Fourcast December 14, 2018 by Hockaday Student Publications

THE FOURCAST

The Hockaday School

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FANTASTIC

IN PLASTIC The modern rise of plastic surgery in an increasingly digital world. Read full story p12

photo by Paige Halverson • Managing Editor

Volume 69 • Issue 03

A LOOK

INSIDE

FROM STAGE to Classroom

Every once in a while, senior Sophie Pearson will rock your world. With an instrument in hand and a microphone in front of her, she has stood under the spotlight in many venues throughout Dallas. While music can play a big part of any student’s life, some, like Pearson, are on the other side of the industry, writing and performing music with their own bands. Over the course of her sophomore and junior years, Pearson has been in two bands. Though always passionate about music, she never gave much thought about joining a band until a few students from Richardson High School messaged her on Instagram and asked her if she could play music with them. The kids knew that she was good at playing the bass, and Pearson thought, “Why not?” Read full story p07

THE RACE for change

Imagine what can happen in seven days. It only takes seven seconds to make a first impression, 17 hours to put together a car and 24 hours to thaw a turkey. In the Hockaday Athletics department, no one is thawing turkeys, but within seven days, Deb Surgi, Director of Athletics, would bring together all the students and make a community. Read full story p18

LEADING THE WAY

BRODSKY BREAKS tradition at MIT

THE THINGS THAT need to be said

to a better education

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Dec. 14, 2018 • The Fourcast

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PHOTO PROVIDED BY CHARLENE BRZESOWSKY

Junior Bridge(s) Cultures in Competition ➝ Story by Shea Duffy • Sports Editor IN IT TO WIN IT • In the first round of the “Chinese Bridge” Competition, junior Charlene Brzesowsky exhibited her talent by participating in rigorious contests. She performed a “Kuaiban,” which is a performance of oral storytelling that incorporates rhythmic talk with bamboo clappers.

On Oct. 18, the eleventh International “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign Secondary School Students concluded as students representing five different continents were named champions. Among these students, junior Charlene Brzesowsky, the head of the second-place winning United States Team II, was crowned second place in the Personal Comprehensive Contests and and first place as an American Constituent.

he competition is hosted in Beijing by the Confucius Institute Headquarters and Hanban, organizations aiming to promote Chinese language and culture, support local Chinese teaching internationally and facilitate cultural exchanges. Since 2002, the competition has sought out students from across the world in an attempt to strengthen the global understanding of both the Chinese language and culture. “The competition was very intense, especially the longer one was in it,” Brzesowsky said. “The more rounds we passed, the more intense it was. During the day, we went around and visited different tourist sites, but we had to spend the nights preparing for the next day of the competition.” While the program aims to unite the young people of China with those from other countries, the competitors endure several preliminary rounds that ensure the most qualified students are selected to represent each country. These preliminary contests, held in over 50 countries by the Confucius Institute, select and recommend winners to attend the final competition. In April of 2018, Brzesowsky excelled in the Chinese Bridge’s early stages at the University of Texas at Dallas. This enabled her to qualify for the final round of the competition, held in China in October. However, her accomplishments were backed by months of preparation and discipline in order for her to cement her role in representing the United States in Beijing. “The preparation was pretty complex,” Brzesowsky said. “Besides preparing for the language part of the competition, I also had to learn as much general knowledge about China as I could because they could test us about anything.” After students like Brzesowsky qualify for Beijing’s final stage of the Chinese Bridge competition, they are met with three rigorous rounds requiring a mastery of the Chinese language and culture. The first round consisted of a knowledge test on the computer, a talent show and a dialogue with another contestant. Those who moved on would be

tasked with an abundance of grammar tests, word games, charades and Chinese character writing, all in the format of a game show. Finally, the three teams that qualify for the final round are faced with another modified talent show in which the contestants answer questions about the history and culture of China and prepare a two-minute speech focusing on the Chinese Bridge’s 2018 theme: “Learn Chinese, make friends from all around the world.”

“ The first time I heard the Chinese language, I was immediately drawn in. It just sounded so different from all the languages around me. Later, when I started finding out more about the rich Chinese culture, I set my eyes on learning Chinese.”

Charlene Brzesowsky Junior

The competition, filmed and broadcasted on Chinese networks, is a prestigious and rewarding opportunity for gifted students. Brzesowsky, who discovered the program through working with various Chinese language organizations, was met with the burden of missing school for two weeks in the midst of her junior year—inducing an indescribable amount of make-up work. However, she saw the chance to visit China for these two weeks as too great of an opportunity to pass up. “Anyone that is deeply involved in learning Chinese knows about the Chinese Bridge competition, since it’s the ultimate Chinese competition on an international level,” Brzesowsky said. “Even though I missed so much school, it was an unforgettable experience to be able to visit different tourist sites and encounter China firsthand.”

Upper School Mandarin Chinese teacher Esther Bao, who observed her participation in the prestigious competition, praises her student’s dedication to not only excelling in the competition but also her commitment to mastering the difficult language. “I have to credit Charlene for all of her hard work,” Bao said. “I really only helped her correct her tones and grammar at first, but mainly she spent the time on her own to really master the language. Her passion amazes me every day. She realized she had a love for the language and began to take extra steps to immerse herself into the culture.” Although the competition helped to further this passion, Brzesowsky quickly picked up the language and has been practicing her tones and immersing herself in the culture for years. While she speaks German, French, Polish and English fluently, the beauty of China’s ancient history and tradition has driven her to commit the majority of her time to Chinese. “The first time I heard the Chinese language, I was immediately drawn in,” Brzesowsky noted. “It just sounded so different from all the languages around me. Later, when I started finding out more about the rich Chinese culture, I set my eyes on learning Chinese.” Her love for Chinese transcends Bao’s expectations and surpasses the average person’s journey in learning a language. While many Hockaday students’ end goal is to become fluent or simply confident in speaking a foreign tongue, Brzesowsky has never limited herself to her Chinese homework. “The extra steps [Brzesowsky] has taken to become a part of the culture is incredible. One example is the initiative she has taken to learn a very difficult instrument, the kuia ‘ban, from a Chinese instructor via Skype. You can imagine the struggle of the time difference. But it’s more than that—she almost knows more about the culture than I do!” Bao jokingly said. Likewise, her drive to excel does not go unnoticed by her classmates. Junior Ines Guevara, Brzesowsky’s classmate since sixth grade, sees her as a role model. However, while Brzesowsky’s performance has encouraged the

Hockaday community to further appreciate the language, the Chinese program is not as popular as French, Spanish or Latin. With such limited exposure within the Hockaday community, Guevara hopes that Brzesowsky’s adventures will be monumental in expanding the appreciation of different cultures. “[Brzesowsky] is so inspiring to everyone at Hockaday who takes Chinese,” Guevara said. “She helped everyone in the Upper School take notice of the Chinese department and how interesting and important of a language it is.” With an abundance of newly-earned accolades under her belt, Brzesowsky has established a name for herself in the Chinese both nationally and internationally. However, she acknowledges the unpredictable future in the hopes of continuing to further her talents. “We never know what the future holds, but ideally, everyone wants to have a job that they’re excited to go to everyday,” Brzesowsky stated. “I am still working on finding something that combines my passions together.”

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Place Brzesowsky recieved in the competition

Rounds in the final competition

Continents represented

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Looking ahead

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Your World Today: The Rise of Hate Crimes

Leading the Way to a Better Education

The Fourcast • Dec. 14, 2018

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Language Lab Goes Virtual

Leading the Way to a Better Education Hockaday students partner with United to Lead to work on improving Dallas public schools.

PHOTO BY KATE WOODHOUSE

the problem they would like to address. The groups will work together until March, when they finally pitch their solutions to DISD board members and other Dallas community members. One winning team will receive money to implement their idea, and anyone from the other groups who would like to help them will be able join their team. While they haven’t reached the grand finale of their project, the students have already learned from their experience. “I didn’t know how many issues they were dealing with in the Dallas school system,” Hawk said. She hopes to address the socioeconomic barrier that is hampering certain students from reaching their full potential. Similarly, Miele would like to deal with the “zip code lottery”—the idea that a child’s future and socioeconomic status are determined by where they are born. Ultimately for Miele, the greatest satisfaction that comes out of participating in the program is her new friendships with students from other schools. “Sometimes it’s very easy to stay inside the Hockaday bubble and not really branch out, but this program has allowed me to do that,” Miele said.

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FROM A PROBLEM TO THE PITCH • Melanie Robertson, an Associate of Institutional Giving at Teach for America, speaks to students, including junior Varsha Danda, about the Opportunity Gap in education at a meeting for United to Lead. The other topics discussed were Teacher Recruitment and Retention, Literacy, Social Emotional Learning and Early Childhood education.

ver the course of six Saturdays, Hockaday students participating in the United to Lead Program learn about education in the Dallas Independent School District and work with their teams to find a solution to a problem in the DISD system. Hockaday girls collaborate with students from private schools like the St. Mark’s School of Texas and the Episcopal School of Dallas, as well as students from public schools like Hillcrest High School and Thomas Jefferson High School. On Dec. 1, the students broke into groups to develop a solution to address a problem concerning education in the Dallas Independent School District. Each group will choose a different problem to solve and present their solution on March 23. One winning team will be selected and given money to implement their idea. The United to Lead Program was founded by Laura Day, Director of The William B. Dean Service Learning Program and the Executive Director of Hockaday’s Institute for Social Impact. The program aims to bring public and private high school students in the Dallas area together to establish connections and to solve educational problems in Dallas. “It’s everyone’s responsibility to educate everyone,” Day said. “Just because we have a great education here, we shouldn’t rest.” Junior Gina Miele participates in the United to Lead program and has enjoyed the opportunities that it has provided her with. “My favorite thing is interacting with the

students from public schools. Hockaday is a couple blocks away from a school like W.T. White, but I never get to interact with those kids. Even though we’re in the same grade, we’re the same age and we live in the same city,” Miele said.

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Sometimes it’s very easy to stay inside the Hockaday bubble and not really branch out, but this program has allowed me to do that.” Gina Miele Junior

While some students meet on Saturday, senior Parker Hawk meets with students once a month during a class period of U.S. Government. Day is piloting United to Lead in one government class, which allows students to get involved without spending extra time on the weekend. “Part of government is to be civically engaged and involved,” Day said. The class meets with another government class at Jesuit and an advanced placement United States History class at W.T. White High School to brainstorm solutions that address a problem in DISD schools. The three classes will then go through the same design and pitching process

as the students that participate on the weekends. “I feel like a lot of times you think of these things but they never get implemented,” Hawk said. “I know that ultimately, we’re going to make an impact.” All the students have taken time to learn about the current issues faced by DISD. Day wrote the curriculum and brought in experts from all over the city to provide insight on the problems in education. Students were also given books with additional data and information about who are affected by these issues. On Nov. 3, the students met at Tom C. Gooch Elementary for a “trial run.” They were tasked with solving a problem: Gooch didn’t have enough staff to monitor the kids during both lunch and recess. Either the kids had to skip recess, or they had to go outside unmonitored. The United to Lead participants brainstormed using design thinking, which allowed the students to get accustomed to this process. They shared their solutions with Gooch’s community liaison and vice principal, who then communicated them to the teachers. Design thinking, a solution-based method that was first introduced at Stanford University, centers around developing a comprehensive understanding of the problem in order to solve it. “You really put yourself in the person’s shoes, understand what’s happening and out of that you get a solution,” Day explained. Once the students fully grasped the problems with education and experienced the “trial run” at Gooch, they formed groups according to

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Saturday meetings during the school uear

Experts at the meeting

Months until the Shark Tank presentation

by Kelsey Chen • Staff Writer

TIDBITS AND TALES

Half-Day Before the Holidays

WINFO Reveal

Halfway There

Day of Service

Hockaday students will be catching up on their z’s during holiday break after a half-day on Dec. 19. The forms will participate in different activities, including a party that celebrates the juniors turning in the infamous Junior Research Paper. Have a great holiday break!

Student Council will release its annual Winter Formal theme and location reveal video on Jan. 14. Seniors Sawyer Bannister and Dawn Grillo, the elected WinFo chairs, are hard at work to ensure a great Winter Formal for the Hockaday Upper School. Until the reveal day, only Student Council and the two Winter Formal Chairs know the theme and location. “My lips are sealed,” Bannister said.

The first semester of the school year ends on Jan. 17. With the year already halfway finished, students only have to wait four more months until summer. Adding on to the celebrations, Hockaday will have a Martin Luther King Day of Service on Friday, Jan. 18.

The Hockaday Day of Service will return once again on Jan. 18. Although the service day did not occur last year, it will be making its debut in January. After the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Assembly, there will be a speaker and a video from Habitat for Humanity. Students will then break into their One Hockaday groups to design and paint 60 walls that will go in the Habitat for Humanity House that Hockaday is currently building.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY ERIN PAROLISI, KATE WOODHOUSE AND EMILY FULLER

The Hockaday School

Dec. 14, 2018 • The Fourcast

Your World TODAY: The Rise of Hate Crimes

ews stations and outlets are constantly inundated with news about hate crimes, but what exactly defines a hate crime? These offenses can fall under many names, such as terrorism, mass shootings or attacks, but hate crimes are set apart by some defining characteristics. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) defines a hate crime as a “criminal offense against a person or property motivated in whole or in part by an offender’s bias against a race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender or gender identity.” Hockaday Pride Club and Student Diversity Board member junior Anika Bandarpalle agrees with this definition; that hate crimes are based around a victim’s identity. “To me, I think of race, religion and sexual orientation [when thinking of hate crimes] because those are a part of you that you can’t change,” Bandarpalle said. The discussion after a hate crime often turns to discourse over gun control or the difference between political parties’ responses. However, regardless of bipartisan politics or gun control, there has a been a shocking increase in hate crimes in the United States in recent years. According to The New York Times, hate crimes in the U.S. increased by 17 percent in 2017, with 7,175 reported hate crimes compared to 6,121 in 2016. With a 23 percent increase in religion-based hate crimes, many religions are faced with the issue of how to respond to violence and threats against their communities. According to a FBI report from early Nov. 2018, there was a 37 percent increase in anti-Semitic hate crimes in 2017 and more than 900 reports of crimes targeting the Jewish community and institutions last year alone. The FBI report also revealed a recent increase in hate crimes against the African-American community, in fact, a 16 percent rise from 2017. According to National Broadcasting Company (NBC), “black Americans have been the most frequent victims of hate crimes in every tally of bias incidents generated since the FBI began collecting such data in the early 1990s.” Recently, there has a been a call for the U.S. government to update its laws and put hate crimes under the same category as terrorist attacks — those that are motivated by radical international groups such as the Taliban. Currently, many hate crimes are not classified as terrorism if they are committed by white Americans, or they are labeled as domestic terrorism but still not taken as seriously. However, the Government Accountability Office reported in 2017 that since the attacks of 9/11, “far-right extremists committed almost three times as many attacks—62, compared with 23 by Islamist extremists.” Similarly, The New York Times reported that white supremacists and generally far-right extremists killed “far more people since Sept. 11, 2001, than any other category of domestic extremist”. However, “the language [of government counterterrorism] heavily focused on recruitment and radicalization by ISIS and Al Qaeda,” Nate Snyder, a counterterrorism advisor to the Obama administration at Homeland Security in an interview with The New York Times said.

