Latest news with #OscarNight
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Ephrata's Downer recognized for excellence
Apr. 24—Correction: April 24, 2025 — "Ephrata's Downer recognized for excellence" — The caption should have said Downer was attending Central Washington University. EPHRATA — Hannah Downer, an 18-year-old senior at Ephrata High School, has been selected as one of the Students of the Month for March in recognition of her academic performance, leadership roles in extracurricular activities and positive influence on her peers. "I like being nominated for stuff and being recognized," Downer said. Having attended Ephrata schools since kindergarten, Downer has demonstrated a commitment to her education and community that has set her apart from her classmates, according to her teacher, Mikki Johns, who nominated her for student of the month. Downer is a versatile participant in numerous activities; she has been a dedicated member of the girls tennis team since her freshman year, felt a sense of belonging in Key Club where she served as president and showcased her talents in the drama club. "I love being involved and giving back to my community through service projects," Downer explained, referring to her role in Key Club. "There's something so gratifying about organizing events that help others and promote kindness." In her time as president, she has organized projects including candy grams for Valentine's Day, assisting with neighborhood yard sales in collaboration with Kiwanis Club and setting up flags for state send-offs. Downer's accomplishments in the athletic arena include her recent promotion to the varsity girls tennis team. "I was part of the junior varsity for the first three years, and being on the varsity now is a huge achievement for me," she said. "Despite some health challenges this year, I've learned to embrace improvement over winning. I value seeing my own growth more than the outcome of a match." Hannah is not just committed to sports and service; she also demonstrates academic prowess. She has been an active member of the National Honor Society for two years, even promoting Key Club during its Oscar Night event, where students are recognized for exhibiting exemplary character traits. "Being involved in the National Honor Society has allowed me to support and celebrate my peers' success," she said. One of her most impactful experiences has come from her participation in Advancement Via Individual Determination, a program designed to prepare students for college. "AVID has changed my life," Downer said. "It's not just about academics, but also about building relationships with people who encourage you. Those four years feel like a family." Her dedication to both her own success and that of her classmates has made her a role model in the classroom environment, Johns said. Hannah has also embraced the challenge of the Running Start program, where she takes college courses at Big Bend Community College while still in high school. Johns praised her adaptability and determination. "Hannah's commitment to her education is inspiring," Johns said. "She's taken on the rigors of college classes and tackled them head-on, proving her resilience." Downer said she balances all her commitments by managing her time and trying to avoid distractions. "I try to manage my time effectively, especially when juggling assignments from different classes and obligations to my clubs," she said. Johns pointed out how Downer's upbeat personality has positively impacted the classroom environment. "Hannah has a way of lifting everyone's spirits. She recognizes when someone is feeling down and works to change the atmosphere. Her ability to create a positive environment helps everyone in the class flourish," Johns said. Johns said she has also inspired other students in AVID to accomplish their goals. This year, Downer had too many credits, so she was unable to take the AVID class. Despite this, she attends the class every day, completing assignments that will never be graded. "Students in the class saw her showing up when she didn't need to be," Johns said. "They) think, if Hannah's doing it and Hannah's not even in the class, maybe I have that type of attitude. I think she really pushes people to work harder than what they are doing." With her graduation approaching, Hannah Downer has her sights set on Central Washington University, where she plans to major in anthropology and museum studies. "Museum studies is taking artifacts and curating the museum exhibits and, basically, handling history," she said. "It (has) kind of like an art side, because you're creating the exhibits, but you also have the history side when you're handling the artifacts. As a kid, I always loved history. It was like my favorite subject. I just love learning history that I haven't witnessed or experienced ... like the 1600s and like the 1700s, finding out how the United States began." Downer expressed gratitude toward her parents Jason and Jennifer Downer for their support throughout her educational journey. "My parents have always been there for me, especially during difficult times, like when I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 10," she said. They've provided unconditional love and encouragement that kept me going." She also wants to thank Johns for her patience and kindness throughout the last four years of school. "I really love her. Love my heart. She's like a teacher-mom," Downer said. "If we're kind of struggling, going through some hard times, she's always there for us if we need a shoulder to cry on. She's there if we need a hug or whatever." Johns said she finds Downer inspiring. "I would say, when I think back many years from now and I think of Hannah, I will think of her hugs," Johns said. "I don't know if she's needing it for herself or if she thinks maybe some days I might need a little lifting. But she's one of those students that will come to me and just say, 'I need a hug. Can I?" I love that. I think that's amazing." As Downer embarks on her next chapter, Johns offered hopeful predictions about her future. "I know that college is really important to her, and I see her attending and finishing," Johns said. "I know it's a personal goal of hers. I know she's going to do whatever it takes to complete that and be successful. She's (the kind of) student that (when) she is struggling, she knows how to reach out to her resources and ask for help, which I think is amazing."
