THE VOICE January 2018
#MeToo
1 Voice
The Voice: January
TABLE OF CONTENTS 15-16
17-18
7-8 Interview with Aaron Rahsaan Thomas '95 Lauren Washington '18 interviews Pembroke alum, Aaron Rahsaan Thomas, '95, a film director, producer, and screenwriter.
19
Kemper presidential Portraits
FEATURE Rachel Colligan '18 and Catie Franano '19 address sexual assault in the media.
Emma Knopik '18 and Hunter Julo '18 discuss the different themes in portraiture, specifically throughout the American Portrait Today Exhibit.
Cover photos by Lauren Washington '18. Cover design by Gina Pepitone '18.
23
21-22
KC CrAWL
Jan Term
Slavery In Libya
Emma Knopick '18 goes to Splitlog Coffee, exploring its history, ambiance, and more.
Lauren Lee '19 writes about interesting Jan Term classes, trips, and her experiences in China.
Lauren Washington '18 writes about the disturbing recent accounts of human trafficking in Libya.
Voice 2
BUZZ
Audrey O’Shaughnessy and Katie Kimball
JANUARY
HOROSCOPES Capricorn (December 21st – January 19th) Happy Birthday to all you responsible, dependable, industrious souls! The Universal energy puts the spotlight on YOU. Aquarius (January 19th – February 18th) Again it’s time to go within. Spend time with nature, reflect, and seek solitude. Charitable work provides a breath of fresh air to your soul.
Jan 1: New Year's Day Jan 2: Jan Term Starts Jan 4: National Spaghetti Day Jan 8: National Bubble Bath Day Jan 10: National Houseplant Appreciation Day Jan 14: National Dress Up Your Pet Day Jan 15: Martin Luther King Jr. Day Jan 16: Appreciate A Dragon Day Jan 17: Ditch A New Year's Resolution Day Jan 20: National Cheese Lover Day Jan 24: National Compliment Day Jan 28: National Fun At School Day
3 Voice
Photo Wrap Up
Julia Rosher Head of Photo
For the advisory holiday charity drive this year, students were asked to bring in items such as kids toys and dog food to be collected and donated to various organizations.
Senior swimmer and captain Caroline Salzman ‘18 qualified for the state competition in the 50 freestyle at the girls swim team’s first meet of the season.
Voice 4
Some students travelled abroad for Jan Term, going on trips to China and Italy.
Students enjoyed their relaxing first week back from winter break with fun Jan Term classes such as Scavhunt, Crocheting, and Street Photography.
5 Voice
What’s the Word? A View From Each Grade on: a New Year and a Fresh Start
Caroline Salzman Columnist First semester of Senior year is a stressful time for the entire class, but New Years comes with a much needed relief. A few seniors know where they are going to college, and while the rest do not know quite yet, they will most likely be done with the taxing application process by January first. The new year brings many things to look forward to. Julia Rosher ‘18 is looking forward to being done with college applications, as well as gaining two free periods in her second semester. Another senior, Aaron Swartz ‘18, is also looking forward to having two frees. His are back to back giving him an additional late start on Thursdays. Additionally, Lizzie Spaeth ‘18 and many seniors are looking forward to graduation. The New Year means that we are all now second semester seniors! n
Charlotte Henry Columnist For the sophomore class the new year is all about starting over. 2018 is a chance to put the past year behind us as we look towards fresh goals in the coming months. For many, it is a time to reflect on aspects of the previous academic year that we want to improve upon. As Elizabeth Banks put it, “The new year means that I get to set new goals for myself and focus on the things that I did wrong, or things I could have done but didn’t last semester.” The new year is truly viewed as a fresh start, and for many it is an opportunity to take stock of dreaded grade reports and final exam scores as we look into the semester ahead. Going forth, we have the chance to further relationships and change grades, with the hopes of improving on the past years failures while reflecting on the triumphs. n
Jay Mehta Columnist Finals are over. PRAISE BE. We have long been hearing about the difficulty of Junior Year, and now, halfway through, we have the scars to prove it. Not only that, 2017 itself was a long, nightmarish fever dream. It seemed every day our world was crumbling around us, putting into motion the physics we were struggling with in our academic lives. Somehow, we’ve survived thus far. However, with our first AP exams now looming on the horizon, we must not have hubris. Let January, therefore, be a chance for a fresh start. Our struggle is far from over. Our world is far from perfect. However, 2018 is also the year most of us will apply to college and vote for the first time. So, let us face this new year with hope in our hearts and pens in our hands. To quote Coleman Gliddon: “Together, let us work.” n
Jackson Chu & Rishabh Gaur Columnists
2017 has come to an end, and it is time to start looking ahead to 2018. The new year is a time to make resolutions and to refine your habits. It is all about having a fresh start. It is a time to look to the future, rather than focusing on the past. People should learn from their failures, then let go of them, and prevent making the same mistakes later on. In school, it is a fresh start to a new semester, where every single person has a clean slate and an opportunity to improve. Overall, the new year provides us with a time where we can start over, forgetting our failures, and building on our successes. n
Photo Poll:
Voice 6
What is the strangest gift you’ve ever recieved?
Carolyn Franano Columnist
“Grow your own girlfriend doll” Vishal Beeki ‘18
“A light up fake cactus.” Allie Jones ‘18
“An orange.” Kate Stokes ‘19
“A rainbow clown wig.” Peter Gado ‘18
“A pickle.” Tate Benson ‘18 “5 energy drink boxes.” Caroline O’Keefe ‘18
Aaron Rahsaan
7 Voice
Lauren Washington Managing Editor It’s always exciting to see the success of former alumni, so I’m very delighted to have gotten into contact with alum, Aaron Rahsaan Thomas ‘95. During his time at Pembroke, Thomas was a cornerback and tailback on the football team and enjoyed making student films. Now, Thomas is a film director, producer, and screenwriter who graduated from the University of Kansas and thereafter graduated from the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts where he now lives and works as an adjunct professor at the school. His career is wonderfully taking off with work he’s written and/or produced such as SouthLand, Sleepy Hollow, Friday Night Lights, CSI:NY, The Get Down, and also directing the illuminating ESPN 30 For 30: Trojan War Documentary in 2015. On November 2nd, Thomas debuted one his biggest projects yet on CBS called S.W.AT., which he created and executive produced. Recently, I was lucky enough to interview Mr. Thomas to have him shed some light on his pathway to becoming a filmmaker and some of his most cherished experiences.
