Tower Issue #2 (2023-2024) by Tower

TOWER

VOLUME 80, NEWS

NOV. 13, 2023

TOWER

The Masters School

49 Clinton Avenue Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. 10522

Community unites in grief at candelight vigil Alexa Murphy & Lucas Seguinot

ne month after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, Jewish Culture Club collaborated with the Center for Inclusive Excellence to host a candlelight vigil at the Estherwood Labyrinth. The vigil opened a dialogue for grieving community members, wherein multiple students, teachers, and parents, stepped forward to share their experience in the turmoil following the recent eruption of war in Gaza. “The turnout was great. I expected maybe 20, 30 people [to attend]—we got over 50 that came here, which just really showed the support that the school is offering us,” Jesse Gelman ‘25, co-chair of Jewish Culture Club, said. “I know that people were struggling to respond at the beginning, but a couple of people chimed in, especially Aron Tucker, and then the responses kept coming, and it was just amazing to see that.” As one of the first speakers, Gelman opened with a poem from the famed Jewish writer and poet, Yehuda Amichai. “The poem is about the story of a man who collected pieces of gravestones of all the Jewish people in Israel who have died and who are struggling to be remembered,” he said.

Gelman had been a reader of Amichai and was reminded of his poetry in preparation for the vigil. “ I just remember that it was a really beautiful poem. So I went back and read it and honestly in this new context because I had read it years ago, in the context of this war, it hit me almost differently.” Gelman reflected on why he felt it would be powerful to share this poem at the vigil. “And I was just thinking about how well I know this trying time a lot of us feel as though we’re almost powerless and it’s almost giving us a power—we have the power to remember.” Many speakers at the vigil discussed their experience as Jewish community members in the days and weeks following the initial attack. While some discussed feelings of alienation from the larger Masters community as they came to terms with the horrors ensuing in the Middle East, others expressed a sense of solidarity within the Jewish community, and an ability to find solace in religion during times of intense conflict. “You know, I was thinking about what to say all day, and I wasn’t really quite sure because I was trying to appeal to the adults, the teachers and the students. And then when I heard Jesse start speaking, and he was talking about a personal experience, I started

reflecting on my own experiences,” Taylor Marlowe ‘25, another co-chair of Jewish Culture Club, said. She recounted the story she told at the vigil: “When we visited the Western wall, our tour guide took us to the back, and he was telling us this story about this man who came to Israel after the First Temple was destroyed, and he started crying looking at the ruins of the Temple. And the person he was with asked, ‘why are you crying?’ And it was because of the fact that this was such a holy place, and this meant so much to my ancestors. It was this story about how everyone’s connected, and about the community aspect of Judaism.” In the vigil’s final moments, community members united in prayer to recite the “Mourner’s Kaddish.” The prayer was led by English teacher, Masters parent, and Jewish Culture Club advisor, Miriam Emery. At the vigil, Emery explained that this is a prayer that anyone, Jewish or non-Jewish can read. Furthermore, the prayer is meant to be spoken in a pair or in a group—as it was read at the vigil—as Emery described that mourning should never be experienced in solitude. She emphasized that the version (many versions exist) of the Kaddish distributed and read on Tuesday night closes with the idea that peace should be universal.

Middle Eastern conflict complicates political discourse Alexa Murphy & Lucas Seguinot

n October 31, Head of

School Laura Danforth sent an email to the Upper School addressing a rise in uncivil discourse within the Masters communi-

INSIDE the ISSUE @masterstower

ty, and the world writ large, after the outbreak of war in Gaza. “I want to make it absolutely clear that we do not tolerate anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, discriminatory harassment, hate speech or violence of any form in our community,” she wrote. “We each must

PAGE 4

choose to be the change we wish to see in the world.” This message was the final note in a series of four emails responding to the effect of the Israel-Palestine conflict on the Masters community; the first of which were sent on October 9, 11, and 12.

Justine Pascutti goes through new changes for the 2023-24 FAFSA form.

In UNICEF’s guide, called “How to talk to our children about conflict and war,” the United Nations Children’s Fund wrote, “When conflict or war makes the headlines, it can cause feelings such as fear, sadness, anger and anxiety wherever you live. Children always

PAGES 8-9

look to their parents for a sense of safety and security — even more so in times of crisis.” From top-levels of government to college campuses to high school administrations, the politics of conflict are complex. They are made more complex by nature of

Staff writers highlight both of Masters MainStage’s fall plays, “Good Kids” and “Trap.”

the ways governments, colleges, and high schools interact with one another to complicate circles of discourse, sending ripple effects from Washington to Northwestern in Illinois to the Masters School in Dobbs Ferry.

Continued on page #3

PAGE 14

Lily Zuckerman profiles Rica Jusu-Davies, a Brock employee who greets every student with a smile at the Davis Cafe.

NEWS

TOWER/NOV. 13, 2023

McCormack given a new role in the school community Gender-expansive boarding dorm relocates Lucas Seguinot

s ideologies around gender and sexuality evolve and become more inclusive at the Masters School, the school has made moves to offer housing to reflect this change in the boarding community. After opening up the first gender-expansive dorm in Cushing Dorm during the 2022-2023 school year, Jeff Carnevale, Dean of Students and Administration, made a decision to move the gender-expansive dorm to McCormack dorm(MCC). McCormack, home of the Health and Wellness Department offices located on the ground and 3rd floors, transitioned into housing students again for “strategic reasons” Carnevale said. Historically, McCormack housed students but has been closed since the Masters’COVID-19 closure. Since the pandemic, McCormack has housed faculty, some members of the communication office staff and the counseling center. When a gender-expansive dorm was first introduced, it was housed in Cushing, but is now a five-day girls dorm. At the end of the 2019-2020 school year, CityTerm, a special semester school program hosted

LAURA YUAN/TOWER

LAST YEAR, CUSHING WAS the gender-expansive dorm on campus. However, for the 2023-2024 school year, that role has been given to McCormack which features single dorms and a small subset of the boarders at Masters. There are 13 residents of McCormack with three student proctors, Mckarthy Grimes ‘24, Gifty Baah ‘25, and Sarah Christie ‘25. With the growing really great for that type cial issues, so they had to in Cushing closed leaving Cushing vacant, present- number of students in of space,” Carnevale said. bring in another proctor Alessandra Mañalac to help handle the situaing an opportunity to open the boarding community, a gender-expansive dorm. McCormack presented as ‘24 served as a Cushing tion. Everyone was so new Carnevale explained a potential home for the proctor during the 2022- to the space, including the that the plan and desire gender-expansive dorm. 2023 school year and is dorm parents, and Cushing McCormack now the head proctor at Mc- had so many rules that the to have a gender-expan- Uniquely, sive dorm had been in the rooms are all singles, an Cormack. She expressed other dorms didn’t have; making for many years. architectural feature that feeling challenged by the it was different,” she said. Mañalac strongHe said, “How often do Cushing did not provide. first year in the gender ex“Everyone gets a sin- pansive dorm, as a leader. ly believes that the new schools have a whole new “We had a lot of so- culture in McCormack building that opens up?” gle room, which can be

has improved immensely compared to last year. “It is a lot better [compared to last year]It is less of a toxic space and we have a good relationship with the other dorms, especially Cushing.” She credited the improvement to the rest of the proctor team, Mckarthy Grimes ‘24, Gifty Baah ‘25, and Sarah Christie ‘25. This school year, Upper School math teacher Arlene Casey volunteered to serve as a dorm parent in McCormack. After living in Cushing for the first year of the gender-expansive dorm, Casey was familiar with the community of the small dorm. “I would like to be a dorm part for that group again because I know them all so well.” From a dorm parent angle, Casey recognizes the atmosphere that they were able to build. We have 13 students in the dorm, so everyone knows each other very well and it is very tight-knit and close. There are just a lot of great bonds and relationships that happen when you have such a small group of people living together.”

Students organize blood drive after COVID-19 blood shortage Chanel Neal

fter learning of the blood shortage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, students Jordan Harris ‘25 and Sarah Christie ‘25 have organized a blood drive set to take place November 13.

They also have set up NYBC (New York Blood Center) information tables for several days during both lunches in the dining hall to spread awareness about the importance of these drives and the work that the nonprofit contributes to this issue. Though the students’ initiatives are coming to fru-

ition this fall, it is something that has been in the works with administration since last spring. In 2022, the Red Cross declared the first ever national blood crisis. During the COVID-19 pandemic, blood transfusions decreased by 67% worldwide because of the fear that the virus being contracted through blood for

SYDNEY STARKEY/TOWER

THE RECENT BLOOD DRIVE held in Estherwood on November 13 was organized by two members of the Masters community, Jordan Harris ‘25 and Sarah Christie ‘25. The goal was to collect as much blood as possible to use for transfusions.

the recipient, and the fear of contracting COVID-19 for the donor when at a blood donation site during lockdown. Christie and Harris have been at the forefront of tackling this issue in the Masters community. The two have been enthusiastic about spreading awareness on these issues. “I’ve always been someone who likes to help out in the community,” Harris said, “I’ve been volunteering since I was a little kid. This seemed like another way I could help and give back.” Nurse Tara Eng will be drawing blood at the drive and has supported Christie and Harris in their initiatives. She said that in the seven years that she has served as a nurse at the Masters School, there was only one other blood drive around the time she had first started. “I’m glad they’re trying to bring it back. Hopefully it’ll be a continuation that students are able to continue from year to year. It would be a great thing to keep doing.”

“

AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT’S A TWO SECOND PROCESS AND IT’S GOING TO BE DOING A LOT OF GOOD FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO OTHERWISE CAN’T GET BLOOD. -JORDAN HARRIS ‘25

Blood donation is a life-saving service that helps maintain a sufficient blood supply for those in need to prevent future shortages. There is still much work to be done in solving this crisis and the Red Cross continues to urge people of all blood types to donate. For those who are hesitant about donating this November 13, Harris said, “At the end of the day, it’s a two second process and it’s going to be doing a lot of good for a lot of people who otherwise can’t get blood.”

