E-TALON New Year Resolutions: a Fresh Start

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Paul VI High School Winter Edition 2021 E-TALON New Year Resolutions: A Fresh Start

Winter Edition 2021

A Fresh Start

By Sophia Viggiano ‘22

People are viewing 2021 as a fresh start from the chaos and calamity that was 2020. 2021 presents itself as an opportunity to be a much better and hopefully calmer year than the one before.

Resolutions

This year especially, resolutions are prevalent among journal, and discovering new music are all simple things those who have been craving a change. Following last that have the ability to make us feel better in the long- run. Ideas such as trying something new each month or year, this is something many of us share in common. finding a new hobby will help to discover more about New Year’s resolutions are the perfect way to spark ourselves and our capabilities while in a form of isolation. change while still staying safe during the new year. Staying in touch with friends and family is difficult right Resolutions this year should be a resolution that will now, but a resolution could be to find better and safe make you happy. After 2020, this is the perfect time to ways to do so, such as through technology. ignite a change that you can benefit from. Some ideas are to read more books, try something new each month, find more music, stay in touch with people better despite the current difficulty, exercise more, start a journal, or to start a new hobby. Reading more books, starting a This is the perfect opportunity In This Edition: to change your life. Prepping for Midterms Midterm Stress Prepping for College The beginning of 2021 is a clean slate. Although we still Christmas Recap have to deal with Covid-19 and continue to grapple with it, the new year still benefits us as we are able to put New Year Reality many events of 2020 behind us. These ideas and Winter Fun/Treats resolutions may not seem like much, but it may blow Virtual Learning your mind how much completing one of these resolutions PVI Girls Basketball can change your life. Once you start, one you may Interview with the Jones’ wonder how you ever survived without it. It can never Great Gatsby Review hurt to begin a new hobby or start doing something daily Election that will benefit you and your life, so what better time to Staying Healthy start than now? Reﬂection

www.pvihs.org Paul VI High School Winter Edition 2021 Reducing Midterm Stress by: Gwyneth Macdonald 22 Publications

At this point, there is no doubt that the cognition so you will be ready to breeze inevitable midterms have touched the your way through the upcoming mind of each and every student at Paul midterms. VI. Some of you might even have been thing of them since well before Christmas Two, you can listen to music. Listening to break. Unfortunately, with midterms music is a great way to take your mind comes stress, a testimony to how off the exams. Something about getting important they are. However, there are a lost in melody and lyrics makes what had few ways to ease and reduce, if not once seemed like life’s biggest completely eliminate the midterm stress. challenges seem small and conquerable. Here are three. But it doesn’t just have to be music. It could be soothing noises, sounds of a One, you can take a nap. One of whale or a thunderstorm. It can even be the most universally loved activities, a podcast. Just listen to whatever fits sleep rarely fails to relax a stressor. But your fancy to help ease your stress. naps are a whole different ballgame. The only detestable aspect of sleep is having Three, last but not least, you can to wake up early in the morning. But with exercise. Getting the blood flowing in naps you can wake when ever you your body supplies you with serotonin choose. So don’t just depend on the and energy, which can help combat your necessary eight hours of sleep with the stress. Trying anything from a walk approaching midterms. Try taking a nap. around your house to a jog around the As a bonus, sleep also improves your neighborhood can usually do the trick.

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Studying for Midterms 3. Listening to music- Listening to music

By: Olivia McDaniel 22 Publications while studying could take the edge and stress

As midterms approach at a quick rate, stress, away from all of the information at once. Plus anxiety, and worry comes with them. Even who doesn’t love a good jam session during a though midterms can be quite stressful chemistry study guide? sometimes, here are some tips to stay happy 4. Working out- To take out stress from all and stress free during the hours of studying. the study guides and quizlet, take a walk. 1. Study ahead of time- I know the week Taking a walk, going to the gym, or even before midterms can be very stressful with the taking a jog around the block could refresh copious amount of last minute work piled on your mind and give you more space to think by teachers. However, if you manage your at your own pace. time well and get the last minute assignments 5. Eating healthy- Eating healthy could out of the way, you’ll have more time to study help with your mood the days leading up to for your exams. test days. It could also refresh your mind and

2. Sleep- Sleep is very important for our give it the proper nutrients it needs. body to recuperate after a hard day of taking Good luck and happy studying! tests or learning new material. It is super important to get at least 8 hours of sleep per night ESPECIALLY leading up to test days. You don’t want to be falling asleep in the middle of the test.

