Salmagundy Fall 2023

Layout by: Jianing (Jennifer) Lin ’24

SALMAGUNDY The Official Student Newpaper of Miss Porter’s School Fall 2023

This is Salmagundy

Salmagundy: noun. 1) an eclectic mix of seasoned meat and stewed vegetables 2) Miss Porter’s School Newspaper

By Jianing (Jennifer) Lin ’24 Editor-in-Chief From being brought on my sophomore year as a layout editor to now going into my second year as Editor-in-Chief, I never thought that a student-run newspaper could mean so much to me and those passionate about what we do as a team. I want to give my sincere thanks to Katherine Li ’23, our former leader, for all that she has taught me, and for making Salmagundy what it is today. As Editors-in-Chief this year, Mary Zheng ’25 and I are thrilled to witness what new possibilities we will create.

Han ’24 taught herself how to play the guitar. But on top of her apprecia tion for music, Han is also an avid fan of horror movies. Has she thought about dubbing The Shining with a guitar soundtrack?

Believe it or not, Han’s co-editor Katherine Rosenorn ’24 can solve a Rubix cube. Maybe being born in Switzerland had something to do with her special abilities.

So, without further ado, I am proud to present to you this year’s editors of Inside the Bubble Arts and Travel Editor Bessie Xu ’24 has many musiSalmagundy! cal talents herself. The Perilette spends her free time writing songs and watching all the seasons of Modern Family, which she has done at least After more than a hundred hours spent playing Word Hunt on Game Pi- ten times. geon, Jennifer Lin ’24 can confidently say that she is unbeatable. Seriously, she has collected more than 1500 Word Hunt wins and currently has a Speaking of art, Outside the Bubble Arts and Travel Editor Charlotte high score of 35000. If anyone dares challenge her, she is always down for Kronholm ’25 is equally artistically inclined as her fellow editors. Her a competition. loves include ceramics, photography, and the color yellow!

Lin’s Co-Editor-in-Chief Mary Zheng ’25 is proud to be the former owner of a salamander named Gigi. Another point of pride for Zheng is sharing the same birthday as Johnny Depp. Though a few decades apart, she claims that they are more similar than they seem—not the Amber Heard part.

As a Hong Kong native and a real foodie, Opinions Editor Jaimie Ng ’24 loves Siu Mai, frozen pineapple, and all kinds of street food. She can often be found taking her dog “café hopping” and bringing her dog along as she discovers the best eats in Hong Kong.

Much like Zheng, Inside the Bubble News editor Annabelle Horst ’26 also shares a birthday with a celebrity: Jojo Siwa. Hopefully, on her birthday this year, the self–proclaimed sushi fan will receive some Mangestu coupons from friends.

Foods Aside, Ng’s co-editor Lily Legere ’24 seems to have a dark past: we can only wonder what happened for her to be permanently banned from Facebook. Legere’s experience with social media is not all negative though, the one and only James Charles once liked her comment in 2018!

Horst’s co-editor Charlotte Ashman ’25 prides herself on being a film Having a passionate conversation about UCONN Women’s Basketball, buff with a stellar memory. According to her, she can remember at least Sports Editor Kat Cokeley ’25 reveals that she is an Irish twin. But before two or three dreams she has every night. we unpack her age difference with her brother, I am desperate to know how Cokeley managed to break her nose six times…the exposé shall end A woman of many musical talents, Outside the Bubble News editor Leeah here.

NEWS SALMAGUNDY

INSIDE THE BUBBLE

Students Get Festive for Spirit Week

By Annabelle Horst ’26 and Addy McNear ’26 Inside the Bubble News Editor & Staff Writer

On Oct. 18, a chain of emails caused a commotion as the anticipated spirit week was finally revealed to the Porter’s community. Students quickly started to brainstorm their outfits, including vibrant K-Tel, traveling attire, internet memes, and fashionable accessories seen on Barbie or Ken for the Dig Pink volleyball game.