Scan to read more about blood donations at NYBC

TOWER/NOV. 13, 2023

NEWS

Teachers adapt curricula to developments in Israel and Palestine

Lydia Ettinger Oliver Kreeger

s students in the Masters community have witnessed the ensuing war following Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, students have utilized classrooms to unpack their emotions and opinions on the conflict. Two classes have traditionally held a unique connection to discourse on the long-standing conflict between Israel, Palestine and other neighboring Arab nations: Western Religions and International Relations. One in regard to religious conflict and the other to the political and diplomatic conflict. But, as students break down the erupting, unprecedented violence, one essential question for our school community is how will teachers adapt? Brendan Collins Jordan teaches Western Religions, focusing on the intertwining history and traditions of, among others, the Abrahamic Religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. She has made the decision to come to more in-depth class discussion on the topic after complet-

conflict comes up in Western Religions class discussions every year, it has arrived this year with higher strain. “I think there is a kind of tension around any mention of it, and there is a kind of anxiety over ‘how are we going to talk about this? Are we going to talk about this? Where is this going to go?’’ Collins Jordan said. While Collins Jordan has held off on in-class discussion over it for now, She plans to devote more time to it when it does happen later in the curriculum, to address the current circumstances, “I plan on devoting a whole week in the class to the history, …in a lot of ways the narrative that this is fundamentally a religious conflict is not totally accurate, religion is involved but in many ways that is not the primary IMAGE GENERATED BY DALL·E thing it’s about, and I’m sort of WOODEN PUZZLE PIECES FLY from and around an abstract wary of overemphasizing [that] Israel-Palestine model on a classroom desk, embodying the eduin a religion class,” Collins Jorcational approach to complex geopolitics topics in the classroom. dan elaborated. The History ing the units on both Islam, the hopefully allow us to get a little & Religion Department is also current topic of study, and the bit deeper and also avoid some planning to revise the curricunext unit on Judaism. “It’s really of the kinds of stereotyping and lum for future years in a way that important for students to have distorted information that tends may allow more deliberation on a broader panorama of these to predominate in a lot of these this topic. religions. Before we dive into conversations” Collins Jordan Robert Fish’s senior a conversation because I think noted. International Relations class that that makes for…a baseShe also highlighted typically devotes a portion of line of understanding that will that, though the Israel-Palestine the year discussing this conflict,

but after Hamas’ attack, Fish their own research.“There’s a reorganized the curriculum to lot of people here who want to begin the unit earlier. Fish con- talk about it who want to unsistently emphasizes that stu- derstand the conflict, but really dents build a solid foundation of don’t have a lot of background key theories to guide research. knowledge about it, He said.” So, he generated projects While students continue that pushed his class to grapple with this topic, to view the conflict they may already feel through a wider dipinclined to express lomatic perspective. certain viewpoints “If you try to underthat clash with their stand this as a conflict just in the classmates. Fish maincontext of specifically what has tains that it is crucial he stays happened [since October 7th] neutral while students explore and the only parties you really the curriculum, but establishes look at are the sitting Israeli standard ground rules that the government and Hamas, you’re class must adhere to. “They can not understanding what’s hap- have whatever opinion they want, pening, Fish said.” He contin- and they can express whatever ued, “It’s not going to make opinion they want, and that’s sense, and you’re okay. As long as not going to they do it respectBefore we understand why fully and when I dive into say respectfully, different organizations, nations, conversation, we they should alneed a broad- ways assume that and governments are doing what er panorama of whoever is at the these religions.” receiving end of they are doing.” The class their words might - Brendan first examined actually have a the security, Collins Jordan family member economic, and or a close friend diplomatic issues in the region or a loved one who is literally in and were tasked with writing a the line of fire because you never mock briefing paper about the know. So you can express your current conflict to a major world opinion, but make sure you say it leader that would incorporate in a way that would be not hurtful concepts learned in class with for that person to hear,” he said.

“

Middle Eastern conflict complicates political discourse Politics Continued from page one

n Oct. 7, the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas launched a series of coordinated terror attacks from the Gaza Strip on neighboring Israeli territory. Since then, protests have erupted across the globe, both demanding justice for Israeli victims of Hamas’ terrorism and for Palestinian noncombatant victims of Israeli counterattacks. In New York City, politicians and organizers have been pressured to pick a side in an immensely complicated situation by choosing between two words, either “Pro Palestine” or “Pro Israel.” While more centrist New York Democrats like Governor Kathy Hochul have

voiced strong support for Israel’s push into Gaza., the Democratic party in New York has not exclusively pledged allegiance to either camp, but is rather caught in a whirlwind of controversies centered on the New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, which issued a statement that called for Israel to cease fire. The Democratic Socialists asked for “the end of the 75-year Nakba that includes the occupation of the West Bank, the end of the 16-year siege on the open-air prison that is the Gaza Strip and the end of U.S. military aid for occupation and apartheid.” This stance has caused some New York congressional representatives, such as Jamaal Bowman, the representative for Dobbs Ferry, to give up their memberships in the Democratic Socialist organization.

mostly been led by student College Campuses have groups. On Nov. 2, the House of Representatives passed the bipartisan resolution H. Res. 789, “condemning the support of Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist organizations at institutions of higher education, which may lead to the creation of a hostile environment for Jewish students, faculty, and staff.” Liberal organizations like J Street (a progressive pro-Israel group) opposed the resolution, which addressed pro-Palestian demonstrations across college campuses, including the “Day of Resistance” organized by National Students for Justice in Palestine. Around the nation, these demonstrations, including vigils, walkouts, and protests,

Former Editor-in-Chief of Tower Logan Schiciano,’21, has witnessed these firsthand as a student journalist on the campus of Northwestern University. He has covered three events including one vigil, one walk hosted by Students for Justice in Palestine at Northwestern, and a vigil hosted by a group of Jewish students. While covering these events as a broadcaster at Northwestern News Network, Schiciano ran into trouble with resistant protestors. Many refused to be either recorded or interviewed. Further, as the challenges continued, he was followed around by a protester and had his camera covered by their hand. Schiciano described the climate of protest.

The Masters Campus

On the Masters campus, rising ten- student level, we shouldn’t [remain neutral].” The Jewish Culture Club organized a comsions with regard to the Middle Eastern conflict have led the community to pri- munity discussion in the days immediately after the oritize productive political discourse. attack, and a vigil to mark the one-month anniverA day after the brutal Hamas attacks, Head sary of the Hamas attack. [See story on front page]. Senior class co-president Sibora Sadrijaj of School Laura Danforth released her first email condemning the acts of terror. Subsequently, she ‘24, a Muslim whose family is of Albanian descent, added that she besent another email as a response to comlieved that students It’s not easy, especially when and administrators munity pushback to feelings are so raw. But it’s should work towards the previous mesessential that we make the ef- the common goal of sage, as some parents fort to listen to each other.” inclusivity, making and members of the space for conversacommunity believed - Laura Danforth tions wherein no stuDanforth expressed dentfeelssilenced,isoin her first letter “a political neutrality that represented moral in- lated, or otherwise disregarded by their community. Sadrijaj said, “With a small populadifference on my [Danforth’s] part.” “And it definitely was, you Following the response, Dan- tion of Muslim students that we have at the know, a test situation. But I felt forth sent two other emails addressing school, I don’t think we’re feeling as included.” like I had to be there to bring the possible attack against the JewShe continued, describing the struglight to what was going on on ish people around the world, and an gles of advocating for herself even within peer campus.” email was sent on Halloween night groups: “I try to avoid talking about it [the IsHe further explained the calling for the community to live rael-Palestine war] not because I want to get difficulty when covering and ex- the school’s mission in these times. away from it but because I don’t want to have periencing the events overall as Sophomore Mason Dwek, a mem- to deal with controversy and I don’t want to both a student and a journalist. ber of BridgeUSA (the political dis- be put in a position where it’s like 20 v. one.” “But you can definitely course club at Masters) and president of At Morning Meeting on Nov. 7, adults feel that there is tension just Elections Club, has observed the stanc- in the community—Sam Savage, Selas Douglas, between people posting stuff es that administrators and students have and the team at the Counseling Center—recon social media or you see these taken with regard to the outbreak of war. ognized some of the community’s feelings and demonstrations happening “I think the school’s support offered solutions. In each announcement, one around campus and it makes of the student body has made it clear sentiment remained constant: When in doubt, people feel a certain way.” that terrorism is bad,” Dwek said. “I turn to each other, and turn to your community. “Especially as a journalist, think that Masters is making it pretLaura Danforth said in an email exchange you really have to be careful with ty clear that there are two sides of this with Tower, “We need to be able to hear each othhow you word something or how and especially with the Israel war, er above the fray, to find each other beyond the you approach coverage for the Hamas is an enemy to both sides. I pain. This is a time for us all to do our best to listen competing sides of this because think that type of neutrality is good.” in order to understand one another. It’s not easy, you do want to be mindful of From the student body, though, especially when feelings are so raw. But it’s essenpeople’s backgrounds, but also Dwek expects greater participation. tial that we make the effort to listen to each other.” cover the things that are going “On an administrative level, I believe Danforth concluded by saying that furon,” Schiciano concluded. we should remain neutral. But on a ther programming is in progress about the conflict.

“

NEWS

TOWER/NOV.13, 2023

The 2023-24 FAFSA form is supposed to be improved - but it is not that simple Justine Pascutti

n a major development, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) announced a new, supposedly simpler version of the college financial aid form for the 2024-25 school year. Congress authorized revisions to both the form and its formula in 2020, but the Education Department has taken several years to complete the update. Because completing an FAFSA has been linked to an increased likelihood of attending college, the new form intends to make the process of applying for college financial aid easier. In addition to updating the form, the federal government is expanding eligibility for federal aid in the biggest overhaul in decades. Adam Gimple, director of college counseling at Masters, offered his thoughts on the new change. “There are aspects of the former version of the FAFSA that I absolutely found to be convoluted, difficult to understand; a lot of legalese. So, for the average person on the street, trying to fill out this federal legal form for financial aid was very cumbersome and difficult to navigate. From a fundamental standpoint, I appreciate that that should have been reconfigured and updated.”

Sibling Discount Eliminated However, some families with multiple children in college at the same time may be eligible for less aid. This is due to the fact that the revision also changed the form’s underlying aid formula, which effectively eliminated a “sibling discount.” “Prior to this year, through federal methodology, the amount that your family was capable of paying would be cut in half. The new federal methodology is not going to allow for that. Any Masters family who’s receiving financial aid in college if they have an older sibling who’s already off at college, it’s going to look different now than it ever has before,” Gimple said. He continued, “I definitely think that’s tricky. It’s also really important to note that colleges in real -time are not going to be able to provide as much clarity as they have in the past. So I think that’s another murky aspect of navigating this. One of the biggest misperceptions of families at Masters or independent schools in general is that the ‘financial aid’ practices of independent high schools are similar to that of higher education, when they’re simply not, in fact, they couldn’t be more different.” Gimple explained that the timing of the FAFSA form being released will also impact

students. “Do I think that the FAFSA change is going according to plan? Do I think this is conducive to the traditional calendar of an academic application cycle? Absolutely not. And I find that incredibly frustrating and I can only appreciate how colleges and admissions offices find it frustrating and how students and families and prospective applicants find it frustrating. The timing is something we’re going to consistently try to be navigating and trying to keep up to date with. Much like when test optional was introduced and everything got disrupted and application numbers skyrocketed, the timing of this is going to be pretty interesting to see how it all comes together, and how colleges adapt to it in real time.”

