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Andreas Lolis ’21
2015
News Editor
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he past decade’s local media was dominated by change. This is a recap of the major events that impacted our Westport community.
A major fire took place at Saugatuck Congregational Church on Post Road East on Nov. 20. The blaze took place as the church was preparing to host their annual Thanksgiving dinner. The community undertook renovation efforts to repair the church, which ended in October 2019. “We had to put in a brand new commercial kitchen downstairs, another kitchen up here [and] rebuild all these rooms,” music director Dr. Heather Hamilton said in an Inklings article from November 2019. “Everything had to be taken out and stripped down to the joists.”
Photo by Andreas Lolis ’21
2013 Election of Jim Marpe as First Selectman
Republican First Selectman Jim Marpe was elected to succeed Demo c r at Gordon Joseloff on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013. He and Second Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker both won reelection in 2017, priding themselves on experience. “[We wish to] continue the success, with proven leadership, experience and results,” their campaign Facebook page said. Their tenures have been spent decreasing debt and property taxes in Westport.
After 11 years as Staples’ principal, John Dodig left Staples with the graduating class of 2014. He was replaced by Interim Principal Mark Karagus, whose tenure lasted one year. Upon his retirement, Dodig emphasized how he wished his legacy would be marked by a school environment that tolerates all. “Everyone here at Staples has bought into the idea of acceptance,” Dodig said in the Inklings 2015 Graduation Issue. “Teachers have come up to me and talked about how amazed they are to see students in the hallway being nice and knowing that they won’t get ridiculed or bullied for anything they say. I think that mindset will be my legacy.”
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Photo by Claire Redmer ’21
Fire at Saugatuck Congregational Church
Photo by Katie Simons ’22
2011
Retirement of Principal John Dodig
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Photo by Margaux MacColl ’16
Photo by Layla Wofsy ’19
Staples gun violence walkout
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2018
Students honored the victims and advocated for activism in politics through a school wide walkout on March 14 after the Parkland shooting. The event featured a moment of silence and speeches from leaders of Student Assembly, the Junior State of America, the Young Republicans club, the Young Democrats club and several other students. After attending the walkout, Evan Shorrock ’19 felt content that he was able to stand behind those who died in the attack. “It was special to be able to show our support for those who lost their lives in Parkland,” he said in the Inklings March 2018 issue on the walkout.
through the decade
2018
Mold at Coleytown Middle School Coleytown Middle School (CMS) closed in September 2018 due to the presence of mold. CMS sixth and seventh graders were relocated to Bedford Middle School and eighth graders were relocated to Staples High School. Currently, the CMS Rebuilding Committee, led by Chairman Don O’Day, is working to repair the school with the goal of opening for the 2020-2021 school year. The Representative Town Meeting appropriated $32 million to remediate CMS. At the Jan. 21 Board of Education meeting, O’Day stated that the school is on track to open in August.
2019
Photo by Emma Dantas ’21
Colleen Palmer leaves superintendent position Super i ntendent Dr. Colleen Palmer announced her retirement following a survey of Westport administrators which showed discontent with her performance. According to the front page of Inklings’ March 2019 issue, the survey showed that 90% of respondents agreed with the statement, “I have serious concerns about the ethics and integrity of our Central Office staff.” Immediately after her announcement, Palmer stated that she could not be reached due to a family emergency. In May, the Board of Education voted Dr. David Abbey as Interim Superintendent. The search for a permanent superintendent is ongoing.
Q &A 4
Schager reflects on Staples’ growth through the years Lily Kane ’20 Broadcast Director
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he past 10 years brought a lot of change at Staples. Social studies teacher Cathy Schager has taught more than nine different courses since 2003, and therefore has observed the changes and adapted each of her class curriculums according to the evolving climate.
What are some things you have planned for the coming year, and the future in general, for all of your different classes? I just try to bring in people from the outside, but it really depends on what the class is interested in. If they’re interested in gun control, I have contacts that come in and talk about that. If they’re interested in women’s issues, I know all kinds of different people who come in and talk about that. If they’re interested in things happening in our own building, the administration is great about coming in and talking to the class [...] This community is just so rich in resources that I just try to tap into that as much as I can.
How have you developed your curriculum to reflect the changes over the past 10 years?
Ph oto by Ma r ia
Kr ug
’22
I [use the internet and] don’t really use textbooks. I love having kids have access to so many more things and resources, and I like having them plugin in my classes so they start following all of these different news outlets. We can have conversations about what’s happening, and I’m less of a gatekeeper of information and more of someone who helps send them out on their own to discover new information. [...] There is just such a richness and such an incredible amount of information that they can get their hands on, so that can lead to really great discussions in all of our classes.
What about Staples, as a whole, do you think has changed the most in the past decade? For one, it’s gotten much bigger, or at least it feels bigger. Students have also gotten a lot more anxious, unfortunately. I don’t know how much that’s societal or unique to Staples. [...]I blame Powerschool, big time. I’ve got to say that’s been the biggest change in the culture […] the access to this instant information really hasn’t been a positive thing. So I would say that’s been a huge, huge, huge change.
