Whittier May 2023

Whittier Miscellany The

May 2023 • Wilmington Friends School’s Community Newspaper • Wilmington, DE

Listen Up Underclassmen: Advice From Seniors

Katie Bryan ‘24 Staff Writer

As the class of 2023 moves on to the next stage of their lives, they have a lot of wisdom to share about how to get through high school and how to view the world around them. Consisting of 60 kids, the class of 2023 has made it through COVID interrupting their freshman year, the struggles of making friends, and understanding their place in the world. Standing at the top of the hill they have a perspective on their high school years and they have some advice to share with those younger than them who are struggling with the same things that they did: being a teenager, learning how to study, balancing academics, and learning that the most important thing is to be kind to the people around you.

An anonymous senior has learned a lot from their teachers and the importance of a good study mindset. Their advice is to “Develop a daily routine and focus on one thing at a time and don’t scroll through social media while doing homework.”

Jake Bryson found the indispensable value of friendship to be his favorite thing about his experience, and the amazing sports teams he was a part of throughout high school. His advice is, “RELAX. Life works itself out perfectly.”

Greer Marvel and Izzy Miller agree that worrying and obsessing about the future never results in anything good. Miller advises, “Don’t be scared for next year. By the time you finish this grade, you’ll be prepared for the year to come.” Living in the moment is a common theme throughout the advice from the seniors, another piece of wisdom from a member of the class of 2023 is simple yet powerful, “Don’t forget to be a teenager!”

When asked to reflect on the experience of getting a Quaker Education and Wilmington Friends School, almost every senior who was interviewed responded with some version of their gratitude towards their teachers’ dedication. Jace Boland, class of 2023, remarked that his favorite thing about friends was “How devoted the faculty is to the students. They’re all highly overqualified but they choose to spend their time sharing their knowledge with the next generation because they love it. Even the teachers of my least favorite subjects made such an impact on me.”

Kandid Thoughts With Kampert

Temilola Lufadeju ‘25 Staff Writer

In honor of Sue Kampert leaving Wilmington Friends School and heading into her retirement, this article was in remembrance of the dear friend, advisor, and teacher “we all know”. Inspired by the 73 Questions with Vogue, Sue Kampert was asked 15 questions throughout the day and some of the responses were quite interesting.

Starting off easy, Kampert was asked how long she had been working at WFS. Kampert responded, “5 years”. For five years, Kampert dedicated her time in educating her students on the importance of their health and physical movement. Five years is a short amount of time, which Sue Kampert has made a tremendous impact on Wilmington Friends School. Sue still plans to be highly involved in the future with WFS.

Without the 8 am start of the day and no full time job, Kampert said “I think my interest lies in definitely getting involved in Special Olympics, which I already am involved with. I also would like to work part time in the golfing industry”.

The most asked question for Kampert is what sparked the interest in leaving so late in the school year? Kamperts response was quite emotional, “I think 35 years is a really long time to be doing one job which I always wanted to do really well, and give it all of my energy. Now that I am getting older, I feel like I want to do some things for myself and I also want to help my mom out more since she’s aging”.

Throughout Kamperts time at Wilmington Friends School, she has made friendships that she will always cherish. Kampert was asked who are the teachers who you could grab a cup of coffee with and not feel weird about it? Ryan Wood, US history

When asked what the hardest year of high school was there was more variety than one might expect. 11th grade won for the hardest year. Greer Marvel ‘23 summed it up well by saying, “Shift in workload, new expectations, beginning the college process is what made junior year the worst.” Another popular answer was that freshman year was difficult, Jocelyn Nathan commented on the difficulty of finding your place in a new high school setting, “Everyone is searching for the place where they fit in during Freshman year and, that process can be very difficult and very disappointing sometimes. It’s hard when you just don’t fit in with a group or a class.”

Jocelyn Nathan’s main message and biggest piece of wisdom to the school is to be kind to people regardless of their social status or any other difference. She shared a story about doing small kind things for people who may not expect to receive such kindness because it could make someone’s day or even week. She said, “You truly have no idea what people are going through in the halls of these schools. A little bit of kindness, a $2 carnation with a little note, or even just a ‘hi, how are you?’ in the halls goes a lot further than you think it will.”

teacher, is also leaving the WFS community. Kampert said “I feel like he and I immediately bonded. Obviously there is a big age difference between us but we think alike, we like a lot of the same things, and it was just really easy for me to talk to him”. Kampert also men-

In short, the seniors say: relax, study hard, enjoy your teenage years, try your hardest to make friends, be thankful for your teachers, and BE KIND!

tioned Jeff Ransom, “Jeff Ransom and I have always been really close. We also share a lot of the same values, and we both like to play golf. We feel really comfortable around each other”.

Throughout the interview, Kampert mentioned her love for golf. She picked up golf late and since then has loved it. Kampert has been golfing for 29 years. Surprisingly, Kampert met her husband at the golf course at Dupont Country Club. “He was the one who

introduced me to the game”. Kampert went on to add, “I was working and he was playing and he asked me on a date, he bought me my first set of golf clubs”.

Without Kampert teaching the course of Human Dynamics, there will need to be a new teacher filling in that role. Does Kampert have any opposition or concerns on who will be filling in the role? Kampert said with a grin “I don’t have any concerns because I think the school does a great job on hiring really qualified teachers. I think the person really has to be in a position to connect with young people at where they are developed mentally for this job”.

Lastly, with warm wishes from the Sue Kampert to her coworkers, “I would like to say how much I respect each and every one of them for the job they do each day and how much I have appreciated all the support that I have received for the five years here”.

