THE
TOWER
Issue 02
DETAILS PHILOSOPHY The Tower is a student-run publication at The Bishop’s School in La Jolla, Calif. Writers and editors work together under the guidance of a faculty advisor to enhance the Bishop’s community and stimulate meaningful conversation through the collection and distribution of news. The Tower aims to educate the Bishop’s community about issues and events that pertain to the experience of young adults. Sections of The Tower include Sports, Arts, Culture, Campus, Local & Beyond, Opinion, and The Bell. The Tower prints six issues each academic year, in addition to continuous online content. POLICY The Tower works with the administration by communicating about sensitive topics to ensure the safety of Bishop’s students. The Tower refrains from prior review of its issues, and maintains the right to publish anonymous quotes when the privacy of the individual is a concern. All quotes are subject to editing for clarity and length. Opinions expressed in The Tower do not necessarily reflect the views of the entire staff or of The Bishop’s School. COLOPHON The Tower is printed by Streeter Printing Company in Mira Mesa, Calif. The Staff uses Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator to arrange photographs and graphics, and distributed 300 copies of Issue 02 to the Bishop’s community. Typefaces include Didot for the cover, headlines, and subheadings; Minion Pro is used for bylines and body text. Issue 02 and previous issues of The Tower are available digitally on issuu.com.
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DETAILS | Issue 02
CONTRIBUTORS Editor-in-Chief Amy Carlyle Graphics Editor - Print Carly Phoon Online Editor Sariah Hossain Graphics Editor - Online Lucie Edwards Copy Editors Alex Cotton Harper White Faculty Advisor Ms. Laine Remignanti Staff Writers Ryan Arrowsmith Abby Beamer Maya Buckley Annalise Chang Cate Freundt Kasie Leung Crystal Li Clare Malhotra Tristan Upton Tate Vaccaro
CONTACT The Bishop’s School 7607 La Jolla Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037 www.thebishopstower.com thetower@bishops.com THE BELL The Bell is a section within The Tower that intends to serve as a relief from the depth of the magazine. Satire, puzzles, quizzes, and the like are frequent inside The Bell, and are separate from the rest of the magazine.
COVER STORY Cover art by Amy Carlyle
Issue 02’s cover story, by staff writer Tate Vaccaro (’22), highlights the developing trend of VSCO girls. She explores the definition of the VSCO girl, the implications of being a VSCO girl, and how internet trends such as this, by nature, exclude others.
ONLINE
Read more at www.thebishopstower.com
10/27/19 - Bishop’s Performing Arts Department started the year off strong with the premiere of the fall play, She Kills Monsters, on October 17-19. By Harper White (‘21) 10/25/19 - Meet this year’s editorial team behind Bishop’s daily student-led publication, The Daily Urinal. By Amy Carlyle (‘20) 10/20/19 - The Girls’ Varsity Tennis team emerged as the victors against their rival, La Jolla Country Day. By Clare Malhotra (‘22) and Annalise Chang (‘23)
CORRECTIONS Issue 01 2019
The Table of Contents photo should be attributed to Christie Linnard (‘20).
That was one of the first questions I heard as a new sixth grader at Bishop’s. The responsibility of the self to others– that was our theme for the year. Upstander, bystander, and perpetrator, what those words mean, how we can connect with them, and which we want to be. Reading through the Sixth Grade folder on my Google Drive feels a lot like opening a time capsule I forgot I buried, and the eleven-year-old, excessive-exclamation-mark-using Amy feels like a character I dreamt. At the same time, this lesson could not feel more real; I remembered it vividly at an Upper School Announcements when Dr. Reynolds reminded students about the upcoming Global Climate Strike. “Change cannot occur in a vacuum,” she said. “Part of our problem is the feeling that no one of us individually matters, but that is far from the truth. Every one of us matters– we all can contribute in some way and make a difference.” If there’s one thing Gen Z has, it’s passion. We have Malala Yousafzai, Emma Gonzalez, Greta Thunberg, and countless others born in the 1995-2012 range that spend their days altering the global landscape. While it might be an aspirational goal to enact the level of change that these young adults have thus far, it is equally important (and much more attainable) to start small at home. Everyday activism, I’d like to call it. In the last several months, we have frequently discussed the sexual misconduct allegations at Bishop’s and how their aftermaths shape the school that we attend today — what has been done, what is being done, and what we have left to do. I think it’s easy to be critical of Bishop’s as an institution in situations like this, questioning choices and reactions; at the same time, I can’t help but feel it is equally, possibly more, important to be critical of our own individual actions as student and adult members of the school community. We must be critical of how we communicate our ideas, when, and for what purpose. Do we discuss behind closed doors, whisper to our friends flawed variants of the truth like a broken game of Telephone? Do we own the situation and speak about it openly, respectfully, and without sensationalism? Or, do we stay completely silent? Seven years later, I believe my sixth-grade lesson is even more pertinent. The decisions we make, no matter how small or insignificant, have ramifications. Maybe we choose to be consciously kind to our classmates, sit next to another student for a change. Maybe we choose to stay silent when gossip floods the hallways, choose not to contribute. Maybe we take a day off school and rally with peers across the globe to demand environmental action from world leaders. Standing up isn’t hard, but it is a choice.
FROM THE EDITOR
A C What does it mean to be an upstander?
