Inklings Graduation 2021 Issue

2

editorial Graphic by Lilly Weisz ’23

Not to be deterred, Class of 2021 forges, preserves through LIFE

D

ear

class of 2021, The fall of 2020 seemed grim. Your senior year was filled with uncertainty, face-to-face interactions with teachers were limited and the most meaningful traditions of your senior year were struck down one by one.

However, your perseverance and zeal transformed the bleak expectations for this year into a memorable and enjoyable experience. Despite every obstacle thrown in your path, your resilience and positive mindset created oppor-

tunities out of setbacks and made your journey successful.

When the grade was split into two cohorts, you still sported your Senior Girls shirts on separate days with pride. When your fall Homecoming Motorcade got canceled, you planned it for the spring with lacrosse.

When Spirit Week couldn’t happen in the first semester, you found a way to bring your spirit into the second semester.

When there were no student sections for fans, you still rallied the student body online. When it was announced that clubs

inklings staff

STAPLES HIGH SCHOOL’S STUDENT NEWS MAGAZINE

could no longer meet in-person, you transferred some of Staples’ most beloved after-school activities to online platforms with efficiency and grace.

Your leadership set a positive example for younger grades and is a testament to what it means to be a Wrecker. We could not have asked for a better senior class to lead us through the 2020-21 year, and we all hope to carry on your legacy in the years to come.

As you leave Staples, keep your head held high with the knowledge that despite the ex-

Editors-in-Chief

Broadcast Directors

Web Arts Editors

Managing Editors

Breaking News Editor

Web Sports Editors

Web Managing Editors

News Editors

Tierney Kugel

Giselle Oldani, Anastasia Thumser Finnegan Courtney, Maya Creative Director Hruskar, Lucy Dockter, Julia Aidan Rogers Herlyn Associate Managing Opinions Editors Editors Mimi Casey, Jared Leonard, Samantha Felner, Karina Murray Valerie Dreyfuss, Charley Photography Director Guthartz Camille Vynerib Features Editors Asst. Creative Directors Mishael Gill, Emily Goldstein, Rachel Greenberg, Madeline Lily Klau, Ella Shi Michalowski, Lilly Weisz Arts Editors Business Managers Anna Diorio, Abbie Goldstein, Brooke Dembin, Margot Stack, Maria Krug, Elle Vail Theresa Vandis Sports Editors Asst. Business Managers Gabi Gerig, Kiswa Khan, Meg Enquist, Allison Gillman, Mia Phoebe Miller, Tori Wilson Kirkorsky, Lucy Zuckerman Web News Editors Social Media Director Toby Goldfarb, Abby Nevin Lea Rivel

Web Opinions Editors

Public Relations Director Hannah Conn, Margot Richlin Chloe Murray Web Features Editors Outreach Manager Alix Glickman, Karlie Saed Shira Zeiberg

With admiration, Inklings News

The Editorial Board voted unanimously in favor of this opinion.

Volume 88, Issue 10 | June 17, 2021

Natalie Bandura, Katie Simons Ella Alpert, Lyah Muktavaram Audrey Kercher, Hannah Ratcliffe Lily Caplan, Betti Kobak

traordinary and unprecedented challenges you had to tackle, the skills you garnered extend far beyond the realm of Staples and will serve you well as you journey forward in this Game of Life.

Sarah Marron, Julia Leitner

Web Photostory Editor Amanda Rowan, Ella Stoler

Advisers

Joseph DelGobbo, Mary Elizabeth Fulco

Front cover photos & graphics by Madeline Michalowski ’22, Aidan Rogers ’22 & Camille Vynerib ’23 Pictured top row, left to right: Nasir Wynruit ’21, Dean Moro ’21, Harley Bonn ’21 Middle row, left to right: Carter Kelsey ’21, Julia Diconza ’21 Bottom row: Feven Alemurenzulli ’21

More About Us

Inklings News is uncensored, unedited by administration and does not allow for prior review.

Opinions

The Editorial Board determines editorial opinions that are authored by the Editors-in-Chief. Inklings news serves as an open forum for the public and welcomes letters to the editor and other submissions. Send signed letters to inklingsnews@ westportps.org. Submissions will not be edited prior to publication.

Advertisements

Inklings News reserves the right to not publish advertisements that promote products that could be harmful to student health.

Membership

Inklings News is a member of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association and National Scholastic Press association and supports the Student Press Law Center.

......................................................

The decisions of Inklings News and Westport Public Schools are made without regard to race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability orany other discriminating basis prohibited by local, state or federal law.

3

If it wasn’t for midyear schedule switches: Inklings instills invaluable commitment to conversation Claire Redmer ’21 Editor-in-Chief

O

on the paper and in the process, they left a mark on my heart.

As I graduate, it’s clear that the best thing I did in high school was coming out of my shell and making those connections with people, even if it was a challenge. Fulco once said to me that she wishes we could get the time I spent in silence back, and if I had one regret, it would be not making this commitment to conversation sooner.

In the midst of high school, it may feel like you are surrounded by people you don’t quite understand or blend with.

But there are so many amazing people tucked inside the cinderblock walls of Staples: open yourself up to each and every one of them and value the surprising connections you can make; four years go fast.

Photo by Camille Vynerib ’23

texts in our groupchat “PAPER PALS️” (caps and emojis absolutely necessary after multiple mix ups with the “Paper Leadership” chat which included the Inklings advisors) would never fail to contain the most random, entertaining and funny stories, photos and three-minute voice memos that never failed to improve my day.

The girls who made up the Inklings paper leadership team represent everything I’ve learned throughout high school: put effort into getting to know those who are different than you; the balance you find and lessons you learn from them define your experience and are truly one of a kind.

Through our teamwork we transformed Inklings into a modern newsmagazine.

W e left our mark

Graphic by Maya Hruskar ’23

n the first day of second semester freshman year, I was placed in an elective class that I just did not want to be in, so I went to my guidance counselor and asked to take ANYTHING ELSE. The open options included animation and Intro to Journalism, and knowing my inability to draw, I selected journalism, without even knowing what journalism was.

There I met my teacher, Ms. Fulco, who I would soon view as one of the scariest people I had ever known. She was tall; she was loud; she was very animated. She was everything I did not consider myself to be.

As a result of missing the first day of class, I sat in the back row between two seniors, and quite literally never spoke (except when Fulco popcorn threw her stuffed Eeyore ball and had me recite the next word in the First Amendment.)

After that experience, I decided that journalism wasn’t for me, yet somehow, after another mid-year schedule switch, I still ended up enrolled in Advanced Journalism. Throughout the next two years, Fulco and I came to understand and appreciate each other. I’m honestly not sure how it happened, but now we laugh, yell, dance, sing and even Zoomed on an asynchronous learning day after both receiving our COVID-19 shots. She knows my Cheshire Cat dance in Alice in Wonderland and I know her Starbucks order (Venti Quad Shot

Latte—which is mildly concerning given the outrageous level of caffeine, but that’s a whole nother conversation.)

This development from terror to love(?) really has little to do with her changing, and more to do with how I’ve grown throughout high school. Journalism gave me a platform for writing my thoughts, and while I developed a passion and love for that, my physical voice grew, too. I started raising my hand in classes, taking on leadership roles and losing that fear of judgement over what I would say in front of a group of people. The connection I’ve gained from this commitment to engaging with others, particularly those who are different than me, has been invaluable.

Inklings: 2020-21 edition continued these lessons of the previous years. The members of this year’s leadership came from every corner of the school—we were not the best of friends going into our jobs. Yet throughout the year, we found great strength in our differences, creating an energetic and capable team, but even more than that, a group of best friends. 300

4

In support of people-watching Poppy Livingstone ’21 Editor-in-Chief

T

his is my love letter to people-watching.

When I was a little kid, curious and restless in the way that little kids are, my mom would point out strangers and have us make up their stories. What started as a game turned into something of a state of being; once you start people-watching it becomes a natural, ingrained curiosity that colors everything and everyone you see.

As I look my future straight in its eyes, I feel a sense of panic about all that I’ve forgotten. My people-watching gives me the rare chance to remember the insignificant moments that I value so much.

For example, on Feb. 20, 2019; “I walked through the art hallway and three freshman boys ran past me. One was in socks, gliding across the floor, pulled by his friends. They held a sweatshirt between them like a harness, and made sharp turns to slam their friend into a wall.”

I don’t know who those boys were, or if they remember that moment. Maybe

they don’t. But the glow of over and over. It takes so their excitement, which en- long to get home, there’s so veloped me so warmly then, much traffic. Usually everycontinues to warm me now. one has so many activities, “3/3/20 - Walking to school we never leave all at once.” from Wakeman, we see boys And then nothing. trying to pick the lock at the For about three months. gate. I make eye contact with There was no one to see. one of them just as it opens, and There’s simply a break in the we all cheer.” line, an entry There is a Once you start dated March turning point people-watching it followed by in this jourentry datbecomes a natural, an nal, the kind ed June. The of thing that ingrained curiosity centimeter reminds me of that colors of space beon-the-nose tween them foreshadowing everything and sits heavily in trite disaster everyone you see. on the page. movies. Hints Returnof what was to come as ear- ing to school, I felt an almost ly as April, mentions of a vi- compulsive need to document rus, of cases in nearby states. my remaining time. I wrote “3/10/20 - On the board in feverishly, carried a disposable science, someone has written “CORONA VIRUS HELP: COUGH INTO YOUR ____”. In red pen, someone has written “neighbors mouth.”

Yesterday, it said “hand.”

And then: “3/11/20 School cancelled, received email in health. Halls have never been so lively.

I keep hearing the same questions

camera in my back pocket, and tried as hard as I could to remember as much as I could.

