Adviser Note: Due to the Closure of School Buildings, Knight Life Will Not Be Able to Produce Its Traditional Newspaper

Adviser Note: Due to the closure of school buildings, Knight Life will not be able to produce its traditional newspaper. Instead, the staff will be posting stories on a range of topics, including highlighting our athletes, seniors, and people in the school and the community who have made a difference during the COVID-19 pandemic. They plan to share ideas for things to do while confined to your home such as good books to read, videos to watch, and exercise workouts available online at no cost.

They also plan to write "Stay Positive" stories. For example, the waterways in Venice have cleared because no boats are clogging the waterways; the smog in New Jersey has eased because there are fewer cars on the roads polluting the air; the price of gas has plummeted; and people who are doing the right thing in Old Bridge.

FDA approves coronavirus vaccine for emergency distribution BY LEXI SOLIMAN Feature Editor After nine months since the Coronavirus shutdown began, new hopes of an effective vaccine have come about in the past weeks. Companies Pfizer and BioNTech announced in early November that their vaccine has successfully passed through Stage 3 of testing with a 95 percent efficacy rate. The Food and Drug Administration has deemed it safe and effective, approving it for emergency use on Dec/ 10. First rounds of doses were administered to ICU doctors and nurses on Dec/ 14 at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in Queens, New York. There were only minor side effects reported in the trial such as fatigue and headaches after the second dose of the two-shot vaccine. Only 6 percent of subjects reported these side effects. Pfizer’s vaccine has been proven to be the most efficient of those in trial testing with the AstraZeneca trials trailing far behind yielding only a 70 percent efficacy. “I do hope the vaccine’s efficacy is as high as trials suggest Photo by Lexi Soliman as top scientists agree that in order to get things back to normal, we need at least 70 percent of the population vaccinated,” said English teacher Daniel Lanzafama. According to the Centers for Disease Control, vaccines will begin to be distributed as early as December 2020 to health care professionals and essential workers at risk of high exposure. More doses will be made available throughout 2021, starting with those older in age or with pre-existing conditions. “I don’t think it will slow the spread instantly, but over the next year or so as they are more widely distributed it will become much better,” said senior Nirupa Shiwcharan. “They were rushed considering the circumstances, but numbers don’t lie, and the trials do show promise.” It is still unknown how long the vaccine will provide immunity. The CDC stated on its website that all but one currently in testing requires a round of two shots to gain effect. After that it is expected to last between six months and a year, requiring annual boosters like the Flu shot. Concerns of the production being completed too quickly to be safe have spread as the vaccine is being made in record timing. Former Presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and George Bush along with President-Elect Joe Biden announced that they will take the vaccine publicly and on camera to prove its safety as well as their trust in the science and work that has gone into it. “It’s best to trust science and the experts in their field,” said Lanzafama. “It’s much safer to take the vaccine than it is to take your chances of contracting the virus.” The United States has already ordered 100 million doses of Pfizer’s vaccine, enough to distribute to 50 million people. While that only covers about 15 percent of the population, larger batches will not be available to order until at least the new year. Three Old Bridge Residents Set to Be Sworn in to School Board on Jan. 7 BY LINDSEY WILKINSON Staff Writer Five people -- incumbents Matthew Sulikowski, Jill DeCaro, and Lisa Lent, along with former board member Frank Weber and newcomer Allison Vass-- ran in the November Old Bridge Board of Education election. They each were looking to fill one of three, three-year terms up for grabs. Because it was a presidential election and a pandemic, voters cast their ballots primarily by mail and as a result a record number of votes were tallied, according to board member Jill Cali. During the Nov. 24, board meeting, business administrator Joseph Marra confirmed that Sulikowski and Jill DeCaro, along with Weber were the candidates who received the most votes. They are set to be sworn at the school board’s annual organization meeting set for 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 7, 2021. Sulikowski, who has been a school board member for 12 years, garnered 14,915 votes; DeCaro came in second place with 11,793 votes. At present, she is the vice-president of the school board and is now entering her second term on the board. Weber came in third place with 11,403 votes. He previously served on the school board for 18 years. "There is still so much work to do," said DeCaro. "I would like to get past this pandemic, get our students back in the building, and get back to the business of education, understanding there is so much more to it than academics," she said. Both Sulikowski and Weber were unavailable for comment. Soccer league raises $2,500 for OBHS student diagnosed with Leukemia BY MATTHEW MANGAM Sports Editor The Old Bridge Soccer League (OBSL) hosted a fundraiser soccer game for an Old Bridge High School freshman Bryce Lomas, who was recently diagnosed with AML Leukemia. The league sponsored “Kickin’ for A Cause” on Nov. 21 at Geick Park to help raise money for Bryce and his medical bills. To play in the soccer game, there was a $20 fee and OBSL sold drinks and snacks; the $2,500 raised all went to the Lomas family to help pay for Bryce’s medical bills. “When I arrived at Geick Park to see so many children and parents, I was truly humbled,” said Alicia Sidlowski-Lomas, Bryce’s mother. “To see our community come together for a family they may or may not have known was absolutely beautiful. I am so proud to be a part of OBSL and Old Bridge Township. My family is eternally grateful for all who made last night possible.” “It was a truly overwhelming event to help one of our families,” said Kathleen Murawski, OBSL president. “This past year has been a very difficult one and hearing the news about Bryce made it even harder, but seeing the strength in Bryce, his mom, his friends, and the community showed us that together we can tackle anything.” “I was very proud to help organize this event,” said Jeff Michaels, an OBSL coach. “This event could not have taken place without the help of Kathleen Murawski and Brian Morrissey. It was so well organized with a great turnout, and I was very pleased. There were even two kids, who never played soccer before but wanted to support Bryce. This event shows what a tightknit group this soccer family is. We united for a cause and for this I am thankful to all the families that showed up.” According to Bryce’s GoFundMe page, Bryce will be undergoing constant transfusions of blood and platelets to help him.