LW: What inspired you to pursue film through screenwriting, producing, and directing? ART: I discovered a love of creative storytelling as a young kid growing up in Wyandotte County. One school assignment was to create a Greek myth. I really enjoyed it. That interest segued to visual storytelling when I attended Pembroke Hill and took a class called Electronic Imagery, taught by Kathy Williams. LW: Tell us about your journey with filmmaking and what paths did you have to take? ART: My journey was one of finding my voice and what I wanted to say. As an African American student attending Pembroke Hill on academic scholarship, I partnered with a good friend of mine, James Nelson, to make a film that depicted our experiences and culture shock attending a private, mostly Caucasian school. The film was called Faid 2 Black, and while it provided a way for us to express our point of view, it also left an imprint with audiences and encouraged me to continue pursuing projects that not only entertain, but also engage the viewer. LW: What has been your favorite project that you have worked on and why? ART: That’s a difficult question to answer. Every experience I’ve had has been great in one way or another. LW: Do you have any advice for aspiring filmmakers, screenwriters, or creatives? ART: My advice, aside from being persistent and studying your craft, is to find your voice and be true to it. Know what it is that you want to share with the world and define the best way to share it. LW: Was there anything about your high school experience that helped you get to where you are now? ART: I grew up in a working class family in Kansas City, Kansas and attended Pembroke Hill as one of six African American males in my graduating class. There were zero African American women in that
class. All of this built an underdog mentality in me and a drive to shed light on voices that may get overlooked and undervalued. Pembroke Hill stays with me every day. In fact, one of the main characters on S.W.A.T., Commander Robert Hicks, is named after my old football coach at Pembroke Hill. LW: You have worked on many diverse projects from documentaries, movies, and tv series. Are there different objectives and challenges with each medium? ART: Yes. Each medium has its own challenges and rewards. However, all of them share the ultimate goal of putting together a piece of work worthy of a viewer’s attention. LW: Other than your own work, are there any other filmmakers that you find inspiring and enjoy? ART: I was inspired by director Spike Lee to choose to do undergraduate studies at his alma mater, Morehouse College. I was inspired by director John Singleton to choose to do graduate film school studies at his alma mater, the University of Southern California. I also greatly admire Gordon Parks, a fellow Kansan, George Lucas, Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, Kurosawa, Coppola, Fellini, Truffaut, Jean-Pierre Melville, Sam Packinpah, Michael Mann. There are many, many artists who inspire me. LW: A lot of my friends and I personally enjoyed “The Get Down,” what was most fulfilling about the project? ART: When we finished it, lol. The Get Down was an epic endeavor. Very ambitious considering the music and dance number components. At the same time, it was one of the most thrilling experiences of my career. I worked with film director Baz Luhrmann and the originators of Hip Hop, legends like Grandmaster Flash, DJ Kool Herc and Kurtis Blow, on location in New York City. Very exciting stuff. LW: Why did you find it important to be involved and direct the “30 for 30: Trojan War Documentary,” and how did you become a part of the project? ART: I am a huge USC Trojan football fan. I own season tickets. My connection to 30 for 30 came through a Pembroke Hill classmate of mine, Connor Schell, who is currently an executive and producer with ESPN. Directing Trojan War was extremely fun.
Voice 8
LW: How did “S.W.A.T” come about and what was that process like? ART: I had an idea to tell a story about an African American police officer who grew up in the inner city and can understand both sides of the Black Lives Matter/Blue Lives Matter debate. In many ways, the idea was an extension of what I did with Faid 2 Black, looking to entertain while engaging the audience through thoughtful perspectives. I decided to team up with Neal Moritz’s Original Film and reboot the S.W.A.T. franchise using my idea for this character
and we were fortunate to then bring on Shawn Ryan, creator of The Shield and Justin Lin, director of many Fast and The Furious movies. LW: Why was it important for you to produce your new television show, “S.W.A.T”? ART: When working in television, the chief voice of the show tends to be the writer/producer. It was very important for me to produce S.W.A.T. because it’s a story that I wanted to tell with honesty, integrity and a grounded point of view. The central character, Hondo, shares specific traits that I value, so being hands on in the portrayal of this character and the world was essential.
THOMAS ‘95
LW: What was your favorite part of working on the popular series, “Friday Night Lights”? ART: All of it. It was the first time I remember looking forward to the work week even more than weekends. A dope experience working with very talented writers and artists. Many of the stories I pitched while on staff at FNL were based on my experiences playing high school football at Pembroke Hill. I believe we even used a few names of old players who were teammates or rivals.
LW: What do you hope “S.W.A.T” conveys to viewers? ART: Hope. I’d love for S.W.A.T. to convey a hope that communication between seemingly adversarial groups of people like the police and the community, can improve based on diligent effort.
To the Pembroke Hill Community, I hope everyone tunes into S.W.A.T. on CBS as it airs on Thursdays at 10/9 central time. The show focuses on main character Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson played by Shemar Moore, who is a Los Angeles S.W.A.T. lieutenant. Hondo leads the unit close to the neighborhood where he grew up and grapples with remaining loyal to his neighborhood and the challenges of having allegiance to the force. The drama is action-packed with the S.W.AT. unit of men and women bravely risking their lives for the community of L.A. If you haven’t seen any of Thomas’ other aforementioned work be sure to check it out! As a current Pembroke Hill student, I find his story incredibly inspiring and empowering. It’s really fantastic to see all of Mr. Thomas’ success and strides in the film industry! n
9 Voice
Jacqueline Kincaid Columnist
She's Back!
Serena Williams returned to the court on December thirtieth; nearly one year after her victory at the Australian Open, where she won a Grand Slam singles title, at nine weeks pregnant. Most recently, she played Jelena Ostapenko, the French Open champion, in an Abu Dhabi exhibition match through the Mubadala World Tennis Championship. Though Williams, thirty-six, lost to Ostapenko only four months after giving birth, she got one set on the twenty year-old Latvian, who’s ranked seventh in the world. The final score was 6-2, 3-6, 10-5, with a super tiebreaker in place of a third set. Williams wasn’t concerned with the outcome, as she said, “I have plenty of comebacks, from injuries, from surgeries, but I’ve never had a comeback after actually giving birth to a human being. So, in my eyes, I feel it was a wonderful, wonderful match for me.” Her daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr., was born on September first, in West Palm Beach, FL. Williams married her husband, Alexis Ohanian, (who co-founded Reddit, a social news, web content rating, and discussion website) soon after their daughter’s birth, in November. Williams and Ohanian met in Rome, at the Cavalieri Hotel, in May of 2015, when she was staying there for the Italian Open. A year and a half later, he proposed at the same table where they met. The marriage ceremony was lavish and star-studded, at the Contemporary Art Center in New Orleans, with a Beauty and the Beast theme. Each table at the reception was named after one of Williams’ Grand Slam titles, with replicas of her trophies as party favors. While Serena has started a new chapter, she’s vowed to keep tennis a large part of it, with both Alexis Sr. and Alexis Jr. by her side. n Credit: Vanity Fair, Tennis.com, ESPN
the new
serena williams
Voice 10
Winter Sport Athletes Jack Ramza Staff Writer
Credit: thinglink.com, Getty
Caroline Salzman ‘18
Will Powell ‘18
Coming off of an extremely impressive junior season, it would be difficult for senior Caroline Salzman ‘18 to replicate her success from last year. Despite the high expectations, in the first meet of this season at Platte County, Salzman qualified for state in the 50 free. She then followed that performance up by placing first in the 100 free and first in the 100 breast. Not only has she impressed in individual events, but also team events by helping her free relay place in the top five in the 200 at the Winnetonka Invitational. I could keep going on with statistics, but in a nutshell, it’s been domination. That’s the only word to describe it, not just this year, but the past three years. Sure, her success already this season is eye opening, but it shouldn’t come as a surprise. From lettering in varsity all four years to going to state all four years, Salzman has proved that there haven’t been many other girls in the district or state who can keep up with her.