www.pvihs.org Paul VI High School Winter Edition 2021 Erase Away Exam Stress by: Evangelina Santos ’21 Publications As you are spacing out your study As the third week of January sneaks up schedule, it’s key to remember that taking around the corner, students are beginning to breaks are necessary! Giving the brain some prepare for midterm exams. Not only do they time to get back on track will help improve have the stress of exams lurking nearby, memory and productivity. During these schooling in a pandemic unsurprisingly adds breaks, try to steer clear of social media and onto that. In order to prevent last minute cram digital distractions. Maybe instead, tidy up sessions, students should really jump on the the workspace, make a snack or do 30 jump- ball to relieve some stress before the exams ing jacks. even start. Exams can be a stressful time of year The first and maybe most common for any student in any grade. Working on time strategy to reduce exam stress is to space out management skills and focusing yourself will studying. By doing this, students won’t have be a “brain benchpress” (as Mr. McGrath to stay up till dawn prepping for an exam. Al- would say) to prepare you for whatever though teachers may not provide a study comes your way. Taking breaks will help give guide in a timely manner, you should the brain a break when necessary and get proactively try to review the bigger topics students away from their coffee and notebook from the beginning of the year to refresh on filled desk. lessons that aren’t fresh in your mind.

www.pvihs.org Paul VI High School Winter Edition 2021 Test Preparations by: Cara Colbert ‘22

Midterms are often a stressful time on the subject you are studying. Lastly, for students, as they have multiple once you’ve studied through your classes testing them on the entire first materials a few times, start marking what half of the year. However, good test questions or concepts you are getting preparation can make these tests much stuck on or are difficult for you to less stressful. I personally follow many of remember. Next, begin making up these tips for studying for major tests, as rhymes, sayings, acronyms, or phrases well as regular school year tests. First, it for these pieces of information that you is important to make a distraction free are struggling with. Relating these space for yourself. This may include a difficult ideas to different things or clean room or simply a clean desktop, as sayings can help you memorize them long as it leaves enough space for all more easily. Once you feel well studied necessary study materials. In addition to try to test how much you have learned by a physically clean space, you need to be trying to explain it to someone else. This focused as well, in order to get the most will test if you truly know your subject out of your study time. Some tips for well enough for a test. This can be making sure you remain focused is extremely helpful for essay prep, history playing calm or instrumental music while classes, and literature classes. Finally, if studying and setting aside a specific time you made any diagrams or charts slot of when you will start and stop attempt to redraw them from your studying. This can help keep you on task memory. and will help you stay motivated as you Lastly, remember to reward work towards your designated end time. yourself with breaks and brain food Now that you are focused, you can begin throughout your studying. I hope these studying. If you have the time, make your tips and tricks help you prepare for your own Quizlets or flashcards, rather than tests and good luck on all of your exams! using other classmates’ study materials. This way you are reviewing the information prior to actually studying it as you make these study materials. Furthermore, this extra step will help you digest the information even more. In addition, making your own study materials allows you to tailor them to your own phrasing and understanding, overall making it easier for you to remember. Another study tip is to draw out charts and diagrams in order to visualize different processes and connections between information. This may help you stay organized depending www.pvihs.org Paul VI High School Winter Edition 2021

College Preparation for Seniors by: Julia Dorn 2021 Publications From what I have heard, about dorm life, the dining on college visits this year are very campus and social activities. different than previous years. On My advice to begin the college campus tours have been limited to search is to first figure out what size students around the country due to school would be the best fit for you. the ongoing pandemic. Many Do you like a school with colleges are offering virtual tours of 2,000-5,000 students or a very large the camps, dorms, and buildings. college. Next, are you considering My experience visiting colleges has going far from home or would you been a little different. I am being like to stay close? I wanted to be recruited to play basketball in only a couple hours from home so college and was very lucky to my family can attend games. Also receive private tours of the make sure that you do extensive universities with college coaches. research on schools that have a They were able to get me in as many major that you are interested in. buildings and facilities that they Lastly, if you plan on playing a sport could. It has been an incredible make sure you feel a connection to experience thus far. Students and the coach and team. I wish you well players were also involved in the on your college searches in the near tours which was awesome to hear future! firsthand their individual experiences. They answered many questions that I had. For example,

www.pvihs.org Paul VI High School Winter Edition 2021 CHRISTMAS SPIRIT Decorate the Halls

Paul VI Students Spread Winning wasn’t the only aspect of the contest, but the designs that won the judges Christmas Cheer all over belonged to homerooms: 103, 111, and 112 throughout the Holiday (seniors); 206, 210, and 216 (juniors); 225, 221, Season and 224 (sophomores); and 118, 119, and 219 (freshmen). These students all got a casual - Monjama Kallon ‘22 day.

