October 14, 2025

Movies or TV shows? This has been an ongoing debate about which is better and for what reasons. In Beloved Community Charter School, students were interviewed for their take on which format they preferred.. What captivates an audience? How long can they stay entertained for? After gathering the students' opinions, will this debate come to an end or continue like the 22+ seasons of Grey's Anatomy? 

Some students expressed a clear preference for movies. Lyana and Mariam both answered that they like movies more and tend to watch them more often. Amairani shared a similar opinion, saying, “I love watching movies and also tend to watch them more.”  

These responses suggest that movies may appeal to students who enjoy complete stories in a shorter time frame. The convenience of finishing a movie in one sitting could be a major factor in their preference. Movies also tend to offer higher production value and a more cinematic experience, which can be especially appealing for those who enjoy visual storytelling. 

Other students leaned toward TV shows. Dariell and Yamira both said they prefer watching TV shows over movies and do so more frequently. Jessica had a more nuanced view, saying, “I like to watch both, however I watch TV shows more.” London also favored TV shows, explaining that movies are too long and she watches both equally. These students may enjoy the ongoing storylines and character development that TV shows have, as well as being able to watch episodes at their own pace. 

Interestingly, some students showed a mismatch between what they like and what they actually watch. Nafissa said, “I like to watch TV shows more, but I do tend to watch movies more,” while Jayden stated, “I like movies more, but watch TV shows more.” This highlights how viewing habits don't always align with personal preferences. Different factors like availability, time, and mood might influence what students end up watching, even if it’s not their favorite form of entertainment. Another factor to consider is how social influence affects viewing choices. Students may watch certain shows or movies because their friends are watching them.

After hearing from these students, it is clear that the debate between movies and TV shows isn’t going away any time soon. While some students prefer the quick satisfaction of a movie, others enjoy the long-term storytelling of a TV series. And for many, what they like doesn’t always match what they watch. Whether it’s a two hour blockbuster or a bing-worthy season of a TV show, both formats have their own strengths and their fans. So, will this debate ever be settled? Probably not. But just like Grey's Anatomy, it’s bound to keep going season after season. 

October 7, 2025

The start of senior year brings on a  high rush of emotions. A feel of excitement for what's ahead and reflection on all that's behind. For many Seniors  it's not just preparing for graduation but also getting ready to look  back on the four years that shaped who they are today. From first day anxiety as a freshmen to the confidence of their final year, seniors carry the lessons, memories, and friendships that define their high school journey.

For the class of 2026 these mixed  feelings are clear.  Jessica admitted “I feel very anxious and excited”. Lolita says “I feel kind of normal right now, but I know that it's gonna get harder throughout the year”. Lellian captured both sides  “I feel excited, very stressed but I'm excited for graduation and stressed for the workload ahead”. Jayden shared “I’m nervous for the future, but I'm also excited for my future overall”. And Muhammad summed it up “I feel mature”. 

Looking back, many seniors find that their  favorite memories are tied to many shared experiences and personal growth. Many seem to recall school dances and field trips as unforgettable moments, while others think highly  of laughing in class with friends and enjoying the routines of their day to day life. Athletic events, like track meets and cross-country races, stand out for those who put all their energy into sports. Others remember the pride of stepping out of their comfort zone, making new friends or finding the courage to speak up more. 

Throughout the four years, every senior has changed in different ways. While some feel their personality has remained steady or the same, their mindset and maturity have evolved. Many now see the importance of both focus and discipline, recognizing how much they have grown academically and emotionally. Where freshman year may have felt confusing  and overwhelming, senior year brings a stronger sense of both identity and direction. 

Looking back, most students agree they would have different choices if given the opportunity to go back. Whether it was taking their  grades more seriously, managing time better, getting more sleep, or becoming involved earlier, their reflections show how much they have learned about responsibility and balance. 

Friendships have also played a powerful role. Strong bonds have supported many people through the ups and downs of high school. Some value how their friendships have deepened over time, while others appreciate the fun and support their friends have provided them. These relationships have helped shape not only their high school experience but also who they have become.  

As graduation approaches, seniors are learning to balance holding onto the past with preparing for the future. With goals ranging from good grades and personal growth to getting into their dream colleges or buying their first car, the Class of 2026 is ready to finish strong and step into the next chapter with pride.

October 7, 2025

Goodbye Junior Year. Welcome Senior Year. It’s only been a month in and all seniors are 

saying – “Is there homework?” “Did you do your common app application?” “Isn’t this year more stressful?” 

When it comes to all these questions, it is normal. Seniors have to keep up with college applications, AP classes, constant homeworks, upcoming IA’s, and even more every quarter. Even throughout this, the senior mindset remains “it's the last year and only a couple months left.” 

I interviewed my fellow seniors focusing on the junior year vs. senior senior (so far). 

Many students have agreed that this senior year has been a stressful start compared to any other school year.

“Senior year has been jaw dropping to the point where I can’t pick it back up,” senior Manahil Ashfaq stated. 

“All I can think about is the work getting piled up every day,” senior Jayden Terrero stated. 

I agree. 

“Can the beginning of senior year be worse than last year?” was a follow up question. 

Out of 14 senior students in the Journalism class, 8 students have agreed that senior year has been more stressful than junior year. 

But how can we make it better for seniors? was the follow up question. 

“Give less homework” Ashfaq stated. 

Girl, I agree!

Others stated, “give at least one day as a use of a study hall” 

Even through challenges, my final message for all of Class of 2026, I know we will thrive until graduation day and we will make it out!

September 18, 2025

With the pressure of college applications, graduation, and choosing the right major around the corner, many seniors at Beloved may fall into the trap of the infamous “senioritis”. Some Beloved students have experienced this first hand and advise students to get out of any rut they may find themselves in and find a sense of motivation.

Although “senioritis” is often used as a joke, it is a real thing students experience. It is described as “a loss of motivation felt by students who are reaching the end of their courses”. Some symptoms may include: a drop in grades, late assignments, procrastination, and poor attendance.

 One Beloved student anonymously shares her first time experiencing senioritis through her junior year AP Literature class. 

She says, “the coursework felt too heavy,” leaving her feeling drained and stuck. 

Because of this, the student’s health declined, having to leave school early often, and became on academic probation for the National Honors Society. 

Amsashepsu Fraizer, a senior in Beloved, agreed with the student and said that the same class brought him to have “junioritis,” due to its 3-5 hour homeworks, plus the work from other classes. 

From these two interviews and personal experience, senioritis usually starts towards late junior year, as work starts to get heavy.

On top of that, seniors have to find a balance between their life outside school, extracurriculars, and personal time. At most, this can be overwhelming and can often times make students feel lost. But, it is important to know how to help yourself or speak up when you are feeling this way. 

This not only impacts your mental health and well-being, but it may put your college offers at risk. Even after submitting your college application and getting into colleges, they still monitor your activities in senior year. They may revoke their offers, financial aid, or put students on academic probation due to if they see efforts drop. This is why it is significant to be aware of the consequences of senioritis, because it can potentially ruin many opportunities for the future. 

How can you help yourself when feeling like this? How can the school help?

 One student advises to “Take everything one step at a time,” and to “focus on what’s happening in the moment rather than the future.” 

Although your time as an upperclassman is to set you up for your near future, don’t forget to enjoy whatever time you have left as a high school student. 

Amsa advises to take a more physical approach, and to journal and track your responsibilities to stay organized. Additionally, he says to ask for help from teachers whenever needed and “build relationships,” as they will always be happy to help. 

As for Beloved, both students wish for mental health days such as “Wellness Wednesdays.” 

Senioritis may feel like a dark cloud over your last months of high school, but that doesn’t mean you have to let it define your journey. Prove yourself of your strength through balancing your responsibilities, turning in assignments on time, and pushing yourself to make the most of it. 

Remember the bigger picture and end goal, don’t let being overwhelmed take over your senior year experience. Stay in the present moment, cherish your support system and communities, and keep yourself healthy. Remember that this is preparation for adult life and that graduation is only the beginning to achieve your desired future. Go Owls!

September 18, 2025

BelovED Community Charter High Schools upperclassmen, Class of 2026 and Class of 2027. 6 or 7? On the rise of modern day memes, the term “6 7” has become popular among our highschoolers, is it getting old? 

We decided to get the input of BelovED’s math department on “6 7” due to its numerical identity, along with getting the insight of some students at BelovED about it. Not only the term “6 7” but how modern day (brainrotted) memes are affecting or not affecting this generation of teens and children. Brain space,

We wanted the opinion of teachers in the math department on this modern day meme because of its numerical identity and how it's affecting the BelovED environment. 

Mr.DeGuzman, Algebra II and Computer Science teacher, says that he’s heard it from a TikTok audio that has recently been one of the biggest trends. The video is essentially edits of a basketball player and the background is a song about “67”. Mr. DeGuzman also adds that the concept of brainrot or our generation's modern day memes are  “the same as any other generation, [but they]  haven't called it [brainrot]”. 

We also wanted the input of Calculus Teacher, Mr. Kankam, starting with him establishing that he hears it very often. He says, “Uh, kind of almost every time, 'cause I talk with my hands, so when I do this, six seven, so every time it disrupts a class”.  When asked about AI, Mr. Kankam says “Oh. I mean, it's not pushing  students to think anymore”.He also compares it to the past meme, “9+10=21”. Mr. K says “ it's just like that 21 thing that came about, you know, when everyone was like 21…  it was just like the same thing.. I guess people find funny things in very small things. Right. That's always good, but to an extent”.

Pre-Calc and AP Statistics Teacher, Mr. Dovlet, when asked how often he hears it, responds with “sometimes, I would say once or twice per day overall”. When asked if it disrupts the class, he responds with “Yes very much” .The reaction Mr. Dovlet observes, is documented as  “[the students acting] very immature they start laughing which is unbelievable like something I would never do”, in a very sarcastic manner. He also says that the concept of brainrot “ [is] brainrotting our brains, including students in our school- not affecting teachers”. Also adding that he has attempted to make a “67” joke and the teachers looked at him like he was crazy.

Additionally, we conducted an interview with AP Physics Teacher, Ms. Jones,  since the class requires a heavy amount of math. Ms. Jones says she hears the term about 20 times a class period. She also shares that when a student brings it up, it usually has nothing to do with the content of their class at the time, expressing that “in class is not the best time to use it”, but “[she does not]  necessarily think its a bad thing its just the emotional intelligence, and immaturity to know when and where to use it”. Ms. Jones also adds that brainrot “takes up valuable brain space , tak[ing] up brain space for things you could be doing something else with”. 

Arthur Abbott and Hysawn Person, seniors at BelovED, claim to hear “67” “all the time nonstop”. However, instead of hating it they both claim to enjoy the ‘67’ jokes. More specifically, Hysawn “loves it” and believes that “Brain rot is doing good things to the youth” and how “[his] brain is expanding from it”. Similarly Arthur believes that the joke is not overused and more students should keep using it. In some students' perspective “67” is a fun joke and others should continue to say it more in class. However, other students disagree. Elena-Michelle, Senior at BelovED, claims that she hears it “four or five times a day” and in contrast to Arthur and Hysawn she claims that it "disrupts learning”. Although she has claimed to make a ‘67’ joke before with her friends, she is in agreement with other teachers that it is affecting the classrooms and brainrot in general is affecting students. 

Although it may seem like a fun joke, it is clear that brainrot has affected the math classrooms of BelovED. The numbers 6 and 7 have been seen in math problems and it is notable to say that they have disrupted the classrooms in some way. Yes, some students can enjoy having a laugh about it but others prioritize their education and the constant disruption can affect it. 

September 18, 2025

At Beloved Community Charter school, students are spending more and more time on their phones in 2025. Whether it's scrolling through social media apps like tiktok or instagram or texting a loved one or close friend during lunch. Despite all this, students seem to think that using your phone 24/7 is quite normal.

“My daily average is about nine hours and 30 minutes,”  Erick, a senior at Beloved Community Charter School, stated. “ I tend to spend a lot of time on certain social media apps like tiktok but I am trying to work on also reducing my focus on certain apps like instagram and being on my phone also affects my screentime as I tend to use it more instead of getting some sleep. I do think on the other hand that us teens do tend to use our phones more than average and we should figure out a way to reduce that” Erick adds on.

Furthermore, another student also states, “My screen time is about 5 hours and I think that nowadays in society a lot of people see it as normal. I also find myself being distracted by my phone. For example, when I’m doing my homework I just tend to pick it up and go on apps like tiktok. It affects my schedule in a way because instead of going to sleep I just scroll on my phone so it shortens the amount of sleep I get” said Aribah, a senior at a Beloved Community Charter School.

