The Bear Facts October 2019

THE BEAR Vol. 41, Issue 1, October 2019

FACTS

Ursuline Academy of Dallas

theuabearfacts.com

Can Female Athletes Be Simply the Greatest?

By ELLIE SKELLY ‘21 The greatest of all time, a coveted phrase that all athletes yearn to gain. It inspires countless trips to the gym, the practice fields and the courts. It is the drive reflected in every athlete at every tournament, at every match and in every point. Yet, it seems being the greatest includes a conditional for women.

“There is systematic sexism in sports that leads to unequal pay, which starts with how women are marketed by their own leagues,” reports the Guardian. This argument is one consistently reinforced and argued by female athletes.

Despite the female competition, men are often called the greatest, not only by fans but also by the companies who decide to invest in sponsorships. When referring to men’s accomplishment in sports there is never is a conditional, no warning label. For women, their accomplishments are belittled in the form of small words put in to denote their sex, making it clear that she is not competing on the same level as a man.

Four-time Olympic medalist and 14-time World Champion Simone Biles at the 2018 World Gymnastics Championships in Doha, Qatar. Courtesy of Odyssey

Two-time Olympian Megan Rapinoe celebrates after the U.S. team defeats France during their 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup quarter final match in Paris. Courtesy of CNN

Serena Williams serves during the 2018 US Open.

Courtesy of Yahoo

Lindsey Vonn, 4-time World Cup alpine ski champion, at the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Courtesy of Time

World famous tennis player Serena Williams sees this frequently, with articles like one published on the ESPN website reading, “Is Serena Williams the Best Female Athlete Ever?” While seemingly harmless, is the denotation of female necessary? Even the phrasing as a question seems to cast doubt on Serena’s accomplishments.

Williams has won 23 grand slams, the most won by any player in tennis history.

She set a record for the most acres served in a tournament, 102. Williams holds the record for the most hardcourt grand slam titles. She is the only person to win three of the four grand slams six times. Williams is the third player to achieve a Career Grand Slam in singles and doubles after Margaret Court and Martina Navratilova (notably both women).

She is the only player to hold all Grand Slam titles simultaneously. Williams is the first player to win over 80 matches at 3 of the 4 grand slam events. As of the 2017 Australian Open, she is the only player to win over 10 grand slam singles titles in two separate decades. Yet, Williams is still the greatest female player. Continued on pg. 12

U.S. figure skater Mirai Nagasu makes history in 2018 as the first American woman to land a triple axel in an Olympic competition.

Courtesy of ABC News

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Inside

October

The Bear Facts

Check out our new publication, The Facts!

You’ve propably already heard of The Facts by now. If not, check your email! Sarah Hui ‘20 and I, your Co-editors, are thrilled about this brand-new project The Bear Facts is starting this year.

The idea to create our email newsletter was inspired by my favorite company, theSkimm, a millenial-focused daily newsletter started by two women.

Since our paper is issued only once a month, we are

not always able to inform the student body on important current events. The Facts, released weekly, will keep you up-to-date on what’s happening locally, nationally, and globally.

Since The Facts is in its early stages, we are still working out the kinks to make our newsletter as helpful as it can be. If you have any questions, Ursuline-related or news-related story ideas, or if you woud like to be featured, please let us know!

THE BEAR FACTS STAFF FRONT EDITORS Sarah Hui ‘20 Abigail Mihalic ‘20 INSIDE EDITORS Sarah Hui ‘20 Abigail Mihalic ‘20 SCHOOL NEWS EDITOR Natalie Ro ‘22 PROFILES EDITOR Ellie Skelly ‘21 FEATURES EDITOR Helen Emerson ‘20 GLOBAL FEATURES EDITOR Katharine Bales ‘22 SPREAD EDITOR Sarah Nguyen ‘20 SPORTS & WELLNESS EDITOR Taylor Louviere ‘22 https://theuabearfacts.com/

ADVISER Melinda Smith EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Sarah Hui ‘20 Abigail Mihalic ‘20 ONLINE EDITORS Grace Risinger ‘20 Emilea McCutchan ‘20 Editorial Policy Editorials reflect the staff’s opinion and are not bylined. Opinion pieces are bylined and are the opinion of the author.

Letter policy Readers are encouraged to submit letters to be considered for publication. They may respond to an article, provide feedback on the whole paper, or address a topic not addressed in the paper. In order to be published, these letters cannot be anonymous.

Articles, story ideas, or pictures submitted by the Ursuline community will be received and considered for publication. Submissions for should be e-mailed to 20amihalic@ursulinedallas.org or 20shui@ursulinedallas.org, or brought to room 035.

4900 Walnut Hill Lane Dallas, Texas 75229 uabfstaff@gmail.com

ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Ainsley Neitzel ‘20 TRENDING EDITORS Kate Janson ‘20 Hope Whitcraft ‘20 INSIGHTS EDITOR Bethany Roberts ‘20 OPINIONS EDITOR Jackie Thomas ‘20 BACK EDITOR Kate Giebler ‘21 BUSINESS MANAGER Kate Janson ‘20 SOCIAL MEDIA & PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER Hope Whitcraft ‘20 REPORTER Brooke Norman ‘20 @uabearfacts

The Bear Facts

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School News

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October

Murder Mystery Comes to Ursuline

By NATALIE RO ‘22 This year, the Ursuline theater department will bring Agatha Christy’s bestselling thriller novel “And Then There Were None” to life for the annual fall play.

The story begins with 10 people who are invited to a remote island off the British coast and left for dead. Death indeed comes knocking as some of them are mysteriously murdered while staying at the creepy island. Those remaining must find out who is responsible for the murders.

The cast has 13 members total, and one character will be played by two people during one production. The cast is quite small compared to other Ursuline productions. Ursuline’s production of “The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon” had

Courtesy of Amazon.com

over 15 roles and 22 crew members. In comparison, this year’s stage will not be as busy.

Ursuline’s longtime theater director Terri Ferguson said, “It is a good and bad thing that we have such a small cast. Unfortunately, there are not a lot of people on stage; however, we have more time to focus on individual character development.”

The play is set in the late 1930s in Britain, which means that the cast will have to practice their British dialects and research into English culture and customs. It is very important to make sure that the mannerisms of that time are portrayed correctly, such as ladies crossing their ankles versus their legs. If a cast member does not consider the time period and the culture of the character, the performance will not be as accurate.

Along with the actors and actresses’ performance, the stage itself must be aligned with the correct mood and time. Creating the mood is an important element. Sound will help set the mood for dramatic scenes, such as when a body is found or when someone is being pursued.

Since this is the first year in a long time in Ursuline’s history that a thriller-type play is being performed, the theater department has hired a professional sound designer to assist sound director James Gregory with the technological side of the play.

The costumes and makeup will be unique and atypical rather than the everyday makeup and outfit

Courtesy of the Grand Rapids Civic Theater’s production of “And Then There Were None” in January. looks. Various characters will wear the straight out of a horror movie. Though staple 1930s look of long silhouette dressmurder is terrible and intense, throughes and fur coats. Some will have wrinkles out the play there are comedic breaks to and prosthetics so that the actors and lighten up the material. actresses will look their characters age “‘And Then There Were None’ is one rather than their own. of my favorite novels by Agatha Christy All of these methods and the hard and I hope everyone can enjoy it as much work put into this play will transport the as I do,” said Ferguson. audience to the 1930s and present with the 10 people on the island as they attempt to escape a serial killer.

“I hope the audience feels a shiver up their spine and I want them to be intrigued as they try to find out who is pulling all the strings,” said Ferguson.

With all the death and gloominess throughout the play, the production may seem like something Ainsley Koch ‘20 and Katie Harmon ‘21 in last year’s production of “The Brothers Grimm Spectacuthon.”

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October

School News

The Bear Facts

Beautification Team Beautifies UA and the World

By HELEN EMERSON ‘20 In recent years, Ursuline has developed committees of students to aid administrators in areas such as diversity and inclusion, school spirit, student wellbeing and campus beautification. These teams work in the background--planning events, inspiring initiatives and restructuring policy for the well-being of the student body.

This year as environmental issues take center stage in political and social conversation, the campus beautification team has extended their pursuit of welfare to the world. The team is encouraging Ursuline students to not only maintain the beauty of the Ursuline campus but to also remain conscious of the global environmental crisis.

The beautification team comprised of six members, two of whom are seniors, is moderated by Dean of Students Kayla Brown. The team meets monthly in the morning to discuss the progress of current initiatives and to float new ideas.

“This year we really want to tackle the new recycling initiative at Ursuline. Everyone on the committee believes that recycling will not just beautify Ursuline, because it keeps the campus clean, but it helps to keep the world clean as well,” says member Bridget O’Neil ‘20.

Recycling

consciously is an easy way for Ursuline locked area helps the cities and states that students to get involved in conserva- are on the coasts.” tion as well as keep the school clean As a relatively large school, it is easy to and free from stray trash. By now, most see how Ursuline can use great amounts students are aware of the recycling of recyclable materials every day. The posters around the school. The commit- utensils in Haggar and schoolwide patee designed them to remind students per use are both examples of unavoidable of the guidelines for recyclable materi- waste, but the effects of this waste on the als and levels of cleanliness. environment can be diminished through O’Neil channels a personal passion for conscious habits, such as recycling. environmentalism into her work with For this reason, recycling remains the the committee. “I am a strong advocate top initiative of the team this year. Howfor keeping the oceans clean. Whether ever, environmentalism is not their only this be by focus, as they lack of recontinue to cycling or develop new companies plans to keep illegally the Ursuline dumping c a m p u s trash, I beautiful. have seen “Though the conseC a m p u s quences of Beautificatrash in the tion just ocean.” sounds like O’Neil cleaning up continued, and throwing Courtesy of waste360.com “My family away trash, goes to Cape Cod evwe also want Ursuline ery year. When I was little, we would to look as welcoming and aesthetically go to this beach that had sea turtles, pleasing as possible. We like to have the fish, and sometimes even seals. I artwork of students in the hallways, espereturned this past summer to remi- cially places that don’t have a lot of deconisce, but I did not see a single rations currently like the English basefish, let alone any other sea crea- ment. We have also put in some requests ture, but instead saw so much to paint various spots around the school trash it sickened me. Even though that look out of place like the utility box Dallas isn’t near an ocean, recy- in gravel,” said O’Neil. cling and picking up trash in a land Ultimately, the campus beautification

team as well as the other student teams was founded t o provide an avenue for students to become more involved in campus administration. This goal includes both team members and the general student body. O’Neil confirms the important role of all students in team programs.

“We are always looking for help. Whether it be on the committee or not, we need everyone’s help. We plant in the gardens around the school in the spring and having more helping hands would be great!

Also, participating in the basic steps such as recycling helps not only us, the students, but Ursuline and the environment as well. Lastly, encouraging your friends to recycle, pick up trash, make sure they don’t walk on the landscaping, and just all around making sure Ursuline looks beautiful is an amazing start,” she said.

Ultimately, O’Neil and the rest of the team want to motivate the student body to recognize the efforts of the team, participating in efforts such as recycling, while raising additional suggestions and ideas with representatives, working to become involved in bettering the Ursuline community and its global impact.

And The Silverware Saga Continues

By AINSLEY NEITZEL ‘20 After relentlessly pushing for the environmentally friendly metal utensils last year, Hagar has transitioned back to plasticware. This school year, the science department, campus beautification team and environmental science students have begun working to improve the school’s recycling and environmental sustainability. However, we are still back to plastic.

“I don’t think the metal silverware worked at Ursuline,” said Lauren Asher ‘20.

“I actually like the plastic silverware even though it isn’t necessarily better for the environment.” It is no secret students were not a fan of the metal silverware last year, but why?

To protest the unwanted silve¬rware, some students reportedly began throwing away or “misplacing” their utensils at lunch, in the hopes of motivating the school to switch back to plastic. One student describes how she could find forks in and on top of the trashcans, in the bookshelves in the library and outside in the courtyards.

With a new recycling system in place, Ursuline has begun to try and tackle the waste problem at our school, yet silverware is not an available option. Although the actions taken by students were unappreciated, it appears to have made a change, as the price to constantly replace the utensils was too high, resulting in a switch back to plasticware.

If switching to metal utensils isn’t a possi-

bility, how do we convince students to recycle their plasticware and be mindful of the effects their waste has on the environment? It is not that students are against making environmentally conscious choices throughout the school.

In fact, Asher believes, “We didn’t do a good enough job keeping the metal silverware around.” The issue is more with the student’s thought process when throwing away their lunches.

In order to improve the sustainability of the school, students should be reminded to recycle their plasticware at lunches. All of the students asked said they do not think to recycle their plastic utensils at lunch. It is not that students do not want to recycle, but that they forget that they have that option. For example, if there were more noticeable flyers reminding students to rinse and recycle, not only their plasticware, but all recyclable materials, students would be reminded of the need to recycle.

No student intentionally harms the environment, instead, forgetfulness is a main reason for not recycling. This is simply a series of bad habits that students and faculty should be encouraged to break. Friendly reminders of the recycling protocols and materials accepted could be a great way to enable students to make more environmentally conscious decisions in their

Courtesy of the OOOF Foundation day to day life.

As these habits are rebuilt in school, students might begin to bring them home, helping break their families’ habits as well. This small step of posting reminders by the trashcan could not only affect the environmental decisions for the school, but for the Dallas area as a whole. According to Advocate Lake Highlands, Dallas recycles less than most major cities, so

changes need to be made both in and out of school.

Although choosing to use reusable utensils may appear to be the less green choice, it has the potential to help make a larger impact on the environment by changing the habits of students. If students learn to recycle regularly, then they can help improve the condition of our planet beyond their years at Ursuline.

The Bear Facts

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School News

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October

New Club Invites UA to Appreciate Journalism

By GRACE RISINGER ‘20 One of the many perks of being an Ursuline student includes the variety of clubs students are invited to join. The annual club fair wrapped up on Sept. 6, and the new clubs are simply extraordinary! There is a club for every passion, ranging from veganism to women’s health. One new club asks all the right questions, free of bias – the Journalism Club.

Ellie Skelly ‘20 is the president. Skelly wants to provide a safe haven for all students to explore the importance of journalism. Hopeful to have a future in news production, Skelly has a passion for journalism that drives the club. Her passion took root after taking Melinda Smith’s Journalism I elective as a freshman.

