Issuu

ISSUE NO. 3 DECEMBER, 2025

2025-26

FLY-BY TIMES

TABLE OF CONTENTS 01

The Effect of Climate Change on Bears and Coyotes

My Opinions On Popular Sports

By Aya Scherr

By Flinn Faulconer

Book Review: Loveless

Brookie Recipe By Leo Rodin

By Lucy Wyman

Does Free Will Exist?

Winter Mad Lib

Christmas Word Search

Christmas coloring Page

By Tristan Romero

By Fiona Faulconer

By Samson Rosenheck

By Fiona Faulconer

Brainrot Quiz By Luca Ottley

THE EFFECT OF CLIMATE CHANGE FOR BEARS & COYOTES Climate Change already affects us humans, but animals struggle with it more than we do. For example: Bears and coyotes. In Antarctica, polar bears are losing their homes due to global warming. The glaciers on which these bears live have been slowly melting away, leaving them with nowhere to live. These rising temperatures also warm the ocean, making it harder for the fish and seals that the polar bears feed on to survive. Now let’s move on to the US. In the US, bears living in an already warm climate now have to deal with an even warmer climate. Because of this, during droughts, bears have to move to urban areas, where it’s cooler. This is similar to coyotes, which also live in the same environment as the bears. This can lead to conflicts between bears, coyotes, and humans. This can result in humans becoming injured, and the same applies to the bears and coyotes.

3 FLINN FAULCONER

MY OPINIONS ON POPULAR SPORTS Here at WNS, we have a reasonably athletic community. As someone who has participated in several different sports, I have made numerous observations about the rules and communities associated with each. Every sport has its ups and downs, but overall, I enjoy playing sports and have no major objections to any of them. Basketball Basketball is a well-known sport and is particularly popular among my classmates. Although I have never played on a team, I find myself having a reasonable understanding of the game. I am admittedly not particularly good at basketball. Considering my lower-than-average hand-eye coordination and overall lack of aim, it is not the best sport for me. I can, however, find the appeal of watching basketball, even as someone who rarely finds themself watching sports. Basketball has a community full of energetic individuals and a moderately positive community. One thing besides my physical ability that deters me from the sport is how good everyone seems to be. I believe that sometimes it can become a bit too intense, which can lead to extremely stressful situations.

Volleyball Unlike basketball, I actually participated in volleyball for a few seasons. I must say, the game itself is quite enjoyable to play, and I still occasionally enjoy playing it casually during recess or lunch. Volleyball, contrasting to basketball, is mainly played by the girls in my class. I’m guessing that almost half of the girls in my grade have played volleyball at some point. Even though I played for two seasons, I wouldn’t say I’m any good at it. Despite this, I still enjoy volleyball, but the sport wasn’t the main reason I decided not to play volleyball for another season. Even though it’s a team sport, when I played, I felt like I was going against my teammates. There’s a huge pressure to get the movements and positions exactly right, and that just wasn’t for me. Volleyball can be fun, and it’s fun with your friends, but I don’t think I’ll ever play on a team again. Soccer Soccer is less popular than basketball and volleyball, but it’s becoming more popular in my class this year. I played soccer when I was quite young, probably in pre-school or so. All I remember was liking it for a little while, then throwing temper tantrums whenever I had practice. The only thing that keeps me from playing soccer is how absolutely horrendous I am at it. Due to my bad eyesight, I have bad hand-eye and foot-eye coordination. There have been times when I’ve tried to kick a still soccer ball and missed. Despite my mildly embarrassing skill level, I still enjoy the game. Football Football, as in American football, has fun elements, but it also has several issues. Football is fun when you just want to run around and tackle people, or just throw a football. I may not be an expert on the sport in any context; however, I have heard of numerous major injuries associated with it. Concussions are very common, and as someone who can be paranoid about their own health, I don’t feel like risking it. The game is also quite competitive, which can spark conflicts between teammates and rivals. Sports are one of the most controversial topics in the world, so I thought I’d share my opinion. Despite being athletic, I am not the type of person who plays 3 sports at once. Anyone balancing more than 2 sports, kudos to you.