We will all miss Sue very mush as she embarks on her next chapter. Everyone in this community wishes you the best of luck!

“Don’tforgettobea teenager!”

“I have appreciated all the support that I have received for the five years here”

Looking back on the First School Year: A Faculty Perspective

Abigail Thurlow ‘26 Staff Writer

The year is wrapping up! Finals are starting to be brought up in classes, summer plans are being made, and new faculty and students are beginning to be familiar faces around the halls.

At the beginning of the year, three faculty members talked about the beginning of their school year and any expectations they had; now two of those faculty members have decided to reflect back on their first year at Wilmington Friends School and speak about how it went!

The school year always has its ups and downs. For this year, Nick Childers and Candice Clumer-Smith said their first year was great, or, in Mr. Childers’ words, “awesome!” They both commented on how their year did come with some challenges, but they felt supported by their coworkers who were happy to provide some guidance. Mr. Childers suggests that “All changes in life come with challenges and while there were some, the support of the staff here at Friends has been exceptional.” Ms. Candice said that for her, the school year “flew by” and she was kept occupied the whole time. “As always, the unexpected can happen – which it did – so I was kept pretty busy for most of the year,” she added.

A new school always comes with differences and adjustments. For Mr. Childers, moving back to the area for him was a positive difference. “I haven’t lived in the DE/PA area since I was 18, so it’s been nice to come home and get reacquainted with the area.” Another significant change for him was teaching in a private school for the first time. He soon realized that this also was a positive difference because he emphasized, “it was immediately clear how special the community at Friends is.” For Ms. Candice on the other hand, this year was pretty similar to her past job, but there are always adjustments to be made. For example, she said, “my day [starts] much earlier to fit in everything I [need to do] before school... waking up

while it [is] still dark outside is not my favorite thing to do!”

Another thing that comes from a new school is self change! This can be a hard but important development to make when coming into a new space. Some changes that Mr. Childers and Ms. Candice have seen in themselves are flexibility and confidence. “I think I’ve learned to be more flexible and work with the rotating class schedule,” explains Mr. Childers. “[Learning] the ‘lay of the land’... [starts] to build more confidence,” states Ms. Candice.

When first interviewed, the faculty members set certain intentions they wished to achieve during the year. Now as the year is ending and they are checking back in, they are seeing if they have met their intentions. For Ms. Candice, she does think she accomplished what she set for herself originally and had fun doing it! “I do believe I have achieved these goals. I had a ton of fun bringing in new ideas and adding my “flavor” to things.” For Mr. Childers, he decided to do things a little differently, “At the beginning of the year I try to set intentions instead of goals and work hard to make sure that those intentions are aligned with my core values. For me, everything I do is about the process.” For him now, he is continuing to meet his intentions by, “continuing to work on that process each day to be a better teacher, colleague, friend, father, and husband,” he clarified.

Thinking back on their first year, they were asked to choose, even though there are so many, a highlight from the year. Ms. Candice said, “building relationships with my peers. We worked hard but laughed a lot! It makes the days go by fast and [is] something to look forward to.” Another thing she also enjoyed was being closer to her son who is attending PreK at Friends this year. “The occasional run-ins with him [are] always a treat!” Mr. Childers’ highlights were the small trips. Specifically the tenth grade field trip to the National Museum of African

How to Make Summer Not a Bummer

Avalise Miller ‘26 Staff Writer

School is almost out which means that summer is right around the corner! What do you have planned for summer? Don’t know yet? Here are some ideas:

The first place that would come to a person’s mind when they think of summer is the beach. There are plenty of amazing beaches in Delaware. For example, Rehoboth Beach, fronting the coast, has the infamous boardwalk. The boardwalk is lined with restaurants, shops, hotels, and amusement parks. There is a Rehoboth Beach Museum that lets you explore the town’s history and vintage items. Another great beach is Bethany beach. This small coastal town has much to offer. There is also a Delaware Seashore State Park, which is a barrier island with miles of beaches in between Reboboth, Indian River bays, and the Atlantic Ocean. There are also surfing areas, fields, and forests

where people can explore the birdlife. Bethany Beach is most known for its calm waters, friendly faces, and the relaxing atmo sphere.

Another great idea would be getting a job. Summer jobs give teens

American History and Culture, located in Washington, DC, his retreat with other teachers at Pendle Hill, and dinners with faculty he attended throughout the year. This year was a big year for new beginnings. Students moving up from middle school, seniors graduating, teachers welcoming new faculty in, teachers retiring, everyone adjusting to new environments. To try to wrap a jam-packed year in a couple of words, the interviewed faculty described their first year as, “Entertaining, Encouraging, and a Whirlwind!” and “silence, growth, community”.

NFL Draft Hot Takes

Mitchell Brenner Staff Writer ‘24

the opportunity to explore and establish their work ethic, motivation, and determination. It helps teens become more financially independent. Having a job also gives you a sense of

responsibility. Another idea that takes responsibility is volunteering; there is plenty of time to volunteer over the summer. One of our WFS students has decided to volunteer and here’s their take on it, “I am not going to get a job, but I am very excited about this because it will be a great experience for me!”, Piper Roskovensky ‘26. There are plenty of volunteering opportunities around Delaware, maybe you should put volunteering into your summer schedule! In conclusion, there are many amazing things to do over the summer. You could go to the beach with your friends and family, get a job to earn some pocket money, or get started on your volunteering hours. Summer is a time for you to explore and try new things that you would never think of trying before. Start your summer bucket list today!

