The Kinkaid Falcon - Issue 5, Vol. 72 by The Falcon

the

FALCON

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The Kinkaid School 201 Kinkaid School Dr. Houston, TX 77024

April 5, 2019 Volume 72, Issue 5

Why brands, andwhytitles, getting the brand blah blah bha aren’t right isn’t always that important the key to blah blha blhsuccess ablha jdksdk jskd

consequences of INSIDE

convention

NEWS

2 | The Kinkaid Falcon | April 5, 2019

News In Brief

Campus security changes begin this spring The school plans to keep the exterior doors of locked throughout the day in a phased program that should be complete by the end of the 2019-20 school year. To enter the school, Kinkaid students, faculty and staff must use their Falcon card. By August, the plan is that all exterior doors to campus buildings will be locked after normal morning

Photo courtesy of David Shutts

School musical earns 10 Tommy Tune nominations

The Upper School musical “9 to 5” won an impressive 10 Tommy Tune nominations. The Best Leading Actress nominations were awarded to Caroline Moseley (12), Grace Muir (11) and Carlie Sachs (11), and The Best Featured performer to Priscilla Mach (11). The musical as a whole received nominations for best choreography, best direction, best musical direction, best ensemble, best stage crew and technical executions, and

ﬁnally, best musical. Approximately 3,500 students and 50 schools participate in the Tommy Tune Awards Program each year, and Kinkaid won awards in almost every category. The judges include professional Houston-based performers, directors, designers, musicians, and art educators. Productions are evaluated on a 100-point scale rubric in each category, a process which runs from October to March.

Distinguished alumni recognized at program before BBQ dinner Five distinguished alumni were honored on March 29 at an assembly for distinguished alumni and at the Distinguished Alumni Awards Program later the same day. Middle School English teacher, Tom Peden, was awarded the Distinguished Honorary Alumnus Award. Entrepreneur and community leader, Marshall Merriﬁeld of the class of 1978, received the Distinguished Alumnus Award. Trauma and acute care surgeon at the McGovern Medical School at UT Health, John Harvin of the class of 1999, received the Distinguished Young Alumnus Award. The Outstanding Alumni Service award was awarded to Pat Kidson Fogle Cavanagh of the class of 1966 and a retired Lower School teacher and alumni volunteer extraordinaire. Finally, facilities manager, Enrique Ambrosio, was the very ﬁrst recipient of a new award: Alumni Association Core

Corrections

arrival times. Visitors may enter the building through main entrances by using video doorbells to request building access from school ofﬁces. In addition, parents will be required to sign in at the front ofﬁce when visiting the school. The new program was designed to increase security throughout the school and allow students, families and faculty to feel entirely safe throughout the day.

Upcoming Dates and Events Friday, April 5. Annual Crawfish Boil 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM Saturday, April 6. Junior-Senior Prom 8:30 PM - 11:00 PM April 11-13. ISAS Monday, April 15. Senior Day Thursday, April 18. US & MS Choir Concert 7:00 PM Friday, April 19. All School Holiday (Good Friday)

The Kinkaid Falcon’s mission is to be an accurate and reliable source of information for the Kinkaid community by informing readers about topics that are interesting, thought-provoking, and impactful from the school, local Houston area and Texas, as well as other parts of the world. Questions or comments? We welcome your voice and feedback in the form of email, letters and guest articles. Please email student.publications@kinkaid. org or use the contact form at thefalcon.kinkaid.org. Letters can be sent to: The Kinkaid School 201 Kinkaid School Dr. Houston, TX 77024 Corrections will be addressed on our website and published in the subsequent issue. Please direct advertising inquiries to nicole. fernandez@kinkaid.org. The opinions expressed in The Kinkaid Falcon belong solely to the writer and are not a reflection or representation of the opinions of the school or its administrators.

ASSISTANT EDITOR Megha Neelapu NEWS EDITOR Ayush Krishnamoorti ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Megan Riley FEATURES EDITOR Madi Babine

Saturday, April 27. One Acts Festival 7:00 PM

ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Olivia Marrus OPINION EDITORS Eliza Griggs & Maggie Johnston SPORTS EDITORS Sterling Elias & Jordan Jafarnia PHOTO EDITORS Sally Buck & Frankie Wimbish

Sunday, April 28. One Acts Festival 2:00 PM

Values Ambassador. All ﬁve of the recipients have been extremely involved in the Kinkaid community and have contributed their time and effort to make Kinkaid a successful and wonderful institution.

staff

ASSOCIATE EDITORS Sarah Kate Padon & Emma Gilliam

April 25-26. Boys Lacrosse SPC

Distinguished Young Almunus, John Harvin speaks to the Upper School during assembly.

FALCON

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Emma Stout

Sunday, April 21. Easter

Photo courtesy of David Shutts

THE KINKAID

Sunday, April 28. US & MS Band & Orchestra Concert 4:00 PM Monday, April 29. Rising Seniors Transition Parent Meeting 6:30 PM April 29-30. Golf SPC Compiled by Eliza Griggs

The Falcon welcomes comments and suggestions. We seek to publish corrections and clarifications in the subsequent issue. Please email any corrections to student.publications@kinkaid.org or megha.neelapu@kinkaid.org. Corrections in Issue 4, published March 1, 2019: “News in brief” on pg. 2: Karm Ghei’s (11) last name was spelled incorrectly as “Guy.” Christian Gipson’s (12) last name was spelled incorrectly as “Gibson.” “It’s not too late to get your flu shot” pg. 7: According to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, most flu vaccines no longer contain mercury. There is no evidence that the mercury used in these vaccines, called thimerosal, is harmful. “Facing the mental health stigma” on pg. 1213: The photo is by Megan Riley. “The Jonas Brothers are back” on pg. 18: Priyanka Chopra’s first name was spelled incorrectly as “Piryanka.” “Pop Culture Chart” on pg. 19: The picture underneath Charlie Lamme’s (10) quote was not Charlie Lamme but, in fact, Walker Marrus (10). “New puppy spreads kindness in children’s book” on pg. 15: Bill Megenhardt’s last name was spelled incorrectly as “Meganhardt” in the caption of the picture. “Visions of time” on pg. 20: Mya Franklin was the sole writer of the article, while Sloan Colt helped with the reporting.

STAFF WRITERS Connor Blake Brady Brazda Sloan Colt Nicole Fernandez Mya Franklin Charles Garrison Lily Gunn Jordan Guy Wilson Kelsey Allison Le Vedul Palavajjhala William Scott Chris Stallings Camila Vicens Ali Yousuf ADVISER Dr. Kimetris Baltrip The Falcon is published six times a school year. Eight hundred free print copies are distributed to 613 Upper School students and 94 faculty members, and 248 copies are mailed to subscribers. The Kinkaid Falcon is a member of the CSPA and NSPA.

April 5, 2019 | The Kinkaid Falcon | NEWS

Students showcase their talent

BY FRANKIE WIMBISH

Serena Thompson (10) and Sarah Stephens (11) worked together to create a dance piece using Mr. Anthony Suber's mask. The context provided allowed for a greater understanding of the piece. The combination of arduino-controlled light, Mr. Suber's sculpture piece, and Serena's stunning moves made for an incredible finish to the educational portion of the Field 1

Arsalan Saeed (9) and Ali Yousuf (9) push the offensive, putting pressure on their opponents. The pressure was felt by both teams, however, as the eyes and voices of the crowd followed their every move. The team of freshmen put forth a valiant effort, but the upper classmen triumphed in the end and moved onto the finals.

Spencer Hickman (12), Ameer Mustafa (12), Andrew Linhart (11) and the rest of the Falchords perform during the Field Day assembly. The performance was full of energy, humor, costumes, and harmony. By kicking off Field Day with a bang, the Falchords excited the crowd and brought down the house. This performance set the tone for the rest of the day. 3

Jake Adamson (12) receives a blow from an opponent, but pushes forward. In a close loss against the Woodlands, the team put in an incredible effort despite the score difference. Photos by Frankie Wimbish

Wells Fellow speaker presents on political divide BY SALLY BUCK

As the murmurs of conversation died down, a man stepped onto the stage. Then, awkward silence was replaced with laughter as David Gergen spoke from the podium. Mr. Gergen, this year’s Wells Fellow program speaker, worked for the White House under several U.S. presidents, including Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton. He now works as the senior political analyst at CNN and as a professor at the

"I thought my career in politics was over." - David Gergen

Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Mr. Gergen started his career as staff assistant in the speech writing department under Richard Nixon. After the notorious Watergate scandal, Gergen said, “I thought my career in politics was over.” However, his successes only grew. He became the director of communications for President General Ford and Ronald Reagan, and later served as a counselor for Bill Clinton’s campaign. After working for a series of Republicans, his choice to work for Clinton, a Democrat, came as a surprise to many. Mr. Gergen revealed that he knew the Clinton campaign needed a Republican to work for

David Gergen presents to students and faculty at assembly about his political career. Photo by Frankie Wimbish.

it to look like a unified force. “I knew they were using me,” he said. “But I decided to do it anyway.” Mr. Gergen explained to the crowd the difference between the “World War II generation” presidents (ones who grew up during the war) and the pres-

idents of today. According to Mr. Gergen, the military service to which almost all the older generation presidents dedicated themselves contributed to their sense of duty and pride in their country. At the time Mr. Gergen entered Capitol Hill, those presidents were at their peak.

