The Knight Times / April 2024 Issue 9

THE KNIGHT TIMES

JULIA SHERMAN Production Editor

The Senior Class had a Preparing for College Life (PCL) session on April 3, which consisted of numerous classes to choose from two weeks before the date.

PCL was created to help seniors have a seamless transition to college, informing them of all the different aspects of college life from learning differences and summer jobs to multiple opportunities. There were seven different sessions with numerous speakers who were current faculty, alumni, college counselors, and directors from colleges.

At the start of the 5A period, All students met in the Scurlock Gym for a brief rundown, then broke out into groups in B building. Numerous classes were offered like Academic Transition and Managing Learning Differences with Ms. Monica Lopez, Mrs. Jess Adams, and Mr. John Drexel; Coping with College Stress with Ms. Hope Young and Ms. Beth Luvisia; Get Me to the Greek: Procedures and Experiences of Fraternities and Sororities with Mrs. Julie Rollins, Mr. Max Peraza, and Ms. Kathryn DeWitt; and Living the Good Life: Residential Options & Considerations with Mrs. Courtney Lindloff, Mr. Michael Codrington, and Ms. Stephanie Colson.

Numerous other classes were also offered, like how to manage time, banking and money management, summer jobs and internship opportunities, and sorority and fraternity advice. These breakout sessions helped seniors move into the college process without stress and provided sources to reach out to during the process.

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Energy drinks and facts everyone needs to know

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EHS sports are in for a strong SPC

Students, faculty, and staff take time to watch the celestial event

JULIA SHERMAN Production Editor

“On April 8, the Episcopal High School community gathered on campus to watch a rare event, a solar eclipse. Students and faculty started in the Underwood Theatre with a live feed from Georgetown, Texas, part of the path of totality, featuring Mr. Justin Hickey, astronomy and physics teacher, and a group of students. Everyone then headed outside to watch the eclipse.”

Learn more about the Solar Eclipse on Page 2

raises money for Make-a-Wish Foundation

SIMONA KARANI Staff Writer

The annual “Dude Be Nice Week” was hosted by Student Council and Mrs. Courtney Lindloff and took place the week of April 8. By collaborating with the Makea-Wish Foundation, the goal of this week was to increase the impact the contributions made. Each day featured a different activity that all benefitted making Olivia’s wish come true. Olivia is a 12-year-old girl who was diagnosed with leukemia. Her wish is to go to Hawaii because it is the only place where she feels the opposite of sick. Student Council was very excited to bring “Dude Be Nice Week” to another level, preparing in advance and discussing how they could make this special week one to remember, with new activities and surpsies for the community.

On Monday, since it was a solar eclipse day, the community strived to “Block Out Bullying.” Themed shirts were sold during lunch and friendship bracelet stations were available. During the hour-long break, the Epsicopal community learned about and watched the solar eclipse. Glasses were given out to viw the event safely, and popsicles were available for students and faculty to enjoy. Chalk and games like cornhole were also offered.

A bake sale took place on Tuesday and all proceeds received went toward the Makea-Wish Foundation. Wednesday featured a

DJ during lunch with the option to pay to request a song. Again, all donations went toward the fundraiser.

“You Lift Me Up” balloons were sold on Thursday during both lunch periods. The EHS community was invited to write supportive messages on the balloons to gift to

friends. Not only that, but there were also Make-a-Wish Stars which were all added to the EHS Wish Wall. To finish out the week, there was a Pickleball Championship in honor of Olivia, since she enjoys playing pickleball. Big Break Cookies were also served during break.

Senior Emerson Rippstein and junior Grace Gray help pass out solar eclipse glasses to students and faculty after the presentation in the Underwood Theatre. Photo by Sloane Wallace.

Gwen Leach, Zoe Anwar, Mary Evelyn Bullock, Charlotte Mehnert, and Kariana Carlson make friendship bracelets during Dude Be Nice Week. Photo by Mr. Charles Holt.

JULES WEINSTEIN

Slice of π

Writer

Guest

Hello, my name is Jules Weinstein, and I’m the Social Media Coordinator of Math Club! We hope everyone is finishing the year strong in their math classes this fourth quarter. Now for the latest math news!

During the first weekend of March, two EHS teams consisting of 10 juniors and seniors competed in the consecutive 14-hour national M3 math modeling challenge sponsored by MathWorks and the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM). Students were pushed to the limits of their knowledge of math while they worked as a team to tackle real-world problems like those faced by professional mathematicians working in industry. Our team of seniors was chosen to advance to the second round. Only 128 of the 655 teams that submitted viable solution papers – about 20% – were selected to advance to the second round of judging. Congratulations to both our teams. You may recall that we had five teams, each consisting of four juniors and seniors, compete in the Annual Interna-

tional High School Mathematical Contest in Modeling (HiMCM) sponsored by the Consortium for Mathematics and its Applications (COMAP). The teams chose from two modeling problems offered and worked within the contest window of November 1-14, 2023, to construct their solutions. A total of 967 teams, representing 417 schools and 18 countries/regions, competed. While our teams were successful participants, one team received Honorable Mention. Their solution report indicated an above average effort in addressing all problem requirements and contained elements judged to show sound and supported processes in modeling and problem solving, analysis, conclusions, and communication of results.

Math Club and Mu Alpha Theta had their last meeting of the year on April 10 when officer elections for 2024-2025 were held. Thank you to all our candidates, and our incoming officers will be announced next month. There are numerous STEM summer opportunities that are listed in the Math Club CANVAS page, or you can ask Dr. P. for more information. Don’t forget to follow @ehsmathclub on Instagram and Twitter!

CHASE HUTCHINS Guest Writer

Spring arts exhibit showcases extraordinary student creations

ALEXANDER GONZALES Staff Writer

The 2024 Spring Student Exhibition at Episcopal High School showcased student creativity, ingenuity, and expression through studio and media arts. The exhibition reception and awards ceremony took place on Wednesday, April 17, from 6 to 8 p.m., and the awards ceremony started at 6:45 p.m. in USC.

Two judges reviewed the work and chose first, second, and third places and four honorable mentions in the following categories: two-dimensional art, threedimensional art and photography. This exhibition served as a captivating platform for EHS studio and media arts students to unveil their diverse talents.

Students from all levels of Ceramics, Sculpture, Mixed Media, Drawing, Painting and Photography classes have work in the show. The exhibition is a proud encapsulation of EHS students’ hard work and a testament to the individual artistic expression nurtured in the Arts Pillar. This event empowers students to cultivate their portfolios and embrace creative experimentation. The exhibition is a significant outlet for students to see their work evaluated and appreciated by others.

The works were installed in the USC Gallery, Underwood Library, and the

LRC building, inviting family and friends to immerse themselves in each student's wide-ranging displays.

These exhibits are of access to all EHS associates and are especially accessible to students in the USC interested in exploring student-created artworks.

Knights celebrate solar eclipse Lessons in

CLARA CRENSHAW Managing Editor

On Monday, April 8, the Episcopal High School community came together to watch the Solar Eclipse. STUCO planned a “Black Out Bullying” event for Dude be Nice Week that included learning about eclipses, watching the actual eclipse, and fun eclipse activities.

During the event, the school gathered to learn about the science of eclipses, presented by Mr. Eric Avera and Mr. John Flanagan. Afterwards, everyone gathered outside with their solar eclipse glasses and watched the eclipse together. Popsicles, chalk, and music were provided for everyone to enjoy.

Physics and astronomy teacher Mr. Justin Hickey took students on a field trip to Georgetown, TX, where they experienced totality, which was livestreamed at the school event.

“Mrs. Holter and I feel so lucky that I barely even had to travel to see it. It was an incredibly special moment for me, not only to experience it for myself but to get to share it with so many of my students. Seeing this celestial event made me feel connected to everything that is happening outside of this little planet we live on,” said Mr. Hickey.

All members of the student body were so excited to witness the great event, and the school was thankful for the experience.

