The Fourcast, May 2022

FOURCAST THE

THE HOCKADAY SCHOOL

11600 WELCH ROAD

WHAT’S INSIDE

DALLAS, TX 75229

MAY 13, 2022

VOLUME 72, ISSUE 6

SAMPLING SCLAFANI’S

UPPER SCHOOL INTERVIEWS

THOMPSON TAKES IT HOME

Editor-in-Chief Melody Hu reviews the hot new Preston Hollow bagel store offering both classic and creative choices.

Rayna Li and the Upper School interview team break down why students interview prospective Hockaday teachers.

Sophomore Margaret Thompson sets a national record in the 2K steeplechase at the Texas Relays.

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the effects of

TEEN DRINKING

Turn to pp. 12-13 to learn more about how alcohol affects adolescents Illustration by Meera Thamaran

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May 13, 2022

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02news

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Earth Day is important because it draws attention to the environmental crisis happening on our planet.”

Earth Day, p. 05

Reactions to Jackson

Confirmation of first Black female justice inspires students, faculty

By Zoya Haq | Jade Editor

T

he confirmation of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court serves as a macrocosm of the mission of Hockaday, said Tresa Wilson, Director of Inclusion and Community.

“I hope that people see this in the larger context of the Hockaday community, as it is what we all want for every girl, every young woman on this campus,” Wilson said.

Jackson, sworn in April 7, is the first Black woman to serve on the nation’s highest court in its 232 year history. Her appointment has inspired faculty and students alike.

“I think that Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation really aligns with Hockaday’s mission statement of living with purpose and impact,” junior Maddie Muller said.

Jackson’s confirmation marks a watershed moment in American judicial affairs. President Joe Biden reaffirmed this statement in his remarks on Jackson’s confirmation.

“We’re going to look back and see this as a moment of real change in American history,” Biden said.

Jackson joins Elena Kagan, Sonia Sotomayor and Amy Coney Barrett on a Supreme Court that, for the first time, includes more female justices than white males. She is the third African-American to be appointed to the Supreme Court.

Jackson began her legal career in

1996 as a law clerk to the Hon. Patti Saris on the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.

From 1999-2000, she served as a law clerk to the Hon. Stephen Breyer, the Supreme Court justice whose vacancy paved the way for Jackson’s nomination.

In 2013, President Barack Obama nominated Jackson as judge to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, the nation’s second highest court. She presided over this court until June of 2021.

In the Senate, however, Jackson’s Supreme Court nomination faced pushback from the GOP. “When Judge Jackson appeared last year before the Judiciary Committee, I was troubled by aspects of her record, including her record on crime and criminal justice,” Missouri Sen. Josh

Hawley said.

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn accused Jackson of supporting “critical race theory.”

Ultimately, though, three Republican senators — Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Mitt Romney (R-UT) and Susan Collins (R-ME) — cast their votes in Jackson’s favor, joining all 50 Democratic senators to ensure a 53-47 majority for Jackson.

“After reviewing Judge Jackson’s record and testimony, I have concluded that she is a wellqualified jurist and a person of honor,” Romney said.

Jackson is expected to be sworn in this summer, after Justice Stephen Breyer finishes his judicial term.

The national reaction to Jackson’s confirmation shone through among Hockaday students.

“As a woman myself, I find it really inspiring that we’re getting more women in the Supreme Court and also getting more representation,” junior Lillian Castrillon said.

In a White House speech following her confirmation, Jackson framed her Supreme Court success within the greater context of America’s history.

“I am the dream of the slave,” Jackson said. “In my family, it took just one generation to go from segregation to the Supreme Court of the United States.”

Historic Firsts

in the Supreme Court

Library of Congress photo

Thurgood Marshall First Black Justice 1967

Library of Congress photo

Sandra Day O’Connor

First Female Justice 1981

whitehouse.gov photo

Sonia Sotomayor

First Latina Justice 2009 Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson

whitehouse.gov photo

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May 13, 2022 | THE FOURCAST

news

Q&A

Down to BIZness

03

with Finazz and Mochi

Annual Shark Tank competition rewards student entrepreneurship, social impact ventures

By Juliana Blazek | Jade Editor

Macy Moskovic

A new creature joined the Hockaday community in April. His name is Mochi and he is an axolotl, whose current home is room S-327. Brandi Finazzo, Upper School science teacher and axolotl enthusiast, had spent a month preparing for Mochi’s arrival by getting his tank ready and making sure the students and faculty were just as excited as she was for the axolotl’s arrival.

Q. Why did you decide to get an axolotl for the science department?

A. I have always loved axolotls and I wanted to get one for myself, but because I’m part of the science department, he is now also part of the science department too! I have always thought they were just really cool, and I have wanted one for a really long time. I started being interested in them when I went to the Marine Biology Lab and saw the Axolotl Lab. The lab was a regeneration lab and they were using axolotls to study regeneration, which I thought was really cool. They’re adorable, but also endangered, so I wanted to help them out.

T

wo teams won this year’s Biology, Impact and the Zoo Shark Tank competition, one encouraging eco-friendly fashion purchases and the other rewarding recyclers with food coupons.

Winners of the April 26 contest were the Shift team of Maria Solis Ontiveros, Sydney Hoyl, Virginia Hohenshelt and Riley London; and the Recycling Rewards team of Phoebe Miller and Macy Moskovic.

In the annual Shark Tank competition, teams of juniors present project-based environmental solutions to a panel of external judges. This year, the competition consisted of 11 teams of juniors, the most in the class’ history. Each team presented project pitches to a panel of four judges, vying for a prize of $500 in seed funding.

Projects ranged from innovative recycling solutions to educational online games. Each team had five minutes to pitch, during which they presented a real-world problem they had identified, walked judges through their solutions and explained the potential impact of their ventures.

The Shift team created a website and Chrome extension that connects sustainable retail companies with teenage girls to promote ecosmart purchases.

“We make information about certain brands’ sustainability more accessible and offer sustainable options with similar styles,” Ontiveros said.

The judges said Shift’s software inspired them because of its potential to be applied to realms other than fashion.

“Shift stood out to us because the idea has a lot of legs to it,” judge Kelsey Swingle Robertson ’05 said. “We also talked about how this could be used on any products; we could see this being used in consumer goods… it could really take off.”

Recycling Rewards connects two necessities:

Photos by Sally Hudspeth

By Zoya Haq | Jade Editor

Q. What does an axolotl need on a regular

basis for its survival?

Juniors Aubrey Burns and Maia Hartley present their venture, Beeutification, to the Shark Tank audience.

recycling and food coupons. Miller and Moskovic said they hope to partner with grocery stores through Recycling Rewards to implement machines that reward participants with food stamps in exchange for recycled goods.

“We were inspired by PlasticBank in British Columbia,” Moskovic said. “We wanted to bring this innovation to the United States and to Dallas.”

Judges noted the duo’s progress and potential were the main components of their win.

“Something that really stuck out to us was the fact that you didn’t just use the idea in general, but you guys are using it to help low-income families,” Robertson said.

Brandi Finazzo, the Biology, Impact and the Zoo teacher, said regardless of who won, every BIZ student learned a valuable set of real-world skills through the pitch process.

“The reality is that once they leave Hockaday, they’re going to be out in a world where they’re going to be pitching to people all the time,” Finazzo said. “The whole point of our social impact component is for them to get a glimpse of how what they’re learning in the classroom applies to the greater world outside of Hockaday’s walls.”

A. Mochi needs a balanced aquarium water, which means a balanced amount of nitrates. In addition, his oxygen filtration system and fountain help to clear the water he lives in. One of the most important things he needs is food, so he eats three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. He’s always available for people to help come feed him. His diet includes bloodworms, earthworms and brine shrimp.

Q. Have you noticed any distinctive

characteristics about Mochi?

A. When I come into my classroom in the morning and I say good morning to Mochi, he is actually starting to recognize me now and will come swimming up to the surface. During class, Mochi is usually pretty inactive and just stays at the bottom of his tank, but occasionally he will swim around. Students can always come in to watch Mochi and see how he breathes in a cool way through the feathery gills on the side of his face.

Finazz with Mochi

Photo by Kailey Bergstedt

TIDBITS & TALES What’s new on campus?

Social Impact Bazaar

The Social Impact Bazaar in Metzger Plaza April 12 supported social impact businesses students run or created. Participating organizations included Jeeji-Hood, The Tahira Project and One Love.

Stuco Installation

The new Student Council representatives for the 2022-2023 school year gathered in the theater to officially take on their elected positions. They gave short speeches about the purpose of their positions and lit candles to signify the start of their Stuco service.

Spring SPC

Lacrosse and Track and Field earned the title of SPC Champions at the state tourament in Houston April 28-30. Golf placed third, tennis placed fifth and softball placed sixth.

Photos by Jane Clark, Kailey Bergstedt and Sally Hudspeth

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May 13, 2022

THE HOCKADAY SCHOOL

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YOUR WORLD TODAY

Bad Blood in Silicon Valley Theranos and its founder fall from height of success

By Harper Harris | Features Editor

A

fter taking a Theranos blood test in Walgreens, 31-year-old Brittany Gould looked at her results and saw that she had had another miscarriage. Before taking this test, she had three miscarriages, and hearing this news devastated her. Thankfully, the test turned out to be wrong and she carried her baby to term.

Gould’s story is similar to that of thousands of people who have received false and fabricated results to their blood tests.

The founder of the company that made these tests, Elizabeth Holmes, has now been found to be a fraud.

She was found guilty of defrauding investors because she advocated for technology that did not exist.

Shortly after dropping out of Stanford University in 2004, Elizabeth Holmes created her company, Theranos.

Holmes had always wanted to be a millionaire and an inventor when she grew up, and at Stanford, she pursued these goals. She created a patch to be stuck to the skin and deliver drugs into the bloodstream.

Multiple professors at Stanford told her that her invention would not work, and they were right.

Despite this failure, as a freshman in Stanford professor Channing Robertson’s lab, she quickly became the hardest worker. Since her first idea did not work, she decided to invent something new: a finger prick test that would detect diseases like cancer and diabetes.

As this idea progressed, Holmes dropped out of Stanford and, with Robertson’s financial help, created the company Real Time Cures, which would later

become Theranos. patients would receive their results Even after gaining money from soon after. The Edison could multiple investors, including supposedly test for hundreds of Walgreens, she never revealed her diseases with only a finger prick blood testing machine to them of blood. or explained how the testing While that was what Holmes was technology worked. advertising, it was far from the truth.

She did not show them the real Some patients would end up machine because there was no giving more blood than a finger machine. Diagnosing multiple prick. The nurses giving the tests diseases with a single drop of blood at the Walgreens stores would say was impossible, but she could not that a patient’s doctor wanted them admit that. to give more blood, so the patients Theranos quickly became one would not be suspicious. After the of the biggest companies in Silicon blood was sent to the Theranos labs, Valley with a worth of $9 billion it would be diluted with water or dollars during its peak. Holmes even other blood, causing fake and gained all of this success without faulty results. showing her investors the product, The machines they used to test the labs or the blood the science. were not Her charm created by “It is possible to test one landed her Theranos. thing with only a drop of blood, They were billions of dollars but to test hundreds of diseases Siemens based on machines, you would need much more nothing. which tested than a drop.”