Despite the obstacles that we have Toys for Tots faced throughout the school year, Paul VI was This year, Toys for Tots was a huge still able to keep the holiday spirit alive. success. Many students displayed their gen- The Holiday Decorating Contest erosity because over 900 toys were collected Paul VI’s Student Council organized a and donated! new tradition this year — a Christmas Candy Canes themed hallway decorating contest, which The week before break started, stu- created a festive atmosphere around the dents were able to buy candy canes for all of school. Every homeroom had a few days to their friends during their free periods. Not- decorate their homerooms during the home so-shockingly enough, Mr. Avril — the room period or after school. school’s security guard — was able to get a Throughout those few days, students handful of candy canes from students himself! could be found in the halls laughing with each The Christmas Concert other and enjoying themselves while decorating “Polar Express” or “Winter Wonderland” To close oﬀ the Christmas season, the themed lockers. Paul VI Arts Department was able to put together their annual Christmas concert on The requirements were both secular January 6 — the day of the Epiphany of the and religious components of Christmas, along Lord. with including all of the students and homeroom teacher in the decoration. It was so en- tertaining seeing people’s creative ideas of in- Although many people thought the concert corporating these all in one design! would be canceled, it the show went on and was live-streamed for parents and the entire www.pvihs.org Paul VI High School Winter Edition 2021 school to see. At the end of the concert, Santa and Mrs. Claus made an appearance with peppermints for all of the students.

Homeroom 103 Homeroom 206

Homeroom 224 Homeroom 119

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Christmas Favorites By: Sara Carrigan, ‘23

After surveying the PVI Student Body, this was the collective list of Christmas favorites! Christmas Songs Christmas Movies 1. “All I Want for Christmas is You”- 1. The Grinch Mariah Carey 2. Elf 2. “Let it Snow!”- Frank Sinatra 3. National Lampoons Christmas Vacation 3. “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” - Bruce 4. Home Alone Springsteen 5. Polar Express 4. “Jingle Bell Rock” - Bobby Helms 6. Frosty the Snowman 5. “Santa Baby” - Eartha Kitt 7. Charlie Brown Christmas 6. “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts 8. Nightmare Before Christmas Roasting on an open Fire)”-Nat King 9. Christmas Story Cole 10. Die Hard 7. “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” - 11. Christmas Carol Brenda Lee 12. Bad Santa 8. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” - 13. Christmas with the Kranks Gene Autry 14. Miracle on 34th street 9. “Jingle Bells”- Ella Fitzgerald 15. It’s a Wonderful Life 10. “White Christmas”- Bing Crosby 16. Hallmark Channel Christmas Movies 11. “Winter Wonderland”- Bing Crosby 17. Love Actually 12. “It’s Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas” - Andy Williams 13. “Hot Chocolate” - Polar Express 14. “When Christmas Come to Town” - Polar Express 15. “Underneath the Tree”- Kelly Clarkson 16. “Holly Jolly Christmas” -Micheal Buble 17. “Mistletoe”- Justin Bieber 18. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” -Judy Garland 19. “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”- Jackson 5 20. “Wonderful Christmastime” -Paul McCarthy

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and bustle of New York City, especially Times Square Times Square on New Years’, is surreal. Comparing the pictures from 2019 and 2020 Empty on New is deeply saddening. The biggest night of the year for New York was cancelled for the first time in 77 years, and although the television Years event was filmed, the atmosphere in the city Welcome to 2021 was much different than in previous years. As we enter into 2021, we hope that by the By: Madison Flynn ’21 Publications/Etalon end of this year, we can once again ring in another year like we’re used to doing, with Since the beginning of 2020, everyone was the streets of New York City packed to the counting down the days to the beginning of max. With a positive outlook and lots of hope, 2021. New Years was finally upon us, as 2021 can be a great year. everyone anxiously awaited the ending to the seemingly cursed year of 2020. 2019 However, due to the pandemic, the New Years’ celebrations could not be celebrated per usual. Mostly everyone decided to play it safe this year and celebrate from home either with family or small groups, six feet apart but still together.

The most notorious of New Years’ celebra- 2020 tions is New Years Rockin’ Eve in New York City, where thousands upon thousands of people usually gather to watch the infamous ball drop, and ring in the new year in one of the best cities in the world. For the first time in 77 years, spectators were barred from cele- brating in the streets in the city. Whereas New York’s Times Square usually holds 460,000 or The corona virus is starting to become easier to cope with more people, this year, the space was eerily now with the release of the shots. These are first being given empty. Besides the few hand-selected people, to first line workers and elderly people. Even though this shot some essential workers, those on the front is now out, we still should wear masks and maintain a social line fighting Covid, a significantly less num- and safe distance from others. PVI is still doing everything ber of police, and the celebrities that per- they can to keep our school open and again they are doing a formed, there was no one watching the ball fantastic job. We have definitely had to make some drop. Compared to the soaring crowds of adjustments especially when there were some spikes in hundreds of thousands, this small group left Times Square looking and feeling empty— cases, but PVI is the reason that we still have in-school which, for those who know the usual hustle classes today. Keep up the good work everyone by: Grace Lamborne Publications www.pvihs.org Paul VI High School Winter Edition 2021

