VOICE November/December 2017
Feature: Mental Health Awareness Lily Jiang ‘19 and Ellie Burke ‘20 discuss how stress and anxiety affect students’ mental health at Pembroke Hill.
15-16
KC Crawl Emma Knopik ‘18 interviews a staff member of Wesport’s Mid-Coast Modern.
17
Personality Quiz - 6 Winter Athelte Feature - 8 Kickin ‘ it with Kincaid - 9 Where We Stand - 11/12 Gerrymandering - 14
Table of Contents Cover by Ella Lawrence '18 21-22
College Labels Ellie Miller ‘18 and Erin Lowe ‘18 explore how students value the labels put on certain colleges throughout the college process.
18 - Reviews 24 - Photo Poll 25/26 - Puerto Rico 27 - Lunch Staff Q&A 28 - Mr. Earnest
27
Teacher Feature Marjorie MacGregor discusses her prvious work as a dog musher.
PHS in Review
Student Life 2
Pembroke Hill faculty expanded their educational knowledge Friday, Nov. 3, during the fall In-Service Day. Upper school faculty hosted a suicide prevention specialist and held a team-building exercise at the The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
Upper school thespians enjoyed the wonderful tourist attractions of the windy city while gainined great theatre experince during their recent trip to Chicago.
The sophomore class held its annual sophomore retreat at Tall Oaks Conference Center. This event allowed the sophmore class to form stronger bonds with help from the amazing members of the Leadership Advisory Board.
The upper school’s fall play was a huge success with tickets selling out for all three nights.
Photo Credits: Pembroke Hill Facebook Page
3 Buzz
buzz
Audrey O’Shaughnessy and Katie Kimball
Thanksgiving and Christmas / Holiday Facts: Though Santa’s reindeer mostly have male-sounding names, for example Blitzen, Comet, and Cupid, male reindeers shed their antlers around Christmas, so Santa’s reindeer are likely not male, but female. President Teddy Roosevelt, an environmentalist, banned Christmas trees from the White House in 1901. 51 million turkeys are eaten on Thanksgiving Day. More than 5 miles of lights are strung on the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. Hanukkah made its first appearance at the White House in 1951, after the Prime Minister of Israel gave President Harry Truman a menorah as a gift. Benjamin Franklin thought the turkey should be the national bird of the United States, not the bald eagle.
Months in review: JFK files released TX Shooting Apple iPhone X PHS Girls cross country place tenth at State
Sagittarius (11-20 to 12-21)
Strengths: Generous, idealistic, great sense of humor Sagittarius Weaknesses: Promises Color: Blue more than can likes: Freedom, deliver, impatravel, philosophy, tient being outdoors
dislikes: Clingy people, being constrained, details
Scorpio (10-23 to 11-21)
Strengths: Resourceful, brave, passionate, stubborn, a true friend Weaknesses: Distrusting, jealous, secretive, violent Scorpio color: scarlet red Scorpio likes: Truth, being right, longtime friends, teasing Scorpio dislikes: Dishonesty, revealing secrets, passive people
Illustrations by Sloane Withers-Marney
5
Column
What’s the Word? Caroline Salzman Columnist Finals. Oh dear. Writing this article is the first thought I have given to that looming beast. In the midst of the challenges of junior year, or any year for that matter, it is easy to curse the behemoth and ignore its presence until it greets us face-to-face, but approach it does. Inexorably. So, what is there for us to do but sharpen our blades and prepare for battle? It is easy to criticize the whole system -- “one test shouldn’t determine such a large portion of our grade!” “What if we have a bad day?” The counterarguments are innumerable and sensible, but examinations, whether they be finals, college midterms, SATs, ACTs, GREs, MCATs, or LSATs, are a fact of life. However, Juniors: I believe in you. The beast may be stronger this year, but so are we. Plus, after all these years, we have some experience slaying. n
Jay Mehta Columnist Finals week is not fun for anyone. It can be very stressful on top of all the additional pressure seniors are feeling due to the entire college process. Jack Ramza explains it simply, “finals suck!” It is nice that the finals are spread out, but it is “basically just a week of me procrastinating” says Becca Kessler. Aaron Swartz finds it unjust that you are required to stay in the testing room for a designated time saying “students should be able to leave as soon as they are finished testing, waiting the extra half hour to be excused just makes no sense.” Despite all of this, there may be a silver lining to this dreaded week of testing. Julia Rosher is actually looking forward to her finals because “they are [her] last finals...Well hopefully [she] won’t have to take any second semester.” This week could be the last one of testing for the seniors as long as they don’t completely slide. n
Charlotte Henry Columnist Finals sneak up on us every year, and before we know it, every spare second is devoted to endless review sessions. The studying frenzy has yet to hit the sophomore class, but the upcoming tests have already found their way into the halls as we dread the moment when the mountains of notes and papers find themselves on our desks once again. As sophomore Zara Johnson put it, “[we’re] already stressed out about having enough time to review”, and the tests are still weeks away. Additionally, it has become abundantly clear that “the classes sophomore year are more in depth and therefore more time consuming,” so perhaps it is time to bring out the old notes. In the end, we may try and ignore them, but finals are inevitable, and every sophomore is painfully aware that they are the only things standing between us and an eagerly anticipated two week break. n
Jackson Chu and Rishabh Gaur Columnists There is one thing that high schoolers must complete before they can enjoy their winter break: finals. Finals are major exams over everything that has been learned during the entire semester. Most students spend countless hours reviewing. Usually, they start studying around Thanksgiving break, but every student has their own methods. Some students procrastinate, and they wait until the very end to start studying. Some stress out, and some take it easy and barely study. However, it is very important to find a balance between stressing out and taking it easy. One great way of preparing is by starting early and making a schedule. Every day, students can study a bit for each subject, and by the end, they should have reviewed everything, feeling prepared to take the exams. Finals may seem scary, but once students start preparing, they should far more confident. n
Student Life 6
Which history teacher are you?
Rachel Colligan and Sophie Utz Contributors
Start
Favorite Christmas song?
Favorite Thanksgiving Food?
Stuffing and Caramel Pear Tart
“Carol of the Bells”
Turkey Mashed Potatoes
Black Friday Plans? I’m a Cyber Monday person
Which Christmas movie character would you be? Cousin Bruce Willis Eddie in Die Hard Ralphie
Eating leftovers
“12 Days of Christmas (Gospel)”
“All Alone on Christmas”
Ideal Christmas getaway? Skiing
Roeland Park
Favorite Christmas movie? Love, Actually
16 Candles Elf
You are: Mr. Duckworth
You are: Dr. Niermann
You are: Mr. McGee
Column
D e A R
v o F
R
i
O
7
E a S o N
c E
,
What’s the best way to deal with relatives who like to pry too much into your life during holiday family reunions? Inevitably, we all have that one relative who loves hearing the latest news regarding your life. What college do you want to attend? Are you dating anyone? Do you really think that pursuing the arts will make you any money? Your estranged aunt chortles as she drinks yet another glass of wine. Your nosy relative will also try to offer you meaningless advice. Fight the urge to roll your eyes, and just listen. Trust me, it’s better this way. I’ve found that the best solution to this incessant prying is to simply return the gesture. Ask them about what’s new with them or something along those lines. Bring a cousin that is close to your age in the conversation to take the spotlight off of you. Or even give the look to your mom for assistance to get out of the conversation. The fact of the matter is that they are part of your family and they are most likely doing it to become closer to you, or distract themselves from their own lives. Spending the holidays is about being with your family, and this can be your gift to them. It’s only a small amount of time - you can make it through. 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
Student Life 8
Winter Athelete Highlights Matthew Berkley and Jack Ramza Contributor and Staff Writer
Female Athlete: Randi Hendricks ‘21 The female athlete of this season comes as a surprise with a freshman stealing the spotlight. Randi Hendricks ‘21 has already made a name for herself ever since the girls’ tennis team won state. Although she has won notable tennis matches, a majority of them against upperclassmen all throughout the season, Randi’s most impressive win came during individuals at state where she won a match in the third set to place third! With her first successful season in the books, Randi stated, “Near the beginning of the season I was worried about competing against upperclassmen because all of my individual tournaments in the past had age groups. However, with the help and encouragement of my teammates, I proved to myself by the end of the season that I can compete with any girl in the state.” Randi’s success will continue to increase as she thrives on the court, even when facing more experienced upperclassmen opponents. With three more years of eligibility, the girls’ tennis team is in good hands with a state title winner on their team. n
Male Athlete: Yakini Kasimu 18’ It shouldn’t be a surprise that the Pembroke Hill male athlete of, not only this month, but the entire fall season is star football player, Yakini Kasimu ‘18. Whether at running back or corner, Yak made an impact that helped lead the Raiders to a winning record and a playoff win against Central, before the season ended with a loss to powerhouse Chillicothe. At the end of the season, Yak finished with 1403 rushing yards, 180 passing yards, and 14 total touchdowns. When asked to reflect on his impressive stats this past season, Yak stated, “I put in a lot of work to prove that I was one of the best players in the city. I couldn’t have done it without my teammates pushing me each step of the way.” Not only has he proven himself with his abilities on the field, but Yak has also proven himself as a teammate all four years. Congratulations on a great season. The whole Pembroke Hill community wishes Yak the best in his future collegiate plans.
