Spring 2021 Volume VI, Issue III THE START OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION Written by: Maeryam Nasari President Joe Biden’s first few weeks On another hand, Biden took the first gag rule. Under the Trump administra- in the White House featured the pass- step towards easing racial tensions by tion, this policy blocked U.S. federal ing of several executive orders and signing a proclamation that reversed poli- funding for non-governmental organiza- immediate actions, ranging from a cies from the Trump administration. This tions that provided abortion counseling or new $20 bill to the current global cli- included the ban which restricted entry expanded abortion services. In addition, mate crisis. into the United States for refugees and Biden has made it a priority for the De- residents from seven predominantly partment of Health and Human Services With the new administration, it ap- Muslim countries. This ban had several to review the Title X family planning pro- pears that once again the anticipated dangerous impacts such as further institu- gram which had funding pulled from change for the cover of the $20 bill tionalizing xenophobia and Islamophobia women's health clinics across the nation might occur. On January under the Trump admin- 25th, 2021 it was announced istration. that the Department of Treasury is taking steps to- Furthermore, Biden re- wards placing Harriet Tub- pealed the ban on man on the cover of the $20 transgender people serv- bill. Tubman was an aboli- ing in the military and tionist in the 1800s and led passed an order that will enslaved people in the South extend federal nondis- to freedom in the North crimination protection to through the Underground the members of the Railroad. Her bravery and LGBTQ+ community. fearless leadership was evi- He fulfilled one of his top dent in her journeys to and campaign promises by from the South. Many are rejoining the Paris advocating for Tubman to Agreement on climate replace Andrew Jackson on change which works to lower emissions that the $20 bill. With Biden´s Pictured: President Biden at his desk in the Oval Office. (usatoday.com) arrival, the Department of increase global warming. Treasury has taken signifi- President Trump had in the United States. Biden’s order re- cant steps towards making this a reali- previously withdrawn from the Paris moves this ban, allowing for the process ty. Jen Psaki, President Joe Biden's Agreement back in 2017. to earn a visa to continue, and requires press secretary, stated that "It is im- the Secretary of State to propose a way to Biden's first two weeks in office consisted portant that our .... money reflect the reconsider visa applications that had been of putting forth a major effort to reverse history and diversity of our country denied previously. many of the restrictive policies put in and Harriet Tubman's image gracing place by former President Donald Trump. the new $20 note would certainly re- Biden has also revoked the Mexico City We hope to see many more prosperous flect that." Policy, otherwise known as the global changes in President Biden's term.

PAGE 2 COMET Coronavirus and Student Mental Health

Written by: Gia Rangi

The coronavirus pandemic has taken under these circumstances. You can It will also do well to distract your- an immense toll on students and find comfort with your family mem- self. You can create little projects for teens around the world. Many peo- bers, and start to spend more time yourself to keep yourself active. For ple may be feeling overwhelming with them. You can also always re- example, organizing or decorating emotions of stress, and dismay dur- main in touch with your previous your room. You can also start a photo ing these challenging times. Whether peers, and can continue to interact album or scrapbook of your time in it be from the distress of limited so- with them through technology, such quarantine to look back at. You can cial interaction, or the stress from as social media, texting, calls, or also buy a plant! Buying a plant will school, there are many healthy ways FaceTime calls. Although it is not help you with inactiveness, and give for you to cope. the same as being together in- you something to have responsibility person, it can make up for the lack over and will, of course, make a good Most students this year are remote, of communication during this time. means of decoration. Or if you have a with limited interaction amongst pet, spend more time with them! their peers. Isolating yourself has There are many ways to find sources never been, nor will ever be healthy of comfort alone. For example, you Online schooling has also definitely for your overall welfare, especially can take this time to tend to your been a challenge for many. While this own needs in ways such as taking a lasts, we must find ways to adapt. If relaxing bath, having a cup of herbal you have a noisy environment, try WHAT’S INSIDE: tea to reduce your stress, or cooking slight noise cancelling headphones to healthy comfort foods. This will also limit the nearby sound so you can help you to take up a new hobby. increase your focus onto the Google For example, art is something that Meet, or you can research ways to BIDEN Cover might help you relieve frustration or soundproof your room, or wherever stress. Art can come in many forms it may be that you are schooling. If such as drawing, painting, or writ- you do not have a proper learning PROCRASTINA- 3 ing. Other hobbies could include environment, a kitchen table is al- TION reading, listening to music, or ways suitable. You can also always try watching television. Whatever you to be innovative and create a learning may have not had time to do, you environment for yourself using mate- AMANDA 6 can do now! rials you may have in your home. GORMAN In trying to make these days seem It is also important to practice self- less unorthodox, it may do well to compassion. Instead of pushing away ZOMBIES! 8 keep to a persistent schedule. You your feelings of negativity, it is im- can start each day with a plan of portant to accept and acknowledge what you will do throughout the that you are feeling this way and re- day. Keeping a diary of your pro- member that these feelings will fade 9 OVER-HYPED gress and feelings may also help and change. BOOKS AND while you are trying to keep a con- PLAYS sistent schedule. Keeping track can OLIVIA RODRIGO 10 help you feel as if you are being pro- active about the situation. Creating a list of things you will do once the pandemic is over, may also help to READING TO 11 motivate you while getting through ESCAPE this difficult time. PAGE 3 COMET Procrastination: vice or Virtue?

