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Long Beach Sewer Spill

MVHS Staff
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Long Beach Sewer Spill

Vanessa Mendoza
Staff Writer

A massive sewage spill has led to the temporary closure of all swimming areas in beaches in the Southern California city, Long Beach.

Credit: CNN

     City officials announced the spill on Friday, December 31, 2021, confirming millions of gallons of untreated sewage were discharged into the Dominguez Channel, a waterway that empties into Los Angeles Harbor.

      According to authorities, it’s the largest spill in LA County history. In a news release, the city of Long Beach said that the spill occurred in the city of Carson because of the failure of a 48-inch sewer mainline. 

     It is estimated that about 8.5 million gallons of sewage spilled into a nearby storm drain and continued through the Dominguez Channel and the LA Harbor. State law requires temporary closure and posting at beaches in these situations until the water quality meets State requirements.

     Some of the beaches that were closed down were Cabrillo, Point Fermin, White Point Park, Royal Palm, Rancho Palos Verdes, Seal beach, and other areas in neighboring Orange County.

     Long Beach has approximately seven miles of public beach. The Long Beach Health Department’s Water Quality Inspection Team is monitoring water quality in the affected beach areas and will continue until results comply with state water quality standards.  

     LACSD said, “As a safety precaution due to spoiled sewage reaching the ocean, the LA County Department of Public Health issued a closure of beaches from Long Beach to Rancho Palos Verdes.

     Some raw sewage was even seen floating around in some neighborhoods. One resident even said, “It’s just flooding the street with fecal matter and toiletries just going down the street…odor is really, really bad…contaminating our neighborhood.” 

     To protect the safety of the public, weekly water samples are collected and tested routinely to monitor bacteria levels. For their safety, the community is encouraged to pay close attention to any warning signs posted at beaches.  

     The 70th annual Polar bear Swim that usually draws hundreds of people to Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro for a New Year’s Day Plunge was canceled. 

     This is the second major Southern California sewage spill in six months. Back in July, four miles of beaches were temporarily closed when 17 million gallons of sewage spilled into Santa Monica Bay after a mechanical failure at a nearby sewage treatment facility. 

     Crews were finally able to stop the sewage overflow by installing five bypass systems, and three of the bypass systems were installed for protection. 

     Beaches began to start reopening on Monday, January 3, 2022. According to public health officials, two consecutive clean sample tests were taken on the water to ensure that it was safe for swimming. 

The Covid Experience

MVHS Staff
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The Covid Experience

Shayan Pour Teimour
Staff Writer

I was diagnosed with the coronavirus and was forced to quarantine for 10 days. This is how it went.

Credit: BBC News

     On Thursday, the 6th of January, I woke up feeling extremely sick. Little did I know, I was burning up with a 102 degree fever. Later in the day, I took a covid test to see if I actually had the virus. I had tested positive for COVID-19.

     My first 5 days of quarantining were absolutely terrible for me. I had a very high fever- although it was brought down with the help of over-the-counter medications thankfully- a very itchy and raspy cough, stuffed nostrils, headaches and dizziness, extreme fatigue, or loss of energy, and loss of appetite. The worst parts of that list were definitely the loss of appetite, the fatigue, and the fever. 

     The loss of appetite had got so bad to the point where I was force feeding myself dinner because I hadn’t eaten anything all day. The fatigue, however, goes hand in hand with this. The reason for this lack of food entering my system is because I was sleeping most of the day for 5 days straight.

     Even though my fever was brought down with medicine, at night it still worsened, no matter the medicine I took. It would even disallow me from sleeping, waking me up 3, 4, even 5 times in one night, in a sweat.

     You might be asking yourself why I didn’t mention my loss of taste and smell in the list. That’s because I, fortunately, never lost my taste or smell.

     By day 7 my sickness had finally calmed down. Fever had almost completely gone away, and I was finally getting my energy back. My sniffles were pretty much gone and I had no more headaches. The cough and lack of appetite were still stubborn as ever.

     Fast forward to today, almost 3 weeks later, I am completely symptomless except for one thing. Appetite. It is normal, however,  to not regain your appetite for multiple weeks after contracting COVID-19.

