Green Arch The
Volume 87, Number 3
Archmere Academy’s Student Newspaper
March 2020
Eissler-Thiel To Succeed Jordan as Archmere Principal Caroline Antunes ‘20 and Pheobe Brinker ‘20 CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, NEWS EDITOR
Mrs. Katie Eissler-Thiel has been announced as Archmere’s next principal and will succeed Mr. John Jordan in July 2020. Thiel--fondly known as Madame-has been an Archmere French teacher since 2014 and is well known in the community for her dynamic, inclusive personality both inside and outside the classroom. Thiel identifies her core values of promoting education and cultivating a strong community as catalysts for her decision to apply. Mme. Thiel described her decision to apply as a natural next step in her career at Archmere; she said, “I have a lot of energy to give at this juncture in my life, and I felt in my heart and my gut that I have more to give beyond my schedule in the classroom.” Though she acknowledges that she is heavy-hearted about relinquishing a portion of her time in the classroom, she values teaching and knows she will undoubtedly continue her teaching role at Archmere in the future. When asked about her motivation to apply, she commended Mr. Jordan and his role in establishing a positive culture and sense of community; she continued by saying, “I thought, ‘wouldn’t it be nice to know that we can preserve the sense of community with someone who has already been here and already understands the way things work?’” The selection process consisted of multiple rounds of interviews in which Mme. Thiel met with the hiring committee, all major academic departments, and various constituent groups regarding her goals for Archmere. In reflecting on the meetings, Mme. Thiel said she felt “invigorated” by the long process: “It was great to be pushed on so many diverse topics, and I enjoyed my conversations with parents and students, you know, groups I don’t get a chance to interact with quite as much. It was nice to get a finger on the pulse on what their concerns are and what things they are hoping to see change.” Archmere’s future is headed to success with Mme. Thiel’s clear goals she will strive to accomplish as principal. From her experience as a teacher, Mme. Thiel stated that, “working closely with teachers is something I am excited to do… My goal is to go in and see every single teacher at Archmere in the first semester.” In doing this, she hopes to establish a close relationship with teachers to help them navigate potential struggles in the classroom. In doing so, Mme. Thiel seeks to remove the stigma around principal observations “catching” teaching mistakes, instead promoting to-
getherness. As Mme. said, “We are all in this together to create a culture.” Mme. Thiel also has innovative ideas and methods to further develop Archmere’s community spirit. “I really want to make sure that we are maximizing our White Day time together,” she said. “I think that’s such a special community time, and I want to make sure we are using it to our advantage.” During White Day assemblies, Mme. expresses hope to offer professional speakers, engage alumni and parents, and also allow students the opportunity to speak about their passions beyond the classroom. As principal, she hopes to engage students with an element of choice during White Day assemblies, in which they can select a topic they are genuinely interested in pursuing in the future. Mme. Thiel also intends to secure the details of Winterim, a new intersession in January dedicated to specialized programs. According to Mme., improving the students’ experience in the years to come can be solidified by heavily analyzing the existing program, such as through a comprehensive survey. For many students and faculty, the selection of Archmere’s first female principal signifies exciting changes in leadership and energy. Mme. Thiel believes in the importance of female leadership, which partly influenced her decision to apply for principal. Mme. Thiel hopes that the investment in female students and faculty can, in turn, improve the strength of the community. Part of her plans include hosting conferences dedicated to women associated with Archmere and beyond to benefit females of all ages in the local area. She excitedly said, “I really want to organize a female empowerment conference… We have so many wonderful moms who have incredible careers to speak to, and I would love to engage some local figures or invite other young girls from the region.” In addition, she hopes her role as principal fosters an even more inclusive community and inspires girls to run for leadership positions, like in Student Council or club boards. Perhaps the Archmere community can benefit just as much from learning about Madame’s life outside the classroom, where her excitement shines as clearly as in the classroom. When prompted, “What is one thing nobody from Archmere knows about you?”, Madame responded that she was an avid soccer player in high school and was, in fact, voted a finalist for most athletic in her high school yearbook. Her
photo courtesy of Katie Eissler-Thiel Eissler-Thiel credits colleague Mrs. Nancy Cooper: “I wouldn’t be where I am without Madame Cooper.” Eissler-Thiel believes that “the collaboration between [me] and Cooper has defined my Archmere experience.”
