Peyton Manning may have been the king of this year’s Super Bowl, but Beyoncé’s halftime show appearance proved that she was the real queen.

Most people assumed that the announcement of Beyoncé joining headlining band, Coldplay, for the Super Bowl halftime show meant a live performance of their collaboration, “Hymn For the Weekend.” However, with Beyoncé releasing her new song, “Formation,” just a day before her special appearance, Beyoncé’s surprise live rendition of her new single stole the show.

Coldplay began with their 2008 hit, “Viva La Vida,” with front man Chris Martin spinning and hopping while finding time to connect with his fans in the audience as a marching band flooded into the field.

As elaborate as Coldplay’s production was, with fireworks and dancing children, the performance became a bit more exciting with the arrival of the next guest. Mark Ronson mixed his song, “Uptown Funk,” as Bruno Mars simultaneously danced with his fellow black-leather-clad performers.

Beyoncé’s routine was similar to Bruno Mars’, but went above and beyond to the next level, complete with numerous dancers in black leather outfits, an extensive dance routine, and Beyoncé adorned in a jacket very similar to the one Michael Jackson wore during his 1993 halftime show. Her powerful performance of “Formation” screamed “girl power,” especially once a dance-off began between the two former halftime show performers, Beyoncé and Mars.

Viewers forgot about Coldplay completely by the time the two united on center stage with Chris Martin. The party was over once “Fix You” commemorated past halftime show performers, until Beyoncé and Mars joined the band for a final performance of “Up&Up.”

This year’s show was one of the Super Bowl’s more political spectacles. Beyoncé’s performance evidently supported the Black Rights movement, including references to the Black Panthers and police brutality. Coldplay’s show also had a distinct political message, as the colorful performance ended with the audience spelling out “Believe in Love,” a gesture to the LGBT community. Directly following the star-packed and politically advocating halftime show, Beyoncé announced her Formation World Tour, beginning this spring.

So if Beyoncé’s overwhelming guest appearance at this year’s Super Bowl wasn’t enough, there’s no doubt that you’ll be seeing a lot more of the queen very soon.

A Livingston High School sophomore recently enjoyed winter break abroad, but did more than just travel. Eileen Deng, a member of the Teaching Investment and Money Management Initiative (TIMMI), also spent a day teaching financial literacy while on vacation in China.

On December 29th, 2015, Deng taught a financial literacy program in the Yancheng Toronto International School, a boarding school located 200 miles north of Shanghai in Jiangsu province, near where Deng’s grandparents live.

Her program, the result of extensive prior communication and planning, saw an audience of approximately 100 students dressed in the school’s black and red uniforms.

“The students were excited to learn about financial literacy, as well as about America. They definitely hoped to practice the English they’ve been learning in school,” commented Deng. Deng acknowledged that the language barrier presented some difficulty, in that “the students knew common English phrases, but needed translations for specific financial terms.” She noted, however, that “the enthusiasm for learning and participating” didn’t change from that found in New Jersey classrooms.

Topics covered included credit cards, loans, and the three C’s of credit—character, capacity, and collateral. One activity demonstrated the convenience of credit cards by having students count out exact change, a display that perhaps was too effective after students became perplexed counting out currency from the United States.

Xiaoyun Sun, an English teacher at Yancheng Toronto International School, praised that “[TIMMI] was a great addition to our annual cultural festival” and also a “good opportunity for students to learn about what students in the
United States are doing.”

Jiang Yanfu, a seventh-grader at the school, added that he learned that “people have to learn very early on how to manage money,” a skill that, he says, is not conventionally taught in Chinese schools.

The Teaching Investment and Money Management Initiative is a student-run financial literacy organization based at the Livingston High School in New Jersey, and has previously taught programs
around North Jersey.

UDesign’s Open House Produces Great Numbers:

uDesign’s open house on January 8th was a great way for the students and staff of Livingston High School to learn more about UDesign’s operation. Customers were given the opportunity to purchase some of the virtual products presented in their catalog. Along with great refreshments and a very delicious chocolate fountain, each and every person who attended the open house was given a virtual check worth $10,000 to buy anything from backpacks and T-shirts to socks and lanyards.

