V38 Issue 2

2020/21

V38 No. 2 4100 Merrell Road Dallas Texas 75229 214.3584368 Friday, Nov. 13 2020

EPISCOPAL SCHOOL OF DALLAS STUDENT NEWSPAPER Gun sales increase in election years

Community finds ways to see movies

Regular sports practices return

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Gun sales have risen dramatically this year due to current events, students, faculty share perspectives

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Unpresidented.

Nation faces unprecedented election year, community members share experiences with voting, division, waiting for results, pages 14-15

Illustration by Sumner Wooldridge

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GUN SALES DURING 2020 BREAK RECORDS

By Lauren Weber Managing Editor

I

t’s normal and quite predictable for gun sales to rise during election years as they have during the previous three presidential elections, according to a National Public Radio analysis. This year, however, the election, pandemic and national protests have sparked record gun sales and prompted a large group of first time gun owners to purchase weapons, many of whom stray from the typical demographic of the industry’s core of politically conservative, white males.

During a Sept. 3 conference call with investors, Mark Peter Smith, CEO of major gun manufacturer Smith & Wesson Brands, estimated that first-time buyers accounted for about 40 percent of sales in 2020. Industry analysts and other manufacturers and sellers have confirmed high sales amongst gun neophytes.

“2020 has created a lot of anxiety for families across the U.S.,” senior Michael Bagley said. “I think this has led a lot of people to purchase weapons for their own personal protection.”

Bagley believes that guns should not be used to exert power over others but rather to protect oneself from power being exerted over them.

Similarly, parent Ivan Dixon* believes that a gun should be used to protect oneself and one’s family, as well as from an overreaching government. “[My] original decision [to buy a gun] was made when Dallas County

decided to mandate business closings at home, stay at home rules, [and] that kind of thing,” Dixon said.

Past elections have never elicited the same response from Dixon, but this year, he saw government intervention as a potential threat.

“It’s that loss of personal decision making and personal rights that are usurped by big government that concern me,” Dixon said. “So I’m like ‘hey, I need to arm myself to protect myself from what might be a threat down the road.’ I’m not worried about people freaking out today, but I’m worried where this road leads us to.”

In light of recent protests and political animosity, Viviana Leal’s* family has been going to the shooting range more this year. Leal feels that the potential change in presidential power, protests and overall tension of the country have sparked an increase in gun sales.

“I definitely see where it’s coming from,” Leal said. “I live in a neighborhood that’s seen a lot of threats on social media and Twitter, [so] I see why people are scared.”

The FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) showed that eight of the 10 top weeks for background checks happened this year—the highest occurring in March after the World Health Organization announced COVID-19 to be a global pandemic and the second highest taking place in June after the killing of George Floyd. This year’s surge has already exceeded last year’s record high of 28.4 million.

Reuters, an international news

organization, conducted interviews with over a dozen industry experts, academics and gun store owners and found that many first time buyers include women, minorities and politically liberal people.

At the same time, junior class dean Claire Mrozek noted that the pandemic, economic instability and racial issues have pushed gun control down on the national priority list.

“Obviously, we have to do things in the order of priority,” Mrozek said.

“But we just can’t forget about these crucial problems because we have a mental health crisis brewing if this pandemic continues for much longer, and guns and a mental health crisis are a horrible combination in my opinion.”

Even though national conversation on gun control is less prominent this year, 73 percent of students in the Upper School consider a presidential candidate’s stance on gun control to be an important factor affecting their voting decisions, according to a Nov. 9 poll of 141 students.

This election, the two candidates had starkly different opinions on gun control. President Donald Trump, who is supported by the National Rifle Association, loosened regulations on the export of firearms and reversed an Obama administration rule that restricted gun purchases by people identified as mentally unstable by the Social Security Administration. On the other hand, President-elect Joe Biden favors increased regulations, such as universal background checks and a ban on the manufacture and sale

of semiautomatic rifles and highercapacity magazines. “[Gun control] is one of the bigger topics I would look at if I was casting my ballot,” Leal said. “That’s not something I would look at lightly…

People should have the right to have their own form of protection whatever they see that is, if they’re using it properly.”

At the same time, Leal believes that it should be more difficult to get a license, as do Dixon, Mrozek, and Bagley. In fact, 92 percent of students support gun regulations, according to the aforementioned poll.

“You should not be able to buy a gun unless you know how to use it,” Bagley said. “I was lucky to be born in a household where I was taught gun safety at a very young age… I think there needs to be [better] education.

No one should be able to buy a gun without a license.”

Mrozek believes that increased gun purchases enhance the possibility of such weapons falling into the hands of someone who cannot handle them.

“My opinion is that the more that guns circulate, the more chances that someone will use them the wrong way, whether by accident [or not],” Mrozek said. “We’re in the midst of a mental health crisis, we’re in the midst of some really substantial economic crises, [and] we’re in the midst of some really powerful emotions associated with politics.”

Harvard University Professor and director of the university’s Injury Research Center David Hemenway has, in fact, found that buying a gun significantly increases a household’s *names were changed to protect the people’s identity

FBI FIREARM BACKGROUND CHECKS PER YEAR

92

percent of students support gun background checks

73

percent of students consider gun control to be an important voting factor

Source: Nov. 9 poll of 141 students

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of the NICS Firearm Background Checks Top 10 Highest Weeks are from 2020

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Gra p Lau hic by ren Web er

*2020 - 32,131,914

2019 - 28,369,750

2018 - 26,181,936

2017 - 25,235,215

2016 - 27,538,673

2015 - 23,141,970

*from Jan. to Oct.

Source: FBI National Instant Criminal Background Check System

risk of suicide, shooting accidents and domestic violence.

“I am concerned that people’s right to feel safe infringes on my right to feel safe,” Mrozek said.

Mrozek believes that it is crucial that we effectively enforce the gun laws that are already in place and make progress on those where there is mutual agreement.

“That’s one of the biggest problems right now politically,” Mrozek said. “We’ve got to start somewhere, and obviously, where I think we should end up is going to be very different [from] a lot of other people, but we’ve got to start doing those things that there’s basic consensus on.”

of the NICS Firearm Background Checks Top 10 Highest Days are from 2020

1.9

million NICS Firearm Background Checks in Texas from Jan. to Oct. 2020

Source: FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System

news

Nov. 13, 2020

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MADISON MCCOY, SENIOR

EDDIE SALINAS, SENIOR

MATTHEW MCCOY, SENIOR

SOPHIA SINACOLA, SENIOR

“My voting experience went very smoothly. It really only took around 20 minutes, and then I was done. I was for sure the only high schooler, though. I wish more people our age would be able to vote.”

“[My first time voting] was fantastic, and it went by really fast. There was no line, and the people there were very nice. The only problem was that one of the workers there was looking over my shoulder the whole time, and that was kind of awkward.”

“Being able to vote made me feel like I am actually doing my part to help decide the future of this country. I know that I voted to make America the best that it could be, and it makes me proud that I was able to do so.”

“I went to the American Airlines center to vote with my friend, and it was super quick and easy. We were in and out in 10 minutes. It was both our first times voting, and I was expecting it to be much harder than it actually was.”

Graphic by Gina Montagna

E a r ly

y l r Ea

E a r ly E a r ly

Voters decide between mail-in or in-person voting Seniors and teachers take to the polls to vote early and avoid potential lines on Nov. 3

By Gina Montagna News Editor

D

riving around the parking lot of University Park Methodist Church, senior Genevieve Minnis checks the lines before parking and making her way to vote for the first time.

During election season, 16 percent of students who were eligible to vote voted according to a recent upper school student poll.

An increased number of Americans headed to the polls this year to vote. Texas itself had 9.7 million early votes cast with six percent of those votes being mail-in ballots.

According to an Eagle Edition poll of 141 students, all teachers and first-time voting seniors, however, took the risk to go vote in-person, knowing the importance of their vote in this election.

“I think that everyone should vote whether it be in person or mail depending on their comfort level,” English teacher Dr. Civello said. “It is an individual decision.”

Civello voted on the first day of early voting in Texas and arrived right before the polling center opened. She voted at the Marsh Lane Baptist Church, which had various precautions set in place to protect voters and poll workers. Upon arrival, the line outside was socially distanced and before entering, poll workers took each person’s temperature. After each person voted, poll workers wore gloves and wiped down each ballot station before letting the next person vote.

“I felt very safe,” Civello said.

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information

Compiled by Gina Montagna News Editor

“I encourag[ed] all students who earlier, so I knew what to expect: [were] eligible to vote. This is a very a quick and safe process at this important election year. Some would location. The poll workers were quite say democracy itself [was] at stake.” efficient and professional.”

As a first-time voter, Minnis was This election was like no other excited but nervous after hearing in that there was an increase in her friends describe hours-long wait mail-in ballots across the country, times to vote. contributing to the extended wait “I did not personally [worry to hear the winner of the election. about my health] because I think Mail-in ballots created a uncertainty, this election was very important,” but they were also critical to Biden’s Minnis said. “All ultimate win. the ballot boxes Before the election, were far away Trump encouraged from each other his voters to vote and when you in person and not were waiting in by mail. Biden, line, everyone was however, encouraged spaced. I felt really his voters to vote safe.” in whatever way I KNEW THAT A English possible. With the teacher Greg COVID-19 pandemic SMALL RISK WAS Randall has compromising many taken various Americans’ health WORTH IT FOR THE precautions and safety, mail-in OPPORTUNITY TO during the voting seemed like pandemic to the safest option.

VOTE. protect himself “During the and his wife’s pandemic, it isn’t health and safety. just to jeopardize Greg Randall, He has refrained one’s health for the English teacher from getting purpose of casting any haircuts your vote,” senior and eating in and first time voter restaurants.

Olivia Hagge said.

However, after “Mail-in ballots worrying about allowed Americans the possible to reflect their voice inconsistency in who they believed of mail-in voting this election, he would best represent their country, decided to vote in person. Randall without the choosing whether voted at Loos Fieldhouse in Addison. to prioritize their health, or their “I wanted to vote the first week ballot.” of early voting in person to take the The election demonstrated burden off the mail service and to that most early voters and mail-in avoid a long line,” Randall said. “My votes veered Democratic rather wife had voted in person a few days than Republican. Trump’s desire

for his voters to vote in person was ultimately undermined by Democrats voting my mail in enormous numbers in order to make Trump a one term president.

“Although more Democrats appeared to be in favor of mail in ballots, there is no evidence to prove whether it led to Biden’s victory,” Hagge said. “With the ability to mail in your ballot or to vote in person, both parties were able to cast their vote in their preferred way. The ability to choose how one would vote further encouraged an accurate reflection of our democracy.”

Other voters in the community opted to vote by mail this year to avoid crowded spaces and not risk their health. Dr. Nancy Marks, who lives in Richardson, voted by mail this year, changing her usual habit of always voting in person for every election due to health risks. Marks applied for a mail-in ballot and went through the process of receiving, mailing and tracking it.

“In my opinion, as far as mailin ballots, it is the first time I have tested the system as far as I have,” Marks said. “In these kinds of situations that affect how our democracy runs, I pay closer attention. I really do trust our system for mail-in ballots.”

Upon receiving her ballot through the mail, Marks filled it out and took it to the post office.

The polling stations do not offer a tracking service, so Marks turned to a website called Texasballot.org to track the status of her ballot. She was able to track and see that the ballot was received at the polling station, but she does not know if her vote was ever counted.

“The process is fair and if you

do it, you have to trust the system,” Marks said. “I do believe that whatever mechanisms used for voting, we have to trust, and we have to accept the outcomes of any election.”

Underage students had the opportunity to participate in the election process by signing up to be poll workers. Senior Andrew Pfaff was assigned to work at the Northlake Community College in Irving. To work as a poll worker, Pfaff had to undergo two training sessions and had to be at the polling station by 5:30 a.m. to set everything up. During his 12-hour shift he met many people, including the mayor of Irving and was able to learn more about the 350 people who went to vote during his assigned time at the poll station.

“I talked to a lot, politically powerful people, and also the mayor,” Pfaff said. “I got to talk to a lot of people voting, about their election process and about how they registered to vote. I think that’s a big part of being an American citizen is getting the right to vote, so it was really cool to see more people come out and exercise that right.”

Voters were overall glad they were able to vote in this election, despite worry of health and safety.

Americans felt obligated to make their voices heard in such a divisive stage of the country and to contribute to the election of the next president.

“I knew that a small risk was worth it for the opportunity to vote,” Randall said. “It seems that many Americans are not taking chances with last-minute voting, whether it’s in person or by mail. It’s inspiring that this election, Americans are making voting a priority.”

WORLD CONGRATULATES BIDEN

SCIENTISTS PRESENT VACCINE

STORM HITS CENTRAL AMERICA

Leaders around the world send messages of congratulations to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as President-elect and Vice President-elect after news of their win on Nov. 7. After days of waiting for election results, the media declared Biden the winner. As of press time, some countries had not congratulated him, among them Brazil, China. Mexico, North Korea, Russia and Slovenia.

Scientists Ugur Sahin and Ozlem Tureci have finished developing and testing one of the first and most effective vaccines to combat COVID-19 and announced the news on Nov. 9. The vaccine has been proven to be 90 percent effective and Dr. Fauci is hopeful that this vaccine will help lessen the spike and ultimately lead to more effective vaccines created worldwide.

Tropical Storm Eta has caused significant damage to Central American countries, receiving large amounts of nonstop rainfall. Floods have caused citizens to evacuate, particularly in Guatemala and Honduras. However meteorologists are still unsure as to whether the tropical storm will hit Florida’s coast.

Photo provided by National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration

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pandemicpost

Schools across the U.S. reopen differently No national guidelines for the return to school force districts to experiment with safety measures

By Carolyn Langford Copy Editor

T

he contrast is stark. A dozen students sit around an indoor restaurant table in Houston, collaborating and eating with no masks on. Meanwhile, many students in Washington State haven’t seen each other since March.

With no national guidelines in place, schools across the country have responded to COVID-19 with a wide array of approaches. According to CNN, 74 percent of states have no order, leaving it up to the discretion of the district to decide how students may return. Decisions by district can determine the safety and academic success of students in many circumstances.

“I think it’s bizarre that we are all just left to our own devices,” yearbook adviser at Inglemoor High School in Washington State Zane Mills said. “The intensity of [the differentiation in response] is interesting. I have not seen anyone at all since the beginning of March unless I bump into someone at the grocery store.”

Mills’ city, Kenmore, Washington, was among the first in America to be impacted severely by COVID-19.

Their school immediately scrambled to begin remote learning and has not looked back.

“It’s definitely disappointing, but I feel like, especially because we’ve been on lockdown a lot longer than other states, I’m kind of used to it at this point,” yearbook Editor-in-Chief at Inglemoor High School Rhiannon Rogers said. “It’s kind of just become a routine, and yes, it’s disappointing, but I feel like right now, it’s kind of the right thing to do until it gets a little more contained. I would say the majority of kids that go to our school have their little friend groups that they only see.”

But not all students practice the discipline of following safety guidelines outside of school.

Kingwood High School, located in Houston, Texas, has measures in place similar to those of ESD but stops themselves from interfering with what students choose to do outside of school.

“In school, we generally follow CDC guidelines, but out of school, we don’t,” Kingwood High School student Jenna Simpson said. “The school doesn’t have any say as to what happens off campus, so people generally don’t follow guidelines.

It’s really sad that everybody across the country is experimenting with something different because nobody knows.

Zane Mills Yearbook adviser at Inglemoor High School, Washington State

Large functions like football games can get out of hand. Our first football game was huge.”

Kingwood High School teacher Michelle Valenzuela recognizes that safety measures should be implemented but also believes some restrictions should be lifted to afford group opportunities. Despite spikes of the virus amongst their community when school started, Valenzuela believes their school is taking enough precautions.

“Our school has had the highest number of cases, so that contributed to our strictness, but I don’t think that necessarily changed the way we reacted,” Valenzuela said. “We still have some virtual learners, but we have stood strong in the way we are handling [COVID-19].”

Schools that offer in-person learning have to deal with the inevitable possibility of positive cases of COVID-19. When more cases occur, they also have to consider if their safety measures are adequate.

