How many of us have watched “The Office” too many times to count? For anyone looking for something new, we now have “The Paper,” a spinoff about a failing newspaper in Ohio struggling to reestablish itself. Through 10 episodes, each 30 minutes in length, the volunteer journalists working for the new and improved Toledo Truth Teller encounter new experiences and are filmed along the way. 

So, how are “The Paper” and “The Office” related, and how do they compare? Well, their connection is shown in the pilot episode with the return of Oscar Martinez, a former employee at Dunder Mifflin, the setting of “The Office,”  now working as head accountant for The Truth Teller. Throughout the series, there are various easter eggs and references to the show’s predecessor. However, you don’t need to be a die-hard “The Office” fan to enjoy its satiric and mockumentary-style comedy. 

In terms of style, “The Paper” has used “The Office” as a template, taking inspiration from the familiar confessional sequences, shaky footage, and reaction shots. In relation to characters, there aren’t any striking parallels. 

Like the first season of “The Office,” everything is fresh, the actors are developing their characters, the writers are testing the waters, and the show is discovering its true purpose. Since it’s already been renewed for a second season, I think we will see growth on all fronts. 

The show not only hooked me because of its resemblance to “The Office,” but as a writer myself, I was intrigued by how Hollywood would portray journalism. The characters know they live in a pretty ordinary place, but in everyday events, they find the story and make those events interesting to their readers. A great example is how two of the main characters, Ned and Mare, go mattress shopping and uncover the layers of deception involved in unfair pricing. Pulling together a cohesive story from only bits and pieces is a skill that, like them, I hope to master. Overall, the realities of journalism shown in this series is something I deeply appreciate and admire. 

However, what doesn’t need refining is the comedy. For me, one of the funniest characters on the show is Esmeralda Grand, a wacky Italian woman played by Sabrina Impacciatore. Her accent on certain words and the drama that she brings to every situation is hilarious. Whether it’s the sarcastic comments, the pranks, or the cringe-worthy moments, “The Paper” never fails to make me laugh. Often I find myself looking forward to the time in my day where I can relax on my couch and watch an episode or two and decompress.

“The Paper:” a successful spinoff 

William Ponder ’25 has been involved in theater and the arts throughout
his life. Starting at his church, then taking part in productions in middle
school, Ponder has found community through his fellow cast members
and an emotional outlet through his characters. In the future, Ponder will
focus his studies on psychology at Howard University, but he hopes to
continue performing every chance he can.

**What got you started in acting?**

I always loved acting. I started acting in the church; we used to do these
little musicals and stuff. When I got to middle school, I did every single
play and musical before COVID happened. I got to high school and I
was like “I would love to be in the play,” so I did all four plays and
I really loved it. I got to meet a bunch of really cool people and I
got to really lose myself in the character.

**What was it like to start participating in school
productions?**

It was a really fantastic experience. Ms. Cameron, the
drama teacher [at Princeton Middle School], made sure that
everyone, no matter how big or small your role, was having
a lot of fun. It was such a diverse and fun experience.
Your father is an artist — did he inspire you in any way?
Both my father and my mother are really creative. My mom
creates these really elaborate quilts and my dad is a painter, so
there were these days where my sister and I would sit down and they
both would present their pieces. They were also really encouraging
me and my sister’s creative sides.

**What was your favorite high school production?**

I would say my favorite was definitely “The Play That Goes Wrong.” I did it my
sophomore year and basically the premise of the play was we try to keep having the
show go on when everything’s actually getting messed up. Our setlight collapsed at
the end. It was very fun to be a part of. I was really close to my classmates because we
had to do so many stunts and trust each other.

**How do you handle nerves on stage?**

A lot of the time my classmates and I will do these special exercises where we all
try to get the nerves out of our system. Another thing that really helps is when I
get nervous I talk really fast, so when I’m on stage I try to calm myself down.
I just remember to breathe and just talk slower because slower will not be
as slow as it sounds.

