The Green Arch - March 2024

Archmere Receives Donation of $3 Million from Rocco A. and Mary Abessinio Money to Fund Renovation of Performing Arts Center

Kathryn Pyne ‘25 ASST. NEWS & MANAGING EDITOR

The Archmere community gathered in the theater on Wednesday, November 15th, 2023 to celebrate the Abessinio Donation. Rocco A. and Mary Abessino have donated $2 million dollars to renovate Archmere’s Performing Arts Center. In addition, the Abessinios have donated $1 million dollars to account for need-based scholarships. In total, the donation is $3 million dollars, making it the largest donation in Archmere history. Honoring Rocco A. and Mary Abessinio,

the renovated theater complex will be named “The Rocco A. and Mary Abessinio Performing Arts Center.”

Mr. Manelski, Archmere’s Dramatics Director and Theater Manager, explains how Archmere had been interested in renovating the theater for the past 10 years, but did not have the funding to do so. “Thankfully, the Abessinios were looking for a place to donate money, and the theater was the project they were most interested in,” Mr. Manelski said.

The donation will renovate the 1970’s

design into an area with more natural light and open space. Mr. Manelski says, “The donation will be used to make the lobby more inviting and the theater more bright and cheerful.” He goes on to state, “It is going to be a place we are proud to bring people in.” Additionally, new light and sound systems will replace the old ones, improving the overall production of plays and performances. Through these renovations, it is clear that the new theater will add excitement to the actual shows themselves, for both the audience and

At a Glance: Catholic Schools Week 2024

The Archmere community gathered to celebrate Mass during Catholic Schools Week 2024, joined by Bishop William Koenig. Other events throughout the week included service projects, community appreciation events, and a celebration for Father McLaughlin. Photo credit: Archmere Academy.

the performers.

The theater lobby will also undergo a huge transformation, with a larger girls bathroom and a glass outside wall. Mr. Manelski shares that the new lobby “will make a great place to hold events and socials.”

Archmere students involved in the Drama Club are especially thrilled with the donation. Natalie Skelly ‘25 states, “I am very excited for this donation because it will benefit the drama club immensely, leading to better production.”

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Archmere Academy’s Student Newspaper

The new Rocco A. and Mary Abessinio Performing Arts Center’s will look like these renderings, made available by Mr. Frederick Voelker. Photo credit: Archmere Academy’s press release from 11/15/23.

THE GREEN ARCH

is a quarterly student-run publication at Archmere Academy. Our website is at https://archmeregreenarch.org

Mission Statement

The Green Arch seeks to consistently provide accurate information and impactful content to the Archmere Community. Our articles aim to educate the student body on local, national and global issues via professional, engaging print and digital platforms. We strive to create a voice for the Archmere community members, allowing them to generate original content in a inclusive environment. As the school newspaper, we commit ourselves to upholding Archmere’s pillars of zeal, wisdom, respect, reverence, and community.

Submissions

Letters to the editors are encouraged. Readers may submit a letter via email to greenarch@archmereacademy. com. Editors reserve the right to contact writers or edit submissions.

Comments—both in print and on our digital platform—are subject to review for appropriateness. Not all comments or letters will be published.

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The Green Arch is on Instagram (@ archmeregreenarch), Twitter (@ AukGreenArch), and Facebook (facebook.com/aukgreenarch).

Join our Staff!

New contributors are always welcome! Please contact any staff member listed below for more info, or email greenarch@archmereacademy.com.

Editors-in-Chief

Grace Koch ‘24

Anna Benner ‘24

Managing Editor Elizabeth Maher ‘24

Web Editor Matt Malloy ‘24

News Editor Elizabeth Maher ‘24

Features Editor

Isabella Lehr ‘24

Science & Tech Editor

Danielle Keenan ‘26

Reviews Editor

Ruby Merenda ‘24

Sports Editors

Josie Calder ‘25

Maura Read ‘25

Copy Editor

Lilian Domenico ‘25

Asst. News and Managing Editor

Kathryn Pyne ‘25

Social Media Manager

Claire McGonigle ‘25

Faculty Advisor

Mrs. Patricia Maher

Science & Tech

Did You Know?

“Plastic waste makes up 80% of all marine pollution and around 8 to 10 million metric tons of plastic end up in the ocean each year.”-UNESCO

“In 2022, about 66 million tons of pollution were emitted into the atmosphere in the United States.”-U.S.

