THE VOICE VOLUME XXXII | FEBRUARY-MARCH 2016
ATTACK ON MILLENIALS PG. 22
Table of contents
February-March 2016
Fresh Faced Friday Recently, Pembroke instituted a day encouraging girls to forgo makeup to promote body positivity. How was it recieved?
Kids these days This month, we delve into the many stereotypes surrounding Generation X and Generation Y. What does this mean for the next generation?
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KC Crawl Christine Zheng ‘16 and Sarah Chamberlain ‘16 review Doughnut Lounge, new in Westport
Q&A
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Exclusive interview with Mademoiselle CroibierMuscat and Mr. Young, both members of the Pembroke Language Department
16 Photo Poll We feature celebrity look-alikes around Pembroke
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buzz [Spring]
The first spring flowers are typically daffodils, dandelions, lilies, tulips, iris and lilacs to name a few Holidays that occur in spring include Easter, Passover, April Fool’s Day, Earth Day, Arbor Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Cinco De Mayo, and Holi (festival of colors in India). The early Egyptians built the Great Sphinx so that it points directly toward the rising sun on the spring equinox.
The myth that it is possible to balance an egg on its end on the spring equinox is just that: a myth. Trying to balance an oval-shaped object on its end is no easier on the spring equinox than on any other day.
Children actually grow faster in the spring than during other times of the year Every year on the first day of spring, people in Poland gather to burn an effigy and throw it in the river to bid winter farewell.
For the Japanese, the opening of the cherry blossom, Japan’s national flower, in March or April signals the start of spring.
Flooding is also common during the spring in and around the mountains because of melting snow.
Hurricane season begins in late spring. Tornado Alley is most active this time of year. The first day of spring, the vernal equinox, has 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness. Benjamin Franklin was the first to propose daylight savings time in 1784. It wasn’t fully implemented until the end of the Second World War.
February/March
in Review
Kaitlyn Storm and Catie Franano Staff Writers
The Pembroke Hill basketball team hosted a Pink-Out Coaches vs. Cancer game that raised $350 for Cancer research. The school as a whole raised another $1,900 for the American Cancer Society and Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
During the Cancer Awareness Game, Curtis Lewis, ‘17 scored his 1,000th point playing Raider basketball.
Senior members of the Pembroke Hill Cheer Squad were honored at the Girls Varsity Basketball game against KC East Christian Academy.
Evan Peterson signed to West Point for Cross Country, during a short ceremony. Upper-School Principal Mike Hill gave a heartfelt and congratulatory speech.
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Students celebrate their WPA dance at Pembroke, which was held off-campus for the first time. It was considered a huge success!
Pembroke Hill hosted 25 AFS Short Stay students who lived with Raider families for a week and participated in two days of school at Pembroke. The students and their host families also took part in many activities such as ice skating at Crown Center and a pot-luck dinner. n
Middle School Opinion: Late Start Day Carmon Baker Middle School Staff Writer
Every blue week Wednesday morning, the Middle and High Schools have late start. The students have an extra hour and forty-five minutes before school starts. Some spend it doing homework, sleeping in, or just hanging out with friends. A poll was sent out to the Middle School students. Out of the 140 students who replied, here are the facts about what Middle Schoolers do during late start:
The “other� category seen in the diagram above includes Girl Scouts, Science Olympiad, going out to breakfast, relaxing, watching TV, playing video games, and much more. But the question is, do you actually get more sleep on late start days, or do you just stay up later knowing you can sleep in the next morning? Here are the facts about the amount of extra sleep the students get out of the 141 that responded: Extra Hours of Sleep 50
40
30
20
10
0
1
2
3
None
The amount is not consistant
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Do you like doughnuts? Sweet. Us too. They don’t have enough doughnut shops around here, or just in general, don’t you think? Yeah, I agree. Say no more, and let me tell you about The Doughnut Lounge. Located at 4117 Pennsylvania Avenue, KCMO, 64111, The Doughnut Lounge has every doughnut a doughnut lover could wish for: red velvet, apple fritter, s’mores doughnut, you name it. What makes The Doughnut Lounge one of a kind is that it is spontaneous about just one thing and with this spontaneity, this one thing becomes never-ending: doughnuts. The people who work here are passionate and fun-loving, and so are the customers. Doughnuts Christine Zheng and are delightful, improvisational masterpieces here, and we customers get to be not only the buyers, but also Sarah Chamberlain the lucky viewers. We talked to Arthur, one of the baristas, to get the full story about this place. Columnists Q. How long ago did Doughnut Lounge open up? How is business? It has been open just over a month. It’s good. The location is pretty great. We have Dempsey’s just across the street. Our versatility is also important. Everyone has a reason to be here; between our entree items, the noduts and the sweeter doughnuts. For our first two weeks, it was crazy because of the holidays and everyone knew that Doughnut Lounge was coming soon. So we had a couple allies on our side. Also when people see us running food and they see this glazed and gravy, they are like, “What the hell is that?” So they keep coming back. Q. Why doughnuts? Well I know that Jake Randall, the owner is definitely a fan of them. Many people are. From what I know, there are a couple other [similar] doughnut shops around the country. One of them is called Glazed and Confused. We wanted to do that, but take it to the next level. We wanted to integrate bar, coffee shop, and restaurant hospitality all into one. So why doughnuts? I think it is the hook; the chorus of our song. Q. How does the atmosphere change from the morning to evening? Everyone has a reason to be here. In the morning, it is more of a coffee shop. It is us making lattes, running food, folding silverware. It is the whole coffee shop feel with us calling out people’s names. Then at four, we get our second wave of fresh doughnuts. We make more savory ones for the evening—for example, the blackberry cheesecake doughnut, which is killer. So in the evening, we try to make it more accommodating for our restaurant feel. We segue from being a high paced breakfast coffee shop and dim the lights a little bit so people can get a couple cocktails. Because we are all good at both working in back and in front, when a customer comes up to us and orders a doughnut we can help give advice on what goes well with it. Q. If Doughnut Lounge was a music genre, what would it be? If you took the electronic dance music, but then somehow incorporated live music: analogue meets digital. It’s a hybrid, and I don’t really think there is a genre for it because sometimes we feel like we are rap and really laid back. Then it is rock and roll and it’s really crazy as we are all running around and it is insanity. The one genre we aren’t is country. That could be my personal bias. Q. What is the craziest thing about the Doughnut Lounge? One significant thing is we open at six thirty in the morning, and we will have people waiting outside the door. Doughnut fights do actually happen in the kitchen all the time. We throw dough at each other all the time when we have excess dough. Q. How do you come up with the different types of doughnuts? In the kitchen, we are all a bunch of mad scientists. Ty is our chef, and one time, he was in front of our large mixing bowl. He had just opened a can of Coke and was about to drink it. He brought it from home; he just wanted a soda. Before he put his lips on it, he looked down at the soda, then at the mixing bowl, and poured the whole can into the mixing bowl. We got the idea from that to start doing the Root Beer Glazed Dolly. It’s very improvisational, and when something works, we keep doing it. n Photos courtesy of Doughnut Lounge Facebook
Doughnut Lounge
Location:
4117 Pennsylvania Avenue Kansas City, MO 64111
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FOOD FIGHT Eggtc. vs. First Watch
Mikayla Ferguson Columnist Eggtc. is a cute little breakfast place that has self-proclaimed “richly delightful dining rooms” great for having brunch with friends. Started in 2006, they have two locations; one on main and one in Shawnee. They serve breakfast, brunch, and lunch foods as well as an array of drinks. It’s a great place to go during late start, but you have to get there pretty early on weekends because it’s almost always busy. But the wait is worth it when your food arrives. Eggtc.’s Classic Eggs Benedict consisted of an English muffin with ham, topped with a soft poached egg and hollandaise sauce. The side of fruit that came with the benedict was fresh and complemented savory with sweet. The sprinkle of paprika on top adds a nice hint of flavor that makes the dish extra tasty. The egg was very soupy and cooked perfectly, and the ham was very delicious. The english muffin was soft and went well with the egg, creating a perfect soupy concoction. The only thing that was missing in this mix was the hollandaise sauce. There was barely any on the dish, and it really took away from the overall flavor. With more hollandaise, this dish would be perfect.