     If there is anything I could say to people out of school sick due to COVID or other things, it would be this: Do your homework.

Have No Ideas For Gifts? We Have You Covered

MVHS Staff
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Have No Ideas For Gifts? We Have You Covered

Madelynn Foulkrod
Staff Writer

 As December approaches, the craze of Christmas shopping does too. Although this is an exciting holiday season to many, it’s safe to say that Christmas gift shopping can be very stressful.

Credit: Reader’s Digest

  Each winter, the people who celebrate this holiday search frantically for the perfect presents to give their loved ones. Even though thinking of what to get a loved one may seem like a chore, it surely doesn’t have to be.

  As they say, “It’s the thought that counts.” This quote caters specifically to the giving of gifts. Even though some do have their expensive tastes, most people will be appreciative for practically any gift. 

  DIY-ing a simple Christmas card or baking goods for a loved one are just two of the cheapest and sweetest gift options for your loved ones. Decorating a card sweetly with arts and crafts materials like buttons, macaroni, glitter, and Christmas colored trinkets can really make a card pop and reflect the effort put into it. 

  Making a dessert for someone could also be delightful, but it is advised to ensure the person receiving it doesn’t have any sort of allergies that could be triggered by the treat. Some good dessert options are cake, brownies, cookies, cupcakes, or candies. 

  If choosing to bake a dessert for someone, making it Christmas themed could be a fun idea to evoke some joyful Christmas spirit. Just a few interesting concepts for a Christmas themed dessert are gingerbread-man cookies, candy canes, or pastries in the shapes of stockings, trees, and other Christmas themed objects. 

  But if arts and crafts or baking isn’t an option, there are other just as great alternatives. These ideas may require a bit of spending money, but if this is an issue there are always less costly choices available.

  If shopping for a certain person, keep in mind what their favorite things are. For example, if they like a certain TV show, get them a piece of merchandise for it. 

  Maybe even give them a blanket of their favorite color, or a piece of clothing that suits their fashion style. Making a gift sentimental is one of the best ways to make someone happy on Christmas day. 

  There are more generic gift ideas, though. Purchasing a loved one something that they may not be able to afford often or have the time to enjoy could be a nice gesture.

  Candles, bath salts or soaps, perfumes, lotions, and other luxury items may be an exciting present for someone who doesn’t get a lot of time to spend caring for themselves. 

  What the best thing is to give someone for Christmas really depends on that person’s unique personality. However, as long as there is thought, effort, and care put into a gift, it will be special and make Christmas a wonderful experience for them.

What’s Around The Campus: A Roundup of Local Eateries

Judd Karn
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What’s Around The Campus: A Roundup of Local Eateries

Judd Karn
Online Editor

A comprehensive guide of what you can eat within walking distance of the school.

