Blog No. 225: Infused Joy: PS 22 Chorus, David Hogg Speech, Insects in Flight

Infused Joy:
PS 22 Choir

One of my heroes: Gregg Breinberg

This is not the first time I have written about these beautiful singers but I think it is time to return to this Staten Island chorus of 4th and 5th graders for a little touch of magic and infused joy. We all need it right now! If you can take a few minutes, I encourage you to take it in--it will bring you a big smile.

Here are a few of my favorite songs they sing but you can also go and discover more of them on your own on youtube...

Andy Grammar
Don't Give Up On Me

Paul Simon
Still Crazy After All These Years

Cold Play
Viva La Vida

Look at all those beautiful kids in every shape and form...the beauty of New York City, the wonder of music and the power of an arts curriculum in the schools...If you want to see more, there is a documentary about them entitled Once in a Lullaby that includes their performance at the Academy Awards--well worth watching.

Gen-Z Youth Leader David Hogg

If you haven't heard of David Hogg, I would like to introduce you. David was a senior at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida when a shooter shot up the school and killed 17 people and wounded 18 others in 2018...After the school shooting, Hogg emerged as a leader in the gun violence protests. He subsequently founded a youth organization called Leaders We Deserve which has done a great deal to involve young people in politics.

In February 2025 Hogg became a vice-chair of the Democratic National Committee, after winning his race for one of those positions, becoming the first gen-z member to take on a national leadership role within the DNC.

Last week he spoke at the Woman's National Democratic Club and I share with you his compelling speech here. He is defintely one to keep an eye on as a rising star... .

Insects in Flight

Thanks to biologist Dr. Adrian Smith, of the Evolutionary Biology & Behavior Lab at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and Assistant Research Professor at North Carolina State University, here is some amazing close-up video of insects in flight. I've never seen anything like it: the intricacy of nature is beyond words...

And thanks to my friend Susan Baum Moyer for sending me this video...


About The Author

New York City based contemporary artist, Pam Smilow, began writing the creative lifestyle blog “things we love” in an effort to foster a sense of community during times of isolation and reflection. To read more about her and her art, visit her website and check out the essay written by Frank Matheis entitled The Sophisticated Innocence of Pam Smilow.

Source: PS22-Chorus-david-Hogg-dr-adrian-smith-ins...