The Hotchkiss Record – November 12, 2021

The Hotchkiss Record Vol. CXXIII, No. 4

Friday, November 12, 2021

The Hotchkiss School, Lakeville, CT, 06039

Students Prepare to Trounce Taft Aiden Wang ’25 Contributing Writer

Photo | Communications

Francesca Farman-Farmaian ’24 decorates Main Building with “psych” cards.

School Instates New Interdorming Policy Tarapu Pyo ’24 Staff Writer From weekend Millerton trips to interscholastic sports games, many important aspects of community life have returned to campus this year.

Students have also been anticipating the return of interdorming privileges, an important feature of residential life. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, interdorming oppor tunities were suspended for all last year. This fall, the school is taking steps to open up interdorming again.

In an all-school email sent out on September 30, Mr. Stephen McKibben, dean of community life, announced that two groups of students, upperclass proctors living in lowerclass dorms and residents of Baechle-Ayres, would be allowed to begin interdorming in accordance with the rules stated in The Almanac. Since then, Stu-Fac discussed the possibilities of opening up interdorming to the rest of the student community.

Mr. McKibben worked closely with the new Residential Life Committee to discuss and draft a new in-

WHAT ’ S ONLINE? Scan the QR codes to see the best Halloween costumes, watch a video about students who celebrated Diwali on November 4, and meet Student Activities Director Ms. Marcie Wistar.

terdorming policy that would ensure equity in interdorming experiences for all students.

The committee, formed by AllSchool President Sydney Goldstein ’22, consists of one proctor from each dorm–Nick Astorian ’22, Chase Dobson ’23, Henr y Emswiler ’22, Giulia Hurlock ’23, Luke Louchheim ’22, Jack McGlinn ’22, Charlotte Moody ’23, Eliza Muse ’23, Eliza Ross ’22, Luis Soto Moyers ’22, Lize Takoudes ’22, and Sarah Wells ’22.

This committee was formed with the goal of creating a more inclusive and equitable dorm life experience for all in mind. All proctors were given the opportunity to apply, and members were chosen by the All-School President.

The new interdorming policy began on November 5, allowing students to check into other dorms during evening duty hours. The policy places an emphasis on respectful, safe conduct while visiting other dorms, and requires all non-residents to check in and out with dorm faculty as well as to keep the door propped open and the overhead lights on.

Visiting times remain limited to evenings, with the following interdorming schedule put in place: Sunday through Friday 8 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. for upperclass students; Saturdays 8 p.m.-10:45 p.m. for lowerclass students. Mr. McKibben said, “We all, over the last 20 months, have craved communion and being able to be with people. So providing an opportunity for students to be with each other in their personal spaces is, I think, really healthy and necessary. However, we want to do so in a way that ensures that everyone is safe and respectful of each other.”

This policy aims to make lowerclass students feel more comfortable socializing with upperclass students in a residential space.

– Charlotte Moody ’23

One notable rule change, however, places a restriction on who can host whom. Preps and Lower Mids are free to host any student, but Upper Mids and Seniors may only host other Upper Mids or Seniors. While many students welcome the opportunity to interdorm, some do have reservations about the new policy.

Megan Curi ’24, said, “I’m excited; however, I am slightly confused why upperclass students can only host other upperclass students. I was looking forward to seeing my Upper Mid friends, but [at least] they can still come to my room.”

The Residential Life Committee explained their rationale behind the rule change. Charlotte Moody ’23 said, “This policy aims to make lowerclass students feel more comfortable socializing with upperclass students in a residential space.”

Although a daytime interdorming policy has not been established yet, Mr. McKibben and the Residential Life Committee are working on outlining one that will provide equity for all students.

Students Celebrate Diwali

Meet the Student Activities Director

Anika Balwada ’23 Digital Media Coordinator

Anika Balwada ’23 Digital Media Coordinator

Check Out 2021 Halloween Costumes!

After a year hiatus, over half of the student body prepares to celebrate their first ever Taft Day. Each year, students and faculty gather together and participate in a variety of activities the week leading up to Taft Day, known as Spirit Week. The community dresses up in different themed outfits, designs "psych" cards, and decorates the Main Building, all to raise school spirit for Taft Day. On Taft Day, Saturday, November 13, student-athletes compete against Taft, and the school with the most victories at the end wins the Hotchkiss-Taft Day competition. Hotchkiss alumni often visit campus on Taft Day to support the school’s sports teams and to contribute to the community spirit.

Last year, the pandemic posed challenges for the continuation of Spirit Week and Taft Day. By the end of the spring season, improved COVD conditions and the beginning of vaccinations allowed for adjusted Spirit Week celebrations, during which the school competed in a series of alternating away and home games. This year, with most community members fully vaccinated, the school welcomes back most of its traditional Spirit Week activities, including making “psych” cards, attending pep rallies, as well as building and burning a rhino, Taft’s mascot.

