NEWS

December 17, 2020 04 NEWS YOUR WORLD TODAY The race to a vaccine Prospect of COVID-19 protection inspires hope

by Laine Betanzos Copy Editor

As the race for a COVID-19 vaccine has accelerated in November and December, three front runners have emerged and are now in various stages of the approval process, garnering excitement and hope.

While it could take months before the general public will receive an approved vaccine with sufficient distribution capacity, this development process has set new precedents for the speed at which vaccines can be developed.

On Nov. 20, pharmaceutical company Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech announced the submission of their application to the Food and Drug Administration for emergency authorization of a COVID-19 vaccine, making them the first companies to take this step. Moderna Therapeutics, another company that announced a promising vaccine candidate only days later, requested emergency use authorization Nov. 30.

Both the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine candidates have exhibited greater than 90 percent efficacy in late-stage trials, which surpassed expectations from scientists worldwide. The FDA had announced it would consider emergency approval for vaccines showing just 50 percent efficacy, according to the New York Times.

A third vaccine candidate showing promising results was developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University. AstraZeneca announced one dosing

Oceans away from their loved ones, seniors Barbara Lou, Susan Zhang and Elaine Wang are navigating life largely alone.

Boarding students are able to study virtually or in person, thanks to the families who welcomed these girls into their homes. Lou lives with senior Avery Antes and her family.

“I know that it’s really hard for Barbara to be away from her parents for so long, so Avery’s dad and I are trying to be as supportive as possible,” Avery’s mother Lisa Antes said.

Lou has not returned to her home in Hong Kong due to the risks of exposure and uncertainty regarding air travel and restrictions. She also felt that staying in Dallas would be better because of the time difference, which would require her to wake up at odd hours to attend classes and meetings. She has not seen her parents since last December.

“I could not help but cry when I FaceTimed my parents on my birthday, who set up balloons and cake and sang Happy Birthday to me over the phone,” Lou said.

Susan Zhang, who is living with her sister in an apartment in Lewisville, has not returned to China since last December. regimen of its vaccine candidate showed 90 percent efficacy, and another dosing regimen showed 62 percent efficacy. The pharmaceutical company will seek emergencyuse listing from the World Health organization to accelerate vaccine availability in low-income countries, according to CNN.

Senior Mia Silver, who decided to remain on distance learning for the fall, looks forward to the prospect of a vaccine.

“If there’s a vaccine available, that would definitely help me make my choice,” Silver said. “If my mom could get it, I would feel much more comfortable going back to school.”

Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine candidates use novel mRNA technology, employing tiny fragments of the virus’s genetic code to provoke an immune system response of the production of antibodies and the activation of T cells to destroy infected cells. This response then protects the user from contracting the disease, according to BBC.

The AstraZeneca vaccine candidate, however, uses the adenovirus, a virus that causes colds in chimpanzees. Scientists at Oxford University genetically altered the virus so that it carried a gene for the Coronavirus protein to cause a subject’s immune system to recognize COVID-19 upon exposure and generate immunity, according to the New York Times.

Upper School science teacher Barbara Fishel said the speed at which the vaccines have been developed and tested is unprecedented.

She hopes to see her family after graduation. However, if she leaves, she may not be able to return to the United States for college because of visas and international student policies. If the public health situation with the pandemic improves, she will eagerly return home to see her loved ones.

“Whether I feel sad or not, it is what it is,” Zhang said. “I’ve accepted the situation and have come to focus more on the present.”

While living with a host family in Dallas, Elaine Wang virtually communicates with her loved ones in China. Wang says she has grown more independent because her family is unable to respond to questions or messages throughout the day due to the 13-hour time difference.

“I decided to take this as an opportunity to be more independent and be comfortable with making decisions on my own,” Wang said. “Equally important to me was to seek support from friends and family when I needed it. With your loved ones around you all the time, sometimes you forget how much support they regularly give.”

Wang tries to look at the positives in life, rather than dwell on the fact that she is far away from home.

“I have learned to think of home as something to look forward to,” Wang said.

“The fact that within a year we are getting not only clinical trials done, but soon to get approval for distribution, is much faster than anyone anticipated,” Fishel said. “They were provided with a lot of money to hire more people, get more equipment, do whatever needed to test it more quickly.”

Typically, vaccines need to go through six stages to be approved: the exploratory stage, the pre-clinical stage, the clinical development stage, the regulatory review and approval stage, the manufacturing stage and the quality control stage.

The clinical development stage consists of three phases. During Phase I, small groups of people receive the trial vaccine. During Phase II, the vaccine is given to “at-risk” people. In Phase III, the vaccine is given to a larger group of people to test for efficacy and safety.

As of Nov. 9, Pfizer announced the first set of results from their Phase III COVID-19 vaccine trial was successful in providing evidence that the vaccine had the ability to prevent COVID-19. With positive news from Pfizer, the general distribution of the vaccine is expected in spring 2021.

