The Brewster Browser - October 2021

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The

Brewster Browser

October 21, 2021 Wolfeboro, NH

Volume 44 Issue 1

Brewster Clubs: Sharing your Voice and Identity

Brewster Academy International to start this project.” Mrs. Kerin has been at Brewster for ten years. As the former Director of Advancement, she directed the most successful capital campaign in the academy's history and fundraised for a lot of the projects Brewster has now undertaken, including the renovation of the Rogers Building. Mrs. Kerin said that she was completely honored and excited to start her new role, because she thought this is one of the most exciting moments in this school's history which has been driving her all summer to start for such a positive year. She has more plans and goals for Brewster Academy during her tenure as the head of school to make Brewster Academy as best as it can be. She has plans to develop in areas such as cur-

Mrs. Kristy Kerin standing in front of "The Turf" with a view of Lake Winnipesaukee. As BA's first female headmaster, Mrs. Kerin is also the 13th Head of School in the academy's history.

Brewster students attended the club fair in Estabrook on September 21st. by Sun Tanomkiattikun ’22

Are you a true Brewster Bobcat? The spirit of Brewster lies in its little but impactful communities, the clubs. Following the long awaited Clubs & Activities Fair organized on September 21st, many of us have found a home in

by Pree Simphliphan ’22 and Pat Phoompuang ’22

Scan for a list of all Brewster Clubs.

possibilities here at Brewster and beyond. You can practice a poem and receive constructive feedback prior to the Coffee House performance, or use this time to practice for an audition for the winter theater production. You will learn how to put forth an argument while learning something new from other people’s perspectives—a valuable skill to have in life. “So, We are basically just trying

The First Female Head of School

Brewster Academy has named its first female Head of School, Mrs. Kristy Kerin. The 13th Head started her job this fall, and she has many plans for the school. She has goals to build the academy strong in every sector, based in part on what she learned when she served in her former positions as Director of Advancement and Assistant Head. “I was just completely honored and thrilled to serve this role as the new head of school,” said Mrs. Kerin. Brewster Academy’s mission statement is for students to develop "lives of purpose". The best way to do this is to get more people to know our school. As Mrs. Kerin said, “We're looking to open another Brewster in Madrid, Spain in the fall of 2023. Our former head of school, Mr. Craig Gemmell, moved to become president of Brewster Academy and

cont. on pg. 3

cont. on pg. 11

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one (or many) of those clubs. But if you haven’t, don’t worry! Here, we have featured two new clubs in the theme of Sharing Your Voice. Speech & Debate Are you scared of public speaking? Are you afraid that this club will be only

for professional speakers? Sit back. As a debate tradition, Vera Zaslavskiy ‘22 and Alyson Nagorniak ‘22, leaders of Speech & Debate, have brought a couple arguments to convince you to join their club. Brewster Speech & Debate has something for everyone. Even just for classroom assignments, this club is a stage for you to practice your oral presentation to improve speaking skills, build confidence and receive advice from fellow speakers. If you are not comfortable speaking right away, you can just learn the art of speech from other club members! Of course, if you are a professional speaker, this club is also for you. You can hone your skills in this club in preparation for the Harvard Speech and Debate tournament in February. “I know a lot of people said they aren't comfortable because they don't feel comfortable in their English, but there is no better way to practice than to actually be uncomfortable, put yourself out there and really just hone in on those English skills,” said Nagorniak ‘22. The experience gained certainly does not end here in Speech & Debate. The ability to share your voice with confidence leads you to numerous

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Editorial/Opinion

Equality for All: Stop AAPI Racism by Tata Tirapongprasert ’22

I ambled along the street of Wolfeboro, mesmerized by the quaint ambiance of the town. It was my second day in the US, and I took it upon myself to explore every intricacy of my small, new home before the first week. I stopped at Yum Yum, a must-try ice cream shop for every first-time visitor. Standing in front of my eyes was the overwhelming list of flavors. I ran my fingers through different coins in my wallet, gazed intently at each one, and tried my best to add up to the accurate price of $3.79. It was such a cumbersome task; no wonder no one used these round pieces of metal anymore. The woman standing behind me muttered, “Urgh...why do we have to stand in line with this alien?” A momentary look of bafflement crossed my face. I turned around to

check if she was talking about me. “Look at that mask.” “Ewwww…” replied the daughter. I heard the words but did not comprehend what they were intimating. I have read about anti-Asian racism before but experiencing it firsthand is a whole different story. The act of looking down on people of Asian descent has become common in America. According to the psychiatrist and social analyst Jean Baker Miller, inequitable social relations are seen as the model for “normal human relationships.” Society identifies each person from the characteristics within one’s social context, such as ethnicity, gender, religion, and socioeconomic status. Consequently, they will place the individual in a collective group with others that share those traits. There are inevitably going to be inequalities in

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Fixed on a choice

Demonstrators held signs and clapped during the Women's March ATX on October 2, 2021. Photo by Chelsea Purgahn for the Texas Tribune. by Kate Zdunczyk ’22

As a woman, feminist, and prochoice activist, the recent news of Texas’s harsh abortion laws makes me feel unsafe in my own country. This law violates women’s rights; it also causes everyone in the state to be involved. It incentivizes the public to report abortions; it allows anyone living in Texas to sue a provider or anyone who is a suspect in helping. Even the Uber driver that drove her to the clinic could be sued. These abortion laws are different from those in the other states because they let private citizens implement them instead of requiring public officials to enforce the new policies. They could be awarded at least $10,000 for a successful suit. First off, teenagers will be most impacted by this new law. For example, most teens in most states who need abortions must get their parents’ consent, but teens in foster care or unaccompanied minors who

immigrated do not have that option. This means that the government has legal authority over them. The Supreme Court ruled that parents cannot make their children continue with unwanted pregnancy; so the minor must apply for a judicial bypass. A judicial bypass is when a pregnant minor can prove to a judge that she is mature enough to make her own decision and can get a waiver allowing for abortion. The Texas state government’s new policy of how you can not get an abortion after six weeks hurts any minors’ chance of a judicial bypass. Many people do not know they are pregnant until they hit the two-week mark, which is apparent when they are late for their menstrual period. For the bypass, there is a 24 hour waiting period, and they have to go through the entire process; it becomes too late. Victims of rape or incest, of any age, already in a highly vulnerable state, have to carry and give birth to a child that will remind them of their pain

some way, shape, or form. The nature of power dynamics divides the community into the advantaged and the disadvantaged — the oppressor and the oppressed. The relationship of the dominants to the subordinates is often one in which the minority group is labeled as defective or substandard in significant ways. In the mid-nineteenth century, East Asian Americans began arriving in California and the West Coast and were discriminated against, oppressed, and regarded as inferior. They were considered an existential danger to the Western world. They were labelled as unclean and unfit, giving rise to the racially excluding term Yellow Peril. Not long after that, federal law actively reinforced this idea. Most notably, the infamous Chinese Exclusion Act, the first law in the United States that barred immigration solely based on race. It is a pity that racism has persisted since a hundred years ago. Especially and might become another child in the overpopulated foster care system. Then, desperate teenagers will have unsafe abortions that could lead to a failed procedure and severe medical conditions. Banning abortions will not decrease the number of women who will have them; it will increase the number of unsafe ones. Banning abortions will only cause an increase of dangerous procedures and horrific results. According to the World Health Organization, over 7 million women are hospitalized each year for treatment for unsafe abortion-related complications, such as hemorrhage, sepsis, infection, genital trauma, and necrotic bowel. These deaths and hospitalizations leave so many children motherless. What happens next? We don’t know yet. Multiple court challenges to the law are in the works. Pro-choice organizations are also organizing protests and demonstrations to show opposition to the law. No person should be allowed to put regulations on another human’s body. Most people avoid conversations about abortions, but it doesn’t have to be awkward or complicated. If you don’t like the idea of abortions, then don’t get one. Your personal choices about abortion are just that, a choice. The choice is what is essential here. You are allowed to be upset over someone else’s decisions, but taking away their options and choices is not the solution. You have no idea what someone else’s circumstances are, just like they have no ideas of yours. Anti-abortion believers use so much energy to tear vulnerable women down; why can’t they harness that energy towards making a difference for the children who are currently alive and suffering in the foster care system or on the streets? Abortion bans are about maintaining control over our reproductive rights, nothing more.

October 21, 2021 in today’s pandemic world, hatred and disgust towards Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) people have skyrocketed. Stop AAPI Hate, a nonprofit organization that has a mission to “stand united against racism,” has reported a total of 3,800 hateful incidents and crimes during the first year of the pandemic. The two most significant proportions of the total incidents are verbal harassment and shunning, followed by physical assault, comprising the third-largest category. We should bring this persisting prejudice to a halt. Everyone should be equal regardless of one’s place of origin. It is not fair for Asian people, Black people, or any minority group to be treated differently. Even if a person is not Asian, they can be an unlikely ally in spreading the news and addressing it. At Brewster Academy, we have made it our responsibility to bring a diverse microcosm of the international community to a predominantly white populace. We embrace diversity by celebrating international festivals and organizing Culture Night, where everyone exhibits their rich home traditions. In doing so, the “minority” is not a minority anymore. There exists no covert line dividing the outsiders and the insiders. Should we start incorporating these multiracial perks into society, the world will be a much more unified, peaceful place. Together, we will eliminate the long-ingrained problem, even by a tiny step at a time.