French studies have also taken her internationally to France, where she lived while studying in Avignon and working at the Université of Caen in Normandy. Now, her days working at Archmere are filled with various adventures. In her free time, Madame loves attending concerts; interestingly enough, she sees many of these Indie-style concerts with teachers Mr. Klinge, Mr. Seltzer, and Mr. Mengers. Take a trip to Philadelphia’s Bibou, a French restaurant dedicated to creative dishes, and you might find Madame eating her favorite Foie Gras dish. To try to emulate Madame’s school-fa-
mous wardrobe, drive up to Lila in Manayunk, PA for trendy, high end, and of course, sustainable thrifting. Mme. Thiel will undoubtedly make her mark on Archmere in her role as principal. Her love for Archmere is great, and she credits the spirit of community for the school’s continued success. Mme. firmly believes that “without a good community, you cannot have good academics… or this vibrant, social, and extracurricular realm. It all comes back to the community.” And, when asked the incredibly hard question of what her favorite aspect of Arch-
mere is, Madame Thiel responded that the aspect of Archmere she values most in the close-knit community. She explains by saying, “I just, even last night [when principal decision came out], like I get teary thinking about it; my inboxes were filled with messages from people I haven’t talked to in years who had reached back out. That is just so special, and I think to myself... how lucky to be surrounded by such competent people.” Thiel will assume the role of principal this summer, July 2020.§
THE GREEN ARCH
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Perspectives
THE GREEN ARCH
is a semi-annually student-run publication at Archmere Academy. The website for the publication is http:// archmeregreenarch.org
Mission Statement The Green Arch seeks to consistently provide accurate information and impactful content to the Archmere Community. Our articles aim to educate the student body on local, national and global issues via professional, engaging print and digital platforms. We strive to create a voice for the Archmere community members, allowing them to generate original content in an inclusive environment. As the school newspaper, we commit ourselves to upholding Archmere’s pillars of zeal, wisdom, respect, reverence and community. Submissions Letters to the editors are encouraged. Readers may submit a letter via email to greenarch@archmereacademy.com. Editors reserve the right to contact writers or edit submissions for clarity or for space. Comments-both in print and on our digital platforms--are subject to review for appropriateness. Not all comments or letters will be published. Follow us on Social Media! The Green Arch is on Twitter (@AukGreenArch), Facebook (www.facebook.com/aukgreenarch), and Instagram (www.instagram. com/archmeregreenarch/). Join our staff! New contributors are always welcome! Please contact any member of the staff listed below for more infomation, or email greenarch@ archmereacademy.com. Editors-in-Chief Caroline Antunes ‘20 Emma Villaverde ‘20 Web Editor Lauren Raziano ‘20 News Editor Phoebe Brinker ‘20 Asst. News Editor Brian Carbajal ‘21 Lifestyles Editor Alexis Rendel ‘21 Reviews Editor Joe Marino ‘21 Opinions Editor Kaylee Paranczak ‘20 Sports Editors Jillian Bale ‘21 Anthony Mariano ‘21 Art & Photography Editors Grace Janvier ‘20 Katerina Medori ‘21 Social Media Editors Addie Czachor ‘21 Isabelle Hanlon ‘21 Faculty Adviser Mrs. Patricia Maher
MARCH 2020
IRAN CRISIS: U.S. FACES CRISIS IN MIDDLE EAST Jessica Lattanzi ‘23
STAFF REPORTER
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ho’s ready to get drafted? After tensions heightened between the United States and Iran, daily conversations and tweets revolved around the apparently imminent World War III. At Archmere, lunch table conversations included ironically light-hearted jokes about fears of a potential draft and the start of a major World War. Although nothing to such a degree has actually occurred, conditions can not be considered peaceful between the two countries. It all started on January 3, 2020, when Iranian General Quasem Soleimani was killed by a U.S. drone attack at Baghdad
International Airport in a decision ordered by President Trump. The U.S. Government accused Soleimani of past terrorism and of plans to attack American troops in Iran/Iraq. Soleimani was the second most powerful leader in Iran, next to their President, Hassan Rouhani. Although he was allegedly responsible for the deaths of hundreds, Soleimani was well respected by the Iranain people. Soleimani’s death provoked previously dormant tensions between the two military powers. Iran did not respond passively. Large protests, chants of “death to America,”and periods of intense mourning for the late general
were just a few of the reactions made. The Iranian government warned America against any further attacks and vowed to retaliate. Rudolph Matthee, History Department Chair at the University of Delaware who specializes in Middle East History, strongly believes that Iran will not hesitate to seek revenge. He claims that Soleimani was too highly regarded by the country for attempts at retribution not to be made. Since the execution, Iran has launched missiles onto a U.S. base in Iraq. Luckily, there were no casualties. And, initially, no injuries were reported either; however, after further investigation, Reuters reports that U.S.
officials have diagnosed 109 U.S. troops with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Some American citizens argue that killing Soleimani was the wrong move and that it poked the bear of a potential World War. Others, however, stand with the decisions made by the U.S. government. They claim that America is safer now with Soleimani dead and that a major war is not in the future. Either way, United States government officials have made it clear that the United States will remain safe and protected from harm. For now, Archmere students and others can rest assured that hostile Iranians will not attack our nation.
RE-COMMITTING TO RECYLCING AT ARCHMERE Chloe Mantakounis ‘21 STAFF REPORTER
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ecycling is one of the first ways kids learn to help the health of our planet. However, we can do more here on campus at Archmere. In previous years, Americans sent a bulk of its recycling to China; however in 2017 China passed the National Sword Policy, announcing that they would not accept plastic anymore. This was passed to protect the help and safety of the people. Completely understandable. Recycling in America and around the world has become a major issue because of this policy, as statistically China has been receiving half the world’s recycling for years. Recycling for Archmere is cheap, according to Mr. Campion, Director of Facilities; however, it can be very expensive for
the companies we send it to. A major issue in recycling seems to be the fact that a majority of plastics cannot be recycled, or are too difficult or expensive to recycle. In addition, it is costly to educate people on what to recycle, along with hiring people to sort through the recyclables. In the past 10 or so years at Archmere, there have been 2 groups of people involved in recycling. One group was the cleaning staff; the other--at one point--was the Ecology Club. Mr. Bill Mulhern was the previous moderator of the Ecology Club which initially took charge of recycling. According to Dr. Jenna Christy, Biology teacher, “It was a few years before Mr. Mulhern retired that students in the ecology club stopped recycling and there
were some problems with how it worked out, or the problem was that it didn’t always work out, or work out smoothly enough. And then the cleaning people just took over.” Ror awhile, Archmere was not recycling. Mr. Campion, whose new responsibilities as Direcotr of Facilities includes overseeing the cleaning staff, stated, “I think [the cleaning staff] are combining it with the trash, for now.” Why? The answer isn’t clear; however, the issue of who is in charge of it, combined with complications due to St. Norbert Hall’s renovation, seems to be the main reason. It’s understandable that transition periods create challenges; however, we all must commit to our previous level of recycling. In addition, there are
a few things we can do to help with this. For one, we could add recyclig--both collection and removal to the dumpster-- to the cleaning staff’s list of responsibilities. Mr. Campion said, “There’s a recycling dumpster here, very inexpensive to have.” Most importantly, we need to educate students and faculty on what we can and can’t recycle. Mr. Campion said, “There’s a desire to do something.” So let’s build on that desire that Mr. Campion has noticed and make a difference a little bit at a time. It’s been on my mind,” said Mr. Campion, “that when this building was reopened I had strategically had recycling with Mr Mulhern to get the kids to do it, and I’m trying to get back to that now.”
