V42 Issue 3

Trump wins back the office

Differing reactions to the election of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States have prompted members of the community to engage in discussions about what his presidency means for the future of America and why this election marks a departure from those in the past. For the first time since 2007, Republicans control all three branches of the federal government, signaling a significant conservative shift in the nation’s political landscape.

Pages 16-17

Senior chapel talks

Senior chapel talks kicked off on Nov. 12 with the Ferris advisory, followed by the McCown/Morran advisory on Nov. 19. They shared a dose of holiday spirit with the advisory members wearing reindeer costumes and singing "Santa Claus is Comin to Town." These chapel talks will continue into May and have been a decade long tradition at ESD. Page 12

The Episcopal School of Dallas

Photoillustration by Cindy Lin

News

The advancement of AI threatens cybersecurity

Deep fake videos and phishing attempts blur the line between reality and fraud

Charlotte Traylor | Copy editor

Director of technology Bryan Barnett receives an email from Ann and Lee Hobson Head of School David Baad, requesting a wire transfer of money.

But Barnett is not new to these types of emails and quickly dismisses it. Barnett and other members of the ESD technology department regularly receive “phishing” emails, counterfeit emails seeking personal information or money, from amateur hackers. Detecting this behavior is simple, but deep fake artificial intelligence advancement will complicate phishing detection strategies.

Deepfake technology allows hackers to artificially mock individuals' voices, by collecting data on human’s tone and speech patterns from spam calls. The hackers may call this individual’s close relations, using the artificially created voice to request money for an immediate surgery or bail, for example. Oftentimes, the relations are easily fooled by the artificial voice and will immediately send money. Barnett foresees phishing calls from a Baad impersonator as deep fake technology becomes more prolific.

“If I got a call from Mr. Baad asking me to reset passwords or disable accounts, that would be really something that is troubling,” Barnett said. “But luckily, since we're all on one campus, it's easy to walk over to someone's office and verify that it's an actual, legitimate request.”

Upper school computer science teacher Dr. Charles Lena experienced the dangers of deepfake technology firsthand. In Sept. 2023, Lena’s parents received a call from an impersonator of Lena’s brother, calling from a county jail. The impersonator requested $9500 for bail, and

they obliged after attempting to call their son.

“And the problem is that we are wired to take our children's voices very seriously,” Lena said. “Most of these voices do sound incredibly realistic. The only way that you get around this is being incredibly suspicious, which of course, if it is [true], your kid is going to be really insulted. .

. That's the sort of thing that you're seeing more with cybersecurity: it's a more boutique method of attack. ”

Deep fake technology also surfaced during the 2024 presidential election; Russia created AI videos designed to decrease U.S. voters’ trust in the electoral process, according to a joint statement from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. One video depicted Haitian citizens illegally voting in the election. Another video depicted an individual, who works for the Democratic party, receiving a bribe.

On the other side of the coin, AI can be leveraged to detect phishing attempts. Just as ZeroGPT can detect Chat GPT usage, IT firms build technology to protect organization’s cybersecurity.

“Imagine a company with 1,000 employees. Each employee gets roughly 30 emails or texts a day, that is 30,000 potential threats that could contain damaging payloads with ransomware, phishing attempts for passwords, fraudulent invoicing, etc.,” Fort Worth senior manager IT operations Dominic Casagrande said during an interview with the Eagle Edition.

“We need technology to scan in real time what is legitimate . . . and analyze where the communications are coming from. Are they originating from countries or networks anomalous to usual patterns?

In my experience, if someone develops technology that will benefit the people, someone will find a way to exploit it for their personal gain. Familiar patterns will have to be adapted, and we will learn the new rules.

Dominic Casagrande Fort Worth senior manager IT operations

Using AI to baseline an organization's usage footprint and then applying that as a guide for quarantining outliers has significantly reduced cyber events.”

ESD has recently integrated AI program CoPilot into their WiFi maintenance strategy and is exploring an AI log analysis tool, both which identify trends in problem areas. On a larger scale, Microsoft Defender released an image detection technology in Oct. 2024, preventing 94 percent of QR code phishing attacks.

These developments are promising, but must be considered within the broader context of AI development. New AI technologies are created daily, offering new problems with each solution.

“My entire career in technology has reinvented itself over and over again,” Casagrande said. “It is a bit callous to say, in my experience if someone develops technology that will benefit the people, someone will find a way to exploit it for their personal gain. Constraints are the birthplace for creativity … Familiar patterns will have to be adapted, and we will learn the new rules.”

For example, data leakage occurs as AI models gain access to larger datasets, so medical records or financial transactions may be exposed to hackers. Hackers can also subtly manipulate input data, creating issues in the function of applications, according to a Sept. 2024 article published by the University of Indiana. Most recently, individuals have utilized AI to interpret electromagnetic radiation emitted by HDMI cables, determining text or images displayed on devices.

“That means that [the hacker] doesn’t have to be connected to your computer…or your network. I just

have to be in proximity and then I can potentially see what you're seeing on your screen, like the entering of credit card numbers” Lena said. “I'm sure the distance will increase. The problem is that AI will get more powerful and better at doing these correlations.”

Individuals must prioritize personal data security as cybercrime increases. Many assume elderly figures are the prime targets of attackers; yet, young adults are frequent targets as well.

“Do everything you can to protect your identity, do not under any circumstance use the same passwords for social media with anything else. Young adults are considered soft targets to cyber criminals, they open credit cards, drain bank accounts, steal student loans, & effectively ruin your credit,” Casagrande said. “If that is not enough, the legal repercussions are on you to prove it was someone else. KnowBe4.com is an industry leading resource with tools and information on how you can better protect yourself and your company.”

AI THE PUPPETEER, HUMANS THE PUPPETS

Deep fake technology manipulates human voices and images, attacking human's perception of the truth. "It's more personalized attacks," upper school computer science teacher Dr. Charles Lena said. "[Hackers will] train an AI to be you and then use that to attack other people. They know you." Illustration by Charlotte Traylor

The Political Pulse

Election Updates: Community Impact and Latest Developments

2024 U.S. presidential election sends shock waves across the world

The economy, inflation mattered most to voters this election hoping for change with a conservative majority in all three branches

With the dust barely settled from last month's presidential election, the tides in Washington are already beginning to shift. President-elect Donald Trump’s victory over Vice President Kamala Harris symbolizes one of the most unprecedented comebacks in political history. Trump faced impeachment trials and significant public criticism after his loss to Joe Biden in the 2020 election, but he made a powerful return to the White House fueled by strategic campaigning and Republican voter confidence. His return for a second term has sent shock waves around the world.

Former President Trump won the 2024 electoral college vote with 312 votes and became the first Republican in two decades to achieve this victory. Trump’s success over Harris’s 226 electoral votes can be attributed to his unprecedented sweep in swing states. Many thought the race would come down to the swing state with the most electoral votes, Pennsylvania, but Trump swept all seven battleground states, winning the electoral votes of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

“I wasn’t surprised at all of the outcome of the battleground states. I expected one of the two candidates to sweep all seven battleground states,” Adam Walsh, upper school government teacher,

leadership, government and public policy network coordinator, said. “The moment that I saw Trump was up by 12 or 13 points in Florida, I knew that was going to be replicated.”

The factors contributing to Trump’s reelection have been highly debated since his victory. The role of the economy, more specifically inflation, under the Biden-Harris administration was marked as a top issue for voters. According to an NBC News exit poll conducted on Nov. 5, 31 percent of voters said the economy was the main concern deciding their votes. CNBC reports show that inflation has surged to its highest level in decades, with basic goods seeing a price increase of over 10 percent compared to the previous year. Prices have been record high for everyday Americans, especially in areas such as gas, electrical bills and simply buying groceries.

“I think we found out that the economy is the main issue for voters by a million miles this election,” Walsh said. “This argument that Harris was going to win all these voters because of reproductive rights and abortion, I think that the democrats were fooling themselves after 2022. Poll after poll showed the economy as the biggest factor.”

According to CBS News, the debate on a, “Democrat Identity,” has also been blamed for Harris’s loss. Many argue that internal conflicts within the Democratic Party over social issues are to blame for a fragmented voter population. On

Quite frankly, the voters had been saying that they wanted change for a long time. It's really difficult to run someone from the current administration and say that you're running for change.

Adam Walsh Upper School Government Teacher, Leadership, Government and Public Policy Network Coordinator

Nov. 10, CBS News interviewed Rep. Susan Wild, a Democratic candidate who lost her re-election to represent Pennsylvania’s Northampton County in Congress.

“We are getting way too caught up in lofty social issues,” Wild said during the interview. “If you are struggling to pay your rent or feed your kids, you don’t have the privilege of thinking about things like LGBTQ rights.”

Trump’s re-election was not the only ground breaking victory for the Republican Party this election cycle, with Republicans winning a majority in the U.S. Senate. Republicans flipped Montana, Ohio, West Virginia, giving them a 53-seat majority in the 100-member Senate. Nebraska brought the GOP over the finish line for the majority.

Republicans have also won a majority in the House of Representatives with a majority of 219 GOP seats compared to 213 Democratic seats. With Republicans in control of the House, it may signal a legislative push for conservative policies. Republicans regained control of the House in the 2022 midterm elections with a slim majority. Republicans are governing with another slim majority.

“It will be super interesting to see what topics and bills the Republicans are going to push for,” Arden Bowen, junior and volunteer at Dallas voting booths said. “The two sides will have to work together to collaborate, we’ll see how the Democrats combat this.”

2024 Election Results

Trump’s personnel and cabinet selections for his presidency swung the potential Republican majority in the House. The former president has already selected quite a few House Republicans to serve in his administration, setting a record with the pace of appointments with more to come.

With a Conservative majority in the three branches of government, sweeping changes could be made with lasting impacts. To pass legislation and send it to the president to sign into law, both the House and Senate need to have a majority vote with both chambers being of the same party. According to a Pew Research Center Analysis of “substantive” legislation passed in each Congress, four of the five most productive sessions in the last three decades occurred during periods of divided government.

We may see a big shift towards Trump’s legislative agenda, covering issues such as immigration, trade, taxes, healthcare, reproductive rights and a variety of other issues. Although, there are predictions that continuous debates on these topics will resurface from Democrats and public push back.

“The real question going forward is going to be are there going to be Republicans who will break ranks,” Walsh said. “Will four Republican senators refuse to go along with the administration’s agenda, that’s what we’re asking.”

Valentina Boltchi Social media manager

226 Democrat Kamala Harris

Republican Donald Trump 312

Students navigate the expense of the holiday season

Due to rising prices, students find it difficult to make a holiday gift list

can be stressful,” Eastin said. “It's hard to find everybody the right gift, and you have to have the money for all of those gifts.”

As sophomore Madison Stiles imagines the joy of giving and buying gifts, she surfs the web for presents for her loved ones. But as she sees the price of each gift, her eyes widen in shock. Stiles’ favorite time of the year, Christmas, has become so expensive that the idea of finding the perfect gifts only adds stress to this joyful time of the year.

“It can be really stressful trying to shop for the people I love,” Stiles said. “I want to make sure that I get them a meaningful gift and something that they'll have for a while.”

When Stiles was a kid, she asked for toys or fluffy socks, but now she wants items that will last longer, which tend to be more expensive.

“Because I'm getting older, I want more items that will last me a while,” Stiles said. “I want them to be of higher quality which has made the prices go up.”

The National Retail Federation predicts that this year each person is expected to spend over $900 on holiday shopping. This is $25 more than last year and $16 more than the 2019 record. An article written on Investopedia predicts gift prices to increase from 2.5 percent to 3.5 percent more than in 2023.

But along with requesting expensive items, the Christmas season also involves giving gifts. According to NRF statistics, an average American spends up to $1,000 per year buying Christmas gifts.

Junior Alex Eastin is involved in multiple gift exchanges and she strives to find personalized gifts that are meaningful to each individual on her list.

“I definitely think Secret Santa and White Elephant exchanges with your friends

A

The CEO of UnitedHealthcare, Brian Thompson, was fatally shot in a targeted attack on Dec. 4 outside the New York Midtown Hilton Hotel in Manhattan. The incident occurred around 6:45 a.m. when the suspect ambushed the victim as he arrived on foot, according to BBC News. The NYPD launched a large-scale manhunt involving drones, helicopters and thousands of surveillance cameras. Police believe the attack was premeditated and targeted. The suspect Luigi Mangione was arrested on Monday, Dec. 9 at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Mangione faces a second degree murder charge in New York City. He is charged with three gun charges and forgery as well, according to the New York Times.

Adults, not just teenagers, also feel this stress, but in different ways. Sophomore English teacher Megan Bourgeois loves all the Christmas traditions in her family during this time of year.

“We have a traditional Christmas Eve dinner that we eat to remind us of my parents and our loved ones who are no longer with us,” Bourgeois said. “It's a nice way of remembering those who are no longer around to celebrate Christmas.”

Bourgeois has realized that the Christmas season has become a gift buying season rather than a celebration of Jesus’ birth.

“It has rather become more materialistic,” Bourgeois said. “Christmas decorations, gifts and gift wrap goes on sale in November.”

Being a mom, Bourgeois wants to find a unique gift for each of her children and family members. This task leads to more worry about gift buying rather than enjoying one of her favorite times of the year.

“I try to find things that are meaningful to the gift recipients but I wait too late to start shopping," Bourgeois said. “The combination of those two things typically stresses me out.”

And on top of buying gifts for people, Bourgeois plans her family gatherings for Christmas which can add pressure.

“All of our children are in their late 20s and life gets more complicated,” Bourgeois said. “To try to get us all in the same place at the same time is probably one of the biggest stresses.”

Junior Courtney Del-Cid experiences stress during the holiday season as her family prepares for Christmas.

“My mom likes to do everything extra,” Del-Cid said.

It has rather become more materialistic.

Christmas decorations, gifts and gift wrap goes on sale in November.

Megan Bourgeois Sophomore English Teacher

“So the entire house has to be filled with Christmas decorations which is super stressful.”

Along with preparing her house for decorating, she has family members come over to see all the decorations. This means that she must please all the people that come over.

“We put in all the hard work,” Del-Cid said. ”All that determination, making the Christmas decorations and decorating because we host the family, can be a lot sometimes.”

Although she makes a list for herself, she also is in charge of finding gifts for her younger family members.

“I do have a huge family with a bunch of little kids,” Del-Cid said. “So it's hard to tell what kind of toys they want.”

Del-Cid believes that growing up means she wants more expensive items. It is hard for her to be a girl, trying to fit in with the ones around her.

“I think because I am developing as a girl, I want to try and fit in,” Del-Cid said. “Whereas, whenever you're little, it's just little toys and trinkets.”

Del-Cid tries her hardest to stay in high spirits during this stressful time. She finds things around her that she can find joy in which allows her to enjoy this time of year.

“My favorite part of Christmas is probably seeing all the family,” Del-Cid said. “Playing with the kids is always a joy.”

Gift giving can be a stress to many including Stiles, Eastin, and Bourgeois but DelCid, on the other hand, also enjoys it.

“My love language is gift giving because I love whenever people receive gifts and seeing their reactions,” DelCid said. “It's definitely my favorite part of Christmas.” In the end, to many, Christmas is still a time to celebrate and try to decompress, enjoy what is around them and be thankful for friends and family.

“I love walking into stores and smelling the Christmas scents, seeing the Christmas tree, seeing the garlands and all the ornaments,” Stiles said. “Although the season is overwhelming, I like to pause and remember the joy and memories revolving around this special time of year.”

A motion to impeach South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol failed after members of his ruling People Power Party walked out of parliament ahead of a crucial vote. This left opposition lawmakers eight votes short of the twothirds majority needed for the motion to pass. The motion followed Yoon’s controversial declaration of martial law on Tuesday, Dec. 3, which was quickly reversed after public backlash. Yoon apologized for the move, which sparked widespread protests and caused his approval rating to plummet, according to NBC News. Key officials, including the defense minister, have resigned and investigations are underway. The political turmoil continues as the nation faces growing instability.

After five and a half years of extensive restoration following the 2019 fire, Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris is set to reopen. A formal ceremony took place on Dec. 7, featuring a religious service and a speech by President Emmanuel Macron, followed by a concert which was recorded on Friday, Dec. 6 and broadcasted on the opening day due to the weather forecast. The reopening marks the completion of crucial restoration work, including repairs to the spire, roof, stained glass windows and the structure’s interior. The renovation, funded by donations totaling around $900 million, according to the New York Times, also included the installation of modern fire safety measures. While the cathedral’s main structure is restored, work on the exterior will continue for several more years.

Syrian rebels, led by the group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, have seized control of Damascus, effectively ending Bashar al-Assad’s 50 year family rule. Assad flew to Moscow, receiving asylum from Russia, as celebratory scenes erupted across Syria, echoing the early days of the Arab spring, according to AP News. HTS commander Abu Mohammed al-Golani hailed Assad’s fall as a “victory for the islamic nation” and pledged to restore Syria to its people. While the U.S. and its allies have celebrated Assad’s downfall as a significant victory, questions remain about the future stability of Syria. Rebel forces now face the challenge of unifying a fractured country amidst ongoing factional fighting and the presence of groups like ISIS.

Betty Wheeler Staff writer

UNITEDHEALTHCARE CEO SHOOTING

NOTRE-DAME REOPENING

CONFLICT IN SYRIA

News

Exam anxiety turns into motivation for students

Midterm bring stress, some of it is healthy and linked to academic achievement

As exam season ap-

proaches, sophomore Henry Swann gears up to take on each exam. Swann began preparing his study packets a month in advance; he finds it helpful to create packets for each subject and work on them a little each day in the weeks leading up to the exams.

For Swann and the upper school student body, the pressure builds as December approaches. In each class, midterm exams are worth 20 percent of the semester grade. For most, preparation starts around Thanksgiving break, marking one month until the exam. While the stress of exams can be overwhelming, experts say that the stress can be used as a powerful tool to ensure academic achievement.

Research suggests that short-term stress positively impacts memory. This can be useful in some situations, such as when taking an exam. A study conducted by Elizabeth Scott, an author on stress-management and positive psychology, said that when we face stressful situations, we learn more about ourselves, our skills, and our limits. As we learn more of what we are capable of, we are more likely to be more confident handling stressful situations in the future.

For freshmen, the winter midterm is their first high school exam, creating heightened nerves.