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Photos contributed by Maya Reiner ’21
continues to dominate Emma Dantas ’21 Staff Writer
Photo contributed by Melissa Augeri
W
ith slicked back ponytails tied high on their heads in coordinated ribbon, the girls blow kisses to the crowd as a farewell salute after each home game. Their focused eyes are protected by their face guards and their shining white Staples uniforms make the girls’ field hockey team a group of fierce competitors. The players share one common goal: to dominate the competition and win trophies. In the 2015 season, the team rebuilt, growing their roster and increasing off-field training with head coach Ian Tapsall. They then went on to win four consecutive state championship titles beginning in 2016 as well as one FCIAC title in 2019. “We [have] definitely improved over the years, for sure, with a lot of girls playing club including myself,” captain Hannah Paprotna ’20 said. “And training a lot in the off-season definitely puts us at an advantage to many other teams.” The team agrees that their fans, which includes many parents, spectators and Superfans cheering on the sidelines, energize and encourage them. The girls say that they are the most hyped for the highly competitive FCIAC and state tournament games.
“The biggest game I’ve ever had was the state final [in the 2018 season] against Darien,” Paprotna said. “There was a lot riding on it since we won the three years prior and to make it a four-peat was so exciting.” Darien has been rivals with Staples throughout the decade. They were co-champions in the FCIAC in the 2019 season and the teams continue to compete head-to-head for titles given to Connecticut high schools. “Beating [Darien] was what we had trained and practiced so hard for all season,” Jess Leon ’22 said. “We work hard for ourselves, our coaches, our teammates, our families and anyone else who has helped us throughout the years and we all remain so determined and happy to spend so much time together.” The team’s success is also partly credited to their team chemistry, which grew on their training trip this past summer in Bermuda. “Our strong chemistry off the field helps a ton because we are such a tightknit team,” Abby Ragland ’21 said. “We know each other so well, it definitely helps our composure on the field.” The girls always have high hopes for t h e i r upcoming seasons, and this decade is no different as they continue to kiss and wave on Ginny Parker field.
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nd S i h e es b v a e ml Scan the QR code to read Senera Ye’s a e t e ’20 article about Westport’s climb to fourth u eag place in the Little League World Series in L e l t t 2013 and the legacies the players left behind. i L
6 inklingsnews Editors-in-Chief
Audrey Bernstein & Allie D’Angelo
Managing Editors
Lys Goldman, Poppy Livingstone & Claire Redmer
Creative Director Eliza Barr
Assistant Creative Directors
Jane Krauss & Simon Sandrew
Local 10s Editors
Giselle Oldani & Lyah Muktavaram
Entertainment 10s Editors
Chloe Murray & Anastasia Thumser
Trends 10s Editors
Lily Caplan & Betti Kobak
Pop Culture 10s Editors
Karina Murray & Ella Stoler
Into the 20s Editors
Lauren Hassell & Maria Krug
Advisers
Joseph DelGobbo & Mary Elizabeth Fulco 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. 70 North Ave. Westport, CT 06880 Phone: (203) 341-1994 inklingsnews@westportps.org 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.
Ellen puts the ‘generous’ in DeGeneres Abbie Goldstein ’22
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Opinions Editor
“
e kind to one a n o t h e r .”
It is one of the most influential catchphrases of the decade. If you have watched “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” even if you’ve just seen snippets, you will recognize this saying right away. Ellen DeGeneres, the Emmy Awardwinning comedian, has been starring in her own talk show since 2003, and she recently won the Carol Burnett Award—a reward that recognizes contributions to television on or off the screen—at the 77th Golden Globe Awards. DeGeneres’ comedic and lively personality has attracted fans on numerous platforms. She has 81.8 million followers on Instagram, 35.7 million subscribers on YouTube and 79.3 million followers on Twitter. Her account is used to post clips of her show and advocate for serious causes. In addition, DeGeneres uses her fame to support many charity groups, and she has become a role model for the LGBTQ+ community. There are many influential celebrities that have greatly impacted society throughout the decade, and DeGeneres is at the top of that list. Her show doesn’t just welcome well-known celebrities, but allows many
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average individuals to make an appearance on television. When DeGeneres spots an ordinary individual doing extraordinary things, she offers to let them share their stories, accomplishments, jokes, talents and goals with the world. Each episode offers inspiring stories, humorous commentary and musical performances. “I like watching Ellen because it shows people from so many different backgrounds,” Connor Neblock ’21 said. In 1997, DeGeneres and her character Ellen Morgan in the show “Ellen” simultaneously came out as homosexual. As one of the first gay female leads on television, she received backlash from the media and her fans. Advertisers pulled out and a year later the show was canceled. But today, she is one of the leading faces of the American LGBTQ+ community. According to a PEW Research survey, DeGeneres was the most frequently cited example of a gay/lesbian public figure. Ultimately, DeGeneres is one of the most influential celebrities of the decade due to her confidence. She isn’t afraid to be her true self, even with millions of people watching. She is a role model for others to be themselves and uses her comedy as an outlet to educate. She has faced many obstacles throughout the decade but hasn’t let them weigh her down. DeGeneres is a leader and has given millions of people the courage to be themselves. “Ellen never pretends to be someone she’s not,” Jordana Latzman ’22 said, “which is cool because it inspires so many people to be themselves.”
