The Problem with The Bear by Samhita Adapa

 

The Problem with The Bear

When Hulu’s The Bear first came out, it seemed like that was the only thing that was ever talked about. Everybody and their mother seemed to watch The Bear. Everyone wanted to be The Bear. Channeling the chaotic tension that runs through Safdie films, The Bear is a show set in Chicago and follows Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto, an award-winning chef, after he returns home to look after his recently deceased brother’s restaurant. Starring Jermery White Allen, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Ayo Edebiri, and a plethora of other talented actors, the show particularly stands out for its acting. Every person on this show does their absolute best and it shows. Season 1 is probably one of favorite seasons of Television ever and season 2 matches it to a T. However, when season 3 came out, it didn’t gain the same reception as the first 2 and season 4 finally brought up the discussion, “Is The Bear still good?”. Personally, I had to go back and rewatch season 4 because for some reason, I just couldn’t finish it when it first came out. Now with Season 5 coming out this June, it's the final season, I just don’t feel the hype for it, both in me and others I talk to. So what went wrong?

The Bear’s downfall, I think, started with season 4. It dropped significantly in audience reception, especially after the near perfect reception for the prior 2 seasons. To me, it felt especially directionless. A few critics noticed this and said it got stale and lacked any narrative momentum. However, I still enjoyed the show. I still watched every episode as soon as it dropped and looked forward to the next season. If anything, Season 3 was just a warning, telling us the direction the show was going to take and previewing the divisive nature that would follow the release of Season 4. When Season 4 finally came out in June 2024, the discourse around the show heightened and people started to reconsider the show’s standing and where it was going to go. 

Season 4 was disappointing, to say the least, but at least a step up from the lows of Season 3. Everything felt artificial. The arguments feel manufactured and pointless. The tension and chaos I once enjoyed in the earlier seasons now felt forced and stale. The pacing was a mess and dialogue felt especially cringe. At the time I didn’t understand why I suddenly didn’t want to watch the show after a year of looking forward to it. The first two seasons were great in using the arguments for a purpose. There was intention and a movement behind them. They had use in the plot. Season 4 felt repressive, characters were just having the same arguments every episode and it was hard not getting bored or annoyed at the state of the show. The story barely progressed and every episode was just more yelling after yelling. The scenes that used to have me at the edge of my seat now had me trying to stay awake, which is really sad in hindsight. It is very obvious that the show got popular and now the showrunner had to drag it out to make more money. Another criticism of the show is its constant push into the comedy genre, especially in award season categories. It’s very obvious that the show is a drama after watching one episode. Just because a show is funny doesn’t mean it’s a comedy, just look at HBO’s Succession. There’s definitely resentment built up at the Bear stealing awards in the comedy section from real comedies, and that’s definitely played into the backlash. I think my biggest disappointment of season 4 is the lack of food. It’s a show about cooking. Some of my favorite scenes in the show are the cooking scenes. How can you not have cooking in a show about chefs?

However there is an argument to be made in favor of Season 3 & 4. The Bear has always been about Carmy’s journey from an emotional, chaotic individual, to someone a bit more balanced and mellow. Having all seasons be a never ending stress fest wouldn't have done the show any better. Some people see season 4 as an improvement over Season 3, which seemed endlessly plagued by fillers and never ending montages. The show was always going to tackle Carmy healing and growing and because of that, the show became slower paced, more mellow and the tonal shift likely pissed people off who expected a completely different show. It’s more character driven rather than plot and in some cases that’s good. The characters become more fleshed out and compelling. We are going through Carmy’s journey together, along with him. It brings into question, was The Bear ever about the restaurant or Carmy. Is it okay to be disappointed if the show turns away from something that was never really the main focus in the first place? 

The Bear, by no means, is a bad show. It’s still engaging and fun and honestly speaking, there are way worse TV shows out there. Even at its weakest, the actors were incredible and the plot is still good, just not as fast paced as in the earlier seasons. However, it would be lying to say the show has declined in quality and that’s why there isn’t as much hype for the final season as there was for previous ones. I think the first two seasons set the standards so high, I think it was inevitable for the following episodes to fall short. If Season 5 is able to capture some of the highs of season 1 and 2, it’ll be just as amazing and end the show with a high note.