ILLUSTRATION BY KEMPER LOWRY

This lack of oversight regarding the increase of far-right extremism has frequently been seen as a contributing factor the general rise of hate crimes, as the majority of hate crimes have been committed by far-right extremists. Hockaday English teacher and Black Student Union sponsor Summer Hamilton believes that the government’s response to any hate crime should be firm. “I think that for impressionable people there should be a swift and clear denouncement. Ambiguity is dangerous,” Hamilton said.

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It is also a really great opportunity for people in those communities to educate our peers because I think education leads to empathy, and empathy is really important given the polarized climate right now.” Anika Bandarpalle Junior

So why and how have these attacks increased so sharply in recent years? Many say that the rise of hate crimes could be attributed to growing nationalism in the U.S. and many other countries. According to BBC News, several European countries have seen political gains for nationalist parties throughout 2017 and 2018. While many of these countries’ purely nationalist parties may not have won the majority in elections, the percentage of voters for these nationalist parties has increased in parallel to a rise in hate crimes. For example, the nationalist Swiss People’s Party won 29 percent of the votes in Switzerland’s most recent national elections. Many news stations and experts on the topic point to anti-immigration sentiment (similar to the anger that partially fueled Brexit) for this rise in nationalism. Cultural shifts stand as another potential factor of the rise of hate crimes in America. Hamilton thinks how we treat prejudice has changed in current culture. “I think now there is less pressure to cover one’s hatred under the guise of freedom of speech or ‘two sides to every opinion’. Because there is no longer a stigma attached to expressing one’s hatred for a group, that [hatred] can spread, especially quickly with technology,” Hamilton said. Head of the Hockaday Student Diversity Board, Tanvi Kongara points to polarization as a catalyst for the recent rise in hate crime, and advises talking to other members of one’s community as one way to combat general polarization. “One of the main reasons we think forums are so effective is because discussion is honestly the best way to understand other people’s perspectives,” Kongara said. Some consider affinity groups and student unions more important than ever in the face of a rise in hate crimes. Bandarpalle believes that these groups give a voice to traditionally marginalized groups. “It is also a really great opportunity for people

in those communities to educate our peers because I think that education leads to empathy, and empathy is really important given the polarized climate right now,” Bandarpalle said. Hamilton thinks that while talking about hate crimes is very important, affinity groups are also important as forms of refuge. “[At the Black Student Union], there is some discussion of issues and problems that the community faces, but it is also a time of coming together and maybe finding resistance through joy and sort of just enjoying the company and the space to be free,” Hamilton said. It can be easy for one to become desensitized to hate crimes and the sheer scale of

them, but Bandarpalle and Kongara agree that discussions are still important. “The reality is that there is someone in our community that feels personally hurt by that,” Bandarpalle said in regards to response after the news of a hate crime. It seems that there are many concrete factors for the rapid increase in hate crimes, but as one can see in the Hockaday community and in the country as a whole, potential solutions are extremely different and still evolving. by Niamh McKinney • Arts & Life Editor

news

The Fourcast • Dec. 14, 2018

PHOTO BY EMILIA CALLAHAN

hockadayfourcast.org

Language Lab Goes Virtual

A NEW PURPOSE • Since Hockaday’s Language Lab has gone virtual, the space has been repurposed into a Middle School Robotics work room. This allows the students to have more space to construct projects.

Hockaday’s Language Lab switches from the classroom to a new computer program.

his school year, Hockaday is shifting from the Language Lab classroom to a new Language Lab that is completely virtual and is scheduled to be in use in foreign language classrooms before December break. Previously, the Language Lab was in a classroom in the seventh-grade hallway. The room was split into isolated desks with equipment stationed there such as headphones, microphones and voice recording tools. But now, the lab can be accessed online and used anywhere from a computer or phone. However, given that technology has vastly improved in the past decade, the equipment and functionality of the room was becoming outdated. Additionally, with four languages offered at Hockaday and several different sections within each language, one classroom was difficult to split between the different teachers and sections. This year, World Language Department Chair Alejandra Suarez and Academic Technology Specialist Candace Townsley are leading this project with the help of the whole IT Department, including Jason Curtis, Director of Technology and Information Resources, Lee Haller, Computer Technician, and Carolyn Ojwang, Database Administrator. They are working together as a team to figure out how to improve the experience for foreign language students by making the concept virtual. “For my three years working at Hockaday, I have been in charge of the technology portions of the World Languages AP Test, which were in the old Language Lab. This lab had old equipment that failed a lot. Right before AP testing we would have to check equipment, which did not always work,” Townsley said. “Doing everything virtually

and in the cloud is the way things are going these days, so I think that space is better used right now as a classroom.” The old language lab classroom is now repurposed as a robotics and Latin classroom. Robotics has never had an official classroom or work space at Hockaday, so this classroom will give robotics more opportunities to expand on this department. Additionally, this new classroom space will allow Latin classes to have a better space to teach students.

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The idea of bringing a virtual Language Lab is to open up the horizon of not being constricted by just a room but being able to give the students another way of presenting material and viewing material.” Alejandra Suarez World Language Department Chair

The new virtual Language Lab is on a software called ReLANpro, and it will be used for both Middle and Upper School students. Making the Language Lab virtual will allow students to do what they would do in the Language Lab classroom from anywhere. Students will be able to do lessons on their own computer, or they can download the app and do the lessons on their phone. The program will also be used for AP testing for the foreign languages. Hockaday students will download the program onto their computers and will join a virtual

class that their teacher has set up. Teachers will make assignments either for homework, classwork or testing. The program offers many settings including speaking exercises, listening exercises, videos, conversing with your teacher, conversing with your peers and many similar functions. “The idea of bringing a virtual Language Lab is to open up the horizon of not being constricted by just a room but being able to give the students another way of presenting material and viewing material,” Suarez said. The virtual lab will impact students by allowing them to experiment with more types of presenting material and allowing the classes to all have opportunities to use this technology, whereas before it was difficult with just the one classroom. Before, students in language classes didn’t use the old language lab very frequently. However, now that the lab is virtual, hopefully it will be used by more students and work more effectively than the classroom did. One student who is interested in the new lab is Molly Clark, a sophomore enrolled in Spanish classes at Hockaday. “I think the new online Language Lab will help foreign language students be able to talk and communicate with our class in more ways than we could have before,” Clark said. “The old lab was faulty, and the equipment was outdated, but hopefully with the new lab, foreign language students will get a different perspective of the language they are studying through the different settings.” ReLANpro also offers a setting for teachers to see their student’s progress and make sure that they are on task. This is another of the many settings that improves the effectiveness of the virtual lab. Teacher and students from the Upper School and Middle School are excited for the

new lab to be implemented in foreign language classes because it will provide many new learning opportunities the foreign languages could not offer with the old lab. “I am very excited about the virtual Language Lab. Now that the switch has been made and it is now virtual, I think what the program offers is amazing,” Suarez said.

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Foreign languages offered at Hockaday

Foreign language teachers in the Upper School

by Erin Parolisi • Staff Writer

PLAN ON IT College Deans Panel 7:00 p.m. Jan. 10 Early Dismissal 12:00 p.m. Dec. 19

Summer Planning Overview Jan. 15

Martin Luther King Day of Service Jan. 18

Coffeehouse 7:00 p.m. Jan. 12

Holiday Break Dec. 20 - Jan. 8

Winter Formal Reveal Jan. 14

End of First Semester Jan. 17

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY ERIN PAROLISI, WIKIMEDIA COMMONS, CLAIRE FLETCHER, LILY FORBES, EMILY FULLER, KATE WOODHOUSE AND FL I CKER

Dec. 14, 2018 • The Fourcast

rts & life

The Hockaday School

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We each learn our own parts, and then we rehearse independently, and then we rehearse together. As long as everyone does their part, it works out fine.” From Stage to Classroom p07

PHOTO BY KAREN ALMOND, DALLAS OPERA

Practicing With the Professionals ➝ Story by Charlotte Dross • Editor-in-Chief

ON STAGE • Freshman Sienna Ellis (pictured in the middle) performs in the opera “Carmen” at the Winspear Opera House. Ellis has been involved in voice for years and currently participates in both the Hockaday choir and an out-of-school choir, the Children’s Chorus of Greater Dallas.

With a brisk motion, the heavy curtains are parted, revealing the sea of audience members gathered just beyond the edge of the stage. Surrounded by her counterparts, she remains frozen in her perch, waiting for a cue that will signal her release. She knows the drill; she has practiced this many times—more than she could ever count. Suddenly, a shrill note pierces the stagnant air. This is her signal.

ising from her seat, freshman Sienna Ellis finds her voice joining in unison with a plethora of others on stage as the spotlight bears down on her face. This is no ordinary production. This past fall, Ellis decided to further pursue her musical career by participating in the opera, “Carmen.” Put on by the Winspear Opera House, Ellis was one of 16 children on stage for this production, singing alongside experienced adults, some of whom were professionals. To an outsider, participating in an such a renowned opera may seem like a daunting feat. However, Ellis welcomed the challenge. She has been involved in voice for years, so the chance to be a part of such a production was one that appealed to her. “I have been in school choir since I was in second grade. Whenever I switched to Hockaday, I joined choir here,” Ellis said. “I’ve been taking voice lessons since seventh grade.” From early on, singing has been an integral part of Ellis’s life. However, she was truly able to cultivate her love of the art form after joining an out-of-school choir, the Children’s Chorus of Greater Dallas, in fifth grade. According to their website, CCGD is “one of America’s largest and most prestigious youth choral programs, and serves as the official children’s chorus of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.” Melinda Hartnett, Ellis’s mother, is aware of her daughter’s love for singing and supports her passion for this art form. She believes that CCGD in particular has allowed Ellis to grow as a singer. “I think [Sienna] enjoyed the choir because she likes everyone singing as one group, and she likes order and structure,” Hartnett said. “I think CCGD helped her to enjoy singing because it is very professional; there are high expectations, and you have to work and pay attention.” In fact, it was through CCGD that Ellis first learned that there were spots to be filled in “Carmen.” “We were given notice through CCGD that the Opera was auditioning. It was open

to any children, but that is how we got word about it,” Hartnett said. After receiving word of the opportunity, Ellis, along with her younger sister Tabitha, auditioned for a role in the opera. During this process, they, along with all of the other hopeful children wishing to obtain a spot in the chorus, crossed paths with Meredith Wallace, the Children’s Director for the Opera.

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The experience was really rewarding. Being able to be on stage with professionals was very rewarding. I definitely want to do more operas in the future.” Sienna Ellis Freshman

“I am in charge of recruiting children, so holding auditions and choosing the children who will be in the production,” Wallace said. In addition to this, she ensures that children have the correct music to study, helps them learn the music along with the pronunciations of the words, aids in the staging rehearsals and is in charge of logistics such as arranging the schedule. During the audition process, the children met with Wallace, where they then performed a variety of different actions to showcase their talent, such as singing “Happy Birthday” and demonstrating their acting ability. A week after auditions had ended, Wallace had assembled a group of 16 children who had been selected to perform in “Carmen.” Shortly after the group had been assembled, practice for the children’s chorus commenced. The first show of “Carmen” opened on Friday, Oct. 19, so the five weeks leading up to this date were consumed by rehearsals in order for the children to learn the music in time. “We started with just music rehearsals,

where it was just me, a pianist, sometimes a language coach and the children,” Wallace said. “For eight rehearsals, we sat and looked at the music, and we learned just the part about what they would be singing.” But rehearsals did not stop there. From this point forward, the children’s chorus had rehearsals with the adult chorus and rest of the cast, rehearsals at the Winspear Opera House so that they could get a feel for the stage, rehearsals where the orchestra was present and finally, two large dress rehearsals. The final dress rehearsal was additionally opened up to students who had purchased tickets. Despite the amount of work and dedication that the opera demanded, Ellis nonetheless enjoyed her time performing in it. Hartnett can attribute to this. “[The opera] was amazing. She loved everything about it,” Hartnett said. “It was very well run and completely professional.” However, that is not to say that it didn’t come with its challenges. “In the first two weeks when we were learning our music, rehearsals were only about an hour and a half. But when we actually started doing run-throughs, rehearsals went up to about five hours,” Ellis said. “Carmen” had a total of six shows. Following the opening show on Oct. 19 were five other performances—Oct. 21, Oct. 24, Oct. 27, Nov. 2 and Nov. 4. Because the majority of the shows occurred on weekends, Ellis had to manage her time wisely as to stay on top of her school work. “It wasn’t very hard [to stay on top of my work] because we had a lot of breaks,” Ellis said. “We had a big break in between our songs, so there was lots of time for me to do homework and study while I was there. It wasn’t too much stress.” Hartnett agrees that Ellis was able to effectively manage her work load during this time. “The blocked scheduling at Hockaday helps. For example, on the weekends, she could make sure that she would have two days of work done so that she could have two nights to get the next day’s homework done…” Hartnett said. “Otherwise, she used

her time wisely. She did work at rehearsals, during downtime and just kind of stayed on top of it.” Although this was her first opera, Ellis definitely sees the performing arts in her future. “The experience was really rewarding. Being able to be on stage with professionals was very rewarding,” Ellis said. “I definitely want to do more operas in the future.”

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Children who performed in “Carmen”

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Hours for long rehearsals

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The Fourcast • Dec. 14, 2018

Dallas Holiday Traditions

Rush To Roti

Pots, Pans and Podcasts

PHOTO PROVIDED BY SOPHIE PEARSON

Best of Both of Worlds: From Stage to Classroom

CONCERT LIGHTS

• Instrument in hand, senior Sophie Pearson takes the stage with her former bandmates at a CD release party for the pop rock band, Love Past Blue.

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I‘ve performed with people before, but I hadn’t been in a solid group where I could write my own music, so it was just a really great outlet,” Pearson said. “It was a cool way to be able to make something and be a part of the genres of music that I liked.” The first band that Pearson played in was called Drop Dead Susie, the second, Aloe Sara. While she started out playing bass for Drop Dead Susie, she took the role of the guitarist and lead vocals in Aloe Sara. Pearson is not the only Hockaday student to have found like-minded people to start their own band. Hockaday juniors Abby O’Brien and Margaret “Maisy” Crow started their band, The Gay Cousin, earlier this year with junior Mason Antes from the St. Mark’s School of Texas. Recently, junior Lucy Young joined the band as a keyboardist. While O’Brien was always passionate about playing music, she got the idea to form a

STUDY

network of other teenagers and professionals in the area and around the country.”