Movie franchises flourish at the box office, entice viewers Roxy Augeri ’20 Assistant Creative Director
There is nothing more has something that appeals to exciting than going into the everyone, whether you love the movie theater and knowing you action, the plot or the drama. The Disney princess are about to witness the next great addition to your favorite movies is another franchise movie universe. Throughout that boomed over the decade the 2010s, the cinematic and transformed the way the industry saw an increase in world perceives princesses movie franchises. Of all the by making them strong and characters. franchises made this decade, independent In movies such as “Frozen,” Disney and Marvel have “Mo a n a ,” been two “Brave,” of the most Viewers were able to find “ Ta ng led,” inf luentia l. inspiration in both live-action Ma r vel princesses and superheroes “Cinderella” made movie and “Beauty history by that left audiences the adding 21 captivated by their message, and Beast,” movies to improving their viewers the Marvel saw strong universe movie-going experience. f e m a l e in this characters, decade. It is the most economically enduring hardship with bravery successful franchise in and an awareness of self-worth. this decade and in history. Although these storylines were According to movie not intertwined, the movies review site “The Collider,” all delivered the same themes. From “Thor: Ragnarok” to Marvel grossed about $22 trillion worldwide in box office “Tangled,” viewers were able to sales. “Avengers: Endgame” grow up alongside developed broke almost every box office characters that tugged at record, making it the highest- heartstrings and shed a few tears grossing superhero movie along the way. Viewers were of all time at $2.795 billion. able to find inspiration in both Marvel evolved the princesses and superheroes industry by mastering the that left audiences captivated making of movies that by their message, improving everyone loves. Each movie their movie-going experience.
Information obtained from IMDb’s “50 Highest Grossing Movies of the 2010s (Worldwide)” List
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Most memorable sports moments of the decade Holden Cohen ’20 Staff Writer
Tiger Woods wins the Masters (2019):
Warriors go 73-9, breaking regular season win total (2015-16):
Tiger Woods won the Masters in 2019. It was his first since 2005, along with his first Major win since 2008. It was his 15th Major win overall, second only to Jack Nicklaus, who won 18 Majors in his career. Woods finished 13-under for the tournament.
This was a record that hadn’t been broken since the 1995-96 season when the Chicago Bulls won 72 games. That historic team had greats such as Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. Setting a new mark was impressive alone, but the fact that it occurred in the midst of three championships in four years makes it even more monumenta l.
U.S. Women’s National Team wins the World Cup (2019): The U.S. dominated the World Cup over the decade, making the championship all three tournaments and winning two out of three. They beat the Netherlands 2-0 this past summer getting goals from captain Megan Rapinoe and midfielder Rose Lavelle. These victories gave them the honor of TIME Magazine’s 2019 Athlete of the Year.
Patriots’ Super Bowl Wins (2015 & 2017): The Patriots were leading 28-24 as the Seahawks were making their game-winning drive. With just 26 seconds left and the ball on the one-yard line, Russell Wilson threw an interception to seal the victory for the Patriots. In a second unlikely championship, trailing by 28-3 in the final minutes of the third quarter, it seemed all hope was lost for the Patriots. They then scored 31 unanswered points to steal the game and complete the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history.
Cubs win the World Series (2016): After the long wait of 108 years, the Cubs were finally able to lift the championship trophy once again. It wasn’t easy, as they went down 3-1 in the best of 7 series and had to win the last two games on the road in Cleveland. The Cubs ended up winning game seven 8-7, going in extra innings. Graphic by Sophie Mulhern ’21
Reliving the decade through top songs of each year 9 Logan Gornbein ’21
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Staff Writer hroughout the 2010s, there was a ton of amazing songs released. This decade’s music will definitely go down as one of the greatest so far. Let’s review the most popular song of each year from 2010 to 2019, according to Billboard.
Photos contributed by Genius
2011
2010
Tik Tok
Rolling in the Deep
Kesha
Adele
This song is very catchy, but there is a ton of autotune. It’s a good song for dancing or partying, but I would never listen to it if I were alone.
This was one of Adele’s best songs. If given AUX, don’t think twice about playing this song. Everyone will belt their hearts out to the chorus.
2013
2012
Somebody That I Used to Know
Thrift Shop
The song is pretty bland, but it has a truly iconic chorus. If you played it in front of people, most would join in for the chorus.
The sound of this song is whiny. If someone played this song, I would ask them to change it.
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Gotye, ft. Kimbra
2014
2015
Happy
Uptown Funk
Pharrell Williams
Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
Honestly this is one of my least favorite songs. The chorus is catchy, but the beat is just annoying.
