Louisa Richardson Archives - the bird on fire

“Survey Says”: Overrated Edition

April 24, 2024 by szachik@pvs.org 5 Comments

By Freshman Louisa Richardson

If I have learned anything as a “professional” surveyor, it is that the kids at Palm Valley have strong opinions. Most opinions are very original and unique, often controversial as well. What better way to get the kids talking than to ask them, “What, in your opinion, is overrated?”

*Disclaimer: Yes, I know that Taylor Swift is overrated; this is NOT original, and since everyone had that as an answer, it will not be included in the following responses.

8th-grader Tony Ratner states, “TikTok is overrated. No one really thinks it’s good; it’s just an addiction.”

Freshman Rylie Conway says, “6th grade girls are too loud, specifically in Sephora’s. If they were a bird, it would be an angry seagull.”

6th-grader Morgan Richardson says, “Bacon is too hard to cook just right and is therefore overrated; I’d rather have a sausage.”

Freshman Brooklyn Hatrak states, “Mr. Satterfield deserves the same hype as Mr. Killeen; he is really underrated.”

Ms. Melissa Patino (the kind woman at the front desk in the high school–our Administrative Assistant) says, “Crocs are overrated; they were never stylish to begin with. I doubt anyone has ever liked them; they just liked the little fidgets.”

When I asked Freshman Pip Watson what’s overrated, he answered, “Drake’s music videos.”

Freshman Zander Eaton says Kanye West is overrated “because everyone glazes him, and he hasn’t made a good album since 2014.”

Junior Rachel De La O states (in a sarcastic tone), “Women’s rights are overrated. I want to go back to the kitchen. All this education is confusing, but I know how to cook! Take me back.”

8th-grader Alex Kirov says, “Dinosaurs are overrated. I mean ‘rawr rawr’; stop writing movies that aren’t even correct, and cry about it.”

Freshman Leah Ferreira says “Human rights” are overrated. “I don’t know why; I just want to go to sleep and never wake up.” I think she was having an existential crisis. Note: I talk to Leah quite a bit, no need for concern; she is okay.

Though this article turned out to be a bit more depressing than I had hoped, I can confidently say that I agree with ALMOST all of these opinions (especially the dinosaur one). Do you have any overrated opinions?

Fashion Trends Louisa Says We Should Bring Back

April 17, 2024 by szachik@pvs.org 2 Comments

By Louisa Richardson, Freshman

I have always loved fashion. It might not show in the way that I dress, but I have always been fascinated by the clothing of others–especially women’s clothing of nearly a century ago.

These are some fashion trends that I think we need to bring back.

Bias-Cut Gowns

The bias-cut gowns were sort of an old Hollywood trend throughout the 1900s. A bias cut often drapes in the front and sometimes in the back. These gowns must include a neckline cut at a 45-degree angle. These have always been the most beautiful gowns–effortless, timeless, possibly formal, possibly not. Bias-cut gowns give that old Hollywood look that I love so much. They seem to be the one thing I simply need in life–other than corsets that is. Everytime I see these dresses, I always think about how good a wedding dress they would make.

The draped bias cut dress features an angled neckline. Photo Credit: Alumni

1940s Swimwear

Swimwear pre-WWII was cute, colorful, and modest (for those of you who like that). It also wasn’t too restricting, but rather comfortable. I personally prefer those little swim shorts to our current stringy bottoms that we have in 2024. Not only that, but the ruffles, polkadots, and buttons are so much cuter than the all-exciting color BEIGE that everything seems to be right now. Though beige may be timeless, it is also colorless and boring. I would rather have some incredibly gaudy fashion trend be in style than have this gross beige color.

The V neck makes these swimsuits wildly flattering on multiple body types!
Photo Credit: Rare Vintage

Long Dresses from the 70s

I love specifically the single-colored ball gowns. This bit is more of a rant, but I have literally searched the entire internet for a single-colored long dress, and it is IMPOSSIBLE to find any that are flowy, long, and somewhat cheap (by that I mean less than a typical prom dress).

We should also bring back disco dancing dresses.

The Button Up makes these dresses flowy yet sculpting, a balance that I find wildly difficult to achieve using modern fashion. Photo Credit: fashion image

Corsets

One of the many reasons why I hate Bridgerton is that it is the furthest thing from historically accurate. When watching the opening scene alone, there is already a huge misconception of a popular item from the turn of the century (and centuries before): corsets. We see a young woman being squeezed into a corset with a matron saying, “We need to get you down to the width of an orange and a half.” Corsets are often thought of as being restricting, unbreathable, and organ crushing. Back then, the hourglass figure may have been in, but you can CHOOSE how tight your corset goes. If it is really that tight and unbreathable you can JUST LOOSEN IT! Second, the corsets you see in movies and TV shows are on very rich, wealthy people who wore those whalebone corsets. They were pretty expensive, and, because of that, the more middle class or working-class people wore quilted corsets. Essentially, it was just a stiff undergarment, which (although sewn to be tight) was breathable and stretchy (according to The history of corsets). If you ask anyone in the theater or drag biz, they will tell you that wearing a corset is only as miserable as you make it. So, I really think that we should bring corsets back, as they are merely wired bras that enhance that hourglass figure that most people get plastic surgery to achieve. Even our own local actor Jackie Padgett states, “They are pretty comfortable, but I don’t tie it to the tightest capacity. . . . I always look forward to doing old plays because I get to wear a corset for free!”