Wisdom is essential in today's fast-paced world, offering insight and discernment for navigating life's complexities. It plays a crucial role in decision-making, enabling thoughtful consideration of long-term consequences and ethical implications, especially in a society where instant gratification drives its members. Additionally, wisdom significantly contributes to interpersonal relationships, fostering empathy, understanding, and effective communication, which leads to stronger connections and peaceful conflict resolution. It also enhances emotional resilience, helping individuals manage stress, cope with challenges, and maintain perspective amidst adversity, crucial for mental well-being and life satisfaction. Importantly, wisdom is not limited by age or experience; individuals of all backgrounds can cultivate wisdom through reflection, learning from mistakes, and seeking diverse perspectives. This univer-

sal relevance of wisdom enriches every aspect of our lives, empowering us to make sound decisions, nurture meaningful relationships, improve emotional wellbeing, and contribute to a more harmonious society, ultimately paving the way for a brighter and more fulfilling future.

Episcopal High School provides a safe environment where all students can gain wisdom through its Four Pillars. Photo courtesy of privateschoolreview.com.

Select student artwork can be viewed in many locations, starting April 17. Image courtesy of Mrs. Kate Philbrick.

Sophomores Emma McFarland and Adrienne Smith enjoy popsicles while watching the solar eclipse. The school provided fun activities and refreshments for the students and staff to enjoy while outside. Photo by Sloane Wallace.

HOT TAKES

with ANGELINA FERTITTA

ANGELINA FERTITA Staff Writer

The U.S average time spent by users on TikTok exceeds 82 minutes per day. Embarrassingly, my screen time surpasses that average, and I’d be willing to bet that many of my fellow classmates share my predicament.

About a month ago, the House of Representatives passed legislation essentially giving TikTok an ultimatum of six months to either find a new buyer or be banned nationwide in the U.S., mainly because of the concern that foreign powers such as the Chinese government could potentially be using TikTok to influence and spy on Americans.

Our generation often retorts, “I have nothing they could steal anyway.” Yet, I argue that the controversial stance that having TikTok banned might be benefi-

cial. TikTok collects unsettling amounts of user data such as location and browsing history to improve its services and keep users hooked on the app by showing content that most appeals to the user.

This has led to people spending hours mindlessly scrolling, which has a huge impact on physical and mental health, concentration, and grades. Furthermore, this platform has led to the promotion of cancel culture and cyberbullying, which risks perpetuating a toxic culture of online harassment.

TikTok has limited content moderation policies which often leads to the spread of misinformation and fake news. Individuals share biased and shocking content simply for virality, but they perpetuate falsehoods that the public then believes. Taking all of this into consideration, it might not be a bad thing if the popular app were to be banned.

NHS installs new officer positions

MORGAN HEROD

Co-Editor in Chief

On March 27, the EHS National Honor Society held a meeting in the library for the 2024-2025 officer elections. Students were encouraged to speak to their classmates as to why they should be considered for an officer role. Then, all members had the opportunity to vote for the candidates deemed most fit.

NHS is an organization that strives to recognize students who go above and beyond in academics, character, leadership, and more. To receive an accepted application, one must maintain a 3.7 grade point average. Juniors who qualify apply during the spring semester, while eligible seniors apply during the fall semester.

The highly anticipated election results were sent to the NHS student body via email on April 3. Serving as NHS President is Drew Nobel, Libby Davis will be Vice-President, Aidan Murphy will serve

as Parliamentarian; Secretary-Treasurer will be Asher Luengas;, and John Ray fills the slot of Historian-Publications Chair. These officers are preparing for the year ahead as they face their new leadership role head on.

Current president Daphne Melton said about the election, “I really like that we make the candidates give speeches because it gives them the opportunity to practice an important life skill and skills they will use if elected,” claiming that the elections “give our candidates the chance to show the NHS members who they are at their core.”

Along with the officers, students in NHS hold themselves to a high standard. It is imperative that good grades and decisions are made in order to uphold the NHS membership guidelines. Service is imperative, and members are required to have at least 20 hours, or four hours per semester. Once inducted, it is required that they sustain their commitment to service.

Awards Chapel honors student artists

SIMONA KARNANI Staff Writer

This year, the Arts Awards Chapel was held Tuesday, April 16. It was a long chapel in Underwood Theatre to honor EHS students involved in the Arts Pillar.

This is a special event for the whole community since it only occurs once a year, and everyone is encouraged to help celebrate and recognize these artists.

Dean of Arts Mr. Paul Revaz remarked, “Since it is a once-a-year event, we want to make it special for the entire school.”

The event combines all six arts programs - Dance, Music, Theatre, Media Arts, Publications, and Studio Arts. During the celebration, the heads of the programs recognize the nominees and the winners of various awards. The winners of the awards

receive a glass trophy to remember their accomplishments. The trophy is engraved with their name, the awarded recognition, and the year.

All nominees and recipients are invited onto the stage and are congratulated for their achievements. By recognizing all nominees, it gives the community a chance to see the faces behind the art displayed throughout the school.

Mr. Revaz added, “The intent across the entire event is to recognize those students who, through their commitment to their craft, had exemplary contributions in the arts.”

Throughout the Chapel, more than 60 awards were presented. Due to the variety and differences in the curriculum and expectations of each arts program, the awards categories are separated by program.

Music

Department unveils vocal and instrumental spring arts concerts

REED Staff Writer

As the spring season began, the Music Department has been working tirelessly on the upcoming Spring Concert and Masterworks.

The concert featured performances from the band, choir, and orchestra and had a spring theme. According to Performing Arts Chair Mr. Garmon Ashby, it is because “spring is an optimistic time of the year,” and it also contrasts with the Halloween theme of the last main concert, Hauntcert.

The event was divided into two parts. The band and orchestra performed a couple of pieces in the Underwood Theatre, and after intermission, the choir sang in

Benitez Chapel. Most of the pieces were ensembles or groups of instruments. One of the Choir pieces, the cantata “Rejoice in the Lamb,” featured solo singers and percussion.

Mr. Ashby stated that one of the biggest accomplishments of the Music Program this year is the instrumental ensemble’s “wonderfully polished performance in Hauntcert and the choir’s great music at Advent Chapel”.

In preparation, the program has been rehearsing some of the music since the fall. The choir’s most favorite songs were “The Echoing Green” and the sea shanty “The Coasts of High Barbary.”

Mr. Ashby and Music Coordinator Mr. Joe Beam put in a great amount of effort to make this an amazing concert that the EHS community could enjoy.

VANESSA

NHS inducted new junior members and recognized senior members. Photos by Morgan Maxwell.

Dance Program Coordinator Ms. Karen Pfeifer announces awards for Izzy Proler and Ella Bennett with the assistance of Performing Arts Chair Mr. Garmon Ashby during the Arts Awards Chapel. Photo by Mr. Charles Holt.

Student-choreographed dance concert On the Move takes off

CAROLINE JOHNSON Staff Writer

Since the auditions in December, EHS’s dancers have been hard at work preparing for their student-choreographed dance concert entitled On the Move. After months of practice, the artists finally performed their spring show April 12-13 at 7:00 p.m.

Featured were 13 dances choreographed by 16 different students, grades 10-12. The concert ended with a tribute piece featuring seniors in the dance program.

Rehearsals for the performance began in early January and continued until tech started in late March. During that time, the lighting decisions for each individual dance were made, and the dancers were able to finally practice on the stage. The week before the show dates, dress rehearsals in full costume, hair, and makeup occurred, and the finishing touches to the concert perfected the dances.

Bloome, Grace Bauch, Lauren Bohn, Sophie Marshall, Izzy Proler, and Ella Bennett. They created dances with a variety of styles, including jazz, lyrical, and ballet. The EHS community was completely wowed by the dance program’s production. Songs like “Telephone” by Lady Gaga and “Alien Superstar” by Beyonce are among some of the crowd’s favorite tunes featured in the line-up. As far as choreography goes, many people adored senior dance captain Emma Schoppa’s cohesive jazz dance, featuring partnering work from Myles Patterson and Scarlett DuBose. Freshman Knight and Elevate dancer Ana Anzola shared her praise for the piece by saying, “Emma really did a great job with that dance. It was super cool to be able to watch it on stage with the lighting and costumes. Performing in the show was so fun, and I can’t wait to be in next year’s.”