In addition relating to the previous quotes another student also says, “My screen time is about 4 hours and 18 minutes and I somehow think that affects my schoolwork or schedule because when I’m doing my homework or when I’m studying I tend to pick up my phone a lot and it makes my screen time go up and I also go to sleep really late due to the fact that I use my phone right before bed” said Marwa, a senior at Beloved Community Charter School.

Recent data from 2023 shows that the overuse of cellular devices and screens are pretty common. According to the U.S National Health Interview survey, it emphasizes the drastic increase of phone usage or screens between July 2021 and December 2023. 50.4 percent of teenagers ages 12 to 17 report having 4 or more hours of screentime. This source also states how teens who have higher screentimes are more likely to develop symptoms of anxiety or depression.

This all portrays how teens in this generation have a high tendency of using their phones more than they need to, rather than focusing on other things like hobbies or reading a book or even going outside most of the time with friends. On the other hand, most teens do realize that the amount of time they spend on their cellular devices is excessive but still do nothing to limit it.

February 24, 2025

As the quarters quickly come to an end and upcoming SATs for our 11th grade scholars, we must treat them with something special. That is: the upcoming 11th grade incentive!! Our hardworking 11th grade team has worked so hard on our behavior to get something we deserve. Many students have been waiting and working throughout this year through stress and exams. 

According to the head of the 11th grade team, Mr. Santoni, the 11th grade scholars will be taken to AMC Cinema to watch Captain America: Brave New World that has recently been released as long as they have followed all the requirements necessary. 

These requirements include: 

• Reducing personal referrals of cell phone, disrespect/derogatory language by at least 50%. 

According to the 11th grade team as a whole, most students and teachers agree the requirements for the trip are acceptable and reasonable. As for teachers, Ms. Barbato, the 11th and 12th grade AP World History teacher in her first year at BelovED, states that this incentive seems,“very fair, [since] incentives are a privilege not a right, and must be earned by students rather than guaranteed” (Barbato). Additionally, Manahil Ashfaq, a 11th grade scholar, states that this incentive requirement is “pretty clear and straightforward meaning it’s either you earn it or not” (Ashfaq). 

According to records, most 11th grade students have earned this incentive! With that being said, I asked BelovED juniors and teachers how they feel about this incentive. The answers were exciting. 

According to the BelovED 11th grade teacher team, Ms. Barbato, emphasizes that “[this” incentive is really cool…..and …. thought out and appropriate for the students interests” (Barbato). Furthermore, Mr. Ramos, an 11/12th grade teacher, highlights that “[he’s] really impressed by this incentive and excited to spend time with students outside of the classroom and see them take a mental break” (Ramos). 

On Monday, February 24, 2025, the Movie incentive eligibility was sent out to all students who were allowed to go. According to statistics, around half of the students are eligible for a free movie trip to AMC!

Knowing that SAT and state testing is coming up for our 11th grade community, this incentive trip will reward students who have been working hard, scholarly, and serves as a preparation for our students mentally to prepare them to score the best score on the exams!

February 20, 2025

The BelovED 2024-2025 year track team are reflecting on their years with the sport on and off the field. After an in depth interview with a couple of the track stars, we’ve learned the insight into the mind of a BelovED athlete. The team has accomplished a lot in the few months of competition, such as breaking school records and many kids placing as the leaders for Hudson County. 

When interviewing team captain Brownie Black, Distance runner Jazlyne Aguilera, and Hurdler Shaila Duarte-Moran, I gained a good amount of insight into the real minds of these athletes and their specialties. When asked about his most memorable races, Brownie replied with, “When I got sub 5 at the New York armory, which is one of my best races and I felt so good after that, I was so happy.” During this race, Brownie had set a new school record of 4:55.89 in the 1600 meter run at the New York Armory, (but proceeded to break this record on Saturday February 15th at Sectionals at the Bubble). Brownie has told us his pre-race preparations that he does, which include finding out his workload, stretching, hydrating, and carb-loading the night before.

Cross country captain and distance runner Jazlyne Aguilera was asked about her own feelings about track and shared a lot of new advice for upcoming runners in the long distance category. Aguilera was asked about any advice she may have for any people looking to join distance running, she replied, “Continue working at that pace, don’t give up just because it’s long and you haven’t seen progress. I’ve seen people go from distance to sprinting because they haven’t seen progress, but it’s just as motivating once you see progress and set/break personal records.” Jazlyne has the current 3200 and 1600 records for indoor track, and has broken her own 1600 record this season with a time of 6:03.82.

Senior hurdler Shaila Duarte-Moran was also interviewed about her time running track and her future goals. When asked about her goals for the rest of the season and college, she said, “My goal is to just keep breaking my personal records, and I also really want to get the school record for the 400 hurdles.” When talking about college athletics, she replied with, “I don’t think I’ll be running for my first year of college, but hopefully I can train hard and be able to run after, because I would really love the opportunity to run for college.” Duarte-Moran previously broke the school record for the Shuttle Hurdle Relay, alongside Emely Segarra, London Coleman, and Israe Bouchaaib.

The team has improved a lot as the season has progressed and they have a lot more to go as the spring season is approaching. We are looking forward to breaking many more records and gaining more spots as the county leaders. The team is continuously improving and growing with many new people joining us. 

February  20, 2025

Procrastination is a common struggle for many Beloved  High School students, especially in the 10th grade. This stage of education is marked by increased academic demands, greater responsibilities, and heightened expectations from teachers and parents. As students juggle multiple subjects, extracurricular activities, jobs and even social pressures it’s easy for them to fall into the habit of delaying tasks. However, procrastination can lead to significant stress, low grades and a habit that is difficult to break.

One of the main reasons procrastination takes place in the 10th grade classrooms is the volume of the work. With assignments from multiple classes and the pressure of standardized tests like NJSLA , PSAT, and college preparation, students may feel overwhelmed. Rather than facing the workload head-on, some may choose to avoid it altogether. This avoidance may feel like temporary relief but often results in rushed, mediocre work completed at the last minute

The more students delay, the more the weight of unfinished assignments grows. For example, a student who puts off studying for a history exam until the night before may experience panic and self-doubt, leading to a lack of sleep and poor test performance.

We spoke to sophomore Briana Vargas, and this is how she feels about the topic of procrastination. Briana, a member of the student council, book club, and fashion club, is also a big sister to a younger brother she takes care of. She says that after-school responsibilities like that take a big toll on her procrastination.

In her experience, some teachers are understanding. Briana gives kudos to Ms. Ortiz, her 10th-grade history teacher, for her support and reasoning. “I remember one day I was really sick and couldn’t catch up with assignments, and Ms. Ortiz was really helpful.”

Briana advises teachers to be more open to listening, offering help, and providing encouragement, as it can ultimately impact a student’s entire high school journey.

From a teacher’s perspective, Ms. Bridges, a 9th-grade biology teacher, says she accepts late work but with a penalty. She advises students who are prone to procrastination to use their planners, set alarms, and take responsibility. She also mentions that students are offered a study hall/college readiness period, where they have an entire period to get ahead on homework or make up missing work.

Breaking the cycle of procrastination requires self-awareness and discipline. Setting small, achievable goals can help students manage their workload more effectively. Additionally, creating a structured study routine can reduce the temptation to delay tasks. Seeking help from teachers, parents, or counselors is also an important step for students who feel stuck.

Ultimately, procrastination is a difficult habit to overcome. By acknowledging the problem and taking proactive steps to address it, 10th graders can develop essential time management skills that will aid them throughout their high school years and further.

February 20, 2025

To start off February, the ninth grade team decided to organize a special event that took place on February 14th, Valentine’s Day. This Incentive Day was a way that paid off students’ hard work for Quarter 2 and completing their IA’s. But keep your eyes ahead because you’ll be marking your calendars for an upcoming Slam Poetry Event for all grade levels!

To recap the incentive, this day involved amusing activities, where Ms. Bridges liked to call them “Switch ‘Em Up”, that kept students engaged. In each classroom, there were different activities that involved board games, TikTok challenges and dances, card games, Family Feud, and arts & crafts.That day, students followed a half-day schedule where they went to their first three periods as normal classes, and the rest of the day began with the exciting entertainment.

In addition to the incentive day for the freshmans, the Slam Poetry event applies to all grade levels that allows students to express their identity and unique talents, and will take place on the 28th of February. It is an annual event that looks forward to celebrating black history, culture, and diversity that we have here in BelovED High School. This event will make students from different backgrounds feel heard.

To start off the Slam Poetry event, Ms. Bridges, the host, will hype up the crowd. The performers will provide a collection of poems, dances, artworks, and any other pieces of work that represent their talent to the audience. They are allowed to present poems that are originally written by them, or a poem written by a different author. Before being allowed to participate, Mrs. Scisms, or Ms. Bridges, will have to review your poem beforehand, so they can provide insight and feedback on it.

“The Slam Poetry event is often used by communities that are underrepresented or underserved. Through this activity, I hope that this provides courage for students to share their voices in an artistic and creative way, and bring in the audience with them, so they can all unite with the same shared experiences,” Mrs. Scism comments. 

The ninth grade Incentive was full of engaging entertainment that kept students’ captivated, and that enthusiasm will be continued to the Slam Poetry. Keep your eyes and ears out for other upcoming events in BelovED High School, OWLS!

January 6, 2025

Heads up Beloved fellows, right here at Beloved Community Charter School, if you are trying to find the best fit club and you are the type of person who loves doing community service, go to Key Club. You can find many opportunities along with doing fun activities in the club in Room 204 on the second floor every Tuesday after school till five pm. Worried about the dismissal time, don’t worry you could leave at any time you desire. 

Key Club is a great opportunity to connect and communicate with others, and develop skills of leadership. As a Key Club member, I have participated in events that made me feel as if I am a person who could help others that are in need of help. For instance, on December 3, I got the chance to write holiday cards for kids in hospitals that will light their mood up and help them through the rough times they are going through. The club allowed me to show my other side of personality that I didn’t get the chance to show as it makes me feel good. 

In an interview with Ms. Gomez, she said, “I love when new students join! We are a club that is open to having new members at any point in time. We have a pretty good group as of now, but everyone is always welcome to join!” 

If you would like to participate in any of the upcoming fundraisers, join the club! Ms. Gomez would be more than happy to see you there on Tuesday. You could get to experience your opinion and Ms. Gomez is always open to ideas or anything you’re interested in.

January 6, 2025

An Interim Assessment (IA) is a quarterly test in core subjects such as Math, Science, English, and History. Its purpose is to evaluate students' retention of the material covered over the quarter and make sure they are prepared to progress throughout the school year.

Why are there questions about this quarter’s Interim Assessments? The fact that Quarter 2 IAs are scheduled just a week after returning from winter break has sparked discussion among Beloved Community students; scholars have expressed mixed emotions about the timing.

      When asked, 100% of students interviewed admitted they won’t study over winter break. This isn’t surprising being that winter break is typically a time for travel, celebrating the holidays, and relaxation. A chance for students to take a break from school. So, why would they prioritize studying during this time?

Ms. Addison, a sophomore Environmental Science teacher, shared strong opinions on the topic. She acknowledged that students are likely to forget some material over the break yet argued that the week before the assessments could be used for studying and review. “As long as new material is not taught, they will be fine,” she stated. Looking on the bright side, Ms. Addison emphasized that she wouldnt change the IA date even if she had the choice.

Yet, freshman Imalah Bennett disagrees,arguing that taking the IAs before winter break would be a better option. She believes that to be a sense of relief, allowing students to get the test over with while their knowledge is still fresh and in their brains, with a fresh start as they return from break.

               Overall, students and teachers have different opinions on the timing of Interim Assessments, yet both sides have valid points. Some argue for sufficient review time after break while others feel it's better to complete the test beforehand to ensure a fresh mindset. 

As for timing, having IAs after the break can allow students to reset and refocus, if the week before is dedicated to review and preparation.However, scheduling them before the break might reduce stress and ensure that the students are thoroughly prepared. Ultimately, it depends on how well the time leading up to the IA is managed. What do you think?

January 6, 2025

      Did you know big fashion trends and easy access to the internet affect your mental health?

Technology's development over the years has caused humans to become more reliant on it. This leads to major negative cons such as the impact of negative opinions on people's everyday lives, and, our main focus, the impact on fashion trends. An anonymous beloved student was interviewed with her experience on the topic. 

I interviewed an anonymous beloved scholar asking the main questions connected to this article. “How has your experience with the internet affected your overall mental health”. She replied, “It personally has its ups and downs but for the most part, comments on the internet under not only my post, but many creators are mostly negative”.

“People are entitled to their own opinions but it’s their approach that affects a person's mindset. Mean comments tend to make me think lowly of myself because I start to assume it’s what everyone thinks of me, and that’s all people see”. She offers obvious negative feelings of comments received from people on the internet. 