A TIME TO RE-EXAMINE THE GIRLS’ WINTER UNIFORM Fiona Teaney ‘20 STAFF REPORTER
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lmost all of us at Archmere like the idea of a uniform. It makes the mornings easier. We can just wake up and not have to think about what to wear. We, as students, love the idea of a uniform, but we’re not completely happy with our current choices. We know that uniforms are here to stay at Archmere, but we would like to address a few issues. Our requests specifically involve shoes and the girls’ winter uniform. Regarding shoes: girls and boys are both given the option to wear Sper-
rys, dress shoes, or flats. In the spring and fall, the Sperrys work well--they are simple and easy to slip on. But in the winter, the Sperrys develop problems. Most Sperrys do not have ample support for our feet, and at Archmere we do a good amount of walking around because of the size of our campus. Along with the lack of foot support, Sperrys have little insulation for our feet, leaving our feet cold and wet in the winter weather. Wearing dress shoes or flats doesn’t resolve the problem
because neither have the warmth nor support we need. One proposed solution would be to allow us to wear moccasins or sneakers, which are more comfortable, warmer, and (in the case of sneakers) supportive. With regards to the girls’ winter uniform, the only thing that changes from the spring uniform is a different shirt. A problem that arises during the transition to winter is the expectation to wear the same skirts. The administrattion suggests that the girls wear tights to stay warm. In theory
this is a good idea, but in reality, it’s not. The tights come in a limited range of sizes, rip easily, have little insulation (especially around the feet), and are itchy and uncomfortable to wear under the shorts-like skorts. In response to our complaints, the administration suggests that the girls should wear khaki pants. As fair as this sounds, we have to plead that khaki pants are not made for girls’ bodies. One potential solution is allowing girls to wear a different style of pants during winter. At Padua
Academy, an all girls Catholic school, students wear pants during the winter that are made for girls’ bodies, are presentable, and have a good reputation among the students as both warm and comfortable. This is the type of solution that we need to look into. A good learning environment consists of being comfortable and warm. So being given the option of tights, khakis, Sperrys, dress shoes, and flats do not make a good learning environment. Respectfully, we would like to see a change.
THE GREEN ARCH
MARCH 2020
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Perspectives
Archmere Celebrates Black History Month Natalie Gildea ‘23 STAFF REPORTER This February, people all over the United States acelebrated Black History Month. Here at Archmere, there are opportunities for students to celebrate diversity and interact with people from all different backgrounds. The Diversity Inclusion Club (or Dive-In, as it’s commonly known), moderated by Ms. Huffman, hosted several events that encouraged students to broaden their horizons and learn about African American culture. For instance, Archmere offered art lessons about prominent African American artists, played music written by important African American musicians at lunch, and announced fun facts about African Americans who have made great achievements throughout history on the morn-
ing announcements. Ms. Huffman emphasizes the importance of promoting Black History Month at Archmere. “Diversity and inclusion is not about singling out different groups of people as separate,” she says. “It’s about putting everyone on the same level and believing that each one of us has something amazing to offer.” The students in the Dive-In club are also passionate about celebrating diversity at Archmere. “It helps us understand other people’s backgrounds better,” says freshman club member Chichi Emedoh. On Thursday, February 6th, Archmere held a showing of the movie The Nomads to kick off Black History
Month. The film tells the true story of a African American teacher who started a rugby team at an underprivileged high school in North Philadelphia. The Nomads, which received the Audience Award at the Napa Valley Film Festival, taught students about respecting others and helped them gain a wider perspective of the world around them. In addition to watching The Nomads, Archmere students raised money for the “North Philly Nomads” rugby team whose story the film was based on. “I think [the film] helped spread awareness because the players had success in a hindering environment which is the case for many African Americans,” says junior Kani Green.
ARCHMERE VOICES: WHAT DOES BLACK HISTORY MONTH MEAN TO ME? Jihan Bailey ‘22 STAFF REPORTER
Icyss Hitchens ‘23 STAFF REPORTER
To me, Black History Month is a time for the black community as a whole to celebrate how far we have come as a race. It’s a time to appreciate our ancestors and be thankful that we are where we are today. Instead of focusing on how much more we have to do in order to become greater, we take a moment to think about how our ancestors could only dream of being where we are in society today.
When I feel discouraged by racial issues, my Mom always tells me, “you are living your ancestor’s dreams. They could only dream of having the same opportunities as you.” This makes me grateful for the life I live and the society I have grown up in because it could be far worse. My background and my race’s backstory make me who I am today, and I am determined not to let my ancestor’s hard work go in vain.
As you may know, February is Black History Month, an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time of recognition for central roles of blacks in U.S. History. To me Black History Month is a month where my ancestors and other important African-Americans’ achievements are acknowledged and honored. February is also a month, where men, women and children learn information that schools don’t teach. For instance, did you know that Rosa Parks was
not the first African-Americans woman to refuse to give up her seat to a white passenger? On March 2, 1955, nine months before Rosa Parks’ incident, a 15-year-old girl named Claudette Colvin refused to give up her seat to a white passenger on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Analyzing how the Archmere Community responds to Black History Month, I have noticed that there are not many events already in place for recognizing influential African-Americans. Due to this discovery, I’ve
decided to take action and try to start traditions for Archmere. For instance, we are reading one fact a day for the month of February about Black History over the announcements. Also, we are playing music at lunch by African-American artists about the struggles that they have gone through. I hope to take this issue to our administration and aspire to include Black History in the school curriculum for History and other subjects.