Student-directed One-Acts take the stage in directorial debuts

SIMONA KARANI Staff Writer

To round off the theatre season, the Student-Directed One-Act Plays are upcoming and anticipated within the EHS community. The performances will be held on Thursday and Friday, April 25-26 at 7:00pm in the Underwood Theatre. This year, the program brings The Midnight Caller by Horton Foote, directed by junior Brooke Crabtree; A Game by Dennis E. Noble, directed by junior Tait Love; and A Little Princess by R.N. Sandberg, directed by sophomore MK King.

The Theatre program has had a wellreceived season so far, with Nevermore in the fall, followed by Treasure Island and more recently the musical, The Drowsy Chaperone. Student-Directed One-Acts

are all directed by members of one of the classes taught by Theatre Program Coordinator Mr. George Brock. The class, Directing for the Stage, prepares these students to effectively block and direct plays. In a semester class, the first part of the semester consists of selecting plays students are interested in as well as learning everything there is to know about directing. Directors have to make plans and decide what they are looking for in their cast before auditions, which are held in March. After auditions, the group collectively decides and narrows down cast lists.

The plays are short, somewhere between 25-45 minutes, and actors work for six weeks to bring the production to life.

This annual tradition as part of the theatre program is something everyone is invited to come out and support.

For every piece in the show, the students selected to have their own dances chose the music, costumes, and choreography for their number. These Knights were Gracie Garcia, Carina Garza, Berkeley Deutsch, Alex Sonsino, Scarlett DuBose, Jules Weinstein, Alexa Choi, Lili Shore, Emma Schoppa, Abby Horn, Ashley

However, the spring dance concert brought mixed emotions to Episcopal’s dance program. While the Knights were elated to put on another amazing show, it also meant that dance teachers Ms. Karen Pfeifer and Ms. Lexi Blake were forced to say “goodbye” to their beloved senior dancers. Although it was a very emotional process, EHS dance was able to go out with a bang with their last performance of the year.

New STUCO officers selected

THOMPSON WHITE Sports Editor

As the school year comes to a close, preparation for student leadership for the next school year is widely considered, specifically the roles of new Student Council officers.

These positions carry with them no small tasks, and it takes time, courage, and effort to be a member of STUCO. With the opportunity to shape the future of Episcopal High School, candidates geared up to show their leadership potential and dedication to serving their community. After all the votes had been tabulated, the election winners and their official titles were announced. The 2024-2025 leaders will be President Kyriaki Postolos, VicePresident-Ethan Lahoti, Secretary Adam Choi, and Parliamentarian Thompson White.

Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors

gathered in Benitez Chapel to hear the candidates’ speeches. During this, each aspiring leader offered a glimpse into his or her vision and goals for EHS during his or her time as leaders. From plans to foster a stronger sense of community to innovative ideas for improving student life, the candidates were ready to brighten the future.

After the speeches, students had the opportunity to meet with their advisories and learn more about their potential future leaders. Resumes and videos highlighting candidates’ lives at EHS were on display, providing students some insight into the experiences and qualifications of those striving to attain leadership roles.

The official speeches took place during class meetings. This was a candidates’ final opportunity to showcase a vision for EHS. It was also a great time to connect with peers and rally support for campaigns.

Sage advice for exam prep

ANYA PANT Opinions Editor

With finals getting closer and closer, it’s perfectly normal for students to feel stressed or overwhelmed. When the year ends, homework loads inevitably rise, and the daunting task of figuring out how to start studying for final exams is usually shoved to the back of most people’s minds. Though it can feel like big pressure on students to finish off the year strong and do amazing on their final exams, Episcopal has many resources available in order to make the finals week experience easier and less stressful.

The first place to start when trying to tackle finals nerves is getting a good study schedule. When asked what the best time is to start studying for finals, Mrs. Jenny Cantrell of the Academic Assistance Office said that an optimal time to start

would be about a month prior to the first final. Academic Assistance held an event on April 23-24 to help students craft a study schedule that would give them a good amount of time to thoroughly review all material. Information is retained better in chunks, so EHS Academic Assistance will work to help curate personalized study schedules for all who would like to participate in the workshops. Some recommended ways to study are going to tutorials, reviewing old tests, and going to the counselor if overly stressed. In addition to preparation for finals, Mrs. Cantrell also offered some tips on ways to succeed on the day of a final. She recommended starting the day with a healthy, non-sugar breakfast to keep energy up. If a student arrives to school early, it is recommended that instead of going inside the testing center, go for a walk to calm the nerves.

Image courtesy of Ms. Karen Pfeifer.

EHS’ Student Council officers present and future: President Breylan Thompson, President-elect Kyriaki Postolos, Vice-President Reagan Gabel, Vice-President-elect Ethan Lahoti, Secretary-elect Adam Choi, Parliamentarian Emerson Rippstein, and Parliamentarian-elect Thompson White. Photo courtesy of Mr. Charles Holt. Case Crenshaw ‘26 studies for his finals in Underwood Library. Photo by Liz Burke .

Priya Parekh, Sofia Kennedy, and Brooklyn Hermance play their roles in the Student-Directed One-Act The Midnight Caller, directed by Brooke Crabtree. Photo by Avalon Bell.

Released on March 22, 2024, Hozier’s new album Unheard has officially hit the charts with numerous iconic songs, one of the most well-known being “Too Sweet.”

Unheard is an album that truly shows Hozier’s poetic lyrics, as he’s seen as such a lyrical genius from his most famous song “Take Me to Church,” released in 2014. Out of the songs on this album, “Too Sweet” is the one song that has become highly addictive to listeners everywhere. The mysterious and upbeat guitar makes it a song that people repeat.

“Too Sweet” is truly just about love. In a deeper sense the song goes into the details of the rejection by the perfect girl. The song continues to talk about how sweet this one innocent girl is, but he prefers his

with JULIA SHERMAN

“coffee black,” and he prefers bitterness, while trying to deal with the rejection.

In his past songs he seems to praise this girl’s sweetness but now seems to reject it. He mentions that this woman is “bright as the morning, soft as the rain, pretty as a vine, as sweet as a grape.” Although the song sounds sweet and soft, there is a presence of Hozier’s aggressiveness that he normally does not incorporate into his music. The song shows his coming of age as it reveals a more realistic side of accepting the differences between himself and another. Although he mentions, “You’re too sweet for me,” he is not trying to come across as romantic or complimentary but is simply saying that their lifestyles are just different.

VANESSA

REED Staff Writer

At EHS, consent is an important topic. That’s why we have a program called CARE - Consent, Advocacy, and Refusal Education.

CARE was inspired by a group of recent EHS graduates in the summer of 2018. Their mission is to understand consent and that it is about the worth and dignity

Editor

La France a une relation unique avec les pays de l’Afrique de l’Ouest. En effet, plusieurs de ces pays étaient autrefois des colonies françaises qui comptent aujourd’hui le français comme langue officielle et utilisent l’argent qui est attaché à l’euro appelé le CFA france. Il existe aussi d’autres liens économiques entre l’Exagone et ces pays. Les ressources comme l’uranium sont très rentables pour les entreprises françaises, mais beaucoup de gens critiquent la France pour son exploitation de ce précieux métal dans Niger et Burkina Faso. Additionnellement, certains pays comme la Guinée et la Côte d’Ivoire sont attachés à l’économie de la France, ce qui pose des problèmes lorsque les besoins économiques de cette dernière diffèrent de ceux de la Guinea ou de la Côte d’Ivoire. De plus, la France a toujours soutenu des régimes qui opprimaient leur peuple afin de maintenir son influence sur le continent.

