Inklings 2015-2016 Back to School

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INKLINGS

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Katherine Coogan ’17 balances her artsy and sporty sides.

Staples athletes stay fit over the summer with “Body Blast” training.

HUMANS OF STAPLES

BODY BLAST

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News Opinions Life Arts Sports

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NEWS | August 27, 2015

Juniors required to take free SAT instead of SBAC

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Jaquelyn Sussman ’17

he large number of students that opted out of the Smarter Balanced test (SBAC) prompted Governor Dan Malloy to propose a bill last fall to replace the exam with a free SAT. This was approved by the U.S. Department of Education in August.

This switch will be in effect this academic school year.This decision aims to “level the playing field” for all juniors across the state by allowing them to take the SAT for free and satisfy their standardized testing requirement. In an article for Patch.com, Connecticut State Department of Education commissioner Dianna Wetzell voiced her support for the decision.

“This approval allows us to expand opportunity for students as it strengthens accountability to ensure that we deliver on

This is one of the main reaour promise to prepare all students for success in college and careers,” Wetzell said. sons why some students disagree with The test is not as controversial as this change. “It shows that standardSBAC among juniors, and a majority of ized tests are forcibly taking over your students seem to support the decision. life,” Ethan Lindenbaum ‘17 said.

LindenStill, this change highbaum lights the overall feel“This is a much more effective brought also up ings of students about another probstandardized exams. method of testing students, about this As Claire Meehan ‘17 one that helps both the stu- lem change that put it, “I think stansome juniors dardized testing is dents and the state.” are unhappy pretty stupid overall.”

-Isabelle Amlicke ’17 about. “I perIn fact, many sonally am juniors share Meehan’s opinion of how standardized test- not taking the SAT, so it seems to be forcing ing isn’t an accurate way to measure me to do something without taking into the intelligence of a student, but in- account what is best for me,” Lindenbaum stead “it just means that teachers know said. Jay Mudholkar ‘17 agreed with Linhow to teach for the test,” Meehan said. denbaum. “I can see why it might not be the

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Poll based on percentage point system by CNN/ORC

On November 8, 2016, Americans will take to the polls to elect the 45th president of the United States. Among the 21 candidates running for the position, some names stick out, including Hillary Clinton, Jeb Bush, and Donald Trump.

With the primary elections less than three months away, all the politicians are trying to hold or develop a lead in the races.

In the Democratic primary, there are only five candidates: former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, former Governor Martin O’Malley, former Senator Jim Webb of Virginia, and former Governor of Rhode Island Lincoln Chafee. Vice President Joe Biden is weighing a Presidential run after his son reportedly asked him to run while on his death bed, but this appears unlikely.

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Andrew Vester ’17

best for some students, who instead decided to take the ACT, for instance,” she said.

Though many students disagree with standardized testing in general, a large amount of juniors feel that this decision is a step in the right direction. “This is a much more effective method of testing students, one that helps both the students and the state,” Isabelle Amlicke ‘17 said.

Even though she dislikes standardized testing, Meehan agreed. “It makes me feel better since the state has really just given up trying to throw tests at us and is just saying, ‘Hey, you know what, just study for one test,’” Meehan said.

Amlicke summed up the opinion of most juniors on this subject, saying, “[This decision] doesn’t change my opinion of standardized testing, just my opinion of the state’s method.”

Graphic by Cooper Boardman ’17

Clinton has developed a massive lead over her main competitor, Bernie Sanders.

Currently polling at 55 percent in a composite of nationwide polls, Clinton is 35.6 points ahead of Sanders, who is at 19.4 percent. Trailing Sanders in the polls are Biden, Webb, O’Malley, and Chafee, respectively.

While Clinton is leading nationwide, many Staples students are throwing their support behind Sanders. “I personally like Sanders,” Ben Hammer ’16, president of the Young Democrats Club, said. “I support him because of his grassroots style campaign, but being realistic, I don’t think his appeal is wide enough to win, so I see Clinton being the eventual nominee for the Democrats.”

The race for the Republican nomination is much more crowded, with 17 candidates vying for a chance to face a Democratic rival in 2016. Among these candidates are Donald Trump who is a

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billionaire real-estate mogul and reality TV star, former Governor of Florida Jeb Bush, Governor of Wisconsin Scott Walker, and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson.

Trump leads the field with 24.3 percent of registered Republicans backing him, followed by Bush at 12.5 percent. Walker, former Governor of Arkansas Mike Huckabee, and Carson finish out the top five, respectively. The bottom three candidates are former Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, and Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.

Despite his brash behavior and offensive comments, Donald Trump remains among the favorites of students.

“I think our government needs a more aggressive office holder in order to carry-out more throughout the new presidency,” Katie Loucas ’18 said. “Obama really didn’t do much to help our illegal immigrant situation. At least Trump has some

ideas. They may be a bit unrealistic, but the wheels are spinning and I have confidence that he will come up with something great.”

On the flipside, students also believe that Trump belongs on the TV screen rather than in a serious presidential election.

“I think Trump is messing up the Republican side because people are paying more attention to him for entertainment reasons, and not focusing as much on the things about the true candidates,” Luke Montgomery ’16 said.

Among the other Republican candidates supported at Staples are John Kasich who was the former Governor of Ohio, and Jeb Bush.

Despite the polling data, students remain confident that the primaries are anyone’s to win.

“It’s been very interesting so far, but we have over a year to go,” Hammer said.

“There’s really no telling who’s going to win.”

NEWS| August 27, 2015

Graphic by Phillip Han-Lemus ’16

Cecil’s death roars into the media Max Bibicoff ’16

If you happened to be following the news this summer, you likely saw headlines plastered across the screen reporting on the killing of t h e be-

l ov e d C ecil the Lion.

Cecil, a 13-yearold male southwest African lion, lived in the Hwange National Park in Zim-

World Briefs

babwe, and was tracked and studied by the University of Oxford. On July 1, news broke out that Cecil had been hunted down and killed by an American dentist, triggering outrage internationally.

Walter J. Palmer, the Minnesota man responsible for killing Cecil, was a biggame hunter who paid a large sum of money to hunt. He wounded Cecil with a crossbow and then proceeded to shoot him with a gun. Cecil’s corpse was then beheaded.

In response, defenders of Cecil were out for the blood. Celebrities took to Twitter to denounce the man responsible, and the hashtag #WalterPalmer was used liberally.

The outcry and protests prompted the media to have abundant coverage of Cecil’s death. In fact, ABC spent 15 times more coverage on Cecil’s story than on the recent leaked footage that revealed Planned Parenthood officials discussing the sale of aborted fetal tissue.

Still though, many animal rights supporters and conservationists have defended the attention that Cecil’s death has garnered. “I’m glad that Cecil’s death is getting a lot of attention; it deserves it.

So much poaching and hunting goes on and nobody is aware of it or makes it a big fighting cause,” Elaine Wehmhoff ’16 said.

However, there were some people who felt the coverage of Cecil’s death was exhaustive.. “I would say it was over-covered especially in the sense that they kept up with it and wouldn’t stop talking about it,” Alex Uman ’16 said. “It obviously deserved attention, but not as much as it [received] from the media.”

