November 2018 (67, 4)

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A Student Publication of the Belmont Hill and Winsor Schools

Volume 67, Issue 4

November 19, 2018

Groundbreaking Midterms Usher in Diversity

By Ellisya Lindsey ‘19 and Katie Tsai ‘19 Panel staff

These past midterm elections have been a hot-button issue since candidates were initially announced. Many people anticipated these midterms as they wanted to see which of the two main political parties, Democrat or Republican, would have the majority in the Senate and the House of Representatives. In the end, the Republicans maintained control of the Senate while the Democrats secured the House. The election results highlight not only the clear divide between Democrats and Republicans but also America’s desire to increase diversity in its government. Last week, we saw many “firsts” in the representation of racial and religious minorities, women, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. After these previous elections, there will be more representation of marginalized groups in the government than ever before.

The past midterm election results demonstrate that the people want a diverse set of representatives. Deb Haaland, representative for New Mexico, and Sharice Davids, representative for Kansas, will both serve in the House as the first Native American congresswomen. As a lesbian, Davids will be also be the first openly LGBTQ congressperson to represent her state. Additionally, Ayanna Pressley and Jahana Hayes will the first black women to represent Massachusetts and Connecticut, respectively, in Congress. Similarly, Veronica Escobar and Sylvia Garcia will be Texas’ first Latina congresswomen. Also groundbreaking

are Ilhan Omar, representing Minnesota, and Rashida Tlaib, representing Michigan, who are the first Muslim women to have been elected to Congress. Omar will also be the first Somali American congressperson.

Last week’s elections also had impressive results for women. For the first time in history, more than 100 women will have seats in the House. At age 29, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, representing New York, is the youngest woman to have been elected to Congress. Marsha Blackburn will be Tennessee’s first female senator. On the state level, both Maine and South Dakota Business Insider UK elected their first female governors, Janet Mills and Kristi Noem, respectively. Additionally, Lourdes “Lou” Leon Guerrero will serve as Guam’s first female governor. Clare Westerman ’19, one of the heads of SAGE (Students Advocating Gender Equality), shared her opinion on the importance of these recently-elected women: “I think the past few months have been a difficult time for many groups in the U.S., women included … While the results of this election cannot erase recent events, any shift toward equal representation is a win for women in America. Furthermore, I’m especially thrilled to see the success of women of varying cultural identities! It’s a huge step forward for intersectional feminism, and though we still have plenty of room to develop, I hope that this result will be a catalyst for female political empowerment— and, ultimately, for a better reflection in our government of the diverse people and views that make up the United States.”

Washington Post Continued on page 3. Elected congresswomen Pearl Kim, Lauren Underwood, and Debra Haaland.

Op-Ed: Belmont Hill Needs to Crack Down on Mass Mediocrity of Clubs

By Matt Smith ’19 Panel Staff

In November 2017, Seth Israel ‘18 and I wrote an opinion piece on extracurriculars at Belmont Hill. We argued that all clubs should be approved annually by the Student Senate to receive funding or special equipment. Now, I’m back to double down on my stance. Belmont Hill extracurriculars, for the most

disbanded) and, while some of these are very important and impactful like Student Senate, Peer Leaders, and Sustainability Club, a lot have little to no reason to exist.

So, how can Belmont Hill fix its club crisis? In addition to severely re-

stricting the creation and existence of clubs (requirements should include meeting every week for a full period, actual plans for the content of meetings and the purpose of the club, and structures in place to prevent lax participation), Belmont Hill must require stu-

“Belmont Hill extracurriculars, for the most part, are an absolute joke.” part, are an absolute joke. Very few students regularly participate in clubs and, when they do, they usually contribute the bare minimum to justify its place on their Common Application. If students are still struggling to find activities to pad their resume, don’t worry. They can very easily create their own club (bonus points since they are now a founder and head) that serves little to no purpose and hardly ever meets. There are currently forty-seven extracurriculars listed on the Belmont Hill Student Portal (although I’m pretty sure there are at least Illustration by Elias Hyde ‘20 eight have no student leaders or have

The Harvard Lawsuit Page 5 ABC Action News

The Hate U Give Page 8 TheLily.com

Costs of ISL Dining Page 11

dents to participate in extracurriculars (just like sports) and limit the number of clubs in which they can join. Not only would this provide much-needed participants to clubs like The Panel, which is forced to spread twenty or more articles per month across far fewer writers, but it would also prevent students from joining a bunch of clubs in name but never actually attending or contributing. I think, ideally, the school would require every student to participate in at least one but not more than three. This way, students would have room to explore multiple passions while being prevented from casting too wide a net. When I was younger, I felt the need to jump into a lot of activities, far more than I should have.

I was absolutely not alone in this perception and, as far as I can tell, it has not diminished from the minds of middle schoolers in the past few years. Looking back on my experiences, I now know that devoting significant time to meaningful clubs is far more important, both for the college process and for the development of life skills and passions. I strongly urge the Belmont Hill administration and the Student Senate to consider adopting this policy if they want Belmont Hill clubs to be more than words on an application. ☐

Playlist of the Issue Page 19

Winsor OpinioN

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T he Panel

Current Events at Winsor: Supreme Court Assembly

By Annie Adams ’21 Panel Staff On October 10, the entire Winsor school gathered to discuss the controversy surrounding the confirmation of now-Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Four Class VI students concerned about the lack of formal discussion at Winsor around the subject approached Ms. Pelmas to discuss having a forum on the subject. Their hopes were realized, and the forum happened. Ms. Pelmas mentioned that she and others in charge of planning assemblies felt that the SCOTUS confirmation hearing of Brett Kavanaugh was something “we needed to talk about as a whole community. We knew that a lot of students were interested in it and worried about it, and then simultaneously, I got an email from a bunch of sophomores saying, ‘We need to meet with you and talk about this.’ That was a really good impetus that confirmed that we really should talk about it,” the Head of School continued.

However, many students felt that the assembly meant to allow students to voice their opinions about the hearings didn’t do quite what it was meant to. Lillian Gibson ’21 felt that the assembly was supposed to be “a safe space, but people had to stand up in front of a microphone in front of all their peers.” Gibson felt that “small group discussions would be a better way for people to hear others’ opinions.” Charlotte Fries ’19 added, “it was a really good idea, and I thought what everyone said was really important and true, but I don’t think it at all achieved what it was meant to. The entire

per School forum after the whole-school assembly. Petra Sarkisian ’23 said that she thinks “that Class IV could have definitely been there… we can definitely handle things like that.” Ms. Pelmas noted that the decision was a calculated one: “We went around and around trying to figure out if that was a good idea or not a good idea. We thought of every permutation. The range of awareness of current events throughout the school is quite vast. We wanted to let everyone enter into the discussion at a level that felt good to them. For sure there were some Lower School students who more than wanted to participate in it, though.”

Ms. Pelmas talked about how she, Mr. Braxton, Ms. Markenson, and Ms. Phinney, among those who regularly plan assemblies, thought that the structure of the forum was their “best guess. It’s hard. The difference sometimes between Class I and Class VIII can be very narrow and sometimes very wide.” I’ve found that no matter what the issue is, from Buddy Advisory to Pasta Day to

time we spent talking about how we should talk about it, rather than actually talking about it.” Even Ms. Pelmas noted that “perhaps the open mic was not as successful as it could have been because we weren’t in the middle of trying to decide what we thought about the hearings or Kavanaugh as a nominee because it was already over.”

However, some students at Winsor thought that this discussion about how we approach controversial topics in our school environment was actually more helpful than discussing the facts would have been. As an anonymous Upper School student said, “As someone who is generally conservative, I felt a lot of dissension around the Confirmation Hearing. I personally don’t support Kavanaugh, but I felt like the assembly made me feel a bit more comfortable about expressing my beliefs.”

The assembly was a good starting point in terms of creating a welcoming environment for all beliefs, but that it cannot be the end of discussion about how Winsor handles contentious events. Maya Bodick ’21 “liked it because we started talking less about the Kavanaugh stuff itself, and more about how we discuss political issues at Winsor. I think there were some things said that people wanted to be said. But now there’s a confusion of how we get to a place where we want to be.” Ms. Pelmas also noted that “the biggest question is how do we have conversations about important things when there are almost 600 people in this building.”

Another issue that came up was the structure of the assembly. Some Lower School students felt excluded from the Up-

Senate Judiciary Committee.

available to those who live and go to school in Boston. “The Commuter Rail is really expensive,” said Lee, who takes the Commuter Rail into Boston each morning. “It’s very unaffordable for students… the [student passes purchased through Winsor] only bring us to Zone 2 and my house is past Zone 2, so I would have to pay even more… So I have to get dropped off at [another] stop when there’s a Commuter Rail station five minutes from my house that I can’t go to.”

Over this past summer, I worked as an intern in the office of Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu, and one of my main projects was collecting information on how teenagers in

expired limited them, and recounted occasionally troubling stories of their interactions with MBTA personnel. At the end of each focus group session, we asked the teenagers what their ideal mode of transportation would be.

Almost no one chose public transportation.

These issues are particularly detrimental to low-income communities and communities of color in the city, as those are the neighborhoods of the city that are most underserved by the MBTA. Low-income residents rely heavily on public transportation, as owning their own car or using ride-sharing apps such as Uber and Lyft are prohibitively expensive; if that transportation is unreliable

Assemblies like this one, at Winsor there is rarely a consensus among students.

There’s a lot going on in our current political climate, and our administration is painfully aware of it, even if we don’t see action right away. Between yearly, planned assemblies and guest speakers and activities in homeroom, there is rarely free time that coincides with the need for a discussion.

Ms. Pelmas commented also on the “week of hate where the massacre happened at the synagogue, and there was a shooting in Kentucky, and the pipe bombs. That was a pretty intense week for a lot of people. We know the ideal thing would be immediately figure out how to talk about that stuff. Unfortunately, there isn’t always the time or space or ability to do that. We don’t know how to solve that, we just worry about it a lot.”

Despite the fact that the Assembly was not exactly what everyone wanted, I feel that we made great strides in coming together as a community to discuss polarizing issues that affect us all. ☐

Newsday

Lack of Reliability in Boston’s Public Transit System

By Teresa Lawlor ’19 Panel Staff Winsor is an urban school; we all enjoy our close proximity to various restaurants and cafés, cultural institutions such as the Museum of Fine Arts and the Isabella Stewart Gardner, and other iconic locales, including Fenway Park, which was particularly convenient with the recent Red Sox victory parade.

Yet parts of the city still remain out of reach or require a car because of the Massachusett Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) failure to provide efficient and reliable public transportation.

The MBTA is a department within Massachusetts’ state government – although it is managed by French-Canadian company Keolis – and was established in 1964. From 1943 until 1964, it was known as the Metropolitan Transit Authority, or MTA, and before 1943, public transit in Boston was privately owned and operated. The Tremont Street Subway, now home to the Green Line from the Boylston Street to Park Street stations, was constructed in 1897 and is the oldest subway tunnel in North America. Yet, despite our innovative history, Boston transportation is now lagging behind the world and other parts of the country.

Trains arrive late without warning or stop on the tracks because of unspecified “signal issues.” Green Line carriages break down en route and release clouds of smoke.

Commuter Rail trips are canceled because of scheduling issues that leave trains without engineers. The station platforms are grimy and dark; the subway seats are filthy. “The MBTA is so dirty,” said Emma Specht ’19. “The fabric [on the subway seats] is definitely unable to be washed and never washed.” “The Orange Line catches on fire,” added Kayla Lee ’19.

The service is also inadequate in its scope. “I like it, but I wish there was [a station] closer to my house because I have to take the bus to the train or I have to get driven to the train,” said Caroline Bonnevie ’19. Fares can also be an issue, especially for teenagers and students who do not receive the free passes

Map of MBTA services.

Boston felt about the MBTA. Along with other interns and the graduate student who devised the project, I led focus groups and gave out surveys at various youth job sites and community organizations across the city. The results were overwhelmingly negative; the teenagers with whom we spoke were frustrated with the MBTA’s lack of transparency about delays and route information, explained how expensive fares in the summer when school-year passes

MBTA

or inadequate, their ability to participate in the city is restricted.

Does it have to be this way? Looking at transportation systems in other cities, both in the United States and around the world, the answer is clearly no. In 2017, a transportation agency in Japan actually apologized for one of their trains leaving twenty seconds late; in Boston, such timing can be cause for celebration. So what’s wrong with the MBTA?

The main issue is funding. According to an internal report from 2009, the agency was “born broke” – the MBTA currently has $5.0 billion in outstanding debt. In 2000, state legislators passed a measure known as “Forward Funding,” which established a one-cent sale tax in Massachusetts to fund the agency.

However, “Forward Funding” also transferred $3.3 billion of state debt to the MBTA, half of which stems from the famous “Big Dig” tunnel project, and the tax simply does not provide enough money. The percentage of money that comes from the state or local level for the MBTA is about two-thirds less than the local/ state percentage of the budget of New York City’s Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA).

Unfortunately, Massachusetts’ governors and state legislators have not prioritized the MBTA. Recently re-elected Governor Charlie Baker is content to blame Boston’s transit problems on “protocol issues” and to explain his plans for the agency’s future as “making it work” – without any explanation as to how he plans to do so. “That stuff will eventually happen,” said Baker in a debate with Jay Gonzalez this fall.

But “that stuff ” – the development of a reliable, convenient public transportation service – needs to happen now. Cars are killing Boston and the world; more than a fourth of Boston’s carbon emissions in 2016 came from transportation, and the city’s total emissions have actually been increasing in recent years.

Cities that are walkable and have great public transportation are greener, healthier, more vibrant, and happier. We cannot continue to rely on our private cars for all of our trips; it’s incredibly selfish to drive just because we can. I understand the attraction; I have taken the train to school every day since I started at Winsor, and for the first few years, I begged my parents to drive me whenever possible.

However, it’s clear that we cannot continue with our current lifestyle if we do not want our planet to suffer the consequences. Something has to give if we want to save the environment.

Transportation is something that can give for many of us, and advocating for a better MBTA is a good place to start. ☐

Novemb er 1 9 , 2018

Winsor Opinion

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K-Pop in America: Racial Progression or Regression?

By Kayla Lee ’19 Contributing Writer

Korean Pop (K-pop) is a music genre that has dominated the music industry the last couple of years. Bands like BTS, Blackpink, and EXO have, within recent years, become more accepted into mainstream American media and popular culture.

K-pop has certainly had many positive effects in America, but it is also important to recognize the possible negative effects of the music genre.

The beginnings of what we now know as K-pop in America started in 2012 with Psy’s “Gangnam Style.” With 3.2 billion views, “Gangnam Style” was for a long time known to be one of the most watched Youtube videos in the world. “Gangnam Style” re-introduced and “popularized” Korean pop culture in America. Although his funky and somewhat catchy tune seemed to capture the attention of the entire world, his hit song and goofy persona made it difficult for K-pop to really take off as a serious music industry in the States.

Flash forward to now, and K-pop is becoming a worldwide sensation. It’s very likely that if you were to walk down the street and ask someone whether he or she has heard of BTS, or of K-pop in general, that person would say yes. K-pop has done wonders for the Asian American community. Recognition in the media and in the music industry has finally shattered longstanding stereotypes that have plagued the Asian American community for decades.

Whitewashing in movies and TV shows have enforced stereotypical Asian roles in the media. However, K-pop is redefining what it means to be Asian in America.

BTS, for example, has become the

first Korean band ever to make it to the top of the Billboard Top 200 twice and is the “First Pop Act Since 2014 With Two No. 1 Albums in Less Than a Year.” Additionally, BTS ranked number one on the 2018 Billboard’s Artist 100 charts, beating out Drake, Travis Scott, Ariana Grande, and Post Malone. K-pop as a music genre has songs that are in all Korean with some English words scattered around occasionally, so one can argue that this aspect of K-pop is an example of racial progress in the United States because people who don’t speak-

success in the music industry, is the diverse crowd that K-pop attracts. After going to a BTS concert earlier in October, I personally witnessed the diversity of K-pop fans.

K-pop in America extends beyond the Asian community.