However, that generation is long gone: the last president of the generation was George H.W. Bush. Mr. Gergen stated that he thinks military service is a significant factor of success in a political career, paying kudos to Texas Congressman Dan

Crenshaw. As he wrapped up his presentation, he warned the Kinkaid community about t the political strife that plagues Capitol Hill. Mr. Gergen has worked for both sides of the political divide and noted that to have success, people must collaborate.

4 NEWS | The Kinkaid Falcon | April 5, 2019

Q&A with future senior leaders BY SARAH KATE PADON

Many functions—from pep rallies to electric lunches and community service projects or the freshmen retreat—that students know and love are run by student leaders. A dedicated group of seniors who have been selected by their peers or faculty members for their leadership abilities, care for their peers and involvement in the community will lead these projects and councils next year. These senior leaders answered questions about what drew them to their student organization and their goals for next year.

Governing Council President Sally Buck

Honor Council Co-Presidents Meredith Huston & Andrew Linhart “I was drawn to the Honor Council because I think the inclusion of students in such decisions is an important part of the Kinkaid community. In addition, I value the opportunity it gives me to ensure the integrity of our classes and school. I look forward to being an Honor Council Co-President because I want to do more than just hear cases. I want to work to increase students’ understanding of the Honor Code and its importance,” Huston said.

“I’m excited to lead the Governing Council next year, because as president there is a lot more opportunity to have your voice heard. Next year, I hope to increase the communication between faculty/students and the governing council as well as creating more opportunities for students to get involved on campus, such as an environmental awareness board.”

“By having an honor code, we, as students, have the responsibility of upholding it out of respect for the system it represents. I have always been interested in treating others with fairness and equality, and I feel that I can help the Kinkaid community in this way. My plans for the Honor Council include an emphasis on transparency: it is important that every student knows what the honor code entails. We all need to know the full weight of our actions each time we sign our name on an assessment or assignment,” Linhart said.

Community Service Council President Maggie Johnston

FALB Presidents

Priscilla Mach & Sapphire Thompson

“I was drawn to the Community Service Council because I wanted to be a part of a leadership team who works to make changes in student life and student perspectives. I have spent most of my upbringing volunteering with my church group and working at Big Brothers Big Sisters and I strived to bring the non-proﬁts that I work with into a relationship with Kinkaid. I hope that every event that Kinkaid leads encourages a desire in students to give back to their community.”

“I was drawn to the Fine Arts Leadership Board because arts have had such a big impact on my life. Whether it is dancing, singing, acting, drawing, or doing ceramics, I love having an outlet where I can relax and be creative,” Thompson said.

They agreed on their goals for next year saying: “We would like to promote the arts events at school and increase student involvement in the arts. A huge push to extend community outreach: art installations created with the input and active participation of the larger Kinkaid community or getting “What’s not to love? It is a student led group critiques from kids who spend most of their of hardworking artists who want to leave a time in athletics, sciences or non-art extracurfootprint at Kinkaid. I am so honored to be riculars. Everyone at this school has a crein league with people I admire who shine in ative component in their brain and we think their arts classes,” Mach said. an arts outlet is just as important to mental health and stability as an athletic one.”

SAAC President Annabel Skubisz

“At Kinkaid, athletics have been a staple in my life since freshman year, so I am extremely excited to share that with the Kinkaid Community. I applied for the position of President with the hope that I can help make Kinkaid Upper, Middle, and Lower School even closer, continue the service projects for student-athletes, and make college athletics seem more achievable for those who may want to pursue athletics at the next level. I am excited for the year ahead and excited to share my passion with the student body.”

Peer Mentor Leaders Bain Williams, Eliza Moldawer, Shreya Mehta, and Jonathan Frumovitz

YAL Presidents Megan Maclay & Noah Rubinson “I was drawn to YAL because I believe it is important to stay connected with this school when we leave. I believe that the relationships we make in high school with not only friends but also with teachers and the school itself, should be preserved. I would like to foster more relationships between alumni and current students to help Kinkaid students make connections with successful people in the professional world,” Maclay said.

“I was drawn to be a Peer Mentor Leader because I love helping and guiding people through tough situations - cough cough high school - and I looked up to my Peer Mentors when I was a freshman because they were the leaders of the high school. I want to be a leader of the group so I can continue to improve the positive impact and importance the program has on the freshman. One idea I have would be to expand the Peer Mentor program to include sophomores once a month because I noticed many sophomores needing advice and guidance from older students,” Moldawer said. “I really enjoyed my experience with my peer mentors when I was a freshman and I feel that being a Peer Mentor Leader means that I can effect a freshman’s high school life for the better. To

“I believe that YAL provides services and opportunities within Kinkaid that are essential to the unity and success of any community - services and opportunities that provide both current Kinkaid students and alumni with a bond to the school and sense of connectedness. As with any program, in order to strengthen and improve the foundations of the Young Alumni Leadership Program, additional events, services and programs must be developed in order to improve an already great program,” Rubinson said.

make all of the new freshman feel welcome and comfortable in The Kinkaid School. I also want to help them navigate the many options that Kinkaid has to offer,” Williams said. “As someone who came in as a new freshman, the Peer Mentor program was really impactful for me in terms of helping me understand the academic and social life at Kinkaid. I wanted to give back to the community by making that same kind of difference in another student’s life,” Mehta said. “I was dawn to it because I remember how helpful my Peer Mentors were, and I really want to have that same, positive impact on the incoming freshmen. My plans are to make the 2019-20 school year a real party for the freshmen!” Frumovitz said.

April 5, 2019 | The Kinkaid Falcon | NEWS 5

Culture on display in food, performances BY ALI YOUSUF

It was 6 o’ clock on the evening of Tuesday, March 26. The weather was a cool 79 degrees and the air was filled with sweet and savory aromas from around the world because it was time for Culture Fest. Forty-five booths representing 42 countries dotted the lawn outside the Student Life Building. The night opened with senior Ameer Mustafa and his band singing their rendition of “Hello There” as well as “Paralyzer” and “Dear Maria.” Mustafa said the band was formed “a little over a year ago” and they decided to sign up for Culture Fest, this was not their first major performance as they had performed at Field Day last year. “We sounded pretty good actually. We are much better than we were a year ago. We have all come a long way. I’m proud of our progress,” Mustafa said. “I had a blast. I can say it was probably the best one up to date for sure.” After the opening performance, students, teachers and parents went around from booth to booth to experience foods from different parts of the world. There were three award categories: food, entertainment, and overall booth. The food category was broken down into two subcategories this year:

sweet and savory. The three judges for each category decided which booths or performances deserved awards. For savory food, Guatemala was given third, Brunei was given second, and Nigeria was given first. For the sweet, Mexico was third, Peru was second and New Zealand was first. Dr. Sonia Clayton, one of the judges for food gave some insight about what goes into judging. “We had… three judges that were judging the food, and we had set out a rubric before we went,” she said. “I guess being a teacher, it is in our nature to set out a rubric, so the judgments were based on how authentic the food was... if it was store bought or was it homemade… if the student had also taken part in preparing it.” She said it was also important whether students were aware of the food and understood its significance. In the other two categories, Vivian Ye won third place for her dance, a Russian Folk dance won second, and the “Train Ride Through India” took home the first-place prize. For the overall booth prizes, Russia took the third-place award, while Brazil placed second and China won the best overall booth. Dr. Ed Trusty, interim headmaster, was one of the judges

Photos courtesy of Meredith Burpeau

Top left: Vivian Ye (9) won third place for her dance “In my blood.” Bottom left: Hannah Shi (12) works the China booth that won “Best Overall Booth.” Right: A visitor to the India booth opens a mango lassi, an Indian yogurt drink.

for entertainment. “I am always impressed by opportunities where the entire community gets together and so that means students and faculty and employees and parents for one big event and there aren’t tons of those opportunities throughout the school year,

and I always loved to see how it is student-run in so many ways… and [Culture Fest] is a wonderful celebration of the diversity that is Kinkaid and of the thousand or so families that are members of this community. We all represent so many different experiences

Festival of color

and in many cases cultural and religious backgrounds and this is a wonderful opportunity to share that.” Culture Fest is in its 12th year and continues to grow and help display the diversity at Kinkaid with student involvement.