Iconic Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg dead at 87 BY ERIN HELLHAKE News Editor Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who was regarded as an unlikely feminist icon and a crusader for women’s rights, passed away at the age of 87. Justice Ginsburg was appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia in 1980 by President Jimmy Carter, then to the Supreme Court by President Bill Clinton in 1993. She was just the second woman to be on the Supreme Court. She passed away on Sept. 18. Ginsburg had suffered metastatic pancreatic cancer, the ultimate cause of her death. Though she had a number of previous health complications, such as a rib fracture and colon cancer in 1999, Ginsburg never waved on her appointment, planning to stay on the court until the day she died. She was on the court for 27 years. Ginsburg prided herself on bipartisanship, even befriending well-known conservative judge Antonin Scalia for a large part of her time on the court, up until his death in 2016. “You can disagree without being disagreeable,” Ginsburg had said. Justice Ginsburg was a well-known advocate for women’s rights, many younger women regarding her as an unlikely crusader due to progressive ideas amid her older age. Ginsburg’s countless achievements in the world of feminism include launching the ACLU’s Women’s Rights Project, paving the way for the Equal Opportunity Credit Act (allowing women to take out a mortgage or open a bank account without a male co-signer), pushing to wider protections for pregnant women in the workplace, and argued that women should be allowed to serve on juries on the federal level. Justice Ginsburg advocated for protections the average American woman would not even realize needs affirmation -- such as the 1996 United States v. Virginia case, in which Justice Ginsburg wrote the majority opinion that it is unconstitutional for schools funded by taxpayer dollars to not allow women to attend. "I ask no favor for my sex. All I ask of our brethren is that they take their feet off our necks,” Ginsburg famously said, quoted in the CNN documentary titled RBG. Ginsburg is also the first woman to lie to rest in the U.S. Capitol. Now, the question remains: how will Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death affect women and Americans today? Many pro-choice Americans are worried about the fate of Roe V. Wade, a Supreme Court ruling in 1973 that made abortion legal on the federal level. In addition, many public healthcare users are also concerned about the repealing of the Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare, which is being challenged by the Trump Administration. It was no secret that Justice Ginsburg wanted to remain on the court until after the 2020 Presidential Election -- she insinuated wanting to keep the court at an even bipartisan ruling. Justice Ginsburg changed the nation and, in effect, the world, with her rulings to achieve a higher level of gender equality on a national level. She was a true American hero and her memory will never be forgotten.