Standing in general admission at a BTS concert, I saw people with different racial, socioeconomic, and geographical backgrounds. I saw kids aged seven through adults in their forties. I was surrounded by mostly white, black, and Latinx communities. In fact, as an Asian Amer-

Kpopmap The South Korean group Bangtan Sonyeondan, known as BTS. Korean are appreciating music and lyrics ican in the crowd, I was ironically in the that they don’t necessarily understand. In minority. People of all genders flew in from this way, K-pop has helped America begin Washington, from London, and from other to stray away from its relatively mono- places in the world, and we all collectivelingual music industry. In fact, this past ly congregated together for a single band. month, Dua Lipa and the Kpop girl group K-pop has a way of joining people regardBlack Pink released their fully bilingual less of race, class, and gender in a way that song “Kiss and Make Up,” which signifies not many other things in America have. In a huge step forward for both the American regards to the concert, Teresa Lawlor ’19 and Korean music industry. stated “The BTS concert was a really cool More important, though, than this experience. We were so close to the stage,

and it was just an awesome show. The members are so talented, and even though I can’t understand Korean at all, I understood all of the emotions they expressed.”

The emergence of K-pop has done wonders for the Asian American community. Angela Su ’19 stated “K-pop is a great way to spread awareness of Asian culture!

I feel so proud to see people that look like me on screens across the globe!” Seeing Asians in the spotlight has allowed many Asian-Americans to become more confident in their identity.

Though K-pop definitely demonstrates racial progression for the Asian American community, it has undeniably created some racial regression to a certain extent. The popularization of Korean pop culture has also revealed people’s internal prejudices against Asians. When BTS performed at the BBMAs, there was an influx of racist tweets pointed towards the group. Tweets stating “Idek who those Asians [are]. I don’t wanna know. I’m baffled. I didn’t understand what they said” or “How did these Asians wearing makeup beat ACTUAL FAMOUS PEOPLE?” These implicit biases have now intensified with the emergence of K-pop in America.

Despite these instances of racism towards Asians, K-pop has allowed for a large amount of racial progress in America, at least with regard to society’s view of the Asian American community. Being recognized as legitimate bands and winning titles on American award shows has finally given Asians the spotlight that they deserve. Most importantly, however, the diverse community of fans that K-pop attracts creates a microcosm of harmony that I hope will one day be reflected in societies all over the world. ☐

What Midterm Elections Mean for the United States

By Ellisya Lindsey ’19 and Katie Tsai ’19 Panel Staff Continued from page 1.

Members of the LGBTQ community celebrated many victories regarding increased representation in the government as well. As Ariela Rosenzweig ’19, one of the heads of Spectrum, commented, “In this election we have definitely seen a ‘rainbow wave’ with record number of LGBT candidates being elected. Representation in government is definitely important for queer people, especially on a state level because the majority of anti-LGBTQ legislation originates in state legislatures.” As for those who are part of the “rainbow wave,” Angie Craig and Chris Pappas, representing Minnesota and New Hampshire, respectively, will be their states’ first openly gay congresspeople. Teri Johnston will be Florida’s first lesbian mayor, while Jared Polis, of Colorado, will be the U.S.’s first gay man to be governor. Brandon Woodard and Susan Ruiz will be Kansas’s state legislature’s first LGBTQ members, and Malcolm Kenyatta will be Pennsylvania’s state legislature’s first LGBTQ member of color. Representing New Hampshire in the House, Gerri Cannon and Lisa Bunker, both transgender women, will now be two of only three openly trans people to hold positions in any U.S. state legislature.

The importance of this increased representation is clear. Having more diverse representation on all levels of government will add different opinions and ideas on how to run our communities. In addition, as Rosenzweig stated, “This election has done a lot with challenging ideas of who traditionally is a politician and who should be in government… It’s really exposing flaws in our system; for example, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez… cannot afford an apartment in Washington before she starts receiving her

salary as a member of Congress. Since most members of our government are wealthy, it’s expected that congresspeople can purchase a second home in DC. As Ms. Ocasio-Cortez tweeted, ‘There are many little ways in which our electoral system isn’t even designed (nor prepared) for working-class people to lead.

This is one of them (don’t worry btw [by the way] - we’re working it out!).’” Gaining representation of marginalized groups proves that politicians do not have to be wealthy, straight, white males. Karen Torres ’19, who wants to pursue a career in politics, added, “Representation is key right now, for our country is [at] this current moment shutting down the voices of so many groups of people. To see Latina women in our government gives me hope for the future. It is important to have people representing us because it also gives us hope for a future where I, as a Latina woman, can take an active role in my government.” However, just because we have increased representation doesn’t mean we should be satisfied. “I’m very glad about the way the midterms turned out; however, I’m really disappointed that it took our country this long to get to this point,” said Ifeanyi Umunna ’20. “I’m glad that people voted, but it’s about more than just voting. Don’t you think it’s crazy that in AMERICA we’re just now having the first [women] Native AMERICANS [in Congress]? That boggles my mind, but at least it finally happened.”

While it is certainly important to celebrate the successes of all of the elected candidates above, it’s also necessary to continue to work toward getting more representation in the government. We don’t want to wait several years before another Native American or Muslim congresswoman, for example, is elected. We should aim for a time when electing a person of color, a female, or an LGBTQ candidate isn’t a grand feat.

Ultimately, this issue of representation isn’t about which party you support. Increas-

ing diversity of races, religions, genders, and sexual identities to represent all Americans accurately is something everyone should want and strive to obtain. These past midterm elections are the start of a movement

toward equality that we, the next generation of voters, must continue. It’s up to the people to ensure that every American feels adequately represented within the government. ☐

Leech Lake News

Sharice Davids

Kansas Representative Sharice Davids.

Washington Times

Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar.

Winsor News

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T he Panel

Winsor Attends W.E.B. Du Bois Medal Ceremony

By Jamila O’Hara ’19 Panel Staff On October 11, six seniors from SISTERS, Winsor’s black affinity group, along with Mr. Braxton, Winsor’s Director of Community and Multicultural Affairs, and Head of School Ms. Pelmas, had the opportunity to attend the W.E.B. Du Bois Medal Awards Ceremony at Harvard University.

Since 2013, the Hutchins Center for African & African American Research has awarded the W.E.B. Du Bois Medal to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to black history and culture; this year, Winsor students witnessed eight exceptional honorees receive this distinguished accolade.

Among the evening’s laureates were Bryan Stevenson, social justice activist, executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative, and author of the bestselling memoir Just Mercy; Shirley Ann Jackson, a physicist and the first black woman to earn a doctorate from MIT and to win the National Medal of Science; Colin Kaepernick, an athlete and activist at the forefront of the “Take a

Knee” movement; Florence Ladd, a novelist and accomplished educator; Kehinde Wiley, a portrait artist known for his naturalistic depictions of black and brown men, including Barack Obama’s portrait for the National Portrait Gallery; Pamela Joyner, a philanthropist and collector and patron of black art; Kenneth I. Chenault, a business executive and the third black CEO of a Fortune 500 company; and Dave Chappelle, a comedian, actor, writer, and producer known for his commentary on American politics, race relations, and current events.

The vastly different career paths and areas of interest represented among the honorees was of particular importance to the students who attended. Toni Gomes ’19 reflected, “I felt a sense of empowerment when I noticed that they were all successful in such vastly different aspects.” Monique Singletary ’19 added, “to witness the recognition of black excellence in a variety of realms was very special to me.”

Beyond the award recipients’ incredible individual accomplishments and contributions to his or her respective field, each honoree also displayed an unwavering

Honorees at the ceremony.

Good Black News

Mr. Braxton

commitment to social justice, advocacy, and equity. In particular, remarks made by the honorees themselves and by other speakers underlined the importance of active, outspoken engagement in effecting change across a variety of spaces and in today’s social and political contexts.

Monique Singletary ’19 appreciated this particular emphasis, sharing, “I was really able to see up close that people like each of the honorees still exist in this world and are fighting for what they’re passionate about, staying hopeful, and succeeding in their activism, despite the current state of the world. It was incredibly empowering and inspiring.” Araybia Goodlow ’19 reflected, “One honoree, Bryan Stevenson, struck me, as he had a very moving speech about the struggle of being black in America, and the job we have not yet finished to be uplifted as a people.”

Furthermore, all of Winsor’s attendees seemed to be in agreement that the event fostered a particular sense of community, excitement, and inspiration. Victoria Cadostin ’19 highlighted the event’s uniquely energizing ambience. “Being at a ceremony

with mostly other black people to celebrate other black people in a predominantly white institution like Harvard was an interesting and empowering experience,” she shared. “I felt a sense of community among the crowd listening to the honorees and those who introduced them.”

The program’s illumination of the advocacy, courage, and persistence of each recipient certainly inspired student and faculty attendees alike. Upon receiving his medal, Colin Kaepernick closed the ceremony with a powerful observation: “It’s...all our responsibilities -- as people that are in positions of privilege, in positions of power -- to continue to fight for [marginalized populations facing discrimination], and uplift them, empower them...if we don’t, we become complicit in the problem,” he reflected.

In considering the active role that many Winsor students take in advocating for causes in which they believe, Kaepernick’s words, along with the remarkable efforts of each honoree, serve as incredible examples from which the broader Winsor community can continue to draw inspiration in our own endeavors. ☐

Chair of IPCC Working Group II, believes, “Every extra bit of warming matters, especially since warming of 1.5 C or higher increases the risk associated with long-lasting or irreversible changes, such as the loss of some ecosystems.” To prevent irreversible damage, the reports’ authors call for immediate, drastic action.

Although this action plan requires a large amount of effort on the part of world leaders, taking steps to reduce carbon emissions can “reduce challenging impacts on ecosystems, human health, and well-being.”

Exceeding an increase in global temperature of 1.5 C means a greater reliance on techniques that remove carbon dioxide from the air, but the effectiveness of such devices re-

mains unproven. Debra Roberts, Co-Chair of IPCC Working Group II, affirms, “The decisions we make today are critical in ensuring a safe and sustainable world for everyone, both now and in the future.”

In December 2015, 195 nations adopted the Paris Agreement, which aims to reduce the threat of climate change by “pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 C above pre-industrial levels.” In June 2017, President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the agreement, stating that it would “undermine [the U.S.] economy” and “put [the U.S.] at a permanent disadvantage.” Trump believes that reducing carbon emissions would cost “millions and millions” of dollars and jobs. Others argue

that ambitious climate action is “a key to unlocking inclusive economic growth, creating more jobs, and advancing women’s economic place in the world.”

Regardless of the U.S. government’s stance on climate change, the efforts of individuals have an immense impact on the health of the environment. Teresa Lawlor ’19 and Annie Kaplan ’19, co-heads of COW (Conserve Our World) Club, believe public transportation, diet, and clothing are major areas where an individual can reduce their environmental footprint. Although being environmentally-friendly can be expensive, eating more organic and locally-sourced vegetarian diets can greatly decrease your carbon emissions. As for the fashion industry, Annie Kaplan urged, “Don’t buy trendy stuff from places like Forever 21 and H&M that is going to fall apart after one season of wearing it” because fast fashion is an extremely destructive industry for the environment. Furthermore, instead of using your own car everyday, consider biking, taking public transportation, or carpooling.

With the aim of motivating Winsor students to take action in their own communities, COW is currently “starting a hydroponic garden to teach Winsor students about organic gardening and indoor farming,” and the club hopes to “make a petition…asking the city of Boston to make restaurant straws upon request only.”

Dr. Seuss’ character, the Lorax, said it best: “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” In order to prevent the global temperature from continuing to increase, individuals must not only urge their leaders to bring about change, but also actively take steps to combat climate change. ☐

Members of Winsor affinity group SISTERS go to Harvard.

Threats of Global Warming Increase in New Report

By Caitlin Smith ’21 Panel Staff This October, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released the “Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5ºC.” In response to an invitation from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), 91 scientists from 40 countries collaborated to create this report. The report describes the effects of climate change that we already see, including more extreme weather, rising sea levels and diminishing Arctic sea ice, while also explaining the benefits of limiting global warming to 1.5 C, rather than the projected 2 C tipping point. Hans-Otto Pörtner, Co-

Global News

Winsor News

Novemb er 1 9 , 2018

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Harvard Lawsuit Sparks Affirmative Action Debate

By Crystal Yang ’20 Panel Staff

Nowadays, as our political climate heightens, we hear fervent debate over a multitude of important issues, such as gun control, climate change, abortion rights, and more. However, another equally contentious but perhaps lesser-known issue has recently risen to the forefront of American politics: affirmative action.

Stemming from the aftermath of the Civil Rights Movement, affirmative action is a legal policy intended to rectify historic inequalities. Initially, the policy was introduced to target discrimination minorities faced when seeking employment in government offices but quickly expanded to include other sectors, such as education.

Affirmative action in education “refers to admission policies that provide equal access to education for those who have been historically underrepresented” (National Conference of State Legislatures).

Back in November 2014, an anti-affirmative action organization called Students for Fair Admissions (SFA) filed a lawsuit against both Harvard and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, alleging that both universities are engaging in unfair discrimination by utilizing racial balancing to shape their classes. In particular, the SFA claims that Harvard is violating the federal law that universities cannot discriminate on the basis of “race, color, or national origin;” Harvard uses a rating system in their admissions process that has been consistently ranking Asian-American applicants lower in “personality” than other applicants. However, Harvard denies these allegations and claims that their admissions process is fair to all, regardless of race, but that they cannot pursue a race-blind admissions process in the future because of the need to “enroll a student body that is diverse across all dimensions.” Spearheaded by Edward Blum, a conservative with a long history of civil rights activism against racial preference laws, the lawsuit against Harvard recently gained traction when the Justice Department released a statement

The New York Times

Protests at Harvard. backing the SFA in August of this year.

As the trial currently unfolds in Boston, many are split on their opinion—both on the case itself and more broadly on affirmative action policies.

“I think … the standards for academic and extracurricular achievement for any Asian American applicant at many universities are much higher than those for other races,” one Winsor student said. She does not understand the justification behind higher standards for Asians only, wondering, “Why must we score several hundred points higher on the SAT to be considered at the same level? Why is it in any way okay to invalidate our accomplishments, our achievements, and our hard work simply because of our race?… I don’t think it’s fair.”

However, others are more broadly concerned about the implications that this trial may have on affirmative action as a general policy. “I support affirmative action but feel like the Harvard trial is a regression,” stated Mikayla Chen ’19. “The stereotype of the ‘model minority,’ which is problematic and false, is perpetuated through the admissions process… We shouldn’t be character-

ized by hard-working qualities or academic excellence; rather, we should be seen as individuals, and our accomplishments should be seen as a result of individual characteristics.

We must simultaneously support affirmative action because of the diversity and representation it promotes while also fighting against the stereotypes that Asian-Americans are subjected to.”

“I felt like I had a stake in both sides of the argument,” said Mr. Sit, a Lower School science teacher. “I feel resentment when I hear that it takes an average score of 200 points higher on the SAT in order for us to be considered as having the same academic standing as our peers… [but] I also understand the need for affirmative action because of how it can bring equity to underrepresented minorities in terms of access to higher education.” Remarking specifically on the Harvard case, he went on to add, “The low ‘personality rating’ scores Asian Americans are receiving are not because of affirmative action itself; the drivers of these low scores are perpetuated by the harmful stereotypes of Asian Americans that exist in society and those that believe in them, and getting rid

of affirmative action will not erase those stereotypes that hinder the perception of Asian Americans in the United States.”

The debate over affirmative action, like many other political debates, is a complex one. While the outcome of the Harvard trial and the implications it will have on affirmative action policies in the future cannot be predicted right now, as the case is likely heading toward the Supreme Court regardless of the Boston trial, the final decision will set a broad ruling for the role of race in admissions at every level, from graduate programs to select preschools. It will change the face of admissions and racial diversity in education, as this case will help to clarify past Supreme Court rulings about affirmative action. Previous commentary on the role of race in admissions has been intentionally vague and brief, stating that race is a “plus factor” or “a factor of a factor of a factor” (Grutter v. Bollinger). As our time at Winsor comes to an end and many of us inevitably begin applying to colleges, it may be well worth it to keep an eye on this case as it develops further. ☐

On October 2, 2018, journalist Jamal Khashoggi walked into the Saudi Arabian consulate in Turkey to pick up a marriage document. That was the last anyone saw of him. Khashoggi’s disappearance shocked the world and sparked much debate over what had happened to him. Turkish officials accurately claimed that he had been killed and dismembered by 15 Saudi agents. Conversely, Saudi Arabia continually denied his

death, though they did launch an investigation into what had happened. During the week following Khashoggi’s disappearance, President Trump initially stood behind the Saudi investigation, however, by October 18 he expressed his belief that Khashoggi was indeed dead and recognized the role that high level Saudi agents likely played in his assassination. Nonetheless, the President was careful to maintain an amicable relationship with Saudi Arabia and commented, “They’ve been a very good ally and they’ve bought massive amounts of various things

Mourners hold posters of Jamal Khashoggi.

