Silhouette Winter 2020

ilhouette S

COLUMBUS SCHOOL FOR GIRLS

VOL. 60

ISSUE 2

December 2020

An Update from the Members of Student Council

McKenna Merriman, XII and Ruthie Saar, XI

As we get deeper into the school year, many of you may have noticed small changes, from subtle caution tape on your lockers to the announcement videos shown during advisory. But where does all of this come from? And while you may know your Student Council reps names, do you know what they’ve been working on? Here are some answers to your burning questions about student council, as offered by your Student Council President, McKenna Merriman, and Junior Class President, Ruthie Saar, along with some notes from Sophomore Vice President Lina Jeffers and Freshman Song/Chapel Representative Asanda Ransier: What influence does Student Council have on Wellness Wednesday programming and COVID-19 related decisions?

Some people might find it surprising that Student Council’s Wellness Committee is not in charge of Wellness Wednesdays. However, on Wellness Wednesdays, they have meetings, create content and plan events such as videos for at-home students, and address ways to help the well-being of every student. As Sophomore Vice President Lina Jef-

fers from Wellness Committee puts it, “We just try to promote overall wellness and [make] sure everyone feels as happy and comfortable as possible.” When it comes to COVID-19 related decisions, Student Council is not actively involved, but if you have ideas or concerns about these topics, Student Council will always speak to administrators on your behalf.

How does the work of Student Council affect the rest of the students daily?

There are many small ways we work to help you that you may not realize. For example, we are responsible for planning Big Sis/Little Sis events, decorating the hallways for holidays, putting up locker signs, planning Red and Gold competitions, creating cards for new students at the beginning of the year, and most importantly, we often bring your ideas and concerns

to our meetings and to Dr. Graham.

Also, those announcements you get to make fun of in your advisory are a product of Student Council.

How does Student Council come up with Big/Little ideas?

When it comes to Big/ Little, we have to think about what would be fun for both a first grader and a senior. With the wide range of students involved, this usually leads to exciting and doable events, such as making friendship bracelets, superhero masks, and this year, with COVID restrictions, becoming pen pals with each other.

How do teachers and Student Council work together?

During meetings, the only teacher in the room, or in this case, Zoom, is Ms. Seese, our faculty advisor. Her role is to allow the members to lead and discuss ideas on our agenda. She chimes in with what hurdles she thinks we will face

Some seniors wigging out over Halloweek, Student Council's replacement for decade dance. Photo courtesy of Charlotte Love , XII.

and helps keep everyone on track.

When it comes to involvement with faculty and administrators outside of this space, Dr. Graham plays a large role in expressing our concerns to Ms. Ciccarelli. Oftentimes, your subject teachers find ways to help us get things done as well, such as Mr. Hartshorne’s dedication to preserving senior traditions. A misconception about teacher involvement is that they try to restrict our activities, when usually they do their best to respond to our ideas and help us see our plans into action.

Can someone get impeached?

No, members cannot be impeached; however, there may be circumstances where a member may be asked to step down from their position by someone with higher authority, which can always come from their constituents (in this case, classmates).

There are three committees on Student Council this year: Wellness Committee, Community Committee, and Policy Committee. Each has their own subject to focus on in smaller groups of Student Council members.

Right now, Wellness Committee is continually working to ensure the wellbeing of the student body by reaching out to both stu-

Diversity and Inclusion: A New Approach

Ciara Latham, X

This year the integrity of America has been tested. For many students of CSG, the stress of the world has weighed heavy. We have seen several social issues revealed.

For marginalized communities, these revelations were far from new.

From Black Lives Matter protests to Marriage Equality rallies, the events of this year have brought painful memories and difficult discussions.

To make sense of it all, I spoke with Ms. Betsy Esser, CSG’s Director of Diversity and Inclusion.

When asked the meaning of the phrase “diversity and inclusion,” Ms. Esser replied, “It’s come to be an umbrella term for how we think about differences. Usually what they mean is what is the racial makeup of your school.” But it is not only used in reference to race.

Esser further describes it as “areas of identity that have the biggest social impact.” Inclusivity is about making sure everyone is “not just

invited, but honored and celebrated.”

Recently there have been student panel discussions as the school prepares to hire a new director of diversity and inclusion.

I asked Ms. Esser why it was important for students to be involved in this process. She states, “First and foremost, we’re here for the students. We have students who are really passionate about these conversations and really want to be involved in conversations of diversity and inclusion going forward.”

She went on to explain the duties of the role: “They’ll be helping with recruiting and hiring a more racially diverse faculty. That’s something we haven’t had as much success with.”

Esser also expressed her excitement about it being a full-time administrative position.

With all the surveys sent out lately, it was only appropriate that I ask what the top concerns

were from members of the community. Esser explained how hiring was a top priority: “It’s important for some of our marginalized students to see people who look like them.”

Another big issue was accountability. I asked Ms. Esser what steps were being taken to combat prejudice. She explained that “education is always going to be a part of it [...] we don’t believe as a school in zero tolerance because we believe that everyone can grow and everyone can learn. However, we are committed to making sure that if someone is hurt, that stops. And that is an interesting balance to find.”

