V38 Issue 1 by Eagle Edition

2020/21

V38 No. 1 4100 Merrell Road Dallas Texas 75229 214.3584368 Friday, Oct 02 2020

EPISCOPAL SCHOOL OF DALLAS STUDENT NEWSPAPER Spotlighting down ballot elections

Approaching college during COVID-19

Exploring improved scoring averages

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Many races in districts that include the school are competitive, emphasizing importance of voting

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Alumni grapple with safety restrictions and online classes, some opt to take gap years

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Some professional sports have seen higher scores, expert points to lack of travel as possible reason

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Love under lockdown.

Teenagers struggle to adapt to dating and relationships under social distancing restrictions, pages 14-15

Photo illustration by Gina Montagna and Elizabeth Goelzer

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RACES TIGHTEN AS ELECTION DAY NEARS By Sloane Hope Business manager

his is a big election year up and down the ballot. Many of the races in ESD’s districts are going to be competitive, a change from years past when these districts were almost guaranteed to go Republican. A major disrupter in this trend occurred two years ago when Democrat Colin Allred defeated Republican Pete Sessions, who had occupied the seat since its creation in 2003. This year is going to be competitive as Allred seeks re-election against Republican Genevieve Collins. Both candidates grew up in Texas. Allred grew up in Dallas, attending Hillcrest High School. He went on to receive a full-ride scholarship to play football at Baylor University in Waco and later played in the NFL, while Collins graduated from Highland Park High School, went on to row at the University of Tennessee and later graduated from Southern Methodist University’s Cox School of Business. Collins also has ties to the Dallas political scene as her grandmother, Calvert Collins, was the first woman elected to the Dallas City Council. Despite the candidates’ shared Texan roots,

their visions differ. Allred describes himself as a moderate Democrat who believes in affordable healthcare for all, quality education and building an economy that everyone benefits from. Collins, on the other hand, is a conservative Republican who believes in strong national and border security, preserving American’s Second Amendment rights and financial freedom. The fight for Texas House District 114 is also projected to be competitive. Republican Luisa Del Rosal is challenging Democratic incumbent John Turner. Republican Jason Villalba had occupied this seat since 2012 but lost to conservative Republican Lisa Luby Ryan in the 2018 primaries. In the general election, Turner beat Ryan by 11 points, flipping the district. Turner, a moderate democrat, supports expanding healthcare, better funding for public schools, and improving the foster care system. Del Rosal is advocating for investing in education, affordable health insurance and property tax relief. Another major election is for one of Texas’ seats in the U.S. Senate, in which the winner will join Ted Cruz. Democrat MJ Hegar is challenging long-time incumbent and Republican John Cornyn. Hegar is a decorated veteran, known for being the lead plaintiff in a 2012 case against the

military’s Combat Exclusion Policy. Cornyn has been in politics his whole career, serving on the Texas Supreme Court and stepping down seven years later to become the Attorney General. Cornyn supports repealing Obamacare, increased penalties for gun violence and increased border security. Hegar, on the other hand, is a strong climate change activist, supporter of Roe v. Wade and believer in the medicare system. While many are predicting a Republican victory, polling indicates that Cornyn is only ahead by single digits: this combined with Ted Cruz’s very slight win in 2018 is making democrats more hopeful that Hegar will come out on top. Continuing the trend of competition in 2020’s races, this may be the year Texas turns blue. Texas, with 38 electoral votes, hasn’t gone for the Democratic presidential nominee since 1976 when Jimmy Carter won the state, yet recent polling has indicated that Texas might be a tossup. Many have noted that President Trump’s handling of the pandemic is a key factor in voters’ minds. Junior Kate Elliston expects that many of the year’s events will play a large part in shaping voters’ opinions and ultimate votes. “I believe this race will be very close due to the already projected results and votes from each state,”

Elliston said. “With COVID-19 and new social injustice movements prevalent in today’s society, I feel there is a sharper divide in society that will reflect voting for this year. It also comes down to the nature of our nation right now and the actions each candidate is taking to compensate for those.” How competitive these races are highlights the importance of voting. According to the Pew Research Institute, only 56% of the voting age population cast a ballot in the 2016 election. Many believe that their vote has no effect on the results of the election; however this is not the case. Each vote goes toward the popular vote in each state, which directly influences the vote of that state’s electors. Many also opt out of voting in the more local elections, when these, in fact, can prove to be more directly influential on everyday lives. “So much of what happens is actually controlled at the state and local level,” US History teacher Claire Mrozek said. “Many people either pay all their attention to national issues or get so turned off by things on the national stage that they give up…The national conversation needs us all to represent our views at the polls. These issues affect all of us; you have to find out what you think and vote accordingly.”

percent of students eligible to vote plan on voting

percent of students that plan on voting will be voting only in the presidential race

percent of students know at least one person that represents them locally Source: Sept. 26 poll of 249 students

Graphic by Sloane Hope

RAILROAD COMMISSION ELECTION PROVES PIVOTAL “I THINK RIGHT NOW ALL THREE COMMISSIONERS’ POLICIES ARE PRO-DEREGULATION, AND BY ELECTING SOMEONE PRO REGULATION, IT COULD CHANGE THE DYNAMIC.

Kiley McAbee, Government teacher

By Katherine Mote Staff writer As Nov. 3 nears, conversations about the presidential election are pervasive. However, there are also critical races further down the ballot, one of them being for a seat on the Texas Railroad Commission. The Texas Railroad Commission deals with oil and gas, and is responsible for regulating the industry in the state. Voting for this position is a decision that should not be taken lightly, as the commission’s actions have a large impact on the oil and gas industry and the environment. Chrysta Castañeda, the Democrat on the ballot, is running on protecting and enforcing laws against flaring of natural gas and limiting methane and other emissions through leak detection, prevention and education. She wants to help her industry understand its impact on

climate change and change the name of the commission to make it more transparent. The Republican on the ballot, James Wright, is running on securing the border to protect infrastructure and the oil and gas industry. He also wants to protect private property rights of land and mineral owners. And the Libertarian Matt Sterett, who is also concerned about excessive gas flaring, sees reserve fraud as the industry’s biggest issue. Sterret doesn’t see much of an issue with gas lines and believes gas flaring preserves the “limited gas resources Texas has.” “[The Texas Railroad Commission] is a regulatory agency that everyone votes for but no one ever knows what they’re voting for,” Government teacher Kiley McAbee said. “It’s on the ballot towards the end [and] it doesn’t even regulate the railroads anymore.

They regulate and oversee most importantly oil and gas.” The Railroad Commission is the oldest regulatory agency in Texas and now primarily regulates the oil and gas industry, pipeline safety and gas utilities. The transition from railroads to oil and gas occurred over more than 70 years until it ceased railroad operations in 2005. “[I know] they’re talking about in this upcoming election changing their name,” McAbee said. “I think people truly don’t know what it is, and they don’t know what the Railroad Commissioners do [and that if they] could change their name it would give it more recognition.” A major issue in this race is flaring, which is the burning of oil in order to collect the unwanted gases to be flared. Instead of doing this, oil can be cleaned and reused to power cities all across Texas. “[The Democratic party] has been talking about flaring and trying to add more regulations to what oil companies should have to do instead of burning off what they don’t use,” McAbee said. “[Crysta Castañeda] reusing and cleaning [the oil] and I know that she really wants to add more regulation whereas typically [the commission’s] stance has been

really deregulated.” McAbee sees a few environmental issues at the forefront of this race, the larger one being flaring and the amount of oil that is put to waste each year in Texas. If this oil could be cleaned it would be reused as energy for our state to use running transportation and electricity. “The [issues] that [stand] out to me [are] flaring and methane,” McAbee said. “There’s a parallel that can be drawn right now with fires going on in Oregon and California and people [that] have been complaining that it’s hard to breathe. That’s the same kind of reaction people will have to too much methane pollution.” Currently all three commissioners are Republican. If this seat flips, it might influence the actions and power of the Commission in years to come. “I do think the parties really matter in the oil and gas industry,” McAbee said. “I think right now all three commissioners’ policies are pro-deregulation, and by electing someone pro regulation, it could change the dynamic.” Disclaimer: An attempt was made to interview the candidates and both failed to show up for the interview.

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Oct. 02, 2020

ELLIE BASS, SENIOR

JACK BECK, SENIOR

SAM CURTIS, SENIOR

HOLLIS WOOD, SENIOR

“Over the past years, I have been researching about Texas elections and national elections. I look at sources from all sides and keep up with the news. I try to get an understanding of all candidates and pick my opinion from there.”

“I read the news often and make sure to read through featured news articles every day. If I don’t know a lot about two candidates, I will research on the both of them and look into their policies and standards.”

“I have been evaluating policies and would never blindly vote for a particular party. I don’t know what I would consider myself, but I know my personal beliefs and will vote according to those.”

“Every morning I listen to the Daily News podcast for basic information. To get information other than the presidential election, I look at Vote411 and it shares unbiased, side by side comparisons for people.”

Photo illustration by Victoria Willox and Grace Knudson

Ginsburg’s passing leaves open seat Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg leaves influential legacy after her death mid-September By Emily Lichty Life Editor

he death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Sept. 18 at age 87 leaves behind an enduring legacy and questions about the future of the Supreme Court. A strong advocate for social justice, Ginsburg co-founded the Women’s Rights Project at the American Civil Liberties Union and argued six cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, winning five. After she was nominated by President Bill Clinton in 1993, Ginsburg became the second woman on the U.S. Supreme Court and served for 27 years. “Ruth Bader Ginsburg is an incredible inspiration to a lot of people,” freshman Will Grogan, who follows politics very closely, said. “People are always talking about being loud and being heard, but Ruth Bader Ginsburg was very soft spoken, very reserved and very calm, but she had a very powerful voice. There’s an interesting juxtaposition there because she was reserved but one of the most influential women and justices of all time.” Ginsburg fought in many landmark cases for gender equality, often writing the dissent for losing cases on the Supreme Court. Middle and upper school Chaplain Rev. Tim Kennedy used to work with politicians on Capitol Hill during the early 2000s and remembers studying Ruth Bader Ginsburg as a strong writer and lawyer. “[Ginsburg] was known for writing some of the crispest, clearest pointed [dissents] so that whether you agree

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or not it didn’t matter because of both ways, as many politicians have. the eloquence and her ability to use What’s fascinating about this case the language to express her point,” study is that there’s so many different Kennedy said. “If you knew her well, ways to look at it.” she’s hilarious. She was such a smart According to a Sept. 26 poll of 249 lady, a smart jurist and a smart lawyer students, 64 percent of students think that she was able to make her point that a new judge should be appointed legally, but also hit them with a little after Inauguration Day. Many of those barb.” who are against filling the seat before Ginsburg’s death opens up a seat the election look back to 2016 when on the Supreme President Barack Court during Obama nominated an election Merrick Garland to year, raising the fill Justice Antonin RUTH BADER question of if a Scalia’s seat on the new judge should Supreme Court. GINSBURG IS be appointed Several Republicans, AN INCREDIBLE before or after led by Senate the election. On Majority Leader INSPIRATION TO A Sept. 26, President Mitch McConell, Donald Trump argued that the next LOT OF PEOPLE... nominated Amy president should Coney Barret SHE WAS RESERVED choose Scalia’s for the seat on replacement since he BUT ONE OF THE the Supreme died in an election Court, following year. Garland’s MOST INFLUENTIAL through with nomination expired his, and fellow when president WOMEN AND Republicans, Donald Trump was intentions inaugurated, and JUSTICES OF ALL to confirm a Scalia was replaced judge before with Trump’s TIME. Inauguration nominee, Neil Will Grogan, Day. However, Gorsuch. freshman many Democrats “If you look argue that the back at 2016, a lot Supreme Court of Republicans Judge should have quotes on be nominated by whoever wins the how its precedent not to do a direct election. replacement during an election year,” “You can look at [this issue] senior Stella Foreman, a member of from a lot of different angles,” Rev. the Women’s Studies Organization, Kennedy said. “It boils down to how said. “It seems very hypocritical of the much power you are willing to exert. now controlling party of the Senate to Do you think that the power should want to do it… If Trump gets reelected, be exerted in the last month of a he should do it, but I think we should presidential election? You can argue let the people decide who they want to

be the next justice.” To avoid Republican control of the Supreme Court, Democrats may attempt to slow down the confirmation process. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi revealed in an interview that another impeachment would not be out of the question to slow down the process, but later, revealed that she was no longer considering impeachment. “The length of the confirmation process for a Supreme Court Justice varies,” government teacher Kiley McAbee said. “They can range from many months to just a couple. The confirmation of Justice Ginsburg took under two months in 1993. Senate Republicans are hoping to have the full Senate vote by the end of October, so it could be one of the shortest processes yet.” Another possibility, suggested by many Democrats, including Pete Buttgieg, is to add more seats to the Supreme Court if Democrats gain the majority in the Senate this election. “Trump has put two judges on the Supreme Court, and if he replaces the seat, three,” Foreman said. “It seems like one president, in the span of four years, can make a huge impact on the Supreme Court. If there’s only nine seats, that’s very detrimental to how the Supreme Court is working.” The size of the Supreme Court has changed seven times. The current number of nine judges on the Supreme Court was set in 1869. In order to change the size of the Supreme Court, Democrats would need support from Congress, the president and the public. “One power of the Congress is the fact that they can choose the size of the Supreme Court,” McAbee said. “Many Democrats in Congress are

now showing an interest in increasing the size of the Supreme Court, that is, if they are able to win a majority in the Senate come November. If Democrats flip the Senate and Joe Biden wins the presidency, perhaps that scenario could become a reality.” Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death may cause voters to change their perspective on the election. According to Reuters, 30 percent of Americans say that Ginsburg’s passing makes them more likely to vote for Joe Biden, while 25 percent are more likely to vote for Trump. “Either party would want to nominate someone before the election,” junior Cash Whiteman, co-president of the Conservative Club, said. “The Constitution does not limit the president from nominating someone just because an election is near. Because the justices have a vital role in the country, I think the seat should be filled as quickly as possible.” After Ginsburg’s death, memorials and vigils were held across the country, including at the plaza of the Supreme Court. On Sept. 23, she became the first woman to lie in repose at the Supreme Court, and on Sept. 25, she became the first woman to lie in-state at the U.S. Capitol. Foreman hopes that Ginsburg will be remembered for more than her controversial replacement. “I hope that she’s remembered as a pioneer for women and women’s rights,” Foreman said. “It’s really sad for someone who respects and idolizes her so much for her death and legacy to be turned into this partisanship issue… Even two hours after she died, people were already talking about who’s going to replace her instead of what a wonderful impact she had.”

LAND DISPUTE CREATES HAVOC

BELARUS PROTESTS CONTINUE

CHINA RACES FOR VACCINE

Azerbaijan and Armenia fight over the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave heighted on Sept. 28 with the new risk that Russia and Turkey will come into the picture. The fight over this territory has been continuing throughout the years, but there has been an increase in the number of wounded and dead in the local war.

After a disputed election on Aug. 9, violent riots in Belarus continued as thousands of citizens protested for the removal of sixth term president Alexander Lukashenko. The protests, which have occurred for eight weeks so far, have led to the arrests of thousands of protesters and injuries and death for many others.

China’s COVID-19 vaccine was in the final stages of testing on Sept. 26. Researchers believe China has been testing the vaccine on hundreds of thousands of citizens and has not been following traditional drug protocols. The vaccine trial was approved by China’s cabinet on June 20 without the WHO’s approval. Photo provided by CDC..gov

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Mask-wearing sparks debate

Tension between Democrats and Republicans grow as masks become the newest politicization Story by Katherine Mote and Grace Worsham Staff writers

n today’s polarizing political climate, COVID-19 has become politicized—an anomaly to many who believe scientific facts should not be a political issue. According to a study done by the Pew Research Center on June 25, only 38 percent of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents thought the worst of the virus is still to come, while 76 percent of Democrats and those who lean Democratic thought the worst is still coming—evidence of the effect of party affiliation on one’s outlook. Senior Judah Powell attributes this division to President Donald Trump’s rhetoric and downplaying of the virus. “I think really looking back, the President [and] his comments on saying [the virus is] kind of a hoax [and] a media alarmist kind of thing—I think that’s really when [the politicization] started, when people were saying everyone was overreacting to it saying it’s not that bad.” According to a Sept. 26 poll of 249 students, 82 percent believe that COVID-19 should not be a political issue. “I personally think it’s selfish because [people] are thinking about themselves when COVID-19 is most [harmful] for people with significant health issues,” sophomore Emma Konen said. “It shouldn’t be taken politically if it has to do with basic health care.” Scientific evidence has shown mask-wearing protects one from spreading the virus and can even protect the mask-wearer from inhaling as many viral particles. With this evidence, the question arises about whether the government should mandate mask-wearing. “I think conservatives are [focusing more on] freedom and independence and that kind of thing,” senior Gina Wilson said. “It’s our own individual rights so we want to decide if we should wear [a mask] or not.” Konen believes keeping others safe should be the top consideration. “I don’t think it is infringing on anyone’s rights,” Konen said. “[It’s about] keeping other people safe

IT’S NOT A MATTER OF YOU believing it’s real or not, the facts prove that this virus is dangerous. Judah Powell Senior

and not just thinking about yourself, I don’t think it should be made political or it has to be.” During the pandemic, social media has been a conduit for misinformation about the virus. According to the World Health Organization, misinformation can cost lives because it can lead to unused diagnostic tests, failed immunization campaigns and ultimately, the virus’ continual spread. “It’s not a matter of you believing it’s real or not.” Powell said. “The facts prove that this virus is dangerous. We have a body count of over 200,000 now, over 6 million cases in the U.S. alone, and to think this virus isn’t real—it’s all alarmist— that is very selfish of somebody to think, and I think what they should take into consideration is those around them.” To avoid giving into false rumors about the virus, Johns Hopkins Medicine recommends reading trusted sources such as official government or healthcare social media accounts and sites, checking links and sources on a site and reading other credible sources to see

if the information is corroborated. Upper school English teacher Greg Randall encourages people to turn to fact-based, civil sources for information. “[For] the greatest threats to our world right now, I would put climate change at the top, but very close to that would be the [rejection of ] truth, misinformation [and] our unwillingness to slow down, think deeply, and make our own decisions, rather than absolutely accept somebody else’s,” Randall said. The politicization of COVID-19 is reflective of a larger trend: the politicization of science seen in debates over climate change and vaccinations. Randall attributes this to tribalism—a strong loyalty to one side—in politics. “The vast majority of scientists worldwide believe in climate change, but if your own worldview is not that of the majority of scientists, then [you believe] science is wrong,” Randall said. “The vast majority of doctors and pediatricians believe in getting vaccinated for the flu; yet, if you’re own worldview is there are problems with that, then you simply don’t believe the scientists. So, I think

it has become too easy to distrust science and believe in what the tribe believes.” Seventy-seven percent of students believe science has become politicized. “Science is not meant to be politicized,” Powell said. “It’s meant to expand our own knowledge and to further the benefit for humankind.” Powell encourages less debate and more unity during these times. “I think debate over [the virus is] definitely harmful,” Powell said. “There shouldn’t have to be a debate about it...I think it’s one thing if this were another political issue, but something like [COVID-19] that poses a greater health risk to people all over the world should not be something we debate over. We should be trying to be unified against it to stop it.”

