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“La Tribu Del Este - Orquestra” Returns to Their Musical Journey as a Community Latin Band

“La Tribu Del Este - Orquestra” Returns to Their Musical Journey as a Community Latin Band

“La Tribu Del Este - Orquestra” Returns to Their Musical Journey as a Community Latin Band

LCCC Student Volunteers Make Connections at Innastar Award Show Pre-Mixer

LCCC Student Volunteers Make Connections at Innastar Award Show Pre-Mixer

LCCC Student Volunteers Make Connections at Innastar Award Show Pre-Mixer

LCCC Schnecksville Location Features Recording Studio

LCCC Schnecksville Location Features Recording Studio

LCCC Schnecksville Location Features Recording Studio

Project Atlas Proposal Sparks Debate Over Lehigh Valley’s Future

Project Atlas Proposal Sparks Debate Over Lehigh Valley’s Future

Project Atlas Proposal Sparks Debate Over Lehigh Valley’s Future

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It’s Okay Not to Meet Expectations

Seamus Reed| Writer

Sometimes it's alright to not meet expectations put on you. You should never let others' expectations of you steer the direction of your life. Sometimes we lose ourselves trying to please others and feel that by us failing them... we've failed ourselves.

As students, we can feel like there is always someone expecting something from us. Parents might have certain plans for our future, teachers might expect certain grades, coaches might expect us to perform, and even our friends can have expectations of who they think we should be.

But sometimes, what other people expect from us isn't what we truly want for ourselves. It's important to remember that disappointing someone doesn't automatically mean you made the wrong decision. You are the one who has to live with the choices you make, not everyone else.

It's important to not let others' views and opinions of you change what in your heart is most important to you. Growing up means learning who you are, what you value, and what direction you want your life to go in. Not everyone is going to understand your choices, and that's okay.

Sometimes meeting your own expectations matters more than meeting everyone else's. Failing someone else's expectations doesn't mean you've failed yourself.

It’s Okay Not to Meet Expectations

Seamus Reed| Writer

Sometimes it's alright to not meet expectations put on you. You should never let others' expectations of you steer the direction of your life. Sometimes we lose ourselves trying to please others and feel that by us failing them... we've failed ourselves.

As students, we can feel like there is always someone expecting something from us. Parents might have certain plans for our future, teachers might expect certain grades, coaches might expect us to perform, and even our friends can have expectations of who they think we should be.

But sometimes, what other people expect from us isn't what we truly want for ourselves. It's important to remember that disappointing someone doesn't automatically mean you made the wrong decision. You are the one who has to live with the choices you make, not everyone else.

It's important to not let others' views and opinions of you change what in your heart is most important to you. Growing up means learning who you are, what you value, and what direction you want your life to go in. Not everyone is going to understand your choices, and that's okay.

Sometimes meeting your own expectations matters more than meeting everyone else's. Failing someone else's expectations doesn't mean you've failed yourself.

For the Love of Novelty

Natalie Paasewe│Writer

Throughout my life, I've had times when I felt like a machine. I go to class, head to work, finish assignments, scroll, sleep, and repeat. When I find myself in one of these cycles, I reach for the perfect remedy: novelty.

When I was 17, my form of novelty was joining my high school's color guard team. I was-and still am- a woman of little athleticism. However, I figured it would give me a break from senioritis and college applications. It seemed fun, so why not join?

Oh, I was bad. Real bad. Not only was I the oldest new member, but I felt like I was the worst new member.

I couldn't do flag tricks for the life of me. When I'd throw my flag in the air during halftime, it'd either land on the football field, or it'd land on my head.

Honestly, I sometimes wonder how I even made it on the team.

Was it embarrassing? Yes. Would I do it again? Also, yes. I loved cheering for my school's team with other students. I ended up making friends with my teammates. Lastly, I fulfilled my wish to give the color guard a try.

All this to say, I'm a strong believer in trying new things. They could be food, clubs, hobbies, or even careers.

Whether you end up liking them or not, at least you are breaking the cycle of monotony so many of us fall into.

For the Love of Novelty

Natalie Paasewe│Writer

Throughout my life, I've had times when I felt like a machine. I go to class, head to work, finish assignments, scroll, sleep, and repeat. When I find myself in one of these cycles, I reach for the perfect remedy: novelty.

When I was 17, my form of novelty was joining my high school's color guard team. I was-and still am- a woman of little athleticism. However, I figured it would give me a break from senioritis and college applications. It seemed fun, so why not join?

Oh, I was bad. Real bad. Not only was I the oldest new member, but I felt like I was the worst new member.