Groups at a higher risk of infection, such as healthcare workers, older adults and those with obesity or diabetes, however, may be prioritized to be vaccinated by the end of the year.

Upper School technology integration specialist Candace Townsley, who works from home this year due to health concerns during the pandemic, looks forward to the results of the vaccine in real practice.

graphic by Nancy Dedman

“It’ll be a while, I think, even though I’m high risk,” Townsley said. “I think we’ll know more about it this summer, which makes me feel good.”

Still, there may be some obstacles in the distribution of the vaccines, as the two leading candidates must be stored in extremely cold temperatures. The Pfizer vaccine candidate must be stored at minus 70 degrees Celsius, while the Moderna vaccine candidate must be stored at minus 20 degrees Celsius. According to CNN, the AstraZeneca vaccine is unique for its ability to be distributed easily. Unlike the Moderna and Pfizer candidates, AstraZeneca’s candidate does not need special refrigeration for transportation and handling, as it is stored at temperatures between two and eight degrees Celsius.

All in all, the rapid progress of vaccine candidates through the stages of approval brings great hope in a pandemic that has lasted many months.

“As a scientist myself, knowing how much time it usually takes to do things in a lab … I’m blown away by how quickly everybody’s done it,” Fishel said. “I think it just goes to show that if you put enough money and manpower or womanpower into it, you can make things happen. That’s

Boarder restrictions Families strive to stay connected

by Sasha Schwimmer News Editor

hopefully good news.”

Barbara Lou celebrates her 18th birthday virtually.

photo courtesy of Barbara Lou

Classroom to community Microbiology classes create posters for DISD

by Kelsey Chen Jade Editor

With posters featuring Dora the Explorer, Tiana and Miguel reminding DISD elementary school students how to properly wear a mask, the Microbiology of Public Health class has taken its learning beyond the classroom. While the class has focused on studying diseases like polio, tuberculosis and puerperal fever, they have addressed COVID-19 by creating informative posters and public service announcements for the 32 United to Learn Dallas elementary school partners.

Dean of Studies Barbara Fishel teaches Microbiology of Public Health and has been working with the students on their projects.

“The class has been more real than it usually is,” Fishel said. “We’ve been able to see in real time how all those people over the ages have suffered, how people have tried to address the problems and we can compare what we’re doing with what people have done historically.”

Senior Maya Raghunathan’s group designed an infographic on how to wear a mask properly. They created versions in English and Spanish that featured various Disney characters drawn by senior Percy Stout.

“It was cool to see my interest in public health combined with the outreach element,” Raghunathan said. “I liked combining what I’ve learned in this class and also focusing on more real-world applications of it.”

The class also has continued its social impact studies by analyzing COVID-19 regulations at Hockaday. Each group chose a different aspect to examine, for instance modes of transmission by Zoya Haq Staff Writer

Walking into school each day during this new COVID-19 normal, students and faculty follow a set schedule: go to class, eat lunch, catch up on work during free periods. But it’s easy to forget none of this would be possible without the the maintenance and cleaning teams who work to keep the campus safe.

Behind the scenes, they deep clean restrooms, sanitize classrooms and overall create a COVID-safe environment. The pandemic has only increased the maintenance and cleaning teams’ duties, and they’ve stepped up to the challenge.

“We have increased our HVAC systems with Merv-13 filters, increased the frequency of cleaning throughout the day for restrooms and high-touch surfaces and adjusted the care and cleaning of school equipment,” Edward Rys, director of facilities, said. “I have increased the frequency of staff meetings, using our time together to bring awareness about wearing masks, proper social distancing and the proper and social distancing guidelines.

Through a series of surveys sent to the Upper School, the groups gathered data on how Hockaday has responded to the pandemic. They will use the results to come up with suggestions for the administration on ways to modify or better enforce the regulations.

“I hope the students will get a better appreciation of how science Infographic by Avery Savage, Sarah Crow and in general is Jennifer Xiong done,” Fishel said. “Even though these surveys aren’t directly experimenting, they did have to go through the same experimental design process. I also want them to know that whatever you do, you can use it to help other people. Whatever you’re learning, it can mean something.”

Victoria Segal

“When tasked with creating a public service announcement Infographic by Maya addressing Raghunathan, Percy Stout and Burkeleigh Boydsafe COVID-19 practices, I wanted to find an easy way to imagine the required sixfoot span. On the eve of my group’s steps in hand washing.”

Since the start of the pandemic, the department whose role has changed the most is Housekeeping. “Before, we used to work in the dorms,” Cynthia Fuentes, housekeeping staff member, said. “It was only when the

The pandemic considerable amount of time with her

Infographic by Victoria Segal, Suzanne Baxter, Riya Malhotra and Sophia Mathis

discussions, I watched the ‘Hippo’ episode on Animal Planet. My group decided to focus on social distancing among younger children. While brainstorming, I recalled the enormous length of the hippos I witnessed on Animal Planet. Wouldn’t that be the perfect animal to visualize for social distancing? The idea evolved into ‘The Animal Method,’ where a variety of large animals could be used to envision six feet. From leaving room for a hippo to making space for a whale, ‘The Animal Method’ provides an easy way to imagine six feet of space.”