The song is overrated and just isn’t that good. I would not listen to it by choice.
2017
2016 Love Yourself
Shape of You
Justin Bieber
Ed Sheeran
This song is still incredible. Whether or not you’re a fan of Biebs, you have to admit this song hits different.
This song is an awesome song to listen to whether you’re sad or happy. It’s easy to enjoy this soft tune.
2018
2019
God’s Plan
Old Town Road
This has everything a music fanatic could dream of: a great hook, awesome lyrics and a catchy line.
This song spent a record 19 weeks at the top of the Billboard 100. The song is great in moderation, and it provided an awesome end to the decade.
Drake
Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus
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Graphic by Julia Kasabian ’21 & Poppy Livingstone ’21
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Athletes Turned Activists In recent years, professional athletes have received a different form of attention than just praise for their performances in their sport. From police brutality to equal pay, many athletes have attempted to spread awareness about the inequalities in America today. To read more, scan this QR code to view the article written by Ella Alpert ’22 on the Inklings website. 2
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The following results are from a survey completed by 542 Staples students who voted for their favorite media and trends of the decade.
MOST ICONIC ARTIST: Post Malone
MOST USED APP:
Snapchat
BEST MOVIE: Avengers: Endgame
FAVORITE TOY:
Silly Bandz
WEIRDEST TREND:
Killer Clown
BEST CHALLENGE: Mannequin Challenge
BEST SONG: Uptown Funk
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Nudes, gossip and ‘thinspo’: the toxic culture hidden within social media Katie Simons ’22 Arts Editor
M
aya* was 14 when she moved to Westport. In a matter of days, her nude photos were sent around the school.
Maya had tried to make friends in her grade by adding a myriad of students on Snapchat. After adding some of the boys on Snapchat, they began to ask her to send them nude pictures. Feeling pressured, she sent them. “It just kind of spread so quickly that I don’t even actually know how many people have it. I think that’s scary; it’s dangerous,” Maya said. “Your life could be ruined in seconds if you make a mistake.” This story is just one example of how social media can impact the lives of teenagers. As social media platforms like Snapchat have grown throughout the course of the decade, the effects they have on the lives of Staples students have continued to grow as well. Events like the one that Maya experienced aren’t uncommon.
I
n the beginning of the 2012-2013 school year at Staples, a PowerPoint consisting of nude photos of at least five different freshman girls was turned in to guidance counselors. The pictures were collected
by a group of sophomore boys through Snapchat and iChat and sent to a group of sophomore girls, who then brought them to the counselors. “It ruined my reputation. Totally, 100%,” Lily*, whose photos were exposed, said. “My mom was being kind of shamed for it, and it was really just a terrible year for me. It was so public and so humiliating and triggering.”
I
n 2014, another form of social media, YikYak, grew to impact nearly every aspect of Staples students’ lives. The anonymous gossip app allowed for students to post comments about anyone in the school, and no one had the ability to track any of the comments back to who posted them. There were no restrictions on what could be posted on the app. Comments about students’ looks, sexual choices or intelligence flooded the platform. The damage was already done to many students by the time the administration blocked use of the app on the school network. The incident then became national news. Will Haskell ’14 wrote an article about the app for New York Magazine, and Al Jazeera America News filmed a piece at Staples about the app. “I think when folks are hiding behind their keyboard or their iPhone,” Haskell said, “they feel empowered to write anonymous, hateful things.”
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nother app that has dramatically shaped the social interactions during this decade is Instagram. Instagram has captivated an audience of over one billion users across the world and has changed how people share information online. According to Ste ‘Stephen’ Davies, a digital strategist, Instagram has over 500,000 active ‘influencers,’ who promote various products or lifestyle choices through Instagram. The lifestyle choices are often related to food options and body image—frequently promoting unhealthy dieting goals. Through apps like FaceTune, users are able to alter how their bodies look to match influencers, further promoting unhealthy standards. “With the evolution of Instagram models and brand deals [...] and especially with the relevance of FaceTune,” Ali Feder ’20 said, “it kind of became this game of who can look the best without looking fake.” Feder is the president of Reshaping Reality, a club at Staples that promotes body positivity within the school. Feder has noticed how people look at body image differently in just the four years she has been in the club, as social media sites like Instagram have grown in popularity. She believes that it has become a competition for people to try and look the best they possibly can, but in doing so, it has altered one’s body image. Poor body image could result in mental health issues for teens. According to a study done by the Child Mind Institute, teenagers who spend
*In order to preserve source identities, names have been changed. Phone number for the National Eating Disorder Information Centre: 1-866-633-4220 Phone number for the Stop Bullying Now hotline: 1-800-273-8255
more time on social media platforms are 66% more likely to suffer from depression than those who spend less time on the apps. Melissa Rotante, the Teen Talk Counselor at Staples, has noticed how this has caused a growing trend of more anxious students. “All of my clients report having [anxieties about social media], it contributes to some of their mental health symptoms that they might have already existing or it’s creating it for them,” Rotante said.