Students reveal gifts on their wish lists BY JOSH GATSON Sports Editor The holiday season is right around the corner and families are starting to buy gifts for their children, family members, significant others, and friends. Amazon’s and Wal-Mart's best selling and top gifts for this holiday season are electronics, including iPhones, gaming devices, and headphones. The prices for the electronic gifts range from $30 up to $900. Some items on Amazon’s “Most Wished For” list include the PS5 and the Xbox Series X, both of which are currently sold out. Other items include newly released games like “Cyberpunk 2077”, and the Echo Dot, which comes with Alexa. While these items lean toward the video game aspect of electronics, Wal-Mart's top sellers were more general. The site listed items like the Airpods Pro, the latest model of the iPad, a Roku Smart TV, and the Samsung Galaxy Watch. Some students in Old Bridge High School have also given some thought about what they want under their Christmas trees. “I would like a new headset and baseball bat for Christmas,” said Samuel Muller, junior. “I already got everything I wanted, so I just want money,” said Jimmy Williams, senior. “Personally, I’d love an Oculus and a PS5,” said Joseph Arlotta, junior. Other students, however, want things this year that are less materialistic than their peers’ choices. “My wish list for Christmas is that I hope my grandma gets cured from COVID,” said Ariana Quiroz, junior. “Honestly, I just want normalcy in life again for Christmas,” said Michael Miraglia, senior. According to an article from the Strategist, there are plenty of other gifts to give, and they even categorized them by price. The Strategist pick consisted of a deck of minimalistic Uno cards, a Rit Indigo Shibori tie dye kit, and animal Mah-Jong. The Today Show offered a list of 35 gifts for everyone from chefs to athletes to children. The list included the coldest sports water bottle for athletes, Beats Bluetooth headphones for people who like electronics, a wearable blanket for homebodies, and an Oculus virtual reality headset.

Online shopping replaces in-person experience during holiday season BY LEXI SOLIMAN Feature Editor Online shopping has surged over the last two decades, completely revolutionizing the consumer market. With an alarmingly simple press of a button and great prices, online shopping makes the traditional “going out to the store” seem like an inconvenience, especially during the holidays. Even more so with the dangers of going out due to the pandemic, people are opting to stay home and do their shopping on the computer like everything else in the recent months. “I prefer online shopping honestly,” said English teacher Jessica Tosonotti. “Covid has changed a lot of things, but not my holiday shopping. I am always browsing online to get gifts for my loved ones, which is a lot more convenient especially now.” But the effects of online shopping along with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic are putting brick and mortar stores and retailers’ businesses in jeopardy. Large companies such as Lord and Taylor, craft store A.C Moore, and J.C. Penney are only a few closing doors nationwide due to pressure of overhead expenses. Small and local businesses have been hurt even harder by the competition of online shopping along with Covid-19. According to Yelp, almost 75,000 restaurants registered on their website have changed their status to “permanently closed” as of July. For those restaurants that have made it up until now, many people wonder what the cold weather will mean for their businesses with outdoor dining not being a viable option. The predicted second wave poses a threat to companies. Stores have had to limit the number of customers allowed into shops at any given time, making long lines outside storefronts difficult experiences. “There definitely is a lot more people coming into the store than I was expecting,” said senior Kelly Florencio an employee at TJMaxx. “And we have already limited the number of customers we can have. But still, I think a lot more people are just going with online because of the safety and convenience. “Covid has not changed the way I’m doing holiday shopping honestly,” said senior Avery Cangro. “I just wear a mask and be careful. With the virus and the holidays, it just takes too long for shipping.” The need for physical stores has been on a decline since the boom of online clothing, grocery, and department stores. However, shopping in person has its advantages especially for expensive purchases, including furniture and clothing.

Students reflect on their favorite foods for the holidays BY LEXI SOLIMAN Feature Editor The holidays are a time to celebrate family, thankfulness, and of course great food. This year’s gatherings may be smaller than usual, but the season of cooking has remained the same. There are many fun and simple traditional holiday foods for every family and culture. The Feast of the Seven Fishes is a common Italian tradition. Celebrated on Christmas Eve, the traditional meal involves several types of seafood and fish, including shrimp, lobster, and clams.

“My family is Italian,” said senior Gina Battaglia. “We celebrate the Courtesy of ctbite.com Feast of the Seven Fishes every year. My favorite is cod, but I like everything.” Less popular is the Christmas fruitcake, a British tradition that has come to America and has become a symbol of Christmas dessert. Early Romans often served a cake called satura that was made up of pine nuts, pomegranate seeds, and many other fruits that are very similar to today’s fruitcake. “My dad is Puerto Rican, so my mom usually makes empanadas every year,” said senior Gabby Cruz. “We make it with Goya dough, meat, raisins, and then we fry them. They are definitely my favorite to have during the holidays.” Some traditional Egyptian holiday foods include grape leaves stuffed with rice and meat, phyllo dough filled with cream and feta cheese, and breaded chicken. For those who celebrate Hannukah, traditional foods include latkes, which are potato pancakes, and sufganiyot, a jelly filled donut to celebrate the Festival of lights. Some of my favorite Dominican foods are Puerco Asado which is roasted pork, and Tres Leche cake for dessert,” said Cameron Caballero, senior. Courtesy of elmundoeats.com “Flan too, I love Christmas desserts.”