A Student Perspective

aid, that’s going to completely change the way that my family lives for the next four years, and for the rest of their lives, An Upper School seprobably, because college nior, who preferred to keep is ridiculously expensive.” her identity private, said, She continued, “FAFSA “In terms of whether me and taking so long to roll out these my family like that there are changes is going to really adchanges that are happening, I versely affect people that live think the answer is in general, in areas where it’s harder to get no, we’re pretty dissatisfied aid anyway, because you can’t with the rollout of FAFSA. really tell your entire story. It’s been much harder to plan You can’t explain that mortahead for things like how we’re gages are extremely high, and going to allocate our money, so the money that they see you which is generally very imas making isn’t really the monportant for families that need ey that you can contribute.” financial aid, because you need The same student exto plan ahead for the next four plained her experience with year plan. If I am getting a cerFAFSA. “My family makes tain amount of aid versus not more than $60,000 a year. getting that certain amount of I live with my grandmother and a dependent father and my parents are divorced. The money that is written down on the page as what my mom makes in the year, who’s the sole person that is making any money in our house, is not at all the amount of money that could contribute to going to college because most of that’s going to property taxes. And most of that is going towards taking care of the other people that live in my house.” She continued, “The FAFSA comes up with a number that they expect you to contribute CHANA KIM/TOWER solely based on your income.

LILY ZUCKERMAN/TOWER

And so with that, even with the amount of aid that they think is good enough for me, they haven’t asked enough questions, to the point where I can actually say whether that aid is going to allow me to go to college or not.”

Simpler Version

The previous version of FAFSA had 108 questions on it, while the updated version will have 38 questions, but the change is somewhat deceptive. Gimple said, “The government would have you believe that that’s a significant drop off, but what if I told you those 38 questions now have subheadings and it really could still be interpreted as having 70 questions because you have one question, but there’s three components to it? So they say it’s 38 as opposed to 108, but realistically, it’s still a cumbersome document.” Proactive Masters students are aware of this change. “We [Masters] did a financial aid talk with a VP of admissions and financial aid from Connecticut College last month, and it’s recorded and on our website. This was a big topic and the bulk of the evening was discussing these FAFSA

changes. We promote the programming we offer, we get all the insights and feedback from higher ed as we can and try to disseminate to families as well as we can,” Gimple said. Gimple said he believes that FAFSA is important in terms of diversity and inclusivity in schools. “The correlation between annual household income and accessibility and success in college is incredibly strong, and vice versa,” he said. “Colleges who invest in financial support for students that they want to have on their campuses, need to make the financial investment. If you want your most talented students to come and you want as robust and inclusive of communities as you possibly can, then the financial investment needs to be made by the institutions and as much as they can pull from the federal government.” He continued, “When you look at the richest, most financially stable, higher education institutions in this country, they tend to do away with loans. They tend to minimize and mitigate the amount of cost that families have. They meet demonstrated need, their need blind in their admissions decisions. And so I think that more schools who have that financial stability should absolutely prioritize equity, access, and inclusion,” he said.

ILLUSTRATION/FAFSA

Opinion

OP-ED

TOWER/NOV. 13, 2023

T2023-2024 OWER Editors-in-Chief Matthias Jaylen Lucas Seguinot

EDITORIAL

Play, perform and support with thy might

t was a freezing 43 degree evening, but that would not stop our Panthers fans from cramming into carpools and large fan buses to Manhattanville College on November 7, 2021. The crowd was booming. The bleachers were shaking. We were watching a sea of students, teachers, and parents all come together, collectively wearing our beloved schools bright purple.

“Let’s go Masters, let’s

go Masters, let’s go Mas-

ters!” the crowd yells. Suddenly, Daniel Heller shoots, Goal. The crowd goes wild. Goal. Masters and Heller strike again. Finally, Masters fans start counting down. “10, 9, 8, 7,

6, 5.” As the countdown gets closer, the fans get louder.

3, 2, -.”

“4,

Before the crowd could even finish the countdown, the crowd roared and they celebrated. Fans were hugging each other, some were crying tears of joy, and they all rushed the field and mobbed the soccer team and shared this special moment of success and joy together, as a community. The Masters Boys Varsity Soccer team beat our biggest rivals, Hackley, 2-1 to secure the NYSAIS state championship, and everyone stayed to watch the team go through the award ceremony and roared for each and every single one of our players as they picked up their individual championship plaque. Only upperclassmen were here to witness that special moment: a memory forever ingrained in our hearts and minds. We, as Masters students, were proud. Proud of our school’s accomplishments, but also proud to be a part of this community: The team’s victory was a win for the entire Masters School community.

But while this moment was special, it was the last moment of big, united school spirit and pride that we’ve had for years. As the fall season comes to a close and the winter season rises upon the Masters community, it is important to reflect on how have we supported the sports and arts environment. While we haven’t had another championship in any sports since that iconic win, it is not an excuse to not show up. In the fall season alone there were six games senior games which displayed dedicated Masters athletes and many of our senior actors and dancers as well who took their final bow on a Masters stage. We implore everyone to support not just Masters’ most popular sports, like soccer and basketball, but also less popular sports like field hockey, swimming, fencing, golf, and more, because all of our Panthers deserve love and energy at their games.

As members of this community, it is our responsibility to show up — and show up proud and loud. Home games should be explosive, with the stands filled and the crowd screaming the names of our athletes. Performances should roar with the sound of applause, and standing ovations after the final curtain drops. Energy is infectious, and can inspire love, joy, and passion. It helps build a positive culture, and bring us more joyful moments like that NYSAIS win. Our energy can inspire our athletes and artists to play harder and represent Masters with skill and pride. To the athletes and artists in our community, it is also your responsibility to work on your craft to the best of your ability and step it up. Work hard and give everyone in this community something to cheer for. Play with thy might, perform with thy might and most importantly support with thy might.

How the wealthy delay and derail legal accountability through motion abuse at the other side, whether it’s another giant law firm or whether it’s the government. I think it’s a war of attrition. It’s a resource war. It’s not that those he wealthy often move lawyers are smarter.” through the complex Hiring prestigious firms is not world of legal disputes about getting great representation or with surprising ease, exploiting tactics legal intellect; it’s about paying for the to draw out and deflect their trials, as firms’ time and ability to file countless exemplified by the ongoing challenges motions to delay the trial and create faced by Donald Trump in his recent pressure on the opposing side. Still, $250 million civil fraud lawsuit. delays do not signify cancellation, and In addition to the serious allegatrials generally don’t have expiration tions of inflating the worth of assets and dates, so why stall? falsifying financial records, attempts to First, it reduces public pressure. derail the case have already occurred — Public sentiment plays a role as the such as when Trump attempted to sue public’s anger diminishes as time the trial judge, Arthur Engoron, for alpasses. The longer a case drags on, leged authority abuse before dropping the less outcry there is to allocate tax dollars to it. Thus, affluent people can drag the trial out long enough to divert the spotlight off themselves, escape scrutiny, and potentially negotiate more favorable outcomes, such as reduced penalties. Second, filing more motions increases the chances of winning more motions. Wolf states “Most of the motion practice you see is more for strategic gains here and there. You might file a motion to exclude a certain piece of evidence or to exclude a certain witness and thereby strengthen your case.” Although this approach also guarantees additional motion losses, the cumulative LAURA YUAN/TOWER effect of these small wins can be UNFAIR STANDARDS FOR THE rich in the American courts system is significant. seemingly all-encompassing and endemically pervasive. In a system Unfortunately, motion abuse is designed for fairness, at least ideally, by the framers of the United States deeply ingrained in our legal sysConstitution, way back in 1787, many in 2023 are reinforcing calls that the tem, with little punishment for those structuring allows for unfair dominance, by special interests. This ties in deeply with one’s accumulated wealth.

Rooke Wiser

the lawsuit 22 days later. It feels like there’s this secret playbook that allows the affluent to dodge, delay, and derail legal accountability — and the reason it feels that way is because there is one. When wealthy individuals engage in illegal activities, their ability to delay consequences significantly helps them. Despite a widespread belief that they buy themselves out of trouble by hiring very high-quality lawyers, their actual strategy is much more corrupt. As Jonathon Wolf, an attorney at Rinke Noonan Attorneys at Law and columnist for the news website “Above the Law,” explains, “If you have the money to throw at a big law firm … you’re paying for them to throw money

who exploit it. Wolf explains, “It’s almost impossible to hold lawyers accountable for just filing too many motions…that is standard practice for big firms.” Additionally, the effectiveness of the legal mechanisms to address this — such as Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11, which permits sanctions against attorneys who submit motions for improper purposes — has been minimal in stopping the misuse of motions. While the exploitation of motions is just one way the wealthy may avoid legal accountability, it is an example of a broader systemic issue that requires our attention. When the legal process should uphold justice, the advantage the wealthy have in delaying and derailing trials contradicts this principle. Manipulating the system that is the foundation of our society should not be a privilege granted by wealth. Overwhelming the legal process with countless motions, stalling proceedings, and blunting public outrage exposes a glaring loophole in our system. This is not just about one high-profile case; it’s representative of a systemic flaw. To address this issue, we must reassess our procedural rules, such as Rule 11, advocate for reform, implement more effective accountability measures for attorneys, and work towards securing justice and equity for all. Misusing motions isn’t just a legal tactic; it undermines public trust and obstructs justice.

Multimedia Director Xavier Rolston Chief Design Editor and Legacy Director Lily Zuckerman Lead News Editor Alexa Murphy News Editor Justine Pascutti Lead Opinion Editor Oliver Kreeger Opinion Editor Allie Faber Lead Features Editors Lydia Ettinger Aviv Emery Features Editor Neena Atkins Lead Sports Editor Adam Bello Sports Editor Ella Black Web Editor Rooke Wiser Photo & Illustration Editor Ayanna Beckett Ad Manager Ayalah Spratt Lead Copy Editor Aurora Rose Horn Copy Editor Ellie Hise Distribution Manager Camilo Bitar Racedo Faculty Advisors Ellen Cowhey Matt Ives Photographers & Illustrators Laura Yuan Lisa Yao Sydney Starkey Chana Kim Lorelei Cipriano Matthew Hantgan Jack Parsons

Online Media For more information, follow Tower on the following platforms: Website: Tower.MastersNY.org Facebook: MastersTower X: @MastersTower Instagram: @MastersTower Distribution Process Tower is hand-delivered on the day of publication to the Upper School. 650 copies are printed. A copy is sent to each of our advertisers. Scholastic Press Affiliations, Letters and Editorial Policy Tower is the winner of the Pacemaker Award for Overall Excellence, an award-winning member of the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA), Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA), Journalism Education Association (JEA) and Quill and Scroll. We encourage Letters to the Editor, which can be submitted to the following email address: TowerEditors@MastersNY. org. Published approximately six times a year, Tower, the student newspaper of The Masters School, is a public forum, with its Editorial Board making all decisions concerning content. Commentaries and opinion columns are the expressed opinion of the author and not of Tower and its Editorial Board or its advisers. Furthermore, the opinions conveyed are not those of The Masters School, faculty, or staff. Unsigned editorials express views of the majority of the Editorial Board.

