Reporting with Hills Pride

The Trailblazer
District discusses equity statement, BOE retreat
District discusses equity statement, BOE retreat
Senior portraits of valedictorian Noah Hirshfield and salutatorian Jenna Golub.
Getting to know the valedictorian and salutatorian
For the first time since the pandemic began, the Board of Education held their meeting in the auditorium.
BOE approves interim superintendent for district
Gundersen said that the District Equity Team is “totally voluntary,” meaning students do not have to join if they do not want to.
BOE approves district equity statement, club
The Trailblazer's 2021-22 editorial staff along with advisor Vani Apanosian.
Trailblazer announces 2021-22 editorial staff
Members of the Class of 2021 have had many accomplishments in a school year like no other.
Class of 2021 senior spotlights
“When I got the email that I had won second place, I was really shocked. It was really nice to see that my hard work had paid off,” said Mednard.
Hills sophomore places second in statewide writing contest
The PH Cares club recently organized a handprint activity to support people struggling with their mental health.
PH Cares promotes Mental Health Awareness Month
Hills band members perform Monday at their first concert in 17 months.
Hills band, choir hold first concert in 17 months
Co-President Lina Kim hanging a vaccination information poster.
The brand new club at Hills: PHHS Med
The team defeated the River Dell softball team.
Broncos softball wins first league title since 1975
“My next goal is 16 feet. I’m going to try to get this at my meet tomorrow,” Zuckerman said. 
Max Zuckerman breaks county pole vaulting record
Analyzing the NFL 2021 draft
Analyzing the NFL 2021 draft
The first game of the season at Morris Catholic High School. Junior Ally Green and sophomore Emily Sailer are pictured; Green is in possession of the ball. Hills players are dressed in brown.
Hills girls’ lacrosse: Week one overview
Alex Kostantas, middle, holding his state medal next to Coach Dave Bucco, left, and Coach Kevin Moran, right.
Alex Kostantas makes Hills wrestling history
People who are currently traveling must continue to follow safety guidelines.
Is it time to travel again?
This year, some AP tests will be taken by students in-person, while others they will take from home.
Hills students voice thoughts on AP testing
Black people and Black Lives Matter supporters engaged in peaceful protests to fight against systemic racism and lobby for Chauvin to be charged.
Holding Derek Chauvin accountable is only a first step towards racial justice
Some students enjoy virtual school while others want to learn in classrooms again.
Will students miss virtual school?
A Hills student during class in-person.
Is it time to combine cohorts?
People who are currently traveling must continue to follow safety guidelines.
Is it time to travel again?
Some students enjoy virtual school while others want to learn in classrooms again.
Will students miss virtual school?
Just about everyone is waiting, anxiously, for life to return to normal and for this pandemic to end. 
The risk of rushing to a normal lifestyle
Unless you are allergic to one of the ingredients in one of the vaccines, there is no reason to choose one vaccine over another.
The best vaccine is the one you can get
Aria Chalileh, pictured here checking out a customer, is a Hills senior who works part-time as a cashier at Wegmans.
Pandemic alters work life for Hills students with part-time jobs
Ms. Harmon, left, after being named 2005-06 Hills Teacher of the Year. She is pictured with former Superintendent Benedict Tantillo, center, and 2005-06 Valley Teacher of the Year Karen Kosch.
‘Deeds not words’: Remembering Ms. Harmon
According to guidelines, both football and cheerleading hold the same risk when it comes to exposure to the coronavirus. But according to state regulations for winter sports, cheer teams are deemed non-essential at basketball games.
Cowboys mascot removed, but gender inequity remains at Hills
Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month is honored each year during the month of May.
Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month begins
Montvale Mayor Mike Ghassali attends an Armenian Genocide commemoration and speaks of the genocide’s history and recognition from the United States.
Armenian Genocide recognized in Montvale
March For Our Lives students protest for gun control.
Policy solutions debated amid spate of mass shootings
Pascack Recap Episode 4: May 31, 2021
Pascack Recap Episode 4: May 31, 2021
Senior trunk-or-treat event
Senior trunk-or-treat event
Pascack Recap Episode 3: April 30, 2021
Pascack Recap Episode 3: April 30, 2021
Pascack Recap Episode 2: March 26, 2021
Pascack Recap Episode 2: March 26, 2021
Pascack Recap Episode 1: Feb. 26, 2021
Pascack Recap Episode 1: Feb. 26, 2021
How I got here: Alex Dranovsky
Study materials for the SAT, including the Barron's SAT book, which is widely used by students to prepare.
‘Test-optional’ is here to stay
The “5 Steps to a 5” preparation book for the AP Physics 1 exam. Teachers of the course recommend it to students for studying.
Hills prepares to hold AP exams in person, at home
Perri Cochin on the day of her high school graduation.
Hills alum Perri Cochin: Where is she now?
Northeastern University is located within the city of Boston.
College overview: Northeastern University
Hills reacts: Ellen DeGeneres to end daytime show
War movies have been a major genre in the spectrum of film since the early 1900s.
Movie review: ‘Saving Private Ryan’
“The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” is a show that will easily satisfy old and new Marvel fans alike.
‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’ proves Marvel can handle serious topics
New to Netflix this spring
The Oscars are still about a month away, yet there is already a lot of excitement among Hills students over who will win.
Hills students see progress in diversity of Oscars nominees
Left to right: Hills students Kaitlyn Verde, Gururoop Kaur, and Lily Plechner.
Simple ways to de-stress at the end of the school year
Get excited for May, because there’s lots of great news coming your way.
May horoscopes
Having the right lighting for your bedroom is very important.
Trending room decor of 2021
Chlorophyll-concentrated water has spontaneously ignited worldwide infatuation, especially among teenagers.
Chlorophyll water: Is it worth it?
These five TikTok food recipes are trendy and delicious.
The latest trends on food TikTok
Reporting with Hills Pride