EPA

“Since 1990, it is estimated that 420 million hectares of forest have been lost through conversion to other land uses”-UN FAO

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Auks for Earth Offer Sustainability Guidance

Danielle Keenan ‘26 SCIENCE AND TECH EDITOR

The Auks for Earth club held an assembly for the Archmere Community on recycling at Archmere. Anna Benner ‘24, the leader of Auks for Earth, led the assembly with other members of the club. The assembly comprised an overview of recycling currently at Archmere, facts about recycling, and a game to test the different classes on their abilities to recycle. Auks for Earth brought students from each class to be representatives and compete on their recycling skills by correctly separating trash from recyclable. Benner provided funny and witty commentary to the games providing a light-hearted mood while the students had trouble with recycling.

“It was fun,” said Allie Moyer ‘26 after watching this demonstration. Benner informed the student body that Archmere is not recycling even if there are recycling bins across campus. The recycling game highlighted the poor recycling skills of the students.

Anna shared some insightful facts about recycling. For example, using the recycling game she talked about the common misconceptions over some items in recycling. Regarding lunch, common items thought to be recyclable can’t be recycled if there are liquids or food on them. Anna describes these as “If it ain’t clean, it ain’t green.” Some other

items often mistaken as recyclable are coffee cups, trash bags, and even plastic bags that need to be sent and recycled separately. Anna concluded that “when in doubt, throw it out” and if you don’t know if an item is recyclable it’s best to put it in the trash because mixing the two ruins all of the recycling. Look if the item has the plastic number – recyclable plastics are for 1,2, and 5. Anna used the phrase “Strive for 1, 2, and 5” as an easy way to remember. Casey Shield ‘26 described feeling “I learned so much about recycling and now feel empowered to recycle.”

But why is it important that Archmere should recycle? Well, it’s not just about Archmere. The whole world needs to improve its habits of reusing, reducing, and recycling. The assembly highlighted how 80,000 tons of garbage, mostly plastic, are currently a part of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Plastic takes a long time to decompose, specifically, a plastic fork may take up to 1000 years to decompose. You use the fork once to exist long after you’re gone. At this rate, we are creating more trash than we can get rid of. That is why as a community we should recycle, preventing some trash from being trash to instead be repurposed. Just the impact of Archmere of recycling we can stop a plastic cup from staying on this Earth for 450 years. Hence it’s important to take the extra time to spill the liquid from

your cups to prevent it from going to the trash.

Sadly recycling is not enough and is not the most productive way to get rid of trash. Anna noted during the assembly to first reduce and then reuse before recycling. Often plastics, the large majority of trash, can’t be recycled many times and still end up in the trash. By limiting what we use we limit the amount of trash in the first place. Anna used the example of using metal straws over plastic straws. A single plastic straw may stay on Earth for 200 years while just being used for an average of 20 minutes. As artificial polymers, plastics are extremely hard to decompose.

hallways. As well, many students may feel inclined to recycle at home from this demonstration. Many students are already using reusable water bottles like Stanley cups instead of single-use plastic counterparts.

The Auks for Earth ended the assembly on a happy note reciting news about the club’s plans to continue making Archmere more sustainable. This included working with Sage Dining to reduce the amount of plastic and growing food in the Science Building Greenhouse. Talks between Sage Dining offering a discount if you use a reusable mug after coffee cups are not being recyclable. Auks for Earth also revealed a new com-

Some types of plastics, including balloons, scientists don’t even know how long they may stay on the planet. Fortunately, materials including aluminum are great for recycling and can be recycled many times. For example, the salad containers (when cleaned of food or liquid) can be recycled with tin cans (when cleaned). Some scientists have also experimented with using bacterial enzymes to break down plastic to be reused. In the coming years, more advances will come with more attention to the topic. If Archmere can recycle, after learning about it from the assembly, it can make a large impact on the output of plastic from the school. Every classroom on campus has recycling bins including the cafeteria and

The World produces “11.2 billion tons”of trash a year(UN Enviroment Programme). This is equivilent to 12,444 fully-loaded aircraft carriers(Naval Aviation Muesum). post bin to be used by Sage Dining staff in the Spring. Students can get engaged by attending the Bi-weekly cleanups held by Auks for Earth or attending the club’s meetings to see other opportunities. Auks for Earth has many plans to help the environment including collaborating with the crochet club to hold a plastic bag drive to then use to create yarn. This yarn can then be used to create many items more specifically mats to be donated to homeless shelters. Anna finished her presentation with the quote from Mother Teresa “I alone can’t change the world, but I cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.”

Anna Benner led the assembly. Photo credit: @archmereacademy Instagram, Chuck Anerino P’26.

Students participated in a recycling game. Photo credit: @archmereacademy Instagram, Chuck Anerino P ‘26.

“Percy Jackson and the Olympians” Brings Justice to Beloved Book Series

Danielle Keenan ‘26 SCIENCE AND TECH EDITOR

If you have not watched the new “Percy Jackson and the Olympians,” produced by Rick Riordan, on Disney +, I recommend you do so before reading this article due to spoilers. Disney first premiered the first two episodes of the new Percy Jackson series on Disney + on December 19th. The series has gradually released a total of 8 episodes over the past few weeks. It has been highly anticipated by fans ever since it was announced in 2021.

