PRHS Spring Musical : “Guys and Dolls” Review

By : Alexa Agnello

On March 16th and 17th, the cast of “Guys and Dolls” put on an amazing show. The cast performed wonderfully, the dancing was exciting and the play was a pleasure to watch. Leading woman, Megan Bros, stole the show with her character, Miss Adelaide. Her acting and singing skills are fantastic and she embodied the character. The lead male, Nathan Detroit was played by Mason Crowley. His acting was genuine as he showed true emotion in his acting and singing. The rest of the cast also put on a terrific show. Eddie McConville played Benny South Street and Kaitlyn Nellis played Sara Brown on Saturday. Gabrielle Ryan played Sara Brown on Friday. Keano Torres played Sky Masterson and Emanuel Santiago played Nicely-Nicely Johnson.

The set design was realistic and had a variety of designs. The set for Manhattan was well detailed and gave off a historic Manhattan vibe. The set for Cuba showed a more bright side of the show and it imitated the look of a restaurant in Cuba. Lastly the crap game that was in the sewers looked like a actual sewer. Each set made the show realistic and made the audience seem like they were in each place. In all, the show was marvelous and the actors, dancers and the orchestra did a outstanding job.

Cast members : Megan Bros and Mason Crowley

Measures taken by New York City

To protect its bikers

By Darien Gayle

New York City has taken measures to ensure the safety of their bikers.  Biking is a form of transportation that has risen in popularity in recent years.  More and more New Yorkers are starting to ride bikes to get to school, work, or just for a leisure activity.  One of the measures the city has taken is installing balustrades. The purpose of balustrades is to protect bikers from cars by acting as a  barrier between them.

At the end of 2017 the Department of Transportation  planned to “ add 25 miles of new protected bike lanes in the city.. In all, the total number of bike lanes added (including ones that aren’t protected) is 65—just shy of the 75 miles that the DOT was hoping to add.” (NY Curbed) One of the boroughs where they are adding new protected bikes lanes is Staten Island. The Department of Transportation is currently working on the  Richmond Terrace SI Ferry Project. This will add 0.9 miles of protected bikes lanes on Staten Island. The lane will go from St.George Terminal to Wall street. Many bikers avoid riding their bike in fear of being hit by a car. “I see fairly new bike lanes on streets like Clove Road, but I never actually see bikers in those lanes, so cars just drive in the bike lanes too.  I try to take the side streets and stay off the main roads, but I’m afraid of getting hit by a car,” said Suzanne Woodman, Assistant Principal at Port Richmond High School. The city believes that in a crowded city it is important to install balustrades that will protect New Yorkers and allow them to have a sense of security in a activity that they enjoy.

Photos courtesy of NYC.GOV

Photos courtesy of NYC.GOV

National School Walkout @

Port Richmond High School

By Jaylene Coye

On March 14, 2018, one month after the fatal shooting that occurred at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, Port Richmond High School students stood outside on the football field for 17 minutes in recognition of the 17 lives that were lost during the shooting. Some students walked around the track to raise awareness about gun reform. Many students carried signs in remembrance of the lives that were lost that day, and others used their voices to express the change they would want to see in gun laws.

This Is : BTS

By : Alexa Agnello

“Please, ARMY*, remember what we say, love myself, love yourself”

BTS is a South Korean boy group who debuted in 2013. They are from a small company and almost faced disbandment the same year they debuted. They had many accomplishments in 2017. In the beginning of the year the album “You Never Walk Alone”  pre orders surpassed 700k orders. They were nominated for a Billboard Music Award in May. They won the award for Top Social Artists, making them the first Kpop group to win that award. In September they released another mini album and their popularity grew in America. BTS performed on the American Music Awards in November. They partnered with UNICEF to create a anti-violence project called “LOVE MYSELF.” They went on the Ellen Degeneres show, and they performed on New Year’s Rockin Eve. In South Korea they won Song of the year on the Melon Music Awards and artist of the year on the Mnet Music Awards. The boys performed on the Jimmy Kimmel Show and appeared on James Corden’s Late Late show in November as well.  