The most worthwhile of my people-watching endeavors came in the last week of school, when I carried a home video camera in the halls, recording anyone and everyone who cared to be remembered in this small but meaningful way. I have hours of footage, each frame hugely significant in its comforting familiarity.

There is a special joy in anticipating nostalgia. People delighted in the opportunity to think about looking back on themselves in a dozen or so years. Rewatching these videos, even now, weeks after I took them, I can see how much we’ve grown.

It’s overwhelming to watch, hearing my voice, seeing my peers live so naturally in the context that I’ve always known them. High school wasn’t easy. It’s not supposed to be. But I’ll miss it. Isn’t it nice to have something so complicated and rich to look back on? Isn’t it nice to have so much to miss?

Photo by Eliza Barr ’21 Photos contributed by Poppy Livingstone ’21

5

Photo by Camille Vynerib ’23 Graphics by Lily Klau ’23

The art of decision making:

How my name shapes who I am Remy Teltser ’21 Paper Managing Editor

I

dread first-day-of-school attendance. Every year it is the same routine—mumbles of “here” and “present” as names are mechanically read off.

We’re three-quarters through the alphabet and we’ve hit the dire “T” section: “Olivia Teltser.”

I clear my throat and tell my new teacher that I go by Remy.

The response is customarily the same: a perplexed eyebrow burrow and then something along the lines of “Where did that come from?”

But I am being overdramatic. Having a nickname is really

nothing but a mere inconve- adjustment period for my exnience and a key part of my tended family, soon the name identity. My dad started calling Olivia disappeared from exisme Remy when I was four and tence, with the exceptions of it stuck. When explaining the doctors visits and, of course, the history of dreaded school my name, list.

What started out as attendance I often I would boldglaze over an innocent ly say identifying the main nickname evolved as Remy was my motivatfirst life-changing factor: into my most ing choice. What there was prominent link to started out as an another innocent nickidentity and Olivia in name evolved my kininto my most dergarten class and I so des- prominent link to identity and perately wanted to be different. individuality. And every choice At the age of 4 I made the I’ve made since then has conconscious effort to tell every tinued to meld my unique mold. new person I met that my new For instance, I haphazardly name was Remy. After a brief chose to join Inklings freshman

year, unaware of how prominent the school newspaper would become in my life. Inklings provided me with an environment where I could fail and succeed, flourish under pressure, value constructive criticism, appreciate insight from my peers and amplify my own voice.

College is like kindergarten; it’s a clean slate to be whoever you choose. While I could easily revert back to my given name, Remy is a part of who I am. The choices I make in the next four years will remarkably frame my future. So I will choose to lean into new opportunities because I know one seemingly aimless decision can prompt great growth and meaningful existence.

6

Jokes, mouse incidents and replaceable quizzes: Getting involved, the silly, unpredictable moments that defined my high school experience about my path at Staples be- my proposal was quickly rejectcause it was my unwavering ed). I think about celebrating Paper Managing Editor desire to participate and get an FCIAC championship, arinvolved that led to some guing with my teachers about icture this: an overly of the defining moments of Michigan football, galloping eager, wide-eyed, am- my high school experience. (yes, galloping) through the InWhen I reminisce about klings hallway on layout breaks. bitious, sometimes anSure, sometimes I think noying and almost always my four years at Staples, I think about the about the all-nighters studyenergetic young time a ing and the hard tests and the freshman walks What I remember mouse ran friend drama and the college into Staples High School for the first most are the weird, up my soc- stress. But what I remember cer coach’s most are the weird, uncontime as a student. unconventional, leg during ventional, random, stupid, She has sep r a c t i c e . silly, crazy, unpredictable, hicured a spot on random, stupid, I think larious and fun moments that the JV girls’ soccer silly, crazy, about a will stick with me forever. team, signed up for unpredictable, These moments are what joke that an Intro to I made at defined my high school expeJournalism class hilarious and fun I n k l i n g s rience and what made the last and taken interest layout that four years the best of my life. in numerous clubs. moments that had me Most of them never would She is not sure will stick with l a u g h i n g have existed without a desire exactly what to exharder than to just simply get involved. pect, but she has as- me forever.

Now picture this: an exanyone else tronomically high hopes for her next four years. in the room. I think about the tremely nostalgic, simultaneThat was me—in a nut- time I made and displayed an ously happy yet sad and still sometimes annoying senior presentation shell. Having long awaited the impromptu walks out of Stachance to finally call myself a about why my AP Econ ples High School Staples student, I did not hes- quizzes should be refor the last itate to take advantage of the placeable (side note: opportunities in front of me.

I tried to become as involved and active in the Staples community as I could. I rarely left school when the final bell rang; I was almost always staying for some extracurricular activity or meeting with a teacher. Even when I wasn’t obligated to participate in things, I did not pass up any chances.

I’ll be the first to admit that this mindset most certainly led to some overwhelming and stressful times. Juggling school, soccer, Inklings, work, clubs and other obligations was not easy. But even if I could, I would never change anything Graphic by Rachel Greenberg ’22 & Lily Klau ’23

Lys Goldman ’21

P

time as a student.

She has been the captain of the varsity girls’ soccer team, paper managing editor of the school newspaper and a member or leader of numerous different clubs.

She is not sure exactly what to expect of the future, but she will forever cherish the people, places, experiences and opportunities of the past four years and will always remember the stupid, silly, unpredictable moments that made them so enjoyable.

Graphic by Lilly Weisz ’23 Photo by Betti Kobak ’22

In defense of the Kardashians

eri b

Vy n am ille by C Ph ’23 oto

“The Bachelor” happenings with Mr. Coyne via email, rather than our usual lively debates.

I’m not sure what I’ll do with all of this recently-acquired free time. It’s scary to know that these things that have been a staple, a highlight, of my life are finished. The chapter has ended, the season is over. There will be no spinoff, no big reboot down the line.

This is it. We’ve reached the finale. But, hey, at least Netflix announced that there will be a third season of “The Circle.”

’22 &

Ma ya

H

sk ar ’2

3

arle y Gu tha rtz

F

or the past four years, there has been a constant in my life: when “Keeping Up With The Kardashians’’ is on, you will find me on my living room couch, eyes glued to the screen. Although the show’s air day has changed from Sunday to Thursday, the lip fillers have gotten more extreme and scandals have come and gone, my ritual has stayed the same. Once per week, from 8-9 p.m, I escape to sunny Calabasas and into the world of the Kardashians, filled with fashion shows, viral Instagram posts and ginormous salads.

Whenever I tell people about my Thursday night routine, I’m met with eye rolls and judgement. Why would I so proudly contribute to their undeserved fanbase? How could I praise such an untalented, obnoxious family? What would possibly justify putting more money into their pockets?

When faced with these questions, I immediately feel the need to come to the defense of my favorite famous family. It’s impossible to ignore the empire they’ve built, the influence they’ve had on culture and the skill it

by C h

Creative Director

takes to acquire such impact. of a polynomial in CalcuBut honestly, while I believe lus every Monday morning, these things to be true, I love the I am given the opportunity Kardashians for their stupidity. to start my week by giggling At Staples, the emphasis with some of my best friends. of keeping our focus is drilled I’ve been known to derail my into our heads before we even entire Econ class through inwalk into the building. We’re tense debates with Mr. Coyne constantly told that free time about “The Bachelor,” and is time wasted. There is no of course, the Kardashians. reason to take your eye off My Thursday night reality the ball, no time for stupidity. TV commitment isn’t an escape The importance of serious- from my own reality, but rathness has been reinforced since er a reminder of my life’s trimiddle school. “High school umphs. As silly as it may sound, teachers won’t tolerate this” was my connection to “Keeping a common phrase that was said Up With the Kardashians” has to us as we been a constant ran through It’s impossible to through these the hallways ignore the empire past four years to lunch, and an omnithey’ve built, the laughed to the present remindpoint of tears influence they’ve er to not take during chorus had on culture and life so seriously. concerts and But now, ran late after the skill it takes to I’m faced with catching up acquire such a problem. I’m with friends writing this on impact. b e t we e n a Thursday classes. High school teachers night; a Thursday without wouldn’t tolerate distractions; “Keeping Up With the they wouldn’t tolerate stupidity. Kardashians.” The show However, as four years have has ended. There will passed, the highlights of my be no more lip fillers, high school experience have no more scandals and been those distractions that no more giant salads.

I had once believed to be The gaping, hourforbidden. While the long hole in my week pressure to be serious now seems to serve as is overwhelming at nothing but a reminder times, I’ve been of all that is changing. lucky enough Not only is this to find the time newly freed, but stupidity in my Monday mornings every day. are about to become bare W h i l e of Calculus and giggles I struggle (guess which one of to calcu- those I’m sad to give late the up). I’m preparing to derivative discuss the recent Graphics

Molly Gold ’21

7

ru

8

Spoiler alert: High school isn’t what Taylor Swift preaches it will be Lucy Arrow ’21

Web Managing Editor

M

y younger self might have longed for the romanticized version of high school that Taylor Swift wrote about in “Fifteen.” But now, four years later, I look back not wanting to change any part of it.

I was 13 going into high school, so I definitely made an effort to “stay out of everyone’s way.” During freshman

Photo by Eliza Barr ’21 Graphic by Lily Caplan ’22

year, I was timid to speak up in class, relied heavily on my sister, a junior at the time, and without a doubt, felt awkward when walking by fully-matured 18-year-old senior boys. Thankfully, as far as I know, neither my friends nor I were “Hoping one of those senior boys / [would] wink,” which apparently contrasts with Taylor’s experience.

And then, despite what Taylor had me believing in her song, everyone drives a car and it is neither unique nor special. Unfortunately, getting

driven around by friends is not as electrifying as “feeling like flying.” However, being able to drive myself and get driven by my friends once I reached 16 was a great convenience.

