Inklings June 2024 Issue by inklingsnewsonline

CONT ENTS

news

4-5 Graduation Celebrations

Seniors celebrate their final days of high school with graduation festivities.

opinions

7

Crafting Contracts

Zoe Boxenbaum ’25 gives her advice on negotiating a summer job contract.

features

8-9 School’s Out

Five Staples teachers share their plans for the upcoming summer.

arts

10 The Scoop on Momu Momu replaces Saugatuck Sweets, offering good times and unique flavors.

sports

12 Game On

An inside look at the sacred Staples tradition of senior assassin.

Inklings Staff

Editors-In-Chief

Nina Bowens, Lily Hultgren Paper Managing Editors

Mia Bomback, Angelina Matra, Katherine Phelps Web Managing Editors

Rachel Olefson, Samantha Sanderew

Associate Managing Editors

Anna Kercher, Cici Petrosinelli, Lily Rimm, Demi Sasson

Associate Web Managing Editor Liora Perkins

Creative Directors

Alex Gaines, Olivia Signorile Executive TV Show Producers

Zoe Boxenbaum, Ben Buchalter, Ava Coyle Business Managers

Charlotte Berner, Rylie Cordella, Caroline Zajac

Assistant Business Managers

Addison Frankel, Bianca Mastocciolo, Olivia Saw Inklings Ambassadors

Addison Coughlin, Matthew Stashower

Social Media Managers

Audrey Curtis, Poppy Harrington

Broadcast Directors

Zoe Alpert, Ava Chun

Red Editors

Storey Ahl, Elsa D’Elia, Camilla Garfield, Harlow Levin, Celia Moccia, Sophia Reeves Blue Editors

Camille Blundell, Catie Campagnino, Will Enquist, Jack Robinson, Phoebe Rosenberg, Sophie Smith

Supplement Editors

Sage Cohen, Avni Krishna, Danisha Nasution, Zara Saliba, Malena Tortorella

Web News Editors

Amelia Berkowitz, Ella Harrington

Web Opinions Editors

Alice Frascella, Henry Watson

Web Features Editors

Lila Boroujerdi, Alexis Jacobs

Web Arts Editors

Lucy Basso, Andi Jacobs

Web Sports Editors

William Murray, Ayaan Olasewere Advisers

Joseph Delgobbo, Mary Elizabeth Fulco

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.

Editorial

Reversal poem represents ever-changing high school realities

As the school year slowly grinds to an end, students from every grade note how high school is a time of never ending change. Year after year friends change, workloads increase and new responsibilities are gained. While it is true that change is inevitable, it isn’t something we have to face with fear. No matter how scary change seems, it allows us to grow even though we can’t always recognize it.

If you read the following poem from beginning to end you will see the negative perspective of change. But if you read the poem in reverse, from the bottom line to the top line, you will see the positive perspective.

Change is the worst.

So you can never make me believe that My life needs it.

It is better to stay the same, So you cannot convince me that Change is good.

It shapes you.

As the years go by, Change brings challenges.

School gets more and more di cult. It is true:

Stress is all I’ve known. It is a myth that Everything will work out. You must know, deep down, that You are alone.

It is a lie that e best is yet to come.

After high school Life changes.

Friends change.

e Editorial Board voted unanimously in favor of this opinion.

Submit to inklingsnews@westportps.org

Change: the good, the bad from 25

Grades change. Life is never steady. In reality, It’s okay.

I’m better o without it.

I will never say I embrace change.

(Reread this poem from the bottom line to the top line.)

Change is inevitable, and while it brings its fair share of negativity, it also comes with its positives. Congratulations on another year, Staples!

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Seniors celebrate final moments at Staples

Nina Bowens ‘25 & Angelina Matra ‘25 Editor-In-Chief & Managing Editor

Did anyone notice how quiet the halls got halfway through the day on April 17? To no surprise, that’s because the seniors (loudly) made their final exit around 11 a.m., leaving classes to hoot in the hallways and have one last hurrah at the senior picnic.

The picnic featured a DJ, lawn games such as spikeball and can jam, a cook-out and a whole lot of tanning. Organized by their class advisor and other faculty, the event is looked forward to as the seniors finish up their final day at Staples. This year, the picnic ended with a waterslide down the baseball hill.

As seniors turn their attention to their next steps, June will surely be sprinkled with graduation parties and festivities.

by Nina Bowens ’25

HANDS UP Ethan Walmark enjoys the sun at the picnic. Walmark is continuing his education and love for music at the University of Southern California.