Avery Savage

“When we were tasked to design these infographics, we had to figure out the best way to motivate our audience to abide by health protocols. In addition to the visual appeal, we had to ensure scientific accuracy. For the infographic, we took a story-like approach and made a character for people to relate to. Knowing that these were going to DISD was super

In-Depth Look: Housekeeping, maintenance work to keep campus safe

virus came that we came to school.” photo by Juliana Blazek Housekeeping Staff Member Cynthia Fuentes replaces the soap dispenser near the college counseling offices.

isn’t the only during her last month here to gather as change the maintenance and cleaning much information as I could.” teams have had to adjust to. The recent Hoke worked closely with the retirement of Carolyn Hoke, the 20-year housekeeping team, cultivating director of housekeeping, raised an relationships with each member. entirely new challenge. “We’re going to miss her,” Fuentes

“Ms. Hoke was a constant at said. “She was a hard worker with Hockaday for a very long time and really us, you know. She helped us a lot with amazing at her job, so transferring doing stuff when we didn’t know. She all of her institutional knowledge reached out for everything and always was a priority,” Rys said. “I spent a kept us updated.” exciting and motivating.”

05

Checking in with Summer Hamilton

by Lacy Green Staff Writer Upper School English Teacher

QWhat insight has remote learning given you?

AI think being home gives me unique insight into the experience of the distance learners. I experience much of what they experience—the loneliness of being separate, the difficulty hearing everyone’s comments, the awkwardness of speaking from a screen and the fatigue of being on camera all day. So, I’ve created lessons that help to mitigate some of those circumstances.

QHow have your lesson plans changed since you started working online?

AOne Note is a great tool to encourage and facilitate collaboration between inperson and distance learning.

It’s perfect for a writing-based curriculum, and I will definitely continue to incorporate it in future years when things return to normal.

QWhat’s the biggest difference between working online and in-person?

AMy first day teaching from home while the majority of students were in the classroom was very jarring. It actually made me pretty sad. I love teaching, and I love the energy of the classroom.

It’s more difficult to create that over Zoom, though I have experienced many exciting days

‘in the Zoom classroom,’ thanks to engaged students. Teaching from a distance has definitely made me become a lot more creative.

QWhat gets you most excited about your job?

ATeaching from a distance is the hardest teaching I’ve ever done. But when I’m feeling down, I look on the bright side.

This experience has added to my appreciation of Hockaday students. Where else could I not be physically present, and yet, have so much engagement and participation every single class?

It’s made me adore our students even more.

06DECEMBER 17, 2020

08 Hockadance prepares for Peter Pan performance ARTS & LIFE

09 Discover COVID-19 friendly holiday activities

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

Hong creates 3D artwork

by Julia Donovan Castoff Editor

Senior Kylee Hong has made many eye-catching 3D pieces of art but one particular piece stands out. The ten inch by ten inch eyeball made of found objects—a fishbowl, tissues, thread, wire, cardboard, air-dry clay, chalk-dust and trinkets from her childhood— lets viewers look through an iris and see a part of Hong’s life.

“A lot of my pieces are inspired by myself, in a sense: my life and the things I think about,” Hong said. “Art is the expression of the self; it’s about me. The eyeball is a miniature version of my room that you’re looking through when you look through the iris.”

Having worked for years with two-dimensional art, like drawing and painting, Hong decided she wanted her art to physically pop off the page, which initiated her passion for three-dimensional art. Joining ceramics junior year, Hong explored with clay and pottery. She began her three-dimensional work with a collection of fire pieces, each one very time-consuming, just to deliberately set them on fire.

“Making the eyeball piece was equivalent to watching a whole entire season of ‘Nurse Ratched’,” Hong said.

Also listening to stand up comedy in the background, Hong plans her artwork but ends up improvising while playing with the materials and taking in other people’s opinions. Her pieces typically center around specific themes like fire or human by Olivia Garcia Staff Writer

Picture students spread across the amphitheater, maintaining their distance and wearing masks, playing their instruments. This is what the new normal looks like for the Upper School orchestra.

As summer ended and students returned to campus, Upper School orchestra director Charlsie Griffiths worked to adjust orchestra practice to ensure students’ health and safety.

“The changes were what needed to happen for everyone to be able to participate all the time,” Griffiths said.

The main modification was the relocation of practice. Instead of practicing inside, the orchestra now practices in the amphitheater.

Sophomore Megan Manning has played the violin since age three and been a part of the orchestra since seventh grade. While the amphitheater is a nice change of scenery, Manning said it does pose some challenges.