This ongoing need for accountability was further stressed when I asked why so many have decided to come forward and share their stories through something as public as the @shewillknowherpower Instagram page. “The anonymity I think is something that is necessary at times so that there isn’t fur-

ther harm,” Esser answered, “A lot of [...] the things that were shared were obviously very painful. I also think there is a need for accountability on CSG’s part. So this public way of sharing these stories is a way to hold us accountable and I totally respect that. [...] I also would invite anyone who has something they want to share to come and talk to us. [...] if it’s at all possible. There are many of us who would love to have those conversations and see how we can help [and] what we can do to make sure that these things don’t continue happening.”

When asked to address worried members of the CSG community, she replied: “We are here because we care about the students, and learning that we are not doing the best for all our students is really hard but also really motivating. And I think people are really motivated right now to do what we need to do to make it better.”

dents in-person and at home. They recently sent an Upper School-wide email on stress-relieving tips to practice as first semester comes to a close. A goal for next semester is to make flyers about stress relief.

Community Committee is developing ways to keep students and faculty connected during our hybrid structure. Recently, they designed a friendly competition of “Guess That Baby: Faculty Edition” for Upper School. They plan to sell Winter Grams to students after break to spread excitement about the new year. One of their overarching goals is to have Red and Gold competitions.

Finally, Policy Committee is constantly meeting with administration to discuss changes in policy at CSG. This semester, a Transgender Policy has been in the works and is at the forefront of their minds.

Policy Committee is also readjusting the Student Council Constitution by evaluating the positions and their effectiveness. Additionally, they intend to invent more class bonding opportunities.

Despite the different ways Student Council has been running this year, we have still been able to proactively support the student body.

Featured in this Issue: • Senior Feature: Nyah Funderburke • An Art Gallery with Pieces by CSG's Artists •

Teachers' Traditions

•

A Q&A with Rivals Sweeney & Miranda • Where to Buy the Best Fry

2 Sports and Health The Commitment of Nyah Funderburke Gabi Yuan, X The crowd’s anticipation breaks as the stadium erupts in yells, cheers, and claps that shake the floor for Nyah Funderburke’s first place finish in the 100 fly. Only she can see the hours of relentless training she’s put in, the hours of sleep she’s lost, along with the moments in her life that she’d sacrificed to become the greatest swimmer in her division. As her teammates envelope and welcome her into warm embraces, only Nyah can feel the slow burn in her legs, the satisfying pain that brought her to three DII State Champion titles. Nyah’s dedication to the sport of swimming has brought her to her commitment to The Ohio State University to continue her academic and athletic career. Though it may seem that Nyah Funderburke has always been invincible, she’s persevered through hard times as an underclassman.

“Within the past year and half, I’ve really begun taking my journey of swimming to another

level,” Nyah says. When she first came to CSG as a freshman, she hadn’t taken the time to sit down and think about where the future of this sport could take her. As Nyah approached her junior year, she began to focus more intently on her stroke technique, creating smaller goals while pushing herself to a greater extent. As she developed a pattern that led to a healthy routine, her times grew tremendously until she became one of the fastest swimmers in both the team and the state.

“This physical and mental journey hasn’t always been easy,” Nyah explains. “I’ve gone through my fair share of up and downs, where I’ve learned the key to wanting to succeed is to mute yourself away from the crowd and stick to what you know. Become determined to succeed and push yourself to become someone greater.” Nyah continued her process to improve herself and her habits, where she learned to have a sense of independence and assurance away from the rest of the swimmers, where her first State Champion

Nyah Funderburke, XII, pictured next to the CSG Swimming Pool. Photo courtesy of CSG Swim Team.

title in the 50 free came as a rewarding result.

As Nyah continues to inspire both the swimmers and other athletes around her, her presence to those younger than her is unlike anyone else’s.

“When I’m feeling defeated during practice,” Lizzy Bruening, Form X swimmer, begins, “I take a deep breath and look over to Nyah’s line, where I see her drive to stay focused, away

College Acceptance

Helpful or

McKenna Merriman, XII Even if you aren’t a senior, the odds that you’ve watched a YouTube video with some crazy title like “REJECTED FROM 28 SCHOOLS??” or “IVY DAY!! Where will I go to COLLEGE???” are pretty high.

These college decision reaction videos can be addictive (I watched five just while writing this article), stress-inducing, stress-relieving, and sometimes just depressing. I began to wonder: are they more harmful or helpful? I asked my fellow seniors and a recent alum, Leslie Robins, about their feelings on the topic.

Some sway towards the positive parts of these videos.

Even if the content shows someone getting rejected, people such as Mimi Purdum, XII, say that this helps her feel better about the possible outcomes of her own college decision. Another senior, Mara Sims, sweetly admits, “Other people's joy makes

V i d eos: Balancing Sports

Harmful?

me happy, and the extra special kind of joy of seeing someone get into their dream school is incomparable.” Alyssa Canowitz, XII, reveals, “I think they’re helpful [...] I just like to live vicariously through others, so it’s like I’m getting into college too.”

Leslie Robins, class of 2020 alum, can speak to both sides. She recalls late-night panic-watching these videos when waiting for her results. She says that seeing people with similar stats get rejected from places to which she applied made it comforting to know that she wasn’t alone; however, watching them get admitted is another story.

She explains, “Seeing people get into schools that you applied to just increases stress and pressure and expectations in a process that is already laden with uncertainty and anxiety.”