Laverne

Janet Leslie

Kye Cait

Diego Graphic by Jane Levy ’16

Ali Carmen

Greece financial crisis

Last month, Greece and its European creditors drafted an agreement to help the country’s economy. Greece needs to agree on the details of the new aid program before August 20. Greece has been having financial problems since the Wall Street crisis in 2008. Greece’s government announced in 2009 that their finances were understated and were shut out from borrowing. Greece owed 320 billion euros (approximately $355 billion). They remained on the brink of bankruptcy since that money was mainly used to pay off international loans, despite billions in bailouts. Even though Greece makes up a small part of the economy, if they default on their debt, the impact on lenders is a chain reaction.

Confederate Flag Controversy

South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley signed legislation on July 9 to permanently remove the Confederate battle flag from state capitol grounds. In the late 1800s, the flag represented the 11 states that seceded from the union after Abraham Lincoln was elected president.

When the war ended, the flag remained a symbol of southern pride. As racism continued, it was also a symbol for white supremacist groups such as the Ku Klux Klan. The legislation came following the murder of nine African Americans at a Charleston, South Carolina church by a racist gunman previously photographed with the flag.

Supreme Court ruling on marriage equality

Media spotlights transgenders tion of Cait Jenner, former husband of Kris Jenner, placed transgender issues Laverne, Janet, Leslie, Christine, center stage on many major news outlets.

Besen-McNally hopes that Jenner’s Kye, GiGi, Diego, Ali, Carmen, Amanda, Ryan, Cait, Brandon and Chaz. These transition will help “normalize the idea are not just names, they are dreams that transgender is not bad or unnatural.”

“When [Jenner] came out as trans, -- the dreams of those who were born with a body and a name that did not magazines showed her as a fully sexufit their own image of who they were. alized woman,” Hallie Lavin ’17 said.

Each of these people courageous- “This can perpetuate the idea that if a ly faced societal stigma to reveal their trans woman comes out, she must look true selves to a world that was not always and act and dress and sound like a womso accepting. They are all transgender. an, which in some cases is not possible.”

Just gaining access to makeup or Ryan Cassata, a transgender activist and singer who spoke at Staples two years different colored school supplies can ago, was 14 when he started transitioning. be difficult for some transgender stu“My high school was very ignorant dents according to Besen-McNally.

Lavin was when it quite young came to “They go through troubles and when she first transgenmet someone der stu- rude remarks. They keep their d e n t s , ” heads up and reveal who they real- who was transgender. For her, Cassada the idea never said. He ly believe they are.” seemed strange had to -Jessy Nelson ’16 or incomprehen“fight” sible. “I just knew to use the boys bathroom and for “Ryan” to be that sometimes a person can feel that they recognized and used as his real name in were born in the wrong body,” Lavin said.

Although Besen-McNally admits the yearbook.

While the rights of many in the that she is surprised when someone first LGBT community have advanced comes out to her as transgender, there is over the past several years, transgen- immediate acceptance of that person and der issues have remained undiscussed immediate support for their transition.

However, aside from the political isand under the radar for quite a while.

Many people that were contact- sues, the sentiment echoed again and again ed for this article refused to comment, was the bravery of transgender individuals.

“I hope one day I will have the and several others asked for family and friends names to be protected. strength to be as open and self aware According to Lily Besen-Mc- as they are,” Besen-McNally said.

“Transgenders are not praised Nally ’16 this stigma and lack of coverage feeds into the “ignorance” enough,” Jessy Nelson ’16 said. “They go that she often sees at Staples when it through enough troubles and rude remarks. They keep their heads up and recomes to transgender issues.

This summer, however, the transi- veal who they really believe they are.”

Claire Dinshaw ’17

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On June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution guarantees a right to same-sex marriage. Prior to the court’s decision, there were 36 states where same-sex couples were allowed to marry. Now including the U.S., 23 countries have legalized same-sex marriage.

In 2003 Massachusetts was the first state in the U.S. to allow same-sex couples to marry, followed by Connecticut in 2008.

Many others have followed since. While same-sex marriage was previously decided at the state level, these rights are now nationwide.

New York City versus Uber

New York City mayor Bill de Blasio proposed to cap the number of the drivers Uber can hire in an effort to reduce traffic congestion and to initiate MTA tax, which Uber currently does not pay. With Uber, people use their smartphones to request car service from the nearest driver. Uber started a major campaign with television ads and features on their app to fight the proposal.

After weeks of dispute, on July 22 an agreement was reached to not put a cap in New York while a study is conducted on how Uber affects traffic and polution.

Trump presidential campaign

Donald Trump, real estate tycoon and reality TV star, announced on June 16 that he is running for the Republican party’s 2016 presidential nomination.

Trump’s net worth is $4 billion. His campaign slogan, borrowed from Ronald Reagan, is a promise to “make America great again” by getting Americans back to work through immigration reform. While there were mixed reactions to his candidacy, recent polls show Trump on top over his closest competitors, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and Florida Governor Jeb Bush.

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opinions

INKLINGS | August 27, 2015

Students share hopes and fears for school year Max Appell ’18

Zach Strober ’19

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’m very excited to finally be a freshman at Staples this fall. I feel like everything I have done in school, from kindergarten to 8th grade, has been in preparation for high school, and now, it’s finally time to use everything I’ve learned.

Unlike middle school, I get to choose more of the classes I take instead of being told what classes I have to take. At Staples, I’m excited to explore some of my own interests, specifically journalism and radio. I’m already signed up for both.

This year, I also get to root for and finally play for the Wreckers. I’ve always wanted to be a part of the high school crowd at Staples football games since I went to my first game when I was five. This winter, I hope to skate around the hockey rink in a Wreckers uniform, too.

I’m also looking forward to becoming one freshman class, rather than students at Bedford Middle School or Coleytown Middle School. As a freshman, I hope I’ll have opportunities to branch out and make new friends.

Although the classes are going to be harder than what I’m used to, I’m sure I’ll be able to get through the work and enjoy my time as a freshman.

9th grade

Eliza Goldberg ’17

I worry about a few things as I start my sophomore year at Staples.

Being a second year student means that I no longer have a hall pass. The first day of school freshman year, we were allowed to be a few minutes late because we did not know our way around the school, but since we have been through a year at Staples, we no longer have that excuse.

I am also worried about the work load, especially the research paper.

It is an important assignment that needs to be well researched, so procrastinating will not leave you enough time to finish or write a good paper.

Finally, I worry about the preparation that I will need to do for the SAT and even college. This is the first year that Advanced Placement (A.P.) is offered. A.P.s are classes that count towards college credits. Also, the PSAT is offered to sophomores which makes me realize how close college really is even though it still feels like a long time away.

Even though I have worries going into the new year, I am also very excited to be back at Staples with all the other students.

11th grade

With junior year fast approaching, I’ve received advice, looks of sympathy and words of encouragement from every older relative and friend.

Unfortunately, I’m already beginning to understand the meaning of their warnings.

Despite the secret hope that the junior-year workload is just a myth, I have already found myself with piles of work due the first few days of school.

As if there wasn’t enough regular school work to worry about, the looming standardized tests are adding to the stress. The tests are flashing red warning sign to make sure everyone knows the college discussions are becoming more and more relevant. There’s so much more for me to worry about.