“

I’ve never heard my friends play their instruments before, so it’s just exciting to see them play music.”

and her bands are responsible for opening shows for bigger bands. In those cases, local venues or event organizers would often find their contact information on the bands’ social media advertisements. “An event organizer reaches out about a band coming to their venue, and they need a local opener, so they’d ask us for that,” Pearson said. Since The Gay Cousin is fairly new, the band has not been able perform yet, but they have put in the effort to practice. Their next goal is to be able to perform at a Hockaday or St. Mark’s Coffee House later this year. “We each learn our own parts, and then we rehearse independently, and then we rehearse together. As long as everyone does their part, it works out fine,” O’Brien said. As school work has piled up, Pearson stopped playing for her bands, but music still remains a big part of her life. She is now focusing on acoustics, collaborating with senior Kate Short on song covers and small performances. Short believes that Pearson’s previous experience in bands has served her well as they move forward with the duo. “Because she’s had all this experience with stage and tech guys, she knows exactly which gear to use and what’s the best way to set [the stage] up,” Short said. Though neither Pearson and O’Brien is sure if they want to be professional musicians, they believe that music will always be an important part of their identities. Pearson also encourages more Hockaday students to further their musical talents outside of school, whether it’s playing for bands or starting out with small performances. “It introduces you to a lot of great people,” Pearson said. “It’s a great outlet, and you never know what could become of it.”

Karen Lin Junior

During Pearson’s time in her two bands, she has performed in venues across Dallas, including Club Dada, Three Links and even individual house shows. Most of the time, Pearson

by Michelle Chen • Web Editor

Winter time is generally when the amount of schoolwork assigned is at its peak. As a result, students flock to their usual study spots to complete their work. However, these study spots can get crammed or full with the influx of students coming to study. To help, The Fourcast compiled a list of several not-so-well-known hidden study spot gems that are scattered throughout Hockaday.

PHOTOS BY ASHLYE DULLYE

SPOTS

band when she began to teach her friend, Crow, how to play the bass. The group of friends have since then become closer than ever. For Crow and Young, being in The Gay Cousin is their first time playing in a band. Since they both love music, joining their friend’s band made perfect sense. “I’ve never heard my friends play their instruments before, so it’s just exciting to see them play music,” Young said. On the other hand, the members of Pearson’s bands were from a variety of high schools, consisting of students from Richardson High School, Science and Engineering Magnet High School, Lake Highlands High School and the Greenhill School. Pearson is confident that the friends she made in the bands can help her as a musician in the future. “It gives me a lot of resources for people in the local scene, if I ever want to play a show or if somebody ever wants to start another band,” Pearson said. “It’s given me this great

Study Spot With a View

A Cozy Hideaway

One of the most popular places for girls to study is the library. However, as a result of being in a rush to get their work done or simply not knowing it is there, most people do not realize that the best place to study in the library is tucked into the back of the second floor of the library, behind the stairs that lead up to the Mass Communications room. Like the study spot in front of the freshmen entrance, this spot provides cushions and couches to study on. It is also isolated from the rest of the library, making it a great place to hone in and focus on studying. Meanwhile, the natural light from the surrounding windows will be sure to keep one awake and in a good mood, as it prevents the feeling of confinement while doing homework.

While everybody walks past the chairs on the first floor while walking to assembly, only the freshmen know of the cushioned grey couch and red tables that lie in front of the second-floor entrance to the Nancy A. Nasher and David J. Haesmigger Theater. To get to this sweet study spot, all somebody has to do is walk to the main entrance of the theater, walk up the stairs, and it will be on the right. The cute setup they will see when they walk up those stairs has enough space for multiple students to do their homework. It also is secluded from the popular places where people generally go during Y and conference periods, making this a perfect place for group work or just to do homework with friends. The only downside to this setup is trying not to fall asleep on the couches while doing work!

Head Over to the Health Center Between the nurses’ office and the music practice rooms, the Schmitz Residence Hall is often overlooked by Hockaday girls who are racing to get from one place to the next. Nevertheless, this study spot, while small, fits every type of studier with its comfy couch, wooden chairs and table. If someone is looking to lounge more while they study, they can sit on the couch, the wooden chairs and table; these are sure to keep students awake while studying. Moreover, the natural light from the windows, similar to the study spot in the library, ensures for a peaceful atmosphere. Also, when in need of a quick snack break, this study spot is next to the vending machines, and not far beyond those vending machines lies the lunch room. With the practice rooms nearby, this study spot is the perfect place for someone who does not mind a little background music while studying. by Ashlye Dullye • Business Manager

The Hockaday School

Dec. 14, 2018 • The Fourcast

Reviews & Reflections

5 We take food so seriously during the holiday season that the holidays hardly exist in our imagination without the smell of something along the lines of hot chocolate or roasted chicken. But besides filling our stomachs, we also have the habit of stuffing our schedules with as many holiday-related activities as our festive spirit can muster. On top of everything you probably have on your plate right now—literally or metaphorically—here’s something else I’d say you should take the time to add: The Sporkful. The Sporkful is a podcast—yes, you heard me correctly—about food. At this point, you might be understandably confused, as I was when I first heard about The Sporkful. How is it that somebody might choose a podcast as their medium to talk about food, when food depends so much on visual stimulation? Do I really want to hear about what’s on my plate without seeing it? These questions, and my love for food, ultimately drew me to listen to the podcast. The series can be easily streamed on Spotify free of charge. Creator and host of The Sporkful Dan Pashman was here to answer my concerns as soon as I clicked play. “This is The Sporkful. It’s not for foodies, it’s for eaters,” Pashman says at the beginning of each episode. “Each week on our show we obsess about food to learn more about people.” That’s right. As much as Pashman and I

POTS, PANS AND PODCASTS share a passion for food, we stuck around on both ends of The Sporkful for the people. The first episode of the podcast series that I chose to listen to was titled “The Food Guilt Remediation Project.” In this episode, Pashman discusses his guilt about food waste and explores three solutions with which he can remediate that guilt. Throughout the episode, I’ve truly come to understand how The Sporkful is made for eaters. We all eat, and whether we can help it or not, we waste food. We’ve all felt guilty about leaving something untouched on the plate. It is this shared experience of eaters that Pashman effectively exploits in his podcast. Although I am no cook, nor do I have no burning curiosity towards composting, Pashman’s humor allowed me to sit through all 31 minutes of the episode. His jokes made the content genuinely enjoyable and left me wanting more. His interviews are also well done and interesting, ranging from his neighbor John to Harvard Professor Emily Broad Leib. Throughout the entirety of the episode, The Sporkful struck me as not only genuinely entertaining, but educational. I was able to learn a lot about the foods that I’m eating and how to reduce food waste to show Mother Earth a little more love as an eater. Oh, and did you know that food expiration dates are not federally regulated at all?

Besides episodes like “The Food Guilt Remediation Project” where Pashman takes his listeners along with him on food-related endeavors, The Sporkful mostly features episodes where Pashman sits down with somebody and interviews them about their experiences with food. Drawn by the title, I clicked on “The Pasta That Won Obama Re-Election” next. Despite its proud name, the episode is a little disappointing. In this feature, Pashman interviews Sam Kass, personal chef of the Obama family-turned-Senior White House Advisor, on the topic of nutrition. Pashman tries too hard to play up what the title promised, and his comments sometimes overshadow his guest. On some instances, he asks demanding questions, making Kass seem slightly uncomfortable as he tries to answer things, like whether he smuggled ingredients into the White House. Although Kass only discusses the topic briefly, the episode’s description boasts that Kass “gives us a sneak peek into how he smuggled special ingredients in to the White House.” While the episode included many clickbaits, the content itself was nonetheless enjoyable. Besides, I didn’t find the same flaws in the podcast’s Ask Mimi series, in which Pashman interviews renowned food critic Mimi Sheraton. With Pashman and Sheraton both being knowl-

-edgeable and genuinely humorous, the Ask Mimi series are some of my favorite The Sporkful episodes. Another highlight of the podcast is the discussions about body image and masculinity in “Michael Ian Black is a Man Who Eats Salads,” where Pashman effectively explores an important and relevant topic for eaters in a light-hearted, enjoyable way. Driving through Los Angeles traffic during Thanksgiving break, my family and I had many good laughs listening to the podcast. This brings us to one of the best things about The Sporkful—that it is a podcast. Pashman allows his listeners to experience food without seeing, tasting or smelling, anytime or anywhere during the day. He makes food about people, and that, in my opinion, is what the holidays are about. So this holiday season, get your plate out and dig into The Sporkful.

5 stars by Michelle Chen • Web Editor

OTHER FOODIE PODCAST FAVORITES

EMPOWERING PICKS FROM LITTLE MIX

1. “Joan of Arc” 2. “Strip” 3. “Women’s World” Love, Food

The Atlanta Foodcast

Food is the New Rock

The Food Programme

4. “The National Manthem”

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY WIKI COMMONS

LITTLE MIX, LITTLE ORIGINALITY

2 Little Mix is a British quartet girl group that at mainly works in the pop, dance and rhythm and blues genres. They are one of the first British group to list their debut album, “DNA,” on the top of the American charts. They released their fifth and the newest album, “LM5,” on Nov. 16. The album opens with the song “The National Manthem,” five short statements sung in a cappella by all four members. Their lyrics warn that men must treat women with respect. It strongly declares feminist messages that many later songs in the album will contain. In the beginning, I was excited about the album because of the messages it contains; I was partially right in my initial opinion. Their sixth song, “Joan of Arc,” praises women’s beauty and promotes self-worth. They also attack those who challenge women with phrases such as “Oh you are the feminist type?” by responding with “Hell yeah, I am.” Little Mix brings awareness to prevalent shaming of body confidence and attempts to normalizes self-confidence. “Woman’s World” points out existing gender inequality, especially in the workplace. The song begins with a mother warning her daughter the many challenges women face in today’s society. Little Mix smoothly integrates feminism in their music by bringing awareness of existing inequalities in daily lives in popular media mainstream.

Little Mix takes a step further into examining the objectification of women as well. Only “want[ing] the body and not the brains” is problematic, and “woman’s world” is where females are silenced and censored. Later in the song, they hope for a change in the world, where everyone is equal, stating that “it’s the one way it’s gotta be.” “Told You So” takes a break from the group’s usual pop style in exchange for an acoustic song, a calm and simple melody. The guitar and the abundant a cappella gives an image of a girls’ night, sisters circling together to encourage and reassure each other about relationship problems. Little Mix calms an unknown girl, presumably in a problematic relationship with a boy, and most importantly, never blames her for it. They take the high road, never saying “they told you so” but instead only comforting the girl. I appreciated the calming melody; however, the acoustic theme felt misplaced among their usual pop style. In my opinion, “Strip” is the most empowering of all. It talks about women removing makeup and appreciating the true nature of themselves, in spite of body image that may be perceived as negative to the society. In this song, Little Mix also shines a light on racial minorities and the LGBTIQA+ community, denouncing those who judge people based on their sexual identity or race.

Other songs in “LM5” are disappointing. “Notice” is very repetitive; only two stanzas out of nine are different, and the rest just repeat themselves over and over. The meaning is shallow—the narrator expresses that her significant other is becoming indifferent of her, and nothing matters from that point. After such inspiring and powerful messages about feminism in other songs, Little Mix presents anticlimactic, one-sided relationship songs that tear down the entire album. Their other song “Forget You Not” talks about how the narrator has gotten more attractive, and she will do better without her ex. The story is basic and has no particular interesting features to it; the usage of cliché phrases ruin several of their songs, including this. Out of 60 lines, 12 lines were “Bada-bangbang,” a meaningless phrase used just for aesthetics, and the phrase “I’ll forget you not” repeated itself another 12 times. There’s more, but to avoid repetition, I will stop here. The music in almost all of the songs is typical 2017-18 American Pop with no distinct features. Little Mix has a habit of overusing R&B bass and futuristic piano in so many of their songs to a point that they all sound similar. There is no “hook” because of the base, finger snaps, heavy drums and background bass. Little Mix’s music sounds like they are trying to follow the trend of current pop, but it was executed quite late so that it lacks

freshness. Without carefully listening to the lyrics, one—including myself—might find these songs no different than other songs on the radio. If they could write some empowering lyrics, why couldn’t they have original plot in their lyrics or music? I could not see any distinct style of Little Mix. I was previously unaware of the group, and I found no further interest in it because their lack of originality in melody. Lyrics and the message must be held importance, but if the music is unappealing and hard to distinguish from others, it overrides any strength gained from powerful lyrics, ultimately failing to put the great message across. Through many of their songs in LM5, Little Mix promotes self-worth and feminism. I applaud them for such empowering messages; however, the hackneyed music style and mediocre lyrics in half of the songs ruin the album from creating a major breakthrough and reevaluation of the group.

2 stars

by Eugene Seong • People Editor

arts & life

The Fourcast • Dec. 14, 2018

PHOTOS BY SHEA DUFFY

hockadayfourcast.org

Feta Cheese

Couscous

Chicken Roti

Roti Modern Mediterranean Grill 8301 Westchester Dr, Dallas, TX 75225. 972.982.7118.

RUSH TO ROTI

A spicy yet fresh smell wafted into my nose as I surmounted the out-the-door line and made my way to the front of the bustling restaurant new to Preston Center. Roti Modern Mediterranean Grill, the casual restaurant that replaced Chipotle Mexican Grill earlier this year—but has adopted the same restaurant concept as the mexican chain—promises to serve healthy, substantial “food that loves you back.” Despite my love for Zoës Kitchen, I would not consider Mediterranean food my go-to. However, the casual, upbeat environment and expansive menu selection drew me in as I navigated around University Park searching for a place that would promise me a quick and fulfilling lunch. While the long line appeared daunting at first, I quickly made my way to the counter, where customers have the opportunity of viewing all of the proteins, toppings and sauces on display before they select the contents of their meal. Although I went back-and-forth in the line on which base I would choose, I ultimately decided on a rice plate, trumping the salad and pita sandwich options available. The employees, friendly and helpful to a Roti newcomer like me, happily guided me through my decisions as they assembled my plate in front of me. Unlike other restaurants with the same ordering format, the customer’s choices are unlimited—which certainly made it quite difficult for my indecisive mind to conclude what would make up my meal. Shortly after I paid, my meal was ready. Though the presentation of my plate appeared sloppy and unappealing, I quickly returned to my seat, the spicy scent of the chicken and colorful vegetables making me impatient to devour my meal. The generous amount of chicken on my plate was flavored to perfection and paired nicely with the vegetables and S-hug sauce, composed of spicy red peppers. While my meal was delicious, the disposable containers that the restaurant used offset me, as the line out the door hinted that they definitely disposed of over one hundred

From the FOURCAST Kitchen

3 1 2 3

Mediterranean Chopped Salad, $8.75 Classic Pita, $8.00 Signature Rice Plate, $8.75

1. 1 28 ounce can of chickpeas, rinsed and drained 2. 5 Tbsp chopped fresh basil leaves 3. 2 Tbsp tahini paste 4. 2 garlic cloves, mashed 5. 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil 6. Sea salt, to taste

4 stars by Shea Duffy • Sports Editor

Sports Editor Shea Duffy’s Recipe for Basil Pesto Hummus Directions:

Ingredients:

paper plates and plastic cups a day. However, they seemed to work for the casual vibe of the restaurant, making it easy for customers to quickly enjoy their meal and employees to minimize the wait time. My rice plate was both flavorful and fulfilling, as the portion size was perfect for a late lunch, and I left the restaurant feeling full yet refreshed. The chilled vegetables were a nice contrast to the steaming-hot chicken and rice, and the sauces I chose tied the whole meal together. While I was satisfied with my lunch, I couldn’t help but enviously watch my friend eat her pita sandwich, which seemed to be a satisfactory and dependable choice for picky eaters. While it wasn’t the most unique or memorable meal I have had, the presence of another Mediterranean restaurant within the Dallas food scene gave me yet another cheap option for a quick lunch or dinner. I would recommend Roti Modern Mediterranean Grill for those like myself, who enjoy trying new foods and are in need of a new find to sample. As for my next visit, it will definitely entail a chicken kabob pita sandwich!