Many current seniors claim that the negative aspects outweigh the good as well. Alison Zheng, XII, while believing the videos are fine unless created

Nov. 11th, where the entire team, both new and returning, showed up in support of her, cheering with pride and happiness knowing that no one deserves this result more. Though we saw Coach Brian Botzman shed a few tears at the signing, he knows that the legacy of Nyah Funderburke will continue to live on, pushing the younger girls growing older that hard work can bring endless possibilities.

from the distractions around her. Seeing that she’s able to stay strong during a rigorous set like this speaks volumes about her character.” Nyah’s influence on the CSG swim team brings this tight-knit group of girls even closer together, allowing improvement past individualized goals.

Nyah Funderburke signed to The Ohio State University for collegiate swimming on

for monetary gain, claims, “I see the possibility for them to fuel unhealthy obsessions and habits, especially in videos where you see students getting admitted/ rejected to “top” schools [...] I’d personally just make one for my own use rather than sharing it for the world to see.”

Lastly, Khushi Chabria, XII, reminds us that “it doesn’t completely relate to us this year since everything [COVID-related] is a little different,” and “it’s important to remember that there are more factors than just grades and scores that go into the decision.”

Overall, after speaking with friends and alumni, I believe these videos tend to cause more harm than they do help. But to underclassmen and Juniors who are starting to feel the college-hit, if you choose to watch these videos, do so with the words of Ms. Priest and Ms. Schultz in mind: this is YOUR process, not anyone else’s.

and

School

Fabi Corso, IX It’s 8:00 pm and you just got back home from a basketball scrimmage.You are exhausted, but you have at least three hours of homework to do before you can go to bed.

Managing school can be hard for everybody, but adding sports makes it even harder.

I talked to three student winter athletes here at CSG about how they manage sports and school: swimmer Anja Fleege, XI, basketball player Tori Johnson, XI, and swimmer Della Jones, IX. I asked Anja about her schedule, and she has practice six times a week that last for two hours each.

Tori has practice six times a week for two hours as well. In one week, that is already 12 hours of practice, not considering games or meets! Tori spends about 3-4 hours every night on homework,

so that means every week she had about 12 hours of practice and 21-28 hours of schoolwork!

When asked if it is hard to manage sports and school, Della and Anja have similar perspectives.

Della said, “I feel like I have less study time because I am on swim, but I also like that I am more productive when I get home during swim season.” Anja says that it can be hard to manage sports and school, but playing sports helps her with her mental health and provides a balance.