For Deer Valley High School in Arizona, dealing with parents adamant about ensuring safety is a priority.

“Our school bows to the loudest parent voices,” Deer Valley teacher Melissa Reagan said. “When we started having positive cases on campus, the attention to cleaning and distancing became real to many.

I think most student responses to COVID-19 echo their parents’ response. At school, my students are required to wear masks and stay in their assigned seats. Outside of school, [it is their choice].”

Most in-person learning schools operate with a contact tracing system in the circumstance of a positive case. This system, which helps to identify who has been in contact with the virus, can encourage students to make safe decisions in and out of school. After many months away from school, many students are eager

to return and want to avoid a twoweek quarantine. At Trinity School in New York City, not following guidelines is treated by the school as a breach in their honor code.

Though the students do not adopt the same mindset, if they are affected by another student’s contraction of the virus and have to quarantine, that student is shamed socially.

“There is a stigma only in the sense that it prevents others from coming back to campus,” Trinity student Thomas White said. “If someone who was remote contracted it, there would be no problem. But a kid who was in-person got it and literally had to delete social media as a result. In the early days, though, it was much more of a taboo; you knew the names of everyone who had it.”

Students holding each other accountable is a common recent phenomenon. At Trinity, especially, where one grade goes per week on a rotating cycle, learning in-person has acquired a new appreciation. In schools across the nation alike, the adjustments made to account for distant learning has impacted remote and in-person learners.

“I feel like I procrastinate all the time now,” Simpson said. “A lot of the teachers allow us to use our notes on tests now, which [discourages studying. I get that it is to prevent blatant cheating since everything is virtual, but I don’t feel like I am learning as much.”

With every school having to accommodate conditions, kinks in the system that hinder learning and safety are unavoidable. Many students and faculty members believe their schools could be doing more to increase safety.

“The school should provide adequate cleaning supplies and staff to handle those jobs,” Reagan said.

“I spend an hour per day cleaning my classroom for my safety and the safety of my students.”

On the other hand, some people are resolute that it is time to begin moving back to normalization. A huge loss throughout the pandemic has been the suspension of sports, clubs and collaborative groups.

“More people need to be back on campus more often,” White said.

“There is no community, at this point.

Sports would be a good place to start.”

In the absence of any national consensus as to the right way to handle the virus, districts will continue to persevere on an individual basis.

“It’s really sad that everybody across the country is experimenting with something different because nobody knows,” Mills said. “There are all these different areas and regions that are trying things totally different, which sounds a little too carefree.”

A BREATH OF FRESH AIR Sophomores socially distance during a mask break, one of ESD’s many safety precautions.

Mask breaks provide a reprieve from longer classes and mask-wearing and ensure safety by students staying at least ten feet apart. “It’s super refreshing to go outside during every class,” junior Mary Lou McMilllan said. “It also helps to restore some of the community aspect of the school that is harder to find this year.”

Photo by Carolyn Langford

74

percent of states do not have an order as to how schools should respond to the pandemic

Source: CNN.com

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Nov. 13, 2020

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Contact tracing works to prevent spread of virus Quarantine requirements cause frustration for some, students understand necessity

Grace Worsham Staff writer

T

he new system of contact tracing, implemented at the beginning of the school year, determines close contact between infected students and those around them.

This process is commonly used in many schools and businesses. Here on campus, in the circumstance that someone contracts the virus, contact tracers look closely at where students and faculty have been, from locations such as chapel at school to study group areas. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention frequently alters the definition of close contact, but as of now, it is considered as an aggregate of 15 minutes in 48 hours.

This has significantly increased the qualification for close contact, causing more students to be sent home. “[Sometimes], you have to assume that you’re in close contact,” nurse Marcia Biggs said. “That means that you go home for 14 days and shift to remote learning and hope that you continue to feel well. No one around you is necessarily in any jeopardy

because they would be considered a people to swallow… and frustrating contact of a contact.” for some people.”

Sports have caused some Quarantined athletes have tried challenges in to stay connected determining by watching their primary contacts team games and from secondary cheering on their contacts. teammates through “If a member their computers.

THERE’S A LOT AT of the cheer The school has team [tests worked hard STAKE HERE, AND positive], the to put together whole team will livestreams to keep IN THE GRAND be quarantined the community SCHEME OF THINGS, connected. because they would all be “It [has been TWO WEEKS OF considered a close really hard not contact,” Biggs volleyball], QUARANTINE IS NOT playing said. “This is due but I still cheered to the nature of my team on and A BIG DEAL. how they interact told them that I was with one another. there and watching It’s just the way it the games online,” Henry Heil, is, that’s my short sophomore Alexa Head of Upper School answer.”

Grabow said. “The If it can not be other people on verified that the my team that were athlete or student quarantined and was not in close I all watched and contact or farther supported them, than 10 feet from the positive person, but it was definitely hard not being then they must quarantine for two there.” weeks.

With seasonal illnesses rising “[Not being verified] is really such as the flu, stomach bug and the tough,” Head of Upper School Henry yearly ragweed season, it has been Heil said. “It’s a really big pill for hard to distinguish some symptoms

No. of students sent home to quarantine

from COVID-19. “[There is illness] every day of every school year, and this year is no different, unfortunately,” Biggs said.

“Most things are what they appear to be, normal garden variety stuff, so I treat them like normal garden variety stuff. But if you flag on Ascend, and it tells you to stay home based on symptoms, I [would] ask you to stay home for at least that day and probably the next day.”

Students who do not have the virus have still had to quarantine for two weeks and learn remotely, which has been hard for some people.

In some cases, when a student quarantines prior to a positive COVID-19 test, the system is effective in preventing the spread of the virus.

“I understood why, but it was obviously frustrating being negative and not being able to do anything,” Grabow said. “[I know] that they [are] just trying to be safe because if someone did test positive and [still came to school], a lot more people would have to quarantine.”

A concern when it comes to contact tracing is people lying about what gatherings they have been to in fear of getting sent home.

So far, most families have been more upfront about possibly being exposed.

“There’s a lot at stake here, and

No. of students who watched team livestreams

WINDOWLESS CLASSROOM Academic Dean Dr. Eric Boberg teaches an outdoor classroom under a tent near the quarry for a change of scenery. This tent serves as a mask break area for students and faculty who are 10 or more feet apart. “Having class in the outdoor classroom...is by far one of my favorite parts of the day,” senior Lilly Lutz said. “It is not only a mood-booster but strengthens our ability to learn.”

Photo by Grace Worsham

in the grand scheme of things, two weeks of quarantine is not a big deal, but… I would hate [to be responsible for getting others sick],” Heil said.

“So that guides my family’s decisions, and I’m assuming that would guide a lot of other families’ decisions.”

Although it has been hard on quarantined students, many understand and support contact tracing and the school’s dedication to the safety and well being of each student and faculty member.

“I do [think the contact tracing system is efficient],” Grabow said.

“Obviously, the school can’t control my situation and who people hang out with outside of class, but I feel like they are doing really well.”

No. of students flagged on Ascend

84 57 21

Source: Nov. 9 poll of 141 student responses

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Visual and performing arts get creative Arts classes find new ways to showcase and perform, adapt to different learning conditions

By Elisabeth Siegel Communications Director

A

s the school continues to follow social distancing guidelines, the Fine Arts department has been adapting and finding new ways to showcase their artwork in a safe and accessible way, but they still face challenges.

Visual arts classes have been equipped with plexiglass dividers to reduce exposure to the virus.

However, teachers find that these dividers create a barrier.

“Not being able to do one-onone, which is so important when you’re teaching any class, makes it really difficult,” new Studio Art teacher Juan Negroni said. “Coming back to the classroom represents a challenge in the sense that [the students] need to readjust to the new classroom dynamic. It’s a different culture all alone.”

Negroni and his students will showcase their art around campus, including small exhibitions in the Frank building, in order to give the community a taste of student’s work in class.

On the other hand, the performing arts, which usually need close contact and collaboration, have had to find new ways to practice and perform.

“It really hit the whole choir and singing community big time,” choir teacher Joe Snyder said. “It’s a tough road, but we’re doing our best... The students have been very cooperative.”

The choir classes sing outdoors with masks and face shields. Each student records its part at home, which will then be edited into one synchronized video of the whole choir ensemble.

“Since we are not allowed to sing inside, we have less practice time... so it is harder for us to mesh as a whole group,” senior Aidan Cox said. “I am still looking forward to

our recorded performances. The editor always makes each of our parts blend really well together, and it sounds almost as good as if the performance was in person.”

The cast of this year’s play, “Clue,” will record an on-stage performance. Rehearsals occur with proper social distancing measures, so there is limited physical interaction between actors.

“I still wanted to give them as close to pre-COVID conditions as possible, which means actually having a set, actually having costumes [and] actually using props,” Director of Performances Lauren Redmond said. “It’s really hard to have these interactions, not only on the stage, but in the classroom as well.”

Sophomore Liam Pham is the youngest cast member in the show and was assigned to a lead role.

Pham’s job consists of constantly moving around the stage and projecting his voice, even in a face mask and shield.

“I’m just glad to be [performing],” Pham said. “So far, the show has been an incredibly positive experience for me. As soon as we got the cast list, I knew we were going to be an extremely tight-knit group, and we really are.”

Even through the struggles they have faced, many Fine Arts faculty and participants are trying to stay optimistic by using new techniques to their advantage.

“What this has forced me to do is to become more creative and use

more technology, which is great for dance,” dance teacher Glen Dawson said. “It takes us to a different level of ability.”

In May, sophomore Cren Boyd performed a quarantine-themed dance on Zoom. Now, Boyd attends Dawson’s dance classes at 7:30 a.m., five days out of the nine-day cycle.

“We get to find unique ways to dance without touching each other,” Boyd said. “Having dance in-person is much more special than when we had it online during remote learning.”

COVID-19 has made many rely on Fine Arts as a comfort to get through the toughest of times. The pandemic has made many realize the importance of the arts, and how it can transform the human spirit.

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MASKED MELODIES Choir teacher Joe Snyder instructs a class rehearsing outside.

Choristers must remain six-feet apart with masks and face shields while singing. “It’s definitely been different because all the parts can’t sing together, “ sophomore Sydney Stuelpe said. “The spirit is still there, though, when we listen and sight read together.” Photo by Elisabeth Siegel

“Movies, music, books… all of these things are available at our fingertips, and I think [quarantine] proved the point that arts are vital to our everyday existence,” Redmond said. “For us, it’s extremely important that we keep the arts alive moving forward just considering how much everyone has turned to them.”

Nov. 13, 2020

news

Students, teachers adapt to remote learning

inbrief Calendar changes made to balance lost time in new schedule BECAUSE THE NEW SCHEDULE TOOK TIME AWAY FROM teachers to collaborate and plan the rest of the year, Head of School David Baad sent out an email on Oct. 5 regarding calendar changes the administration made to accommodate teachers.

These changes included early dismissal after homecoming celebrations on Friday, Oct. 23; no school on

LEAVING FOR THE LONG WEEKEND Students head to the parking lot to leave the school on Nov. 5 for the three-day weekend. “[The administration] feels like [the students] have been doing really well,” Associate Head of School Ruth Burke said. “This is an emotional and abnormal year, so I think a few breaks will be nice for us all.”

Photo by Callie Hawkins

Friday, Nov. 6 for faculty and students; early release for middle and upper on Friday, Nov. 23 for a faculty in-service; and faculty in-services for teachers on Monday, Jan. 4 but no school for students. “[The teachers] don’t have the same time off that they usually do,” Associate Head of School Ruth Burke said. “The new academic schedule is very demanding of teachers and students. We are asking a lot of teachers because it has definitely increased their supervisory duties.”

The administration has been considering these changes since the start of the school year, but they waited until recently to tell the community because they weren’t sure about what the year and coming back to school would bring.

“We wanted to be able to preserve as many in-person days as possible, and we felt at [the beginning of the year, keeping those days] was the best way to do it,” Burke said.

“It gave us options, which was nice. We were in a really good spot to say, ‘Let’s recharge our batteries a little bit with a little time off.’”

When making these changes, the administration also considered that the student body had been following COVID-19 rules and restrictions and saw fit that the students deserved a few breaks as well.

“I think both the students and faculty really deserve these breaks and are excited about them because we have all been working so hard to follow COVID rules at school,” sophomore Sally Tomlin said. “It will be nice to have a break from them.”

By Callie Hawkins

Fill the Bus drive transitions to Amazon Wish List EVERY FALL DURING HOMECOMING WEEK, STUDENTS go to the store to pick out supplies for the school’s annual Fill the Bus community service drive held on Oct. 23. The goal is to fill a whole bus with sports gear for the St. Philip’s School and Community Center.

BUNCH OF BOXES The Fill the Bus Drive occurs every fall.

Student volunteers filled boxes with sports items to donate to the St. Philip’s School. “We are so happy and so grateful for the items because they help our community so much and bring joy to the children that get to use them,” Outreach Director at St. Philip’s School LaSheryl Walker said.

Photo provided by LaSheryl Walker

The school donates sports equipment to support the St. Phillip’s athletics program and supply their community center. Their programs serve over 700 children, and they encourage kids to exercise and participate in sports. Any left over items will go to their Christmas store, and gives parents the opportunity to pick out gifts for their children.

However, due to the pandemic, some adjustments had to be made in the way the drive usually functions. This year, all donations will be purchased through Amazon Wish List.

The list consists of sports items such as mouth guards, water bottles, basketballs and tennis rackets.

“This is a helpful tool to use if we need to organize a drive as safely as possible,” Community Service Director Courtney Phelps said. “There is no goal this year. St. Philip’s Community Center requested specific items, and we hope to be able to provide those. ” Changing the original system to a fully online drive allows for the donated supplies to be transported and distributed safely. It is a very low risk system that grants the ability to give back to the community safely.

“The items donated will allow students and members of the community access to sports equipment,” junior Kathryn Sullivan said. “I purchased items for the Fill the Bus drive because I realized how fortunate I am to easily have access to sports supplies, and donating has allowed me to give back to the community.”

By Satori Griffith

Students volunteer to work at the polls on Election Day ON ELECTION DAY NOV. 3, SEVERAL UPPER SCHOOL students volunteered to help as election clerks to ensure the voting process ran smoothly.

Student poll workers can be paid anywhere from $12 to $16 per hour, depending on the polling site. However, many students worked as volunteers to receive up to 14 community service hours. There are some requirements

STICKERS GALORE “I Voted” stickers are given out by poll workers at polling places to every person that votes.

“Because of COVID, a lot of the normal volunteers weren’t volunteering, so I wanted to do something to help,” junior Erika Batson said. Photo by Blair Batson

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in order to qualify as a poll worker; applicants should be at least 16 years old, in school and a U.S. citizen. Several students went through the application process and participated as workers. They acted as supervisors by organizing polls, checking in voters and answering any questions that voters had.

Director of Community Service Learning, Courtney Phelps sent out a notice regarding the opportunity to serve on election day. Junior Erika Batson applied.

“I learned about volunteering at the polls because Mrs. Phelps posted on Schoology about it,” Batson said. “Due to COVID, a lot of the people were not volunteering that are usually elderly people, so I wanted to take action and help.”

After applying, students were required to attend a virtual and in-person training session to learn about election laws and the voting machinery.

“I attended a virtual training session before the real deal,” Batson said. “A few weeks later, I went to an in-person training session to get familiarized with the equipment.”

The jobs students were assigned to do varied depending on the need at each polling station.

“At my polling location I feel like I did the little things that still made a difference,” Batson said. “I checked people in before they voted, prepared their ballots and made sure they were a registered voter. Even though there was not a large number of people who came into my section on Election Day, I was glad I was there and helping rather than not helping.”