Starting the week off strong with willed items from last spring, students showed up in clashing patterns of stripes, polka-dots and blinking cowboy hats. Departing from the land of neon and glitter, the tourist-themed day saw students dress up as travelers from all over the world. Outfits ranged from t-shirts that read “I heart New York” to breezy aloha shirts with bucket hats. Were you a tacky tourist covered in your destination’s gift shop clothing or a traveler prepared for rain or shine in hiking boots and cargo pants? The AIS Costa Rica class dressed to impress, sporting their favorite outfits worn on their trip earlier this fall.

Wednesday brought back many memories with people dressing as their favorite memes, Vines or Tik-Toks. There was a wide variety of costumes, from the hoodie Vine kid to Abby Lee Miller herself. The day allowed students to share their humor with the community and reminded people of their favorite internet references.

The school canceled Thursday’s Decades Day because of concerns about costumes. In an email, Dr. Kate Windsor, head of school, wrote that Porter’s “will engage in further conversation as a community about the impact costumes and themed days have on our school traditions.”

Students dressed for K-Tel on the first day of Spirit Week.

Photo via Miss Porter’s School

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SALMAGUNDY But the festivities resumed on Friday when the spirit theme stemmed from Halloween Banquet Delivers Spooky Fun the movie of the summer: “Barbie.” Unfortunately, for Dr. Tim Quinn, the

By Katherine Rosenorn ’24 theme was not based on “Oppenheimer.” Students dressed up as either Outside the Bubble News Editor Barbie, adorning themselves in pink, or Ken, wearing ties and faux fur coats. Students’ pink attire also supported the Dig Pink game, which was Did you know that Halloween began as the Celtic festival of Samhain, a pagan religious tradition to celebrate the harvest in fall, during which dedicated to Breast Cancer Awareness Month. people wore costumes and danced around bonfires to keep ghosts away?

Through different colors, patterns, and articles of clothing, students showed While Porter’s students don’t dance around bonfires during Halloween, they do celebrate the festival with annual banquets. their spirit with their festive and creative outfits.

This year’s banquet was planned and hosted by co-heads of Main, Nyla Liburd ’24 and Nina Carvalho ’24, along with a group of student volunteers who worked together to create an extraordinary experience.

“We met over a few months with a committee dedicated to the fun and silliness of Halloween to plan out the event,” Nina and Nyla said in an email. “We worked to find fun and spooky decor to transform the dining hall into a lively and spooky space.”

They said their committee and some other community volunteers took time during Y-block to spread cobwebs and dawn streamers.

“During the banquet, it was a lot of fun to see everyone excited, dressed up, and enjoying the yummy menu Flik prepared,” Nina and Nyla said in the email. “Shoutout to the winners and participants of the costume contest!”

Students dressed for Travelers vs.

Tacky Tourists Day Photo via Miss Porter’s School

Students dressed for Meme Day Photo via Miss Porter’s School

Upon entering the banquet, guests were met with a booth hosted by the Miss Porter’s Photography Club, where students could take photos with friends. Following that, people ventured into the dining hall covered in cobwebs, streamers, caution tape, fake teeth and candy. People dined on chicken tenders, curly fries, mac and cheese and other foods, which Grace Hazelton ’27 described as “so good.”

Once everyone was seated, the Keepers marched in to the ‘Purge” theme song, dressed in bloodied shirts and “Purge” masks, setting a scary tone for Halloween. Students then watched a performance of “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” by the Perhilettes, which Yaya Familusi ’24 described as a “highlight of the night.”

To close things off, there was a costume contest judged by Oscar Rollan, Sarah Quinn, and two faculty kids. The contestants wore many creative costumes, including an array of Queens, Subway Surfers, gold diggers, Quinn and Finn from “Glee,” an M&M and Eminem, a killer nurse, and the twins from “The Shining.” The contest was competitive. Ultimately, “The Shining” twins won best group costume, the Queens won funniest costume, and the killer nurse won best in show.

Students found the banquet to be a spirited event.