**Are there any clubs at PHS that you joined that appeal to your
creative side?**

I’m in the Multicultural Student Achievement Network and something
we did this year was the Black History Month Assembly. I really think
we were able to show our true creative sides. There was a dancing club
and a fashion show so we really were able to put our own creative sides
into that.

**If you were to give advice to someone who wants to follow in your
footsteps, what would you say?**

I would say just march at the beat of your own drum. If it seems cringe
or embarrassing, it’s totally okay. I’d rather come off as an embarrassing
person but authentic than someone who’s trying to be someone they’re not.
Whatever makes you happy, you have to do that.

Student artist of the month: Will Ponder ’25

Photography has been around for more than two hundred years, capturing moments in time that are forever immortalized with a click and a flash. As technology evolves, cameras can now easily take high-resolution pictures that don’t require any effort whatsoever to develop or share. Editing and filtering apps are plentiful and can help photographers stylize and perfect any image. However, the resurgence of Polaroid cameras has sparked a throwback trend toward imperfect photography. The joy of Polaroid photography is based on its flaws, its spontaneity, and the fun of bringing back what’s old as new again. 

Unlike professional cameras or phone cameras, Polaroid cameras are not super-accurate or predictable. Pictures often end up with odd lighting that creates high contrast between the subject and background. Because the photo cannot be edited, the camera captures the true essence of the moment. This type of unfiltered reality is so rare in today’s photography that Polaroids can be a refreshing break from the constant perfection we see on social media. 

“Phones are boring, social media is so fake, but with Polaroids you can’t fake it,” said Viraaj Pasricha ’28. 

Since the point is imperfection, people can grab their Polaroid camera and click away without worrying about the precise angle, lighting, background, or even their smile.

Polaroids are also gratifying and are a different way to share and remember special moments. Our grandparents and even our parents collected printed pictures to document their good times, but few our age have photo albums. 

“They’re so much more precious than digital photos,” said Pasricha. 

By taking a bunch of Polaroid pictures at an event, friends can each take some home, pin them up on the wall, and enjoy looking at them in a completely different way than staring at their device. 

Ultimately, Polaroids have become so popular due to the recycling of trends. Clothing styles from the 1980s are trendy, and old-school cars like the Trans Am and IROC are coveted again. So it’s not surprising that trendy stores are selling Polaroid cameras and film while playing Tears for Fears in the background. Maybe one day our grandkids will dig up our phones and call them vintage!

The resurgence of Polaroids

Growing up as a proud Irish-
American, the month of
March has always been a
time for me to celebrate
my identity, my family
history, and all things Irish.
Whether it’s listening
to The Cranberries,
reading Oscar Wilde, or
simply hearing my Irish
grandmother’s charming
accented voice, I lean
into my roots more
than ever. After visiting
Ireland for the first time
last spring, I learned
about the culinary
aspects of my culture
beyond anything my
relatives ever made me.
Granted, the cuisine isn’t the most technical or visually
appealing, but the flavors are extremely comforting and
layered. One dish that has those complex flavors but is
simple to make is Irish apple cake. The cinnamon, ginger,
and nutmeg provide a richness that is perfectly balanced
with the slightly tangy apples, pleasing any crowd,
especially Irish. Sláinte!

**Ingredients**  

Streusel topping:  
4 tablespoons salted butter (cold)  
½ cup flour  
⅓ cup granulated sugar  
Pinch of salt  
1 teaspoon cinnamon   

Apple cake:  
1 stick unsalted butter (room
temperature)  
½ cup granulated sugar  
2 teaspoons vanilla
extract  
2 large eggs  
1 ¼ cups all-purpose
flour  
1 teaspoon baking
powder  
1 teaspoon cinnamon  
½ teaspoon ginger  
¼ teaspoon nutmeg  
⅛ teaspoon salt  
¼ cup heavy cream  
2 Granny Smith apples (peeled and thinly sliced)  
Confectioners’ sugar for serving 

