The Nation Mourns Barbara Bush’s Death

By Alice Kukapa
Staff Writer

She created the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, raised seven children, was the second woman in U.S history to be both a wife and mother to a president of the United States, she was Barbara Bush.

Former first lady passed away on April 17th, at the age of 92, in her home in Houston, Texas. She had been battling chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and congestive heart failure, and had decided against seeking additional medical help the week of her passing, after a series of hospitalizations.

The funeral was held in Houston at the Bushes’ family church, St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, and, per the former first lady’s request, was a very simple service. Among the approximately 1,500 attendees were former Presidents George H.W. Bush, George Bush, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. First lady Melania Trump and former first ladies Laura Bush, Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton were also in attendance.

Bush left behind a legacy that will carry on even with her passing, she will never be forgotten and will continue be a beacon of hope and inspiration to many Americans.

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Bucket List for Seniors before Starting College

By Meghan Curtis
News Editor

1.Schedule classes that are beneficial to YOU!

If you are a morning person, sign up for that 8:00 a.m. that many people bear to attend. Inversely, if you tend to hit snooze repeatedly, opt for classes that are in the afternoon. Night owls should take evening classes and enjoy the beginnings of their days whether it be sleeping in or participating in campus activities.

2.Go dorm room shopping.

If you are planning to live in a dorm or apartment, go out and splurge on new bedding, organizers, décor, and any other necessities or wants. Your room will be where you will be sleeping, studying, and lounging around. A new organized room will help you be productive when classes begin.

3.Go on a beach trip with your high school friends.

Many college-bound students are going to different colleges than their friends, so before the summer fades away, go to the beach with your friends! Bask in the sun, swim in the refreshing ocean, and make unforgettable memories.

4.Go to local, in-town activities.

This idea is more directed towards people going away to college (not living at home). Whether it be a fireworks show, which Damascus has every summer, or pool parties, like at the Damascus Pool, go enjoy your community before you leave.

5.Get a summer job.

With a hefty tuition each year, college students are categorized as young and broke. Apply for a job and work throughout the summer. Extra cash can help pay for future Starbucks and Insomnia Cookies purchases.
(Refer to “Best Jobs to Have for the Summer” in the Opinions section)

6.Spend quality time with your family!

Going away to college can cause students to feel homesick, so before heading to college make sure you plan some time in your schedule to spend time with your family. This may ensure that when you are away from home you will feel less homesick. In addition, you will be able to have fun with your loved ones.

New Music Drops to Start Off Summer With

By Adam Kolb
Staff Writer

It’s the end of the school year and what better way to celebrate other than listening to new music. Multiple artists have dropped music during the months of April and May and we can still anticipate new releases this summer.

Post Malone who first announced that he would be releasing an album last November, postponed it farther and farther back until giving a set date of April 27 2018. This album broke streaming records as soon as it dropped and it still holds number 1 on the Billboard Top 200. According to Spotify, Post Malone still holds 9 out of the top 20 songs in the U.S. Childish Gambino came out with a new single on May 6 called “This Is America”. This song has now claimed the number 1 spot on Spotify’s chart for the U.S. with over 2 million plays a day.

Travis Scott is scheduled to release a new album titled “Astro World”. Travis has not given a set date that the album is going to be dropped on, but he has given hints on social media that it will be soon. Drake is also scheduled to be dropping an album called “Scorpion” on June 28 2018. Drake is one of the biggest names in rap and with the release of his album coming up his fans cannot wait.

Snow Patrol who is most popular for their single “Chasing Cars” is scheduled to release a new album called “Wilderness” on May 25. Along with James Bay releasing his album “Electric Light” on May 18. James Bay is famous for his singles “Hold Back the River” and “Let it go”.

This gives all these artists fans brand new music to listen to, giving them a great start to their summer.

Bringing Broadway to Damascus

By Megan Kane
Staff Writer

Much of the talented cast from the spring musical All Shook Up will be taking the stage one last time this year in the Broadway Revue. You won’t want to miss a moment of these toe-tapping performances on May 29 at 7 p.m.