Holi celebration sheds light, color on students’ heritage BY ALLISON LE Holi brings to mind colorful powder and a celebration of an Indian holiday, but the festival of color at Kinkaid is much more. India club co-presidents Isha Popat (11) and Shreya Mehta (11) describe Holi as “a real symbol of equality and representation of new beginnings.” Traditionally a Hindu holiday celebrated in March, Holi signifies the arrival of spring, the end of winter and the blossoming of love. Many spend the festival days meeting others, playing and laughing, forgetting and forgiving, repairing broken relationships, and celebrating the beginning of a good spring harvest season. Traditionally, the celebrations start the night before Holi when people gather to perform religious rituals in front of a bonfire. The next morning is celebrated at a free-for-all festival of colored powders, where people smear each other with colors and drench others with water guns and balloons. This year the India club tried to share their culture with everyone and that show that it’s “more than Bollywood,” Popat said. The club’s members came up with the idea to make Holi a tour of India, where they would perform dances and recite a poem to represent each region of the nation. At the celebration, which was held Sunday, March 24,

families, teachers and students of various ages gathered on the Harrison Green to eat Indian food and chat around tables, while Bollywood music played on the speakers set up on both sides of a stage. Before the performances, Popat and Mehta made a speech to introduce the history of Holi and the representation of the holiday. “When we throw colors at each other,” Popat said, “the community we form is equal and encouraging. There’s no discrimination of race and color. We are all together, taking pleasure in a holiday that has united communities for centuries.” They finished by thanking teachers and administrators, Mrs. Anjaly Thakkar, Mr. Eric Emerson, Mr. Peter Behr, and Dr. Ed Trusty, for helping them make the festival possible. To start off the entertainment, Rice University’s South Asian a cappella group Basmati Beats” performed three mashups. Alumnae and former debaters Jiya Ghei (‘18) and Nina Kalluri (‘15) were asked by Mr. Emerson to introduce the performances by singing a 10-minute set. Afterward, seventh graders Eshaan Mani and Siddharth Agarwala were the “train conductors” for a tour around India. First, the ladies of India club did a social dance called Raas from the westernmost state of Gujarat. Next, the guys per-

formed a Bhangra dance from the state of Punjab. Afterward, Sahasra Thakkar recited a poem by Balamani Amma, a poet from the southern state of Kerala. For the finale, the last dance was a Bollywood group dance. The festival of color concluded with students and teachers grabbing bags of bright colors from the ticket stands and throwing them at each other to end a celebration of new beginnings.

Laxmi Thakkar (9) twirls Kayla Davidson (9) as India club performs a Bollywood group dance on and off stage.

Camila Vicens (11) laughs as friends mark her hair with various colors.

Mr. Eric Emerson, debate teacher, reacts to students and teachers pelting him in the Harrison House Green. The boys of India club cheer on John Richards (9) as he takes the spotlight in a bhangra dance.

Photos by Frankie Wimbish

ARTS & CULTURE

6 The Kinkaid Falcon | April 5, 2019

The World on Westheimer

Find virtually any cuisine along a 12-mile stretch of road BY AYUSH KRISHNAMOORTI & CAMILA VICENS

YAUATCHA PAPPAS BROS For relatively cheap American food, Pappas Burgers is a great location. Its style of food is a quick, informal eat, and the unique service style gives it a classic feel. The wings are great to share, but if you are hungry for a full meal, try their Juicy Lucy burger that comes with a fried egg inside! Don’t skip out on dessert either. Pappas also has a great selection of shakes.

PHOENICIA The Phoenicia market and accompanying deli provide a glimpse into Middle Eastern food. The panelists highlighted the Armenian dolmas and the babogounish as the best. Additionally, the speed and overall flavor of the food is exquisite. The ambience, however, is just like a deli: loud.

For Chinese cuisine, Yauatcha is Houston’s finest. Not only does it boast a fantastic vegetarian menu, but it also has a great Peking duck, a feat that few other restaurants have in the Houston area. There is a price to pay for the fantastic ambience and excellent start-to-finish meal; a bill at Yauatcha piles up quickly.

PONDICHERI

BLUE NILE

CHAMA GAUCHA Arguably one of the most unique spots in town, Chama Gaucha is a traditional Brazilian steakhouse. You’ll never be hungry ounce you come inside, as the quick service includes free appetizers such as the authentic cheese bread. The waiters come around to your table and serve meat, chicken and sausage selections. Although quite pricey and busy at dinner time, don’t let cost hold you back. This place is worth a try.

Four Years Later BY GUEST WRITER, SANDERS GREEN (12)

The Ethiopian cuisine at Blue Nile is the best in Houston. The injera bread is moist and compliments any sort of vegetable or meat. The lamb chops are cooked well done, and served alongside a mixed vegetarian platter, which makes Blue Nile vegetarian friendly. The biggest factor that distinguishes Blue Nile from its competition is its calm ambience and affordable pricing.

When we first met we would complain school days would never end, But now I see they’ll soon do that and I cannot pretend That endless hours wasted in hallways and the lunch line Don’t somehow seem more precious as they rapidly decline. We found our freshman lockers by our freshman teachers rooms And watered by nostalgia there an early memory blooms Of standing there four years ago with strangers passing by, Of feeling out of comfort and ridiculously shy. I didn’t think I’d make it here some days to be quite frank But I did and you helped me through, it’s you I need to thank. I’ll tell you this relentlessly until it becomes trite: Just walking down a hall with you means more than I can write.

One of the few semi highend Indian restaurants in Houston, Pondicheri features authentic Indian food with less spice than typical Indian restaurants. The classic Indian “thalis” paired with a “mango lassi” and finished with an Indian treat, will fully satisfy one’s hungry stomach. Pondicheri offers a different approach to Indian food, with a more American restaurant type of feel.

Writer’s BLOCK

April 5, 2019 | The Kinkaid Falcon | ARTS & CULTURE 7

Vincent Van Gogh: His life in art

Exhibit takes viewers on a journey through his inspirations BY SARAH KATE PADON People gathered in line, buzzing around and ﬁlling the grand space of the museum with their voices. But as visitors walked into the exhibit, everything slowed down. People lowered their voices and the lights grew dimmer, illuminating the works that are framed perfectly on each wall. A map on the wall depicted the journey they would take throughout the exhibit as they followed Van Gogh’s journey through life and art. The “Vincent Van Gogh: His Life in Art” exhibit at the Museum of Fine Art Houston includes over 50 pieces from the iconic Western artist Vincent Van Gogh and showcases four key stages of the artist’s career. According to the MFAH, the exhibit features Van Gogh’s early days in the Netherlands; his period in Paris; his work with color and light during his time in the South of France; and his time in Saint-Rémy and Auvers that showcase how he was inspired by nature. “I liked that it was in chronological order, taking the viewer from his start as a painter to his untimely and tragic death. His art work could be tied to specific periods in his life, including those while he was getting help for mental illness,” said Jodi Padon, my Mom who accompanied me to the exhibit.

According to the Houston Chronicle, this exhibit is the largest collection of pieces by Van Gogh to come to Houston since 1951, when John and Dominique Menil curated an art show at the Contemporary Arts Museum. The exhibit at the MFAH includes famous paintings as well as less-known portraits, landscapes, drawings, and more. These pieces are primarily from the Van Gogh Museum in the Amsterdam and the Kröller-Müller Museum in Otterlo, Netherlands, but they are also drawn from six other museums and private collections. Helga Aurisch, MFAH curator of European art, said, “The biggest challenge by far is putting together the checklist, the list of works that the lending institutions (the Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam, and the Köller-Müller Museum, Otterlo) were willing to lend.” As the MFAH director, Gary Tinterow, reported to the Houston Chronicle, this is one of the most expensive projects the museum has taken on since he assumed the role as director in 2012.

The exhibit does a thorough job of encompassing Van Gogh’s entire career. From his growth and development as an artist, to his struggle with mental health, and through his different artistic periods of inspiration, the MFAH has successfully curated an exhibit that highlights each aspect. “The goal in bringing this exhibition to Houston was to share with our public the beautiful works of this remarkable painter,” Aurisch said. “Many people know about his cutting off his ear, but there is so much more to know. His works are so intense because of the way he lays on the pigment, that it is really important to see them

with one’s own eyes. I hope people will understand his true genius, his wish to create something serious and something that speaks to everyone directly.”

In the top right is a portrait by Van Gogh while he lived in a yellow house with Gauguin. On the bottom right a still life of a vase of flowers, showcases Van Gogh’s Japanese influences. On the bottom left, a painting of shoes was done by Van Gogh during his time in a mental hospital.