As for tips for balancing sports and school, Anja recommended staying on top of your work and reaching out to your teachers if you are struggling with time management. Tori said that if there's time before a game, she will do homework if she has a lot. Tori also gave some words of wisdom, saying that “it might seem hard at first, but it gets easier and easier.”

~~~

School

3

Turning Back Time with Ten-Year Teachers

Ruthie Saar, XI

Throughout the years at CSG, many teachers have come and gone. Despite these changes, there are still plenty of dedicated devotees. In Silhouette’s past issues from 2010, some current staff members were interviewed as newcomers. I was curious about how their responses to the interviewer’s questions ten years ago would compare to their answers now. What about the school, and themselves, has changed?

To start, Ms. Pfeiffer, Upper School History teacher, had a different name: Ms. Besanceney.

She was an avid member of the Capitol Square Rotary Club and loved to eat Thai and Greek food.

In her free time, she walked her dog, Pants, read, watched Mad Men and Top Chef, and exercised.

Her favorite time period to teach

was 20th century America, especially the Civil Rights Movement.

Now Ms. Pfeiffer has a five-year old son, Nolan, and a two-year old daughter, Lena, with her husband, Mike. When asked about the Capitol Square Rotary Club, she explained that it is “an international service organization […] now called the Short North Rotary Club, [...] targeted towards young professionals.” Although she is not a current member, Ms. Castro, a Health and P.E. teacher, is one. Just as in 2010, everyone is in the mood to talk about food. Ms. Pfeiffer describes her favorite longingly: “I like a really good steak.

That would be my ideal meal-- a salad [and] a great steak.” In her free time, she has found a new way of exercising. With excitement in her eyes, she explains that “anybody who knows me now knows that I am mildly obsessed with

Peloton. I recently got the Peloton Bike Plus.” Other updates include Ms. Pfeiffer’s favorite show, The Crown, and her favorite time period to teach; the Gilded Age. She explains, “So much is transforming in American society, going from log cabins to skyscrapers [...] and all the progressive leaders trying to lead America in a more positive way.”

She also reflects on the school’s physical changes: “When I started, we still had the old dining room, and the Commons was on the first floor. My window did not look out onto a rooftop. The pool was upstairs [and] we didn’t have the [AJS Theater].” Ms. Pfeiffer believes that a lot has changed in the past ten years, “but CSG has been a constant, and for that, I am grateful.”

Ms. Wu, the Mandarin teacher, is also celebrating her ten

year anniversary. She started working here when she was twenty-four years old. In her first interview, Ms. Wu set personal and professional goals: she wanted to “spend more time with students, understanding them and finding the best way to teach.” She also discussed the challenge of teaching students to write Chinese characters.

Nowadays, Ms. Wu’s thoughts have altered. The challenge she faces, pandemic aside, is lesson-planning. She explains that it’s hard to find resources that will interest her students, and making time to give her students feedback is also an issue. When asked about her favorite thing about CSG, she immediately replied, “Definitely my students. They are a group of kids who are enjoying their lives: they are young, loud, [and] funny. [...] They have a calming connection when they come to class, and

Ms. Pfeiffer from 2010 is history (above left)! Her family (above right) poses

Ms. Wu was twenty-four years old upon joining CSG (above left)! Ten years later,

casually for an adorable photo. Photo courtesy of Silhouette and Ms. Pfeiffer.

she still has the same smile (above right). Photo courtesy of Silhouette and Ms. Wu.

Advisor

A s k - I t Ask-It is Silhouette's advice column, where students and teachers can seek-out suggestions for their daily dilemmas. By popular demand, it's back for another issue. Want wisdom? Submit your quizzical questions to silhouette@ columbusschoolforgirls.org!

Dear Ask-It, I need some advice.

I understand that it is hard to hang out with my friends after school because everyone has a busy schedule, we don’t live close, etc.

But [my friends] don’t make the effort to try to plan stuff outside of school and seem to leave all the planning to me. It can get exhausting, and it also makes it seem like they don’t care. I know they do care about our friendship because [...] we hang out bunches during school hours. Please give me some advice on how to deal with this because I like hanging out on weekends and they seem to want to as well when we talk about it but never make any actual plans.

-Reluctant Planner of Parties Well, my advice on this happens to be pretty simple.

As much as it might be a point of stress or contention, the best thing to do would probably be to communicate. Communication in

friendships often seems like something we shouldn’t really have to focus on, especially when we hang out almost constantly during school hours, but it is actually vital to tell your friends what you think in this situation. There is no way to guarantee how they will respond, but if you speak honestly then that is really all you can do. If you are truly exhausted by this planning, as it seems you are, good friends would want to know, because good friends wouldn’t want you to have that added burden. In the end though, the advice you get here is just a suggestion. I hope things turn for the better with your friends ☺.

Dear Ask-It, if you could travel back in time to relive one of your memories, which would it be and

"Dear AskIt..."

why? - :) I've got to say, it is hard to remain anonymous with a question like this. I'll give it my best shot! I adopted one of my dogs rather than getting him from a breeder, and we had to meet his foster parent in person before we could seal the deal. We met his foster parent at the State Farm office where she worked, which was closed for the day, so I remember sitting on the floor while she and my mom were talking. She went to the backroom and opened up the gate so my dog could come through, and I remember he moved so fast it was just a blur in my vision. He ran at top speeds and completely knocked me over on the ground and started jumping over me and licking my face. It was one of those surreal movie moments where it felt like background music could play over the whole situation. It was a bit ominous considering dog movies usually start out very wholesome and end in upsetting ways, but don’t worry, my dog and I have been happy ever since! Anyway, that’s one of the memories I’d like to relive. One day, I’ll write about the snapping turtle incident.

