Merionite March 2022

The Merionite Ardmore, PA, 19003

Volume 93, Issue 4

www.themerionite.org

Basketball at its best Charlie Hurwitz ’22 As an offseason full of camping trips, commitments, summer leagues, and preparation came to a close, the Boys’ Basketball team set their eyes on the prize— an opportunity to repeat as District Champions for the

in Coach Gregg Downer’s illustrious career.

Despite losing key

play er s l i ke st ar poi nt guard Sam Davison ’21 and winger Zack Wong ’21, the team’s confidence remained steady. When asked about the strength of this team, co-captain Jaylen Shippen ’22, talked about the comprehensive makeup of this year’s squad. “There is a lot of diversity on this team. We have a great mix of people with a lot of experience and some that are new to the varsity team. It’s a great chemistry that just seems to work.”

The season kicked off in early December with the seventeenth annual Maroon Madness celebration and fundraiser for the Sean A. Hughes Children’s Fund.

After a heartfelt tribute to the late great Hughes, whose impact on the team this year has been deeply

felt, the boys’ and girls’ teams scrimmaged to the delight of the packed Kobe Bryant Gymnasium, an audience watching its first live game since the pandemic started.

The season got underway with big wins against teams like Pocono Mountain West and Garnett Valley before a COVID-19 outbreak had the team sidelined for almost three weeks. “There were a couple days there where we didn’t know what the future held, so it’s always a scary time,” said senior guard Peter Gribbin. Through it all, the Dawg Pound kept games became legendary.

“There was something about to watch the Aces play that had us ready to go from day

one,” said Luke D’Alonzo ’22.

The Aces opened up after their break with a twentypoint win against district rival Harriton. From then on, the squad went 14-2, including a massive win against Reading, the reigning state champions.

“It was a great job by the fellas,” added Downer, who opined it was one of the more surprising moments of the year. The only blemish in the latter half of the regular season where the Aces lost in overtime to Haverford as their fans tion after the final buzzer.

That loss, however, was one that motivated the Aces to double down on their game, and the team hasn’t looked back or faltered since.

Please see BASKETBALL AT ITS BEST on page 19

Demetrius Lilley ’22 never fails to rally up the Dawg Pound with his impressive dunks.

Photos courtesy of One More Shot Photography

Mia Hail ’23 Arts & Entertainment Editor optional policy at LM—a scenario many deemed unlikely to happen this school year—the end appears to finally be in sight.

Students and teachers had been wondering for months afternoon of Sunday, February 28, when LMSD announced In accordance with the updated guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), masking within schools is no longer recommended in communities labeled as a low or medium risk. Currently, Montgomery County is on the medium level, which obviously may change at any given moment, but for the time being, wearing a mask in public schools is not a necessity.

Many LM students had been eagerly awaiting the end to masking and did not hesitate to make the switch. “I’m happy

NEWS

First marching down streets, now up to doors Check out how LM students participate in local election campaigns page 3

going to judge anyone for still choosing to wear a mask,” says Ava Altman ’23. Talia Rizzo ’23 believes “that it’s appropriate in some situations not to wear a mask. Yet I think students should still bring a mask just in case, like when there’s a lot of people in the lunchroom or whenever desks are super close together.

It just is safer that way.” A sophomore (who wishes to remain day, the majority of people who are most at risk of COVID-19 are those who aren’t vaccinated and have plenty of time to get vaccinated. I’m not going to go out of my way for people who won’t even get a shot.” For this reason, they choose not to wear a mask.

Other members of the LM community still choose to wear their masks despite the updated CDC guidelines. Spanish teacher Sara Nemoy shares, “I think that it’s okay that LM reverted to mask optional because the CDC lifted all the mandates.” Nemoy, who still chooses to wear a mask while teaching, adds, “Personally, I think that the pandemic is not over and people need to remember Photo by Julia Dubnoff ’23 that, but of course I respect any personal decision to mask or not.”

Jaiden Do ’23 agrees, “I just feel safer when wearing a mask.” The same mask-optional policy that LM Other students, including Noah Barkan ’24, want to has instituted during the school day protect those around them who are still vulnerable to the virus. applies to after-school clubs as well.

Please see 3...2...1...MASK OFF! on page 2

OPINIONS

Sexism has gotten better, right?

Angela Ge ’23 examines the way racism impacts which women are supported in their careers page 6

Read about how female athletes break the glass ceiling pages 10-11

FEATURES

A&E

Need advice on how to ask a teacher for feedback or what to do if you can’t get enough sleep at night? Check out the advice column! page 12

A look at the upcoming Oscars from last year’s low viewership to this year’s snubs page 15

Advice Column

Graphic by Chloe Martin ’25

SPECIAL FEATURE

Celebrating Women’s History Month with LM

SPORTS

Born to run

Read about the Boys’ Indoor Track team’s journey towards competition page 18

Photo courtesy of Krzysztof Jarocha ’22

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News

March 24, 2022

The Merionite

Save Oakwell Vivian Collins ’24 Copy Editor Concerned citizens across LMSD have been advocating to save Oakwell Forest, a close neighbor to the Stoneleigh Preserve. Oakwell is a parcel of land located at the intersection of 1800 Montgomery Avenue and 1835 County Line Road in Villanova. The forest consists of 13.4 acres of mature woodlands and wetlands.

It is also home to a historical estate built by William Wayne, which is accompanied by Acorn Cottage and a Garden Complex, both designed by Frank Miles Day and built in 1900. LMSD now has ownership of Oakwell and plans to use the lands as accessory fields for the new Black Rock Middle School (BRMS).

This process would involve cutting down over 500 trees and disrupting an entire ecosystem.

The Save Oakwell organization was formed by Lower Merion Township parents, students, teachers, and civic leaders. They are working to prevent the deforestation of Oakwell.

BRMS already has sustainable fields onsite, but the district wants sports like soccer and football to have separate fields. They also want to have baseball and softball fields, which is why Oakwell was chosen. The site is a thirteen minute walk from the new middle school, so students will need to be bussed to the fields. Despite the hundreds of student athletes in the district, only those in seventh grade or above are permitted to play an after school sport. As an intermediate school, half of BRMS’s students will not be able to participate in athletic programs, causing some parents to feel that the extra fields aren’t necessary.

There are several environmental factors that must be taken into consideration when discussing the fate of Oakwell. There are over 500 trees located on the property and they can process as much as 100 gallons of water per day. Holly Manzone, a member of Save Oakwell, says, “When you think about the amount of water that’s being brought up, if those trees aren’t bringing it up, where is it going to go? It’s going to land on a playing field and go washing off onto Montgomery Avenue or County Line Road and create floods.” Mazone continues to explain that as the runoff water makes its way to the Schuylkill River, it is contaminated by things like car oil and worn-off tire rubber, further polluting the river. The trees are also home to tons of animals that rely on them for survival. Topographically, Oakwell is a very hilly

area, so in order to construct the new fields, the district will have to bulldoze the entire property, further destroying the ecosystem.

In their efforts to stop the destruction, Save Oakwell was motivated by Greenpeace’s Fire Drill Fridays, inspired by Greta Thunberg’s words, “Our house is on fire. I am here to say, our house is on fire.” Fire Drill Fridays are weekly rallies held to stop the climate crisis and demand change from the country’s leaders.

On February 25, Save Oakwell held their first Fire Drill Friday in front of the District Administration office building. The organization plans to continue holding the protests for many weeks to come. Manzone says, “We’re going to be out there for as long as it takes.”

Along with the protests, a petition has been started on change.org and has received over two thousand signatures. A Facebook page titled Save Oakwell has been formed with the goal of spreading information about how citizens can help defend the forest. Meeting updates and times can be found on the Facebook page.

The school district already owns the land, so a member of Harriton’s Environmental Club, Pauline Voelkel, suggests that the district use the Oakwell Forest as an arboretum for environmental education. Voelkel says, “It’s so close to a lot of the schools, so it could be, especially with COVID, a field trip for kids.

They could get involved with the environment, run around, and also just learn about the things there because there’s a lot of historic buildings that can be talked about.” The Save Oakwell organization echoes the idea of repurposing the land, stating, “Oakwell would make an amazing arboretum, community garden, native nursery, and wildlife sanctuary.”

Construction on Oakwell will not take place until May 2023, so there is still time to save the forest. For students who wish to get involved, Voelkel suggests attending school board meetings in person or online via Zoom.

The board allows students to speak up and voice their concerns, creating the opportunity to speak about Oakwell. Writing letters or emails to district representatives may also be another effective way to push for change.

Finally, Voelkel recommends emailing any questions or concerns you may have regarding Oakwell Forest and the Save Oakwell organization to saveoakwell@gmail.com.

Photos courtesy of Shawn McMurtry

Photo courtesy of Holly Manzone

The Oakwell Forest contains 500 trees that process as much as 100 gallons of water per day (middle and bottom). The proposed site of the fields would clear a significant portion of the land (top).

To digitalize or not to digitalize Jessica Dubin ’23 Website Editor

Graphic by Emma Liu ’22/Staff

Some students dislike the digital option. Luke Shepard ’24 would prefer paper, because “taking tests on paper allows me to focus on the questions rather than the world around the tab.”

On January 25, 2022, College Board made a decision that will alter the way students take standardized tests. They announced that, starting in 2024, students will take the SAT digitally at a testing center, and the format of the test will be changed.

The overall test will take two hours instead of three. Shorter reading passages will give students more time to answer each question, and a calculator will be permitted on all math sections of the test. Additionally, the new use of technology allows students to receive their score faster, in hopes of reducing the anxiety of the impending results.

This switch from paper and pencil to digital testing is being made to try and meet students’ needs while testing on more relevant information. It may also help students test in a way that they are used to and more comfortable with.

Gabby Tepper-Waterman ’23 says, “I would have loved to take the SAT digitally rather than on paper. After doing virtual school for the past year, it was a difficult transition to the lengthy paper and pencil test. I wasn’t used to working for that many hours in a mask and was exhausted and frustrated throughout the test.” Such long tests are grueling for students, so the switch to a digital, shorter version aims to help students perform better. Alina Morin ’23 says, “Though I would rather take the test on pencil and paper because I get easily distracted on the computer, there is a large advantage of the digital tests as they are shorter and will allow students to stay focused throughout the entirety of the test.”

While the switch to online tests provides many benefits, it also comes with challenges. For starters, not every student has access to technology, so testers that do not have their own device will have to use a device provided by College Board on test day. Each student device will need to have a secure browser installed to ensure that there is no cheating. The test has also been made so that if a student loses internet connection, their work will save and they will not lose time.

Overall, this adjustment is an effort to make standardized testing less dreadful and provide an easier experience for all. As the question over the importance of standardized testing has been raised over the years, the switch to digital SATs may pioneer a change in the role testing plays in students’ lives and the amount of pressure it puts on them. Will this cause AP tests to become digital? Will standardized tests start to lose significance or no longer be used? The results of these new SATs will provide an insight into the future of testing and if it will be modified for good.

News

March 24, 2022

3

The Merionite

First marching down streets, now up to doors Max Fishman ’22 Though City Avenue often conceals the stories of poorer, crime-ridden, and underfunded communities that lie just beyond LM’s pocket of abundance, now and then, something breaks through the traffic. During the summer of 2020, many students began to understand the raw inequities that radiate out from their homes. Yet, at the time, LM merely marched for the ills entrenched in another community. So although the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests have been copiously upheld as an epicenter of change—a time to wipe away ignorance and lend hands and voice to our neighbors, in Paul Prescod’s Philadelphia community, boulders of oppression press families further down the spiral of crime and poverty. Unsurprisingly, systemic change in this respect is slow and burdensome, but Paul’s campaign to represent Pennsylvania’s eighth senate district, which includes parts of Delaware and Philadelphia Counties, seeks to be a fulcrum in its favor. With a firm belief in his vision, a growing pool of LM students are volunteering to help him win.

Fighting in a primary to unseat an incumbent of 24 years, the traditional path was never an option for Paul. (In the same vein, the campaign explicitly encourages an upset to traditional naming conventions.) So, with ward leaders loyal to establishment Democrat Anthony Williams, the insurgent campaign is looking to change the hearts of individuals. How? By knocking on their doors and having conversations. In political jargon: canvassing.

Though simple for the individual, mobilizing enough volunteer canvassers to make a difference is a huge task.

However, as a progressive campaign led by a former public school teacher, Democratic Socialists of America member, and union champion, Paul has some allies. Now, the canvass army has an additional ally: half a dozen LM students.

Yet, asking strangers in Southwest Philadelphia for their vote is likely not within the average high schoolers’ comfort zone. So when Kal Hachadoorian ’23 arrived at the Upper Darby Recreation Center parking lot for his first canvass, he was incredibly apprehensive. Kal put it simply: “Talking to people is scary.” But after field organizer Kani Mote cracked a few jokes and showed them how just a few questions could engage a complete stranger and win over their sympathy, his stomach

settled. With a little practice connecting people’s issues to Paul’s platform, Kal felt confident and even helped a friend, Sam Donagi ’25, overcome his initial anxiety too. After a long day, a tired Sam commented that he loves the work “because it’s a local race that actually matters and it feels like a way to have a measurable impact. To move the needle on something. There are lots of places you can work with, but you don’t always know how much you’re actually doing.

But today I think, ‘Yeah, I just changed seven people’s minds.’” Kal echoed the sentiment, saying, “I like feeling like

his neighborhood: community disinvestment and worker disempowerment.

Paul believes that fully funded public services are a simple but monumental part of making his community safer.

According to Paul and his campaign, Paul understands schools’ importance in reducing crime and the pervasive lack of adequate funding that flattens the chances students will discover real options to raise their station; unsafe schools that lack engaging teachers and door-opening after school programs have no hope of keeping students focused on careers. This point in par-

I’m doing something meaningful and working towards what I believe in.”

Considering that Paul’s campaign even compels freshmen to venture into an unknown and sometimes dangerous city, it’s clear that for the canvassing students, the campaign represents an exciting opportunity to translate belief into tangible action. But what about Paul in particular inspires such an undertaking by busy high schoolers?

As a former teacher in underfunded Philly schools, Paul has firsthand experience with the challenges his community faces. So although LM students see an opportunity to make meaningful connections and get involved in a local movement, for Paul, the campaign is a chance to apply his experience and uproot the vines strangling

ticular helped drive LM students to donate their time. At a canvas launch site, Kal made plain that “a victory for Paul is a victory for me because people who live just miles away deserve the same education, resources, and opportunities I do.” And the campaign doesn’t think the bleeding stops at education, either.

Fueled by rising costs, underfunded public schools, and general community disinvestment from essentials like infrastructure, crime torments Philly’s families. As making ends meet has grown harder and harder for adults, their kids face an even darker horizon. Although the difficult reality is that the aforementioned top-down solutions will take time and a state senate majority to enact, another aspect that excites LM volunteers about Paul (and helps the campaign

win the endorsements of seven unions and the Working Families Party) is his plan to turn the system immediately on its head; Paul wants to imbue power for change directly into his constituents.

