The Horace Mann Record HORACE MANN’S WEEKLY NEWSPAPER SINCE 1903
JANUARY 12TH, 2018 || VOLUME 115, ISSUE 13
RECORD.HORACEMANN.ORG
Student finds firearm in school bathroom Security guard dismissed over neglect of weapon Eve Kazarian & Gustie Owens Managing Editor & Editor-in-Chief Nikki Sheybani/Design Editor
WATERGATE Swim team members complain about pool’s murky water.
Water shortage and cold weather cause difficulties for sports teams Betsey Bennett Staff Writer
Student athletes and P.E. students alike returned from winter break to find that Prettyman Gymnasium lacked running water. According to Director of Facilities Management Gordon Jensen, the issue stemmed from a temporary feed from Fisher Hall to Prettyman Gymnasium that was installed last spring when the original water line had to be removed due to the construction. This temporary feed was exposed to the elements, and a section of it froze due to the cold weather, Jensen said. The maintenance team resolved the issue and returned the gymnasium’s water to full pressure in time for students’ arrival on Tuesday morning, Jensen said. Athletes encountered several obstacles while practicing on Monday without water. Co-Captain of the Boys Varsity Swim Team Brian Song (12) was
unable to shower after practice, he said. “I turned the shower on, and only a little dribble came out, that’s it,” Song said. Since the water fountains were not working, members of the athletics department brought in water coolers so that athletes would stay hydrated during practice, Director of Athletics, Health & Physical Education Robert Annunziata said. “I think the time when I wanted a drink the most was at the end of practice,” Ben Chasin (9), a member of the Boys Varsity Basketball team, said. “There were no working water fountains, so I went into the trainer’s room and drank four or five cups of water from the tap.” Annunziata also encouraged athletes to use the bathrooms in a limited manner. Although Annunziata was surprised by the lack of water, he was expecting the cold temperatures that athletes practicing in the Lower Gym faced. “We have the one heat unit that’s
up on the track heating the entire gym, so obviously with the extra cold weather, it’s a little chilly,” Annunziata said. Jaden Kirshner (9), a member of the Boys Varsity Basketball team, noted the cold at practice. “I had to wear a long-sleeve jersey, which I have never had to do,” Kirshner said. “And it’s hard to play basketball in cold weather.” The pool has also been uncharacteristically cold and murky, Jeren Wei (11) said. “On the first day back, the pool was so murky that when I put my hand in the water, I could barely see my fingertips,” Wei said. However, Jensen said that the pool conditions are normal. During the swim season, the pool is always set to a colder temperature of 79 degrees, he said. “Some cloudiness is typical for this time of year with the usage of the pool,” Jensen said. “Filtration always happens and levels are checked three times a day to make sure the chemistry is correct.”
UD students host after-school workshops Eliza Poster & Izzy Abbott Staff Writer and Contributing Writer
inside
Every Wednesday, the school opens its doors to local elementary and middle school kids to participate in HM 246, an afterschool program offering Upper Division student le educational and interactive classes in art history, ceramics, robotics, music, entrepreneurship and more. The program, which began three years ago, was created for students who were interested in working on community service projects which fit a curriculum for kids, but were not capable of joining the Service Learning Team, Director of the Center for Community Values & Action Dr. Jeremy Leeds said. The program gives students, ranging from ages five to 13 and from the Kingsbridge Heights Community Center, Riverdale Neighborhood House, PS 37, and Ittleson Center, the opportunity to learn and become passionate about topics which are not widely available, HM 246 Coordinator Drew McCann ‘13 said. “The reason we call it HM 246 is because we’re on 246th Street, to emphasize we’re part of the neighborhood here,” Leeds said. “This is part of the Bronx and we’re opening up our facilities to our neighbors in the Bronx.”
Thinking about #MeToo
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Hari (12) reflects on what this movement means for our generation.
The program makes the school an open environment to the community, McCann said. “It’s starting to feel like they are also welcomed here and they can explore the environment,” she said.
Continued on page 4
Courtesy of Dr. Jeremy Leeds
SEW COOL Sofia Gonzalez (12) teaches students how to sew at HM246.
Extra! Extra!
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Quick takes on the latest issues of student-run school publications.