Overload of caffeine consumption

Falcon Fuel’s quality coffee keeps student coming back for more BY SALLY BUCK Each day, dozens of students and faculty members flock to Falcon Fuel Bar to get their daily fix. But their “drug” of choice isn’t on any illegal substance list, it’s coffee. Some people return throughout the day, ordering two or sometimes even more before they finally max out. Several students have found a favorite drink, a “regular,” but whether it’s an iced caramel macchiato or a vanilla latte, one thing’s for sure: Kinkaidians love coffee. Kate Riley (11) has been an avid coffee drinker since her sophomore year. “I started drinking coffee last year, but not nearly as much as this year,” Riley said. Likewise, Lauren Locher (10) began her coffee drinking habit during her freshman year before she turned into a full-out addict by the time she became a sophomore. The procession of coffee addiction seems to be a common trend among Kinkaidians; as they get older, they begin to depend more and more on coffee to get through the school days. Kinkaidians cite the

coffees’ quality and good taste as being two of the main contributors to their love for it. “Their iced caramel macchiatos are even better than Starbuck. They taste so sweet and I love how the caramel settles at the bottom! ” Riley said. “My favorite thing about the Falcon Fuel is the quality of their coffee. I never really drank coffee until I had theirs. I thought coffee tasted horrible, but now the taste keeps me coming back.” With acclaimed popularity within the school, the Falcon Fuel gets a lot of action. An interview with Dina Ramirez, the head barista, revealed some insights.

Most popular drink? How many order coffee per day?

Most coffees in a day by one person?

With their sweet milkshake-like texture, Frappuccinos come in No. 1 for the Falcon Fuel’s most popular drink. Both coffee drinkers and non-coffee drinkers alike enjoy treating themselves to this drink. The drink is especially popular among middle schoolers since some of the ﬂavors contain no caffeine, and therefore, no bitter coffee taste.

While after a restless night of sleep some people rely on coffee, one person once ordered six cups of coffee.

Although it’s quite apparent that the Falcon Fuel Bar is in good use from the stretching lines to order in between classes, even Dina Ramirez loses track of how many people come through each day.

OPINION

8 The Kinkaid Falcon | April 5, 2019 PART 2 OF 3

Using their voice: Female debaters tell their stories about sexism From California to Texas, students and coaches grapple with bigotry in their own ways BY MEGHA NEELAPU “We’re going to rape, kill, pillage and burn.” These were the words Gia Karpouzis said her male high school teammates chanted before their debate tournaments. “They would proclaim after round that they had ‘raped’ the other team,” said Gia, who prefers being addressed by her first name. Gia is a 23-year-old California debate teacher at the Westridge School for Girls in Pasadena and debate coach at the Flintridge Preparatory School in La Cañada Flintridge. She is accomplished in multiple formats of debate – and acutely aware of the sexism around her. But it wasn’t always this way. “I turned a cheek to experiences with sexism,” Gia said. She became president of her debate team in her senior year of high school and happened to be dating a male debater on the team. “In debate class one day, our male assistant coach pulled me aside and told me that my attachment to my boy-

friend had made me a ‘pariah’ on the team because I was putting my relationship above my role as president,” she said. “I fled the room in tears, unable to understand why many male members before me had been able to date members with no backlash, but I had been called a ‘pariah’ by my own mentors when I did the same.” Gia said she also dealt with comments on her appearance from judges, from parents, and from male opponents. But she used the sexism she faced to fuel her debating prowess. “Every male who looked at me took one look at my red lipstick and assumed I was a superficial woman there for nothing more than the chance to practice my lip liner application,” she said. “They spoke to me as if it were my first time at a debate tournament, like I couldn’t possibly imagine what it was like to go into the round I was about to enter. That was a part of the thrill for me, was getting to go into a round and verbally demolish them.” But the sexism that female debaters face has not decreased, Gia said.

“Representation has gotten better for ‘womxn’,” she said. “The sexism has not improved.” Womxn is an alternative spelling of women used primarily by feminists to demonstrate inclusivity. Emma and Sylvia were two rising freshmen at the time. When they were leaving a workshop to work on their case, a group of boys started to catcall them. According to Emma and Sylvia, as they walked back to their dorm, the boys’ calls became increasingly suggestive. It was 10 p.m. It was dark. “They followed us,” Sylvia said. “That creeped me out because when a group of boys start following you at night… I was kind of nervous, apprehensive.” At first, the two were reluctant to report the incident. “I didn’t think it was too big a deal… I didn’t think they had harmed us, physically in any way,” Sylvia said. But eventually, they decided to tell the camp’s administration. Later, they were told the same group of guys had been catcalling other girls earlier

that night. Female debaters often find their own ways to deal with sexism. Sahar Punjwani (11), competitive policy debater, is an example of this. After a particularly spiteful incident of sexism occurred at a summer debate camp she attended toward several female debaters, the girls found solace in solidarity with each other, she said. “I felt very empowered by the female response to it. All of the girls at the camp wore black. The female coaches canceled all of the practice debates for the day,” Punjwani said. “All of the girls talked. A lot of the girls ended up crying because these issues hit so close to home.” Another way that Punjwani contends with sexism is through reading feminist literature in debate rounds. “These women who write this literature are amazing and so powerful and so fearless. I read Catherine McKinnon in ninth grade. Reading that literature made me know about how I felt about certain issues. I think everyone should read

feminist literature,” she said. Describing her high school experience, Gia said, “If I had been more conscious of the systems of oppression within which I was operating, I would have definitely been more aware of instances of sexism.” Perhaps the ability of female debaters to recognize sexism for what it is is perhaps something that has improved. “The fact that we can say being catcalled and harassed on the street is a mild case is bad. That shouldn’t be the mild case… It shouldn’t be the norm,” Sylvia said. Punjwani agreed. “We work really hard to achieve at high levels in an extremely competitive activity, and yet some guys still feel like they can harass us because of gender differences,” she said. “But debate has an extremely passionate group of amazing and empowered women. We will always be there for each other.” Editors’ Note: The names of Emma and Sylvia were changed to grant them the anonymity they requested.

Letter from the editor

In this rapidly paced, technologically advanced era, people often have an insatiable need for more than could ever be satisfied – more money, more clothing, more things. As demands increases, supply follows. Teenagers at school, in particular, face increased pressure. At Kinkaid, for example, you may often hear something along the lines of “Oh, I just need to go shopping after school for a shirt for tomorrow.” It’s clear that the shirt isn’t really needed, yet Instagram, friends, mass-production companies, and society would suggest that it is. If we look back during the 19th century, people were

well-off if they were a little bit plumper because that proved they had the resources to eat three meals a day. Now, living in a world with high-calorie, low-nutrient foods that are easily accessible for incredibly cheap prices, it’s more expensive to maintain a “skinny” figure. The same goes for clothes. In the 17th and 18th centuries, affluent women would purchase sleeved-dresses with slits on the sides to show off the quality of the fabric beneath their dress. The modern-day example of this is a pair of jeans that Nordstrom sells for $425. The best part? They’re caked in mud. Although ironic, this trend shows insight into the power of persuasion and the status quo. There’s nothing inherently attractive about the jeans but the seller’s perspective is “if I charge enough money and change the symbol, I can convince you that you need my product.” Businesses and clothing companies often use the human interest to draw in buyers by relating images or clothing to emotions, particularly relationships. For example, an image may subliminally suggest “if you don’t have these skinny

jeans, you won’t get a boyfriend.” Subliminal messages not only subconsciously encourage people to buy what’s “new,” but they also condition us to feel as though if we don’t have these new things, we don’t fit into society because we are detached from a shared emotional norm. There are, of course, some items that must be replaced – an outgrown winter coat, a pair of soiled jeans. But, a prom dress, which will probably only be worn on one occasion, is something different. Why waste 1,000 gallons of water, contribute to poor labor standards, pay extra for shipping and fall prey to compulsion, when a friend’s closet or a trendy, second-hand store is just as plausible? It’s time we all take a step back and recognize the implicit, long-term consequences of our consumerism habits. Sincerely, Emma Stout

Got Opinions? Write for The Falcon.

Email maggie.johnston@kinkaid.org, eliza.griggs@kinkaid.org or student.publications@kinkaid.org.

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Submit it to our website.