“Will Levis should have gone undrafted” - Sugasheed ‘24

“Anthony Richardson will be a bust only because he is on the Colts.” - Rasheed Bashir ‘24

“Jalen Carter’s off-field issues will not allow him to play a single snap in the NFL” - Drew Huneycutt ‘24

“Desjuan Johnson, the 2023 ‘Mr. Irrelevant’, will be a crucial player for the Rams” - Daniel Selekman ‘24

“Kelee Ringo should’ve been picked much earlier than the 4th round” - Theo Lawrence ‘26

“The Georgia players drafted by the Eagles won’t work well together” - Simran Dattani ‘24

“Will Levis is going to be a top five player in the draft class” - Logan Ranji ‘24

“The Texans will ruin CJ Stroud’s career.” Eli Rahaim ‘24

“eagles should automatticall draft every player oming out of gerogia ever”- Quinn Green ‘24

“Two worst teams should play each other for first pick”Andrew McKenzie ‘24

“Bijan Robinson was the only runningback worthy of the first round”- George Rossi ‘24

Wilmington Friends School Instagram of new staff.

Did Frank Ocean Pull a Kanye?

Lucy Cericola ‘25 Staff Writer

Known for his cult following, elusive persona, and genre-bending hits like “Pink + White”, “Thinkin Bout You”, and “Chanel”, Frank Ocean managed to do what many artists cannot: hold a steady and eager fanbase through a hiatus. Until…his return to the stage shook some of that steadiness.

Born Christopher Edwin Breaux, the California born songwriter grew up in New Orleans. He dropped out of high school and moved to Los Angeles in 2006 to pursue a career in music, meeting Odd Future’s Tyler the Creator and Earl Sweatshirt. Ocean’s mainstream breakthrough came in 2011 with his single “Swim Good,” preceding the critically acclaimed and Grammy award winning Channel ORANGE.

However, a Grammy award winning album did not limit Ocean from continuing to expand his sound and style. With four years in between his two projects, Frank Ocean’s visual album Endless garners the continuous love of die hard fans; but his official claim as one of the most influential artists of the 2010s resulted from the cult classic Blonde, the album named the best of the 2010s by Pitchfork. Ocean began his ongoing album hiatus after 2016’s Blonde, releasing a couple singles throughout the years. He was scheduled to perform at the 2020 Coachella lineup, which of course was rescheduled to 2023 due to the pandemic. His avoidance of the public increased during this period, heightened by the grief of the loss of his younger brother in late 2020. As Coachella weekend drew closer, already eager fans voiced their increased excitement for Ocean’s return to the stage. Many even theorized (or rather hoped) a performance so publicized would signify a permanent return and a bridge between eras for a new album. Others voiced their concern for the

building pressure that comes with carrying the title of such a reputable and distinguished artist. Others, including Frank Ocean himself. “I’m just a guy, I’m not a God,” sings Ocean on his track “Futura Free”. “I really feel like so many people are forgetting Frank Ocean is a human being and humans aren’t perfect and they also have emotions and sometimes things don’t go as planned…Leave him alone!” writes one user on Twitter.

Rest assured, expectations of this performance were set very high. “Basically he started his performance close to two hours late, from what I heard it was backstage complications. A lot of people got the misconception that he only sang two or three songs and then lip synched the rest and then left. Which was not true at all. I think he sang about ten songs…My mom and I loved his performance and thought it was worth staying for,” says Layla Baynes ‘25, who attended week one of Coachella. Several news reports contradicted each other, so the events igniting the spark of controversy over Ocean’s tardiness remain unclear. Numerous sources claimed that the late start was a result of Ocean’s own indecisiveness. “The stage production was supposed to (and did) contain an ice rink that was constructed and ready to go. Frank decided at the last minute that he no longer wanted it at all…Coachella had to deconstruct the approved stage (that had been planned and signed off on for months in advance) and melt the entire ice rink and then set it up how Frank decided today with no warning,” writes Festive Owl, a social media page dedicated to covering conversation about festivals and popular artists. As expected, many fans were angered and disappointed by the delayed start, especially considering it contributed to the abrupt ending of his performance.

“Guys, I’m being told it’s curfew so that’s the end of the show,” said Ocean as he walked off the stage after performing a cover of “At Your Best (You Are Love)” by

Aaliyah. “The only thing I understand people being upset about was the fact that it started late because it was the last day of Coachella, close to 11pm, and everyone was exhausted,” says Baynes. “But as for his brother’s passing, It’s obviously still in his mind, he’s still being affected by it. I think it kind of plays on the idea that he’s obviously still in a time of healing so he doesn’t owe anyone anything. The fact that he chose to perform at Coachella was something that the fans should be thankful for because he could have easily ended his career.”

After all, Frank Ocean did warn us. He’s just a guy, not a God.

FUN FACT: Frank Ocean wrote songs for artists such as Beyoncé, Justin Bieber, and John Legend.

Blast from the Past: Vinyls are Gas!!!!!

Anya Agarwal ‘25 Staff Writer

Vinyl records, which were thought to be a thing of the past, made a comeback in recent years. From the 1950s through the 1980s, vinyl records were the primary format for music distribution until the introduction of CDs and digital music. With the rise of MP3s and streaming services in the early 2000s, it seemed that vinyl records would become obsolete. However, since 2005, vinyl records have made a surprising resurgence and they hit their highest level in decades in 2020.