Head of Keepers Savannah Smith ’24 and Jennifer (Jianing) Lin ’24

at the Halloween Banquet Photo Booth “It was a great way to celebrate Halloween with the community,” said Jaxon Praise Lee-Perez ’24.

For Students, AOF Dance Is Mainly About Fun

By Jess Lin ’27 Staff Writer

At Porter’s, the Halloween season is about dressing up in funky clothes for ing up the teens, and the photographer recording the dancers.

K-Tel, non-stop posts on Farmington Fits, and trick-or-treating at faculty homes. However, out of all the excitement, one event reaps the highlight The Halloween dance was planned by head of activities Eh Wah Wah ’24 of the show: the Halloween dance at Avon Old Farms. and faculty members.

Questions echo around campus: What to wear? With whom to match? When asked if she would attend the dance next year, Dahlia Micone ’25 Which friends were going? said with excitement, “Yeah obviously.”

“Leading up to the dance, I tried to remove any expectations,” said Storey Shefferman ’26. “I just wanted to make it fun for myself.”

Her plan was the very goal of the event, which was designed for students to enjoy themselves and have the opportunity to socialize with their friends.

Friday, November 3rd was the day of the Halloween Dance. The sight of students rushing to buses in the cold afternoon was proof of the growing excitement as the long-awaited tradition neared. Taking last-minute pictures, trying not to freeze outside, and asking which bus friends were on were perfect ways to kick off the dance.

Walking in at first, the room was dead. However, once the music became louder, the party began.

“At first, it was a bit awkward, no interaction,” Nyla Van Dyke ’27 said.

“But towards the end, it got fun, the music was good, and everybody was having a good time. So it was a good overall experience.”

The joyous crowd was a sight to see: teachers mouthing songs, the DJ hyp-

Molly Grant ’24 and Andrew Foster ’24, winners of the costume contest.

Photo of Porter’s students from the photo booth at the dance

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OUTSIDE THE BUBBLE

ANALYSIS: Porter’s Students Spend Significant Time and Money at Local Businesses

By Laila Carter ’24 and Goodluck Ogbonna ’27 Staff Writers

Have you ever wondered how much money you spend at the businesses near the campus? At Porter’s, students have a range in interests, but a commonality among many of us is our appreciation for food and drinks.

We also asked students how often they used DoorDash in a week. About 47% said they do not use the food delivery service while about 17% stated that they used it two to four times a week.

One of the perks of being at Porter’s is that restaurants such as Naples, Starbucks and Hartford Baking Co. are within an 8-20-minute walk (the perfect amount of time to travel during free blocks) and provide a variety of items to choose from.

We interviewed a few of our Porter’s students to get their opinion on how heavy the impact of local businesses weighs on Porter’s. Our survey results indicate that Starbucks has the largest average impact on students.

We interviewed Emma Andrews ’24, who has worked at Starbucks for five months. She believes that the business has a massive impact on Porter’s community. Emma estimates that she sees around 30 Porter’s students per shift, with that number rising on weekends. She said that Starbucks brings many defining moments to students, including making friends, bonding with old girls, and providing study space for seniors working on their college applications.

When walking around campus, one is guaranteed to see students with Starbucks cups or Liquid Nirvana bags in hand. When entering Starbucks during community times or Y-blocks, Porter’s students are often seen studying, sipping and lounging around. There is no denying the distinct relationship between Porter’s and local businesses.

To get a better perspective on the impact local businesses have on student spending, we conducted a survey asking students how much they estimate they spend on businesses such as Starbucks and other local businesses on a weekly basis.

- On average, students spend up to $7 every week on Starbucks with the maximum estimate being $40.

- In terms of Hartford Baking Co., the responses ranged from $0-15 with the maximum estimate being $70.

- Lastly, students spend up to $15 weekly at Naples, with the largest amount spent being $30.

Camille Bartus ’27, who works at Liquid Nirvana said the smoothie bar is popular with Porter’s students.

“The owner’s three daughters all went to Porter’s, and the store even has a discount for Porter’s students,” she said, adding, “I often see a lot of students and teachers come in.”