TOWER/ NOV. 13, 2023

OP-ED

O Overconsumption o o LORELEI CIPRIANO/TOWER

Conquering Fashion FOMO: How Tiktok Trends Influence Overconsumption Neena Atkins

s I scroll through my TikTok “for you page,” I can’t help but feel a growing concern – a fear of missing out, not on experiences, but on material possessions. Every other video features a new trend, a new “must-have” item. The pressure to keep up with the ever-changing landscape of what’s “in” and what’s “out” is relentless – and the only way to keep up is to keep buying. I’ll confess – I’ve definitely fallen victim to the allure of several Tiktok-sponsored products. When that latest Summer Fridays flavor, that supposedly life-changing Tower 28 spray, or the cutest Djerf Avenue sweater flashes across my screen, it’s as though an unspoken pact is formed between my curiosity and the tantalizing appeal of ownership. The swift click of the “Add to Cart” button becomes almost instinctual, a small thrill of anticipation preceding the eventual arrival of yet another package at my doorstep. Yet, the price that I and the rest of us pay for

purchasing these so-called “trendy” products is too high: for our wallets, the environment and workers worldwide. The fast fashion industry, notorious for its detrimental environmental impact, stands as a significant contributor to this culture. Production and transportation of these inexpensive clothing items have grave consequences, including deforestation and a surge in greenhouse gas emissions, with just manufacturing alone accounting for a striking 2-8 percent annually – surpassing the combined carbon footprint of international flights and maritime shipping. Furthermore, the industry’s overall practices adds to a startling 20% of

“

BY THE NUMBERS

70%

3 in 4

83%

of TikTok users discover new brands and products on TikTok

platform users say that TikTok plays a role in purchase decisions

TikTok users are likely to buy something while using TikTok SOURCE: TIKTOK

all industrial wastewater. Emphasizing the human cost, the heavy reliance on exploitative labor practices leaves many workers in developing countries facing abysmal working conditions and meager wages. The negative effect of fast fashion on the planet is well-documented, but we

The swift click of the “Add to Cart” button becomes almost instinctual, a small thrill of anticipation preceding the eventual arrival of yet another package at my doorstep.” -NEENA ATKINS

shouldn’t underestimate the substantial influence of TikTok in glorifying this culture of overconsumption. Influencers showcase their latest shopping sprees, endorsing merchandise in a seemingly endless loop. A survey conducted by UNiDAYS revealed a harsh reality: fashion purchases made by 49% of nearly 20 million respondents were made due to social media’s pressure. These statistics demonstrate how TikTok is leading us down a dangerous path of materialism. Beneath the surface, the platform’s algorithm is meticulously designed to keep us engaged, and the goods it advertises are often unsustainable, being manufactured with ecologically

taxing materials. Fortunately, we can outsmart the algorithm by being selective with the content we digest to minimize exposure to unhealthy and consumer-driven fads. For example, consider following influencers who advocate for environmentally conscious shopping approaches, like Christina Mychas (christina.mychas on TikTok). She posts “anti-hauls,” de-influencing popular items, and participates in “no-spend months,”encouraging healthy spending habits. An additional technique involves slightly restricting our access to TikTok by setting realistic time limits for the app or consciously closing out of it when we sense

ourselves spiraling into mindless scrolling. This tactic lessens our susceptibility to the hypnotic pull of trendsetters’ posts, therefore helping curb overconsumption. While it’s true that reducing overspending and TikTok screen time could hurt employment rates, particularly for influencers who rely on paid promotions, get-ready-with-me’s (GRWMS), and their Amazon storefront to generate income, we need to consider the larger societal repercussions. Is it really worth supporting an industry that perpetuates pollution and capitalizes on its workforce? As we confront the pressing threat of climate change, we can no longer afford to ignore overconsumption’s ramifications. We can fix our past mistakes by following rational and ethical influencers and wrestling control over our TikTok algorithm. It’s time to join in on the new trend of mindful consumption, and escape the grip of Fashion FOMO.

TOWER/NOV. 13, 2023

FEATURES

Horton and Pichardo bring their beats down South Matthias Jaylen

hen teen songwriters, singers and producers Leo Horton and Shawn Pichardo ‘24 started Beats 4 Justice, their mission centered around teaching underserved students across the United States how to produce music. The club was born after Horton’s trip to Mississippi in 2023 with his father, Columbia University Climate Professor. Radley Horton. This trip began as an environmental justice project started by Professor Horton, but as Leo tagged along, it blossomed into a new idea for him. Horton met kids living in the city of Jackson and was amazed to see kids over 1,000 miles away listening to the same type of music he was. Observing how music brought their community together, Horton was inspired to use his musical skills to teach a two-day course on how to make music and beats along with his friend and fellow musician Pichardo. The target students were underprivileged kids without access to the resources necessary to make electronic music. Planning the course was a challenging task for the duo, as fundraising and gathering equipment were essential to helping their mission come to fruition. Horton and Pichardo reached out to everyone they knew and asked around the Masters community and beyond for any old computers people were willing to donate to their club. They were able

LEO HORTON/TOWER

LEO HORTON AND SHAWN Pichardo, both class of 2024, teach students the basics of creating tunes on FL Studio. The founders of Beats 4 Justice plan to intermittently return to Jackson, Mississippi to enhance the students’ musical skills. to get 15 computers from individual donors, as well as receive 15 computers as a donation from The Masters School. Horton and Pichardo were also able to receive a sizable donation from a music software company, Image Line, the creators of the program FL Studio. Horton said, “We emailed Image Line, which is the company that builds the software that you make beats on, and we were like, ‘Hey, we’ve got this cool project in Mississippi, would you like to donate?’ They gave us 15 free licenses. It was insane, it was almost $15,000.” After receiving all the funds and equipment they needed and compiling their own music equipment to suc-

“

THEY PICKED IT UP SO FAST, AND THEY WERE SO ENGAGED, IT WAS amazing.” -Shawn PicHardo ‘24 cessfully teach the course, Pichardo and Horton flew to Jackson. They left on Aug. 31 and led the class on Sept. 2 and 3. Working with local organizations in Jackson, Communities United for Prosperity and College Community Partners Program that helped them or-

ganize the class, Pichardo and Horton had workshops on how to make beats on FL Studio, write lyrics, rhyme, and record and mix audio. Horton focused on the beat-making process, and Pichardo focused on the class’s lyric writing and audio mixing portions. Horton shared one of

summer with other faculty members that discussed some of these very issues. They said, “What we did was we did a lot of reading and research about current A.I. tools that are out there. And we made some suggested revisions to our schools’ policies that exist in the handbooks, the employee handbook, middle school handbook, and upper school family handbook.” After doing research, McCoy has seen the benefits

that new Google A.I. services can have. “Have you also seen Notebook LM? I think it’s really cool. You can upload a huge amount of information and ask it to summarize it for you. So I think it would actually be in the future for students. If you’re trying to study for a test, it could create a review for you or a practice test or something like that.” McCoy also sees the concerns that A.I. can bring up for schools. They said, “But certainly, we also have to consider that it’s going to change how we operate as a school in some ways to or at least what we ask students to do to make sure you’re getting the skills that you need.” Geoffrey Nelson, head of the English department, had some thoughts on how A.I. has affected schools.

his favorite moments from the course. He said, “One cool moment was when we had been teaching how to do it all, and then we realized that these kids are not listening to us. We walk around the room, and they all just have their headphones on, they’re already making beats on their own, so it was great to see,” Pichardo added, “They picked it up so fast, and they were so engaged, it was amazing.” By the end of the course, all the kids left with a core and basic understanding of the music-making process, and they all made amateur level beats. One of the students in the course and Mississippi native, Cameron Kimble said, “I learned how to make beats

and what to do to save them and send them to other people.” Pichardo was thrilled with the end product of the course and what the students, learned. After watching the kids learn and grow through the beat-making process, Pichardo said, “My biggest takeaway was that as soon as you let go of what other people think about your beats and your work, and as soon as you start making it for yourself instead of other people, the sooner you’ll like what you hear. Letting go of your inhibitions will let you maximize your full potential.” Horton and Pichardo don’t plan on slowing down anytime soon. They said they want to expand their club and plan more trips and workshops. Horton and Pichardo plan on returning to Jackson periodically to teach more music skills to the students. Currently, they’re working on hosting workshops for underprivileged middle school students locally in Westchester, Putnam and Rockland counties. They are looking for anyone to donate money, laptops, and music equipment, and are also looking for volunteers who would be willing to teach music, poetry, and even technical skills like cinematography as well. Pichardo said, “Come out and volunteer, we can use as much manpower as possible.” Horton said in closing, “Music is the most powerful uniting force. It spans past cultures, languages even. I feel like that was kind of the whole point of the project is just to bring us these two different, very different groups together and share something.”

A.I. Induces Inventive assignments Ayanna Beckett

rtificial intelligence continues to improve, usage rates by students continue to rise and over the last year educators and administrators nationwide continue to think and talk about how to implement or ban the use of A.I. from their curricula. Software like ChatGPT and Notion have changed the way schools look at assignments, and now A.I. technology has even been built into an essential education tool, Google Docs. Last March, Google released its new A.I., Bard. Previously, to use Bard one would go to the site, type a question, and then Bard would answer it, similarly to ChatGPT. In September though, Google made updates to its A.I.

Now, Google services like Google Docs are directly connected to Bard and the software can function within Google Docs itself. Once a user downloads the extension, they just need to open a Google document, ask a question, and the A.I. does the rest. The tool is still very experimental, but it has raised many concerns in education. Jillian McCoy, head librarian & coordinator for digital info and learning, headed an A.I. working group this

“

those A.I.s do a pretty good job of writing that essay... it forces us to ask the question, what do we want our students doing and why should they write it?” -GEOFFREY NELSON

CHANA KIM/TOWER

BARD, GOOGLE-INVENTED A.I., is encouraging teachers to think out-of-the-box when designing assignments. “I think what’s really been exciting about the language modeling A.I.’s is that they’ve taken a lot of the sort of traditional, and I might say even kind of boring English assignments, like the thematic five-paragraph essay, and those A.I.s do a pretty good job of writing that essay. So if we know we’re living in a world where that essay can

kind of be written by a language modeling A.I., it forces us to ask the question, what do we want our students doing and why should they write it?” He goes on to say, “We’ve tried to be really thoughtful about innovating the department and assigning things to students that feel relevant and urgent and exciting that can’t just be done by an A.I.”