*Information for this edition was current at time of the paper’s intended printing in early March 2020. These articles were written and edited prior to the dismissal from the school campus due to the threat of the Coronavirus pandemic.* Fear of the Corona Virus Sweeps The Nation Isabelle Hanlon ‘21 and Emma Villaverde ‘20 SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR, C0-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF In recent months, news has spread like wildfire regarding a disease known as the Coronavirus that has struck several Chinese cities and islands, and is now active throughout the world. The disease is believed to have originated by animals, such as camels and bats, in Wuhan, China. Those working with the infected animals can contract the disease, and ultimately spread it to other humans. Symptoms of the disease can be mistaken for those of a common cold or the flu, but if not treated in time, the Coronavirus can result in kidney failure, pneumonia, and even death. Each country throughout the world has taken significant precautions and action plans
in hopes of slowing down the spread of the novel coronavirus. The Coronavirus was first noticed in humans this past December in Wuhan, a city in southeastern China. The market that was believed to be the center of the disease’s transmit, has since been closed, yet more and more people are being diagnosed everyday. According to John Hopkins University, there are 113,584 confirmed cases and 3,996 throughout the world.* Chinese and other officials throughout the world have attempted to stop the rapid spread of the disease by shutting down major modes of societal life such as transit, subways, ferries, and markets. Italy has also taken serious actions
by placing the whole country on lockdown with 60 million people. However, this has not restricted the spread such that the death rate and diagnosed cases are increasing by the minute. Countries such as Italy, South Korea, and Iran have experienced the greatest number of cases and death rates within the last month. Currently in the United States there are now 607 cases and 26 deaths.* The first case in the United States was confirmed in Washington state after a man returned from the city of Wuhan extremely ill. Government officials have been debating on different means of preventing the spread of the disease from both within the States and across the
nation’s borders. School districts have closed, some college classes have begun online, music festivals have been cancelled, and people have replaced handshakes with elbow bumps. President Trump has signed an $8.3 billion emergency bill that will go towards Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health, and more to help prevent, research, and control the disease. Other means of prevention include “quarantine stations” in public places such as airports or other places where a mass population of people would be passing through. So how can we protect ourselves from the disease? A key component in preventing the
disease is the same for the flu and other viruses: hand-washing! While the virus does spread at a quick rate, it is very important to frequently sanitize hands and surfaces and to keep hands away from the face. What makes the virus highly contagious is that most patients do not know they have the virus until about five days after the virus has entered the body. Within these five days however the disease is very contagious. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, common symptoms may include those of a common cold: runny nose, cough, and fever. However it is important to stay calm, take proper precautions, and not to panic.
Winterim 2020
Katerina Medori ‘21 CO-EDITOR OF ART & PHOTOGRAPHY This year, Archmere exchanged a week of midterm exams for a week of Winterim, a collection of courses that differ from traditional academic classes. Some of the courses were 6-hour courses, meaning two hours a day for three days; some were 12-hour courses, four hours a day for three days. Grade levels were mixed within each course. Most of the response to Winterim and the specific courses has been overwhelmingly positive, according to a survey sent out by The Green Arch. Students voiced their opinions about their courses, ranging from their favorite parts to newly gained insights and skills. Freshman Kathryn Benson said, “I use the things that I learned in Mindfulness in my everyday life. Whenever I need to refocus myself from the stressors of life, I use the techniques from Mindfulness to recenter.” Multiple courses were designed for introspection, like Dreams and Failures, Sound Affects, and 9/11. Junior Alyssa Pierangeli said, “By the end of the course, I had a better understanding of who I am and who I want to be in order to achieve my goals.” However, many other courses focused on developing tangible skills, such as cooking, baking, and even woodworking. Senior Tom Carney said, “Drilling holes and working together to build our projects made the skills of woodworking more than the ability to build, but also how to design the projects we wanted to build. And remember: always measure twice, and cut once.” Another 12-hour course, Chinese Cal-
ligraphy and Cuisine, combined cooking and calligraphy based around Chinese culture. Sophomore Beyonce Hu said, “I learned how to make scallion pancakes and became proficient in calligraphy.” Many courses were so successful that students are eager to recommend their courses to others. Sophomore Elena Proctor said, “I would definitely recommend this course because I think playing board games is a really fun way to bond with your friends instead of looking at our phones.” Junior Niko Omirdis said, “Inclusive Communities does a great job of teaching very good lessons about disabilities, something that should be taught more in all schools. Ms. Rodack makes the course very fun and interesting as well.” Additionally, senior Katie Kent said, “I would recommend the Disney Course to other students because I had such a great time seeing ‘Frozen’ on Broadway and watching the ‘Imagineering’ documentary.” Midterms seem to be in the rearview mirror as Archmere embraces this new Winterim curriculum and celebrates its first rather successful implementation. When talk of Winterim first surfaced, student response ranged from unsure to excited. Junior Bella Ganfield said, “I was excited to try new things and especially happy about not having midterms.” Sophomore Robert Smith said, “When I first heard that Winterim was replacing midterms, I was ecstatic.” Perhaps predictably, the Green Arch survey shows that the majority of students prefer to Winterim as a permanent replacement to midterms.
Winterim 2020
I enjoyed going bird-watching and learning about reptiles. I also liked the dissecting activities (since you get to actually look at an animal’s inside functions) although they were quite sad to do. - Alexander Chen ‘23 I learned different types of strategy and skill tabletop games, many of which I did not about until taking Board Not Bored Games. - Bella Rappucci ‘23
THE GREEN ARCH
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Features
MARCH 2020
‘CHICAGO’ SCORCHES ON ARCHMERE STAGE
Elizabeth Joslin of Haverford High School Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Cappies Society “Who says that murder’s not an art?” Archmere Academy’s production of Chicago: High School Edition brought spectacular theatrics into a story of crime and cruelty. Based on a 1926 play about criminals and their elaborate stories, Chicago, the jazzy musical, depicts murderers Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly with their thirst for fame. Each criminal enlists the services of the avaricious lawyer, Billy Flynn, only to learn the hard way that fame is fleeting, and spotlights die quicker than victims. Archmere Academy delivered a flashy production, creating the exciting 1930’s jazz scene right before the audience’s eyes. Opening with the evocative number, “All that Jazz,” Alyssa Noval captured the intoxicating character of Velma and unveiled impressive vocals accompanied by an unmatched stage presence. Noval’s Velma Kelly was the perfect balance to Serena Martin’s Roxie Hart while the two women nailed “My Own Best Friend.” Billy Flynn, played by
Riley McAvinue, brought levity to the stage with his excellent comedic timing and the proper contrast to these malicious women. Another standout was Rob Smith’s portrayal of Amos Hart, whose performance of “Mr. Cellophane” was absolutely adorable. Though ensemble energy was at times low, the driving aspect of the production was the exciting and elaborate choreography. Truly the unsung hero of the show, Alexis Rendel choreographed multiple dance numbers including the electric “We Both Reached for the Gun.” Executed exceptionally by the Reporter’s Chorus, the choreography secured the true nature of the musical. Also the costume leader, Rendel’s artistic talent filled the stage with dark features to fit the tone of the story. The sound team led by Zach Christie and Eric Collins recovered from minor technical difficulties with ease to produce a clear sound to fill the theater with powerhouse vocals. The lighting created by Ethan
Ferrera allowed for sharp mood shifts and accentuated scenes such as the trial. These technical aspects brought the unique character to the story and added that “razzle-dazzle” the show required. All in all, Archmere Academy’s Chicago: High School Edition was the kind of triumph that would make audience members kill to see it again. The cast certainly had it coming!