Credit: Robert H. on Yelp

     Earlier this school year the faculty announced that any student who has no period after lunch, no matter the grade, is able to leave campus. This means if you don’t have a 6th period you can go off campus Tuesdays or Thursdays, even if you normally couldn’t; so if you are going to go off campus, where should you eat? There are so many great options to choose from and although you may already have one that is your go-to, it is good to branch out. So with that being said, here’s a roundup of a variety of places to get a bite to eat.
     TK Burgers
     TK Burgers is seen by many as the go-to place, and it’s understandable: they have a lively tiki-themed interior and high but fair prices, clocking in at $8 for their much beloved signature TK Burger and fries; although that is what they are known for, they also have many an abundance of other sandwiches, whether it be their homemade veggie burgers, ribeye steak sandwich, chicken sandwich, ahi tuna sandwich or impossible burger; not a burger person? The burger joint also serves chicken strips, salads, tater tots and an entirely different menu for breakfast, they are bound to have something that you would like.
    Besides the prices, the only other drawback there is is how busy it gets during school lunchtime, you have to leave right after class to head there and come back right after eating or their is a chance that you won’t make it back in time, even with the fast cooking times (considering nothing is pre-made).
     Beach Hut Deli
     Just over the bridge you’ll find Beach Hut Deli, another tiki-surf themed establishment. Inside you’ll find each booth has a surfboard for a table with a TV. As assumed by the name, they have a wide selection of sandwiches, with their most popular item being the Surfin’ Bird, a turkey, bacon, avocado, cream cheese, mayo, mustard, pickles, tomatoes, onions, pepperoncinis & lettuce french roll sandwich.
    Their sandwiches are extremely appetizing but not many students rush to the deli due to their wait times and prices, coming in at $11 for a regular 6 inch sandwich with chips and a drink. Although they do have a great chip and drink selection, with shelves of chips and a 100+ flavor Coca Cola Freestyle machine, it just takes too long.
    Using myself and Yelp reviewers as data I found that the average time was 20 minutes, which is perfectly fine when you’re going on a weekend or for dinner but is not great when you have a bit over 40 minutes to walk over, order, eat, and come back. So although a great restaurant, I would not recommend it for an off-campus school lunch.
     The Empanada Maker
     Overlooking the train tracks you can find the restaurant based around the vastly popular Spanish cuisine, The Empanada Maker. The empanadas are priced at $3.50 each, with 16 empanadas always in and limited time empanadas going in and out of rotation. The combo that you would most likely choose for an average sized meal is combo #2, coming with 2 empanadas, a regular side, and a medium beverage all for $11, the same price as Beach Hut Deli’s signature meal.
     When students were asked what their favorite empanada was at Empanada Maker, many replied with “The Diablo”, an empanada, named after our mascot, coming with spicy barbeque pulled pork, cheddar cheese, onions & cilantro; the great thing about The Empanada Maker is their variety. Although, besides salads & soups, the only main dish they serve is empanadas, their many different flavors cover anyone’s liking. Along with the variety of flavors is the wait time, the pastries are usually pre-made and left hot and ready to be ordered, which is a great benefit to Diablos who have such a limited timeframe.
     Paradise Donuts & Deli
     Yet another sandwich restaurant with an island theme, although Paradise Donuts & Deli does it a bit different. Instead of an elaborate ambience the restaurant has more of a hole in the wall type feel, with no decorations, a couple chairs inside, and a patio outside. All 6 inch sandwiches come in at somewhere in the $7 range and come with a donut and a drink, a pretty great deal compared to the other restaurants around.
    As for the taste of the sandwiches, they are delicious! I personally love them and Yelp reviewers too, “Paradise is my favorite place to eat in California. I know it’s a big state, but I’m serious. Sandwiches are one of my favorite foods and Paradise does it right.” declares Andi T.
    Sometimes the deli will be busy but every time I have gone there during school lunch, no matter how busy they are, I am able to be on campus before the first bell rings. Overall a great place to eat for the price and the hidden gem of the 7 restaurants.
     Ronaldo’s Taco Shop
     On the corner Muirlands and La Paz sits Ronaldo’s Taco Shop, a classic Mexican taqueria. One of the most popular items on the menu is the $9.25 carne asada burrito. Served with guacamole and salsa this burrito is nothing to write home about but also is not terrible, and from the students I interviewed and the yelp reviews I have looked over they all have come to a consensus that Ronaldo’s Taco Shop is decent, nothing too good, nothing too bad.
     The wait times are usually around 15 minutes which is not bad but something to consider and usually do not get too busy during lunch time.
     I will say that, although they’re portion sizes are probably the biggest out of any of the restaurants reviewed, they are still too pricey for the quality of food that you get. I would much rather go to The Empanada Maker and get something for the same price for a, arguably, better meal in, usually, a faster time.
    Taco Bell
     The food tastes the exact same to that of other Taco Bells you would go to, expect fast food level Mexican food. The one major problem I have with it is the size and how busy it gets, it gets absolutely packed at lunch time. If you are planning on ordering something inside, good luck trying to get back to school in time.
     The good thing is the prices are cheap so if you really want to go off campus and have a small amount of money to buy something you can try to go here, although at that point I would just get one of our lunches that are free to everyone. So I would just say to avoid Taco Bell as an option for off-campus school lunch.
     Starbucks
     Then there’s Starbucks. I would recommend this to anyone who does not really want something to eat, maybe they only want a pastry or something, but mainly wants some coffee to re-energize them. This Starbucks does usually get packed during lunchtime but you should be able to easily get through it by lunchtime.
    I do not really see Starbucks as an actual contender as a place if you would actually want to eat something as their sandwiches are very light and pretty pricey. It is much more cost efficient to order your desired beverage from Starbucks and then go to whatever restaurant to get the rest of the food, although depending on the restaurant it may be hard to do both before the bell rings.
     So the verdict on Starbucks is, if you really want a drink from there, get it, but if you want something else I would highly encourage you to go somewhere else afterwards or in general.

