Mr. and Miss West Hempstead Reveal All

By Jaci Gillen

Autumn initially ran for Miss West Hempstead because it was something she thought about since 9th grade. “I thought I would be a good fit because I am very social, I’m really involved in school activities and I talk to everybody.”

One goal Autumn stated she had was, “to allow people to become more involved in order to gain a better sense of unity and to help break up some of that clique mentality. I hope to break the status quo. So everybody can at least have a friend so they won’t be alone here in the high school.”

Autumn is very well rounded. Through the years she has been cheerleading, in the acapella club, played lacrosse, been a member of student council, on the morning announcements, and in the school plays.  One of her favorite activities is supporting our school teams, “I love to cheer out there at the football games, because screaming is fun. And I try to go to all the basketball games as well.”

 Outside of school Autumn keeps herself busy too. She loves to sing even though she claims she is very shy. She certainly does not seem shy around the building. She also says she wishes she could be a professional dancer.These things are hobbies even if I’m not the greatest.

Autumn also shared with me some of the shows she likes to watch on Netflix.  “So, my current favorite movie is, “To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before” based on the best-selling book. I also like Insatiable and Rick and Morty, even though it’s not on Netflix.

Being on the Homecoming float with Mr. West Hempstead, Rob Bethune, was fun for her because they have been friends for a long time.  “My sister and his sister are actually best friends so I see Dani, his sister, a lot.  She comes over a lot and our parents know each other. I’m very friendly with Robert and I actually visited him in the hospital when he had his surgeries for his back. On the float for the parade Autumn said was really cool. “Our driver which is… Daniel Martinez’s dad, he was playing music on the radio so it was really fun. And also Robert and I were watching each others backs because we really thought we were gonna fall off!”

Autumn’s message to the underclassmen is, “… stay true to yourself because in high school peer pressure is a thing, so people expect you to be different and you might start acting that way. And also, talk to everybody! And be nice to everybody because you never know what’s going on at home or how somebody’s day went.”

“After high school I definitely plan to go to college and just at least make a difference in the world  because we need a whole bunch of that, we need a change.”

Robert Bethune explained his motivation for running for Mr. West Hempstead. “Well I just wanted to you know, because I’m a senior I wanted the underclassmen to know that I’m going be there for them. I just want to make sure everyone’s voices get heard and everything.”

Robert thought it was important for the underclassmen to feel safe in the school. “It’s a scary environment for the freshmen because they go from middle school to high school so I want them to know that they can come to me about anything, you know they can come to me after school.

Robert also has a message for the underclassmen. “If you ever have a problem you can come to me or your guidance counselor. The counselor will be there even when I’m gone. Their guidance counselor is going to be your best friend by the end of high school.

“When I was a freshmen I never wanted to go to teachers or counselors so I offer my counsel to anyone who wants it. Before you even come talk to me you should know that I welcome your visit and that, I’m a really outgoing guy and that I say what you need to know instead of what you want to hear.”

Robert has a keen interest in films and screen writing.  He says that he would either like to become a lawyer or write for movies. He was torn between attending SUNY Potsdam or Five Towns College.

When They See Us Debuts on Netflix

By Anthony Salimbene

      

When I heard about this limited series, I was immediately attracted.  Another film on the Central Park Five. One of the most widely publicized and notorious crimes of the eighties.  I watched the trailer and it looked amazing, so my hopes were high. The film shown as a documentary  style film was directed by Ava DuVernay and it outlined the injustices of the judicial system, police, detectives, and even the district attorney. Five innocent fourteen to sixteen year old kids were treated brutally and sentenced as men to unspeakable crimes.

April 19th, 1989. A large group, around thirty kids went “whylin out” in Central Park. Throughout the night they started messing with random people they passed, even attacking and hitting them.  People began to call the police and next thing you know Kevin Richards, Anton Mccray, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, and Korey Wise were all in Police custody.

Police Detectives led by head of the sex crimes unit, Linda Farstein, coerce and corner these kids. They begin to interrogate them without their parents there. They hold the kids in custody for more than seventy hours with no food or water. They eventually have them sign false statements and fabricate evidence to get a guilty verdict. This film does not paint any of these authority figures in a good light.

When it is time for a verdict. The jury convicts the boys of rape and attempted murder. Korey Wise was sixteen at the time and was sent straight to Rikers Island, his fate was much more horrific than the younger boys. After more than ten years of absolute hell, the truth came to light. In 2002, the assailant came forward and confessed to the crime. DNA evidence and other evidence was used to determine he was the actual assailant and that the central park five were completely innocent. They were all released, charges were dropped and slates wiped clean. In 2014 New York City awarded them one of the biggest settlements the city has given.  

