Jesse Jackson was an African American male born in Greenville, South Carolina on October 8th, 1941. He went to a racially segregated school, Sterling High School and Jesse said growing up with the Jim Crow segregation law he was taught/told to go to the back of the bus and use a separate water fountain. He had to accept it and it was rough.
Jesse Jackson was also bullied growing up because of his out- of-wedlock birth. He said “Being bullied growing up motivated me to succeed.”
After he graduated high school in 1959, he rejected a contract from a minor professional baseball team so he could attend the University of Illinois on a football scholarship, but after his second semester at the predominantly white college, Jesse Jackson transferred to North Carolina A&T, a historically black university. He said the reason he transferred was because “Racial prejudice prevented me from playing quarterback and limited my playing.”
At A&T Jackson played quarterback and was elected student president. He became active in local civil rights protests against segregated libraries, theaters and restaurants. During that time, he graduated with a B.S. Degree in 1964.
He then attended the Chicago Theological Seminary on a scholarship. He left the seminary in 1966, three classes short of earning his master’s degree, to focus full-time on the civil rights movement.
He was ordained a minister in 1968and was awarded a Master of Divinity degree by Chicago Theological Seminary in 2000, based on his previously earned credits and his subsequent work and life experience.
In 1965, Jesse Jackson participated in the Selma to Montgomery march, where he met and worked alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He subsequently joined the SCLC and despite everything that was going on Jesse still wanted to push harder to make a difference.
After King was assassinated, it was a tragedy, but things couldn’t just stop there so Jesse Jackson started his own organization People United to Save Humanity (PUSH), focusing on economic empowerment and, later, political advocacy.
‘Dandy’s World’ is a mascot horror game on Roblox, taking place in the abandoned Gardenview Educational Center and Museum. Gardenview was an attraction for children, housing real, living counterparts to their respective characters in the show. It additionally doubled as a studio for working on episodes. It closed in 2002 after 14 years of operation because of an incident regarding the living main character. The game itself takes place after this “incident,” where you play as the various characters known as “Toons” that are still stuck in the facility. Your primary goal is to complete as many floors as possible by filling up machines with ichor to power the elevator, while avoiding malevolent versions of the cast—known as “Twisteds”.
On February 27th, ‘Dandy’s World’ released a new minor update, adding a new Toon, a new area to explore, and an achievement system. This update had a lot of expectations from the community—the development team finished a recent rework of parts of the game to allow more complex things in future updates.
The new Toon, Squirm, was met with positive feedback. His character is fun to play—his ability to eat books off of nearby shelves for a machine boost is something no one expected; I hope the development team continues to make characters with unique special abilities.
^ Image of Squirm—specifically his vintage cosmetic
Squirm’s personality, however, was controversial among fans when he released. His entire character revolves around being sad, scared, and miserable all the time—like Shrimpo, another Toon revolving around another negative emotion: anger. I think his character, while annoying, is what ‘Dandy’s World’ needs. Shrimpo being the only antagonist in the entire show was disappointing to me, and while Squirm isn’t mean compared to Shrimpo, his rollercoaster of emotions brings out scenarios previously unexplored in dialogue.
Squirm, like all other characters, has a “Twisted” version acting as an enemy to all players. His Twisted is unique and changes up gameplay when active on a floor—hanging down from the ceiling and dropping down to grab any players that make the mistake of coming too close. This is particularly harmful to “distractors,” a role tasked to lead enemies away from other teammates so they can work on powering the elevator without issue. Distractors are common within experienced teams, so a new strategy to deal with Squirm will be necessary.
In ‘Dandy’s World’, there’s 4 rarities: Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Main Character. Squirm’s major flaw (which isn’t even the Toon’s fault) is his rarity—being a Rare Toon. The rarity system in ‘Dandy’s World’ is far from perfect, and Squirm’s existence is detrimental to his rarity tier. Players need to encounter Twisted Squirm to get research on him to unlock his playable Toon variant and his Trinket (Trinkets are unique equippable items that give you different perks).
