News that Stands Out
THE KNIGHT TIMES Official Student Newspaper of Episcopal High School
August 2020
4650 Bissonnet, Bellaire, Texas 77401
New schedules to limit spead of COVID-19
www.ehshouston.org
Volume 35, Issue 1
Opening Knight welcomes in unique style Faculty greets new students in a safe, socially distanced manner
BAILEY JUNELL Editor in Chief Throughout most of the summer, Episcopal High School planned on starting the school year in one of four schedules designed to combat the coronavirus pandemic. Schedule 2 called for four days of on-campus learning and a single day of virtual instruction. However, after consultation with its advisors at Houston Methodist, EHS moved to Schedule 4, or a fully-virtual school week. While everyone was disappointed, the safety of the community trumped the desire for inperson schooling. The school is prepared for a number of virtual possibilities with its four teaching schedules and can easily switch among them at the last-minute as conditions surrounding the coronavirus emerge. Schedule 1 is similar to the days prior to the pandemic, with physical distancing in place and all five days featuring in-person learning. Schedule 2 includes masks, physical distancing, and four days in person, while Wednesdays are virtual. Schedule 3 involves masks, physical distancing, and two of the five days of the week reserved for on-campus learning. Schedule 4 is 100% virtual and is where Knights found themselves on Opening Day, though the faculty and staff are on campus carrying out their duties. Once students are back on campus, EHS will implement new methods of on-campus instruction that will ensure distancing. Classrooms will have a limit on how many students can occupy the space, while any overflow of students will have to join the class virtually from a designated spot on campus, such as the gyms or library. In those places, teachers will proctor the students to make sure they are doing their work. Lunch, too, will see innovative approaches. Episcopal also is mandating hand hygiene by encouraging frequent washing and placing hand sanitizer dispensers around campus. Although the risk of corona will never fully be eliminated, these required procedures will help limit its spread.
INSIDE Online Freshman Orientation
Freshman Orientation was reimagined this year as a virtual event
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Theater and Dance’s Virtual Rehearsals
Theater and Dance begin preparing for upcoming fall performances virutally
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Features ........................ 2-3 Culture ......................... 4 Entertainment ............... 5 Knight Shift ................ 6 Opinion ........................ 7 Sports ........................... 8
New familes paraded through campus to see the faculty and staff. EHS “swag” bags were passed out to the freshman that included an EHS mask, an EHS shirt, hand sanitizer and some classic Episcopal cookies. Photo courtesy of Mrs. Courtney Lindloff. ESTEFANIA LOPEZ-SALAS Staff Writer
Prior to the start of the school year, incoming students and families were welcomed onto EHS Campus for an “Opening Knight.” Families of new students drove through the school to participate in a car parade welcome to Episcopal. Faculty and Staff were also stationed around the school to welcome these students. Learn more about Opening Knight on Page 2
EHS Athletics upgrades two new turf fields TINLEY KANE Sports Editor While students have been away since Spring Break, the EHS campus has gained many new athletics upgrades. Some of these upgrades include two new turf fields for baseball and field hockey. Funding for the Knight’s baseball program was fast enough to get a turf field going this past winter. Completed this spring, it has yet to be used. What this new field offers are synthetic blades of grass with mixes of both sand and rubber pellets as a stabilizer. Having previously been a dirt and grass field, the playing surface now allows for complete balance unlike in the past. Future plans call for the same surface for the softball team. Currently in the works, EHS has contracted for turf on the field hockey location on the Bissonnet side of campus. The field hockey team rallied this spring to follow baseball’s plan to also get a new internationally certified field. Unlike the baseball field, the goal of this field is to be strictly all turf. It also includes the installation of water cannons, which can be used before games and during halftime to allow for ball movement to be much quicker. This new field could possibly make it one of, if not, the fastest field
hockey surfaces in Texas. The upgrade from grass to turf will create a whole different experience and will debut this fall. As for potential projects of the future,
EHS intends on turfing the entire south side of campus. Their next project will be for the golf team, installing a putting and chipping green on the ellipse.
The new field hockey field currently in the works on the Bissonnet side of campus. This new build includes an entirely turf field, along with the installations of water cannons. Photo by Mr. Japheth Storlie.