Written by: Mallika Rangi

What is Procrastination of failing, and confusion about a task. doing homework. Students can also and Why is it a Problem? People may delay doing tasks that write their plans in an agenda, prefera- seem intimidating or too difficult. bly one that looks appealing to them, Procrastination, which is when people Procrastination can even be consid- so they will be more inclined to com- save doing important tasks for the last ered to be a coping mechanism for plete their tasks. Spreading out tasks minute, is undeniably a significant issue. stressful situations, like studying for a would also help reduce procrastina- It is oftentimes defined as putting off a difficult test. Interestingly, some peo- tion. If students are aware they have a task that would be beneficial to do, for ple procrastinate for the thrill of it, or project due in a week, they can start no valid reason. For example, when a the adrenaline rush that they receive working on it beforehand, even if it is student decides to bake cookies for no when completing an assignment for as little as ten minutes a day. Doing special reason, instead of writing their minutes before it is due. Whatever little chunks of an assignment each day English essay that is due the next day, the reason for procrastination, there is would certainly go a long way, and that student is procrastinating. The no doubt that people, especially stu- would definitely be better than starting American Psychological Association has dents, need to be better equipped to the assignment the day it is due. An- stated that when it comes to their make healthy and beneficial deci- other way one can overcome procrasti- schoolwork, around 80 to 95 percent of sions. nation is by rewarding themselves after college students procrastinate. Other completing a task. For exam- research has suggested that 20% of ple, if a student promises them- the American population consists selves they will read 10 pages of of chronic procrastinators. This is their history textbook and then larger than the percent of people in watch 15 minutes of their fa- the United States who are clinically vorite show, not only will they diagnosed with depression or anxi- feel more motivated to com- ety disorders. While it may seem plete the reading, but also ex- like an ordinary part of people’s cited to do it again in the fu- lives, procrastination actually poses ture. Eliminating distractions is negative consequences. According also a great way one can get to a meta-analysis done in 2015, their work done efficiently. If those who procrastinate are likely someone knows that working to have lower grades in school. with the TV on, will likely Procrastinating has also been asso- cause them to watch it and get ciated with increased levels of sidetracked, turning it off, or stress, depression, fatigue, and sitting in a different room per- anxiety. It is clear that procrastination is Overcoming Procrastination haps, would be a good idea. a serious problem as it affects so many Procrastination can seem impossible people and interferes with the produc- Overall, while procrastinating may to overcome for some people, as it tivity of their lives. seem unavoidable, there are definitely has been deeply integrated into their ways to reduce it and overcome it. Why do People Procrastinate? daily routines. However, there are Students need to be self aware and re- definitely ways people can decrease People can procrastinate for a number of alize when and why they may be pro- how often they procrastinate. Tech- reasons. “Regular” procrastinators may crastinating. By understanding their nology is a factor that can increase procrastinate because they have trouble reasons for procrastinating, as well as procrastination, but, if used wisely, it with time management. However, for the moments in which they are doing can also help suppress procrastination. chronic procrastinators, procrastination it, students will be able to make better By setting time limits on certain social is more of a lifestyle. Devon Price, a decisions about how they spend their media apps, as well as alarms that social psychology professor at Loyola time. Planning, organizing, setting restrict the amount of time spent us- University, has argued that procrastina- rewards, and eliminating distractions ing technology, people will be more tion occurs for two main reasons. Ac- are all steps students can take to change likely to stay on track and avoid going cording to Price, these reasons are fear their habits for the better. on their phones when studying or PAGE 4 COMET

WHAT DO WE WANT? EQUAL PAY!