AYA SCHERR

LOVELESS BOOK REVIEW This book was recommended to me by one of my very good friends, and it’s called Loveless, written by Alice Oseman. Loveless is about Durham University freshman Georgia Warr and her two best friends, Pip and Jason. Georgia knows that there is something different about her, and that is that she’s never kissed anyone. She has never been in a relationship, never fallen in love, not even once. So, after a disastrous after-party to her high school graduation, involving someone nearly catching on fire, Georgia decides that college is where she is going to find the one. Georgia attends Durham University, which is divided into colleges, and she is extremely sad when she realizes that her two best friends are in the same college without her, and that she has a roommate. Enter Rooney. Georgia and Rooney could not be more different. Rooney is outgoing and loud, and finds (to Georgia) 50 new best friends on their first day at Durham. Georgia, on the other hand, is quiet and would much rather be at home, curled up in her bed, reading fanfics than out clubbing or at a bar somewhere downtown. Then, when going around and finding different College Societies, Georgia discovers the Pride Society. Georgia knows what the LGBTQ community is, but she never considered herself a part of it. Georgia puts her email on the list, because why not? Maybe she can find answers there. If there are any answers to find. Among those societies, Georgia also helps her roomy Rooney with getting the Shakespeare Soc off the ground with their first performance of a mashup of some of Shakespeare’s most iconic plays. This book is so incredible, and I loved reading it so, so much. I hope you do too! 4.8/5 stars

6 LUCY WYMAN

BROOKIE RECIPE

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Hi! I’m Leo, and I’m looking forward to sharing with you a recipe for one of my favorite baked goods: the brookie. Half chocolate chip cookie, half brownie, entirely amazing. A family friend recommended this recipe to me a while ago, and I loved it. Last year, I made it for a Fly-By Times potluck, and it was a big hit. Since then, I have associated it with this newspaper. Now, it’s time for me to share it with you. I hope you like the recipe! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Prep Time: 30 minutes | Cook Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour | Yield: 20 brookies -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Notes --------This recipe uses grams for the quantity of each ingredient, so you will need a kitchen scale. If you don’t have one, you can just convert everything into cups and it will work fine. I like to brown the butter for the cookie layer before starting on the brownie so that it is cool by the time I need it. You may notice that there are two quantities of butter in the recipe - the initial quantity of butter, then a second measurement in the method which is the quantity of brown butter. The larger initial quantity is to account for water loss when browning. If you do not want to brown the butter for the cookie layer, use 95g melted butter. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------INGREDIENTS

Brownie Layer 135g dark chocolate (I used 72%), coarsely chopped 120g unsalted butter, cold from the fridge is fine 10g dutch process cocoa or regular unsweetened cocoa, sifted 2 large eggs (about 100g not including shells) 135g caster sugar (granulated sugar works fine but will not give the super glossy brownie top) 65g light or dark brown sugar ¼ tsp salt ¼ tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste 65g all-purpose flour, sifted Cookie Layer 125g unsalted butter, cold from the fridge is fine 120g light or dark brown sugar 45g granulated sugar 1 large egg (50g) at room temperature 1 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract 160g all-purpose flour ½ tsp espresso powder (optional) 2g (½ tsp) salt ¼ tsp baking powder ¼ tsp baking soda 200g dark chocolate, coarsely chopped, plus extra for the tops if desired --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Instructions on Next Page