Even the struggles of a junior that are specific to Staples students, like the walk to and from Wakeman, are daunting. My backpack is heavy enough just walking through the halls—I don’t know if my spine will be able to survive the half-mile trip twice each day.

But the worst part of all is the realization that time is moving much faster than it did before.

What is all this talk of “upperclassmen?” I’m pretty sure I just graduated fifth grade.

Inklings Crown Finalist for Inklingsnews.com from Columbia Scholastic Press Association 2015 Silver Crown Award for Newspaper Columbia Scholastic Press Association 2014 Pacemaker from National Scholastic Press Association 2013

All the opinions, news and features in this paper are those of Staples High School students. Inklings, a curricular and extracurricular publication, has a circulation of 1,800 and is uncensored. All letters to the editor must be signed. The editorial board reserves the right not to publish letters and to edit all submissions as it sees fit. The editorial board determines all editorial opinions, which are authored faithfully by the Editors-in-Chief. Inklings reserves the right to not publish advertisements that promote products that could be harmful to student health.

The paper is a member of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association and the National Scholastic Press Association and supports the Student Press Law Center.

Editors-in-Chief Adam Kaplan Jane Levy Managing Editors Claudia Chen Margaux MacColl Web Managing Editors Kaila Finn Talia Hendel Breaking News Managing Editors Quinn Hughes Jane Schutte Public Relations Directors Will Dumke Julia Greenspan Creative Directors Caroline O’Kane Channing Smith News Editors Max Bibicoff Claire Dinshaw Becky Hoving Fritz Schemel

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Opinions Editors Kit Epstein Caroline Lane Lulu Stracher Jackie Sussman Features Editors Eliza Goldberg Emily Olrik Sarah Sommer Izzy Ullmann A&E Editors Abigail Lamb Margot Mather Frenchy Truitt Renee Weisz Sports Editors Max Appell Cooper Boardman Amelia Brown Julia Rosier Web News Editors Molly Liebergall Zach McCarthy Web Opinions Editors Rebecca Rawiszer Andrew Vester

10th grade

12th grade

Caroline Lane ’16

It’s crazy to think that three years of high school have flown by. I’m no longer that awkward freshman I once was. Well, maybe the awkward part is still true.

But in a few short months I’m going to be forced to make some of the biggest decisions of my life, and while I couldn’t be more terrified, I couldn’t be more excited.

It’s sad to think that I have just one year left to stand in long sandwich lines during lunch, cheer up and down under the Friday night lights for the Wreckers and walk the halls of Staples as a student.

But I couldn’t be more excited to see where the next chapter of my life takes me.

For now, my goal is to enjoy every last second I can of Staples and not stress over college applications and even my senior Facebook name, which is surprisingly stressful.

So now I can only hope that I’m ready for whatever senior year throws at me and that I’m ready to tackle all the obstacles ahead in my final year as a Wrecker.

Web Features Editors Jen Gouchoe Blake Rubin Web A&E Editors Alice Hickson Ivy Prince Web Sports Editors Jesse Greenspun Brendan Massoud Web Creative Director Jimmy Ray Stagg Assistant Web Creative Director Anders Hovstadius Business Manager Kacey Hertan Assistant Business Managers Ben Foster Alix Sommers Alex Spadacenta Advisors Mary Elizabeth Fulco Rebecca Marsick Cody Thomas

70 North Ave. Westport, CT 06880 Phone: (203) 341–1994 Inklingsweb@gmail.com Decisions of Inklings and Westport Public Schools are made without regard to race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability or any other discriminating basis prohibited by local, state or federal law.

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Opinions | August 27, 2015

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Actions speak louder than words

Despite historic ruling, America still has a long way to go Jackie Sussman ’17

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lmost every legal document issued in the country confirms the indisputable fact that each individual is entitled to basic human rights.

Yet, just because those rights are enumerated on paper, they don’t stop people from infringing on the rights of others every day. For instance, people infringe on the freedom of life by killing others. People infringe on the freedom to equal opportunity by actively trying to stop affirmative action programs. And people infringe on the freedom of choice by not allowing individuals to marry whomever he or she chooses regardless of sexual orientation.

Contrary to popular belief, since the Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, which allowed the recognition of same-sex marriages nationwide, LGBT members are still not being treated equally in society.

Yes, this ruling is a step in the right direction, but let’s not confuse a step for a leap. An officiator still has the legal right to say he or she doesn’t want to marry a gay couple because it is a violation of his

or her freedom of religion. The manager of a company still has the legal right to fire an employee for being an LGBT member. A store owner still has the legal right not to sell to an LGBT member because it violates his or her freedom of religion.

Why can people legally discriminate? Because the Supreme Court’s job isn’t to enact or enforce laws but to interpret them. Because the Civil Rights Act of 1964 federally bans discrimination in the workplace against race or gender but not sexual orientation. Because there is no law saying that store owners have to sell

against their religion and that marriage is the union of one man and one woman. There are many people who believe child upbringing is drastically different with two parents of the same sex than with two parents of the opposite sex.

There are many people who believe homosexuality is unnatural. And, as Americans, these people are entitled to their opinions.

However, people have to stop believing that if you disagree with someone, it entitles you to deprive another of basic human rights, of the freedom of choice, the freedom to work, the freedom to live life the way he or she wants to live life, and even the right to voice your opinion. And that is exactly what some people are doing to homosexuals, transgenders, gender queers and other members of the LGBT community.

Obergefell v.

Hodges has laid the foundation, and now society needs to start building a house on that foundation and enact enforceable laws to guarantee that everyone is treated as equal members of society.

2/3

of LGBT Americans report that they have been discriminated against in their personal lives.

Yes, this ruling is a step in the right direction, but let’s not confuse a step for a leap.

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to people that go against their religion.

And it’s hard to figure out how the government should make a law to fix these issues. For instance, the government isn’t and shouldn’t be allowed to establish how others perceive his or her own religion.

Though there may be lots of tolerance and support for LGBT members at Staples, there are many people nationwide who firmly believe homosexuality goes

states (and D.C.) explicitly prohibit employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

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states (and D.C.) explicitly address discrimination of students based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

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percent of LGBT Americans are worried about housing discrimination.

LGBT Americans can be denied service at restuarants, shops and hotels. There are no federal protections based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

PHOTO VIA WIKIPEDIA UNDER THE CREATIVE COMMONS LICENSE

DATA FROM THE HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN

Whatsgoodly leaves its mark on Staples A new app where users anonymously vote on polls leads to the singling out of many.

Adam Kaplan ’16 Almost a year and a half ago, Staples stood still in collective shock when the app, Yik Yak, a digital forum where users post messages anonymously, glued us to our phones for an entire day. We saw our peers, teachers and administrators get anonymously attacked. Principal John Dodig took it upon himself to make sure that the app was not accessible to anyone inside the school and thus the problem went away nearly as soon as it began.

But what happens when there is no

administration to shut down an app? What happens when there is no way to limit what is being said? Enter ‘Whatsgoodly.’

Whatsgoodly is a polling app that took over the Staples’ scene during the summer and has left an even more violent path than Yik Yak did.

Whatsgoodly is not an inherently bad app. Its purpose is to put polls out into the local area and ask thought-provoking questions. While most kids use the app entirely for that purpose, some kids let their deviousness get the best of them.