First Watch is a large chain started in 1983 in Pacific Grove California. With at least ten locations in Kansas City and in the surrounding areas, this restaurant is accessible to almost everyone in KC. With a variety of breakfast and lunch foods, as well as many juices, teas, and coffees First Watch is a classic choice for anyone looking to have a fresh breakfast. First Watch’s Classic Eggs Benedict was composed with a poached eggs on top of ham and a slice of tomato, all placed on top of a toasted English muffin, covered in hollandaise sauce. This dish also came with fruit. This benedict differed from the first benedict in two ways; it had a toasted English muffin and a ripe tomato. I really enjoyed that the English muffin was toasted and little bit crunchy; it added a new texture that the benedict wouldn’t have previously had. I thought the addition of the tomato was just fine, but it did not really add anything special to the flavor. The best part was the hollandaise sauce, which was thick and plentiful. The combination of the sauce and the toasted muffin made the dish really delectable. Overall, I found this eggs benedict more flavorful and enticing than Eggtc.’s. n
Loser... Winner! 8
Overall Rating: 8/10
Overall Rating: 9/10
Hillary Clinton: The “Chill” Candidate Shannon Fang Managing editor “How does your student loan debt make you feel? Tell us in 3 emojis or less.” This tweet, by Hillary Clinton, shows exactly why her forced attempts to appeal to the young voters have failed. It is understandable why the current presidential candidates are trying to become “chill.” According to CNBC and the Pew Research Center, about 40% of eligible voters are millennials (90 million people), and close to 50% of them consider themselves independent voters. It would be tough to win the election without the votes of this generation, many of whom are unsure of their political views. To the candidates, this group of youths becomes a pool of people they each try to reel in, and each runner has different types of bait. For example, Hillary Clinton’s campaign is selling can holders that say “More Like Chillary Clinton, amirite?” She then proceeded to take a Snapchat video of her new item and said, “I’m just chillin’ in Cedar Rapids.” Out of the presidential candidates, Clinton has the second biggest twitter following (right behind Trump), and she has four million more followers than Bernie Sanders. However, Sanders has captured the millennial generation rather than Clinton because of his sincerity. Each of Clinton’s youthful endeavors feels like she pulled a word from Urban Dictionary and attempted to incorporate it in her campaign. The combination of her age (sixty-eight years) and how much she strains for young voters caused many millennials to view her as a phony. The way she engages with the youth is also demeaning because she treats the millennials like they have no capability of higher thought and like all their minds are only occupied by memes. For instance, she referenced Star Wars in her Snapchat: “This year, Republicans reminded us the Dark Side is alive and well.” It becomes hard to take Clinton seriously as a presidential
candidate if she uses pop culture as the only means of communication with the younger generation, and it shows desperation and lack of correspondence skills. She also treats a major problem in the U.S. that causes millions of people constant stress – student loans – like a joke, asking students to respond with emojis. The snarky and sarcastic responses-- such as, “This connects with me as a young person”--and their criticism of her grammar, demonstrate how voters see past her “chill” façade and strategies. Her tweets send a message that younger voters are one-dimensional and simpleminded; it feels as if she does not acknowledge their issues as real and believes they cannot have sophisticated conversation about political topics. On the other hand, Sanders shares his ideas with his young voters, treating them like individuals who are intelligent and can make a change. In order for Clinton, or any other candidate, to win this election, she has to be genuine. Trump and Sanders have shown how authenticity can win voters. The millennials know that, to many, they are simply pawns in this election, being treated like objects that can be won. Therefore, they will follow those who make them feel like they are more than just playing pieces. n
Note: This article is not a political stand for or against any political candidate. It is analyzing their campaign tactics from a younger person’s viewpoint; it expresses simply how the candidates are perceived, not who they actually are or their qualifications for presidency.
Title
Is makeup the vehicle to body positivity?
Shaina Desai Managing Editor
Fresh Faced Fridays Shaina Desai Managing Editor Issues of self-consciousness involving body positivity are something every person faces in their lifetime, no matter if they are male or female. To promote embracing one’s true self, Peer Helpers initiated a day called Fresh Faced Friday, when both students and teachers, particularly women, were encouraged to come to school without worrying about their appearance. Several women wore no makeup and traded sweaters and skirts for sweatpants and t-shirts. However, there were several dissenting opinions about this event. Did the day achieve its predetermined goals of trying to eradicate a mask of perfection? Did it teach others to learn to not to feel guilty about particular traits one does or does not possess? Some felt the ideas behind the day were excellent and were initiated from good intentions, but the day itself was not executed in the most efficient manner, possibly due to communication errors. Maya Hill ‘16 commented that “some of the messages on posters or on mirrors were shaming girls that wore makeup.” Even though participating in the day was completely optional, she believes that people who wore makeup may have felt uncomfortable and seemed as though they were not in support of the premise of the occasion. From an older male perspective, Mr. Griffiths also shared his opinion about Fresh Faced Friday. He is not sure it accomplished such a lofty goal, but is glad it opened doors to discussion about double standards present in our society. In addition, he states that “societal standards run deep” and thinks it is “unreasonable to expect someone who genuinely feels uncomfortable without make-up to undo decades of indoctrination.” One reason why girls may not have participated is not because they do not believe in embracing one’s true self, but because of the standards society has placed on women for generations. This issue possibly made the day uncomfortable for the older generations who have witnessed these expectations for even longer. Agreeing with Mr. Griffiths, Dr. Banion strongly affirms that the greatest aspect of the day was the critical discussions and debates about beauty, power, and appearance that both students and teachers partook in throughout the days leading to Fresh Faced Friday. Although she did not participate, Dr. Banion still did some reflecting on her image, especially as she gets older. She liked the idea of questioning women’s relationships (and increasingly men’s relationships) with the cosmetics industry. Reinforcing this belief, she asserts, “We need to think critically about our standards of beauty, and taking a hard look at our relationships with cosmetics can be a part of that.” Overall, the introduction of the topic should not have been as focused on simply not wearing makeup. This statement oversimplifies the true reasons behind the entire day, and may have made people who are so used to wearing makeup on a daily basis uncomfortable with the messages on bathroom mirrors and doors. In addition, some people do not view makeup as a way to hide supposed flaws. Makeup is also seen by some as an art form and a way for people to express themselves. Several advisory groups discussed their thoughts about the attempt at self-reflection, and I am interested to see if the first Fresh Faced Friday leads to another similar event. n
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Photo Poll: Celebrity Look-Alikes NATALIE DAMERON ‘17 ALEXIS BLEDEL (GILMORE GIRLS)
MR. LAIBLE LEONARDO DICAPRIO (THE REVENANT)
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Maggie Burke Staff Writer
WILL ROWLAND ‘19 JESUS CHRIST (THE BIBLE)
DANIEL STARK ‘18 JUSTIN BIEBER
KIEFFER DEMAYO ‘17 ALEX FROM TARGET
STEPHANIE ALBA ‘17 SELENA GOMEZ
EMMA DEPP ‘16 SHERILYN FENN (TWIN PEAKS)
SARAH CHAMBERLAIN ROSAMUND PIKE ‘16 (GONE GIRL)
