Category Archives: Entertainment

Travel/Food

Recipe review: Chocolate Ganache Cupcakes

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By: Austin Bailey-Zimmerman

Ingredients for Cupcakes:

  • 1 ⅔ cups of flour
  • 1 cup of sugar
  • ¼ tsp of baking soda
  • 1 ½ tsp of baking powder
  • ¼ tsp of kosher salt
  • ¾ cup of unsalted butter
  • 3 egg whites
  • 1 tbsp of vanilla extract
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • ½ cup whole milk

Ingredients for Frosting:

  • 2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate
  • 2 cups of heavy whipping cream

Instructions:

Cupcakes

  1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
  2. Sift the flour, sugar, salt, baking soda and powder into a large bowl.
  3. Mix the butter, egg whites, vanilla, sour cream, and milk into a separate bowl.
  4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix until fully combined.
  5. Put cupcake liners into a muffin tin and fill them ⅔ of the way full.
  6. Bake for 18 minutes.

Frosting

  1. Heat the heavy whipping cream in a pot over the stove until simmering.
  2. Put chocolate into a medium sized bowl and pour the simmering cream on top.
  3. Cover the bowl with a plate for 2 minutes before mixing.
  4. Take the plate off and cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill until smooth, creamy and set
  5. Beat the mixture until fluffy

Piping

  1. Put frosting into a piping bag.
  2. After cupcakes have fully cooled, pipe the frosting to cover the top
  3. Enjoy!

Review:

These cupcakes were absolutely divine. The cake was so fluffy and dense at the same time. The frosting was so creamy and the chocolate was so rich. I loved the sweet flavor of the vanilla cake and the frosting went with it perfectly because it was so rich. The two flavors complement each other perfectly.

I made these cupcakes with my friends, and we got the recipe from her grandma. They were very enjoyable to make, and we had a great time. It took us a while to make everything, but it was so worth it in the end. They were honestly the best cupcakes I’ve ever made and I will absolutely be making them again in the near future.

These cupcakes are perfect for any occasion, birthdays, holidays, celebrations, or just for fun! They are perfect for chocolate lovers and are so easy to share with everyone!

I hope you enjoy making these as much as I did! Enjoy!

Travel/Food

The history of Bubbl’r

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By: Teagan Mack

Bubbl’r, a refreshing sparkling water, has become a favorite drink in high schools across the country. But how did this fizzy drink become so popular? Let’s take a look at the history of Bubbl’r and how it went from a simple idea to a beloved beverage among students.

Bubbl’r was created by a company called Bubbl’r Beverages and launched in 2019. The idea behind Bubbl’r was simple: make a sparkling drink that’s not only refreshing but also healthy. They wanted to create a drink that had all the fun of soda but without all the sugar and artificial ingredients. Unlike most sparkling waters, which often taste plain, Bubbl’r added fun, fruity flavors to stand out. With zero calories, no added sugars, and a variety of exciting flavors, it was the perfect alternative to sugary sodas.

From the beginning, Bubbl’r quickly gained popularity, especially among teens. The drink became a hit because it was both tasty and refreshing, offering a light, fizzy taste with flavors like Cherry Lime, Mango Passionfruit, and Tropical Blast. As Ellie Harris remarked, “I love how Bubbl’r have a such diverse range of flavors.”

Bubbl’r also caught the attention of students who were looking for a healthier option to quench their thirst. As more people started to realize the benefits of drinking sparkling water instead of soda, Bubbl’r became a popular choice for students trying to cut back on sugar while still enjoying a delicious drink.

The reason Bubbl’r became such a hit with high school students can also be traced back to its clever marketing. The bright colors and fun, youthful branding caught the eye of teens, and the drink became a social media sensation. Teens shared their love for Bubbl’r on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, helping the brand spread quickly. Its fun design and catchy slogans made it impossible to miss in stores, and soon it was everywhere. Even teachers like Ms. Rise couldn’t help but notice Bubbl’r, “I saw students in my IB Geo class drinking bubbl’r and I became interested about why it was so popular. So I got it and I tried it an I loved it. I love it because it tastes like a soda pop and it’s supposed to be really healthy.”

Another factor that made Bubbl’r so popular is its convenience. The drink comes in easy-to-carry cans, making it perfect for students who are always on the go. Whether they were grabbing a can from the vending machine between classes or taking it to lunch, Bubbl’r became the drink of choice for busy high schoolers. Its simple, fizzy taste made it the perfect companion for after-school activities or study sessions. Just take it from Evie Beaumaster, “It keeps me alive and energized throughout the long days of school.”

