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By: Anya Prasanna ( Daniel.tietz@bridgesinternational.com . “Holi: Festival of Colors.” Bridges International , 2 Aug. 2021, www.bridgesinternational.com/holi-festival-of-colors/ ) Holi is an Hindu holiday celebrated in India and around the world. It is one of the most vibrant celebrations in the world and involves people having fun by throwing colored water and powder on each other. It marks a time to spend time with friends, and the community, representing the triumph of good over evil.  There are many stories involving the roots of this holiday that change throughout India’s demographic. One story is the legend of Hiranyakashipu. He was a demon king, who tried to kill his son, Prahlada, a devotee of the god Vishnu. He enlisted his sister, Holika to help him do so. Holika tricked Prahlada into sitting with her on a pyre. She wore a cloak to protect herself from the fire, however, a wind blew, transferring the cloak to Prahlada, causing the demon to be burnt in the flames. This myth symbolizes the triumph of good over the oppression of evil. In many regions of India that believe this story, a large pyre is lit, to commemorate this event.  In other parts of India, the holiday comes from the story of the Hindu deity, Krishna. He was an avatar of Vishnu. He had fallen in love with Radha who was a milkmaid, however he was embarrassed by his dark blue skin. To solve this issue, he colored her face during a game with her and the other milkmaids. This may be the reason why people throw colored water and powder during the holiday.  Some parts of this festival are gatherings, music, and food. Some sweets that are eaten are gujiya, which is a dumpling filled with coconut and dried fruit that is deep-fried in sugar syrup, malpua, a type of pancake made with jaggery, cardamom, and milk. Jalebi is commonly eaten, and is a spiral shaped sweet that is made with sugar syrup. Some street food is eaten such as chaat and kachori. People drink lassi, and thandai which is a milk drink with almonds, saffron, poppy seeds, cardamom, and rose petals.  Holi is celebrated in many different ways around India. In some places the holiday lasts 40 days, while it lasts 2 days in others. The most common custom of this holiday is to light a pyre which represents the demon Holika. This ritual occurs in North India.  In a region of the state of Uttar Pradesh in India, Holi is celebrated with a playful battle between women and men. In this battle, the women represent Radha and are armed with staves while the men represent Krishna and have shields to defend themselves. This practice is called Lathmar Holi. In other regions of India, Holi is celebrated with staves, shields, colors, and flowers in a period of 40 days. and begins on the Basant Panchami, a holiday that celebrates the first day of Spring. In conclusion, Holi is a colorful holiday. It involves many diverse traditions, customs, and myths. It is a time to celebrate with the family and the community and have fun.

By: Anya Prasanna (Yoon, John, and Hari Kumar. “What to Know about the Maha Kumbh Mela, the World’s Largest Human Gathering.” The New York Times , The New York Times, 14 Jan. 2025, www.nytimes.com/2025/01/14/world/asia/india-hindu-festival-maha-kumbh-mela.html .) The Maha Kumbh Mela is a Hindu festival that is also the biggest human gathering that occurred this year from January 13th to February 26th. This year it occurred in Prayagraj, in Uttar Pradesh, India.  The Kumbh Mela is a large Hindu pilgrimage that occurs on the banks of rivers that are deemed sacred in India. The locations in which the Mela can occur are the following: The town of Nashik on the banks of the Godavari River, Ujjain which is on the banks of the Shipra River, Haridwar which is near the Ganga, and Prayagraj which is located where the Ganga and Yamuna rivers intersect with the mythical Saraswati River. In this pilgrimage, people dip in these rivers as it is said that it washes away your life’s sins along with the sins of the lives you reincarnated from. Thus, you will be able to achieve moksha, which is supposed to free you from the cycle of reincarnation.   The Kumbh Mela is practiced every three years. The location of each festival rotates between Nashik, Ujjain, Hardiwar, and Prayagraj, decided based on the planet's alignment.  However the most sacred of the Kumbh Melas is the Maha Kumbh Mela which occurs every 12 years in the Prayagraj. The date of the Maha Kumbh Mela is decided mainly by the planet Jupiter, which takes 12 years to revolve around the Sun. Jupiter needs to perform certain alignments, especially with the Sun and moon, and go through particular zodiac signs in order to occur. According to Hinduism, placement of these planets makes an energy field, which makes it a good time for spiritual purification. However, this year's Maha Kumbh Mela is much more special as planets are going through a rare celestial alignment that occurs once every 144 years.  Some parts of the Kumbh Mela are the Shahi Snan, where people cleanse their sins in the river to obtain spiritual freedom. Another part is the meditation sessions guided by famous practitioners. Cultural performances occur, these range from folk dances to theater that displays the stories from the great Hindu epics such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. In addition, people can witness the ritual called the Ganga Aarti. This is where people offer prayers and light lamps to honor the Gods. In conclusion, the Maha Kumbh Mela, this year is the biggest human gathering that occurred in India, in which people try to obtain spiritual experiences. They can wash away their sins, see the cultural performances, folk art, or immerse themselves in Indian culture. Some go to do yoga, and others to see holy men who are usually meditating in remote places in India.

