By Philip Blumberg

Head Editor

If freshman Coco Rigoli could live in a movie, she would choose Mamma Mia!. It is one of her all-time favorites, and she always wanted to witness the beautiful coasts of Greece. Turns out, that is precisely what she did this summer.

“I spent two weeks in Greece with my family and a family friend. We went to a bunch of different islands and places: Santorini, Athens and Naxos,” Rigoli said.

But now that summer dream is over, and Rigoli will have to adjust to high school. That will not be easy, since the last time she was receiving in-person instruction five days a week was seventh grade. However, the welcoming community spirit of The Sentry should help. Rigoli, starting her first year on staff as a reporter, steps into a room where collaboration is encouraged and emphasized. As a new member of The Sentry family, Rigoli hopes she can continue to hone her writing skills.

“When I decided to go to Yorktown [instead of private school], I figured that working with The Sentry would help me with my writing,” Rigoli said. 

Outside of school, Rigoli plays for both the cross country and lacrosse teams. When asked what she is most looking forward to this year, she chose the latter.

“I played [Yorktown lacrosse] in eighth grade, and that was really, really fun. I played for JV, and this year I want to make varsity,” Rigoli said. 

She also enjoys to paint at home.

“I paint a lot of landscapes. I don’t like painting people, because that’s so much detail and I can’t do that. I prefer landscapes of natural parks, that sort of stuff,” Rigoli said.

Whether she is painting or on the field, Rigoli has a broad music repertoire, ranging from country to pop to rap. But she mostly prefers country, including Florida Georgia Line’s “H.O.L.Y.” and “Simple.” She is also a Swifty. 

“I have memorized all of the Taylor Swift songs, because I was obsessed with her when I was in elementary school, so I could sing all of them,” Rigoli said.

Rigoli’s personality emulates Swift’s music: sweet and thoughtful.

“I’m kind and enjoy being around people. I’m generally an extrovert, especially around younger people,” Rigoli said. 

However, there is one thing that sets Rigoli off. 

“When someone says, ‘you look really tired,’ that’s one of my pet peeves. You don’t want to look tired, and you don’t want people to point out that you look tired,” Rigoli said. 

As long as people avoid talking about how tired she looks, Rigoli will be a friendly and kindhearted addition to the class. The Sentry is lucky to welcome such a committed reporter.

By Coco Rigoli

Staff Reporter

Philip Blumberg is happy to be entering his senior year as head editor of The Yorktown Sentry. When not busy with school work or the newspaper, you may find Blumberg watching the Chicago Bears. 

One of his favorite birthday memories was when he went to see the Bears play in Baltimore. Because the Bears have been struggling lately, they are constantly on his mind. 

“I am an enormous Chicago Bears fan. I spend entirely too much time thinking, stressing, worrying about the Bears, especially because they always find a way to disappoint me or do something wrong,” Blumberg said.

Unlike the average teenager, Blumberg enjoys reading in his free time. You might find him in the history section of the library. 

“I’m almost like a grandpa because I enjoy reading history books. I like random stuff – right now, I’m reading about Lincoln. That’s a pretty random thing for a teenager to be reading about, but I enjoy it,” Blumberg said.

When asked if he could have any animal as a pet, Blumberg emphatically replied that he would want a dog. Even though his request for a dog has been unsuccessful over the years, Blumberg joked that his twin brother Eddie is the dog of the family.

Currently, Blumberg plays soccer at a competitive level. Even though he enjoys playing at a high level, he does not want to play soccer in college next year.

“I’ve never really pursued that. It’s not really something I am really interested in, so I just want a more normal college experience,” Blumberg said.

After graduation, Blumberg will be going to work at a camp he has attended over the last four years. He has friends all over the country whom he is excited to work with this summer.

“I went to this sleep away camp in Michigan for six weeks a summer for the last four years. So now I’m going to be working there which should be fun because I have friends dispersed all over the country. Seeing them again will be awesome,” Blumberg said.

The Sentry is lucky to have such a talented writer as its head editor. Blumberg will be graduating soon, and The Sentry will miss him and his memorable contributions.