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Raritan High School’s Official Newspaper Let the Light Shine on the Holidays Those people look at the holidays as a way to let By: Tom Grady people know who they truly are. There’s a house where they’ve been decorating since the early During the Holiday Season, many people put up 20’s and they’ve collected so much, that you can’t lights to celebrate the Holiday spirit. Some people even see the grass on their lawn. put up a ton of lights, while others just put up a In Texas, there is a house where they have laser pointer. But have you ever asked yourself, nearly 3 acres of land and when the holidays why do we do this? Why do we put up lights roll around, they use that land to make a during the Holidays and not really for any other Wonderland. They light up their forests and their holiday? house to welcome visitors. They offer winter hay- In the 17th century, people in Germany put can- rides to drive around and look at the wonderful dles on trees. They would put them up lights. with pins and hot wax. Also, Eastern Europeans On 34th street in Baltimore, the houses are would put bigger candles in their front window, lined up in a row where people decorate them visible from the outside.The candle would be to the nines. One by one, each house looks the placed by Christians to let other Christians know same every other time of the year, but during the they are welcomed to pray with the residence. holidays, their creativity shines bright. The house When Thomas Edison finally made the light all are uniquely lit up and look amazing all down bulb, people put it right to work during the Holi- the road. days. During the 1880 Christmas season, Thom- Those are just some examples of houses/plac- as Edison introduced the first outdoor electric es that are committed to making it shine bright Christmas light display to the world. He displayed during the holidays.. How many lights do you put the lights outside of his laboratory compound, up during the holiday season, a lot or a little. It which sat near a railway where many people doesn’t matter, all that matters is that you spend could see it each night. This was the first official quality time with your family during this great outdoor Christmas display that was separate season. from decorating just the . Edward Johnson, who was an inventor under the supervi- sion of Thomas Edison, created the first string Cold Weather on the Horizon of a couple of years later. The By: Dylan Latorre string of lights was made out of 80 small electric light bulbs. In 1890, the strings of lights were It’s about that time of the year. The time of the mass-produced and department stores began year that most of us cringe about. The time of the displaying them in Christmas displays in their year were the chills start to set in and the snow stores. will fall. But what really happens that it starts to The incandescent Christmas lights that cheer- get cold? Well, it’s actually quite scientific and fully light up the dark days of have simple. Our side of the world will now face away come a long way. Candles on trees and in win- from the sun.or a seasonal period of time called dows have given way to massive outdoor dis- winter. This happens due to our revolution around plays that attract visitors from miles away. The the sun. It’s time to buckle up and get prepared, mini light is the most popular light style, and most everyone, as winter is almost here. I would get of these lights come with a built-in twinkle. LED bundled up and start buying all the sweatshirts lights are energy-efficient and help reduce carbon you can. Winter varies in all forms; it’s either a emissions and your electric bill. Christmas light good one or a cold one. Most will have hopes displays often bring out people’s competitive spirit it gets pretty warm, others that enjoy winter will to see who can have the most elaborate display prepare for the cold. It’s just the start to the new on their street. year. We all must be ready for it and all the good With the history of the holiday lights out of the that comes along with it as well. way, let’s get talking on the most outrageous, decorated houses during the holiday season. Dyker Heights, Brooklyn has probably most devoted Holiday light decorators I’ve ever seen. ROCKET REVIEW

Raritan High School’s Official Newspaper continues to live on. is a Russian figure similar to Fa- Holidays Around the World ther Christmas (as they call Santa in Europe). By: Alexandra Varga Grandfather Frost, as he is often called, brings presents to children and delivers them in person All over the world, children are decorating their on New Year’s Eve. Many a time, he is accom- houses and getting ready for presents from family panied by , his granddaughter and and friends. Families are feasting on roasted ham and cookies while music featuring sleigh bells helper, who wears blue and silver robes, just like plays in the background. The children of these her grandfather. He walks with a long magic staff families hurry to bed in hopes that and sometimes rides a troika, which is a sleigh will come and bring them special treats. Well, this pulled by horses. Although the tradition started in isn’t completely true… Around the world, there Russia, it has spread to plenty of other countries are over 50 different holiday figures that children wait for or watch out for. They are passed down as well, including Poland, Romania, and Ukraine. by generation through folklore, but now they are Between 2003 and 2010, the post office in Veliky shown through media in television shows, movies Ustyug received approximately 2,000,000 letters