Inklings May 2024 Issue

Wrecker Management

The Wreckers Wealth Management team achieves 2nd place in the international finance competition.

Inklings Staff CONT ENTS Investment Team

Editors-In-Chief

Nina Bowens, Lily Hultgren Paper Managing Editors

Mia Bomback, Angelina Matra, Katherine Phelps

Web Managing Editors

Rachel Olefson, Samantha Sandrew

Associate Managing Editors

Anna Kercher, Siena Petrosinelli

Lily Rimm, Demi Sasson

Associate Web Managing Editor

Liora Perkins

Creative Directors

Alex Gaines, Olivia Signorile 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

Irish Dancing

Camryn Harris’ Dance Career

Camryn Harris ’24 describes her journey through life as an Irish dancer.

Track Star

11

Staples alumni breaks records

Henry Wynee ’13 breaks track world records.

Tik Tok

Tik Tok Ban

Tik Tok will be banned within the next year, due to U.S. users’ data privacy concerns.

Italy & France

Staples Art Trip

Art students got the opportunity to travel to France and Italy over April break.

Broadcast Directors

Zoe Alpert, Ava Chun Executive TV Show Producers

Zoe Boxenbaum, Ben Buchalter, Ava Coyle

Blue Staff Paper Editors

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

Red Staff Paper Editors

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

Web News Editors

Amelia Berkowitz

Ella Harrington

Web Opinions Editors

Alice Frascella, Henry Watson

Web Features Editor

Lila Boroujerdi, Alexis Jacobs

Web Arts Editor

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, an 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.

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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 the 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 or any other discriminating basis prohibited by local, state or federal law.

College campus protests ignite nationwide; concern prospective students

After Hamas launched an assault on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict resurfaced globally; recently, it has led to the mobilization of thousands of college students. The overall movement from pro-Palestinian protesters has been to call for individual universities to divest in companies who are funding Israel’s military attacks.

The Board recognizes the complexities of the issue and the influence the media may have on one’s opinions, but implores students to hear from different perspectives. Often in protest movements, it is key to understand the distinctions between the majority population of protesters and small groups of extremists. The beliefs of the extreme groups are often misrepresented in the media as being the beliefs of the whole population, so it is essential students take time to educate themselves on the issue and recognize the existing nuances.

As an example, a Fox News article’s subheading said that “demonstrators [at college campuses] supported violent resistance.” Similarly, in the comments of a clip on the New York Times Instagram of students walking out when comedian and actor Jerry Seinfeld gave a commencement address at Duke University’s ceremo-

ny, some individuals called the students participating in the walk out as “Hamas supporters.” These kinds of generalizations perpetuate false narratives about all protesters, thus misrepresenting them.

The Board also recognizes that colleges have been historical hotspots for activism. From the Vietnam War protests to demonstrations against South African Apartheid, universities have long been places of protest. And they should continue to be, so long as protestors’ speech doesn’t directly target any individual or cause a serious disturbance to the academic environment. At the same time, students expressing their beliefs peacefully should not be subjected to violence from law enforcement. When universities listen to their students and reach compromises, resolutions are possible. For example, on April 30, pro-Pal estinian students at Brown University peacefully ended their encampment after the university agreed to discuss divesting. This agree ment shows that protesters and even

private institutions can work together peacefully.

Graphics by Olivia Signorile ’25

Colleges should be able to be both a center of learning and a place where students can express their opinions.

The Board acknowledges that there have been some instances of racial and religious discrimination threaded throughout protests; particularly in this case, the line between causing change and causing harm lies between pro-Palestiniean chants and blatantly anti-Israel ones. “From the river to the sea” has specifically been noted as a controversial chant. It refers to the area between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, which is where Israel, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank are now all located, hence alluding to the decades long tension over the area. Additionally, at Columbia, there have been more violent tactics, such as the breaking into of Hamilton Hall and use of tear gas.

In response to escalating situations, the Board believes that rather than canceling graduation ceremonies and guest speakers, such as was done at

thinks that the universities should set guidelines regarding discipline. The safety of these students should be the primary concern of a university. If students are prevented from getting to class, universities should refocus on disciplinary procedures for protesters on a case-by-case basis.