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April 5, 2019 | The Kinkaid Falcon | OPINION 9

Recruited athlete says buying access to college is ‘slap in the face’ BY OLIVIA MARRUS

O College admissions scandal leaves educators, students foundering The time to restore the beauty of learning is now BY MAGGIE JOHNSTON

n March 12, the country was filled with headlines about the charges of 50 prosperous individuals, standardized test administrators and college coaches working in unison to help unqualified students get accepted into top U.S. universities. Reporters found evidence of bribery, falsified test scores and fake athletic profiles. The cheating scandal involved many institutions, including the University of Southern California, the University of California, Los Angeles, the University of San Diego, the University of Texas, Wake Forest University, Yale University, Georgetown University and Stanford University. Upsetting. Deceitful. Shocking. Discouraging. These words filled my mind and the minds of many high schoolers who have fixated their attention on the university of their dreams. I often hear high school students claim, “I would give anything to go to my top choice school” or “ I would do whatever it took to get into that major at that school.” However, Kinkaid students strive to achieve their dreams through hard work instead of deceitfulness. So, what is it that led applicants, especially high-profile celebrities, to believe cheating the system was the only way to get into competitive schools? I began questioning: Why is it that the college one attends has become a source of student’s identity? When did it become “the right school” rather than “a good education?” The college application process is ruthless and, at times, needlessly judgmental of students; parents, educators and students themselves feel as if they are put under a microscope as admission administrators decide whether or not a student makes the cut. When did the university application process become the source of sleepless nights, parental disappoint-

“People do not look at the fact that we have so many amazing schools in this country. People focus on the U.S. News & World Report Top 25 schools.” - Mr. Josh Hudley, college dean ment and a competition among peers? The news has been focused on a few of the most recognizable families involved in the incident such as Mossimo Giannulli and Lori Loughlin; together the couple is among America’s leading fashion designers who became some of the most recognizable sitcom stars in the 1990s. When reading the news reports, it is very easy for society to place the blame on these parents. According to Vox Media, their daughter, Olivia Jade Giannulli, said that “mostly my parents really wanted me to go because both of them didn’t go to college.” She reacted to the incident, saying that she “is really angry with her parents because she told them she did not want to go to college and she was pushed,” a source told Entertainment Tonight. Naturally, society quickly turned the blame on the parents for pushing her to make this momentous decision. This scandal has revealed that many of society’s successful members, who want to continue their “legacy,” believe that the sole path to success is through titles and prestige. Achieving Ivy League status also allows a student’s parents to have bragging rights about their child because attending a prestigious university means a student has “made it.” Schools such as Harvard, Princeton and Brown allow young students to have opportunities that fast track them to the top of society. But, why does it matter where a student goes to college? It is not a simple answer like “you go to a good college to get a good education.” One may think that once students enroll into a presti-

gious university, they are set up for success. Contemplating this issue, I adopted a newfound mindset: Education, once students get into college, is only what they make of it. Julie Lythcott-Haims, an author of three novels and mother of two, spoke to Kinkaid parents and students last fall about her goals for them in the college admissions process. In Palo Alto’s online newspaper, Lythcott-Haims reﬂected on her own early perspective saying she had to “widen my blinders and I saw there are plenty of schools and most of them don’t demand a perfect, ﬂawless, enriched-up-thehill childhood.” The pressure among peers – competing against the children of their parents’ friends, performing in the face of social media, comparing themselves to those around them – is where our society has gone miserably wrong. Children of well-off families in the social spotlight are faced with even more pressure than the average high schooler trying to make their way. They face the pressures of social appearances, getting involved with the best of every aspect of their education and continuing to be a part of upper society to show off wealth and status. What if high schoolers were encouraged when they try their best instead of when they achieve the “best?” What if your identity was not found when you opened the letter from your top choice school? “Selective college admissions has become a game and a prize to be won as opposed to an experience to be had,” said Josh Hudley, Kinkaid’s college

dean. “People do not look at the fact that we have so many amazing schools in this country. People focus on the U.S. News & World Report Top 25 schools. This is driving so much of the recent scandal surrounding college admissions, because everyone wants to be in one of those schools. They say that it means something to them.” This is a simple truth - no matter where students go to school, they can achieve a good education if they put in the work. “I think the powers that be, the leaders in college admissions, need to sit down and ﬁgure out how to construct a system that isn’t gameable and simultaneously to reinject a focus on ethics into the conversation about college admissions,” Lythcott-Haims said in the Palo Alto’s online newspaper. “While they may not have created the problem, they’re best positioned to solve it.” I have found that many students receive acceptance to the university of their dreams and then throughout their four years, they hardly go to class. They believe that a diploma from Northwestern or Yale will simply be enough. But it has become apparent to me that if students focus on the education offered at whichever university they attend, their opportunities for success will naturally arise. My hope is that in response to this scandal, we as students rise up against the pressures of society and began to accept our very best, however that looks. I hope that parents begin to congratulate their children by noticing their endless hours of homework and sports practices in addition to preparation for standardized tests and social experiences. And that educators alike will encourage students in the beauty of furthering their education and the opportunity to attain new knowledge at any university.

ne of the most common remarks that comes out of people’s mouths when I say I’m playing field hockey at the University of Virginia has always been: “Oh. So you don’t have to try in school, right?” I have learned to meet that statement with a shrug, a smile, and an unbothered laugh. While it’s true that I didn’t have to make perfect grades, some people don’t acknowledge the countless hours of work I have put into my sport to become recruited. My weekends are spent at practice or at a tournament, which is likely located at least a two-hour plane ride from home. During the school week, I don’t finish practice until 9 o’clock. It’s 10:30 before I get home, shower, and eat dinner. After all the travel and practice and exhaustion, I still have hours of homework to complete. This has been my life for the past four years. When the news first broke of the college admissions cheating scandal, there was no mention of children being admitted as recruited athletes. At first read, I wasn’t very surprised that wealthy parents were paying to get their kids into school or to have their test scores altered. After all, this isn’t the first time we’ve seen something like this. The part of this scandal that really hit close to home came with the news of the involvement of multiple Division 1 coaches from various programs across the nation. The ability of wealthy families to buy their way into the perks of being a recruited athlete absolutely delegitimizes the work that actual athletes have put into their careers. It is a slap in the face to those of us who have spent countless hours working hard to get noticed by coaches, only to have those same coaches fill a spot on their team with a child whose parents are willing to pay obscene amounts of money. They are not only taking the spot at the school of people who are academically qualified and perfect candidates for the school, but also the spot of athletes who would be a perfect addition to the team. Ever since this news broke, I have been pouring over any and every article that comes out. I have read the case file through and through. And yet, I continuously continue to be surprised by the poor ethical decisions these coaches made.

Olivia Marrus is a senior who was recruited to play ﬁeld hockey at The University of Virginia.

10 FEATURES | The Kinkaid Falcon | April 5, 2019

THE "NEED" FOR MORE ta l

The psychological and environm e

c ts pa im pr assof m oduc

tion

th clo ing

April 5, 2019 | The Kinkaid Falcon | FEATURES 11

BY EMMA STOUT

Fast fashion. It’s a must-have. Irresistible. Everyone has it on Instagram, in the hallways, on Snapchat. The red block letters -“20% OFF!! ACT FAST!!” -- catch the corner of the eye, compelling a quick grab at the first item on the rack. It’s yanked into an infinite void of instant yet temporary gratification, control and satisfaction. Mass production of low-quality clothing and textiles, otherwise known as “fast fashion,” has created a manufacturing and buying epidemic that has infected most of the world. With fashion in particular, social media has become one of many catalysts that has created an endless cycle of buying.

Even on the internet, buyer tracking allows companies to expose consumers to a constant influx of new products on their browsers in correspondence with the online retailers they visit the most. “For many people, buying more stuff is a form a self-medicating just like having another drink or a chocolate bar. You don’t really need another chocolate bar, but it’s an instant source of gratification that you can control,” said Dr. Laura Lomax-Bream, Upper School counseling psychologist. ENVIRONMENTAL COSTS On average, each American discards 70 pounds of textiles (primarily for the use of clothing) in one year, according to a study done by Cornell University in 2017. But where do these go? According to the EPA, in 2015, 16.1 million tons of textile produced went to landfills. Only 15.3 percent of textiles that same year were recycled when in reality, 95 percent were recyclable. To make this a little more substantial, people consume 400 percent more clothing than they did two decades ago. Fast fashion causes about 20 percent of water waste and emits 10 percent of the nation’s greenhouse gases, according to the United Nations’ International Panel on Climate Change. It takes a whopping 650 gallons of water to produce one T-shirt – just one, according to the Water Footprint Calculator. (Imagine how many T-shirts are produced solely for events at Kinkaid.) Annually, about 85 percent of textiles in the U.S. are sent to landfills, but most people aren’t just chucking their jeans into the garbage at the end of the day. The majority of this waste comes from clothing scraps tossed by producers or stores dumping clothes that don’t sell. On a more microscopic level, the majority of clothes are made out of polyester, which contain microfibers. When washed, these gradually wear off, eventually making their way back into the ocean and bioaccumulating in small ocean organisms, such as plankton.

Even if clothes are made from a seemingly natural, harmless source, such as cotton, more than 90 percent of cotton is genetically modified now, responsible for 18 percent of the world’s pesticide use and 25 percent of the world’s insecticide use, according to The True Cost. Although these may seem like irrelevant or far-reaching problems, they have many direct effects direct on animals, humans, and our environment.

