Myers Park Hoofprint

The Myers Park High School Newspaper

Allison Repella

Cleaning Your (Head) Space

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In our fast-paced lives, it’s easy for our minds to feel overwhelmed, and often, these feelings can be brought into our spaces in the form of clutter. According to licensed psychologist,  Peggy Loo, a messy environment can contribute to stress, anxiety, sleep issues, and concentration. Our brains like organization, so the visual distraction of clutter can make our minds feel overloaded and can reduce our working memory. It can also increase laziness by triggering avoidance strategies that make us more likely to sit around and be unproductive.

However, there is hope. Tidying up our living spaces can have significant benefits on our mental state:

  1. One of the things cleaning up our space can do is increase our sense of order and control. This is beneficial because it can reduce overwhelming feelings of procrastination and stress. Creating a structured environment can help manage our emotional state by offering an outlet for us to have complete control over our lives when maybe that is not true for other aspects we are involved in. 
  2. Another way maintaining a tidy space can be beneficial is by providing feelings of familiarity and consistency. Doing this can be crucial for creating a feeling of comfort and stability in one’s space so it does not add more stress to what we may already be facing. 
  3. The physical act of cleaning our space can release endorphins. The endorphins act as natural pain and stress relievers, enhancing overall well-being. This also goes hand in hand with that feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction we get after cleaning our space. This can be created when we can see how all of our hard work paid off in getting to take in this new tidy space.
  4. Additionally, decluttering our space also allows for improved focus. As supported by research from the Princeton Neuroscience Institute, this is because cleaning one’s room can allow the brain to focus on tasks one at a time. It takes away from that constant reminder of cleaning being on the to-do list. This can reduce distractions and enhance productivity on other tasks present in our lives.
  5.  Lastly, having a clean room can allow for more regulated emotions. This can be attributed to the fact that cleaning requires us to slow down and focus, offering a calming effect. It allows us to better manage our emotions effectively by creating a more positive space to live in.

In conclusion, this highlights that partaking in one simple task can create a better quality of life. This allows us to not only enhance the aesthetic of our area but also improve our mental well-being.

Serious about Sportsmanship 

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Sportsmanship is a fundamental aspect of competitive athletics, standing as a large part of sports culture. The issue of poor sportsmanship has been brought to the forefront, with many high-profile athletes and teams facing criticism for their lack of ethical behavior on the court, emphasizing respect and fair play.

One example of an athlete who has been criticized for their lack of sportsmanship is Draymond Green, a power forward for the Golden State Warriors. Green is notorious for his aggressive playstyle, trash-talking, and tendency to kick other players on the court. Although he is strong in his leadership skills and intensity, these positive abilities have been masked by his lack of sportsmanship. He has been criticized by many, with some arguing that his aggressive style of play is unacceptable making him a controversial figure in the league.

Another example of criticism for lack of sportsmanship are the Detroit Bad Boys, a group of players from the Detroit Pistons, known for their aggressive and physical playing style in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The Bad Boys were known for their “take no prisoners” approach to the game, often engaging in physical altercations with opposing players. While the Bad Boys were successful on the court, winning back-to-back NBA championships in 1989 and 1990, their style of play was heavily criticized by many, who argued that their behavior was both unethical and dangerous.

Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark in this year’s Women’s March Madness tournament sparked controversy regarding the sportsmanship debate as well. The two engaged in trash talk and taunting gestures, such as John Cena’s “You can’t see me” and pointing at their ring fingers. Clark says these actions “should never be torn down or criticized because I believe that’s what makes this game so fun. That’s what draws people to this game”(CBS). This raises the question of what actions are acceptable before celebration and emotional expression turn into a lack of sportsmanship. 