FACE OFF Eighty-five percent of Democrats think COVID-19 is a major threat to the heath of the U.S. population, contrasting to just 46 percent of Republicans.* “[Its because of] an unwillingness to listen to reason.” Randall said, ”An unwillingness to change your mind. An unwillingness to see that you can belong to one political party but still believe in something that the party doesn’t believe in.” Photo illustration by Grace Knudson and Katherine Mote

Democrats are

twice 82 92

percent

should not be politicized

has been politicized

of students think COVID-19

as likely as Republicans to say masks should be worn in public *Source: PEW Research Center and ESDS student survey

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Oct. 02, 2020

Facilities workers increase load to disinfect campus

New health screening tool introduced to track virus

Environmental consciousness increases as staff makes changes to sanitation

Community uses Ascend to record potential symptoms, exposure with goal of keeping COVID-19 out of school By Katherine Mote Staff writer

CLEAN AND GREEN Facilities worker Eva Saavedra disinfects the chapel between services on Sept. 28 with one of the 17 eco-friendly electrostatic sprayers purchased by the school. “Disinfection is the most important process we will use this year,” Director of Facilities Jay Michael said. “Students will see our custodial staff using electrostatic sprayers.” Photo by Callie Hawkins

By Callie Hawkins Staff writer Over the summer, the school had to make a myriad of changes to ensure that in-person classes could resume as safely as possible. The school bought many supplies to increase safety on campus such as hands-free faucets, hands-free water bottle fillers, wipes, wipe holders, outdoor hand-washing stations, air purifiers, plexiglass partitions and outdoor tents. Large computer monitors with cameras were installed around campus to accommodate online learners. “In a normal year, we don’t have this [many supplies] at all,” Director of Facilities Jay Michael said. “This is a big change.” This cost the school $450,000 in expenditures. They were able to spend this amount of money because they were not paying for costly activities that occur in a normal year, such as back-to-school activities, social events and dances. While the additional purchases and changes the school has made are necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19, some of these changes can be harmful to the environment. “The environmental footprint of the school has always been very important to us,” Associate Head of School, Ruth Burke said. “When the last two buildings have been built, that has been a focus of ours, to make sure that our footprint is as contained as possible. The risk of using the normal procedures was a greater risk than our impact on the environment.” At lunch, students and faculty are eating off of paper plates and plastic cups with plastic silverware. After every class, students must wipe down their desks with disposable wipes. Both of these safety measures increase the amount of waste thrown away at the school. “In general, I am disappointed in the increase of trash,” senior and president of the Environmental Awareness and World Wildlife

Club Susanna Newsom said. “It’s hard because in the past few years, I feel like we have made so much progress in reducing the school’s environmental impact. It feels like a one step forward, three steps back kind of thing.” Newsom met with Head of Upper School Henry Heil before school started, discussing purchasing the more expensive, yet more ecofriendly alternatives for lunch supplies instead of plastic silverware, cups and paper plates and what other things the school could do to reduce its carbon footprint. “I think spending more money would be really beneficial for the whole school, even from an [educational] perspective, kids are going to be seeing and they are learning that this is something you should be conscious about and that this is something that ESD cares about,” Newsom said. “But, I totally understand the safety concerns [of COVID-19 spreading], and I agree it is the number one priority as the school right now. I bring my own lunch to school, and I think that just bringing your own silverware [and] bringing a reusable water bottle [are] little things to try to at least reduce some of the plastic use.” The school also purchased 17 electrostatic sprayers, which are used by the custodial staff throughout the day to disinfect high-touch surfaces around the school. These are filled with the disinfectant that the school uses to charge the wipes and also fills the spray bottles used at the lunch tables. This disinfectant has helped partially offset the overuse of plastic and trash waste because it doesn’t give off the toxic fumes that most disinfectants do. “We certainly are doing all we can to be earth friendly,” Burke said. “Our number one concern right now is the safety of all of us, teachers and students.”

s school resumes in person, be contacted by administrators to many new protocols have analyze their situation and better been introduced to keep evaluate their symptoms. Some students and faculty safe, symptoms might not be COVID-19 including a partnership with Ascend and could instead be seasonal Base Camp Health to provide a daily allergies or sore muscles from a health screening tool for students workout. If this happens, the school and employees. will reach out so one can explain “Ascend is a web-based platform what is going on and figure out the that we are going to use to help best path moving forward. make sure the people on campus are For some, Ascend has told them symptom-free,” Middle and Upper they are eligible to be on campus School nurse Marcia Biggs said. when actually they needed to “This will be used stay home. This as a double-check happened to system to ensure the sophomore Cren safety of everyone Boyd. on campus.” “I arrived WE HAVE TO Every morning, at campus that administrators morning [after TRUST [STUDENTS] and teachers are having filled out the given a list of which Ascend] and I sat AND TRUST THAT students have not down at breakfast completed their [THEY’RE] GOING TO and checked my Ascend survey. email,” Boyd said. HOLD EACH OTHER “I got an email Those who have not submitted it saying I wasn’t ACCOUNTABLE prior to first period allowed to be on class will be asked campus because I AND HOLD EACH by their teachers to had come in contact show them a “green OTHER TO A HIGHER with someone who check mark” on the tested positive. I STANDARD. website or call their then texted my parents to do so for parents who had them immediately. already gone [to Nurse Marcia Biggs, Biggs’ hope is that work] and they had School Nurse with continued to turn around to reminders and good pick me up.” habit forming, the When Boyd had school will not need filled out the survey to chase anyone that morning she down or create consequences. marked no symptoms and Ascend “When you sign-in in the listed her eligible to come on mornings, some symptoms are campus. Later that day she received weighted heavier than others,” Biggs an email to discuss her symptoms said. “Those [symptoms] that are and touch base with the school. She more closely associated with known explained her lack of symptoms COVID-19 symptoms like the loss of and was able to return to school the taste or smell will immediately notify following school day. you that you are not allowed to be on “Because of the need, campus for that day.” administrators and others will watch If one receives a red “X” on the over which students have completed app or is notified that they’re not surveys or not,” Biggs said. “ESD allowed to go to school, they will has a whole host of people and

about eight or nine sets of eyes and administrators to make sure they don’t miss anyone.” Temperature checks are mandatory for the survey before one gets to school. Students also receive a second check at their first class of the day to ensure the accuracy of temperature checks and doublecheck that every student is cleared to be on-campus. Because this program is mostly used by students, it relies on the users’ honesty. “We have to trust [students] and trust that [they’re] going to hold each other accountable and hold each other to a higher standard,” Biggs said. “It’s not just you, there are other people involved and we’re hoping that [students] take that seriously.” If one gets a red “X” and is told not to come to school, it does not automatically mean that they must quarantine. “[The red ‘X’] means okay, let’s talk this through and see what happened, what prompted that red ‘X’ and how can we get you the assistance you need,” Biggs said. “I’m hoping that if our kids know this they will be more forthcoming and more truthful.” According to a Sept. 26 poll of 249 students, 45 percent have forgotten to fill out Ascend before coming to school at least once. “It’ll slowly become a habit,” freshman dean and assistant director of outdoor education Dawn Eatherly said. “In highschool you get so much more independence and your parents are expecting you to do it.” All COVID-19 cases on campus are reported to the county as well as being recorded in the parent portal to give parents complete transparency when it comes to their children’s safety. “We will identify people by their division and their function,” Biggs said. “Hopefully, with this program, ESD will be able to catch known contacts or known carriers of COVID-19 before they come to school.”

PANDEMIC PRECAUTIONS BY THE NUMBERS

24 136 52 Thousand

On-Campus Facilities workers

Air purifiers that will go in select classrooms and areas

Disinfectant wipes purchased for the classrooms

Source: Ruth Burke, Associate Head of School

Graphic by Katherine Mote

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episcopal school of dallas

New teachers face new school setting Seventeen new faculty members join the school, adapt to different learning conditions By Emily Lichty Life Editor

ith virtual learning from Aug. 25-Sept. 8 and changes to campus life due to COVID-19, new teachers face unique challenges while starting the school year. Seventeen new teachers have joined the school community, and they had to find ways to teach safely while becoming a part of the ESD community. The new Upper School teachers are Doug Jordan, Nadaha Garcia, Phil Mosley, Juan Negroni, Betsy King and Cristina Gonzalez. “Being new to any school in a typical year is always exciting and challenging, but combining that with meeting new students in the virtual world adds a layer of complexity and anxiety on top of everything,” Jordan, the new Band Director, said. “Rising to the challenge of meeting everyone from a distance, most often through a computer screen, and missing the natural cadence of conversation and interaction will make the start of this school year quite possibly one of the most memorable, and certainly the most unique of my years in teaching.” Once in-person teaching began the week of Sept. 8, Jordan adapted the band class’s in-person curriculum to be safe. To do this, students must have special masks for themselves and their instruments while they

play and remain socially-distant in the classroom or their new outside playing area. Additionally, Jordan has introduced a new computer application called Smart Music that plays other band instruments for students while they practice at home and gives them feedback on their performance. “Band was interesting [virtually] because of the lag, we couldn’t play with our microphones on or else it would be really off,” freshman Wheeler Wood said. “Once we got back in school, this got better because we can play together, and Mr. Jordan can hear what I sound like when I play.” As the new technical theatre director, Garcia is also adjusting to an adapted school year due to COVID-19. For Garcia, connecting with the students in her class has been easier than expected. “ESD has been the most welcoming campus I have ever taught at,” Garcia said. “I thought it would be really difficult to connect with everyone, especially the students, because there are so many limitations connecting virtually, rather than in person. However, the students here are open and willing to form those relationships no matter the circumstances, which made the

virtual process so much easier.” Changes to the technical theatre workshop this year include the extra sanitation of tools and making use of the space that the workshop provides. For the theater program, the replacement of the annual musical production with a play is one of its biggest adjustments. There will be three plays instead of two, and each production will be video recorded so that they can be watched from home. “It will be extremely weird not to perform for an audience,” Garcia said. “Just like the energy that students bring to a campus, an audience brings energy to a show…It won’t be much different for the crew. We will still be creating our pieces and performing our tasks, just like normal. The actors are going to face the biggest adjustments.” Moseley joined the athletic department as the new Director of Sports Performance. To safely prepare students for adapted sports seasons while in virtual school, Moseley met and trained several athletes online at the beginning of the season, and additionally introduced a new app to help students train at home. With sport competitions beginning on Oct. 12 after a phased return, Moseley can now work with students

in person to prepare them for the season. “Athletics have certainly looked different this summer and [while] starting the school year,” Moseley said. “As a strength coach, the summer is usually when I get to spend a lot of time coaching student-athletes so trying to find that connection virtually posed some challenges. Fortunately, we were able to launch the Teambuildr app in early July which allowed us to deliver quality training programs to the athletes remotely.” Along with virtual teaching, many new faculty members had to complete their interview process virtually. Jordan was one teacher who completed his interview online and attended several meetings through Skype before he was hired. “The parts that I missed, again similar to online learning, were the more social and collegian components of the interview process, things like eating lunch together or even walking around the campus, that are much harder to replicate online,” Jordan said. “Everyone at ESD was so understanding about the circumstances and made the experience smooth and enjoyable throughout, and I am so happy to be a part of the ESD community.”

BEING NEW TO ANY SCHOOL IN A TYPICAL YEAR IS ALWAYS EXCITING AND CHALLENGING, BUT COMBINING THAT WITH MEETING NEW STUDENTS IN THE VIRTUAL WORLD ADDS A LAYER OF COMPLEXITY AND ANXIETY. Doug Jordan Band Director

NEW FACES From left to right, Band Director Doug Jordan, Director of Sports Performance Phil Moseley, Technical Theatre Director Nadaha Garcia join the ESD community amidst a different start to the school year. “The end result of all of the adjustments is learning to become even more creative in my own teaching while learning new platforms and applications, starting strategies and experiences with colleagues and continuing to grow in my craft,” Jordan said. Photos by Grace Knudson

Seniors face college tour, testing cancellations

COVID-19 complicates college admissions process, applicants find new ways to learn about schools By Lauren Weber Managing Editor undergo training as to how to value each individual applicant’s story, as many students will likely write about COVID-19 and other recent topics. In taking a contextual approach to evaluation, Einstein says that a high school’s decision to go pass or fail last semester will not negatively affect them, although he speculates that this may place a greater emphasis on ninth and tenth grade grades. “For every recommendation letter that we write for every senior this fall that goes to every college, we’re going to have a little disclaimer paragraph at the beginning of the letter that says: our kids took real classes, real finals, worked hard, our grades are 100 percent a reflection of our kids’ work and the way they were handling a very stressful time,” Gonzales said. “I think we’re going to see a lot of dividends paid from that.” Gonzales, however, does believe that seniors’ grades this fall, as well as short answer questions on applications, will count more than ever. Another major concern among colleges is the growing inequities that COVID-19 has accentuated. Early decision in many colleges may be a place where this is seen. “I do think that there are a lot of colleges, whether they’re willing to admit it or not on the record, that will be much more aggressive in admitting students early because of the financial uncertainty that [the institutions] find themselves in,” Einstein said. “The more students

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some of it, ESD is offering the SAT and ACT in October exclusively for ESD students. Over fifty seniors have signed up, and More Than a Teacher, a test preparation company, is offering tutoring services. “One of the primary roles and functions of this office is that we’re the stress handlers,” Director of College Guidance Chris Gonzales said. “We’re trying to smooth [the process] out for [students] as much as possible.” Beginning in September, college guidance will also be facilitating Zoom meetings with numerous main feeder colleges during non-school hours. “Things this year in the college process [are] going to look different, but I’m proud to say that my office and all of us here are going to remain the same,” Gonzales said. “That means that [the students] will all get very individualized, committed help through the process.” The Common App and Coalition App have added a question regarding COVID-19 to their applications. “There is a whole set of training that we have to do so that our counselors, as they’re reviewing files, can learn how to evaluate the students academic potential without those test scores, which actually had pretty limited predictive value to begin with,” Texas Christian University Dean of Admissions Heath Einstein said. Einstein and his staff will also

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Senior Olivia Hagge is walking around a college campus—virtually. Scrolling through Google Earth, Hagge is taking herself on her own tour. In a Sept. 26 poll of 141 juniors and seniors upperclassmen, 101 have faced cancellations with college visits and standardized tests. 73 percent of seniors have utilized social media, Youtube and sites like Campus Reels to gain an authentic look at schools. “I think the hardest part has just been having to apply and not really know what the campus looks like, where it is, how easy it is to get to [and] what the restaurants are around it,” senior Hadley Mattocks said. “Just like the stuff that you learn when you go on an [in person] tour.” Although many colleges have gone test-optional for this year, some 66 percent of seniors still plan on submitting scores. Senior Christopher Hess faced ACT test cancellations in April, June and July but was finally able to take it on Sept. 12 in Brownwood, Texas. “It’s been canceled every single month [for me],” Hagge said. “It’s been adding a lot of stress because I’m prepared, and I’m getting into this headspace where I’m like, ‘Okay, I’m taking it.’ Then, I get to the day before and they’re like, ‘Oh it’s canceled,’ so I just feel defeated in a way.” The college guidance office realizes the stress and uncertainty many students are facing. To mitigate

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Graphic by Lauren Weber you can lock in early, the greater sense of security you have with your incoming class.” Despite these inequities, Einstein has found that using a virtual platform has allowed TCU to reach students from a wider range of socioeconomic backgrounds. “If we were traveling right now and I went to any major metropolitan area, I only have a finite amount of time, and I’m most likely going to spend that time at high schools that are going to be likeliest to send students to TCU,” Einstein said. “That automatically creates a divide.” After making modifications to

last year’s incoming class due to COVID-19, Einstein and his staff found that distance did not affect those coming to TCU. Nevertheless, the instability and uncertainty that the virus has created will affect students’ application choices. “I’m more confused about [the college admissions process] than I was before the whole thing started,” Mattocks said. “There are some schools that I’m applying to now that I wasn’t originally applying to because I didn’t really think I had a shot getting in, but now it’s kind of all up in the air, so I might as well just apply.”

Oct. 02, 2020

news

inbrief

Community service in a pandemic

Dallas County Elections Department looks for student volunteers Students find new ways to serve the THIS ELECTION DAY, STUDENTS CAN SERVE AS ELECTION clerks for the Dallas County Elections Department. The work will consist of organizing the polling place prior to Election Day, ensuring that voters are qualified to vote, checking in and processing voters, distributing ballots, answering voters’ questions and obtaining results after the polls are closed.

CIVIC DUTIES Junior Erika Batson fills out her application to serve as an election clerk. This opportunity has been extended to students for the 2020 Election. “I am not old enough to vote yet, but I still want to do something that can make an impact,” Batson said. Photo by Blair Batson

“This is a unique opportunity for students to gain handson learning experience in what it means to be an active citizen,” Director of Community Service Courtney Phelps said. “I am sure many of our students have or will have some sort of conversation around the election whether it be in the classroom, with their families, friends or even on social media. This is an opportunity to step beyond those conversations and actively engage in a positive way.” Phelps believe the opportunity to participate in essential elections such as this one as voters or volunteers is rare. “The right to vote is something our community should not take lightly,” Phelps said. “Our students’ ability to assist voters in exercising that right should be considered a privilege and an honor.” Junior Mary Lou McMillan jumped on the opportunity when it arose. “This service opportunity really stood out to me because I am a big advocate for citizens taking advantage of their right to vote,” McMillan said. “I believe this is a great start to becoming involved in our country’s political system.” Both Phelps and Dallas County believe this an opportunity that students should take advantage of. This election year is monumental and students have the chance to watch it firsthand. “During my senior year in high school, this country witnessed a historic election,” Phelps said. “Unfortunately, I was not able to vote just yet, but I would have loved to be able to participate in the election as a volunteer.”