I couldn't do flag tricks for the life of me. When I'd throw my flag in the air during halftime, it'd either land on the football field, or it'd land on my head.

Honestly, I sometimes wonder how I even made it on the team.

Was it embarrassing? Yes. Would I do it again? Also, yes. I loved cheering for my school's team with other students. I ended up making friends with my teammates. Lastly, I fulfilled my wish to give the color guard a try.

All this to say, I'm a strong believer in trying new things. They could be food, clubs, hobbies, or even careers.

Whether you end up liking them or not, at least you are breaking the cycle of monotony so many of us fall into.

Sleep is a Necessity, not a Privilege
Elyas Naddour | Writer

“Class, don’t forget your exam on chapters 1-7 tomorrow,” the teacher says.

Great, another all-nighter for the week.

All these exams, handouts, quizzes, and endless pages of reading slowly chip away at your sleep. It’s agreed that all these assignments are supposed to help the human brain, but could they actually be hurting it?

Could all the time spent drilling information into your head, only to forget it the next day, be better spent getting good sleep, doing something creative, or spending time with your loved ones? Could the reliance on caffeine among students be a result of the workload schools give us?

Should students be expected to juggle a job, pages’ worth of reading, and possibly taking care of younger siblings, all while their parents scold them for not getting perfect grades? All these questions, and I still haven’t even answered question one in my macroeconomics class.

A lack of sleep is normalized, even flaunted, when it shouldn’t be. Sleep deprivation can hurt our ability to focus and learn, yet we treat losing sleep like a medal. Sleep is a necessity, not a privilege.

Sleep is a Necessity, not a Privilege
Elyas Naddour | Writer

“Class, don’t forget your exam on chapters 1-7 tomorrow,” the teacher says.

Great, another all-nighter for the week.

All these exams, handouts, quizzes, and endless pages of reading slowly chip away at your sleep. It’s agreed that all these assignments are supposed to help the human brain, but could they actually be hurting it?

Could all the time spent drilling information into your head, only to forget it the next day, be better spent getting good sleep, doing something creative, or spending time with your loved ones? Could the reliance on caffeine among students be a result of the workload schools give us?

Should students be expected to juggle a job, pages’ worth of reading, and possibly taking care of younger siblings, all while their parents scold them for not getting perfect grades? All these questions, and I still haven’t even answered question one in my macroeconomics class.

A lack of sleep is normalized, even flaunted, when it shouldn’t be. Sleep deprivation can hurt our ability to focus and learn, yet we treat losing sleep like a medal. Sleep is a necessity, not a privilege.

Why Lucy Bedroque’s New Album c is My Unofficial Study Soundtrack

Sophie Nieto Soto | Writer

Between college applications, endless homework, and basically zero free time, my brain is usually running on 1% battery and pure stress. So when my favorite underground artist, Lucy Bedroque, dropped their new 15-track album, c, I honestly didn't expect it to end up at the top of my study playlist.

If you haven't heard it yet, c is a super aggressive, loud, and experimental album. It’s an intense mix of heavy rap, heavenly metal vocals, and completely blown out, distorted beats. Songs like "ALL SPEAKERS GO TO HEAVEN" and "PEACE AND PANDEMONIUM" sound like pure chaos on the first listen.

But weirdly enough? It sounds like heaven on earth to me.

When you're trying to pull an all-nighter or lock in at the library, typically lofi study beats can get extremely boring. Well, at least for me. Lucy Bedroque’s music doesn't try to fake calm you down. Instead, it creates this crazy surge of adrenaline that matches the exact energy I need. The heavy wall of sound blocks out every possible distraction that may surround me. It feels raw, unpolished, and insanely refreshing.

It’s definitely not for everyone, and it’ll probably shock you at first. You might even hate it. But if you need something high energy, or want to give a new genre a try, give c a listen.

Why Lucy Bedroque’s New Album c is My Unofficial Study Soundtrack

Sophie Nieto Soto | Writer

Between college applications, endless homework, and basically zero free time, my brain is usually running on 1% battery and pure stress. So when my favorite underground artist, Lucy Bedroque, dropped their new 15-track album, c, I honestly didn't expect it to end up at the top of my study playlist.

If you haven't heard it yet, c is a super aggressive, loud, and experimental album. It’s an intense mix of heavy rap, heavenly metal vocals, and completely blown out, distorted beats. Songs like "ALL SPEAKERS GO TO HEAVEN" and "PEACE AND PANDEMONIUM" sound like pure chaos on the first listen.