By: Adith Bondugula At Monroe Township High School, walking laps around the gym and playing volleyball with your friends is not the only thing you can do. Physical education at MTHS is an opportunity to take classes tailored toward your interests, learn creative movement, and even get stronger if you have a passion for building muscle or are an athlete aspiring to get better at your sport. Whether you want to go the extra mile in the weight room, have fun with friends learning dance, or have the opportunity to inform classmates about various health-related topics, MTHS has many electives that allow students to achieve their goals and interests more than just a normal gym class. Strength and Conditioning: For the Future Athlete (or Fitness Enthusiast!) For people who have an interest in hypertrophy and muscle building, Strength and Conditioning I and II  might be great physical education electives to take. These classes are perfect for kids who are looking to get more fit physically while also learning about the different techniques to lift heavy weights, understanding the process of setting achievable goals, and how to make a proper fitness program that correlates to your goals. Strength and Conditioning I  goes more in-depth on the basics, such as what to know to safely lift weights, the structure and function of the cardiovascular system, and the nutritional aspects of exercise and training. Strength and Conditioning II  takes it to the next step by teaching kids to make workouts and plans that are customized for themselves and other students in the class.  This class isn’t all just about working out every single day. It’s about learning and understanding information about one’s health that can be used even after highschool. Also, one important benefit is if you play sports just for fun or competitively, this class can give you extra time to work on your body and muscles outside the sports field. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t like the feeling of being a stronger person and knowing more about the different aspects of working out? Rhythmic Movement: Where Fitness Meets Fun For students who are looking for movement with an added twist of various styles, Rhythmic Movement  focuses on dance, yoga, Zumba, and even ballet barre. Whether you are into the structured elegance of pilates or just want to let loose with dance, this class is one that helps workouts be more fun and amusing for students. This class is not only just fun and games as many may think. This class provides a great workout for those taking it by improving flexibility, coordination, and endurance. Also, it introduces students to interests, activities, and hobbies they can continue outside of the classroom, making it a great choice for anyone who is trying to start a new fitness hobby they can do for the rest of their life.  Teen PEP: The Leaders of Tomorrow Ever wanted to teach your fellow peers how to help make a difference? Teen PEP  is more than just a class, it’s a responsibility! This class is only for seniors and trains students to be peer educators, leading workshops on topics like healthy relationships, substance abuse prevention, and mental health awareness. Students have to apply by March 20th of their Junior year in order to be eligible to get into the program. Some benefits of taking this class are it builds leadership, confidence, and can help students be better public speakers.  Teen Pep students get the unique opportunity to learn about various health related topics while teaching students at the same time. They initiate discussions, plan interactive activities, and become role models that are a positive influence on underclassmen. This program is quite hard to get into, requiring students to submit a resume, get recommendations from their teachers, and do well in an interview. For those who do make it into the program, it’s an amazing experience that fosters lifelong leadership skills and information about health-related topics that you could use for a lifetime. Why These Electives Matter Many students only take gym class to fulfill their graduation requirements, but many forget they could do something they enjoy more than just a normal gym class that better fits their interests. It’s about exploring a passion, having more fun doing what you're interested in, and becoming the healthiest version that you can be. Whether you are looking to improve your athletic performance, have fun with friends learning dance, or become a voice for positive change, MTHS has a PE elective that fits your goals. So, when it comes time to pick your schedule, think about trying something new. Step into the weight room, onto the dance floor, or in front of your peers as a leader. No matter what you choose, one thing is for sure, at MTHS, gym class is anything but ordinary.