Internet comments can vary from negative to positive and affect someone's identity and mental health either way. Everyone is different and can have similar mindsets, but usually these cases of cyberbullying can mess with someone's confidence, or self identity. 

She was then asked why the internet's comments affect her, and she answered, “They affect my view on things. If a certain group of people, my friends for example, are telling me to not post something, I wouldn’t.” By making this statement it’s safe to assume that especially hearing someone's opinion that’s close to you into consideration can affect your own opinion.

She then was asked how does feeling influenced to follow trends of fashion's impact her own desired choice of fashion?. She answered, “It impacts it a lot. Fashion allows me to express myself and who I am and seeing trends and everyone else participating in fashion trends influences me to also participate in them when in reality it isn’t something I would want to wear.”

With this answer it shows fashion trends impact students' desires to feel free to be themselves. Due to the increased usage of the internet, trends spread more easily causing people to follow along. Rather than wearing something they would wear, they wear something that would help them fit in with society's standards. 

Big fashion trends can spread quicker now that technology has improved. On apps where statuses and ratings tend to be big, these fashion trends cause people to follow after one another. For example, the ugg shoe became big, especially for the gen z generation.

It’s a famous shoe mainly for the winter and fall seasons. Uggs have been big before but its spike in popularity occurred with Gen Z’s interest.

Fashion trends seen on the internet tend to spread quickly due to easy access to the internet. A rise in opinions, which usually differ, can affect one's conscious mind. People usually tend to judge people on the internet, especially since it’s easier for most to be more direct and mean, since they aren’t face to face.

Another fashion trend that became big is cargos. Many beloved students, including me, enjoy wearing them. It’s also all over social media as well. Cargos blew up everywhere, becoming a trend for many.

These examples of clothing and shoes are prime examples of trends becoming a bigger thing for the gen z generation. Trends like these impact personal desires and the need to satisfy others rather than wearing what they would prefer. Clothing plays a big part in people expressing themselves and giving them a chance to show others who they are.

So overall fashion and mental health are impacted by the internet/technology because they offer negativity more than positivity rather it’s negative comments or fashion trends that disable your ability to wear what you want or think positive things about yourself. It would improve positive outcomes in your life if less time was spent browsing the internet or using technology, or worrying about what others think about what you wear.

January 6, 2025

In today's fast paced world, fast food chains are scattered everywhere we go, it's easy for the average human being to make poor eating choices. These choices eventually lead to poor diets and impact many other areas in our lives. America is the number one country when it comes to obesity. 

These cultural phenomena have many significant consequences for our physical and mental well-being. It's crucial to understand why criticizing both diet and exercise is more important than ever, especially in today's day and age.

Rise of fast food chains: How it might be impacting our health

Over the past decade, the rise of fast food chains in America has increased significantly and it has really revolutionized how people eat. With hectic schedules, long working hours, deals, and the desire to have a quick cheap meal, fast food has become a go-to solution for most Americans who want a quick lunch. 

In today's world, you might come across junk foods being cheaper than healthier foods which could cause room for concern.

We asked 3 high school students what it feels like to live in today's world where fast food is growing rapidly and they all had to say the same negative things. They all noted that the rise of fast food really has had a significant impact on their ability to stay focused and healthy before their seasons. They also note it's “harder than ever to stay in shape” due to these fast food chains. 

These unhealthy foods may seem tempting due to their taste, affordability, and convenience, but they come at a cost for our long term health. These fast foods often lack many essential nutrients and are high in calories, saturated fats and carbs. Regular consumption of these foods can lead to weight gain, elevated cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. 

For many Americans, eating on the go has become a tradition/a lifestyle many follow, but failing to make healthy choices can quickly turn against you, leading you into poor eating habits and routines, ultimately leading to greater consequences.

The influence of technology on our health

We also asked those students how technology may also play a role in our health and some had mixed opinions. Leonardo Romano mentioned that, “Technology can go both ways with one side leading you to stay hooked and the other to help you with calorie tracking.” 

Luis Rosario, who plays for the Beloved soccer team, noted, “Technology has made it easier for us to avoid physical activity altogether and it has made it harder for us Americans to live a healthy lifestyle.”

While fast food chains make it easier to eat, technology has made it so much easier for us to avoid physical activity as well. With the rise of new apps, cellphones, and computers, it's easy to lose track and get hooked. 

Many people now spend hours on their desks sitting there doing absolutely nothing for days to come which can put many Americans at risk for serious health problems. This sedentary lifestyle has been linked to numerous health issues, including obesity, back and joint problems and increased stress level according to the CDC.

Consequences of lacking a healthy lifestyle

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 40% of adults are obese, and heart disease is also a leading cause of death in the U.S. Not only adults have been seen with these issues, but childhood obesity has also grown dramatically due to the same factors of poor eating habits and sedentary lifestyles.

There’s more to this. Mental health also plays a huge role and it impacts both poor diets and lack of exercise. Diets with high sugars and processed foods are also linked with an increased risk of depression, anxiety, mood swings. Though exercising is known to boost endorphins, which is our body's natural mood enhancing chemicals, which can benefit our mental health greatly.

Benefits of Watching your dieting and taking regular exercise seriously 

1. Better Physical Health: A balanced diet with plenty of lean proteins, greens and fruits, and whole grains can prevent the risk of obesity, improve heart health, and maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Also pairing regular exercise with a balanced diet can also help improve metabolism and increase in calorie burn which can lead to long term weight loss.

2. Improved Mental Health: Fun fact- Exercise is actually a mood booster and can help fight against mood swings and depression. Eating nutrient dense food can also help support your overall brain health and help with your overall mood. 

3. Long term Benefits: Establishing a routine with regular exercise with a balanced diet can help build resilience against the health problems of aging. As we age, these healthy habits can lead to a better quality of life. Preventing diseases early on in our lives can reduce the need for medical attention as well as medical costs as well.

4. Increase energy and production: Exercise can help boost energy levels and make you a lot more productive in daily tasks whether that's relationship wise or working. A balanced diet can help promote healthier living habits and can help you get the fuel you need in order to stay energized throughout the day.

Ways to incorporate Healthy habits into our lives

• Quick workouts: Even with short little exercises like a 15-20 min walk around the block a day can make a huge difference. It may not seem like much, but the progress will show, especially with the pairing of a healthy balanced diet. 

• Healthy meal preps: Plan our meals ahead of time and prepare them in batches to help save time while ensuring you have healthy options laying around other than going out to eat at your favorite fast food chain. Having meal preps can also reduce the temptation of going out to eat.

• Limit screen time usage throughout the day: Set boundaries on your screen time usage. Try to take regular breaks from screen time and use your time wisely. Try to get the important things out of the way first while also engaging in regular physical activity, like taking a walk at the park or getting up for a quick stretch.

As technology continues to advance and fast food chains continue to grow worldwide, it can be tempting to lose track of everything. It is extremely important that every individual continues to take care of their health. Watching what we eat especially in today's world is more important than ever and making sure we get in regular exercise is a simple way to combat the negative effects of modern day challenges. 

By small adjustments in our daily routines, we can improve both our physical and mental well being, ensuring a healthy lifestyle for ourselves in the future and for the new generations to come.  

May 8, 2024

For years our deans have been doing an excellent job at raising the school and its students up! From regaining control on uniforms to giving students a chance to be heard, our deans Ms. Marliss Platt and Mr. Kyle Ramsay have been a transformative figures at BelovED. 

But what motivates them to do what they do and what choices got them to where they are?

For the past couple of years, Ms. Platt has been a dean at the BelovED High School and has left a big impact on the school and the scholars as well. However, there is so much that we don’t know about her. We asked her some basic questions in order to understand her story. 

The first question we asked was, “What led you to becoming a dean at BelovED, and in general, what inspires you?” 

“I was an English teacher and grade level chair at a Middle School in Newark," Ms. Platt said. "I saw how students were academically and socially impacted post-COVID and remote learning. I knew that I had an impact that extended beyond my classroom and that I needed a role that helped me help students on a larger scale. BelovED had a position open, I applied, and Mr. Schultz reached out to me. The rest is history.” 

Who knew that Ms. Platt had a history of teaching before becoming a dean? However, we are truly grateful that she took that position as many students have expressed that Ms. Platt is always there to hear out students, regardless of what topic it is and is always a judge-free zone. 

We then asked Ms. Platt, “What’s a message you would love to leave the graduating class of 2024?” 

“I would leave the message: ‘A man who doesn't stand for something, will fall for anything,’ by Malcom X," Ms. Platt said. 

"This class should figure out what their morals and values are, and have that guide them for life. Never make a decision or accept something given to them that compromises their value or self worth.” 

Ms. Platt also shared with us what her favorite part of being a dean at BelovED is.

"Not only being an educator, but also being a lead learner!" Ms. Platt said. "Observing, impacting, and teaching skills so that students can be well rounded citizens, equipped with tools of success. Being able to listen to students and help them reach their ‘Ah-haa!’ moments.” 

For Ms. Platt, resilience is a key factor in her success and her joy.

"There is always a greater feeling, emotion, day, and season in your life, if you choose to push through the difficulties," Ms. Platt said.

The September following the beginning of Ms. Platt's dean era, BelovED was introduced to Mr. Ramsay.

But what brought Ramsay to BelovED?

“Ms. Nichols," Mr. Ramsay began. "She shared with me via text that she was leading a school in JC after our time leading a school in Newark.” 

Ramsay surprisingly knew most BelovED teachers from his school in Newark and decided to followed Ms. Nichols. 

“She left, I followed and here I am," he said.

Ramsay grew up just as most of us did, sharing a close relationship with his family and siblings.

“I am one of 6 siblings," Mr. Ramsay said. "We are all extremely close and I am proud of each of them.  Sister is a lawyer, Brother is a National AAU Basketball and HS Coach, next Brother works for Apple, little brother attends UPenn, and the baby is a soccer player in his 11th Grade year at IMG Academy."

Mr. Ramsay even had dreams of his own, telling us that if he could be any profession he would’ve been an actor on Broadway.

Throughout his career, he has built strong relationships with his students, and it's something he takes extreme pride in.

“The connections [I have] made and seeing students grow into strong leaders," Mr. Ramsay shared of the best part of his career choice. "My first class of students ever was in 2012; those students have degrees, careers and families of their own. Whenever they text me an achievement and send texts thanking me, those are my favorite pieces of the work I do.” 

Mr. Ramsay's shared his message with the class of 2024.

“Sweat the small stuff and live a life of integrity," Mr. Ramsay said. "Sweating the small stuff isn't just about perfectionism or nitpicking. It's about upholding a standard of excellence and integrity in everything we do, no matter how seemingly insignificant. It's about honoring our commitments, treating others with respect, and holding ourselves accountable to the highest ethical standards. Oftentimes, your first impression will be all you have.” 

April 26, 2024

There's a new sport in town: Girls Flag Football!

In case you don't know what flag football is, it's basically a modified version of American football in which the players pin flags instead of tackling each other. Flag football is typically played with 5 to 7 team members. With 4 wins and 0 losses at the time of this writing, they are unstoppable. 

This is their first year playing and they are already absolutely dominating on the field.

We decided to approach some of the team members and ask for their opinions on the team. 

“Oh, it’s really cool," center Jaelyn Allen 24' said. "The team is amazing. I wouldn't change our players at all. We all get along well and it helps that we’re beasts on the field."

Strong safety Ruqayyah Williams '26 said, "The team and I are good friends. We all get along at practice and we laugh and have fun with each other and we cheer each other on during games whether we play or not."

Williams continued, "Being on the first girls flag football team for BelovED is pretty cool in my opinion, [especially] considering the fact that it’s a whole new sport and we get to build up the program for the next upcoming players."

The team went against Union High school on April 26 at Berry Lane Park where they won once again. Their new record is 5-0. Ja’lia Dunning '25 flagged 6 people, while Kalis Bullock '26 did a regular touchdown and a defensive touchdown (recovered a fumble or made an interception and returned it to the opposing end zone) and Janiya Roman '27 pulled off an amazing interception.

We know there are many more W's in this new team's future!

April 16, 2024

As the school year comes to a close, there is still one thing that is constantly applying pressure upon students: AP exams. These tests in particular are the biggest test you will take for that class and determines if you earn college credits or not. Many students are being hit with waves of stress with some even considering opting out of the exams. 

These different tests consist of AP English Literature, AP World, AP Physics, AP Environmental Science, AP English Language, AP Calculus, AP Pre-Calculus, AP Statistics, and AP Seminar. 

We must say that it is important to go over practice questions with teachers if it’s needed, and review topics that will be on the exams. 

