Student news from State College Area High School

Lions' Digest
Student news from State College Area High School

Lions' Digest
Student news from State College Area High School

Lions' Digest
Shiva Vahmani

Shiva Vahmani, Staff Writer

Shiva Vahmani is a sophomore completing her second year of journalism. She’s in WSCH, and loves playing guitar, video games, and reading. She hopes her writing will make a difference in her community.

All content by Shiva Vahmani
"A Minecraft Movie" promotional poster, directed by Jared Hess.

The Minecraft Movie’s Release Crafts the Interest of the Public

Shiva Vahmani, Staff Writer
April 14, 2025
Zara Ghetmiri says, “On the thirteenth day, everyone will go out in nature, and sprouts that have grown will be thrown in a body of water” Said Ghetmiri. The Sprouts on the Haft-Sin are prepared typically before Nowruz starts, so that by the thirteenth day, they’re fully grown and ready, they’re thrown into a body of water This is done as a way of metaphorically letting go of any misfortune or negativity from the past year, and allowing new things to come. The thirteenth day is when those who celebrate connect with nature, and enjoy the natural world.

The ‘Haft-Sin’ is one of the most important, and beautiful parts of the Nowruz celebration. The Haft-Sin table is typically a table that has symbolic items placed on it, each item representing a different thing to bring into the new year. Though, many who celebrate Nowruz set up Haft-Sins in creative ways other than a table. Sprouts represent new beginnings, and growth. Sweet wheat pudding represents patience, and strength. Dried oleaster represents prudence, wisdom, love, and connection. Apples symbolize well being, and beauty. Garlic deters evil and protects from evil. Vinegar represents clarity, and mental growth. The spice Sumac represents passion, and a symbol of ‘light over darkness.’

The Persian New Year, or ‘Nowruz,’ includes the ancient tradition of setting up a ‘Haft-Sin’ table, as well as placing symbolic items on the Haft-Sin that each represent a different concept to bring into the new year. Each item starts with the letter ‘s’ and represents different forms of prosperity. Many will also engage in arts and crafts during Nowruz, and will place those on their Haft-Sin.

Food is a large part of celebrating Nowruz. Typically, people celebrating will invite their friends and family to their homes and prepare food for them. During Charshambe Suri, Sheri Zolghadr hosted a large gathering for those celebrating Nowruz, and those who are interested in the celebration. Traditionally, many will cook fish and rice, Ghormeh Sabzi, Fesenjan, Kabab, Abgoosht, and more. Though any meal is perfect for celebrating Nowruz, Persian food is most common.

The sign reads ‘Hope all your wishes come true, and happy Nowruz.’ Welcoming all who wish to celebrate on Charshambe Suri, on the last Tuesday of the winter season. Neger Soltani says, “We celebrate the new year with the saying, ‘Zardie man az to, sorkhie to az man,’” Said Soltani. The phrase means, ‘May my sickly pallor be yours, and your red glow be mine.’ This is usually said while jumping over the Charshambe Suri fire(s) or during the celebration. This essentially means, “...Any sadness, problems, or negativity, we give up to the fire.” Said Soltani.

Zara Ghetmiri is dressed as ‘Haji-Firooz,’ a character in Iranian folklore that represents the joy and celebration of the Persian New Year. Ghetmiri says, “One of the first things that happens is that people will wear the costume of Haji-Firooz, and they'll dance and sing on the streets for people in Iran, it’s a sign that the new year is coming.” Said Ghetmiri. In Iran, people who dress as Haji-Firooz will typically get donations of money from people, and that person will buy things like candy and food for those less fortunate, or for children.

Zara Ghetmiri says, “The most important day that people dress as Haji-Firooz is ‘Chaharshanbe Suri’” The Chaharshanbe Suri is celebrated on the last Tuesday evening before Nowruz. Fire is a strong symbol in the Zorestrian religion, and for the majority of Persians that celebrate Nowruz. Ellie Nasr, someone who grew up in Iran and considers Chaharshanbe Suri her favorite Nowruz celebration, says, “We gather together and kind of have lots of fires, this is usually seven fires, and we jump from the fire, so that we pass the darkness and go towards the light in a sense, that's what we do it.” Said Nasr.

Zara Ghetmiri, and Sheri Zolghadr pass out gifts to children celebrating Nowruz on the last Tuesday of winter. During Nowruz, It’s common in Persian culture for the older members of the community to bring gifts for those younger than them. Artam Vahmani, a Zorestrian who has celebrated Nowruz for his whole life, says, “Everyone goes and visits the elder members of their family, the kids will visit their parents or grandparents, and then those elders go and visit your home as well.” Said Vahmani.