The first book of Percy Jackson, “The Lightning Thief,” follows Percy, a not-so-normal kid. Percy resides in a boarding school for troubled kids due to his dyslexia and ADHD. After getting attacked by his teacher-turned-monster, his life changes forever when he eventually learns he is a demigod. He escapes from the danger of monsters trying to eat him with his friend Grover but loses his mom on the way. He goes to Camp HalfBlood, a haven for demigods and while there, Percy learns about the world of Greek mythology and that his dad is Posiden, the god of the sea. Almost as soon as he gets to camp he has to leave to protect his father’s reputation, get the Zeus’ Master Bolt, and practically save the world from a war between the

gods. The first two episodes do a great job setting up the show for new viewers and including all the fun bits from the books to please the existing fans. From the beginning of the first scene, Walker Scobell, the actor who plays Percy, shows he stands as a true embodiment of the character. He includes the deeper, more serious parts of Percy while keeping his humor and charm. Riordan also emphasizes Percy’s learning differences that add

more to his character and reasons for his actions. Leah Jeffries, the actress who plays Annabeth, also takes a more serious approach. But Dior Goodjohn steals the show as Clarisse, making her scary and tough.

As the series continues, the tone stays true to the books while adding content. The special effects are fantastic and make the extended wait worth it. Riordan’s writing of the dynamic among the three characters keeps it true to the books. Although this can

be a detriment because their acting can seem awkward or forced, if Disney allows this show to continue, the acting will just get better with time.

In my opinion, the best episode is the second episode, “I Become Ruler of the Bathroom” and the worst episode is “We Find Out the Truth, Sort Of,” the seventh episode. The seventh episode features the crew traveling to the Underworld, which was uncharacteristically bright to be the Underworld. All the plot holes during the series seem to be included in this episode. It departs from the books with Hades not invoking the supreme leader of the dead. Despite this episode’s disappointment, it has my favorite scene in the show: when Sally calls on Poseidon. The viewers know what will happen, but are still surprised when Toby Stephan, playing Poseidon, walks in. The moment contains so much emotion between Sally and Posiden that it made me scream when I first watched it.

Ultimately, I recommend the new show to past readers of the series and new fans alike. It does multiple things right, including being a genuinely good show and a great Percy Jackson remake.

“The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes”: “Hunger Games” Fans Re-enter the Arena 11 Years Later

Elizabeth Maher ‘24 NEWS & MANAGING EDITOR

Over 11 years after “The Hunger Games” premiered in theaters, audiences re-enter the arena as Suzanne Collins’ dystopian universe returned to the big screen with the release of “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” on November 17, 2023.

Adapted from the 2020 novel of the same name, “Songbirds & Snakes” travels back in time to the 10th Annual Hunger Games – 64 years before the events of Katiniss’ and Peeta’s Games. But the movie’s central character, though portrayed by a new face (Tom Blyth), is not unfamiliar – Coriolanus Snow, the man who becomes the infamous dictator viewers recognize from the origanal triology.

The movie introduces viewers to a young Coriolnaus Snow (Blyth) whose image of Capitol wealth and privilege masks a starkly different reality: he, his grandmother, and his cousin, Tigris (Hunter Schafer), are in dire need of money. When game-maker Dean Casca Highbottom (Peter Dinklage) and Volumnia Gaul (Viola Davis) decide

that, in order to drum up viewership for the Hunger Games, each tribute will be paired with a Capitol student as their “mentor” and that the mentor of the winning tribute will receive a cash prize, Snow eagerly siezes the opportunity.

Snow is partnered with the female tribute from District 12: Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler), an eccentric and soulful singer. As Snow begins to mentor Lucy Gray, the two develop a strong connection, and his motivations for her success begin to blur between material and moral. Simultaneously, Snow’s friend, Sejanus (Josh Andrés Rivera), begins to challenge the concept of the Games and incites a moral conflict that becomes the core of the film. The action, political intrigue, and plot twists that follow –that actually feel like plot twists, even though viewers know the eventual fate of Snow – explore ideas of corruption, greed, identity, and survival.

Though “Songbirds & Snakes” struggles with pacing at times, the film excels in its high-stakes action sequences and political drama. But the biggest strength of the movie is its soul, cap-

tured in Zegler’s powerful vocal performance as Lucy Gray. “The Ballad of Lucy Gray” and “Nothing You Can Take From Me” – as well as a rendition of “The Hanging Tree” – are more than incredibly skillful performances by Zegler, though. This sense of soul,

highlighted through music, transforms an action-packed, quickly paced movie into something more: a powerful and evocative film on humanity and what it means to stand up for what is right –something that appeals to old and new fans alike.