Love,
Amy Carlyle, Editor-in-Chief
DETAILS | Issue 02
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6 | SPORTS How Much is an Athlete Worth? A deeper look at the salary and business behind professional sports Ryan Arrowsmith
8 | CULTURE #Canceled What is cancel culture, and how does it impact the lives of the famous? Maya Buckley Thinking Outside the Box Is your smartphone killing your creativity and happiness? Abby Beamer
12 | CAMPUS Just Five More Minutes Does a later start time actually lead to more sleep? Clare Malhotra Unite and Conquer The importance of affinity groups on campus Lucie Edwards Debunking the DC A closer look at the Disciplinary Committee Alex Cotton Remembering Mr. J The Tower Editorial Board 4
CONTENTS | Issue 02
IN THIS ISSUE > > > 20 | COVER STORY How VSCO Girls Have Whitewashed the Internet Tate Vaccaro
22 | OPINION Lady Justice, Open Your Eyes How wealth and power influence our justice system Kasie Leung
24 | THE BELL Which Bishop's Autumn Tradition Are You? Top Ten Top Ten Responses When You’re Getting UV’d Songs to Carry You Through First Semester Ryan Arrowsmith
CONTENTS | Issue 02
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HOW MUCH IS AN ATHLETE WORTH? A deeper look at the salary and business behind professional sports Ryan Arrowsmith
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300 million over ten years? Sounds good to me. Earlier this year, the issue of salary caps became especially relevant when multiple Major League Baseball (MLB) players signed contracts worth more than $300 million for over ten years. In the United States, there are four major sports leagues. Three of
more. It is understandable that people are frustrated to see athletes like famous quarterback Tom Brady and professional basketball player Steph Curry get so much recognition, but everyday heroes like those firefighters go completely unappreciated. Furthermore, many writers, such as Mihir Bhagat from Bleacher Report,
“One morning you see your teammate, your friend, and by lunch he’s gone. It’s a business.” -Assistant Athletic Director Shane Walton (‘98), former NFL athlete these leagues have a cap, or a limit, on total team salaries. The only outlier is MLB, where teams can pay their players as much as they want. Is it justified for people to be making so much money playing a sport? Many critics of professional salaries believe that salaries should be based on economic importance for the country, meaning jobs that help the economy more should be paid more. For example, teachers help the economy by educating the future workforce, yet they do not receive nearly as much as these professional athletes. Additionally, firefighters, police officers, and countless others help the whole country, risking their lives for the individual, while these athletes are paid
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argue that if athletes make so much money, then they should be good role models as well. Some athletes are put on blast and are labeled as “hotheads” and that they can’t control their temper. Such high salaries can be justified if the public spends money on goods related to the sport such as a TV, jerseys, other gear, and tickets to go see the game live. According to Kurt Badenhausen, a senior editor at Forbes who primarily focuses on franchise evaluations, the Dallas Cowboys raked in $840 million last year. People continue to spend their money going to grown men play sports, and as long as that continues, these athletes should get an equal reward.
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As well, many athletes struggle with constant job security. Athletic Director Shane Walton (‘98) talked about his time spent in the National Football League (NFL). Coach Walton mentioned that “Nothing is guaranteed in the NFL.” The NFL has a rule that says no money is guaranteed in a player’s contract, unlike the three other leagues. A team has the right to take away money from a player as they see fit. This was seen very recently, as the Oakland Raiders took the $30 million of Wide Receiver Antonio Brown in his contract. This incident caused the seven-time Pro Bowler to have one of the biggest freak-outs on social media in NFL history. In a post on his Instagram, Brown said “I am not just AB the football player, I am Antonio Brown, the person.” Additionally, the tenure of a spot on a professional sports team is very short in most cases and is always under scrutiny. One day you could wake up a New York Giant, the next a Cleveland Brown. Coach Walton shared a similar experience from his multiple years in the league. “One morning you see your teammate, your friend, and by lunch he’s gone. It’s a business,” he said. It isn’t just the NFL that is a business first, where some owners don’t treat their players with the respect that is deserved. In all three of the other major Amer-
ican sports leagues, the National Hockey League, National Basketball Association, and Major League Baseball, there have been extreme cases where a player has been traded to a new team while they were on the field. James Dator, a writer for the sports website SB Nation, broke one of the more recent instances, where the Dallas Mavericks were playing the Charlotte Hornets and Harrison Barnes, a forward for the Mavs, was traded during the game. He was unexpectedly substituted, and throughout the rest of the game, the news traveled from the fans down to the bench. Other players, such as LeBron James, had a lot to say about this. James posted on social media, acknowledging the fact that the league is a business, but still expressing his disgust at the move. He pointed out that “When a player wants to be traded or leave a franchise, he’s a selfish or ungrateful player, but when they trade you… it’s best for them!” Again, this is just another example that shows how professional sports are a business before anything else. Everyone needs to be recognized and respected for what they do, but they also need that same recognition and respect for just being humans. This isn’t just for athletes, this is for everybody.
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#CANCELED
What is cancel culture, and how does it impact the lives of the famous? Maya Buckley
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n May 10, the internet decided to present us with another, and perhaps its most wellknown, scandal, involving infamous 20-year-old influencer James Charles, and his former mentor, Tati Westbrook. Westbrook posted a tell-all exposé surrounding the young YouTuber’s promotion of her rival’s vitamin brand in lieu of her own. Within minutes, Westbrook’s video accrued thousands of views and subsequently caused Charles’s subscriber count to plummet, losing three million subscribers in a matter of days. He had been canceled. As a result of this internet-shatter-
celebrities neutralize its effectiveness? The idea of cancel culture seems to be unproblematic or even beneficial for pop culture. In many cases, people have the best of intentions in trying to condemn something a celebrity has done, such as removing potentially harmful characters from public spheres of influence. Despite these intentions, impermanence seems to be a common thread amongst many celebrities that have been canceled. This is exemplified in the case of Charles, where he not only regained the 2.5 million subscribers he lost, but the whole scandal surrounding him was replaced by other controversies and,
another one soon after. Directly on the heels of the Charles’s scandal, another one involving YouTubers dubbed the “Dote girls” quickly captured public attention. These girls also faced punishments almost identical to Charles’, a similarity too commonly found on the internet to be a coincidence. The catch-and release process where stars like Charles are internet pariahs for a few days, then regain their views and subscribers only highlights societies broken internet culture. This is where the true problem surrounding cancel culture lies: the more influencers we cancel, the more the weight of the word canceled is corrupted.