Photo credits: Sean Murphy ‘18
9
Column
The Ball Controversy Note: LiAngelo Ball has been released from detainment in China, along with the two other UCLA players who attempted to steal sunglasses from a Louis Vuitton store near their hotel in China. As a freshman, LiAngelo missed his first game because of the incident. They were in Hangzhou for an exhibiton game against Georgia Tech.
Jacqueline Kincaid Columnist
LaMelo Ball
Lonzo Ball
LaVar Ball
LiAngelo Ball
LaVar Ball continues to make headlines with his outlandish remarks about his and his sons’ abilities, including insulting remarks directed toward renowned members of the basketball world. Ball’s life centers around his Big Baller Brand for clothes and shoes, of which he is the founder and CEO, as well as his narcissistic attitude of his own skills on the court as well as that of his sons.
1. “The best coach ever. That’s how I describe myself. Because I said so.” 2. “I don’t lose 1-on-1. If Jordan played me 1-on-1, he’d cry.” 3. “Realistically you can’t win no championship with three white guys.” 4. “We not even competing with Nike, because we’re better than them.” 5. “It’s already a done deal. I got the trophy already.”
1. Ball’s off the wall! Ball predicts that he will coach all three of his sons- Lonzo, LaMelo, and LiAngelo- all the way to the Lakers. Lonzo’s in, LaMelo’s on track in his first year playing for UCLA, and LiAngelo will soon follow. LaVar pulled LiAngelo from Chino Hills High School due to coaching disputes and now homeschools LiAngelo with a heavy training schedule. Ball claims he can make LiAngelo “the best basketball player ever.” Keep in mind, Ball is a personal trainer, not a professional coach.
2. Avg. 2.2 ppg vs 5x NBA MVP…?
Ball was a two sport athlete- football and basketball- in high school as well as at the collegiate level. He played basketball for West Los Angeles College in the Western State Conference before transferring to Washington State. After coming off of a successful season at West Los Angeles, he averaged only 2.2 points per game at Washington. He then transferred to DII Cal State Los Angeles, which marked the end of his basketball career. He ended his collegiate career playing football at Long Beach City College, and he had a brief professional career in the NFL.
3. The Blame Game
4. Big Baller Brand
5. Fatherly Support
After UCLA lost in the Sweet Sixteen in Lonzo’s first and only season at the university, when LaVar had said UCLA would win the national championship, LaVar blamed the “foot speed” of three white players on the team. Lonzo was unable finish the game because of a pulled hamstring. Ball has received extensive criticism for his comment, which Lonzo took as a “joke.”
Founded by Lavar Ball in 2016, the BBB makes clothing and shoes. The ZO2 are the most noteworthy product, priced at $495. These signature shoes for Lonzo Ball have been extremely controversial, as Lavar stated that, “If you can’t afford the Z02s, you’re not a big baller.” The latest release was LaMelo’s signature shoe, called the MB1. It’s marked at $395.
On this one, Ball might not be too far off. Vegas bookmakers had Lonzo’s odds at 5-2 for Rookie of the Year following the draft. Though Lonzo is closely tailed by Markelle Fultz and Ben Simmons, those players won’t have as much of a chance as Lonzo since they have to share the ball on the 76ers’ court along with Joel Embiid. Lonzo will have an opportunity of more minutes and possessions than the other rookies, giving him a shot at high stats.
Credit: ESPN, Slam, theScore, LA Times, Time, CBS Sports
Feature 10
The Soccer World Faces New Challenges Vishal Beeki Contributor When an individual thinks about American sports culture, usually the three sports that come to mind are football, basketball and baseball. These three sports are immensely popular, with some of their biggest star athletes crafting a mainstream and desirable identity and attracting the attention of the American youth. Kansas City witnessed this sports craze first hand in 2015, when the entire city shut down while 800,000 people gathered in downtown Kansas City to celebrate the Royal’s first world series win in thirty years. Soccer, on the other hand, is a sport which aims to increase its popularity in American sports culture. Its popularity has gradually increased over the past decade, through Major League Soccer and the United State’s participation in the FIFA World Cup. In the 2014 World Cup, the American public devoted its attention to the team, with thousands of fans filling the KC Power and Light District to support the team. While this was merely a fraction of people compared to the world series celebration, it was the one instance every four years where soccer had its spotlight in American culture. Unfortunately, American soccer will lose its spotlight during the next world cup, and American soccer fans will have to wait yet another four years to see their sport become mainstream again. This is because the United States men’s soccer team failed to reach the bare minimum of their expectations: qualify for the World Cup. Their loss to Trinidad and Tobago, a country unknown to most Americans, along with Panama’s win over Costa Rica, resulted in the US’s failure to qualify for a World Cup for the first time since 1986, causing chaos in the US Soccer federation. This defeat, sparking great concern for all those who are somehow involved in American soccer, has now begged the question: how will this failure affect the future popularity of this sport in America? To understand its lasting effects, one must understand how the US men’s national team failed to qualify. The players, coaching staff, fans, and media are coping with their disbelief by pointing fingers, blaming anyone and any aspect of the game they can to explain a pathetic defeat. Some hold US Soccer head coach Bruce Arena accountable for failing to make the correct coaching decisions to defeat subpar Central American teams. Others blame former US men’s head coach Jurgen Klinsmann for putting the team in this position to begin with. The President of US Soccer, Sunil Gulati, has also received scrutiny for his inability to properly form a coaching staff that is fit to get the job done. The truth is that the problem is the US Soccer federation as a whole. The failure to qualify for the World Cup holds everyone accountable, from the players on the field to the organization itself. As a result, it is unlikely that a World Cup, which lacks American representation, will be given the attention it deserves in this country. The source of popularity in this sport has usually been because of the US men’s national team’s participation. Unlike other American sports, Americans can support a team that represents the country they
love on the world stage. Soccer has served as a source of patriotism in American sports, especially when a country has a hard time uniting otherwise. Without the US men’s national team competing in the biggest sporting event in the world, the need to watch soccer for some Americans has diminished. American soccer needs more attention to survive, and missing this world cup will be devastating for US Soccer and Major League Soccer. For reasons aforementioned, the ratings of men’s soccer will go down. As we saw in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the matches, which did not feature US National team, attracted significantly less viewership than matches that did. In fact, the viewership for the four games in which the US played received record breaking viewership for a soccer match in the US. Once the US were eliminated from the tournament, the viewership for other World Cup matches were significantly less. Moving on to the 2018 World Cup, one can expect that the viewership will decrease significantly, as most Americans will feel like there is no need to pay attention to a sport that now has no relevance to the US. This will cause ratings to go down, and revenue for some of the biggest sponsors of the networks which broadcast the tournament will plummet. This will ultimately decrease the revenue generated into US Soccer, stunting the growth of American soccer. Soccer was already a struggling sport in this country, and the men’s national team’s failure to qualify will most likely lead to a further decrease in the popularity of soccer in the United States. In order to move forward from this embarrassing defeat, the United States Soccer Federation must find ways to attract more revenue, reform its youth system, and manage its teams differently. Unfortunately, the success of the US Women’s national team is not impactful enough to allow American soccer as a whole to progress due to a lack of popularity within our society. America’s popularity for this sport is now stunted without men’s national team’s participation in the World Cup, and the United States Soccer Federation must take the necessary steps to ensure future success for US Soccer and increase the popularity of an underappreciated sport within American culture. n
11
Columns
Pressure Point. Columns in Conflict
Wil Rowland Columnist
T
his article is going to be bad. While I will try to make it funny or entertaining, the jokes will at best produce a loud exhale and at worst create anger and unhappiness. Any attempt to make genuine political insight on my part will be met with disdain or denial. The tone will be cold, dispirited, maybe even devoid of any feeling in an attempt to express my feelings about the current state of American politics. I think most professionals would not encourage a writer to begin their work with fantastic combinations of pessimism and self-degradation. However, if there is one thing we can learn from the political state of America, it is that there is nothing more hated than the professional or the expert. Donald Trump, hailed as the outsider who would clean up the “swamp” of Washington and save the nation from the dreaded bureaucrat, is now finally focusing on the tax plan that will fulfill his promise. The proposed plan is based on Ronald Reagan’s theories of trickle-down economics, giving tax breaks to businesses so that they are able to establish jobs and boost the economy from the top down. The idea stems from the standard Conservative ideology that those who hold the wealth and power should be rewarded with tax breaks and given incentives to help the poor. The promise of the
upper class using this to aid the lower classes always seemed implied, but has never really been stated. In reality, this plan will, unsurprisingly, benefit the upper classes instead of the poorer majority and leave the middle class in some sort of limbo. A conservative president pushing for the financial protection of the wealthy seems routine. However, as we all know, attendant circumstances are just as important as base level facts, as they often are the true definers of the public's perception. Trump managed to win over the lower class citizens of America through his joie de viv and reputation as a successful businessman who was for the people. Reagan’s presidency provides much of the significance behind the revered trickle-down economic structure, for it led to a period of economic boom. Trump’s attempt to emulate Reagan and help the lower classes through tax breaks for the upper classes, therefore, seems worthwhile. However, yet again modern circumstances get in the way. In the Reagan days, due to the high tax rate, cuts for big businesses worked, boosting the economy and lessening the national debt. Today, however, tax rates are half of what they used to be, and so the same theories that worked so well in the past now
House of Representatives debating Trump proposals.