By: Sidak Setia “ 80% of college students reported feeling overwhelmed, and 40% reported it was difficult to function” (Kosmin). This statistic by Kosmin illustrates that the majority of college students feel overwhelmed, and half of the majority are unable to function. This defines the difference between lazy and burnt out, wherelazy is caused by being overwhelmed and having a lack of motivation, while being burnt out is the exhaustion that causes one’s body to not function. Some people do not know the difference between being burnt out, or if they feel lazy. Below this identifies the differences of the percent of teenagers who feel overwhelmed (Rutherig). When might one be lazy? Being in a state of laziness is when one is procrastinating one's work. This is when one is not currently doing the work, but is overwhelmed by the work; leading to one not doing anything, and leaving the work at the last minute, or not doing it. Additionally, another key difference between laziness and burnt out, is when one is avoiding work. If one is avoiding work, then they are being lazy. If one can not function to do the work, and their body is shutting down, then that is a sign of being burnt out. Subsequently, doing the bare minimum is laziness, as you are not trying to understand the topic, and instead are just trying to finish the assignments.  When might one be burnt out? When someone is burnt out, their body can not function anymore, making it incapable of doing anything. This occurs when one has too much stress.Therefore, I would recommend dropping some extracurricular activities or classes.  Overall, these are the key differences between laziness and being burnt out. If one is burnt out, please work on oneself, and fix whatever is causing the stress. If one is lazy, try motivating oneself by different study methods, and taking breaks. Make the breaks a goal for one to achieve.

By: Olivia Delvalle https://news.virginia.edu/content/microplastics-are-our-food-water-and-air-should-we-be-worried “Little drops of water make the mighty ocean”- Julia Carney One of the world's biggest current issues is the lack of wildlife preservation and an increase in harmful pollutants in the environment. Throughout the years our planet has turned from a diverse ecology biome to what is now a landfill of waste in some of our most valued resources. We watch as plastic consumes our oceans, garbage towers over lands, and smoke fills our skies.  One of the biggest dumps for pollutants are our oceans. 71 percent of the earth is the ocean, making it even more harmful and susceptible for pollutants. Many people think that the biggest environmental villain is the large plastics such as  water bottles and plastic bags. However, there’s an even bigger problem that affects humans, wildlife, and the environment. A plastic that is so small that it is unseen by most untrained eyes, yet extremely dangerous at the same time. Microplastics are unseen pollutants that may be inside of you right now. What is microplastic? There are two types of them, primary and secondary microplastics. Primary are microscopic pieces of plastics called pellets or nurdles. They are found in personal care products, plastic fibers in clothes, and plastic pellets in industrial manufacturing. On the other hand, secondary plastics are large pieces of plastic that have been broken down by natural processes such as the sun, wind, or ocean. Over time those pieces get smaller and smaller until they are microplastics. Both forms of microplastics are almost indistinguishable to the eye. This can be extremely dangerous because most people and animals consume it without even knowing. Scientists have discovered many animals whose stomachs are filled with plastics due to mistaking them for food. These animals later can be eaten by humans transmitting their plastics into the human body. As the food chain evolves, more plastic is consumed.  Although this may seem scary to think about, there are many ways to prevent the spread and consumption of these tiny monsters. If you want to read some simple ways to lessen the creation of microplastics, check out the link below! https://www.perchenergy.com/blog/lifestyle/reduce-microplastic-pollution-consumption

By: Olivia Delvalle https://gracebythecup.com/seeing-color-in-a-black-white-world/ Childhood is a short period in time where an individual goes through one of the most important developmental processes in their lives. In those first few years, a child will be faced with challenges and experiences that will shape them into the person they become. Some people even go as far as to say they learned more from their childhood than they do from adulthood. This is because in the first few years of childhood you are building the fundamental blocks and foundation of both your present and future.     