and books. Americans have learned about a few from within Russia and from all over the world of these special figures through education and for Ded Moroz. It’s nice to see the world bonding traditions passed down, so here are a few that you may have heard of. over such beautiful traditions. The legend of is part of a centuries- Although there are only a few listed here, there old Christmas tradition in Germany, where Christ- are plenty of other holiday figures roaming the mas celebrations begin in early December. This world. Each country has special traditions for the massive half-goat, half-demon, horrific beast holidays and figures that may be a part of them. literally beats children into being nice and not naughty. Krampus was created as a counterpart Even though there are many different special fig- to St. Nicholas, swatting “wicked” children and ures, one shines above all the rest: Santa Claus. taking them to his lair in the Underworld instead Whether you call him Père Noël, Babbo Natale, of rewarding them with gifts and treats. The night Papa Noel, or Dun Che Lao Ren, Father Christ- before December 6th (which is mas lives in the hearts and minds of all children. Day), Krampus supposedly comes to towns and carries out his work, coming with a chain and Celebrate the magic of Christmas and make sure bells that he lashes about, along with a bundle to look out for a few new mystical figures this holi- of birch sticks meant to swat naughty children. day season. Maybe fear would teach the children to behave throughout the year. Our next figure is more light-hearted and originat ed in Italy. La is described as “the Christmas Witch” who flies around on the night before the Feast of . According to Southern Italian Folklore, La Befana was a old woman who gave the Three Kings directions and shelter on their way to see Baby . They invited her, but she refused claiming that she had too much housework to do. Later on, Befana realized that she wanted to go, but when travel- ling, she could not find her way to baby Jesus. She now flies around on her broomstick, leaving candies and small toys in good children’s shoes or stocking and coal in the bad children’s. La Befana has always been a delight to Italians and ROCKET REVIEW

Raritan High School’s Official Newspaper Do’s and Don’ts Of the Holidays By: Katherina Contreras How to Spend the Holidays It’s that time of the year again where everyone By: Alissa Maldonado is running around to get everything ready for the holidays. Gift shopping, food shopping, searching The holiday season is coming up and there for recipes, or making plans can all be very stress- are so many things to do this holiday season to ful. Knowing what to do and how to plan out your occupy yourself! Nobody wants to be spending time is key to surviving the holidays. If you follow the holidays inside the house with nothing to do. these steps, it can make your holidays so much Luckily, there are so many activities to do with more enjoyable and you can spend more time with friends and family that surely will make this holi- your family and friends. day season the best one yet. The holidays, of The first thing to surviving the holidays is plan- course, consist of spending sometime inside just ning out your time. Time is so valuable around the getting cozy. Watching some movies and be- holidays so making the most of it is very important. ing cozy while you do so is sure to give you that No matter what you dok2, you can’t slack during holiday vibe. Spending every minute of every day this time. Once you plan out events, you need to inside is a big waste of time especially during the dedicate your time. If that doesn’t happen, your en- holiday season. Going ice skating and seeing the tire schedule can be thrown off. Not only that, but Rockefeller tree can be fun if you do it with the you also waste your time. The next thing to getting through the holidays is right people. going shopping beforehand. Everyone goes out to Spending time with family and friends makes shop on but is it really worth it? If you doing these activities even more fun. Playing allot your time to go when malls aren’t busy or go in the snow and drinking some hot chocolate is online shopping, you’ll save yourself a headache. always a holiday favorite. Finding ways to be Also, you can just be relaxed once you know that festive and still have fun will ensure you to have you have everything you need to get. Getting ev- a great holiday season.Watching Christmas erything you need in advance will just make every- displays and seeing light shows can be very thing much easier on yourself so you can focus on entertaining during this time of year. Six Flags other things that are more important. even puts on a holiday display for everyone to go In addition, you can make sure that you are and enjoy as well as Walt Disney World. You can never caught in an area where there’s too many even drive around and see the houses that went people. For example, don’t be caught in between all out when it came to decorations. Doing some the crossfire of Rockefeller Center’s tourists. DIY stuff can also be fun and occupy your time There’s always too many people and it gets very very effectively. irritating, very fast. Going to visit the Christmas Going on pinterest and looking up holiday tree or going ice skating in the city can be fun as crafts can give you some ideas as to what you long as you know what to do. If you go when there could make. Trying some recipes can also be ark2en’t that many people, you can have a much some fun especially if it’s a holiday recipe, such more enjoyable time with family and friends. The as holiday