Who said math was only for those engineering and stem-based minds? Math can be applied to any profession, and its need for innovation and expressiveness makes it perfect for poets! What is the connection between math and poetry? The tie between these two subjects goes back several centuries. In fact, the numbers and rhythm involved in poetry is what helped many mathematicians develop well known formulas and theorems used today! Sanskrit poetry in particular has been very helpful in math due to its unique sequence of numbers. The stress and rhythm of the beats in a poem is what makes the different types of poetries unique in the first place. According to the Poetry Archive, stress is the emphasis that falls on certain syllables and not others and the pattern or arrangement of the unstressed and stressed words into rhythmic lines is called the meter. Scansion is the process of discovering which syllables should be stressed and unstressed and helps understand the meter of the poem. Sanskrit Poetry Dimensions: Stressed syllables AKA long syllables (longer when pronounced) Unstressed syllables AKA short syllables Long Syllables take double to time to pronounce since they take up two beats while short syllables only take up one beat Math Questions Answered Through Sanskrit Poetry: Through understanding the setup of these poems, ancient Sanskrit poets and mathematicians get excited at all the opportunities presented that were brought up even in 300 BC! One question often asked when poems are composed is how many rhythms and poetic meters can be constructed in 12 beats. There are many possibilities for this scenario. Long (6 times) Short (12 times) Long, Long, Long, Long, Short, Short, Short, Short Short, Short, Long, Long, Long, Long, Long And many, many more possibilities that would take too long to list. To answer this question, you can use the variable n to represent the number of beats (n=12 here) and find how many 1s and 2s can be added together to form this number. For example, adding 2 six times would make 12 or adding 1 twelve times would also make 12. A mathematician can approach this problem is by testing out examples to make a theorem and finally proving the theorem, the same way the Sanskrit poets did it back in the day. Step 1: Determine the pattern 1 beat - 1 way (short) 2 beats - 2 ways (short + short or long) 3 beats - 3 ways (three shorts, short + long, or long + short) 4 beats - 5 ways (four shorts, short + short + long, long + short + short, short + long + short, or two longs) In this translation, it is proven that you should start by writing 1 and 2 then find every next number by adding the previous two numbers. Sequence: 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, 377, 610, 987 When n=12, the number of possible combinations with short and long syllables is equal to the twelfth term in this sequence. This means there are 233 rhythms for 12 beats. These Virahanka numbers are named after poet Virahanka who discovered why these numbers lead to the right result in 700 AD. They are now called Fibonacci numbers after the Italian mathematician who wrote them 500+ years later, showing how long Sanskrit poetry has been advancing mathematics. Fibonacci numbers are also used in architecture and nature. Daisy petals follow the pattern of 13, 21, and 34, part of the sequence above. The connection between poetry and math is important as it is critical to appreciate Sanskrit poets who contributed so much to new math theories. Due to Colonialism, these contributions haven’t lasted in history and without these advancements, many people have gotten uninterested in math. Oliver Westwood said, “Recognition is the golden key unlocking the treasure chest of human potential” and it is important to show that recognition where it is deserved.

One of the most famous examples of a magician and world-renowned mathematician is Prof. Diaconis at Stanford University. At the age of 14 he ran away from home to work under the magician, Dai Vernon. Fast forward a few years, he was admitted to Harvard University’s graduate statistics program on the strength of a recommendation letter from the famed mathematics writer Martin Gardner who was impressed with his card tricks. Now a professor of mathematics and statistics at Stanford University, Professor Diaconis has employed his intuition about cards in a wide range of situations. Once, for example, he helped decode messages passed between inmates at a California state prison by using small random “shuffles” to gradually improve a decryption key. He has also analyzed Bose-Einstein condensation — in which a collection of ultra-cold atoms coalesces into a single big atom — by imagining the atoms as rows of cards moving around. It seems he has made original creative paintings in the canvas of mathematics pursuing his passion for magic!