FUTURE ALTERNATIVES Forty-nine percent of people who took a survey in the U.K. said they believed their clothing was too dirty or too “unfashionable” to resell. Although quality is a viable concern for an option like consignment, 30 percent of recycled clothing that can’t be sold second hand can actually be turned into industry clothes and 20 percent can be refashioned into new items, according to Bay State Textiles, a textile donation and education program based out of Massachusetts. Reproduced clothing, or “upcycling,” is a rapidly growing movement. Tasha Lewis, assistant professor in the department of fiber science and apparel design at Cornell University said in the podcast “What Makes

Mass production of low-quality clothing and textiles, otherwise known as “fast fashion,” has created a manufacturing and buying epidemic that has infected most of the world.

Us Human?” that upcycling “[offers] incentives for consumers to return used clothing in exchange for credit towards a new purchase.” This encourages a “circular economy” in which new clothing is amounting to substantially less water waste and dye-bath pollution. Upcycling also acts as a platform for creative designers. HUMAN COSTS The exponential increase in mass-production of low-quality goods has also led to an increase of cheap-labor and sweatshops. It’s quite easy for fast-fashion companies, such as Zara, Forever 21 and TJ Maxx, to avoid liabilities when underpaying workers. A standard tank top at Forever 21 would take approximately 51 cents to produce along with $3 for the fabric itself, according to The Los Angeles

Times. Shipping and packaging, however, may cost much more than sewing, which is what the seamstresses are actually being paid for. Minimum wage in California, where Forever 21 is based, is $10.50, however many seamstresses who work for the company in Los Angeles are paid almost half that amount, as discovered in an investigation in 2016. Also during this time, the U.S. Department of Labor encountered labor violations in 85 percent of the company’s factories. So that trendy striped shirt purchased at Forever 21 may actually cost more to produce than what people paid. However, because many fast-fashion stores underpay their workers, they get away with such eye-catching low prices. PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACTS Beyond environmental effects, fast fashion also often acts as a superficial key to self-fulfillment and human connection. “With all kinds of things, overall social expectations change depending on what’s available,” Dr. Lomax-Bream said. “When it’s really hard to clean your house because it's 1664 and your floor is made of dirt, you have a different standard of cleanliness.” As these standards go up, so do the majority of people’s inklings to address them. “The economy helps mold our wants in addition to meeting them,” said Dr. Ed Harris, a teacher of economics, government and politics at Kinkaid. “It’s a combination of buyers and sellers coming together and deciding what is going to be the next big thing.” “There’s actually data to suggest that with all the machine advance that happened with machinery and inventions in the 50s, time didn’t actually go down on domestic work – it increased, because as those capacities improved, people [expected] more and more,” Dr. Lomax-Bream said. “In our culture, we have certain values about doing things quickly,” she said. Rather than taking the time to sit down and mend their socks, people can quickly go to the store and buy a new pair. Particularly with services such as Amazon Prime, it’s easier now than ever to purchase clothes with just the click of a button. And there’s almost a self-medicating side to it as well. “The more we are overwhelmed by the amount of information we are exposed to every day and the more we know [that is] going on in the world but we can’t do anything about,” said Dr. Lomax-Bream, “it starts to feel as though buying another thing is something you can control or manage.” According to a study on compulsive buying disorder by World Psychiatry, nearly 5.8 percent of people will experience some type of compulsive buying habits that is detrimental to their financial state. Having the “right clothes” is often a way to demonstrate means or send of an immediate signal that people are someone another person should want to connect with. “By the time you're in high school, you’ve figured out that you don’t have a whole lot of time to convince someone that they should get to know me,” Dr. Lomax-Bream said. “So it’s a shortcut, superficial, kind of misleading cue. Just because I bought the right shirt doesn’t mean you have anything in common with me. It doesn’t actually bring anything to our relationship.”

April 5, 2019 | The Kinkaid Falcon | FEATURES 12

Untold story of Field Day reveals new insight BY SLOAN COLT AND VEDUL PALAVAJJHALA In the ﬁrst week of April, Kinkaid is divided into two notorious factions: Purple and Gold. The competing sides are a part of Field Day, one of the most anticipated times of the school year since 1911. “My favorite part is the entire day. I like the people,” Ayush Krishnamoorti (11) said. Field Day has changed a lot over the years. According to Kinkaid’s earliest newspaper, the “Kinkaid Almanac,” archery, stunts, clog dancing, and girls baseball were a few of the events that took place on Field Day. Although students are not shooting bows and arrows on Segal Field today, Field Day is still a fun and

Students and teachers participating in Field Day activities in the early 1930’s. This image was taken at the old Richmond campus. Photo courtesy of Kinkaid Archive

engaging event for all. The competition and carnival that students have come to know and love is only possible thanks to a conglomerate of staff and parents who work meticulously to make sure the day is enjoyable for everyone. Mrs. Kristen Weber, the lead parent organizer for Field Day, explained that the Field Day

chairmen will “work with the over 100 booth chairmen in addition to facilities, development, and athletics departments...It’s a tremendous team effort.” The team works out the details, from choosing carnival booths to designing the T-shirts. Mrs. Weber mentioned new carnival booths this year. Turkey Legs and Monkey Mania were

Students of all ages enjoy the popular Cake Walk booth during the carnival. Photo by Connor Blake

just two of the new additions. Mrs. Weber emphasized the tough decisions about which booths stay and which go: “We get feedback from volunteers and work with vendors to see what’s new in their world, too.” As Field Day became just around the corner, parents came together to decorate booths with creative designs and organizesupplies for each of them. In addition to parent volunteers organizing Field Day, the staff also assisted in planning and setting up the events. Mr. Enrique Ambrosio, facilities manager and Core Values Ambassador award winner, highlighted how hardworking the staff is. He helped work with the carnival staff - 25 men and women - to ﬁnish the initial setup on the eve of Field Day so

parents could ﬁnalize booths. “It takes a village to get everything together,” Mr. Ambrosio said, adding that Field Day is important for the Kinkaid community to “come and have a great time and spend time with their families, to know each other, and have a great lunch and dinner.” This year’s Field Day winner was Purple. Students participated in their grade’s event, ﬁghting tooth and nail to take the win for their team. After the friendly competitions were over, the long-awaited carnival began. Students wore wide smiles during the event because of countless volunteers and staff who planned and set it up. Congratulations to Team Purple. Team Gold, better luck next year!

April 5, 2019 | The Kinkaid Falcon | FEATURES 13

Underground voices uplifted in ‘Pigeon’ newspaper BY MYA FRANKLIN

newspaper, The Falcon. Emboldened by the revolutionary fervor of the ’60s, underground papers appealed to younger generations who had a brazen rejection of cultural norms. The underground covered subjects such as the anti-Vietnam War movement, sexual liberation and rock music. “Underground newspapers mobilized and politicized young people, and without the presence

“The dissenting ‘opion’ must be heard.” The word opinion was misspelled before its missing letters were scribbled in sideways in a handwritten quotation that was attributed to “J.B. Moss.” J. Barry Moss joined the Kinkaid faculty in 1960 and taught English and the history of philosophy and religion. It is unclear, though, whether the same Moss was the per‘We will not mention any son quoted by The Pigeon, an under- names but at an assembly ground newspaper recently, the students were at Kinkaid that ﬂourished during not spellbound on the end the 1960s, a period of social revolution of their seats.’ - Pigeon writer and upheaval, the controversial Nixon administration, of technology, were the primaand a sizable swell of anti-war ry means of communication,” sentiments among youth. said John McMillian, author Pervasive counterculture encompasses the essence of The of “Smoking Typewriters: The Pigeon, which was a typewritten Sixties Underground Press and the Rise of Alternative Media in newspaper with crude drawings America.” and “Voice of the People” as its According to a statement tagline. The Pigeon was a “complete- written by its newspaper staff, the purpose of The Pigeon was ly student-driven” protest paper three-fold: offer biased opinions where anyone could say whaton school issues, cover sports ever they wanted, said Mr. John other than football, and provide Rovell, archivist and librarian. a forum for students to express Although The Pigeon was their opinions. The Pigeon staff not essentially an underground was intent on galvanizing the paper because the names of its student body to create a stir. authors and staff were pubAnd, Twwwhe Pigeon was inlished, it was coined “underdeed bold. With its indispensable ground” because of its opposition to Kinkaid’s leading student snark and wit, the paper mocked

assemblies for their “mediocre presentations.” “We will not mention any names but at an assembly recently, the students were not spellbound on the end of their seats,” one writer stated. It also lambasted the effects hallucinogens had on “pseudo-intellectuals” and “radicals” and it attacked its favorite target: The Falcon. The “lousy” Falcon was mentioned in one article in The Pigeon. The school’s ofﬁcial student newspaper was seldom read because its writers were hindered by their lackluster “imaginations” and “their own failure to produce a satisfactory paper,” opined an anonymous Pigeon staff writer. The Pigeon viewed The Falcon “as a mouthpiece for the administration,” Mr. Rovell said. A self-proclaimed advocate for all sports and clubs, The Pigeon was indignant about the school’s afﬁnity for the football team and seeming dismissal of other sports. The “1966 Kinkaid School football highlights” were trite and monotonous, and “the chief complaint among the students [had] been that we’ve seen it before,” said an unknown staff writer. “The football team was having a lot of success, and there was perceived arrogance related to that, as if they were superior to the other students,” said Mr. Rodney Briscoe,

Kinkaid graduate of the class of 1976. Mr. Briscoe, who was not a member of The Pigeon staff, referred questions about the publication to one of its former contributors, Mr. Karl Gustafson, a 1976 graduate. Mr. Gustafson was unable to be

reached by phone. Mr. Garth Whittington, a 1969 graduate, was reached by phone, but he was unable to recollect a story about narcotics with his byline in The Pigeon. Copies of The Pigeon are available to read in Upper School library archives.