Video Game Recommendations by Samhita Adapa

 Video Game Recommendations

Gaming is an extremely diverse hobby and field. You can be a gamer who just plays 2048 on their phone or a gamer who owns multiple consoles. I like to think that there’s a game out there for everyone. As someone who mainly plays on consoles, the games that come out just keep getting better and better, so here are 5 games I think everyone should play at least once in their lifetime. 

1. Pokemon Black and White 

   

In my opinion, the best Pokemon game ever made. Set in the Unova Region, the game follows Hilda/Hilbert across the land, battling for recognition and against Team Plasma, a group hellbent on setting pokemon free from trainers. Not only is the story extremely compelling, ringing up moral and ethical dilemmas, the gameplay is insanely fun as well. The Pokemon are fully animated, bouncing and moving during battles. Gen V is also special for the fact that it has a whole new roster of pokemon. You can only catch these pokemon till you beat the Elite 4 and new pokemon are so fun. The game also looks extremely good for a 3DS game. The first time I entered Castelia City, my mind was blown. I think this game holds up pretty well, even 16 years later, and it’s still highly regarded both in the Pokemon community and the wider gaming community in general. 

2. Red Dead Redemption 1

Everyone’s heard of Red Dead Redemption 2, it’s regarded as one of the best video games ever and in my opinion, the first RDR is just as good and deserves all the praise. RDR1 takes place in 1911, following John Marston as he is forced to hunt down his former gang members for the government in exchange for his family. The game explores the American dream and the continuous cycle of violence, especially highlighted by John’s former leader and father figure, Dutch Vander Linde. For a game that came out in 2011, it still looks amazing and the graphics don’t look dated. I found myself taking many screen captures throughout the game, especially while riding through the desert in the moonlight. My favorite aspect of the game is its vibes. RDR1 is extremely unsettling. The dying west is represented perfectly and it is beautifully haunting. These are the last remaining parts of the wild west, filled with people who can’t seem to let go of the past and move on. In many areas of the game, the setting is especially creepy and eerie. After you finish the main game, you still have left  arguably one of the best DLCs made, Undead Nightmare, a zombie spin off and a must. 

3. Resident Evil 4

OG or Remake, both versions are really good. The original Resident Evil 4 that came out in 2005 is iconic, having a long lasting impact on both survival horror and the action adventure genres. It redefined third person shooter games by introducing the “over-the-shoulder” aiming method, influencing future works like The Last of Us Part l and Bioshock. The game itself is insanely fun, you play as Leon, forced to become a government agent after the events of Re2, rescuing the President’s daughter from rural Spain. The gameplay rocks and the aesthetic is really nice too, especially when you get to Castle Salazaar. You have to strategically manage your resources as well, cranking up the tension all while fighting to survive and save Ashley from the Plagas. The modern remake in 2023 takes everything that the OG did and makes it 10 times better. The graphics are amazing and the gameplay becomes even more smooth and engaging. It’s definitely a game that has to be played at least once. 

4. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 

This is quite possibly my favorite game ever. There’s a reason why it won Game of the Year back in 2017 and it completely redefined open world games for years to come. Games like Final Fantasy Rebirth and Elden Ring have cited BotW as their inspirations. It became the standard when it came to open world games. There is just so much to do, so much to explore, which is the best part. Nothing could ever beat the feeling of me exiting the shrine of resurrection to see the map for the first time during the intro scene, it’s something that stuck with me, till this day. The story of the game really hits as well, especially when you are just as clueless as Link in the beginning. You need to reclaim his memories along with him to truly figure out what happened a century ago. The softer, quiet post-apocalyptic vibe of BotW is, I think, one of its best qualities. It truly feels like a world that’s just begun to heal after a tragedy, especially with some places completely deserted and nature reclaiming them. It’s “empty” in the best possible way. For the actual gameplay, I find the combat system extremely fun. I love the small burst of dopamine I get when I time a parry or flurry rush just right. I love the tension that builds up as I have to creep past the guardians and the adrenaline that rushes through me when I get spotted by one. Breath of the Wild was one the first games I played by myself, with no spoilers, and just the childlike sense of wonder I felt while playing through makes me feel that everyone should get a chance to feel the same as I did. 

5. Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga 

The best Lego game ever made…wait scratch that, the best game ever made, actually. This is a peak cousins game. My best memories with my cousins and neighbours is playing through this game on the Wii, it’s just so fun. The gameplay aged really well and some levels I still prefer to the newer Skywalker Saga. One particular standout is the cutscenes. They utilize a slap stick form of comedy that I still remember to this day. It’s made even funnier when you take a look at their heads and it’s just two dots, as Lego hasn’t updated minifig eyes just yet. Some of the puzzles, however, are a challenge and probably will require multiple events to get through them. I remember having to play the phantom menace podracing level multiple times, getting so frustrated that I had to set the remote down and go take a walk. If you’ve got an old wii and another person to play with, this is the perfect game to whip out, both for fun and for the nostalgic feeling that comes along with it.

Andor: Maarva by Samhita Adapa

 

The Best Speech in Andor 

Tony Gilroy’s Andor is a show that proves language is just as powerful as starfighters and blasters, when wielded right. The spark of rebellion is ignited by speech, whether they’re long monologues broadcasted to the entire galaxy or intimate words whispered only for another to hear. These words inspire common people to stand up and fight and they undo years of propaganda and terror in hopes of a better future, to see a new sunrise over the galaxy. Balancing both writing and performance, the many monologues and speeches of Andor are outstanding and elevate the show to levels never reached by Star Wars media before. One Speech that especially highlights the masterful writing of Andor is Maarva’s final words, recorded after death and delivered in the finale of the show. 

In the season one finale, “Rix Road”, Maarva Andor, the adoptive mother of Cassian Andor, delivers a rousing speech to her people of Ferrix. For context, the planet is currently occupied by the Empire and during her funeral procession, which the people had to beg for, she delivers this speech through a posthumous speech recorded prior to her death. Not only is the speech brilliantly delivered, but it is shot just as well. Everything she’s saying coincides with what the characters are feeling and doing. She introduces herself first, as a Daughter of Ferrix and worthy of the stone. The stone is a tradition people from Ferrix follow, a brick that is made from the ashes of their deceased. She wants her death to lift her people, inspire them, and she says so herself. But Maarva says she’s scared of their ignorance for all these years. When referring to the Empire she says, “There is a wound that won’t heal at the center of the galaxy. There is a darkness reaching like rust into everything around us. We let it grow, and now it’s here. It’s here and it’s not visiting anymore. It wants to stay”. These words perfectly describe the Empire. It’s a rot that slowly spreads, infecting everything and everyone with its unnatural oppression and control, robbing people of their freedoms and lives. Maarva tells them to wake up, “The Empire is a disease that thrives in darkness, it is never more alive than when we asleep”. Her speech is more raw and brutal, but it's the same as Mon’s. She finishes off by saying that it’s easy for her to say this after dying, to tell them to risk their lives and that maybe it’s too late. However, she concludes with this, “But I'll tell you this, if I could do it again, I'd wake up early and be fighting those bastards from the start! Fight the Empire!” and Ferrix combusts. Luthen listens and watches as people begin to fight, realizing that everything he has killed and slaughtered for is happening right here, on this small planet, spontaneous, uncontrolled, and natural. His rebellion ignites right in front of his eyes. He doesn’t even need to get involved. As he says earlier, he “shares [his] dreams with ghosts” and here is a ghost shouting out his dream for all to hear. There is a renewed hope in him, that the rebellion might actually survive. However, it isn’t her words that are the spark, they’re just the fuel. When a scared imperial tries to interrupt her speech by throwing a coat over the projector, people erupt. Ironically, the Empire is the matchstick here. Maarva says that if she could do it again, she would start fighting from the start and the first brick used to attack the Empire is Maarva’s brick, the one made from her ashes.

HBO Shows by Samhita Adapa

HBO is one of America’s oldest television networks and over the years, it’s accumulated a ton of amazing shows to its catalogs, from The Sopranos to a more recent show, The Chair Company. With Paramount’s recent acquisition of Warner Brothers, HBO’s quality television has been brought into question. Will it remain as iconic and amazing as it was and is? Or will the quality take a drop as shows are cancelled and not greenlit? Though I cannot give you a definite ranking of all the shows on HBO, I can give you 6 recommendations(not ranked) so you can find your next show to binge watch.