The game determines how rare a Twisted is through a list system, with each rarity weighted differently. This system works like a deck of cards; every rarity has a set number of cards in that deck: 75 Common cards, 25 Uncommon cards, and 8 Rare cards. For each Twisted to spawn on the floor, a random “card” is drawn, and a random enemy is then spawned from the card’s respective rarity. Main Character cards throw this system into a loop—every 5 floors, 4 Main cards are added to this hypothetical deck, with every other rarity not scaling with the Main Characters.
For example, when starting the game, there’s a 7.41% chance that when an enemy spawns, it will be Rare. Once you get to the 5th floor, this chance decreases to 7.14% because Main Characters are now in the “deck”. At the 10th floor, Main Characters are now as common as Rare enemies (both being 6.9% with every enemy spawned). This trend continues, with the Main Characters later becoming the most common enemy; even more ubiquitous than Common Toons themselves!
And the chances mentioned above are only for rarities. After that, each character in the rarity tier has an equal chance of being chosen. In Squirm’s case, he is 1 of 7 Rare characters. That means the 7.14% chance on floors 1-4 doesn’t represent his true spawn rate in an accurate way; he has a 1.06% chance of spawning as an enemy then! This percentage nosedives into chances less than 1% starting on floor 5—making his encounter excessively rare.
Having the additional information that Twisted Squirm must be encountered to acquire his character and trinket, and that he’s part of the rarest group in the entire game, you can see how the community was annoyed. This problem showed itself before, during the Halloween and Christmas events, where limited-time characters were added to the rarity pools, indirectly making all characters rarer for the duration of the event. Eclipse and Coal, the two Rare characters in each event, were notoriously hard to find. Parallel to Squirm, many said the only challenge to getting the Rare event Toons was luck itself.
What differed from the event updates compared to now is the misinformation. I have seen conglomerations of fans saying that Rare Toons (specifically a Toon named Blot) were removed from the game via a “glitch.” This is not true—I have talked with many people who have all encountered him during the newest update, and the developer team itself has not claimed this is true. The only reason why people may think this way is because all Rare Toons have a 1.06% chance of spawning at most, giving the illusion to casual players that some Twisteds may never show up.
The development team addressed this on March 5th with their Easter event teaser, stating that they completely changed how rarities work and gave a short table of percentages from a sample of early floors. This system is far from simple; I tried extrapolating data to get a general understanding of how it works, but I could find little correlation between data points. One thing I could predict with certainty was that Rare toons will have an extra added weight of 2 (2 more cards, if you’re still following the example from earlier), raising their starting chances from 7.41% to 9.09% in the new update!
Overall, Squirm’s addition was a net positive, but the surrounding hype was dampened partly from his dislikable personality and from his initial Twisted rarity at the time of the update.
The new area, the library, is a new map that can be randomly encountered from the start of the game. It has a center with shelves rotated every which way to create asymmetrical, tight spaces to navigate—and outer areas that are more open and predictable. This map is tied to Squirm through various bits of lore throughout the floor, and also meshes well with the rest of the characters. From what I have seen, most people enjoy the map and have no qualms with it.
^ Outer section of the library map during a blackout (image brightened)
The community was additionally surprised with a rework of another area, the gift shop. Whereas the library was received positively, this rework came across as unnecessary to many. Not only did it change the shop’s entire layout, it also made the entire area much more spacious; the area was already spacious enough to many. Personally, I like the reworked gift shop, but removing the old gift shop was a bad idea. The rework would work better as a variant of the gift shop—more variants of newer maps are needed for variety.
Finally, the developers added an achievement system as a smaller part to a new menu, the journal. The journal sets up future updates with a few locked sections, such as a dialogue viewer, and other collectible menus. The achievements are a welcome addition to the game, with 25+ different challenges for players to beat! They hit the mark with optional achievements, such as beating a challenge floor with the weakest character in the game, to getting chased by 6 enemies at once. There are also plenty of benchmark achievements that players can get through normal gameplay.