Realistic New Year Resolutions by: Madeline Vetrecin Publications

2020 was a rough year for all of us. water and try to wear regular clothes Global pandemic, wildﬁres, and the off the bat. Just take an hour, or one election year really put a damper on all of day a week where you don't wear our spirits with the drop of a ball and the those yoga pants and that sweatshirt end of this tumultuous year. Everyone is that you've been wearing for ﬁve onto a new year, and new me spiel again. days straight. Some will have huge goals in mind, read books, lose weight, etc, but with most of 2. Socialize the world still in a global pandemic, some Soon enough we're going to have to of those resolutions that we set for get used to talking to people again in ourselves might be a bit of a challenge. the real world not behind a screen. These are two examples of realistic New Instead of trying to isolate yourself Year resolutions to get ready for the and stay away from people those upcoming new year. little interactions can make all the difference in getting used to the real 1. Wearing regular clothes world again. You might think to yourself why wearing regular clothes? Isn’t that an odd Whether you make new years resolution to make? Because resolutions or not: Remember to do of the pandemic ending hopefully little things at a time as we slowly go soon, many people have to get used back to a somewhat normal world. to going back to work. No more business shirts on top and comfy pajamas on the bottom. You don't have to jump straight into cold

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LIVING IN A NEW WORLD By: Gabriella Bruno 22 Publications

Finally! The year 2020 is ﬁnally order to keep our favorite places and school over! Hopefully this means we can all start open, certain safety regulations need to be fresh and are closer to living life pre met. This includes wearing an approved COVID-19. Even though it is a new year, mask, maintaining a 6 foot distance, strict protocols such as wearing a mask, washing your hands, and staying home if maintaining a 6 foot distance, and vigorous you or someone you have recently been cleaning of all touch surfaces are still in around are sick are all ways that we can place for everyones safety. However, with continue to enjoy these privileges. I’m sure everyone’s help in maintaining these that we have never looked at going to protocols, certain allowances have been school or out to eat as a “privilege”, but made that allow us to participate in events unfortunately that is our current reality and that were previously taken away due to the all that we can do is make the most of it. virus. Many indoor dining areas and stores However, it is important to recognize have reopened that we can once again that although these protocols can be tedious enjoy. Sabrina’s Café in Collingswood is and exhausting, they are there to insure open for indoor dining and many of us have everyone’s safety. Hopefully this will all be already taken advantage! Sabrina’s Café is a over soon and we can enjoy everything to great spot to enjoy a meal with friends and come. breakfast is served all day long! Nick and Joe’s Pizza in Haddonﬁeld is also open to the public. Nick and Joe’s is a great place to visit and grab a quick bite after school before a sporting event or club. Gyms, theme parks, and malls are also open to the public as long as safety protocols are being met. Finally, a bit of normalcy! In

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WALKING IN A WINTER

WONDERLAND

by Ella van Schalkwyk’21 Publications

Are you looking for some winter fun this January? 2. Skating on the Square. Available until There are many exciting attractions still open for February 27, 2021, Palmer Square in ice skating, wandering around under twinkling Princeton, NJ offers an eco-friendly outdoor lights, and listening to winter music, while still skating rink. The cost is $10 per person, taking safety precautions. There are many which includes the cost of renting skates. It’s holiday winter attractions open in Philadelphia open Thursday-Friday 4pm-7pm and and South Jersey. The winter events require Saturday-Sunday 12pm-3pm & 4pm-7pm. masks and social distancing, and some Location: Hulﬁsh Street Behind the Nassau recommend ordering tickets in advance. Here is a Inn Hotel in Princeton, NJ compiled list of local winter events and 3. Holiday Light Show at Shady Brook attractions. Farm. This amazing farm attraction is 1. The Village at Peddler’s Village. perfect for a drive-through light show Peddler’s Village is the perfect place to be this spectacular. The show boasts 3 million lights, winter season. With over 60 shops, one covering glowing tunnels and dozens of million twinkling lights, and a countless Christmas decorations. Guests can also enjoy unique displays, this attraction is ideal for the festive market. Timed tickets are required holiday shopping and festivities. It’s open in and the cost is $30 for a carload to enter. The Philadelphia until January 10, 2021 and is attraction is open until January 10, 2021. free to walk around! Location: 931 Stony Hill Rd. Location: 100 Peddlers Village, New Hope, PA Yardley, PA 19067 18939 www.pvihs.org Paul VI High School Winter Edition 2021

Holiday Market, relax in the Rothman 4. A Longwood Christmas at Longwood Orthopedics Cabin, and enjoy the Deck the Gardens. The famous Longwood Gardens Hall Holiday Lights. The cabin, ice rink, and is transformed into a winter wonderland until the Wintergarden are open until February 28, January 10, 2021. This year, the attraction is 2021! fully outdoors, with twinkling lights, giant Location: 1 S 15th St, Philadelphia, PA 19102 Christmas trees, and plenty of holiday fun. 7. Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest. This Timed tickets are required, and cost $13 for winter wonderland overlooks the Delaware ages 5-18, $22 for college students and River and offers ice skating on Philly’s largest seniors, and $25 for adults. outdoor rink, relaxation in a cabin or ﬁre pit Location: 1001 Longwood Rd, Kennett Square, station, and has twinkling lights and holiday PA 19348 tree! It’s open until March 7, 2021 and 5. Festival of Trees at Morven. The admission to skate is $5 with $10 skate rental Festival of Trees at the Morven Museum and fee. Garden is an annual holiday favorite for Location: Blue Cross RiverRink, 101 S. many visitors. It highlights a large collection Christopher Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA of trees and mantles displaced all throughout 19106 the museum, and is open until January 10,