Some of our biggest events are found in our childhood. From the very first steps you take to the ones walking across the stage at graduation. No event is too little or small in the concept of developing. It's a time to make mistakes, to take risks, to experience the new and explore the old. As we grow up and our childhood fades behind with the rest of our milestones, we often reminisce about those years. People often wish to return to those times where life was “easier or simple”. Times where we were not consumed by the ugliness of the world and only saw it for its true beauty. A child is defined as someone from the ages of 0-18 in a legal aspect. However if we carry our childhood with us as we grow, do we truly stop being a child? Or do we blossom from a mindset and gain knowledge while still remaining that same childlike persona?  The way children see is something so beyond imagination or dreams, it is reality, possibility, and opportunity. Those who choose to grow up too fast or not use childhood to their full advantage are often the ones who regret it the most. They are the ones who live in the past, the ones who see the world in gray, and the ones who follow behind the rest. For the people who see the world through the lenses of a child are the ones who truly make the best of their lives. They are the grownups who still watch movies, the ones who live inside books, the ones who fill their lives with color, the ones who enjoy the outdoors, and the ones who know to take chances. People often think if you act like a child it means you are unable to be mature or you're ignorant of society. However, that isn’t always the case. Those who choose to not hide behind society's standards of how a person should act after the age of 18 are the most mature and intelligent of them all. The ones who choose to hide lack a sense of creativity, ambition, and sometimes even kindness. The absence of childlike traits can often be the same ones that help solve the most strenuous problems. Sometimes the people who see through a childlike mindset are often those who we least expect. They are the creators of movies, books, paintings, and plays. They can also be the entrepreneurs, leaders, lawyers, and doctors who aid our society every day. They don't have to be the pessimistic concept and connotation we associate with people who carry their child like selves with them. Rather they are everyday people who choose to not hide or fall into order. They instead express themselves by helping others and living in a growth mindset. In the end, the question is: Would you rather be the person who only sees the world for its ugliness, never breaking society norms, and just following in line? Or will you be the person who creates their own way of living life, with a mindset that shows who they are and what they are capable of?

By: Olivia Delvalle The next class of 2025 senior spotlight goes to our very own Monroe Township girls soccer team captain, Jayme Beninda. Not only has Jayme etched her mark into school history on the soccer field, but created a name for herself as a student as well. Since freshman year, Jayme Beninda has been an active member of the community and high school. She has contributed to both the Patriot Warrior Club as well as been a part of the National Honor Society chapter.  In her free time she believes in staying active and has been a three sport athlete since freshman year. She has received her varsity letter in winter and spring track, girls lacrosse, and most importantly, soccer. She is also the captain for both the winter track and the girls soccer team, demonstrating her versatility to lead across multiple sports. Photo Credits: Jayme Beninda After interviewing Jayme, it is clear that her greatest passion and hobby is her commitment and talent in soccer. When asked what started her love for the sport, Jayme said, “My dad and brother are the reason I fell in love and from then on I couldn’t stop”. Since she was a sophomore, Jayme has played both on the club team and the Monroe Township varsity soccer team at the highschool. Eventually, she even became Captain her senior year alongside three other girls.  However, leading her team through a normal season wasn’t enough for Jayme. Instead, she helped lead them in creating a mark so deep that it’s become one of the Monroe sports program’s best success stories. In 2024, Jayme and the soccer team made it to the GMC finals and won for the first time in school history. However, they didn’t stop there. They continued to win again the following year, going as far as winning sectionals for the first time ever. When asked about her favorite highschool memory, Jayme says, “Winning the GMC finals two years in a row and then going on to win sectionals for the first time in school history”, showcasing how much this team and program has meant to her and her success here at the highschool. Photo credits: Jayme Beninda Jayme’s greatest achievement was turning a bonding activity into school history. In addition to winning these titles as a team, Jayme became an all conference and red division player, and was selected for the nj.coms 