First, let’s get something straight: Curtis Lewis II ‘17 was one heck of a player; arguably the third greatest basketball player in Pembroke Hill history (greatest player if you exclude those who were guilty of accepting illegal benefits). His loss, along with the four others of a strong 2017 class, led many to think that this would inevitably be a “rebuilding year,” as only two varsity players returned. However, senior and Carnegie Mellon commit, Will Powell ‘18, has successfully led the inexperienced team in their first seven games. Known for his scoring and spin moves, Powell has already put up ridiculous numbers, scoring 29 against Lutheran and 30 against Van Horn, as well as the game winner. Along with his scoring, Powell has been all over the boards, grabbing ten plus rebounds in three of the seven games thus far. Despite the impressive numbers, Powell stays humble, stating, “The only stats that matter are the dubs.” In light of the loss of last year’s seniors, this year’s varsity squad has quieted the doubters with a winning record. n
11 Voice
Pressure Point. Columns in Conflict
Wil Rowland Columnist By the time you read this article, 2017 will have come and gone. While I write in the last days of one of the most politically eventful years of my life, you are able to read this piece with a 2018 mentality. I hope that 2018 turns out better than 2017. If 2016 brought with it the end of the world, then 2017 was the sobering look at life in hell. This article, however, overlooks the cultural significance of a year that brought about debate on topics that, normally, would receive no attention. Newspapers, political participation, and overarching conversation has only grown to satisfy the demand for a balance to the growth of the alt-right. The widespread publicity that sexual assault in entertainment and politics has garnered this year is already proving to have consequences in every aspect of life. Senators Roy Moore and Al Franken, as well as Congressman John Coyner Jr., were all politicians accused of and removed from their seats due to assault allegations. Cases like these have fostered a new round of debate on congressional term limits. Conservative calls to reform and shorten the laws of congressional leadership are
based around the idea of a supposed corruption that comes with extended exposure to the federal government. Discussions like these are based on the fundamental difference in perception of the government that each party holds. Liberal ideology prioritizes federal government, so it believes a lack of congressional term limits is essential to
“The widespread publicity that sexcual assault in entertainment and politics has gamered this year is already proving to have consequences in every aspect of life” providing any level of efficiency at the federal level. Conservative politicians, however, always protect the rights of the citizen from the evil that is the national government. This discussion is perhaps the most overarching and important debate of American history, and each party has played important roles. The party system is at
Roy Moore addresses assault allegations.
its best, however, when finding middle ground rather than resorting to partisan rhetoric. Nevertheless, a question begs to be asked: why now? Republican leadership has cited sexual assault claims as the justification for stricter term limits, yet this argument, to me, seems like a shallow attempt to advance an inconsequential issue. Yes, issues like net neutrality, the new tax plan, and the conflict in Israel draw most of the public’s focus -- but there is still debate to impose term limits. While corruption within government should never be underestimated, the idea that stricter term limits advance a morally righteous cause is naive. Just last year, Republican members of Congress postponed approving a Supreme Court justice for over a year in order to get a Conservative voice in the judiciary. A party so prone to partisan bargaining should not be allowed to push a bill through Congress simply due to a lack of public attention. Corruption is everywhere, folks; don’t fall for hollow promises and shallow motives. n
Congressman John Conyers addresses assault allegations.
Voice 12
Congressional Term Limits Grace Parkerson Columnist While campaigning in 2016, Trump promised that, if elected president, he would “push for a constitutional amendment to impose term limits on all members of Congress.” Now that Trump has taken office, it’s time he takes action to reform Capitol Hill and puts pressure on our elected officials. Imposing term limits on Congress is the first step to “draining the swamp,” as Trump would say. Senator Mitch McConnell stands against term limits, stating, “We have term limits -- they’re called elections.” While some would agree with this argument, the turnover rate in Congress says differently. In 2016, the reelection rate for the House was 97%, and it was 93% for the Senate. The advantages of running as an incumbent -- access to resources and finances -- make being reelected to Congress too much of an easy task. Congress’s high reelection rate is accompanied by a very low approval rating. The most recent Gallup Poll shows that the American people hold overwhelmingly negative opinions on Congress: in November 2017, 81% of people disapproved of the way Congress is handling its job.
So, what would congressional term limits do? First off, they would create a sense of urgency within Congress. If members of Congress do not have an almost guaranteed long career, then the hope is they would work each day with more urgency to get things done. Also, the focus would shift from the politicians to the people; instead of working to further their career or working to benefit themselves, members of Congress would
“Establishing congressional term limits is an important step to reforming Washington and creating a sense of urgency in our government” work to the benefit of their constituents. Current members of Congress are too comfortable in their jobs -- their focus is not on doing what aids the country, but doing what benefits them and their career. Wisconsin Congressman Mike Gallagher introduced legislation that would allow members of Congress to serve 6 terms in the House
President Trump signing documents in oval office.
(12 years) and 2 terms in the Senate (12 years); Gallagher defended his proposal by stating, “If 12-24 years is not enough time for a member to master the legislative process, then the member has no business serving in Congress in the first place” (The Hill). One major argument against congressional term limits is that they are just not realistic -they would be too difficult to enact. It would take a constitutional amendment to impose term limits, and only 27 amendments have passed to date. And, while recent polls show that 75% of Americans are in favor of congressional term limits, legislation needs to be passed by our members of Congress, who are unlikely to favor imposing term limits on themselves. However, establishing congressional term limits is an important step to reforming Washington and creating a sense of urgency in our government. Trump, Congressmen, and the American people should not give up the fight to impose term limits: a step forward in ending corruption in Washington and creating a more accountable government. n
13 Voice
Gus Erdman Staff Writer
USA in 2018
2017 produced so much news that the media couldn’t even report it all. Let’s take a moment to remember some of the major events: Donald Trump made many controversial tweets, powerful men in Hollywood and D.C. were accused of sexual misconduct and assault, hurricanes ravaged Puerto Rico and Houston, and North Korea tested new missiles. If this is the first time you’re hearing about any of those events it’s because the media spent most of its time reporting about Donald Trump and his alleged ties to Russia. 2018 should be just as thrilling. Let’s take a look at what the year will hold for us.