Different ways to review for these tests when it comes to the English subjects include reading passages like poems and reading AP-like questions while being timed. The same goes for writing because it is good to ensure you gain teacher feedback to strengthen writing skills. This plays into AP world writing as well. 

In terms of AP math questions, it’s recommended that you practice questions on your own time, and check your answers immediately after finishing. 

As for the science AP exams, the best shot you have is studying all of the materials you were given throughout the year that you feel will benefit your knowledge on the test. 

Besides studying, it's super important to remember to stay calm and breathe, because no matter the outcome, you tried your best, and you will be just fine. What matters is the effort you put into doing your best, and trying to answer questions to the best of your ability. 

Sleepiness is a factor too. It is always best for you to get a good night's sleep before the test. Getting that good rest and sleep will have you feeling great and confident before taking the test. Eating a nutritious breakfast will give you that boost of energy that is recommended before starting a long day especially on your AP exam day. Drink lots of water and always remember that you got it!

If you are losing motivation to study and get extra practice in for the AP exams, always remember how worth it they are. Being able to pass the exam will gain you college credits which will ultimately allow you to not have to take that class when you go into the next chapter in your life. Having that jumpstart will make you ahead of the pack and will lead you to grow better as a student, and come closer to stabilizing your career. 

The point of effort in these exams is to not only prove intelligence in general, but to yourself. Yes, these exams will be a great benefit to college careers in the long run and will allow students to strengthen their academic performance. However it doesn’t prove you're any less intelligent than before taking the exam and not getting the score you wanted. 

Therefore, the message we are trying to send out to all of our AP classmates is that we all proved that we were eligible and capable of even taking the course, proving that even through all the work and hardships, we are smart and capable. 

March 28, 2024

Slolána Iamni Rowe, popularly known as SZA, is an American singer and songwriter. She sings many different genres like R&B, pop, hip hop, alternative R&B, and neo soul. She became popular after releasing her hit album “Ctrl” in 2017. 

Some of her most popular songs are “Snooze” and “Kill Bill,” both released on her album “SOS” in 2022, and “Slime You Out” by Drake featuring SZA, which was released on Drake's album “For All The Dogs” in 2023. 

Seeing that many teens listen to her music, we asked the students at Beloved Community Charter school  the question “Is SZA good, bad, or in the middle?” Many students answered, and the results weren't exactly shocking.

According to the results of a Google Survey, 85% of respondents told us that SZA is good and 15% said that she was in the middle. No students reported her music to be "bad."

When getting a deeper dive into why people say she is either good or in the middle was due to the fact that she is able to connect with her listeners through her words help many teens and adults overcome hardships throughout their lives.  

Here are some more takes on SZA from members of our school community:

Denise Enerio ’26:  I think her music fits any situation, like if you need a song to calm down to, or if you want to feel confident, or like you're in love, and I think anyone can relate to her music.

Karlina Tapia ‘26: The melody of her voice works well with her music and her music works really well with the vibe she gives off in her music.

Denyse Huntley ’25: I feel like she’s good because she really has a sense of style in her music. She normally makes my emotions heighten like she says everywhere that I feel inside so listening to her calms me.

Nicole Rodriguez ’24: I feel like she is good at putting diversity in order to satisfy her audience and talking about real world problems like what some people are going through.

Shaza El Sayed ’26: It gives confidence to people like her music makes you happy and it relates to people.

Mekhi Reynolds ‘26: She has an aura that she puts in her songs.

Ms. Garland-Smith: As an artist she was always different when she came out and she was doing her own thing. Her music is relatable, and she speaks through her music.

Lyana Lumbano ‘26: She is good because her voice is angelic and her lyrics are real.  

Jared Izack Rodil ‘24: I like that she has many genres and she’s also from New Jersey.”

Irene Sukar ‘27: Her music touches people’s souls and anytime I listen to her music I feel like levitating because of how good and amazing her music and voice sounds. I absolutely love SZA with all my heart. She is one of my favorite artists ever. I am so glad she has game so far and earned a Grammy; she really does deserve it due to all the hard work she has done and all the amazing songs she has produced. I hope she succeeds more and gets to collaborate with more of my favorite artists.

SZA has won 44 awards from 177 nominations including Grammy Awards, Brit award, 2 billboard music awards, MTV Video Music awards and more. She has accomplished many things and has captured the hearts of millions of fans around the globe. 

April 11, 2024

In honor of Women's History month, I decided to dig into the history of a very popular female-dominated sport, Cheerleading. I wanted to answer questions myself and others had about cheer: How did we go from cheering at games to doing full stunts for competitions? How did the fashion and style of it all evolve over time? How did we get to the stereotype that people think about when someone utters the word “cheerleading”?

Well for starters, college cheerleading, and really all of cheer, dates back to 1898.  Up until then there was no team or representation for school sports or spirit. Students would have to break out in chants and screams from their section during games to show their school spirit. 

This was until November 2, 1898, when a student of Minnesota University named Johnny Campbell got up from his seat, jumped the fence into the field and started shouting and chanting to show support for his school.  

"Rah, rah, rah! Ski-u-mah, Hoo-rah! Hoo-rah! Varsity! Varsity! Varsity, Minn-e-so-tah!" is what he shouted. And thus cheerleading was born. 

As Johnny was chanting for his school, other students from Minnesota University jumped into the field as well to join and show support for their school. Noticing the positive impact of a fired up engaged crowd section, other schools began to form what was called “Yell Leaders” and things like pep squads. 

Shocker, most of these pep squads and yell leader groups were made up of male students. The idea of a cheerleader was born when, sadly, most universities were only admitting men to their schools. The cheerleaders around this time were other athletes that were a part of another sport that came together to show support and school spirit. 

It wasn't until the 1940s, during World War II, when male students were then being drafted into war and female participants had to take over cheer squads. 

As women started taking over cheerleading and becoming more of a prominent figure in the sport, the nature of the sport began to change entirely. Spectators of games started to look at and emphasize physical attractiveness rather than a woman's athletic ability. But even after the war had ended and was long gone, cheerleading was still primarily a female activity. 

That image of the cheerleader as the “All American Sweetheart” or “girl next door” became super ingrained in American culture. Cheerleaders were upstanding members of the student body. They worked to promote school spirit and pump up the crowd at football and other sporting events. 

The question remains still, how did we go from basic chants to full blown routines and stunts, not to mention everyone's favorite part, the uniforms? Well it was all thanks to a man named Lawrence Herkimer in 1949. 

Known as the father of modern cheerleading, Hermiker was asked to hold a cheerleading clinic in Texas. The clinic turned out to be a major success and was vastly popular. So Herkimer went on to found the National Cheerleading Association (NCA) which began to provide camps and clinics to home cheerleading squads across the country

In these camps, they began to instruct them in effective crowd leading techniques and methods, including the addition of jumps, lifts and some of the beginnings of the more athletic components of cheerleading that we commonly think of today. 

For over the following three decades, cheerleading as a whole started to grow, with squads incorporating more skills to help them pep up the crowd and keep them engaged.

The next big milestone did not come until 1974, when Jeff Webb, who was a former NCA camp instructor decided he wants to break away from the NCA and form his own organization, The Universal cheerleaders association or UCA.

Webb's goal was to provide camps and clinics that would introduce cheerleading teams to the athletic components we think of today. But not jumping, this time gymnastic skills jumped in the loop: moves such as partner stunting, the pyramid and other building skills.

In 1976, at the UCA camp created what is known was the first cheerleading routine. Staff took a combination of dancing, jumps, stunts and pyramids,  put them together added some music to the background, to create a single routine that could be used to fulfill their goal of entertaining the audience.

Jerry Starns and Kris Shepherd are responsible for creating the routine. In 1978, CBS broadcast The National Collegiate Cheerleading championships for the first time. These routines were much different from what we think of today, although the main purpose was to entertain still, so there becomes this harsh line between a lot of these very showy, almost beauty pageant skills, and then of course the insanely hazardous pyramid stunt building skills designed to impress people. 

During the 1990s is where modern cheer really began. During this time, teams lost the excessive dance routines components from the 70s and 80s as well as the silly gimmicks. A lot more safety rules were put in place.

Overall, cheer started to modernize and and what you will start to see from the 90s to the 2000s and even into the 2010’s, is just the continuation of evolution and pushing for new skills.

As we see today, cheerleading is a sport enjoyed by many people across the world and is, I believe, another opportunity for women to be able to showcase their unique talents!

April 10, 2024

“Love is when you have a different kind of connection with someone, not only romantic-wise but also friendship, and it’s not just infatuation either,” one student said. 

When you Google the definition of love (n.), it is defined as "an intense feeling of deep affection." Others may say that love is the action of showing care or attraction towards someone or something. 

But whether it is self-love, platonic love, or romantic love, love can be seen all around us, through our family, friendships, and relationships. Any of these forms of love can be seen in our own school. 

But how do we really find true love?

OWLS EXPLAIN: APPROACHING LOVE

We asked some Owls about what they do when they first start having feelings for someone. Some express their feelings in their love language, by complimenting, being friendly, or simply introducing themselves.

But, many of the Owls choose to avoid their crush instead of approaching them. They think that waiting it out until they approach you first is the best way to start talking to someone you’re interested in. Like Rachell ‘26, who said, “If you like a person, they should get you nervous and give you butterflies to the point that when you think of going up to them, you get scared and avoid them.” 

Other Owls told us that they are brave enough to approach their crush. They might introduce themselves or compliment them. 

“I dab them up if I ever make the first move,” Dyllan ‘26 said.

Another sophomore Owl, Vinny ‘26, would say “What's good Ma?” 

Another anonymous student echoed Vinnny's approach, saying that pick-up lines are the best way to go. They suggested, “Life without you is like a broken pencil, because it’s pointless.”

In truth, the best way to begin a relationships might be to form a friendship with the person first. 

Mr. Harper expressed his take on students pursuing relationships. 

“I think it’s really important for students to establish a strong friendship," Mr. Harper said. "That’s the foundation.” 

This way, you will be able to know more about each other, which could make approaching them more comfortable, and you’ll get to understand their love language. Knowing someone’s love language could be the most important thing to know when you start thinking about how to start pursuing a relationship.

Many current relationships at BelovED High School came together because one of them made the first move, succeeding them into a happy relationship. 

Khayree ‘26 and Mia ‘26 met when Khyree made the first move, and they are now in a happy relationship leading to seven months! Rachell ‘26 and Johny ‘24 first met in Italian class, and ever since Rachell made the first move, they have been dating since Valentines’ Day! 

One junior, who chose to remain anonymous, told us that after making the first move through Instagram DMs, he has been in a relationship with his girlfriend, who is also a junior, for a year and 4 months!

THE KEY TO A HAPPY RELATIONSHIP

Romantic love is not the only kind of love though, there is also platonic and familial love! No matter what kind of love you have in your life, it is important to keep a balance between them and to know how to maintain all of them at once. Many Owls believe that a key to a happy relationship is honesty, listening, and loyalty. 

Meeting the needs of your loved ones or crush can lead to a healthy relationship with them. It sounds hard, but the most common answer we received from both the Owls and staff was... communication!

Bhea ‘24 feels that communication is important: “It will help you understand each other on both sides, and you’ll know their perspective.”

YOUNG LOVE: GOOD OR BAD?

There’s been some mixed opinions on young love at BelovED. Some seniors believe that there are greater loves to come than the ones in high school. 

“Don’t give relationship your all" one senior said. "It should be spontaneous. Don’t commit, there are more opportunities in life, especially in college. Don’t think that person is the one."

They believe that teenage love isn’t always lasting and should not make you lose hope. 

“Let everything play out, and expect the unexpected. High school is only four years, so people are going to be in and out, whether it is friendship, relationship, they all don’t last.” 

STRUGGLING WITH LOVE?

A lot of teens right now find it hard to personally find love, which could be for many reasons. One reason is expressed by one of our teachers, who said, “They just haven’t accepted themselves yet. They don’t know what they’re looking for because they don’t know what’s inside of them.” 

However, another Owl, Leila '24, told us she believes finding love is easy nowadays. 

“In this day and age it’s not really hard to find anyone," Leila said. "I feel like all it takes is to go on social media, outside, or just be social.” 

This may not be the case for everyone, but love overall is about patience. Just because you cannot find love right now, doesn’t mean you will never find it. 

“You’re a high schooler, you’re a teenager, have fun. Just don't commit yourself to something that has a high chance of failing," she said.

SELF LOVE

Overall, the best way to attract love is to first start working on yourself. 

A quote Mr. Harper shared was, “Imagine loving you so much, you don’t even need a LIKE.” 

Love shouldn’t be desired for validation or your happiness. You should want to find love because you are already satisfied with who you are, and want to share that love with someone. Working on yourself first and forming healthy relationships with others helps you advance to your loving stage. 