Même si la plupart de nous considère le terrorisme islamiste comme un problème au Moyen-Orient, le conflit contre les groupes comme Al-Qaeda et ISIS se concentre désormais en Afrique de l’Ouest. Plus particulièrement, la région Saharienne est une région sous la menace de terrorisme. Ce combat a été un facteur majeur qui a déstabilisé cette partie du continent Africain. Cette région est surnommée la « ceinture de coups d’Etats » à cause des renversements constants des administrations, principalement par les militaires.

Ces conflits ont provoqué de l’animosité entre la France et certains pays comme le Mali et le Burkina Faso, qui dorénavant, voient la Russie comme un allié. Les

dictatures militaires africaines du Mali, du Niger et du Burkina Faso ont pour projet d’unir leur défense et leurs économies pour rivaliser avec l’influence française. Cependant, la France a dû quitter plusieurs de ces pays où elle disposait d’une présence militaire importante.

France has a unique relationship with West African countries. Many were colonies of France, and therefore speak French and use French money, as well as having other economic ties with France. Resources like uranium are very profitable for French companies, but many criticize France for its perceived exploitation. These countries are attached to the French economy, and this poses problems when the needs of the French economy differ from those of Guinea or Ivory Coast. Furthermore, France has always supported oppressive regimes to maintain its influence on the continent.

Although most of us see Islamic terrorism as a Middle Eastern problem, the conflict against groups like Al-Qaeda and ISIS is now concentrated in West Africa. In particular, the Sahara is a region under threat of terrorism. This fight has been a major factor in the region’s destabilization. The region is called the coup belt because of the constant overthrow of government, primarily by the military. This has caused animosity between France and countries like Mali and Burkina Faso, and now they see Russia as an ally. The African military dictatorships of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso plan to unite militaries and economies to compete with French influence. France has had to leave several of these countries where it had a significant military presence.

of an individual. These values are deeply embedded in the Christian faith and EHS’s mission, and it is important for the EHS community to understand the importance of consent in relationships.

“We must respect it in order to preserve the dignity of the person saying no,” said Mrs. Rachel Lopez, CARE co-chair.

Mr. Mike Domitrz, a guest speaker for consent, has made an impact across the world for parents, teenagers, families, educational institutions, the US military, and the media, and recently spoke to the student body. Domitrz is one of the leading experts in transforming our sexual culture to one built on consent and respect. His mission is based on a personal experience. When his sister was sexually assaulted, Domitrz became committed to reducing sexual violence and began speaking to communities to spread awareness.

In 2022, Mike was one of 5 speakers to be inducted into the National Speakers Association Hall of Fame. In 2020, he became a Certified Virtual Presenter and in 2008, he earned the Certified Speaking Designation. Mike has also been quoted in major publications such as The Wall Street Journal. He was also a featured expert on Dateline NBC’s “My Kid Would Never Do That” series.

Episcopal will continue to invite Mr. Dormitz and The Center for Respect for upcoming years.

With the 2024 Met Gala quickly approaching, it’s a great time to reflect on past Met Gala looks - the good, the bad, and the ugly.

It’s a testament to Blake Lively’s creative prowess that she consistently delivers on the Met Gala themes. Her standout look, widely regarded as her best, was for the 2022 Gala themed In America: An Anthology of Fashion. She donned a breathtaking Versace copper and turquoise gown, a tribute to the Statue of Liberty.

Equally memorable was Cardi B’s appearance at the 2018 Gala Heavenly Bodies, where she radiated elegance in a

by Clara Crenshaw

Jeremy Scott pearl-embellished gown, all while seven months pregnant.

The best theme recently was 2019’s Camp: Notes on Fashion. Best dressed that year included Lady Gaga and her four outfit changes, Kim Kardashian in Thierry Mugler, and Katy Perry dressed as a burger.

The 2024 Met Gala theme is Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion, and the official dress code is “The Garden of Time.” While the theme and dress code will be interpreted in many different ways, we can expect to see a variety of florals and spring colors.

CAMPBELL RICHARDSON Copy

Singer Hozier performs at one of his concerts. Photo courtesy of radiotimes.com.

Blake Lively walks the red carpet at the 2022 Met Gala. Photo courtesy of elle.com.

Mike Domitrz speaks for the Center for Respect organization. Photo courtesy of centerforrespect.com.

Harmful Ingredients and Nutritional Info

Energy drinks are marketed as a “quick fix” for fatigue and a boost to performance. Though, these “convenient” beverages often contain harmful ingredients that have the ability to wreak havoc on one’s health.

High levels of caffeine, sometimes equivalent to multiple cups of coffee, can lead to increased heart rate, anxiety, and insomnia. These drinks also contain excessive sugar content, which can contribute to weight gain and spiked blood sugar levels. Synthetic additives such as taurine and guarana can cause “adverse” reactions, including headaches and digestive problems. Additionally, the acidity of the drinks can erode tooth enamel over time, leading to dental problems.

Consuming these beverages regularly has been linked to health issues, including cardiovascular problems, kidney damage, and even increased risk of substance abuse.

Energy Drinks

EHS’ Energy Drink Poll and Statistics

Energy drinks have become a popular alternative to water and sodas, especially among students. The Knight Times ran a poll to analyze whether Episcopal students consume energy drinks, and out of the more than 140 respondents, 92 said they do. Those who responded to the positive were relatively limited in their consumption, though, only drinking one or two a week, and only 7% drink five or more a week. Most drank in the morning, with roughly a third only drinking them in the early hours of the day.

Breaking this data down by grade shows energy drinks are most popular among seniors, with percentages falling as one goes down the grade levels. In addition, seniors also drink more regularly, with over 37% reporting drinking three to four times per week compared to freshmen who rarely drink more than two weekly.

Specific brands were also distinguished. Choices include big names such as Red Bull, Celsius, Monster, and Alani Nu. Celsius was by far the most popular choice, getting 26%, followed by Red Bull, Alani Nu, Monster, and a single vote for Bang. Celsius and Alani Nu were both found more often among female consumers, whereas boys were more evenly split between Celsius, Monster, and Red Bull. Looking at the results by gender shows a clear distinction: girls show a 60% regular consumption as opposed to the boys’ roughly 45%.

Campus Store and Alternative Energy

Energy drinks have become a popular choice among students at Episcopal High School, with the campus store selling over 100 V8 energy drinks daily.

In an exclusive interview with Ms. Jena Gobea of the campus store, it was learned that the store has sold an impressive 11,589 V8 energy drinks this year alone. What sets V8 Energy drinks apart from other brands?

According to Ms. Gobea, the key difference lies in the source of energy. Unlike many other energy drinks that derive their energy from chemicals, V8 Energy drinks get their kick from green tea. This natural source of energy is not only healthier but also aligns with EHS’s commitment to providing students with safe and nutritious options.

Ms. Gobea emphasized the store’s strict policy when it comes to selecting energy drinks for sale.

“That’s the only energy drink we sell because we will not sell one if the energy comes from chemicals. We do the research and if it says it’s bad for teenagers to drink, we do not buy it and resell it,” she explained.

This commitment to student health and well-being is commendable, reflecting the school’s overall dedication to creating a healthy campus environment. As students continue to rely on energy drinks to power through their busy schedules, they must be aware of what they are consuming. Choosing V8 Energy drinks not only provides a natural energy boost but also supports a healthier lifestyle.

Most Popular Energy Drink Brands

Frequency of Consumption

Rising Energy Drink Popularity

Energy drinks are becoming more and more popularized in today’s society, offering a quick energy boost that’s perfect for a person on the go. However, the drink beneath the flashy packaging has many negative health effects, so what’s driving individuals to continue reaching for them?

For starters, the flashy packaging is often misleading, and the labels are sometimes hard to understand. Many people are drinking harmful ingredients without knowing. Companies also often promote their drinks as symbols of adventure and excitement, marketing especially to adolescents. From sponsoring extreme sports events to partnering with celebrities, these companies try to create a narrative about their energy drinks that resonates with their audience.