With this information, it is apparent that dining services around campus have a large impact on the lives of students. While giving opportunities for students to bond and get to know one another, they also make profits from student spending. This relationship is important to examine, as it encourages Porter’s and local businesses to optimize mutual benefits.

SPORTS SALMAGUNDY

2023 Fall Sports Review: Varsity Soccer Thrills Fans

By Annie Tang’26 Staff Writer

As fall sports came to a conclusion, teams celebrated with gatherings such as the Athletic Bonfire and Varsity Banquet. Despite the ebb and flow of the season, athletes said the memories of Porter’s fall athletes will remain full of laughter, competitiveness, and pride.

The Porter’s crowd sat nervously on the sidelines praying for another goal Finally, it is hard not to acknowledge that the closure of the season also as the clock slowly ticked toward the last minutes of the second half. If the meant saying goodbye to the senior athletes. score remained the same, it would mean an end to the varsity soccer team’s “I am going to miss the whole team so much next year,” Sara said. undefeated record for the 2023 fall season.

The audience’s focus remained transfixed on the ball as it was brought *All records reflect the standings of teams at the time this article is written. across the field. Just seconds away from the final whistle, the ball crossed into the penalty area of the opposing team right in front of Sara Babigian Fall Athletic Bonfire Fuels Excitement ’23 who fearlessly took a shot on goal.

By Sofia Garza ’26 As if time stopped, everyone watched the ball fly into the air and go straight into the goal. The crowd roared as Sara’s teammates all dog-piled on her to celebrate the unbelievable outcome.

“Scoring the goal felt unreal,” Sara said. “I honestly did not realize the ball hit the back of the net until I was being tackled by my teammates. As a defender who typically thinks pass before shoot, I was not expecting to score at all this season.”

The soccer team brought forward an exciting season with a record of 10 wins and three ties this year. As a four-year varsity player, Sara said, “At this point in the season in past years, our record has not been this good; therefore, I am very optimistic about the postseason.”

On the topic of successful records, the cross country team brought home several trophies from the Gordy Glover Invitational and various other meets. Even though the meets were tiring and long, the team delivered consistent wins, surprises, and enthusiasm with their performance.

Shifting to the Oakley Field and the Crisp Gym, both varsity field hockey and volleyball teams experienced a rough season, with field hockey holding a record of three wins and nine losses and the volleyball ending with five wins and eight losses.

Staff Writer

Every year on the Friday of Family Weekend, after a long day of showing parents classes and sports, Porter’s holds the Fall Athletic Bonfire.

Founded by previous Head of Athletics Marah Deckers and Organized by the Athletic Department and the current Head of Athletics, every fall sports team competes in a dance contest for the coveted bragging rights gained by winning the bonfire. A group of judges decided who made the top three, with this year’s panel being ashley amoabeng, Michael Bergin, Liz Schmitt, and Kate Windsor.

Though not competing, Dance Workshop opened the Oct. 27 show with “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga. Then the crew team took the stage, followed by cross country; equestrian; the varsity and JV field hockey teams; the varsity, JV, and thirds soccer teams; and the varsity, JV, and thirds volleyball teams.

During each performance, the audience cheered on the athletes, and each dance was met with as much excitement as the last. While the judges made their decisions, a dance party continued, with members of all sports teams dancing to Abba’s “Dancing Queen.”

When the music stopped and all teams returned to their seats, amoabeng announced the top three winners of the bonfire. Third place went to JV soccer. Second place went to thirds volleyball. And first place went to cross country.

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When asked about how the whole team contributed to JV Soccer’s dance, member Kalynn Hillian ’25 said that the team “incorporated everyone’s ideas” and “if anyone had an idea, we always made it work.” She cited collaboration as one of the reasons the dance was successful.

In terms of choreographing thirds volleyball’s dance, Tenley Davis said the team decided on starting with parts of a choreography that another team member had made and using that and other members’ ideas to make their dance unique.

Cross country member Milla Perlman ’25 said she didn’t expect to win.