2nd team,receiving sectional recognition. Jayme will be furthering both her academic and soccer careers at Lebanon Valley college in Pennsylvania. There, she plans to major in criminology and eventually find a career in the criminal justice field, wherever it leads her.Jayme’s greatest achievement was turning a bonding activity into school history. In addition to  winning these titles as a team, Jayme became an all conference and red division player, and was selected for the nj.coms 2nd team,receiving sectional recognition. Jayme will be furthering both her academic and soccer careers at Lebanon Valley college in Pennsylvania. There, she plans to major in criminology and eventually find a career in the criminal justice field, wherever it leads her. Photo Credits: Jayme Beninda In her spare time, Jayme loves to hang out with her friends, be around her family, and loves animals, especially her dog Bruno. She says that one of the hardest parts about leaving high school is saying goodbye to the people you have spent every day walking past and creating memories with. If she had to tell an incoming freshman one piece of advice, it would be, “Go to all the sports games and events they have. Take advantage of the time you have here at the high school with your friends, and make memories because it goes by fast”.  Photo Credits: Jayme Beninda Jayme Beninda has gone above and beyond any expectations both in school and on the field. She will forever go down in school history for all her accomplishments and hard work through soccer and school. Just seeing what a superstar she has become in her four short years at the highschool, it’s only fair to assume whatever she will do next will be record breaking as well.

By: Olivia DelValle Monroe Township high School’s girls’ lacrosse program begins another great season with their opener against East Brunswick on April 1st 2025. With a score of 7-1 the girls started the season off to a great start with this win. The team is led by head coach Alexa Marshall and assistant coach Eugene Giaquint. Who have helped the team extensively in the past few years especially. Coach Marshall has dedicated almost 6 years to the program, as both the original Junior varsity coach and now coaches Varsity full time.  In the past two years the girls have made an appearance in both the 2023 and 2024 GMC finals. Therefore, the pressure is on this year as the season advances to return once again to the finals, but this time return with the title. Despite the girls lacrosse program being a relatively new addition to the sports program at the high school they have created a name for themselves in their conference.  Returning Stat leaders Expectations are high this season as many returning varsity stars step on the field again, leaving Monroe to have faith in the team's success this season. Captain Rhya Saloom and Captain Juliana Dowd carry the most leading stats for both midfield and attack. Rhya leading attack stats with 41 goals, 47 ground balls, 49 draw controls and 15 forced turnovers. Followed by Captain Juliana Dowd who leads the highest stats for midfield with 30 goals, 48 ground balls, 46 draw controls, and 17 forced turnovers. On the defense side Senior Savannah Riker and Angelina Mayo carry the defense leading stats. Captain and goalie Savannah Riker has 297 saves over her varsity career since freshman year. Despite Senior Angelina Mayo mainly being a defender she has gained 12 goals, 39 ground balls, 6 draw controls, and 28 forced turnovers.  Captains For the 2025 spring season Seniors Juliana Dowd(Midfield), Savannah Riker(Goalie), and Rhya Saloom(attack and Midfield) have stepped up and become the captains for the girls lacrosse team. All three captions are extremely passionate and dedicated to the sport, and intend to leave their marks in their final year. When asked what they are most excited for the season the girls all agreed being able to have fun while also having a successful year filled with many wins.  Games to look out for One of Monroe's biggest rivals across the sports program being old bridge does not change for the girls lacrosse team. However; this year the girls are determined to face off against them and take home many wins. Keep an eye out for these games as Old bridge vs Monroe is always a great game to watch with a lot of energy and determination on both sides. The season schedule entails a lot of great competition and is filled with many games both home and away. You can check their schedule at https://highschoolsports.nj.com/school/monroe-twp-monroe/girlslacrosse  as well as their instagram mthsgirlslax or Monroe’s sports business clubs instagram under mthssportsbusiness. With a strong core of returning players, up and coming talent, a hunger to win, a team with a great bond, Monroe Township girls lacrosse plans to have one of its most successful seasons yet. As the players succeed through the season we expect their hard work to pay off and prove themselves even more.