Features ∙ Page 2
The Knight Times ∙ August 2020
An unconventional start to A socially-distanced Opening a new EHS academic year Knight provides a safe welcome CHRIS LAHOTI Managing Editor Instead of an in-person campus event, new students attended Freshman Orientation online. After an initial greeting from their advisors, each advisory played a couple of icebreaker activities before learning about the school. From there, the students
Toward the end of last school year, instruction transitioned from in-person to online via Microsoft Teams for the first time. The teachers did an outstanding job adapting to the new circumstances, as evidenced by students’ AP scores and performances on final exams. Once the freshmen have had time to adjust to the new learning environment, the school year
ESTEFANIA LOPEZ-SALAS Staff Writer
Opening Knight. What a fun way to start the year. During the summer, everyone has been experiencing what the world likes to
High School, and this was a chance for new students to experience what EHS is all about in a safe manner. All the families experienced a welcoming entrance through the Fournace Gate and participated in a short, in-car parade all the way to the front of the Convent. Many faculty
Episcopal High School’s new freshmen drove through to receive gift bags and a hello from their new teachers and advisors. Photo by Mrs. Courtney Lindloff. Freshman Advisory Mentors joined advisory chats to talk about the school year. Photo by Phuc Luu. were briefed on the Honor Council and various rules. Freshman Advisory Mentors joined the video chats to give advice and field questions about homework, sports, clubs, and other activities, and the event concluded with a word of encouragement from the advisors.
should proceed smoothly. This was not the traditional orientation or beginning of high school, but EHS is committed to supporting the Class of 2024 and providing a memorable year. At EHS, “there are no boundaries to who you can be or what you can achieve.”
call quarantine. Not only did quarantine overtake summer, but it caused students to do online school for the final months of the 2019-2020 school year. Seniors were worried they would miss graduation, teachers were worried about what would happen with finals, and everyone wondered whether summer travel would be a possibility.
members were stationed around the school to give students a nice welcome. Students also received gift bags, which included blue and white face masks with the school logo and other fun items. At the end of the drive, students stood out their windows and got a picture by the front of their new school. At Episcopal High School, building up
COVID-19 exacerbates a longtime global pollution catastrophe LILY O’GORMAN Staff Writer As COVID-19 continues to spread across the globe, its impact can be felt by billions as they struggle to cope with necessary changes to combat its spread. One of these changes is the use of PPE (personal protective equipment) like masks, gloves, and disinfecting wipes as an addition to daily attire. Although this protection is vital, and in some places, mandated, it also poses a great threat from an environmental standpoint as most of these items can only be used once. After a single use, billions of masks and gloves tossed away end up in fields or oceans where they threaten wildlife and the environments which they inhabit. According to a study done by University College London, if the UK’s entire population each wore a new disposable mask
every day for one year, 66,000 metric tons of plastic waste would be created, much of which would be littered and not properly disposed of. The UN estimates that a whopping 75% of disposable masks and “covid waste” will end up in landfills or in oceans throughout the world. As these masks and gloves are neither recyclable nor biodegradable, their growing presence in the environment is a long-term issue. Environmentalists estimate that disposable masks have a lifetime of 450 years before decomposing. While disposable masks are necessary for healthcare workers and first responders, more sustainable solutions are growing in popularity for the general population. Many companies have begun selling reusable cloth facemasks as the market for them continues to grow, providing a green alternative and helping to limit catastrophic plastic buildup.
Junior Dean Mr. Mark Mitchell delivers more bags to drive-through families. Photo by Mrs. Courtney Lindloff. Social distancing has been taking place, and people have been worried about get-
the community and relationships within it is a focus. With Opening Knight, new stu-
Freshman Dean Mr. Eric Lerch greets one of the many new families driving through campus on Opening Knight. Photo by Mrs. Courtney Lindloff.
Large amounts of personal protective equipment are ending up in landfills and the oceans, posing a serious environmental threat. Photo courtesy of economist.com.
ting sick and catching Covid-19, but EHS found a way to see the school, meet new teachers, and get a little taste of what the school year will be like before the actual year starts. “Opening Knight” took place on Tuesday, August 4 from 5-7p.m. at Episcopal
dents felt welcome, but they were reminded that they are now new and important members of the EHS community. With this event, new Knights recognized their inclusion and that many faculty members will help them through their four-year journey at Episcopal High School.
The Knight Times ∙ August 2020
Features ∙ Page 3
Episcopal welcomes new faces to faculty and staff ranks
Reverend Art Callaham Religion
Jordan Butler Science
Marlena Groomer Yoga
Catie Street World Languages
Katie Samson Science
If I won the lottery, I wouldn’t have to eat Kraft Dinner. But, I would. Something surprising about me is my beard grows in a natural hombre. My favorite thing to do with free time is play board games with my wife and kids. If I weren’t a teacher, I would be very sad. I couldn’t live without Steen’s Cane Syrup.