Braided Hairstyles & Hats

Another thing we should bring back are braided hairstyles paired with floral, colorful, comically large hats. These hairstyles were worn throughout history (and even now) though I am specifically talking about the Gilded Age hairstyles (late 1800s). The way that people braided hair back then was very elaborate but also didn’t take up all of the head. Usually, it was worn up in a braided high bun (100 years of women’s hairstyles). This was often accompanied by a very colorful hat, predominantly a pastel color with a big flower (or assortment of flowers) (Hat exhibit). Color has faded quite a bit in both fashion, cars, and hats (according to trailblazer); it is just a trend of course, but with all this beige madness and brown color craziness, the world is far more bland. Hats will make the world a more colorful place! For men, we should bring back tall Frosty-the-Snowman hats!

Though they may seem intricate, these hairstyles always add the extra flair and class you SHOULD look for in an outfit. Photo Credit The Frick Pittsburg

1930s Nightgowns

We should also bring back nightgowns–I mean those gorgeous silky nightgowns for ladies that are sort of bowed and long. According to 100 years of nightgowns, nightgowns were originally considered useless and not necessary; then they became a sense of social class (only being for the rich). The nightgowns in the 30s abandoned the hideous style of no figure and boxiness and went for a little bit of a prettier option with some ruffles and decor. From the 30s to the 60s, the nightgowns always opted for the more elegant option but were still silky, soft, and comfortable. This is a trend I can get with.

Light, airy, perfect for sneaking out of your castle in the middle of the night!
Photo Credit: Ladies Home Journal

Gadgets and Gizmos Aplenty

The final fashion trend I think we should bring back are those nice little decorations all over a dress. Whether it’s buttons, the big bows on the back, or random bits of tulle, these small knick knacks made those dresses; they brought the multiple layers together, and they added color and pizzazz (two things we are seriously lacking). Though these gizmos may seem simple, they can put your outfit over the top in a classy-chic way.

Once again adding the customizable flair to your Victorian dresses!
Photo Credit: www.alamy.com

I highly recommend anyone with a lot of guts (and some extra cash) try and make these fashion moves come back–not just come back, but historically accurately come back. This is one of the best ways of honoring our ancestors.

A New Year’s Post for The Haters

February 6, 2024 by szachik@pvs.org 3 Comments

By Freshman Louisa Richardson

I hate New Year’s resolutions. I hate everyone asking me about what my New Year’s resolution is. I misread the situation. I say something funny or realistic, and they say something that I think is a joke because it’s so unrealistic, BUT THEY ARE BEING SERIOUS. Another reason I hate New Year’s resolutions is that they are always given up on. When you fail, you feel bad.

Ever since I was a kid, my mother (whom I love) has asked me what my goal is in the summer, winter, and of course for the NEW YEAR. For several years, I got away with saying that I wanted to learn how to do a back handspring, until the fateful day that I quit gymnastics. So then after that, I started learning something called sarcasm. Essentially every time someone asks me my New Year’s resolution, I either lecture them about why established habits are better, or I say some rather odd response: my favorite being, “Chair,” but my go-to is “to high dive off of the sun.” Such replies are said, of course, with a completely straight face. I am sick of New Year’s resolutions. The thing is that other people aren’t. I have heard countless times, “My New Year’s resolution is to go to the gym and work out every day!” Fun fact the gym has the most membership cancellations right after the new year (70.4 percent to be exact) (New York Post). Which brings me to my next point, why New Year’s resolutions are unrealistic.

New Year’s resolutions have always been rather unattainable. The top resolutions in general are to save money and go to the gym (Massive entertainment). Despite the fact that only 9 percent of New Year’s resolutions last for more than a few months (OSU), I still hear so many people talking about these completely unrealistic expectations for themselves! Though these unrealistic expectations lead to frustration, disappointment, and sadness (Counseling), people still want to put themselves through the trial of New Year’s resolutions! According to a study in 2014, 35% of these resolutions are completely unrealistic, and 23% are forgotten (Face off). According to reclaim.ai, 80% of these resolutions are thrown out by the second Friday in January. Quitting your resolutions by the second Friday of January apparently is so common that the day is known as “Quitters Day.” Many people believe that the largest reason why resolutions fail is because we as humans set the expectation a little too high (Very Well Mind). I can’t help but agree. The thing we really should start doing is setting habits.