TOWER/NOV. 13, 2023

FEATURES

FALL PLAYS

TRAP leaves AUDIENCE in suspense Oliver Kreeger

he fall play put on in late October was full of so many twists and turns that even its identity was unknown to the general public before its debut. Billed as a spooky mystery appropriate for the time of year, its title has been a thing of mystery to those not part of the cast. All that those of us not in theshow did know definitively was that the work is a “based on a true story” type of show - apparently originating back in the 2010s by a playwright inspired by events somewhere in California. At least, supposedly. There was little we knew for sure pre-premiere, as aforementioned. The mysterious pro-

duction’s cast members had been sworn to secrecy, and when pressed on it, none of them disclosed anything whatsoever about the nature of this elusive fall play. So why was its nature being kept such a secret? Well the good news is, since this article comes out weeks after the debut of this mystery play named - gasp! Trap - I could extract some info from a few cast members before even seeing it. Skye Pearlman ‘25 has three different roles in the production. “It’s like a mystery-comedy, there’s a lot of layers to it, it’s like an onion,” she said.Pearlman also noted that there was an emphasis on some relatively unorthodox structures compared to your totally average play, highlighting its meta

approach in many aspects. “It almost seems like the audience is watching this documentary series of interviews… we also get retelling of the story and the incident that happened,” Pearlman said. Because of the mysterious nature of Trap leading up to the show, I was eager to try and infer more about its nature – by asking around with some cast members about where they felt Trap is on the “actor-proof play” spectrum; a concept in playwriting for a script which is very structured with tones and movements and such, versus one which is very open to interpretation by the actors. Wyatt Smith ‘24, is, like Pearlman, a member of the juniors’ and seniors’ cast, and had a take on the

matter. “I think there’s a lot of directions where each actor can take their character,” Smith said. “But I think most of the directions you can take your character in wouldn’t ruin the show. I would say it’s actor-proof.” Charlie Gaines ‘24, a fellow cast member, had some observations on the broader dimensions of Trap. “It’s less vocal technique and a lot more character work and speaking realistically, because it is supposed to be more natural, I think there is a bit of a battle in making it sound real but also having to use technique that you have to use in that big of a space [Claudia Boettcher Theatre] - making sure that things important to the plot are lifted so that the audience will remember,” Gaines said.

I was fortunately able to see two different renditions of the play by both the underclassmen and upperclassmen cast. Helio Gary ‘26 was able to discuss the blending of scary and comedic elements in Trap. “I think it blended really well and there were some, really funny scenes like Scene Five, with all the people telling the Kenosha story.” Gary continued, “There were good opportunities there to have funny jokes, and we also mixed in jokes in the middle. There were just some things that definitely the audience wouldn’t know were funny, but as actors we found them very funny.It wasn’t so terrifying that you couldn’t enjoy it.”

MEG O’CONNOR

Preparing for Good Kids Xavier Rolston Please note: This article contains references to binge drinking, sexual assault, and bullying, which may not be suitable for all readers.

ainstage took on dual challenges this fall season, tackling two plays at once, including one that tackled issues ranging from binge drinking to sexual assault. Good Kids by Naomi Iizuki, premiered on Oct. 12-14 in Masters’ Experimental Theatre. Taking on this project was new in two unique ways for actors: the casting and rehearsal timing, and the psychologically difficult content of the production. While the juniors and seniors who worked on this play adapted quickly to a largely student-led rehearsal schedule, approaching a show with heavy content including sexual assault was new to actors, and maintaining their physical and mental safety during the show was a top priority. Director Meg O’Connor implemented several strategies for actors to disengage from the characters they played during the rehearsal process,

“

It was tough because, yes, it’s people acting, but it’s also a real problem.” -SKYE PEARLMAN ‘25

including using a special uniform for practices, and ritual reinforcement that allowed actors to “de-role” and detach from the play’s content and return to their school and work routine. O’Connor spearheaded a partnership between the Dean’s Office, the Counseling Center, and the student-run club, Mental Health at Masters, to discuss production week. Dean of Students Jeff Carnevale said, “I came in just a few weeks [before the play], along with the counseling center and communications, just as the play was approaching a point of Hey, we’re going to have an audience, how can we make sure that we are supporting all of our community as we grapple with difficult subject material?’”

The Counseling Center, alongside Mental Health at Masters, aided in that discussion process. Counselor Stephanie Carbone expressed her gratitude for the involvement of the club. “This is a club that’s now seen as an advocate for the community and really about sharing information,” Carbone said. “The counselors and Mental Health at Masters came up with some resources to put in the program — like RAINN — and having people know that the counselors are a resource.” In addition to distributing information and reminders, an advisor for Mental Health at Masters attended every performance. During and after shows, the club’s student representatives were stationed outside the theatre, offering hugs, conversations, and support to any audience members who needed it. Audience members who saw Good Kids found the show impactful. Junior Skye Pearlman, who saw the show all three nights, said, “It was tough because, yes, it’s people acting, but it’s also a real problem.” Allie Tarter ‘24, who played the role of Madison, agreed that this play was especially important for our community because

similar problems exist at Masters and other local communities. “Every weekend at parties, it still happens at our school. It still happens at schools that your friends go to, that your little siblings go to, that your cousins go to,” she said. “It was really amazing to get to look out and see the faces of people that were actually being impacted by something.” Tarter concluded, “It’s when problems like this fly under the radar, and become this secret nobody talks about but everybody knows, that kids get hurt. I’m really glad we did this show, as hard as it was.”

EUNICE WANG/TOWER

MY EXPERIENCE IN GOOD KIDS

y Experience in Good Kids, talks about Tower staff member Camilo Bitar Racedo’s real life experience as an actor in the show “Good Kids” and how it affected both his acting and his day-to-day life. Read the rest of Camilo’s article online when you scan QR code.

“

Performing it live for the first time and seeing all the shock and utter disgust on people’s faces really made it hard for me to even continue on with the show.” -CAMILO BITAR RACEDO ‘24

“

Behind that sense of having to deal with characters filled with trauma and horrible backstories, there was always someone who knew what you were dealing with, and it made you feel like you weren’t alone.” -CAMILO BITAR RACEDO ‘24

TOWER/NOV. 13, 2023

FEATURES

FALL PLAYS

TRAP leaves AUDIENCE in suspense Oliver Kreeger

MEG O’CONNOR

Preparing for Good Kids Xavier Rolston Please note: This article contains references to binge drinking, sexual assault, and bullying, which may not be suitable for all readers.

“

It was tough because, yes, it’s people acting, but it’s also a real problem.” -SKYE PEARLMAN ‘25

EUNICE WANG/TOWER

MY EXPERIENCE IN GOOD KIDS

“

Performing it live for the first time and seeing all the shock and utter disgust on people’s faces really made it hard for me to even continue on with the show.” -CAMILO BITAR RACEDO ‘24

“

FEATURES

TOWER/NOV.13, 2023

Downpour Drowns Students’ Commute Allie Faber

A AN R

WE /TO

KIM

trouble shooting for stranded students, and securingthemroomsinthedorms. The team includes members of the grounds committee: Dan Pereira, director of operations and Craig Dunne, head of engineering and maintenance, along with Head of School, Laura Danforth; Peter Newcomb, head of Upper School; Tasha Elsbach, head of Middle School; and Gormley. This group bears the critical responsibility of determining the School’s response to inclement weather. Gormley explained that when a storm or other extreme natural events occur in the region, they gather to decide if it is acceptable to open Masters, or if a delay or canceled classes are essential. He emphasized,“Safety really is the top priority.” Talia Hird, first year and Cold Spring resident, was left to her own transportation devices on Sept. 29. Hird usually commutes via Metro North, but due to the train system’s partial closure, she was unable to

n September 29, flooding from record-breaking rainfall caused widespread closure of New York City’s subway system and Metro-North. The water submerged the region, amounting to just over eight inches at John F. Kennedy Airport and 4.10 inches in Westchester County. In Mamaroneck, citizens waded through the roads turned rivers. Flash floods sealed the fate of cars and called for the deployment of rescue rafts. Governor Kathy Hochul also declared a state of emergency, urging New Yorkers to use caution and be wary of drowned thoroughfares. According to Upper School Student Activities & Transportation Coordinator, Ed Gormley, about 300 Upper and Middle school students are registered to commute to and from school via bus. This includes a mix of district-run vehicles, parent-funded vans and private Masters shuttles. A handful of students also rely on Metro-North. That Friday, numerous public school districts elected to not send their drivers to Masters. In response to the precarious conditions, the weather decision team sprang into action,

return home.“Iwas definitely really scared at first,” she recalled,“What was I going to do? I wasn’t going home, I was freaked out.” Hird ended up being one of 11 day students that took refuge in the dorms. Similarly, Max Lichtman ‘26 had his trip home violently interrupted by the downpour. Lichtman’s typical route to New York City’s Upper West Side takes about 45 minutes by bus. Instead, he diverted to a friend’s house in New Jersey to seek shelter out of harm’s way. Explaining his decision for his unconventional resstop, Lichtman said, “One of the people on my bus had decided to take an

Uber. And so for me, I was like, I don’t know if it’s that safe…it was much safer to go to New Jersey than New York City.” This deluge–though rapid–wasn’t alone in it gravity. Torrential rain in New York has brought immense flooding to the area before. When Hurricane Ida hit in Sept. 2021, 2.77

inches of rain drenched JFK Airport, and Central Park was covered in 7.19 inches, The New York Times repored. Gormley recalled a weather event in Nov. 2019, which also caused a Masters-style sleepover. “We had a snow storm,” he said. “There were students in the basement of Park Cottage, I had students in my house. We had about 30 students stay over.” So, what is being done to address the extreme flooding? On Sept 22. Hochul signed two laws into effect that are focused on protecting New Yorkers from the effects of intense flooding. The first gives home buyers the right to be informed whether their prospective property is stationed in a flood-risk region. The second requires the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to allow and encourage the implementation of living shorelines. The United

States Department of Agriculture (USDA) also suggests that resurrecting the natural coastal habitats, and supporting the organisms in the ecosystems that line New York’s waterways, could reduce natural disaster damage. Although eco-conscious solutions hold promise, they are faced with a relentless adversary – global warming. The month of September experienced higher-than-average temperatures and a heat wave with highs in the 90s. Warmer temperatures cause intensified storms, which have become more common as a result of climate change. These bouts of heavy rainfall induce flash flooding, suggesting that the Sept. 29 cloudburst may be just one of many to come. According to Gormley, day and 5-day students have only had to stay overnight at Masters twice in his seven-year career as transportation coordinator. Nevertheless, there is concern that future weather events may result in similar effects on commuting to and from Masters.