By Carolyn Langford

Graduation goes on after delay from the pandemic SENIORS STILL WERE ABLE TO GRADUATE IN PERSON ON years past because of COVID-19. The School was forced to delay the graduation date until they had a window of time July 18 despite the trials of the pandemic. when the local government would allow them to have the At graduation, there were a number of differences from gathering. “Fortunately we were able to have the ceremony with no complications,” Head of Security Jody Trumbell said. “Each guest, graduate and worker wore a mask and were very aware of social distancing protocols.” Senior valedictorian Ned Dockery took on the challenge to deliver a speech with an important message to his fellow classmates. “I knew we all shared the privilege of our ESD education,” Dockery said. “I wanted all of us to be able to recognize that privilege and act on it.” Though it was somewhat difficult to plan the speech because of COVID-19, Dockery said it provided him with many topics he could talk about. “I wanted to give people a bit of a break and offer a productive and somewhat optimistic message,” Dockery said “When I was giving the speech, my words were coming from the heart and I meant every single one of them.”

MASKED CEREMONY Students, faculty, and parents safely gather for the postponed graduation ceremony. The community was brought together with masks and social distancing.

By Christian Rockamore

Photo provided by ESD Facebook

Drug testing suspended until health conditions allow it THE DRUG TESTING PROGRAM THAT WAS INTRODUCED last year has been postponed until November, as the school is prohibiting visitors, including drug testers, from being on campus to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. “We will suspend drug testing until we feel that health conditions allow it,” Head of School Dave Baad said. “This is a very fluid situation in which metrics and conditions change, so

Graphic by Grace Meaux

it is difficult for us to clearly define what that might look like.” As of now, the administration believes that drug testing will not take place before school pictures, which at the moment are scheduled for on Nov. 9. If restrictions are lifted, the drug tests could occur soon after that according to Head of School Henry Heil. “I don’t totally feel comfortable with having extra visitors on campus so early on in the year because of all the COVID-19 precautions,” sophomore Ella Sjogren said. “I think the testing is important but not as important as the students’ health right now.” When testing resumes, it will not require as many participants because only new students, including the whole freshmen class, will be tested, and random tests will be conducted among the rest of the high school. This narrows the number of people being tested from around 430 to approximately 140. If a student who is learning remotely gets chosen randomly, they will be expected to come to school to get tested unless they have a significant health issue. As of now, the administration is focusing its energy on keeping everyone in the community healthy. “We are not in any hurry to figure [the logistics] out moving forward,” Head of Upper School Henry Heil said. “We just want everyone to be tested [at least] once.”

By Grace Worsham

community throughout the pandemic

By Grace Meaux Contributing Writer

hroughout the pandemic, students have struggled to fulfill the school’s Fourth Founding Tenet: Service to

over the summer at Brother Bill’s Helping Hand and Feed My Starving Children. “At Brother Bill’s, I wore a face Others. mask, and they provided a face The original community service shield,” Altizer said. “We restocked requirements demanded students their shelves and then [went] to have logged 25 hours by May of ‘shopping’ for groceries for their sophomore year and another 25 by customers. At Feed My Starving the end of senior year. Moreover, Children, I packed manna packs students could earn no more than (meals with rice, protein, soy, and 20 hours per year volunteering veggies) for children overseas. We all indirectly. Concerns over contracting wore masks, hairnets and gloves, and COVID-19, cancellations and closures we were separated by group.” of venues, have made volunteering But despite many changes and the difficult; however, students have continued worry about the pandemic, found new ways to serve, and the nonprofits are still in need. school has adjusted its requirements. “I felt very safe at both “The main change that we made organizations, and I was happy to be was for sophomores and seniors,” able to continue community service Community Service Director even in the midst of the pandemic,” Courtney Phelps said. “Their Altizer said. “It is really important deadline has been lifted, and they to still find ways to give back and need to focus on having their total serve because many of the original number by the time they graduate.” problems community service aims to According to a Sept. 26 poll of 249 alleviate have only been perpetuated students, 45 percent of students get by the pandemic.” the majority of their hours during While 62 percent of students the summer through various trips have continued to volunteer during and camps. Because many of these the pandemic, 38 percent have not. activities were Although nonprofits canceled, students have found ways to have had to find keep volunteers safe, alternative service not all students are opportunities comfortable going “THE PANDEMIC to fulfill their out to serve. graduation “I planned on SHOWED US JUST requirement. going to Camp HOW EASILY YOU “[The Barnabas to get cancellation of service hours this CAN FALL FURTHER summer, but when summer trips and camps] had the pandemic hit, INTO POVERTY a major effect on I decided it wasn’t many students the best option to AND REQUIRE being able to go out and serve,” get their hours, sophomore Sarah ASSISTANCE.” but, for the most Cabrales said. “I did part, I know my best to continue Courtney Phelps, everyone is trying serving remotely, but Community Service Director to adjust,” Phelps lifting the deadline said. “I also know was really helpful organizations are so I can go back out trying to adjust as and serve when I feel much as possible comfortable doing to be able to still provide students so.” with some type of opportunity.” The demands of many nonprofits Some students have adjusted to have only increased during the the situation by participating in pandemic. According to a Johns online service opportunities. Over the Hopkins University study, 1.6 million summer, junior Virginia Nussbaumer nonprofit jobs were lost between participated in an online tutoring February and May. program for T.R. Hoover Community “Food banks and homeless shelters Development Center, a neighborhood are serving double the number of association composed of low income clients than they were before the families. pandemic,” Phelps said. “This means “I usually go to a camp during they need more financial support and the summer and get service hours donations. Overall, the pandemic has there,” Nussbaumer said. “When not only caused more people to need it got canceled, I found an online help but also limited some nonprofits opportunity instead. I helped younger in how they can help.” kids through an online tutoring Although nonprofits may be program, and I basically did four struggling, they continue to help hours a week of online tutoring those in need. sessions for eight weeks.” “Ultimately, the pandemic showed Nonprofits have found ways us how easily you can fall further to allow in-person volunteering into poverty and require assistance,” while following safety protocols Phelps said. “It shows us how much by requiring and supplying face support our local nonprofits are masks and social distancing. Junior giving despite struggling themselves.” Mary Grace Altizer volunteered

VIRTUALLY VOLUNTEERING Junior Virginia Nussbaumer spends her morning tutoring an eighth grade student from West Dallas. She spent 40 hours this summer tutoring through Zoom. “It was such a fun thing to look forward to every day because I could tell how much [the student] loved it when we read and did math together,” Nussbaumer said. Photo provided by Virginia Nussbaumer

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Senior balances performing arts, academics Emma Sucato follows passion for musical theater and dance, despite rigorous schedule By Blair Batson Editor-in-chief

:45 p.m: Go home. 4:30 p.m: leave for dance. 5:15 p.m: begin dance classes. 9:30 p.m: leave dance. 10:00 p.m: get home, eat dinner and start homework. This is a typical evening for senior Emma Sucato. Sucato has been dancing for 15 years and singing for 10 years. As a dedicated student, she has had to learn how to balance her commitment to the performing arts with her commitment to school. “There are times when it’s very difficult,” Sucato said. “...There are definitely nights where [I’m] staying up till very late hours, but I think it’s just a balance of really timing out when [I’m] going to do everything. Sometimes, that doesn’t always work out and sometimes it does. I’ve had to do it for so long that it’s just something that [is] normal.” Not only does Sucato dance four to five days a week; she also is taking four Advanced Placement classes this year. “I think that I’ve always been a pretty academic student,” Sucato said. “I don’t consider myself a perfectionist at all, but I like to work. I like working hard and the idea of staying complacent in anything I’m doing isn’t something that I want to do.” Though it’s challenging, Sucato finds this demanding schedule to be worth it. “Getting home, the rush of adrenaline I have, I can barely start my homework because I just love [dance] so much,” Sucato said. “...[From dance] I’ve learned accountability—like when a teacher

will text us, even if we’re like five minutes late, [asking] ‘where are you?’ and I’m stuck in traffic...Also, my teammates. I love being around them and we’ve gone through a lot together. We’re with each other pretty much the entire year and as cheesy as it is, we do see each other through the ups and downs, and I consider them family in a sense. I know that’s super cliche, but it’s kind of true because I’ve grown up with them like all my life.” On top of dance, Sucato also takes voice lessons and performs in musicals. Last year, she was in the ensemble of “Beauty and the Beast” at Dallas Children’s Theater. Because performances were during the day, she had to miss multiple classes each week. With the help of her teachers and her own organizational skills, she managed. “[That show] was definitely difficult, but I have to give it to my teachers because they were very understanding,” Sucato said. “...Not only did I sacrifice school during that but also dance...It was a busy time in general, but honestly, I work better when I’m busy. When I’m not busy, I procrastinate a lot. I love the idea of going from one place to another.” Sucato hopes to pursue performing arts—specifically musical theater—in college and beyond. “I really love [dance and musical theater] because, for me, it’s all about performing, and I love the energy you get from performing in front of an audience and telling a story,” Sucato said. “It’s something that I think lots of people need and want, and I like being part of that for them. I want to continue it because there’s so many things I have yet to learn, I really want to increase my training and, also, meet people. I

think it’s really cool that in school you’re training with people who love the same thing as you and they’re all passionate about the same thing as you. I feel like that training would be incredible.” Sucato believes her experiences in dance and musical theater have set her up for the future— whether she is pursuing a career in performing arts or a completely different field. “Working hard in school, working hard in dance, and working hard in musical theater [have] taught me so many different things,” Sucato said. “...I’ve always heard from people that they want to hire, and this is both in arts and in academics, a good person and also someone who’s smart. I think that being involved in all [of ] this makes me a trainable human being and someone who’s willing to work and willing to put in the time because I’ve had to make sacrifices and really figure out how I’m going to get everything done with the time that I have. I think that’s also a really good skill to have in life— working hard in everything [and] not staying complacent in anything, but also balancing everything well.” Addie Mendolia has been dancing with Sucato for five years. “[Sucato] has the best energy in the room because she’s always positive,” Mendolia said. “You can tell that she really loves to dance... She has a really good work ethic, so she’s super easy to work with. She’s always working hard, she never slacks [and] she always comes knowing the material ready to work.” Sucato finds a connection between dance and musical theater. “I feel like dance is an integral part of [musical theater],” Sucato said. “Even if you’re watching a musical that you love, for example,

everybody loves ‘Hamilton,’ the dancers in that show, it’s incredible what they’re doing. So, I think it connects in a way that if I want to be in ensemble, I have to be a dancer...Performing is performing and so whether it’s in dance or in musicals, you’re still performing... You still have to act; you still have to tell a story.”

SETTING THE STAGE At the New York City Dance Alliance competition, senior Emma Sucato performs a piece called L’amour. The entire song was in French, and the team passed around a rose throughout the dance. “[L’amour] was supposed to represent love being a universal language that ties people together,” Sucato said. Photo provided by Emma Sucato

COMMUNITY RAISES VOICE AGAINST RACIAL INJUSTICE, TAKES ACTION Senior Zaria Osimetha founds Student Advocacy Coalition to raise awareness, foster discussion By Maddy Hammett Staff writer

ince the summer, students have become increasingly more involved in activism as racial injustice coverage has become more prevalent in the news. Their goal is to ensure that the stories of many that face prejudice are heard. Due to the pandemic, involvement in activism began virtually for many students. A student-led organization called Student Advocacy Coalition, was created this summer by senior Zaria Osimetha as a way to fight cultural and racial injustice with the use of social media. “After the murder of George Floyd, I was kind of at a loss, and I didn’t know what to do,” Osimetha said. “After I talked it over with some friends, I realized that there was a

deficit in DFW. There’s nowhere in the area that students can turn to to learn about the injustices that are directly relevant to society right now. I wanted to provide something that students could be a part of to hear about various injustices and learn how to help.” Various students have joined SAC as a way to raise awareness. SAC members see the organization as a place to engage the public. “Our goal is to teach and educate our community, specifically kids our age and younger,” SAC secretary and senior Monse Rodriguez said. “It’s important to have these conversations so that we can work to chip away at systemic racism and injustice. So far, we’ve been able to talk about the Black Lives Matter movement, mental health and the immigration crisis.” SAC believes it is important for students to be educated on current

injustices. In their opinion, the school is a very small and sheltered community, which some students feel can create issues for education on racial injustice. “It’s extremely easy at ESD to close yourself off from the problems of the real world,” SAC member and senior Susanna Newsom said. “In other words, you can get trapped in a bubble, caring only about the problems right in front of you. Our community (including administration) is predominantly white, so racial issues tend to not be on the forefront of the community’s mind. It is imperative that as a school, ESD directly condemns systemic racism and takes tangible steps to combat ignorance and oppression in our community. I’m responsible for doing the same, and that’s why I joined SAC.” Due to easy access to large audiences, social media has become

45% of students posted on social media about racial injustice

ESD Students involved in SAC Source: Sept. 26 poll of 249 students

an indispensable tool in spreading awareness about issues relevant to race. “Social media is arguably the greatest facilitator of information to younger generations,” Newsom said. “SAC uses social media to disseminate current events, noteworthy judicial cases and more so that teenagers can easily become informed.” Students involved in SAC find it necessary for our community to become more involved in activism and to be better informed. “I think that it is really easy to get trapped in the ‘bubble’ of our daily lives,” Osimetha said. “Additionally, it is extremely difficult to find non partisan facts on basic issues. I believe that SAC addressed both those issues by creating a space where students have several opportunities to absorb information in various formats, at their own will.”

life

Oct. 02, 2020

COVID-19 changes college plans for many

Three alumni take different paths through university after schools announce policy changes

GAP YEAR FRIENDSHIPS Daniel Kaplan ’20 and his roommates sit outside their apartment on their first Shabbat out of quarantine. Kaplan deferred for a year from Cornell University to attend the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem, Israel. “My college plans changed due to COVID-19,” Kaplan said. “I really wanted to explore my Jewish identity more, so I decided to apply [to the Shalom Hartman Institute] in mid-June, and now, I’m here.” Photo provided by Daniel Kaplan

By Jiaying Fu Web editor

rom Texas to Wyoming to Montana to Idaho to Washington, a gap year of adventures awaits alumnus Ned Dockery ‘20. Dockery planned to stay enrolled in Princeton’s class of 2024 if he was allowed to be on campus for at least one semester. However, in early August, Princeton announced that no one would be on campus in the fall. “I had considered the idea of taking time off from college for a while, but I always feared being behind,” Dockery said. “When [Princeton] changed their plans...I decided to apply for a gap year. I didn’t worry about being ‘off-track’ because I figured everyone is on a different path through college right now.” Princeton had to cancel their international gap year program this year, so Dockery is not enrolled in a formal program. Rather, he is planning his own year. Before Sept. 15, Dockery tutored students in his neighborhood. From Sept. 15 to before Thanksgiving, he is traveling with Adventures Cross Country, hiking and camping for 70 days through Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and Washington. In the spring, he plans to work in a UT Southwestern lab. Later, in April and May, Dockery will take a road trip to national parks across the country with other Princeton gap year students. “I’m certainly looking forward to getting out of the house, and I’m really excited about [having] new, but important, experiences,” Dockery said. “I’ve always wanted to take a break from the fast-paced nature of school and spend more time on challenging but rewarding adventures, and that’s what this gap year gives me the opportunity to do. It’s a great chance to do things solely because I’m interested in them, and I think that will help me figure out

what I want to do later in life.” taking a class about how to solve the Alumnus Daniel Kaplan ‘20 is also Arab-Israeli conflict and an optional taking a gap year, having deferred art or yoga class. for a year from Cornell University to “The virtual program is not attend Shalom Hartman Institute in very intense,” Kaplan said. “The Jerusalem via the Hevruta Gap-Year classes that we will be taking are at Program. the institute and are specific to the “Cornell extended their program. It’s also not for college deadline for deferral in May, so I credit, so it’s just learning for the sake started looking at various gap year of learning.” programs,” Kaplan said. “One of my Outside of class, Kaplan and his best friends was going on about this roommates play cards, study the program called Hevruta, which is all Talmud, work out, listen to Broadway about connecting Jewish Americans show tunes and bake brownies. and Israelis and Kaplan is looking exploring how we forward to his practice Judaism. upcoming four-day I really wanted to camping trip as well I DIDN’T WORRY explore my Jewish as in-person learning. identity more, so I “I’m definitely decided to apply in ABOUT BEING looking forward to inmid-June, and now person learning and ‘OFF-TRACK’ I’m here.” also just to meeting Kaplan is the other people in BECAUSE I FIGURED currently in the program,” Kaplan Jerusalem. said. “Right now, EVERYONE IS After arriving, we only have about ON A DIFFERENT as mandated by two-and-a-half hours Israel, he had to of structured classes PATH THROUGH quarantine for a day so to have an two weeks. After added bit of structure COLLEGE RIGHT two weeks, he is will be nice.” allowed to attend Some alumni NOW. the in-person are taking a more program. traditional approach. Ned Dockery, “I am currently Alumna Sarah Hands alum staying in an ‘19 decided to remain apartment in as a sophomore Jerusalem with student at UT Austin. five other boys However, Hands has who were on the found there to be same flight as me,” Kaplan said. many changes in academic structure “Quarantine is way different because and social life due to COVID-19. in the U.S., I was staying at home The biggest change is that the with my parents, but here we have classes are now all online. There to cook our own dinners [but] lunch are two different kinds of classes: is dropped off every day. We also self-paced and online. During online can’t leave our apartment at all. Back classes, students attend live virtual home, I was able to go on walks but, lectures. During self-paced classes, here, we’re under strict watch, so the professor will upload the lecture we can’t even leave our fourth floor and materials, and you have to do apartment.” assignments by a certain time. Right now, Kaplan is taking “The classes are so big that each classes via the virtual program. He teacher has 400 people, so it’s hard to has a Hebrew class for a-hour-and-aget to know them and have a personal half a day, then one of the students’ connection,” Hands said. “Self-paced parents teaches a class about what classes are so much harder because a they do with their job. Kaplan is also lot of people will just put off the work

for a while, or they’ll end up not actually watching the lectures and just do the assignments every once in a while for online classes you’re forced to go and watch the lecture.” Hands also notes that there are many changes to social life as well. “We have to be more careful about hanging out with groups bigger than 10 and wearing masks everywhere,” Hands said. “A lot of people don’t really follow the 10 person rule here. There’s some parties and hangouts with more people, but it’s hard to stop. Also, [now we spend] so much time in [our] room––all my roommates and I are just in our room the whole day.” Hands is in a sorority; however, no one can enter the sorority house. She currently lives in an off-campus apartment in Austin with a couple of girls. “It hasn’t been that bad offcampus because if they do shut the school down, we still can stay here because it’s not related to UT,” Hands said. “Where I’m living, they still enforce all the COVID-19 guidelines. You can’t walk around with no mask.” Outside of class time, Hands hangs out with her friends, walks her dogs, works out and cooks. Hands has found positivity in these times by forming better relationships with her friends, developing better hobbies and getting a new pet. “I still do hang out with my friends a little bit since most of my friends all live in the same place, but we just have to be very careful and social-distance,” Hands said. “I got really close with [my roommates,] so I feel like I got a lot better friendships because we were all forced to hang out with each other one-on-one. Also, I feel like I’ve developed some better hobbies. I developed good cooking skills because I’ve been eating in a lot. I’ve just been finding more stuff to focus my time on instead of just partying. I got a cat, too, because I knew I had time to take care of it since I’m going to be home all the time. So I think [COVID-19] allowed me to focus more on myself and get better friendships and find hobbies.”