As poor sportsmanship has continued to grow, rules regarding them have evolved. For example, flagrant and technical fouls play a significant role in maintaining fair play and upholding sportsmanship standards. Flagrant fouls are severe offenses that involve excessive force, intentional harm, or unsportsmanlike behavior, and are typically met with severe penalties, such as ejections, suspensions, or point deductions. For example, deliberately tripping in basketball and other actions that pose a threat to participant’s safety and well-being would receive this foul. On the other hand, technical fouls are less severe in nature and serve as a means to maintain order, respect, and fair competition within the sporting event. They punish actions such as disrespectful conduct towards officials or opponents, or excessive celebration. Consequences for technical fouls often involve penalty shots, free throws, or temporary removal from the game. Some argue that officials have become too strict in penalizing athletes, leading to an environment that limits the excitement and emotional expression that fans and players love. Finding the right balance between maintaining discipline and allowing for genuine expression is crucial to preserving the essence of sportsmanship.

Sportsmanship is a critical aspect of competitive athletics. While the pursuit of victory is a central goal of any athlete, it is equally important to consider the impact that their actions have on others and on the broader sports industry. Poor sportsmanship has negative effects on the game and on the player’s overall image. A lack of sportsmanship can distract from the player’s skills due to the focus on their negative actions. Recognizing the importance of sportsmanship and working to create a culture of fair play can lead to a more positive sports environment.

Documents Leak

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Jack Teixeira, a Massachusetts Air National Guard member, was accused of leaking classified Pentagon documents on a Discord server. He had access to highly sensitive information as an intelligence analyst and may spend up to 25 years in prison for his role in the leak. These leaks were brought to light by a Discord user who reported the activity to the authorities.

Some of Teixeira’s messages were deleted before he was arrested, but many remained, which The New York Times was able to obtain. These messages show that Teixeira was fixated on weapons and strange conspiracy theories. He accused the US government of making biological and chemical weapons in Ukrainian labs, creating the Islamic State, and orchestrating mass shootings. One of his messages read that “The FBI and other three letter agencies contact unhinged mentally ill kids and convince them to do mass shootings to make people vote for gun control,” sharing a conspiracy theory of his after a gunman killed three people at a mall in Indiana last summer, according to The New York Times. His messages also showed his many conflicting ideas about the government, as he seemed to both admire and distrust the government as well as political parties.  He shared his government beliefs frequently enough that his Discord friends called him “intel man” and “three letter man,” and he seemed to love their approval (NYT). Although his messages leave many questions unanswered about his motivations, they fill in substantial gaps left by court filings and provide important clues about his mental state. 

Teixeira may spend up to 25 years in jail for his role in the leak after being charged with two counts of unauthorized handling of sensitive material. This case serves as a reminder of the severity of insider threats and the need for government organizations to be vigilant in guarding sensitive information. Identifying and preventing such breaches before they occur is essential to avoid compromising national security.

This is not the first instance of an insider leaking classified information, and it is unlikely to be the last. In fact, threats posed by insiders are considered by many to be more significant than that of external actors. They are also more difficult to detect, as they are already authorized to access the information they leak. Additionally, insiders may have a better understanding of the security measures in place, allowing them to avoid them more easily. Federal organizations must implement a range of measures to mitigate the risk of insider threats. These include monitoring employees’ activities, implementing more in depth background checks, and strengthening access controls. In this instance, Teixeira’s actions have potentially compromised national security, and the need for strict measures to prevent such incidents cannot be emphasized enough.

In the case of Teixeira, his actions have exposed weaknesses in the US Air Force’s security measures and highlighted the need for stronger protocols to prevent insider threats. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting classified information from insider threats.

In conclusion, Jack Teixeira’s case brings to light the challenges posed by insider threats to national security. His actions of leaking classified information highlights the need for stricter measures to prevent such incidents from occurring. As technology advances and access to sensitive information becomes easier, organizations must take proactive measures to guard against insider threats to ensure the safety and security of the country.

Netflix Economics

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Netflix, the world’s largest streaming service, has long been the go-to destination for TV shows and movies for millions of viewers worldwide. Netflix has become a household name when it comes to streaming entertainment, with over 200 million subscribers. Although there has been customer dissatisfaction over the years, the company still remains on top due to its creation of original content.