Written by: Harjot Kumari

Here's a problem we all know about, teed $153,312,846 and will also get Judge R. Gary Klausner in Los Angeles but choose not to acknowledge and an annual average salary of scheduled a trial for Sept. 15 on the those of us who do can’t do nearly as $38,328,212. The most underper- players’ claim of discriminatory work much as they want to help fix it. Gen- forming player of the Lakers in the conditions. In 2020 the original claim of der Inequality in sports. We live in 2019-20 season, Kyle Kuzma, signed a unequal pay was dismissed. 2021 and you would think our society contract of $8,650,178 and an annual would be at a point where we would average salary of $2,162,545, and It wouldn’t be fair to say this can all be no longer gender stereotype profes- recently extended the contract (by put onto the sports administration. Male sional athletes, but here we are dec- 2023-24 he will be making close to athletes are much more avidly watched ades after we established it was a $49 million compared to his current both live and on T.V compared women. problem; still dealing with it, no- 13.3 million) even after his severely If people can watch the NBA playoffs, where near seeing actual change. disappointing last season. Now for what makes them unable to watch the comparison sake let's go to the WNBA playoffs? The first thing people If I asked you to name a sport, the WNBA’s Los Angeles Spurs. The best need to do is realize that no gender is first ones that might come to mind Los Angeles sparks player, Candice better or worse than the other, enough are basketball, soccer and baseball. Parker, makes a measly $113,500. people need to change their mindset and One that probably wasn't at the top of What's even sadder is that she is con- realize that before equal pay for athletes your list; Tennis. Traditionally sidered to be the highest paid WNBA is even brought into the equation. thought of as a non-stereotyped player. The best WNBA player in the sport, but the numbers say different- LA Sparks makes a little less than 84% Some might say that women only get ly. The highest paid-female Tennis of what the most underperforming paid less because players are given their players in the world are Naomi Osaka NBA Laker makes. salaries based on their skill level, but making $37.4 million annually and time and time again women have prov- Serena Williams just trailing with $36 Now that we’ve established that this is en themselves to be of equal or even million annually. Alone, both Osaka in fact a problem, we need to find a higher level than men in many different and Williams take home a hefty way to fix this. Many different groups sports. Women are no less than men paycheck at the end of the year, but of women have tried to get their say when it comes to anything, this doesn’t compare that to the highest paid male but they can’t help bring about a just go for men and women but also for Tennis player and you might think change this big all on their own. In all LGBTQ+ athletes. LGBTQ athletes differently. Roger Federer, a Swiss March 2015, 28 members of the U.S get significantly less media attention and tennis player, takes home a grand women’s national soccer team sued coverage yet they are no less of an ath- total of $106.3 million! Naomi Osaka the U.S soccer Federation over gender lete, no-one is better than the other just is ranked as the 3rd best Tennis player discrimination. The U.S men's nation- because of their sexual orientation. while Roger is ranked at 5th yet he al soccer team has proven itself to be gets paid a considerable more amount significantly less successful than the We live in a world where people of money than Osaka. About 36% women’s and are still paid more. The preach for racial equality and cultural more, to be precise. women's team also played significantly equality then why can’t gender equali- more games than the men’s team had. ty be something we also fight for! Let's go back to basketball, one of the An estimate was made that if both the most popular sports in America. The women’s and men’s teams played 20 NBA and WNBA are nowhere near games and won them all, the women being safe from being gender stereo- would receive $99,00 each while the typed. One of the current best bas- men would receive $263,320 each. ketball players LeBron James signed a This lawsuit was first filed in 2015, 4 year / $153,312,846 contract with yet only 2 years ago was it actually the Los Angeles Lakers. He is guaran- dealt with. In 2019, U.S. District