KTLA

and investments in this country, which I appreciate.”

On October 20, Saudi Arabia changed their stance on the incident and acknowledged that Khashoggi had been murdered, but claimed that it had been a part of a “rogue operation” despite the fact that five of the suspects either have connections to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman or serve in high-level government positions. Turkey claims that all the suspects are Saudi officials and intelligence officers. In a notable shift, President Trump said on October 23 that the Saudi response to Khashoggi’s death was “the worst cover-up ever.” His administration has said that it plans to revoke the visas of identified suspects and potentially impose additional sanctions against those specific individuals.

One of the reasons this particular event has garnered so much international attention is that the victim, Jamal Khashoggi, was a journalist. Khashoggi is notable for having been extremely close with the Saudi royal family, even serving as a government advisor. However, he more recently became critical of the lack of free speech in Saudi Arabia under the new Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

He fell out of favor with the royal family and moved to the United States, where he became a columnist for the Washington Post. His death was not only a shockingly gruesome event but also an example of the Crown Prince’s lack of toleration for free

speech, the exact issue Khashoggi had criticized in his work as a journalist.

The impact of Khashoggi’s death reaches far beyond Saudi Arabia alone. It threatens the role of journalists and newspapers worldwide, including Winsor’s very own Panel. The Panel’s Editor-in-Chief, Teresa Lawlor ’19, found that it was “extremely troubling to see that a peaceful, moderate journalist could be murdered as he was.” She believes that “the world must have space for commentary and criticism without vilification or dismissal as ‘fake news,’” and that “in an ideal world, issues would be debated freely and openly, without tolerating or entertaining hate or vitriol.” That certainly sounds ideal, and how the international community continues to respond to Khashoggi’s death will be one of the deciding factors as to whether or not it becomes a reality.

This intolerance of dissent is also indicative of the Crown Prince’s values at large. Although Mohammad bin Salman has previously garnered support from the United States for his reform in Saudi Arabia, such as allowing women to drive for the first time, his progressive policies protected him from criticism for other actions he took. For example, the United States refrained from commenting on the Saudi-led airstrikes against the Houthi rebels in Yemen. Now that the contradiction between his policies and his actions is in spotlight, it will be up to President Trump to decide how the United States responds, as well as the future of free speech across the world. ☐

Jamal Khashoggi’s Death Highlights the Dangers of Journalism

By Danya Dubrow-Compaine ’20 Contributing Writer

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T he Panel

Winsor Sports Updates Varsity Field Hockey JV Field Hockey Captains: Sadie Golen ’20, Sophie Yates ’20, Lizzie Ross ’21 Record: 6-4-1 Team Mascot: shesus Athlete highlight: Golde Umlas ’22 hit a ball from the air into the goal and won us a game. She’s always working hard and is a great addition to the team.

Captains: Talia Ward ’19, Nancy Kaneb ’19 Record: 11-3 Team Mascot: Ms. Hazard’s feet Athlete highlight: Amanda Fogarty ‘19 has led this team on the offensive end. She’s a great leader and pushes the team to be better while putting in 110% of her effort every single day. The team wouldn’t be this great without her!

Playoff Outcome: Finished second at the EIL Championship.

Crew

Kristie Rae Gillooly

Captains: Lettie Cabot ’19, Mikayla Chen ’19, Berneece Tam ’19 Record: n/a Team Mascot: Jessica Athlete highlight: Lulu Ansari ’20 has been an incredible athlete both on and off the water. She is always pushing herself and others to perform their best, and her efforts are a constant inspiration to the team.

Playoff Outcome: Finished 8th in the Youth Varsity 4+ and 65th in the Youth Varsity 8+ at HOCR. Ellen Harasimowicz

Ellen Harasimowicz

JV Soccer

Varsity Soccer

Captains: Ellisya Lindsey ’19, Julia Monaco ’19, Julie Wilson ’19 Record: 8-1-3 Team Mascot: Chief Athlete highlight: Andie Morelli ’22 has been a great member of this team both on and off the field. Even though she has been injured twice this season, she has been sure to give her all when playing and to participate in team activities as much as she could.

Captains: Sarah Stier ’19, Caroline Green ’19, Julia Contini ’19 Record: 6-8 Team Mascot: juicy dirt Athlete highlight: Elizabeth Martin ’20, WVS’s primary goalkeeper, steps onto the field each day giving 110% effort. Her dedication, hard work, and positivity encourages the team to play its best, and she has contributed greatly to WVS’s success this season.

Playoff Outcome: Finished fourth at the EIL Championship.

Kristie Rae Gillooly

Cross Country

Winsor Fan

Captains: Annie Kaplan ’19, Clare Quinn ’19, Chloe Duval ’19 Record: Undefeated!

Team Mascot: Smokey Athlete highlight: Maggie Furlong ’20 has continued to be her rock-star self and a spirited team member despite an injury that kept her from running and has displayed a wide range of skills in different positions!

Playoff Outcome: Won EILs, finished second at NEPSTAs Cross Country Championship.

Varsity Volleyball

Kristie Rae Gillooly

JV Volleyball

Captains: Samantha Chin ’19 and Kaylee Chang ’19 Record:10-5 Team Mascot: Septapus Athlete highlight: Allison Chang ’22 was one of the new freshman to varsity volleyball this year! Her strong contributions, positive attitude, and incredible sportsmanship on and off the court have encouraged everyone on the team to always play their best and to be supportive of one another.

Playoff Outcome: Finished third at the EIL Championship.

Captains: Charlotte Fries ’19 and Kayla Springer ’22 Record: 4-10 Team Mascot: Porcupine Athlete highlight: Katherine Torres ’22 played the libero this season and always displayed good sportsmanship, hardwork and great communication skills on the court!

Later in the season, she tried playing the outside position as well and has displayed a wide range of skills in different positions!

Kristie Rae Gillooly

Sophia Blyth, Varsity Volleyball Lettie Cabot, Varsity Crew Victoria Cadostin, JV Soccer Kaylee Chang, Varsity Volleyball Mikayla Chen, Varsity Crew Samantha Chin, Varsity Volleyball Julia Contini, Varsity Soccer Sophie de Castro, Varsity Soccer Fiona Dunn, Varsity Field Hockey Chloe Duval, Varsity Cross Country Amanda Fogarty, Varsity Field Hockey

Fall Sports Seniors Charlotte Fries, JV Volleyball Abby Golden, Varsity Volleyball Sam Goldenson, Varsity Volleyball Toni Gomes, JV Soccer Araybia Goodlow, Varsity Volleyball Caroline Green, Varsity Soccer Nancy Kaneb, Varsity Field Hockey Annie Kaplan, Varsity Cross Country Avantika Kothari, Varsity Crew Rebecca Lin, Varsity Field Hockey Ellisya Lindsey, JV Soccer

Julia Monaco, JV Soccer Serena Pollard, Varsity Field Hockey Clare Quinn, Varsity Cross Country Monique Singletary, Varsity Field Hockey Sarah Stier, Varsity Soccer Angela Su, Varsity Crew Berneece Tam, Varsity Crew Karen Torres, Varsity Volleyball Talia Ward, Varsity Field Hockey Clare Westerman, Varsity Crew Julie Wilson, JV Soccer

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1 Down, 3 to Go: Boston Sports 2018 Fencing Wins

By Haley Kwoun ’20 Panel Staff In the sports mecca that is Boston, we are spoiled by the incredible run of success of our sports teams. It is hard to imagine that in the past 16 years, Boston has had 11 victory parades.

The most recent was on October 31, as the Red Sox brought back yet another World Series trophy to add to the three others won over the past 14 years. This year, the Red Sox had an amazing run with 108 regular season wins, the most in Red Sox history. As the presumed underdogs going into the post-season match-up against the feared New York Yankees, the Red Sox cruised past their foes to clinch the American League Division series.

The Sox came away victorious with a series win to move onto the World Series.

The Red Sox lost a single game to the Dodgers in an unprecedented 18 inning loss. Annie Kaplan ’19 stayed up that night to watch the game. “It was amazing,” she said, “to see the Sox’s mental tenacity as they entered into hour 7 in that game!” The Sox would come back the next two nights with the same fervor that had epitomized their team throughout their season, winning by large margins and closing the chapter on the World Series and any hope for the LA Dodg-

ers.

The New England Patriots, however, started off a little slow this season. As the Pats’ season continues, we should expect more production out of both sides of the line with more wins than losses, as Brady increases his comfort level with the receivers and the return or addition of more running backs. The defensive side of the ball will need to figure out what works best for them, including moving key players to more strategic positions to stop the run game or eliminate the passing frenzy that is very popular now.

Currently, the Patriots are number one in their conference, again with little push back. After seeing the Patriots triumph year after year, however, you can’t help but think that this year’s Patriots do not have the same quality of players and cohesiveness of team that launched them to five Super Bowl wins.

Rather, this year may be a slow death spiral and swan song for both the GOAT Tom Brady and Guru Coach Bill Belichick.

“I think that after watching the “Battle of the GOATS” matchup between Brady and Aaron Rodgers, Brady is the GOAT. He rallies the loyalty of his teammates, many of whom claim they would only play for him.

Rodgers cannot band his team together, which I believe is half of the QB’s job,” shared Dora Friedman ’20.

The return of Marcus Morris, Al Horford, and Jaylen Brown and stellar playing

by Jayson Tatum has propelled the Celtics to an excellent start to a exciting season. Currently, they stand third in the conference after five wins. Gordon Hayward’s return after last year’s gruesome leg injury, as well as a healthy Kyrie Irving makes for a tremendous season for the Celtics. Only 74 more games to see if they are championship caliber!

The Bruins are off to a shaky start with seven wins and five losses. A familiar face in Tuukka Rask and a new addition in Jaroslav Halak makes for exciting times at net. The regulars, David Pasternak, Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, Zdeno Chara, David Krejci, and many others are definitely the makings for a winning caliber team. There are 83 more games to play, giving us plenty of ice time to root for another Stanley Cup. Sophia Copeman ’20, one of the captains of Winsor’s varsity hockey team, expressed her excitement: “This year more than ever, the Bruins have a strong bond that will hopefully get them far!”

Eleven championships in 16 years seems almost mystical, but Boston fans have been truly blessed to have such a phenomenal run of victorious teams. We should watch games, cheer, and enjoy it while it lasts. Go Sox, Pats, Celts, Bruins! ☐

Kristie Rae Gillooly

By Rani Balakrishna ’21 Panel Staff

You may not know that Emily Vermeule, a Winsor junior you have seen in the hallway, has traveled around the world to fence at the Junior Olympics and World Championships, and medaled! A junior olympian at Winsor is an amazing feat to accomplish, one that Emily said she “definitely did not expect to ever be competing at.” Emily started fencing at age 10 “because [she] really enjoyed the sport, and while [she] always dreamed of achieving certain goals, [she] never truly believed [she] would ever qualify for World Championships, let alone Youth Olympics.”

The World Championships took place in Verona Italy, in April 2018, and to qualify for them, Emily had to be in the top three of women’s epee (a type of fencing) in the U17 age group in the United States. To do this, she had to gather points by competing and winning in World Cups, six in Europe and eight in North America, and she then qualified by placing third in the US. Emily then went on to place second at World Champs, earned the silver medal, and placed first out the United States team. Her placement qualified her for the Youth Olympics, in Argentina.

Emily said that her favorite experience at the World Championships was “definitely getting the silver medal and having the opportunity to fence in the semifinals and finals with such strong fencers.” On the Championships, she said, “I was even surprised that I qualified for the World Championship team, I certainly never expected to medal, so that experience was really incredible.” She added that her favorite experience from the Youth Olympics was “meeting an amazing group of young athletes.” She then elaborated by saying, “Over the two weeks I spent in Argentina, I became very close to a variety of incredible people. It was truly a unique experience to meet so make so many friends who have dedicated so much to their individual sports, and one I will never forget.”

If you see Emily in the hallway, don’t forget to congratulate her! ☐

Curling: The Unknown Winter Sport at Winsor sheet of ice with a brightly-colored bullseye

By Haley Kwoun ’20 and Crystal Yang at each end. Two teams, each with four play’20 ers, take turns throwing stones across the ice Panel Staff in an attempt to get as many stones as close A couple of weeks ago, students may to the button as possible. Each player throws have noticed an email from Ms. Quacken- two stones, but they all have their own spebos referring to the existence of Winsor’s cialized roles within the team. While it may Curling Club, and then an even more mys- seem easy to simply slide stones across ice, terious follow-up about this so-called “Curl- there is quite a bit of strategy and teamwork ing Club” being full! What even is curling? involved in order to rack up points.

Why is it so popular? Believe it or not, this Wait, so you guys actually sweep the ice?

Yep! The four players split into their elusive sport, often overlooked in the Winter Olympics in favor of flashier events like designated roles when playing, and two playfigure skating and skeleton, also has a place ers at a time are sweepers, using specialized among Winsor’s winter team rosters, right brooms to sweep the ice. The sweeping helps alongside Varsity Swimming, basketball, to reduce friction underneath the stone and hockey, and Squash! However, curling ad- can cause it to slide faster or change direcmittedly does not seem to hold the appeal tion. Sweeping takes place under the guidthat the ice hockey team’s games do, and ance of the skip, the player who stands at the more often than not, students don’t know other end of the ice and directs both where what the sport is in the first place. Our team the stone is going to go and when the sweepspends their Tuesdays and Thursdays prac- ers sweep. The remaining player throws the ticing at The Country Club in Brookline in stone according to the skip’s instructions. preparation for the tournament at the end of the season, in which we play against teams from other schools including Brookline High School and Brimmer and May. Current curling team member Sadie Golen ’20 says, “It’s a lot of fun, and we hope more people will consider joining in future years!”

What exactly is curling?

Nicknamed “chess on ice,” this centuries-old sport is played on a long, narrow

The lingo: Stone - the 44 pound granite rocks that we sweep and throw Hack - similar to the starting blocks on a track - a grip on the ice to launch out of Hog line - the line that marks the latest point at which you must release the stone Hammer - the final stone thrown in the game, given to the team that won the coin toss or lost the previous end (see end) Bonspiel - A curling bracket championship End - one “inning” of a curling game points are collected after 16 stones are thrown, signaling the end of an end Button - the very center of the house: the landing spot of a “perfectly thrown” stone Takeout - when the player throwing the stone is told to throw quickly and forcefully directly at another stone with the intention Final Thoughts?

While curling may not be a conven- of removing it from play tional sport, it’s still lots of fun, and we hope Guard - a stone thrown lightly to block the line of the opposing team’s stone intended to have a good season this year! to take yours out Pebble - a technique to reduce surface tension between the stone and the ice. The ice is sprayed with a thin layer of droplets and then frozen Sheet - the ice track/playing field Skip - the team captain who provides the strategy, target, and final stone throwing HARD!! - what is yelled by the skip when the sweepers must sweep diligently to ensure proper line and/or speed of the stone is Kristie Rae Gillooly maintained. ☐ How do you even win?

Per end, only one team can score points—it’s all or nothing. That team is determined by which team throws the stone that is closest to the button. Each stone they have in the house is worth one point, and they continue to gain a point for each stone that is closer to the button than the other team’s stones. Then, the point accumulation stops, and however many stones they had is the total number of points for the end. However, sometimes it’s hard to tell which team’s stone is closer. In that case, an independent official comes over to measure each stone’s distance to the button using a special device that pivots around the center of the button.