“I am really nervous for my exams in December,”

freshman Gabby Atson said. “Knowing that [the exam] makes such a big impact on my final grade makes me really scared.”

But the stress of exams can become overwhelming for all students, not just freshmen.

Upperclassmen have the additional stress of ACT and SAT preparation as well, knowing they are, or will be, applying to colleges. These grades are formative to either boosting or lowering a student’s final grade point average and can thus be nerve-racking.

“Last year I raised my grade [in a class] by doing well on my exam,” junior Ava Sjogren said. “I hope I can do the same this year.”

The rigor in the classroom does not slow down for exam season either. Many teachers assign major assessments, tests and quizzes until the week before exams.

“It is a lot having to study for separate tests and quizzes, while studying for my exams at the same time,” sophomore Colby Chipman said. “I always make sure I do as well as I can on the tests leading up to exams so my grade has a boost.”

For seniors in particular, pressure builds as exams are the final grade in the grade book, determining the grade on their official transcript.

“With these exams being the last piece of the picture that colleges see, I feel relieved,” senior Jess Coit said. “Exams are always nerve wracking, but knowing that these are the last high school exams that count towards college gives me some peace of mind.”

Psychologist and stress management expert Dr. Kelly McGonigal believes that stress

ONE STEP CLOSER

Sophomore Cade Hilton gets ahead on his study plan for exams, next to the Christmas tree to keep him motivated. ”Studying for exams is not fun,” Hilton said. Being by the Christmas tree makes me happier.”

is not inherently bad. Stress is a natural response to challenges and can help people rise to the occasion.

“It’s all about perspective,” McGonigal said in a Sept. 4, 2013 TED talk. “Stress becomes harmful when we let it overwhelm us. When we embrace it, we can use that energy to perform at our best.”

This is true for sophomore Curtis Mathes.

“I always get stressed for my exams,” Mathes said. “I am using my stress to make myself study, because if I don’t study I become even more stressed.”

In a post published in the Division of Teaching Excellence and Innovation at the University of California, Irvine website in 2019, Alicia Hoffman, from UCI’s chemistry department, explained that eustress, positive stress, can be beneficial in classrooms and is “linked to academic achievement and investment in coursework.”

“Students are successful when there is a drive to attain high standards,” Hoffman wrote. “Maintaining a balance between too stressful and not stressful enough is important for students to do well in the classroom.”

As seniors look back on their high school career after enduring six exam seasons,

they acknowledge their experience in exam-taking and all that it encompasses.

“Looking back at all the exams I have taken I realize that all of my hard work paid off,” senior Tessa Cabrales said. “I wish I could tell underclassmen who are taking their exams and are stressed that everything will be okay and all they need to do is work hard.”

While exam season will always come with its fair share of stress, learning to channel that stress effectively can make a world of difference. By reframing stress as a motivating force rather than a crippling obstacle, students can unlock their full potential and approach their exams with confidence.

“Stress is a sign that you care about the outcome,” McGonigal said in her TED talk. “The emotional investment is what drives you to succeed.”

But many students look forward to what follows the midterm exams: Christmas break. Students are off school for 20 days. This time is used by many to rest, hang out with friends, travel, visit family and celebrate the holidays.

“Exams are always super rough,” junior Cate Stephenson said. “But keeping in mind the long break, exciting travel, and rest that is ahead, motivates me to keep studying.”

Kate Lewis Staff writer

Photo Kate Lewis

Club sponsors No Plastic November, unique incentive

Environmental Awareness Club aims to increase use of water refill stations

For the second year in a row, the Environmental Awareness Club organized No Plastic November from the beginning of November through the first week of December in hopes of reducing the use of plastic bottles. Because the club was restructured last year, club sponsor and Science Department Chair Matthew Varvir and club members felt that this was a good way to get the club re-running, while also helping the environment.

“We were trying to basically get something that was something we could do now in the fall semester and kind of see a little bit of success, hopefully, so that it would increase their confidence and increase the name of the club so people would actually know it exists,” Varvir said. “So that was kind of the underlying idea.”

At the start of each school day during the course of the event, Varvir went to each refill station to record how many refills occurred the prior day. He kept a tally of the number of refills in October, which tallied to about 230 bottles per day, and then compared the number of daily November refills to those from October to determine the percentage of increased use. When events took place on campus, such as the Southern Preparatory Conference volleyball tournament on Nov. 7 to 9, Varvir checked the tallies of the stations at the end of each school day in order to account for the increased usage from visitors.

“So last year we got about 15 percent,” Varvir said. “I’m

hoping we can beat that because that’s our minimum goal this year. Right now [Oct. 15] we’re beating that, [but] not by much.”

And if the goals are met, there will be prizes. The first goal is a 15 percent increase, and if reached, the upper school will get Kona Ice. Multiple factors were taken into consideration when coming up with this prize.

“So last year, the prizes were basically like free dress day, spirit dress day, all that sort of deal [and] we didn't feel like as a club that was super enticing to people this year, because we've had a lot more spirit dress days than we've had previously,” Varvir said. “So, we were trying to think of [a reward] that would hopefully have less of an environmental impact than others, because it just felt hypocritical. Kona Ice isn't perfect by any means, but it's closer than some other ones.”

If the upper school reaches a 25 percent increase, the reward will be one day of no homework, where no assignments, tests and quizzes will be assigned for one day during January, if teachers choose to participate. The club originally struggled thinking of an idea for this prize, so they discussed possibilities with Assistant head of upper school Max Augé.

“We went to Mr. Augé and he brought up the idea [that] the most valuable thing to people is time, and that got us thinking,” Varvir said. “And basically what takes up a lot of students’ time is homework, which we obviously don’t want to get rid of for obvious reasons, but we also recognize that having like a single evening where students are may-

be slightly less stressed might be motivating.”

Before getting this idea approved, Varvir emailed a survey to all upper school teachers, asking if they were on board with the idea. Ninety percent to 95 percent of teachers responded that they were on board or had a couple of stipulations, such as needing to know when it is well in advance. Varvir also assured teachers and students that this prize would not happen again.

In order to help reach these goals, members of the Environmental Awareness Club created and hung up posters throughout campus reminding people to use their reusable water bottles and to fill their bottles at the refill stations. In addition, members of the club have done quick quizzes during chapel about the impact of plastic bottles on the environment, in order to show the upper school the positive impact of reusable water bottles.

“I wanted to give kind of bi-weekly updates,” senior

A Rapid Rundown

ANGEL TREE RETURNS TO ESD

As the seasons change, decorations come out and the Angel Tree Christmas tree makes its annual appearance at ESD.

“I do the Angel Tree every year, and I plan to continue that tradition, sophomore Jordan Johnson said. “It’s a great way to support our community.

ESD and St. Philip’s have partnered as schools founded by the Episcopal church, so the Angel Tree service program is a testament to the long-standing relationship between the two schools. The St. Philip s Christmas Store benefits 175 families from priority zip codes, and the drive aims to benefit teens since they are an often overlooked age group during

HOLIDAY PLANS

STUDENT COUNCIL

With the anticipation of midterms, students find themselves focusing on the holidays through dress-up days, festive snacks and class movies, all of which are a part of the Student Council’s “Twelve Days of Christmas.

These 12 days provide students with a distraction from the anticipation of exams and Christmas.

“It gave me something else to think about, Pendleton said. “It made me slightly less stressed.

This festive event began on Dec. 2. From Christmas caroling by the upper school choir to

WINTER SPORTS PEP RALLY

Cheers from the student sections, rowdy games and school spirit are all hallmarks of fall pep rallies. Yet this year, pep rallies are not exclusive to the fall sports.

“I think that’s a shame that we don’t really do a good job of celebrating the winter sports, and so I’ve been pushing to do more and more, Assistant Director of Admissions and Cheerleading Program Director Megan Schroeder said. “All of our seasons are worthy of celebrating.

During this winter pep rally, cheerleaders do not have an extensive cheer routine

Christmas. This program provides gifts, such as toys, coats and games, for underprivileged kids during Christmas. Upper school students bought gifts for these families from Dec. 2 to 13.

“To me, [the Angel Tree] is something that can help people who are less fortunate so that they can have a great Christmas, Johnson said. “I love finding personalized gifts for all the kids.

A staple Christmas tradition for many, the Angel Tree has been an institution at ESD for many years. Ranging from books, makeup, shoes and more, these gifts help families during Christmas time and spread holiday joy for many.

hot chocolate and candy canes, these 12 days are a time full of cheer.

“It was easier to bring myself to school because wanted to see what everyone was wearing, sophomore Brooke Pendleton said. “It gave me motivation for the day.

Although there are many activities like ugly sweater day, door decorating and teacherstudent competitions, certain memories stick out the most.

“I liked the dress-up days the best, Pendleton said. “I loved the Christmas carols during math class, it made my day all that much brighter.

prepared, so they will perform a simple showcase with tumbling and jumps.

“It’ll probably just be the varsity team [performing], Schroeder said. “It’ll be more fun, school spirit and less performance-based.

Ultimately, the focus of this pep rally was winter sports and to bring a spotlight to those often under-represented sports and increase the excitement surrounding them.

“Everyone gives a lot to this place, and we should do a better job recognizing the winter teams, spring teams, the artists, all things, Schroeder said. “I’m excited to have an opportunity to do that.

Caitlin Hills, co-president of the Environmental Awareness Club, said. “Just to keep people more engaged and then also let people know how close we are to each goal.”

The Environmental Awareness Club is planning more events for later in the school year, such as the textbook drive they organized at the end of last school year, which was successful. Overall, Hills feels that No Plastic November helps bring more environmental awareness to ESD.

“We’re pretty limited [with] what we can do at the school,” Hills said. “Hopefully in the future we will be able to do more informative stuff about the environment that [people can] go off of.”

On Dec. 10, Varvir announced during chapel that the upper school met a 22 percent increase in the refill stations compared to October. 281 bottles were saved daily. Although falling short of the day of no homework, upper schoolers will receive Kona Ice sometime in the spring.

Photo by Josephine Holmes

Photo by Josephine Holmes

SPREADING JOY Sophomore Jordan Johnson selects an

card from the ESD Angel Tree. My mom and

this tradition, Johnson said. We

Photo by Josephine Holmes

Brooke Ebner | Web editor

REUSE AND REFILL

Senior Jake Gierkey fills up his water bottle at the refill station in senior hall on Dec. 9. I usually refill my water bottle up eight or nine times a day regardless of the [No Plastic November] thing, Gierkey said. think a night of no homework would be very nice.

Photo by Brooke Ebner

Black Friday’s appeal diminishes, Cyber Monday soars in popularity

and

by Lilly Traylor | Staff writer

Afew years ago upper school proctor and substitute Donna Malone braved the crowds lining the front door of her local Walmart on the midnight of Black Friday, after bribing her daughter and son-in-law to join her endeavor. She was able to obtain one of the few large flat-screen televisions for a price of $100.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday, both once major retail events, are losing their popularity and traction as inflation continues to rise. Both the increase in year-round sales and introduction of online shopping conveniences have contributed to the decline in deals and demand for certain products during the holiday season. While Black Friday continues to draw crowds, the nostalgia of the

hectic shopping sprees and long lines seems to be slipping into the past.

According to Forbes, prior to the convenience of online shopping, Black Friday was a long awaited event during the holiday season, as large malls and department stores were packed with shoppers. However, as of 2024, a large portion of product consumers have directed their attention to Cyber Monday deals, because it is a more convenient way to shop the deals during the holiday season.

“When I was a teenager, Black Friday was only the day after Thanksgiving, not multiple days, as it is now, and there was no such thing as Cyber Monday,” upper school proctor and substitute Donna Malone said. “Since there was no online shopping at that time, my family would venture out into the crowded malls only for real bargains.”

Black Friday used to last

only one day, rather than the entirety of the weekend following Thanksgiving as it does now. Well known online stores, like Amazon, start their Black Friday deals several weeks prior to Thanksgiving, which has encouraged other online stores to start their Black Friday deals sooner as well.

“Because other companies have started [their Black Friday deals] earlier, like Amazon, [GAP] always starts [their Black Friday deals] at least a week or even 10 days before Black Friday,” Inwood Village GAP store manager Ferry Safiandry said. “Black Friday is not like how it used to be, because it has extended to start earlier, and … a lot of people like to show up online, so … we’re getting less and less customers in store.”

While shopping on Black Friday was popular among families when Malone was a teenager, in store shopping on Black Friday became less popular after online shopping was introduced. During the holiday season, stores often mark up their top sell-

ing products so that they can put a larger sale percentage on that item. Therefore, when product consumers see the extreme markdown, they feel more compelled to purchase the product.

“I love using these days to shop for my family and friends’ Christmas presents. It’s also fun to go around with my family and buy Christmas decor,” sophomore Caroline Caldwell said. “Stores seem to mark up their prices right before this holiday which then makes the sale price look much better. Also, deals do not seem to be as good as a whole as they used to be, most likely because of inflation.”

The convenience of front door delivery and the avoidance of crowds often appeals to holiday shoppers. While there is often a pricey fee for shipping, specifically on Black Friday weekend, it is still appealing for product consumers.

“I will shop on [Black Friday and Cyber Monday] if there is a low price for items that are on my Christmas list,” Malone said. “I much prefer to shop online, as most of us seem to do these days, and have my purchases delivered to my front door. I’d rather pay a little more to avoid the crowds.”

The convenience of shopping Black Friday deals online allows shoppers to avoid crowded dressing rooms, try on their clothes in their home and later return items that did not work. Safiandry explains that only 30 percent of holiday shoppers shop in store for the Black Friday deals.

“I know that it’s common to shop online mostly, so probably 70 percent of people like to shop online to avoid chaos and everything [including] traffic,” Safiandry said. “[Shoppers] just shop online and wait for their packages to arrive, [and] try them at home at [their own] convenience and return it if needed.”

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Students struggle with weather, sleep, time change

Winter blues and seasonal depression impact mental health and student life

In the chilly, cleared-out school parking lot, sophomore Anna Scott* notices the cold glow of the winter moon already high in the darkening sky even though it is only 6 p.m. Exhausted, Scott shoves her backpack in the trunk of her car, slides in the front seat and rests her head on the steering wheel. Seemingly endless homework assignments are waiting for her upon her return home, which makes the short drive to her house feel like an impossible task. It takes great effort to keep from spending the next hour slumped over the steering wheel, but she manages to drive herself home for yet another tiring December night.

The cold months leading up to New Years—while offering Dallas a welcome break from the scorching heat—accompany dreary, wet weather, shorter days with less sunlight, relentless exam preparation, stubborn colds and holiday season chaos. For some, these factors contribute to seasonal affective disorder, characterized by an inability to complete small tasks, an apathy toward hobbies or loved ones and a desire to spend the days curled up in bed. Scott is one of many who experience seasonal depression.

“I experience depression year-round, but the second November hits, it gets a hundred times worse,” Scott said. “And I don’t see it coming either. All of a sudden my mood completely shifts, and it becomes so much harder to do simple tasks, like getting my school work done or hanging out with friends.”

For many people, winter turns into a nuisance, with shorter days causing dark drives home from school and soccer practice in sub-30-degree weather. Sophomore Tony Rogers* confesses that winters in Dallas are not as magical as he would like.

“My mental-health issues like depression… definitely [are] impacted by the gloom of winter,” Rogers said. “Especially in Texas, everything is dead. We don’t really get white Christmases; it's all bleak. And we’re always inside [in] isolation. I feel like depression is amplified by the solitude that you face in the colder months.”

A 2019 survey by Cochrane Library suggests that up to 9 percent of Americans have been diagnosed with SAD, largely because they are inclined to stay indoors during

cold weather. Associate Di rector of Emotional Wellness Merredith Stuelpe explains that without adequate amounts of sunlight, students are prone to seasonal depression.

“When it gets colder, people are less likely to be exercising outside and getting sunlight [and] fresh air,” Stuelpe said. “I think a lot of times people stay inside and avoid the things that make them feel good. The things that make me happy are going home and walking my dogs or going for a run, but I go home and it's dark already, [so] I feel less safe to go do things outside at night.”

The shift to standard time during daylight savings pushes the clocks back an hour, causing evenings to grow darker earlier. Research by John Hopkins Medicine suggests that the lost hour of sunlight increases the brain’s production of melatonin, a sleep-related hormone. Scott confesses that she rarely feels energized in the weeks after daylight savings time.

“[The time-change] makes me feel more tired and more fatigued, and I feel lazier,” Scott said. “All I want to do is sleep, which I feel like is a natural response. Also, it is much harder to get up, especially when it's dark outside, because honestly all I want to do is lay down.”

In addition to drowsiness, John Hopkins Medicine lists other symptoms of SAD to be social withdrawal, grouchiness and anxiety, hopelessness, trouble thinking clearly, a loss or gain in appetite and headaches. Because students with SAD often experience multiple symptoms at once, it is difficult for them to manage their schoolwork toward the end of the semester.

“Right now I feel really overwhelmed,” Scott said. “The thing about seasonal depression is [that] I was doing so well with my school work; I was keeping up with everything. When September started, I was doing great, but it only lasted for a couple months. So now, I’m extremely overwhelmed with school work.”

Rogers explains that the constant academic stress he feels right before exams makes it difficult for him to manage his seasonal depression.

“Although I’d like to believe that I have pretty good study habits in place, the stress of exams adds an extra weight [that] doesn’t allow me to work through [my] emotions,” Rogers said. “I’m constantly studying and doing schoolwork, so I can’t really confront my emotions.”

Getting up and having to go to school is difficult because you don't know how the day is going to go, and when you have seasonal depression, you have a feeling that it's going to be bad.

Anna Scott* Upper school student

Because of these factors, seasonal depression impacts teens’ capability to meet the demands of student life.

“As the semester closes in, there is more and more you have to do,” Scott said. “You tend to put it off. Getting up and having to go to school is difficult because you don’t know how the day is going to go, and when you have seasonal depression, you have a feeling that it's going to be bad. So when you’re in that mindset it's even harder to get up, because you don’t have high hopes for the rest of the day.”

Although the holidays provide relief after midterms and allow for time spent with loved ones, they can bring anxiety, sadness, or guilt for those experiencing seasonal depression.

“For a lot of people, the holidays are stressful,” Stuelpe said. “Maybe their family dynamics are such that [the holidays] are not enjoyable, or they struggle with something that is put under a spotlight during the holidays. Anniversary dates and holidays for people that have lost loved ones are particularly challenging, and so that can also cause sadness.”