IEC building constructs a greener future Ellie Hise

ith the construction of the new Innovation & Entrepreneurship building, Masters was able to kill two birds with one eco-friendly stone. Funded entirely by donors, according to the Associate Head for Finance and Operations Andy Schneider, the building managed to include some features geared towards sustainability without breaking the bank. According to Schneider, the budget totaled around 29 million dollars, sourced completely from alumni and community donations. For Schneider, this is a big deal. He said, “Even if one dollar is donated … that’s one dollar that we don’t have to ask current Masters families to absorb in the form of higher tuition.” This is in contrast to the traditional way of funding campus projects, Schneider said, where the construction leads to an uptick in tuition prices. Another big win for the building was the environ-

STUDENTS STUDYING AND LOOKING over IEC. Many students have classes in the building ranging from history to engineering and can use the space freely for acedmic purposes.

ELLIE HISE/TOWER

mentally conscious aspects. Seth Marx, the Associate head of school for Institutional Advancement, pointed out how the exterior of the building is made of zinc. He said, “Zinc is ethically mined, it’s one of the most plentiful minerals on earth, and it is ethically refined and produced. It has really good R values (a mea-

surement of a material’s ability to insulate), which means it will stand up over time to help minimize the heating and cooling costs inside the building.” According to the American Galvanizers Association, zinc is also a 100% recyclable material. Marx also said that Masters was able to cut down on excess materials by making

the concrete, a necessary part of the building’s structure, the finished material. In doing so, it is no longer necessary to install additional wood, sheet rock, or any other materials for construction. On the subject of the IEC’s windows, Marx said, “The high efficiency windows in the warmer months reflect sunlight to keep the build-

ing cooler, and in the cooler months they enable greater [levels of] building heating.” These features had the additional benefit of cutting costs of the building, as well. When it comes to the heating and cooling system of the building, Schneider said, “Even though there might be more costs up front, if the building lasts us for 50, 60,

70 years, a lot of that will pay for itself while also reducing the school’s carbon footprint.” The concrete flooring in some rooms is also expected to reduce maintenance costs, according to Marx. The building isn’t just built sustainably. Due to the recent increase in flooding on campus, the IEC’s design has made provisions for handling excess rainwater. Marx explained how the embedded gutters along the roof and walls of the building transfer water into catching basins, allowing it to be diffused into the ground. And of course these elements aren’t just effective -- according to junior Alice Fuller, they look great, too. Fuller had an opportunity to take a look around the building during its opening ceremony that took place on Sept. 30. She said, “It’s amazing, all of it is pretty cool, I love that every exterior wall is just windows. I think in a lot of the older buildings we kind of lack that, and there’s just so much natural light all the time, it’s really uplifting and awesome.”

TOWER/NOV.13, 2023

NEWS

Dominican Republic students take part in cultural exchange Matthias Jaylen Chanel Neal

he Masters School welcomed students from the Babeque School in the Dominican Republic on Tuesday, Oct.10 Last spring, Masters sent its own small group of students to Babeque located in Santo Domingo.

The cultural exchange program was run by Babeque Administrator Margarita (Maggie) Prieto and Masters Dean of Global Studies, Robert Fish PhD, organizing activities, flights, and homestays for the students. Some students stayed with host families in the Westchester and New York City area, while others were hosted in some

“

dorms on campus. Prieto had students fill out forms to see where they would best fit. In some cases, some students from Babeque were placed with Masters students that they hosted last year. Prieto said, “It comes down to how the kids feel with the family and how the family is open to receiving that

“It’s really nice to have like a place not only that you can study in but also where you can live and have a life here on campus.” We go to class, and then we go to the dorms, and we can just chill out, and we can play. We can watch TV, we can study together, and each of us can talk and be together to have some fun besides school.” -Rafael Ramirez

person. Not because of their likes or dislikes, traditions or backgrounds, just being open to having the kids and being a part of the experience of being a host.” Their 10-day stay in the U.S. was jam packed with activities for them to partake in. The activities were organized by Babeque’s other faculty chaperone, Nelly Mejia.

“

Babeque students went to classes with Masters students, watched the fall play and sports games, explored the Masters campus and took advantage of all its facilities, made and connected with new friends, and they explored New York City. Their focus was for the Dominican students to take in and experience what life

was like in New York, and they placed heavy emphasis on getting to know and connect with as many new people as possible. Some of the Babeque students shared their thoughts about visiting Masters and talked about their favorite experiences on campus during their trip with Tower.

CHANEL NEAL/TOWER

I’m staying in the dorm. That’s new for me because I Have always lived with my mother. It’s a great experience for me to have so many people in the dorms that I Can talk to. it’s fantastic. To have these friends is like having a community, and I love it so much. The classes here are more dynamic. It’s a conversation. We don’t have that. -Lina Desirée Peralta García

CHANEL NEAL/TOWER

Hispanic Heritage Month

FEATURES

TOWER/NOV. 13. 2023

Z LILY

“

Lydia Ettinger

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month is like celebrating myself. It’s a celebration about what I am, what my approach is to this world and how I can see myself in the world,” said Roberto Mercedes, Upper School Spanish Teacher and Advisor of Latinos Unidos. Hispanic Heritage Month was initially signed into legislation by former President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968 as “Hispanic Heritage Week”, starting on Sept. 15, marking anniversaries of when Latin American countries gained independence including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In 1988, Illinois Senator Paul Simon introduced a bill that would extend the holiday’s duration to Oct. 15, which former President Ronald Reagan signed into legislation. Masters is a community with a vibrant Hispanic community and Latinos Unidos organized three main events for

the entire school, including a Morning Meeting presentation (filled with karaoke and trivia), Bachata dance night and a DIY taco-making farewell event in collaboration with BBQ Club. For the final event, students reflected on the end of Hispanic Heritage Month and the last day of the exchange program with students from Secundaria Babeque School in the Dominican Republic who stayed as guests on campus for ten days. “[Hispanic Heritage Month] is very big, I didn’t think it was that much of a celebration here and also the school has a lot of activities to include us like Latinos Unidos and everything, so it’s very fun it’s very cool,” exchange student Mia Duran ’24 said. The co-chairs and advisory board for Latinos Unidos wanted to organize events that emphasize the celebration of community and shine a light on minority voices. “It’s a way for us to recognize stories that do not get recognized very often. It is a time

E OW N/T

A ERM

when everyone appreciates our cultures. Every Hispanic country has its own customs and traditions, but everyone comes together as one big happy family,” Keira Burgos ‘24, co-chair of Latinos Unidos, said. Latino Unidos member Gabriella Heredia ‘27 appreciates the community-oriented emphasis on the events. She said, “For Latinos Unidos it’s been really fun to just spend time, even if it’s at barbecues or at club time, with new people, even if they are from different grades or countries.” Juan Torres ‘25, one of the Latinos Unidos co-chairs, noted how even students and faculty who do not identify as Hispanic or Latino could participate. He said, “In Latinos Unidos, we are trying to create an environment where everyone can be involved in celebrating this special month, because everyone partakes in Spanish culture in some way, so I think it’s important that we also rep-

resent that here at Masters.” Heredia underscored how the events organized by Latinos Unidos members reflect her personal connection to the holiday. “For me [Hispanic Heritage Month] is really about being with family or friends and just having a good

LYDIA ETTINGER/TOWER

time if it’s eating, talking, playing sports together and just spending time together. Food plays a huge role, my family is from Colombia, so barbecues are really popular. I think that food is a really great way to reunite people,” she said.

Torres noted the level of support given by the community with regard to the club and is grateful for the dedication from club members. For Torres, the month brought the Hispanic community together in a time of need,

especially in relation to the Supreme Court rulings over the summer that reversed affirmative action. “In this era, it’s very possible for minorities to feel more ostracized and to feel more excluded especially in the college admissions process and whatever that landscape may be, so I and the rest of leadership really want to focus on building community here and that although the world is ugly outside they have a place to be here at Masters which is their home,” he said.

local governmentS LACK HISPANIC/LATINO REPRESENTATION

Alexa Murphy

cross Westchester, signage is written in Spanish and English. Speakers play bachata and merengue on the weekends, and Latin American cuisine is never too far. Westchester County is 25% Latino, with some towns having Latino populations as high as 60% of their overall constituent body. Even so, Latinos lack a presence in their commu-

nities’ political bodies, with negligible Latino representation in individual towns’ local government, and the greater Westchester County. As immigration increased to New York City and the surrounding area, a large influx of Latino immigrants began arriving in Westchester and the Rivertowns in the late twentieth century. In towns like Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown, manufacturing jobs offered unique opportunities

for Latino immigrants to build a life, and in recent history, family ties have compounded immigration in many such areas. Networks of friends and family have spread word of educational, labor and legal (i.e. immigration services like those provided by Neighbors’ Link, and other community organizations) opportunities, leading to the thriving Hispanic and Latino communities which have contributed to Westchester’s success.

Where are Hispanics/Latinos represented in Westchester? Port Chester (59%) and Sleepy Hollow (51%) are home to the largest Latino communities in Westchester. Towns like Elmsford, Ossining, and Yonkers, with 44%, 41.3%, and 40% of their populations represented by Hispanic/Latino constituents follow suit. Though Hispanics/Latinos represent only 12.7% of Dobbs Ferry’s constituent body—a demographic which in comparison is significantly lower than neighboring towns—it’s important to understand

how cultural demographics in a county or region writ large impact individual towns. That is to say, the large percentage of Latinos who live in Sleepy Hollow compensates for a large percentage of Latinos working, going to school, and spending time in Dobbs Ferry, Irvington, and Ardsley. On that level, representation in local government becomes significant at the point where they devise labor laws, educational standards, and economic regulations. The other critical

note is this: As there’s a sharp increase of immigration to the United States from Latin American countries, that immediately manifests in population spikes to towns where there is already the highest percentage of Hispanic/Latino constituents. What the rise in immigration also necessarily leads to, though, is a long-term increase of Hispanic/Latino populations in surrounding towns, a trend that constitutes the present reality of communities across Westchester.

Why do we see limited Hispanic/Latino candidates in local government?

“I think there’s the obvious barriers — language, understanding the system, if you grew up somewhere else, oftentimes you don’t understand the way the US system works. But of course a barrier that anyone has when running for office which is more significant for someone of an immigrant would be fundraising,” Colleen Roche, who teaches Political Science and AP U.S. History, said. In this sense, representative democracy is not a guarantee. For immigrants, running for local office requires knowledge of complex political jargon in a language that many do not speak fluently and, at a minimum, requires

citizenship. Factors like high costs and aforementioned language barriers mean that Latino immigrants are at an extreme disadvantage in terms of applying for and gaining citizenship. In fact, Mexican immigrants are the least likely immigrant group to become U.S. citizens. According to the Brennan Center for Justice, “There is a growing disconnect between elected officials and the majority of people they represent.” They continued, “Now a handful of wealthy special interests dominate political funding, often through super PACs and shadowy nonprofits that shield donors’ identities.”