Born into a family whose foundation was forged by labor activism, Paul’s early life was defined by the working class struggle. He remembers that “before I identified as an activist, my family history had shaped my politics.” Later, a college-aged Paul helped nurses wrestle remedies for unsafe conditions and understaffing from an apathetic hospital. Ever since, he’s clearly understood the power of labor in changing communities for the better. Putting what he grew up learning to the test, Paul harnessed grassroots power from his teachers’ union to bring attention to ills like the 98 percent of local public schools whose water carried lead to students. Lacking a more willful mobilization, however, the problems persisted.

In time, with the help of Bernie Sanders’ breakthrough into mainstream discourse, Paul came to see that “we need both [labor and politics] working at once: a robust movement that’s also reflected in the legislature.”

He continues, “I’m going to actively support movements in my district and throughout the state by providing material support to unions that are striking, or to housing activists that are fighting against skyrocketing rents. […] I want to organize with the people I represent.” In other words, Paul doesn’t plan to spend all day in Harrisburg. Instead, he’ll be working towards immediate solutions in his own backyard.

Supported by a myriad of volunteers including LM students, Paul is running in the May 17 primary to add intense pressure against the root causes of crime, poverty, and other crises. Paul believes that building sustainable movements is the only path to real victory.

Though the candidate’s convictions are clear, questions remain. Can Anthony Williams tack several more years onto his streak of incumbency? Or will a young activist and teacher connect with enough voters to earn a seat at the table?

To those who marched in 2020 to point out the vast disparities that exist just miles away: Paul asks you to consider how you can contribute to an ongoing struggle. A struggle happening just on the other side of the art museum. Paul’s campaign will continue to canvass voters every weekend until the election.

Graphic by Chloe Martin ’25

Continued from 3...2...1...MASK OFF! on page 1 “I babysit for preschoolers who can’t be vaccinated and I spend...time with my grandparents. I don’t really care that I have a mask on, so I’d rather take an abundance of caution.”

Barkan believes that “a big part of people’s decision to wear a mask comes down to the stigmas surrounding masking rather than purely science.”

Assuredly, throughout the pandemic, “anti-maskers” versus “pro-maskers” has become a well-known narrative in the news and on social media. Now, however, it’s important to understand that the CDC no longer recommends wearing masks, so not wearing a mask will become much more widely accepted.

To some students who have become comfortable wearing a mask for the past two years, they just think that it looks best and have no scientific reason for continuing to wear a mask. “I don’t like the bottom half of my face,” said an anonymous student.

Low case count in our community is definitely a step in the right direction in terms of COVID-19, but the pandemic isn’t gone yet. It may never be completely “gone.” For many immunocompromised individuals, the virus still poses a great risk to their health. We have also experienced the introduction of new variants that caused a tremendous influx in cases, and we still don’t know what the future holds. For now, optional masking is a policy that could foreshadow a way out of the pandemic and one that many have sought for months. It gives us a cautious hope that things are finally returning to what they once were. The most important aspect of this transition is for everyone to respect each other’s decisions to mask or not to mask and simply take the change as a positive step toward a return to normalcy.

Photo by

will mask.

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News

March 24, 2022

The Merionite

Alumni spotlight: LM grads in action Michael Cheng ’18

Emma Saltzberg ’09

Aneesa Ferreira ’00

Photo courtesy of Jon Chase/Harvard Gazette

Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures

Photo courtesy of Aneesa Ferreira ’00

All eyes in the educational community turned towards Michael Cheng ’18 last fall when he won the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship, which will give him a full ride to Oxford University in the fall. Michael currently attends Harvard University, where he engages in a double concentration in history and mathematics.

He also serves as the university’s Undergraduate Council president and rows for its lightweight crew team.

Emma Saltzberg ’09 pulled off a stunner recently when she won Jeopardy on February 2—and pulled off several more stunners by defending her title two more times in the ensuing rounds, collecting a final total of nearly $60,000. Outside of Jeopardy, Emma is the cofounder of IfNotNow, an American Jewish progressive activist group, as well as a senior fellow at Data for Progress, a progressive think tank.

In a game of elimination, few people last very long.

That’s what makes Aneesa Ferreira ’00 so special, as someone who has dominated the reality TV scene for the past two decades. Aneesa’s biggest roles have been starring in the MTV reality show The Challenge.

Aneesa currently holds the record for most Challenge seasons by a female contestant at fifteen and shows no sign of slowing down any time soon.

Q. With the Rhodes Scholarship, what do you plan on pursuing at Oxford and do you have any career plans in mind?

A: A doctorate in computer or engineering science—I haven’t decided exactly what yet. I’m also interested in climate technology and energy systems and algorithms that can predict what a transition to clean energy will look like. I’m not sure about long term career plans yet, but I’m excited to explore new territory for a few more years.

Q: At Harvard, you are also the president of the Undergraduate Council. What have you done to help push for change?

A: One of the things I’ve done is launched an app called Crimson Open Government, which is basically a direct democracy app. Students can anonymously answer campus life questions and vote on certain issues like mental health, COVID, and dining hall usage, so student government can see what responses are most supported. There’s space to express what you really think and see what consensus there is. I hope to use this new digital platform to increase transparency, by giving data to administrators and working with them on policies. One of the new policies that will be implemented starting next year is allowing double majors, which previously Harvard students could not do. I hope to use my position to help develop relationships with people who can change policy, instead of doing nothing and just waving my hands around.

Q. What was your favorite class at LM? A: AP English Language with Mrs. Flynn. She really taught me how to write, to think about things in terms of ideas and arguments. Most importantly, I learned not to be fearless with things that are worth fighting for. We really honed in on values in that class.

Q: What activities did you do at LM? A: My three main activities were Science Olympiad, cross country, and track. For Scioli, we brought LM from being ranked seventeenth in the state to second and got to Nationals, and I think it has been a pretty good team since. It was rewarding to help turn around the team and develop a better community. As for cross country and track, it was a great place to develop athletically and a super positive time. I still talk a lot to Coach DVH. Looking back on it, it was really impactful. I primarily ran the 1600m.

Q: What/who do you recall most about LM? A: A couple things. Obviously, Science Olympiad getting to Nationals. Hanging out in Mrs. Minecci’s room; I was really close with her. She was a really good person who cared about you and your character development and was always open-minded. Mr. and Mrs. Flynn, I really loved, along with Becky Bowlby. She and Mrs. Gesacion spent countless hours with me senior year helping me figure everything out. I also really enjoyed literature in Dr. Hobbs’ class. I’m currently taking a class with Henry Louis Gates Jr., a seminar in African American literature, and there is a straight line between lessons in my high school class and what I’m reading now.

Q: What would you say is the most important lesson you learned through high school?

A: Find things to believe in. Be critical and question a lot. Just because a lot of people think one way does not mean it’s right. Be willing to expose yourself to different ideas, things you might not agree with at all, because you grow from putting yourself in uncomfortable situations. Sometimes you have to experience the world to see what it’s like before making a judgment.

Q: How was the process of the entire show?

A: So between taking the open online test and filming, it was about a year. I took the online test, which anybody can take in December 2020, and I didn’t hear anything until about June; that’s when I was invited to a group audition, where you play a mock game of Jeopardy, tell a story about yourself, and do a test run. Before the pandemic, those were all in person, but I had mine on Zoom. Afterwards, I was put into the pool of candidates, and they told me they could call me at any time. I finally heard back in August and filmed my segment at the end of November, after which the episode aired in February.

Q: How did being a journalist in high school help what you do now?

A: Being a high school journalist, reporter, and editor served as incredible preparation for the work that I do— especially getting into the practice of emailing and talking with people who you don’t have a prior connection with, asking to speak with them, thinking about angles on stories, and how to tell a story in a way that will resonate with an audience. Also being curious, looking at something and asking why it is like that.

Q: So back when you went to LM, what was your favorite class? What was your least favorite class?

A: There’s tough competition but my favorite class was AP English Language with Mr. Segal. We read really beautiful and challenging texts, and Mr. Segal took us really seriously as writers and thinkers and held us to a high standard, which was intimidating but very rewarding.

On the other end of the spectrum, I wasn’t much for gym class, and I would try my best to get out of gym.

Q: What were some of the clubs and activities you did at LM? A: The Merionite was my main thing—I was a reporter for the first two years, then a Features Editor in my junior year, and finally Managing Editor in my senior year.

I spent a lot of time with the newspaper. I also did Players in my first year, as well as Environmental Club, and did a few other things here and there—mostly trying to get a lot of stuff on the good old résumé. My advice would be to not do that, because I don’t even remember much of it.

Q. What would you advise to any current LM students who are not sure about how to pursue their passions right now?

A: I would say that it’s really important to figure out what you care about. It could be any number of things: you could really love watching TV and then transform that into becoming a cultural critic or TV writer. I remember being taught that there was a difference between serious academic pursuits that are relevant for a future job and other interests you might be passionate about but are frivolous, but that’s not really the case. You should just really learn as much as you can, go deep into the things that draw you in.

High school is just a time where you can absorb so much— and you should do that while also having fun.

Q. What would you say is the most important lesson you’ve learned throughout high school that helped your career and future pursuits?

A. Being part of The Merionite staff and being responsible in a meaningful way for something the student body would be looking at was both a tremendously fun and often silly experience, but also a real responsibility, something that took us seriously. And feeling like what we wrote mattered, whether it was arguing over what would be in the editorial, was really informative, as it allowed us to feel trusted and allowed ourselves to fully express ourselves.

Q. You’ve had a long and illustrious career as a reality TV star, beginning right after you graduated from LM. How did your time at LM help you find your passion for what you do now?

A. I think LM helped me in terms of how social and self-aware I was at nineteen. However, at that time, I wanted to be a teacher. I actually never expected to be on reality TV. Q. Your career began right as reality TV began to take off. How would you say reality TV and TV shows in general have evolved in the years since then?

A. There’s basically a reality show for everything.

One thing about ours is that it’s never been scripted.

It has, however, become increasingly more difficult in order to keep viewers interested.

Q. Who is your inspiration? Who do you look up to?

A. My inspiration is my mother. She raised my brother and I, and her strength alone is admirable.

Q. What was your favorite class at LM? What was your least favorite class?

A. My favorite class was English with Mr. Quinn. He made reading fun, and his classes challenged me. He was so kind and really cared about his students. I didn’t like trigonometry, but I had to take it.

Q. What were some of the clubs, activities, or sports you did at LM? A. I was a four-year varsity cheerleader. I also played lacrosse my freshman year.

Q. What was one thing you wished you would’ve done if you were back in high school?

A. I wish I would’ve focused a bit more. I also wished I would’ve talked about being bullied a bit more. It would’ve made life a lot easier.

Q. What was it like being bullied? How did it affect you? How did you overcome it, and what ways can students develop better self confidence?

A. I was bullied for about eight years. It was awful. In the halls, I would hear screams of “white girl” and “slut” amongst other things. I was threatened. I was scared every day. However, I wouldn’t tell on them out of fear of retaliation. I had an amazing support system though: my mother, brother, and friends. I was so loved outside of all of that hate. I persevered. It gave me a thick skin, which helped me to navigate other situations in life.

Q. Did you develop your confidence for being in front of a camera naturally or was it something you taught yourself to do?

A. I’ve always been a performer and always had a carefree attitude.

Q. What would you advise to any current LM students who want to get into acting and the TV show business?

A. For those who want to go into acting or reality, please know that it’s not always going to be pretty. It’s a fun and unique experience, but the trolls are out there.

You have to develop a thick skin and be sure of who you are. Keep a level head, remain humble, have a solid core group of friends, and try to laugh often, even if it’s at yourself.

Please visit themerionite.org to read the unabridged versions of each interview.

Opinions

March 24, 2022

5

The Merionite

The Merionite Official newspaper of Lower Merion High School since 1929 www.themerionite.org Columbia Scholastic Press Assocation Silver Crown 2013 Editors-in-Chief Victoria Bermudez ’22 Caryl Shepard ’22 Jonathan Xu ’22 News Editors Noa Cutler ’22 Julia Dubnoff ’23 Phillip Gao ’22 Ben Wolf ’22 Opinions Editors Shaine Davison ’23 Sonia Laby ’22 Ike Mittman ’22 Spencer Rosenbaum ’22 Features Editors Angela Ge ’23 Ella Johnson ’22 Olivia Lee ’23 Eric Yang ’22

Editorial: AP classes are fundamentally flawed As we near the end of March, we start to approach AP examinations. Taking place throughout the first two weeks of May, these tests are the College Board’s method of determining how well students have learned various advanced subjects during the year. If a student is lucky enough to score a four or a five on their AP test, they can submit it to their future college to waive certain requirements. AP classes may seem like a beneficial way for scholars to put forth meaningful curriculums about various subjects and test students in an effective manner. However, these tests are fundamentally flawed. AP classes are the wrong way to learn because students are taught for the test instead of tested on what they are taught. Since there is so much packed into an AP curriculum, sometimes there is no wiggle room for teachers to take the curriculum and make it meaningful.

In AP classes, there is too much material for teachers to provide an adequate education experience. One of the most fundamental parts of education is the fact that teachers can take a general curriculum and choose a set of

Gabby Tepper-Waterman ’23

Ezra Thau ’22 Copy Editors Vivian Collins ’24 Madeleine Fiks ’23 Zoe Hassett ’23 Senior Design Editors Emma Liu ’22 Emmi Wu ’23 Graphics Editor Ilana Zahavy ’24 Senior Web Editor Katie Fang ’23 Web Editor Jessica Dubin ’23

Sam Abella ’24 Cramped. Crowded. Claustrophobic. These words come to mind when describing the state of the LM cafeteria every single day. At the start of the 2021 school year, underclassmen did not have Lunch & Learn, allowing for a staggering of students’ buying of lunches throughout the period. Advisory was used as a bridge to connect the transition of the allotted lunch times to Lunch & Learn and provided leeway for the cafeteria to serve students in smaller groups at a time. Now, with all classes granted Lunch & Learn privileges, an influx of students pour into the cafeteria during first lunch to buy food.

The numerous students crammed in close proximity to one another during the first lunch is problematic. First, it removes the efficiency of buying lunches entirely. Students squeeze their way through packs of people in order to grab an item. Second, the crowded spaces lead to more jostling and pushing, which is some-

thing that is frequent during the beginning of first lunch. Supporting this, Ella Brenner ’24 noted, “One time I was going to grab my fries with a rush of people nearby, and I was pushed, which made me drop them all over the floor.”

Third, the surge of students results in long lines, which blocks the drink section of the cafeteria. This provides even more difficulty as not only does the line obstruct students’ ability to buy drinks, but also leads to student crossing through the lines and creating more confusion.

The multitude of students confined in such a small area also creates an unfair challenge to our hardworking staff. Food constantly ends up on the ground with plates and trays bumping into nearby students. Custodians are forced to clean this mess, a mess that could have been prevented if a more orderly system was put in place. In addition, the flood of students induces strain on our cafeteria workers. The sudden influx of students creates a situation where it is hard for them to keep up with demand, leading to more students waiting on food to be prepared.