Netflix has faced uproar from customers over the years, mostly caused by the removal of many fan favorites such as “The Office” and “Friends”. The removal of “The Office” was due to its extreme expenses for Netflix to renew the streaming licenses. Prior to its removal from the site, Netflix was reportedly spending $500 million a year just to keep it in the US library. The removal of these shows decreased the subscriber count, sending previous customers to other streaming services. The rise of these competitors over the years such as Disney+, Hulu, and Prime Video has affected Netflix’s marginal growth by creating alternative options for viewers. However, with the highest number of subscribers in 78 countries and over 200 million customers globally, Netflix has remained the most popular video streaming service. 

Netflix’s continued success as a dominant force in the streaming industry is accredited  to its investment in original content. By creating its own “Netflix Originals,” Netflix reduces its reliance on licensing agreements with third-party studios, giving the company more control over its content library. Producing original content also allows Netflix to differentiate itself from competitors by offering exclusive content that cannot be found elsewhere. This makes Netflix hold power to keep subscribers loyal to the site. With shows such as the teen drama series “Outer Banks” and the science fiction horror series “Stranger Things” generating massive buzz and high viewership numbers, the site has stayed afloat. These shows have been popular with audiences and have helped Netflix increase its subscriber base. Some may say Netflix Originals  alone are keeping the site alive.

The success of popular shows has been crucial to Netflix’s growth and profitability. However, producing original content can be very expensive, with budgets for some shows reaching hundreds of millions of dollars. “Outer Banks” season 3 had a budget of around $50 million and “Stranger Things,” being the most expensive Netflix original series, had an estimated production cost of around $30 million per episode. Despite these high production costs, popular shows generate significant revenue for Netflix. For example, Stranger Things is estimated to have generated over $1 billion in merchandise sales alone. The shows clearly drive a significant amount of revenue for Netflix which in 2022 made $31.616 billion with $4.5 billion in profits.

Almost 90% of all of Netflix’s revenue comes from subscriptions and partnerships while roughly 10% of it comes from advertising. Without having ads, Netflix uses brand integration, a marketing strategy where a brand is integrated into the storyline of a TV show or movie. This is done in a subtle manner, without disrupting the flow of the storyline, making it an effective way of advertising products to viewers. For example, in the third season of the original series Stranger Things, Coca-Cola’s cans were featured prominently, with Coca-Cola receiving $3.4 million through the placement of its cans (valued at $1.66 million). These brand integrations allow Netflix to produce even more profit through their original content and are a big part of their added success.

Overall, The company’s original content has become cultural touchstones, generating much success for Netflix. As the streaming industry continues to evolve, Netflix’s commitment to producing original content will be crucial to its continued growth.

Avatar: The Way of Production

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There’s a lot under the surface of the new Avatar: The Way of Water movie. The film is the sequel to the highest-grossing movie, Avatar, and is set more than a decade after the first film’s events. The Avatar live on the moon of Pandora which humans have returned to in the new movie. Sully and his family are a part of the jungle tribe called the Na’vi but when they hear of the humans return they venture to the Metkina water tribe to hide. The film tells the story of the Sully family as they explore the underwater regions of Pandora and navigate the ongoing conflict between humans and the native people.

Through the movie’s story the director and producer, James Cameron, hopes to convey his message of environmentalism and the consequences of human actions on the natural world. Cameron states that “the eco-conscious message woven into Avatar will inspire people to apply Pandora’s principles to life on Earth, protect our planet, and spark environmental, conservational, and climate change conversations on activism.”

He wouldn’t have been able to encapsulate Avatar’s magic without all the work that went into production. With a budget of at least $350 million, the Avatar sequel is among the most expensive movies ever produced. To break even, a 2 billion dollar profit is necessary, which would make this sequel one of the highest-grossing films of all time. However, that wasn’t an issue for The Way of Water, which reached $2.02 billion in profits within its sixth weekend of release. The movie became the sixth film in history, and the first since the pandemic, to reach the milestone of $2 billion in profits. 