We should be moving to support our teammates on campus, because a lot of our student body hasn’t seen what a real Taft Day looks like yet.

– Jordyn Harrison ’22 In addition, Blue & White, the school spirit club, with the help of the administration, decided to move Homecoming, a semi-formal dance, to the night of Taft Day. This year’s Homecoming theme is The Great Gatsby and will take place in the Harris House tent. Throughout the week, students created posters inviting fellow students to the dance as dates.

For lowerclass students, this will be their first time experiencing a complete Spirit Week and Taft Day. Jacquo Pierre ’24 expressed his excitement for the return of Taft Day: “I [have been] waiting for this day to arrive since my Prep year! I’m [looking forward to] playing in the football game and cheering on other games.”

Blue & White encourages all students to participate in Spirit Week activities and support the school teams on Taft Day. Jordyn Harrison ’22, a Blue & White head, said, “We should be moving to support our teammates on campus, because a lot of our student body hasn’t seen what a real Taft Day looks like yet, and it’s up to us to show new students and returning alumni the historic and new traditions of Hotchkiss.” Henry Emswiler ’22, another co-head, added, “Let’s make this [Taft Day] one for the books.”

News

The Hotchkiss Record

2 | News

Friday, November 12, 2021

Whistleblower Exposes Facebook Internal Records

Sophie Elliot ’24 Contributing Writer

Before leaving Facebook—now known as Meta Platforms—former employee Frances Haugen downloaded thousands of internal documents, which she recently provided to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. A redacted version of these files, known as the “Facebook papers,” was given to Congress and a number of news organizations. The documents expose the social media platform’s tendency to pr ior itise profitability over monitoring content, which leaves users vulnerable to misinformation.

The papers showed that Mark Zuckerberg, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Meta, made public statements that falsified the company’s actions. For example, Zuckerberg testified in front of Congress that Facebook removes 94% of hate speech without user reporting; however, according to a report from INSIDER, the documents included research indicating that the company actually takes down only 5% of posted hate speech.

Fur thermore, the documents reveal that the company prioritizes maximizing user engagement over user safety. One report from 2019 tracked a dummy account impersonating a conservative mother, and, in just a few days, the algorithm led her to QAnon, a right-wing conspiracy theory movement linked to the January 6 Capitol riot. In addition, since

2017, algorithms have drawn more attention to posts that were reacted to with angry emojis, as opposed to positive ones. Posts that evoke anger, which often contain misinformation, are proven to engage users better.

After the 2020 presidential election, Facebook loosened its policies surveilling content that spread misinformation or encouraged violence. For instance, a ban placed on the “Stop the Steal” group was not extended to others in the same campaign. The Facebook Papers also revealed that the company is aware of its inaction against hate speech outside North America, with only 16% of the company’s efforts targeting countries outside the United States.

The inter nal documents al s o show that high-profile accounts are regulated differently—for instance, former president Donald Trump’s inflammatory posts were rarely taken down by the platform. In the past, Zuckerberg defended Facebook’s lack of intervention by rationalizing that Facebook never claimed to be an “arbiter of truth.” However, according to the documents, XCheck, the system that exempts celebrity accounts from some or all of the company guidelines, was created by Facebook to prevent public relations backlash from high-profile accounts.

Over the last ten years, the primary age demographic on Facebook has increased as young adults have turned to other platforms for their social media. Many young user s view the site negatively, partly be-

cause of concerns over invasions of privacy. Rose Fieldman ’23 said, “I feel like I am desensitized [to these violations] because I know that it’s been happening my whole life and I’ve been educated about it.” On the other hand, Antonia Toro ’24 said, “The fact that social media platforms retain personal information makes me uncomfortable. I’ve become more reluctant to use those sites when I notice the algorithm using my private information for advertising or other purposes.”

Social media is also criticized for having negative effects on young adult s’ and adole s cent s’ mental wellbeing: Instagram, another social media platform owned by Facebook, has recently come under fire for being especially detrimental to the mental health of teenage girls. Kiera Dwan ’24 says the implications of social media on adolescents is twofold: “It can spread misinformation in terms of news and politics, but it also [impacts] how teenagers view themselves. [We] are bound to compare [ourselves], [and] social media amplifies this, decreasing confidence and trapping people in a constant cycle of trying to be someone else.”

The company has decided to delay the release of a version of Instagram designed for children. Coincidentally, Facebook’s rebranding as Meta, an ambition that has been in progress for years, has come at the perfect time to transition away from its reputation of a scandal-r idden social media platform.