useless. Clogged in standard bureaucratic difficulties, Trump’s tax plan is at a crucial stage. While many seem perfectly willing to ignore experts and economists who point to the proposed plan’s impotence and potential to increase the national debt, it is very possible that the bill will have to be modified in order to pass in both houses of Congress. So really what we have here is a perfect storm of bad ideas. Trump, as of right now, has been put on the receiving end of the bureaucratic process and forced to negotiate with the very people he was supposed to evict from Washington in his “declog” campaign. While his own plan in and of itself would do little to help those who carried his vote, that fact has become irrelevant as he is facing more and more scrutiny from the other side of the aisle. In all this political debate and rhetoric, however, it is easy to forget the true nature behind these tax reforms. The proposed plan will push down the lower classes and will negatively affect oft-overlooked minorities. While we cannot be too hasty to ignore the bureaucratic process, we should always frame these discussions with the effects legislature will have on the American people. n
Columns 12
Trump’s Tax Plan Grace Parkerson Columnist
T
rump’s new tax plan has begun to be debated and marked up by the Ways and Means Committee; the bill has already gained widespread attention and criticism from liberals. The bill has and will undergo many changes to get to a final version, and while it has many flaws as its stands, the proposal, does give some good insight into what the Trump administration has in store. There is no doubt that the current proposal offers the greatest tax cuts to businesses. The corporate tax rate of 35 percent would be cut to 20 percent and small businesses that can be taxed up to 39.6 percent would have a maximum tax rate of 25 percent; Trump’s incentives for businesses to come back to America are also present in the attempt to reform the multinational tax system. The massive cuts to businesses may be democrats’ biggest opposition to Trump’s plan, but those cuts are what will create jobs, increase wages, prompt investment, and allow American businesses to compete internationally. This new bill would also help families keep more of their paychecks; the standard deduction is almost doubled — $12,000 to $24,000 for families and $6,350 to $12,000 for individuals — which will help families who earn the median household income. This alone cuts taxes
Official photo of President Ronald Reagan.
on these families by more than $1,000. Families with kids also benefit in the form of an increased Child Tax Credit from $1,000 to $1,600 and a $300 credit for elderly dependents. Middle-class families will be keeping more of the money they earn through this new bill; Senators Mike Lee and Marco Rubio are working to keep this part of the bill in tact or even increase the tax cut, saying “The Senate is not going to pass a
“Clearly there are flaws with this bill that will hopefully be addressed in a speedy fashion so that Trump can indeed pass an improved version of this bill” bill that isn’t clearly pro-family.” Not only will these middle-class households see a tax cut, but the The joint committee on taxation did confirm that on average, every income range sees a tax cut with this new plan. The new bill also introduces a much simpler taxation process. Taxation loopholes are being fixed and the current seven income tax brackets are cut down to four: 12%, 25%, 35%, and 39.6%. The entire process of taxes would be easier for Americans to carry out and understand.
One confusing element of the bill is the repeal of the estate tax; it is unnecessary to be cutting taxes for the miniscule percentage of heirs in and their inherited wealth. The aspect of the bill that gives tax breaks to individuals with inherited wealth should be modified; it is one of the major issues democrats have with the bill and will likely change before the passing of the bill. This part of the proposal does not have the same intention and integrity as the rest of the bill, which is really to serve middle-class families. As it stands, this new tax plan is bound to greatly increase the deficit. This issue prompted Senate Republicans to insert an Obamacare repeal provision into the bill, which would free up the money necessary to fund these tax cuts. This addition to the bill is supported by Trump and many Republican Senators, but could cause complications and arouse even more resistance to the plan. Clearly there are flaws with this bill that will hopefully be addressed in a speedy fashion so that Trump can indeed pass an improved version of this bill before Christmas. While many kinks need to be worked out, this bill is representative of the conservative viewpoint on taxes and, if passed, could lead to some of the largest tax cuts in American history. n
President Trump presents tax proposal plan.
13
Middle School
Grace Weber Staff Writer
Backstage from Different Angles
On November 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, the Middle School held its production of Backstage. This play gives a funny take on what happens behind the scenes. At Theater Baroque, an understudy must secretly fill in for the beloved main character who suddenly dies an hour before the show’s premiere. There were many different roles, and this is Backstage, from four different perspectives: Lead- Addison Summers ‘23 played Yolanda, the costume lady, and Ava Sweeney ‘24 played Max, the superstitious stage manager. Addison liked being a lead because she had a big part in the play, but she didn’t like that there were so many lines. Ava loved interacting with so many people after the show, and the amount of acting she got to do during the rehearsal. They both want to continue acting, but Ava will be a freshman next year, so she will take part in high school plays. Supporting Role- Having a small part has its ups and downs: on the positive side, you get to hang out backstage and don’t have a ton of lines to memorize so that you have time to finish homework. But, on the down side, people usually don’t remember the part you had. In rehearsal, there is a lot of just hanging around waiting for your turn to go on. Stage Manager- What goes on behind the scenes is just as important as what goes on onstage. For example, Stage Manager is an important role that can go unnoticed. Sophia Gotham, one of the assistant stage managers, liked being able to watch the show and work backstage. One of her favorite parts is working up in the booth! However, she didn’t like how sometimes she had “useless rehearsals” where she had no point in being there. But even with the bad things, she wants to do it again, since she loved putting on the show. Audience- Now last, the audience. Why would there even be a show without an audience? So, I interviewed multiple people from the audience about their opinions on the show. The majority of people liked the show. They liked the cliffhangers, the humor, the set, and the contrast of all the different roles. But, there were things people didn’t like, though they are few. One was that people didn’t like how it got a little confusing at some points, but, overall, the show was a hit! Before this article is over I would like to give credit to several people: Mrs. King, for putting on the show and being a great director; Matilda Adolphsen, our stage manager, for keeping us all organized; Ellie Lin and Sophia Gotham for helping us stay quiet backstage, which is a bigger deal then it seems; the light and sound crew for making the show look cool; the costume and prop people for making sure we didn’t forget our stuff; and, finally, the cast for doing such a good job! n
G
Feature 14
Gus Erdman Staff Writer
Governor of Massachusetts Elbridge Gerry redrew the district map of his state in 1812 to ensure victory for his party in an upcoming election. Gerry’s new districts packed his opposition into districts where their votes would be wasted. Upon looking at the newly drawn maps, a clever political cartoonist determined that one of the districts looked like a salamander. We now define this process as Gerrymandering, a word that combines Gerry and salamander. In each state, population size determines how many representatives the state will have. States must divide their population into congressional districts. Ultimately, these congressional districts decide who will represent the state in the U.S. House of Representatives. By federal law, state legislatures are allowed to redraw congressional districts every ten years after the census. The state legislature in power during census years will use this opportunity to secure their party’s victory in the next election; both Republicans and Democrats have historically done so. The architects of new district maps design congressional districts with two methods of partisan gerrymandering: cracking and packing. In a typical cracking scenario, a concentrated population will be split into two districts to minimize the power of its vote. For example, a densely populated city with lots of democrats could be split in two to separate the population’s vote. Packing occurs when a population is overloaded in one district to minimize its influence on other districts. For example, a rural district could be drawn to include additional Republican voters who would otherwise swing an election in an urban area. Both methods of partisan gerrymandering aim to minimize the influence of one party’s voters and