Milen Nelivigi (9) walked into the bathroom directly under Olshan Lobby and saw a firearm balancing on top of the toilet paper dispenser in one of the stalls. The firearm was left there by a security guard, who was dismissed following this event, which occurred on Dec. 5th, Director of Security Mike McCaw said. When he first saw the gun, Nelivigi thought it was a toy, but after realizing that it looked shiny and metallic, he decided to report it, he said. Nelivigi spoke with his grade dean, Dr. Susan Groppi, who immediately went to the security desk in Olshan Lobby. Security Specialist Glenn Smith, who was sitting at the desk, followed protocol and went to the firearm and safeguarded the weapon, McCaw said. According to McCaw and Head of School Dr. Tom Kelly, Nelivigi followed the correct protocol for the given situation. “He did exactly what we would have wanted him to do -he saw it, he didn’t touch it,” McCaw said. Nelivigi decided not to touch the firearm because he did not want to mess with a gun or accidentally fire it. “After, a lot of people told me that they would carry it up, but I figured if I was a kid with a gun in school, that wouldn’t have gone too well for me,” he said. “I’m deeply appreciative of how the student responded. Any student coming across an unsupervised firearm or explosive device should act immediately to notify either an administrator or a member of our Security Department. At no time should the student handle the firearm or device,” Kelly said. Seven security guards on the Riverdale campus carry concealed firearms, McCaw said. Off campus, a part-time maintenance person at the John Dorr Nature laboratory also carries a firearm, since he is a retired Connecticut police sergeant. In order to carry a firearm at school, the security guards must have a license to carry a concealed weapon and approval from Kelly. Everyone who is licensed to carry a gun at the school is retired from the Police Department, with the exception of Smith, who is a retired New York City Fire Marshall. The guards are also required to complete annual training, where they are required to shoot their guns
Star athletes
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Students balance commitment to school and sports teams.
and get a certain score to maintain their licenses, McCaw said. They must qualify each year with their weapon. According to McCaw, the decision to fire the security guard was a joint decision by Kelly and himself. “The guard is a good person, but he made an unforgivable mistake,” he said. The officer had received a telephone call with unsettling news and left the restroom to deal with the family emergency, Kelly said. “While the security officer was highly valued, the school must have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to dealing with our most sensitive security measures. Make no mistake, given the circumstances, and the extent of the family emergency at hand, the decision to terminate was a difficult one, but the right one,” Kelly said. The security guard worked numerous years in police and security -- over a dozen in both the New York Police Department and a private company. He had an unblemished record, McCaw said. According to McCaw, who spent 21 years in the NYPD, one of the most important things you learn as a young police officer is to safeguard your firearm. “A firearm that’s not safeguarded, someone can get a hold of that -- they can shoot the police officer, they can shoot someone else, they can shoot themselves, they can do a lot of damage. This is top priority in police work,” he said. The decision to have security guards start carrying firearms was made after a former alumnus threatened to burn down the school and kill an administrator in 2015. The school’s security guards already had New York pistol licenses and armed guard licenses for several years when Dr. Kelly and the Board of Trustees made the decision, McCaw said. Now, the firearms are constantly carried because there always is potential for a threat. “Since Sandy Hook, there have been over 220 school shootings, so when does the threat really ever go away?” McCaw said. Additionally, while the New York City police department provides backup, its response time of 3-5 minutes means an incident may occur before the police arrive. “[Carrying firearms] gives us the advantage. We’re here already. If we get a report of some issue in Tillinghast, we’re going to respond to that and do our best to terminate whatever the issue is,” McCaw said.