Though it does not take too much time, moving the equipment at the beginning and end does cut figures, while also exploring her experience with her body and femininity.

Hong finds working with three dimensions more interesting and challenging than two-dimensional art. To her, it’s about the act of pressing her fingers into the material instead of using a tool like a paintbrush. She also said it is more freeing than painting and drawing because she is not constricted by techniques she learned from others. Instead, she is able to learn by experimenting.

“You can really break boundaries in three-dimensional work that you can’t find in two-dimensional,” Hong said. “That might be just me, but I can really work directly with the material which is very important. It feels so much more intimate.”

Working with three-dimensional art is magical to Hong but sourcing the materials can be challenging. She is working on an installation piece made of what her mother calls trash and begs Hong to throw out. The corner of Hong’s room currently contains a broken chair, a broken lamp, a clay figure with a missing head and hand, some cardboard boxes and empty Topo Chico bottles.

“Holding onto the pieces that others would choose to throw out is special,” Hong said.

Combining her love of art and helping people, she said she wants to study architecture in the future.

“In my opinion, it is the grandest form of sculpture because it combines the visual arts and how humans interact with space,” Hong said. “It’s

photos courtesy of Kylee Hong Hong created a three-dimensional eyeball that shows viewers her own life.

Hong used fire as a deliberate tool for her artwork.

Orchestra takes on the outdoors

Upper School musicians find new normal outside the classroom

about designing for people.”

photo by Sally Hudspeth Orchestra members adapt to outdoor practice while wearing masks.

into practice. When the girls get there, the stands are already in the amphitheater, but each student is responsible for taking their own instrument out.

While this is not a problem for those with smaller instruments, it is harder for those with big instruments such as the cello. Toward the end of practice, the girls take the time to put the stands and instruments back inside.

Additionally, Manning said if she is at one side of the amphitheater it can be hard to hear the instruments at the other end.

“Sometimes when I can’t hear it is hard to know what part we are playing or what part of the song we are at,” Manning said.

Wind instrument players face an additional challenge. Senior Kathryn Bowers, who plays the oboe, said she and fellow wind instrument players must cover their instrument with a thin white plastic bag in an effort to encapsulate droplets that may carry the virus.

The weather is also a constant factor in practicing outdoors. While some days the weather is perfect for playing outside, other days are not as nice. On windy days, it is common for the sheet music to fly off the stands, so Griffiths and the girls have started using binder clips to hold down the papers. When it is either too hot or too cold to play in the amphitheater, practice is moved back inside.

If practice is moved inside, the girls must remain socially distanced and wear their masks. Those who play wind instruments cannot play indoors.

“Instead we get to play percussion which is fun, but it’s not the same,” Bowers said.

The girls can also choose to finger along - placing their fingers on the strings and going through the motions without actually playing.

The distance learners join practice via Zoom. The students can play along and the computer travels around the amphitheater with Griffiths.

“We all still get to make music together,” Griffiths said, “and I think that is the biggest pro.”

REVIEWS

‘The Social Dilemma’ Documentary uncovers social media’s manipulative tendencies

by Lea Whitley Social Media and Video Editor

IIt’s a Sunday around 9 p.m. and you’re finally out of the robotic state that many hours of homework have kept you in since noon. You reach for your iPhone and computer, searching for something light to watch on Netflix while scrolling through Instagram and talking to friends.

Something catches your eye, a documentary titled “The Social Dilemma.” Yes, it seems like it may call you out on your TikTok obsession, and it definitely doesn’t seem light, but it looks pretty informational and relevant. From the second you press play, your entire view of technology and the social media you use daily begins to change.

We’ve all had instances when social media’s awareness creeps us out a little bit. Whether you’re searching for the perfect Christmas gift on Amazon and an ad for the exact product pops up on your computer, or you mention something at the dinner table and 15 minutes later it shows up on your Instagram feed, the awareness that social media tracks you is unavoidable.

What most people don’t understand, or are afraid to understand, is that big companies like Instagram, Facebook and Google do this on purpose. “The Social Dilemma,” Jeff Orlowski’s documentary released in January 2020, delves into how these companies precisely program their applications to manipulate behavior.

What hit home for me were the fictional scenes of a suburban family interlaced throughout. The

SShug’s Bagels is the newest hit restaurant among SMU students and other bagel lovers, with a line through the door each morning. The neat atmosphere and inviting smell of freshly baked bagels attracts people from all over Dallas to the corner of Mockingbird Lane and U.S. 75.

I ordered the delicious Classic Lox and Bagel. The smoked salmon layered on top of the cream cheese was unbelievably fresh and did not feel too heavy. Capers came with mine, but you also have the choice to add onion or tomato.

The sesame bagel was baked to perfection, crispy on the outside yet still chewy on the inside, making for a nice balance to the rich salmon and cream cheese. The lox and bagel is very filling and can serve as a whole meal, so if you are not too hungry, I recommend sharing it with another person.