The Revue brings a little taste of big-city Broadway to a small town high school. The students perform various songs from smash hit soundtracks from your favorite musicals. The Revue will include songs like “Schuyler Sisters” from Hamilton, “Waving Through a Window” from Dear Evan Hansen, “Hakuna Matata” from The Lion King, and “One Day More” from Les Miserables.

Cast member Brittany Brodus said “There is a lot of creative freedom with the numbers that we can put on” and that there was “a lot of creativity and thought” that went into creating the review. Brodus said that everyone should come see The Revue because “a lot of their friends are in it. The school is well represented with students from all different interests.”

Christine Johnson, one of the student choreographic directors, gives us a little sneak peak of the show. She explains that in contrast to the musical, there will be only a few set pieces and the costumes are nontraditional. “We’re depending more with the lighting than the sets,” said Johnson. According to the cast, there is a very big “hipster basement theatre” aesthetic with the costumes and set being minimalist. For example, In “Hakuna Matata” they will be wearing Hawaiian shirts instead of animal costumes and in a number from The Little Mermaid the cast will be wearing mermaid leggings.

It’s difficult to tell what makes the revue so special. It could be the harmonizing, the connection between cast members, or even the dedicated crew, but one thing for sure: this is one show you definitely don’t want to miss! Come see the fourth annual Broadway Review on May 29 in the Damascus High School Auditorium at 7 p.m.

Davide Astori’s Death Impacts the Soccer Community

By Yannick Goedde-Bosch
Staff Writer

On March 4, Fiorentina captain Davide Astori died in his sleep in a hotel room in Udine, Italy prior to the team’s match against Udinese. He was discovered by his teammates when he failed to show up for breakfast earlier that morning.

The cause of death has been proven to be cardiac arrest based on an autopsy conducted two days later. A club statement said “Fiorentina are profoundly shaken and forced to announce that their captain Davide Astori has died.” Multiple videos show Astori’s coaches and fellow team members in tears upon hearing the news. All league games scheduled for March 4 were postponed.

Astori was a professional soccer player and team captain for Fiorentina, a division one team in the Italian league. At 31 years old, the Italian defender had totaled more than 300 appearances for the five clubs at which he played for, adding up to a very impressive and exceptional career. He was even called up to play for the national team 14 times, and scored his only goal for the Italians in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup against Uruguay. His death has impacted not only his teammates, but the entire soccer community.

In Astori’s honor, the training ground at Fiorentina has been re-named “Centro Sportivo Davide Astori.” Both teams Cagliari and Fiorentina have retired the number 13 jersey worn by Astori when he played for the clubs. UEFA announced that a minute of silence was to be observed before every European match that week. At Fiorentina’s next home game, the match was paused for 60 seconds at the 13th minute in Astori’s memory. The entire stadium, fans and players included, applauded Astori’s achievements as a very heartwarming gesture.

In times like these, it is important that the soccer community comes together to support one another. Thanks to the aid of the teams in the Italian league and other teams around the world, Davide Astori will be remembered as one of the best defenders to play the game of soccer.

Prom Sends Bad Messages to Teen Girls

By Carly Snider
Managing Editor

From an early age, girls are pushed to idolize Prom and view it as being one of the most important moments of high school. Portrayed in movies and television shows as being full of glitz and glamour, the reality of prom is far from that.

Prom was originally meant to be a way for upper-class high school students to have fun after a year full of hard work. It was also intended for only high school seniors. Now, with the addition of juniors, a majority of teenage girls view Prom as a way to dress in extravagant, expensive gowns, look put together in fancy “updo’s” and makeup, and attend with a date. Ultimately, this leads to girls competing with one another. Whether it be to have the prettiest dress, the perfect date, or the most expensive style, girls are pit against one another for one night.