As much as Scott enjoys Christmas, family quarrels and holiday nostalgia contribute to her winter slump.

“I love Christmas so much, but everything working up until then is so hard to get through,” Scott said. “Being around family can sometimes feel like a lot. As you get older, you tend to notice more things about your family, and some things feel wrong about the holidays. Holidays don’t just mean time with your cousins, [they] now mean exams, grades [and] the end of the year. All of a sudden you feel like you have less time. When I really think about it, there’s only a couple more years until I won’t be living in Dallas.”

Scott feels that her most noticeable symptom of SAD is irritability, which creates a divide in relationships, especially during the holidays when she spends a lot of time with loved ones.

“When seasonal depression hits, it creates a divide between you and your family and your friends,” Scott said. “Your mood shifts, you become more irritable and almost angrier. It can affect your relationships with other people, because it's hard to maintain them when you’re feeling the way you do. It's really hard to regulate your emotions, and it's hard to communicate when you don’t know exactly how you feel."

In order to cope with sea sonal depression, Scott finds listening to music and journaling to be effective in boosting her mood and helping her work through her emotions. “I feel like my playlists actually change depending on the time of year," Scott said. "Right now it's definitely more mellow. I have to make a playlist to match how I feel. Also, journaling really helps. It's hard to work through if I don’t know exactly how I’m feeling, but when I write it down, I can actually put my thoughts into words.”

Although drowsiness is a symptom of SAD, Stuelpe believes that getting lots of rest, especially during exam season, is essential for those experiencing seasonal depression. “Sleep is a reset for your brain,” Stuelpe said. “Not only does it help rejuvenate you and help you download all the information that you absorb during the day, but [it] also gives your brain and your emotions a time to reset. A lot of the time what we see is that people aren’t taking care of getting enough sleep, so they feel dysregulated emotionally.” Students should aim to get eight to ten hours of sleep a night so that their brains can rest after long days. According to the National Library of Medicine, teens who don’t get enough sleep are 10 times more likely to feel depression during the winter months.

*Names have been changed to protect the anonymity of the sources.

6-7 the average hours of sleep per night that students get during November/December

40 percent of students that have experienced seasonal depression percent of students that are affected by the daylight savings time change

61

THE SEASONAL SLUMP

It is common for teens to feel worn out toward the end of the semester. "[Many] students in upper school will recognize when it gets to winter that [they] start to get grouchy... or start to not want to do the things [they] used to like to do," Merredith Stuelpe, associate director of emotional wellness, said. "They might feel sad or cry more, or angry and agitated." Photo by Gracie Nealon

CAPTURING A THEME

Before every rally, the ESD’s parents association gathers a preparations team to organize and plan the upcoming event. Every rally has a theme, and the latest rally, which took place on Nov. 14, was “Jersey Day. With the help of ESD parent April Willingham, the rally day team of four moms organized the event’s decorations to portray the theme.

“It all starts with a great theme, each rally has an exciting theme that drives creativity, Willingham said. “We work hard to make all rally days seem just as special as the last. The most important thing is to brainstorm what will be the most fun decorations and activities, what food the seniors love the most, and how to make sure it will all fit into the budget.

Pictured right, senior Johnny Willingham walks to his friends holding his meal and representing the rally s theme with his jersey.

BIRTHDAY POSTERS

Every three months, the ESD parents association hosts senior rallies to celebrate the seniors whose birthdays occur in the months near the rally. The birthday seniors have posters lining the senior hall. Designed by their families, these posters commemorate each student's life, featuring various photos that highlight meaningful memories. Valeria Guzik, a lower school teacher at ESD and mother of senior Sebastian Guzik, created a poster for her son.

“A lot of thought went into the photos we chose, Guzik said. “It was bittersweet to look through all of Sebastian's baby pictures. I don't really look through them often because they make me very emotional. Once I started looking through them with the goal of finding the ones I liked for the poster, I got distracted and started looking through them and going down memory lane.

Pictured left, senior Sebastain Guzik, along with several other seniors are celebrated through the hand-made posters in senior hall.

Staff writer Barrett Coble pulls back the curtain on the Senior Rally that took place Nov. 14th. She reveals the deep thought going into decorations, food and everything else that ensures each rally is one to remember.

Photos by Barrett Coble

LASTING MEMORIES

The rallies take place every three months, with the final rally in Anna, Texas, at ESD’s Wolf Run Ranch. For many, this final rally will be more than just a celebration, it will be a day to say goodbye to friends and teachers. For upper school Spanish teacher and senior dean Marcela Garcini, this is a particularly special day due to her deep connection with each of her students.

“At the rallies, my favorite part is taking pictures with the kids, Garcini said. “I have so many students that I love, and I always frame the photos of us together. For me, the event is about collecting the memories that will stay forever.

Day the Curtain

THE LAST RALLY

Senior

Rally

In addition to decorations, a big highlight is the food. The goal is to serve a meal that embodies each theme as accurately as possible, while still being an enjoyable experience for attendees. To capture the sporty theme of the rally, sports game foods such as soft pretzels, Chick-fil-A sandwiches and popcorn were catered. ESD parent volunteer Dusty Rodgers helped set up the event’s food and decorations.

“We try to align food options with the theme of the Rodgers said. “We take the number of kids into account for ordering and try to accommodate the quick turnaround time needed to eat, keeping food simple like grab and go.

Pictured Right, Senior Sarah Lane eats lunch with her friends during the Nov. 14 senior rally.

Tradition continues at largest turkey trot in America

Runners embraced the holiday season and supported the Dallas community

Craighton Jefferies | Staff writer

After crossing the finish line on Nov. 28 at the 57th Dallas Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning, sophomore Will Morrison ran alongside pilgrims, turkeys, contestants dressed as Santa Claus and his family, “It was really cool finishing the turkey trot because then once you finish, you get to see everyone else finish and see everyone who has already finished,” Morrison said. “And the announcer was really funny, so it was just a lot of fun.”

Every year, thousands of turkey trot races are held around the U.S. on Thanksgiving morning. These runs vary in distance, with Dallas offering a one-mile, five-kilometer and eight-mile race. Turkey trots are scheduled in all 50 states, with 10 states hosting 30 or more races on Thanksgiving Day, according to Run Signup. The number of races vary per state, with Texas having 46.

The Dallas Turkey Trot has been around for over 55 years, starting in 1967, with thousands of families attending the runs.

“I have not run in the Dallas one but I ran [the turkey trot] in Richmond, Virginia and my favorite part was finishing the race and eating all of the foods at the event,” freshman Wayte McKnight said. “There were around 1,000 people there running in the turkey trot.”

More than 922 turkey trots are available to sign up for on RunSingup.com, with over 1

million runners expected to be registered when all of the results arrive. The Dallas Turkey Trot is one of the biggest in the country; they set the Guinness Book World Record for the biggest gathering of people dressed as turkeys in 2011, and this year, there were more than 22,000 contestants, with Morrison being one of them. He first participated in the 2023 turkey trot.

“I mainly did it because my dad really wanted to do it, because he's a big runner, and we just wanted to have a fun thing to do on Thanksgiving, so we settled with the turkey trot,” Morrison said. “I think it was a lot more fun [with my family]. I pretty much kept pacing my dad the whole time, and all my family was really funny, and so it was just nice to get to run with them.”

Leading up to the race, Morrison did not know what to expect. He did not train or prepare for this event.

“I was very tired and a little nervous, but also excited to see what [running the turkey trot] would be like,” Morrison said. “We ran the five [kilometer race], and it was really fun.”

However, there is more than running available at the turkey trot. Contestants can bring their dogs to run or for the costume contest. The first 750 dogs that finish win a medal for themselves; all dogs, running or not, can participate in the costume contest. Last year, the winner was dressed up as a turkey riding a bike. The prizes for the costume contest are a one-year family membership at the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas for first place, a six-month

It made me feel accomplished. I think everyone everyone should do the turkey trot because of the feeling you get from it, the charity benefit and all of the activities to do there.”

Will Morrison Sophomore

family membership for second and a three-month family membership for third place. After the race, there is always live music, food and other entertainment.

This year, the YMCA looked for the most “impressive, innovative and hilarious” costumes according to their website.

“I did not compete in the costume contest [in both races], but saw it going on and it looked really fun,” Morrison said. “[Both years,] I was dressed up as a turkey running though.”

Most of the activities require a fee or a sign-up. However, all of the fees, at least for the Dallas Turkey Trot, are used for the benefit of the community. Their goal this year was to raise $30,000.

According to the YMCA website, the funds raised from the 2024 Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot will support YMCA Community Health programs, allowing more individuals to access YMCA services. Proceeds will help North Texans lead healthier lives through chronic disease prevention

and childhood obesity programs. These funds will benefit families in need across Dallas, Collin, Rockwall, Southern Denton, Ellis, Kaufman and Cooke Counties. Specifically, the funds from the turkey trot will support Community Health, Mobile Y (Tech Hub), Teen Camps and Plano and Park South preschools.

“I really like the charity aspect because it makes it feel meaningful,” Morrison said. “It gives a purpose to you running.” The turkey trot starts near the Dallas City Hall, and there were two times for racing for all contestants with timed contestants having an exclusive corral at 8:30 a.m., but still able to start with others at 9 a.m. The 5K race ended at the Aloft Hotel near the City Hall Plaza while the 8-mile finishes back at the City Hall Plaza.

“It made me feel accomplished,” Morrison said. “I think everyone should do the turkey trot because of the feeling you get from it, the charity benefit and all of the activities to do there.”

We proudly support the Eagle Edition

THE SLOW ROASTED TURKEYS It was right before the race and we wanted a photo for the memories, sophomore Will Morrison said. This year. our team name was the Slow Roasted Turkeys for the turkey trot.

Photo provided by Willl Morrison

Students travel for a holiday getaway during the breaks

Europe, Latin America and domestic destinations are frequented

eled over Thanksgiving Break.

It’s the last day of midterms and sophomore Ellie Beshear sits and takes her Latin exam. She has a hard time concentrating and stares in front of her; all she sees is the back of the student sitting in front of her. But what keeps her going is the thought that her view next week will be completely different. She will be staring at the Eiffel Tower.

Over the holiday break, Beshear and her family will be traveling to Europe.

“This is my first time going to London and France,” Beshear says. “I don’t know what to expect, but I am very excited.”

But the fact that Beshear has never traveled to these countries has not deterred her from making plans; she has already marked several locations on her bucket list.

“We are going on a Roman London [Londinium] tour and the British Museum, so I am most excited about that,” Beshear said. “I have never traveled overseas before, so I am a little nervous, but I know it will be so much fun once we get there, and I cannot wait.”

According to AOL.com an American online web portal there were 7 million travelers are expected to travel through DFW International Airport this December, which is a 2.4 percent increase from last year.

But some people did not wait until Christmas to travel; many got ahead and trav-

According to the DFW International Airport, 3.1 million travelers were expected to pass through the airport from Nov. 21 to Dec. 3, which is a 5.4 percent increase from last year. Senior Tatum Croucher was one of those 3.1 million travelers as she went to South America.

“I had never been to Brazil before, but I surprisingly really enjoyed the Brazilian food,” Croucher said. “It was really good and super fun to explore the culture.”

Croucher was looking forward to seeing the famous Rio de Janeiro statue, Christ the Redeemer and the many different beaches.

“The statue was so amazing and much bigger than I expected, it was a very cool experience,” Croucher said. “The beaches were also so beautiful, and there were baby turtles that we got to see, so that was fun.”

Croucher traveled with her parents and also her sisters.

“My older sisters [came] with us,” Croucher said. “I don’t get to see them very often because they live in Austin, so it’s always fun when I get to spend time with them.”

As Croucher reconnected with her family, junior Aaron Sada did the same with his family in Spain.

“I got to visit my great uncle, who I haven’t seen in a very long time,” Sada added. “It’s always great when I get to visit my family, especially when we haven’t seen each other in a while.”

Sada enjoyed many different activities in Spain with his friends and family.

BITS OF HOME

Senior

“It’s

Photo by Tatum

“I enjoyed going out to eat with my friends at some of my favorite restaurants,” Sada said. “My family and I also went on some amazing long drives in the countryside.”

Flight prices can get expensive during the holidays. According to the American Airlines website, a round trip economy flight from the DFW Airport to London Heathrow Airport in December 2024 is approximately $2,509. However, the price decreases to $704 in January 2025. Holiday travel isn’t cheap, but it does leave great memories especially when you’re visiting loved ones you don’t see everyday, which is the case for sophomore Estee Piccagli.

Piccagli celebrated Thanksgiving in Europe, where she visited her older sister, Sarah, who is getting a master’s degree in Florence, Italy.

“My entire mom’s side of

the family went to visit my sister Sarah in Italy,” Piccagli said. “All of my siblings are older than me and in college, so whenever I get to see them it’s always so much fun.”

Piccagli is part Italian on her dad’s side and visited Italy once with him when she was younger.

“I don’t remember a lot about Italy last time,” Piccagli said. “This time Sarah knew a lot of cool spots to take us, and I had a better understanding and appreciation of the culture going into the vacation.”

Many say that the best part of the holidays is spending time with loved ones and the people one does not see everyday.

“Seeing my siblings is the best part of any holiday,” Piccagli added. “Once they come home the house is super full and it feels like it used to when we all lived together.”

Lincoln Clarke | Staff writer

ABROAD

Tatum Croucher takes a photo of a “Don’t Mess with Texas plaque at the Escadaria Selaron in Rio de Janerio on her trip to Brazil over Thanksgiving Break.

a big outdoor staircase made of tiles from all around the world, Croucher said. “It was cool looking at all of the tiles, and a bunch were from Texas!

Croucher

Beloved chapel tradition

Anoushka

Dressed from head to toe in a Santa Claus costume and singing “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” senior John Schindel walks down the center aisle of the All Saints Chapel on Tuesday, Nov. 19. Singing alongside him is a fellow member of the McCown and Moran advisory, senior Jane Leopard, dressed as Mrs. Claus, kicking off their advisory’s Christmas-themed senior chapel talk.

“I was super excited to perform, I love being able to put on the Santa suit and make my classmates happy,” Schindel said. “I felt pretty good about [the] performance and I think I was able to help put some people in the holiday spirit. I hope the message of integrity and the importance of integrity in a community sticks with them.”

Every year, all 12 senior advisories are able to plan a chapel talk, deciding each detail from the scripture verses to the musical offering. This year, only two advisories have presented so far, beginning with the Ferris advisory on Nov. 12. The other 10 will present throughout the spring semester. This tradition has been a part of ESD for over a decade and serves as a way for the seniors to leave lasting messages to the underclassmen.

Our seniors represent the pinnacle of ESD experience. Some of them have been here for 13 to 15 years and they have all this wealth of experience. I just want to help them take that experience and put it in a way that other people can hear that raises them up.

of other members of the advisory wrote a well-thought-out talk that connected with our advisory and the theme of this month.”

However, in the past few years, this tradition has faced some changes as previously it was confined to only the spring semester. These adjustments were made with the intention of enhancing the experience for both seniors and the audience.

“So [the timing] change was from our deans and our faculty, they wanted to spread out the senior chaffs across the year so that we could have a more consistent experience of hearing the seniors,” Stemmons Family Senior Chaplain Fr. Nate Bostian said. “Also, when you have everything all in one semester, it can get a little rote for everybody else in the chapel, and so this way it gets to space out their voices and it feels more refreshing to give them opportunities. So you don't have two advisories speaking in a given week.”

Not only do these chapel talks give seniors a chance to reflect on their journey at ESD and share insights with their peers, but they also highlight the growth of the senior class.

“Our seniors represent the pinnacle of ESD experience,” Bostian said. “Some of them have been here for 13 to 15 years and they have all this wealth of experience. I just want to help them take that experience and put it in a way that other people can hear that raises them up. Their voices carry the wisdom of their years here, and it’s great seeing them rise to the occasion.”

For underclassmen, the chapel talks provide a novelty to the daily assembly, as they are often interactive through games such as Kahoots and create moments of connection. Freshmen and seniors do not get to know each other much, as shared classes are rare. However, senior chapel talks allow the freshmen to connect with seniors and establish role models for freshmen.

Culture crash

Zach Bryan and Briana LaPaglia split

The Grammy Award-winning country singer, Zach Bryan, and star of the “BFFs podcast, Brianna LaPaglia, broke up on Oct. 21 after over a year of dating. LaPaglia reported that the reason behind their break up was Bryan’s emotional abuse. Even after the break up, Bryan offered LaPaglia a $12 million non-disclosure agreement, which she turned down on behalf of “anyone else that has been emotionally abused, according to USA Today. LaPaglia also described how Bryan created an account on the celebrity dating app Raya after they agreed that she needed time to release the news of the breakup. The drama continued as Lapaglia’s costars on BFFs’, Dave Portney and Josh Richards, created a diss track on Bryan titled “Smallest Man (Dave’s Version).

Wicked“ blasts the box office

The movie remake of the Broadway musical was released on Nov. 22, starring Ariana Grande as Glinda the Good Witch and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. Despite the musical’s recent release, it has already reached the fourth top-grossing film among other remade Broadway musicals, grossing $372.9 million, according to Billboard. The movie ’ s director, Jon M. Chu, had prior experience with Broadway musicals as he directed the film adaptation of the hit musical “In the Heights , by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Anticipation has already started to build for the release of “Wicked Part Two which is set to be released on Nov. 21, 2025, nearly a year after the release of the first.

“Legacy is very important to me and I've always thought senior chapel talks are so cool because you're leaving behind something for the underclassmen to think about and apply to their lives,” Schindel said. “I'm really glad that we get the opportunity to do this. I remember chapel talks from my freshman year and how the advice stuck with me. I just love the fact that I could do that for someone else.”

Planning these chapel talks takes weeks of preparation. This process begins in early August during the senior retreat, where advisories select their preferred dates and brainstorm their initial ideas.

“My advisory wanted [a date] as close as Christmas to possible, but still before Christmas because we wanted our chapel talk to be very Christmas themed,” Schindel said. “Then in recent weeks, we met with Fr. Nate, and he had us pick a scripture that we really connected with and then a couple

“I thought listening to the senior advisory chapel talks was interesting and refreshing from the usual chapels,” freshman Rawaan Khan said. “I didn't know about the tradition earlier, because I'm a freshman, but I thought it was a really nice surprise when I walked into the chapel. Also, listening to their advice and experiences connected with me a lot because so far, everything that the seniors have told us has applied to me so I have really been taking their words to heart”

While formal opportunities for interactions between grade levels may be limited, these presentations bridge the gap, creating a place where younger students can learn from the reflections and advice of those who have endured the challenges and triumphs of high school.