What multiple Holmes tablespoons Dr. Steven Goldfine was doing Biology teacher of blood, was wire not the fraud and Edison defrauding Machines investors, AP Economics teacher Kristen that Theranos claimed they were Blevins said. using. These Siemens machines were “Wire fraud is a broad type of already widely accepted as a way to crime,” Blevins said. ”It is where test blood. So, Theranos was taking someone makes false statements pre-existing machines and slapping to get money from their logo on them. someone that involves Biology teacher Dr. Steven some form of teleGoldfine said testing hundreds of communications, diseases with only a drop of blood is which is exactly unheard of. what Elizabeth “It’s really hard to think that Holmes was you could get 200 diseases from doing here.” a drop of blood, “ Goldfine said.

Holmes “All diseases have markers that claimed that can detect them, and a drop is when taking a not enough to break up the blood Theranos test, into fractions to detect a disease. the patient only It is possible to test one thing with had to give a only a drop of blood, but to test drop of blood hundreds of diseases you would from a finger need much more than a drop.” prick. This blood Because Holmes knew what would go to she was doing was illegal and Theranos’ labs morally wrong, she was a very in California demanding and secretive boss. and be tested She took former employees to on “The court, tracked where scientists Edison.” could go inside the office and Then demanded employees sign multiple Non-Disclosure Agreements.

In 2015, word that Holmes was a fraud started to spread, starting with her childhood neighbor, Richard Fuisz.

After being sued and getting a restraining order for filing for a blood testing patent similar to Theranos, Fuisz started to think Holmes was a fraud. Many people thought he was crazy to think that Holmes could be making everything up, but Stanford professor Dr. Phylliss Gardner believed him.

After Gardner shot down Holmes’ Elizabeth or The Machine

Photo TechCrunch / Wikimedia Commons

idea in 2002, she was branded sexist and jealous, even though Gardner was telling the truth.

Fuisz and Gardner backed their claims through science and the fact that testing hundreds of diseases with only a drop of blood is impossible. They also talked to previous employees of Theranos.

They took their findings to a Wall Street Journal writer, John Carreyrou, who was very interested but said he needed a direct source from Theranos.

Carreyrou finally found his whistleblower when he came into contact with former Theranos scientists Erika Cheung and Tyler Shultz. Shultz is the grandson of George Shultz, former secretary of state and board member of Theranos. Shultz and Cheung told Carreyrou about the toxic work environment, the false technology and how there was no Theranosmade machine.

After seeing the exposé on Theranos, Holmes claimed none of it was true and tried to rebuild her empire.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission charged Holmes with deceiving investors through faulty or exaggerated claims about the accuracy of the company’s bloodtesting technology. Holmes settled the charges by paying a $500,000 fine, renouncing her control of Theranos and accepting a 10-year ban from acting as a director of a public company.

In 2018, Holmes was arrested for wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and in February she was found guilty on nine counts. She faces up to 20 years in prison, with her sentencing set for September 2022.

Since her arrest, multiple documentaries, books and TV shows have been made to tell Theranos’ story.

Sophomore Ashley Chemmalakuzhy watched numerous movies and shows about Holmes.

“It was so scary,” Chemmalakuzhy said. “How can somebody actually do this to others? I definitely had a nightmare about that.”

While Holmes has been held accountable for her negligence, there are thousands of people who will never recover from the pain Holmes brought into their lives.

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May 13, 2022 | THE FOURCAST

Seeking pollution solutions

05

50th anniversary of Earth Day spurs environmentalists to action

By Amitha Nair | Staff Writer

E

very April 22, people honor the planet that holds and helps them thrive, the only known planet filled with vast oceans that can support life. On Earth Day, one of the largest nonreligious celebrations in the world, more than a billion people come together to help bring awareness to issues regarding human behavior and polluting policies.

Inspired by broadcasts of students’ anti-war protests, Sen. Gaylord Nelson wanted to promote awareness for water and air pollution after seeing the massive oil spills at Santa Barbara, California, in January 1969. Nelson looked for people to help spread the word. He selected a young activist, Denis Hayes, who employed a national 85-person staff to advertise Earth protection-related events; these events slowly changed into Earth Day, according to earthday.org.

By the end of the 1970s, the United States Environmental Protection Agency passed the National Environmental Education Act and the Clean Air Act. Toward the end of 1989, Hayes organized yet another major campaign. This crusade caused Earth Day to go global, elevating environmental issues internationally, such as recycling.

This year, the science department specifically worked to incorporate this observance into the curriculum.

The AP Environmental Science class took a trip to Trinity River Audubon Center, once an illegal dumping site full of waste from cement companies, that has been transformed into a preserved wetland.

“It is kind of inspiring to see, well we can actually use the landscape, but also we can restore it, you know we can put it back to the way it was,” AP

Photo by Justin Cowart/Wikimedia Commons Environmental Science teacher Jessie Crowley said.

Before leaving for the trip, the class learned about water quality and the highly adverse effects that run-off water could cause. They also learned how human activities can cause water to become beyond drinkable and harm those who come into contact with it.

Environmental clubs have not been able to do much this school year due to COVID restrictions but intend to in future years.

“We plan to collaborate closely with the Hockaday staff and Ms. Day this coming year,” Audrey Mitts, secretary of Clean Our Campus, said. “With the help of the people that work hard to keep Hockaday beautiful, we believe we can limit waste and recycle properly on campus.”

Mitts said Earth Day provides a learning environment where those who may not know as much as others can learn about environmental issues and how they can help.

“Earth Day is important because it draws attention to the environmental crisis happening on our planet,” Mitts said.

States including Vermont, California, New York are slowly becoming green, trying to incorporate nondestructive procedures. According to Travel+Leisure, Los Angeles has nearly completed the World’s Biggest Wildlife Crossing, costing about $90 million and stretching over 200 feet on US Highway 101. Th crossing soon will offer animals a safe path to pass over the highway and set a global urban wildlife conservation standard.

Protecting the Earth’s beings and the Earth’s resources is the point of Earth Day. Fossil fuels play a big part in everyday life and are part of global energy systems. These fossil fuels, when burned, produce mass amounts of carbon dioxide contributing to air pollution. While some companies are trying to change to renewable sources, the majority are still working with

coal, oil and gas.

“Texas is one of the leading states in wind energy,” Crowley said. “I wish more states would change to renewable sources, and people would choose to use renewable sources.”

Students participate in extracurricular activities to commemorate Earth Day as well.

“Caring for the Earth is a big part of Girl Scouts,” said freshman Laura Paul, a six-year Girl Scout. “During meetings and activities we try to also be considerate for nature and use ecofriendly products.”

Girl Scouts are known for caring and working with the Earth to help prolong its life, primarily through their mission statement to make the world a better place.

“For Earth Day we made these seed bombs and cleaned up litter that had been tossed in the bushes and along the highway,” Paul said. “The seed bombs are basically a tightlycompacted seed ball, and we plant them so that it would bring some plant life to the city and urban areas.”

Planting greenery in urban areas is one of the most overlooked, but easiest ways to help the Earth. About 7.2 billion trees were planted on Earth Day in 2022.

“I offer a couple of Saturdays when girls come out and help track and plant native plants,” Crowley said. “We also clear invasive plants and overcrowded natives to make the soil healthy.”

Crowley said she loves that Earth Day helps influence people who may not usually care to do their part, whether recycling glass bottles or adopting the habit of reusable bags instead of one-time-use plastic bags.

“It’s a good PR campaign for Earth,” Crowley said, “but I think every day should be Earth Day.”

Goodbye to the Boutique Carol Miele commemorates her last year as manager of uniform resales

By Aadya Kuruvalli | Views Editor

When Carol Miele’s daughter, Gina ’20, was admitted to Hockaday in fifth grade, Carol was looking for an opportunity to engage with other families and become part of the community. She was so impressed with the welcome she received when shopping at the resale boutique that she thought it might be a good place to volunteer. She recognized the opportunity to pass on the kindness she was shown to other families.

And so it began – what started as a temporary volunteer position in 2012 continued through the years and will come to an end in 2022, as her youngest daughter, Cristiana, graduates. Since 2012, she has helped countless families buy affordable uniforms for their daughters.

“Parents with multiple children at Hockaday might find it difficult to buy all new uniforms for every child,” Miele said. “That’s why we make our prices affordable.”

Uniforms donated to the resale

aren’t sold immediately. Miele puts the clothes through a detailed process before she puts them up for sale.

“Removing stains is the most important thing,” Miele said.

After treating stains, Miele washes the uniforms, irons, sorts by item type and size, folds, and then hangs the clothing. Removing stains is one of the biggest resale obstacles she has faced but said she finds it to be a challenge, often soaking items multiple times to ensure that the stain is gone.

“In one of our largest set of donations, I washed 189 shirts,” Miele said. “The clothes took over part of my house.”

But, overcoming this obstacle, Miele said she finds it incredibly rewarding to see the clothes clean and ready to be resold. Her favorite part of her job is meeting new families and welcoming them to Hockaday. She is especially grateful for the friendships that have been forged over the years with her co-volunteers.

“The Resale Boutique is often the

first glimpse new families have into Hockaday,” Miele said. “That’s why it’s important we make them feel welcome.”

The Uniform Resale Boutique is a project of the Hockaday Parents’ Association with the proceeds directed where the school deems it is needed most. While often the proceeds have gone to the Ela Hockaday Fund for Faculty Excellence, this year the funds were allocated to the Athletics and Wellness Fields and Facilities Project.

In other years, the proceeds went to the Ann Graves Child Development Center. During the past 10 years, the Boutique has generated more than $250,000 in revenue. Considering that the price of used uniforms ranges from $1 - $30, it is evident that a considerable amount of inventory passes through Resale.

Due to Covid-19 protocols last year, the resale was relocated outside.

Interestingly, this resulted in an

“In one of our largest set of donations, I washed 189 shirts.

The clothes took over part of my house.”

Carol Miele Resale Boutique manager

increased annual sale revenue with the Resale Boutique amassing $42,000 for the faculty fund.

Over the years, the Uniform Resale Boutique has helped numerous families find uniforms, and although Miele will not continue leading Resale, she is hopeful for the future of the boutique. Next year, the Navarro family will lead Resale, and Miele is excited to see what they will bring to the table.

May 13, 2022

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06arts & life

The Sclafani family has run bakeries and bagel shops for over 100 years now, and their new location in Preston Center does not

disappoint.”

Best Bagels, p. 9

Film festival success

Freshmen win teen pregnancy agency’s annual contest

By Elizabeth Truelove | Staff Writer

On March 27, NTARUPT hosted their seventh annual film festival. Held at Kessler Theater, the festival invited multiple Hockaday students as finalists and two freshmen as winners.

P

articipating in their depicted these conversations first year of film at using both of their voices Hockaday, freshmen to narrate their character’s Anika Kapoor and thoughts. Wishing to represent Anu Akingbade responded to the psychology of a victim, the prompt, “What does consent both voices try to process and look like to you?” and won the seventh annual film festival “Everyone needs to hear hosted by the North Texas the point of view of Alliance to Reduce Unintended Pregnancy in Teens. Known young people.” as NTARUPT, the film festival Terry Greenberg ‘80 encourages the voice of younger generations in conversations NTARUPT Founder & CEO surrounding health education.