My New Year’s habit this year is to move my body for at least 45 minutes. It’s not a wish, or an unrealistic goal, but a simple walk. It helps lower blood pressure, build muscle, and even helps blood to flow a little easier (Honor Health). Movement is great for mental health! Walking for just 10 minutes a day can increase positive mood, alertness, and reduce stress and anxiety (Mental Health Foundation). Taking a walk with my mom, neighbor (and best friend) Kate, or even just calling some friends while I walk is my favorite pastime right now–that and climbing trees. If you need a little mental health and physical pick-me-up, try to get outside for at least 15 minutes every day. You will feel better. I highly recommend these New Year’s habits because they will help you in the future. Whether your habit is to get outside, walk, or wear more makeup, it’s always good to start a habit that invests in yourself, even if your need is catching up on your sleep. After all, in the words of our blog teacher herself, “Even humans need to hibernate–just like bears.”

As you can see, there have been studies upon studies for these sorts of resolutions and expectations, and . . . failures–which very much backs up my speculation that perhaps New Year’s resolutions aren’t so great after all. Perhaps next year, a resolution could be to start making good habits.

Still Afraid of the Dark? There’s More To Be Afraid Of – According to PVS Lower Schoolers

January 23, 2024 by szachik@pvs.org 2 Comments

By Freshman Louisa Richardson

If you’ve read my colleague Jackie Padgett’s post about phobias, some people are afraid of clowns, some of tight spaces, some of balloons. I was always afraid of heights. However, something I never feared was cheese–which appears a rampant fear on the Palm Valley campus. Believe it or not, there are Firebird Scholars afraid of cheese on their hamburgers. Fear depends on the person, and, in many cases, their stage of life. I thought that it might be nice to give the middle/upper schoolers a break from my interviewing persistence. So, I took my investigative journalism to the Lower School (with Ms. Spurlock’s permission, of course). Over the course of my surveying, I tried to get as much Lower-School representation as possible, and, in the end, it was revealed what the overall greatest fear in the Lower School is.

In first grade, ten kids stated that, yes, their greatest fear was cheese on their hamburger though they never really specified why; they were too busy screaming over cheese on their hamburger. They were all afraid of roller coasters (to some degree). And, a few of them were afraid of spiders and snakes.

Second grader Theo is NOT afraid of cheese on his hamburgers.

In the 2nd grade, almost every student was afraid of losing their parents. Others were afraid of losing their spine. However, there were still a few of them who were afraid of snakes and spiders.

In the 4th grade, the number one fear of students was meeting their exes and being depressed. One student, Sheldon Kirsh, is afraid of facing all 15 of his exes. The #2 fear was “a skibidi toilet” (stated by student Thomas Washington–then they all jumped in agreeing). I have no idea what that means, but I have been told I don’t want to know. . . .

The 4th-Grade: Can you guess which one has 15 exes?

In the 5th grade, there were many surprising fears, from “being decapitated” to “being unarmed and busted.” The most votes went for small holes, spiders, and snakes. One student shared the idea that she is scared of the holes in the beach. “I hate the little holes that the critters come out of,” said Lena Kakoussian.

Overall, there were around 30 Lower-School students afraid of spiders and snakes (it is a package deal apparently); ten kids afraid of cheese on their hamburger (all in first grade); and every single one of them (except the 1st graders) was afraid of losing their parents to some degree. In my opinion, this should be the greatest fear as many of the kids my age and older are also afraid of this.

Note: I will say that a lot of these kids were afraid of not being able to medal in their sport or were afraid of bad grades. I won’t name these kids, but parents please let your elementary-school children know that your whole life shouldn’t revolve around a sport or a grade.

*No Lower Schoolers were scared in the gathering of this “fearful” information. Louisa, however, was quite scared.

My Favorite Dog Breeds and Why They Might Be Good For You

January 17, 2024 by szachik@pvs.org 4 Comments

Louisa is Ziggy’s very first dog sitter.

By Freshman Louisa Richardson

One New Year’s resolution easy to keep would be spending more time with my dog this year. Louisa is a dog lover as well, even something of a professional in the world of dogs. Are you looking to bring a dog into the family this year? Louisa’s got some match-making tips.

As some of you readers may know already, I have been dog walking and sitting for the last few years, and it’s been going great! I met a whole lot of wonderful people, and even better dogs, plus a few kids. Although I always say that I love all the dogs that I walk equally, I do have a lot of dog breeds that make my experience with pups more enjoyable. Perhaps I do have a favorite dog, but you will have to stick around until the end to find out which dog wins my heart. Over the years, I have developed a love for five dog breeds due to the wonderful experiences I have had walking them. If you are looking to adopt a dog (as everyone should), I have many recommendations–so many in fact, that I had to narrow it down to five. So here it is, my top five dog breeds, and why they might be good for you.

