From Medieval Japan to Modern Influencers

by Tegan, 8th grade

The test I take tomorrow in History is the topic I have studied for many weeks. Centuries ago, in medieval Japan, the emperor served as the figurehead of the government–but under the guise of royal leadership.

The real power was puppeteered by the shoguns, who had established their shogunate (military government) on the outskirts of Kamakura. This began with Minamoto Yoritomo, an ambitious and daring military leader who pulled the emperor’s strings of fear, compelling him to surrender absolute authority. The alternative was an attack and invasion.
In a similar sense, there are parallels with government figures like Elon Musk and President Trump. Just as historians have recognized the shoguns as the true leaders with the emperors being mere puppets, some reporters and citizens are recognizing that Musk might be the true leader with Trump being a puppet.

Some have referred to Musk with a label that would trend on Google searches for weeks: “President Musk.” Is the Japanese situation not becoming a recurring event?

I think this is exactly the situation of how foreign diseases are reintroduced into the world. Once upon a time, the viruses were roaming around and thriving and infecting but then were frozen into ice.
Now modern climate change is cracking these glaciers, and the dormant diseases are free.

National Superhero Day

by Mateo, 11th grade

Who’s the first person that comes to mind when you think of the word “superhero”? There’s a good chance it’s Spider-Man, as an internet study last year determined that he is the most popular superhero worldwide. Perhaps it is Superman, whose Herculean strength and alien origins make him deserving of his name.

Batman and Iron Man do not have any innate powers, but their high-tech gadgets and innovative minds make them just as capable as other heroes. No matter who your favorite hero is, National Superhero Day (celebrated annually on April 28) works to highlight powerful heroes of all shapes and sizes: not just the fictional ones in comic books and movies, but more so the unsung ones in the real world who do not receive the recognition they deserve.

Marvel Comics started National Superhero Day in 1995 after its employees discovered an astonishing fact about their younger audience. When asking kids about the superpower they would want to use the most if they could, the employees were shocked to find that the majority of kids mentioned notable things that people in their own lives did for them, ultimately considering them to be more heroic than Marvel’s fictional superheroes. The unexpected results of Marvel’s survey opened the corporation’s eyes to the influence and impact that everyday people have on the lives of others, as well as the lack of credit they receive for their efforts. As such, National Superhero Day was created to show gratitude and appreciation for these real-life superheroes.

Today marks the 20th anniversary of National Superhero Day, and there are many ways you can participate and show your support. For one, be sure to thank the superheroes who work wonders in your life. It could be a parent, an educator, a first responder, or even a stranger who helped you out recently; if they have not received any acknowledgment for their influence, make sure to give them some. Additionally, you can take measures to become a superhero yourself. In today’s world, a growing number of people are passive in situations where someone may need aid or assistance. Instead of turning a blind eye to people in need, feel free to step in and offer them the support they require. Even the smallest of deeds can transform someone’s day, so do not hesitate to help out.

National Superhero Day works to emphasize the parallels between the resilient heroes of popular fiction and the courageous people of the real world. It reminds us that there are far too many people around the world whose valiant acts go unnoticed and allow us to celebrate them. So, make sure to take some time to either give thanks to a hero in your life or make a difference in someone else’s life today on National Superhero Day.

History, Evolution and Rules of Volleyball

by Alicia, 9th grade

Millions of fans worldwide will testify that volleyball is an exhilarating sport where action flows freely. It is played in schools, charters, colleges, pro leagues, and even the Olympics. The synergy of collaborative effort with competition, strategy, and athletic skills has made volleyball immensely popular and widely practiced since its invention.

History and Evolution of Volleyball

Volleyball was invented in 1895 by William G. Morgan, a physical director from Massachusetts. Morgan called it “mignonette” and made it a less intense version of basketball. Volleyball, as conceived by Morgan, is a mixture of basketball, tennis, and handball, and it is one of the indoor games in which a net separates opposing teams from each other.

Volleyball gained popularity worldwide in about a year, and by 1916 set and spike had been introduced in the Philippines, rendering the sport more dynamic. In 1947, the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) was formed for international competitions. Volleyball was accepted as an Olympic sport in 1964, furthering its world acceptance. New techniques, rules, and formats have been introduced to make the game faster and more competitive.

Basic Rules of Volleyball

The game of volleyball consists of two teams of six players. The main objective is to send the ball over the net and land it on the opponent’s court while preventing the opposing team from scoring. The game demands cooperation with great speed, coordination and timing.

The game begins with a serve: one player hits the ball from behind the back boundary line over the net. The opposing team must return the ball to the opposite side within three touches. Three of the most commonly used touches are bump (pass), set and spike (hit). A pass is a defensive touch used to receive serves or hard hits. A set is a controlled passing touch that is meant to set up an attack. A spike is an attacking touch that is a hard hit meant to earn points.

A point is scored either when the ball lands on the opponent’s court or when the opponent breaches a rule. Volleyball is usually played in best-of-three or best-of-five sets, where the first two or four sets go up to 25 points, while the third or fifth set (if needed) is played to 15 points. A team must win a set by a minimum of 2 points. Common infringements include double hits, carrying the ball, stepping across the service line when serving, and net violations.

Volleyball, over the years, has evolved into a super competitive and thrilling sport that is continuing to gain more and more popularity. Whether it is played inside the court, on the sands of the beach, or in the backyard, it is a game defined by teamwork, skill, and strategy.