“Journalism [I] was quite honestly a transformative class for me. The class taught me so much about what journalism entails, and showed me how the production and writing of news is important in society and how it affects everyone, not just those interested in current events,” Skelly said.

However, Skelly acknowledges that many students decide not to take Journalism I as it is a yearlong course. Her hope is that through the Journalism Club, and with the help of Mrs. Smith, all students – not just those who take journalism – will be informed of the life-skills that coincide with journalistic writing, including its effect on the everyday lives of American citizens.

“I believe that journalism so heavily effects all of us, as it is a narration of reality, and I believe that it is important to not only know how to use the skills of reallife, factual storytelling, which makes up journalism, but also be able to interpret it, and more specifically being able to detect bias,” said Skelly.

Focusing on media literacy, the skill that enables media to be accessed, evaluated and created, the club will meet at least twice a quarter to review the news cycle. Reinforcing the idea that our lives revolve around the news cycle, Skelly plans on reviewing

the news not only in its written format, but also in television and documentaries.

“Reviewing news gives students the opportunity to critic its presentation, style and subject. We already have a few ideas for documentary screenings that I am very excited about,” Skelly said, smiling.

By ‘We,’ Skelly referred to her team of talented individuals who are just as dedicated to journalism as she is. The club leadership includes Helen Emerson ‘20, Grace Risinger ’20, Grace

O’Campo ’21 and Abby Skelly ‘22. They are all very excited for what this year in the Journalism Club will entail.

While Ellie Skelly is the Profiles layout editor for Ursuline’s The Bear Facts and Emerson is the Features layout editor, Abby Skelly and O’Campo are new to the field of journalism. However, their ‘newness’ does not make them any less passionate about journalism or their roles in the club.

When asked about what O’Campo was most excited for in Journalism Club this year, she said, “I am so excited to learn more about the different facets of journalism, especially [under] the leadership

of our devoted president!”

Aside from the news review sessions, the Journalism Club also plans on organizing presentations to further showcase the importance of journalism in the world and to encourage students to look into the professional field of journalism.

Club moderator Melinda Smith, who is not only the current journalism teacher at Ursuline, but also a former professional journalist with a journalist degree from UT Austin, is an example of one of the amazing professional journalists that will be invited to present. Other willing presenters from various fields of journalism will also be invited.

As 60 girls signed up to be a part of this incredible club at the recent annual club fair, the Journalism Club has a great year ahead of them. With president Skelly’s passion and drive to reach as many students possible with her pro-journalism message, the Journalism Club will be, without a doubt, more than newsworthy.

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February

Profiles

The Bear Facts

Ursuline Senior Creates Fashion Brand

By GRACE RISINGER ‘20

Ursuline is buzzing with talented calls me Q because of it, so the Q Source students, ranging from TikTok-famous reflects who I am and what I love,” She artists to runway models to the next said.

Broadway stars. In fact, one senior has The references to Whitcraft’s fameven started her own self-made fashily card-game ritual extends past her ion line. Meet Hope Whitcraft ‘20, an brand’s namesake and seeps into her Ursuline senior by day, and the brains clothing. The Q Source sells three differbehind The Q Source by night. ent cropped T-shirts, all with the same The Q Source is the brainchild of design but different colorways. The defashion-devoted Hope Whitcraft. Whitsign is a playing card, yet for Whitcraft, craft credits her friends for pushing her it symbolizes the close bond she shares to create a fashion line of her own. with her family. In fact, she hid initials Whitcraft said, “During my freshman throughout her illustration representayear, I joked that I should start my own tive of her family’s names. fashion line. It didn’t occur to me that I With the hand-drawn playing card actually could until my friends asked me, placed in the center of the shirt in a ‘Why don’t you?’ Without that support rather subtle size, Whitcraft says she system, I would have never been able to feels the original placement of her destart my own line at such a young age.” sign adds even more of a uniqueness to While the Q Source was recently her brand. founded in May, Whitcraft’s love for “I want people to be able to tell that fashion is far from new. “I really started a piece is to develop my own sense of style in the from my fifth grade. I realized how much I loved brand standing out and doing my own thing based off with my clothes,” she said. the deHer love for standing out translates into sign, not what sets The Q Source apart from other from a contemporary clothing brands. “I wanted huge, overto create something of my own that no bearing one else was wearing,” said Whitcraft.

Create something of her own she surely has. Starting with the name of her company, everything about the Q Source exudes Hope Whitcraft.

“Every single night, and when I say every night, I seriously mean it, I play cards with my family. We play a different game every night, but I always pick the same card—the queen. My family Courtesy of The Q Source

logo or brand name. Wearing something just because it has a popular brand name or logo on it is not fashion in my eyes. I would rather be noticed for my designs,” Whitcraft said. “That is true originality.”

Branching off the idea of true originality, Whitcraft also sees The Q Source as redefining the term it-girl. “To me, an it-girl isn’t the most popular, wealthiest, prettiest or smartest girl. An it-girl is the girl that is not only comfortable in her own skin, but also in what she is wearing. Even when things are going wrong, she simply takes what she has, and she makes it work. I want everyone to feel like an it-girl in my clothing. My main goal is for girls to feel good and original wearing my pieces,” she said.

With five months of business under her belt – an off-white belt to be exact – and an up-and-running website along

with a brand-new Instagram account, Whitcraft has sold nearly 50 The Q Source T-shirts.

“People don’t realize how much buying one shirt means to me. It means the world!” Whitcraft laughed. “I’ve put hours and hours of work into every one of my t-shirts, so when girls wear my shirts and just love them, that’s simply the best feeling for me.”

The Q Source is only getting started.

In terms of the collection’s expansion, Whitcraft plans to make everything from dresses, socks, belts and even shoes.

“I refuse to stop!” she laughed. The latest development is the release of The Q Source sweatshirts. The design and the release date are top-secret, but Whitcraft hints to check out The Q Source website as soon as the hot Texas weather begins to cool down.

As The Q Source expands, Whitcraft’s time at Ursuline is slowly coming to an end. As a senior, she hopes underclassmen will be inspired by The Q Source to create something of their own and to stay true to themselves as they journey through high school.

“I hope that I inspire girls to do what they want, regardless of what people say. I was told countless times that I was too young and that it would be too hard to start my own company – even my parents told me so!” Whitcraft said.

“Go with your instinct and do what you believe is right.

When you start to doubt yourself, don’t quit.”

Mr. Braun the Leprechaun . . . & UA Math Teacher?

By ELLIE SKELLY ‘21 Math teacher, family man, and local leprechaun: Mr. Kevin Braun is one of Ursuline’s newest additions. After teaching at Bishop Dunn for 12 years, he is ready to join the Ursuline family as a new Calculus and Computer Science teacher Outside of his career, Braun is busy at home with three kids, the oldest of which is a very mature kindergartener, “I am most proud of raising a family. It has been the most rewarding thing,.” he said.

Though not necessarily in ranks with raising three children, a personal accomplishment of Braun’s is being the legendary Notre Dame leprechaun.

Becoming a leprechaun was not an easy feat. “There is a whole tryout in the spring. It’s a mock pep rally and you get 3-5 min to pump up the crowd, which is made up of your friends. Then they give you mock situations to react to, and there is an interview. At the end they chose two leprechauns,” he said.

Braun explains that after being encouraged by his classmates he said, “I tried out [his] first year and didn’t make anything, then [he] made the backup one, and then [his] senior year [he] was the main leprechaun.”

While obviously cool to any reasonable human, the motivation for taking on the leprechaun person for him was, to be on the field; I thought it would be the coolest thing in the world.”

Mr. Braun explained the arduous tasks

of leprechaun-ing, as he said, “We would big shock,” he said. be the MC of the pep rallies and follow Furthermore, with Ursuline’s reputathe cheerleaders around campus. Also, tion as Dallas’s oldest private school we were responsible for doing the PR comes an array of opinions, expectations type stuff off campus.” and assumptions. For Braun, he said “ After attending Notre Dame, Braun I expected it to be more old-fashioned ventured into the world of teaching, and and rigid, just because of the building was placed at Bishop Dunn, where he and the traditional looking front.” has been up until this year.

Yet, as most Ursuline girls can attest, Braun said, Ursuline is much “the transition to more than old redUrsuline has been bricks and white exciting and new. dresses. The spirit There are lots of of Ursuline is changes and difquite alive, pushferences that you ing forward with don’t really think a 21st century about when you’re spirit with a 19th at a place for a century appearwhile. I’ve seen ance. To Braun, Ursuline afar in a this spirit is obvilot of ways, so it’s ous, and he said, cool to be a part of “I was surprised this group now.” to see the energy Ursuline is in the hallway, the Courtesy of Ursuline Academy of Dallas almost like its emphasis on techown ecosystem, one that takes time to nology, and the openness to learning.” fully grasp and understand. For a new Compared to Bishop Dunn, Ursuline teacher, Braun said, “the biggest differ- is inevitably a big adjustment. Transience is probably adjusting to the traditioning from teaching a co-ed classroom tions and terminology that everyone to an all-girl one and having only a knows, “ especially when the first tradi- mature crowd of high schoolers rather tion experienced is hailed with a fleet of than middle school and high school was screeching whistles . “I wasn’t ready for an adjustment for Braun. the [freshman] dance at all. That was a When elaborating on the modifica-

tions he made for teaching at Ursuline, Braun said, “I don’t know if it’s the all-girls part or being here, but I felt like I spent more time at the beginning explaining who I am while at Bishop Dunn, since I had been there for a while, everyone knew who I was and we could immediately get started.”

Speaking about the differences in his approach to teaching this year, Braun explained that “here they emphasized the relationship between teacher and student, and because nobody knew who I was, I really tried to listen to everyone and be open.”

Moreover, Braun has high hopes for all students taking his class, and he said, “I hope that my students feel that because I love teaching the material in class, that it feels interesting, even if it is something they wouldn’t feel interested in before.”

Furthermore, Braun said “I want to encourage girls to consider math, science, and computer science and realize that they can major in those subjects in college, especially because I teach mostly upper-classmen” As he begins the 2019-2020 school year, Braun is excited about starting a new chapter here at Ursuline. Hopefully there is a pot of gold at the end of this school year for Braun, full of the opportunities and gifts Ursuline presents.

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Profile

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7

February

Q & A with Katy Bové

By GRACE RISINGER ‘20 Pad” at Northpark mall, where I worked during the summers, before I had kids.

I have always loved design and fashion and had started making my own jewelry because I couldn’t afford the pieces from the en-vogue brands. The owner of the store noticed, and when I explained that I had made my jewelry, she offered to carry a collection at the store. I used natural stones and semi-precious gems.

My most popular pieces were constructed of turquoise, coral, lapis, freshwater pearl, garnet, carnelian, tourmaline, and smoky quartz, accented with sterling silver, vintage pendants, deconstructed antique jewelry and leather.

Q: How did you practice sustainability and manage waste owning a jewelry line?

A: Ironically, it was sustainable, in that many of my materials were repurposed from old pieces, giving them a second chance! Also, since it was handmade, at my house, and I was the sole-employee, carbon-emissions were at a near-zero level. I bought my supplies from a locally owned business called the “Rock Barrell”, and since the materials were naturallyoccurring, there was no pollution created as a result of their manufacture. Additionally, I was careful not to waste anything. Honestly, back then, it was because I couldn’t afford to be wasteful!

Courtesy of Katy Bové With one year of teaching at Ursuline under her belt, Katy Bové has quickly become a senior class favorite. Always dressed in the chicest clothes and ready for any science experiment, the biology and environmental science teacher is an Ursuline graduate herself. This Q & A takes a deeper dive into Bové’s story as both an Ursuline student and Ursuline teacher.

Q: Did you always love science, or did your love develop over time?

A: I’ve always loved nature. I grew up in a farmhouse on a large lot with lots of trees and fruit-bearing bushes that supported a variety of animals. We also had a stable which housed a pony, several rabbits, and nests full of baby birds every spring. There was life everywhere and I spent hours outside enjoying it. I rescued every orphaned animal, collected tadpoles from the creek and cathcing lizards and garter snakes.

Q: As an Ursuline graduate, did any of your science classes or teachers inspire you?

A: When I was at Ursuline I realized that my childhood experiences paved the way for success, and subsequent love, for biology. I liked my teachers, and I opted to take Biology II as my fourth science credit. In college, I majored in Wildlife Biology and it was my professors’ enthusiasm for nature and conservation that really inspired me to become an educator that could share my

knowledge and passion with decades of students.

Q: You are definitely one of the most stylish teachers on campus. Where do you get your style inspiration from?

A: Thank you!!! I don’t know when or how it all began, but I refused to wear jeans until I was 9 years old. I would only wear skirts or dresses or colored pants. In fact, my favorite dress was one that I had when I was 7. It was a short, navy plaid, “fit and flare” with eyelet petticoats that really made the skirt “flare”, with jingle bells sewn inside the hem. I guess I’ve always been drawn to outfits that “get noticed”. Or maybe it was the fact that I wore the same plaid skirt as 500 other Ursuline girls for four years in a row! Now, I can’t stand blending in.

Q: During senior community days, you mentioned briefly that you previously had your own jewelry line that was sold at Northpark. Could you elaborate more on that?

A: About 15 years ago, there was a little independent boutique called the “Lily

What beauty advice do you have for students, and what are huge beauty mistakes to avoid?

A: Sunscreen. Sunscreen. Sunscreen. I’ve always been religious about sunscreen.

It’s in my moisturizer and my foundation. Moisturizer is also key. Find the right formula for your skin type and hydrate your skin! Now that I’m older, I use retinol products to stimulate collagen production. (What’s collagen, girls?

A protein, that’s right!! Remember the slide I showed you with the wrinkled face?) I’m glad no one goes to tanning beds anymore, like they did in the 90’s.

That was the worst thing anyone could do. But I’m really not a fan of the orange spray tans. They develop into an unnatural shade. Embrace your skin and flaunt it! And don’t drastically change your hair color right before senior portraits!

Q: You are very passionate about sustainability and being more environmentally-friendly. How do you practice sustainability, and what advice do you have for students looking to get involved?

A: It’s all about taking baby steps. Meatless Mondays. Reusable plastic lunch containers. Carpooling. Hydroflasks, metal straws…you know the drill. But really, recycle everything you can. And upcycle [by learning] to love thrifting!