The Trailblazer
Reporting with Hills Pride

The Trailblazer
Briana Keenan

Briana Keenan, In-Depth Editor

Briana Keenan, a sophomore, is excited for her second year as a member of the Trailblazer. She'll now be in charge of editing the In-Depth section with Kate Zydor, taking a deeper look at many of the topics covered by the Trailblazer.

Fun fact: Keenan is on Zenith Company at her dance studio.

All content by Briana Keenan
District discusses equity statement, BOE retreat

District discusses equity statement, BOE retreat

June 21, 2021
For the first time since the pandemic began, the Board of Education held their meeting in the auditorium.

BOE approves interim superintendent for district

June 7, 2021
Gundersen said that the District Equity Team is “totally voluntary,” meaning students do not have to join if they do not want to.

BOE approves district equity statement, club

May 24, 2021
The PH Cares club recently organized a handprint activity to support people struggling with their mental health.

PH Cares promotes Mental Health Awareness Month

May 20, 2021
The Trailblazer's 2021-22 editorial staff along with advisor Vani Apanosian.

Trailblazer announces 2021-22 editorial staff

May 17, 2021
“We believe the benefits of having students all back seeing each other face to face... don’t outweigh the potential risks,” Gundersen explained.

District to keep cohorts separate – with a catch for vaccinated seniors

May 13, 2021
Because the district is now in a lower Covid-19 transmission zone, it can safely space desks in classrooms three feet apart instead of six.

District to survey parents on merging cohorts

May 10, 2021
Debra Stephans is sworn in as a BOE member by Secretary Yas Usami.

BOE adopts budget, approves resignation of superintendent

April 26, 2021
Black people and Black Lives Matter supporters engaged in peaceful protests to fight against systemic racism and lobby for Chauvin to be charged.

Holding Derek Chauvin accountable is only a first step towards racial justice

April 29, 2021
Northeastern University is located within the city of Boston.

College overview: Northeastern University

April 16, 2021
The volleyball team has a game this Friday, March 26 against Demarest.

‘Every moment matters’ this volleyball season

March 26, 2021
Members of this year's debate team pictured at a tournament in December 2019.

Debate team finds success amid virtual season

March 19, 2021
One of the drop-boxes for the book drive in the Pascack Hills lobby.

Interact club hosts first-ever book drive at Hills

February 26, 2021
The choices for Hills' mascot are the Broncos, the Trail Blazers, and the Phoenix.