Midterm 2018 What a year it’s been in Washington D.C. The Republicans control most parts of the government, and the media has been their worst critic. This heated situation could all change on November 8, 2018, when Americans go to the voting polls again. The senate races will be particularly interesting as 33 seats are contested, enough to give either party a majority. The media says that recent polls, Trump’s approval rating, and the results of Alabama’s election indicate a win for the Democrats. While it’s easy to get on board with such conventional predictions, one must remember that the media also projected Donald Trump to lose in 2016. Besides, Republicans have already proved their dominance in Virginia’s gubernatorial election and in Georgia’s senate election. It’s too early to be sure which party will win in 2018. We can, however, make a few predictions. Republicans will continue to win predominantly red states and Democrats will win predominantly blue states. Obviously. But in purple states, it’s really too close to call. For the Democrats to win in swing states, voters must distrust and feel out-of-touch with the Republican-held congress. Swing state voters, particularly the working-class ones, will make their decisions based off of congress’s actions such as the recent tax cuts. If voters are happy with their own economic conditions, then they will vote Republican. Success in 2018 depends on whether or not voters approve of the current Republican-held congress. Luckily, the Democrats have the mainstream media and Hollywood to vilify the GOP.
The Defeat of ISIS: From Caliphate to Insurgency One of the United States’ and the International Community’s most significant accomplishments in 2017 was the defeat of ISIS in Iraq. The caliphate was once the size of Great Britain, but now it is almost nonexistent. ISIS was an organized militia in 2017, but
in 2018, the group will transition to more of an insurgency, much like Al-Qaeda. From 2013 until 2017, many European extremists migrated to the caliphate to join the fight. Now that the fight is over and the caliphate is diminished, the European extremists may return to Europe and continue the fight. Experts on terrorism from Georgetown University assume that many ISIS fighters are currently hiding in the Balkans, waiting to return to Western Europe and join local terror cells. ISIS will still be a threat in 2018 even though they have been defeated in Iraq. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but expect heightened terrorist activity in Europe as ISIS fighters return to their home countries to continue the fight.
US Economy The economy is doing great. There is really no other way to put it. The stock market is at an all time high, unemployment rates are dropping, and the GDP is growing. However, will this growth continue into 2018? Economists predict that 2018 will see modest growth due to the GOP Tax Bill and other attributing factors. The GDP growth rate should remain around 2-3%, unemployment will continue to drop, and the stock market will grow even more. Don’t expect any major changes next year in the economy. With regard to the tax bill, despite claims from Democrats and Republicans, the economy is neither going to crash nor take off. We’re in for another year of modest, natural economic growth in 2018.
Renewable Energy The world’s ice supply is melting so fast that scientists predict the plague could be unfrozen in Siberia. Kansas City has also had few snow days this year as worldwide temperatures are rising at unprecedented rates. To make matters worse, congress will sign off on a bill in 2018 to allow oil drilling in Alaska’s arctic refuge. In 2017, Trump backed out of the Paris Accords. Lucky for us, there is another international endeavor that will be more beneficial. This project is called the ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor), and upon completion, it will provide the world with the technology to supply an endless, inexpensive, and abundant amount of renewable energy. ITER should make lots of progress in 2018. Other renewable energy projects from Exxon Mobil and Tesla will help reduce emissions as well. 2018 will be a great year for renewable energy innovation. We really don’t need the Paris Accords after all. n
Voice 14
Which Math Teacher Are You Most Like? Carolyn Franano Contributor
START What is your favorite holiday? Arbor Day
St. Patrick’s Day
What is your favorite snow day activity?
Fourth of July
Sunning on a Snowshoeing rock
What is your favorite vacation spot?
A boat on a lake
A sunny beach
When do you put up holiday decorations?
Pretty foreign country
Late September
What is your favorite holiday movie? Santa’s Slay
Elf
Mr. Schmidt
Reading by fireplace
Day after Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving weekend
What is your favorite holiday food?
The Holiday
Oyster dressing
Mrs. Pottenger
Steak
Holiday candies
Mrs. Friday
15 Voice
ME TOO. Catie Franano and Rachel Colligan Managing Editor and Staff Writer Recently, the coverage of sexual assault in the media has skyrocketed as dozens of women have come forward, accusing men in positions of authority of rape and sexual assault and harassment. As a result of these allegations, many abusers are finally being brought to justice. I’m sure we are all familiar with the Harvey Weinstein scandal. A coalition of 84 women has accused Weinstein of sexual assault and harassment, and due to these allegations, Weinstein was fired from the film company he co-founded. The strength and courage of these women who took a stand against Weinstein have since in-
spired countless others to speak their truth as well. Sexual assault allegations have been widespread, impacting many high-power individuals, from media moguls to CEOs to news anchors. With an explosion of accusations, social media has erupted in support for a new culture that denounces sexual crimes. The hashtag #MeToo is used to condemn sexual crimes in Englishspeaking countries. The world is uniting on this issue with the use of similar hashtags like #BalanceTonPorc, #YoTambién, and #AnaKaman. According to Audrey O’Shaughnessy ‘19, “#MeToo is starting a revolution for women because they have a platform to speak
Voice 16
about issues of sexual assault without being shamed like they were since 1992. in the past.” The fact that Time Magazine named the “silence breakStudents at Pembroke Hill are excited and optimistic about the ers,” or women who have reported sexual assault, as the Person effects that the discussion of sexual assault in the media is having of the Year shows how widespread the movement against sexual on society. Katie Kimball ‘19 believes that “the awareness of sexual assault has become in a mere matter of months. assault the media has created is having a positive impact on socieHowever, as with any topic in the spotlight of the media, recent ty, especially with the men that have committed these acts because sexual assault cases have not been free of controversy. One student they have been taken out of positions of power.” expresses a concern that “the media seems to be playing jury and Raising awareness about and preventing sexual assault is of treating the assaulter as guilty before they have been even been paramount importance because sexual offenses affect an immense tried.” Another student explains, “Although I steadfastly support number of people every year in America. According to the Rape, the women who have opened up about their experiences with sex- Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN), every 98 seconds ual assault, I feel that the punishments of the individuals accused an American is sexually assaulted, and 1 in 6 women and 1 in 33 should parallel the severity of the claims against them.” Many men are victims of attempted or completed rape. people are also asking why so many women are coming out with In her book Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence - From stories of abuse all at once, and why they did not speak out at the Domestic Abuse to Political Terror, Judith Lewis Herman explains time these acts occurred. These are not simple questions