that is what I value the most.” She believes that the best part of teaching is “when an activity goes really well and there’s joy from the class. [...] Not all [activities] work, but after some of them, the class ends with roars of laughter. We often get reminded that we are loud.” Another highlight is when her students start speaking or writing emails to her in Chinese, making her feel accomplished. She reflected on her own experiences: “When I first started, I felt more like a sister [...] because of how close in age we were. The drawback of that is that I couldn’t figure out how to be strict. [...] I have learned how [...], but deliver my expectations in a humorous way.” It seems Ms. Wu has adapted and gained more experience since her start at CSG. Ms. Wu answered thoughtfully about CSG’s changes: “School has changed to be more aware or conscious of individual needs, whether it’s race, gender, learning style, religion, political views, ethnicity, all those have come to the front lines of attention for students and teachers. Even mental health [has] been brought to more people’s attention.”

Overall, CSG is always evolving. Whether new teachers and students join the community, new policies are incorporated, or even a new lunch item appears on the menu, our school will change, but the history and traditions will remain.

Dr. Hattaway Editor In-Chief McKenna Merriman, XII Junior Editors Ruthie Saar, XI Kiera Rennick, XI These cheerful lights are even brighter than Rudolph's nose! Photo courtesy of Frances Lefkowitz-Pizutti, X (above).

Club Coordinators Gabi Yuan, X Isabella Luckage, X Staff Ciara Latham, X Allie Salamon, IX

Walking in a winter wonderland. Photo courtesy of Lane Sharfin, XI.

Ava Kessler, IX

4School Arts

Fall Play-by-Play!

Abigail Falk, XI

With all of the uncertainties of COVID-19, many occasions we’d customarily look forward to have had to be cancelled due to safety concerns. However, due to the hard work and perseverance of our thespian participants, the upper school fall play was not one of them. The anthology of works performed from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream, Macbeth, Two Noble Kinsmen, Romeo and Juliet, and lastly, As You Like It, was a hit! With it’s virtual premiere on Friday, November 13th, the production allowed for a safe and enjoyable viewing experience!

I had the opportunity to interview Mrs. Bishara, the director of CSG’s theatre department, to gain some insight into how working on the play this year went. When asked about her process of choosing plays from which to work, she said her selection consisted of a healthy mix of plays she re-

ally loves as well as ones with good female characters. Additionally, she made sure to be receptive to students’ interests.

Although rehearsals this year were far from normal, Mrs. Bishara came equipped with experience, as she had already done two virtual shows with up to 40 kids all on Zoom at once. Comparatively, she said this play was easier to organize with the average of around 6 people per Zoom rehearsal.

While having rehearsals over Zoom is not quite the same as being in person with your peers, Mrs. Bishara made sure to make the best of it, even using the new format as a tool to boost participation. In previous years, students would have had to choose between performing in theatre, or partaking in sports.

However, due to the flexibility Zoom gave both herself, cast, and crew, she was able to hold rehearsals with people over the weekends. Additionally, she could also have those participating send her a video of their monologue. When it came

to crews, there was balance between virtual and in person meetings to discuss concepts.

Mrs. Bishara says that in the future, she would love to continue allowing for a certain level of flexibility in order to maximize student participation, especially for students with many additional commitments.

This year's play served as the perfect closing act to a year with many twists and turns. The actors’ enthusiasm and passion for performing can be felt through the screen. The hard work and diligence of all those involved shares an important message with us all that although things are not exactly normal right now, we can still come together and enjoy something as special as the fine art of theatre. While I know the actors and crew members are anxious at the thought of when they will be able to get back on the AJS stage, I know I, along with the rest of the supportive CSG community, will be excitedly anticipating their next production!

myself, I absolutely appreciate the hard work and hours that go into working your craft.

Maya says that she “started doing art because [she] was pretty much born into it.” She went on to tell me that both her maternal grandmother and paternal grandfather were both incredible artists so she was “constantly surrounded by art and really grateful for that.”

When prompted to share her favorite piece she has created, Maya told me about a portrait she had done of Tori Johnson, XI: “[It was] one of the first life-like portraits I’ve done of someone other than me, and I actually thought it turned out well.” She tells me that being an artist at CSG is like being with

family: “During every art class I’ve done at CSG, I’ve been able to talk to my peers and get to know them while improving my skills. I like that art is a way to connect with others and bond over what you are working on.”

As for her advice to aspiring artists, no matter the skill level, medium, or interest, Maya would tell you: “Don’t be afraid to mess up. The screw-ups we have are chances for improvement. I can’t count the times I’ve messed up on an art piece, but I learned and grew from those mess-ups, and because of them I am a better artist.” With her inspiring words in mind, I recommend that in this upcoming break and semester, you might try your own hand in artistry!

Student Art Gallery

Pictured above: An intensely detailed drawing of Tori Johnson, XI by artist Maya Gonela, XI.

CSG's H(art)working Artists Kiera Rennick, XI With the end of first semester on the horizon, there is no doubt that the upcoming winter break is a well deserved rest from the daily grind of school. In the two weeks we’ll have off, there are many activities to partake in and perhaps find a bit of respite.

One such bit of entertainment could be art. I talked to Maya Gonela, XI, an artist within the CSG community, about her own experience being an artist.

Maybe her words can help inspire some artistry of your own!

Over the brief time we chatted, Maya and I talked about how she got into art in the first place. As a bit of an artist

Seen Above: A captivating drawing, "Abstract Grandpa," by Gabi Yuan, X.

Seen Above: shadows jump out of the page in "Plant" by Bethany Spangler, IX.

Seen above: "Migraine" and "3 AM", two drawings that practically jump off the page by Ka'Isis Lee, XII.

Seasonal Hope on the Horizon for 2021 Frances Lefkowitz-Pizzuti, X 2020 has seen its ups and downs, as this year has created a new normal for everyone. School, friendships and interaction, and daily life overall have all been directly impacted with no clear end in sight. It is easy to get caught up in the negatives of 2020 and feel overwhelmed and worn out by the barrage of bad news surrounding us daily. However, amid the craziness and uncertainty of this year lies hope on the horizon for 2021.