This too can be alleviated by a fix to the system.

Another crucial reason to amend the current system is for the purpose of managing COVID-19 risk. With the mask mandates recently lifted in our school district, the risk of transmission among students spikes with so many people packed in a small and poorly ventilated area. If one student

harbors the virus, it is likely to spread to many other students or staff nearby. The dense student crowd therefore fails to uphold our schools commitment to safety.

So what could be done to remedy these challenges surrounding the current situation? There are workable solutions to resolve these issues. The easiest approach would be to directly break up the times that students are allowed to buy food, mimicking the results of the initial system at the start of the year. For example, upperclassmen would have the first half of the first lunch period to buy food, swapping with underclassmen on a schedule. After the first half of the first lunch, students would be able to purchase food from the cafeteria.

This way, the rush of students would be broken up by only allowing some groups of students to buy at certain times. This would solve the problem of a cramped environment, and would reduce the pushing and shoving that many students experience. It would lessen the pressure on the cashiers to fulfill all the orders at once and eliminate the threat of a breakout of COVID-19 within our school system. For the benefit of students, teachers, and staff, lunches at LM should be broken up into allotted times for the remainder of this school year. These times would allow for students to buy food in a safe manner while preventing many of the problems that occur on a daily basis with the current system.

The dark side of fast furniture

Assistant Business Manager Noah Barkan ’24 Photographers Aiko Palaypayon ’23 Anika Xi ’23

The editors believe all facts presented in the newspaper to be accurate. The paper acknowledges that mistakes are possible and welcomes questions as to accuracy.

Inquiries regarding accuracy should be directed to the editors of the paper. Editors can be contacted via e-mail at merionite@ gmail.com or in Room 200A. To represent all viewpoints in the school community, The Merionite welcomes all letters to the editor. Letters can be sent via e-mail or dropped off outside The Merionite office. The Merionite reserves the right to edit letters to the editor for length or clarity. All unattributed images are courtesy of WikiCommons.

Unsigned editorials reflect the general opinion of the staff and not the opinion of any single editor.

Cafeteria complaints

Business Manager Mona Vakil ’22

Advisor Charles Henneberry

activities to their students. What is education if you can’t find meaning in what you are learning? AP Government students wouldn’t know.

It is important to note that there are some intellectually challenging activities in APs. For example, AP Biology involves many different labs, each designed to maximize students’ scientific knowledge. However, there would be significantly more of these activities if AP teachers weren’t under the pressure to teach to the test. With such a large amount of content and so little time, AP teachers are forced to sacrifice certain valuable aspects of learning.

At LM, we have exceptional teachers with insightful ideas on how to teach concepts, but many are stifled by the magnitude of the AP curriculum. It is clear that the College Board needs to make a change in order to make our learning more worthwhile.

Articles and letters featured in the Opinions section reflect the viewpoints of individual contributors and not neccesarily those of The Merionite editorial staff.

Arts and Entertainment Editors Mia Hail ’23 Julia Russel ’23 Lila Schwartzberg ’24 Nolan Shanley ’23 Sports Editors Michelle Kelly ’23 Luke Shepard ’24

activities that deliver the content to students in an insightful and interesting manner. For example, in Government Honors, one class did a Senate simulation as a part of their unit about Congress. The hands-on experience involved days of research, preparation, and a full class period dedicated to replicating how Senators go about their meetings. Senior Izzy Bowser commented that “this helped me understand how the government works because I got to witness it first-hand.” Clearly, an experience such as this one supports a strong education.

Unfortunately, the AP Government curriculum does not leave room for students to take part in such intellectually stimulating activities.

For their unit about Congress, AP students were asked to read a textbook and watch Khan Academy videos about the subject. They also did a brief project where they made a basic PowerPoint about committees, but it was nowhere near as intellectually challenging and rewarding as the Senate simulation. Since they have so much content to get through, AP Government classes do not have time to provide these

Charlotte Conybear ’24 The pandemic contributed to a boom in micro trend furniture and home decor. Micro trends— a term usually designated to cheap, on trend, fashion items that cycle through the internet as fast as wildfire and contribute to the issue of fast fashion and sustainability—can also be a term used to describe the room decor aesthetics that flood social media. Fast fashion has been a long standing problem in society, but fast furniture is relatively new. When the pandemic started, people began spending a lot more time in their homes and on their phones, leading to the subsequent hyper fixations on different aesthetics and room decor. Society’s relationship with furniture and home decor has changed and become more of a focus for many individuals. But what is the consequence of fast furniture micro trends?

Social media is the main contributor to the rise in fast furniture. Every week there is a new micro

trend popping up, whether it involves clothes, shoes, food, or home decor. Fast fashion’s negative effects are widely known and easier for most people to recognize, but fast furniture and home decor is overlooked. Most people, when watching someone unbox a thousand dollars worth of cheap clothes online, can easily recognize the negative impact that person is creating on the environment. However, watching someone on social media completely redo their room every season to fit a new aesthetic doesn’t register as something that is detrimental to the environment.

Micro trends surrounding decor usually found on social media, such as plastic vines and photo walls, often find themselves in landfills just months after being purchased. Types of fast furniture are built poorly and only last a few years to ensure more business. The United States Environmental Protection Agency data shows that over 9,500 tons of furniture ends up in landfills, compared to only 40 tons of furniture recycled (US EPA). The United States alone has over 10,000 landfills, including ones that are active and inactive. Landfills are beneficial to society, but dangerous for the environment. According to the Environmental Center at the University of Colorado Boulder, the release of methane gas is the most pressing issue regarding landfills’ effects on the environment. Methane is nearly 85 times more potent than carbon dioxide at absorbing the sun’s heat, contributing

to its status as a large influencer of climate change.

In addition to methane, several other gasses are produced as a result of fast furniture in landfills.

So what can we do to stop contributing to fast furniture and micro-trend home decor? The first step is to look for red flags, such as the material of product, prior to a purchase. If a piece is made out

Graphic by Emma Liu ’22/Staff

of unsustainable materials that will not last more than a few years, pass and opt for more high quality pieces. Finding good quality furniture and decor does not always have to be expensive. Secondhand stores are often stacked with furniture meant to last generations. Only buy things that you will be able to use for years and can be adapted to any space or style. Be conscious of the materials and price of home decor, if an item is ridiculously cheap, it most likely will not last long. Attempt to buy mainly donatable or recyclable items and avoid contributing to landfills overflowing with poorly made home items. Finally, try to avoid micro trends and fill your space with items you can use and enjoy for years.

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Opinions

March 24, 2022

The Merionite

Colleges cash out

Zev Charlson ’22 For graduating seniors, going to college can be a broaden their knowledge, they can meet new people and pendent skills they will utilize for the rest of their lives.

College is a luxury at LM that many of us take for granted. We are told we must create a school list, write essays, take a test, and apply to our schools. On the Main Line, the economic aspect of this multi-year process is never questioned. Not everyone is as fortunate to not have to to and paying for college. Only a few miles away, within the Philadelphia school system, college is a privilege that not all students have. The persistent inequities between our two neighborhoods creates a disproportionate advantage for the wealthy in the college process.

The college process favors richer families because the wealthier have greater access to resources that lead them to success. Many colleges demand high grades, exceptional test scores, and strong writing skills.

We are lucky to live in a community where we have

adequate resources to help us obtain these things.

We have textbooks, labs, and books, all to assist us and provide us with a well-rounded education. The Philadelphia schools do not have the money to share all of these resources with their students. Therefore, the students cannot be expected to learn the same material as students at LM. Their grades regarding this material cannot be compared if they are not given the same tools to succeed. Unfortunately, the College Board and universities do not always take these factors into consideration.

This is incredibly unfair and promotes a cycle where the rich become richer and the poor become poorer.

The College Board prioritizes strong “standardized” test scores and high grades. However these tests are not standardized at all. Students in wealthier school districts have access to a variety of tutoring services and and many students that can take the level of rigor do not have access to the classes. Private tutoring for the SAT/ ACT or to help write college applications is not an option for many due to how high the cost is. Paying $150-$200 an hour to test well or write the best essay possible is an advantage that can’t be seen on paper when colleges and are put in a worse situation for factors that are out of their control. In 2013, the School District of PhiladelThis act alone highlights the conditions that make it too to receive the support necessary to deal with the stress from everyday life. They have more obstacles they must deal with alone compared to an LM where we have many resources to talk to and places to go when we need help.

Today, school counselors are back in the district but it still has more police on scene than counselors. In a school

Graphic by Emma Liu ’22/Staff

environment where the health and safety of its student’s isn’t a priority, city students face various more challenges than the students at LM. These challenges aren’t always glaring on college applications and creates a large advantage for children of wealthier families. Students deserve equal access to a higher education instead of being born into poor conditions and playing from behind.

The college process favors those with money and tion is only applicable to those who know they can pay without scholarships. Applying early decision increases your likelihood of being accepted into a university but binds you to attending if you get in. Only can even consider applying early decision. If you forced to apply through early action or regular deciharder to get into a school through these processes.

Sexism has gotten better, right?

Angela Ge ’23 Features Editor We’ve given women education, jobs in the workforce, as we progress, we are simultaneously regressing in our journey to become equals across gender and race.

Feminism has become androcentrism. Rather than celebrating women as a whole, feminism has begun to are more celebrated than those who don’t; women who take on more stereotypically masculine careers are applauded more than those who engage in work that displays more stereotypically feminine traits, such as passivity, obedience, and nurturance. A misogynistic societal ideology emerges when any work that demonstrates these characteristics is deemed to be less worthy of praise. Caryl Shepard ’22 describes that “from despite her passions for this route, “others often perceive it as ‘settling’ for something easier.” Contrasting the praise of “challenging the status quo” when she had originally wished to pursue a STEM major, they seemed to consider a woman entering the humanities and male-dominated positions should get more praise for breaking the glass ceiling, we should not pull out individual women to praise while disparaging those who stay at home or take on more stereotypically feminine jobs. The point of feminism is to support and honor the totality of women. When this doesn’t happen, feminism becomes rooted in the postulate of androcentrism.

Girlboss feminism is white feminism. Girlboss feminism, a form of feminism that acclaims women in typically masculine positions, stems from the perspective

of white women who are more likely to assume top management spots than women of color. As women of color progress through life with less privilege, they generally have less access to the high level management roles so highly acclaimed by girlboss feminists.

According to UCSC, white women account for approximately seven percent of CEOs out of the total 7.5 percent of CEO positions held by women. Alveena Khoday ’23 asserted her desire for more representation within the movement, saying that “a clear sense disconnection often stands between feminism and race when in reality they’re inseparable.” Furthermore, “feminine” jobs are often assumed by people of color, such as nail technicians and hairdressers. Thus, if girlboss feminism doesn’t support people with these occupations, isn’t that targeting the unprivileged races?

The feminist movement stems back approximately 200 years in hopes of evening the balance between women and men. Despite a common belief that feminism started with white women, like Elizabeth Cady Stanton, their ideology was in truth set upon a foundation of Black feminism. Yet through years of struggle, this movement has become white-dominated, where white women can control the campaign, exploit girlboss feminism to promote their self-interest, and further this system of capitalism and white supremacy in the name more right to be the face of a feminist movement than a woman in humanities; a white woman should be no more a feminist representation than a colored woman.

LM, as a school, portrays a degree of inherent girlboss and white feminism. So, how should LM support are more valuable” mindset is to promote women in acknowledge that women in humanities face sexism just as women in STEM do and equally encourage students to pursue both, but most importantly, we should encourage women to pursue their passions. We must recognize or experiences. Therefore, we should encourage people of color to share their journeys and permit students to What should we do as individuals? The simple answer: support all misogyny impacted individuals. The longer answer: support all misogyny impacted individ-

Graphic by Emmi Wu ’23/Staff

uals equally, view feminism from a wider perspective by listening to the voices of women of color, eliminate the exploitation of feminism, and abolish an androcentric feminist ideal. Growing up in an era with this movement on the rise, I’ve personally experienced much of the societal progression, but despite the progress we have gained there is still so far to go. For many people, the execution of feminism didn’t live up to what it could’ve entailed, but we can still change that. We must not fact, there shouldn’t be one ideal to begin with. Feminists are not white female CEOs with short hair, red lipstick, and a haughty attitude. We must ensure that we don’t generalize until that is the one epitome of feminism we are left with. We must be careful of inherent girlboss and white feminism and the fallacies they support. We must equally love and support women as a whole.

When? Monday, March 28 to Friday, April 8 Where?

• • • • • • • • • • • •

Toothbrushes (adult & children) Women’s Sanitary Products New Socks & Underwear (adult & children) Razors (men & women) Combs & Brushes Toothpaste Bar Soap Shampoo Deodorant Diapers Dry Baby Formula Baby Wipes

Comics

March 24, 2022

The Merionite

Five alternative uses for masks ft. ace the bulldog (In honor of being mask optional)

1

By: Emmi Wu ’23 Senior Design Editor

... Or you could just wear it.

An eyemask for your naps.

2

A mini bag.

#y2k

3

4

A headband.

A scarf (requires multiple).

pie

#hip

5

A slingshot.

*

Who says dogs can’t slay the catwalk?

With looks #2,3,4 I can look pawsome! *Do not start a food fight.

I think I’ll stick with the mask. You know, allergy season?

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8

March 24, 2022

Features The Merionite

Flexible fridays Ben Cromer ’24 It’s a Friday before a long weekend. You sleep in a little longer than usual, wake up, and get ready to quickly hop on Zoom. As you sit there clicking the link on your backs. You think about how often you made those two same clicks exactly a year ago, sitting where you are sitting now. A thought of frustration may rush into your mind as you think about how you were promised a fully in-person school year that would be somewhat normal. Yet, as you sit there on a Zoom with your teacher giving instructions, you are in the same situation as you were a year ago. This is because LMSD has found a new, easier, and to students. No longer can you go into school for three or four hours and then clock out at around 11:20 AM. Now, you have to sit through Zooms that you thought were well in the past.

After learning how easy it was to switch from virtual to in-person to hybrid learning last year, LMSD has been able to use half-days as an opportunity to keep students home through synchronous virtual learning. rent bussing situation. There are so few bus drivers that most of them drive kids

home from high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools. This adds an additional layer to half-days, as transportation would Virtual half-days are not only good for LMSD, but some students really like them because it means that they can sit at home instead of going into school for only three hours. Not only that, but the extra half-hour of sleep that cially for sleep-deprived students. However, there is a downside to these laid-back days as students don’t have the opportunity to use the half-day as a chance to do some social activities. Instead of just walking across Montgomery Avenue to play some pickup soccer or ways to get to Arnold Field. It also means people have to meet up somewhere after school, requiring the bus to someone’s house. Attending school virtually on these days hurts social opportunities.

Virtual half-days have been a deGraphic by Emmie Luo ’24 cent addition to the way our school year has gone. Some people like them in-person

half

days.

They

also

provide

just

one

small

exam-

Tradition taken too far?