to answer, that “in order to escape accountability for his crimes, the perpetraand there are many highly personal reasons for delayed reporting. tor [of a sex crime] does everything in his power to promote forgetOne must consider that there is an element of shame surround- ting. If secrecy fails, the perpetrator attacks the credibility of his ing the topic of sexual violence. Due to societal standards, some victim. If he cannot silence her absolutely, he tries to make sure no women are afraid to one listens.” However, share their stories for in the wake of media fear of being considcoverage, women are ered “damaged” or uniting to bring justice Sexual assault allegations have been wide“dirty.” Other women to their abusers, and spread, impacting many high-power individumay feel like sexual society as a whole is assault is a secret that not willing to accept als, from media moguls to CEOs to news anthey must keep, a burmisuse of power. The chors. With an explosion of accusations, social den they must bear. prosecution of people In the case of many who commit sexual media has erupted in support for a new culture sexual assault allegaassault is an importhat denounces sexual crimes. tions, women have tant step in addressing been victim shamed the issue, and more to the point where steps, whether they be some believe that they through education or themselves are partially, or even wholly, to blame for the assault. discussion, must be taken to prevent cases of sexual assault. Throughout history, women have hesitated to speak out against In school, sexual assault is a difficult but important topic that sexual crimes because doing so has not tended to lead towards must be addressed. Pembroke Hill has a policy to punish harasspositive consequences. Many women have been suppressed and ment, including sexual harassment, with “verbal warnings, parenrendered powerless in the face of sexual assault while their abusers tal notification, education on the topic of harassment, counseling, aren’t brought to justice. Their stories will never be told, and each detention, or possible suspension.” Our school also educates stuof these women’s silent suffering is nothing short of a tragedy. dents on sexual assault and consent, as demonstrated by the infaUnfortunately, this remains a reality for many women today. mous tea video shown in advisories last year. Although this topic Recently, former olympian McKayla Maroney reported that there became somewhat of a joking matter due to the light nature of the had been a confidentiality agreement between her and USA Gym- video, the school is clearly trying to address the issue of sexual nastics to cover up recurring sexual abuse by doctor Larry Nassar. assault. Out of the 150 students that responded to the survey conThis incident, and many similar incidents in which companies do ducted by the Voice, 70% of students reported having conversations not take adequate action in the wake of sexual abuse complaints, with their parents about sexual assault. With these means of edushows that in certain cases, public reputation is still being placed cation at home and at school, more students are aware of sexual above the safety and health of females. assault. However, alongside with the #MeToo campaign, America is takBeyond education, the responsibility to end sexual assault begins ing steps towards a better and brighter future. The results of the with us. Sexual assault causes unimaginable psychological damage 2017 Senate race in Alabama show that American society is ready to victims, and crimes like this are only allowed to continue if culto stand up against people accused of sexual assault crimes and ture allows for it. Thus, students of Pembroke Hill have the obligadeny them positions of power. After Republican candidate Roy tion to create a safe environment by reporting sexual abuse and Moore was accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old and pursu- creating a culture that respects women and their right to consent ing multiple other young girls, Democrat Doug Jones won the elec- in all situations. n tion, becoming the first Democrat to win a Senate seat in Alabama
“
”
17 Voice
Slavery in Libya
A brutal reality we must come to understand and combat Lauren Washington Managing Editor It is 2017, yet slavery still persists in today’s society. A CNN investigation about a month ago sparked public outcry as it revealed that migrant slave auctions are occurring in Libya. As thousands of refugees try to escape Libya’s borders, captors are selling them for hundreds of dollars. Libya has quite a large migrant population with more than 150,000 fleeing poverty and violence from various African countries and crossing through Libya as they attempt to immigrate to Europe. Smugglers prey on the tens of thousands of frightened and powerless people who have risked everything trying to cross through one of the deadliest routes through the country. According to the U.N.’s migration agency, 3,000 refugees have died for the fourth year in a row while attempting the journey through Libya. In a video from CNN’s investigation, it revealed horrific footage of a group of men being sold for $400 at a Libyan auction. A team of CNN journalists discovered nine different slave auction locations where smugglers are treating migrants as commodities to be bought, sold, and discarded as compensation of trying to “help” them secure passage to Europe. The Libyan Coast Guard has paid more attention to boats smuggling refugees to Europe, and there’s now an estimated 400,000 to almost one million people locked away
“
in Libyan detention centers. Many of these centers reportedly engage in torture, rape, murder and forced labor. As the centers become crowded, detainees are physically sold off in a market, held for ransom, or forced into labor. The actions have become so normalized that people are being bought in public for as little as a few hundred dollars. Leonard Doyle from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) exclaimed in an interview with Al Jazeera that these refugees and migrants “get off the bus and they are quickly put into a kind of murder machine, an extortion machine. They are robbed of their possessions, their families are called. They are forced, they are tortured, they give them money. And then they are sold. Unbelievable, but they are sold in open, public auctions: $400 for a labouring man, maybe a bit more for a woman who can be put in the sex trade. And this is what’s happening across the country.” The crisis in Libya is egregious and indescribable by all means, yet reaffirms to
everyone around the world that Libya is unfortunately one of many countries still suffering from slavery. Modern day slavery is still widespread around the world and according to an Al Jazeera report, 45.8 million people in 167 countries are victims of some form of slavery today, with 68 percent of those subjected to forced labor. As various leaders contemplate plans to help, there are ways for us to help end slavery in Libya and beyond. Each of us can help in some of these possible ways: contact Nikki Haley, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, to make sure she and the UN will prioritize the slave trade issue, donate to the IOM who is working to protect migrants’ human rights and preventing trafficking by smugglers, fight the root causes of slavery through donating to the United Nations Refugee Agency and other broader humanitarian organizations, contact social media companies to prevent smugglers from live streaming auctions to extort the families of migrants, donate to global anti-slavery organizations like Free the Slaves or the Polaris Project, or commit to shopping slavefree by buying goods that are not produced through slave labor. To eradicate slavery once and for all, it will take a global and unified effort. Therefore, all of us can certainly take part by spreading awareness to encourage others to donate and advocating for the end of this inhumane treatment. n
45.8 million people in 167 countries are victims of some form of slavery today, with 68 percent of those subjected to forced labor.