Q: Your class is the first science class Q: What is the most impactful thing I have loved since the fifth grade. You that has happened to you during make learning fun and your time teaching at Ursuline so interactive-but we far? still learn and A: So many things! I was retain the asked to moderate two information. clubs this year, be the Why do leader for the new you think Women’s Health this is?

Committee and was A: I’m so nominated to serve on happy the Employee Legacy to hear Scholarship committhat you tee. But for me, the love scimost valuable moment ence [class] was when I found out again! I think that the registration for my teaching style Environmental forces my students to Science had doubled for this be engaged. Being a Courtesy of Google Images year! lab-based class and sitting at tables in Q: Where do you see groups, [the structure] naturally encour- Ursuline in five years environmenages discussion and collaboration. When tally-wise? students are in charge of the conversaA: If reusable plates and silverware tion and talking (instead of listening) aren’t an option, I’d like to see biodethey understand the concepts in a more gradable, compostable cutlery, plates and personalized way. If we’re taking notes napkins. I’m also going to work with from a PowerPoint, I try to keep slidethe Afternoon of Activism group, with shows full of illustrations and eye-catch- Elizabeth Primrose ‘20, to start composting imagery. Those visual cues help you ing our food waste. In five years, hoperelate the material to previously storedfully we’ll be able to throw everything away connections. from food, to napkins, to forks, into the Q: Your makeup always looks very compost bin! chic and your skin is always glowing.

Q: As an Ursuline graduate, do you have any advice for the student body in general?

A: Cherish your Ursuline experience.

There’s truly nothing else like it. Be grateful that for the opportunity to receive an unparalleled education from talented teachers, in a Christian environment, at a prestigious school with rich history and traditions. You are making lifelong memories and friends. Enjoy it!

“When I was at Ursuline I realized that my childhood experiences paved the way for success, and subsequent love, for biology.”

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October

Features

The Bear Facts

OK Ruling Sets Stage for Future Pharma Cases

By JACKIE THOMAS ‘20 On Aug. 26, a judge in Oklahoma ruled that drug giant Johnson & Johnson must pay $572 million to the state of Oklahoma, stating that the company had indeed marketed dangerous opioids misleadingly, contributing to the state’s own opioid crisis amid the larger nationwide one. This court decision is expected to be the first of many in the U.S. as states and individuals alike seek retribution from drug companies in response to skyrocketing drug-related deaths.

The opioid crisis, a topic dominating news cycles and political debate stages more than ever, began with the drugs’ early development in the 1990s, when little was known about opium’s addictive implications, and pharmaceutical companies marketed them as harmless. Immediately, prescriptions rose dramatically, leading to widespread addiction to both prescribed opioids—OxyContin, Vicodin and morphine, for example—and illegal varieties like fentanyl.

By 2017, Health and Human Services Secretary Eric Hargan declared opioidrelated deaths a public health emergency, a statement renewed three times since.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an average of 91 Americans die each day from opioid overdoses, prompting political action from the new Trump administration in 2016 to address and prevent further development of the disaster.

In addition to an overwhelming mortality rate surrounding opioid addiction, the crisis causes a sizable financial burden, with the National Institute on Drug

Abuse estimating that “the costs of healthcare, lost productivity, addiction treatment, and criminal justice involvement” total $78.5 billion a year.

The state of Oklahoma has suffered massively in recent years, with an estimated 60 percent of the state’s 700 annual overdose deaths resulting from opioids, according to the Oklahoma State Department of Health. Additionally, per the New York Times, 18 mil-

lion prescriptions for opioids were written within a three-year period, over quadruple the state’s total population. This recent trial against Johnson & Johnson, prosecuted by Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter, serves as an early response to these troubling statistics.

Originally, the plaintiffs sought $17.5 billion to be paid to the state over 30 years to aid “addiction-related needs,” including treatment, law enforcement and emergency care, reported the Washington Post in August. The prosecution stated that Johnson & Johnson violated state public nuisance law, which prohibits any act that “annoys, injures or endangers the comfort, repose, health or safety of others,” seen in Title 50 of Oklahoma’s 2006 state

statutes.

The 33-day trial’s result was revealed in Judge Balkman’s statement on Aug. 26, in which he stated that “defendants caused an opioid crisis that is evidenced by increased rates of addiction, overdose deaths and neonatal abstinence syndrome in Oklahoma.” Balkman declared Johnson & Johnson inarguably guilty of the nuisance charge.

The judge did not award the full $17.5 billion claim to the state, citing insufficient evidence to warrant such a massive settlement.

Instead, he ruled that the pharmaceutical company owed $572,102,028 “to immediately remediate the nuisance.” Balkman seemed optimistic in his statement, noting that the statewide opioid crisis was temporary and able to be solved through settlements to fund treatment and research for addicts and their families.

In response to the landmark ruling, Johnson & Johnson immediately announced they plan to appeal the decision. In an Aug. 26 statement, the company maintained that they hold no blame in the opioid crisis ravaging the country, focusing on their recent efforts

to educate healthcare professionals to prevent and lessen American substance abuse and addiction.

Based on public reaction on social media and from news outlets, the majority of Americans seem supportive of Balkman’s decision to hold Johnson & Johnson liable in the crisis. This attitude is echoed in the halls of Ursuline, too.

Helen Emerson ’20 said, “[Drug companies] should be held financially responsible because they know the dangers of some of their products, but they still aggressively market them.”

Jenna Hansen ’20 agrees, noting the similarity to another product in the news: “The same way people are trying to hold Juul accountable for marketing to minors, big pharmaceutical companies should be punished for marketing opioids deceptively.”

However, not everyone thinks that drug giants like Johnson & Johnson are solely responsible for the crisis.

Some physicians, for example, blame the healthcare system for incentivizing mass-sales of all prescription drugs. They suggest a more systematic, legislative overhaul to the system as a solution, rather than separate trials.

It is clear that with this trial and decision, Oklahoma has paved the way for more cities and states to pursue judicial ramifications against those responsible for the opioid crisis. In a broader sense, the case has opened a door to greater conversation and analysis of the crisis itself – including who is to blame and what can be done to end it.

Juul is Going Up in Smoke

By EMMA LOUVIERE ‘22 An 18-year-old boy showed up at an emergency room, unable to breathe, vomiting and light-headed. Hours before he had been smoking an e-cigarette.

Over 200 cases like this have been seen across the country, all pointing to the same cause. Juul.

Juul, a company surrounded in controversy, is now being blamed for the inexplainable lung disease spreading across 25 different states. The patients, all in their teens or early twenties, had become addicted to Juul products.

The company’s owner Kevin Burns addressed these claims in an interview with CBS saying, “As a parent of a 16-year-old, 19-year-old, I don’t want my kids using the product. It’s not intended for them.” Burns continued, “They’re not smokers or former smokers trying to use the product. We never wanted them to use the product.”

Despite Juul’s insistence that teens are not the target audience, they are still getting their hands on vapes. Due to Juul marketing their products as a “healthy alternative to smoking” many don’t understand the risk factors involved when using e-cigarettes.

The device works by heating up a liquid which turns into a steam to be inhaled. If something goes wrong with the heating process, drops of oil can be left over in the device. This is the key

Dixie Harris a critical care pulmonoloproblem in most of the patient’s cases.

“Inhaling oil and getting oil into gist in Salt Lake City, described this phenomenon. “We’ve run all these tests your lungs is what is causing some of looking for bacteria, looking for viruses the lung injuries we see,” said Thomas Eissenberg, who studies the effects and coming up negative.” Harris has seen four patients and of e-cigarettes at Virginia Commonwealth Unireviewed nine other vape-related cases versity, during an in her state. interview with the New York Due to the cases fluctuTimes. ating over When the vape the past few months in oils get into the various places, the lungs, root of the the lungs treat them problem does not as a foreign object and seem to be mount an the Juul comimmune repany’s concocsponse, resulting tion, but rather Courtesy of The New Yorker in inflammation and second-hand sellers’ buildup of liquids which mixture. can cause lipoid pneumonia.

“It’s probably something new “Inhaling oil into your lungs is exthat has been introduced into the market tremely dangerous behavior that could by an illegal manufacturer, either a new flavor or a new way to emulsify THC result in death. That is probably the biggest message we can get out of this,” that is causing these injuries,” said Dr. Eissenberg said.

Scott Gottlieb, the former commissioner On lung scans, doctors commonly of the Food and Drug Administration.

In light of these cases, many cities confused lipoid pneumonia for serious viral or bacterial pneumonia. Dr. and communities have moved to ban the

sale of e-cigarettes. The first major city to take initiative was San Francisco who banned the sale and distribution of all e-cigarettes in late June.

Eighteen states including Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia and Washington plan to cut down on teen use of the products by raising the minimum age to buy tobacco or nicotine products to twenty-one.

Michigan took a step further by being the first state to completely outlaw the sale of flavored e-cigarettes. Defending her action, the governor of Michigan Gretchen Whitmer said, “Companies selling vaping products are using candy flavors to hook children on nicotine and misleading claims to promote the belief that these products are safe. That ends today,” she said.

As the dark side of Juul unravels, the more the company’s story sounds similar to something we’ve heard before, old tobacco. Due to these developments, many politicians are in a frenzy to shut Juul down. Trump recently joined the conversation saying that he would work to ban all flavored e-cigarettes. With all the negative attention surrounding the company, it seems like the product is ultimately going up in smoke.

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October

Senior Founds “4Teen24” for Mental Health

By KATE JANSON ‘20 Mental health seems to be an issue local mental health organizations, she just coming to the surface in lives today, launched 4Teen24. Complete with an especially for teenage girls. In busy lives inspirational Instagram and a website surrounded by sports, school, friends with posts and resources, her organizaand extracurriculars, mental health is tion educates people about the imporoften pushed to the side. Jenna Hansen tance of taking care of their mental ‘20 founded the organization, 4Teen24, health. to battle this issue not only at Ursuline, The meaning behind the name, but anywhere else.

4Teen24, is very significant. The name 4Teen24 is a nonprofit organization was based on the statistic, that by the that helps bring awareness and aid to age of 14, 50 percent of mental illnesses the social and emotional well being of will have developed and by age 24, 75 teenagers. The organization, based in percent will have developed. And HanDallas, is dedicated to bringing attention sen places a large emphasis on teento mental illnesses and teaching teenagers, because they are living out the agers how to cope and how to prevent statistic right now and need the most them. education and resources on the issue.

In an email questionnaire, Hansen Hansen said, “As high schoolers, opened up about the background of her we often overlook the importance of organization and what mentaking care of ourselves when tal health means to her. we have so many other Her inspiration for things to manage like starting 4Teen24 school, friends, sparked when she extracurriculars realized how and more.” few resources The hope is were availthat 4Teen24 able to inform helps everyteenagers on one it reaches mental health. to feel more Hansen nocomfortable ticed that after with their “many people mental health appeared to be and to learn how struggling with to manage their their own mental mental health in the health, [she] felt as most effective ways. though something needed to At the heart of it, Hansen Courtesy of 4Teen24 be done to help out.” believes the most important After meeting with some aspects of mental health are

awareness and learning. Once teenagers become aware of their feelings, it is easier to learn about how to deal with them instead of bottling them up.

4Teen24 provides resources to help teenagers understand how or when they may need help or are struggling.

And, even when teenagers are not struggling themselves, 4Teen24 stresses the importance of learning how to assist friends or peers in need.

“By opening up to someone you trust, you take part in helping yourself access the care that you need and understand how you are feeling, and you also take part in breaking the stigma surrounding the topic which will help so many others!” Hansen said.

Specifically, to Ursuline girls, Hansen stresses the importance of self-care.

“Though sometimes it feels like there is no time to take care of ourselves, it is so important that we find time to listen to our thoughts and feelings,” she said.

Self-care can be very simple and can be anything that facilitates relaxation, gathering of thoughts, and feel-good emotions. When stress starts to add up, taking even a few minutes to meditate or close the eyes is both calming and prevents

possible breakdowns. Of course, ample amounts of sleep always keep Ursuline girls, and teenagers in general, happier.

For Ursuline athletes, Hansen posted the article “The Mental Game: How Mental Illness Affects Athletes” on 4Teen24’s website. In it she sheds light on the pressures of being a high school athlete and how athletes often place their mental health second to sports.

As 4Teen24 continues to grow, in the future Hansen hopes to plan an event for female athletes to focus on body positivity.

She cannot wait to watch 4Teen24 gain a greater following, reach more people’s lives and collaborate with more people.

Ursuline girls’ activities and lives rely on their mental health to keep going.

4Teen24 is an exceptional resource for teenagers to learn about mental health and the healthiest ways to cope with the stresses that life causes.

Hansen has worked a tremendous amount to launch 4Teen24 and to continue to spread positivity throughout Ursuline and the other people she reaches. To get in touch with your mental health or to see inspirational content follow @4teen24_ on Instagram and explore her website www.4teen24.org.

sources.

In a 1997 report, the American Dietetic Association states, “Plant sources of protein alone can provide adequate amounts of essential amino acids if a variety of plant foods are consumed and energy needs are met.”

Aguilera said, “Since I’ve gone vegan, I feel a big difference in the way I live.

My system feels cleaner, and I have more energy throughout my day.”

The third reason that has contributed to veganism is the feminist movement.

The two movements have even united over a call for the humane treatment of all living beings, with a focus on animals and women.

Ecofeminists claim that animals and women have been denied basic rights due to male domination: their lives and actions revolve around the male world.

Like women, animals suffer pain and maltreatment. For example, mass production of chickens involved cramming tens of thousands of livestock into monocultural barns and feeding them fattening supplements. The supplements later affected mothers trying to feed their families.

In The Sexual Politics of Meat: A Feminist Vegetarian Critical Theory, author and ecofeminist Carol J. Adams states, “We live in a culture that has institutionalized

the oppression of animals on at least two levels: in formal structures such as slaughterhouses, meat markets, zoos, laboratories, and circuses, and through our language. That we refer to meat eating rather than to corpse eating is a central example of how our language transmits the dominant culture’s approval of this activity.”

Ultimately, regardless of the reason why one chooses to hop onto this wave’s bandwagon, veganism is a possible diet.

As society continues to pursue disposable income and medical advancement, the public begins to switch its perspective of veganism, viewing it as a beneficial alternative.

The vegan diet movement has now become a widespread movement, and iseven present here at Ursuline Academy.