The Board wants to see students enter an environment where they are able to express their opinions in a safe way; one in which everyone is still able to graduate and learn. Schools have a right to take action against violence, and prospective students deserve to feel safe while touring some of their dream schools. However, the Board believes the freedom to demonstrate student voices is equally important. Colleges should be able to be both a center of learning and a place where students an express their opinions. College students are representative of the passions of the rising generation, and as Staples alums prepare to take on that role, understanding how their favored universities handle this balance proves to be crucial.

Investing in

Wreckers Wealth Management pays off

Alex Gaines ’25

Creative Director

Rachel Olefson ’25

Web Managing Editor

When Alex Sod ’25, president of the Staples High Investment Trading Society, eagerly asked one of his teachers to advise his newly-created club, he was shocked by the response he received.

“He said, ‘No, I’m not helping you with a fake club,’” Sod explained. “He said, verbatim, ‘A fake club, Alex? You’re better than that.’”

Later, against all odds, Sod came back to share an update with the teacher.

“And then I shoved it in his face the moment we got into the semi- nals,” Sod said, laughing. “When we got sec-

ond place, we put the trophies in his o ce, as a reminder of how ‘fake’ the club is.”

Sod’s team of him and six other Staples juniors won second place out of upwards of 5,000 teams in the annual Wharton Global High School Investment Competition. e huge pool of international teams was then narrowed down to 50 semi nalists, and, subsequently, 11 nalists that competed in person on the Wharton Business School campus in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. is is the team’s second year of existence, but the rst time they’ve ever made it past the rst round of nalists.

Trading Society was made an o cial Staples club.

“We were able to get in front of a lot of faces at club rush,” Sod said. “It kind of added a sense of seriousness.”

e Wharton Global Youth Program’s annual Investment Competition allows high school teams to participate in a stock investment simulator, as each respective “company” attempts to cater to a speci c client’s investment needs. is year, the client case study was that of Hilary Ash, a women’s

“

“It was not a club last year,” Sod said. “It was something that was, to put it quite frankly, a little unserious.” is year, though, the Staples High Investment

We’re going for first place next year. I think we’ve learned from past mistakes.”

- Andrew Rebello '25

sports enthusiast with dreams of renovating her South American property through real estate investment. e teams began with a budget of $100,000 to manage an investment portfolio to provide the most returns for Ash that are relevant to her speci c nancial goals.

“99% of investing competitions out there are based on how much of a return can you make? So this competition is very di erent,” club CFO Andrew Rebello ’25 said. “It focuses on the investment strategy. You can throw everything into one stock and make the biggest returns, but that’s not a good long term strategy for a real person.” e team realized that many other groups’ strategies revolved around doing whatever it took to make the most money. With their new strategy of investing in stocks relating to the interests of the case study in tow, the team was ready to start investing.

Staples’ team titled their company “Wreckers Wealth Management” in their proposal and began to prepare at the beginning of the school year for trading to start on Sept. 25.

“We work together really well,” club COO Srish Popuri ’25 said. “We were able to stay relatively organized, and we communicated strongly enough.” e seven students decided to divide and conquer di erent investment sectors to keep an equal distribution of research during the trading process from September to December. Team member Mack Haymond ’25, for example, kept track of possible nancial technology-related stocks to invest in for Ash.

ROUND Staples Wreckers Wealth Management Club places second at the Final Competition at the Wharton Global High School Competition on April 20.

theMEET

LEADERS

“I helped develop the main investment strategy and taught the team financial analysis. I delegated tasks and ensured deadlines were met to create a quality end product.”

“we built [our strategy] choosing stocks for her and not just choosing stocks based on an algorithm,” Haymond said. “We wanted it to be choosing a stock that has the right social initiatives, that was doing the right things that our client would have wanted. After that, we made sure that the nancials lined up.”

For two full months, the team met over a video call every Monday and ursday at 8:30 p.m.

“I pregamed every single meeting to the invest-

“My main roles are administration, leading strategy and firefighting. Whenever a problem or a “fire” comes up, as the buck lands on me, I personally solve the problem.”

ment club by listening to either ‘Money Money Money’ by ABBA or the ‘Succession’ theme song,” Sod said.

Eventually, the team made it to Wharton’s campus for the nal, in-person competition. Along with a panel of judges, Ash — the real person from their case study — listened in to each of the 11 teams’ 10-minute speeches.

