Butter Beans: Improvement or Disappointment?
By Jasmine Johnson
School lunch. Almost every high school student in America seems to despise it. I mean who wouldn’t, if all that is served is mystery meat and uncooked fries. But what if there was a better way? A healthier way? That’s what happened when Preston High School decided to go that route. Say a nice warm welcome to our newest lunch program, Butter Beans Kitchen. Butter Beans Kitchen is much more than just a lunch program; they also involve themselves in their children’s overall well-being and health. Their “mission” is to provide healthy foods for the body but also for the mind. Not only do they offer school-wide lunch programs, but they also excel at offering wellness education classes, in and outside of the classroom. The newest owner of this fantastic establishment
is Patt Persons, an experienced business owner. Before his interest at Butter Beans, Mr. Persons owned four businesses that involved manufacturing located in Denver, New York, Houston and St. Louis. After twenty years, him and his wife felt it was time for a change and bought Butter Beans Kitchen. Mr. Persons thought it was a good fit, because he is very passionate about leading healthy lifestyles and keeping a better nutrition. He strongly believes that offering healthier choices to students increases the students’ academic performance, giving them more focus. Many of you may not have noticed, but Mr. Persons often visits our school kitchen and even serves us himself! By doing so, he is making sure that we are finally enjoying our school lunch.
Now let’s get to the student body, the main critic. Asking all grades, the freshman class were the most excited about the new lunch. The sophomore class had very diverse responses such as, “Same quality as last year,” from Kaitlyn Sattaur and “Salad is okay,” from Angel Vasquez. However, I have observed that for many students, the salad is the best part of their lunch. Overall, the majority of the class thought it was a major improvement from last year. The junior class had a much more positive reaction. Jennifer Colon stated that, “The food is so good!” Where other students such as Leena Peloso and Blessing Njoku thought that because of the higher prices, there would be more quantity of food, which is a valid concern that many girls have. Some food portions such as the pizza and rice are very small, not worth $4, though they are delicious. Mrs. Chambers, our Dean of Studies, has also expressed her joy in her choice of the new lunch program. When asked the question, “What prompted the switch of lunch programs and what drove you away from the traditional New York Board of Education system,” she simply responded saying, “Students were unhappy and so was I. I noticed that many of the students weren’t eating, which was a big concern for me and some meals were just simply unacceptable.” Mrs. Chambers was drawn to Butter Beans for its commitment to nutrition, their interest in educating students about living with healthy habits and the availability of freshly prepared meals that include vegetables and fruits. From her perspective, she believes that this change has had positive effect on the Preston Community. She has observed, that “most of the teachers and students who have given the lunch a try, seem to enjoy it and if there is a message that something is not working, we are willing to try something different to improve.”
The question is, what do you think Preston? Overall, I highly believe that Preston has made a huge improvement choosing Butter Beans Kitchen. I believe that the Preston community, including staff and the student body also are very happy with the improvements.
Pizza Critique
By Anonymous
Hey everyone, this is your new favorite food critic here! I plan on remaining anonymous, so that I do not become entangled in the food debates we are going to have. The issue, we will be discussing this week is pizza: the bread and butter of American cuisine. Pizza is my lifestyle; I eat, sleep, and breathe it on a daily basis. Today, I am ready to give you the inside scoop on two opposing pizzerias located right here near Preston. I went to, that’s right say it with me, both Tommy’s and Frank’s, the two most iconic pizzerias in the Throgs Neck neighborhood. Each pizzeria in 5 specific categories out of 10: proximity (because the least amount of walking I have to do, the better), taste (because you know...duh), price (because I’m broke), presentation (a fancy word for how it looks and is presented), and service (how well the employees treated me and other customers.) This debate has gone on long enough, so I think it’s time for someone to settle which pizzeria is better.
Frank’s Pizzeria
Proximity- Frank’s Pizzeria is super close to Preston (which means less walking folks), but only a block closer than Tommy’s. Address: 4106 E Tremont Ave, Bronx, NY 10465 (10/10)
Taste- Honestly, the pizza was a little too doughy, but the cheese was literally cooked to perfection. I literally ate the leftover cheese off of the paper plate. It could have been in the oven longer, but overall it was a great-tasting slice that I would most definitely buy again. (9/10)
Price- A single slice and a soda can cost me $4.50 ($2.50 for a slice and $2 for the soda.) I found the soda to be extremely expensive (like I could have bought two of the same sodas at my local bodega for the same price), but the slice was average so it made up sort of made up for it. (5/10)
Presentation-I mean it’s a slab of pizza on a paper plate, but that’s everywhere so… (10/10)
Service- The cashier was really understanding when my friends and I had to change up our orders several times. (10/10)
Tommy’s Pizzeria
Proximity- It’s very close to Preston, but it is one block further than Frank’s, so eh. If you’re more into exercise before eating pizza, then it’s not too bad, but I am not so that’s a minus one from me. Address: 4033 E Tremont Ave, Bronx, NY 10465 (9/10)
Taste- The pizza was very thin and crispy, and the cheese tasted fresh and delicious. Again I ate the leftover cheese off the plate (don’t judge me). Although there was a little more tomato sauce than I would’ve liked, this, to me, is the epitome of a New York City slice, and I would buy it over and over again. Just thinking about it makes me hungry all over again. (10/10)
Price- The price of my meal all together was $3.45, which included a $2.45 slice and $1 for a soda. This is great pricing, a tad cheaper than what you would normally expect which my pocket very much appreciated (10/10)
Presentation- Nothing incredible, same as Frank’s (10/10)
Service- My order was taken quickly and accurately, and the cashier and server were both really courteous and well-mannered. (10/10)
So the verdict is in! ::drumroll:: The total scores were:
Frank’s Pizzeria: 44/50
Tommy’s Pizzeria:49/50
Even though this was a close race and both pizzerias were amazing, Tommy’s Pizzeria takes the win!