One prominent effect of a record player is the nostalgic appeal. Many people who grew up listening to vinyl records have fond memories of flipping through album covers and carefully placing the needle on the record. Vinyl records offer a tangible and tactile connection to the music that is lost with digital formats. “I do love the crackle and the sound that feels more immediate and less compressed than the files from Spotify and other digital sources,” says Jacob Rashkind (Faculty). They also have a warm and authentic sound that many people find appealing. Record players also allow for people to disconnect from the blue light of the phone, computer, etc. “I think it helps me separate myself from the digital world. Even though I can play Spotify from my speakers, I love to hear the vinyl static when playing

songs,” says Layla Baynes 25’. One of the primary distinctions between listening to a record and listening to music on Spotify is that vinyl records require you to slow down and listen rather than being too quick to find the next song to add to the queue. “When you take the time to put on a record, you listen to song after song, to gain a full picture and appreciate the music, it’s an experience I don’t think you can fully replicate listening to Spotify or I-Tunes,” says Jacob Rashkind. The recordings themselves include artwork and jacket sleeves, as well as lyrics and other ways in which the musicians present themselves.

Collecting vinyl records involves hunting for rare and hard-to-find albums, and it can be a source of pride and satisfaction for collectors. Vinyl records also offer a sense of community for enthusiasts, with record stores and vinyl clubs serving as gathering places for like-minded individuals. “When I lived in the states I would go to a few record stores semi-regularly. The people there are excited to talk to you about music and after a while they remember you and give you suggestions based on what you like or bought before. If you’re a music fiend it’s a great way to discover niche new music that you’ll never discover if you stay in your own bubble on Spotify. I’ve discovered a lot of great new music through talking to people at Japanese record stores,” says Alex Stock. In addition, Vinyl records offer a way for artists to differentiate themselves and stand out in a crowded market. Many musicians release limited edition vinyl records with exclusive artwork and special features, which can make them highly sought after by fans. The reemergence of vinyl records can be attributed to several factors, including nostalgia and collector culture. Despite the rise of digital music and streaming services, vinyl records proved that they have stayed in power, and will continue to be a beloved format for music lovers. Whether it’s the warm sound quality, the thrill of hunting for rare albums, or the sense of community among collectors, vinyl records carved out a unique space in the world of music.

This is Art

Cora Lohkamp

‘26 Staff Writer

The IB Art show is a unique and exciting experience for many Wilmington Friends School community members. It is a night when parents and classmates can see the work of all the senior IB Art members. The show is an eye-opener to many, displaying how talented students at this school really are. It is one of the exam components of IB Art, signifying the end of high school art for those seniors.

This year, the IB Art show took place on April 25th, the same night as the MS/US Spring Choir concert. This brought in many people who looked at the IB artwork before the concert began. Lily Rashkind 22’, a senior IB Art member, says, “There was kind of a lot going on at school that night which I feel definitely helped draw people in towards the art… it was overall just a very artistic kind of night where you could see all the different departments doing what they do best.” This was an amazing opportunity for the 8 senior students who showed their art over the past two years to obtain more recognition for their hard work. Last year, there were 20 IB Art students, but this year’s lesser quantity of art still shined brightly, displaying the impact high-quality artworks have. There were food and drinks, so everyone mingled while looking

at the fantastic art. Mary Robertson, the art teacher at Friends says, “People I think don’t really recognize the work that’s getting made because we are kind of secluded up here in the art room so it’s a nice opportunity to share with the school and the parents and teachers you know just the broader community in general.”

The outcome of this exhibition is that the IB Art students get to show their work and put themselves out there, however, they also get some criticism of their work. Mary Robertson says, “It’s also a nice opportunity for them to get to look

at the bigger picture of what they’ve done and kind of have a more critical lens of what worked and what didn’t work and I think that helps them grow as an artist.” Some students who didn’t attend the show had the chance to critique the art for extra credit in their art class, with the goal of helping them figure out what to do next year. Grace Terrell, 24’ says, “A main takeaway from the exhibitions was how I want my pieces to be hung next year.” Many students take this very seriously because showing your art is sensitive, however, it is a good thing to experience whether the

IB students will or will not be pursuing art later in their life. Rashkind, 22’ says, “I was never a great drawer, never a great collagist, but I think what IB Art really gives you is the ability to find what you care about in art.” IB allows people to grow as an artist in what they believe and how they show it. This experience gets people comfortable with putting themselves in a more public environment as well. Many of these pieces are personal and meaningful, reflecting the student’s opinions on the world and that can be a difficult thing to put on display for all to see. Many people used different colors or styles of art to portray themes such as emotion, femininity, and beauty. These topics can be sensitive and at times controversial, yet the students show their opinions through their art which is a beautiful concept.

The art show is not the only medium for IB Art students to show their work. The IB Art show attracts a lot of parents and peers, but the IB Art students use other methods such as social media, word of mouth, and Prism Magazine. Rashkind, 22’ says, “I would also say a great way to get some of your art featured in the school realm is through Prism and Prism does the annual literary magazine.” Submitting to Prism gets the student’s hard work out into the public which is an exhilarating experience. Through an Instagram account,

Continued on page 8

Cracking the Code: The Science Behind Sleep

Sarah Levenson ‘24 Staff Writer

Whether you’re a night owl or an early rise, sleep is something every human needs to survive. But what’s the science behind sleep? Why do humans need sleep to survive? Humans spend approximately ⅓ of their lives asleep, but what purpose does sleep serve?