Vegan options are available at school lunches and students have taken advantage of it.

Nowadays, with obesity’s alarming presence further protruding into American well-being at higher rates than ever before, the vegan alternative diet and its positive health effects have become essential. Refraining from all animal products extends to more than just a diet: this movement touches our beliefs and identity as women as well.

The Vegan Wave Rises

By SARAH NGUYEN ‘20 Meat eaters are merciless murderers. All feminists are vegan. Vegans are nutrient-deprived and barely make it through the day. Veganism is an impossible diet. Entering into the late 1900s, these were some of misconceptions and anxieties aimed towards veganism.

Veganism, a diet that avoids the consumption of animals or use of animal products, has grown in popularity with the establishment of organizations such as the American Vegetarian Society and PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals).

Most vegans go vegan either for health reasons, ethical standards or, most uncommon, the feminist movement.

Monica Aguilera ’20, a new follower of the vegan lifestyle since early June, said that she chose to become vegan after watching Netflix health documentary What the Health. The documentary not only showcased the horrors of an unhealthy lifestyle due to meat consumption but also the catastrophic effects on the environment and animals.

“Because so many people consume meat on the daily, others like laborers in the meat industry are overworked. Keeping up with this high demand, animals like the pigs in South Carolina are overfed,

leading to more waste which slips into our crops and sickens our people,” Aguilera said.

Because of growing awareness of animal treatment, the rise of veganism contributed to the implementation of laws to ensure humane animal treatment. In the 1980s, the prominent animal rights activist group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) publicized the provoking conditions and cruelty of animals in many animal production factories. Aroused by these findings, the American public gradually began to support vegan ideals of fair animal treatment, thus persuading more people to follow veganism.

Besides ethical reasons, the rise in veganism’s popularity also stems from new-found health benefits. Veganism has risen to transform American health standards and the format of a modernday food market.

The vegan diet is possible. Research by the American Dietetic Association (ADA) debunked a common misconception about the vegan diet: a vegan cannot fully function to his or her utmost ability on a vegan diet. The research claimed essential proteins are not just found in animal products but are also adequately provided in plant-based

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October

Global Features

The Bear Facts

Rare Mosquito Virus Claims 3 Lives

By KATE JANSON ‘20 If you need a reason to excuse why you were inside watching Netflix all summer, you can blame it on killer mosquitoes. We all remember the infamous West Nile Virus outbreak of 2012 in our very own communities.

This year, a sample of mosquitoes from New Jersey tested positive for Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE). Mosquitoes carrying this EEE virus have killed three Americans and will continue to invoke fatalities.

The breakdown of the disease is fairly simple: a virus that causes brain inflammation, and is rare, but can be fatal. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 30 percent of people with the EEE virus die and most survivors have neurological problems.

Though most cases of the virus are reported from Atlantic and Gulf Coast states, a few have been reported from the Great Lakes region.

The risk for exposure to the virus is most common from late spring through early fall in woodland habitats. It typically takes 4-10 days after the mosquito bite to start developing the symptoms of EEE, which include headaches, high fever, chills, and vomiting, which progress to seizures and comas. There is no specific treatment for the vi-

rus, as antibiotics are not effective in fighting viruses. Severe illnesses, such as EEE, are best treated by hospitalization, respiratory support and fluids.

As of now, there are

three suspected cases of the EEE virus in America. According to Fox News, at the end of August, the family of Savanah DeHart, 14, identified their daughter as one of the three suspected cases of the illness announced by state health officials. She remained on a ventilator in the hospital with a feeding tube. Savanah’s symptoms started with a mild headache and quickly escalated to severe headaches, placing her in Bronson Children’s Hospital. The virus has kept her brain from working fully to protect her airway.

Without a ventilator, her lungs would

have continued to fill with fluid. Savanah’s mother told News 8, “It’s probably been the worst time of my life. I watched my daughter almost check

out.”

As cases of this frightening, quick effecting virus continue to show up close to home, we have to find how to truly protect ourselves. Wetlands everywhere are breeding grounds for mosquitoes and are plentiful in the region and carry risks of the EEE virus. Though the virus is rare, there were seven reported

cases in 2012, the most since the 1970s.

The EEE virus does not show up every year.

Local residents are used to hearing health departments say, “Warning: High Risk for EEE Virus.” The EEE virus is not new, we just have never worried about it until this year. The turning point of the EEE virus into an actual concern was when Laurie Sylvia died after contracting the virus. Her death shook the community, opening the eyes of the public.

People stopped going outside at night or started lighting citronella candles.

Scientific studies and statistics have not been enough to successfully change the lifestyles of people. The sad reality is that it takes a few deaths to get citizens to fully realize the magnitude of a situation. A person can easily go through his or her day-to-day life thinking the EEE virus is too rare to worry about, but then perhaps a neighbor will die because of it.

Viruses, such as the EEE virus, have harmed the lives of many already, and call for lifestyle changes. Whether that means staying inside at night or steering clear of the wetlands near your house, every precaution counts.

Ursuline’s Resident Brit Breaks Down Brexit

By KATHARINE BALES ‘22

For a few years now, England has been dom of Great Britain and Northern preparing to break apart from the Europe- Ireland -- leaving the European Union an Union in a plan called Brexit. Americans -- a group of 28 European Countries may have heard this term before – perhaps that work together economically and while watching a news clip in history class politically. On June 23, 2016, the UK – but otherwise may not fully understand the issue. Mr. Simon Aisthorpe, our very own math teacher from across the pond, helps to explain the meaning of Brexit.

Simon Aisthorpe was born in Newton Abbot, Devon, England, a rural area Courtesy of CNN located approximately 200 miles away from London. Aisthorpe attended Teign School in Kingsteignton until had a referendum to ask its citizens age 16. For the next two years, he went to if they wanted to leave or stay in the South Devon College of Arts and Technolo- EU. About 52 percent (now known as gy. He said, “I went to Ashton University in Brexiters) voted to leave and about Birmingham (UK) to study Civil Engineer- 48 percent (Remainers) voted to stay. ing, then Exeter University to study Math After the vote, Prime Minister David Education.”

Cameron resigned -- he was against Aisthorpe later moved to the United Brexit. A new Prime Minister, Theresa States to study for his master’s degree in May, took over.”

Education at SMU. From then on, he stayed May tried to forge a compromise in Texas. between the two sides, but the UK Onto the issue of Brexit, Mr. Aisthorpe Parliament disagreed with this effort. said, “Brexit is the term used to describe Three years later, when there was still the process of the UK -- The United King- no agreement, May resigned and was

replaced by current Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who strongly supports Brexit.

Aisthorpe also observes that, if England separates itself from the European Union, the country could feed a major impact. In fact, he said, “The Brexit votes caused division in the UK. Some of my family voted ‘remain’ and some voted ‘Brexit.’”

If England were to stay in the European Union, it would mean free trade among all member states. Another benefit would be “easy movement of people across different borders. For example, a UK citizen can choose to live and work in France or Spain without the need for a visa.”

Most people who voted to leave the EU felt concerned that too many non-English citizens were coming to work and live in England because of the migrant crisis.

The EU decided how many of the migrants were allowed into the countries, which caused some in the UK to worry that this union of countries had too much power over the UK. Some sources have predicted that Brexit will hinder England’s economy by, for instance, lowering the value o the British pound. Executing the plan could

potentially create more tension between Northern Ireland -- an EU member -- and the Republic of Ireland, especially if the border between the two is affected.

Although this British plan seems to have little to no effect on Americans, Mr. Aisthorpe highlights some of the effects thus far. He said, “It is expensive for UK citizens to buy things overseas. But it also means that London is very cheap for Americans to visit!”

Aside from less expensive goods, it is possible that the UK “will have to negotiate new trade agreements with the USA and the EU itself.” These agreements could lead to higher business costs and, therefore, less business between England and certain countries.

Since mid-2016, Brexit has brought questions to the table about England’s future.

After having three prime ministers in three years, there is now division between two voting parties, which seem to have different interests in mind.

Mr. Aisthorpe said, “The plan to break away from the EU has affected the UK in many ways and could have a big impact on the country in the future.”

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Global Features

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11

October

Avoiding Myths about Amazon Rainforest Fires

By KATE JANSON ‘20 As fires have spread across the Amazon rainforest in recent weeks, they have drawn in the world’s attention. Everyone from politicians to celebrities to students have voiced their concerns in conversations, on television and on social media. However, misconceptions have been spreading as well.

Many would like to find a solution to this catastrophe, but myths have been arising that could exacerbate the problem even more. Most will agree that the Amazon fires pose an emergency, and could easily grow out of control within the next few weeks.

With so much attention focused on the Amazon, an opportunity has risen to hash out a long-term strategy to keep the Amazon rainforest healthy. In order to form effective strategy, misconceptions must be left out of the picture.

What is true and what is not? CNN has broken down six of the top myths and misconceptions:

1. The Amazon fires are burning Earth’s lungs: MYTH

Though rumors are spreading that the Amazon makes up 20% of the earth’s oxygen, in reality it is a much smaller percentage. There is an enormous stock of oxygen in the atmosphere and the Amazon only makes up a small fraction of it. The Amazon consumes a large amount of oxygen each year through respiration as well, leaving the net amount of oxygen close to zero.

2. The entire Amazon is on fire: FACT

The pieces of the forest that have never been burnt are called “virgin” parts. We cannot exactly measure the parts of the forest that have never been on fire that could possibly be burning right now. The virgin areas are much more resistant, unless there has been drought in recent years. When the virgin areas catch fire, they burn very low to the ground, which make it difficult to detect on satellite. Most of the pictures we see on the news are probably areas that were damaged previously. However, there is a large amount of damaged forest being burnt this year to make way for crops, and these fires are hard to manage.

3. The Amazon could be very difficult to save: FACT

The Amazon could be heading downhill into drought, fire and tree death. As much of the rain in the Amazon is created through vapor produced by the forest when water evaporates, when forest is damaged, less water vapor evaporates and droughts are more common. As these uncontrollable fires burn some of the forest’s largest trees, the forest is more susceptible to further burning of grass and shrubs.

Before

After

4. The fires were unprecedented: MYTH

Yes, the number of forest fires is high, but not unpredicted. This has been the biggest fire only since 2010, and based on statistics from Global Fire Emissions Database, the number of fires in Amazon states through August is Courtesy of metro.co.uk 25% higher than average number of fires in the same period from 2010-2018. The number of forest fires directly relates with the amount of deforestation and drought each year as well, making is seemingly impossible to not predict.

5. Deforestation is rising: SEMI-FACT

Deforestation is rising, but steadily rising below its average. From 1996 to 2005, deforestation was around 20,000 square kilometers every year and declined 77% in 2012 with protection, enforcement on illegal clearing and other restrictions.

6. The Amazon is destined for failure: MYTH, FOR NOW

If Brazil and other Amazon nations improve their programs for fighting forest fires and help rebuild the destroyed areas, the forest can be saved. The most damaging fires are the ones that burn virgin areas, and those are the easiest to put out. It is important to spot fires early and respond properly.

The Amazon is very salvageable; we just have to make the effort. And it can start at Ursuline, by doing even the smallest things. Every day Ursuline is getting better at recycling correctly or using less plastic wear. All we can do is do our part.

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October

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The Bear Facts

Can FEMALE Athletes Simply the Greatest?

By: Ellie Skelly ‘21

Most recently, Megan Rapinoe, one of the US women’s soccer team captains and equal pay activist, took a stand against the inequality in her sport. By refusing to visit the White House and suing the United States Soccer Federation with the rest of her team, claiming “purposeful gender discrimination,” she took a stand for the recognition of women athletes.

For Rapinoe, she told CNN that the issue is not money. “It’s really more about the investment in the game. Is the investment equal? We’re talking marketing dollars and branding, investment in the youth, investment in the players, investment in the coaching staff. I don’t think that that’s there. I don’t think that that’s ever been there.”

The inequality, not only through pay but also through marketing, of women and men in sports is supported by many who claim that comparing male athletics to female is like comparing apples to oranges. This comparison is rooted in the belief that men’s sports are much more athletic and competitive because women in less progressive countries are discouraged from competing.

However, the consistent, winning statistics are indisputable.

Additionally, according to a study published in the Journal of Com-

munication and Sport, fans get a boost of self-esteem and confidence related to their body, appearance and intelligence. In simpler terms, it scientifically makes sense to support a winning team .

In the eight years that the Woman’s World Cup has existed, the US team has won four times, compared to the men’s team which has never won a World Cup Tournament in the eighty-nine years it has been around. Additionally, since women’s soccer initial introduction to the Olympics in 1996, the US Women’s team has won four times, while the men’s is still at zero despite having competed in the sport since 1900 .

More wins are not translating into a greater investment into the team. Though the women’s

as men, and the conditional language is continued so that their ability to make an equal profit is stripped.

For Serena Williams, these circumstances will not suffice.

As she continues to be a champion on the courts, she also takes on a more formidable challenge, equality in the world of sports.

Williams once said, “Am I the greatest? I don’t

team generates $900,000 more profit than the men’s team, the US Soccer Federation invested in the men’s team a total of $7,438,000 while only $3,662,480 was put into the women’s team.

The language that surrounds women’s sports not only effects their credibility, but also their opportunity. When advertised, women are not put on the same scale

know. I’m the greatest that I can be,” but it is not her ability that is in question, it is the circumstances of her sex.

Williams said, “the day I stop fighting for equality will be the day I’m in my grave.”

Courtesy of The New York Times

Courtesy of DOT

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October

"The day I s t op fight i n g for equal ity wi ll be the d ay I’m i n my grave ,"

On average, any male competitor is more likely to Be mentioned in mainstream written media than a female gold medalist.

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October

Sports & Wellness

The Bear Facts

Coach Hedges Dribbles into Ursuline Soccer

By EMMA LOUVIERE ‘22 While there are several new faces on the coaching staffs this year, one of these is that of Darrin Hedges, new varsity soccer coach. Hedges, who said he, from the time he was very young, wanted to coach and to coach soccer looks toward to vying for the school’s 28th state title.

Hedges, who previously coached at Bishop Lynch High School, is still figuring out the differences of being at an all-girls school.

“I first have to stop introducing myself as the girls coach at an all-girls school,” said Hedges.

Hedges grew up in Irving, Texas, with a love for the game of soccer. He mainly played center-midfielder.