“Let us invest,” Sod says, ending the team’s presentation. “Not just in nancial assets, but in a future where goals are not just dreamed of, but scored.” He mimics a soccer ball kick, and the crowd of international students and parents erupts in cheers.

As the winners were an-

“I enjoy investing and looking at business models. I am a very collaborative person and leading this team provided me with the ability to do just that, all with amazing people, too.”

nouned, the team began to worry; omas Je erson High School for Science and Technology was announced as the third place spot, meaning that Wreckers Wealth Management was either in the top two or didn’t place at all.

“Second place, I was like ‘Okay, we have a chance, we have a chance,’ because you just have that hope, right?” Rebello said. “But basically, once he [...] nished ‘Staples’ halfway, we all just went ham. Pure happiness.”

Some team members, however, weren’t as hopeful going into the results ceremony.

“When I heard, ‘ ird Place, omas Je erson High School,’ [...] Andrew was ex-

cited, I was absolutely crushed,” Sod said. “Because I thought there was absolutely no shot we were going to do better. When they said ‘Second Place, Staples High School,’ I think I’ve never yelled more expletives in Spanish.”

Wreckers Wealth Management is the rst team from a public, non-magnet school to be the rst runner-up in the history of the competition.

“ ere are a lot of things that we’re better prepared for next year,” Rebello said. “When you start from scratch, you have to fail, and your hope is that you fail fast and pick yourself back up. Obviously we’re going for rst place next year. ”

Graphics by Sophia Reeves ’25

Photos by Alex Gaines ’25

In step with success: Camryn Harris takes final bow in Irish dance

Zara

Saliba ’26 Paper Editor

When Camryn Harris ’24 was 5 years old, she stared in awe at a segment of “Sesame Street” featuring an Irish dancer. She pictured herself dancing to the beat of the music, and she saw a future: one where she would stand on a bright stage, earning medals for her hard work.

After 14 years of Irish dancing at the Sheeaun Academy of Irish Dance and the world-renowned Doherty Petri School of Irish Dance, as well as placing in several international competitions, Harris has developed a passion that remains deep-rooted in her identity.

“I’ve found a way to balance my training,” Harris said, “[to keep me] placing on the same level or better than I had in the past, while also being able to be involved at school and [as] the captain of the sailing team.”

That time does not go unrewarded. Harris competes on the international level through competitions in Dublin, Glasgow and other locations across the United Kingdom and Ireland. She also will be preparing for the North American Nationals in Dallas, Texas this year.

I’ve found a way to balance my training[...] while also being able to be involved at school. “

“[I started] participating in local feiseanna (Feis) [which are] local dance competitions usually held in high schools or other locations,” Harris said. “I won several ceili competitions (traditional Irish group dances) at the Oireachtas (the New England regional competition held annually in November) while also competing in traditional sets.”

Her lifelong passion for her sport allows her to discover new ways to balance life and school to make time for competitive Irish dancing.

- Camryn Harris '24

This time commitment and training that Harris puts in helps her soak up the spotlight, as she got seventh place at North American Nationals and ranked 44th at the World Championship level in 2024. “I am also a six-time world qualifier (after qualifying for nationals and regionals),” Harris said, “and only the top 10% of Irish dancers make it to the world championship.”

Harris is taking a step back from competitive dance to go to Villanova University for college, but she still will dance recreationally.

“It’s definitely sad because it’s closing a chapter of my life that’s been so crazy,” Harris said. “But I’ll keep dancing [on the] traditional side of Irish dance rather than the glam of major competitions.”

LIGHT JIG Camryn Harris ’24 has been an Irish Dancer for 14 years. She has qualified for the World Championship six times.

Photos contributed by Camryn Harris ’24

Jack Robinson

’26

Paper Editor

The Senate passed the “21st Century Peace through Strength Act”–a bill that combines a $95 billion aid package to Ukraine and other nations as well as a ban on TikTok– on April 24, and it was signed by President Joe Biden hours later.

e bill gives TikTok’s parent company, Chinese-owned ByteDance, 12 months to sell TikTok to a di erent company, or the app will no longer be downloadable in the App Store. For those who have already installed TikTok, the app will not vanish, but users will be unable to update it.

e bill came after years of tense talks between ByteDance and both the Trump and Biden administrations, as well as years of FBI warnings that TikTok could pose national security risks if the Chinese government forces ByteDance to leak U.S. data.