Golden Retriever

These dogs are friendly, funny, and great family dogs! I have met my fair share of dogs, but my favorites have always been Goldens because they are great to play fetch with; they are great with other dogs, and great with kids of all ages. The Golden Retrievers that I walk are usually very perky and excited to see me. When they get home, they usually want to play more, which is one of the only downsides–they are impossible to wear out. As puppies, they are either the sleepiest or the most energetic dogs. This means that they are great for families! Having a couple kids to wear out a puppy, or vice versa can be a blessing. Goldens are very cuddly dogs, and they live a decently long time–about 12 years. Note: they are prone to hip problems in old age. I love Golden Retrievers, and I think you should, too.

Lab

My grandmother had a variety of Labs and loved all of them. She still has pictures of them up all over her house. Though I only met two of them (one of which I don’t remember), I do know that they were very good dogs. Labs tend to be a bit more laid back then Golden Retrievers but still have the old-age hip problems. Labs have always been one of my favorite dog breeds because of the good memories I have with them, but even now when I dog-sit one, they are always good dogs. They are great for families (for the same reason as Goldens), but they are also very good guard dogs. Labs make for amazing hiking buddies, too. Labs also come in a variety of colors (black, brown, yellow, and white), which makes them very cute colorful floof balls.

April the Lab was Louisa’s grandmother’s dog for 13 years.

Labradoodle

I love Labradoodles. I have one, and dog-sit for multiple. I love the way they look (if they’re not cut like poodles). I love their personality. And, I like that they require a good amount of exercise. Walking them is easy because they are very flexible in their adaptability. I walk my dog anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour and a half. She is always happy to walk, just hard to harness. The Doodles that I have walked and sat for are all very good. They are pretty easy to get to know, and although a little hostile at first, they become your best friend within a few minutes (this means they aren’t so great as guard dogs). For the most part, they have great personalities. They are very intelligent and cuddly dogs. The only big downside is that they love to counter-surf. For those of you who don’t know what that means, I will give a brief example. Labradoodles are tall dogs. I cannot leave anything on the counter or table without it being gone within seconds. It doesn’t matter the type of Doodle, they are ALL like this. It can be a great reminder to wash the dishes, or clean up after yourself. To others, counter-surf-ing can be a total deal breaker.

Husky

Huskies are some of the cutest, most annoying dogs ever. They really like to erm… vocalize their opinions on the most random things outside. Despite this, they are great dogs. They shed a lot, but they are super fluffy. They require a lot of exercise, so it can get you out of the house. Though some people view a lot of exercise as a bad thing, I think that says more about you than your dog. They are great farm dogs, family dogs, and guard dogs. They require a lot of exercise and love, but so do most other dogs. Huskies are great dogs for kids as they love to play and love, but are still kid friendly. Huskies have a really bad reputation as being loud and obnoxious, but under all that they are such good pups, and I really love them. I have never met a bad Husky.

Australian Shepard

I have a lot of experience with Australian Shepherds, and they are amazing dogs. They are super cute, good with other dogs, and good with (most) humans. They do have a pretty big downside though. They are big herding dogs. If you are running with one, or if they are playing with other dogs, chances are they will start barking and trying to herd you in a particular direction. You can’t blame them; it’s in their DNA. This can be hard to deal with if you have kids constantly running around the house. Of course the dogs will never hurt you, or at least they haven’t in MY EXPERIENCE. But it can be a pretty big hassle telling your kids not to run around because they’ll upset the dog. Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? Sometimes. Are they good farm dogs? Always. They are also the cutest dogs in the world, but require a decent amount of exercise. If you like exercise, they’re a good fit for you. They are decently good guard dogs, too. I love Australian Shepherds and walk one quite frequently. (He is my favorite).

Of course the breed of dog doesn’t always reflect an individual dog’s personality (unless it’s a Chihuahua). But, I’ve found that usually the dog’s looks and personality are reflected well in the breed itself.

The History of Our History Teachers

November 30, 2023 by szachik@pvs.org 2 Comments

By Freshman Louisa Richardson

Our History teachers here at Palm Valley are very popular with the students. Whether it is the many students they teach, or the many students they don’t, the PVS History staff is well known. Our Blog theme this week is History, so my big smart brain thought, Why shouldn’t I interview the History teachers? I asked both Ms. Schapiro and Mr. Satterfield a series of questions about their careers and their lives. I learned a lot about Mr. Satterfield (for example, he has a dog named Felix). I also learned that Ms. Schapiro has been teaching for 40 years! History is a funny thing, mostly because it can be so wild. Both of these teachers seem to know a lot and seem to enjoy it!

Part 1 (Mr. Satterfield)

What is your favorite time period to teach in History?

My favorite time period to teach in History is the period in US History after the Civil War and before the turn of the century because I find that this time period is often overlooked as we just jump from the Civil War to World War I and the Great Depression. But, really, Reconstruction contains a lot of information about who we are today. This is the time of great tragedy for Native Americans and a good change for technology and politics, and our relationship with the rest of the world.