Kapoor and Akingbade took part in a live interview debate the emotional damage at the festival, sharing the caused. They also filmed visuals purpose of their film and its of a faucet dripping and clothes personal significance. thrown onto a floor to interrupt “I think what really struck the character’s perspective. us as something that is often Film students Lucy Roberts unheard is the aftermath and the ’22, Helen Railsback ’24, Gabriela conversation that victims often Gaona ’25, Gretchen Jones ’25, have with themselves after such a Naviya Reddy ’25, Ashlynn thing occurs,” Kapoor said.

Gaffney ’25, Anika Kapoor ’25 Kapoor and Akingbade and Anu Akingbade ’25 all

submitted their responses to the competition and were accepted as finalists by the NTARUPT judging panel.

Two weeks after their entries, all the films were screened at The Kessler Theater on March 27.

Amidst hundreds of competitors, freshmen Kapoor and Akingbade won the entire competition, and senior Roberts’ film won an honorable mention.

Professional filmmakers and students from schools in Dallas judge each film for technical merit and conceptual accuracy.

Allowing other teenagers to weigh in provides contrasting and unbiased opinions from the age level that conversations of consent affect the most.

“Our donors need to hear it, our city needs to hear it, everyone needs to hear the point of view of young people,” NTARPT founder Terry Greenberg said.

NTARUPT hosts panels, conferences and the film festival to educate teenagers who lack proper health education in their schools. A 1980 Hockaday graduate and CEO

of NTARUPT, Greenberg said she hopes to remove the stigma surrounding conversations about sexual education and teenagers’ discomfort regarding those conversations.

“I feel like all kids deserve the same health education that Hockaday provided me with, not just privileged ones,” Greenburg said.

Greenberg created the film festival to provide an outlet for students to share their knowledge of these topics through art.

Each year, the festival provides a prompt or theme students must follow, using film as their medium.

Following the success of the seventh annual film festival, NTARUPT hopes to welcome new forms of art next year in the teenage category, including studio art and photography.

Kapoor hopes to return to next year’s festival and experience the welcoming environment once again.

“Overall, I really enjoyed watching the variety of the films and how fun the atmosphere was this year,” she said.

Watch Hockaday students’ NTARUPT films “Party of One”

“The Voices in Her “Because I Said So” Head”

Hockaday students Anika Kapoor and Anu Akingbade’s film won the NTARUPT film contest.

“Bond”

Photos by Susan Sanders-Rosenberg

“Dive?”

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arts & life

May 13, 2022 | THE FOURCAST

Crazy for choreography

07

Dance returns with student-choreographed performances

By Melody Tian | News Editor

T

he Hockadance endof-year performance returned on April 27, with group performances as well as special solos from seniors. From the costumes to the production, the concert was coordinated and choreographed entirely by students.

Dancers have spent the year gaining experience and improving their technique, and now they have the opportunity to showcase what they have learned at the NasherHaemisegger Theater.

“The purpose of the concert is to build creative skills and to work on doing that either individually or as a group,” dance instructor Christie Sullivan said. “Students are taking what they learned in the beginning of the year to use as a creative toolbox to make their own dances in spring.”

For senior dance captain Veronica Fang, this is her third year participating in the concert and her third year choreographing a piece. This year, she choreographed a lyrical piece.

The job of a choreographer is one that involves many steps. First, the choreographer has to select

However, she said that it is very satisfying when a piece finally comes together. When costumes, music and formations are combined, a piece is truly brought to life.

“I guess you have a general idea of what the piece would look like while choreographing,” Fang said. “Just seeing it with all the people doing the transformations and partner works, it’s

the music, then they have to think of movements based on the music and finally they have to teach their choreography to others.

“Sometimes I have a block,” Fang said. “It is similar to a writer’s block, so it just takes a bit of thinking or taking a break from the choreography.”

Dancers said teaching the choreography to fellow classmates could also be challenging.

“For my dance there were a couple of lifts,” sophomore Avery Clarke said. “So it was a struggle getting everyone to know their specific roles and teachers had to help coordinate that.”

It took Clarke an entire class period just to teach the lifts.

Photos by Melody Tian definitely different.”

Sullivan said there are also lots of other benefits of the annual student choreography concert, including enhancing students’ leadership skills and familiarizing them with different styles of dance. Ultimately, it is a benefit for both the dancers and the audience.

“I hope the Upper School appreciates the vision of each student,” Sullivan said. “It takes lots of effort from everyone to learn and perfect the dances – not just the choreographers but the dancers as well.”

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

Sensational Sydney Up-and-coming artist shares singing and songwriting experience

By Kailey Bergstedt | Photo & Castoff Editor Sitting cross-legged on her bedroom floor, junior Sydney Hoyl hums a few notes to herself, ironing out the melody for one of the 10 new songs she is currently working on.

Hoyl, who writes and records songs under the name Sydney Sherrill, has already put out two original songs earlier this year, “Morning Regrets” and “Vice.”

“Vice,” her second single, is an upbeat, dance song that took only hours to write and was inspired by her older brother’s struggle with addiction, whereas “Morning Regrets” took over a month to write and followed a much less linear process.

“I just started with a hook for the chorus and built off of that, but throughout the process, I ended up changing the chords of the song completely,” Hoyl said.

After writing lyrics, Hoyl sends a voice memo of her singing the song acapella, the lyrics and structure of the song to her band, who will then build a track for it.

Members of this band have worked with stars like Garth Brooks, Amy Grant, Nick Jonas and Willie Nelson.

Hoyl also has the help and support of her vocal coach and producer, Kim Wood Sandusky.

“The most unique thing about

Sydney is her incredible vocal talent,” Sandusky said. “I have pushed her into very high level working environments like I do with my major artists, and she has stepped up to the plate and knocked it out of the park.”

As a big name in the music industry, Sandusky has worked

Photo courtesy of Sydney Hoyl with artists like Destiny’s Child and Beyoncé. Although she does work with many unsigned artists under 18 years old, they must be of a certain caliber.

“I am very impressed by Sydney’s drive and perseverance, which are essential qualities for the artists I work with,” Sandusky said.

Hoyl recorded both songs at

Blackbird Studios in Nashville, flying out every chance she got.

“I have been going there since freshman year and can honestly not think of a long weekend where I have not been out there working,” she said.

Since releasing these songs, Hoyl has performed at Opening Bell Coffee and hosted a benefit concert. The concert, which also served as a release party for “Vice,” raised over $5,000 for an addiction nonprofit called Shatterproof.

The organization aims to end the addiction crisis the United States faces.

Hoyl’s love of music and performing stems from her foundation in musical theater.

“Writing songs has given me the opportunity to express myself in a way that musical theater only gave me a taste of,” Hoyl said.

Hoyl’s parents have had a front row seat to her success, from seeing her participate in a musical to hosting her own benefit concert.

“It was amazing to see all her work over the last three years come to life on stage,” Kristi Hoyl, Sydney’s mother, said. “She has found her passion and it shows.”

Stay on the lookout for this up-andcoming artist as she plans to release more music and continue to perform at many venues.

Photo courtesy of Sydney Hoyl

Scan the QR code for more about Sydney

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May 13, 2022

THE HOCKADAY SCHOOL

THE

3 H

ON THE SCREEN

reviews Fantastic Beasts makes a not-so-fantastic return New movie ‘The Secrets of Dumbledore’ hits theaters but does not impress

By Melody Tian | News Editor

Harry Potter is one of the biggest franchises in the world and a part of almost every teenager’s childhood.

However, its follow-up series, Fantastic Beasts, is an unnecessary extension of the magical world at best and a lousy attempt to make profit at worst.

The new movie that recently hit theaters worldwide, “The Secrets of Dumbledore,” revolves around the strife between Professor Albus Dumbledore and his friend turned enemy Gellert Grindelwald as well as Dumbledore’s attempt to crush Grindelwald and his growing number of followers.

When Warner Brothers revealed Grindelwald’s actor for the past three movies, Johnny Depp, had been replaced by Mads Mikkelsen, I was curious to see how this adjustment would affect the movie as a whole. Even though I missed Grindelwald’s signature look of his single piercing blue eye and platinum blond hair, Mikkelsen stepped up to the role remarkably. His acting displayed all the qualities of a ruthless villain, and I was completely drawn in by the end of the movie.

The plot of the movie, however, was

3 stars

By Elle Myers | Staff Writer

Season five of “Selling Sunset,” released on Netflix April 22, was nothing short of drama, betrayals and million-dollar listings.

For those of you who have been living under a rock for the last few years (like I have), “Selling Sunset” is a reality show that follows the lives of well-dressed realtors who work for the Oppenheim Group in West Hollywood and occasionally sell houses we can only dream about. In a nutshell, the first four seasons are about all of the women who work at the firm slowly turning their backs after years of constant betrayal from Christine

not quite as remarkable. Similar to its predecessors, this movie simply had too much plot, and I found myself puzzled on more than one occasion.

The different plots with Dumbledore and Grindelwald, Newt Scamander’s team and the new fantastical creatures added to the confusion of the movie.

I found that my favorite parts of the movie were the beautiful and nostalgic shots at Hogwarts with the familiar soundtrack from Harry Potter.

It almost feels like “The Secrets of Dumbledore” was just another reason for fans to return to the beloved Harry Potter franchise.

An unexpected moment and major plot twist in this movie was the revelation that Dumbledore is gay.

Even though the Harry Potter fandom had speculated for quite some time, it was never officially confirmed until now. However, the way it was revealed seemed forced and unnatural. It felt like the producers were trying so hard to gain a reaction from the audience that the moment seemed inauthentic.

If you’re a die-hard Harry Potter fan, this movie could be worth the watch: the overall production is stellar and it has magical moments where you want to be transported directly into the scene. However, if you are looking for a fresh and exciting movie without having to watch three other movies beforehand, then this movie might just be a skip.

Warner Bros. Media

stars

ON THE RECORD

Selling nothing

Netflix Original series falls far short of the hype Quinn. To give a mental image, imagine Christine Quinn like Trisha Paytas but with a Realtor’s license.

In season five, tensions are high as the rest of the firm blatantly shows their dislike for Christine. This is followed by Christine talking to news outlets about her colleagues and co-stars.

Consequently, Christine was not invited to Heather’s wedding or bridal shower.

Towards the middle of the season, new realtor Chelsea Lakhani comes in with a new attitude, style and drive. With Chelsea’s arrival came hesitance because of her closeness to Christine. The season ends with a small cliffhanger when it is revealed

that Christine tries to buy a client and questions arise about her being fired.

One of the only parts that kept my attention was Christine Quinn herself.

She must have gotten tired of holding all five seasons on her back with her witty one-liners, such as, “some people call it fraud; I just call it love.” I must note Christine is the reason, center and backbone of all the drama, but for some reason, I can’t help being infatuated with her. This is because, without her, Selling Sunset would be nothing.