“It was the best spot for my ability with being a little bit shorter but quick on the ball,” he said. He realized he had found a life direction.

As a freshman at Midwestern State, he picked up a coaching assignment with a recreational team, but his first real coaching job was at Wichita Falls Highschool.

Additionally, Hedges has 28 years of experience coaching club soccer, but emphasizes that he coaches high school and club teams differently.

“For Highschool I think you’ve got to make it a little bit more fun. I think the kids get enough competition in soccer that at some point in time I think the high school coach needs to bring back the love of the game and the joy of the game while reminding kids that it is a game.

Although I want to win, very badly, I also want it to be fun as well,” said Hedges.

Although he is excited about the program at Ursuline, there are some things he misses from Bishop Lynch. “I miss those kids that I had. I mean I coached some of those kids for three years.

Some of those kids and families I developed great relationships with. So seeing

those kids is going to be very emotional when we play them… I’ve known them for three or four years; it’s going to be really tough.”

He is working to become accustomed to the Ursuline Community, and part of that is becoming accustomed to the traditions, “the 900 of them,” Hedges said as he discussed how confusing they are. “I don’t understand why [the players] jump over the line when they score, and I don’t understand why they stand up the whole game.”

Kate Janson ‘20 explained the meaning of traditions.

“The main idea is togetherness.

We stand until we score a goal to show that everyone on the team is important, even on the bench. We jump over the line to show that it wasn’t one person who scored the goal but the whole team,” said Janson.

Although Hedges may not yet understand the traditions, he doesn’t plan on

taking many away. “It’s the kids’ team. It’s their traditions and stuff. I am all about keeping traditions and maybe even starting some new ones.”

The team, currently involved with tryouts, does not have a set roster. Hedger said, “I don’t know the size of the roster, but I can tell you this: There are a ton of good players here, and it’s going to be very tough.”

Hedges is joined by six “remarkable individuals,” including newcomers JJ Gross, the varsity assistant head coach; her husband Scott Gross, the goalie coach; and Daniel Rivas, an assistant coach; as well as returnees Michelle and BB.

Different Grades’ FNL Perspectives By: KATE GIEBLER ‘21 Texas is football. Every touch down, every fight song, every step of every cold, metal bleacher makes up the comfort of home for all Texas high school football fans. The student body of Jesuit College Preparatory and Ursuline Academy are no exception but, in fact, bring a new level of spirit to the football stadium. Whether freshman, sophomore, junior or senior, each Ursuline student takes part in this high school tradition and views it in her own unique way.

The freshman class, a group of excited, overwhelmed and inexperienced students see the football games with an eagerness that cannot be topped. Many of them have not been to a high school football game of any kind. These wide-eyed freshmen see the event as an exciting new experience to kick off their high school careers.

The Jesuit football games, some of the most popular events of the school year, come with many preconceived ideas.

Some spark excitement while others leave these inexperienced freshmen with slight worries.

Some freshmen relay that their major concerns dealt with the upperclassmen. A typical concern was delving into an event overwhelming in nature without any experience.

However, most freshmen display an excitement for football games and all that they entail, as their first social events to

kick off the rest of their high school ing to friends.” years.

Although the event is focused around After leaving freshman year and all its football, most students find themselves mishaps and major events, the sophocaught up in the commotion of the mores view the games in a new light. packed stands full of hundreds of stuThese dents. tenth Junior gradyear iners with volves new a year upperclassof high men who school unfinally feel der their confident belt feel a in their new sense assigned of conplace in the fidence bleachers. as they In refernow get ence to to stand watching in the the game, bleachers Margaret with the Harris ‘21 uppersaid, “I try classmen. to watch How the game Courtesy of Jesuit Dallas they parwhen I can, ticipate in the social event of a football but sitting or standing behind the crowd game may evolve, too. When asked makes it difficult to see the actual game.” whether she watches the actual game, Harris also said that sophomore year Emma Louviere ’22 said, “I watch the topped her freshman year. Now, junior game sometimes, but it’s kind of boring year has surpassed them both, proving the majority [of the time]. I usually go that the games improve as each year between watching the game and talkgoes by.

Finally, by senior year, all the past football games are a blur of excitement, stress and the desire to keep each memory of each game as the seniors journey through their last year in high school.

Senior year, bringing the last set of games these students will attend, is typically commemorated by the students’ overwhelming spirit.

The seniors deck themselves out in the theme of each game and stand pressed up against the railing of the student section as they insist on being as big a part of the action as possible.

Seniors note that their favorite part of the games over the past three years is that they met some of their current best friends at the first Jesuit football game.

Together they get to go through and finish high school with these games as a defining aspect of their experience. The sense of community means so much to these seniors who will no longer attend the football games after graduating.

Although the idea of football games imply football, the quarterback and complicated plays are only a slight fraction of the overall experience of a Jesuit football game. These games and all of their aspects leave an impact on all of the students who attend them. Friday Night Lights season carries on a legacy important to the entire student bodies of both Jesuit and Ursuline.

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Sports & Wellness

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15

October

Cheer & Rangerettes: Different Than You Think

By KATHARINE BALES ‘22 Since the Jesuit football season is already upon us, cheer and Rangerettes are busy learning dances, stunts and moves for Friday Night Lights.

Even though both teams perform at Jesuit football and basketball games, the teams’ uniforms, routines and styles are clearly distinguished.

Rangerettes are made up of 45 Ursuline students who commit their fall Friday nights to dancing at halftime.

Rangerettes also perform at the annual Ranger Day event held at Jesuit. Captain Taylor Louviere ’20 who leads this famous, awardwinning drill team said, “Ranger Day is always a memorable performance for the student body.” Rettes perform a threeminute routine and stun the audience with their precision, grace and technique.

Similarly, Jesuit cheer’s biggest performance takes place on Ranger Day. Cheerleaders also cheer at Jesuit football

games during the fall. Junior Varsity Co-Captain Margaret Rickman ’22 said, “JV and Varsity both cheer at their respective football games: JV on Thursday, and Varsity on Friday.” Unlike the Rangerettes, where the entire team performs together on the same night, cheer divides itself into these two smaller groups.

Rangerettes highlights their upperclassmen at the beginning of every football game when junior and senior officers traditionally do jump-splits. Their job is to lead the team by example and help other officers as needed.

For example, the First Lieutenant is in charge of keeping discipline records for the entire team. Louviere, sharing about her role as captain, said, “My job is to lead the team with respect and dignity, and to rely strongly on other officers for support.”

In addition to having officers, the more prestigious team is called Elite and has existed for the past year only. Elite learns additional dances for competition and performs in the front at pep rallies.

Another specific difference, especially at football games, is that Jesuit cheerleaders do not perform a routine at halftime.

They cheer in front of the student section right alongside the football players to hype up the crowd as well as the athletes.

They perform their choreographed routines during the game. Rangerettes, in contrast, always perform a group routine at halftime. “The cheerleaders’ job is to boost morale, while ours is to entertain,” said Louviere. The cheerleaders, however, do perform a threeminute routine at halftime on Senior Night.

Even though the two teams only perform in the beginning of the year during football and basketball season, they both practice year-round. “There really is no off-season,” Rickman said. Cheer season starts immediately after tryouts in April. All members meet to formulate stunt groups, learn cheers and establish goals for the upcoming year. In the month of August, cheerleaders attend the National Cheer Association (NCA) cheer camp-- a three-day clinic that helps the cheerleaders work on gymnastics skills and bond with their teammates.

Like cheer, the Rangerettes begin practicing shortly after April tryouts.

Line camp is held at Jesuit or Ursuline for a week, and during this time, Rettes learn their football routines from choreographers associated with American Dance/Drill Team School (ADTS). The following week consists of Lil Rangerettes Camp – the biggest fundraiser for the Rangerettes organization – and learning competition dances to be performed in the spring. Official practices commence in late August, right before Jesuit’s first football game. Competition tryouts occur in November, usually prior to Thanksgiving break. In December, the Rangerettes rehearse their basketball season and competition dances. Tn early April, the team typically ends its season with the Spring Show, in which several dances from the past season are showcased in the Ursuline gym.

Rickman and Louviere, both leaders on their respective teams, enjoy being part of the communities that their Ursuline-affiliated Jesuit sports provide.

Louviere said, “I love everything about the team. I’m beyond lucky to lead such a great group of girls, and I am so fortunate to have the help of all the other officers.” Likewise, Rickman said, “Cheer has always been a passion of mine, so I feel blessed to be able to do what I love alongside some of my best friends.”

Running with the Sophomores

By NATALIE RO ‘22 Amanda Hogan ’22 and Katherine Reynolds ’22 are star runners of the Ursuline cross-country team. They run an astounding seven or less minutes per mile each race and put their heart and soul into training. They have worked incredibly hard to get to where they are now.

Both Hogan and Reynolds began their running careers at Prince of Peace Catholic School in Plano in fourth grade. They first joined the Keiki Kroozers triathlon team coached by Hogan’s mother. A year later, they decided that it was time to challenge themselves and join the cross-country team at Prince of Peace as fifth graders.

They both loved running so they decided to continue their cross-country careers at Ursuline.

Both agree that high school cross-country re-

quires greater commitment and dedication, but it is a lot of fun, and it has been the best decision each of them has made.

An Ursuline cross-country practice is held usually on campus or at Flagpole Hill Park. Workouts vary for each runner, but Hogan and Reynolds typically run five to eight miles each practice, five practices a week.

Throughout the week, running up and down steep hills, they train vigorously for upcoming meets on Saturdays. Most of their meets are two miles or 3200 meters, and they will race against girls from other schools in Ursuline’s district. In total, they run five to six days a week year-round.

All of their training pays off when they crush their competition at meets.

Before Hogan and Reynolds race, each has her own special techniques or methods she goes through to ensure that it will be a good race. However, they have different methods for the night before and the morning of a race.

For example, Katherine likes to eat pounds of pasta for dinner. “I like to carbohydrate load - but

not in the Michael Scott way!” she said.

Amanda, on the other hand, eats a “light breakfast, which is always cinnamon raisin toast and grapes.”

During the meet, both runners believe that running to the best of one’s potential is the best feeling in the world, besides beating a new personal record at a meet. But even though it sounds easy to just run to the best of your capabilities, there are multiple thoughts running through your brain. Being a cross-country runner takes a lot of mental energy and a positive attitude to make it through the run.

From running up and down Flagpole Hill or running through the neighboring community

by Ursuline, Hogan and Reynolds keep a positive attitude and persevere through the physical and mental soreness.

Reynolds believes that cross-country

requires a significant amount of strength and endurance.

“You must be mentally prepared to run and physically healthy to run the actual workout. Without the two you can’t really compete to the best of your potential,” she said.

To both Hogan and Reynolds, Ursuline cross-country is not just about running, it is also about sisterhood and bonding.

“One of my favorite parts about Ursuline cross-country is the team aspect and how close and supportive we are,” Hogan said.

Reynolds added, “From the fastest to the slowest runner, everyone is here to support each other. When you finish a race, everyone congratulates one another regardless of time. I love the sisterly bond between the girls on the team, regardless of grade.”

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Entertainment

The Bear Facts

Spider-Man Swings Back To Marvel

By SARAH NGUYEN ‘20 Wait, Spider-Man isn’t leaving the Marvel Cinematic Universe anymore?

How did the brawl between Disney and Sony start anyway?

Here is the backstory. Back when Marvel Entertainment was first starting off, it was not making enough money, leading the budding company to sell off their characters to larger companies such as Sony Pictures. Examples of sold characters include Fantastic Beasts, Venom and Spider-Man. Then Disney hopped onto the money-making band wagon and bought Marvel in 2009. Who knew that years later two monster companies – Disney and Sony – would go head-tohead over one character, Spider-Man? Sony led the SpiderMan movie industry since the beginning, from Tobey McGuire to Andrew Garfield. However, Sony’s Spider-Man monopoly came to a temporary halt as Disney teamed up with Sony to include SpiderMan’s character in the Marvel Universe with his 2016 Marvel debut in Captain America: Civil War. Back in 2013, Disney and Sony agreed upon a five-movie deal, stating that Spider-Man could appear in five Marvel movies before their contract terminated. Those movies became Captain America: Civil War, Spider-man: Homecoming, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame and Spider-man: Far From Home. The contract allowed Sony to keep Spider-Man’s film rights and the majority of the profits while Marvel received

a smaller cut in exchange for SpiderMan’s appearance.

After the second titular Spider-Man movie released in July 2019, Sony could finally cut ties with Disney. What prompted this break? Money. In hopes of extending the contract, Disney asked Sony to equally finance potential future Spider-man movies, but Sony rejected the offer. Instead, Sony decided to produce Spider-Man films independently.

Another factor that gave Sony a

over the loss of Peter Parker’s Marvel character development.

Bailey Uttich ‘20 said, “I was upset that Spider-Man wasn’t going to be a part of Marvel anymore. Peter Parker’s entire character develop ment mainly revolved around his hardships as a teenager and hero. Iron Man, Peter Parker’s fatherly figure who had passed, also played a major role in forming Peter’s identity. If Sony could not even mention Iron Man, his entire

reason to almost break away regards Venom, Spider-Man’s longtime villain and another Sony-owned character.

Last October, Venom released its own film, yet fans were upset to find that Spider-Man did not participate. The demand for this dynamic duo to share the screen drove Sony to bring back SpiderMan, thus discussing to discontinue its partnership with Disney.

The desire for Venom and SpiderMan to appear together in a film is matched by general uproar

upbringing could have been basically erased.”

Although Sony could potentially create a great Spider-man Movie with an unforgettable storyline and quality production, what will happen to Marvel’s rendition of Spider-man? About a month ago when Sony declared its initial decision to dissociate from Disney, there was a major uproar of negative feedback from fans. If Sony had dissociated itself from Marvel, Sony could no longer screen nor mention Marvel characters such as Iron Man, Spider-Man’s

father figure and role model. What would have happened to Spiderman’s backstory? His character development leading to his current self is beloved by many.

To some, Spider-Man was just like any other superhero, but to most, the “friendly, neighborhood Spider-Man” was also a relatable character struggling with typical teenage problems such as love and self-confidence. After all, Spider-Man is a teenager. Unlike Sony’s interpretations of Peter Parker, Marvel presented Spider-Man with softer, relatable portrayal. He was “just a kid.”