By Christian Rockamore

By Callie Hawkins Staff writer

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ith some students and and sometimes, it becomes a little faculty staying at home frustrating.” by choice, mandate or Sophomore Ella Sjogren agrees because of health risks, with Mallipeddi. Sjogren was exposed it has been a challenge to satisfy to COVID-19 outside of school and and accommodate everyone’s needs, had to quarantine for two weeks. but the school is working together “It just took a couple days to adjust, and adapting to the hybrid learning but you just have to figure out all system. of your class codes and how you’re When the school first went going to take tests, which is kind of remote due to COVID-19, teachers difficult,” Sjogren said. “Sometimes, I and students began to learn about feel like we are neglected or forgotten new rules, safety precautions and about, but I feel like overall, it is way curriculum changes­­—many of which more planned out than last spring, are still currently in place. These which makes it a little better. Some guidelines are smoothing themselves teachers are definitely a little passiveout and becoming easier as the school aggressive with the students that gets into a new normal routine. Upper are online, but some [teachers] also school Spanish teacher Marcela interrupt their class time to check in Garcini is one of the many teachers with [remote learners] and see how who is teaching in person. we are doing.”

“I feel extremely confident about Online teachers have had to everything now compared to last make many adjustments to their semester,” Garcini said. “A large curriculum. Warner has changed number of teachers during the many of his methods to online summer took training from Harvard simulations and videos with written classes, and we were able to practice responses to make it easier for him and listen about the hybrid system, and for his students. so we were ready, and we were “Last spring, I was taking my prepared.” curriculum that I had developed Upper school over the years that chemistry teacher was designed for inWalter Warner, one person teaching and of the few teachers just trying to adapt who has chosen to it to online,” Warner I FEEL EXTREMELY said. “Now, I make teach remotely, also attended one of the I have at least a CONFIDENT ABOUT sure Harvard Graduate short check-in with School of Education of [my students] EVERYTHING NOW each courses. so that I’m looking at “I wouldn’t say [them] and forcing COMPARED TO [teaching online [them] to interact LAST SEMESTER. rather than inwith me on a more person has] been personal level. A big difficult,” Warner part of the reason I do said. “The way I that is because I am Marcela Garcini, feel about it is that Upper school Spanish teacher so limited in the ways it is disappointing that I can get to know to me that I can’t be each of [them].” there physically to These adjustments be with all of [the make it easier for students] everyday Warner to teach to experience things that we all have remotely, but Garcini and all inexperienced in the past when we person teachers also have made all have been together. I certainly changes to their lesson plans. feel that, as far as the quality of the “[My teaching] is totally different education that students have been from what I did in the past,” Garcini getting from me this fall, it’s been said. “Now, my teaching is looking easier for me to present [them] with at the big picture and implementing a more consistently high quality more authentic materials. We are education than I did last spring.” listening to videos, and we are writing But while teachers start to feel letters, so we are now actually doing more confident working with the things that are tools for you to use system, some students who are having in the real world. We are merging to learn online continue to struggle to a new model where the teacher and are having a harder time getting plans start with the end goal, and used to remote learning. from there, you start developing your “I would honestly say that [for lesson plans.” the online kids, the quality of For now, as the school has gotten learning] is worse because when into a new, smooth routine, the one everybody is online, the teacher has thing holding them back, is the to accommodate everyone at the struggle of the online students. same time, and that really makes “I know the school is trying their them put in a lot of effort,” said best, and I know the teachers are sophomore Neel Mallipeddi, who has trying their best, [so] we just have been learning from home to mitigate to adapt to the situation and deal his family’s risk of contagion. “Now, with it,” Mallipeddi said. “These are when most of the kids are at school choices I have made and my family and only a few are online, I find has made, and we just have to go some of my teachers kind of lacking with it. That’s the most we can do in accommodating the online kids, right now.”

TEACHING FROM THE SCREEN Upper school chemistry teacher Walter Warner teaches from home in one of his Honors Chemistry classes. “I am quite pleased and amazed at how well [my students] have kept up with the work, and they seem to be learning well,” Warner said.

Photo by Callie Hawkins

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SENIOR FINDS INSPIRATION IN WHEEL THROWING

By Alexandra Warner Staff writer

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ike sister, like brother. Senior Max Beuck initially became interested in wheel throwing through his sister, Madeleine Walton, who graduated in 2012 and is currently a ceramics artist.

Beuck has been wheel throwing since freshman year, and is now passionate about his elective.

“My sister learned from Mrs. Brault who is my teacher now,” Beuck said.

“She convinced me that it could be a fun art to do so I wanted to try it and I really [liked it].”

Wheel throwing teacher Barbara Brault has worked with Beuck for three years. Over the years, Brault has seen his strong work ethic and love for wheel throwing grow. “[Max] has a passion for wheel throwing, and he enjoys the challenge of bringing new designs to completion,” Brault said. “He is always on top of his work and pays attention to it, and in ceramics this is so important. He carefully stores his pieces in progress, checking to make sure that everything is covered and protected. This sense of time management has served Max well.”

Like many wheel throwing artists, Beuck follows a specific process for every art piece he fabricates. He uses

materials like clay, a pottery wheel, a kiln and paint. Most of the time he starts with an idea of what he wants to make, wedges up some clay, centers it on the wheel and starts throwing.

“I wait [until] it’s at a ‘leather hard’ state so I can trim the ‘foot’ of the piece and give it the final touches on the actual structure,” Beuck said. “[When it] dries it goes into its first firing called a bisque firing. The last steps [are] to glaze the piece, add any other aesthetics to [it], and fire it one last time.”

With the many projects Beuck has completed over the years, his favorite projects have been the pieces that he can actually use such as plates and cups. He likes the idea of “getting something out of [his] hard work.”

“Knowing that I’ve made something by myself and using it have just been something really cool and rewarding,” Beuck said.

Brault appreciates the different pieces Beuck has created. She knows that he recognizes the little details that make art stand out, and she notices his effort.

“Max’s designs stand out, as he has a very clean look to his pieces,” Brault said. “His pieces are not fussy, nor do they say ‘look at me,’ but rather they are straightforward, clean and decisive.”

Through his years of experience, Beuck has learned to be patient —

there are a lot of steps and processes one has to go through when making a piece of art.

“It’s also taught me to be delicate with my work and finding the little things because they do matter,” Beuck said.

And with all the demanding school

work Beuck is piled up with, wheel throwing helps him to decompress.

“Wheel throwing gives me that sense of creativity and an artistic sense in my life,” Beuck said. “It helps keep the stress from my hard classes away and allows me to just work creatively on my own.”

THROWING CLAY Senior Max Beuck uses a pottery wheel to carfullly shape his clay.

He’s worked on a variety of projects but has a passion for making sets. “I’m excited for this next project because I’ll be making a dinner set,” Beuck said. “I can’t wait to look back on it knowing that I put a lot of hard work into it.”

Photo by Callie Hawkins

COVID-19 causes families to adjust Thanksgiving plans

By Luke McCabe Life Editor

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he threat of COVID-19 has changed the way most people go about their daily lives, and with Thanksgiving festivities approaching, families and friends are adjusting their usual traditions to remain safe.

“My husband and I will have our son, daughter-in-law and 2-year-old grandson for dinner at our house,” English teacher Dr. Catherine Civello said. “Our plans have changed due to COVID-19. We usually host Thanksgiving for my brother and sister, their spouses and children and a few friends. In other words, we usually have 12 to 15 people; this year, we will have 5.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released information and considerations for hosts of holiday gatherings to make sure that festivities are carried out in a safe fashion. Their guidelines outline the risk factors that should be considered before one decides to host a gathering and recommend how the gathering should be held.

The risk factors include the levels of COVID-19 in the community, the location of the gathering, the duration of the gathering, the number of people attending the event, the locations from which attendees are coming from and

the behavior of attendees before the gathering. These risk factors assess the likelihood of someone at the event having COVID-19 and their ability to spread the virus.

Precautions that can be taken to control potential spread at the event include hosting the gathering in a well ventilated or outdoor venue, wearing masks and quarantining for 14 days prior to the event.

On a recent poll of 141 students, 53.2 percent of responders said their families are trying to host gatherings and continue their Thanksgiving traditions; however, some changes, like the absence of grandparents or limiting of travel, are unavoidable.

The most important precaution in celebrating together is limiting the number of attendees, according to the CDC. Additionally, making sure that guests have been following similar precautions to the host is important in regulating risk. Changes need to be made to these festivities in order to promote a safe environment, but Civello says her glass is always half full.

“We plan to roast our turkey outside and grill root vegetables to give our usually traditional dinner an autumnal twist,” Civello said.

“Our backyard is in the form of a small Tuscan courtyard, with twinkling lights in the trees and a fountain. Later, we’ll sit around the fire pit and tell family stories and watch [my grandson] Oliver play.”

Many Thanksgiving traditions

during COVID-19 are being shifted from large family gatherings and reunions to smaller and more close knit festivities with direct kin, such as Civello’s. However, some families who believe they have less members at risk to serious complications from COVID-19 and with less daily life exposure are still traveling and gathering.

“I’d say my plans for Thanksgiving are pretty normal despite the circumstances,” senior Max Beuck said. “We are having a casual dinner with close family trying to keep it kind of small. We usually do. There’s not usually a lot of extended family that comes, so it’s kind of normal for us.”

Beuck’s family, like 46.8 percent of the poll’s responders, are continuing their family Thanksgiving traditions with relatively few changes. For Beuck, this is the first time he is seeing his grandparents since the COVID-19 outbreak began.

“Unfortunately, this summer I wasn’t able to see my grandparents at all due to the fact that they’re a little bit older and I didn’t want to risk spreading Covid to them and risk them having complications,” Beuck said. “It was a little bit of change but we’re taking the risk for Thanksgiving as safely as we can.”

Keeping life and our yearly traditions as normal as possible is the goal during these COVID-19 times, however, risk assessment is an important factor. Safety for all is a priority, and because CDC reports

71

percent of students believe Thanksgiving gatherings pose risk toward others

61 students are traveling for Thanksgiving Source: Nov. 9 poll of 141 students

that eight out of 10 COVID-19 deaths are from individuals 65 and older, it is important we keep seniors out of harm’s way.

“These changes are needed because both my sister and my sister-in-law have underlying conditions,” Civello said. “COVID-19 has necessitated deep changes in our family dynamics. I have seen my brother and sister only once since March 12 and only at a distance. My sister has a chronic lung condition; my sister-in-law has lupus.

They seldom leave their homes.”

Families are still finding ways to connect with each other whether that be over Zoom, from a distance or safely traveling. According to CNN, more people are traveling this year than last year despite the pandemic and air travel is up 3.7 percent nationwide since 2019.

“I haven’t seen my cousins or grandparents in a really long time, but we are planning on visiting them in New Orleans this Thanksgiving,” sophomore Amelia Sinwell said. “My grandparents, sadly, aren’t attending, but I am sure that when we are with our cousins we will Facetime or Zoom call them so that the whole family is together in spirit.”

Zoom and Facetime will never replace seeing family in person, Sinwell says. However, she says it is the gesture that is important in these trying times.

“I will cherish this holiday, in its new form,” Civello said. “As I do any time that I spend with my family.”

life

Nov. 13, 2020

TikTok polarizes student political opinions Students spend more and more time on app, distracts them from other important responsibilities

By Gardiner Vose Views Editor

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he popular entertainment and social media app TikTok has changed the way that many teens spend time on their phones and has also affected other aspects of their life. According to Business Insider, as of December 2019, TikTok was the seventh most downloaded app of the past decade with 1.3 billion downloads since its launch in 2018.

Students often spend an average of two to four hours a day on the app, according to a Nov. 9 poll of 141 students. They scroll through the app’s “For You” page and look at the content of the creators they follow. Furthermore, 55 percent of students use TikTok more than other apps.

Senior Zaria Osimetha believes that the app increases her procrastination when it comes to doing work but can educate her on politics and other news.

“I go on TikTok every day and usually about once an hour, which probably adds up to about three hours a day,” Osimetha said. “I mostly look at my ‘For You’ page because it changes based on what I like, and that is super useful in keeping up with my interests. For a while my ‘For You’ page was just cooking videos, but it is usually just funny stuff I find entertaining.”

The app also is the platform for many political creators who report political news and other content on their page. These videos mainly appear on the ‘For You’ page which gives recommended content and often takes a stance on issues that are similar to the user’s interests.

“I would say that TikTok helps me stay aware of the news, but it’s not my primary source,” Osimetha said. “I would say that my feed is about 10 percent news content. I think that it is factual, but I think it is biased to a certain political angle.

For example, if a popular creator like Charli D’Amelio started making a news channel, then yes, that would be harmful because I think she is not a reliable source and could be biased.”

Although only some of the content is politically related, it can have an impact on the thought process of teens. Twenty-three percent of students reported that the app has influenced their political beliefs.

“I definitely think more about politics because of TikTok,” senior Rylie Dupuis said.

“I think that the creators who get on the ‘For You’ page can rally their political parties and definitely put you against the other one. I see political things on my friends’ phones too, so I do think that it could have a polarizing effect on younger people.”

But the app can also help keep people up to date with pop-culture and can be a good way to stay in touch with trends. One of the most popular trends on the app is dancing videos, which can get millions of views and be replicated by multiple users.

“I would say I spend about two hours a day on the app mostly just watching funny videos along with dancing and fashion,” senior Katherine Cowser said. “These videos are usually on my ‘For You’ page, so I don’t have a specific creator I follow or anything like that. I like the app, but it can be counterproductive for me at times.”

The app allows any user to create content that can be published for anyone to view. The more successful creators on the app can have millions of fans, with the top creator being Charli D’Amelio, a 15 year old with over 95 million followers.

“I sometimes make videos, but most of the ones I make are not to try to actually get views or likes, they are just for my entertainment,” Dupuis said. “It is really hard to get a video that goes viral, and I do not want to have my content seen by that many people. I usually just use the app when I want to kill some time on my phone.

I would definitely say I spend the most time on it, and it is an issue for me.”

The popularity of the app increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, as more people were inclined to download the app as a source of entertainment. That was the case for sophomore Elliot McCabe.

“I never seriously considered getting the app until March of 2020 when we started having to stay at home,” McCabe said. “It was definitely one of my main sources of entertainment during quarantine, and I still use it a decent amount.”

But not everyone is a fan. Some teens have chosen not to download the app, despite its popularity—they don’t see a need when there are other sources of entertainment. There are also significant privacy issues and safety concerns regarding the app’s connection with the Chinese government being that the app is owned by ByteDance, a Chinese company.

For senior Max Moorman, TikTok was never a platform he was interested in.

“I never really saw a need to download the app when there are other platforms like Instagram where you can get basically the same type of content,” Moorman said. “I have seen people waste a huge amount of time on the app, and it really doesn’t interest me. I also think there are some privacy issues with the app in regards to China, so it’s just another reason for me not to use it.”

Graphic by Gardiner Vose

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Thankful tales

Students and faculty reminisce on past Thanksgiving experiences

By Victoria Willox Art and Design Director

“Two years ago our distant relatives from Germany were in America [during Thanksgiving]. One night we played mafia and their little boy Philip was obviously the mafia. We all pretended we didn’t know because he was so excited, but his older brother Max was trying to get him voted off. Phillip got mad and they started fighting in German. It was really funny because we had no clue what they were saying.”

“I went on a cruise with my family for Thanksgiving, and the restaurant wouldn’t let us inside because my grandfather wasn’t wearing [long] pants. My grandfather and the restaurant manager got into a huge fight and we got kicked out of the dinning area. We had Thanksgiving dinner at the cruise buffet in our fancy [clothes] and laughed about it the entire dinner.”

“Last year [for Thanksgiving], I ran at the Turkey Trot, then went home to get ready [for the rest of the day] and then went to the Thanksgiving Cowboys game. It was a busy day, but I got to have fun with friends and family while doing different things that I love. Also, I got to eat two Thanksgiving meals that day which was great.”

“On Thanksgiving my male cousins and my brothers usually end up playing football and...one year I decided I wanted to play with them. My cousins were nice, but when my oldest brother threw the ball to me my other brother pushed me before I could catch it. Because I was wearing booties I couldn’t fight gravity and I took two wobbly steps before falling down completely. We all laughed, but I definitely ruined my sweater.”

“I was in South Korea one year during Thanksgiving a long time ago. I was working there for a few years, and I ended up spending my Thanksgiving in the United States embassy.

I had never been to the embassy before and I don’t think that I’ve been since, but it made for an interesting Thanksgiving [experience].”