I tried my best Netflix to fall in love with the show because so many people rave about it. However, I think the drama was very blatantly staged and it didn’t give that jaw-dropping factor

I usually get when watching reality shows. I am a die-hard fan of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” “Too Hot to Handle,” and yes, even “Dance Moms.” With those shows, I was always looking forward to the next week to see the reaction of Kyle Richards on “Real Housewives,” whether they broke Lana’s rules on “Too Hot to Handle” and whether Abby dropped Jojo’s solo on “Dance Moms.” I don’t see how Selling Sunset is different from shows on HGTV. If anything, the shows on HGTV have real people finding their dream homes with normal standards. With that being said, I don’t understand why people would wait months to years for the next season.

For the last episode of the season, there is typically a reunion for the cast to clear the air and answer a few fan questions. On May 6, a reunion will be released with most of the cast. It is speculated that Christine will not be present because of COVID. I hope the reunion will answer the question on everyone’s mind: Is Christine still at the Oppenheim Group?

HOCKADAYFOURCAST.ORG

5 stars

By Melody Hu | Editor-in-Chief

Photo by Melody Hu

arts & life

May 13, 2022 | THE FOURCAST

09

Best Bagels

New York bagel shop comes to Dallas 6135 Luther Ln, Dallas, TX 75225

A

A new bagel shop is joining the recent influx of bagels to Dallas. Sclafani’s New York Bagels and Bread is a well-known bagel shop with locations in New York and New Jersey. Founder Chris Sclafani wanted to bring real New York-style bagels, sandwiches, bread, and coffee to Dallas.

The Sclafani family has run bakeries and bagel shops for over 100 years now, and their new location in Preston Center does not disappoint. Their menu boasts a variety of options from subs and sandwiches to hot chocolate, but they are best known for their bagels.

Employees arrive at the restaurant at 4 in the morning every day to make their bagels, all of which are homemade, and they try to use local ingredients whenever possible.

They offer traditional New York waterboiled bagels made daily. Boiling the bagels makes the centers denser and thicker.

Sclafani’s has bagel sandwiches as well as bagel flavors that customers can pair with their assortment of shmears. They have several fun bagel flavors such as french toast and Fruity Pebbles, and shmear flavors like chocolate chip, nutella and birthday cake. I ordered four bagels: the 5th Avenue, the New York, New York, the Park Avenue and a plain bagel with strawberry cream cheese.

The 5th Avenue is a classic breakfast bagel with bacon, egg, and cheese for $6.75. I ordered it on a plain bagel, which was toasted to perfection. The actual texture of the bagel was different from most of the other bagel shops I have been to. It had a shiny crust, and the inside was chewy but not too doughy. The eggs in the bagel sandwich were fluffy, and

the bacon was crispy, complementing each other perfectly.

The New York, New York is an Italian bagel with ham, salami, provolone, lettuce and tomatoes for $8.50. This is one of Sclafani’s most popular bagels, as it combines their classic bagel with the restaurant’s Italian roots. Each part of this bagel was fresh, and the flavors came together very well. The filling was also covered in red wine vinegar which was sharp and tangy, perfectly tying the bagel together.

The Park Avenue is a classic bagel with lox, capers, cream cheese, tomato and onion for $10.99. I have always been a huge fan of lox bagels and have tried a multitude of them. I had high hopes for this bagel, and it did not disappoint. In lox bagels, it is important that the ratio of each ingredient is correct so they do not overshadow each other. In the lox bagel from Sclafani’s, each ingredient worked well with the others. The lox was fresh, the cream cheese was smooth and the capers were bright.

The last bagel I ordered was a plain bagel with strawberry cream cheese for $4.75.

Although this bagel seems simple, it was one of my favorites. The classic plain bagel was fluffy and chewy and the strawberry cream cheese was smooth and not too sweet. The cream cheese was also warm, which was perfect with the toasted bagel.

Overall, Sclafani’s is one of the best bagel spots in Dallas. The bagels are the stars of the show and their fillings and shmears are the perfect addition. Sclafani’s bagels come close to the bagels I have had in New York, and the restaurant is lively and welcoming.

If you are looking for an authentic waterboiled New York bagel in Dallas, Sclafani’s has you covered.

FROM

MELODY’S KITCHEN

Ingredients:

Instructions:

• • • • • • • •

1. Prepare the dough by 4. Grease a large bowl and whisking the warm place the dough inside. water and yeast. Cover Cover the bowl until the and allow to sit for five dough doubles in size. minutes.

5. Shape the bagels on 2. Add the flour, brown a lined baking sheet. sugar, salt, and beat.

Preheat the oven to 425 3. Place dough on a floured degrees F. surface and knead.

6. Fill a pot with water

1 ½ cups of warm water 2 ¾ teaspoons yeast 4 cups bread flour 1 tablespoon brown sugar 2 teaspoons salt 2 teaspoons olive oil ¼ cup honey Egg wash: 1 egg white with 1 tablespoon of water

and whisk in the honey.

Bring to a boil and boil the bagels for one minute on each side.

7. Use a pastry brush to brush the egg wash on top, then bake for 20-25 minutes. Enjoy!

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May 13, 2022 | THE FOURCAST

THE

concert Artists plan DFW stops commotion

By Caroline Bush | Arts & Life Editor

With summertime just around the corner, concerts become a good way to spend time outside of school.

Some of the most popular artists will be performing in Dallas during the hottest season of the year.

Phoebe Bridgers May 19, 2022 at 8 p.m.

The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory, Irving Bridgers is known for her alternative/indie music. The Reunion Tour will be Bridgers’ second solo concert tour. She will perform songs from her albums “Punisher” and “Stranger in the Alps.” Artists joining her on tour include Sloppy Jane, Charlie Hickey, Claud, MUNA and Christian Lee Hutson.

Photo by David Lee/Creative Commons/ Wikamedia

Rex Orange County

May 22, 2022 at 8:30 p.m.

The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory, Irving Alex O’Connor, also known as Rex Orange County, creates alternative/indie for a primarily teenage demographic. His tour will feature songs from his new album “Who Cares?” which came out on March 11. He will be joined by Phony Ppl, Dijon and Benny Sings throughout his tour.

Photo by SkyGuy711/Creative Commons/Wikamedia

Wallows May 17, 2022 at 7 p.m.

The Factor in Deep Ellum, Dallas Wallows is an alternative rock band formed

by Dylan Minette, Braeden Lemasters and Cole Preston. They will perform songs from their new album “Tell Me That It’s Over.” Spill Tab, Jordana, Hatchie and Maya Cumming will join them on tour.

Photo by Dwaigne Quierra/Creative Commons/ Wikamedia

The Weeknd Aug. 14, 2022 at 6:30 p.m.

AT&T Stadium, Arlington Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, also known as the Weeknd, makes primarily R&B and alternative music. He will perform songs from his two latest albums “After Hours” and “Dawn FM.” He will be joined by famous pop star Doja Cat. Photo by Salandco/Creative Commons/Wikamedia

THE HOCKADAY SCHOOL

AND FROM

HARPER’S THOUGHTS

Features Editor Harper Harris loves pop culture – and she’s here to tell us what we should know right now.

After actors Johnny Depp and Amber Heard divorced in 2017, claims that both parties had endured domestic violence in the relationship began to rise.

In 2018, Heard wrote an op-ed in The Washington Post headlined “I spoke up against sexual violence — and faced our culture’s wrath. That has to change.” The piece never stated Depp’s name but had many clues pointing to him.

Heard supposedly went through horrific abuse from her husband, including having a cell phone thrown at her face and receiving repeated beatings from him. Depp has refuted these claims, alleging she was the abuser in their relationship.

Depp is suing Heard because of her “false claims,” which he says have cost him his career and reputation. As a result, Heard is countersuing him because he has “destroyed and defamed” her.

“It could begin with a slap, it could begin with a shove, it could begin with throwing a TV remote at my head, throwing a glass of wine in my face,” Depp said during his court testimony.

Depp makes these claims, but evidence introduced against him includes text messages in which Depp calls Heard a “worthless hooker” and other indecencies.

Depp’s team hired a clinical and forensic psychologist to evaluate Heard.

The psychologist testified Heard has borderline personality disorder. This disorder impacts the way a person feels about themselves and others, causing self-image issues and difficulty managing emotions and behavior.

Witnesses, including LAPD officers and doctors, testified Heard’s injuries do not line up with domestic violence, nor was there any damage to the property where the violence supposedly occurred.

Tara Roberts, estate manager on Depp’s private island, said she saw the abuse.

While Roberts was testifying, she said Heard was yelling at Depp, calling him “a washed-up actor” and saying he “was going to die a fat lonely old man.”

She also heard Depp tell Heard, “You hit me with a can.” Roberts said she got between the couple, but Heard was “viciously trying to pull him back in the house and yelling at him.” Roberts also saw marks and bruises on Depp’s face the next morning.

The courtroom mostly favored Depp, and many observers have acted inappropriately and disrespectfully by talking and yelling about the nature of the subjects discussed in the case. The judge repeatedly told the crowd to be respectful and quiet, but the outspokenness continued.

Regardless of the innocent party, all sides should be respectful because domestic abuse and violence is a serious and real issue in relationships.

Photo by Georges Biard/Creative Commons Media License

HOCKADAYFOURCAST.ORG

arts & life

May 13, 2022 | THE FOURCAST

SLICKER 1

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FLOWERY FUN Dallas flower shops blossom with color In the season of celebrations, with graduations, weddings and end-of-school parties, check out local flower shops to bring some joy to your loved ones.

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Dr. Delphinium 5806 W. Lovers Lane Dallas,75225 A stunning assortment of colorful flowers with a variety of vases and other cute accessories creates a beautiful store at Dr. Delphinium.

Cebollas 4415 Lovers Lane, Dallas, 75225 The incredible fresh flower scent can be detected from outside Cebollas and the cooling room has many options to keep petals fresh.

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Mille Fleurs Flowers 4901 Keller Springs Road, Addison, 75001 With the storefront and backstaging in close proximity, there is a intimate feel to the store while personalizing and choosing your flowers.

Tom Thumb 522 Royal Lane, Dallas, 75230 The convenience of having so many options inside the grocery store makes it easy to grab them on your way out with your groceries.

Jane Clark | Editor-in-Chief

Photos by Jane Clark

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THE FOURCAST |April 12, 2022 THE FOURCAST | May 13, 2022

THE HOCKADAY SCHOOL

THE

teens...

THINK

before

Learn the real consequences of drinking as an ad

By Caroline Bush | Arts & Life Editor

Illustrations by Me

EFFECTS ON BRAIN DEVELOPMENT When it comes to the effects of alcohol on brain development of adolescents, one common misconception is alcohol kills your brain cells. While this is not entirely true – this only happens with high rates of alcohol intake – addictive substances like alcohol can have lasting impacts on the developing brain.

Neuroscience teacher Dr. Katie Croft said one of the biggest issues when adolescents drink is the addictive quality that can significantly alter brain function. When a teenager drinks alcohol, it changes the size of brain cells and the way they connect with each other.

The frontal lobes are among the last parts of the brain to develop. Until mid- to late 20s, the executive functioning system, which controls planning and moral decision making, and the emotional system fight to control what the frontal lobes cannot.

“Because their frontal lobes are lagging behind, adolescents have a stronger sort of ‘go’ system,” Croft said.

“It’s not until later that your ‘stop’ system is fully developed.”