Q&A with Daniel Kaplan ‘20 What has been the most memorable moment for you so far? So far, the most memorable part has been spending Shabbat in Jerusalem and bringing some of my traditions from home to the dinner table. Before Shabbat, the staff drop all of our meals off at our doors, so we don’t have to cook which is nice,” Kaplan said. “We have a hot plate which is on timer so it turns on two hours before meal time. You’re not allowed to turn things on or off on Shabbat, so we heat all our meals on the hot plate which automatically turns on or off. Before Shabbat dinner, we had a very spirited Kabbalah Shabbat service which is all about welcoming in Shabbat. After Shabbat lunch and dinner, we sing a lot of camp songs. Throughout Saturday we played a lot of card games and Settlers of Catan. Then after dinner we sing sadder songs since Shabbat is ending. After that we do Havdalah to officially end Shabbat.

eagleedition

episcopal school of dallas

thebuzz

Distance learning laughs Students and faculty share their favorite funny moments during distance learning from dress code infractions to accidental dance parties

By Luke McCabe Life Editor

“We were all new to this online school experience back around March of last year. We all went home and the teachers were using Zoom for our online lessons. A few students watched a few videos on how to use Zoom, and they figured out how to put a picture in the background. They took a picture of themselves in a normal position and put it as the background and just left. The teacher didn’t notice a thing, and it was a pretty funny online experience.”

“During my World History class we were split into breakout rooms, and I was in a room with my good friend, Audreann and two others. I had no idea I was connected to the speaker, but when I turned the volume up on my phone, “Cotton Eyed Joe” started playing, and I was not on mute. Everyone in the breakout room started dancing to the music. It was an interesting experience.”

Hayden Parker,

Lily Tollison,

freshman

“During the whole first week of distance learning, I had a really bad connection, and the Google Meet calls were really spotty, so a lot of times I would hear things wrong and get confused. It was in my math class, and it timed out for me one time. I kept mishearing one of the terms we were learning and thought that the teacher was yelling “BUTT” over and over again when we were looking at graphs.”

sophomore

Sam Suarez, junior

“I remember one day Henry Nurenberg accidentally slept into ethics class, and when he logged in he was shirtless in bed with the lights off. Then, Mr. Cupp kicked him out of class for being out of uniform and not wearing a shirt. The next class, he woke up early and, to make sure that he was in uniform, he put on a suit and tie and brushed his hair and was looking very prepared. I think Mr. Cupp really appreciated it.”

“My daughter, [a] 5th grader at the time, and I both set up for distance learning at opposite ends of our dining room table. Usually if I was on a Zoom she wasn’t, and vice versa. But, we were both working on something school-related throughout the day. It was probably during my accounting or AP micro class. I was running through the material and there was some math involved. I finished the call by asking “Ok, are there any questions?” My daughter just pops into the screen behind me and says desperately ‘Yes! I have a question with my math!’”

Lucy Sinwell,

Amy Livingston,

senior

Upper School economics and accounting teacher

@earlowenco

life

Oct. 02, 2020

Working it out Despite risks of pandemic, students take on summer jobs, learn valuable lessons for future By Gardiner Vose Views Editor

lthough businesses and restaurant. companies struggled “I worked for the second time at a over the summer due to restaurant called Delphinas in North new local and federal Carolina this summer,” senior Caleb regulations, students still found Ainsworth said. “I mainly worked in themselves employed this summer at the kitchen, making pizzas and other a variety of different workplaces. food, but I had a significant amount Summer jobs are a way for high of exposure to the guests and other school and college-age students to staff members.” make some money and gain valuable While Ainsworth was aware that experience in the workforce. These the virus was a risk while at work, jobs can take many forms, and he believed the experience he got whether that be an internship or a from his job was worth it if he was service job, students had a variety of being conscious of safety guidelines. different ways to make themselves Of students who had a job over the busy this summer despite the summer, 75 percent felt safe despite difficulties posed the pandemic’s by the pandemic. threat. According to a Ainsworth is not Sept. 26 poll of alone. Despite risks 249 upper school of getting infected, I WORKED FOR students, 26 the experience percent had a job of working and THE SECOND TIME over the summer. understanding what Sophomore it is like to be a part AT A RESTAURANT JP Casey worked of the workforce CALLED DELPHINAS was a driving factor at Las Colinas Country Club in that pushed many IN NORTH Texas despite the students to find a job. rising numbers of “I worked at CAROLINA THIS coronavirus cases Hobbytown USA being reported. this summer doing SUMMER. “I worked cashier work as well most days of as other projects Caleb Ainsworth, the week from throughout the Senior early June until store like organizing August, picking inventory and up golf balls and learning how the making sure that company operates,” there was enough senior Ali Sparrow of them throughout the course as said. “I think that it was more well as doing any other kind of difficult due to the pandemic, but maintenance work that was asked the store still had a steady stream of of me,” Casey said. “I had to wear a customers, and I think it made it a mask throughout the workday, and little more interesting because not the staff and golfers were good about many people know what it is like social distancing. I think it was easier to work through circumstances like because it was mostly outside, and a that.” golf course is pretty ideal for keeping Sparrow learned about customer distance.” service and how to deal with all Working during a pandemic types of customers, the importance can pose health risks due to the of inventory management and other high volume of people one comes business basics that she believes will into contact with, especially at a be useful in whatever career path

Graphic by Gardiner Vose she chooses in the future. For some, such as senior Bella Collins, summer jobs were a needed break from an isolated and mainly digital world. “I really wanted to get a job because I felt that it would be

a good way to get more social interaction during the pandemic, and I think that it is really valuable to [develop my] work ethic at a young age,” Collins said. “I worked as a hostess at Company Cafe, and I got really great experience making

relationships with coworkers and dealing with people face to face as they came into the store. I think that everyone should try to work at some point during high school because it gives you a new perspective, and it’s very educational.”

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Graphic by Victoria Willox

of s w o V sh

Top T

e m m u the s

By Victoria Willox Design and Art Director

“Outer Banks”

The outer banks, paradise on earth, well, not quite. Set in a coastal town in picturesque Outer Banks, North Carolina, the show follows sixteen-year-old John Booker Routledge, commonly known as John B, after the mysterious disappearance of his father, which seems to be linked to a secret treasure hunt. John B and his closest friends, a group of teens from a blue collar neighborhood known as the Pogues, set off on a mission to find the truth behind his father’s disappearance and the treasure, while simultaneously butting heads with the upper class teens in town, known as the Kooks. Additionally, on his journey, John B falls for Sarah Cameron, a girl belonging to his rival group the Kooks. While the plot follows a classic Shakespearean formula resulting in a modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet, many of the characters lacked development and depth, especially those belonging to the Kooks. Furthermore, the continual timeline issues, given the entire season supposedly takes place in a week, and inconclusive plot threads leave much to be desired. It is, however, unlikely that many of the small annoyances within the show would prevent the target audience, primarily being teenagers, from watching. Despite its flaws, the sun drenched setting, cast chemistry and heaps of drama provided viewers with positive summer vibes that were unsurpassed by any other show in this review. While “Outer Banks” may not have been paradise, it was likely one of the biggest hits of the summer, spurring trends on TikTok and numerous other social media platforms, so it would be unrealistic to label the show anything less than a success.

“Little Fires Everywhere”

Packed with socially significant messages, “Little Fires Everywhere” is a required watch. The show is based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Celeste Ng, which was one of the best books I read last year, so to say I had high expectations is an understatement. Set during the 90s in a seemingly perfect suburban town called Shaker Heights, the show is centered around the equally perfect Richardson family, led by mother Elena, played by Reese Witherspoon, whose world is shaken when single mother Mia played Kerry Washington and her daughter Pearl move into their rental property in the neighborhood. Mia, a photographer, and Pearl, who becomes fast friends with the Richardson children, had been on the road for as long as Pearl had been alive until they moved to Shaker; as the show progresses it is clear Mia is running from something in her past, which Elena becomes determined to uncover. Additionally, while working at a Chinese restaurant to earn extra money, Mia learns the story of her immigrant coworker Bebe who is desperate to find her baby daughter, who she left at a firehouse after coming close to starvation. Mia soon discovers that Elena’s best friend Linda and her husband are the adoptive parents of Bebe’s daughter and becomes determined to help them reunite, much to Elena’s dismay. The all-star cast and electric sparring between Witherspoon and Washington breathed life into Ng’s characters and portrayed their motivations and relationships in a way that felt honest. At its core, the show carefully delved into the complexities of motherhood, race, class and gender in the subtle ways those themes present themselves in everyday life. While I am unsure if the TV rendition lived up to all of my expectations I built from the book, it is likely the best show I’ve watched this year and binge worthy in every way.

“Normal People”

Based on the novel by Sally Rooney, drama and young love find harmony in “Normal People”–– a moody boy-meets-girl story that grapples with adolescence and identity. The story, set in Scotland, follows Marianne (Daisy Edgar-Jones), a social outcast and Connell (Paul Mescal), a popular but self conscious boy, who are classmates in high school. When the pair begin a relationship, Marianne suggests to Connell they keep it secret, and he readily agrees out of his own insecurity of what his classmates may think, a decision that reverberates throughout the season. The show continues to follow the pair and their complex, ebbing and flowing relationship throughout college and into young adulthood, where suddenly, Marianne flourishes socially, and Connell finds himself out of place. You won’t find yourself rooting for either Marianne or Connell as the series progresses because their flaws are portrayed so clearly and elegantly on screen by Edgar-Jones and Mescal, who skillfully portray the internal struggles of the transition to adulthood and finding your path in life, thus, giving their respective characters incredibly authentic personalities and developments. Although to me this story read like a beautifully melancholy love letter, this is likely not a series that is for everyone given the purposefully mundane nature of this story. However, the breathtaking scenery of Scotland and numerous European cities make up for the lack of constant action and tedious dialogue between characters, which each in turn add to the show’s realism. If you can appreciate the slow burn of the storyline and poetically unheroic characters, “Normal People” is an alluring depiction of self discovery throughout the passage of time.

“Julie and the Phantoms”

Directed and composed by High School Musical’s Kenny Ortega and David Lawrence, “Julie and the Phantoms” appeals to a younger teenage audience, or anyone who wants some Disney channel nostalgia. Based on the Brazilian hit show “Julie e os Fantasmas,” Julie and the Phantoms stars Madison Reyes as Julie, a vocally talented teen who rediscovers her love of music in the wake of her mother’s death after accidentally awakening the ghosts of a charming 90s boy band called Sunset Curve who only she can see unless they play music together. The members of Sunset Curve, Luke (Charlie Gillespie), Reggie (Jeremy Shada) and Alex (Owen Joyner), form a new band led by talented singer Julie, with hopes of fulfilling their dream of finally making it to fame. The echoes of High School Musical can definitely be seen throughout the season, as Julie is pitted against Carrie, a Sharpay-esque rich, blonde, popular singer in the same music program who also happens to be the daughter of the only living member of the former band Sunset Curve. The musical performances throughout the season ranged from fun pop numbers to heart wrenching ballads that would poignantly touch any viewer. Additionally, the incorporation of music into the show also managed to feel authentic and add to the plot lines without coming off as overly forced, which is often a difficult balance to achieve. The chemistry between the cast members, especially Reyes and Gillespie, whose characters are both dealing with their own grief and trauma, made the show a captivating watch. With its intriguing plot, dazzling musical numbers and charismatic cast, “Julie and the Phantoms” made for an entertaining and heartwarming binge-worthy watch, perfect for all ages to enjoy.

life

Oct. 02, 2020

Students maintain healthy habits During a pandemic, students adjust their exercise and eating habits to remain healthy and safe while staying at home CULTURE CRASH is a compilation of significant pop culture events made by life editors Emily Lichty and Luke McCabe that highlight tech news & other short snippets of info regarding important people and events from around the globe.

1 2 3 4 5 6

An euphoric win Streaming nominees live from their homes, the Emmy awards were held virtually on Sept. 20. Winners from the event include Zendaya, who received Best Lead Actress in a Drama for her role in “Euphoria” and is now the youngest actress to receive the award. Additionally, “Schitt’s Creek” received nine Emmys this year, the highest number of Emmys a comedy has ever received in a single year.

TikTok tease On Sept. 27, a district judge blocked President Donald Trump’s order to ban TikTok from being downloaded from U.S. app stores. Trump claims that the app creates a national security threat by giving China access to the personal information of Americans, which TikTok denies. American companies Oracle and Walmart have offered to purchase 20 percent stake of TikTok, moving the business’s headquarters to the U.S.

No longer “Keeping up with the Kardashians” After fourteen years, “Keeping up with the Kardashians” will end after its 20th season in 2021. The reality television show, which airs on E! Television Network, follows the Kardashian-Jenner family through their personal lives and careers. The decision was announced by the family through social media on Sept. 8.

Wonderful widgets On Sept. 16, Apple dropped a new iOS update, with significant changes to iPhone software. The update includes new features, such as home screen widgets, an app library and changes to Siri and the message app. Home screen widgets allow for customization and new shortcuts on the home screen, which has caused unique home screen designs to trend on social media.

By Grace Knudson Photo editor

it was set up safely as well,” Lindsey said. e pulled an all time record “I’ve missed school a lot and have gone on his rowing piece. He felt insane not seeing anybody at home. It speedy and strong from the feels good to walk around campus.” workouts the past month Like Lindsey, Sophomore Ella and confident there was a chance Sjogren’s lacrosse season was cancelled to place with his teammates at the in the spring and early summer, leaving Youth Central Regional Rowing Championships in May. Little did senior her to stay locked up in her bedroom all day during the Dallas lockdown orders. Sam Lindsey know that three days later, Sjogren’s mom, who was concerned the campus would close until further about her lack of activity, set a training notice and be closed to students until schedule for Sjogren and her sister to early September. ensure the sisters would not stay in Lindsey finished a season with bed all day. Sjogren the mens varsity spent every day from soccer team and set March 12 to the end a personal record on of summer running the rowing machine multiple miles in her with the varsity mens neighborhood. crew team prior to “I am actually the stay at home really grateful that orders in March. CONSIDERING my mom has made During quarantine, me run everyday Lindsey relaxed in ALL MY CLASSES since March,” his house for most WERE ONLINE, I Sjogren said. “I of the time, eating a would’ve been really big bowl of Honey COULD JUST SIT IN out of shape if she Bunches of Oats, MY ROOM ALL DAY didn’t make me, and skipping lunch and I would’ve gained ordering take out for AND NOT GET UP— a lot of weight. dinner. Considering all my “Right before WHICH I DID DO. classes were online, quarantine started, I I could just sit in my was pretty pumped Ella Sjogren, room all day and not for the year,” Sophmore get up — which I Lindsey said. “I was did do.” getting into shape Because club by working out six lacrosse practices are days a week, and the back in session and school lunches were she attends school definitely helping in-person, Sjogren and relatively no longer runs as frequently as she had healthy. But then quarantine hit. I have before, but now works out at a gym legitimately worked out only 10 times three times a week to continue staying fit since March 12.” during the school year. And it helps that Lindsey realized he needed Sjogren maintains healthy eating habits. to get his act together; he started “I have been eating a lot more at playing basketball, tennis and golf home, and it was easier to be healthy at the end of summer to exercise because I could not go grab something and up his cardio. Additionally, he from a store easily,” Sjogren said. “It was started eating home cooked meals. nice because I had a meal prepared for Now, Lindsey is participating in the me by my parents.” socially-distanced rowing practices on Juniors Esme and Mary Frances campus. In addition, Lindsey attends McGaughy had kept up a healthy school in-person and is not sitting at a lifestyle at the beginning of the year, desk all day, he gets extra movement during distance learning and in the throughout the day. present day. On the varsity field hockey “Attending the first strength and team and lacrosse team, the twins are conditioning workout was more exercise than I’ve gotten in months, and set on staying fit and healthy and enjoy

McCactus jack Rapper Travis Scott, known for his song “Sicko Mode,” has collaborated with McDonald’s to create The Travis Scott Meal, which has sold out at several McDonald’s across the country since its release Sept. 8. The Travis Scott meal has gained popularity through TikTok and can be purchased for $6. The meal contains a Quarter Pounder with cheese, french fries, barbeque sauce and a large Sprite.

Pumpkin’ to talk about On Sept. 21, the CDC released guidelines on how to celebrate Halloween amidst a pandemic, causing some to complain about Halloween being “canceled.” The CDC recommends avoiding high-risk activities on Halloween night, including trick-or-treating, hayrides, indoor haunted houses and festivals.