In addition to its great taste, Bubbl’r is also environmentally friendly. The company uses recyclable cans, which is something that many students appreciate as they become more aware of environmental issues. Bubbl’r’s commitment to sustainability has only helped it grow in popularity, as more teens are looking for brands that care about the planet.

So, the next time you grab a Bubbl’r from the vending machine or share your favorite flavor with a friend, you’ll know a little more about the history behind the drink that’s become a hit in high schools everywhere. From its simple beginning to its rise in popularity, Bubbl’r has made its mark—and it’s here to stay.

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Movies/TV/Theaters

‘To the Bone’

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By: Chloe Rocha

*Warning: This article contains details related to eating disorders

‘To the Bone’ is a movie that was directed by Marti Noxon, and it stars Lily Collins as Ellen who later goes by Eli, Keanu Reeves as Dr. William Beckham, Alex Sharp as Luke, and many other brilliant actors.

This film follows the life of Ellen, who is a 20-year-old woman, while struggling with severe anorexia. Anorexia is a form of an eating disorder which causes the person who is suffering from it to obsess about their weight and what they eat. Ellen undergoes treatment at a recovery home that isn’t like the typical treatment place.

This film was able to portray the raw realities of eating disorders and the tolls it takes on the person and also the loved ones all around them. It was inspired by Marti Noxon’s own personal experience with an eating disorder.

Ellen had been to many other treatment facilities before arriving to the one that she is at during the film. The recovery home had a different approach at trying to help the patients.

Rather than solely focusing on weight gain, like a typical treatment facility for eating disorders would, the one run by Dr. William Beckham, was designed for a more personal approach to battling their illness.

It focused a lot on self advocacy and healing at their own pace. At the house, it wasn’t just a place filled with patients, all of the people who were there, were there for very similar reasons. This created a strong bond between them all. They were more than just a group of patients there, they were all a family.

I think that the fact that Marti Noxon made this movie based on her own experiences with an eating disorder was what made the film such an accurate representation of what it can be like. One example I have is when Ellen’s sister said “I don’t get it, just eat”, those words are what many people who struggle with eating disorders constantly hear. They are told to just eat, and the people telling them this usually don’t understand how challenging it can be.

Doing one simple task of just eating, can feel like a chore sometimes and especially to those who already struggle eating. I found this movie very hard to watch at times, but I think that it is one that people need to see. It shows the harsh realities of eating disorders and it lets people learn what it can be like.

If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, please consider contacting: https://emilyprogram.com/

Travel/Food

Recipe review: Dubai chocolate bar

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By: Austin Bailey-Zimmerman

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups of Kataifi
  • 1 tbls butter
  • 1 cup of pistachio paste
  • 2 ½ cups of milk chocolate

*You can get Kataifi and pistachio paste online and at stores like Golden Nuts

*need a chocolate bar mold*

Instructions:

  1. Roughly chop up the kataifi dough.
  2. melt your butter in a nonstick skillet over medium-low heat, coating the pan.
  3. Add in the chopped kataifi threads and stir occasionally until they become golden brown (about 5-10 mins) and remove from the skillet.
  4. In a large bowl, mix the toasted kataifi with pistachio paste, then set aside.
  5. Melt the milk chocolate in a double boiler.
  6. Spread the melted chocolate on the inside of the chocolate bar mold until it covers the entire bottom.
  7. Freeze for 10 mins.
  8. Spoon the pistachio and kataifi mixture into the mold. Use a knife to flatten the filling and ensure it is spread to the sides of the mold.
  9. Gently add a top layer of milk chocolate to the mold.
  10. Freeze for another 10 mins or until the chocolate hardens.
  11. Enjoy!

Background:

The Dubai chocolate bar is a viral chocolate bar filled with Kataifi, which is tiny shredded crunchy dough, and pistachio cream. It is originally a dessert from Dubai, and is from Fix Dessert Chocolatier, where the catchphrase is “Can’t get Knafeh of it”. The chocolate bar has become a viral dessert in 2024 particularly on TikTok.

Review:

I absolutely loved this recipe. I have been seeing Dubai chocolate all over the internet and I have wanted to try it for so long. I found this great recipe and got a chocolate mold and decided to try it out for myself. My friend and I followed this very easy step-by-step recipe, and the result was amazing!

The chocolate bar was so sweet and the filling was the perfect mixture of crunchy and creamy. The pistachio and chocolate went together perfectly, the flavors balancing each other out. The bar was very big and I could easily split it with my friend.

