Ben LeGrand -” House of the Dragon”

The new prequel to HBO’s fantasy epic “Game of Thrones,” this series explores the Targaryen Dynasty 200 years prior to the main story that over 68 million people tuned into each week. “House of the Dragon” returns with the weekly Sunday night release. While I myself am only 5 seasons into “Game of Thrones,” I still find myself tuning into “House of the Dragon” since it’s a prequel. With only 2 episodes out so far, the show has been off to a great start and will certainly have all the fun and intrigue of “Game of Thrones” hopefully without the infamous ending that enraged fans across the world (I’m only 5 seasons in so I’m anxiously bracing myself for that). HBO never fails to make great shows.

Lily Ha – Join a club

The first few weeks back in school is the perfect time to join school activities. Neuqua offers a diverse selection of clubs and sports that students can participate in and enjoy. From community service to academics to the arts, joining an activity can be a way to go out of your comfort zone and meet new friends. For the full list, go to nvhsactivities.weebly.com, and attend the first meeting!

Emma Vorasorn – Chapstick

The colder weather calls for an effective chapstick, which is why I recommend the following brands: Carmex, Burt’s Bees and Lip Smacker. I think we can all agree that the smell and taste of chapstick warrants a good review. All three of these, but specifically Lip Smackers and flavored Carmex, deliver in this category. Another important thing to note about a chapstick is its texture and thickness when applied. All of these go on very smoothly and provide a couple hours worth of moisture.

Charlie Wallin – “Gravity Falls”

On the top of my list of all-time favorite TV shows, Gravity Falls follows twins Dipper and Mabel Pines as they are sent off to Gravity Falls, Oregon, a town filled with anomalies and paranormal activity, to spend the summer with their great uncle (or “grunkle”) Stan. The kids help Grunkle Stan run the “Mystery Shack,” the tourist trap he owns, while figuring out the mysteries of the town. This two-time Emmy award-winning show combines comedy, mystery and thrills all into a 40-episode series, and is worth checking out. You can find Gravity Falls on Hulu Plus, Disney+, or Google Play.

Patricia Novak – “Dead Poets Society”

If you’re a sucker for movies from the 80s like “The Breakfast Club,” “Sixteen Candles” and “Back to the Future,” you’ll want to check out “Dead Poets Society,” too. “Dead Poets Society” stars Robin Williams, a staple in so many iconic movies. The story is about a group of friends that go to an all-boys college preparatory school who have been conditioned to do what the world expects them to do and to forget about any kind of dreams that don’t fit into their parents’ ideals. With the help of their new English teacher, they learn to think for themselves and find meaning in their lives through poetry. This movie has so many plot twists and unexpected turns. This is a great movie, and if you don’t believe me, take it from The BAFTA Awards, NME Awards, and the Academy Awards. 

Ryder Stejskal – “Try Again”

Often as kids, we try more than we remember. Those moments where we remember failure after trial, though, are where the nail hits the bored. If you still want to try something that you remember failing at as a kid, try it again. You’ve learned and changed a lot more than you might give yourself credit for. Personally, I haven’t touched a drawing tutorial in almost a decade because I couldn’t draw a realistic face or a shaded sphere at the age of seven. Doesn’t that sound silly? Don’t continue to fail at something you won’t even give yourself a chance to try again, especially if it has been a decent few years.

Leah Dennison – Be Real

As basic as this recommendation may seem, this app is actually great overall. I was doubtful at first, as the way this app was introduced to me was through Tiktok, however, I’ve ended up using this app every day. It’s a great way to keep a little memory from each day stored in a very organized manner, and it takes up little to no storage on your phone. It is a great way to see where you have been and to remember the little moments you might’ve forgotten about.

Mahima Shankar – Season 3 of “Never Have I Ever”

In the first couple of seasons of this show, I had been skeptical about whether it was intriguing or even worth watching. After viewing the third season though, I would title it the best season out of all 3. This season takes into consideration all the trauma first-generation South Asians face living in America, and how they eventually grow into their culture, and at the same time adapt to the western culture. Additionally, you can watch one of the most problematic characters, Devi Vishukumar, continue to make the worst decisions. 

Sobia Shamim – “The Summer I Turned Pretty”

“The Summer I Turned Pretty” is an awesome trilogy recently adapted into a TV show. It is a coming-of-age rom-com by Jenny Han, author of “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before”, and follows Isabel “Belly” Colkin as she struggles with love. There are love triangles, dresses, and (most importantly) beaches! It is available on Amazon Prime and totally binge-worthy. 

Jack RS -” Dracula” by Bram Stoker

After getting back into reading, I really enjoy reading classic novels such as Bram Stoker’s “Dracula”. Not only has this novel influenced millions of storytellers by creating the main rules for fictional vampires, but it also influenced horror as a genre through its interesting themes of understanding good from evil, falling into manipulation, trying to understand the unknown, and what a Christian interpretation of justice is in the victorian era. It was a good read and I recommend that everyone reads it!