cookies. Another thing that you can do holidays are about having a good time with your is volunteer and give back to the less fortunate. friends and family. They shouldn’t be weighted Donating and doing charity work always can down by other people ruining those memories. make a person feel better about themselves. Not Also, you can coordinate with people what to only does it make you feel good about yourself bring to the dinner table. The host doesn’t have to however, it also is what the holiday season is make everything and if everyone brings one thing, about. Just spending time with family and friends you have less work on yourself. Making a holiday makes the holiday season great, but finding ac- dinner is already stressful enough with having to tivities to do with them makes it even better. perfect everything so that everyone enjoys it. If you ask your guests to bring at least one food or dessert, it can make your holiday that much more enjoyable. To put everything in perspective, not everything during the holidays need to be 11Enjoy the time of laughter and cheer, spend time with your family and friends, and just relax. ROCKET REVIEW

Raritan High School’s Official Newspaper Random Acts of Kindness Around the I personally have had someone do one of those little things around the holidays and it made Holidays my day. No matter how big or small the action By: James Borg you take, all of it counts in the long run and just strengthens the natural joy of the time in the With all of the horrible things going on in the hearts of all around you. world, it may become hard to see the light some- times. Tsunamis, Earthquakes, Terrorist Attacks, Deck the Malls Housefires, and overall tragedies riddle the news By: Jacob Gambino all across the globe and it could be one sad sight indeed. So to bring a little light and holiday cheer Every December, countless children around the to your day, I hoped to show you some of the world go to bed hoping to wake up and find out good things people have done around this cheer- that they have been visited by a nighttime bene- ful time of the year along with things you could factor. They set out their milk and cookies, make do. sure they’ve been a good boy or girl, and struggle To start off, one of the most famous calls for to go to bed because they’re too excited to see peace ever, the of 1914. Dur- what’s under the tree in the morning. However, ing this time the world was embroiled in one of these children never get to meet the mysterious the worst wars in history, World War I. Chemi- gift-giver who manages to sneak in and out of cal Warfare, Bloody Hand to Hand Combat, and their houses completely undetected. other vile forms of combat damaged people and That is, unless they get their parents to take a families forever after the war. But, on Christmas five minute drive to their local Macy’s Department Day of 1914 the war took a very unexpected turn. Store. There they can see the man in red himself: Widespread across the front, men put down their Santa Claus. During the holiday season, malls guns and came out of the trenches to meet and will hire Santa impersonators to help promote socialize with their enemies. For the first time, their stores and spread Christmas joy. While it these men looked at each other not as enemies, seems like anybody with and a bleached beard but friends. Playing sports, eating, and talking, can be a Santa, it’s actually a very complicated the young boys and men swept into a war of poli- process. tics met on the battlefield as friends celebrating a Let’s start with mall Santa history. The first mall holiday together as one. Santa was played by James Edgar in 1890. He Some little ideas that you could use to brighten dressed up hoping to boost toy sales that year yours and someone else’s holiday seasons are and promote the holiday season. It proved to good to know, too. It is natural human nature be so popular that Edgar dressed as old Saint to know that when you do something nice for Nick again the next year, thus starting the tradi- someone else that you made their day as well tion. Many years later, the owners of the Macy’s as yours. For one event around here, I’d go and Department store chain decided to add Santa to check out the RAINE toy drive. Every year they their annual Thanksgiving parade. He would ride hold this for the less fortunate, and it is something in on his sleigh, wave, and do his job in Macy’s for the entire family to do and spread holiday Herald Square until . cheer. Some simple little things you can do could But what exactly are the requirements needed be pay for someone’s layaway at a store, take to be a Kris Kringle impersonator? Much like some food to the police station or fire station for clowns, mall Santas have to go to a special col- the officers/firefighters, put change in a random lege to be certified as a professional. They need vending machine, leave a generous tip when out to pay tuition, attend courses, and even earn at a resturant, donate to a worthy cause, give a diploma! But that’s not all they need to learn. shoes and blankets out to the homeless, and the Santa’s need to learn American Sign Language, list just goes on and on. the history of Santa Claus, special phrases to tell There are always little things you can do around children who get curious about their identities, the holidays to brighten yours and someone and most importantly, how to properly talk to a else’s day, it can break down those walls that child. some people know too well. Every little bit counts, ROCKET REVIEW