 House of the Dragon (2022-Present) After the lackluster ending, according to the majority of viewers, of the cultural phenomena Game of Thrones, it only took another 3 years for George R. R. Martin’s novel Fire and Blood to be adapted into television. The first season is stellar, highlighting the peak of Targaryen Rule and then its eventual downfall. It has everything that made GoT great, the politics, brutality, dragons, characters. The show follows Rhaenyra Targaryen and the House 172 years before Daenerys Targaryen is born and her journey to claim the throne. Though the second season didn’t reach the heights that the first did, the third season, coming out this June, still has an immense wave of hype for it as many fans, including me, look forward to it eagerly.

 A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms(2026-Present) Another GoT spinoff! AkotSK follows the noble Knight Ser Duncan and his journey in the Ashford Tourney along with his young squire, Egg. Here you see the Targaryens are still in power, significantly weakened after the loss of their dragons. As opposed to GoT and HotD, aKoTSK is way more lighthearted with its short episode season and 30 minute episodes. The characters are compelling and lovable, especially Dunk. The series focuses more on normal people rather than royals and highborns and seems especially grounded. The show is extremely fun and I recommend giving it a watch, especially since it can be binged pretty quickly. 

 Veep (2012-2019) Think Parks and Recreation on Steroids. Veep is more of an adult show and has sort of a scathing humor. The show has 7 seasons with each episode being around 30 minutes. It's a political satire comedy that follows American Vice President Selina Meyer. Whereas Parks and Rec is very clear that despite how people act, they still care, Veep shines a light on hypocrisy within the government. These people only pretend to care and are self-serving and constantly scheme to remain in power. Despite getting extremely dark and cynical at times, Veep is extremely funny and a successful satire, arguably one of the best comedies of all time. 

 The Wire (2002-2008) You can’t talk about HBO without mentioning quite possibly its best show, The Wire. The Wire is an American Crime drama series that follows West Baltimore and its various different institutions and law enforcement. The show tackles drug trade, the ports, city government, education system, and the newspapers with each respective season. The show isn’t flashy and is pretty grounded. However, this doesn't show that you can just throw it on in the background. It requires commitment and effort. The show paints a more realistic view of Baltimore and if you’re looking for flashy sequences and cool camera shots, this isn't for you. Everything in this show matters and you have to pay attention, that’s what makes it so excellent.

 Deadwood (2004-2006) Set in the American Frontier of Deadwood, South Dakota, the show is about how a gold mining camp built on crime, greed and corruption evolves into an organized and civilized town. The show is a gritty and unflinching western drama and that is especially shown in its dialogue. The prose is Shakespearean and extremely dense. It’s easy to miss something so I recommend watching with subtitles. It’s so poetic and half the enjoyment, for me, was derived from listening to them talk. Overall, Deadwood is an amazing show and it definitely should be on your watchlist.