The film’s great success was due to all the production work that went into making the film look realistic. With the use of highly advanced motion capture technology, emotions could be animated making the Avatar look real. The utilization of the technology made it so the animated characters’ actions and feelings followed the actors’ movements in real life. Actors wore markers on their bodies and facial head rigs so expressions, emotions, and movements could be translated onto the digital screen. 

However, this wasn’t the only thing that went into making the scenes look realistic. All of the water sequences in the new movie were filmed in actual bodies of water instead of animated water. Two massive tanks were engineered at Manhattan Beach Studios: one was used for training and intimate character moments, while the other larger tank was used for larger action sequences. At 120 feet long, 60 feet wide, and 30 feet deep, the second tank had a 250,000-gallon capacity. The tank possessed wave and current machines designed to enhance action-filled scenes. To capture the performances within these tanks, the directors used two separate immersive volumes that acted as giant green screens. One of the screens was used to record underwater action scenes, and the other was placed above the tank for surface interactions. For other fully submerged underwater scenes, there was a deep-sea cameraman with a custom-made 180-pound rig. The movements of the actors seemed more natural with real underwater filming; It enhanced the character’s interactions with the environment and one another, omitting the stiffness of dry-land filming. 

These elaborate underwater scenes meant rigorous training for the cast. Kirk Krack, a free-diving instructor, was brought in to teach the cast and crew tactics for long-period breath-holding and efficient swimming. The cast also had to learn to free dive in order to act as the swimming Avatar. By the end of filming, the cast and crew had logged over 200,000 free dive hours combined, leading Kate Winslet to break Tom Cruises’ breath-holding record with a time of 7 minutes and 14 seconds. 

Overall, with the large amount of work put into making the movie look realistic, they were really able to encapsulate the magic of the film.

Hanukkah

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Hanukkah is the eight-day, Jewish wintertime “Festival of Lights”. Hanukkah, in Hebrew, means “dedication” because it celebrates the miracle that occurred during the Holy Temple’s rededication. This year, Hanukkah will start on the evening of Sunday, December 18, and end on the evening of Monday, December 26. 

The story of Hanukkah starts when the land of Israel was ruled by Syrian king Antiochus IV, who outlawed the Jewish religion and ordered the Jews to worship Greek gods. His soldiers stormed Jeruselm killing thousands of people and destroying the city’s holy Second Temple. They trashed everything, left an altar to Zeus, and sacrificed pigs in the temple. The Jews rose in a high-scale rebellion started by Rabbi Mattathias and his five sons. After his death, his son Judah Maccabee led them in the Maccabee rebellion. The Maccabees faced daunting odds, but that didn’t stop them. They fought the battle of their lives and won. After two years the Jews had driven the Syrians out of Jerusalem. Following their victory, Judah called on his followers to repair the Second Temple and light its menorah. However, there was only enough oil to keep the menorah’s candles burning for a single day and it took eight days to make more oil. The little oil they had kept the menorah lit for eight nights, giving them enough time to produce more. This miracle is why Hanukkah is called the Festival of Lights and it inspired the yearly Jewish eight-day celebration.

In mine and many other Jewish families, the heart of the holiday is the nightly menorah lighting. The menorah holds nine candles, one for each of the eight nights, and the shamasha in the middle. The shamasha is the tallest on the menorah; it is lit every night and is used to light the other candles. On the first night, we light a single flame (using the shamasha). We then add an additional flame each night until the eighth night when all candles are lit. We light the menorah because it commemorates the miracle from the Hanukkah story. On all eight nights of Hanukkah, my family comes together and lights a new candle of the menorah, from left to right, while saying a blessing. Afterward, we exchange gifts.