maximize the influence of the other’s. In 2011, Republicans won the House and governor seat in Wisconsin. The Republican legislature then proceeded to redraw the congressional districts. The newly drawn districts were a classic example of gerrymandering. In 2012, when Wisconsin had another election, Republicans constituted 49% of the vote but won 61% of the seats. The result of the 2012 election was a major change from previous years, proving that Gerrymandering had occurred in Wisconsin. Further, experts agree that widespread Republican control of both national and state legislature can be partially attributed to gerrymandering. Last month SCOTUS heard Gill v. Whitford, a case between the state of Wisconsin and plaintiffs who accuse the state of partisan gerrymandering. Gill v. Whitford will decide to what extent partisan gerrymandering is constitutional. An earlier decision from a lower court ruled that the state legislature violated the constitution by severely depreciating multiple votes. We will not know the Supreme Court’s decision until sometime next year. Gill v. Whitford probably won’t completely outlaw partisan gerrymandering, but it will outlaw the most extreme and deliberate forms of it, such as in Wisconsin. The decision of this case will also determine a method to identify and prosecute gerrymandering. Partisan gerrymandering is tricky to identify and eliminate, but Gill v. Whitford could reduce the extent to which it occurs. In the meantime, urban millennials should think about moving out to the country, while rural conservatives should think about moving in next to a Starbucks. n
15
Feature
UN/MASKING MENTAL ILLNESS AT PEMBROKE
Ellie Burke and Lily Jiang Copy Editor and Managing Editor
Feature 16
All across our nation, the combination of various stressors threat- Many high schoolers who find themselves pressed for time will en the mental health of high school students. Oftentimes, students procrastinate just so they can catch a break. Some even resort to find it difficult, if not impossible, to find a healthy balance between drugs and alcohol to have a moment of rest. However, these methacademics and their personal life. In today’s society, high school- ods of relieving stress are usually counterproductive, as they do ers are pulled in so many directions that their mental health be- not get rid of the source of the student’s anxiety. By taking just a litcomes the least of their concerns. On a daily basis, high-schoolers tle time for themselves and pushing their work aside, students only are forced to accommodate and adapt to rigorous standards in an increase their levels of stress. Because of intensity of a school like education system where failure to do so means a loss of opportuni- Pembroke, it is not surprising that so many high schoolers look to ties and a lifetime of closed doors. The average teenager is not only procrastination and drugs as outlets and struggle with their mental expected to live up to strict academic expectations but is expected health. This madness must cease; and, ironically, the very source of to engage in extracurriculars and to maintain a strong social pro- our problem—Pembroke—also possesses the solution to our nervfile. All of these factors in a student’s life contribute to an environ- ous dispositions. This year, the Upper School began the Health and Wellness ment of extreme stress and a rise of anxiety that is detrimental to Committee: an application-based board which strives to inform their mental well-being. Currently, around 20% of youths ages 13-18 live with a mental the student body about the mental, physical, and social issues that health condition. Additionally, 1 in 5 have an emotional or men- plague the average high schooler. The committee is led by Erin tal health disorder and 1 in 10 have a mental challenge that lim- Lowe ‘18, Ross Copeland ‘18, and Kate Stokes ‘19. Although the its and impairs how they function in their daily lives. Given these only side of the program us students ever see is the videos shown astounding statistics, it is clear that mental health is an issue that in assembly, the Health and Wellness Committee works hard each is prevalent among all students across the United States. A study and every day to bring us the tools needed to cope with our menconducted by the National Institute of Mental health reports that tal illnesses. For instance, Erin Lowe ‘18 disclosed that it was the “about 30% of girls and 20% of boys - totaling 6.3 million teens committee who arranged for the guest speaker on suicide—even - have an anxiety disorder.” These facts show how change must though he was unable to make it—to come to Pembroke. In fact, the Health and Wellness Comoccur in school systems mittee is the official sponsor of to reduce student stress article: they specifically reand improve mental THE CULMINATION OF PEMBROKE’S MYRIAD this quested a mental health piece health. One of the leading sources of anxiety OF EXPECTATIONS IS A STUDENT POPULATION as the Voice’s feature article. All in all, the broader goal seems to stem from competition in education. STRESSED OUT OF THEIR MINDS—DESPITE THE the program is not only the Today, students must FACT THAT THEY NEVER ASKED FOR ANY OF prevention, but the de-romanticization, of mental illnesses in outcompete each other THIS PRESSURE IN THE FIRST PLACE. our community. For whatever in order to lead a more reason, modern teenagers view successful life, and this mental health issues as signs of competitive nature of the grit and strength—not the lifeeducation system breeds unnecessary stress and promotes an unhealthy environment. Eve- ruining diseases that they are. The Tab, a British news outlet, perryday, students are racing to finish their long list of assignments. fectly sums up the message romanticizing mental illnesses sends Especially at a school like Pembroke Hill, students pull all-nighters to the public: “These illnesses are exactly as they are described – and force themselves to go to school, even when they’re sick. Of- they are illnesses. They are life consuming, people who genuinely tentimes, if they don’t do so, students only fall behind and and find suffer with them often find them embarrassing and near imposthemselves in a situation where they are overwhelmed with work. sible to talk about, but so many people these days seem to think Pembroke Hill, as it often readily admits, is an extremely de- of them as some kind of quirky personality traits that make them manding institution; copious amounts of homework breed out- more special and somehow desirable.” The same crime occurs at rageous levels of stress, anxiety, and just plain sleep deprivation Pembroke. Instead of addressing mental illness as what it is, stuin our community. Moreover, our school is a college preparatory dents treat their issues like commodities: stories which buy them academy. By design, we stress higher education as the surest key to attention and respect among their peers. Bragging about how little success. The culmination of Pembroke’s myriad of expectations is sleep you’ve gotten or how strong and unique you are for being a student population stressed out of their minds—despite the fact depressed is not the solution—it’s the crime. Like the Health and that they never asked for any of this pressure in the first place. This Wellness Committee preaches, students must stop placing a price seemingly inconsequential detail is, in fact, one of the main causes tag on their struggle and work to help those friends who are truly of mental health issues in our high school community: kids are suffering from mental illnesses. Depression, anxiety, ADD, ADHD, stressed beyond belief, and they don’t even know why. You don’t and every other mental health issue which affects students at Pemhave to earn straight A+s to be curious about the world. You don’t broke—at the world at large—are not laughing matters. Today, high schoolers at Pembroke Hill experience a level of have to attend Harvard to get your dream job in the future, and, you certainly don’t have to stay up until 1 am just to earn that last anxiety that is highly unhealthy and is detrimental to their mental 5% on your upcoming chemistry exam. Yet, Pembroke says you health. In an environment where success and high achievement is do—and we all blindly follow that command. I too march to the so greatly stressed, students’ mental health often gets put on the beat of Pembroke’s drum. And for what? For perpetual bags under back burner. However, although academics are obviously imporour eyes, anxious stomachs before that next test, and nights when tant, getting good grades should not come at the expense of one’s mental health. The issue of mental health is one that cannot be igall we want to do is cry. Oftentimes, when students are confronted with a seemingly in- nored and the solution must be found through the members of the surmountable workload, they try to find outlets for their stress. faculty and administration as well as the student body itself. n
17
Column
KC CRAWL Mid-Coast Modern: 314 Westport Rd. Kansas City, MO 64111
Emma Knopik Columnist One overcast Monday afternoon, I strolled into Mid-Coast Modern, a little store in Westport, to find my friend a birthday gift. The ambiance is so cute that I decided to ask an employee, Maggie, a few questions about the local goods store. What is the concept of Mid Coast Modern? M: Well we focus on independent brands and small makers, we have a real emphasis on handcrafted items. For example, we make our soap here at the shop, and nothing is mass produced so we focus on a smaller batch. We work with a lot of local makers, I’d say about half to seventy-five percent of the store is local. We don’t have too much of a proliferation of the same product, we have other artists from across the country. Could you talk to me a little bit more about some of your local artists? M: Well, we have a variety of artists. Decoy Labs is an artist that I really like, she does a lot of laser cut wood products. I also love Emily Bordner, she does jewelry, leather pouches, and other things like that, her work is very interesting. Whiskey and bone is another favorite, Tara is great, she does interesting stuff because although her voice is the same, she evolves and moves her aesthetic conversation forward. Kevin Garrison is another cool print maker, I enjoy the message he incorporates into his pieces. So I know that your store used to be located in the Crossroads, and then you recently moved to Westport. How do you like being in Westport? M: It’s a great neighborhood, and also there’s a lot more foot traffic. In the Crossroads, it’s great on First Fridays, but that’s just one day a month. I’d say here we get a lot of traffic with people coming for brunches, especially at the Corner Restaurant. It is also more convenient for people working in different parts of the city.