The app allows users to post poll ques-

tions anonymously, which means there is no way to track down or punish users who abuse the terms and conditions. As a result, the app has ultimately devolved into a platform for kids to post slanderous questions and attack one another.

What makes Whatsgoodly so much worse than Yik Yak is that it entices people to vote on everything. Contrary to Yik Yak where a user can immediately see results of a post without contributing to the number of votes, Whatsgoodly gets the entire community involved by restricting a user from seeing the results of a poll until after the user has voted. Since Whatsgoodly users cannot see results until they have voted, people are inclined to vote and see what has been said even if they don’t feel strongly about the question.

I know firsthand what it’s like to be the subject of a Whatsgoodly poll. This summer, someone posted a malicious poll question attacking me. I could see how many of my peers voted -- 200, 300, 400 people -- and it felt like my peers were judging me. I don’t even know that many people on the app, and yet these strangers still felt inclined to chime in and take a strike at me.

There will never be a solution to getting rid of all anonymous targeting on Whatsgoodly, but there are ways to help the cause. Create thought-provoking questions for your peers to read. Whatsgoodly is an app that has potential to be something that can really help students understand the social climate, but let’s make a movement to change the mean-spirited culture of the app before it gets shut down for good.

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life 10 7

Inklings | August 27, 2015

Staples welcomes new principal to its halls

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Renee Weisz ’17

ew interim principal, Dr. Mark Karagus, sat in a business-like yet inviting manner, already eager to begin his new role at Staples.

“You find your niche by experiencing things,” he said.

“Regardless that I’m on a one year interim, I’m not looking at it that way. I’m looking at it as though I would be here for the next 20 years.

So not a stop-by and then leave.”

This positive outlook is represented in a quote emblazoned on a wooden block propped on a shelf in Karagus’ office. It reads, “Thoughts become words, words become actions, actions become character, character

meeting the other administrators, department chairs and custodians, and he is determined to skip over the “new school learning curve” and jump right into making the experience his own.

Students are also anticipating meeting him, “I don’t really know much about him but it’ll be exciting to see what he has to offer, and I’m sure everything will work out well,” Sophia Livecchi ’17 said.

Karagus’ secretary, Karen Romano, has no doubt that former principal John Dodig left a smooth transition for Karagus, although she knows that working with Karagus will be a big change.

“Every time you work with someone it’ll be different, so he and I will have to find our own way of working together just like I did with Mr. Dodig 12 years

“Be trustworthy and never give up.”

- Mark Karagus is everything.”

For Karagus, this quote is his guiding motto through life and an important lesson he wishes students will take away from his time as principal.

Karagus has been principal at Trinity Catholic High School, Central High School and Norwalk High School before Staples. Before working in administration, Karagus experimented with many different careers as an English teacher, a guidance counselor and an accountant. In the athletic world he was the coach for his three sons’ little league baseball team, the head coach for the baseball team at his college, Sacred Heart University and a basketball referee for 40 years.

He has already been busy

ago. It’s just different,” Romano said.

Sports have always been an important part of Karagus’s life and he was a very active member in his high school community as the captain of the baseball team, captain of the basketball team, quarterback of the football team, treasurer of the junior and senior classes and a tenor in the school choir. He definitely plans on attending as many PHOTO BY CAROLINE O’KANE ’16 sports games as possible. “It won’t be a job, it’ll be enjoyment,” Karagus said. SMILE New principal Mark Karagus used to efficiate games for Staples Sports teams earlier in his Others are happy to hear about career. He is excited for the new school year with new experiences to come.

Karagus’s large support for sports.

“I have a couple of jukeboxes at “I just can’t continue to reiterate “It’ll be nice to see our own principal home, and I play them to enjoy music,” that I’m exceptionally happy to be here,” cheering us on,” Alyssa Hyman ’18 said. he said. “Because music, a lot of times, he said. “I will give the job 110 percent Karagus enjoys collecting brings you back to the things that have and meet everyone as though I’m going baseball memorabilia and antiques, happened in the past, nice memories.” to know them for many, many years. and he has all the autographs and Karagus looks forwards to creating It’s going to be a thrill.” Characteristic all 45 vinyl records from his all- new memories at Staples and is plant in the middle of the lobby, greeting time favorite band, The Beach Boys. confident that he will find a good fit. students passing by, under his belt.

Seven weeks of bliss offer students a home away from home ries that you make in those seven weeks stay with you forever,” Chaskin said.

At the ever popular Camp MerSince the early days of elementary school, Westport kids have annu- riwood in Orford, New Hampshire, a ally ditched Compo Beach and Long- long-lasting tradition has been celebratshore for color wars and daily s’mores. ing Christmas in the dead of summer.

By the time June rolls around, “On Sunday morning you wake up and duffels are packed, team cheers the 12ers (the oldest age group) have are memorized and bug spray is “Sleepaway camp isn’t just bought in bulk. For seven weeks, a summer camp, it’s really inseparable bonds are created and home is almost forgotten. a summer home.”

“Sleepaway camp isn’t just - Carly Chaskin ’17 a summer camp, it’s really a summer home,” Carly Chaskin ’17 said. made Rice Krispie Treats for you and put A native of Point O’Pines Camp them in your stocking in the dining hall,” For Girls in Brant Lake, New York, Gilly Rozynek ’15 said. “All of the campChaskin has spent the last nine sum- ers exchange gifts, and it’s so much fun.” mers slalom water skiing, master“Camp was always just such a haping tennis and making best friends. py place,” According to Izzy Baildon “The friends and memo- ’17, who attended Camp Wicosuta in

Kit Epstein ’17

inklingsnews.com | STAPLES HIGH SCHOOL

Hebron, New Hampshire for six summers. “You get a break from everyone and everything happening at home.”

Like most camps, Camp Wicosuta doesn’t allow campers to bring their cell phones, which helps to “get cut off from any drama and escape it all,” Baildon said.

“Camp gave me the opportunity to grow and live with kids very similar to me but also very different,” Ian Offenberg ’16 said. After attending the co-ed Camp Walt Whitman in Piermont, New Hampshire for seven summers, Offenberg raved about the “no judgement” factor of summers away from home. “Being given the opportunity to accept everybody and know that at the end of the day you’re one family is something great.”

Although camp does a great job of helping kids get away from the stresses of everyday life, summers away from

home also teach important life lessons.

“A huge benefit of camp was definitely independence because you’re away from everything you know for seven weeks, so you’re kind of forced to look out for yourself and make decisions without your parents,” Rozynek said.

Even though summer vacation is a whole 10 weeks long, according to Ruth Kissel ’16, coming home from Camp Vega is the hardest part of it all.

“Coming home is honestly the worst because you’re used to being in a perfect place for seven weeks without having to worry about anything going on,” Kissel said. “Camp feels like it flew by.”

Although summers go by quickly, the positive effects of sleepaway camp are still apparent in successful Staples students today: independence, perseverance, and a whole lot of happy.

8

Life | August 27, 2015

A new year and new faces

Kelly Zrenda Social Studies

Elizabeth Olnen Special Education Mary Anne Brennan Special Education

Brennan is excited to be another new addition to the special education department. Brennan graduated with a degree in elementary and special education from Providence College and received a Master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Fairfield University.