This say-so the public has is perhaps why canceling is such a popular trend– because it gives the general public license to hold people accountable for their moral wrongdoings.
ing scandal, many people took issue with Charles and voiced their frustrations by unfollowing him—the internet community’s way of communicating a message. This say-so the public has is perhaps why canceling is such a popular trend – it gives the general public license to hold people accountable for their wrongdoings. However, does normalizing the cancellation of
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by and large, forgiven. Jackie Cosio (‘22) stated, “The idea of cancel culture is pointless, but it’s great for people to gain relevance and increase their views.” Although the James Charles scandal made national headlines, prompting outlets such as CNN, Forbes, and the New York Times to write extensive articles detailing the star’s fall, it was replaced by
It takes more than just will to cancel a celebrity; it also requires a complete social uprising. Lisa Nakamura, the Director of the Digital Studies Institute at University of Michigan, said to the New York Times on this topic, “It’s a cultural boycott. When you deprive someone of your attention, you’re depriving them of a livelihood.” Though this idea seems harsh,
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in reality, it never ends up having its intended effect. This is mostly because there is almost never complete agreement amongst the public to stop consuming the canceled person’s content. This is the root of the issue around cancel culture: too often we claim to have canceled someone without realizing the gravitas of that statement, or paying any attention to its repercussions. While many pledged to never support Charles again after the release of Westbrook’s video, his response video titled, “No More Lies,” in which he defends himself, has accumulated 47 million views, more than any other video he had posted in the six months
Many other celebrities such as James Charles have gone through the same process of being canceled over the past years; few have felt long-term repercussions.
prior. The internet can be the swiftest judge of character, but fundamentally lacks the judgement to decide whether cancelling a celebrity is conducive to society’s overall goal of removing problematic celebrities from the public eye. “I think it’s popular because people want to feel like they are doing something,” said Saavi Banerjee (‘22). “It’s gratifying to see someone “canceled,” but it’s not useful in the bigger picture.” This is the paradoxical nature of cancel culture: the more we punish people for their varying levels of crime, the lesser the sentence becomes each time.
Too often we claim to have canceled someone without realizing the gravity of that statement, or paying any attention to its repercussions.
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THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX Is your smartphone killing your creativity and happiness? Abby Beamer
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etreats. It’s a time to bond with classmates, try something new, and often learn something about yourself you didn’t know before. It’s also a time of complaining about the heat, eating mediocre food, and, most importantly, having no technology. For many students, it is a relief to be phone-free, even if only for a couple days. “Honestly, it wasn’t that big of a deal not to have it,” said Zenzele Greene (‘22). “I really only wanted my phone to check the time.” “It got us to socialize way more,” added Auggie Whitman (‘22). Many students felt that being without a phone increased the communication within the student body, and all eight teenagers interviewed reported that the lack of technology made retreats a more valuable experience. Students at Bishop’s can function, and thrive, without their phones. So why is everyone glued to their screens from the moment they get them back from retreats, and how is it affecting teenager’s mental health? The main reason they are drawn back to their phones, according to some students, is for entertainment purposes. “I know people who will spend hours on Instagram just scrolling through their feed, even after it gets boring,” said Haha Shi (‘22). “Once on Instagram or social media, it can be hard to leave” she added. No wonder, according to Common Sense Media, 77 percent of parents feel that, while they spend time with their child, they are distracted by their device, several times a week. Director of Counseling Mrs. Megan Broderick (‘98) raised concerns about using the internet for entertainment, saying: “When do you start to get to a place where you are unable to be entertained without the technological piece? When do you stop thinking outside the box?” Depression rates have jumped by over 60 percent from ages 14-17 in the years 2009-2017, according to Dr. Twenge. Mrs. Broderick said that there’s compelling evidence that
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suggests it has contributed greatly to riding depression. Finding a self-made source of entertainment can seem impossible due to technology. When waiting in a line, the first thing many people do is pull out their phones. A poll from Common Sense Media said that 50 percent of teens feel addicted to their phones. According to the same source, 78 percent of teens check their phone at least hourly. So, although a smartphone starts out as just a source of entertainment, it may end up being something that is an addiction and a distraction. Ellen Li (‘22) phrased it well, saying: “My phone is a cushion. It’s a great way to avoid the awkwardness of a moment.” Zaina Ghouri (‘22) agreed that the internet is most useful for entertaining oneself. She likes YouTube in particular, mainly for the humor but also because, in her eyes, it is less dangerous. In regards to Instagram she said: “If you see your feed for a long enough time, it can start to influence how you see yourself subconsciously.” Seeing models and perfect people, photos, and lives on social media often influences self-image, and that can be dangerous. Sarah Fader is the CEO of Stigma Fighter, a non-profit organization that works with people with mental illness. She said in her article on the Anxiety and Depression Association of America website, “Researchers have found that using social media obsessively causes more than just anxiety. In fact, testing has found that using too much internet can cause depression, symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), impulsive disorder, problems with mental functioning, paranoia, and loneliness.” Social media and the internet can lead you to compare your life to others and can grow obsessive, developing into multiple mental health disorders. Using the internet, no matter how innocent it
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seems, does, in fact, impact self worth and mental health. Dr. Jean Twenge, a psychology professor at San Diego State University who will come to speak to Bishop’s students later this year, wrote in an article for World Happiness Report that, “Twice as many heavy users of electronic devices are unhappy, depressed or distressed as light users.” As innocent as it may seem, entertainment may be the very thing causing rising amounts of unhappiness among teens. Using phones as an escape from the reality of boredom or awkward situations is hurting people overall. Phones may be great for watching YouTube or for scrolling in boredom, but it comes at a cost. Emma Mortimer (‘25) agreed, saying “real life is better than a device.” She feels an urge to be on her phone every day because of the alerts that reel her in, but “feels happier laughing and smiling with friends because being on a screen is just not the same.” She tries to limit her usage to enjoy, as she puts it, “real life.” 37 percent of teens said that they participate in reducing their screen time on a regular basis, according to a survey conducted by Common Sense Media. However, even if teens do try to limit themselves, Mrs. Broderick said that “it’s been so readily accessible. [Teens] don’t know how to draw boundaries around usage.” If teenagers don’t know their boundaries, how should they be expected to regulate screen time, and cut down on the heavy usage? But like many others, Mrs. Broderick is hopeful for the future. “It feels like we are moving in the right direction,” she said. “The tide is going to start to turn on this issue, because I don’t think it’s making anyone very happy.”
