AMERICA STRUGGLES
WITH SOCCER POPULARITY
By Antonio Bokara
Editor’s Note: Views expressed in this article are
solely from the author's opinions and beliefs.
​
When it comes to star athletes in America, everyone knows Tom Brady, Michael Jordan, and Shaquile O’Neal; but if someone mentions names such as Christian Pulisic, Zack Steffen, Weston McKennie, or Sergino Dest, people have no clue what you are saying. This is because these men are American soccer players playing in Europe’s top five leagues, yet some Americans do not even realize that the USA has a men’s professional soccer league.
According to an article in Master Soccer Mind titled “6 Reasons Why Soccer is Not Popular in the United States”', Americans do not like soccer because they are not the best at the sport. For instance, when looking at sports such as basketball, baseball, and football, Americans are the number one country in each of these sports.
However, Bayside High School freshman Valentina Bokara commented that “it would be good for Americans to embrace soccer because it would teach them about other cultures.” Every four years, there is a soccer tournament during the summer called the World Cup in which 32 teams compete for one trophy.
Additionally, Bayside High School senior Harman Singh mentioned, “Americans can embrace soccer by having more of our teams play international tournaments and cups.” The World Cup allows for people to unite and put their differences aside to enjoy this beautiful sport.
Similarly, Bayside High School senior Alejandro Cotrina mentioned, “Young kids have parents who want them to participate in extracurricular activities for their health or to have the child possibly gain a talent or passion for the sport. Having parents that encourage kids to go out and practice sports like soccer can increase its popularity as well.”
Correspondingly, this is especially true when it comes to Chelsea forward, Christian Pulisic. A Croatian-American from Hershey, Pennsylvania, Pulisic learned how to play soccer because of his father, who was an indoor soccer coach. According to an article from Bleacher Report titled “The Christian Pulisic Blueprint” by George Dohrmann, Pulisic would become better at the sport by going into his backyard and practicing using his father’s guidance. Pulisic’s current team, Chelsea, paid 64 million euros ($73 million) for the now 22 year old, thus making him the most expensive American player in history.
On the other hand, some individuals think soccer will never be popular in America. Bayside High School senior Maximus Pericic said, “It is going to be really hard for Americans to get into soccer because it is not something they are used to. The American audience enjoys sports from the country’s past and they do not view soccer as an important sport.”
However, with rising stars such as Christian Pulisic, Zack Steffen, Weston McKennie, and Sergino Dest gaining popularity and increasing their value, Americans may gradually become more interested in soccer as time goes on.
BRIDGERTON TV SHOW REVIEW
By Abrielis Mejia
Editor’s Note: Views expressed in this article are
solely from the author's opinions and beliefs.
​
Available on Netflix, Bridgerton is a drama series that takes place during the early 1800s in London and focuses on the young aristocrat, Daphne Bridgerton as she goes against the societal norm to marry for love instead of wealth.
Beginning in 1813, the series opens up on the Bridgertons, who are an aristocratic family with only one daughter eligible to be married at the time, a young woman who is introduced as Daphne Bridgerton. Portrayed in the next scene is the "marriage market" that is filled with other young ladies who are getting ready to participate in the event of being judged by the Queen. The focus soon turns to an anonymously written gossip paper filled with secrets of the rich and nobility that is spread all across the town.
Regarding the marriage market, there is an opening ball in which young ladies try to secure a husband. During this, a mysterious figure that happens to be a duke and an eligible bachelor appears with the greeting of a noble woman and many others to come. At the same time, Daphne's father wards off potential suitors except for one man who Daphne does not wish to marry. However, the young duke and Daphne soon meet and antics ensue when they create a plan that will allow them to avoid marriage and their numerous unwanted suitors.
Overall, I enjoyed watching the show due to its unique time period which is so different from many shows nowadays. Bayside High School Physics Teacher Ms. Norwich agreed and stated, "I saw the entire series and really enjoyed it. I loved the portrayal of the main characters and all of the costumes."
Ms. Norwich was not the only person who noticed the costumes either, as Bayside High School Environmental Science and Special Education Teacher Ms. Sandhu commented, "I love the settings, costumes and innocent love of the characters. I am looking forward to more fancy dresses and finding out how the characters fall for each other."
According to an article from ShowbizCheatSheet titled "‘Bridgerton’ Costume Designer Reveals Wardrobe ‘No-No’ Besides Bonnets" by Mandi Kerr, "In the end, there were about 7,500 pieces — from hats to shawls, to overcoats — that made up the [estimated] 5,000 costumes that went before the camera... Daphne had 104 costumes in Bridgerton Season 1... That’s a big number, even for a principal player.” Overall, the costumes certainly allowed for a different type of feeling through its modernized versions of historical attire.