Nicole Faynor Special Education

Faynor, who spent the last five years teaching at a small Massachusetts high school, is ready to take on her new position at Staples in the special education department. “From my first interview I knew that this was a school with a great staff that really cared about the students,” Faynor said.

inklingsnews.com | STAPLES HIGH SCHOOL

Jamie Pacuk English

Pacuk previously taught at Coleytow for the past eight years and is excited to c as a teacher. “Moving to Staples allows m to continue my own growth as an educa inspire a new level of students, and see former students have grown.”

Life | August 27, 2015

11 9

grace the halls of Staples

wn Middle School continue her career me the opportunity ator, challenge and e how some of my

John Bengston Social Studies

Andrew Hill Math Department Chair

Paul Zajac English

NOT PICTURED Ashley Wegener Math

An avid runner, Wegener has participated in the New York City Marathon and the Philadelphia Marathon. Wegener is ready to “try to make math fun and get my students to appreciate the beauty of it,” she said. Wegner developed an app called “Exit Strategy NYC,” which helps people efficently travel by subway or bus in New York City.

Allison Best Math

Best is coming to Staples after teaching seventh and 10th grade math on the Golden Coast and will spend her first year here in Connecticut teaching. Best was drawn to Staples because of its “amazing reputation for both their students and teachers.”

Eva Balazs Math

Sarah Krikorian English

Balazs is looking forward to returning to teaching after taking a break to stay with her children. She previously worked as a math teacher and dean at Fairfield University.

She will be teaching algebra this year.

10

Life | August 27, 2015

Meet the People @inklingsnews www.facebook.com/humansofstaples

Coogan finds serenity and happines in her art Caroline Lane ’16

PHOTO BY IZZY ULLMANN ’17

As you pass by the Staples track, you just might fi nd a girl sprinting past you in her neon running sneakers with her brown ponytail bouncing up and down, all the while laughing hysterically. That’s Katherine Coogan ’17.

Coogan can be found on the track during the winter and spring seasons practicing for her 400-meter sprint, 300-meter hurdles and anything in between, regardless of rain or shine.

But flashback to just a few years ago, and she was the complete opposite of the running fanatic she is today, “I’d be that girl who was like, ‘Ewww, I hate running,’” Coogan said while laughing.

However, for Coogan, the best part about running isn’t the runner’s high or her own personal goals but the feeling she gets cheering on her own teammates in all of their events, COLORS OF THE WIND Katherine Coogan ’17 �inds calm in her painting just hours after biding farewell to especially when she watches her college-bound brother. runners in a relay. invitational meet running Coogan can look back on it When Coogan is nowhere take life too seriously, which hurdles and ended up in a laughing. That’s a gift that to be seen on the track, she’s goes hand in hand with her heat alone somehow. A crowd few people have. off in the art department high school running and art gathered around me to watch Ultimately, one of working a completely different career. “One race or painting me conquer the race alone, but Coogan’s main goals in part of her brain. Coogan has won’t matter in 30 years, so halfway through the race I fell life is just to make people taken advantage of the vast I don’t want to stress out over flat on my face,” Coogan said laugh. “I hate calling variety of art classes open to myself funny,” Coogan Staples students, oil Painting “There’s an insane number of at classes said. “But all I want to do is being her favorite. “There’s an people laugh because at Staples. Why wouldn’t you take them?” make insane number of art classes at it makes me feel good.”

Staples,” said Coogan. “Why Coogan is always able to -Katherine Coogan ’15 wouldn’t you take them?” get a laugh out of friends, Coogan claims the best family and strangers alike. part about art is “knowing that something silly,” she said. between laughs. “The crowd Whether Coogan is I created something from a There’s few people who can fell silent and someone yelled, painting in the halls of blank canvas. It makes me feel truly make light of a situation ‘You got this honey,’ so I had to Staples or sprinting by, accomplished and proud,” she and make fun of themselves, but get up and fi nish the race.” she’s guaranteed to make said.

Coogan has mastered the art.

While that race may have you smile and shake with Her motto is to try not to “This year I was at an been embarrassing at the time, laughter from just one joke.

“What I’m looking forward to in the coming school year? Children that are on time.”

- Patty McQuone, Secretary

“I am most excited to see all my friends again, that I didn’t get to see, get a bacon, egg and cheese in the morning and to see Thor the sub” - CJ Stephen ’16

NEW COVER (from left) Senior girl Liv Smith ’16 changed her name to “DoYou EvenLivt” and cropped her face onto a muscular man to match. Harry Garber ’16 changed his name to “Fairy Globber” and cropped his face onto a fairy to correspond with his name change. Kristen Munley ’16 changed her name to “Kristin Mingle,” inspired by the online dating site for single Christians.

Senior names come back with a new cover Izzy Ullmann ’17

When the month of August first arrived and school was still just around the corner, rising seniors scrambled to think of funny Facebook names, as part of senior tradition.

Although seniors have been changing their names for what seems like centuries, the class of 2016 has taken it to a new level by making cover photos that correspond with their name changes.

Liv Smith ’16, changed her

name to “DoYou EvenLivt,” and it quickly became a favorite samong her peers Smith came up with the name after “thinking of every phrase that has the word ‘live’ in it.” Then Smith took her new identity to a higher level. After she saw her camp friends making cover photos that matched their new names, she decided to join in on the fun. “I cropped my face on to this really buff guy with huge muscles since it went with my new name,” she said.

However, Smith wasn’t the only one who created a cover

inklingsnews.com | STAPLES HIGH SCHOOL

photo to match a senior name.

Kristen Munley ’16, who changed her name to “Kristin Mingle,” a spin off of the online dating site Christian Mingle, said she had to get her friends to help her make the photo. She emphasized making a cover photo to go with your senior name is “the most fun part about the whole process.”

Munley cropped her face onto a photo of a real Christian Mingle advertisement that says “Single and Christian? Find God’s match for you.”

Not only are rising senior

girls follow this trend, but some boys are joining in too. Harry Garber ’16, who changed his name to “Fairy Globber,” jumped on the bandwagon. “I made my cover photo because it was an opportunity to go along with my name in a creative way,” Garber said. “Also, my name is easily the funniest.”

On the other hand, not everyone thinks that the cover photo craze is that important.

Graduated senior Colby Kranz ’15, who changed her name to “Kobe Crayons” when she was a high

school senior, said, “I don’t really care that my grade didn’t do it. It’s not a big deal.”

However, it looks like the fad will carry on to next year’s class and become a new tradition, as Kellie Iannacone ’17 and her friends already are thinking about cover photos for when they are seniors. “The cover photo idea makes the whole name changing process even funnier,” Iannacone said. “I can’t wait for next year when we get to brainstorm ideas for our own names for when we are rising seniors.”

11

How to make a school day gourmet Claire Dinshaw ’17

In preschool, every new day brought with it the same diet: cereal for breakfast, peanut butter and jelly for lunch, an after school snack of apples and peanut butter or goldfish and a dinner that included uneaten broccoli and fish fingers (with a side of ketchup of course).

Perhaps as a new year of high school is on the horizon it is time to reclaim some of those old meal rituals, but this time in a more grown-up, or gourmet, way.