While most of the achievements are wonderful, the ranking system that goes along with it is so unbelievably unbalanced. For example, according to the game, it is harder to complete a floor under 1 minute than getting to floor 50—getting to just floor 20 has been widely considered being a difficult task by the community even before the update, while completing a floor in under 1 minute is easily attainable during the beginning of runs if you have at least 4 people.
A floor 100 achievement was also added, with that being the most debated addition the update brought. Only a select few people have ever gotten to floor 100, and the people that did it spent hours, even days on a single run. Some think the removal of the achievement would benefit the game, while others think an optional challenge that doesn’t affect gameplay isn’t that bad.
In summary, the new ‘Dandy’s World’ update was taken well, with the community enjoying the grand majority of it. I’ve been working on catching up with getting everything in the game, and while the new achievements are quite an obstacle, I’m not discouraged in the slightest to continue playing the game.
The Personal Project is a semester-long project completed by 10th graders for IB schools like Highland Park. Students have to choose a topic, create a product, and submit a paper about the process.
The Personal Project is stressful for students due to it usually overlapping with other academic pressures, being more of a self-directed project, and being long-term. The project spans over several months meaning students have to manage their time wisely so they can submit the project on time. Some students have a lot on their plate with school work or extracurricular activities so students usually push off doing their project which leads to extreme procrastination.
Managing your time and doing the project is a challenge but picking a topic is usually what is most stressful and hardest for students. From what I’ve seen from my peers, many students don’t know their topic until December or even January. There are a lot of topics to pick from, too many in fact, which makes it harder for students to choose. A common issue when picking a topic is picking one and it being too broad and actually being three projects. This usually leads to a burnout.
Usually students find a way to deal with the stress and submit their Personal Project finished. Many students, including me, broke down the project into smaller pieces. Some made a schedule to make sure they were on track.
I interviewed a sophomore who had just done their Personal Project and asked how stressful the Personal Project was and how he dealt with it. The interviewee replied with “It was extremely stressful because I procrastinated a lot”. He then said that when the stress was too overwhelming, he went to his PP advisor. His advisor gave him a layout and some advice which helped him a lot. The interviewee ended up finishing his project on time.
No matter what method, most students doing the Personal Project managed themselves well enough to prevent burnout and to pass.
‘Waves’ is a young adult film made in 2019. The film is produced by Trey Edward Shults, Kevin Turen and Jim Wilson. The main cast of the movie contains Tyler (played by Kelvin Harrison), Alexis (played by Alexa Demie), Emily (played by Taylor Russel) and Ronald (played by Sterling Brown).
The film starts off with Tyler, it shows his routine and how much pressure is being put on him especially from his dad Ronald. He has a lot of anger built up but his girlfriend Alexis is the only one to keep him at peace. One night, Alexis finds out she’s pregnant, and they plan on getting an abortion but once they get to the clinic, she changes her mind. They leave the place and end up arguing in the car about it which leads to Alexis stepping out of the car and walking home. Tyler was very angry about the situation and destroyed his bedroom out of anger, and they ended up breaking up which led to Tyler to start taking drugs. Around that time, prom arrives. They don’t end up going together and she decides to go with her boy best friend. Jealousy overcomes Tyler through an Instagram post of them together, and he decides to show up at the prom’s after party to look for Alexis.
He storms out of the house which makes his parents worried, and once he arrives at the party he sees Alexis walking upstairs with her boy best friend. He assumes the worst and once Alexis comes back down he follows after her. She went into the garage for some drinks and that’s when Tyler appeared. They started arguing again about whether or not she should abort the baby and should they get back together. She slaps him across the face because he was yelling at her and that’s when Tyler punched her, killing her. He runs away and Emily finds her body and eventually Tyler gets caught by the police which leads him to get life in prison.
The second half of the movie is about his twin sister Emily and about how after the tragic incident with Alexis she didn’t feel the same. She would get death threats and keep to herself, until one day a boy named Luke asked her on a date. She decided to go and they really liked each other. From that day on they would talk everyday and would go on trips with each other. They became a couple, and they were there for each other through the most rough times, like when Luke’s dad passed away, and when Emily would blame herself for Alexis. They made each other happy.