“I hope the underclassmen support their seniors because they're going to be seniors in one, two or three years,” Bostian said. “So I want them to support seniors as they would want to be supported. I also think it is [important] to kind of learn from the seniors who are a few years down the road. What has worked for them, what hasn't worked for them, what helps them become their best self, their best community, what doesn't help them become their best self and their best community.”

Macy’s Parade braves rain

On Nov. 28, people celebrated the 98th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade despite the persistent rain and 40 degree weather. This year’s parade consisted of 22 balloons and 34 floats. An estimated 3 million people attended the parade and sat through the cold and rain to see the 11 marching bands and 28 performers, according to NBC news. Performances ranged from country singers like Dan + Shay to talk show host Jimmy Fallon, and marching bands were brought from high schools and colleges around the country. The balloons ranged from classics like the Pillsbury Doughboy to new floats that had their debut this year like Spiderman and Minnie Mouse.

Star-studded Rockefeller tree lighting

The anticipated annual lighting of the Rockefeller Christmas Tree, known for its enormous size and festive decorations, took place on Dec. 4. NBC’s “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” was hosted by country music star Kelly Clarkson, who also performed songs for the audience. However, Clarkson was just the opener for the famous boy band, the Backstreet Boys, who played holiday-themed songs such as “The Christmas Song,” “Christmas in New York” and “Last Christmas,” according to USA Today.

The world tour of pop star Taylor Swift, the Eras Tour, came to an end on Dec. 8 when Swift performed her last show in Vancouver, Canada. Throughout the tour, which began on March 17, 2023, Swift performed nearly 150 shows across five different continents. The Eras Tour was the highest-grossing concert tour, surpassing $2 billion in revenue, and has been credited by the Federal Reserve with boosting America’s economy due to the increase in tourism to attend the tour, according to NBC News. Furthermore, the “Taylor Swift: the Eras Tour movie, released in October, was the highest-grossing domestic concert film. Along with the success of her world tour, Swift was also named the New York Times 2023 Person of the Year, inspired university classes that study her

and created

movement against the ticket-selling company, Ticketmaster.

Sinha | Arts editor

Nate Bostian Stemmons Family Senior Chaplain

SANTA AT ESD

Seniors Brady Osterstock, John Schindel and Jesi Geier lead a Kahoot about their advisory with members of each grade participating. "I think having an activity is always fun to incorporate," Schindel said. "It keeps everyone super engaged."

Photo by Bonnie McCown

lyricism

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Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images for Stagecoach/TNS

Photo by Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures/TNS

Photo by James Keivom/New York Daily News/TNS

Photo by Suzanne Cordeiro/AFP via Getty Images/TNS

Photo by Andrew Savulich/ New York Daily News/TNS Eras Tour makes history

Pet

Palooza

Fur-tastic Friend

James Altizer

Each issue, the Eagle Edition features

Senior Emily Singleton’s 3-month-old

Golden Retriever, Remi, jumps into the water, part of her daily routine. As she cruises through the pool, Remi patiently waits for Singleton to throw her a tennis ball.

“[When] Remi paddles across the pool, she is having the time of her life, Singleton said. “She loves to chase after the tennis ball and even swim in circles.

Named after the rat from the Pixar movie

“Ratatouille, this adorable Golden Retriever brings lots of joy into Singleton s life.

“When I was a kid, my family and I loved Ratatouille,’ Singleton said. “So deciding to name her after that was a very easy choice.

While most dogs are still finding their footing at three months, Remi connected with her new family early on. By sharing an enjoyment for swimming and “pool fetch, Remi and Singleton were able to become fast friends.

“Remi loves to swim, but she also loves to play fetch, Singleton said. “I can just sit there and toss the ball and Remi will chase it endlessly.

To senior James Altizer, Maverick, the 2-year-old Golden Retriever, is more than just a pet; he is a loyal companion and integral member of the family.

“We’re always together, Altizer said.

“Whether playing or just relaxing and me petting him. Maverick’s name comes from Altizer’s favorite movie, “Top Gun. He has a similar personality to the main character in many ways.

“He will chase the ball for hours, and he never seems to tire out, Altizer said. “I can just sit outside and throw the ball; nothing makes him more happy.

Yet when play time comes to an end, Maverick sits right next to Altizer ready to watch Sunday football and NFL Redzone.

“Sometimes he just sits there, especially when I am watching football, Altizer said.

“And I pet him, and we hang out. It’s the best.

Maverick is special to Altizer because he is a constant source of entertainment.

Whether he is watching football, relaxing or going for a walk and playing fetch, there is never a dull moment with Maverick.

“He is always excited, Altizer said. “He just loves to spend time with us.

Furry Friend Forever

Sophomore Henry Swann’s 5-year-old Golden Retriever, Bailey, has been his favorite since she was a puppy. Ever since the fifth grade, Swann has looked forward to coming home from school to see Bailey waiting at the door with her favorite toy, ready to play fetch.

“Bailey [is] my favorite dog ever,“ Swann said. “Any time I come home from school, musical practice [or] a friend s house, she is there.

Whether it is a tennis ball in the pool or a frisbee in the backyard, fetch is Bailey’s favorite game. Every afternoon, Swann spends ten minutes playing fetch with Bailey.

“The game has become a daily ritual, Swann said. “We both know we will play when get home from school.

Bailey acts with the same enthusiasm as she did as a puppy. She loves to play nonstop and is always ready for any activity.

“Bailey means so much to my family, Swann said. “She never fails to brighten our days or put us in a good mood when we have bad ones.“

Arts

Orchestra and band prepare for Christmas concerts

Musicians fit as much practice time as possible amidst tight schedules

Junior flute player Michael Peralta finishes preparing his instrument for the first allband practice of the year on Dec. 4, surrounded by the chaotic sound of every member tuning their instrument. Suddenly, the room falls quiet as band director Doug Jordan stands in front of the players, and by lifting his hand, the entire group begins to put months of work into playing harmoniously.

“[We have been preparing for the Christmas concert] since we got back from summer vacation,” Peralta said. “It definitely applies a lot more pressure when you get closer to the end because you're no longer doing tiny little sections. You're just doing entire pieces every day.”

This is the second time that the band and orchestra Christmas concert were on separate dates, consisting of different pieces. The band concert was played yesterday after school at 5 p.m. The orchestra concert will play today at the same time.

“They split up last year because band and orchestra are now their own separate thing,” Peralta said. “We have separate rooms and we do not really [interact with] each other.”

Both band and orchestra endured setbacks in practicing for the Christmas concert due to the division of classes. Therefore, the band and the orchestra have to practice separately and can only meet for all band and all orchestra

practices a couple of times before the concert.

“One [class] meets in the morning, and one meets during M period, so we work separately for most of the semester. Then we finally get together for two or three rehearsals right before the concert season begins,” Jordan said. “So we're just getting ready to do that right now, where we actually combine and we get to rehearse together to hear the whole band. Otherwise, we just don't hear each other the entire time.”

Both the band and orchestra concerts included a special surprise piece for the audience. The orchestra concert is planning to play “Mr. Santa,” one of orchestra director Adrian Demian's nostalgic childhood Christmas songs, along with other Christmas songs to lift the mood before Christmas break. In addition to the Christmas songs, the orchestra will also include a singalong song to engage with the audience.

“There are some songs that we all love. One is ‘Mr. Santa’, also known as ‘Mr. Sandman’, but I grew up listening to it as a Christmas song,” Demian said. “And then something that the kids came up with is ‘Christmas Time is Here’ from ‘Peanuts’.”

Jordan included an African Christmas piece; this piece is significant because of its atypical genre, and because middle and upper school band students are all playing in the performance.

I'm trying my best to remind my students why they came to my class. It's not about playing the notes, it's about the joy of playing that instrument.

Adrian Demian Orchestra Director

“We [did] big combined piece of the finale based on a traditional African Christmas carol,” Jordan said. “So [we put] them all together, grades five through 12, and [did] this whole big piece with everybody on the stage at the same time.”

This year's orchestra concert will also differ from the past years due to the amount of students in the orchestra doubling. The average number of kids in the orchestra was 12 or 13, but this year, the group includes 26 members. This increase provides a louder and more complex sound that the orchestra hopes to reflect in the annual Christmas concerts.

“Just having more kids makes it sound just so much better,” junior violin player Vienna Thompson said. “So it'll sound more like an actual orchestra, instead of a quartet.”

Despite the advantage of having more time to practice, having the Christmas concerts on Thursday and Friday before exams was a stressor for some players. Thompson, who has played in this concert for two years, planned around orchestra practice to avoid stress.

“It's kind of annoying having that concert the Friday before exams,” Thompson said. “But I already have all my studying done at that point so it's not as big of a deal and usually if we meet it'll be in the mornings, [and] I prefer to study at night.”

Even though many in the

community believe that the band and orchestra concerts should play together, the two groups are different genres and create music that would not mix well in a crowded gym.

“[Band and orchestra are] hard to fit together, especially volumes and controls and balances,” Jordan said. “One trumpet player can certainly outplay a lot of string players, so it's hard to balance that all out, especially [for] younger groups.”

For many freshmen in the orchestra and band, this is their first upper school Christmas concert, which can generate anxiety around playing at a higher level; the difficulty and length of pieces increase in upper school.

“I'm honestly feeling a bit nervous about playing in an upper school concert since it's my first one,” freshman violin player Harper Cernoch said before the concert. “But I think it'll really be just fine as long as I keep practicing.”

But many see this as an opportunity to connect with their love of music in front of an audience.

“[The concert] wouldn't be that much fun if it wasn't a little bit stressful,” Demian said. “I'm trying my best to remind my students why they came to my class. It's not about playing the notes, it's about the joy of playing that instrument. So why do I play? Not to suffer, but to make some beautiful music."

JINGLE BELL ROCKING

The M period orchestra class practices their pieces for the annual Christmas Concert on Dec. 5. "[I'm excited for] this piece, it's like a mash up of like, four or five different Christmas songs," violin player Vienna Thompson said. "It's just fun to play."

Photo by Emmy Moss

Emmy Moss | Life editor

Featured Artist

Fin Boots | The Power of Perspective

On the chilly coast of Iceland, with the wind blowing against his face, junior Fin Boots exhales, and focuses the lens while slowly pressing the shutter button. Smiling, he looks down at the camera’s LCD screen and admires the beautiful scene he has just captured.

Since his freshman year, Boots has dedicated time to capturing hidden glimpses of the Earth through his photography. His dad has played a major role in his career, encouraging Boots to take closer looks at smaller aspects of the world.

“My dad used to take pictures a lot, Boots said. “I think that’s what inspired me to join photography to some degree. He also gives me ideas on what to take pictures of. There are some other pictures from Iceland that would not have been possible without him.

Boots photographs both sports games and the natural world. He has traveled to capture artistic images of forests, mountains and other natural elements.

“I love photographing the peacefulness of nature, Boots said. “I think capturing a different perspective of the world is something that I particularly enjoy. It’s like I m letting people view through my lens.

During spring break of 2023, Boots embarked on a journey through Iceland. The trip allowed him to enhance his photography skills and immerse himself in new surroundings. In his piece, “Hugleiðing (Icelandic for “meditation ), Boots captured the elegance of a mountain range casting its reflection over the Norwegian Sea.

“I like [ Hugleiðing’] because it wasn t meant to be taken, Boots said. “It was originally a video of the landscape but then I ended up accidentally getting that picture. I can t remember the name of the mountains, but I think the best part is that an accidental picture turned out to be one of my favorites.

Boots’ favorite aspect of photography is utilizing drones when conducting aerial shots. One of Boots’ proudest pieces, “Mölbrotin (Icelandic for “shattered ) was captured using a drone. In the image, Boots showcases an iceberg off the coast of Iceland. The image displays large chunks of iceberg breaking free from one main piece of ice.

“The technology we use in photography is amazing, Boots said. “I love using the drone, the bird s eye view allows for an angle people typically can t achieve when photographing.

Over the years, Boots has made an effort to bring a camera on most of his trips. Some of his favorite photos were simply taken during family vacations.

“Last summer I dedicated almost every weekend to going out and finding something to take pictures of, Boots said. “Going to places with a scarce amount of people is my favorite. Hiking out in the forest allows me to really get lost in my photos. I really do capture some beautiful scenes and moments.

Although Boots does not plan to pursue a photography career, he will continue creating this art as a favorite hobby.

“I’ll definitely keep taking pictures for sports games and also nature, Boots said. “It’s one of the main things that brings me joy. Photography is something that will always be a part of my life.

Hugleiðing

Drone Photography Captures Mount Esja, located in Ósland, Iceland.

Aðskilnaður 2024

iPhone Photography Taken walking into an ice cave on the glacier, Oræjajökull in Iceland.

Barrett Coble Staff writer

Fastur 2024 Drone Photography Taken walking into a large ice cave on the Icelandic glacier, Oræjajökull.

Mölbrotin 2024 Drone Photography Taken over Glacier Lagoon in Iceland off the coast of Crystal Beach.

Fallandi

Iceland.

WITH THE HEAT OF THE RECENT NOV. 5 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, ESD STUDENTS AND FACULTY PROCESS THE RESULTS AND NAVIGATE THE DIVISIONS BETWEEN POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES. THE EAGLE EDITION SPOKE WITH SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY TO UNDERSTAND REACTIONS AND HOPES FOR THE FUTURE OF THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

THE BALANCE SHIFTS CONSERVATIVE

Reactions from the community

On the afternoon of Nov. 6, upper school ered in the All Saints Episcopal Chapel, itation. This day’s sermon, however, his chapel talk, Stemmons Family dressed the monumental occurrence States presidential election, in which torious.

Fr. Nate wrote his homily to the community so he could address what he “thought everyone less of whether their candidate won or lost.”

“This was a particularly contentious election, most evenly split,” Bostian said. “Our community well on a lot of these issues, with both sides candidate is kind of the worst thing ever. writing [the chapel talk] to try and put myself lost, regardless of whether or not it was the

A unifying message for the community sults sparked a wave of emotions across America. brated, others were shocked and even more ings by a Nov. 17 Pew Research Center survey, that informs the public about worldwide their reactions to Donald Trump winning all adults reporting that they are “excited” while roughly the same amount reported “angry.”

“I wanted whoever was on the winning gloat. [We should] repair bridges instead mon people with a common good, and we less of who won,’” Bostian said. “On the other to hear that there’s more that unites us healthy communities, healthy lives… We swers about how the best way socially to achieve that we want healthy families and communities us together.”

Among the people responding and reacting women’s voices were particularly significant. of the voting population, women have voted idential election since 1980, according to and Politics.

“Women’s voting behavior has historically men],” film and photography teacher and Lynda Gonzalez said. “They’ve had a consistent ic candidates since 1980. Issues like healthcare,

rights and economic policies continue to polls, and also social and cultural changes the family and society, and the growing importance cies likely drive these preferences. However, women are not a monolithic voting bloc.”

While women have consistently turned motivations and priorities are far from aligned. a strong preference for Democratic candidates, shrouds the small nuances that drive individual ferences highlight the importance of examining ing women’s political decisions.

“In the 2024 election, different issues very diverse demographic backgrounds and some, reproductive health care, climate key motivators for them, but others place concerns such as inflation, job security and highlights the complexities of different backgrounds do with where a woman is coming from, educationally, what economic class she [grew] up in, or

The complexities of voting behavior are generations, where a sharp divide emerges women. Research from Tufts Circle, a non-partisan estimates that 42 percent of young voters, 2024 presidential election. This was a lower which had 50 percent of the youth bloc voting,

Story and illustration by Stella Bartley | Staff writer

Reese Rawson | Views editor

Lauren Shushi | Co-editor-in-chief

community school students and faculty gathChapel, ready for their daily medhowever, was far from routine. During Senior Chaplain Nate Bostian adoccurrence of the previous night: a United which Donald Trump emerged viccommunity a week before the elections everyone would need to hear, regardlost.” election, and the country was alcommunity was almost evenly split as sides thinking that the other side’s ever. I tried to exercise empathy in myself in the shoes of the group that the way I voted.” community was needed as the election reAmerica. While some people celemore were upset. According to findsurvey, a nonpartisan organization issues, Americans are divided in the presidency with about half of “excited” or “relieved” about his victory, reported that they are “disappointed” or winning side to hear, you know, ‘don’t instead of burning them. We are a comwe need to work together, regardother hand, I wanted those who lost than divides us and that we want We may have slightly different anachieve that health is, but the fact communities is something that bonds reacting to the election’s results, significant. Representing more than half voted more than men in every presthe Center for American Women historically shown a higher turnout [than and women’s studies club sponsor consistent preference for Democrathealthcare, education, reproductive

to influence women voters to the changes such as evolving gender roles in importance of family-related poliHowever, it is crucial to emphasize that out in high numbers to vote, their aligned. Historical patterns reveal candidates, but this broad trend often individual voting choices. These difexamining the diverse factors shapresonated with women based on and priorities,” Gonzalez said. “For change and gun safety were the place greater emphasis on economic and taxes. I think the variety really backgrounds for women… It has to educationally, her background and is currently in.” are also striking among younger emerges between young men and young non-partisan research organization, voters, ages 18 to 29, cast ballots in the lower youth turnout than in 2020, voting, but their priorities and par-

tisan leanings reveal a growing divide. While young women have leaned overwhelmingly Democratic, young men have shown a notable shift toward more conservative positions.

“The 2024 election highlighted distinct voting patterns across demographic groups,” Gonzalez said. “Women overall supported Kamala Harris, but by smaller margins than previous Democratic candidates, notably white women leaned Republican, but showed a more narrow margin of support for Trump compared to 2020. Young women overwhelmingly favored Harris, while young men showed stronger support for Trump, reflecting that growing gender gap among younger voters.”

Although much of the electorate shifted right to varying degrees in 2024, young men were one of the groups that swung distinctively toward Trump. More than half of men under 30 supported Trump, according to AP VoteCast, with a preference for Harris by young women to Trump by a 17-point margin and young men preferring Trump by a 14-point margin.