The Brewster Browser Brewster Academy Wolfeboro, New Hampshire

Editor in Chief: Julia Golden ’22 Managing Editor: Kate Zdunczyk ’22 News Editor: Elisha-Grace King ’23 Nameplate art: Shemar Joseph ’19 Staff members: Liam Fahey ’24 Mai Kasemsawade ’22 Mitch McQuillan ’22 John Northrop ’24 Pat Phoompuang ’22 Pree Simphlipham ’22 Sun Tanomkiatttikun ’22 Ice Thaewanarumitkul ’22 Faculty Advisonr: Jennifer Metcalfe Dumont From the Editors: The Browser is a student publication, written, edited and proofread by the students under the direction of the faculty advisor. The authors and editors take full responsibility for any errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar that may occur. THE BROWSER IS UNDERWRITTEN IN PART BY THE JON KONHEIM JOURNALISM AWARD.

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Brewster Reconstructs Old Gym to Become New Arts Building by Liam Fahey ’24

Due to COVID, Brewster was not able to fund as much as they wanted for the Rogers which is why the construction has taken a little longer. The ongoing construction of the new Rogers has us all a little excited, but there’s so many things you may not know to look forward to. The first floor of the Rogers will have several music rooms for students

to practice in, when not occupied they can be used for students to study. They will all have a table and chairs inside as well. The Rogers will contain several flexible seating options for students. In addition it also has a new dining area for times when the Estabrook Dining Hall is not serving food. When you walk in you are presented with two large staircases on either side. One leads up to the new dance studio

An interior view of the Roger and its beatiful balcony, taken on September 27th 2021.

photo by Ms. Susan Harrington

First Female Head of School cont. from pg. 1

riculum, student activities, and life on campus. She loves to see students and teachers live on campus with families that have various types of race, color, religions, and gender. She emphasized the word “curiosity” as a theme for the year on campus, to make Brewster Academy become the school that students want to study and be curious about. “If you're curious, it will open up so many doors and opportunities for you. You'll be a lifelong learner: connect with new people, experience new things, cultures, and see the world differently. So, my role is to just unlock curiosity in kids and in our faculty too, to open up curiosity for ways we can grow as a school. I think if we do that, we're going to have a pretty great year,” said Mrs. Kerin. Moreover, she is looking forward to developing the arts, both gallery and music, to make students feel relaxed and inspire creativity, so that students have more than athletics and courses in one day. She wants the Rogers Building to be the center of exchanging cultures and ideas. “From a campaign's standpoint, we are working to open the Rogers building. We're going to open the first phase of that

building in November, hopefully,” said Mrs. Kerin. “That will bring a new student center and new art center to campus, and then we'll open a second phase of that building in February that will be the new lower level, in which we'll have music practice rooms. It'll have a media arts lab, and gallery space for student artwork. It'll be amazing. “We are also looking to expand our curriculum,” Mrs. Kerin continued. “We're looking for ways to add more electives. Right now, we do an incredible job on our classwork and making sure that students have mastery in all of the core subjects, but we don't have a great range of elective offerings, especially the upper school level. So we're looking to grow that in ways that kids are excited about. So, one example of that is the new advanced studies program that we have this year.” She hopes that everything that she does will grow Brewster Academy to become a well-known school in academics, arts and athletics, while also having a diverse student body in every way. “So, I want to make sure that through all of the work that we're doing strategically and through fundraising that we're opening doors for more kids,” said Mrs. Kerin. “I received general financial aid

The second phase is the basement. The basement is fully funded and ready to start construction. The opening date they are looking at is around March. The basement will contain art classrooms, a dark room, media labs, and other flexible work spaces. The third and final phase, which has not been funded yet, will be what Brewster is calling “The Plinth”. The Plinth will be a large deck coming off of the main floor. It will have seating to watch sports games, study, or just enjoy the view of the lake. The reconstruction of the Rogers is paving a way for an improved arts program. With sports being a huge part of the Brewster community, often the arts get swept under the rug. The Rogers is hoping to attract more art students and help the Brewster community to inspire more diverse thinkers.

support to go to college, and I know how life-changing that can be, and I want to make sure that I make that happen for other kids here.” Overall, Brewster Academy is going to be changed in every section: academics, sports, arts, music, and socially. Ms. Kerin emphasizes curiosity to make people outside the campus want to study at Brewster Academy. In the future, maybe, we will see Brewster Academy moving forward in the positive direction led by Mrs. Kerin. The Brewster Browser had the opportunity to interview Mrs. Kristy Kerin: Q: Why did you want to become head of school? Mrs. Kerin: I think for me, I am so excited about where Brewster is. I think we're a 200-year-old school, but this is maybe the most exciting time in the history of the academy. And I wanted to continue to be a part of that and help lead that. I think in a lot of ways, Brewster is still being recognized for all the special and unique things that happen here. We're still a little too hidden out there in the world. So I wanted to make sure that Brewster was able to live out its vision and have more people get to know

the school or have access to the school. Also, I just really wanted to work more with kids. My other roles didn't let me work directly with students and the way that this role will let me do so. Q. What do you think about becoming the first female head of school? Mrs. Kerin: I'm honored to be the first female head of school. But, it wasn't something I thought a lot about in the process until I realized how much it meant to female students, female graduates, and female faculty to see a woman in the role. So that has made it even more meaningful to me. And also, I think it makes me feel a greater responsibility to do everything I can to be the strongest head of school I can be. Q. Could you please choose the quotation that motivates you? Mrs. Kerin: "Walt Whitman said, “be curious, not judgmental.” It's very simple. If we can be curious about things, other people, life, and experiences, I feel like our role will be in such a stronger place because of it and we'll grow as people. Q. Would you like to drop some messages to students? Mrs. Kerin: "I think I'd rather talk cont. on pg. 6

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Ms. Guinevere Hilton, Liam Fahey, and Mr. Andy Campbell posing in the new black box theater.

which will have a gorgeous view of Lake Winnipesaukee. The other will lead up to the new black box theater. The black box will be a new way to present theater and other performing arts classes. With flexible seating and lots of room, the new black box will be a great addition to Brewster’s arts department. Then the two sides are joined together by a beautiful balcony with a huge view of the lake. It is truly beautiful. These floors are anticipated to open in November. According to Susan Harrington, Brewster's Chief Financial Officer, when COVID hit, the committee in charge of constructing and planning the new building decided to split the construction into three phases. The first phase is the first and second floors, which are set to open in November.

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October 21, 2021 News Brewster Promotes Environmental Efforts

by Liam Fahey ’24

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B re w s t e r t a k e s p r i d e i n i t s environmental efforts on campus, but do students know about them? Brewster has several environmental initiatives including an environmental club. Brewster works with the waste management company Casella in NH which recycles our plastics. All of the campus plastic, glass, paper, aluminium, and tin go into one bin. Casella takes our recycling and then sorts the recycled materials into separate bins. Brewster also has improved significantly on our energy efficiency over the past 10 years. Every building at Brewster has converted to energy efficient bulbs, and making this decision has significantly improved the energy efficiency of our campus. Even the street lights on campus have been converted to energy efficient bulbs. Brewster recently invested in an upgraded air system in the Smith Center that saves electricity as well. In one year the Smith Center has saved 50% percent of energy, and in two years Brewster will make a full return on its investments into the Smith with these savings. When the Covid cases started to go up, so did Brewster’s plastic use. “We utilized a lot of single-use plastics”, said Susan Harrington, Chief Financial Officer. Brewster used extraneous amounts of plastic in the Estabrook Dining Hall, but since the decline in the pandemic Brewster has seen a decline in plastic use. Since COVID restrictions have been lifted, there is no more need for those paper plates or silverware we always forgot to grab. Most single serve beverages as well as single use plastics have been erased, so no more Bubly cans or lemon iced tea. Not only has this helped Brewster financially, but it also helps contribute to our carbon footprint on campus. Mr. Peter Gilligan, the Chief Technology and Operations Officer, said that he hopes one day we can handle the recycling by ourselves, and self sort. He says that just talking about recycling can “get people into the mindset” of thinking sustainably. These efforts can be made possible by the student population. We have to make the change. A way that students can continue to help keep recycling our biggest strength is to utilize the recycling bins placed all around campus. Make sure to only recycle things that are recyclable; paper, glass, cardboard, and plastic. The community made progress in 2019 and 2020, when Brewster re-insulated the Lamb dorm to hold heat better. Brewster will slowly reinsulate the older buildings throughout the next couple years. This leads to a decrease in the need to run the heating systems as much, saving energy.

