March & April Teen Programming at the Mustang Public Library

Teen D&D- Thursday, 3/5 & 3/19 @ 4:30 PM

Digital Art Bookmarks-Thursday, 3/26 @ 4:30 PM

The Teen Zone: Dystopian Games- Saturday, 3/28 @ 2:30 PM

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All listed programs are for 6th-12th graders only and are free to attend. To register, visit localhop.com

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Earth Day: Small Swaps, Big Impact

Article by Eva

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Celebrated annually on April 22nd, Earth Day is a global call to protect our planet. While systemic change is vital, our individual choices contribute to the collective health of our ecosystems. Making simple, eco-friendly swaps is an effective way to reduce waste while helping your wallet.

🌍 Sustainable Swaps & Their Benefits

• Bar Shampoo & Conditioner

• Environmental: Eliminates plastic bottle waste and reduces water used in manufacturing.
• Financial: One bar can replace 2–3 liquid bottles, saving money on frequent replacements.

• Reusable Shopping Bags

• Environmental: Keeps thousands of plastic bags out of landfills and oceans; the average family uses 1,500 plastic bags per year.
• Financial: A one-time cost that avoids "bag fees" now common in many grocery stores.

• Reusable Water Bottles

• Environmental: Drastically cuts down on single-use plastic pollution (only about 9% of plastic is actually recycled).
• Financial: Instead of buying cases of water, you pay once for the bottle and get free refills.

💰 The Long-Term Payoff

Transitioning to these alternatives is budget-friendly because they prioritize durability over disposability. While a high-quality water bottle or silicone bag might cost more upfront, these items typically pay for themselves within weeks. Sustainability is truly a win for both the Earth and your bank account.

Sources

• Plastic Waste Statistics: National Geographic & EPA.gov
• Economic Impact of Reusables: UPSTREAM Solutions (Research on the cost-effectiveness of reuse vs. single-use).
• Plastic Bag Usage: Waste Management.
• Shampoo Bar Efficiency: National Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

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International Jazz Day

Article by Braxton

Jazz: the mix of brass, woodwinds, and rhythm sections. Jazz music is the syncopation of rhythms and sounds. Originating from African American communities in parts of New Orleans, Louisiana; it began to be defined by the brass bands and the charming improvisation solos known worldwide. Though jazz is a genre people know internationally, it appears as one if, if not the least, selling genres of music of all time. I believe jazz is the most underrated musical region ever, which many agree, and that is why on April 30th of every year it is International Jazz Day! In honor of this wondrous holiday I will be sharing the top artists and composers as well as my favorite!

• Duke Ellington - Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington was alive from April 29th, 1899 - May 24th, 1974. He was a main pianist and specialized in composing jazz orchestra music, even leading the charge of his own band! His most notable works are Black, Brown, and Beige and Take the “A” Train.

• Buddy Rich - Bernard “Buddy” Rich lived from September 30th, 1917 - April 2nd, 1987. He was primarily a drumset mastermind who also had a knack for jazz composure. He was often considered the most influential drummer in the world. His famous works are Channel One Suite and Big Swing Face (both being played at the next Mustang High School Jazz concert).

• Arturo Sandoval - Arturo was born on November 6th, 1949 and is still healthy to this day. Sandoval is very talented at the piano, but his true skills begin to glimmer in his trumpet playing. He is very familiar with playing in movies, Rango for example. His most famous works are his feature in A Night in Tunisia and Swingin’

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National Poetry Month Wordsearch

Interactive by Hannah

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Anything Goes Review

Article by Trinity

Isn't it do-lovely indeed. Anything Goes first performed in 1934 has everything you love about old Hollywood musicals like Guys and Dolls or Singin’ in the Rain. It's got catchy songs such as the opening song “I Get a Kick Out of You”, “Friendship”, and the titular song “Anything Goes” just to name a few. It's got a charming cast of characters from Lord Evangeline Harcourt to gangster Moonface Martin even the extras are cholk-full of personality. It's also got that special humor that hasn't aged a day that will have you laughing in your seat.

It might seem like a hard musical to pull off on the high school level, but Mustang was able to do it. The set design was delightful, mimicking a cruise liner's deck with compelling lighting, the period costumes were whimsical and charming with the hair and make-up to match, the pit sounded like a professional recording, and most importantly, the students performed and sang their hearts out. I went on Friday night, and it was a full house from families to teachers to students, the crowd was alive and it was infectious. The dedication and work that was clearly put into the musical makes the performance feel so high level.

It was my first time watching a musical put on by Mustang, and I'll be thinking about this performance years to come, and if you went, I hope you enjoyed it just as much as I did.