**Instructions**  
1.Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Grease a 9-inch baking dish and line the bottom
with parchment paper.  
2. In a medium bowl, combine the flour,
granulated sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Add the
cold butter and combine until the dry ingredients
have the texture of coarse breadcrumbs and there
are no chunks of butter left. Set aside in the fridge.  
3. In a large bowl, cream the butter and granulated
sugar until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla and
eggs one at a time until fully combined.  
4. In a separate bowl, combine the flour,
bakingpowder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and
salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet and fold with a rubber spatula until just combined. Then, add
the heavy cream and combine.  
5. Add the batter to the greased pan, evenly layer the
apples on top, and cover with streusel topping.  
6. Bake for 60 to 70 minutes or until the top is golden
brown and crisp. Remove from the oven and let the cake
cool slightly in the pan before removing and placing
onto a rack. Let it cool completely and then dust with
confectioners’ sugar. Enjoy!

Adapted from Food Network

Irish apple cake recipe

***Call Me Maybe***

*Written by Jane Hu*

“Call Me Maybe” is the kind of song that gets stuck in my head for hours after listening to it. I first heard this track in 2013, and I still haven’t found a catchier song. Even people who don’t listen to a lot of music are familiar with the song “Call Me Maybe.” This song brings people together, whether I’m at a party or warming up for a sports game.

The lyrics are simple, but that is what makes it so great. They capture the fun and spontaneity of giving someone your number and hoping that they’ll call. The chorus is impossible to not sing along to, and the whole song emits a feeling of excitement and confidence. What makes this song so special to me is the nostalgia I feel when I listen to it. It reminds me of the good old times when life could just be fun and silly, standing out from other more recent pop music.

While listening to the song, the upbeat melody brings a sense of happiness that is easy to follow and sing along. The recognizable and repetitive lyrics makes it very memorable for everyone.

While many songs get their weekly fame, placing top five on the Billboard Hot 100, “Call Me Maybe” will forever be number one in my heart. Pop music doesn’t always have to be serious to be great. Sometimes, a song just has to uplift you, give you motivation, and make you happy. “Call Me Maybe” does a perfect job doing that; it’s a great example of being a constant big hit in the music industry. It’s proof that a “good” pop song can unite people, not because of its
complexity, but because of how it makes people feel.

***A Hard Day’s Night***

*Written by Maeve Walsh*

It’s 1964. The Beatles just announced their first world tour and have released a movie based on their newest album. They are the most famous rock group in the world. In a house in Princeton, New Jersey, their records are well-preserved, with the exception of a few scratches on the vinyls and the paper sleeves slightly deteriorating due to old age. One album in particular is at the top of the stack: “A Hard Day’s Night,” with just 14 songs spanning 34 minutes.

To me, it’s crazy that at the time of the album’s creation, the Beatles were only in their early twenties. But their young age gave them room to develop a sense of humor that makes me feel like I too can take a break and let loose. Their ability to move between lighthearted and meaningful, like in “I’m Happy Just to Dance with You” and “Things We Said Today,” strikes the perfect balance.

Not only is the songwriting complex yet playful, but it evokes feelings of nostalgia that are so comforting. As a young girl, I would listen to this album with my parents in our living room, the turntable spinning the black, shiny vinyl round and round. That was a simpler time, where life was easy, and the world seemed to be at peace. Now, I listen to the songs and let my mind wander to when I would dance on the coffee table, screaming along with Paul McCartney during “Can’t Buy Me Love.” It’s a nice escape from the rest of the world when I don’t feel like dealing with reality.

The album’s final track, “I’ll Be Back,” with John Lennon’s smooth guitar and melodic harmonies, always feels like a hug goodbye. Leaving my imaginary world with the final words “but I’ll be back again” reminds me that this album will always be there for me when I need to be whisked away. As the sounds of the acoustic guitar and drums slowly fade away through the speakers, and the needle picks up off the album, I leave with dopamine filling my brain and even more reasons to love “A
Hard Day’s Night.”