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T he Panel

The Hate U Give: A Realistic View of Race Around Us

By Katherine Loose ’20 Panel Staff

“THUG LIFE. The Hate U Give Little Infants F***s Everybody.” This phrase was coined by 2pac in 2010, but in 2017 it inspired Angie Thomas’s popular novel The Hate U Give. Thomas’s story follows a teenage girl, Starr Carter, who lives in a predominantly black neighborhood but attends a predominantly white high school.

Starr’s life takes a dramatic turn when she witnesses a police officer shoot her unarmed black friend, Khalil Harris. Angry, afraid, and feeling like an outsider in both of her communities, Starr struggles to find her voice and take a stand against racism and police brutality.

The Hate U Give is an empowering story of loss, protest, and identity. The 2017 novel evoked some conflicting responses: while many readers praised it for bringing attention to an important issue, schools across the country banned it from their shelves for vulgarity and racial language. The recent 2018 film adaptation of The Hate U Give received some criticism as well, mainly sparked by the decision to cast Amandla Stenberg as Starr. Critics pointed out that Amandla has lighter skin than the girl illustrated on the cover of the novel, to which Thomas responded that although the “lightening of stories” is a problem in Hollywood, Amandla embodies her vision of Starr. The Hate U Give, in theaters today, has received an overwhelmingly positive response from viewers who commend it for telling a story that needed to be told.

The Hate U Give proves that Hollywood doesn’t need an alternate reality or a fantasy world to present a story of intense struggle. In fact, the movie tackles issues that are embedded in our society. What makes the story so powerful is that it does not follow the common structure of presenting problems and then solving them.

Instead, it presents problems and then leaves the audience to struggle with them.

Take Khalil Harris’s murder for example. The police officer that shoots him is never indicted. Angie Thomas could have ended the story by putting the officer in jail, and then we would have left the theaters feeling content that justice had been served. Instead, we leave feeling frustrated, which is exactly the feeling a story about police brutality should evoke, because many perpetrators are not held responsible for their actions. The real world doesn’t always have a happy ending, and neither does The Hate U Give. But the purpose of this realistic ending is not to depress the audience; it is to inspire us to take action. Starr makes a difference in her community by speaking up about racism and police brutality, and she gives the audience the responsibility of continuing that activism.

Not only is Starr Carter an activist, but Amandla Stenberg is too, which makes her perfect for the role. Since she came into the public eye in 2012, Amandla has been very outspoken about gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, the #MeToo movement, and as highlighted in The Hate U Give, the Black Lives Matter movement. In 2014, her Youtube video “Don’t Cash Crop on my Cornrows” went viral for calling out cultural appropriation in pop culture.

More recently, she made Time magazine’s annual list of “30 Most Influential Teens” (not once, but twice!), co-authored the comic book Niobe: She is Death about a young black girl, and wrote an op-ed for Teen Vogue in response to Christine Blasey Ford’s testimony. Evidently, Amandla is an inspiring woman and someone the Winsor

ing process of the The Hate U Give than cast members typically are.

She explained the importance of her contribution to this process by saying, “I wanted to ensure that her language was authentic to her, that there were words being put in her mouth that were legit.”

The Hate U Give is just as necessary as it is powerful. Not only does the story tackle major issues in our society, but also smaller issues that we should all think about. One such issue that stood out to me was the use of tragedies for purposes such as missing school. When word of Khalil’s murder spreads, Starr’s classmates take advantage of the opportunity to cut class and pretend to be concerned about the injustice.

This aspect of the movie is relevant to Winsor, being a school that participated in the March for Our Lives last spring. Although Winsor students are politically aware and do genuinely care about imdb.com injustice, the message still stands: when we participate in something, community should keep an eye on in the fu- we need to think about why we care. The ture. But what makes the role of Starr even Hate U Give is also relevant to Winsor bemore fitting for her is that she has a very cause, as Caitlin Smith ’21 notes, “Starr goes to a preppy private school, which comes personal connection to Starr’s story.

Amandla grew up in a predominant- with many privileges, but she hides her ly black neighborhood in Los Angeles and identity as a person of color when she’s at attended a more privileged, predominant- school. This made me think about whether ly white school. In The Hate U Give, Starr people at Winsor are facing this same strugstruggles with the pressure to present her- gle.” These are just a few examples of how self differently at home and at school in or- The Hate U Give generates self-reflection in der to preserve a certain image, a practice viewers along with inspiration for change. known as “code-switching.” Amandla can Because it is thought-provoking, because it relate to this struggle and commented, “I is increasingly relevant in our society, and learned how to be very intentional of how I because it stars someone who is just as inpresented myself in order to fit in.” Because spiring as her character, The Hate U Give is she feels this connection to Starr, Amandla a movie every Winsor student should watch was much more involved in the screenwrit- and have conversations about. ☐

Annual Fall Concert Entertains the Winsor Community

By Jamila O’Hara ’19 Panel Staff

On Tuesday, October 16, students and faculty gathered in the theater to celebrate and to honor the fall season with a selection of exceptional performances from some of Winsor’s many performing arts groups.

The Upper School Percussion Ensemble kicked off the concert with a lively rendering of the jazz piece “Blue Monk”

by Thelonious Monk. Following the Percussion Ensemble, Upper School Orchestra continued the instrumental portion of the concert with a rousing performance of an excerpt of “Dance Macabre.” The Lower School Drum, Strum & More class delighted the audience with a performance of the beloved ballad “This is Me” from movie musical The Greatest Showman. Upper School Chorale was up next with two exciting selections. The first was a powerful rendition of a traditional spiritual entitled “Keep Your Lamps,” and the second was an incredibly upbeat performance of the classic anthem “Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi.

Following Chorale, Small Chorus took the stage, first delivering a dynamic performance of the gospel ballad “Stand Upon the Rock!” by Rollo Dilworth followed by a rendition of “Summer is Over,” an intermezzo from the opera Cavalleria Rusticana.

Small Chorus closed their performance with an exciting and engaging a-cappella mashup of the Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back” and MKTO’s “Classic,” arranged by Ryan Hutcherson. On this piece, Small Chorus director Ms. Taillacq reflected, “During my annual summer research

for music that will best suit the particular group of singers that we have, I was especially excited to find [this new arrangement]…

It really fit the bill of some great a cappella writing with lots of opportunities for solos.”

Indeed, many soloists featured on this rendition were greeted with vigorous cheering and applause from energetic audience members.

One member of Small Chorus remarked, “[despite the difficulty of the piece], when Winsor Upper School Chorale.

Winsor Instagram we got in front of an audience, we suddenly became inexplicably in sync with each other...it was like the whole atmosphere of the group had changed; I think we could sense the enthusiasm in the audience.”

Finally, this year’s Senior Small made a superb debut with a stirring a-cappella arrangement of “Kaleidoscope Heart” by Sara Bareilles. On Senior Small’s first performance, Senior Small president Julie Wilson ’19 reflected, “I am so proud of Senior Small for tackling such a challenging piece!

Looking back, I think we had a great first performance...senior small is also really excited about performing in the near future at SLAMP and the holiday concert -- we have some really fun songs planned!”

The vast array of musical styles and genres featured in the show certainly Upper School Percussion Ensemble. engaged the audience in a dynamic, exciting

celebration of the fall season while enjoying a deliberate variety of selections. Ms. Taillacq notes, “It was really fun for our singers to do a range of pieces from classical opera to inspirational spiritual and Gospel to Michael Jackson/MKTO and Bon Jovi! For me personally, it's always a treat to see how well our students can embrace and adapt to so many different styles and to do them well!”

Students and faculty alike can look forward to the next showcase of the musical talent of Winsor’s many ensembles at the Holiday Concert, which will take place on Sunday, December 9 at 3 P.M. According to Ms. Taillacq, the Holiday Concert will feature “seasonal and holiday favorites along with inspirational pieces, excerpts from classical masterworks, newly arranged works and other treats that focus on the joy of the season and the desire for peace and hope in our world” and, like the fall concert, “will [be] sure to please a wide variety of musical tastes!” Nearly all of Winsor’s performing art groups, including the Lower School Chorus, Lower School Orchestra, Upper School Percussion Ensemble, Upper School Chamber Orchestra, Upper School Chorale, Small Chorus, and Senior Small, as well as the Intergenerational Chorus and Orchestra composed of parents, students, faculty, and staff, will perform at the Winsor Instagram event. ☐

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No More Pumpkin Pie: Original Thanksgiving Recipes

By Ellen O’Hare ’20 Panel Staff

sandwich bread ½ cup (1 stick) butter, divided 6 ounces diced pancetta 1 large onion, chopped 1 large crisp apple, peeled and chopped 1 cup pecan pieces ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley 4 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme 4 teaspoons dried rubbed sage 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 4 large eggs, beaten 2 cups low-salt chicken broth

Thanksgiving–everyone’s favorite holiday to get together with family, maybe watch some football, and go into a food coma before 4 p.m.–is right around the corner! Families across the country will prepare an abundance of delicious food to celebrate.

However, some of these “classic” Thanksgiving recipes can get a little old (especially if you are forced to eat leftover turkey sandwiches until Christmas!). So, The Panel is here to provide you with some Directions new, updated, and innovative recipes to try 1. Cut and lay bread cubes out the day before to dry (or dry them out in the oven for out this year!

5 minutes before starting.) Preheat oven to Cornbread Stuffing Muffins with Apple 350 degrees F. 2. Put the bread cubes in a large bowl. and Pancetta (Recipe and picture courtesy of A Spicy 3. Melt 4 tablespoons butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add the pancetta and Perspective.) sauté until brown. Then add the onions and cook to soften—2-3 minutes. Add the Makes 12 servings apples and soften another 3-5 minutes. Fi20 minutes Prep Time nally, add the herbs and pecans. Toss and 35 minutes Cooking Time remove from heat.

4. Add 1 teaspoon coarse salt, and 1 teaIngredients 7 cups ¾ inch cubes cornbread (store- spoon pepper; stir to blend. Add vegetable mixture to bread and toss. bought is fine) 7 cups ¾ inch cubes crustless firm white 5. Whisk the eggs and broth together and pour over the bread mixture.

Toss and let it stand 5 minutes.

6. Generously butter 12 nonstick muffin cups. Spoon ½ cup of stuffing mixture into each muffin cup. Press to compact.

Mound another ½ cup of remaining stuffing mixture over stuffing in each muffin cup, pressing to hold shape. Bake muffins until golden, about 22-25 minutes. Cool in pan 15 minutes. Using small knife, loosen muffins and pop out of pan. *Can be made one day ahead.

Rewarm uncovered in microwave in 30-second intervals, A Spicy Perspective Cornbread Stuffing Muffins. or covered loosely with foil in

350 F oven, about 15 minutes. Loosen from 3. Open bag and add honey, oil, cinnamon, optional salt and pepper to taste, optional muffin pan with a butter knife. seasonings to taste, seal bag, and toss potaHoney Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Hon- toes to coat. Really manipulate the potatoes around inside the bag, pushing the ones ey Cinnamon Dip (Recipe and pictures courtesy of Averie on the top to the bottom and vice versa, to equally distribute the honey, oil, and spices.

Cooks.)

4. Using your hands, transfer potatoes from bag onto baking tray because excess mariMakes about 4 servings nade will get onto baking tray and it will be 10 minutes Prep Time prone to burning. Save any remaining mar40-45 minutes cooking time inade in Ziplock bag to be added halfway through baking.

Ingredients 5. Bake for about 20 - 25 minutes, remove Sweet Potatoes 2 - 3 medium/large sweet potatoes, washed, from oven, and flip potatoes over using tongs. peeled, and trimmed into 1-inch chunks 6. If desired and if there’s extra marinade, 3 - 4 tablespoons honey lightly and even3 - 4 tablely drizzle potatoes spoons cocowith what remains nut oil in liqfrom Ziplock bag. uid state (or 7. Return tray to another oil, i.e. oven and bake for olive, vegetaabout 15 - 20 more ble, canola) minutes, or until 1 tablespoon fork-tender and cinnamon done. Keep a close A pinch of salt, eye on potatoes in pepper, pumpthe final moments kin pie spice, of baking so they nutmeg, gindon’t burn. Bakger, allspice (all ing times will vary to taste) based on oven variances, the potaCreamy Hontoes and how thick ey-Cinnamon they’re cut, how full Dip the tray is, and how ⅓ cup plain or well done you like vanilla Greek them. Optionally yogurt or sour (but recommendcream Averie Cooks Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes. ed), serve potatoes 2 - 3 tablewith dip or your spoons honey favorite condiments as soon as they’re cool 1 teaspoon cinnamon enough to eat. While potatoes finish baking, make the dip.

Directions 1. Preheat oven to 400F. Spray a baking 8. Creamy Honey-Cinnamon Dip – Add all dip ingredients to a small bowl and whisk sheet with cooking spray; set aside.

2. Sweet Potatoes – Slice potatoes into until smooth and combined. Transfer to ra1-inch chunks and put into a gallon-sized mekin if desired for serving. Dip will keep airtight in the fridge for up to one week. ☐ Ziplock.

Artists of the Issue: A Conversation With SAFA What does SAFA do in club meet-

per School. Not a lot of people knew about SAFA last year, so we’re trying to increase It depends on what SAFA activities the club’s presence in the community. We’ve The Student Association of Fine Arts are coming up. In past meetings, we have already run two new activities this year, and (SAFA) is a student organization that en- planned activities SAFA would be hosting we’re excited for more! courages involvement in the arts, ranging and talked about our favorite artists or art What is your favorite thing about from the visual to the performing to the pieces. We’re currently planning SLAMP SAFA? literary, at Winsor. SAFA hosts events for for November 16, and we’re planning to My favorite thing about SAFA is how both the artistically the club allows a inclined and inexgroup of students perienced throughto come together out the school year. thanks to a mutual One such event is interest in art and SLAMP, an openhas no artistic exmic night that gives pectations. SAFA students a platform isn’t exclusive to to express themonly “artists” or selves through mustudents who are sic, poetry, prose, “good at art” – it’s and more. open to everyone.

This year’s fall To someone SLAMP will be held unsure about joinon November 16 ing the club, what at 6:30 P.M. in the would you say?

Black Box Theater.

You should SAFA has also hostdefinitely come to ed pumpkin paintour lunch meeting, visits from ings, especially if Becca Lin guest artists, and you’re interested in Emma Specht ’19 and Teresa Lawlor ’19 at a SAFA-hosted pumpkin painting event. a splatter painting helping to plan the competition so far activities SAFA has buy coloring books for some fun meetings! been running and the edition of Lamp that this year, and plan to host more.

What are some of SAFA’s goals this we’re publishing in the spring. You don’t The following questions were answered year? have to have experience with art to join the This year, SAFA is trying especially club. We’re open to lots of new ideas, and

by SAFA heads Kaylee Chang ’19, Becca Lin hard to make art more accessible to the Up- we’d love to have your input. ☐ ’19, and Hannah Park ’19.

By Elly Pickette ’21 Panel Staff

ings?

Book Recommendations Courtesy of Winsor Upper School Book Club Cheaper by the Dozen by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr., Ernestine Gilbreth Carey A memoir penned by two siblings that has since been made into two movies, Cheaper by the Dozen tells the story of the 12 Gilbreth siblings as they grow up in a crowded home.

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine After being cursed to always be obedient by a fairy at birth, Ella tries to find the fairy who cursed her in order to undo it.

Girls Burn Brighter by Shobha Rao Poornima and Savitha are best friends before Savitha disappears from the village in a horrible crime. Poornima dedicates her life to finding her friend, taking her on a journey around the world that ends in Seattle.

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson Rory begins boarding school in London just as murders in the style of Jack the Ripper begin. Hope seems lost until Rory spots the prime suspect and discovers an unknown ability to see ghosts.

Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor Albino teen Sunny moves to Nigeria from New York City, where she meets Orlu, Sasha, and Chichi. They introduce her to the magical world of the Leopard People, where one’s weaknesses become one’s strengths.

The teens form an Oha Coven to find a man who kills and maims children.

Winsor Arts

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T he Panel

Being Black at Winsor: How It Feels and What It Means

By Araybia Ahmad-Goodlow ’19 Panel Staff

The surprise. The uninhibited, almost intrusive curiosity is what I remember most.