If I won the lottery, I would probably do nothing with it. Something surprising about me is I am Jewish (ethnically) and my cousin is currently part of an excavation project in Israel. My favorite thing to do with free time is read and dance If I weren’t a teacher, I would be a lawyer I couldn’t live without my friends and family (also Baked Hot Cheetos)
Something surprising about me is that I was struck by lightning in high school. My favorite thing to do with free time is have meals with friends, take courses at Columbia, and go to science lectures. If I weren’t a teacher, I would be in politics. I would tell myself at age 16 to seriously chill out. I couldn’t live without coffee, hair bleach, friends, pets, and sunshine.
If I won the lottery, I would travel the world. Something surprising about me is I am half introvert, half extrovert. My favorite thing to do with free time is to spend it outside exploring, exercising, and at the beach. If I weren’t a teacher, I would be an English-Spanish interpreter. I would tell myself at age 16 the world is your oyster. I couldn’t live without the ocean.
If I won the lottery, I would take my mom on ALL the National Geographic Expeditions. Something surprising about me is I dominate at Tetris 99. My favorite thing to do with my free time is read in the garden with a cup of tea. If I weren’t a teacher, I would be a fossil preparator. I couldn’t live without Chapstick.
Paige Moriarty Wellness If I won the lottery, I would move down to Islamorada, Florida and buy a boat to spend time on with family and friends. Something surprising about me is in 5th grade my best friend and I won the national championship for paddle tennis. My favorite thing to do with free time is spend time with family, friends and my dog Tex! If I weren’t a teacher, I would coach college lacrosse! I would tell myself at age 16 to try and participate in as many new clubs and extracurricular activities as possible! I couldn’t live without Ben & Jerry’s half-baked ice cream
Karen Pfeifer Dance If I won the lottery, I would move to Italy and buy land to run a nokill animal shelter. Something surprising about me is I am an alumna of EHS (class of 2005) My favorite thing to do with free time is (assuming we are not in quarantine) to go to the Menil or MFAH or take in a live performance or concert. If I weren’t a teacher, I would be an archeologist, focusing on the Etruscan civilization. I would tell myself at age 16 that I don’t have to push myself so hard to be perfect at everything. Slowing down once in a while is really important. I couldn’t live without my dog and peanut butter.
Erin Joyce Studio Arts Anna Baron Math If I won the lottery, I would travel the world, take care of my parents, and donate to Houston Food Bank. Something surprising about me is that I have a pet tarantula named John Kerry. My favorite thing to do with free time is play games or work on puzzles. I recently got hooked on a phone game called Pythagorea, and I love solving the New York Times crossword puzzle. I would tell myself at age 16 that it is more important to be kind than it is to be clever. I couldn’t live without quiet moments by myself to think and relax.
New director of education technology focuses on desire to facilitate learning CONNOR SMITH Opinion Editor
Kyle Sumrow Director of Educational Technology As life at Episcopal High School begins to change due to the recent Covid-19 outbreak, the administration has hired new faculty and staff to help lead students during these confusing
times. One new position that has been filled is the Director of Education Technologies. The Knight Times had the honor of interviewing Kyle Sumrow, who recently took over the position. Mr. Sumrow, also known as Mr. S, stated, “I am all about passion - people learn best and live the most fulfilling lives when they are passionate about what they do.” This desire to bring his passion to the EHS community may be why Mr. Sumrow is best suited for this job, a position with the “benefit of being able to both directly and indirectly touch the learning that happens in all the classrooms.” One specific passion of Mr. Sumrow’s is helping students develop “transferable skills” which would help them later in life. Mr. Sumrow explained this as conceptual learning vs. content learning. Conceptual
learning allows students to take skills from one class and apply it to the world around them, unlike traditional teaching methods. Another interesting fact about Mr. Sumrow is his active past. His passion has taken him around the world, teaching in Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, and Vietnam over the past 10 years. He has even visited 48 states in the U.S., with plans to visit the remaining two someday. Another achievement of his is his perfect waffle recipe, which he has perfected almost every weekend for the past 20 years. Kyle Sumrow puts passion into everything he does, from traveling to teaching, and even cooking. His desire to help students learn along with his many experiences in the world of teaching will help improve the EHS community during these challenging times.
Something surprising about me is I took ballet (and often other types of dance) classes from when I could walk until I was 15. My favorite thing to do with free time is take dance classes and cook. I would tell myself at age 16 that friendships and relationships change over time. I couldn’t live without coffee and paint!
Michelle Burk English If I won the lottery, I would not tell anyone, and probably donate most of it to charitable causes. Something surprising about me is I’m absolutely terrified of whales. My favorite thing to do with free time is making crafty, creative gifts for people If I weren’t a teacher I would be a service dog trainer! I couldn’t live without MUSIC.