Charlie Neuhoff,

Alexa Grabow,

Virginia Nussbaumer,

Monse Rodriguez,

Matthew Varvir,

freshman

sophomore

junior

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physics teacher

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Nov. 13, 2020

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The Connection Among Us Despite social distancing and quarantine guidelines, students link through newly popularized game

By Elisabeth Siegel Communications Director

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rossing the dining briefly during lunch, but normally ommons to get to her on Friday or Saturday nights on a lunch table, sophomore call with friends.”

Bridget Wang noticed Sophomore class Dean Phil students at about every table Bryan has noticed students playing hunched over their phones. Peeking the game during lunch and at over a shoulder to get a closer various times during the school day. look at the screen, she recognized His own family has even played it the Telly Tubby-like astronauts with each other, his kids showing clamoring across the familiar spacehim how it works. ship map of “Among Us,” an online “I like that it requires reasoning, multiplayer game that has been logic, and strategy rather than just gaining popularity running around in the in the past and shooting,” few months.

Bryan said. “It gives To play, a you the sense that player, alongside you’re actually their friends or doing something online strangers, with another IT’S A GREAT gets assigned a person even if it’s role as either a across the room.”

WAY TO HAVE crew member or Users can play FUN AND RELAX an imposter. The with people all crewmembers over the world on DURING THESE complete a series any device, further of tasks, while the attributing to its STRESSFUL TIMES... imposter sneaks, rise in popularity sabotages and IT’S DEFINITELY BEEN during COVID-19 kills other players. quarantine. The Crewmembers game’s fame A SOURCE OF JOY eventually call resulted in an FOR ME. meetings to influx of “Among reveal and vote Us”-related content off the suspected and memes Bridget Wang, imposter. published all sophomore “Playing the over the Internet, game with my especially on friends is such a Twitter and TikTok. good time because “I have seen we’re always a whole lot of screaming and content about the laughing,” Wang game, from strategy said. “It’s a great way to have fun videos to fan art and cosplays,” Beck and relax during these stressful said. “The memes are hilarious to times.” look at and laugh about.”

The game was released in Twitch fans have accumulated June 2018, but suddenly gained more than 200 million hours of popularity and reached the top watching “Among Us” gameplay so of app download lists by midfar this year. Fans get to see many September. The unexpected rise gamers, influencers and public can be attributed to well-known figures alike, show their personality gamers such as “PewDiePie” and and spirit and be themselves in an “Pokimane” playing on the video unfiltered environment. live-streaming service Twitch.

“I have seen many gameplays “I mainly watch recordings of pop-up on my social media before Twitch gameplays on Youtube,” and I take a look at them,” Wang senior Jack Beck said. “I usually play said. “They’re so funny to me…it

Graphic by Elisabeth Siegel

expanded my vocabulary to one that only people who play ‘Among Us’ understand.”

Even Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez joined in on the craze, playing on Twitch in an effort to encourage young people to vote.

The stream accumulated 439,000 viewers, ranking as the third most viewed single stream in Twitch history.

“This was the first time I’ve ever heard of a politician playing a game to encourage voting for young adults,” Wang said. “It was a very unique and impressive way to open new doors.”

InnerSloth, the game’s developer, canceled its plans to make an “Among Us 2” in order to focus on improving and expanding their current content. These features plan

25 percent of responders do not play “Among Us”

to include new servers, colorblind support and an account system.

“I’m looking forward to a new map and possible new game modes,” Beck said. “I also think that if they added more players that would be really cool.”

The rise of the game has caused a series of hackers cheating and spamming servers, an issue which InnerSloth has had difficulty keeping up with. The developers announced an update that tries to identify and kick the hackers.

“I have heard about hacking on the app,” Beck said. “I believe that the game developers have been quick to work on patches to make the game more safe from hacking.”

“Among Us,” though it’s fairly new, has allowed many young people to escape boredom

26 percent of responders watch “Among Us” gameplays on Twitch or Youtube

THE VOTING CREW Politicians and public figures encourage voting in the 2020 presidential election by playing Among Us with young people, similar to how the crewmates work together to vote out the Impostor.

during COVID-19. People from many different paths of life have connected through the game and have used it as a way to spread positivity.

“COVID-19 and quarantine has been difficult on everyone because the social aspect just wasn’t there,” Wang said. “Playing ‘Among Us’ is a really fun time to hang out with friends even though we aren’t really hanging out. It’s definitely been a source of joy for me.”

48 percent of responders play “Among Us” during lunch

“AMONG US” USERS AMONG US 75 percent of responders play “Among Us”

74 percent of responders do not watch “Among Us” gameplays on Twitch or Youtube

52 percent of responders do not play “Among Us” during lunch Source: Nov. 9 poll of 141 upper school students

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Movie-watching in theaters goes retro Viewers seek alternatives to theaters such as drive-ins and streaming services

By Carolyn Langford Copy Editor

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andemic movie watchers and producers have adapted how they keep up with the release of movies to maintain safety procedures and prevent the spread of the virus.

Major movie theaters AMC and Cinemark shut down completely on March 16. Not knowing when they would be able to reopen, many film producers scrambled for ways to premiere their movies. Streaming subscription services like Netflix and Disney+ have continued to provide a way to watch recently released movies at home.

“I used to go to the movies with my friends all the time, but now, like everyone else, we are limited to watching movies at our house,” junior Virginia Nussbaumer said.

“I’ve been re-watching a lot of my favorites.”

Nussbaumer was ecstatic to learn that the stage adaptation of Lin Manuel-Miranda’s Tony award winning musical, “Hamilton,” would be released early, and that she could watch it easily and safely from home with her family. With Broadway closed until at least late May, the unexpected early release of “Hamilton” on July 3 to Disney+ brought the musical from theatre to home.

“I watched “Hamilton” the day it came out,” Nussbaumer said. “I thought it was a great way to boost people’s morale because people were already disheartened by COVID-19, and even in a normal year, tickets to ‘Hamilton’ are not easily attainable.”

For “Hamilton,” the opportunity to release the musical on Disney+ expanded viewership and allowed people to watch the musical for a

fraction of what the Broadway ticket would have been. Economically, this way of releasing movies could really benefit networks when unexpected issues arise. Other movies released early for home viewing during the pandemic include “Mulan” on Disney+, “Trolls: World Tour on” Hulu, “Emma” on Amazon Prime Video and “The Invisible Man” on Hulu.

“A lot of shows are going to be closed and not come back after COVID-19,” Nussbaumer said.

“This is very sad because there are definitely some of my [favorites], which I wish more people could watch, in person, or on the TV. What’d be smart in my opinion is for Disney+ to make it their thing, like have a musical section, because they’d profit big time, which they already have from Hamilton.”

Like producers, movie watchers have had to adapt to circumstances, and some have gotten creative. What seems like an ancient trend has arisen among teenagers throughout the pandemic: drive-in movies.

“Drive-in movies remind me of the olden days,” junior Grace Macchia said. “I like to decorate the car to be super cute and aesthetic.

Since the movie theaters were closed during the summer, the drive-ins were the only ones open and you can stay in your cars and social distance from everyone.”

This safe alternative to traditional theaters during COVID-19 allows people to watch movies, old and new, from their car. Many teenagers have taken it as an opportunity to disconnect and bond with their friends.

“I go with my boyfriend and I love

Graphic by Carolyn Langford that it’s outside and private and you can see all the stars,” Macchia said.

“I would recommend going because it’s like a fun road trip if you go to a location farther away from Dallas.

Unlike going to a regular movie theater, it’s super private and you don’t have to worry about disturbing other people by talking.”

After months of accommodating irregular movie releases, via streaming services or otherwise, movie theaters began to reopen in waves in August. Many had to make the decision as to whether or not it

was safe to return.

“It’s not that I even felt 100 percent comfortable going back to the theater,” senior Sam Curtis said.

“For me, it was a necessary risk.

Going with my father to see the latest Christopher Nolan film is a tradition that is too important to me to pass up.

“Tenet” was the perfect experience to give me a much-needed mental health boost; the blaring speakers, unbelievable IMAX visuals and the excitement of its plot twists provided me with a mid-pandemic joy that nothing else could.”

Many reopened movie theaters have specific standards to ensure safety. Reopening was a step in the direction of returning to normal activities with new safety precautions.

“The film industry, theaters especially, has been hit hard by the pandemic, and so I admire Nolan’s commitment to releasing Tenet safely,” Curtis said. “I personally felt safe with the sanitation and social distancing in the theater, and can’t see theaters doing much more than they already are.”

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Nov. 13, 2020

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School focuses on education rather than regulation When it comes to large gatherings during the pandemic, students are divided over the school’s approach

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

Very nice!

The “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan” was released on Amazon prime Oct. 23 as a sequel to the 2014 film featuring the same fictional Kazakh reporter and his adventures across the U.S. The movie features pranks and comedy sketches with famous figures such as Rudy Giuliani and Mike Pence, stirring controversy in the political world.

Kanye 2020 Rapper Kanye West appeared on Joe Rogan’s podcast on Oct. 25 to talk about his campaign for president and world views. West started by saying that his campaign began in his shower in 2015 when God put the message in his heart that being president was next. West ranted for over two hours and bounced around from topics such as racial injustice to his potential campaign in 2024.

Ridin’ High Famous country music artist Jerry Jeff Walker passed away on Oct. 23 from cancer at age 78 in a hospital in Austin. His hits “L.A. Freeway,” “Mr. Bojangles” and “London Homesick Blues” will all live on in country history. Walker’s unique take on the outlaw country genre will continue to pave the way for country singers alike, and the ‘cosmic cowboy’ music scene he created in Austin, Texas at the Armadillo World nightclub serves as a physical example of this legacy.

Positioned for success

Ariana Grande released her sixth album in partnership with Republic Records on Oct. 30, titled “Positions,” which includes 14 songs and features from Ty Dolla $ign, The Weeknd, Murda Beatz, and Doja Cat. The album release included a music video set in the White House with Grande starring as commander-in-chief. The album quickly captured the top spot on the album billboards marking Grande’s third number one album in the last three years. “Positions” debuted with 174 million streams cementing Grande’s role as a top pop artist.

By Blair Batson and Evelyn Zhao Editors-in-Chief

H

igh schools have often COVID-19] because it hasn’t really had to decide their role in seemed to be much of an issue and dictating student behavior. they haven’t seemed to—like they Should they punish students know about it—but they haven’t for serving or consuming alcohol? really done anything about it,” Should they mandate that students senior Stella Foreman said. “I feel include each other in gatherings like there should be punishment for outside of school? Should they keep it because it’s a different time, and watch over students who are using you’re putting other people at school drugs? COVID-19 has added a new at risk.” layer to this dilemma: should schools Rather than strictly regulating regulate large gatherings off campus? whether students can gather in If ESD does receive evidence of large groups, the administration a gathering that is not in line with has focused more on educating the school’s values or violates the students—through emails and law, they would announcements get involved— at lunch—on speaking with the what responsible parents who own decisions look the property where like during the the gathering pandemic. occurred and with “At the end of the students. But the day, the school these conversations absolutely could I DON’T THINK would be more [punish students oriented toward for gathering], WHEN IT COMES education rather but the school than punishment. chooses not to TO COVID, The school does because the school have the authority wants to educate [THE SCHOOL] to punish students the students here, NECESSARILY NEEDS send them out and who violate county health guidelines; give them trust to TO STEP IN MORE. however, Head use that education of Upper School responsibly Henry Heil believes Kelly James, and make good that this type of decisions,” Heil Senior punishment would said. fundamentally In addition change the school’s to trying to be culture and signify proactive in that the school addressing how does not trust its students behave students. off campus during “Theoretically, the pandemic, the we could say if we school has always find out you’re playing on a club had a philosophy of instilling values sports team or we find out you’ve in students in the classroom with the been at a gathering, we’ll dismiss you hope that those values will translate from school,” Heil said. “We could to all aspects of life. do that, but the school has never “Getting up and talking at lunch, done that. That would be a pretty big am I expecting that’s going to solve leap for us to make, and it would be every problem? No, of course not, but culturally way out of line from where I want people to hear my voice, and I we are as an institution.” want people to know where we stand According to a Nov. 9 poll of 141 and what we care about,” Heil said. upper school students, 30 percent “But when I go into my classroom believe the school should play a every day, and I have 20 students larger role in regulating student there in front of me, you better gatherings during COVID-19. believe that what I’m trying to do is “[The school] should take a much obviously teach them government, bigger stance against [parties during but I’m also trying to teach them

*names have been changed to protect the identity of the student

Return of the Man on the Moon

Rapper Kid Cudi posted a short video clip Oct. 26 on Twitter with the text: “The Trilogy Continues.” This references his upcoming release of the third “Man on the Moon” album, which has been long awaited by fans since his 2010 release of “Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager” and his 2009 release of “Man on the Moon: The End of Day.” Cudi has not clarified exactly when “soon” means, but nevertheless his devoted fanbase is ready for blast off.

Happy Anywhere (feat. Gwen Stefani) Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton got engaged on Oct. 17 after Shelton surprised Stefani with a proposal. The two announced their engagement with matching Twitter posts a few days after. The duo has been dating since their collaboration on the 2015 season of “The Voice” and has now finally sealed the deal.

about life, and I’m trying to teach them about values and I’m trying to teach them about what’s important...

We have opportunities every single day as a school to help people get better, and if we don’t do that, that’s a problem.”

Seventy percent of students do not believe the school should be more strict when it comes to monitoring gatherings during the pandemic.

“I don’t think when it comes to COVID, [the school] necessarily needs to step in more,” senior Kelly James* said. “I think the protocols at school are really safe, and I think they are going to work pretty well, and they’ve proven to work so far, so I don’t think that preventing large gatherings is really going to do anything. Also, you have to remember that we’re high schoolers, and when you tell students not to do something, they’re still going to do it if they want to do it.”

The pandemic has caused disagreement between students over how they should behave outside of school with regards to safety guidelines. Sixty-seven percent of students believe there is a division in the school between students who go to large gatherings and students who continue to social distance.

“Students are super divided about it,” Foreman said. “There’s about half [of ] people, maybe a little bit more [than] half of people, who are really frustrated with people who are [gathering], and [they’re] like, ‘We’re doing the right thing, so can y’all please do the right thing so this can be over?’ And then [there are] students who are like, ‘I don’t really care. I’m going to do what I want to do.’”

Heil believes that the only way to work through these differences is face-to-face discussions.

“Whoever’s having their differences needs to sit down and talk about it,” Heil said. “It may be uncomfortable—who wants to sit down and talk about this stuff? This is uncomfortable stuff; it’s much easier to talk about it with people who you agree with, whatever your position is. But until you’re willing to sit down and understand where people are coming from, then it’s never going to get resolved.”

Graphic by Evelyn Zhao and Blair Batson

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WRESTLING BEFORE

Story and Photo Illustration by Life Editor Emily Lichty and Staff writer Katherine Mote

Red. Blue. Red. Blue. Red. Blue.

Senior Olivia Hagge’s eyes nervously scan the phone screen in front of her as she watches the election map slowly fill in. It’s 2 a.m. on Election Night, and the 2020 Presidential Election is far from over. She waits, hopeful that the numbers in front of her will provide clarity. Eventually, Hagge accepts she will have to wait a little longer to hear the final result and heads to bed. One question remains at the center of her and the rest of the country’s mind: Who will be the 46th president of the United States of America?

BEFORE THE NOV. 3 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, STUDENTS AND FACULTY prepared for it and adjusted to the modifications in voting presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. And protests against racial injustice changed classroom discussion and promoted political debates among students. The 2020 election between now President-elect Joe Biden and President Donald Trump was unprecedented in many ways.

The COVID-19 pandemic was at the center of this election. It not only affected the voters’ perspective on each candidate, but also caused a large number of voters to mail in their ballots or vote early. According to the Pew Research center, 50.3 percent of ballots in 2020 were absentee, a substantial increase from 27.4 percent absentee ballots in 2016. “[COVID-19] has absolutely affected this election,” government teacher Kiley McAbee said. “It made people scared to go to the polls, and a lot of it depends on what area you’re in. It’s definitely made people worried to go wait in line.”

According to the New York Times, while three-fourths of voters were able to receive an absentee ballot for this election, seven states, including Texas, required an excuse beyond COVID-19 for voters to receive one. Many Texan voters opted to vote early in hopes of avoiding crowds at polling locations.