Siobhan Minerva ’24 Tradition taken too far? Every so often when you walk into school, you look around and something feels missing, there is an extra sense of quietness when you enter your classes. A feeling of something out of place creeps into your mind until you realize all of your favorite seniors are missing. Whether it’s out of laziness or tradition, any opportunity to validate skipping a day of school is taken. Every year the “Senior Skip Days” are picked and the calendars are marked in anticipation.

The “Ditch Day” has been an American tradition among seniors in high school.

There is no agreed upon origin for this event, but it can be dated back to at least the 1930s. However, it was popularized with the release of the classic Ferris Buel. The movie emphasized the fun of skipping school, showing the main

surprise and are disruptive to my lesson plan.” This poses a perspective that the student body needs to take into consideration if they plan to make these days more frequent. school community. Along with this normalization comes the issue of communicating when these days are happening and what purpose they really hold. To conclude, these days are a “no harm no foul” situation for those who choose to participate in them or for those who choose to come in. It is indisputable that these days will continue to be a tradition amongst LM seniors for years to come.

as a catalyst for the normalization of “ditch days” among high school students.

This day was once a near holiday, traditionally falling on the Monday after prom. Now it has almost become a habit, occurring too frequently to retain its same importance. This year alone, there have been two skip days already, and there are projections of many more to come. Usually serving to dents. A message is communicated among the seniors, and as simple as that, 150 to 200 kids are missing from school the next day. This begs the question of how Regarding the opinion of seniors, Rachel Zhang ’22 gives some interesting insight. When asked about her opinion on “Senior Skips Days,” Rachel Zhang responded, “I don’t participate in it but I kind of love the vibes of no one in school.”

This brings up another consequence of a skip day: the work one might miss.

It might be simpler for some students to go into school given the catch-up they would have to do anyways if they missed a day. Additionally, many seniors like the routine of the school day and the minimal days they have before they leave. It is clear that for a multitude of reasons, one might in an ironic way choose to pass or skip a senior skip day.

Following a similar stream of thought, Janet Spingarn ’22 comments, “I wish they were senior class is out.” Janet Spingarn highlights an important issue that has come up with these days becoming less organized. They have lost the importance that they once held in the traditional sense, when they once acted as a holiday that everydent mental health. Janet Spingarn went on to say, “It’s during a stressful time so vide an opportunity for students to catch up on college essays and applications. teacher Madame Vargas stated that “there is too little organization due to lack of

Graphic by Emma Liu ’22/Staff

Features

March 24, 2022

9

The Merionite

MAGICAL MUSICAL MEMORIES Features Q&A with Alveena Khoday ’23, Kal Hachadoorian ’23, Lily Greenberg ’23

AL S R VE I UN

—Park’s Day— AK: On the first day in Disney we spent the entire day at Universal, riding all kinds of roller coasters and entertainment attractions.

KH: I made so many new friends and I loved the little group of people I ended up walking around with. Even though tensions were running high at certain points in time, we all still managed to have a good time, and I wouldn’t have wanted to be there with another group of people.

Funniest part of trip~ AK: When the entire music department rode the Fast and Furious ride together and chanted family the entire time.

HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

—Park’s Day— Best food~ KH: Tuna poke from a restaurant in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Hollywood Studios Best ride~ LG: Rock n Rollercoaster Best part of trip~ AK: Making so many new friends on this trip!

Worst part of the trip~ AK: The heat, dehydration, and lines

—Performance and Park’s Day— AK: On the third day, Bandestra (band and orchestra) performed first and then headed to the park, while the choir went to the park and then performed.

KH: We woke up bright and early and headed to the park at around 7:30. We were there right at 8 when it opened (considered early for the residents of the Disney Resorts). We spent some time at the park, and then, we left to go back to our resort, change into our concert dress, ride to Disney Springs, perform, and finally, many hours later, head back to the park.

LG: The stage for our performance was farther away from the place that we got dropped off at Disney Springs than many of us anticipated, so our over eighty person choir just had to quietly walk single file dressed in all black through the entire park.

AK: Magic Kingdom had so many things to do: all kinds of rides (Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain, etc.) and places to eat. A lot of us wished we had more time to explore here.

Best food~ AK: Dole whip from Aloha Isle Best part of the trip~ KH: I loved the Frozen ride so much. When Elsa started singing “Let It Go” and we were inside her castle, we all started screaming along, and I did start crying a little bit. It filled a space in my inner child’s heart that I hadn’t known had existed.

MA GIC KIN GD OM

EPCOT

—Workshop and Park’s Day— On day four, Epcot day, the music department participated in a workshop, working with professionals to record Disney movie soundtracks. The orchestra and band recorded an excerpt of the Frozen soundtrack, while the choir worked on Tangled (“I See the Light” and “I’ve Got a Dream”), getting a chance to see their own music synced with the movie scene.

AK: Musically, we learned how to sight read effectively while trying the maximize the result each time we looked at or played the music. Personally, positive peer pressure helped me do things that I normally wouldn’t have wanted to try myself. It was really a cool experience and we went about sight reading music in a much different way than we typically do.

ANIMAL KINGDOM —Park’s Day— AK: The safari was fun and so was the river raft ride.

LG: It was a much needed break from PA weather.

Best ride~ AK & KH: Flight of Passage in Pandora, Animal Kingdom Funniest part of the trip~ LG: Everyone wound up borderline delirious from heat and exhausted by some point in the day and that generally prompted a lot of laughter.

Graphics by Emma Liu ’22 Photos courtesy of Katie Lieb ’22

Celebrating

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH with LM athletics

LUKE SHEPARD ‘24, MICHELLE KELLY ’23, EMMI WU ’23 The federal law Title IX begins, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” Is this the reality we live in? Did Title IX actually make a difference in the lives of female-identifying athletes and students? 50 years later, we take a look at the impacts the law had on sports and the ways gender is acknowledged in athletics today.

When President Nixon passed Title IX as part of the Education Amendments of 1972, major barriers in education and athletics crumbled as legal requirements forced programs to accept and include those who had previously been denied for their gender. The power of the law backed women who had fought for admittance into teams and educational institutions. This turning point in gender history, now half a century into our nation’s past, paved pathways, but also progressed power imbalances as females were inherently being compared to men. In major league sports, both naming and viewership is exponentially skewed towards men. Take basketball, for example: in 2019, 15.14 million people watched the NBA championship compared to the 231,000 viewers of the WNBA championiship just one year prior.

This year for International Women’s Day (IWD), which was March 8, the theme was #BreakTheBias. On the IWD website, leaders inspired women to “actively call out gender bias, discrimination and stereotyping each time [they] see it.” This encouraged females to join to forge equality and create an environment where “difference is valued and celebrated,” and where bias, stereotypes, and discrimination are nonexistent. In order for our world to be “diverse, equitable, and inclusive,” girls need to shatter the barriers in the way of equity. It’s time for female-identifying students, athletes, and members of our community to climb their way to the top where they belong and shatter the glass ceiling holding them back.

Prestige and pride AVERY BICKELL ‘23

Lacrosse and Field Hockey Player

Having the opportunity to put on #13 in maroon and white is something that I’m incredibly grateful for. The stories of family members and other LM lacrosse alumni have always been one of my favorite things and I hope to be a part of the next generation to tell new stories and inspire more young girls to be fearless and do what they love. Growing up playing lacrosse made life interesting for me, it was (and still is) the thing that makes me the happiest. In my years of playing, there have been many moments of adversity. It can be a struggle and unfortunately, is common in women’s sports. My team was the first group of people that were there for me. They are family. The most unique thing I think about my experience playing sports at LM is the awesome group of girls that I get to play with. They taught me that every second on the field is a new opportunity and that it takes more than a couple people to get the job done…it takes everyone.

Within the mix of amazing performances that our sports teams have made, there are other amazing female accomplishments that go unnoticed at LM. With the help of everyone at LM, I think we have a really good shot of making those little things a big deal, because they are! What sets our team and our school as a whole apart from so many others is that we celebrate each other! Together, we should do it more often and do it for everyone. And for our strong female athletes that are giving it their all: Be bold and be confident.

It’s up to us to uphold the outstanding legacies that have been left for us to continue.

“

I love to see how much women’s sports have grown.

There are so many programs available through clubs, high school, and college; and therefore, many opportunities for women to work together for a common goal, learn the value of teamwork, appreciate challenging work, and build unbelievable friendships along the way.“ LISA MURPHY LM Teacher & Former D1 Athlete

The journey SANDRA HOOPES

Girls’ Track & Field Head Coach

When I was in high school there were only two spring sports for girls---softball and Tennis. This was all before Title IX got passed in 1972. The law said that any government funded sports for boys has to have equal sport for girls. Therefore, in high school the only sports I could play were field hockey, basketball and softball. When I went to West Chester for college I played field hockey and basketball my first year. Unfortunately West Chester did not have a girls track and field team. I joined a group of girls pressuring the college to sponsor a girls’ track and field team. We were able to get a club team started my second year at college and joined as a sprinter.

My third year the coach left West Chester and the college did not look for another coach.

As hard as we tried we could not get anyone to take the team. At this time in the sport world the thought was that girls could not compete in track and field. Girls were thought not to be strong enough, have the endurance to run, or the mental strength to compete. I ended up running only one year of track. When I came to LM in 1971 there was not a girls’ track and field team, but there was a boys’ team. I still had the interest and passion for track & field. I ended up volunteering with the boys’ team in a small capacity and became friends with the head coach, Tom Anderson. In 1972, Title IX was passed and the boys’ coach encouraged me to try and start a girls team. I approached our administration and they said we had to start as a club unless I could get six of the eight Central League Teams to participate. With the help of another league coach we were able to get six schools to establish teams. The first Lower Merion Girls’ track and field team began in the spring of 1975. I was the only coach and had about thirty girls. When I first started, I did not get paid the same salary as the coach of the boys team. This went on for a long time until I submitted a formal complaint and request for review, asking administrators, I won my grievance and have since been paid the same as the boys coach. The first nine years of the league we were in either first or second place, even though the events were not the same as the boys. Administrators and league officials did not think girls could run 3200 meters, the 4 x 800 meter relay, or 100 meter hurdles. The team started to grow and in several years we had has many as 100 girls on the team. I am still the head coach---this is my 48th season and I am still loving it! I was chairperson of the league for 45 years. Now, I have incredible ladies on the team, I coach with awesome coaches, and have great support from our athletic department and administration. Track & field is an incredible sport---challenging and rewarding. I’m so grateful for the opportunities Title IX afforded student-athletes today.

“

I feel as though I have to “prove” myself to males who play the same sport as me. Whenever I tell a guy I play soccer or run track, their first response is ‘1v1 me’ or ‘I bet I am faster than you,’ trying to assert dominance over me.”

ELIA BONITA ‘25

The double dynamic IZZY BOWSER ‘22

Tennis, Basketball, and Lacrosse Player

At LM, women’s sports don’t quite get as much recognition as men’s do. Often during basketball season, we would watch as the Dawg Pound pooled in during the last minute of our games, only getting there early to support the men’s upcoming game. In the hallways, we would listen to our classmates put down our team. We would get made fun of for playing the exact same sport that the boys’ basketball team was being celebrated for. Although we may not have the titles or success that they do, we still want to be able to play the sports we love without being put down for trying, and without being made fun of for showing up and competing.

But over my time at LM, the environment has definitely shifted to be more supportive of women’s sports. In comparison to the completely empty stands my freshman year, we saw support from administrators, teachers, and friends this year. I felt very accepted in the athletic department since I felt like they really cared about each and every one of us. Mr. Stroup took the time to memorize all of our names, which is affirming to the individual athletes. Overall, I think that the athletic department has been supportive towards women’s sports, and our classmates have been starting to respect us as well. I do believe that there is still room for improvement and hope that women’s sports will be held to the same levels as men’s at LM.

“I have so much love for the swim team and I am proud to be a woman in athletics here at LM.” ALEXA CONNER ’24

Breaking the glass ceiling CHRISTINA MINECCI

Boys’ Ultimate Frisbee Head Coach

When I think about the concept of “my voice as a female coach,” there are a few things that come to mind.

I have coached the boys’ ultimate frisbee varsity team here at LM since 2005, and I have seen some things change dramatically, while others seem not to have changed in the least. Although I have coached the boys, I have always been involved in the girls’ teams as well, such as organizing the Ultimate program. Here at LM, there were two female-identifying players that first year, twelve the second year, and ever since then, we have had 20-30.

In 2007, there were probably two local high schools with girls’ teams, and now there are seven schools with girls’ teams, and another four or five that play co-ed on a regular basis. There is much more to be done in the area of high school level girls’ ultimate locally, but we are seeing growth. More girls are playing in college and also well into adulthood, and there is a national movement and national funding for increasing playing opportunities.

What I would like to address is my role as a female coach leading a male-identifying team. Across the last seventeen years, I have been the only female coach for a Division 1 (varsity) boys team. At the beginning of a game, coaches generally introduce themselves to each other. For years, the opposing coach would look over my head and ask where the coach was (and yes, I AM short, but . . .). The comments that other coaches and players would at times make were offensive. Other teams would make references to ‘your girl coach’ and the like. The positive piece here is that there ARE some female coaches of men’s college teams (the Georgia men’s college team coach just won Coach of the Year), and in a few cases there are female-identifying coaches working throughout the pro-leagues.

Here we are in 2022, however, and there are still no other female varsity head coaches of boys teams on this side of the state of PA. This is particularly troubling as I look down the road and do not see any changes. One thing that has changed, luckily, is that in the past seven years or so, many local coaches are guys who have known me for 25+ years – they do not make disparaging or sexist comments, and we have a level of mutual respect born of years or playing together, or them playing ultimate with my husband.

Proving my power LINDSAY GILLSTON ‘24

Basketball Player

My gender has both positively and negatively impacted my experience with basketball since I started playing at 8 years old. There’s been times when boys were saying sexist things, like “girls can’t play sports” or “you suck since you’re a girl”, etc. to my face. However, this motivates me to work harder and show them that gender doesn’t have a say in who can play what sport, do what activity or there level in doing so. That’s why I participated in a boys basketball league (PVJSA) in 2019. With girls being looked down upon when it comes to sports and activities, this idea that “girls can’t do anything that boys can” motivates me.

Specifically at LM, I think social media plays a big role when it comes to sports and athletics, and even the little things make a big difference. For example, the boys basketball team instagram is “aces basketball”, but the girls is “girls basketball”. It would be great if “aces basketball” was changed to “boys basketball”. This applies to every Instagram account associated with LM activities.

“You know what?

We deserve this. We deserve everything.

We deserve this parade, we deserve all the champagne that people are giving us. We deserve all this shine. We’ve worked very hard for it.”

MEGAN RAPINOE Professional Soccer Player

All images courtesy of Imageflow

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March 24, 2022

Features ADVICE COLUMN The Merionite

Angela Ge ’23 and Caryl Shepard ’22 Features Editor and Editor-in-Chief

Q: I have some teachers that I love, but they honestly need to give more detailed feedback; is there a good way of approaching this request? Should I just go up and ask, how do I make it seem polite, because I do quite like them as teachers! I just need more detailed feedback so I can actually understand what is going on.