Is there a trend in your products that represents Kansas City right now? M: As far as Kansas City specific products, anything with KC sells pretty well here, but I’m also noticing emblems and symbols becoming more popular. One of our tee-shirts has the shuttlecock on it, and a couple of our pieces have the Western Auto sign on it, so that says Kansas City without necessarily saying the name Kansas City. Someone was in here the other day from LA and they said how much Kansas City is in love with itself, and I was like yeah we kind of are, there’s a lot of pride in the city. Why is it called Mid-Coast Modern? M: Well the owner Matt Bramlette, he loves Mid Century modern design and its style and simplicity. Oh and of course we are in the middle of the country, so Mid-Coast Modern encapsulates the concept of the store. Who is the ideal shopper? M: Somebody who values craftsmanship, supporting local business, and has kind of a fresh, sharp aesthetic. Also someone who has a sense of humor too because some of our stuff is a little bit tongue and cheek, more fun. n
Photo credits: Julia Rosher ‘18
-NOVEMBER & DECEMBERREVIEWS MUSIC
Reviews 18
Charlotte Lawrence Staff Writer
As the holiday season approaches, it is important to get in the festive spirit through Christmas music. Although many opt for the iconic and slightly overplayed single “All I Want For Christmas is You” by Mariah Carey, the oldies are, and will always be, the better choice for your holiday soundtrack. Albums like “Elvis’s Christmas” and “A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra” are all-time favorites among many, and are the perfect songs to get you in the jolly mood. Their melodramatic voices accompanied by choirs and symphonies are both easy to listen to and appealing. Sinatra’s entire album is heart warming, soothing, and nostalgic, whereas Elvis’s is a mix of upbeat rock and traditional gospel. If you are looking for a more soulful approach to Christmas music, Ella Fitzgerald’s “Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas” and Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful Christmas” are great choices. Fitzgerald’s powerful voice mixed with jazzy instrumentals and classic lyrics make for one of the best holiday albums of all time. Armstrong’s legendary trumpet playing and deep, gravely voice creates the perfect ambiance for any celebration. Both of these albums are perfect for large parties or just relaxing at home with family. Finally, “A Family Christmas” by The Piano Guys is a wonderful choice for background music. The entire album is comprised of classic Christmas song played on the piano/ This album is perfect to set the mood for any holiday festivity. n
BOOK
Gina Pepitone Editor-in-Chief
We Are Okay by award winning author Nina LaCour is a quick read that will both warm and wrench at your heart. Published just this year, this fictional novel has already received high praise from readers and renowned writers alike. Siobhan Vivian, bestselling author of The Last Boy and Girl in the World, comments that the book is, “as beautiful as the best memories, as sad as the best songs, as hopeful as your best dreams.” In the novel, readers follower Marin, an orphaned young girl who packs up and abandons her life in California to escape tragedy and live at college in New York City. But even thousands of miles away, the life she ran from still haunts her. Marin is forced to face her past when her best friend, Mabel, visits her during winter break. Page by page, readers uncover what circumstances drove Marin to leave California and her entire life behind. The novel explores themes of death, depression, familial bonds and friendship. The alluring writing of LaCour is rich with sensory imagery and poetic lines, one of my personal favorites being, “we were nostalgic for a time that wasn’t over yet.” The content is resonate with readers because of the eloquently crafted, yet achingly honest tone of Marin. While some might not be able to directly relate to her character, almost any high schooler can empathize with her feelings of loneliness and uncertainty about her future. A very fitting novel for the holiday season, this book will be perfect to curl up with during winter break, especially if you are looking for a well-written story of a girl who struggles to overcome the pain of her past so she can learn to love again. n
FILM
Anoushka Makkad Contributor
Thor: Ragnarok, directed by Taika Waititi, is the third installment of the Thor movies starring Chris Hemsworth. In the god of lightning’s next adventure, he finds himself yet again caught in a war with one of his siblings—this time with his long lost sister, who has been imprisoned for centuries by her father. The sister Hela, played by Academy Award Winner Cate Blanchett, is the fabled goddess of death who vows to take over Thor’s homeworld of Asgard as well as the other realms. After their first encounter with Hela, Thor and his brother Loki find themselves cast out onto another planet, ruled by the exalted Grand Master, on the other side of the universe. Held captive and forced to battle against The Hulk, who is also trapped on the planet, Thor finds himself in a struggle to return to Asgard and save his beloved home from imminent destruction. While certainly an action-packed movie filled with adventure and mystery, Thor: Ragnarok also brings in a new element of comedy that is not seen as much in the other Thor movies. Even when things start to take a grim turn, there is always someone to crack a joke to liven up the atmosphere, creating a more entertaining experience. Filled with action, comedy, drama, and secrets lurking around every corner, Thor: Ragnarok provides a new twist on the other Thor movies with a thrilling and satisfying adventure. n Photo credits: Flickr Creative Commons
19 Feature
College Labels Erin Lowe and Ellie Miller Contributor and Staff Writer Humans have a need to categorize - it simplifies our world into pieces we can more easily comprehend. From this need stem the plethora of websites, magazines, and blogs that rank, categorize, and review practically anything you might need to know about, even your future. It is easier than ever to discover the best and worst parts of the world around you, and as college application season reaches its peak, seniors have become the new experts on the best and worst parts of many colleges, all thanks to the selection process. Walking through the commons, the hallways, and classes, it was nearly impossible to avoid the college conversation: where to apply, where to ED, or how to approach the Common Application essay. Now, with early application deadlines upon us, many of those conversations have faltered or ceased. A tension looms between peers and even friends, as the competitive nature of our prep school students comes to light. “I know a lot of people aren’t telling their friends where they are applying,” says Darcy Bond ‘18. She says she finds this secrecy kind of strange, but she does believe that the competition promoted at Pembroke Hill “provides motivation to do well and go to a good college”. So what constitutes a good college? The website Niche will tell you that Stanford is the best overall college. The Princeton Review ranks Vanderbilt as having the happiest students, Harvey Mudd with the most studious students, and Tulane with the biggest partiers. So which rankings should we listen to, and to what extent? College counselor Ms. Stevens thinks “people would be surprised to find out that [she doesn’t] pay too much attention to those rankings”. The counselors do some fairly extensive traveling with their jobs; getting to know the
Feature 20
Is the Ivy League really golden? schools, so once they get to know a student they can “look at the total overall fit” of a college. Who, then, is responsible for the weight of rankings on our minds? Darcy thinks the school does “push [students] to go to the best school [one] possibly can.” Ms. Stevens believes that these rankings are so important because “college is such a big deal in our society in the United States.” Plus, in her years of working with students and their families, she commented that if forced to choose, “it’s probably the parents who bring [rankings] up most.” In fact, more than 93% of PHS juniors and seniors say that college labels have been a factor within familial discussions regarding college selection. 94% of those students said that the selectivity of a college affects their perception of it, and 90% say the title “Ivy League” impacts their perception of a school. The Ivy League is an athletic league, a fact which has been largely disregarded in respect to the application process. This league does include the most selective schools in the country, but Ms. Stevens notes that “kids go to wonderful schools that aren’t particularly in that league.” She attributes the Ivy League idolization to “everyone [liking] to be a part of what they perceive as the best,” along with the fact that “those schools are part of our conversation because we are a college preparatory school and our students are of the caliber to get into those schools.” This sentiment is reflected in the beliefs of students like Darcy, who comments that “the Ivy League is on a whole different level...it’s definitely something to strive for.” Daniel Bauman 18’ judges those institutions “based on their excellence and their reputations of consistent excellence throughout history. Their prestige is often
derived from their excellence in education, which is attractive.” Many parents and students share this view, thus a majority of students feel pressured to apply to or attend a school that has been deemed “prestigious.” Alternatively, Daniel also believes “there are plenty of non-Ivy League schools that are just as prestigious as the Ivies.” Prestige is a subjective concept, and it is not solely prestige that impacts a student’s perception of a potential institution. The college search process directs students toward a better understanding of themselves in order to better understand potential colleges. Many students are facing the difficult choice of attending a historically prestigious university or a relatively newer, often less expensive institution. Cost is a huge factor when choosing a college. It can mean the difference between having a place to sleep at night and spending the remainder of one’s life buried beneath an ever-growing pile of student loans. College counselor Mrs. Pottenger claims she often sees kids turn down prestige for another great school that is more affordable. Location, affordability, and academic programs are all factors when it comes to choosing a college. Although Ivy League schools are generally known for their academics, state and liberal arts schools often have their own unique programs, making them just as competitive as some of the better-known institutions. There are hundreds of aspects to choosing the right college, but the notion of acceptance is one of the most terrifying parts of the process. All of the pressure that arises during the college application process, internal and external, has different effects on different students. Some suddenly find motivation to strive for top grades, newly confronted with a tangible destination for them.