Love letters to...

### "A Christmas Story" - Suroor Menai

“A Christmas Story,” directed by
Juha Wuolijoki in 2007, is a perfect
family movie for the holidays. Filmed in
Finland, this movie incorporates some
of Finland’s holiday
traditions, setting itself
apart from traditional
American Christmas
movies.

The film tells the
story of a boy named
Nikolas, who was
orphaned when he was
young. A village took
him in, and each year
on Christmas day, he
moved to a different
family’s house in the
community. The movie
follows his childhood as
he eventually becomes
Santa Claus.

The plot of the movie
intertwines feelings
of sadness and hope,
which was one of the
things I loved about it.
For instance, Nikolas’
sister, Aada, died along with their parents.
Later in the movie, a character is named
after her, symbolizing her importance in
Nikolas’s happy ending and reminding
him of her absence. The ups and downs
throughout the entire movie made it
unpredictable, which
I find to be one of the
key aspects in any good
movie.

I also really
appreciated the
character development
in the movie’s key
figures, because it gives
the movie structure
and really draws the
viewer into the movie.
One such figure was
a character named
Isaac, who was initially
portrayed as mean and
bitter, but developed
with each passing
scene, and began
showing more of his
true personality, which
was much less hostile.

This is a fantastic
entertaining holiday
movie to watch with friends and family,
while also being captivating and meaningful.

### "Santa & Cie" - Maeve Walsh

 “Santa & Cie,” directed by Alain Chabat,
is a French film released in 2017 about
Santa’s journey through the real world in
hopes of curing his elves of a mysterious
disease. Landing in
France, Santa is desperate
to find a remedy for his
elves and get back to
the North Pole in time
for Christmas. As time
is running out, Santa is
arrested after ransacking
a pharmacy. His lawyer,
Thomas, soon realizes
Santa’s true identity and
allows Santa to stay at
his family’s apartment
as he helps him acquire
the cure for the elves.
Thomas and his family
must now work together
to get enough medicine
before Christmas Eve.

Throughout Santa’s
adventure in the beautiful city of Paris,
he sees people’s stress around the holiday
season. Considering the elves’ sickness is
the only problem he’s faced in hundreds of
years, Santa is confused when he sees that
Thomas and his wife Amélie have to deal
with many challenges. Especially around
the holidays, it appears that everyone is
in a hurry, socializing becomes tiresome,
basic chores seem impossible to get
done, and people are often
short on money. All these
difficulties portrayed in
the film are accurate
depictions of what many
people experience during
the holiday season.

Even though there
is a deeper meaning
to the plot, there are
also many lighthearted
moments throughout the
film. Amusingly, Santa
is quite the comedian,
constantly teasing his
reindeer and making witty
comments to Thomas and
Amélie, who reciprocate
Santa’s sense of humor.
Combined with fantastic
visual effects, the storyline
is entertaining and makes for a great family
movie that would appeal to all. Although
I had to read the English subtitles, I think
this will become a seasonal classic for my
family and me.

Around the world in winter: international holiday films 

### Pumpkin pancakes with cinnamon butter

Recipe adapted from "The Palatable Life"

It’s Sunday morning, and I’m watching the fall classic
“Gilmore Girls” with a warm coffee in hand. What’s
missing? A plate of Luke Danes’ pumpkin pancakes
with cinnamon butter, of course! These fluffy pancakes,
inspired by Luke’s, are perfectly spiced and topped
with homemade cinnamon butter. After trying this
recipe, I felt like I was a part of one of my favorite
autumnal TV shows.