Please

Asking for feedback is always great, and I’m sure any teacher would be more than happy to give you adFund ditional advice on how to improve! When asking for feedback, I would be aware to not intrude on the teacher’s time and of course to be polite about the situation. In terms of the teacher’s time, I would suggest going up to your teacher after class ends and asking for a time to meet. Deciding on a meeting time when you can talk one-on-one without needing to worry about time constraints is a good idea. Lunch The Merionite & Learn often works best for this. If you’re too nervous to ask, you can always send your teacher an email. When asking your teacher for advice, as long as you don’t sound demanding or accusing towards the teacher, you should be okay.

Q: I don’t get enough sleep at nights (and I’m too busy to sleep more) so I often fall asleep in class. Are there any solutions?

With early school start times, a myriad of activities, and workheavy classes, it seems like sleep is a luxury difficult to attain for most LM students. While pushing off sleep is often the most reasonable sacrifice to complete all of one’s activities, maintaining a healthy sleep schedule is arguably one of the most important parts of your health. Therefore, in order to avoid falling asleep in class (and to consequently see improvements in your grades), you should aim to establish a consistent sleep schedule that guarantees you at least 6-7 (but ideally, 8 or more) hours of sleep. Try to go to bed around the same time each night, including weekends. And if you are still too busy to maintain a healthy sleep schedule maybe considering dropping an activity or hard class.

If you take on too much, you will not be able to excel at any one activity, class, Q: My sister keeps stealing my clothes or other goal, and a even though I’ve expressed my disdain! How lack of sleep will do I resolve this issue? only harm your ability to succeed.

Q: I want advice from The Merionite, what should I do?

A: Email: merionite.featurespages@gmail.com NOTE: We try to respond to all of the questions that we feel we have the right resources and experiences to respond to and will do our best to individually email anyone else who fills out the form with a question or issue that we feel we may not be qualified to answer.

Depending on the root of your frustration there are a few different ways that you could go about this. If you don’t like your sister taking your clothes because, understandably, it’s yours, and if you paid for it yourself, it might feel unfair! However, you could always form a compromise. For example, if you wash your own clothes you could make a deal that if she takes your clothes, she also has to do your laundry. If your disdain comes from wanting to wear something and then finding it’s not there, then I would definitely explain this reasoning to her.

You could put out a set of clothes that you planned to wear that she’s not allowed to take or make sure that she lets you know and gets your permission whenever she borrows from you. In general, I feel like the issue may be that she doesn’t understand why she can’t steal your clothes.

So definitely communicate with her again and try to get her to see the issue from your perspective.

Graphics by Emmi Wu ’23/Staff

Features

March 24, 2022

13

The Merionite

Women’s History Month

Smart study tips

Dylan Spivack ’24 Throughout history, women’s accomplishments and contributions to society have gone unnoticed and unappreciated. The community of Santa Rosa, California noticed this fact and designated the week of March 8 to celebrate women in 1978. The week was titled “Women’s History Week.” By the following year, Women’s History Week was celebrated across the country. Pushed by multiple female activist groups, former President Jimmy Carter officially proclaimed the week of March 8 as National Women’s History Week in 1980. Similar proclamations occurred each year until Congress passed a public law in 1987, designating March as Women’s History Month.

Each year, in preparation for Women’s History Month, the National Women’s History Alliance chooses a yearly theme. This year’s theme is Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope. This theme is in gratitude for the invaluable work conducted by medical professionals and caretakers during the pandemic. The theme also appreciates how women of all races, religions, and cultures have contributed to the act of healing and hope.

Women’s History Month can be celebrated in multiple different ways. It is celebrated in the media through television specials, podcasts, and social media posts.

In every month of the year, but

Hadia Ahmad ’23

especially during March, communities can read books written by female authors, support female entrepreneurs, donate to nonprofit organizations that benefit women, and much more.

When considering how to celebrate Women’s History Month, it brings up a question: How is LM celebrating Women’s History month? The majority of the school is not. When asked, many teachers and students were not aware that Women’s History Month was fast approaching, and multiple teachers in the history department were not planning anything specific for Women’s History Month.

A US Government teacher shares that she feels women’s history is embedded into the curriculum, so it feels unnatural to target female individuals just during March.

But other subjects such as math and science could certainly do mini lessons on female mathematicians and scientists that society has overlooked. English classes could read books by female authors or books where the message highlights women’s accomplishments. The administration could bring in feminism activists to speak about feminism, their accomplishments and experiences, along with other women in many different fields. As a whole, LM needs to do more to educate their students, publicize Women’s History Month, and take action towards the inequality women face today.

I remember being in 7th grade, my eyes hardly open, as the teacher hands back the history quiz. For the hundredth time that year, I was unsatisfied with my score. I wanted to do better, but my work ethic—a combination of procrastination and rereading my notes—just wasn’t right for me. I didn’t know how to study.

I watched Youtube videos, asked my friends, and even went to Pinterest for answers. I tested out the advice from each source, and eventually, I developed a work ethic that brought me a long way. Here are some of the tricks I utilize the most: Read for fun. If you’re like me, there was once a time in 5th grade or even before when you were addicted to reading. Stacks of popular titles, such as Harry Potter, 39 Clues, and Percy Jackson, were scattered all over our desks. Maybe we should bring this habit back into our lives, as I’ve noticed that since I started reading again, I’ve gotten better at annotating, analyzing, and comprehending school-based text. I recommend The Vegetarian by Han Kang to those who enjoy reading twisted, physiological thriller type stories with heavy moral conflict. It’s around 200 pages and will have you on the edge of your seat each chapter.

Take good breaks. Many of us know techniques such as the Pomodoro Technique, where you work for 25 minute increments and take a break, but many of us don’t know how to take breaks. What does this mean?

You should use your breaks to wind down and properly relax your mind so that you can concentrate later. I recommend eating a snack, stretching, or walking around your house. Try not to spend more than 25 minutes taking a break, as you might lose your motivation to work. Definitely try to get out of your room, as sitting in the same place all day is bound to make you feel burned out.

Graphic by Julia Zorc ’24

Teach the topic to someone else. I vividly remember sitting criss-crossed on the old rug of my first grade classroom, while my teacher was laughing with another student in the doorway. Every morning, the teacher would make us sit in a circle and we would start the day by discussing mundane events from our lives. She told us that the girl she was talking to had an interesting method of studying—she would line up her stuffed animals and teach them the material she was learning at school. This same student was the top scorer in the class, so I adopted the method myself and found my grades dramatically increased.

Listen to podcasts. This is my favorite way to study. If you’ve ever seen me walking around the building during the school day, you’ll notice how I’m always wearing earbuds.

For the most part I listen to music, but when exam season comes along my earbuds seem to blast something not as harmonious: podcasts.

If we’re learning about bacteria and antibodies in class - there’s a good chance you’ll catch me focusing on a lecture about this topic. Podcasts are time efficient, cost efficient, and adaptable.

You can listen to them pretty much wherever you go. For those taking AP classes, I recommend “The APsolute RecAP,” on Spotify, as they have resources available for many of the courses available.

Covid timeline Crosby Johnson ’24 Throughout the past two years, COVID-19 has caused radical changes in how LMSD schools operate. In March of 2020, all LMSD schools closed due to COVID-19 for two weeks. This period was filled with questions and uncertainties, as no one knew what to expect in the coming days. After these two weeks, teachers were surged into new positions as online teachers, needing to operate their classes through Zoom and Blackboard Collaborate. Thomas Swope, a computer science teacher at LM, describes the experience: “teaching during the early stages of COVID was incredibly challenging primarily because student engagement and expectations were so low. It was also difficult to deliver content in an engaging manner and discouraging to see so many students struggling academically.” This immediate change sparked similar negative emotions among most teachers because it was scary and unexpected. Nobody would’ve even dreamed of switching to all virtual learning, so it was something that took a while to adapt to. The rest of the school year continued all virtual, allowing middle school and elementary school students the option to log on to classes or not.

At the start of the 2020-2021 school year, classes remained all virtual, however, the system was much more structured compared to before, as it was now required for all students to log on to their virtual classes. In October of 2020, students and teachers started participating in a hybrid learning plan.

Fall sports also felt the effect of these restrictions; sports didn’t start until mid-October, and playoffs at the district and state level were canceled. This plan consisted of two cohorts, with each cohort coming in two of the five days a week. The Friday of each week became an asynchronous day, providing teachers and students the opportunity to catch up on work and time to prevent COVID-19 in LMSD schools. Nathan Grunfeld ’24 relays that he “really enjoyed asynchronous Fridays but thought they were somewhat unnecessary”.

Almost a year after the national shutdown in the United States the global pandemic still greatly impacted LMSD schools. This time though, our schools had switched to four-day learning weeks, keeping asynchronous Fridays in existence. At this time, LMSD allowed all students to come into school every day of the week, while keeping the virtual learning option present. Teachers and students had finally returned to a more normal form of teaching and learning. Additionally, students who were in opposite cohorts were now able to reconnect in school. The whole school could now continue doing extra curricular activities and full class activities again.

Removing the idea of cohorts was a huge step forward to a more normal school experience.

The start of the 2021-2022 school year came with even more changes to the district’s COVID-19 guidelines. All students were required to come into school for all five days of the school week, or else, they would be marked absent. This change allowed clubs to fully reactivate, including playoffs and competitions. Social distancing guideGraphic by Annie Zhao ’24 lines were also altered, allowing for the return of assemblies and eating with friends.

On February 27, 2022, following updated CDC masking guidelines, LMSD announced that all students and teachers would be allowed to go mask optional in LMSD buildings, except when on buses. This step to mask optional was highly encouraged by some LMSD parents, while others strongly opposed it. One LMSD parent in favor of mask optional believes that “a mask optional policy would simply leave it to individual preference and interpretation of available data and guidelines.” Another parent responding to the change in masking guidelines thinks that “the immediate switch to mask optional doesn’t give students time to adapt to the new changes.” It seems that LMSD schools are approaching normal almost two years after the shutdown. From start to present, COVID-19 has proved to greatly damage many school normalities, but things seem to be trending positive.

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Features

March 24, 2022

The Merionite

MOVIE MADNESS Sebastion Havira ’23 In this year’s cinema, not many people were happy about the list of films that were produced between 2021 and 2022. More specifically, many people were found to be unhappy with the 2022 Oscar nominations that were announced by the Academy on February 8, 2022. However, there are a handful of films that truly are worth viewing.

New Zealand director Jane Campion has once again become a nominee for her achievement in directing The Power of the Dog. While Campion is known for her critically acclaimed film, The Piano, others are beginning to recognize her work for her newest wWestern psychological drama. The movie, set in 1925 Montana, follows a young man, Phil, who is incapable of loving his brother’s new wife and effeminate son who are both tormented and harassed by Phil. The film has a somewhat somber and gritty undertone, with multiple scenes displaying animal cruelty and the heavy usage of alcohol. Although the film may not have been liked by the general public, various film critics and Hollywood experts certainly enjoyed it: the film was nominated for twelve Academy Awards, including Best Motion Picture, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, and Best Achievement in Directing. The Power of the Dog is truly a film that will be an important piece of cinematic history, due to its excellence in portraying tragedy and dysfunctionali-ty in families. Another film that is definitely worth experiencing is the adaptation of William Shakespeare’s classic story, The Tragedy of Macbeth. The A24 drama film centers around the classic tale of a Scottish lord who is convinced by three witches that he will soon become the king of Scotland. With his wife supporting Macbeth, this vision quickly shifts into a spiral of disturbing behavior. The cinematography

and black-and-white coloring contribute to the film’s ominous and eerie atmosphere, along with the excessive use of violence and the depiction of psychological distress.

The film earned three Academy Award nominations, including Best Actor in a Leading Role (Denzel Washington), Best Achievement in Production Design, and Best Achievement in Cinematography. Overall, the film’s depiction of a tragic tale of betrayal and violence certainly will leave many audience members gasping for a breath of fresh air.

Lastly, the Amazon Prime film Being the Ricardos is a film primarily focused on love, marriage, and a major crisis. The Academy Award-winning actress, Nicole Kidman, plays Lucille Ball, an actress struggling to become famous in Hollywood.

Soon, the young actress meets a young Cuban actor, Desi Arnaz—played by Academy Award-winning actor, Javier Bardem—who instantly falls in love. As Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz gain recognition from their roles as Lucy Ricardo and Ricky Ricardo in the popular television show I Love Lucy, the two face a new reality once Lucille is accused of being a Communist. The biological drama is a moving yet disastrous take on oldtime Hollywood stars who were accused of Communism during the second Red Scare in the 1950s. The film certainly made a lasting impact on audience members, as it was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Actor in a Leading Role, and Best Actor in a Supporting Role. Many viewers expect that the performance Nicole Kidman gave is certainly worthy of another Academy Award.

These films are all great artistic works, leading them to become a new edition of acclaimed films honored by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

ÜLTÏMÅTË GÜÏDË TØ GRØWÏÑG Ilana Zahavy ’24 Graphics Editor After arriving home each day, it isn’t TikTok or Instagram I instantly open. I even refrain from turning on my favorite show. Instead, I walk over to various window sills in my house and spend the next minutes watering, repotting, and assessing my houseplants. The act of caring for my houseplants allows me to unwind and focus on one thing off screens. Over the years, I have acquired many houseplants, developed a passion for caring for my houseplants, and have dedicated time researching to understand how to take care of plants in order to support their growth in the best way possible.

Taking care of a plant is often perceived as easy, but in reality, it is quite difficult; one moment your plant can be happy and thriving and, a day later, wilting and sad.

When considering what plants to buy, it is important to keep in mind the environment the plants will grow in. South facing

windows receive the greatest amount of direct, bright sunlight year-round, while north facing windows receive the least.

Common misconceptions about plants surround the idea about “low light” plants.

While some plants will be labeled as “low light,” most leafy plants need light and will produce better results with greater exposure. Only certain plants can tolerate low light, like the ZZ plants, snake plants, and spider plants. Determining if your plant has too little or too much light can be understood based on the leaves. If the leaf tips or spots on multiple leaves are crispy, your plant has too much light and is burned. If the leaves are small (and if it’s a vining plant, which means there is a lot of vine between leaves), the plant needs more light.

In general, when it comes to watering, an important thing to note is that every plant is different, and every plant requires different watering schedules. Additionally, it is best to check your plant’s soil before watering; if the soil is still damp from the previous watering, your plants will suffer from overwatering. Identify-

ing over or under watering can also be tricky. Therefore, it is crucial to pay attention to the leaves of your plants (they can tell you a lot). When the tip of the leaf is brown, leaves are wilted, and the soil is dry, the plant is under watered. If the leaf tip is brown, leaves are mushy and yellowing, and the soil is still damp, the plant is overwatered. The best way to avoid over or under watering is simply watering when the soil of your plant is dry.