Photo by Lexi Soliman

Students, staff, administrator reveal favorite holiday movies BY FATIMA SYED Business Editor Along with families putting up their Christmas trees and lighting their Hanukkah candles, watching winter-holiday themed movies has become a tradition. Old Bridge High School staff members and students recently revealed some of their top winter movies, including. “Elf”, “The Polar Express”, “The Santa Claus”, “A Christmas Story”, and “Home Alone”. Christmas comedy movie, “Elf”, presents a man named Buddy from the North Pole, who is accidentally transported to the North Pole as a child, and when he grows up, he sets out to find his real father in New York. He teaches Christmas spirit to others and the fun of being a child despite being an adult. “My favorite holiday movie is “Elf”. You can learn so much from Buddy the Elf’s outlook on life,” said Sally Fazio, vice principal. “I like “Elf” because it reminds me of simpler times when I was younger,” said Litiana Cervantes, junior. “The Polar Express” is an adventurous 2004 film that takes a young boy on a magical train ride to the North Pole. Riding along with the boy are youngsters who don’t believe in Santa Claus. The conductor leads him and the other children on a journey that demonstrates that Santa does exist. It shows that for believers, Courtesy of Mina Shafi curiosity of life does not end. “Every year my kids and I watch “The Polar Express” together, we like the adventure and the quest to find out the truth about Santa,” said Connie Mason, history teacher. “I enjoy watching Polar Express, because it was one of the first movies I remember watching as a child,” said Gerard Hill, sophomore. Another favorite movie, “The Santa Claus” is a 1994 film that leads a divorced father on a journey of crazy events. He startles a man on his roof who then accidentally falls and disappears. Over the next few days, the father proceeds to gain weight, a beard, and white hair, turning into the next Santa. He must live in the North Pole and fulfill his new duties. “I really love the movie “The Santa Claus” because every year my family and I watch it the days leading up to Christmas,” said Sara Paul, sophomore. Another favorite, “A Christmas Story”, revolves around the adult narrator, Ralphie, when he was nine years old. Ralphie wanted a Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-shot Range Model air rifle. Throughout the movie he deals with a bully, a grumpy father, and the hope that his Christmas wish will come true. “Home Alone” also tops the list. The 1990 movie is about an eight-year-old child, Kevin, who is accidentally left behind from his family’s holiday trip. All alone he proceeds to set up innovative traps all around his house. Three burglars thinking the house is empty set up a plan to break in, but instead Kevin puts them a wild goose chase. Teachers reveal holiday traditions shared with family, friends BY MATTHEW MANGAM Sports Editor The holiday season has arrived and with it comes weeks of celebrating with family traditions. Popular traditions include driving into New York City to look at the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center and looking at the decorations in the windows of some of the world’s largest department stores. Snuggling up on a couch and watching Christmas movies like “Elf” or “Home Alone” is another holiday tradition many families share. “I always take my kids into NYC to see the Rockefeller tree,” said James Oliveri, vice principal, “and additionally, just watching holiday movies over and over again until my kids get sick of them.” “My wife and I plan to take our daughters to look at the Christmas lights at the PNC Arts Center,” said Daniel Lanzafama, English teacher. “We will also wave to Santa at the mall from at least six feet away. Other than that, we’ll keep the family parties small and the festivities safe (due to the COVID-19 pandemic).” “We decorate our home for Hanukkah the day after Thanksgiving usually,” said Allison Tuckman, Science teacher. “We light the Menorah starting on the first night and every night for eight nights. My daughter gets to open one present per night. The surprise of it is a lot of fun, and it’s a very warm holiday.” “I plan on spending the holidays with my immediate family,” said Vincent Sasso, principal. “We will do our best to stay connected with friends and family and maintain holiday traditions while staying safe.” Some students have very special traditions they hold close to heart like eating a special breakfast on Christmas morning or putting up all the holiday decorations on Thanksgiving Day. Other common traditions among families include watching the Thanksgiving Day parade together and putting up their Christmas tree and Courtesy of Allison Tuckman decorations on the same day. Baking treats and singing holiday songs with the ones you love are memories made every year. “A tradition for Christmas is that every year I play a game called left right center with my family,” said Emily Barge, junior. “It’s a game we play with single dollar bills, and the winner gets all the money.” “I will continue shopping, baking, spending time with family and friends, and hosting this season,” said Janine Arciero, English teacher. “I am an Italian American, and we have a tradition of Seven Courtesy of Allison Tuckman Fishes on Christmas Eve. I have been celebrating this way since I was born. At midnight, we open presents and celebrate together.”