“Reproductive healthcare is pretty meaningful to a lot of people right now, and I think that’s the number one stance when it comes to the potential to vote for Harris,” senior Jake Infante said. “I think that’s the reason why most of my female friends lean democratic. I think the guys want to stay out of any abortion talk because it doesn’t really pertain to them as much.”

The political scientist Melissa Deckman runs the Public Religion Research Institute and recently published “The Politics of Gen Z: How the Youngest Voters Will Shape Our Democracy.” Deckman believes that the shift in young male voting patterns is caused by the fact that the Democratic party did not have a convincing message for a lot of young men, especially on the economy.

“I would say in recent years, society has been pretty liberal, and young people have a tendency to, for lack of a better term, want to be different,” Infante said. “I think that’s probably why a lot of young men voted for Trump. Also, with Trump’s pick of JD Vance [as his vice president], I think the white male has a little more relation to that type of upbringing [than Tim Walz]. There are so many different perspectives on this, but I think you’re mainly going to see young people who stick to their parents’ views.”

Echoes of the election

Junior Arden Bowen hands a voting ballot to a registered voter at the Sudie L. Williams TAG Academy voting site on Nov. 5, scanning their ID and directing them where to go. The voter takes their ballot to an electronic voting machine and completes their vote. After doing so, Bowen facilitates the voting process, guiding the voter to submit their vote to the tabulator and guaranteeing it is counted.

“My job was making sure that the voting process runs smoothly for [the voters],” Bowen said. “But, we are not allowed to touch their ballot or anything, ensuring everything is election fraud safe.”

This year’s election differed from any that America had previously seen. With the division between the Republican and Democratic Parties, the presidential candidate’s campaigning strategies and the use of social media to express political views, anticipation surrounded election day.

“I noticed that I was seeing [presidential] campaigning videos all over my social media pages,” junior and AP US Government student Riley Morrison said. “Because many of my classes focus on American history, this election has definitely been the most eccentric of my lifetime and what I’ve learned [about] at school.”

The first presidential debate of the 2024 election was on June 27, during which President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump took the stage. However, according to Morrison, this debate arguably marked the turning point in the election, partially due to its limited success for both sides. A CNN article published on June 28 mentioned that Biden could not express his points clearly, making “the gap between the 81-year-old incumbent and his 78-year-old challenger [seem much larger].”

Similarly, Trump shared some falsehoods and was said to be playing “verbal jujitsu” towards Biden and the moderators, according to an NPR article by Domenico Montanaro on June 28. With these candidates struggling to deliver their points and have a productive debate, both Biden and Trump directed insults at each other. For example, Biden announced to Trump, “You’re the sucker. You’re the loser,” in a topic of discussion they were having; Trump called Biden a criminal who established American systems that are “rigged and disgusting.”

“I don’t believe [the debate] impacted many voters’ decisions as they are meant to inform the public about the stances of those running for office,” senior and President of the Conservative Student Union Katherine Clark said. “I do however believe that many conservative voters solidified their vote based on how Trump performed.”

After this debate, Biden announced on July 21 that he would be dropping out of the election and endorsing his Vice President Kamala Harris, just under four months before the election. However, this was not a surprise to most. In an article about the debate, AP News said this decision resulted from the “disastrous debate with Donald Trump that raised doubts about the incumbent’s fitness for office.”

“I believe it was a smart move on [Biden’s] hand [to drop out of the election],” Clark said. “But, in the four months she had, Harris campaigned well. [Because] this was such a short period to do so much, endorsing Harris was likely [the Democratic Party’s] best option.”

Due to the short campaigning time, Harris and her team spent a record-breaking $1.5 billion on campaigning, primarily through social media and in swing states. On the eve of election day, she had celebrities like Jon Bon Jovi, Christina Aguilera, Katy Perry, Ricky Martin, Megan thee Stallion and Lady Gaga perform at Democratic rallies in swing states, according to the New York Times. Despite having these celebrity endorsements, she became the first Democratic presidential candidate to lose the national popular vote in two decades.

“[Biden and Harris] decided to switch, and the switch was perfectly legal,” history teacher and former sponsor of the political science club Marc Salz said. “But in terms of fairness versus Trump, I think that was a choice that [the Democratic Party] made and was absolutely fair.”

In this election, Trump won both the popular and electoral votes. Ultimately, winning the seven swing states, Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, secured his win, giving him the 93 electoral votes at stake.

“I had no idea what the outcome of this election was going to look like,” Morrison said. “I was honestly at the edge of my seat the entire day because there was no way for us to know if the [swing states] would turn blue

percent of students are satisfied with the results of the election

percent of students are unsatisfied with the results of the election

or red until the ballots were released.”

Because this election cycle was unpredictable, the votes of various swing states were deemed significant in winning the Electoral College vote. At 5:45 a.m. EST on Wednesday, Nov. 6, a day after the presidential election, Donald Trump was named the 47th President of the United States. America had not seen this many red states since 2000, making this conservative shift a noticeable factor in the outcome of this election.

“I think [the Conservative shift] had much to do with Harris being new to the campaign,” Bowen said. “I also think she’s a hard sell. Many people don’t want a woman or a person of color in office, which certainly impacted voting decisions.”

When accounting for the election’s results, it is important to recognize differing opinions and perspectives, even when they might not align with one’s views. Though this is a divided time for America with the heat of the election, being open-minded towards the beliefs of others is essential to the makeup of its government and sustaining a civil society.

“Sharing ideas and policies, while also speaking out about what you believe in, is [significant] to those who cannot vote, and Americans in general,” Bowen said. “Also, voting in general and volunteering in different elections as I did makes a huge impact, [highlighting] our [civic duties].”

Trump’s campaign plans

As the newly elected 47th president of the United States, Donald Trump’s plans for America have sparked intense debate and speculation across the nation.

According to the Holland & Knight law firm, one of the top ten law firms in the Northeast and Southeast rankings, Trump’s second term in office will likely mirror the policies he implemented during his 2017-2021 presidency, with a continued focus on economic nationalism. Adam Walsh, upper school government teacher, leadership, government and public policy network coordinator, suggests that it is safe to assume Trump will enforce tax cuts throughout his four years of upcoming presidency, continuing the financial agenda he introduced during his first term.

“There’s a few things I think we can say for sure,” Walsh said. “Number one, the tax cuts from the previous Trump administration will be extended and probably expanded. What that looks like, and how big those tax cuts are, I am not sure.”

According to financial services company Morning Star, during his campaign Trump proposed a 60 percent tariff on goods imported from China and a 25 percent tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada. Trump’s intention behind this policy is to encourage the manufacture and production of goods in America rather than taking in products from other countries.

“The idea of [placing] tariffs is to raise the price on imported goods so that domestic consumers will consume the same product from domestic producers,” Walsh said. “So if prices don’t go up, [the tariff] is not working.”

One of the consequences of implementing tariffs is the rise of prices in America during a period of increased inflation.

“The problem with tariffs is that we are still in a period of relatively high inflation,” Walsh said. “This is controversial because tariffs raise prices which would end up increasing inflation.”

In addition to Trump’s economy-based agenda, the newly elected president plans to adopt a strict border policy involving forms of mass deportation to ensure the safety of American citizens, according to Trump.

“We will definitely see some form of deportation,” Walsh said. “There are two paths Trump can take: one, he could build facilities and camps that are going to hold tens of thousands of people as they’re being deported, or two, he could declare a national emergency and use military personnel to deport people. That goes a lot faster and you get a [much] higher number out of it.”

Further, according to CNN News, Trump plans to centralize political power in the executive branch by downsizing the federal government and closely cooperating with federal organizations such as the FBI.

“Since the 1970s Watergate [scandal], we’ve allowed the FBI and Department of Justice to kind of operate independently of what the president wants,” Walsh said. “We probably will see a change there [with Trump in office].”

One of the major topics of discussion regarding Trump’s presidency has been his list of new cabinet appointments. According to NBC News, Trump’s nominations are controversial because the appointees lack experience working in their upcoming political positions. Trump nominated Linda McMahon, former United States Administrator of the Small Business Administration, as the new secretary of the Department of Education; this decision sparked controversy because McMahon does not have prior experience working in any education-related field.

“[Trump] tends to appoint people that he likes and that he feels he has a personal connection with,” Walsh said. “[He appoints] them knowing that they will support the policies he wants to carry out as president.”

With all three branches of government leaning conservative following the 2024 election, it is likely that Trump’s policies will face less resistance as a result of the alignment of political beliefs. With 75 percent of Texas judges being Republican, laws aligning with conservative ideologies will also have a significantly higher chance of passing in the Texas courts.

“[The Democrats] had control over the House and the Senate in the 1960s,” Walsh said. “This was during the Johnson administration which lasted [from] 1963 to 1969. It’s been a fairly long time since we have seen a fully unified government since [1969].”

Trump’s promises and policies have sparked varying reactions from students in the ESD community. While some students claim to feel secure under Trump’s presidency, others feel anxious about Trump’s political strategies and beliefs.

Sophomore Bethany McCormick* feels that the government’s objectives aligning will have a positive impact on the efficiency of passing laws in America.

“I feel like all three branches having similar views and goals will help them to pass laws quickly,” McCormick said. “I think it will make for an effective and more unified government.”

While some students believe that a Republican government will benefit America, others feel as if it will silence and smother the beliefs of those who do not agree with conservative leaning laws or policies.

Junior Penelope Rose* expressed her concerns about a lack of Democratic representation in a fully Republican government.

“I think it’s going to be a big problem since there’s not going to be anyone to represent liberal-leaning beliefs,” Rose said. “It’s really concerning that Democrats [will] have no representation in the White House.”

*Names have been changed to protect the anonymity of the source.

percent of students feel a unified conservative government will lead to more effective policy making

SOURCE: Dec. 9 poll of 120 upper school students

Views

Staff Stance

Midterms can be beneficial to students grades and futures

Exams mean stress, colds, endless hours of studying, countless cups of caffeinated beverages and a never-ending stream of review sheets and terms to memorize. However, our staff has a positive outlook on this exam season. We believe that exams are not as bad as they are perceived; they prepare students for college or APs exams, have a small impact on one’s overall grade, help retain information and offer immense relief felt when finished.

If one studies similarly for the midterm exam as they have in the class, then their exam grade will be on track with their course grade before the exam. ESD’s handbook states, “Semester grades are the official grades of record for graduation credit.” The midterm only counts for 20 percent of the semester grade with the other 80 percent coming from other work. For example, if a student had a 65 in a class and received an 80 on their midterm exam, their overall grade would only rise to 68, not raising the grade’s letter value. Some teachers also replace student’s lowest test grade with their exam grade, benefiting student’s semester grades. Exams are designed to prepare students for college and other future testing. ESD is a college preparatory school, and as such exams should help prepare students for their future field. Academic dean and AP science teacher Amy Henderson believes midterms have a positive impact on students because they give stu-

dents an opportunity to raise their grades and get used to sitting college exams and sitting for tests. Midterm exams are beneficial for retaining information that students might apply later in life. According to Science Direct, a database of peer-reviewed research articles, Henry L. Roediger III, Adam L. Putnam and Megan A. Smith, who wrote on the psychology of learning and motivation, agree that information is best retained when tested. In their study, they found that taking tests permits students to see what they know and do not know so that they can concentrate on the less known areas. They can also see during practice tests and study efforts what they know best to study.

According to the U.S. Department of Education midterms can help with the retrieval of material and lead to long-term improvements in learning. This result is only produced through re-exposure, studying or rereading which is required to do well on midterms.

Finally, exams offer relief once they are over. If exams did not exist at ESD, the weeks before the break would be regular school days with five periods on a seven-day rotation. Instead, we have a review week to study and meet with teachers. On the actual exam days, many we only need to be at school for a maximum of four hours for three days.

Then, on that Wednesday before holiday break when the clock counts down the seconds, the number 2 pencil rests on

BY THE NUMBERS

According to a

the desk and the paper packet rustles closed, you are completely done for the next three weeks. No homework due, no quizzes or tests to study for, no projects to complete and no papers to write: just three weeks of holiday fun with family and friends. But we are aware that not everyone shares our opinion.

Some studies, like the one from The University of Melbourne, argue that midterms cause more stress and anxiety for the students and that they are not beneficial. They also acknowledge the motivation argument on how tests mo-

Cozy Christmas chapters

Jamie Henderson | Managing editor

Charlotte Traylor | Copy editor

Jamie and I rarely read for pleasure during the school year despite our best intentions. Sometimes, we blame our busy schedules; other times, we lack the energy to gamble on the quality of a book. However, Christmas break is the exception to this habit. The cold weather and excess of time provide the perfect opportunity to read. For this column, we decided to share a few books we both loved, and recommend to a high school audience, in hopes that you will give them a try during Christmas break. Last spring we both read Jennete McCurdy’s New York Times bestselling memoir “I’m Glad My Mom Died.” We were both familiar with this former Disney actress from

“iCarly” and “Sam and Cat”; however, we were oblivious to McCurdy's broken home life and mental health during her acting career. McCurdy's mother tried to live vicariously through her daughter, forcing McCurdy into her first auditions and sacrificing her childhood to support their family economically. Calorie restriction was a fixture of McCurdy’s childhood, encouraged by her mother to appear “youthful” on camera. Even into adulthood, McCurdy experienced severe anxiety and depression, coupled with eating disorders and addiction. McCurdy's vulnerable reflection on these dark memories and her journey to recovery is beautiful and inspiring. Whether you are familiar with McCurdy or not, this book will

Christmas break is the perfect time to expand your bookshelf and become invested in a story, developing your writing skills and empathy along the way.

shift your outlook on fame, mental health and empathy.

If you are looking for a lighter read, Jamie recommends Freida McFadden’s psychological thrillers, such as “Housemaid,” “The Perfect Son” or “The Teacher.” “Housemaid” tells the story of a young woman, Millie, who cares for the Winchester’s mansion. Her boss, Nina, is neurotic; she leaves the home in disarray and consistently lashes out at Millie for minute mistakes. Therefore, Millie’s only comfort comes from Nina’s kind-hearted husband, Andrew. As Millie navigates her job, she learns the Winchester’s dark secrets in a series of twists that will surprise any audience.

One of my favorite novels is “Little Fires Everywhere,” written by Celeste Ng. This novel takes place in the picture-perfect suburb of Shaker Heights, making it the ideal home for conformist Elena Richardson. However, Richardson’s life becomes turbulent upon the introduction of mother and daughter Mia and Pearl Warren, who rent Richardson’s spare house. Richardson’s four children immediately connect with the Warrens, while seeds of distrust form between Mia and Elena, provoking Elena’s exploration of Mia’s concealed past. On paper, this novel is a mystery; yet, the underlying message concerns the complexity of motherhood, displayed through varying relationships.

Finally, Jamie and I loved

tivate students to study, but debunk it because it is found that students are more extrinsically motivated by getting a grade, than intrinsically and wanting to understand the subject.

Overall, however, the understanding comes from studying for and taking the midterm whether that is the student’s goal or not. For this midterm season, it is important to focus on the benefits and remember that our school’s goal is to help students. So study hard and give your best effort. Happy midterm season, Eagles!

Chanel Miller’s memoir, “Know My Name.” I was assigned this book in AP Language and Composition last spring, but this reading was never a chore. Chanel Miller vulnerably recounts her experience as a rape victim and her ensuing emotional damage. She provides insight into the inefficient criminal justice system and treatment of victims post-assault, calling for specific reforms. Miller is not a seasoned author; however, I was impressed with her natural voice and detailed description of her dual identity. Specifically, she describes the stress surrounding her media pseudonym, “Emily Doe.” Emily represents Miller’s life as a rape victim, where Chanel is just another citizen; and, Miller’s friends and colleagues are unaware of the connection between Emily and Chanel, creating a sense of isolation and preventing her recovery. We could brag on and on about this memoir because we are sure any audience would be moved by Miller’s vulnerability and gain a new perspective on the faults of the criminal justice system. If you end up enjoying any of these books or have any recommendations for us, please come talk to Jamie and me. Christmas break is the perfect time to expand your bookshelf and become invested in a story, developing your writing skills and empathy along the way.

Dec. 9 poll of 113 students, 56 percent believe that midterms are beneficial in the end to students and their grades. Illustration by Jamie Henderson

With a steaming cup of hot chocolate in hand, staff writer Gracie Nealon spent her Saturday binge-watching popular Christmas movies from different genres so that you know exactly what to watch this holiday season.

Seeing that this movie ranked high on IMDb’s list of the most popular Christmas movies, I decided to give it a watch. Watching “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation was a good time; the comedy captures the chaos of the holiday season and the relatable story of crazy relatives who visit for Christmas. The slightly unacceptable humor and slapstick action are entertaining the whole time, and Cousin Eddie and his beloved RV gave me a good laugh. One hour and 47 minutes with the Griswolds is enough to make you appreciate your tamer family gatherings.

THE POLAR EXPRESS

Rated PG

In lower school, the last day of class before Christmas break meant festive fuzzy socks, sickening amounts of Hershey’s peppermint kisses and an inevitable screening of the “Polar Express“ from the classroom projector. The movie follows a young boy who doubts the existence of Santa Claus and decides to travel to the North Pole on a magical train in hopes of meeting Santa himself. Although it is a Christmas classic, the movie was unsettling. The animators could not decide between lifelike characters and cartoons, combining both styles into a hybrid that still haunts my nightmares. The redeeming factor to this movie is the song “When Christmas Comes to Town, which I cannot help but sing along to, even though the movie is not my cup of tea.

CHRISTMAS CLASSICS

A Nealon family favorite, this movie has always been (and will always be) my favorite Christmas movie. “The Holiday is a rom-com about two women, Amanda in Los Angeles and Iris in Surrey, England, who swap homes for Christmas and find unexpected friendships and romance in their new surroundings. Refreshing and adorable, this movie restores my faith in humanity and is a perfect feel-good movie for the holiday season. The award-winning cast of Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jack Black and Jude Law bring humor and emotion. An added bonus is Iris’ unexpected friendship with Arthur, the adorable 90-year-old famous screenwriter next door. It is a bit of a tearjerker and a mustwatch this holiday season.

