I had form'd most of my ingenious acquaintance into a club of mutual improvement, which we called the Junto - Benjamin Franklin The Junto January 2020 1 Cover Story The Junto January 2020 Prosper By Adam Pysher Mallika Pal- Contributing Editor

“Prosper Clothing Co. is an independent design company out of PA. We strive to make the best looking designs for apparel of all sorts while you Live and Prosper. We are founded on the belief of be- ing stylish, true-to-self, and motivated. Our name is more to us than just a brand, It's a lifestyle. Starting in early 2018 I wanted to create original and stylish streetwear, for people with similar interests and am- bitions to mine. I started Pros- per Clothing Co. with my love for designing clothing and urban streetwear and I make it for the people who are constantly hustling and love fashion. This love has enabled me to begin a new project, which provides the homeless with our shirts and hoodies via fundraising, so that they can blend into society without being outcasted.” - prosperclothingco.com

Junto: What is Prosper? Junto: What are the steps to creating a not showing immediate return. I know at clothing item? one point it’s going to pay off at some Adam: It is my online clothing brand, where people can buy shirts, hoodies, hats, Adam: It depends on if it is a shirt or a hat. point, but that’s definitely the hardest stickers, and more. In simpler words, I have to pick how big my point. canvas will be. I will have an idea for a de- Junto: How did you come up with the sign, and I sketch it out on paper first. Junto: Would you like to continue to work name? Then, I print it or put it onto the computer. I always show people and look for ways to in the graphic/fashion design field after Adam: To prosper is to become successful improve my designs before I put it out. high school? and to flourish. On the website is my defini- tion of it- to flourish in your own element. Junto: How many hours a week do you Adam: Yes, I do. I plan to attend Millers- work on the website? ville University to continue my graphic de- Junto: When did you start Prosper? Adam: When I first started working on the sign career. Adam: At the end of winter/early spring website, I was on vacation, and I would go of 2018. on every single day. Now, I don’t tally my Junto: What is your dream goal for your hours, but I put in so much work and time company? Junto: What inspired you to start it/why into it. did you start? Junto: What is the hardest/your least favor- Adam: To have fun and to make clothing Adam: I was doing a project in my Graph- ite part about the process? that people like and enjoy. It doesn’t have to ics 1 class about creating my own fictitious blow up, but as long as I can supply to the business. I really enjoyed the idea behind it Adam: The hardest part is putting so much and making designs, so I decided to make it effort into doing something, even though it’s market that is there, that’s all I want to do. real. 2 Points of View The Junto January 2020 Little Women, Big Hit Rachel Arzoumanian ~ Copy Editor Colette Potter ~ Contributing Writer

Little Women, a novel by Louisa May Alcott, is a classic tale that has been told for decades. It is a story of early feminism, strength, com- ing to age, and womanhood. It has been adapted for the screen in 12 television specials and six movies, including Greta Gerwig’s, made in 2019. As long-time fans of the Little Women, we decided to check out the Oscar-nominated film, starring break-out stars such as Saoirose Ronan, Timothee Chalamet, and Florence Pugh, as well as old favorites, like Meryl Streep, Laura Dern and Emma Watson.

Praise

Little Women made us cry- multiple times! It was filmed beautifully. The lighting and the angles were stellar. When a cheerful scene came on, the entire picture was bathed in a warm yellow light. When a somber scene came on, a gray, dismal light covered the setting. The mu- sic, all classical and instrumental, was beautiful, and perfectly expressed the emotion of each scene.

We saw the girls develop into their own person, distinct from the other and where their lives took them. The actresses were spectacular at por- traying these beloved characters and made them come alive. The same actors played the girls over a seven-year span of their lives. However, this worked. The character development was spot-on. Saoirose Ronan played Jo perfectly. Jo’s adventurous attitude and tomboyishness were dis- played well. Emma Watson and Meryl Streep did the most they could with their relatively limited roles. Eliza Scanlen played the perfect Beth: timid, gentle, and kind.

Criticism

We did not like the modern ideas integrated into the movie. We felt that Amy’s speech and ideas about marriage were not of the time. In the movie, Amy only accepted the proposal after a speech of anger and defiance that reflected Jo’s character more. In Alcott’s novel, Jo’s even- tual husband, Professor Bhaer, is older, not the most attractive, German and soft spoken. Louis Garrel’s Bhaer was definitely soft spoken, intelli- gent, and a man that Jo could really love. However, the movie portrayed him as younger and more handsome. We think that Bhaer was sup- posed to be the opposite of Laurie- older, quietly intelligent, unattractive, poor, and self-sufficient.