Is there a specific person who makes this unit enjoyable? (In History)

Sitting Bull–because when we study Sitting Bull or Crazy Horse (Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse were two leaders of the Lakota Sioux) we are forced to examine our own ideas of what it means to be American, a hero, and changing history, what it means to win and what it means to lose. I also like Seraph Young; she was the first woman to cast a vote. She cast a vote in Utah 50 years before the 19th Amendment was ratified, so when we study her we are forced to think about how our government actually works, and sometimes it is different then the way we think it does. And, we learn about what it means to make progress, and it forces us to examine some of our preconceived notions about certain states or regions.

What is your favorite grade to teach?

I enjoy teaching a variety of grade levels so I don’t have to stick with a certain level of maturity every day.

Was there a topic you were particularly interested in as a kid?

I liked the development of public lands such as national parks and national forests, and reservations as well. Early on I became interested in who controls what land, and what they decide to do with it. Glacier National Park is my favorite.

My least favorite time period to learn about that I enjoy teaching is the Civil War. When I was young it seemed very straightforward and boring. As I grew older and read more, I realized how very un-straightforward it was.

Why is it important to study History?

To understand where we came from and who we are today and because every time I introduce myself to someone and they ask me what I do I always get the same response…

“I hated History in school, and now I am fascinated by it. I wish I would have paid attention in school.”

What is your favorite subject to teach?

World Geography–I taught that a couple years ago in Utah and really enjoyed it.

Where is your favorite place to teach?

I’ve been lucky enough to teach in a lot of different places, and I can’t pick a favorite, though I will say that Thailand, China, Colorado, California, and Utah all present their own opportunities.

Part Two (Ms. Schapiro)

What is your favorite part about being a teacher?

I get to keep being a learner; I don’t have a single week go by without learning something new from my students, or the material. I love to spend time with kids, and they keep me young.

What is your favorite time period to teach?

Ancient Egypt, or Medieval West Africa. This is because there are areas of this study that are crucial in the general history of the world. I also never learned these as a kid; their societies are so complex and interesting.

Is there a specific person who makes teaching this unit enjoyable? (In History)

My favorite person to teach about is Alexander the Great because he taught us that no matter how much power you have you can still be a good leader. My other favorite is Eleanor of Aquitaine because she was the first person to be queen of both France and England, and she was very admirable and fierce.

What is your favorite grade to teach?

It greatly depends on the subject, History in general I prefer middle school, and English in general I prefer high school, with philosophy being a tie, and cooking would be DEFINITELY high school.

Was there a topic in History that you were uninterested in as a kid that has changed today?

The musical Hamilton got me far more interested in that era in history, and even got me to read the book.

Where has been your favorite place to teach?

I taught at a school in LA for students who are very bright but had learning or emotional challenges. I had no idea that I could even teach people who had those problems, but I was desperate. I was there for four years, and it was super rewarding. I feel like it made me a better teacher.

Do you have any advice for students who want to become teachers?

Marry rich (she said with a chuckle). In all seriousness, think carefully about your quality of life. I don’t make a lot, but I am very happy with this job. I still get up in the morning excited to go to work. In my 40 years of teaching, I have only ever not wanted to be a teacher during 9/11. I will always choose teaching.

What inspires you to teach?

There has been some pushback with critical thinking, I feel a deep responsibility to teach them HOW to think critically and judge info for themselves.

Why is it important to learn History?

Those who don’t learn History are doomed to repeat it. I tend to emphasize people in History because it sets a great example for the kids. I feel that teaching young girls about powerful women can set a good example.

History can be tricky, and a little bit confusing at times. Both of these teachers are excellent at what they do, and are very passionate about teaching in general. I loved sitting down just to talk to both Mr. Satterfield and Ms. Schapiro.

A Volleyball Game from the Perspective of Someone Who Knows Nothing About Volleyball

November 29, 2023 by szachik@pvs.org 1 Comment

By Freshman Louisa Richardson, Special Volleyball Correspondent

Our 2023 PVS Varsity Volleyball Team went undefeated in league. They were the league champions. I know nothing about volleyball. So, volleyball and I make the perfect match for a good article. At the last league home game, I decided that I just had to know what all the fuss was about. I knew our team was good, but I have never had an interest in volleyball. I had never been to a full game before. The last league home game started with a brief Senior Volleyball Ceremony and then plunged right into the game. I was pleasantly surprised by the players’ skill, Coach’s coaching ability, and the crowd’s support. I made sure to take very detailed notes, and here is what I got.