Actor of the Issue: Erin Lowe After dedicating countless years of her life to the performing arts, Erin Lowe ‘18 was recently cast in a movie. Below, she shares the details of acting in a movie, elaborating on her audition and first hand experience of working with her cast and director. V: First, can you just tell me a little about the movie you are in and your role? EL: The movie that I recently was in was a story about family and child abuse. I play the little sister and, interestingly enough, Katie Hall ‘15 plays my older sister. The story is about a father trying to return into his daughters’ lives after a traumatizing past. It’s about love, family, overcoming obstacles, and new beginnings. V: What was the audition process like for you? EL: The original audition was pretty basic. I was asked to memorize a scene from the script and perform for the director, the director of photography (DOP), and the producer. They had someone reading with me and they asked me to repeat the scene a few times with various adjustments. A few weeks later I was called and asked to participate in a second round of auditions. This time the audition took place in a building that I had auditioned in before, so I felt a little less nervous. I memorized another scene and brought the old one with me. In my opinion, one of the best parts of auditioning is the people that you meet. Not only the people involved the film itself, but the other people auditioning as well. You are stuck waiting with them for sometimes hours and you learn a lot about each other. I have made a lot of connections through people that I met at auditions. When I auditioned the second time, the process was pretty much the same. After I auditioned they asked me a few questions about my availability for filming and if I was willing to wear colored contacts. I didn’t hear back from them for about three weeks, but eventually they sent me an email and asked me to be a part of the production. V: Where will the movie be playing? Film festivals? EL: It is an independent film it will go to the film circuit. It’s currently in postproduction. V: What other acting experiences have you had in front of a camera because I know you do a lot of stage acting? EL: I started acting on stage when I was eight years old in a production of the Music Man at Starlight Theatre. I’ve been in various shows since then but my first on camera experience occurred about two summers ago. I was in an independent film about social prejudice and stereotypes. It was a fascinating process to witness, and though I only had a few lines in the film, I met some amazing people. The next film that I did was made to prevent sexual harassment in schools. It was a training video for teachers that I believe is now being shown at many schools nationwide. V: What was the process like filming with a director and crew? How long/demanding was the process? EL: For this most recent film, I was only asked to film for a few days. It was exciting to meet the team and get to know the other people on set. The process of making any sort of filming is fascinating. They do hundreds of different takes, usually four or five of the same shot. When you watch a movie, every time the camera switches to a new perspective, even slightly, think about how many different takes went into it. The experience was amazing for me. The people were so kind and welcoming. In one film I was in, I had to wear shorts and a t-shirt while eating ice cream outside in freezing weather. The crew felt bad for me so they all took of their coats in solidarity. It was also exciting to have professional hair and makeup artists on set. n 13
Gun Control: Alice Rowland ‘16
1,358. That’s the number of deaths caused by gun violence in 2016 so far, and it’s only February. Included in this number are the 19 mass shootings in the United States in the past two months. Such are facts that characterize what the BBC describes as “just another day in the United States.” And it is. No matter the party, we, as concerned citizens of the United States, need to get our act together. Gun control has become a source of toxic deadlock between the two parties with little room allocated for discussion. It’s an “all or nothing” situation with one side wanting as many guns as they can get their ‘Murican hands on and the other wanting to disregard the Second Amendment completely. However, because of our inability to have a rational conversation, there are 1,358 families, children, spouses, and parents who have lost their loved ones. Just like our President, I am not arguing for a total revision of the Second Amendment. I believe that we, as members of a civilized society, can adapt to the times as they change around us. And as guns change around us, we need
to have a rational discussion to find middle ground between the far left and far right opinions. With no discussion, we leave it to extremist individuals and special interest groups with money to further the divide. If we were actually talking to each other, we would know that we aren’t so different after all. After the Sandy Hook Massacre, Quinnipiac University conducted a poll showing 91% of respondents were supportive of “requiring background checks for all gun buyers.” If this poll is true, the elite few in charge of passing that legislation need to answer our call for change. As it is now, guns and gun control are just another symptom of the ruined system we call government. Gun control should not be a partisan topic that candidates use to gain support from special interest groups. With this situation, we are allowing politicians and lobbyists to degrade the sanctity of human lives to the point where it is just the fallout of their political strategy (if that, as many candidates choose to ignore the issue altogether so as to not injure their campaigns). After eight years in office, President
Obama finally issued his executive order on gun control. In the wake of Sandy Hook, Aurora, and Charleston, Obama went over the partisan pettiness of Congress to create some real change in his last year in office. With this action, Obama has begun a wave of social reform in this country. He has started a process of de-militarizing our police, who should be able to judge situations more accurately and calmly without the fear that anyone could be carrying a weapon. He has started a process of bringing peace to our streets, which have become war zones. But most importantly, this executive order has started to give the American people back the other rights that the presence of guns has taken away: the unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. He wants to give back the rights of the students of Columbine, the employees at San Bernardino, and the Jewish people right here in Kansas City: the right to go to school, work and community centers without the fear of being shot. This is a democracy, and without conversation, our rights seem to be more fleeting every day. n
Yes or No? James Parkerson ‘16
Gun control has become quite an explosive topic in this new year. In January our supreme leader Barack Obama once again decided that it was necessary to overstep his bounds and take over the powers of the legislative branch with his twenty-three executive actions calling for increased gun control. Even though executive actions don’t have the same legitimacy as executive orders, Obama proves once again that he will seize any opportunity to exert his dominance over the other branches and wiggle his way around our good ol’ Constitution. Obama has good intentions of stopping gun violence in our great nation, but can’t we just let Congress do its job? Actually, there’s a much bigger question: will these proposed regulations really curb gun violence? Your boy is on the case. I don’t think increased background checks will make a big difference. Let’s all imagine that I’m a criminal, and I want to get a firearm to commit a violent crime. So am I going to stroll up into a gun shop, fill out paperwork, go through a screening process, and wait several weeks to months
for an approval? Probably not. I’m going straight to the black market and getting that sucker as soon as possible. I, a violent criminal, am not going to go through a lengthy application process. Obama does want to increase surveillance of illegal firearm purchases through the Internet, but we really need to create harsher punishments for people who possess illegal firearms. If there is a strong deterrent to obtaining an illegal gun, I imagine that even criminals would respond to this. Most states consider obtaining an illegal firearm a misdemeanor; this is not a severe enough punishment. I understand that most of the calls for increasing gun control laws stem from the mass shootings of the last few years, but I still don’t think increased background checks will help that much. Also, it could possibly infringe upon our constitutional rights. According to Northeastern University criminology professor James Alan Fox, “most mass murderers do not have criminal records or a history of psychiatric hospitalization.” It’s just really hard to determine whether or not a person intends to
perpetuate a mass murder when he or she purchases a firearm, and people with mild mental disabilities or other health issues could be discriminated against and denied their Second Amendment right. Yes, guns are dangerous. But so are cars, slippery staircases, and even food (about 2,500 people die each year from choking). Guns aren’t magically firing by themselves and killing people. People with malicious intents use guns as harbingers of death, instead of instruments of protection. Even without guns, these same types of people will always find ways to kill, whether it be with knives or, honestly, anything that could possibly inflict harm. Simply getting rid of a gun won’t stop somebody’s plan to murder and rob. The only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun. Guns are meant to defend. There will always be some gun violence in the U.S., but that is expected in a country that prides itself on individual freedoms and liberties. These extra regulations are just going to hurt the everyday Americans who want to protect their lives, families, and property in the name of Second Amendment. n
The Voice: What is your best piece of advice? Muscat: Don’t limit yourself because you have more possibilities available in every moment than you realize. V: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why? MM: Back to my childhood village to hike on a rocky trail in the Alps. The simplest places have always been the most memorable. V: If you had three words or phrases to describe yourself, what would they be? MM: Passion for learning, appreciation for nature, and a desire to see countries I have not yet visited. V: How long have you been working at Pembroke Hill and what has been your favorite memory while here? MM: 14 years. My favorite memory will always be my interactions with students especially in our discussions that have elicited a depth of response. One particular quote from The Little Prince that drew great depth from my students is “The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched, they are felt with the heart.” The Voice: What is your favorite video game? Young: Most recently Clash of Clans, though it has moved past the fun stage and is now a source of a persistent, low-grade irritation. V: For how long have you worked at Pembroke? JY: 19 blissful years
Q
V: Do you play any instruments? JY: Yes, I can play the guitar one note at a time, joining them together rhythmically... not so much.