This year also marks the start of a new Staples tradition: the senior walk. On June 7, 135 Staples seniors will board buses bound to their old elementary schools for the debut of the “senior walk.” The almost-graduates will then take a 15-20 minute walk through their elementary schools while wearing their graduation gowns. “[The senior walk is] a great way for students to reconnect with teachers and staff who helped them along the way,” class of 2024 Assistant Principal Micah Lawrence said. “[It’s also a] fun way to give elementary students a glimpse into the future.”

Graphics by Camille Blundell ’27 & Taylor Mogelof ’26

4 |news

SPIKE IT! (left to right) Andrew Berkowitz, Jared Even, Harrison Browne and Jameson Russell play spike ball at the senior picnic. SUNBATHING (left to right) Chloe Francis, Athina Sarmiento and Cecelia Vita giggle together at the senior picnic. Photos

I think graduation is very bittersweet. I’m excited for what’s coming, but I also will miss Staples and all of the people in it.”

-Keira Best '24

It is exciting to move onto another chapter after this, and I can’t believe we have come this far from elementary school to here now.”

-Ethan Walmark ’24

STAYING HYDRATED Keira Best at the senior picnic. Best plans to play D1 lacrosse in the fall at Davidson College. SHINING BRIGHT (left to right) Liv Kovics, Alice Anderson, Katherine Spada and Izzy Rivel bask in the sunshine as they close out their final days as senior SMILING BIG (left to right) Charlotte Moody, Paige Tighe, Josy Pitaro and Lexi Gay beam with excitement. Photo contributed by Alice Anderson ’24 Photo contributed by Paige Tighe ’24 SOAKING UP THE RAYS (left to right) Ava Cordella, Leigh Foran, Gena Frucht and Annika Reddy hug eachother tightly while sporting their college shirts.

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Photo contributed by Gena Frucht ’24

It’s really not that bad: an ode to my walk to Wakeman

Rachel Olefson ’25 Web Managing Editor

Imake an effort to breathe and reconnect, with nature after yesterdays panic over my AP final exams. As the flowers bloom and the sun shines brightly, I take a moment to appreciate the scenery around me. Take a guess: where am I? Obviously I’m partaking in my daily eight-minute walk from my car at Wakeman Field to school. It may be an unpopular opinion, and I don’t know how much I would stand by it in the winter months, but my daily walk to school has been one

of the most peaceful parts of my horrifically busy junior year.

As I look forward to getting my parking pass for the end of junior year, I want to reminisce on the occasional joys that Wakeman has brought me.

First off, I rarely find time to take a minute away from my studies and go for a walk. However, as a result of not being allowed to park on campus this year, I’ve sort of accidentally benefited from the health effects of my daily two-way hot girl walks.

One of my favorite sayings is that you have to disconnect, to connect. Each morning on my walk to school I began making a habit of putting my phone

on “do not disturb,” and whether or not I had someone to walk with, I would use that time to not look at my phone. With the sheer amount of time I spend staring at either a phone or computer screen all day, mixed with the fact that I don’t like to get hit by Range Rovers, I decided it would be a good idea to make this a screen-free stroll. And I have to say, I loved it.

Socially speaking, I never could have guessed how much I could gain from a distraction-free walk. I reconnected with old friends I hadn’t spoken to simply because we both liked to get up early to park close to the front of the line. When my friends with later birth-

days finally got their driver’s licenses, we celebrated together when they started parking alongside the field with me.

As I got closer with the senior class, I would even get the occasional ride to my car from one of my older friends, getting to spill as much as we could about our lives in the two minutes it took for them to drive me up through Bedford.

So, rising juniors, I leave you with this: while I can’t say I enjoyed the days that I was either schvitzing in 85 degree heat or couldn’t feel my hands because it was so cold out, the walk to Wakeman during the in between months really isn’t as bad as everyone makes it seem.

6 | opinions

ENJOYING HER STROLL Rachel Olefson ’25 makes the most of her walk to Wakeman to get some fresh air during her stressful junior year. Photo by Mia Bomback ’25

I’m not a lawyer, I’m just a kid:

advice for navigating summer jobs

Zoe Boxenbaum ’25 Executive TV Producer

Iremember my first summer job contract like it was yesterday. It was the summer after sophomore year and I needed a four-week stint after sleepaway camp. I searched high and low and I finally found an opening at a boutique that I had walked by a million times. I put on my best outfit and built up all the courage that I had and walked in. To my surprise they hired me on the spot. But alas, that wasn’t the scariest part. My new boss sat me down and presented me with the most daunting page of paper I had ever seen: my very first work contract.

