November 2021 Issue

Harvard-Westlake • Studio City • Volume 31 • Issue 3 • November 17, 2021 • hwchronicle.com

‘JB’ opens live to full capacity

Performing Arts hosts a full-capacity audience for the opening of the fall play.

By James Hess The Performing Arts Department opened the fall play, “J.B.,” to audiences in Rugby Theater on Oct. 29, 30 and 31.

The show marked the first largescale in-person performing arts production since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Written in 1958 by American poet Archibald Macleish, “J.B.” is a modernist interpretation of the biblical Book of Job, in which God permits the Devil to test the faith of a deeply religious farmer named Job. In the play, Job is reimagined as J.B., an affluent banker who endures moral trials from two circus vendors. The production won the 1959 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the 1959 Tony Award for Best Play.

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PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF WOO SIM

A STOIC SCENE: Billy Johnson ’22 plays the part of a circus vendor who takes on the role of God in the annual fall play, “J.B.,” a modern take on the Bible’s Book of Job. The play ran at full capacity in Rugby Theater Oct. 29-31, making it the Upper School’s first full-scale production since COVID-19.

Student uses racial slur on social media and serves a one-day suspension two years later, community reflects on implications

By Julian Andreone and Will Sheehy

The school issued a one-day suspension to a student* Nov. 3 after obtaining evidence of a twoyears-old Snapchat photo that he captioned with the N-word. Prefect Council announced that the student would also be required to read “The N-Word: Who Can Say It, Who Shouldn’t, and Why”

by Jabari Asim in an all-school email Nov. 4. The student will be required to discuss the text with Dean of Students and Chair of the Honor Board Jordan Church.

The student is committed to play baseball as a college athlete.

After the Honor Review Committee decided evidence warranted a case, the student was sent to the Honor Board, which rules on violations of the school’s Honor Code in consultation with Head of Upper School Beth Slattery.

The Honor Board consists of the two Head Prefects, two senior prefects, two junior prefects, two sophomore prefects, two faculty members, two deans and Church.

Baseball Program Head Jared Halpert said he approached his players at practice after receiving a tip from community members that a player on the team might have engaged in discriminatory language. He said the student then came forward and admitted potential involvement.

“I brought to the kids that some adults in our administration had passed along that some of our prefects, and potentially some other students, felt that there was something going on in the baseball program that wasn’t in line with the morals and values of our school, and in line with our baseball program, which are hand in hand,” Halpert said. “So when I presented it to the team, [the stu-

dent] didn’t know if they were ref- [the student] here. This is someerencing him, but [he] did come thing that’s going to carry on with forth with the potential that [the him and our immediate commuincident was] communication at nity of baseball for quite some some point in his past history with time. All I’ve shared with our kids a friend of his.” is that I really hope that we can Halpert said this insupport our guy. We cident will have longcan continue to evaluate term implications for ourselves and make sure the student and the that we’re doing things program that he did not in the best positive way.” elaborate on. Although Halpert, who bethe team has not forcame Baseball Program mally discussed the inciHead on July 20, 2015, dent together since the said the student made a student was sent to the mistake, but he said no white’s Honor Board, he said member of the baseball Jared he plans on addressing program has intentionHalpert the events with his playally hurt other members ers in the near future. of the community on the basis of “We actually haven’t had a identity. chance to really [digest] and talk “None of our kids and no one about it,” Halpert said. “We cer- in this program has ever done tainly have some gatherings ahead anything to hurt or harm anothof us. It didn’t end with whatever er person, regardless of it being has been kind of bestowed upon race, sex or religion,” Halpert said.

“This is a rather large group of student-athletes that I think believe in the school’s mission, [which] is also the mission of the baseball program. You know, was it a mistake, potentially, in [the student’s] past? Certainly, I think no one would deny that.”

When asked whether the student’s suspension may affect his college commitment, Upper School Dean Sharon Cuseo said students are often asked by colleges to report disciplinary action, but there is no method of fact-checking student responses. “[Colleges] no longer ask [our school] if a student has been suspended or had disciplinary action,” Cuseo said. “It is on the student to report [it].”

Cuseo said athletes are not treated preferentially in the disciplinary process and often face more disciplinary action.

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IN THIS ISSUE

A6

A11

B4-5

C3

D8

Westlake Welcome: The Westlake School for Girls’s Class of 1991 reunites as the final class prior to the Harvard merger.

Political Professors: A student discusses the necessity of including politics in the classroom without the imposition of opinions.

Careers and Courses: Students, faculty and alumni reflect on the correlation between courses they take and careers they pursue.

Family Feasts: Chronicle staff members describe their family Thanksgiving traditions, key dishes and favorite holiday memories.

Marathon Madness: Siji Smolev ’22 reflects on his experience running the Los Angeles Marathon and how he pushed through the pain.

A2 News

The Chronicle

Nov. 17, 2021

Community responds to suspension

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She said they must work separately with the Honor Board and their respective athletic programs.

“I would say, if anything, athletes face greater consequences in the disciplinary process because it feels like double jeopardy,” Cuseo said. “If an athlete were to go before the Honor Board, they then also are subject to whatever their coach or the athletic directors do.”

Head of Athletics Terry Barnum said the Athletic Department enacted further disciplinary action against the student.

“I can’t speak to details in terms of punishment from an Athletic Department standpoint,” Barnum said. “There were athletic consequences, and those have already been dealt with.”

Barnum said the entire baseball team will be required to attend Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training, which he said is standard for all athletic programs.

“Baseball is going to go through DEI training, just like at some point, our girls basketball team, girls soccer team or our lacrosse team,” Barnum said. “All of our athletic programs will, at some point, go through some sort of DEI training.”

Barnum said he does not want DEI training to be perceived as a punitive measure.

“We don’t want to set up a dynamic where DEI training is viewed as some sort of consequence or punishment for something,” Barnum said. “DEI training is education, and we want our athletes to be as educated in all areas as possible.”

Black Leadership Awareness and Culture Club (BLACC) communications chair Ash Wright ’22 said this incident highlights issues she thinks are deeply rooted on campus.

“I think there’s an issue with accountability,” Wright said. “A lot of people on the baseball team went ‘Oh, it wasn’t me’ or ‘I never say that word.’ There’s a whole culture with not realizing that you can be totally complicit in something even when you’re not actively causing harm.”

• This article was edited for clarity.

WILL SHERWOOD/CHRONICLE

SPIRITED SPEAKERS: Lieutenant Earle LeMasters ’04 and Captain Colin Weidmann ’08 answer Reverend Anne Gardner’s question about what an average day looks like for a member of the U.S. military. Both said the day-to-day experience is more mundane than most people think.

Veteran alumni discuss paths to military careers

By Will Sherwood

In honor of Veterans Day, the school hosted two alumni to share their military experiences. Reverend Anne Gardner interviewed Captain Colin Weidmann ’08 and Lieutenant Earle LeMasters ’04 in Taper Gymnasium on Thursday.

LeMasters, who attended Northwestern University before joining the U.S. Navy as a nuclear engineer, said he hopes Americans could take the time to discuss military service on Veterans Day. “More than anything else, what [veterans] love to do is just talk about what we did and explain it to you,” LeMasters said. “What I would say for a day like today is go find out more about what somebody did and understand a little bit more [about their service].”

Reverend Anne Gardner said she enjoyed planning the event.

“It was a fortunate coincidence

that this holiday fell on a day that “I enjoyed hearing about the corresponded with a Community ways [the school] prepared alum[Flex] Time gathering,” Gardner ni for their future in the military said in an email. “I am both grate- and how habits from high school ful and honored to have been part shaped the speakers’ experiences of this week’s programming. And in the military,” Morrison said.

I am humbled to have been the “Learning about students who voice that recognized chose a less traditional members of our own path after high school community [Dean really broadened my perDepartment Head spective significantly.” and Performing Arts Community Council Teacher Kate Benson, member Lily Saada ’22 Upper School History said she appreciated hearTeacher Sandra Brasing veteran stories. da], Performing Arts “I think the idea of Designer Alex Kolconnecting Veterans Day anne gardner manovsky and Upper to the community by Reverend Anne School Student Discihearing from alumni was Gardner pline and Attendance a smart way to get people Coordinator Gabriel Preciado] engaged,” Saada said. “The people who have served our country around me seemed to be listening with honor.” to the assembly and interested in Maddie Morrison ’22 said the it but were a bit surprised by some event successfully informed stu- things that were said.” dents of career opportunities.

Jesse Goldman ’23 said he felt

his peers did not behave themselves well while they watched the event.

“Both these veterans preached hard work and dedication through their compelling words,” Goldman said. “That’s why it was such an extreme disappointment seeing how students [behaved].

People were rudely talking, and sometimes even making fun of the veterans, while they were speaking. These two men sacrificed years of their lives just so that we can feel safe.”

Kara Yoon ’23 said the event did not present a balanced view of veterans’ experiences.

“It was interesting to hear their stories, but coming back from fighting, I know there are a lot of homelessness and mental health [issues],” Yoon said. “[The school] gave us the very one-sided story of, ‘You fight, you come back and everything’s great.’”

New counselor joins school midyear

By Grant Park

ILLUSTRATION BY SYDNEY FENER

NEW FACE: Matthew Bell joins the school’s Upper School Counseling team.

Matthew Bell is joining the school to fill the role of Upper School Counselor Brittany Bronson, who is taking maternity leave beginning Nov. 14.

Bell is currently pursuing his doctorate at The Chicago School and earned his master’s degree in marriage and family therapy at Adler University. Bell previously worked with students in Chicago public schools and established men’s groups that focus on normalizing emotional expression and communication.

“I am very excited to join the Upper School counseling team,” Bell wrote in an email. “I look forward to understanding the students and staff and building a supportive relationship [with the students].”

Together with the nine deans

who guide students academically and in the college admission process, the counselors provide support for students’ social and emotional needs during their time at the school.

Illi Kreiz ’24 said she appreciates the focus the school places on mental health and is happy she has the option to visit the school counselors.

“I think it’s really good that [we] have counselors because even if it’s something minor, it’s always nice to be able to talk to them,” Kreiz said. “I feel like it’s very helpful especially because, on the middle school campus, there’s only one [counselor], so if you need something [at the Upper School] while [one counselor is] busy, then you can talk to [someone].”

Head of Peer Support and Interdisciplinary Studies and Inde-

pendent Research Teacher Tina McGraw said she is excited to help students with Bell.

“I am thrilled that [Bell] is joining the counseling team,” McGraw said. “His positive personality and breadth of experience make him a perfect fit. I think the students will find him to be very approachable and easy to talk with.”

Bell said he is ready to begin working at the school and looks forward to forming connections with students in the in-person campus environment.

“I am excited for the moments after the newness [of my role] has subsided and when students are regularly comfortable enough to share and approach [me],” Bell wrote in an email. “[My office is located] in Seaver 206, and I am excited to be here and a part of [the community].”

Nov. 17, 2021

Prefects organize activites

hwchronicle.com/news

News A3

By Alex Hahn and Will Sherwood

Prefect Council held a schoolwide dodgeball tournament throughout the week of Oct. 17, followed by joint Spikeball and Ultimate Frisbee tournaments that took place Nov. 2.

The dodgeball competition began with 16 teams of eight, with Team “Baldwin N’ the Boys,” who were captained by Josh Barnavon ’23, winning the tournament Oct. 22.

Member of winning team JT Federman ’24 said emerging victorious against older peers felt highly rewarding.

“It feels great to not only win the first [dodgeball] tournament at the Upper School but also to win with a team of seven sophomores,” Federman said. “I know our team is already looking forward to the next one.”

Because the Spikeball and Ultimate Frisbee tournaments took place during the same Community Flex Time period Nov. 2, students had to choose the one activity they wished to partici-

ALEX HAHN/CHRONICLE

SPIKEBALL SHENANIGANS: Andre Birotte ’23 spikes the ball to his teammate Patrick Yeh ’23 as opponents JT Federman ’24 and Brock Getson ’24 watch in anticipation. Getson and Federman took the set with a score of 2-0 but were later defeated in the final round of the quarterfinals. pate in. Sophomore Prefect Dillon Ring ’24 said Prefect Council hoped to build on the positive feedback and turnout from the dodgeball tournament while planning the Spikeball and Ultimate Frisbee games.

“We saw how much the student body loved [dodgeball], and we wanted to continue to provide fun activities for everyone to bond over and enjoy,” Ring said.

Ring said given the popularity of these two tournaments, Prefect Council will likely plan more schoolwide athletic tournaments and activities.

“[We] were glad to see the continued success of these schoolwide activities,” Ring said. “Students should definitely be on the lookout for more of their favorite sports to come.”

Rasak Ayeni ’23, who played for Team “Risky Crispy Discky” in the Ultimate Frisbee contest, said he enjoyed participating in the tournament despite losing 4-3 in the final round to Team “Disc it for the Biscuit.” However, Ayeni said each game would have benefitted from more focus on officiation from the prefects.

“I had a great time, as com-

peting with my friends is always fun,” Ayeni said. “But while I think the tournament was organized well, it would have been better if the referees were always watching the game.”

The Spikeball competition, refereed by the prefects and head fanatics, included a total of 25 teams with two members on each team. After a series of preliminary rounds, the four duos with the largest aggregate score advanced to the final round and competed for a chance to play in the championship.

Mikey Schwartz ’22 teamed

up with Jordan Assil ’22 to win the tournament following their victory over duo Teddy Ingold ’24 and Aidan Greenfield ’24.

Member of Team “Disc it for the Biscuit” Natalie Prezhdo ’22 said she enjoyed winning the contest despite coming into the championship disadvantaged.

“Ultimate Frisbee is a great game, and playing with my friends made it really fun,” Prezhdo said. “Our teamwork was really on point, which is what I think helped us win against teams that had 10 players as opposed to our five.”

Model UN team members attend annual BruinMUN conference

By Lucas Cohen-D’Arbeloff

The Model United Nations (MUN) team attended BruinMUN at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Nov. 6 and 7. Students represented countries such as Indonesia and Brazil to discuss global issues in specialized committees. They worked either individually or in teams of two.

Several club members earned awards for their performances at the conference. Jackson Tanner ’24 and Sophia Vourakis ’24 were named Best Delegate in the Food and Agriculture Organization committee, and MUN club President Cory Porter ’22 and Jack Moreland ’23 each received an Honorable Mention.

Zoe Kramar ’24 said unlike last year’s virtual BruinMUN, the classroom setting increased par-

ticipation and interaction.

“This was my first in-person conference, so it was much better in comparison to the ones that I did last year [over Zoom],” Kramar said. “It was way more engaging and educational.”

MUN secretary CC Mesa ’22 said she also felt more comfortable speaking during committee meetings while engaging an in-person environment.

“It was great to be in the room in the action, without any distractions from the outside,” Mesa said. “I had a great time working with my partner.”

Mesa participated in a crisis committee, which makes decisions about historical emergencies while under time pressure.

She said this opportunity was an exciting way to kick off the MUN season.

“We pretended to be the an-

cient Greek city-states during the second Persian invasion in 500 B.C., so there was a lot of imagination going on,” Mesa said.

“The most fun part was that we could incorporate Greek gods into it, which you couldn’t do in a normal committee.”

In preparation for the conference, delegates wrote various position papers outlining their assigned country’s stances and proposing solutions. Leo Craig ’24 said students from other schools were equally prepared, so he was able to take away a lot from their different perspectives.

“I met a lot of interesting, smart people, and it was a good learning experience for me to know how to do MUN in the future,” Craig said. “Every delegate was really well-prepared and very knowledgeable about each of their topics.”

LUCAS COHEN-D’ARBELOFF/CHRONICLE

TACTFUL TRIO: Chronicle Staff Writer Averie Perrin ’24 poses with Zoe Kramer ’24 and Sophia Vourakis ’24 prior to their committee conference.

Debaters compete in virtual Damus Hollywood Invitational competition

By Averie Perrin

PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF MIKE BEATS

HARD AT WORK: (From left to right) Debate members Kai Do ’24, William Liu ’25 and Alden Detmer ’25 prepare for their upcoming rounds.

Debaters gathered at the Upper School to prepare and log on to the virtual Damus Hollywood Invitational tournament Nov. 6-8.

Notre Dame High School hosted the tournament, which was held virtually on Tabroom— a forum of the National Speech and Debate Association (NDSA).

Novice and varsity debaters of the Lincoln-Douglas (LD) style competed individually in the LD division, and students in the world schools category competed in teams.

Of the three teams competing in the world schools division, two advanced to finals. In the championship round, Oren Hartstein ’24, Nilufer Mistry-Sheasby ’24

and Alex Lee ’24 narrowly lost to Mission San Jose High School in a 1-2 vote.

Hartstein said he was happy with the team’s performance.

“I think we did a very good job,” Hartstein said. “It would have been nice to have won the whole thing, but I think we definitely improved throughout.”

Five students competed in the varsity LD category. Maxwell Lee ’24 advanced to the octofinals and ranked no. 10 speaker overall, and Chronicle Staff Writer Nathalie Leung ’24 ranked no. 9.

Elizabeth Johnstone ’24, a new varsity LD debater, said she was proud of her teammates and appreciative of the experience she gained. She said she plans to use the tournament to improve her

own debate skills.

“This year was my first year in varsity debate, which is definitely a big shift from novice last year, so I am definitely still adjusting to all these new tournaments to get more practice in,” Johnstone said. “It was definitely a good learning experience.”

Jasmine Stidham, the primary debate coach, said she was extremely impressed with the team’s overall performance.

“This tournament is always tough because it’s the first tournament on a brand new topic,” Stidham said. “Our level of preparation for this tournament reflects how much teamwork goes into the process. I’m very proud of our achievemements at the Damus Tournament.”

A4 News

The Chronicle

Nov. 17, 2021

LAHSO honors Day of the Dead

By Natasha Speiss

KRISTE AN/CHRONICLE

POWERFUL WORDS: Soraya Deen shares her personal experiences fighting for gender equality and advocating for women who face religious-based violence with the EMPOWER Club in Ahmanson Lecture Hall on Nov. 3.

Activist speaks on gender justice

By Kriste An

Lawyer, author and award-winning international activist Soraya Deen spoke to EMPOWER Club, the school’s intersectional feminism and gender equality club about the importance of advocating for gender justice Nov. 3.

Deen founded Muslim Women Speakers and co-founded the Interfaith Solidarity Network, one of the largest interfaith organizations in Los Angeles. She received the Los Angeles 2019 Impact-Maker Award for her work in empowering women facing religious-based oppression and violence. Deen is the author of the books “Serve: A Call to Muslims” and “Peace Matters: Raising Peace Conscious Children.”

When she spoke to the EM-

POWER Club, Deen said students should take immediate action against the patriarchy.

“Every day, we have a choice,” Deen said. “All around the world today, there are people who want peace and a better world and yet, do not take action. It is not about waiting for someone else to make change, but how we can take charge. My work focuses on mobilizing young girls to take charge and challenge the patriarchy. The journey is not simple, of course, [but] as [Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.] once said, ‘If you cannot fly, run. If you cannot run, walk. If you cannot walk, crawl.’”

Tanya Anand ’24 said she is grateful to have been able to hear Deen speak on her work given her deep passion for gender justice and women’s empowerment.

“[Women’s empowerment] has always been a huge part of my life,” Anand said. “Advocating for gender justice has become a huge passion [of mine], and it has allowed me to contribute to the world. It was great to have Deen visit and speak to us about her role in gender advocacy. Her words were truly awe-inspiring, and as a fellow woman of color, I was deeply moved.”

Joie Zhang ’22 said she thoroughly enjoyed the event and looks forward to more speaker events in the future.

“Deen’s perspective [was] inspiring, and it was great to hear from an international women’s rights activist dedicated to helping those facing religious oppression, a field I am not particularly familiar with,” Zhang said.

closer to them.”

Herrera said celebrating the The Latin American Hispanic Day of the Dead at school makes Student Organization (LAHSO) her feel closer to her culture. “​​I wasn’t able to make an altar celebrated the Day of the Dead with a paper flower workshop to at home this year because [my honor deceased loved ones and a family was] really busy with work presentation on the history of the and school,” Herrera said. “It made me really sad, but just being holiday Nov. 4.

The Day of the Dead is a Mex- able to make even a small part of ican holiday traditionally honored the usual festivities made me feel Nov. 1-2, and is considered to be so much better.”

LAHSO member Jasmine a celebration of life rather than a mourning of death. The hol- Marron ’22 said they enjoyed iday combines Aztec rituals for coming together with other stuthe goddess Mictecacihuatl, the dents of their culture to celebrate.