Raritan High School’s Official Newspaper the whole family. Just a few of these stores are Santas need to learn how to keep their real Macy’s, Old Navy, and Vineyard Vines. You can identities secret, or how to bend the truth so chil- never go wrong with clothing just make sure to dren don’t stop believing in the ‘real’ Santa Claus. know what sizes to get. If you so happen to also If a child asks something Santa can’t answer, he’ll know the person’s favorite color, that’s even bet- say that he’ll “ask Mrs. Claus.” When children ter! ask how there can be two Santa’s in two differ- With friends try to keep it nice, simple, and ent malls, they’ll say that they’re helping out the meaningful. A good way to do this finding out their real one. Oftentimes, the beards that professional favorite store and getting something from there. It Santas wear are completely genuine or glued-on doesn’t have to be a big gift at all, you can even fakes so children can’t pull them off. get a couple of small items and put them together Overall, being a mall Santa is hard work. You to make a nice basket. Making homemade cook- need to be kind and caring enough to listen to ies and putting it in a cute cookie jar along with a what children have to say and clever enough to well written and thoughtful note can be the per- avoid the possibility of anyone finding out who fect gift for a friend. When shopping for friends you are. Hopefully this winter we’ll all learn to always try to make the gift thoughtful. It shows appreciate these jolly men and women who dress appreciation when you can give a friend a gift that up as Mr. and Mrs. Claus each year and spread you’ve put time into. Christmas joy to stores across the country. Remember, it’s the thought that counts! When holiday shopping the goal is to get a gift that’ll make a person happy. However, at the same time Holiday Gift Ideas make sure to spend your money wisely and make By: Alissa Maldonado a budget on how much you want to spend. Don’t spend all your money on gifts for friends and give Never fails! During this time of year, the strug- your parents cheap gifts. Plan out how much you gle of trying to figure out what to get friends and want to spend on each person and stick to that! family for Christmas has never been more real. Although it can be hard not to splurge during the Yes, try to get something you think a person will holiday season, you can do it. You don’t need to like. However, in addition to that you shouldn’t spend all of your money on gifts, just put some have to spend all your money looking for the time into figuring out what your friends and family perfect gift. An ideal gift is one that looks more will like. Once you have a general idea of that, I expensive than it actually is, but still manages can assure you that your holiday shopping expe- to put a smile on a face. Try to get some ideas rience will be much easier of what the person likes and work with what you got. DIY gifts are creative and if done right can be the perfect gift for any person. It does help if you shop with some knowledge of what the person is into, this way you can narrow down the gift choices. Making a budget for yourself is important because it helps you stay away from the expen- sive gifts. It would also be helpful if you made a budget per person you’re getting a gift for. Spending more than $25 on a person is pushing it, don’t let the holiday season leave you broke! Of course you can’t go wrong with gift cards, but every per- son wants to have some kind of present to open. When shopping for adults, pay close attention to what they say they need. Often times what they want is more of what they need, so keep an ear out for when they mention anything they need. There are stores that can indeed accommodate ROCKET REVIEW

Raritan High School’s Official Newspaper Ways to Spice Up Your Holiday Look Hess Truck History By: Katherina Contreras By: Tom Mills During the holidays, it’s undeniably colder than the North Pole itself. That means layers upon Every year during the holiday season you’ve layers of jackets and sweaters all nestled un- probably seen advertisements for thousands and derneath a puffy winter coat. By this point many thousands of toys, but one of the few you see people look like a marshmallow with legs. The every year is the ad for the ever famous Hess winter doesn’t just have to consist of looking like Truck. The Hess Truck has been a holiday tradi- a marshmallow for 3 months straight. Knowing what works for you and what will keep you warm tion to many for over 50 years and still is today. is key to looking unique and yourself. Having a While many people buy them year to year, most little fashion sense never hurt anyone. don’t know the Hess Truck’s rich history. When you’re shopping for a coat, you should It all started with Leon Hess, born in Asbury always look for something that will fit your figure Park, NJ in 1913. He grew up during The Great nicely so you don’t drown in the fabric. Double breasted and pea coats are trendy pieces that Depression and his family had almost no money. come in a variety of colors and can draw the right After he graduated high school he could not af- kind of attention in the winter. Most people try to ford to go to college so he took the money he stray away from bright colors during the colder had and bought a second-hand truck and started months but color can actually make you stand delivering fuel oil to homes. In the year 1960, out. Not only that but owning your winter style will just bring out your personality when everyone is Hess opened its first branded gas station, and dreading the cold and the snow. shortly after that during the holiday season Leon Boots become more prominent during the Hess decided that he