I got this recipe from https://www.chocolatesandchai.com/dubai-chocolate-bar/ by Sarah Hamouda, and she did a great job making the recipe easy to follow and have great results every time!

I will definitely be making this again, and so should you! I hope you enjoy!

Travel/Food

Cinnamon Streusel Muffin Review

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 By: Alice Rapacz

Ingredients:

Muffin

  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup/8 tablespoons unsalted butter (at room temperature)
  • ¾ cup light brown sugar
  • 2 eggs (at room temperature)
  • ½ cup sour cream (at room temperature)
  • ¼ cup whole milk
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Cinnamon Streusel Topping

  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a 12 count muffin tin with cupcake liners or spray with non-stick cooking spray.
  2. In a medium bowl add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt, combine together.
  3. In the bowl of a stand mixer or in a large bowl with an electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugar, about 2-3 minutes.
  4. Add in the 2 eggs, sour cream, milk, and vanilla. Beat on medium speed until just combined.
  5. Add in the dry ingredients and use a spatula or spoon to combine just until there are no more dry flour patches remaining.
  6. Make the streusel topping by melting the butter in a microwave safe bowl. Next add the sugar to the melted butter and mix until combined. Then add the flour and cinnamon and mix together until you have clumps of the mixture.
  7. Put the batter into the muffin tin, making sure to fill the liners all the way to the top.
  8. Sprinkle each muffin with the streusel topping.
  9. Bake the muffins for 5 minutes at 425 degrees and immediately reduce the heat to 350 degrees and bake for an additional 12-15 minutes.
  10. Once a toothpick can be inserted into the muffin and comes out clean, the muffins are done.
  11. Allow the muffins to cool for 5 minutes in the muffin tin, then take them out and let them cool on a wire rack.
  12. Lastly, Enjoy!

Review:

I thought that this recipe from Chisel & Fork was really good. Typically for baking recipes, I like to use Sally’s Baking addiction, but this time I wanted to try something new. I found this recipe for Cinnamon Streusel Muffins and wanted to give it a try. I thought that the recipe was easy to follow and understand. I followed the directions step by step, first measuring out my dry ingredients, and in a separate bowl my wet. I used a stand mixer to combine the wet ingredients, and I found that the end result is not as smooth as I thought it would be. There were small chunks of sour cream in the mixture even though I had mixed it for more than enough time. I was a little surprised at first, but once I added the dry ingredients into the wet, it all came together really nicely.

Once I divided the muffin batter into the tin, I topped each muffin with the streusel. I added too much on the first muffins, so I had to divide and sprinkle them onto other muffins to make sure there was enough for each one. Once they were baked, they filled my house with a warm cinnamon smell.

When I tried the muffin warm for the first time, it had a perfect texture, light, and fluffy. The streusel on top added a perfect crunch, that wasn’t too crunchy, it just added the perfect texture. The muffin itself had a nice cinnamon flavor, but I thought that the addition of the streusel was needed for extra cinnamon flavor. Everyone in my family tried them and two days later all the muffins were gone. They are the perfect sweet treat or easy on the go breakfast. Overall, I would definitely recommend this recipe if you’re looking for a quick, easy and delicious muffin recipe.

Movies/TV/Theaters

‘Prison Break’ review

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By: Sasha Deans

*Warning: This review contains minor spoilers

I think ‘Prison Break’ is a great series that is definitely meant for people who enjoy more serious and intense shows. It’s not at all a fun and games type of show like something you’d see on Disney. Instead, it’s very realistic and maybe even scary realistic at times. There are also a lot of very sad and heartbreaking scenes that make you think about what really happens in high-security prisons.

The show does a good job of portraying the range of criminals in prison. Of course, the two brothers, Michael and Lincoln, have a unique story. But aside from them, you see inmates who have committed serious crimes like rape, murder, assassinations, and high-level theft. However, there are also people in there for lesser crimes, like carjackers. This variety makes the show very interesting because you get to learn each criminal’s backstory and why they ended up in prison.

One of the things I really love about Prison Break is how it shows the harsh reality of the American prison system. It makes you wonder what’s really going on in our government that we may not even know about. The show subtly reveals the dark side of the system, and it really opened my eyes to what could be happening behind closed doors.

Another huge theme in the show is the relationships between the characters. One of my favorites is the friendship between Michael and Sucre. They started off as cellmates in Season 1 but ended up becoming lifelong best friends who would do anything for each other. Their bond is really heartwarming to watch, especially considering the dark environment they’re in.