2021. The cost is $8-$10 for an admission

ticket. Location: 55 Stockton St,

Princeton, NJ 08540

6. Holiday Fun at Dilworth Park. At

Dilworth Park visitors can ice skate, walk

around the Wintergarden on the Greenﬁeld

Lawn, shop at the Made in Philadelphia

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Warm Winter Treats your baking pan and cook the brownies at 350 By Alaina Smith degrees for 20 to 25 minutes. If you try these Advanced Publications easy homemade brownies, you will love them and you will never go back to boxed As Winter is going to be in full affect brownies! in the coming months, it is best to be prepared The next delicious winter recipe is with the tastiest winter treats for cold days. Crockpot Hot Chocolate. This recipe does Now the recipes I am going to present are for take a long time to cook, but the result is a delicious homemade brownie recipe and a superb. You will need 1.5 cups of heavy homemade crockpot hot chocolate recipe! whipping cream, 1 14 ounce can of sweetened Both are so perfect for the winter weather! condensed milk, 6 cups of milk, 1 teaspoon of And even better, both recipes can be made vanilla extract, and 2 cups of chocolate chips gluten free for persons with allergies. I, - the chips work best either being all milk myself, have a gluten allergy and I like to chocolate or 1 cup of milk chocolate and 1 provide recipes that others with allergies can cup of semi-sweet! You will first stir together enjoy! the whipping cream, milk, vanilla, and I am going to start off with the super chocolate chips. Cover the mix and cook this easy brownie recipe. You’ll never want to buy on low for two hours, occasionally stirring boxed brownies again. You will need 1 cup of until the mix is hot and the chocolate chips sugar, 1/3 cup of cocoa powder, 1/4 teaspoon are melted. Keep the hot chocolate at a warm of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of baking powder, 2 temperature, and then enjoy! eggs, 1/2 cup of vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon of I hope this homemade brownie recipe vanilla extract, and 1/2 cup of flour. For me and this crockpot hot chocolate recipe make it and my gluten-free buddies : King Arthur’s into your warm winter treats this 2021! Gluten- Free flour tasted amazing in this recipe and my family members who are not allergic to gluten could not even tell the difference! You are first going to want to preheat your oven to 350 degrees. In a large mixing bowl combine your sugar, flour, cocoa powder, salt and baking powder. Lightly mix until all the ingredients are gently combined. Then add your 2 eggs, vegetable oil, and your vanilla extract. Mix well until the brownie batter is evenly combined. It is best to grease Paul VI High School Winter Edition 2021

Virtual Learning by: Nicole McHugh 22 Publications

Virtual learning can either be very difficult or Isabella Serrano ‘22 says “I personally love very easy for some students. Personally I have being virtual because it is easier for me to a hard time with it. I need to be in the learn. With virtual learning it is very important classroom to really understand what my to limit yourself and actually pay attention in teachers are telling me. At home I get class. So online has personally helped me a lot distracted by things going on in my house. with managing my time better and paying

Though there are some things that I can try to attention.” That tells me that everyone is do to change that. Try taking my class outside different in the ways we comprehend our if there is a day with nice weather. I can get school work. Some people strive in the ride of as many distractions as possible, such classroom and some feel like they get time to as putting my phone in a different room, accomplish their work in ways they couldn’t in shutting off my tv, not staying in my bedroom, school during a COVID school year. letting everyone in my house know that I need some quiet time to focus, and not letting all my work get piled up, I should work on my time management.

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Virtual Learning continued By: Olivia Dunfee 21 Publications

Virtual learning is something all students had in common as we wrapped up last year. Unfortunately that experi- with a system that has worked all year. ence has extended into this year as well. One schedule, everyday. Making the Students and their families had the cases that inevitably arose easily choice of continuing school online or go tracked. This also made it easier for vir- back to in school. The students who tual learners when it came to Zooming chose to remain home, their education their classes. Having a class at the same have had to adjust to the new normal. time everyday with the same Zoom code With a, hopefully, once in a lifetime pan- makes it that much easier to get through demic occurring, it’s not always easy your day. Everyday we learn new ways to ﬁnding the right answer. The students adapt and stay safe, which is why it is who are home have decided that was the important to stay educated. As a result of best plan of action for them to take. As a the system our school has created, we virtual student myself, safety for my fami- are easily allowed to quarantine and still ly and I is a top priority. Therefore was a view our classes, if we are able. Since deciding factor when it came to which Zooming your classes is available to all route I would take. Virtual learning has students, and not just permanent virtual changed from the way it was at the end learners, there is an easy solution to of last year. Now that PVI and students missing school for a COVID-19, or other, know more about the virus, decisions related reason. As long as we continue to can be made easier. Adjusting to school follow the rules as they are given, virtual online is deﬁnitely a hardship, from pos- learning will be a thing of the past soon. sible connection issues, miscommunica- Stay Safe! tion, and being unable to handle every situation via computer. Although these issues come up, we are all doing our best under the circumstances. You can not be perfect under any circumstance, let alone unprecedented ones. So go easy on yourself. With the time summer granted PVI they were able to come up www.pvihs.org Paul VI High School Winter Edition 2021