@hm.record @thehoracemannrecord Horace Mann School 231 W 246th St, Bronx, NY 10471
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THE RECORD OPINIONS JANUARY 12TH, 2018
Recognizing the reality of sexual harassment ton porc” (“Expose your pig”) on the streets, and spread through Spanish-speaking countries as #YoTambién (Me Too). The #MeToo movement has created a turning point in our society, making it acceptable, perhaps for the first time, for victims of sexual harassment and assault to speak out openly. It has also been a turning point for me. In the past, having dealt with and ignored catcalling and leering, I felt brave but did not understand the significance of those seemingly h a r m l e s s interactions. I just silently accepted it and moved on, thinking it was not a big deal, as it happened to everyone. I realize that I have lived in a sheltered cocoon of naivete my entire life, tucked away from most of the viciousness in the world. And as a result, I’d grown to blindly trust everyone around me, a problem I’m now aware of. When my parents would warn me about the dangers of sexual assault, I quickly brushed it off. Uninformed and in denial, I convinced myself this only happened to others. However, the #MeToo movement revealed to me that it can happen to anyone. According to the Huffington Post, every 98 seconds, someone is sexually assaulted in the United States. That person is a woman 90%
Mahika Hari Just a few days ago, I read yet another case of a woman being sexually assaulted. This time, it was in her sleep by the man sitting next to her on the plane. What astonished and terrified me is the lack of surprise I felt when hearing about this, demonstrating how the culture of sexual harassment no longer fazes me. Actress Alyssa Milano had no idea what she initiated when she encouraged anyone who suffered sexual harassment or assault to come forward by replying “Me too,” a term originally coined by black activist Tarana Burke, to her tweet. Rapidly becoming a viral hashtag on Twitter, a wave of confrontations and awareness, powered by voices of millions of survivors, #MeToo has uncovered dozens of acclaimed icons and household names. #MeToo is a simple handle, but it has become a widely recognized social media movement, a global catharsis predominantly led by and for survivors. Flooding over 85 different countries, the movement has taken down Britain’s Defense Secretary Michael Fallon, inspired French women to chant “Balance
of the time, and she is 18-24 years old in every 1 in 3 of those cases. As graduation quickly approaches, leaving my bubble is a frightening thought. While I’m not ready to face this harsh reality, I don’t want my every step to be controlled by fear. I am amazed by the number of women who have spoken up, but I am also stunned by the overwhelming silence of men. I see the next step as getting men
directly involved in the movement, rather than just labeling them as the problem, the enemy. I believe we have to appreciate the ones who want to help but don’t know how. While it’s hard for a man to imagine the fear of being followed in the dark or having to be mindful of not choosing something too short or too tight to wear, I know men can still play an integral role in these conversations. Not every man is to blame for the presence of sexual abuse, but every man needs to open his eyes to the horrors occurring
and use his place in society to make a positive impact. So, what can men actually do? First, putting a stop to the degrading locker room banter they witness or are a part of would be a good start. Second, remaining silent makes us accomplices, and so, we must address sexual abuse as it happens. I don’t think it’s too difficult to discern harassment from day-today behavior; a hug is friendly, but an unwanted grope is assault, just as a compliment is kind, but a catcall is harassment. Building on the momentum of the #MeToo movement and turning the goal from raising awareness to taking action, the Time’s Up movement was Ariella Greenberg/ Art Director launched on January 1st. Not solely based upon sharing a #MeToo, it lightens the burden on the survivors. Further, sexual abuse knows no boundaries; it affects all races, genders, sexualities, socioeconomic statuses, and ages. We all need to work together to build a safer world for ourselves and the future generations, a world in which there are more #IBelieveYous, a response begun by advocates, and fewer #MeToos. If I ever have a daughter, I’ll raise her to be much more aware than I was. But I don’t
want her to have the slightest chance of missing out on opportunities because she’s afraid, quitting her job because of an inappropriate boss, or growing cold and resenting men. But then I think back to that woman on the plane, and the many others before her. I know I’m going to be traveling by air myself one day, and I would be lying if I said I wasn’t afraid. That fear might very well be enough to stop me from taking a redeye or sleeping on the plane, both privileges I am entitled to. Because if I put myself in the shoes of the women who have suffered sexual assault and harassment, I’m not sure I’d be tough enough to handle it. I don’t know that I wouldn’t let the unshakeable shame get the best of me, that I wouldn’t retreat into my shell for the rest of my life. Would I join those who suffer in silence? In the words of Oprah, “Speaking your truth is the most powerful tool we all have.” We must continue to equip ourselves to combat any situation until we get closer to squashing the perpetrators and the institution of sexual abuse is, hopefully, one day, history. At our Fifth Grade Graduation, we sang the song “Our Time.” I clearly remember the part: “We’re the movers and we’re the shapers. We’re the names in tomorrow’s papers. Up to us now to show ‘em.” From these movements, we can learn to stand up for ourselves and for others and to never let our voices be silenced, whether in the context of sexual harassment or any other injustice we face. We shouldn’t just be waiting for change -- we should be initiating it. Time’s up!