But the most powerful theme in the show is definitely family love. Michael spent most of his life resenting his brother Lincoln, but the moment Lincoln was sentenced to death, Michael did not hesitate to risk his entire life, career, and freedom to break his brother out of prison. It’s a perfect example of family over everything. You also see a similar bond between Lincoln and his son, LJ, who would do anything for each other.

I also really enjoyed the love stories in the show, like Sucre and Maricruz. Sucre literally escaped prison just to be with Maricruz and their daughter. Another powerful love story is Michael and Sara’s. Michael had to make extremely dangerous and life-threatening decisions just to protect Sara, showing how strong their love was.

The acting in Prison Break is absolutely amazing. It feels very realistic, and the suspense is heart-stopping. The show has a lot of action—like gunfights, car chases, aircraft escapes, bombs, and more. So, if you love high-action, intense shows, this is definitely one you need to watch.

Final Verdict:

I would give Prison Break a 5/5. It has everything—action, suspense, drama, romance, and shocking plot twists. It’s definitely not a lighthearted show, but if you enjoy a deep, serious, and realistic series, this is absolutely worth watching. It will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. Highly recommended!

You can watch on Netflix!

Movies/TV/Theaters

Analysis and review of the movie ‘Aftersun’ by Charlotte Wells

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By: Chloe Rocha

*Warning: This review includes spoilers

The movie ‘Aftersun’ is written and directed by Charlotte Wells and Charlotte stated that this movie is loosely based on her personal experience of a holiday with her father.

This film follows the life of Sophie and Calum, through the view of a home video lens. It captures the themes of memory, time, love, and loss in a beautiful way that may be overlooked by some viewers. There are very small details throughout the movie that when watching the first time, you may not seem to recognize because you don’t understand the full picture.

Calum and Sophie were on a family vacation at a Turkish resort, and Calum was trying to provide Sophie, who was his daughter, the best experience she could have, despite his struggling to make ends meet. Not only was he struggling financially, but he was also struggling mentally. He tries to put up a front to give Sophie the experience she deserves, but deep down he struggled severely with depression.

As the film goes on, it becomes more apparent that this vacation may be the last one they experience together. This is hinted through the fact that despite his financial struggles, he kept on buying things for Sophie to remember him by. For example he purchased a rug for 850 pounds, and the rug is later seen in the movie when it shows up in Sophie’s adult life.

When she was younger she never fully understood her father’s struggle with mental health, she only viewed him as a distant dad. But when she is older, she is tries to recall what really went on during that vacation.

Through old films that she made while documenting their vacation, she truly sees how much he was struggling, and while she couldn’t understand it when she was younger, now she does. But there were pieces of the story that were missing for both her and the audience, which allows viewers to infer what really happened.

The ending of the movie was very heartbreaking because it shows adult Sophie watching her father disappear into a strobe lit void, and he essentially lost himself as well. I interpreted this scene as a metaphor for loss, suggesting that Calum is no longer present in Sophie’s life, and that may be due to his passing.

While this movie has a very slow pacing, I think it was so the audience would be able to capture and truly understand the characters and their emotions. At the beginning, I didn’tunderstand the movie, but I quickly realized and recognized the underlying themes throughout the film.

I think this movie was beautifully made and perfectly depicts the realities of depression and how it can interfere with the lives of your loved ones as well.

You can watch ‘Aftersun’ on Netflix.

Books/Art

Review of ‘John Cleese Saved My Life…and Other True Tales Of Pop, Politics and Prayer’ by Scott Berndt

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By: Evie Beaumaster

In the book ‘John Cleese Saved My Life… and Other True Tales of Pop, Politics and Prayer’, Berndt combines memories with past global events and songs, to teach not only his personal experience but the experiences of countless people. The book follows Berndt through many different times in his life and the spiritual and mental journeys that led him there.

I haven’t ever read a memoir quite like it. I believe that there are two types of memoirs, ones that share just experiences and ones that share experiences and wisdom. This book definitely shares wisdom more than just life experiences. All of the experiences that are shared here are shared in insightful ways that lead to us learning more about the bigger picture of the time period and the world. Berndt shares memories followed by quotes and song lyrics to help the reader grasp the bigger picture of the memory or the point that he is trying to share.

This book also gives insightful opinions about religion and religious beliefs, it also questions religion at its core. This book combines memory with facts about the time period and impacts of certain events, locally and globally. I think that Berndt successfully captured part of himself in the book.