Dr. Jean Twenge wrote that “girls spending five or more hours a day on social media are three times more likely to be depressed than non-users.”
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“My phone is a cushion. It’s a great way to avoid the awkwardness of a moment.”
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- Ellen Li (‘22)
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JUST FIVE MORE MINUTES Does a later start time actually lead to more sleep? Clare Malhotra
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he day of a typical teenager in the United States involves slamming on the snooze button a few times, dragging themself out of bed in a bleary-eyed haze, throwing on some clothes, and skipping breakfast. They stagger out the door and into the car, repeatedly jerk themself awake in class, and struggle through hours of extracurriculars. Exhausted, they haul themself home to begin mountains of homework and collapse into bed at midnight. Two years ago, Bishop’s shifted its start time from 7:25 a.m.
to 8:15 a.m. in accordance with dozens of new research studies. This year, as many students noticed on their now traffic-clogged routes to school, both Muirlands Middle School and La Jolla High School followed suit by shifting back their own schedules. So, are these changes, designed to improve the mental health and academic success of high school students, helping? Some students reported that they do not actually sleep longer when they start later in the morning. “You think you have an extra hour of sleep,” Sharisa
You (‘22) explained, “so you go to bed later, but you end up going to bed a whole hour later so you don’t get any more sleep.” However, even with the same amount of sleep, some students feel more alert in the morning if they don’t have to force themselves awake at the crack of dawn. “I feel more refreshed,” explained Maddie Ward (‘22), a new student who transferred from La Jolla High School this year. Last year, she had to wake up at 5:45 a.m., which made her constantly tired and annoyed. “Having to be ‘on’ or fully
Abby Beamer (‘22) uses a planner to keep track of her jam-packed daily schedule.
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functional by 7:15 is just too early, no matter what time you went to bed,” explained Director of Counseling Ms. Megan Broderick (‘98). People have biological body clocks; they shift back later during adolescence and shift earlier around age 20.
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versity of Nevada, Reno, students who begin school around 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. show significant academic improvements and superior cognitive function. The New York Times stated that Kentucky, Connecticut, and Virginia all reported higher attendance records
for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Less than one-third of high school students get an adequate amount of sleep. However, students are not blameless. Grace Knickrehm (‘21) explained, “I sometimes watch The Office and eat food instead of
Having to be ‘on’ or fully functional by 7:15 is just too early, no matter what time you went to bed.
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-Director of Counseling Ms. Megan Broderick (‘98) In a New York Times article, Democratic California State Senator Anthony J. Portantino concluded that waking a teenager at 6:00 a.m. is equivalent to waking an adult at 3:30 a.m. “Imagine how you would feel if, 187 days a year, you had to get up at 3:30 a.m. You’d be miserable, you’d be depressed— you’d act like a teenager,” he pointed out. While the American Medical Association recommends start times of no earlier than 8:30 a.m., according to a study by the Uni-
and test scores after shifting their times back. However, If Bishop’s started at 10 a.m., it would have to end around 5 p.m to maintain time spent at school, which would take a huge toll on sports practices and other after-school activities. Therefore, starting this late is not a realistic goal for most schools. Still, three out of every four middle and high schools start before 8:30 a.m. in the morning; the average start time is 8:07 a.m., according to the National Center
doing homework.” Often late bedtimes result from procrastination rather than excessive homework. “Students need to partner with schools. If schools or the government change the start time to 8:30 a.m. to protect students’ wellbeing, students need to do their part,” Ms. Broderick pointed out. “They should reserve the bed only for sleeping, charge devices in a different room, get some kind of exercise on a regular basis, try to eat well, and practice self-care.”