Vaccines and other treatments for the coronavirus have been in the workings and are expected to be available soon. According to Reuters, the US company Moderna and other similar companies aim to release their vaccine around early to mid 2021.

Looking forward to things like vaccine releases, the Summer Olympics that will be held in Tokyo, the 2021 Winbledon

championships, the new presidential administration, and other exciting events coming soon can help brighten the new year. New tv shows and movies are being released, like the next James Bond, No Time to Die, the next Mission Impossible, the Black Widow movie, and another Spider Man movie; there will also be a new season of the Bachelor and dozens of other new shows on Netflix.

Starting to shift the focus to the light at the end of the tunnel of this year can make all the difference!

2020 and its issues won’t disappear in 2021, but some of our struggles and stresses can.

Now is the time to be reminded that life is in the details and little things, and giving more time and attention to these things can help our outlook. In this time of uncertainty, everyone can look forward to hopeful change.

Remaining hopeful for a new year with new possibilities and new opportunities can help this holiday season feel more positive.

5

The Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide Ciara Latham, X It’s that time of year again: when your wallet suffers and you make an unearthly amount of returns! No matter what yowu’re celebrating, the “most wonderful time of the year” brings excessive stress. Have no fear; the ultimate holiday gift guide is here.

Weighted Blanket: When the weight of the world isn’t enough… buy a weighted blanket!

It’s a warm embrace, and a perfect gift for someone to think of you when you cannot be there. Perfect for moms and longdistance friends. Find it on Amazon.

Air fryer: What’s the best way to tell someone that they’re a terrible cook? Buy them an airfryer!

It’s so simple that practically anyone can use it. Perfect for siblings and grandpas. Find it at Target.

Mini Projector: Ah,movie theaters.

Remember those?

This year, trade the silver screen for a white sheet or a blank wall with a projector. Grab some popcorn and get ready to log into your cousin’s Netflix account.

Perfect for siblings, friends, and significant others. Find it at Best Buy.

Record Player: How about we forget about 2020 and go back in time? Pick your favorite vinyls and dance (even if you can’t).

Eventually, you’ll grow a deeper appreciation for Spotify. Perfect for grandparents, friends, and parents. Find it at Target.

Airpods/ Airpods Pro: Do you know someone who always has maximum volume on their phone?

Yeah, me too. Perfect for moms, dads, and children that watch You-tube Kids on their tablets.

Find it at The Apple Store.

Above: Find weighted blankets and touch screen gloves on online stores such as Amazon. Photo courtesy of Ciara Latham, X.

Touch Screen Gloves: Sometimes it’s okay to buy gifts for yourself, and there's nothing more inconvenient than being in freezing temperatures and having to take off your gloves. Perfect for you and your friends. Find it on Amazon.

2021 Senior Traditions Rethought OLivia ShuFF, XII In what feels like a year of constant change and postponement, it is hard to not feel uncertain about what’s ahead. For example, when I was assigned to write this article, we were still in person, and now, as I write this, we are online until after Thanksgiving break. Along with the stresses that come with senior year, the class of 2021 has also had to deal with the stresses of living through pandemic Going into this year, senior Mara Sims felt “hopeful and optimistic.” Knowing that this year would be different, the senior class started making new traditions im-mediately after school started. On the first day of classes, we arrived extremely early to school and sat in Geupel Field to watch the sunrise. Our plan is to watch the sunset together on graduation day as a class.

Additionally, though many social events were lost this year, such as Decade Dance, the seniors have also come up with COVID-safe opportunities to have fun. Most weekends, we have an Among Us zoom party, and in this period of online school, we are trying to occasionally have a class lunch together. These

Above: Seniors play 'Among Us' during their weekly hangout via Zoom. Photo courtesy of Khushi Chabria, XII.

help give a sense of normalcy dur-ing this crazy time, and it's always fun to stay up until 2 am having meaningful conversations with your friends (just not on a school night, though!).

Above: Masks on for this year's senior sunrise! Photo courtesy of Khushi Chabria, XII.

With the news that Holiday Dinner, arguably one of the most important senior tradition, was postponed the seniors immediately got to planning something we could do as a class on the date of holiday dinner. We have brainstormed an awesome list of fun activities

to keep us together, even when we are not all at school. As the entire world adapts to this “new normal”, I encourage everyone to keep finding SAFE ways to be social and stay bonded. Whether it is checking in with your friends or organizing something on zoom with your class, these bonds and memories you make in high school are so important.

Charlotte Love, XII, put it best when she said, “Senior year isn’t what we expected it to be, but we are trying to make the most of it.” You don’t need me to remind you how different this year is, but please make the most of it!

6 Seasonal Holiday Traditions: From Hawaiian Rolls to Famjams Angelina Kofman, XI The holiday season is upon us! November and December, a time of national cheer and hour-long lines at malls, bring an array of holidays. Whether it’s eating turkey on Thanksgiving or waiting for the ball drop on New Year’s, the holidays are rife with traditions, and our teachers have plenty of their own.

Dr. D and his family have the classic tradition of going around the table and expressing gratitude for something on Thanksgiving. One year, Dr. D expressed his gratitude for the soft buns they had with dinner, to which his mother responded with, “Joseph, those are just Hawaiian rolls.” Dr. D was upset they only

got them once a year since “they’re so good."

For Christmas Eve, Dr. Nelson has adopted a new tradition of making hot and sour soup from scratch. In regards to the whole Christmas music controversy, Dr. Nelson is more of a December 1st kind of listener. She thinks you have to enjoy Thanksgiving--and fall-- a bit more before you put up a tree and change the radio stations, AKA no Christmas music while there’s still turkey sandwiches to be eaten.

Mr. Hartshorne is, you guessed it, an anti-tradition type of person. Since not many people in his family like turkey, they never have it for Thanksgiving. Mr. Hartshorne is so nontraditional that one year, he and

Mrs. Hartshorne had grilled cheese sandwiches, watched football, and painted their living room. However, the day after Thanksgiving becomes Christmas season for the Hartshornes: they start Christmas shopping, decorating, and yes, listening to music too.

