Opinion
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Cole Donat
Cole Donat
The Importance of a Summer Job
We can all feel it in the air. The days are getting longer, the birds have flown back north, and the ACs are turned way up. Summer is nearly here. For a privileged few, the summer is a time to kick back, relax, and enjoy themselves in a season without work or grades. But, for most of us, we can't skip a beat between school and summer jobs. In many ways summer jobs can be stressful and time-consuming. However, the classic summer job is a staple of maturity and a first step into the working world, not to mention a memorable experience.
Image Credit: The Maplewoodian
Parents can wax poetic about their first jobs endlessly, to many unemployed students’ horror. Who can blame them? After all ones first job sets the tone for their entire career. During these summer jobs we can find our professional interests, get job experience, and learn how to manage finances. “I feel great when I get my (pay)check” said Zach Singer, ‘19, a lifeguard at the Maplewood Country Club, “Not only is it money, it’s also an accomplishment.” Among hardworking students, the sense of accomplishment seems to be a common thread. “It’s good to know that the money you’re earning is… yours, not your parents’” said Benjamin Harteveld, ‘19, who works at the Able Baker bakery. The trend isn’t just local though, approximately 71% of teens, according to a study conducted by the Boston Private Industry Council (BPIC), report satisfaction with their summer employment.
Summer jobs do seem to be more than face-value labor. They are a right of passage for students coming of age, and can provide memorable experiences that can’t be found elsewhere. “I don’t regret signing up for my job at all” said Singer, “Every summer I’m excited to go back”.
The Annual Performance of The Special Dance Company at Columbia High School
By: Beverlie Lefevre
#OPspecialdanceperformance553/600
The Special Dance Company at Columbia High School (CHS) is a company where students learn and study modern dance techniques, improvisations, choreography, dance history and more by the guide of Kandice N. Point-Du-Jour, who is the program director and also a gym (dance) teacher at CHS. The company is made up of sophomores, juniors, and seniors at CHS who were chosen through a very challenging dance audition process. The company was founded by Janet Hicks in 1971. This year the company celebrated their 47 years with an annual performance this weekend on Friday and Saturday at CHS.
After watching and observing the performance over the weekend some students at CHS loved the performance that they had given. “I liked the performance because it’s fun to see different expressions of dancing”. Said, Sabine Wancique, ‘18. A student who also did not regret their money’s worth of a performance is Elevenie Desrosiers, ‘18. She said, “ The choreographies were well done. It showed that they put a lot of time and thought into it. It was overall a great Performance this year.” “ I really liked the halftime…I preferred when they were all on stage together dancing because it showed unity among the program”, explained Desrosiers talking about her favorite part.
On the topic of favorite parts of the performance, some of the students favorite part was the choreography and the way that dancers express themselves in the dance. “ You can tell that the dancers are connected with the music the way they move their body with different emotions and expressions and telling a story with each performance.” Said, Wancique. Another student who likes how the dancers express themselves is Christel Emile, ‘18. “ My favorite part of the performance is everything that was in it, the way that the dancers express themselves in each movement in happiness or joy, or with sadness and add a lot of energy to it to tell a different story,” She went on and said.
In conclusion, the student at CHS loved the annual performances that the special dance company had to offer. “ Their performance was extraordinary, from the style, the emotions and overall the productions was just amazing”. Said Madelyne Ulysse, ‘19. But the special dance doesn’t only perform at CHS, but the also perform at other events throughout the year. Such as, the NJ Performing Arts center, Teen Arts Festival, Dance Gala and may more. “ The annual performance at CHS is not the only place to see them[special dance company] dance, they perform throughout the whole South Orange-Maplewood community in festivals and Arts centers. So It is great to go see the other performance that they put together because the program is just amazing and I can’t remember in the three years that I have been at CHS that they disappoint me with their performances. They just get better and better each year that I have been here.” Said Ulysse. To sum everything up, a lot of students loved the annual performance that the special dance company had to offer this year and hoped for an equal performance or an even better performance in the next up and coming year.
The Annual Performance of The Special Dance Company at Columbia High School
By: Beverlie Lefevre
#OPspecialdanceperformance553/600
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The Special Dance Company dancers
(photo from the special dance company website)
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After watching and observing the performance over the weekend some students at CHS loved the performance that they had given. “I liked the performance because it’s fun to see different expressions of dancing”. Said, Sabine Wancique, ‘18. A student who also did not regret their money’s worth of a performance is Elevenie Desrosiers, ‘18. She said, “ The choreographies were well done. It showed that they put a lot of time and thought into it. It was overall a great Performance this year.” “ I really liked the halftime…I preferred when they were all on stage together dancing because it showed unity among the program”, explained Desrosiers talking about her favorite part.
On the topic of favorite parts of the performance, some of the students favorite part was the choreography and the way that dancers express themselves in the dance. “ You can tell that the dancers are connected with the music the way they move their body with different emotions and expressions and telling a story with each performance.” Said, Wancique. Another student who likes how the dancers express themselves is Christel Emile, ‘18. “ My favorite part of the performance is everything that was in it, the way that the dancers express themselves in each movement in happiness or joy, or with sadness and add a lot of energy to it to tell a different story,” She went on and said.
In conclusion, the student at CHS loved the annual performances that the special dance company had to offer. “ Their performance was extraordinary, from the style, the emotions and overall the productions was just amazing”. Said Madelyne Ulysse, ‘19. But the special dance doesn’t only perform at CHS, but the also perform at other events throughout the year. Such as, the NJ Performing Arts center, Teen Arts Festival, Dance Gala and may more. “ The annual performance at CHS is not the only place to see them[special dance company] dance, they perform throughout the whole South Orange-Maplewood community in festivals and Arts centers. So It is great to go see the other performance that they put together because the program is just amazing and I can’t remember in the three years that I have been at CHS that they disappoint me with their performances. They just get better and better each year that I have been here.” Said Ulysse. To sum everything up, a lot of students loved the annual performance that the special dance company had to offer this year and hoped for an equal performance or an even better performance in the next up and coming year.