Sitting on her comfortable chair reading this newspaper article, Melony grew frustrated at this incorrect, as she believed it to be, article about the medication safety in Mathopolis. She sets out to prove the error in this article. She begins by taking notes from her prior knowledge, just from reading the article. Just then, it strikes her. Melony rushes to apply the Bayes Theorem to solve this problem, which is one of the most important ones in probability theory. What is the Bayes Theorem? It is a mathematical formula used to calculate conditional probability for a test result, including the likelihood of a result based on a past result with similar circumstances. It allows us to update prior information to find a final probability and helps with many different interpretations, including inferences on the accuracy of a medical test or statistical observations through models. This theorem can be applied in any scenario as long as you have the required parts of the formula. Melony hurried to break down the problem into different parts in order to apply this scenario to the formula. She splits it up into different Post-It Notes, attempting to find the side effect probability for each center that supplied the medications. Melony goes on to find the probability of the two events occurring simultaneously. She finally implements the Bayes Theorem and its complement to find the probability of each center’s side effects in an event that they both occur simultaneously. Melony finally figured it out! She found that through the use of the Bayes Theorem, it can be seen that it wasn’t CureQuest that was at fault, but it was actually HealCo! She quickly got dressed to visit the newspaper company and let them know of her findings. The next day, she saw a new newspaper article called, “HealCo Caught, CureQuest Cleared!” It featured a tree diagram displaying all of Melony’s work put together.

Challenge Yourself! You start with a single lily pad sitting on an otherwise empty pond. You are told that the surface area of the single lily pad doubles every day and that it takes 24 days for the single lily pad to cover the surface of the pond. If instead of 1 pad you start with 8 lily pads (each identical to the single pad), how many days will it take for the surface of the pond to get covered? ANSWER BELOW If you figure out the relationship between 8 pads and one lily pad, you will get the answer! Since one lily pad doubles every day, after 3 days it will be equivalent to starting with 8 lily pads! Then since one lily pad covers the whole pond in 24 days and we are starting after three days for 8 lily pads, the answer is 24-3, which is 21 days! Unsolved Riddle MEME MADNESS

By: Rhea Bhooshanam What a Grammy looks like! https://www.imdb.com/title/tt28247849/ The Grammys is an award ceremony where the best artists win awards for their talent. This award ceremony happened on February 1, 2026 and there were so many amazing artists there. Trever Noah hosted the 68th annual ceremony by introducing artists before their performances, and before they came out to announce the nominations and winners of each category. This year some of the performers included Alex Warren, Olivia Dean, and Sombr. The night was truly a memorable one.  Some categories that were announced were best new artist, best song of the year, best rap album of the year, and best music video. This year Kendrick Lamar had the most nominations, having a total of 9 nominations. Out of these 9 nominations he won 5 awards for best rap album, record of the year, best rap song, best melodic rap performance, and best rap performance. On the other hand, Olivia Dean won best new artist after her hit songs “Man I Need” and “Let Alone the One You Love”. The Grammy for best song of the year went to Billie Eilish and her brother FINNEAS for their song “Wildflower”, and popular singer Doechii won a Grammy for her “Anxiety” music video that gained a lot of popularity on TikTok.  The red carpet was a hot spot where artists got to debut their outfits for the evening. According to the website, Variety, the best looks of the ceremony included Sabrina Carpenter, Rosé, Katseye, Kehlani, and many more. Sabrina Carpenter had a beautiful white lace gown that she paired with her signature curls. Katseye had similar gowns but each of them had their own looks. One singer in the group, Megan, put pink extensions in her hair that made her look amazing. Other artists like Kehlani went for a simple red carpet look and really brought it to the top with their makeup. All artists had beautiful outfits that were pulled together really well.  This year the Grammys were exceptional and all the artists really shined. The Grammys is something to look forward to every year as it is a very interesting event. It always happens at the beginning of the year and is sure to start the year off on the right foot!