First of all, the players. The girls were great with teamwork; they seemed able to work off of each other very easily as though it was second nature. If Bianca Torres was serving and got it over the net, it reflected on the whole team. I think that this teamwork was what made the girls so good at their craft. Rachel De la O was incredible! She always got the ball over the net with the strength of a god, and made it look easy. Kristina Panagiotaros communicated well with her teammates and was always watching her fellow players. Together they fed off each others’ energy. Christina Lam made everyone get in line. She was always very focused. And, she encouraged everyone. Keira Nash, Team Captain, whether she was doing well or not, always kept a smile on her face, and the look alone was enough to keep everyone in good spirits. Kayliee Augustine-Sails moved with ease and confidence, whether it was a ball she was catching or a ball she was serving, she was capable. Leah Ferreira was the only freshman playing in this game. She did an amazing job watching that ball like a hawk. All of the girls seemed to have a blast playing and, while taking winning seriously, had tons of fun.

Second of all, the crowd. Our student body and faculty were what made these games so fun to go to. The players and sport were, of course, incredible, but the positivity radiating from the crowd was remarkable. If we did badly, you heard, “It’s okay; you can recover,” and if they were doing great, it was “We knew you could do it!” The game was competitive and suspenseful, but the crowd was what made it so fun. The audience also might have been so happy because of the delicious food being eaten from the Firebird Cafe (formerly known as the Snack Shack). A few of the sixth-grade girls also held up red and yellow flags in order to signal whether the ball was in or out. The girls took their jobs very seriously and clearly had fun. In the crowd, there was one little girl in particular who made it her absolute mission to get the whole crowd chanting, “Let’s go, Firebirds, let’s go.” This girl got the crowd going.

Thirdly, Coach Erenberg. He is the perfect balance of fun-loving and strict. He gives the players–individual as well as group–criticism that seems to help rather than put down. Coach also yelled out encouragement: “It’s okay!” emanated from him a few times during the game if players seemed particularly discouraged after getting out. He started off the game with the very nice Senior Ceremony surrounding seniors Ally Bankers and Christina Lam. The seniors seemed to love it; Coach seemed to love it, and Matteo Lam seemed to love it (who was also inexplicably there on the court).

Finally, my overall reaction. My favorite part of the game was watching Christina Lam lie down on the floor waiting for the buzzer to ring in the middle of a team meeting. I also really enjoyed the food. I recommend the mini pizzas. At one point of time, the ball flew into the bleachers about two feet in front of me, and Ally Bankers retrieved the ball like a champion. We won the first two sets by a landslide but the third one was troublesome. A quick side note, Coach Erenberg was rocking that blonde hair and truly becoming “Kenough.” We did end up winning, and the players congratulated each other with a heartfelt high five. I highly recommend you go to any volleyball game you can–whether on the beach, in college, or during next Firebird season. The games are tons of fun, and, this year, a very good reason to be proud of the school you come from.

What’s your hill to die on?

October 20, 2023 by szachik@pvs.org 2 Comments

By Freshman Louisa Richardson

In the Blog’s continued exploration of controversial opinions, ace-reporter Louisa surveyed the Palm Valley scene and logged the following unpopular rants and raves. She had a good time. And she picked up a lot of sass.

A hill to die on is essentially a controversial opinion that you stand by. My fellow blogger Gil, in our class discussion of Controversy, used this phrase. It caught my ear. In order to unearth controversy, I decided to survey people, asking, “What’s your hill to die on?” Opinions these days are nothing short of controversial, whether it’s pineapple on pizza, or Donald Trump. The people have something to say. The middle/upper-school students and teachers, and my father, were all asked the simple question, “What’s your hill to die on?” (usually followed by an explanation of what the phrase means). These hills tended to fall into six categories: pop culture, politics, food, fashion, dogs, and school.

Unpopular Opinions on Pop

8th-grader Jack Edelstein and the rest of the Podcasting class take passionate issue with Taylor Swift–not a popular stance. Jack leads the podcasting flock with the following statement:

“Taylor Swift sucks[;] she dates every guy ever and is still obsessed with them! She blames them for everything, making 99% of her songs the same. She acts like the victim in every relationship she is in. She has been with every weird actor you can name, and she always acts like she was the victim in the relationship. . . . [And,] 99% of her music is unoriginal. It goes from sad, depressed, angry music to then Love-“I-found-another” relationship, and repeat. Lastly, her fanbase sucks.”

8th-grader Ethan Brooks from Podcasting adds:

“Kanye MADE Taylor Swift.”

Other unpopular opinions regarding popular culture include . . .

“Avatar was not that good.”

–My father

“Spotify is terrible; it makes it hard to provide money as a not-so-popular artist, as the platform rarely even showcases new artists!”

–Mr. Hesson, Math/Podcasting Teacher

“Paramount Plus is better than Netflix.”

–Elijah Berliner, freshman

“Elijah is wrong.”

–Brooklyn Hatrak, freshman

“Joe Jonas is a dweeb.”

–Ms. Maguire, English/Creative Writing Teacher

Several opinions surfaced about School . . .

“Poems should be abolished; they are useless in the learning curriculum.”