Fundraisers in Swimming by Vera Soukhanovskii

Fundraisers in Swimming by Vera Soukhanovskii Charitable organizations and fundraisers play an important role in helping people that face serious illnesses and hardships. Across the country, nonprofit organizations work to raise money, spread awareness, and provide support for patients and their families. Many of these organizations rely on volunteers, students, local communities and even athletes to make a difference through events and donations. Programs such as swim across America and the Marissa Tufaro Foundation are two examples of local organizations. Through swimming events, fundraisers and Community programs these foundations support medical research and struggling families. By participating in events hosted by these organizations, students and athletes are able to support valuable causes while also having fun. Swim Across America is a nonprofit organization that aids in funding cancer patients and research through fundraisers and swims hosted to raise awareness. They were founded in 1987, and encourage swimmers of all ages and skill levels to participate in swimming events to raise money for cancer treatments and research. Their main concern is the recent decrease in funds toward cancer research, and so they primarily focus on raising money to reverse these changes. The money raised supports hospitals and research centers all across the country, helps scientists develop new treatments, and improve survival rates for patients. They also demonstrate how teamwork creates positive impacts, and also shows how anyone can do their part in aiding patients and bringing hope to families affected by cancer. Last weekend, Swim Across America hosted a fundraiser event at North Brunswick High School. In order to attend, swimmers had to register on their website and then raise money to support the cause. On May 16th, swimmers of all ages got together at the pool for some fun activities. We played many different games, did relay races, had time for open swim, and were able to meet a lot of new people. We also spoke to a cancer survivor, and she told us her story and thanked us for supporting this program. It was a very fun experience for me in many ways. I was able to meet some new people and local swimmers, and enjoyed swimming with them. I also gained some valuable knowledge about SAA and was able to support an important cause. This was not the first swimming related fund raiser I have attended. Along with the High School swim team, I have swam for the Marisa Tufaro Foundation, another nonprofit organization based in New Jersey. It was created in memory of Marisa Tufaro, a young girl who struggled with a serious heart disease, cancer, and many difficult surgeries. She ultimately passed away at the age of 13. Marisa's parents created the foundation to honor her life and continue her dreams of helping other children and families in need throughout all of Middlesex county. They support pediatric patients through donations, toy drives, food collections, scholarships, financial assistance for families with medical hardships, hospital programs, and so much more. Their primary mission is to promote community service, kindness, and giving hope to those in need or families facing difficult circumstances. The Marisa Tufaro Foundation has donated thousands of dollars to support hundreds of families. They also often team up and partner with hospitals and schools for fund raising programs and events. Every year, SBHS swimmers meet up with other schools and athletes at an event similar to the SAA I described earlier. The event starts with all swimmers swimming a long distance in the pool. After, athletes and coaches participate in games and relay races. Marisa’s parents also attend the event and give an inspirational speech about Marisa, her life, and the foundation they created in her honor. All swimmers attending also donate money to support the foundation and its causes. The event is enjoyable for everyone, and allows schools to forget their rivalry and simply spend time together and promote the Marisa Tufaro Foundation. Organizations like the Marisa Tufaro Foundation and Swim Across America bring communities together by encouraging people of all ages and backgrounds to work toward a shared goal, support those in need, and inspire others to do the same. School events and programs give students opportunities to learn about the values of giving. In addition, these organizations also increase awareness about serious illnesses such as cancer and heart disease, and they help others understand the challenges that patients and their families face. The money raised helps improve research, provide resources, and support financially struggling families during difficult times. These foundations also inspire compassion in people, and show that even the smallest actions can make a big difference in someone's life. If you want to support any of the organizations talked about, I have attached links to their websites so that anyone can learn more about their causes. https://marisatufarofoundation.org/ https://www.swimacrossamerica.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=SAA_Homepage