By: Adith Bondugula Super Bowl LX took place on February 8, 2026, when the Seattle Seahawks were able to win their second franchise championship in a victory over the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.  Throughout the entire game, the Seahawks' defense dominated the field and they were able to play smart, strategically, and with great coordination as they took down the Patriots' offense. New England’s offense was completely overpowered by the Seattle defense, which managed to get six sacks on Patriots quarterback, Drake Maye. This resulted in multiple turnovers and more opportunities for the Seahawks to increase the points gap between the two teams and convert the Patriots’ mistakes into more touchdowns.  The Seattle Seahawks came into the game strong, with star kicker Jason Meyers setting a new Super Bowl record of five field goals before the offense was able to score with a touchdown.  Linebacker Uchenna Nwosu caused a shocking moment when he was able to intercept the ball and run 45 yards in order to secure the touchdown in the late fourth quarter of the game. Star Seahawks defense players such as Devon Witherspoon, Derick Hall, and Byron Murphy II were able to put great pressure on Drake Maye throughout the game and stopped multiple of the Patriots' opportunities from putting the ball in the endzone.  The Patriots' struggling offense was finally able to score when Drake Maye passed the ball to running back Rhamondre Stevenson late into the game. By this time, however, there was already a big point gap between the 2 teams, with the Seahawks having 19 points and the Patriots only having 7 with Stevenson’s touchdown.  Super Bowl LX also had its first running back MVP since 1988, and it was awarded to Kenneth Walker III for rushing more than 130 yards by the end of the game. Walker’s powerful runs and his ability to distance himself from the Patriots' defense helped the Seahawks win by the huge point margin they did.  Sam Darnold was another key player in the Seahawks' victory. The quarterback was able to avoid turnovers and made minimal mistakes. His high football IQ and quick decision-making on the field were vital for the success of the Seahawks' offense.  The 2026 Super Bowl halftime show was performed by Bad Bunny, a Puerto Rican superstar. Bad Bunny’s performance brought Latin culture right to the biggest football game in 2026, and his performance was watched by millions across the country. The biggest shock in the show was when there was a scene where a couple got married. What many did not know was that it wasn't just an act, and the couple really did get married to each other in the middle of the performance.  Superball LX was a game watched by millions across the country and had almost 125 million viewers watching the two teams battle it out in America’s most iconic sport. For the Seahawks, this game was about showcasing their defensive capabilities, proving themselves worthy of the champion title, and securing their team a permanent part of sports history. For the Patriots, it was about returning to Super Bowl glory, attempting to restore the impressive run their franchise had with the legendary Tom Brady, and trying to earn the title of being a Super Bowl winner.

By: Craig McPherson The focus of this edition of Underclassmen Spotlight will be Robert Mcguire, a member of MTHS's wrestling team.  Originally, Robert became interested in wrestling because he wanted to try a new sport. He previously tried many other sports, but he did not feel passionate about any of them. Wrestling seems to be the sport he has been looking for, as he has been doing it for five years.  When asked about how he trains, Robert says he has two to four practice sessions a week, while exceeding on every other day. However, this is only the training schedule for preparation for the wrestling season. During the wrestling season, he spends three hours every day practicing, excluding match days and Sundays.  Robert would say that the biggest struggle he faces in his career would be his mindset. As he said himself; “Mindset is only half of wrestling, if you don't have a good mindset, you won't win. I have just worked on building my own confidence and abilities to improve my mindset.” According to Mcguire, the varsity members of the wrestling team are allowed special accommodations that the junior varsity members are not, a status he strives to achieve. Although the coaches can be rather strict and hard on the wrestlers, Mcguire has continued to push through to fulfill his goals.  While he may have to face his own struggles, Robert Mcguire is still a rather admirable student. Passionate about wrestling, he is dedicated to his strong regime, truly an underclassman worthy of the spotlight.