“Chicago” was a daring production that could not have been so wildly successful without the professionalism, talent, and maturity of the cast and crew. I could not have been prouder of what we achieved! --Mr. Brian Manelski, Director of the Production
photo courtesy of Barksdale Photos Julia Parisi ‘20--as “Mama Morton”--presides over the women’s cell block in Cook County Jail.
The Auks Travel Corner: 72 HOURS IN BEAVER CREEK, COLORASarah Jalot ‘20 STAFF REPORTER
Moose, known for having the best pizza in the village, is an easy a delicious dinner option whether you want to dine in or take back to your hotel or cabin.
Senior Sarah Jalot offers sage advice for those seeking winter fun in the Colorado resort. Photo is hers (Winter 2020). When to Go: When visiting the resort, avoid the weekendsi if possible to ensure that the Village and slopes are not too crowded. I would recommend going from Wednesday through Friday to ensure you have the best experience. Where to Stay: Beaver Creek offers many different lodging options from the 5-star Ritz-Carlton, which offers slopeside dining and an oasis spa, to the kid-friendly St. James Place, which has an indoor heated pool and hot tub and serves free hot cocoa daily in the lobby. When booking lodging, consider the size of your travel group. Start searching at least three months in advance for a small group and four to five months in advance if your travelling with a larger group to ensure
that you can book the hotel, condo, or rental that best fits your group’s needs or preferences. Wednesday: Upon arrival at the resort, the Village shutter service will drop you off at your hotel or condo so that you can check in. After settling into your room, explore the Village and grab a bite to eat. My suggestion for eager stomachs is the Dusty Boot Roadhouse, a family friendly tex-mex restaurant, located just steps away from St. James Place and the Park Hyatt, known for their Colorado angus beef burgers. Jumping on the slopes might be the first thing you want to do, but it is best to wait a day to ensure that your body adjust to the elevation so that no one gets elevation sickness. If you are anxious to do something more
than walk around, the ice skating rink located in the center of the Village is a perfect activity for kids of all ages and kids at heart. Thursday: After a good night’s rest, it’s time to hit the slopes. If you have kids in ski school, be sure tocheck them in to their respective area by 8:30 a.m. Most of the chair lifts open at the same time,so if you are ready with all of your gear, head up the mountain. If you would prefer to ski or snowboard where it’s a little warmer and easier to get to, you can stay at the base of the mountain by taking Haymeadow Express Gondola, or head up to the main part of the mountain by taking Centennial Express. After a few runs, you might be ready for lunch. I suggest Spruce Saddle for any skier or
boarder. Spruce is a great lunch hotspot located at the top of Centennial Express Chairlift with options for everyone from freshly rolled sushi to handcrafted pizza. After lunch you have until 4 p.m. to finish hitting as many slopes as you can. This is a perfect time to take Cinch Express Chairlift to the top of the mountain to see a one-of-a-kind view of the entire bottom half of the mountain. Once you are done skiing or snowboarding, grab a chocolate chip cookie, freshly made and hand delivered by the bakers at the bottom of the mountain everyday at 3 p.m. Those who are tired out from the eventful day will find Blue Moose Pizza the perfect dinner place. Located right next to the ice rink in the center of the Village, Blue
Friday: Thursday’s busy day on the slopes will without a doubt leave you exhausted. Here’s a perfect chance to go explore the Village more in depth and take some time to shop. Whether you are looking for new gear or stylish clothing, there are endless options in the Beaver Creek Village, including many common stores around the Village such as Patagonia with an equal mix of stores unique to Beaver Creek such as Frinje. As you wrap up your stay at Beaver Creek, it’s a perfect night to head up the mountain to Zach’s Cabin for dinner. Guests reach Zach’s by a star-lit sleigh ride, pulled by a snow cat, also known as a trail groomer . Upon arrival, everyone is offered slippers to wear to match the cozy cabin vibes. As you wrap up your trip to Beaver Creek, I assure that you will have no regrets on your choice to stay there.