This film really feels like two different movies. The first half really shows toxic masculinity and the intense relationships between Tyler and his family. The film had a lot of vibrant colors for whatever emotion was portrayed on the screen. The second half of the film was very calming, as it emphasized love and forgiveness, dealing with the hate and overcoming the pain. The film did feel like a wave of emotions; I really like this movie because of that. The soundtrack was amazing as well (Frank Ocean, Tyler the Creator), it had a lot of good powerful songs.
I give this movie a 5/5. I recommend this film to whoever likes to feel the emotions through the screen. You can watch this film on Tubi, Hulu, and Amazon Prime.
In a society where negative mental health impacts the lives of millions, it is easy to assume that money, fame, and achievements will keep these issues at bay. However, this was not the case for former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Rondale Moore.
Born five weeks premature in New Albany, Indiana, Moore was the youngest of four children born to a single mother. Financial struggles and family issues highlighted his childhood, but he found an outlet in sports. At just 5 foot 7, Moore faced both mental and physical adversity throughout his athletic careers in both football and basketball.
Eventually, Moore chose to dedicate himself to football, a decision that led his family to move to Louisville, Kentucky. While navigating the uprooting of his life, Moore led Trinity High School to an undefeated season en route to earning Kentucky’s Player-of-the-Year title.
Highly sought-after due to his passion and freak athleticism, Moore chose Purdue University, in his home state of Indiana. As a true freshman, he was thrust into the national spotlight and did not disappoint. He recorded 114 catches, 12 touchdowns, and 1,470 yards in the ultra-competitive Big Ten conference.
In addition to dominating on the field, Rondale excelled in the classroom, graduating from Purdue in just three years. Teammates, coaches, and professors gushed over Moore’s work ethic, passion, and dedication in all aspects of his life.
After earning his degree, Moore declared for the 2021 NFL Draft. He was chosen in the second round by the Arizona Cardinals and cruised into the starting lineup. His lifelong dream had been accomplished, but he was not yet satisfied. His dedication drove him to expect perfection from himself whenever possible.
After his rookie year, injuries began severely affecting Moore. Although most were minor, he suffered a severe knee injury after being traded to the Atlanta Falcons in early 2024. After fighting through a grueling and isolating rehabilitation process, Moore earned another chance with the Minnesota Vikings in 2025.
In his first preseason game with Minnesota, while returning a punt, Moore was awkwardly tackled and pinned, bending his knee at an excruciating angle. He had completely torn his ACL, ending his 2025 campaign before it even started. The heartbreak caused by consecutive season-ending injuries is uncharted for most people, and was yet another difficult obstacle for Rondale.
After trudging through adversity, working for everything, and dedicating his entire life to football, Moore felt further from fulfillment than ever. Although dreading the hard work and emotional challenge, he chose to endure another rehab cycle in hope of returning to the field at some point.
After supporting his teammates from the sidelines in crutches for the second year in a row, Moore entered the offseason alone, in pain, and hopeless. His lifelong, seemingly invincible flame was flickering.
Back home, nursing his ACL, Moore could no longer bear the emotional and physical burdens of his injuries. On February 21st, 2026, Rondale Moore was found dead in his hometown of New Albany, Indiana. His cause of death was a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was only 25 years old.
Rondale’s death left a void in the lives of teammates, coaches, fans, and family members. A contagious smile, competitive atmosphere, and high character followed Moore wherever he went. Additionally, he was a star in his community, purchasing a house for his mother and leading youth football camps around Indiana.
Although a tragic story, Rondale Moore’s legacy will be one of determination, grit, and hope. He will be remembered for his character and will, without a doubt, be honored by Trinity High School, Purdue, and the 3 NFL teams who were lucky enough to work with him.
