Editorials

For seniors who do not quite feel prepared for college, not ready to leave home so soon, or feel burnt out from the past 13 years of school, may choose to take a gap year after graduating high school. Until recently, I was convinced that a gap year was the way to go. However, after a lot of thought, an (exhaustingly) long conversation with my parents, and ultimately choosing my career path, I decided that it was in my best interest to not take a gap year and continue to school post-grad.

Gap years have become more common over the past few years. Just a little over three years ago, the world and everything in it came to a sudden halt. The pandemic put a huge damper on not only those already living the college life, but also those who are preparing for it. A handful of colleges and universities either shut- down or went virtual, which resulted in many students opting to take a gap year. According to usnews.com, roughly 130,000 students decided on a gap year during the 2020-21 school year.

While the many high school seniors pack up and leave for college after graduation, one alternative to this is a gap year. There are plenty of factors that play into this choice. For most, this is the first big decision that young adults have to decide for themselves. 

Of course, a decision of this size comes with a massive list of pros and cons. According to pacificdiscovery.org, a gap year is a great way to prepare before stepping to a new level of independence. Others have said something just slightly different. It can be difficult to stay connected to your friends given that they will be a year ahead and to transition back to school; others may observe that this option is expensive and requires planning. While it tends to be a different experience for everyone,, I have put together a list of pros and cons to help students who may still be weighing their post-graduation options.

From a personal aspect, the most obvious benefit of taking a gap year is the free time. From the time you graduate to when applications are due, traveling becomes easier, working more hours to be financially stable is more convenient, and simply being at home with family or friends becomes more worthwhile. The first half of my senior year was by far the hardest semester of my time at Myers Park. This is when I strongly considered taking a gap year. In my head, it made so much sense to take a year off. But I also had to think about what I may be missing. 

Getting an education is one of those things that’s expected of you. Graduating high school, going directly to college, and getting a job all within a five-year time span has always been a part of the standards held to me. It’s a lot harder than it may sound. I also saw that a major downfall to a late college start was the social aspect of it. I would watch my friends leave for school in early August and only see them over breaks. I would regret taking that step back as I watched them truly experience college for themselves. I was also scared about how hard the harsh transition back into school would be. For me, going straight back into “school mode” after being cooped up at home for the last year would definitely give me a hard time.

To the readers: If you were hesitant on whether to take part in a gap year or not, I hope this gave you some clarity. I encourage you to make your own list of pros and cons after hearing my own. Whatever route you choose, I believe you will seek your greatest potential. Best of luck!

A chicken sandwich made of cauliflower or a McDonald’s burger made from peas? In recent years, the fast food industry has tested the waters of vegetarian cuisine, and skeptic Americans have begun to question the why and what of it all. With millions of Americans committing to vegan and vegetarian diets, the availability of options that fit the restrictions of these diets is increasing, and vegetarian cuisine is becoming increasingly commonplace. However, the introduction of the McPlant, the Impossible Whopper, and the Chickfila Cauliflower Sandwich begs the question of necessity. Are Americans who frequent McDonald’s, Burger King, and other fast food chains interested in branching out? It is evident in the sales of most of these items that they are, in fact, not interested. When the McPlant was released in 2022, the average sales in test markets were an underwhelming seven “burgers” per day. The McPlant also costs customers a dollar more than the beloved Big Mac and barely qualifies as vegetarian since they are heated on the same griddle as the greasy meat burgers the fast food chain is renowned for. With all of these setbacks, it becomes clear that these new vegetarian alternatives to unhealthy favorites are not shifting the paradigm as perhaps intended. 

Another aspect of these fast-food shifts to consider is the concept of “food deserts”. This geospatial term refers to the concept of a population of lower-income residents in particular being limited by convenience and costs to fast-food chains that are ultimately extremely unhealthy. Not only do these new vegetarian alternatives cost more, but they are oftentimes barely any healthier and vegetarianism may be of little interest to those who are restricted by the price and convenience of food choices. The perpetuation of food insecurity and inaccessibility makes eating healthy, convenient, and cheap nearly impossible. This complicated issue has a complicated and multifaceted answer that the United States has yet to fully address, but that doesn’t mean all hope is lost. Chikfila’s offerings of grilled nuggets, Wendy’s salads and wraps, and other simple fast-food options give patrons the opportunity to eat healthy or at least include more beneficial fruits and vegetables in their diet. I find it difficult to recommend any fast food in alignment with healthy eating, but it is important for those that can access more expensive healthy eating options and have the time to make meals at home to avoid fast food as much as possible. Oftentimes in America, the unfortunate truth is the positive correlation between socioeconomic status and healthy eating.