THE GREEN ARCH
MARCH 2020
Features
PAGE 7
ALUMNI SKYLER BOUCHARD ‘11 COOKS UP A FANBASE ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Phoebe Brinker ‘20 NEWS EDITOR
From the beginning, Skyler Bouchard ‘11 knew her passions: food and media. Bouchard still remembers her first vision of merging these two interests into a future career occurred in Archmere’s cafeteria as she was devouring her favorite dessert: a chipwich. Though her friends probably thought she was daydreaming or joking, Bouchard recalls confidently stating, “One day I’m going to eat and get paid for it!” Little did she know that dream would become her reality just a few years later. After starting a blog in college, creating a business, and branding herself on a plethora of social-networking platforms like Instagram and Youtube, Bouchard found herself gaining traction in the food industry. After graduating from Archmere, Bouchard attended NYU to study Broadcast Journalism and Communications. With the knowledge she was gaining in the classroom, Bouchard took the leap to launch her own blog, “Food by Skyler”, as a medium to channel her creativity and passion for food. Then, Bouchard started her Instagram account in 2012, and with Instagram’s dramatic increase in popularity her account reached 10k followers by 2014. However, it wasn’t solely optimal timing that led Bouchard to achieve a substantial Instagram following; she claims her main asset was “having a unique vision and a unique brand.” Being a blogger in the food industry, Bouchard sets herself apart by her unique mission to “find fun, unique dining experiences and make cooking less intimidating.” By approaching the industry with this mindset, Bouchard’s instagram (@diningwithskyler) has racked up 177k followers to date. And that is only her instagram following; surely there are countless more foodies who follow her online blog, subscribe to her YouTube channel, or watch her on Amazon’s live digital platform, where she showcases kitchen items on deal. Bouchard captures engaging content and connects with her target audience by radiating her personality through the camera. Her content, which consists of original recipes, restaurant reviews, travel reflections, and lifestyle tips, all contribute to the personal brand
she has defined for herself since the beginning of her blogging career. When asked how she scaled her audience, Bouchard reflected on how her platform evolved, stating, “In the beginning when I started my blog I was trying to be a New York Times writer and I was 20, I had no credibility, and I wasn’t growing because nobody cared. And then I started to use my own voice, and that’s what helped me start to gain traction. That’s still the strategy I have now.” In addition to being a blogger, Bouchard is an entrepreneur; she her blog, Bouchard started a cake ball business. She took the driver’s seat in the business which she maintained for a year and a half, which led her to work extraordinarily long hours blogging during the day and baking, packaging, and shipping her product during the late night hours and on weekends. Though she did not particularly enjoy the production sector of the food industry, Bouchard expressed the importance of her entrepreneurial endeavor, which lended her experience and credibility in the food industry. Her expert advice to students aspiring to become entrepreneurs is that, “If you ever start a business, the most important thing to do is research past models and build a new way for it for you.” For every course from breakfast to dessert, “Dining with Skyler” presents nearly 100 original recipes that cover cuisines from around the world and range savory to sweet, and everything in between. Bouchard explains her strategy of creating original recipes has evolved as she has gained more expertise; now, instead of falling into the black hole of Google, Bouchard attempts to recreate past dining experiences, with her own unique twist. Still, creating original recipes is quite the process. In Bouchard’s own words, “Recipe development is such a trial and error game. It’s a lot of failing and eating, and then just eating your feelings.” Despite the diligent, demanding process, Bouchard’s recipes inspire her followers to find comfort in cooking with bold flavors, while taking mindful healthy shortcuts. Bouchard is a trailblazer in the food-media industry; she has opened the door for women to step out of
the kitchen and explore the industry in innovative ways. In addition to the work she does on her personal platform, Bouchard also created a media company in which she helps restaurants and startups with branding, social media, and their creative strategy. Her career has taken off, but she certainly isn’t looking backwards. Her future goals are countless, as the industry could take her anywhere. However, a specific long-term goal Bouchard hopes to achieve is “to align with a network for TV or digital video where I can either cook or explore.” Bouchard credits her family, who is prominent in Delaware’s dining scene, for instilling in her a love of food, along with Archmere for shaping her into who she is today. “I really evolved during my time at Archmere… my freshman and sophomore years I wasn’t really even thinking about what I wanted to do. I was focused on sports and academics, but channeling energy into those things helped me realize exactly what I wanted to do, which was entertainment.” She attacked sports and academics with this creative mindset, treating the lacrosse field as a platform to express herself. In addition, Bouchard credits Archmere as a pivotal step in her self-development, stating, “[high school] was one of the most important times in my life where I got to learn the foundation of who I am and what my interests are, and a lot of that was figuring out what
I didn’t want to do… that’s actually one of the most helpful things you can ever experience.” Though Archmere’s broad, demanding curriculum may seem daunting, Bouchard reassures students that enduring unfavorable subjects is actually a vital step to discovering passions. Basically, in simpler terms, she is advising us to trust the process. When asked for the best advice she could give to students aspiring to begin a blog, Bouchard said, “Don’t start a blog if having a blog is the main goal… start a blog if there is something you are truly passionate about and you want to talk about it.” She expands, saying, “Once you figure out your passion and what you want to blog about, find your voice and find a way to make yourself different.” If she could give any advice to students, Bouchard wants to communicate the importance of finding comfort outside of your comfort zone. She says, “If anyone thinks
your ideas are crazy and you are thinking outside of the box, you are doing the right thing... Being outside of the box is actually the most comfortable place to be, and I highly recommend it.” So, Bouchard is opening the door for us to not only dream, but to trust ourselves to chase that dream. Because who knows where it could lead; from eating a chipwich to having a successful, booming food-media career (aka her dream job), it worked out pretty darn well for Skyler. §
Bouchard’s Edible Cookie Dough features chickpeas, but you’d never know it. Photo courtesy of Bouchard’s website withskyler.com. You can also follow her on the Food Network and @diningwithskyler on Instagram.
ARCHMERE CRITICS CORNER
ACTOR WITH A DRIVE: ADAM DRIVER TAKES THE WHEEL IN HOLLYWOOD Luke Currie ‘20 STAFF REPORTER
With the takeoff of his career in his supporting role in the HBO-series “Girls”, Adam Driver is now one of Hollywood’s top stars who is highly sought after by many bigname directors including JJ Abrams, Martin Scorsese, Noah Baumbach and many more. Born in San Diego and raised in Mishawaka, Indiana, Driver lived in the back of his mother’s house until he decided to change his life and apply to the Juilliard School for drama, to which he was rejected. Shortly after, he took a sharp turn in his life aspirations and joined the Marines. After two years and eight months of serving, he was medically discharged at rank Lance Corporal.
Struggling to fit back into normal life outside of the Marine lifestyle, Driver, standing at six-foot two and literally sticking out in society, made one last attempt with his acting career and once again applied to the Juilliard School. This time, he was accepted and his career took off from there. Driver is best known for his recent roles as the cutting-edge villain Kylo Ren in the latest Star Wars trilogy and the emotionally exhausted husband Charlie in Marriage Story for which he received a 2020 Golden Globe nomination. Whether it be space wars or arguments with a wife, Driver truly puts all of his effort and passion onto screen.