1. You can either use a mortar and pestle or a food processor to make the pesto. For smaller quantities, such as this one, I recommend using a mortar and pestle. 2. Toast the nuts for a minute or two. 3. Add the nuts in the mortar and mash them. 4. Add the other ingredients, except olive oil, and mash them too until they have a paste-like consistency. 5. Add olive oil, until the texture is just right. 6. Put all ingredients in your food processor. 7. Process on high speed for 5 minutes until hummus is extra-smooth. 8. Serve and drizzle with olive oil.

The Hockaday School

Dec. 14, 2018 • The Fourcast

IN THE POP CULTURE WORLD

SILVER BELLS ON THE SILVER SCREEN

Vanessa Hudgens Switches It Up On Nov. 16, Netflix released Christmas rom-com, “The Princess Switch,” starring Vanessa Hudgens. The movie is reminiscent of classics like “The Parent Trap” and “The Princess Diaries,” and it’s filled with delightfully comical moments. “Hopefully, this will be a classic for my fans and that they’ll still watch it,” Hudgens said. The plot centers around Margaret, royal Duchess of Montenaro, and her doppelganger Stacy, a baker from Chicago, both of whom are played by Hudgens. The two switch places one week before Christmas, and while Margaret falls for Stacy’s co-worker, Stacy falls in love with Margaret’s fiance, a prince. The movie has been received with positivity, sparking humorous tweets and articles. While it was entertaining, it falls short with the overused and predictable plot. I wouldn’t rewatch the movie, but I recommend it if you haven’t seen it yet and are looking for something to get into the holiday spirit.

In need of a Christmas flick? Magazine Editor Eliana Goodman recommends four Christmas classics for a holiday night in.

The Holiday

A good action packed, comical movie that will make you laugh is “Home Alone,” a hilarious story of a young boy named Kevin who was forgotten at home while his family goes on vacation. When his family left him at home on their vacation to Paris, Kevin is stuck home alone and must ward off the incessantly stupid robbers who are attempting to steal from his family. It has always been my favorite Christmas movie and is the perfect blend of feel-good and funny.

Although the holiday is not exactly the classic child-friendly Christmas movie, it is the perfect flick for a holiday-themed girls’ night in. When two unlucky-in-love women swap houses around Christmas time, they end up finding romance. The script is funny, sweet and you can’t help but feel warm inside after watching this Christmas rom-com.

Elf

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Although “Elf” was released in 2003, it has become a Christmas classic and favorite among teenagers, adults and small children alike. Will Ferrell portrays the infinitely innocent “Buddy,” a man who was raised in the North Pole and believes that he is an elf. Buddy ends up exploring the cynical human world outside of Santa’s workshop and brings out a childish sense of humor in all of his viewers.

In this classic Christmas movie, Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer flees from his bullies with Hermey, an elf, escapes the dangers of the Abominable Snowman, explores the island of Misfit toys and eventually returns home as a proud leader. This cute, feel-good movie, which plays yearly on NBC, is perfect to pair with a family-night in and a cup of hot cocoa. by Eliana Goodman • Magazine Editor

Take a ➝

Happy Holidays From The Fourcast As deadlines approach, holiday break fortunately approaches as well. The Fourcast wishes everyone a happy holiday break!

by Angelina Choucair • Staff Artist

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY WIKI COMMONS

Home Alone

Look

The Golden Age of Netflix Rom-Coms Pop sensation Ariana Grande released the music video for her recent hit “Thank U, Next” on Nov. 30. Filled with celebrity cameos, the video is an ambitious mashup of chick-flicks, inspired by “Mean Girls,” “Legally Blonde,” “13 Going on 30,” and “Bring it On.” Beginning with the iconic “Who is Regina George?” scene from “Mean Girls,” the video then moves on to Grande writing positive messages in her “Burn Book.” The Burn Book includes pictures of Grande with her exes, but she leaves out Mac Miller, who died in September, and looks up at the sky when addressing him in the song. The video also features Kris Jenner, Troye Sivan and “Mean Girls” original cast members Jonathan Bennett and Lindsay Lohan, along with other stars as well. The video quickly rose to number one trending on Youtube and set a new Youtube record for mostwatched video in a 24-hour period. Stephen Hillenburg Returns to Bikini Bottom Creator of “Spongebob Squarepants” Stephen Hillenburg passed away on Nov. 26 following a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and his ashes were reportedly scattered at sea. “Steve imbued ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’ with a unique sense of humor and innocence that has brought joy to generations of kids and families everywhere,” Nickelodeon said in a statement released after his death. The show, airing for almost 20 years, has left an undeniable mark on many generations, as it debuted at the beginning of the digital age. While Hillenburg’s many characters and unconventional jokes have sparked some controversy among parents, the show reflects characteristics of American life, including the toil of fast-food jobs and dealing with insufferable neighbors. Ultimately, Hillenburg produced an iconic series that has led to ubiquitous memes, enhancing the internet’s pop culture language.

arts & life

hockadayfourcast.org

The Fourcast â&#x20AC;˘ Dec. 14, 2018

CITY SLICKER Dallas Holiday Traditions

PHOTOS BY KATE WOODHOUSE

With the holiday season quickly approaching, many Hockaday students have family coming into town. Dallas offers many different winter-themed attractions throughout the city to show relatives the best of winter in Dallas. These range from the charitable Trains at NorthPark, which benefits the nonprofit Ronald McDonald House of Dallas, to the holiday lights at Deerfield, where almost every homeowner in the neighborhood individually decorates their home with lights. Some even sync their lights to music. Since there are too many options to fit into a short time with family, The Fourcast has narrowed the list down. Here are our favorites!

Brightest Lights Deerfield Neighborhood Lights 4611 Legacy Drive Plano, TX 75024

Eats, Treats and Shops The Shops at Legacy 5741 Legacy Drive Plano, TX 75024

A Dallas Tradition The Trains at Northpark 8687 N. Central Expressway Dallas, TX 75225

Best Photo Op Klyde Warren Park 2012 Woodall Rodgers Freeway Dallas, TX 75201

Shop Til You Drop (On the Ice Rink) Ice Skating at the Galleria 13350 Dallas Parkway Dallas, TX, 75240

by Kate Woodhouse â&#x20AC;˘ News Editor

Dec. 14, 2018 • The Fourcast

Humans, by nature, are inherently visual beings. Arguably, what appeases the eye appeases the soul. At least, that is what some patients aim for when they decide to go under the knife, shelling out thousands for that “perfect look.” A nip here, a tuck there—plastic surgery’s increased accessibility and safer methods have attracted more than just aging adults looking to lose a few lines. It’s a cultural trend, even a social movement, overcoming its conventional stigmas and earlier discretions because, for many Americans, it comes down to one question: if you can fix it, why not?

PERFECTION IS JUST A PROCEDURE AWAY STORY BY SAHASRA CHIGURUPATI AND PAIGE HALVERSON ILLUSTRATION BY KAREN LIN THE NEW NORMAL A new generation is emerging and shaping the very way we perceive this once stigmatized industry. Plastic surgery, with its more advanced procedures and medical breakthroughs, is complemented by the youth’s new openness and rebranding of the field. Although starting out as something most keep a secret, plastic surgery has adopted a new light, becoming accessible, quick and, most importantly, empowering. In the Hockaday community alone, approximately 60 percent of high school students have considered getting plastic surgery, while 14 percent are currently planning to get plastic surgery in the future. Considering that the average ages of these highschool students range from 14 to 18, the effect that the industry has on this young age group proves indisputable. Maya Dattatreya, a freshman at Hockaday, is just one of these young teens who once considered plastic surgery. “Sometimes it feels like there some exceptions for women,” Dattatreya said. “At one point, I was considering plastic surgery for my nose. I was told that it would look better if my nose looked more common—more like the majority.” So, with plastic surgery’s popularity on the rise, just what influences these young minds that perfection is just a procedure away? While a new type of laser or cutting-edge advanced procedure has helped plastic surgery efficacy, its most influential and powerful weapon is not physical at all. Enter social media. Social media’s vast capability to reach the masses is one of the primary catalysts for plastic surgery’s newfound growth. As members of an ever-growing, socially-active world, how we present ourselves and how we communicate with others is becoming overwhelmingly digital. Meticulously documented on a plethora of social media platforms, our digital footprints are undeniable. Take a scroll through your social media feed and a bombardment of its inhabitants’ most ideal selves are ubiquitously plastered across their own personal pages, destined to live online for eternity. Mary Hurley, a cosmetic dermatologist based in Dallas, has observed this digital rise through her practice. “Everybody is on their smartphones, especially the younger generations. Everything that they see and learn about is online. The exposure to it changes their perception and how they define beauty,” Hurley said. “People want to look like the photoshopped pictures and it’s not the real world. There’s a sense of lost individuality.” Dattatreya speaks to how the widespread use of social media heightens beauty pressures in her own generation. “Our pictures [on social media] are exposed to way more people,” Dattatreya said. “The pressure to look perfect and like the norm is real.” With these factors in mind, many patients, in lieu of image-altering apps or makeup, boost their digital presence by turning to something a bit more invasive, and where better to find these plastic surgeons than on the very platform they use daily. Undoubtedly, more and more surgeons striving to inform and entice a potential audience utilize social media accounts such as Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat to document their procedures, posting “before and after” shots, surgery prep close-ups and post-op progress. Instead of browsing a surgeon’s website, many are drawn to their social media accounts, where sometimes even daily accounts of their work is displayed for an intrigued audience. Also, many patients, male and female, who have successfully undergone plastic surgery use social media to showcase their new look or recommend a procedure or surgeon. “Social media has definitely caused a widespread growth [of plastic surgery],” Dattatreya said. “It gave plastic surgery and certain procedures a kind of hype.” This informal connection and lessened formalities between patient and doctor has revolutionized the way our society views plastic surgery, its risks and, most importantly, its rewards

SOCIETAL PRESSURES AND EMOTIONAL IMPACT When certain people look at themselves in the mirror, they only see their imperfections. Perhaps, it may just be in the “eye of the beholder,” but for others, plastic surgery can help lift them from depression and anxiety by restoring confidence in themselves. Feeling good about one’s body can boost self-esteem. Trauma patients or patients with congenital defects oftentimes struggle to accept their bodies and feel insecure. So, for many Americans, a little bit of surgical change can alter their lives and make them feel better about themselves. Rod Rohrich, a Dallas plastic surgeon and founding member of the Dallas Plastic Surgery Institute and the Alliance in Reconstructive Surgery, believes that plastic surgery can help alter lives and change mood and anxiety levels. “[Plastic surgery] is life changing for people who want to look and feel normal again,” Rohrich said. Like Rohrich, Hurley works with patients who want to boost their confidence and self-esteem, but she focuses more on non-surgical alternatives, such as fillers and botox. “They look in the mirror and want to feel good about themselves,” Hurley said. “[People] want non surgical alternatives that can take years off and make them look a little more fresh.” As these procedures are becoming more accepted, Hurley sees younger and younger patients walking in her door, often striving to take preventative measures against aging in the future with botox and fillers. “Most of my patients are in their 40s and up, but I’m seeing the average age decrease,” Hurley said. “I have patients in their 20s all the way up to 80 years old. They just want to prevent lines.” In fact, the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery reported that there was a 40 percent increase in patients in younger generations wanting to look better to boost their online presence. “I like to listen carefully to what their concern is, and I want to address their concern while not doing anything inappropriate that doesn’t need to be fixed,” Hurley said. “I think it’s important to say no when one of your patients doesn’t need it so that they look natural. [Patients] need to set their expectations carefully.” People are quick to rush to surgery as the only fix to their imperfections that they notice about themselves. “Just because you can, does not mean you should,” Rohrich said. While it may seem like a quick fix, the need to feel and look perfect can lead many people down the path of getting more cost affordable surgery. This can be detrimental as it leads people to consult with doctors that aren’t board certified or get poor quality surgeries done in foreign countries where the cost is cheaper. These procedures have to potential to end up being botched, and instead of helping with a patient’s mental health, it furthers their insecurities about themselves. But in a world where aesthetics matter to many people, a quick fix or change can drastically alter a person’s life.

in fo

ocus

The Fourcast • Dec. 14, 2018

SOCIAL MEDIA AND CELEBRITY INFLUENCERS In this increasingly digital age, the likes of Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, Scarlett Johansson, Angelina Jolie and many others have become popular topics of conversation in many consultation rooms across America. These social starlets’ natural and unnatural looks have set standards for the beauty community, which projects onto patients. Social media influencers and A-list celebrities alike have inadvertently set goals for the public that, for many, become unattainable. People want to become more and more like what they see online, which for some, leaves them with a lost sense of individuality. Hurley knows this all too well. “There was a study by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery that reveals 31 percent of procedures are due to patients wanting to look like people online,” Hurley said. People often come in to see Hurley baring pictures of Kylie Jenner’s lips, wanting to achieve the look that she has put out on the internet for her followers. “I still see people coming for lip fillers everyday, all day,” Hurley said. But unfortunately, not all features seen on social media stars that patients try to imitate look good on everybody, since these specifics looks can not be best suited for all patients’ faces. “I see many patients coming in, wanting to emulate certain social media celebrities, but often that is not a good thing,” Rohrich said. “For example, if you love the nose on Angelina Jolie, it may not look good on you, so each must be individualized for that person’s own beauty and facial features.” Influencers are no longer scared to admit to getting procedures done, displaying their work over social media for their surplus of followers. These influencers have a vast reach and when they endorse plastic surgery procedures, the field continues to become more popular, while they bolster their own social media presence. “I have numerous social media influencers and IG and Facebook stars that I have performed fillers and botox as well as other procedures like rhinoplasty to enhance their online presence and influence,” said Rohrich. “With the rise and increase of the influence of the millennials, it will be increasing exponentially in the next several yea