With an estimated earnings of over $380,000, this year’s open house was a major success in launching the new and diverse product line.

UDesign Prepares For its Next Big Event:

With the Open house out of the way, UDesign prepares for its next, even larger, event. On April 19, all 24 global business students will travel to New York City for this year’s trade show.

The trade show is a great way to meet other virtual businesses that UDesgin has created relationships with. The staff at UDesign had 3 booth designs that were a favorite: Mardi Gras, Beach/Luau, and Zoo/Safari themed. After an extensive class vote, the theme that won was…..Safari/zoo!

What is Global Business at LHS?:

Global business at Livingston High School was created in 2009. This course presents a fun, interactive, and realistic virtual simulation that allows for students to expand their knowledge of business while using previous skills learned in other business classes.

The simulation allows students to run a business of their choice and join a department in which they have prerequisite knowledge in; whether it’s Accounting, Purchasing, Web Design, Human Resources, or Marketing.

This course gives students helpful guidelines to help them succeed in their future beyond the classroom.

It is a warm and bright summer day in the township of Livingston. Not much comes to mind when thinking of things to do to enjoy the pleasant weather around town. You could take a walk around your neighborhood, get some frozen yogurt, or maybe leave town to hike in the South Mountain Reservation.

There is one place in Livingston that is always there when you need it. If you grew up or even just live in Livingston, the Littell’s Pond must have been a part of your life in some shape or form.

Located behind Livingston High School and adjacent to the playground and tennis courts, the Pond acts as a safe haven for people of all ages to spend time in nature or just simply breath some fresh air.

At any time of the year, you are guaranteed to see at least one person taking advantage of the beauty and leisure that the pond
provides the town with. During the warmer seasons, you can find fathers teaching their children how to fish and take their first ride on a bike, mothers pushing strollers, or couples taking a stroll on the path that loops
around the pond.

Not only does the pond allow for activities in the summer, but it does so in the winter as well. When the ice is thick enough, signs are put up which give people the O-K to layer up and ice skate.

On one end of the pond, there is a small, picturesque gazebo that looks out over the water, scenic enough to be the setting of
your photographs.

There are also benches scattered alongside the walking path, providing people a place to rest and absorb the beauty that the
Littell’s Pond offers.

The Director of the World Health Organization Dr. Margaret Chan has declared the Zika virus an international public health emergency, despite the lack of evidence of its like to severe birth defects. The disease, which is carried worldwide by mosquitos, is a serious threat.

It has exploded across South and Central America, yet it is typically so mild in adults as to be undetectable. This outbreak has been followed by a surge in babies born with underdeveloped heads and microcephaly, a condition associated with incomplete brain development.

The National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are launching an intense effort to combat Zika, officials said.

An emergency meeting in Geneva, about the incurable tropical disease spreading like wild fire, is encouraging as it is a model example of how to respond to such outbreaks, which are likely to become more common in a warmer and more interconnected world.

The CDC is now requiring all states to report any travelers who bring the virus into the country, says Dr. Anne Schuchat, the agency’s principal deputy director. 19 cases of the virus have been confirmed in Puerto Rico, and some of those people had not traveled to countries that have Zika outbreaks, even confirming that the disease has reached the U.S. Virgin Islands. Schuchat acknowledged that “it’s possible — even likely — we will see limited Zika transmission in the United States,” but she agrees with Fauci that large-scale outbreaks are
unlikely in the U.S.

Sensible steps to take against the Zika virus, or similar outbreaks, is to strengthen public health operations in developing countries, not just the World Health Organization. An increase in competent professionals and up to date resources will help to identify disease outbreaks quickly and respond aggressively.

In the long term, it is important to better control the pests that carry the Zika and other mosquito borne viruses. The same mosquitoes also carry dengue fever and yellow fever, viruses of the poor nations that kill tens of thousands, but have until now failed to attract the resources or attention needed to eradicate them.