Paying it forward: a thank you from Zhao (9)
Erin Zhao Along with many teens, this summer I got my first job. I was beyond ecstatic, I truly believed that I was on the road to the rich and famous life. However, I was soon brought back into reality when I realized that my increased income also meant increased responsibilities. By the end of the summer, though I had earned around a thousand dollars, I only had about two hundred left after paying for computer science classes and soccer. The original plan was to use this money
to buy a clunky laptop to access Google So, I want to start with one person. Drive, but right before school started again, Thank you, Dr. Kelly, for equipping me I received an email. It was from Dr. Kelly with the tools necessary for learning; for and Ms. Perez. I was informed creating a warm and accepting that I would be able to use environment; and for a MacBook Air to help me giving me the opportunity during the school year. to let my abilities dictate When I was told that my my future. As a student in worries were for naught, a low-income household, my knees buckled and tears being able to attend leaked out of my eyes. Over Horace Mann is already the course of my education a dream come at Horace Mann, the true. During my gifts I have been first year, it was given came in the made clear that form of powerful all of my friends learning tools, came from an financial aid, entirely different and an open and background and warm community of anxiety about my Evann Penn Brown/ Contributing Artist peers and teachers. And friends looking down on so many people have helped me me festered in the back of my head. I along my academic adventure that I couldn’t tried to blend in; I boasted about Christmas possibly thank them all in one piece. gifts I didn’t get, complained about my non-
Volume 115 Editorial Board Managing Editor Eve Kazarian
Editor in Chief Gustie Owens
Features Tiffany Liu Natasha Poster
News Sam Heller Yeeqin New
Lions’ Den Peter Borini Ricardo Pinnock
Photography Amrita Acharya Freya Lindvall Abigail Kraus
Art Director Ariella Greenberg
Faculty Adviser David Berenson
Issues Editor Mahika Hari A&E Opinions Jonathan Katz Seiji Murakami Joanne Wang Rebecca Salzhauer Middle Division Ella Feiner Sarah Shin Columnists Lutie Brown Amir Moazami
Design Editors Evan Megibow Nikki Sheybani Lisa Shi Online Editor Michael Truell
Staff Writers Malhaar Agrawal, Betsey Bennett, Peri Brooks, Amelia Feiner, Elizabeth Fortunato, Leonora Gogos, Caroline Goldenberg, Abigail Goldberg, Katie Goldenberg, Surya Gowda, Will Han, Jude Herwitz, Edwin Jin, Solomon Katz, Janvi Kukreja, Madison Li, Connor Morris, Megha Nelivigi, Noah Phillips, Eliza Poster, Julia Robbins, Abigail Salzhauer, Nishtha Sharma, Sadie Schwartz, Tenzin Sherpa, Sandhya, Shyam, Becca Siegel, Charlie Silberstein, Lynne Sipprelle, Griffin Smith, Georgi Verdelis, Ben Wang, Jeren Wei, Robbie Werdiger, Simon Yang Staff Photographers Iliana Dezelic, Eva Fortunato, Miyu Imai, Abigail Kraus, Daniel Lee, Mimi Morris, Benjamin Parker, Tatiana Pavletich Staff Artists Elizabeth Fortunato, Sofia Gonzalez, Surya Gowda, Damali O’Keefe, Spyridoula Potamopoulou, Jackson Roberts, Zoe Vogelsang
existent housekeeper, and groaned about the extra work that my imaginary tutor gave me. I obviously couldn’t keep it a secret for long, and I saw that my anxiety was unfounded. People seemed more willing to help, and the community didn’t ostracize me but embraced me. But I still wondered if I deserved such marvelous friends, peers, or teachers. I doubted if I could pay back everyone or make every single gift worthwhile. So I decided to pass on all of my gifts, to pay it forward, and I began that by attending the Thanksgiving dance where proceeds would be donated to the Bone Marrow Foundation. At first, I was reluctant to go, but after realizing it was for a good cause, I changed my mind. And so, I used the last of the money I had earned during the summer and bought a ticket to the Bone Marrow Foundation. Beginning with this, I want share the hope and love I have been given with as many people in our community and beyond.