Breakfast is the meal that students have in the three seconds between rushing down the stairs and sprinting out the door to try to catch the bus. Perhaps the best option for these busy students is the banana (or strawberry) peanut butter smoothie.

PHOTO BY CLAIRE DINSHAW ’17

Recipe: 1 frozen banana or around 6 frozen strawberries (or a combination of both) 2 tablespoons peanut butter 1 cup almond milk (or regular milk) A few ice cubes Just add all of the above to a blender and take it in a flask to go.

For those students who do not have time to stop by the cafeteria after school for a cup of frozen yogurt before starting their homework, there is an easy, and tasty, alternative: a brownie in a mug.

PHOTO BY CLAIRE DINSHAW ’17

Recipe: 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 cup light brown sugar 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 1/4 cup milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or to taste) A handful of chocolate chips Add all of the ingredients to a ceramic mug, mix and microwave for one-anda-half to three minutes (depending on how fudge-y you like it). It is best served with whip cream.

Just because students only get 30 minutes in between classes to wolf down lunch does not mean that gourmet lunches are out of the question.

Nothing, except maybe a good burger, can beat a well made sandwich.

The sandwich below is both easy to make and absolutely delicious.

PHOTO BY BECKY HOVING ’17

Recipe: Piece of a rotisserie roasted chicken 2 tablespoons of pesto Diced mozzarella to taste 1 brioche bun (or another type of bread if you prefer) Toss together the chicken, pesto and mozzarella cheese and heap onto a brioche bun. Wrap in tin-foil and cling-film to enjoy later.

“Go Set a Watchman”: You’re reading it wrong Claire Dinshaw ’17

inklingsnews.com | STAPLES HIGH SCHOOL

curiosity or because your bored, remember this; lawyers are not judged during preparation, plays don’t have an audience during rehearsal and authors should not be judged based on their first manuscript.

“Go Set a Watchman” is nothing more than that -- a manuscript. And if you are reading it as a sequel or analyzing the protagonist as an evolved version of Atticus Finch then, unfortunately, you’re reading it wrong.

GRAPHIC BY ALEX SPADACENTA ’17

Suspend your disbelief. It is something we are taught to do at a very young age. When you open a book, you enter that world.

As the book pages turn, time advances, and the characters evolve.

In the author’s mind, however, this is not how characters grow.

While writing, the author tweaks the people and setting around them.

This is how a story called “Trimalchio” became “The Great Gatsby” and how Pansy O’Hara from Georgia became Scarlett O’Hara of the famed novel “Gone with the Wind.”

The first drafts of books offer the outline of what will become a beautiful story. But they are nothing more.

“Go Set a Watchman” is not the sequel to “To Kill a Mockingbird.” It is a sketch of what would later be-

come one of the greatest American novels. Atticus Finch is not the Atticus Finch you know. He is a completely different man who happens to have the same name as a great lawyer in a small town.

Harper Lee knows this. That is why those looking to make money off the author’s name and reputation waited until after her sister Alice passed away and Lee’s health began to fade to publish the manuscript.

Buying and reading “Go Set a Watchman” will only serve to line the pockets of a few bad men and women who are looking to make a fortune off the reputation of a famous author. Reading it only serves to cloud and confuse the messages found so clearly and beautifully articulated in “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

The last thing Lee would want to happen is for her message to be lost due to the noisy publication of an early draft.

If you do read it, perhaps out of

arts

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A BY IC PH LE A’ NT CE DA PA XS 17

“I Am Cait” changes face of reality TV Earlier this year, Caitlin Jenner made her transformation. Now she is changing the television landscape.

S

Izzy Ullmann ’ 17

itting in a pink robe with rollers in her hair, lip gloss painted lightly on her soft smile, Caitlyn Jenner is ready to make a change in the transgender community.

Caitlyn Jenner’s transition attracted attention from all over the world when her story was featured on the cover of Vanity Fair entitled, “Call me Caitlyn.”

Jenner was the first transgender person to ever make it on the cover of Vanity Fair, and the internet was

suddenly flooded with other celebrities applauding her bold transition.

Her new TV show, “I Am Cait,” premiered on E! network on July 26. It follows her life after her transition. The first episode shows her waking up at 4:32 a.m., with a plethora of worries filling her mind. She says, “Am I going to do everything right? Am I going to say the right things? Do I project the right image?”

Jenner’s eyes tear up as she looks at the camera, and at that point it is clear that she feels the pressure of being a new spokes-

person for the transgender community.

The most moving part of “I Am Cait” is that it’s nothing like typical reality TV, where the stars are self-consumed with the latest gossip from their friends.

Jenner has a mission: to help others who may be struggling with their true identity.

She shares her own experiences from meeting her mother for the first time as a woman to what it’s like to wear a woman’s bathing suit post-transition.

It’s not solely Jenner who shares her experiences on the show, either. A va-

riety of women who have transitioned share their stories about how they got to where they are today. The tragic stories range from women who have lost loved ones through the process, to women who have been discriminated in the workforce because of their transitions.

So, say goodbye to the breaking news about Kylie Jenner’s new hair color, and say hello to a new leader for change in this country. As Cait said herself, “I don’t think I have ever been more excited about life than I am right now.”

Soundwaves of the summer Julia Greenspan ’16 This summer, top 40 veterans such as Maroon 5 and Taylor Swift topped the charts with catchy singles while new faces like Fetty Wap and Kygo added flair to the usual pop lineup.

1. “Cheerleader” (Felix Jaehn Remix) - OMI

The Weeknd wowed with his singles throughout the year. However, none had the summer sound of “Can’t Feel My Face,” which offers an upbeat and groovy energy perfect for any road trip or beach day.

2. “Lean On” - Major Lazer feat. MO 3. “Bad Blood” - Taylor Swift feat. Kendrick Lamar Platten’s “Fight Song” is more 4. “Watch Me” - Silento than just a call to action. This emotional song is sure to give 5. “Can’t Feel My Face” - The Weeknd chills and be the newest go-to karaoke hit.

6.“I Don’t Like It, I Love It” - Flo Rida feat. Robin Thicke 7. “Fight Song” - Rachel Platten Sure to become music’s next big thing, Kygo combines his typical tropical beats and 8.“679” - Fetty Wap Feat. Remy Boyz soulful vocals to form this summer’s biggest dance hit. Stay tuned for more from this 9.“This Summer” - Maroon 5 new artist in the coming year.

10.“Stole the Show” - Kygo inklingsnews.com | STAPLES HIGH SCHOOL

Wislist_9x14Ad_Aug14_Wislist_9x14Ad_Aug14 8/20/14 2:20 PM Page 1

ADVERTISEMENT | August 27, 2015

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sports

INKLINGS | August 27, 2015

Recruiting roundup: in quotes Wrecker summer commits explain their college decisions

SAM AHLGRIM MARIST UNIVERSITY

“It was the perfect size school, small classes, but it was also a great lacrosse program. They also do a lot of community service and things to help give back which was important to me.”

COLLEEN BANNON LAFEYETTE COLLEGE

“When I first stepped foot on the campus I got that ‘feeling’ that everyone talks about when you love a school, which gave me the confidence I was choosing the right school.”