Ken Ballard Music
Hope Young College Counselor
Chief Achilefu Advancement Associate
Alejandra Ortiz-Caballero
Luis Zuniga Business Analyst
Bridget Allen Mental Health Counselor
Deborah Trent Accounts Payable
Jamy Champenoy College Counselor
Choices Counselor
Culture ∙ Page 4
Slice of π
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BAILEY JUNELL Staff Writer En Barcelona España, futbol está en un espacio terrible. El jugador, Lionel Messi no quiere está en el equipo no más. Había hecho esta declaración a través de sus abogados. Quiere dejar el equipo gratis, pero FC Barcelona dice que no funcionará. Técnicamente, su cláusula expiró en junio, obligando a los equipos europeos a pagar una liberación de 700 millones de euros si ellos quieren firmarlo. Esto ha provocado una batalla entre el club de fútbol y su mejor jugador para enfrentarse cara a cara en asuntos legales. Messi nació en Argentina y cuando tenía 13 años se mudó a España para unirse a la juventud de Barcelona, La Masia. Rápidamente se convirtió en uno de los mejores
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Hey, EHS, it’s Craig Choi, your Math Club President, and I, along with the other Math Club officers, wanted to give y’all a warm welcome back, and we hope that all of you have been safe and well and done some math over the summer. Even though there is uncertainty in this school year, Math Club still plans to have monthly
meetings, compete in math competitions, and host a variety of other educational STEM events. No matter what, Math Club will find a way to provide y’all with mathematical fun, so stay tuned. In the meantime, please follow our Instagram account @ ehsmathclub and Twitter account @ehsmathclub where we post a lot of interesting math facts, puzzles, and other math-related things. Stay safe, and math on!
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CRAIG CHOI Guest Writer
The Knight Times ∙ August 2020
jugadores y luego se unió al equipo profesional de Barcelona. Ahora, está buscando mover equipos, entre otros Manchester City en England quiere firmarlo. Pero primero Barcelona tiene que dejar que Messi se vaya. Podrían terminar en una disputa legal si Barcelona se niega a dejarlo salir. No se podía imaginar que después de 20 años dedicándose al equipo posiblemente acabaría así.
Virtual auditions being held for the dance and theatre programs SARA FAULCONER Staff Writer These past couple weeks, the Theater Program, led by Mr. George Brock and Mr. Paul Revaz, has started virtual rehearsals for the fall show, Twelfth Night. Although there’s ambiguity how the fall play will turn out due to social distancing and the pandemic, the entire cast and crew is prepared for any circumstance. This unique experience gives the actors the opportunity to try new things and prepare for obstacles the program may face
in the future. This goes for the Dance Program too. Led by Program Coordinator Ms. Kristina Burgess, dance has also recently started online rehearsals and preseason. Thanks to the guest choreographers from all over the world, the dancers have been rehearsing dance styles from hip-hop to musical theater while getting ready for the fall show, Convergence. Especially now, the dance and theatre programs are going above and beyond to make sure that creativity is still shining through at EHS. Stay tuned for more updates from the dance and theater programs.
Dancers from all grade levels performed in the 2019 Fall Dance Concert. Photo by Sydney Kelso.
Despite unfortunately having to stay home for the beginning of the school year, many theater students are auditioning virtually and continuing to practice with other students in the Arts Pillar. Photo courtesy of Mr. George Brock.
Senior Elena Cockinos takes front and center in a contemporary dance piece during the Fall Dance Concert of 2019. Photo by Sydney Kelso.
Alumna Katherine Thompson shows her grace. Photo by Sydney Kelso.
Episcopal High School dancers practiced weekly for the 2019 Fall Dance Concert. Photo by Sydney Kelso.
The Knight Times ∙ August 2019
Culture ∙ Page 5
Time spent in quarantine sparks creativity among artists SYDNEY COWARD Business and Circulation Manager With the unexpected amount of down time the world has experienced, musicians decided to take advantage of the situation and produce music. Although some albums were not created during the pandemic, they were released, and fans stuck at home were able to enjoy them. Reunions and anniversaries were being celebrated over social media and Zoom, definitely not the way they were intended, and music followed. Taylor Swift surprised everyone with
short notice of her new album Folklore, which is not quite like her other releases. Writing songs from different perspectives is something Swift has never experienced before, but she absolutely perfected it by shattering expectations. After “Cardigan” blasted to #1 on Billboards Hot 100, many were influenced to impulsively buy cardigans, including the one she wore in the music video. Swift’s new songs, stories even, struck personal emotions and experiences in each listener’s life. She made a connection to the audience that only the two of them will share, leaving the listener feeling understood.