Another reason people, especially students, will drink these drinks is to keep up with their workload and busy schedule after minimal hours of sleep. Teens today get on average of six hours of sleep a night when they’re supposed to get a recommended eight. With the ever-increasing demands of work, school, and social life, people often feel they don’t have enough energy, and energy drinks are a quick fix.

Artificial Energy: The Way of the Future

Energy drinks are becoming more and more popularized in today’s society, offering a quick energy boost that’s perfect for a person on the go. However, the drink beneath the flashy packaging has many negative health effects, so what’s driving individuals to continue reaching for them?

For starters, the flashy packaging is often misleading, and the labels are sometimes hard to understand. Many people are drinking harmful ingredients without knowing. Companies also often promote their drinks as symbols of adventure and excitement, marketing especially to adolescents. From sponsoring extreme sports events to partnering with celebrities, these companies try to create a narrative about their energy drinks that resonates with their audience.

Social Media and Celebrity Marketing

Energy drink companies have mastered the art of captivating teenagers, evident in the fact that over a third of adolescents aged 12 to 17 regularly consume their products.

Another reason people, especially students, will drink these drinks is to keep up with their workload and busy schedule after minimal hours of sleep. Teens today get on average of six hours of sleep a night when they’re supposed to get a recommended eight. With the ever-increasing demands of work, school, and social life, people often feel they don’t have enough energy, and energy drinks are a quick fix.

Their marketing strategies target the younger demographic mainly through leveraging the allure of athletes, celebrities, and social media influencers. Take for instance the admiration younger boys have for their pro athlete idols. Figures like Brazilian football sensation Neymar, who has a staggering 142 million Instagram followers, have deals with brands like Red Bull, and Youtuber turned WWE superstar Logan Paul has had success in as the founder of PRIME. Yet the allure extends far beyond. From reality tv star Kim Kardashian’s collaboration with Alani, actor Dwayne Johnson’s ZOA, and TikTok star Josh Richards and Bryce Hall’s Ani energy, celebrities are influencing the younger demographic on every platform every day. Beyond just celebrity endorsements, these companies have tapped into the desires of today’s youth. Whether it’s pulling an all nighter to finish homework, seeking a boost in energy for sports performance, revving up metabolism, or sharpening concentration, the energy drink market cleverly caters to the aspirations and lifestyles of younger consumers.

Entertainment

Nicki’s Pink Friday 2 tour has begun with its first of 59 shows

JULIA SHERMAN

Production Editor

On November 17, 2023, Nicki Minaj officially told the public that she would be going on her fourth worldwide tour, and fifth tour overall. The tour, Pink Friday

Nicki Minaj performs in concert in one of her many iconic looks. Photo courtesy of lindaikejisblog.com.

2 World Tour, started on March 1 of this year and ends on June 7.

The last time she went on tour was The Pinkprint Tour in 2014-2015.

The tour, in honor of her fifth studio album Pink Friday 2 released in 2023, is a huge hit as fans were waiting for this event. The setlist includes 38 songs from various iconic albums, like Pink Friday, Pink Friday 2, Queen, The Pinkprint, We Go Up, Red Ruby Da Sleeze, Barbie World, and My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. Minaj performed multiple iconic songs, one being “Chun-Li.”

Although Minaj was supposed to take the stage around 8:00pm for the Houston leg of her tour, she appeared around 10:00pm and came out, surprisingly, in a Barbie box. Throughout her set, there were moments of creativity, and she shook the crowd. Minaj performed her iconic verse on Kanye West’s “Monster,” one of her songs with Jay-Z and Rick Ross that brought her into the rap industry. It still stands as one of the most well-known rap verses of the last 15 years, and fans were beyond excited to see her perform it. Ending the second set with “Starships,” one of her most iconic songs, Minaj had the fans asking for more, and she ended her concert with an encore from Pink Friday 2 - “Everybody.”

Bob Marley: One Love is a heartfelt tribute to the

famous reggae icon

Bob Marley: One Love was released in theatres on February 14 and has grossed almost $200 million at the box office. The movie was fantastic and earned itself an audience rating of 4.2 stars for its impactful tribute to reggae icon Bob Marley, who overcame many obstacles in life to share with the world his revolutionary music. The film didn’t shy away from portraying some of the dark parts of Marley’s life, such as his father abandoning him, he and his wife being shot, and his cancer diagnosis, yet the filmmakers still managed to keep the movie lighthearted while giving an accurate depiction of how his life was and how Marley took these obstacles and created something beautiful out of them.

The movie’s expert storytelling shows how Marley’s catchy and soulful tunes have more to them than what’s on the surface. The movie dives deep into the inspiration behind some of his greatest hits such as Exodus and War, which are filled with powerful messages about peace and freedom against injustice at the time of the Jamaican civil war.

The acting in this movie was phenomenal, and it was clearly an important aspect to the studio as Kignsley Ben-Adir was cast as Marley after a yearlong search worldwide. Furthermore, another interesting part that made the movie so great was that it also focused heavily on Marley’s wife, Rita, and how she was his confidante and protector on top of being the mother of his children.

Lashanda Lynch brought her character to life and phenomenally showed Rita Marely’s strength and talent.

Season Three of a hit Swedish show has finally been released

CAROLINE JOHNSON Staff Writer

Netflix’s hit Swedish show, Young Royals dropped its third and last season this spring, and audiences were finally able to watch the happy ending they had been waiting for since the series’ initial premier in 2021.

In the first two seasons of this Nordic masterpiece, viewers saw Wilhelm, the crown prince of Sweden (played by Edvin Ryding), navigate attending an elite boarding school and the challenges that come along with it. During his time living there, Wilhelm experiences familiar struggles like familial pressure and betrayal, while dealing with his conflicted feelings toward his classmates.

After viewers were left on a cliffhanger for almost two years, the third season hooked them back in with its heartwarming beginning and hopeful moments between all of the characters, before switching up the tone for a gut-wrenching few episodes where Wilhelm’s future as

the king of Sweden hung in the balance. However, the series finale beautifully wrapped up in the sixth and final episode of the season with a tear-jerking ending scene, a personal favorite moment of mine Young Royals, created by Lisa Ambjörn, has often been compared to the popular British comic series and Netflix show Heartstopper, however the two shows could not be of more different qualities. The perfectly written and highly emotional episodes of Young Royals put the childish plot and cringey script of Heartstopper to shame.

Only a few days after the release of its third season, Young Royals made it to the Netflix top ten in 12 countries, and it has become the fifth most popular show in Netflix history. From the impeccable writing to the beautiful soundtrack, and the incredible acting, Young Royals has it all. Its massive success even caused a documentary about the third season’s filming to be released, entitled Young Royals Forever, which has been just as well-received as its namesake.

After leaving fans of the show on a cliffhanger for nearly two years, the third season of Young Royals has finally been released and quickly climbed to Netflix’s Top 10.

courtesy of tvinsider.com.

Swift releases double album

WOOLLEY

JALYNN

Co-Editor in Chief

With the release of her eleventh studio album, her fourth release in the past two years, Taylor Swift has once again captivated fans and critics alike. The Tortured Poets Department embodies the style of Swift’s recent contributions to the music industry as a one-of-a-kind lyrical synthpop album.

The Tortured Poets Department is reminiscent of Swift’s earlier works, almost a seamless blend of electropop from her tenth studio album Midnights and the lyrical storytelling found in her eighth album Folklore

Fans have been anticipating Swift’s album ever since her surprise announcement at the 2024 Grammy’s after she received her thirteenth Grammy, a number that has become an integral for Swifties across the globe.

Swift surprised fans around the world on April 19 with a double-album release. This included the 16 original songs that Swift released the track names for in mid-March that dropped at 12:00 a.m. EST, and a bonus release that dropped at 2:00 a.m. EST called The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology. This surprise drop included an additional 15 songs, making the total listening time for both albums just over two hours.

