As a Jew, an anti-Semitic celebrity rampage is far from new to me. With every passing year, a new name is added to the long list of public figures who I am forced to avoid due to their threats against my people. For the last decade or so, the likes of Pink Floyd frontman Roger Waters, Hollywood actor...
Les Misérables
“Les Misérables,” a French novel written by Victor Hugo in 1862, is a perfect read for winter break. When it was published, the novel instantly became a smashing success. To this day, it is still considered a chef d'oeuvre.
In the novel, Hugo covers the idea of social injustice...
Unwanted comments about one’s weight or appearance are certainly not limited to the holidays, but inevitably become more common as rarely-seen relatives all meet up for family reunions during winter break. Even if these statements don’t mean to put someone on the spot, they can enormously affect...
When Taylor Swift first announced the release of her 10th studio album “Midnights” at the MTV Video Music Awards, I, like many other fans, had no idea what to expect. Her last two original studio albums, “Folklore” and “Evermore,” channeled a soft, indie atmosphere, while her recently re-recorded...
Ice hockey player junior Shree Sandilya’s team went almost undefeated last season, making it to the semi-finals in the California Amateur Hockey Association state finals. His record includes a slew of other achievements, from being featured in an NBC segment on Nov. 6 to winning the 18U division...
Sophomore Keiss Chan and senior Jenni Yang stand with their figure skating team on a stage with a Jumbotron in the middle, surrounded by parents and friends in the audience. What follows is the moment that stands out the most to Chan: Her team has just finished its performance on ice and is waiting...
For as long as she can remember, junior Alexa Nanevicz has celebrated Polish heritage during the holidays, making traditional Polish dishes with her family. Every Christmas Eve, the Nanevicz family works together to prepare a meal to share. “Usually my parents will organize it and have my brother [and...
Baking is a sure way to distract yourself and, at the same time, eat plenty of baked goods during the holiday. Baking can be very therapeutic, especially when done alone. It is a great way to disconnect from the electronics while still having fun.
Instead of spending your days locked up in your room,...
One of the most fulfilling yet still enjoyable activities to do by yourself during the holidays (and frankly all year) is to volunteer. Volunteering is such an amazing way to give back to the community and to those in need, especially during the holidays.
You can go sign up to volunteer through a...
Winter break is an ideal time to focus on yourself and take a break from the demands of school and outside activities. Taking “me-time” can mean different things to different people. For some, it’s reading a book by the fireplace, relishing safety from the frosty winter weather (a low of 52 degrees)....
Sometimes, spending time alone can make you feel isolated from friends and family. It can feel like no one is reaching out to you either because they forgot to, or they simply don’t want to. However, when experiencing these thoughts, it’s important to recognize that you’ve been given too much time...