Within the three Star Wars films that Driver starred in, his strongest acting trait is his ability to not only deliver dialogue strongly, but also have a strong presence on screen. The clash of his pale white face with his all black costume mixed with his unique mannerisms such as his eye twitch attracts the audience’s eyes no matter what scene it is. These visuals are further enhanced with the way he speaks, delivering lines in a dark, sinister, serious or even soft manner. Daisy Ridley, who plays Rey in the film, said, “I love working with Adam, he is a phenomenal actor, and is always so immersed in the character that it is not difficult to act with him”.
Charming, selfish, heartbroken and frustrated, Driver plays the husband that turns a father-son relationship and marriage into dust initially, but whose mourning ultimately earns the audience’s sympathy. In one scene, Charlie returns home to his family, unaware of his wife’s ambitions for divorce. This dramatic irony stirs intense emotion in the audience and Driver skillfully conveys a sense of unawareness. More priceless is the way Driver captures Charlie’s emotion when he learns of the intended divorce, and his tear-filled interactions with his son that turn to arguments because of his fear of losing custody. Driver does everything in this film from
putting tears in the audience’s eyes to heartfelt singing. The beauty of this film and Driver’s performance in it is truly heartbreaking. Currently, Driver is starring in new films for 2020 in leading roles including Annette and The Last Duel. He also manages a non-profit organization that he founded titled Arts in the Armed Forces which provides high-quality arts programming to people in the military. From a galactic supreme leader to an average husband in a crumbling marriage, Adam Driver can be successful in so many different roles making him Hollywood’s next big star.§
THE GREEN ARCH
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MARCH 2020
Sports
A Glimpse into the Health Crises in Sports Caroline Antunes ‘20 CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
An ongoing debate centering around student athletes generally seeks to However, problematic responses manifest in everything from eating disorders argue whether or not sports present more harm or benefit to mental health. Certo anxiety, and even suicide in extreme cases. The latter is more common, though, tainly, sports can offer an emotional and physical outlet. Studies have shown that in professional athletes who experience a career ending injury. exercise is helpful to cope with anxiety, depression, and other mental health disMany reasons constitute “problematic” reactions. Some athletes, taken off vigorders. Ultimately, however, orous exercise, may severely reit is impossible to neglect the strict their calorie intake believdifference between leisure ing they are not fit for the same exercise and intense training lifestyle. For some, exercise was schedules of student athletes. a coping mechanism in the first Especially in the high place, and once injury removes school and collegiate level, athletes from their sport, there demands on athletes have incan be struggles with self-worth. creased almost exponentially. Generally, athletes see themIf athletes and coaches do not selves as one with their sport; approach these demands with thus, when an injury threatens careful attention and training, their own self image, identity this can lead to multiple concrises are likely to ensue. The sequences. Burnout or overbroad study of mental health use injuries are common in in student athletes culminates the sports realm, especially with a well known fact: there are as high school students are little resources for athletes with pushed towards a single sport, anxiety, depression, or other dispracticing all year round at inorders. tense demands. Combined With a certain work ethic with an intense academic drilled into athletes, most power workload, professionals have through mental obstacles just as noted an increased threat to they would physical obstacles. mental health. Even if services were in place to Mental health issues in provide help, there is a certain student athletes present stigma around these disorders. themselves in a broad specA pressured field seeks to elimtrum. Firstly, the massive inate all sources of weakness. commitment to sports generFor many, this includes mental ally means that student athletes must weakness. Archmere Cross Country traveled fast and far this past Fall 2019. Photo Courtesy of Barksdale Photos. make sacrifices socially. Added to the The barrier to achieving mental pressure of academics and training, health resources in the athletic realm putting relationships second can impact the athlete’s mencan be taken down with multiple measures. For one, edutal health. cation on one’s mental state can provide foremost help in Interestingly enough, many mental health issues in raising awareness. The broad study of mental health in sports are generally uncovered once an injury has occurred. A study done by the Department of Athletic Medicine student athletes culminates with a well Working to succeed in both sports and the classroom obat Princeton University says, “[Providing support] might inviously has its own demands; with an injury added to the clude keeping athletes engaged and encouraging athletes known fact: there are little resources mix, stress exacerbates this issue. Many studies indicate to seek help instead of ‘tough it out.’ For coaches one of the that injuries commonly trigger the appearance of depresfor athletes with anxiety, depression, or most powerful actions is to ‘give the athlete permission’ and sion or anxiety not previously seen. Because athletes put so encourage them to seek care.” If coaches add in positive remany dedicated hours and energy towards perfection, not inforcement, confidentiality, and fostering positive, healthy other disorders. being able to perform can significantly impair the athlete. relationships with their athletes, the sports world will find For many, an inability to perform- for most, what is their itself in a new era: one where mental performance is given passion and work- unravels their identity and confidence. the same attention as physical performance. Emotionally coping with an injury can present itself in typical reactions like anger, sadness, irritation, or even changes in appetite.
Sam Curry ‘20 STAFF REPORTER
Winter Sports Deserve More Love
Gamepoint for Archmere and the Lady Auks serve the ball over as the packed bleachers yell “woosh” accompanying the serve. The girls set the ball up and spike it down winning the game; the crowd goes wild and the athletes beam with pride and love. In just a few quick months though, volleyball, football, soccer, and other fall sports are finished for the year and the fall season dies down. Unfortunately, so does the spirit. The student section at our winter sports games are barren and dry compared to the abundant love Archmere receives during the fall. This issue is saddening and the student body needs to attempt fixing this problem. “Having been on both sides, there is a large dip in student support during the winter months,” said senior Bora Kilicoglu. “In some ways, the games at home can feel like glorified practices with uniforms because there is such a lack of support.” Having a student section cheering is a major motivator so when that is missing, team morale suffers, especially when Archmere is very capable of giving support. The student body shows up and shows out
especially when Archmere is very capable of giving support. The student body shows up and shows out for sports like football and volleyball but falls short when it comes to our winter seasons that follow. In the fall, students are eager to attend football and volleyball games finally being back to school and the teams are eager to have them in attendance. “The fans motivate us to be the best we can be and play our hardest,” said senior Lauren Edmiston. “There’s nothing more comforting than seeing dozens of your classmates supporting you in the sport you love.” Archmere needs to take steps towards facilitating school spirit in the direction of winter sports. Mr. Johnson and STUCO have instituted a Green and White night for February 1st in hopes to get people energized during the long winter season. “[At the beginning of the school year,] people are just excited to be back, at the end of the year people are ready to finish so that gives them energy,” said Mr. Johnson. “I think winter sports is just this lull of the year.”