Out of 31 carefully curated master-

pieces, a few songs particularly stood out to me. Track 5 on the album titled “So Long, London” was one of the most highly anticipated songs on record as fans speculated its ties to her recent breakup with London native, Joe Alwyn. Swifties prepared themselves for the anti-“London Boy,” and were certainly not disappointed. Another track title that certainly had fans intrigued was sixth on the album called “Daddy, I Love Him,” which had fans speculating references to Disney’s fairytale classic, The Little Mermaid. The song hints at Swift’s own path of discovery of her self-assurance and dealings with judgment in the media.

Track 24, titled “thanK you aIMee” particularly captivated listeners due to its interesting capitalization, but through deep analysis, Swifties have theorized that this song is Swift’s way of addressing her long-standing beef with A-list celebrity Kim Kardashian, as the letters of Kim’s first name are the only letters capitalized in the track title.

Swift consistently proves to bear the weight of carrying the modern music industry, and her constant devotion to new releases has only helped to grow and strengthen her massive fan base. She has yet again produced another masterpiece that the Swifties are sure to love, and her success serves as a model for what the quality and quantity of music releases can do to bolster one’s career.

Photo

Bob Marley: One Love released in theatres February 14 and has earned stellar reviews due to its powerful storytelling of Marley’s life and the impactful messages behind his most iconic reggae songs. Photo courtesy of Freestonecountytimesonline. com.

ANGELINA FERTITTA Staff Writer

Opinions

United States finds itself in a precarious position with Israel

Women’s sports captivate fans

CAMPBELL RICHARDSON Copy Editor

The United States has a reputation as Israel’s closest ally, and similar claims have been made of Israel as an American ally. The two countries almost always vote together in the United Nations. Israel is arguably the most supported of countries among America’s allies, with passionate domestic sympathy. Nevertheless, they are also one of the most controversial allies we have ever had. As the war in Gaza drags on, the present reality of America’s relationship with Israel and its history are crucial to understand and examine as this war brings a new era in this alliance.

Washington has not always been as close with Tel Aviv as it is nowadays. During the first Arab Israeli war in 1948, Israel was mostly left to defend itself against a much larger joint Arab force. America even opposed Israel in the Suez Crisis, where Israel, Britain, and France all tried to seize the canal from Egypt, as well as regarding Israel’s nuclear weapons program.

The turnaround truly began under Richard Nixon’s administration. Israel, as a mostly western-style free market democracy, was seen as a useful ally against the growing Arab nationalist and socialist movements. America and Israel’s relationship has since grown tighter, with billions a year for defense sent to Israel. Iran and groups such as Hezbollah and the Houthis are vehemently opposed to America and Israel, bringing both countries closer together.

Unfortunately, our relationship with Israel has not been entirely beneficial. Saudi Arabia is an even older ally of the United States, dating back to the 1950s. Saudi Arabia, however, has historically been entirely opposed to Israel. When the U.S. backed Israel in the Yom Kippur War, Saudi Ara-

bia was among the major oil producing nations that embargoed the U.S., leaving the United States in an oil crisis.

While Israel is not necessarily to blame for the embargo or other animosities against the United States, there is still the question of how much is it worth. That brings us to the modern day, with the current conflict in Gaza.

Biden is one of the most pro-Israel presidents in history, being quite vocal about his support for Zionism even as far back as his time as a senator. This attitude has mostly continued, in line with the majority of his party. At the same time, America’s role in this war and the Israel-Palestine conflict has come under more scrutiny than ever, especially from the more progressive elements of the left. Michigan, an important swing state, has a particularly significant Middle Eastern population who usually make a solid blue voting bloc, but Biden’s actions as of late could threaten his reputation.

In response, the Biden administration has started to pull some of the brakes with regards to their support of Israel. Democratic lawmakers have levied statements of criticism against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing government. Concerns have been raised about the impact of Israel’s occupation in Gaza, and now with a possible invasion of Rafah, Biden seems more skeptical than ever of their actions.

That said, in terms of optics, these might be too little too late for many voters. Biden has seemingly alienated much of his young, progressive voter base, while possibly also losing support from pro-Israel liberals and centrists who might see this as an abandonment of an ally. How this will affect the war going forward or even the 2024 election has yet to be seen.

Will eBooks make physical books a thing of the past?

In a world where technology dictates every aspect of our lives, from the way we communicate to the way we work and entertain ourselves, the question of physical books becoming obsolete is an entirely valid one. In the past decade, the popularization of eBooks, audiobooks, and various digital reading platforms has changed the landscape of reading by offering the option of convenience, instant access to endless books, and portability. However, I believe that physical books hold a unique place in our culture that cannot be replicated by their digital counterparts.

Before discussing why physical books will not go obsolete, it is important to acknowledge the other side of the argument. People who support digital books often argue that they are more environmentally friendly, lighter, and more user friendly as there are options to change font sizes. However, physical books hold many qualities that eBooks are unable to replicate, one of them being the tactile experience of reading physical books. The tangible feeling of holding a book and feeling the weight of it while encountering the texture of the pages and the smell of ink create an immersive experience that

makes readers feel as though they have an in-depth connection to the text. All these qualities of physical books help to create a unique moment for each reader. Furthermore, physical books provide us with a haven from the consistent distractions of living in a world run by technology. In a society where we are constantly receiving notifications and updates from our devices, picking up a physical book allows us to live in the moment and offers a break from relentless connectivity. Without distractions, reading physical books encourages focus and concentration, giving the reader a more comprehensive reading experience. Additionally, physical books hold a lot of sentimental value, Over time, they have the opportunity to become cherished possessions full of annotations and bookmarks that tell us a little about its history. Passing down books is a tradition that spans across generations and creates connections and shared experiences.

While digital books have some undeniable benefits, physical books offer the reader a unique and irreplaceable reading experience by providing connections to the text, holding significant cultural value, and fostering bonds between families for countless generations. The impact of physical books cannot be understated, and therefore makes sure that physical books will not be going obsolete any time soon.

JALYNN WOOLLEY Co-Editor-in-Chief

Over the past few years, women’s sports viewership has skyrocketed. Countless viewership records for women’s athletic events have recently been shattered, which calls into question - what is the cause for these sudden surges in interest and whether or not this interest will be sustained.

On April 7, 18.7 million enthusiastic women’s basketball fans from across the country gathered on their couches to watch the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship game, setting a new viewership record for women’s college basketball, and setting a five-year high for all basketball broadcasts. ESPN’s previously most watched basketball game featured Game 7 of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals between the Cavaliers and the Celtics, which only gathered 13.5 million viewers.

This year’s face off between South Carolina and Iowa and its featured superstar Caitlin Clark, who recently became the Division I all-time leading scorer across men’s and women’s basketball, broke that record. Clark’s recent success has driven her to new heights of fame and has led her to become a household name.

Although, it is important to question if recent interest in women’s collegiate basketball can solely be attributed to Clark’s claim to fame. According to Axios, games not featuring Clark in the Final Four only drew around 7.1 million viewers. It’s possible that this rapid increase in viewership will decline dramatically when current stars such as Clark and LSU’s Angel Reese enter the WNBA.

While Clark’s star power is responsible for fueling a huge interest in women’s college basketball and may be accredited to recent spikes in viewership, interest in women’s sports is rising across the board and is projected to increase over the next few years. According to a recent study conducted by Wasserman’s The Collective, in 2024, women’s sports accounts for 15% of sports media coverage in the U.S., which is a dramatic increase from the previous 4%. It is projected to reach 20% by 2025. This study illustrates a general upward trend of the growing interest in women’s sports.

Increase in viewership can also be attributed to streaming platforms such as ESPN+, Peacock, and Paramount+ as these services decrease the risk of conflict of viewership between men’s and women’s sports coverage when compared to linear TV networks. The use of streaming platforms to highlight women’s sports is merely one step in the right direction of increasing the coverage, which will in turn lead to sustained viewership.