“As someone who doesn’t celLady of the Dead, with the Roman-Catholic observance of All ebrate [the Day of the Dead], it was fun to learn more about the Saints Day, according to NPR. Traditions include visiting traditions of my Mexican culture graves with gifts for the deceased, with others,” Marron said. “Haveating Mexican sweet bread called ing someone that has something “pan de muerto” and making al- in common with you, such as an tars with photos, candles, incense experience or culture, can be very comforting. As a minority group and flowers.

LAHSO member Fernanda of the school and American popuHerrera ’23 said the prevalence of lation, it is vital to have the opporflowers in Day of the Dead cus- tunity to be heard and seen.”

LAHSO Faculty Advisor Celso toms inspired the club to celebrate Cárdenas said events like the Day with a flower-themed activity.

“We remembered that flowers of the Dead celebration reflect the are an important part of the cel- importance of having accessible ebration because they symbolize affinity groups at school. “[LAHSO] is a space where the fragility and beauty of life,” one can just be themHerrera said. “We wantselves and connect with ed to do something with other people who un[flowers] but we didn’t derstand their experihave time to go get real ences,” Cárdenas said. flowers. That’s when I “It is special because it remembered that I used makes [school] feel like to make flowers out of home. To be able to tissue paper as a kid for spend one lunchtime toour altar.” gether every cycle where white’s Herrera said she we can share our culJasmine designed her flower Marron ’22 ture, listen to our music at the event with her and feel connected to great-grandmother in mind, as she is one of the people one another, that is necessary for she commemorates on her family’s our souls.”

Cárdenas said many people inaltar every year.

“I don’t have many memories correctly view affinity groups in a of her because she passed when I negative light.

“People sometimes think that was a child,” Herrera said. “But making her favorite cookies and [affinity groups] are divisive or exsetting a cup of coffee for her clusive,” Cárdenas said. “The truth makes me feel like I’m just making is that disenfranchised groups ofher breakfast or afternoon snack. ten have to navigate systems where We usually make the favorite they are the minority, where they foods of the people we put on our are the only one like them in a altar to make sure they love what space. Affinity groups give us a rewe offer. I think that it brings us prieve from that.”

SASA observes Diwali

By Natalie Cosgrove

South Asian Student Alliance (SASA) hosted their annual celebration of Diwali, the Festival of Lights observed by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs across the world, on the Flag Court on Nov. 4.

Club members provided traditional Indian foods and ran activities such as henna and diya candle decoration.

SASA leaders Mateen Sharifi ’22 and Liana Wadhwani ’22 gave a presentation at the start of the event to educate participants on the traditions associated with the holiday. Sharifi said he hopes to share Hindu customs with the school community.

“We really wanted to raise awareness about the traditions [surrounding Diwali] and the holiday in general,” Sharifi said.

“We like to have fun with the food and the decorations, but a big part of [the event] was educating [the student body] through the presentation to get people to know a little more

about the celebrations.”

Wadhwani said she appreciates how the school has created an environment in which students of different religions can come together to celebrate their respective cultures.

“I think an event like [the Diwali celebration] is great because [the school] is a very diverse place,” Wadhwani said. “Getting to see us all come together to celebrate a holiday that is not normally celebrated by schools is really great. It is amazing that [the school] allows us to get together and share our culture with the rest of the community.”

SASA Faculty Advisor Margot Reimer oversaw the event and said she enjoyed learning more about South Asian culture and partaking in the festivities.

“I think students [were able] to learn something about South Asian culture,” Reimer said.

“I am hoping students [felt] a sense of inclusion and welcoming while also [getting] educated about [SASA].”

NATALIE COSGROVE/CHRONICLE

A FIRE CELEBRATION: While snacking on South Asian food, Aiden Schiller ’22 paints henna on Rohan Madhogarhia ’22. Meanwhile, Jack Coleman ’22 decorates a diya candle using both Sharpies and stickers.

Nov. 17, 2021

hwchronicle.com/news

News A5

Community Council organizes food drive

By Grant Park

Community Council organized a Thanksgiving food drive for North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry beginning Nov. 9.

The council set a goal of 4,000 donations by Nov. 18 and offered students service hours for contributing items to the drive.

Students can earn one hour of community service credit for every 10 items of canned food or pet food. They can also donate five items of hygiene products to gain a maximum of two total service hours.

Community Council members created competition groups for the drive by dividing upper school students into their nine dean groups and forming a single faculty group.

If the donation goal is reached, the council will provide donuts for all students on the Quad, and the winning group will operate a dunk tank.

If the goal of 4,000 items is achieved by a single student group, Community Council will hold a pizza party for that

group, and if it is reached by a teacher group, the teachers will be rewarded with a coffee cart.

Community Council member Jade Zoller ’22 said she and fellow Community Council member Andrew Reiter chose to organize the drive as a competition to encourage more student participation in the food drive.

“We wanted to get as much of the [school] community involved as possible and [we thought], ‘What better way to do that than= to hold a competition for a good cause?’” Zoller said. “Overall, we wanted to show how easy it is to help give back to the school community.”

Counselor and Interdisciplinary Studies and Independent Research Teacher Michelle Bracken said the drive will benefit an organization local to the school community.

“We have a relationship with the [North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry]; we know they’re a local place and they service locally, and that’s one of the things that attracts us to

ILLUSTRATION BY ALEXA DRUYANOFF

that particular organization,” Bracken said. “Our hope is that during the pandemic, lots of the things on the shelves went to [those in need], and we [need to] replenish the cans and food for people so they can be served during the holidays.”

Rustom Malhotra ’24 said he looks forward to donating items and personally contributing to the community.

“I think it is always important to make an effort to give back to our community,” Mal-

hotra said. “I would also encourage others who have access to these resources to consider donating, as you might not be aware of the difference you can make, even [if it is] only for a single family.”

Community Council member Mac Bailey ’23 said he hopes everyone enjoys the festivities of Thanksgiving but also wants to stress the significance of donating to local communities now more than ever, considering the exacerbation of various social

and economic conditions because of COVID-19.

“Despite the light-hearted sentiments associated with Thanksgiving, giving back during this time is especially important due to the increased suffering from the pandemic,” Bailey said. “As we are all blessed at [this school], we should all participate in this drive to have some fun [if awarded the prize], but more importantly, we should do so to help give back to our community.”

Israeli activist speaks to HWJFA students

By Davis Marks

DAVIS MARKS/CHRONICLE

DAZZLING DESIGNS: Jon Levine ’94 speaks to students about his nonprofit Minds Matter LA, outlining different potential logo designs and asking for their feedback as to which logos would best attract clients.

Venture hosts nonprofit founder

By Lucas Cohen-d’Arbeloff

HW Venture hosted Minds Matter Los Angeles Co-Founder and Board Chair Jon Levine ’94 on Nov. 10. Minds Matter is a non-profit organization seeking to provide educational opportunities to low-income high school students through summer programs and mentorships.

Levine opened the event by discussing social entrepreneurship, which is the idea that businesses can remain profitable while simultaneously working to solve societal issues. He said many companies are incentivized to pursue these charitable goals by public demand.

“Today, the studies tell you consumers want brands that mean something, that take a stand,” Levine said. “A brand that doesn’t take a stand is probably worse than a brand that

takes a stand you may not even agree with.”

Levine said he was inspired to start Minds Matter while studying at Colgate University, where he met people from a variety of backgrounds and began to recognize the privilege of having attended a prestigious high school.

“We were all ending up at the same place,” Levine said.

“We were ending up at the same colleges, at the same jobs, and it made me think, ‘What is it that I had that I could give to someone else to help them get to that place faster?’”

HW Venture head of external relations Hope Hsieh ’23 said Levine’s presentation gave her further insight into nonprofit organizations as a niche business model.

“I thought the Venture event was very cool because it went

into depth about the nuances of nonprofits,” Hsieh said.

“There are different types, and each type can be catered to fill a different need. [It] was very interesting to see that on a real, tangible level.”

HW Venture co-leader Sophia Rascoff ’23 said she appreciated Levine’s engagement with students on topics such as branding and design.

“My favorite part of the event was [giving] feedback and [participating] in the branding choices of Minds Matter,” Rascoff said. “Levine shared [Mind Matter’s] branding changes with us, and we were able to give him our thoughts on their messaging, logo and more. That type of direct participation is one of the most valuable elements of the Venture community, and is what gives us unique experiences with speakers.”

HWJFA member Morgan Beckerman ’24 said attendees Jewish Family Alliance benefited from learning more (HWJFA) hosted StandWithUs deeply about Israel.

“I thought it was a really good Israel’s Director of International Student Programs Charlotte learning experience,” Beckerman Korchak at a virtual speaker said. “The whole conversation about Israel is a very important event Nov. 9.

Although she was born in Los one to have and has many nuAngeles, Korchak said she moved ances and intricacies.”

Following Korchak’s introto Israeli-occupied territory in the West Bank when she was young duction and opening discussion, and gained perspective on the Is- students asked Korchak quesraeli-Palestinian conflict through tions about a variety of topics, firsthand experiences. During ranging from combating misher college years, Korchak said information to the differences between anshe felt inspired ti-Zionism and to educate others antisemitism. about the com[Korchak’s] Korchak said plexities of the opinions and students should Israeli state and be steadfast in its history. suggestions regarding their Jewish HWJFA coIsrael gave me a very identity despite chair Gabe Glassinteresting perspective.” any outside man ’22 said it pressure they was important —Sophie Shabani ’24 might feel to for the club to HWJFA member abandon the host Korchak in Jewish faith. order to spread “There are so many Jews more awareness about the Israethroughout history who have li-Palestinian conflict. their identity,” “Because our school [has a abandoned sizeable Jewish student popula- Korchak said. “You had Jews who tion], we as a community need converted to Christianity and to be in full support of each oth- you had Jews who abandoned er and recognize the work that every tradition of Judaism beneeds to be done in order to do cause that is what society said they had to do just in order to so,” Glassman said.

Korchak said to avoid spread- be accepted.”

HWJFA member Sophie ing incorrect information, students should learn about the Shabani ’24 said the event was context of a conflict to develop a insightful and said she found Korchak’s suggestions on how to proper understanding of it.

“This story is so incredibly combat misinformation and have complex,” Korchak said. “Peo- respectful conversations with ple are out there posting things others useful.

“I thought that the event was on TikTok and trying to make a point on Instagram with they super interesting because people have so little information to back asked really thought-provokup what they are saying. So it ing questions,” Shabani said. takes slowly exposing people to “[Korchak’s] opinions and sugmore information and education gestions regarding Israel gave me to show that there is a lot more to a very interesting perspective, and I learned a lot from her.” this that they don’t know.”

“

A6 News

The Chronicle

Reuniting

the

Nov. 17, 2021

Last Class

The final graduating classes of the Harvard School for Boys and Westlake School for Girls held their 30th reunions this past month.

By Lucas Cohen-D’Arbeloff The school hosted a reunion for the Westlake School for Girls at the Middle School on Nov. 6.

The event honored a number of graduating classes between 1955 and 1991, with the class of 1991 being the final class to graduate from Westlake before the school merged with the Harvard School for Boys.

The celebration opened with speeches from President Rick Commons, Associate Head of School Laura Ross, Head Prefect and Chronicle Executive Editor Quincey Dern ’22 and Westlake School Class Presidents Joy Langford ’91 and Suzanne Siskel ’70.

In her speech, Dern said despite not attending an all-girls institution, current female students at the school feel empowered by Westlake’s history.

“I’m an older sister, and

[Head Prefect Jade Stanford ’22] is the youngest of three sisters, so we understand the meaning of sisterhood,” Dern said. “Even though the merger happened over 25 years ago, the females on this campus remember and have deep appreciation for Westlake and the legacy of the women who came before us.”

Following Siskel’s remarks, attendees took photos, toured the Middle School and explored the Westlake Staircase, a tribute to Westlake’s legacy on the North Faring campus.

The event included a memorial celebration for Barbara Jacobson, a former Westlake teacher who passed away earlier this year. In addition, the reunion featured an archives booth with curated Westlake memorabilia and yearbooks, lawn games such as jump rope and cornhole and an art booth where alumnae and former faculty were given the chance to sign their names.

Associate Director of Alumni Relations Ivy Bunnak (Connor ’24, Collin ’27), who organized the event, said it served as a refreshing return to normalcy after the COVID-19 pandemic caused last year’s reunion to be canceled.

“It was nice to see people back on campus,” Bunnak said. “This [event

celebrated] the last two years of reunions [because they were] postponed, so we were able to have a larger group and celebrate more. I think it was great because people were happy to see one another after being at home for a while.”

Ross said she enjoyed speaking to alumnae about how the school’s current ideals are rooted in its past.

“It was kind of a neat thing, talking about how the leadership of women and girls is in the DNA of [the school],” Ross said. “It was so cool to talk to some of these women about their experiences and what they learned.”

The reunion for Harvard School for Boys included its own final class—the class of 1991—and took place Nov. 13 at the Upper School, the former Harvard campus.

The evening included dinner, drinks, speeches and tours of the campus.

PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF ERRISSON LAWRENCE

GOING BACK TO THE START: Members of Westlake School for Girls’ class of 1991 pose for a photo. They were the final class to graduate before the Harvard-Westlake merger.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY WILL SHERWOOD

Nov. 17, 2021

hwchronicle.com/news

News A7

Learning specialist departs

By Natalie Cosgrove

AVA FATTAHI/CHRONICLE

LITTER BUGS: One table on the quad was left covered in plates, bottles, napkins and wrappers by a group of sophomores after a lunch period.

The school is struggling to encourage students to throw out the trash they produce when they purchase their meals from the cafeteria in Chalmers.

Students leave excess garbage on Quad after buying food from school cafeteria

By Alex Hahn

Head of Upper School Beth Slattery asked students to clean up their waste on campus at the beginning of Community Flex Time on Nov. 11.

According to Slattery, the problem also exists at the Middle School. She said the amount of litter prompted the administration to ban eating in certain areas of campus. Slattery also said the middle school cafeteria stopped offering items such as boba, ice cream and cookies in order to cut down the amount of garbage left behind by students.

Slattery said she theorizes the increased amount of trash is partially due to the implementation of the new block schedule.

“My guess is that having a common lunch [period] and common breaks means that there’s more trash all at once,” Slattery said in an interview. “In

the past, there might have been advertent consequences, such as trash more often but not as much attracting various insects.

“I feel like the more litter there at one time because not everyone is around campus, the more bees was eating at the same time.”

Mac Bailey ’23 said students there are,” Nakayama said. “With have a responsibility to take care more [bees] lingering around, it of the campus even if they are oc- makes eating outside difficult because they seem to cupied by a number of be attracted to chickother commitments. en, which is a com“It’s possible that mon choice for a lot students get too caught of students. It’s really up in their work and, inconvenient. I’ve had for example, simply to move from table to leave a table without table several times, and throwing away their [the problem] kind of trash,” Bailey said. feeds into itself because “However, it is still imwhite’s when bees land on portant that we clean Nadine someone’s food, they up after ourselves, as Eisenkolb often leave it.” the maintenance staff Advanced Placement Envialready works so hard to keep our school in good shape. Even if it ronmental Science Teacher and might be an act of forgetfulness, Environmental Club Advisor it’s disheartening for me to see Nadine Eisenkolb said litter has harmful environmental and sotrash around campus.”

Noah Nakayama ’23 said the cial implications.

“I think all trash is a waste increased school trash has had in-

of energy and resources that should be avoided,” Eisenkolb said. “When we don’t clean up after ourselves, wildlife will suffer from ingesting the trash or getting stuck in it. [Littering] also demonstrates a disregard for the less wealthy communities in Los Angeles that live next to our trash incineration plants and landfills.”

Slattery said she is concerned about the thoughtlessness that leads to littering, and said students should cooperate with one another to help resolve the issue.

“Everyone needs to learn to be responsible for their own mess,” Slattery said. “It’s disrespectful to expect others to clean up after us, but I don’t believe this is intentional on the part of most students. I think people get distracted and forget. Still, it’s important that students remind one another so we don’t put an unreasonable burden on those who take care of our campus.”

Former Learning Center Director and Learning Resource Specialist Grace Brown announced her departure from the school in an email sent to her former students Oct. 29. Brown began her time as a faculty member at the school when she became the school’s first learning specialist in 2017.

In her email, Brown said she did not expect to leave the school when she did.

“I wanted to let you know that due to a series of unforeseeable events and circumstances, today is going to be my last day working at [the school],” Brown wrote.

Assistant Director of the Learning Center Ramon Visaiz will fill Brown’s role as the Learning Center Director, collaborating with teachers to support students with learning disabilities.

Visaiz said he is enthusiastic to lead the program and believes Brown helped him develop the skills necessary to succeed in his future position.

“I learned a lot from [Brown].

She was a great person to be in the role of serving students and building a learning program here,” Visaiz said. “She helped me understand the different ways that this community works, and I think it’s important to understand the needs of the students, families, staff and faculty, especially because building strong relationships and a good network is important.”

Annabelle Mass ’24, who worked with Brown at both the middle and upper school campuses, said Brown fostered a welcoming environment for students.

“I am really going to miss [Brown], ” Mass said. “She was incredibly helpful with getting me set up throughout the last four years, and had a lasting impact on me [and] other students.

She helped create a really good system for [students] with learning disabilities, and she was a great resource.”

HWP organizes service project

By Chloe Park

The Harvard-Westlake Parents (HWP) Community Service club partnered with the Violence Intervention Program (VIP) Community Mental Health Center to host HWP’s first school-wide community service event on the VIP campus Nov. 13.

At the event, the volunteers cleaned, decorated and organized food and gift donations for the VIP campus. Participants donated Christmas gifts, new books and various Thanksgiving basket items. Additionally, VIP Founder and Executive Director Astrid Heger led students on a tour of the VIP campus.

The event opened with a discussion about the ways VIP serves its community. VIP Community Outreach Coordinator Tyrone Nance said the program aims to aid those affected by emotional and physical trauma.

“Families are in distress, children are broken and lives frankly crumble under emotional trauma,” Nance said. “The mission of [VIP] is to protect and treat all victims of family violence and sexual assault. For 30 years, [VIP has] been executing and expanding that vision.”

HWP Community Service club co-chair Brad Goldberg (Georgia Goldberg ’23, Katelyn Goldberg ’25) said the event’s central goal was to introduce students to VIP and other local community service opportunities.

“I hope students can gain valuable perspective and develop their own engagement opportunities for a continuing relationship with VIP,” Kennedy said. “[I also hope the school’s] families, participating together, will become ongoing and regular supporters [of VIP]. There’s a wealth of ideas and efforts, and [there are] endless opportunities

to participate, so we hope people will learn about how much [the school] does already and what our Community Service Club is highlighting this year.”

Tehmina Malhotra ’26 said she was proud to be part of the event because the program has such a positive impact on those it serves.

“The VIP organization makes a huge contribution to our community, helping victims of sexual and physical abuse,” Malhotra said. “Not only do they help children, but their programs benefit adults, the elderly, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.”

Heger said she hopes students and family that volunteered treated the event as an opportunity to find pleasure in giving back to their community.

“The greatest joy in life is giving to others,” Heger said.

“We hope that joy is translated to everyone [who attended] the [VIP] event.”

CHLOE PARK/CHRONICLE

COMMUNITY CLEAN UP: Sydney Carmel ’23 and Lou Zapata ’23 prepare for the holidays at the VIP Community Mental Health Center.

A8 News

Crossword Contest

ACROSS: 1.First word, sometimes 4. Biology student’s energy producer 9. Unconvinced Shark 11. Twitter win, abbr.

12. AT&T and Verizon are some 14. Suffix for massive multiplayer games 15. Primal drive

Nov. 17, 2021

The Chronicle

18. Zoo-like Christmas game (See 27 and 55 across) 21. Dying underwater ecosystems 22. Othello’s antagonist 23. Apartment agreement 24. ¡Estoy Segura!

25. Scrappy the Owl’s alma mater 26. Tag! 31. Flat Earth?

Miscellaneous madness! The Chronicle is bringing back the crossword. The puzzle is created by Shanti Hinkin ’22 and edited by Adison Gamradt ’23.

34. Exclamation of selfdoubt 37. 2011 Best Picture Nominee (See 18 and 55 across) 40. Naysayer?

41. A year in Rome 42. Influencer’s hashtag 43. Shayamalan’s back!

44. Unlucky Monopoly instruction 46. God of love

47. None, nought, zilch 49. Japanese sports car model 53.Controversial umami enhancer 55. Sly cat (See 18 and 37 across) 58. Ring fighting victory 59. Half a 2015 dance craze 60. Extremophile prokaryotes • Solutions on hwchronicle.com

DOWN: 1. Few English majors here 2. Sacred Hindu symbol 3. Godzilla foe 5. Bagalore currency 6. Boxer’s opponent?

7. Octagonal opponent?

8. 2013 Ashley Monroe lyric 10. Mr. and Dr., e.g.