When I came to Winsor in sixth grade, it was not as if I had never been around white people before. Despite coming from a pre-

someone asking me what black people usually ate. This constant curiosity and examination was unnerving to me, and I felt like a specimen under exhibit. I was so tired of being observed, so I tried to tone down my differences: blow dry my hair, wear the same clothes, even speak with the same “like” after every four words in my sentenc-

Araybia Ahmad-Goodlow ’19 as a child and now.

Araybia Ahmad-Goodlow

dominantly black public school, I had been es. I even stopped wearing my Jordans to around different cultures, races, ethnicities, school for a while—a real low point. and yet I had never felt as uncomfortable as For a while it felt natural, until I reI did when I came to Winsor. The culture alized that I had forgotten what natural shock was awkward. It felt as if my class- really was. I was reminded by my mother mates had never that natural is been around a who you really sharing a space shar black person beare, with no adfore. I am sure ditional addiing a classroom and they must have tives, derivatives, seen or spoken artificial colorsharing a team made my to someone like ing, or flavors. me, but sharing She reminded me classmates feel like a space, sharing that when you a classroom, and go into a room they could ask any sharing a team where everyone made them feel is talking, if you thing that they had like our interacclose your eyes, tions provided a the people in the ever wanted to know platform to ask room should not anything that all sound the about a black person no they have ever same, and if they wanted to know do, that means matter how offensive about a black that the majority person, no matter how offensive. Just to of them have lost their voice - for we are give a glimpse, they would ask how I got not all meant to sound the same, or be the my hair to look the way it did, they’d ask same, and we don’t have to explain who we if Dorchester was dangerous and why my are; we can just be. Ever since I pressed remom was so strict, and I even remember set, I have focused on maintaining who I

“

,

Kristie Rae Gillooly Senior leaders of SISTERS, Winsor’s black affinity group. am while still getting the most out of my ty in terms of numbers, but it can someschool environment. I can say now that times be just as isolating as a school with being black at Winsor is not much differ- a 15% diversity.” Victoria Cadostin ’19 also ent from being any other student. I am the expressed that she felt the need to assimisame Araybia at school as I am at home. late when she came to Winsor: “I felt like After reflecting on my own experi- I was tailoring my life to be like a typical ence, I wondered how other people of col- Winsor student. Certain aspects of my life or felt at Winsor. Surely I was not the only and my identity felt like they didn’t fit into voice that had something to share. In order that mold. I wanted to normalize my expeto get different perspectives, I sought out riences to other Winsor students. Coming those of my peers. What I found was that from an immigrant family, I remember although we can all relate to each other in other students inviting me to sleepovers, some ways, we also have our own unique which my parents did not allow me to go experiences. We each have a background to. A common immigrant parent thing, or that is not identical. However, one com- at least at my house, sleepovers were not

-

,

[

[

] ]

]

[

,

.”

Kristie Rae Gillooly

Chloe Duval ’19 leading Class I out of Assembly on the first day of school.

Victoria Cadostin ’19 at UTL.

Kristie Rae Gillooly

monality among us was our feeling that people assumed we were all the same just because we share the same brown skin tone.

One of my peers, Chloe Duval ’19, told me that her experience coming to Winsor was a little different. “I came from an even more white school with only 15% of their students being nonwhite. I came from a school on the North Shore. I was the only Latin person in the entire school and there were only five other black people in the entire school. I was excited to come to Winsor because I thought it would be different, but I still felt singled out. I remember in class, a Winsor teacher singled me out and asked me what it was like to be a black person. She thought I could add a different perspective to the class discussion, but it made me feel uncomfortable and alone. Winsor is better with diversi-

allowed. But I would make up excuses to my friends about why I couldn’t do certain things. They wouldn’t understand.”

Even though we are just a few voices representing the black experience at Winsor, we echo many common feelings and understandings that other black students may have experienced at some point during their time here. Even after I’ve adjusted to Winsor, I am sometimes reminded of that feeling of not being understood. But, by being myself, I have found comfort. By talking to other girls who understand and can relate to me, I don’t feel alone. I want younger girls who may be experiencing a similar bumpy transition into Winsor to feel safe and to know that they are not alone. The urge to assimilate will lessen and eventually dissipate as one lets one’s own light shine. ☐

Vol. 67, Is su e 4

BELMONT HILL Center Spread

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A Detailed Dive Into the Finances of the BH Food Service

By Matt Smith ‘19 and Will LaFarge ‘19 Panel Staff

For years, Belmont Hill’s lunch program has been a hot topic among students. Many students have strong feelings about the quality of our lunches.

Recently, there has been reform initiated by students and the school alike; as covered in last May’s issue of The Panel, School President Shane Rockett ‘19 has been trying to eliminate unpopular meals with his weekly lunch surveys, the Belmont Hill administration has expanded the Dining Hall into the library, and they’ve hired a new Head Chef. In this article, The Panel continues its examination of the root cause of dissatisfaction with school lunches as it sets out to quantify the cost efficiency of Belmont Hill’s lunch program and to find out if we can learn from other schools to provide cheaper and better meals.

With generous help from Mr. Bounty, Belmont Hill’s Chief Financial Officer, we were able to collect reliable data on dining spending of several ISL schools, including Roxbury Latin, Nobles, Rivers, Winsor, and Middlesex. The most important data points, which were comparable across almost all schools, were the cost per meal and the breakdown between the cost of food and cost of labor per meal. For these metrics, the numbers from the six schools fall within a somewhat small range, but there are some distinctions. This variance in cost can be expected because the six schools differ from one another in several ways, from the demographics of the student body, to the quality and the provider of the food, to the number of dormers, to whether or not the school has family-style dining.

The most useful comparisons are those from Belmont Hill to Roxbury Latin and Winsor, since those schools are most similar to our own, but some conclusions can also be drawn by contrasting Belmont Hill’s stats to those of Nobles, Rivers, and Middlesex. Of these four schools (including Belmont Hill), Rivers spends the most per meal, primarily because of its unusually high cost of labor per meal of $5.22, $.70 above Belmont Hill’s cost of labor, the next highest. This data indicates very little about Belmont Hill’s dining program, but may suggest that Rivers is getting overcharged, or hiring five-star chefs. Middlesex is by far the cheapest at $6.15 per meal, but this is probably because they are a boarding school, which allows them to serve more meals per day for around the same labor. As shown in the data, Middlesex spends roughly the same on food as the other schools listed, but its labor cost per meal is much lower because the dining staff cooks three meals a day, as compared to one for day schools, without working three times the hours in the kitchen. Surprisingly, Nobles spends less than Belmont Hill per meal, although they have a reputation for top-notch food. Their food provider, Flik Dining, may help drive down their costs.

Flik provides food for the three schools with the lowest dining costs, Middlesex, Nobles, and Winsor. Perhaps Belmont Hill can learn from how Nobles runs their dining program since they seem to maintain a high level of student satisfaction with food while keeping per meal costs relatively low. It should be noted however that other factors, such as cafeteria style dining and serving more meals per day, may contribute to their cost efficiency. We could not delve deeper into the details Nobles’ dining program since we were unable to attain a breakdown of their costs for food and labor.

In examining the data from Roxbury Latin, it is evident that Belmont Hill spends relatively competitively when we control for all other factors. Like Belmont Hill, Roxbury Latin is an allboys, private school with family-style dining and a slightly smaller student body of three hundred students. Roxbury Latin’s per meal cost is also only $.13 greater than Belmont Hill’s per

the meals served at both schools on Thursday, November 1st (tater tots and grilled cheese at BH; bowtie pasta with turkey meatballs at Winsor), the parent scored the overall quality of the BH meal at 4.5/10 (2/10 for health and 7/10 for taste) and the overall quality of the Winsor meal at 7.5/10 (7/10 for health and 8/10 for taste). The parent’s main criticisms of the BH food were the use of

meal cost of $7.41, even though they purchase food through a different provider, Sage. Therefore, it is safe to say, that barring any other changes, Belmont Hill won’t be able to get better, cheaper food by abandoning Sodexo for Sage.

The comparison between Belmont Hill and Winsor is perhaps the most shocking. Winsor spends nearly a full dollar less than Belmont Hill per meal at a cost of $6.45. There are a number of possible explanations for this discrepancy in cost between Belmont Hill and Winsor.

Firstly, Winsor’s student population is quite different from Belmont Hill’s. Obviously, all of Winsor’s students are female, and boys, especially boys who play 2-3 sports a year, do eat more than girls: one study finds that the average mid-teen boy eats almost 2,000 calories at lunch, while girls eat no more than about 1,300 calories per lunch during adolescence. Also, Winsor starts in fifth grade, so the students are on average younger than Belmont Hill students. Fifth and sixth graders at Winsor probably eat less than the average seventh to twelfth grade Winsor student, and this would drive down average food consumption per meal. Another factor that raises costs for Belmont Hill is the boarding program and growing breakfast program, both of which Winsor does not have. Belmont Hill serves dinner to about 30 boarders every night and even more students and faculty in the morning. The inefficiencies of serving such a small number of people drives up the dining program’s overall cost per meal.

Belmont Hill’s costs could also be higher than Winsor’s because our dining service, Sodexo, might charge more than Winsor’s dining service, Flik (a plausible explanation considering its aforementioned association with lower cost schools).

The most important difference in dining between the two schools, at least to some, is food quality. Does Belmont Hill’s food cost more because it is better quality? Some Belmont Hill students might scoff at this notion, but it is possible. The dining staff takes pride in always using fresh food and making as much food as possible from scratch, both of which could account for Belmont Hill’s cost of food per meal of $2.89, compared to $2.25 for Winsor. The results from a cursory taste test, however, suggest otherwise. When the parent of a Belmont Hill and Winsor student tried

“white bread” and that “the cheese was unrecognizable.” While this trial does clear up the effect of student bias against their own school’s food (which increases with regular, long term consumption) its sample of one is inconclusive. A more comprehensive study into the quality of food from both schools would surely be beneficial in informing further judgements about their lunch programs.

The most probable reason for Belmont Hill (and Roxbury Latin) spending more per meal than Winsor is due to our family-style tradition. Sadly, family-style dining leads to food waste and economic inefficiencies that most likely account for the difference in costs per meal between Winsor, and Belmont Hill and RL. During sit-down lunches, food is more liable to be wasted since serving

Photo Editors

dishes need to be refilled, and inevitably there is some leftover food once lunch comes to a close. At a first glance, it may seem that Belmont Hill pays too much on food since Winsor’s cost is almost a dollar less, but there are an array of factors, some of which we can change in our favor and others that we can’t, that explain our spending relative to Winsor’s.

Running a private school dining program is a complex task, and a task that Belmont Hill does well, all things considered. However, we, as a school, can always improve. Currently, our cost per meal sits at a respectable rate, similar to Roxbury Latin’s cost, but there are other ways to limit expense on dining and we should explore those options, both by looking at other schools who have found a way to pay less than Belmont Hill, and by coming up with innovative ways to reduce cost.

One crucial decision we face is whether to keep, modify, or end our expensive tradition of family-style lunches.

Once again, Belmont Hill is challenged to balance traditional with forward thinking and practicality; can a little extra on the food bill be justified by the preservation of a cherished tradition? Probably, but that doesn’t mean we can’t think up ways to keep our tradition while saving money and being more sustainable (just ask Colin Braun). One possible solution is to keep sit-down lunches as they are, except that students take their plates up themselves to get seconds on food. This would cut down on food waste resulting when someone refills the food, which does not get completely eaten by the end of lunch. We would still have waiters and faculty serving meals, which are integral the tradition so near and dear to Belmont Hill, but we would also waste less food.

No matter what action we take, we should, as always, take the time and thoroughly consider what would be best for our school; but would anyone really be mad if they had to scrap the kill-itfill-it rule and get their own food in exchange for a couple filet mignons? ☐

Editors-In-Chief

Abe Tolkoff ‘21

Nicholas Daley ‘19 Matthew Smith ‘19 Teresa Lawlor ‘19

Arts Editors

Executive Editors

Andrew Jonghyun Lee ‘20 Jamila O’Hara ‘19

Sports Editors Mikayla Chen ‘19 John Gaudian ‘19

Graphics Editors Elias Hyde ‘20 Lillian Gibson ‘21

Online Editors Caitlin Smith ‘21 Jack Weldon ‘20

Ellisya Lindsey ‘19 Katie Tsai ‘19 Thomas McEvoy ‘19

Copy Editors

Matthew Goguen ‘19 Sindhu Krishnamurthy ‘19

Assistant Editors

William Lafarge ‘19 Tyler Forg ‘21 Streetej Digumarthi ‘21 Henry Moses ‘21 Yazeed Dahleh ‘21 Charlie Mullaney ‘20 Annie Adams ‘21 Rani Balakrishna ‘21 Crystal Yang ‘20 Elly Pickette ‘21

Faculty Advisors David Hegarty Juliette Zener Veronica Plata Meghan Hazard

News Editors

Haley Kwoun ‘20 Charlie Booth ‘20

Opinion Editors Chetan Shukla ‘20 Qirrat Anwar ‘19

Back Page Editors Lawson Morris ‘19 Sam Goldenson ‘19 Julie Wilson ‘19

The Panel, founded in 1953, is the official school newspaper of the Belmont Hill and Winsor schools. The Panel is the voice of the student body. We publish articles that are of consequence to the students, as well as the school communities. The views expressed in The Panel belong solely to the authors and editors and do not necessarily represent the student body, faculty or administration of either school. Any comment about the content should be addressed directly to the editors. The Panel encourages responsible opinion in the form of Letters to the Editor. We reserve the right to edit all submissions for length and content. Copyright © 2017 The Panel. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written permission of the Editor-in-Chief. Published by the Belmont Printing Co., Belmont, MA 02478.

Winsor c ommunit y

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T he Panel

New Definition of Gender Threatens Trans Rights

By Ariela Rosenzweig ’19 Contributing Writer

Recently, The New York Times broke the story that the Trump administration is considering changing the governmental definitions of gender and sex to being biologically determined by one’s genitals at birth. This definition would be exclusively either male or female and unchangeable.

“Sex means a person’s status as male or female based on immutable biological traits identifiable by or before birth,” said the proposal. “The sex listed on a person’s birth certificate, as originally issued, shall constitute definitive proof of a person’s sex unless rebutted by reliable genetic evidence.”

This change would be part of a plan to roll back transgender rights and protections granted under the Obama administration through a series of decisions that loosened the legal definition of gender. The Obama-era policy prompted disputes over bathrooms, dorms, locker rooms, and other traditionally single-sex spaces. Republicans, particularly evangelical Christians, vehemently opposed a more fluid definition of gender.

The proposed definition, which first circulated in a memo from the Department of Health and Human Services last spring, would revoke any federal recognition cur-

rently afforded to individuals who identify as a gender other than the one conventionally associated with their sex at birth.

This is the most extreme and broad measure yet to emerge from the Trump administration; however, ever since he took office in 2017, President Trump’s government has been attacking and undermining transgender rights. In February 2017, the Department of Education and the Department of Justice announced that the Obama administration’s directive to schools that allowed students to use the bathroom of their choice had been rescinded. Similar actions were taken by the Justice Department regarding bathrooms and housing for inmates.

While several other countries have recently allowed gender neutral or third gender markers on government identification, the proposed changes to the United States government gender policy would explicitly disallow similar steps. This memo comes on the heels of a national “Intersex Rights” campaign which highlights those who are neither “biologically male” nor “biologically female”: in other words, those born with variations in sex characteristics, including chromosomes, sex hormones, gonads, or genitals.

The recent Intersex rights awareness campaign has focused on surgeries performed on infants with “variant” but func-

ABC News

American Atheists

Gavin Grimm, whose case regarding school bathroom rights went to the Supreme Court.

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Alex Azar.

NPR

What’s Happening at Winsor this November and December?

November 16 & 17 at 7:30 p.m.: Winsor/RL US Fall Play It Can’t Happen Here @ RL November 19 & 20 at 3:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.: Auditions for US Student Directed Play Milk Like Sugar in the Black Box November 21 - 25: Thanksgiving Break November 22: Thanksgiving Day November 26, 27, & 28 at 4:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.: Winsor/RL Junior Play Peter and the Starcatcher Auditions @ RL ✳✳✳ December 1 at 7 p.m.: US Semi-Formal December 2 - 10: Hanukkah December 8: Food Bank December 9 at 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.: Holiday Concert

tioning genitals. 1.7% of people are born with variant genitalia, which is less than the percentage of the population with green eyes (2%). These surgeries have no purpose other than cosmetic and may often result in reduced function. They result from the same impulse to stick to the outdated idea of both gender and sex as fixed and either male or female that the Trump administration is clinging to in this revision of policy.