Highschool teenagers average around 7 hours of sleep per night. Depending on the night, sometimes less or more. High school students have homework, outside activities, jobs, and responsibilities that push back sleep schedules. Friends school nurse Kate Griest was asked: How does sleep impact our physical health? Can you give some examples? She responded with, “Sleep improves physical health. When you sleep, your body undergoes a repair process that helps you recover from illnesses, injuries/wounds, and everyday stresses. Sleep can also boost your immunity. Sleeping helps the different body systems whether it be the cardiovascular, muscular or digestive systems.” Without sleep, sports would be impossible! Even being consistent about what time one goes to bed and wake up, it can still take a serious toll on our bodies. Without sleep our bodies wouldnt be able to function properly and our systems internally could shut down. Also, an article from Hopkins Medicine states that “Sleep is vital to the rest of the body too. When people don’t get enough sleep, their health risks rise. Symptoms of depression, seizures, high blood pressure and migraines worsen. Immunity is compromised, increasing the likelihood of illness and infection.”

Bodies can get worn out easily, and sleep is another added stress to the things humans do daily.

Nurse Kate was also asked to talk about sleep regarding mental health. She was asked: How does sleep affect our mental health? What are some common mental health problems associated with sleep deprivation? She responded, “Healthy amount of sleep can be beneficial to our mental health. It can be associated with a better mood, improved productivity and more satisfaction in our lives. Some mental health problems present as sleep-related issues. Some common mental health problems associated with sleep depriviation could include a person being more anxious or depressed, exacerbating any kind of underlying psychiatric symptoms, and even suicidal ideation.” Have you ever felt moody, tired, lazy or unable to retain any information you’ve learned in

class? Lack of sleep could just be the answer. From nurse Kate, according to the The American Academy of Sleep Medicine, “they recommend 8-10 hours of sleep. When winding down for bed, students should avoid social media and electronics 30 minutes before bed, make your bedroom dark and quiet, stick to a sleep schedule, avoid heavy meals before bed, and be active during the day.” Being on a screen late at night can influence how quickly you can fall asleep. If you are also wondering or worrying about why you can’t stay asleep, technology could be a significant reason. Nurse Kate was also asked two other important questions, the first one being, How does the science of sleep inform our understanding of the benefits of napping? Is it really a good idea to nap during the day? She responded, “Napping should be limited to less than 1 hour during the day and not too close to bedtime. It’s suggested the best length of a nap should be less than 30 minutes. It could help fight daytime fatigue and improve productivity, alertness and mood.” She was also asked, How do sleep patterns change as we age? Are there any differences in sleep patterns between teenagers and adults? She responded, “According to the UCLA Health, there is a natural shift in a teen’s circadian rhythm called a “sleep phase delay” that sleep is delayed 2 hours. It’s also caused by hormones. It makes teenagers sleepier 1-2 hours later.” These facts prove that napping can cause oversleeping and teenagers go to bed later than their parents for example because of the delay in their circadian rhythm.

Overall, sleep is important! Sleep deprivation is real and so is oversleeping. Continued on page 8

TikTok: Ban or Fan?

Gianna Cottone ‘26 Staff Writer

In 2016, a new app gained extreme popularity around the world, TikTok. Because this app is very addictive you can find yourself scrolling for hours. It provides a platform for users to watch and create videos appealing to random people on the app who do not even follow them. There is a wide range of content on this app, which engages over one billion users. There have been rumors of TikTok being banned. There are multiple reasons why this could happen. It could be because of Tiktok being controlled by a Chinese group, the hours wasted, or the security of users’ information.

Before Titkok, there was Musical.ly, a social media platform with over 200 million users. “I downloaded it in 2018. I have over 5,000 drafts and 2,000 followers,” says Lila Rubano ‘26. Though we don’t want to admit it, apps such as Tiktok or Musically have taken over our lives. TikTok was created by Zhang Timing who worked with a team in China for a company called Bytedance. The success of this app was astonishing until it spread to the United States. From there, problems began to form.

One of the most enticing factors of TikTok is how personalized it is. TikTok uses your data to put videos on your For Your Page that align with your beliefs and opinions. However, because it is so catered to what you like, you can find yourself losing hours of your time. “I feel like it is such a time sucker, time that I could be using to better my education. I am guilty of falling into the trap. To avoid becoming addicted, I delete the app during the school week,” stated Ana Pardo ‘24, and Pardo is not the only student feeling this way. Hours wasted on this app is a rising concern among the younger generation.

Another reason TikTok is considering being banned in the United States is because of the algorithm. Many users believe that TikTok is taking and saving personal information, which causes concern about privacy. Colin Romano ‘26, however, does

John Ursomarso ‘24 Staff Writer

not find himself worried about this rising issue. “I like TikTok. I do not understand the problem. If we want to watch stupid videos, let us watch stupid videos.” Another reason why people believe Tiktok should not be banned is how they can learn about a variety of topics. The freedom Tiktok gives each user brings almost everyone to be as creative as they can to become “viral”.

The debate of whether or not this app should be banned is gaining more and more heat. It angers many Teenagers like Colin because they don’t find it fair that they have to lose one of their favorite apps. As we continue to move forward through this unprecedented time, lines will continue to be crossed and the privacy we once knew will start to disappear. Whether or not TikTok gets banned will set a precedent for the future. Molly Dolan ‘26 shared her fears for the future of internet privacy. “I just hope that people won’t use the platform for bad. I also fear that we could be losing brain cells with all the time that is spent. My privacy is really important to me and I am worried that TikTok is abusing it.”

As tension continues to grow around the idea of banning Tiktok so will the differing opinions. It is important to understand the consequences behind using this app, as well as the benefits moving forward. So when you lay in bed and begin your scrolling on Tiktok, just remember that Tiktok may not be around forever.