Are the Hallmark Movies Worth Watching?

MVHS Staff
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Are the Hallmark Movies Worth Watching?

Soheil Khatib Ghavami & Rebekah Choi
Staff Writers

Credit: Vogue

Yes:

     Many people know what Hallmark movies are, those cringe Christmas movies that have the most cheesy romance in them that seem so cliche that it hurts, but it still hits close to home when it comes to comfort.

     Hallmark movies are mostly played during the holiday season, but if they aren’t worth watching, why do so many people know them? Well it’s mostly because Hallmark movies have some sort of way that just lets people know that it’s time for the holidays, and to go grab your pajamas and hot cocoa because it’s time to binge watch these movies. 

     If you didn’t know, Hallmark movies are known for their infamous corny romance movies, which often focus on a middle-aged woman who is either widowed or divorced who finds a handsome middle aged, humble man and somehow finds romance with her after a few days. Then the man connects with the woman’s children and they live happily ever after and vice versa.

     Although each one of us knows how every new movie goes, Hallmark movies just have a way that makes people connect so well with each other whether it be old or new movies. It just helps people come together whether it be friends or family to sit down and enjoy company with each other and talk about the movies and fawn over the unrealistic characters and romance.

     Even while having a hard time making a decision on what to watch, you can always settle for a Hallmark movie because it has that feeling of familiarity where you know that you can enjoy yourself. When scrolling through movies on a platform where you’ve watched absolutely everything on there, it’s good to choose one that you know.

     If you don’t enjoy the overall Hallmark movie ideas, it could always be there for a quick laugh if you find the amount of inconvenience and second hand embarrassment that go on in these movies. The excessive amount of expression that goes into one small scene, or the over exaggeration over something that is supposed to be the most amazing thing ever when really it’s not that impressive at all can make anyone laugh.

     Hallmark movies in spite of the fact that the plot can get repetitive, it has that unusual ability to send positive feelings to the audience. It could be that  sense of nostalgia and comfort people get when they know that Hallmark movies will always start and end the same way that they want it to.

     Having a Hallmark movie on is just the ideal way to spend the holiday season with your family, friends, or even strangers at a random holiday party. It can be to spend more time with the people you love, looking for a familiar movie to watch during the holidays, or just trying to find that sense of comfort that you need and get through Hallmark movies, so even despite Hallmark movies over the top acting and impractical plots, they are still definitely worth watching.

No:

There has been a recent debate over the very famous Christmas movie series Hallmark. There are many family Christmas movies for that time of year, when you want to just be cozy and watch a movie.  

But then the question arises, are the Hallmark movies worth watching? They aren’t. To begin with there are many flaws in the ways that you can watch them. They are not available on normal cable tv. 

That is not the only issue though as they aren’t available on netflix or other popular streaming services. They are only available on amazon prime video and fubotv. This is a problem however and we’ll get into why.

It is a problem because fubotv requires a subscription of around 65 dollars a month which is very expensive to purchase just to be able to watch one series of movies. Also, on amazon prime video each movie is $9.99 just to rent which is a very absurd price.

Now that the price issues are out of the way we can get into the actual movies. Are they worth such hefty prices? No they are absolutely not. They are very generic Christmas movies that cost way more than others. There are many free movies on cable tv and on Netflix that are actually better than the Hallmark movies.