Many at Winsor are familiar with the narrative of transgender being defined as being born in the wrong body, or being born with “female” genitals and desiring male ones. However, there is so much more biologically to sex and gender. It isn’t as black and white as we have been led to believe. And other countries are starting to recognize this. We have to understand what makes genitals male or female, why not have a male vagina? Neutral anything?

While it may seem that all is lost, many states have passed bills allowing neutral gen-

der ID. Most recently, New York City joined Oregon, Washington state, Maine, Washington DC and California. While these states all allow “X” markers for nonbinary genders on birth certificates and driver’s licenses, they require the resident who wants to make the change to be over the age of 18. No states allow X markers for intersex babies.

California is the only state to denounce intersex surgeries, stating, “Intersex children should be free to choose whether to undergo life-altering surgeries that irreversibly — and sometimes irreparably — cause harm,” and “a baby cannot consent.”

The changes made and threatened by the Trump administration are dangerous and unacceptable. Winsor students must stand alongside those who face misunderstanding, discrimination, hate, and violence.

Spectrum urges those who are cis-gendered and in positions of power to use their influence to protect those who are more vulnerable. ☐

A Word from Our Politicians...

Collect has been hard at work this month! Here is a summary of what they’ve been up to and what they’re planning to address next.

Since the last update, COLLECT has worked on...

COLLECT-o-ween.

Coming up next, COLLECT is planning...

COLLECT Forum in December And rethinking the Winsor Honor Code as a community.

Club Announcements!

Single-Parent Family Outreach: Come to the SPFO’s meeting on Saturday, November 17 from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. to volunteer to make Thanksgiving baskets for single-parent families. Transportation to and from Winsor will be provided.

Debate: Congratulations to Kayla Lee ’19, Haley Kwoun ’20, and Annie Kaplan ’19 for their 2nd place American Team finish at Debate Internationals in Toronto! All three also placed in the Top 15 American Speakers!

✳✳✳

Winsor C ommunit y

Novemb er 1 9 , 2018

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Starbucks vs. Dunkin’ Donuts: The Final Showdown

By Avery Gardner ’21 Q: What do you get for frappucciand Danya Dubrow-Compaine ’20 nos?

Panel Staff and Contributing Writers In the history of the world, there have been many great debates: the pronunciation of caramel, iPhone vs. Android, whether the dress is blue and black or gold and white.

These debates force us to reflect deeply on our values. They may even tear apart friendships. But no matter how divisive these disputes are, there has been no debate more heated, more controversial, than Dunkin’ vs. Starbucks.

We wanted to end this controversy once and for all, so we set out to interview Winsor students about their positions. With both stores within walking distance of the school, we were sure we would find strong opinions. Boy, were we right! By analyzing rigorous criteria spanning between atmosphere, character, food, and beverages, we have obtained the official and ultimate rundown on these two enemy stores.

Mentoring.org

Meet Maggie Furlong ’20, future Starbucks CEO and Patriots cheerleader: der?

Q: First off, what is your go-to or-

A: A grande because a venti would hurt my tummy.

Q: How loyal of a customer would you consider yourself to Starbucks? Have you always been loyal to Starbucks? If not, what prompted you to cross over to the other side?

A: I’ve been loyal to Starbucks since sixth grade because my mom started giving me coffee in sixth grade because I didn’t sleep very much. I was really tired and grumpy in the morning, so you gotta do what you gotta do. If it’s my choice, it’s always Starbucks.

MB Ice Arena

Boston heritage is honored. I walk in, and I Q: First off, what is your go-to or- just feel at home no matter which Dunkin’ Donuts it is.

Q: What aspects of the experience der? at Starbucks are better than those at A: Iced coffee with cream and sugar.

Q: How do you justify the lack of Dunkin’?

My go to snick-snack is a chocolate glazed high quality specialty drinks at Dunkin’?

A: Well it tastes better. It doesn’t taste donut and a bacon egg and cheese on a plain Doesn’t Starbucks have a better selection than Dunkin’ does? like dirt. That’s really a nice thing. And the bagel. app just makes it so convenient. I know Q: How loyal of a customer would A: Yeah, but they are over priced, and Dunkin’ has an app, but, like, no. And then I like how the drinks don’t just taste like weird you consider yourself to Dunkin’? Why? they taste like chemicals. sugar, they just actually taste like something. Have you always been loyal to Dunkin’? If Q: Are there any advantages StarAnd yeah, the people tend to be friendly. not, what prompted you to cross over to bucks has over Dunkin’?

And everyone at all the Starbucks knows the other side? me. And they know my drinks.

A: So loyal, oh my god. I dedicate my A: The increased amount of things Q: How do you justify paying, on av- life to Dunkin’ Donuts. I go every single they sell is nice. But when it comes down to erage, $1.00 more per cup of coffee than at day at least once. I have been loyal for two being a real person who wants a coffee, Staror three years now. Apparently I used to go bucks can’t give that to you.

Dunkin’? every single day when I was little, and they Q: Do you have any other thoughts A: I think it’s like $2.50 more. But any- used to give me free munchkins because I ways -- it just tastes so much better. Dunkin’ was a cute baby. I tried the Starbucks life- that you want to share on the subject? is more of a waste of money than buying an style, and I realized that Starbucks life is for A: *breathes in aggressively* I don’t expensive coffee because I don’t like it that posers. Their iced coffee is bad, overpriced, and it’s just obnoxious. The whole concept of actually judge people who go to Starbucks, much, you know?

Starbucks is obnoxious. And annoying. and I understand it’s the norm, and I accept you for who you are. I just don’t support that Q: Do you have any other thoughts Q: What aspects of the experience choice. I’m not actually that judgemental. that you want to share on the subject? at Dunkin’ are better than those at StarSo there you have it. As for which one A: My goal in life is to be a higher-up bucks? is better? We guess you’ll just have to argue in their business just ‘cause I love their comA: Just, like, everything. I feel my true it out for yourself. ☐ pany. I research it and love what they stand for. And also I really recommend the sugar cookies. They look kinda weird, but they’re really good. I had the raccoon one the other day... so cute!

A: It depends on my mood. If I’m really tired and it’s just a normal school day, I’d probably get a venti iced latte, but if I’m feeling spontaneous, I’ll get caramel macchiato. If it’s after practice, I’ll get a mocha frappuccino or a salted caramel mocha frappuccino, and sometimes on Friday, when I’m really tired I’ll get a vanilla sweet cream cold brew ‘cause it has a little extra caffeine and it’s really good. Always a venti, except On the other side is Dunkin’ aficionafor frappuccinos. do and absolute queen, Anna Rose Read ’19:

1912 Pike

Dunkin’ Donuts

SELECTIONS FROM THE WORLD OF WINSOR

Machinal Stuns Audiences! Winsor’s fall play Machinal by Sophie Treadwell performed November 9 and 10. Audiences expressed appreciation for the complex themes and powerful staging.

Winsor students are exposed to Disease! In preparation for January’s Global Forum, epidemiologist Dr. Natasha Hochberg ’92 spoke to the student body about her work on infectious diseases.

Kristie Rae Gillooly

Women in uniform. In honor of the centennial of WWI, Elizabeth Samet ’87, a professor of English at West Point and author of the critically-acclaimed Soldier’s Heart, presented on the role of women in combat throughout history.

Pag e 14

belmont hill sp orts

Athlete of the Issue: Justin O’Neil-Riley

Novemb er 1 9 , 2 0 1 8

BELMONT HILL VARSITY SCOREBOARD TEAM

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Censorship of Loop Brings Controversy

By John Gaudian ‘19 and William LaFarge ‘19 Panel Staff

Justin O’Neil Riley celebrates reception against Milton Academy (Photo by Jalen Walker ‘21)

Chants have long been a staple of attending Belmont Hill sporting events.

Whether in the stands of the Fritz gym or behind the end zone in the fall, chants from the Loop symbolize Belmont Hill’s unity and school spirit. According to Loop leader Lawson Morris ‘19, they are now being “censored.” Where the Loop once gleefully shouted hostile chants targeting an opposing team or player, their chants are now largely innocuous. “Let’s go, Belmont!” is yelled repeatedly and “You can’t do that” is “borderline,” says Morris. The recent ban eliminates a number of iconic, past chants from the Loop’s repertoire, including: “Safety school!” and “Number fourteen wears socks in the pool!”

Proponents of these types of chants claim that they illustrate Belmont Hill’s athletic fervor and sense of humor, but clearly the school won’t budge on its prohibition of chants which they deem offensive. To adjust to the new rule, current Loop leaders Lawson Morris and Andrew

Holland ‘19, will need to get creative with inventing new chants to energize fans and athletes. And, if they run out of ideas, they can always look to the past. The following

“Where the Loop once gleefully shouted hostile chants targeting an opposing team or player, their chants are now largely innocuous. “Let’s go, Belmont!” is yelled repeatedly and “You can’t do that” is “borderline,” says Morris.”

but the year after that we ended up going 7-2 and winning a championship, which honestly was unexpected, but we worked hard that summer. Even the year before that, we didn’t Now in his fourth season with Bel- really know where we were going to go as a chant from a video produced by former mont Hill’s varsity football team, Senior Jus- team, in terms of what we were capable of.”

Loop leaders, Callen Morris ‘16 and David tin O’Neil-Riley has proven himself a cruSince joining varsity football, Justin Perdoni ‘16, stands out as prime material: cial contributor to the team’s great season.

“Don’t you know! Pump it up! Come on and In truth though, Justin’s career began some “Honestly, I can say that being pump it up!” The banning of controversial thirteen years ago, at the age of five: “I startchants shouldn’t impede the Loop, as long a returner is most comfortable ed playing organized football when I was as its leaders can come up with new and five years old. My mom had a friend named to me, because once you get the interesting ways to pump up a crowd. ☐ ball, you’re free and you just Clinton, and he coached for the Dorchester Eagles.” Reflecting on his career to date, Jusgo.” tin believes that, in addition to Clinton, he has benefited from the advice of a number has carved out a role for himself in three of other role models, saying, “I grew up be- separate positions, a testament to his vering coached by a man named Chuck Farrell. satility, flexibility, and team-first mentality.

He’s still pretty close. He’s a close person to Whether he’s eluding defenders as a shifty me and a very important figure in my life. In receiver, picking off QB Mike Piazza in practerms of being a role model, he was certain- tice as a defensive back, or returning a punt ly one of those people, as well as my older for a touchdown in the homecoming game brother.” Within the Belmont Hill commu- against Milton as a return specialist, #17 is nity, Justin has high praise for the football sure to catch the crowd’s eye. Ultimately, team’s coaching staff, observing, “honestly, while Justin enjoys all the ways in which he I have to give props to Coach Butler, Mr. contributes to the team’s success, he does Curran, Mr. Sullivan, Coach Glor, Coach have a certain affinity for the return game: Anam, and all of the coaches that have “Honestly, I can say that being a returner is helped me. Those guys put in a lot of work most comfortable to me, because once you with our skills players. Everything that get the ball, you’re free and you just go.” they do, and that they teach, all throughLooking ahead to next year and his out the years has stuck with the team.” career beyond Belmont Hill, Justin eagerly Beyond his work on the football field, anticipates his opportunity to play football at Justin has played for Belmont Hill’s basket- Trinity College. Justin aims to bring the same ball team, where he can be seen working as determination and commitment that have a manager, and running track in the Spring, come to characterize his play in recent years, taking part in the 100 meters, 200 meters, 4 explaining, “my top goal is to be an impact x 100 meters, and long jump events. Despite player as soon as I get there. I’ve been in conhis remarkable success as a high school ath- tact with the coach, just trying to make sure lete, Justin’s highlight, at least with regard to we’re on the same page, and letting him know the football team, was what most would con- that I’m going to be there for four years, sider a clear failure: “I can honestly say that working hard. Regardless of the outcome, I the highlight within my high school career just want to be a part of that team. I think The Loop shows up in full force to support the varsity football team (Photo by Jalen Walker was definitely going 1-7. It sounds weird, it’s a pretty cool experience up there.” ☐ ‘21)

By Thomas McEvoy ‘19 Panel Staff

Vol. 67, Is su e 4

Belmont hill sp orts/NEWS

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An Uncertain Future: XC Reflects On a Season of Seniors

By Nicholas Daley ‘19 Panel Staff As the weary-legged seniors cleared out their lockers and removed their singlets for the final time, the boisterous atmosphere that had filled the bus on the ride back from Avon Old Farms in Connecticut was replaced by bittersweet reflection.

Retrieved from the lockers were memories of extra reps in workouts with burning lungs and leaden feet, inside jokes curated on rainy long runs and in the hours spent stretching after practice, and of lively team dinners going late into the night.

Just hours before, the runners had pushed across the finish line at the New England Championships and supported each oth-

er with hugs and expressions of gratitude for the experiences they shared during their careers.

They had seen a lot in their time, from the elation of the school’s fourth Cross Country ISL Championship in 2016 to painful injuries and stinging losses, from triumphant final sprints to runners collapsing in the last straightaway.

For many on the team, the sport that originally seemed a far cry from their first choice became an integral part of their lives.

“Six years later, I can’t imagine my life without it,” says team Captain Matt Smith ’19. “In my time on the team, I have witnessed ISL championships go from a pipe dream to something that is expected. But more significantly, the sport has given me a family. In no other sport, will you see such a diverse spread of personalities all bonded by the grit and perseverance to

endure pain for less than 20 minutes. Team dinners, playing heads up on bus rides, listening to music on a homemade speaker: I’ll miss every little detail that makes Belmont Hill Cross Country so special.”

Other than Freshman James Donahue, who was Belmont Hill’s top runner before being hobbled by injury down the stretch, the Varsity team was built almost entirely of seniors, whose leadership throughout the year set the tone for the rest of the group. Captains Matt Smith and Matt Goguen inspired the team in practices and pre-race speeches and consistently posted fast times. John High, despite initially considering taking the season off, brought toughness to each race and once crossed the finish line

Lessons from the McGregor Fight

By Ben St. Peters ‘19 and Jack Vander Vort ‘19 Panel Staff

The varsity cross country team huddles before the ISL championship race

barefoot and bleeding from his legs. James Eysenbach ran his best race when the team needed him to pull out a big win over Groton. Colin Braun battled chronic shin issues to finish his season strong at Nobles and New England’s. Ben Awtrey joined the team’s first run on a whim and never looked back, becoming a varsity contributor.

With these runners leaving for college next year, the team will look to existing team members to step up and fill their voids, as well as boys from this year’s middle school team, which placed second at the Roxbury Latin Invitational. But with the number of cross country runners who begin their Belmont Hill careers in other sports, the team never knows where its next major contributor may be waiting. ☐

At this point, everyone either watched it live, saw the highlights, or merely heard of the finale between Conor Mcgregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov.

For those that haven’t, during the main event of UFC 229, McGregor and Khabib squared off in a heated brawl. Tensions had reached a peak between the two men as they had both provoked each other with insults during press conferences and snide remarks in interviews.

McGregor even attacked Khabib’s bus, which was even used to advertise the fight.

After roughly two and a half rounds of excruciating grappling, Khabib finished off McGregor with a choke hold. Khabib had to be ripped off of McGregor by an official, and he began yelling indistinguishable yet noticeably angry words in the direction of his opponent. Khabib then jumped out of the ring and attacked one of McGregor’s jiu-jitsu coaches. One of Khabib’s coaching staff climbed into the cage and swung at an exhausted McGregor, although video showed that McGregor swung first.

The whole fight itself was shadowed

by Khabib’s unconventional behavior, and

there are several lessons that should be taken away. For one, players should be respectful of their opponent when they win. As a result of his aggression, Khabib was denied the victory belt in the ring and could be potentially stripped of his lightweight title.

Khabib’s hard work for months leading up to the fight and his incredible ability to ignore hateful comments leading up to the fight resulted in him winning the mental battle before the fight. His unprecedented success in the UFC thus far and dominant performance against McGregor no longer matter because of a bad decision in the heat of the moment.