At the same time, the Food and Drug Administration has begun taking steps to protect the blood supply that can fight against the virus, CDC’s Schuchat said. The virus seems to remain in the bloodstream “very briefly,” perhaps for
only about a week.

The holidays are a time to come together, but for those of us who have annoying relatives, this may not be the most exciting thing. No matter how hard you prepare yourself for what you know is coming, there is no way around your talkative aunt or your condescending grandpa. Even when it gets really bad, tell yourself that soon enough you will be able to ascend from the fire pit of holiday frustration and back into your normal, daily life.

One important mental strategy that might help you keep your cool would be to forget the holiday movies! The people in those movies are being paid to look happy. Perfect families don’t exist. So don’t get caught up in the fact that your family is constantly dysfunctional.

Another strategy would be to avoid “toxic” topics in which you know will start a fire in one of your relatives. Try to keep the conversation
aimed towards the joy of holiday season.

In addition to mental strategies, there are many physical strategies that are recommendable. If there is one relative in particular that you always seem to disagree with or who continues to hold a grudge, reach out to them before the holidays. Getting a hold of them beforehand will help eliminate the awkwardness or stress at the upcoming holiday.

Another strategy would be to try and get close with a relative that you usually wouldn’t talk to. By doing this, you are steering clear of the relatives that you normally clash with. Besides all of these valuable strategies, there is one thing to always remember. Your family is your family. Despite the plethora of arguments that may arise, you must remember that the people who sit beside you at the table are just part of your family.

If that means surrendering your anger that forms inside of you, then so be it. At the end of the holiday, your relatives mean well, and the holiday season is about togetherness. Without those people sitting beside you, cracking jokes, causing trouble, or shoveling down pie, the day wouldn’t
be a holiday.

This year marks the 50th
anneversery of Riker Hill Elementary
School. The students and teachers
flashbacked to the ‘60s to celebrate
the school’s anniversary.
As part of the school’s golden
observance, students and staff
participated in a variety of activities,
including decorating doors that
reflect the pop culture, science,
and political climate of the times,
and learning about the dance and
fashion of the decade.
On Thursday, November
19, the ribbon was cut to officially
open the new media center and
computer lab for students in today’s
digital age.
The evening included performances
by student musicians
and unveiling of a school photo
in the shape of the year 1965,
the year Riker Hill opened.

Livingston High School students accept new English/Special Education teacher Ms. Michelle Hajjar with open arms. With a friendly and colorful classroom Ms. Hajjar hopes to inspire her students just like how her teachers had inspired her. She encourages students to read for the first ten minutes of class, and invites students to ask questions if unsure upon material. When teaching she likes to walk around her class and make sure that students are ontask while enjoying English.

As a Child, Ms. Hajjar never knew she wanted to be a teacher until she “fell in love with English in high school.” With the help from her teachers, she was able realize her true potential. She too wants to “inspire” and help students find their potential as well as teach students to find their independent confidence.

Ms. Hajjar was truly touched in particular by her own high school English teacher who was able to incorporate the stories read by students into their own lives. With the help of her “abstract” English teacher, she was able to find her passion for English. This is not Ms. Hajjar’s first time teaching. She has been teaching for roughly around three years; however this is her first year at LHS. Before arriving in Livingston, Ms. Hajjar previously worked in Chatham as a special education/English teacher. There she taught resource room English and a class called “Learning Skills” where students were able to learn “how to study, self-advocate, and how to be a better student.”

When Ms. Hajjar is not teaching, she enjoys “yoga, readingof course, creative writing, and knitting.” She even knit a toy for a fellow teacher’s baby shower. Ms. Hajjar also enjoys going to the city with her friends. She also enjoys visiting her brother, who lives in the city, and “Catch a play or go to a museum.”

Coming into Livingston High School Ms. Hajjar thought she would have to chase down students” for help, but she absolutely loves how students are voluntarily seeking extra help before or after school. Ms. Hajjar loves how “respectful”the students are and she loves how students at LHS go above and beyond.