BROOKIE RECIPE CONT’D INSTRUCTIONS Preheat the oven to 350°f / 180°c. Grease and line a 9"x13" pan (20cmx30cm) with parchment paper, extending up the sides so that you can use it to remove the brookies once cooled. BROWNIE LAYER 1.In a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water (make sure the bowl does not touch the water), combine the dark chocolate and butter. Heat, stirring frequently, until the chocolate and butter are melted and the mixture is smooth. Alternatively you can do this step in the microwave - microwave for 30 second increments, stirring well after each until the mixture is smooth and combined. 2.Sift the cocoa powder over top of the chocolate and butter mixture and stir until well combined. 3.In a large bowl, combine the eggs, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Mix on medium to high speed with an electric handheld mixer for 2-3 minutes until the mixture has lightened and increased in volume. This step can also be done in a stand mixer using the whisk attachment. 4.Add the chocolate mixture and mix to combine. Add the salt and vanilla and mix until incorporated. 5.Add the flour and incorporate by hand until the mixture is smooth and does not have any lumps. 6.Set aside while you prepare the cookie layer. COOKIE LAYER 1.Place the butter in a medium saucepan, and place over medium heat. Cook until the butter has melted, and then continue to cook, swirling the pan often, until the butter foams and turns golden brown and nutty - this should take 3-4 minutes. 2.Measure out 95g (see Notes section below) of the brown butter into a medium or large mixing bowl, and set aside for 15-20 minutes to cool so that it doesn't scramble your eggs. 3.When the butter is cool, add the brown sugar and white sugar, and whisk briefly to incorporate. 4.Add the egg and whisk well for 1-2 minutes, or mix using an electric mixer, until the mixture has lightened in colour and has thickened. 5.Add the vanilla and mix well. 6.Add the flour, espresso powder if using, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Mix to combine with a rubber spatula until there are some flour streaks remaining - this is to ensure you do not over work the dough. 7.Add the chopped chocolate and mix with a spatula to incorporate and finish incorporating the flour.

BROOKIE RECIPE CONT’D PT II BROOKIE ASSEMBLY Using either a 2 Tbsp cookie scoop or just eyeballing it, dollop the cookie dough and the brownie mixture into the prepared pan. I like to do 5-6 blobs of each mixture at a time to ensure even distribution of the cookie and brownie mixture. Flatten the cookie mixture slightly with a spatula or the back of a spoon once it is in the pan, or swirl gently to incorporate with the brownie mixture. Keep adding the brownie and cookie batters alternately, banging the pan on the counter a few times during the process to help the batters flatten out. Once all the batter has been added, give the pan a final bang on the counter to ensure the mixture is flat. The cookie dough will look thicker than the brownie mixture, but it will melt down in the oven. Bake the brookies for 20 to 22 minutes, until the top is shiny and set, the edges of the brookies are set, and a skewer inserted into the brownie section comes out with gooey crumbs attached. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely in the pan before removing using the parchment and slicing into bars. Store brookies in an airtight container at room temperature.

ONLINE RECIPE www.cloudykitchen.com

DOES FREE WILL REALLY EXIST? Is there such a thing as free will? This is a burning question for many humans. People who have come to feel that, although their ethical life stance both implies and demands the existence of free will, the conclusions of science cast doubt on that very possibility. The dilemma is not new. The "free will-determinism" issue has been a key component of philosophical discourse throughout every age, largely because the justice systems of all civilized societies have consistently been based on the proposition that individuals are responsible for their own actions. To begin a discussion on the topic of free will, a working definition is needed. According to The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (2011): “Free Will” is a philosophical term of art for a particular sort of capacity of rational agents to choose a course of action from among various alternatives. Philosophers have debated this question for over two millennia, and just about every major philosopher has had something to say about it. Most philosophers suppose that the concept of free will is very closely connected to the concept of moral responsibility. (“Free Will,” 2011) Plato (429-327 BCE) is among the first of the Western philosophers to discuss free will. He offers two opposing theories on this topic, but we will only focus on one. His first theory states that human beings are free to form belief systems, which create conditions or causes necessary for asserting free will. In Plato’s Laws, he lends credence to the notion that free will exists. He also claims that individuals may change their decisions according to the shifting nature of their beliefs. This theory speaks of the soul’s ability to “transform ideas,” which lead to different outcomes. Plato utilizes the phrase “law of destiny” to describe the “right” outcome that infers predestination or fate. However, in this case, the word destiny connotes a godly, virtuous path for the individual who lives in harmony with “The Good.” In Laws, Plato says that moral choices are needed to reach a heavenly state. Plato is a Christian and says that if we don’t make our choices, then no one can go to heaven because their choices are already made, it's already done. This is one of the many opinions on this topic. I believe we have free will and nothing is determined. The real question is, do YOU believe in free will?