Why SBHS Should Get a Pool by Vera Soukhanovskii

Why SBHS Should Get a Pool by Vera Soukhanovskii Imagine this: your alarm goes off at 4:00 in the morning. You drag yourself out of bed, pack your bag, eat breakfast, and leave the house while it is still dark outside. Then, instead of heading to a pool at your own school, you drive all the way to North Brunswick to practice before the school day even begins. As crazy as that sounds, this is the reality for South Brunswick High School swimmers. Today, I want to convince you that building a pool at South Brunswick High School would benefit not only student athletes, but the entire school and community. A pool would improve physical health, mental well-being, academic opportunities, school spirit, and even bring financial benefits to the district. First, let's start with how a pool would greatly improve students’ physical health. Swimming is one of the best forms of exercise because it works nearly every muscle group in the body while putting very little stress on your joints. Unlike high-impact sports, swimming reduces the chance of injuries while still improving cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, muscle strength, breathing capacity, and circulation. This is especially important for people with injuries, disabilities, or reduced mobility. A pool at our school would allow more students to participate in physical activity comfortably and safely. Many students also struggle to find enjoyable ways to stay active, so a pool would provide another opportunity for exercise. Most importantly, swimming teaches water safety, a skill that can save lives. According to Russell Slatford, headmaster of Bournemouth Collegiate School, nearly 40% of children leaving primary school cannot swim. Teaching students how to swim and how to react in emergencies could help prevent drowning accidents and improve overall safety around water. A pool at SBHS would also improve students’ mental health. Between grades, sports, jobs, extracurricular activities, and preparing for the future, many students constantly feel pressure. Swimming is proven to reduce stress and anxiety because the repetitive movements and controlled breathing help relax both the body and mind. A lot of times, if I am having a long day, I find myself counting down the hours until swim practice to relax and leave my worries behind. An easier access to a pool would allow me and everyone else to enjoy the calm waters every once in a while. A pool would also create a stronger sense of community. Students could meet new people through swim teams, lessons, competitions, and events hosted at the facility. Next, a pool would create new social and academic opportunities for students. For physical education classes, swimming would add variety to the curriculum while teaching important life skills. Instead of repeating the same activities every year, students would have the opportunity to learn something useful. Because, let's be honest, does the walk-jog save anyone's life? A pool would also allow South Brunswick to expand extracurricular activities. Our school could offer swimming, diving, water polo, even synchronized swimming, and additional fitness programs for both students and other members of this community. These activities would increase involvement and school spirit. Sporting events and competitions would also bring students together and create pride within the school community. Sports participation is also linked to improved academic engagement. Students involved in athletics often develop stronger time management skills, responsibility, leadership, and motivation. Additionally, a pool could help students discover lifelong hobbies and healthier ways to spend their free time instead of staying indoors or constantly using screens. Now let's talk about some benefits for people outside of this school. A pool at SBHS could become an important resource for the entire South Brunswick community. The facility could host swim lessons for children, lifeguard certification programs, open swim hours, and water safety courses. It could also provide exercise programs like water aerobics for senior citizens or rehabilitation programs for people recovering from injuries. According to the NDPA, The National Drowning Prevention Alliance, public swimming facilities encourage healthier lifestyles and can even reduce healthcare costs by promoting regular exercise and preventing health issues. A pool would also bring people together across all age groups. While many people worry about the cost of building a pool, it could actually provide financial benefits in the long run. Swimming competitions, tournaments, and community events would attract visitors to the area and increase local spending. The facility could also generate revenue through memberships, swim lessons, renting out the pool to other schools and teams, and community programs. In addition, a pool would create job opportunities for students and residents, such as lifeguarding, swim instructors, coaches, and maintenance staff. For many teenagers, lifeguarding becomes an important first job that teaches responsibility and leadership. While I myself am not certified, almost all of my swim friends are and always praise the job and recommend it to others. A pool at SBHS could even be rented to local schools, club teams, or special programs, helping offset costs over time. Now, let's take a look at some neighboring districts and compare. Both High School North and South have pools in West Windsor Plainsboro, and along with that incredibly talented swim teams and swimmers. Their swimmers have unlocked many new opportunities, with a few of my friends getting into D3 schools, and some even getting minor scholarships for D1 teams in college. Princeton Middle School has a pool that they share with their high school, and offer swim team positions starting from 6th grade. Along with consistency, this allows kids to enjoy the benefits of the sport starting from an early age. Princeton also gets benefits from the pool by renting it out to swim teams for practices and meets, including my team, PTAC. And finally, the most obvious example, North Brunswick. They offer pool hours to both South Brunswick and East Brunswick, and their pool hosts multiple fundraiser events such as the Marisa Tufaro foundation and the Swim Across America event. For some final thoughts, building a pool may sound like just another expensive school project, but it has many benefits. As I mentioned, a pool would improve physical and mental health, create new academic and athletic opportunities, strengthen school spirit, teach lifesaving skills, support the community, and even provide financial benefits. South Brunswick High School already has talented students and a strong community. Imagine what we could accomplish if we also had additional facilities to support them and create even more opportunities to get stronger and thrive. While I will most likely graduate before this dream becomes a reality, I hope future students will one day walk into this school with excitement for their swim lessons, team try outs, or life guarding shift at our very own South Brunswick High School. So the next time someone jokes about the pool on the roof, maybe instead of laughing, we could start to seriously consider why South Brunswick High School deserves their very own pool. Works Cited Kaskaras, Nikos. “How Swimming Pools Improve Communities.” Www.nereids.com.au, www.nereids.com.au/blog/how-swimming-pools-improve-communities. “Manlius Community Pool and Aquatics | Building a Pool Can Offer a Multitude of Benefits for a Community and School District | Facebook.” Facebook.com, Facebook Groups, 2026, www.facebook.com/groups/223073100388053/posts/242166471812049/. Accessed 14 May 2026. Martinez, Michelle. “The Impact of Public Swimming Pools in Our Communities.” NDPA, 19 July 2023, ndpa.org/public-swimming-pools/. “Pools for Schools: An Ideal Educational Space - Fluidra.” Fluidra, 8 June 2022, www.fluidra.com/commercial-solutions/inspiration/blog/pools-for-schools/. Slatford, Russell . “Why a School Swimming Pool Is Worth the Money | School Procurement.” The Headteacher, www.theheadteacher.com/school-procurement/building-maintenance/why-a-school-swimming-pool-is-worth-the-money. Why Do We Build Pools? The Value of Public Swimming Facilities ©Eugeni Pons.