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UNITE AND CONQUER The importance of affinity groups on campus Lucie Edwards
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hen you think of the term ‘affinity group,’ a lot of things can come to mind. Maybe a vague sense of recognition. Maybe you’ve heard of them, seen your friends go to the meetings or read the emails the various groups might’ve sent out, but don’t know what they actually do. Or maybe you’re well-versed with the ins and outs of affinity groups and consider them an important aspect of your experience on campus. Regardless of your association, one thing is clear: affinity groups are a key part of the Bishop’s community. An affinity group is a collection of people brought together by similar identities or interests. These groups can be formed by commonalities such as religion, sexuality, race, or other factors. At Bishop’s, affinity groups use these commonalities to come together and discuss issues in the world, on campus, and in students' personal lives. Bishop’s is home to eight affinity groups. There are six racial affinity groups and two religious affinity groups. The traditional groups are Black Student Union (BSU), Latin American Student Organization (LASO), Middle Eastern Student Association (MESA), Asian American Student Association (AASA), Multiracial Student Group (MSG), and Bishop’s Alliance for Queers and Non-Queers (BAQN). The religious groups are the Jewish Student Association (JSA) and the Muslim Student Association (MSA). Students who attend these groups find that the meetings are an important part of their time on campus. One of the leaders of BAQN, Sean Kim (‘21),
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described affinity groups as “a crucial part of the student experience,” emphasizing the different roles that these meetings play in students’ lives. Students join affinity groups for a multitude of reasons: to have a place to talk through problems, to have meaningful discussions, or even just to make new friends. The discussions that take place in these meetings center around issues on and off campus. For example, MESA has discussed representation in the media and encourages members to share their unique childhood experiences. BSU co-leader Ki Greene (‘20) said that the “diversity of the individuals in an affinity group” makes the discussions and the meetings more interesting. Ki stressed the importance of varying opinions, saying that they “have opened my eyes to how different everyone’s perspectives on life are.” These different perspectives can cause students to feel alone in their positions. Affinity groups provide a place for students in minority groups to feel at home on campus. MESA leader Jasmine Dabbas (‘21) has found that relating to students like her has enhanced her time in the Bishops community. While some members join these groups as a way to learn more about themselves, others join to learn more about Bishop’s itself. Sydney Gerlach (‘20) feels that these meetings altered her view of Bishop’s, saying “I was shown the ways in which our school could be more inclusive.” Ki echoes this sentiment and thinks that “each and every one of them has been a crucial part in shaping my outlook on not only Bishop’s but our society.”
“When you’re in the minority, especially at Bishop’s, it can be hard to find spaces where you feel comfortable sharing your experiences.”
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-Sierra Martin (‘20)
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Many members of affinity groups identify with a certain qualifier, but any students can go to an affinity group meeting, even ones they are not a part of. They are able to understand more about problems people face on and off campus and learn more about the mini-communities within our whole school community. BAQN co-leader Sierra Martin (‘20) also attends JSA meetings and, while she is not Jewish, she finds the discussions interesting and informative, and encourages others to check out groups that they do not identify with. There are many reasons why affinity groups are important for schools to have. They help students meet new people, discuss issues that they care about, and offer a safe space for students to express themselves. Sydney points out that these groups “help create micro-communities within the larger school community,” effectively breaking up the student body into manageable groups to find people who have similar interests. This can help new students make friends and feel included on an unfamiliar campus. When asked what affinity groups mean to them, students across the board agreed that these groups represent one thing: safe spaces. Sierra described affinity groups as a “safe haven,” and remarked that “as charged as the term ‘safe space’ is, I think it’s really fitting.” BSU co-leader Courtney Anderson (‘20) called the group’s meetings “a space where people can feel comfortable being themselves.” Affinity groups help foster understanding in the Bishop’s community. They provide an outlet for all students to engage in real-world discussions, meet new people, and –most importantly– feel welcomed.
“Affinity groups give everyone a sense of belonging.” -Sean Kim (‘21)
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DEBUNKING THE DC A closer look at the Disciplinary Committee Alex Cotton
Violation of the Fundamental Standards: cheating; being off-campus without permission; use, distribution, or possession of drugs or alcohol; possession or use of a weapon on campus.
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he Disciplinary Committee (DC) has widely been considered a mystery, like a secret society arbitrating the actions of students. Although we sometimes hear rumors of a student being sent to the DC or even expelled, the inner workings of the DC are largely unknown to students. This begs the question: what does the DC even do? There are four major infractions that get students sent to the DC: a major violation of the Fundamental Standard; being off-campus without permission; the use, distribution, or possession of drugs or alcohol; or possession or use of
is to find out how, when, and where the event in question happened. Later, with the information he has gathered, Mr. Beamer creates a folder to send out to all of the DC members, so that, by the time they meet, everyone involved is familiar with the facts. While Mr. Beamer gathers research, the student creates a personal statement to add to the folder, usually giving their perspective on the event in question. They ask a trusted adult, often a teacher or a coach, to vouch for their character. This is usually a teacher they have a strong relationship with.
a weapon on campus. Cheating, harassment, and bullying are all considered major violations of the Fundamental Standard. After a student breaks one of these rules, they are reported to Dean of Students Mr. Michael Beamer, usually by a teacher. Mr. Beamer then conducts research around the accusation. As a part of his research, he meets with the student and the teacher who reported the incident to hear their perspectives, and he pulls up the student’s disciplinary record. He also includes any evidence deemed important to the case, like a cheat sheet or a plagiarized essay. His main goal
When the committee finally meets, their main goal is to find out why the infraction took place, as well as why the student felt they needed to break a school rule and what they can do differently in the future. Mr. Beamer has found that “often students feel like they have no other choice [than to break the rule].” The committee aims to show students in this situation that they often have more choices then they think. Once the meeting concludes, the committee deliberates about what the best disciplinary action is. Each member of the committee gets an equal vote. Ashley Cohen (‘22), a previous mem-
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-ber of the DC and a current DC alternate said, “I think the Disciplinary Committee allows students to engage in meaningful discussions that are not as common in the average school day. We are so lucky that we go to a school that holds students’ opinions at the same level as teachers and administrators.” The DC is made up of four students and four adults, one student elected from each high school grade level. The members change annually. The cur-
Council Coordinator Ms. Michelle Shea, was elected by the students. The third, Director of Diversity and Community Life Mr. David Thompson, was appointed by Head of School Mr. Ron Kim. The final member is Mr. Beamer. There are four major responses the committee can give. The first is a disciplinary warning, which is simply a note of caution from the committee saying not to commit any other infraction. The second is a disciplinary reprimand, which is more serious but
“We see ourselves as working in support of the student who is meeting with us.” - Dean of Students Mr. Beamer
rent representatives are Dax Gutekunst (‘23), Hunter Kates (‘22), Dhruvi Banerjee (‘21), and Courtney Anderson (‘20). The first faculty representative, Associate Director of College Counseling Mr. AJ Jezierski, was elected by the faculty. The second, English teacher and Associated Student Body
is not reported to colleges. The third is probation, which is similar to a disciplinary reprimand but is reported to colleges. The final is expulsion, which is the decision reached only in the worst of circumstances. The committee often recommends extra actions, such as a meeting with Academic Support
Coordinator Ms. Jane Mattox, Director of Counseling Ms. Megan Broderick (‘98), or Mr. Thompson to address whatever issue sent them to the DC and help the student move forward and make better choices in the future. The eventual course of action the DC takes is based on a number of things, such as grade level— there are higher expectations for older students. They also look at the extent of the infraction and how the student behaved in front of the committee. At the end of the day, the main goal of the Disciplinary Committee is to help the student. The Disciplinary Committee approaches the problem wanting to find a solution. Ashley said, “Overall, my experience on the Dis-
ciplinary Committee gave me a new perspective and appreciation for how Bishop’s gives students representation in these matters and allows our voices to be heard and respected.” Mr. Beamer said, “We see ourselves as working in support of the student who is meeting with us.”