I carefully scanned each line, trying to make sense of the legal jargon like I was a character in “Suits.” After an awkward five minutes of silence, it was official: I signed and dated the contract and thus became a minimum wage employee.

I’ve heard stories from all my friends who blindly signed a contract and agreed to be low Connecticut’s minimum wage of $15 per hour.

There are few things more stressful than facing an all-power ful, fear-inducing, blood-curdling boss. Though we aren’t yet successful doctors or stockbrokers, we still have contracts to negotiate. They might not be multimillion dollar deals or Fortune 500 mergers, but negotiating for every additional cent on top of minimum wage for our lifeguarding or summer camp jobs can be intimidat ing so, follow these tips to land a job and a wage that best reflects your abilites.

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Mia Bomback ’25 Zoe’s

Photo by

Tips

Teachers share summer plans

Matthew Stashower ’25 Inklings Ambassador

When the final bell rings on the last day of school, students anticipate what the summer will bring, whether it is a sleep away camp, a fun job or an interesting academic program. Just like students, teachers also do fun things – from running day camps, to coaching, to vacations – teachers find plenty of ways to keep busy over the summer.

Science teacher Kristen Leahy spends her summers traveling. She has traveled to Ireland three times to see her family, and she recently visited Germany, where she saw the site of the movie “The Sound of Music.” Leahy’s travels also include Hollywood and a yearly trip to the Jersey Shore.

“It’s nice to have that break from teaching,” Leahy said. “It makes it fresh in September that I haven’t taught all summer and really takes that time to see family or to see things that we don’t normally see.”

Science teacher William Jones also spends his summers traveling. Last summer, he traveled to France for a wedding, but ended up staying the entire month. Jones went to Paris, Bordeaux and the countryside, as well as the southwest coast. But what Jones found the most interesting about the country is how the people’s lifestyle is different from America.

“Their quality of life far outshines that of America,” Jones said. “They focus on family, friends and fun and not work.”

8| features

VIVE LA FRANCE Jones’s daughter, Phoebe, and his wife’s cousin buy food at a market in Sartant (left). His two daughters Phoebe and Maddie pose by a moat in Bienassis Castle in Erquy where the family traveled to for a wedding (top right). Phoebe stands on top of 12th-century Beynac Castle (bottom right). CROSSING CONTINENTS Leahy travels to Germany (left), Stone Harbor, New Jersey with her two daughters (center) and the gates of the abbey featured in “The Sound of Music” (right). Photos contributed by William Jones Photos contributed by Kristen Leahy Photos by Charlotte Berner ’25 Graphics by Phoebe Rosenberg ’27

For the last decade, Spanish teacher Eamon Griffin has spent his summers coaching club Lacrosse. Most recently he has spent the last decade working in the Eclipse lacrosse program. Griffin is also the head JV coach and an assistant varsity coach within the Staples program, but Griffin enjoys that in the summer, he gets to coach kids at many different schools and age groups.

“I enjoy being able to see different kids and different players.” Griffin said, “and see really excellent talent and really good lacrosse IQ on the field of play.”

STRINGS AND STICKS (from left to right) Griffin poses with with former head coach for Staples boys’ JV laccrose team Joe Smith and former Staples laccrose player Max Fuld. All three were coaches for the Tri Star tournament in June of 2022.

ince 2018, social studies teachers Jon Shepro and Eric Mongirdas co-run a fishing camp for kids called Get Schooled.

“Mr. Shepro actually came up with the idea of a “fishing” camp as a summer gig,” Mongirdas said “and we both thought it was a good idea. Five years later, we have a successful summer camp.”

Shepro’s favorite part of the camp is that it gives him time to spend with his friends.

“I enjoy the ability to spend my summers with my friends,” Shepro said. “We laugh, we smile, we joke around with the kids, we joke around with each other, so it’s kind of neat.”

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REELING IN Shepro and Mongirdas run Get Schooled, a fishing camp, to fish with kids and spend time with friends. Photos contributed by Jon Shepro Photos by Charlotte Berner ’25 Graphics by Nina Bowens ’25 & Phoebe Rosenberg ’27 Photo contributed by Eamon Griffin

Momu adds fresh scoop to Wesport’s ice cream scene

Caroline Zajac ’25 Business Manager

Say “hello” to Momu.

Located in the building that formerly housed Saugatuck Sweets on 575 Riverside Ave, Momu officially opened on April 27.