SOCIAL MEDIA’S EFFECT ON PLASTIC SURGERY Just as their procedures are rapidly advancing, paving the way for further medical breakthroughs and discoveries, surgeons’ modes of communicating to an ever growing audience are advancing at the same pace. Rohrich is a firm believer in the power and influence of social media within his field and has also noticed a trend towards online activity and patient engagement. “Up to 20 percent of my patients see or hear about me through Facebook and or Instagram today, and that is skyrocketing now due to the rapidly changing face of social media,” Rohrich said. “The internet has transformed all of medicine. No longer do patients or consumers ask their family doctor first—they go online to find a doctor to suit their needs.” With over 37,000 followers on instagram, ranging from fellow medical professionals to current or previous patients, Rohrich knows how to wield his social media presence like a pro. “The reason more and more plastic surgeons use social media is because that it is where most consumers that are 40 and under look for health care expertise and information today,” Rohrich said. “It is amazing how that has changed in the past three years as more and more consumers seek to learn how to get best care and best health care information online.” While Rohrich, like many leading-edge plastic surgeons, utilizes his social media accounts responsibly, conveying the inherent risks that comes with a medical procedure, as well as the obvious rewards, social media can be and has been misused. “[Social media] is a double edged sword,” Rohrich said. “Often times, physicians who masquerade as plastic surgeons do so with fake boards and don’t tell the consumer who they really are. That is problematic for all of us, especially for the consumer who can get in harm’s way.” But like almost all medical professionals, Rohrich knows the importance of researching your potential plastic surgeon when social media doesn’t display all the facts. “You need to be very savvy and do your homework to find a real expert in what you want done,” Rohrich said. “You must have the three e’s: expertise, experience and be able to show exceptional results in what you do.” Hurley also has noticed the rise in social media’s presence in her own field of cosmetic dermatology. “I think that social media is going to continue to play a role in the influence of cosmetic and plastic surgery,” Hurley said. “I think people are going to continue to use the platforms. That’s how this generation gets their content.” From cosmetic dermatology to plastic surgery, these medical professionals agree that this new sense of hype around plastic surgery is beneficial in fighting any stigmas surrounding their field. “I think there is less stigma about these procedures. Many years ago not that many people did botox, but now it is so mainstream that everybody is now doing it,” Hurley said. “[It] made these procedures more acceptable

WHERE DOES IT GO FROM HERE? Social media is undeniably making its mark on plastic surgery, and for surgeons and patients alike, it’s not necessarily a bad thing. The plastic surgery industry is defined by its growth and innovation, with social media being just another step in its long journey towards perfection. This normalization of plastic surgery also brings up some complicated questions concerning society’s beauty standards and its high visual expectations. “[Social media] is making plastic surgery more realistic and practical for all to consider, which may change your looks, improve your facial features and make you feel and look better,” Rohrich said. “It will not necessarily change your life. That is entirely up to you.” If used responsibly, plastic surgery is a beneficial tool that can help willing patients to embrace their bodies more positively, empowering people from all walks of life to make the changes that they want to implement to their physical appearances. “It has to do with beauty, and I think people are in search and on a quest for the ideal beauty image. From the beginning of time women and men want to look better,” Hurley said. “The goal is to look a little refreshed and not take it too far. It’s an elective procedure, and they want to remedy it.

SOCIAL SURGICAL SENSATIONS As the industry of plastic surgery continues to grow, many surgeons turn to social media to garner prospective patients. Below are a few surgeons who use Instagram as a platform to publicize their work for any to see.

Dr. Rod Rohrich 37.4k Followers @rod.rohrich

Dr. Paul Nassif

512k Followers @drpaulnassif

Dr. Terry Dubrow 610k Followers @drdubrow

Dr. Michael Salzhauer

1m Followers @therealdrmiami

Dr. Simon Ourian

3m Followers @simonourianmd1

Dec. 14, 2018 • The Fourcast

“

The Hockaday School

I thought [the chokers and keychains] were fun to make, and why not make the extra money?

eople

Ex(sell)ing at Their Craft p17

PHOTO PROVIDED BY QUINN BRODSKY

Brodsky Breaks Tradition at MIT ➝ Story by Ponette Kim • Copy Editor

SINGING WITH SOUL • Gripping the mic in concentration, Quinn Brodsky ‘18 moves the audience with her talented voice. This picture is from her 2015 performance with her band, The Hey Heys, at music venue and bar in Dallas, Trees. Brodsky is now the first female student to be a part of the “Logs,” a previously all-male a cappella group at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Although the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is notorious for being the dream school for aspiring engineers and mathematicians, it actually hosts one of the most well-known college a cappella groups: the MIT Logarhythms.

ccording to their YouTube page, the “Logs” were formed in 1949, which means that they have been around for almost 70 years. Quoted on their YouTube page as “MIT’s premier all-male a cappella group,” it seems like there is one piece of information that needs to be changed. In the fall of 2018, alumna Quinn Brodsky ‘18 was the first girl to be admitted into the group in its history. Quinn Brodsky, a long-time singer and music enthusiast, has been singing since she was around 7 or 8 years old when she began voice lessons. Since she was 12 years old, Quinn Brodsky has been in numerous bands, performed at Hockaday and St. Mark’s School of Texas coffeehouses and written her own music. Quinn Brodsky had never performed in an a cappella group before. But when she saw the Logs at MIT’s preview weekend, she knew she had to audition. “Out of all of MIT’s groups, they’re one of the more prominent ones,” Quinn Brodsky said. “There was a big a cappella performance, and the Logs performed [at preview weekend]. That was when I really started to be interested in them.” Though the group technically began allowing girls to audition a few years ago, none had made it into the group yet. With this daunting prospect in mind, Quinn Brodsky set out to audition for the Logs in early September. “The only barrier is this weird social norm, so, why not try?” Quinn Brodsky questioned. “The worst they can say is no.” Auditions for the Logs lasted two days, from Sep. 1 to 2. Quinn Brodsky, who had been updating her parents via text throughout the entire audition process, was notified whether or not she had made the group on the night of Sep. 2. “My parents are really supportive of me,” Quinn Brodsky said. “My mom told me that throughout the entire day she was super nervous, and then when I told her [that I got in], she was with her friends, and

she started crying.” Greta Brodsky, Quinn Brodsky’s mom, has always been a big supporter of Quinn Brodsky and her musical endeavors. “I first realized that Quinn had a beautiful voice at the age of three, when she sang ‘happy birthday to you,’ and had an amazing voice,” Greta Brodsky said. “She’s always just had a natural talent for singing.” According to Greta Brodsky, her daughter has always been self-driven. She taught herself guitar and has been in several bands, but decided to do those things on her own. “I said, ‘Quinn, if you want me to be that mother that will push you, I will do that,’” Greta Brodsky said. “She said, ‘Mom, the likeliness of me being a famous musician is just so low. I think I’m just going to be a physicist.’” Though Greta Brodsky was excited to spread the good news, her daughter was hesitant. “She didn’t want to take away from the other members in her class that she was a woman,” Greta Brodsky said. “She’s just very humble about that.”

the rest of the group,” Quinn Brodsky said. “They’ve all been very supportive of me. It’s basically just like I have a bunch of brothers, which feels very great.” Apparently, students at MIT are not bothered by her acceptance into the Logs either. The MIT student newspaper, The Tech, even covered her story. “Sometimes I’ll be walking around campus wearing a t-shirt with the Logs’ logo and hear people whisper, ‘That’s the girl Log,’” Brodsky said. “But I know that the intention is probably like, ‘This must be a really important thing,’ not necessarily about my gender but the significance for the group.” However, Quinn Brodsky believes that it may be strange for some of the alumni, especially since it is the 70th anniversary of the Logs in 2019. “There’s some concern that, potentially, older alums, the traditional alumni, may not be super thrilled that I’m there, but I’ve gotten emails from alumni and met many of them,” Quinn Brodsky said. “From the ones that I’ve met, they’ve all been very excited. There’s been no negative feedback from the alumni so far.” I think that this could be an opporSo far, the group has completed their fall tour, where they performed at schools and coltunity for some really big change, leges in New York and Rhode Island. The group both for the culture of the group and has a rigorous practice schedule, with three for the acceptance of other genders two-hour rehearsals scheduled for every week into groups.” and extra practice for the freshmen. “Usually, on a given week, I’ll practice four Quinn Brodsky to five times a week, so a total of seven to eight Hockaday Class of 2018 hours a week,” Quinn Brodsky said. Despite the time-consuming practice Justus Winkler, Quinn Brodsky’s former schedule, Quinn Brodsky believes she will “abbandmate and friend of five years, was not solutely” continue performing with the Logs for surprised that she had made the group. the entirety of her college career. However, she “She’s always been very talented and very doesn’t think she will continue playing in bands confident,” Winkler said. “I think her voice will do as she did in high school. well in a choral setting.” “I probably won’t be in a formal group, Though some may believe that the integra- because [the Logs] is already a big time committion into a previously all-male a cappella group ment,” Quinn Brodsky said. “I already play music would be tough, Quinn Brodsky doesn’t think with my friends in my dorm—it’s casual.” that it has been difficult at all. Quinn Brodsky hopes that her acceptance “I’ve never felt, in any way, bothered from into the Logs kickstarts conversations about so-

“

cietal norms and the future inclusion of people of all genders. “I think that this could be an opportunity for some really big change,” Quinn Brodsky said. “Both for the culture of the group and for the acceptance of other genders into groups.”

BY THE

NUMBERS

5 6 12 69

Number of albums the Logarhythms have on Spotify

Number of new members

Number of years Brodsky has been singing

Number of years since the Logarhythms were established

people

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The Fourcast • Dec. 14, 2018

faces & places 2

CLEAN CAMPUS. 3

4 1. Lulu Jasso pushes the cart in Lower Morgan boarding hall. 2. Maria Cendejas fluffs up the cushions, retouching the boarding lounge. 3. Cresencia Garcia folds the bed sheets with the help of a machine. 4. Taking a phone call and armed with her notepad, Carolyn Hoke communicates with the housekeeping staff. 5. Cynthia Fuentes polishes the stove so that it will be clean for its next use.

PHOTOS BY CHARLOTTE DROSS AND ASHLYE DULLYE

ow is the Nancy A. Asher and David J. Haesmisegger Theater spotlessly clean just moments after a big event? Or what about the Hicks Meeting Room or Biggs Dining Hall? The answer behind these seemingly magical occurrences lies with five women: the housekeeping staff. While there are cleaning staff who clean up the entire school during the night, five women, Beverly Harris, Cynthia Fuentes, Cresencia Garcia, Lulu Jasso and Maria Cendejas, clean up after big events and clean the dorms during the day. They get to Hockaday at 6:30 a.m. every morning and end their day at 2 p.m. “I wake up at 4 a.m. every morning to get here at 6 a.m., and when I get here, I help dust and vacuum the main hall offices. Then at 8 a.m., I go eat breakfast and then clean the dorms at 8:30 a.m.,” Garcia said. “I then help take out all the garbage and continue my day wiping the mirrors, mopping and vacuuming the lounges.” The majority of the housekeeping staff has worked at Hockaday for over 10 years. While this is Cendejas’s second year and Jasso’s first year, Garcia has been working at the school for 17 years, Fuentes for 26 years and Harris for 31 years. “I started working at this school in the kitchen and worked there for 15 years. I then continued working at Hockaday but instead as part of the housekeeping staff,” Harris stated. Throughout the time they have been at Hockaday, the Housekeeping staff has decided to delegate their duties through assigning each dorm hallway to a staff member and the remaining staff member, which is Jasso, is assigned to clean simple messes throughout the rest of the school. For instance, since Harris is assigned Lower Trent as her hallway, she cleans the bathrooms and the halls, does the laundry and cleans everything else that pertains to that hallway. Despite the varying duties, the housekeepers ensure to work as a team to get the job done as efficiently as possible. “We like to do everything together. In the summer we work all around the school to clean more stuff around the school. We work as a unit, as a team,” Garcia said. Moreover, everything the housekeepers know how to do with regards to cleaning has been acquired from past experience from before they attained the job. “We clean our house the way we clean at Hockaday. There was no extra training,” Harris explained. None of the housekeepers have an email. Instead, they just complete their normal day-to-day duties unless Director of Housekeeping Carolyn Hoke instructs them to do otherwise. “I think we enjoy working here so much because we have a wonderful boss who is very nice. She is probably the reason we’ve stayed for so long, because she always understands our problems,” Garcia stated. Since the housekeeping staff cleans as soon as the boarders leave their dormitories for class, the housekeepers do not get much interaction with the students. Despite this, they still think very highly of the students. “I only talk to the students when they ask a question, but I never really have an actual conversation with them,” Fuentes explained, “However, a job is a job, and I am happy to do it because every time I talk to the girls at all, they seem very nice.”

by Ashlye Dullye • Business Manager

The Hockaday School

Dec. 14, 2018 • The Fourcast

A Day in the Life of

Linda Kramer Linda Kramer, Head of Middle School, works hard to organize events, check on classes and maintain the order of grades fifth through eighth. Each work day for Kramer is a new adventure, with every day bringing new tasks and joy. Through spending time with her, staff writer Julia Donovan got a sneak peak into what a day in Kramer’s life looks like.

6:45 A.M.

Rise & Shine!

MORNING UPDATES | Kramer arrives at school at 6:45 a.m., ready for the tasks ahead of her. Her first task starts with writing the daily schedule on the whiteboard for the upcoming day. She then reads emails and prepares a plan for her work day until 7:20 a.m.

Q 4:30 A.M.

7:20 A.M.

EARLY BIRD GETS THE WORM | Kramer wakes up at 4:30 a.m. every morning. She starts off her day by running on her small trampoline for a morning exercise. She then gets dressed for work.

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT | During this time, Kramer helps any child in need of assistance. She waits with open office doors for students who may need to talk about their rough night, friendship issues or worries in their classes. Kramer continues to do this until 8 a.m., in which the first class of the day starts.

3:30 P.M. RUNDOWN | Even as the school doors close for the Middle Schoolers, Kramer is still available for emotional support. This is the time that she sits down with any struggling kids that need to talk. She typically helps them come up with ways they can solve any problems in their lives or create study plans. Additionally, every rotation, Kramer has a faculty grade meeting after school.

1:00 P.M.

8:00 A.M.

CHECK UP | Kramer goes back to her morning tasks, which include attending meetings and completing operational work. She also observes classes during this time. Kramer likes to stay engaged with each grade in Middle School to make sure everything stays aligned and to be kept up-to-date with what the students are learning.

MID-MORNING PLANNING | After class starts around 8 a.m., Kramer participates in meetings that include planning for upcoming events or typical grade meetings. An example of a meeting that could take place during this time is planning for the Valentine’s Dance for eighth grade students.

5:00 P.M. KNOCK KNOCK | If there’s a sports game, Kramer tries to make it. She strives to split her time equally between the different sports teams. A normal ending to Kramer’s day is doing operational work and making sure everything is in place. Her day typically trickles to an end anywhere between 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.

12:00 P.M. LUNCH DUTY | During this time, Kramer sits with her fellow faculty members and enjoys lunch. Kramer has lunch with the Leadership team every Tuesday for their noon meeting. This time is sometimes chaotic for the Head of Middle School because it includes recess, a time in which students have free roam of Graduation Terrace. She sometimes has to help a child who has fallen or mend friendship problems caused by the popular Middle School game—foursquare— that is taken very seriously.

ue l f n o o Aftern

PHOTOS BY JULIA DONOVAN AND EUGENE SEONG

Goodbye!

10:00 A.M.

11:00 A.M.

9:20 A.M. QUALITY ADVISORY | This is Kramer’s favorite part of the day. She loves spending time with her eighth grade advisory and catching up on the latest news of the grade.

GET TO WORK | Around 9:40 a.m., Kramer picks back up and goes to more meetings. She also does operational work during this time period—sending emails, checking her schedule to know what she has to do and planning more upcoming events.