V: What is your favorite snack? MM: No snack for the French, just a big lunch meal and a 2 hour siesta will do it. V: If you could have any animal as a pet, which animal would you choose and what would you name it? MM: Another rescued cat. I would name it Shanti, which means peace, tranquility, or bliss – what we all dream of.
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V: What is your favorite memory at Pembroke? JY: That one time all the kids came prepared to class. V: In your opinion, what species is most likely to seize control of the planet? JY: Middle School Students: they are small, have thick exoskeletons, can squirm through cracks, and enjoy the dark corners of my classroom. Taken as a whole, they are virtually immortal.
V: What is your favorite restaurant in Kansas City? MM: FüD – jack fruit BBQ. TASTY!
A
V: What activity/hobby do you enjoy the most? MM: Breathing in and out on the Zabuton. V: What has been one of your favorite moments of 2016 so far? MM: Just right now.n
V: What’s your favorite song or album? JY: “Loaded” by the Velvet Underground. V: If you had three words or phrases to describe yourself, what would they be? JY: I came, I saw, I tried my best (for the most part). V: If you had to make the argument that the Language Hallway is the coolest hallway, what would you say? JY: It’s full of freshmen, what else can I say? V: What has been your favorite assignment to give your students? JY: Stage 14, Worksheet N. V: If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why? JY: The Canadian Arctic: limitless expanses of tundra blanketed by tiny, ephemeral flowers, and all wrapped up in vast blue sky, home to no man of sense or purpose.
Lindsay Luchinsky and Natalie Dameron Staff Writers
Unbiased Opinons with Clay Lundgren ‘17 Here we are at last. You, the reader, are now given the utmost pleasure of reading my incredibly important, not-at-all boring, reviews of what I consider to be the best five movies that came out in 2015. There will be no spoilers in this list, only my endorsement that you should go see all five of these films as soon as possible if you haven’t already.
5. The Martian I’m a total freak for space science. That’s more or less why this film deserves a spot on the list. A vast majority of the science in this film is fairly plausible and is very enthralling. Though Mark Watney’s survival story on Mars didn’t quite do for me what Interstellar did in 2014, Matt Damon’s performance alone sells me on this one. You’ll find yourself feeling just as alone as Watney does in that vast Martian landscape, all thanks to a stellar performance and phenomenal cinematography by Darius Wolski.
3. Star Wars
4.
Eight l u f e t QuenThe Ha tin Tarantino strikes
again with another Western. Although this film is nowhere near his strongest, you’ll quickly fall in love with hating almost every character in this movie. You will inevitably spend the entire film questioning every character’s motives. Each actor’s performance is undeniably strong and helps to sell you on this frigid Western murder mystery. Or as I like to call it: “Clue: but Way more Violent”.
Episod e
Need I write anything? This movie rocks. It’s Star Wars. And it’s really good. Like, REALLY good. I was very pleasantly surprised by J.J.’s take on the Star Wars universe. All truths told, I was a little nervous for how this movie would turn out. But, a stunning score, phenomenal new characters, great returning ones, endearing writing, and great directing easily made this one of my three favorite Star Wars films.
VII: The
Force Awa
kens
2. The Revenant
1. Mad Max: Fu
ry Road
What happens when you pair Alejandro Iñárritu,a masterful cinematographer, with Emmanuel Lubezki and have them make a visual masterpiece? They deliver. I couldn’t tell you the last time that the direction and visual choices in a movie were enough to make me quiver in my seat from fear, want to vomit from grotesque, real action, and to be in sheer awe of the beauty of nature all within five minutes. The first five minutes. This cycle then repeats over and over again. This is film at its finest.
What, then, could beat out what I myself just called a masterpiece? What could beat what I used a ton of snooty, annoying, self-entitled language to describe as perfect film? A movie that made me want to explode that it was so enthralling, that’s what. Mad Max: Fury Road is amazing. And I’m using that word’s actual definition. I was, quite literally, amazed. I felt like a kid watching the coolest action film of all time. I knew 20 minutes in that this was going to be my favorite movie of 2015. I walked out of the theatre speechless. This movie rocks. And instead of trying to describe it like I have the past four films, I’m just going to say one thing: if you haven’t seen this movie, and don’t go see it in some way after reading this article, we can’t be friends anymore. n
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MEDIA Recently, I was lucky enough to watch The Revenant. Inspired by true events, the film illustrates a man’s will to survive and the power of his human spirit. During an expedition into the uncharted American wilderness in the 1800’s, explorer Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) is savagely attacked by a bear and left to die by members of his own hunting team. The aforementioned gruesome scene is certainly not for the timid viewer. Knowing beforehand that the bear is computerized and no live bears were used in the filming helps to steady a viewer’s pounding heart. Other scenes in the movie are just as jaw-dropping, such as Glass cutting open his horse, removing its guts, and crawling inside of it to survive a snowstorm. Yep, I’m not kidding. The movie captivates its audience, depicting Glass’s struggle to survive. Yet, his drive to revenge the people who left him conquers all of the intense and violent obstacles he meets. Guided only by the love of his family and determination, Glass perseveres through physical and emotional pains that I cannot come close to even imagining. This film is an immersive and thrilling cinematic experience, but it’s also extremely violent and intense. It’s certainly not a film for everyone, especially those a bit squeamish or easily disturbed by graphic violence. I left the theater feeling exhausted by the protagonist’s struggles. Leading the way with twelve Oscar nominations, The Revenant is competing for Best Motion Picture of the Year, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role, and Best Achievement in Directing at the Oscars. The Revenant has already won Best Motion Picture - Drama and Best Director - Motion Picture at the Golden Globes. I recommend the movie to those brave souls seeking an intense experience, not lighthearted fun. Daniel Stark Staff Writer
Aaron Berkowitz Staff Writer When I first heard that Alejandro Iñárritu, the director of Birdman: (or the unexpected virtue of ignorance) was working on a project starring Leonardo DiCaprio, I knew immediately that I was going to see it. This project, titled The Revenant, tells the story of Hugh Glass, a fur trapper in the early 1820s, who survives a brutal bear attack and is left for dead by his hunting team. Yet, he stumbles his way through the wilderness in search of revenge for those who left him to die and also killed his son. Besides the already incredible story of rebirth and vengeance, The Revenant is a piece of cinematic beauty that shows the brutality of the frontier but also its outstanding beauty. The director of photography, Emmanuel Lubezki, works brilliantly with Iñárritu, capturing seemingly long and monotonous shots in a way that builds tension and immerses the viewer into the terrifying world of the American frontier. Although there is little dialogue, the story as a whole was brilliant. DiCaprio really shows the tortured figure of Hugh Glass, from his regression into a man hell-bent on survival to a self-avenger figure. DiCaprio uses these personas of Glass to establish a mostly unspoken backstory and of loss and suffering, a suffering that continues to his present place in time. DiCaprio also takes on a physically demanding position, in which he had to lose several pounds of fat to transform himself into a man who barely survived and even came back from death. DiCaprio’s counterpart Tom Hardy also had a magnificent performance, becoming a man motivated by pure self-interest, while still displaying a convincing reason for the selfishness of the character. Overall, The Revenant proved itself to be one of the best films of the year through the incredible direction, fantastic acting, and overwhelmingly beautiful cinematography, and hopefully it will win Leonardo DiCaprio the Oscar he most certainly deserves.