This can be a learning moment for all Belmont Hill students: don’t make splitsecond decisions without thinking them through. While for Khabib, none of the build-up to the fight was a game, and he took every comment personally, he still should have thought about the repercussions of his actions before jumping out of the octagon.

As a result of his poor behavior in this crucial moment, media sources primarily depicted Khabib as a menace, largely ignoring the fact that he won the fight in dominant fashion.

Although McGregor may have made some snide remarks beforehand, it was ultimately the end of the fight that resonated with viewers. ☐

Ms. Lyman’s Worldly Adventures on The High Seas

By Chetan Shukla ‘20 Panel Staff Many of you may know Ms. Lyman as a teacher, a mentor, or even just as a new face around campus. However, few know that she spent three years circumnavigating the globe by sailboat: a journey that has had a profound effect on her life. Ms. Lyman grew up sailing and while at Harvard, she raced competitively for the Varsity Sailing team, securing a national championship all four years.

So, after recently quitting work in corporate law, Ms. Lyman sought a new challenge which eventually led her to Blue Planet Odyssey. While dining with family friends, who were planning to sail around the world, she was informed of this company, Blue Planet Odyssey, which provides the logistics and organized activities for trips of this nature. Immediately interested, Ms. Lyman met with the couple along with their hired captain and signed on for a two-month adventure. In the winter of 2015, the boat left Key West, Florida and traveled to the Galapagos.

While sailing, Ms. Lyman’s boat was accompanied by many other thrillseekers who had also signed on with Blue Planet Odyssey. On the way, they sailed through the Panama Canal after stopping at Jamaica and the San Blas Islands. She didn’t dare visit Cuba, as the embargo

was still in effect, making it illegal. After spending two months sailing through the Caribbean, Ms. Lyman had grown accustomed to the boat life and decided to stay.

However, she needed to switch boats. She spent ten months on this new boat, which featured a family with two kids. While on this next leg of her trip, she homeschooled the two boys, sparking her interest in teaching. If not for this valuable and enriching experience, she may have never ended up at Belmont Hill. After leaving the Galapagos, she spent three weeks traveling through the Pacific, mostly without seeing another boat, before finally arriving at the Marquesas Islands. This beautiful recluse, uncorrupted by tourism, was Ms. Lyman’s favorite place of her whole trip due to its natural beauty and amazing marine wildlife. After that, Ms. Lyman traveled to the Cook Islands, where she spent time among the villagers in rustic and isolated towns, gaining important new skills such as catching, plucking, roasting, and eating sea duck.

She traveled on to Tonga, crossing the International Date Line, meaning that she actually skipped a day; “It was nice because we skipped Monday, a day which everyone hates -- even on boats, where days don’t really matter”, Ms. Lyman said.

She went to Fiji, Ouatu, Australia, and then took a brief hiatus, traveling back home for a few weeks. After returning to the group of sea-goers, she switched boats again to a Brazilian ship, the owner of

which she had gotten to know over the previous year. She then sailed through Asia, visiting Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. While sailing through Asia, a local volcano exploded, prompting a black ash to layer the boat for days. As the boat’s next stop was the Mediterranean sea, it was sent by cargo ship to Turkey where it would be met by the crew. They were unable to sail through the Red Sea due to regional piracy and the Saudi-Yemen conflict. Ms. Lyman then traveled along Turkey’s coast, on to Greece, Sicily, Sardinia, Mallorca, Spain, and through the Aegean Sea. While the boat traveled across the Atlantic, she returned home and met the boat on the tip of Brazil. After sailing

down the Brazilian shoreline, the trip reached its destination in Illa Bella, a stunning archipelago in Southeastern Brazil, the boat’s home port. Over two and a half years, Ms. Lyman lived on three boats, visiting a myriad of ecosystems and communities across 19 countries. She appreciated the simplicity of life on a boat, enjoying the “isolated and disconnected atmosphere”. Though mellow, life on board was anything but boring. When not working on boat upkeep and repairs, Ms. Lyman read, played games with her fellow sailor, and, when close to land, explored, swam and hiked.

Overall, Ms. Lyman’s journey is one few will ever experience: a great adventure that should be an inspiration to us all. ☐

Ms. Lyman pictured above on the ship in Brazil

B elmont HIll opinions

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Novemb er 1 9 , 2 0 1 8

Debate of the Issue: Horror vs. Comedy Movies In this issue of The Panel, we are continuing our feature debate between two students in with opposing beliefs. After The Panel is released, a poll will be sent out to assess the student body’s views on the topic at hand. These results will be published in the subsequent issue along with a brand new talking point. So without further ado, we present the debate--horror vs. comedy movies.

Pro Horror

By Kevin O’neill ‘19 Panel Staff Comedy movies are becoming the goto flicks in our society, and while I am all for the easiness and comfort they entail, we need to get out of our comfort zone more often and experience more than just hilarity in the movie theater. Scary movies are like roller coasters: the increasing suspense leads to the moment when all emotions come out, making the whole process worth it. Watching a horror movie is a healthy way of experiencing catharsis, allowing your inner fears to leave the confines of one’s mind, freeing it from worry. Comedies are fairly one-dimensional; sure, there are classics that always induce a good laugh, but there are very few that implement metaphorical cinematic elements the way a movie like Get Out does. The deeper meaning behind each and every detail has significance, whereas, in comedies, there’s often dull plot moments that do not fulfil the goal of the film.

Watching a scary movie with others, whether it is in theatres or at home, is an experience that sticks around longer than viewing a comedy does. Witnessing the face or hearing the scream your friend makes after a jump scare will remain with you and maybe even give you a reason to tease them.

However, if jump scares aren’t for you, there are still plenty of horror movies to choose from that utilize psychological components that evoke fright just the same, such as The Silence of the Lambs.

Next time you and your friends are trying to decide on a movie to watch,

instead of watching Anchorman or Superbad, try Insidious or The Purge. The inexplicable excitement that arises in the midst of the most terrifying moments is a feeling unlike any other in regards to film. If you’re scared of trying something new, turn on the lights, watch in broad daylight, and keep a pet nearby. If you simply prefer comedy, try switching things up instead of watching Mean Girls for the twelfth time- you won’t regret it. ☐

Pro Comedy

By Josh Fairman ‘19 Panel Staff To the sensible movie watcher, comedy movies are obviously better than horror movies. For starters, comedy movies make you laugh, and allow all involved to have a good time ( I know … it’s a hot take), while horror movies make you scared. It doesn’t take a genius to realize that laughter is enjoyable and being in a constant sense of

fear, especially while being mocked by one’s peers, simply is not. If I am having a bad week, I am far more likely to watch a comedy on the weekend than a horror movie, just on the basis that the comedy will cheer me up, and a struggling through a horror film risks putting me in an even worse state of mind. In addition, comedy movies are family friendly, free for all to enjoy, and parents are not afraid to take their kids, so long as the rating isn’t too high, to enjoy a theatre showing. On the other hand, any good par-

“It doesn’t take a genius to realize that laughter is enjoyable and being in a constant sense of fear simply is not.” ent is not going to take their infant son or daughter to a horror movie for the simple reason that they don’t want to scar them for life, and rightfully so. Lastly, comedy movies are much better at creating a community than horror movies. I still hear people quoting The Other Guys to this day, and that movie came out in 2010! People don’t just mention that they’ve watched horror movies in casual conversation. No, that is a dark secret that you tell only the people close to you. There is a reason horror movies divide society; you’re a psycho if you want to spend two hours scared out of your pants. ☐

Illustration by Elias Hyde ‘20

Moral Dilemma: Should Ex-cons be Required to Report their Status to Potential Employers?

By Charlie Booth ‘20 Panel Staff According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, “An estimated 5.1% of all people in the United States will be confined in a State or Federal prison during their lifetime – 28% of black males.” With such a high incarceration rate, large numbers of Americans leave prison and attempt to re-enter the workforce. As an “ex-con”, they face an unemployment rate of over 27%, seven times the average. A leading reason for this is the requirement that convicted criminals disclose their status to potential employers.

This raises two important questions: first, should former prisoners have to report their criminal status to prospective employers and second, should that status play a role in their place in society? These questions stem from another: What is the purpose of prison? There are four widely accepted answers: retribution, incapacity, rehabilitation, and deterrence.

Retribution denotes the idea that the state and the victims of a crime can exact revenge on the person who has wronged them. It is simply ‘an eye for an eye’ – you do something wrong and receive a punishment for that action simply because that is the right of the wronged. Whether or not former prisoners have to report their criminal status is up to how you view the retribution.

Does your right to retaliate against someone who has done something wrong to you include hurting their future job prospects, or

is the incarceration period itself the entire of a criminal past works directly against the period of retribution? rehabilitation objective.

Incapacity simply says that if Deterrence denotes the idea that someone is a criminal, they should be sep- people will be unwilling to commit crimes arated from society so that they can no lon- if they know that a harsh punishment may ger harm others. The period after a prisoner result. By punishing those who commit is released is completely unrelated to the crimes harshly, the government is showing sentence, and one can assume therefore that that such behavior will not be tolerated, and incapacity is not advanced by reporting a so when a would-be criminal is weighing up criminal’s past. the costs and benefits of undertaking an il Rehabilitation is often seen in legal activity, it is more likely that the costs conjunction with incapacity. Incarcerating far outweigh the benefits. In this view, the offenders prodeterrent objecvides the state tive is most cerwith an opportainly advanced tunity to eduas the prospect cate criminals in of the life-long behaviors most disadvantage of likely to allow unemployment the “ex-con” weighs heavito be integratly on the mind ed successfulof the would be ly into society. criminal.

Whether or not Of course, American pristhere is no anons do this is swer, because as perhaps debatwith many moral able as reflected dilemmas it rests in high rates of with each perre-offense (reson to decide for cidivism). What themselves what is beyond questhey choose to tion is the fact value.

Prisons that the requireserve a complex ment to alert a role in society, future employer Illustration by Elias Hyde ‘20 and that role

can range from revenge for deeds done to helping ‘cure’ individuals of their abhorrent behavior.

When thinking through one’s position, one would do well to think about how unemployment is linked to criminal behavior. The idea that you can reduce crime while lessening a convict’s job opportunities is hard to reconcile. With recidivism rates so high, can it be reasonably assumed that, all else being equal, a former prisoner is less likely to be a good employee? Or is it the difficulty in gaining employment that leads to recidivism? Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Either way, should an employer be deprived of information that may lead to a safer and more productive workplace for everyone?

Knowing that minority groups are incarcerated at much higher rates, does potentially harming their future job prospects put their children at risk of growing up with fewer opportunities and continuing a cycle of poverty among minority groups? Alternatively, can a case be made that the characteristics of unemployed people and criminals overlap to such an extent - drug addiction, minimal education, unwillingness to work hard over an extended period - that revealing such information would not appreciably change employment opportunities? ☐

Vol. 6 7 , Is su e 4

Be lmont Hill Opinions/A rts

PaPanel ge 17 T he

Assessing Appalling Adolescent Sleep Schedules

By Preston Adams ‘20 and Charlie Donahue ‘20 Staff Writers Every morning, Belmont Hill students are painfully reminded of their lack of sleep as they groggily turn off their alarms and look out their window to the night sky.

Doctors recommend nine hours of sleep per night on average for high schoolers. This means students need to be asleep between 10 and 10:30pm each night in order to reach the desired amount of time asleep. As most students know, getting to sleep by 10:30pm can be virtually impossible with so many interferences like sports, homework, and family time. For example, a student could get home from school at 5:30-6:00pm, which leaves them about five hours to finish all required tasks. First they may eat dinner and shower which means they wouldn’t begin the homework until close to 7:00pm. With the vast Belmont Hill workload, it is likely they would have a few hours of work which could last until 9:30pm. If this student went to bed immediately after he finished his work then he would be able to get a complete nine hours, but that seems unlikely as most people like to decompress by watching Netflix, Youtube, or whatever sports games are playing.

Students tend to shut off the light clos-

er to 11:00pm on most school nights which cuts their sleep time down to 7.5 hours.

Over the course of five days, students would be getting less than 7.5 hours of sleep per night, much less than the doctors’ recommendation. If school started later students wouldn’t have to lose this sleep and would be able to perform significantly better in school. Just an hour extra of sleep per night for students would go a long way to improving the school environment.

But while starting school later may sound like a good idea on the surface, many problems would arise, and not much sleep would be gained. For one, traffic is considerably worse on Thursday morning (late start), because more drivers are on the road commuting to their jobs, which often start around 9am. Many Thursdays, I do not leave my house much later than I would on any other day, often very frustrated with traffic. Second, students that do not have their license, which is about 75% of the school, rely on their parents to get them to school, and many parents of Belmont Hill students work a 9-5 job. Before I got my license, my dad would drop me off at 7:45, and drive twenty-five minutes to work, arriving there in plenty of time. However, in this new system, my dad would have dropped me off at 8:45am, causing him to show up late to work every day. He would need to drop me

off about 30 minutes before school started every day, just to barely get to work on time.

Although this next issue would only arise in the fall, it is still a possible downside.

Assuming school started one hour later, we would finish one hour later, subsequently pushing practices one hour later. Therefore, the practice time of the Varsity Football team would be limited greatly by daylight.

And if you cut out 2:15, fewer clubs will be able to meet, and students would have more work when they get home. Speaking from experience, I think I can stay up much later

on Wednesday nights, and not be tired, because it is late start. If I had that mentality every night, I would constantly be up later than I should be. And the next morning I would not get as much sleep to accommodate for my dad’s work schedule, or for the brutal traffic. Furthermore, as many know it is very depressing driving home every night in the pitch black. As much as students pine for later starts, there are only so many hours in the day, and any time we gain in the morning we inevitably lose in the night. ☐

Sleep-deprived student rests after strenuous day of studies (Photo By Abe Tolkoff ‘21)

The Panel Crossword: November 2018 The Panel Crossword includes hints whose answers can be found in Belmont Hill articles across the issue. Belmont Hill students should fill out the crossword on a paper copy. The first boy to complete the crossword will receive a gift card.

Across

1. Nobles Dining Service 5. State which held the Cross Country New England Championships 6. Sport Mr. Duarte is "passionate" about 7. Position Justin O'Neil-Riley is most comfortable with 9. Third club named as impactful by Matt Smith

Down

2. Where Ms. Lyman's boat left from 3. ISL School that spends money most per meal 4. Justification for prison that calls for an Eye for an Eye 5. Name of islands where Ms. Lyman ate sea duck 8. XC runner who finished a race barefoot

Artist of the Issue: Andrew Herrera ’19

By Jack Weldon ‘20 Panel Staff Andrew Herrera, a current senior at Belmont Hill, has pursued a passion for music since the fourth grade. When his elementary school hosted a showcase of string instruments, Andrew picked up the cello and learned to play. The next year, Andrew decided to leave the strings behind and began to learn the Alto Saxophone, which he practiced until arriving at Belmont Hill. Today, Andrew serves as both a Baritone Saxophonist and the President of the Upper School Jazz Ensemble.

As one of his class periods is designated to jazz, Andrew practices for 40 minutes three days of the week, and 75 minutes one day per week. On the weekends, Andrew usually practices for around fifteen minutes, but the bulk of his practice takes place at school. As for what drives him, Andrew enjoys the satisfaction that comes with being able to juggle sports, ac-

ademics, and the saxophone all at the same time. Furthermore, Andrew finds playing the saxophone a relaxing experience and a welcome opportunity after a stressful day at school. Surrounded by his friends in the band, Andrew enjoys “releasing all [his] stress and thoughts through the horn.” He loves performing at Belmont Hill, as they always draw a supportive audience, and they are led by a great teacher in Mr. Fiori.