Total time: 32 minutes; Prep time: 12 minutes; Cook time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

2 cups flour, ¼ cup brown sugar, 1 tbsp baking powder, 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice, Pinch of salt, 1 ½ cups milk, 1 tbsp white vinegar, 1 cup pumpkin puree, ¼ cup salted butter (melted), 2 eggs, 1 tsp vanilla extract, ½ cup salted butter (room temperature), 2 tbsp brown sugar, 2 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tsp cinnamon

Instructions:

In a large bowl, add the milk and vinegar, and stir to combine. Allow the mixture to sit for five minutes, then
add the pumpkin puree, butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Whisk until combined and smooth. In a separate large bowl, add the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Stir until well
combined. Add the dry ingredients to the large bowl of wet ingredients. Use a rubber spatula to carefully combine until
there are no large chunks of dry ingredients. Be sure not to overmix! Add cooking spray to a pan over medium heat. Add ¼ cup of batter to the pan and cook for two to three
minutes before flipping the pancake. Cook for another two to three minutes on the other side. Repeat with all
the remaining batter. To make the cinnamon butter, add the butter to a medium bowl and mix with a hand mixer until fluffy (about
three minutes).
Mix in the cinnamon, brown sugar, and maple syrup until combined.
Add a scoop of butter on top of the pancakes along with whatever toppings you like. Enjoy!

### Snickerdoodle apple pie cookies

I’ve always loved autumn. Seeing all the vibrant fall
colors engulf every tree, ordering countless pumpkin
spice drinks, spending time with loved ones, cooking
all sorts of comfort food — who can say no to that?
Amidst the chaos of school, I’ve found comfort in baking
for my close friends and family. While perfecting my
baking rotation for this season, I came across my current
favorite fall recipe — caramel apple snickerdoodles! The
sugary cookie base with notes of cinnamon and nutmeg,
combined with the sweetness of the caramelized apple
sauce, creates a delicious burst of flavors that will leave
you coming back for more. Whether you’re sharing with
friends and family, or keeping these all for yourself, be
prepared to enter a world of comfort.

Recipe adapted from @brooklynburleww on TikTok

Total time: 45 minutes; Prep time: 30 minutes; Cook time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

2 cups salted butter (softened), 3 cups granulated sugar, 4 eggs, 4 tsp vanilla extract, 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 4 tsp cream of tartar, 2 tsp baking soda, 8 tbsp granulated sugar for coating, 2 tbsp cinnamon, 4 honeycrisp apples, thinly sliced, ⅔ cup granulated sugar, 3 tbsp brown sugar, 3 tbsp cornstarch, 2 tsp ground cinnamon, ½ tsp ground nutmeg, ½ tsp ground cloves, ½ tsp salt, 2 ½ cups water, caramel sauce, 3 tbsp powdered sugar, 2 tsp of milk

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. In a large mixing bowl, mix together the softened butter and sugar, until it reaches a light and fluffy consistency. Add the eggs and vanilla into the bowl, mixing until fully combined. Add the flour in five parts, slowly folding it into the dough. Add in the cream of tartar and baking soda, and mix until fully incorporated into the dough. (Note: the dough is
 supposed to be slightly sticky.)In a separate bowl, mix cinnamon and sugar together. Using a cookie scoop, make balls of dough and roll them in the cinnamon sugar mixture made in the previous step,
 until each dough ball is fully coated. Place the dough balls at least three inches apart from each other on a baking sheet. Place a medium saucepan on a stove over medium-high heat. Add in the granulated sugar, brown sugar, cornstarch, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, salt, and water. Stir gently until the mixture simmers. Add in the apples, and turn the heat down to medium-low heat. Stir in the apples until they turn a golden color. Bake the cookies for eight minutes at first, and carefully remove them from the oven. (Note: they’re supposed to be
 slightly undercooked at this point.). Using a spoon, gently press down the center of the cookie to form a slight indent on the surface of the cookies. Place the apple pie filling into the indents of each cookie. Put the cookies back into the oven for two to three minutes. To make the icing, add some powdered sugar into a small bowl, and slowly add in milk and whisk until a creamy
 consistency is achieved. Take the cookies out, drizzle some icing and caramel on top. Enjoy!

Maeve Walsh's Work