PVI SPORTS

Girls’ Basketball Making the Best of What They Have Been Given By: Erin DiSandro ‘22

As the fall sports season was coming sponsored post-season. The NJSIAA had to to an end, the Paul VI Girls’ Basketball team make tough decisions to keep everyone safe was hopeful that they would be able to have a which unfortunately crushed the hopes and normal season starting at the end of optimistic viewpoints of many New Jersey

November/early December. However, this athletes. hope was destroyed on November 19th when As one can imagine, this update the NJSIAA Sports Advisory Task Force elicited a mix of emotions for the players on released a “Return-to-Play—Season 2 and the PVI Girls’ Basketball team. When asked

Season 3 Update.” This update informed all how her and her teammates felt about the new

New Jersey basketball players that they changes to their season, junior basketball would not be allowed to start practicing until player Sara McShea mentioned how “[they]

January 11th. Moreover, the season itself are all really upset that [they] are not going to would only be a little over a month in length be having a regular season especially because starting on January 26th and ending on March [they] have so much potential to be good this

6th. The update also informed the players that year.” As McShea mentioned, after a strong this truncated season would only consist of a season last year finishing 24-3 overall and a maximum of 15 games with no NJSIAA only losing two seniors, the PVI Eagles

definitely had the potential to go far in the

post season if it were a regular year. www.pvihs.org Paul VI High School Winter Edition 2021

Nevertheless, the Eagles are making the most Despite many setbacks, the PVI Girls’ of what they have and they are each working Basketball team is truly making the best of diligently on their own to prep for the what they have been given. Although their truncated season. As McShea mentioned, season will be far from normal this year,

“[The Eagles] are all trying to make the best McShea along with all of her teammates of it by doing zoom meetings and always cannot wait to get back on the court and praying for good news.” McShea went on capitalize on this amazing opportunity to even

have a season during this unprecedented time.

to describe how during these zoom meetings the team does team bonding questions, goes over offense and defense, and each player really gets to know each other better. She also mentioned how head coach, Coach Steele, gave each of them an individual workout schedule to keep them in shape. Trying to maintain a positive attitude despite these hardships, McShea even thinks that the team has been able to bond more this season than any other year.

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‘Keeping Up With the Joneses’ people have their own good days and bad. If you are open to the idea of learning, Mr. Jones says By: Jacob Woodruff (2024) you are open to be a teacher. As for being a new teacher, he said the hardest thing is feeling like After receiving my freshman schedule, I you want to get everything right, never wanting was taken aback by my teacher assignments. to give wrong information. How could I have a Mr. Jones for World History Both Joneses are very happy and love and a Mr. Jones for Religion? On my first day of being at PVI. The Joneses say that it is PVI class, I found out that these were not only two people, from administrators to students, that separate teachers, they were actually father and make the school a great environment filled with son! This led me to think about how this could friendly, bright people that seem to enjoy happen and how these two teachers felt about working with one another. Included in this their family connections. environment are the Joneses who believe they Mr. Keith Jones, the father, is in his 44th are the loudest people, believing that there is no year of teaching, all in the Catholic school doubt they are seen! Both really enjoy what they setting! Although he spent 34 years at Sacred do and not only hope that everyone stays healthy Heart High School, he has called PVI home for and safe during this pandemic, but that students the past eight years. Over his education career, get the great experiences they have had here at there have been many changes in the classroom. PVI. Although they are not the only family Mr. Jones said that technology has advanced connections here at PVI, I know that my own how he teaches, moving from the old days of freshman experience is better having them as I chalk, blackboards, and film projectors to iPads try to keep up with the Joneses. and HDMI technology. Where he once took roll with a paper and pen, showing movies with a 16 millimeter projector, he just clicks a few buttons and World History comes alive on the whiteboard screen. His son, Mr. Benjamin Jones, actually started his love of PVI as a student. During his time here, Mr. Jones was constantly involved in school including stage crew, ambassador’s club, sports teams, and anywhere else he could be of help. Growing up, Mr. Jones has fond memories of his father taking him to school, igniting the spark for his future career in teaching. It was through his father’s passion for teaching that he knew he wanted to be a teacher as well. As inspiring as this father and son are, I knew they would have an interesting take on teaching and PVI. Mr. Keith Jones said you should be yourself, always go with the flow, but most importantly, teachers need to like being around young people. Mr. Benjamin Jones said to never take every little thing personally, as