“I had a wonderful experience, and I was willing to wait two hours because I think it’s important to vote,” Spanish teacher Marcela Garcini said. “The people that become American citizens work for it, and I have never missed any U.S. elections [since] I became a citizen.”

A significant increase in involvement among younger generations with the election was observed this year. According to a study at Tufts University, 53 to 56 percent of voters aged 18-29 voted, a rise from 47 percent in the 2016 election. While many members of Gen Z are still too young to vote, it is the most racially and ethnically diverse generation that voted in this election. Senior Olivia Hagge voted early on Oct. 28 and encouraged other students to do the same.

“It’s not our right to vote—it’s our responsibility,” Hagge said. “Because we’re a democracy, we need to have an accurate representation, [and] we need to have the people’s voice be reflected onto who is leading us. With this upcoming election, there are so many people who are now eligible to vote. Gen Z is the most diverse group of people [voting], and since we can vote, I think that will make a huge positive impact.”

For many members of younger generations, social media provided a platform to learn and share political opinions, especially during an election year. Alumna Victoria Hammett ‘17 uses TikTok to share her political opinions and discuss current events with her audience of over 400,000 followers.

“We need to be talking about [political issues] right now, so I made a video about [Black Lives Matter], and that really created a shift with me and my content,” Hammett said. “I have this platform, and at this point in 2020, it felt silly to post about anything else. We’re seeing record breaking numbers of voters, and I think it’s largely a result of how vocal everyone is on social media right now.”

For many students, the election changed the way students interact with each other.

Often, different political beliefs can affect relationships with peers in a positive or negative way. In a Nov. 9 poll of 128 upper school students, 97 percent of respondents said the election has affected their relationship with other students.

“The election has affected my student life in many social ways,” sophomore and Conservative Club member Blake Scheinberg said. “I am a very open and passionate Trump supporter, and I tend to get a lot of criticism and hate for just expressing my belief.”

Discussions surrounding elections continued into the classroom, where students and teachers analyze events during the election to better understand different perspectives.

“I love working here because while our student body is pretty divided in terms of Republican and Democrat and all in between, it doesn’t feel like that in the classroom,” McAbee said. “[Conversations] are very civil, and I love that, because I’ve definitely taught in places where that wasn’t the case.”

91

Percent of students think that the pandemic affected the election process

63

Percent of students and t the results came soone

centerspread

Nov. 13, 2020

G FOR THE White House

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DURING

AFTER

JOINING THE NEARLY 160 MILLION AMERICANS WHO VOTED IN THIS election, the highest voter turnout since 1900, many students and teachers cast their vote in the Presidential Election. That night, the results of the election were anxiously awaited, yet delayed for days by the high number of absentee ballots.

Results of the election were not concluded on Election Day, with several battleground states such as Arizona, Nevada, Georgia, North Carolina and Pennsylvania still counting their ballots. According to CNN, Election Day ended with 224 electoral votes for Biden and 213 for Trump, both candidates far from the 270 necessary to win. Several battleground states, including Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, North Carolina and Pennsylvania, were at the center of the country’s attention as their counts would be crucial in determining the final outcome. “[Not knowing the results on election night] has happened before, but it doesn’t happen very much,” McAbee said. “Usually, the networks are pretty certain the election is going to turn out a certain way. I knew that it was going to take a while, but I know many of us still stayed up.”

With a turnout of roughly 66.8 percent registered voters, according to CNBC, Biden set the record for highest number of votes in history, with over 50.61 percent of the popular vote, according to Time Magazine. “[The high voter turnout] is so significant because it shows people really are paying attention and wanting to be involved,” McAbee said. “It’s really good that people have been so involved in this election....People went and cast their vote and that’s phenomenal. It gives [me] a sense of pride, especially because so many young people went out to vote.”

In reaction to Election Day results, both candidates and their supporters expressed their opinions on each state’s outcome. The Trump campaign pursued legal action surrounding the results in Michigan, Arizona, Georgia and Pennsylvania, pushing for ballots to stop being counted. In response, the Biden campaign promised to fight for all ballots to continue to be counted. Both candidates posted statements on social media, confident that the results of the election would be in their favor.

“I believe that the election isn’t over yet,” freshman Taylor Turner said. “Trump is filing many lawsuits in counties and states [surrounding] voter fraud. This election isn’t over, and I choose to be hopeful that Trump will win.”

For many students, the complications and divisiveness of this election was a source of anxiety and stress. According to a poll of 128 students, 80 percent of students were nervous during the election.

“When it was 2016, I was in eighth grade, so I was interested in the election, but it didn’t really affect my life because I was so young,” Hagge said. “Now that this election is in 2020, the term of the next president will be aligned with the four years of my college experience. It’s going to be really interesting to see how those two parallel. [Because] I voted, I’ve been so involved, and it’s so interesting to [watch the election]. I’m older, and the people I go to school with are also older, so we’re all more involved in this together.”

However, many students observed that tensions surrounding the election at school were less than expected.

“Tensions were actually lower than I thought they were going to be,” junior Ruby Long said. “There were obviously people talking about the election, but it wasn’t quite as much as I thought it was going to be… I was glad because I wanted to talk about it with my friends… but it gets very heated talking about the election, in general...especially when people don’t agree.”

ON NOV. 7, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA OUTLETS PROJECTED Biden to be the winner of the election, making him the president-elect of the United States.

After four days of waiting for several states to finish ballot counting, Biden won Pennsylvania, giving him enough votes to put him over the 270 electoral vote threshold. While his win was projected by many, it will not be officially confirmed until Jan. 6. His running mate, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, made history as the first person of color and female vice president-elect of the United States.

“What process goes underway to make [the results] official is that the states will call it,” McAbee said. “The Associated Press has their own projections, and they are pretty certain that the election will go a certain way. The state is what makes it official.”

Polls before the election projected a win for Biden, and he ended up winning by roughly 4.8 million popular votes. Election night, however, while watching results, some students believed that Trump would end up being declared the winner. As more mail-in ballots were counted, a victory for Biden was determined, as, according to The United States Election project, Democrats mailed in more ballots than Republicans did.

“Election night, I thought that Trump was going to win,” Long said. “I remember watching when Florida was leaning towards Trump, and Trump seemed to be more likely to win. I was pretty convinced that Trump was going to win, but then when we woke up the next morning, it looked more like Biden was going to win.”

For many, the outcome of the election came sooner than expected. With complications surrounding voting and the possibility of a recount, the possibility of a delay was anticipated.

“The results definitely came a bit sooner than I expected, but I don’t think that necessarily implies that the system was rushed,” sophomore and Progressive Student Union member Bridget Wang said. “I feel like the numbers are reliable but a double check isn’t bad.”

Once the election results were projected by many networks on Nov. 7, students had a variety of reactions. For students who supported Trump, the results of the election were disappointing, and many, including Trump himself, disputed the results.

“The results given on [Nov. 7] were very rushed, and I feel like the media was rushed to give a result,” Turner said. “The election is not over, and won’t be over for a long time. There are still many recounts and lawsuits being filed in states. It’s not up to the media to decide the election, it is up to the people.”

But other students were excited by the results of the election, relieved that Biden was declared the winner and stood by the results of the election as accurate.

“Initially, I thought I would be celebrating and so beyond excited, but honestly at this point, I’m just relieved,” Hagge said. “I’m so content knowing that I’m going to be in a safe country, in a safe place. Especially in college, I feel like I’m going to have a good experience and be relieved from all the exhaustion of the last four years.”

With Harris becoming the first non-white and first woman to be vice president, many people view her accomplishment as a big step for future generations.

“I’m so excited,” Long said. “It’s time we finally have a female vice president and hopefully, soon, a female president. It’s been way too long of not having female leadership in the country, and we really need it.”

While the results of the election were decided, the call to continue to pay attention to politics is not gone.

“It’s important to not stop thinking about politics or worrying about politics,” Long said. “We need to use the momentum that this election has given us and keep using it to make the future better.”

teachers who voted think er than they expected

90

Percent of students and teachers who voted chose to vote early

59

Percent of students think social media negatively affected the election

97

Percent of students think voting is important

Source: Nov. 9 poll of 128 students and Nov. 8 poll of 120 teachers and students

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Political Portals The Eagle Edition evaluated top political podcasts, Political Gabfest comes out on top

By Katherine Mote Staff writer

Graphic by Victoria Willox

The Daily Run by the New York Times, “The Daily” is released every weekday, with episodes ranging from 20 to 45 minutes. The show is hosted by Michael Barbaro and features journalists from the New York Times as well as experts, such as accomplished physicians and government officials. It’s perfect for early risers and morning commutes, as it is always posted by 5 a.m. CST. While “The Daily” does tend to have a liberal bias, it is still an excellent source for factual news, as they back-up their statements and feature credible guests. Some of my favorite episodes were in a two-part series called “The Candidates.” This series featured two in-depth examinations of the presidential candidates and explained their agendas and their promises. The episodes covered every part of both campaigns, from stances on climate change to economic plans. For Joe Biden’s episode, the hosts spoke with New York Times political correspondent Alexander Burns about Biden’s plans as well as his long history in politics and experience in the White House. For Trump’s episode, they dug into what he promised he would accomplish four years ago versus what he actually has accomplished, and they spoke with Peter Baker, New York Times Chief White House Correspondent, about his plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act and his commitments on deregulation, taxes and military spending. They fairly compared the two candidates and made sure to maintain an equal amount of criticism and praise. I loved these episodes because they felt truly non partisan which with the current political climate is hard to find. I would recommend “The Daily’ to someone who has the time to listen to it, as it does run a little long. However, the show’s length means listeners really do get the whole story and a full understanding of current events.

Political Gabfest “Political Gabfest” is a weekly American politics podcast, with each episode running from one hour to an hour and 15 minutes.

The hosts typically talk about what they would consider the biggest story that week, and go into great detail while highlighting reputable sources. When the election was near, they posted specials specifically about debates, town halls, and rallies. The show is hosted by David Plotz and co-hosted by Emily Bazelon and John Dickerson. David Plotz is the Editor at Large at Business Insider as well as the former CEO of Atlas Obscura, and Emily Bazelon is a staff writer for the New York Times Magazine and author of several books. John Dickerson is a “60 Minutes” correspondent as well as a host of the podcast “Whistlestop” and an author of many books. The hosts are extremely wellversed in politics and keep conversations casual and understandable. When they cover controversial topics such as abortion, climate change and foreign relations, they do so with a neutral position. One of my favorite episodes was posted on Oct. 16 called “Empty Notepad.”

In this episode they discuss the Amy Coney Barrett Supreme Court confirmation hearings, the First Amendment and disinformation.

For those who didn’t have the time to watch the entirety of the confirmation hearings, the hosts of “Political Gabfest” went over main ideas and “the highlight reel” of what happened that week and also what this meant for the rest of the hearing. Overall this podcast is great for someone who wants to dive deeper into what happened that week and really understand the government and the foundations of American democracy.

5 Things

Global News Podcast

“5 Things” is run by USA Today. The show is released seven days a week and covers the top five news stories from the day before along with a brief description of the implications of these events. It’s posted every morning and usually runs for about 10 minutes.

Hosts Taylor Wilson and Claire Thornton interview professionals such as scientists and senators as well as reporters from USA Today. When the hosts do talk about partisan issues, they make sure they remain balanced by explaining both sides. This is a short podcast to start your morning, and all the information is very digestible and easy to understand. One of my favorite episodes was posted on Oct. 25 and talks about environmental racism and why minority groups have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. The episode told the story of a minority neighborhood on a chemical plant in Reserve, Louisiana. This specific area had extreme quantities of toxic gasses and as a result, an abnormally large rate of cancer. I hadn’t seen this story discussed on other podcasts, and I thought it was very relevant. This podcast has a lot of information but with that comes a lot of ads.

On Spotify you are able to skip past some of them but they are so frequent it seems like you’re always skipping forward. Overall “5 Things” is a surface level podcast that tells you the bare minimum of the top 5 stories.

They limit their content by stopping at only five things that happened the day before.

If you’re running low on time and like the simplicity of only having to hear about the highlights, or aren’t very interested in politics but want to know the basics, this podcast is for you.

The BBC “Global News Podcast” is a great podcast for several reasons: not only does it encompass key events around the world and focus on relationships between nations, but it also contains an outside perspective of what’s happening inside American politics. The show is released twice daily on weekdays and once every Saturday and Sunday. This podcast covers stories that are not traditionally heard on local and national podcasts. It ranges anywhere from 25 to 35 minutes long and uncovers global events from business to government corruption to international economies.

Some of the most interesting topics covered in this podcast have been conclusive evidence about NASA’s information on the moon, the opposition government in Libya, and the conflict with Brexit. Most of the stories brought up on the show I haven’t heard on American News sources and I find them extremely interesting.. What makes this podcast special is that, aside from being posted twice a day, it spans different time zones so in most cases episodes break just hours after the news occurs. The episodes cover a plethora of topics as they spend a good amount of time on the first story and briefly skim the ones following it. The episodes are extremely well rounded and cover everything from global economies to military efforts. The hosts speak to local reporters, making the listener feel immersed in the events. I really like this podcast and its global perspective; however, since it is crucial to also be well-informed in American politics, especially now, I think this podcast should be supplemented with a U.S.-based news source. That said, it is vital that Americans are also aware of international events, and this podcast is perfect for that.

Nov. 13, 2020

episcopal school of dallas

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views editorial views community comments

staffstance

CLASSES SHOULD ENGAGE IN POLITICAL DIALOGUE

2

020 has been tumultuous, to say the least. With a barrage of newsworthy events, the everchanging social and political landscape as well as the presidential election, it’s entirely understandable that students feel overwhelmed by the immense amount of information.

At times such as these, the Eagle Edition believes it is critical for classes to address, explain and discuss current events.

Talking about current events in the classroom setting is often considered a controversial action due to the polarizing nature of politics. However, it is entirely possible to present current events in a neutral manner and allow students to construct their own opinions based on simply the facts presented. Additionally, students can discuss current events and argue their stance in a productive and civil manner.

There is a value to bringing up current affairs in the academic environment. Paula McAvoy, author of “The Political Classroom: Evidence and Ethics in Democratic Education,” states that: “The ‘political classroom’ is a classroom in which young people are learning to deliberate about political questions...the process of deliberation is the major skill being taught...there’s social studies content that is being learned in a process that is, at its heart, democratic.”

Benefits include learning how to have a civil discussion, form one’s own beliefs, share one’s beliefs constructively and allow students to engage with societal issues.

Additionally, the Eagle Edition believes that teachers should not be afraid to share their political views with students as long as they are not pushing their views and beliefs onto the students. Sharing perspectives

Graphic by Gardiner Vose and information can result in discourse that helps broaden mindsets, but civility is key to these discussions, otherwise, discussions can become heated, partisan and divisive. This is especially important this year with the presidential election occurring. Students may be confused about election processes and what exactly is going on in the election and teachers can play a critical role in clearing up those confusions. Knowledge is crucial to making informed decisions, and knowledge is exactly what a classroom environment provides.

Teachers have a right to share their beliefs, and by sharing their beliefs, students learn firsthand what different opinions on an issue they might not be familiar with look like.

Bringing up politics in the

students

speak out

classroom allows students to discuss global, national and local issues with their peers.

These discussions are greatly beneficial, increasing information flow and perhaps sparking new insights. Especially in a classroom environment, it is necessary to facilitate these discussions in a productive manner. Issues deemed “controversial” should not necessarily be avoided; in fact, it is often very helpful to bring those issues to light and allow civil peer discussion. It’s better for classrooms to first address these issues rather than leaving students to their own devices and giving way to conversations over social media. Unfacilitated discussions online can often get very heated, which is unproductive and creates

more division. This also prevents people from wanting to talk to each other in person because they think they know someone’s beliefs from online posts and don’t want to associate with them.

Students and teachers should strive to remain open-minded and empathetic in these discussions of a political and global nature and have civil discussions. Today’s political landscape is often fraught with tension, polarization and division. However, those negative aspects do not take away from the importance of discussing issues such as human rights, climate change and other important current events. For students to become worldly scholars, participating in civil discourse about global issues is a must.