The refurbishment of the Rogers will also hold huge advancements in the environmental efforts on campus by improving its energy efficiency by 70% since the last time it was open. In addition to energy saving, refurbishing an old building helps the environment more than building a new one completely. Prior to the reconstruction, you could quite literally see diesel leaving the building and smoke clouds gathering in the air. Although Brewster hasn’t completely eliminated its diesel use, they have greatly decreased the amount. Mrs. Harrington would love to add alternative energy to our campus, however there is a policy in the town of Wolfeboro standing in the way called net metering. Net metering bills the owner for the amount of “net” energy they use, which is basically the difference between energy used and energy consumed. This provides no financial incentive to switch to alternative energy. Although they are not in place now, Brewster is continuing to look into alternative energy sources and adding sustainability to all buildings on campus. Brewster has also added sustainability efforts to its water conservation. They have made investments in its drainage systems, ensuring that storm water does not penetrate our natural resources; the lake. We use Lake Winnipesaukee’s water to hydrate our fields, bringing

A map of Brewster's vision for campus in ten years, provided by Mr. Peter Gilligan.

it back into the lake through the water cycle. When I talked to Mr. Gilligan he said “We are a steward to the lake.” We care about reducing pollution surrounding our lake. Our school store also provides an eco-friendly clothing brand. Brandwear Unite is a company that is focused on making sustainable clothing marketed as “Earth Leisure”. Buying sustainable clothing requires less water, and ensures that the clothing is being made in a safe work environment. Mrs. Harrington provided 4 simple steps that students can use to help

Brewster's Environmental Club's first meeting of 2021.

photo by Bella Counts ’24

Reduce Reuse Recycle

keep our campus sustainable. 1. Be consistent with your electricity use. Shut off your lights in your dorms after you leave. 2. Bring a water bottle to Esta. Esta provides drinks but bringing your own can help reduce the amount of water needed to clean the cup after use. 3. Ensure that you are utilizing the recycling bins around campus. Use the recycling bins and only put recyclable items into them. 4. Bring your great ideas to admissions. The student population is the greatest resource for new ideas. In looking ahead to 2030, Mrs Harrington hopes that Brewster will be further down the path as far as our sustainability goes. “I would like to see Brewster add alternative energy sources, make investments in the efficiency of our buildings, and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels,” she said. Mr. Gilligan actually shared a map of the planning committee’s ideas for Brewster in the next 10 years. He hopes to include more green space into our campus, as well as more recycling options. Mr. Gilligan has a comeback for people who might say, “I don’t have time to recycle”. “We are all going to run out of time if we don’t recycle,” said Mr. Gilligan. The next time you throw something away, stop and think, is this recyclable?

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by Pat Phoompuang ’22

News

BA concerned about Delta variant and young adults are at risk too. A recent study from the United Kingdom showed that children and adults under 50 were 2.5 times more likely to become infected with Delta. That’s why fully vaccinating is the best way to protect against delta variants. “The situation is that people who got vaccinated still receive the Delta variant called breakthrough which is expected because every vaccine doesn’t have 100% effectiveness, so we expect that with any vaccine, we’re going to see breakthrough infections occasionally, especially in a pandemic when there are so, you know, such widespread contagion of the disease,” said Ms. MacDonald. Moreover, she still recommended that everyone should get vaccinated even if the effectiveness of the vaccine is not 100%. According to the CDC, the situation in the United States isn’t good, especially in the southern part of the US; Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, Missouri, and West Virginia, where vaccination rates are low. “Students are more likely to be closely together in those situations because of your age group, that might make it spread a little bit more just because of the nature of our behavior. The under 12 population has not yet been vaccinated. So you’re going to see the kids are back in school. So you’re going to see a little bit more spread among that population,” said Ms.MacDonald. She said that the majority of the people in the hospital are younger people because they haven’t gotten a vaccine. The situation in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire is still dangerous. According to the WMUR website, the cases of infection are more than 100 people for 1 month. The latest update shows that there were 362 cases on September 27, 2021, so the mask is still necessary for people when they want to go outside

even though they already got fully vaccinated. “You have to wash your hands frequently. You have to wear your masks. If you’re going to be in crowded places where you’re not staying three feet away from other people, then you also have to take care of yourself. Get good sleep at night, eat healthy foods, stay hydrated, all the things that we should be doing to stay healthy. To keep us from getting sick from colds, COVID all of that applies and get vaccinated. I

think that’s the number one thing is that people need to get back and we do have a pretty high vaccination rate.” Ms. MacDonald and Ms. Rafalowski said in the same direction to recommend s t u d e n t s o n c a m p u s t o p ro t e c t themselves during COVID pandemic. They said that fully vaccinating is the best way, and recommended people who haven’t gotten vaccinated to get it, or they should be wearing their masks all the time, and they should be staying away from large groups of people.

in the medieval period. By the influence of Christianity in the 9th century, the poor would visit the home of the rich to ask for food — according to the online article “How Trick-or-Treating became a Halloween Tradition”, the poor people receive soul cakes in exchange for praying for the homeowners’ dead relatives. This tradition passed on to the next generation from time to time, and finally this practice was always performed by kids with different purposes from the original goals: children ask for gifts and cakes just for fun . In another region of the world, people in Ireland and Scotland practiced what they called the “‘guising tradition” (or dis-”guising”). Even though this event was similar to the one of Christianity, the distinct point was people accepted

offerings from households by performing a show, singing a song, telling a joke, or playing a trick, but not by praying. Trick-or-treating in America has been influenced by these ancient practices. Nonetheless, there is another development for a novel tradition: pranking. At first, pranking was an only tradition to trick others in America, but immoderate pranking made by rowdy youth was frequently performed, such as causing car crashes and vandalism. With an increasing rate of excessive pranking, some cities in the USA banned Halloween. The Great Depression in the 1930s made everything become worse, no trick-or-treating but only excessive pranking. Halloween became a destructive holiday. Subsequent to the Great Depression period, haunted house and Halloween parties were established to attract

youngsters, keeping them out of trouble. Trick-or-treating was also recovered after the end of the Great Depression. In the 1940s, children were provided cakes and fruits instead of candy. Then in the 1950s, candy was introduced to America, due to its affordable price. The popularity of candies on Halloween can be asserted by many interviews. I asked Mrs. Rivellini and a student at Brewster Academy, “What is the first thing that comes to your mind about Halloween?” All immediately answer “candy!”. Today, candy, haunted houses, bobbing apples, trick-or-treating, and even Halloween movies are the dominant part of Halloween. American economics benefits from this marvelous holiday. According to www.history.com, more than a quarter of candy produced each year is sold on Halloween.

Becoming Modern Day Halloween cont. from pg. 12

southern part of the USA. In the northern region, such as in New England, this event was restricted because this Catholic-influenced festival was incongruous to Puritan belief in Protestantism. In the 19th century, many Irish people had to migrate from their homeland to the USA because of the Potato Famine. It was these Irish immigrants, most of whom were Roman Catholic, that induced the popularity of Halloween in the USA by spreading it throughout the whole land. It was after the mid-20th century that trick-or-treating tradition was stably established in the USA. Although its modern form began only about 70 years ago, trick-or-treating also had its origin

Sun Tanomkiattikun '22 has a nose swab test in the Estabrook on Oct 11, with the help of the nurse Ms. Carina. Photo by Pat Phoompuang ’22

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Nowadays, the delta variant of the COVID virus is spreading seriously in the United States. There are so many people, both who got vaccinated and didn’t get vaccinated, that have contracted the Delta variant. People are still concerned about why people who already got vaccinated still have a risk of catching the Delta variant. Is the vaccine still needed for people in the United States even though they still have a risk of receiving the virus? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Delta variant was found for the first time in India in October 2020 and also was first reported in the US in March 2021. This variant has been here for six or seven months. Moreover, from the research, more than 99% of new cases in the US come from the Delta Variant. Delta’s spreading in the US in June was spreading 50% faster than Alpha which was 50% more contagious than the original strain of SARS-CoV-2. “The Delta variant is a more recent variation of the Coronavirus and specifically Delta is twice as contagious as other variants. So because it is so much easier to infect somebody,” said Ms. Rafalowski. Additionally, she added more information about the difference between the Delta variant and other variants by telling the structure of the virus. “There are different shapes, colors, thicknesses, and the surface of this microscopic viral particle are protein spikes that are submicroscopic.” She also added that the Delta variant and Mu variant are very dangerous, especially the Delta variant. In the perspective of doctors, according to the CDC, there is a large number of unvaccinated cases in the southern part of the US; Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, Missouri, and West Virginia, where vaccination rates are low. Children

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October 21, 2021

A Report from Brewster's Field Term in Gilmanton, NH by Jaila Richard ’22

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Brewster Academy’s Field Term, a field study program that uses the essence of science in all of its areas of learning, is a trimester program where students are able to take their studious habits to the great outdoors. It is being taught by Mr. Ben Rendall, a BA science teacher. Students are able to learn how 5 subjects, math, science, English, history, and art, can be applied to the real world, while additionally, learning outdoor skills and going on hikes and paddles. You’re probably wondering why we’re here. As do we. The last thing you’d imagine is spending your last fall trimester at Brewster on a secluded forest in the mountains, but as we’ve seen by this pandemic, life never goes as we plan. We always go into things with an expectation, a biased assumption of how we think something’s going to go, usually negative, and that foreshadows the rest of our experience. This is incorrect. Going into Field Term you’d probably think the worst possible things. Having biases about the people attending, the curriculum, and hiking can hinder your experience. It definitely hindered mine because, man, do I hate hiking. As our three weeks have progressed here we’ve all had a slight change of heart. The people we once thought that we’d never be friends with share commonalities and our love for the outdoors has greatly increased. Learning about nature and topography has sprouted a newfound appreciation for what we’d commonly mistaken as something that was just there. Before

Students at Camp Bell enjoy the view after a hike in Gilmanton, NH.