Final Review

When we at the movie theater, we saw elderly ladies, mothers and daughters, and groups of girls like us. The book and movie appeal to many people and over the generations so many have loved the book. The movie captured and brought out this spirit and love. The movie was overall was one of our favorites we have seen recently. It was very similar to the book in many ways and brought us back into the book we both loved. The scenes were magical. It is a classic tale of sisterhood and growing up. It will make you laugh, cry and gasp. For us, it was seeing the charac- ters we enjoyed so much come to life. It is a wonderful movie to watch this winter and we highly suggest it.

3 Places The Junto January 2020 A Nation on Fire

Australia’s dry season this year has led to an unprecedented amount of bushfires, which have been destroying the country since September 2019.

Photo from CBC.ca Branden Cunard ~ POV Editor

My name is Branden Cunard, and Australia is burning. It’s turning into a continent full of ash. Precious native species and wildlife are perishing by the hundreds of millions, some even climbing to the top of the endangered species list. This, however, is an act of human defiance. A group of humans, our very own species, is at fault for this horrific incident. I am writing this to anyone who stumbles upon my article; act now. Australia may be wiped off of the map, and these roaring fires will not be stopping any time soon. It will continue to burn.

Every tree, koala, kangaroo, and even our own humans, are in grave danger. Koalas, for example, have become functionally extinct, which means they are not necessarily extinct, but have little-to-no purpose in the ecological and biodiversity chain. Koalas used to be a highly populated native species in Australia, and to think that in less than a month, they became functionally extinct due to hazardous wildfires.

Not only are Koalas growing scarce, the native Camel population in Australia is on the government’s hit-list. Because of water being such a needed resource for living creatures on the continent, camels are becoming a dwindling population, but not how a normal person would think. The Australian government has issued a genocide-like mass killing of 10,000 camels. Marksmen, who should be labeled as assassins rather than a marksman, were ordered to kill these animals on sight. Simply put, the human populations are asserting their unnecessary dominance in this time of terror, when they should focus on caring for any living organism left. To think this series of wildfires has grown big enough to the extent of slaughtering a grave number of species solely for drinking water.

There is also a series of roads near the town of Batlow where, on the side of the road in what used to be grasslands, thousands of dead and burnt animals lay at rest. Massive amounts of animals, who had such precious and peaceful lives, burnt to a crisp and just so happen to be in the side of the road as if the fires swept them up like they were nothing but a mere speck. This is a worldwide problem that needs all hands on deck in order to be solved. Governments around the world paid billions of dollars for a historical church, but only a few countries can donate even a little with the trillions that they supposedly have? It makes me laugh and cry sometimes. Australia needs our help. They are burning, and it’s up to us a planet to come together. Wake up, and smell the aroma of a burned nation. 4 Points Of View The Junto January 2020 20 Movies Coming Out In 2020

Alania Mariano- Photography Editor

New year, new movies! There are an average of 700 films that come out every year in America. With that many movies, there is bound to be something coming out this year for everyone! Take a look at some of the highly-anticipated films of 2020. *All synopses belong to IMDB*

Mulan- A young Chinese maiden disguises Eternals- The saga of the Eternals, a race Leiter, an old friend from the CIA, turns up herself as a male warrior in order to save of immortal beings who lived on Earth and asking for help, leading Bond onto the trail her father. A live-action feature film based shaped its history and civilizations. of a mysterious villain armed with danger- on Disney's 'Mulan.' ous new technology. The Grudge- Disheartened since her ex- Dolittle- A physician discovers that he can husband's affair, Grace Waters feels restored Ghostbusters: Afterlife - When a single talk to animals. by a new romance. But when secrets erode mom and her two kids arrive in a small her short-lived joy, Grace's vulnerable side town, they begin to discover their connec- Black Widow- A film about Natasha Ro- turns violent. tion to the original Ghostbusters and the manoff in her quests between the films secret legacy their grandfather left behind. Civil War and Infinity War. Tenet- An action epic revolving around in- ternational espionage, time travel and evolu- Stargirl- A boy becomes intrigued by a mys- The Turning- A young governess is hired by tion. terious and quirky student named Stargirl a man who has become responsible for his and spends his time trying to know more young nephew and niece after their parents' A Fall From Grace- Disheartened since her about her. deaths. A modern take on Henry James' ex-husband's affair, Grace Waters feels re- novella "The Turn of the Screw." stored by a new romance. But when secrets Godzilla vs Kong- As the gigantic Kong erode her short-lived joy, Grace's vulnerable meets the unstoppable Godzilla, the world Emma- Based on the classic Jane Austen side turns violent. watches to see which one of them will be- novel. come King of the Monsters. The Lovebirds- A young couple (Issa Rae Birds of Prey- After splitting with the Joker, and Kumail Nanjiani) is pulled into a bi- I Still Believe- The true-life story of Chris- Harley Quinn joins superheroes Black Ca- zarre (and hilarious) murder mystery. Work- tian music star Jeremy Camp and his jour- nary, Huntress and Renee Montoya to save ing to clear their names and solve the case, a young girl from an evil crime lord. they need to figure out how they, and their ney of love and loss that looks to prove relationship, can survive the night. there is always hope. Wonder Woman 1984- Plot unknown. A sequel to the 2017 superhero film 'Wonder A Quiet Place Part II- Following the events West Side Story- An adaptation of the 1957 Woman.' at home, the Abbott family now face the terrors of the outside world. Forced to ven- musical, West Side Story explores forbidden Like a Boss- Two friends with very different ture into the unknown, they realize the crea- love and the rivalry between the Jets and ideals start a beauty company together. One tures that hunt by sound are not the only the Sharks, two teenage street gangs of dif- threats lurking beyond the sand path. is more practical while the other wants to ferent ethnic backgrounds. earn her fortune and live a lavish lifestyle. No Time to Die- James Bond has left active service. His peace is short-lived when Felix