For all the country fans, Luke Bryan came out with his seventh studio album, Born Here Live Here Die Here, at the beginning of August. This album features some sounds of pop, beachy vibes in “One Margarita,” and “Down to One,” offering romantic vibes. Juice WRLD’s album Legends Never Die honored him with features from other artists like The Weekend and Trippie Red. One Direction’s 10th anniversary caused girls to scream across the world. A special website was dedicated to the reunion, which featured pictures from their history. Extra-special anniversary playlists were
also presented to fans by taking them down memory lane with photos and fun facts, making their fanbase feel at home.
Above, One Direction celebrated its 10th anniversary in July. Right, top to bottom, Folklore by Taylor Swift, Born Here Live Here Die Here by Luke Bryan, and Legends Never Die by Juice Wrld. Photos courtesy of rollingstone.com, spin.com, amazon.com, and hypebeast.com.
Hamilton made its way to Disney + CORY KARDESCH Copy Editor Disney + is one of the newest and biggest streaming services out there, and this summer it stepped up its game. On July 3, Disney + released Hamilton, the famous Broadway production, on its services. Disney + is a streaming service that requires a subscription, which gives users access to new, or old, entertainment, such as shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic. By releasing Hamilton to anyone who has a
subscription, Disney + made it more convenient for people to watch the production at home with only the cost of the services. Hamilton, one of the biggest Broadway productions ever, drew countless people to buy a subscription to their services to watch the production on screen. Disney + spent millions of dollars to film Hamilton for the first time ever and stream it through its services because of the coronavirus. Because Disney + released Hamilton to the public, this brought in many people to buy a subscription and help Disney + succeed through this pandemic.
Local activities to get out the house CLAIRE FRANKFORT Staff Writer With quarantine lasting much longer than anyone expected, many people are trying to find new, fun things to do to fill up their time. After four months, walking the dog every other hour can get a little old. Because of social distancing regulations, many artists and cities have gotten creative with ways to keep families, especially ones with little children, occupied during their free time. Drive-in movies have made a comeback over the summer, being a great way to get out of the house while maintaining distance. In Houston alone, there are over 10 venues where viewers can sit back and watch a movie from the comfort of their car. One movie theater in particular is the Drive-In at Sawyer Yards located on Sum-
mer Street in Houston, Texas. Some films that they have shown include Grease, Crazy Rich Asians, and The Conjuring. Along with drive-in movie theaters, there are also other ways to get outside during the day. The Houston Zoo reopened in June with new rules to minimize contact with others. There are one-way paths, timed ticketing, and required face masks. Another outside option is going to a local farmers market. One in particular is the Montrose Morning Market. Indoor and outdoor, there are many foods to try and locally made things to buy. This market in particular requires a face covering. The Houston area has been doing a great deal for residents to maximize time together without being at risk of Covid. There are many new, safe things to do during this long time in quarantine.
Kissing Booth 2 disappoints fans LUCY HOWLEY Social Media Coordinator
From left to right: Anthony Ramos, Lin Manuel Miranda, Daveed Diggs, and Okieriete Onsodowan are part of the original Broadway cast, now available on Disney +, are seen in the “My Shot” scene. Photo courtsey of nytimes.com.
After much anticipation, the highly-coveted film The Kissing Booth 2 was released on Netflix this summer. The sequel’s basic premise follows a girl named Elle going through the trials and tribulations of senior year while in a long-distance relationship with her best friend’s older brother, Noah, who has started college at Harvard. Elle’s main goal in The Kissing Booth 2 is to raise enough money for college tuition. The fact that Elle goes to a very nice private high school in Southern California, lives in a mansion in the hills, and does not have enough money for tuition really confuses me. I would’ve been more accepting if the movie explained why her father lacked savings (for example, what if he had a gambling addiction or spent all her funds on their late mother’s funeral), but instead
it’s just a lazy set up for Elle to enter this conveniently placed dance competition that somehow has a prize of $50,000. And, of course, this competition is for the ONE game she excels at in the whole arcade. Elle fights this internal battle to either choose Lee (her best friend) and go to UC Berkley or choose Noah and go to Harvard. We all know both of these schools are very challenging to get into; however, Elle writes one essay and does one interview and suddenly she’s accepted into both. Since I am also a senior who knows what applying for college looks like, this upset me. This movie is kind of enjoyable at best if you aren’t looking for a deep, meaningful plot and just looking to laugh at bad acting and quirky plot lines and dialogue. I would give this movie a 4/10 and only recommend it as a last resort if you can’t find anything else, or if you’re a fan of Jacob Elordi.
Knight Shift ∙ Page 6
The Knight Times ∙ August 2020
Speaks Out “What is the first thing you are going to do when the quarantine is officially over?”
CULLEN WITT “Throw my mask away.”
GEORGIA JUNELL “Go to an Amusement Park”
Cartoon by Zack Donovan.