Editorial Policy ABOUT The Record is published weekly by the students of Horace Mann School to provide the community with information and entertainment, as well as various viewpoints in the forms of editorials and opinion columns. All editorial decisions regarding content, grammar and layout are made by the editorial board. The Record maintains membership in the Columbia Scholastic Press Association and National Scholastic Press Association. EDITORIALS & OPINIONS Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of the majority of the senior editorial board. Opinion columns are the sole opinion of the author and not of The Record or the editorial board. NOTE As a student publication, the contents of The Record are the views and work of the students and do not necessarily represent those of the faculty or administration of the Horace Mann School. The Horace Mann School is not responsible for the accuracy and content of The Record, and is not liable for any claims based on the contents or views expressed therein. LETTERS To be considered for publication in the next issue, letters to the editor should be submitted by mail (The Record, 231 West 246th Street, Bronx, NY 10471) or e-mail (record@horacemann.org) before 6 p.m. on Wednesday evening. All submissions must be signed and should refer to a Record article. Letters may be edited for grammar, style, length and clarity. CONTACT For all comments, queries, story suggestions, complaints or corrections, or for information about subscribing, please contact us by email at record@horacemann.org.
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HORACE MANN ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT JANUARY 12TH, 2018
FAD MAGAZINE
THE REVIEW
SPECTRUM
CINEMANN
ZINE 52
“FAD did a good job including diverse models and with the fashion style. The environment made outfits come out well.” -Chidi Nwankpa (12)
“[The issue] had a great lens that reviewed things not only domestically but internationally.” -Josh Doolan (12)
“[The features topic] science for humanity highlights the importance of having a goal because it’s the driving force towards process.” -Ishaan Kannan (10)
“I liked seeing the TV shows I watch in the magazine and seeing other people’s thoughts compared to mine.” -Talia Winiarsky (9)
“It’s very accessible and enjoyable to read, and it features work from students of all grades.” -Allison DeRose (11)
“The layout and the theme were really well thought out, along with the quality of the photos.” -Lauren Port (11)
“There is intrinsic value in having students write about these topics because it is crucial to developing students’ interest in current events.” -George Loewenson (12)
“[Spectrum] took a scientific approach to a lot of very relevant issues that are important in today’s day and age.” -Zoe Mavrides (12)
“The graphics are high quality, but I would read the articles on the movies I have seen but not the ones I haven’t to avoid spoilers.” -Philippe Boulas (11)
“It’s an interesting addition to the publications.” -Arjun Voruganti (12) “I think it should be longer because the poems are great.” -Devon Hosaido (11)
MIDDLE DIVISION
UD students inspire through MD Mentoring Program Edwin Jin Staff Writer “It was nearing the end of the trimester, and a few kids were struggling with school. We sat them down one-on-one and made sure they were doing okay,” Sajan Mehrotra (11) said. Mehrotra is one of the Upper Division mentors for the Middle Division Mentoring program. For the past nearly 20 years, Upper Division students of the Middle Division Mentoring program have advised their younger peers in their homerooms. The program’s mentors, headed by Guidance Counselor Wendy Reiter, meet with their advisees every other week during break to provide company and mentorship. The program has existed since the beginning of the Middle Division at the school, and aims to deepen links between the Middle and Upper Division. “The mentoring program is designed to have UD students be part of the lives of middle school students in an older sibling sense,” Reiter said. Sometimes students will find it easier to talk to a role model who is only a few years older than they are, and who they feel may understand them better, Reiter said. “It’s really cool that the relationship doesn’t end at the end of the school year as the mentor is around for the next couple of years,” Beatrix Bondor (12), a
student-leader of the program, said. “We meet one-on-one and discuss how school is going,” John Hiller (8) said. A large part of the mentormentee relationship is about academics, Aryan Palla (8) said. The mentor is someone who has been through the academic process before, and is also able to form a close bond with their mentees, Bondor said. “We want the mentor to be somewhere between a teacher and a friend,” Bondor said.