However, not everyone feels the same way about Bridgerton. According to an article from Vox titled "Netflix’s New Regency Drama Bridgerton is as Shallow as the Aristocrats it Skewers" by Aja Romano, "The other eight books in Quinn’s series focus on each of the other Bridgerton siblings, but it seems improbable that the current cast, particularly Bailey as Anthony, the next sibling in line to be married off, can carry such a frivolous story for many more rounds."
In fact, this complaint was shared by many others as well. Bayside High School Junior Helen Chen said, "I watched the show but it annoyed me that it did not stick with the books. But I did enjoy how they set up the 1800s era since it was cool to actually see it instead of imagining it."
Overall, Bridgerton has set its standards as a new drama series with a different type of setting and aesthetic appeal.
#ALIVE FILM REVIEW
By Priyanshi Panchal
Editor’s Note: Views expressed in this article are
solely from the author's opinions and beliefs.
​
Available on Netflix and Viki, the Korean film #ALIVE follows a man named Jun Woo, who lives in his parent’s apartment in Seoul, South Korea and is presented as a gaming streamer in his twenties. One morning while streaming with some friends, Jun Woo finds out that an unknown virus has broken out in Seoul and is rapidly spreading. The survivors are quickly being trapped inside their homes with no access to wifi or cellular data, eliminating texting or phone calls. The audience follows Jun Woo as he copes with being stuck inside his apartment as well as the consequences that occur from the virus.
Jun is shown as initially unfazed while he is trapped at home, continuing daily activities such as watching the news and going through his at-home routines. However, reality enters his thoughts as he begins to lash out with anger over the death of his loved ones and the effects from the virus that is taking over his city. Jun Woo’s character and portrayal of differing emotions and thoughts as he was forced to stay in his own home is something that I believe many, if not, all people in society can resonate with.
While watching Jun’s progression of anger, I was able to connect with his situation and relate to his feelings. In March 2020, I, among many students, had been relieved to have what we thought was going to be a "small break" from school. However, as a week turned into an entire school year, people began to lash out in anger and frustration at the realization that they would be trapped within their own homes. We have not been able to see our friends or visit family except through technological means, capabilities that do not exist in Jun's world.
Alongside frustration due to the death of those around him, Jun was overwhelmed with the absurd amount of accusations about the virus, numerous frights, and constant negative announcements from the news that had once been a crucial part of Jun’s normalcy. As an attempt to keep himself sane, Jun began recording logs of day to day actions and how he felt as time passed on.
Jun’s way of coping with the world around him reminded me of the numerous trends that began during the start of real-world quarantine as well, such as making dalgona coffee, sourdough bread, and numerous other hobbies that people started as an attempt to keep themselves entertained.
Overall, I believe that this film is one that will resonate with you and help you connect with others through shared hardships of our current era. The relevancy of the film acted as a shoulder to lean on and allowed me to see that we are all together.
WEIRD! ALBUM REVIEW
By Ayaan Bhatti
Editor’s Note: Views expressed in this article are
solely from the author's opinions and beliefs.
​
Dominic Harrison, formerly known as Yungblud, is an English singer and songwriter who produces alternative and pop punk music. Released on December 4th 2020, his new album Weird! consists of 13 songs that spread the message of keeping a positive attitude and life will be full of good outcomes. Weird! is also a great album to listen to during these current times since many people are stuck at home with minimal choices of what to do, music is a great way to bring a positive mood into one's life.
The lyrics on Weird! make this album suitable for all people, especially teenagers. Songs such as the self titled song “Weird” talk about how even though life is not normal, it will eventually get better and that you can get through it. Other songs throughout this album also contain relatable lyrics that can help people get through their hardships. Lyrics such as “It'll be alright, We're in a weird time of life,” make this album very inspiring and helpful to listen to during these tough times.
Weird! stands out among many other current music albums due to the fact that it features music from a calm alternative to a pop punk sound. The album also features artists such as Colson Baker (Machine Gun Kelly) and Travis Barker who create older pop punk music in a new sound. Although it seems quite rare that singers would produce albums that fit the pop punk genre, Yungblud has made a terrific album that features many of the key aspects for an alternative/pop punk album.
As soon as I listened to Weird!, it quickly became one of my favorite albums in which none of the songs should be skipped over. The lyrics and the songs were very empowering, which made this album more intriguing to listen to. Coming from someone who truly enjoys this type of music, I believe Yungblud really delivered a great album.