Technically, ByteDance has nine months to sell, but after a push from House Democrats, Biden can grant an additional 90 day window. is is a sharp departure from a prior attempt to force ByteDance to divest the app, which gave ByteDance a mere six months.

However, many Americans are critical of this bill, expecting lawsuits to come on the basis of First Amendment rights. In the past, an executive order

by former President Donald Trump forcing ByteDance to sell was found unconstitutional for violating free speech rights.

TikTok is used primarily by teenagers, and has become a central source of entertainment for many students at Staples. As such, they have many opinions on a potential ban.

“I use TikTok very often, and there are concerns for teenagers because [we rely] on TikTok a lot,” Madison Cohen ’26 said. “[I think if TikTok was banned,] it would make me more bored. But, it would also make me more [productive with actual things in real life.]”

However, there is no consensus among students about what the fate of the app should be. Some students advocate for a ban, while others are adamant against one.

“I do love

watching Tiktok, but I think it really needs to be banned,” Sophie Cochran ’25 said. “I nd it’s a big waste of time

and highly addictive. Once you start scrolling, you can’t stop.”

Graphics by Sophia Reeves ’25 & Jack Robinson ’26

Air dryers replace paper

towels in bathrooms

school-wide

Samantha Sandrew ’25 Web Managing Editor

Air dryers will soon replace all remaining paper towel dispensers in the school bathrooms since the e ort began in late December.

The school temporarily installed paper towels in an attempt to limit COVID-19 spread. But maintaining the paper towels was costly and grants for upholding COVID-19 protocol dwindled.

“When we had supply chain issues, the prices of paper towels about doubled,” Principal Stafford Thomas Jr. said.

Vandalism also contributed to the switch to air dryers. The paper towels were reportedly being flushed down the toilets, causing them to clog and overflow.

However, the change to air dryers was not received well by all.

er students who prefer the air dryers, citing environmental advantages.

“Less paper towels are better for the environment,” Isabelle Kamish ’25 said.

Yet German teacher Liubov Ulianova recognized

that there are environmental pros and cons to each type of hand drying mechanism.

“You have to weigh out which is a better option:” Ulianova said, “whether we kill the trees or use electricity and release emissions.”

Less paper towels are better for the environment.”

- Izzy Khamish '25 “

So, Westport Public Schools (WPS) decided to return to air dryers once the Center for Disease Control ruled that air drying does not significantly spread germs. Only the paper towel dispensers in the teacher’s bathrooms will remain until stocks in paper towels run out.

“It’s less efficient. One, it’s harder to dry your hands, I think. Two, if you need to blow your nose or something, it will really inconvenience you,” Vasco Peixoto ’24 said. There is also the issue of hygienics which concerns many students.

“I think they’re kind of gross,” Aidan Goldenberg ’25 said. “They are just spreading bacteria in the air. They are not really cleaning your hands.”

[The CDC states that there is no significant evidence for either air dryers or paper towels being more effective at reducing germs]

Still, there are oth-

“I just feel like [paper towels are] easier, and blow dryers take longer

“[With] the hand dryer, it feels like you leave the bathroom and your hands are still wet.”

“It could be better to have air dryers more accessible.”

Graphic by Alex Gaines ’25

Photos by Elsa D’Elia ’25

WPS campuses now to outsiders during school hours OFFLIMITS

Corbin Chaney’25 Staff Writer

While classes are in session at Westport Public School facilities, campuses will be off limits to everyone except students, staff or specially invited guests, citing security issues.

Between 7:30 a.m. - 4:15 p.m., the average civilian neither take a stroll on the sidewalks surrounding Bedford with their dogs nor enter into the school parking lot to turn around after a missed turn.

“We already have it in place where technically, we’re not supposed to have any outside people during the school day; that’s already on all the campuses.” School Resource Officer Edward Wooldridge said.

“The Board of [Education]

and the police department determined that for safety and security purposes, school grounds should include the entire campus for each school, which includes the school and the recreational facilities adjacent to them,” Director of Parks and Recreation

Jennifer Fava said during the Board of Selectwomen meeting on April 10.

“I don’t agree with the bans,” Connor O’Neill ’26 said. “It puts dog walkers in an awkward position in such an unwalkable town and it gives them less opportunities to get out and walk.”

It puts dog walkers in an awkward position in such an unwalkable town.”