13. O no, eso es la pregunta 16. Pfizer’s messenger 17. Texter’s sayonara 18. Trouble 19. You answer 20. Island collar 21. New England seafood cookout 27. Shadix in Beetlejuice 28. Firewood measuring unit 29. Half a couple’s sink?

30. What seven did to nine 32. Aluminum Nitride nomenclature 33. Scaly-skinned mammals from Asia 34. Signficant WWII Battle site 35. Bison retreat 36. “Halloween” actress Matichak 38. Pigeon sounds 39. Coming up 45. Frozen breakfast 48. Mike’s sweet friend 50. Franco-Italian Aircraft Manufacturer 51. High compound?

52. Healthcare guild, abbr.

54. Jamaican rock 56. 11 protons 57. Dorm buzzkill

Opinion The Chronicle • Nov. 17, 2021

Studio City • Vol. 31 • Issue 3 • Nov. 17, 2021 • hwchronicle.com

Editors-in-Chief: Tessa Augsberger, Milla Ben-Ezra Print Managing Editors: Julian Andreone, Caitlin Muñoz, Will Sheehy

editorial

Presentation Managing Editors: Kate Burry, Ava Fattahi, Mimi Landes, Melody Tang Digital Managing Editors: Amelia Scharff, Katharine Steers Executive Editors: Quincey Dern, Sydney Fener, Sophia Musante News Editors: Sandra Koretz, Josh Silbermann Assistant News Editors: Lucas Cohen-d'Arbeloff, Natalie Cosgrove, Alex Hahn, Will Sherwood, Natasha Speiss Opinion Editors: Caroline Jacoby, Sarah Mittleman Assistant Opinion Editors: Claire Conner, Daphne Davies, James Hess Features Editors: Mia Feizbakhsh, Alec Rosenthal Assistant Features Editors: Fallon Dern, Allegra Drago, Lily Lee, Harry Tarses, Emmy Zhang A&E Editor: Keira Jameson Assistant A&E Editors: Becca Berlin, Georgia Goldberg, Jina Jeon, Vasilia Yordanova Sports Editors: Justin Goldstein, Maxine Zuriff Assistant Sports Editors: Danny Johnson, Paul Kurgan, Andrew Park, Leo Saperstein, Charlie Seymour Multimedia Editors: Julian Andreone, Ava Fattahi Photography Editor: Sandra Koretz Broadcast Producers: Chad Bacon, Zach Berg, Jack Coleman, William Moon, Mikey Schwartz Business Managers: Kate Burry, Justin Goldstein Assistant Broadcast Editors: Andre Birotte, Hunter Bridgett, Bill Coleman, Aaron Milburn, Jack Limor, Rayaan Rao, Audrey Yang Engagement Editors: Liam Razmjoo, Ryan Razmjoo Art Director: Alexa Druyanoff Freelance Writer: Davis Marks Freelance Artist: Sophia Evans Layout Assistants and Staff Writers: Kriste An, Jaden Bobb, Grace Coleman, Dylan Graff, Abigail Hailu, Iona Lee, Nathalie Leung, Jackson Mayer, Christopher Mo, Chloe Park, Grant Park, Averie Perrin, Tate Sheehy, Jackson Tanner, Ella Yadegar Advisors: Jim Burns, Max Tash Layout Assistant: Alexis Arinsburg Publication Information: Founded in 1990, The Chronicle is the Harvard-Westlake Upper School’s student-led newspaper. Now in its 31st year, The Chronicle strives to report stories accurately and fairly and to uphold its legacy of journalistic integrity. The newspaper is published eight times per year and distributed to students, parents, faculty and staff. The paper is affiliated with two upper school magazines, Big Red and Panorama. We are members of the California Newspaper Publishers Association and the Private School Journalism Association.

ILLUSTRATION BY SYDNEY FENER

Time to Take Out the Trash

Empty plastic containers, half-empty water bottles, broken paper cups and an unidentifiable sticky residue line the tables on the quad as wasps crowd around in search of chicken scraps. Only a handful of students remain, most sitting alone and working. The maintenance and cleaning crew moves around the tables, attempting to clear out the abandoned trash before class ends and the swarm of students returns. The unsavory scene is completely at odds with our school's image, yet it is the sad reality about the Quad after lunch. Students move onto their next classes without a care in the world for the litter left behind. Countless people have criticized our school for raising entitled students who do not appreciate their privilege. If we continue down this road, these critiques will be proven correct.

The trash itself is disgusting, but it also represents a gross lack of perspective. We have the opportunity to attend a school that offers a good education and a safe and beautiful campus. We have endless resources available to us, from spectacular arts and science facilities to alumni connections and personalized college counseling. We are well-prepared for all of our future endeavors.

The easiest way to show our gratitude and appreciation is to pitch in and take care of our campus. During our 50-minute lunch period, the cafeteria churns out high-quality meals for all students in line. Rather than being grateful for this convenient and delicious food, we disrespect our school by leaving trash behind. Throwing away garbage is a quick and easy task considering the myriad of trash cans around campus. It requires practically no effort, yet students are still so entitled that they cannot even bother to do it.

Students’ apathy has resulted in wasp infestations, cluttered tables and extremely difficult jobs for our maintenance staff. They work tirelessly to keep our campus clean and safe, but they are not capable of scrubbing down every table between each and every period of class. We are learning that the world will dote on us and that we are not responsible for taking care of ourselves. Worse, we are becoming the entitled, spoiled children that popular stereotypes suspect we are.

Students may be used to being cleaned up after at home, but the outside world will not afford us that luxury. It should

be instinct for us to throw away our trash at the end of a meal. The fact that we need reminders to complete this basic task shows that we are sorely lacking perspective and consideration for others. It is incredibly disheartening to watch maintenance spend hours each day picking up stained napkins and half-eaten bowls of food. If we want to mature in high school, we can start by cleaning up after ourselves.

Not only does littering reflect badly on the school community and our values, but it also has a larger global impact that we cannot ignore. It is estimated that over 29 million metric tons of plastic enters the environment each year, according to the Pew Research Center. Most of the trash we leave behind will eventually make its way into the ocean and harm wildlife. Plastic marine debris affects at least 267 species globally because of entanglement and toxicological effects of animals ingesting plastic, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Our lunchtime littering only makes these problems worse.

Considering the harmful impact of litter on our environment, we upper school students have an obligation to lead younger students by example. The severity of this mess has already prompted Head of Upper School Beth Slattery to begin a Nov. 11 assembly by asking students to clean up after themselves. Slattery reprimanded students, stating that if the littering problem does not end, we will lose coveted cafeteria treats such as cookies, ice cream and boba drinks. That type of announcement may be necessary for middle school students, but the Upper School has students as old as 18. Are we really this immature? Do we need to be coaxed into learning basic manners?

The student body's littering problem has worsened significantly since the start of the school year. It seems we have forgotten how to care for our campus and the environment in our quarantine-induced period of social isolation.

The seniors were present on campus two years ago when students threw away more of their trash—it is our responsibility to set this example, and students in lower grade levels must begin to follow suit. For the sake of our personal growth, the people around us and the school's maintenance staff, we must do better.

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A10 Opinion

The Chronicle

Nov. 17, 2021

Metaverse's big bang

By Daphne Davies

S

eemingly tired of its global reputation as a cheap, unethical fast food chain, McDonald's sought change in 2014. The company expanded its menu and developed more environmentally-conscious practices for sourcing its meat.

Over the next decade, a number of businesses did the same— Uber, Nike and Weight Watchers changed their branding and morals for the better.

Facebook co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced Oct. 28 that Facebook and its services Instagram and WhatsApp will become part of the new corporate brand "Meta." The company is marketed as a shift towards building the Metaverse, a large media platform that will allow users to connect with one another through a virtual and augmented reality environment.

Any new company's future should be filled with optimism and opportunity, but Facebook recently faced controversy over its impact on mental health and American democracy. Its legacy has rightfully tainted Meta's barely two-week-old existence.

In early October, Facebook whistleblower and former data scientist Frances Haugen testified before a Senate subcommittee that Facebook knowingly spread misinformation and exploited users to increase growth and profit, according to NPR. Haugen’s legal team filed eight complaints alleging that Facebook executives misrepresented important details about the company’s potential to cause harm to users.

Haugen also argued that the company negatively impacted the 2020 election cycle and the mental health of its younger, more vulnerable users. The New York Times said Facebook comments presenting incorrect information were found at the tops of comment threads. Inaccuracies spread far and wide— posts declaring that the election was fraudulent accounted for 10% of views of political content on the platform.

In addition, leaked Facebook studies show that 32% of teenage girls said Instagram worsened their body image, according to the Wall Street Journal.

When asked about the effect of their company on children’s mental health, Haugen said Facebook consistently refused to tell the full truth.

Zuckerberg’s response? To defend Facebook adamantly.

Zuckerberg dismissed Hau-

gen’s accusations, writing in a Facebook post that Haugen had helped paint a “false picture” of the company and that he was proud of “everything we do.”

Instead of changing Facebook’s policies, committing to more ethical treatment of users or swallowing his pride and apologizing, Zuckerberg expanded his company and the scope of its problems.

Haugen’s testimony exposed only a fraction of the threats social media corporations pose to our society. TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Snapchat, Facebook and others have contributed to issues ranging from depression to body dysmorphia in teenage girls, the BBC reported. People who use social media platforms the most are three times more likely to develop depression and anxiety, and social media makes half of its users feel inadequate, according to studies by Computers in Human Behavior, and Scope.

As a 16-year-old girl myself, I am no stranger to the negative impact these platforms have inflicted upon my life, and I know my friends and millions of other teenagers feel similarly. Scrolling through photos of expertly photoshopped models each day detrimentally affects my friends' and my self-esteem.

Zuckerberg cannot hide in fear from the consequences of his powerful online world forever, and shifting towards an even larger platform is hardly a solution. If dozens of smaller companies already have an outsized influence, then building a platform as massive as the Metaverse seems unnecessary and dangerous to our democracy and collective mental health.

We have learned, though, that Zuckerberg can hardly be stopped. If he intends to proceed with Meta and the Metaverse, he must change what is not working about the policies and safety measures of his company before implementing them on a larger scale.

Ultimately, we can hardly feel surprised by Zuckerberg’s choice. He came under attack in our current society, so in typical tech billionaire fashion, he took his abundant resources and resolved to invent a new technological world centered around his ideas.

Thankfully, we can see right through its flaws.

ILLUSTRATION BY SOPHIA MUSANTE

ILLUSTRATION BY SYDNEY FENER

Bitcoin and bubbles, Claire-ified

By Claire Conner

I

n the middle of the Dutch Golden Age, a single tulip bulb was worth as much as a mansion in the center of Amsterdam. The Netherlands' flourishing merchant class obsessed over exotic varieties of the plant, which was both a status symbol and a lucrative investment opportunity. Driven by scarcity and speculation, “Tulip Mania” brought merchants into a frenzy over flowers that were voguish enough to be valuable despite their impracticality. Now, almost 400 years after the tulip bubble burst, we find ourselves observing the rise of another commodity that is more fashionable than functional: Bitcoin.

This cryptocurrency's popularity grew rapidly this year following promotions by celebrities like Kim Kardashian West, Matt Damon and Elon Musk.

Its value is derived from its finite quantity and modernity: The number of bitcoin in circulation will never exceed 21 million, and its demand is driven by buyers’ excitement for new technology. Bitcoin's meteoric rise led to widespread fear of missing out. An article in U.S. News and World Report asserted that any fiscally responsible investor should own cryptocurrency due to its mainstream adoption.

Bitcoin, along with other blockchain technologies, has three main components: the currency, the ledger and the consensus algorithm.

The currency is a publiclytraded digital token that represents and stores value. Transactions made with the currency are recorded on the ledger.

The ledger is a decentralized record of transactions. Rather than being kept in one place, it is stored in all of the computers or systems on a network. This ledger is public and immutable, as anyone can access it, and the record of past transactions cannot be changed.

The consensus algorithm allows everyone on the blockchain network to ensure each copy of the ledger is identical. Any time a block is added to the blockchain—or any time a bitcoin is put into circulation—it must be verified by the network. This process is called mining, and it uses advanced hardware to solve a computational math problem.

When this problem is solved, a new block can be added to the blockchain, and the miner

receives a designated amount of bitcoin as a reward.

Bitcoin enthusiasts argue that we can eliminate the need to rely onhuman institutions by replacing them with technology.

They contend that traditional forms of trust are costly and inefficient, claiming that blockchain technology like Bitcoin can serve as an equalizing force that will democratize finance.

These assertions are not just misguided—they are dangerous.

Bitcoin’s uselessness, volatility and trendiness make it comparable to Dutch tulips. But unlike flowers, it has the potential to legitimize itself and inflict serious harm on our society.

Proponents of Bitcoin’s utility often suggest that blockchains can circumvent the cost of traditional forms of trust and remedy the problems of established financial institutions. But the cost of verification on the blockchain network is high, largely due to the demands of Bitcoin's consensus algorithm.

The computational power required to mine bitcoin uses an enormous amount of energy, making it a major contributor to climate change. A British financial report found that each Bitcoin transaction uses over $100 worth of electricity. The currency consumes more energy than Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Facebook and Apple combined, according to an index published

by Cambridge University.

A recent study conducted by American and German researchers found that Bitcoin mining emits over 22 million metric tons of carbon dioxide every year, which is more than the annual emissions from 2.6 billion homes. This number is predicted to increase: A study published in Nature estimated that Bitcoin mining in China alone will emit over 130 million metric tons of carbon dioxide by 2024.

The dangers of Bitcoin extend far beyond the collateral damage inflicted by its maintenance. The currency threatens to reproduce the exclusivity and inequality it claims to combat, and economists warned that if it becomes too popular, a Bitcoin aristocracy will emerge. In Bitcoin’s early years, its distribution was controlled by miners with enough technical knowledge to add coins. Since then, wealthy investors have taken over the market for cryptocurrencies, bringing

existing disparities into the world of blockchain.

Bitcoin also suffers from inconvenience and security flaws.

20% of existing bitcoin (worth about $140 billion) has been lost simply because owners forgot their passwords, according to the New York Times. After a Japanese exchange was hacked, it lost $97 million in cryptocurrencies only a week after hackers stole $600 million worth of tokens from a finance firm.

If Bitcoin replaced fiat currencies, the government would have little power to fight recessions.

While the cap on the number of bitcoins is the source of their value, this ceiling prevents the central bank from providing liquidity during a financial crisis because it wouldn’t be able to “print” bitcoins. Without control over the currency, the government would have no way to manage interest rates or pour money into the economy and would lose its tools for combating recession and encouraging spending.

Despite these consequences, Bitcoin’s patrons have pointed to their belief that blockchain technology will produce a utopian future. They argue that the current ramifications of cryptocurrencies’ use are a fair price to pay for a new system that makes trust in people, institutions and intermediaries like credit cardsirrelevant. When we make a financial agreement, we must have trust in other people, trust in a government system that can settle contract disputes and trust in the currency we use, as well as its source.

Blockchain enthusiasts contend that this trust can be replaced by verification and confidence. As long as we are confident in the technology that runs the blockchain and verifies transactions, they argue, we are invulnerable. But technology alone will never eliminate the need for trust or human institutions because humanity, by its very nature, is vulnerable.When we use Bitcoin, we are making ourselves vulnerable to the energy and environmental crises it contributes to. We are vulnerable to machine error and lapses in memory. We are vulnerable to illegalities, bugs and paralysis amid catastrophe.

• Continued at hwchronicle.com

hwchronicle.com/opinion

Nov. 17, 2021

Controversy in the classroom

By Jina Jeon

A

s the next generation of political leaders and voters, it is crucial that today's teens learn to form and articulate their own opinions.

Effectively engaging in political discussion is an essential skill for students to learn, contrary to the common belief that young people should stay out of the political realm.

Schools are inherently political institutions. Students and teachers are influenced by the political perspectives of their family, friends and the internet.

From Advanced Placement (AP) United States History to Middle East Studies, politics play a significant role in class activities and curriculums.

Because every class is filled with students from various backgrounds with different beliefs, teachers must help students develop critical thinking skills. While some might argue that teachers sharing their political views might prompt more open discussion and inspire students to think critically, doing so instead makes students uncomfortable sharing their own opinions.

While politics are often considered sensitive topics, it is essential that politics occupy a place in an educational environment.

However, teachers should refrain from making opinionated political statements in class. As the leaders of class discussions, teachers must be receptive to all opinions. They should refrain from making jokes about a politician they dislike, for example, as this prevents the class from

being inclusive. In an environment where teachers have authority over their students, a teacher's assertion of their opinion may prevent students from expressing their own. Teachers' neutrality is necessary to spark conversations that broaden students’ perspectives.

But a teacher refraining from expressing the details of their political beliefs does not mean they must cut out political discourse from their class. Doing so would enforce the idea that political beliefs should remain private. Instead, teachers must foster discussion without exerting too much influence on their students. In a partisan society where debate is the foundation of our government, encouraging class discussions can help students defend their opinions and broaden their view of the world. Teachers refraining from

political discourse out of fear of offending their students enforces the idea that political beliefs should not be questioned.

Rather than shying away from controversial issues, teachers should use them as learning opportunities. The key to positive classroom politics is to create a sense of equality.

With the exception of of-

fensive opinions based on false information, teachers should let students know their beliefs are valued to cultivate acceptance.

While teachers’ neutrality and open-mindedness are important in developing students’ critical thinking skills, it should also be their responsibility to regulate classroom discussions and prevent them from getting out of hand. There is a distinction between leaving room for different political perspectives and tolerating hateful or disrespectful behavior. For example, indisputable topics such as human rights should not be up for debate nor should they be considered an inherently political topic. Instead, teachers should encourage students to think critically about political events or social phenomena.

Because politics extend past the realm of simple two-sided debates, staying openminded expands one's perspective of the world.

Teachers should tolerate opposing arguments so long as such arguments stay in the realm of diplomatic, respectful discourse.

In an age where false information is easily accessible, young people must learn about politics in a social and historical context. Teachers play a major role in preparing students for the real world, and this starts with helping students feel their voices are heard and welcomed.

Policing police Halloween costumes

By Alec Rosenthal

D

esperate for a lastminute Halloween costume, I rushed through the Spirit Halloween near my house. I sorted through cheesy inflatable bodysuits and cheap horror movie makeup before stumbling into a wall of police costumes. Plastic batons, badges and fake tasers lined the shelves between tacky ScoobyDoo costumes and Blumhouse movie masks. I stopped in my tracks, dumbfounded. I could not believe that a Halloween store would sell law enforcement outfits after the 2020 anti-racism protests highlighted police brutality in the United States.

The mainstream media covered stories revolving around the death of George Floyd and subsequent protests against racial injustice, which resulted in a massive increase in the popularity of the Black Lives Matter movement. In light of international outrage,

it seemed absurd that Americans would glorify law enforcement this Halloween by wearing costumes that diminish and disregard the severity of police brutality. Donning a "sexy" or "funny" police costume trivializes police misconduct and endorses our broken law enforcement system.

Yet stores had no issue selling the costumes, and those who purchased them likely did not consider their insensitivity.

In downplaying the gravity of police brutality, these Halloween stores and customers have demonstrated how little they care about the issues these costumes might present.

These companies are consciously commercializing and making light of pressing social issues; those who choose to purchase the costumes, regardless of their intent, do the same. It is the responsibility of companies and consumers to stop purchasing these offensive costumes. Halloween

presents the unique opportunity to temporarily assume a new and different identity through a fun costume. There are a myriad of options, from animals to superheroes to movie characters. It is egregiously unnecessary for those dressing up to choose a costume as problematic as a police officer. Put simply, they should choose something else.

On Halloween weekend, I opened Instagram and watched a video of one of my non-Black classmates dressed as a police officer, smiling and pretending to beat another student with their fake baton. As I continued to scroll through the app, I saw more teenagers posing for pictures in similar ignorant costumes.

According to a study by Civis Analytics, last year's Black Lives Matter protests amassed 15 to 26 million participants nationwide, making the movement one of the largest in national history. It is

Opinion A11

HW VOICES Do you think politics belong in the classroom?

Naalah Cohen ’23 “I think it is appropriate for teachers and students to bring political opinions to class discussions as long as everyone can be respectful of each other's political ideas.”

DAPHNE DAVIES/CHRONICLE

Stephen Purdum ’22 “A lot of the controversy around this issue comes down to misunderstandings. Often those who criticize teachers for giving their opinions fail to see that teachers are simply exposing those critics to new ideas.”

DAPHNE DAVIES/CHRONICLE

Fiona Gillearn ’23 “I think there is a time and a place for politics in the classroom. When it enriches the conversation at hand, for example in history class, I think it can be beneficial.”