S
imilar to Instagram, the growth of Tumblr also sparked body image concerns and inappropriate conversations about eating disorders. Tumblr, while it was launched in 2007, reached the height of its popularity during the mid 2010s. Several of the blogs were created by those with eating disorders and promoted calorie-restrictive diets. These are often coded under hashtags like “ana” or “thinspo” and are meant to encourage users to stop eating. Feder acknowledges that Tumblr can fuel eating disorders among users. “It’s just a picture of these girls who are so emaciated and [saying] like, ‘ate two hundred calories today, working on eating less, so excited,’” Feder said, “and the comments also just break my heart.” While Tumblr has taken strides to provide alternative messages by prefacing the content under these hashtags with the phone number to the National Eating Disorders Association, Feder still believes there is more that can be done to help improve the website’s toxic content. “It’s a community for people who are encouraging toxic behavior and continuing the cycle,” Feder said. “I think that cracking down on banning certain words [... and] blocking certain posts and hashtags would benefit a lot of people.”
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Fashion trends that defined the decade Dana Perelberg ’20
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Managing Editor
s we transitioned from year to year, we witnessed aesthetic changes, monumental fashion events and the rise of new clothing brands. While each of these had an effect on the fashion world in the 2010s, some trends stood out from the rest. From accessories to shoes to clothes, the 2010s gave us iconic looks that we will take with us into the next decade.
Photos by Eliza Barr ’21
Teens all over rocked t-shirts and sweatshirts marked with recognizable logos. Terms like “hype beast,” were coined to describe individuals obsessed with showing off the brand name of each item they wore from a popular streetwear company. Streetwear is one of my personal favorite trends of the decade because of its striking evolution. Street style made its way to the runway in 2012 with the establishment of OffWhite. Brightly colored sweatshirts and bold prints became a staple for fashion-lovers all over, transforming streetwear from a fad among teenagers to one of this decade’s top trends.
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In the 2010s, many people started to dress like they were 4-year-olds again. From baby tees to playful hair clips, I wore many outfits reminiscent of what my mom dressed me in as a toddler. Butterfly clips were used for fun updos, making us all strangely resemble Jenna Rink in the 2004 classic, “13 going on 30.” People also took inspiration from Megan Fox who once wore her 8-year-old son’s “Star Wars” shirt in public. With fun colors like neon green and bright pink, all of our outfits made us feel like little kids again.
As many decades do, 2010s style took a few notes from the past. It took popular ’90s items such as combat boots and tiny glasses and put its own spin on them. Movies like “Clueless” were famous for their out-there fashion trends, emulated now by teens everywhere. As a middle schooler, I owned not one, but two versions of Cher Horowitz’s classic yellow plaid skirt. 90s inspiration was also evident in railroad stripes appearing on wide-legged bottoms, and everyone under the age of 20’s refusal to wear jeans lower than their belly button. The past decade’s style countered the fashion of the 2000s, but many of its trends really brought the ’90s back.
Leggings were probably the most worn item of the 2010s. They replaced the 2000s Juicy Couture tracksuit as a comfortable, laid-back style choice. Previously wearing leggings as pants was reserved only for workout classes, but by the end of the decade, it was a staple item for many teenagers. This trend took me a while to get behind as I held onto the idea that leggings are not pants, but as evident by the two-thirds of this week’s outfits, I’ve given up on that idea. Athletic wear is easy to put on, matches easily with other items and is offered in a variety of fun colors and patterns, making it one of the 2010s most loved trends.
16 Allie D’Angelo ’20
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Editor-in-Chief
otable protests occurred within the decade, signifying a nation in need of change as the large presence of citizens advocated for revision. These protests encompassed a movement never seen before at such a significant scale: The presence of teens at the frontlines, holding posters, chanting and standing side by side with adults, fighting for change in their own community. As youth activism trended last decade, strides were made in part due to the younger demographic taking a stand and addressing legislators, inspiring change both on a local and national scale. From Occupy Wall Street in 2010 to DACA protests, Pride Parades and March for Our Lives, youth activists created their own voice to be heard by citizens around the nation.
Students have participated in Women’s Marches both locally and nationally throughout the decade. After President Donald Trump’s inauguration in 2017, the first Women’s March advocated for women’s rights. Discussions surrounding the movement have lingered into classes at Staples including the Women in History class taught by social studies teacher Cathy Schager. Schager has witnessed students throughout the decade. “With the Women [in History] class, [students] weren’t even trying to push the issue with feminism,” Schager said, “but they were simply
trying to have a conversation about feminism and that was because of their personal experiences.” Schager additionally noted former students who have participated in the movement including Monique Ostbye ’18 and Eden Schumer ’18, who, even after graduating from Staples, have continued to participate in the discussion about sexual assault and women’s rights. “I’ve seen a lot of students who’ve gone on to college and have gotten really involved,” Schager said. “Doing these kinds of micro things here have helped [students] see what they can accomplish and they’ve gone on and done it in other places.”