The oldest member is Kim Seokjin, he goes by the stage name Jin. He is a ‘92 liner (a liner is the year someone was born) and he is the vocalist. He is also the visual for his handsome features. He introduces himself with, “Hi I’m Jin, oldest brother, and worldwide handsome.” The next member of BTS is Min Yoongi, also known as Suga or Agust D. He is a ‘93 liner and he is the lead rapper.   He said this once, “Min Suga, genius, these two words should be enough.” The next member is Jung Hoseok, also known as J-Hope. He is a ‘94 liner, he is the lead rapper, main dancer and vocalist. He introduces himself with “I’m your hope, you’re my hope, I’m J-Hope.” The leader of the group is Kim Namjoon, but goes by the stage name RM (who changed his name from Rap Monster). He is a ‘94 liner and is the main rapper and vocalist of the group. He goes by his quote, “Love myself, love yourself.” The shortest member of BTS is Park Jimin and he goes by Jimin. He is a ‘95 liner and is the lead vocalist and main dancer. He is very self conscious of himself. The next member is Kim Taehyung and he goes by the stage name V.  He is also a ‘95 liner and he is the lead vocalist and the 2nd visual. He debuted as an actor in 2016. The youngest member of the group is Jeon Jungkook. He is a ‘97 liner and he is the main vocalist, lead dancer, rapper and the center of the group. He grew up with the members and he was raised by them.

BTS debuted on June 12, 2013 with the song “No More Dream” and the side track “Bulletproof pt 2.” They released a total of five mini albums, eight Japanese single albums, two Japanese albums, three repackaged (special) albums and two full albums. A song that changed their style was the song “Blood, Sweat and Tears” from their album “WINGS.” This song revamped their style and painted a more sophisticated look for them. They released “DNA” which started their “LOVE YOURSELF” series. They released 4 versions of their song “Mic Drop,” “Mic Drop (STEVE AOKI REMIX)”, “Mic Drop (STEVE AOKI REMIX ft Desiigner)” and “Mic Drop” japanese version. In December, they released a new Japanese single “Crystal Snow.”  

These seven boys have done a lot to make them known worldwide. With seven dorky and incredible members, they are making their fans, their ARMY proud. They never forget to be loving toward their fans. I am grateful for BTS, they make me smile when I’m sad. BTS has a different style and to watch them encounter the world little by little makes me proud to be an ARMY.

(L - R, Taehyung, Yoongi, Seokjin, Jungkook, Namjoon, Jimin and Hoseok)

*ARMY is BTS’s fandom. Korean fans are called K-Diamonds by the international fans and International fans are called I-Lovelies by Korean fans. ARMY originally stands for “Adorable Representative M.C for Youth.”

Sexual Harassment is Everywhere

Recognize It and React

by Alyssamae Gadsden and Amaris Rodriguez

    Sexual harassment is everywhere. It’s secretive, so although it occurs in school, in the workplace, and on the streets, many people are unaware of its occurrence.

   Sexual harassment in schools is a very serious matter.  In Cindy Long’s, “The Secret of Sexual Assault” in NEA Today, she reports, “From 2011 to 2015, about 17,000 sexual assaults were committed by U.S. students, AP found, although the number is likely much higher because assaults are under-reported or mislabeled as bullying, particularly among young victims. About 5 percent of the victims AP reported on were 5 and 6 year-olds.”  Most boys and girls don’t know how to feel when they are being sexually harassed. Many may feel scared and may think, “why is this happening to me?”  Sexual Harassment in schools has many different scenarios.  It can occur by a boy sexually harassing a girl, a girl sexually harassing a boy, a boy sexually harassing another boy, a girl sexually harassing another girl, a teacher sexually harassing a student, and even a student sexually harassing a teacher.     