Field Term, looking at a mountain, you’d see a mountain, but now you can see the topo-lines, predicted elevation, and how the first-order streams from the mountains connect to second-order streams which connect to third order, which are a part of a large watershed. I remember telling Mr. Rendall I hated chemistry. I was adamant about never finding any meaning or real use for it in the real world. I guess part of that is what led me to do this. I spoke with several students about their experience at Camp Bell. Bobby Wingard, ‘22 discussed why he decided

to do Field Term. “Well I just really wanted something different and I love the outdoors," he said. "I thought this would be a good opportunity and it would really look good on my college application too, that was part of it-, ‘cause I don’t really have the financial means to get into a lot of the schools and I thought this would help me out with that. A lot of it is just the outdoors, I love being outside, rain or shine, if it’s hot or cold, I don’t care. It just-gives me a reason to be out here. I also get to apply this stuff to everyday life and to high school.”

Like Bobby, I too struggled with applying topics we learned in school to the real world. Many people hate school for that reason. Another student, Alexandra “Sasha” Shaffer, 22, gave us some insight as well. “It helps me- I learn better in school when the work is applied to real-life situations," said Shaffer. "I feel very immersed in nature because it helps being focused. Being able to take walks refreshes my mind and reduces the amount I procrastinate in school. I found that falling asleep to the sound of rain or a bubbling stream helps me wake up more refreshed and go to bed at a good hour, also it makes me feel more independent.” As teenagers, we strive for independence, and how Brewster is now, independence is viewed as a luxury. Sasha isn’t wrong about how nature helps you focus. An article from Forbes.com states, “Being outside makes us happier, less stressed, more creative, and more socially connected. It can improve short-term memory and focus, reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure, fight against anxiety and depression, and boost our overall immune systems.” As you can clearly tell the students here are thriving. Passing the honeymoon phase, and adjusting to technicalities, the Field Term students are finally accustomed to what it is like living in the outdoors. As for me, my stance on hiking has not changed, but when I finally reach the top of the mountain I don’t just see trees or a lake, I see beauty. We all do.

First Female Head of School

Spider-Man:NoWayHomeTeaser

about the message I shared at the opening of all-school, “gratitude.” Many students believe that in order to be grateful, you have to first have joy in your life. And, what research shows us is that when you start with gratitude, joy follows. If we can look at all the little things we have, we are in this incredible place, Lake Winnipesaukee, in a beautiful town, studying at this great school, I mean, how lucky are we? If you can start there, joy comes very quickly." Q. What is your message to faculty? Mrs. Kerin: “Thank you!” Our faculty live their lives for kids. It's an incredible calling. I believe that teaching is a calling. Our faculty are your teachers, your coaches, your club leaders, and also your dorm parents. And they give themselves to make sure that your lives are starting in a great place. So I just want to say, “thank you, to our faculty, for everything they do every single day.” Q. Could you please give 3 words

Well, I'm just thinking in terms of physics. It's crazy. The amount of energy that will be contained if we have the multiverse, right? I mean, there was already so much energy in this one universe. Think about you having an infinite multiverse, the amount of energy altogether. Crazy. Anything can happen. Q: What would you do with an alternate version of yourself, another Mr. Lui? Mr. Lui: From watching all the scifi movies, nothing. Because in all the movies, nothing good ever comes out from it if you try to interact too much with the other universe. You just leave it alone... You know, if you don't bother us, I don't bother you. Almost similar to what I tell the physics students. Because I think if you discover the multiverse. It would be a world changing thing, right? If you discover, let's say, a time machine or this case might be multiverse. Don't tell anyone. Keep the

cont. from pg. 3

that describe Brewster Academy, and explain why? Mrs. Kerin: "Joyful, Kind, and Curious. I think a lot of schools today focus more on outcomes and they drive kids through extreme pressure. They push kids to do unreasonable amounts of homework that go beyond the learning and get to a place where it's just pressure. "When I think about Brewster, we find a better balance. I think that it's hard to be curious if you're just overwhelmed by workload all the time. You've got to have the space to experience what you are learning, and try to enjoy it, and I think Brewster does that. I think Brewster is also a very kind place overall, not to say we don't have moments where things aren't perfect, but what I experienced that for 10 years of Brewster, there're so many moments where people are just kind to one another and help to build each other up and they recognize that you being successful doesn't take away from my [others'] success."

cont. from pg. 11

secret to yourself. Just think about that. Maybe someone discovered it already. They took my advice. They hide it from people because something is better kept secret. Who knows? Favorite Spider-Man Mr. Lui: I've seen all Spider-Man movies, including those TV movies from the 70s... It should take me longer to answer this question, but so many people ask me these questions. I've given a lot of thought... so my answer is the first Spider-Man which is just SpiderMan, the one with Tobey Maguire, the first one with Green Goblin. It's not that I don't like the others. There are certainly parts of other movies that I like, but if you think about everything together, the first one, yes. Q: Are you Spider-Man? Mr. Lui: I would no longer work at Brewster in that case. If the supervillains are out there, I would probably take the Batman approach. Find a secret hideout. If the secret is revealed, if the supervillains know it, no good.

7 October 21, 2021

Sports

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2021 Brewster Boys Varsity Soccer by Mitchell McQuillan ’22

by Mitchell McQuillan ’22

Maine to play Bridgton Academy on October 20th, and Vermont to match up against Vermont Academy. As of October 11th, the team has recorded four wins and three losses. Oddly enough, the three losses the Bobcats have, they have combined for zero goals. The team has scored 21 goals through October 11th and given up 17 goals, which means this team is slightly above average in terms of offensive and defensive output. The Bobcats defeating Hyde School 10-1 on September 21st is their best offensive game to date. However, they have had multiple games scoring zero goals against Kimball Union Academy, Worcester Academy and Phillips Exeter Academy. In each of those game have given up a combined 15 goals over those three games. The Bobcats either score and clamp down on the other teams, or they get shut out and discombobulated defensively. When I spoke to one of the senior leaders on this team, Ezra Colcord ‘22 he had some interesting thoughts on the outlook on the team this year. When talking to him, Colcord mentioned that there are only 3 returning starters and they have a new head coach, however it hasn’t stopped their flow at all. Later when discussing his role on the team, he said that feeling like the leader

on the team had “given him a bit of edge,” because it challenges him to become a better player and make the other around him benefit as well. Two crucial members to the team were also talked about when Colcord mentioned improving returners. He said that juniors Andy DoCarmo and Tyler Rizzitano had improved mightly and have become twice as better on offense than their freshman seasons. Ezra said that with the improved and already

skilled players around him this team hopes to make a run to the playoffs. He also mentioned that the team is more motivated now that they have a chance to compete in the postseason. None of the players on the team have made it to the playoffs, so he said that it is everybody’s first and most important goal on their mind. The Bobcats are looking to upset the Lakes Region and come out on top once again for the first time in years. ROLL CATS!

Jr from the Baltimore Ravens. Brown Jr was packaged with a late 2021 second round pick the team used to draft Missouri linebacker Nick Bolton. The Chiefs in exchange sent back a 2021 late first round pick, 2021 late third round pick and a 2021 late fourth round pick as well as a 2022 sixth round pick. With those three picks, the Ravens selected Minnesota receiver Reshod Bateman, Georgia guard Ben Cleveland and they traded the fourth round pick to the Arizona Cardinals, who selected Florida defensive back Marco Wilson,

who is infamously known for throwing a shoe and costing them team a game and potentially their College Football playoff chances vs LSU. With a bolstered offensive line to give Mahomes more time in the pocket, there isn’t going to be much more that you can do to stop this Eric Bieniemy offense. One team that could potentially rival Kansas City down the line in the postseason is the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams acquired veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford from the Detroit Lions in exchange for their

2022 and 2023 first round picks, a 2021 third round pick, and quarterback Jared Goff. Stafford instantly added a boost to Sean McVay’s already potent offense. Stafford’s veteran leadership has been on full display ever since being acquired by the team. Stafford joins a slightly above average receiving core that includes veterans Desean Jackson, Robert Woods, star receiver Cooper Kupp, and rookie Tutu Atwell. Their TE’s are ok, with Tyler Higbee able to do a little bit of both. Along with the stellar Rams defense that was top 10 in the league last year, the offense can make a run to the Super Bowl. The Indianapolis Colts have gone from Jacoby Brisset to Scott Tolzien and then essentially rented Phillip Rivers for one year. Rivers then retired, so the Colts went out and traded for Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz, who after tearing his ACL during the Eagles playoff seasons a few years back has declined heavily. Joining a playoff team that signed ex Chiefs tackle Eric Fisher, retained their core offense and drafted Michigan end Kwity Paye, this could be a wild card team that could surprise some or be incredibly mediocre. A former league dominating player, defensive end JJ Watt was cut by the crumbling Houston Texans

Centerback Kieron Kankam '23 preventing an offensive breakaway vs Proctor Academy.