In response to these inequalities and the growing health concern for the United States, many organizations, cities, and towns are attempting to take matters into their own hands. Some of the best ways to combat the issues of “food deserts” and food accessibility are the promotion of healthy eating habits and the opportunity to learn and develop them. Many Americans are unaware of the possibility to access a less expensive and more convenient healthy diet. With the encouragement of home cooking, many easy vegetarian meals can become a reality! It is almost always more nutritious to eat at home and of course, it’s better to know what goes into what you’re eating and how it was made. While fast food, and its vegetarian counterparts, can often be a fun treat, relying heavily on these sources as a means of sustenance can prove detrimental to one’s health and, in the long term, much less convenient and much more expensive than intended. Consider making more meals at home if you have the time, consider making one or two of those meals vegetarian or vegan every week, and if you already implement these habits into your own life, encourage others to embrace a healthy diet! 

Food has always been more than just sustenance. For many, it is a symbol of culture and a source of comfort. Whether it is sharing a meal with family or trying out a new cuisine with strangers, food has the ability to bring individuals together and promote a sense of belonging. Regardless of where you come from, what language you speak, or what your beliefs are, food has the capacity to connect people on a profound and personal level. 

The universality of food is a constant reminder that we are not all that different from those around us. It is so easy to get caught up in our distinctions; however, food goes beyond cultural and societal differences and is a constant that connects us all. An example is chai, also known as tea, an essential element of cultural identity in many parts of the world, particularly in South Asia and the Middle East. Chai has always served as a way to connect me to my roots as a first-generation immigrant. From feeling like an outsider among distant family members due to my social and linguistic differences, chai has always served as a way for us to set aside our differences and bond over our love for tea. Chai is not only seen as a beverage but as a symbol of hospitality and a means of building and maintaining social connections. Throughout the years, chai has also gained significance in western countries such as the United States. Chai is now a common beverage at cafés and coffee shops across the US. It has become a way for people to experience different cultures and gain a better understanding. Chai has broken cultural boundaries and allowed people to connect throughout the world. 

In addition to its social and cultural significance, the production and sale of chai have also created a significant industry, providing employment and income for many people in South Asia. Chai stalls, tea shops, and tea gardens are prevalent throughout the region, and the consumption of chai has become a vital part of the economy. 

Globalization has made food a universal language. The internet and social media have made it easy for people from different parts of the world to share their food cultures with each other. The popularity of fusion cuisine is an example of how food can blend different cultures, resulting in unique and exciting dishes. Different fusion cuisines have created a greater sense of cultural appreciation and have diversified many narratives. An example of this can be seen through the pandemic and the rise of TikTok. Foods such as the viral vodka pasta and the salmon bowls were trending, and individuals were eager to try out these compelling dishes. Despite the frantic state of the world during the pandemic, food provided comfort and created a sense of unity among people from different cultures and backgrounds. Different recipes gave a sense of hope and security among adversity and gave people a treat to look forward to. 

Additionally, many food content creators have risen to fame due to their ability to cook different dishes that attract different groups of people. One of the most exciting things about TikTok food creators is their ability to showcase the versatile nature of food. By experimenting with different flavors, ingredients, and techniques, these creators constantly push the boundaries of what we consider a “traditional” meal. In addition to showcasing different recipes, these creators highlight the health benefits of certain ingredients and share recipes catering to different dietary needs. Whether you’re vegan, gluten-free, or looking for low-calorie options, there’s always a TikTok food creator out there who has the perfect recipe for you.

Ultimately, food is a universal language that speaks to the heart and soul of humanity. It connects us in ways that transcend culture, language, and geography, and reminds us that we are all part of a global community.

2022 was a fantastic year for the music industry, with record-breaking hits and chart-topping artists that won’t leave our playlists anytime soon. I’ll attempt to cover a handful of the highlights, but because music is subjective, everyone had their own unique listening history over this past year. The numbers, however, show that many worldwide enjoyed listening to a handful of highly talented artists and allowed for the connection of thousands, if not millions, of fans and music enthusiasts. Whether or not you enjoyed the slew of new releases this year, it’s important to acknowledge the success of many underdogs and the flawless return of some of the world’s favorites like Beyonce and Taylor Swift. I hope that everyone at Myers Park is entering 2023 with a similar anticipation for record-breaking hits, exciting underdogs, and plenty of new songs for their playlists. 