Photo credit: Disney Plus press release.

Photo credit: Lionsgate press release.

Auks Ski Club Hits The Slopes!

Did you know that Archmere just began its first ever ski club? Juniors Gwyneth Ratsep and Abby Im, along with Sophomore Meghan Fiss all got together and created the “Auks Ski Club.” With over 30 members in their first year, the opening meeting had a huge show out and was a big success. The club leaders warmly welcomed members into the SLC to talk about their interest in skiing, eat munchkins, and participate in ski bingo.

Upon availability, the girls have been putting together small trips and sending emails about them to let others know. The majority of trips take

place up in the Pocono Mountains, and transportation is organized before departure.

The ski club is a great way for skiers, new or old, to get together and have some fun. Even if you have little skiing experience, students in different grade levels can connect and become friends through their common interests.

Make sure to reach out to one of the club leaders if you are interested in participating in the next outing! We hope to see you on the mountain.

Super Bowl LVIII: Kansas City Chiefs Make History With Their Second Super Bowl Victory in Two Years

Elizabeth Maher

NEWS & MANAGING EDITOR

The most recent Super Bowl two-peat occurred 19 years ago – when the New England Patriots won Super Bowls XXXVIII and XXXIX. That is, until February 11, 2024, when Kansas City further cemented their dynastic aspirations by winning their second Super Bowl in two years, defeating the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in overtime.

From the onset, the two star-studded teams were expected to have an exciting showdown as the AFC Champions, led by Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Chris Jones, took on the NFC Champions, led by Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffery, and Nick Bosa. Joined by performances by Reba McEntire and Post Malone, as well

as a halftime performance by Usher, Super Bowl LVIII –the first to be held in Las Vegas, NV– promised an entertaining night.

The game got off to a slow start offensively. The first quarter ended 0-0. The second quarter picked up some speed, as Kyle Moody kicked a field goal, giving the 49ers a 3-0 lead. The Chiefs appeared to be in prime position to respond with points of their own when a fumble by Isiah Pacheco returned possession to San Francisco. Later in the quarter, running back Christian McCaffrey caught a touchdown pass from Jauan Jennings giving the 49ers a 10-0 advantage. The Chiefs responded with a field goal from Harrison Butker, but still trailed 10-3 at the half.

Kansas City really started to make their move in the 3rd quarter, holding San Francisco scoreless. The Chiefs recorded another field goal and a touchdown reception from Marquez Valdes-Scantling, ending the quarter with the lead: 13-10. The 4th quarter proved to be an exciting one. Brock Purdy found Jennings for a touchdown pass (though the extra point was blocked) and the Chiefs responded with a field goal, tying the game 16-16. Both teams scored another field goal to send the game to overtime, 19-19.

The 49ers received the ball to begin overtime, with Moody hitting a field goal. The Chiefs responded with a drive that took about 7 minutes, culminating

with a touchdown pass to Mecole Hardman that ended the game: Chiefs victory, 25-22.

After their loss, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan expressed his pride in his players. “We’re all pretty disappointed right now but if I’m going to lose with anyone, I want to lose with those guys.”

Kansas City’s victory made history in more ways than one. The Chiefs became the seventh organization with at least four Super Bowl victories, Mahomes became the fourth starting QB to win three Super Bowls, as well as the second youngest, and the Chiefs won the first ever Super Bowl hosted in Las Vegas.

Photo Gallery: Auk Athletes Continue to Break Records

Gwyneth Ratsep ‘25, Abby Im ‘25, Haley Schleeweis ‘25, and Alexis Kohl ‘24 enjoying themselves at Blue Mountain. Photo credit: Alexis Kohl ‘24.

Kaitie Hickey ‘26 and Lucy Weinig ‘26 STAFF REPORTERS

‘24

Kathryn Pyne ‘25, Elizabeth Maher ‘24, Kendall Hanna ‘25, and Aoife McGurk ‘25 broke the 2015 Archmere 200 medley relay record with a time of

placing third in the state. Photo credit: @ archmereacademy Instagram.

Helen Socorso ‘25, Jules Witherell ‘24, Alaina Thomas ‘27, and Maddie Priest ‘24 took down the Archmere 4x400m record with a time of 4:11.72 at Indoor State Championships. Photo credit: @ auksxctf Instagram.

Lucy Oliver ‘24 made history by becoming only the third Archmere basketball player ever to score 1000 points. Photo credit: @auksgirlsbball Instagram.

Above: Jack Maister ‘24 won the state title in long jump with a jump of 22-8.5 to close off a record-breaking season. Below: Jane Willin ‘24 took down the Archmere triple jump record this season.

Photo credit: @archmereacademy Instagram.