By Elliot Esterman

Suzanne Haley, a paraprofessional at Briarwood Elementary School, was hiding with kids under desks when the Tornado in Oklahoma struck and destroyed 17 miles of land. While protecting her students, the leg of a desk impaled her calf muscle which, injuring her greatly, but because it didn’t hit an artery, she most likely will not have to have her leg amputated.

Images of her leg are very graphic and accordingly, were blurred, but this website  has links to an uncensored photo of her injuries: http://www.okcfox.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/kokh_vid_11250.shtml

Many people now call her a hero for saving the lives of many children in her school. During the tornado, she asked one of the kids to check some pressure she was feeling on her leg, she thought that her leg was stuck under some heavy things, but the child screamed and said that it was in her leg, and surprisingly, she remained calm and could hold herself up.

Her initial visit to the hospital, they said that they could not cover her medical fees, but later she was covered. A fund was set up in her name to help her pay for more medical expenses, and to buy a new car, but all the children she protected and herself are all safe and recovering.  Suzanne Haley is a testament to the heroic acts that occurred that day in Oklahoma.

Amanda Long, poet.

The Truth

We believe that honesty is the best policy,

But we love to lie

And we fight

Just to get the blood pumping through clotted veins.

Because the most epic love,

Only lasts for never

And love is harder to feel than to find–

Taking an overdose today,

And hoping tomorrow will be better

Because they tell you it will be

And they tell you to be happy you’re alive.

But we only live long enough

To watch others fall apart

And watch ourselves become

 Lonely.

______________________________________________________

Drowned

She looks at me with glassy eyes,

As she mirrors my intentions–

Following, mocking my escape.

So, I sat there

And stared at her–

Ripples scattered across her face

And across my mind

Both knowing

that what was once alive is gone

This is a screenshot taken from the footage from that fateful day.

By Eli Cohen

Jamal al-Durrah was the only one to survive the Muhammad al-Durrah incident that took place in the Gaza Strip thirteen years ago. During the second intifada, which was a Palestinian uprising that took place from 2000-2005, was known to be period of intensified Palestinian–Israeli violence. The uprising was infamously known to have caused dozens of suicide bombing attacks in large cities in Israel such as Jerusalem which led to the deaths of hundreds of Israeli civilians. Besides the reactions and plans explained in the media by Israel, what was happening in the Gaza Strip during the attack was unknown during the first few years of the uprising.

A Palestinian cameraman named Talal Abu Rahma, was one of the few who was in the Gaza Strip filming for news corporation France 2. On September 30th, 2000, Rhama took cover behind concrete when the area he was filming in was being attacked by supposedly IDF (Israeli-Defense-Force) soldiers. Rhama took his camera and filmed across from him to film Jamal al-Durrah and his son Muhammad hiding behind small cover. the minute long footage shows Jamal shielding his frightened son from the gunfire. The footage then goes on to show the boy crying and the father waving, then a burst of gunfire is heard again and dust fills the air, after which the boy is seen slumped across his father’s legs. The boy died at the scene; he was only 12.

For years, this video has been very controversial, because Rhama claims that the shots were from Israelis and their were no signs of them stopping. Thirteen years later, the controversy is a heated one. Jamal claims that he’s ready to exhume his son’s body and show the world that his son was killed by Israeli bullets. “I would like to show the world the truth, and I am sitting in front of my son’s grave and ready to accept an international independent investigation commission including Arabs,” he said. “If Israel agrees, I am ready to open the grave.”

Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu, said ” It is important to focus on this incident, which has slandered Israel’s reputation. This is a manifestation of the ongoing, mendacious campaign to delegitimize Israel.” American delegates working in the Middle East see this as a fault on Israel’s part. They even gave Rhama a job at CNN, and hope to see if he can help shed light on this story. Muhammad al-Durrah’s story has become an important symbol in the Palestinian struggle for statehood. Israel says that the false narrative of al-Durrah’s death has been used to justify terrorist attacks against Israel and worldwide anti-Semitism. One thing’s for sure, a young boy lost his life, and he is just a small reminder that so many more have died since, which could be prevented if peace was given a chance, and I, personally, think we’re on our way.

Fred Armison as Prince, Jason Sudeikis as The Devil, Bill Hader as Stephon.

By Solomon Shapiro

At the end of season 37, both the comical Kristen Wiig and the hilarious Andy Samberg made their departs from SNL. Season 38 ended this past week with an amazing job done by Ben Affleck as host, but the attention of the night was focused on Bill Hader, Fred Armisen, and Jason Sudeikis. Prior to the night, Hader had announced his departure from the show; Armisen did not announce his departure until the final skit of the night, wherein he portrayed, Ian Rubbish, the musician he introduced a month ago in the “History of Punk”. Sudeikis also made his announcement after the show, with an emotional embrace with Armisen and Hader.