If you haven't seen The Sound of Music  yet, you are missing out on a major classic. Released in 1965, the movie tells the true story of the Von Trapp family in Salzburg, Austria, during World War II. The family consists of a strict father and his seven children , but the story really kicks off when a woman named Maria enters their lives. Maria starts out as a nun in an abbey, but she isn’t exactly the best at it. She was known for being incompetent, showing up late, and singing when she wasn't supposed to. Because of these issues, she gets removed from the abbey and sent to the Von Trapp palace to work as a governess. When she arrives, things are intense. The Captain is skeptical of her informal attitude  and runs his house like a military base. He actually whistles to summon his kids—Liesl, Friedrich, Louisa, Kurt, Brigitta, Marta, and Gretl—instead of calling their names. He has strict rules: no playing, no music, and a strict bedtime. Maria, however, is a music lover who wants to show the kids the beauty of song. She takes them to parks every day, teaches them how to sing , and even makes them play clothes out of her old drapes. But Maria’s free spirit clashes hard with the Captain’s strict order. When he returns from a trip to Vienna and catches the children breaking the rules , the tension explodes, leaving the viewer wondering if Maria will be able to stay with the family at all. Credit: IMDB For high schoolers watching this, the romance between 16-year-old Liesl and a boy named Rolf is a huge highlight. Liesl sneaks out to dance and talk with Rolf, finding the comfort in him that she doesn't get from her strict father. It seems like the perfect escape, but as the political climate in Austria changes, their relationship faces some serious, heartbreaking challenges that test Liesl's trust. The film also does a great job showing the realities of World War II. Captain Von Trapp faces a serious moral dilemma regarding the Navy and the impending war. He has to decide between serving a regime he doesn't believe in or protecting his family. This conflict forces the Captain to make a life-altering choice that puts the entire family in danger. Ultimately, The Sound of Music  is a must-watch because it mixes history, romance, and friendship perfectly. It reminds us that everyone needs a place to belong, especially when the environment around you feels unwelcoming. You will have to watch to see if the Von Trapps can find their harmony before it is too late.

Romantic comedies thrive on tension, humor, and emotional payoff, and Anyone But You  delivers all three. The film follows two characters who constantly find themselves in the same space despite their mutual dislike, creating a heartwarming fictional story that explores love, growth, and unexpected connection. Credit: IMDB In the movie, Beatrice, known as Bea, meets Ben in a coffee shop, sparking what initially seems like the start of a promising relationship before their first date goes terribly wrong. Six months later, the two reunite at a destination wedding for mutual friends and must figure out how to coexist without constant conflict. Being forced together for several days leads to feelings neither of them anticipated. Starring Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell, the film runs for 1 hour and 43 minutes and is rated R for language, sexual content, and mature themes. However, Common Sense Media notes that mature teens ages 15 to 17 may still enjoy the film despite typical R-rated recommendations. The movie features a range of visually striking settings, from Boston, where Bea and Ben first meet, to Sydney, Australia, where the wedding takes place. These locations serve as more than just backdrops; they help frame the unfolding drama while immersing viewers in breathtaking scenery. At its core, the film relies on popular romance tropes such as enemies-to-lovers and fake dating. These elements add suspense, humor, and emotional depth, allowing audiences to laugh while watching relationships evolve and secrets come to light. Like any film, Anyone But You  has both strengths and weaknesses. One notable advantage is its pacing. In under two hours, the movie reveals important details about the protagonists, balances comedic moments, and keeps viewers wondering what will happen next. “I really enjoyed this movie,” says Nina, a Sydney Sweeney fan. “I found it exciting, and it is the perfect length for a movie.” The producers, Will Gluck and Joe Roth, also incorporate Natasha Bedingfield’s hit song “Unwritten,” which appears multiple times throughout the film as Ben’s “serenity song.” In one pivotal scene following a boating accident, Bea sings the song to calm him down, highlighting her growing care for Ben while adding a touch of humor to an otherwise emotional moment. On the other hand, some viewers may find the large number of wedding guests staying together in an Australian Airbnb confusing. Characters including Bea, Ben, Beau, Margaret, Jonathan, Claudia, Halle, Pete, Innie, and Leo each bring their own personalities and backstories, which enrich the plot but can initially feel overwhelming. Credit: Tone Madison “I couldn’t remember who was who,” says Rylan, an average viewer. “I liked Beau, though. He was a funny character.” Ultimately, the film raises the stakes within the rom-com genre by telling the story of two young people who struggle with the reality that they might be perfect for each other. Grossing roughly $220 million worldwide and generating billions of social media tags, Anyone But You  has clearly resonated with audiences. The film is currently available for streaming on platforms including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango, making it an accessible choice for viewers looking for a lighthearted yet engaging watch. References Common Sense Media. “ Anyone But You  – User Reviews (Adult).” IMDb. “ Anyone But You  Reviews.” Tone Madison. “ Anyone But You  Depicts Anyone but the Working Class.”