HELPING HAND | Kramer spends this time with her advisory while they complete homework. If the students do not have flex, it is because they have an important meeting, which Kramer occasionally leads.

by Julia Donovan •Staff Writer

people

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The Fourcast • Dec. 14, 2018

Ex(sell)ing at Their Craft

PHOTO BY MEGHNA JAIN

Hockaday students and teachers make and sell their own masterpieces.

SENIOR CAPTURES SCENERY

• The painting pictured above was created by senior Meghna Jain. She has always enjoyed are, focusing mostly on acrylics. She is currently accepting commissions.

ith the holiday season upon us, many people are frantically searching for the perfect gift to give friends and family, crowding malls and department stores to accomplish this goal. However, with the immense talent of the students and faculty at Hockaday, one does not have to look any further than 11600 Welch Road. Here are three of The Fourcast’s favorites.

fun to make, and why not make the extra money?” Geist said. The talented crafter also has plans for future expansion. Geist currently owns an Etsy shop, DTX Beadery, that she plans to set up with her products soon. For now, if anyone wants to buy one of her products, they have to contact her directly. “I’m really excited about [the future],” Geist said. “I’m really hoping to get everything up and running soon and can’t wait to see the results.”

Sydney Geist Junior Sydney Geist sold her first craft, a stuffed sock decorated as a snowman, to junior Angie Walsh five years ago when she was in sixth grade. Since then, her crafting business has only grown. Now, Geist primarily sells wire and bead chokers and keychains with hand painted beads and suede cords. Her main customers are friends from Hockaday and beyond who see her wearing her products and ask “Where did you get that?” Geist sells her products because she finds the business very enjoyable and profitable. Crafting, to her, is relaxing and a fun way to express herself. “I thought [the chokers and keychains] were

Meghna Jain Senior Meghna Jain takes a different approach to her business than Geist by focusing on creating acrylic paintings. She sells mostly small pieces to people to put in their rooms, typically of places they have traveled or lived. However, she once sold a large abstract painting to go by the staircase of a friend’s home. She began her business after a friend of Jain’s older sister saw one of the paintings that she had received as a gift. The friend proceeded to become her first customer and sparked Jain’s business. “After I made [the paintings], I kind of just had a lot of fun doing it,” Jain said.

On her art Instagram, @mjs.art.adventures, Jain announced that she would begin taking commissions and asked for people to direct message her if they were interested in purchasing. Her business has only taken off from there.

“

After I made [the paintings], I kind of just had a lot of fun doing it.” Meghna Jain Senior

Before Jain created her Instagram page one year ago, people were not as familiar with her paintings. However, now her work has gained lots of popularity in the Hockaday community and beyond. Since she does not play any sports, her commissions and art pieces on display have added to Jain’s extracurricular adventures. “It’s another thing that people just didn’t know about me,” Jain said. Kevin Brady Upper School Ceramics teacher Kevin

Brady has a longstanding tradition of selling art at Hockaday. For 24 years, Brady has held an annual holiday event at school, where almost 100 percent of the proceeds benefit the North Texas Food Bank, specifically the Empty Bowls Luncheon. Empty Bowls is an international project where artists bring bowls of their making to the event and serve a meal to collect donations to help fight hunger in their communities. “It helps [the North Texas Food Bank] and helps raise awareness about hunger in Dallas,” Brady said. Brady also sells his work throughout Dallas and the country. He has friends in Arizona and Colorado that have sold ceramics and photos for him before. While he has sold his work in galleries and museum shops, Brady has not worked with one for a couple of years and would rather make and sell his art on his terms. “When they start asking 50 percent commission, or they want you to make a certain thing or price a certain way because that’s what sells, I kind of go ‘Eh, that’s boring,’” Brady said.

by Kate Woodhouse • News Editor

BOARDER LINE Sophomore Derin Kalkanoglu only has a year at Hockaday, but hopes to make the most of her overseas experience. Through ASSIST, an international exchange organization, Kalkanoglu has traveled thousands of miles away from her home country, Turkey, to spend her sophomore year in Texas. The Fourcast talked to Kalkanoglu to find out how she has adjusted to her new life and what her experiences have been like so far.

BETTER TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE

●●● What was your experience in coming to Hockaday through Assist?

Every year, the halls of Tarry House become a little more festive come December. Each of Tarry House’s four halls are gifted with a Christmas tree, in which boarders and dorm moms alike are free to decorate leading up to holiday break. Appreciating the spirit that the Christmas trees bring to her hall, Junior Georgia Verhalen sees the tradition as a way to grow closer with her peers and make boarding feel more home-like. “Every tree looks different, and I love to see the halls all decorated right before we return home,” Verhalen said. “I had so much fun putting ornaments and ribbon on the tree and it definitely put me in the holiday spirit.”

I came [to Hockaday] with an exchange program and the program chose Hockaday for me. I really like boarding and everything about it. My favorite part is being with my friends all the time. We do everything together and never feel alone, while back home, it was harder to meet up with friends out of school. Here, we just live together and it’s the best thing.

What is the biggest difference between Turkey and Dallas?

Of course the biggest difference is the school and being a boarder. I used to go places [in Turkey] via public transportation and now I only use the Hockaday bus. The weather is also much warmer here!

What was the transition like from regular school to boarding?

I found the transition from a regular school to a boarding school pretty easy. Even though I have to do everything myself and I don’t have my parents helping me, I can do things when I want to and decide how I want to spend my time. I miss my family and going home after a long school day, but I also love waking up late and just walking over to class.

With the holidays creeping up, Hockaday boarding has placed an emphasis on giving back to their community. On Nov. 8, all boarding students and many day students spent their afternoon and evening volunteering at the Feast of Sharing event to provide a Thanksgiving meal to the less fortunate. Helping Hands

↠

JINGLE BELL ROCK

What do you hope to accomplish during your year at Hockaday?

As I am only here for a year, I want to enjoy the limited time I have here. I hope to learn as much as I can, not only from school but also from being away from my parents and home, try new stuff and make great memories.

by Shea Duffy • Sports Editor

Dec. 14, 2018 • The Fourcast

The Hockaday School

“

ports

You can just let your mind wander and think about things”

Sprinting Towards Success p19

PHOTO BY STEWART COHEN

The Race for a Change ➝ Story by Ava Berger • Staff Writer

GO GREEN • Armed with energy and school spirit, the Hockaday Varsity Volleyball team bundled up to cheer on the Varsity Field Hockey team during their first SPC matchup against Houston Christian High School. This year, the athletics department and Upper School athletic board created a seasonal raffle for students and teachers to promote better attendance at important sports events.

Continued from p01

A cultural change has taken full swing in the Hockaday athletics program. Under the careful assistance from Surgi, who began her position earlier this year as the new Director of Athletics, immense development has taken place.

ome of the questions Surgi asks herself everyday are, “What’s the next step, what sports should we be offering that we don’t already have and what are the facilities needed in order to do that, to accomplish the big picture ideas that we want to meet?” Surgi, Meredith Jones, Chair of the Athletic Board and the Upper School athletic board have been implementing developments throughout the school year in an attempt to create a new culture surrounding athletics at Hockaday and more spirit throughout the whole department. The time of the “forgotten cornerstone,” Hockaday athletics, has finally come to an end. Spreading Unity One of the biggest changes this year has been spreading unity and equity throughout all sports. The athletic department wants to integrate Middle and Upper School sports together to create more fluidity within the departments. “I’m going to be working with the varsity coaches to make sure they meet with the [junior varsity] coaches and the Middle School coaches to make sure every program has a look and a feel and aren’t separated by division,” Surgi said. In order to achieve this, Surgi plans to have varsity athletes working closely with Middle School and hosting special events for the younger girls to create a sense of identity for each department. Recently, the Middle School athletic board was created in an attempt to connect the two divisions of the school. Surgi plans to have meetings with both the Upper School athletic board and the Middle School athletic board to get more ideas and connect student athletes across the school. Jones and Surgi have also been working to make every sport feel welcome and appreciated in the department. “It’s one Hockaday athletic program, all of the teams combine to make Hockaday athletics, but before there were definitely some sports that got forgot about or not a lot of emphasis was put on them. People have felt

forgotten about in the past and we are trying to fix that issue now,” Jones said. All these changes have already positively affected student athletes trying to excel at their sports. Kate Wills, varsity diver, has seen improvements in the diving department already. “Coach Surgi is putting more focus on all the teams that most people forget about, like diving. We now feel like a real team and are being supported by the athletic department,” Wills said.

“

Putting emphasis on the varsity athletes will hopefully reveal all the hard work and dedication they are putting in.” Deb Surgi Director of Athletics

The most important part about spreading unity is creating a culture that will spread through the whole school, not just Upper School, as well as fostering a feeling of pride in being part of a sport. “At the same time we want to create a culture where we don’t want JV or Middle School to feel lesser than, we want them to look at a varsity player and feel like, ‘She represents the varsity program, and I’m part of that program,’” Surgi said. Also, at the Southern Preparatory Conference pep rally, only the varsity athletes walked out in order to encourage the JV athletes and all athletes to work hard to reach this point in their career. Captains and the HAW Another way that unity has become a part of athletics is through the new procedures captains follow. In previous years, all the teams elected their captains at the start of each season with varying numbers of captains and different ways of voting for captains for each team. This lacked the sense of unity that Surgi and the athletic department wanted to create. Starting this year, each varsity team will

pick two captains from anyone on the varsity team who wishes to run and makes a speech. These captains are designed to represent their team with sportsmanship and character. Each team member fills out a ballot with space that allows them to address why this person best embodies the spirit of the whole team. After the seasons of each sport is over, each team will vote again for captains for the next seasons. “It’s all about the newly adopted language around what does it means to be a Hockaday captain, creating the passing of the torch, creating opportunities for legacy and the passing of leadership, for storytelling from one student to another and grade to another, one division to another,” Surgi said. At least once per season, all the captains will meet with Surgi for lunch to discuss what they want from the season and what they feel their team needs. The newly elected captains for next year will have a captains training seminar and lunch in order for them to go out into the battlefield with skills and some direction for what they are trying to accomplish. The captains will then have the summer to plan out their season and make sure what they want to achieve becomes a formulated plan of what they can do to achieve it. Neelam Jivani, an athletic trainer, witnesses all the changes in the athletic department as she watches most games and takes care of the athletes. “I think for the players, the most important thing would be the voting of the captains and how it’s more student chosen and each player has the ability to choose who they wish,” Jivani said. The athletic board has also started the “Hockaday Student Athlete of the Week” (HAW). The HAW was created to recognize the student athletes that go above and beyond in their respective sports. They are leaders and have impeccable work ethic. When they play their sport, they command respect and lift their team along with them. “The athletes don’t get recognized enough for their hard work. For example, at the end of the year, all the people who get athletic awards only get presented in front of all the athletes at the athletic banquet,” Jones said. “Generally speaking, I don’t think athletes get recognized as much, so putting emphasis on the varsity ath-

letes will hopefully reveal all the hard work and dedication they are putting in.” The HAWs get presented at lunch with their coach and Surgi. At the end of the season, they also are mentioned in front of the whole school at the SPC pep rally. Most importantly they get featured on the Hockaday athletics Instagram. And who doesn’t love getting featured on the Instagram! The New Merchandise Store and Website Newly featured on the Hockaday website is the Hockaday merchandise store. “I think it’s good to have gear, because it shows our spirit to other schools, and it’s nice to have good gear to support our teams,” Jones said. The varsity sports will be able to create subsections of the website with their varsity gear along with the school wide gear. The athletics website has been up for a while, but under Surgi, the website has been reorganized and formatted so that the information is easier to see and read. Now on the website, students and parents will find pictures of all the athletes and a schedule that can be synced easily to their phones. Also, the past athletes that committed to colleges from Hockaday are shown on the website. The new merchandise store and website are important ways to integrate the Hockaday athletics community and the whole school together and enhance the support of the department. Change of any kind is difficult and takes a lot of hard work and dedication, something that Jones and Surgi put in everyday. “The biggest challenge in all of this is that the culture of athletics has become the forgotten cornerstone, in my opinion, for a really long time and to change it for the people who are already here, like the people in high school, it’s hard. So, changing the culture takes a lot of time,” Jones said. Jones plans to focus on the younger athletes to foster a sense of athletic spirit in them that will eventually spread into all levels of the school as they grow older. Now, all that the athletic department can focus on is the future and building the community and culture that they need. Unfortunately, it will take more than seven days, but all it takes is seven days to develop an idea that will change a whole department. “We have to create a plan on how to get there, how to get from point A to point B,” Surgi said. “Past, present, future: what about the past do you want to keep, what about the present do you want to change, what do you want to dream about for the future.”

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Tips & Tricks on How to Maximize Your Run

The Fourcast • Dec. 14, 2018

Putting a Ring on It

Sprinting Towards Success PHOTO BY CHARLOTTE DROSS

How one Upper School mathematics teacher strikes a balance within her busy schedule.

WOMEN IN STEM • Upper School math teacher Rachel Grabow offers assistance to AP Computer Science student, senior Ponette Kim. Behind the desk in her classroom, a whiteboard embellished in magnets and numbers from her previous races emphasize her dedication to running and her many accomplishments in the sport.

aturdays: the day seen by many as an opportunity to catch up on the sleep that they have been deprived of throughout the painstakingly long nights of the week. However, Upper School mathematics teacher Rachel Grabow has a different outlook: when the clock strikes 4:30 a.m. on Saturday mornings, Grabow rises, ready to take on the new day. Why might she wake so early on a day designated for rest, you might be asking? Because on Saturday mornings, Grabow runs anywhere from 10 to 22 miles with her running club, the Dallas Running Club. “I love running,” Grabow said. “I really like running with a team and sharing that love of running.” Grabow has been running for years now. She first started when she was in college. However, she began distance running six years ago, when she completed her first half marathon. Although the distances can be long, Grabow sees running as an opportunity to destress and take a moment to herself from the usual buzz of life. “Running is challenging, which I like. It is a break from work, it is a break from my usual day-to-day life,” Grabow said. “I don’t take my phone when I run, I’m completely disconnected, so you can just let you mind wander and think about things and get out stress and just kind of relax.” Grabow has taught at Hockaday for eight years. She currently teaches five sections of math, including Advanced Placement BC Calculus, AP Multivariable Calculus and AP Computer Science. However, within the Hockaday campus,

Grabow’s involvement is not limited to teaching. She has gone a step farther by helping coach not one, but two varsity sports: cross country and swimming. Grabow has been involved in the Hockaday cross country program for four years now, coaching Middle School cross country for two years and Upper School cross country for two as well. Additionally, this will be Grabow’s sixth year coaching swimming. Laboris Bean, Athletic Director, coaches the cross country team with Grabow. As a result, he worked closely with her and admires the ways in which she is able to motivate the runners. “[Grabow encourages the girls] by example,” Bean said. “I remember her 100 mile run—that encouraged the girls that if Coach Grabow could run 100 miles, they could definitely run three. Which also encouraged me as a coach.” Even though she coaches these two demanding sports, Grabow still makes time within her schedule to workout outside of school. For her, typical workouts alternate between running and swimming because “you still get a good workout, but it helps you avoid injury,” according to Grabow. She first started swimming after receiving a stress fracture from running six years ago. “I swum when I was in a boot and couldn’t run, and then I just kept it up as good cross training even after I was able to run again,” Grabow said. “I think it’s really useful because I’m usually not running every day, so I alternate running with swimming typically.”