Darcy believes that the process “tends to burn people out.” Another senior, Sloane Withers-Marney, thinks that the college application process sometimes wrongly takes precedence over school and life, saying “it affected first quarter grades for a lot of people because people don’t realize that those grades are still important”. The process can also take a toll on a student’s mental and physical well-being. “It absolutely can cause a lot of anxiety and stress,” say Mrs. Pottenger, “There’s a lot of growth in the process. It’s painful but it’s growth. It seems like a mountain to climb but as long as you take it in little steps you can keep it from being too overwhelming.” So, in the midst of college application season, the most dreaded season of them all, take a deep breath. As you approach this process, think about you. There is more than one right answer to your college decisions. The Ivy League is a sports league, and whatever college you choose to attend can and will be what you make of it. That said, make sure you are making whatever decision you choose based upon research you have conducted, not because of that which you have been told by parents or peers. It can be difficult to avoid labels when deciding where to apply, let alone where to attend. Ultimately, make your choice based upon the knowledge you have of each school and go where you think you will be happiest, not where you think you are expected to go. This is your decision. Allow yourself room to grow. In your journey to discover the perfect institution at which to spend the next four years of your life, you are looking at where to plant yourself. So plant yourself where you know you’ll grow. Then grow where you’re planted. n
21
Column
Teacher Feature Dr. MacGregor Prince Rupert, British Columbia It was eight in the morning, and I was celebrating my last cruise with a black coffee at Cowpuccinos. For the past 8 years, I had been working on expedition ships, spending my summers with whales in Alaska and Canada and my winter with them in Mexico, with side trips to Central America and the Caribbean. It was time to get my land legs back and have a more “normal” job, according to my dad. So, I had a simple plan. My partner Jeff and I had accepted jobs with the National Park Service in Death Valley, CA. We were scheduled to start work in 30 days. As I finished my coffee, I glanced at a sign on the wall looking for two dog mushers for a Wyoming adventure. What could be more “normal” than dog mushing? I knew my dad would be happy. Bondurant, Wyoming (pop 100) As luck would have it, we were able to secure a one-room cabin at the Elkhorn Bar, just five miles from the dog yard in Bondurant, Wyoming. I was able to a get side job bartending at night. Unbeknownst to us, the Elkhorn Bar was one of the most notorious joints in Wyoming and I would soon meet the cast of characters and solidify my new title of “Dog Lady.” After settling into our cabin, it was time to meet 250 dogs and Frank. Frank was the owner of the dog kennel – a former Iditarod musher and Ultimate Frisbee Champion. Frank was a legend of sorts up the road in Jackson Hole. He even had a key to the city! Yeah, Frank was cool! Our job was simple. We each had our own kennel with 40 dogs. We would provide all the day-to-day care for them (food, water, vaccinations). We trained the young dogs for the race team and took the older dogs on “tour.” When dogs retired from racing, they became guide dogs for visitors to Jackson Hole during the winter season. I instantly fell in love with all my dogs, and
I remember them to this day. The chores were grueling. We rotated the shift for who would make the food for the dogs: frozen lamb and beef, all donated by Pedigree, mixed with dry food. First thing every morning, we would fill up our 50 gallon water buckets, take an axe to chop up the frozen meat, and fill all the 100 gallon rubber tubs with the food and hot water. It would sit all day thawing and marinating while we mushed the dogs. To be clear, mushing is sport or method of transportation which uses a wooden sled powered by dogs! You, the musher, stand on the back of two skies attached to the sled basket and away you go. Anyhow, in the afternoon, we would feed the dogs and then come back at night to feed and water again. In order to keep weight on the hard working dogs, we supplemented their diet with handfuls of chicken skins and elk carcasses donated by local hunters. The next morning, it would all start over. The dogs would howl with excitement when they first saw you: Fear and Loathing (brothers) were the loudest, followed by Kerr, Pippen, Rodman, and Jordan (brothers)! Are you catching on to how we named sled dogs? With so many dogs and pedigrees to keep track of, we had to name dog litters with themes. The first litter I got to help raise was the “Wyoming Outlaws” (Butch Cassidy, Sundance Kid, Tom Horn, and Cattle Kate). Big Red Did I mention that this is the coldest and snowiest place in Wyoming? Average snowfall is 400” and temperatures drop to -20º for weeks on end? If the chores didn’t get to you, the cold would. We started work at 5:30 am and finished by 5:30 pm. You, like the dogs, were outside the ENTIRE time! I remember one particularly nasty two-week cold spell. It was -35º every morning with a daytime high of -5º. We had to plug in Big Red, our truck, every night before bed, just so she would start in the morning. Then, we had to let her run for 30 minutes
before we could drive her. The 5 mile drive to work easily took 20 minutes due to the snow and ice on the road. One morning she died on a curve with no shoulder, 3 miles from work. We soon discovered our fuel lines had frozen because the day was an especially cold -28º! Introducing Nancy Botwin I was chosen to be the guide to Mary Louise Parker (star of Weeds) and Billy Crudup (from Almost Famous) for the day. Truthfully, I didn’t even know who Mary Louise Parker was,and I really didn’t care. She wanted to travel incognito for the day, to not be hounded by cameras. She strutted to my sled in her new Spyder snowsuit and wearing this huge, obnoxious rabbit fur hat. It was the size of a giant pumpkin; I couldn’t even see her face. She proceeded to spend the entire day complaining about how cold she was. She was plain miserable and would not take my advice to get out and “run” alongside the dogs (which is how we stayed warm). She called my dogs every bad name she could think of. She thought it would make them go faster in order to get her to warmth sooner. We stopped for a break along the trail and I remember hearing her screaming “my hat!” Apparently, she had taken it off for a minute and Clyde, my best dog, thought he had stumbled onto a little bunny rabbit. Although I tried my hardest, I could not manage to wrestle it away from him. Finally, after what seemed like forever, I was able to return the completely limp, shredded, and slobbered on hat. Maybe that’s why she didn’t tip me. Hmm. All Shall Fear Hamburger Hill To reach the main trail from the dog yard, we had a large side hill to go down. It was at a 45-degree angle that you skied across. We had to continually build up a snow berm (raised wall of snow), so we had a platform to sled down the hill. Conditions were pretty dangerous when there was no berm in place, but it
Column 22
Race Day with the girls (Jeffe and Hotrod) leading the way
was a continuous chore that no one enjoyed. There was a heated musher debate one night that it would be easier to get down the hill if you just “let ‘er rip” instead of slowing down and using your sled brake when going down the hill. That way we could stop building the berm – pretty obvious! It was also clearly noted that only the girls used the brake on the hill. One day I decided to just “let ‘er rip,” just to prove how tough I was. Picture you are in the dog yard, you have 12 dogs hooked up to a sled and yourself. Mind you, these aren’t Shih Tzu’s; these are sled dogs that can pull about 5 times their body weight – each. So, 12 dogs are really strong and really fast. I flew out of the dog yard, full speed to the hill, which was now solid ice. I cut across that side hill, man, oh man, was I flying. I hit a rock and was airborne like Santa Claus on Christmas Eve! It must have been 20 feet when I finally broke my fall with my face on an ice embankment. At that point, I broke the golden rule and let go of my sled and my dogs. I was a mess, but my fellow mushers bandaged me up and brought me home where I immediately passed out until the next morning. In the morning at the cabin, I decided to take off the bandages and clean my face up. When I
looked in the mirror for the first time, I didn’t recognize myself. My face was 20 times it usual size, my eyes were full of blood, and that was all I remember. Next thing I know, my pet dogs, Achilles and Riling, were licking my face, and I was wondering why I was flat on my back. I was promptly taken to the emergency room to check for brain damage. The doctor concluded, “If I was OK before the accident, I would be OK after.” No brain damage but he had never seen an accident like that before. He said it was perfectly normal for someone to pass out if your face looks like a giant pile of hamburger. Hence, the hill was lovingly renamed in my honor … Hamburger Hill. The Bear Seems, I can’t end this without sharing one good Elkhorn Bar story. May 1st to June 15th is black bear hunting season in Bondurant. Legend has it, the first bear kill of the season is brought into the Elkhorn Bar, sat up on a barstool at the counter and everyone proceeds to celebrate into the wee hours. I was not sure if this was true or not, but every afternoon during bear season, I was issued a warning from the locals that “tonight could be the night.” Well, I got the call. It was 10:00 pm, I was clean-
ing the bar and hoping for an early night. The phone rang and all I heard on the other end was “we’re coming.” I panicked when I saw all the trucks and trailers pull into the parking lot. It was wild, a gang of bear hunters, blasting their horns and doing donuts in their F250s. After about ten minutes of this, they brought in a 300 pound, field-dressed black bear and placed it on a stool at the bar. The hunter had traveled from Louisiana for the prize, and they had reason to celebrate; and they did so for 3 more hours! Yes, I had a beer with the bear at the bar in Bondurant. Goodbyes Alas, all good things must come to an end. It was time to move on to Laramie, WY and coyotes. It was time to get back to research and, once again, a “normal” job. I was devastated to leave my sled dogs. The only thing that made it bearable was knowing that they would be well cared for. Dog mushing was a great adventure: the mountains, the people, the wildlife and the Elkhorn Bar. However, it was the dogs that I remember most. They are all gone now, but they live in my heart. I will never forget them and the thousands of miles we skied together in the Wyoming wilderness. n
23
Feature
PHS COMMUNITY Olivia Sabates Copy Editor
HOLIDAY EVENTS
The Thanksgiving and Christmas season calls for fun activities, for family and friends to enjoy eachother’s company, and indulge in the events that Kansas City has to offer. During the holidays, you can take part in the tree lighting at Crown Center or enjoy Santa Dives at the Kansas City Zoo. With all these fun was to celebrate the holiday season, the Pembroke Hill community is also spreading cheer through various organizations.