Despite the majority of overromanticized lyrics in the song, Taylor did get some of it right. For instance, Taylor described her high school experience as being a time when she was “feeling like there’s nothing to figure out.”

At 15, my sophomore year, these lyrics strongly resonated with me. Prior to the intensity of college preparation, sophomore year granted us all more time to find our footing in the school.

Just as Taylor described meeting her soon-to-be best friend, “red-headed Abigail,” in class, I, too, grew closer to the people who I am now most dreading to say goodbye to this summer.

With certainty, I can say that I “didn’t know who I was supposed to be at 15,” and I can relate to Taylor in that aspect. High school provided time for me to explore interests with low stakes and form numerous relationships.

The idolized version of high school created in the song fails to include the complex, confusing, spontaneous, and even, at times, painful moments that were critical to my more “traditional” high school years.

The strong friendships made on my swim and dive team, the endless hours in the Inklings classroom and the school spirit that carries Staples, are all aspects of my high school experience that don’t fit into the “Taylor Swift ideal,” yet are critical to the time I had here.

Although the 13-year-old

me might have dreamed of a movie-esque high school experience, Taylor’s song version of high school proves to be starkly different from my experience with high school, yet, I am satisfied. I have learned to endure, persevere and accept a less-than perfect high school experience because it all helped me mature and become a more knowledgeable student, and helped me grow as an individual so I am better prepared for the world.

At 17 now, I can say confidently that I would not have wanted the romanticized version of school created by Taylor Swift. High school was not just about finding romance and going on dates with a “boy on the football team.” Instead, it was a stretch of four brief years where I collected memories and experiences that will carry me through the next phase of my life, and I am forever grateful for that as I “walk through the doors” of high school and embark on college.

Scan this QR code to view Lucy’s Spotify playlist of her top songs from high school.

9 Lockdown forced me to rewire my protective instincts Rachel Suggs ’21

Web Managing Editor

M

y high school memories are frozen in time on March 11, 2020 during the middle of Period 8, when the boy sitting behind me in Spanish class read aloud an email from Mr. Thomas that said school was closing for coronavirus.

My first instinct was not fearing for my safety or feeling anxious about impending uncertainty. I didn’t ponder the possibility of distancing myself from all my classmates, huddling ten feet away in the corner, and putting my sweatshirt over my face and mouth.

Instead, I immediately worried about my endless to-do list burning a hole in my backpack and all the tasks I had to complete before the end of the

week— which was just cut short.

While the class erupted in cheers, I worried about our upcoming vocabulary test. I marched up to my teacher and said, “I was going to come in on Friday to conference with you, but seeing as that’s not happening anymore, I was wondering if we could conference now?”

After our brief meeting, I traipsed through the halls to the last class of the day, Period 7 Physical Education. Everywhere I looked, students were high-fiving and erupting in relief, shouting “Happy corona-cation!”

Outside of the field house before class, a group of girls were huddling around each other, reading something on one girl’s phone. They proclaimed, “The world health organization just officially declared the coronavirus a pandemic.”

I didn’t stop to think about what this meant for my life or

Photo contributed by Rachel Suggs ’21

for world safety.

Instead, I worried about my Journalism class progress and asked to publish a photograph of them reading the news on Inklings’ social media pages for my own class credit.

March 11, 2020 was the last day that my instincts were to prioritize work, Graphic by Rachel Greenberg ’22 efficiency and & Lily Klau ’23 productivity over my own safety eat a technology-free lunch and security. From that day for- outside whenever possible. I ward, the top of my to-do list has said, “no” to commitments that become protecting my health. forced me to sacrifice time The lockdown forced me to with my friends and family not only confront the thought and took a half-year free perithat I am not invincible — a od for the first time in my high fact which I used to gleefully school career so that I could stuff deep into a swamp in the have a break during my day. bottom of my consciousness — In my pre-pandemic life, I but perhaps more importantly, was a robot who never stopped that I can no longer afford to ne- to honor my human needs glect my physical well being for such as sleeping and eating in the sake of task completion. peace. The lockdown forced After I got over the me to rewire my protective ininitial shock of the lock- stincts, so that instead of prodown, I made some tecting my to-do list efficiency changes. I stopped stay- in a crisis — or any time, for ing up past midnight to that matter — I protect my work on assignments physical health and safety first. for class, and instead opted for a balanced sleep schedule.

I stopped skipping my lunch hour to do homework or conference with teachers, and instead chose to

10 Graphic by Charley Guthartz ’22 Associate Managing Editor

I

f you asked me three years ago what I hated most in life, the word “school” would be my default answer. It never sat right with me that I had to be dragged out of bed every morning to work on assignments with material that I was certain would never help me later in life. I never planned on being an actress, so was it really necessary for me to memorize a scene from Shakespeare and perform it in front of my English class? And science was never really my thing, so it was hard for me to understand why it was essential for me to learn stoichiome-

try

in chemistry class.

Despite not understanding why I had to learn what I was being taught, I always turned in every assignment. It was strange because as much as I “hated” school, I worked my ass off to get good grades and spent hours on end, night after night, completing every ounce of my homework. Whether it was the competitive atmosphere that is fostered here at Staples, my own personal competitive streak with myself or the fact that I knew I had no choice but to go to school, something in me was always pushing me to work as hard as I could. Despite my lack of understanding of the curriculum, I was compelled to complete it to the best of my ability – never taking a moment to realize that in and of itself, THAT was the real lesson for me.

But truth be told, my time as an actual student is not what is important here. As a senior girl who got most of her last two years of “normal” high school taken away from

Photo by Eliza Barr ’21

Chelsea Strober ’21

her due to a pandemic, I have I was surrounded by (and the done more than enough re- fact that I was finally not bad flecting on my time in high at a class that included math). school and thinking about all And while I will never be a of the what-could-have-beens. Shakespearian actress, I can Through my reflecting, my still recite all of my lines and main realization was that I do I can finally acknowledge that not, and never did, hate school. it is because of that experience After about two weeks of that I have learned to have confidence when speaking in online school back in March front of big groups of people. of 2020, I began to miss my I am not saying that I was “school” friends. The friends never a student who that I participated in activimade in Through my ties or did not enjoy my c l a s s - reflecting, my time here, because that es, not main realization would not be true. But through what I am saying is that my so- was that I do not, I wish I would have apcial life. and never did, preciated it all just a F r i e n d s hate school. little bit more while I w i t h was living through it. whom I would laugh until I I wish I realized earlier how couldn’t breathe at something much more there is to school that probably wasn’t even that than simply being a student. funny in the cafeteria during lunch, or about the ridiculousness of an assignment that we had to complete. As the weeks and then months went on, I started to regret not joining the packed stands and screaming “Go Wreckers” as loud as I could at every single football game each season. I shouldn’t have waited until my senior year to show all of my school spirit because in the blink of an eye, that opportunity disappeared as COVID-19 took over our year.

I soon discovered that while I really did hate stoichiometry, Graphic by Charley Guthartz ’22 chemistry was still one of my favorite classes I took at Staples because of the people that

Graphic by Rachel Greenberg ’22

Quality over quantity:

11

how I survived high school with a few friends I would have to think of cre- no representation or confirmaative gift ideas. There were no tion that being in a small group plans for every single weekend. of friends was ok or normal.

I consistently saw older In the movies, the high school girls posting pictures at home- female lead is either extremely coming or at prom in their gi- popular or a complete loner. ant group of 20 But I never and was insecure saw a repthat I did not I think the thing that resentation have something of a high like that. Rather, was most difficult school girl Carly Kaplowitz ’21 I had a few good was that there was just living Associate Managing Editor friends spread no representation or her normal across different high school friend groups, confirmation that life with a which of course being in a small few friends efore seby her side nior year, I would have I loved, but I been embarrassed to admit found it chal- group of friends was all the way until gradthat I did not have a giant lenging when it ok or normal. uation. group of friends. There was came to picknever a group chat I would ing groups for prom or whose Instead, she falls in love with wake up to with 120 missed car to go in for motorcade. her lab partner, gets that crazy I think the thing that was scholarship or becomes prom text messages. There were never 10 birthday parties where most difficult was that there was queen. But alas, none of those things happened to me.

As I grew up and matured over the last few years, I learned to not only accept not being in a giant friend group, but more importantly, I learned to appreciate the close friends I do have. In the past, I had ignored people when they said that quality over quantity mattered when it came to friendships; Graphic by Lilly Weisz ’23 I thought they Photo by Eliza Barr ’21

B

were just trying to make me feel better about the limited amount of friends I had at high school.

Now, as I am about to graduate high school with just a few friends, I have come to learn that they were absolutely right.

As I reflect on my senior year, I realize that the challenge of not easily finding a group to do prom pictures with is not the end of the world. And it didn’t matter whose car I went in for motorcade. I learned to cherish the close friendships that I have because, in the end, I would rather have a few close friends who I know will always be there for me than a giant group where I don’t even speak to half of them after graduation.

I want underclassmen to know that it’s okay if they don’t have a massive group of friends, or are not the most popular girl in school or don’t have lots of plans every weekend. I think that if someone told me all of this before entering high school, my mindset would have been extremely different. Instead of trying to be someone I was not in order to fit in with a certain friend group, I would have understood that it was okay to be who I was and find a few people who were similar to me and who I genuinely enjoy spending time with.

So, I think it is safe to say that you don’t need to be constantly surrounded by a flock of friends. I certainly wasn’t, and I survived. Actually, not only did I survive, I learned to cherish and appreciate the close friendships that I made because I now finally understand that quality is definitely more important than quantity.

12 Keep asking questions to create lasting connections

r ’2

1

We isz

’23

emplifies the power of questions: powerful enough that the final message I wish to give in high school is to stay curious. Keep asking questions. You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain.

