Aniol: Intro to the Big Leagues

EDITORIAL A tremendous effort to continue traditions

As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on and vaccines slowly trickle out, we want to commend administrators for continuing to pursue its goal of incorporating as much normalcy into our school experience as possible.

Through mask mandates, social distancing and proper shelter-in-place procedures led by school nurse Julie Doerge, the school has managed to stay in person and provide its students with as much as is possible in their educational experience. Seniors were able to have their long-awaited Christmas Party, sports are continuing (to the greatest extent possible) and transmissions during the school day have remained minimal.

A clear area for improvement of our experience remains: fan allowance at outdoor sports games. The soccer team’s season is nearing its finale, so fans are dying to come out and show spirit. The blue and gold bleachers of Hunt Stadium are more than spacious enough to allow masked social distanced fans to attend games — even if only seniors are allowed.

The possibility of students grouping up still remains, but if students are observed by faculty members and social distancing and mask wearing are strictly enforced, then what difference is there between a soccer game and a long-period class?

Nevertheless, we are grateful that the administration continues to minimize risk but maximize experience. Remote learning is not nearly as rewarding as an in-person education and the ability to see our peers every day remains a blessing and a privilege that we are continuously appreciative for.

Lastly, we’d like to thank the tireless efforts of our faculty and staff for coming to school to help preserve our educational experience to the best of their ability.

While it has been a difficult year, they have shown a tremendous amount of flexibility and perseverence – working to navigate technical challenges in order to preserve some sense of continuity.

A global pandemic comes with its fair share of challenges. Regardless, they have been able to masterfully transition to this new normal.

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Opinions

February, 5 2021

Intro to the big leagues

Fake it ‘til you make it, or so they say. I am a legend in Plano for my fantasy football league development and management skills, serving as our league manager for several years. But this year? As the continuing commissioner, I took it to a new level.

Someday, on draft day, I hope to be wearing a trendy suit and tie, in an NFL or an NBA war room, as the camera rolls and the picks are made –– as the strategist behind those picks. So why not start now, I thought? It was time to elevate our fantasy endeavors.

I was not sure how “the league” was going to respond to my suit-and-tie mandate on our draft night, but the idea was well-received. I had more than just navy blazers in mind, however; prior to our draft session, which is always at night, we were going to dine in style at a trendy steakhouse.

I am not sure what the other diners thought when we walked in that night, dressed like ESPN announcers. Up against the clock, we raced home and gathered around a table in the “War Room” –– one of our upstairs game rooms –– to make our selections, accompanied by the roars one expects to hear in a real, professional draft scenario –– likewise both positive and negative.

And although no phone calls were made to initiate trades with other teams or to let Dalvin Cook know I had selected him fourth overall, one day, I hope that is a responsibility I have –– and this is no longer a “fantasy.”

And as for the suit and tie, in the event you’re wondering whether clothes not only make the man but also dramatically improve his draft picks, long-story-short…they do not.

The hours of podcast-listening over the summer I logged –– just as I do every summer –– went to waste when I strayed from the big-board I had created by taking Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans in the third round –– a player I was not high on coming into the draft. When the fourth pick of the third rolled around, I was an indecisive decision maker –– unlike the mover and shaker I should have been decked out in a suit and tie. The clock hit one second, and I went for the big name –– even though I had the gut feeling that I should remain true to my rankings.

So then, for the remainder of the draft, as I wrestled with regret stemming from my possible “mistake,” I tried to increase my confidence, going around and swearing to my friends that Mike Evans would be Tom Brady’s present-day Randy Moss… and then I had to live with the backlash from that unrealistic comparison as the season rolled out; Mike Evans was either “boom” or “bust” week in and week out… just as always.

Overall, my team “busted,” but my draftday idea “boomed”; a draft that was hopefully a glimpse into my future. And always stick to your gut, I learned, even if operating in a “fantasy” world.

CARTOON Cooper Cole William Aniol Endzone Editor student newspaper of ST. MARK’S SCHOOL OF TEXAS 10600 PRESTON ROAD DALLAS, TEXAS 75230 214.346.8000

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ETHAN BORGE, MORGAN CHOW, IAN DALRYMPLE, NIKHIL DATTATREYA, SHREYAN DAULAT, GRANT JACKSON, RAJAN JOSHI, ARJUN KHATTI, KESHAV KRISHNA, MYLES LOWENBERG, MATTHEW REED, WILL SPENCER, DILLON WYATT, DARREN XI

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RAY WESTBROOK

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DAVID W. DINI

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