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WHEN HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF Written by: Zahel Nasari

History tends to repeat itself. As violence. The Han Chinese are given genocide, and it banned some im- memory fades, events from the past the best jobs, and the majority do ports from Xinjiang. Antony Blinken, can become events of the present. Un- well economically, which has fueled the Biden administration’s new Sec- fortunately, humanity has been unable resentment among Uighurs. Activists retary of State, said that he agrees to learn. The Holocaust was the sys- state that Uighur commercial and cul- with the genocide designation. tematic, state-sponsored murder of tural activities have been increasingly Additional states ought to be joining eleven million people across Europe reduced by the Chinese state. Fur- the United States in demanding inves- between 1933-1945. As a student, I thermore, there are complaints of tigations by the United Nations of the read passages and novels regarding this harsh restrictions on Islam, with few- alleged rapes, torture, and other mass genocide in school. We criticize er mosques and strict authority over abuses. the government and this injustice but religious institutions. turn a blind eye to the recurring events China has done its best to hide these in the present day. barbaric and inhuman practices. Re- The Chinese authorities have detained porters and other international ob- 1 million or more ethnic Uighurs at servers are not allowed near the prison-like camps in the Xinjiang re- camps, and most inmates are prevent- gion. The Uighurs have been forced to ed from leaving the country following renounce Muslim customs, memorize their release. International response propaganda songs and study Chinese. to this effort to completely wipe out More troubling testimonies of beat- an ethnic minority has been gradually ings, sterilizations of women, and rising but still falls considerably low forced labor have reached the West. of what it should be. The Trump ad- Based on the stories of survivors, a re- ministration had declared that the port was produced regarding the sys- regime of Xi Jinping was committing tematic rape and torture of females in the camps. Tursunay Ziawudun, who fled the country after her release and now lives outside Washington, told the British network that women were re- moved from cells “every night” and raped by Chinese men wearing masks. Moreover, Ms. Ziawudun stated that she and other women had been tor- tured with electric shocks. Chinese President Xi Jinping is ac- countable for these crimes against hu- manity. The close association of Xi Jinping in the targeting of Uighurs would support a “plausible” case of genocide against them. Although the situation is complicated, ethnic ten- sions caused by economic and cultural Pictured above: Protests against the ethnic cleansing of the Uyghurs. factors are the main cause of the recent (conversation.com)