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I don’t take my phone when I run, I’m completely disconnected, so you can just let you mind wander and think about things and get out stress and just kind of relax.” Rachel Grabow Upper School Mathematics Teacher

A typical week’s workout for Grabow looks something like this: On Mondays and Wednesdays, she swims. On Tuesdays, she helps lead a training group of runners who are apart of the Dallas Running Club. On Thursdays, she and some friends gather to run six to 10 miles, making sure to grab dinner after. Fridays are Grabow’s designated day of rest during this workout cycle. Saturdays are generally the most intensive day, as Grabow once again works out with her training group, this time running anywhere from 10 to 22 miles in the early hours of the morning. Grabow concludes her week with a Sunday run—anywhere from eight to 10 miles. Additionally, twice a week, Grabow will do strength training, which usually entails working out in the weightroom. However, Grabow has not limited her running routes to the immediate Dallas area. For the past few years, she has been competing in races—either marathons or longer distances— eight times per year. These longer distance rac-

es, or “ultra-running” races, tend to take place out of state. For instance, this past fall, Grabow completed in her longest race yet—an excruciating 100 mile run that took place outside of Little Rock, Arkansas. It is not uncommon that she take a weekend trip to a neighboring state to participate in these longer races. “I like the challenge [of running longer distance races]. I think especially in the really long distance running, like the ultra-running, it strips away everything, so you aren’t focused on what anyone else thinks or anything else in your life,” Grabow said. “You are just trying to get through the run.” So, due to the business of her schedule, one might question how she has time to balance teaching, coaching and making room for her out-of-school workout pursuits. For Grabow, the answer lies in one simple word: planning. “I am a very organized, Type A person. At the beginning of the week, I map out my whole schedule for the week, like what I’m doing during my off periods at school, when cross country or swimming workouts are, when my own workouts are—all that stuff is mapped out,” Grabow said. “And for my classes, I have all that mapped out, too—anything I have to grade, anything I have to make or plan, when it has to be done and when I’m doing it.” With the help of these Excel sheets that she creates, Grabow is able to more effectively stay on top of her schedule. This is apparent to her students. Senior Maddie McBride, a member of Grabow’s BC Calculus class, appreciates Grabow’s willingness to be accessible to students. “Even though I know Ms. Grabow would have cross country practice in the morning, she always seems to make time for her students,” McBride said. “It is really helpful, especially on days that we have quizzes or tests, she was always there before school.” Senior Ashna Ahuja has a unique connection with Grabow, as she is not only in her BC Calculus class and on the cross country team, but in her advisory as well. For this reason, Ahuja spends a lot of time with Grabow and can speak to the determination with which her advisor approaches all activities. “She not only shows the same amount of dedication [for teaching and coaching], but she also shows the same amount of passion for both things, which is really inspiring for me as someone who really likes math but also really likes running,” Ahuja said. Ultimately, although Grabow’s schedule is more crowded than most, she loves what she does. “[My schedule] is definitely hectic,” Grabow said. “It’s a packed schedule, but I really like what I’m doing, so I don’t mind being busy.”

by Charlotte Dross • Editor-In-Chief

Fresh Kicks

Breakfast of a Champion

Perfect Form

Run to a Rhythm

Running shoes have the capability of making or breaking your run. The expansive market of shoes ensure that there is a shoe that caters to everyone’s needs. Selecting a shoe that suits your arch and the sole of your foot can help to prevent orthopedic problems; Support in shoes can cater to knee and foot problems. The sneakers that suit you the best may not work for other people, so make sure to choose a shoe based on your own athletic needs-not just the latest style!

All the experts will tell you: never go into a run hungry. This doesn’t mean you need to eat an entire chicken fettuccine alfredo meal before hitting the track, but a light snack high in carbs can be beneficial at least an hour before a long run. Some of the best foods to eat, as acclaimed by marathon runners, are bananas, a bagel with peanut butter or an energy bar. Also, make sure to fill your body with electrolytes and water. Without the proper amount of energy, you will not get as much out of your run.

Running requires every muscle of your body. Without proper form, you are susceptible to injury and can cause unnecessary tension on your body. In order to perfect your form, you need to hold your head up when you run to ensure your body is aligned, open your shoulders rather than hunching over and keep your whole body loose, especially your arms and hands. Finally, maintain an even stride with your feet directly under your body. Once you have your form down, running will feel more natural and you will finally feel your hard work paying off.

Listening to your favorite music has been scientifically proven to positively affect your mood and even your running. When you run with fast-paced music, your stride will synchronize with the rhythm, which can greatly enhance performance. Music can also help release the pressure of running and get your brain into running mode. If your own playlists are lacking, music streaming programs such as Spotify Running or Nike+ Running help you sync your runs to the beat and stay on pace.

PHOTOS BY SHEA DUFFY

TIPS & TRICKS: Maximizing Your Run

The Hockaday School

Dec. 14, 2018 • The Fourcast

PHOTO BY ANNE RUBI

Putting a Ring on It

RINGING IN A VICTORY • Posing behind their State and SPC trophies, the Hockaday Varsity Lacrosse team shows off their lustrous new rings. Though the team won both championships in May, they received their rings on Nov. 14 during their lunch period in Biggs Dining Hall.

The Hockaday Varsity Lacrosse Team celebrates their victories with new rings.

he Hockaday Varsity Lacrosse team made a legendary comeback in the Southwest Preparatory Championship of May 2018. Defeating the Episcopal School of Dallas and winning the championship, the lacrosse team was rewarded with a state ring that symbolizes not only their tremendous efforts but also their outstanding teamwork which allowed them to excel. Starting the season with lots of motivation, the team carried not only ambitions to win but also the determination to seek a vendetta. Because they had previously lost to ESD, the Hockaday athletes aspired to reclaim the throne of the championship. Having watched the Hockadaisies go up against ESD many times, current Varsity Lacrosse coach Molly Ford understands the magnitude of the win. “[The Episcopal School of Dallas] had beaten us three times last year,” Ford said, “It’s always a tough competition.” Stepping into the fields of ESD, the team set off on their journey. With the air already infused with the long-term tension between the two rival schools, the Hockaday girls soon found that the path to the championship was filled with many bumps along the way.

“The rivalry is so huge that we tried to not think about the fact that we were playing against ESD,” current lacrosse player senior Reid Cohen said. “It was difficult because a lot of us play at clubs together and are friends.

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Our biggest goal is to get to the championship. One step at a time. Molly Ford Varsity Lacrosse Coach

Facing the dilemma between friendship and championship, the team members then adopted a method to overcome this obstacle. “We played with the mindset that we’re not playing against [ESD],” Cohen said. “It turn[ed] out that we did much better without thinking about it.” However, the path to the championship did not pose only a singular challenge to the Hockaday girls–it had others. Since lacrosse has always been a highly-competitive team sport that requires a tremendous amount of precise collaboration between teammates, when senior

team members from the previous year graduated and left, another large barrier was placed on the road to success. “We had lost a bunch of really impactful seniors, so we needed our four new seniors to step up,” Ford said. “They definitely did, as well as some of our underclassmen.” Standing shoulder-to-shoulder, the lacrosse team faced the challenge together and was eventually able to conquer it through an impressive amount of cooperation and trust. “Whatever one person on our team is down or out, other players take up their lead,” lacrosse player senior Jojo Gum said, “That turned out to be really important for our win.” Able to eventually overcome these obstacles, the Hockaday Varsity Lacrosse team eventually welcomed their moment of glory. “It was towards the end of the game and [ESD] started to switch out people in the draw circle,” Gum said. “I looked up at the clock and realized just how little time [the match] had left and how close we were to winning it. Disbelief washed over me.” Because they won this game, the lacrosse team was declared state champions and received accompanying state rings. The receiving of the ring is the symbol that commends the success

of the team. With the rings of victory shining on their hands, the Hockaday Varsity Lacrosse team experienced more than just the glory. “We call our rings ‘season rings,’ because it shows our whole season contributed to [the win],” Gum said. “I also think it symbolizes how we really played as a team last season.” Not only does the victory symbolize the fruit of the team’s diligence, but it also represents a remarkable stroke on the history of the Hockaday athletic competitions. “[The ring] symbolizes all the hard work that the girls did the last season, and I think that it represents the accomplishment and that gives me a little bit more motivation to get another one next year,” Ford said. “With new leadership stepping up and focusing on accomplishing this goal again, we really need to start a streak right now.” Energized and ambitious, the lacrosse team members will wear their state rings as emblems to encourage them in their upcoming spring season. “Our biggest goal is to make it to the championship,” Ford said. “One step at a time.” by Emily Wu • Views Editor

FOUR WARD Winter SPC Ft. Worth, Texas Feb. 14-16

Varsity Basketball vs. ESD Feb. 8

Varsity Basketball at John Paul II Jan. 11 Varsity Soccer vs. Greenhill Dec. 14

Varsity Swimming and Diving at Highland Park Dec. 15

Varsity Soccer vs. Casady Jan. 26

Varsity Soccer at ESD Feb. 8

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY THE FOURCAST & ELIZABETH MALAKOFF

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hockadayfourcast.org

The Fourcast • Dec. 14, 2018

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After spending my last four years with amazingly intelligent, compassionate and competitive girls at Hockaday, I want to share these special moments with people who have gone through the same thing as myself.

iews

“Stepping” Into the Portal p22

Resume Pad Fad Story by Eugene Seong • People Editor

As seniors and juniors start worrying about their futures with college looming on the horizon, many, including myself, wonder, “Am I doing as many extracurriculars as possible? Will my grades be too low for their standards? Will I be appealing enough to be accepted into my dream college?

FA NG

RESUME PADDING • Efforts on resume padding do not usually lead to good outcomes, as falsifying information can cost one a college acceptance, job or even future.

inadequate for the job but also take away the future of the more qualified candidates. Further, in times of crisis, they may fail to properly address an issue, leading the company or organization to its downfall. The rejected but qualified candidate may have led that company to success, being a positive influence. Simply by just padding one’s resume, individuals not only impact themselves but also put other applicants and the respondents at risk. Although colleges and jobs can conduct background searches to confirm applicants’ past achievements, it generally takes much time and effort. Instead, each candidate is entrusted with providing truthful information. Given the opportunity, why not show your true self? While you may not be the strongest candidate, your strong integrity takes the forefront and therefore must be valued. When you embellish a resume, the resume loses its genuinity. Resume-padding reproaches one’s self-worth for their weak morality. Job or a college entrance is not worth degrading ethics; the importance of being a righteous human being outweighs that of college and jobs combined, no matter how prestigious or profiting. By being honest, one not only becomes a better candidate but also leaves some room for improvement to be a better person, even after failure. Within the Hockaday community, clubs are notorious for being one of the many ways that people pad their resumes. Some might

Eugene Seong People Editor

O N

The importance of being a righteous human being outweighs that of college and jobs combined, no matter how prestigious or profiting.”

TR AT I

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start a club that doesn’t hold a single meeting all year. During my freshman and sophomore year, more than half of the clubs I signed up barely held meetings. Even worse, once, my friend and I were the only ones, including club officers, to show up to a club meeting. I could hardly remember the clubs I didn’t participate in, and overall it did not affect me at all. And although the Upper School is now taking strides to eliminate clubs that do not hold meetings, such cases still occasionally occur. Clubs are meant to unite people with a common interest and provide a space for people to share their stories or engage in projects they are passionate about. However, because starting a club is relaxed and regulating one is fairly easy compared to other extracurriculars, many abuse this privilege by creating and abandoning clubs—all for the sole purpose of writing it on their resume. Club officers and its members are

petence by deceiving themselves and the respondents. Also, when one is rewarded based off a fabricated resume, it simultaneously deprives many others of a spot they deserved. The underqualified people not only damage the learning environment or workplace by being

ILL

ne of the key elements in college applications is the resume—it’s one of the ways for colleges to look at candidates’ previous achievements in their own words. But because it’s challenging to verify every applicants’ past lives, colleges must rely on the candidates’ good faith and honesty. Unfortunately, some take advantage of this and lie or exaggerate on their resume. Resume padding occurs frequently, from college to job applications. HireRight, an employment scanning service, reported that out of 1,813 organizations, 69 percent caught some type of “embellishment” in their applicants’ resume. The data indicates that it’s common for people to pad their resumes. Many often exaggerate on their experiences, adding more detail or overly-describing past experiences to bolster its true nature. Some might add in a qualification for the resume to be more relevant to the respondent. Our society stresses the importance of getting accepted into the best colleges and attaining the highest-paying jobs to such an extent that people choose to be dishonest in describing themselves. But is it truly worth it? In 2012, Yahoo’s ex-CEO Scott Thompson was accused of lying about his education. On his resume, Thompson said he had a Bachelor’s degree in both accounting and computer science; however, an anonymous letter claimed that he only had a degree on accounting. This was later confirmed as true, and Thompson was replaced five months after he was hired. Thompson’s lie brought great repercussions upon himself. He was publicly humiliated and called a liar. One untrue word on his resume ruined his reputation. And although he is a CEO of another company now, the top three results on a Google search-excluding his Wikipedia page-are associated with his “career lies.” Situations like Thompson’s could happen on a small or large scale. Colleges may return acceptances and jobs may fire you, leaving your record soiled forever. Fabricating your information may cost you a college acceptance, job or even a future. “Embellishing” a resume in worries of not being a competitive candidate already doubts their qualifications; if one feels the need to lie on their application for an acceptance, then they are admitting that they are not qualified at all. They are simply proving their incom-

dedicated in their clubs, and if some members don’t bother showing up, they would be discouraged. Imagine starting a club and see the long roster of members, then only having three consistent members throughout the year. It would be disrespectful if one’s ardor is used as a resume booster to others. But clubs are not the only victims of resume padding; athletics, leadership positions, community service opportunities and internships can and are frequently embellished to seem more important. Overall, resume padding harms everyone who is involved in it. A small lie on a sheet of paper degrades so many others, including the writer themselves. So now, before you type in one extra detail or a slightly fabricated fact to the infamous Word document, consider what that it truly means and how it would impact both yourself and the others. It is more important to value your personal experiences and integrity than a resume.

LIKE AND COMMENT

Senio poses r Lauren Gra on her with a goat ue GeograAP Human to Bon phy field tr ip ton Fa rms.

Soc ia Med l Spo ia tligh t s With Christma the vibes filling up ior weekends, Sen s Dawn Ford sing at the St. Mark’s coffehouse.

GRAPHIC BY SHREYA GUNUKULA

The Hockaday School

Dec. 14, 2018 • The Fourcast

STAFF STANDOFF

“Stepping” Into the Portal ‘Tis the season, but Christmas presents are not the only surprises seniors will be getting during this time of the year. As early decision results are hitting the calendar, many people have already started picturing the moment of surprise. Should the moment be joined by a number of friends, or should it be enjoyed separately? The Fourcast writers take their stances.