Pho

to b yE

liza

Bar

illy

I

n the summer between my freshman and sophomore year, I went on a mission trip with my church to Appalachia focused on working on the homes of people there.

I could write this senior opinion about how much fun it was, or how much I received through service, but instead I want to reflect on something even more meaningful to me.

After I left, I was known by all the adults and everyone who I met that week as the “question kid.” I worked hard on my tasks and made a good amount of friends, but most of the people I met remembered me for the unusual amount of questions that I asked.

Since I was a kid, I loved to months ago in Inklings, and learn. I’ve been reading since the only thing I knew about age two, and this quiet form him was that he called Wrecker of learning, in which I built games. Our friendship began a relationship with my book, with a question I asked him: worked well for me for a while. when you’re broadcasting, what But as I grew older, I started to happens if you start stuttering? get familiar with a new form of It was random, sure, and I learning: the question. What asked with no context. But it it offers that solitary learning sparked a great conversation doesn’t, about what it’s is the As I grew older, I like in the booth ability every week and to form started to get familiar his passion for a con- with a new form of calling games. n e c t i on the dislearning: the question. Then, around cussion ext h e panded. That process of learning. class, we talked about I can’t tell you how many WWPT, and then sports friendships of mine started in general, and now, evaround a question. As I write ery time I come into this reflection in Advanced class, I know that I Journalism, I’m sitting next to can go to him for a friend of mine, Cam Man- an awesome chat. na ’21. I first met him three And this ex-

by L

Breaking News Editor

phi c

Andrew Lolis ’21

Gra

13

High School was ok.

Being a child actor would have been better. better .

Eliza Barr ’21

Photography Director

B

efore I say anything: Mom and Dad, if you are reading this, I swear you were great parents. In terms of any coming-of-age movie, you passed the test (not being too strict about curfew, making me breakfast in the morning and never pulling the covers off my bed in the morning like the mom from “Freaky Friday”).

This being said, if I really had one complaint looking back at my life thus far, it would be that I was never a child actor.

There are so many reasons why being a child actor sounds like it would drastically improve my life. For one, making it through years of ice breakers with no fun facts to share about myself has not been an easy feat. Each time I find myself trapped in this situation, I curse the fact that I can’t say I was “that kid from that movie you probably watched a while ago.” It seems to me that flaunting those obscure bragging rights would be an unparalleled feeling.

For those of you who don’t

know me, no, I am not an actor, by the time they are adults?” To and I have no acting experience. that I say, you are thinking of But when you are little, do you child stars. In that sense, you are even have to have any acting probably right (I too lay awake skills? In all wondering how fairness, there I can assure you my all the kids are plenty of goal was never to from Disney good child acChannel turned tors out there, be the next Lindsay out). But I can but for every Lohan; instead, it’s assure you my good child acgoal was never the 15 minutes of tor, there are to be the next 10 bad ones. fame that I crave.

Lindsay Lohan; Had my parinstead, it’s the ents simply dragged me to a 15 minutes of fame that I casting call at some crave. I can just picture young age, I too myself delivering could have some powerful been one one-liner in a of those vaguely comebad child dic scene of actors. some Adam You’re Sandler probably movie, just thinking to never “don’t all be seen in child acthe rest of tors turn the movie. out crazy Or better

Photo by Marina Engler ’21 yet, I could have been one of the kids in the background of a school movie whose only job is to point and laugh with such over-exaggeration that it passes as acting.

And if by chance my career as a young actor had taken off, would that have been so bad? On the off chance that I am not one of those countless bad child actors, I could simply have bypassed high school and all its awkward ice breakers all together. Of course there were plenty of good memories throughout high school, but I’m sure I could have just gotten the whole experience by acting in Disney’s rebooted “High School Musical.”

Photo contributed

by Eliza Barr ’21

STARRING ELIZA BARR

14 Photos by Katie Simons ’22 Graphics by Lily Klau ’23

HOBBIES Grace Livecchi ’21 enjoys hobbies including reading, fashion and art.

Hobbies allow me to find purpose admist chaos Grace Livecchi ’21 Social Media Director

S

ometimes you need to slow down to go fast. If you’re anything like me, this piece of advice will not come easy. As an extrovert with ADHD, I struggle to balance my academics with my extracurriculars and social life, as I often think I can take on everything at once. So, when the pandemic hit and prevented me from seeing or interacting with anyone outside of my household, you could imagine how much of a slap in the face quarantine was for me.

When we first entered lockdown, I was forced to face the facts. Like many, I had a surplus of free time far greater than what I was used to. Forced to stay put, I needed to find productive ways to relax. Essentially, I was in search of a hobby.

At first, I felt ashamed that I didn’t have any hobbies; it hadn’t always been this way.

When I was younger, I was constantly entertaining myself with creative projects. But my recent free time was spent

scrolling on my phone or sitting except yourself. You don’t need in front of the TV, too exhaustto be an expert at them. You ed by my hectic day to do much don’t even need to be good; else. Drowning in obligations, you just have to enjoy them.

I was compromising my creAfter I adjusted my mindset, ativity for a chaotic lifestyle.

I used my hobbies as a way Desperate to break this cyto assert control in my life. cle, I decided to give my forAs normalcy began to remer pastimes a chance. I didn’t store in the world, I could feel struggle getting back into readmy free ing, fashion, The beautiful thing time whitart and bakabout hobbies is that tling away. ing: all the My own things I’d they are for nobody little world onced loved. except yourself. You had been I saw it as if disruptdon’t need to be an I was reconed, and to necting with expert at them. You be honest, an old friend. don’t even need to be it threw The energy me off.

I’d once spent good; you just have to As much attempting to enjoy them. as I was do too much itching to get out of my at once was now directed tohouse, I was nervous that I wards creating. I’d spend hours would slip into old habits. completely off the grid every day.

I wish I could tell you As somewhat of a perfechow despite all challenges, I tionist, the hardest part of this overcame my need to do it change in direction for me was all, but that would be a lie. detaching my critical mindset When school picked back from these tasks. At first, I was up, so did my racing mindset. constantly comparing myself to However, I am getting better. my sister, who is an artist. But In order to limit stress, I the beautiful thing about hobmade a promise to myself to bies is that they are for nobody budget time at least once a

Photo by Eliza Barr ’21 week to do something creative.

By doing so, I feel less pressured to be busy because I know my time is being spent usefully.

It’s like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I now feel more confident with college around the corner, knowing I will listen to my mind and body when I need to slow down.

15

COVID deprived me of my senior Staples traditions Char Smith ’21

Social Media Director

W

earing royal blue shirts, holding a megaphone in hand while chanting “SENIOR GIRLS” into underclassmen’s faces and blasting music in the cafeteria was the fantasy first-day-of-senior-year I had imagined for the past three years. Instead, I spent the day in my room, alone at my desk, staring at a computer screen.

Throughout high school, I had a lot of school spirit and was always looking forward to each big school event. I was always decked in spirit-wear during spirit week and screaming my head off at sports games.

I’m Superfans captain, and I was ready to lead my grade at every football game to be the best senior class there ever was.

However, I wasn’t able to do any of that this year. All the things I waited for, ripped away from me because of a virus. The first Staples se-

SENIOR DAY Char Smith ’21 and her friends celebrate senior traditions despite being stripped of many privileges during COVID-19

nior class in history to be denied football games was mine.

All year, I was waiting for a makeshift Spirit Week to be planned. When it finally was organized, I had my outfits planned weeks in advance, and I was counting down the days until I could wear them. But my expectations never matched up with reality. I never ended up getting to take part in the fun week. Instead, I received a positive COVID-19 test and could barely move from my bed for two weeks straight.

I’d say one of the strangest things about this year was the constant change. It was hard to get excited about upcoming events because I would never know if they would be canceled. Nothing was ever set in stone. One day we had no sports, the next we did. One day we weren’t allowed to dance at prom, and the next we were.

Now that we’re all back in school together, it feels like my senior year is just starting. Things finally feel normal again. But seniors only got limited time to enjoy the semi-normalcy of being in school with our friends. We were forced to

squeeze a whole senior year into three months, and now it is over.

Although a lot of the year was spent observing my classes on a tiny computer screen in my room, I was still able to spend time with the people I love every weekend. I have to say, the isolation made me appreciate them more now than ever.

Even though it wasn’t normal, it was our year, and we still managed to find ways to have fun.

Now that I have had so much free time to strengthen these relationships, I know that they will last through college and for forever.

This wasn’t the senior year I had always imagined, but it definitely taught me many lessons. As cliche as it sounds, I realized how precious time is, and that you can’t take anything for granted. I realized how much social interaction benefits me, and how I need to appreciate my peers everyday. I realized how you can always turn an unfortunate situation around.

Photos contributed by Char Smith ’21

Photo by Eliza Barr ’21

16

Graphics by Rachel Greenberg ’ 22

Graphics by Rachel Greenberg

ON THE FIELD Maya Reiner ’21 finds passion playing for the Wreckers lacrosse and field hockey teams.

Photos contributed by Maya Reiner ’21

Graphics by Lilly Weisz ’23

18

An ode to Staples Athletics Maya Reiner ’21 Web Sports Editor

T

he bell blares when the clock strikes 2:10 p.m., marking the end of the school day. But I am already thinking about the long day that still lies ahead of me.

School just ended, but I have many more activities in front of me: two hours of practice and never-ending hours of studying and homework. I walk out of my classroom to the commotion of hundreds of bodies in the hallway, which only causes me to feel more overwhelmed.

I change into my practice attire and head down to Virginia Parker Field. The change from my white Stan Smiths to my navy and white cleats is more than just a physical change. My mindset and attitude change as well. The stressors of the day rush out as my mind zones in on the sport (either field hockey in the fall or lacrosse in the spring).