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AMANDA GORMAN’S WORDS TO REMEMBER Feature written by: Danna Taboada The Inauguration of America’s 46th We Climb” is known as a call for uni- where she was born. Two years later, president, Joe Biden, was a day to ty among America, how we all still she founded the nonprofit organization remember. A day filled with exciting, have the ability to come together as One Pen One Page, a youth writing unforgettable moments like the one to heal and to continue where we and leadership program. Gorman be- swearing in of the United States’ first left off. Gorman reflects on the hard- came the first author ever to be fea- female, first black and first south ships we all had to face. From covid- tured on XQ Institute's Book of the Asian Vice President, Kamala Harris, 19 to protests for equality, we have month in 2017. That same year, she along with Lady Gaga’s incredible gone through what has been one of opened the literary season for the Li- performance of the national anthem the toughest times in American histo- brary of Congress as she recited her and former First Lady, Michelle ry. poem, “In This Place : An American Obama’s iconic look. However, there Lyric,” becoming the first youth poet was another fellow American who Her words of courage were able to to do so. Later in April, during her stood out from all the history-making give hope to Americans that there is Harvard years, Amanda became the moments that day. still light at the end of the tunnel. first person ever to gain the title of That although yes, we may have taken National Youth Poet Laureate, after With her vibrant yellow long coat and a blow, we still manage to get back up being one of the five finalists across the her fiery red, wide padded satin head- on our feet and try. “That even as we nation for it. band, 22-year-old poet and activist hurt, we hoped. That even as we Amanda Gorman astonished the coun- tired, we tried. That we’ll forever be The weeks following the inauguration try as she recited her nearly six mi- tied together, victorious.” She re- have also been quite exciting for the 22 nute long poem, “The Hill We minds her fellow Americans that the -year-old. The Hill We Climb and Change Climb.” She, too, made history that future is in our hands and that we will Sings : A Children’s Anthem, two of her day as the youngest poet ever to re- be the ones leaving it behind for the upcoming books sky rocketed to the cite a poem at a presidential inaugura- generations to come. And most im- top of Amazon’s bestseller list, taking tion. portantly, in her majestic manner and the two top spots. The Hill We Climb, brave aura, Amanda Gorman lets us set for release on March 16th, 2021, Oprah Winfrey claims she has “never know that there is light and that day received a forward by Oprah Winfrey, been prouder to see another young will arrive. one of her inspirations. And just re- woman rise,” former President cently, Gorman made history once Barack Obama said she delivered a That day Gorman demonstrated her again as she composed another original poem “that more than met the mo- mastery of a gift, amazing each and piece of her own and recited it at the ment,” and many other celebrities every single person watching. The Super Bowl LV’s pregame ceremony, took the time to praise the young po- way she recited it along with her en- where she honored essential workers et for the world-changing words she couraging hand movements as they James Martin, Suzie Doner, and spoke. expressed what she was truly feeling Trimaine Davis. deep down inside of her captivated “But while democracy can be periodi- everyone’s attention. So much power This is just the beginning for not just cally delayed, it can never be perma- told in such a graceful yet moving Amanda Gorman, but for the new gen- nently defeated,” Gorman declared to manner. eration, also referred to as “Gen-Z” to those before her and to the millions rise. It’s young people like her that watching around the country in their Before making her groundbreaking can and will make a difference in the homes. “In this truth, in this faith we moment, Gorman had already a few world. Anyone can. As Gorman so trust, for while we have our eyes on accomplishments of her own. In the eloquently put it, “For there is always the future, history has its eyes on us.” year 2014, she was chosen as the light, if only we’re brave enough to At a length of 723 words, “The Hill youth poet laureate of Los Angeles, see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.”

PAGE 7 COMET

Condemning Violence

Written by: Cory Wright Political pundits in the United States immediately began to express their thoughts on the impeachment and too many did so while contradicting them- selves. Their stance on violence seemed to change when it hit so close to home. They all condemn violence now, as they should, but didn’t before. In 2018, President Joe Biden revealed that he wasn’t interested in debating Trump. In fact, Biden claimed that he would “take him behind the gym” if they were in high school. That same year House Rep. of California Maxine Waters gave a speech which included the orders to “create a crowd” and “push back” on the members of Trump’s cabinet if they are spotted in Pictured: Rioters storm the Capital. (nbcnews.com) public. Even actors got in on it. Ma- donna and Johnny Depp suggested On January 6th, the world of US poli- Many would go unnamed and forgot- they felt like blowing up the White tics was flipped on its head once more. ten, people like John Tiggs from Illinois House and assassinating the president The coverage of the riot was at the fore- who was murdered during lootings in respectively. Kathy Griffin did a pho- front of media coverage, and rightfully southern Chicago. May 31st was the toshoot with a replica of Trump’s so. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the only deadliest day in recorded Chicago histo- head, a head detached at the neck from thing being covered. Various political ry with 18 murders within 24 hours, his body and covered in blood. Michi- leaders instantly made their feelings most likely a result of the perceived gan Rep. Cynthia Johnson told clear, which would have been perfectly impunity that the lack of police availa- “trumpers'' to be careful and tread fine, had they not accidentally shown bility permitted. Rev. Michael Pfleger, lightly. In the same video she subse- their true colors. leader of the St. Sabina church in Chica- quently told her followers who were go’s 12th most dangerous neighbor- in the military that they “know how to To understand the scope of the hypocri- hood, explained that Chicago was “open do it, make them pay.” Rep. Alexan- sy, one must first understand the con- season” because “there’s no police any- dria Ocasio-Cortez infamously claimed text. Over the summer, various riots where”. that “the whole point of protesting is broke out in condemnation of the mur- to make [people] uncomfortable” back der of George Floyd and systemic rac- Considering violence like that, it's easy in December. AOC’s feelings on ism as a whole. The 1619 riots, named to see why some people were outraged “protesting” seemed to change after after Nikole Hannah-Jones’s controver- at CNN host Chris Cuomo defending she experienced it first hand. “I sial long-form journalism project, be- the violence by asking people to “show thought I was going to die” she ex- came a topic of political discourse that [him] where it says protesters are sup- plained on an Instagram Live video. has now come back to haunt many of posed to be polite and peaceful”. On the riots’ defenders. From May 26-June the 6th however, Cuomo condemned These people condemn violence now, 8, it is estimated that the damages to- the Capitol Hill riots for being “not but what about tomorrow? I do hope taled around $1-2 billion in insurance peaceful” because Trump is “not about that AOC, along with all of the people money. More importantly, the chaos peace” in response to one of Trump’s who have incited or excused violence caused by the riots resulted in unneces- final tweets. before and now claim to hate it, can sary loss of life. On June 8th a total of learn from their mistakes. One can 19 people had already been killed. Chris Cuomo wasn’t alone. only hope. PAGE 8 COMET Zombie Insects Invade New York