REVIEWS For fans of the show Downton Abbey, the announcement that the sixth season would be the last was bittersweet. On one hand, the beloved show will finish on a high: Its finale was watched by over six million in the UK (and will be viewed by, undoubtedly, plenty more when it airs on March 6 in the United States), and the cast and script are still going strong. Another plus, is that all those maddening loose ends will be wrapped up (the possible happiness of the Bates, Mary and Edith’s love lives, and the fate of Downton itself.) But the overwhelming downside to the end of the series is obvious. Downton, a beacon of light in the midst of a sea of Kardashian-filled, poorly written, low-brow television, will be no more. Everything about the show will be missed, from Violet’s biting humor to Carson’s tough love. Luckily, Downton offers us one last season before bidding us farewell. So far, season six has not disappointed. Isobel and Violet fight it out over the hospital, Edith (finally!) has a rather promising love interest, Anna is pregnant, and Downton as a whole is still a-bustle. Yet several loose ends demand some tying up. Below stairs, audience-members are still pulling for Thomas to find happiness and for Daisy to break out of servitude. And what of Mrs. Patmore, the gruff cook who has never found love? Will Baxter and Mosely ever hit it off? Above stairs, will Rose’s marriage be a happy one? And what of Marigold -- will she ever know her mother as her mother? The final season promises answers to these intriguing questions. But whatever happens, fans can look forward to a fantastic finish to their beloved series. Even though the finale will come more bitter than sweet, it is not a hard end. Rumor has it, producer Julian Fellowes is writing a script for a film about the Crawley family! Rachel Colligan Staff Writer
“We can all say that we are never going to commit a crime, but we can never guarantee that someone will not accuse us of a crime. And if that happens, then good luck in this criminal justice system.”- Jerry Buting, co-defense attorney of Steven Avery Making a Murderer focuses on the flawed American justice system. It causes its viewers to re-analyze what is true in today’s world. Written and directed by Columbia Film School graduates Laura Ricciardi and Moira Demos, the series, filmed over a period of ten years, focuses on defendant Steven Avery and his family throughout his murder trial. Avery is not the everyday murder subject. Barely two years before being accused of homicide, Avery was released from prison after serving eighteen years for a crime he did not commit. This series focuses on the emotions of the Avery family and the blurry evidence that eventually led to Steven’s second major felony charge. This show is an excellent challenge. Though it is not by any means your classic binge-worthy crime drama, the documentary series is undoubtedly entertaining. Full of complex human emotions, legal maneuvers, and confusing, mixed evidence that will force you to reevaluate your faith in the criminal justice system, the show has outstanding composition and story. Rotten tomatoes gave the show a 97%, and IMDb rateed it 9.1/10, putting the show in the site’s top thirty TV shows ever. By the end, the writers convinced themselves and thousands of Americans of Avery’s innocence, due to defense lawyers Dean Strang and Jerry Buting’s excellent work, thousands of Americans agree, starting a petition on Change.org that has received over a half million pledges in favor of a Presidential pardon for Avery and his nephew Brendan Dassey. Although Obama has stated he will not pardon the celebrity criminal, Presidential hopefuls like Donald Trump have already promised to give Avery the justice he did not get in court. For many of you, this might be the only Trump policy you agree with! But, you won’t know until you watch Netflix’s Making a Murderer. Enjoy! n Davis Brooks Managing Editor
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“Dam” Straight Words of Wisdom from Dylan Dameron ‘16
Questions of Social Justice (Warning: Making a Murderer Spoilers)
For those of you who missed the hype surrounding this show, I will give you a quick intro. Steven Avery was convicted of rape and attempted murder of a woman in 1985. The only evidence that was used to convict him was eye-witness testimony and a police sketch that was “based” on the victim’s description of her attacker. After spending 17 years in jail for a crime he did not commit, Steven Avery was freed because new DNA evidence was discovered that proved his innocence. However, as this documentary series shows, the police in Manitowoc county were far from finished with Steven Avery. All of this information is discussed in detail in the first episode of the series, which left me stunned because there were still nine more episodes and it seemed like Steven’s story had wrapped up. However, this is not a fictional T.V. show where the protagonist gets to live happily ever after with his family. The police of Manitowoc County decide that Steven is guilty and should be in jail. So when a new opportunity presents itself, the police jump at the chance to go after Steven again. The Averys were never liked in the small town, but the amount of mistreatment Steven receives is unbelievable. A woman, Te-
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resa Halbach, is reported missing, and her car is later found days later in the Avery family junkyard. Not only do the police immediately arrest Steven Avery, but they also spend the rest of the investigation ensuring his conviction. The police were not planting evidence because they wanted to convict an innocent man; instead, they wanted to punish Steven for embarrassing the police department for his earlier exoneration and for suing them for four million dollars. There is simply too much detail for me to write about, but the actions of the police in the county are grotesque to say the least. Steven is eventually sentenced to life in prison without a chance of parole because his crimes are said to be escalating as he ages (Even though he was deemed innocent through DNA evidence and has no other serious criminal history). Every motion he makes for a new trial or an appeal all the way to the Supreme Court is denied. It is only because of this documentary that he was able to receive the legal help he needs, and he currently has a team from the Innocence Project working for him. This documentary has opened up the eyes of millions of Americans to a huge flaw in our justice system. The use
of eyewitness testimony is horrendously flawed as proven by the Innocence Project. Nearly 72% of the wrongful convictions that have been overturned are due to incorrect eyewitness accounts. In Steven’s first case, the police planted the idea of Steven Avery being the rapist in the victim's head and she then continued to identify him as the attacker, even though he did not match her initial description of her attacker. There are thousands of Americans in jail even though the only evidence that was used against them was an eyewitness testimony; some are even on death row. The chilling message at the end of this documentary is that Steven was just a regular guy, and if it can happen to him it can happen to anyone. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of this documentary series. Shows like this rarely get enough attention by the media, so it is very important that everyone see it to ensure this problem is resolved. Hopefully Steven will be pardoned or awarded a new trial, but until that day he has the support of over 400,000 people that have signed a petition for his freedom. If this article made no sense whatsoever, then go watch the series on Netflix and allow yourself to become as angry as I am. n
Going for the Gold? Diversity and the Oscars Lauren Washington and Hunter Julo Staff Writers