KATSEYE: The Next Big Girlgroup? by Kyra Kong

KATSEYE: The Next Big Girlgroup? by Kyra Kong Music has always been many people’s source of comfort, resonating with lyrics and artists who truly capture emotions into beautiful harmonies. From the 1990s: Spice Girls, TLC, and Destiny’s Child to the 2010s: Fifth Harmony and Little Mix, to now: KATSEYE, BLACKPINK, and NewJeans. The media is pointing towards the direction of girl groups regaining popularity once again. Recently, girl group KATSEYE has been gaining popularity for their diversity, consisting of six members from the Philippines, the United States, South Korea, and Switzerland, all with different ethnic backgrounds. All members were put into a survival show using the K-POP methodology that became a Netflix documentary, “Pop Star Academy,” giving viewers a glimpse into their extreme training. Essentially, they audition against over 100,000 applicants and must dedicate their entire day to rehearsals, dancing, singing, facial expressions, and media training. With 20 other girls competing for six spots in the group, it was not easy. Adding the survival show aspect to it put intense pressure on the girls, having to receive fan votes and approval from judges in order to move to the next round. If these requirements are not met, the trainee gets eliminated, meaning their chances of getting into the group go back to square one. Luckily, for those six girls - Manon Bannerman, Sophia Laforteza, Daniela Avanzini, Lara Rajagopalan, Megan Skiendiel, and Yoonchae Jeung - they were selected as the final members and debuted on June 28, 2024, with their song “Debut.” The goal of the group is to inspire younger generations with different cultural and national backgrounds that they can accomplish their dreams, providing representation that they lacked growing up, changing others' perspective on being a global girl group. KATSEYE soon followed up with their EP, SIS (Soft is Strong), two months after their debut. The following year, they came out with another EP, Beautiful Chaos, revealing the more raw side of their personalities. During that time, they collaborated with Gap for their “Better in Denim” campaign that exploded. With over 8 billion media expressions, it’s safe to say their careers changed overnight. Many young girls had positive reactions, feeling represented regardless of their background. Ultimately, this response helped KATSEYE achieve their dreams of becoming role models they wished they had growing up. Of course, achieving global stardom brings a unique set of challenges and responsibilities, particularly regarding how these artists influence youth identity. For many young fans, witnessing members like Lara, Manon, or Megan on a global stage provides a powerful sense of belonging that was historically missing in Western mainstream media. This representation allows young people to see their ethnic and cultural identities being celebrated. However, with this deep connection, it makes fans highly protective of their role models, viewing the entertainment industry as how society values diverse voices. When challenges arise, like members taking a hiatus for health reasons, it highlights the importance of balancing cultural representation with personal well-being and mental health. Whether KATSEYE can sustain their rapid rise to fame depends heavily on how their management navigates current fandom tensions and ensures the well-being of its members. However, their initial success proves that global music is desperately needed for cross-cultural representation. Blending the K-pop methodology with an international lineup, KATSEYE has rewritten the blueprint for modern girl groups. If they can overcome their current “beautiful chaos”, they won’t just be a temporary trend, they will be the definitive voice of new, interconnected generation of pop music. Citation Chitrakorn, Kati. “Katseye Is the Blueprint for a Modern Girl Group. Humberto Leon Is the Mastermind behind Their Image.” CNN, 14 Nov. 2025, www.cnn.com/2025/11/14/style/katseye-creative-director-humberto-leon. Sanghvi, Yati. “How KATSEYE Is Sharing Asian American Culture with the World.” JoySauce, 9 Apr. 2025, joysauce.com/how-katseye-is-sharing-asian-american-culture-with-the-world/.