With the two-year anniversary of The Land Is Inhospitable, and So Are We  and the announcement of an upcoming concert film, fans have once again turned their attention to indie/alternative singer-songwriter Mitski’s seventh studio album. The renewed discussion is well deserved. The Land  stands as one of Mitski’s strongest projects to date, highlighting both her artistic growth and her ability to craft deeply human music. One of the album’s greatest strengths is its production and instrumentation. Sonically rooted in indie folk and country influences, the record avoids being confined to a single genre by weaving in elements of orchestral music, Americana, and rock. The result is a soundscape that feels both expansive and intimate. Credit: Ebru Yildiz “The Land is Inhospitable And So Are We” photoshoot The album features traditional instruments such as guitars, piano, and drums alongside orchestral additions like violins, cellos, bass, and French horns. According to Mitski’s record label, Dead Oceans, the project incorporated a full orchestra arranged and conducted by Drew Erickson, as well as a 17-person choir. Recording with a live band further enhances the album’s warm, raw quality and evokes imagery of the American West and its natural beauty. Equally compelling is Mitski’s masterful songwriting. Throughout the album, she balances poetic lyricism with complex metaphors and emotionally charged storytelling. Even tracks with more straightforward lyrics, such as “I Don’t Like My Mind” and “My Love Mine All Mine,” are filled with vulnerability and intensity. Music journalist Cat Zhang of Pitchfork  describes the songs as “surreal, existential, and fascinating,” noting how Mitski explores the human condition while reflecting on identity, love, and self-perception. These themes anchor the album, giving listeners both something to feel and something to contemplate. Among the standout tracks is “The Deal,” the album’s fifth song. Thematically, it explores the longing to surrender oneself for the sake of relief or connection. Mitski’s lyrics suggest a willingness to accept consequences if it means escaping emotional burden. Instrumentally, the song builds from gentle strings into a swelling outro where the drums intensify and nearly overwhelm her voice, creating an effect that mirrors emotional release. Ultimately, The Land Is Inhospitable, and So Are We  showcases Mitski at her creative peak. By blending natural, folk-inspired production with raw and thoughtful songwriting, she delivers an album that resonates just as strongly today as it did upon its release. As her audience looks ahead, there is growing anticipation for where Mitski will take her artistry next. References Zhang, Cat. “Mitski: The Land Is Inhospitable, and So Are We .” Pitchfork.   Dead Oceans. “ The Land Is Inhospitable, and So Are We .” Official record release information.

By: Adith Bondugula The start of the Winter Sports Season is here. Temperatures are dropping, and the school has settled into the rhythm of the winter months. The gym, locker rooms, and courts across MTHS are filled with excitement again as our student-athletes begin preparing to compete and represent the school in competition. While we're still in the first few weeks of the season, the winter teams have been demonstrating incredible effort and dedication in both practice and scrimmage settings. Coaches and athletes alike are emphasizing the importance of preparation, conditioning, and teamwork as they look forward to competing. The opening weeks of the season have provided the opportunity for most teams to develop some of the necessary ingredients to be successful in the remainder of the season, such as developing chemistry and adjusting game strategies. Athletes from all winter sport programs are sharing the same mindset as they begin the new season. One athlete stated, "We need to work hard every day and improve every day," at practice, while another stated, "Communication and supporting each other both on and off the court will be very important to us being successful this season." Both of these statements demonstrate the dedication and discipline that winter sports require. Moving forward, each team is setting goals to grow and become consistent over the course of the season. While winning and losing records are certainly an element of each program's goals, many teams are also focused on growing throughout the season, competing with confidence, and representing the school with pride. Maintaining good health, remaining focused, and continuing to develop as a unit are the three main priorities that exist among all winter sports programs. As the winter sports games and practices continue to take place, we encourage students to attend and show their support for their classmates. With the winter sports season just getting started, there will be many opportunities for exciting moments, hard work, and a chance for school spirit to flourish.