While the team was hopeful, she said she felt as though they came into the bonfire underrated, and she was happy with the win.

One similarity throughout the three teams was that the members all cited the collaboration of the members on the team as a reason why they were so successful.

All three athletes recognized the Fall Athletic Bonfire as one of the highTenley noted that because of the team’s confidence in their dance, they lights of the season. Because the spirit of the community is high, Head of were able to make the dance special, which led to their success.

Athletics Laurel Benson ’24 said, “There is hope to do [another] bonfire this year for the spring sports.”

Play for A Cure Draws Volleyball’s Biggest Turnout

By Kat Cokeley ’25 Sports Editor Porter’s and Avon Old Farms students filled the bleachers as they Despite the game ending in a loss for Porter’s, the gym was still full of cheered with excitement watching the varsity volleyball team play pride for all the players fighting a tough game. The crowd’s unyieldKingswood-Oxford at the much anticipated Dig Pink Game on Oct. 27. ing support in the face of defeat showcased the true meaning of unity, Dig Pink games originated from the fundraiser Side-Out, coming out of proving that victories are not solely defined by the score, but also by the West Springfield High School in Virginia. After his mother was diag- lessons learned. nosed with breast cancer, head coach Rick Dunetz implemented a yearly game dedicated to raising money for breast cancer. The goal of the This was Porter’s third year doing a Dig Pink game. Nyla Liburd ’24, Side-Out Foundation is “to unite volleyball players and coaches, and to who spearheaded the event this year, was excited to see what the Dig have them work toward the common goal of furthering breast cancer Pink brought to Porter’s and the local organizations. awareness, education, and patient services.”

“It was exciting to see the school community come together to make it To support the mission of Side-Out, Miss Porter’s donated over $1,800 an impactful game,” Nyla said. raised from the game to the local organization, CT Breast Health Initiative.

On the game night students were greeted with several lively booths at the gym’s entrance run by Women’s Health Club, Book Club, Moonbeams, Crochet Club and others. The clubs sold items to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with options ranging from sweet treats to blind book dates. With an entrance fee of $1, hundreds of students flooded into the gym for the game.

Avon Old Farms, the Porter’s brother school, sent over a hundred students to support. Kingswood-Oxford brought a fan bus to heighten the excitement during the match.

As the previous year’s winner, Kingswood-Oxford was excited to play Porter’s, which came onto the court with an underdog mentality. The first set ended 27-29, with KO just barely pulling out ahead. This lit a fire in the Porter’s players who in the second set pulled out 4 points ahead with an ending score of 25-21. Throughout the third and fourth sets, fatigue set in as KO won 25-19 and 25-17. The highlighted player was senior Savannah Smith ’24, who contributed six blocks and nine kills throughout the game.

The starting line-up of the Varsity Volleyball Team in a huddle right before losing the third set.

Photo from Spencer Parish and @ nxtlvl._.media

ART & TRAVEL SALMAGUNDY

INSIDE THE BUBBLE

Family Weekend Showcases Music and Dance

By Serena Lok ’26 Staff Writer The family weekend kicked off with class visits and family conferences. of Garet & Co., a dance company focusing on mental health and the Families and relatives experienced a typical school day and interacted search for peace within chaos. The student choreographers for this seawith faculty members. The day was followed by various social events, son – Hannah Smith ’24, Ivana Fernandez ’24 and Summer Bell ’26. and finally, the music and dance showcase.

– contributed.

The dance show was hosted by the dance ensemble members Lily Legere 23’ and Shravya Sudarshan ’23. The dance workshop team enjoyed choreographing the performance with guest choreographers Lauren Horn and Garet Weirdsma. Half of the dancers worked with Horn, artistic director of Subira vs Movement, a movement and text-based dance company. The other half worked with Garrett Bema, founder

The final product began with a piece titled “Wonderful,” choreographed

by Garret Weirdsma’s mother. “‘Wonderful’ attempts to process the complexities and hypocrisies of the world around us, both the natural and the social, the earth and the humans that shape the earth,” Weidsma said.