Armisen will forever be known for his portrayals of President Obama, Prince, Steve Jobs, David Paterson, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and Garth, opposite Kristen Wiig in Garth & Kat), along with countless other political figures. Although most were comical and outstanding, who can forget ‘The Californians’, a stereotypical Californian drama, that frankly fell short of being anywhere near funny. Armisen was the most senior member of SNL, being on the show for 11 seasons, his title has been passed on to Kenan Thompson, who has been on the show for 10 seasons.

Sudeikis has portrayed celebrities A-Z, some being Adam Lambert, Dane Cook, Donald Trump, George W. Bush, Bon Jovi, Mitt Romney, Robert Downey, Jr., Wolf Blitzer, and let’s not forget his hilarious depiction of the devil.

Now onto what I consider to be the saddest of the departures, throughout his 8 years on the show, Hader had not only portrayed Julian Assange in 2010, John Boehner, Clint Eastwood, and Dr. Oz, he has built a cult-like following around his Weekend Update character, Stefon. Stefon started as a character on season 34, where two brothers played by Ben Affleck and Hader were hired to write a movie. The first brother had good ideas, but Stefon gave the worst, but most hilarious ideas for the movie. From there, Hader’s ‘Stephon’ character exploded into the most- loved Weekend Update guest.

Stefon faithfully served as Weekend Update’s extremely flamboyant New York City Correspondent, always recommeding the absolute worst places to visit in NYC. His nightclubs always had “strange” names, some being Crease, Taste, Slash, Ounce, BOOOOOOOOOOOOOF, HEYYYYYYY!!, UHHNNNH, and BAAAAAAAA-BAANAM. These clubs were always the creation of some messed up guy, with crazy attractions like tweakers, ‘a child’, and always having some sort of outright wrong but hilariously un-PC one- two punch at the end.

Stefon character writer, John Mulaney, would often change the rehearsed jokes right before Hader took stage so as to catch him off guard, leaving him to burst into laughter during the sketch. So when the audience saw Hader covering his mouth during the skit, holding back laughter (which became a signature move), it was in the very moment that he had just read the outrageous joke for the first time.

The departure of these three SNL icons will force Lorne Michaels [SNL creator/producer] to search for new talent. Hopefully, the departure of Hader, Sudeikis, and Armisen is not the beginning of the end of SNL.

Seth Meyers, showing good form in his weekly SNL appearance, “Weekend Update”.

For Village Update, I’m Solomon Shapiro, and this is tonight’s top story. Jimmy Fallon recently announced that he is moving to The Tonight Show, after Jay Leno announced his departure.  Here’s hoping it isn’t like last time when Conan O’Brien famously took over for Jay Leno, and then Leno suddenly wanted to return.

With Jimmy Fallon leaving Late Night  to take over for Jay Leno, there is a spot open on late night TV that needs to be filled, but who has the ability to be comical every night of the week?!  Well, the results are in, and the new host of NBC’s Late Night is… Seth Meyers.

Seth Meyers is no stranger to comedy, starting his career as a member of the Northwestern University improv sketch group Mee-Ow, nor is he a stranger to NBC, as he has been the lead writer of Saturday Night Live since the 2006 season, and anchors the only weekly skit, Weekend Update. I can’t think of anyone better to take over for the great comedian, Jimmy Fallon, than Seth Meyers. Every week, he delivers his hilarious views and interpretations on local and world events of the week on Weekend Update, and writes some of the funniest skits SNL has today. Surely, he can handle this new gig.

The question on my mind is if Meyers will be able to continue to churn out his comedic genius for SNL while also hosting a nightly show on NBC. I believe that Meyers will be able to balance both careers. His comedic style on Weekend Update is very similar to the skits and parts of Jimmy Fallons Late Night Show, showing that he is the right choice. I for one, being a frequent viewer of both shows,  am very pleased with the choice to give Meyers his own show, and hopefully so does the public.  For Village Update, I’m Solomon Shapiro.

By Amanda Long

The year is almost over and Seniors from all over the district are scrambling to finish schoolwork. Many Seniors are still waiting for the letter that will decide their futures. The stress and fear is palpable. In our very own Village School, our seniors are no exception. But even under the stress, they have managed to stay cool and confident.

Three seniors, Alicia, Greg and Adam agreed to be interviewed about their feelings about college.

Alicia will be attending Washington University of St. Louis, while Greg and Adam are currently undecided.

Q: What are you most excited about for college?

Greg: “Living free, with no parents around, with just a roommate to mess around with.”

Alicia: “Probably the same thing I’m most afraid of. Living on my own, getting to have that responsibility.”

Adam: “Sororities…Ay. I’m excited about learning new things and getting new ideas. I’m worried about writing papers, but I’m excited for the college life.”

Q: What is some advice you would give to future Seniors?

Adam: “Take SAT class very seriously.”

Greg: “Really apply yourself. Do all the work that is given to you because it’s only getting harder from then on.”

Alicia: “Use senior seminar as much as you possibly can to get your applications done. And then you can enjoy yourself.”