On Hanukkah, it is also customary to eat foods fried in oil to symbolize the miracle with the oil. My family and I eat potato pancakes known as “latkes” and jelly-filled donuts, both of which are particularly popular Hanukkah foods in many Jewish households. On Hanukkah, many will play with a “dreidel” a four-sided spinning top with different Hebrew letters on each side. The game is usually played for chocolate coins called “gelt”. These are won or lost based on which letter the dreidel lands when it is spun.

Hanukkah traditions place a strong emphasis on community and togetherness throughout the joyful holiday, with music playing a big role in this. Just like Christmas, there are all sorts of different Hanukkah songs. Some of my favorites are “The Chanukah Song” by Adam Sandler, “Hanukkah oh Hanukkah” by the Glee cast, “Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel”, as well as songs by the Maccabeats, who remix popular songs to be about Hanukkah.

Many people don’t know that Hanukkah has been blown up to be known as a major holiday, mainly because of its overlap with Christmas. However, it is a relatively minor Jewish celebration that doesn’t have any restrictions on working, attending school, or other activities.

Hanukkah is a joyful holiday where friends and family get together to celebrate the triumph of light over darkness by burning candles for eight nights and partaking in the holiday’s celebratory customs.

New Survivor Season

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Survivor, a reality TV show where contestants are stranded on an island.  They compete in challenges and vote people off, all with hopes to be the last survivor and take home a million dollars. The show is coming back with another season; Season 43 will include new challenges, twists, advantages, and a crazy cast. The first episode will be premiering Wednesday, September 21 at 8 p.m on CBS. 

This season will be a twenty-six day challenge with everyone’s favorite advantages. The big tribal council stirrer, “Shot in the Dark”, will be featured in this season. This advantage gives desperate players one last chance of immunity. Every player has one chance to trade in their vote for a one in six draw for safety, and if they draw safely, all votes cast against them will not be counted. Another advantage that will be seen is the “Risk vs Reward” dilemmas. This leaves viewers on the edge of their seat as players take big risks for big rewards. 

However, certain challenges from Seasons 41 and 42 will not be returning in this next season. The controversial “Hourglass” advantage that allowed for players to reverse the results of an immunity challenge will not be back in Season 43. Along with that, the “Do or Die” twist, where the loser of the challenge plays a game of chance that could eliminate them on the spot will not be featured.

This upcoming season has eighteen diverse cast members that are split into three tribes: Vesi, Coco, and Baka.  It will be interesting to see how the vast group of players from different backgrounds and upbringings will work with, and against each other in their game of Survivor. 

Jess Lopez, Noelle Lambert, and Nneka Ejereare are all members of the Vesi tribe that have persevered greatly to get to where they are today and be on Survivor. In Lopez’s interview he said, he went from being a gang member in juvenile hall to turning his life around, and studying voting behavior got him his Ph.D in Political Science; this will come in handy in the upcoming season. Lambert also stated in her interview, she lost her leg in an accident six years ago but she didn’t let it stop her! She’s a Paralympian, competed in the Tokyo Games, and is ready to take on the challenge of Survivor. 

Next, both Geo Bustamante and Ryan Medrano are on the Coco tribe. Both love Survivor and would do whatever it takes to get on their favorite show. According to the Survivor website, Bustamante had to quit his job in order to be on the show this season, so the stakes are high, and he’s aiming for the reward money. Medrano says in his interview that he was born with mild Cerebral Palsy, a group of disorders affecting one’s movement, balance, and posture. He went from not being able to walk to becoming a Personal Trainer and is ready to take on what Survivor 43 has to offer.

Lastly, Elisabeth Scott and Morriah Young are both on the Baka tribe. In Scotts interview she talks about how she is a Clinical Psychologist who believes her connecting skills will help her through this season, as her job involves getting people to do things they may not want to do. Lastly based on the Survivor website, Young grew up watching Survivor and is now on the show to, “check one final thing off the bucket list of her late mother.” She’s ready to take on Survivor and leave the island brighter than she found.

There’s a lot to look forward to in this new Survivor season!