14 The Kinkaid Falcon | April 5, 2019

Whatastaff: One worker outshines the rest BY CHARLES GARRISON & WILSON KELSEY

The buzzer sounds in Melcher Gym and the electric student section heads to the door after another Falcon victory. The destination of these jubilant students is almost certain as they exit the parking garage with a common idea in mind. They are drawn back to sizzling fries, mouth-watering burgers, exquisite service and, ultimately, an unmatched atmosphere at Whataburger. The Whataburger on San Felipe has become a weekend gathering place for Kinkaid high schoolers. Open 24 hours, Whataburger serves as a home base, no matter the time. Whether it’s an 11 p.m. honey butter chicken biscuit or a milkshake after school, there is something that will fulﬁll every craving. However, one of the most signiﬁcant assets of the restaurant on San Felipe is the kindness and hospitality of its staff, many of whom have befriended Kinkaid students. The most notable of the staffers is Rosie Henderson, a high school student who works on the weekends. Her

weekends are ﬁlled with building friendships with frequent Whataburger clients. Decoriana “Rosie” Henderson, a junior at Houston Can Academy, has been working the weekends at the San Felipe Whataburger

“My night is not complete without a visit to Whataburger and Rosie just lights up my spirit..” -Trip Horlock (12)

for just over a year. This has been more than just a job and way for her to earn extra money, as every night at Whataburger offers new and exciting experiences. “Y’all always make me laugh,” she said. Rosie’s smile and positive vibe has made her many friends from Kinkaid. When asked about some of her

favorite Kinkaid students, she mentioned Stephen Schnitzer (12), Trip Horlock (12) and Keller Horlock (10). Another activity that brings customers back to Whataburger is collecting the order numbers. In nearly any loyal Whataburger fan’s house, people will find an impressive stack of numbers. Henderson commented that she loses more than 10 numbers per weekend to customers trying to increase the size of their Whataburger number stockpile. Her favorite time to workis at night on the weekends. Kinkaid students and Rosie have a mutually beneficial relationship – students help her enjoy her job and Rosie’s kind spirit brings students back every weekend. “I love her because she keeps me in line,” Trip Horlock (12) said. “My night is not complete without a visit to Whataburger and Rosie just lights up my spirit.” This Whataburger location is amplified by the hospitality of its employees. Friday and Saturday nights there are filled with memorable moments and stories that give it a near party feel for students who enjoy late-night snacks.

Catherine Scott (11) takes a selfie with Decoriana “Rosie” Henderson at the drive-thru window where Rosie works sometimes during her shift. Many Kinkaid students enjoy Rosie’s service and her friendly smile.

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ENTERTAINMENT

April 5, 2019 | The Kinkaid Falcon 15

Staff music picks BY EMMA GILLIAM & JORDAN JAFARNIA

Songs that you can listen to when you’re feeling a little emo #emotional Emma: “Self Control” by Frank Ocean Jordan: “Skyscraper” by Demi Lovato Sterling: “I Miss You” by Blink 182 Sarah Kate: “Runaway” by Kanye West

Songs that your parents probably like

Songs that you can bust down to in the moshpit Emma: “Back in Time” by Pitbull Jordan: “Hotel Room Service” by Pitbull Sterling: “Dark Knight Dummo” by Trippie Redd (Feat. Travis Scott) Sarah Kate: “Thotiana” by Blueface

Emma: “Come on Eileen” by Dexys Midnight Runners Jordan: “Piano Concerto No. 5” by Beethoven Sterling: “Over the Hills and Far Away” by Led Zeppelin Sarah Kate: “Hotel California” by The Eagles

Songs that you can’t stop playing

Emma: “Frontin’ (Feat. Jay Z) - Club Mix” by Pharrell Williams Jordan: “Watcha’ Say” by Jason Derulo Sterling: “Beautiful Girls” by Sean Kingston Sarah Kate: “When We Were Young” by Lost Kings

Battle for the Iron Throne: Game of Thrones to return BY NICOLE FERNANDEZ

WARNING: SPOILER ALERT

The wait for season eight of Game of Thrones is almost over. Soon, Drogon and Rhaegal will be flying across the screen, major characters will finally meet and blood will be shed. On April 14, the climactic, final season of Game of Thrones will premiere and will sadly end on May 19. The end of season seven was action packed and left fans desperate for more. Viewers saw the brutal burning of the wall by the Night King and the undead dragon, Viserion; Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish executed by Sansa and Arya; and it is revealed that Jon Snow is actually Aegon Targaryen, son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark. Jon and Daenerys are on their way to Winterfell to meet Sansa, Arya and Bran to help prepare to receive the army of the undead. Tensions are running high between Cersei and Jamie as he finally realizes her plan to advance her own position and betray all of their allies. Every character is on edge knowing they will soon have to fight for their lives and the fate of Westeros. In order to get the world excited for this season, Game of Thrones released two teasers,

two minutes and three seconds of exclusive season eight footage, and 20 posters. The trailer begins with Arya, who is supposed to be fearless, running underneath Winterfell terrified. From there, the intensity and suspense keep viewers on the edge of their seat as Sansa and Daenerys meet; the Golden Horde arrives at King’s Landing; and a White Walker horse approaches Winterfell as Jorah Mormont and Brienne of Tarth prepare to fight for their lives. Jon Snow’s voice booms over the video, “They’re coming. Our enemy doesn’t tire, doesn’t stop, doesn’t feel.” Jaime Lannister cuts in proclaiming, “I promise to fight for the living. I intend to keep that promise.” Much is left up to the viewer’s imagination and leaves many unanswered questions. Along with the thrilling trailers, Game of Thrones is also hosting a campaign to involve the fans through initiatives called Quest, Bleed, and Create. The Quest portion recruits fans to hunt down one of the six Iron Throne replicas hidden in discrete locations around the world. Videos have been posted in order to give a small hint about where they might be; they have been shown in the forest, arctic, desert, and more. The Bleed campaign encourages the viewers to “show your dedication and valor and give your blood.”

The franchise is promoting that viewers’ favorite characters have all “bled for the throne” so now it is their turn to save lives by donating to the American Red Cross Foundation. Finale, the Create section has recruited 18 artists to reimagine old props and they now want the fans to create Game of Thrones inspired pieces. This campaign sparks interest and involvement with all fans no matter their interests. To ﬁnd out more, visit: www. forthethrone.com. Game of Thrones Reddit boards are full of predictions, watch parties are planned and over 16 million viewers around the world are anxiously waiting for the season premiere. Nine days remain until viewers are transported back to Westeros and the characters they have grown to love, as well as those they despise. Nine more days until the beginning of the end. Nine more days left in the ﬁnal countdown.

16 ENTERTAINMENT | The Kinkaid Falcon | April 5, 2019

HOT OR NOT

Dion Kuba OJ with pulp That dodgeball scene in Chicken Little Fedoras Parent dinners

Gradients OJ Giannuli Puxatony Phil lying to us about Spring Hanging up your chaps for the year #goodbyerodeoSZN Not going to advisory at all second semester

BY EMMA GILLIAM & OLIVIA MARRUS

Seeing your advisory at fire drills

Pick your Publications Prom Prince BY EMMA GILLIAM & JORDAN JAFARNIA

START y em t m i t e Face rst to g ﬁ g dad blessin s hi

fo r y’s ee l

Th ia

er et sz

t Ka

The Deans

FRANKIE

It’s 10 p.m. and you‘re in the moshpit, what song is playing?

Sunday morning lift

BRADY

Prom-themed hopscotch leading to school

What is your go to dance move?

an a

It’s the Sunday after prom. what is your date doing?

Th oti

Who would you rather break it down with?

The Teachers

in Cry

Anything smooth jazz

AYUSH

Th e Th Hoe row do do wn wn

Luby’s

How do you want to ride in style to the dance?

tw o

What is your dream pre-prom dinner?

What is the best way to get asked to prom?