As Mr. Harper’s father used to say, “Make yourself into a magnet, to attract the things you love.” 

February 23, 2024

Do you like arts and crafts, are open to new things, or want to meet new people? If so, the Queer-Straight Alliance Club, aka the QSA, is the perfect place for you! 

Since it was first created during the 2022-23 school year, the club has already planned many great things so far, like the Pride Gallery and Talent Show, bake sales, and sales of merchandise like bracelets, patches, and their popular pins. 

These fundraisers all go to a good cause, which is explained by the club’s advisor, Mx. Gilbert. 

“We fundraise each year to donate to local LGBTQIA+ causes like Hudson Pride," they said. "So if you see us hosting a bake sale or merch sale, its because we want to give back to the LGBTQIA+ community in Jersey City by donating to local non-profits who aim to help that community.”

The current leadership of the club are Blake Marasigan as president, Janrex Panlilio as treasurer, and Noel Aguayo-Olivares as club liaison. 

The leaders proudly say that QSA helps others feel represented and to have a community to go to. QSA is a safe place for helping one another, making new friends, spreading your feelings and thoughts, and getting educated on different topics.

“It’s like a mix of arts and crafts, while also teaching you about LGBTQ," Janrex said of the club.

However, they are all seniors this year, and there hasn’t been a lot of attendance from the underclassmen. Before they graduate, these seniors hope to leave the club with the legacy of being a welcoming environment for all students. 

“People need community, you know, to know that you’re not alone. It’s important to have a bit of a support group,” Noel, the club’s liaison, told us.

They hope for a continuation of the club but only if new members join, particularly underclassmen, so that the club will not die out after the leaders graduate.

"We’re encouraging more people to show up, so QSA can continue for a long time,” VP Blake said.

Another senior, Johanny Florentino, shared, “It’s a safe place to go and hang out, and it’s inclusive for all students, especially for the school’s queer community.”

Our student population has always been very diverse, and continues to grow in diversity every year. For many, going to school can feel lonely or daunting, especially when you can’t seem to fit with anyone. But by finding the right group of people, these feelings can change when you have something to look forward to at school every week, something like QSA.

QSA helps members to feel inspired, safe, and to be able to explore new opportunities. 

Knowing how hard feeling isolated could be, the club will always be open to all students for a place to get support and friendship. So, don’t be afraid and join QSA, meeting every Tuesday! 

February 8, 2024

If you're a basketball fan, you've definitely heard some opinions on Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors. Here's another one.

The Warriors just played a game against the Atlanta Hawks last week, and despite Curry's efforts, scoring a nearly PR-breaking 60 points, they still lost 141-134 in overtime.

In the end, the Warriors' disappointing season reached yet another low point as they dropped to a 21-25 record and 12th place in the West. Rather than providing a reason for celebration, Curry's best just isn't good enough to turn this team's downward trajectory around.

Fans like you and I are upset. Doing the math, when you subtract the 60 points Curry scored from the 134 final score, it becomes clear who's doing all the heavy lifting. It is becoming more and more apparent that Curry isn't getting the support he needs from the rest of the team. 

Steph Curry has to deal with losses left and right just because his team is not cooperating and helping him. It is evident that the Golden State Warriors need to provide better support for Steph Curry if they want to improve their performance.

In order to address the team's performance issues, the Warriors must prioritize providing assistance and support to Steph Curry. And to do that, there needs to be a change in the starting players and bench players.

While it may seem like Steph can do it all, the truth is in the season's numbers.

February 8, 2024

The results of our Never Have I Ever Quiz are in!

Never have I ever...

• faked sick to get out of school (80%)

• cheated on a test or quiz (60%)

• been sent to the deans' office (66.7%)

• slept through my alarm (80%)

• liked my classmate (93.3%)

• failed a class (46.7%)

• been asked to a dance (60%)

• missed the school bus (93.3%)

• broke my Chromebook (40%)

• hid my report card from my parents (46.7%)

• forged my parent's signature (66.7%)

• used ChatGPT (40%)

• pulled an all nighter knowing I had school the next day (100%)

• missed school for a week straight (40%)

February 6, 2024

By now it seems that everyone has heard the sad news: one of our favorite math teachers, Mr. Boonstra, will be leaving BelovED this week.

Hearing this news broke the hearts of several of our scholars and staff. Mr. Boonstra taught several scholars for many years, including some in middle school.

Many members of our community have expressed how much of a big impact he has made on them. 

“It's really easy to get along with him," Aeris Martinez '24 emphasized. "He's really good at boosting morale overall.” We agree with you, Aeris! 

Harley Alvarado '24 is one of the lucky ones who has had Mr. Boonstra as a teacher since 7th grade.

“To be honest I think he was the best math teacher I've ever had," Alvarado shared. "All the other math teachers made me hate math but Boonstra teaches math in a manner in which I actually find enjoyable."

Boonkie can take a commonly hated subject and make it different, fun, and interesting, while also actually getting the information through to his students. 

Mr. Boonstra didn’t only help the students -- his effect on staff was just as significant. 

“Mr. Boonstra taught this class before me, so when I first got here and needed suggestions or had questions, he was always there for me,” Ms. Bryant expressed. 

Ms. Garland-Smith, Math Department Chair, also had kind words to share about Mr. B.

“I am so thankful for Mr. Boonstra being here at BelovED!" Garland-Smith said. "He has been a godsend. His relationships with students and staff are overwhelmingly positive, and I am excited to see the growth he will continue to make in the future.” 

Of course, Mr. Boonstra can’t be mentioned without talking about his famous (and slightly corny) jokes.

Bola Zhakary '24 shared one of his favorite memories of the renowned math genius.

“My favorite memory of Boonstra was when he made the horse joke in freshman year geometry," Zakhary shared. "I was sitting next to Janrex waiting for the punchline, at the end of the joke, Boonstra asked if it was funny and Rex just started dying laughing in a fake way, and I sat there disappointed at Boonstra for making that joke.”

The end of the Boonstra era is almost as disappointing as his horse joke. Most students expected him to retire at BelovED, but at the end of the day it can be said that we are all proud of Mr. Boonstra for making this tough, life changing decision. This may be the end of an era for Mr. Boonstra, but also a new beginning for him as well. 

As a community, we wish you and your family the best of luck at your new school and in life. As you leave, we can all agree that the horse isn't the only one with a long face.

P.S. Keep ordering Dominoes! -You Know Who

January 30, 2024

Many students across Jersey have the right to leave school to buy their own lunch. This is a given right for not only New Jersey, but many schools across the nation. We all know this privilege is not granted at BelovED, so we have to ask: is this fair? Are there more risks than rewards for this? Or can we reach a middle ground?

This has been an ongoing discussion among students of BelovED, yet many of them fail to realize the many consequences of this decision. Our very own 11-12 dean, Mr. Ramsay, shared his thoughts.

According to Ramsay, students fail to realize the impact of our location and distance from restaurants. 

“One of the things we think about is location," Mr. Ramsay said. "Your lunch is 30 minutes, right? How long would it take you to walk to McDonalds? Probably like 10 minutes so that's 10 minutes there and 10 minutes back, how long on average does it take you to get food in McDonalds? With multiple students going, maybe 20 minutes.” 

Another issue mentioned by our dean is attendance being low after lunch.

"[We worry about things] like students just not coming back,” Mr. Ramsay said.

A possible solution discussed in our talk with Mr. Ramsay was the possibility of BelovED students being allowed to order food, even if it's just a senior privilege (at first).

Despite what many would anticipate, Mr. Ramsay was not opposed to this idea. 

“I personally think seniors should be permitted to order food," he said. "The only issue with ordering food is checking the food and nutrition for dietary concerns, like whether the food is unhealthy, has too much sugar, too much sodium, things like that.” 

This issue, however, does not seem like a major one. If parents give permission for their children to eat and order whatever they want, what is the issue with nutrition?

Understandably, the school is in charge of us and whatever happens to us while we're here---but if the parents of the child give the green light to order, then that gives up all responsibility for lunch and food from the school to the parents. 

“The issues of ordering food overall seem to be a stretch," an anonymous student said. "If my parents tell you I can order food, why are you still denying it and claiming it's dietary when the people that literally gave birth and raised me said I can? It makes no sense.”

Unlike leaving school to get food, ordering food is definitely a possibility and can be achieved if more students take action and come forward to school leaders with ideas and solutions. 

There appears to be a glimmer of hope that the use of fast-food apps such as DoorDash and UberEats might be on the horizon, but only if the authoritative heads allow it. 

January 30, 2024

In Student Council, we make things happen. 

School dances, fundraisers, policy changes, and other events take a lot of planning. We are the ones who make sure that BCCHS students have fun and make memories all school year long. 

We have a team of incredibly talented student leaders who lead the planning and then make sure everything goes according to, well, plan. Here's the scoop on who we are and what we do.

"I think [Student Council] is a huge responsibility," President Vhyel Nicdao '24 said. "Working behind the scenes and improving our community is my #1 priority, and I wish to make our community better day by day."

And what does President Nicdao think of those who don't appreciate the work of Student Council?

"Though some people think that we don't work in the school, that isn't important to me," Nicdaeo said. "The students don't notice the change because we are constantly working behind the scenes to make their school experiences better.” 

Nicdao's team includes a number of other student advocates.

Mayeny Tounkara’ 25, is the Student Council Vice President. For Tounkara, being SCVP is a valuable and humbling honor.

"Some people think Being VP means you can do anything and everything," Tounkara said. "Although it seems like I get extended power, that is not the case ... But being VP means a lot to me because it kind of expanded my horizons to other people who I [did not previously] talk to in school [who now] come to me for questions that I answer."

The rest of the leadership team includes Felicity Tabia '24, Student Council Secretary; Brownie Black '25, Student Council Treasurer; Alaisha Fermin '25, Student Council Social Chair; Jeremiah Iverson '25, Student Council Head of Communications; and Mame Niang '24, School Policy Chair.

“Being secretary of the Student Council means to be a good listener and effective communicator," Tabia said of her position. "My duty as Student Council secretary is to organize files accordingly, take accurate council attendance, and document discussions, decisions, and action items. Though through these duties I’ve enhanced my organizational skills, attention to detail, and proficiency in note-taking and a bit of Google Docs and Sheets, the most meaningful gains I’ve acquired from Student Council are meeting new friends, contributing to the BelovED community, and getting unique perspectives on how decisions are made.”

While Tabia keeps things organized, Black has his eye on the money!

"Being Treasurer means that you have to deal with a lot of money," Black said. "The treasurer has to be a very organized person or else money goes missing."

And what's all that money paying for? Among other things, social events such as school dances and events; those are handled by Fermin.

Social Chair Fermin told us that her position requires creativity and collaboration skills. 

"I feel like to be social chair, you need to have your mind open to not just your ideas but others too," Fermin said. "At the end of the day, yes, you're doing events and parties for yourself but also it's for others to have fun, which is the main goal."

For Iverson, communication and innovation are key. 

Jeremiah Iverson '25,  Head of Communication said, “I think it comes down to the openness of creativity, because innovation when it comes to constructing fliers, posters, or emails goes a long way. And at the same time, acknowledging the importance of the way you communicate things to the student body and understanding its importance when it comes to the overall representation of student council.”

Finally, Mame Niang’ 24 sees herself as a voice for the voiceless.

“Being a part of school policies means advocating for things that often do not reach administration's ears," Niang said.

Our two advisors, Ms. Siegel and Mr. Bongiorno, shared how they envision their roles.

Mr. Bongiorno said, “For me, being an advisor is all about coaching. We want the council to be as student-led as possible. That means we often need to stand back and guide rather than jump in and do. It can be frustrating when things go awry or when the ball is dropped, but Ms. Siegel and I believe in allowing the members to learn from their mistakes. We want the students to learn how to organize and advocate for themselves -- we're just the safety net for when they need us.” 

Ms. Siegel, founding Student Council advisor, echoed that sentiment.

"The student council advisors are really coaches," Ms. Siegel said. "We help students develop the skills to become effective leaders.” 

January 16, 2024

More School Pride 

A school store offers students a place to be able to purchase school merchandise. The merchandise can include items like accessories, hoodies, shirts, and so much more. This can help students to show off their sports, clubs, and boost school spirit!

School Funding

The money that is paid can go to the school funds. The funds can help the school organize more extracurricular activities, events, or even new academic programs. This can be a financial support to help the school be able to be flexible with upgrading technology, the facilities, etc.

Volunteer Hours for NHS  

Many of Beloved’s upperclassmen are a part of the National Honors Society, which requires them to complete a certain amount of volunteer hours per year. While several choose to help teachers grade paperwork in their free time, it can be difficult to find other options for completing hours while also having to manage their extracurriculars and schoolwork. With a school store, NHS members could work  to increase their hours and gain valuable experience in the workplace.