After watching a few of the movies it is very easy to get bored of the sort of repetitive scripts. Each movie seems like the last but with a little twist just to make it different. Some argue that it is better to watch single Christmas movies and just watch a new one after.

Many agree to save your money to go watch movies in the theaters with your friends and family and it will probably come out to around the same price as one or two Hallmark movies. 

But don’t misunderstand this article, we aren’t calling the Hallmark movies bad movies, we’re just arguing whether they are worth your investment of time and big amounts of money. They are fun to watch once in a while with family and friends but become boring after one or two. 

In conclusion the Hallmark movies have a lot more cons than pros. Therefore we do not recommend you to spend your time or money watching this series. There are too many reasons not to watch this series other than to watch it. 

Here is a list of movies you can watch instead:

  1. The Christmas Chronicles series
  2. Christmas with the Kranks
  3. The Grinch
  4. Klaus
  5. The Polar Express
  6. A California Christmas
  7. Christmas on Square 
  8. Santa Buddies Series
  9. The Knight Before Christmas
  10. Daddy’s Home 2 

MVHS Football Finishes Strong Season as League Champs

MVHS Staff
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MVHS Football Finishes Strong Season as League Champs

Eja Fromm
Co-Editor In Chief

The Diablos fought hard this past football season as they ultimately ended with an impressive 9-2 record. 

 

     It is no secret that Mission Viejo High School is known for their well renowned Division 1 football program. The Diablos fought hard this season as they made it into the first round of Division 1 CIF playoffs, and were first in the South Coast League.   

     Their first game of the season was truly a debut of the success they were bound to achieve. The Diablos faced Apple Valley and pulled off a victorious win against them with the final score being 44-21.

     The team had a booming crowd to support them for their first game after playing with restrictions the previous season due to the pandemic. The Inferno showed up strong and definitely brought the hype to support the boys on the field. 

     Their second game was an away game against Servite. Servite lost in the final round of Division 1 Championships for CIF against Mater Dei. Unfortunately, the Diablos lost against Servite with a final score of 44-7. 

     Their next away game was versus Long Beach Poly. The highly anticipated game was no challenge for the team as the scoreboard revealed another win: 41-14. 

     The following week, the boys challenged Alemany High School. Mission showed up and dominated once again with the final score being 30-7.

     Finally, the Diablos got to play their second home game against Leuzinger High Score. The Inferno showed up and were LOUD. Leuzinger was no challenge for Mission as they pulled through with a final score of 55-14. 

     The following week was another home game against Sierra Canyon. The Inferno memed against the school that Lebron James’ son attends by making posters asking, “Where’s Bronny at?” Once again, the Diablos were victorious as the scoreboard revealed 27-10, in favor of the Inferno. 

     The next week was a close game agai

nst Helix High School. Helix was fierce and brought the fire against the Diablos. However, Mission secured another dub with the final score being 38-21. 

     Tesoro was the next game against the boys. The long time rival was no challenge for the Diablos. Yet again, they gained another win as they blew out the Titans with a score of 45-3.

     The following away game was versus local opponent, San Juan Hills High School. The Stallions were no match against the Diablos as they defeated them 42-22.

     The final league game was against a rival team, San Clemente High School. The Tritons unfortunately beat Mission the two previous seasons, but Mission was prepared and not about to let that happen again. 

     There was a lot of anticipation leading up to this game. The San Clemente “Loud Crowd” created a great deal of animosity with the Inferno, but simply didn’t live up to the hype that they intended. Mission absolutely shut them down as the scoreboard shined 45-0. 

     The football team’s current score was 9 wins and 1 loss. This secured them a ticket to CIF Division 1 playoffs. 

     The team had two weeks to prepare for the first round of the playoffs. They were bound to play Centennial High School. According to MaxPreps, Centennial is ranked the 3rd best football team in California and 14th on a national level. Mission is ranked 6th for California. 

     The boys anticipated this to be a tough game, and they fought hard against the Huskies. Sadly, the 2021 football season came to an end, and Mission lost 62-16. 

     Overall, the Diablos football team had a strong season. Their hard work and dedication paid off on the field. Go Diablos!