HOME ALONE

Rated PG

Arguably the most well-known Christmas movie of all time, “Home Alone“ is as nostalgic as it gets. The movie is about a young boy named Kevin who defends his home from amateur burglars after being left behind during his family’s mad dash to catch their flight for a holiday vacation. With the house all to himself, he does what any boy in his situation would do: eat tons of junk food, watch rated-R movies and use his dad’s aftershave. Kevin has fun playing clever tricks on the burglars, but on a deeper level, he realizes he misses his parents and siblings, which makes the viewer appreciate holidays spent with family. If you have not already checked out “Home Alone or if you want to watch it again, then invite me

Rated R: watch with parental consent

I’m a sucker for action movies, and “Die Hard“ is about as good as they get. Offering an unconventional take on the Christmas genre, this controversial holiday movie is a thrilling watch about a New York cop fighting to save his ex-wife from a hostage situation in an LA skyscraper during a Christmas Eve party. Its combination of dark humor and suspense, as well as spot-on casting (Alan Rickman as the villain never disappoints), make for a timeless classic. It can get a little intense at times, so I would not recommend it for younger viewers without parental approval. Bruce Willis’ performance as the “gun-toting hot-shot hero makes this a must-see for action fans.

Rated PG-13

Illustrations by Gracie Nealon

agreeTO

Controversy rises over scientific credibility and proper usage for astrology,

Astrology enriches lives and should not be used against science and religion

Sheridan Bailey | Staff writer

Astrology, the belief that the alignment of the stars at the time of someone’s birthday, influences a person’s personality and mood. It has enriched millions of lives, adapting many perspectives, which leads to increased individuality. Historically, astrology has been ridiculed with negativity and often dismissed as unscientific, but the focus of astrology should not be based on science, but rather in exploring someone's identity.

Astrology is the study of stars and celestial bodies. One is assigned a horoscope, including a moon, sun and rising sign, based on their birthday. The horoscopes correspond to specific characteristics and personality traits that many use to explore their own identities.

Astrology has been practiced and used academically since the third millennium B.C., before astronomy popularized in the 17th century. Currently, many in the science community claim there is no scientific evidence for astrology. An astronomer at NASA told the Washington Post in 2023 regarding the science community's rejection of astrology, explaining that he discredits astrology based on the inaccuracy of the physics and statistics.

The science community has been quick to disapprove of astrology, but they fail to recognize the impact it has had on many scientific discoveries. According to UNESCO, during the Silk Road, which was active between 130 B.C.E. until 1453 C.E, scholars during this time period spent significant time observing and studying astrology including the stars and celestial bodies. The Babylonians between 350 and 50 BCE conducted astrological calculations, which led to the discovery of geometry and the development of scientific instruments.

Even with the overwhelming lack of scientific support for astrology, according to Psychology Today, numerous studies support the claim that a person's belief in astrology can influence their personality. In 1999, researcher Jan J.F. Van Rooij of the Leiden University in Netherlands con-

ducted a study with 422 people, those who had prior knowledge of astrology were more likely to apply such astrological traits to themselves. For example, a Pisces is considered to be empathetic. A person who already knew they were a Pisces would describe themselves as empathetic or compassionate, and in turn, act with empathy, a beneficial outcome.

When it comes to religion, the Catholic Church deems astrology incompatible with Catholicism and says that it should be rejected. Many Christians also reject astrology, as the Bible does not explicitly support this field. However, in a YouGov survey surveying U.S. adults nationwide regarding astrology, recorded that 31 percent of Catholics believe in astrology, the denomination with the highest percentage within the survey, compared to the 10 percent of atheists who believe in astrology. So, even as astrology is rejected by science and by most religions, with the exception of Hinduism. Hinduism incorporated concepts of astrology within their calendars and holidays as well. Along with Kundali, which is the Indian term for astrological charts.

Even with the disapproval of the religious and science community regarding astrology, many Americans still have positive feelings towards the subject. Over 70 million Americans check for updates on their horoscopes every day, recorded by YouGov. Many news sources have featured horoscopes in their print issues for years and have now implemented sections into their online sites that solely focus on astrology as well. Astrology is permanent and here to stay. It has withstood the test of time and the scientific revolution. Astrology fosters discovery and positive foundations of identity, impacting millions of people worldwide.

percent of students believe horoscopes are accurate in predicting personality traits

DAstrology is not a science and can not be applied to one's personality

Sophia Sardiña | Co-editer in-chief

ating back to the third millennium B.C.E., astrology has been used to determine people’s personality based on the positioning of celestial objects at the time of their birth. Astrology's basic premise is that heavenly bodies affect earthly events. Yet, the idea of celestial bodies profoundly influencing someone’s personality has no scientific basis and should not be considered a major factor in determining one’s character.

There is limited evidence to suggest that celestial bodies have any relation to someone’s life events.

Physicist Shawn Carlson ran an experiment in 1985 to determine if personality had any relation to star sign.

Carlson graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a P.h.D in nuclear physics, was chief observer for the Berkeley Automated Supernovae Search, an agency that employs computer controlled telescopes to detect supernovas and contributed to “The Amateur Scientist” for Scientific American.

The experiment asked astrologers to correctly match a person's natal chart to the results of a Myers-Briggs California Psychological Inventory personality test, a 434-question questionnaire designed to measure human behavior.

The test showed that most astrologers were no better at matching horoscopes to individuals' CPI results than chance, therefore discrediting the premise of astrology.

Moreover, a study conducted at the University of Zurich furthered the idea that personality traits and zodiac signs are independent. The experiment tested over 3000 men and investigated whether their personality traits, based on the Freiburger Personality Inventory, correlated to their zodiac signs. The statistical analysis did not reveal any cor-

relation between astrological signs and personality, refuting that people’s personalities can be generalized to 12 signs.

While personality tests should be taken with some skepticism, the premise of tests like the CPI or FRI is to evaluate traits, not characterize types of people like astrology.

“It’s one thing to know the positions of the planets concerning the stars, but the big problem is interpreting what that means in terms of human behavior,” Sten Odenwald, director of STEM resource development at NASA, said in an interview with the Washington Post.

While it is interesting to note how your birthday day may affect your personality, the truth is that these predictions are generalized and cannot be applied to someone’s personality.

A common issue with interpreting these daily horoscopes is the Barnum Effect. According to Britannica, the Barnum Effect occurs when individuals believe that personality descriptions apply specifically to them, disregarding that the description is filled with information that can apply to everyone.

Similarly, people are susceptible to confirmation bias where they interpret information that is consistent with their beliefs. When a person reads their horoscope that predicts a day of disappointments, they will believe that the reason for the bad day is the alignment of celestial bodies and not personal doing.

Ultimately, the interpretation of horoscopes is for comfort. It is known that humans seek patterns which astrology fulfills. Astrology gives us a sense of solace, offering explanations for life’s chaos and potential guidance for what the future may hold. Yet, because of its lack of scientific basis, astrology cannot be used to explain worldly events nor reduce a person's personality to a horoscope. There is no harm in exploring your sign and astrology, but it should be interpreted with caution as it fails the criteria of being a science.

percent of students believe horoscopes are not accurate in predicting personality traits

Illustration by Sheridan Bailey

Trump must reconsider decision to exit Paris Climate Accords

For the past four years, the U.S. has been an active member of the Paris Climate Accords, taking decisive action to limit the rise in global temperature. President Joe Biden’s administration passed the Inflation Reduction Act, creating a projected 1.3 million clean energy jobs and reducing emissions from power plants, vehicles and oil wells. If the act remains intact, carbon emissions will drop 43 percent from 2005, according to projections by the nonpartisan research Rhodium Group.

Despite these monumental bounds in environmental protection, President-elect Donald Trump plans to withdraw from the COP and reverse Biden’s environmental regulations, posing serious threats to global climate change. Turning a blind eye to climate change is concerning, yet not surprising considering Trump’s misguided beliefs. During a 2022 interview with Fox News, Trump stated that climate change is “all a big hoax,” refuting the widespread consensus of the scientific community. Scientific proof for climate change is plentiful: ice core data, ice sheet melting and satellite imagery demonstrate a clear correlation between atmospheric carbon and Earth’s temperature. Not to mention, the recent hurricanes Milton

and Helene gained strength from global warming effects, according to NASA.

Big oil companies also recognize Trump’s unfounded approach to climate change.

"We believe climate change is real," former CEO of Shell, Ben van Beurden, told NPR in 2017, in response to Trump’s initial exit from the COP. "We believe that the world needs to go through an energy transition to prevent a very significant rise in global temperatures. And we need to be part of that solution in making it happen."

In response to Trump’s most recent announcement, CEO of ExxonMobil, Darren Woods, voiced similar opinions; he stressed the negative impact of reduced regulations on business efficiency and economics in a Nov. 12 interview with the New York Times. He praised Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, which encouraged ExonnMobil’s investment in cleaner energy forms, and he acknowledged the benefits of global carbon emission standards. Support from the very industry that would otherwise benefit from deregulation and denounced climate change in prior years is particularly telling.

As stated, Trump exited the COP during his previous presidency. Consequently, he began deregulating the fossil fuel industry, introducing harmful air and water-borne toxins to support the coal

The U.S.’s precedent sets a poor example for other nations while burdening other global powers to manage this global issue.

Charlotte Traylor | Copy editor

It’s the most wonderful time of the year: wish lists go viral, black Friday sales take center stage and “I’m not trying to brag” captions flood our feeds. Christmas in the age of social media has been a defining feature of the modern holiday season. Scrolling through social media right now feels like a Christmas parade, only instead of floats, it’s slideshows of meticulously curated wishlists and product hauls.

The minute the clock strikes Nov. 1, our TikTok, Instagram and Pinterest feeds fill with Christmas content. From holiday outfit ideas to Christmas recipes, the internet does not waste any time bringing the holiday joy. While some may argue that Christmas content should not start until after Thanksgiving, we believe that starting Christmas as early as possible is the best way to inspire holiday spirit. Curating wishlists and buying gifts for family and friends is a time-consuming task, so getting a head start on curating and ordering is the best scenario.

The majority of Gen-Z’ers have evolved far from the days of handwritten lists or circling

industry, while carbon emissions steadily climbed. He supported oil pipelines and exploration in nationally protected lands and waters, such as the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. And to the dismay of Shell Oil, he removed requirements for oil and gas drillers to halt methane leaks, as reported by nonpartisan research organization Brookings.

Despite their actions, the Trump Administration published a seemingly rosy picture of climate preservation in 2017, boasting a 13 percent decrease in carbon emissions from 2005 to 2017. However, additional context is necessary to access these statistics. The Paris Climate Accord’s goal is a 50 percent reduction in emissions by 2030; under Trump’s policies, a 28 percent reduction would be the bestcase scenario, far from global goals. Moreover, the reduction in U.S. carbon emissions was partially a result of outsourced emissions. U.S. energy was imported from other nations, who experienced an increase in carbon emissions, according to climate policy researcher Michael Jakob.

Finally, many cite the significant drop in carbon emissions between 2019 and 2020 as proof of Trump’s adequate approach to climate change. However, this decrease can be attributed to the pandemic-spurred economic recession.

U.S. climate policy also has international implications. A significant component of the COP is supporting green economics in developing nations. After the U.S.’s initial departure from the COP, they withdrew two-thirds of their $3 billion pledge towards this effort. Specifically, a project combating climate change and storm surge protection in the Caribbean was defunded under the Trump administration, as stated in a 2021 NPR article. Developing nations will continue to struggle under Trump’s impending climate policy agenda in ensuing years.

Other nations may follow the U.S.’s lead in leaving the COP. Argentina’s president, Javier Milei, has expressed interest in exiting, regardless of the COP’s efforts to finance clean energy and guard against extreme weather events in Argentina. The U.S.’s precedent sets a poor example for other nations while burdening other global powers to manage this global issue.

Despite this dismal forecast, Trump has not yet en- tered office or reversed the U.S.’s climate preservation progress. Citizens must grapple with the weight of the climate crisis and encourage the federal government to act upon our responsibilities as a global power and world leader in energy production.

Social media content lifts holiday spirit

catalogs. Most teenagers utilize technology to organize and compile their wishlists, making them easily accessible and shareable with family and friends. Some use Google Slides to organize their lists with aesthetically pleasing slide patterns and clickable links to items.

Senior Tessa Cabrales has used Google Slides to make her Christmas lists every year since she was 10. Cabrales shares the list with her family and friends during November. She believes the slides help her organize her wish list into a cohesive, well organized list that is easy for her friends and family to navigate.

More recently, many have utilized wishlist apps to build their lists, such as Locker, an online extension that easily saves and organizes products when shopping online. Another app, LTK or “Like to Know,” is used this holiday season to share products and lists.

According to a Nov. 14 upper school poll of 120 students, 47 percent of students utilized technology to make their holiday wishlists in years past. Moreover, influencers' own wishlists serve as inspiration for others’, modernizing the holiday wishlist process.

The advent of social media wishlists has made the holiday

While some may argue that Christmas content should not start until after Thanksgiving, we believe that starting Christmas as early as possible is the best way to inspire holiday spirit.

shopping process easier for not only receiving, but also giving. Specified lists full of the latest, unique trends are curated on TikTok and Instagram, giving other users ideas for family and friend’s gifts. A few examples of gift guides include, “gifts for your motherin-law who has everything,” “ gifts for the pilates princess” or “unique gifts that your boyfriend will actually use.” These niche gift guides have become a hallmark of modern day gift giving, ensuring that you can give unique and useful gifts. We recommend looking for these gift guides on TikTok, Pinterest and Locker. A more recent trend in social media, known as “Sephora Kids,” is taking over the holiday realm as well. The term describes tween-aged girls who have taken the world of “get ready with me” videos and product reviews to the next level. These young girls quickly became a TikTok joke with videos and stories of them roaming around Sephora stores. It is no surprise that these girls have partaken in sharing their wish lists on social media, filled with dozens of expensive toners, serums and moisturizers. Many will be expecting hauls from this new wave of “Sephora Kids,” interested in seeing products they genuinely enjoy, while also humoring themselves.

Even post-Christmas, influencers are not done with their holiday content yet. Christmas hauls, which have remained largely popular since the early 2000s YouTube era, are some of the most viewed videos on platforms like YouTube and TikTok. Seeing other’s gifts, whether it is a small or big haul of products, is always captivating for Gen-Z’ers. The phrase, “I’m not trying to brag,” has become a hallmark of Christmas hauls as influencers try to remain humble to their millions of followers.

However, posting Christmas hauls poses a bigger problem, as it often makes followers feel disheartened for receiving fewer gifts, either in quantity or price. While, for many, Christmas hauls serve as lighthearted content, their repercussions can defeat their original purpose. The holiday spirit is about celebrating with family and friends, not the amount or price of gifts one receives.

This is especially important to remember throughout the season; our feeds will inevitably be filled with varying wishlists and hauls from content creators and regular people. Nevertheless, we are looking forward to seeing the variety of Christmas videos and content that create holiday spirit, while also keeping the true meaning of Christmas.

Social media manager

Reese Rawson | Views editor

from Letter the Editors

Often in the dead of summer, a picture enters my mind: I am cuddled on the couch with a warm drink in hand, soft Christmas music playing, a blanket strewn over my lap and a new book opened to the first page. This image is of winter. I ardently wish for the slow, frozen-intime feel of the season for most of the year, but when daylight savings time ends on the first Sunday of November, a disturbing melancholy hits me. We lose a precious hour of sun to darkness, and suddenly my vision of a cozy winter is muddled.

Even as I write this letter at 5:32 p.m., the light outside my window is dark. The one-hour change might seem minuscule, but it largely impacts many of our lives. To me, the end of DST each year is a harbinger of the stressful time before midterm exams. Still, the image of my “perfect winter day” reflects the ideals of the season as a time for the rest, reflection and renewal that should take place during winter. It is exactly because of the bleak weather, academic pressure and holiday stress that it is important to combat the winter blues by seizing the season.

Sophia and I wanted to share ways we are getting ahead of the winter blues and

to

stress by embracing winter as a time for new beginnings and self-improvement. My first effort at improving myself has been adopting a positive mindset; building myself up and believing in myself are cornerstones to this goal. In all honesty, my undertaking of this pledge has been both rewarding and frustrating. Rewarding because the effects of positive self-talk are astounding for my mental health, and frustrating because I never realized how easy it is to think negatively when upset. Having a positive mindset does not mean ignoring important or stressful events, but rather approaching events in a better light. Instead of thinking about a school subject, “I’m never going to get better at this,” try “I make progress every time I practice, and I will keep trying until I succeed.”

Norman Vincent Peale, author of “The Power of Positive Thinking,” wrote, “our happiness depends on the habit of mind we cultivate.” I bring up boosting our state of mind first because it affects every aspect of our mental well-being. Positive thinking has also been associated with an increased life span, lower rates of depression, lower levels of distress and pain and greater resistance to illness, according to Mayo Clinic, a private

Co-editor-in-chief Lauren Shushi shares ways to make the winter season a successful one in the face of midterm stress, and the importance of thinking positively.

American academic medical center.

time into a productive and renewing season.

Writing these letters has meant more than I ever conceived they would, and my sincerest hope is that each one is received as being filled with gratitude and love for the people and the institution I am surrounded by every day.

Letter the Editors

In this time of stress, with final projects and exams around the corner, it is important to find connection. It can be a person, a song or nature, but it has to be something. It is easy to get lost in the stress of exams, and it can even feel like your entire life is ending. But I assure you: it is not. Finding connection in your life can ground you and pull you back to Earth. In AP Literature, we are reading “Frankenstein,” a book about a monster who is rejected from society solely based on his appearance; therefore, he discovers how to exist in a life of solitude. During class one day, we discussed whether it is worth living in complete solitude. While some argued that there is no point in existing if you do not have human connection, I argued that we do need a connection, but it can be to anything. Sitting outside listening to the wind or watching rainfall is

a connection. Everyone has heard that putting your phone down every once in a while to sit outside and just “be” is good for you, but no matter how cheesy that saying is, it is true. Being a part of the rowing team has shown me the importance of reconnecting with nature. Five out of the seven days of the week, I’m at the boathouse on the water. Watching the sunset every night is a privilege that helps me reset before I go home and start my homework for the night. Something about nature rejuvenates the soul and reminds you that you are a part of something bigger than yourself. Spending time connecting to nature grounds you and can pull you out of any mental stress bubble. Likewise, listening to your favorite songs is one of the best ways to refocus and relieve stress. Everyone has one song that is special in their heart and mind. It could be the first

Being a part of the rowing team has shown me the importance of reconnecting with nature. Five out of seven days of the week, I'm at the boathouse on the water. Watching the sunset every night is a privilege that helps me reset.