An exception to the new security rule, however, is Wakeman Town Farm, where all students without a Staples parking pass are required to park. While the Staples owned sports fields are adjacent, the Wakeman road itself is not owned by the school district, giving some leeway to people who want to take a walk there.

- Connor O’Neill ‘26

The Westport Community Garden will also be impacted by the new rule. Community gardeners, who used to be allowed at the garden at all times other than arrival and dismissal, are now no longer allowed during the school day. While the gardens are technically separate from the school, both share a parking lot, giving the school administration authority over both.

“I think that it’s disturbing that we live in a country

where [closing the gardens during school hours for security] has to be of concern and I think [they] should be allowed to garden during school hours,” Maddie Enos ’26 said. “It’s closing that off to a whole part of the community.”

While the garden is an important topic of discussion, the undermining reason for the proposed legislation is simply for higher security for all students in the Westport School District.

“It’s just to really enhance [security]. There’s people that still try to walk through the campus, they’ll walk their dogs through the campus, and that could tend to be a little dangerous,” Wooldridge said, “especially those people that don’t put their dogs on a leash.”

Seniors’ departure will

be an incredible triumph... Probably.

Henry Watson ‘25 Web Opinions Editor

Victory is not something that I often experience. In fact, I am more accustomed to losing. This includes English reading checks that test my knowledge on material I have not even glanced at. The 10 minute naps I take after school which result in a disgruntled mood when I ultimately wake up three hours later. Even the fact that my barber–let’s call him Sobert Rhamberg–charged me $90 for the haircut I had just before writing this. Admittedly, I am still a bit peeved and may reference it a touch throughout the rest of this piece. I should also add I just took one of those aforementioned naps. Anyways, when seniors leave in May for internships, I am guaranteed to finally get a solid win. 100%. There is no way I’ll somehow lose this time. After all, somebody else must fill their shoes and adopt their privileges. Their lunch tables. Their parking spots. I’ll be able to take all of it. In real estate, everyone has

All that aside, the departure of seniors will still be a great overall win.

made financial profits buying a property near a lake, river or ocean. Of course, no matter the gains, they are not enough to consistently afford my barber. But nevertheless this prime real estate is the equivalent of sitting at the tables right outside the checkout lines. It is a coveted area that has only been occupied by seniors–until now. Straight after the seniors’ departure, I and the rest of the junior class will move from the backwater tables to that incredibly visible real estate. Well, maybe not me. I don’t really want my hair to be seen for a few weeks. But while I may not participate in the “table turf takeover,” (if this phrase ChatGPT wrote sticks please trademark it on my behalf so I can earn royalties to pay for future haircuts), at the very least I can participate in the distribution of seniors' parking spaces. Already I have done much of the work in preparation. I have filled out the form and paid my very considerable accountabilities. There is only one issue–I do not have a vehicle. A year ago, I used my limited savings to pur-

chase a black Jeep. Back then, I was a generous person and lent my Jeep to a man I had business ties with. Unfortunately, this generosity was ultimately smashed apart when I found the car halfway between the Staples parking lot and the culinary classroom. In hindsight, perhaps I should have learned from Rhamberg’s name not to lend him my vehicle.

All that aside, the departure of seniors will still be a great overall win. I’ll get an excellent parking space for my Jeep–even its remains are scattered across a junkyard. I’ll eventually take the seniors' well-positioned lunch tables once the hair regrowth shampoo that my grandparents recommended arrives. And I’ll somehow find someone else in my English class to cheat off of for that reading check.

KING HENRY IX Henry Watson '25 wearing a crown to hide his bad haircut, climbs Mount Senior Power.

Henry Wynne

shatters track world record

Caitlin Jacob ‘24 Communications Coordinator

As his teammate approaches, Henry Wynne '13 grasps the baton and is off. He bolts around the track, neck-andneck with his opponent: 1000 meters pass; then 1200. Within the blink of an eye, Wynne flies across the finish line, shattering a world record. Wynne, along with three

Beast, a professional team that competes internationally.

This race may have been record breaking, but the pressures of national championships are nothing new for Wynne. He is the former NCAA one mile champion, and has also received second and third place in national competitions. Wynne is currently planning on attending Olympic Trials, which will take place in June of 2024.

“Obviously, everybody's

need to add any extra strain.”