Photos by Eliza Barr ’21, Kaela Dockray ’20 & Jane Krauss ’21
17 After the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School back in 2018, the March For Our Lives movement organized the largest protest against gun violence in history. At a grassroots level, students have joined the movement as chapter leaders who organized school walkouts and advocated to local legislatures. Chapter leader Elana Atlas ’21 is one of the many students involved in anti-gun violence movements at Staples High School. Atlas decided to become involved in the movement after the Parkland shooting and a threat that put Staples High School in a shelter-in-place back in 2018. Since these events, Atlas has been one of the many youth voices who advocated for gun control through inschool and local speeches. “Young people are deeply affected by ‘the issues,’ ‘the hot topics’ [and] ‘current events,’” Atlas said. “Young people have stories to share and truths to speak. If we don’t listen to young voices in any movement or in regards to any issue, we are missing an integral piece of the discourse surrounding that issue.” Atlas noted that her involvement in the movement has strengthened through attending national protests, where she is surrounded by similarly motivated voices.
“Gun violence prevention events are empowering,” Atlas said. “When I attend them or lead them, I know that I’m one of thousands– millions – of people dedicated to ending the American gun violence epidemic. I know that my voice has power, and I’m using it for good.”
Youth participation in climate walks around the world have grown in numbers throughout the decade. Youth leaders such as Greta Thunberg have taken the stage to discuss climate change since 2018 at climate strikes and the UN Climate Summit in 2019. Ella Berg ’20 attended the 2019 Climate Strike in New York City and joined empowered youth to protest the lack of legislation addressing rapid climate change. “If enough people, especially young people, showed up to the climate march, elected officials will see that those are who will be voting for them in the future and [...] that they need to come up with some policy instead of arguing about it and denying it,” Berg said. Berg noted the demographics of the walk consisting of individuals of younger generations. “It was definitely mostly young people,”
Berg said, “high schoolers [and] college students.” Berg noted that her involvement in the Climate Strike will hopefully influence future lawmakers to create change, as current officials will not have to live amidst potential environmental impacts in future decades. “We have the power to talk to young people [...] we’re the people who will be running those positions later, and that’s going to matter a lot more than what we’re saying to officials right now,” Berg said.
The LGBTQ+ community has successfully witnessed monumental change in the last decade. Same-sex marriage was legalized in 2015, and equality continues to grow for the community. In 2019, celebrations including nationwide pride parades occurred, commemorating the 50 year anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. Sydney Greenberg ’21 noted the power of youth activism within the community that has increased throughout the decade. “I think youth voice has been super impactful in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights,” Greenberg said, “and the fact that we’re pushing to the forefront of discussions more and more is definitely a step
in the right direction.” Locally, clubs including the Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) have offered a safe space for students at Staples to further discuss the LGBTQ+ community and increase youth participation. “There are so many important aspects of LGBTQ+ life that are incredibly more difficult for young people,” Greenberg said. “The youth voice, I think, is really fundamental in reaching out the general public and helping them understand the severity of our situation as a community, and pushing LGBTQ+ youth issues into the spotlight is an essential part of that.” Olivia Sarno ’20 has attended Pride Parades in the previous decade, and noted how the youth voice has increased due to youth appreciation for former generations and progress made in previous years. “With the progress that has been made throughout the 2010s,” Sarno said, “whether it’s same sex marriage being legalized or better representation on TV, I feel like at least for me as a gay person, I’ve grown up in a time where I’ve watched things get better. This has given me permission to continue that progress.”
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The Artichoke R.I.P. to the mementos of our past: an obituary Dana Perelberg ’20 Managing Editor
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s we move onto 2020, we look to the new. “New decade, new me” graces every social media platform as we swear that this year will be different. Initially, we’re excited about what the future holds. But as we leave our past selves in the past decade, we must never forget the ones we lost in the 2010s. May these collectible relics rest peacefully in the bottom of our teachers’ desk drawers. My silly band collection likely peaked in second grade. Those multicolored rubber bands may have cut off the circulation of both of my arms, but the pain was worth it for the clout. There was a point in time where I had the most envied collection in the entire school — that is until I lost my yellow seahorse in the great silly band ban of 2010. I think about you every day, Sunny the Seahorse. Our silly bands were not the only items taken away from us by thieving administrators. In 2017, fidget spinners spread like mono at a prom afterparty. Each student suddenly developed an inability to concentrate without twirling the gadget around their finger.
Photo by Eliza Barr ’21
For those of us who did not have a fidget spinner, we got to listen to the beautiful whirring sounds of 20 spinners all in use at the same time during our final exams. Even though I no longer hear that calming music, the memory of fidget spinners still lives on in my nightmares. But nothing tops the pandemonium, the destruction, the all out warfare of 2015, when water bottle flipping hit the scene. Sighs of disappointment and howls of victory rang through the halls as Nestle water bottles whizzed, flipped and thunked onto the hard ceramic halls of middle schools nationwide. Bottle flipping was an art that few could master. Students’ spirits were battered along with half-filled bottles as the cut-throat competition was finally cut short by headacheridden administration. I will always remember these banned items, and I will be sure to pass their memory on to the next generation in the form of social m e d i a posts, reading: “ O n l y 2010s kids remember” and start a comment war with anyone who disagrees.