    Many women, men, teens and even children, might not know that they are being sexually harassed.  Sexual harassment can be subtle or blatant; however, it is important to be aware of these signs so you know when it’s happening. Sexual harassment can be requests for sexual favors or unwelcome sexual behavior that makes you feel uncomfortable, scared or confused.  Sexual harassment can be verbal.  Comments about your body, spreading sexual rumors, making sexual jokes or remarks and making sexual accusations are some examples of verbal harassment. Sexual harassment can also be physical. Examples of physical sexual harassment are rubbing, grabbing, pinching, and touching in a sexual manner, and exposing one’s genitals or breasts to another person. Rape and molestation are forms of sexual harassment. The technology in our society makes it easier for people to send and share pictures easily. Sexual harassment has been extended to visual displays of unwanted naked photos, sexual gestures and sex related objects. Sexual harassment may interfere with your schoolwork, your ability to participate in extracurricular activities, or your attendendance in classes.  

     Some people may not know what to do when they are being harassed. If it is not spoken about from the moment the first incident happens, the person who is committing the crime may continue harassing the individual.  If you feel that you are being sexually harassed or know you are being harassed, it is important to tell your parents and/or an authority figure that you trust. If you are being sexually harassed in school, it is important to tell your parents and listen to your parent’s guidance about the situation. Ask your parents if they will help you speak to your teacher or other authority figure if you are uncomfortable doing it alone. Make sure you bring it to the school's attention by filing a complaint so that the situation can be dealt with appropriately and efficiently. If you are being sexually harassed by a fellow employee or manager at work it is important to tell your parents and report it to a higher manager or the police so the situation can be handled and the harassment will stop.

The Death Cure : An Amazing End to an Amazing Series

By Alexa Agnello

On January 26, 2018 after two long years, the final installment of The Maze Runner was released. The story line wasn’t put out as many fans hoped it would be; however,  the movie was amazing and the plot stayed true to the novel.  For long time fans this movie caused many emotions and we are sad that the series has finished.

The driving force of the Death Cure’s plot is the Flare Virus. This man-made virus slowly eats at the brain, eventually turning its victims into bloodthirsty and irrational humans who consider cannibalism.  The audience is thrust into action right from the opening scene of The Death Cure as they watch Thomas (Dylan O’Brien) and  Vince (Barry Pepper) chase down a train to get their friend, Minho (Ki Hong Lee), back from WCKD (World In Catastrophe Killzone Experiment Department). Although they fail to rescue their friend,  they manage to rescue other teenagers that WCKD kidnapped. These teens are vital to WCKD’s mission to find a cure for the Flare Virus. Characters, Teresa (Kaya Scodelario) and Dr. Ava Paige (Patricia Clarkson),  two of WCKD’s most important assets, perform tests on the children to identify the strongest among them and to determine who they can use to help find the cure.  

    Throughout the movie,  viewers are kept in suspense as they watch Thomas try to rescue Minho from WCKD.  Thomas’ best friend, Newt (Thomas Brodie Sangster) joins him on his mission.  Together, they venture off to rescue Minho with their other friend Frypan (Dexter Darden) and eventually meet up with Brenda (Rosa Salazar) and Jorge (Giancarlo Esposito).  To their surprise they are reunited with an old friend who they thought was dead, Gally (Will Poulter) and promise to help them find Minho, at one cost.

The movie was filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia. The location set a great vibe during the movie.  Some scenes are more futuristic than they are depicted in the book. The props used in the movie are bigger and more lethal than in the book.

Dylan O’Brien portrays Thomas’ bravery well. Thomas Brodie Sangster portrays Newt as a friendly person with a seriousness that authentically reflects the character created by the novel’s author,  James Dashner.  Minho is aggressive, loyal and tends to be sarcastic. Kaya Scodelario portrays Teresa accurately. Her acting also brings suspense to the movie. The way Rosa Salazar adapts the character into her own style of bravery is impressive.

The humor, adventure, emotion, and  conflict in this suspenseful movie will make you enjoy every second of it. I would recommend reading the books first and then seeing the movies. I loved it so much that I want to watch it again and read the books again. So in all, if you like Sci-fi and adventure this is the movie for you.