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THE GREAT GATSBY by: Alexa Caulder ’21 Publications

One of Scott F Fitzgerald’s most popular When I looked once more for Gatsby he had novels is the “Great Gatsby.” One of the main vanished.” (Fitzgerald) controversial topics of the novel is if Gatsby supports Gatsby had to do what he to do to earn his the American Dream. Does the Great Gatsby support money. Gatsby had earned his wealth from bootlegging the American Dream? Due to the major setbacks that while some was actually earned. He worked for Mayer Gatsby had during his lifetime; the novel does not Wolfsheim and he bootlegged but he earned some of support the American Dream. Gatsby symbolized both his living from actual money. “Jimmy was always the corrupted dream and the original uncorrupted bound to get ahead” (Fitzgerald) Jay Gatsby is a man Dream. He sees wealth as the solution to his problems, of wealth but even when he was younger, people knew pursues money for shady schemes, and renews himself him as always getting ahead. His heart beat faster and so much that he becomes empty and disconnected from faster as Daisy’s white face came up to his own. He his past, but yet Gatsby’s corrupt dream of wealth is knew that when he kissed this girl…” (Fitzgerald) motivated love for Daisy. The road to success is not Gatsby loved Daisy. In his mind she was the perfect easy to navigate, but with hard work, drive, and golden girl. He wanted her to love him again like she passion, it is possible to achieve the American dream. did before, but Daisy was in a new chapter of her life For many, the American dream has become a while Gatsby was still plotting his way to win Daisy nightmare. “But the essence of America is not its back. Gatsby had big parties to show off his wealth and wealth.” America is not made up of people of just to try and lure Daisy in. Gatsby threw parties to show wealth. The country is a mix of poor and wealth. that he could have anything that he wanted. Although the night life was all glitter and glamorous at “Anything could happen now that we slid West Egg, when the lights went out, money could not over the bridge. I thought anything at all. Even Gatsby buy Jay Gatsby happiness. could happen without any particular One of the obstacles Gatsby had was the wonder” (Fitzgerald) Gatsby was so attainment about literal separation between him and Daisy on West being with Daisy that he was willing to give her Egg and East Egg. Jay Gatsby was a different man in everything. Such as his wealth. Gatsby Falls short of his past life. He was so humble to win back the love of the American Dream. The American Dream comes his life; Daisy that he risked losing everything for her. from opportunity. The opportunity comes from our “There are major ideas at play in the Great Gatsby founding principles, our core values that held together including notion of class.” The most main indication of and protected by the constitution. The American dream class is the West and East Egg. The West Egg is new supports all people of different backgrounds, but they money, where Gatsby lives, while the East Egg is old all have the same right to the American Dream as money where Daisy lives. everyone else. If you work hard you earn what you The Great Gatsby was written in April 1924 in deserve. France by F. Scott Fitzgerald. This would be the novel “Those ideas are neither republican democrat, that Fitzgerald gained his fame and fortune from. At conservative, liberal, white or black. Those are the time of publication, the book cost only $2. The American ideologies.”(Dunleavey) Everyone comes American Dream is tied into the Great Gatsby in many from different backgrounds but they all have the ways. “critics have argued that Daisy is merely the opportunities to earn a living because they work hard. object of male desire” Daisy is a desire of Jay Gatsby, Although The Great Gatsby; is filled with multiple but because Jay Gatsby has changed too much from his themes such as love, money, reality, and illusion no past, Daisy cannot love him. “He stretched out his one would probably deny that the dominate focus on arms toward the dark water… I distinguished nothing the American Dream and the downfall of those who except a single green light, minute and far away. attempt to reach its illusionary goals.

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Our Presidential Election: How does it work? By: Rachel Haverly

The 2020 Presidential Election has Once the electors meet to cast their been at the top of the headlines for a few votes, they are sent to Congress. There, the months now, and all of us have been asking Senate and the House of Representatives, ourselves what is going on. To figure this out, along with the Vice President (the president we need to first look at how the process of of the Senate) participate in a joint session of electing the President, and Vice President, Congress to officially count the votes, and works. declare a winner. The candidate who gets 270 Most other types of elections in our electoral votes or more wins. county are determined by popular vote, The President-elect, and Vice however, the Presidential election is President-elect are then sworn into office in determined by a process called the Electoral the weeks that follow. College. No matter who we voted for in this The Electoral College was created in election, we must pray that the new 1787 as what was called “The Great administration has the strength to do what is Compromise” between those who thought the best for the country. President should be chosen by the popular vote, and those who thought the President should be elected by Congress. In the Electoral College, each state, and the District of Columbia, has a specific number of votes (depending on its number of Representatives in the House and its 2 senators). The public will vote on the President, and independent electors will cast that specific state’s electoral votes.