CAMPUS | Issue 02
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18 CAMPUS | Issue 02
REMEMBERING MR. J
M
r. Jared Jacobson, Bishop’s Performing Arts Department accompanist known for his warm and loving nature, passed away this August. Known to many simply as Mr. J, he warmed the Bishop’s campus with his skillful musicianship and bright positivity since he came to the School in 1997. Mr. J worked with individual performing arts students and music lovers at Bishop’s, accompanied the School’s choirs, and brought musical spirit to Chapel. Outside of Bishop’s, Mr. J was very active in the greater San Diego music community. He played as San Diego Civic Organist from 1978 to 1985 and served on the Spreckels Organ Society Board of Trustees. His most recent performance with the organization was this January– his 370th total on the Spreckels Organ, which is the largest fully outdoor instrument in the world. In addition, Mr. J also was the Director of Music for First Lutheran Church. Father Darryl wrote of Mr. J on the church’s website: “I had the honor and privilege of working with this amazingly talented, funny, and thoughtful musician and child of God . . . Jared literally has played and been heard by thousands and thousands of people, yet he was such a humble and loving man, and I will miss him immensely.” Music also brought Mr. J far beyond San Diego. Germany, France, Belgium, England, and the Netherlands all witnessed the passion Mr. J had for music as he performed concerts abroad; in 1988, Mr. J was invited by Pope John Paul II to the First World Congress on Church Music at the Vatican. A chapel service convened Thursday, August 29, followed by his memorial service in the Eva May Fleet Athletic Center on Saturday, September 14. At the memorial service, attendees heard the touching anecdotes of students Gabe Worstell (‘20), Sean Kim (‘21), Cat Paul (‘19), Jonathan Zau (‘19), and Alex Kuncz (‘21). Head of School Mr. Ron Kim opened the service, along with remarks and tributes from Chair of the Performing Arts Department and Director of Choral Music Dr. Christine Micu, and Chair of the Math Department Mr. Noble Kime. Mr. Kime and Joelle Jeon (‘21) also honored Mr. J with piano performances. Mr. J’s ashes will be interred in the columbarium at the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, New York.
CAMPUS | Issue 02
19
How VSCO Girls Have Whitewashed the Internet Tate Vaccaro
S
"
ksksk.” Can you hear the sound of Hydro Flasks clinking in the distance? A VSCO girl must be near. She can usually be seen sporting a pair of Birkenstocks and always has (at least) five scrunchies on each wrist. To spot her from afar, be sure to look for the neon gleam of her Hydro Flask. Try handing her a plastic straw? “No, thank you. Here, take my reusable one! Save the turtles, duh.” For those who may be unfamiliar with the popular social media trend, a VSCO girl is (for lack of a better term) the ultimate relatable teen. She wears oversized t-shirts, always carries around a Hydro Flask, buys her clothes exclusively from Brandy Melville (a brand that only carries one-size fits all), owns a pair of Vans, Crocs, or Birkenstocks. She’s also probably white. Though the trend is often joked about online, perhaps most infamously on the lip-syncing app TikTok, stylistic aspects of the trend have, nevertheless, been influential. “I actually like the style of oversized t-shirts and scrunchies,” said Elise Watson (‘22), “There’s a sense of embracing how effortless it is. I wouldn’t consider myself a VSCO
20 COVER STORY | Issue 02
Haley Pham (left) and Hannah Meloche posing for the thumbnail of Meloche's YouTube video titled the basic VSCO girl transformation.