As for his future plans, Andrew does not believe that he will play in a professional band in college. Despite this, he plans to keep up with his playing either through a club or his own practice. Playing jazz has drawn out a newfound appreciation for music and its artists, and Andrew is interested in a deeper study of both. Andrew firmly believes that music and playing instruments have been a valuable part of his life, and, knowing that he could have easily quit before arriving at Belmont Hill, he is glad that he has stuck with it and conAndrew Herrera ’19 has played the saxophone since fourth grade (Photo by Abe Tolkoff) tinues to play today. ☐

Belmont Hill Arts

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Novemb er 1 9 , 2 0 1 8

Album Review: Tha Carter V

By Jake Pappo ‘20 Staff Writer As most of you know, Lil Wayne dropped his long-awaited album Tha Carter V on Friday, September 28th. In 2015, the rapper sued Cash Money Records for $51 million on the grounds that they violated their contract with him by continually delaying the release of Tha Carter V, and he has battled them in court ever since. In early June 2018, though, Wayne and his label settled their dispute, thus allowing him to move on with his project. Five years after his last album, the unimpeded Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. successfully released Tha Carter V. Throughout this arduous path, Lil Wayne inevitably lost some attention in the ever-changing rap game. He surfaced in several features of popular songs, most notably on Chance the Rapper’s No Problem in 2016 and Kodak Black’s Codeine Dreaming in 2017, but, in the end, he still played second fiddle. However, in early 2018, Dwayne gave us a strong, but unfortunately overlooked, reminder of his presence: a number of remixes compiled into his Dedication 6 album and “Vizine”, a single on the clothing brand Ethika’s mixtape.

I especially loved the latter, in which Wayne opened up about personal issues in beautifully refined verses. A great example of this appears in a portion of the chorus, reading:

“Why do I look up and see my feet? Am I rising? But why do my peak look like it’s out of my reach?” These lines imply that his legal tribulations have resulted in an apparent downfall, but also, on a more auspicious note, that he does not believe he has reached the pinnacle of his career yet. In fact, the song title mentions the mourning Lil Wayne is in need of Visine eye drops, for he simply cannot believe the eyes through which he witnesses all the mayhem occurring around him.

Later in the song, he sings, “Cut off the wings now I’m soaring,” which makes you question his mental health, for it seems counter-intuitive at first glance, but he may actually be referencing Birdman, the co-founder of Cash Money Records, in an oppressive light. The two famous rappers have been personal and professional friends for many years, but this amiability quickly faded once Wayne revealed that Birdman greatly contributed to his poor relations with the label. Although “Vizine” never came close to portraying Dwayne as having liberated himself from his restrictive parent organization, the song still served as a comforting indication that he has retained the ability to create great music. The single only increased the already brimming excitement for Tha Carter V and Lil Wayne finally answered his fans’ prayers on September 28th. ☐

Best Feature: Kendrick Lamar on “Mona Lisa” This should not come as a surprise since Kendrick Lamar has already earned his place at the top of the rap game and continues to bring great verses whether in his own songs or as a feature. “Mona Lisa” tells a well-written story, performed by two of the best “storytellers”. Lil Wayne guides the listener through a stick-up tactic, presumably led by him, in which a girl makes the acquaintance of a man then lets her co-conspirators into his house to steal valuables. Kendrick Lamar comes in abruptly and proceeds to rap the beginning of his verse in an appealing choppy flow as he describes the relationship at the surface without acknowledging the mali-

cious background. Towards the end of the verse, Kendrick completely transitions to the role of the swindled man and begins to grow skeptical of his girlfriend’s relation with Lil Wayne. Her refusal to budge drowns him in sadness, emphasized by Kendrick’s changing voice, and the song ends with his suicide. Notably, at 3:40 he sings, “In a minute he gon’ be admittin’ that he love her on his mother”, then exactly one minute later at 4:40 he sings, “Tell me who love you I bet I love harder.”

Not only does Kendrick deliver fantastic lines, but his incredibly subtle attention to detail only reinforces his greatness. ☐

Best Beat: “Uproar” In “Uproar”, Swizz Beatz produced a catchy remix of G-Dep’s “Special Delivery” (2001), and Lil Wayne developed the rhythm through his lyrics. The “Uproar Challenge” rose to popularity for a reason: it’s a good beat. Zaytoven’s iconic style can be recognized in “Problems”, but it cannot quite match up to that of “Uproar”, which

takes a vintage beat and adds some modern touches to it, such as the amplified bass and sporadic pauses that compliment Lil Wayne’s flow. The song itself, along with “Used 2”, serves as a reminder that Dwayne can still take it back to his hardcore rap roots with expertise. ☐

Overall Review Tha Carter V stands out among Lil Wayne’s other albums because of all the emotion packed into it. For the most part, his smoother and calmer flow greatly compliments his sincere lyrics. Though he could not release it for years, the amount of time and effort that went into his work is clearly evident. Lil Wayne has been credited by many for birthing the era of “Soundcloud rappers” since they followed his lead by inking their faces and mimicking his music.

Whether through a direct admiration for him or through the impact he had on the rap scene as a whole, Lil Wayne undeniably shaped the future of the rap genre. In fact, his song “Dedicate” addresses his effect on younger peers, and even Eminem, one of the greatest and most influential hip-hop artists of all time, noted the precedent set

by Dwayne in Eminem’s album Kamikaze.

Although rappers such as Lil Pump, Lil Xan, Lil Skies, and Lil Uzi indeed emulate Lil Wayne, they do not compare in regards to lyricism and subject matter. Admittedly, Lil Wayne often sings about the numerous ways in which he experiences women or drugs; however, his style and content have grown with him throughout his career, to the point where most “Soundcloud rappers” cannot remotely relate. This does not mean that he has turned completely sentimental, for the album also reflects his ability to successfully write a diverse group of songs. The versatile subject matter changes from violent and boastful to romantic and thoughtful to sad and confused, yet his ever poetic language binds these meaningful themes together into a masterly crafted album. ☐

Best Song: “Let It All Work Out”

I first listened to Tha Carter V while I drove to school, and Lil Wayne nearly brought me to tears every time his trademark lighter-flick blessed my ears. I quickly favored a handful of songs over others, yet “Let It All Work Out” was not among them. Humbly placed in the twenty-third spot of the twenty-three track album, this song did not stand out at first. After going through Tha Carter V several more times, though, I realized that Wayne transcended his facades of materialism and machismo, which have defined the rap genre since its inception, in arguably his most emotional song to date: “Let It All Work Out”.

Lil Wayne proves that he needs no bass-boosted beat or popularly featured artist to make a sensational and powerful track. In fact, by stripping away from as many auxiliary aspects as possible, he let the flow of his words take control, resulting in a more genuine experience.

The uplifting rhythm of the piano quickly captures the listener’s attention and sets the tone, then completely gives way to an equally simple type beat that facilitates the beginning of Wayne’s verse. He mentions the retainment of his independence despite critics, singing “I feel like I got ten middle fingers”, and notes his superior authenticity in comparison to other rappers. Nevertheless, he acknowledges the humbling effect of his long career: “Had to swallow my pride, though, swear it tastes like spearmint.” As the song title implies, Lil Wayne heeds the advice of taking a more passive approach to problems in his life as opposed to dismally dwelling on them. The second verse continues the positive mood of the first, with Wayne reflecting on his prosperous life. As a veteran in the rap game, he gives a series of short pieces of advice, including “beat odds, never beat women”. Though this may seem glaringly obvious, unfortunately, a number of younger rappers have been accused of domestic violence, and they would take much from following his sound morals, not just the sound of his music.

In the third and final verse, Dwayne Carter opens up to the world with a heartfelt ballad of despair and hope. For this perfect conclusion to the song, and to the entire album, he pro-

duced the lyrics from a place hidden deep within him. Lil Wayne deliberately contrasts the first and last verses through parallelism at their beginnings. The first lines of the introductory verse read, “Tunechi, you a genius/Looked in the mirror said ‘Don’t let the money come between us’”, while those of the last verse read, “Tunechi, you a monster/Looked in the mirror but you wasn’t there, I couldn’t find ya.” The former reflects his optimistic view of his great success over the years and shows that he tries to remain humble despite his affluent life. On the contrary, the latter verse holds a more pessimistic, and perhaps realistic, view on the detrimental effects of Wayne’s rise to fame.

He seems to believe that some of his character has indeed been drowned by the stacks of green paper and that he has lost himself in his obtainment of celebrity status.

The last part of the final verse serves as the direct source of Dwayne’s raw emotion, for he reveals the truth behind the enigmatic self-inflicted gunshot wound of his childhood. It is well known that he almost died at 12 years old after finding a handgun in his house; however, the specific details have been purposefully kept secret. In “Used 2”, even Dwayne’s mother admitted, “I still don’t know today- Was he playing with the gun or was it an accident?” Aside from subtle and inconclusive hints given throughout his many songs over the years, Lil Wayne has remained silent about the topic to virtually everyone up until now. He recalls the traumatic event in “Let It All Work Out” with such precision that one might think it happened very recently. Dwayne paints a beautifully dreadful picture with his paintbrush of lyricism and strokes of genius.

This encapsulates the distinguishable characteristics of Tha Carter V, for Wayne dives into disturbing parts of his childhood that hold great meaning to him, an uncommon theme in rap, yet incredibly powerful nonetheless. In the last two lines, he claims that God made him both a “prophet”, a messenger of his divine word, and also a “profit”, by investing in the 12-year-old’s survival and successful future. Lil Wayne draws hope from the dregs of his anguish, while masterfully making use of the double entendre. ☐

Belmont Hill Arts

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Playlist of the Issue: November 2018 Get the full playlist on Spotify - @bhpanel

Playlist of the Issue:

November 2018

Since its first appearance in The Panel almost two years ago, “The Playlist of the Issue” has become a customary article for the print publication. Not only does it provide a great opportunity for Panel staffers to write about their favorite songs, but it also exposes Belmont Hill students to new music genres. For those reading The Panel for the first time, “The Playlist of the Issue” features two authors who each pick five songs which they feel deserve recognition and write about them. For the 2018-2019 school year, Matt ‘Goot’ Goguen ‘19 and Matt ‘Smoot’ Smith ‘19 will continue to curate “The Playlist of the Issue.”

SMOOT

GOOT

"Higher" - Social House

"Saturday Nights" - Khalid

After the viral popularity of their first song, “Magic In The Hamptons,” many may have expected that the recentlyformed duo Social House were destined to be one-hit wonders. The release of “Higher” shattered those expectations and showed the world that Social House isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Though the success of the new hit is still dwarfed by its predecessor, it has the makings of an equally upbeat party anthem. “Higher” also expands Social House’s repertoire with a grunge feel that contrasts with “Magic In The Hamptons”s playful vibes, a change which may attract new fans to the up and coming artists’ base.

About two weeks ago Khalid dropped Suncity Vertigo, an EP that was anticipated to be on the same level as American Teen. Although the song choices on his album were suspect and a few of the better songs were previously released as singles, Khalid continues his R&B/Soul dominance with “Saturday Nights.” His angel-like voice echoes throughout this song as Khalid, once again, drops an emotional track that leaves us all weeping.

"You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch" - Tyler, The Creator

"REEL IT IN" - Aminé

Say hello to the new and improved “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch.” I know it's probably only been a couple days since you put those fake spiders in the attic and brought your rotting pumpkin to the dump, but I can’t contain my excitement for Tyler, the Creator’s take on the Christmas classic. Tyler produced the song for the 2018 remake of Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch, set to release on November 9. Mixing hiphop with classic lyrics, the rapper hits the mark and delivers much-needed variety to the cheery overdose of holiday music that’ll surely dominate the radio waves once Thanksgiving rolls around.

"Written In The Stars"- John Legend, WENDY “Written In The Stars” will pull at your heartstrings. A collab between John Legend and K-pop star WENDY, the love ballad blends their extraordinary vocals in perfect harmony.

Focusing primarily on destined love and love at first sight, it includes such touching lyrics as “I know there is no limit where we’ll go” and “First time we met, but I remembered you.” The romantic mood which the song sets is further strengthened by the soothing guitar accompaniment in the background.

"We Built This City" - Starship “We Built This City” topped music magazine Blender’s “50 Most Awesomely Bad Songs Ever” list in 2004 and Rolling Stone readers voted it the worst song of the ‘80s by a landslide. But the haters won’t stop me from loving its buoyant beats and nonsensical lyrics (my personal favorite is “hoopla”). Genius’ Behind the Lyrics on Spotify states, “It takes real bravery to admit liking ‘We Built This City.’” I’ll take that as a compliment, because I’m proud to say that every time the chorus roars on my car radio, I’m screaming “broken bones” right along with it.

To be honest, I’m not the biggest fan of Aminé. While he has some very good songs, his other tracks are pretty bland and don’t offer that emotional appeal some listeners look for.

However, this song currently is on my hot list as the beat simply slaps. Aminé is a gifted rapper who has the ability to release unequivocally good beats and sometimes offer an emotional piece to his songs. Although “REEL IT IN” doesn’t offer as much emotion, the song is still heat.

"Balenciaga Challenge" - 6LACK 6LACK recently released his latest album, East Atlanta Love Letter, in Fall 2018, and the album does not disappoint whatsoever. I currently have this album on repeat; 6LACK is on the rise and one of the more underrated artists today.

With Offset’s feature which offers a different beat, “Balenciaga Challenge” combines 6LACK’s R&B talent with Offset’s rap beats and creates one of the hottest R&B songs of 2018.

"Only the Good Die Young" - Billy Joel Talk about a throwback. Released in 1977, “Only the Good Die Young” is one of the handful of classics that legend Billy Joel has created during his storied career. Joel’s talent on the piano combined with his soothing New York voice will go down as one of the more iconic combinations in musical history. “Only the Good Die Young” can be used in any situation; it’s an uplifting song, a sad song, or a song to listen to while doing homework. Billy Joel has a soft spot in my heart, and this song is definitely in my top 5 all-time.

"Famous" - Lil Wayne, Reginae Carter

"Astronauts" - Juice WRLD and Future

It’s finally here. After five years since his last album release, a period which was marked by personal and professional turmoil, Lil Wayne is back to remind why he is one of the greats. In “Famous,” he celebrates his success over the past two decades with the help of his daughter Reginae Carter.

The song evokes mixed emotions for listeners, both a joy to hear another verse from Wayne and a yearning for the rapper’s prime, which has long since passed. Weezy sums it up best: “You probably thought my career be short and sweet….Superstars don’t sparkle. We shine deep.”

I am a huge fan of Juice WRLD’s work, but I don’t love Future’s albums. However, Future & Juice WRLD’s World on Drugs is one of my favorite albums of 2018. I try to stray away from this style of music, but “Astronauts” is a very good song where Future’s talent surprises me. Juice WRLD is solid as always, and this combination could appear again down the road. Juice WRLD is taking the musical world by storm and is quietly becoming one of my favorite artists.

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Fake Sox Fans Emerge

By Julie Wilson ‘19 Panel Staff

It’s the Monday morning after the 2018 World Series, and you roll out of the house in the Red Sox hoodie you stole from your brother’s closet, hoping to look at least a little patriotic during the parade later that day. Honestly, you’re only going to that parade in the first place because your friends said they wanted to go or because you wanted to skip class. It’s not that you aren’t excited about the Red Sox win; you could just go without the inevitable entrapment within a gelatinous throng of drunk white adults. But, regardless, you step off campus around 10:25, following the endless line of Winsor girls through the perpetual traffic of the Fenway neighborhood. As you blend in with the crowd, and your eyes adjust to the sea of blue and red, you start wondering (rather hypocritically) how many of these people are actually Red Sox fans. Even your own friends seem more interested in taking pictures with each other than watching the floats go by–not that you can blame them; you can’t really see the floats from your angle, anyway.

That night, on your commute home, you open up Instagram and start to click through people’s stories, hoping to see something–anything–interesting. But instead, all you see is the same three gifs of Mookie Betts superimposed atop a Google image of Fenway Park. Hopes irreparably dashed, you sigh and move onto the Instagram posts themselves, expecting further boredom and discontent. Alas, your expectation is correct. No matter how far down you scroll, no matter how much you force yourself to drag your thumb across the increasingly hot screen, you see a variation of these two posts:

You shut off your phone, not surprised, not mad, just disappointed. Indeed, on occasion, you imagine not being from Boston. You imagine living somewhere where people don’t pretend to like sports because it’s cool and trendy. You imagine seeing an Instagram that isn’t five miles’ worth of the same content. But deep down, you know those are dreams that will never come to fruition.

With a sigh of resignation, you zip up your Red Sox hoodie so that everyone on the T can see where your affinity lies–if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. ☐

www.cookandsonbats.com

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