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“Wonderful” was followed by a piece choreographed by Horn, which investigated our relationship to social media and how it affects our perception of reality and ourselves. The dance was an expression of how technology can hinder, highlight, and expand our ever-changing identities.

The rest of the night consisted of self-choreographed solos performed by the three student choreographers, and finished with a performance from the travel team, which will be performing this piece in two weeks at the New England Preparatory Dance Festival.

“This dance is all about bursting out of reservations, presentation, and Vimeo live stream, from Patrick Reardon doubt, what would feel like to color outside the lines of life,” said Tessa The music concert was performed by the MPS Chorus and Sarah Porter Hailu, director of dance, “To trust your path and process, no matter how Singers in the Hacker Theater. Conducted by our music director, Patrick wacky, unconventional or off-the-page the choices may seem.”

Reardon, and accompanied by Grace Kim (piano), Dave Patten (guitar), David Raposo (bass), Micheal Wyatt (drums), and Jason Broyles (sound).

Vimeo live stream, from Tessa Hailu

The starring members of Sarah Porter Singers were Finn De Vrie ’24, Scarlett McMahon ’25, Hannah Satran ’25, Tierny Smith ’26, and Bella Stahura ’25. They sang along with thirty-five singers in the MPS Chorus. Sarah Porter Singers started the concert by performing “You Can’t Hurry Love” by The Supremes followed by “You Are the New Day” by John David and “All the Way Home” by Sarah Quartel. The MPS chorus performed a lively repertoire consisting of renowned Disney songs “When You Wish Upon a Star” by Leigh Harline and Ned Washington, and “Love Is an Open Door” by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. The MPS chorus wrapped up the night with a medley from Taylor Swift’s 1989 album.

Ocean Vuong Wields Power Through Words

By Luna Lee ’26 Staff Writer In this changing world, there remains a constant. That’s what Ocean Vuong presents in his published essays, interviews, and poetry. Through his poetic words, we see scattered pieces of his story and emotions put together neatly in each sentence and each turn of a page. Within each paragraph, his vulnerability conveys a sense of closeness to the reader that draws them in even more.

Vuong, an award-winning poet and novelist, visited Porter’s on Nov. 10 as part of the school’s Prescott speaker series.

Vuong and his family immigrated to the United States when he was 2.

Settling in Hartford, he found the transition between Vietnam and the U.S. to be tough on him and his mother, who worked tirelessly in a nail salon. As the first literate person in his family, Vuong found words were his outlet. They gave him “the power to escape.”

“The imagination was a portal. It was my time machine. It was my everything,” he said in an interview with the New Yorker.

A Protrait of Vuong Photo via The Atlantic

Surrounded by constant change, Vuong blends topics from his own life into his writing, exploring topics such as war, grief, queerness, and other aspects in his works.

Over the summer, Porter’s assigned students to read “Night Sky with Exit Wounds” and “Time Is a Mother,” collections of poems by Vuong.

Through metaphors and sentence breaks, the poet creates an authentic reading experience for the reader through the expressions of his own personal experiences. His 2019 novel, “On Earth, We’re Briefly Gorgeous,” was a suggested reading at Porter’s. It is an epistolary novel composed of a letter to his illiterate mother who died the same year the book was published.

As Porter’s awaited Vuong’s visit, a student-led committee presented weekly readings from Vuong’s works. “I miss you more than I remember you,” Vuong wrote in his novel “On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous.”

As this sentence was recited at Morning Meeting, the audience indulged A collection of poetry and a novel by Vuong, both talked about during in his words and found a moment of silence as thoughts lingered. his visit.

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Students Embrace Costa Rica’s Pura Vida

By Anna Risoli ’25 Staff Writer The adventure started early, with a 3 a.m. wake-up call followed by a two-hour bus ride to Newark Liberty International Airport. After a long and tiring trip, we landed in Costa Rica, where the cloud-covered mountains of San José greeted us. We were excited to explore but had to take another bus ride and a short walk until we settled in at the Chilamate Eco Retreat in Heredia. Upon arrival, we were introduced to Megan and her family, the owners of the retreat. Later, we ate dinner of rice beans and some of the sweetest pineapple I had ever tasted. Then, we shared, as a group, what we each looked forward to the most on our upcoming journey.