Mickey Mouse v. the State of Florida

The state of Florida finds itself at the center of a heated debate as the controversial “Don’t Say Gay” bill, recently passed by the state legislature, becomes a focal point in the ongoing conflict between Governor Ron DeSantis and Disney theme parks. The clash highlights deep divisions over freedom of expression, LGBTQ+ rights, and the role of corporations in shaping public discourse. The “Don’t Say Gay” bill, officially known as Senate Bill 1467, restricts teachers from discussing homosexuality in public schools. Proponents argue that the legislation aims to preserve traditional family values and protect children from potentially uncomfortable discussions. However, critics argue that it perpetuates discrimination, fosters an unsafe environment for LGBTQ+ students, and infringes upon educators’ ability to provide inclusive education. Governor Ron DeSantis has been a vocal supporter of the bill, asserting that it aligns with his vision for preserving conservative principles.

In recent months, DeSantis has become increasingly critical of Disney theme parks, accusing them of promoting a liberal agenda and straying from their family-friendly image. The clash between the governor and the entertainment giant has intensified, with both sides exchanging insults and accusations. Disney, renowned for its commitment to diversity and inclusion, has been a vocal opponent of the “Don’t Say Gay ‘’bill”. The company has long been an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, both within its own operations and in the broader community. It has been openly supportive of same-sex marriage, features

LGBTQ+ characters in its movies and TV shows, and has participated in pride events. As such, Disney perceives the legislation as an affront to its values and a threat to the inclusivity it has strived to cultivate. The conflict between DeSantis and Disney has taken on a national significance,

struggle to define the boundaries of freedom of expression and LGBTQ+ inclusivity.

Opponents of the “Don’t Say Gay bill” argue that it sends a harmful message to LGBTQ+ youth, contributing to feelings of isolation and shame. They assert that inclusive education, including discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity, is vital for creating safe and supportive learning environments. Critics fear that the bill’s passage may deter LGBTQ+ students from seeking help and support, exacerbating mental health challenges already faced by this vulnerable population. As the conflict intensifies, both sides are marshaling support and resources. LGBTQ+ advocacy groups are organizing rallies and lobbying efforts to challenge the bill, while Disney has engaged in public relations campaigns to promote its inclusive values.

resonating far beyond the borders of Florida. Activists and advocacy groups are closely monitoring the situation, emphasizing the need for equal rights and non-discriminatory practices. The clash between a powerful corporation and a state government highlights the ongoing

The outcome of this battle will undoubtedly have significant implications for the LGBTQ+ community, education policy, and the power dynamics between corporations and state governments. In the Sunshine State, the “Don’t Say Gay” bill has become a symbol of a larger struggle for individual rights and acceptance. As Florida navigates the complexities of balancing personal beliefs, corporate influence, and societal progress, the nation watches intently. It remains to be seen how the conflict between Ron DeSantis and Disney theme parks will unfold, but one thing is clear: the LGBTQ+ community continues to fight for freedom of expression and inclusivity.

“Toavoidbecomingaddicted,Ideletetheappduringtheschoolweek”

Finding the Balance in the Classroom and on the Field

Giuliana DiPrinzio ‘25 Staff Writer

Being a student comes with many challenges such as studying, taking notes, and staying on top of all your work; however, many students at Wilmington Friends are not just students, they are student-athletes. As a student-athlete, you need to organize your time well in advance in order to stay on top of your academics and athletics. Time management, organization, and patience are skills that are essential in performing well in the classroom and out on the field.

For many students being an athlete is a stress release. When you step out on the field all of your real-world problems go away and you can just focus on playing your sport and performing well on the field. Even though when you’re playing your sport your problems fade away, after practice is over all your homework is still there waiting to be completed. It is crucial to have good time management skills so that your stress levels don’t get too high. Scarlett Burleigh ‘25 a club and varsity high school volleyball player says, “During the school volleyball season, I make sure I am aware of all of the classes I miss due to early dismissals. This helps me stay up to speed with my class, and what I would be missing. I have practice right after school which I like because this gives me time later in the day to do school work. I make sure to use my study halls productively, especially on game days. Usually, we play at 4:45 so between 3-4:30, I try to work on school.” Burleigh ‘25 uses her time wisely and responsibly, in order to perform well in school.

As a student-athlete sacrificing things that may be important to you comes with the job. With homework, tests, practice, and games you use most of your time up. This might mean not hanging out with your friends because you are away for a tournament or not watching a movie with your family because studying is more important. Many sacrifices need to be made as a student-athlete because you have two jobs.

Coach Elizabeth Hill ‘12 is the Middle School tennis coach and the Upper School girl’s basketball and soccer assistant coach. Coach Hill was a two-sport athlete during her time at Wilmington Friends. “ Balancing both my academics and athletics was a little bit challenging because at first, you have to figure out your time and your schedule. You have to figure out how you are

Eagles 2023 NFL Draft Review

Ethan Weiner ‘24 Staff Writer

The Philadelphia Eagles entered the 2023 NFL Draft and came away with a pretty impressive haul. When all was said and done, The Eagles drafted seven players and picked up star running back D’andre Swift from the Detroit Lions. Following the draft there are many questions that a fan might ask. Did the Eagles fill their needs? Who was their best pick? What grade would this draft get? Here’s a look at their full draft haul:

1-9: Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia

1-30: Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia

3-65: Tyler Steen, OG, Alabama

3-66: Sydney Brown, S, Illinois

4-105: Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia

6-188: Tanner McKee, QB, Stanford

7-249: Moro Ojomo, DT, Texas

From the draft, we can see that the Eagles may have had the strategy of picking up players from Georgia. Most Eagles fans see that this strategy is fine seeing how Georgia has won the last two national Titles. The Eagles were able to snag a consensus number two player in the draft class with the 9th overall pick in Jalen Carter, whose off-the-field issues allowed him to fall to the 9th pick. I asked Quinn Green ‘24 about how he felt

going to do all of your homework and study for your test, while at the same time devoting two hours to your sport; however, I made a schedule that helped me figure out which assignments to complete and when to complete them.”