Josh Barbone: Battling Cancer and High School

MVHS Staff
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Josh Barbone: Battling Cancer and High School

Breanna Huynh and Brooklyn Baggett
Feature Editor and Co-Editor in Chief

An inside look into the life and story of Josh Barbone, a resilient 14 year old with a positive and uplifting perspective on life and self-reliance.  

     One of the main mysteries of life surrounds death and the afterlife. Many people wonder and fear their death but not this kid, Josh Barbone, a freshman at Mission Viejo High School. 

     Despite going through traumatic experiences he states that, “A lot of people are scared of death, but I’m scared of pain before death because death seems relaxing. I’ve been under anesthesia and the feeling is great.”

     Born and raised in California, Josh is the oldest child in a family of five, having a younger sister named Scarlett and an older half sister named Missy. He has a cat named Balls, which of course is important to mention. 

     While he is the oldest child, one of the biggest influences and supporters in his life is his mom. Another person at the center of his support system is his neighbor, who he has known for almost his entire life. His favorite memory is with his neighbor, which was, as Josh gladly comments was, “something illegal.” 

     He then explains, “So me and my neighbor were bored on a Saturday and we went to my elementary school and Linda Vista and flipped around twenty five tables sideways because we thought it was funny, which it is.”

     Besides flipping tables, Josh can be seen receiving rounds of immunotherapy. Immunotherapy is, as he puts it, “the opposite of chemotherapy. Chemo attacks everything in your body and tries to kill everything and immunotherapy pumps up my immune system so none of my normal cells gets turned into cancerous cells.”

     “I don’t think it can shrink my cancer but it’s not what we’re looking for. The strongest chemotherapy can’t kill the cancer on its own. I need this transplant. Right now, I just need something to contain it,” he emphasizes.  

     Last year in September, Josh was diagnosed with a rare type of liver cancer for his age. Ever since then, he has dealt with the knowledge that his days might be numbered. 

     In April of this year, he learned he only had a year left and as of right now he now only has five months left to live if he doesn’t get a liver transplant. 

    “Once I get the transplant, I’m cancer free and will hopefully live a normal life.” Josh remarks. 

     One of his hopes in life is to become a pro-wrestler, going even as far as asking for a wrestling ring in his front yard as part of his wish for the Make a Wish Foundation, a non-profit organization that aims to fulfill the wishes of children who have critical illnesses.

     Apart from this, one of Josh’s biggest dreams is to travel to Greece in the future. The country is unique to him not only because of its beauty, but also because of its history and unique cuisine. He also would like to one day meet Shawn Michaels (HBK) and another professional wrestler named Kenny Omega. 

     While most would assume that someone would become more depressed and reclusive when dealing with a terminal illness, Josh’s mindset defies all stereotypes, even those of ordinary high school students. 

     “Before I was more like everyone else, more sad. But now, I’m more happy, bright and I’m more confident…and straightforward,” Josh explains. 

     His frame of mind and optimism despite everything that he struggles with daily is something that is truly heartening and should encourage us all to be more positive about our experiences and ourselves. 

     Based on the interview, it seems that there are high hopes for Josh’s future and hopefully there is something, even small, that we can all do to help.

“They say all’s well that ends well” – Taylor Swift

MVHS Staff
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“They say all’s well that ends well” – Taylor Swift

Samuel Romero Castanon
Staff Writer

Credit: Taylor Swift

     Taylor Swift has released a new album, “Red (Taylor’s Version)”, and fans can’t stop talking about it. The album first came out in 2012 as “Red”, and some might be confused about the difference between the two albums. 

     The reason for her re-release of the album is because Taylor’s master recordings were sold to the manager, Scooter Braun, without her consent. (Taylor’s Version) is her ongoing effort to regain financial and artistic control over her music, which she first started with Fearless.

     The album contains the original 16 songs from the Red album and 14 more songs in the newer album. Although it has the same songs from the first recording, Taylor has grown since then and it’s shown in her re-recording and she’s even added more style.

     So I’ll be listing my top 5 favorite songs from this album. Coincidentally these songs are all from (The Vault) so dont come after me please, I didn’t realize.