Toys for Tots
Toys for Tots is a toy drive hosted by Lovstad for less fortunate children and infants whose parents cannot afford gifts for Christmas. A wonderful opportunity to positively impact children’s lives during the holiday season and certainly warm your heart.
Salvation Army
Another great way to help the community with loved ones is through the Salvation Army hosted by the Atwood community. Their holiday events include hospital visits, meal delivery, nursing homes events, and clothing and toy donations. Through these events, they will help low income families, children of prisoners, and shut-ins. Check out the Salvation Army website for more details.
Reach Out and Read
A drive hosted by Dietrich to collect new or gently used books for low income doctor’s offices for the children from infants to five years old. These donations provide opportunities for the kids to read while they are going through medical procedures.
Jewish Family Services
The Tron Community will be hosting the drive for Jewish Family Services in order to help shop for specific families by a Angel Tree with Christmas wishes on them. This would be a great way to connect and give back to a family during this holiday season.
KC Pet Project
The Boulware Community will be hosting the KC Pet Project fundraiser to give dog and cat food for the less fortunate animals in the KC Metropolitan area. A great way to give our pets some holiday cheer too!
Children’s Mercy
This year Hicks Community will be hosting the drive to collect coloring book and crayons for Children’s Mercy’s waiting room for entertainment for the kids. Holidays are a time of giving, and each community that donates to their individual organization will get points for their community for a prize at the end of the year. For more information on these community service events talk to Callie Duhig or one of your fellow Community Captains. Happy Holiday Season! n
T
H
W H A T
A
A R E
N Y O U
K
F
U
T H A N K F U L
“The NBA” Will Powell ‘18
Student Life 24
L
F O R ?
“Sue” Jack Ramza ‘18
“Each other” Julia Rosher ‘18 and Jackson Chu ‘21
“Mr. Sigler” Shahim Shahzad ‘19
“My friends and family” Luke Dema ‘21
25
Feature
Beyond The Storm: A Nation In Crisis Lauren Washington Managing Editor Imagine a city where you live without power, communication, or access to water; where roads and homes are completely destroyed. Now picture this as an entire island of civilians. This is the reality of a U.S. territory comprised of about 3.4 million people known as Puerto Rico, after Hurricane Maria devastatingly struck the island on October 20th. Puerto Rico has never experienced a natural disaster so catastrophic, leaving millions closed off from the rest of the world and over fifty people dead. The effects of the storm have noticeably been prolonged because of the existing debt and infrastructure collapse in Puerto Rico that was exacerbated by the storm in scary fashion, as well as the lackadaisical and indifferent response from the U.S. federal government. Weeks after the hurricane, about 86 percent of Puerto Ricans still are without electricity and 29 percent do not have access to uncontaminated water. The island has suffered billions of dollars in damage, and projectors have estimated that it needs over 20 billion dollars to help facilitate and restore the basic needs of government. Through speaking with Pembroke Hill’s Spanish teacher Sra. Sandra Ortega-Lydic, whose parents, brothers, nieces, and nephews all reside in Puerto Rico, she told me about the effects of the storm her family and the island are dealing with day in and day out. She explained that the longer the power outages last, the more people will leave: “no water, no ice, no traffic lights, disconnection from other towns and cities, no phones, complete destruction of homes, and unemployment levels increasing, a lot of people are leaving the island and moving to the U.S.” With an already crippling economy, the rapid influx of civilians
“Weeks after the hurricane, about 89 percent of Puerto Ricans still are without electricity and 29 percent do not have access to uncontaminated water.”
having to leave the island is only dampening the restoration process to rebuild. It is hard to return to normalcy, especially for young children, as schools have temporarily been closed or destroyed; their homes are a pile of ruined debris, and there is inadequate food or health services to benefit from. Sra.Ortega relayed how her family has had to cope with their new normal as she explained, “My brothers and their families are still dealing with the lack of electricity, and just recently, my niece and nephew were able to go back to school, but only until 1:00 p.m each day. My parents are the only ones in the family who just recently got their electricity and phone usage back, but they are all dealing with it one day at a time. They have learned to spend more quality time as a family, as opposed to being on their phones all the time; they have learned to be more patient with traffic by taking turns at traffic stops or lights, and they drink the entire water bottle because they cannot afford to waste anything.” Lives have changed forever. Puerto Rico will never be the same and some don’t know if they will ever be able to return. After seeing so many take action themselves from college students and local organizations to athletes like Carmelo Anthony and actors like Lin-Manuel Miranda, I knew even the smallest action in spreading awareness would positively enact change. I came across a local non-profit organization, the Puerto Rican Society of Greater Kansas City and contacted their President, Carmen Mendez, in hopes of getting the community of Pembroke and myself involved in their cause. With delight, I attended their fundraiser at the Pizza Bar downtown where they were collecting essential
Feature 26
hygiene items to send with the United Aid Foundation to Puerto Rico. There, I proceeded by taking photos and interviewing Ms. Mendez and various members of the Society. Through their initiatives, the Society educates and provides information about Puerto Rico to the Kansas City public by providing scholarships for Hispanics and through events that promote the culture of Puerto Rico to empower Puerto Ricans in the KC area. Through talking with Ms. Mendez, she relayed Puerto Rico’s dire need for help because “even though we aren’t coming from the U.S., we’re U.S. citizens. We’re suffering right now. My family’s suffering, my people are suffering, and my island is suffering. A lot of our family members need aid. As the weeks go by, it gets worse, so for us to be able to contribute in giving back to Puerto Rico, the land that we love so much, is very big for us. You need to have a heart, and this is what KC is known for; its generosity. It’s very important to know Puerto Rico’s the same way, just like each and every one of us.” To learn more or become involved with the Society, you can visit their facebook page @prsocietygkc, and all donations that they have collected will go to water filters for the United Aid Foundation to take back to the island. Through this experience, there has been light amidst the darkness as so many civilians have taken it upon themselves to provide aid and support. It is very important to realize that, among all of the countless tragedies, these 3.4 million U.S. American citizens deserve our help. I think Sra. Ortega said it best: “Besides the fact that people are dying, and have lost their homes, we are all in this world together, and need to help those who are in need. As we say in the Spanish speaking countries: Hoy por mí y mañana por ti.” n
27
Student Life
Get to Know the Lunch Staff Lauren Lee and Claire St. Peter Staff Writers On an afternoon in November, we had the pleasure of interviewing Pembroke Hill chefs, and friends of over thirty years, Brendan MacNaughton and Marcus Germonto. Between the two of them, Chefs Brendan and Marcus have a lot of experience within the cooking industry and are responsible for the variety of dishes we are lucky enough to eat everyday in the lunchroom. Below are a few questions we asked both chefs in order to shed light on their experiences as chefs, as well as their lives beyond Pembroke. V: In your opinion, what do you think is the most fulfilling aspect of your jobs? B: I like the ability to be creative, especially since I get to make the menus for the year. I also like the freedom of interacting with the students and faculty and figuring out what everyone likes, but also incorporating some new dishes they usually wouldn’t try. M: I like the instant gratification I get from students and teachers alike coming back for more food and often times complimenting us on the dishes. It is nice to be recognized for our work. V: During your time off for the holidays, what do you look forward to doing? B: When off from work, I enjoy spending time with my family and kids the most. Also, I am a singer and guitar player as well as a chef, and so I spend a lot of time practicing and performing. M: I also love the time I get to spend with my family. Since our breaks usually line up with my son’s school schedule, I’m able to spend a lot of quality time with him. V: What is your favorite dish to make? B: I create new favorite dishes all the time. When we make Mexican food for example, I get to make my favorite Mexican dish; when we have Cajun, I get to make a different style of food. M: I can’t say that I have a specific favorite meal to cook. The creativity and freedom that comes with working at a school versus in a corporate cooking position allows me to experiment and make all kinds of dishes.