Joy Sharers

Forget the holidays—it’s college season, seniors, whether you like it or not. You’ve written the essays, sent in the scores and satisfied countless strangers’ college questions with “any state but Texas” or “east coast,” hundreds of times. Now, college decisions are coming. Appearing ominously either in your inbox or on your doorstep, the bombardment of acceptances or rejections will be arriving your way very soon, and there’s no hiding. If you happen to get your hands on these letters before your meddlesome and apprehensive parents, you must determine when and where to open these life-changing envelopes. In your short life, these may as well be the most consequential, thrilling and painful seconds you will ever experience. So, the next question one must undoubtedly ask is: with whom do I share these moments with? As for myself, I first surveyed the few secluded spots in my house where I can curl up, open a letter and continue either to cry or scream in peace, but after further investigation, the clear answer came to me. After spending my last four years with amazingly intelligent, compassionate and competitive girls at Hockaday, I want to share these special moments with people who have gone through the same thing as myself. Laughing, suffering and growing together throughout high school, I feel as though it is only natural to share these experiences that will determine my future with the people who have helped shape my present. You could say I am slightly biased, having spent my last 18 years doing everything with my mirror-image hovering unwaveringly beside me, but having a twin has taught me that special moments usually tend to be shared with the ones you love the most. From school to sports to taking out the trash, we’re conjoined at the hip. So, like many students, we’ve set a plan to open our letters with each other, whether it be in the car, at home or during Y period. If that doesn’t float your college-boat, you can follow the example of our beloved graduated senior class of 2018. Try opening them in the school parking lot, your advisor’s classroom or the bathroom on the third floor of the science building–my personal favorite. In such an encouraging but similarly competitive academic environment, sometimes seniors forget that one is not defined by the institution that awards your college degree. A rejection doesn’t indicate that life’s doors will now close indefinitely, as an acceptance also doesn’t determine your life’s success, effort or drive. Knowing this, and ready to face either an acceptance or a rejection with a group of compassionate people by my side, I can conquer these letters with a celebratory entourage or a consoling shoulder to cry on. So whether you choose to celebrate with a throng of your closest comrades or just your non-judgmental cat, remember that your worth and value in this world doesn’t change after you open your college decision letter. So no matter whatever comes in the mail around Dec. 15, the world awaits your contributions.

by Paige Halverson • Managing Editor

e, lif be t hor well tial, s r n l you y as nsequepainfu exIn ma co d ver se st an e the e mo ing u will th rill s yo th cond ce. . se rien pe

We Love It, We Love it Not

cisi Ope er’s Bons are likneing colleg what’s ox. You n opening S e debox—vi laying ever woul chröding tal n behin d’ve k misfor ews or d d the seanown tune. isappo led inting Privacy Lovers

Life is a bellowing river that runs through valleys and plains. The upsides and downsides of our lives, often unexpected, mark the milestones in our journey that surface throughout different phases of time. Though the river of our lives flows freely with streams constantly dividing and then rejoining, this river will always remain intact, roaming down to the ocean and leaving its own unique mark on the vast expanse on earth. For me, my life is about me. Don’t take this the wrong way: like the blossom on a tree, everyone’s life is separate yet intertwined. It is important to recognize this so we can to reserve some portions of our lives while sharing others. By drawing a clear boundary between what is to be shared and what is to be kept to oneself, we can maximize the joy of experiencing aspects of living a complete life. But some might wonder, why should I live the so-called “complete” life? And how will not sharing make my life complete? Most importantly, how do I know if my life isn’t complete now? To be honest, such joy was also foreign for me until almost half a decade ago. Although I advocate for the preserving of some privacies in life now, even I did not understand the importance of such preservation until a chilly March evening in 2015. It was March 7. An unforgettable date which caused an immeasurable amount of anxiety and concern for me, even in the leading up to this date. Although I had been living in China for almost 16 years, the next phase of my life would be going to the United States for high school. After a year spent preparing, traveling and test-taking, the day had finally come when I had to face the results of my efforts. Therefore, on the evening of March 7, I turned to my parents for help. Unloading the passwords and account user names for my application portal on my mom, I seemed to be freed from the stress and uneasiness of facing my results. Oddly, I found myself breaking away from the intensified atmosphere as the minute hand of the clock approached closer to the release time. While my mother sat across from me and refreshed the application status page once per minute, I felt a strange sense of distortion, as if she was the one whose future was at stake. I wish I could tell you how we hugged and screamed together when the acceptance letter finally hit the inbox. I wish I could describe how her face lit up and how I felt a huge sense of relief. I wish I could tell a vivid story or picture a scenario. But the truth is, I cannot. The “great news” became different when it was delivered from another person’s mouth.” As my mother rushed over and wrapped her arms around me, I felt the weight of the news landing heavily on top of my head. I watched her mouth move in excitement, but I felt like a child whose Christmas present was left unwrapped. It is true that the process of decision checking can be stressful. I was able to trick my brain into escaping from the stress of checking the decision alone, but when I cast out the anxiety and the responsibility of shouldering the pressure, I also gave up the ceremonial and solemn sense that comes along with taking a new step in my life. Opening college decisions are like opening Schrödinger’s Box. You never would’ve known what’s laying behind the sealed box—vital news or disappointing misfortune. But no matter what kind of news it contains, it represents an important phase in our lives. Accepted, rejected, wait-listed– all three of these words hold a key to a corresponding door, and all three of the doors can lead to a different branch in the junction of life. Accepting the decision alone symbolizes the acknowledgment of taking on a new phase of life. Sharing the joy or asking friends to shoulder our disappointments is not forbidden, but for that instant in time when our future is about to be revealed, the step taken needs to be our own. And for that reason, I would like to keep the process of opening decisions for, and only for, myself. I would like to be alone when I’m standing at that junction. I would like to stand by myself, facing whichever result I receive and quietly witness my life fall into its next phase. by Emily Wu • Views Editor

Christmas Break Deck the halls, it’s that time of the year again! Wrap yourself in your fluffiest blanket and unwrap your presents!

End of the Year With the year 2018 slowly pacing away, 2019 will soon be here! It’s time to put old troubles away and welcome new beginnings.

Early Decision Results Whatever the result is, we should all share the joy of welcoming a new phrase in our lives. Your hard work will pay off!

Chilly Weather As cold wind strips leaves from the campus trees, Hockadaisies begin to put on more clothes to stay warm as they march between the library and Upper School. Unfortunately, no sweatpants are allowed in school.

JRP Deadlines After all the sleepless nights and lugging around heavy backpacks filled with books, the date to turn in the JRP is quickly approaching.

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f EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Charlotte Dross

MANAGING EDITOR Paige Halverson WEB EDITOR Michelle Chen COPY EDITOR Ponette Kim MAGAZINE EDITOR Eliana Goodman BUSINESS MANAGER Ashlye Dullye NEWS EDITOR Kate Woodhouse PEOPLE EDITOR Eugene Seong ARTS & LIFE EDITOR Niamh McKinney SPORTS EDITOR Shea Duffy VIEWS EDITOR Emily Wu CASTOFF EDITOR Sahasra Chigurupati PHOTOS & GRAPHICS EDITOR Kate Woodhouse STAFF WRITERS Ava Berger, Kelsey Chen, Kate Clark, Julia Donovan, Erin Parolisi STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Cirrus Chen, Jenny Choi, Varsha Danda, Nancy Dedman, Arushi Mukherjee, Menaka Naidu, Sarah Schultz STAFF ARTISTS Angelina Choucair, Veronica Fang, Catherine Sigurdsson, Anoushka Singhania FACULTY ADVISER Nureen Patel

EDITORIAL POLICY The Fourcast is written primarily for students of the Hockaday Upper School, its faculty and staff. The Fourcast has a press run of 1,500 and is printed by Greater Dallas Press. It is distributed free of charge to the Hockaday community. Businesses who wish to advertise in The Fourcast should contact Ashlye Dullye, Business Manager, at adullye@ hockaday.org. We reserve the right to refuse any advertising which is deemed inappropriate to the Hockaday community. Opinions will be clearly marked and/or will appear in the perspectives section. Commentaries are the expressed opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect that of The Fourcast staff, its adviser or any member of the Hockaday community. Unsigned editorials that appear on the opinions page will reflect the official position of The Fourcast, but not necessarily the position of the Hockaday community. The Fourcast staff may cover student, staff, faculty or alumnae deaths as the staff is made aware. We reserve the right not to cover a death based on relevance, timeliness and circumstance. Corrections and clarifications from previous issues will be found as designated in the news section. Any questions or concerns about should be addressed to Charlotte Dross, Editor-in-Chief, at cdross@hockaday.org.

The Fourcast • Dec. 14, 2018

The Things That Need to Be Said Staff Stance

hen I’m walking through parking garages late at night, I dial the first two digits of 911, praying that I don’t have to press the last one. Before I get into my car, I check the backseat. After I get in, I make sure the doors are locked. And then I double check. I never walk alone at night. I am 17 years old. And I think about the potential consequences of my actions every day. Some may say “boys will be boys”? I say, do boys ever have to think about whether or not the woman who has been looking at them for far too long is going to follow them to their car? Whether their outfit is going to make them a target for rapists? Whether or not rejecting a woman is going to lead to their death? These are the steps I take every day to make sure that I am not assaulted. •••

We all remember the Kavanaugh hearing. To sum it up, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, a psychology professor at Palo Alto University, testified against Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Brett Kavanaugh and accused him of sexually assaulting her during their high school years. After a powerful testament from Ford and after two other victims, Deborah Ramirez and Julie Swetnick, came forward with allegations of Kavanaugh having a history of sexually assaulting women, an FBI investigation was launched against Kavanaugh lasting one week. In the end, the FBI investigation was inconclusive. This means that there is no definitive answer as to whether or not Kavanaugh sexually assaulted Ford or the other two women, Ramirez and Swetnick. Kavanaugh was confirmed to the Supreme Court, and Ford was left to deal with the aftermath. However, some of the public was dissatisfied with the FBI investigation. Many called for a more thorough investigation, as the FBI neglected to interview Ford or Kavanaugh themselves. While the entire ordeal was disturbing in its own way, it revealed more serious implications about America’s attitude towards women who are sexually assaulted and those who accuse men of sexually assaulting them. Namely, that some don’t believe rape accusations when a man’s career is on the line; that it is easier to label the victim as a liar instead of acknowledging America’s deep-rooted problem regarding sexual assault. To all the people out there that use false accusations of rape as an excuse to make disgusting comments about genuine rape victims, or try to say that Ford must have provoked the alleged assault in some way, would you still have the same outlook if it was your daughter

that was the victim? Would you call her a liar or claim that she was trying to get attention? Sure, some women lie about being raped, and those cases are always on the front pages of newspapers and news sites. But most aren’t lying. A simple Google search proves that, according to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC), “the prevalence of false reporting is low—between 2 percent and 10 percent.” To further enforce those statistics, an FBI study proved that “the ‘unfounded’ rate, or percentage of complaints determined through investigation to be false,” was 8 percent in 1996. Honestly, there isn’t a solution for false rape accusations. In my opinion, purposefully false rape accusations are immoral. One untrue rape accusation can ruin someone’s life. Furthermore, it takes attention away from those who have actually been raped and are trying to get help. However, do not use these slim statistics to validate your own internal feelings about rape. It’s proven that most women who claim that they were raped are not lying. And that’s only if they even speak up—according to the NSVRC, “rape is the most underreported crime; 63 percent of sexual assaults are not reported to police.” Now, some may think, “Why wouldn’t someone file a report after being raped? Wouldn’t they want their rapist to be punished?” It’s not that simple—about eight out of 10 times, the aggressor is someone that you know. It’s hard for victims to accuse a partner, family member or friend of assaulting them because of possible negative outcomes, like those that they are closest to not believing them. Or, even worse—the family dismissing the harassment as an act of “boys being boys.”

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Instead of using weak excuses to explain inappropriate behavior, let’s talk about the underlying reasons that people may be confused about the definition of sexual assault.” The Fourcast Staff Stance

The phrase “boys will be boys” is dangerous. It’s a blanket statement that allows people to ignore the real reasons behind aggressive behavior. It allows parents to have peace of mind when their son gets caught bullying another kid. It allows boys to get away with pursuing someone to the point where they feel uncomfortable and unsafe. Instead of using weak excuses to explain inappropriate behavior, let’s talk about the underlying reasons that people may be confused about the definition of sexual assault. In an NPR interview with Al Vernacchio, a sexuality educator, he said that “[he] thinks students in general have a very poor understanding about the legalities of sexual interactions.” I believe that to be true, to an extent. It’s important for students to understand the intricacies of consent, like whether or not you can give consent while inebriated. (By the way, the answer is no—you cannot truly give consent while drunk. Alcohol inhibits decision-making, and if one or both parties are drunk, they cannot assume that they are making the same decisions they would make with a rational mind.) I believe that it is important for boys to be required to take more than just a basic sexual education course. It should be a requirement that boys be educated about sexual assault, rape and consent. About what to do if they are assaulted and what behavior might be considered inappropriate. At Hockaday, facts about sexual assault, rape and consent are drilled into the students during their health and self-defense classes. As of now, half of the Hockaday senior class is enrolled in a mandatory self-defense program. After spending most of the semester learning the best way to defend themselves against a possible assailant, students are then put into individual simulations of being attacked by an adult male. This class is a graduation requirement for all seniors, meaning that Hockaday believes it necessary for girls to learn to defend themselves against potential aggressors in this day and age. And the school is right. In addition to self-defense, Hockaday students are required to attend presentations from The Fight Like a Girl Foundation, where they learn basic concepts relating to sexual assault, dating violence and aggression. The students also learn how to use verbal and physical deterrents to escape potential assault situations. According to the NSVRC, “one in five women and one in 71 men will be raped at some point in their lives.” With these disturbing statistics in mind, it’s important to have conversations about consent with both boys and girls. I feel slightly safer because I know that when I graduate, I will at least know how to defend myself. Unfortunately, this is not the case for most women. In the last few weeks, some grades at Hockaday have come together to discuss their own personal experiences with sexual assault and how they were affected. I am proud to be part of a school that bands together in times of adversity. It might be too late to change some people’s minds, but that is why it is important to teach younger generations the meaning of assault and consent. Do kids understand what a healthy relationship is? Are teenagers aware of the difference between flirting and harassment? It is this generation’s responsibility to think about both sides of an argument. What could you not be considering? What are the bigger issues that come into the light? Let’s talk about them.

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Dec. 14, 2018 • The Fourcast

The Hockaday School

Advisory secret santa exchange

Freshman studying for exams over break

Full weeks of winter break

Infractions for wearing sweatpants

Cups of hot-chocolate sipped in one day

Hours of sleep for seniors working on college apps

Poinsettias spotted in Hoak

Girls crying about chemistry

Pages of the JRP due

8 Days of Hanukkah

Hours of sleep received over break

Candy canes eaten from the advisory supply

12 Days of Hocka-Holidays by Sahasra Chigurupati • Castoff Editor