Shug’s also offers breakfast bagel sandwiches with numerous options or just plain tasty bagels by themselves.

Another thing about Shug’s that

photo provided by Netflix Every day, people are called to a myriad of technological programs.

son, Skyler, a bright high school student, is shown falling deep into a social media addiction. I made a few connections between Skyler’s behavior and my own, so it’s safe to say the narrative made me internalize my attachment to technology.

Interspersed throughout the movie are short clips of interviews with people who previously worked for the big tech companies and now fear the consequences of what they created for humanity and democracy.

Presenting the interviews in brief segments made the information easier to digest. The interviews also were staged and edited to make them feel intimate to the viewer, which is important since the topic of the documentary was definitely not the most welcoming.

As far as what the movie taught me: if I am being honest, it made me want to throw my phone away. OK, maybe not actually, but the fact I even considered the idea proves the

photo by Libby Hill

fascinated me was the wide variety of cream cheese options. They have everything from blueberry to bacon scallion cream cheese, so you can try some new flavors on your bagel.

However, they do put quite a bit of cream cheese on the bagel, so if you’re not the biggest cream cheese fan, like me, I would recommend asking for light cream cheese.

Although indoor seating is closed at Shug’s due to COVID, they make it easy to eat on the go. The bagel comes wrapped in paper and already split in half.

Shug’s offers a couple of tables outside for dining, but they are usually filled. When the indoor seating reopens, make sure to go to the back of the documentary’s effectiveness.

At first, it may seem the interviewees are doomsayers who solely criticize the unethical ways big tech companies attract their users, but this is not the case. They offer strong criticism as well as great advice, addressing the negative while also looking toward a more positive goal.

After American computer scientist Tristan Harris explains why technology’s fundamental design must be turned toward the good, the interviewer asks, “Do you think we’re going to get there?”

Summing up the documentary’s goal in three succinct words, Harris replies, “We have to.”

I would recommend “The Social Dilemma” to anyone who uses technology daily. I was blown away by the impact manipulative technology has on our social lives, opinions and more. After only an hour and a half, I will never again

Start Your Day With Shug’s

New bagel shop is latest breakfast attraction

by Juliana Blazek Staff Writer

Shug’s employees serve customers.

look at technology in the same light. Shug’s Bagels 3020 Mockingbird Ln, Dallas, TX 75206

photo by Libby Hill One of the delicious bagels at Shug’s.

restaurant and take a look at the framed bagel articles and pictures of famous bagel stores around the country. The restaurant offers a neat space filled with elements that give it a rustic feel.

Since Shug’s is neighbors with SMU, it was buzzing with college students even in the afternoon when I went. Be prepared to stand in line if you go anytime during the morning or early afternoon as there was even a line at the door at 1 p.m.

However, the location is easy to get to and there is plenty of parking available to the side of Shug’s, so it is definitely worth the trip, even for just a bagel. Don’t settle for an ordinary bagel at Einstein’s— experience the tastiness of Shug’s.

ON THE RECORD

‘A Very Trainor Christmas’ by Meghan Trainor

by Jane Clark Staff Writer

While lighting pine-scented candles and sipping peppermint hot chocolate this holiday season, you might want to set the mood with some classic Christmas tunes. Meghan Trainor has released a new album that you can judge for yourself, but does not quite capture the Christmas spirit for me.

Trainor released “A Very Trainor Christmas” Oct. 30 just in time for the holiday festivities. This album, while sweet and featuring family members in the songs, does not live up to the standard of excellence for holiday music.

photo provided by Meghan Trainor / Instagram

Among the 18 songs in the album, six new original songs, although upbeat, just do not scream Christmas. “My Kind Of Present” and “I Believe in Santa” remind me of some of Trainor’s other pop music, with tunes I recognized from “Dear Future Husband” and “Better When I’m Dancin.” These originals are not necessarily bad, but they definitely do not fit in with the classics Trainor covers and do not remind me of Christmas.

Trainor covers Christmas classics such as “Last Christmas,” “White Christmas” and “It’s Beginning to Look Like Christmas.” And while I enjoyed these songs more than the others, I believe it was simply because they are familiar to me. The rendition of “White Christmas” features Seth MacFarlane but I did not think it sounded great.

My favorite song in the album is “Holly Jolly Christmas.” Trainor does a good job sticking to the original tune while making the song her own with a pop twist. The “Christmassy” song makes me want to put some ornaments on a tree.

Overall, I would not particularly recommend the album. Not all of the songs are bad, but none of them stand out. Let’s just say I will not be adding any of them to my Christmas playlist.