The competition between girls can be shown through Facebook groups, as well. Facebook groups for prom dresses have become popular, where a girl posts pictures of her prom dress to “declare” it theirs, indicating that no one else may purchase that dress. This also leads to a competitiveness amongst females to outdo their peers’ dresses. Highlighting beauty over simply enjoying the dance. Prom night is just that: a night where girls compete with one another over beauty. This may seem silly, and most females may not even realize that they are being pressured into looking superb, but teen “prom culture” is no longer about the dance itself. To girls, it is about looking the best, or at least attractive and put together.

Although this may not be the case for every teenage girl, one common ground amongst most is the importance of looking expensive on prom night. A study done by Seventeen in April 2016, shows that most families in the Northeastern part of the United States spend an average $738 on prom night alone. While many girls can find and look amazing in a less expensive dress, the majority cost around $100 to $500. Shoes, hair, and makeup are another expense. Some girls choose to get their nails manicured, skin spray tanned, and eyebrows done. All of these expenses contribute to the crazy amount of money spent for just one night, which was initially intended to be just a dance.

Regardless of wealth when attending Prom, one of the most scrutinized aspects of the event is the value of attending with a date and being asked to the dance in an extravagant way. Many females, and even males, feel as though they cannot attend the dance without a date. Glorifying such a thing can not only be damaging to students’ self-esteem but also highlight the idea that “you must have someone with you to have fun and be happy.” Although many people may view this as a ridiculous claim, a high number of girls feel left out, uncomfortable, or upset at the thought of attending without a date. Being asked to Prom has also been hyped. If you do not ask someone in an excessive way, how will your date be able to post a picture of the “promposal” on social media? This competition between males of out-doing their peers to ask girls in the most creative, astonishing way is one that takes away from the ultimate meaning of Prom.

Prom, as a tradition, is an important event in most teenage girls’ lives. But, it is important to note the damaging effects a dance that illuminates wealth, beauty, relationships, and materialism can be on developing students’ brains.

Is there a point to student walkout and protests (does it make a difference)?

Intros:

Nik: Hello, I am Nikulas Schobitz, I am a Registered Republican, and am a right wing conservative, I was asked to answer some questions along side my buddy Owen Heh on liberal lane for open debate, here are my Answers to the questions selected for me by our very own Editorial Staff.

Owen: My name is Owen Heh, I am a Damascus High School Senior and a 3 year writer for The Buzz. I identify as a Liberal socially, and a moderate fiscally. I am a registered Democrat and have garnered experience through my journalistic studies, as well as among other worldwide youth leaders at the Pearson Seminar on Youth Leadership in 2015 and 2016. Please understand that I am still developing my opinions, and the stances I take in this piece are fluid, and as I become more informed, my take on these issues may change.

Answers:

Owen: No change has come in America from waiting for it. The right to demonstrate in America is quintessential to our identity and to furthering our society. To find the answer to this question all you have to do is look into our history. Women would have never been given the right to vote if they never spoke up about it. African Americans would still be segregated from our schools and public places if they never spoke up about it. Students will be subject to the fear of a school shooting for as long as they don’t speak up about it. We will never see the change we wish if there is no action. Social activism is an integral characteristic of our democracy and an essential piece of the foundation of our nation, it is the only way other than voting that our voices will be heard. As we continue to demonstrate our feelings through movements such as the March for Our Lives, politicians will continue to hear us and be forced to make the changes we desire or else face losing their power.

Nik: Yes and No. I believe we as students have a right to protest peacefully, however if the sole reason people are going out to protest is to just miss class for a bit, then to me it’s not really worthwhile. Secondly if you are going to protest let’s make sure you know the facts and what you are protesting. Don’t just spew random crap you hear on the internet or on the news haphazardly. Have an argument, a counter argument and then an opinion. In that order. Finally make damn sure you can defend your argument and your beliefs well, because there are going to be a lot of people who may disagree with you. As an American and an educated person it is your job to be able to defend your beliefs in debate and hold, your own. No one is going to hold your hand. Since you are engaging in an “adult activity” it’s time you grow up. Besides, people who can debate successfully are much more likely to be heard and supported.