The emotional system takes over decision making, leading to less inhibition and more risky choices. This “go” system can cause an overdose of alcohol, which could lead to blackouts.

“Blackouts are very dangerous because there’s no memory, and you’re not aware of your surroundings,” Croft said. “Especially as young women, there’s no control over your body and what people are doing with your body.”

On top of flawed decisionmaking, adolescents have a high dopamine reward system.

Combined with the consumption of alcohol, Croft said this system becomes dangerous for developing addictive behaviors like alcoholism that can continue throughout adulthood.

While alcohol may not have permanent effects on the brain, its link to addictive behaviors can be extremely dangerous during adolescence, an time for increased experimentation with substance abuse. Addiction can significantly change how the brain is wired; however, Croft said, the brain is changeable.

“I think that’s the good news – that if someone stops drinking, the brain can always rewire itself,” Croft said.

“But you’re messing with the entire reward system of the brain, and I would say that is an extremely dangerous road to go down.”

Teen drinkers are more at risk of alcoholism because they start at such a young age. While alcohol can only have significant effects on the brain with large amounts of consumption, smaller amounts can still trick the developing brain into bad behaviors that could continue throughout a lifetime.

8 43%

American teenagers die each day due to drunk driving of sexual assualt victims report being intoxicated at the time of assault

HOCKADAYFOURCAST.ORG

e you

May 13, 2022 | THE FOURCAST

infocus

13

DRINK

dolescent and why you might be inclined to drink and Hanna Asmerom | Web Editor

eera Thamaran

ALCOHOL IN THE REAL WORLD Not only does alcohol rewire the adolescent brain and lead to addiction, but it also causes loss of awareness in certain situations that can result in outcomes such as drunken driving, sexual assault and depression.

United States law prohibits drinking under the age of 21, yet, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drinking and driving accounts for about a quarter of car crashes resulting in death. Eight American teenagers die every day from driving under the influence, according to California Courts.

Drunken driving is a criminal offense in the United States. Texas has a zero tolerance policy for minors consuming alcohol, and an underage DUI can result in the loss of a driver’s license for a year, mandatory alcohol education, mandatory community service, and even jail time. Despite these legal penalties, one in every 10 teens drinks and drives, according to Drive-Safely.net.

“Teenagers don’t feel the physical effects of alcohol in the same way,” said senior health teacher and Assistant Head of Upper School Dr. Tiffani Kocsis. “Their intuition and their judgment are so depleted, but they don’t recognize it because they’re not feeling intoxicated.”

Alcohol use has resulted in higher rates of sexual assault among people who drink, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse. While alcohol does not directly cause sexual assault, it puts teenagers in danger when they do not have a clear mind to protect themselves. In the same way, drunken adolescents can be more inclined to commit acts of sexual assault since they do not fully process their actions when under the influence.

According to American Addiction Centers, about 43% of instances of sexual assault involve alcohol use by the victim, and 69% involve use by the perpetrator. Alcohol

and sexual assault are an especially dangerous combination on college campuses.

Approximately 50% of college women have been sexually assaulted, according to an Augusta University study.

The study found that the danger comes when individuals, especially college students, use alcohol as an excuse for committing acts of sexual harassment. Men often will purposefully get a woman drunk to have sex with her, the researchers found. Teens, especially women, are more vulnerable to sexual assault as they are easier to take advantage of because of their developing brains, especially when alcohol is involved.

In addition, WebMD explains alcohol leads to higher rates of depression. Teens might use alcohol as an unhealthy coping mechanism when they think they have nowhere else to turn. Alcohol, however, is a depressant, meaning that any amount of it can affect one’s mood, and consuming it in large amounts could lead to or worsen depression.

“When someone has mental health concerns already – like depression, anxiety, or stress – alcohol just exacerbates those effects,” Kocsis said.

Kocsis said it can be hard for teens to remember these adverse effects in the moment when peer pressure comes into play. As an approach to preventing underage use of alcohol, Hockaday’s health classes work to warn students about the harmful consequences of drinking.

WHY TEENS DRINK One of the main causes of underage drinking is peer pressure. Party culture and publicly broadcast instances of underage drinking are becoming more popular, leading to more people feeling pressured to drink.

According to a study by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, 75% of teenagers feel pressured to drink because they see their friends and peers drinking on

social media.

“Teens are the most social of the drinkers,” Assistant Head of Upper School Tiffani Kocsis said. “There is a misconception that everybody has to drink to have a good time and people tend to buy into that.”

Teens also tend to drink out of a sense of convenience; sometimes teens find it more convenient to comply with their peers than to fight the pressure. Someone who is drinking is also more likely to engage in other harmful activities that they would not do otherwise such as driving under the influence and engaging

in sexual activity.

“You have a higher chance of doing drugs when you are under the influence then when you are sober,” Director of Health Services Erika Herridge said.

Herridge also noted sustained drinking can cause exacerbated feelings of depression and anxiety. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, working like dopamine and serotonin, making the consumer feel happy when under the influence. However, the next day, one can be lacking these same chemicals, leading to depression, anxiety and fatigue.

May 13, 2022

THE HOCKADAY SCHOOL

THE

14features

“

It was pretty cold but enjoyably cold once you go, like only painful for the first minute.”

—Lola Isom A swim from Alcatraz to shore, p. 17

Students engage with applicants Upper School Interview Team plays role in hiring process

By Rayna Li | Staff Writer

A

s the end of the school year nears, retiring teachers conclude their time at Hockaday, opening up spots for prospective teachers. Along with having current staff members interview the candidates, the school also includes students in the application process.

The Upper School Interview Team, consisting of 42 upper school students, participates in interviews with potential candidates for faculty and administration jobs.

The recruitment department developed the idea for a student interview team during the 20202021 school year. Dr. Tiffani Kocsis, assistant head of upper school, supervised the team last year, while Upper School Dean Dr. Emily Bemenderfer took over supervision this year.

“Students are integral members of the school, and we’ve found it so important to include their feedback on candidates,” Bemenderfer said.

Students on the interview team agree their input to the application process holds value.

“I feel like it’s very inclusive considering that students are the

ones who interact with teachers a lot,” freshman team member Erin Yuan said. “It makes sense logically that we are part of this decision.”

Yuan said she had never heard of a school that gives students the opportunity to interview potential staff and faculty.

Sophomore team member Leila Tarighi agreed student opinion is crucial to choosing teachers.

“Hockaday has this specific niche culture,” Tarighi said. “It just wouldn’t be right to add someone into the family without a feeling that they want to be a part of the family, too,” Tarighi said she enjoys having teachers who are passionate about both their class and the school community, so joining the student interview team gave her a chance to voice her thoughts on each candidate.

Additionally, a student-led interview proves to be greatly different compared to a teacher-led interview.

“It’s definitely a little bit more relaxed,” Yuan said. “We tend to ask more fun-based questions to engage with the candidate.”

The first-hand feedback from students plays an important role in

“It makes sense logically that we are part of this decision.” — Freshman Erin Yuan

“It wouldn’t be right to add someone to the family without a good feeling.” — Sophomore Leila Tarighi

“Students are integral members of the school, and it is so important to include their feedback on candidates.” — Dr. Emily Bemenderfer

“Students on the team love to be engaged in the process.” — Dr. Tiffani

the application process.

“I’ve found that students on the team love to be engaged in the process

and are excited to play a part,” Kocsis said. “They love to know that what they think is valued by the school.”

Kocsis

Making a difference, one loan at a time World Affairs and Microlending Club lends money to small businesses across the world

By Alexa Munoz | Staff Writer

Junior Isabel Bhasin makes a financial difference in developing countries across the globe with her World Affairs and Microlending Club. Founded in the fall of 2021, the club comprises 20 members and is open to anyone who is interested in making a difference.

The club focuses on investing in communities and businesses that have the potential to thrive with financial assistance. Their main focus is aiding businesses in developing countries.

The goals of the club are to aid people and to better understand the world and other countries.

To contact these small businesses, Bhasin created an account on Kiva, an online lending platform connecting lenders to under-served communities.

world, and we are already getting paid back,” Bhasin said.

“The businesses are already beginning to be self-sustainable and creating a profit, which is great.”

To raise money for donations, the club hosted a bake sale, and they plan on holding more in the Bhasin scrolls through Kiva looking at business profiles.

Photo by Alexa Munoz future.

Junior Skyler Businesses post facts about Maier said she has learned about themselves and why they need microlending and its impact from financial help. The club can then being part of the club. sift through applications to find “I joined this club because I businesses to help. Over time, wanted to have a positive impact the club will be reimbursed for on not only my community but their loan. the world,” Maier said. “The whole “We have loaned to people in concept of microlending is truly a couple of countries around the

amazing and a super-efficient and easy way to help people all across the world.”

The club has made an impact on five small businesses in developing countries already and looks to continue to boost self-sustainability among these companies in the future.

Computer Science and math teacher Dr. Jeffrey Hulbert is personally interested in microlending, a common research topic in his graduate school cohort. As the sponsor of the club, he enjoys helping Bhasin and club members pursue their passions in changing the world.

“The club is Isabel’s passion and it is her drive and the drive of her fellow leadership members that make the club as successful as it is,” Hulbert said.

HOCKADAYFOURCAST.ORG

features

May 13, 2022 | THE FOURCAST

15

Speaker to share experiences Mandy Ginsberg ‘88 to return for commencement address

By Sunnie Wang | Staff Writer “I was used to seeing women as the president of student council, women as captains of a school team, women as class presidents, and I think Hockaday lays a foundation for us so that as Hockaday girls and women, we sort of expect that of ourselves.”

Ginsberg offers this advice: never be afraid to ask for what you want.

“Knowing that you might not always get it, and being okay with that, just ask,” she said. “The worst thing people can say is no, and oftentimes, when they say no, it’s often within reason.”

Whether it’s a promotion, or a pay raise, just open your mouth and ask, she said, adding men are more likely to ask for what they want and there is no reason why women should not do the same.

Ginsburg said she is excited to return to Hockaday and speak to graduates and guests.

Freshman Lily Gum has been to two previous commencements and is looking forward to hearing Ginsberg speak this year.

“I have loved getting to listen to previous commencement speakers and I am so excited to hear Ms. Ginsberg speak this year,” Gum said, “I cannot wait to hear about her own experience as a Hockadaisy.”

Ginsburg, pictured in 1988, will give the commencement address to the class of 2022.

Cornerstones yearbook photo

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M

andy Ginsberg, former CEO of Match Group now on the board of directors at Uber, was recently named as the 2022 commencement speaker. Ginsberg will speak about her experience while wearing the green and white.

Growing up in Dallas, Ginsberg was an avid student athlete and star soccer player, participating in club soccer outside of school and going on to play soccer for the University of California, Berkeley throughout her college days. Recalling her high school soccer career, she talks about the importance and value of teamwork found in sports.

“It’s not just what you do on that field, it’s really understanding what your place is so you can make your teammates successful and yourself successful,” Ginsberg said.

Going to school among strong female leaders still impacts her to this day. When she got to the business world, she found there weren’t as many women in power as she was used to, but it did nothing to stop her. Ginsberg said many of her colleagues grew up seeing men in positions of power, but it was a different case for her.

“For me, it was the exact opposite,” she said.