By: Craig McPherson A 2024 Toyota Camry in a vibrant reservoir blue (Credit : 2024 Toyota Camry Hybrid SE Nightshade Edition - Kelley Blue Book). In the world of automobiles, not many brands are beloved for quite the same reasons as Toyota. The Japanese auto brand is renowned for reliability, durability, and innovation. A great example of these values would be the Camry. Ever since 1983, Toyota has managed to make countless innovations in aspects such as performance and safety through this popular sedan. This is the story of how the Camry was conceived, and how it inspired evolution within the industry for over 40 years.  As mentioned before, the Camry was first introduced in 1983. It had a boxy, hatchback-like shape, which was very popular in the 1980s. This was a contrast to the Camry’s predecessor, the Celica Camry, a sportier, rear-wheel drive sedan, sold in Japan from 1979 to 1983. This first generation would continue to be manufactured until the end of 1986, with three different, four-cylinder, engines available.   The second generation would begin in 1987. The Camry would be given a more sporty design, with a streamlined body and an optional V-6 engine, which replaced the diesel engine in the United States. The new Camry also had a larger trunk, with more space in the interior. In 1988, Toyota would open a production facility in Kentucky to manufacture more Camrys for the American market. Being available as both a sedan and wagon, the Camry could now also have all-wheel drive.  The third generation began in 1992. The first significant change brought by this generation would be the edition of the coupe body style in 1992. However, it was discontinued in 1996, the same year this generation ended. The public was very impressed by the quality of the Camry in this generation, so much so, it made Car and Driver’s 10Best Cars list in 1992 and 1993.  When the fourth generation began in 1997. The work done for the engineering of these newer Camrys would be split between Toyota’s American and Japanese divisions. Even though the cars were made larger than before, they were slightly lighter and more affordable. It was also in 1997 that The Camry became the best selling car in America. In 1999, the Camry would become a coupe again, as the Toyota Camry Solara. For the time, it was considered impressively fast, with a speed of 135 miles per hour. In 2000, the Solara would also be available as a convertible.  The fifth generation lasted from 2002 to 2006. The Camry was made slightly taller, with raised seats and more legroom. It would also gain an in-dash navigation system. The Solara coupe variant was also redesigned in 2004, with the same top speed as the original design. However, the design of new, rear-hinged doors was proven unpopular.  Predictably, the Camrys of the sixth generation, made from 2007 to 2011, were bigger and stronger. However, something unique about this generation would be the introduction of a hybrid variant. The original hybrid Camry, from 2007, had a new V6 engine with 40% more power. It also used Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive, which was originally made for the Prius. This gave it an excellent fuel economy of 40 miles per gallon, comparable to the likes of the Toyota Prius or Honda Civic hybrids released at the same time. In 2010, the Camry hybrid got its own unique grille, front bumper, and fog lights.  Surprisingly, the reception of the seventh generation, from 2012 to 2017, was somewhat lukewarm. The new exterior design was more modern and streamlined, but didn’t stand out from the competition. Also, this was the first generation to only offer automatic transmission, meaning that the vehicle switched gears by its sled. In 2015, the exterior would be given a larger front grille, with sharper corners. It would also have new headlights, and a less sloped-looking body. Changes like these were meant to give it a more sporty, appealing look.  In 2018, the Toyota Camry’s makeover would coincidentally be revealed the same year as that of its biggest rival; the Honda Accord. The handling of this generation was greatly improved due to a lower center of gravity, lighter weight, and a more rigid body. In 2020, the Camry TRD was introduced. The Camry TRD, or Toyota Racing Development, was given firmer suspension and a more racecar-like appearance. However, aspects such as performance, speed, or power are seemingly unchanged from the other variants. It was also around this time when the Camry gained many popular safety features, such as the Pre-Collision Mitigation with Pedestrian Detection, Road Sign Assist, and an Automatic High-Beam system. 2025 marked the beginning of the Camry’s ninth generation. One of the most significant changes would be the overall appearance, with a sleeker look, and slimmer headlights. Another significant change would be how the Camry is now only going to be sold as a hybrid, with an electric torque. This new hybrid also has a fuel economy as high as 53 miles per gallon.  In conclusion, the Toyota Camry has undergone many changes throughout the generations of the auto industry. It has been through this sedan that the company has continued to evolve in their craft, in order to ensure the satisfaction of all customers. As Akio Toyoda, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Toyota, said best; “ When consumers purchase a Toyota, they are not simply purchasing a car, truck or van. They are placing their trust in our company.”