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Dramatic Pictures Emerge From Earthquake In Thailand & Myanmar As Hundreds Feared Dead
The eyes of the world's news media are trained on Thailand and Myanmar, where a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake has left hundreds feared dead. The United States Geological survey reported that the earthquake struck around four hours ago at a rare magnitude that is described as 'major' with the potential for 'serious damage.' More from Deadline Oscar Night Earthquake: 3.9 Temblor Rattles North Hollywood Area As Attendees Hit Post-Ceremony Parties Thai Studio Night Edge Unveils Horror Pic 'Death Dial' Starring Actress Penpak Sirikul & Sanya Kunakorn - EFM Jurassic World Immersive Attraction Unveiled In Bangkok For Q2 2025 News networks have since rushed to the scene and pictures and videos being reported by the media have set out the scale of the destruction, as 24/7 news channels quickly pivot their coverage. Reporting in depth from Myanmar has been difficult since a military junta seized power in 2021 but the BBC is reporting that hundreds are feared dead in Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city. Dramatic photos of the damage show hotels and large buildings in Mandalay in a crumpled heap, coming as a state of emergency is declared in six regions of Myanmar including Mandalay. The epicenter struck near Manadalay and a video posted on X and verified by the BBC shows a bridge collapsing near to a river. The Red Cross has said that electricity and network lines are down in the area, meaning it's difficult to assess the full damage. In Thailand's capital Bangkok, 70 construction workers are reported to be missing at the site of a collapsed building. In a Facebook post, the National Institute for Emergency Medicine in Thailand said around 320 workers were on the site at the time of the collapse and 20 are trapped in the lift shafts. Meanwhile, videos have been doing the rounds of water cascading from the rooftop pool of an intercontinental hotel in Bangkok, one of which can be seen below. Best of Deadline '1923' Season 2 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Come Out? Which Colleen Hoover Books Are Becoming Movies? 'Verity,' 'Reminders Of Him' & 'Regretting You' Will Join 'It Ends With Us' Everything We Know About Amazon's 'Verity' Movie So Far
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Dramatic Pictures Emerge From Earthquake In Thailand & Myanmar As Hundreds Feared Dead
The eyes of the world's news media are trained on Thailand and Myanmar, where a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake has left hundreds feared dead. The United States Geological survey reported that the earthquake struck around four hours ago at a rare magnitude that is described as 'major' with the potential for 'serious damage.' More from Deadline Oscar Night Earthquake: 3.9 Temblor Rattles North Hollywood Area As Attendees Hit Post-Ceremony Parties Thai Studio Night Edge Unveils Horror Pic 'Death Dial' Starring Actress Penpak Sirikul & Sanya Kunakorn - EFM Jurassic World Immersive Attraction Unveiled In Bangkok For Q2 2025 News networks have since rushed to the scene and pictures and videos being reported by the media have set out the scale of the destruction, as 24/7 news channels quickly pivot their coverage. Reporting in depth from Myanmar has been difficult since a military junta seized power in 2021 but the BBC is reporting that hundreds are feared dead in Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city. Dramatic photos of the damage show hotels and large buildings in Mandalay in a crumpled heap, coming as a state of emergency is declared in six regions of Myanmar including Mandalay. The epicenter struck near Manadalay and a video posted on X and verified by the BBC shows a bridge collapsing near to a river. The Red Cross has said that electricity and network lines are down in the area, meaning it's difficult to assess the full damage. In Thailand's capital Bangkok, 70 construction workers are reported to be missing at the site of a collapsed building. In a Facebook post, the National Institute for Emergency Medicine in Thailand said around 320 workers were on the site at the time of the collapse and 20 are trapped in the lift shafts. Meanwhile, videos have been doing the rounds of water cascading from the rooftop pool of an intercontinental hotel in Bangkok, one of which can be seen below. Hotel infinity pool water getting tossed around by 7.9 earthquake.#earthquake #แผ่นดินไหว #mynmar #bangkok — Gyanendra Singh (@GyanendraGabbar) March 28, 2025 Best of Deadline '1923' Season 2 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Come Out? Which Colleen Hoover Books Are Becoming Movies? 'Verity,' 'Reminders Of Him' & 'Regretting You' Will Join 'It Ends With Us' Everything We Know About Amazon's 'Verity' Movie So Far
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Former Vanity Fair editor says just one person was banned from famous Oscars party for life