While Mr. Hartshorne hardly celebrates some holidays, Dr. Hattaway takes a more classical approach. She prefers to do it like the Victorians: reading and watching ghost stories around Christmas time. I have no doubt that she has her daughter reenact parts as well.

I hope she finally gets the Green Knight cut-out for Christmas this year!

Mrs. Gullett and her family are also not huge fans of turkey on Turkey Day, so they have

a tradition of cooking something extravagant in its place. One year, they made beef Wellington with chestnuts that Gordon Ramsey himself would be proud of.

Thanksgiving this year was lobster mac and cheese with toasted bread crumb topping. Yum! Ms. Seese has her annual sibling gift exchange with her four brothers and one sister. They draw names in August, so they have plenty of time to find a really nice present. Ms. Seese also has a strict rule of no decorations until after Thanksgiving, because Thanksgiving “deserves its own celebration.”

Ms. Pfeiffer believes that the day after Thanksgiving turns into “winter holiday time.” She and her kids go to Timbuk Farms to chop their own tree. They then

The Best Way To Spread Holiday Cheer: Volunteer Isabella Luckage, X It can be challenging to find community service opportunities, but with winter break right around the corner, now is a great time to volunteer. Many organizations need help, and they would all be grateful to have you.

My least time-consuming suggestion would be donating blood. By donating, you will help to save a life, which is both exciting and rewarding. You can find opportunities to donate here: https://www.redcrossblood.org/ give.html/find-drive .

Food pantries are another excellent volunteer choice. Pantries provide food to underprivileged populations and appreciate any help you can give.

This could include stocking and packing food and helping shoppers. Some local food pantries are Dublin Food Pantry, Worthington Resource Pantry, and Franklin Food Pantry.

If you love animals, a fun opportunity would be volunteering at an animal shelter. Colony Cats, Pets without Parents, and the Humane Society are great options where you will be surrounded by animals and hopefully get to play with them. If you are unable to volunteer at these locations due to COVID-19, you may be able to donate resources such as food, blankets, and toys.

Lastly, there are many ways to help the environment right here in Ohio. Some ideas include: tree planting, cleaning up litter, or parks maintenance. Some of the many environmental organizations where you can volunteer include The Nature Conservancy and www.treescolumbus.org/

Holiday Movie Ratings

projects. Environmental service is a great way to improve the world for generations to come.

Though volunteering may not be your first choice of how to spend your day, it is incredibly rewarding. Through service, you will have a large impact on your community, and learn about yourself and others around you.

Allie Salamon, IX

CSG Faculty and Staff help load the truck of cans and other items as it goes to St. Francis Outreach Center. Photo courtesy of Ms. Delaney.

Over the span of two weeks CSG collected cans for the annual CSG canned food drive! Photo courtesy of Ms. Delaney.

The collection of cans from the CSG

This year CSG collected a total of 8,000 cans/items and raised 650$! These cans

community, including 5,015 collected

and money will be donated to St. Francis Outreach Center. Photo courtesy of

by the Upper School! Photo courtesy of

Ms. Delaney.

Ms. Delaney.

get into their “matching holiday famjams” and watch a movie.

They proceed to pack in as many activities in December as they can, whether it’s zoo lights or gingerbread houses.

Ms. Weintraub makes huge pots of vegetarian chili, corn-bread, and lots of different desserts for her New Year’s celebration. A football game on T.V., music play-ing, and friends mingling is Ms. Weintraub’s favorite way to catch up with those she doesn’t see too often.

Whether you like turkey (or not), or listen to holiday music the day after Thanksgiving, traditions are what bring us all together and make the holidays so fun! And remember, if the holidays get too boring for you, you can always paint your living room.

Picking out a movie to watch can be a hard thing to do.

Luckily, this list will give you a place to start! Here are four classic holiday season movies to watch.

The Polar Express is perfect for all ages and is a great one to watch for the holidays. It is about a boy who takes a train ride to the North Pole and makes self-discoveries that show him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.

This movie gets a 7/10.

Home Alone is funny and enjoyable for all. This movie is about 8-year-old Kevin McCallister whose family forgets him on their trip to Paris. He realizes staying home alone isn’t that bad until two con men plan on robbing the McCallister house. Home Alone is a 8.5/10. Home Alone the original isn’t the only Home Alone. There are three, and although I recommend the first one, I don’t recommend the third one. Home Alone 3 gets a 5/10.

An American Tale is an animated movie. It gives the experience of immigration through the point of view of a mouse. An American Tale gives us a look at a Hanukkah celebration and teaches viewers about the reality of antiJewish descrimination. Although the topic is quite serious, the movie is heartwarming and is for all ages.

An American Tale is perfect for a Winter day and is a 8/10.

CSG Voice 7

Dr. Sweeney vs Ms. Miranda: Q & A Version Ava Kessler, IX and Allie Salamon, IX

In 2011 Ms. Miranda and Dr. Sweeney did an interview with Silhouette to answer a series of questions. Now 9 years later we decided to do the same to see if anything has changed!

What is your full name? Kevin Eugene Sweeney.

Tell us about your family. I have three brothers, three children, and one wife.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time? I like to read.

What do you like about working at CSG? I love getting to know the students and amazing colleagues.

How would you describe Ms. Miranda in a few adjectives? Loyal,

intelligent, and dedicated.

What's on your bucket list? I want to learn French, and travel to Asia.

What’s your most embarrassing moment at CSG? Getting hit on the head with eggs in the courtyard.

What is your full name? Patricia Jacaban Miranda.

Tell us about your family. I grew up with maternal grandparents, and grandma, two older sisters, a younger brother, and my parents. I have two daughters, Lily and Katie. I’ve been married to my husband for 25 years, and I have two Scottish terriers, Poppy and Leo. What do you enjoy doing in your free time? I love gardening, I love to read, and I hate writing but do it almost everyday.

What do you like about working at CSG? I love that it’s the perfect combination of my personal and professional life, and I learn just as much from my students as from the act of teaching.

How would you describe Dr. Sweeney in a few adjectives? Bossy, and he is a really great listener. He is someone I genuinely feel I can joke around with but can be totally serious about.