DAPHNE DAVIES/CHRONICLE

Chronicle Features Editor reflects on issues related to wearing law enforcement Halloween costumes in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement.

virtually impossible that those who dressed as police officers were unaware of the deeply ingrained racism in America's law enforcement system.

Such racial bias can be seen in the police encounter mortality rates of Black men and Black women, which are 2.5 times and 1.4 times higher than those of white men and white women, respectively.

In my experience, many of the people wearing police costumes attend private schools that have adopted antiracism programs and live in Los Angeles, which saw a number of Black Lives Matter demonstrations last summer. I was baffled at the lack of self-awareness of the people who wore these costumes. How could someone

think it is appropriate to wear a law enforcement costume, pretend to engage in an act of police brutality and share it on social media?

Such ignorance demonstrates immense privilege and a lack of empathy towards the communities impacted by police brutality.

For people dressing as police officers, the costume was thrilling and playful; for people of color, the costumes mocked an issue that is a matter of life and death.

When choosing costumes next Halloween, people should consider the effects their costume may have on the communities around them before buying it.

ILLUSTRATIONS BY SYDNEY FENER

Community The Chronicle • Nov. 17, 2021

Vaccinations authorized for children

By Nathalie Leung

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized 10-microgram doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to be administered three weeks apart to children ages five to 11.

California received 1.2 million doses of the vaccine last Wednesday following the recommendation of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and approval from the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup, a coalition of public health experts from California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington, on Nov. 2 and Nov. 3, respectively.

Public health officials across California are gearing up to administer thousands of doses to children within the newly approved age range. Federal regulators will meet over the coming few weeks to weigh both the safety and effectiveness of giving low-dose vaccines to the roughly 28 million children within the age group.

Governor Gavin Newsom announced Oct. 1 that California will require the vaccine for all students attending K-12 schools and mandate their return to in-person classes once the FDA gives full approval. Newsom emphasized California’s focus on vaccinating children while even more doses become available.

According to an FDA an-

ILLUSTRATION BY ALEXA DRUYANOFF

nouncement, the vaccine was administered and studied in roughly 3,100 children, ages five to 11, without any serious side effects detected in the ongoing study. The report stated that side effects were generally mild and disappeared within one to two days, though a higher number of children reported side effects after the second vaccine dose.

The official recommendation is to receive the second dose three weeks after the first.

However, CDC said the second dose may not be available until

up to six weeks after the first is administered. Studies in British Columbia have shown vaccine effectiveness against infection was 90% or higher if the interval between the two doses was greater than six weeks; the effectiveness dropped to between 82 and 85% if the time between shots is three to six weeks.

A survey published by the Kaiser Family Foundation shows that 27% of parents with children ages five to 11 look forward to vaccinating them. Thirty-three percent said they will

wait for a period to determine for themselves the success of the vaccine before vaccinating and 30% said they will not vaccinate their children.

History and Social Studies Teacher Lilas Lane shared her experience getting her own child vaccinated.

“My daughter is 13 and she was vaccinated pretty quickly after the vaccine became available for 12 to 18-year-olds,” said Lane. “I have always been a careful parent when it comes to vaccines and choosing not to

vaccinate when the risk was not high. But I do believe vaccines save lives in the community.”

Head of Communications & Strategic Initiatives Ari Engelberg shared his opinion on the new policy.

“Children ages five through 11 should definitely get vaccinated if their pediatrician believes it is safe for them to do so,” said Engelberg. “I feel that the California COVID-19 vaccine requirement for K-12 schools is a [necessary] public health policy.”

Erewhon opening attracts customers

By Davis Marks and Jackson Mayer

Supermarket chain Erewhon Markey opened a new location in Studio City on Thursday. Erewhon is the first shop to open in the newly constructed The Shops at Sportsmen’s Lodge complex, which is located at the corner of Coldwater Canyon and Ventura Boulevard near the school.

Erewhon has six locations across Southern California which offer organic and locally sourced foods, as well as foods appealing to vegan, kosher and other alternative diets.

In an all school email sent Thursday, Prefect Council announced a discount to Erewhon available to students and faculty as a continuation of their student discount partnerships.

After discussions with the store, Prefect Council organized three months of a free Erewhon membership, which gives members 10% off on all purchases. Additionally, Prefect Council notified students that the partnership with Erewhon may be extended if enough students shop there.

Junior Prefect Aiko Offner ’23 said Prefect Council organized the Erewhon discount to benefit both the Studio City community and school and to provide students and faculty with another lunch or after school snack option.

“Prefect Council is really excited about student discounts because we know [the discounts] benefit our community and hopefully the greater Studio City community as well,” Offner said. “We thought Erewhon would be a complete stretch, but we’re so glad they agreed [to provide a discount], as we think it is an amazing option for students.”

Studio City resident and The Buckley School senior Eliana Stanford said she believes the new Erewhon location will greatly benefit the community.

However, she said she will continue to primarily shop at other local markets.

“Living in Studio City my whole life, it is very cool to see how the area is evolving, and I think the introduction of Erewhon and other luxury stores will continue to put it on the map,” Stanford said. “I think it will benefit the community by attracting more young people who are drawn in by Erewhon’s clean eating and organic initiatives, [but] I think I will continue to do my major grocery shopping [at Ralph’s].”

While reflecting on their excitement for the new Erewhon location opening, students also expressed restraint due to Erewhon’s high prices. Makenna Dovel ’23, who is a frequenct Erewhon shopper, said she is excited about the new location

,but only plans to purchase food there occasionally.

“The close proximity of the new Erewhon from our school is a double-edged sword,” Dovel said. “On the one hand, the food is high-quality, tasty and healthy. However, with these benefits comes a price; everything is super overpriced. I definitely plan on going back in the future, but only on occasion. I do not think shopping there for groceries is the smartest option for me personally.”

Sara Whiteman ’22, who went to Erewhon after school on opening day, said she plans to use her senior privileges and get lunch there, but doesn’t see it as a viable daily option.

“The buzz around Erewhon’s opening was impossible to ignore,” Whiteman said. “Now that first quarter is over, I plan to take my lunches off campus more often. I love Erewhon in theory, but the high prices makes it an impractical daily option.”

Li Yam Kreiz ’22, who got lunch at Erewhon when it first opened, said she plans to continue using her senior privileges of being able to leave campus.

“Senior privileges are an exciting way to spend lunch and have a nice break from school with my friends,” Kreiz said. “I hope to be able to go off campus more as I [begin to] have more free time.”

SANDRA KORETZ/CHRONICLE

LUNCH RUSH: Seniors leave campus during their lunch periods to visit and buy food from Erewhon Market on Ventura Boulevard Nov. 11.

Features The Chronicle • Nov. 17, 2021

Cyber Giving Back, Backhandedly Students discuss whether the mandatory school annual minimum of 12 hours of community

The school community shares why they prefer technological devices to traditional notebooks.

service defeats the purpose of outreach.

By Harry Tarses

Hudlin handed a cupcake to an eager 7th grader, while GoldMarlborough junior Helena berg hugged the baby of a family Hudlin rushed from booth to whose business she had helped booth of a school-wide bake-sale keep afloat throughout the panshe spent months planning. At demic. Hudlin helped restock the same time, Ella Goldberg ’23 a sold-out booth with muffins drove to a cafe to deliver hand- and cookies, while Goldberg written first responder notes to unloaded COVID-19 safety a woman she had been in con- supplies from her car’s trunk. tact with for over eight months. When her outreach events ended, Hudlin said she was

satisfied with what she accomplished for the school community. Meanwhile, Goldberg is left with two more hours to plug into the community services tab of her school’s website.

Both Marlborough and HW have an annual 12-hour minimum community service requirement, which all students must fulfill and record in order to graduate. Goldberg said this process of logging

hours can make the service she completes feel disingenuous.

“I’m not doing this to get some sort of recognition,” Goldberg said. “I think that there shouldn’t be a requirement because people should just want to give back to their community [without an incentive].”

Goldberg, who founded the non-profit organization MealBridge L.A. during the pandemic, said she worries the minimum hour limit is counterproductive to student service. She said outreach should be unprompted among her peers.

• Continued on B6

By Lily Lee Shaking out her sore wrists, Kara Yoon ’23 looked down at her calloused fingers. She had been scribbling pages and pages of art history notes by hand in her orange three-ring spiral notebook, an arduous process that Yoon said prompted her to finally decide to turn to using her computer as a note-taking device.

Yoon said she initially took notes by hand in her Art History Honors class out of habit and because she believed handwritten notes would increase her retention of class material. She said this switch to digitized note-taking also grants her easier access to the artwork she studies.

“I tend to take too many notes, and art history is different from regular history because we have to analyze art pieces,” Yoon said. “I made the decision to transfer to computer notes for art history because it is much more efficient and because I can paste in the photos into the document, so it is easier to reference them when I am studying.”

Although Yoon made the switch to technology in Art History Honors, she said she varies her note-taking techniques depending on the subject.

“Art history is the only class I take notes [from] my computer,” Yoon said. “For the rest of [my classes], I take notes by hand.

For science and math, there are numbers and equations, so it is easier to take notes on paper. I also think teachers like it more when students don’t have their computers open in class.”

Over the past 10 years, Head of Upper School Beth Slattery said she has noticed a shift from traditional teaching and learning methods to more contemporary practices that require technology, such as taking notes with an iPad. Associate Head of School Laura Ross said this trend was accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Ross said every student should find the note-taking style that works best for them. Ross said she prefers taking notes on a computer because of the quality of her handwriting and difficulty keeping up with speakers while she is writing. • Continued on B7

Ca$h for care

By Natalie Cosgrove Shaking out her blanket and laying it across a cushioned armrest, Zoe Shapiro ’23 stood up from the couch. She passed a table of snacks catered to dietary restrictions and a bucket of toys meant for younger patients and made her way to the door. She shouted her final thanks before starting towards the elevator, smiling widely over her shoulder. Her phone dinged—a text from her therapist. “Do you want me to walk you down? It’s getting late.”

“I am so thankful [to] have access to someone who makes me feel so welcome and comfortable,” Shapiro said. “Therapy has done wonders for me.”

Meanwhile, Madelynn James ’23 settled on her bed, hoping her thin bedroom door would be soundproof enough to provide some privacy. Opening her laptop, she clicked on a Zoom link, mentally preparing herself to greet the new therapist she

had been put into touch with through her healthcare plan. “[My therapist] looked concerned, but not surprised, as I told her straight up, multiple times, that I needed help,” James said. “Being a low-income student makes help really hard to get and really hard to find. Not only is [help] hard to access but also what is accessible is not great.”

James said instead of feeling comfortable in the therapy environment, she felt like an unwanted burden. “[I felt] like an obligation,” James said. “It [was] really difficult to manage, as I was already feeling a variety of complex emotions. Being treated like a nuisance by the people who [were] supposed to help [me] was very hurtful. I had to turn to the [National] Suicide Hotline, but being [put] on hold for 10 minutes doesn’t help anyone’s mental state.”

James said although she

Students and faculty discuss the financial inaccessibility of mental health resources and its personal consequences.

originally hoped the healthcare system would provide her with the emotional support she needed, she eventually felt discouraged as a result of her experiences in therapy.

“Knowing that healthcare

couldn’t provide me with the resources I needed made m e feel so hopeless,” James said.

“The only

people who have the power to [get me] help couldn’t provide for me what I needed. It only makes me feel more anxious about how much it affects the general population as well.”

• Continued on B2

ILLUSTRATIONS BY ADISON GAMRADT

B2 Features

The Chronicle

Nov. 17, 2021

Students experience financial barriers in accessing mental health resources. Community members discuss an imbalance within the healthcare system.

• Continued from B1

According to the Electronic Health Reporter, the average cost for a therapy session is between $ 6 0 a n d $120, while the average cost for an initial psychiatric consultation is between $300 to $500.

For students with financial aid, health

DRUYANOFF

benefits and medical expenses are not covered by the school, according to Director of Financial Aid Greg Gonzalez.

Nathalie Paniagua ’23 said she has noticed financial divides in the psychological healthcare allotted to her peers.

“I have noticed that my friends [of ] higher socioeconomic status have more resources available to them,” Paniagua said. “They are also more comfortable seeking out these resources without fear of their parents saying no because of financial issues. I also have friends [who] have lower socioeconomic statuses. They don’t have the luxury of being able to ask their parents for help in this sense because they know their parents could feel bad about not being able to provide them this help.”

Under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, health insurance covers both physical and mental health. In line with this act, Head of Peer Support and Interdisciplinary Studies and Independent Research (ISIR) teacher Tina McGraw said all students with health insurance should be provided access to mental health services.

“Ever since Obamacare, mental health has gained parity with medical needs,” McGraw said. “ That means [students] should be

reimbursed at the same rates. A lot of health in her home life can be difproviders actually offer mental health ficult, the school has providresources within their insurance net- ed her with great resources to work. If you have insurance, you should help her through the school year. be able to get therapy and gain access to “For those who are facing any sort psychiatrists and have your medications of barrier to reaching mental health covered under your insurance plan.” assistance, providing these resources Peer Support Coordinator Milo Kid- at school solves a majority of these isdugavu ’22 said he believes it is import- sues,” McZeal said. “You don’t have to ant for all students to have an outlet go through a parent in order to access for their difficulties, even if their back- these services, and you don’t have to pay grounds or socioeconomic statuses make in order to be able to meet with them.” it difficult to acquire such aid.

Counselor and ISIR “When I first came into Teacher Michelle Bracen Peer Support as a sophomore, said she tries to ensure that I was not at all comfortable each student is provided acsharing any vulnerable pieces cess to the support they need of my life,” Kiddugavu said. through school resources.

“But getting to know the peo“We will, as a counseling ple around me really opened team, look for affordable orup my perspective to see that ganizations that can that do people do want to share about counseling for a lower fee,” White’s what’s going on in their life.

Bracken said. “I imagine there Milo If you give them the chance, are scenarios where the abiliKiddugavu ’22 they will not hesitate to reach ty to track down those lower out to you and work through fees might be challenging for their problems using the support of their someone. So whether that’s an access community and the people around.” issue, a language issue or a cultural isKiddugavu said the school has cre- sue, there are many different ways actuated a supportive environment for ally accessing someone who [will help] students who may not have access to this particular student and their family mental health resources out of school. will be hard. It is a system that is not “It is really important to have a psy- fully supportive or totally equitable.” chological hub for anybody who is in Associate Head of School Lauany financial setting, especially at [the ra Ross said the school is working school] because we do have a lot of peo- to provide mental health resourcple who are on financial aid and it might es and hopes every student will not be accessible outside of school,” gain access to the care they need.

Kiddugavu said. “We really want the “I hope at some point in our society, best for all of the students here and to we get to a point where mental health give them the full extent of our resourc- counseling is just like [going] to a doces. One of our biggest resources is [our] tor,” Ross said. “[The school is] full accepting and supporting community.” of human beings who have challenges.

Although Idalis McZeal ‘23 said We are a place with a lot of students she believes financial status plays a with a lot of goals, and [therefore], a large role in one’s ability to seek out lot of stress in their lives. Having the help, she noted other harmful fac- opportunity to talk that out when tors that may prevent someone from things get overwhelming [is crucial].” receiving therapy or medication.

Bracken said when mental health re“I think another barrier, in addition sources are needed, they should always to financial issues for students, is be able to have access to them. In order [the] cultural norms that stigmatize to grant this access, Bracken said theragetting therapy,” McZeal said. pists should look into lowering fees for “Unless you are going through the lower income clients. something really extreme and “We all need help and obvious, parents don’t think we all need support,” that getting help is neces- Bracken said. “Help sary. Within communi- is about balancing our ties of [people of ] col- coping skills with our or, mental health is stress level. We all viewed as a sort of have stress. It is not taboo subject.” wrong that some McZeal said people need more a l t h o u g h of this help. Anydiscussing one who needs m e n t a l support should have access to it.

Overall wellnessphysical and mental health- should be available to ever yone.”

Illustrations by Alexa Druyanoff

Nov. 17, 2021

hwchronicle.com/features

Features B3

Community members discuss the nuances of imperfect environmentalism and the expectations behind eco-friendly practices.

By Emmy Zhang Recycling, buying second-hand clothes, avoiding disposable products, taking short showers and purchasing local produce—these are a few eco-friendly practices people can adopt to help reduce their environmental impact, according to USA Today.

However, Environmental Club co-leader Chloe Appel ’23 said it is difficult for anyone to participate in all of these practices. Although Appel said she strives to make a positive impact on the planet, she also recognizes there are obstacles that make it challenging to be a “perfect environmentalist.”

“Sometimes I feel upset with myself for not doing more, but instead of punishing myself, I’ve learned to accept that small steps are incredibly important,” Appel said.

“I’m now comfortable with my ‘imperfect environmentalism.’”

Despite its negative implications, many climate change advocates are encouraging people to adopt this new kind of activism, according to “The Imperfect Environmentalist” by Sarah Gilbert. In her book, Gilbert defines imperfect environmentalism as a practical lifestyle that gives people the option to be moderately sustainable.

Jessica Brown, co-founder of environmental service program Co-Benefits, wrote in an article that holding people to an impossible standard is unproductive because it diminishes the significance of smaller eco-friendly efforts. Brown also said eco-perfectionism creates too much pressure to

live up to for environmental activists.

“Eco-perfectionism feels like you can only have a credible environmental impact if you live a flawlessly sustainable life,” Brown wrote. “It is telling yourself, ‘Unless I can do the perfect job of it, why even try?’”

Vegetarian Henry Pokress ’23 said he supports any contribution to the environmentalism movement, regardless of its size. Pokress said he, too, is imperfect in his vegetarianism.

“I’m a full-time vegetarian now, but I don’t hold it against anybody who can’t commit fully to perfect vegetarianism or any environmental effort for that matter,” Pokress said. “What’s important is that everyone makes an effort.”

Not everybody shares Pokress’s acceptance of imperfection. Maya Mathur ’22 said she notices people shaming those who do not lead a perfectly sustainable lifestyle and the manner in which their judgment deters people from having an eco-friendly lifestyle.

“Sadly, being shamed for not being ‘green’ enough is something I have seen a lot,” Mathur said. “All it does is discourage people from becoming more involved [in environmentalism] because they are afraid of being judged or told that they aren’t working hard enough despite them trying their best.”

Recognizing the harmful impact of judging people’s efforts, Advanced Placement Environ-

mental Science teacher Ryan Ellingson said rather than criticizing each other’s lifestyles, people should focus on how they can make their own lifestyles more eco-friendly and inspire others to do the same.

“No matter how environmentally conscious a person is, there is always room for improvement,” Ellingson said. “We should all encourage each other to continually look for ways to replace an old habit with a more environmentally friendly one. I think this means striving for perfection, accepting that we’ll never achieve it and acknowledging that it’s our responsibility to make every effort to get as close as we can. This seems like a much more productive approach than shaming anyone for doing less than we’ve chosen to do ourselves.”

Like Ellingson, Appel said people should incorporate new, creative practices into their daily routines to reduce their harm to the environment. Appel said she shops at thrift stores to recycle gently used items to prevent increased waste, a practice embraced by many people looking to limit their consumption.

“Trying new things and extending your limits doesn’t have to be a burden or something unbearable,” Appel said.

“When I go thrifting, not only am I saving the environment, but I’m also developing a new [and] unique [sense of ] style.”

Kiki Cooper ’23 said she has appreciated how the school has become more environmentally conscious and has made important improvements toward sustainability. But she said it should try to expand its sustainability initiatives.

“I’m happy that our school cafeteria sells water in reusable water bottles and has installed bathroom sinks with sensors that prevent water waste,” Cooper said. “But I think we can definitely do more like getting rid of the plastic straws and utensils and having assignments be turned in digitally instead of on paper.”

Upper School Librarian Edith Darling said she is concerned about students’ paper usage in the library but acknowledges that it can be improved with more awareness.

“Sometimes when students are in a hurry, they accidentally misprint multiple copies of the same document or print the wrong one, which generates waste,” said Darling. “I know it’s difficult to avoid printing altogether, but it would be helpful if students could be more careful at the printing machine.”

Like Darling, Ellingson said he recognizes harming the environment can be inevitable but hopes people will be more conscious of their actions without pressure to be perfect.

“Our lifestyles have a negative impact on the environment regardless of what we [do], so even the most strict environmentalist is never going to achieve zero impact,” Ellingson said. “There’s a big difference between imperfection and lack of effort. Nobody is perfect, but we can all try.”

Illustrations by Sydney Fener

The Chronicle

B4 Features

STARDOM YOUNG Upper school students and alumni pursue interests that stemmed from their time at the school at a professional level.

By Allegra Drago Overwhelmed by the chatter of his childhood friend and the cacophony of cicadas, alumnus Nick Lee quietly sat at the breakfast table. Jaw agape, he stared in disbelief at the Instagram notification that lit up his phone: “Industry Baby,” the song he produced alongside Take a Daytrip and Kanye West, hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 List.