Old Bridge families celebrate holidays with folklore from around the world BY CASEE SANSEVERE Editor-in-Chief Families, who relocated to Old Bridge from Europe, Asia, and Africa, bring with them stories and myths they used to create memories with younger generations or even teach lessons. For example, one charming tale surrounds the character of St. Nick in the United States, who leaves presents for good children and coal for bad ones on Christmas Eve. Common traditions in Italy include the dinner of seven fishes on Christmas Eve. However, younger children get to experience the joy of the holiday on Jan.6 with La Befana during the Feast of the Epiphany. Befana would not join the Wise Men when they went to bring gifts of gold, myrth, and frankincense to baby Jesus. Because she felt bad for not visiting him, she set out to see him for herself, but she could not find him. Now, every Epiphany Eve, children leave out shoes and stocking for her to fill with candy, while the misbehaved children receive coal. Like Befana, Germany’s St. Nicholas has the children leave out shoes for treats during their holiday. However, the German Courtesy of www.villains.fandom.com culture also has a twist to their narrative: Krampus is the yang to Nicholas’ yin. Adopted from pagan stories, Krampus is half-goat, and half- Courtesy of www.ottawaitslians.com demon, and in Norse mythology is said to be the son of Hel. Folktales state that when children leave out their boots for St. Nicholas Day, the ones who misbehave get a rod, which helps Krampus know who to take to his hideout and swat them into being good. Iceland, located near the Antarctic circle, has a fearsome cat named Jólakötturinn, who eats naughty children. To counter the fear-inducing story, they also have the 13 trolls known as the Jolasveinar. These trolls come out during Yuletide (Dec. 21 to Jan. 1), and give sweets and toys to the good children. The ones who misbehave have bad luck and get heckled throughout Yule until they behave. Norse mythology has always been wrapped around Odin, king of Asgard, and God of wisdom, magic, and divination. In some stories, he is referred to as Jolnir, who is the father of Yule. On Dec. 21, he and other Gods gathered his 12 Valkyries and scared anyone who was out that night because they should have been home with their families and resting.