TRISTAN ROMERO

WINTER MAD LIB On the _______ day of winter, _____ Adjective Name 1 decided to go to_______ to warm up. When Place all the sudden ________ came by ______, Name 2 verb and said a _______ was chasing them animal After ______ talked to _______, ________ Name 1 Name 2 pronoun

went to _______ to get a cup of ______. After Place Drink _______ went to get ________ Name 1 Drink ______ went down to the _______ to Pronoun Place Eat a _______with________. After _______ Food condiment name 1 ate a _______, _______ went back to the Food Pronoun ________ for the rest of the day. Place

11 SAMSON ROSENHECK

CHRISTMAS WORD SEARCH FIONA FAULCONER

ALTVSMLRTHABVCGTMNHOP FTNSTAVDRFOPEGEHLMGOS UDGRWENCINSTHTYIUVSNTE NWERTYUTOPCRTYQWETTYU GASDFGHJSADKLZCVXNOBR LTYHNIIPJNDTMTUCTVCSED FTSCRCRBNMLPIOMTREKNM ERTYUIOELKJHGFDSAZICIBA TQWERTYPHDGHBDGSRTWSI LJALTVSMLTHABVCGTGHOP FTNSTAVDRAOPEGEELSGOSS ALTVSMLRTHCBVCNTMNHOP ERTYUIOPLKJHESSHAZXCVBI 1. Mittens 2. Santa Claus 3. Stockings

4. Fireplace 5. Fun 12

CHRISTMAS COLORING PAGE FIONA FAULCONER

Directions: Match the Brainrot image to its name.

BRAINROT QUIZ

EASY:

1.67 KID 2.41 KID 3.88 KID 4.None of the above

1.tralalero tralala 2. tung tung tung sahur 3. ta ta ta sahur 4. 67

MEDIUM:

1.Tralalero toilet 2.41 kid 3.Scp toilet 4.Skibidi toilet

1.girafa celestre 2. matteo 3.pot hotspot 4.los bro

HARD:

1.Orange with face 2.Toxic orange 3.Annoying orange 4.The orange

1. esok seolah 2.tree house 99 3.scp 99 4.money money pug

LUCA OTTLEY

IMPOSSIBLE

1.Ketchuru soni 2.Madundung ragagg 3.Medussi sahur 4.Ketupat Cepat

1. sag sag sag sag battyiona 2. Tang Tang Tang Kelentang 3. boxiona microsecola 4. scp 852

Answer Key 1, 2, 4, 2, 3, 1, 4, 2

8/8=100%: You are truly brainrotted. You have never opened a book and spend too much time on Tik Tok. 7/8=87.5%: I am worried about your screen time. 6/8=75%: I think you should touch grass. 5/8=62.5%: Get off your ipad, you ipad kid! 4/8=50%: I am a little shocked you only know four. 3/8=37.5%: Keep up the hard work you non ipad kid. 2/8=25%: You're only 25% brainrotted!! 1/8=12.5%: You only know 1 brainrot… [o_o] 0/8=0%= You’re not brainroted??? It's 2026, at least learn one?!?!

Editor’s

Note

First issue of the second elective season! Although the elective has shrunk pretty substantially, everyone put in their best work for this issue. We hope you enjoy it! Aya Scherr and Lucy Wyman