wanted to make a well built winter. With all the snowfall that we get in the win- and good quality toy that families could afford for ter, investing in a good pair of boots is essential. the holidays. Boots don’t have to be ugly even if they do the right job by protecting your feet from the cold and Leon’s vision for the trucks was to include the snow. They also don’t need to conform to a spe- use of electronics like lights and sound effects cific style. Ugg boots are good for keeping your with batteries included with them so families feet warm and they can be trendy but those won’t wouldn’t have to buy them. In the year 1964 his protect your feet from the snow. Hiking boots are vision became a reality and the first toy truck was usually a good investment to have because they are durable and will most definitely keep your feet manufactured. The design was a replica of the warm when it’s freezing outside. company’s first B61 Mack truck and trailer. The Pops of color can really make your look come toy’s features were rare for its time. It included together. Scarves and gloves can always bring working headlights and taillights, as well as a that personality. If you’re not into having bright cargo tank that could be filled and emptied with colors on your coat, finding a scarf with a nice print or something that’s your favorite color can a funnel and a rubber hose. Since there were no definitely brighten up your outfit. Scarves can tv or radio commercials, they would have to rely also be really warm in case you’re cold and need on local newspapers to get the word out of their that extra warmth. Gloves are also a great invest- new toys every year. Never would Leon Hess ment. Now with everyone having smartphones, would have thought in the beginning that his little it’s a good idea to buy the tech gloves where you can touch your phone screen. toy trucks would become one of the most famous holiday traditions. ROCKET REVIEW

Raritan High School’s Official Newspaper shares-holiday-miracle-with-birth-of-fraternal- twins Real Life Holiday Miracles In Hollywood, Florida, Yasmine Bowie and By: James Borg Wade Bassford were expecting twins. The only problem was, Yasmine was only 24 weeks preg- Around the holiday season, strange things can nant when she went into labor and was rushed to be known to happen for the better. The supersti- the hospital on December 17. This was months tious believe it could be some work of magic, before the babies were due, and doctor’s were while others believe it to be a happy coincidence not at all expecting the babies to survive. The or just a good action of the heart. These have babies stayed at the Memorial Regional Hospital, become so talked about over the years that the showing signs of improvement, and directly on phrase “Christmas Miracle” or “Holiday Miracle” Christmas day, they could breathe on their own. has been coined to refer to these actions. All the The twins have been called the “Miracle Twins”, “miracles” I’m about to share 2 stories from actual and in my eyes, they are well deserving of the people, living in small towns like you and I. Who name. knows, maybe one could happen to you this year If these stories weren’t inspiring or brought you too. a little happiness in your heart, I don’t know what Santa Found Us on the Road will. Hopefully this will help you spread some holi- Source: http://www.rd.com/true-stories/inspir- day cheer, a make the season a little more bright ing/christmas-miracles-true-stories/ this year. Have a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanuk- kah, and Happy Kwanzaa! At Christmas time, in 1961, our family was on the way from Seattle to a new assignment on the East Coast, and we checked into a motel in Wa- Holiday Myths tertown, South Dakota. It was not the best time to By: Jacob Gambino travel with young children, who were concerned about Santa finding us on the road. The holidays are a time when friends and fam- We headed into town to find a store, and as ily alike get together to celebrate and spend time our car approached an intersection, there was a with one another. Unfortunately, those families Santa right in the crosswalk! He held up his hand tend to share information that isn’t completely for us to stop, and we rolled down our windows. accurate. A mother may tell her children that they Santa poked his head through a window and need to wear a hat because heat mostly escapes said to our kids, “Oh, there you are! I was won- from the head, or dad might be drinking because dering where I’d find you tonight.” he believes that a nip of alcohol will heat him up. Naturally, the kids were thrilled to pieces. They Many things people believe about the holiday made sure we told Santa which motel we were season aren’t actually true. staying at so he could find them. My wife and I Let’s debunk the myths related to weather. As had tucked away gifts for the trip, as we knew we previously mentioned, heat does not escape from wouldn’t have time to shop along the way. the head. Most people tend to say that you will The cartop carrier and out-of-state license plate lost up to 50% of your inner body heat through might have been a giveaway, but whatever it was, your head, but according to various tests and that Santa really made Christmas 1961 a memo- studies you only lose up to 10%. Speaking of in- rable one for our kids. —Dave Grinstead, Belling- ner body temperature, the aforementioned alco- ham, Washington hol myth states that a nip of whiskey can warm This story just warms your heart. It really is a up the body. Technically speaking, it is correct: true miracle, it made Christmas you are making your skin warmer, but you are for the little kids. It is your classic 1960s Christ- taking heat away from the inside of your body. mas story, makes you think of the old movies in This is actually very dangerous, especially if you black and white showing Santa making Christmas were in a survival situation. for the little kids. Unfortunately the jolly gift-giver with a bowl full ABC Local News 10, “Miracle Babies” of jelly has his fair share of false information be- Source: http://www.local10.com/news/couple- ing spread about him. Perhaps the most inter- ROCKET REVIEW