Every year during the winter months, I fill my holidays and weekends in movie theaters. Part of the reason why I do this is because there is nothing to do outside, but mostly I do it because of my love of cinema and of a great film released in time for award seson. I value this tradition because I love seeing the great work produced by some of the world’s best artists, to see their crafts come to life, and to hope that I could someday rise to their level of prominence. The diverse culture and style of each person is a large part of that. Unfortunately, the Academy that votes on the nominations and winners for the Oscars every year has, once again, failed to nominate a single actor of a racial minority. As a film lover, this is frustrating, because I feel like all of the best talent cannot possibly fit inside this category. Perhaps this is not a reflection on the Academy alone, but a reflection on the film industry and its neglect to create and cast enough roles for minorities. Although this season there were many actors that could have and should have been nominated, the bigger problem is that white actors are given more opportunities to achieve these standards. In 2014, a study done at the University of Southern California found that only 12.5% of black actors were given major roles, Hispanics received 4.9%, Asians occupied 5.3%, and other ethnicities occupied 4.2% of all major roles. And of those few percent, many actors of color are type-casted to play stereotypical roles because those are the only parts “suitable” for them. Matt Damon inadvertently summed up the diversity issues in film casting when he commented “When we’re talking about diversity, you do it in the casting of the film not in the casting of the show.” Although Damon may not have meant his comments in the way they were projected, he highlighted the illusion that Hollywood brings. Hollywood can portray a false mirror of diversity with ethnic faces on screen just for the sake of being casted as a prop. The reality is that in the world today, the demographic has expanded with a higher demand from minorities. Notably, movies like Creed and Stars Wars: The Force Awakens are two examples of movies that possess a universal appeal which is reflective of the society we live in. However, Hollywood continues to appeal only to white actors, directors, and
writers with more opportunities and rewards. Essentially, to combat the root of the problem, more movies with diverse influence need to get made to fix the source of the issue. Although the lack of black nominees has sparked national awareness, there is also a noticeable exclusion of Latino, Asian and Native American nominees. To no surprise, only five Latino actors have won Oscars and only three actors of Asian descent have won. The outrage that is coming from the public is undeniably understandable, with a lack of nominations like Idris Elba’s performance in Beasts of No Nation, Jason Mitchell in Straight Outta. Compton, or Michael B. Jordan and director Ryan Coogler of Creed. However, it is very difficult to name any other actors of color besides African Americans who did not receive nominations because the people of color simply do not receive the opportunities they deserve. The evident discrimination is not only about race, it also includes the prejudice against women. Women have been fighting for their equality in all aspects of life, and in many ways, women have prevailed. In film, roles are just recently being written that praise the strength of females. In dystopian novel-movie pairs, we see characters such as Katniss Everdeen and Tris Prior who encapture a strong-female demeanor, but all of those casted in these roles are white women. It is not a lack of talent causing this, with people like Halle Berry and Lupita Nyong’o proving themselves on the screen, as well as Kerry Washington and Uzo Aduba who dominate television. At the 2015 Emmy’s, Viola Davis made history as the first African-American woman to win the award for Best Actress in a Drama. During her empowering speech she said, “You cannot win an Emmy for roles that are simply not there.” The point is, instead of only viewing the Academy with anger, perhaps we should also reflect on the industry as a whole, and on what we want on the screen. The more we want old-fashioned white characters, the more they will appear. The film industry is trying to feed the people what they want, what will sell, so maybe we should continue thinking about what we are buying as we accept that our changing, adapting world is bright and colorful, and it is time that our films show that. n
“The film industry is trying to feed the people what they want, what will sell, so maybe we should continue thinking about what we are buying as we accept that our changing, adapting world is bright and colorful, and it is time that our films show that.” 21
Emily Cohen Copy Editor The other day I heard the most incredible story: Omar Hammami, at twenty-nine years of age, live-tweeted his assassination in 2013. It reminded me of a ridiculous scene in Scream Queens when Chanel Number 2 tweets as she is being murdered by the Red Devil. Or that scene in the new Zoolander movie when Justin Bieber posts one last selfie after being shot. “Peace out, world,” are his dying words. Who, in their right mind, would even consider updating their followers in those last moments? It seems laughable, but Hammami epitomizes a significant trend for demographers and marketers alike. The millennial generation dominates the media, particularly the Internet, which in turn dominates the lives of many people world wide. Hammami led a Somali Islamist extremist group, and he used Twitter to spread jihadist messages. This grave example is only one instance of the largely widespread negative perception of millennials. Narcissistic, overprotected, achievement-oriented; these are only a few words I’ve heard used to describe millennials. They’ve been called disparagingly “The Me Me Me Generation.” An article in the New York Times asks, in all seriousness, “Does Your Generation Have Too Much Self-Esteem?” How did this generation come to receive so much negative publicity? After all, the term ‘millennial’ is simply a marker of when they were born. Although there is some controversy among de-
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mographers, the Pew Research Institute considers millennials to be those born from 1981 until around 1995. They came of age in the new millennium. What differentiates millennials from the previous Generation X, besides their swanky name,
terrorist attack on September 11, 2001 was a wake-up call, specifically for Americans. It was an unbelievable tragedy, and we had no idea it was going to happen. We reformed and bolstered security measures, adding a department to
ing the worst. Of course, such precautions were not in vain; there was a real and present danger that hurt thousands of people. This single event, however, seemed to instill in our nation and leaders an endless paranoia, from airport security
is the era that surrounded them as they learned about the world and the events that characterized it. A shock to the world, the
the President’s cabinet and the notorious TSA. Kids across the country were sent home from school that September day, administrators and parents fear-
to ever-increasingly invasive cyber security measures. The attitude trickled down to the parents, who worried not only about the safety of their chil-
dren, but also about the their emotional well-being. Stories of helicopter parenting seem to have proliferated in recent years, with millennials unfortunately on the receiving end. Additionally this is the generation of the participation prize;
mindset of protection from Big Bad World with them to college, where they were met with yet another catastrophe: the economic downturn of 2008. Just as millennials were about ready to enter into the working world, thousands of
ey getting a degree, eh? So they began retreating back to their parents’ homes, only reinforcing the stereotype of a sheltered millennial not willing to put himself out in the real world for fear of being rejected. Millennials are not to blame.