Graphic by Emily Lichty

fitness exercises in general. “Our gym had been closed for a while during quarantine, so we had to find different ways to workout,” Mary Frances said. “We see quarantine as a positive because we were able to workout more. I didn’t just want to sit at my desk all day, and working out gave me a rush to finish the rest of the school day.” While the McGaughy’s both love exercising, they differ in their favorite types of exercises. During distance learning, Esme enjoyed going on neighborhood runs and using the Peloton, while Mary Frances enjoyed yoga and learned to love running. Now, the twins attend strength and conditioning on campus for field hockey. “Working out makes me feel better,” Esme said. “For sports, we just do it for fun, but all this working out has made us be faster and give us more endurance. We have to do the mile test for field hockey so this will definitely help,” Yoga is something Senior Lilly Lutz did as well while at home. Because her season of club volleyball was cancelled, Lutz also started running and cooking. Additionally, Lutz made her own Instagram account to share the fun things she has been making and her healthy choices. “I have had a lot of time on my hands recently,” Lutz said. “I started doing these online yoga classes, and I am still really into those. When everything started shutting down and people started eating takeout, my parents did not want that, so I started cooking meals—dessert, breakfast, everything you can think of. I would endlessly scroll through food accounts and recipe accounts on Instagram.” Now that school is in-person and club volleyball is in session, Lutz makes quick and easy breakfasts and afternoon snacks before her practices in the nighttime. Lutz also created her own strength training workouts to be done in the morning before heading to school. “I am so happy to be back at school even though it’s definitely different,” Lutz said. “Cooking and training are also kind of like an outlet for me when things get stressful, so I am grateful I am still able to find time to cook and train even with school going on.”

eagleedition

Love in the times of

COVID

After finishing writing a letter to her then boyfriend of a year, she waits for a response during his two weeks away at camp. She wonders whether his lack of communication is on purpose, but just excuses it as ‘He’s at camp, he’s busy.’ However, the response that she eventually ends up receiving was an unexpected one. A break up call. Story by Gina Montagna and Smith Cochran News Editor and Sports Editor Graphics by Sarah Cabrales

episcopal school of dallas

ver the summer, junior Virginia Nussbau hard to spend time with her boyfriend bet jobs, family time and following social dist lines. She convinced herself that they wou work through it, despite having long shifts a COVID-19 clouding over her mind. Teenagers are finding it hard to maintain th interactions prior to the pandemic. Relying media, phone calls and FaceTime, teens hav virtual tools to act in place of face to face inte “I started relying more on phone calls and texts messages, but I w as many as I needed during that crazy time, which contributed to the b baumer said. “This summer there [were] constantly things pulling us didn’t have school to hold us together either. We [saw] each other eve past year, then, just like that, we both don’t see each other for two mon Finding time for each other is not the only problem. Students are having trouble agreeing on how safe they should be, and their families have different rules regarding social distancing. Junior Caroline Teegarden and her boyfriend did not see each other for long periods of time at the beginning of quarantine and agreed that in order to see each other, they both had to be safe and follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines. “We disagreed about how safe I was being,” Teegarden said. “He told me, ‘It doesn’t only affect you, it affects other people too,’ and I [realized] that’s a good point. It got me thinking, and I started being more safe because I realized it affected him and his family too. It wasn’t a problem, but it was a good conversation.” But despite the pandemic affecting and severing relationships, it has also allowed for new romances to sprout through social media. Forty-seven percent of students reached out to new people during quarantine. Junior Mary Grace Altizer, for example, talked to her now boyfriend online over the course of three months before finally meeting in person. By talking over Snapchat for extended periods of time, they got to know one another and knew that meeting face to face was what they both wanted. “I wasn’t really talking to anybody, and I wasn’t really looking for tizer said. “It kind of fell into my lap. We both knew that we liked each just needed to meet. When we met, it was so much better, and then we more dates.” At the beginning of the quarantine, many teens did not go out wit and stayed home, causing many friend groups to dissolve and people to make new online friends. As a result, the Eagle Edition poll showed tha students met new people online during quarantine. “Not being able to do many activities has forced us to get to know lot better,” Altizer said. “We really have to talk because there is not a do. I kind of hate saying that I met him over Snapchat because that so cheesy, but for us it was actually a really good way to kind of get to know other. I feel like I know him really well, even though we’ve been datin a month.”

MEETING NEW PEOPLE DURING THE PANDEMIC But not everyone has been affected in a negative way; the pandemic also helped teens. One of these teens is upper school Emmett Sand who found different people around Dallas that he would not have rea out to if not for being under quarantine restrictions. “Social media started and helped me [talk to different girls],” Sand “Mostly texting and FaceTime, but it became more in person.” For someone who was very single when the pandemic reached the took advantage of the lack of entertainment to meet and talk to new p more than one fling over the summer thanks to social media. “[Being quarantined] honestly [helped me],” Sandell said. “People w looking for a relationship but more of something to do. I knew [the

8 4 STUDENTS ARE CURRENTLY IN A RELATIONSHIP

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weren’t exactly e people I was

Oct. 02, 2020

talking to], but I didn’t know them that well. It was mostly through mutual friends.” After a summer of meeting and making new friends across North Dallas, Sandell found someone outside of ESD that he connected with. “I guess I am in something serious right now,” Sandell said. “It just kind of played out to be that way. It started out very lenient and casual, and it worked its way into something more serious.” Sandell and his girlfriend go to different schools, and are unable to see each other on a daily basis due to school, sports, work and other social activities, but COVID-19 has not been a limiting factor. Being in a new relationship can be tricky considering the circumstances, but Sandell believes it’s all worth it. “[A more serious relationship] is always a good thing,” Sandell said. “It’s not always good to start things fast. I’d much rather start things slow and see where things go from there. Having someone to be there for you and talk to you is very nice. Whether it’s serious or not, it’s nice to have someone.” Sixty-one percent of students feel the same way and reported that they have been able to connect with someone, despite it being online. Many students, however, have not been as lucky. Sixty-six percent of students said they had not made any new online friends during quarantine. Being able to find someone to spend time with has helped with feelings of isolation and loneliness, despite couples not expecting to hold onto something long term. DATING DURING THE PANDEMIC Some couples have been able to maintain their relationship throughout the pandemic by turning to phone and FaceTime calls as well and using social media as a form of communication. However, with online school in the spring and summer break, many couples who were used to seeing each other at school every day struggled to adjust to seeing each other much less. Teegarden and her boyfriend attend different schools, making them accustomed to seeing each other less and easier for them to work around each other’s schedules. “It is more difficult, especially for couples that are used to seeing each other every day,” Teegarden said. “Some couples weren’t able to see each other for two to three months. I think it really tested their communication skills and their trust in each other. Communication is key because, during the pandemic, sometimes you can’t see your significant other for days in a row, so making time to talk to each other really helped us.” Due to stay-at-home orders and safety guidelines, couples have had to find new ways to go out on their typical dates. Forty-five percent of students believe that the pandemic has affected the way they date. Previously, teens relied on football games, dances and mixers as ways to have fun nights with their partner, but with COVID-19, most schools have either rescheduled or cancelled these events. So, couples have found new “date spots” in order to go out but still comply with safety guidelines. Top Golf, drive-ins and picnics have been Teegarden’s top choices for new date spots. “Because we had to get creative with dates and hangouts, it made us think of stuff that we normally wouldn’t have done before,” Teegarden said. “It’s good and different. It was super fun to do things other than our normal activities, and we will definitely keep going on more fun dates!” However, the pandemic has caused an increase in social anxiety, leading to more breakups and an expected 15 percent increase in filings for divorce, according to the Wall Street Journal, as couples struggle to find common ground. According to a Sept. 26 poll of 249 students, 17 percent of couples experienced a breakup during the pandemic. Though the pandemic has hurt some marriages and other relationships, others found it very helpful. Alumna Madison Willox ‘18 has been dating her boyfriend for three-and-a-half years. They did long distance for 18 months before quarantine, so being home was a positive for their relationship. “Normally during the year, we usually see each other once a month because that’s the only chance we have to fly and see each other, and that would only be for a few days,” Willox said. “For our relationship it was good, just because we got to spend more time together, which was the best thing about quarantine for us.” Willox is a student at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina,

197 STUDENTS BELIEVE COVID-19 HAS CAUSED NEGATIVE MENTAL HEALTH EFFECTS BECAUSE OF SOCIAL MEDIA

while her boyfriend attends Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts, so while they were home from college, they tried to maximize the amount of time they spent together. “We pretty much lived together,” Willox said. “His family lives in Corpus [Christi], so we would spend two weeks at my house and two weeks at his house, so we weren’t apart that often.” MENTAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL INTERACTIONS: Lacking significant physical connection and normal social settings, teens have turned to social media. Teenagers, more than other age groups, thrive in extremely social situations, thus this time of isolation has greatly affected their mental health in a negative manner. “The majority [of teens] are really missing and lacking social interaction, and it has added more strain, more challenge, more isolation [and] more depression than pre-pandemic,” Psychologist Ashley Kuehne ‘93 said. “And certainly if someone was struggling prior to the pandemic, this has exacerbated it.” During times of crisis, human brains are in a constant state of fight or flight and thus are not functioning how they normally should. Continuously being in this state of mind causes people’s brains and neurological systems to accept this as the new normal mental state. However, this adjustment can actually create more harm than good. “This has gone on for months, and our nervous systems start rewiring and living in that context,” Kuehne said. “We’re trying to be healthy and prevent disease, but we’re actually struggling with the mental health aspect that is affecting our bodies and lowering our immune system.” In addition to the negative effects of our neurological systems rewiring, the use of social media as a crutch has stimulated more stress and anxiety when trying to build and maintain relationships. Seventy-nine percent of students believe that the increase in usage of social media during the pandemic has caused negative mental health effects. As screen time surges, so does added anxiety, stress and depression that come with societal image standards and online relationships. “We have been forced to pivot and find ways to connect,” Kuehne said. “I am still very aware and concerned about social media and the dangers of it, but I think that teens, especially, and adults are trying to find avenues to connect.” Online relationships are also under scrutiny as they can be dangerous, especially during COVID-19. Oftentimes, people misread tones and messages as a result of mis-communication over social media. However, the nervous system’s susceptibility to make mistakes is heightened as our brains adjust to a different social lifestyle, especially after months of quarantine. Experts are cautioning against online relationships because without having experienced in-person contact, it is hard to know if one can truly trust and read their intentions. “So much of what we say to each other is nonverbal,” Kuehne said. “Our central nervous system responds to facial expressions, body language, and that is really hard to pick up online. We can pick up some of it, but we often misinterpret it.” Teens are, however, prospering in these online sparked relationships. Oftentimes, it has given people something they could dedicate themselves to during the period of uncertainty and some mental stability knowing they could have someone to talk to. “Quarantine wasn’t terrible for me, but I am a really extroverted person,” Altizer said. “It is really important for me to be able to make connections with people. Nick, [my boyfriend] is somebody that I know I can constantly have conversations with throughout the day. It makes me happy to get to have that connection with somebody.” Despite warnings, many teens are jumping in to new relationships and severing old ones over the course of this pandemic. Sustaining social connections during this time has become a game of balancing social media and in-person relationships in the safest and healthiest manner to prevent an escalation in negative mental health effects. “I’m going to be positive that this comes to an end at some point, and my hope is that we go back to face to face connection and limit screen time,” Kuehne said. “My fear is that it’s going to become the new normal, and I don’t think that is healthy.” *name has been changed to protect the student’s identity

142 STUDENTS BELIEVE COVID-19 HAS NEGATIVELY AFFECTED THE WAY THEY DATE

106 STUDENTS FEEL MORE STRESS IN SOCIAL SETTINGS BECAUSE OF COVID-19 Source: Sept. 26 Eagle Edition Poll of 249 students

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life

Surfing the Streams The Eagle Edition evaluated top streaming services, Netflix comes out on top By Grace Worsham Staff writer

HBO max

HBO Max is the priciest of them all at $15 dollars a month. It has solid content though, with classic shows such as “Game of Thrones,” “Gossip Girl,” “Chernobyl” and “Succession,” causing enough to attract viewers on its own. It also includes new originals, AT&T owned brands, cartoons and anime. It has a wide array of on-demand movies due to its content partnerships with New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. One can stream up to three screens simultaneously, but it is only available in the U.S. and doesn’t include 4K or audio descriptions for its original content. A large problem is that HBO Max is not available on two big streaming media platforms, Roku and Fire TV. At first glance, it seems to have everything, and it does have around 10,000 hours of content, but they have large gaps in their library. For example, many of the best DC movies such as the Christopher Nolan “Batman” trilogy are missing. This service could be a little more organized, and the design doesn’t feel completely finished. There is a Coming Soon tab that details when new shows will be released, but the Last Chance tab does not give dates for when titles will be leaving. HBO Max’s adfree, great content gains itself a spot higher than Hulu, but it’s large content gaps, lack of 4K and availability on some streaming media platforms brings it below Netflix and Disney+.

Disney +

Disney+ is a must have for Disney, Star Wars, Pixar, Marvel or National Geographic lovers. These are easily accessible and organized by content pillars where one can select any of these five catagories. There is also an originals tab, though other streaming services like Netflix offer this as well. Another unique addition to the Disney+ content is the 30 seasons worth of “The Simpsons” that is included on the service. They have sing-a-longs and musicals for all Disney fanatics too. It is one of the most affordable streaming services on the market, with a price of $7 a month. This is an incredible price for such rich content, four simultaneous streams, 4K and over 1,000 movies and 7,500 TV shows. In fact, it is such a steal that Disney has been able to gain 50 million subscribers in less than a year. Disney+ also has a bundle package that includes not only the service, but Hulu and ESPN for only $12.99 per month. Subscribing to this bundle rather than each of those services individually saves $5 a month. On the other hand, there have been a couple of odd movie disappearances without warning like “Home Alone,” “Home Alone 2” and “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.” Movies such as “Deadpool” and “Logan” that have ties with Marvel have been left off the content because of their R rating. Although Disney+ lacks mature content, it has great family friendly shows and movies for a very reasonable price.

Netflix

Netflix is the most widely used streaming service with approximately 183 million subscribers, 15.7 percent of which were gained in 2020 alone, according to Fox Business. Netflix offers a vast content variety, including more originals than any other service, it also provides a great recommendation system. The system takes into account one’s watch history, ratings of other shows, what other similar viewers liked and the duration of hours one watches shows. Using this data, Netflix creates an accurate list of shows and movies formulated to fit every viewer’s taste. A few popular Netflix originals include “The Kissing Booth” and “Termination,” but there are over 1,500 titles to choose from. There are a variety of plans to choose from, ranging between $9-$16 a month, which is at the higher end of most services. However, the idea is that if one buys a more expensive package, it can be shared with up to four accounts and split between friends or family. Some shows get taken off when the license expires, and Netflix also decides content based on popularity. Netflix’s recommendation system, content and price make it hard to beat. Even though some shows get taken off, the majority of people don’t miss them.

Hulu

Hulu has a great selection and includes 35 exclusive TV originals such as “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “Little Fires Everywhere.” Hulu accounts for around 14 percent of all TV streaming hours and has multiple packages to choose from. The least expensive one is $6 and has 32 million subscribers, but the reason for its low price are the commercials it features—a 30 minute episode will feature 5 minutes of advertising. However, a premium $11.99 a month subscription gives the viewer an ad-free Hulu. For $54.99 a month, one can subscribe to Hulu with live TV, which features more than 60 channels of news, sports and entertainment, and a subscription to Hulu with live TV and no ads runs for $60.99. For those willing to pay this amount, the latter is the best service when trying to cut the cord. With the least expensive package, only two devices can stream simultaneously, which doesn’t help when there are three people living in the same household. But there is an option to add unlimited users to the package for an extra $14.99 a month. Hulu has limited 4K content and only some originals can be streamed at that resolution. The like and dislike buttons were recently added to the content, which have helped create a more accurate recommendation system. Another new change is the platform design, which has taken on a more modern media-first aesthetic and has easier navigation menus. In short, Hulu has a great design and a variety of current TV programming but limited streams and ads if one can only afford the least expensive package.

Graphic by Grace Worsham

Oct. 02, 2020

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views editorial views community comments

staffstance

FAKE NEWS AND CONSPIRACY THEORISTS MASK THE TRUTH ON SOCIAL MEDIA, PEOPLE SHOULD BE MINDFUL OF INFORMATION THEY CONSUME

s tensions rise in America amidst a global pandemic, racial injustice movements and a presidential election, disinformation is being spread frequently. The use of social media to share information has been used to raise awareness regarding some of these important issues, but on the downside, social media can also be used to promote conspiracy theories and spread false allegations. Right now, it is important for all of us to make sure we fact check what we read and repost. The QAnon phenomenon is one example of inaccurate claims becoming mainstream and gaining popularity. QAnon supporters have been flooding Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms with false information about COVID-19, the Black Lives Matter movement and the 2020 election and vaccines. According to The New York Times, these supporters believe that elite public figures are in a clique that runs a childtrafficking ring and worship Satan and that President Donald Trump will expose these figures and bring them to justice. While QAnon may be trying to fight child-trafficking and evil, it is also promoting fake news and violence. The FBI has classified the group as a terror threat, and a report from West Point’s Combating Terrorism Center predicts that QAnon could become a national security threat. In October 2017, the QAnon beliefs first emerged from a 4chan post, an anonymous image board site. It is unclear how many members are in the group at this point, but it seems to have attracted a significant number of followers. Some popular QAnon groups on Facebook and Twitter have over

100,000 members. The Wall Street propaganda like this coronavirus Journal reported that 10 of these example can easily be spread through groups have grown by more than social media. Online platforms not 600 percent in members since the only make it easier for information start of the COVID-19 lock-downs. to be sent out but also interpreted Some social media users other in the wrong way. False news can than the QAnon be posed through community have ordinary users and also been posting even mainstream disinformation verified users. Sadly, MISINFORMATION regarding the misinformation pandemic onto is spread all the IS SPREAD ALL THE their accounts. time through social Recently, the media, which TIME THROUGH Center for Disease should be a place Control and where people share SOCIAL MEDIA, Prevention said the truth in order WHICH SHOULD BE that 6 percent of for positive change. COVID-19 deaths, Though A PLACE WHERE roughly 9,000 there can be a Americans, died lot of harmful PEOPLE SHARE THE of COVID-19 information being alone without spread, accurate TRUTH IN ORDER any other health social media posts conditions. Many can also be used FOR POSITIVE have distorted this for good. Doctors CHANGE. statistic, claiming and health care that the virus killed workers are using only 9,000 people it to promote safe altogether. health and hygiene By press time, the United States practices. Students have been able to faced over 206,000 deaths from the share causes, charities and petitions virus, with the majority of the victims they are passionate about to their having other conditions that affected followers. Social media platforms their health. The CDC statistic is not have allowed people to share their saying that 94 percent of coronavirus voice on topics that truly matter to deaths were incorrect; it just means them with just one click of a button, that they died of COVID-19 and whether that is for good or bad. organ failure, or a number of other To truly use social media in a things. From the beginning of the positive way, we should always be pandemic, doctors have said that checking to make sure that what immunocompromised people are at we repost and take in is accurate. In a higher risk of complications and order to double-check the facts, look death. People in the more vulnerable if the accounts cite sources for their demographics include, but aren’t reasoning. Even though your friends limited to, people who are older and family may tell you one thing, and those with chronic breathing it does not mean it is true. Look at problems, high blood pressure or multiple sources from many points diabetes. of views, then develop your own Misleading information and opinion. Check your own bias, and

students

speak out

Graphic by Elisabeth Siegel make sure that you don’t just distrust information you don’t agree with or only trust information you do agree with. Fake news can be harmful to the value of the topics being discussed. We should all just try to listen to each other’s opinions and make sure that the real facts of the matter are being put forth. We are all living through trying times, so making sure we do not stray from the truth is important for our safety.