Camila Reyes – Going on a picnic

With summer leaving soon and cooler weather approaching in the coming months, this random recommendation is short lived. Whether it be with friends, family, or even your pet, picnics are a perfect way to relax and enjoy nature with the warm weather. Grab a blanket, your favorite foods and snacks, any type of entertainment (books, a deck of cards, etc.), find a perfect spot on the grass outside, and lastly, enjoy this moment. The best time is golden hour, watching as the sun sets in the comfort of your favorite things. Go make some great memories.

Jake Panek – La Jetée

It’s not often that a film genuinely takes my breath away, but Chris Marker’s “La Jetée” features two of the most powerful and striking moments I’ve ever seen in less than 30 minutes. Constructed almost entirely out of still images, the film tells, in very simple strokes, a story about a time-travel experiment being conducted by the scientists who reside underground in a dystopian, radioactive post-World War III Paris, and their guinea pig, a man who’s fixated on a woman he saw as a child at an airport and haunted by what he would later come to realize was a man’s death. It’s a mind-bending rumination on love, dreams and memories, and absolutely one of the best short films ever made. (Available to watch on YouTube)

Ava Nelson – Get some plants 

Even though the weather is getting cooler, there are many opportunities to bring the outdoors in. Plants can brighten up your home and give you something to do. Some easy plants to take care of are cactuses and succulents. I like to keep my plants on my window sill so they can get enough sunlight and stay healthy. Personally, taking care of my plants has helped me a lot

Ayel Kikama – Write some poetry

Writing poetry is a great way to express your feelings. Any negative feeling you are feeling right now can be put into a poem. The quality of the poem does not matter at all. Poetry is just a way of expressing feelings in whatever way you want. Whatever you write is a good poem. No need for fancy works or clever rhymes, just write what’s on your mind to get rid of all that negative energy. 

Adam Hristov – Rearrange your room

I believe that rearranging the room that you live in is a good way to refresh your mind and help you enjoy the space that you are in more. When you rearrange your room you are a lot more productive with school work. All in all I believe that rearranging your room is really good for productivity and mental health.

Sanchali Pandey – Pinterest

A brilliant and fun way to channel your creative energy, scrolling through Pinterest is one of the best pastimes. Not only is it fun to craft out what you envision as your dream life, but it can also be really motivational and foster a burst of energy within you to get all that homework you’ve been putting off done. Throw in a little music, and the ambience is fully set. Trust me, you won’t even know when an hour turns to six with this app! 

Viraj Desai – Homecoming

Homecoming 2022 will be the first normal homecoming Neuqua has had in 3 years, so why not experience it in your high school era? Last year’s homecoming was not the best it has been, but this year it’s really looking up since the dance will take place in the school. If you are going to the dance, experience all the fun events beforehand as well, such as the football game, pictures, and going out to eat with friends! Dress and tuxedos are on sale right now, so get your outfit fast and go to the dance!

Logan Brown – The Grateful Dead

Are you a fan of Bob Dylan, The Eagles or Jimi Hendrix? If the answer is yes, you might want to check out The Grateful Dead. The Dead have been playing music together for over 57 years and have amassed an enormous fan base over the years. Listening to their music, it is plain to see exactly why people flock to their shows to this day. The Dead have a truly unique sound and listening to their live shows is absolutely magical.

Sean Kirchner – Neuqua Football Games

I have met some of my best friends at these football games and after not being able to attend any sophomore year because of COVID-19,  I would not want to miss anymore. They are lots of fun, and they’re a great way to meet new people and have fun on friday nights. They are limited in number so make the most out of them. The senior class will lead everyone in chants and keep everyone engaged in the front rows. Please follow their instructions and in the student section go to your seat in order of your class. (Seniors lower and freshmen higher).

Zahra Ladak – Spotify

This digital music app gives you access to millions of songs and content from creators across the world. A great way to pass time and make things more enjoyable is Spotify. This app is one that I highly recommend downloading on your device. Using this app could come in handy in so many ways, such as doing your homework, letting go of stress or taking a walk. With access to songs, playlists and podcasts, this app could come in handy on many occasions and will become one of your favorites! 

Virginia Cohrs – “The Displacements”

Out of all the beach books I read this summer, “The Displacements” by Bruce Holsinger is the one that has stayed with me the longest. This climate theme novel, set in the near future, portrays an seemingly affluent family whose entire lifestyle becomes turned upside down by the world’s first Category 6 hurricane. The aftermath of the catastrophic hurricane results in the annihilation of Miami leaving millions homeless. The government’s response to masses of displaced people is to open eighteen mega shelters scattered along the southern states. Written in multiple perspectives, including the hurricane’s, this novel is fast paced, suspenseful and thought provoking.