“If I ever would need to miss a class due to an early dismissal I make sure to email my teacher to let them know as well as schedule a time to meet with them to go over anything that I missed,” says Greta Slease ‘25 a high school soccer and field hockey player. Making sure to keep an open line of communication with teachers, family members, and friends is essential in giving yourself a strong support system. Being a student-athlete can be very stressful, Carter Fenimore ‘25 says, “The most stressful part about being a student-athlete is feeling unprepared for a test or school the next day after a late game because you did not have the chance to study the night before.” It also comes with a lot of pros and cons. Burleigh ‘25 says “My strategy would be to stop procrastinating because it leads to more stress. It is obviously easier said than done, but if you really push yourself it is possible.” It is extremely challenging, but it will all be worth it in the end.

The most important thing to realize is that academics always come before athletics. For most an athletic career is shorter than an academic career, so every student-athlete should have their own priorities and follow them as best as they can. Coach Hill says “Academics were always a priority when I was a student because I knew at the time that you had to maintain a certain GPA to stay on the team, so I wanted to make sure I was still able to play my sports like basketball and soccer”. Being a student-athlete is hard; however, every sacrifice, every challenge, and every tough moment will all be worth it.

about the Eagles taking a risk with a guy like Jalen Carter. “I think he is adding to the Georgia Bulldogs’ chemistry on the Eagles. Everyone deserves second chances, even professional athletes. In addition to the phenomenal first pick by the Eagles, they were also able to come away with the 13th-ranked player in the draft with the 30th overall pick. For the picks that the team was given, Howie Roseman was able to come away with a great haul. The chemistry for this

group will potentially be off the charts, and the depth will be impressive. This defense could be relatively fresh and immune to injury issues too. The Eagles are set to run through the NFC again, and this draft will help their cause. Sources like ProFootballFocus, Ringer, USA Today, Fox Sports, and Sporting News all gave the Philadelphia Eagles an overall draft grade of an A+.

The Eagles saw an addition of a Georgia Bulldog through not only the draft but also a trade for D’andre Swift. The Eagles got Swift for a 2025 fourth-round pick and a seventh-round pick swap this season. The Eagles gave up pick 219 this year and received pick 249 in this seventh round. Swift, 24, was a second-round pick out of Georgia back in 2020 and is entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2023. In Philadelphia, Swift will join a running back room that already includes Kenny Gainwell, Boston Scott, Rashaad Penny, and Trey Sermon. The Eagles had a Pro Bowl running back in 2022 with Miles Sanders, but he left this offseason to join the Carolina Panthers on a four-year, $25 million contract. Last season, Swift had a career game against the Eagles in the season opener. In Week 1 of the 2022 season, Swift had 15 carries for 144 yards and a touchdown and also added 3 catches for 31 yards. At the college level, Swift became a star, rushing for over 1,000 yards in each of his final two seasons for the Bulldogs. I asked Quinn Green 24’ about if he thought DeAndre Swift was a good signing by the Eagles. He said, “he was a very adequate signing. He is destined to shine from game one .” The Eagles aren’t nearly done adding talent to their roster for this off-season. In order for the Eagles to bring home another super bowl to the city of Philadelphia, They will need the best roster possible. There are still holes to be filled and the hope is that Howie Roseman can find more diamonds in the rough.

The Death Of The Attention Span

Jemimia Smith '24 Staff Writer

Your brain is working against you. Have you been feeling it? Human attention spans have been decreasing since 2000. As if this isn’t bad enough, the global pandemic and rise of TikTok in early 2020 has worsened focus even more. Who’s got it worst? Teens.

Tons of different sources list different statistics for the decrease of attention spans in recent years. TIME magazine says that the average human attention span is now 8 seconds, less than the alleged attention span of a goldfish. According to CNN, we’ve gone from 2.5 minutes in 2004 to 47 seconds today. While the numbers differ quite a bit, it seems that everyone agrees there’s been a definitive change.

The beginning of our societal fascination with short-form content began in 2013, with the launch of the six-second short form app Vine. After Vine was shut down in 2016, a similar app emerged called Musical.ly. Musical.ly allowed users to post short clips of themselves lip syncing or dancing to songs. Musical. ly was converted into TikTok in 2018, after being bought by ByteDance, the company that now runs TikTok. TikTok emerged in 2016 as a combination of Vine and Musical.ly-- people could post short clips to the platform and spread their content to a worldwide audience. TikTok became a true international sensation in early 2020, with 318 million downloads worldwide. Today the platform has over a billion global users. Other content companies soon followed suit, with YouTube and Instagram launching “Shorts” and “Reels”, respectively.

“Anytime when there’s blank space and I’m sitting there with nothing else to do, I’m on my phone and I’m usually on Instagram Reels,” said an anonymous Junior. “I think it’s literally destroying my brain. I don’t care enough to fix the problem, but I know it's there.”

Everyone agrees that doom scrolling--perusing short-form platforms for hours on end--can’t be good

for your brain. It’s easy to spend hours at a time, hunched in the same position, gazing at the screen that so gracefully captures your attention. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when there was nothing else to do, the insistent pull of the scroll was allowed to fester and become even stronger than it would be otherwise. Now that our brains have adjusted to the 6-second format it’s almost impossible to focus consistently for a long period of time.

“I’ve made a point of asking students not to open their computers when they come in until instructed to do so,” said Mr. Rashkind. “It’s hard for all of us to stay focused on our work when there’s so many distractions that are readily available.”

