This has definitely been a year to remember. After dealing with COVID, many teens had a lot of time on their hands to try out different streaming platforms, movies, and different music. There were so many breakout brands and games that captured Bedford students’ minds, so “Ursus” set out to find the true victors. Thank you to the nearly 200 students who took the poll on Schoology. Here are the results:

• Streaming Service of the Year
  Netflix was the first streaming service and is obviously still at it. Netflix consistently releases new titles, and has its own studio that releases highly appealing original content, a proven business strategy. Furthermore, Netflix continues to release diverse content fit for all audiences, a characteristic that places it above other streaming services like HBO Max or Hulu. This year, Netflix has released a multitude of titles, releasing almost every day.
  Netflix 46.2%
  Disney+ 36.9%
  Hulu 13.8%
  HBO Max 3.1%
• Meme of the Year
  The Amogus meme started around the decline of the social deduction game Among Us. Let it be a lesson to game developers– games with bean-shaped characters never last long. We saw it with Fall Guys and then with Among Us. It has now become a meme used to make fun of people, usually used in conjunction with “sus” of “sussybaka.” A big reason this meme has risen above the others is because of the slang Among Us spawned.
  Amogus 71.2%
  Bernie Sanders Mittins 14.4%
  Dogecoin/Wall Street Bets 7.6%
  Ship stuck in Suez canal 6.8%
• Mobile App Category of the Year
  Many kids enjoy social media because it lets them connect with their friends and see photos. It can also give them a chance to follow celebrities and track their favorite interests or communities as well. Popular social media apps among kids are Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and Discord.
  Social Media 43.8%
  Streaming Service 23.4%
  Music/Podcasts 17.2%
  Games 15.6%
• Video Game of the Year
  The 2011 game, somehow, is still going strong. It has overcome several droughts, but seems to be very popular this year. This is most likely due to the many options the player can make regarding their world, and because one can join their friends in their worlds to witness their digital creations. Minecraft is a game that can, quite literally, be played in any way the player wants.
  Minecraft 42.1%
  Roblox 26.3%
  Call of Duty 15.8%
  Fortnite 15.8%
• Sports Story of the Year
  The Super Bowl LV was one of the most interesting Super Bowls of all time, with Tom Brady proving that he can play, even if he is old for football. Students most likely enjoyed the Super Bowl, since they were able to see a true competitor as old as their dad.
  Super Bowl LV 48.2%
  COVID vs. the Tokyo Olympics 35.7%
  The Super League scandal 10.7%
  Naomi Osaka’s French Open exit 5.4%
• News Event of the Year
  Students voted for the Covid Vaccine as the most impactful news article of the year. This topic brought millions of viewers around the world and educated them on the pandemic.
  The rollout of theCovid-19 vaccine 53.8%
  The Jan. 6th Capitol Insurection 35.4%
  The trial of Derek Chauvin 10.8%
• Rap Song of the Year
  Cardi B’s high-energy drill-inspired hip hop song, “Up,” has been ubiquitous this year. It had a garish, high-fashion music video and an infectiously popular TikTok dance. Cardi even performed it at the 63rd Grammys.
  “Up” by Cardi B 47.9%
  “Masterpiece” by Dababy 20.8%
  “Calling My Phone” by Lil Tjay Featuring 6LACK 16.7%
  “RAPSTAR” by Polo G 14.6%
• Pop Song of the Year
  “Driver’s License” and “Levitating” were both cultural and musical icons of this school year, with dances and trends to match. “Drivers License” was Olivia Rodrigo’s debut song, and thanks to the power of TikTok, it debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed there for eight weeks. Rodrigo was the youngest artist ever to debut atop the chart. “Levitating,? meanwhile, was a hit even before popular rapper DaBaby jumped on the remix. Although these songs couldn’t be more different – one a debut ballad from an actor in “High School Musical the Series,” one a disco, dance-pop hit by a relatively well-established pop star – it’s no surprise that Bedford chose these songs as pop songs of the year.
  “Drivers License” by Olivia Rodrigo 31.7%
  “Levitating” by Dua Lipa and Dababy 31.7%
  “Save Your Tears” by The Weeknd 18.3%
  “Astronaut in the Ocean” by Masked Wolf 18.3%
• Movie of the Year
  “Godzilla vs. Kong” was one of the most popular movies of the year, directed by Adam Wingard, who has produced, written, and choreographed numerous films. Students liked this for the fast-paced action and the clash of their favorite characters.
  “Godzilla vs. Kong” 44%
  “Wonder Woman 1984” 30%
  “The Boss Baby: Family Business” 16%
  “Love, Guaranteed” 10%