Mental health is not something that should be ignored. Moore’s story demonstrates that wealth, fame, and achievement do not correlate to true happiness. Resources are out there for everyone, and it is important to seek help before hopelessness becomes overwhelming. Moore will be a motivation for many, and his tragic passing will serve as a reminder that mental health matters.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline:
Anyone can call or text 988 if you need help or if you are worries about a friend or family member. 988 is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You are not alone, reach out for support.
‘Dexter’ is a television show about psychological thriller created by Jeff Lindsay in 2004. The show revolves around a man who is a forensic blood spatter analyst for the Miami police department. Throughout the show we see the main character struggle with violent urges, following a moral code, and living a double life.
Dexter Morgan is a forensic blood spatter analyst for the Miami police department, helping solve murder cases. However, he secretly lives the double life as a serial killer who targets murderers. He follows a strict moral code that was instilled within him from a very young age. This is supposed to keep Dexter in check so he doesn’t harm innocent people. Growing up, he experienced severe traumatic events such as his mother getting murdered right in front of his own eyes. After the incident, he was adopted by a Miami police officer. His adoptive father tried but failed to break Dexter out these weird behaviors, but nonetheless it didn’t lead anywhere. Throughout the show we see Dexter change from someone who thinks he is a pure monster to recognizing his humanity.
Throughout the show Dexter works as a forensic blood spatter analyst while also hiding his secret. Throughout the show, we see Dexter use Miami metro database information to track potential targets. In each episode of Dexter, he does his job as a blood analyst and uses his lunch breaks to look for potential killings. Throughout the show we see Dexter face villains every season while also keeping his identity in check. This gets evermore difficult as the show progresses. His friends become suspicious because of his activity and actions. This leads to multiple climactic endings that keeps the viewer invested.
Dexter has multiple relationships with female characters through the course of the series. Characters such as Rita Bennett, Lila West, and Debra Morgan play a major role in his life. He first dates Rita Bennett, who he initially sees as a safe cover for his double life, but he gradually develops genuine feelings as the show progresses. Lila West was important for Dexter’s character because she taught him to accept the monster he is rather than running away from it. As she teaches him to bring out his darker impulses. Lastly Debra Morgan, Dexter’s sister remains a central character throughout the series, she helps Dexter throughout the show in the more emotional parts of the series. Throughout the show we see how Dexter grow and learns from every female cast character he meets and connects with.
You can watch ‘Dexter’ on Paramount+ or other streaming services with a subscription.
In the modern world with constant stimulation, forced routines, and social gatherings, being alone for some people lets them feel free. Maybe by having a routine they can control having the freedom to not perform, or creative freedom to do things their own way. Most people prefer being alone often but some people revolve their day around being alone. Some people may go to sleep early because they are lonely, while others stay up late because they love being alone.
People that prefer solitude often prefer to do casual things alone than to do what people think is fun in social settings. They might prefer to go exercise at home than to go to a party, not because they don’t like people but simply because going to a party is less fun than being alone.
One big reason people prefer being alone is because they have the freedom to focus deeply without distractions, whether on themselves, work, or the future, thinking often can be better alone. Many innovative jobs have come from people with preferences like this. Think scientists, coders, artists. You can dig deep into the technicals when you’re alone and have the chance and freedom to really focus. From people at school buried in homework to someone with a career that demands focus, solitude is often a tool you can’t afford to skip out on.
Also, while in solitude, you can vent much more. Most people like to vent about things, and people do this in different ways. Many ways of venting can only really be done when alone. Things like writing in a diary, talking out loud, exercising, or having a hobby, are usually about having a time when you feel free and can be yourself, often when alone.
It’s about focus and balance, not dislike of people. I personally think about my day as getting through it alone, and social settings can just cloud my routine. I usually set up alone times, like studying time, exercising time, and time with my hobbies in order to feel complete and stay on routine. This only is one example of why people may prefer solitude.
In the end, solitude is about balance, physical freedom, creative freedom, and routine. People may need their alone time to exercise, make something new, build skills, and manage time, ensuring their entire routine is structured and on schedule. If you notice someone probably prefers solitude it could be because of one of these reasons or similar, it’s not a bad thing.
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