Jump out of the closet after I get out of the shower

Reverse Double Nae Nae

STERLING

POP CULTURE CHART

April 5, 2019 | The Kinkaid Falcon | ENTERTAINMENT 17

Where we get to know the Kinkaidian tastes and the talk around campus. BY MEGAN RILEY

What is youris g What your go-to Whataburger order? “Spicy Ketchup” -Nick Hudson (9)

“Honey Barbecue Chicken Strip Sandwich; it’s a classic” -Kyle Smith (10)

“Water” -Molly Ribbeck

“A Hub Chub, it’s a good late-night snack” -Caroline Dewalch

WhatWhat is your g

is your favorite thing to do in spring? “Countdown the days until Christmas (264 days!)” -Tristan Riley (9)

What is the What is your g best AprilFools-Day prank you’ve done?

“Plastic wrap over the toilet bowl” -Kayla Davidson (9)

“Snorting pollen” -Hudson Davis (10)

“I haven’t done one, but Mrs. Wainright pranked us by saying we had a test” -Maribelle Gordan (10)

“Going to SoulCycle and getting acai bowls” -Payton Herleth (11)

“Rolling in the bluebonnets” -Mason Freeman (12)

“Pranked my teachers by failing all my tests” -Nick Dillion (11)

“I told my Mom I was pregnant” -Spencer Hickman (12)

What is your g What is your favorite thing about Field Day? “Winning a pet goldfish” -Bryan Akin (9)

“The thrill of competition” -Lindi Ruthivin (10)

“The films, cause I made them” -Haley Hester (11)

“Khaki shorts” -Kendall Kalmans (12)

18 The Kinkaid Falcon | April 5, 2019

Freshman athletes take on the competition BY AYUSH KRISHNAMOORTI & FRANKIE WIMBISH

Patricia Lynn

Hallie Jeﬀers

I have known sever“While al of my teammates, it has

been interesting playing against much older players who are just as skilled. - Patricia Lynn (9)

Kevriana Scott an amazing athe“ She’s lete and an even better person. ”

more responsibility “ The on the team with the higher level of competition makes matches fun.

”

- Hallie Jeffers (9)

- Coach Ken Conner

1st at the

Kinkaid Falcon Relays

4-1

hat tricks this season

7Wins this season

record at kinkaid

11:47 for her

3200m run, 3rd fastest in SPC

67% of games won

Staff predictions of March Madness BY BRADY BRAZDA & WILLIAM SCOTT

This year’s March Madness tournament featured plenty of great story lines. From Zion Williams looking like a man playing against boys or the feel-good story of St. Murray’s Ja Morant who made a name for himself through the tournament, the teams all had one agenda on their lists: winning the final game in Minneapolis. The hot topic of the Elite Eight was the falling of juggernaut team Duke. Losing by only a basket, Duke fell to the second-seed Michigan State after a few failed free throw attempts. The final bucket scored by Michigan was a story in itself. Kenny Goins, a former walk-on, sank a three over who is likely to be the first pick in the NBA draft, Zion Williamson. The Spartans made their Final Four debut since the 2015 season in an emotional win over Duke. Another one of the stories from March Madness has been about the dark horse, the Auburn Tigers. No one knew just how good this Auburn team could be in this year’s bracket. Since Auburn is a part of the SEC, the team was easy to overlook, as SEC schools are primarily football powerhouses. However, Auburn clawed its way through the tournament, beating out schools that are known for basketball UNC, Kansas and Kentucky.

Predictions

Auburn and Virginia will face off in the Final Four. With Virginia’s talent back court, the Tigers will fall only by a bucket or two. It should be an interesting game to watch with constant lead changes until the final few seconds. Auburn should test Virginia greatly, but Virginia ultimately punches its ticket to the final game with a score of 75-69. Texas Tech will have its hands full with Michigan state in its Final Four matchup, after coming off a huge win over Duke. Michigan State will have a lot of momentum going into this game, but the Red Raiders defense has already been proven to slow teams down in this tournament. Tech should beat Michigan State in a relatively lowscoring, defensive battle. Michigan State’s offense is talented and can score but it lacks a good defense. The final score: 67-62 Texas Tech. Virginia will beat Auburn in the final game 72-65.

1st at

Eagle Relays

April 5, 2019 | The Kinkaid Falcon | SPORTS 19

Swinging for the fences

Fast Facts

Baseball team hopes to clench SPC victory BY STERLING ELIAS The Kinkaid baseball program has performed at an elite level since Coach Maas’s hiring. The team has appeared in numerous SPC championships during his tenure and last earned a victory in 2016. Last year, he put another powerhouse team on the ﬁeld led by seniors Jonathan Thomas and Wesley House who both now play at the collegiate level. But their championship effort was cut short by a heartbreaking defeat to crosstown rivals Episcopal High School in the SPC championship at the University of Houston baseball stadium. This year, the team emerged hot out of the gate, winning 14 straight games to kick off the season, including a crucial win over the highly ranked Lutheran South. The team then encountered what would seemingly be considered a “skit” by their standards, although they only lost two games in a row. These losses came from the cross-town St. Thomas who Kinkaid beat 9-4 the night before St. Thomas shut out Kinkaid 5-0. The Falcons suffered their second loss in a 1-5 defeat against Sweeny High School, who last year appeared in the 4A Texas state championship. Since the loss to Sweeny,

the Falcons have bounced back in elite fashion, winning five straight including a 9-1 blowout at home against none other than last year’s SPC champion and Kinkaid’s bitter rival, Episcopal High School. This game featured a lights-out pitching performance from Cade Moulton as well as a breakout showing from outfielder James House who reached base a number of times and launched a two-run home run to the right field scoreboard during his second plate appearance. One significant factor in the Falcons’ story this year is the sheer number of recruits that line the star-studded roster, including Air Force, Princeton, Dartmouth, Furman and last year’s College World Series Champion Oregon State in Cade Moulton, Carlos Abello, James House, Stone Simmons, and Wyatt Young (12) respectively. “We have really high hopes for the season, and following such a hot start, I am sure that we can continuing at a similar level and pace for the rest of the season,” House confidently stated of the team’s season expectations in light of their recent success. Taking the Falcon’s superior play thus far in the season, it only make sense that they have SPC championship level aspirations.

Games won

148 Runs scored

Ryan Erikson (11) gets ready to take a swing. Photo courtesy of David Shutts

BIGGEST WIN vs. St. Stephens

A look inside the Falcon’s badminton program BY CHRIS STALLINGS Many people believe the demanding aspects of sports and extracurricular activities, such as football or ﬁeld hockey, take a commitment of devotion from student-athletes that is unmatched. However, according to Kinkaid badminton competitors juniors Charlie Reckling and Adelaide Randall, this could not be more false. Kinkaid’s badminton organization is a top-notch program that offers many opportunities to new and experienced players throughout the Upper School. Its rigorous practice structure, along with the degree of team competition, is what makes Kinkaid badminton student-athletes perform at a level unmatched by other programs in the greater Houston area. Reckling and Randall, leaders of the badminton team, uphold the standard on a daily basis. Although it’s Reckling’s ﬁrst year on the team, he has high expectations concerning the success of the program. “Badminton is a lifestyle, and that lifestyle is seen through all my teammates,” he said. When asked what made Kinkaid badminton unique, Reckling responded that the sheer competitiveness and talent throughout the program makes it special. “Adelaide Randall’s badminton spike is unbearable and next-level quality,” he said. Although many participants of the badminton team are hanging up the racket and shuttlecock following high school, Reckling hopes to be

recruited and recognized by the top badminton program at Bryn Athyn College of the New Church. Randall, in her second year of being a member of the badminton team, recollected the positive influence badminton has had on her and her teammates. She described her experience with the practice schedule as one of intense activity. “I find myself needing a lot more water breaks than I did in field hockey,” she said, adding that she also enjoys the ability to practice in the gym, which allows for a cool environment and prevents her and her teammates from perspiring as much. Randall touched on the strong connections and the inspirational affect her teammates have had on her. “Watching Charlie Reckling is inspiring and I think all students should come watch Charlie and I play together,” Randall said. When asked if there were any unique experiences on the crisp playing court, she described a time when two baseball players challenged her and Charlie and the outcome was, in her words, “a pummeling, to say the least.” The Kinkaid badminton program would not be able to succeed without the advising of Coach Brooks and other connoisseurs of the sport. However, the foundations of this band of disciplined athletes began with Falcons before them. The legacy of the Kinkaid badminton club is one that will continue to grow and prosper, while opening new doors.

20 SPORTS | The Kinkaid Falcon | April 5, 2019

Lacrosse by the numbers MAGGLESON YOUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;RE HOT

This season, 31 team members came together through injuries, rain and losses to earn success.

16 Biggest Win: Kinkaid vs. Episcopal

Most goals in class: Jacob Magleston

6 4

5 wins with an average goal differential of 8

Everett Easerby leading with 13 turnovers

2 7

Alex Garcia leads with 48 groundballs

Infographic by Emma Stout

Jacob Magelssen (12) Photo courtesy of David Shutts