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Tips on Staying Healthy During the 2.) Wear a mask. Coronavirus and Flu Wearing a mask helps prevent the By: Anna Tran, 23’ coronavirus from spreading. Since the virus can spread through respiratory droplets, With the temperatures going down and wearing a mask can help protect yourself autumn and winter rolling in, health and others from the virus. It keeps everyone concerns rise. Amongst the coronavirus around us safe and it will help contribute to pandemic lies the flu season. These two ending the virus and returning to our normal diseases are similar in some ways and can lives. It is a small way to do our part in the be prevented as such. According to the pandemic, and it is the least we can do as CDC, the influenza season generally starts citizens to help prevent the spread. in the fall and winter, but peaks between December and February. To prevent from 3.) Social distance. attracting the virus, there are critical ways to stay healthy. Social distancing helps prevent the spread of both COVID-19 and the flu because 1.) Wash your hands as often being physically separated stops close as possible. contact (6 feet) with other people. Being within 6 feet from an infected person leaves a high risk of contracting the coronavirus The coronavirus can spread through touch, through talking, coughing, sneezing and so washing your hands often is one of the more. It is important to stay distant from most efficient ways to stay infected-free. It is others because it is unknown whether that recommended to wash your hands for at person could be infected. least 20 seconds. It is vital to clean your hands after being in a public area, like This also means to avoid large gatherings school, the store, or the park. It is also and parties. Doing so will help prevent the imperative to wash after blowing your nose, spread and will contribute to defeating the coughing or sneezing. coronavirus.

If soap and water are not available, hand sanitizer is a good alternative. Hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol is recommended, as that amount of alcohol can kill the virus. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouse with unwashed/uncleared hands as well.

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4.) Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth.

For both the flu and the coronavirus, avoiding contact with eyes, nose, and mouth is important especially without washed hands because they are respiratory illnesses. The germs can get into the mucous membranes, causing the infection in our bodies.

5.) Getting the flu shot.

Getting the flu shot is the most effective and guaranteed way of immunity towards the flu. Getting vaccinated each year along with practicing these good healthy habits will contribute to prevention of the influenza.

6.) Clean and disinfect.

Cleaning areas that are frequently touched (especially by someone who was infected with the virus) is a good habit to instill. Disinfecting helps clean any potentially contaminated surfaces and is a small act that can greatly help.

7.) Drinking plenty of water and eating healthy food.

Our intake of food and water is still important during these times. It can help keep us healthy and active, which is ideal especially during this season.

Source: cdc.gov https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/actions- prevent-flu.htm https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/ prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html

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2020: Reflection W I N T E R I S B A C K As 2020 came to an end, everyone prayed that 2021 would not be anything like last year we have had and honestly it couldn’t be more true. COVID-19 has affected so many families and small businesses this past year it is unpredictable. The crazy part is that by: Nino Salvo Publications Winter is Back! This winter is a little every thing going on in the world today is going to be different then usual, but that doesn’t in a history book and we are all just living through it. stop us from having a good time! As things change day in and day out there are still Winter is having hot chocolate, good moments that have came from this year. Couples watching “Elf”, and spending the became new parents, people got engaged, and due to holidays home doing Christmas the quarantine in the beginning of the year families trivia. Even if the outside places have gotten closer and were able to spend more time don’t require masks, still wear a with each other. Others found a new interest or hobby mask! Due to other people being and decided to take on a new skill with all the time there as well to keep the Christmas they had on their hands. Although there was many spirit alive stay safe and follow positive things that came along during the weeks on precautions! end that were spent quarantining. We can’t forget about We must work as a community to the love ones that were lost during these unpresidential help keep ourselves and others safe times. The virus has been an up and down battle for and healthy! Even by doing little many states across the U.S, some were hit harder than things like cleaning off tables, other states. Unfortunately, New Jersey was a state that making sure you’re doing the right was hit pretty hard and we nearly led the U.S in thing! COVID cases. One thing that COVID-19 did affect for me was my HS junior year softball season that I was very excited for all school year last year. Hopefully 2021 is in the clear and I can have my senior season.

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To: Miss Galanaugh and the Publications and Advanced Publications Class and all participants in this edition of the E-Talon! WE HOPE

E Talon Staff Erin DiSandro ’22 YOU HAD A Sara Carrigan ’23 Brandon Colbert ’23 Matthew Dumele ’23 Madison Flynn ’21 MERRY Rachel Haverly ’23 Taylor Jentsch ’22 Monjama Kallon ‘22 CHRISTMAS Erin McCarrie ’23 Annabeth Sheridan ’22 Anna Tran ’23 AND A HAPPY Sophia Viggiano ’22 Vaniece Washington ’21 Jacob Woodruff ’24 NEW YEAR! Moderator: Mr. Cava