Common houseplants people have in their houses are called pothos. These plants are great for beginners and very easy to take care of. They’re very lenient in terms of light; they can survive in both low and higher amounts of light (though they thrive in high light). Pothos can also survive a period of neglect, which means if you’re a new plant parent and forget to feed your greens, they will be okay! An additional pro is that they can be easily propagated. Before understanding how to propagate pothos though, it is important to understand what propagating means.

When propagating a plant, a portion of a

parent plant is cut to breed a new plant.

This happens by placing the cut part of the plant in water, allowing roots to grow.

Once the roots are about two to three inches, the daughter plant can be potted.

Pothos are very easy to propagate because it is obvious where the nodes (little bumps where the roots grow from) of the plant are. So, when the vine of a pothos is long enough, it can be snipped to propagate.

When snipping the cutting, it is essential that it is cut below the nodes so that the leaf and nodes are included in one cutting. This method can be applied for many plants, however where to cut them varies.

Propagating plants is beneficial to preserve a plant for longer and increase your plant collection. Caring for houseplants, while difficult, can also bring joy in your life. Being able to appreciate a nonelectronic activity proves to be a healthy outlet for energy and stress, as well as fun!

Graphics by Ilana Zahavy ’24/Staff

Regional Orchestra hosted at LM Lela Miller ’24 On Friday, February 25, the PMEA Region IV Orchestra festival was hosted at classes because of it.” Shockingly, she even reported that while recording her audiLM. Instrumentalists from across Districts Eleven and Twelve, including Bucks, tion, her “finger started bleeding.” While not all musicians will go to the same lengths Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia, came to rehearse and perform. as Chen, many that play at her level put in a similar amount of work on a weekly basis.

Musicians from each instrument were required to first While the All-State festival is still to come, the Region audition through online video submissions for DisIV orchestra performance at LM was extremely successtrict orchestra, and then the top players from each secful. Guest conductor Gerardo Edelstein from Penn State tion of the orchestra were selected to qualify for ReUniversity led the orchestra in playing La Gazza Ladra: gion Orchestra. Much like the structure of a sports Overture by Rossini and the Firebird Suite by Stravinsky. season, musicians compete with each other to qualify The Overture featured a march-like opening along with a for orchestras of increasing difficulty and selectiveness. playful allegro section in the middle. A lighthearted piece, The level after Region Orchestra is All-State Orit comes from a comedic opera called The Thieving Magpie. chestra, which will occur in April at the Kalahari ConThe Firebird Suite is an extremely technically chalvention Center. Out of the ten students from LM lenging piece that required much skill from all of the that participated in Region Orchestra, two will be players. Adina Olson ’24, a cellist from LM who took advancing to the States. These two students are viopart in the festival, explained, “the unique way all of the linist Natalie Chen ’24 and cellist Abby Wolf ’22. parts fit together in the Firebird is what made the piece Much like any other sport or activity, preparing for so difficult to figure out but also so fun to play and expethese festivals was not a small feat. Practicing for the audirience.” The movements played in the Friday perforGraphic by Eliza Liebo ’25 tions was a priority since it determined your eligibility for and placement mance were the Infernal Danse, Berceuse, and Finale. Each of these in each orchestra. Once you were in the orchestra, practicing the repertoire that was movements presented a completely different color and sound, utilizing all instruto be rehearsed and performed all in one day was the second task. Chen mentioned, “I ments in the orchestra to tell the intense story of the opera that is the Firebird. think we had five or six days to learn and record three excerpts, which made me very In the end, the orchestra put together a stunning performance with an impressive stressed because the pieces were also very hard.” Every day during that week, she went sound. Though much stress is evoked by the intense preparations for these festivals, home and practiced. She invested so much time in it that she “had to miss some dance most would agree that the effort put in by these amazing musicians is well worth it.

Arts & Entertainment

March 24, 2022

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The Merionite

Charlie Kurland ’24 Despite the fact that critics are already raving about 2022 movies, there is still much more on the way for entertainment this year. From action-packed adventures to heart-wrenching love stories, here are some of the upcoming, highly anticipated movies of 2022: Minions: The Rise of Gru Coming to theaters July 1, Universal Pictures returns with one of their most beloved characters, Gru. Taking place in the 1970s, we see young Gru as a superfan of the Vicious 6, a supervillain group. While on his evil adventure to join the Vicious 6, Gru befriends some unlikely sidekicks, the Minions. The movie is produced by the original Despicable Me creators, and delivers the same laughs, smiles, and high level of overall enjoyment as its predecesors. With an outstanding new cast, consisting of Taraji P. Henson, Russel Brand, and Julie Andrews, this group cast is sure to impress and draw crowds over the holiday weekend.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Black Panther: Wakanda Forever returns! This movie is expected to land in theaters November 2022 with its famous “Wakanda Forever.” While the movie’s main actor, Chadwick Boseman, passed away in summer 2020, this story navigates the sequel without him.

T’Challa, who Chadwick Boseman played, will not be returning to the screen, but instead this movie will focus on the world of Wakanda and continuing the stoabout the main plotline is known, but viewers can take a sigh of relief because famous characters will be returning, including Shuri, played by Latisha Wright, Nakiya, played by Lupita Nyong’o, Okoyay, played by Denie Yugeera, and Mmbaku, played by Winston Duke.

Unfortunately, sequels of blockbuster movies are genBlack Panther, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever has to make great

The end of movie theaters?

Abby Braslow ’23

Movie theaters have been around for over a hundred years. Ever since their creation, going to the movies has become somewhat of a cultural staple. experience. But nowadays, with the increasAmazon Prime, do people still have a good reason for going all the way to the theater?

During the pandemic, social distancing restrictions and quarantining guidelines forced movie theaters to close. Even after restrictions eased, nearly 630 theaters in the United States never reopened. Similar to restaurants and small businesses, when left without a constant stream of customers, theaters were forced to close.

However, the pandemic did more than just close movie theaters.

Many movies skipped a movie theater release and headed straight to streaming services. With this newfound availability, people forgot why they can watch from the comfort of your living room?

On the other hand, people go to the movie theaters for the experience, which you simply cannot

get by staying home. Mia Hail ’23 explains, “I love staying home and watching movies, but there is something about the feeling of going out and getting popcorn that just can’t be replicated.” Granted, going to the movies costs more money than just renting a movie at home, but the movie theater Recently, more theaters are struggling to stay open. After being closed for a year, people have adapted to living without cinemas, and many haven’t gone back to old movie theater habits. Without customers, movie theaters have no choice but to close.

Inbal David ’23 says, “When movies used to come out, I would rush to the theaters to see them as soon as possible. Now, as soon as movies come out, I can just watch them on my TV. It is easy, and something I can do on my own time.”

She is not the only one who feels this way. Although many would be saddened by the loss of movie theaters, as of right now we are just delaying the inevitable. With the decline in attendance occurring gradually, it pening, but the growing closures show the truth.

Graphic by Eliza Liebo ’25

Off to the Oscars Sebastian Havira ’23

Elvis Elvis is an upcoming drama on the life of Elvis Presley, an outrageously famous American singer whose music remains popular today. This movie will take the viewer on a rollercoaster story of his life as the “King of Rock and Roll.” The movie begins in the singer’s early childhood years and transitions into his history of becoming an American sensation.

Elvis Presley will be played by Austin Butler, and the movie will feature renowned actor Tom Hanks. Expect sensational music, outstanding dancing, and beautiful acting! Elvis’ expected release date is June 2022!

Knives Out 2 “It’s better than the original,” said Daniel Craig, star of Knives Out. Get ready to be blown away for the sequel of Knives Out in the fall of 2022. Featuring Daniel Craig as the lead detective, this movie will maintain the mystery style from the original movie but with many new cast members! This new star studded cast will feature Kate Hudson, Leslie Odom Jr., and Madelyn Cline. Also, the movie is shot in a new location. Knives Out 2

was a little clip in a video on upcoming movies hitting their platform in 2022. So as expected, this movie’s exact storyline, still remains a mystery…

Graphic by Emmi Wu ’23

The Oscars are an annual event that draws more than ten million celebrities, fans, direcnated for this year’s Oscars have created discussion on who will win the prestigious accolade and who will unfortunately lose. During last year’s ceremony, there was a noticeable drop in the amount of people who tuned into the program. Only 9.23 million people watched the Oscars, which was a major decrease compared to 2020, where approximately 18.69 million people tuned in to see the event.

As a result, various categories for awards including Sound, Hairstyling/Makeup, Film Editing, Original Score, and Production Design, will not be aired this year. CBS social media producer Thomas Hornberger wrote in a recent article that the reason why some of these categories will not be aired on national television is because the Academy wants to keep the viewers engaged due to last year’s extremely low viewer count.

To address this growing problem the Academy President David Rubin has plans to increase viewership this year. Rubin explains that “We must prioritize the television audience so we can increase the preveious year’s low viewer engagement.” For the upcoming ceremony, Rubin is hoping to “keep the show vital, kinetic, and relevant” so viewers stay more interested throughout the night. However, these decisions to cut certain categories out from the live show have left many fans feeling frustrated and quite angered. Patton Oswalt, the witty and popular stand up comedian, responded to Rubin’s announcement by saying that it was “dumb” and “disrespectful.” In addition to various categories not being aired, many people are unhappy with the nominees for this year’s ceremony. One instance includes Don’t Look Up, starring Leonardo

DiCaprio, Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence, and about the end of humanity has brought a mixture of reviews from various critics and audience mem“watchable, yet tedious and dull”. Don’t Look Up has been nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay.

Spider-Man: No Way Home would have been a much better candidate than Don’t Look Up for the Best Motion Picture category. an award that many people are unhappy with, is Spencer, which stars Kristen Stewart (who has been nominated for emy Award in the Best Actress category). lows Princess Diana and her hidden struggle with mental illness as she spends the winter holidays in a palace with Prince Charles and her two children. Many found that Kristen Stewart’s impression of the beloved princess to be “inaccurate” and even calling it “quite inappropriate.” One viewer went as far as to claim that, “This might have been one of the worst performances in her career,” outraged that Stewart manged to earn a nomination for her lackluster performance in Spencer.

Oscar a prestigious nomination.” This viewer continues to write that Lady Gaga was robbed of the Best Actress nomination for her role as Patrizia Reggiani in House of Gucci. Although many people believe that Lady Gaga’s Italian accent was “inaccurate,” there has been much positive feedback Graphic by Tillie Szwartz ’25

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March 24, 2022

Arts & Entertainment The Merionite

Sup, it’s Ye Gabryelle Tepper-Waterman ’23 Sports Editor In the midst of Kanye West’s (now referred to as Ye) spiral, he released his eleventh studio album, Donda 2, a sequel to his previous album, Donda. Donda 2 is unlike any of Ye’s previous albums, in that it was released exclusively through Ye’s Stem Player audio device. The Stem Player is a $200 handheld circular device that allows users to split any song into stems, isolating drums, vocals, bass, and samples. Ye announced that songwriters and music creators are hurt by streaming platforms such as Apple Music and Spotify due to them only paying as little as a cent per stream. As one might expect, many of Ye’s fans were disappointed when they discovered that the only way to access the new album was through an expensive device.

But while paying this kind of money for an album may seem absurd to the majority, thousands of Ye’s loyal fans purchased the Stem Player in anticipation of the album. Ye claimed to have made over $2.2 million in Stem Player sales in the 24 hours following his announcement.

The album currently features sixteen songs, four of which were released February 23 and the remaining twelve the day after. Additionally, Ye posted a tentative tracklist before the release of his album, including six more songs that could be added in the near future. The biggest event leading up to the album was Ye’s “Donda Experience” in Miami on February 22. Pluto, which takes 248 years to complete one full cycle around the sun, made its first ever Pluto return to the United States on this palindromic date. It is the first and last Pluto return that anyone in our country will experience in their lifetime. Astrologically, a Pluto return signifies the end of an established hierarchy and the dawn of a new era. Ye, who publicized this event through his Instagram story, used this date to his advantage. Pusha-T, Migos, Jack Harlow, Fivio Foreign, and Alicia Keys are among those who appeared during the event. Ye, facing serious backlash himself, brought out other controversial artists, Marilyn Manson and DaBaby. The event was just as controversial and chaotic as Ye himself. While many fans were disappointed with Ye’s performance and what seemed like a cult convention, others thought it was a step-up from his previous listening parties. Millions of people, ranging from young teens to adults, follow the rapper’s manic cries for help with a bucket of popcorn in hand.

With all of the contention surrounding Ye’s relationship status, mental health, and alarming Instagram posts, it seems that Donda 2 could not have come at a better or more interesting time. Although the album is not able to be enjoyed by all of the millions of Ye fans that have stayed loyal throughout his extreme highs and lows, they can likely assume it’s just as great as his previous albums. Whether you enjoy his music or not, it is a fact that Ye has been a leading influencer in the music industry for almost a decade and is regarded as a musical genius by most.

Graphic by Emmi Wu ’23/Staff

Queer artist releases Julia Dubnoff ’23 News Editor

Music and queer culture have gone hand in hand for the better part of a century.

In the 1940s, queer Black women, such as Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Bessie Smith, and Lucille Bogan, were revolutionary in how they expressed their queerness. In their performances, they openly flounced gender roles and embraced their sexuality.

Throughout the twentieth century, queer icons Freddie Murcury, David Bowie, and Elton John—among many others—dominated the rock scene. Today, whether it’s at the top of the billboard or amidst niche playlists, queer artists continue to express themselves through their music, even without always discussing their queerness explicitly through their songs. Within the first months of the year, queer musicians already have made notable moves—here are a few that LM students can enjoy!

The single “Kissing Lessons” by Lucy Dacus narrates the casual romantic relationship between two childhood friends, kissing each other as if they were practicing for boys.

What’s striking about this song is the focus of the chorus on the conventional family the narrator wished to have. Dacus sings: “With my children and their father ... three sons and a beautiful daughter.” Dacus’ romanticization of this heteronormative dreamscape illustrates the struggle of many queer people, especially sapphics, to let go of the life that they’ve been taught to desire. Though many queer people still raise a family, the nuclear family remains a far-fetched hope for many. Dacus identifies as pansexual and may end up marrying a man, but, regardless, queerness causes people to rethink what they value in their future and seeing this confusion expressed in music is a comfort to many.

Isaac Dunbar’s new single “Bleach” is an anthem to self-destructive tendencies. The song doesn’t encourage such behaviors, but rather, it serves as a testament to rebellion, parental issues, and regret. As Brynn Adler ’23, a fan of Dunbar’s since the beginning of his music career, remarks, “I think it has a great message and it’s extremely important because it portrays how queer kids tend to rebel against unaccepting parents.” In recent years, Dunbar has made a name for himself with various experimental pop songs, as well as his growing presence on TikTok and other social media platforms.

“Bleach” continues his musical journey and is perfect to listen to while driving.