Frankly, field hockey and lacrosse have helped me

through the rough and hard time the situation. Amazing memof high school. There is a lot that ories, friendships and fun goes on daily, both relating to were all lost, and we would all me and those I love, so finding have to wait months to play a sport that helps me clear my again together. Though I was mind from the stressful and hard very upset, I didn’t realize the thoughts all day has been helpful. extent to which I would be Though I have always ap- affected by not having sports. preciated these sports, my realI was dealing with so ization for how My sports helped much during much they truly this time, help me shined me through my but I did not through when toughest days, have an outCOVID-19 My menmost stressful days let. swept the tal health United States. and for making my declined, C O V I D - 1 9 happiest days even and all of was very hard my emofor our country happier. tions continas a whole, and honestly, it was uously stayed inside of me. really hard for me, too. Like times Sports was my go-to, but before the pandemic, I still had now that was gone; we were the normal stresses of life. But all trapped in our homes. now on top of all that, we were I was stuck in my dealing with a pandemic. I was thoughts and emotions thrust into a senior year facing without a way to let go. even more stress and hardship But when the fall of in my life, and my reliable outlet 2020 rolled around, I noof sports was also stripped away. ticed a change. I had my Like all other athletes around outlet back, and I startthe world, we were devastated. ed to be more like myself.

Our sports seasons were taken Given the vast positive away, and we had no control over impact sports has had on

me, I want to say, “thank you.”

My sports helped me through my toughest days, most stressful days and for making my happiest days even happier.

I want to thank my amazing teammates for being my best friends. I send my thanks to my coaches for being role models and for teaching me how to be a better person. I want to thank these sports for providing me with a way to release all the worries in my life and allowing me to be successful in all other facets of my life.

Being a Wrecker has been a pleasure. Thank you Staples field hockey and Staples girls’ lacrosse. You’ve helped me more than you think. Trust me.

Photo by Eliza Barr ’21

19

Doubt: the fuel to my fire Lexie Moskovit ’21 Web Sports Editor

B

efore stepping foot on the court or field, my dad always said to me, “Listen to your mind.” These words have been told to me ever since I was a young athlete at age five. My dad was always the fan in the bleach-

ers that was cheering me on. He never missed a game or the opportunity to tell me: “Listen to your mind.”

It wasn’t until I was in high school that I finally understood what these four words truly meant.

Over the course of high school, there was a constant theme of doubting my abilities. I was always doubted by my coaches, teachers and peers. Most importantly, I also doubted myself. I doubted myself by not thinking I was good enough. I always stepped on the field or in the classroom ready to work hard and prove my abilities.

But my desire to do well never seemed to be enough since I always carried doubts as to whether my efforts would pay off or achieve the goal I had set for myself.

Everyday I came home trying to fig-

ure out new ways to find a solu- the days of high school and tion to the doubt I faced in my looked ahead to college. Now everyday life. I worried that one I sit here wishing I could have small thing could mess every- one more week or month of thing up. I was scared to make high school, but know that I a mistake. I lived in this fear can’t. I will take all the lessons for three years from I walked into every Imylearned of high school. high school Finally my test and attended experience and senior year was every game with the bring them in the year I una tattered wellderstood the same confidence I worn suitcase meaning of had on my first day to college. I these four simthe suitof senior year: head know ple words. On case will guide my first day of held high. me through school as a senior, I walked in the next chapter of my life. with pride wearing my Senior I sure am ready to start the Girl shirt, whistles and colorful new chapter of my life, but beads. I finally made it, and the Staples High School will hold attention was on me. I walked a special place in my heart in those hallways on the first forever. And, I will always day with my head held high remember to be myself beand with lots of confidence. cause that is the best I can be.

I walked into every test and attended every game with the same confidence I had on my first day of senior year: head held high. I was ready to conquer whatever challenge would be thrown at me. I listened to my mind by embracing who I was.

I realized that accepting myself made me the best I could be.

So here I am, looking back on my four years figuring out if I’m ready to leave high school. I always counted down Photo by Eliza Barr ’21

Photo by Dylan Goodman ’21

GAME TIME Lexie Moskovit ’21 emits confidence when facing challenges both in school and on the court.

20

Collection of “labels” make up Inklings brand what left the greatest impression on me over the years was the relationships that stemmed from the Inklings workvery September the shop-style classroom setting school cafeteria is filled and student-driven production with freshmen trying to process. This newspaper profind their place at Staples. The duction environment was a catstereotypical segmentation of alyst for creating intimate relaa high school cafeteria creates tionships with classmates from defining labels for people: jocks, all different walks of life, and in theater kids, singers, the popu- the process, I learned so much lar crowd, the from the fashionistas and stories my Inklings is a so on. It is easy for classmates community that us to sit in class shared. with our peers, Inklings defies traditional those beyond our is a comhigh school social self-designatmunity structures simply ed social groups, that defies and never form traditionbecause it has to. lasting connecal high tions.

Branchschool soing out to discial struccover something or someone tures simply because it has to. new can be scary. So how do Because the paper covers a we ever move beyond our broad range of topics, it has to labels and comfort zones? attract a wide range of people. It If a group of seemingly random needs those interested in sports people share a common goal, and arts, news and social jusit is possible to come together tice, business and government. and start the process of becom- This rich tapestry is woven toing unstuck from our labels. gether by the curious and open I joined Inklings because of my minds of the individuals. It is passion for storytelling and un- because of this that I have culearthing peoples’ hidden narra- tivated a group of friends with tives but all different labels: soccer players, artists, photography addicts, activists and a number of others.

Because of our diverse interests and desire to produce the best possible paper, we collectively develop not only our strengths but our weaknesses, too. I was always tentative to check out a camera from the Inklings room because I

Emma Dantas ’21 Staff Writer

E

Graphics by Madeline Michalowski ’22

wasn’t a photographer or an art kid. I viewed it as a weakness of mine. Expressing this to my peers in various positions, they encouraged me to try and I was taught how to take well-lit portrait photos and snap non-blurry action shots at sports games.

This type of vulnerability allowed my classmates and me to break away from the labels we gave each other. We saw different sides of one another: the determination, the patience and the ability to teach. Similar bonds were formed between my peers and me on the Editorial Board or in writing conferences.

Inviting conversations and working together allowed us to create intimate connections we otherwise would not have formed in a normal classroom setting, and I began to really see people as multidimensional. What originally started as helping one another with ideas, projects, cameras and developing interview questions ended in friendships.

My mom used to tell me when I was younger to “sprinkle yourself around.”

I didn’t fully understand what she meant then. I n some sort of naïve way, I thought it was about sharing.

And on one level it was. But I think now it was more about learning: learning to create an eclectic group of friends where

we mutually broaden, shape and influence our world views.

The bonds we have made because of Inklings seep out of room 2033 into the crowded hallways of Staples, onto the sports fields and even into the town streets. And while I won’t remember all the features, opinions and podcasts I have made, my Inklings experience will be defined by the relationships I was lucky enough to establish while sharing a sense of purpose and belonging with my newfound, unlabeled friends.

Collectively, we ensure that the Inklings brand is boundless.

Photo by Eliza Barr ’21

21

To my sports family:

A thank you for defining my high school career

D

Photo by Camille Vynerib ’23

sports is the final time you get to play with your best friends and have the chance to win a championship for not only your school but your town. You are not being recruited to play for your school or being paid to do so; you’re playing for the love of the game you play. High school sports is all heart. The coaches are not getting paid tons of money; they are coaching for the kids and the passion they have for the game. The trainers are also not getting paid big bucks to treat high school students, but again, they do it for their love of sports. I am so lucky to have played for Coach Behrends and Coach Mcfarland during the fall and spring and will never forget that Staples has the best athletic trainers in G and Cory.

After this year, I will never be a high school athlete again, and I will never be able to represent the “S” in front of the student body and Westport townies again.

Knowing that, I can now say it has been a privilege to be a Wrecker and

to grow up and play with some of my best friends. To the juniors who are heading into their senior year, just know it flies by so don’t take a play or practice off. To the sophomores who are becoming upperclassmen, you are becoming leaders so embrace every opportunity. And to the freshmen who are just beginning their high school career, the sky’s the limit for you.

Staples it’s been an honor and a privilege to compete for this school everyday. I would not have done it any other way.

Photo contributed by Dylan Goodman ’21

Graphics by Madeline Michalowski ’22

Saturday mornings and going to each other’s houses for playStaff Writer dates after the games. That then grows to playing PAL or othisclaimer: to anyone er travel sports where parents who has come across are carpooling and going to this article, don’t skip get pizza after the game. Soon over it because you don’t like enough you’re playing at StaStaples sports. I ask you to stick ples High School with those it out, and come along with me same kids and after a win, you’re on this letter of appreciation to driving to the diner and then to every single one of my coach- a friend’s house to celebrate. es, teammates The jourand trainers ney moves I can now say it has so quickly, for four fantastic years. been a privilege to and that is Being a be a Wrecker and what makes part of a high it so special. school sports to grow up and play One moteam is a with some of my ment you’re privilege that rounding the best friends. holds so many bases at the unforgettable little league memories. A fields against high school your best athlete is picked to play on a friend’s team, to rounding team with other athletes that third base against Fairhe or she grew up with. These field Ludlowe at Stakids came from the same pond ples with your best and grew up together, and then friend now cheering they get to grow their bonds you on in the dugout. even stronger as they represent It’s a privilege that their town’s colors. You start by really comes full circle, playing recreational sports on and not just for my teammates, but for my former coaches, as well. All the coaches that had a chance to train me and my buddies through the years never missed a chance to come back for a game at Staples, only this time, watching from the stands. High school

Cameron Manna ’21

22

The importance of doing nothing Rebecca Kanfer ’21 Outreach Manager

F

Graphics by Madeline Michalowski ’22 Photos by Eliza Barr ’21

or the past three years of high school, I’ve watched prior Inklings seniors produce their thoughtful and reflective senior opinions.