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May 13, 2022

THE HOCKADAY SCHOOL

THE

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF Will Forteith Given Will Forteith’s roles and responsibilities as head rowing coach, sixth- and seventh-grade English teacher and seventh-grade advisor, he accomplishes many tasks in a day. Here’s a peek into Forteith’s daily schedule and how he manages to get it all done.

By Kailey Bergstedt | Photo Editor and Castoff Editor

Good morning!

5:45 A.M.

RISE & SHINE | Forteith wakes

up between 5:45 and 6 a.m. every morning. After taking his miniature Australian Shepherd, Charlie, for a walk, he helps his fifth-grade daughter, Elise, get ready for the day. The two try to leave their house by 7:15 a.m. “My big window of time with my daughter every day is that 20- to 25-minute drive to school,” Forteith said.

8:00 A.M. SCHOOL DAY STARTS | Usually

arriving a little before 8 a.m., Forteith prepares for his English class. On both A and B days, he teaches back–to–back morning classes during A, B, E and F periods. The sixth- and seventh-grade students are finishing end-of-the-year papers. However, if crew has a morning lift, he will arrive a few minutes earlier to attend the first 20 minutes before going to teach.

3:30 P.M. AT THE LAKE | Forteith usually begins getting the crew bus or heads to the lake to get the boats set up by the time rowers start to arrive around 4:15 p.m. He will spend the next hour and a half to two hours giving instruction and leading crew practice. After helping rowers bring the boats back in, he will either drive the bus back to campus or stick around for a few minutes to do some last-minute tasks.

7:00 P.M. HEADED HOME | Finally

packing up everything, Forteith tries to be home by 7 p.m. every night. He will spend the rest of the evening making dinner, replying to emails from middle– schoolers, grading or preparing for English classes and helping his daughter with her French homework. “Whenever I find myself with extra time, I really just spend it with my family,” Forteith said.

See you tomorrow!

1:35 P.M.

CATCH-ALL TIME | After the Upper School lunch period ends, Forteith typically uses the next two hours for a variety of activities. He will grade English papers, prep for upcoming English classes or complete entries for upcoming regattas. “Sometimes I will even leave campus during this time and go to the boathouse because it is the only time I can repair boats,” Forteith said. Around 1:55 p.m. on middle school’s odd days, he will try to be near the middle school building in case any of his students have questions for him during their free period.

11:00 A.M.

ADVISORY | During the

40-minute period every day, Forteith and his co–advisor, Cynthia Miro, catch up with their advisory of 12 seventh-grade students. “They do everything from homework and studying to Just Dance and visiting the student store,” Forteith said. “It’s a nice break and some social time for all of us.”

11:40 A.M.

LUNCH TIME | Forteith typically eats lunch

with middle school from 11:40 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. and then walks over to his office in the science building for Upper School conference period. During this time, he meets with rowers, checks weather and wind speeds to determine if crew can row on the lake and organizes boat assignments for each rower for practice later that day. “There are several different things that can happen during this time and each day is a little different,” Forteith said.

Photos by Kailey Bergstedt

HOCKADAYFOURCAST.ORG

features

May 13, 2022 | THE FOURCAST

From Alcatraz to shore

17

Junior Lola Isom and dad swim across San Francisco Bay, under Golden Gate Bridge

By Jane Clark | Editor In Chief

M

onths of cold water training pays off as Lola Isom jumps into the chilly California waters at the break of dawn, ready to carry on a years-long family tradition.

Lola Isom swam with her dad, Robert Isom, approximately 1.4 miles from Alcatraz Island into the San Francisco Bay on April 9, continuing a family tradition that her mother and siblings have completed in the past. The following day, they swam 1.2 miles underneath the Golden Gate Bridge from tower to tower, proving that her intense training and practice paid off.

“The first one I swam at around 6 a.m. so I got to watch the sunrise, which was nice,” Lola said.

Although it seems extreme, the swim does not have sharks and distance-wise many swimmers go much farther every day in practice.

“Almost 100 swimmers joined us — much younger than Lola and some even older than me,” Robert Isom said. “It was all very safe and I think it’s great that Lola might take on another swimming challenge — but for me, I’m looking forward to warm pool water, with a floatie and a cold drink.”

Bobby Patten, Lola’s swim coach, said the Alcatraz Swim is a challenging open water event because the water is dark, cold, and can be very choppy. He praises her for taking on this challenge.

“On occasion you have some sea friends swim near you,” Patten said. “While the sea lions are really cute, they can be aggressive and mean.”

Lola had to train in open water to prepare for the cold water in California. Preparation consisted of going to Arizona a few times and training with her old swim club where they would jump into a lake that was about 50 degrees and swim for an hour at a time.

This helped her get used to the cold water and similar conditions that she would face in the Bay. “It was pretty cold but enjoyably cold once you go, like only painful for the first minute,” she said.

She said she has had fun training and anticipating

the San Francisco swim and she said it could be the first of many that she participates in.

“I want to do it hopefully next year if the timing works out, but I’ll definitely do it again at some point in the future,” she said.

Inspiration for the swim came from a sort of family tradition in which the rest of her immediate family had already participated. The tradition began when the Isoms lived in Arizona.

“When we lived in Arizona, the kids’ swim club sponsored a training event,” Robert Isom said.

The training was to experience the cold of the water in preparation for the swim in California. Robert Isom said the distance was never a problem but the temperature of about 50 degrees, in the open, wavy water was the challenge.

“Lola’s sister, Sophie, and I did it first,” Robert Isom said. “The next year, Lola’s brother, Henry, and Mrs. Isom did it.”

This year, however, it was Lola’s turn. She and her dad began preparing in September 2021, starting by swimming in a desert mountain lake every few weekends through January.

“The water gets progressively colder and you have to build tolerance,” Robert Isom said. “Your face and feet go totally numb and you swim for an hour or so, roughly 1.5 miles during the training events.”

Robert and Lola made a handful of trips to Arizona during the winter.

“The first trip to Arizona, I’m not sure Lola knew what she was getting into,” Robert Isom said. “She gave me a look like ‘we are going to do what?!’”

Each time, it became easier and Robert said although Lola seemed to enjoy it, he did not so much. However, he acknowledges the valuable skills swimmers gain on the way.

“It’s good practice to get accustomed to being uncomfortable – and it is – but even more importantly, it teaches a great life skill about preparation and trying to achieve things that seem almost out of reach,” Robert Isom said.

Photo courtesy of Lola Isom

Lola Isom and her dad pose by the San Francisco Bay after their swim from Alcatraz. They also swam the length of the Golden Gate Bridge.

As someone who has completed the swim before, Patten found the swim to be as much if not more mental than physical.

“While the training gets your body ready for the physical, the long swimming in cold water takes a special mind set,” Patten said. “Lola did a great deal of additional training and practice swims in cold water to be both physically and mentally prepared.”

To complete the swim is a big accomplishment and Patten notes that he now knows she is a 500 swimmer.

HOCKA-HISTORY A look back into our past

Two graduates from the class of 1930.

Photo courtesy of The Hockaday Archives

Early graduation traditions In 1915, Ela Hockaday established commencement traditions that still remain to this day.

Each issue, The Fourcast browses Hockaday’s archives and chooses a moment to look back on. This month, we talk about the first graduation.

By Anjy Fadairo | Staff Writer

In 1915, The Ela Hockaday School for Girls sent off its first graduate, Mildred Liebman.

In “Graduation Day,” Helen Knox Toll, class of 1926, writes that the school’s first campus on Haskell Avenue happened to have a pergola covered with lovely roses.

Ela Hockaday decided her school would have an outdoor graduation ceremony and the graduates would dress in white. This began Hockaday’s commencement tradition.

When the school moved to its new Greenville Avenue campus in 1919, another pergola was constructed to ensure the ceremony could continue. Today, on the Welch Road campus, Commencement Terrace features a pergola for graduation.

As Hockaday has expanded, so has its number of graduates. In 1915, Liebman ’15 was the sole graduate of the Hockaday School. By January 1920, the number of Hockaday alumnae had grown to 45. In 1977, there were 77 members in Hockaday’s graduating class. There are 121 students in Hockaday’s class of 2022.

In addition to changes to size and location, there have also been changes to graduation apparel. Beginning with the centennial class of 2014, first-generation students are

The graduating class of 1926 at graduation.

Photo courtesy of The Hockaday Archives

no longer limited to white hats. Last year, administration changed the commencement dress code from requiring all students to wear matching white dresses to offering a robe and mortarboard option.

Over the course of its history, Hockaday has had numerous commencement speakers, spanning from heads of universities to First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.

Judy Hicks Noble ’71, who works in admission, said at her commencement there was no commencement speaker besides the headmaster. Also, no one was nominated by the graduating class to give an address on behalf of the class.

“Those are very cool additions to the ceremony,” Noble said.

While the school has undergone numerous changes since 1970, Noble said not much has changed about the commencement ceremonies themselves.

“The songs that are sung as you’re proceeding in and during the ceremony, all of those are traditional — every year it’s practiced,” Noble said As Hockaday graduates its 108th class, members of the community look to maintain healthy and vibrant traditions while looking toward the future and for ways to improve.

May 13, 2022

THE HOCKADAY SCHOOL

THE

18sports

“

I’m looking forward to working hard every day as part of Notre Dame’s track team.”

One To Watch, p. 20

Thompson the track star

Sophomore wows fans with records, achievements

By Danya Risam-Chandi | Staff Writer

M

argaret Thompson, sophomore varsity track runner, set a national record at the Texas Relays on March 24 in Austin. She took first place in the 2k steeplechase, which includes hurdles and water obstacles.

Varsity track and field coach La’Boris Bean said it was Thompson’s second time to compete in the event. In her first steeplechase, she took second place, even without preparation or the right shoes.

At the Texas Relays, Coach Bean remembers watching from the stands, screaming over the rails at Thompson, “Go, go, go!”

He said he knew she was holding back and she didn’t know how much more she had left in her.

After that, he said, she took over the race. She took first place, her time setting a national record.

“I was definitely surprised on making the record,” Thompson said.

Bean said he definitely was not.

Margaret recalled five seconds after the race, the shock hit her.

“I remember being like ‘wow, that really just happened,’” Thompson said.

Thompson has been running track since sixth grade, but started running long before that with her parents, especially her dad.

“I just can’t see myself not running,” she said.

Bean regards Thompson as a leader on the track team.

“Her race focus is just totally different compared to a lot of other runners,” Bean said. “She gets into an elite zone like a lot of college athletes

and that is not the norm. She’s already focused well before the race.”

Anna Crook, a freshman on the JV track team who frequently practices with Thompson, said it’s obvious Coach Bean pushes Thompson to grow and improve as a runner, and she continuously meets his demands.

Bean also frequently tasks Margaret with leadership roles like Thompson competes at the Lion Relays. motivating her fellow athletes.

Thompson than he does with other Crook remembers at her first race athletes, as he trusts her to always do she was feeling nervous to run and Thompson reassured her with tips on her best.