Inklings Satire
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Resolutions keep you motivated for seemingly endless school year changed my normal routine. I can definitely say that Assistant Business Manager when I have no set goals in the back of my mind at the start of a new year, I find myself reaching a plateau in my schoolwork and outside of school as well. ake the While it may be easy soccer to put hard work into team, try school, the weeks can new foods, get an seem to go by at the pace “A” in a hard class. of a sloth. I find myself New Year’s resolutions looking forward to the keep you active throughweekends and postponing my out the year, whether you fol- weekday happiness rather than low through with them or not. setting intermediate goals that Whatever New Year’s reso- I feel excited about completing lution you set out to accom- Monday through Friday. plish this year, it is important I understand that some to choose something that will goals do not end up working keep you motivated and will out or can be considered help you get meaningless to through the people. While you don’t need some next chapter. But like I said, to keep a bullet journal it does not The main or check off everything matter influences that the uplifted me on your list, you should significance of this year were start the year off right by the resolution. friends, sports challenging yourself to Just the act and different do something that you of making resolutions that normally wouldn’t do. a resolution I set for myself. will elevate It didn’t matter the size of the your outlook on life and goal, how long it would take prevent you from falling into me to achieve it or if I even a seemingly endless routine. ended up reaching it. It was New Year’s resolutions the act of pushing myself to go only come around every 12 outside my comfort zone and months; however, they are to strive for something better. important in keeping you For instance, I have fallen motivated. While you don’t victim to setting the goal to need to keep a bullet journal drink more water various times or check off everything on and every year have failed to your list, you should start the do so. However, for the first year off right by challenging three weeks, I kept my water yourself to do something that bottle in my backpack, which you normally wouldn’t do.
Theresa Vandis ’22
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Photos by Natalie Bandura ’22 & Eliza Barr ’21
Resolutions restrict goals, difficult to follow through according to certain things I would like to accomplish at Features Editor different times throughout the year. Depending on what may be occurring at one point of the year, I will strive very December, a to make sure that my few days before goal is applicable to the start of a the problems I may new year, my family be experiencing. asks me what my New For example, right Year’s resolution is goaround midterms, I ing to be. As I sit down was able to set a goal and truly contemplate my for myself to eliminate goals for the upcoming year, all aspects that could cause I struggle to put together the more stress or distract me. “perfect” resolution that will Year-long New Year’s encapsulate all I want to ac- resolutions essentially serve complish. I rediscover, year no purpose if people won’t after year, that defining one work hard to achieve them all-encompassing goal is an throughout all 12 months, impossible task. which I find C h a n g e s As I sit down and truly rarely happens. h a p p e n contemplate my goals In addition, c o n s t a n t l y for the upcoming year, I the act of throughout thinking and our busy lives. struggle to put together creating new Between friends the “perfect” resolution r e s o l u t i o n s and school, I that will encapsulate all each year find it difficult I want to accomplish. can become to commit stressful myself to one major goal for when trying to make them the course of an entire year. as effective as possible. In reality, writing down Setting resolutions should and declaring what your long- not be a one-time thing. They term resolutions are easier should be a reoccuring habit said than done. Though I within ones lifestyle. Goals can understand that setting new be set all throughout the year, goals for the year allows for allowing for personal growth, a fresh start, having more both physically and mentally. goals for smaller chunks of The new year should time is much more beneficial. not be rung in worrying Instead of setting a resolution about how to create the most at the start of each year, I allow effective resolution. Instead, myself to focus on one goal for I take the stress-less way out one specific moment. I set goals and skip them as a whole.
Lucy Arrow ’21
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Social media platforms skyrocket with viral #WWIII memes, videos Emma Smith ’22 Staff Writer
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he first year into a new decade, 2020: full of opportunities, change, positivity and airstrikes. Happy New Year! Ever since the airstrike that killed Iranian general Qasem Soleimani, the hashtag #WWIII has been trending on social media platforms. In the days following the strike, people flooded feeds with videos, especially TikTok videos, and memes about the tension between the U.S. and Iran. The majority of these videos and memes joked about the possibility of a World War III draft and how Gen Z would act on the battlefield. “I actually think a lot of them are funny,” Sonya Danchak ’21 said. “I feel like we won’t actually go into war, so the memes are just fun to look at.” The memes put a satirical twist on the violent actions happening in the Middle East as a way to lighten the mood during a difficult time. A viral TikTok video with the title “me doing my 12-step skincare routine in
Graphic by Molly Gold '21
the trenches” appeared on many “For You” pages. In the video, she has a green screen in the background where she projected a picture of the trenches. Other videos made fun of popular social media creators like Charli D’Amelio. For example, one involved someone doing the D’Amelio’s infamous dance “renegade” in an effort to mock her. Some Staples students feel that the matter is too serious to take as a joke. “Memes have been taken too far right now,” Anna Pan ’22 said. “Usually you can joke here and there, but World War III is a big thing. ” Moreover, many Staples students believe that the posts are radiating a false image of the present which could affect our future. “They are just really distracting and we are paying more attention to them than what is actually going on,” Edwards said. “We can’t just sit and watch memes all day when acts of war are being issued.”