Sophia’s primary way of combating winter sadness is just as effective and even more simple: exercise. She dedicates time during her miles-long runs to refocus and reset. You do a great service to yourself by moving your body every day; an article by Harvard Medical School cited that about half of adult Americans do not meet one of the most basic guidelines of at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity, even though exercise can reduce rates of depression, improve cardiovascular health, prevent chronic illness and strengthen your immune system. This last point is especially important when many students become ill before exams. The results of daily exercise are astoundingly beneficial, so setting aside time each day to move your body is crucial to self-maintenance during the winter.

There are countless other ways to focus on creating good habits this season, such as spending time with loved ones, organizing your days using a planner, journaling, getting enough sleep, and more. This winter, join the newspaper editors in committing to three ways you can turn this slow and steady

Finally, Sophia and I often ruminate on the passing of time in these letters, and I can feel, acutely, our season of life changing. Nothing reminds me so starkly about the time passing, faster than I can stand it, than sitting down to write the Letter from the Editors. Soon we will graduate, saying goodbye to friends at this school who mean so much to us, leaving teachers who guided us (more than we could ever thank them for) and move on to college. Winter is a sad, beautiful and reflective time for us; I welcome the opportunity to continue improving myself in college, growing from what I have learned from my years at ESD. After this, we each have one or two more issues to pour out every sliver of (albeit moderate) senior wisdom in these letters before the Eagle Edition will not be ours. I am thankful every day for the remarkably talented, funny and personable staff members and for our amazing newspaper advisor. Writing these letters has meant more than I ever conceived they would, and my sincerest hope is that each one is received as filled with gratitude and love for the people and the institution I am surrounded by every day.

song you remember listening to, a song you listened to with your camp friends or one you found randomly one day. These songs that you hold close can help you escape from an anxiety spiral. The National Library of Medicine has also published research that proves music reduces stress, anxiety and depression. Music stimulates and releases endorphins, which create feelings of relaxation. Not only can music help your mental health and build internal connections, but it can also help build connections with others.

Often I will be listening to a certain song or a specific band, and I will make new friends, because they also enjoy that song or band. One of the reasons I am friends with two of my best friends now is because of the music we listen to. The music we listen to is the most accurate representation of ourselves and our feelings. We skip songs or cue certain songs because they do not represent how we are feeling at that moment. Our music is a window to our true inner feelings, which can be scary to share with others, but I promise you that the people listening could potentially be your

newest friend. One of my best memories, and honestly the best time of my life, was sitting around a wooden table in Philadelphia with my camp friends, blasting Zach Bryan and talking about anything and everything. As the music played, more people gathered around to chat, and we ended up meeting at that wooden table every night to talk for a month, and it became all of our favorite memories. My last advice is that when life gets tough, try to combine all three. Grab your person—it can be a friend near you or even calling someone who lives states away, just someone—sit outside, turn on your favorite music and just be. It is easy to feel like you are on an island floating around all day, but being in one place with someone you trust, in nature, with music, is the best combination. Knowing that you are connected and rooted to a place that requires your presence can help you remember that. You are still you, despite the stress. You still have people who care about you, even if they live in different states. You still have all the components that makeup who you are.

Nina Rastin | Senior

Sports

ESD athletes pursue competitive sports outside of school

Several students participate in outside of school activities, serving as their year-round sports

As Thanksgiving break came to an end, freshman Gabriela Loewen-Eells went on a trip to the Colorado mountains where she was able to ski for the first time since the school year started. An avid skier, Loewen-Eells was happy to be back on the slopes skiing competitively again.

Although ESD winter sports include soccer, basketball, swim and wrestling, students partake in other sports outside of school.

Loewen-Eells participates in year-round skiing as her sport, but cannot participate through ESD.

“Whenever I can go skiing, I'll leave Friday [after a school week] and I'll come back Sunday afternoon when I can,” Loewen-Eells said. “It is definitely something that comes up a lot in my family, since I get to go up for the first time this year for Thanksgiving, but I'll usually get 30 days a year [skiing].

Starting from a young age, Loewen-Eells has spent time during the school year training in Keystone, Colorado, where she competes in races.

“I live in Dallas, so I can't really go that much, but I like to whenever I can. I have family that lives in Kawata, so they'll kind of [get me involved in competitions] and my uncle [is a] ski patrol so he hears about it,” Loewen-Eells said. “I do more free skiing [in competitions] so it includes cliffs and stuff and I get points [based off of that].”

Due to the ski season taking place during the school season, Loewen-Eells tries her best to find time during the year to ski without interfering with school.

“When I was younger it was a lot easier since I could miss a lot of school for it,” Loewen-Eells said. “But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve gone

less, [because] school comes first.”

Loewen-Eells also spends her off time training and preparing for upcoming skiing opportunities in Dallas. She trains at the gym and does balance work and endurance exercises.

“So there's not much I can do [that's not skiing], but I do lifts that are more specific for skiers,” Loewen-Eells said. “I can also do indoor skiing with fake snow at facilities in Colorado during the summer.”

Other sports that students are involved in during the winter that can not be practiced through school include horseback riding and water polo. Sophomore Emory Simpson, who does not engage in any ESD sponsored sports, competes in horseback riding year round.

“During the school week I try to go up like twice a week [to the barn] and then I also go up on the weekend,” Simpson said. “I ride three horses on the weekend, so I go up there and help my trainer set up jumps and then I turn them onto the pasture.”

For students who participate in outside of school sports, exceptions regarding sports credits can be modified depending on the situation.

“I emailed Lepcio over the summer before school started [talking about] when I go up to the barn, about two [or] three times a week after school and on the weekends,” Simpson said. “I'm usually up there for about eight hours and I just asked if that [could count] for a school sport, so he gave me that credit.”

Simpson spends a lot of her after school time practicing at her barn, but she also participates in equestrian competitions.

“I compete about once or twice a year, and I have been

ESD does not offer water sports to a major degree, because of this, I usually do a sport that requires full body strength.

riding since I was about five-years-old, and honestly it's my favorite thing ever,” Simpson said. “I think my favorite thing about it is the connections I get to make with the horses which sounds kind of weird, but they're kind of like dogs and they're so sweet so I love them so much.”

Despite being involved in other school sports, sophomore Alexa Sardiña participates in water polo outside of school year-round. To stay in shape for this sport, she engages in school credited sports such as track and wrestling.

“ESD does not offer water sports to a major degree, because of this, I usually just do a sport that requires full body strength,” Sardiña said. “[Because full body strength is key in water polo], last year, I did wrestling and this year I plan on doing track and field.”

While Sardiña is not playing an ESD in-season sport, she practices with her water polo club team, Pegasus, and practices at locations varying from Highland Park High School, Garland High School, Jesuit Preparatory School and SMU.

“Practice is two hours long, ranging between two to even six in the summer,” Sardiña said. “For about an hour it's conditioning, and for the other, it is drill work. A game, depending on the level, is usually a 24 minute game with eight minute quarters. It is very fast paced, and we do not have many subs.”

Because these students participate in out of school sports and activities, several require a sports credit approval from the athletic department in order to fulfill their year round community activity credits. Director of Athletics, Thad

Lepcio said that it is preferred when students fulfill the ESD community credits at school rather than out of school.

“[Although some students have gotten credit] we want to see how the whole community credit thing works. Then, if we have to make adjustments, we’ll make adjustments,” Lepcio said. “The intent of the community credit was to build up our community, hence the name community credits. I think institutionally our participation in areas is really low, and we're trying to bolster up our own ESD participation in activities.”

Although several of these sports aren't recognized thoroughly, Lepcio hopes to engage student body in recognizing these certain sports.

"I want to create as many sports opportunities as possible," Lepcio said, "[For example,] I think a lot of people don't realize because they don't see a swimming pool, they don't think we have swimming, but we do. [So I hope to incorporate more of this]."

number of sports students participate in outside of school year-round

SOURCE: upper school student athletes

THE EQUESTRIAN LIFESTYLE Sophomore Emory Simpson participates in the Clockwise Competition in Parker Colorado on July 7. "I was competing in the 1.35/1.40 meter jumping class. This was my first time competing at that height on my horse. We ended up going double clear, which means we didn't hit any poles and we won the class." Photo provided by Emory Simpson

Alexa Sardiña Sophomore

Margot Cathey | Business manager

Winter sports teams prepare an awaited season

Varsity soccer and basketball face a long season filled with travel tournaments and away games

Jack Coben | Staff writer

As junior Tatum Reynolds prepares for their upcoming Warrior Classic tournament, she feels as if the varsity girls basketball team is beginning to hit a stride early in their season. Reynolds had a double double, with 22 points and 13 rebounds, against Southwest Christian on Nov. 15, and hopes to continue to have success against other opponents in their Warrior Classic.

As fall sports wrap up, student-athletes are shifting gears to prepare for their winter sports. Varsity basketball and soccer teams are preparing for travel, late nights and long practices.

“We had pre-season practice [for basketball] for those who did not play in a fall sport,” junior Riley Morrison said. “I personally was not in a fall sport, so going to these practices made me want to play because I wasn’t 100 percent sure if I wanted to play.”

The varsity girls' basketball team played the majority of its games at home last year, so it is preparing for 10 away games, not including tournaments in different cities.

“We were very lucky to have a lot of home games last year,” Reynolds said. “So there will definitely be an adjustment this year.”

The team will open with three consecutive away games in Fort Worth and played their first a home game on Dec. 3.

Their schedule also includes a trip to Wills Point High School in Wills Point, Texas, for a tournament on Dec. 5 through Dec. 7. Later in the season, they will travel to Austin to play St. Andrew’s on Jan. 17 and St. Stephen’s on Jan. 18.

“The Austin games are new this year due to the fact that we have joined SPC 3A,” Reynolds said. “In total, we will miss five complete days of school.”

Similarly, the varsity boys basketball team is preparing to travel for many tournaments and away games. Some of these trips include two trips to Austin and a tournament in New Jersey over Christmas break.

“We are going to Austin, which will be good for us,” sophomore Khizer Salmon said. “We will get to experience a lot of different playstyles and teams, which will help us out a lot when we get closer to the SPC tournament.”

The boys basketball program practiced daily for over a month in the fall to ensure they would hit the ground running when their seasons began with their first home game of the season on Nov. 22.

“We have been preparing by practicing every day and running through our plays,” Salmon said. “We usually play a full five-on-five game to keep the intensity high during practice.”

The team had a tournament in Denton, Texas on Nov. 14 through Nov. 16 to prepare for their season. In their first game of the tournament, they

I am excited about this upcoming season because of the addition of multiple new players to our roster. I think we will be the best team in the SPC.

beat Molina 67-46. They will also play in a notable game against the Australia Eltham Wildscats on Dec. 20, and they face the St. Marks School of Texas on Feb. 4. The team is expected to face serious competition which will prepare them for their long season.

“I am excited for our trip to New Jersey. I think we will get to bond, and that will help us play better,” Salmon said. “I think we’re going to be very good this year.”

The varsity boys soccer team played its first game of the season against Kincaid on Dec. 7 at the Gene and Jerry Jones Stadium. The team began training in September with captain-led practices led by co-captains seniors Alden Rodgers and Fernando Gomez-Quinonez.

“Unlike previous years, Alden and I were able to get field space so we could at least get some touches on the ball,” Gomez-Quinonez said. “Hopefully, that will allow us to progress to more advanced stuff as the season progresses.”

While the team has been preparing for months, they have also added some players back to their roster. Junior Thomas Cate spent the 2023 school year playing soccer in Brazil but rejoined the school’s team this year.

“I am excited about this upcoming season because of the addition of multiple new players to our roster,” Rodgers said. “I think we will be the best team in the SPC because of the depth we have on our roster.”

The team was planning on going to Florida to play two games, but its opponents had to cancel. In addition, on Jan. 3 and 4, the team will head to Longview, Texas, and play three games against three public schools, Van, Pinetree, and Athens, in two days.

“We are doing this just before we play the counter-season games,” Rodgers said. “These games count towards our seeding in the SPC tournament, so we will want to be as ready as possible.”

The varsity girl's soccer team also prepared for their season in a new division as they switched divisions from SPC 4A to 3A. They hope that with this change, they will bring home the SPC championship.

“We lost an amazing group of seniors last year,” sophomore Stella Crispin said. “We are really looking forward to seeing what the freshman can contribute to the team as we look forward to an exciting season.”

The girls played their first game of the season against Prestonwood Christian at the Gene and Jerry Jones stadium on Nov. 19 and won 3-0. This win allowed the Eagles to start their season off with a strong performance, as they began to face much tougher opponents within SPC conference play.

“We won our first game against Prestonwood,” Crispin said. “Our attackers were able to score three goals, and our defense played amazing, shutting them out.”

Alden Rogers Senior and varsity captain. of the boys soccer team

Eagle

eye

How did you feel when you found out you made the varsity soccer team as a freshman? Was it what you expected?

When Coach McCarthy told me I would be on varsity, it felt good, but it was what I was hoping for because that is the type of thing I train for daily.

What’s been the most exciting part of playing on the varsity team?

Is there a specific game or moment that stands out to you?

I think the most exciting part of being on the team is the connections I make with upperclassmen and the chances I have to experience new things with the team.

What are some of the biggest differences you’ve noticed between playing at the freshman level and now competing with the upperclassmen on varsity?

Some of the differences I've noticed are the discipline and great example that the upperclassmen, especially the seniors, set for the whole team and their different intensity levels in practice.

How do you stay focused and motivated during the season, especially with the pressure of balancing academics and sports?

Balancing sports and academics can be difficult, working on my time management and managing my sleep and nutrition have been how I can focus on both sports and academics.

Who’s been the most influential teammate or coach so far in your soccer journey, and what have you learned from them?

Coach Victor Medina, he taught me the mental side of the game and the mentality I need to be able to improve and move through the levels.

BrittReynolds

How did it feel making the varsity basketball team as a freshman?

What was the biggest challenge at first?

It was something I hoped for since I play basketball year-round so I would have been disappointed had I not made it.

How do you balance schoolwork with basketball practice and games? Do you have any tips for managing both?

[Balancing everything] has been the toughest part since we've mostly played road games. We leave school early and get home late, so early preparation helps.

Who has been the most supportive teammate or mentor on the team, and what have you learned from them?

My favorite part is getting to play with my older sister since we've played together for years outside of school, but now we finally get to do it together for ESD. I'm a point guard, so my favorite part of the game is creating open shots for teammates.

How did you prepare for the season? Did you do anything specific over the summer or during the off-season to get ready?

My sister, Tatum Reynolds, is the [junior] team captain, and we have a young team, so we lean on her for leadership. She's played in lots of AAU tournaments over the years with great teammates, so we trust her in big moments.

Sports editor

Photos by Cooper Ayres and Sophia Sardiña

Winter offseason: a time to strengthen, condition

Athletes focus on fitness and team building as they prepare for their spring sports

As senior baseball play-

er Johnny Willingham walked into the weight room at 4:15 p.m. for his first day of offseason lift, he was surrounded by other athletes sharing the same goal: to grow as a player and an athlete over the winter season.

When the fall season comes to an end, student athletes have a choice to participate in a winter sport or do offseason to prepare for the upcoming spring season. The spring sports that offer off-season are boys and girls lacrosse, boys baseball and crew.

“The goal is for everyone to have the mindset that no one's messing around when we get to season time,” sophomore lacrosse player Mason Perry said, “Set [the expectation] right now and get all the goofing off out of the way so we're ready to go [when the season starts].”

Girls lacrosse started their offseason on Nov. 11. It is organized and planned by varsity girls lacrosse coach Faith Renner and a few of the upperclassmen players. The players use their time to build fitness, improve skills and increase strength to start the season in the best condition.

“It culminates between a group of a group of activities,” senior lacrosse player Katherine Clark said. “So you can prevent injuries when the season comes, get stronger and get to know more people on the team.”

Participating in offseason is a good way for new student athletes to be introduced to

the team, and connect on another level.

"Since I am a new freshman at [The Episcopal School of Dallas]," freshman Madison McGowan said. "I was nervous about not knowing what to expect at first. Now I feel like I am in a good routine, and really enjoy building chemistry with so many strong players."

An average week for off season girls lacrosse is filled with rotations of running, wall ball, shooting, drills and lifts. There is a set expectation of 30 lifts for each player to attend before the season starts.

“[The schedule] is a week by week basis to see what exactly the team needs,” Clark said. “It's not very black and white. There's some gray areas which is great because it shows adaptability to what the team needs.”

Similar to last year, the team's main goal is to be game ready right when they start practicing in February.

"Last year, the seniors Caroline Cole and Caroline Bagley, did a really good job of preparing us," Clark said. "So when the season started, we didn't have to catch up. We went in, and we hit the ground running right away."

Throughout their training, athletes use the time to connect with new and returning players on their team before they play together during the season.

"I think that training hard in the offseason will help form bonds earlier," McGowan said. "Being able to build relationships and trust among the team is very important to having a successful season."

Boys lacrosse plans to improve their player’s fitness by

I feel like the offseason not only helps the team grow in a baseball sense, but [it] also helps the team bond together and become closer with each other.

Johnny Willingham Senior

After the fall season, the varsity crew team starts training for the spring as soon as winter sports commence by lifting and building endurance.

“We like to joke that crew basically never really ends,” junior rower Maggie Chein said. “We go from our fall season, into winter off season, and then into spring season.”

The rowers bike, run, lift and row on the water to keep in shape during the off season. They prioritize their health and focus on maintaining their strength from the previous season.

having a set weekly schedule, including lift and field practice led by the coaches.

“On Wednesdays we have lift,” Perry said. “Then defense practice on the softball field, and then offense goes to the Lacrosse Barn all the way up [in Addison].”

Players are expected to go to lift all throughout the week. To motivate the team and to add fun into practice, the team competes in the Taco Challenge, where multiple teams compete to accumulate the most points by the start of the season. These points can be earned by lifting, hitting a heavy personal record or doing the best in a non lacrosse related game.

“Every week there is a random challenge like golf or tennis,” Perry said. “Basically something that has nothing to do with Lacrosse. Whoever wins those games also gets points and whoever gets the most points by the start of Lacrosse season gets tacos.”

The boys team competed in two tournaments last month. They played in the Cowboy Cup in Texas, and in the National High School Lacrosse Showcase tournament in Maryland where they played against high level teams.