NFL's Most Notable Moves in Offseason

The leaves are falling, the air is becoming crisp and cool... Which only means one thing- it’s football season! Fans of the sport are rejoicing as the NFL season is starting to come into full swing. All 32 teams had eventful offseasons which either improved or hurt the team’s dynamic. Let’s dive into those who have picked up stellar NFL talent and are poised to hold the Lombardi Trophy! The name Julio Jones is synonymous with the best. The two time first-team All-Pro receiver who is a top 5 receiver in the league was traded from a heavily regressing Atlanta Falcons team to the Tennessee Titans. Jones immediately gives the Titans offense an extreme boost, which is already loaded with skill position talent in pro bowl receiver AJ Brown and 2000+ yard rusher, Derrick Henry. This gives quarterback Ryan Tannehill more weapons on a dangerous offense. Expect the Titans to take the next leap into being a serious contender. Just when you thought the Chiefs offense couldn’t get any better, it did on the offensive line. Guard Joe Thuney was signed to a five year, $80 million deal until he is 33 years old. Thuney was an excellent pass protector, only allowing two sacks in 2020. The team also traded for tackle Orlando Brown

Los Angeles Rams Quarterback Matthew Stafford, in his first game in a Rams uniform.

cont. on pg. 8

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The 2021 Brewster Bobcats Boys Varsity Soccer is a well-rounded team that has lots of talent on both sides of the ball. The team likes to play a 4-4-2 formation, which is a formation that provides an equal balance of offense and defense. The formation includes 4 defensive backs, 4 midfielders and 2 forwards. For Brewster, Ben Collins ‘24 takes the goalie spot. McCabe Trowbridge ‘24 and Levi Brekke ‘22 are the left and right back. In the middle are Ezra Colcord ‘22 and Kieron Kankam ‘23, the two centerbacks. Andy Do Carmo ‘23 and Tyler Rizzitano ‘23 are the left and right midfielders and in the heart of the formation are Emmett Shea ‘22 and Carter Kwait ‘23. The two offensive leads up top are Yuma Okazawa ‘25 and Aden Lipsy ‘22. The team has a rather large roster, consisting of players from four different classes. The two coaches are head coach Mr. Eric Hunt, and assistant coach Mr. Doug Goodale. The Bobcats are looking to continue their dominance from last year, however, they play other schools outside our state because some of the COVID-19 travel restrictions have been lifted. Brewster travels to Massachusetts to take on Worcester Academy on October 2nd,

Photo by Mrs. Maria Found

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Sports

October 21, 2021

Olympic Athletes Open Up Mental Health Dialogue by Elisha-Grace King ’23

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From gymnastics to tennis, the world watched this summer as athletes took a stand for mental health. The resurgence of athlete involvement in activism in the past two years has brought to light issues that have continuously been swept under the rug by the media. The past few months have shown us that even the top athletes in the world face mental struggles, perhaps even at intensified levels. The brave voices of athletes, particularly female athletes of color, and their continued advocacy for awareness and justice have been pushing the global conversation around mental health. It started with Naomi Osaka in May 2021. During the French Open, Osaka opted out of attending press conferences, receiving a fine from the French Tennis Federation of thousands of dollars. Osaka, 23, cited her absence as being due to mental health as she experiences, “huge waves of anxiety before [speaking] to the world’s media.” In a joint statement, a group of top international tennis officials asserted, “The mental health of players competing in our tournaments and on the Tours is of the utmost importance to the Grand Slams.” They went on to encourage Osaka to return to media appearances saying “In order to continue to improve, however, we need engagement from the players to understand their perspectives and find ways to improve their experiences.” In response to the Tour’s statement, Osaka opted out of the tournament entirely. The athlete explained in a social media post that she needed to take a break from the court to focus on her selfcare. She stated that she’d been battling bouts of depression dating back to her first US Open win in 2018. Though continuing to make limited appearances in magazines and award shows, Osaka took several months to herself, away from the tennis world’s spotlight. Osaka bounced straight back into competition in July 2021 for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Representing her home country of Japan, Osaka had the honor of lighting the ceremonial Olympic torch to kick off the games. Unexpectedly, the top 10 ranking tennis player fell in the third round of her tournament, leaving Tokyo without a medal. Her appearance at the Olympics, however, was about much more than winning. Osaka continues to advocate for mental health and spread awareness by sharing her personal experiences. It’s a trend that was not set by Naomi Osaka but has been amplified because of her. In fact, the conversation around mental health at the Games did not end with tennis. World-famous American gymnast Simone Biles made arguably the most

Simone Biles stikes a powerful landing pose at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. (USA Today)

headlines during the Olympic Games. Preceding her highly-anticipated second Olympic appearance, Biles was faced with extreme pressure to outperform her record-breaking 2016 tournament showing. However, as a symbol of power and stoicism in the athletic world, Biles seemingly remained focused and unaffected by the weight of the world’s eyes on her. Entering the first days of the Games, Biles was set to participate in several gymnastic events including, team, vault, floor, and all-around. Coming off of five top-placements at the 2019 World Championships, gymnastics followers were confident that Biles had secured multiple medals before the tournament even began. Within the first hours of the gymnastics tournament, Biles and the American gymnastics team were leading in multiple events. Though Biles suffered some minor mishaps in certain routines (including bouncing entirely off the floor during her floor routine), she was able to secure a spot in the finals at the first-place ranking. The gymnast wrote in an Instagram post after the first event, “I truly do feel like I have the weight of the world on my shoulders at times. I know I brush it off and make it seem like pressure doesn’t affect me but damn sometimes it’s hard.” Many sports reporters and fans began to speculate if Biles’s mental struggles were what impacted her ability to execute her usual near-perfect routines. In her beam event, Biles failed to execute her rehearsed dismount and stumbled upon her landing, a rare event for the 5-time world champion. Immediately, after Biles was seen leaving the competition area with a team trainer. The world was in shock as Biles returned, seemingly uninjured, and out of her competition uniform. Biles managed to block the world’s confusion as she continued to cheer for her American teammates for the rest of the day. The world was in shock, and commentators were particularly concerned about the future competing status of Biles, one of the top dominating athletes in the world.

When gymnasts aren’t as mentally fit as they are physically, it puts their safety at risk. Former Olympic gymnast Claudia Fragapagne commented on Biles’ situation. “It’s really dangerous if you doubt yourself a little bit, or you find it really hard, you can really really hurt yourself. I’ve been in her shoes and I ended up hurting myself,” she said. Pro-sports are known for being performance-focused, with little room for rest, and little forgiveness for failure. At levels as high-stakes as the events of Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka, it can be easy to feel like taking a break for competition, or showing a moment of vulnerability, will let the entire world down. This has particularly affected women athletes of color, who are extremely underrepresented yet heavily scrutinized by the media. For years now, mental health in sports has been an undiscussed topic. If even the most successful athletes in the world face mental struggles met with little support and media critique, does it trickle down into smaller-scale athletics Brewster’s new Head Counselor, Ian Sindlinger, shared his thoughts on mental health in school sports. Mr. Sindlinger, who kept up with the Olympic Games this summer, believes that Simone Biles’s exit from the tournament was a positive decision for her physical and mental health, and created a positive ripple effect, showing that even in high-stakes events, mental health should be taken into account. He cites performance-related anxiety as being a leading mental health issue in high school sports that? he’s seen the last few years. “If they (students-athletes) get to a point where their depression impacts their willingness to engage, and their effort, it creates this cycle of [becoming] self-conscious about their lack of effort,

and then it makes [the cycle] worse,” said Mr. Sindligner. He explained further, “It’s cyclical in how [depression and anxiety] can be the initial thing that triggers it, and that impacts their performance. Ultimately when they have a bad performance, it reinforces and makes it worse. Breaking those cycles and getting back on track is the biggest piece.” Pressure to succeed in sports, along with stress about academics and the college process, is often highest in the top-achieving students. Coming back into a normal school year after the global pandemic has caused increased rates of mental health issues in teenagers. Mr. Sindlinger sees participation in sports as one of the best things students can do for their mental health. “It’s the number one place I start with most students related to depression or anxiety… I really stress [ physical activity] as an important outlet. Teams usually become a support system for students… that perception of ‘I’m a part of a team’ creates a sense of belonging for them,” he said. For students who feel they are struggling mentally in their sports, Mr. Sindlinger advises evaluating if they truly enjoy playing their sport or just feel obligated. He concluded by noting that some of the happiest students he’s met at Brewster are three-season JV athletes who play sports in lowerpressure environments. Whether it’s at the pro, Olympic, or high-school level, all athletes can feel more comfortable opening up about their mental health. With athletes like Naomi Osaka and Simone Biles trailblazing and support systems improving at institutional and team levels, the normalization of mental health dialogue will be on an upward trajectory for the foreseeable future.