“We want the mentor to be somewhere between a teacher and a friend” -Beatrix Bondor (12) “It’s rewarding to see when my mentee understands concepts,” Upper Division mentor Ben Wang (10) said. Interactions with mentees include a lot of talking and activities, Wang said. “My mentor always asks me about how my life is and how things are going,” Vincent Li (8) said. The goal is to forge a bond between a UD and MD student, and to create a go-to person in the MD student’s life, Reiter said. “When my mentees need help,
either they reach out to me or I’ll approach them to resolve their problems,” Wang said. Upper Division mentors also work to provide an environment in which students will feel socially comfortable, Wang said. “At Dorr a couple of my mentees were really shy and quiet, so I’ve talked to them, even embarrassing myself to show vulnerability is okay, and they’re a lot more comfortable with each other now,” Wang said. Talking with mentors is easier because it’s less school-related, Hiller said. Hiller fondly remembers an icebreaker game within his homeroom as a moment of bonding with his peers, Hiller said. Mentor Madison Li (10) claims the bus ride to the Middle Division Dorr Orientation is an integral moment for the students to bond, Li said. Helping older students engage with new students “set the tone for our homeroom dynamic,” Li said. A new addition to the program this year is the Study Buddies initiative, in which mentors volunteer their I period on Monday and Thursday for Middle Division students to stop by for academic support. In the long term, the program hopes to continue to have mentors facilitate a passion for mentoring and derive satisfaction in their relationships with MD students, Reiter said.
Courtesy of Horace Mann Flickr Gallery
MENDORR UD mentors interact with MD students during 6th grade orientation.
Lions’ Den Record Sports
JANUARY 12TH, 2018
Student-athletes compete at highest level Malhaar Agrawal Staff Writer Outside the classroom, some of the school’s student athletes are particularly dedicated to their sports and have taken their immense passion, talent, and hardwork to compete at the highest level. For these student athletes, competing in national and international tournaments requires not only a knack for time management, but also a diligent mindset and an ambition to achieve. “I started playing basketball when I was six,” Ella Anthony (10) said, “but I only started playing really competitively in fifth grade. The first thing I noticed was that there were a lot of people there, and that I’d have to work really hard to reach my goals.” Some of these goals involve getting recruited to a Division I college and becoming recognized as a top 20 player in the nation, Anthony said. She knows that her “intense competitiveness” can support the five a.m. wakeups and late night training sessions that have gotten her to this point, she said. “The hardest thing I had to do was force myself to train hard each and every day,” Eddie Jin (10) said, a former top 200 swimmer in the nation in the 50m Freestyle, who just two years ago decided to try the path of a triathlete. “The triathlon presents a challenge unlike anything I’ve done. When I started out the sport, I was one of the worst in my field despite my strong background in both running and swimming.” After that first race however, Jin used the
summer to train between 25 and 30 hours a week and ran on the Varsity Cross Country and Outdoor Track teams in school during the fall and spring. He swam and biked in the winter as another way to stay in shape for the summer. His training paid off, as he qualified for Nationals at the Monroe Cup, finished as high as 29th nationally, and has his sights set on the U.S. team for the North American Championships in the future, Jin said. However, such intense training doesn’t come without sacrifice, as many athlete have found it hard to balance their workload and their challenging practice schedules. “I had a hard time adjusting to the workload and school with squash at first in ninth grade. I would have two practices a day. I would have school practice and, then I would get home and immediately go to my other practice,” Aman Sanger (12) said. Kayla Thomas (12) “puts in three to four hours daily,” and that time commitment has helped her earn third at the Canadian Hundley race and made her dreams of winning Nationals not-so far-fetched. “I love it so much that I wake every morning before school to work out and also have practice after school. It’s a huge time commitment and I have had to learn how to become really good with my time management,” Thomas said. Through learning time management, these athletes have learned that “competition can bring out the best in [themselves], even in other areas like school,” Aidan Aisiks (10), a soccer player who has competed in national tournaments since he was 12, said. “I’ve learned that I have to combine
all my responsibilities and set out a schedule for when I have to have something done by, whether it be a training session or homework,” Aisiks said. Jason Oh (12) is an internationally competitive fencer who has earned third at the World Cup and traveled from Salt Lake City all the way to Europe to chase his dreams of being a college fencer and “get some NCAA rings on [his] fingers.” “I always tell myself to have positive vibes and successful thoughts. I live by the mottos ‘no days off ’ and ‘trust the process.’ By being on this student athlete grind, I want to redefine greatness,” Oh said. Nora Burke (12) also fences outside school and aspires to succeed at the collegiate level. She hopes that her experience from international tournaments, such as the Junior Olympics, has prepared her, she said. Alexis Bolner (12), who has won national competitions and represented Team USA for synchronized skating, has loved the sport since she was five years old. “Now I skate almost 20 hours a week, and I still love it. That’s why I’ve stuck with it, and it’s what keeps me motivated,” Bolner said. “What helps me is my support system. I have really great friends and a really great coach. I work really hard but also have a lot of people who I know have my back,” Burke said, “and I’m thankful for that.”