By: Craig McPherson There are many things in one’s life that symbolize the “American Dream”. Attractive, or successful spouses or relatives, a nice, lavish home, or even their dream car. For many, this car is the Chevrolet Corvette. Fast, powerful, and stylish, the Corvette does not only symbolize the American Dream, but also freedom and innovation. But what are the origins of this American symbol? The creator of the Corvette was Harley Earl. After World War Two, Earl would see the racing courses of British sports cars such as the Jaguar. This would inspire him to convince the General Motors company to develop its own sports car, unique to America. This endeavor would be dubbed “Project Opel”, which Earl would keep top secret. Earl was close to Ed Cole, a member of the General Motors’ Chevrolet division. Hence, Cole would be the one that Earl entrusted the project to. The Corvette was first revealed to the public in 1953, at a Motorama auto show in New York. The famous roadster would shortly begin mass production afterwards, in Flint, Michigan. Yet by the end of 1953, Chevrolet would move production to Saint Louis, Missouri. Yet, sales were not ideal, as only 3,640 of the 10,000 Corvettes manufactured in 1954 were sold. The year 1963 would see the introduction of the Stingray Corvette, a Corvette with a coupe body style. The Stingray also had a 327 V-8 engine, which would improve the Corvette’s racing performance, making it stronger and faster. Yet, another new model was created in 1963, designed for racing. The Z-0-6 was a special Corvette with a special V-8 engine that gave it 360 horsepower. Only 199 Z-0-6 Corvettes were made this year. Other modifications to the Corvette during the 60’s would cause it to become physically larger. Examples include the addition of standard four-wheel disc brakes in 1965, and a larger engine in 1966. The 1970’s would also be a notable decade for the popular car. The 1973 model would be given a new, urethane, bumper cover. The 1976 model would give the Corvette a new intake to increase its horsepower, which would lead it to become the fastest American car of that year. The Corvette’s 25th anniversary would be in 1978. To celebrate, Chevrolet would make a near model with a fastback rear. Yet in 1979, the Corvette would be proven inferior to cars such as the Porsche 924 in a comparison test. In fact, the Corvette would actually fall off its pedestal in 1981, finishing last in another comparison test, losing to the likes of the Porsche 911 SC and Ferrari 308GTSi. As a result, 1982 would be the end of the Corvette’s third generation. The fourth generation of the Chevrolet Corvette began in 1984. Instead of making more modifications to the previous model, Chevrolet created a whole new design from the ground up. Chevrolet, in collaboration with Lotus, would produce 84 Corvette ZR-1s in 1989, which would be sold from 1990-1995. With this ZR-1, Chevrolet would finally beat its rival in Porsche, when a ZR-1 won a race with a Porsche 911 Turbo. The fifth generation would begin in 1997, now with transmission at the rear of the car. It would also become more spacious and stable. The high-performance Z06 would be created in 2001, as a tribute to the Z-0-6 introduced in 1963. The sixth generation of the Corvette was revealed at the Detroit auto show in 2004. A notable detail about this model would be its lack of the Corvette’s famous, retractable headlights. This was because of the weight and complexity of the headlights’ motors, as well as the issue of old sealed beam headlights. A new Z06 model would follow in 2006, yet this new Z06 was proven to not be as fast as a Porsche 911 or Ferrari F430. Currently, the Corvette manages to prove itself as an amazing sports car. For instance, the 2025 Corvette ZR1, with a top speed of 233 mph and 1,064 horsepower, would just recently set five new track records in America. As Josh Holder, Corvette Chief Engineer said it best, “There is an insatiable thirst in the sports car world for the ultimate in performance. And the ZR1 is certainly that in the Corvette lineup. It’s at the very top.”