NFL's Notable Off-Season Moves cont. from pg. 7

organization after he was upset with the team’s performance. The three time defensive player of the year and five time first team all-pro had heavy interest from the Arizona Cardinals, and was then signed to a two year, $28 million deal to play in Phoenix. The 32 year old has had multiple injury problems over the past couple years. He joins a talented defense starring former first team all-pro rush end Chandler Jones, first team all-pro safety Budda Baker as well as young corner Byron Murphy Jr. and sophomore linebackers Zaven Collins and Isaiah Simmons. With a rising defense and an offense led by third year quarterback Kyler Murray and all-pro receiver Deandre Hopkins, the

Cardinals show promise. The Denver Broncos have always struggled with their quarterback situation. They traded for former P a n t h e r s q u a r t e r b a c k Te d d y Bridgewater, which became the talk of the offseason. But one excellent pickup for the defense this offseason was signing former all-pro Chicago Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller to a one year, $9.5 million deal. The cornerback was coached by Broncos head coach Vic Fangio who was the Bears defensive coordinator from 20152018, so the chemistry is there. Fuller joins a rebuilding defense that has former Super Bowl MVP linebacker Von Miller, rookie cornerback Patrick Surtain II out of Alabama, veteran cont. on pg. 9

9 October 21, 2021

Sports

Brewster's Kai Jones ’19 Drafted in NBA 2021

Kai Jones '19 shaking hands with Adam Silver, NBA commissionner, after being drafted as the 19th pick. Photo by AP Photo, Corey Sipkin by Pree Simphliphan ’22 “Kai was a serious student who

worked hard in all areas, daily. He was a wonderful member of our community,” said Coach Smith. Jones was not the only former basketball player who contributed to the community. Someone might never know that Donovan Mitchell ’15 was a Senior Prefect in 2014-15, for example. “He is a tremendously talented basketball player- one of the top 20 players in the world,” said Coach Smith. “However, he's a much, much better person!” This year, there are many active Brewster alumni who are playing in the NBA: Donovan Mitchell '15 - the Utah Jazz, TJ Warren '12 - the Indiana Pacers, Will Barton '10 - the Denver Nuggets, Devonte' Graham '14 - the New Orleans Pelicans, and Kai Jones ’19 - the Charlotte Hornets. “I'm very proud of all of our alumni.”, said Coach Smith. “We are fortunate to have some that are playing in the NBA, as well as professionally around the globe.” “All our alumni who earn the

NFL's Notable Off-Season Moves cont. from pg. 8

safety Kareem Jackson and star safety Justin Simmons. One of the biggest free agents was former Lions pro bowl receiver Kenny Golladay. Golladay has been an underrated receiver in the league since being drafted in 2017 and decided that Detroit was “too slow,” in rebuilding. Golladay was in heavy talks with the New York Giants before a four year, $72 million deal with $40 million guaranteed. A little bit more money that maybe what the Giants were hoping for, but a good value contract nonetheless. The team also signed speedy corner Adoree’ Jackson for a three year, $39 million deal. With

his current health and his talent, the deal is a reach in terms of $13 million per year but is a solid corner. The NFL season is under full swing, with primetime games coming right at us on Sundays. The teams that have made recent moves are expecting themselves to make the next push into the next tier in order for the ultimate goal: raising the Lombardi Trophy. Will it be the new look Los Angeles Rams? Will the Tampa Bay Buccaneers repeat, or will Patrick Mahomes win his second super bowl in three years? Can Josh Allen win the MVP? Can the Dallas Cowboys finally put it all together? The league is full of surprises!

by the eventual champion Milwaukee Bucks in seven games during the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. Also, injuries plagued the team as the trio only played eight out of 72 games which hurt the team's chemistry. But this year, the Nets hope they will be healthy, with returning veterans that include Blake Griffin, and Lamarcus Aldridge who is coming out of retirement. The team also added new players Paul Millsaps, Jevon Carter, and Patty Mills. For the Los Angeles Lakers, they had an injury-filled season with landed them the seventh seed and we saw them get eliminated in six by the Phoenix Suns in the first round of playoffs. They traded and signed off lots of talented young players and veterans during the off-season: Russell Westbrook, Camelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, DeAndre Jordan, Rajon Rondo, Trevor Ariza, and Wayne Ellington. They still keep Lebron James and Anthony Davis as the main players of the team. This year, the Lakers average age on the roster is 30.9 years while the average age of the Lakers from the ‘19-’20 season was 29.07 years. The defending champion, the Milwaukee Bucks, who came back from a 2-0 deficit to win 4-2 last year in the finals, maintained most of their players. However, losing P.J. Tucker to the Miami Heat will surely hurt their defensive efforts, but they added some key rotational players to their roster: Grayson Allen, George Hill, Rodney Hood, etc. During last season's playoffs, P.J. Tucker was an important player that improved the Bucks' defensive rating from 111.2 to 113.8 this season. The Bucks took care of business in the first round vs the Miami Heat in (4-0), upset the Brooklyn Nets in the Eastern Conference Semifinals (4-3), handled the Atlanta Hawks in Eastern Conference Finals (4-2), and came back vs the Phoenix Suns to win the cities first NBA Finals in 50 years (4-2). The Phoenix Suns are trying to run it back when they signed Chris Paul to a 4-year max contract during the offseason, and the team traded Jevon Carter to the Brooklyn Nets and got Landry Shamet. They also signed center JaVale McGee, and Guard Elfrid Payton. They still have most of their best players from last season including Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, Jae Crowder, Dario Saric, and Cameron Payne. But, they should look for backup frontcourt players to help center Ayton since, as we saw during the Finals, Dario Saric got injured in the first game and this caused Ayton to play more minutes and gave the Suns a defensive disadvantage. Other teams have changed lots of their rosters, several players never played together before. This season is going to be incredible.

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This year, there was good news for Brewster basketball: Kai Jones ’19 was drafted to the NBA as 19th first-round pick by the New York Knicks, and then traded to the Charlotte Hornets immediately. “I'm excited to follow Kai's journey as he begins his rookie season in the NBA with the Charlotte Hornets,” said Mr. Jason Smith, Brewster Academy’s Boys Basketball Program Director, and Prep team head coach. Jones played for the University of Texas at Austin for two years as a power forward before getting drafted. He will play as the rookie for the Charlotte Hornets’ first game, opening the Spectrum Center for the Indiana Pacers on October 20. In 2019, he averaged 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game while hitting 41-percent from the three-point line as a senior for Brewster, and he was part of the team that brought the 2019 National Prep Championship to Bobcat Nation. These alumni not only played basketball but also contributed to Brewster Academy in several ways.

opportunity to play at the next level possess a tremendous discipline and work ethic in order to succeed,” continued Coach Smith. There have been 38 alumni that have played in the NBA Summer League, the NBA G League, or the NBA during the last decade. Not everyone is watching the NBA just to watch Brewster players but to enjoy the world of basketball. The NBA is popular with students and faculty in general. For this season, the NBA announced the game schedule for the opening week, beginning on Christmas Day, and the 2022 all-star game for the 75th anniversary season. On opening day, October 19 at 7.30 P.M. (EST), the Brooklyn Nets will compete against the Milwaukee Bucks, the defending champion from last season, at the Fiserv Forum, in Milwaukee, WI. at 10.00 P.M. (EST), the Los Angeles Lakers will be visited by the Golden States Warriors at the STAPLES Center, LA, CA. Both games will be broadcasted via TNT. Unfortunately, according to NBA.com, “due to national broadcast restrictions, these two games are not available to watch LIVE on NBA League Pass. But subscribers can listen to the game live, or watch the games after the conclusion for approximately 3 hours.” But, second-day games are all available for NBA League Pass subscribers. On Christmas Day, the Atlanta Hawks will visit the New York Knicks at 12.00 P.M. (EST), the Boston Celtics will visit the Milwaukee Bucks at 2.30 P.M. (EST), the Golden State Warriors will visit the Phoenix Suns at 5.00 P.M. (EST), the Brooklyn Nets will visit the Los Angeles Lakers at 8.00 P.M. (EST), and the Dallas Mavericks will visit the Utah Jazz at 10.30 P.M. (EST). NBA All-star weekend will be held in Cleveland, Ohio from Feb. 18 - 20, 2022 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse Arena, the home arena of the Cleveland Cavaliers which previously held the Allstar weekend in 1981 and 1997 when the NBA celebrated its 50th year. The details of all events will be released later; which usually include the Skills challenge, the Slam Dunk Contest, the Three-Point Contest, the Celebrity Game, the Rising Stars Game, and then, of course, the NBA All-Star Game. TNT will televise NBA All-Star 2022. This year, many news sources have predicted either the Brooklyn Nets or the Los Angeles Lakers to be the expected champion. Also, the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks, and last year's runner-up, the Phoenix Suns are also predicted to make a deep postseason run. The Brooklyn Nets have the trio of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden, but last year they were upset