It would be impossible to review the music released in 2022 without highlighting some  extraordinarily successful artists who made history with their releases. Taylor Swift’s Midnights was easily her biggest success yet, breaking multiple records for Spotify listeners. Earlier in the year, pop icon Harry Styles released his eclectic new project Harry’s House. When you look back on this album, you can’t help but remember “As It Was,” the stellar pop hit that spent months atop the billboard charts but other songs, like my favorite track, “Music for a Sushi Restaurant,” add to the album’s depth.  Not only did these iconic artists make music history, but the Rap and R&B genres flourished in 2022 with releases from SZA, Kendrick Lamar, Beyonce, Drake, Future, Jack Harlow, and many more. To finish out the year strong, R&B legend, and my favorite artist, SZA released her new album SOS five years after her grammy-nominated 2017 album CTRL. The massive project has 23 tracks, including 3 released prior to the album, spanning across a handful of genres and weaving together seamlessly to create a record-breaking collection. The album, alongside its most popular song “Kill Bill,” broke Spotify records and put SZA just behind Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande as the third most streamed female artist in history. SOS’s R&B genre popularity rivals iconic artists like Mariah Carey who broke similar records for popularity. While biased as somewhat of a SZA superfan, SOS was one of my favorite releases of the year. Of course, “Kill Bill” is amazing but unexpected successes like “Ghost in the Machine” featuring Phoebe Bridgers and the short rap track “Smoking on my Ex Pack” spoke to the versatility and talent of SZA as an artist. 
While these artists broke records and appealed to millions, breakout stars and underdogs  stole the show throughout 2022. Omar Apollo’s amazing mix of Spanish ballads and English love songs on his second album Ivory had some of my favorite songs of the year. The energetic artist made a name for himself among the year’s big hitters. Similarly, R&B artist Steve Lacy saw success to a level that he did not even expect with the release of his album Gemini Rights. While “Bad Habit” took Tik Tok by storm, the album’s other, more overlooked tracks like “Sunshine” featuring Foushee and “Helmet” have a similar funk as Bad Habit without the overplayed radio-hit energy. Another of my personal favorites was the eclectic collection of folk music from the band Big Thief. Great for campfires, sleepy nights, or study focus, their new album Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You is a heartwarming collection of music that can only be described as comfy, especially my favorite track “Simulation Swarm.” While there are hundreds more artists, songs, and albums that could be highlighted from last year, everyone had their own music taste. What did you listen to and what were some of your favorites?

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.

With winter rolling in, millions prepare for the holiday season. However, as these festivities begin, it is evident that not all holidays are treated the same. The United States was founded on religious freedom and equality for those religions, however, some religious holidays are given more attention and benefits than others. The issue is that non-Christan holidays are not being treated with equal respect or representation as Christian holidays. 

While many Christian holidays are recognized as public holidays, including Christmas, Easter, and Good Friday, many other non-Christian religious holidays are not. Christmas is given two weeks off for students, and companies are required to allow employees time off to celebrate. However, non-Christian holidays are not given these same benefits. For example, Eid is a very important Muslim holiday celebrated by about 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide. While America has a large Muslim population, about 4 million people, Muslim holidays are not given time off. Recently, Diwali, a festival of lights that celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, passed on a Monday. Even though Diwali is supposed to be a festival celebrated with one’s family, many of my personal friends had to go to school in order to not miss assignments or receive absences. Considering the melting pot that the US prides itself on being, certain religious holidays should not be nationally recognized over others. This disregard for other religious holidays should not be shown by the US government. These preferences can be harmful to non-Christians who are growing up in a country where their religious holidays are not represented to an equal extent, and could negatively impact children of non-Christian faiths. Instead of spending time with their families during the holidays, they are forced to go to school or work, as it is not seen as a public holiday. Recognizing certain holidays as public holidays and ignoring other holidays is disrespectful and ignorant of religious and cultural diversity within the United States. Schools and workplaces should not only recognize non-Christian holidays but accommodate vacation days for non-Christian staff and students. Students and employees should not feel pressure to choose between religion and possibly missing work or having repercussions. Wanting to simply celebrate one’s faith should not create disadvantages in any way.  

I asked some of my non-Christian peers about what their experience has been regarding choosing between religion and school. Vrinda Mahajan states “When I knew that I was essentially being punished for staying home, it made me feel like my religious obligations were less respected than my peers, who had a more ‘common’ religion.” Ummaya Babar continues those feelings of not being able to celebrate her religious holidays, saying “I didn’t feel like I belonged. With Christmas, everybody can relate to each other. With me, when I tell people I can’t go to school because of a religious holiday, I feel ostracized. For example, my cousin last year had an exam that she couldn’t reschedule, causing her to miss a religious holiday. This made her feel like her religion wasn’t important. Holidays are something to look forward to, but having to choose between celebrating these special events and going to school ruins those happy moments.” Coco Austin describes the struggles of school versus religion, saying “My parents did not let me take off school for Muslim holidays citing that God would rather I study. There is a disparity in our beliefs of what God would want for me. He would want me to eat food all day.”

What can be done to better these inequalities? Appreciation of unfamiliar religious holidays is a start to better the American people’s awareness and understanding of religious practices different from theirs. Being respectful of other people’s religious celebrations is very important in creating a better, more equal holiday season. Along with that, the United States government should not be able to choose which religious holidays should be celebrated nationally without giving those same benefits to other religious practices.