Lee began playing the trombone in seventh grade at the Middle School, where he said Performing Arts Teacher Starr Wayne inspired him to pursue music.

“I owe everything to [Wayne],” Lee said. “[She] was always so inspiring as a teacher.

I remember she used to say, ‘The sky is the limit.’ From her staying after school with me and showing me all of these jazz videos and showing me all of these trombone players, she really instilled this inspiration in me.”

When asked about her memory of Lee, Wayne said he was a motivated and passionate student.

“I can still remember [Lee] standing in my office after Beginning Band in the seventh grade with his trombone in hand, saying that music is what he wanted to do for the rest of his life,” Wayne said in an email. “And here we are, with [Lee having produced] a double platinum song.”

Lee said he transferred to a performing arts high school at the end of his sophomore year because he knew he wanted to pursue a career in music after graduating. “[My junior year] in high school I transferred to the [Los Angeles] County High School for the Arts,” Lee said.

“There, I focused on the trombone, studying jazz and classical trombone [and] playing in the orchestra and the jazz groups. My goal was to get [into The Juilliard School], so I was practicing everyday, just putting in all of these hours to reach 10,000 hours.”

The summer Lee graduated, he took a course in music production, moved to New York and enrolled in The Juilliard School. However, Lee said shortly after, he realized pursuing a career as a professional trombonist would be difficult because the jazz industry is competitive and its avenues to success are limited. Instead, Lee said he refocused his energy toward music production.

“When I got there it was cool at first, but then I started seeing what it was like to be a jazz musician in the city, and at that time I had also started learning how to produce,” Lee said. “I was learning how to produce [music] more and more in school. I came to the decision that school wasn’t really worth my time anymore and I really

cle this song was until I heard that marching bands were playing horn arrangements of ‘Industry Baby’ and horn players on TikTok were covering their own versions. I started getting a bunch of [direct messages] from band kids. One of them said ‘Thank you for making trombone cool.’”

resenting the school in Interscholastic Equestrian League competitions. On weekends, she said she spent her time competing in high level horse shows across California.

“You can’t balance all the things you want to do in life—school, sports, friends (social life), family, etc.,” Davis said in an email. “It’s more of a juggle.

Depending on your goals, you can focus the larger portion of your time and energy [on] certain parts of your life while still maintaining some time for the other things that fulfill you.”

Nick Lee Like Lee, Lucy Davis ’11 said she has pursued a passion she explored throughout high school.

Davis received the silver medal for showjumping at the 2016 Rio Olympics. She said she is grateful the school includes equestrian in their athletics program.

“We are an emerging sport, and access is a barrier that our industry needs to work to break down,” Davis said. “Incorporating equestrian into high schools is a great way to include more people in competiPrinted with Permission of Nick Lee

just really wanted to focus solely on music production.”

Lee said he moved back to Los Angeles in August 2017 in hopes of pursuing music production professionally and networking in the industry.

“In 2019, I met [media executive] Scooter Braun,” Lee said.

“I played him some of my songs and he offered me a publishing deal.

[I] signed with Scooter [Braun’s] publishing company called ‘Atlas Music Publishing’ back in 2019, and that is when things started moving more.”

When Lee was presented with the opportunity to work with Lil Nas X and Take a Daytrip, Lee said he and his manager Max Cho ’15 saw it as an opportunity to grow his name in the producing industry. “‘Industry Baby’ is definitely my biggest accomplishment so far,” Lee said. “I didn’t fully realize how full-cir-

Prin

ted

with

Davis said she made it a personal goal at the end of her senior year of high school to compete at the Olympics. Because only four riders get to compete for each country at the games, Davis said she knew reaching her goal would be difficult.

“It was my dream for many years and became a more defined goal once I partnered with my horse, Barron, about five years out from Rio,” Davis said. “We competed in several U.S. team competitions leading up to Rio, so by the time the trials came about we had proven ourselves.”

Though she said she no longer strives to compete in the Olympics, Davis said she continues to work in the equestrian world by internationally competing and being involved digitally. She has done this by creating two digital programs, Pony App and Prixview, both designed to help equestrians while competing. “[Pony App] was focused on creating a digital community or, more specifically, a place where young equestrians can connect and share their training,” Davis said. “At present, I have been working on a new venture called Prixview, which is focused on aggregating and augmenting showjumping sports data in

perm

issio n of

Lucy

Dav is

Lucy Davis tion and give them a chance to experience how exciting the sport can be.”

Davis said she has been riding horses since before she could walk. In high school, she said she competed in flat classes—trotting and cantering her horse around the arena—while rep-

order to be able to serve our sport to modern media and gaming companies.”

Working digital artist Claire

Nov.

17, 2021

hwchronicle.com/features

Farin ’06, née Cochran, participated in the school’s performing and visual arts programs during the entirety of her time as a student. Farin said her experiences in the arts as a student reinforced her desire to pursue the arts professionally in her adult life.

“I figured it out pretty young that [art] is what I wanted to do, so to be in the classes at [school] all just reaffirmed what I already knew about myself,” Farin said.

In Katherine Holmes-Chuba’s Advanced Placement Art History class, Farin said Barbra Kruger’s feminist artwork inspired her. She said she wanted her own work to be discussed and studied by others just how Kruger’s was.

“I want to be in conversation with and a part of art while I’m still [alive],” Farin said. “I became aware that these conversations aren’t just a bunch of old dead guys, these are people and women who are still active right now who are getting taught to high schoolers. I remember thinking that I want my work to be taught to high schoolers while I’m still alive.”

Farin attended the Maryland Institute College of Art, where she studied visual arts. After graduating, she taught in the school’s visual arts department, including courses like Visual Arts 7 and Drawing and Painting for seven years.

“My time teaching [at the school] has been almost more instrumental [in my art development than my artwork itself],” Farin said. “Teaching has given me a new perspective on communication in the workspace and helped me with my brand.”

As a part of the digital arts collective, Actual Objects, Farin works on art projects including advertising, film, computer graphics, graphic design and creative direction for music videos and fashion campaigns. Her art work has been featured at museums and exhibits such as the Museum of Modern Art and The Roy and Edna Disney CalArts Theater. She said her work in the digital art space aims to expand the possibilities of what artists can create and work with.

“What’s really cool about [Actual Objects] is that it doesn’t feel like anybody’s necessarily copying us, but more that we’re starting this conversation that a lot of people are engaging in,” Farin said. “We’re seeing the ripple effect of our work across lots of disciplines because our clients range from really independent, kind of cool underground artists to Nike and Mercedes.

We’re all over the map between really massive brands and then also very [new and unknown brands].”

Zane Danton ’22 said he enrolled in acting classes in sophomore year and plans to continue performing in college. Danton said he has enjoyed the communal and creative aspects of the-

Features B5

ater and appreciated being cast as the lead in the school’s 2021 fall production of “J.B.” “Having never been in a school play, I was unsure if it would come together, but after going through it all with everything, [our performance] made me very happy,” Danton said.

While Danton said he began acting in sixth grade, Beanie Feldstein ’11 said she dedicated much of her time to acting, starting in elementary school. In fourth grade, Performing Arts Teacher Ted Walch cast Feldstein in a musical production at the Upper School.

“The Upper School was doing ‘The Sound of Music’

when she didn’t have the crutch of mu-

Printed with Permission of Claire Farin

Claire and needed an e l ementary school-aged girl to play the youngest Von Trapp child, Gretl,” Feldstein said in an email to the Chronicle. “[Walch] cast me at just nine years old!

So, when I started [the school] in seventh grade, it was always clear to me that I would spend all my time doing every show that I was lucky enough to get cast in!”

Walch and Feldstein have known each other for over twenty years, working together in an array of different theater productions.

“We did a production in [2010] of ‘Our Town,’” Walch said. “The lovely work that she brought [theatrically]

sic showed me that she’s a very, very gifted performer.”

Feldstein said the school community heavily impacted the trajectory of her life. The mentality she formed in high school set her up for her success throughout her acting career. She said she feels her high school experience guided her to earn roles such as Molly Davidson in “Booksmart” and Julie Steffans in “Lady Bird,” in which she portrayed high school teenagers.

“I am always striving to learn more, be better [and] never settle, and I think that was something I definitely learned

Farin

from [the school],” Feldstein said.

“I’ve been so beyond lucky to get to be a part of so many remarkable opportunities, that it would be impossible to choose one of them as the biggest.

At the end of the day, being a loyal and loving friend, sister, aunt, daughter and [significant other] is hopefully my greatest accomplishment.”

Feldstein said she was able to connect to her experience at the school through roles she was cast in her early career.

“I was lucky enough to do a lot of high school movies way into my twenties,” Feldstein said. “I was aching to be back in my high school experience!”

Printed with Permission of Ted Walch

Beanie Feldstein

Printed with permission of Rees Pugh

B6 Features

The Chronicle

Nov. 17, 2021

With Thanksgiving approaching, students and faculty reflect on mandated community service and the ways it affects them.

• Continued from B1

“The majority of [the school’s ing to do is have the person funstudents] are in a privileged po- damentally aware that [they are] sition,” Goldberg said. “Why creating a positive impact on the wouldn’t you want to help those community.” that are not given the same opporHudlin, who is a leader of Marltunities and same fundamental ac- borough’s community service councess to things you are?” cil, said she agrees with Goldberg’s Goldberg is a member of the sentiments on the mandate. Howschool’s Community Council, in ever, with Malborough having no which one of her primary duties is community service requirement, collecting and recording Hudlin’s responsibility is student outreach hours. not to track service hours, She said even within but to make sure students Community Council, complete any community there are different perservice at all. Hudlin said spectives on the necessity she is able to accomplish of the requirement. this by providing her “While there is a porpeers with a variety of option of the council that portunities and events for believes we should get rid community outreach. white’s of it, we have a stronger “I helped coordinate a Ella group that believes that bunch of drives at school Goldberg ’23 we need to keep the 12throughout quarantine hour requirement,” Goldberg said. and alerted people of opportuni“I understand that for those kids ties that they could do from home, [who] aren’t as motivated to give whether that be making sandwichback [to their commmunites], [the es and dropping them off, collectrequirement] gives them that mo- ing blankets or just anything [else] tivation and the opportunity to that could help,” Hudlin said. help the Los Angeles community.”

Hudlin said her peers uphold Goldberg said in spite of its the charitable culture she tries to precedent, the mandate often pro- foster at Marlborough. motes half-hearted outreach. She “Our class has a little over 100 said because of this, the council students, so in terms of outreach members have discussed alterna- [opportunities], it’s really easy for word to spread,” Hudlin said.

“People want to help their classmates, and so I think our intimate community creates a setting that gets us all involved.”

Hudlin said this charitable attitude toward outreach made implementing a service mandate unnecessary for her school.

“I do not like to make generalizations, but I would say almost every student at Marlborough is involved in community service somehow,” Hudlin said. “A lot of girls [at Marlborough] start their own organizations.”

According to Hudlin, another significant factor in Marlborough’s widespread social outreach is the school’s administration, which Hudlin said has enthusiastically supported her during her time as the school’s Community Outreach Representative.

“At our school, we have an tive methods in incredible social justice deorder to encourpartment, so the student body age students in is really aware of all these optheir community portunities and also the ineqservice initiatives. uities, not only in Los Angeles “Instead of needbut in our country,” Hudlin ing 12 hours, we said. “I think that really crewanted [students] to ates an amazing environment show that they were for Marlborough students committed to a specific to have a desire to foster cause,” Goldberg said. change and get involved.”

“A lot of kids will spend Upper School Counselor their community service and co-Faculty Advisor to time doing random oneCommunity Council Mihour [events] just to get chelle Bracken said while [the requirement] done, other schools’ unmandated and that’s not at all the community service is admipoint of what we’re trying rable, a requirement is necto do here. What we’re tryessary for her own school.

“By saying you have to do 12 of those hours each year, we’re just trying to ensure that you are having that experience,” Bracken said.

“You may not leave the school saying, ‘giving back is how I’m going to live my life,’ but [the requirement] gives you an opportunity to have a window into that.”

Bracken said even if students dislike community service or the mandate, its effect on people in need and the student itself is too important not to be required.

“If we did an anonymous poll, asking whether you get something out of community service, a lot of people might say they don’t,” Bracken said. “But I think there’s stuff happening that maybe you’re not even aware of, and that you’re gaining a perspective that you can’t put into words.”

Izzy Kashper ’24 said she chooses to complete only the 12 mandated hours because of the time commitment of non-community service activities.

“The school is a very demanding school,” Kashper said. “For those who want to engage in extracurriculars, it’s nearly impossible to make time for anything else.”

Further, Kashper said the mandate entirely misses the point of performing community service. “​ I don’t think people should do community service unwillingly, and I don’t think it’s helpful or changes them,” Kashper said. “I don’t know that many people who [complete] the required community service and then come out of it feeling different and with a completely new perspective.”

Kashper said since the mandate’s central idea is that service is more

important than the intent to serve, it is fundamentally flawed.

“The act of [giving] service

is important, but I’m not a consequentialist,” Kashper said. “I believe the intentions of an action are just as important as the outcome.”

Bracken said not every student will feel fulfilled by giving back to the community, but enforces the mandate for the students who will.

She said without the quota, many students would likely neglect community service altogether and potentially miss out on important experiences.

“I assume ​​a lot of kids would not do it,” Bracken said. “I would say 60% wouldn’t make it a priority to find a time in their schedule to do something. From

illustrations by alexa druyanoff

that 60%, I would say probably 30 or 40% [of students] would miss out on something that they actually could connect to and appreciate in their lives.”

Bracken said the school plans to continue to uphold the mandate.

“We are going to put you in the jam and you are going to get something, no matter what that is, out of it,” Bracken said. “That is what the school believes [is] a value, and that is always the most important thing [to the school].”

Nov. 17, 2021

The Chronicle

Features B7

Faculty and students discuss the shift away and the implications of having increased amounts of technology in the classroom.

• Continued from B1

“Every human has to find a system that works for them,” Ross said.

“There is so much conflicting research. There are all of these resources that say the pencil on paper is the best way. Other studies say if you take Cornell Notes online, that is better. It doesn’t feel to me like there is a definitive [best note-taking strategy].”

Adison Gamradt ’23 said she relied on an iPad to complete work during online classes but has reverted back to taking notes on paper since returning to in-person school.

“During Zoom school, I did all my work on my iPad,” Gamradt said. “I think [using technology] worked really well with the Zoom format, but now that we are back in-person and school is very paper-based, I retain the information better with pen and paper.”

Gamradt said she alBeth ways preferred taking Slattery notes on paper but decided to deviate from her note-taking habits once she began digital illustrations with her iPad. “The school definitely encourages taking notes by hand as opposed to by computer, but all my teachers have been fine with me taking notes on an iPad,” Gamradt said.

History and Social Studies Teacher Celia Goedde said she noticed many students now taking notes on iPads.

Goedde said she encourages students to take handwritten notes either with a pen on paper or with an iPad. “My reputation is as more of an old school teacher,” Goedde said.

“In the [2010s], a lot of studies came out in places like UCLA or Stanford, and they found that taking notes on paper was actually better for students to learn and retain information. Of course, that’s the outcome that I want for

most of my students. The research has shown it is the hand-to-brain connection as you are writing something that makes you retain it better.”

Goedde said hand-writing on an iPad has similar benefits to taking notes on paper.

“If students have accommodations to use a laptop, they can use a laptop,” Goedde said. “My only concern [with technology in the classroom] is the students’ attention. It’s pretty well-documented now that [technology] decreases everyone’s attention, not just students [but also] teachers. Less screen time is, in general, better, particularly for students, because for teenagers, this is the time when you’re building up your ability and stamina to pay attention. [More students have been] taking handwritten notes on a tablet, and that seems to be white’s really good. I really think that is kind of the sweet spot, the best of both worlds.”

Ross said when she observes classes, she occasionally sees students distracted by their technology and believes teachers should be intentional about finding times for class to be technology-free.

“I observe a ton of classes and every so often, I sit next to someone who has their laptop [open] and they are shopping or buying clothes online,” Ross said. “We don’t want to deny a kid for whom taking notes on the computer is the best way, so it’s kind of a balance. It’s hard to save everyone from themselves.

If people want to not pay attention, distracting in the classroom, especially you can’t really stop them. But at the when people have their computers same time, when you think about open and are bored,” Ramburg a 75-minute period, there should said. “But if it is used well, it be times where we all [turn our can be very helpful in making technology off] and talk.” the class more entertaining.”

Gamradt said she Slattery said technolobserved new ways the ogy becomes problematic school has incorporated when students use their devices technology into the classroom. to surf the internet or text their peers.

“When a student is absent “The only [negative] part of [technolfor a long period of time, they ogy in the classroom] is the distraction,” will ‘Zoom in,’” Gamradt said.

“I think that is very helpful for Slat- tery said. “It’s the reason we ask students to put their cell students who may be very sick, inphones away. It’s sujured or just can’t per tempting. During come to school because they will be Zoom [meetings], able to catch up, I could barely which didn’t hapstay focused in pen before we had a meeting withLike most things we access to Zoom.” out clicking on Slattery said the do here, we are trying to something else. school allows teachgive teachers trust as the For 17-yearers to determine olds, I can just experts in their class.” whether it would imagine that be a helpful accom—Head of Upper School that temptation modation for Beth Slattery is even harder an absent in the 75-minstudent ute period. If to Zoom you only have a into class. notebook sitting “Like most things we there, it’s harddo here, we are trying to give teachers trust as the er to be as distracted.” experts in their class,” Slattery Slattery said the new said. “An English teacher would [feel], block schedule promptZooming into an English classroom ed teachers to utilize technolis not necessarily the best way to get a ogy in the classroom to improve the kid caught up, but Zooming a kid into learning experience of their students. a math class or part of a history lecture “I do find more teachers might actually be the best way to do it.” use technology to enGrady Ramburg ’24 said the hance the [learning] environment of his history classexperience,” Slates are not heavily impacted tery said. “[Teachby students who zoom in, but ers have] the abilitechnology in the classroom ty to project things, can be distracting in other ways. the ability to Zoom or “Technology can sometimes be use EdPuzzles in order to enhance the experience. When I think about where we were seven to 10 years ago, people assumed that technology would actually diminish the teacher-student experience. Technology is supposed to enhance, not detract.”

“

ILLUSTRATIONS BY ALEXA DRUYANOFF AND SYDNEY FENER

B8 Features

The Chronicle

Nov. 17, 2021

N O O R T M W AL E N DR . SHEEHY

By Fallon Dern Following a nine year break from teaching and a yearlong substitution teaching history at the Marlborough School, Dr. Peter Sheehy joined the History Department in 2020. Sheehy led his first Advanced Placement (AP) United States History and AP United States Government and Politics classes on his laptop, teaching through a Zoom box and in the walk-in closet he repurposed as an office for the virtual year.

“I have to be honest, I feel like I’ve blocked out a lot [of quarantine],” Sheehy said. “[My first day at the school] feels like a very long time ago.

I remember I started my classes asking students how they felt. I thought [it was] very important to understand emotionally where [students were] coming from and almost every student said, ‘I’m nervous, but I’m really happy to be here. I’m happy to have something to do. I’ve done nothing all summer and it’s good to at least see my friends.’”

Sheehy said he underestimated the difficulties of online teaching and quickly realized how isolating his work would be. Nonetheless, Sheehy said he persevered through this emotional fatigue, creating connections with his students through his virtual classes.

“What I was doing last year was pretty effective, but it was nothing I had experienced before,” Sheehy said.

“I just assumed [that I would be] teaching on a camera, right? [I thought] it should be 90% the same, but it was not [the same] at all. It was so differ-

PHOTOS PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF PETER SHEEHY

Dr. Sheehy and Dr. Stewart spent their first year at the school teaching through Zoom. Now, they reflect on the return to teaching in the classroom.

ent and so much more exhausting.”

Sheehy said he noticed a difference in the behavior of his students between in-person and virtual school.

Against a digital wall of faces in muted boxes, Sheehy said he often questioned how to make his classes more interactive and occasionally wondered if his students were listening to him.

“What was so exhausting, frustrating and discouraging was not being able to read the room and look at engagement and figure out how to draw people, how to pivot the conversation, when to let students speak or when I should continue speaking,” Sheehy said.

“All of that was incredibly challenging to do over the computer.”

Sheehy said he realized he was teaching history in a particularly monumental time. He said he was astounded by his students’ intellectual resilience.

“I just thought about the students’ [perseverance] despite everything that was going on, not just with the pandemic, but with the stress of the Black Lives Matter movement, [2020] Presidential Election, contested election and the [Jan. 6 Capitol] insurrection,” Sheehy said.

“The fact that students were able to function at [the] academic level that they did was kind of astounding.”