Hills students, staff voice thoughts on mascot options

February 24, 2021
Amelia Earhart is well known for being a female pilot, but there is another female pilot who is less known: Bessie Coleman. She was the first Black female pilot, and she encouraged other Black people to pursue flying as she did.

Black history in America, and how it is covered in the classroom

February 9, 2021
Larry King, a self-described

Over 50,000 interviews: Larry King and his legacy

January 27, 2021
Aria Chalileh, pictured here checking out a customer, is a Hills senior who works part-time as a cashier at Wegmans.

Pandemic alters work life for Hills students with part-time jobs

January 10, 2021
(From left to right): Mrs. Schwartzman, Lutz, and Mahaffey helping out at NJCDC last year.

Project Paterson’s annual toy drive

December 9, 2020
Uhl learned of the award from Superintendent Erik Gundersen, who was joined by several teachers in congratulating him before the Teacher of the Year was announced over the loudspeaker.

Jay Uhl, Hills mathematics teacher, is awarded Teacher of the Year

November 20, 2020
Statistics show that there is a correlation between different ethnicities and how they impacted the election results.

How different ethnic groups impacted the 2020 election

November 18, 2020
“I just want to acknowledge the work of all the staff… it has just been a daily rollercoaster,” Board President Tammy Molinelli said of the Covid-19 situation.

District reveals ‘student-led’ plan to select new mascots for Hills and Valley

October 26, 2020
Macaluso, fourth from the left, pictured with her peers and former senator Lesniak at last year’s opioid crisis teach-in.

Hills graduate studying social work at Monmouth University

October 25, 2020
TAC members at the Relay for Life on May 18, 2019.

Salsa for the Susan G. Komen foundation

October 13, 2020
Ms. Katherine Donahue's AP English Literature and Composition class on their first day of school in-person, Sept. 4.

‘It was a whirlwind’: students, staff tackle unusual school year

September 18, 2020
Cowboy and Indian history contributes to broader mascot debate

Cowboy and Indian history contributes to broader mascot debate

July 15, 2020
The Pascack Valley Regional High School District Board of Education, which held a meeting Thursday on Zoom focusing on the removal of the Cowboy and Indian mascots at Hills and Valley.

Amid vocal praise and criticism, Board says Cowboy and Indian mascot removal is final

June 25, 2020
Hills Principal Glenn deMarrais, in a photo taken upon the announcement of his retirement in January. deMarrais has since been approved to step in as Valley's principal next school year.

From ‘Hills Pride’ to ‘Wagon Wheel’: deMarrais’ impact on Hills

June 16, 2020
Dance company Alvin Ailey’s post about speaking up in support of Black Lives Matter.

Dance community fights for Black lives, racial justice

June 5, 2020
The Trailblazer editorial staff for the 2020-21 school year. By row from left to right: Briana Keenan, Vani Apanosian (advisor), Simmie Brisman, Kate Zydor; Jared Mitovich, Riley Solomon, Maeve Rossig, Christina Kim; Daniel Albert, Justine Marinkovic, Mackenzie Blowers, Lauren Eusebio; Izzy Frangiosa, Claudia Kim, Jacob Charnow, and Siera Boffa.

Trailblazer chooses editors for 2020-21 school year

May 27, 2020
Cryptid Conversations: Chupacabra

Cryptid Conversations: Chupacabra

February 27, 2020
Photo credit: The New York Post

The complicated legacy of Kobe Bryant

February 19, 2020
Ms. Gamgort, business and beyond

Ms. Gamgort, business and beyond

February 4, 2020
Ms. Yeam, pictured after teaching her Period 2 World History class, 11/21/19

Lucky thirteen: Ms. Yeam

December 5, 2019
Interacting in the Community: Helping hands Food Drive

Interacting in the Community: Helping hands Food Drive

December 3, 2019
Five Fall Festivities in New York City That Can’t Be Missed

Five Fall Festivities in New York City That Can’t Be Missed

November 3, 2019
‘23 and Them: The Freshman Student Government

‘23 and Them: The Freshman Student Government

October 11, 2019

The Trailblazer

Reporting with Hills Pride
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