Raritan High School’s Official Newspaper esting myth is that the colloquial design of Santa seventh day of Kwanzaa, we give meaningful Claus was created by the Coca-Cola company zawadi (gifts) to encourage growth, self-determi- in order to advertise their products. That’s actu- nation, achievement, and success. We exchange ally not true at all. Since the legend of Santa the gifts with members of our immediate family, Claus and the life of the real Saint Nicholas has especially the children, to promote or reward ac- changed a lot over the course of history, the complishments and commitments kept, as well design of Santa has never really been consistent. as with our guests. Each family celebrates Kwan- However, several older illustrations have depicted zaa in its own way, but celebrations often include Santa wearing red and white with a huge beard songs and dances, African drums, storytelling, and a fat belly. Coca-Cola just so happened to poetry reading, and a large traditional meal. Al- use those colors on their logo and use him for though the holiday is not for everyone, it is impor- their ad campaigns. tant to be respectful and allow others to celebrate what they find to be most important to them. Bad Toys Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, By: James Borg Community and Culture By: ALexandra Varga 1.Moon Boots Everyone knows about Christmas with Santa 2.Lawn Darts and plenty of presents. Another popular holiday in December is Hanukkah, known as the Festival of 3.Super Elastic Bubbles <----- Dangerous Lights and celebrates Jewish culture. One holiday that not many people know about is Kwanzaa. 4.Sky Dancers Plenty of people know about it, but have no idea what it is about or how people celebrate it. I’m 5.Easy-Bake Ovens here to enlighten you about this wonderful holi- day. Kwanzaa is a holiday to celebrate African 1.Titania’s Palace - $256,500 American culture and heritage. From December 26 to January 1, families gather together and 2.Nintendo Wii Supreme - $485,500 honor their African heritage through feasts and gift giving. Along with that, each of the seven 3.Diamond Barbie - $551,000 <---- Expensive days represent the seven principles of Kwanzaa. Nguzo Saba, the seven principles of African heri- 4.Gold Rocking Horse - $1.28 million tage, include Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self- Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Re- 5.Steiff Louis Vuitton Teddy Bear - 2.1 million sponsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani Knickknacks and novelties. Games and trin- (Faith). For each day of the holiday, a candle is lit kets. All forms of toys. No matter the type, at to represent these core principles. Starting with least one child owns it and another enjoys it’s the black candle, which represents unity and the company. Children around the world spend their basis of success, these candles are lit with two free time fiddling with all kinds of playthings--- primary purposes: to re-create symbolically the from dolls to race cars. Whether you have it all sun’s power and to provide light. Alongside the and can afford that half-a-million-dollar doll house black candle are three red candles and green or have what you’ve got and can only afford a candles, which represent the African gods or board game of Operation one will always find that the struggle for self-determination and freedom special toy that speaks to them and their child- by people of color. These beautiful candles are hood for the longevity of its time span. And even placed in the Kinara, or Candleholder, which after your childhood has ended, you will always represents the original stalk from which we came: remember those specific toys that forced your our ancestry. When we celebrate Imani on the fantasy into reality. For instance, I remember ROCKET REVIEW

Raritan High School’s Official Newspaper change is imminent. Right now, change is most my first toys. I had always been obsessed with definitely necessary. Legos, action figures, and anything that I could It’s been months since I last saw another hu- physically create a story with all through my own man being come near the Saint Brick’s Arbore- imagination. Whenever I’d see a new Lego com- tum. They’ve all retreated to the heated insides mercial, or even a new box of Legos at Toys R of their edifices. Are we forgotten that soon? Left Us, or anything magic trick related I’d want the out here like animals? Enjoying the air around toy immediately. It was just a matter of wanting me has become more and more tasking as I grow to entertain myself at home when I had nothing to do at such a young age. And do not get me more and more impatient. So many of us are started on video games. chosen to leave and go home with warm families. No matter what I wanted, the toy would never Why haven’t I been picked yet? Is there some- be over one hundred and fifty dollars. The most thing wrong with me? My appearance? Perhaps expensive toys I’d want to have were usually my smell is too potent. A cold shower would be video games or some kind of gaming console. I nice. All