Accordingly, intrinsic challenges to American voting are compounded by the fact that running for local office often requires intense fundraising and support from large corporate donors. Here, candidates with existing political ties have significantly more success in finding donors because they know people who know people. Even if a Latino is able to surpass various hurdles to naturalization and gain citizenship, the process of getting on a local ballot, demands a candidate to first climb the bureaucratic ladder in order to find someone to sponsor their campaign.

Why do we see limited engagement from Hispanic/Latino voting blocks in local elections?

“It’s hard in New York because the Latino experience is not monolithic, here you have people from all over, and we all create our own little pockets,” said Vanessa Agudelo, a former candidate for Assembly for NY’s 95th district, Peekskill Council Member, and Peekskill environmental justice organizer. “Sometimes it’s not so much that the resources or programs don’t exist, sometimes it’s not even that the resources and programs do exist, and we’re having trouble

getting the message out there, but sometimes these programs don’t feel like they’re the right fit for these groups of people. So how do we make it the right fit? It’s not just about assimilating, and people need to be engaged in this discussion.” When there is limited top-level representation for Latino residents, then, bottom-level engagement becomes more challenging. Agudelo explained that because she was disenfranchised from participating in

local elections after graduating high school. “I tried to vote when I was away at school, and they disenfranchised me; they told me I didn’t fill out the form right, and that I had to sign an affidavit, and I came from the mindset that my parents weren’t very political. They didn’t come from a place where they had ever trusted government, and I grew up in an area where I felt that people had been forgotten,” she said.

Pretty HURTS

TOWER/NOV. 13, 2023

FEATURES

OPEN CLIPART/CREATIVE COMMONS

Is fashion really “one size fits all?”

Aviv Emery All around the world, millions of girls look in the mirror every morning, and hate what they see. Much of this is due to the many unrealistic and damaging images of bodies seen every day on TV, film and social media. When scrolling on TikTok or Instagram reels it is clear that popular influencers have one thing in common: they are almost all skinny. Was the fashion industry really made for everyone - or just for the thin?

HISTORY

For much of human history, people did not desire thinness - being overweight meant having enough money to eat, and was therefore viewed as a positive. Many non-Western cultures have viewed being fat as a sign of health and vitality. The earliest known statues of women called “Venus Figurines,” are small figures with curvy, round and pear-shaped bodies with large breasts. Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty, was often portrayed with curves. Slimness first came into fashion in the flapper era in the 1920s. As magazines increasingly showed pictures of women with less body fat, eating disorders in young women began to rise at dangerous speeds. In fact, the highest levels of eating disorders in American history occurred in the 1920s and the 1980s, the two periods in which women in media were depicted as the thinnest. In the 1940s, the desire for skinniness faded a bit as pinup models like Marilyn Monroe, with a fuller body type, grew in popularity. But by the 1960s, the desirability to be skinny was back to the 1920s levels. Lainey Spencer ‘24, who did AmSearch research into the modeling industry, said, “As we kind of go farther [back on] the timeline, corsets get involved, and

it puts in this image that woman’s torsos should be very small, and hips be very wide. That falls into the hourglass shape today.” The 1970s saw a move away from corsets, seemingly representing a new era for women. Most women were no longer straining themselves as hard as they had been for the decades prior, however the “ideal” - and skinny - standard of a woman’s body continued to be projected in mass media. Once again, the desired body type was thin, and although women were no longer strapping themselves in, corsets were replaced by a strenuous need for excessive exercise. The 1970s saw the peak of hospitalizations for severe anorexia. From the 1980s to the 1990s, more emphasis was placed on toned and muscular women’s bodies. Although the ideal woman’s body needed to be healthy, it still had to be thin. Very quickly, it shifted back to the original dream of thinness. The 2000s continued this ideal, along with a loss of self-confidence in teenagers and young women alike. Finally, from the 2010s to now, the world has embraced much more diversity in women’s body image. But there are many ways that the world still perpetuates the body standard of being a thin, fit woman.

FASHION INDUSTRY

Ever since the ‘heroin chic’ look by Kate Moss became a popular trend in the early 1990s, the fashion industry has been under fire by psychologists, consumers, and models, alike. Spencer said, “The modeling industry is not an accurate representation of what the majority of women in the United States look like.” Although there are now plus size models, Spencer notes that “plus

size is from size six and up, when in reality women on average are a size anywhere from size fourteen to eighteen.” Remy Pearlman ‘25, a co-chair of the fashion club, Stitched said, “You see on the cover of Vogue, a tall skinny woman with a perfect body, big boobs, perfect curves, a beautiful face, flawless skin - that’s just not an accurate representation of what I look like, of what you look like, of what anyone looks like.” Modeling has built-in body negativity, but so do some brands and products. Brandy Melville, an extremely popular brand for teenage girls, including many at Masters, pushes thinness. Brandy Meville has been ripped apart for its “one size fits all” philosophy. The clothing brand is full of 20 dollar crop tops, jeans and oversized sweatshirts, many of the most popular trends for Gen-Z. One size fits all may seem like an inherently inclusive statement, telling us that everyone can fit into a brand's clothes, no matter what their body type is. But, this is almost never the actuality of this brand. Those who are not skinny rarely fit into Brandy Melville clothing. Brandy Melville’s desire for only appealing to skinny people is shown in their sizing, and is furthered by their models, all of whom are incredibly skinny. Victoria’s Secret also has a deep-rooted history of unrealistic body standards. The Victoria’s Secret Angel shows, launched in 2005, are one of the most strenuous public modeling gigs. Models hoping to participate in the shows have to participate in long physical training. This is not a decision they’re making for themselves; the requirements for models in these shows are incredibly

damaging, and often the only way to reach them is over-exercise and dieting. Maintaining the lifestyle needed to walk the catwalk is incredibly dangerous. Adriana Lima, a famous model, has mentioned cutting out food and water days before her appearances on the runway. But she isn’t alone. The company pressures all their models to do this, as they need to fit into the image of what a Victoria’s Secret angel “should be.” Pearlman said, “I think that you go online shopping and you see these beautiful Victoria’s Secret models with no flaws, no issues, you go on the websites and you see clearly photoshopped images of girls in bikinis with perfect bodies. You think, ‘Oh, if they’re marketing these photoshopped bodies then

they’re clearly saying this body is ‘good enough’ to be wearing our material.’”

GETTING BETTER? Although the fashion and modeling industries have deep-rooted histories of body negativity and fatphobia - there is hope. Since the late twentieth century, the body positivity movement has pushed the fashion industry to add more sizes, and models have a wider range of body types than ever before. Even Victoria’s Secret has expanded to accommodate women with more varied body types. Spencer said, “I think obviously they’ve made some more progressive movements with women who aren’t as skinny.” Many brands aimed at younger people have become much more aware of the message they’re

LISA YAO/TOWER

spreading and aim for all people, regardless of what their body looks like. Pearlman finished by saying, “Girls as young as middle school and elementary school who develop these horrible insecurities and eating disorders, and everything that culminates because of what we are trained to know as beautiful.” Models and the fashion industry have come a long way from where we once were, but there is still so much more progress to make. So, the next time you’re scrolling through social media or shopping for new clothes, make sure to become aware of the message that industries are communicating to you. You do not have to believe what the industry is saying, the fashion industry has long perpetuated the idea that skinny is the ideal beauty standard, but slowly, that is being erased.

Body ideals through the years 23,000-25,000 B.C.E.: “Venus Figurines”

sculpted.

1940s: desire for skinniness faded as models like Marilyn Monroe, who had fuller body types, grew in popularity.

1920s: rise of the flapper era; beginning of women desiring a slimmer body.

1960s: desirability to be skinny was back to 1920’s levels.

1970s: corsets replaced with excessive excercise; peak of hospitalizations for severe anorexia was reached.

2000s: continued ideal of thinness along with a loss of self-confidence in teenagers and young women.

1980s-1990s: emphasis placed on muscular women’s bodies. Although the ideal woman’s body needed to be healthy, it still had to be thin.

2010s - Present Day: diverse body images embraced more widely in media and fashion.

FEATURES

TOWER/NOV. 13, 2023

Postcard from the cafe: Rica A

Lily Zuckerman

LILY ZUCKERMAN/TOWER

EMRICA JUSU-DAVIES GREETS STUDENTS at the Davis Cafe in the Fonseca Center. She enjoys having meaningful conversations with passing student and faculty.

fter a long day of schoolwork and stress, Masters students stop by the FC cafe and are always greeted with a smile and food recommendations from Rica behind the counter. The Cafe manager, Emrica Jusu-Davies, is known as “Rica” to the Masters student body. She wanted students to call her by something shorter when she started working at Masters in fall of 2021. Jusu-Davies described her favorite part about working at the FC cafe. She said,“I love getting the chance to interact with the kids while I’m working here. I always have interesting conversations with the students and get to meet new ones every day. They check in on me to see how I am doing.”

She continued, “It makes me feel good and loved.” One of the students she used to connect with on a daily basis is alumnus Peter Vega ‘23. He mentioned his meaningful connection with Jusu-Davies in his senior speech, and she attended graduation for him. “Rica is an angel. She’s the heart and soul of the FC. Every day she approaches her job with genuine kindness that has an impactful effect on all students at the Cafe,” Vega said. He continued, “She is the reason why visiting the Cafe is an essential decision people should make for a warming, and inviting experience.” When a student is struggling with deciding what cafe item to buy, Jusu-Davies almost always recommends the gluten-free Rice-Krispie Treat—her personal favorite. Jusu-Davies explained one of her favorite interac-

tions she has while working: “Parents come in and look, because their kids go home and tell them about me. They then talk to me, introduce themselves and say how much of an impact I have had on their kid,” Jusu-Davies said. Junior Colin Smith, visits the cafe frequently—at least four times a week—to see Jusu-Davies. He explained the special connection he has with Jusu-Davies. “She brings such a bright light to my life, especially when school gets really hard. I love visiting her at the cafe and discussing everything from how days are going to learning about her daughter,” Smith said. He continued, “She’s a wonderful person to be around and her smile is seriously infectious. Any of our little laughs together can make my day ten times better.”