When returning to in-person school this year, Sheehy said his first day was surprisingly easy. He said getting to know his students in person gives him something to look forward to and enjoy.

“I consider this my first year [of teaching at the school], and I feel super connected and just really grateful for my colleagues and students,” Sheehy said. “I mean, even just watching how [my students] come into my class [and hearing] their side conversations, all that I can learn about them [interests me]. I hear chatter on one side of the room about people working on The Chronicle [or] someone working on the play [and] I just immediately kind of have a sense of them as a student outside of my discipline.

[Compared to Zoom school], it’s like night and day.”

DR . STEWART

By Fallon Dern

better, but also at the same time, I appreciated everyone being safe at home.”

Science teacher Dr. Chelsea StewStewart said she felt most disart said she felt she had a leg up over couraged by the lack of a classroom other new teachers when she joined the community. Unlike in-person classschool for the 2020 school year because es, Stewart said her quiet online she had previously worked at the Upper classroom routine felt monotonous.

School for three years before moving “I would sign on every day and feel to Seattle for two years to teach chem- like I’m just lecturing students, giving istry at Lakeside School. Stewart said them practice problems and then maywhen she opened her laptop in August be getting to interact with them a little 2020 to start class, she realized she was bit,” Stewart said. “That’s not a style of unprepared for the emotional isola- teaching that I appreciate. I am not the tion of virtual teaching. sage on the stage. I don’t “It was the same want to just stand up challenge for all the there and talk at peoteachers—getting used ple—I want [learning] to being in silence,” to be more of a collabStewart said. “Noorative effort. Zoom body’s really chatting wasn’t that space and on Zoom like they are wasn’t the optimum in the classroom. That teaching environment.” was a transition, but I Since returning to think because I endschool, Stewart said she ed the previous school has been relieved by her year in the pandemic, students’ enthusiasm. getting that exposure to She said her first day Zoom was a good learnback this school year was ing experience for the positive, albeit tiring. start of the next year.”

“I think [the first Stewart said she day] was resoundingstruggled to balance her ly joyous, but then at excitement and abilthe end of the day, [it ity to read the Zoom was]incredibly exhaustroom on her first day. ing,” Stewart said. “It She said she was eager was just over-stimulatto finally see new facing and just so much es, even if they were excitement of seeing on her laptop screen. people and feeling like ILLUSTRATIONS BY SOPHIA MUSANTE “Oh, the first day of we’re kind of in a norschool,” Stewart said. “It mal situation. Now, I was one of those things where [teach- think we all have our routines down.” ers] planned all these activities to get Stewart said she hopes stukids talking and all of that, but then dents and teachers alike can develit was an odd sensation. I wanted op more empathy for one another. to create a welcoming and energetic “I think what’s helped me as a space but also realized that we’re in teacher was realizing that just like the middle of a pandemic. It’s not al- I have bad days, students have bad ways appropriate to have that level of days,” Stewart said. “I think there’s enthusiasm without acknowledging flexibility built into how I try to teach that there’s something else going on.” my curriculum to give students space She said as hard as she tried, cer- to have those days that just maytain elements of in-person energy can- be aren’t their day. Then [again], I not be replicated through a computer. hope students would understand that “With Zoom and having to all be sometimes [teachers] struggle too.” quiet, [communicating] had to be a lot more intentional, but trying to reach out to kids or meet with kids one-onone is such a formal way of interacting with students,” Stewart said. “[Teachers] get a different sense of [students’ personalities] than if they’re in the classroom. I think I wish I could have gotten to know my students

PHOTOS PRINTED WITH PERMISSION CHELSEA STEWART

Arts &Entertainment The Chronicle • Nov. 17, 2021

Actors, directors, musicians and designers collaborated on the Upper School’s fall play for a modern take on a biblical story.

• Continued from A1

Performing Arts Teacher and Director Bev Meyer, who proposed “J.B.” as this year’s fall play, said her past experience with the play inspired her to direct it again.

“I read [‘J.B.’] years ago, did a shortened version of it at another school and always loved it,” Meyer said. “I had recently reread it and remembered how much I loved it. I brought it in to [Pugh] last spring when he and I were looking for a play to produce in the fall. He fell in love with it too, and that was it.”

Through its biblical allusions and modern narratives, “J.B.” explores themes of religion, suffering, family and hopelessness. Its first half recounts the moral trials God and Satan put J.B. through–– including the loss of his family and material possessions––while the second half focuses on his own internal faith and doubt. As a stagecraft student and an audience member on opening night, Peyton West ’23 said “J.B” reminded her to stay optimistic amid difficult times. “[The play] can really teach audience members about the power of believing, and not necessarily in a strictly religious way,” West said.

“It is hard to be optimistic some-

times, but believing in good helps to work things out in the end.”

Shanti Hinkin ’22, who plays J.B.’s wife Sarah, said the play prompted her to consider the ways good people can face agonizing struggles.

“Job is treated as this kind of circus puppet by God and Satan, which the [set designers] of ‘J.B.’ [highlighted] really well. It is quite haunting when you really think about it,” Hinkin said. “The play can be seen as religious or completely non-religious, and either way, it’s a story about love in all of its powerlessness to the evils of the world, as well as its power in rebuilding ourselves even in the face of terror.”

Audition sign-ups opened the first day of school and students were called back throughout the second week of the academic year. Roles were open to students of all identities, regardless of the original script’s intentions regarding gender and race for each role.

Meyer said every student who auditioned received a part.

Student musicians composed an original score for the production and performed it live.

With the guidance of Meyer, Pugh and Technical Director Aaron Martin, student stage managers helped construct stage sets and operate sound and lighting.

Spotlight Operator Manu Markman ’23 said helping the production behind the scenes was a fun and refreshing experience.

“With the

amount of work [stagecraft] hesive final product. puts in, we always hope the “Rehearsals were concommunity will enjoy the structed to work through production,” Markman said. each scene separately before “Whenever you get to try slipping each piece into its something new, you can al- place. Each and every actor ways learn from it. That’s created a backstory for their why I love doing stagecraft.” characters in order to bond Prior to dress rehearsals, and connect with the story in actors wore protective face [a] personal way,” Hines said. masks while performing “While ‘J.B.’ is a beautiful and unp l a y, derwent it is biweekly also a COVID-19 complex It is hard to be testing puzzle. It optimistic sometimes, throughout is made but believing in good the proup of helps to work things duction many out in the end.” process. differ—Peyton West ’23 Meyer ent s a i d these circumstances pieces that provided unique challenges we worked on as a cast to for the cast. put together for our “[Masks] made it harder [school] audience.” for the actors to be heard and In her director’s note, understood, and also made it Meyer said the central difficult to see facial expres- themes of “J.B” have become sions,” Meyer said. “We’re even more important followso happy [the Community ing the pandemic.

Health Office] figured out “Like Job’s world, ours, a way to let us do the play too, was hit by a disaster that without masks.” frightened millions, killed Samuel Hines ’24 plays a hundreds of thousands and p o l i c e offi- cer in the cut us off from the human p r o d u c - touch of our fellow beings tion. He for too long,” Meyer wrote said the in her director’s note. “More re h e a r s - than anything, we have reval process eled in the glow of each othwas both er’s company––despite being an individ- masked until the last week of ual and col- rehearsal––and have been so lective effort for thankful to be together again the cast, result- after the difficult isolation of ing in a more cothe last year and a half.”

“

ILLUSTRATIONS BY ALEXA DRUYANOFF

C2 A&E

The Chronicle

Nov. 17, 2021

K-pop fans and a former trainee share their thoughts on the pressure for perfection in the K-pop industry.

By Emmy Zhang

’22 said she notices the strict beauty standard enforced upon With notorious music K-pop idols, as well as the negagroups like Bangtan Boys tive impact it has on young and (BTS), Girls Generation, Neo impressionable fans.

“Almost all the idols I’ve seen Culture Technology (NCT) and Blackpink, K-pop has become are fair-skinned, skinny and an international sensation, ac- have small faces and big eyes,” cording to Rolling Stone. Over Usher said. “If they’re not a size the past 10 years, K-pop singers, zero, they’re considered unfit.

Because there’s so little known as “idols,” have diversity in what is actopped the Billboard cepted, fans, especially Hot 100, produced young kids, think they some of YouTube’s have to look that way highest trending muto be loved.” sic videos, won GramGriswold said the mys and have had ability of trainees to songs streamed at the fit these beauty stan2020 Tokyo Summer dards determines their Olympics. While their white’s success in the training lives appear glamorSkyler program. She said ous and carefree, idols Griswold ’24 the trainees permust undergo an intense preparation process for up formed monthly showcases before the owner of to 10 years.

According to former idol YG, who would assess trainee Skyler Griswold ’24, as- both their perforpiring K-pop idols begin their mance and visuals.

“If you made a careers by auditioning alongside thousands of other hopefuls in mistake or if your front of talent agencies. If the appearance was no agency shows interest, the per- longer ‘on-trend,’ former signs a contract agreeing within seconds, to participate in the company’s [the owner of training program, which in- YG] would devolves constant evaluations of cide that you their performance skills and were no longer physical appearance. Griswold in the comGrissaid the road to K-pop super- pany,” stardom is competitive and wold said. “It was definitely highly restrictive. to At 11 years old, Griswold stressful moved to Korea on her own in have to prove pursuit of a singing and per- yourself every and formance career. In Korea, she month auditioned to train as an idol live in fear that under Korean talent agency your dream YG Entertainment, where she would end so said she experienced firsthand quickly.”

Griswold the demanding life of K-pop idols. For 10 months, she spent said despite 12-hour days at the company’s the tense, training facility, developing her h i g h - p r e s skills in dancing, singing and in sure conditions of the trainthe Korean language.

Griswold said in addition to ing process, advancing her talents, the pro- m a n y gram tracked her eating habits of the to maintain a particular weight. trainees “They definitely wanted us felt to be thin and monitored how much we ate and how much we exercised,” Griswold said. “All of the meals given to us were very low in oil and salt. When we bought snacks, we had to hide them because the managers often checked on us to make sure we were keeping our calorie intake low.”

Echoing Griswold, avid K-pop listener Adrienne Usher

content with their lifestyle and were grateful for the rare opportunity to become an idol, a position that is associated with a great deal of honor.

“Their families at home would tell every relative and friend, ‘My child is a trainee at YG,’ which was a big deal to everyone,” Griswold said. “It was such an incredible source of pride for them that the trainees disregarded the demanding, restrictive way they were being treated and forced to live.”

Usher, who has a close friend who was a former trainee like Griswold, said leaving the program results in humiliation.

“People actually look down on those who don’t make it or shame those who give up because they are

considered mentally weak and crazy, and it’s so much stricter don’t have what it takes to than the expectations for westachieve fame,” Usher said. “It’s ern singers who often talk about really upsetting to me that in- their affairs and even describe stead of seeing the faults of the their drug and alcohol [abuse] system, people blame the train- in their songs.” ees and even worse, the trainees Ko said he disapproves of the blame themselves.” repressive lifestyle forced upon According to William Chan, idols. He said idols, like other the creative director of for- teens and young adults, should mer boyband have the freemember Mark dom to explore Tuan, even for and develop “[K-pop idols] the select few their identishould be treated trainees who ties while at a with acceptance and complete the young age. strict training “ [ Yo u n g have the freedom to process and bep e o p l e ] experience life.” come celebrity shouldn’t have performers, the —Jessica Wahl to follow such onerous condirules Upper School Librarian rigid tions on how they pershould act,” Ko sist. Chan said idols said. “It must be tough for them have to follow the to have to look perfect on camsame restrictions era and also maintain that perthey lived under fection when they’re off work. as trainees even af- They don’t ever get a break.” ter completing the Like Ko, Chan said he has training program. observed the pressures placed on Chan said the lifestyle idols to sustain a perfect public becomes even more de- image. He said although it is difmanding as they now live ficult, it makes them more allurunder public attention. ing to their followers.

“Mark takes his “A big part of [idols’] appeal position as a public is the way they appear unreachfigure and an idol able and superhuman,” Chan very seriously,” Chan said. “Sometimes when we run said. “Even if we’re into fans, they shout, ‘Oh my just going to the su- god, I can’t believe he’s real and permarket or out to he looks this perfect in real life dinner with friends, [and] not just on [television].” he always has to be Upper School Librarian and cautious of what K-pop fan Jessica Wahl said she he says, how he recognizes the motive for idols acts and who he to uphold a flawless reputation. surrounds him“I think the image of perfecself with. It blows tion is a marketing strategy that my mind how his publicists and talent agencies awareness of his ac- use to promote the idols,” Wahl tions and surroundings said. “They believe that the more have become ingrained perfect the idols seem, the more in his muscle memory loved and popular they’ll beand reflexes.” come, which means higher sales Matthew Ko ’23 said of albums and concert tickets.” there are restrictions Wahl said K-pop stars should placed on idols’ per- have the freedom to make choicsonal lives: if they are es in their lives without facing caught dating, drinking public scrutiny. or experimenting with “Sometimes it’s easy to forget drugs, their careers end. that they’re just humans,” Wahl “I’ve heard that when said. “They face challenges and a rumor gets out that an struggles and make mistakes like idol is involved in a ro- everybody else. I know this goes mantic relationship, the against the traditional expectacompany that represents tion of K-pop idols, but I think them forces them to write it’s important for us to see that a letter confessing their ‘in- crack in their facade, realize that appropriate’ behavior and they are human, should be treatapologizing to their ed with the same acceptance and fans for disappointing have the freedom to experience them,” Ko said. “It’s life like everybody else.”

“

ILLUSTRATION BY ALEXA DRUYANOFF AND SYDNEY FENER

Nov. 17, 2021

hwchronicle.com/A&E

A&E C3 Chronicle staff members share recipes and stories from their families and cultural Thanksgiving traditions.

By Allegra Drago Whoever said too many cooks in the kitchen was a bad thing has never been to my house on Thanksgiving. Coming from an Italian family, holidays that revolve around food are made better by the more cooks there are.

Similar to traditional American Thanksgiving, Italian immigrant Thanksgiving has always been about bringing the family together and cooking large portions of food.

I’m not going to pretend my family has any idea of the meaning behind this holiday, other than it being an excuse to cook enough food to feed twice the number of people who end up at the table. Nonetheless, it is a great way to spend time with my family. We take Italian culinary staples and integrate them into traditional Thanksgiving cuisine.

Although this day brings my family together, there is plenty of bickering between my dad and his brothers about who is responsible for cooking which dish.

This leads to disagreement and everyone meddles with each other’s dishes behind their backs. All of this tampering often results in certain dishes being overly salted or a little burnt.

My family members spend hours perfecting the turkey, but it is not the highlight of our meal. Year after year, the most anticipated dish to come out of the oven is the pumpkin lasagna. In place of traditional Italian lasagna recipes, this recipe substitutes tomato sauce for a bechamel one, with pumpkin and sage. Additionally, we spend hours cooking

traditional Italian dishes such as risotto, osso buco and cannolis for dessert.

ALLEGRA DRAGO/CHRONICLE

By Fallon Dern

FALLON DERN/CHRONICLE

By Ella Yadegar When my grandparents immigrated to the United States just before the Iranian Revolution of 1979, they had never experienced an American holiday. As a result, the food at my family’s first Thanksgiving consisted of a turkey surrounded by traditional Persian food from Iran. My family now gathers every year to celebrate Thanksgiving as a part of our American identity.

But even as our Thanksgiving meals have become more westernized with American staples such as mashed potatoes, buttered rolls and pie, my family has continued to include Persian food in our Thanksgiving dinner.

In addition to the turkey, my family eats sabzi polo, an herbed rice side dish made with parsley, tarragon and cilantro. This rice

is a classic dish in Iran, and my grandparents and great-grandparents often made it in Iran during Nowruz, the Iranian New Year, before they immigrated to America.

During my family’s annual Thanksgiving gatherings, the dessert is mostly influenced by Persian culture. My family still enjoys pumpkin pie with vanilla ice cream, but the most popular dessert in my family is bastani zaferani, or Persian ice cream made with saffron and rosewater. Iranians, including my grandparents, commonly serve it between two vanilla wafers. To complement the sweetness of the ice cream, we drink chai tea at the end of our Thanksgiving meal. Although chai orig-

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday, as my mom and I both have birthdays during the week and we don’t have work or school.

Don’t get me wrong– that does not mean I like sharing my birthday with Thanksgiving and my mother. It simply means I like receiving gifts and eating food, which I’m pretty sure is just a universal thing.

Our food, which combines traditional American dishes with Korean cuisine, follows this theme of hybrid celebrations.

The dining table hosts plates of turkey, butternut squash souffle, bulgogi and japchae. The table

also hosts my family members, but that’s not as important.

I play translator in between bites, making use of my limited Korean to win my family’s favor and ask them to move the rice closer to my seat. Topics also range from birthday wishes to discussions of Korean pop culture, which typically end in my elders asking me to sing in Korean. I never do.

I then watch as my sister pretends to know how to use chopsticks and eventually sneak to the kitchen to pass her a fork. We eat until our pants are nearly unbuttoned and our stomachs are full.

At the end of the night, I look onto our table and find comfort in how, despite the barriers that language, age and time built between us, a good meal can keep our family close every single year.

ELLA YADEGAR/CHRONICLE

inated in India, it has become a staple of Persian culture and cuisine. The drink contains black tea with spices like cinnamon and cardamom and is a lovely way to round out the holiday.

ILLUSTRATIONS BY ALEXA DRUYANOFF AND GEORGIA GOLDBERG

C4 A&E

The Chronicle

By Georgia Goldberg

es in their lives that happened during lockdown last year and Juniors and seniors show- also continue to emphasize [the cased their artwork in the importance of ] process in their Visual Arts exhibit, Still Pro- artworks,” Thompson said.

Thompson said the return of cessing, which premiered on campus Nov. 2 in the Feld- visual arts in person improved student morale and the quality of man-Horn Gallery.

Visual Arts teacher Conor their work.

“Our students are overjoyed Thompson said a group of students in a video art class sug- and grateful to be back in pergested the title, and the Visual son,” Thompson said. “The posArts Department ultimately itive impact of the daily exchangselected it because they want- es they have with their peers are ed a title representative of all reflected in their creativity and work. It’s so important to have fields of art.

“Our student artists are still that exchange and learn from processing the massive chang- each other to develop creatively.”

Advanced Placement (AP) Studio Art student Gemma Lippman ’22 said the exhibit reflects her transition from creating art over Zoom to once again creating art in person.

“I think the title of PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF GEMMA LIPPMAN the show re-

By Vasilia Yordanova The Upper School choir program left for an overnight retreat in the San Bernardino Mountains on Nov. 13.

Chamber Singers, Bel Canto and Jazz Singers stayed at the Alpine Meadows Retreat Center. All three choirs rehearsed together and sang in their individual groups.

Chamber Singers President Shanti Hinkin ’22 said she was grateful to have an in-person retreat after singing for virtual performances over Zoom throughout the pandemic.

“Choir is one of those things that was really hard to emulate on Zoom,” Hinkin said. “Singing together and the bond an ensemble can have is something really unique about being in choir. Being in person this year has made choir a spe-

ally speaks to not only the process of having to create art over Zoom, but also to the fact that we are all still developing and growing as artists constantly,” Lippman said.

Lippman also said that the camaraderie present in her art classroom provides a much more productive environment for creating art than her bedroom.

“Being surrounded by my classmates and teacher makes being creative and staying focused much easier,” Lippman said.

Photography II student Baxter Chelsom ’23 said his featured photography work was inspired by the mental health challenges students faced during quarantine.

“My photo is from this series I was working on about anxiety and how it affects people in countless situations and can show up in the most unexpected places,” Chelsom said. “I, and many others, are still processing how to deal with anxiety.”

Chelsom also said he enjoyed seeing his peers’ artwork displayed in the gallery.

“I loved seeing all different kinds of visual arts in one place,” Chelsom said. “It was awesome to see what other students are working on.”

AP Studio Art student Eva

Salas ’22 said the title of the exhibit encapsulates the development of her art, as well as her personal growth. She said her piece explores divine representation as well as the nature of mortality and death.

“I take ‘Still Processing’ pretty literally,” Salas said. “[My] piece is helping me process and work through my thoughts on death and the soul.”

Salas said her time in the art room is the highlight of each school day and serves as an effective way to de-stress.

“My schedule is much more

packed and I tend to be more tired, so having art classes blocked out in my day is so helpful and keeps me from painting at ungodly hours in the night,” Salas said.

Salas said she was excited for her work to be displayed, although it felt intimidating to see such personally introspective work hanging on the gallery walls.

“I feel like for most people creating art is highly personal and vulnerable, no matter what aspect you examine,” Salas said.

cial experience, and I am so glad their individual and collective we were able to coordinate a re- singing abilities. treat to bring us closer together.”