Prom
By: Beverlie Lefevre
#OPprom572/600
Many Columbia High School (CHS) seniors are looking forward to prom as the school year is coming to an end. It’s one of the last time where all the seniors can celebrate their time together before graduating. It’s a night filled with dancing, music, food, and socializing.
Prom will be held at Westmount Country Club in Woodland Park, NJ on June 18 from 7:00 p.m to 11:00 p.m. Seniors also have to option to attend after prom which will be held at The Gilded Lily, a club in New York City, NY. After prom is a continuation of prom but with more dancing, drinks, and DJ’s. The prom tickets this year are 90 dollars and for after prom it’s 60 dollars. “I think the prices are reasonable for a night of fun and creating unforgettable memories with friends,” said Sarah Adams ‘18. Student council, Chika Emeghara, ‘18, thinks this year the ticket price for prom was also reasonable. She said, “As a member of the student council, we worked hard with various fundraisers to help bring down the price.” Unlike Adams and Emeghara, some seniors disagree and thinks that the price is too much. Solian McClard ‘18 says, “I don’t see a reason to spend money on an event I wouldn’t enjoy going to. I would also have to worry about renting limos and it all adds up.”
Students that have chosen to attend prom are excited. “I’m excited to go to prom. It’s an experience and people are paying for the experience,” says Lauren Kret ‘18. Unlike Kret others’ decided not to attend because of the uninterested. “I don’t plan on going to prom because I don’t see the importance of it.” Said Christel Emile, ‘18.
On the note of the importance of Prom, some students like Elevenie Desrosiers, ‘18, think it is a must to go to prom. She said, “ I don't see any reason why someone doesn't want to go to prom…it is the time to enjoy yourself after fours years of hard work, and enjoy the other great memories that you have in high school.” A student that has the same thought has Desrosiers is Emeghara. She said, “ I’m going to prom by my own will and go to have a good time with friends and have one final celebration before graduation.”
Transportation has been one of the big topics of prom. Figuring out how to get to prom is the big discussion on prom between CHS students. “ My biggest problem right now is figuring out how to get to prom”, said Desrosiers. For some students transportation tent to be a big issue because limos are very expensive. “ I plan to rent a limo but because I want to be fancy but at the same time I’m going to go with my friends as a group, so the more people will equal more space, so it’s more expensive to rent a bigger limo.” Said Nika Pierre-paul, ‘18.
All in All, some students think that going to prom will be a great opportunity to experience something you have never done before. “ I believe prom is a beautiful occasion that everyone should have the opportunity to experience. It is the day where you can remove all school stress and truly focus on yourself and I’m not going to after prom...I love getting dressed up and I love the whole aura that is prom.” Said Emeghara
By: Beverlie Lefevre
#OPprom572/600
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(photo from Google Images)
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Many Columbia High School (CHS) seniors are looking forward to prom as the school year is coming to an end. It’s one of the last time where all the seniors can celebrate their time together before graduating. It’s a night filled with dancing, music, food, and socializing.
Prom will be held at Westmount Country Club in Woodland Park, NJ on June 18 from 7:00 p.m to 11:00 p.m. Seniors also have to option to attend after prom which will be held at The Gilded Lily, a club in New York City, NY. After prom is a continuation of prom but with more dancing, drinks, and DJ’s. The prom tickets this year are 90 dollars and for after prom it’s 60 dollars. “I think the prices are reasonable for a night of fun and creating unforgettable memories with friends,” said Sarah Adams ‘18. Student council, Chika Emeghara, ‘18, thinks this year the ticket price for prom was also reasonable. She said, “As a member of the student council, we worked hard with various fundraisers to help bring down the price.” Unlike Adams and Emeghara, some seniors disagree and thinks that the price is too much. Solian McClard ‘18 says, “I don’t see a reason to spend money on an event I wouldn’t enjoy going to. I would also have to worry about renting limos and it all adds up.”
Students that have chosen to attend prom are excited. “I’m excited to go to prom. It’s an experience and people are paying for the experience,” says Lauren Kret ‘18. Unlike Kret others’ decided not to attend because of the uninterested. “I don’t plan on going to prom because I don’t see the importance of it.” Said Christel Emile, ‘18.
On the note of the importance of Prom, some students like Elevenie Desrosiers, ‘18, think it is a must to go to prom. She said, “ I don't see any reason why someone doesn't want to go to prom…it is the time to enjoy yourself after fours years of hard work, and enjoy the other great memories that you have in high school.” A student that has the same thought has Desrosiers is Emeghara. She said, “ I’m going to prom by my own will and go to have a good time with friends and have one final celebration before graduation.”
Transportation has been one of the big topics of prom. Figuring out how to get to prom is the big discussion on prom between CHS students. “ My biggest problem right now is figuring out how to get to prom”, said Desrosiers. For some students transportation tent to be a big issue because limos are very expensive. “ I plan to rent a limo but because I want to be fancy but at the same time I’m going to go with my friends as a group, so the more people will equal more space, so it’s more expensive to rent a bigger limo.” Said Nika Pierre-paul, ‘18.
All in All, some students think that going to prom will be a great opportunity to experience something you have never done before. “ I believe prom is a beautiful occasion that everyone should have the opportunity to experience. It is the day where you can remove all school stress and truly focus on yourself and I’m not going to after prom...I love getting dressed up and I love the whole aura that is prom.” Said Emeghara
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