Not only are women’s sports often lacking in the quantity of media coverage, they are also lacking in quality. Often, the problem in the coverage of women’s sports is that it’s lacking in consistency. Media programs are somewhat intentional in promoting and covering championship tournaments and higher-level games for female athletes, but their reluctance to provide a steady stream of coverage for women’s sports in general is responsible for fluctuating surges in viewership over the past few years. The key to securing viewership numbers lies in consistency of coverage, which would help to generate continued interest and allow women’s sports teams to develop fanbases that could possibly rival that of their male counterparts.

Astros struggle out of the gates

CAROLINE JOHNSON Staff Writer

Following their 2017 and 2022 World Series wins, the Houston Astros have not been living up to their past successes. The beginning of a new baseball season brings opportunities for improvement, but their unpromising start to 2024 left fans with little hope of a heroic return to glory.

The team’s first four losses of the season were against the New York Yankees, but the team broke that streak with two wins and a loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. Most recently, the Astros played the Texas Rangers, losing twice before recovering with 3-1 and 10-5 victories.

New team manager Joe Espada may be to blame for the season’s shaky start. Although he inherited one of the league’s

best rosters, featuring designated hitter Yordan Alvarez, second baseman Jose Altuve, and shortstop Jeremy Pena, his managing techniques differ greatly from former manager Dusty Baker. He hopes to improve the Astros’ defense and increase their aggression on the bases, saying he wants the team to take more “calculated risks.” Integral team members Alex Bregman and Justin Verlander could be leaving the team following the 2024 season, only adding to the chaos of the team’s many changes.

Although 12 games is far from an indicator of the Astros finish for the season, the early sample doesn’t look promising. Fans all over the country are hoping they can recover from their rough start and make the improvements Espada is pushing for.

Rockets make strides in 2024

ALEX GONZALES

Sports Editor

In the 2024 NBA season, the Houston Rockets underwent a noteworthy transformation. Despite falling short against the Dallas Mavericks in the play-in tournament, the Rockets had an 11-game winning streak, finishing the year in its strongest position since the post-Harden team.

Under Head Coach Ime Udoka’s guidance, the Rockets prioritized reducing turnovers, a critical area of improvement highlighted after their initial loss to the Orlando Magic. Despite a shaky start, Houston made remarkable strides, becoming one of the league’s top rebounding teams and significantly minimizing turnovers. Additionally, Houston demon-

strated its improvement in the fact that it was one of the top rebounding teams in the league.

As Coach Udoka stated on the team’s trajectory this year,” [The] guys have grown tremendously. We did not bring our best foot forward earlier in the season. We are a totally different team.”

Despite setbacks, the Rockets kept a positive trajectory, reflected in their strong post-All-Star break record of 24-14. As they strive to finish the season on a high note, the team aims to carry this momentum forward, laying foundation for future success.

As Jabri Smith Jr. noted, “We have a chance to go into next season with confidence. Just trying to put a few more good games together before the end of the season.”

STUCO launches pickleball tourney

THOMPSON WHITE Sports Editor

During Dude Be Nice Week, the Episcopal community engaged in a competitive pickleball tournament to raise money for the Make-a-Wish Foundation. The EHS Pickleball Classic ended with Rishabh Sharma and Mr. John Drexel standing victorious.

Sharma, a junior, remarked, “I knew we had the talent to make a run.”

As one of the top squash players in the country, Sharma, teaming up with Drexel, a former collegiate football player, projected to be a dominate force in the tournament.

In the championship, the powerful 5B Lunch winning duo faced the champions

from 5A Lunch – freshmen Liam Fanning and Jack Maggi. The rookies proved to be no match for the seasoned pickleball veterans.

Sharma attributes the win to “doing his part;” he knew “Coach Drexel practiced weekly,” so it allowed for “squash training to take the wheel,” and he “just kept on getting [the ball] back.”

A coordinator of the tournament, junior Brooks Edwards, hopes to continue this tradition with plans to sneak in another tournament before Finals. In the next tournament, Edwards hopes to make the games longer since the previous matches were played to only three points.

In the meantime, for those looking to boast their competitive side, sign up for the “Ball ‘Til You Fall” 3v3 basketball tournament in the near future.

UConn, USC capture titles

THOMPSON WHITE Sports Editor

If you heard an emotional “NOO” or “THREE!” walking through the hallways or sitting at lunch in the USC, blame it on March Madness. With millions of fans participating in the impossible feat of crafting a perfect bracket, March Madness captured the hearts of fans, averaging an impressive 8 million per game (while most NBA games average 1.8 million).

On the men’s side, UConn proved its domination, winning back-to-back NCAA tournaments. The Huskies faced Purdue, led by 7’4” giant Zach Edey, in the championship game. UConn had his kryptonite, though, in 7’2” Donovan Clingan (nicknamed “Cling Kong” by

social media). With Cling Kong to hinder Edey and a balanced, physical defense, the Huskies disrupted Purdue’s offense, winning 75-60. Besides winning the championship, one of the powerhouse’s notable accomplishments was a 30-0 run against three-seed Illinois.

Surprisingly, due to stars like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers, the NCAA women’s tournament, specifically the final, had a higher rating and viewership than the men’s. Iowa’s Clark is renowned for her three-point shooting; however, even with 30 points, Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes lost 87-75 to the South Carolina Gamecocks, cementing an undefeated season. Freshman Tessa Johnson scored 19 points and led the Gamecocks to victory in the championship.

NFL teams weigh their futures

PORTER MILLER Staff Writer

The 2024 NFL Draft is scheduled to take place April 25-27 in Detroit. The draft consists of seven rounds with 257 picks total.

The Chicago Bears, Washington Commanders, and New England Patriots hold the top three picks. This years picks showed big changes for the teams as they aimed to strengthen their quarterback positions and improve their chances of a win. The highlighting picks were quarter-

backs Malik Johnson and Trevor Matthews, chosen first and second overall by the Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints. From high-profile selections to overlooked talent discovered in later rounds, the draft showcased the excitement and uncertainty that make it a yearly play. Chad Reuter, draft analyst, makes NFL Draft dreams come true by distributing top prospects among 32 teams, giving organizations ideal picks.

As players transition from college to professional play, the 2024 NFL Draft sets the picture for a new era of competition in America’s most renowned sport.

The Astros will lean heavily on Yordan Álvarez and Jose Altuve to right the ship.

Photo courtesy NBC Sports.

Rishabh Sharma’s squash skills translated seamlessly to pickleball. With the addition of Coach Drexel, the team was a powerful duo. Photos courtesy of Dread Sports and Coach Drexel.

Dillon Brooks mirrors how all Rockets fans felt this season - disappointed. The Rockets ultimately fell short of making the NBA playoffs; however, there are high hopes for next year. Photo courtesy of Houston Chronicle.

Bats are hot in Knights softball

JALYNN WOOLLEY Co-Editor-in-Chief

Defending SPC champs, the EHS varsity girls softball team, has had an impressive record so far this season. Currently, they are 15-9 and 1-1 in SPC play.

The girls have been working hard all season and preparing to defend their SPC championship title in a few weeks. Varsity Coach Kary Kemble says the girls are “aiming to create competitive energy, handle pressure, and perform in tough situations.”

The team is hopeful that their immense dedication and hard work will launch them into another consecutive SPC win.

Varsity girls softball had a few important home games against St. John’s on April 16 winning 11-1 and against Kinkaid on April 24. Victories in SPC counter games are integral in securing another SPC Championship title for the EHS girls softball program.

Currently, lone senior Allie Williams leads the team in both offense and defense. She has impressive stats on offense and is an outstanding centerfielder. With her all-around play and vital team leadership, the team is hopeful about its odds in SPC play.

Young masters prepare for SPC greens

VANESSA REED Staff Writer

With the season coming to an end, the EHS girls’ and boys’ golf teams have strived to make the season one of the program’s best.