“I have to force myself to do work; it doesn’t come naturally,” says the Junior. It’s actually impossible to focus on multiple things at once. When we “multitask”, our brains are actually switching back and forth very quickly between alternate tasks. And, once you’ve gotten distracted, it takes forever to get back to what you started with in the first place. “Technology has created a kind of a crisis in terms of the challenges we have with things that are hard,” said Rashkind.

In recent years, editors have shaved off whole seconds of shots when making films. Movies over two hours seem tedious to some and impossible to most. Can you remember the last time you sat down and watched an entire movie in one sitting?

Teenagers tend to be the most sleep-deprived members of society in the United States. Lack of sleep builds up what psychologists call “sleep debt”-- the effect of consistently getting inefficient rest per night. The greater the sleep debt in an individual, the lower their focus and greater their tendency to go on a short-form media dispenser like TikTok. So while students are already huge targets for the attention span crisis because of a pandemic smack in the middle of their high school years, they're also predisposed to a lack of focus because of their sleep patterns, which are hard to change because

of school hours and homework load.

If you’ve been feeling more distracted or less focused in recent years, now you know why. If you can, pull yourself away from your screen for a little while.

Room For Improvement: An Ecoteam Report

Tauson Biggs ‘24 Staff Writer

The Delaware Pathways to Green Schools Program, funded by the Delaware Sustainable Energy Utility and Spearhead by Green Building United Practical Energy Solutions performed an environmental audit on our school on Jan 11, 2023, where they surveyed all forms of energy consuming systems such as HVAC, plumbing, lighting, internal loads, ect. The objective of the audit was to gather information on our school’s energy use in order to find ways to make our community more energy efficient and sustainable.

It was found that the total energy cost from the time period of January 2019 to November 2022 was approximately $204,000. While electricity was only 40% of the total energy use, it accounted for about 55% of energy cost. Natural gas, however, was 45% of cost but 60% of the consumption. While natural gas follows a typical monthly trend, its use is unexpectedly high in the summer. Natural gas can be used for water heating, however, schools tend to not need much water heating in the summer. It is noted that the elevated summer use should be investigated, as it may be connected to the high concentration of energy consumption. The Majority of the school uses hot water boilers and air-cooled chillers and fan-coil units. 2 high-efficiency gas-fired storage water heaters provide hot water, with a large storage tank that

mid-2021 is quite lower due to covid. Unfortunately, only 11% of the school’s total electrical use is powered by solar photovoltaic systems. Ground-mounted arrays to the north of the school could each produce 40% of the school’s post-ECM electricity. Annual Energy consumption at WFS produced approximately 926 metric tons of CO2. To put that into perspective, that is the annual emissions equal to about 206 passenger cars. Based on the utility data, WFS has an ENERGY STAR score of

39. This means that the school operates more efficiently than 39% of similar schools across the country. However, this also means that WFS operates less efficiently than 61% of similar schools. In order to be eligible for a certification that formally recognizes our school’s high energy performance, we need a score of at least 75. 80% of interior lighting that we use is LED, while the remaining 20% are linear fluorescent lights, which can be replaced with LEDs at any time. Currently, most of the interior lighting is controlled manually by switches, leaving the opportunity for light to be left on all day in unattended classes. Before we make the switch to automatic lighting, it is recommended that we make sure lights and equipment are shut off before leaving the room. Automatic lighting controls are expected to reduce lighting energy consumption by 20-30%. In conclusion, we have a long way to go in terms of making our school as eco-friendly and sustainable as possible, but we are making progress. Some ways we can improve our automatic lighting controls, converting all light to LED, HVAC temperature scheduling, turning off unused equipment, expanding geothermal to the whole school, and joining a renewable energy purchasing program. Implementing some, or even better all of these ideas would make the school far more sustainable and put less waste into our tainted world.

This is Art

Cora Lohkamp ‘26 Staff Writer

Continued from Page 4

anyone can see what they make and many account owners repost art and use methods of bringing attention to the art they are doing on a social media platform. IB Art is an amazing way to grow as an artist but also as a person. Art has always been a form of expression and using it to express your ideas or beliefs is rarely as straightforward as it seems. This show is a celebration of what these students have accomplished artistically over their years at Wilmington Friends School. It is important to support these hardworking art students by going to a show or reading the Prism, giving them the recognition that keeps their artistic fires burning brightly. Mary Robertson says, “It’s just a nice opportunity to see what a kid is doing and how they think and what their perspective on the world is, things like that.” IB Art shows these things if people just simply look.

Cracking the Code: The Science Behind Sleep

Sarah Levenson ‘24 Staff Writer

Continued from Page 4

Nurse Kate provided strong and valid evidence and reasoning for why technology, school, academics, and emotional stability are all factors in getting a good night’s rest. If you don’t go to sleep, things can get dark real quick, so it’s time to turn off the light!

Quakers in Action

Finally,theWhittierstaffwantstothankMr.Scott,ouramazingadvisor,formanyyearsofdedicationtothisveryinvolvedclub.Whittiertakestimeandeffortfarbeyondthatofa normalteacher,sowereallyappreciateallthatMr.Scotthasdoneforus.Mr.Scotttrulycaresaboutjournalismandwritingandhasconsistentlyurgedustopushboundariesand becomeourbestwritingselves.TheWhittierwillmisshimverymuch,butwe’regratefulforallofhishelpovertheyearsandwishhimthebestinthefuture.Thankyou,Mr.Scott!

Love,

The Whittier Staff

Photos courtesy of Joce Nathan ‘23