“I’m really excited about trying this new ice cream place,” Vivian Shamie ’25 said.

“Now that Sau gatuck Sweets is gone, we need a new place to crave on these up

coming summer nights.”

Momu has four owners who all have a strong culinary background: Emily Muñoz, Christian Muñoz, Brittany Moreno and Daniel Moreno.

The four of them previously worked together at a restaurant in Westchester called Blue Hill at Stone Barns, and the Morenos were already

across the street from Momu.

Momu has several flavors to offer, varying from classics like mintchip to more modern combinations like elderflower and rhubarb.

“We wanted to keep some classics on the menu to start off with,” Muñoz said. “We threw out ideas, and then set up the menu for a full year.”

Many of the unique names and flavors for their ice creams stem from a commitment to supporting local businesses.

Samantha Weitz ’28, a student at Coleytown Middle School, noted Momu’s creative addition of a Kneads Bread flavor.

“I didn’t know what to expect,” Weitz said, “but I think it was a delicious and unique way to merge the local shops here in Saugatuck.”

Momu also has fresh, fruity sorbets to offer

and all of their ingredients are supplied locally. According to Sarah McCourt ’24, a new employee at Momu, the ice cream shop sources their dairy from Arethusa Farms in Litchfield, Connecticut. All of their ice cream is house-made with only real ingredients, like rhubarb and freshly squeezed lemons.

“We will be visiting farmers’ markets and letting them dictate the menu,” Emily Muñoz said. “The goal is to [promote] community while supporting local farmers, and showing the community what can be done with the farmers market.”

Momu has already proven to be a popular spot for residents. With summer right around the corner, and hot days approaching, Momu’s popularity will continue to grow.

“It’s a place where families and friends can come together,” McCourt said, “to enjoy a yummy sweet treat.”

10| a&e

mud honey elderflower & rhubarb s’mores

SCREAM, YOU SCREAM

unique flavors

flavors

kneads bread

Momu proves to be a popular spot due to its

like Mud, made with oreos from

Kneads.

unique

Photos by Alice Frascella ’25 & Jack Robinson ’26

From May to November,

The Westport Farmers’ Market springs into 2024 season

market for the Gillespie Center.

As summer begins, days grow longer and the UV index starts to climb. But the season also brings with it a special Westport tradition, the Westport Farmers’ Market. Every Thursday from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., a variety of fresh produce filled stands line 50 Imperial Ave.

The market hosts vendors from all over Connecticut, selling fruits, vegetables, flowers and more. It strives to provide for the Westport community, supports and promotes local producers, small businesses and sustainable growing practices.

“I just think the entire program is a really rewarding way to give back to the community,” Lucas Baer ’25 said. “Having actually served the food that our club prepares, seeing the smiles on people’s faces and hearing them thank me and genuinely appreciate what we do, is definitely super special.”

The market also serves as a valuable internship opportunity for seniors, proving to be an enjoyable experience.

I think overall it’s a great place to get some local food and try different things.”

- Evie Bory '26

“I think overall it’s a great place to get some local food and try different things,” Evie Bory ’26 said.

Attracting crowds of eager shoppers, the seasonal market provides educational opportunities and activities for all ages.

As part of the Staples High School Culinary Program, culinary students prepare freshly sourced meals, using ingredients from the

“While no day is the same, we spend our days learning about food sustainability, engaging in physical labor on farms and in local restaurants, paired with getting to try some great fresh food,” intern Harrison Browne ’24 said.

The market has become one of the town’s most special events and serves the community in endless ways.

“It’s so nice being outside. It’s at a really convenient location downtown, and they have a great variety of local vendors,” Sorel Kennedy ’25 said. “It’s a great opportunity to try foods or products you haven’t before.”

Hannah Salpeter ’25 Staff Writer Photos contributed by Westport Farmers Market

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“

HOME GROWN The Westport Farmers’ Market includes over 40 vendors from local businesses and farms around Connecticut. FRIENDLY FACES the Westport Farmers’ Market provides a sense of community on 50 Imperial Ave.

Game oN: the senior assassin experience

Caroline Zajac ’25 Business Manager

Locked, loaded and graduating. Forget about being front row at white-out football games or state-championship lacrosse games; the most highly anticipated game happens at the end of senior year: senior assassin. This Nerf-gun showdown has seniors weaving through their last weeks of high school with one mission: kill or get killed.

The first round of senior assassin started on May 13. Each round lasts one week, with the fourth and final round on June 3. Players must assassi-

Meet the Leaders

nate their target without being caught by their own pursuer.