girl, but the trend has definitely influenced what I wear.” It’s no doubt that the laid back and effortless vibe that a VSCO girl exudes is what makes the trend so appealing. Afterall, who can really hate on friendship bracelets, Hydro Flasks, and saving the turtles? But the essential question still remains; who are VSCO girls and why have they accumulated so much attention in the media? VSCO girls are, by far and large, depicted online as white, skinny, and are able to afford $150 dollar sandals, $90 backpacks, and $40 water bottles (not to mention the $41,000 Jeep). While exploring the topic myself, I noticed that when I searched “VSCO girl” on Google, I discovered a con-
sistent trend in the photos I saw; the girls who were posing with scrunchies and showing off their Hydros were all caucasian and had a similar body type. “All the VSCO girls we see in the media are white and blonde. There is very limited representation, which is problematic because not everyone can fit that stereotype,” said Karina Kadia (‘22). “The trend doesn’t openly say that girls of other ethnicities can’t participate. But it is implied, which is a subtle form of exclusion.” The VSCO girls’ rise to fame on the internet has encouraged the acceptance of the caucasian race as the universal standard of beauty. In doing so, the trend has also contributed to the simultaneous rejection of oth-
The Tower
-er cultures. “Beyond the exclusion that the trend imposes by requiring girls to purchase expensive material things, the VSCO girl typically portrayed online further pushes the idea that being caucasian and thin is the only acceptable form of beauty,” said Zenzele Greene (‘22). “Since the trend is geared towards a younger audience, specifically young girls, the messages it communicates about body image and self-worth have the power to be incredibly harmful, particularly to girls of color and other ethnicities.” Because the trend is so popular among young girls, the dangers of
“
helped further popularize the trend. Haley Pham, another content creator who is half Asian and half caucasian, attempted a transformation video of her own and experienced the effects of the trend’s racial exclusion firsthand. "When I made a video about being a VSCO girl with my friend, who is white and thin, I got some comments saying I didn’t look like a VSCO girl but my friend did, even though we were doing the same things and wearing the same things," said Pham in an interview with Buzzfeed. “I definitely do agree that people are being left out because they’re not a certain eth-
tain a particular body type, or lack a fixed amount of wealth feel underrepresented and excluded. “I really don’t think that internet trends should be like this, and it’s sad that they are,” said Zenzele. “But they don’t have to be. Influencers and celebrities need to start using their platforms to combat these standards and racist trends. By recognizing what’s happening and spreading awareness about it, we can bring about change and end racism in the media.”
“The trend doesn’t openly say that girls of other ethnicities can’t participate. But it is implied, which is a subtle form of exclusion.” - Karina Kadia ('22) the narratives of race, body image, and money that the VSCO girl foments are often overlooked. Coined by influencers such as Emma Chamberlain, Summer Mckeen, and Hannah Meloche (who are all caucasian), VSCO “transformation” videos on YouTube have also
nicity and don’t look a certain way,” Pham added. While the aesthetics of the VSCO girl trend are fun and appealing, the look becomes problematic when it is normalized in the media to an extent where those who aren’t a certain race, don’t main-
”
COVER STORY | Issue 02
21
LADY JUSTICE, OPEN YOUR EYES How wealth and power influence our justice system Kasie Leung
W
ith the Varsity Blues College Admissions scandal and the Jeffery Epstein case coming out in such a short timeframe, one would think that the wealthy and powerful using their influence to game the system would finally be held accountable. The justice system has been abused for time immemorial, and Roman Polański shows us that decades can pass without someone ever being brought to justice. The reality of the system, though, is that there are massive discrepancies between what should happen and what does happen. In 1982, he founded his own firm, J. Epstein and Co., where he supposedly invested for many billionaires. However, only one of his alleged high-profile clients was publicly known. In addition to this purported wealth, he was known to associate with powerful people indiscriminately. His network of influential friends included Presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton, two presidents on opposite sides of the political divide. In 2008, he plead guilty to soliciting prostitution involving a minor. At this point, he had a network of girls acting as recruiters for his sex trafficking network. Many of Epstein’s associates may be implicated by his trial. One such girl is Haley Robson, who was a high school student when she was offered money in exchange for giving massages to Epstein. She took the offer, and soon was recruiting other girls from her school. While she, wearing nothing but a thong, was giving Epstein a massage, he attempted to grope her. She filed a civil case in 2009.
22 OPINION | Issue 02
Robson was not alone; at least dozens of girls were harmed in his criminal activities. Years in jail might be expected, but he only served 13 months. During his time there, he was allowed to leave in order to work –something not allowed
released from jail, his life returned to normal. However, he was soon arrested again at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey on July 6, 2019, due to possession of child pornography. This opened the floodgates to “a million pages of discovery,”
In 2008, he plead guilty to soliciting prostitution involving a minor. At this point, he had a network of girls acting as recruiters for his sex trafficking network. as his prosecutors put it. After he was indicted again, all of the aforementioned associates denied any close connections to him. Although he willingly posted $100 million in bail, he was ultimately denied bail as he was a flight and public safety risk. With the amount of evidence and corroborating stories against him, he faced up to 45 years in prison. On July 23, he was found injured in his cell. After this incident, he was placed on suicide watch, but on July The scales of justice– what factors tip them? 29, he was released back into normal prison conditions. On August 10, he for sex offenders. Epstein avoided a was found unresponsive in his cell and harsher sentence, presumably due to declared dead a few hours later. The auhis wealth and influence. After he was topsy stated his cause of death as sui-
The Tower
Lady Justice is supposed to be blind– is she really?
-cide by hanging. Epstein should not have been able to commit suicide in the controlled environment of jail. This begs the question: how was he able to do so? The Federal Bureau of Prison official guidelines state, “Once an inmate has been placed on watch, the watch may not be terminated, under any circumstances, without the program coordinator or designee performing a face-to-face evaluation.” Due to his notoriety, the severity and multitude of the allegations, and his previous attempt, the wardens should have taken no chances and left him on watch until he left the jail. Yet, in just a week, he was taken off suicide watch. Although Epstein’s case is an atrocity in and of itself, it is just one instance of an inherently problematic system. A crime of a different nature but that garnered a similar response is the Varsity Blues college admissions scandal. A group of rich, famous parents illegally gamed the college process for their children and went unnoticed for nearly a decade. A recent development in this case was the sentencing of Felicity Huffman, who inflated her daughter’s SAT score by paying $15,000 to have someone correct her daughter’s answers. She was sentenced to a mere 14 days in jail as well as a year on probation, a fine, and mandated community service. Looking at this in the context of other educational fraud sentences, she got a ridiculously short sentence. Kelly Williams-Bolar was a single
mother who was sentenced to five years in prison for using her father’s address so her children could attend a better public school. The lead prosecutor against Huffman, Eric S. Rosen, pointed out this discrepancy flawlessly: “If a poor single mom from Akron who is actually trying to provide a better education for her kids goes to jail, there is no reason that a wealthy, privileged mother with all the legal means available to her should avoid that same fate.” Finally, someone who has all but permanently fled justice: film director Roman Polański. In 1977, he invited 13-year-old Samantha Giemer to a friend’s home. There, he offered her some champagne laced with Quaalude, a powerful depressant, and then raped her. After learning that he would most likely be sentenced to jail time for statutory rape and rape by use of drugs, he fled the country to Paris; only due to his resources was he able to run away from justice like this. Yet he continued to produce films, won an Academy Award in 2003, and three European Film Awards in 2010. In 2019, he wrote J’Accuse, a film about a man falsely accused of a crime, which has some striking parallels to his real life. Even after being outed as a rapist and fleeing our justice system, he continues to receive public adulation. For all that “equality under the law,” is preached, all of these cases show that this is not the reality of some privileged Americans.