Year after year, the opinions had been creative, intriguing, and captivating. Some have tied their final thoughts about high school to the act of taking a bath and even “Jeopardy”. Their processes seemed to flow easily, whereas writing this piece has proved daunting to me since my sophomore year.

As the time came around for me to write my own piece, I knew I wanted mine to be equally as reflective, creative and meaningful as all the senior opinions that came prior to my own. Yet, I was stuck. I racked my brain for ideas but, deflatedly, I came up with nothing.

I thought this piece would come together naturally and that I would be able to sit and write endlessly. But, as I reflected on my past four years at Staples, I recognized that I was never a captain of a team, and I didn’t hold a level of excellence in any specific niche; so what did I really have to write about? The pressure I placed on myself to write the best senior reflection possible is ultimately what paralyzed me from writing anything at all.

In a town like Westport, there is pressure to always doing something to the greatest possible level of excellence, whether that may be taking a certain honors class or participating in a specific club are so high. The moment you walk into this school, freshmen are

flooded with questions regarding certain paths. There is a common understanding that these questions are, in the end, all tied to putting together the ultimate college resume.

Where does this communal pressure stem from? Of that, I am not sure. All I know is that I felt it even as I was taking my final steps out of Staples.

This senior reflection could have been a piece that simply reflected upon my four years of high school. Yet, I was still internally challenging myself to write something so creative on a topic so extremely important. As much as I despised the pressures that were forced on me by my community, I find that I, too, have internalized those pressures and continuously apply them to myself.

When I look back at my past four years of high school, I’m not remembering all the “filler” clubs in which I participated nor my time on the JV tennis team. I remember the things that made me happy: hanging out with friends, listening to music and watching my favorite television show.

None of these activities benefitted a resume. But none of it was time wasted despite what my guidance counselors, parents or teachers thought. Rather, it was time well-spent away from the pressures of this community. I found contentment.

Although I don’t have the ability to write from the point of view of a varsity captain or describe an astounding championship moment, I can tell you that sometimes, it is more than okay to take a moment, catch your breath and just do nothing. Your nothing could be your own something.

Electives can be some of the most 23 important classes you take at Staples Max Dorsey ’21 Staff Writer

E

Graphic by Hannah Conn ’23 Photo contributed by Max Dorsey ’21

ver since I was a kid I did not like school. Math, science, English, none of it appealed to me. I could never find a class that I genuinely looked forward to. Coming into high school, I had no idea what I liked or what I was good at. I always loved watching sports games and talking about them, and while I played in them too, I never really loved being a player. I really thought I would never find something that I genuinely loved to do. It was a scary thought.

But second semester of freshman year, I walked into TV and Studio Production and something clicked. I’ve always loved talking about sports and

now all of a sudden I could do it on camera. I really enjoyed voicing my opinions and talking about things that I really liked to talk about. After that first class, I was hooked.

For the next three years of high school, every semester I took either Radio or TV production. It led me to join the radio club at school and become a member of WWPT. I started two after-school radio sports shows and started doing play-by-play and color commentary for school sports games. It was something, for the first time in my school career, that I really enjoyed and thought I was good at.

By taking these classes and joining the radio club, I found out that this didn’t just have to be a high school thing, but that

I could actually go to school to study communications. The thought of that blew my mind, but these electives helped me find my major. When I go to college next year, I will be majoring in Broadcast Digital Journalism at Newhouse school at Syracuse University.

While I never loved school, Staples helped me find out what I loved to study. I think for kids like me who aren’t math, history or science fans, Staples’ wide variety of elective classes can help those kids figure out what they want to do after high school.

Scan here to listen to Dorsey’s radioshow.

Without shrimp tempura rolls, there would be no Staples

Ph

o to

r b y E li z a B ar

’21

ey ’

22

able but necessary choice.

Although this year was full of obstacles, it has not put a damper on my time at Staples. As I look back on my four years, I appreciate the countless opportunities that Staples has granted me and experiences I would not have received anywhere else. While there may have been a lack of shrimp tempura rolls this year, I look forward to finding new ways to spark a glimmer of excitement in my life every Monday morning for years to come.

Cas

W

hile my time at Staples has taught me the importance of balance, friendships and hard work, quite possibly the most vital piece of information that I am taking away from my four years of high school is that Monday is the best day of the week.

Arguably the most underappreciated day of the week, the stigma that Monday holds of just being the start of yet another grueling week is hard to break. Before entering the doors of Staples as a 14-year-old, I thought the same irrational things. However, Monday’s quickly transformed from my least favorite day of the week to the day I would circle on my calendar and wake up 10 minutes earlier all due to: Sushi Monday.

Sushi Monday, while tech-

hardest lessons that Staples has taught me is to never take things for granted.

This year was no doubt a struggle for everyone. Being robbed of a normal senior year and not being able to have traditional closure on my childhood has been hard to grapple with. While trying to navigate a new normal, one thing I had to come to terms with was the vanishing of Sushi Monday from the cafeteria.

No longer was I excited to wake up and start my Monday mornings. No longer did I take my pen and circle every other Monday on my calendar, patiently anticipating the next time I would eat sushi. In fact, Sushi Monday being ripped away from the hearts of everyone at Staples was the ultimate deciding factor in why I went complete- ly online for five months during my senior year— a question-

by M imi

Staff Writer

nically just a day in which sushi is served in the cafeteria, has made me appreciate Staples in more ways than I thought possible. I can confidently say that the most Wrecker pride I have felt in my life was being able to tell my friends from other schools about Sushi Monday and watching their jaws drop.

Although the sushi served in the cafeteria is nothing like Nobu, I wouldn’t trade my shrimp tempura roll with eel sauce for anything in the world.

Still, one of the

phi c

Marina Engler ’21

Gra

24

A time well spent: how lifelong friends improved high school Logan Gornbein ’21

Staff Writer While I sit at my desk reflecting on how fast the last four years of my life have flown by, I ponder the two different tones I could go for. I could choose to cry because high school is over or smile because it’s done (and I’ve always been told I had a beautiful

Photo by Eliza Barr ’21

smile). So, without any hesitation, I’m choosing to smile.

At the start of high school, I entered the Staples world as loud, possibly obnoxious, sometimes funny and chubby. And when I graduate, I will still be loud, hopefully less obnoxious, definitely more funny and now just slightly chubby (I prefer to call it doughy). However, one of the main takeaways I learned here at Staples is to love myself, because if we can’t love ourselves and appreciate who we are, then we’re making a mistake. We only have one life and one body, so it’s better to make the most out of everything that comes our way.

My favorite aspect of being a student here was making friends with people in all grades

over four years. I made the best with my teachers...at least with friends any guy could ask for, the ones who liked me (surand I know that wherever the prisingly, it wasn’t all of them). future takes us, those eight guys And for those teachers who enthat make up my friend group joyed working with me, allowed will be at my 21st birthday (in me to badger them for points Vegas), my wedding, my kid’s back and let me be me, I want bar/bat-mitzvah and will al- to say “thank you.” I know that ways be a phone call away. all the wonderful experiencI’ll forever cherish the es and takeaways I have from memories I have made with all here will help me for whatever my friends and the relationships the future has in store for me.

I have built with the excellent teachers.

I’m a student who thrives off intimate connections, and although COVID made that more difficult this ibuted by Logan Gornb year, I still held contr ein o t ’ 21 strong bonds P ho

25 Speedrunning encourages competition and patience Jack Denison ’21 Staff Writer

W

hen someone asks what I like to do in my free time, I usually say “play video games.”

Obviously, the picture that comes into most people’s heads is me lazily sitting on a couch killing time by improving at a game that will not matter in the long run. But, in my opinion, what I do is not just that.

I like to play games differently than most people.

My goal when completing a game is to finish it as fast as possible. This is a tech-

Photo by Camille Vynerib ’23

Grap hic b y Lily

Klau

’23

nique known as speedrunning.

The first time I actually speedran a game was during my freshman year. It was an easy way to distract myself from the work I should have been doing, and it was a fun way to brag that I had the fastest time someone had completed in a certain level in “Flappy Golf 2.”

But in the summer of 2018, I decided to make the switch from the minute-long “Flappy Golf 2” speedrunning to an hour-long commitment of one of the most popular games to speedrun: “Super Mario Odyssey.”

Now, although the game in general does have a younger audience, the speedrunning community is populated by teenagers like me trying to make their way to the top level. The main draw to the game is the complex fluidity of movement.

Let me explain: in “Super Mario Odyssey,” there are many different movement options (rolling, cap bouncing, vaulting, triple jumping and long jumping) and these options gives the player many choices for how to get from point “A” to point “B” (or in this case, power moon to power moon). This variety in choice creates complexity and variety that makes the game fun to both watch and play.

As of right now, the record for finishing the game is just under 58 minutes. You can watch the record on YouTube, and it is mesmerizing.

The record is held by some Dutch guy named Mitch, and his ability to calculate every move is precise yet fast. It is jaw-droppingly impressive.

You’re probably wondering where I am on the leaderboards.

Well, the truth is I obviously don’t have the world record. I also don’t have the American record, or Connecticut record, or even the Fairfield County record (someone in Norwalk is ranked in the top 40, ironically).

My best time is about seven minutes slower than the world record, putting me at a whopping 185th place. Although this does put me in the 90th percentile of times on the leaderboard, my friends in the community often mock me for having a time so comparatively bad with other players in the world. And I do agree: it’s not a great time. But does that

Graphic by Lilly Weisz ’23

matter? I don’t think it does.