The main characters in this film are five different boys. Kevin Richardson, Antron Mccray, Raymond Santana, Yusef Salaam, and Korey Wise. Kevin was fourteen years old, had a great relationship with his parents and played the trumpet. Antron was fifteen years old, loved sports and the Yankees. Raymond was also fourteen years old, didn't have a good relationship with his dad and mom was not present. Yusef was fifteen, very intelligent and never got into trouble. Korey was the only one who was sixteen, had a great relationship with his mom, and his best friends.

The one thing about all the characters is that they didn't know each other until they were all taken in. The actors playing all these roles did an absolutely amazing job. You would believe that the characters are the actual people. The film uses the most basic special effects.  There are many beautiful scenes including when the five are released. When they are going through trial the camera does many close ups on the defendants, witnesses and attorneys. I personally loved the film. I have zero bad things to say about it.  The entire time I was watching it I was glued to my couch, I couldn't look away or walk away.

My Favorite scene was watching Korey suffer in jail. It sounds absolutely terrible for me to say that or type it. Watching those scenes helped me really fully understand how bad this situation was. The United States government wrongfully convicted five innocent boys and Korey had it the worst.  It wasn't a good story, it was a memorable one. I recommend this film to any living being in high school or older. One of the greatest films made. I can’t even think or begin to think of what to compare it to. I rate this film ten out of ten.

Ten Years in the Making the Marvel Cinematic Universe

By Robert C. Bethune

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is an American media franchise and shared universe centered on a series of superhero films, independently produced by Marvel Studios and based on characters that appear in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The franchise also includes comic books, short films, television series, and digital series. The shared universe, much like the original Marvel Universe in comic books, was established by crossing over common plot elements, settings, cast, and characters.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe began on May 2nd, 2008. It began with Iron man. A “B” list Marvel hero.  Led by Downey's career-resurrecting performance as billionaire weapons peddler Tony Stark, it proves just as indispensable to the movie's giddy escapist appeal as the seamless CGI effects and eye-popping pyrotechnics.

Billionaire industrialist and genius inventor Tony Stark is kidnapped and forced to build a nuclear weapon. Instead, using his intelligence and ingenuity, Tony builds a suit of armor and escapes captivity. When he uncovers a nefarious plot with global implications, he dons his powerful armor and vows to protect the world as Iron Man. Iron Man launched off an entire cinematic universe that is still going strong today. After 11 years and 22 films, the ongoing saga of the Marvel Cinematic Universe has come to a turning point.

Avengers: Endgame serves not just as the conclusion to the story started last April in Avengers: Infinity War, but it also works to wrap up character arcs and story threads that began ten years ago. That it does so successfully, in a massive, incredibly entertaining epic that is as emotional as it is spectacular, is due to the craft, world-building, and devotion to character empathy and development that has marked the best efforts of this franchise.

After the devastating events of Avengers: Infinity War the universe is in ruins due to the snap by, Thanos. With the help of remaining allies, the Avengers must assemble come together one more time in order to undo Thanos's actions and undo the chaos to the universe, no matter what the consequences. “Whatever it takes” The grave course of events set in motion by Thanos, that wiped out half the universe and fractured the Avengers ranks, compels the remaining Avengers to take one final stand in Marvel Studios' grand conclusion to twenty two films, Avengers: Endgame.

After half of all life is snapped away by Thanos, the Avengers are left scattered and divided. Along the way, the Avengers realize that sacrifices must be made as they prepare for the ultimate final showdown with Thanos, which will result in the heroes fighting the biggest battle they have ever faced. Six years and four movies, we waited for two words. “Avengers Assemble”. Marvel is calling the first 22 films “The Infinity Saga” and we don’t know where they’re going next.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=10Uii0w4F2mQpY3i3lLDfKhS1TxT4hYb2

That’s my audience’s reaction to “Avengers Assemble”