PhotoJ Photo of the Month LANE ROBINSON “Getting back to wrestling.”
MYA BROUGHTON “Hanging out with my friends.”
CHRISTINA AMELIO “To travel with freinds”
WADE ARNTZEN “Go to the movie theaters”
Class of 2020’s Lexi Sagers eyes the next pitch during home field varsity softball play. Photo by Sydney Kelso.
(Celebrity Look-Alikes) LYNDON WALSH “Go to school.”
EVA DEL FRATE “Go to the beach.”
JOHN FLANAGAN “Host friends over.”
EMMA TSAI “To walk through a bookstore.”
Junior Caylon Mike and young actress Trinitee Stokes, from the Disney Channel TV show K.C. Undercover, share a striking resemblance. Photos courtesy of IMD. com and Caylon Mike.
The Knight Times ∙ August 2020
Opinion ∙ Page 7
How social media platforms bring change, yet censor opinions CHRIS LAHOTI Managing Editor Social media has become as essential to us as food and air. It provides instant communication, easy information access, data research, and marketing. Apps such as Snapchat, Reddit, Instagram, etc. allow us
Does social media breed misinformation? Photo courtesy of medium.com. to feel like we are a part of every important decision-making process. Where there was previously no other option, social media,
such as Twitter and Facebook, allows the ordinary person to have a voice and, with enough momentum, affect positive change. On the flip side, it also serves as a breeding ground for misinformation and judgement without accurate presentation of evidence. First Amendment rights should be protected, while trying to find a way to limit dissemination of hate and violence, without complete censorship. Social media has raised awareness toward challenging issues our society faces. The Black Lives Matter movement used social media to grow support for its movement, using the hashtag “BlackLivesMatter.” The hashtag has appeared over 12 million times since 2013 and is used to highlight the daily injustices African Americans face that the general public is oblivious to. The movement has drawn support and criticism, but regardless, social media paved the way for open discussion. Bari Weiss, a writer and editor for the opinion department of the New York Times, recently resigned from her post after criticizing the Times’ lack of conviction in promoting different opinions. After readers on Twitter protested the Times’ publication of an editorial by Republican Senator Tom Cotton, the editor in charge was fired. Weiss explained that Twitter had become the final editor of the news-
The United States ban on Tik Tok: Is it reasonable or hypocritical? CONNOR SMITH Opinions Editor Earlier this month, President Trump signed an executive order limiting all American transactions with the Chinese companies Tencent and Bytedance. This order is only the most recent attack on the already deteriorating economic trade between the United States and China. But is this ban on Chinese companies good for the general American population or another geopolitical stunt to show the power of the U.S. over communist China? There is no easy solution to this problem, so instead of taking the last 40 years of events into my argument, I will focus on recent events. Economic relations between the United States and China have been diminishing for years, but Tik Tok and other popular social media apps only became targets following the border skirmish between India and China. This skirmish led to the deaths of at least 20 Indian soldiers in hand-tohand combat. The ban on Tik Tok, which had millions of downloads in India, was meant to display a show of strength from India, as well as protect their youth from the dangers of social media. This attack on Chinese companies in retaliation to border tensions may have been what put Tik Tok and its parent company in the scope of the President. Now it’s no secret that much of the free world opposes China on many fronts. Recent actions against the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) have warranted many responses from our federal government, including the signing of the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act and a statement from U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who said, “If the free world doesn’t change Communist China, Communist China will change us.” The question is, was banning interaction with Bytedance and Tencent a good thing for America? Was this the best option in confronting a Communist China or was this another political stunt aimed at bolstering support for the upcoming 2020 Presidential Election?. In the end, the recent executive order against Tencent and Bytedance is necessary
for confronting China, but not a great decision regarding American people and companies. At this moment almost any confrontation with Communist China should be seen as a good thing. Many problems in China, including the treatment of Uyghur Muslims, mass government surveillance, and China’s authority over Hong Kong, are the reason the governments of the free world should unite against the threat posed by the CCP. But even if this decision was made for this purpose, I would classify it as a necessary evil, meaning it might be necessary, but it wasn’t, in my opinion, the best option. The reason for blocking transactions with these Chinese companies is similar to the blacklisting of Huawei in May of 2019. These products and apps were considered to be “Chinese spyware” stealing personal data. The only problem is the hypocrisy. Though these standards and restrictions are being put on Chinese social media companies, such as Tik Tok and WeChat, it seems the U.S. counterparts have very few to no restrictions. Companies such as Facebook have often been the target of accusations about their handling of user data. An example of this being in 2018 when Cambridge Analytica sold user data gathered from Facebook to politicians hoping to sway the vote, one of these politicians being Trump himself. With a government that refuses to pass laws protecting user data but bans Tik Tok over “privacy concerns,” do the recent executive orders serve the sole purpose of confronting China or are they a political stunt to bolster support? It’s important to battle China over their laws and policies, but we must do so within reason. So did the government ban Tik Tok because it’s bad? No. They banned it because we are in an economic and political war with China. Throughout this “war,” it’s important the government makes the best decisions for the American peoples’ interest while also forcing China to stop human rights violations and cruel laws and policies. It’s a thin line we must walk, because as trade between China and the United States slowly diminishes, we must remember that we are in this situation because we rely on China a lot more than China relies on us.