that’s been falling from the sky is the could not imagine asking my parents for some- same old white substance that falls this time ev- thing so expensive. And despite my love for ery year. I’ve seen it fifteen times. Am I going to magic tricks and Legos, I have never liked any- have to see it a sixteenth time? thing too risky to play with. Sports have never Wait- here they come. We have to be quiet been my thing, and if you have to be outside to now as they come toward us. Humans find it odd play with a toy that automatically means it’s just when anything else but themselves can be sen- not for me. Nevertheless, there are still some kids who’d rather play with a dart gun in the lawn then tient. For some reason, they’re pulling out tools sit in their room and build a haunted mansion and apparatuses both sharp and dull altogether. or spongebob’s pineapple house. And there are Should I be nervous? I don’t know. Okay. I’m even some kids who’d ask for toys pricier than all nervous. of the chromebooks in Raritan High School com- They’re starting to take away my friends bined together. Now where’s the fun in that? around me. Please don’t tell me that I’ll be left here alone. Oh! They’re taking me too! They’re taking P.O.V. of a Christmas Tree me with them! I wonder where the lucky wind of By: Isaiah Mercado Christmas Tree Adoption will take me now! I’ll be sold off, decorated, taken care of, and then given It’s nightfall now. The smell of cold pine and fresh a proper goodbye after the year’s end. This’ll be snow linger heavily amongst me and my friends. one very special Christmas for the lucky human It’s been about fifteen years since we first gath- who adopts me. I won’t shed as much, I’ll stay ered here to this- well, the only word I could use primed and perky, and I’ll keep the presents un- to describe it would be orphanage. We were left derneath my branches both warm and protected. here to grow on our own and prosper; no parents, There’s no stopping me from trying to become no responsibilities. Just an inner drive to be, well, the best Christmas Tree there ever was. I cannot “adopted”. All of us want nothing more than to be wait to live in a cozy home with a grand family. taken in and accepted by a loving family, or even Who knows where I’ll end up being perked up a loving person in general. Especially during this and presented. I could reside in a mansion, or a time of the year, at the U.S.’s coldest peak. Liv- small home with a small family. I don’t mind any ing life somewhere warm and cozy sounds more situation; as the people who adopt me first will satisfying than enduring the snow and the brisk receive as much love as I could ever possibly wind from the north. It’s not that I don’t enjoy this give out. type of weather, I’ve just grown so accustomed to I’m ready for both my first and last Christmas. the brisk environment me and my siblings have resided in for years now. But like I said before, ROCKET REVIEW

Raritan High School’s Official Newspaper Popular Holiday Trends dreidel falls down. Instruct the player to either take a coin from the pot or give up a portion of his By: Caitlynn Hunter or her coins, based on the following code: •Nun– “nothing”– nothing happens CHRISTMAS •Gimel– “all”– take everything in the pot Christmas, the holiday celebrating the Birth •Hey– “half”– take half of the pot (round up if of Jesus, son of God. The first Christmas was necessary) celebrated on December 25th 1789. With every •Shin– “put in” – put one coin in the pot holiday comes traditions or trends passed down Kwanzaa from the family. The most popular and well known Kwanzaa is a seven day festival that celebrates tradition is… Christmas Trees. African and African American culture and history. Christmas Trees; The first person ever to bring Kwanzaa takes place from 26th December to 1st a Christmas Tree into a home was the Ger- January. man Preacher Martin Luther. The story was told Kinara; During Kwanzaa a special candle that, one night before Christmas, he was walk- holder called a Kinara is used. A kinara holds ing through the forest and looked up to see the seven candles, three red ones on the left, three stars shining through the tree branches. It was so green ones on the right with a black candle in beautiful, that he went home and told his children the middle. Each night of Kwanzaa a candle is lit. that it reminded him of Jesus, who left the stars of The Black center is lit first and the candles alter- heaven to come to earth at Christmas. nate between Red and Green starting with the Carols; Carols were first sung in Europe thou- ones on the outside moving inwards. This is very sands of years ago, but these were not Christ- similar to the Lighting on the Menorah. mas Carols. They were pagan songs, sung at the The seven days and candles in Kwanzaa rep- celebrations as people danced resent the seven principles of Kwanzaa (Nguzo round stone circles. But then Christians took over Saba): and sung Christian songs instead. •Umoja: Unity - Unity of the family, community, nation and race Hanukkah •Kujichagulia: Self-Determination - Being re- Hanukkah is known as the Jewish Festival sponsible for your own conduct and behaviour of Lights, it remembers the rededication of the •Ujima: Collective work and responsibility - second Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. Hanukkah Working to Help each other and in the community is the is the Jewish word for ‘dedication’.In 2016, •Ujamaa: Cooperative economics - Working to Hanukkah is from in the evening of Saturday, 24 build shops and businesses December until the evening of Sunday, 1st Janu- ary. Here are some of Hanukkah traditions. •Nia: Purpose - Remembering and restoring Menorah: The menorah is one of the most African and African American cultures, customs popular Symbols of Hanukkah. The Menorah was and history used to respect the miracle that a one-day supply •Kuumba: Creativity - Using creating and your of oil lasted for eight days. The Nine-Branched imagination to make communities better Menorah was lit to represent the miracle. They •Imani: Faith - Believing in people, families, practice Hanukkah prayers when they light the leaders, teachers and the righteousness of the candle branches. African American struggle Dreidel game: (The Dreidel, another popular Symbolistic item of Hanukkah.The sides of the dreidel have Hebrew letters on each side. The History of Santa Claus words represent the words “A great miracle that By: Dylan Latorre happened there.” It was revering to the miracle of oil. You Start the dreidel game with the proper Santa Claus is maybe the most well known figure supplies, which include 10 or 15 coins (real or of around the world. When people even say the chocolate) for each player. Place one coin in the name the first thing that pops in most people’s center pot. Have the first player spin the dreidel. minds is the holidays. Why is Santa such a huge Look to see which side faces up, once the factor for Christmas? It’s actually quite simple. ROCKET REVIEW

Raritan High School’s Official Newspaper The holiday is his day. Now for me to explain the middle ages. The custom of eating things like why I say this we have to go back to the past. cheese, cheesecake and blintzes emerged from At around 280 A.D., near in modern day the story of Judith. Turkey is where the legend of a man called St. Kwanzaa Nicholas started. St. Nicholas was a monk that During Kwanzaa, Africans have what’s called inherited a lot of wealth but instead of changing a Karamu; A Karamu is an African feast, It can be his lifestyle he embraced life. He did enough for held at a home, Community Center, or a church. people to become well known around Europe for Celebrants enjoy traditional African dishes as well his kindness. He was eventually called the pro- as those featuring ingredients Africans brought to tector of the poor. He paid for food for many and the United States, such as sesame seeds, pea- helped poor children get an education. He was nuts, sweet potatoes, collard greens, and spicy a role model, helping with many people’s finan- sauces. cial problems too. He did this until his death. But by then he influenced the culture and people of Christmas in ? Europe enough to carry on his legacy and cel- By: Tom Grady ebrate a day dedicated to him which we call now the day of Christmas. Santa Claus then became Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, you the well-known figure he is today when back in may notice that if you watch TV, many, many, early 1800’s his tales spread across America. many, Christmas commercials come on the air. Immigrants brought stories over and eventually Car dealers, retail stores, and even local busi- a man named John Pintard published a column nesses produce their own commercials. They in the New Yorker. The rest is now history. Now celebrate the cheer of Christmas and they try and the aspect of the Santa we all love and know use this time of the year for their “jolly” Christmas today came from this column as artists depicted deals. With every year going by the wayside, the the big jolly man. The aspect of presents came commercials start earlier and earlier. from children needing a gift on Christmas day. When the holiday season rolls around, it is oday we have an iconic figure in St. Nicholas always great, but it should be kept to November/ that will go on forever. It’s a day to spend with December. Many businesses are trying to get a our families and embrace the cold weather. It’s jump start on many of the deals. Some started all because of the man, or shall I say legend, St. as early as September of this year. Trying to give Nicholas;referred to by many as Santa Claus. their consumers the best deals possible, the mar- keters want us to get in the holiday spirit very ear- ly. Don’t get me wrong some of the deals they are Popular Holiday Foods giving to us are great, but it shouldn’t be showing By: Caitlynn Hunter up until Black Friday. 50% off, 75% off, and even 80% off items are just some of the deals stores Christmas want to use to drag us in. At the rate these com- During Christmas, Americans are known to mercials are being produced and coming out into have sweets such as candy canes, the public, they may start as early as of July in cookies, chocolate, and hot chocolate. Some just maybe a decade. popular Christmas drinks are Eggnog, hot choco- December is a time where people celebrate late, milk, and . People typically have the holidays, not July. July is about enjoying a some kind of pie for dessert. Christmas is the nice ice cream on the beach with the cool breeze holiday to have a sweet tooth and it won’t be off the ocean hitting you in the face, not celebrat- wrong or improper. ing the jolly spirit. I think all of the marketing gimmicks are crazy to start holiday shopping so Hanukkah early, but it may work for them. Deals that go Since Hanukkah is the celebration of oil that along with the commercials may help with gaining burned for 8 days, fried food is a must. People customers and more purchases. With that being during Hanukkah sometimes have doughnuts said, we as a consumer may think it’s crazy but and potato pancakes during Hanukkah. Dairy Christmas in July might be the right way forward food didn’t become popular for Hanukkah until for some big time marketers.