”
Capturing Souls
Voice 18
Kemper’s American Portraiture Today Hunter Julo and Emma Knopik Head of Design and Columnist The Outwin: American Portraiture Today exhibit recently shown at the Kemper Museum is commissioned by a program through the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. The artists are challenged to simply create a portrait with no other instructions. Free to their imaginations, the artists produce captivating, personal works that express something about them. With all this freedom, it’s amazing to see what people choose to create. While the portraits are very individual, there are many common themes that seem to run through a majority of them. One ubiquitous theme in the exhibit is isolation. Each portrait uses color, medium, and lighting to express aspects of the individual’s identity and how their isolation manifests itself. David Jordano photographed his subject, Diane, asleep on a couch. Even in her dormant state, Diane’s facial expression is not quite peaceful. Between the moody
lighting and cluttered space, the viewer can sense the anxiety she feels. In the label, Jordano explains that he photographed Diane when he returned to his hometown of Detroit. During his stay, Jordano aimed to photograph and hear the stories of people living in some of Detroit’s poorest neighborhoods. The portrait’s ambience reflects Diane’s loneliness and worry. Another melancholy portrait is Louie Palu’s Deported. The portrait depicts a woman, Marisol, lying down staring hopelessly. She fled the Mexican drug war only to be deported seven days after escaping to America. Palu photographed Marisol the night before her deportation. The devestastation is apparent, but Marisol is also appears strangely calm and knowing. Perhaps these artworks are so piercingly painful because they communicate the feeling of isolation that is found in all humans. Juxtaposing isolation, many of the por-
traits celebrate how the community around a person helps to shape them. Naoko Wowsugi Thank You For Teaching Me English is a collection or portraits depicting people, who taught Wowsugi an English word while she was learning the language, saying they word they taught her. Wowsugi’s art represents the community of people she befriended and sought help from when she arrived in America from Japan. While Wowsugi still captures the individual, she creates a collage of these people to not only to tell the stories of the subjects, but to tell the story of her English education. Perhaps the proper purpose of the portrait in general is to convey who a person was and to explore their identity. The Outwin: American Portraiture Today did that with nearly every painting, capturing who that person was in every brushstroke. These portraits convey these people’s personal stories as well as a biography. n
19 Voice
KC CRAWL 548 Central Ave, Kansas City, KS 66101
Emma Knopik Columnist After hearing about the new coffee shop, Splitlog Coffee, that opened last April, I’ve been wanting to try it out. The cute little shop is located in the Strawberry Hill neighborhood in KCK. Strawberry Hill was originally called Splitlog Hill, which references its founding. In the middle of the 19th century, a man named Mathias Splitlog built his home in the area and later purchased 280 acres of surrounding land. Strawberry Hill itself has a rich history of persevering and coming together as a community. At the end of the 19th century, many Eastern European immigrants, who were mostly Croatian, immigrated to America and moved by the river. Unfortunately, a flood wrecked many of these homes in 1904 causing people living along the river to move up to Splitlog Hill, which earned the name Strawberry Hill because of the ubiquitous strawberry vines on the hill. A unique aspect of Splitlog is that it appeals to people both on the go, as well as those who wish to sit and enjoy their coffee with a friend or book. The coffee shop’s interior is minimalist but cozy, with pretty string lights and succulents adorning the tables. With plenty of seating space, Splitlog is perfect to write a paper or have a conversation with one of the baristas. The outside of the building is light grey, and it is across the street from KCK’s renowned Slap’s
BBQ. It’s right next to a mural of an old man, presumably Mathias Splitlog, holding a strawberry. Gregory Kolsto, who does art for the coffee roaster and cafe, Oddly Correct, painted the mural. Simeon Bricker is Splitlog’s manager along with being an “eightyear veteran of the coffee industry and award winning barista” (Pete Dulin, Feast Magazine). Bricker actually won the U.S Latte Art Championship his first year competing. Splitlog gets most of their coffee beans from the large KC supplier, Messenger Coffee. Bricker says of Messenger, “The roaster is at a size and scale that can be a high-volume provider and maintain quality. They’re great to work with” (Dulin, Feast Magazine). They get their espresso, which changes in flavor each season, from Oddly Correct roasters in Midtown. For a quick break, Splitlog also offers donuts from Hana’s donuts and a variety of freshly baked goods from SunFlour Bakery. When I went to Splitlog, I ordered a drip coffee with a donut and was pleased with both. I love when coffee shops use local ingredients, and Splitlog is definitely a supporter of everything local Kansas City. Even though it has not even been open a year, Splitlog is already an integral part of the Kansas City community in the up-and-coming Strawberry Hill neighborhood. n
- JANUARY REVIEWS Film
Voice 20
Paolo Laskero Copy Editor
Every time a Star Wars movie is announced, it instantly becomes one of the most highly anticipated films of that year. The latest installment of the saga was no different, but in a world with good Star Wars movies and bad ones, Rian Johnson’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi has become arguably the most divisive Star Wars film to date. After JJ Abrams’ Episode VII effectively brought back the galaxy far far away, one of the the loudest complaints fans had was that it followed a very similar -- if not identical -- narrative to the original Star Wars. In contrast, Rian Johnson went in a number of bold directions with Episode VIII, and different fans had different reactions. I applaud Johnson’s vision and feel like he delivered us (besides the pointless Canto Bite story arch) arguably the strongest Star Wars film since The Empire Strikes Back. The movie is visually breathtaking, the cast all turned in excellent performances (particularly that of Mark Hamill), and I thoroughly enjoyed my experience in the theatre. However, senior Ethan Angrist, one of the most devout Star Wars fans that I know, walked out seething because he hated the film. Angrist claimed that the throughline of the Star Wars movies is the characters, so Johnson committed blasphemy of the highest order by diservicing some of them. There’s no doubt that Star Wars fans are some of the most opinionated of any movie fans -- yet they asked for a new direction, and Johnson gave it to them. Movies are subjective: that’s part of the fun of watching them. Presented the same material, everyone will be affected differently and form their own opinions. Some will love it, some won’t -- that’s just Star Wars.n
Book
Ellie Burke and Phinney Sachs Copy Editor and Contributor