OPINION | Issue 02
23
Which Bishop’s Autumn Tradition Are You? What app do you spend the most time on?
What is your favorite off-campus snack spot?
Who is your favorite Youtuber?
A) B) C) D)
A) B) C) D)
A) B) C) D)
Instagram Facebook TikTok Netflix
Better Buzz The Living Room Brick and Bell Cruisers
Hannah Meloche James Charles Shane Dawson Trisha Paytas
What should’ve won Pop Performace of the Year at the 2019 Grammy’s?
What is your favorite Disney Channel movie?
A) B) C) D)
A) B) C) D)
“God is a Woman” by Ariana Grande “Havana” by Camila Cabello Timmy Kelly’s Homecoming Proposal “Better Now” by Post Malone
If you answered mostly A’s . . .
HOMECOMING
Hannah Montana: The Movie The Even Stevens Movie Lemonade Mouth Geek Charming
If you answered mostly B’s . . .
BISH BOWL
Freshmen love you, juniors resent you, and seniors want your money for Grad Night. Always ready for a good time, you are the first to gather your friends and make them have a fun night out. You’re not as fun as you think you are, but your vivacious, YOLO spirit makes people appreciate you anyways. Do it for the ‘gram – that’s what you tell the haters.
You used to be a star. You could make the most stressed students smile; the pain of a UV would subside at the thought of seeing you. The times have changed, though – new Bishopians just don’t understand how legendary you used to be. Your glory days are a mere myth. But fear not: you’ll always be loved by the football team.
If you answered mostly C’s . . .
If you answered mostly D’s . . .
THANKSGIVING BREAK
You just keep getting better with age. Three days, then a week, then a week with Grandparent’s Day the Friday before?! Too good, just too good. Students and faculty alike adore you. You’re the kind of person One Direction writes love songs about.
24 THE BELL | Issue 02
FALL FESTIVAL
You are the school’s resident dark horse, the aloof Swedish exchange student (Tall Girl, anyone?). So new, so enigmatic – students are buzzing with curiosity about you. All we have to go on is one vague survey to figure you out. One thing’s for sure: we can’t wait to get to know you.
Top 10
Responses when you’re getting UV’d 6. 1.
Naruto-run away
Give THEM a UV #inception
7.
Start exposing your classmates’ festive socks and Volcom pants– we all go down together
3.
Just start crying :(
8.
“iT’s aLL AbOuT PeRspECtiVE”
4.
Write a DU article about it
9.
Take the L and wear your shame
2.
Give them your sibling's name instead
5.
Get naked and call it civil disobedience
10.
Sue
THE BELL | Issue 02
25
Songs to
Carry You
through
First Semester
(by Ryan Arrowsmith)
"Baguettes in the Face" by Mustard, NAV, Playboi Carti, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie "Take Me Back to London" by Ed Sheeran, Stormzy "On The Road" by Post Malone, Meek Mill, Lil Baby "F.N" by Lil Tjay "Love Me" by Lil Tecca "Costa Rica" by Dreamville "WAKE UP" by Travis Scott "Hot" by Young Thug, Gunna "Saint-Tropez" by Post Malone "Won’t Be Late" by Swae Lee, Drake "What’s My Age Again?" by blink-182 "Dang!" by Mac Miller, Anderson .Paak "A$AP Forever" by A$AP Rocky, Moby "through the late night" by Travis Scott "Mrs. Robinson" by Simon & Garfunkel
26 THE BELL | Issue 02
SPORTS How Much is an Athlete Worth? - Pages 6-7, Art by Carly Phoon (‘20) CULTURE #Canceled - Pages 8-9, Art by Maya Buckley (‘22) Thinking Outside the Box - Pages 10-11, Art by Abby Beamer (‘22) CAMPUS Just Five More Minutes - Pages 12-13, PC: Clare Malhotra (‘22) Unite and Conquer - Pages 14-15, Art by Lucie Edwards (‘21) Debunking the DC - Pages 16-17, Art by Alex Cotton (‘21) Remembering Mr. J - Pages 18-19, Photo courtesy of the La Jolla Village News
Photo Credits
DETAILS Table of Contents - Pages 4-5, PC: Christie Linnard (‘20)
COVER STORY How VSCO Girls have Whitewashed the Internet - Pages 20-21, Photo courtesy of Hannah Meloche, graphics courtesy of PicsArt OPINION Lady Justice, Open Your Eyes - Pages 22-23, Art by Kasie Leung (‘23) THE BELL Top Ten - Page 25 - Photos courtesy of Lands End Songs to Get You Through First Semester - Page 26, Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Front and back cover thanks to Amy Carlyle (‘20)
PHOTO CREDITS | Issue 02
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