–Tony Ratner, 8th-grader

“Essays are useless, and don’t teach anything.”

–Jackie Padgett, 8th-grader

“Reading can be fun; you just have to find the right book.”

–Zoey Guess, 7th-grader

“The snack shack is overpriced.”

–Hudson, Jack, and, again, the rest of Podcasting Class

“PVS is the best!”

–Jerry Wang, senior

“Middle schoolers need to STAY IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL!”

–Anais Lee . . . and the rest of the high school

Opinions on food were . . . interesting . . .

“String cheese with chocolate milk is delicious.”

–Ally Bankers, senior

“Fries are better with ranch than with a milkshake.”

–Coach J. Erenberg

“Mustard is better than ketchup, and there are no better Bob Dylan albums than THE Bob Dylan original.”
–Mr. Satterfield, History Teacher

“Fruits shouldn’t be in the dessert; if I am ordering a chocolate cake, and you give me cantaloupe on the side, I will be mad.”
–Abby Assefa, junior

“Vegan diets are just bad for you.”

–Zander Eaton, freshman

“Chocolate milk SHOULD come from brown cows.”

–Emerson Dunn, 6th-grader

People had strong opinions on fashion.

“Skinny jeans are ugly.”

–Lily Jones, junior

“Low rise jeans are actually the worst.”

–Morgan Richardson, 6th-grader

“High top Converse suck.”

–Olivia Puetz, freshman

And, while Grandma always said, “Don’t talk Politics at the dinner table,” we do.

“Banning books should be unneeded.”

–Addison Uhlhorn, 7th grade

“Donald Trump won.”
–Alex Kirov, 8th-grader

“The moon landing was fake.”

–Luke Sonderman, senior

“Asians aren’t yellow.”

–Edward Berg, 7th grade

A few of us had opinions about Dogs.

“Dogs should be allowed on the bed!”
–Ms. Zachik, English/Blog Teacher

“Chihuahuas are the worst dog breed; they are glorified rats. They serve no purpose in this world. When you have hunting dogs, and service dogs, Chihuahuas just shake. They all have three teeth and live forever. If there was one dog breed that had to go extinct, I would choose Chihuahuas. Chihuahuas should be banned.

–Emma Murdock, Middle-School Receptionist

And, finally, Coach offered a little compassion . . .

“I don’t think anyone should die on a hill.”

–Coach Erenberg

People sure do have a lot of opinions. Controversial or not, this was the most fun I have ever had surveying. Do you have a controversial opinion we missed? Add it to the comments.

Advice Across the Ages: How to be in a Relationship

September 12, 2023 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

By Freshman Louisa Richardson

One of the perks about being at a school like Palm Valley is that we go all the way from preschool to high-school seniors. This means, with all these ages, interviewing is really fun. I have found with past surveys that the answers to questions vary quite a lot depending on the age of the interviewee. When asking a rather silly question (at least in the little ones’ eyes) like, “Do you have any relationship advice,” kids usually start with a few giggles; whereas angry teenagers usually start with an eye roll. I asked a large group of kids, little ones to teenagers, the same question, Do you have relationship advice for new couples? I started with 4th graders, and worked my way up. Some responses were refreshingly wholesome, and some were outright disturbing.
Blogger Louisa

Asked: What relationship advice do you have for a new couple?

And, Answered:

“Keep like a friend!”

This response came from a little girl named Jasmine Linthreum. A sweet 4th grader, who, when I asked her class if anyone wanted to answer, raised her hand really high with a big smile on her face. This response was very heartwarming.

“First, keep a really safe distance before you act, and make sure you always keep a ring, just in case.”

Luke McDaniel answered with this delightful response; he is in fourth grade and took my question very seriously. He seemed to enjoy answering.

“Just tell the person you like to look up, down, to the side, and to the other side, then down again, then grab their chin and kiss ‘em! It worked for me.”

Sheldon Kirsch seems to know a lot about relationships. The fourth grader was extremely confident in his answer; his was the most mature answer in his class–even if his response might not work for the high schoolers.

“They should do a date every week! And, they should text each other during class, but only if they’re allowed. OH OHH make sure you say you love each other on Instagram!!”

Anna Boutine was one of the most enthused kids I asked; she seemed to have a lot of ideas.

“Try to get to know each other and be honest with each other.”

Cleo Antle (fifth grade) here gave some very good advice, with no giggles beforehand. I think we all can learn something from Cleo’s response.

“Don’t change yourself for anybody.”

This response comes from a delightful Sophia after about five minutes of giggles.

“Don’t rush it and take it slow, and be really careful. Also don’t do a reality tv show; I’ve seen what it does to people.”

Mikel Lomsky is the most mature person I have interviewed in any class. His response is very accurate and wise. He is in the fifth grade.

“Just get to know each other before dating.”

Reagan Kaminsky here burst out laughing when I asked her my question. It was very interesting to compare the differences between her and Mikel, as they were sitting right next to each other, in the same grade, same class, and yet their initial reactions are so different.