But weirdly enough? It sounds like heaven on earth to me.

When you're trying to pull an all-nighter or lock in at the library, typically lofi study beats can get extremely boring. Well, at least for me. Lucy Bedroque’s music doesn't try to fake calm you down. Instead, it creates this crazy surge of adrenaline that matches the exact energy I need. The heavy wall of sound blocks out every possible distraction that may surround me. It feels raw, unpolished, and insanely refreshing.

It’s definitely not for everyone, and it’ll probably shock you at first. You might even hate it. But if you need something high energy, or want to give a new genre a try, give c a listen.

Procrastination: A Student's Worst Enemy

Ismeily Gil | Writer

Many students know the daunting feeling of an assignment being due the next day, while you haven’t even started it.

Procrastination is one of my biggest challenges. Assignments may seem overwhelming, difficult, or boring, making it easy to push them aside. The truth is, waiting until the last minute creates more stress.

The hardest part is sometimes simply getting the motivation to get it started. Once you start to begin working, you may realize the assignment wasn't as hard. Breaking large assignments into smaller tasks can be a useful way to make them feel more manageable.

Taking breaks is also important, but there is a difference between doomscrolling on TikTok and avoiding responsibilities. Learning how to manage time can help students stay organized and reduce stress.

Procrastination: A Student's Worst Enemy

Ismeily Gil | Writer

Many students know the daunting feeling of an assignment being due the next day, while you haven’t even started it.

Procrastination is one of my biggest challenges. Assignments may seem overwhelming, difficult, or boring, making it easy to push them aside. The truth is, waiting until the last minute creates more stress.

The hardest part is sometimes simply getting the motivation to get it started. Once you start to begin working, you may realize the assignment wasn't as hard. Breaking large assignments into smaller tasks can be a useful way to make them feel more manageable.

Taking breaks is also important, but there is a difference between doomscrolling on TikTok and avoiding responsibilities. Learning how to manage time can help students stay organized and reduce stress.

Is There Anything Better Than Playing at the Pool?
Grace León | Writer

This summer, I occupied the same Bethlehem pool twice a week. I watched kids swimming with new-age names. Names like Townes and Arcadia, which I only knew because their mom yelled at them every time they pushed, which was often.

They played make-believe games, tricking each other into jumping in the pool. The older ones in a knowing bit, the younger ones coated in naivety and sunscreen.

They followed their older brother and his friend around like gods. Clinging to their palm-leaf-splattered swim trunks, waddling behind in floaties. The things made them stand like snowmen, stiff and arms wide out while wearing goofy grins.

I watched them cut through water unceremoniously, without shame or thought. Their little heads bobbing up and down like buoys with perfect corn-husk-colored ringlets.

The pool sparkled like ten thousand sardines, silver and aqua on either side. I watched them flop over and under each other, wriggling into sparkles of mist. Smooth and cool like the flaky inside of seashells.

It reminded me of the fish hatcheries my dad used to take me to when I was younger. I would watch those fish flip on and off of each other, peeking up into the air occasionally when you threw two quarters’ worth of pebblish, smelly food.

What I would give to like anything as much as those fish liked that food? I wonder now if there’s anything better than playing at the pool.

Writer image by dimitrisvetsikas1969 from Pixabay

Is There Anything Better Than Playing at the Pool?
Grace León | Writer

This summer, I occupied the same Bethlehem pool twice a week. I watched kids swimming with new-age names. Names like Townes and Arcadia, which I only knew because their mom yelled at them every time they pushed, which was often.

They played make-believe games, tricking each other into jumping in the pool. The older ones in a knowing bit, the younger ones coated in naivety and sunscreen.

They followed their older brother and his friend around like gods. Clinging to their palm-leaf-splattered swim trunks, waddling behind in floaties. The things made them stand like snowmen, stiff and arms wide out while wearing goofy grins.

I watched them cut through water unceremoniously, without shame or thought. Their little heads bobbing up and down like buoys with perfect corn-husk-colored ringlets.

The pool sparkled like ten thousand sardines, silver and aqua on either side. I watched them flop over and under each other, wriggling into sparkles of mist. Smooth and cool like the flaky inside of seashells.

It reminded me of the fish hatcheries my dad used to take me to when I was younger. I would watch those fish flip on and off of each other, peeking up into the air occasionally when you threw two quarters’ worth of pebblish, smelly food.

What I would give to like anything as much as those fish liked that food? I wonder now if there’s anything better than playing at the pool.

Writer image by dimitrisvetsikas1969 from Pixabay

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