Mrs. Elizabeth Dittmer and Mr. Keith Moon

Teachers Elected for Local Board of Education Anji Ashaye ’24 Staff Writer

As busy as they are, two teachers sought a deeper commitment to the community by running for positions on the local Board of Education.

Mrs. Elizabeth Dittmer, instructor in mathematics, and Mr. Keith Moon, instructor in English and histor y, recently ran for the Salisbury and Region One Boards of Education under the Democratic Party. The Boards, composed of elected volunteer representatives, oversee their community’s public education systems, in accordance with state regulations.

The Boards act as a singular entity and make decisions by majority vote.

Some responsibilities of the boards include instating district objectives, selecting a superintendent, managing the district’s budget, and observing student achievements. Elections took place on November 2, 2021.

Mrs. Dittmer was elected to the Salisbur y Central Board of Education. She has lived in the area for more than twenty years and she began her teaching career at Indian Mountain School in 2005, before moving to Hotchkiss, where she has been teaching for 14 years. Currently, three of her four children attend Salisbur y Central School, the town’s public elementar y school. The Salisbur y Democratic committee organized most of her campaigning. Now an official member of the board, she will attend monthly meetings.

Mr. Moon, who has been a teacher in Lakeville for over two decades, was elected as the Salisbury representative to the Region One Board of Education. Region One includes six towns–Salisbury, Sharon, Kent, Canaan, Cornwall, and Falls Village– that all feed into a single high school.

Previously, he served two terms for a total of eight years on the Salisbury Central Board of Education. When asked why he ran, Mr. Moon said, “I thought I was done, as I had done the two four-year terms on the Salisbury Board, but I actually like running for office, and I feel like I have something to offer to the town. I also knew that Mrs. Dittmer was running for my seat, so we were going to have somebody qualified on the local board.”

Mr. Moon explained that, currently, the Board of Education’s primary concern is sustaining sufficient student enrollment levels in local schools, which has been affected by the pandemic and increasing housing costs. He said, “I think the issue of local affordable housing and the healthy state of the schools–in terms of numbers of students–are quite important and linked together. The district and high school leadership and budget are in good shape, which is excellent. Now we have to make sure we have enough students!”

Mrs. Dittmer and Mr. Moon remain committed to education both on and off campus and will serve on the Boards of Education for the next four years.

Lower Mids Host Annual Halloween Party Parth Jain ’24 Staff Writer

The Speech & Debate Team poses for a club photo.

Photo | David Conti

Speech & Debate Team Takes First Place At Home Competition

Rebekah Oppenheimer ’24 Staff Writer On October 24, the Speech and Debate team hosted over 100 debaters from 15 schools, including Loomis, BB&N, Choate, and St. Paul’s, among others, for the annual Hotchkiss Debating and Public Speaking Tournament held remotely this year. Hotchkiss competed with an A and B team, both of which defeated every other school in the tournament, taking the top two spots in the overall standings.

Because the tournament was held over Zoom, the audience was limited to just the judges and debaters. Rahul Kalavagunta ’22, a speech and debate team captain, emphasized the accommodations that the team had to make as a result. He said, “Being virtual changes the way that you debate a lot.

Being in-person is a lot more interactive

with your competitors and the judges.

It also changes the dynamics and the rhetorical strategies that some debaters use, especially in public speaking. Many debaters have gestures that are going to make their speech more effective, or another example is some people walk around and use their expression to get the judges really into it.” In addition, he expresses regret that many of the current debaters haven’t had the opportunity to experience an in-person debate. Kalavagunta said, “Normally we get on the bus, we get bagels in the morning, we’re in suits all day, and it’s a fun time. I feel really sorry for all the kids who haven’t had the opportunity to experience that.”

Kalavagunta also commented on the performance and depth of talent on the Novice Team, many of whom won awards in multiple categories. He said, “Our Advanced Team [made up of the top 4-8 debaters] is always really strong, but our novice debaters, most of whom

have never debated before, have been winning tournaments and doing well, so we feel confident in the future of this team, even after our upperclassmen leave.”

Mr. David Conti P’18, ’22, coach of the school’s speech and debate team and president of the Debate Association of New England Independent Schools, spoke to the team’s season-long success.

He said, “Our season has been going very well. We’ve won all three of our tournaments this year, which brings our league-wide unbeaten streak to five tournaments. Considering the size of our league, winning even two tournaments in a row is largely unheard of.”

Mr. Conti said that the league would meet again in January to discuss potential in-person tournaments. The Debate team’s next tournament will be hosted

by Phillips Andover Academy on November 14.

Costumes, candy, and crazy dance moves spurred a successful Lower Mid Halloween Party this fall.