Pop Sensation Ariana Grande releases Sixth Studio Album BY ERIN HELLHAKE News Editor “Positions,” the 14-track LP running at just over 40 minutes, debuted as number one on the US Billboard 200 chart. The lead song, “Positions,” debuted atop the Billboard Hot 100. The album features artists such as Doja Cat, The Weeknd, and Ty Dolla $ign; and was produced by an assortment of popular producers such as Tommy Brown and Murda Beats. The album encompasses a more R&B and trap feeling, fresh to Grande’s style of music. “I really enjoyed the album,” said Nicole Bahshiyants, junior. “All of Ariana Grande’s music is amazing, but it is so cool and refreshing to see her style change for this album.” The lead single was released a week before the album, and the album’s existence was only revealed about two weeks before its release. “It was kind of like a surprise album,” said Angelo Vitale, sophomore. “She didn’t even tell her fans that she was working on anything until right before it was released, which is pretty obscure for an artist as popular as her.” The music video for the song “Positions,” featuring Grande in an assortment of professions and positions of power, was released on Oct. 22, and it gained immediate popularity on YouTube. It now has more than 123 million views and 4.7 million likes. “I loved the video so much,” said Sal Acquaviva, junior. “It features a bunch of different women in high-power positions, and you can tell it took a lot of time and thought to compose.” “The entire album was absolutely amazing,” said Vitale. “The music video was the perfect addition to the song; and a new one came out for her song “34+35” which was just as interesting and thoughtful.” The album has a theme of female liberation and adapting to a sense of independence. A few songs reference her suspected new relationship, but many fans presume that songs “Just Like Magic” and “Off the Table” include tributes to her late ex-boyfriend, musician and lyricist Mac Miller. “Those songs were so sad to hear,” said Bahshiyants. “Though she hasn’t publicly said so, those songs were obviously about him.” The album has earned more than three-star ratings on all well-known publications and music review sites, including “Rolling Stone”, “The Guardian”, “The Independent”, and “The Consequence of Sound”. Critics praised her vocals but critiqued the production and song compositions. The album has gained international attention, reaching top charts in Canada, Ireland, Lithuania, Norway, The United Kingdom, and New Zealand. Popular online game, Among Us, keeps friends, family close during pandemic BY FATIMA SYED Business Editor With many friends and relatives separated due to the pandemic, online games have become more popular. “Among Us” is one of them as it became popular, helping to connect people together. “I play “Among Us” because I think it’s a great concept, easy to understand and fun to play especially with a group of friends,” said Amy Chan, junior. The online game was launched in June 2018 by developer InnerSloth. It can be played with four to ten players who are called “crewmates” on a spaceship, where they work together to complete tasks. It may seem easy, but there is a twist; there are imposters on board who kill the crewmates. To win, the crewmate must finish all the tasks or vote out the imposters while not getting killed. In order to take out the imposters from the spaceship, crewmates and disguised imposters stop to discuss what they thought was suspicious. If they do find someone suspicious, they vote to throw him overboard. When summer ended, trips were canceled and lockdowns started, “Among Us” increased its players. Some of the famous YouTubers that took part in popularizing the game are, number two YouTuber PewDiePie, Markiplier, and jacksepticeye. Twitch users such as Pokimane and Sykkuno also streamed their content on a site called Twitch. One other very popular player was AOC or Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, one of the U.S. representatives. “The pandemic was definitely a big factor in the popularity of “Among Us”. It’s appealing to play because we are always on our phones so this way, I can play with friends that I can’t hang out with,” said Diya Patel, sophomore. It is available for free on platforms such as on Google Play and the App Store. However, it costs $5 to install it on your PC. Since the cost is inexpensive, many players think it is a worthy game to spend money. “I like the fact that it’s on mobile and PC as it is a big factor that makes it accessible to a lot of people,” said Zahir Musliwala, senior. Since the time “Among Us” began being streamed, it has had more than 85 million downloads. The game has become so popular that there are TikTok and memes made about it. “I think it's a solid game that appeals to people who want something to do with friends as well as those who are very competitive and enjoy high skill activities,” said Sebastian Deguzman, sophomore.

Photos by Fatima Syed

Apple releases new MacBook Air, MacBook Pro in time for holidays BY DISHA DHINGRA Staff Writer A decade of research development and $1 billion later, Apple has finally come out with its new 13-inch MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro. Equipped with an M1 chip processor designed specifically for Mac, it now will include longer battery life, better video-quality, and faster performance. Venkat Bommaavaram, an Apple employee said that “when compared to the earlier version of MacBook, M1 is about two times faster than the latest MacBook Pro.” The new Macs’ fuse the GPU and CPU together, so all operations are faster. The faster performance and longer battery life will not only have an impact on Apple, it will also benefit the Mac users. “The new features will allow me to work on my computer more efficiently. With better video quality, I don’t have to worry about how I look, or if my photo is blurry...the faster performance will allow me to use my computer freely, without having to worry about it lagging or taking a long time to open an app,” said Aamani Courtesy of Apple.com Dhingra, a MacBook user. Apple’s new MacBook Pro will have up to 20 hours of battery life, and the MacBook Air will be 18 hours, which is longer than any of the previous models. Emma Hirji-Johnson, another MacBook user, said that “the increased battery life will allow me to work outside for extended periods of time, which I really enjoy doing on campus at UC Santa Cruz.” The new MacBook's are listed at $999 for the MacBook Air and $1,299 for the MacBook Pro. “The MacBook’s price will be worth it in the long run,” Courtesy of Apple.com said Dhingra, “because although it is expensive for a single purchase, the computer will last at least three years...you will be able to purchase it at one time and won’t have to worry about buying a new one in one or two years.” Others like Johnson disagree. “Maybe for people who do image and video processing for a living it would be worth it, but it's pretty expensive, and if you're not going to use all the features, what's the point,” said Johnson.