V: What’s your favorite part about cooking at a school? B: Although we have to get here very early in the morning, I usually get to leave work at 5pm. The fact that we get weekends, summers, and breaks off is very nice because I get to spend more time with my family during these times. M: Asides from seeing the students every day and the awesome staff we get to work with, I love having the same schedule as my nine year old son. I usually get home before him or about an hour after him on weekdays, which is very nice. V: How did you find out about this job? B: In 2010, the restaurant I was managing closed and jobs were scarce because of the recession. I answered an online ad looking for a dishwasher and applied for this position. Instead of a dishwasher, I was hired as a prep cook. I have been here for seven years and have worked my way up to head chef, which I am very happy about. M: Brendan and I have been friends for thirty years and after hearing about this job from him, I moved from New York City to Kansas City. I have been working here for about eight weeks. n
An Evening of Excellence KC Welcomes Back Josh Earnest
Gina Pepitone Editor-in-Chief On a brisk November evening, Bella Barnes and I made our way into the Intercontinental Hotel, our heels echoing against the pavement. We were greeted and ushered to a table in a dimly lit dining area, lavishly decorated with intricate floral centerpieces and glasses brimming with iced tea. Once situated at the table, the lights dimmed even further and the low murmurs and delicate clinking of silverware subsided, and we were formerly welcomed to the fundraising Ages of Excellence event for Village Shalom. Bella and I had the privilege to be invited to this event by Ms. Karen Glickstein, Chairman of the Board of Village Shalom. Village Shalom is a prestigious care retirement facility, tending to senior members, with residents coming from various backgrounds and needs. An impressive fourth of their tenants receive financial aid to cover living and care expenses. Their motto, “Where Life Shines,” is an accurate embodiment of the compassionate spirit fostered at their facility. Among some very impactful speakers at this event, I was particularly excited for keynote speaker, Josh Earnest. While he likely needs no introduction, Earnest was the former press secretary during the Obama administration and is the beloved son of Mr. Don Earnest, the Athletic Director here at Pembroke Hill. Steve Kraske, host of KCUR’s program Up-To-Date, formally interviewed Earnest for the first part of the event that evening. Afterwards, Bella and I, along with four other students from Bartow and the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy, were invited to take part in a special question and answer panel. It was truly an honor to hear Earnest speak as he recounted treasured memories from his time at the White House and divulged some of President Obama’s secrets (such that he loves playing card games and is quite the gossip!). During his time in the White House, Earnest held nearly 350 press briefings.
He felt both honored and humbled to be able to “take a little of KC up there on the podium,” usually with KC Royals coffee mug in hand. A former baseball player himself, Earnest was overjoyed when the Royals won the World Series in 2015 while he was working in the White House. Perhaps one of his most unforgettable moments as press secretary was when Ned Yost, Eric Hosmer and Salvador Perez surprised Earnest in the press room with his own Royals jersey. Earnest had an overall remarkable journey, as he shares, “[having] moved to Washington young and idealistic, it was, in many ways, my own version the the American Dream.” Working for the Obama administration was a true calling because his personal values of transparency and accountability aligned perfectly with what the Obama administration stood for. In fact, when Obama gave Earnest his job as press secretary, the President told him he did not plan on watching the briefing each day. This shows the remarkable amount of trust the President placed in Earnest to factually, yet respectfully, comment on occurrences in the White House and around the world while simultaneously upholding the values of the administration. Earnest nostalgically looks back on his time in the White House. He admits that the systematic dismantling of Obama’s administration by the current elected administration is hard to watch, but he is proud, nonetheless, of his work. While Bella and I had the unique opportunity to meet Mr. Earnest and hear him speak in person, you can learn more about him and his work experience by listening to an interview with Earnest on Up-to-Date that aired in late October. Though Earnest does not plan on running for any political positions himself, he is currently enjoying his new work as a political analysis for NBC News and MSNBC. n
Feature 28
Crossword
Across 4. Last name of that Christmas singer your mother loves 5. These go up on Thanksgiving near our school 7. Christmas themed ballet written by Tchaikovsky 8. This famous scientist who invented the law of gravity was born on Christmas Day 9. In Germany, Austria, and Hungary this folklore character is known for punishing the ill-behaved 10. This President hosted the first official menorah lighting inside the White House 12. This popular day in November is named after the crash of the US Gold Market of 1869 13. In 2005 and 2009, presidentially pardoned turkeys were sent to this resort 15. Christmas movie starring Joe Pesci
30
Down 1. The article of clothing that brings Frosty to life 2. A sweet braided bread consumed on major Jewish holidays 3. The year’s shortest day is known as this 4. The day after Christmas in Great Britain 5. In November of 1621, the first Thanksgiving was in this town 6. St. Nicolaus was originally from this Holiday themed country 11. In Japan many people go to this restaurant on Christmas 14. The Spanish word for Christmas is 16. Number of days in Hanukkah
Letter from the
Editors
Dear Readers, The holiday season is now upon us! We find ourselves at the end of the semester and are forced to confront how quickly this school year has been passing. And what a whirlwind it has been. Our feature this issue focuses on mental health awareness and the importance of balance between scholastic achievement and extracurricular commitments. Often, Pembroke students are overwhelmed by the stresses of school. Ella Lawrence ‘18 brilliantly portrays this tension in her design for this issue’s cover. This time of the year, we find that we are always busy with something, but we want to emphasize the importance of taking time out of one’s hectic schedules to unwind and find some time for oneself. Here are some ways we at the Voice suggest for relaxing: 1. Brewing a soothing cup of tea in a favorite mug from one’s travels. 2. Reconnecting with a family member over an intense game of Monopoly. 3. Baking your mother’s famous cinnamon rolls with a hint of nutmeg. And our personal favorite... 4. Curling up by the fireplace (or space heater) and reading the latest issue of the Voice. We wish you and your family peace, safety and joy. Sincerely, Bella Barnes & Gina Pepitone
The Voice Podcast
whispers
tate benson ‘18... buys and resells yeezys in his spare time. emlen brown ‘18, thomas way ‘19, and coleman gliddon ‘19... qualified for boys’ cross country state. greta chase ‘19 and leon lin ‘19... held a a fundraiser for UNICEF. richard mchorgh ‘19... has his own web design business called mchorgh web design. the girls’ cross country team... placed second at districts.
By Jay Mehta
iTunes
Editors-in-Chief Bella Barnes and Gina Pepitone
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.
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
Designers Ellie Burke Rachel Colligan Catie Franano Jane Markley Baylor McCrary
Middle School Coordinator Jacqueline Kincaid Illustrator Sloane Withers-Marney
Head of Photo Julia Rosher Staff Writers Rachel Colligan Gus Erdman Lauren Lee Ellie Miller Jack Ramza Ellie Ruland Claire St. Peter Audrey O’Shaughnessey Comic Jane Markley Podcast Jay Mehta
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” Emma Knopik –”KC Crawl” Grace Parkerson and Wil Rowland – “Where We Stand” Faculty Sponsors Dr. Kim Banion and Dr. Matthew Clothier