dual degree program seemed to be even better for me after I took tours of both colleges. Obviously, I highly recommend students to visit colleges, as they may find out that the college is the best or worst fit for them!

A TRIP TO PROVIDENCE: TOURING BROWN AND RISD BY: CAROLINE KIM

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FUN CORNERTHE WALLKILL WELCOME

BY: YOLANDA MANSILLA

We start again,

work hard everyday,

knowing we have everything to gain.

We must keep working

during our stay

and keep on learning

everyday.

We’re the Rangers

every day will be full of changes

but together we shall overcome

we will work together ‘cause

we’re not strangers.

FUN FACTS BY: MAC WARNER

Animal: Moray eels have two sets of jaws: one in the front, and another that extends forward from their throats. Places: In France, at least 40% of the music on private radio stations must be of French origin, and of the 40%, the music may not be more than 6 months old. Celebrity: While filming the Harry Potter movies, Daniel Radcliffe broke over 80 wand props thanks to using them as drumsticks. Nature: Oak trees are the most common to get struck by lightning. Health: Laughing can increase blood flow by nearly 20%. Teachers: Mrs. Simmons was the advisor of the marching band color guard when she first came to Wallkill in 1985.

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HOROSCOPES BY: MAC WARNER

Aries (March 21- April 19) Libra (September 23-October 22)

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Scorpio (October 23- November 21)

Gemini (May 21- June 20) Sagittarius (November 22- December 21)

Cancer (June 21- July 22)Capricorn (December 22-January 19)

Leo (July 23- August 22) Aquarius (January 20-February 18)

Virgo (August 23-September 22) Pisces (February 19- March 20)

Make sure you branch out and make new friends and relationships this year. Don’t stay closed to meeting new people, as there are great people out there waiting for you.

It’s time to focus and hone in on your personal goals. If you lose sight of them and focus on small, meaningless pursuits, you’re going to lose your chance of attaining the goal itself.

Make sure you communicate openly with those you love, whether they be family or friends. Keeping your thoughts bottled up won’t do any good for you.

Make sure you’re proud of and recognize what you CAN do this year, don’t just focus on the things you can’t. It’s okay to have pride in your own abilities.

Now is a great time to start a new project. There’s nothing holding you back except your own procrastination and overthinking your perceived failures… which may not even come to pass.

Things are changing for you, but it’s nothing to be afraid of. Accept change as it comes, as it may turn out to be for the better. Just because something is new doesn’t mean it’s bad.

Make sure you focus on the positive energy coming your way- don’t ignore it in favor of negative energy. Focusing on positivity will make you happier in the long run. The same is true for others, so make sure you spread some positivity as well.

Take some time for yourself this year. If you only live your life to please other people, you won’t be happy. Make sure YOU’RE happy too.

Something great is happening to you; make sure you don’t take it for granted, lest it go unnoticed and fly by you.

Staying closed-minded can close you off from exciting new ideas. Try to welcome new ideas with open arms this year, and you may find yourself learning more about the world and yourself.

You are currently facing a big problem, but take the time to look at it closely and clearly. Don’t ignore the problem or procrastinate on solving it, or it might get worse.

Though you shouldn’t strictly focus on the past, it is important to recognize it and learn from past mistakes that you may be encountering again.