Scan this to watch a broadcast by Natasha Taubenheim '22 on the increasing popularity of memes surrounding the threat of WWIII.
Q&A
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Natalie Bandura ’22 News Editor
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nklings sat down with Principal Stafford W. Thomas, Jr. and asked him some questions focused on Staples’ present and future.
What are the key values that you believe are most essential to expand upon or continue to work towards?
We really want to make it a place that you miss, not just for a couple of teachers, some courses or some friends, but the experience. [...] So, hopefully seven to 10 years out, people are coming back talking about the Staples experience as a whole rather than just a couple of friends here and there or teachers. But just like, “You know what? That place was special.” I want to see that be the norm in terms of how [Staples is] described.
What do you believe has been most successful about Staples thus far that you plan to keep for the future? The academics are certainly strong. Even though we’ve done well so far in STEM [science, technology, engineering and mathematics], I think I want to solidify more of the offerings and make it more STEAM [science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics] focused. Our arts program is so strong that [we should] include that and include athletics.
What are some of your main short-term priorities for the second semester as we launch into 2020?
I still haven’t experienced the spring here, so things are in place and I’m assuming for a reason, so I want to give them a chance to see how they unfold. If they jive with our vision, then we know we’ll keep them. If not, we’ll tweak them [...] I’m looking forward to the play in the spring, all the spring sports and the winter playoffs for the sports. We have concerts coming up at the end of this month (they are outstanding). I think that’s one of the most impressive aspects so far of being principal here: going to the plays and also the concerts.
What long-term changes in the school organization or environment do you see that you want to initiate and how do you plan to make them?
It’s [about] transforming the school community. That’s the long-term goal and you start with Connections. There will [also] be a program that’s going to help with our transition from eight to nine. That eighth to ninth grade transition is going to be big because we’re going to be establishing what we have here in Staples, letting students in eighth grade know and then helping them to make that transition so it’ll be a much smoother transition than in years prior.
Photo by Rebecca Kanfer '21
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Graphic by Rachel Varsano ’21
Successful upcoming decade requires unified change Kaela Dockray '20 Managing Editor
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new decade holds the promise of new beginnings. Yet, we arrive at the start of the new year in a state of violence and hostility, grappling with looming threat of war with Iran. After 10 years of tumult, beginning amid a global financial crisis in 2010 and ending under the divisive leadership of President Trump in 2019, we must strive for better in the coming decade. Aside from a president who adheres to his Constitutional limitations, here is my wishlist for how things should be improved in the next decade: In the 2020s, I hope that we take the steps necessary to combat the climate crisis. As Australia continues to face unparalleled destruction and deadly wildfires, I want world leaders to finally listen to the millions of protestors calling
for urgent action. They must women are equally represented. In the coming decade, I end our reliance on fossil fuels, cut greenhouse gas hope for open and fair U.S. emissions and prevent further elections. I hope for an end irreversible damage that to partisan gerrymandering, allows governing results from climate change. which In this decade, I hope parties to secure themselves in power by that we are able to reform It is the power of our redrawing the A m e r i c a ’ s nation’s youth that, b o u n d a r i e s e d u c a t i o n above all else, gives me of legislative system and hope that the 2020s d i s t r i c t s their a b a n d o n will in fact be a de- to favor. The f e d e r a l should p r o g r a m s cade of optimism and U.S. that prioritize long-awaited change. restore voting rights to districts where students receive higher former prisoners, implement scores on standardized tests. automatic voter registration publicly disclose Instead, I hope that we equally and contributions. distribute educational funding campaign As our generation in a way that adequately to consume prepares every American continues student for the future’s rapidly themselves in social media, I changing, technologically- hope that we are able to think advanced society. carefully about our phone I hope for the ratification of habits and restore the value the Equal Rights Amendment in face-to-face interaction to the U.S. Constitution in and living in the present. I hope that this will be this decade in order to legally require gender equality. I hope the decade we finally put an to live in a society free where end to gun violence. I hope
that the federal funding Congress has allocated to this cause serves as a critical step in combating the senseless loss of life that has become commonplace in our nation. I wish for kindness and civility. In every sphere of society, I hope that we are able to embrace disagreement and take the time to listen and understand perspectives that differ from our own. However, I also know that change cannot be made overnight; I am not naïve, and I recognize that the world we live in today is not much different from the one we’ve lived in these past 10 years. Yet, the speed with which demonstrations like the Climate Strike movement, Black Lives Matter and March For Our Lives have spread is unprecedented. Leadership roles are now being held by young people. It is the power of our nation’s youth that, above all else, gives me hope that the 2020s will in fact be a decade of optimism and long-awaited change.
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