The ripple effects of irresponsibility in Hollywood
Alyce Brown, Arts and Entertainment Editor
November 10, 2019
Simply put, the film industry has power. Films have long been the cornerstones and determining factors of each generation’s culture, internationally shaping present and future ideas. Their influences have changed laws, raised awareness, convinced leaders, and inspired copious change. However, wh...
Marvel’s leading ladies: the long overdue role models for young girls everywhere
Maria Vaaler, Student Life Editor
October 29, 2019
Blockbuster films have been predominantly led by male heroes for decades, but as Marvel actresses dominate the box office and call for an all-female Marvel movie, this lengthy era of male dominance in the hero department may be reaching its close. Recently, Brie Larson, who has received critical success for her...
Hitting the high note: All-State musical success
Caitlin Crome, Social Media Manager
October 29, 2019
Obtaining the coveted All-State title for any sport or art is a goal that many hope to achieve. This hope became a reality for 22 of the top singers and musicians at Pleasant Valley. On Oct. 26, an array of students auditioned for a chance to be involved in November's All-State Music Festival and to obta...
The lure of terror
Grace Halupnik, Multimedia Manager
October 22, 2019
A shiver down the spine, a wave of uncertainty, a surge of adrenaline–although these responses are biological warning signs, ironically every year Americans seek out these reactions. Terror is ingrained in society. There is an entire literary and film genre dedicated to horror and an annual ho...
Review: The candy-colored satire of “The Politician”
Alyce Brown, Arts and Entertainment Editor
October 22, 2019
A recent Netflix release, "The Politician", is the newest series by renowned writer and director Ryan Murphy. In an interesting satirical style, the show plays with complicated ideas set to a colorful backdrop of the nations’ most affluent and troubled adolescents. The show centers around Payt...
Into the black hole: Fortnite dissolves its platform for days to interest users
Kate Stewart, Copy Editor
October 21, 2019
As the attention span of both kids and adults within society today appears to drop, marketing companies continue to evolve their methods of enticing people into staying interested. Recently, Fortnite--a popular game among teens today--launched a risky marketing technique now referred to as the black...
Joker movie controversy
Chris Cumberbatch, Assistant Editor-in-Chief
October 18, 2019
The controversy around the Joker movie is not a secret. However, Joker has performed astoundingly well at the box office, breaking the October record with an opening weekend of $93.5 million. Articles ranged from calling the movie the best in years to saying it inspires violence across America. The director...
Haunted Theatre brings spooky season to the high school
Sanjiv Iyer, Photo Manager
October 15, 2019
As Halloween season reaches its peak, a bevy of activities are available for all ages. One such activity is the haunted theatre hosted at the high school. Hosted by the PV Drama department, students decorate the walls of the black box, creating a spooky setting. Kids from around the school district g...
Marching band celebrates end of season with “Band Bash”
Cienna Pangan, Photo Manager
October 15, 2019
After a typical home football game, PV marching band members pack up their uniforms and instruments and head home. However, last Friday night, they celebrated the end of their marching season with “Band Bash”. Band Bash is a band tradition that occurs each year after the last home football ga...
Forgetting family: How PV’s fall play raised awareness for dementia
Anna Myatt, Staff Contributer
October 14, 2019
Visiting grandparents is something a lot of people take for granted, considering that in one instant, grandparents can leave this world. However, for some families, losing their loved ones can be a slow and an emotionally painful process. Pleasant Valley’s fall play, “Helium”, focuses on the life...
From Bettendorf to Broadway: PV alum earns success in theater
Cienna Pangan, Photo Manager
October 14, 2019
Pleasant Valley alum, Samantha Pauly, has gained significant recognition for her theater work, from her title role in “Evita” in London, to her Chicago performance as Katherine Howard in “Six”, which will appear on Broadway in 2020. At 29 years old, Pauly has had a variety of experiences in theat...
Pleasant Valley band goes through its annual ability-based division for concert band season
Taylor English, Staff Contributor
October 14, 2019
The marching band has played its last show for the year, meaning the upperclassmen have now been divided into three ability-based concert bands for the rest of the school year. The division is based on a three part audition; each student must sight read music, play as many scales as they can in two ...