Business teacher Mr. Anthony
Sagliocca began his career at
Ramsey High School, switched to
Clifton High School, and can now be
found in the upstairs C-hall of Livingston
High School.
Teacher of three subjects-Entrepreneurship,
Personal Financial Literacy,
and Intro to Business-he finds
himself surrounded by a community
of students who are “eager to learn
and take initiative in their education.”
He says one of the most distinctive
characteristics of LHS is the
sense of pride that seems to radiate
throughout the school.
Mr. Sagliocca finds the determination
in students here to be refreshing,
a definite change from his
past schools. “It makes my job a lot
easier,” he stated with an easy smile,
“you don’t have to fight with them to
get them to learn.”
Sitting in his classroom, it is
hard to not notice the connection he
shares with each and every student.
He makes it apparent that he truly
enjoys and cares about the wellbeing
of his students, answering their questions
to the best of his ability. “He’s
very relatable and teaches us things
that will actually help us in life,” a
student in his class commented. Mr.
Sagliocca confirmed this statement
by explaining the enjoyment he finds
in talking to his students and learning
about their interests.
Just like any other human
being, he does have a life outside of
his career. His days consist of watching
sports and playing video games.
“I’ll usually school my roommates
in FIFA or watch the Yankees with
them,” he says, proving that teachers
can have fun too! Out of any event in
history, Mr. Sagliocca would want to
go back to see the Jets win the Superbowl
III in the 60’s.
Being 24 years old, this is
just the beginning of his career. He
made a strategic choice in teaching
business because he believes that he
may go onto something else in the
field in the future. “I would want to
start my own business, maybe open
up a sports shop. Somewhere that
I can sell jerseys and other sports
merchandise.”
For now, he’ll just have to
deal with the one downside of teaching:
waking up early. Not being a
morning person is quite difficult
when it comes time to wake up for
work. “But I enjoy what I do so it
makes up for it.”

It’s been an interesting year for superstar recording artist Drake. Becoming the first rapper since Jay Z in 2002 to release two number one projects (If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late and What a Time to Be Alive) was only a small stroke in his 2015 masterpiece. His high profile feud with Meek Mill this past summer ended with not only a win for Team Drizzy, but more popularity added to his name. Not to mention that his hit single “Hotline Bling” is sitting at number three on the charts as of November 29. Saying this year was successful for the 29-year-old Jewish Toronto native is a vast understatement.
Whether you like him or not, Drake is the undisputed King of Rap right now. His ability to brand himself as a pop culture icon has sky rocketed him to the top of the food chain. He’s also not afraid to scream out to the world that he is in fact Jewish. Whether it’s referencing Manischewitz in his songs, posting photos on Instagram celebrating Rosh Hashanah, or joking about his own Bar Mitzvah on SNL, it’s clear that he isn’t ashamed to light the candles on the Sabbath Day. But his success has not only helped his career and reputation, but has launched the careers of other Jewish rappers just like him.
Jews have always had prescience in the world of Hip Hop. Many would say that The Beastie Boys were some of the pioneers of the Rap as three Jewish guys from New York City who combined rhymes and Rock ‘n Roll in their sound. But after them, there had been more of a Jewish presence in financing, managing, and producing rather than being the actual artist through the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s. Names like Jerry Heller, Scott Storch, Lyor Cohen and Rick Rubin were known as the guys behind the scenes in the Rap industry. After all, what could a Jew rap about without being laughed at? The typical stereotype of Jews as Upper Middle Class citizens with suburban upbringings goes completely against common themes of Rap Music where drugs, crime, and surviving the streets are topics. Jews, had no idea about the struggle to survive in America. And there was somemerit to that statement. According to a Pew Survey conducted in 2009, 46% of American Jewish households earn over $100,000. Because of this, for a long time there was virtually no way Jews could make a name for themselves rapping about their life without coming off as out of touch and “soft”.
Things started to change when Eminem, a white rapper from the mean streets of Detroit released his debut album, Infinite in 1996. Ever since then, his popularity and fame rose and is now considered a Hip Hop icon seven studio albums later. In 2012, Rolling Stone named him the 83rd Greatest Artist of All Time. Because of his influence, he opened the door for White Rappers everywhere.