ROSS GOLDBERG COLORADO COLLEGE

“Academically the school has a different type of schedule where students take a single class at a time for three-and-ahalf weeks. I think that really suits my learning style and will alleviate some of the stress that comes with all the travel that the team does.”

BEN CASPARIUS UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA

“I chose UNC because of the relationship I had with the coaches, its program [being] the most winningest in college baseball history... and [the legacy of] success the school [has] in general both academically and athletically.”

CONNOR CHAMBERLIN MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY

“I really liked the location of the school, and the coaching staff seems to be a really good fit for me. I also liked the way the lacrosse kids treated me. It was as if I’d already been a part of the team.”

BEN SCHWABER COLORADO COLLEGE

“I really wanted to challenge myself academically, and Colorado College offers a really unique way of learning using a block plan, [and I’ll also] getting the chance to play competitive lacrosse.”

ETHAN BURGER UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT

JACKSON WARD HARVARD UNIVERSITY “It was a combination of the incredible education opportunity, the location and the people.”

“I knew that Vermont had the perfect blend for me. The location and the city of Burlington and the size of the school was also a huge turn-on for me.”

MATT JOHNSON MASSACHUSSETS MARITIME ACADEMY “I wanted to separate myself from the pack and stand for my country.”

MICHAEL REALE UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND “I chose Richmond because it’s a great fit for me academically and athletically.

When I was visiting, the coaches made me feel at home. On top of that, I fell in love with the campus.”

JOSH WILLIS UNION COLLEGE “I wanted to play [Division III] over [Division I] so I had the opportunity to experience more things in college.”

Committed to college for athletics this summer?

Let us know and you could be featured in the next issue of Inklings News, on our sports Twitter affiliate (@StaplesSports) or on our website (Inklingsnews.com). Email us at Inklingsnews@gmail.com.

PHOTO BY JENNA MCNICHOLAS ’15, PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

BY GREERSHOTZ, STAPLES LACROSSE/SHELLEY BURGER, MARK CONRAD

Quick Hits 2015 season previews GIRLS’ CROSS COUNTRY 2014 Season Finish: FCIAC champion (114 points), Class LL runner-up behind Glastonbury, placed third at the State Open championships.

Key Returns: Hannah Debalsi ’16, Angie Parmar ’16, Season Opener: 9/15 @ Danbury, Wilton, Westhill

GIRLS’ SWIMMING AND DIVING 2014 Season Finish: Two top 10 state finishes—placed second in the Class LL Championships and eighth at the State Open Championships.

Key Returns: Amelia Bullock ’16, Aileen Coyne ’16 Season Opener: 9/11 vs. Danbury

FOOTBALL 2014 Season Finish: Went 7-4, did not qualify for FCIAC championship or state playoffs, won four straight games to close the season.

Key Returns: Ethan Burger ’17, Evan Gilland ’16.

Season Opener: 9/18 vs. Danbury

GIRLS’ FIELD HOCKEY 2014 Season Finish: Advanced to the Class L Quarterfinal as the number eight seed before falling to (1) Glastonbury.

Key Returns: Jodie Baris ’16, Jordan Ragland ’16 Season Opener: 9/12 vs. Stamford

GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL 2014 Season Finish: Made it to the state tournament before falling to (12) Trumbull in straight sets in the first round.

Key Returns: Reece Schachne ’16, Maya Lawande ’16 Season Opener: 9/11 @ Ledyard

BOYS’ SOCCER 2014 Season Finish: Upset (3) West Haven before falling to (11) Darien in the Class LL Quarterfinal.

Key Returns: Josh Berman ’17, Graham Gudis ’16 Season Opener: 9/11 @ Trumbull

GIRLS’ SOCCER 2014 Season Finish: FCIAC co-champs along with Fairfield Warde, advanced to the Class LL Quarterfinal.

Key Returns: Charlotte Rossi ’17, Lydia Shaw ’17 Season Opener: 9/12 vs. Trumbull

BOYS’ CROSS COUNTRY 2014 Season Finish: Had two top five finishes—placed fifth at the Class LL state meet and third at the State Open.

Key Returns: Brandon Harrington ’17, James Lewis ’16 Season Opener: 9/15 @ Danbury, Wilton, Westhill

BOYS’ WATER POLO 2014 Season Finish: Went 2-1 in Greenwich High School Tournament, went 1-1 in Hopkins Tournament.

Key Returns: Jack Foley ’16, Jacob Offir ’16, Season Opener: 9/16 vs. Suffield Academy

inklingsnews.com | STAPLES HIGH SCHOOL

Sports | August 27, 2015

15

Wrecker athletes train with “Body Blast” W Jack Zapfel ’16

hen finals are complete and school winds to a close, hard work is just beginning for the dedicated girls who participate in fall sports. For them, summer is a time to prepare themselves for the rigor of the upcoming season with the fitness program, Body Blast.

Body Blast is for serious female athletes looking to get in better shape for their sports season by increasing their speed, power, muscle endurance, flexibility and agility. The program is hosted at Compo Beach and other local athletic

fields, and is run by Staples celebrity and endurance, specific to their sports head athletic trainer, Gaetana “G” Deiso. team’s conditioning test. Finally, they The group, which primarily consists fi nish with an abdominal workout.

“Body of field Blast is very h o c k e y i n t e n s e and soccer because it’s players, designed to typically prepare us for s t a r t s the upcoming off with s p o r t s dynamic season,” field stretching, hockey player followed Lauren Stack by intense ’17 said. ladder and agility work. Next, the “Because of the high intensity group works on their cardiovascular

“She has been my instructor for three years and she is honestly the best. Everyone loves her...”

-Tia Zajec ’17

during the sessions, I feel exhausted.

But once it’s over, it feels very rewarding and I leave with much more energy.”

While the physical rewards are significant, the athletes also develop a strong connection with the trainers they work with. “[G] has been my instructor for three years and she is honestly the best.

Everyone loves her, she has a great attitude and she’s able to motivate us all very well,” girls’ soccer player Tia Zajec ’17 said.

These dedicated athletes hope their hard work translates into improved performance on the field when the fall sports season kicks off on Aug. 27.

Scan to see Body Blast in action at Compo Beach.

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED BY BODY BLAST

Classic brand brings out new style

Converse releases first new design in nearly 100 years Alex Spadacenta ’17 Let’s face it: most major shoe brands would be nothing if they didn’t come out with at least one new design every year.

Converse, however, has gone a century without introducing drastically new design.

Converse adopted the name Chuck Taylor when the 1920’s basketball player, Chuck Taylor, became the spokesperson for the brand. The shoes were originally sported by basketball players and soon after, many people purchased and wore the shoes as an everyday style.

Nowadays, the classic Converse style is everywhere—worn by babies and adults, countless people show off the sneak.

While the majority of sneaker companies constantly strive to design new, cutting-edge shoe styles, Converse has always been satisfied with the classic look.

So, as Converse celebrates its 100th anniversary, the new, commemorative Chuck Taylor All Star II stayed true to the original design while simultaneously making the shoe more modern and equipped for today’s society.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the sneaker’s exterior hasn’t changed much. Minor changes include eyelets that are monochrome matte, and there is slightly thicker “foxing (the white rubber sidewall where the canvas upper meets the sole).” Also, the All Star logo placed on the inside heel of the hightop is “embroidered instead of printed.”