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Features

October 21, 2021

FansGoCrazyOverSpider-ManTrailer by Sun Tanomkiattikun ’22

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Following the release of the upcoming new Spider-Man: No Way Home teaser trailer, some theories are proven to be true, but even more arise as passionate fans around the world spot clues and references in the trailer. While the plot of the movie is only a theory until additional trailers are released, we have confirmations on three villains that will appear in the movie: Doctor Octopus portrayed by Alfred Molina, Green Goblin presumably by Willem Dafoe, and Electro by Jamie Foxx. Every Spider-Man fan would know that it is not a usual sight to see original actors from the previous two adaptations of Spider-Man portraying the same antagonists. Does this imply that the plot of Spider-Man: No Way Home will be connected to Spider-Man Trilogy and The Amazing Spider-Man? It is a real possibility. The trailer gave us a tiny bit of Doc Ock with an iconic “Hello Peter”, and a glimpse of the Green Goblin through his famous Pumpkin Bomb and maniac laugh in the background. These were enough to make fans go crazy with nostalgia. In addition, some fans carefully paused each frame and discovered that some frames could be depicting Sandman and Lizard—all of which we have seen in previous cinematic adaptations of Spider-Man. [Spoiler Alert!!! for Venom: Let There Be Carnage] It was revealed in the postcredits scene that Venom will be joining the MCU, and Spider-Man: No Way Home could also be his first appearance!! While the sand could be just dirt splashed from Electro’s lightning, it seems to gather in a rather unusual way. Some even thought the sand forms a wall protecting Peter from Electro’s attack. With all these “villains”

Spider-Man apparently fights with Doctor Strange in Spider-Man: No Way Home Teaser Trailer.

present, maybe some are not bad guys after all. In next trailers, some of these speculations should finally be confirmed, including the mysterious “lizard”-like scream from the dark corner just before the lightning strikes at Peter. At maximum, there are now five villains, short by just one to form the legendary Sinister Six—a band of Spider-Man’s mortal enemies. If the final antagonist will appear, and who it will be, remain mysteries for now. How come there are so many villains in the movie? The trailer itself confirmed the Multiverse plotline, which pointed to the direction that all those bad guys we used to know are somehow transported to the MCU. The one who has the enough power to cause this chaos is none other than the sorcerer supreme Doctor Strange, who unintentionally causes the premise of the film. His attempt at casting a spell to erase everyone’s knowledge of Spider-Man’s identity does not quite work out this time, and Spider-Man is yet doomed with another problem. By

the way, does this “Multiverse” thing sound familiar to you? Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) had explored this idea of multiverse by bringing all variants of friendly neighborhood heroes together—ranging from Spider-Gwen to piggy Spider-Ham to Peni Parker in a spider-mech suit. At the moment, Spider-Man: No Way Home trailer has shown roughly five villains from other dimensions jumping at Tom Holland’s Spidey, and the situation does not look so good at all. Even after teaming up with Doctor Strange, is one Spider-Man really going to cut it? While the door to other universes is still open, it does not sound too crazy to think that more Spider-Mans will appear as in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. In this case, what people are speculating right now is that Tobey Maguire’s and Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Mans will follow their own villains to the MCU and join forces with Tom Holland’s Spider-Man. Garfield may have denied his involvement on

September 13th on The Tonight Show, but we all know Spider-Man has to keep his identity secret, doesn't he? To gain more perspective on the trailer, we interviewed one of the biggest Spidey fans in Wolfeboro, physics teacher Mr. Yu Lui. When we asked Mr. Lui what he was most hyped for after watching the trailer, his answer was exactly what we are thinking. “I think just like most people, it's still that speculation of whether, you know, Toby Maguire and Andrew Garfield will show up as Spider-Mans. And definitely the moment when Doc Ock appears. Why is he there, that's the question? Why is he there? So I think the hype is any first connection they made to the previous movies. I wonder how they would connect them. So it is most hype when they first crossover with the other movies,” said Mr. Lui. Among all the surprises, our Spidey also has a couple upgrades of his own. Still seen in the trailer are well known iron spider armor and red & black suits, although it is not likely that they will stay on for long. As cool as they are, we can say they have run its course. If you are blown away by the first introduction of the iron spider suit like me, you would totally love the new black & gold suit. Judging from the released action figure, this suit will be infused with magical power by Doctor Strange himself. This could give Peter a much-needed advantage in fighting against his adversaries. Although the suits give Peter a refreshing look, as a purist, Mr. Lui still has a special place in his heart for one and only red & blue suit. “I just like the straight up, no gadgets because it's so iconic, right? I know [those advanced suits] looks cont. on pg. 11

Columbus Day: its history, controversies, and many names by Mai Kasemsawade ’22

C o l u m b u s D a y, w i t h i t s extravagant parades and floating ships, commemorates the landing of Christopher Columbus, the Italian explorer, in the Americas on October 12, 1492. Columbus’s expedition marked history as the first European exploration in the Americas almost five centuries after the Vikings’ settlement in Greenland and Newfoundland. In 1792, Columbus Day was first observed in New York City in an event held by New York’s Tammany Hall to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the explorers’ arrival as a celebration of ItalianAmerican heritage. The holiday was then celebrated nationwide upon

the 400th anniversary by President Benjamin Harrison’s proclamation, and, in 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed it to be a national holiday at the request of Knights of Columbus and New York City’s Italian community. However, Columbus’s arrival in the Americas also marked the ugly side of history: the persecution of indigeneous people, the 500-year colonial oppression, and the ramifications that persist to this day. In 1977, a proposal to replace the holiday with Indigeneous People’s Day, which recognizes that Native Americans were the first inhabitants of the region, was made at the United Nations International Conference. The movement, cultivated by demonstrations and media attention, soon flourished across the United States.

Currently, a happy list of 14 states, 130 cities, and the District of Columbia observes Indigenous People’s Day in place of, or in addition to, Columbus Day. The movement has since prompted Americans to rethink their teaching of history. In Italy, Spain, and other Spanishspeaking countries, Columbus’ landing is observed as “Día de la Raza,” meaning “Day of The Race” or “Day of The People.” Instead of commemorating the arrival in the New World, observers of Día de la Raza celebrate Latin America’s Indigenous peoples and Hispanic culture’s diverse origins. The state of New Hampshire continues to commemorate Columbus’s landing. In 1892 October 12, in the nationwide 400th anniversary

celebration, the capital of Concord held parades consisting of police, bands, and soldiers forming lines on Main Street. While New Hampshire has not passed a state law which recognizes the Indigenous People’s Day, various towns, cities, and schools have voted to celebrate the alternative holiday alongside or in place of Columbus Day. Nowadays, New Hampshire residents take Columbus Day as a weekend off from the hustle and bustle, attending Fall Foliage festivals, celebrations, and fairs, including the the 110-year-old agricultural fair in Sandwich. Throughout the fall, you can also experience the rare glow of the historic Lucknow mansion in Castle After Hours event.

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Spider-Man cont. from pg. 10

cont. on pg. 6

Is Donda or Certified Lover Boy Better?

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by Julia Golden ’22

We all waited for Donda to drop for years. Week after week Kanye teased us, with multiple listening parties in Mercedes Benz stadium, claiming the album will drop shortly after. After many delays, Kanye finally released Donda on August 29, 2021. The album title Donda was named after his mother who died at the age of 58 due to plastic surgery complications. Even though it was a long wait for Kanye’s album, Donda hit 94 million streams on Spotify. On September 3rd, shortly after the Donda release, Certified Lover Boy was released. Originally Drake was going to release it earlier but because he got sick with Covid, he withheld it. With guest appearances from Lil Wayne, 21 Savage, Travis Scott, and so many more, Certified Lover Boy was streamed everywhere. Drake took up space with 9 songs on the top ten for Billboard making CLB the first album to have 9 out of 10 songs in the top ten. The battle between Drake and Kanye has been going on for a while. Getting involved in Twitter Wars, the two artists have been trying to ruin each other’s reputation. Kanye leaked Drake’s personal home address after Drake called Kanye a “burnout.” Drake in “7am on Bridle Path” addressed Kanye and said, “Give that address to your driver, make it your destination.” On Sirius XM Drake played an unreleased song by Kanye that disses

In a poll completed by 83 students and/or faculty members at Brewster Academy, Certified Lover Boy was chosen as a the album participants liked best.

Drake. Kanye performed “Life of the Party” at a Donda event in Las Vegas, but didn’t put the song on the album so it is unknown how Drake got ahold of the song. Drake isn’t the only one making disses. On Kanye’s song “Ok, Ok” he says, “heal the wound and then you stab me in my back again.” Although Donda had a five-day head start, Certified Lover Boy outstreamed Donda, but which album was better? Statistically, Certified Lover Boy had 430 million audio streams in three days whereas Donda had 423 million streams in eight days. Before CLB, Donda held the record for the most-streamed album on Spotify. But shortly after its release, Spotify announced, “On Friday, September 3rd, CLB became Spotify’s most-streamed album in a single day.”

The pie chart above presents the results of what people at Brewster thought about the two albums. This graph shows how the results are supported by the statistics. Most people preferred Drake’s Certified Lover Boy over Kanye West’s Donda.

Kanye and Drake, in chummier days.