This book was great, it was quick paced and cut up into short memories, and facts. This book took me approximately 3 hours to read and I finished it the same day I got my hands on the copy of the book that is available in the school library. This book is hard to put down and I only found myself stopping to eat, before I sat down and finished the entire book in one night. It was such an attention grabbing book and was an easy read.

Overall, I would recommend this book and in terms of memoirs, it is a great one. Berndt’s unique writing style helps capture the reader’s attention. I was skeptical at first, but I found myself captivated by the mix of songs, quotes and memories. Unlike some other memoirs, Berndt included research for timely events that relate to the book and this helps the reader think more deeply about the time period. I would recommend this book to older, less sensitive readers, as there are descriptions of violence and racism, as well as religious content and profanities that some readers might find offensive.

Overall, it is an excellent book that you should totally read!

For more information, please visit these websites:

Getting To Know/History, Travel/Food

The history of Trolli

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By: Maya Song

Trolli is a long standing candy manufacturing company known all across the world. It was founded in Germany in 1948 by Willy Menderer, which was then passed down to his son, Herbert Mederer in 1981. The company is now operated by the Mederer group which acquired the company in 1998.

The company expanded its reach to the United States in 1982, which introduced their product to a whole new population. Places such as Asia, North America, and Europe all saw the potential of this brand and invested in helping it grow. The fact that Trolli was given the opportunity to sell its products internationally really helped the company reach the status that it holds today, as one of the world’s biggest candy manufacturing companies ever.

They reached their highest accolade in 1993 when their famous sour glow worm won the Candy Kettle Award, a highly prestigious award that other famous companies like Ferrero, Lindt, Nestlé, and Haribo have won.

Some of their bestsellers include the sour brite crawlers, peach rings, and my personal favorite, egg gummies. Trolli is well known for having very creative flavors and designs as well as experimenting with sour flavors. The company does not sit on their laurels but constantly comes out with new things for consumers to try. They provide a variety of different gummy candies and have become a very successful and popular company due to their innovation.

While there are a plethora of other candy manufacturing companies around the world that compete with Trolli, Trolli will always be one of the originals. Trolli has remained one of the most successful ones out there for nearly 75 years, while it continues to grow its brand and followers.

In my personal opinion, I truly love Trolli gummies, especially the gummy eggs. I think that they are definitely worthy of their status, and it is always a guarantee to fulfill a sweet craving.

Entertainment

The paradox of tragedy: Are crime junkies ‘sadists’ or is there something more?

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By: Maya Vossen-Nelson

In 2024, crime podcasts consistently occupied spots in both Apple Podcasts and Spotify’s Top Charts and IMDb announced that over 58 new TV documentary series were released in 2024.

On the surface, individuals who enjoy crime podcasts, crime TV and crime novels seem like sadists; they seek out media recalling the pain and suffering of others. But there is actually a deeper psychological component.

Individuals are attracted to tragedy because it is human nature to be highly attuned to threatening behavior. Humans want to discover the patterns, causes and outcomes of harmful situations to protect themselves and loved ones. This is a survival instinct ingrained in the human psyche since before homo sapiens emerged.

This draw is similar to the desire to know what is happening when an ambulance goes by or being unable to look away from a highway crash. Most people don’t wish harm on others, so why has an entire industry been built on this fascination?

Although the TV is relatively new, this question has puzzled philosophers for centuries. Aristotle first explored this topic and observed that “[W]e enjoy looking at the most exact portrayals of things whose actual sight is painful to us”. A Stanford Philosophy article reflects on Aristotle’s quote and reasons that there is “pleasure as arising from the knowledge acquired in viewing such representations”.

This can be further explained by brain research that shows human brains experience danger and passion in strikingly similar ways: both causing arousal, both releasing dopamine. Dopamine is often described as the brain’s ”pleasure chemical” and is responsible for actions relating to cognition and reward. Dopamine can be released during pleasurable activities (such as eating and social interaction), during the anticipation of rewards, foreseeing favorable outcomes and while achieving goals. The dopamine released while watching crime TV is produced from anticipation and from experiencing intense emotions regardless of if it is repulsion or fascination.

Studies show that women are more likely than men to seek out content that analyzes the killer’s motive, contains information on how victims escaped and what actions increase the risk of becoming a target for killers.

Female fascination with crimes is not because they are more likely to become murderers, it is actually quite the opposite. Women make up fewer than 20% of murders, are approximately 60% more likely to be victims of kidnapping and 90% more likely than men to be victims of rape.

So, the next time you see someone watching a crime documentary don’t be so quick to judge.