Robert M. Pirsig’s Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is a literary masterpiece which explores the philosophical depths of quality. Throughout this fictionalized autobiography of Robert Pirsig, the unnamed narrator serves to address Pirsig’s own questions through a unique first-person perspective. The story consists of the narrator’s accounts of his motorcycle trip from Minnesota to Northern California, which he embarks upon accompanied by his friends John and Sylvia, as well as his young son Chris. Throughout the journey, the narrator partakes in extensive philosophical digressions, dubbed “Chautauquas.” The central theme of his “Chautauquas” is the idea of quality and its numerous corresponding realms of thought. He separates this general thought into two distinct modes: classical and romantic. John and Sylvia exemplify the latter mode, while the narrator’s own mind illustrates the former. He cites both the flaws and values of either mode and is rather critical of exclusively romantic thought. Rationality, reason, and analysis dominate classical thought, while romantic thought prioritizes merely surface value. Pirsig’s eloquent portion explaining both means of cognition is inspiring. Specifically, the narrator’s ability to find beauty in the so-called “underlying form” of all things using the seemingly bland classical mode of thinking is not only intriguing, but striking. It is with relatively complex ideas like these that the narrator’s analogy to everyday objects, ideas, technologies, and other common facets of life becomes exceedingly relevant. Pirsig utilizes seemingly unrelated concepts such as those of motorcycle maintenance to further relay his complex, nuanced, and intricate philosophical discoveries to the reader in an understandable way: a rather astounding feat. Additionally, Pirsig alludes to many aspects of notable philosophies, especially the naturally centered teachings of Buddhism. The philosophical depth and breadth is unique and further provokes awe at Robert Pirsig’s accomplishment of writing a not only widely popular but astoundingly intricate, diverse, and comprehendible classic. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is a beautiful manifestation of the evolution of human thought. It brilliantly reflects the progression and experimentation of the nineteen-sixties and seventies in addition to the cultivation of thought throughout the human journey: evolving and adapting from the age of philosophers in Ancient Greece, to the revolutionary thought of the Enlightenment, through the counterculture movement and independence of Pirsig’s time, all the way to our current mental exploration in the face of incredibly rapid technological progress. As long as thought and consciousness are relevant on Earth or in the universe, Zen will be too. n
Music
Eliza Shaffer Staff Writer
If you’ve ever listened to the previous albums of either Courtney Barnett or Kurt Vile, you’ll understand why these two are an oddly fitting duo. The indie-rock Aussie Barnett coupled with Vile’s existential rambling may seem strange at first, but they both share a certain twang in their stream-of-consciousness tunes which makes for the perfect pair. While Barnett is most commonly known for her rambunctious and brilliant Sometimes I Sit and Think and Sometimes I Just Sit, the two meet a happy medium which doesn’t quite reach either Vile’s most eccentric incongruity or Barnett’s most raucous tracks. Instead, Lotta Sea Lice is the result of two like-minded, wonderfully unconventional artists appreciating each other’s work and creating something which embodies and showcases some of their best--and weirdest--qualities. The album opens with “Over Everything,” a conversation between the two artists comparing their song-writing processes; it ends with “Untogether,” which laments, “You can’t hold the impossibly/Untogether.” One highlight of the album is Barnett’s cover of Vile’s song “Peeping Tomboy,” retitled “Peepin’ Tom.” Already a clever song, Barnett peels back the excess and infuses the lyrics with a new desperation: “I don’t wanna work/But I don’t wanna sit around/All day/Frowning.” Although neither of these artists are known for their particularly astonishing vocals, the lyrics and music of their albums are consistently beautiful, profound, brilliant and often unapologetically silly. Lotta Sea Lice is, undoubtedly, one of the very best albums of 2017.n
21 Voice
JanTerm Trip to China
Lauren Lee and Claire St. Peter Staff Writers
After all the upper school students return from winter break, they get to experience a Jan Term week before beginning the regular second semester. The week consists of various classes held on and off campus that explore topics the regular school curriculum does not cover, as well as the opportunity to participate in independent studies or community service projects. However, students are also given a chance to travel on school-sponsored trips all across the globe; this year, one of the international trips offered was a trip across four cities in China. Both of us had the opportunity to join faculty sponsors Annie Dai and James Miller on the eleven day trip in which we explored Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu, and Shanghai. Each city held its own unique characteristics and several cultural sites full of rich history. At the first stop, we explored Beijing’s ancient Forbidden City as well as the infamous Tiananmen Square, where all of us visited the body of Mao Zedong. We also climbed the Great Wall, walking many miles along the former fortification and soaking in the incredible sites.
Voice 22 After Beijing, the group traveled to Xi’an by riding an overnight train and slept in bunks during the long journey. As Xi’an is home to the Terracotta Army, our group visited the site of these thousands of soldiers. Here we also toured the TangBo Art Museum, which houses both world-renowned and local art pieces, and practiced calligraphy. After the museum, all of us biked the nine miles around Xi’an atop the wall built in ancient times in order to protect the city. Since this day happened to be New Years Eve, our group spent the evening at a karaoke bar, one of the popular destinations for young adults in China, and all sang along to familiar tunes while ringing in the New Year. After leaving Xi’an, we took the bullet train to Chengdu, popular due to its ties to the giant pandas. During our two days in this city, we visited the ChengDu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding to see the adorable giant pandas and red pandas. The group also admired the beautiful gardens and pagodas at Wuhou temple, which is dedicated to Zhuge Liang, a prominent leader in the Shu Kingdom during the Three Kingdoms Period. After the long days of exploring, we visited hotpot restaurants for our dinners, the popular Chengdu cuisine consisting of spiced broths and many vegetables, noodles, and slices of meat that were placed into a boiling pot and shared by the entire table. Finally, we all boarded a plane to our final destination: Shanghai, the largest city in China. There, our group toured the tranquil gardens of Yuyuan and basked in the city skyline at the Bund. On the last full day, we toured the Shanghai Yanjing High School and spent the afternoon with our host student, as well as eating dinner with their families. After a jam-packed trip, we headed home on January 6th. This year’s Jan Term trip to China consisted of visits to some of the world’s most renowned locations, the chance to taste amazing traditional Chinese food, and countless unique opportunities. The trip has left both of us, along with each of the students and faculty involved with experiences that we will surely never forget. n
23 Voice
HEY!
Renowned spoken word poets Sarah Kaye and Robbie Q. Telfer are performing on campus on January 26th in centennial theater from 11:3012:30 as a fundraiser for the Child Protection Center of Kansas City. Tickets are $5, and there will be pizza! See Mrs. Abernathy to purchase.
Voice 24
25 Voice
Voice 26
D e A R
v o F
R
O
27 Voice
i
E a S o N
c E
,
How do I keep up with my New Year's resolutions? Every single year when New Year’s Eve rolls around, hundreds of people wake up the next morning tired but rejuvenated with the idea that a new year means becoming a new person. People start January 1st promising themselves they are going to eat healthy, stop biting their nails, or spend less money. But, by January 2nd, most of those people have already indulged another day of junk food, bit their nails down to the skin, or gone on a major shopping spree. If you want to keep up with your new year’s resolutions good luck. The differences between the few successful and the many failures is that the successful people aren’t expecting to magically transform into some new being as we jump from 2017 to 2018. The world orbited again, but you didn’t do anything to help that. To meet your New Year’s resolutions, it is time for you to put the work in to building a better version of yourself. Your goals should be more important to you than the bad habit that you’re feeding. But, you also must believe that the better version of you exists and that you can become that person. Every time you wake up, imagine a future as the person you want to be and make your goal of the day to go one step closer to become that person. New Year’s resolutions aren’t meant for January; they’re meant for your lifetime. So, when the clock strikes midnight, use this as a starting point, but know that there is no holiday required for you to build a better version of yourself. n
x
o
x
O,
t
H
e
V
O
i
C
E
Have a question you’ve been dying to ask? Email voice@pembrokehill.org and we might answer... Illustration by Sloane Withers-Marney
?