Apple launches iPhone 12, with updates and technological advances BY FATIMA SYED Business Editor Apple unveiled the new iPhone 12 after a long-awaited delay. “The iPhone 12 is cool. Of course, as all new iPhones do, they have a better camera quality, which makes it greater than others,” said Adhavan Swaminathan, sophomore. People have been bustling about the new 5G technology. The iPhone 12 includes this which allows superfast downloads and high‑quality streaming, while the previous generation iPhones had 4G. This is useful for making the daily lives of individuals more efficient. The height of the iPhone 12 is slightly smaller than iPhone 11 as well as the width and depth. Two of the many similarities about the two phones are their battery and power capabilities. “I feel that the new iPhone’s selling point is only MagSafe, otherwise I feel the iPhone 11 is better overall,” said Anthony Margiotto, sophomore. The iPhone 12 also includes the Super Retina XDR display compared to a Liquid Retina HD display that the iPhone 11 has. The iPhone 12 contains Dolby Vision HDR video recording up to 30 fps and is water resistant to a depth of six meters for up to 30 minutes. “I like how it is a lighter phone and how it has the splash resistance, because I’m always spilling things and am always afraid, I’m going to drop my phone near water,” said Melissa Neglio, junior. There are five color choices in the iPhone 12. They are White, Black, Blue, Green, and (Product)Red. The iPhone 12 also has MagSafe, which is a magnet inside the phone that makes it Courtesy of apple.com compatible with wireless chargers and magnetic phone accessories. “The MagSafe feature is pretty interesting, and probably something that’ll come in use if Apple eventually makes a portless iPhone. I like how you don’t need to position it on a charger, and it clicks right on. It’s also amazing how many new accessories they can have,” said Margiotto. The iPhone 12 costs $799, which is $200 more than the last generation iPhone. “The price of the phone is very expensive, but I think it is worth it, given all of the new features that come with it,” said Neglio.

Local band, Reaching Out, joins punk music scene BY CASEE SANSEVERE Editor-in-Chief New Jersey is home to many popular artists spreading across all genres like My Chemical Romance’s Frank Iero and Bruce Springsteen. The best part about music, and being from such a vibrant state, is the fact that everyone has a chance to make it big. Located in neighboring town Spotswood, New Jersey hard-core punk band Reaching Out is rapidly climbing the ladder in the music scene. “I started a band because it was something I have always wanted to do. All I needed was a little push to do it, but it ended up being a huge shove from people I look up to,” said creator and second guitarist Rupa Zimkus. Working hard since their start in January 2020, the young group of five has already published music, like songs “Over It!” and “Change”. “My goals for the band are to get an EP out relatively soon and to get more gigs in the spring,” said Courtesy of Mike Romosh Caiden Rosario, first guitar, as the band also signed with record label Safe Inside in early October. Bassist Alex Hopton, who joined the group because of singer Kk Craig, said she hopes to eventually do a lot of touring but performing on the international circuit with everyone would be a dream come true. Despite the pandemic, the band has been able to make the best of it, managing to hold the motivation to create. On Nov. 7, the group played an outdoor and socially distanced show in Jackson with a great turn out with fellow bands Gel, 19Drt, Locked Inside, and Brute. “I really hope we inspire younger kids to start bands and help keep the scene alive,” said drummer Kevin Mercerr. Old Bridge Knights Varsity Football team finish season strong BY JOSH GATSON Sports Editor The Old Bridge Knights secured victory in its final game of the season against Long Branch, 28-27. The team ended its 2020 season with a 5-1 record. The season’s highlights include being Division Champions and undefeated in its division for the second consecutive year. The Knights also defeated East Brunswick in the “Battle for Route 18” trophy for the tenth year. Sixteen seniors also finished their careers with the team, playing all four years for the Knights. “I think the team ended the year really well,” said Nicholas Martinow, junior. “Our last game really showed how good we are as a team.” However, this victory was short-lived, as they were put into quarantine for two weeks due to risk of COVID-19 from a positive Long Branch player. Because of this, the team did not have a chance to finish out its season in the postseason groupings. Because there were no positive cases on the team, there were no extra rules put in place for the team or the coaches. “We have always followed the same guidelines set forth by the CDC, NJSIAA and Old Bridge school district all season,” said Coach Anthony Lanzafama. Upon hearing the news, the players reflected on a season cut short by the pandemic with a bittersweet attitude. “My initial reaction was surprised, yet my team and I knew that it could happen at any point during the season,” said James Cavallaro, junior. “However, my team overcame adversity and was able to beat East Brunswick despite the absence of some of our coaches.” Even if they weren’t able to finish, the players were content with their strong season. “We were very thankful that we were able to play as many games as we did,” said Cavallaro. “Despite not being able to play our last games, overall, we were very fortunate to have a six-game season. We finished 5-1 and were able to make memories that will last a lifetime,” said Lanzafama. “We are especially grateful to all the football parents, who gave their sons’ rides every day and supported our program throughout the season. So, all in all, we had a great season that ended well.”