Marvel Cinematic Universe

Chronological Order

1.      Captain America: The First Avenger

2.     Agent Carter (season 1)

3.      Agent Carter (season 2)

4.      Captain Marvel

5.      Iron Man

6.      Iron Man 2

7.     The Incredible Hulk

8.      Thor

9.      Avengers Assemble

10.  Iron Man 3

11.  Thor: The Dark World

12.  Captain America: The Winter Soldier

13.  Guardians of the Galaxy

14.  Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2

15.  Daredevil (season 1)

16.  Jessica Jones (season 1)

17.  Avengers: Age of Ultron

18.  Daredevil (season 2)

19.  Luke Cage (season 1)

20.  Ant-Man

21.  Iron Fist (season 1)

22. Captain America: Civil War

23.  The Defenders (season 1)

24.  Doctor Strange

25. Black Panther

26.  Spider-Man: Homecoming

27.  Thor: Ragnarok

28.  Inhumans (season 1)

29. The Punisher (season 1)

30.  Runaways (season 1)

31. Jessica Jones (season 2)

32.  Cloak & Dagger (season 1)

33. Cloak & Dagger (season 2)

34. Luke Cage (season 2)

35.  Iron Fist (season 2)

36.  Daredevil (season 3)

37.  Runaways (season 2)

38.  The Punisher (season 2)

39.  Avengers: Infinity War

40.  Ant-Man and the Wasp

41.  Avengers: Endgame

42.  Spider-Man: Far From Home

Seniors Say Goodbye Class of 2019

Messages to the underclassmen

Nick D.: "Make the most of your high school experience. Play as many sports as you can, join as many clubs, and make as many friends as you can."

Andrew B.: "Don’t fight it’s not worth getting suspended."

Eitan: "No matter how bad you think things have gotten, even if you think all hope is lost, things will always get better. High school can be rough, so don’t give up because if you do, things will never improve."

Phil: "Do your best all four years so you can get into the college you want."

Paul: "In order to be successful in High School, you must get involved with school activities and work hard. It will pay off at the end when you graduate."

Kohei: "Don’t only play one sport. Try new sports out."

Jordan: "The Sky’s the limit -  you just need to figure out how you are going to get there. Stay focused and get your stuff done."

Nick G.:

Don’t let your

dreams be dreams.

Just do it.

Kobe: "The most important message I want to leave to the underclassman is to always be persistent . No matter what you do always keep at it and not give up. With persistence anyone can find success."

Matt: "Don’t worry, the world keeps on spinning."

Jeffrey: "If there was any advice I could give myself as an underclassman, it would be to find a vision for your future in the next few years of high school and work to achieve it. If you don’t set goals for yourself, you won’t know what you’re working for and you won’t be motivated to work."

Chris T.: "Don’t stop learning, you should want to learn from people higher up. Your GPA doesn't reflect who you are as a person. School work should be one of your priorities but your mental well being and happiness is more important. Do the things you enjoy and spend time with the people you love."

Diego: "If you want to do, talk, or say something, then just go for it, You can do anything you want as long as you have the mentality that you can do it. Stay focused."

Jennifer L.: "Although no one is able to return and start over, anyone can restart now and make a new ending."

Rachel: "Try to get more involved, make some new friends even if it’s just for senior year they could make your senior year better. Have a great time but also make sure you get your work done. Try to figure out what you want to go to college for and don’t push it off to the last second. Do things that will make you happy."

Jenna: "Always try your hardest and never give up. Also, join clubs and have fun."

Melanie: "I know school may seem like a drag but do not wish high school away, what you should do is to cherish every moment and memory while you’re here because it will be gone before you know it."

Tejani: "Get as much community service hours as possible. You get a lot of benefits from it in the long run."

Victor: "Make sure you give a good tip to your barber when he gives you a fresh cut."

Eric: "Don't ever feel afraid to ask teachers and friends for help its not embarrassing it's beneficial and will help in the long run."

Mia: "Stop waiting, because time waits for no one."

Hasan M.: "Opening up a business was definitely something I would never regret."

Jacob B.: “There are a lot of us out here that are birds, man. We all just gotta fly.”

Anthony S.: "Stay out of trouble, do your homework, and play football."

Bella: "Don’t waste your time. High School goes by fast, so don’t slack, keep your grades up because there is no going back once you get to your senior year."

Mary P.: "Be yourself and don’t be someone that you are not. You are perfect and you know it."

Chelsea: "Getting into a relationship isn’t worth it. Work on yourself and love yourself first before you love anyone else."

Joe C.: "Do what you believe in. Whether its a sport, club, organization, or game, do what makes you happy. Don’t let other people make decisions for you. You control your life. Not anyone else."

DiAnna: "Make sure you get to class on time and to not lose focus on your school work. Make sure you have fun but to not get in trouble and do dumb things."

Daniel B.: "Don't allow one teacher or person to ruin your high school experience."