The Dance Theater troupe rehearses its fall production of Peter Pan in costume while following social distancing guidelines.

photos by Maddie Stout

Escaping to Neverland Dance team puts on production of ‘Peter Pan’ for fall dance performance

by Katherine Grace Estess

News Co-Editor

Dancer Anne Rubi and the rest of the Hockaday Dance Theater troupe spin and leap while wearing masks in front of an empty auditorium. The Hockaday Dance team will perform “Peter Pan” this December, the production they have been working on all fall. Once completed, a video of the performance will be available to watch on the school website.

Choreographed and staged by dance teachers Beth Wortley and Christie Sullivan, the production features three groups of different levels. Ten speaking roles go to the girls in the Dance Theater group, the highest level of students who choose to dance as their fine art.

Traditionally, the dancers perform as a community service for Lower School students and other elementary schools partnered with Hockaday such as Gooch and Chapel Hill elementaries. Then they present performances for the Upper School during a Y-Period and for family and friends the following night.

“Once we know when we can complete filming and when the editor tells us his timeframe for completing his work we will hopefully get an assembly date so we can show our film to Upper School,” Wortley said.

The process from rehearsal to performance has been altered due to COVID-19. In accordance with the mask and social distancing requirements, dancers learned and rehearsed in small, socially distanced groups, while wearing masks.

“It has been a challenge to adapt to rehearsals with only six girls, and having to dance wearing masks,” junior Alexis Cuban said. “Because of the heavy physical activity, it is definitely hard to dance in a mask.”

Customarily, as the dancers near performance night, the groups gather to rehearse the show as a whole. With the restrictions of the pandemic, the filmed performance released to the Upper School will be the first time the girls have danced all together, including those participating from home.

“As we have a couple of girls who have needed to do remote learning all fall, we have created special solos for them so they can still be a vital part of our productions,” Wortley said.

The dance teachers also had to change choreography to accommodate all dancers while adhering to COVID-19 restrictions.

“I spent much of the summer reworking all my original choreography to ensure social distancing could happen,” Wortley said. “The group dances for Dance Lab and Dance Workshop 1 were much easier to adapt for both me and Mrs. Sullivan.”

Taught in pieces, the dances were choreographed over the span of three months to three levels of dancers in different classes: Dance Theater, Dance Lab and Dance Workshop 1.

“I had done a ‘Peter Pan’ ballet with Mrs. Sullivan seven years ago and I really liked doing it and it was popular with our audiences,” Wortley said. “I always knew I would like to do it again some time since I still had many of the sets, props and costumes.”

The ballet features classic characers from the famous story.

“I am a pirate and a school boy which means I get to participate in all different kinds of dances with different styles of choreography in different scenes which has been fun,” Cuban said.

The girls who are members of Dance Theater were offered several feature roles and speaking lines, which is ordinarily excluded from dance productions.

“I am both Peter Pan’s Shadow and Captain Hook,” junior dancer Anne Rubi said. “When I’m the shadow, I dance in the beginning scene when Peter enters the house and chases his shadow (we have a duet) and then when I am Captain Hook I dance in the second act (the pirate scene) and also dance with the crocodile as well in a chase scene.”

Like past performances such as the production of “Cinderella”, the ballet of “Peter Pan” features a story, one familiar to many from the adaption of the story into the 1953 Disney movie.

“I have been choreographing for classical ballet and musical theater productions all of my adult life,” Wortley said. “When I think about a story, I see it in terms of movement. That is how the process begins for me.”

Hockaday Dance has performed “Peter Pan” in the past, which eased challenges of designing the set and costumes.

The dancers said the different styles and levels of choreography have been their favorite part of the production process. “[There are] definitely both fun and different music and styles of dance in the show,” Rubi said. “It goes from a very graceful dance with Wendy, to crazy when her two brothers, Michael and John come in, to a whole other style of dance with Captain Hook and the crocodile.”

Even though dancers were not able to practice together, each group and different levels of dancers rehearsed during school in their individual class periods to prepare for combining the groups in the final cohesive production.

“It was different to not be able to rehearse with everybody,” Cuban said, “but I think each group did a good job.”

Scenes from the Enjoy the holidays with visits to these COVID-safe attractions

by Juliana Blazek and Caroline Petrikas Staff Writers

photo by Juliana Blazek

Enjoy Highland Park homeowners’ festive holiday decorations and lights by riding in a horse and carriage while listening to Christmas music. The various carriage styles make for a cozy way to look at the lights.

photo by Caroline Petrikas

The Galleria Dallas offers an ice skating rink year round and exhibits a 95-foot Macy’s Christmas Tree in the center during the winter holidays.

photo by Caroline Petrikas

Preston Center Plaza stars Michelle O’Michael’s sculpture “Trust,” featuring six reindeer prancing around trees adorned with gold Christmas lights.