JoJo’s Mojo:
Voice 28
A Teenager’s Bid for Governor Jack Bartlett Staff Writer On October 26th, a sophomore at local Rockhurst High School, known by many throughout the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, joined the race for Kansas state governor. Joseph Tutera Junior, better known as JoJo, became the second Rockhurst student and, surprisingly, the fifth teenager to enter the race. While this might seem like odd and rather confusing news to hear, Kansas has no age requirements to run for governor. The list of other teenagers includes Dominic Scavuzzo, also attending Rockhurst, and Tyler Ruzich, Ethan Randleas, and Jack Bergeson. Of these students, four are running as Republican candidates, while Jack Bergeson will be running against Pembroke’s own Dr. Niermann as a Democrat. Joe says he has always had a passion for politics, and has even started watching the news for at least one hour after school each day. He says his passion comes from
the belief that “politicians, with the right intentions, are the people that can bring real change to a city, state or country, and I want to be one of those people.” Joe is currently involved in Rockhurst’s student government program, serving as the class president of the sophomore class. He says that he will be running a financially conservative campaign, while his stances on social issues will be more moderate. Joe recently named his campaign treasurer to be his father, Joseph Tutera Sr. Although Joe is fully aware of the teasing from both friends and strangers that comes along with running for governor, he is excited to learn from the process about how the system works. He can deal with the laughs because he is more focused and excited for his involvement in politics. Joe becomes the youngest candidate to ever enter the gubernatorial race in Kansas, an already crowded area of play. Joe finds
himself in tough waters with nineteen other candidates, including four other teenagers. 12 other candidates are seeking the Republican nomination. However, this is not to say he is not optimistic. The Kansas City Star writes, “Joseph Tutera Jr. was not alive in the ‘90s, but what he lacks in years he is trying to make up for with ambition.” Joe’s journey for the 2018 Kansas Governor Election has set sail and it seems that there is little chance of him winning the election. Political Science professor Russell Fox at Friends University says, “These kids are doing it for a stunt, and they admit they’re doing it for a stunt. Teens won’t have the money or name recognition to run effective campaigns.” While this inevitably might be true, it isn’t why Joe is running because he is in it to learn and become more potilically involved. For Joe, it isn’t about winning; it’s about the journey. n
Crossword
Across 4. The museum in the 18th and Vine district is dedicated to this type of music 7. The company founded in KC where you can recycle glass in purple bins 10. KC is known as the city of __________ 12. Popular field trip destination with farm animals 13. Cartoonist from KC who created Mickey Mouse 15. Leila’s __________ Museum is located in Independence, Missouri 16. Theme park featuring rides like the Prowler and Mamba 17. Kansas City’s underground cave systems are made out of this type of rock 18. The Steamboat Arabia Museum is in this area in downtown KC 23. Name of the Negro League baseball team that played in KC
30
Down 1. A listener-supported, non-commercial music radio for Kansas City on 90.9 2. Former name of the Kansas City Sporting soccer team 3. Park that is home to Starlight theater and the zoo 5. Last name of the family that used to be one of the wealthiest in the country and part owner of the Chiefs 6. This was the first outdoor shopping mall? 7. The largest producer of boxed chocolate founded in KC 8. Free mode of transportation introduced to the downtown area in 2016 9. Word before -ology or lounge 11. Barbecue restaurant that was started in a gas station on 47th and Mission 14. Park near Pembroke’s lower campus with a duck pond and a rose garden 19. KC has the most fountains in the world second only to which city? 20. The Nelson-Atkins Museum is known for its extensive collection of art from which continent? 21. UMKC’s mascot 22. Last name of U.S. President from Independence, Missouri whose middle name is “S.”
Letter from the
Editors
Dear Readers,
Happy New Year to you all! With a season of change upon us, we ask ourselves, what in the world should we eschew for last year, and uplift in 2018. This month we continue to face issues in our world boldly, as our feature tackles sexual assault in the media, and the perception surrounding equal treatment of women in the Pembroke Hill community and in a broader societal context. The empowerment of women, and of all people, is crucial to the sustainability and growth of a positive world. In order to surmount that which divides us, we must unite in solidarity with each other and act as a unit for positive change. It is this sense of camaraderie we hope to evoke with our cover, featuring the work of five young women. Along with our Head of Design, Hunter Julo ’18, we crafted a concept that would bring together as many women possible against sexual assault. Our photographer, Lauren Washington ’18 captured beautiful portraits of women throughout the upper school Pembroke community, including both students and faculty alike. Gina Pepitone ’18 magnificently wove the portraits together, creating unity among the faces to demonstrate our power as one. Sincerely, Bella Barnes & Gina Pepitone
whispers ben bracker ‘18 . . . spends his meetings period in the physics room building circuits. ethan lane ‘19 and alice guo ‘21 . . . made the all-state jazz band and all-state orchestra respectively. ella lawrence ‘18 . . . taught two classes during janterm: one on wes anderson’s films and a portrait painting course. mady jenkins ‘21 . . . is top ten in the world at subway surfers. julia rosher ‘18 . . . shot a photo series over janterm focusing on women’s rights in morocco.
The Voice Podcast By Jay Mehta
iTunes
Soundcloud
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. The views expressed by the writers are solely their own and do not reflect the sentiments of the editors, nor do they reflect the entirety 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 Bella Barnes and Gina Pepitone Business Manager Graham Boswell
Head of Design Hunter Julo
Copy Editors Ellie Burke Charlotte Henry Paolo Laskero Olivia Sabates Zandy Swartzman
Managing Editors Catie Franano Lily Jiang Jacqueline Kincaid Baylor McCrary Lauren Washington
Head of Photo Julia Rosher Staff Writers Rachel Colligan Gus Erdman Lauren Lee Ellie Miller Jack Ramza Claire St. Peter
Designers Ellie Burke Comic Middle School Rachel Colligan Jane Markley Coordinator Fatemeh Farassati Jacqueline Kincaid Catie Franano Louisa Gear Podcast Illustrator Jane Markley Jay Mehta Sloane Withers-Marney Zhory May Mariel Pepitone Columnists Anonymous-”Dear Voice of Reason...” Jackson Chu & Rishabh Gaur, Charlotte Henry, Jay Mehta, Caroline Salzman – “What’s the Word?” Jaqueline Kincaid- “Kickin’ It with Kincaid” Katie Kimball & Audrey O’Shaughnessey – “Buzz” Emma Knopik –”KC Crawl” Grace Parkerson & Wil Rowland – “Pressure Point” Faculty Sponsors Dr. Kim Banion and Dr. Matthew Clothier