“Choir retreat was full of memJazz Singer and Chamber ories [that] we will keep with us Singer Isaac Tiu ’24 said it be- throughout the school year,” Tiu came clear to him on the bus to said. “The room we sang in had the mountains, that the retreat beautiful acoustics, and we surwould be amazprised ourselves ing for him and with the differhis peers. ence this trip From the start, “From the has made to how we were getting to start, we were well we sing.” getting to know Chamber know each other during each other Singer Emily the bus ride by playing during the bus Malkan ’23 said games and singing.” ride by playing she felt closer games and singwith her friends —Isaac Tiu ’24 in the choirs afing,” Tiu said.

“When we got ter having excitto the mouning experiences tains, we had a Jazz Singers re- in the mountains they could not hearsal with some of our favorite emulate in Los Angeles. songs from the school year.”

“We went on a spontaneous Tiu said the retreat was suc- nature walk to explore the forest, cessful in bonding the three which was really awesome,” Malchoirs together and improving kan said. “Later in the evening we

sang and ate together like a family, even with people who were not in the same grade or choir as ourselves. All the choirs had a more unified sound by the end of the retreat.”

Chamber Singers Soprano Section Leader Marine Degryse said retreats are an important part of solidifying a sense of community among the three choir groups.

“Having experienced past choir trips, I know they are really some of the only times we get to be together outside the classroom,” Degryse said.

“Therefore retreats give us the perfect opportunity to not [only] be choir students but to also be friends who share the same interests and hobbies.

These friendships [are able to] last a lifetime.”

Having attended a Coffee- I thought this would be a great house performance before, Jessica chance to finally get to,” ThompThompson ’23 said she was excit- son said. “[Chang] and I praced for her first time performing ticed a couple of times the week in the event. before the show in the school’s “Watching the performanc- music practice rooms whenever es last year on we could.”

Zoom is what Chang said [Chang] and I initially sparked he has enjoyed my interest in working with practiced a couple of the coffeehouse, Thompson and times the week before and I have been experiencing her the show in the school’s musical process wanting to perform in one ever in the past. music practice rooms since,” Thomp“We are whenever we could.” son said. “Espefriends, and cially in person.”

—Jessica Thompson ’23 we’ve performed Accompanied before at the by guitarist Josh South Pasadena Chang ’23, Thompson sang John farmers market together, so when Legend’s “Ordinary People” for [Thompson] asked me about her Coffeehouse performance. [performing with her for] Cof“This song has been one of feehouse, I was happy to particmy favorites for a long time, and ipate,” Chang said.

I’ve never performed it before, so Singer Kieran Cooper ’23 said

performing at Coffeehouse can help increase a student performer’s confidence.

“I would recommend Coffeehouse to other students because I still get super nervous when talking in front of large groups,” Cooper said. “Performing helps immensely with those kinds of skills which you can also use in other aspects of your life.”

Cooper said the widely varied group of performers in attendance adds to the overall Coffeehouse experience.

“My favorite thing about Coffeehouse is getting the opportunity to see everyone’s different performing styles,” Cooper said. “I also love seeing everyone get to showcase their individual talents and artistry. Seeing them inspires me a lot as a songwriter.”

“

By Becca Berlin

ILLUSTRATION BY SYDNEY FENER

Nov. 17, 2021

Prefect Council hosted the first Coffeehouse of the year Nov. 15 in Chalmers after school. Featuring student performances in music, poetry and dance, the event marks the return of on-campus Coffeehouses after a year of performances held on Zoom.

Junior Prefect Aiko Offner ’23 said she looked forward to the return of in-person Coffeehouse performances this year.

“Coffeehouse has a tradition of being an amazing, warm and supportive space for everyone at school, and we wanted to bring it back, especially because it was hard to create that same atmosphere on Zoom,” Offner said. “I was so excited to create that same environment again.”

“

PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF BAXTER CHELSOM

ILLUSTRATION BY SYDNEY FENER

Sports The Chronicle • Nov. 17, 2021

PERFECTING PERFORMANCE

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1.

JUSTIN GOLDSTEIN/CHRONICLE

SEASON READY: 1. Jaydon Faal ’22 rolls his legs in the sports medicine facility. 2. While in Strength and Conditioning class, Echo Caise ’24 is spotted by a teammate as he benchpresses. 3.

Athletic Trainer Dunford Rodill checks the range of motion of Lily Weisskopf’s ’23 shoulder in the Sports Science class. 4. Ollin DeAntonio ’22 exercises after school to train for the soccer season.

By Leo Saperstein

class, emphasizing proper athletic technique and injury prevention.

As he sprinted around the track, Ollin “We normally start off class with injury DeAntonio ’22 felt the cold fog against his prevention protocol, which entails showface as he ran another lap. All around, his ing our athletes how to take care of their teammates’ shoes softly pattered against bodies and [warm up] muscles they will the track, their exhausted breaths echoing be using for the day,” Amazan said. “After that, we shift to a light warmup and conhis own.

DeAntonio pushed to maintain his ditioning or speed series out on the field. pace as he passed Wrestling Program Head That is followed by a strength session, Junior Amazan, who held a stopwatch in where we look at strengthening patterns his hand. It was Block 1, just after 8 a.m., that [players] use constantly on the field of and DeAntonio and his teammates were play. Finally, we finish up with some auxin the middle of an endurance exercise for iliary work that focuses on smaller but extremely important muscles to our sport.” their Strength and Conditioning class.

In preparation for the upcoming socIn its first year being offered at the school, the Strength and Conditioning cer season, Amazan said he transferred his course gives student-athletes the opportu- focus away from weight training and tonity to complete their training and weight ward movement quality. He said although lifting sessions during the school day. the class requires intense physical engageDeAntonio said there are few downsides ment during the school day, participating to the new training routine, and he cited student-athletes come to the class willing more free time after school and a mental to put in their best effort.

“Our athletes are pretty self-motivated, break in the middle of the day as benefits but in order to keep them focused, I conof the class. stantly remind them of their ultimate team “I would say the best part of lifting [during the school day] is that you can relax goals,” Amazan said. “I help them visualize from schoolwork and have fun with your what it will feel like when they reach their teammates,” DeAntonio said. “[However], goals and continue to remind them how it is inconvenient sometimes that, after the great they are and how unstoppable they can be if they continue to work hard.” lift, we shower and have to rush to Boys soccer team center declass in the break period.” fender Asher Rossen ’23 DeAntonio said Amasaid the Strength and zan plans a different Conditioning class workout every class, allows him to bring each one focused on full energy to his a new aspect of the workouts. sport the class’s “I get the athletes play for. hardest [part of “Coach Amamy] workout zan is the boys out of the way soccer team liftearly, rather ing coach and than saving it works with [Boys for the end of Soccer Program the day and beHead Michael ing drained and Erush] to prepare exhausted going into us for the upcoming it,” Rossen said. season,” DeAntonio said.

Rossen said although E L L C EO S “We usually do some form A PE R S TE I N/ C H RO N I the Strength and Conditionof fitness, such as running long ing course saves him time after distance or sprint repetitions.” school, he struggles at times to resume acaAmazan said the Athletic Department demic classes because he feels drained after offers the Strength and Conditioning class the weight lifting. to members of the boys soccer team, boys “I thought [taking the class] would be water polo team and boys basketball team more efficient because I could either go during the majority of their seasons. He home early or do homework after school,” said he takes a regimented approach to his Rossen said. “It can be a little bit mentally

4.

exhausting just because—let’s say you have thought learning more about the subject a test after [the class]—it can be a little and the logistics of it would be awesome.”

Girls soccer right winger Dani Lynch harder to focus when you are just focusing ’23 said her sister Ally Lynch ’21, a Divion trying to steady your breathing.”

Boys Soccer Program Head Michael sion I soccer player at Clemson University, Erush said while the Strength and Condi- advised her to take Sports Science: Care tioning class prevents the entire team from and Performance. Lynch said taking the lifting together, he thinks his players are class helps her learn more about her body developing an understanding of the pur- as an athlete.

“I know the teachers well since they are pose of sports performance through the class. either trainers or weight lifting coaches,” “[Amazan and I] have had a preLynch said. “I think they give great season meeting, and we’ve perspectives on athletes’ injuhad meetings throughout ry prevention and recovthe workouts,” Erush ery. They have helped said. “There’s been me gain a great una lot of positive derstanding of the feedback from curriculum, and the players [have] taught and there’s me a lot that been positive can help me as feedback an athlete.” from [AmaAlthough zan] himshe said she self, so we had enjoyed are heading the academic in the right aspects of the direction. At class, Lynch said least there is a she is particularly foundation of interested in the strength in Sports interactive activities, Performance for [the F PR OP during which students INT SK soccer team].”

ED EIS W WITH Y L LI F learn to analyze situations P O E R N M O IS SI The Sports Science: like an athletic trainer would.

Care and Performance class takes “The highlight of the class is after lecplace in the girls locker room across from tures when we do activities that expand on the weights room. Taught by Directors of Sports Medicine Dunford Rodill and Jeff what we learn in lectures,” Lynch said. “For Crelling and Executive Assistant to the example, after we had a lecture on concusHead of Athletics Julianna Souisa, Lily sions, we did a [Sports Concussion AssessWeisskopf ’23 said the course focuses on ment Tool 5 (SCAT5)] test, a concussion human anatomy and the effects of sports- protocol test. It was really fun to see how trainers test athletes and gain understandrelated injuries on the body.

“So far, the class has consisted of learn- ings of their condition through the test.”

Crelling said the purpose of the Sports ing about different bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, [etc.], in our bodies and Science course is to actively engage stuhow they function in different sports, as dents with the physiology of sports and to well as how they can be injured in differ- inform them of different occupations in ent sports,” Weisskopf said. “We’ve also sports medicine.

“Our goal for the class is to expose stubeen learning about different methods and dents to some of the different professional planes of movements our bodies can do.”

Weisskopf said her grandfather’s career areas that exist in sports today,” Crelling said. as a doctor partially inspired her to take “There are some intersections of science and sport that meet in the areas of human care the course. “[My grandfather] just retired, but he and performance, which can be really interwas an orthopedic surgeon for decades and esting and rewarding careers. If our students therefore dealt with many sports injuries,” walk away with a new interest in science as it Weisskopf said. “He let me sit in on a few pertains to the human body or a heightened of his surgeries [on sports injuries] too, appreciation for the complexity of sports, which made me even more interested. I then I think the class has met its goal.”

3.

D2 Sports

The Chronicle

Nov. 17, 2021

Game to watch December 1 Girls Soccer vs. Santa Ynez High School The girls soccer team will play Santa Ynez High School in its first game of the season Dec. 1. Led by Girls Soccer Program Head Richard Simms, the squad went 18-0 overall with a 6-0 record in league play and capped off their undefeated season with a CIFSS Division I Championship win.

Simms said he and the team prepared thoroughly for the upcoming season.

“We spend two days on the field training and two days in the weight room doing sports performance,” Simms said. “We have lots of talent and a really great group of girls.”

Key Player Alyssa Thompson Striker Alyssa Thompson, who led the team with 48 goals last season, was awarded the Sophomore of the Year Award by Cal-Hi Sports. Thompson said she hopes to maintain the team’s high standard this winter season.

“We had great connections on the team, and the seniors brough a different level of experience,” Thompson said. “I look forward to continuing the culture we have imbedded into our team in our upcoming season.”

Final Regular Season Records Field Hockey Final Record: 14-2

Boys Water Polo Final Record: 22-5

Football Final Record: 5-6

Girls Volleyball Final Record: 25-8

Girls Tennis Final Record: 12-3

KATE BURRY/CHRONICLE

DYNAMIC DOUBLES DUO: Singles and doubles player Julia Coffey ’22 prepares to play a point while singles and doubles player Chelsea Liu ’22 tosses up the ball for a serve. The team finished the season 12-3 overall, losing to University Irvine High School in the CIF-SS Open Division Playoffs on Nov. 5.

Girls tennis team wins Mission League title

By Danny Johnson The girls tennis team beat Marlborough High School 108, winning the Mission League Championship on Oct. 19.

The Wolverines finished their season with 10 consecutive victories, reaching an overall record for the season of 12-3.

The team’s top-eight finish in Division I and league championship victory last season earned the team a spot in the 2021 CIF-SS Open Division, the highest regional division.

Doubles and singles player Margaret Piatos ’23 said she attributes the team’s success to Girls Tennis Program Head Jelena Durisic’s encouragement.

“The team [played] pretty well overall,” Piatos said. “We placed first in the Mission League and

played in the Open Division in CIF-SS. Coach [Durisic] has always been there to develop our game and boost our morale. Our team is super close, and we have all become good friends, even outside [of] high school tennis.”

In the Mission League individual tournament, Piatos and singles player Kimberly Tan ’22 both advanced to the final championship round, competing against top-ranked players from schools such as Marlborough, Louisville and Chaminade. Piatos defeated Tan in the championship match, winning the tournament.

Piatos said being a new student has played a big part in her athletic success, as she felt the need to prove her abilities to her teammates.

“It felt super rewarding [to win] the individual tournament,”

Piatos said. “Joining the school as a new tenth grader was super intimidating, and I felt like I had to prove myself to be a notable member of the school community. I trained very hard for the individual tournament, and defeating good players was very difficult, but I had the team in mind as I worked to be champion.”

Taylor Chanaratsopon ’23 said she was happy with the way the team played this season and is already envisioning playing in upcoming seasons.

“I thought we did well this season, and it makes me happy that we all get along really great as a team,” Chanaratsopon said. “Next year, I think we should play more out-ofleague matches so we can be more challenged throughout the season and ready for CIF.”

Annabelle Nickoll ’23 said as the season progressed, the squad’s teamwork grew more apparent.

“This season, the team put in a lot of work on and off the court,” Nickoll said. “We all got a lot better as players and got closer as teammates.”

Reflecting on the team’s seniors, Chanaratsopon said she appreciated the leadership of her older teammates and will miss them after they graduate.

“I thought they were really good leaders and always had team spirit,” Chanaratsopon said. “This year, everyone on the team got along really well and formed friendships. Since half of the team is graduating next year, it will be really sad without some of the seniors, but it will give us a chance to create more friendships with new team members.”

Squad competes in state tournament

By Charlie Seymour After defeating Redondo Union High School 3-2 in the first round of California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section (CIF-SS) Division 1 playoffs, girls volleyball lost to Marymount High School 3-0 in the second round Oct. 27. The team held an overall record of 25-8 and a Mission League record of 6-2.

After losing twice to Marymount High School during league play, the team closed out its season finishing second overall in the Mission League.

Outside hitter Ava Lange ’23 said she attributes many of the season’s successes to the players’ perseverance and the squad’s supportive community.

“We were able to go so far this season because of our great coaching staff and [because] each girl on the team was so willing to improve their play and push each other to become the best players we can be,” Lange said. “If we continue our same work ethic

and drive, we will have the same success next [season].”

Outside hitter Sophia Lindus ’22 said despite each player playing to win, the team was still able to enjoy the game.

“This team genuinely has a lot of fun playing together, and when we tap into that joy, we’re able to play cohesively,” Lindus said. “When we’re in that mindset we’re not worried about winning or losing, because we’re so focused on the present moment.

The score will speak for itself.”

Despite losing in the CIF-SS playoffs, the team qualified for the CIF Division 1 State Championship tournament, which began Nov. 9. This qualification marks the first time girls volleyball has made the state tournament in the past four years.

The team, slotted as the third seed in the southern division of the tournament, beat 14th seed Westview High School 3-0. It advanced to play sixth seed Torrey Pines High School on Nov. 11.

Torrey Pines advanced to the next round of the tournament after

defeating 11th seed Huntington Beach High School 3-2.

Lange said the team must work to piece together each individual player’s abilities in order to become the best version of themselves during the remainder of the state tournament.

“Every person on this team comes from a different volleyball background, but we put that all aside and played together and without fear whenever [we are competing] against schools where volleyball is their number one priority,” Lange said.

Lindus said this year marks a bittersweet ending to her school volleyball career.

“I have learned how to be a better leader both on and off the court by understanding the team’s emotions and [responding to] what they need in a given situation,” Lindus said. “I really appreciate how big of a role everyone has on this team. Everyone will just keep maturing and growing together and although [we] seniors won’t be there, I’m really excited to see how they do.”

JUSTIN GOLDSTEIN/CHRONICLE

READY TO STRIKE: Avery Jones ’23 tosses up a serve in a 3-0 victory against Westview High School in the first round of CIF State Playoffs.

Nov. 17, 2021

hwchronicle.com/sports

Ready, En Garde!

Sports D3

Members of the fencing team provide insight into how the team is preparing for tournaments.

inbrief

Milburn ’22 commits to University of Richmond

By Davis Marks Track and field sprinter Lauryn Milburn ’22 announced her commitment to the University of Richmond on Nov. 8.

Following her commitment, Milburn said she is ecstatic to have the opportunity to run track in college. She said she feels extremely grateful to continue running.

“The process of committing to Richmond left me with extreme excitement, but the emotion I feel most right now is gratitude,” Milburn said. “It reminded me of all of the work I have put in to get to this point and how much support I have gotten throughout this process.”

Alex Adishian ’23 to join Berkeley beach volleyball

By Andrew Park ANDREW PARK/ CHRONICLE

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT: Edward Ward ’24 and David Chen ’24 participate in a fencing bout in the school’s parking lot during their practice after school to prepare for their upcoming tournaments and to sharpen their skills for the upcoming season. Team members have practices three days a week.

By Andrew Park

ognition or resources that other teams at the school do.

Wadhwani said she aspires to After a year without competition during the pandemic, the control her anxiety better this fencing team is preparing for upcoming season.

“I get pretty nervous before tournaments again this season.

Fencing Program Head Erika matches,” Wadhwani said. “I hope Velarde said the team—which to control my emotions better.”

“We win the [team event of competes in the epee, saber and foil styles—was undeterred by the Scholastic Fencing League] last year’s lack of competition. nearly every year, but we get no She said she is proud of the team’s recognition [compared to other sports], and we are forced to effort and perseverance.

“During the pandemic, we practice in a really small space.”

Epee fencer Simon did not have the opporWacziarg ’23 said he tunity to have any comalso wants fencing to petitions, but the team receive more support worked very hard [over from the student body.

Zoom],” Velarde said.

“I do not think most “When we returned to people at the school the school in March, we take fencing very seriwere able to practice in ously, and a lot of peothe school’s parking lot, ple react to me saying I and all the kids were white’s fence as kind of a weird happy to do their sport Simon thing to do,” Wacziarg and come back.”

Wacziarg ’23 said. “Fencing is an inAlthough the team teresting and challengwas unable to participate in practices in-person for ing sport at a high level, and a nearly a year, Velarde said she is fencing bout where both fencers still positive and looking forward are really trying their best can be an incredibly enjoyable thing to to a successful season. “[I hope] to have a very strong watch, making it a shame that team for the team events,” Ve- many students have never seen larde said. “[Trying] to win the us in action before.”

Epee fencer Walker McGinley Scholastic League trophy again is ’22 said he enjoys practicing at also an important goal for me.”

Epee fencer Liana Wadhwani school with his teammates and is ’22 said while the team consis- excited to participate in tournatently wins major champion- ments again.

“There were no tournaments ships, they do not receive the rec-

to go to [during the pandemic, endurance, and we have defiand competitions are] my favor- nitely improved drastically since ite part about the sport,” McGin- we started training in August. ley said. “School practices con- That is only going to continue sisted of Zoom workouts, which throughout the season.” we could’ve honestly done on Chen said he hopes to gain a our own, so it is great to finally mental edge over his opponents be practicing in the fencing room this season. with all of my teammates.”

“I definitely feel that I need to McGinley said the student and have worked on my mental body’s perception of the fencing game,” Chen said. “Some fencers team should change. may disagree with me and some “Many kids think that we fencers may agree with me, but do fencing as a way to get free a large percentage of fencing is [physical education] credit,” Mc- mental. This season, I aim to be Ginley said. “It as precise, coolis going to take minded and time to shake off focused in my [Trying] to win that reputation, matches as posthe Scholastic League but the members sible, controlof the fencing Trophy again is also an ling everything team are serious important goal for me.” I do and aiming about the sport for a victory.” and are working Chen said — Liana Wadhwani ’22 hard to improve although fenctheir craft.” ing may seem Epee fencer Brian Chen said like an individualistic sport, the the team has been training hard team’s chemistry dictates their not only to get back into their achievements in all tournaments rhythm but also to refine their they participate in. fencing skills.

“From the outside, fencing “By the time in-person prac- might seem very individualistic, ticing resumed, a lot of us were which is understandable because lacking in training and con- it’s an individual event,” Chen ditioning and hadn’t actually said. “But as a member of [the fenced in bouts with other people fencing team], I can tell you that for a long period of time,” Chen our team is the most important said. “However, under [Velarde’s] thing to succeed in what we do leadership, we are continuing to because camaraderie helps drive improve many facets of the sport us to push ourselves to become such as footwork, blade work and even better and win.”