Written by: Kaitlyn Verdugo Ortiz You may start hearing a familiar buzz Although some trees are affected by Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, North in the air as the warmer weather cicadas and their groove making, Carolina, New Jersey, New York, hits. they are, for the most part, harmless Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vir- creatures. In fact these bugs are ginia, West Virginia, and Washington, Bugs are undeniably crucial to our demonstrative of various talents. D.C. They are predicted to come out environment by providing biodiver- Cicadas are insects who are partially of hiding by May to late June when soil sity and the balancing of the food blessed with the ability to sing. hits 64 degrees Fahrenheit, right at the chain. After seventeen years of un- Males are those who can flex their verge of their life cycle. derground isolation, the cicada bugs tymbals, drum-like organs in their Something that can be alarming, is the are ready to rise from underground abdomens, allowing them to sing. recent correlation found between cica- homes and into our lives. Starting Some cicadas, both females and das and fungi. Massospora fungus in- from a rice sized egg in grooves their males, can make noise by flicking fected cicadas are instantaneously hi- mother’s dig in trees and feeding their wings. However, these sounds jacked. It takes over the lower portion from tree liquid, young cicadas start can reach up to 100 decibels, and of the cicada, while keeping it alive, digging a whole underground where when in a great population, can and spreads spores that infect younger they stay for up to 17 years, depend- cause disturbances in areas of resi- cicadas. However, this is not affecting ing on the species. After the 2 to 17 dence. Considering that the deafen- their population whatsoever, instead it years, cicadas come to the surface as ing level of decibels is 120, this can is producing a new generation of nymphs and shed their nymph exo- be a worrying cause. “zombie” cicadas. skeleton so that their wings can in- flate with fluid. This liquid, haemo- The COVID-19 pandemic has some- Do not be alarmed! Although this bug lymph, and their adult skin is how overlapped with this momen- may be an infested parasite, a cicada’s strengthened as a result. At this adult tous occasion, which might be in main priority is still to find a mate after stage as imagoes, the cicadas are fo- best interest for people prone to their 17 year reappearance. Due to cused on finding a mate and breed- mass infestation. States in the US their small size, cicadas can be threat- ing. But, exactly why are these bugs that are going to be immediately ened when alone, and therefore will being feared? affected by these insects are Dela- only come out in sufficient numbers. ware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, According to Michael J. Raupp, profes- sor of Entomology at the University of Maryland and a fellow of the Entomo- logical Society of America, these bugs reach up to 1.5 million per acre. In terms of our New York area, this could mean trillions of cicadas would be pre- sent just between us and Georgia.

Regardless of quantity, it is important to stress the importance of wildlife that is not harmful to human kind. It may seem petrifying to acknowledge that these beings are necessary, but they hold a beautiful representation of the life cycle. As human beings, we should honor their wish of 17 year isolation.