Fewer Uniform Referrals

Some of the school’s most enforced rules are about the uniform. While there have been many changes in the uniform policy, such as how we are now able to wear outerwear with small logos, many students still receive ASR simply for being out of uniform. However, if there were a school store available in our school, students would have an interest in buying school merchandise that is sold, which would encourage them to be in uniform more often. 

January 16, 2024

With each new year, a common practice is to make a new year's resolution. This allows goals to be highlighted and prioritized as soon as the year starts. 

The purpose for this is to positively encourage better habits or the prevention of unhealthy ones. The process of this comes from the new year creating an effect of a “fresh” start and a chance for growth. 

So, what do our owls hope to accomplish in the new year?

“Continue my diet to cut down body fat percentage.” -Jared Rodil '24

“Travel more since I don't get the chance; I would like to visit New Orleans." -Mecca Chandler '24

“Sleep more and have a healthy sleep schedule.” -Nicole Rodriguez '24

“To be nicer about the things I say towards people.” -Shaza El Sayed '26

“Become more open and less reserved.” -Denise Enerio '26

“More time with family, I usually am caught up in sports.” -Denyse Huntley '25

“To get me a man!”  -Brianna Vargas '27 

“To sleep early, I have a terrible sleep schedule... and to steer away from my phone.” -Anusha Alam '24

December 15, 2023

Brownie Black '25, a rising star in both the student council and the track and cross country team, has had an eventful high school journey so far.

Born and raised in Jersey City, Brownie's early interest in soccer and Minecraft shaped his path, with soccer influencing his eventual transition to running.

Not initially drawn to distance running at all, Brownie tried it out and liked it. For Brownie, running is not just a sport but therapeutic for him. Describing it as "a form of meditation," he turns to running as it alleviates stress for him. He often goes on runs through Liberty State Park.

While track was not something he had initially considered for himself, he is now captain of the team. 

And this is not the only area in which Brownie has taken on leadership roles due to his remarkable determination.

Introduced to student council by Alaisha Fermin '25, Brownie has rapidly risen through the ranks of the organization since his sophomore year. He was previously the organization's social media manager, and last spring he was voted in as treasurer.

Balancing school activities and academics is a "juggling act" for Brownie, who admits to occasional procrastination but knows when to "lock in" when the time is right.

In school, Brownie's passion lies in mathematics, viewing it as a daily source of enjoyment. As he reflects on his journey, Brownie expresses a desire to have taken his summer practice more seriously, recognizing its impact on a runner's performance.

And his hero?

"My mom," Brownie said immediately.

His mother stands out for him as another significant influence, providing him with support throughout his life.

December 15, 2023

Over the last few years, BCHS has been working on providing our students with nutritious, yet delicious lunches. Currently, scholars can choose from three different kinds of lunches daily: two hot lunch options and one cold lunch option.

Overall, there is a sense that this year has seen a drastic improvement compared to last year’s lunch options. The lunch options changed from only having a hot and cold option, to having two hot options and many different cold options to choose from. Not only have the options increased, but they've even become better. 

“One of my favorite lunches would be the chicken wings," Jared Rodil '24 offered. "I like that it shows that our school is trying to give us better food compared to other schools.”

These changes are thanks to activists in the student council and larger student body who endlessly advocated for better food supplies as well as the Maschio's staff who work hard to ensure every student receives a nutritious, delicious lunch each day. 

Student Council President Vhyel Nicdao '24 weighed in on the changes as well.

“My favorite school lunch is chicken and fries with honey mustard," Nicdao said. "I like the fact that it's simple and gets the job done. It also reminds me of my childhood.”

However, a conflict that arises from the seniors is that the school sometimes runs out of lunches or condiments by the time 5B rolls along, especially the second hot lunch option which serves as a “first come, first serve” option. 

Scholars should have the option to choose without rushing to lunch the minute the bell rings. Many scholars come from the second and third floors, meaning that they have less time to get to the cafeteria than those who are already on the first floor. 

As for the condiments, many scholars brought up the idea that those who are in the front of the lines usually get condiments, whether it's sour cream for tacos or honey mustard or BBQ sauce for other meals, but by the time the line reaches mid to end, condiments have already run out and students have to eat without them.

Although the school has drastically improved it's lunch offering, it's not all gourmet.  Many scholars also expressed what their least liked school lunches are. 

Denise Enerio '26 is not a fan of the school noodles.

“Spaghetti or lo mein," she said. "The noodles just have a weird texture and the food can be very watery sometimes. It’s also lacking flavor a bit and the way it is cooked could be fixed.” She also offered, “I wish the school served more cultural foods and a better variety of food options.” We hear you, Denise!

“I wish they served chicken noodle soup, and  also wish that they provided more than just milk as a drink,” Dayla Wiegman '25 said. Agreed, Dayla! 

Providing scholars with more drinking options, such as bottled water, mini soda cans, and bottled juices, is something that many Owls would love.

December 15, 2023

At BCHS, we have a great number of clubs that students are encouraged to join. Clubs differ in interest, whether it’s a cultural club or a service club. One of the cultural clubs BelovED offers is Black Diaspora, advised by Mr. Darren Harper. 

The point of a Black Diaspora Club is to create a space where Black students can voice their opinions and possibly connect with other Black students. It promotes involvement in the black community, the further understanding of the African Diaspora, and encourages the acknowledgement of Black struggle.

With Sahara Martin '24 as President and Tamia Hallman '23 as Vice President, Black Diaspora meets after school every Tuesday to discuss issues within the Black community as well as to create a positive atmosphere for Black students. 

Other leadership members in the club include Joshua Okah '24 as Treasurer, Jasmain Isaac '24 as Social Media Manager, Kamil Harris '24 as Secretary, and myself as Event Planner.

So far, the club has met up many times to watch videos and talk about controversial topics such as parenting and code-switching. The club looks forward to planning exciting field trips and school-wide events to show progress and encourage more students to join.

Black Diaspora is open to new members. You can join us by reaching out to Mr. Harper at dharper@belovedccs.org. Everyone is welcome!

December 15, 2023

It's the holidays! It's time to embrace the season and spread some cheer.

Adding some sparkles to an outfit or decoration to a hat just makes everything better!

Accessorize with jewelry and a cute pair of shoe sneakers, boots, heels, etc. Whether you prefer a classic holiday look or want to try something new and experiment with bold colors and patterns, holiday fashion can be all about expressing yourself and a certain type of style you would find comfort in and also helping spread Christmas cheer. 

For people that are more traditional they might bring out the “Ugly Christmas Sweaters” for this special season, which is another way to express yourself and really enjoy the laughs after wearing it. It could create a joyful atmosphere for adults and children, it could later inspire them to get into the holiday spirit too. 

Spreading some cheer through fashion could be way more exciting than just decorating a tree or the outside of your house. It could inspire others to get into the fashion trends and help spread more holiday cheer. It’s a great way to embrace yourself and other people's styles as well. 

Holiday fashion is not only for outside but it can be for indoors too. Comfortable pajamas and cozy fuzzy slippers under a decorative blanket can certainly make you feel more into the Christmas spirit. This season could be the perfect opportunity to showcase your festive style and create more memories with your loved ones!

December 14, 2023

Updated January 11: Senior photo retakes are coming up on January 26! All seniors should check their inboxes for a reminder about this from Mrs. Acosta.

As far as all of the new senior events have been coming along, now it’s time to take a picture that'll most likely be memorable for the rest of our lives. Picture day for the BelovED High School senior students has been set for December 14th, 2023, in the high school gymnasium at 8:40 a.m., and a lot of people have different feelings and emotions about it. 

A lot of people are excited about the color scheme that our caps and gowns are going to be, and are satisfied with the simplicity of it, while others are overwhelmed by how fast time flies and find it even nerve wracking. The colors of the caps and gowns are going to be navy blue, with a white tassel and silver 2024 symbol. Male seniors will be wearing a tuxedo, while female seniors will be wearing drapes for one of the photos, then for the second, both will wear caps and gowns. A lot of students have stated how they are going to dress up for the photos and are overwhelmed with the pressure of trying to look “fancy” or at least tidy. There are obvious reminders of the dress code in order to ensure comfortability for students, while staying school appropriate.  

When it comes to the attire for this life memorable moment, it is recommended that students come dressed in a suit and tie, button up-shirt with a tie, or a long-sleeved collared shirt with a lightweight sweater, quarter-zip pullover sweater or cardigan in order for us to stay in dress code professionally. And for the ladies, a solid color long-sleeved top or dress that is not prom themed or too formal. We have to remember to stay away from flashy colors and busy patterns to stay on the classic aesthetic and never go out of style! 

Every senior student will be provided with a makeshift tuxedo, or drape for the yearbook portraits. For the students taking the tuxedo photo, it is recommended that we have a white T-shirt for layering to look sleek and clean. And for students that will be taking the drape photo, consider wearing a black tank or tube top to go underneath in order to look classy. If a scholar prefers more coverage for this photo, it is suggested that those who don’t want to wear the drape, wear a solid black top with a modest neckline or 3⁄4 or full-length sleeves. This will ensure continuity throughout the senior section.

This is a moment that will never be forgotten and a rite of passage of our high school careers. These portraits are more than just photos--they symbolize the next step in our lives, and will always be something to look back at with the warmest high school memories in mind. 

December 14, 2023

Instead of attending school tomorrow, certain students will be allowed to participate in a field trip to American Dream Mall in Rutherford, NJ. 

American Dream Mall consists of 5 floors and over 450 stores, creating a large variety of activities and sources of entertainment for visitors. We know that last year the scholars were surprised with some tickets to attractions including Nickelodeon Universe, Tilt, and the Mirror Maze. A more robust list of attractions is listed below!

Nickelodeon Universe           

An indoor theme park ticket will be provided for this attraction to students eligible for the trip. It's the one of the largest indoor theme parks in the world, with over 30 rides and attractions enjoyable for all ages. There are many photo opportunities with Nickelodeon characters as visitors roam the park. Additionally, there is food available inside the theme park.

ACTIVATE

This attraction costs $24.99 on Monday-Thursday and $29.99 on Friday-Sunday, and the experience involves 9 rooms of interactive technology consisting of different levels chosen by the players. Their most popular level is Grid, an  experience with 256 pressure-sensitive and color-changing tiles that encourage players to step on or avoid specific tiles to win the round. A group’s physical and mental abilities are challenged as they attempt to beat the high tech games through teamwork and strategy. Teams are created by the players, with a minimum of 2 and maximum of 5.

SEA LIFE New Jersey Aquarium

Observe live underwater animals as they swim and interact in their environment. This aquarium features a tunnel that mimics an underwater experience providing a clear view of the animals surrounding you. Another activity is being allowed to touch a sea anemone and other animals. This aquarium provides more than 10 exhibits to  keep you entertained from clownfish to large sharks. Tickets range from $30- $50 depending on the package you choose. Maybe our owls will be swimming the fishes this year?

Dream Wheel

As you approach the mall, the iconic Ferris wheel connected is open and ready to operate. Tickets depend on age and go from $20 to $26 per person. The gondola is enclosed to avoid any weather conditions preventing its operation. Riders will go up to 300 ft into the sky and are able to see the mesmerizing NYC skyline!

Blast 7D

A thrilling ride combined with virtual reality to enhance the experience of the players. The players get to feel fully immersed in the game and are provided with 5 separate alternate dimensions to choose from. This technology has the ability to mimic flying, falling, jumping, and diving. The ride can last from 6-10 minutes for a single game, which costs $15 per person.

Paradox Museum      

An illusional and educational museum deigned to twist your mind. There are over 70 exhibits to explore and discover. These exhibits are all different which adds to the experience of finding something new. These attractions are great for pictures and enhance the illusion even more. Tickets range from $19-$25 depending on age and residency.

Shopping

American Dream is a mall after all, consisting of hundreds of stores that range from all different price points. There are many options and brands that they offer. There's variety in the mall besides clothing stores in the mall, there are makeup stores, spas, toy stores, and more to see!

Have fun, everyone!

December 6, 2023

Mr. Darren Harper’s commitment to college counseling didn’t just start at BelovED. Mr. Harper’s first experience with college counseling goes back to 2014, when he completed an internship and counseled students at Leaders High School, which was formerly known as The Expeditionary Learning School for Community Leaders in Brooklyn, New York, after graduating from NYU. 

During his internship, he experimented with college counseling as well as school counseling. His first official job was at People's Preparatory School where he chose to be a college advisor.

This led to the question of why Mr. Harper chose the route of college counseling instead of school counseling. 