paper instead of the writers being allowed to present ideas in a way to promote intellectual curiosity. Ignoring their editorial standards, the Times caved to public pressure. While social media has tremendous power to affect change, a line was crossed this time. Social media should not play the
judge, jury, and executioner. Providing different views and standing up for principles should not be a liability. If everything we say or do has to be carefully censored to avoid backlash from social media, then we are no better than a communist country.
Mental health declines in VL RAIGAN CLAY Guest Writer These unprecedented times have had many effects on the community we have built at Episcopal, mental health being one the hardest hit areas due to Covid-19. Virtual learning introduced concerns like anxiety, loneliness, and lack of direction. Many of us have never experienced these emotions, and with the ongoing pandemic, it puts a strain on our mental health. Not being able to attend school seemed amazing at first. “With all the complaints many high schoolers dish out, they should just be happy,” many adults would say. But it soon turned into the opposite. Many of us were trying to focus on school and realized we never took time for ourselves. Accounting for all the moving pieces can be a challenge in itself, but to then be asked to assess your mental health creates a bit of a predicament. From sports to clubs and hefty homework, it can all be agonizing to keep up with. Digital media and good or bad news can be overwhelming and a lot to process during life’s trials and a global pandemic. Episcopal students and staff are held at high standards, so it’s imperative that we all help build one another to protect and nurture our mental health. Students especially should be willing to take more advice from others to help develop healthy habits, things like prioritization and time management will reduce stress and ease the mind. A big factor that plays into mental health is that what works for me may not work
for you. Discovering your thing may take some trial and error, but try and really tap into what brings you happiness. The easy part of self-care is that it can be whatever you want it to be, anything that will bring you peace and joy can be considered self-care. Some simple things high school students could do to promote their mental health would be disconnecting from electronics and social media once in a while, practicing self-care and making themselves a priority, engaging in activi-
As students are forced to use virtual learning, their mental health can deteriorate. Photo courtesy of neatoday.org. ties that are meaningful, practicing meditation and mindfulness, and my personal favorite, talking to friends. Hard times have prompted emotional and mental resilience not only for ourselves but for the people around us as well. Mental health is just as important as physical health and should be treated with care.
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The Knight Times is a product of students in the Episcopal High School newspaper class, who are solely responsible for its creation and editorial content. The opinions expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent those of the Episcopal Board of Trustees, administration, faculty, and staff. Published ten times a year, The Knight Times is a non-profit educational tool. The staff encourages the submission of letters, editorials, and story ideas from the community, but reserves the right to edit and/or use said articles.
Sports∙ Page 8
The Knight Times ∙ August 2020
Sports Press On
Fall programs head back to campus despite SPC cancellation
Starting off strong, football returns to practice Cheer spirit high CHRISTIAN MUNOZ Staff Writer Summer activities for football were held in June, included controlled workouts in groups of 15 with social distancing, though these lasted a little less than two weeks due to the global pandemic. None of the players had tested positive for COVID-19; however, with so much uncertainty, coaches decided to shut it down. This year’s team captains will not be announced until the end of the first week of practice of the season. According to Coach Steve Leisz, team strengths include “running the ball really well and playing great team defense. Offensively, (the Knights have) most of last year’s championship team back and (the) defense will take another step forward with Coach Q. So, if you want to beat (EHS), then you better stop the run.” The team’s offensive line is considered one of the top groups in the country. They are six deep with three seniors who have a tremendous opportunity to play at the next level. Offensive Line: Donovan Jackson (Ohio
State), Cullen Montgomery (Oklahoma), Luis Chavarria (Undecided), Billy Hall, Jake Geisler, and Cailen Graham RB: Quon Marion (1500 total yards in 2019) DE: Parker Forque
Football returned to campus for a socially distanced strength and conditioning practice. Every player was required to wear a mask throughout practice. Photo courtesy of @ehssports, Twitter.