10 December 17, 2020 IN FOCUS The Fourcast Giving Happiness

Helping others brings joy to givers, receivers By Campbell Harris and Hanna Zhang W ith the approach of the holidays comes the anticipatation of joy as well as recognition of the ever-increasing need to help others. But those ideas are not contradictory. In fact, research shows the simple act of giving to others increases one’s happiness. Studies show giving empowers with pleasure, social connection and trust, creating a “warm glow” effect. Giving also improves physical health and longevity as it decreases stress levels. During this holiday season, the needs are more pressing than ever and chances to help abound. From decorating trees and cheering up hospital patients, to providing gifts and donating food personal growth and lasting happiness. According to the for those in need, here are just a few ways National Institute of Health, when people donate, the to help others while building your own action of giving activates the region of the brain associated sense of joy.

Scottish Rite Hospital

Junior Claire Cahoon and other members of the community service board created ornaments to decorate the Christmas tree at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital, a pediatric hospital specializing in orthopedic conditions.

Although the world is still in the midst of COVID-19, decorating the tree is a traditional l activity that lends a sense of normalcy when it comes to the holiday season.

“Decorating the tree is always a super fun experience,” Cahoon said. “It’s always a really fun way to directly make a contribution, put some happiness into people’s lives and see the impact you are making.”

Cahoon said even something as simple as hanging an ornament on the Scottish Rite tree gives her a great feeling.

“Helping someone in need always gives me a very happy feeling,” Cahoon said. “Just knowing that I can make an impact on someone’s life, even if it is just a smile, is amazing, especially during this crazy time.”

Anyone interested in contributing can contact Cahoon about making an ornament of their own for the Scottish Rite Christmas tree.

Children’s Hospital

Upper School drama teacher Emily Gray and her Introduction to Theater class are making personalized interactive, instructional videos to send to patients at Children’s Hospital.

The videos include girls teaching songs, playing guitar, or telling jokes. The videos speak directly to the kids in the hospital, and they act as a way to expose them to the world outside of the hospital.

“They need a connection to the outside world and a way of entertainment,” Gray said. “These videos that are made for them give them a feeling of hope that their current situation is not everything.”

Gray said these videos are the closest the children can get to a direct interaction with the world due to COVID-19. Making a personalized video makes the giver and the receiver feel better.

“I get a greater, wonderful feeling when I am giving rather than receiving,” Gray said. “The fact that you thought about someone and are giving them joy, makes you feel great.”

People can contact Gray if they want to make their own videos or cards to send to the Medical City Children’s Hospital to bring a smile to the children’s faces and fill them with hope for the future.

Angel Trees

Salvation Army Angel Trees in Northpark and other area malls let shoppers select an Angel representing a child or senior from the tree, buy gifts for them, and turn them in at the mall desk. Senior Kemper Lowry and other members of the Hockaday community help collect, sort and distribute the gifts. “My family and I have bought gifts for the Angel Tree ever since I was little, and it’s one of my favorite parts of the holiday season,” Lowry said. Lowry connects students and members of the Hockaday community to volunteer opportunities related to the Angel Trees. “I’m glad to have the opportunity to help it continue this year, both through planning and volunteering,” Lowry said. Lowry said amid COVID-19, the trouble and stress in the world is overwhelming, but it lightens her heart to know she’s helped bring joy into someone’s life. “It’s freeing to know that we as individuals have the potential to change the world for the better,” Lowry said, “and to make someone else’s burden a little lighter, one gift at a time.” Anyyone can make an impact by choosing an Angel from an Angel Tree, or by contacting Lowry to about volunteer activities associated with the program.

TR Hoover Center

TR Hoover Center is a shelter dedicated to the low income community in South Dallas. During the holiday season, junior

Breland Bach goes once or twice a week to help out at the shelter, including doing organizational work, cleaning up the shelter, or tutoring the children there. At the shelter she also helps with distribution of food; the past Thanksgiving they hosted a drive-through meal distribution and delivered over 300 meals to people in the community and plan to hold another one later during

Christmas time.

“TR Hoover is honestly one of the closest, most tight-knit communities I’ve ever seen,” Bach said. “There’s just so much love and compassion for everyone there; the amount of love that Sherri Mixon, the executive director, has and what she has devoted her life to doing is what keeps me going there.” Bach emphasizes the importance of helping out the less fortunate and those below the poverty line. “Giving is me taking a step back and realizing there’s so much I could be doing to help out,” Bach said. Each advisory will be providing holiday gifts to the children at TR Hoover Center this month.

Additional gifts can be donated to the students at Foster Elementary using this link: https://a.co/0ytcVRp.

FEATURES

Keeping up with Kaatii Eighth grade singer-songwriter gains success in music industry

by Maddie Stout Arts and Life Co-Editor

Brow furrowed and pencil in hand, eighth-grader Anna Whitley sits at her desk staring at a piece of paper. Unlike most other girls her age, she’s not editing a history essay or struggling with her math homework. Instead, she’s writing song lyrics.