SOPHOMORE SOPHIA UKENI

SENIOR OLIVIA HAGGE

JUNIOR TUCKER SACHS

“I think that spreading accurate news on social media can be beneficial to those who are willing to learn. However, if the information is false, people might still be influenced by fake news to change their perspective on a certain topic for the wrong reasons.”

“The integration of informational posts into teens’ social media feeds is extremely impactful on our generation. Because the distributed information on social media is primarily universal, people all over the world can learn more about problems that are occurring today.”

“I think social media serves as a voice only for the extreme sides of the issues and doesn’t express what most people are feeling in the middle. I try to stick to news articles from reputable names like CNN, Fox, NBC, and the Wall Street Journal.”

photo editor

Grace Knudson asst. photo editor

Satori Griffith editors-in-chief

news editor

Blair Batson & Evelyn Zhao

Gina Montagna

art & design director

life editors

Victoria Willox

Luke McCabe & Emily Lichty

managing editor

views editor

web editor

Gardiner Vose sports editor

Jiaying Fu

Smith Cochran

copy editor

business manager

Carolyn Langford

Sloane Hope

*according to a Sept. 26 poll of 249 students

MISSION STATEMENT

Lauren Weber

percent of students think news on social media has negative effects*

communications director

Elisabeth Siegel staff writers

Maddy Hammett, Callie Hawkins, Katherine Mote, Christian Rockamore, Alexandra Warner and Grace Worsham cartoonist

The Eagle Edition is a student-produced newspaper published six times a year with the intent to educate in a professional manner and provide a voice for the Community. The Eagle Edition has earned Gold and Silver Crowns from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, Pacemaker Awards from the National Scholastic Press Association and Gold Stars from the Interscholastic League Press Conference. Circulation is 1000 copies, and the student population is 782.

ADVERTISING POLICY The Eagle Edition is partially funded through advertising. The editorial board reserves the right to refuse ads not in the best interest of our readers. Ads are sold in 1/8 page increments. Please contact the Business Manager: hopes@esdallas.org.

Sumner Wooldridge faculty adviser

Ana Rosenthal

EDITORIAL POLICY The staff abides by the Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics.

The opinions expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily reflect the views of the adviser, faculty or staff. This is a student-run publication and a forum for student voices. All images in the Eagle Edition are student produced, republished with permission, are in the public domain or fall within fair-use practices for criticism and news reporting.

BYLINE POLICY All articles, graphics, photos, art, columns, page design, reviews or other material produced by Advanced Journalism students carry the creator’s byline with the exception of the Staff Stance, which is the official, collective voice of the Eagle Edition.

Eagle Edition | vol. 38, issue 1 The Episcopal School of Dallas 4100 Merrell Rd. Dallas, TX 75229 eagleedition@esdallas.org (214) 358-4368

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THE VIEW FROM 5’2

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Community should support State Fair food vendors Small vendors get creative to maintain business Luke McCabe Life Editor COVID-19 HAS NOT ONLY HURT

the community’s access to food sources but, most notably, access to the fried deliciousness of State Fair food. With the cancellation of the State Fair of Texas and dozens of others like it, comes the cancellation of many small food stands that rely on fried food sales to make a living. The yearly display of food, from fried Oreos, to fried ice cream, to giant turkey legs, has been a part of fair culture for years, and it is a good opportunity for local chefs to gain publicity and make money off of their specialty dishes. Luckily, some industrious vendors have created new ways to share their creations and recipes with the world despite the global pandemic and social distancing guidelines. Virtual festivities like cake decorating, creating butter sculpture and mask decorating have popped up alongside the slew of online State Fair food options. Felicia TurrentineDaniel, the vendor and chef of Chef’s D’Lites food stand, has started selling her creations and recipes online and over her Facebook page. She, like many others in the State Fair food game, has started sharing recipes and hand delivering goodies like fried mac and cheese and cuban rolls. Also, Josh Zamansky has started a nationwide delivery service for state fair meal kit boxes. Based out of Minnesota, Zamanskys company, StateFairToGo, delivers a box to your doorstep containing 1 pound of funnel cake mix, a 2-pound turkey leg, 18 fried Oreos, 1 pound of fried okra and cream gravy, 1.5 pounds of seasoned curly fries and 5 corn dogs. His company partners with local vendors to support the businesses that the cancellations of fairs have affected. As a community, we need to help in supporting these small businesses and preserving the culture of State Fair food. Without supporting local businesses and ordering the familiar treats we have come to love, those that work to create the Fair festivities will go out of business, and the culture of state fairs could be compromised. However, it is not only our State Fair vendors whose businesses are compromised due to the pandemic. Now, more than ever, we must think of others in these trying times and support our local businesses through COVID-19 that we have learned to love. Without our support and care, our community will suffer, and the culture of our cities are diminished.

Graphic by Gardiner Vose

Colleges should increase financial support for students Pandemic, economic recession create increased need for financial aid and assistance, few schools decrease tuition fees, universities with large endowments need to do the same Gina Montagna News Editor AS COLLEGE CLASSES MOVE ONLINE, students continue to pay full tuition for a virtual college experience amidst a global pandemic, despite a growing need for financial aid. Colleges across the U.S. are struggling to keep up with the wave of new requests for financial aid. The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected American families, causing drastic changes in the household and financial stability. According to a recent National Public Radio Poll, 50 percent of Americans have been out of work or had a decrease in work hours since the emergence of coronavirus. This has led to an increase in financial instability across America, which can be seen as college students struggle to meet tuition payments. Many prestigious universities like Harvard College and Columbia University are facing lawsuits by their own students who are suing for tuition refunds for the 2020 spring semester and hopefully an increase in financial aid for the fall semester. Harvard, specifically, has been stubborn to release any information regarding tuition prices after moving fully online. Forbes states that as of 2016, Harvard has 36 billion dollars in endowment. So, why aren’t they willing to provide any tuition assistance to their own students? Now, more than ever, students need to be supported by their educational institutions. The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators claims that out of 293 colleges, 90 percent of them will

Alexandra Warner Staff Writer

see a significant increase in financial aid requests. Many students who are applying for Free Application for Student Aid have been financially stable in previous years; however, the issue right now is that colleges require students to state their family’s tax data from two years ago that may not correspond with their present financial situation. Lower income students, who are already on financial aid, are currently at a disadvantage because they cannot apply for more aid if they are already receiving a maximum amount. But despite the push back from larger colleges to give out tuition assistance, smaller colleges have actually lowered tuition fees. Williams College, for example, is taking 15 percent off of their tuition for all students. The American University also cut their summer tuition by seven percent. However, many other colleges are refusing to even sort though new financial aid requests let alone give out more money. Because Congress has allowed schools to deal with FAFSA applications differently during times of crisis, many schools are repealing their past financial aid guidance and implementing new systems that worry students on whether they will receive any financial aid. Another significant problem is that some colleges simply can’t afford to give out more money. According to the New York Times, 30 percent of colleges were already running on deficits from the spring semester. Universities were already struggling with gathering enrollment and tuition money before the

pandemic, so it is harder for them to simply give out refunds and tuition cuts at the moment. The American Council of Education claims that colleges will have a 10 percent increase in their “back to school” costs due to having to implement new safety measures for COVID-19. Chapman University’s president claims that they have significantly cut their $400 million budget as well as salaries to budget money toward new safety protocols. However, large colleges continue to boast their large endowment funds, so where is that money when students need it most? Harvard has posted on their website that it has “up to $1 million to support students facing challenges related to Internet access.” They are willing to boast their large budgets on their website but cannot afford to lower tuition costs and give out more financial aid to their own loyal students. How can small colleges like Williams College be willing to take off 15 percent of their tuition price for students and the richest schools in the country can’t even give housing refunds? Harvard needs to step up as one of the most prestigious colleges in the country and help their own students. They have no reason to withhold millions of dollars that can be used to help both students with financial aid and with implementing safety precautions. Universities need to stop bragging about their funds and actually start using the money for their students instead of making excuses and brushing off allegations by displaying a facade on their websites.

Dissagreements can be healthy discussions, too People with opposing political views can get along, realizing shared common values will repair relationships

emocrat Andrea Hailey and Republican David Williamson have been married for seven years, and many people have wondered if their political views have affected their relationship. They claim, however, that they have become more understanding of each other’s views that they have created a career partnership through their non-profit organization, the Civic Engagement Fund. The organization was founded to re-engage potential voters by promoting civic education after a disappointing 2016 election turnout when over 100 million American voters didn’t show up. Similarly, political strategists and media personalities Mary Matalin and James Carville have been married for almost 30 years. Matalin, a former Republican who announced in 2016 that she was changing her party registration to Libertarian, and Carville, a life-long Democrat, found ways to keep their political and home lives separate through hobbies they like to do together and lessons they’ve learned through arguments and many conversations.

Because of COVID-19, Black Lives Matter Movements and the election all happening at the same time, America is experiencing a great divide. It feels like the nation needs to learn from these two couples, and I’m sure there are many more couples like them. These two couples have been able to stick together through their differences because they’ve learned to communicate and accept their spouses’ opinions; maybe there is something to be learned from their relationships. They don’t label one another, but rather, they realize what shared values they both have and embrace them. Hailey and Williamson get along because they share the same values. They both love their democratic country; they love people having the opportunity to become leaders; and they believe in mutual respect, cooperation and dignity which is how their non-profit organization exists. Matalin and Carville love to cook, fish and go to church together. Sure, they’ve gotten into fights; but they have learned over time that there are certain topics that should stay untouched. Accepting other people’s points of views and respecting different ideas than our

own are the first steps Americans should take in order for our country to be whole again. Many people have noticed that the political polarization has increased over the past several years possibly because our nation is relatively young. People now have the ability to vocalize their political disagreements, especially with the advent of social media, people push boundaries that they haven’t pushed before. People have trouble listening to one another and accepting each others’ views. Most of the time, our views are linkd to our values, and our values are so personal that they often control the way we lead our lives. For most people, it’s difficult to imagine that others don’t see the world as they may see it. But people should notice, when talking and arguing about sensitive topics, that in the end, our values and expectations for this country are aiming for the same goal. The year 2020 has been a year of devastation and division in the United States. We need to focus on fixing damaged relationships. We need to learn to accept that it’s okay to have differing beliefs and help reunite our country. We need to learn that it is okay to disagree.

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Oct. 02, 2020

con

Is Joe Biden or Donald Trump the best presidential candidate for the job?

Graphic by Gardiner Vose

Zander Knight Guest Columnist

Gardiner Vose Views Editor

Pro: Biden

Pro: Trump

The 2020 election will be a major turning point in our country’s history. While this may seem like an over generalization that has been said about elections before, 2020 has presented us with significant social, economic, cultural and political issues the country has rarely seen the likes of before, let alone together. We stand in the midst of a pandemic that has killed over 200,000 people and crippled our economy, and the largest civil rights movement our nation has seen in years. Thus, this election will decide the fate of our country for years to come. In that vein, the choice to put our country on the right track is Joe Biden. The elephant in the room is, of course, the COVID-19 pandemic, which has claimed nearly a quarter of a million lives and has cost our country dearly economically. However, according to data from top disease researchers, almost 90 percent of those deaths could have been prevented if the US had reacted differently. Biden, as opposed to Trump’s denial, has reiterated over and over again the need to trust our scientists, going so far as to stipulate that it is incorrect to try and remedy the country’s economy while not addressing the pandemic itself. Furthermore, Biden worked with Obama to build on a pandemic emergency response plan during his vice-presidency, as well as having helped rebuild the economy left to him and Obama following the 2008 recession, making Biden an ideal choice for pandemic response and recovery. However, the protests regarding police brutality and systematic racism cast, arguably, just as great of a shadow as the pandemic. Regardless of your stance on the protests themselves, African Americans feel constantly targeted by police and the judicial system, which are concerns President Trump has outright denied the validity of. A president is supposed to be, first and foremost, a leader of the American people, and you cannot be an effective leader by openly refusing to acknowledge the concerns and accusations of racism in law enforcement levied by minority communities, concerns which often have great validity behind them. Trump has perpetuated an atmosphere of division in Washington, which Biden has the power to change. Biden has over 40 years of experience in congress, which grants him the ability to network and solve problems through negotiation and hear out these people’s concerns. This election will serve as a harbinger for the direction our country is to take in the coming years, but the choice is about empathy more than anything else. Our current administration lacks empathy, for people of color, for the poor and for people who cannot protect themselves. While not everyone may suffer from the issues that our country is dealing with today, it is our responsibility to vote for someone who will. In a world that needs it more than ever, Joe Biden brings empathy, rather than divisiveness, to the presidential stage.

With the 2020 presidential election coming around the corner, the division between the Republican and Democrat Parties is one of the most significant divides in modern-day U.S. history. With a year plagued by numerous disasters, many are looking for someone to blame, and for the majority of the Democrats in our country, President Donald Trump is the easiest target. Using issues such as the coronavirus, tense race relations and others, the left wing party has attempted to convince the American people that all of these problems stem from one man: Donald Trump. It is no surprise to anyone that as the election cycle gets closer, anti-Trump and republican agendas are on a rise among left wing media sources, leaving out many facts and giving a very selective narrative to the American people. The United States was shut down around the same time many other countries did, but cases continued to rise because many people did not obey stay-at-home orders. This cannot be blamed on a single person. This was a nationwide issue that had to do with people who chose not to follow local and federal guidelines and cannot be the fault of the president. Before the coronavirus, Trump made momentous strides such as his passage of the First Step Act, which offers inmates more job opportunities and rehabilitation programs, improving conditions in prisons, reducing sentences for minor drug charges and expanding early release programs, all of which are a major benefit for many minority groups which make up a significant portion of the inmate population. Furthermore, prior to the pandemic, the African American unemployment rate was at an all time low, and the economy was at an all time high. However, during his presidency, Trump himself added millions of jobs. According to factcheck. org, Trump added over six million jobs during the first three years of his presidency and the unemployment was at its lowest in fifty years. Median household income rose 2.3 percent. Average weekly paychecks rose 2.8 percent. The poverty rate and food stamp rolls declined. All of these achievements are a result of Trump’s intricate experience with the global economy which he has learned after decades of working a real job, unlike some of his competitors, who have worked in politics their entire lives and are largely ineffective. Although the left media continues to make claims that Trump is the cause of the racial tension in the country and that his administration is responsible for the rise in police brutality, it should be noted that the local police departments are responsible for the cruel murders of unarmed African American people, and the vast majority of the cities, including Louisville, where Breonna Taylor was killed, and Minneapolis, where George Floyd was shot, are historically democratic cities with democratic mayors. While the left is doing everything they can to make Trump look inadequate before the election, I believe that the silent majority will prevail again as in 2016, and Trump will win the 2020 election.

percent of students would vote for Joe Biden

percent of students would vote for Donald Trump Source: Sept. 26 poll of 249 upper school students

Eagle Edition launches website, school community can contribute Jiaying Fu Web Editor

he Eagle Edition is going digital! At the end of last school year, when we began distance learning, that period of time felt isolating for many students because we weren’t able to participate in community events. In times such as these, having a school news site is more important than ever. The Eagle e-Edition serves to provide more timely news coverage in this unusual time. It’s been a crazy year, and the future is so uncertain, but we hope that by providing prompt updates, you will be able to feel a bit more at ease. Also, the Eagle e-Edition is not only a platform for school news but also student voices.

We are accepting and encouraging contributions from anyone in the ESD community, whether that be in the form of an opinion piece, podcast or video. We want to hear from you, so please reach out. In such divisive times, it is important for us to share our voices and opinions, and we hope that you all will do so. Sign up to be a student blogger, a columnist, have a video series or podcast for a fun and rewarding experience. On the Eagle e-Edition, we will be covering every aspect of student life and campus culture, from breaking news to sports games highlights to baking tutorials and everything in between and beyond. Check out our website for student

council announcements, articles about student involvement, political or humorous opinion pieces, and more. We’ll be featuring student chefs, musicians, athlete highlight reels and gamers. We want to showcase every aspect of the school’s community. We’re hoping it’ll be a fun and interactive experience for everyone and help add some normalcy and unite our community during this strange time. If you’d like to be a student contributor for any form of media, please reach out to me at fuj@esdallas.org. Be sure to check us out at esdeagleedition.org! We will also be sending out a weekly newsletter highlighting the trending stories of the week.