Both teams’ goal for this year is to win SPC. The boys have had their ups and downs and are battling for a strong position going into the conference tournament. The team is senior-heavy and has seven returning golfers, four of who competed in the conference tournament last year. On the girls’ side, it is a young team with potential. The girls are committed and putting extra work in, even outside of team practice. The team has finished top three in all their tournaments they played this year.

In preparation for the SPC tournament, both teams are playing in competitive tournaments to get better. Several players are also practicing outside of school to enhance their skills.

Tennis begins to pivot in light of SPC tournament

The Episcopal boys and girls tennis teams are preparing for the highly anticipated SPC Championship, with both teams showing determination and skill in their recent matches.

The boys team has been showcasing its skills with a recent win against Emery/ Weiner School and a close loss against St. John’s School. Led by Head Coach Thatcher Cribbs and Assistant Coaches Keith Christman and Jennifer Succi, the team is preparing for the upcoming championship in Dallas May 2-4.

Additionally, the girls team has been putting in impressive performances as well, including a tie against Emery/ Weiner School and a tough match against St. John’s School. Coached by the same dedicated team, the girls are also eyeing success at the SPC Championship, determined to make their mark in Dallas. The tennis teams are poised to make a strong showing at SPC and are ready to compete against the best teams in the conference.

One pitch at a time, baseball cruises through its early SPC competition

THOMPSON WHITE Sports Editor

Looking for back-to-back SPC titles, the Knight’s baseball team has competed against some of the top public schools in the state to learn “how to get punched in the mouth and then respond,” said Head Coach Matt Fox. The team overcame such “punches” against worthy opponents like Kelly Catholic, ranked #30 in Texas (via MaxPreps). In the matchup the Knights proved to have high potential, tying 6-6.

The senior laden team coupled with young talent is the recipe for a strong

Revival arises in boys lacrosse

THOMPSON WHITE Sports Editor

On April 5, the amped-up Knights boys lacrosse squad charged onto the field for a Senior Night showdown against the rival St. John’s School, ultimatley losing in a close contest 12-11.

Prior to this highly anticipated clash, the Knights had endured some nail-biting encounters, in three of which – Strake, St. Mark’s, and Memorial – the Knights suffered narrow defeats by one or two goals. Nevertheless, as senior Colin Bennett put it, “the team was tired of losing.”

Senior Captain Ryan Gatto remarked on the tough loss, “The Knights failed

to prioritize ball possession adequately, resulting in multiple turnovers on clears.”

The Mavericks caught an early 9-5 lead, but a resilient EHS squad refused to surrender. Thanks to multiple goals from midfielders Andrew Choi and Parker Manley, the Knights rallied, closing the gap to two with two minutes left. Sophomore face-off specialist Tyler Shanley subsequently secured possession, leading to a swift Knights’ goal, but time ran out.

Despite falling short, the team showed remarkable potential, and took that momentum into a game against seventh seed in Texas, Lake Travis. In a back-and-forth clash, the Knights, won in overtime 13-12 thanks to an Andrew Choi goal.

Athletes shatter records in

track

11:32 minutes, Gavin Champenoy long jumped 17’11”, and Sriya Dev sprinted a 1:03 in the 400-meter dash.

culture. With a guiding hand from 15 experienced seniors, the team has cruised through SPC divisional games, beating Houston Christian 10-0, St. John’s 3-2, and Kinkaid 2-0.

A notable asset to this success is junior ace Preston Sullivan. Sullivan throws an impressive 93 mph fastball. On the offensive side, Miles Young, Aidan Eshelman, and Matthew McGreevy flaunt thier hot bats. Eshelman, a junior, has displayed his skills with a batting average of .456 and 41 hits.

Ultimately, there is no doubt that if the Knights continue this trajectory, they will compete in the SPC championship.

Approaching the end of the boys and girls track and field season, athletes are pushing themselves to perform at their best level in preparation for SPC. The teams are ready as many athletes have exceeded their personal goals.

Taking place at South Pasadena High School, the Tiger Invitational was held on April 5-6. Claiming a new personal record time in the 100-meter sprint were Garon Sampson at 10.97 seconds and Sophia Cormier, who placed sixth with a 12.29 second time. Sampson’s record time officially ranked him fifth in the 100-meter SPC bracket. While her time was solid in the Invitational, Cormier followed it with a sprint of 12.19 seconds during the Texas Clyde Littlefield Relays and is currently second in the 100-meter SPC bracket.

More personal records were set as Kingsley Agyeman recorded a 23.90 second time in the 200-meter sprint, Gigi Bass completed the 3,200-meter open in

Head Coach Isaiah Coleman is excited to see what this team will take to the SPC championships.

Girls LAX exudes a winning culture

LIZ BURKE Staff Writer

Episcopal’s girls lacrosse teams are on a roll this season, showcasing their skill and determination in every match.

Thanks to coaches Jess Adams and

Abbie Wrather, JV has seen success with their most recent victory against St. Agnes at home ended with a score of 10-1, demonstrating their dedication and teamwork.

Head Coach Stephanie Colson has prepared the girls varsity team for the upcoming SPC Championship. They’re excited for both SPC and State.

Varsity has secured wins against tough competitors like St. Agnes, Katy High School, and Houston Christian. Their most recent match against Austin High was a nail-biter, ending with a close score of 1211 and a Knights win. Some of their top scorers are Greer Fusilier, Annie Schaefer, Cate Turlington, and Georgia Rothwell. They also have some amazing senior defenders such as Coco Martin, Ainsley Snell, and Ava Grove, who will be missed next season.

Both teams have shown incredible skill, teamwork, and sportsmanship, making their coaches and school proud. The team shows high potential for a SPC win.

Freshman Dilyn Smith practices his baton pass. Photo by Kate Malta.

Jordan Bey winds up against St. Agnes.

Photo by Libby Davis.

Sewanee commit Colin Bennett (#25) leads the Knights offense in points. Photo by Gabriela Alvarez.

Greer Fusilier shoots through a SJS defender. Photo by Kennedy Greene.

Annie Wareing finishes her serve. Photo by Kennedy Greene.

PORTER MILLER Staff Writer

LIZ BURKE Staff Writer

Speaks Out

“What is a song you have on repeat?”

TALI BROWN

“Unwritten” Natasha Bedingfield

ANNELIESE DEGRANGE

“Fast Car” Luke Combs

KYRIAKI POSTOLOS

“It’s My Life” Bon Jovi

EMERSON RIPPSTEIN

“Too Sweet” Hozier

MRS. OWENS “Beautiful Things” Benson Boone

SOLOMON LOCKETT “Finesse” Bossman Dlow

CHRISTIAN MIDDLETON

“Like That” Metro Boomin & Future

ETHAN LAHOTI “Bad Romance” Lady Gaga

HARRISON GOYTIA “Mr. Incorrect” Malcolm Todd

MR. MARTINEZ “Baila esta Cumbia” Selena

Prints Charming

Under the direction of choreographer senior

Celebrity Sighting

If you think your vision suddenly doubled, you are not alone. The resemblance between these two is so uncanny, it’s almost as if the story of Cinderella was coming to life right in front of your eyes. Tyler Cesarski (left) and Prince Charming (right) are nearly indistinguishable upon first, even second, glance. They look so similar that the only way to tell them apart is by using Prince Charming’s shoe to see who’s the real prince. There is no denying the similarities, from their sweeping manes of golden locks to the enchanting smiles that adorn both their faces. The only thing that’s missing is the classic Prince Charming arch of the eyebrow, which we are sure Tyler will pick up in no time. One would almost expect Tyler to come to school on a horse. If you see Tyler walking in the hallways, don’t be afraid to ask him to the annual ball or to share a dance with you. Photos by Alan Ross and courtesy of deadliestwikifandom.com.

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Cartoon by Izzie Song.

PhotoJ Photo of the Month

Berkeley Deutsch, Ashley Bloome performs in “Outro.” Photo by Sloane Wallace.