“The goal [for playing in these tournaments] is to get better,” Perry said. “Not to win but to play as a team and get used to playing as a new team without the old seniors. The mindset is do the best we can. We don’t care about wins and losses. [We want to ] just do the best we can, so when springtime comes around we are ready to dominate [the] Texas teams” The goals the coaches and

captains have set for boys lacrosse off season are clear. They want each player to put in the same amount of effort throughout the winter and lift a certain amount of weight to be prepared during the season.

“After lift, we started doing wall ball for 15 minutes,” Perry said. “Everyone needs to be benching more than their body weight by the end of the off season.”

Baseball offseason works on getting their players strong and healthy in order to prevent possible injuries that could occur during the spring season.

“The baseball team is expected to lift after school everyday of the week that they are able to,” Willingham said. “As we get closer to the season we will start to have practices on the field and in the batting cages.”

The team is aiming to utilize the winter time to grow closer as a team and prepare to win the Southern Preparatory Conference Championship.

“I feel like the offseason not only helps the team grow in a baseball sense,” Willingham said. “But [it] also helps the team bond together and become closer with each other.”

Athletes who do not do a winter sport can choose to use the winter to take a break, but most often players take advantage of the extra time to improve themselves to their best ability.

“I feel that some athletes, like myself, choose to do off-season because they really care about their spring sport,” Willingham said. “And [they] want to have the time to get as good at it as they can.”

“The big point of off season is to build just an aerobic base for spring,” Chein said. “Spring is a big season. Everything matters. So it's just getting in a lot of volume without sacrificing physical health.”

Throughout their cross training, the crew team works out together, becoming stronger as a whole.

“It is a fun time of year because it is less pressure,” Chein said. “But we're still together as a team, and at least do kind of everything we would normally do.”

GETTING GAME READY

While running a three versus three drill, freshman Sam Oglesby guards sophomore Mason Love during offseason practice on the softball field in early December. "I am aiming to gain weight," Oglesby said. "[I also want to] improve my skills [during the offseason]."

Photo by Sloane Everett

Sloane Everett | Staff writer

CREW, THE NEVER-ENDING SPORT

Sports editor Ethan Pham offers his insights on the life of student-athletes at ESD as well as his takes on sports. Through his personal experiences and analysis, he sheds light on the challenges, triumphs and daily routines of balancing academics with athletics.

Ian ESD lacrosse game. It was the 2019 championship game against Highland Park and I was in the sixth grade. I watched it with my buddies and was shocked by the turnout of the game. I immediately fell in love with the sport. Watching that game when our team beat Highland Park 9-6 and win state felt bigger than just watching a sports game with

that experience I decided to join the school’s lacrosse program. As a player, I can say that being on the lacrosse team is a significant commitment of time and energy year round. You are truly never out of lacrosse season at ESD. We are always participating in tournaments throughout the summer, fall and winter. Our team has been practicing since June 2024 and will continue until the start of the 2025 season.

The team spends a lot of time practicing during the off-season. Last year, Sean Browne Sr., a former parent of a player, reserved a field for lacrosse players during Christmas and Spring break, leading practices to help the players stay active over the holiday periods. During the school year, captains guide workouts multiple times a week for players who are not playing a sport. As team co-captain this year with senior Jack Provost, I have been conducting practices once a week to prepare the team for the season. Along with practicing, the off season team lifts at least three days a week together. Following the lift, the boys bring their sticks and gloves and hit the wall after practice to attain good stick skills with both left and right hands.

Also, the team participates in multiple National High School Lacrosse Showcase tournaments throughout the year: two in the summer and one in the fall. This gives the boys a chance to play against the best teams in the country.

ESD lacrosse finds enduring success

Another big commitment from the team is traveling during spring break to play out of town games. The team has traveled to South Carolina, Florida and Arizona in the past few years. This year the team will travel to San Diego, California to play some of the best west coast teams in the country such as Brophy Prep Arizona and Cherry Creek Colorado.

Another way our players stay in shape is the alumni game over Thanksgiving break when alumni play the current team. There is usually an after-game social for the team, the alumni, alumni parents and current parents of players where there is a chance to catch up and have a good time.

But when the team officially starts the lacrosse season, every day requires commitment to the game. I either have a practice, lift, game or film, Monday through Sunday throughout the season. There are multiple weekend trips to Austin and Houston to play SPC conference games and other opponents.

Later in the season, when the team gets closer to playoffs,

some alumni who play collegiate lacrosse come practice with the team. Last year's senior class had seven players commit to play collegiate lacrosse at NCAA Division I and Division II schools. This year’s class has two seniors who have signed to play Division I lacrosse, and one junior committed to play Division I lacrosse. The time and effort these players put into lacrosse rewards them with trophies and athletic scholarships. The lacrosse team has been very successful. Last year they continued the streak of winning SPC 4A for the ninth year in a row, not to mention that the team hasn’t lost a single SPC game since 2022.

This past spring, the team brought home the Texas High School Lacrosse League Championship, making them the best team in the state of Texas. This marked the sixth time the school has won the state championship. The history and track record of the program speaks for itself, proving it is the best lacrosse program in the state.

A new era for college football

The playoff format expands to 12 teams allowing for new opportunities and challenges

For the first time in a decade, the College Football Playoffs will face significant changes. From 2014 to 2023, the CFP used a four-team three round bracket to determine the national champion. This year, they are expanding from four teams to 12.

“The 12 team college football playoff will feature the five highest ranked conference champions,” American sports commentator Kirk Herbstreit said to ESPN. “Plus, the next seven highest ranked teams as determined by the CFP selection committee.”

The four highest ranked teams will be seeded one through four and receive a first-round bye. Any team that does not secure a first-round bye will need to win four consecutive games to claim the national championship. The champions of the Southeastern Conference, Big 12, Atlantic Coast Conference and Big Ten will earn automatic qualification, along with the highest ranked team from the

Group of Five based on the final CFP rankings. Miami is the best team in the ACC so they will get a first round bye, however they are ranked 11th by the committee. Because they are the best in the ACC, they get the bye over power houses like Georgia and Alabama who are ranked seventh and eighth.

Once the teams are selected after the conference championships, there is no reseeding or adjustments. In other words, if teams from the same conference are drawn into the same bracket, they will face off again without any modifications. This could set the stage for dramatic rematches in the early rounds, adding another layer of intrigue to the playoff.

“The CFP bracket will follow the selection committee’s rankings,” the official CFP website published. “[There will be] no modifications made to avoid rematches between teams that may have played during the regular season or are from the same conference.”

In the past, there were concerns that some conferences or teams were excluded from the playoffs due to the limited four-team for-

By allowing more teams to play, it shows who's the real winner instead of who the committee chooses based on who they feel would make them the most money.

Tatum Reynolds Junior

mat. The new 12-team structure creates more inclusivity, offering smaller conferences and less popular teams an opportunity to break into the postseason. This also makes a longer season and more coverage for the media.

“By allowing more teams to play, it shows who’s really the real winner instead of who the committee chooses based on who they feel would make them the most money,” junior Tatum Reynolds said. However, the system is not without its risks. A conference champion from a lower-ranked league could earn a playoff spot while pushing out a higher ranked team. This situation is possible because the five automatic spots for conference champions are not subject to a minimum ranking, meaning a team ranked outside the top 20 could still secure a playoff berth by winning its conference.

“In 2011 TCU went to the Rose Bowl and there were only four playoff teams,” Reynolds said. “And TCU was arguably one of the top four but Ohio State since they have more money, more resources and were in a ‘better conference’, that’s why they got to go to the playoffs even though TCU was the better team.”

While the playoff will now feature more teams, the tradition of the New Year’s six bowl games - Rose, Orange, Sugar, Cotton, Fiesta and Peach - remain intact. The committee will assign the highest-ranked conference champions to four of these prestigious bowls for the quarterfinals.

Despite the increased number of teams, the process for selecting and seeding teams remains largely unchanged. The 13 member selection committee, which includes athletic directors, former coaches and former players, will continue to determine the ranking based on championships won, strength of schedule, headto-head results and comparative outcomes against common opponents.

As the season approaches, teams, players and fans alike will be adjusting to the new format. Many ESD students who follow the playoffs are excited to follow along with the new format, including junior Brett Dopona. “I think the new format is a really good thing,” Dopona said. “It gives opportunities to more teams and I’m really excited to watch the playoffs this year.”

Emma Allen News editor

Illustration by Emma Allen

Boys basketball narrowly beats TCA in first home game

Community, fans fill the stands to support the team

Lauren

Shushi | Co-editor-in-chief

Students clad in all-white gather upstairs in the Competition Gym on Nov. 22 as the familiar “SQUEAK” of basketball shoes rings in the air. The winter sports season has begun and the varsity basketball boys team is playing its first game at home. Excitement builds as they warm up, ready to play against Trinity Christian Academy.

While they are only playing their first game at home, the team has a record of 4-1, including tournament play. After a win 60-56 against Trinity Leadership Public School on Nov. 9, the boys basketball team participated in the Conrad Tip Off Classic Tournament on the weekend of Nov. 14. They pulled off two wins and one loss at the tournament, causing coaches and fans to be optimistic about the season. Program director and varsity head coach Corey Henderson expects this season to be a good one with the combination of strong senior leadership and multiple underclassmen starters.

“It's a young team,” Henderson said. “We’ve got some veteran leadership, but our two veterans are out right now. Hopefully they'll be back in about a week or two, but overall, [it’s been] great.”

The Eagles began the game with a slow start, still warming up and finding their rhythm with two senior starters, Hutch Chipman and Kent Lanyon, out due to injury. After the first 15 minute quarter, the boys trailed 10-14 to the Trojans.

“[The season] has been good,” Lanyon said before the game. “Our team's looking great. The young kids have gotten way better over the summer. We all have a positive outlook, and I'm excited to go to New Jersey later to play in a tournament.”

In the second quarter, the Eagles made multiple threepoint shots in a row to pull to tie the game at 20-20. A timeout was called then with two minutes left before the half, and TCA narrowly ended the quarter with a one-point lead at 22-23.

“I was nervous going into the third quarter,” senior spectator Caitlin Hills said. “The boys were playing well but it was still really close. I think everyone in the crowd showing up to support really helped them pull ahead.”

By halftime, the student section was amped up and shouting encouragement to the team, boosting their confidence and allowing them to pull ahead in the third quarter. With the success of sophomore player Khizer Salmon and freshman Asher Lear, the Eagles gained a point advantage of 36-35 going into the last quarter.

“The fourth quarter was so fun to watch,” senior Sebastian Guzik said. “I'm glad that everybody came to support the basketball team. It's one of my favorite sports to watch. There's nothing like it. I love our ESD community, and what a way to start off the season.”

The two teams kept up with each other throughout the fourth quarter, staying neckand-neck until the end. The

team gained a lead with 13 seconds left, ultimately winning 49-45.

“First of all, I want to thank the fans,” Henderson said. “It was a great crowd. The student section was here, the parents were here. So I want to start off by saying that. Obviously we wanted to protect our home court, and we did that. It was back and forth, it was a good game. The ESD community came out, and we did it for them.”

Looking ahead to more notable games, the basketball team will play a home game against the Australian Eltham Wildcats on Friday, Dec.

Wrestling match turns into community event

Upper school students and faculty watch the wrestling team take on rival school

Emma

Junior Aiden Ferguson feels a rush of motivation as he watched his peers pour into the bleachers. With the student body’s eyes on the mat, Ferguson prepared to take on a wrestler from ESD’s biggest rival in a high pressure match.

The entire upper school gathered in the Competition Gym on Wednesday, Dec. 4 to offer support to the wrestling team at they went up against St. Mark’s.

“Knowing that the whole upper school was watching gave me more motivation,” Ferguson said. “We usually don’t have much of an audience at our meets so it was a lot more support than usual.”

The event not only showcased the athletic abilities of the wrestling team, but also strengthened school spirit. It provided a unique opportunity for students to connect with their peers and support their team, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and dedication. The success of this event has helped to live up to ESD’s goal of increased student involvement in athletic programs.

The idea to host this event came from head wrestling coach Kwinten Brown, who brought the proposal to Assistant Head of Upper School Maxmilliano Augé, Clark Family Head of Upper School Matt Peal and Director of Athletics Thad Lepcio. Brown witnessed similar events succeed at his previous school.

“The reason for doing this event is to promote the hard work our wrestlers put into the sport, and the beauty of a combat sport like wrestling,” Brown said. “Unlike the more popular sports, wrestling does not get great attendance from the student body during our home meets.”

The team practices daily, from 4:15 to 6:00 p.m., focusing on wrestling techniques, strength training and conditioning. These rigorous practices are essential in preparing the wrestlers for meets,

TAKE DOWN

Junior Xander Monterio attempts to get pin rival St. Marks wrestler on Dec. 4 in the Competition Gym in front of entire upper school. The feeling was exhilarating, Monteirop said. "Even in a loss, the atmosphere has you feeling like a Greek god

as they train by weight lifting, jumping rope and pushing themselves to outwork their opponents. That commitment was evident on the mats as they took on St. Marks in a series of high energy matches.

The event had a charged and electric atmosphere as cheers, chants and clapping filled the gym. The crowd- a mix of students, faculty and staff- brought energy that truly motivated the wrestlers.

“The crowd definitely helped our wrestlers,” Brown said. “That energy was unreal,

and they play

Charlton is optimistic about the season after watching their first win at home.

“I've got high hopes,” Charlton said. “Let me tell you something, this ESD basketball program has got young talent. Let me say it again, young talent with great senior leadership. We have seniors Liam Walters, Dario Benaglia, Kent Lanyon, Jett Guy and Hutch Chipman when he comes back. We have got a stellar team this year and I want you to know we're going all the way.”

not only from the upper school students, but also from our faculty and staff members.”

The class schedule for the day was altered to ensure everyone’s attendance at the meet. With the event falling on a Wednesday, Eucharist was moved to Tuesday, Dec. 3, in order to accommodate the schedule change and allow students to attend without conflict.

The team came out with impressive results, winning five out of the nine matches contested. Brown commented on the outstanding performance and bravery of the wrestlers performing indi

“I want to thank the wrestlers,” Brown said. “It is not easy to compete in a one on one sport, especially in front of your peers and we wrestled tough.”

The meet marked a moment of community with many contributing to the event’s success. Brown offered gratitude to Augé, Stemmons Family Senior Chaplain Nate Bostian, Peal and Lepcio for their support in enabling the wrestling program to host the event. Furthermore to ESD students, faculty and staff members for showing up and demonstrating support to the individual wrestlers.

“I just want to thank Mr. Peal, Mr. Augé, Father Nate and Mr.Lepcio for allowing the ESD wrestling program to showcase our talents,” Brown said. “I want to thank our students, faculty and staff for supporting our wrestlers and hopefully they continue to show up to our events.”

20,

St. Mark's School of Texas at home on Feb. 4. Senior Matthew

TIP OFF

Senior Will Campbell, wearing white jersey 23, tips off the ball during the teams first home game of the season on Nov. 22 against TCA. "It was super exciting playing the first game at home," Campbell said. "It was a big win against TCA [who are] a good team. It was really fun to see the team come together for the game."

Photo by

Lauren Shushi

Photo by Emory Simpson

Allen | News editor

'Twas the week before midterms

Students gear up to take midterm exams before the holiday break

Alexa Sardiña | Cartoonist

'Twas the week before midterms, And all through the town,

Not a teenager smiled, And

wore a frown.

Their notes were all scattered, Their desks were a mess,

In hopes that good grades would relieve their distress.

Winter exams, in my opinion, are harder than finals in the spring because of denial. As these two weeks race by, the pressure ramps up, and it’s easy to stress over every point. But here’s the deal: give it your all. These exams aren’t just about grades; they’re about showing what you’ve learned and how much effort you can put in. So, work hard, take care of yourself and remember - your best is always enough. Good luck, you’ve got this!

Eagle Edition

Staff writers Stella Bartley, Sheridan Bailey, Annabel Brown, Lincoln Clarke, Jack Coben, Barrett Coble, Sloane Everett, Josephine Holmes, Craighton Jefferies, Kate Lewis, Gracie Nealon, Lilly

Traylor and Betty Wheeler

Sardiña

Alexa Sardi ña Sophomore cartoonist

THE PATH TO NOW

In celebration of ESD's 50th anniversary, The Eagle Edition staff is going through the archives looking into areas of the school's growth over the years and the path to now. The third timeline highlights the evolution of ESD's Lessons and Carols tradition from 1985 to 2023.

DEC 1998

Lessons and Carols took place in

DEC 1985

Since 1980, grades five through 12 have gathered every December to celebrate the 44 year-old tradition of Lessons and Carols. During the first Lessons and Carols ceremony over four decades ago, students listened to the performers from the floor of the study commons, while seniors listened from the balcony.

In the early years of this tradition, the performance consisted of a few scripture readings and a few songs by the middle school choir, as there was no upper school choir at the time. In 1992, current upper school choir teacher Joe Snyder founded the upper school choir, who added their iconic performance of “O Holy Night,” to the ceremony. With this addition, Snyder elevated the ESD music program as a whole. Lessons and Carols added band and orchestra performances as well. In recent years, the event has taken place in the Competition Gymnasium and typically lasts an hour. As pictured to the left, students, faculty and alumni are called to participate by reading scripture and lessons, and it is one of the few times when middle and upper schools are all together, tying together the ESD community.

This year, Lessons and Carols took place on Wednesday, Dec. 11 and started at 10 a.m. in the Competition Gym. Stemmons Family Senior Chaplain Nate Bostian directed the ceremony and led the school in nine “lessons,” each consisting of a carol/hymn, and often a scripture reading delivered by primarily students on Student Council, faculty and alumni. Middle and upper school choir students sang classics like “Silent Night,” “Joy to the world” and “Mary, Did you Know?” Lessons and Carols brings the ultimate Christmas joy to the ESD community and for many, it will continue to be one of ESD’s most beloved traditions.

DEC 2023

DEC 2010

Middle school choir students performed from the study commons balcony at the 1985 Lessons and Carols.

the Study Commons in 1998. Alum Micheal Tierney came back to ESD to read a lesson during the ceremony.

Seniors and upper school choir members Donna Knight and Kate Skotchdople performed “O Holy Night at Lessons and Carols in 2010. “O Holy Night“ continues to be one of the fan-favorite performances to this day.

Senior Stephen Swann read Luke 2:8-16 at the 2023 Lessons and Carols Ceremony on Dec. 13.

Beau McKnight | Asst. web editor