FRESHMAN HARRISON VOSE

“I think that politics can have a place in the classroom depending on the class. There are some situations where politics shouldn’t have a place, but I think that students should have some sort of environment to learn about politics.”

“Politics should be a discussion in classrooms because it is an important part of our everyday life. It is important that the teachers keep their views non-partisan, though, so that students can develop their own opinions.”

“We hear about politics a lot these days, so I don’t think that teachers should discuss them within the classroom. If there was a class for politics specifically, then that would be okay.”

Grace Knudson asst. photo editor

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news editor

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life editors

Luke McCabe & Emily Lichty

staff writers

Gardiner Vose

web editor

sports editor

cartoonist

copy editor

business manager

faculty adviser

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views editor

Smith Cochran Sloane Hope

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.

communications director

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

managing editor

Source: Nov. 9 poll of 141 students

SENIOR GENEVIEVE MINNIS

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Blair Batson & Evelyn Zhao

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MISSION STATEMENT

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percent of students believe that discussions about politics should be brought up in the classroom

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Eagle Edition | vol. 38, issue 2 The Episcopal School of Dallas 4100 Merrell Rd. Dallas, TX 75229 eagleedition@esdallas.org (214) 358-4368

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Photo illustration by Gina Montagna with fair use images

Meal delivery services save restaurant jobs These services are helping the economy and need support Luke McCabe Life Editor

COVID-19 HAS CAUSED A VARIETY of preparation-free meal services and delivery apps to gain popularity, as visiting public places has become more of a risk. These delivery services, once seen as excess, are now essential for our economy because they create jobs and many restaurants need these delivery sales to stay in business.

According to the Los Angeles Times, delivery orders in the average restaurant have increased from 15 percent to 50 percent of sales since the COVID-19 outbreak. Services like GrubHub, Doordash, Uber Eats, and Postmates have benefited financially because of the increased demand and grown substantially since the start of the pandemic. An alert on the Doordash site even reads: “we appreciate your patience as we are experiencing long-wait times due to COVID-19.” Long wait times are a very good sign for an industry, and growing industries that create jobs are needed right now as our economy faces one of the worst recessions in the last 10 years. Additionally, Doordash has launched a priority access program for their restaurant partners that provides restaurant employees whose hours had been cut with the expedited opportunity to work as a “Dasher.”

According to the New York State Restaurant Association, 70 percent of restaurants have had to discontinue jobs, so having these job opportunities allows those who would be unemployed to sustain their monthly income and restaurants to keep their workers close when they start to grow again.

These delivery services are beginning to be seen by restaurants as a “necessary evil” in surviving the pandemic economy.

Restaurant owners, like Anca Caliman co-owner of Lemon Poppy Kitchen and Parsnip in Los Angeles, feel that these apps take away from the experience of going to a restaurant and are a result of increased lethargy due to COVID-19. The high delivery fees also contribute to the stigma among restaurant owners. Many owners used to urge customers to utilize pickup to avoid the extra cost, but when delivery became an average of 50 percent of sales due to COVID-19, restaurant owners began seeing delivery apps as a help in making a profit.

I predict this will continue as restaurant delivery sales stay higher than the 15 percent seen before COVID-19 due to a transition towards eating in because of the lower risk.

The COVID-19 recession has caused a rise in unemployment that needs to be accommodated. Although these services are not the solution, they create jobs and provide job security—a step in the right direction.

Outcome of election provides hope for future of equality Joe Biden and first female vice president-elect Kamala Harris win the election and usher out Trump administration, providing Democrats an opportunity for change Gina Montagna News Editor I COME DOWNSTAIRS AND TURN ON THE news, discouraged and expecting to see no change in the poll numbers. As my eyes focus on the screen, I see the words “President-elect: Joe Biden.” I flipped through a variety of channels to confirm the news, and it was true.

Joe Biden was going to be the next president.

People were running, cheering and crying in the streets of New York, D.C., Philadelphia and Atlanta. Countries across the world celebrated alongside us by tolling church bells and lighting fireworks. Weeks of excitement and nerves have led to an ultimate sigh of relief as we near the end of the Trump era.

This year, we have seen political and social unrest and significant increases in critiques of the U.S. government, particularly the Trump administration. Amidst a global pandemic, global death tolls have reached 1 million while the Trump administration sat idly by, discouraging social distancing and maskwearing precautions. However, we can now hope for more productive and less oppressive government under President-elect Joe Biden.

Eligible voters across the country voted in substantial numbers, the highest voter turnout in the history of the country. Biden received 76 million votes and Donald Trump trailed behind with 71 million votes. This record turnout shows how intent Americans were on making their voices heard and either maintaining or booting the current administration. However, these numbers go to show that the country is still extremely divided with Biden winning 50 percent of the popular vote and Trump winning 47 percent, according to the Associated Press.

This deep divide in our country has grown over the course of Trump’s presidency, and these election polls allowed Americans to

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see how truly bisected our country is. Trump contributed to this split by continuously oppressing each and every minority in this country and praising white supremacy and racism. Trump had a chance to condemn white supremacy on a national stage at a presidential debate, yet initially refused, knowing his fan base relied on his support of radical rightwing groups whose goal is to intimidate and violate minorities’ rights. The president also called supporters of Black Lives Matter “thugs’’ and called the Charleston right-wing violent extremists “very fine people.”

How is this American? How are Trump supporters continuing to defend a man who is condoning racism? The endless list of mistreatment of minorities goes on with his prohibiting of some members in the transgender community from participating in the military and his atrocious comments about women and their bodies.

Many Trump supporters defend their votes by claiming they want lower taxes. This is no excuse. A vote for Trump was a vote for a racist man who has no morals. By voting for Trump, people disregarded the rights of fellow citizens whose lives are directly affected by the way he and his administration govern.

Members of the Trump staff, like Miles Taylor, former Chief of the Department of Homeland Security from 2016-2019, revealed Trump’s crazed rants and blatant misunderstanding of the government’s job and his extreme magnification of executive power. Trump’s government goes against all Republican values, particularly the belief in a smaller centralized government. Republican representatives were afraid to stand up to Trump for fear of losing their positions or getting attacked by the right-wing media. His

own party and staff within the White House were constantly reversing his actions and protecting the American people from his outlandish policies.

However, I recognize that Trump did indeed lower taxes and implement various policies that his supporters wanted to see enacted. To his supporters, Trump created a country that aligned with their political, social and religious beliefs and ultimately provided them with hope for the future.

Similarly, from my perspective, presidency, alongside the first female POC vice president Kamala Harris, will create a government that represents all American citizens. Although half of our country might not agree with Biden’s policies and political views, Biden’s beliefs are moral and principled. We will no longer justify racist acts as a part of the Trump era and will rather punish them and acknowledge them as undoubtedly un-American.

As a minority, both as a woman and as Mexican American, I feel hopeful for the upcoming four years with Biden and Harris leading our country. However, it will take years to repair our country’s deep racial dilemma and fix our relationships with our allies. Trump utmostly destroyed Americans’ reputation worldwide by becoming friends with dictators and continuously condoning racist actions, ultimately pushing our country back centuries.

Despite this, Americans across the political spectrum need to work together and truly compromise to reach decisions in a civil and respectful manner that will reap benefits for both sides. I have hope that all Americans, no matter who they voted for, will slowly heal and come together to build a country where all Americans’ rights are respected.

Amy Coney Barrett’s experience sets her up to be a thoughtful justice Though Barrett is qualified for the role, her potential to rule against abortion rights or LGBTQ rights is concerning

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fter the passing of trailblazing Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Sept. 18, President Donald Trump had the opportunity to appoint his third Supreme Court Justice, which is unique as not many presidents get to influence the Supreme Court this much during a single term. As his choice for the next justice, Trump nominated United States appeals court judge for the Seventh Circuit Amy Coney Barrett who was confirmed by the senate Oct. 26. This nominee starkly contrasts with her predecessor, as Barrett holds strong conservative ideological views, while Ginsburg was a consistently liberal vote.

During Barrett’s four days of hearings in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee, we were able to learn more about who she is and what she would offer to the Supreme Court.

One of the things that I particularly respect about Barrett is her resistance to being coerced to take a stance on hot-button issues such as healthcare, abortion and gun rights in front of the committee. Although it may seem that it is the job of a justice to take a stand on issues such as these, it would actually be an indicator of her ruling on future cases, which is hard

to do before looking at a case. This principle, which is the reason Barrett did not answer a number of questions during her hearing, was first adopted by Justice Ginsburg during her confirmation hearings in 1993 and is now known as the Ginsburg Rule. It is hard to stand in front of the country and refuse to answer some questions, but I believe that Barrett did a good job and remained respectful, even when Democratic senators such as Kamala Harris tried to trap her during questioning.

Barrett is also uniquely qualified for the position given that she was a clerk for the late Justice Antonin Scalia after graduating first in her class at Notre Dame’s Law School. She has adopted some of his ideals and is too an originalist — she believes the judges should try to interpret the words of the Constitution as they were intended. While I believe that there are times when we must look outside of the Constitution because the world has changed since 1787, it is a good guiding principle and should lead to sound decision making.

The only concern that I see with her nomination is her strict religious background that has given her the reputation to be pro-

life and anti-LGBTQ. She is affiliated with People of Praise, a small and insular Christian community which holds very traditional views, her father is a Catholic deacon and she attended a Catholic high school and college. Although she has said on multiple occasions that her “personal church affiliation or [her] religious belief would not bear in the discharge of [her] duties as a judge,” it still worries me that she could allow her bias towards staunchly Christian ideals to sway some of her decisions.

Although her religious affiliations raise some red flags for me because I worry that she could make some ruling with the best interest of the church rather than the country in mind, I still support the confirmation of Barrett. I believe that her impressive academic background will guide her to make decisions based on fact rather than her ideological background. I also believe that in a time where tensions are high and crucial court decisions will be made in upcoming supreme court cases, it is extremely important to have a judge that will follow the constitution and make those decisions based on that document which has the nations best ideals in mind.

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Should social media companies have the power to censor user content?

Graphic by Maddy Hammett

Zander Knight Guest Columnist

Pro: Censor

It is not a stretch to say that free speech defines us as a nation. However, one of the greatest stipulations often forgotten about our cherished right is that it has to be held in equilibrium with our many other rights, such as our right to not be discriminated against, to equality and to general safety. While some may cry foul when it comes to media censorship, it is important to remember that certain speech can mislead or even harm certain individuals and groups, and it is unjust to let such speech propagate unfiltered.

I reserve the right to fly on any plane that I choose, however, for obvious reasons, I cannot shout that there is a bomb on board with me. When it comes to the online scene nowadays, I cannot help but think back to this scenario. I can say anything I want, so long as it does not immediately jeopardize the safety of others, which is a principle that seems lost on Twitter and Facebook nowadays. We live in an age where the power to post online can become dangerous, even deadly. For instance, President Trump was infamous for his posts, downplaying the severity of the coronavirus, which has had disastrous consequences on the health of our country at large. Unfortunately, people believed the president when he said that 99 percent of coronavirus cases are harmless and that you will recover if you have the disease, which has cost many Americans their lives. Companies like Twitter and Facebook are well within their rights to censor posts like these, especially considering their objective falsehood. Posts like these, as well as death threats, conspiracy theories or lies and propaganda, are by no means protected by the First Amendment, leaving social media companies absolutely within their rights to censor them, as they pose a clear danger to the safety and well-being of Americans.

However, it is key to remember that social media companies are still well within their rights to censor whatever they please, regardless of free speech, because, quite simply, they are not affected by the First Amendment. The First Amendment only protects from the government’s oppression, thus, as private companies, Twitter, Facebook and others have the right to set terms and conditions that social media users must abide by in order to use their sites, which give them complete jurisdiction over their platform. Like it or not, social media companies can censor whoever they wish, because it is their site. So, let the user beware: regardless of ethics, social media companies can censor your speech for any reason.

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Grace Knudson Photo Editor

percent of students think social media companies should be able to delete/post warning sign posts

Con: No censor

It is known that the internet is a dangerous place; I have grown up with talks in almost every grade about how to use the internet safely and how to filter out information. When signing up to be a social media user, you are taking on the responsibility as a human to understand what information you are reading. Today, as the world leans to more communication online and technology in general, media companies are taking posts into their own hands by flagging and deleting them if they believe the material is harmful or false. For companies, especially Twitter and Facebook, to do this as a first party site is taking away the responsibility of a human to filter out and use their own mind to determine what is right and wrong. Flagging and deleting posts by the social media company itself is unethical. The social media companies are allowing themselves to be the fact checker without giving any information why the post is supposedly incorrect. Social media companies already have so much power in their hands by being the runners of a large percentage of communication in the world today, and now they get to be the arbiter of right and wrong, true and false.

In the First Amendment, it shares there is a marketplace of ideas which means the government is not allowed to control content in any means. Because companies like Facebook and Twitter are private, they can legally censor posted content; but as large companies, I think they are becoming as important as government entities and are denying people’s individual self fulfillment, which is the theory that people need the ability to express themselves to be fully functioning individuals. Additionally, the freedom of speech applies to written works, and as books are becoming less used and online materials are the norm, people use social media as their own writing.

I totally understand social media companies’ desire to filter content in a crazy year with the coronavirus and upcoming presidential elections in order to aid Americans in finding clarity about the turmoil in today’s world, but allowing corporations to do this is not the answer. One thing I have seen on Instagram is while they flag the post, they add a link from a third party site to inform the public what is incorrect by sharing factual information. I think it is totally fine to dispute an argument but just labeling it incorrect or deleting the post is canceling a person’s views without conversation.

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percent of students think social media companies should not be able to delete/post warning sign posts Source: Nov. 9 poll of 141 upper school students

One-way hallways create unnecessary obstacles

G Maddy Hammett Staff writer

reen arrows spray painted on every sidewalk on campus, signs fill the hallways reminding students of where they can and cannot be, students frantically rushing to get to their classes to avoid a tardy. This has become the new normal to ensure that students social distance in hallways.

One-way hallways have proven to be an obstacle for many students. Whether you’re upset because you’re going to be late to class due to the detours, or you just would rather not walk all the way around the Cook building and back to go ten feet; students are getting tired of it.

The walk from my Spanish class in senior hall to the journalism room in the Wellness Center, would typically take me under 5 minutes with regular hallways. Now, I struggle to make it to Journalism on time. I’m not the only student with this problem.

One thing that has caught my attention regarding one way hallways is the amount of foottraffic that seems to build up when all students are going the same direction down a hallway. It’s impractical to have one way “social distancing” hallways, when regular hallways would allow

students to choose the hallways they walk down, creating more space in the hallways due to the lessened traffic flow.

Since students are taking longer than it would normally take to get to their classes, students are creating traffic in the hallways for longer periods of time. It would typically take a student under 5 minutes to make it to their next class, now it is taking students the entire 5 minute passing period and in some cases, longer than that.

I understand that sacrifices need to be made right now to ensure the student body’s safety, but I think it could be done differently. Splitting every hallway into two lanes would be a good solution to the problems one way hallways present. Students would be able to pass each other at a distance while also allowing students to take the quickest route to their classes. Two-lane hallways would provide the proper social distancing restrictions, while also helping get students to their classes in a timely manner. These hallways would also decrease foot traffic because there would be more options for where to walk on campus. The twolane hallways have already been implemented in the first floor of the Swann building, but would be

beneficial to have all around campus.

From my understanding, COVID-19 spreads from sustained interactions and physical contact, not necessarily passing someone in the hallway.

However, I do acknowledge that this solution could have the opposite effect of my intention and increase traffic in hallways. Therefore, It could also be beneficial to implement staggered release times to mitigate this.

I appreciate the work that the school has put in place to designate these pathways and I don’t intend to discount that hard work. If my aforementioned solutions are deemed unfeasible, then I recommend implementing a rule that allows students to walk the other direction in the hallways when there are no other students present. I realize students could potentially abuse this rule, but at ESD we operate by a larger ethical code of conduct that ensures students follow rules set in place by administration, and if the administration fully trusts students, this new plan of action will work. Regardless, for the benefit of the student body, the one way hallways that have been put in place, need to be revised to better accommodate students.