“I didn’t necessarily choose it, it chose me," Mr. Harper explained. 

He added that he found the emotional piece of school counseling difficult because it didn’t allow him to see immediate benefits. 

“I’m sitting with a student trying to help them fix problems and I may not see that level of growth for years," Mr. Harper explained. "But with college counseling, [the growth is] extremely tangible.”

Mr. Harper's path to becoming a college counselor drastically changed as he grew up. As a child, he strived to become involved in film due to his famous uncle, Charles Fuller, author of “A Soldier's Story.” 

When he grew older, he wanted to become a rapper. Harper happily said, “I had bars,” when briefly discussing rapping. His father allowed this but created an agreement to take on business school as well.

While taking business classes, he became interested in psychology and took similar classes. He soon discovered college counseling which became his ultimate passion.

When asked what he gets out of working at BelovED, Mr. Harper had many good things to say. 

“Administration allows me to do my job freely," Mr. Harper said. "They trust my vision, and don’t put me in handcuffs."

While Mr. Harper appreciates his ability to control what he does as a college advisor, he didn’t fail to say that his favorite part of the job is the student population at BelovED. 

“The students at BelovED really care about their academics and their growth. That’s something you don’t get at a lot of schools. The students at BelovED are super creative,” Harper explained.

Every student and staff member knows there’s no Mr. Harper without Ms. Batista. The two have a great relationship, and Mr. Harper confirmed this, acknowledging his college counseling partner as “very smart, friendly, and good with the students.” 

Both Harper and Batista graduated from NYU and chose to take the college counselor route.

However, helping students with their college applications isn’t the only thing Mr. Harper enjoys. “I enjoy spending time with my family, playing basketball, and watching movies,” Mr. Harper said contentedly. 

Mr. Harper ended our talk by sharing a detail of why he enjoys being able to work with the students of BelovED. 

“I’m not in love with college counseling, I’m in love with the development of my students. I don’t just want to be their teacher, I want them to be able to look back and say that they’re glad they had me,” Mr. Harper said with a smile.

December 5, 2023

Editor's Note: The views expressed in this piece reflect the opinion of the writer. They do not represent the views of The Messenger Owl or BelovED Community Charter High School.

If there’s one thing that can annoy a student at BelovED High School, it’s the phone pouches. There are plastic pouches beside the door in every classroom, and it has become a strict policy that students leave their phones in the pouch to minimize “distraction” in the classroom. While some teachers are more lenient about this policy, there are some teachers who will make it their mission to ensure your phone is in the pouch.

Some teachers even waste up to 5 minutes of class time to make sure every phone is in a pouch and call out students who may have forgotten to put it in the pouch, or just chose not to. Of course they are just doing their jobs, but I don't think it's the best use of their time. While administration may view the pouches as beneficial to students and their learning, I personally believe this policy is impractical.

High school is the most appropriate time to teach youth about productivity and time management. In a few months, all of these policies will not apply in the real world (for seniors at least). Giving a student the choice to want to learn instead of scrolling through Instagram builds responsibility and self control.

In college, a professor isn’t going to put their lecture on pause to tell a student to put their phone away. If a student doesn’t obtain important information for an exam, that’s on them. Instead of focusing on control, let a student learn the hard way. This way, they’ll genuinely know it's in their best interest to not use their phone in class. 

Having students put their phone in a pouch during a test is understandable, because cheating is obviously a thing. However, during regular teaching, students shouldn’t be forced to give their phone up. Given that we are becoming adults, we should know to be responsible for getting our work done and keeping up with good grades. 

If you’re on your phone while a patient is coding or while a defense attorney is representing their case, you’ll simply be fired. Allow students to learn self control before it’s too late.

At BelovED Community Charter High School, we have many staff members who make this school a safe and welcoming place. Everyday, our high school does their best to make the school a better environment. This brings us to our school’s most favorite security guard, Sergio Campbell. 

Sergio, who goes by Serg among us scholars, has made the biggest impact on our BelovED community. Not only because he takes precautionary steps for our scholars, but because he actually takes time to care for the student body.

Serg’s plan, however, wasn't always to be a security guard. 

“At first it was just a job, just to pick but overtime," Serg began. "I liked it due to interacting with students, watching them grow up, and it felt good and amazing. I enjoy coming [to BelovED] ever yday.” 

And we can all agree that we’re glad he stuck with this job. Serg is a role model and an inspiration to many individuals around school. He credits his upbringing as the reason he cares so much about the students of BelovED. 

“Not having my father around shaped and molded me to being a better father to my daughters, [and] to take my job more seriously," Serg said. 

"You don’t know what these kids are dealing with outside of school. You gotta have a good heart,” Serg added passionately. 

Outside of school, Serg tries to use the best of his time through his hobbies. However, hobbies aren’t something that he does just because he enjoys them, but also because it is something that he is passionate towards, as well as a continuous journey for him. 

Serg is interested in all sports, but one in particular stuck out. Serg said “basketball, I always played basketball when I was younger. You get side tracked but it’s okay.” 

But after school, Serg combines his passion for sports with his family life. “Most of the time I hang out with my daughter, supporting the school's sports: basketball, soccer, all for school spirit, all for the kids.” 

Serg tries his best to balance his family life with supporting the BelovED students, and when asked if he wants to stay at BelovED long term he quickly replied with a “Yes!”

Last year the graduating seniors and staff showed their appreciation to Sergio as a final goodbye to their favorite BelovED member. 

“I got a standing ovation [at graduation.] It made me feel like people really rock with me, one of the best memories.” 

Sergio is someone who cares about the students of BelovED and was there from the start. From virtual learning and the mask mandate, to prom and graduation, Sergio has been an important part of all of our experiences.

It isn't an understatement to say that the students of BelovED all love Sergio not as a security guard, but as family. So next time you see Sergio be sure to show your appreciation to the best rapper, father, and security guard at BelovED High School.

On a final note: Serg loves rapping and is incredibly passionate about it. So to conclude this interview, we asked Serg to freestyle for us and the video attached is the result!

Editor's Note: The views expressed in this piece reflect the opinion of the writer. They do not represent the views of The Messenger Owl or BelovED Community Charter High School.

I’m sure that a lot of us have already heard about the countless school shootings that have happened in the U.S. in the past decade. It’s sad really, how many people and children have died at the hands of someone who wasn’t capable of the responsibility of knowing when and where they should and shouldn’t pull the trigger. But I really want to focus on how this is even allowed in the first place. 

I know a lot of us would like to know why shooters do the things they do, whether it’s figuring out if there is something wrong with them emotionally, or if they do it for the "fun" of it. However, I think there is another issue we can get at by asking beyond the why.

“Why did you do it?"

"Because I can, the gun is mine.”

It’s an obvious issue that I feel should be discussed more. 

Now, the government, and our constitutional rights have to do with gun laws and policies today, we all know that for sure. But how come so many of these killings were even allowed in the first place? How can somebody who was capable of taking so many lives be allowed to own an assault rifle? 

The amount of news that we hear today of innocent lives being taken whether at work or at school is really beyond me. Of course I think there should be stricter laws on gun ownership. Why wouldn’t there be? 

Are we not paying attention to the fact that literally anyone can own a gun if they really wanted to, and they can do whatever they desire with it?

Every day that goes by at least 12 children die in America from gun violence, according to the Sandy Hook Promise. Is that not catching anybody's attention or what?

Children die because of what the government fails to address. 

In 2021, according to the Pew Research Center, 48,830 people passed away from gun violence in the states. 

68% of gun related occurrences in school were from guns taken from home, relatives, or a friend, states the Sandy Hook Promise. How is it that we have gotten so careless about who carries firearms? 

Let’s not forget the fact that when people are in possession of a gun, they sometimes get too trigger happy. The United States has the highest teen and child firearm mortality rate among other countries. As a matter of fact, the U.S. holds the highest rate of mass shootings in general.

All in all, there really should be more concern with who carries guns around in the U.S. let alone around children everyday. I get it, we want to protect, and we like to think that guns are the solution for protection, but how can we protect when the source of danger is just a couple feet away, locked away in a cabinet, or not even locked away? 

There needs to be more care and cautiousness with the way guns are just handed to people, even just a bit of more precaution before allowing one to own a gun can save a life. Our future generation is at stake and in trouble. So let’s keep that in mind when we brush off the fact that the person to your left on a bus or train may potentially be carrying something that could quite literally take your breath away. 

Many are familiar with class of ‘24 senior Vhyel Nicdao, either through his role as student council president or as president of the fashion club. His bright creativity and perfectly styled fits are hard to ignore!

“Vee is always doing the right thing,” Mr. Paredes said. “Getting prepared for class, always on time, always participating in class, and bringing positive energy.” 

It has not always been easy for Vhyel though, as he says he struggled as a freshman in BelovED with trying to assimilate into high school culture after virtual learning for 2 years. He also felt that it was difficult and sometimes uncomfortable for him to put himself out there as an underclassman in big spaces.

During his time as an underclassmen, he felt as though BelovED was not providing the things that he wanted to see in high school, which pushed him to make a change in the school’s culture.

“I really wanted to make what I wanted to see in a high school happen without relying on others to make that happen,” Nicdao said. 

An idea sparked in Nicdao’s mind, that if no one else was going to take any sort of action, he would, which is why he ran for student council president at the end of his junior year.

Ever since he was a little kid, he always had a dream of being associated with fashion, as he grew up looking up to figures like Hannah Montana from the popular Disney Channel television series. 

As a junior, Vhyel became president of the fashion club. Later in February, he created a fashion show that he felt helped “show an aspect of himself and his own art." This is one of the many things he is proud of, as he was able to make a passion project that had nothing to do with academics. 

As a person, he says he has been influenced by his family and Filipino culture in regards to his drive and resilience, which is how he has been able to maintain a heavy workload that comes along with being a senior, president of the fashion club, and president of student council.

“Asian culture involves a strive to be perfect, and I took that, not in a negative manner to pressure myself into a box, but rather, always trying to perfect aspects of myself and always trying to grow as a person," Nicdao said.

After he graduates from high school, he hopes to pursue his dream career of joining the fashion marketing industry by attending the Fashion Institute of Technology. 

He also wishes to carry on a message to the current underclassmen and future Owls, that they remember to stand their ground, not put too much pressure on themselves, do what makes them happy, express their identities as much as possible, and most importantly, have fun.

1. Coraline 

This is a classic movie. It follows a young girl named Coraline and what she experiences during the days she moves into the pink palace.  

As she looks around the house she finds a mysterious door which first seems like it has been closed off. 

Later that night she follows a mouse to the door which now is glowing purple and blue, the door  leads her to her “perfect” world  with her “perfect" parents.

 She rushes down to the door and finds it closed off again. 

She continues to go back, she finds herself in a problem where her other mother wants to sew buttons into her eyes.

She challenges the other mother in a game where she has to find the eyes of the lost souls. 

This movie has many great moments and many great scenes. This is a great movie to start off with for a fall movie marathon.

1. The Nightmare Before Christmas

This is another classic movie to start out with for you fall movie marathon. 

This classic movie starts off with the introduction of halloween town and the pumpkin king, Jack Skellington.

Jack Skellington sings about how he is tired of all the years being the same and filled with frights and scares . He wants to have something different to fill his empty tomb.

As he walks through the forest he finds trees with different pictures on them. He enters the tree with a Christmas tree on it.

He sees all the joy and happiness in the air and decides to bring back a bunch of decorations. 

As he tries to take over Christmas, he plots to kidnap Santa Claus and take his role.

This movie is another one of Tim Burton’s greatest creations. This movie is a 9/10 and I recommend you to watch this.

2. Beetlejuice

This movie starts off with the Maitlands; Barbara and Adam get into a car accident which leads them to haunt their own house. 

They try to leave their house but they find themselves trapped inside their house, unable to leave.

As the days go by, the Deetzes and their daughter Lydia move into the house.

Barbara and Adam try to scare them away but nothing fazes them.

As the Maitlands continue to fail, a demon named Beetlejuice sees them and offers them help. They agree to  the “help” but later find out that it was a terrible idea.

I would also recommend this movie, it has a lot of great moments and it's very funny.  This is an 8/10.

3. Edward Scissorhands

This is a great movie. This starts off with a scientist creating an animated human called Edward.

As Edward is being created, the scientist dies and leaves him with blades for hands. 

People cast him as an outsider, but one day a saleswoman finds him and invites him to her home.

Edward falls in love with her daughter, but knows he could never be with her because of how he looks.

This movie is a great one by Tim Burton. There is a bigger meaning behind this movie than people realize. Watch to find out!

4. Ghostbusters

This movie starts off with a group of scientists losing their positions at a prestigious university in New York. 