And while millions of fans are still in shock from the Spider-man conflict, fans like Bailey are relieved that Spider-man is staying for one more movie to be expected for a 2021 release.

Sony and Disney are large entertainment providers that many people would have never thought would have joined forces for the long-term, yet their eightyear-long relationship has continued to prosper through.

This extension in their partnership is largely the result of the fans and their voices. Thankfully, because Disney and Sony have pulled through these complications, fans have another opportunity to see their “friendly, neighborhood SpiderMan” share the screen with big-time heroes like Hawkeye and Black Widow once more. And sooner or later even after Spider-Man may not be associated with Marvel no longer, his return to Sony will be far from the end.

Best Halloween Movies for Spooky SZN

By ELLIE SKELLY ‘21 Finally, spooky season is upon us.

However, after growing out of the trickor-treating phase, Halloween almost seems obsolete. One can no longer find joy in arriving at a stranger’s house in a strange outfit prepared months in advance, and greeting the aforementioned stranger in the customary shout of “trick or treat” with the occasional “smell my feet, give me something good to eat” tagged along for comedic relief. Now what? As a teenager is one left to monotonously attending dull parties to see the same people they see every day dressed in odd attire? No, this will not do for the beloved fall festival of fright.

A more exciting alternative to a boring bash is staying home, turning off the lights and closing the curtains (an attempt to silence pesky trick-or-treaters) and tuning into a movie sure to give you the chills. Unsure of what to watch? Never fear! What follows is a guide to movies sure to satisfy the Halloween craving for horror.

The Shining: Here’s Johnny! Based on the novel by Stephen King, The Shining is a cult-classic scary movie since its release in 1980. The movie focuses around Jack Torrance (perfectly portrayed by Jack Nicholson), his son Danny, and his wife Wendy. Jack, an aspiring author, takes the

opportunity for his family to be the winter caretakers of an isolated hotel.

While staying at the hotel, Danny develops a psychic ability called “the shining” which gives him visions of murders. When a snowstorm locks the Torrance’s in the hotel, extreme cabinfever sets into Jack as he is driven to insanity and murder. A Halloween viewing of The Shining is sure to inspire fear and nightmares of ‘redrum,” and should be viewed by all classic movie lovers.

Get Out: A more recent frightening flick, Get Out portrays supernatural fears as well as realistic ones concerning racism. Created

by Jordan Peele, the film details the horrors of a meetthe-parents gone wrong.

The movie reflects the underlying fears that run through America, displaying the danger of believ-

ing that the world is in a post-racism society. Furthermore, it is the perfect balance of a classic, preposterous scary movie and a beloved, well-meaning drama. Get Out is the movie to watch if you are a social justice warrior who feels like enjoying a bizarre horror flick.

Silence of the Lambs: An Academy Award Winning masterpiece, Silence of the Lambs is a suspense filled analysis of a murderer’s psyche. Clarice Starling is a young, spunky FBI agent assigned to investigate a series of murders thought to have been committed by one person. To find this murder, Clarice must enlist the help of a psycho cannibal psychologist, Hannibal Lector, who treated the serial killer. Si- lence of the Lambs is the perfect horror flick for fans of artsy, criticaly acclaimed movies.

Scream: A mainstream parody of scary movies, Scream puts a witty twist on a smalltown spooking.

The film is most obviously recognized by the murderer’s choice outfit of a long white mask and black hood, which has now become the go-to costume for fourteen-year-olds to sixteen-year-olds who still deem it fit to continue trick-ortreating. When released in 1996, Scream brought back the slasher-horror popularized in the late seventies and eighties through its telling of a crazed murderer in a small town and the high school party that exists within it. Scream is the movie for the cynical, who want to enjoy a horror movie but also make fun of it.

Hocus Pocus: A childhood classic, Hocus Pocus is a movie made for all stages of a person’s life. The nostalgia that surrounds the movie is matched by the continuing fantasy that maybe, someday, one might just light the wrong candle and summon the three most iconic witches and the cutest cat of all time. One could only hope that these witches have the same talent as those in the movie, played by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy. Plus, the lovable nineties kids and the talking cat set Hocus Pocus apart, giving it the innocent appeal, everyone knows and loves. Hocus Pocus was made for the innocent Halloween lover, not up for guts and gore but merely fun.

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Entertainment

Upcoming Concerts

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17

October

By HOPE WHITCRAFT ‘20

OCTOBER CONCERTS Location: Toyota Music Factory Date: Octotober 2 Time: 7:30

Location: House of Blues Date: October 5 Time: 7:00

Location: South Side Ballroom Date: October 5 Time: 8:00 Location: American Airlines Center Date: October 8 Time: 7:30 Location: Toyota Music Factory Date: October 10-11 Time: 8:00 Location: The Bomb Factory Date: October 18 Time: 8:00 Location: American Airlines Center Date: October 22 Time: 7:00 Location: Verizon Theatre Date: October 23 Time: 7:00 Location: Toyota Music Factory Date: October 29 Time:7:30 Location: American Airlines Center Date: October 31 Time:7:00

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October

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New Social Media App Ascends in TikTok

By SARAH NGUYEN ‘20 TikTok is making it big. Not the repetitive sound of a clock or that Kesha song, TikTok is the newest, hottest app in the market. Since its creation in 2016, TikTok has grown to become one of the most popular social media apps. However, the three-year-old app is not simply a fun new way to text or share pictures. TikTok is a video-sharing platform on which users post 10-second video clips of themselves.

Their videos range from lip-syncing a song to dancing to dropping cool beat to even performing a comedy skit.

“Today, I hardly hear anyone say ‘Haha, did you see that meme?’ TikTok is the new trend. It’s great that TikTok has become something huge because it gives me a place to relax after coming home from school or [to take] a break from homework,” said Kate Rucker ’20.

In Sept. 2018, there were more TikTok app installations than long-time favorites like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat. That year, TikTok was downloaded more than a billion times, and to this day the app boasts more than 27 million active users.

However large the number of users, anyone can achieve fame on TikTok. Some individuals have even attained Internet fame overnight. Former Musical.ly star Baby Ariel has amassed a following of 29

million, and teenage heartthrob and singer of the hit “Sweatshirt”, Jacob Sartorius, has collected a modest 19 million.

The public may say that TikTok and Musical.ly are so similar that the two could be identical.

This claim is not without truth as the two apps do share the same creators. After experiencing its single year of fame, Musical. ly declined in popularity by the end of 2017.

However, Chinese entrepreneurs Alex Zhu and Luyu Yang did not give up upon their newfound gold mine, acquiring another app, TikTok, for 1 billion dollars. Not long after, in Aug. 2018, TikTok absorbed Musical. ly, all Musical.ly accounts were moved to TikTok and TikTok and Musical.ly merged into one platform.

“I can’t deny that Musical.ly wasn’t once a huge success. But I think a reason why Musical.ly isn’t as great

a success as TikTok is because Musical. ly did not feel usable. Musical.ly was a somewhat serious platform where you had to be a professional lip-syncer or special effects expert. Normal people like me watched behind the screen and could not participate,” said Bella Ly ’21.

On the other hand, TikTok is an easy app to use and is more accessible. Individuals are able to express themselves and share their personalities more comfortably due to its relaxed and care-free atmosphere. Within the student community of Ursuline Academy, there are multiple TikTokers, and several of them have garnered larger followings. One prime example is Vivian Nguyen ’21, or valeri_win on TikTok. Nguyen has more than 50,000 followers and just under 1.5 million total likes.

Her feed mostly consists of her doing what she loves most: art. Throughout the process of producing an art piece, she films herself from beginning to end

and then compiles the clips into a video for TikTok. When asked for her thoughts on her fledgling TikTok career, Nguyen said that she did not expect much when she posted her first video. She did it for fun, and to her surprise, people on TikTok liked and continue to like her work. TikTok is a platform where she can share her passion for art and display it for others to enjoy.

What advice would Nguyen give to wannabe famous TikTok stars? Nguyen said, “You shouldn’t try so hard for fame. TikTok was meant to be fun. It was meant to be enjoyable for you, your family and friends.”

TikTok is on the rise, and seems to be an ever-increasing presence in our social lives. Could TikTok possibly become the next Facebook? Seeing its surge to the top foreshadows its potential in becoming a permanent app within social media. Not only is it a platform for free expression, but also it is a way to bond with others and share a good laugh.

Ultimately, the social app unites people through their mutual appreciation for both the passions and challenges of relatable strangers. TikTok is on a steady train to the top, and there seems to be no stop.

Instagram Accounts Can Have Positive Influence

By HOPE WHITCRAFT ‘20 In this new tech-savvy era that we live in today, there are so many new, creative, and easily accessible outlets for people to express themselves. On the other hand, these outlets may be taken advantage of and used for the wrong reasons like to promote harmful body image issues. This happens every day and we often do not even realize it.

Instagram is a major social media platform that is used by hundreds of millions of people across the globe.

There are advertisers all over Instagram, meaning that many posts put out for users is biased toward a product and simply not real life.

So, what does this mean for the people viewing all this slanted output?

The biggest struggle that most girls have is with Instagram where filtered and unrealistic versions of beauty are posted and promoted by models, influences, celebrities and more.

There is hope for the Instagram world with people that understand the negative effects of Instagram and have felt the same emptiness that is left after scrolling through what seems to be people all living their absolute best life. These Instagram accounts promote healthy body image and eating along with inspiration on how to be your best self.

The first Instagram account that is a must to follow is @thewellnecessities. The account is run by a woman named LiLi Hayim, who has struggled with eating dis-

orders and body image in the past and has completely turned her life around.

She created this Instagram to remind people what real beauty is and how to love yourself and your body.

Hayim posts about her own experiences of her struggling with body image. She also reminds people what eating healthy really looks like and that filters are used every day to promote an unrealistic version of beauty. In one of her posts, Hayim displays how different apps and

filters can completely change someone’s look. She encourages people to be themselves, eat healthy, and not believe everything you see on Instagram.

Another amazing Instagram account to follow is @huntermcgrady.

Hunter McGrady is another woman

that has dedicated her life to promoting healthy body images. She is a plus-sized swimsuit model that encourages women to be comfortable in their own skin no matter what body type, skin color or age. McGrady advocates for female empowerment and inspires women to be confident in themselves.

Hunter McGrady has helped change the game for models and women across the globe. She tears down the walls of a typical model and proves that you don’t have to fit into a perfect, unrealistic mold of a human to be beautiful.

Nutrionist Alissa Rumsey dedicates her entire Instagram to helping women make healthy and

positive decisions about eating and body image. Rumsey offers words of inspiration and factual information about how to be healthy. She uses her experience as a nutritionist to inform women across the world on how to take care of themselves. She even offers an online course which goes above and beyond on educating people on nutrition. The ac-

count @alissarumseyrd offers a variety of different ways to feed and take care of your body.

Lastly, Em Ford, public figure and model, encourageswomen toembracing their beauty and be comfortable in their own skin. The account @mypaleskinblog encourages women to embrace their unique features and defies the idea that beauty is perfection. Ford is constantly reminding people to love themselves and own who they are in each of her posts. She is dedicated to promoting a positive self-image and knowing one’s worth.

Scrolling through Instagram 24/7 can harm people’s body image and mindset. Sometimes it is hard to identify how Instagram makes you feel, but it becomes very apparent when a post leaves you feeling a lack of self-worth.

It can be tiring looking at the same type of perfection every day, where super skinny girls are posting in their bathing suits, smiling and laughing, while you are at home doing homework.

These women have used their platforms as a way to create healthy lifestyles and encourage others to do the same. These are only a few of the many people trying to make a difference in the word of toxic posts on Instagram. It is really relieving to see an inspirational quote or post from one of these accounts after scrolling through what feels like an eternity of toxic, unrealistic portraits of beauty.

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19

October

VSCO Girls, How They Went Viral

By KATHARINE BALES ‘21

“Sksksksks. And I oop, I dropped my Hydro Flask!” Yep, this is one of the newest, most popular teen trends of 2019 – the VSCO girl.

This concept which went viral on social media in June 2019 is originally based on a photo-editing app called VSCO (pronounced like disco). Evidently, certain users of VSCO can be characterized by a long t-shirt wearing, scrunchie adorned, Hydro Flask carrying white girl. The Daily Dot states that the app was founded in 2011 and eventually gathered over 2 million subscribers, 50 percent of whom were under 25 years old. “VSCO was built for photography enthusiasts and offers an array of filters and editing tools; it doesn’t have comments or likes,” reported The Daily Dot. Contrary to other social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, VSCO believes that likes and comments are unimportant and should not be used as validation for the quality of pictures posted.

Despite VSCO’s freeform media abilities, it has become a meme, and parodies have been posted on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter for the past few months. Many users enforce the meme by posting videos of themselves dropping their Hydro Flasks, loading up on scrunchies, and bragging about their eco-friendly metal straws that will singlehandedly “save the tur-

tles.”

According to The Daily Dot, stereotypes first arose when popular accounts established some of these trends. For example, YouTubers Emma Chamberlain and Hannah Meloche contributed to the topic’s development by describing the VSCO photo aesthetic as “trendy and basic.”

As the article points out, “The word ‘basic’ is being recontextualized within the meme.”

A 15-year-old YouTuber named Caiti DeCort posted a video of herself transform-

ing into a VSCO girl, in which she covered her arms in scrunchies, dons a pair of white Crocs, and decorates her Hydro Flask with stickers. The video now has over a million views. As a result of her rapid Internet fame, DeCort told Buzzfeed News, “It just kind of came out of nowhere, being a VSCO girl.

I now see a lot of people doing it.”

Some of these YouTube personalities did not expect such a concept to emerge.

The main items used to represent this stereotypical persona – some of which have already been mentioned – are scrunchies, Hydro Flask water bottles, Fjällräven backpacks, puka shell necklaces, and Birkenstocks.

The Internet stereotypes that VSCO girls are into urban fashion companies, including Urban Outfitters and Brandy Melville. As for their skincare routine, they most commonly opt for Carmex lip

balm and Mario Badescu facial products.

Urban Dictionary defines VSCO girls as the “Tumblr girls of 2019.” Like VSCO girls, Tumblr girls were interested in fashion, frequently posted photos of themselves, and ascribed to an emotional, grungy aesthetic Just two years after the app’s release, in 2009, the Tumblr girl developed as a stereotype and became more widespread as years passed.