Frank's Pizza
Tommy's Pizza
Preston's Very Own Fright Night
By Ashley Davis
On October 21st from 6-10pm, Preston High School held its second annual Haunted Mansion. There were booths set up inside the cafeteria where children and parents alike participated in events such as pumpkin decorating, trick-or-treating, and face painting. At the pumpkin decorating table, children were given mini pumpkins they could draw on or decorate with stickers to replicate a jack-o-lantern. Those who had not eaten before coming had nothing to fear, for there was a vast array of food available--from pizza to hot dogs, to candy and sweet treats. The main attractions of the night were the Haunted Mansion Tours. After traveling through the Mansion several times in order to get the full experience, I can honestly say that it was a truly terrifying journey. The Haunted Mansion Tours led people through the first floor of the Mansion and into three rooms. Scares
within these rooms included a mechanical werewolf, people with chainsaws, and figures lurking behind the curtains waiting to jump out at you with a blood curdling scream. Rooms were filled with girls hidden within the shadows of the fireplaces, and shadowy figures disguised by curtains of smoke, adding an extra eerie effect to the already creepy atmosphere. When exiting the third and final room, thinking the horrors had come to an end, a masked figure jumps out, inciting a new set of screams.
But don't take my word for it; many people commented on their experience in the Haunted Mansion. From April, a mother who brought her family, including young children: “It was a really great experience and I encourage people to come next year because I know that I’ll be back next year.” Similarly, Tasha, a mother of two, recalled “It was scary but kid friendly,” and Vicky, a sophomore at Preston High School, thought “It was terrifying,” stating that “next year I want to be a scarer.” Vicky’s request to be a part of the students who scared the Haunted Mansion goers highlights the importance of student and parent volunteers, without whom the Mansion’s success could not have been possible.
While the haunted Mansion was a fantastic event, there is always room for improvement. A possible improvement to be made would be to have more security on the grounds to provide more safety. Another fault with the mansion was the lack of actual thought out scares. While screaming in someone’s face may be startling at first, it loses its novelty after a few times and becomes rather boring and expected.
However, with all things considered, the Haunted Mansion was a wonderful tradition that should be carried out for all future Preston generations. Whether as a scarer, a volunteer, or just someone in attendance, the Haunted Mansion is one event you don’t want to miss out on.
Change in Mass
By Angela Akalonu
In Preston High School the student body’s least favorite thing to do used to be attending mass. However, with the help of two teachers, Ms. Cornelius and Mr. Hayes, our attitude has completely changed. With their bright spirit and enthusiasm, they have gotten the Preston community to enjoy mass a little bit more. Thankful for their presence, I sought to learn more about their background and what road they took to end up here. Ms. Cornelius attended Iona College where she earned her Associates Degree in Liberal Arts and Masters in Pastoral Counseling. At St. Vincent College she received a Bachelors in English and from Fordham University she has a Masters in Religious Education. Before arriving to Preston, she taught at several schools, even becoming principal at Sacred Heart Elementary School. She was raised as a non-denominational, unchurched Christian who later became initiated at twenty-seven into the -Catholic Church. Ms. Cornelius, as a new teacher coming to Preston, felt that it is most important to do all that she could to welcome the presence of the Holy Trinity into our Liturgy. In short, she feels it is her duty as Campus Minister to do all that she can during liturgy to ensure that God is honored and glorified. She also acknowledges all of her colleagues who work collaboratively to make our Liturgies special, and she is grateful to be a part of a team that has the highest regard for it.
Mr. Hayes, our brilliant music director, received his undergraduate degree at City College of New York, Bachelors of Arts in Psychology, and Graduate Studies in Theology at Regis College a Jesuit Seminary in Toronto. He worked in different schools primarily as a Campus Minister. Mr. Hayes worked at Preston in the past, so he was already familiar with the school when he returned. He was raised as a Methodist and then converted to Catholicism in his adult life. He considers spirituality and religious life as important tools to facilitate a good relationship with God. In teaching religion, he hoped to convey to young people the joy and peace that is accompanied with a strong relationship with God, as well as the importance of a relationship with the Holy Spirit. Everyone contributes to mass in their own way, and Mr. Hayes felt he could bring new life into mass through the music he plays. It should be joyful he comments, “teenagers enjoy it better when there is music that speaks to them.” Teachers and students agree that mass is more enjoyable and lively than ever before. The impact both Ms. Cornelius and Mr. Hayes has on the Preston community is tremendous and we are so grateful to have them.