Turf upgrades pump up field hockey for this year’s season LUCY HOWLEY Social Media Coordinator Without a doubt, fall sports are going to look very different this year. Field hockey has already had to make some major changes; for example, the usual two-week preseason was cut to two days before the start of school since SPC games are not scheduled to begin until September 8. Coaches Shelly Edmonds, Emily White, and new Coach, Paige Moriarty, split the girls into two groups to properly social distance the players on the field at one
time. The girls were also required to wear masks and bring their own water to ensure their safety. In lighter news, the two teams are very excited about the brand new FIH certified turf field. Seniors Mimi Wilson, Lucy Howley, Bailey Junell, Mia Schulze, and Helen Young have been encouraging the younger players to keep up their hard work and excitement for the season after finishing in the top five at the SPC tournament last year, which was the highest place the EHS field hockey team has earned in a long time.
Boys volleyball returns to the court to work the mental game LARA VERSTOVSEK Staff Writer Entering the 2021 season, the Episcopal boys varsity volleyball team is working hard to get in the gym whenever possible. Although EHS pre-season training, summer camps, and all travel outside of Houston were put on hold for the Knights, the players are most excited to have the opportunity to be back together as a boys volleyball family.
DB: Miles Jones Things to look for in 2020: Coming back from injury, Seniors Collin Crane and Aaron Deutsch both looking to make an instant impact this upcoming season.
When asked if there are specific things that the team will be focusing on this year, Coach Kerry Hofmeister said, “I think the mental aspect of the game will be much more important this season.” Returning players who will be heavily counted are Jacob Dixon, Wade Arntzen, Connor Smith, and Zack Donavan. Knights, especially the boys varsity volleyball team, understand it won’t be the same as before, but are grateful and excited as to what is in store for this season.
Although the coronavirus has caused a roller coaster of the unexpected, Episcopal High School’s cheer team has still found ways to be proactive and involved in the EHS community during this unprecedented time. Just like other sports teams, the cheerleaders have had their fair share of obstacles. Earlier this summer, they were unable to attend cheer camp, and the team was unable to start preseason. However, the squad found multiple ways to adapt to the pandemic’s reality. Prior to the start of school, half of the cheerleaders virtually attended cheer camp through Zoom while the other half of the cheerleaders, who can tumble, practiced on campus. Through the National Cheerleading Association, all three cheer teams will learn new dances, cheers, and routines for the upcoming season. For football games, the cheerleaders have been cleared to cheer at the games with two spectators per squad member allowed to attend as well.
New goals make for fresh start for the girls volleyball team LARA VERSTOVSEK Staff Writer Coming back from an amazing season last year which culminated in an SPC title, the girls varsity volleyball team is excited and ready to put in the work for this upcoming season. Head Coach Amanda Watts is excited to start fresh every season to pursue new goals with hopes of the season going smoothly. Having a large group of amazing seniors, four of whom are continuing their journey at D1 schools, Coach Watts cannot wait for them to dominate this season. Despite not knowing exactly when the girls can be on the court during these uncertain times, many players have been using their spare summer time hitting the gym and local volleyball clubs to work on perfecting skills to be ready for future matches. In addition, the team is focusing on playing hard any chance they get to be on the court to win. “Covid has helped us realize that we need to be thankful for anytime we get to
Girls volleyball socially distances in the gym. They have resumed practice to prepare for the upcoming season Photo courtesy @ehssports, Twitter. play the sport we are passionate about and be around the teammates we love,” said Coach Watts.
Cross country makes strides to overcome pandemic mayhem JAZZMIN DUNCAN Staff Writer
Wearing their masks, boys volleyball returned to the court to improve not only their physical skills but their mental game. Photo courtesy of @ehssport, Twitter.
EMMA CLAIRE WHITE Staff Writer
As the Episcopal Knights begin to prepare for the upcoming school year, sports teams are preparing for the fall. The Episcopal Cross Country team is also hoping to get in on the preseason action. Unfortunately, the team had to cancel its summer trip due to Covid-19, so the runners haven’t had a chance to formally introduce the incoming freshmen to the program yet. Although this cancellation has thrown a monkey-wrench into the team’s yearly routine, they are still ready and excited for new faces coming into the program. Returning faces are also warmly welcomed back into the program as the talented competitors return to the team as well as
competition. After their final meet in Tomball last season, the team has been working hard to improve upon their already exceptional performance. Juniors Kat Kwiatkowski and Ella Newman are looking forward to the upcoming season and whatever it may hold for them and their teammates. Along with Kat and Ella, junior John Bruton and sophomore Harrison Wallis are also looking forward to the season and getting a chance to improve their performances and overall skill levels. Head Coach Julius Michael is also excited to see the team’s improvement and progress throughout the upcoming year. Just like the other sports teams, Cross Country has dealt with its fair share of obstacles. The knights have taken strides to overcome this chaotic mayhem.