The main difference between these two trends is the generation. While Gen Z teenagers were born into a digital world, most Tumblr girls grew up witnessing the release of these technological advances. As children and teenagers, they did not use iPads or Snapchat and, for this reason, formed a cultural internet movement based on a new, trendy app.

In 2019, a similar idea has followed in the old trend’s footsteps by basing itself upon a more recently created online platform. However popular the trend may seem, many still argue that VSCO is not a definitive personality or lifestyle; it is merely a combination of interests that have formed a temporary trend across social media.

Ellie Skelly ’21 said, “Nobody walks around saying ‘sksksksks.’ Sure, there are girls who use Hydroflasks and make friendship bracelets off of them, but that doesn’t mean it’s a personality.”

Music Biopics Infuencing Music Trends Today

By AINSLEY NEITZEL ‘20 In the last year, movies about rock stars have skyrocketed. These films have been well-received and have even been nominated for awards for both their production and performances.

The first of these films to premiere was Bohemian Rhapsody, which follows late singer Freddy Mercury and the rise of his band, Queen. The film is titled after one of their most famous songs, a lengthy rock opera ballad beloved by generations old and young. The making of this movie, however, has brought new attention to not only this song, but all of Queen’s work.

Proceeding the success of the movie, Queen’s music sales have risen 662 percent, according to iHeart Radio, bringing the band back into relevancy. Although the artists never lost their impressive fame from their work, the 70s band does not enjoy as much fame as they once did, and this film brought attention back to their incredible songs and albums.

Following Bohemian Rhapsody is Rocketman, which tells the story of Elton John. This elaborate musical biography of the British singer, like Bohemian

Rhapsody, sheds light onto the broken, dark past of the singer. Elton John, so well-known for elaborate costume and profuse amounts of glitter and flamboyancy, struggled with substance abuse and depression during his climb to fame. Similarly, Freddie Mercury, lead singer for Queen, fought AIDS for four years, before he was beaten by the disease. Both artists faced seriously dark, difficult challenges they were facing. Although these challenges were brutal and heartbreaking, they inspired many wonderful, powerful pieces of music.

Rocketman impacted viewers and music trends by bringing attention back to the uniqueness of Elton John’s music.

Shortly after the film’s release, Elton had three top ten hits on the Hot Rock Chart and a song at Number Three on

the Adult Contemporary Chart.

After Rocketman’s success, a film named after the famous song by The Beatles premiered. The movie, titled Yesterday, does not tell a story of true events, but instead it depicts what a world without the famous band would look like. It brought the timeless music to the ears of a younger generation less familiar with the band.

People with little to no previous knowledge of the band’s work were introduced to these classics as the film re-introduced The Beatles into society.

Next Year, there will be another biopic, currently without a title, about the king of rock-and-roll, Elvis Presley. Actor Austin Butler, known for his work in The Carrie Diaries, Aliens in the Attic, and Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood, will be starring in the film as Elvis, along-side

renowned actor Tom Hanks.. The biopic will be focusing on Elvis’ early years.

Although not much more is known about the project yet, based on current biopics, the trends in Elvis’ music could likely rise after the film’s release.

These first three movies have brought incredible music from the past back to relevancy. In a generation of rap and pop music, much of classic rock has been forgotten and overlooked, but thanks to these movies, it is coming back.

Rock music is moving back into the top charts, influencing young listeners everywhere. As more classic rock rises into the charts, more people will be exposed to the music thanks to Apple Music, Spotify, and other music streaming services. There is a certain timelessness to rock music that has been put to the test in the last year. Despite the differences in the world today compared to when this music was written, people of all generations are still able to connect and relate to it. Both older and younger generations are able to resonate with the music, which has, and will continue to stand the test of time.

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Courtesy of Entertainment Weekly

Lizzo Utilizes the Power of Music

By BETHANY ROBERTS ‘20 At this point, even if you have not screamed the opening to Lizzo’s “Truth Hurts,” you have definitely heard it. Although Lizzo is not everyone’s style, her positive messages and uplifting beats undoubtedly raise the spirits in any room.

So, when Lizzo or any other lyric-positive song is on your playlist, exactly what happens in between your earbuds? Just how powerful is music?

Music is designed to be memorable.

Repetition, rhyme and patterns work perfectly in sync to make a song a success.

The knowledge that lyrics are designed to stay in your head provides more thought as to the significance of your playlist.

“We have such a deep connection to music because it is ‘hardwired’ in our brains and bodies. The elements of music - rhythm, melody, etc. - are echoed in our physiology, functioning and being,” Barbara Else, senior advisor of policy and research at the American Music Therapy Association told Medical News Today. “We shop in trendy stores to peppy pop background music and hear playful music in the elevator to help pass the time. Whether we realize it or not, music controls our subconscious.”

The CIA uses music to torture prisoners, playing songs like Queen’s “We are the Champions” on repeat for weeks on end at ear-splitting vol-

ume. Binyam Mohamed, who listened to “Slim Shady” by Eminem for 20 days straight said that the torture made many prisoners lose their minds. They would be “screaming and slashing their heads against walls,” he said.

Elena Mannes, who devoted her life to humans’ relationship with music, explored the relationship music has with brain development. One of her studies found that infants respond positively to chords and mimic the basic intervals found in Western music, at just a few weeks old.

“Music stimulates more parts of the brain than any other human function.

Cloud Cover Music reported a 2013 study with the conclusion that “people who listened to upbeat music improved their moods and happiness, for the longterm, within two weeks.”

Musicians like Lizzo are utilizing the power of music for good, supporting self-love and confidence.

“It’s unfair for us to assume that people know how to love themselves … [corporations have] spent decades telling people they weren’t good enough and selling them an ideal of beauty. All of a sudden you’re selling them selflove? People don’t know how to love themselves,” Lizzo told The Guardian.

With the media constantly broadcasting beauty standards and expectations, it is Courtesy of Colossal especially inspiring and refreshing to see positive body-image messages in entertainment.

“Lizzo reminds me to be a strong, independent woman every day and [to] not be afraid of embracing myself and the women around me,” Kayla Hanrahan ’20 said.

Whether you are blasting Lizzo or not, music has a strong influence on our human conscious.

Choose the music that makes you happy because it does have the power to do so.

[There is] so much potential in music’s power to change the brain and affect the way it works,” Mannes said to National Public Radio.

Mannes sees a future in which music can help stroke or Parkinson’s patients. Known as melodic intonation therapy, this technique uses music to influence portions of the brain to take over for portions that are damaged. It could help some patients regain their ability to speak.

“A stroke patient who has lost verbal function — those verbal functions may be stimulated by music,” said Mannes.

The power music has is capable of great things, and it can be utilized every day.

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Serving Up Ice Cream and Opportunities

By JACKIE THOMAS ‘20 Just a seven-minute drive from them to maintain employment in indusThis is not to say Howdy Homemade Ursuline, nestled among the bustling res- tries focused on products, profit and em- sacrifices product quality at all—in fact, quite the opposite. The long list of flavors taurants and boutiques along Lovers Lane ployee efficiency above all else.

But, again, Howdy Homemade is dif- is almost overwhelming, in the most dein University Park, lies an ice cream shop.

Festive neon signs light the interior, ice ferent. Rather than focusing solely on licious way possible. They offer all the cream decals decorate the walls, bever- profits or goods, this admirable business classics (Vanilla, Chocolate, Cookies & ages fill fridges to bursting and of course, makes its employees a priority, seeking Cream and the like) along with their own tempting ice cream tubs sit in cold cases. to help them succeed as members of the creations sure to intrigue new customers.

Though it may sound like an ordinary workforce and afford them the same With Cookie Monster, Ninja Turtle, James stop for a cold dessert, this particular par- opportunities as those without special the Giant, Carrot Cake, Hot Tamales, Avolor is unlike any other. needs. Inside the store, these employees, cado and Sour Patch Kids-flavored scoops, What makes Howdy Homemade, a never without a smile or word of kind- just to name a few, Howdy Homemade Park Cities favorite for almost four years, ness, completely run the show: stocking will never fail to impress even the most so unique is not just their original (and the cases, handing out generous help- adventurous eater.

There are stories behind the flavors, too, undeniably delicious) Dr. Pepper Choco- ings of their famous treats, working the late Chip ice cream flavor. Even more cash register and interacting with the with Sour Patch Kids bringing awareness to the special needs cause besides servthan their amazing flavor combinations, customers.

Howdy Homemade’s mission is what really makes the shop such a beloved institution.

Since its founding, owner Tom Landis has worked with special needs organizations to employ individuals with Down Syndrome and autism, providing a much-needed solution to the issue of a huge lack of employment opportunities for adults with special needs.

In some workplaces, employees with developmental disabilities like autism or Down Syndrome require extra training or support, resources that many companies are unwilling or unable to provide. Indeed, if an adult with special needs is able to find a job at Howdy Homemade founder Tom Landis (third from right) and a group of all, an uncommon occurrence itself, it employees is statistically much more difficult for

Courtesy of JP Morgan Chase

ing up a colorful, sweet-and-sour dessert.

Similarly, their most popular flavor, Dr. Pepper Chocolate Chip, and their love of Dr. Pepper in general, come from the two companies’ common goal. Howdy Homemade shares on their website, “Dr. Pepper has done more to help the special needs community than any other corporation, and we want to honor this company with our company.” In fact, when offering their products at off-site events like the Texas State Fair, Howdy Homemade brings along their Dr. Pepper Ice Cream Cart!

Tom Landis’s vision of great ice cream served by some of the best employees in the business has gained more and more traction and support of late. Just this past July, Howdy Homemade pints began being stocked by Texas Central Market locations to be enjoyed by greater numbers of people across the state. The shop and its mission are not only being noticed in Texas, either—Landis, his incredible staff and the Lovers Lane storefront were all featured on the Aug. 27 edition of ABC World News with David Muir, highlighting to the rest of the U.S. a model for how special needs employment should be.

On all accounts, Howdy Homemade deserves all the attention and success it has received and more. With incredible flavors and even more incredible workers, this local business undeniably warms hearts as they serve up cold treats.

My Sweet Experience at the Milk Bar Pop-Up Shop

By EMILEA MCCUTCHAN ‘20 Wow, not that many people are here, I think to myself as I walk along the sidewalk. As I near Emporium Pies in the Bishop Arts District, my hopes soar. Nobody seems to be in line—it looks deserted. This is awesome! I continue to walk over, thinking about what I will order, if I will buy a t-shirt or not, and whether they have any stickers for my laptop.

I cross the street and walk towards the newly built courtyard next to Emporium Pies and-- Oh no. I glance to my right to see a sprawling, snake-like line of people twisted and turned around the courtyard.

About two or three hundred people are patiently waiting outside. The weather is quite pleasant right now, but in an hour, it will feel like the Sahara Desert.

Disappointed and feeling a little naïve, I navigate my way through the maze of people and stand at the very end of the line. To be honest with myself, I have no idea why I thought I would be the first one in line. After all, Milk Bar is coming to Dallas.

For those of you that have never heard of Milk Bar, it was founded in 2008 by Christina Tosi who has been nicknamed “one of the most creative people” by Fast Company. She also is a two-time James Beard awardwinner, which is like the Oscar for restaurants. The cook-

ies, truffles, and pies Milk Bar produces are reminiscent of desserts produced by a 1950s bakery. Think of Suzy Cakes but from New York and with crazy flavor combinations. Plus, unlike most bakeries today, they have gluten-free options in almost everything they offer.

Over the summer, Milk Bar went on their “All You Can Treat Tour”, where they toured the United States in their pink food truck, setting up Milk Bar pop-up shops in cities like Dallas, Chicago, Miami, and Minneapolis. Popup shops like Milk Bar’s are popular because they are trendy and open for a limited time. Over 25,000 people visited the Kylie Cosmetics pop-up shop in Los Angeles. People love pop-up shops because they generate excitement—customers love how scarce the products are within a store, so buying a product feels special. The shops are also aesthetically pleasing--for instance, the all-pink Milk Bar food truck. However, mainly, these shops provide a unique experience for customers, as customers feel special and exclusive.

These factors cause people to absolutely love pop-up shops.

Plus, the name “pop-up shop”

sounds cute, right?

I keep thinking about how fun it will be to try these crazy flavor combinations while waiting in line, and I feel myself getting hungrier by the minute. The two people standing in front of me order a pizza and ask me to hold their spot in line while they pick it up from across the street. Sadly, however, they do not offer me a slice when they return.

Turns out, waiting in these long lines to see a musician or even buy some baked goods from a food truck can be cutthroat.

Ahead of me in line a mom is yelling at a supposed line-cutter, and two Milk Bar employees have to settle them down. To me, this is all reminiscent of the Wild West; two opposing factions facing off in the Texas heat, only to be calmed down by an intervening citizen. That may be a little too dramatic, but by this point, my hunger mixed with being dehydrated is starting to take a toll, but there is no way I’m getting out of line and subjecting myself to crazy moms It is about two o’clock in the afternoon, and I can see the food truck at this point. I have been here for three hours, but I figured I will only be here for maybe another

hour, tops. Fifteen minutes go by and I am finally at the front of the line. When I finally go up to the tent, I order a few of their cookies, their soft serve ice cream, their birthday cake truffles, and I buy a tshirt. I also grab a couple of stickers.

After making my purchases, I was able to chat for a few minutes with Milk Bar’s founder, Christina Tosi. She was very sweet and approachable, and when I mentioned I would write an article about Milk Bar in my school paper, she was ecstatic.

By now, my ice cream was starting to melt so I decided to try some of my purchases.

I was a little disappointed that the baked goods came in plastic packages because it made me doubt their freshness, but they still tasted good. The flavor combinations, although wild, were delicious. The cookies were soft and chewy, and tasted amazing. The Compost Cookie was the perfect balance of sweet and salty, with gobs of butterscotch, pretzel crunchies, and potato chips. The birthday cake truffles tasted like an old-fashioned vanilla cake and melted in my mouth. My favorite purchase was the Confetti Cookie—it was the perfect, buttery cookie that tastes like a slice of vanilla cake. Waiting in that long line for three hours was totally worth it.

Courtesy of Boston Magazine

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Attention Students: Watch the Presidential Debates

By HELEN EMERSON ‘20 The 2020 presidential election, still over a year away, revolves around a number of essential, controversial topics that divide voters over more than party lines. As the incumbent, President Trump will most likely top the Republican ticket, but a pool of diverse Democratic candidates are bitterly competing for the Democratic nomination.