By Allegra Drago

that her horse, Lykke Li-Terma Z, could not compete in the Junior Varsity Medal after she was injured during the equitation flat.

“We had to scratch [the Junior Varsity Medal] because my horse was not feeling that great,” Park said. “It might have been the footing [in the arena], but she also wasn’t feeling great the day before, so it was best not have my horse compete in the tournament while she is possible injured.”

Shamonki said she was glad to be back in the arena representing the school since quarantine.

“We haven’t had a competition since the pandemic, so I’m glad to return to the sport alongside my peers,” Shamonki said.

“

Alex Adishian ’23 shared her commitment to further her academic and beach volleyball career at the University of California, Berkeley via social media Oct. 16.

“In addition to attending a school that is strong academically, I also wanted to play beach volleyball at a high level and win a NCAA title,” Adishian said. “At [UC Berkeley], I can do both.”

Adishian said after visiting UC Berkeley, she knew she wanted to be a future Bear and is thankful for all the support she has received.

“I am very fortunate for the support of my family and friends,” Adishian said “They have been so important throughout the process.”

Quintero ’22 to become a Columbia lion runner

By Jaden Bobb Varsity cross country runner Daniela Quintero ’22 committed to run Division I cross country at Columbia University on Oct. 31.

After visiting Columbia University for the first time in 2018, Quintero said it immediately became her dream school.

“It is difficult to describe what it means to have found ‘the perfect fit,’ but as soon as I met Coach Ireland and the team, I knew that Columbia was the perfect fit for me,” Quintero said. “I will be surrounded by driven students, and it would not be a dream complete without being back on a team with my sister in one of the greatest cities in the world.”

Equestrian begins its season

The equestrian team participated in the Interscholastic Equestrian League on Nov. 7. Team captain Cosette Shamonki ’23 won champion in the overall dressage competition category. Five members of the team competed in a combination of the hunter, jumper and dressage classes.

Through her role as captain, Shamonki said she hopes to promote team chemistry and unity.

“I’d like to get more people supporting each other,” Shamonki said. “It’s difficult since we are an individual sport. We’re all focused on ourselves, our times and our horses and our scores.”

Shamonki said her horse, Breitling, was important to her success in the competition.

“We went into the arena working to get the best score that we could, which can sometimes be difficult because sometimes my horse and I disagree on what works best,” Shamonki said.

Rider Ava Park ’24 said she was excited to showcase her skills riding on her new horse, Lykke LiTerma Z. “I competed in working, the Handy Hunter, the equitation over fences and then the equitation flat,” Park said. “They all went pretty well, our best round was the equitation over fences.”

Park said she was disappointed

ANDREW PARK/ CHRONICLE

GIDDY UP: During the equestrian’s team first tournament this season, Ava Park ’24 jumps over a three foot fence with her horse, Lykee Li-Terma Z.

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The Chronicle

Nov. 17, 2021

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HOMECOMING HOCKEY: As the opposing team gets ready to defend the corner, right back Maddie Redmond ’23 inserts the ball during their match against Marina High School.

By Leo Saperstein Girls field hockey defeated Huntington Beach High School in the Tournament of Champions, winning its fourth consecutive CIF-equivalent championship Oct. 31. The team finished the fall season with a 14-2 overall record and a 5-2 record in league play.

The squad lost twice to Bonita High School during the regular season, by scores of 2-0 and 2-1 Sept. 23 and Oct. 12, respectively before defeating them with a 4-0 win inn the Tournament of Champions semifinals.

Left forward and midfielder Sarina Smolev ’22 said the team learned from their first two matches against Bonita High

School and implemented gameplan changes in preparation for their playoff tournament.

“The most challenging parts of the [season] were our two losses to [Bonita High School],” Smolev said. “Even though we weren’t able to keep our undefeated streak, we pushed past those losses and worked harder to beat them in the semifinals.”

Smolev said she attributes the team’s postseason success to Field Hockey Program Head Erin Creznic’s ability to motivate players on the field. “[Program Head Erin Creznic] has played a huge part in the success of our team this year by pushing us to work our hardest during both practices and games and also to make the

most of our first season [after COVID-19],” Smolev said.

Creznic said she emphasizes teamwork in practices, which allows the team to rely less on its captains in important games.

“While we have some outstanding talent on the team, field hockey is really a team sport and one can only succeed as a team,” Creznic said. “While we certainly depended on our captains and having them play strong games, we knew we wouldn’t be successful in harder matches if we didn’t trust and use everyone to overcome our stronger opponents.”

Creznic said next year’s team will need to focus on teamwork as the star talent of year’s senior class departs.

“We were blessed to have so many incredible seniors this year on the team as well as some outstanding underclassmen,” Creznic said. “It will be even more crucial to work as a team next year after the graduation of our seniors.”

Right midfielder and left forward Naalah Cohen ’23 said she views the team’s strong chemistry as a key component of the championship win.

“I think that our team has grown more cohesive as teammates and as players,” Cohen said. “Earlier in the season, I think that there was a disconnect between us while playing, and it was hard for players to trust [each other]. Yet as the season progressed, as a result of

time and hard work, [we were] able to play truly as a team.”

Cohen said the team’s optimistic attitude and skilled senior players fueled the team’s success during both regular and post-season play.

“I think our team’s mentality and the seniors were the greatest factors that led to our team’s victory,” Cohen said. “Our team always made sure to uplift each other and stay positive. During our difficult games, this was really important in order to keep up morale.”

The Wolverines offseason will be only a few months, as team practices will resume in the spring. Next year, the team will have a new goal to win their fifth consecutive championship.

ILLUSTRATION BY SOPHIA EVANS

Nov. 17, 2021

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The team has won

4

Field hockey was ranked

consecutive league championships.

no.

2 88%.

40 in Southern California, according to MaxPreps.

The team’s win percentage for the 2021 season was Leading scorer Bella Ganocy ’22 scored

The team maintained a margin of victory of

goals in the season.

5.7

goals per game.

JULIAN ANDREONE/CHRONICLE

DEFENSIVE PROWESS: Left forward and midfielder Sarina Smolev ’22 steals the ball from an attacker from Bonita High School while co-captain and center midfielder Fiene Oerlemans ’22 provides defensive backup.

JULIAN ANDREONE/CHRONICLE

WEAVING THROUGH THE DEFENSE: Forward Bella Ganocy ’22 pushes through two defenders during a regular season game against Bonita High School, which they lost 0-2.

The Wolverines would lose one more match to Bonita High School in the regular season before eventually defeating Bonita in the Tournament of Champions semifinals by a score of 4-0.

“

It was such an honor to be named MVP of the Sunset League this season, especially considering how strong the competition for the award was. I give a lot of credit to [Field Hockey Program Head Erin Creznic] for enabling me to reach this level.”

— Fiene Oerlemans ’22 Field Hockey Co-Captain

ILLUSTRATIONS BY SOPHIA EVANS

JULIAN ANDREONE/CHRONICLE

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Nov. 17, 2021

Athletes undertake DEI work

By Paul Kurgan The athletic department began a new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) training program for the boys basketball and girls soccer teams this fall in order to foster inclusivity among athletic teams.

Head of Athletics Terry Barnum said the inspiration for this program sprung from watching the ESPN documentary, “Life as Matt.” The documentary centers around the life story of competitive track runner Matt Dawkins, a transgender teen from New Jersey who ran in men’s track competitions after transitioning from female to male.

Barnum said after watching this film, he was determined to make the school’s programs more inclusive and diverse.

“Athletics is all about collaboration, competition and interdependence,” Barnum said in an email. “This makes truly understanding and respecting your teammates, and those against whom you compete, for who they authentically are and what they bring to the team and sport very important.”

In the last five years, the school has set up several annual programs as part of its DEI such as the Pollyanna Conference, the Southern California Diversity Recruiting Fair, the Civil Rights

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Trip and the Student Diversity Leadership Conference which organized a DEI audit last year.

Barnum said emphasizing DEI in sports is a crucial part of the school’s push for inclusion and fosters an even stronger bond between the athletes.

“Sports are a reflection of life,” Barnum said. “In life, you will encounter triumphs and setbacks. Our chances for success improve when teams have a deep understanding of each other and appreciation for the various talents and life experiences we bring to the table. DEI training encourages athletes and coaches to think critically about the world they compete in and ways that diversity makes our teams stronger.”

In 2020, 18 states passed laws that banned transgender student

athletes from playing on school teams according to the American Civil Liberties Union. Upper School Coordinator of DEI Reb Limerick said incorporating DEI training into sports programs is essential and is something that needs to continue.

“I reached out to [Terry Barnum] to ask how [our sports programs] support gender-nonconforming athletes and/or educates cisgender athletes to be better allies to their transgender peers,” Limerick said in an email. “We both acknowledged [DEI training] was an excellent first step and that the work needs to continue beyond a onetime training.”

Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Janine Jones led discussions with the teams about race and gender bias in sports,

exploring ways in which teams could shift their rhetoric and language to be more inclusive of their teammates. Forward Brando Fuqua ’23 said undergoing training was a meaningful experience that helped him bond with the team.

“DEI was a great experience for my team and helped us discuss controversial social topics,” Fuqua said. “It was a great bonding experience for the boys to get to know each other better.”

Jones said that while the DEI team is progressing towards its goals, she recognizes that the school has room to grow.

“It is important to recognize the progress that has been made over the past several years of intentional work towards this aspect of the school’s mission,” Jones said. “While we are

not where we need to be, we are much farther along than we were five years ago. By objective measures, we are a more diverse community this school year than we were last school year.”

Along with the basketball squad, the girls soccer team participated in DEI training. Defender Dani Lynch ’23 said her experience made her feel closer to her teammates.

“I thought the training was really interesting and eye-opening, as I learned new things about myself and other athletes on campus,” Lynch said in an email. “I appreciated having the opportunity to have this training integrated into the sports program. Its really important that we as a school Cultural competence and diversity initiatives are extremely important.”

Cross country team advances to CIF Finals after successful prelims

By Jaden Bobb

with other top teams in our di- of 19:06.8. Sheehy finished in vision next weekend,” Quintero eighth with a time of 16:06.9, The boys cross country team said. “Today we proved to our- with Sykes following in ninth placed second out of 13 teams in selves that we can compete with place in a time of 16:11.0. their CIF-SS Prelims heat on the the best, and we are grateful for Loyola senior Richard Moreno three-mile Mt. Saint Antonio the opportunity to carry out tal- won in a time of 15:23.2.

College (Mt. SAC) course, and ent onto finals.”

After COVID-19 shortened the girls team also placed second Quintero also said she thinks last year’s season, Makenna in their heat out of 13 teams. the team’s preparation through- Dovel ’23 said this year’s tradiBoth teams will advance to the out the entire season was the pri- tional schedule and more relaxed CIF-SS Finals at the mary reason for teams restrictions have contributed to Mt. SAC course Nov. advancement into the a boost in the team morale.

20 this Saturday.

CIF-SS Finals.

“I would say the environGoing into the “Qualifying for ment this year is a lot more prelims, the boys team finals is not only the positive,” Dovel said. “Last year ranked No.5 in Diviresult of our perfor- we had to practice with masks, sion 4 and the girls mance today, but the and parents were not allowed to team ranked No. 7, result of a season’s watch our races, which was a lot according to Prepworth of work and to deal with.” white’s CalTrack.com. Team preparation,” QuinRoss said she looks forward Daniela co-captain Daniela tero said. “There is not to maintaining a strong team Quintero ’22 Quintero ’22 placed one single workout, spirit heading into CIF-SS Final fourth in the girls race race, or practice that next Saturday. with a time of 19:31.1, Kendra can prepare “I think Ross ’23 placed eighth in the us for the big it’s all about I think it’s all about girls race with a time of 20:05.1, stage, [but] maintaining a co-captain and Print Managing rather the colpositive mindmaintaining a positive Editor Will Sheehy ’22 placed lective effort to set and not mindset and not putting third in the boys race with a show up [on putting too too much stress on your time of 16:13.5 and Grant Sykes any given day] much stress on body or mind.” ’24 finished 13th overall in the and give our your body or boys race with a time of 16:50.2. best effort.” mind,” Ross —Kendra Ross ’23 Quintero said she believes At the said. “As a Cross country runner the race cemented the team as M i s s i o n team, [its ima legitimate contender to win League Finals, portant] that CIF-SS Finals.

Quintero placed first in the girls we give support and encourage “There is nothing but excite- race with a time of 18:20.0 and each other to be the best verment and pride to get to line up Ross placed third with a time sions of themselves.”

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EYES ON THE PRIZE: At the first Mission League race Sept. 28, runner Nuzzy Sykes ’24 keeps his head up high as he strides to the finish.

Nov. 17, 2021

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Boys basketball team prepares for season

By Charlie Seymour After last season’s 17-6 overall record and 10-1 Mission League record that placed them first overall in the league, the boys basketball program looks to build on momentum in their approaching winter season.

The team’s 2020-2021 season was postponed to spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

After their top finish in the Mission League last year, the team advanced to the CIF-SS Division I Regional Playoffs but lost 56-65 to Saint John Bosco High School.

Reflecting on the shorter offseason, wing Santi Hernandez ’23 said he thinks each player worked to improve their individual skills and strength, which she believes has allowed the team to focus on improving their cohesive play during practices.

“The raw talent and athleticism [of every player] is one of [our] greatest strengths,” Hernandez said. “We are very competitive, so every practice, we are competing to make each other better.”

Forward Jacob Huggins ’23 said he thinks the talent of the program’s underclassmen combined with the leadership of returning players and the work they put in during the offseason will allow the team to return stronger than last year.

“We [have] a lot of new

talent coming in this year and the players who are returning have worked really hard over the summer and are ready to accept new roles,” Huggins said. “We also played [preseason games] over the summer, and I believe that always [makes] us better.”

With five seniors, the majority of the 13-person roster is composed of younger and firsttime varsity players. Huggins said this year’s roster is more close-knit, which he said will serve them well moving forward.

“One of our major strengths is our chemistry,” Huggins said.

“The team is always together, laughing and making jokes, and I think that bond helps us a lot once we get on the court.”

The team’s season begins with a match against South East High School in the Santa Monica Tournament at Santa Monica High School on Nov. 15. With the date of their first game approaching, Hernandez said he is concerned that recent injuries will affect the team early in the season but is confident they will be able to push through.

“The only weakness [the team has] right now is that a lot of our players are hurt, so we are low on numbers,” Hernandez said. “However, everyone returns to play soon and once they do, we will be prepared to win games and put on a show.”

The team plays its first league game on Jan. 5.

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WOLVERINE READY: Senior guard and University of Pennsylvania Cameron Thrower ’22 practices shots from the free throw line during practice in preparation for the season opener against Chaminade High School.

Girls basketball team readies for first game against Bishop Montgomery

By Danny Johnson

SANDRA KORETZ/CHRONICLE

NOW YUE SEE ME, NOW YUE DON’T: Sophomore guard Jamie Yue ’24 tosses a pass across the perimeter, guarded by Casey Landecker ’23.

In its 2020-2021 season, the girls basketball team was one win away from a spot in the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section (CIF-SS) Open Division finals, losing 56-61 in a semifinal game against the Mater Dei Monarchs. The team finished their season with an overall record of 21-4 and were undefeated (5-0) in Mission League play, with wins over Orangewood High School and Sierra Canyon High School.

After losing last year’s senior class, including McDonald All-American and forward at Stanford University Kiki Iriafen ’21, small forward Vita Saffari ’22 said the team is determined to rebuild their roster. She said the team hopes to continue last year’s success, hard work and experience to advance even further in the playoffs this year.

“I think the girls basketball team is always striving to be the best we can be,” Saffari said. “That is something that is drilled into us over and over again. After coming so close [to winning playoffs] last season, I hope we can look at that experience and learn from it in the upcoming season. I think,

if anything, that loss has fueled us to be even better this year.”

Sophomore point guard Jamie Yue ’24 said the team’s competitive spirit and demeanor were key components of their success last year, and will also be essential in achieving this year’s goals.

“Last year, even though the season ended sooner than we would have liked it to, I feel like we had a really strong team,” Yue said. “It would have been nice to win CIFs, but I’m definitely proud of how our team was able to [continuously] be competitive against teams of the highest level.”

Saffari said the team’s practice schedule, which began in September, has brought the players and coaching staff closer and has increased the program’s overall chemistry.

“I think our team has put in a really great amount of work ahead of our season,” Saffari said. “We’ve been playing games almost every weekend and really getting to know each other on and off the court.

With so many of our players being seniors last year, this upcoming season felt a little unknown because of the lack of continuity, but I think through all of the preseason practices

and tournaments, we’re really starting to find our footing as a team.”

Yue ’24 said she was very pleased with the way the team competed throughout all of last season. Yue played in all 25 varsity games last year as a freshman, averaging two steals per game while shooting almost 50% from the field.

She said she shares Saffari’s optimism in the team’s ability to perform well this season and to advance to the CIF finals.

“Throughout the off-season, we have started to rebuild and regain our strength after the loss of [five] seniors,” Yue said. “We have had a lot of conditioning during practice, which will help us execute the new defensive strategy that [Girls Basketball Program Head Melissa Hearlihy] is implementing. This year, I expect that we will give our all in every game. It will be tough, but I believe that we can win the league and hopefully win a Division I title.”

The girls basketball season kicks off against the Bishop Montgomery Knights on Nov. 16 in Taper Gymnasium. The team defeated Bishop Montgomery 72-54 Apr. 17 in their only meeting last season.

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Nov. 17, 2021

WOLVERINES ONLY

BY

T

SIJI SMOLEV

wenty miles down, 6.2 more to go.

What did I get myself into?

I ran in the Los Angeles Marathon to raise money for the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, which saved my dad's life. He was suffering from metastatic prostate cancer. It was truly important for me to run, and I had prepared the entire cross country season for this moment. Long runs at Griffith Park with the team, tempo runs at 12:30 a.m. with J. Cole as a personal hype man and races at the infamous Mt. SAC were my bread and butter. Now, a seasoned pain-endurer, I was ready as ever.

The marathon, however, strikes in odd ways. If the race is the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), you could call the first 14 miles the top of Point Dume. All around me, I overlooked a sea of other runners, each battling it out for their own noble cause: Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Kitten Rescue, the Glioblastoma Foundation… But what struck me most about being in this running community was its warmth and compassion. We all rooted for each other, fist bumped the hardworking cops on our way through broad boulevards and saluted the incredible volunteers that handed us gatorade and energy gels. Barreling our way through Downtown, Silver Lake and Hol-

lywood, I grew proud of the city that I will always cherish.

But of course, as you make your way down the PCH, eventually you hit traffic. Let’s call that “the wall” at mile 15. Everyone—from wikiHow users to my friend’s mom who ran it four times—warned me of this supposed concrete and plastered barrier. You’re supposed to “use positive visualizations” to blast through a marathon, according to wikiHow. Yeah right, wikiHow. For me, the wall meant cramps, and lots of them. My calves twitched with every step; my left quad spasmed like it was practicing the tango, and my toes curled inward towards my heels. I was not about to call it quits, but, boy, I wish I had eaten one or two more bananas before lining up at the start.

My goal at the outset was to break 3 hours and 50 minutes. Unfortunately, by mile 20, with 6.2 more to go, I had fallen off pace.

The race became a personal mental battle for me. There were moments I doubted whether I would make it to the finish line. Thankfully, my phone buzzed with a signature, all-caps text from my friend Violet: "SIJI." She was on San Vicente looking for me right where I was headed. Around mile 21, we found each other. I’m not kidding when I say that my mile pace dropped by 2 minutes in the 4 miles after

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we started running together. Whether it was her encouragement, bright energy or Cheez-It bags that she handed me for electrolytes, running with her kept my head up until the finish line. The marathon truly is a team sport.

So, finally, I reached mile 25. I had one more to go, but my pace was wearing down fast. By now, my calf was going concave on me as it cramped with every other step. If Coach Koolsbergen saw my running form in this moment, he wouldn’t have been happy. About 1200 meters from Constellation Boulevard in Century City–the finish line–the pain surged and I fell on the ground in a cramp. Yet just as I grasped my leg, two off-duty firefighters came to stretch me out. “Listen bud, you have just run 25.5 miles. You just gotta make it to that traffic light over there and you will have done what less than one percent of the population has ever done.”

And so I did. Violet broke off to let me cross the finish line, and turning the final corner, I saw my dad waving with the biggest smile ever. These are the special types of moments in life that I hope to have many more of.

I feel honored to have been a part of such an empowering race, and I plan to run many more marathons in the future.