Pictured: A zombie cicada! (usatoday.com)

PAGE 9 COMET Over-hyped novels and plays

Written by: Marian Rai Romeo and Juliet coming after me, I’ll get one thing cut and the Cullens went into a frenzy. straight. I actually liked this novel. It By William Shakespeare was the over-hype for me that killed How’s that for an overhype? Ah, the play that launched a thousand all my joy. This novel was beautifully The Great Gatsby tragedies. Let’s start right off the bat written, no doubt, but there are other with this universally acclaimed novel; novels, addressing the same problems By F. Scott Fitzgerald one of the best romantic stories ever that are adequately well-written yet I might actually be too scared to attend written. Two star-crossed lovers who significantly less popular. And half of Mrs. Lypen’s classes after this,but here sacrificed themselves in the name of the people who say they like the book, we go (*inaudible sobs*). The prose of love. How heart-warming! One rare- haven’t even read it; they watched the Great Gatsby is impeccable and the ly comes across this level of affection movies. So let’s cut some slack for this setting is just as beautifully crafted. But nowadays; everything in this play is novel, okay? Okay. other than that, the characters just right on point. Except for the fact come off as a bunch of morally com- that they had known each other for a placent people, all morbidly doing the day, and that Romeo was just 16 and The Twilight Series job of representing one thing or the Juliet only 13, and that Romeo had By Stephanie Meyer other. Sure it is a great novel, but not been heartbroken over a girl just really a be all, end all epitome of Great minutes before meeting Juliet (and Again, I liked this novel [I’m team American Novel. comparing her to the Sun while stand- Bella ;)], but it was the part where ing in the middle of her garden at Edward started glowing, and I’m talk- night.*shudders*) ing radiating-glitters-from his body glowing, in the sun that I died a little inside. Let’s admit it, we all did. Jokes The Fault in Our Stars aside, I felt that the characters did not really know what they were doing half By John Green of the time and the entire second nov- Now before all the TFiOS fans start el was based on how Bella got a paper-

PAGE 10 COMET

OLIVIA RODRIGO—RIDING TO THE TOP

Written by: Roxy Dias

The world has been obsessed with Olivia Rodrigo is a huge Taylor can be vulnerable with. Olivia Rodrigo’s first single, Swift fan, and says that everything “Driver’s License” as it remains on she writes draws inspiration from Many new fans expect big things for the top spot of Billboard 100 for the Taylor Swift’s imagery and song- Rodrigo. Although there is not a fourth week in a row since its initial writing style. She often refers to specific release date for her debut release in January. The singer, at on- Taylor Swift as her musical mother. album yet, she is planning to release ly 17 years old, has surpassed numer- In fact, she was swept away when one soon. She has uploaded small ous records with this global hit, in- Taylor Swift herself commented on clips of her singing different songs cluding the record for the most Rodrigo’s Instagram post of being she’s written, which people have streams in a single day on Spotify, elated to be on the charts with Tay- enjoyed. When referring to the with 13 million streams. This is ex- lor. Her other major musical inspi- sound, she has stated, “My dream is tremely impressive, especially con- ration is Lorde, famously known for to have it be an intersection be- sidering this was Rodrigo’s debut her hit “Royals” at age 16. Rodrigo tween mainstream pop, folk music, song, and she did not have a strong appreciates raw, honest songwriting and alternative rock." After her rec- fan base like other household names. of these artists and has been com- ord breaking success, the world is pared strongly to both of them. She waiting to see what she has next, Rodrigo has been a Disney Channel has also drawn the attention of nu- and whether she will live up to the star for years, and is currently star- merous other artists and huge celeb- high expectations people have for ring on the show “High School Musi- rities that she’s been a fan of, includ- the future of her career. cal: The Series.” She has previously ing Halsey, Niall Horan, Courteney written one song for the show called Cox, and Jimmy Fallon. Some be- “All I Want,” which ended up being lieve that she can become “The Next the most streamed song of the show Taylor Swift.” Rodrigo hopes to with over 200 million streams. She’s continue to create music that people been performing on stage since she was a child, and has started her song- writing journey around less than two years ago.

The hit “Driver’s License” is about a teenage heartbreak. Part of the song’s popularity is attributed to dra- ma from the show, and a love trian- gle including two other Disney Channel stars, Joshua Basset and Sa- brina Carpenter. This sparked viral conversation on TikTok, including hilarious renditions of the song from different perspectives, new trends, and other interesting insights regard- ing the song and drama.