Winter sports deserve an outpour of love and support just like the fall season prior. It is up to the students to want to show spirit and cheer for our fellow auks. Go to a basketball game or wrestling match; make it a social thing, but come. Represent Archmere and show off our sense of community proudly. Let’s not let the level of spirit fall with the leaves.
THE GREEN ARCH
MARCH 2020
Sports
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Archmere Academy Intramural Basketball Association of America Scott Lucarelli ‘22 STAFF REPORTER
The 2019-2020 Archmere Academy Intramural Basketball Association offered new and exciting developments this season. In this Archmere tradition, teams of students from the same grade gather to compete head-to-head with other teams for fun and for the end dream of the championship. But with the season developing, the dream of the championship for most teams dwindles as many of the scheduled intramural games have either been moved or cancelled. However, despite all of these obstacles, the faculty team continues to dominate for yet another year. The dominant faculty team, led by the League’s reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP) Archmere Admissions’ Mr. Logan Duffie, continues to improve its hot streak to be one of the League’s only undefeated teams with a record of 4-0. One of the most hyped-up teams entering the season, the sophomore Oilers, has faced a tragic series of losses in close heartbreaking games but has plans to turn its season around once the playoff stretch arrives. This team is carried by Nick Zhu’s rebounding ability and by their experienced coaching staff in the form of sophomore Coach Conor Udovich and Assistant Coaches Declan Pearson and Matt Dellose. According to Coach Pearson, the secret to their team’s success for the remainder of the season and winning the championship can be found in “Tommy Penrod’s sharp shooting ability and amazing handles that will lead us to glory.” But taking the trophy for this year’s most surprising team that has been the Cinderella story of the entire season, has to be the junior boys team “Vicious and Delicious.” Coach Shawn Enverso who has led this team to victory with his amazing and original schemed play calls such as their most utilized play named “Mallafancy Madness.” This play seems to allow the juniors to score at will if it is executed correctly and intimidates the other teams by using Micheal Mallamaci speed and extraordinary vertical. This team has continued to show amazing potential with
team has continued to show amazing potential with their record of 3-2 with a very difficult schedule. The girls teams have been a formidable force this season, thriving from outside the arc and using their speed to convert on many fast break opportunities. Throughout the course of the season these teams have shown their strength to be their relentless defense that is enforced all through the game with help from their large roster sizes. The best girls team at this point in the season is “Moose,” the senior girls team led by Abby Kates who carries her team by pushing the tempo of the game through fast break opportunities. “Nwao,” fired up by Mary Ikeocha’s drives to the basket,
Archmere’s basketball players often serve as coaches for the intramural teams. Photo courtesy of Barksdale Photos.
has given “Moose” a run for its money. Recently her team faced a heartbreaking loss to the senior boys despite having a sizable lead at the start of the game and entering the game on a winning streak With the season still developing and the playoffs getting closer with every passing moment, the season gets more and more exciting. With every game the student fan base continues to grow with the students cheering on their
dent body has become alarmingly clear, and that is to see the faculty team come crashing down from the top with an early exit from playoffs. This is due to tension This is due to tensions still high with the faculty running a frowned upon zone that led them to victory in the Flag Football Championship. With these developments continuing, it is making for the most memorable and exciting season in Archmere Academy Intramural Basketball Association of America history.
Astros Cheating Scandal Brendan McGuire ‘23 STAFF REPORTER
The recent scandal in the baseball world-one that may go down as one of the biggest scandals in sports history-- involves the Houston Astros, an MLB baseball team in the American League, being accused of stealing signs from other teams. All of this was said to take place in the past five years during many Astros runs in which they went deep into the playoffs. The Astros were accused of using electronic systems to steal signs from catchers on the opposing team. These signals would then be given to the players batting, giving the Astros players a completely unfair advantage. While sign stealing is not considered illegal in baseball, using electronic devices to do it undoubtedly is. To signal which pitch was coming, the Astros would bang on a trash can to signal off speed or breaking pitches. This is not the first time the sport of baseball has had to deal with cheaters. All time home run leader, Barry Bonds, among others, was caught using performance enhancing drugs to help him get stronger and, with that, hit the ball a lot farther than anyone else could.
Of course, the actions of some of the people in the Astros organization did not go unpunished. Some of the punishments included a 5 million dollar fine, a loss of both their first and second round draft picks in both the 2020 and 2021 season, and a year long suspension to both the Astros General Manager, Jeff Luhnow and their manager, A.J. Hinch. Both Luhnow and Hinch were fired on the same day that their punishments were released. No players ended up suffering any consequences although many wanted more punishment to be given out. Many fans of baseball felt that Houston should be stripped of their title that they won back in 2017 and they had good reason too. The Astros practically won the title through cheating and during their World Series run that year the Astros played a total of eighteen playoff games and went 11-7. Of the nine games they played at home, the Astros lost just once, but during away games the Astros had a terrible 3-6 record. Certainly not a record that many people would think is worthy of a World Series but thanks to their outstanding home record, the Astros were able to prevail and finish on top.
As for baseball in general, there is no doubt that the sport itself could be impacted by this whole situation. How it will be affected, no one really knows for sure. Baseball is the second most watched sport in America on the professional level and many kids grow up playing it. Baseball however, has been criticized for being unbearably slow and boring to watch so maybe this could give people a reason to tune in and watch baseball more often. After all, “there is no such thing as bad publicity.” Even though no one believes this scandal will have any effects on high school or little league baseball, there is no telling what the future may bring. As for the Astros, they don’t seem to be all that excited for what the future holds for them and their organization. There is no doubt that the Astros will suffer greatly from this punishment and probably will take around five years until they are able to get back into contention for the World Series. This scandal has certainly shaken the baseball world and leaves many wondering what is in store for the future of the MLB.