‘A little bird told me’ Pinnock likes animals

Lily Zuckerman

rom gentle bluebirds to killer cassowaries, Alex Pinnock loves all of Earth’s feathered friends, and all other living organisms. He shares that love with the larger community, especially at Masters. Amidst his jam-packed schedule, where he takes two different science classes—Science Research and Honors Chemistry— Pinnock ‘26 still finds time to create informational slides about unique organisms for the community. Pinnock has presented twice at Morning Meeting this year and many more are in the queue. His presentations so far

have been about rare bird species and dinosaurs that interest him. This sophomore’s fascination with animals began at a young age when he started exploring the extinction of dinosaurs and watching “Wild Kratts,” a show that covers encounters with wild animals. He frequently visits the nearby Museum of Natural History and the Bronx Zoo to discover new animals. Despite his busy calendar, Pinnock has been volunteering at the Bronx River Sound Shore (BRSS) Audubon, since 2018. Since then, he has dedicated every Saturday, from the late spring to late summer, to monitoring the nests of eastern bluebirds.

He described his motive in volunteering. “Our goal [the goal of BRSS] is to have eastern bluebirds establish their nests in our area,” Pinnock said. “I monitor their progress in doing so, from when they lay their eggs to when their offspring fledge. As the young birds prepare to leave the nest, I band them. I observe the area and the presence of various bird species, the status of eggs, and the construction of new nests.” Pinnock has felt comfortable presenting in front of the Masters Upper School community— but this wasn’t always the case. Before he became cochair of the Middle School and had to present at every morning meeting, Pinnock said he was

shy. “When I was Co-Chair, I was already up at morning meetings every day, so I gained some of the confidence I have now to present,” he said. He explained that back in eighth grade, he gave animal presentations when there weren’t enough announcements or presentations planned for Morning Meetings. The Upper School has shown immense support for Pinnock–both in the halls and the theater at Morning Meetings. He described the positive encounters he has had since doing these presentations. “Many people come up to me and give me credit for having the confidence to speak in front of a crowd. Others share their interests in animals, and we

JACK PARSONS/TOWER

PINNOCK ENJOYS LEARNING ABOUT animals in all their forms; sometimes they are as rare as cassowaries, other times they are as common as dogs. His interest has added a welcome, positive energy to Morning Meeting as students share his enthusiasm.

“

OPEN CLIPART/CREATIVE COMMONS

Many people come up to me and give me credit for having the confidence to speak in front of a crowd.” -AlEX PINNOCK ‘26

get to connect,” Pinnock said. Co-Chairs Mahlet Messay ‘24 and Arjun Ratan ‘24 have allowed Pinnock to display his passions. At the beginning of the school year, Pinnock proposed calendar dates for presentations throughout the year, and they met with him to make his desire happen. Ratan appreciates the enthusiasm that Pinnock radiates. “Since Morning Meeting is a space for our community, and not necessarily a place for just our voices, it’s rewarding to have someone willing to present so often, and that the students like to hear,” Ratan said. He continued, “His recurring presentations have inspired other students to share their passion and reach out with future ideas. We had the science club presentation today, similar to being fun and engaging with the audience.” One of his fans, Lucy Vargas ‘26, described how Pinnock has changed Morning Meeting culture.

She said, “I think Alex brings a fun energy to Morning Meeting. His presentations make everyone, including me, perk up. He brings science, biology, and education to people in an entertaining way, not like we are in a science class.” She continued, “I have learned a lot of new facts that I probably wouldn’t have discovered myself. I’m always grateful to learn about new species from Alex.” Faculty and staff members have also been fascinated by Pinnock. Upper School Science teacher Elisabeth Merrill said she enjoys seeing students like Pinnock enthusiastic about science. “I am so excited when I see kids passionate about any subject, particularly biology, because it’s my love. I always notice that the audience is so genuinely interested in what he’s saying and their enthusiasm for him as an individual,” Merrill said. She continued, “They’re celebrating his nerdiness, and that’s awesome.”

TOWER/NOV. 13, 2023

FEATURES

HALL WEEN Aurora Rose Horn This Halloween Masters rocked! The theme, chosen by the class of 2024, was music genres. Sub-themes of the theme included disco for the math department, classical for the English department and heavy metal for the juniors. As far PHOTO CREDIT LILY ZUCKERMAN, EUNICE WANG. ZARA MURRAY, AYANNA BECKETT

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: REMY PEARLMAN, SKYE PEARLMAN, JACK SOBOLEWSKI, LAYLA GAINES, ELLEN COWHEY, LYDIA ETTINGER, ROMY GIRZONE, VIOLET PAULL, ALEXA MURPHY, WILLA HART, MAHLET MESSAY, ARJUN RATAN, JESSE GELMAN, MATTHEW IVES, TALIA HIRD, EMMA DISISK, SERY JARRET, NIZAATA MUKIIBI, TRISTAN KISHONIS, STEPHANIE FUDA, SARA THORN, BRENDAN COLLINS-JORDAN, MATTHEW IVES, UNIDENTIFIED MIDDLE SCHOOLER, MARCELLE CLUNIE, FLORA BENSON.

as the videos and skits, everyone went all out, and the most memorable performance was by far that of the History and Religion Department, featuring a parody song about Vivi, the projector interface Masters is using for the first time this year, from History teacher Matt Ives. The two other skits were from the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Administration.

SPORTS

Sports

TOWER/NOV. 13, 2023

Cross Country Hits Their Stride In FAA

Kawabata ‘25, breaking 18 minutes with a time of 17:25 in the 5k distance, followed by Liam Chapespite the departure of their beloved pelear ‘27, Jamie Milward ‘26, and Charlie Milward head coach, Luciano Fiore, the Mas- ‘24. Also, Lainey Spencer finished 2nd at the Hamters cross country team has defied all den Hall meet in her first 5k of the season. At their first, second, and most recent meet, the odds, rising above the challenges and growing into team placed second, and were only five points behind a force to be reckoned with. Through unwavering the first place team, Hopkins. Even though the senior determination and a shared passion for running, runners expressed their sadness about leaving next the team has transformed this setback into stepping year they are excited for the teams bright future. stones. Senior team captain, Nathan Lothian ‘24, said, Last year, Coach Fiore announced he was join“Our top seven runners are all underclassmen, so ing a professional track team in Atlanta: Atlanta Track we’re just as excited for the upcoming years.” Club Elite. He signed a contract with Adidas and will The team’s primary objective is continue his running career with to consistently challenge themselves hopes to qualify for the 2024 and motivate each other to ultimately Olympic Games. It was difficult secure the FAA Championships. for the team to process the loss, Students can Coach Allen believes the team will win but they are ultimately proud of lead by example the FAA championships, or at least him and are rooting for him in by being commitfinish in the top two, since they have the next stage of his career. ted, goal-oriented, made big improvements. Throughout the course of Allen said, “I want to build a having a positive the season, the team came to recompetitive cross country team and alize that their coach was moving attitude, grit, and also teach life lessons through cross on, and it was time for them to do ben allen country.” the same. Lothian advises those considTeam captain, Charlie ering joining to not be afraid to join Milward ‘24 said, “It motivated everyone to try and the team and acknowledges that it may seem hard, but show him the best that they could do before he left. that it’s one of the most connected, tightly-knit teams Now that he has left, I think we all run for him.” at Masters. Transitioning to running for their new head Despite there being fewer girls on the team, coach Ben Allen was seamless. Last year he was the they still feel included and a vital part of this strong and assistant coach. united group, led by captain, Lainey Spencer. Coach Allen has focused on fostering a positive When Lothian first joined the team, he said he and supportive team environment by highlighting hated running; however, as time went on, he fell in CHARLIE MILWARD/TOWER individuals who lead by example in ways they hope love with it. Although cross-country running is seen BOYS VARSITY CROSS COUNTY holds up their trophies celebrating their placement will be contagious to the rest of the team. He said, as a very individual sport, Lothian said he has bonded in the FAA championship. Both JV and Varsity got 2nd in the FAA after a dominant season. “Students can lead by example by being committed, with his teammates, and it felt like they were all runRunners Nathan Lothian, Leo Schilling, Liam Chappelear, Charlie Milward, James Bull, Tozai goal-oriented, having a positive attitude, grit, and ning and struggling together. Kawabita, Jose Meister, Jamie Milward, and Toby Freeman celebrate their win and their discipline.” One individual accomplishment was Tozai awards with pride and joy.

Ella Black

“

Lets Lets GO GO Panthers Panthers

Team unity leads mgvs to sucess Neena Atkins and Allie Faber While the traditional metrics of goals, assists and wins are vital in distinguishing a team, what differentiates the Masters Girls Varsity Soccer is the fellowship that binds them together. The group is made up of 19 players, most of whom are sophomores and juniors. Anna Moscato ‘25, one of the three team captains, has been a member of MGVS since her freshman year. Over the course of her time on the team, she’s witnessed and experienced the formation of meaningful friendships. “We have these very special, unique, long-term friendships that are formed through soccer.” She added, “What’s so special is that these friendships last outside the season.” Sophomore center holding midfielder Mia Steinwurtzel continued, “We’re all very close, and everyone’s friends. We’re like a family.” Just as crucial to the “family’s” companionship, as the players themselves, are their leaders. “We definitely try and make close relationships with everyone on the team. We divide up the team sometimes to figure out who we already know, and then try and reach out to people we don’t know as well,” Moscato said. Their season has consisted of six wins, six losses and two ties. 28 goals have been scored in gameplay, and the players boast 17 assists – a testament to their collaboration.

The team’s strong bond didn’t happen overnight. The coaches of MGVS, Rober Ruiz, Skyler Schwenkler, Marlene Avalos and Juan Cobos, employ various team-bonding exercises. The players complete blindfolded obstacle courses, untangle human knots and try to stand up back to back with a teammate. These fun activities help keep spirits and morale on MGVS high. Cobos said, “It’s little things like that which shows them not everything is serious at the end of the day. This is just a game, so it only carries the weight that we give it.” Reflecting on the team’s journey thus far, he recalled, “This year has been an incredible year in terms of the camaraderie and the culture and community that our team feels.” He further emphasized, “They have a sense of unity; they have a shared goal.” For members of the team, this “shared goal” isn’t just a motto; it is the essence of their gameplay. “I feel like in comparison to last year, what we’ve done really well is we’ve been moving the ball, we’ve been keeping possession of the ball, and just like working [together] as a team,” Steinwurtzel said. Even when they aren’t at practice, the unity of MGVS is apparent. In celebration of games, the team has donned matching unconventional school attire, exhibiting costumes from frat boys to cozy pajamas. Looking ahead, Moscato expressed the players’ anticipation of upcoming team-bondJACK PARSONS/TOWER ing activities. She said, “We’re looking forJUNIOR JULISSA CASIANO SETS up the ball for a pass. This year the team placed a ward to maybe a team sleepover and more big focus on creating a “family” environment and maintained their attention to the comparties in the future, just so people feel like mon statistics and marks in soccer.