I don’t feel any sort of embarrassment being a speedrunner. I feel that it’s a niche hobby that I enjoy partaking in. I’ve been doing it since freshman year, and I do not plan on stopping. The odyssey is not over.

Scan this QR code to view Jack’s Twitch account and past streams.

26

Looking at high school through a different lens Eloise Ahl ’21 Staff Writer

I

stuck them in my eyes. But given the chaos, I forgot that I was wearing my old prescription contacts underneath the new contacts my friend just gave me. So, my vision went from bad to even worse.

The entire day I was running into things, calling people by the wrong names and not being able to find any of my classes.

As a freshman I was desperate to make a good first impression, and yet the day was spent literally

still remember my first day of school as a freshman.

I remember everything from what I was wearing, which class I had first, how I got to school and the first problem that I faced: due to the chaos associated with being an incoming freshman, I completely forgot to make sure I had my prescription contacts I did not realize I was out of contacts until the night before the first day of school. All I could find was an old set of contacts, and they were so old that even if I wore them, I still felt blind. I had a huge bumping I remember feeling fit because into walls self conscious, I was worand navigatried I would ing hallways insecure and out have to wear completely of place that first my hideous blind. I reyear. But I have glasses and played this everyone horrific certainly changed would think expeI was weird. rience I frantically texted all for so long that I formy friends to see who had got to enjoy the day, and contacts and thankfully even the following week. one of them said she would I look back at that first day bring in an extra set of con- freshman year now as a setacts for me the next day. nior. I remember feeling self When morning arrived, I conscious, insecure and out of put in the old pair of contacts place that first year. But I have I had found, figuring that it certainly changed since then. would be better to have some Now, I walk through the degree of vision than none, halls in pajamas and no contacts and I walked through the halls and I don’t care what anyone of my brand new high school thinks. Now, if I had to, I could practically blind. I stumbled to easily find my classes completethe nearest bathroom and ner- ly blind because I have roamed vously waited for my friend. these hallways and classrooms As soon as she got there, so frequently over the past I immediately grabbed her four years. Oh, how I’ve grown. extra pair of contacts and So, if I could talk to fresh-

Photo by Camille Vynerib ’23

man-year Eloise, I would tell her this: you may think the little things matter, but in reality none of it does. When you get to the real world, what you wore on May 18, 2020 will not

matter. What matters the most are the memories you make, the grades you get and the relationships you form. So don’t let something so trivial keep you from the important times. Wear the glasses and pjs with pride.

Graphic by Lilly Weisz ’23

27

Inklings: the best decision of my life Carson Kranz ’21 Staff Writer

C

oming into high school, I really had no idea what to expect, but four years later I feel like I got everything and more out of it because of Inklings. It all started freshman year when my mom forced me to take Intro to Journalism so that I could have the option to write for Inklings the following year.

Throughout that semester, I found myself confused and really unsure if journalism was the best choice for me.

Now, four years later, I know that my mom forced me

I

into making the right decision.

After freshman year, I was still unsure if Advanced Journalism was the right next step for me because I felt like I was not the best writer. So, sophomore year I decided that I was not going to write for the paper.

But after not playing any sports sophomore year, I wanted to do something different in order to keep me busy, so I decided to give writing for the paper a try. Not too far into junior year, I found that Inklings was the best decision that I had ever made. Inklings was not just about writing articles, but it was about the teamwork and fun that the class had together

Inklings

Graphic by Mimi Casey ’22

that made the paper so good.

Unlike most of my classes, I found that I actually got excited about going to journalism and being in the Inklings environment. I saw why kids actually enjoyed writing for the paper and being in the class. It is a good break from the day to do something different, like write about what you want opposed to what you have to, or go to a game and take pictures that you could later see in the paper or on the web and feel proud of yourself for doing.

Even after the bumpy start in Inklings of having no idea what to do or write about, there were always kids and teachers there to help make me feel like one of them. Even though I am not the best writer in the class, the editors were always there to make sure my writ-

ing made sense and to make sure I was on top of my work.

So after the past two years writing for the paper and the web, I can easily say that joining Inklings was the best decision I had ever made. With that, I want to thank Mrs. Fulco and Mr. DelGobbo for helping me be a better version of myself and helping me to step out of my comfort zone even if it didn’t feel right at first.

Photo contributed by Carson Kranz ’21

High school brings change through life lessons Julia Kasabian ’21 Staff Writer

er worked out. It was only when I stopped caring about social status that I became totally satisfied with my friend situation. At the end of the day, your s t a t u s in high school will mean nothing in five years. What will matter is the connections you made and what you have done with them.

Overall, high school has been a challenge, to say the least.

I appreciate these three lessons I’ve learned immensely, along with many smaller ones.

The next chapter is waiting, and I’m excited to see how my high school experience will help me.

by Lily K

lau ’23

Photo contributed by Julia Kasabian ’21

sitting alone at lunch one day when an older girl sat down next to me. I don’t remember her name, but she introduced herself and talked with me for my entire lunch. For the first time in a long time, I didn’t feel like an o u t s i d e r.

Although I never talked with her again, I will never forget what she did for me.

F i n a l l y, and this took me many years to realize: “popularity” means nothing. I spent much of high school trying to befriend people who I thought were quote-unquote “popular,” and it nev-

Graphic

High school isn’t what the movies say it is. It’s not easy, and it’s not all roses and sunshine. In fact, it was one of the best and worst experiences of my life. However, it brought me a few things that I am incredibly grateful for and will hold with me for the rest of my life.

Up first: alone doesn’t have

to mean lonely. I spent the first two years of high school with very few friends. I ate alone at lunch most days during my freshman year. Most weekends I would go home and not see a single person from school.

During this time, I was very lonely, as one would expect.

As time went on, though, I realized that I was my own best company. Think about it.

Nobody is going to fully understand the complexities of your life, your interests or your humor like you can. Being by yourself for extended periods of time allows you to reflect and relax. I have found that I can have a great time by myself.

Second, and I know this is cheesy: kindness goes a very long way. You never know what someone is going through, and doing good deeds for others will always pay off in the end.

During my freshman year, I was

28

Congratulations seniors!

Dear Haydn, we are so proud of all your hard work, strength and drive. We cannot wait to see what the future holds. Wishing you success, peace and happiness. Mom & Dad Congratulations, Henry! We are so proud of your hard work and amazing accomplishments at Staples and beyond. Keep reaching for the stars - we know you’ll get there! Love, Mom, Dad, Jack and Hannah Max - We are so excited for you to continue to follow your dreams. JWU and the world are waiting for you! Love, Mom, Dad, & Mel Matthew, what’s really happening here, throughout your life, is you open your mom’s and dad’s eyes and enrich us with fresh perspectives and insights! We can’t be more proud of you and look forward to growing wiser with you, regardless of where your abode may be!

Jad - Alway proud, we watched you grow up in front of our eyes. We can’t wait to see where the future will bring you and what your next contribution to the world will be. Your entire family has your back as you pursue your passions. Happy graduation!

Jonathan! We are so proud of everything you have accomplished the past four years at Staples. You have grown into an amazing captain of the cross country and track teams, curious and hard working student, supportive friend and fun loving brother and friend.

Cheers to the next chapter + keep sharing your light! It makes the world a better place.

Love, Mom, Dad, Luke, Ben + Hugo.

Dean - Happy Graduation! Congratulations on your many accomplishments - we are so proud of you! Lots of love, Mom, Dad, Nick, Alexa and Tanner Jack Dennison: Congratulations on your high school graduation! We are very proud of you.

On this special day, know that wherever you go, whatever you do, we are always, always in your corner, celebrating your good days and helping you through the bad ones. We love you! Mom & Dad Logan, Congratulations! We are so proud of you and all that you have accomplished! You have grown into an amazing and well-rounded, young man. We can’t wait to see how the next chapter unfolds. McGill is so lucky to have you in their community!

Love, Mom, Dad and Isabelle Lenora: We are so proud of you! Thank You Staples! Enjoy the journey experiencing a new world of challenges and opportunities in college! Be fearless and dream big!

Congratulations! We Love You! Mom, Dad & Anthony Congratulations Ethan! We are so proud of you! All of your hard work, effort and perseverance is behind you. You have the whole world in front of you. Find your passion, choose the path less traveled, have fun and always work hard. With love and pride - Mom and Dad

Congratulations seniors!

29

Marina - What’s one to say? Your independence and unswerving commitment to move ahead when obstacles loomed large - all of this is part of you. And so is your laughter, your joy. We are so proud of what you’ve accomplished. Enjoy your next journey. Love Mom & Dad. Congratulations Nicholas and Alex!! We are so proud of you and your well-deserved success. Love always. Mom, Dad, Tyler, Paige & Willow. will go by even faster. Make them the most fun and most memorable. We love you! Mom, Dad, Holden, Riley & Ginger Lucy - We are so very proud of you! Congratulations on all of your amazing accomplishments. We love you very much! Love, Mom, Dad, Ellie, Grandma and Rocky Paul, we are so proud of you and all you’ve accomplished! We can’t wait to see you start college and begin the new chapter of your life at UConn. We wish you all the best now and every day of your life. We love you so much, Mom and Dad Michael, You were our family’s missing piece that we never knew how much we needed until you made us complete. You are humble, kind, and generous, with an inquisitive mind and observant keen eye that makes you excel in whatever you set your mind to—regardless of whether it’s a musical or artistic masterpiece. We know that you will continue to shine brightly as you begin college in September at Cal Arts. With unbounded love from your family who adores you, Mom, Dad, Marky, Catherine, Mollie, Mike, Brooks, and Shelly Nick Lukens- What a ride it’s been! We know you will miss walking the halls of Staples but great things are ahead! Go Cardinals! and remember....you will always be a WRECKER! Congrats, Nick! We love you-Mom, Dad, Jane, Charlie & Teddy Congratulazioni ai nostri studenti d’italiano! In bocca al lupo per il futuro e tornate presto a trovarci! Vi vogliamo tanto bene! <3 - Italian teachers Congratulations Sarah Allen and the Staples Class of 2021! Can’t wait to see what this next chapter brings!!! We Love You! Mom, Dad, Zach & Zozo Well done, Rishabh! We are so proud of you and grateful to your teachers, friends, and the Staples Community. You worked hard, stayed determined, and persevered. As you take the Mom, Dad, Raina, and Patti Ma. Congratulations, Kylie Race! We are so proud of you, all you do and who you are!