     Starting at #5, I had, “The Very First Night (From The Vault)” mainly because of the sound of the music but also the catchy chorus. The breakdown was my favorite part of the whole song. Her voice sounded so calm and yet so energetic at the same time and the sound of the guitar in the background made the lyrics sound so much more powerful.   

     At #4 we have, “Message in a Bottle (From The Vault)” since the vocals were outstanding in this song. I especially loved how Taylor would hold out the note from the pre-chorus going into the chorus and how she would sing the last words in each stanza from the chorus. 

     My #3 was, “I Bet You Think About Me (feat. Chris Stapleton) (From The Vault)” because her voice was amazing as usual and the music added so much emotion, especially the harmonica in the beginning and at the end. The lyrics also caught my attention since it’s about her affluent lover and throughout most of the song she mocks him and I love how she sings the 1st verse. I just can’t decide which verse I liked the most.

     At #2 is “Nothing New (feat. Phoebe Bridgers) (From The Vault)” because both of their voices sounded so good together, especially in the bridge when they were harmonizing. My favorite section was in the chorus, “How can a person know everything at eighteen, But nothing at twenty-two? And will you still want me when I’m nothing new?” This song has me searching for words I should know like novelty and words I’ve never heard about like ingénue but aside from that, the song is really earnest and heartfelt. It would’ve been #1 if it wasn’t for another song.

     Finally, we have gotten down to my #1 song, although before I get into that, some honorable mentions are Treacherous, Forever Winter (From The Vault), Starlight, Ronin, and Sad Beautiful Tragic. These were the songs that didn’t make my top 5 but they sure put up a fight to be #5.

     Now back to my #1 song. I know the suspense is killing you, so drumroll, please…. It’s none other than “All Too Well (10 minute version) (from the vault)” This song is everything– the vocals, the music, the lyrics, it’s marvelous. The song is genuinely emotional, all the way from the anger to the sadness in her voice just makes the song so much more passionate. 

     The Bridge, The Pre-Chorus, and the 3rd, 4th, and 6th verses were my absolute favorite parts either because of the lyrics or the way that Taylor sings a certain part. “And you call me up again just to break me like a promise, So casually cruel in the name of bein’ honest.” and, “And I was never good at tellin’ jokes, but the punch line goes ’I’ll get older, but your lovers stay my age’”, like where else would you get a song similar to this.

     After listening to it, I could understand why it’s Taylor’s most played song from the album and why it even became No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 for a week. And for those who haven’t listened to her album, do it right now because I promise that it’s well worth the 2 hours, 10 minutes, and 26 seconds.

The Holiday Blues: Seasonal Depression

MVHS Staff
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The Holiday Blues: Seasonal Depression

Megan LeBoff
Staff Writer

As the winter season rolls around, many start to feel the effects of seasonal depression. But what does it mean? And how can you treat it?

Credit: hrmagazine.co.uk

     It’s that time of year. The air is getting colder, and the sun is in hiding for most of the day.

     For some, this change in climate is welcomed, as the change of weather signals the start of holiday festivities. But for others, the change in weather means the start of a sort of seasonal sadness. And these “winter blues” could mean more than you think. 

     Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is a form of depression directly linked to weather and daylight changes brought about during fall and winter. This phenomenon is more commonly known as seasonal depression.

     And this disorder is more common than you might think. In fact, according to healthresearchfunding.com, it is estimated that SAD affects nearly 10 million Americans every year. And although all age groups are susceptible to SAD, women are 3 times more likely to suffer from it than men.

     Genetics also play a part in deciding who experiences seasonal depression. According to Reggis College, having a family history of SAD correlates with a higher prevalence of the condition.

     Unfortunately, it’s not entirely clear what causes seasonal depression. Some research suggests that people with SAD may have disrupted levels of serotonin (a chemical in your brain that regulates mood) and melatonin (a hormone that helps maintain your natural sleep cycle). Such disruptions would make it hard to adjust to seasonal changes in day length, explaining why SAD is more common in areas farther from the equator, where the sun rises the latest and sets the earliest during winter. 