Whitley, who goes by the artist name Kaatii after her Hungarian grandmother’s nickname for her, is experiencing a rise in stardom even adults dream of: at the age of 14, she has performed for thousands of people, works in Los Angeles with producers and song-writing teams and recently hit 100,000 streams on Spotify for her latest single, “Afraid of the Dark.”

Whitley’s mother exposed her to the opera early in her childhood, while her dad showed her bands such as Muse, Radiohead and The Killers. She attributes her interest in making music to a family trip to Louisiana at the age of six, where she first saw an acoustic guitar.

“I was mesmerized,” Whitley said. “It was the most amazing thing and one of my most vivid memories.”

Just a week later, Whitley got her own guitar for her seventh birthday and things only took off from there. She began taking music lessons from Sabrina Kessee, Lower School Music teacher, and soon afterward joined a music studio.

Within the next few years, Whitley’s career progressed rapidly. At 10, she performed her first gig at a coffee house, at 11 she wrote her first song and at 13 she released her first single on streaming platforms. However, she didn’t always plan on entering the business.

“When I wrote my first original song, I can honestly tell you I wasn’t thinking much about releasing music,” Whitley said. “What really opened my eyes to that world were my first songwriting trips to Nashville after I had just turned 12.”

On these trips, Whitley worked with multiple Grammy-nominated by Libby Hill Photo Editor

Everyone knows about it, the rite of passage that every junior dreads: The Junior Research Paper, the infamous JRP.

While the project can seem overwhelming, it gives students a chance to research and become experts in any topic they are passionate about. An episode of “Law & Order” inspired Elise Little to choose her topic, the Mafia’s influence on the entertainment industry.

Whitley records music in the studio.

professional musicians to co-write three original songs, one of which ended up being her first release in December 2019. Since then, she’s written more and more music.

For Whitley, creating a song requires hard work and a large support system. She begins by working with a cowriter, but enters the meeting already having concepts and various aspects such as lyrics, chord progressions and melodies. From there, she and her co-writer, most recently LA-based songwriter Kara Connolly, develop the finished product over the span of three to seven hours.

After creating the song, Connolly and Whitley select a recording studio and team to work with. From there, it takes a few months to bring the finished product together, with Whitley often flying to Los Angeles to record live vocals and instrumentation.

“In the 1930s and ’40s the Mafia was heavily involved in Los Angeles and influenced both the movie and music businesses,” Little said. “In my paper, I talk a lot about how the Mafia Elise Little

photos courtesy of Stacie Whitley

Despite the demanding schedule, Whitley manages to stay on top of her schoolwork. At the moment, she is in pre-production on another new single and balances 10 or more hours a week of music on top of her classes.

“It can be hard, but I’ve been balancing music outside of school for a couple of years now,” Whitley said. “I’ll fly to Los Angeles this December to record this song at East West studio, and I try to do a large portion of my songwriting and production trips during the summer or school breaks.”

Whitley’s finished product can fit into both the indie-pop and alt-rock genres, inspired by artists such as Beabadoobee, Clairo and The 1975. What really sets her apart, however, is the individual sound Whitley brings to her music.

“My favorite thing about Anna’s music is that it’s honest: she doesn’t corrupted the entertainment industry.”

Writing about how the GOP flipped the “solid South” white voters, who had been Democrats since the Civil War, back to Sidney Kronbach

Whitley poses during photoshoot.

try to pretend or put on a show and it’s all pure, raw emotion,” Whitley’s longtime friend Dylan Weitzul said. “Everything she writes and sings is something she has experienced first-hand, and she takes all of her pain and turns it into something beautiful.”

This unique style has garnered the attention of multiple wmusic publications, including PopMatters and Music Connection Magazine, and earned Whitley a spot on major radio stations such as CW33, KXT 91.7 FM and Wish 107.5 LA. Prior to COVID-19, she also performed regularly at Dallas hotspots like House of Blues and Six Flags.

Riya Guttigoli, a friend of Whitley’s sister Lea Whitley, recalls seeing Kaatii perform in 2019.

“I was quite shocked after, because at the time Anna was only 13,” Guttigoli said. “She’s obviously super talented, but when she was performing she also had such a good stage presence and spoke so confidently for someone so young.”

Whitley plans to release two more singles prior to her first EP in summer of 2021. Her friends, especially Weitzul, are confident that the best of Whitley’s career is yet to come.

“I can say without a doubt in my mind that Anna will continue to be even more incredible and successful than she is now,” Weitzul said. “No one will ever let a voice like hers go

The wide world of JRP topics

Students choose from a variety of topics for their Junior Research Papers

to waste.” Republicans, Sidney Kronbach said endnotes were her biggest challenge.

“They are so tedious,” Kronbach said. “I saved them up for the last minute on the mini draft and that was a mistake because all of my sources were jumbled up, which made them worse. I definitely won’t be doing that for the last six pages.”

Juniors will turn in their final draft before the holiday break, with a hard copy due when school resumes in January.