Mitski has long been a favorite of many due to her beautifully written lyrics discussing mental health, race, and relationships. While she does not explicitly discuss her sexual orientation through music, Mitski publicly identifies as bisexual and has attracted a large queer audience. On February 4, Mitski released her sixth studio album: Laurel Hell. To begin the album, “Valentine, Texas” follows a similar pattern to many past Mitski openers—starting soft and lyrical, then building and building into a powerful vocal and musical ending. Throughout the album, she makes a compelling homage to the new age hits of the 1970s using catchy synths and compelling rhythms with tracks such as “The Only Heartbreaker,” “Love Me More,”

and “Stay Soft.” In terms of how Mitski’s queerness affects her writing, LM AGSA copresident Nick Barr Bono ’23 says, “I’d say that she isn’t even intentionally leaving gender out of [previously mentioned tracks]. I think maybe instead her bisexuality affects the writing so that when she talks about patterns in her relationships—which is basically what ‘The Only Heartbreaker’ is about—gender doesn’t neatly factor in.”

Dreamer Isioma made the rounds on TikTok last year when the public caught wind of their single “Sensitive.” Since then, Isioma has had a very eventful year—between publicly transitioning and releasing their first studio album Goodnight Dreamer, which was released on February 23. With this new album, listeners can immediately feel the dream-like production that feels fitting with Isioma’s name and the album’s overall theme. The song “StayUp!” opens the entrancing album, and the project stays consistent yet creative in its sound throughout. Other notable songs include “The Chase,” “Voulez-Vous Me Too,” and the closer and titular track “Goodnight Dreamer.”

Music is, and has always been, a cardinal form of artistic expression. Queerness, as an identity and as a movement, has always been about pushing the boundaries of what is expected. In this very nature of non-conformity, queer creation emerges, leading to queer artists making new and noteworthy musical choices. Countless queer artists are sparking waves outside those mentioned prior, and all of them greatly contribute to the constant evolution of music. Queer LM students continue to follow queer artists, both for representation and beyond. As Barr Bono described, “I absolutely seek out queer musicians, especially trans ones, partially because I want to hear more from others in my community, but also because I’m sort of scoping out the space for whatever musical endeavors I might follow later in life.”

Graphic by Emmi Wu ’23/Staff

Arts and Entertainment

March 24, 2022

17

The Merionite

LM: Lunch munch Dani Itkin-Ofer ’24

rito, Chipotle has what you need and more. The Mexican The best part of back-to-back free periods and half days style chain has a menu of tacos, salads, and burritos that is getting food right when you leave school, but there’s employees construct in front of you as you order. Finally, a always the question of where to go. There are so many Philly favorite is Wawa. It’s a classic 24-hour convenience restaurants, cafés, and food shops all around the LM area, store, which serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and its deliso it can be overwhelming to choose. To help with this cious hoagies, along with a variety of snacks and drinks. decision, here’s a list of LM students’ favorite places to eat.

If you’re looking for a more healthy take on fast food, If you’re looking for a sit-down meal, Not Your AverHip City Veg is a vegan restaurant with unmatched sweet age Joe’s serves a menu full of comfort food, featuring potato fries and refreshing banana whips that are hard its famous bread and olive oil dip. Movies and sports games are constantly playing on the big screen TV for entertainment, adding to the already welcoming and salads, and more, all made with vegan ingredients. cozy ambience. Dandan is a fairly new restaurant, but Right next to Hip City Veg is Sweetgreen, which serves Graphic by Ilana Zahavy ’24/Staff even though it’s new to the restaurant game, its Sichuan-Taiwanese cuisine has already won a place in everyone’s hearts. For breakfast, option. Similar to Chipotle, they make the salads right in front of you. They have brunch, or lunch, First Watch is the place to go. Its endless menu options allow for almost every base, topping, and dressing imaginable. Cava, a Mediterranean resand adventurous foods like its quinoa breakfast bowl or lemon ricotta pancakes. pings of every kind, such as hummus, tzatziki, falafel, tabbouleh, tahini, and more For those times that sit-down dinners aren’t the top choice or you are in a rush, this area has an abundance of amazing fast food restaurants. Shake Shack serves burgers, to many of the restaurants on this list, is an old-fashioned dessert shop. It sell everything, milkshakes, and other American classics in a modern, counter-serve style. M2O is from ice cream to chocolates to drinks, and, of course, its famous house-made fudge. Another popular option for dessert is the newly opened Crumbl Cookies. They serve freshly of several types of burgers and salads that customers can customize to create their ideal meal. Jules Thin Crust is the perfect place for creative and original pizzas. As they Come back to this list if you are ever in need of some sug advertise in the name of their restaurant, Jules serves thin crust pizzas, with one of a gestions of LM’s favorite and best local restaurants. Whether you’re look- ing for a quick bite to eat, a fancy restaurant, or just dessert, LM has it all.

Disney & diversity Ava Cohen ’23

Disney is undoubtedly an iconic part of many people’s childhoods. Kids around the world grow up surrounded by Disney amusement parks, movies, toys, and songs. Although Disney has become such an integral part of growing up, until fairly recently, Disney’s collection was not representative of the widespread dibecome more inclusive, and things have definitely changed since the release of lease movies starring a diverse set of heroes, but they still have a long way to go.

Disney has three main beliefs concerning diversity which underline that “inclusion is key to market relevance, [Disney is] a better company when [characters] at all levels

Graphic by Emma Liu ’22 /Staff

and decisions from all people are valued and encouraged.” In order to carry out these values, Disney created the Reimagine Tomorrow initiative in September 2021. The purpose consisted of “amplifying underrepresented voices and untold stories as well as championing the importance of accurate representation in media and entertainment.”

The Princess and the Frog. The fact that it took Disney until 2009 to create a movie with a person of color as a princess is

rather appalling. Furthermore, the movie received backlash for being subtly racist due to the fact that past characters of color had been represented as villains or animals and in The Princess and the Frog, Tiana spends most of the movie as a frog. Since then, Disney has focused on becoming more inclusive and ensuring it portrays other ethnicities in a sensiSoul. It had an endearing plot about the big question: what is the meaning of life? The movie focused on the life of Joe who is a middle school band teacher, but yearns to be a professional jazz musician. The movie presents these heavier topics through family friendly animation. Most importantly, the cast is predominantly Black and highlights many aspects of Black culture. Jamie Foxx, the voice actor for Joe, explains, “To me, Joe represents a lot of people who aren’t being seen right Black employees to ensure that they were telling the story authentically and truthfully.

More recently in November 2021, Disney released Encanto, which soared to popularity with its beloved soundtrack. The animated musical, written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, tells the story of Mirabel Madrigal who is the only person in her family that does not have magical powers. The movie explores many aspects of Columbian culture in terms of food, music, clothing, and family. More importantly, the movie became a hit across generations, not just for young kids. Additionally, its popularity on TikTok helped the movie reach a wide range of audiences.

Alex Barajas, a freshman at Utah State University remarks, “making movies like ‘Encanto’ lets children know that not all princesses or heroes have to be white.”

Disney is far from a perfect company. For decades it released movies that only featured predominantly white characters and ignored diversity completely. However, movies like Soul and Encanto have helped Disney move away from their strictly white characters and become a more diverse platform.

Euphoria high Noah Barkan ’24 Assistant Business Editor Every Sunday at 9 p.m. EST, another episode of HBO Max’s Euphoria reaches ingly explicit material, harsh portrayal of mental health, and drug abuse. Now, Euphoria’s second season has reached all new heights of fame, especially within LM. Euphoria has been harshly criticized for its overt statements relating to drug use within high schools.

aesthetic. Everything from the show’s fashion to makeup to music seems to be single handedly reinventing art in the 21st century. The characters wear everything from

making impactful ripples in the media. In addition, several members of the cast have been showing up all over the beauty and fashion world. They can be seen modeling at fashion shows, interviewing with Vogue magazine, and even attending fashion’s big-

year old protagonist Rue, played by Zendaya, grapples with addiction and withdrawal. Many say it is far-fetched from the true experiences of students.

However, the imagery still holds an impact over LM’s student body. An anonymous student compared the use of cocaine, painkillers, and opiates in Euphoria to use of alcohol and weed at Lower Merion. This comparison only exacerbates the direct impact drug use in Euphoria has on the student body. But is that impact a good thing? Many say, no.

The show features several scenes showcasing over the top parties with the characters abusing alcohol and drugs in a “euphoric” setting. Aliyah but adds that “it also shows the repercussions of drug use.” Many believe that the unique way Euphoria portrays addiction might make the show more discouraging than encouraging for student viewers.

Intrinsically connected is the discussions the show opens about mental health, as the harsh portrayals of depression and suicide outraged groups of viewers. While some say those are commonly experienced teens to these subjects. However, Juliette Arany ’25 believes that“ Euphoria helps people who struggle with mental health feel heard and represented.” Many have found that Euphoria helps destigmatize those who struggle with mental health. The show has become a long overdue shift in the way the media portrays mental health.

Beside the content of the show, Euphoria’s main selling point seems to be its

everywhere, and with it, the show’s fashion.

The iconic graphic eyeliner and rhinestones look is now popping up all over social media. Even at LM, Emmi Wu ’23 remarks, “Clothing and makeup seen in Euphoria has begun popping up around the school.”

Euphoria’s soundtrack has also been gaining multitudes of traction. Music stars such as Billie Eilish, ROSALÍA, and Labrinth have collaborated with Euphoria to create music that matches the intensity and vibe of Graphic by Juliana Messinger ’24

boasts over a billion streams on Spotify. Mental health, drug use, fashion, music—the list of things Euphoria seems to be impacting is long and expansive. One student may have stated it best when she said “Euphoria is modern culture.”

However the question remains: is Euphoria a destructive catalyst for teens and an end to classic culture or an ingenious work of art that helps people every day? Despite differing views and answers to these questions, one thing is clear—Euphoria isn’t going away any time soon and neither is its impact.

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March 24, 2022

Sauce-ring it up

Sports The Merionite

Born to run

Nathan Grunfeld ’24

Krzysztof Jarocha ’22

Photo courtesy of Krzysztof Jarocha ’22

Photo courtesy of Lifetouch

David Litvin ’22, Martin Gallagher ’22, Krzysztof Jarocha ’22, and Andrew Gannon ’23 pose at New Balance Indoor Nationals.

the frisbee to one of his teammates.

As LM is thrown into the spring season, spring sports begin to prepare for their upcoming practices and competitions. One such sport, ultimate frisbee, has already had a preseason in the fall, with the boys’ JV team having great success and the boys’ varsity team even beating Radnor. Now, the team and coaches look towards the upcoming season with great anticipation.

Christina Minecci, an Academic Seminar teacher at LM, is an experienced veteran in coaching ultimate, as she has coached at LM since the creation of the program in 2005. She’s been playing since 1993 and has also helped run adult and youth leagues in the Philadelphia area since 2000. Ming Haines leads the boys’ JV team and Harry Friedman heads the boys’ varsity squad. Friedman started playing ultimate in 2005 on the LM ultimate team and graduated in 2008. Minecci’s love for the game stems from numerous places. She admires how the “team is absolutely made up of athletes who love the game for the sake of the spirit, the friendships, fair play, and intense competition.” Since players make their own calls in place of external refs, they are forced to come to agreements with opposing teams. Minecci states that “you must respect yourself and your opponent; otherwise there is no game.” She also comments that the sport teaches players to take a breath and be emotionally in control in big-time situations. Charlie Hurwitz ’22, a team captain, describes that his love for the program stems from “the sense of community” that the group has created. At tournaments, the teams hang out, eat food, and watch the games all together. They have created a friendly and inviting atmosphere with each other so the sport is thoroughly enjoyed.

Minecci explains how the return to play will have growing pains since the fall season was stunted by the pandemic. In the last two years, the local championships and States were canceled. This season, the team is hopeful to play in tournaments again and be able to safely play without masks. Boys who’d like to play on the team should come out the week of March 14 for evaluations. However, LM Ultimate tends tournament that weekend, both the JV and varsity teams have three to four practices a week at Arnold Field. As of now, there is no schedule of games for the teams which fans can follow. When games are played, they will take place within the Philadelphia High School Ultimate Education League (PHUEL). This league consists of LM, Haverford, Radnor, Pennsbury, North Penn, Methacton, Wissahickon, and Carroll. Despite the lack of scheduled games, Minecci encourages people to feel free to “stop by—pick up a disc, ask questions, and watch” if they want to support the team or are just interested.

Despite its short existence, the ultimate program has developed skill and talent that has extended beyond just the high school level. This fall, PHUEL had 24 athletes competing at the adult-level National Club Championships, seven of whom hail from LM. The Ultimate Championships feature the top sixteen clubs across the United States and Canada. Later, in December, twelve LM graduates made it to the Ultimate College Nationals.

This spring season, the ultimate team looks towards a season of exciting competition despite COVID-19 regulations. There will continue to be excellent coaching and players will develop further as competitors and people. All is in place for another successful and enjoyable season.

After a record breaking cross country season, the expectations were high for the exceptional group of athletes. Training through tough conditions, it was clear that the Aces weren’t prepared to disappoint. The group collected a bunch of silverware during the season’s early meets with Alex Bullard ’22 and the relay squad of: David Litvin ’22, Martin Gallagher ’22, Andrew Gannon ’23, Krzysztof Jarocha ’22 picking up many of personal records. When the time opened to perform at the coveted Meet of Champions, the relay team rallied to third and fourth place relay finishes in the Distance Medley Relay (10:38) and the 4x800m (8:22), respectively. Those spectacular performances qualified them for the state competition at Penn State.

The stellar relay squad came into the 4x800m relay as heavy underdogs with the #13 seed and a spot in the “slow heat” of the event. However, their performance turned out to be anything but slow. As the gun fired inside the Penn State arena, Litvin ran a tactical first leg to put the Aces into third position. Gallagher made up the gap to the leading duo, which improved the situation. During the final lap of his race, Jarocha passed the other teams to put the Aces into the lead before the anchor leg. Gannon ran a smart race and held off the pressure from the Central League rival Penncrest during his early laps. With 200m to go, he surged and crossed the finish line, well into first place in their heat. The Aces celebrated their emphatic win, but had to wait until the “fast” heat of the meet finished before finding out their final ranking. As the minutes passed by it became clear that the Aces indoor school record time of 8:07:00 was good enough for third place.

With this terrific performance, the team beat out several powerhouse teams such as: Central Bucks West, Butler, and LaSalle College High School. After collecting the bronze medal, the squad got ready for its second race of the day including the DMR. During the DMR, the Aces battled against very strong competition, including the national mile champion Gary Martin and the the nation’s fifth-ranked squad: Butler High School. In a high profile race, the Aces came away with an eigth place finish, sneaking into the medals and getting revenge on Hatboro Horsham High School which had beaten them earlier on in the season. The runners capped off their spectacular season by attending New Balance Indoor Nationals at the world renowned Armory Track in New York City.

Running against a stacked 4x800 field and a packed crowd, the Aces battled to a sixth place finish in their heat and 25th in the nation. Following the successful winter season, Coach David van Houten believes that these performances are just the beginning.