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5 BOOKS YOU NEED TO READ

Written by: Kaitlyn Corbett The Hate U Give. Where the Sidewalk Ends In every book there is a message, a By Angie Thomas By Shel Silverstein theme, a lesson you learn. I’m still a Where the Side- teenager that’s learning and making Starr is a teenage girl walk Ends is a my way through life, and I like to who grapples with three-stanza poem read books that show a meaning to a racism, police bru- that depicts the life, a book that I could gain tality, and activism adult world as knowledge from. There are five after witnessing her something harsh books you need to read before you black friend get and demanding, in leave your teenage years, and those murdered by the contrast to a more are: police. Star starts having nightmares over the death of her childlike mentali- other childhood friend Natasha who ty that can pro- The Perks of Being a died in a crossfire of a gang shooting. vide a break from the responsibilities Wallflower This sets off an idea for Starr to start a and pressures of being an adult. In the by Stephen Chbosky protest. She does so with her communi- poem, the author Shel Silverstein is ty. It turns into chaos and a huge ordeal essentially suggesting that there is a The main char- because Starr along with her black com- magical place that children know of acter Charlie is munity want to stand up for their rights "where the sidewalk ends." That place a fifteen year and for the people they have lost be- represents childhood, its innocence, old narrator. cause of the police force. and its fundamentally different way of He has just looking at the world, as opposed to the

entered his way that adults view it. Silverstein freshman year The Art of Not Falling Apart wrote the poem for children but many of high school. By Christina Patterson of the ideas expressed in the poem are Charlie is the actually meant for adults. For instance, e p o n y m o u s Most of us want he made allusions about the fact that “wallflower.” love, a nice home, adults live in a dark world full of de- He is quiet and withdrawn, but he is good work, and hap- pression while children also observant and thoughtful, al- py children. Some of live in a joyful and live- ways paying close attention to eve- us grew up with par- ly world. He maintains rything going on around him, in ents who made these that adults need to take every little detail. Charlie was grap- things look relatively a step back and use the pling with two traumatic deaths: his easy and assumed we mindset of children in best friend from suicide and his would get them, order to locate joy and Aunt Helen. Charlie suffers from too. In some cases, happiness just as the post traumatic stress disorder from we don’t. So what kids have. those two deaths. Charlie soon does that lead us to do? For Christina learns acceptance and develops a Patterson, it was her job as a journalist friend group while in high school. that kept her going through the ups and The House on Mango Street which pulled him out of his shell. downs of life. And then she lost that, By Sandra Cisneros However, his inner sadness shatters too. Dreaming of revenge and irritated On Mango Street is a feminist novel him in the end and he has to learn by self-help books, she decided to do written through the eyes of a pre-teen, how to get out on his own, how to the kind of interviews she had never Esperanza. Throughout the novel there reflect. done before. The book should be re- are vignettes of each woman’s story on quired of anyone giving up, because in Mango Street. Each story is filled with this book, you learn about extraordinary a woman's lack of power, freedom, life stories of hardship and pain in hu- and mistreatment. man nature.

President NEED SCHOOL SUPPLIES? Roxy Dias NEED A SNACK? Vice President Sneha Gouli

Treasurer VISIT Maeryam Nasari

Secretary TTHEHE CCOMETOMET SSHOPHOP!! Mallika Rangi

Contributing Reporters Kaitlyn Corbett Harjot Kumari OPEN EVERY DAY Zahel Nasari Gia Rangi Marian Rai DURING LUNCH PERIODS Danna Taboada Kaitlyn Verdugo Ortiz Robert Velasquez Cory Wright NOW SELLING Comet Cartoonist Isabella Weber  SCHOOL APPAREL Advisors: Ms. Civello  FACE MASKS Mr. Cohn

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Board of Education District Administration High School Administration Phil Heckler, President Ms. Marianne Litzman, Superintendent of Schools Raymond Williams, Principal Brenda Judson, Vice President Rosemarie Coletti, Assistant Superintendent for Personnel Lauren DuBeau, Assistant Principal Carla Hoene, Secretary Anthony Lubrano, Assistant Superintendent for Patrick Harris, Assistant Principal Curriculum & Instruction Christopher Amato, Trustee Walter Roche, Assistant Principal Marcy Tannenbaum, Assistant Superintendent for Business Kevin J. Carroll, Trustee Timothy Sweeney, Assistant Principal Brendan McGowan, Supervisor of English Language Arts Sunita Manjrekar, Trustee Linda Imbriale, Trustee