Scenes in Costa Rica Photo via The AIS Global Intensive: Costa Rica Class

The following day, we were awoken at 4:30 a.m., courtesy of howler monkeys living in the canopy above us. We were thrilled as we headed into the rainforest. Later, we broke off to our different research partner locations. One group went to Tirimbina to see butterflies, another group to Bijagual Ecological Reserve to measure trees, and the final group to Lapa Verde to watch bird migration. By day three, venturing into the rainforest had become second nature.

The AIS Global Intensive: Costa Rica Class Photo via Oscar Rollan and Cate Rigoulot

That first night, warm belly laughter filled the restaurant at Chilamate as we played card games and told stories. In that moment, nothing mattered but the game in front of us. We didn’t care that we were sweaty or exhausted from the heat because we were living the pure life, or pura vida: a mindset rooted in Costa Rican society centered around an appreciation for living in the moment. In retrospect, the most challenging part of leaving Costa Rica was saying goodbye to the people we had built connections with and the lifestyle we had adopted. Laura, Randle, and Daya, our World Leadership School (WLS) guides, had become part of our little family. As Randle would say to us, “You can do hard things.” It was this mindset that pushed us to try new foods, climb 50 feet in the air to watch birds migrate, and work in the humid rainforest with conservationists.

The class at dinner together in Costa Rica Photo via Oscar Rollan and Cate Rigoulot

The trip allowed us to be vulnerable with each other, building enduring connections and bonds. The WLS leaders believed that we are the change-makers of tomorrow and challenged us to do what we knew we were capable of. The two days we spent in Pacuare, a private biological reserve, was the most challenging time that will forever hold a special place in my heart. With limited electricity, open showers, and scorching heat, Pacuare showed us that we need little physical possessions to be happy.

A student in the class enjoying thier time in Costa Rica Photo via The AIS Global Intensive: Costa Rica Class

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Art Students Take in Classics at NYC Museums

By Arianna Vasson ’26 and Bea Kibler ’26 Staff Writers On Nov. 2 , several art classes visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MoMA) and the Museum of Modern Art (the MET) in New York City.

At the MET, students had the opportunity to appreciate exhibitions of their choice. Prior to the trip, they had spent much time analyzing these artworks through a screen, but now were able to see them in person.

Some of the students’ favorite pieces included Vincent Van Gogh’s “Starry Night,” Henri Matisse’s “Dance (I),” and Claude Monet’s “Water Lilies.”

Students said that seeing the art in person enhanced their understanding of brushwork and composition. Apart from pieces that were discussed in class, the museum displayed exhibitions that explore a di-

Students at the MoMA Photo via Miss Porter’s School Instagram

verse range of art, including Picasso in Fontainebleau, New Ground, Jacob Samuel and Contemporary Etching and Ed Ruscha Now/Then.

Before visiting the MET, students had the chance to speak with an ancient, Priya Blair ‘16, who works at the MoMA. Students then enjoyed a sunny walk along the edge of Central Park on the way to the MET, where they had free time to walk around and view exhibits. The museum featured a remarkable European Sculpture and Decorative Arts collection, which included 50,000 historically significant objects such as helmets, swords, and sculptures.

Finally, students saw art discussed in the 19th-Century Art History class, most notably the Romantic collection, with art from Theodore Gericault and J.M.W. Turner. Those who bought tickets or found Students in NYC Photo via Miss Porter’s their way into the exhibit also toured the works of Edouard Manet School Instagram and Edgar Degas.

Dance Students See Professional Rehearsal Up Close

By Charlotte Kronholm ’25 Outside the Bubble Arts & Travel Editor On Oct. 24, the Ballet for Athletes class – taught by Tessa Hailu, director of the dance program at Porter’s – took a trip to the New England Ballet Theater in Avon.