By: Nadja Chavdarska According to experts, whether our brains are mathematically inclined or not, the laws of physics encompass every aspect of our lives. Although we learn that biology concerns our very own existence and chemistry explains the reactions between the elements and the properties they are made out of–if it were not due to physics, those concepts would simply not exist.  When it comes to studying humanities and politics, it is engraved in human nature to want freedom and self expression. So, society explores these topics in forms of activism, encouraging free choice to where we have reached our modern democratic ways. Yet, in a way the mathematical concepts of physics seem to contradict these ideas.  For reference, in the world of quantum mechanics every little action and movement is predetermined. The potential velocity of an object sets its path, making its movements predictable. When you go on walks, or move your wrist while doing your dreaded math homework, in theory, you are not actually freely choosing to do those activities at that moment, they were chosen for you. This topic is supported by a number of successful physicists including Hossenfelder who refers to the concept of free will as “logically incoherent nonsense”, showing that from a rational viewpoint–choice does not exist. This interpretation of the universe using quantum mechanics is called superdeterminism. Even Einstein, one of the brightest minds in the physics world, supported this by using the analogy that if physics cannot explain ‘free’ will that would be the same as considering the earth as a freely-moving body that is not acted upon by any force which is an irrational statement.  The opposing argument to this is called indeterminism, which claims that the randomness of quantum mechanics makes it so that we experience one out of many possible outcomes as an effect of our actions, which would support the idea of free will.  Supporters of superdeterminism contradict this idea by arguing that in fact, there is a pattern to the apparent randomness that is observed in its principles. This was considered possible in the double-slit experiment started by Thomas Young. In the experiment, electrons are put through a surface with two vertical slits as suggested by its name. At first, the particles move through them in a seemingly random way. After some time, the particles show an evident pattern forming on the screen behind the surface which they came from. Yet, frustratingly, even this experiment does not disprove the possibility of randomness even if it seems so. Even as groundbreaking as it may seem, there are many underlying details that render the experiment useless in providing evidence for disproving particle randomness, instead it highlights the quantum probability of the particles ending up in those places; so, the debate over free will has stayed undecided and hasn’t been proven due to the simple fact that there are still undiscovered mysteries in our knowledge of quantum mechanics. Even still, the brightest physicists are yet to find these unknown variables and principles that exist within the laws of physics that prove or disprove its connection to our choices. For now, all we can do is simply observe our actions and wonder whether we really chose them, or if they were chosen for us by the laws that make-up our world and support our universe.

By: Craig McPherson The iconic logo for the J.P. Morgan bank company, accompanied by the name of its founder. (Credit : JPMorgan Chase Logo, symbol, meaning, history, PNG, brand -Logos-world)      J.P. Morgan is one of, if not the biggest banks in the United States. Serving millions of customers in financial transaction processing and asset management. Known for being very reliable, ever since it was founded in 1871. However, something strange seems to be happening to the beloved bank. The bank has planned to make several layoffs throughout 2025. This means thousands of employees will be laid off, removed from their job. But why is this happening?      According to a spokesperson, these layoffs are just a normal part of managing the business. The spokesperson also claimed that they are continuing to hire in several areas, and relocate the affected employees. One may think that J.P. Morgan is facing a struggle, causing the layoffs, but it is quite the contrary. In 2024, the bank had earned its highest-ever annual profit of $54 billion.      The CEO of J.P. Morgan’s Wealth Management, Kristin Lemkau would also share  other recent achievements of the bank. She said, “ At J.P. Morgan Wealth Management, we marked some important milestones: customers entrusted us with more than $1 trillion in assets under supervision and we’ve welcomed more than 390 advisors to our team of nearly 6,000 advisors who are ready to help clients reach their goals.”(Lemkau, 2024). A bank’s success can be determined by how much money it stores. Since it has been entrusted with over a trillion dollars, it is likely that J.P. Morgan has a significantly vast amount of patrons.       In conclusion, while one may assume that because J.P. Morgan is laying off many employees, the bank is struggling. However, this is not the case, as the bank has recently been very successful. The layoffs are just a regular part of running the business, and they will continue to hire in certain areas.