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THOUGHT

We need to listen to and embrace other opinions, free our minds By Lauren Weber Managing Editor

hese days, I feel like I am listening to a broken stereo. COVID-19. Polarization. Injustice. It’s like we’re in a time lapse; we can’t escape our reality. I’m not here to say that a global pandemic, the radical dichotomy in our nation or racial inequality can be fixed overnight. No, in fact, it’s quite the contrary––we need to put in some work. We need to address

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the fact that many of our beliefs are set in stone and impregnable from criticism, and that is problematic. We need to free our minds. What does it mean to have a mind that is free? J. Krishnamurti, one of the greatest philosophers of the 20th century, focused extensively on this concept, and the title of his book, “Freedom from the Known,” begins to answer that question. A free mind can detach itself from

what it believes to know; it can learn and grow. A free mind entails having a consciousness that listens, thinks and (most primarily) does not distort. But there is a problem here–– distortion is prominent in our lives. We distort the information that we acquire to coincide with our beliefs; we distort our thoughts to reassure ourselves; we are constantly distorting reality. Whether we

realize it or not, this perversion that we tend to avoid at all costs. results from a deliberate effort––an Thinking, ergo, requires some work. effort to achieve something and an But I think it’s simply a matter effort that is almost always directed of reallocating our efforts––the at corroborating our “side.” energy we expend trying to affirm So how can we look at the world our beliefs should rather be spent without imposing our own will? listening patiently. For example, Krishnamurti believed that one when my dad and I were debating has to be free from the positive the quality of country music, I was and the negative, the true meaning so occupied with defending country of meditation. In an interview, he singers like George Strait and John provided an example, which may Hiatt that I didn’t even listen to my seem radical to many of us: to dad’s valid (and agreeable point)— claim that life has there is country meaning or that music of which the it does not is a lyrics exclusively form of distortion. consist of ‘ma truck, Our minds have beer and girl.’ to occupy a sort of IF THE OPINION IS Seeking new neutral, quasiknowledge is, in Switzerland fact, rewarding. RIGHT, THEY ARE ground, for As John Stuart DEPRIVED OF THE leaning one way Mill said, “If the can prevent us opinion is right, OPPORTUNITY from gaining they are deprived perspective. of the opportunity OF EXCHANGING Regarding our of exchanging error tendency to judge for truth.” Speaking ERROR FOR TRUTH. the so-called other with others whose side, we must views are congruent John Stuart Mill, also realize that with our own is like Philosopher “the analyzer is watching the same no different than movie over and the analyzed,” over again. Yes, it’s as Krishnamurti comforting, but we claimed. In other get nothing out of words, the next if. And knowledge time we judge another, we should is entirely separate from opinion. A reflect upon ourselves first. It comes knowledgeable individual is welldown to recognizing a basic fact of rounded; they know of both sides. life––we, as humans, are biologically Opinion is arbitrary. As Mill argues alike. We share many of the same in chapter two of “On Liberty,” faults, and acknowledging our own we could have entirely different ignorance is the first step to gaining opinions if we were born in a clarity. There is always much to different city, country, family, etc. learn and numerous reasons to Krishnamurti beautifully stated, listen. “We hope to capture something Listening (as I have learned that is not the product of thought.” in Mr. Cupp’s Ethics class) is In other words, to attain real something that we tend to avoid knowledge is to gather something because listening requires thinking, that is not simply a product of and thinking involves examining ruminating on the little that we pre-established notions, something already know.

the

editors

Used with permission by Gage Skidmore, Creative Commons BY-SA2.0 (license)

Dear Eagle Edition, I write to call attention to what I believe to be the absolutely shocking example of incivility that was the first presidential debate. Never in my life have I been so embarrassed to watch a political event; I was left in complete disbelief of what I had just witnessed when it finally ended. For ninety minutes straight two men, both of whom sought the highest office in the country, bickered and interrupted each other to the extent that not one question was able to be answered in peace. I watched as the moderator struggled to wrangle grown adults to answer questions regarding the safety and the future of our nation. Is this what political discourse has come to in our county? A no-holds-barred unrelenting borderline fist fight between our politicians? I would like to keep this letter absolutely bipartisan in its description of the events of the 29th, I really would. But I seemingly can not due to the outrageous behavior of the incumbent. I do not consider myself a political person, but how can I turn a blind eye to the distasteful comments of the leader of our nation? Upon being given the opportunity to explicitly condemn white supremacy he chose not to. Upon being given the opportunity to respond to his alleged comments on military service he instead chose to criticize the record of his opponent’s deceased son. Upon being given the opportunity to explain the mounting death toll of one of the worst pandemics in recent history he instead chose to claim that it could have been worse as opposed to offering suggestions as

to how we might make it better. Oh, the times! Oh, the customs! I will not shy away from the fact that his challenger’s behavior was not fit for a debate either. The president of the United States was called a clown on national television, not exactly painting a great picture of our republic. What is the purpose of these debates exactly? Informing the audience? I didn’t learn anything. Entertainment value? I would not consider the destruction of democracy entertaining. It seems that the presidential debate is a chance for each candidate to play the strong-man and to fearmonger. If these debates are to continue then changes must be made. If the moderator really doesn’t want interruptions then why not mute the mic of whoever is not speaking at the moment. That would probably have tripled the amount of actual policy debate had that occurred. Perhaps we could actually call out the ad hominem attacks that they sling at each other. What if we just didn’t have an audience or even televise what is supposed to just be a comparison of ideas. Since the debates were first televised in 1960 decorum has slowly left politics, but this is something else completely. We should be outraged that the American people are forced to deal with a political climate that allows for this. Never forget that the government represents the people, because I do not believe what happened at that debate to reflect that idea. Sincerely, Carter Bakewell, senior

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GOING CLUBBING

MASKS ON

As of Sept. 8, students have been back to in-person classes despite the pandemic. With many safety measures in order and mandatory masks for all members of the community, the School has created a healthier environment where students, faculty and staff can interact.

On Sept. 23, a virtual club fair took place showcasing video welcomes and online signup sheets from 46 clubs; despite the new rule that clubs, apart from affinity groups, are not allowed to meet on campus.

The School introduced a schoolwide uniform washable cloth mask and presented the senior class with its own custom-printed graduation year mask. Extra masks are available for purchase in the Eagles Nest.

4 5 6 7

CHECK YES OR NO The School partnered with Ascend Base Camp Health, a daily health screening tool used by students and employees, asking the community to report symptoms and daily temperature before coming to school. It is being used in order to prevent the spread of the virus. However, the daily survey has caused concern surrounding the validity of student responses. SMART SCHEDULE? The new block schedule is in full swing. With different allotted class times ranging from 60 to 105 minutes, students worry about holding attention in longer lectures.

FOLLOWING GUIDELINES One of the new COVID-19 safety measures around campus is the appearance of green arrows on the concrete pathways and multiple signage indicating traffic flow. The creation of a one directional circuit around school has decreased daily contact, but it has caused a lot of tardies when trying to walk across campus in a passing period. LONELY LUNCH The dining commons have taken a turn for the worst with four person limits on tables and plexiglass walls separating students. Although this provides appropriate distancing and barriers between people, conversing proves to be difficult resulting in a much quieter lunch.

editors Blair Batson and Evelyn Zhao

THE WORST TO THE BEST OF THE MONTH, RANKED BY LUKE McCABE

BACK ON CAMPUS

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his is not how we expected our senior year on the paper to look. When we imagined our senior year on staff, we pictured passing out our first issue as seniors to the student body, bonding with the staff over Torchy’s at worknights and being able to stay late at deadline without worrying about homework. A pandemic was the last thing on our minds. But we’ve adapted to the situation. We’ve downloaded Adobe and Google products on our computers, allowing us to produce a paper from anywhere; we met virtually over the summer to plan our redesign; we attended a virtual workshop combined with the yearbook staff; and we figured out how to have a productive worknight over Zoom—all signs of this staff’s resilience and determination. In the midst of this pandemic, we also have an addition to the paper: a website. Quite a few years ago, The Eagle Edition had an active website. We couldn’t be more excited to revive the website. Web Editor Jiaying Fu has worked tirelessly to get the website up and running. The website will enhance our reporting, allowing us to immediately report on breaking news and giving us more space to be a voice for the student body—more space to highlight students’ talents, more space to report on student activities, more space to cover critical events and more space for opinion pieces. We will also have a space for student council to share updates, increasing transparency with the student body. If you would like to contribute to the website—whether you want to share a recipe, a piece of writing, an opinion column, or something we haven’t named— please email fuj@esdallas.org. While the myriad of cancellations may make life feel like it’s partially come to a

halt, our role as student journalists has never been more important. The country is in the midst of a civil rights movement, with governments, institutions and people reevaluating and attempting to rectify their own biases. COVID-19 continues to spread rapidly, depriving us of any sense of normality and bringing tragedy and anxiety. And, the cherry on top, it’s an election year. In a year where polling suggests Texas might be competitive in the electoral college and Senate, and candidates are engaged in tight races in districts throughout the Dallas area, the staff is striving to provide reliable election coverage. This is what we signed up for. We didn’t join the Eagle Edition solely for the food at deadline, or the feeling of handing out freshly-printed papers or the memories made in the journalism room at 10 p.m. on a school

COVID Crimes by Sumner Wooldridge

night (though we do cherish these things). We joined the newspaper because we wanted to write. Whether we’re writing about our own opinion, a community member’s experience or a problem within the school, our job is to tell stories, to explain and to give people a voice. While the pandemic may have made it harder for us to do that job, the last thing we can do is quit. As student journalists we have many super powers—such as the ability to start our homework at 11 p.m. and still get to school on time the next morning and the confidence to ask administrators tough questions—but we can’t predict the future. We have no idea what this year holds, and like everyone else, we’re taking it one day at a time. However, this staff is resilient, passionate and dedicated, and we will never stop doing our job.

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sports athletic news student spotlight

eagleeye

Sophomore and varsity basketball player Madison McCloud describes experience with sport

Photo by Anna Baranski

When did you first start playing basketball and why?

Who do you play with outside of school?

What position do you like to play and why?

Who has been an inspiration to you for the sport?

I started playing when I was two, but my dad is a basketball coach and his side of the family likes basketball a lot. All of his siblings are coaches, so that’s how I got into [basketball]. My dad tells me that when I was that young, I would run around and the first thing I was doing, he would roll a basketball and I would run and get it then bring it back to him. I would say just growing up in an athletic family helped me and just directed me to play basketball. And being around it all the time.

I play for DC Queens which is a select team, and we play under a league called AAU, which stands for Amateur Athletic Union. That means we can potentially play over a 100 different teams in the United States depending on what tournament we play in. We also play against different EYBL teams and EYBL are teams sponsored by Nike. So essentially AAU is a league that is used to further the youths skills, in hopes of preparing them to further their career at the college and even the pro level.

I like playing the point guard [position] because I can kind of control how the game is going and it is one of the easier positions. It helps me strengthen my leadership skills. I don’t play this position with my AAU team, so it’s definitely different when I play it, but I really like playing [that position].

Along with my dad, I am inspired by Steph Curry and this girl named Tia Cooper. She’s new and I like her because her journey was very inspirational. She started off not very good, but then she got to college and played at Tennessee, and then she moved up to Baylor and became this star point guard that everyone knew, so I really like her. Now she is in the WNBA and plays for the LA Sparks.

Interview by Callie Hawkins Staff Writer

College athletes stripped of their seasons COVID-19 causes multiple college seasons to be temporarily or completely canceled By Maddy Hammett Staff writer

ith the steady rise of extra precautions to ensure a safe COVID-19 cases across season. Lacrosse player Scott Bower the U.S., there has been ‘19 started his second year at the a question of whether University of Virginia this fall. This or not it is safe to let college sports year’s lacrosse season looks a lot continue, affecting athletes and many different for Bower, as restrictions of their upcoming seasons. While on practices have been increased every school has a different way of heavily. handling their sports season, one “As of now, COVID-19 has affected thing remains the same: this season our season a lot,” Bower said. “We will be different. can only practice in four different The Atlantic groups, not as a full Coast College team, which is very sports conference unfortunate. Also medical group since our season HAVING MY said that college got canceled mid sports seasons season, the [National SEASON BE can be played Collegiate Athletic TEMPORARILY safely as long as Association] granted extra precautions everybody an extra SUSPENDED HAS are taken. Dr. year of eligibility. Cameron Wolf, That means some BEEN REALLY HARD, a member of the teams might have an ACC medical advantage over other AND I JUST WISH group, said that teams if their players doctors now know WE COULD HAVE A decide to take the enough about fifth year and keep Covid-19 to let fall REGULAR SEASON. around very talented sports continue guys. It feels very with heavy weird having to Alexander Konradi, restrictions. adjust with the new Rower ‘20 In an interview rules regarding with Sports COVID-19.” Business Daily, Colleges are trying Wolfe said that he believes they can to keep their athletes safe while mitigate it down to a level that makes allowing the university to have a everyone safe. sports season. Caitlyn Henderson “Can we safely have two teams ‘19 is in her second year playing meet on the field? I would say yes. volleyball for Cameron University Will it be tough? Yes. Will it be and has experienced many expensive and difficult and a lot of restrictions this season. work? For sure. But do I believe you “As of now, when we are can sufficiently mitigate the risk of practicing, we have to wear masks bringing COVID-19 onto the football and social distance from each other field or into the training room at as best as possible,” Henderson said. a level no greater than living as a “It hasn’t been decided yet whether student on campus,” Wolfe said. or not we’re playing scrimmages, but As a way to prevent the spread practices look completely different of COVID-19, colleges are taking from how they would typically run.”

Some schools have temporarily canceled their fall sports season because of the rise in COVID-19 cases on campus. Rower Alexander Konradi ‘20 who is in his first crew season at Hobart and William Smith Colleges has had his season temporarily canceled. Extra restrictions, along with the cancellation of practices, have been placed on Konradi’s season such as: workouts being temporarily suspended, limited rowing teams and singles boats rather than standard boats. With this being Konradi’s

first crew season at Hobart, he has found it difficult to enjoy the season the same way as he would before COVID-19. “Because four of our football players tested positive for COVID-19, practices for all sports are temporarily suspended,” Konradi said. “It’s difficult having to miss out on what feels like a large part of my season. This is my first season rowing at a college level so I often feel like I’m missing out on a better season I could’ve had. Having my season be temporarily suspended has been

really hard, and I just wish we could have a regular season.” Many college athletes are finding it hard to enjoy their season amidst the pandemic and feel as though they are missing out on a season they could have had. However, even with the increase of restrictions student athletes have learned to appreciate their season more. “Tons of restrictions have been placed on our season, but I think in the end we’ve all learned to value our season more and enjoy the sport for what it is,” Bower said.

LEAVING IT ON THE FIELD Defender Scott Bower ‘19 helps to clear the ball during a game against the Lehigh Mountain Hawks last year. Scott, who is playing his second year on the UVA Cavaliers led the ESD varsity team to the state championship two years in a row. “Sports are such a large part of our lives,” Bower said. “I think that everyone should be playing their sport even with COVID-19.”

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Oct. 02, 2020

Graphic by Emily Lichty

NBA bubble causes higher scores Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, NBA players are quarantined in the Orlando bubble, equalizing the disadvantages of traveling and increasing scores, but also causing mental challenges for players By Emily Lichty Life Editor

ith traveling suspended for many professional sports leagues due to COVID-19, such as the NBA and NHL, the disadvantages that traveling teams face are equalized, causing some teams to notice improved athletic performance and scoring. On July 30, NBA players continued their season in a “bubble” environment located in the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando Florida, to keep teams safe from the spread of the virus and causing teams to score higher than usual. According to ESPN, on August 9, 17 out of 22 teams in the Orlando bubble exceeded the scoring averages they had before the season was suspended. “If I am looking at it from a coaching standpoint, [the Orlando Bubble] can help bring players closer together and build the necessary chemistry and focus needed to have a successful team,” former professional basketball player and Basketball Program Director Corey Henderson said. “The negative to this is not having your family, friends and others that are your support system around when things get tough for you as a player.” According to Dr. Alex Reed, team psychologist for the Denver Nuggets, the improved performance of these teams may be because teams are no longer traveling. Traveling before games can disrupt a player’s sleep schedule and quality of sleep, resulting from changing time zones, flying at night or sleeping in a hotel room. “When players sleep better, they tend to react quicker, remember plays better and more consistently,” Reed said. “The other part too, is that…

When you travel from east to west, it’s they’re away from being in person harder on your sleep cycle. It’s a lot with their support systems,” Reed easier to travel west to east.” said. “They can’t leave the premises, The NHL also implemented a so where you or I might be able to go “bubble” for the remainder of the out to a restaurant where we’d still be season, beginning Aug. 1, located socially distant, they don’t have that in two different cities, Toronto and accessibility… but it is forcing them Edmonton. to focus. They are “Starting the really focusing on games again is a basketball.” good call because Henderson in hockey, you’re believes that the wearing a face mental toll the WE ARE IN covering and able bubble can have to social distance,” depends on the UNPRECEDENTED former hockey player, but admires TIMES, SO IF YOU player, junior the strength Victoria Feuer athletes have to ADD IN ALL THE said. “It could continue playing. improve players’ “[The emotional CHAOS GOING ON game performance effects] really because players will IN THIS COUNTRY, depend on be able to practice the player and ITS AMAZING TO and focus more. where they draw Also, keeping them their mental, SEE THAT, FOR off of planes will physical, and help them to stay spiritual strength THE MOST PART, healthy.” and guidance,” But while higher PLAYERS ARE ABLE Henderson scoring numbers said. “We are in have increased unprecedented TO STAY FOCUSED. overall for the times, so if you add NBA, athletes in in all the chaos Corey Henderson both the NHL and going on in this Basketball Program Director NBA face mental country, its amazing challenges, dealing to see that for the with uncertainty most part, players and isolation away are able to stay from family. NBA focused. There have athletes such as Paul George, Jaylen been some that have struggled to Brown and Jamal Murray, have all maintain and gain their mojo back.” released statements discussing the Henderson played basketball in mental challenges they have faced in college at Texas A&M University and the bubble. The bubble schedule for played professionally in Australia. the NHL gives players less time to rest From his experience, staying strong between games, which may cause mentally is important to make the fatigue for hockey players. most of a rare experience. “They’re away from family, so “As a one time professional athlete

myself, we are not superhuman, but you are being paid very well to do a job that less than one percent of this world will ever experience,” Henderson said. “It is important to make the best of your opportunity which means having the best mental, physical and spiritual resources and support around you to help your journey be a successful and productive one.” Similarly to professional teams, student athletes also face the cancellation of traveling for sports. Reed also finds that student athletes can face similar impacts to their game performance as professional athletes when they travel, caused by long bus rides or changes in nutrition. As a former player and coach, Henderson has experienced these impacts firsthand. “I have been on both sides of [traveling] as a player and coach,” Henderson said. “It does have a profound effect on student athletes more so on those that have to play the same day they travel versus those that have opportunities to travel the day before and recover. Student athletes that have a regimen and routine with their study habits and training tend to be more productive and successful.” Junior Mac Rodvold travels regularly for lacrosse, and agrees that it is more difficult to play after travel. “Traveling definitely affects my performance in games because [I’m] sitting down for quite some time [when] I could be a lot more focused on the game,” Rodvold said. “Playing a game coming right off a bus trip… is always hard to focus on playing your hardest. I can’t imagine traveling all the time, like they do in professional sports, but I bet they are used to it because it truly is their job.”