Graydon Carter, the former Vanity Fair editor who launched the magazine's famous Oscars party, has revealed that just one guest received a lifetime ban from the annual event. Carter, 75, took over the monthly Condé Nast title in July 1992 back when he was known for founding the satirical magazine Spy with Kurt Andersen. He is now poised to release a new memoir, When the Going Was Good, about his time at Vanity Fair, including what he describes as the 'poisonous atmosphere' of his first few years. Just one person was banned for life from the famous Oscars gala, he wrote: Harvey Weinstein. Page Six reports that Carter divulged how the now-disgraced film producer and convicted rapist would regularly show up with 'more guests than his invitation indicated and would bully the staff'. 'He got banned from everything because he was rude to the staff and I didn't like that,' Carter told the publication, adding that the ban was temporarily lifted, then reinstated again. He said this behaviour was 'not from drink… it was just within him'. The Independent has contacted Weinstein's representative for comment. Carter came up with the idea to host a new Oscars party following the death of famed Hollywood agent Swifty Lazar, who represented legends such as Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Cary Grant, Noel Coward and Truman Capote. Until then, Lazar was known for his Oscar Night galas thrown in Beverly Hills, an invite to which was deemed as important as making an appearance at the Governors Ball. 'I don't know why I thought [Vanity Fair could fill the gap],' Carter said. 'I had not thrown any big parties up to that point. But I do believe that, if you think there is a possibility of failure, don't have too many eyes on it.' The Vanity Fair party grew to the point that editor Sara Marks, who handled the guest list, became the object of 'bribery, threats and even abuse', but Carter was firm in his stance of getting 'as many movie stars with Oscar statues in one room as humanly possible'. Carter stepped down as editor of Vanity Fair in 2017, announcing that he wanted to leave 'while the magazine is on top'. 'I want to leave while it's in vibrant shape, both in the digital realm and the print realm,' he told The New York Times. 'And I wanted to have a third act – and I thought, time is precious.' When the Going Was Good: An Editor's Adventures During the Last Golden Age of Magazines, is scheduled for release by Penguin Press on Tuesday 25 March.
The Independent
23-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Former Vanity Fair editor says just one person was banned from famous Oscars party for life
Graydon Carter, the former Vanity Fair editor who launched the magazine's famous Oscars party, has revealed that just one guest received a lifetime ban from the annual event. Carter, 75, took over the monthly Condé Nast title in July 1992 back when he was known for founding the satirical magazine Spy with Kurt Andersen. He is now poised to release a new memoir, When the Going Was Good, about his time at Vanity Fair, including what he describes as the 'poisonous atmosphere' of his first few years. Just one person was banned for life from the famous Oscars gala, he wrote: Harvey Weinstein. Page Six reports that Carter divulged how the now-disgraced film producer and convicted rapist would regularly show up with 'more guests than his invitation indicated and would bully the staff'. 'He got banned from everything because he was rude to the staff and I didn't like that,' Carter told the publication, adding that the ban was temporarily lifted, then reinstated again. He said this behaviour was 'not from drink… it was just within him'. The Independent has contacted Weinstein's representative for comment. Carter came up with the idea to host a new Oscars party following the death of famed Hollywood agent Swifty Lazar, who represented legends such as Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Cary Grant, Noel Coward and Truman Capote. Until then, Lazar was known for his Oscar Night galas thrown in Beverly Hills, an invite to which was deemed as important as making an appearance at the Governors Ball. 'I don't know why I thought [ Vanity Fair could fill the gap],' Carter said. 'I had not thrown any big parties up to that point. But I do believe that, if you think there is a possibility of failure, don't have too many eyes on it.' The Vanity Fair party grew to the point that editor Sara Marks, who handled the guest list, became the object of 'bribery, threats and even abuse', but Carter was firm in his stance of getting 'as many movie stars with Oscar statues in one room as humanly possible'. Carter stepped down as editor of Vanity Fair in 2017, announcing that he wanted to leave 'while the magazine is on top'. 'I want to leave while it's in vibrant shape, both in the digital realm and the print realm,' he told The New York Times. 'And I wanted to have a third act – and I thought, time is precious.' , is scheduled for release by Penguin Press on Tuesday 25 March.