According to a 2009 research study from Walter Edward Hart, a University of Texas Sociology Major, a whopping 80% of Hip Hop consumers are white suburban males. As rap music rose in popularity from the 90s on, the spike in interest spread to more than just the African American demographic. While Rap Music generally told stories of racial struggle, drugs, and crime geared for the African American audience, it seemed the white culture was its biggest supporter. Could it be that White America had been interested in the lifestyle that they generallydidn’t live?

As a result of the trash talking, rebellious tone in much of Rap Music, White America seemed to want in on this culture because it was the cool thing to do. As more white people embraced the trend of Hip Hop, it began to include the Jews as Rappers. Mac Miller, Hoodie Allen, and Jake Miller are among rising stars of the Rap Industry today. These pioneers are the true examples of how it is now acceptable to be Rap, be white, and of all things be Jewish.

Then there’s Lil Dicky, the most intriguing of this group of misfits. Although the common themes of Mac Miller, Hoodie Allen, and Jake Miller’s songs are collectively girls, hard work, using drugs, and humble beginnings, Lil Dicky incorporates a completely different take in his music. Dave Burd (his real alias) grew up in a small suburb of Philadelphia to an Upper Middle Class Jewish family. After graduating from the University of Richmond, Robins School of Business Summa Cum Laude, he went on to find work in advertising. However, he states in his single, “Professional Rapper (feat. Snoop Dogg)” “I wasn’t one of them younguns up on the block who had nothing to lose/ I must’ve wanted this a lot, I had something to choose”. While he understood that he didn’t come from poverty, he left his job with a lot to lose and a lot to provewhich is a struggle in its own despite his well off beginnings. No other song screams Lil Dicky’s pride in being Jewish than “$ave Dat Money” (Feat. Fetty Wap and Rich Homie Quan).

In it, he brags to the world about his overly thrifty lifestyle portraying the stereotypical penny-pinching Jew. Amazingly enough he takes all the negative connotations of connected to Judaism and truly makes it his own. Some of his lyrics in the song include topics such as wearing the same pair of jeans everyday, getting Netflix logins from his cousin Greg, and being the self proclaimed “Mr. Hand-me-down” of clothes.

His genre of “Stand Up Rap” (for lack of a better term) puts a comedic twist on Rap Music. Proud of his Jewishness and his luck of being a White Male in the United States (just listen to “White Dude” off the So Hard mixtape), Lil Dicky has made a name for himself as the Adam Sandler of Rap Music. While other Jewish Rappers are just Jewish in their personal life, Lil Dicky shouts it from the rooftops in his songs. Even so, the trend of Jew Rap has many thinking that Hip Hop Culture may just have to make some room for some dreidel-spinning rhymers.

Hip Hop is an ever evolving art that has slowly assimilated more and more interpretations as a result. It only makes sense for more sides of the spectrum to be included. The same group of people that was once in front of the glass producing, managing, and financing Hip Hop are starting to take over the recording side. Thanks to the wild success of Drake and his pride in being Jewish, more and more relevance is given to the Jews of Rap.

For every time Drake makes an allusion towards Judaism, he seems to inject fuel for more jews to continue. Of course, this is a trend that will eventually be too big for Hip Hop culture to ignore. It should be strongly advised to the Kings of Hip Hop, icons like Kanye West, Jay Z, Eminem, and 50 Cent embrace this trend with open arms. They are the ones who could influence and shine a positive light on this change more than anyone else. Jews are just as much a part of the future of Hip Hop as anyone else. Lil Dicky writes in his Instagram bio, “The rap game will never be the same.” By the looks of more Jewish Rappers, that very well may be true.