Hailu described it as a ballet class with an athletics-focused lens. She said at the beginning of the trimester, students learn about themselves as athletes and where their athletic skills come from. Members of the class have unique experiences, come from various backgrounds and play different sports. Through this class, they are also able to make connections between how ballet can serve and support their sport of choice.

At the New England Ballet Theater, the class was invited to a small studio to watch the dancers rehearse. The class had the chance to see dancers warm up for their rehearsal, and learned that the dancers usually arrive half an hour early. Hailu noted that she frequently reminds her class that the things she teaches them are the same things they would learn if they “were to go to a ballet class anywhere else, [regardless] if they were 3 years old or a principal at the New York City ballet.”

She said that “while the skills become more complex, the exercises stay the same.”

Her excitement about the trip was clear when she said, “I think [the visit] was one of the coolest parts for the dancers to see – ‘Hey! we know what [those professional ballerinas] are talking about. We know what they’re doing because we do it in class. They just have 20 plus years of experience.’”

Porter’s students visited the New England Ballet Theater on a Ballet Photo via Tessa Hailu

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Hailu said the New England Ballet Theater was a good choice for the She said students were able to see that even at the professional level field trip because students could see a professional rehearsal without there is always more to be learned. having to travel to the city.

Hailu also said that although “ballet should look effortless,” the trip “I think that these students come in with a personal understanding of to the theater helped students learn the high level of athleticism that how much work goes into becoming a professional athlete,” she said. goes into each performance. This understanding encouraged students “And by going to the New England Ballet Theater, they are able to to reimagine the role of learning in their other sports, she said, and see these dancers who’ve been dancing all their lives, and they are showed them that there is always more to be learned and ways to still challenging themselves and still overcoming difficulties [while] challenge oneself to improve. aiming for perfection.”

OPINIONS SALMAGUNDY

Phone Policy Update: Students Report Less Communication and Increased Screen Time

By Natalia Levesque ’26 and Diane Ferragu ’26 Staff Writers

Introduced at the beginning of the school year, the Porter’s cell phone policy is in effect throughout the academic day. The policy is meant to keep students off their phones to ensure fewer distractions, lower social media exposure, and more in-person communication. It stirred up strong opinions and questions regarding phone usage on campus. To get an inside scoop on the students’ point of view, a survey was sent out to all students.

More than 100 responded. “[The phone policy] makes me feel more disconnected from my peers because people are going to their dorms and spaces where they can use their phones and so people are not socializing with each other as much as they could be during free time,” one response read. Another student reinforced this point by commenting that they noticed a decline in the use of communal spaces on campus since the policy’s implementation.

Many students have not seen improvement in in-person communication as the policy makes it challenging to meet up with friends and peers, especially ones that do not share the same schedule. Even if plans are made the night prior, there is still a chance that something will come up and alter the plans while students have no convenient way to communicate these changes. Without cell phones, there is less room for convenient communication– a crucial aspect in a high schooler’s busy life.

Students also mentioned that the phone policy hasn’t reduced their exposure to social media as many are just staying up later to check their feeds. “My screen time on Tiktok and Snapchat haven’t gone down at all,” one respondent said.

According to the National Library of Medicine, “Medical research shows that teens who usually get too little sleep are more likely to struggle in school.” The policy not only makes it more likely for students to get less sleep but also isn’t working for its intended purpose of stress relief.

In brief, many members of the student body have not seen the supposed benefits of the phone policy as most surveyed said

A copy of a poster that the Miss Porter’s School Administration has printed and hung up in most classrooms and other spaces.

Poster via printablesign.net

that the policy does not improve communication skills or ensure less social media exposure. Only some claimed the policy “provides less distraction.” Still, 78% of students have responded disagree or strongly disagree with this statement. To improve the current situation, students suggested that the policy should only be implemented in academic buildings, so it would be easier to make plans to meet up with friends and peers. This would keep students off phones and social media allowing more in person communication and engagement in classes.