The “modern” updates to the shoe are mostly found in its interior. According to the same review by the Los Angeles Times, the Chuck Taylor All Star II includes “a

cushiony, lime-green sock liner made from a proprietary Nike foam called Lunarlon and a perforated micro-suede lining to improve breathability and foam padding on the tongue and collar for comfort.”

It is not yet clear whether the newly updated shoe will prove profitable for Converse, but students like Claire Meehan ’17, think it has potential. “I do think it’s a good idea,” Meehan said,

“since it sticks to what people like but also gives people a reason [to] be like, ‘Hey, I should get the NEW Converse.’”

However, for Converse fans residing in Westport, it may prove to be a challenge to purchase the shoe, as local stores have not been stocking them.

Ian Offenberg ’16 works at Athletic Shoe Factory, a shoe store located in Westport, and is constantly

surrounded by the newest sneaker trends. Compared to the shipments of new sneakers from other brands, “We never see Converse,” Offenberg said.

It may take some extra effort to track down the new Converse sneaks, but as with many things in Westport, “I’m sure somebody will start the trend,” Offenberg said.

MARQUEE MATCHUPS: THE STAPLES’ GAMES OF THE WEEK 4 p.m., Monday, August 31 BOYS’ SOCCER VS. FAIRFIELD PREP Two evenly matched teams face off in a scrimmage—both squads went 9-5 last season.

3:45 p.m., Wednesday, September 2 FIELD HOCKEY VS. DARIEN The Blue Wave visit Ginny Parker Field for a scrimmage in an early season test for the Wreckers.

5 p.m., Thursday, September 3 GIRLS’ SOCCER BLUE-WHITE GAME The team takes the field for the first time in game action as they play in an intra-squad scrimmage.

3:30 p.m., Thursday, September 3 GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL JAMBOREE The team takes the field at Loeffler for the first time in game action as they play in an intra-squad scrimmage.

inklingsnews.com | STAPLES HIGH SCHOOL

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Sports | August 27, 2015

Staples football looks to rebound

2015 Week-by-week Week 1 Staples vs. Danbury

Cooper Boardman ’17

4339 TOTAL YARDS 69.5 TACKLES PER GAME 28.8 POINTS PER GAME

The Wreckers seek revenge after being upset by the Hatters on the road last season.

Week 2 Staples @ Wilton

Staples has dominated the Warriors in years past, winning every single matchup in the past decade. But the Warriors return a strong senior class.

Week 3 Staples vs. Warde

STAPLES FOOTBALL: 2014 BY THE NUMBERS

The teams meet for the first time since 2012, and the Wreckers will have to stop the Mustang’s aerial attack.

Week 4 Staples @ McMahon

The Senators went 7-3 last year and will attempt to defeat a Staples team that beat them 55-14 in 2012.

Week 5 Staples vs. Stamford

The Wreckers seek revenge after being torched by Stamford quarterback Jalen Brown last year, who threw for 429 yards against Staples’ secondary.

Week 6 Staples @ Ridgefield

The Wreckers and Tigers traditionally scrimmage preseason, but this year they will face off during FCIAC play.

Week 7 Staples @ St. Joseph

The Cadets are coming off a state title victory and look for a second straight berth in the game. This matchup is late in the season and might decide the playoff fates of each of these teams.

Week 8 Staples @ Darien

The Blue Wave were last year’s FCIAC champions and appeared in the state title game as well. Darien is one of the league’s best and will be a tough test for the Wreckers.

Week 9 Staples vs. Greenwich

Note: The FCIAC title game will be played

on Nov. 21, the 2015 Class LL state semifinals will be played on Dec. 7 and the 2015 Class LL state championship game will be played on Dec. 11 or 12 (times TBD).

Runnin’ wild Running back Ethan Burger ’17 leads Staples’ offensive attack this season.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY GREERSHOTZ

The Wreckers upset the Cardinals in last year’s game and kept them out of the state championship. Staples will look to defeat their rivals on Thanksgiving for the second straight year.

On October 25, 2014, the Staples football team trudged off the field at Dunning Stadium in New Canaan, downtrodden. The Wreckers had just suffered their worst loss of the season at the hands of New Canaan, a 33 point rout in which the team gave up five touchdowns.

That loss dropped the team’s record to 3-4—making it the first time the storied Staples High School program had been below .500 since 2004.

However, the Wreckers bounced back, rattling off four straight wins, including a 38-21 Thanksgiving day road victory over rival Greenwich, knocking the Cardinals out of state playoff contention.

Now, in 2015, Staples has a chance to build off that success.

On the offensive side of the ball, Ethan Burger ’17 returns as the team’s starting running back, a junior who burst onto the scene last year and led the team in rushing yards. Burger’s ability to run through would-be tacklers made him one of the most potent offensive weapons in the FCIAC last season.

Alongside Burger in the backfield will be the biggest question mark of the Wreckers’ season—first-year quarterback Andrew Speed ’17. Speed takes over as the first non-senior quarterback for Staples since 2012, but his teammates believe he will find success under center. “[I expect] only great things,” Burger said. “It’s going to be real exciting to play aside him this season.”

Speed will have plenty of targets, including classmate Ryan Fitton ’17.

Fitton, like Burger, had a breakout year as a sophomore. The 6’5, 225-pound wide receiver was second in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns for the Wreckers. However, Fitton believes he can improve his totals, hoping to catch for at least 700 yards and seven touchdowns in his 2015 campaign.

On the other side of the ball, the defense features more upperclass talent, most notably in the form of captain Jackson Ward ’16. Ward garnered attention this offseason when he committed to Harvard University, picking the Crimson over other Division I candidates such as Boston College. Now, as he enters his senior year, he will be the man to stop inside at defensive tackle after racking up 14 solo tackles in 2014.

Just behind Ward will be linebacker Evan Gilland ’16. Gilland was third in tackles last season and this year will be the leader of a young linebacking core.

His aspirations are high as he aims to lead the team in sacks and rack up at least 100 tackles. Graduating seniors have left a few gaps—namely Bryant-bound Nicolaas Esposito ’15, who led the team in tackles a season ago. “We’ve lost a few starters, but it’s only made our team more competitive to fi ll those spots,” Gilland said.

2014 was a challenging year—the Wreckers finished third in the FCIAC West Division and missed out on the state playoffs. Winning a title won’t get any easier, as last year’s Class L state champion Darien is moving up to the Wreckers’ division—Class LL. Nonetheless, the team still has loft y expectations.

“Last year, a couple games didn’t go our way, and we didn’t get as far as we wanted but ended the season on a high note,” Fitton said. “We were disappointed that we didn’t make the FCIAC championship game or state playoffs, but everyone has been working really hard and we want to meet both of those goals.”

INSIDE THE ISSUE page 10 SUMMER COMMITS Athletes who committed to college this summer talk about why they chose their schools.

page 10 SEASON PREVIEWS Check out each Wrecker fall sports team—including their 2014 finishes and key returning players.

inklingsnews.com | STAPLES HIGH SCHOOL

page 11 BODY BLAST A look at how athletes prepare their bodies for the upcoming fall sports season with “G” the trainer.

page 11 CONVERSE An inside view at the history of the Converse brand and the company’s modern take on Chuck Taylors.