This pool of candidates for the Sept. 12 debate has already narrowed significantly to the ten who qualified both in polling and fundraising numbers. Democrats will host a total of six primary debates in 2019 before the primaries and caucuses begin in February 2020.

These primary debates are vital. Candidates’ performance in debates particularly in addressing issues such as the environment, gun control, healthcare and others which dominate current political conversation is a primary means of voter education. They are also the opportunity, much like an interview, for candidates to tell their personal stories on a national platform.

Memorable, personal moments include Kamala Harris’ description of her family lineage of “fighters” during the July debate, as well as Biden’s connection of Medicare to his son’s lost cancer battle during the September debate. These and countless other anecdotes serve to connect voters

with the candidates on an increasingly personal level.

Such knowledge of the candidates and issues, while essential to all voters, is especially important to new voters.

As Ursuline seniors prepare to vote in their first election, they hould be actively educating themselves to determine the candidate that aligns most closely with their views. This

education includes research and knowledge of current events. Watching the debates is an easy way to do both at the same time.

Jackie Thomas ‘20 always watches the debates, even recording them when she is too busy to watch them live. “I enjoy watching the debates to both learn about candidates’ policies and plans and to

gauge their ability to represent the coun- down, closer to election day,” said Ellie try to other world leaders. I think they Skelly ‘21, who will be of voting age come can show a lot in terms of candidates’ November 2020. ability to think on their feet, stick to their It is not only important for seniors to convictions and remain composed.” watch the debates, but for all of the other Understandably, it can be hard for high classes as well. Underclassmen, often in school students to make time to actively their bubble of tests, homecoming and watch and be atfriends, may think tentive to the dethat politics doesn’t Courtesy of Reuters bates, particularly impact them or are the primaries, something they don’t with the election have to worry about itself so distant. until they turn 18.

Ultimately, the debates are composed of many of today’s leading policymakers discussing and arguing over the most volatile and pressing issues of modern American government. Simply being informed is a minor but essential form of political activism. Learning more is participation.

Modern political culture increasingly calls on young people to take action in politics, and social media allows them to remain better informed than previous The debates are long, often repetitive, generations. Ursuline encourages political and can occasionally dissolve into bitter participation not only in class discussion shouting matches, though many find that of issues but also through the mock elecentertaining. tions and mayoral information sessions “At this point it can be hard to find begun during the 2018-2019 schoolyear. time to watch the debates, and there are In keeping with this spirit, watching the so many people that it can seem like a debates is an easy and informational way waste of time. I definitely will watch de- for Ursuline students, and students everybates once the candidates are whittled where, to remain politically aware.

Use Your Voice, Vote Local

By BETHANY ROBERTS ‘20 Although candidates for local elections are not as heavily covered on national media outlets as federal candidates are, their decisions affect citizens’ daily lives much more directly. Local government influences aspects of city life such as public transit, policing and public safety, rent costs, affordable housing, city colleges and job training programs.

“While people pay more attention to the bigger picture because when you turn on the national news it focuses on what’s happening in Washington, it’s actually the stuff that’s happening in your community that will impact you first,” said Olivia Ide, AP U.S. History teacher at Ursuline.

The 2016 election contributed greatly towards the divisiveness of U.S. politics.

Many citizens did not vote because the extreme opposition between two candidates’ policies often left the voter without a clear choice if they did not agree wholly with one side. In contrast, local elections provide a chance for voters to have more control over policies.

Local elections offer a variety of candidates, rather than just the two for a presidential election. Policies closer to home tend to be ones that have tangible effects, al-

lowing those who vote in local elections a greater say in policies involved w i t h their d a y to-day lives.

Many land-

m a r k federal policies have started at the local level.

Our history demonstrates through policies such as women’s voting rights, minimum wage and environmental protection that the changes we want to see nationwide can happen from the

ground up.

Many individuals still hesitate to vote in local elections because they feel their single vote is insignificant. However, this sort of thinking is borderline myth.

According to Medium, “Just 1 in 5 voters participate in off-year local elections —

meaning your vote at the local level can have an even bigger impact.

For example, on just one election day in Ohio, 7 local issues were decided by just 1 vote.”

Even if your vote does not become the majority vote,

by visiting the ballot office and voting, you still have accomplished an important action: exercising your right to vote.

“For such a small thing, I leave, and I feel like I’ve done something. Even if my voice isn’t the voice that comes out on top in the end, I have stated where I stand,” said Ide. According to the Pew Research Center, only 55.7 percent of people who were of-age voted in 2016. This puts the U.S. in 26th place out of the 32 members in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) most of which are highly developed, democratic states.

“I think people generally need to be more engaged,” said Ide. “I love that quote ‘If you don’t vote, you can’t complain.’”

A large part of being a responsible voter is knowing what issues are important to you. For local elections, take some time to inform yourself about local issues and candidates. Taking 30 minutes out of a whole weekend to do research could make a direct impact on your life if you then make an informed decision at the polls.

As high school students, we are fast approaching or already are of-age to vote.

As responsible voters, besides exercising our right in national elections, we must participate in local elections, too.

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October

Summer Jobs Lead to Success

By KATE GIEBLER ‘21 Both Dell as a dishwasher and Skelly as a lifeguard From waiting for the bell’s ring to waiting tables, high school students across the country face held or hold positions requiring them to report to the opportunity to work a part-time job. Although many people in higher up management. Working with one more addition to managers, students’ albosses and ready full plate superiors is sounds overnot always whelming, to Courtesy of Pinterest an easy shy away task. from a high Sophia school job Serna, a is to shy f i r s t - ye a r away from lifeguard life lesat a local sons that country can only club, said, be learned “This was from firstmy first hand expetime workrience. All ing under students a boss. My should overall exhave a job perience at some was that point durshe came ing their across as h i g h disrespectschool caful to me reer in orand the der to gain other emexperience, ployees as learn lesshe prosons and jected unbroaden achievable their horiexpectazons before tions of the having to lifeguards.” face the The real-life moral of her stoworking ry illustrates that world. throughout life in both To work the working and real during world, many workers one’s teen years leads not only to the obtainment of experi- are required to report to someone in a higher-up ence but also factually leads to higher quality ca- position. While these higher-ups may not be easy to work with, exposure through a job as a teenager reers in the future.

Conversation.com says that “working year- is one way to be prepared to work with these poround at the age of 15 [leads] to a higher chance of tentially impossible people.

Overall, two of the largest benefits of having being employed at 17 to 21.” The data also shows that these working teens went on to have higher a job in high school are forging connections and establishing professionalism. Both are crucial asincomes from ages 17 to 25.

Michael Dell, creator of Dell Computers, jump- pects for future careers and college applications. started his path to becoming a multimillionaire by As students apply for college, they find themscrubbing dirty dishes in the kitchen of a Chinese selves looking for individuals to write their letters restaurant. Besides learning the ins and outs of of recommendation. Connections made through dishwashing, Dell experienced the factors that go student jobs also often provide recommendations into holding a job, thus contributing to his future for admission to preferred schools, internships or programs. Working a job may place these recomcareer as a thriving businessman.

However, to begin his career as either a dish- mending individuals within students’ radar.

Through a washer or tech job, students furentrepreneur, Dell ther accustom was required to go themselves with through the appliprofessionalism, cation process at which can only some point. This be discovered process is a critical and incorporated and complex one into life with experience. Professionalism is not that is best learned young.

Ellie Skelly ’21 is a part-time lifeguard at the a natural talent but a skill that is worked toward Northwood Country Club. “My application pro- and takes time to achieve. This skill can be easily cess was not stressful, but it gave me a better op- learned through working simpler jobs as a teenportunity to think about the factors that go into a ager.

While seemingly scary to go through the proresume and job interview,” she said.

The application process for most part-time jobs cess of applying for a job and then also commitfor teenagers is more simple than that for profes- ting a substantial amount of time to this job, the sional careers. Students should take this as an op- benefits outweigh any weariness, as a high school portunity to familiarize themselves with the pro- job is one of the best ways to feel prepared for the future . cess to avoid stress in future applications.

“To work during one’s teen years leads not only to the obtainment of experience but also actually leads to higher quality careers in the future.”

Unpacking Politics: The Gun Debate

By JACKIE THOMAS ‘20 Chances are, if you have casually flipped through news programs recently, you have been bombarded by heated debates about one of modern America’s most controversial political topics: gun control. Indeed, mentioning the Second Amendment to a panel of politicians seems a surefire way to instigate a screaming match with no productive conclusion.

To preface, this column’s purpose is not to change your mind or push a particular political narrative. Instead, I seek only to ask and answer questions in an unbiased, straightforward way so that you, the Ursuline student body, can develop your opinion based on facts. So, how did we get here, what are the arguments involved and where do we go from here?

The idea of federal gun control is more recent than you may think—the first national legislation of this kind was in 1934 with President Franklin Roosevelt’s National Firearms Act. In years since, gun regulation has ebbed and flowed with changing party majorities.

President Johnson’s Gun Control Act (GCA) following the Kennedy assassination was the most comprehensive attempt to regulate firearms, enacting stricter regulations on non-sporting firearms and clearly defining “machine guns” and “destructive devices” for the first time in American legislation, according to Time. The GCA was also later amended to require background checks for all gun purchases.

There have also been gun laws protecting gun owners’ rights, like the 1986 Firearm Owners Protection Act outlawing registration of gun dealer records, limiting inspections, and softening other regulations. To similar effect, a 1994 temporary assault weapons ban was allowed to expire in 2004, allowing for legal purchase of controversial weapons like the AR-15.

To define today’s argument, let’s start from the beginning of the gun debate in the United States—the U.S. Constitution itself, where both sides of the modern gun debate find roots. Their staunchly different opinions result from a difference in priorities between liberty and safety.

Those against stricter gun measures often cite the Second Amendment, which reads, “A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.” The Supreme Court additionally ruled in 2008 that the Second Amendment also “protects an individual right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia…for traditionally lawful purposes.”

Advocates for more rigid firearm legislation shift focus to the Constitution’s Preamble, which states the founders’ goal to “insure domestic tranquility” and “promote the general welfare.” Some also call access to semi-automatic or assault-style weapons in the wake of massshootings an infringement on Americans’ natural right to life outlined in the Declaration of Independence.

Democrats tend to support the safety-first argument, advocating for legislation like strict universal background checks, a renewed ban on assault weapons, an end to the gun show loophole and federal buyback programs.

Republicans typically call for the federal government to have as little involvement as possible surrounding firearms to preserve constitutional liberty. In response to mass-shootings, most right-leaning legislators support addressing American mental health issues over stricter restrictions on guns.

However, defining the gun control debate as a two-sided, black and white, pro-gun versus anti-gun argument is entirely oversimplified. Arguably, this simplistic perspective is the root of those aforementioned primetime screaming matches. Many Americans, rather, find their views in the gray area between entirely unregulated assault weapons and the utter erasure of every bullet in the United States.

The future of gun control is just as complicated and controversial as its past and present, with mass shootings and an upcoming election making the issue more topical than ever.

A new age of massive gun violence in the U.S.—with around 40,000 annual gun deaths, according to the Pew Research Center— has left each side even more vehemently opinionated, leading to greater polarization and confusion for moderates.

One of the most infuriating aspects of the U.S. gun debate is the lack of an obvious solution or agreement between extreme views. The discussion is also missing understanding, an essential step toward compromise. Realizing the logic and intentions behind an opposing argument can lead to more productive conversation and lasting political action that can protect both safety and freedom. I urge you to consider past legislation, current proposals and the core values behind arguments to form your own opinion in this debate.

“Barbie Girl” (Aqua): This section was in the 2017 senior class’ freshman dance!

“Fire Burning” (Sean Kingston): Our junior year intramurals theme was firefighters. We sang this song and “This Girl Is On Fire” by Alicia Keys as a grade during the intramural volleyball games.

“Hi Sisters!/Welcome back to my channel”: We had to include some of the most influential internet personalities, combining their intros seemed to be the perfect

“Ride It” (Jay Sean): Again, we wanted to honor the influence of TikTok! The choreography for this audio comes from our 2020 Freshman Dance as well.

“See You Again” (Tyler, the Creator): It was perfect to conclude our year with vision since that was our freshman shirt theme.

“He on X games mode”: We double cross “X” (the Roman numeral) for ’20!

Class of 2023

Freshman Dance “Formation” (Beyonce): This is the opening for our own 2020 Freshman Dance.

The sharp shrill of the senior whistles is an unmistakable sound for any Ursuline girl. I still remember dancing my own freshman dance with the girls who would soon become like sisters to me. This tradition always held a special place in my heart but, since co-choreographing the 2023 freshman dance, I see how much meaning and effort goes into making it. Each clip has its own unique significance and sharing those meanings would make the dance even more special. Hannah Bookout ’20 and I, the co-chairs of the senior class’ freshman dance committee, wanted to share with our

“Til the Morning” (DJ Carisma): We know how much TikTok grew in popularity in 2019, so we had to include one of the most popular songs.

community the origins of the 2023 Freshman Dance.

-Bethany Roberts ‘20 “Breaking Free” (High School Musical) Remix: Aside from the fact that High School Musical is an iconic movie in itself, the singing section was also featured in our 2020 freshman dance.

“Mercy” (Kanye West): The choreography for this move is also in our 2020 Freshman Dance.

“Dancing Queen” (Abba): This clip was in our 2020 Freshman Dance as our slow dance song, but we wanted to put the matching choreography in as a breather.

“Dive In” (Trey Songz): The singing riff section was also in the 2020 Freshman Dance, but to Jason Derulo.

Spongebob Intro: Not only was this the 2020 sophomore intramurals theme, but we made a special edit for our executive president Courtney Kang! We wanted to honor the hard work of our class president of three years.

“Shallow” (A Star is Born): An awkward slow dance is tradition for every high-schooler to experience. Class of 2020 has an impersonation of an awkward slow dance in their freshman dance as well!

“NASA” (Ariana Grande): The Class of 2019 had Neil Armstrong’s famous quote in their dance with the same choreography. We wanted to honor our all-girls school by substituting that quote with the female counterpart.

“Sicko Mode” (Travis Scott): Our grade loves Astroworld.

It’s the theme of our senior polos and the senior closet.