Teddy Deutsch ’24 was the first person to shoot his target out of the entire senior class.

“I made sure to get my target out early so I could have the week to focus on protecting myself,” Deutsch said. “I also made sure I got my targets before their weekend shifts.”

Participants must follow a strict set of rules. For example, while players cannot enter anyone’s house unless invited in, assassins are welcome to camp outside. Another rule is that you can’t shoot your target at their internship or work.

“I arrived home and as

I was getting out of my car, I saw my assassin pointing her gun at me, ready to shoot,” Izzy Rivel ’24 said.

This game is entirely student run; students have raised a $2,500 prize for the winner, and a $200 prize for the senior who accumulates the most number of assassinations.

“Winning this prize would be awesome,” Tristan Keefe ’24 said. “I would buy something really cool, like a new pair of skis.”

While this game may seem nerve-wracking, it’s a cherished tradition for many high schoolers as a final bonding moment between the senior class.

“This game has been su-

per fun because everyone is doing it,” Filipa Lemcke ’24 said. “It’s so nice to go out of my way to see classmates that I don’t usually see.”

Leilani scan for updates @ staplesseniorassassin24

Graphic by Olivia Signorlie ’25 THE GAME MAKERS: (left to right) Sacha Maidique ’24, Leilani Fleming ’24 and Alyssa Lee ’24 oversee 2024 senior assassin by giving target assignments and running the senior assassin Instagram. SAcHA

alyssa 12| sports

Photo by Alex Gaines ’25

Powerlifters pursue national records

Ayaan Olasewere ’25 Web Sports Editor

While powerlifting, weightlifting and lifting have some similarities, powerlifting’s aim is different. At its base, powerlifting is the effort to maximize absolute strength in the three main lifts of squat, bench and deadlift. While other forms of lifting place emphasis on speed, flexibility and coordination, powerlifting focuses more on raw strength.

At their first powerlifters competition last April, powerlifters Aiden Zer ’25 and Abe Lobsenz ’25 set multiple state records, and they haven’t stopped since. At a recent powerlifting meet on April 6, Lob-

senz broke the bench, deadlift and squat record in his weight class and age group. He continues to pursue further state records in the 17-18 age group.

Zer and Lobsenz started powerlifting for different reasons, but they each have found success and inspiration within the sport, showing how there is no clear path to power lifting excellence.

“I wasn’t really focused on looking bigger or looking stronger,” Lobsenz said.

“The focus of powerlifting, it’s about your strength, about how much weight you can lift.”

However, Zer’s reasons for joining the sport were different.

“I got into powerlifting at the gym because I wanted to look bigger and stronger, to gain muscle and build my body,” Zer said.

Along their powerlifting journey, Zer and Lobsenz co-founded SHS Barbell Club with fellow powerlifter Sandro Aldrucci ’25. They wanted to create an informed environment that welcomes beginning lifters and helps them learn about proper technique and diet. They focused on these goals because they believed that there are a lot of misconceptions within powerlifting committees.

“A lot of people think they know a lot more than they do,” Lobsenz said. “ So, we wanted to spread credible information. That’s why we have three co-leaders. We wanted a diverse array of opinions and different approaches.”

Another one of their goals was leaving a lasting legacy. They recognized how weak Connecticut is lifting-wise, and they wanted to take advantage of this. The founders wanted to cre-

ate a Staples lifting legacy by breaking multiple state records across various age groups.

“All the state records for our age class are extremely low,” Zer said. “They’re extremely achievable. So we want to give our knowledge to developing powerlifters or people who are already lifting but maybe not powerlifting yet.”

Despite the common goal of powerlifting, there are many different ways to achieve success within the sport.

“I do something very different that I found to work for me and may not be in accordance with the research,” Lobsenz said. “I do very low rep ranges, like three usually average for squat bench and deadlift, and I do heavy weight and push myself to failure.”

Overall, through their unique training styles, Zer and Lobsen hope to pursue continued success and create a lasting legacy of powerlifting at Staples.

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Read the full story on the web here! 200+lbs bench 400lbs squat 500lbs deadlift Lobsenz's Goals 415lbs bench 500lbs squat 600lbs deadlift Zer’s Goals

SETTING THE BARBELL Abe Lobsenz ’25 (left) and Aiden Zer ’25 (right) created the Barbell Club in order to clear up misconceptions about powerlifting. Photos contributed by Abe Lobsenz ’25 & Aiden Zer ’25