     So what does suffering from SAD entail? Seasonal depression has mostly the same symptoms as year-round depression: fatigue, trouble sleeping, agitation, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and suicidal thoughts. The only difference being the seasonality of it.

     If you feel you may be suffering from SAD, it is important to know it is very treatable. Common treatment options include dawn simulators and sunlights, which are devices that are meant to simulate longer daylight hours, vitamin D supplements, omega 3 supplements, and exercise. All of which are proven to help treat SAD. 

     I talked to Irvine Highschool Counselor Abby LeBoff about Seasonal Depression. “In my experience, SAD is not that common in high school.” She says “A lot of it has to do with living in southern California so we don’t have as severe or extreme winter weather; we do have a lot more sun, which influences SAD.”

     In terms of treating SAD, “One of the steps that can be taken is to get outside,” she says “also, increase the socialization you have with other people, rather than most people, when they are experiencing that, want to avoid activities or being around others.”

     “Importantly” she adds “If your sadness is causing any severe symptoms, that you are having any thoughts of hurting yourself or others, or suicidal ideations, you talk to a trusted adult or professional and get the help that you need.”

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

Harry Styles’ New Beauty Brand

Jim Marsoobian
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Harry Styles’ New Beauty Brand

Jim Marsoobian
Opinion Editor

He’s back at it again, this time with a line of nail polish and skincare products.

Credit: Pleasing.com

     November 15th, 2021 marked the launch of a new beauty brand, Pleasing: founded by none other than Harry Styles. The singer, songwriter, and actor continues to expand his title, this time dabbling in the fashion and beauty world. Having attended the Met Gala and always impressing with his bold and unique closet, Styles has become a fashion inspiration for people all over.

     So far, Pleasing is selling a variety of nail polish and a few skincare products. The Perfect Polish Set, containing four pearl-inspired bottles and letter decals, is selling for sixty-five dollars. All of the products Pleasing offers are vegan, biodegradable, cruelty-free, and made with plant-based ingredients to have a sustainable effect, which explains the high price. The packaging contains recycled materials and the carton is completely compostable, as well.

     The four nail polish colors being offered are Perfect Pearl, a creamy white, Pearly Tops, a subtle barely-there polish, Inky Pearl, which has a deep black-blue hue, and last but not least, Granny’s Pink Pearls, a lovely light pink. As stated on the website, all of these colors can be combined to create unique colors and designs. As of now, the only colors being sold individually arePerfect Pearl and Pearly Tops for twenty dollars each.

     Styles’ inspiration for this new project is simple: “I wanted to find a way to explore more ideas and have more opportunities to collaborate with people who were inspiring me; that’s how Pleasing was born,” he said in a recent press release. “When we decided Pleasing would make beauty products I wanted to be sure they were something I would use. I didn’t want to make products to mask people, I wanted to highlight them and make them feel beautiful,” Styles explains.

     In a recent interview with Dazed, he said, “I really think that the essence of Pleasing is finding those little moments of joy and showing them to people.” Styles continues, “I don’t think being beautiful or feeling beautiful is about looking good. When people are happy and glowing, they’re radiating. And that’s what I think the products do, it’s about helping you feel beautiful.”

     Already, this hysteria-causing brand is receiving great reviews. “My primary complaint about Pleasing, frankly, is that there isn’t more of it to go around,” writes Nicola Dall’asen of  Allure Magazine. Shannon Lawlor of Who What Wear talks about how “It’s not claiming to be perfect—it’s open, honest and is trying its best to act inclusively and sustainably without getting hung up on nuances.”

     Most importantly, however, this new line represents a change in beauty. The products are marketed towards all people and promote a diverse, inclusive outtake on the target market of these items. The brand claims that “by exploring the contradictions around and within us, we dispel the myth of a binary existence.”

     Overall, this new line of products establishes the beginning of a new era of inclusive, sustainable beauty. Hopefully, this new addition to the beauty world inspires brands across the globe to create a long-lasting change that not only encourages a diverse and inclusive society but also a healthy and happy planet.

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