Wynne first got his start in track as a freshman, when a tense debate between his lacrosse coach Paul McNulty and track coach Laddie Lawrence took place. When Lawrence saw Wynne run, he immediately saw his potential.

“When [Wynne] first came to us, he actually was going to be a lacrosse player. He did cross country in the fall,” Lawrence said. “As a freshman, he was so good. [McNulty] and I had both agreed that he should be running, so he ended up doing indoor and outdoor track, and his big breakthrough season was his sophomore year.”

Wynne is now admired by members of both the boys’ and girls’ track teams.

Though it’s been a decade since Wynne graduated, he frequently returns to Staples. When he does, he makes it a priority to not only interact with Lawrence but also the team as a whole.

“When he comes back, he speaks to the kids,” Lawrence said. “[Over December break], he ran with the kids, which I think was a thrill for them.”

Wynne ultimately gives Staples credit for his recent string of victories, citing his coaches pushing to better himself as an athlete.

“I always look fondly on my memories of Staples,” Wynne said. “Obviously training hard and doing well, but just mostly the friendships that I made and being able to have a lot of fun.”

WYNNE-R Henry Wynne '13 wins first place at a NCAA track race. He recently broke the 1-mile record and is currently training for the Olympic trials.

“It's just really amazing for a Staples alum to go on to do something like this,” Leilani Fleming ’24 said. “It makes me excited to see what future generations of our runners will accomplish.”

As a result of Wynne’s recent victory, and his team’s increased presence on the national stage, the high school's track team is benefitting too.

“The accomplishment will bring more attention to our program,” Calum Madigan ’25 said, “hopefully drawing in more

Graphics by Alex Gaines ’25

Photo contributed by Henry Wynne '13

FROM THE COLOSSEUM TO THE EIFFEL TOWER...

Trip to France, Italy teaches European culture, art

Sophie Smith ’26

Paper

Editor

For over a week, the Staples art department sponsored a trip for 35 students, four teachers and two coordinators to Italy and France. Visiting museums and historical attractions, this trip was an exciting adventure that allowed art students to indulge in foreign artistry and enjoy the beauty of European culture.

Starting their trip in Italy, the group visited three major cities: Rome, Florence and Venice. A few of the attractions they saw in Rome included The Sistine Chapel, the Roman Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Trevi Fountain. During these outings, they observed many famous art pieces, such as the ceiling fres-

coes at the Sistine Chapel that were created by Italian sculptor and painter Michelangelo.

“The best part about my trip was getting to experience the museums and culture, especially that of Italy, where I have never been before,” Nina Katz ’26 said.

“

In Florence, the group was able to attend an art class and view art pieces, “The Birth of Venus” and “Primavera” by Italian painter Sandro Botticelli in the Uffizi Gallery.

inspirations from the museums we had gone to and create our own art pieces,” Bianca Mastocciolo ’26 said.

The trip also provided opportunities to sightsee. In Venice, they attended a glass-blowing demonstration, as well as visiting attractions through a guided tour.

We shared some fantastic, spontaneous moments, whether it was having a singoff while waiting for a bus or admiring world-famous art together.”

- Art Teacher Stacey Phelan

“The glass blowing demonstration was very interesting. It was cool to see how so many pieces are made and the speed they are made at,” Mastocciolo said.

tre-Dame Cathedral and the Eiffel Tower, in addition to taking a Seine River cruise. They were also able to attend a cooking and painting class.

“I learned about the impact that Roman culture has had on both modern day France and Italy,” Katz said. “There are many similarities between both countries, one of which is ancient Egyptian obelisks spread throughout the cities.”

“I loved the art classes because we were able to use

Ending with a visit to Paris, the students saw the No-

Along with teaching European culture and art, this trip also built connections between students and staff. “The highlight of the trip was connecting with both new and familiar students,” supervisor and art teacher Stacey Phelan said. “We shared some fantastic moments, whether it was having a sing-off while waiting for a bus or admiring world-famous art together.”

CIAO & BONJOUR Art students traveled to Italy and France over April break, visiting monuments and participating in art and cooking classes.

Photos contributed by @staplesarttrip24

May Mini Games

Contributed by PJ Loranger ‘24, Kai Seo ‘24 & Ella Tobben ‘24

French Fruits!

Connections

Match the given words into four groups of four words. Each puzzle has exactly one solution, which is revealed in the QR code.

WWW.KRISTENRUNKCONSULTING.COM