By: Ashley Sawh https://www.amadorvalleytoday.org/29767/news/around-the-campus/saving-money-and-studying-habits-why-even-seniors-should-take-ap-tests/#modal-photo ) As someone who’s taken AP classes and taken forever to start studying for them, here’s some AP test studying tips that not only work for studying for class tests and quizzes, but for the AP Test in May. Know the exam format. Regardless of what AP test you are going to take, you should familiarize yourself with the layout of the questions, what type of questions you might get, and most importantly, how open ended questions are formatted. This allows you to allocate your time appropriately during the test, avoiding having to guess on answers at the end because you ran out of time Have a study schedule: Having a study schedule can really help when it comes to preparing, even studying for a little bit a day helps.  Review almost everyday: reviewing the material often helps you retain it better. Keeping these sessions small and consistent help to avoid cramming at the last minute. Practicing under time constraints: Remember, for the AP test, there is a time constraint. This includes whatever open ended question(s) that you have along with the multiple choice. Practicing under a time constraint helps you reduce anxiety on test day.  Using effective materials such as class notes and textbooks (including unit study guides and practice questions), AP prep books, and flash cards. Though, everyone learns differently, so some methods won’t work for everyone. Using AP Classroom resources: Most students forget that AP Classroom (provided by College Board) provides things specifically for your curriculum. Focus on your weak points: After studying, focus on the areas where you need the most help.  Trying other study methods/habits. Most of the time when someone can’t study effectively, it’s their study methods that need to change. Don’t be afraid to try new study habits and techniques  Use past practice exams found online  Barrons textbook (s): These can be found on Amazon  College Board AP Classroom  Pace yourself. Finally, you should pace yourself to avoid panicking during the AP test. This also avoids rushing through questions that you don’t know the answer to.As someone who’s taken AP classes and taken forever to start studying for them, here’s some AP test studying tips that not only work for studying for class tests and quizzes, but for the AP Test in May. Know the exam format. Regardless of what AP test you are going to take, you should familiarize yourself with the layout of the questions, what type of questions you might get, and most importantly, how open ended questions are formatted. This allows you to allocate your time appropriately during the test, avoiding having to guess on answers at the end because you ran out of time Have a study schedule: Having a study schedule can really help when it comes to preparing, even studying for a little bit a day helps.  Review almost everyday: reviewing the material often helps you retain it better. Keeping these sessions small and consistent help to avoid cramming at the last minute. Practicing under time constraints: Remember, for the AP test, there is a time constraint. This includes whatever open ended question(s) that you have along with the multiple choice. Practicing under a time constraint helps you reduce anxiety on test day.  Using effective materials such as class notes and textbooks (including unit study guides and practice questions), AP prep books, and flash cards. Though, everyone learns differently, so some methods won’t work for everyone. Using AP Classroom resources: Most students forget that AP Classroom (provided by College Board) provides things specifically for your curriculum. Focus on your weak points: After studying, focus on the areas where you need the most help.  Trying other study methods/habits. Most of the time when someone can’t study effectively, it’s their study methods that need to change. Don’t be afraid to try new study habits and techniques  Use past practice exams found online  Barrons textbook (s): These can be found on Amazon  College Board AP Classroom  Pace yourself. Finally, you should pace yourself to avoid panicking during the AP test. This also avoids rushing through questions that you don’t know the answer to.