the generation criticized for receiving credit where none is due. Their perceived narcissism finds it roots here. To their detriment, millennials brought this
Americans lost their jobs, and companies were refusing to hire. Not very encouraging for a someone who just spent four years and a whole mess of mon-
They are a result of the culture created by tragic events. So, why attack them? The answer is fairly unexciting. The generation that is finding itself and
entering adulthood is nearly always criticized. Usually they’re rebellious, wanting to differentiate themselves from generations past. For example, baby boomers were able to express themselves and their new-age ideas in the anti-war, anti-discrimination protests. They turned that cacophony called rock ‘n roll music into a sensation, much as millennials turned a couple of buttons and clicks on the computer into a new genre of music: Electronic Dance Music. In fact, the first accessible technology (like iPods and laptops) debuted for millennials, allowing them to differentiate themselves even more drastically from their predecessors. So, where does that leave us, those who have known the relatively new world of technology since we can remember? Those who didn’t quite ‘grow up’ during these catastrophes, but live with their consequences? We are Generation Z, which is loosely defined as consisting of those born from 1996 to the present. Yes, we were probably alive during the terrorist attacks on September 11, and during the economic recession of 2008. But we probably don’t remember going to the airport without going through airport security, and we didn’t have to think about how our careers would be affected by an unstable economy. Demographers are not able to clearly outline trends of our Generation Z since it is still in formation, so only time will tell our defining characteristics. Some predictions: rebellion, and LOTS of technology. n
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LOVE Dear Spenser Thomas, I think Gru is hot. -Anonymous
My Darling Diana Hacker, Forever you are my guide, one whom I turn to when the strange, garbled syntax of life needs clarity and precision. Your beauty lies in your simplicity. The elegance of your being reveals itself in a code that needs no cipher. My soul urns for the particular nature of your discourse: succinct, elevated, well-supported. The essence of which is never passive, nor inconstant, as I rely upon the pure sense of your even tenses to remind me that hope can be found in a perfect phrase. You are not possessive, though you perfectly understand the qualities of possession. As I reflect upon and imagine our life together I think the past, present, and future are all perfect. I pray for brevity in the moments we spend apart as they often feel inflated and repetitive. ClichĂŠd notions of love do you no justice. Nor does the jargon of sentimental romance. With you I can eliminate my own errors; and for that reason above all others, I remain endlessly devoted. Ardently, Mr. Romick
Dear Jessica Day, Your eyes are so enchanting. Sometimes I find myself lost in them. They sparkle like diamonds in the sky. Your quirky attitude brings a ray of sunshine to a rainy day. You make a bad day go away. You are the Ferguson to my Winston. You are the Cece to my Schmidt. Please take me back. Love, Nick Miller
To Bernie Sanders: Bernie, how I love thee And your fists of rage Will someday convince lawmakers To raise the minimum wage Revolution is upon us, as says the New York Times, Your economic policy Will tackle Wall Street crimes Bernie, how I love thee And oh, how I yearn For th'Oval Office to be yours; I'm feeling the bern With love, Grace Vedock
LETTERS
Collected by Ellie Ruland and Rachel Colligan Staff Writers
Dear Leonardo DiCaprio, I know what you’re thinking, what everyone always thinks first when they first hear me profess my love to a forty-one-year-old man… We would be an AMAZING looking couple. And yes, this is obviously true. Two beautiful blonde specimens strolling the beaches of exotic places around the world would make a great magazine cover. I would even let you sport your man-bun if you felt the need, although if we’re being honest, I think we can both agree the slick goatee is more your style. However, I have to admit my love for you comes not primarily from pure physical attraction (although that is certainly relevant), but from the dedication you give to your craft. You endure pain to give the audience pleasure. You cut your hand open and let blood stream down your arm, yet refuse to stop the scene. You ate uncooked bison liver to ensure your reaction is authentic and caught on screen. You’ve suffered through hypothermia in two separate movies but never once thought of quitting. How can I not be in love with someone that dedicated to their field? Why directors love to kill you at the end of movies, I really can’t say. I guess death is beauty in a way, and yours certainly always fit that description (even when shot in the head in an abandoned warehouse). However, I can guarantee you that our love would be eternal, never dying, like the ocean. Or something bigger than the ocean, like two oceans. Okay, perhaps our love would be finite, considering you’d probably die in my fifties. But I can promise you that the thirty or forty years we’d spend in each other's arms would be filled with the best moments of your life, moments even better than the one you will experience when you finally win the Oscar this year. So here’s to the rest of our lives, which we will surely spend together. My future with you is set; I’m sure of that. The only thing I still must ponder is what route our yacht will take around Europe, and what endangered rainforest we’ll save first. I’ll be your forever Rose. Natalie Kiersznowski
To My Precious Cat, Lula,
Hrinya, Please take me back. I miss you. Your friend, Sedlock
Ever since I received you this January, I have squeezed you a little too hard but I love you so much. And I know you love me too. Sometimes you scratch my face and hiss at me, but I know you do it out of love. Thank you for being in all of my snapchat stories and dealing with the flash of the camera blinding your eyes. If you could talk, you would probably express your love for me by reciting exquisite poems about joy and happiness. I hope you never die. Love, Baylor
We’re All in This Together: A Look at Girls in Sports
Bella Foote Staff Writer Sitting was simply not an option anymore. Within seconds, I joyed playing basketball for that very reason. was on my feet, screaming from the sideline as loud as my lungs Like I mentioned earlier, I have been playing sports since kinderwould allow while my teammate dribbled the ball down the court, garten, participating in soccer, tennis, basketball, and swim team. I looking to score as the clock ticked down. I had fouled out, which was into anything that kept me active and surrounded by friends. was not uncommon for me, so the best I could do was distract the However, one specific team really affected me -- Pembroke’s girls’ other team (and possibly my own team) with my relentless cheer- high school basketball team. Everyone on the team has endured ing. Suddenly, the shot went up, and the crowd held its breath. long, hard seasons with evening practices during the winter. As The basketball slammed into the I move through my senior year, I backboard and, to everyone’s find myself dreading my final game surprise, dropped through the with the team I now love so much. hoop. Cheers erupted. Our team This team is made up of a collechad just won in overtime. We tion of all grades, backgrounds, and all ran to each other, grabbing personalities. And, odds are, a lot onto one another’s jerseys and of us would not know each other if bear hugging anyone in sight, no it weren’t for basketball. But as we girl left behind. Sure, this was a play together, we are a unit, a sinfifth grade basketball game, but gle entity. When one player makes it wasn’t about the win; it was a basket or steals the ball, it is as about the bond we had created as though we all do. Through winning we celebrated as one. in overtime, facing heartbreaking The statistics don’t lie: Girls losses, and taking endless pre-game who participate in team sports mirror selfies, we’ve experienced it benefit from it socially, mentally, all as one. The girls on this team, as and physically. Research shows well as the coaches, have given me that girls on teams are less likely an immeasurable amount of confito be involved in illegal activity dence. I understand the importance “As I depart high school, my best piece of advice is and tend to have higher grades of being independent, but I also to join a sports team, be part of something bigger than than those who do not particiunderstand that I have a support yourself, and rely on others to reach your goals.” pate in team sports. However, besystem in which I can rely on, and neath the statistics lies something it is comprised of a beautifully ranharder to quantify--the significant increase of confidence and self- dom squad of girls who have gone through it all together. I’ve also esteem that can come with being a part of a team and competing watched the younger girls gain their own confidence and find their together. Being on a team is a critical part of growing up, especially inner leader. for girls. In our world today, and especially during high school, As I depart high school, my best piece of advice is to join a girls are often competing with one another. Be it for a grade, a ro- sports team, be part of something bigger than yourself, and rely on mance, a job, or social ranking, girls often feel as though they need others to reach your goals. I now head into the final games of my to defeat one another in order to succeed. While this phenomenon high school career wishing I could do it all (well, most of it) again. I doesn’t always take place, it does happen, whether we would like will eternally be grateful for the team from whom I’ve learned conto admit it or not. And that is why I believe it’s vital for girls to be fidence and the importance of supporting other females. I cannot a part of a team, to realize that there is another world--one where wait to let my fifth-grade self shine, as I shamelessly cheer along girls support, encourage, and rely on each other. I have always en- and play with the girls that I now consider family. n
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Photo credits to Elizabeth Danforth
“
By having the opportunity to learn first-hand what a full-time researcher does, Li got a taste of where his studies may take him, becoming more sure of his career aspirations and developing a desire to eventually obtain a PhD.