5 Points of View The Junto January 2020 We Know What We’re Talking About

This month brought a host of new things to Easton Area High temptation of using them when you are supposed to be working. School-a new semester, new classes and new rules. There are Since phone usage is punished, we have no choice but to be pro- many opinions on the cell phone rules in place at our school. ductive. The rules also force us to socialize during periods of When the Junto staff first found out about these rules, we were downtime, which some may like and some may not. shocked and disgruntled. In school, our phones are our digital escape from the demands of high school life. Before the new However, there is still a big discrepancy over the banning of cell rule, which stipulates that we cannot use our phones at any time phones before class starts and during homeroom. It is nice to be in the classroom, was put into place, we’d listen to music in class, able to wind down and listen to music or scroll through Insta- send a quick text, take a snapchat before the bell rang, or watch gram before you face the rest of the day. Or, sometimes you need YouTube during free time. to shoot out a quick text while sitting in class before the bell rings. It just does not make sense that we have to be off our The thing is, these rules have always been in place but have phones when we won’t be learning or doing school work any- never been properly enforced. If they had been enforced all ways. There needs to be a clear cut reason for this other than it along, there would not have been such negative feelings toward just makes things easier for administration to control our phone them. Essentially, change is hard. Cell phones are a form of in- usage. stant gratification and allow us to break from taxing school work and forced socialization. When we get used to freedom, we ex- What do you think of the cell phone usage crack-down? Does it pect it, and get angry when it’s taken away. increase or work ethic, or take away our freedom of communica- tion and relaxation? Strangely, many students who were formerly angry have become content, and maybe even grateful for the rules. They remove the

6 Points of View The Junto January 2020 Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker The Movie Trilogy That Swept the Galaxy

Ally Fuller ~ Editor-in-Chief

At the end of 2015, Disney and Lucasfilms the theaters in awe. Longtime viewers loved ity of the film was undeniably high, as any- released the first movie of the new Star Wars the references to older movies, and newer one would expect from a Star Wars film. Trilogy-- a movie which acted as a followers fell in love with the characters and launchpad for Star Wars to reach a new gen- watched a new generation of characters’ sto- By the time I was in my theater seat to view eration of young people, as well as maintain ries wrap. it a second time, I was ready to take a step the attention of fans who grew up with the back and just enjoy the film from an objec- original trilogies. On December 20th, 2019, Personally, I was a little less excited with the tive point of view, and it worked! I fell com- the trilogy wrapped up with the release of movie as a whole after I watched it for the pletely in love with the storyline and the way Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. first time. I went in with a set of expectations the character’s developed. It went from one and a list of things I was hoping to see come of my least favorite movies to one of my top The film was met with mixed reviews, as is out of the movie, and it became evident three, and while nothing beats The Force every major movie, but for many hardcore early on that my hopes wouldn’t be fulfilled. Awakens in my book, The Rise of Skywalker Star Wars fans, the verdict was the same-- After that, I watched the movie through a was a fantastic way to close out Disney’s first AMAZING! Even fans who were less than more critical standpoint, but barring a few Star Wars trilogy. thrilled with the previous films walked out of camera shots that appeared blurry, the qual-

7 Points of View The Junto November 2019 Hits and Misses

To kick off the New Year, tensions with Iran were running high, which sparked rumors of another World War.

Kobe Bryant was killed in a helicopter crash, along with eight others, including his daughter, Gianna.

The Coronavirus made it’s way into the United States. grammy.com NBCnews.com Lizzo won Time Magazine’s Entertainer of the Year (and killed her performance at the Grammy’s!)

Billie Eilish won all four major categories at the Grammy Awards!

Suzanne Collins announced that she is writing a prequel to her Hunger Games trilogy, taking place sixty-four years before the originals. Staff of The Junto

Editor in Chief - Ally Fuller

Advisor- Jeannine N Capecci

People- Sera Seta

Places- kellie painter

Points of View- branden cunard

Photography- Alania mariano

Copy Editor- Rachel Arzoumanian

Issue Contributors

Colette Potter

Mallika Pal

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