What things are on your bucket list? I would like to do a tour of southeast Asia and particularly go to elephant sanctuaries.

What’s your most embarrassing moment at CSG? I thought that my proctor, Dr. Graham, had left the room so I decided to read Hamlet dramatically. In front of students I don't mind being ridiculous, but in front of my boss it’s different.

Fabulous Fast Food French Fries Lauren Sloan, XI Fast-food places are cheap and time-efficient, and they also happen to sell my favorite snack.

Wendy’s, Cane’s, Arby’s, Rally’s, and McDonald’s all sell this golden delicious treat: french fries. The combination of salty crunch and juicy inner-taste keep you wanting more. In this journey, I traveled across the expansive Franklin county searching for the best french fries.

The first place I stopped was Wendy’s, a nostalgic treat that somehow never fails to disappoint.

The cost of a small fry was $1.69; however, the overpricing did not make up for the unappealing fries.

Some words that came to mind when tasting this were: “unflavorful, damp, and less than average.” If you

or a loved one make the mistake of buying these, please consume immediately after purchase in order to delay the inevitable sogginess.

Second was Cane’s french fry, which had nothing going for it other than the unique shape. $1.79 down the drain; their small french fry order, although having a good amount of total fries, was lacking in the quality department. The seasoning was practically nonexistent, and the dry potato made the texture resemble that of chalk. Although I recommend not eating them at all, they would be best consumed within 10 minutes of your purchase.

My third destination was one of my personal favorites, Arby’s.

The curly-q shape of their fries eased my tensions regarding the price ($1.99 for a small). Although pricey,

Seen above: Horrendous Wendy's fries next to the much more fresh and crunchy Rally's fries. Photo credits to Lauren Sloan, XI

their fries had the best ratio of salt to pepper. Moreover, they packaged the most fries of any other fast-food joint. They also maintained the best texture of a fry, the crispy outside and tender juicy inside. Lastly, I would argue that Arby’s Curly Fries are delectable no matter when you consume them.

The fourth in our lineup was debatably the least popular, Rally’s. Charging $1.99 for a small pack of fries seems a little courageous, but what they lack in quantity they make up for in quality. The fries themselves are chunky, with a good potato to crunch ratio. Additionally, I would say Rally’s exceeds my overall expectations in the spice department, their zingy salty flakes leave me wanting more! These fries taste best freshly served piping hot, but the leftovers aren’t too bad either.

Last, but not quite least, were the classic McDonald’s fries, which cost $1.39 for a small. I would say their thin size and smaller shape allows for more fry consumption in less time. They definitely have a handle on the salt-to-fry proportion, but the fries do not stay good for long. Once the fry gets cold, the flavor is dulled, and the texture becomes chewy, two things that do not mix.

It is important when choosing where to eat that you take into consideration all parts of the meal.

A bad batch of fries can ruin a good time, but now, I have given you all the information and you must decide.

Seen above: Dr. Sweeney and Ms. Miranda seen in 2001 and now in 2020. Extra points if you can guess which photo was taken when.

Verbatim "I have a theory that cilantro is just the tops of carrots."

- Leah Giller, XII "I make it a point to not memorize rich white men's names."

- J Gammons, XI Mimi Purdum, XII: "I can do a really good dog bark interpretation."

McKenna Merriman, XII: "So you can analyze a dog's bark?"

Mimi Purdum: "Stop, you know I'm not good at grammar."

Alyssa Canowitz, XII: "So this warlock falls in love with a vampire..."

Gabriella Cain, XII: "Is this fantasy?"

Alyssa Canowitz: "No, Gab, this immortal warlock is real."

(When working on a group project without the teacher present) Courtney Pascol, XII: "Email her and say we're working diligently on our projects."

Caroline Kromalic, XII: "I mean, I don't want to lie."

"Is a vanilla soy bean latte a three bean soup?" - Dr. Nelson "I'd rather go to jail than not speed." - Annahita Riazi, X

Which Bath and Body Works Scent are you?

Gabi Yuan, X

A

(Post)

Eva Krupovlyanskiy, XI

Like most people, when I think of fall one of the main things I think of is pumpkins. Recently, my family introduced me to a fall dessert (originally from TasteofHome. com) that I had not tried before, but it was really tasty and in theme for fall. A pumpkin cake roll, in my opinion, is a perfect Thanksgiving dessert. It is sure to please everyone, not as hard to make as a pie, and easy to share.

For the cake, you will need: • • •

Gabi Yuan, X

3 large eggs, separated, room temperature 1 cup sugar, divided 2/3 cup canned pumpkin

• • • •

Thanksgiving

3/4 cup all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/8 teaspoon salt

•

•

For the filling you will need: • • • • •

8 ounces cream cheese, softened 2 tablespoons butter, softened 1 cup confectioners' sugar 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract Additional confectioners' sugar, optional

•

• •

Directions: • •

Line a baking pan with waxed paper. Grease the paper and set aside.

In a large bowl, beat egg yolks on high speed until

• •

thick and a yellow color.

Gradually add 1/2 cup sugar and canned pumpkin, and beat on high until sugar is about dissolved.

In a small bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form.

Gradually add remaining sugar, beating until stiff peaks form.

Fold that mixture into the egg yolk mixture. Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt, then gently fold into pumpkin mixture.

Spread this into your prepared pan.

Bake at 375° until the cake springs back when lightly touched, about 12-15 minutes.

Cool for 5 minutes.

Roll up the cake with a towel dusted in powdered sugar into a swirl, starting

•

•

•

with a short side. Then, cool completely on a wire rack.

For the filling, in a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter, confectioners' sugar and vanilla until smooth.

Finally, unroll the cake and spread filling evenly to within 1/2 in. of edges. Roll up again, without the towel.

Cover and freeze until firm.

It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Remove from the freezer 15 minutes before cutting. If desired, dust with confectioners’ sugar.

This fall dessert serves 10 people which makes it great for sharing, even though I could probably eat 3 servings.

Although a little harder to

Treat

The predicted outcome of this delicious Pumpkin Cake Roll Recipe!

Photo courtesy of Delish.com.

make than say chocolate chip cookies, it will be sure to impress your family and friends.

The sweet, cinnamon, pumpkin taste should give you a perfect mixture of every taste of fall you could ask for.