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Happiness can be achieved by looking toward greater values

By Lauren Weber Managing Editor

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appiness is a word that’s thrown around like a football. It is repeatedly mentioned as a sentiment of the utmost value, something that we should strive to attain. My question is: how do we get there?

My parents have always told me, “It’s the little things.” In other words, the seemingly trivial blessings are those which often make us the

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happiest. Personally, I’ve found this to be true. I’m often surprised by the euphoria that comes from finding a new song, having study hall during first period or watching the Saints play on Sunday. I think we, as an upper school, have seen the validity of this statement—just look at the overwhelming reaction when chicken tenders are for lunch.

For centuries, philosophers have

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been making this claim. Socrates said, “The secret of happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less.” And John Stuart Mill said, “I have learned to seek my happiness by limiting my desires, rather than in attempting to satisfy them.”

Especially right now, when it feels as if there is less to be thankful for than during a “normal” time, we should

look to develop a greater capacity for applications, etc., I think we could enjoying the little things. use a bit more perspective in general.

The assumption that the pursuit We cannot allow these tasks to of some object of our affection— consume us to the point that we money, a certain school, an forget our values and how we want impressive job—will elicit happiness to live. is elusive. Instead, we need to live our There will always be another lives by following our virtues. This object of our affection that we want is not to say ‘don’t work toward your and don’t have. St. Augustine’s journey goals,’ by all means do, but we should toward enlightenment reflects this all first contemplate our virtues, so notion. He attended an affluent school our goals coincide with that in which in Carthage, Tunisia, was given all we believe. that the physical world had to offer, Recently, for and yet, ultimately example, before found himself starting my unfulfilled. He homework, I’ve discovered that thought about he was wrongly THE SECRET OF mindfulness, a searching for HAPPINESS, YOU value that I am beauty in himself striving to achieve. when he should That simple mental SEE, IS NOT FOUND have been searching assessment of my for it in the good. As IN SEEKING MORE, principles often a devout Catholic, prompts me to put St. Augustine would BUT IN DEVELOPING away my phone contend that the (granted, I do not good is God, and THE CAPACITY TO always do so). Living we should therefore ENJOY LESS. in accordance with look to God for your virtues— fulfillment. But whatever they may even if you aren’t Socrates, be—is extremely religious, you may Philosopher fulfilling. It provides still find this to be you with a sense true, as you can find of direction, giving the good in your each moment more virtues. meaning. Naturally, This makes when you’re thinking about how you me think of something that the want to live, each action is going to nineteenth century American feel more deliberate and purposeful. philosopher Henry Thoreau said, Thinking about these greater “Happiness is like a butterfly; the importances can also provide more you chase it, the more it will perspective. When you’re thinking elude you, but if you turn your about your ultimate aim of living attention to other things, it will come morally, for example, that one poor and sit softly on your shoulder.” We test score does not feel like the end often attempt seeking happiness of the world. Of course, we cannot directly by pursuing what we think allow perspective to mitigate the it manifests itself in, but we should importance of our present tasks look to greater values instead. and actions. But as an ESD student, Happiness, and ultimately joy, can be knowing how much we stress achieved by living for more than just about grades, tests scores, college our worldly desires.

Dear Eagle Edition, I am writing this letter to discuss the harm done by people in positions of power that discredit science to their supporters. There are many worldly issues today that if there were no external factors, could be solved with science and determination. For instance, climate change is a huge issue––not just for our country, but for the whole world. Scientists have done extensive research on the topic to find that the source of this issue is an excessive use of fossil fuels, deforestation, and farming livestock. When fossil fuels are burned, they produce carbon dioxide.

As this gas is released, it traps heat in the atmosphere with it. Trees, as you well know, take carbon dioxide from the air and release oxygen. As the amount of trees in the world decreases, less carbon dioxide undergoes the process which releases oxygen. Excessive farming of livestock, specifically cattle and sheep, releases methane into the atmosphere as a byproduct of the animals’ digestive system. All of these things have been identified as harmful contributors to climate change, as seen in the National Climate Assessment by U.S. government scientists. However, when this assessment was released to the rest of the government, many people in positions of power denied its credibility- some of the president’s cabinet portraying it as “alarmist,” the president himself saying, “I don’t believe it. No, no, I don’t believe it.” These people believe that fighting against climate change, as the president has said, “disadvantages the United States to the exclusive benefit of other countries, leaving American workers and taxpayers to absorb the cost.” On the contrary, many credible scientists

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CORNER

Last year during the Student Council elections, many people voiced that they wished the council was more transparent. In order to try and be as transparent as possible, we are adding this column to inform the student body and give updates on what the council is working on.

Planning for the Student Council has been challenging and different this year. One aspect of the council that has changed is our meetings. In past years, we have been all together in one classroom and constantly split into groups to brainstorm ideas. This year, we are socially distanced in the Bray which has been difficult because it can feel more like we are receiving a presentation rather than collaborating. We haven’t been able to split into groups because we can’t move from our spots and it is harder for remote learners to contribute. During homecoming week, we had to get creative, and it wasn’t easy. One of the events we planned was a

are claiming that refusing to fight climate change will be far more detrimental to the wellbeing of the American people than the United States losing money.

Another example of people in powerful positions disregarding scientists has been during the COVID-19 pandemic when many government officials denounced the benefits of wearing a face covering and the importance of the pandemic. Though both the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have been updating the government about the dangers of it, many powerful people have publicly downplayed the gravity of the situation and have even made fun of political opponents for wearing a mask.

On the subject of masks, President Trump said, “So it’s voluntary. You don’t have to do it. They suggested for a period of time, but this is voluntary. I don’t think I’m going to be doing it.”

A disregard for pure, scientifically accurate facts that are known to increase the safety of Americans by people in positions of power is harmful because it sets an example for all of their supporters to do the same.

Doing so can spread misinformation and encourage people to dismiss real evidence in exchange for ignorance.

There is so much misinformation circulating around the world today that it is super important to not listen to one place––person or news source––and to make sure to double check all your facts before acting upon them.

Sincerely, Amelia Sinwell, sophomore

socially-distanced movie night on the turf the night the dance would have been. This was approved but sadly canceled a week before due to Dallas returning to the red zone in coronavirus cases. For homecoming dress days this year, the administration only allowed us to have one full dress day and one spirit day with all other days being accessory dress.

Now, the council is looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas and working on ways to make this time, which can often be quite stressful, something to look forward to. For Thanksgiving, we are planning to have everyone write what they are thankful for and hang it on the trees in the commons. For Christmas, we are doing the 12 days of Christmas with a fun activity each day.

We are also trying to do a Christmas movie night on the turf since we weren’t allowed to do it during homecoming week. We are also currently working on creating a Schoology spotlight where we introduce the student body to faculty that isn’t in the classroom in order to try and increase the sense of community. We hope this has helped the student body understand where we have been putting our energy and please let us know if you have any suggestions.

By Cleo Neuhoff Public Relations on Student Council Executive Board

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FRENCH FESTIVITIES

The school has participated in No-Shave November for many years by selling bracelets in the Eagle’s Nest and donating profits to St. Jude’s. This year, Student Council sold pink masks to wear all month instead of the bracelets.

Students who buy the masks are allowed to grow a beard, wear solid outerwear and wear free socks.

On Oct. 30, varsity football faced off against the school’s rival, St. Marks beating them 21-7. It was an intense game for the team and everyone watching online. The Eagles won victory over the Lions for the seventh year in a row.

On National French Week, French club members made fun posters to put around the school, planned a nice chapel talk given by Madame Kharrat about French culture and helped SAGE plan a delicious and celebratory French lunch.

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NOT SO SPOOKY 2020

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A new Artist of the Month spotlight featuring middle and upper school visual arts students was created by the ESD Fine Arts Department.

The first featured artist in October was senior Sumner Wooldridge who currently takes AP Drawing. Her drawings were showcased all month on a newly painted blue wall in the entrance of the Frank Building.

The school made an effort to keep the Halloween spirit alive by allowing senior advisories to dress up in group costumes. These costumes added an element of fun at school and were an exciting addition for the seniors during this rough year.

ELECTION CONCLUSION The winner of the 2020 Presidential Election was not projected until five days after Election Day. Although there was a lot of tension leading up to the election between the two sides supporting either Biden or Trump, after Joe Biden was elected president, everyone at school has been extremely civil and calmer than expected.

COVID FRIGHTS In the month of October, cases all over the world have been spiking. In the U.S., there were more cases announced in October than there had been in one day since the beginning of the virus. This spiking has led to many students being sent home due to contact tracing and exposure to the virus.

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editors Blair Batson and Evelyn Zhao

THE WORST TO THE BEST OF THE MONTH, RANKED BY CALLIE HAWKINS

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his year, we’ve struggled through a pandemic, we’ve spent most of our time learning through a computer, we’ve witnessed a very embarrassing presidential debate and we’ve all worn a mask.

To say the least, it’s been a hectic year. On top of that, after many anxious days waiting for mail-in ballots to be counted, Joe Biden was declared the winner of the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election, defeating President Donald Trump.

As a staff, we believed covering all facets of the election was pivotal to our jobs as journalists. And as student-journalists, it was crucial to inform the entire community, in an unbiased, educational manner, of the events occurring in this country that might possibly affect many aspects of our future. The Eagle Edition’s centerspread this issue covers the weeks leading to the election, Election Day and its aftermath. It is important to note that no matter who voted for whom, we hope the student body remains respectful of one another’s opinions. We might not understand the opposing political party’s perspective and beliefs, but we should be able to agree that this election was unlike any other in the past. For one, it was in the middle of a global pandemic, where a substantial amount of ballots were cast by mail. Moreover, this election was a historic win for the Democratic party: Kamala Harris made history as the first woman of color and first woman to be elected as vice president of the United States; Biden had a record number of votes––of over 74 million––of any elected U.S. president; and several swing states that went for Donald Trump in 2016 flipped for Joe Biden. This election also had the highest voter turnout rate in 120 years. And in our own

community, many students in the senior class had the ability to exercise their right to vote in this election, and some students even had the opportunity to volunteer as poll workers.

Even with all the positive events that came after Election Day, supporters of Donald Trump, including the man himself, have disputed the results, citing unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud and demanding recounts in certain swing states. The fact that our voting system is even being questioned, in addition to the closeness of this previous election in tossup states, is already proof that a large political divide continues to exist.

We assume most citizens would agree that the United States is increasingly becoming more polarized, that our country is extremely

Hardly working

by Sumner Wooldridge

divided in terms of left and right, blue and red––Democrat and Republican. But it shouldn’t be this way. No matter who won the election, now, more than ever, this country needs to be unified. There is so much more action that needs to be taken and many more human rights––for women, for the LGBTQ+ community and for all minorities and people of color––that we still need to fight for. The conversations will cease to end, and the fight to end racial injustice will continue until change is visibly taking place in this nation. We hope we can count on Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to keep their promise to the American people and build a healthier and more empathetic society.

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sports athletic news student spotlight

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SOPHOMORE AND VARSITY WRESTLER DESCRIBES EXPERIENCE WITH SPORT Sophomore Chase Chazanow’s wrestling passion began when he joined the wrestling team as a freshman, when he was a new student at ESD. He placed third at State last year for his weight class, which was . He was not surprised when he heard that wrestling got cancelled this year due to the pandemic, but he misses the fun practices and the energy the team provides.

Photo provided by Chase Chaznow

Who do you look up to in wrestling and why?

How has wrestling impacted your life?

Judah Powell because he gives it his all every practice and match. Also, with him being a senior, I just look up to him for advice. In general, he is a good teammate, leader and absolute beast.

Overall, he just tries to make the team better.

The sport is different from things I’m used to, so it gives me change. At first, I just did it for the sports credit but then I actually started to fall in love with it as I saw how much fun it was. It has made me realize you have to try new things because maybe you will end up really liking it.

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When did you realize you were passionate about wreestling?

What have you learned from wrestling?

After my second match, I really realized my full potential. I started to believe I could do something with this sport. From that point on, I started to take it more seriously and strived to get better every day.

I learned that you are not going to always have something or someone to be there for you. Sometimes, you have to take on the challenge individually.

Wrestling has also taught me to work hard and learn to achieve your goals on your own.

Interview by Christian Rockamore Staff writer

Limited spectators allowed back in stands

Athletic administrators incorporate games into sports teams’ schedules while following health protocols

By Alexandra Warner Staff writer

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oaches, student-athletes rallies, but I think we have gotten and fans are craving a more comfortable with them on.” sense of normalcy, and Because all teams have home as sport teams plan daily games, many parents and students practices, the athletics staff have want to support and show school found ways to safely incorporate spirit as it provides an uplifting games into the schedule. energy for the players. With strict Gill has worked with athletic health rules, it is hard for fans to administrators in placing new be able to watch teams play and for regulations for different sports to the players to maintain a high and make sure athletes are respecting the positive energy level. health protocols.

“No one is allowed to come to our “Athletic administrators from our games other than senior parents Dallas SPC peer schools worked for senior night,” Grabow said. “We collaboratively to formulate a return definitely [miss] the energy from the to play timeline to include a modified crowd because it’s so encouraging. fall sports schedule,” Gill said. “A When people in the stands or bench phased-in plan was get hyped, so do used to maintain the players. We health protocols have learned and a low infection so much about rate, while at our own MY STAFF AND I FEEL creating the same time, energy this season building towards and maintaining RESPONSIBLE TO a progression our playing ability PROVIDE A GOOD to safely begin along with our interscholastic energy levels.”

EXPERIENCE FOR competition with The football a limited travel and field hockey OUR COACHES AND teams are also schedule.”

Volleyball limiting spectators STUDENT-ATHLETES. players are for home games. prohibited from Although there are high-fiving the special occasions Dan Gill, other team; where seniors and Director of Athletics instead, they parents can go show good and support the sportsmanship by teams, they are walking up to the not allowed in the 10-foot line and stadium. waving through the net. They are “I absolutely think having a fan required to wear masks while playing base is crucial to the energy of the because they’re an indoor sport and team,” assistant field hockey coach in close contact with one another.

Meghan Scott said. “The support Most players have found it difficult to system a fan base provides is directly adapt to this new regulation. correlated to how players perform. “[During] the first couple of Without a supportive coaching staff, I practices, it was definitely hard am certain that this season would not getting used to wearing masks, and be going as well as it is. I am proud one player actually had an asthma of the girls and coaches for how well attack after a drill,” varsity volleyball we are adapting in order to have a player Alexa Grabow said. “Now, successful season.” it’s still hard, especially during long Since parents aren’t allowed on

the campus, they stand outside the fence of the Gene and Jerry Jones Stadium to show support while also respecting the health and safety guidelines. For parents and students unable to attend the games, there are livestreams of the games.

“All our home JV & varsity [games] can be viewed from our streaming service that we are providing due to our spectator restrictions,” Gill said. “Links are made available to our head coaches by mid-afternoon on the date of the [game] and also posted via ESD’s website and social

media outlets.”

Even though regulations have changed some aspects crucial to playing sports, the athletic staff enabled teams to play in a safe environment because they know the significance of athletics at the school.

“My staff and I feel responsible to provide a good experience for our coaches and student-athletes,” Gill said. “Critical to our success in doing so is continuing to be diligent in our daily execution of the health and safety protocols that have been established.”

STANDING IN SUPPORT Varsity field hockey parents support the team from outside the Jerry Jones Family Stadium on Nov. 10. “As parents, we would love to be in the stands in a socially-distanced manner,” field hockey dad Jim Warner said. Photo by Callie Hawkins

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MASK BREAK A member of the varsity field hockey team casts aside her mask while on the sidelines of a Nov. 3 game against Highland Park. ESD won 10-0. “I understand that it is important to stay safe during this time of uncertainty,” junior Esme McGaughy said. “But I also think sports are one of the things that keep people grounded and bring a bit of normalcy to such a crazy time.” Photo by Sloane Hope

Sports resume with fewer guidelines Sports teams no longer required to wear masks or social distance during practices and games, students run risk of multiple quarantine periods, cross-contamination between other schools

By Sloane Hope Business Manager

A

fter three weeks of socially distanced, in-person sports practices, teams are no longer required to follow as many safety guidelines during practices and games, spurring worries about contact tracing and the possibility of team-wide quarantines in the event of a positive COVID-19 test.