“She always tries to make a pacing herself. personal record in her races and Bean first met Thompson when usually does,” Crook said. “She’s just she was in seventh grade and he insanely talented.” was hosting meets. He said his first Thompson said track has taught impression of her was that she was an her how to push on even when not amazing athlete. everything is going her way. She Bean and Thompson have a fun admires Bean’s tendency to put his dynamic at track, joking around runners first. while at practice. Crook said Thompson said she hopes to be Coach Bean spends less time with

Photo by Matt’s Photography

recruited for both track and cross country. Bean said he knows she will achieve that goal.

Her dad, who frequently runs with Thompson and is supportive of her track career, was there to see her win at the Texas Relays.

Margaret remembers being in the big stadium when they announced her national record and going over to hug her dad.

“It just, it was really a cool, cool moment,” she said.

Coaches A.D. Ebinero and La’Boris Bean celebrate with Thompson as she shows her medal for the 2K Steeplechase at the Texas Relays in Austin.

Thompson, fifth from left, and her Cross Country teammates gather at the fall spirit rally.

Photo by Sally Hudspeth

Photo courtesy of Margaret Thompson

“She gets into an elite zone like a lot of college athletes and that is not the norm. She’s already focused well before the race.”

Coach La’Boris Bean

HOCKADAYFOURCAST.ORG

Meet Maia Hartley

19

AND UP

Co-Captain of softball team slams through competition

AMBYR’S ALLEY

Quicker than Quick Teacher shares her passion for running and her past success on the track

M

By Shreya Vijay | Staff Writer

aia Hartley strikes the ball as her teammates roar in the background.

She hits a grand slam.

Hartley, captain of the Hockaday varsity softball team, has worked hard to ensure her teammates are passionate about the sport this season.

She became interested in softball through one of her childhood friends and found that the sport was a great way to spend her time. Hartley also plays softball on a select team outside of school and hopes to play softball at the collegiate level.

“Maia leads by example and vocally,” varsity softball head coach Natalie Kozlowski said. “She is extraordinary, a good athlete, very coachable, passionate about softball, and a very savvy player.”

Hartley has served as the softball team captain for the past two years. This season, she hit a grand slam in a game against Trinity Valley School, meaning she scored four runs.

“I knew as soon as I hit it that the ball was going over and I was so excited.

There are a lot of factors that go into a grand slam and I was so happy they all lined up. The team all got excited after it too, and it really boosted spirit and confidence for the rest of the game,” Hartley said.

“Maia is the definition of a natural leader”, senior captain Haley Coleman said. “People want to listen to her because we value her opinion, respect her character, and trust her advice.”

As the team participated in SPC in April, Hartley played a pivotal role in their preparation.

“For SPC, we’re taking time to focus on our specific needs, whether someone wants to come early or stay late to get extra work or practice something specific,” Hartley said. “I’ve also been working on bringing out the team’s competitive spirit and drive to win.”

Hartley and her teammates wrapped up their season by finishing 6th in SPC. Coleman described Maia’s infectious spirit as the Maia Effect: regardless of the score, when Hartley walks up to the

May 13, 2022 | THE FOURCAST

sports

Hartley hits a grand slam, leading the team to victory.

Photo courtesy of Laura Santellana

Playing shortstop, Hartley fields a ball to throw to first base.

Glenys Quick, the film studies and journalism teacher, is not only a champion in the classroom but also on the track.

“In my first year of running, I set the New Zealand age group record,” Quick said. “When I was about 20, I won the New Zealand cross country championships.”

Beginning her training at age 16, Quick’s started her running journey essentially by accident.

“In New Zealand Intermediate School, everyone was expected to run in something, and I did very well in these competitions,” Quick said. “A peer who ran with a running club nearby encouraged me to join.”

Quickly earning recognition from her peers and coaches, Quick was immediately encouraged to begin training competitively.

“I tried it out for two weeks,” Quick said. “And I thought to myself, If I don’t improve, I’ll stop.”

However, Quick’s career was far from over. She decided to continue running in more and more races and saw rapid development in her performance.

“I competed in the local secondary school, regional and national competitions and did well,” Quick said. “After going all the way through, I thought it only made sense to continue.”

Quick said she was lucky to receive her early instruction from New Zealander running coach Arthur Lydiard.

“After finishing university in New Zealand in 1980, my coach set me up to run summer road races in the U.S.,” Quick said. “I loved it here immediately.”

While in Texas, Quick was offered a track and field scholarship to Texas Woman’s University. Though the program was canceled shortly thereafter, it inspired Quick to explore marathoning.

“After TWU was canceled, I still kept training with this coach,” Quick said. “Not being a part of a team allowed me to run whatever races I wanted to.”

In her prime, Quick ran in the 1982 Chicago marathon and placed third, the World Track and Field championships, and finally, in the Nagoya International Women’s marathon in Japan.

“I was trying to qualify for the New Zealand Olympic team,” Quick said. “After doing that, I won the Nagoya Marathon.”

Throughout her career, Quick has imprinted her legacy into a history of women’s athletics. The message behind Quick’s journey reaches far beyond running.

“It has been a very exciting life,” Quick said, “and it’s always been that way because I truly enjoy what I’m doing.”

Photo by Matt’s Photography

plate, the team erupts in enthusiasm.

“The energy we get from Maia starting off the lineup is hard to put into words, “Coleman said.

“Every day, Maia impresses me and inspires me. It is easy to see why so many people gravitate towards her, and I feel really lucky to share the field with such an amazing teammate, leader, and friend,” Coleman said.

Glenys Quick finishes 6th place in the 1985 Chicago Marathon with a time of 2 hours and 31 minutes.

CAPTAINS’ CORNER

LEENA MEHENDALE, track

MINJE KWUN, lacrosse

“Track has had a super successful season, and we’re so excited to have many number one seeds in SPC.”

“I feel really good about this season. The team is the strongest I’ve ever played with. The underclassmen are really really talented.”

JULIA KATZMAN, golf

“Overall, we had a great season and are very proud of our performance in each tournament. We finished 3rd at SPC as a team with 2 top-10 individual scores, and we were the top team in the North Zone.”

20

May 13, 2022

THE HOCKADAY SCHOOL

THE

2022 Signing Day commits Photo courtesy of Sally Hudsbeth

Signing day celebrates athletes’ commitment

Fourteen student-athletes sign collegiate career into reality

By Ambyr Baker | Sports Editor

S

igning day is widely regarded as a distant ambition for young, aspiring athletes. However, on April 6, a record number of 14 student athletes put pen to paper to sign their careers into reality.

Assistant Director of Athletics Jennifer Johnson said being recruited for any sport is no simple task.

“Collegiate athletics is challenging as you have teams made up of the very best athletes,” Johnson said. “It’s exciting for a student athlete to put in all the hard work at the middle school and high school level and have it earn them a spot at the collegiate level.”

In Johnson’s words, being recruited means building a relationship with a collegiate coaching staff to play a sport.

She is proud that several students in the 2022 class will reach this level.

“This recruiting class displayed a wide variety of sports. We had volleyball, swimming, tennis, rowing, lacrosse, soccer, and golf,” Johnson said. “It has also been one of our largest celebrations since I have been at Hockaday.”

Due to the pandemic, Wesleyan University tennis commit Sarah Youngberg and others had to navigate the virtual recruitment process.

“While I was doing well in my

recruiting class and my trends revealed that playing in college was a possibility, Covid made the process 10x more brutal,” Youngberg said. “It was terrible.”

For Minje Kwun, Dartmouth College lacrosse commit, coaches became instrumental in moving along her committing process.

“Coach Molly made recruiting possible for me during such an uncertain time,” Kwun said. “Without the guidance of her and Coach Maggie at GRIT Lacrosse, I would not have gotten recruited.”

Similarly, Jordan Stock, Stanford University lightweight rowing commit, said her coach was instrumental to her recruitment. Stock added pursuing her dream of competing at the next level required hard work behind the scenes.

“I did a lot on my own to get recruited,” Stock said. “Coach Forteith did some of the heavy work for me by talking with coaches, but the daily training throughout was all my own.”

Thus, Stock felt the real reward came before signing the National Letter of Intent.

“Signing day honestly wasn’t the day I felt like I did it,” Stock said. “The day that Stanford offered me and I accepted, I was over the moon. I’m so excited to

compete at the next level.”

Johnson agreed students put a lot of work into their recruitment before they sign. Even more of that hard work will start in August of their freshman year of college.

“These students are dedicating themselves to play their sport at a high level,” Johnson said. “In a lot of ways, collegiate athletics is a full time job because you have hours of practice, strength and conditioning, film review, any rehab for injuries, the list goes on.

This is all on top of keeping up with your academics.”

Youngberg described her biggest challenge as choosing the right educational fit. She wants to be able to balance tennis with her academics.

“When you go to a school like Hockaday, you start to value academics,” Youngberg said. “So I know wherever I go, I am a student first and an athlete second.”

Youngberg said she looks forward to taking the next step.

“I’m really happy where I committed because I like the team and the coach,” she said. “I’m also excited to be able to pursue any academic dreams that I want and play at the next level.”

2022 Commits

Brooke Adams: Texas, Swimming Paisley Brown: Connecticut College, Rowing Sydney Eyestone: Williams University, Volleyball Audrey Gass: Transylvania University, Volleyball Landry Grover: Denver, Lacrosse Anna Gum: Hamilton College, Lacrosse Julia Haetzel: W&L, Golf Minje Kwun: Dartmouth, Lacrosse Julia Luo: UChicago, Swimming Leena Mehendale: MIT, Soccer Lucy Roberts: Columbia, Rowing Jordan Stock: Stanford, Lightweight Rowing Olivia Weeldryer: Cornell, Rowing Sarah Youngberg: Wesleyan University, Tennis

ONE TO WATCH Daisies to keep an eye on

MEET

Remy Finn

By Caroline Petrikas | Managing Editor

Senior Remy Finn ran track and field for just one full season but has set the school record for long jump and came close to two other records, earning a spot on the record board in Penson. Finn has committed to run and long jump at the University of Notre Dame next fall.

After running for half the season her freshman year, Finn participated

Finn with her parents on Senior Night.

Finn breaks the previous school long-jump record.

Photos courtesy of La’Boris Bean

in varsity lacrosse her junior year, but elected to come back to track for her final season.

“I realized how much I missed running last year and being pushed physically the way that I am in track season,” Finn said.

Varsity track coach Laboris Bean said Finn was a crucial part of the team

with her contribution of 44 points at the team’s Southwest Preparatory Conference meet.

“She showed up and showed out,” Bean said. “She is a star that rises to the occasion.”

Finn said she’s so grateful and excited to work harder and get faster at the collegiate level.

“I’m incredibly excited for this opportunity because it perfectly combines my love of running and the amazing feeling of being part of a team,” Finn said. “This level of competition will push me to become a better runner, and I’m looking forward to working hard every day as part of Notre Dame’s track team.”

HOCKADAYFOURCAST.ORG

21views

May 13, 2022 | THE FOURCAST

views

“

This means that students can learn what they love at an advanced level without having the pressure of studying for an AP test at the end of the year.”

Discussing AP exams, p. 22

Irresponsible journalism

Lindquist’s writing exemplifies risk bad journalism poses

By Bennett Trubey | Arts and Life Editor

A

ll journalists have a responsibility to present factual and clear evidence, and denial of that responsibility presents a dangerous possibility. In early March, Spencer Lindquist, a senior at Pepperdine University, president of the college’s Republicans club and an intern at The Federalist, published an article about Hockaday. In his article, he makes claims about the school’s policies and resources without clear evidence, exemplifying what I believe to be dangerous and poor journalism.

