FEATURES

16 November 13, 2020 FEATURES

Which masks passed the test?

The Fourcast Staff tested four masks; here are the results

What was the test?

The Candle Test involved standing one foot away from a candle flame and trying to blow out the candle while wearing a mask. If the candle goes out, the mask is not effective.

Mask Test #1

Source: Hockaday

Material: Cotton

Comfort: 4/10

Test results: Passed. The flame wavered, however, which hints the mask is not totally effective.

Mask Test #3

From where: homemade

Material: Cotton

Comfort: 8/10

Test results: Passed by Zoya Haq Staff Writer

What brought you to Hockaday, and what is your favorite part about being here so far?

I retired after 30 years of teaching, and I took a year off to travel, which sounds so glamorous. But after a few months of my not incredibly glamorous (although fun) traveling experience, I decided that I was losing my mind. After painting every wall in my house and making about 18 pairs of curtains, I decided I really needed to go back to the classroom. I saw that the job was available at Hockaday, so I applied (and I got it!) and I was super excited. What I love most about Hockaday is the students. You guys are amazing and wonderful and every day that I am on campus, it’s a fantastic day, because of you. I’m not sure you all understand how incredibly remarkable you are, but you’re pretty special.

Many students know you from the Writing Center. What would you say is the most enjoyable part about working with students on their papers outside of the classroom?

I love talking with students about their papers because everyone has really interesting ideas that they want to express, and a lot of times, that’s all we do in the Writing Center – we just have a conversation. I ask a few questions, like “tell me more about that,” and in the process of people telling me more about whatever it is, they realize, “Oh! I need to put that in my paper!” Really, my job in the Writing Center is super easy, because all I really have to do is hang out with amazing students who are talking about really fascinating ideas, and I just ask a couple of questions. People think I’ve done something miraculous, when all I’ve done is just ask a question! I love it. It’s like I’ve won the lottery of jobs. I get to be in both the classroom and the Writing Center – it’s awesome.

What is one tidbit of advice that you wish you had given to yourself while you were in school, that you can now give to your students?

You guys don’t have rankings. Not publicly, anyway, so I think that takes a lot of pressure off. I slipped from Valedictorian to Salutatorian because of Calculus, and that made me feel very ashamed of myself, and I felt like I had disappointed not just me, but my family, but now I know that doesn’t matter. Now that I’m older… it doesn’t matter. It’s important to do exactly what you guys are doing, which is to enjoy your learning experience, and to put the emphasis on that rather than on what your grade is or what your ranking is. And that to me was a do-or-die situation. It took me a long time to deal with that, with getting a lower rank than what I wanted. I mean, to be really honest, I was really hooked into thinking that was the most important thing. And it’s not. It really is about just enjoying learning and taking those academic and intellectual chances. That’s the most important thing.

What new things did you pick up over quarantine?

Oh lordy! Eating. I did a lot of eating. I have also taught myself how to draw, and to paint, and to knit, and I have purchased even more power tools because I enjoy woodworking, which is really nerdy. It’s fun. I enjoy it. It makes a big noise, which is exciting. I also picked up yoga; I did a 30day yoga challenge, and I’m really tremendously horrible at yoga, but I really enjoyed it. No one sees me except my dogs, and they don’t really care.

If you could choose to meet one fictional character, who would it be and why?

That’s an excellent question. That’s like picking a favorite child. I’m not sure I’m completely happy with this answer, but I think I would want to meet Jane Eyre. I want to know why she marries Rochester because that doesn’t seem to be what I thought Jane would do.

If you could time travel to any era in history, what would it be and why?

Haha! Easy! I’m going to 1600 to see

Mask Test #2

Source: Hockaday Material: Cotton Comfort: 6/10

Test results: Passed

Mask Test #4

From where: Amazon Material: Cotton Comfort: 10/10

Checking in with Jennifer Spradley

Meet Jennifer Spradley of the Upper School English faculty and Writing Center

Test results: Failed

some Shakespeare plays at the Globe Theater! And I’m not leaving. Ever. I don’t care about the plague. That doesn’t bother me. I’m good with that, because I’m going to be in the Globe Theater watching Shakespeare. I’ll bring hand sanitizer with me, so it’ll be cool.