As of Oct. 5, student-athletes are no longer required to social distance or wear masks during practices. Prior to this announcement, all students were required to wear masks to and from their respective practice locations, as well as maintain a social distance of six feet while participating in activities with their masks off. Before socially distant practices became an option, athletes had the option to participate in strength and conditioning sessions that followed the same guidelines.

“Following the SPC’s announcement regarding fall sports in August, athletic administrators from our peer North Zone SPC schools worked together to initiate a return to play and subsequent return to competition timeline,” Athletic

Director Dan Gill said. is a high chance everyone else will The decision to return to more too, but I’m glad they have allowed regular practices was made after us to practice and have games for our close examination of “local, regional senior year because it’s so important and national to the ESD developments” experience.” and the athletic Despite the department fact that practices remains in close have returned to I THINK, OVERALL, contact with normal, Neuhoff other local sports says there is a lot conferences like the [THE ATHLETIC more expected of Texas Association the captains this DEPARTMENT HAS] of Private and year because of the Parochial Schools, DONE A GOOD JOB pandemic. or TAPPS. “There’s REINTEGRATING US While some definitely more people are worried pressure this year BACK INTO SPORTS. because we are about the lack of safety, varsity field not only being hockey captain critiqued by our Cleo Neuhoff, and senior Cleo team but by parents, senior Neuhoff is grateful teachers and the for the opportunity administration,” to play at all.

Neuhoff said. “It “I think, overall, puts [the captains] [the Athletic in a weird position Department has] done a good job where we feel like we are responsible reintegrating us back into sports,” for what our teammates are doing Neuhoff said. “Obviously, if someone outside of school. While obviously on our team gets [COVID-19] there we can’t regulate their every move,

there is definitely pressure on us to encourage and try to enforce safe behavior.”

In the case of a positive test result of an athlete, the Athletic Department has created a protocol that extends to schools that have participated in games with the player who tested positive: “If a player tests positive, all of his or her teammates would stay at home and do remote learning while contact tracing occurs,” Head Athletic Trainer Crystal Carrizales said.

“Because of the nature of most sports, it is highly likely that all of the players would be deemed close contacts during the contact tracing process and therefore be required to quarantine for 14 days.”

Junior and varsity field hockey player Esme McGaughy has already had to quarantine twice this year, one of these instances coming as a result of playing in a field hockey game.

“I was forced to quarantine after I volunteered to play in a JV game and later learned that one of the JV players on our team tested positive,” McGaughy said. “They didn’t have enough players for one of their games and they needed a

20 51 53 students have had to quarantine because of sports

percent of students are worried about having to quarantine in the future because of sports

students are worried about cross-contamination between schools

few varsity players to play. It’s just very unfortunate and unlucky that I happened to choose that one game to volunteer for.”

While McGaughy acknowledges that the school is just trying to keep everyone safe and healthy, she wishes there were certain instances in which some players were not required to quarantine for the entire two week period.

“These are obviously unprecedented times and I know that the school is doing their best to protect everyone and appeal to everyone’s needs which is super challenging,” McGaughy said.

“At the same time, I was not near the person that tested positive at any point during the game; I even watched the film to make sure of it. I fully expected to be able to go back to school the next day after showing the school that I was further than six feet from her at all times and getting a negative test result a few days later.

It just doesn’t really make sense that they won’t let you go back to school with multiple pieces of evidence to show that you aren’t a risk to other students and faculty.”

4 students have had to quarantine multiple times, at least one of those resulting from sports Source: Nov. 9 poll of 141 upper school students

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New varsity womens basketball coach joins staff Past collegiate basketball coach and University of North Texas player John Franklin emphasizes team unity

By Grace Worsham Staff writer

N

ew women’s basketball coach John Franklin will begin his first coaching season this winter, and with great experience in the game, the girls have high hopes for a successful upcoming season.

Franklin, after earning his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, worked at multiple colleges having moved all the way to the NCAA II and gained an NCAA DII tournament berth at Southern Methodist University. He has worked for seven different basketball programs, consisting of boys and girls, including varsity basketball coach Corey Henderson’s staff at ESD for six years, Trinity University in San Antonio and Trinity Christian Academy in Addison.

“We are thrilled to welcome coach Franklin to ESD’s athletic department,” Head of Athletic Department Dan Gill said. “Coach Franklin brings tremendous experience and skills to our program, and we are looking forward to the continued growth of our program under his leadership.”

Last year, women’s basketball did not have a full team. The athletes felt they didn’t get the best experience out of it, but they believe this will change this year.

“It wasn’t the best circumstances [last year] with only six people on the team,” sophomore Madison McCloud said. “But I’m excited [for] our new coaching staff and the amount of players that are going to be on the team now.”

The previous women’s basketball coach, Ashley Robinson, does not go without recognition for raising the profile of the head coach position by giving it more credibility.

“Because of her contributions, we were able to attract a deep and strong candidate pool of which coach Franklin was chosen from,” Gill said. “I have great confidence that coach Franklin’s talent and commitment to our mission and vision will strengthen our entire program.”

At Franklin’s first college job at Paul Quinn College in Dallas, he was asked if he would be willing to take over the women’s program. He jumped on this and has loved coaching girls ever since.

“I think girls basketball actually chose me,” Franklin said.

“The relationship between the girls and the guys is a little different. With girls, it is more like a father-daughter relationship, and now that I have two girls of my own, I wouldn’t want to coach anyone else.”

Franklin strongly believes in the importance of community. He wants to have a strong relationship with the girls and their families and strengthen the team together.

“It’s like the sticker that is on my car [that says] One Campus, One Community,” Franklin said. “I never want [my athletes] to [see me as] just the head coach and separate from them. No, we are all in this together, so it’s a collaborative effort.”

Because of a shortage in players, the women’s basketball program only has one team this season.

Franklin has a positive outlook on this, though, as he believes it will strengthen the team.

“Because we are one program, I don’t look at it as just having a ‘varsity’ [team],” Franklin said. “I want everybody to be connected and have a part in this. I’m just a participant to be honest with you, just as my players.”

COVID-19 has caused rules and safety precautions to be enforced, which have made teaching and coaching sports more difficult.

Everyone is trying to work past this and help the students have a great school year though.

“This is gonna be a little bit of a challenge,” Franklin said. “COVID has affected everyone, especially the sports industry as well. It has affected high schools like ESD with all the protocols we have to go through, but I am definitely looking forward to it.”

Franklin began his coaching career with Henderson and even though he coached at skilled colleges, he found himself most at home in the ESD community.

“I never looked at it like I’m just going back––it’s like I’m going back home,” Franklin said. “It’s just great to be there every single day, and I am looking forward to the season, but I’m looking forward to really being here for the next 20 years.

COACH JOHN FRANKLIN STATS

20

games won coaching his past school team

16

years coached

6 3

total number of teams coached

time SPC champion at ESD as assistant coach of varsity mens basketball team

Photo by Grace Knudson

BED COVERS | BUMPERS | CARGO RACKS | JEEP TOPS | FLOOR LINERS | WINCHES | LIFT KITS

@earlowenco

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Winter Warmup Winter sports plan to proceed with similar precautions to fall season

By Christian Rockamore Staff writer

N

ov. 16 marks the beginning of the winter sports season, and the school will use the same approach it took with fall sports.

But this time, these guidelines will be implemented as soon as the season starts.

As of now, the Southwest Preparatory Conference is planning to play all counter games for the winter season. For wrestling, however, the SPC Board has not made a final decision.

Each school will handle their own non-counter games, but the athletic directors and staff from all of the SPC schools will consult with each other and coordinate with health officials to ensure a healthy and productive season. Members of the health and safety committee at ESD include nurses Marcia Biggs and Carla Thomas, Head Athletic Trainer Crystal Carrizales, Director of Campus Security Jody Trumble and Director of Facilities Jay Michael.

“The way the athletic department is envisioning moving into the winter is to do something very similar to the way we moved into the fall,” Head of School David Baad said. “We will ease into the winter season with some strength and conditioning and move into what I would call normal practices.”

As a whole, winter sports will proceed very similarly to fall sports. However, because some winter sports take place indoors, the athletic department must use increased precautions.

“There is definitely a difference between having a sport that is outside than having one that is inside, it’s just what science tells us,” Baad said. “We will have to work through those issues as we go.”

While the winter season WE WILL EASE has not officially started, varsity womens soccer INTO THE WINTER player and senior Ally SEASON WITH SOME Jeter has participated in numerous off-season workouts, claiming they STRENGTH AND will be beneficial for CONDITIONING the upcoming season.

Additionally, the workouts AND MOVE INTO both outside and inside have been socially WHAT I WOULD distanced in accordance with the new requirements.

CALL NORMAL “We did stretches PRACTICES. with [Strength and Conditioning Coach] Sally [Ward] and then various David Baad, sprints with [Director of Head of School Sports Performance Phil] Mosley,” Jeter said. “We did different kinds of sprints, such as 10 yards and 20 yards. By doing these off season workouts, I feel like I am getting in shape, even though they are highly recommended but not required.”

Based on past experiences, the school’s administration felt the need to stress the importance of safety for this upcoming season. Baad believes it is important that every athlete and parent understands the importance of the safety standards.

“The nature of sports are such that it’s very difficult to remain socially distanced in any significant way,” Baad said. “If there is an athlete who tests positive, every athlete on that team is considered in close contact. There is an extra level of risk that I think every athlete is taking by deciding to be in a sport.”

The athletics staff is working with health officials to make sure anytime new advice, information or rules are implemented regarding the virus, the school is on top of it, so that the team can continue playing.

“ESD’s health and safety task force will continue guiding our planning and decision-making in collaboration with the appropriate health officials,” Director of Athletics Dan Gill said. “We are closely monitoring local, regional and national developments on this subject.”

After taking in new information and undergoing trial and error with fall sports, the winter season is on track to strictly follow the fall sports’ spectator rules.

Coaches and staff are trying to make the best of the strictness of rules for the fairness and satisfaction of all people.

“We believe our spectator policy this fall is in relative alignment with our local peer Southwest Preparatory Conference schools,” Gill said. “We fully understand that some of these protocols may be inconvenient at times, but we believe that they are in the best interest of the health and safety of our entire school community.”

STAYING STRONG Sophomore Victor De Medeiros (front) partakes in an off-season workout on Monday Nov. 9. The strength and conditioning staff has led these exercises.

“I have been encouraged and inspired to perform at a greater level of skill,” Medeiros said. Photo by Grace Knudson

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Southwest Preparatory Conference prematurely cancels fall sports as other leagues continue to play

By Smith Cochran Sports Editor

T

he Parish Episcopal School Panthers football team have played six official games this season with more scheduled, including playoffs and a chance at winning another state championship.

The Episcopal School of Dallas Eagles played a makeshift season because of the commitment to competition of the school’s athletic department. The two high schools are four miles away in distance, a straight shot up Midway, less than a fifteen minute drive.

If they’re so close in proximity, why is one able to compete more than the other? Why does one have an opportunity for a championship while the other doesn’t? It all lies in the conference.

Parish is a member of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools, or TAPPS. There are around 80 member schools from all across Texas, from Tyler to Midland. In late July, TAPPS announced their plan to play this fall. Less than a month after that announcement, the Southwest Preparatory Conference, or SPC, announced they canceled all fall sports.

The SPC defended the controversial decision by arguing that member schools are in various

areas and cities that all have different regulations and safety concerns.

While that is true, TAPPS could’ve used the same excuse. So why didn’t they?

The stereotype of high school football in Texas is based on the television series, “Friday Night Lights” and the multi-million dollar stadiums in Allen, McKinney Prosper and others. Football is everything, and without football, Texas is nothing. It’s part of the culture here, and it’s unavoidable.

TAPPS understood removing a fall football season would have caused enormous amounts of backlash as well as transfers. Because of the large number of players trying to play college football in TAPPS, if the season was thrown out, many athletes would have left the schools. Athletes need film to be recruited, and no games means no film, leading players to find a high school that offers an opportunity to play.

This happened with California quarterback Jake Garcia, who decided to transfer from his school in California to Grayson High School in the outskirts of Atlanta, Georgia. His decision was an effect of California deciding to postpone their football season to winter.

Garcia is a drastic example, but if TAPPS schools were not playing football, there would be plenty of athletes leaving their current

teams. This did not concern the SPC because the SPC was unwilling to try to oversee fall sports, and individual athletic departments were forced to create seasons. Thankfully, the ESD athletic department scheduled games against schools willing to compete but still fell short of an actual season.

An easy, acceptable solution for the SPC would’ve been to keep teams in their districts and zones, eliminating the Houston vs. Dallas games. Keeping Dallas teams in the DFW area would’ve given ESD a five to seven game season, depending on which schools consented to participate. ESD ended up playing only Dallas and Fort Worth schools anyway, but the SPC could’ve made it official and organized. The 4A SPC Football Championship is the goal every year for competing teams.

Without that finish line, games are played for mere bragging rights.

With various leagues playing and one not, the gap between TAPPS and SPC schools is widened. The talent level is relatively even with a few exceptions, but the commitment to playing and the athletes are different.

There was no doubt that many SPC members wanted to compete for a championship this fall, but it never happened like that. Schools in the North Zone conference were able to find games, but putting together a makeshift schedule should not be their job.

No.

10 total games possible for TAPPS playoff teams

An SPC sanctioned season was the hope, but the season that the ESD athletic department put together was the next best thing. Mostly because the football team was able to play and beat The St. Marks School of Texas.

I understand that I write this from a place of privilege for thousands of high school athletes will not be playing at all this year. Populated states such as New York and California have planned “delayed” starts in the winter or spring. At least fifteen other states have followed by moving their football seasons. The ability to go to football practice after school and play games on Fridays is not something I am taking for granted. Rather, I see schools similar to ESD and other SPC members playing an almost normal season, and I question why that was deemed unsafe and unrealistic.

While I am very thankful that the football team was able to play at all, the SPC needs to be better. It is very hard to find the reasoning behind canceling the season while other schools in the DFW and Houston area play as if nothing has changed.

With universities and high schools playing across the country, The Southwest Preparatory Conference failed its athletes and coaches and caused schools to create a panicked, short schedule, while other close high school teams play an entire season.

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episcopal school of dallas Nov. 13, 2020

memorylane

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

IT’S WONDERFUL TO VISIT the classes and to meet the teachers and discuss what’s going on and what’s being taught and what’s being learned.

Lee Cullum ESD Grandmother

PRE-K TEACHER READS TO THE CLASS OF 2023 AND THEIR GRANDPARENTS AT GRANDPARENT’S DAY IN 2009. GRANDPARENT’S DAY IS A LONGSTANDING tradition at the school. The “[The teacher] was talking about the history day is an opportunity for of movies and what those from the ‘30s and grandparents to see the the ‘40s still mean to us today,” Cullum said. “It campus, attend class with was just wonderful. [The teacher] was brilliant, their grandkids and experience a chapel the students were brilliant, and the topic was ceremony. fascinating.”

“It’s wonderful to visit the classes and to Due to the school’s COVID-19 restrictions meet the teachers and discuss what’s going that limit visitors on campus and to on and what’s being taught and what’s being keep members of the community safe, Grandparent’s Day will not be held this year. learned,” Lee Cullum, grandmother to senior Cullum will miss this year, as it would have Charlotte Clark, Lili Clark ‘15 and Annabel been her last Grandparent’s Day. Clark ‘17, said. “In the times when they had a gathering in the chapel, I thought that was “The campus is so beautiful, and it’s nice very nice too because it really gave you to be reminded of that and to experience a strong sense of what life on the campus that—just the beauty of the place,” Cullum said. must be like because [students] gather in the “There’s a wonderful atmosphere at ESD. It’s a chapel quite often. It’s also fun to see the other joyful atmosphere.”

To see more photos from the ESD archives students and to see the other grandparents please visit the Eagle Edition website. and develop a real sense of camaraderie. It’s a real affirmation of the ESD community.”

Cullum’s favorite memory of Grandparent’s Day was attending a class where the teacher

By Blair Batson Co-Editor-in-Chief was teaching students about movies.