December Edition︱History
The Legend of La Befana | By Sabrina
La Befana also known as the Christmas witch. She is good witch who on January Fifth comes out of her cave and flies on her broom, coming down the chimney, to give kids,in some parts of Italy, candy and gifts in their stocking and bad kids coal if they leave a shoe near the window. In poor parts of Italy La befana would leave a stick in a stocking and make sure to sweep the floor as a good housekeeper for every house she visits. In some parts of Italy she is seen as a bad witch who if the kids don’t leave a shoe near the window she will kidnap them. Her story is that when the wise men were going in search of baby Jesus they asked her if she knew where she was. She didn’t know Jesus whereabouts but invited them in, being known as one of the best housekeeper with the most pleasant homes. The wise men asked her if she wanted to join to join h them in there search of baby Jesus, but she refused to come with since she was too busy with her housework. Soon after they left she wanted to come so she hiked up her broom and fled off in search of the wise men and baby Jesus with gifts for Jesus. She wasn’t able to find them but gave the gifts she had for Jesus to others kids and always on her broom would be hoping to find Jesus and gives gifts to kids.
The rise and fall of Alexander Hamilton and the musical’s portrayal of his life | By Sofia
Alexander Hamilton was a Founding Father of the United States. He is most known for his crucial role and contribution on the early development of the U.S Constitution. He was born on January 11, in 1755 at Charlestown on the British colony of Nevis. His mother was bedridden and sick, leaving Hamilton to fend for himself. He then moved to live with his cousin who soon tragically committed suicide. The trauma of his childhood shaped Hamilton’s determination to drive to rise above circumstances. In the musical’s song “My shot,” Hamilton’s character describes himself as “I’m just like my country, young scrappy and hungry.” Referencing his humble beginnings and his plans to elevate his status, he tells the audience his desire to join the revolution as he claimed, “Don't be shocked when your history book mentions me. I will lay down my life if it sets us free. Eventually, you'll see my ascendancy.” This emphasizes Hamilton’s confidence in his future importance if he rises up to the challenge, leaving the readers on the edge to see what will happen. We can see in the beginning he recognizes who he was before he traveled to New York.
The musical tells the history of the Revolutionary War. In the beginning of the American Revolution, the British Parliament and the king do not take the rebels seriously for their fight for independence. They strategically planted cannons on key rebel bases in Kips Bay, including on the southern tip of Manhattan to suppress a resistance. This caused the leader of the rebel Continental Army, George Washington, to be in need of assistance by a right hand man. Washington rejected Aaron Burr, and turned to Alexander if he would be up to the role of his right hand. Washington distresses about the situation in the song “Right Hand man” when he sang, “I'm working with a third of what our Congress has promised. We are a powder keg about to explode. I need someone like you to lighten the load, So?” These lines show Washington's distress on the situation and his need for assistance and advice on how to fight back the British Empire. Alexander, eager to contribute to the revolution, gladly accepted his position.
Alexander soon married Elizabeth Sychular. In the Song “Satisfied,” sang by Renée Elise Goldsberry, her older sister Angelica delivers bittersweet lines accepting their marriage. We learn that Elizabeth Sychular in one of the three daughters of a rich man, making her a woman of high social status with riches coveted by Hamilton. Because of the marriage, Alexander’s social status and bank is elevated. This simple fact and marked a chapter to Hamilton's social and political life.
In the song “Meet me inside” sang by Christopher Jackson, listeners are immersed into the revolution’s timeline, as we see George Washington viewing Alexander Hamilton as a crucial figure to his career when he stated, “Your wife needs you alive,son, I NEED YOU ALIVE!” expressing his distress over the thought of Hamilton even dying on him.
HISTORY OF THE WINTER OLYMPICS | By Rifa
The Winter Olympics, a thrilling event worth looking forward of winter sports, but how has this reached such global spectacle?
The First Winter Games ever had taken place in france 1924. The event also made its official opening in France, originally called the “International Winter Sports Week.” This event itself had featured about 16 countries competing against one another in 6 sports, including ski jumping, figure skating, and ice hockey. Everything began with a little start, but it paved the way for the world known Winter Olympics, becoming the world’s most premier sports event.
The games expanded quick over time, with more and more countries, along with more sports had been joining over the years. The first time the Winter Olympics were held outside Europe was in 1932, hosted in Lake Placid, United States.. By the 1960s, the games were being broadcasted on television, where people all over the world were able to watch the exciting event of the games. The Winter Olympics continued to grow more options of sports and popularity throughout the half of the 20th century. The 1972 Sapporo games in Japan marked the first Winter Olympics held in Asia. And one by one, almost every country became involved.
Today, the Winter Olympics feature over 15 sports, including skiing, snowboarding, ice hockey, figure skating, and bobsleigh. But overtime, events such as freestyle skiing and snowboarding have brought a modern touch to the games, attracting more young dreamers to view the Olympics and pave their way as well. Athletes who are participants on the games have accomplished achievements that are equally impressive as those who had received and won medal rewards. Every athlete, whatever they win, metal or not, has the achievement of the extraordinary accomplishment of reaching the global stage. The Winter Olympics is more than just a series of sporting events; it’s a celebration of winter sports, international unity, and a place for people to catch their dreams. With every competition, it pushes athletes to reach for more. Their perseverance and commitment leads to accomplishments that inspires the generations to come.