Brewster Clubs: Sharing your Voice and Identity cont. from pg. 1

to get a bunch of people to join and just create a huge club of people to get everybody confident and comfortable with each other. That is really what Speech & Debate is about,” said Nagorniak ‘22, a leader of Speech & Debate. “It's being able to put yourself out there, so the more people we are, the better. We are really hoping that this year we will have a super strong team that just shows up and be there. Join Speech & Debate!!” The Talk If you feel like you want a more relaxed, less confrontational place to share your voice, there is a new club just for you. The Talk is founded by Mrs. Found and Mrs. Hunter for the purpose of offering “a safe, healthy, inclusive and non-confrontational platform.” This club will be a space for Brewster students to share their opinions, ideas, identities that make every student unique. One goal of The Talk is to connect the people of Brewster and its

local community through a discussion platform. You can talk about interesting activities and events that are happening around campus. In this club, you not only have the opportunity to become yourself through talk shows, but you will be able to support your friends through their journey. The Talk is open to anyone and anything. No issue is excluded as long as you feel that it is

something that matters to you and our community. If you are interested in joining The Talk to create meaningful and diverse voices of Brewster, sign up now at this QR code on the right or contact Mrs. Found or Mrs. Hunter directly. Other Clubs Besides these two new clubs, there are dozens of other clubs that could be a home for you as well as a way to give back to the community. Brewster Big Friends (BBF) started the first community service of the year with the TOUCH-a-TRUCK event connecting children with their favorite trucks and numerous games. On September 25th, there was a leadership training session for Brewster Best Buddies (BBB), a club with a mission of organizing special Olympics with those who are intellectually or developmentally disabled. On September 26th, End 68 Hours of Hunger hosted an event for the members to decorate food bags in holiday themes before giving them out to youth in need in our community. If you want to learn a new language, there is the Brewster Language Lab

(B.L.L.) or the French Club. If you are interested in writing an article like this one, join the Brewster Browser, a school newspaper club dedicated to giving you interesting articles and news from Brewster and around the world. There are always more stories to tell! You can also join Outcroppings, Brewster ’s literary magazine, featuring the creative work of students, faculty and staff. If you are inspired by Liam Fahey ‘24’s speech on gender diversity, there are many clubs to help raise your awareness and also for you to share your identities, including GSA+, ONE, LD Alliance Club, and Love your Body (LYBW). There are many, many more clubs out there waiting for you. You will never know until you have tried, so go out there and grab that opportunity. To browse all Brewster clubs, scan the QR code on the right. Don’t hesitate to reach out to the club leaders and sign up, otherwise you may miss out on important club meetings and activities! Join Clubs!!

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cooler, but when everyone thinks about Spider-Man that's the first image they see,” said Mr. Lui We will see soon enough if all these new suits will be powerful enough—not to defeat the bad guys—but to change Mr. Lui’s take on Spidey’s aesthetics. Whether all the rumors are true or not, there is one thing we know for sure: Spider-Man: No Way Home is going to be huge. The familiar villains forming infamous “Sinister Six,” our favorite Web-slinger(s), the sorcerer supreme Stephen Strange, and more awaits you in theaters on December 17, 2021! Special Interview with our greatest Spidey fan: Mr. Lui Q: As a physics teacher and someone who simply loves science, what do you think about the multiverse in reality? Mr. Lui: Multi-verse is all theory obviously, right? It's one of those things you cannot disprove it at this moment, so it's possible... but there is no clear evidence or experiments that wow! you see... again, as a science person, we know that we keep an open mind for the possibilities. So I would say it's possible, there are theories out there that there's a multiverse. It's purely theory, but you cannot disprove those.

Features

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Slim Shady Makes Mom's Spaghetti by Julia Golden ’22

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We all know the famous 8 Mile rapper Marshall Mathers, or more commonly known as Eminem. In 2003, his song Lose Yourself became the first rap song to win the best original song at the 75th Annual Academy Awards. Lose Yourself went worldwide, hitting number one on twenty-four national charts. This song also held the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for twelve consecutive weeks. Additionally, Marshall won best rap performance and best rap song at the 46th annual Grammy Awards back in 2004. Lose Yourself was the first-ever rap song to win an Oscar, beating out popular songs by Paul Simon and U2. During the award show, Eminem slept through the performance at home, thinking that he wouldn’t win. Eighteen years later, Eminem performed at the Academy Awards and tweeted out, “Look if you had another shot, another opportunity… Sorry it took 18 years to get here.” The iconic line in Lose Yourself is when Marshall raps “palms are sweaty” with “moms spaghetti,” this line went viral throughout YouTube and actually became a meme. One

This is Halloween, this is Halloween! The popular song from the Nightmare before Christmas, a film with unwavering popularity for over twenty-seven years, still has resonated in our mind. The season of Halloween this year is coming! With a great deal of popularity, everyone might know all about the tradition and culture on Halloween, which includes dressing like ghosts or monsters, knocking on the neighborhood's doors and saying trick or treat, and holding parties. “The previous Halloween, as an adult, I’ve done more handing out candy to kids,” said Mrs. Tai Rivellini, History teacher at Brewster Academy. “But, as a kid, I will go trick or treating and I think that will last up until middle school.” These activities are regular American customs. However, why do we have to practice them on Halloween? What is the origin of such unique and astonishing activities? “I think I have a good understanding of Halloween in popular culture today, but if I were to go back to research about Druids and Celtic tradition I could know more about the history,” said Mrs. Rivellini. She added that although Halloween is so popular that almost everyone around the world is familiar with it, the history of this Celtic-derived tradition is usually overlooked. In fact, Halloween has a marvelous evolution over thousands of years. Around 2,000 years ago, the Celts lived on the islands of the

Hall Talk

Dog Prostates Crunk on a Thursday Hang to dry Spencer dorm is hot Mr. and Mrs. Steppah Gonna “happy birthday” my way back into his life B + C are secretly dating He's my 4th back up husband The thumb is almost back to normal He flirts like a second grader You're talking about the size of his heart, right? J + A are my #1 Ship Someone needs to humble him Too much God complex I feel like maybe you have bronchitis Fit goes hard Marshall Mathers performing at a concert.

person made a video where the only words were “mom spaghetti.” With this, Eminem has just decided to open up a restaurant in Detroit where he grew up, called “Mom’s Spaghetti.” On Wednesday, September 29th, Marshall handed out spaghetti to people during the opening, even though he wasn’t expected to show up. The menu is pretty

Becoming Modern Day Halloween by IceT Thaewanarumitkul ’22

October 21, 2021

North Sea, currently known as Ireland, Scotland, and the United Kingdom. One ancient festival of the Celts was Samhain. In this event, people lit bonfires and wore costumes to avoid ghosts. As other cultures, Celtic civilization developed the notion of ghosts from the feeling of fright and unawareness. On November 1st, the Celts always celebrated the New Year, and also the end of summer and the harvest season. The darkness and extreme cold replaced the warm and sunny days in the summer. The fluctuating weather led to many deaths in Celt’s villages. With harsh conditions in this duration of the year, together with an increase in the number of deaths, the Celts came up with the idea that it was the ghosts that expressed their power, creating unpleasant environmental conditions. These apparitions, in the Celtic culture belief, returned to the earth on October 31st, one day before the end of summer season because, on this day, the boundary between the afterlife world and the living world was blurred. By these concepts, the Celt began to wear special costumes to ward off the ghosts. The Celts were faithful in the belief that otherworldly spirits are “the destroyers” of their crops. They also doubtlessly believe that these apparitions also increased a need for the Druids — the priests who made predictions or held the religious traditions — which were a source of comfort to the Celtic people. In the middle of the first century, the

simple. You can have Spaghetti with or without meatballs, a Vegan option, and Eminem's favorite, a spaghetti sandwich. Marshall believes that when you eat spaghetti, you should always have bread with it or else “you’ll ruin the whole f*cking thing.” The restaurant also has a small shop inside it, filled with Eminem merch, designed to

appear similar to the trailer he lived in with his mother in the movie 8 Mile On the grand opening day, Eminem also announced that he would be performing at the upcoming Super Bowl game this year alongside artists like Dr. Dre and Kendrick Lamar. People are saying that 48-year-old Marshall Mathers is getting too old, but Slim Shady isn’t ready to give up the mic quite yet.

Mrs. Lauren Hunter (left) and Archer McLain ’23 (above) in Halloween costumes last year.

Romans conquered the territory of the Celts. Then, the cultures of both were mixed. The Feralia, a Roman tradition to commemorate people who have passed away, assimilated with the Celt’s belief. In addition, the celebration for Pomona, goddess of the tree in Roman beliefs, contributed to today’s apple bobbing event. Around 600 years later, Christianity in Rome crossed the pathway of Halloween evolution. With similarity to Samhain and All Souls Day, they were blended, creating

events for which people wore costumes as Angels, Saints, and Devils. When time passed, the name of this combined tradition was changed to be All Hallows Day, and the night before November 1st was known as Halloween Day since that time. Halloween was brought to the USA by the European immigrants around the 15-17th century, and then this tradition was assimilated with Native American. culture, generating Halloween in American style which has events like telling fortunes between people, dancing, sharing stories of the dead, and singing. However, Halloween was popular only in the cont. on pg. 5