If you could choose a theme song to your life what would it be?

“Born To Be Bad!” It’s a great driving song, and I’m always getting into trouble. Always. I’ve just learned to embrace the fact that you don’t have to be perfect. And I really tried hard for a long time to be perfect, and that doesn’t get you anything. Just have fun and occasionally break the rules and enjoy it. Just a little bit. I shouldn’t have said that! Don’t publish that. Don’t break the rules. That’s bad.

hockadayfourcast.org FEATURES November 13, 2020 17

Using art to inspire change Eighth grader Emily McShane wins virtual social justice art contest

by Olivia Garcia Assistant Features Editor

Eighth grader Emily McShane’s passion for art started when she was a toddler. Recently, this passion has served as an outlet for her experiences surrounding the Black Lives Matter movement.

During the summer, McShane attended protests sparked when a Minneapolis police officer killed George Floyd by kneeling on his neck for more than eight minutes during an arrest. However, attending these protests did not satisfy her desire to demand justice. McShane felt she needed to do more.

“While I felt going to the protests was important, I didn’t feel it was enough,” McShane said.

Knowing Emily’s passion for art and social justice, Teresa McShane informed her daughter of an art contest relating to the Black Lives Matter movement.

“She recognized that there were a lot of tensions this summer, and she wanted to do something about it,” Teresa said.

The Students Unite organization of the Brooklyn Friends School partnered with Youth Speak Justice and the 2:23 Foundation for a worldwide youth art contest. This collaboration was called to action to raise awareness, inspire change and honor Ahmaud Arbery’s memory. Arbery was shot and killed while jogging in Brunswick, Georgia.

This contest ended up serving as a way for Emily to “do more” in relation to Black Lives Matter. “Emily has always been in tune with current events, and she wanted an outlet to be able to express her feelings,” Teresa said. “We encouraged her to channel her efforts into art as a way that she could express herself.”

The contest called for artwork expressing the artist’s feelings and experiences during the Black Lives Matter movement. Artists could use any medium such as creative writing, photography or music. McShane chose to use Procreate, a digital illustration app available for iPad, and her Apple pencil to create her artwork.

McShane drew out several different sketches before deciding on a final submission. One of the first sketches was a group of protestors. Another sketch was of

The artwork Emily submitted to the virtual art contest.

a single girl standing with a Black Lives Matter sign.

In the end, McShane’s winning submission illustrated a girl with bruises on her face and body, holding up her arm. The drawing is purposely cut off so that the viewer cannot see whether the girl is holding up a fist or a Black Lives Matter sign; McShane wanted to leave it up to the viewer’s interpretation. The girl is wearing a yellow mask which pops against the dark background. At the bottom of the drawing, the powerful message “Black lives still matter” is written.

“When I painted this it was the after height of the protests, and the “trend” was dying down,” Emily said. “I painted it as a reminder that Black Lives Still Matter and just

“We encouraged her to channel her efforts into art as a way that she could express herself.”

Teresa McShane Emily’s mom

because it isn’t trending anymore doesn’t mean it’s not going on or important anymore.”

Teresa said her daughter’s participation in this contest was completely in character.

photo courtesy of Emily McShane

“She has always had empathy for anyone who is sad or hurting,” Teresa said.

Emily’s passion for art can be traced way back. She loved doodling and drawing ever since she was a toddler.

“We used to have to hide reams of printer paper from her because she loved drawing so much,” Teresa said.

Her passion has inspired friends and fellow aspiring artists.

“Emily has shown an interest in art for as long as I’ve known her, and because I draw as well, I really look up to her art,” fellow eighth grader Lindsey Hicks said.

Next year in high school, McShane hopes to further her passion for art by taking the studio art class.