To make money they build and construct high tech to catch a ghost. Soon they start a business and begin calling themselves the Ghostbusters.

They find a gateway to another dimension which lets out the supernatural and the evil spirits.

Now the Ghostbusters need to save the city!

As senior year is progressing for the Class of 2024, college applications and acceptances are becoming part of our daily lives. This had lead to many of our seniors to have mixed emotions towards the IDD’s at BelovED. We interviewed a number of seniors regarding to how they feel towards the IDD’s, as well as which colleges they are looking the most forward to and if those colleges had their majors or not. 

On October 2, our seniors had the opportunity to get interviewed by Caldwell University and we would like to wish a big congratulations to those who got in with scholarships! However, before the interview senior Reyina Boereau said, “I was nervous at first, especially when the admissions officer asked me how I would be a good fit for this school. But after the interview, I realized that it wasn’t too bad.” 

Although IDD’s are an opportunity to be accepted right on the spot, it also may be a process that many scholars may find nerve wracking or time consuming.

“I’m feeling alright, like it’s all gonna be okay,” senior Miguel Spratley said. On the other hand, senior Nicole Rodriguez said, “I'm cooler than expected but at the same time it’s nerve wracking."

Overall the feedback for IDD has been positive, but we also wanted to ask which colleges students want to see in the near future. Many seniors mentioned Kean, Rutgers, and even NJIT. This reveals how our Beloved scholars are reaching above and beyond. 

Of course these Instant Decision Days wouldn’t have been possible without our two college counselors, Mr. Harper and Ms. Batista, tirelessly working to ensure students get a chance at acceptance to the college they want. Hats off to Harptista!

As the Beloved Owls Girls soccer team kills the competition and is currently undefeated with a 8-0 record, it really questions how the manager's end is impacting how the team performs and stays motivated for the next game and upcoming state championships. 

Nicole Rodriguez '24 being the Girls Soccer teams manager and also a contributor to this article, really allows us to envision her view and see what she does for the team on the management side. When it comes to bringing supplies, making sure the team is keeping 100% energy, and even there for support, Rodriguez is there and ready to do her job, with the support of her senior co-manager, Savannah Glenn '24.

"Being a soccer team manager has been an interesting and fun experience so far, Rodriguez said. "Going to the recent games in West New York against Memorial and the game against Dickinson, being there and experiencing first hand the adrenaline going on at these games, really gives insight on how it feels to work as a team and continue on this journey."

So far, there have been a few hardships along the way, whether that’d be the feeling of not performing the best during games, or watching team members become frustrated and feeling that they aren’t good enough.

"I’ve observed how team captains really are the glue that keeps the team together," Rodriguez reflected. "That determination and motivation that comes from focusing on what they need to work on, and practicing skills that they lack, is the best that a manager could ever witness while being part of a team, watching that growth and perseverance win after win, is something that these girls 100% should be proud of."

Team management plays a big role in the performance and success of the team, and keeping or helping the coaches be more organized. While she has a major role, Rodriguez's favorite part is just being with the team.

"Watching that closeness in relationships from coaches and the players, while building bonds during my time being part of this team, has honestly been such an amazing experience thus far," Rodriguez said.

"Cheering on the sidelines, keeping track of scores in games, recording those games, taking pictures, listening to motivational speeches given by the coaches, and trying to be there for members when needed is something that a manager gets to look forward to whenever the team comes together."

Rodriguez understands the importance of putting effort and coming together as a team, for the sake of growth. Building these relationships, and her putting effort to make the best of situations, is a benefit to the team.

William Paterson University➪ November 1, 2023

Willian Paterson is located in Wayne, New Jersey and is a public university. The most popular majors are Psychology, Communications, and Criminal Justice. The average GPA to be considered is a 3.6 and accepts 83% of applications. The SAT/ACT scores are not necessary but the ideal range would be an 890 or above. 

Fairleigh Dickinson University ➪ November 7, 2023

Fairleigh Dickinson University is a private university with two campuses in Madison, New Jersey, and Teaneck, New Jersey. The highest attended majors are Psychology, Business, and Biology. The school looks for a GPA of 3.3 or higher and is SAT/ACT optional but a score of 1040 or above may increase the likelihood of getting accepted. Students who apply will have an 85% chance of being accepted into the school.

Drew University ➪ November 15, 2023

Drew University (or University of the Forest) is a public university located in Madison, New Jersey. Drew is known mainly for Social Sciences, Business, Management, Marketing, Physcology, Bio, and Communications majors. The GPA requirements are 3.5 (weighted or unweighted) and their SAT requirements are 1120-1340 (test optional). Students who apply have a 73% chance of being accepted.

Rider University ➪ December 5, 2023

Rider University is a private university located in Lawrence Township, New Jersey. Their most common majors are Business, Visual and Performing Arts, Phycology, Homeland Security, and Law Enforcement. They have an acceptance rate of 83% and require a GPA of at least 3.5. Ryder is a test optional school, however the SAT range is from 1100-1300.

TCNJ (The College of New Jersey) ➪ December 6, 2023

TCNJ is located in Ewing Township, New Jersey. Their top five majors are Business, Education, Engineering, Health Professions (and related programs, as well as Biomedical and Biological Sciences. As of 2020, TCNJ is a test optional school, however students who do submit SAT scores usually range from 1114-1350. Their GPA requirements are 3.6 and above. Students have a 62% chance of being accepted into this college.

As the chilly weather is approaching, it is time to layer up in clothing so you can keep warm! Coziness is key, but so is adding some additional flavor to your style.

This Fall, it's all about the coats and kicks!

Coziness is perfect for fall, and Uggs are perfect for warm, cozy feet.

For many, when the chilly season comes around, it is time to automatically pull out the North Face jackets. This year, try something different: pair your Uggs with a thick coat instead. You can get a fashionable, warm coat made of flannel or wool, and it will last for years.

Wearing a nice, stylish coat and some cozy Uggs makes it easy for you to look like an FASHION ICON this fall.

As Barbara Walters said back in 2014: Taylor Swift is the music industry.

According to CNN news, The “Eras Tour” has made over 2.2 billion dollars so far, and that would make “Eras” the highest-grossing tour ever, beating Elton John’s “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” which was the previous highest grossing tour, grossing over $887 million.

Swift's tour kicked off back in March with her first show in Glendale, AZ.  Since then, she's gone on to tour the rest of the United States, Latin America, Asia, Australia, Africa, and Europe and will conclude on November 23, 2024, in Toronto, Canada. The entire tour is comprised of 146 show dates across five continents.

Taylor Swift sings around 44 songs in each concert including what fans are most excited about: 2 surprise songs. In each concert  she has about 12 different outfits, most of  them represent an era (an era representing  each  Taylor Swift album, meaning there's 12 eras).  This proves why Taylor Swift refers to  herself as a “mastermind."

Swifties are also excited to make “friendship bracelets” and share them with each other, inspired  by her  song “You’re on Your Own, Kid” in which Swift sings, “So make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it, you've got no reason to be afraid."

According to Rolling Stone magazine, “There's nothing in history that compares. This is her best tour ever, by an absurd margin.” 

Swift said to her fans at a recent show, “I kind of just feel like telling you … I’ve just never been this happy in my life, in all aspects of my life, ever... It's not just the tour. I just sort of feel like my life finally feels like it makes sense.”

What are the scholars are BelovED High School listening to this month? We decided to ask around and find out!

🎵 Freshman Mix

Top Genre: R&B

• Sza

• Mac Demarco

• TV Girl

• Faye Webster

• Laufey 

• Lil Tjay 

• Lil Durk

• Summer Walker

• Beyonce 

• Drake 

• Jhene Aiko

🎵 Sophomore Mix

Top Genre: Indie/Alternative

• Beabadoobee 

• Mitski

• Wave to earth 

• Laufey 

• Kali Uchis

• NBA Youngboy

• Bruno mars

• Brent Faiyaz

• Erykah Badu

• Barry Manilow

• Don Toliver

🎵 Junior Mix

Top Genre: R&B

• Kodak Black 

• Lil Baby

• Mitski

• Brent Faiyaz

• PARTYNEXTDOOR

• Bryson Tiller

• Sza

• Summer Walker

• Rod Wave

• Lil Durk

• Otilia Brumă

🎵 Senior Mix

Top Genre: Hip Hop

• Romeo Santos 

• Sza

• Lil Uzi

• Drake 

• Rod Wave

• Miguel

• Gunna 

• Rylo Rodriguez

• Frank Ocean

• Daniel Caesar 

• ASAP Rocky

Owls Recommend...

• Freshmen: "Sativa" by Jhene Aiko

• Sophomores: "Jungle" by Drake

• Juniors:"Bilionera" by Otilia Brumă

• Seniors: "Pyramids" by Frank Ocean

And the top overall artist... SZA!

As the new school year begins, the stress and overwhelming thoughts about the future follow our senior students around like a shadow.

When it comes to college applications, AP classes and even their athletic endeavors, it is always something. Seniors have to cope with constant reminders that this is their last year in high school and an introduction into their adulthood.

We interviewed our fellow seniors with questions concerning their plans for college and beyond, including what they would like to see for their last year of high school.

Many students claim to be unprepared for college and our questions made them realize the gravity of the situation they currently find themselves in.

“Wow, I’m really about to go to college,” senior Reyina B. said. Same, Reyina.

Many claimed the stress of balancing school work and college applications is their most difficult task currently, due to how important both of these activities are.

Many seniors are still undecided on the colleges they want to attend and what they want to pursue for their career.

However, all this stress and hard work will pay off in the future, with the seniors having a load of fun events to look forward to in the spring.

The seniors we spoke with had a lot of ideas to contribute about prom and the senior trip.

They suggested many ideas. Including themes such as “Hollywood',' offered by senior Maria C., and “a ‘20s masquerade ball,” offered by senior Reyina B.

Senior Reginald L. wasted no time in expressing what he’s most looking forward to this year.

“The trip to Kalahari!” he said.

When asked “Where do you see yourself in 10 years” there were spectacular answers such as being a therapist, engineer, and even nurses.

Senior Bhea S. sees herself becoming a “successful occupational therapist with a good income and my own house”.

Whatever life has in store, we are confident that the BelovED High School class of 2024 will rise to the challenge.

Being in a school where consequences for being out of uniform are harsh can be draining for the typical high school student. However, seniors and teachers at BelovED have found many ways to redefine uniform norms while also staying fashionable and flexible. 

Students at BelovED who refuse to comply with our uniform policy are penalized with an after school reflection or referral. The small range of color choice (navy blue, gray, and black) seems to restrict carrying out full self expression. However, our students have found many ways to push that boundary. We asked the flyest 10 owls (students and staff) to tell reporters how they stay out of ASR while also being swagalicious. 

When asked, “how do you come up with your uniform combos? And do you find it  easy or difficult to find inspiration?” senior Reginald Lladoc responded, “I have a lot of baggy clothes I like to wear and I find it more comfortable. I bring a BelovED sweater so I don't get in trouble."

Student Council President Vhyel Nicdao said, "Considering my style is business casual, I'm very preppy. I go by color and silhouette or I go by the vibe of the day. It's easy for me to dress myself because they expect us to look formal.”

Given that BelovED has such a small population, many students and teachers influence each other’s outfit ideas and apply it to their own look. We asked staff and students which fellow owl influenced them or appealed to their aesthetic in terms of fashion and the responses varied.

BelovED’s film teacher, Mx. Gilbert responded, “ Ms Nashed. She wears a lot of cargos and button downs and I specifically went out and looked for some because I realized they were dress code.”

Senior Farba Ndiaye old interviewers, “I like Vee’s style. It's not something I would personally wear, but I find it very cute. For a girl, I like Shania’s style. I feel like she always looks cute and comfy.” 

The senior student body at BelovED is actively trying their best to stay out of trouble regarding their uniforms and so far have been pretty successful! Many hope that in the upcoming year, they can be rewarded with more dress down days or a lift on certain uniform policies. Students want to bring life to that fantasy of completely getting rid of the uniform policy, but until then, journalists just wanted to know,  “If you could change one thing about the uniform, what would it be?”

Seniors Farba Ndiaye and Kamil Harris agreed on sweatpants being allowed on all days of the week, while seniors Anusha Alam and Jasmain Isaac dtated, “[We] would allow [everyone] to wear any pants. [We] wish [we] could wear leggings."

Ms. Uhlinger, model UN and AP World History teacher gave the most comical response.

"I would love open toed shoes or a better dress down day shirt," she said. "The teacher dress down day shirts are ugly and gross.”

January 29, 2024

Ever faked sick to get out of school? Broken your Chromebook? Missed the school bus?

Take our Never Have I Ever quiz! Results will be shared in one week. 

Don't worry! This is completely anonymous, and just for fun!