"The Last of Us" season two promotional poster by HBO Max.

The Controversies of “The Last of Us” Season Two

Shiva Vahmani, Staff Writer
March 6, 2025
Painting by Reese Fischer. Courtesy of Fischer.

The Art Bar Pops Up Downtown

Shiva Vahmani, Staff Writer
February 23, 2025
Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, and others at Donald Trumps inauguration, professional courtesy of Julia Demaree.

America is Becoming an Oligarchy

Shiva Vahmani, Staff Writer
February 19, 2025
"Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" promotional poster, professional courtesy of Micheal Gondry.

The State Theater Presents: “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”

Shiva Vahmani, Staff Writer
February 2, 2025
Nosferatu (2024) promotional poster, professional courtesy of Robert Eggers.

“Nosferatu” Revives Gothic Fashion

Shiva Vahmani, Staff Writer
January 9, 2025
Mojang's Pale Garden update promotional picture, professional courtesy of Mojang.

Mojang’s Pale Garden Biome Creeps Into the World of Minecraft

Shiva Vahmani, Staff Writer
December 16, 2024
Mike Tyson and Jake Paul promotional poster from Netflix.

The Fight Between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson Burns Through State High

Shiva Vahmani, Staff Writer
November 27, 2024
Jennifer's Body promotional poster, professional courtesy of Karyn Kusama.

Jennifer’s Body: Femme Fatale Fury

Shiva Vahmani, Staff Writer
November 21, 2024
Promotional poster for "The Substance." Courtesy of Coralie Fargeat.

The Substance’s Grotesque Plot Showcases Horrors Beyond Expectation

Shiva Vahmani, Staff Writter
November 14, 2024
Memoir of a Sparkle Muffin album cover by Suki Waterhouse, Suki is sitting down in a magical green field with purple and blue flowers, there are big trees around her with a shiny look. She is wearing a light blue sheer veil and a dress made of many shiny strings in the same color.

Suki Waterhouse Releases “Memoir of a Sparklemuffin”

Shiva Vahmani, Staff Writer
October 28, 2024
State High snackbar bin overflowing with blue and red Doritos, Lays, Ruffles, Smartfood popcorn, and Sunchips.

Nikocado Avocado is Two Steps Ahead

Shiva Vahmani, Staff Writter
October 17, 2024
Zero Day promotional poster, side by side with Colleen Hoover's "It Ends With Us" book cover. The Zero Day Poster features two highschool boys on the the poster in the four corners. Top left corner: Blonde boy in baggy black tee shirt and baggy blue jeans gives an evil look to the camera. Top Right: Brown haired boy and blonde boy sit on the floor looking at the camera blankly. Bottom left: The two boys school photo, they look younger and more happy in this one than in the other picture. Bottom right: Brown haired boy is holding a pistol at the camera. The bottom text reads, "Two Kids. One School." The book cover has a blank background with purple letters and crushed purple flowers over the block letters.

Our Generation’s Depraved Obsession with Killers

Shiva Vahmani, Staff Writer
September 25, 2024
State High Boys Volleyball at the North Gym, Derrick Campbell is midair hitting the ball in the center, his teammates surround him also in motion, the opposing team is in motion close to the net.

State High Boys Volleyball vs Chambersburg

Shiva Vahmani, Staff Writer
April 18, 2024
AI generated advertisement with colorful, joyful, and large candies and characters such as a unicorn and a bear like creature, and a clown in the middle in an eccentric suit. The text at the bottom has AI generated mistakes, saying "Catgacating, live performances, cartchy tuns, exarserdray lollipops, a paradise of sweet teats."

Willy’s Chocolate Fail in Glasgow

Shiva Vahmani, Staff Writter
April 5, 2024
Dune: Part Two promotional poster, with Paul Atreides, and Chani at the bottom together over an large orange sun.

Dune: Part Two Movie Review

Shiva Vahmani, Staff Writer
March 21, 2024
Vocal Valentine group sings to student

[Photo] Melodies from the Heart : Spreading Love through Vocal Valentines

Becky Mignot, Staff Writer
February 26, 2024
Three rows of Stanley Cups in purple, orange, and yellow at Dicks Sporting goods.

The Rise of Stanley Cups.

Shiva Vahmani, Staff Writer
February 16, 2024
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