Editorial
Appreciating Transperancy with Security On Tuesday, we lined up against the walls of our classrooms during a lockdown drill. Later that day, many of us left campus to head over to Tierney’s or Dunkin, passing security guards and patrol cars on the way. We are privileged that our administration trusts us enough to maintain an open campus, and we don’t want to take for granted the immense investment of time and resources that go into maintaining security at the school. In our coverage of a security guard leaving a firearm in a bathroom on campus, the administration and the security department were immediately willing to speak to us for the story and were fully transparent about the event. For members of the Editorial Board, the recent incident made us consider the reason security guards began to carry firearms in the first place — an alumnus made a threat to the school three years ago. When we arrived at school on Monday after the threat, there was an assembly to tell us exactly what was going on and what measures were being taken. We weren’t kept in the dark about matters of our own safety. The school’s and security department’s response to the event was a model to all of us of how to be aware, imperturbable, and prepared. We have a tremendous amount of freedom compared to many of our peer schools, and we are extremely grateful for both the trust the school places in us and the safety they provide for us all. Corrections - Issue 12
The writer for “Freshmen experience service opportunities at fourth annual Service Learning Day” was misidentified as Jude Herwitz. The writers were Surya Gowda and Emily Shi.
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LIGHT-SABRE Nora Burke (12) poses with a teammate
GRACEFUL Alexis Bolner (12) glides across the ice.
ROW, ROW, ROW YOUR BOAT Kayla Thomas (12) races in a quartet.
Continued from page 1 This program allows students to work with children, create their own curriculum, and delve into topics which they are interested in. Sasha Matt (11) is one of the leaders of Art Detectives this trimester, a program which creates art history lessons for younger students. Sasha took over the position that was held by Cameron Chavers (12) during first trimester and created a new lesson plan. “We didn’t exactly pick up where they left off; we kind of did our own thing entirely,” Sasha said. HM 246 also incorporates hands-on arts, such as ceramics, into its program. “It’s really important for them to see that it’s not necessarily about getting this shining end product, but it’s more about the process.” Emily Bleiberg (12), one of the leaders of the ceramics program, said. Ethan Matt (12) created the music class three years ago. He previously spent time working alongside professional music producers and learning their craft. “I just wanted to reach out to the local community and help some kids make some music,” Ethan said. After dividing the kids into two groups, songwriting and music production, he puts together the lyrics and the beats to create original songs.
Ethan wants the students to “learn how to collaborate, be creative, take risks, and feel happy while working,” he said. The entrepreneurship program, run by Tyler Jonas (11), allows for participants to develop their enterprising skills by creating their own business. “Many of the [participants] already have business ideas and just need to explore them more and learn more about it. I think kids shouldn’t be afraid to start a business, even at a young age,” Jonas said. The Shark Tank projects are one of many types of presentations which will be displayed at a show presenting the works created during the program taking place in March later this year. In addition, other mediums such as ceramic works will be on display with a backdrop of the original songs produced by the kids in the music program. Grace Hill (12) and five other students assembled in the fall to curate a show displaying the work of the kids in each program and met with the other leaders to discuss what they thought would best represent their work over the year.