22 9

teams playing in the Orlando Bubble

number of points the NBA’s scoring average has increased by since the NBA bubble was implemented*

55 32

percent of students travel for sports**

percent of students who travel for sports think that playing after travelling is harder** Source: *ESPN, **Sept. 26 poll of 249 students

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College commitment changes

Student-athletes find new ways to get to know prospective colleges, in person visits suspended

By Christian Rockamore Staff writer

s COVID-19 spreads, student-athletes face hindrances in their college committing processes. Division I college coaches always start the recruitment process on Sept. 1 of the students’ junior year. Emails, phone calls and official and unofficial visits are all a part of the process as coaches allow the athletes to get a feel for the team environment. Due to the pandemic, these methods, such as in person visits and meetings, have not occurred, making it more difficult for athletes to make a decision and commit. The National Collegiate Athletic Association has suspended inperson recruiting through Jan.1, 2021 for Division I programs at the earliest. College Guidance Counselor Elizabeth Clark has helped student-athletes adjust to these changes. “Athletes have to complete the same requirements as non-athletes in regards to applications,” Clark said. “I met with all recruited athletes on an as needed basis on Zoom in the spring and summer to help them get a jump start on their applications.” Because the recruitment process is lengthy, studentathletes can often forget to stay in continual communication with college coaches. “More than ever before, it is important for student-athletes to advocate for themselves,” Clark said. “They need to keep the lines of communication open

with college coaches rather than waiting to be contacted.” Junior Chase Kennedy, who wants to commit for football, has regularly communicated with the coach at one of the schools he’s interested in. “I talk to my position coach at least every other day on the phone,” Kennedy said. “I really enjoy talking with him because most of the time the conversation has nothing to do with football, and he is just checking up on me seeing how things are going and how I am doing.” With the social aspect of the college recruitment process at hold, athletes have to really think about what they want in a college. “In my decision of what college I want to attend, the campus environment, roster status, fan base and social life will all be factors,” Kennedy said. “If I did not have that to go off of, I would know it is the school for me based on how much a school contacts [me], whether it is [mailing] graphics or somebody from the program reaching out.” Those who have already committed have faced fewer hindrances. Senior and Syracuse University lacrosse commit Kyle Rolley said his visit to the college was a deciding factor in his choice to attend. “I flew up [to Syracuse] for the day and immediately fell in love with the campus,” Rolley said. “That’s when I knew that was where I wanted to play college lacrosse. Personally, I would not want to have to choose a college without even visiting the campus

at least once… I was grateful to have the opportunity to visit so many schools before COVID-19 hit.” As a result of the pandemic and the cancellation of seasons, coaches are unable to see athletes play games in person. Fortunately, senior and volleyball captain Lilly Lutz was able to get noticed by coaches before the pandemic. “Without a season, there was really no way for coaches to see players play,” Lutz said. “So, for me, coaches had only seen me play earlier in the season and [in] past years.” Coaches are learning to improvise as recruits cannot see the teams that they will be joining in person and develop bonds with other players. Zoom calls and other forms of online communication are being utilized as alternatives. “It’s definitely a shame that in-person experiences weren’t a possibility with everything going on,” Lutz said. “Schools have done team and coach Zooms, which were creative ways to have some interaction.” With in-person activities being suspended, student athletes are realizing the importance of college visits. Not being able to visit the campus has a heavy impact on the athletes’ college decisions. “I am super lucky to have been to camps and visits before the pandemic began because visits definitely have a big impact,” Lutz said. “I’m sure recruits who don’t have that option are struggling a lot.”

LAX TO THE MAX Varsity lacrosse player Kyle Rolley defends goal during a tournament in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Rolley has played lacrosse for 11 years. “I wanted to play lacrosse in college because of the opportunities it can give,” Rolley said. “I have always wanted to continue the game that I love past high school and potentially play for a national championship.” Photo provided by Kyle Rolley

sports

Oct. 02, 2020

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episcopal school of dallas

SPC cancelled, sports take safety measures Sports teams have accommodated for COVID-19 through socially distanced practices, local games By Carolyn Langford Copy Editor

he cancellation of this fall’s Southwest Preparatory Conference and added safety measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 have forced sports teams to adapt to challenging circumstances. The conference’s decision recognized that each school was undergoing an unusual situation and that the operations of each respective school would vary. In addition, the decision was made during a time of constantly changing local conditions and opinions on how to handle safety measures in regards to athletic competition. The verdict to cancel this athletic season was understood and supported by many. “I wish that I could go, and since this is a vital year for me, it was

important, but I want to look at the bright side,” varsity crew member Gabe Kozielec said. “I do believe that the decision to cancel the regattas was a smart one because there are a lot of people that group together, and it is hard to keep track of everyone.” Other athletes, however, are dealing with the frustration of having SPC canceled. According to a Sept. 26 poll of 249 students, 84 percent of all students who play a sport are still practicing and have plans to compete locally. Many students have voiced their opinion that SPC being canceled is a pointless attempt to slow the spread of the virus if most sports teams are carrying on as usual. “Not just me, but almost the whole football team thinks it’s unreasonable,” junior varsity football

player Ronny Sires said. “Football to us isn’t just a sport that we play. It’s a lifestyle that creates a family. It’s a time to forget about everything and have fun. Taking away SPC is like taking a baby’s pacifier. To the seniors mainly, they miss the most fun time of high school because of COVID-19.” The precautions being taken have dramatically changed the way athletes approach practicing and maintaining their athletic ability. The effort to slow the spread requires athletes to be flexible in the way that they train to get as close to standard routine as possible. “Many of us are craving a sense of normalcy in the current COVID-19 world and no one more so than our coaches and student-athletes,” Director of Athletics Dan Gill said.

ROWING REGULATIONS The crew team brings their rowing machines outside the chapel to practice together while social distancing. Each sport has had to deal with and make accommodations for the fall season in different ways, which has caused athletes disappointment. “It’s really sad, no doubt about it, but at least we get a minor season,” junior varsity football player Ronny Sires said. “I’m definitely most disappointed about the fact that SPC was canceled and that JV [Football] will only have two games this season.” Photo by Carolyn Langford

“These unprecedented circumstances able to create a good team dynamic require a diligent, yet analytical between grades,” senior Cleo approach to planning for the safe Neuhoff said.”Because field hockey return of interscholastic competition, is in the fall, a ton of freshmen join which undoubtedly is an essential as a way to get to know new people. part of our fabric in the ESD Our goal is that even if we can’t have community.” games we will still be able to get Each sport had to work on their to know everyone, especially the toes to develop underclassmen, and unique methods of hopefully be good practice to maintain examples for them.” their skills. Although MANY OF US ARE ARE “We are wearing Neuhoff has goals masks, doing increase bonding, CRAVING A SENSE OF to more spread out some parts of exercises, working the fall season NORMALCY IN THE in single-person that athletes are CURRENT COVID-19 boats, sanitizing missing out on are oars and exercising irreplaceable. Many WORLD AND NO alone,” Kozielec of the traditions said. “I work out that sports teams ONE MORE SO THAN using the guide that participate in are was provided to us unable to occur this OUR COACHES AND from the weight year due to safety coach and our crew ATHLETES. issues. coach. I have also “We had already been a part of a been planning for club team in order this year[‘s retreat] to get more practice Dan Gill, and we had so many Director of Athletcs on the water.” great ideas that A huge addition would have gotten to the sport team the team super curriculum this close, so I’m really year was an improved Strength and disappointed we won’t be able to do Conditioning program. In order to that,” Neuhoff said. “Overall I’m just keep athletes in shape, some coaches really sad that we might miss out on require mandatory social distanced the day to day practices and the fun training with the athletic trainers. conversations, locker room dance “The football team is adapting parties and especially leading the perfectly fine [by] still practicing as powers cheer before counter games.” a team and working as hard as we Although nothing is set in stone, possibly can to prepare and make Gill hopes that sports seasons later sure we are ready for [our first in the year will resume as planned. game],” Sires said. “Obviously, we The School knows that the more the are more cautious and make sure we community limits activities outside attend conditioning. To some people activities, the better the chance of it is advantageous because this is normalcy returning. the time to improve athletically and “I am encouraged by the success academically, which I think is ideal.” we have experienced with our return Although teams have found ways to on-campus strength/conditioning to compensate for the challenges along with the staggered reopening posed on playing sports, coaches and of school,” Gill said. “Both are players have had difficulty replacing pivotal to our ability to consider the community aspect of athletics. the resumption of a modified fall “As one of the [field hockey] sports season. The camaraderie senior captains, I was especially experienced both on and off the sad because I had been looking field/courts is an essential part of the forward to being a leader and being student life environment.”

Sports teams should change offensive names, mascots to work toward progression

By Smith Cochran Sports Editor OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS, the sports industry has prided itself on being more progressive than ever before. With name, logo and mascot changes, professional organizations and collegiate departments are slowly making their way to political correctness. When will it be enough? After 87 years of being weighed down by the name, the Washington Football Team decided to remove the nickname “Redskins.” It perplexes me how that name survived for so long. The former logo depicted a maroon Native American with feathers in his braid, with the word “Redskins” below. The Redskin name never honored a tribe, rather it was first used by British colonists, and it was later used by James Madison, using the word interchangeably with “red people,” a disgusting term.

Washington is only the latest team to switch names and mascots. In 2017, The University of Mississippi changed their mascot from a dapperly-dressed black bear to a frightening landshark. Before the bear, Ole Miss sidelined a man with uncanny resemblance to Colonel Sanders, depicting a rebellious, southern plantation owner. This disgusting mascot was removed, but the name hasn’t been touched. The University has declined to remove the nickname “Rebels.” This, of course, refers to the Mississippiians who rebelled against the United States in 1861. Without a doubt this is the absolute worst name in college sports. It is time to forget the “tradition” of the name. Hundreds of African Americans bring in millions of dollars for Ole Miss, while sporting the name of those that fought to keep freedom from an entire race. As the Redskins became the

Football Team, more questions arose for the Cleveland Indians. Cleveland changed their primary logo Chief Wahoo, an animated attempt of a stereotypical Indian with a red face, large teeth, and a large nose, to a simple block “C.” While this move was necessary, it still is not enough. There are better options than calling a team the “Indians.” This past summer brought protests outside of Progressive Field, the Indians stadium. Many fans are ready to move along with the name change, and the organization has expressed interest, but has not finalized any changes yet. If the Indians do indeed decide to change mascots, does that mean teams like the Atlanta Braves will? The Braves had a run in with cultural appropriation last season before the final game of the playoff series against the St. Louis Cardinals, when a Native American opposing pitcher came out against the Brave’s tomahawk chop. Nonetheless, Atlanta got rid of it, which led to an embarrassing 13 - 1 loss. Understandably, Atlanta aimed to be on the right side of history, but the organization went too far. A name

No.

15 national sports teams have changed their name to avoid offense

change is unnecessary, for there has not been an outcry for a different nickname like there was for the Redskins and is for the Indians. Chop on, Braves. So, when will it be enough? When will every team in sports have a sensitive nickname? When will it end? Simply, it won’t. Pointing out that the Redskins was a racist name is a no brainer, but what about the Minnesota Vikings? Historically, there were Vikings known to rape and kill women and children. The Pittsburgh Pirates are similar in the fact that pirates were not the kindest of people. I am in no way lobbying for these teams to throw away their name, for I don’t believe these teams need tweaking. The difference is, there is not a large number of Pirate and Viking groups that find the mascots insensitive. In 2013, the Washington Football Team’s owner said the organization will “never” remove the Redskins name. On June 30, 2020 the team’s head coach said changing the name “is a discussion for another time.” July 3 was when the organization announced it was removing “redskins” from the team.

sports

Oct. 02, 2020

Recent protests in sports leagues cause controversy

Athletes use protests throughout history as a form of standing against racial injustice in America By Grace Meaux Contributing writer

our years ago Colin Kaepernick, an American civil rights activist and football quarterback, began popularizing protests in sports when he refused to stand for the national anthem to protest police brutality and racial injustice. When he started this protest he stayed seated during the national anthem. However, after discussing the issue with Nate Boyer, a U.S. Army veteran, Kaepernick started kneeling—a sign of respect for fallen soldiers while also an act of protest. Kaepernick’s actions inspired debate over whether social justice issues should be addressed in sports. 52 percent of students support social justice being addressed through sports. “I definitely think that it’s super important to bring these topics to attention,” sophomore Bridget Wang said. “These people are so famous and have a platform where they are privileged enough to talk about this and share it with the public and that has been really good for them to bring it to attention to people who might not be aware of what’s going on around them.” However, protesting in a sports game was not new to 2016. Protests in sports date back to the 1880s. One of the first signs of activism in sports was in 1883 in Major League Baseball when Moses Fleetwood Walker became the first African American to play professional baseball. He accomplished this despite the fact that coaches and players refused to play with someone of his race. On March 9, 1966, boxer Muhammid Ali became eligible to fight in the Vietnam War. Ali refused to enlist, believing the war

was against his moral and religious the 2020 season he mentioned that beliefs. Although Ali faced possible he was looking for a compromise. felony offenses, he continued to Defensive lineman Dontari Poe was protest against the war. the only Cowboys player that kneeled At the 1968 Olympics, two African for the beginning of the season. American athletes John Carlos and On Aug. 26, Milwaukee Bucks Tommie Smith each raised a blackbecame the first full team in the gloved fist on the Olympic podium National Basketball Association to during the national anthem as a way boycott a playoff game to protest to protest racial discrimination. the shooting of Jacob Blake by law During the 1995 to 1996 basketball enforcement officers. The NBA season of the Denver Nuggets, collective bargaining agreement Mahamoud Abdul-Rauf began to says that no player should engage appear absent from the standing for in strikes or any other “stoppages the National Anthem. Abdul-Rauf of work.” Through their strike for went unnoticed for a majority of systemic racism, the Bucks were the season as he breaking their own silently stretched contract with the in the locker room NBA. or kept himself These recent occupied in other events have ways. Once his reignited debates I THINK SOCIAL ritual did become over protests in noticed, Abdulsports. An Aug. MEDIA CAN BE A Rauf explained 13 survey from that he saw the ESPN showed POWERFUL American flag that 71 percent of as a symbol of sports fans support SOURCE FOR oppression and athletes and teams POSITIVE racism and that addressing issues standing for the of social injustice AWARENESS. national anthem and racial equality. went against his 55 percent of fans Muslim beliefs. felt that players Claire Mrozek, And in 2014, should share Junior class dean and Knox College their views during history teacher basketball player sporting events Ariyana Smith and 49 percent said protested the they should speak national anthem out away from the during a game. game. Smith raised her hands and fell to the “I definitely support these ground for four and a half minutes to professional athletes protesting protest the fatal shooting of Michael their games,” sophomore varsity Brown by law enforcement. basketball player Madison Mccloud Protests in sports continue today. said. “I think because the NBA and NFL teams and players have been WNBA are filled with mostly African canceling practices, postponing Americans they felt that they needed games, and kneeling during the to take a stand for our people and national anthem. As for the Dallas show that we are not going to take Cowboys, in years prior, the NFL this kind of treatment anymore.” shared that owner Jerry Jones stated Today, modern technology that he expected his players to stand and social media give players a during the national anthem, but for wider audience to share their own

struggles and beliefs. For example, professional basketball player Lebron James, with 47.5 million followers on Twitter, has transformed his page into an outlet for social activism. “I think social media can be a powerful source for positive awareness and the way that primary source material is available through videos and things like that is a way that really has not been in any other time,” upper school history teacher

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and junior class dean Claire Mrozek said. “I think that’s ultimately got to be good. The opportunities for misuse are equally rampant and that’s why it’s really important that everyone looks at things with a critical eye and asks questions.” Disclaimer: Attempts were made to talk to students who believe these issues should be handled away from the games, but many were not comfortable sharing their stance.

Graphic by Blair Batson

eagleedition

episcopal school of dallas Oct. 02, 2020

memorylane

Every issue, the Eagle Edition looks through photos in the school’s archives and selects a moment to look back on.

THE OUTDOOR EDUCATION program continues to support the School’s founding tenants, Religio, Erudio and Disciplina to help the School achieve its mission statement. he Eddie Eason Director Of Outdoor Education

ATHER STEPHEN B. SWANN LEADS A DAILY CHAPEL SERMON FOR A GROUP OF UPPER SCHOOL STUDENTS AT CROSSEN RANCH DURING AN EARLY OUTDOOR we are, and we have an experience in education camping trip in 1980. Outdoor Education has been community in campfire circles.” a year-round tradition since Currently outdoor education in the Upper the early 1980s when Father School consists of annual class-wide Wolf Swann first held class retreats on the beach Run trips, an Outdoor Education Course and in Galveston. Previously, upper schoolers optional trips to Enchanted Rock and other and teachers were required to go on two remote locations in Texas. wilderness trips a year where they would “[In the past], we would just leave one day sleep under plastic tarps and hold campfires. right after school, go to a state park about an The outdoor education program continues to hour away and spend the night, and it was just perfect,” Eason said. “It was this picture all support the School’s founding tenants, Religio, over again. We’re sitting around the campfire, Erudio and Disciplina to help the School and [the students] are looking around going, achieve its mission statement. ‘God this is relaxing.’ It’s a chance to take “What I see in that photograph is the same a little bit of time to be with your friends, thing I see in our school shield,” Director of not worrying about how many deadlines Outdoor Education Eddie Eason said. “[The you’ve got tomorrow [because] there’s more trip teaches] students the discipline that it important things than that.” takes to live in a special community. There’s a To see more photos from the ESD archives faith component, an educational component please visit the Eagle Edition website. and a community component, and often, oftentimes, it’s a community service element: By Evelyn Zhao We do daily chapel, regardless of where Co-Editor-in-Chief