Early on in the article, Lindquist states the Engineering for US All (E4USA) curriculum material that was used in our physics classes was focused on “left-wing indoctrination.” E4USA is a nationwide program that offers resources to teach the principles of engineering.

When I looked into this claim, I could find no evidence on E4USA’s website or on the Internet supporting his statement.

“We used the E4USA curriculum as part of our physics curriculum for two years, and no longer use it because it wasn’t a good fit,” Dr. Leathers, the Assistant Head of School for Academic Affairs, said.

She said the school had wanted to use the program as a means of integrating both engineering and physics but had not been able to focus on the physics concepts as much as they wanted.

Having taken the physics course my freshman year, I agree with Hockaday’s reason for no longer using the material but also recall there was no mention of any political subject or so-called “left-wing indoctrination.”

Therefore, with both personal experience with the program and a simple amount of research, I find Lindquist’s claim that E4USA’s material is politically motivated is nothing more than a baseless accusation.

He also mentions Hockaday’s affiliation with the National Association of Independent Schools, which he

“Journalists have a responsibility and moral obligation attached to their work, as words have an impact on how people think and feel.”

Bennett Trubey dubs a “far-left” organization trying to “push left-wing racial grievance policies.” However, when I investigated the claim further, looking into the educational and administrative resources they provide, I found nothing supporting these claims.

The NAIS is an organization that provides resources on many different topics, from information about hiring new teachers to mental health awareness, to over 1,600 independent schools across the United States. NAIS has not indicated any political alignment on their website or to involved schools.

Again, with a little research, I am led to believe that another of Lindquist’s statements falls far short of being factual.

Journalism is defined by the American Press Institute as the act of “presenting news and information,” outlining the primary responsibility of a journalist’s job.

Lindquist is spreading misinformation through his work by including baseless claims with no evidence to support his words. There are numerous more statements throughout the article that have no factual grounding, so I encourage those of you who read his article – and any other journalistic work – to read critically and conduct further research of your own.

Additionally, Lindquist includes several unrelated and seemingly off-handed remarks about Hockaday’s

Graphic by Stella SIgurdsson

policies in his article. For example, he writes, “The Hockaday School, which recently abolished a century-old tradition of white graduation dresses in the name of inclusion, lists a number of different DEI resources on their website.”

I find this to be an unethical, irresponsible addition to his story, as the comment is completely unrelated to the subject of his report and is likely only included to incite explosive reactions from his readers.

Journalists have a responsibility and moral obligation attached to their work, as words have an impact on how people think and feel. However, I believe Lindquist’s portfolio of numerous articles of similar quality rejects this responsibility as the articles reveal his need to grab readers’ attention using low-quality, quickly produced reports.

This article and several of Lindquist’s other works are perfect examples of the danger of irresponsible journalism, and how such articles have the ability to elicit eruptive responses as they are focused more on sensationalism and gaining attention than providing factual information.

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22

May 13, 2022

THE

STAFF STANDOFF

AP exams: are they worth it?

THE HOCKADAY SCHOOL

We Love It, We Love It Not

Staff members debate merits of AP classes

Prepare yourself

Not worth the time

By Bennett Trubey | Arts and Life Editor

By Caroline Bush | Arts and Life Editor

AP tests seem a daunting task, but once you look past the looming countdowns and tedious studying sessions, there are many positives to be taken away from these standardized tests.

Students who take AP Tests are more prepared for the rigor of a college course.

According to new evidence provided by the College Board in 2021, students who scored a two on their AP tests frequently were found to outperform their peers in college who did not take AP Tests in high school.

In addition, students who take AP Tests for subjects they are interested in or want to pursue in college get a sense of how college work specific to that subject may look.

The inclusion of AP courses on student transcripts also helps them stand out to colleges because the courses are an indication the student is able to work at the university level.

With the number of AP Classes offered at Hockaday through OneSchoolhouse and the course catalog, there are often classes tailored to individual students’ interests and schedules. Independently studying for AP tests offers another level of flexibility, especially for those with busy sports or extracurricular schedules.

College Board offers 38 AP courses, each with an exam that evaluates a student’s understanding of the subject by the end of the school year. In addition to preparing students for college work, AP exams give students the opportunity to earn college credit during high school.

The majority of colleges accept an AP course for class credit if the exam score is a four or above. Students who receive credit are often able to opt out of retaking a course or to place into a more advanced class in college.

Another pro of taking AP Tests is the experience students can gain. As Hockaday classes do not have formal exams, students are robbed of the largescale, standardized test-taking experience that evaluates students’ understanding of their subjects. AP tests offer us the opportunity to gain valuable experience that will prepare us for college midterms and exams.

Although AP exams involve challenging material and strenuous studying schedules, the majority of students will find the same characteristics in their college courses. Having the opportunity to take AP courses as well as the exams allows us the opportunity to prepare ourselves better for the academic rigor and expectations of college.

VS

As the college admissions process becomes more rigorous each year, it seems as though I hear the same thing from more people every spring: The College Board is a scam.

Because of Hockaday’s limited Advanced Placement course options sophomore year, I did not consider taking any AP classes until this year. But with college right around the corner, I’ve had to weigh my options and decide which AP courses, if any, were best for me to take.

Hockaday offers fewer APs than most other schools due to the honors curriculum which contains courses that delve deep into subjects and allow students to explore specific interests before choosing a college major. For this reason, I decided to take advantage of honors US history and biology courses.

Because these college-level courses are unique to Hockaday, universities see them as equal to AP classes when students submit applications. This means that students can learn what they love at an advanced level without having the pressure of studying for an AP test at the end of the year.

At the AP level, while the course is rigorous and fast-paced, it does not leave much room for class discussions and therefore depth of the topic. Especially with a class like history, I believe one of the most important parts of the course is discussing the information in relation to our real world rather than just cramming in as much information as possible just to spit it back out on an AP exam.

But what about schools that do not offer the same opportunities we have at Hockaday? Is it still worth taking the risk of putting in extra time and effort just to end up with a less-thanideal score?

AP exams and classes are designed by The College Board, meaning there is a very specific formula in grading that doesn’t allow for much subjectivity. The tests will never be an accurate measure of how much a student actually learns throughout the year in a course.

The goal of taking an AP course is to get college credit without to take that course in college, but the flaw here is that most selective universities, especially the ones Hockaday students attend, do not accept AP scores for class credit.

In the end, especially at Hockaday, the cons of AP courses outweigh the pros. It is best to take all factors into consideration when choosing courses. Choose what you are passionate about and what you have time for, not just the course that might look “best” to a college.

Summer Vacation Hockadaisies look forward to three months of break and the start of a new school year.

Form Day Upper School students are excited for Form Day and the end of the school year!

End of the Year Upper School students are dreading the last exams and papers of the year.

Experienced Faculty Members Leaving Students are sad to see experienced faculty members leave or retire.

HOCKADAYFOURCAST.ORG

May 13, 2022 | THE FOURCAST

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23

Unite for Ukraine

Why we should care about Russia’s invasion and how we can help Staff Stance

I

In the heart of eastern Europe, the country of Ukraine is being bombarded

by Russian forces day and night. People are left to die, families are torn apart and children are orphaned in the streets of many of Ukraine’s biggest cities. This war has been a talking point in global news since February – but why is it so important?

The invasion of Ukraine is the biggest conflict on European soil since World War II – millions of people are suffering. We must show our support for Ukraine to unite against violence and tyranny.

Although the Russo-Ukrainian War cannot be compared to World War II, innocent people are suffering at the hands of a tyrant. As of April 26, 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy estimates around 2700 civilians and 3000 soldiers have perished in the conflict. However, this number is small compared to the number of dead Russian soldiers – nearly 14,000 Russian troops have died in the conflict. Although they may be on opposite sides, the loss of human life is never beneficial.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is justified by the “Nazi influence” on the Ukrainian government.

Putin has repeatedly made claims about the Ukrainian government, calling them Nazi sympathizers and using it as reasoning for his violent invasion.

However, with a quick Internet search, this information can be proven false. President Zelenskyy is a Jewish man with zero ties to any neo-Nazi movements. Furthermore, it was not President Zelenskyy who bombed a Holocaust memorial – it was Putin.

It may seem like there is not much we can do to help the citizens of Ukraine as civilians.

However, anything we have to offer will be beneficial and help at least a few people in Ukraine. Donating to organizations like the Ukrainian Red Cross and the World Central Kitchen will feed and provide aid to displaced Ukrainians. Save the Children’s fundraiser goes directly towards helping orphaned and missing

Graphic by Aadya Kuruvalli

Ukrainian children. These are the small steps we have to take to make a big change.

We need to unite for Ukraine to show that as a planet, we stand up against violence and tyranny. We need to show that we are not okay with our governments doing nothing. We need to communicate to the people of Ukraine that they are not alone in this war. The world is watching, and Russia’s actions in Ukraine will not go without consequences.

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Jane Clark Melody Hu

MANAGING EDITOR

Donate to Save the Children to aid displaced Ukrainian youths.

NEWS EDITOR Melody Tian

ARTS & LIFE EDITORS

Caroline Petrikas

Bennett Trubey Caroline Bush

JADE EDITOR

FEATURES EDITOR

Zoya Haq Juliana Blazek

WEB EDITOR

Hanna Asmerom

SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Hanna Asmerom

COVER AND CENTERSPREAD EDITOR Aadya Kuruvalli

Harper Harris

SPORTS EDITOR Ambyr Baker

VIEWS EDITOR Aadya Kuruvalli

CASTOFF EDITOR Kailey Bergstedt

PHOTO & GRAPHICS EDITOR Kailey Bergstedt

ASSISTANT SECTION EDITORS AND STAFF WRITERS Anjy Fadairo Rayna Li Elle Myers Alexa Munoz Amitha Nair Danya Risam-Chandi Elizabeth Truelove Shreya Vijay Sunnie Wang

FACULTY ADVISER Julia Copeland

Donate to the International Red Cross Ukrainian relief fund.

Donate to the World Central Kitchen to feed refugees.

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. The staff reserves the right to refuse any advertising which is deemed inappropriate for the Hockaday community. Opinions will be clearly marked and/or will appear in the views section. Commentaries are the expressed opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect that of The Fourcast staff, its adviser or any other member of the Hockaday community. The Staff Stance on the views page reflects the position of The Fourcast staff, but not necessarily the position of the Hockaday administration or community. The Fourcast staff determines the content of each issue and strives to work as independently as possible in producing the student newspaper. Letters to the editor and guest columns are welcome and should be addressed to the editor-in-chief. Only signed pieces will be published.

Corrections and clarifications from previous issues will be found as designated in the news section. Any questions or concerns should be addressed to Editorsin-Chief Melody Hu at mhu23@hockaday.org or Jane Clark at jclark23@hockaday.org.

The Fourcast 11600 Welch Road Dallas, Texas 75229

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May 13, 2022

THE HOCKADAY SCHOOL

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Emily Estes UT

Jordan Stock Stanford Pay ton Th UT urman

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Sarah Roberts UT

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Seniors share college decisions