Congrats to you and the SHS Class of 2021! Love, Mom + Dad, Megan + Rosie, Nana + Papa and the cousins, aunts and uncles Bravo Rachel. The best is yet to come! I am so very proud of you. Mom

30

Congratulations seniors!

Thank you so sincerely to the SHS Teachers, Administration & Staff, Nursing Team, devoted SHS Guidance Team who had them from 2017 to 2021! With Admiration&Gratitude, The Moms & Dads of the Class of 2021 Congratulations sweet, kind, smart, beautiful Lauren! The world is such a special place because you are in it. Continue to be the happy, smiling person that we love so much and continue to share that happiness with the rest of the world. So Proud of You! Congratulations, Charlotte Armstrong! We are so proud of you and so excited for you to start your next journey at Wake Forest University. Love, Mom, Dad, Brendan, Nina, Jay, and Nate.

Remy, We knew from the beginning what an incredible, strong-willed and amazing person you would become both inside and out. We love you so much and are so proud of you! Love Mom, Dad, Jory and Max Congratulations Julia - we are so proud of you. Love you lots Mom, Olivia, Cookie, Emi Congratulations Molly!! We are always so proud of you and look forward to celebrating more of your accomplishments! We love you! Love- Mom, Dad, Alex and Fletcher.

Benji: Congratulations! We are so proud of you and we know you have a very bright future ahead! XOXO Mom, Dad, Oliver and Sam (& Harvey!)

Brendan - So proud of how you have grown from a sweet little boy to a funny, smart, compassionate man, through a lot of hard work! We know the world is wide open and you’re poised to make the most of it. Love M&D! CONGRATULATIONS, JACK!!! We’re SO proud of you!! Throughout your lifetime, you’ve stretched our minds, entertained us with jokes, and captivated us with your music. You’re exceedingly principled, inclusive of everyone, and value contrarian perspectives. You are Love- Mom & Dad Evelyn! We are so proud of you. Look out D.C.!!! Love, M&D Claire, We are so proud of all that you have accomplished as part of this amazing senior class.

All the learning, dancing, writing, helping and friending have been incredible to witness. You’ve grown so much these past few years and we can’t wait to see what you accomplish in the future. Love, The Fam Josh, We are so incredibly proud of you and the class of 2021. We can’t wait to follow you on this special journey, the best is yet to come. Congratulations!

We love you, Mom, Dad, Jake, Josh, Jess, & Reggie Congratulations ETO! We are so proud of you for all of your accomplishments and hard work and are excited for the bright future that lies ahead of you. We will miss your sassiness and sense of humor. Dinner conversations will never be the same. xoxo M, D, N, O & B

Congratulations seniors!

have been a source of joy and pride and amusement! Congratulations Poppy and to the intrepid Class of 2021! With love to all from the Livingstone Crew

Maya - We are so very proud of you! Congratulations on graduation! We are so excited to see all that lies ahead for you at Amherst and beyond! All our love and hugs snd kisses! xoxo Mom, Dad, Renée & Alex

31

Mitch Man, you have always made us immensely proud as our son. We know there are grand things you are going to see and do.

Now go see & do them!! Be happy and continue making others happy, and know we are here for you always. Onward & upward!

Love, Mom, Dad, Judy & Jason

In the spring, sing in the rain. In the winter, play in the snow. In the fall, jump in the leaves. In the summer, splash in the ocean.

You worked hard. Go bask in the Texas sun.

Hook ‘em! Congratulations! Love, Mom, Dad and Daniel

32

Congratulations seniors!

Surya - Congrats on your graduation! Wish you the very best and continued success as you set sail on your journey to pursue your passion with purpose and energy that has been core to who you are. Proud of you and all your achievements at Staples High School!

Congratulations, Nate!!! Another milestone achieved. Wishing you only upward and higher (elevations) in the future. Love, Dad, Katie & Charlotte

Elizabeth - Great things lie ahead of you.

Congratulations! So very proud of you! WE ARE! Love Mom & Will

Congratulations Julia! We are so proud of you and excited for what your future will bring! Keep working hard to make your dreams come true.

We are so excited to watch you play lacrosse at the next level. We love you so much!

Mom, Dad & Ava

Congratulations seniors!

Congratulations Dylan! We have watched you grow and mature this year! You have always maintained a positive attitude! You have been a very good friend and classmate from your LLS Days to Bedford and Staples! Take pride in your accomplishments and reach for greatness!

Love you, Mom & Dad

Congrats Miranda on all your success! Can’t wait to see what the future holds for you!!!

33

Congratulations Lexie! We are so proud of you and all of your accomplishments! You are amazing! We wish you much success at Richmond! We love you to the moon and back!

Love, Mom, Dad & Kaylie

Congratulations Hannah on an amazing high school career! We are so proud of you. Dickinson College is lucky to have you and we can’t wait to see what your future holds. We love you! Emma, Mom, Dad, Karen, Nonnie, Papa, Auntie, Poppi, Nina, Grandma, Janet and Jacob.

34

Congratulations seniors!

We are so proud of you Lina! xxx Love Mom & Dad xxx "GO TIGERS"

“This act of choosing - the stories we tell versus the stories we leave out - will reverberate through the rest of your life” - Lin Manuel Miranda To the greatest storyteller we know! Can’t wait to hear what comes next!

Congratulations, Jasper!! What a wonderful adventure, laughter, and happiness in all you do.

Love, Dad, Katie, and Charlotte

"You did it Char! Today is your day! We are so proud of all you have accomplished! What an amazing and sometimes crazy journey it has been. Such great memories to look back on and many exciting times ahead.

We love you so much! M,D,D,M,L,L&L"

Congratulations seniors!

Congratulations, Rebecca! We are so proud of you. We have loved watching you shine throughout high school and can't wait to see what the next chapter brings. We know it will be as amazing as you are! We love you, Mom, Dad, Noah and Abbe

35

Megan, While you may be chill in Wisco, you will always be warm in our hearts! We will miss you and your internal sunshine that accompanies you everywhere. Never stop beaming! *Also many heartfelt thanks to ALL the school personnel over the years that have been there for this amazing class of 2021 !

Congratulations Ali and the Class of 2021! senior year...We could not be more proud of all of your accomplishments!We love you so much!

XOXO Mommy, Daddy, Jordan, Jamie, Emily and Brooklyn

Congratulations Jules!

We're so proud of you sweet Julsie and we love you tons!

XOXOX

36

Four years in the making:

valedictorian, salutatorian recount personal growth, give advice on high school Maya Hruskar ’23 News Editor

High school,”Konur Nordberg ’21, leaning back in his chair and sporting a Staples soccer tee, says, “it’s hard.”

“I think there was definitely a lot of anxiety, like what is this giant school?” Hannah Evans ’21 chuckles, recounting her freshman year. Asked whether her high school experience improved over the years, she laughed again and said, “yes.”

Nordberg and Evans are the valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, of Staples’ graduating class of 2021.

Nordberg is doing a DIY internship in which he plays golf, a sport he often practices over the summer, to improve his skills.

“I’m literally just getting better at golf,” Nord-

G

ra

ph i

cs

by M

ad e

lin

eM

berg says of his self-designed an air of contented nostalgia. internship. “It’s a DIY project, Not only do they share a love [...] an early summer for me.” of science, but they also shared Meanwhile, Evans is cur- inspiring messages of growth rently interning as a teaching over the course of high school. assistant in Bedford Mid“I think over the past four dle School, helping out her years the way I’ve grown the old Engineering and Design most is in my ability to share teachers with my ideas curriculums and and talk the classroom.

As long as you’re bal- to othNordberg anced, [high school eE rv as n, s” and Evans make an inspiring said. “I is] a really fun exand somewhat very perience and it’s a was contrasting pair ner vous for the GPA really healthy expe- to say high-hitters anything rience.” of their class. that I - Konur Nordberg ’21 thought, When asked about their extracur'cause I riculars, Nordberg nonchalantly was scared of being wrong. But mentioned an award-winning I think throughout high school paper and his summer spent I really learned that it was as a civil engineer, while Evans okay to be wrong sometimes, recounted her time spent in and that I should be putting the Science myself out there.”

Olympiad with This

“

fact also rang true for Nordberg, who said that he had become much more confident and well-adjusted over the course of high school.

“In retrospect, looking back at Staples, I think one of the most important things you can have is a sense of balance,” Nordberg said. “I balanced academics with, in my case, sports and hanging out with friends.

But whatever it is, as long as you’re balanced, [high school is] a really fun experience and it’s a really healthy experience.”

After going on a short tangent about how he studied the night before tests for most of junior year, and then promptly apologizing for being a bad example, Nordberg elegantly summarized his advice for incoming or present students at Staples: “Whatever you do for fun,” Nordberg said, “make sure you do plenty of that in high school.”

e ali

ich

alo ws

ki

’22

FUTURE PLANS After graduation, Nordberg (left) will be attending Duke and Evans (right) will be attending Princeton.

Ph

oto

at yN b s

Ba

n

r du

2

a ’2