The athletes now change their sights to outdoor track, where they will have an exciting season ahead of them. Look forward to Sarem Khan ’24 and Bullard making noise in the 3200m, Alex Goonewardene ’24, Gannon, and Litvin setting the track on fire in the mile, Jarocha smashing the competition in the 800m, and Gallagher alongside Ben Miller-Wilson ’22 lighting it up in the 400m. In the relays, the phenoms will attempt to break the fifty-year-old school record in the 4x800m and further seek to represent LM at the prestigious Penn Relays. LM will be able to see the runners later on in the season when they host the annual Lower Merion Invitational in front of a home crowd at Arnold Field in May.

Diamond in the rough Nathan Dresnin ’24 and Jake Stoller ’24 After previous Head Coach Tim Gunn resigned from his position as head of the Quinn. Recently introduced to the program for the 2020 season -

up for a very bright future. Partnered with Quinn is the four year JV coach veteran, Brandon Musselman. Musselman has prior experience with the returning varsity players and this individualized chemistry will play an important role as the team shifts its focus.

about the transition between coaching the freshman and varsity squads, Quinn stated that “taking on a whole program has been a interactions I’ve been able to have with the varsity position.” A new head of the program also means a change in work ethic. Quinn we’re gonna bring. It’s going to be a really positive one, one that allows us to celebrate each other and celebrate victories throughout the season. We want to make sure we are preaching positivity and that it surrounds everything we do.”

Josh Greenberg ’24 played on the freshman team last year, and Photo by Scott Shepard when inquired about Quinn, he said, “I thought Coach Colin made Coach Quinn leads the 2021 my freshman season enjoyable and I gained a lot of experience on his team.” These positive recollections will prove crucial for the win against Conestoga. team’s success. Another one of last year’s players, Angus Penn ’24, feels that Quinn is “a great locker room presence and brings a lot of energy to practice.” Quinn’s fellow coaches also add a great deal of excitement to this lively team. He

“their personalities and coaching styles are complementary to each other.” He mentions that they “work us hard but keep the practice environment fun, which has really helped relationships among players grow.” Musselman feels that he and Quinn “work very well together and we hope that that will transition to great ble coach-to-player relationships and his imposing presence on social media, Quinn teaches at Welsh Valley Middle School after he spent last year teaching LMSD@Home. He is also an assistant football coach at LM and a true multisport coach. Both Quinn and Musselman exhibit not only exceptional leadership skills, but as a part time PIAA umpire, Quinn supplies extensive knowledge for the game and is not afraid to bring out the rulebook in defense of -

Sports

March 24, 2022

The Merionite 21

19

Photos courtesy of One More Shot Photography Graphics by Jonathan Xu ’22/Staff

22

BASKETBALL AT ITS BEST CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Entering into the postseason, the Aces set their hopes and expectations high for a chance to take both the league and district titles once again. With an outstanding 27 points from junior guard Sam Brown, the Aces defeated Conestoga in the semifinals of the Central League playoffs, finishing with a convincing 55-33 score. They then beat Radnor for the second time this year in a tough-fought finals that ended emphatically with back-to-back monster dunks by Demetrius Lilley ’22, which sent the Dawg Pound into a frenzy, the Radnor fans packing, and the nets to be cut down.

The Central League champions then entered the district tournament as the second seed out of 24 teams. After their first round bye, LM played host to fifteenth seeded Council Rock North. Thanks to good free throw shooting and a 23-point performance by Lilley, LM was able to put away their relentless opponents in a second round home court win that saw the Dawg Pound bring the season’s first “whiteout” to the bleachers.

Next up was 23rd seed Abington, which rolled into town riding high after back-to-back upset wins.

This confidence was quickly shattered as the Aces, led by Brown and Lilley, accelerated to a 30-point lead at the half before cruising through the third and fourth. The gym seemed like it was about to explode as the final buzzer sounded and the final score of 60-28 gleamed. “We just started off hot,” remarked Brown. “We came in with a great game plan and it all started to click.”

Coming off the big win, the Aces were faced with a tough task for the district semifinal. Undefeated Cheltenham was next up on the slate in what was sure to be a memorable classic. In a slow and gritty first half, LM got it done like they have all season, both inside and out. Lilley penetrated the inside and dominated the boards for some hard-earned buckets as LM struggled to knock down their shots from deep. With the Aces leading by five after the half, Brown went off for seventeen points in those last two quarters, helping to suppress Cheltenham’s continual comeback attempts.

After another great team win, all eyes were on the Liacouras Center at Temple University for the district title game. The only thing stopping them from their first back-to-back district title was the 11th

seeded Norristown Eagles, who were in the midst of a Cinderella run through the district bracket. Around the stadium, royal blue Norristown shirts were surrounding the court on all sides—except for one. Behind the basket on the LM side of the court was a Dawg Pound so packed that you could barely stand without other shoulders rubbing against yours.

Like recent games, the Aces took the lead early, boasting a 23-6 lead by the end of the first quarter.

However, as they have all throughout the playoffs, Norristown wouldn’t quit. The Eagles cut LM’s lead down to seven at half. After a strong third quarter, the score stood at 45-41 in favor of the Aces. The two teams traded blows throughout the quarter and, with two minutes remaining, LM was clinging onto a five-point lead. Then, almost as if on queue, Lilley slammed down two colossal dunks to definitively send Norristown on their way.

“Coming into the district tournament this year, we knew we would have to have a chip on our shoulder,” said junior guard Justin Poles. This back-to-back win will surely go down as a highlight of the Aces Basketball’s illustrious history, and the first of its kind in LM’s modern history. But even with this phenomenal accomplishment, the Aces set their sights on their next challenge: the State tournament, which opened up at the KBG for the last time of the year.

The Chambersburg Spartans were in town, and after driving two and a half hours, they were ready to compete. After another electric start, the Aces found themselves up 20-8 early on in the game. In the second quarter, the Spartans came right back and brought it to a four-point game at half thanks to some stellar three-point shooting. In a tightly contested game, the Spartans were up two halfway through the third quarter, casting some doubt in the air, but in the final minutes, the Aces pulled away thanks to efficiency from the free throw line and a thirty-point night from Lilley, their star center.

On Sunday, March 13, it was time for the second round of the State tournament. Facing a familiar foe, the Aces lined up against Abington for the second time in the past couple of weeks. While the Ghosts didn’t let the Aces get off to the hot start they had in the district tournament, LM proved too much for them to handle once again, battling to an early lead before surging in the final quarter to take the game

once again.

Next up was Scranton, an unfamiliar yet dangerous foe that had accumulated a 21-2 regular season record and defeated Garnet Valley in the second round of the playoffs. Yet, in a quarterfinals performance at Bethlehem that drew out an uproarious and green-clad Dawg Pound notwithstanding a two-hour drive, the Aces showcased their dominance of the game with an emphatic 72-44 win over the Knights.

But the Aces’ biggest challenge lay up ahead, in the form of a semifinal game against Roman Catholic, a school known for its plethora of Division I talent and state silverware from prior years. At Coatesville High School on Saturday, March 19, the Aces gave it all they had, climbing to an early lead of 22-9 in the second quarter. Despite LM’s strong opening, the Roman Catholic team battled its way back into contention, making the score 23-20 at the half before getting even early into the third. Even with Roman’s resurgence, the Aces fought hard to stay neck and neck with their rivals, taking back the lead temporarily with a trey by Sam Wright ’23 and a mid-range

by Brown, and maintaining the score at 36-35 in Roman’s favor entering into the fourth quarter.

A cold fourth quarter opening for the Aces regressed the score to 48-35 with under two minutes to go. Despite back-to-back three-pointers from Shippen and Wright, there wasn’t enough time on the clock to make up the deficit, which ended at 5341 to conclude the game and the Aces’ sensational season. In a contest against a formidable opponent with three Division I players and three state titles over the last six championships, with three of LM’s own starters afflicted by untimely flu illness, no one could have expected such a close and hard-fought game. Yet the Aces proved once again what they’ve demonstrated all year—their ability to defy the odds, rise to the challenge, and be one of the best teams out there, all in a quest to honor the memory of their late principal and consummate Ace. From their 38th league championship, to wins over undefeated Cheltenham and state champion Reading, to clinching back-to-back district titles for the first time in nearly a century, and every special moment in between, it’s without a doubt that they fulfilled that mission and so much more.

THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN S. BROWN PPG 16.3 REB 72 AST 45

J. POLES PPG 6.5 REB 82 AST 67

P. GRIBBIN PPG 4.2 REB 47 AST 23

D. LILLEY PPG 17.9 REB 310 AST 14

J. SHIPPEN PPG 7.0 REB 84 AST 118

S. WRIGHT PPG 8.0 REB 70 AST 63

H. BARD PPG 1.6 REB 52 AST 27

Stats courtesy of Kevin Grugan PPG = points per game REB = total season rebounds AST = total season assists

20

Sports

March 24, 2022

The Merionite

Mad for March Madness Gideon Wolf ’24 As the calendars turn to March each year, the sports world turns its eyes to one event: March Madness.

Every year, 68 of college basketball’s top teams vie for the title of national champion in a single-elimination tournament. For a few weeks, the talk of buzzer beaters, upsets, and underdogs fills the air. Friends, families, and even coworkers bond over brackets and buffalo wings while they watch the chaos unfold. Of course, the LM community is no different: clubs and classes are all in on the madness. From brackets to debates, all the way to haikus and interpretive dances, there are a plethora of ways to celebrate the tournament at LM. If you ever happen to stumble into Room 202 during second lunch, you might discover a room full of students deliberating over some of the toughest questions in sports. This group of students is the Sports Debate Club. With March Madness right around the corner, the club is getting ready to host heated discourse during the tournament. In preparation for the tournament, members have been analyzing rosters and studying statistics in tbe hopes of answering the million-dollar question: Which team has what it takes to go all the way? Andrew Badt ’24, club co-founder and debate moderator, expects that the arguments will only grow in intensity. When asked about the club’s

plans for the tournament, he mentioned that the club is “going to debate each individual matchup and formulate a singular bracket.” Sports Debate Club’s joint bracket will be just one of the millions filled out this year, as the bracket has become an integral part of the March Madness experience. Anybody looking for a leg up in their

Graphic by Emma Liu ’22/Staff

bracket pool or who wants to share their own predictions should be sure to check out the club this month.

Furthermore, the competitive spirit of March Madness can also be found in LM’s classrooms this spring.

Students in Chad Henneberry’s AP US History classes are competing in a tournament of their own, Muckraker Madness. Students must research a specific reformer from the Progressive Era and then show off what they learn through a series of short projects, going head-to-head with their classmates in a series of rounds. Each team is required to create a short podcast, then a haiku for the second round, followed by an interpretive dance-off. The final teams that survive these three challenges get to face off in a championship rap battle. Ahead of his first-round match, AP US History student Crosby Johnson ’24 mentioned that he enjoyed working on the project because “you can be creative and competitive, and working on the project grips my interests.” However, he also acknowledged that “it will take a lot to advance to the second round.”

Just like the teams in the actual tournament, Johnson is looking to write a Cinderella story of his own.

Entertainment, creativity, and the competitive spirit are all reasons to get excited about March Madness at LM—you don’t even have to be a basketball fan. It doesn’t matter whether you are putting your predictions to the test or researching a muckraker this month. Regardless of how you dive into March Madness at LM, you’re in for a fun, albeit unpredictable, ride.

Not your average Joe Sarah France ’24

Coach Joe O’Hara has worked with LM’s athletes in the weight room for the past six years. The school’s fully equipped weight room allows teams and individual athletes to further develop their strength and conditioning to improve their athletic performance. For many athletes, extra time dedicated to the weight room has fostered a new love for lifting.

Abby Gannon ’24, a member of the girls’ varsity track and cross country teams, has a fond appreciation for lifting and incorporates it into her training program. She shares that “Coach Joe’s insightful teaching and sarcasm overall just makes the atmosphere in the weight room highly enjoyable and fun. It takes the strain off of working out and replaces it with good times.” She continues to add some words of advice for new athletes interested in beginning strength training, stating, “Although it seems scary to walk into a room full of heavyweights when you are beginning, Coach Joe is there to help and support you throughout the process of learning.”

Another LM athlete has also grown attached to the

weight room and the benefits of strength training.

Felix Morales ’23, a member of the varsity football, wrestling, and lacrosse teams, shares, “I use the weight room as a way to become stronger; it benefits me by helping my lower body and upper body be more explosive on drives in football.” Like Gannon, the two share a liking for O’Hara and his teachings. Morales states, “Coach Joe has helped me in many ways. I have benefitted from him teaching me many different workouts that target different muscles in my body. This makes me a better athlete in all the different sports I play.”

Not only is the weight room filled with sports teams, it is also open to individual students who want to get in a good workout and build strength. Students can schedule times for lifting with free instruction and feedback from O’Hara. Individuals are encouraged to participate in the weight room but are required to email for a scheduled time prior to their session.

To learn more about the weight room and O’Hara, we sat down with him and asked him a few questions:

SF: What sports do you see most in here?

O’Hara: Girl’s track and football.

SF: How does strength training help prevent athletes from getting injured?

O’Hara: By building up the muscles, rehabbing, prehabbing, and making the athlete stronger. Giving the athlete time to work out instead of just constantly doing the same motions like running will allow then to get into some joint-impact free training that should reduce injury.

SF: How has COVID-19 affected the weightroom and the amount of people in it?

O’Hara: So we shut down for almost a year and then we had a 25-person limit for the first three months of coming back. Since then, except for the mask policy, nothing’s really changed, but it has allowed us to kind of be a little bit stricter about scheduling.

SF: What is your favorite thing about coaching the kids at LM? O’Hara: Usually just laughing at them.

Photos courtesy of respective athletes

Freshman Matthew Hartstein

Sophomore Nicklaus Jeudy

Junior Mia Falco

What sport(s) do you play?

Baseball What is your greatest athletic achievement?

Hitting two home runs in a tournament championship game.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

The power to control time. It would make my life so much easier and less stressful.

What’s your favorite hype song to workout/party/dance to?

“All of the Lights” by Kanye West

What sport(s) do you play?

Track and Field What is your greatest athletic achievement?

Running 23 seconds in the 200m at Central League Champs as a freshman.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

Teleportation, so I could teleport to the beach and back when I am bored.

What’s your favorite hype song to workout/party/dance to?

Any song made by Playboi Carti. I love his music and it always gets me hyped.

What sport(s) do you play?

Field Hockey and Lacrosse What is your greatest athletic achievement?

Committing to Furman University If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

Invisibility What’s your favorite hype song to workout/party/dance to?

“Power” by Kanye West Are there more wheels or doors in the world?

Wheels!

Senior Caroline Burchette What sport(s) do you play?

Crew and Volleyball What is your greatest athletic achievement?

Winning the Scholastic National Championship last year in the Ltwt 2x.

What are you most looking forward to this season?

Racing again in some big regattas, hopefully this year with spectators, and the famous crew food tent.

What’s your favorite hype song to workout/party/dance to?

Any Big Bootie remix