Photos Courtesy of Chae Hogan Girls’ head soccer coach retires after more than two decades BY JOSH GATSON Sports Editor After 28 years of coaching, Old Bridge Girls’ Varsity Soccer Coach Robert Lozzi retired. He started his coaching career in 1992 and has had the opportunity to instruct hundreds of students and form lasting bonds with them in the process. “I have appreciated the opportunity to coach over the last 28 years. It has been very fulfilling to see my athletes achieve their full potential.” Lozzi was the longest serving coach in the Greater Middlesex Conference. “The Covid affected season did make it bittersweet since we did not get a chance to play in a conference final,” said Lozzi. “Although we did not have a traditional season, I was proud to end my coaching career with the members of the 2020 team.” During his coaching career, Lozzi had made a lot of sacrifices when it came to his family. However, he said they were very supportive of his choice to put this amount of time into the program. According to Lozzi, coaching at the varsity level is a year-round deal, with many factors going into the job, such as planning, communicating with meetings, and meetings. “After 28 years, I would like to relax and be able to enjoy my time off,” said Lozzi. “I have nothing left to prove as a coach, and I am extremely proud of what I was able to accomplish at both St. Mary’s Regional High School (South Amboy) and Old Bridge High School.” While he was coaching, he said he made many memories with his teams and has had the chance to see many memorable soccer games during his years. “I would have to say the most memorable game could have had the biggest impact on the Girls Soccer program and that was the 2017 Greater Middlesex Conference Championship,” said Lozzi. “We were able to turn around a less than sterling season and two years later finish 18-4-1 with a Conference Championship and a trip to the Central Jersey Group IV Semi-Finals." Other exciting games during Lozzi’s time as a coach is the rivalry between Old Bridge and East Brunswick, which remained strong. “It's a rivalry between two excellent programs that will determine a division and conference championship,” said Lozzi. “Each team knows the other is capable of winning, and it usually comes down to executing one shot.” According to Lozzi, if he could do it all over again, he would not change a thing. During his career, he said he has gotten the chance to work with many great athletes and coaches. “I, along with my coaches, are extremely proud of that distinction,” said Lozzi. “Without the guidance and knowledge of these coaches, our athletes may not have been able to achieve their full potential.”

Photo Courtesy of Robert Lozzi Girls’ Varsity Soccer team finishes season with winning record BY MATTHEW MANGAM Sports Editor The Old Bridge Girls’ Varsity Soccer team ended its season with a strong 8-3-2 record. The Knights took down a lot of teams in its path, making it to the NJSIAA Central East Semifinal Round on Nov. 20 but the girls were defeated by a score of 1-0 to Union. “I thought our performances were fine considering there were no division champions or no conference tournament,” said Robert Lozzi, head coach. “I think two of our losses, including the state semi-finals, we were the better team, but unfortunately unable to take advantage of our chances. Courtesy of Lors Photography Lozzi, who retired from his post after 28 years, said that “we needed to have an independent drive to get after our goals as individuals and as a team. There needs to be personal accountability and be honest about whether you have done enough to compete and separate yourself from the competition. If players do not work hard, it has a negative effect on the team. It’s not always stars that need to score or prevent goals, but we want the person who is not supposed to score to step up in the big game and be the hero.” The Knights will be losing seven seniors to graduation this year, including Emmi DeNovellis, Lauren Corless, Samantha Brown, Gabby Farag, Shauna O’Brien, Jillian Orzol, and Amanda Scopellite. DeNovellis was the team's top goal scorer, with 14 goals and eight assists. Elizabeth Torosian, sophomore, was the team's main goalkeeper, holding six shutouts and was included as a member of the NJ.com Sophomore Girls Soccer Players of the Week. “I think overall that the team performed very well this season,” said DeNovellis. “I am so happy that Courtesy of Lors Photography everyone came eager, motivated, and ready to work this season. Unfortunately, the season didn’t turn out the way we all wanted it to, but we left it all out on the field, and I couldn’t be prouder of everyone and our overall effort.” The Knights scored 46 goals in 13 games, including big wins against Edison, South Brunswick, and Linden. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was no Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament. “The team as a whole stepped up in big parts of the season, we played hard ’til the very end of every game,” said Orzol. “We all did amazing with everything going on and we all stayed healthy.”