“Don’t rush and make sure everything is consensual.”

Bella Lua here seems to know what she’s talking about as she is in a relationship. She was very mature. In comparison to the other kids in the eighth grade that I interviewed, she definitely took this question seriously.

“Lick her earlobes, and uhh treat yo girl with pure kindness and make sure to comfort her.”

Raven Sayers (eighth grade) here is definitely right about the last part.

“Don’t pick someone high maintenance. Don’t buy gifts; keep your money.”

Caleb Kassinove (freshman) is absolutely right. He gave a very mature response.

“Do I look like I know anything about relationships?”

Brooklyn Hatrak (freshman) seems like she’s speaking from experience.

“The honeymoon phase doesn’t last forever.”

Olivia Puetz couldn’t be more correct. She is a freshman in high school and seems like she’s already sick of all the public displays of affection.

“No, I don’t have any relationship advice!!”

Ally Bankers (senior) delivered this response over paper, but she certainly wrote aggressively. I would call this response immature, but she may just not be happy to see me.

“Don’t get in one; it ruins sports and your grades. Be really careful and learn how to balance it.”
Arsh Rehman had one of the most mature responses of his class. He is a senior.

“Listen, forgive, and explain your feelings accurately.”
Mr. Satterfield was very mature, and gave an accurate response.

“Be nice and always open minded.”

Jasmine Grace, LS Administrative Assistant, delivered this response with the appropriate amount of seriousness.

After having interviewed at least two people from a wide variety of ages, I have come to the conclusion that relationship wisdom really just depends on the person and their personal experience. Although I got a lot of giggles from the lower schoolers, I also got a lot of giggles from the seniors. As for maturity, I can confidently say that the teachers I asked were definitely the most serious. I think the levels of maturity really vary depending on the person, but once you get past the age of around twenty, you become much more serious. Thank you to all the kids and adults I interviewed!

A Classic Dinner Table Argument

August 29, 2023 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

Since the PVS Blog staff is busy polishing its first assigned posts for 2023-24, we dug into our archives for this one. Last spring, blogger Louisa Richardson valiantly pursued an answer to the question, “Which is the most difficult sport?” I’ve heard the stories of our winning volleyball players sacrificing life, limb, and bruise-free complexions as they dive across the gym floor. Is that the most demanding sport? The Palm Valley community talked to Louisa and had some surprising responses.
Blog Instructor Zachik

A Survey, Conducted by Louisa Richardson

One of the more controversial subjects at my dinner table is the debate over “What is the most difficult sport?” My father thinks it’s tennis. I think it’s hockey. My mom and sister think it’s swimming. There is no consensus. I’m here to change that. I talked to Coach Erenberg, and I DID find out what The Most Difficult Sport is.

Coach says that the hardest mental and physical sport is hockey because it is like any other sport, but on skates. My aunt has a different hypothesis; she thinks that dance is the hardest. As a dancer myself I have always thought that ballet was the hardest mental sport simply because of the mental abuse it puts you through. It seems like everyone has a different opinion, so maybe the best way to decide is a vote.

Dr. Sherman and Mr. Satterfield agree the hardest sport is ultramarathon running because it goes on for so long that you have the constant opportunity to fail.

Ms. Schapiro states, “Rock climbing [is most difficult] because it requires mental and physical acuity (also I’m scared of heights).”

Upper Schooler Cindy Wang says the most challenging sport is “Horseback riding because you have no control over the horse, and often at competitions they have you ride a different horse than you are used to.”

Ms. Bartosik says the most difficult sport is “Boxing because it can have a lot of bad injuries that can result in a lot of recovery time, so you have to be in good shape.” She adds, “I have a lot of respect for boxers.”

Ms. Greer, Lead Administrative Assistant, presumes that horse polo is the hardest sport because of the trust you need to put in your horse.

Mr. Killeen thinks that water polo is the hardest sport because it “gets really physical and is also underappreciated.”

Students Lorelei Behr and Scarlett Barrett believe that the hardest sport is football because of the brain trauma and general aggressiveness the sport contains.

Finally, Middle Schooler Hunter Harrington says of sports, “All of them [are difficult] ‘cause no one ever lets me play…”

Not including myself, we have two votes for football, several for boxing, two votes for ultramarathon running, and a bunch of other sports. You’re probably thinking that it would be a three-way tie, but a special guest states that The Most Difficult Sport . . . is boxing. Who’s that special guest, you ask? It is Google. When you ask Google: What is the most difficult sport? It answers . . . boxing (ESPN). Boxing is the hardest sport. You will be happy to know that most of the other sports mentioned are also up there on the difficulty scale, but boxing has won overall.

Although I might have not agreed with this opinion before, Ms. Bartosik offered a pretty convincing argument with the threat of serious injury. Thus, the consensus is . . . Boxing is the hardest sport.