”
Gunjan Gaur and Laura Hibschan Managing Editor and Senior Designer “The distribution of lysosomes in parts of axons distal from the neuronal cell body under varying conditions and their role in clearing misfolded proteins to prevent lysosomal storage diseases.” It’s a mouthful, and most of us have no clue what it means. But Kevin Li ‘16 spent ten weeks of his summer studying this very esoteric concept while interning at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. His work paid off when he was named a semifinalist in the Intel Science Talent Search Competition this January. Li credits his post-doctoral fellow, who trained him over the course of four weeks. The data he collected while working under her set a baseline for his own research. Li got to use high-tech equipment in some of the nation’s most advanced facilities. Nonetheless, his journey was not without challenges; Li admits he made mistakes in the beginning--leaving antibodies out of the fridge, mislabeling containers--but that was all part of the learning process. The research was very intensive, and Li’s time in the lab was completely occupied by carrying out highly technical procedures, but he says, “You’re not doing it for the procedure, you’re doing it for the results.” And, indeed, the results of his work have immense potential. Lysosomes dispose of misfolded proteins in cells. Because these
incorrectly formed proteins in neurons can cause diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease), dysfunctioning lysosomes in certain brain cells can have devastating consequences. Therefore, the implications of Li’s study of these structures may lead to treatments for serious neurodegenerative diseases. Due to the competitive nature of scientific research, Li says his work will not be published, at least not for a while, but he has many positive takeaways from the experience. By having the opportunity to learn first-hand what a full-time researcher does, Li got a taste of where his studies may take him, becoming more sure of his career aspirations and developing a desire to eventually obtain a PhD. But most rewarding, he says, was the feeling of awe he experienced while literally watching cellular processes occur. With a combination of immunostaining, live imaging, and ultrahigh-resolution microscopy, Li, instead of simply reading about lysosomes in his AP Biology textbook, could actually see them moving about and working in cells. It made him realize that our bodies are wonderfully intricate machines, running thousands of processes simultaneously and allowing humans to perform myriad functions. We usually take these unfathomably miniscule happenings for granted, but our lives are truly impossible without them.n
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Drawing the Line
by Sam Hrabko
30 1. “Z” on the zone sign is flipped 2. Sergi’s hat is blue 3. Anya’s sign is replaced with Bella’s 4. Larry’s mouth is upside-down 5. Missing “E” on Kippy’s Raiders shirt
Puzzles
Find the Differences
Crossword
ACROSS: 4. “How do I love thee? Let me _____ the ways.” —Elizabeth Barrett Browning 5. _____ Banion, _____ Cho, _____ Jong-un (one word) 7. The infertile product of a donkey and a horse 8. Alternate to the SAT 11. Photoshop’s company 12. “All you need is _____.” —The Beatles 13. _____ful, _____bread, _____wall (one word) 15. Shares an office with Mrs. Cain 17. The color of the Gs in the Google logo 18. First name of Pembroke Hill’s pep band conductor 19. Popular Family Feud-esque mobile game 21. Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, _____
DOWN: 1. This band made the first music video shot in zero-gravity 2. Humanitarian and U2 artist famous for his tinted shades 3. The name of this publication 4. 5 in Spanish 6. NYC borough east of Brooklyn 7. “_____ key.” —DJ Khaled 9. Blue and green make _____ 10. In February, scientists officially detected gravitaitonal _____ 13. Country in the UK with an absurd number of sheep 14. Lake near Cleveland, Ohio 16. State north of Arizona 17. _____ _____ plays the knight Harry in Pembroke Hill’s production of Once Upon a Mattress (first and last name) 20. “Pillowtalk” artist and former boyband boy 31
Letter from the
Editors
For many, third quarter seems to be a waiting game. Waiting for college responses, waiting for spring break, waiting for graduation, waiting for class choices, etc. Many students find themselves in a state of constant anticipation. While anticipation is generally given a positive connotation, in the particular context of Pembroke it has developed a bad reputation. With anticipation comes anxiety regarding outcome, for uncertainty often pushes us outside our comfort zone. However, wouldn’t it be in our best interest as students to look for the beneficial aspects of the anticipation we so often come across? Even outside of third quarter madness, we spend a great majority of our time waiting until the next break or next report card. So, with that being said, let’s look at expectation through a positive lens: First and foremost, relish in the excitement of the unknown. The probability of a favorable outcome or imminent adventure can be incredibly energizing throughout these winter days. In addition to this pick me up, these periods of anticipation also serve as preparation for many instances to come. Our time at Pembroke isn’t going to be the last time we face uncertainty, so each time we do, we emerge increasingly well-versed in navigating stress that can accompany high hopes. Moving forward, with these new thoughts in mind, we hope the waiting game will be easier to bear. We only have so much time left for 2015-2016 school year; we might as well enjoy it.
Whispers
News Blurbs From Around School
5 pembroke hill seniors . . . will continue their sports into college over 50 students . . . gave blood this year (only 1 passed out) curtis lewis ‘17 . . . scored his 1,000th point during the game against st. joseph benton mrs creek and mr eshelbrenner . . . celebrate their 25th year teaching at pembroke hill gunjan gaur ‘16 . . . won the kansas city chapter of the brain bee mr lips . . . recieved a faculty alumni grant to go to europe to enrich his art history knowledge
Sincerely, Elizabeth and Megan
THE VOICE
The Official News Publication of the Pembroke Hill School The Voice is published monthly by the students of the Pembroke Hill School during the academic year to inform the Pembroke Hill Community about pertinent events and news. The paper is an open forum, distributed to the students, faculty, parents, alumni, and other members of the Pembroke Hill community. All decisions concerning grammar, layout, content, and photography are made solely by the editors themselves. As an open forum, The Voice encourages its readers to submit Letters to the Editors. The editors reserve the right to not publish letters. The Voice also accepts advertising and like articles. The editors reserve the right to not publish advertisements. Like us on Facebook at The Pembroke Hill Voice and follow us on Twitter at PHSVoice. Find us online at issuu.com/PHSVoice. The Voice is YOUR publication. Please read responsibly.
Editors-in-Chief Elizabeth Gerson and Megan She Senior Designer Laura Hibschman Copy Editors Emily Cohen Christine Zheng Gina Pepitone Head of Digital Cormac Chester Photographers Bella Barnes Mickey Ferguson Illustrator Olive Honan
Managing Editors Davis Brooks Shaina Desai Shannon Fang Gunjan Gaur Saurabh Goel Elizabeth Shulman Designers Shaina Desai Shannon Fang Olive Honan Lauren Washington Multimedia Editor Spencer Thut Middle School Coordinator Jacqueline Kincaid
Staff Writers Bella Barnes Sarah Chamberlain Natalie Dameron Shaina Desai Mickey Ferguson Bella Foote Pallavi Jonnalagadda Jaqueline Kincaid Kate Kramer Lindsay Luchinsky Gina Pepitone Lauren Washington Christine Zheng Business Manager Maya Hill
Columnists Clay Lundgren – “Biased Opinions with Clay” Olive Honan and Maggie Burke– “The Buzz” Christine Zheng & Sarah Chamberlain –”KC Crawl” James Parkerson and Alice Rowland – “Calvin and Hobbes” Dylan Dameron – “‘Dam’ Straight” Mickey Ferguson “Food Fight” Faculty Sponsors Dr. Matt Clothier and Dr. Kim Banion