On Saturday, October 30, the Lower Mid Class Council hosted their annual Halloween party for all students to enjoy. The main event, a Halloween dance, took place in front of Main Building and included strobe lights, a smoke machine, and a live DJ. Students were quick to gather at the main steps, dancing to mainstream pop, hip-hop and electronic hits. Paige Dzenutis ’23, an attendant of the party, said, “I really liked the DJ and his song selection, and I think the [Lower Mid Class Council] did a great job creating a fun Halloween atmosphere.”

In addition, students were invited to wear costumes to the party and participate in the annual costume competition. Party-goers wore everything from cat ears to full-body corsets, dresses and suits. Many students also teamed up with their friends to wear matching outfits. A few days after the party, students voted on their favorite costumes. Eli Rippetoe ’23 won best solo costume, Ben Herdeg ’23 and Allison Lin ’22 won best duo costume, and the Girls JV Soccer team won best group costume.

Overall, the party required extensive planning from the Lower Mid Class Council, especially in a year that has been shaped by the pandemic and its restrictions. Sahil Annamenani ’24, the Lower Mid Class President, said, “[One] of the challenges due to COVID was that we weren’t allowed to have a dance inside, and with the weather changing constantly, we didn’t know if it was going to rain and people wouldn’t show up… We took a risk and went along with the original plan, [but] overall it was a successful event with a good turnout of people.”

The next dance is Homecoming, which will take place the evening of Taft Day on November 13.

Scan the QR code to view images on The Record Website.

Features The Hotchkiss Record

Friday, November 12, 2021

Features | 3

Introducing New Winter Co-Curriculars Angela Li ’24 Staff Writer

This winter, two co-curriculars, Woods Squad and Table Tennis, were added to the outdoor and alternative team programs. Woods Squad focuses on environmental stewardship in the school’s Beeslick Woods at a varsity commitment level, and Table Tennis provides students a platform to further their experience in a popular community sport.

Table Tennis

Unlike Woods Squad, Table Tennis is a brand new addition to the co-curricular program. Observing its popularity at the school, Dr. Wei Liu, instructor in Chinese, sent a proposal to Ms. Robin Chandler, co-director of athletics, hoping to increase indoor winter sports options.

The co-curricular will happen in the student center, and Dr. Liu plans to hand the reins over to the students who have honed their skills by informally competing in the game room.

Additionally, she will play a documentary on how table tennis served as the icebreaker for US-China relations in 1972 and reach out to professional Chinese table tennis players to lead lectures or virtual training sessions. Dr. Liu notes that this lowcost sport played a large role in the childhood of many kids from Asian countries like China, Japan, Korea, and the Philippines.

The two new winter co-curriculars will officially commence after Thanksgiving break.

Boxed In: A Crossword By the Bearcat Puzzler

ACROSS

1 “Home is where the _____ is” 6 Famous candy manufacturer family that the MAC is named after 10 Pretend to be 11 1/2 B*H 12 A legal right 13 Ivan the Terrible or Peter the Great, for example 14 6 on a keypad 15 What one does at the gym, abbr.

16 The ________, the longest running animated sitcom in the world (since 1989) 18 Society that fights against animal abuse 19 ___ Garten, famous chef and host of Barefoot Contessa on the Food Network 20 A religious song or song of praise 21 Parachute material 24 Vowels from a play with songs 25 Goal 26 Yesn't 27 Those who have trouble sleeping 28 An Indigenous People once

occupying most of the modern-day Saskatchewan Canadian province and more DOWN 1 Used to own 2 Abbr. of the system for digital health records and their exchange 3 Measured in daltons 4 Oscar-winning 1988 movie with Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise 5 Braking method in skating that forms a letter with your feet 6 A name that refers to that of a mother or female ancestor 7 Powder room?

8 Harvests 9 Highly contagious respiratory illness 15 Eavesdropping 16 007's job 17 Middle of asinine 18 Feng ____ 22 First word of a fairy tale 23 Part of a plane 25 Math contest with 3 levels: 8, 10, and 12

The Hotchkiss Record

4 | Opinions

Opinions

Friday, November 12, 2021

The Debate on Seniority

Record Opinions interviewed the student body for their opinions on seniority at the school. On the left is an opinion piece by Stella Ren ’22 about the dangers of enforcing seniority. Data and select quotes from the all-school survey are shown on the right.

Seniority Has Gone Too Far Stella Ren ’22 Contributing Writer Traditions are not rules. They do not need enforcement. Unlike rules, we can choose whether or not to participate in them. Likewise, a fun signature of student life is vastly different from an obsession with exclusive privileges established through threat and fear.

“Walk through the middle doors and you will not graduate” is a tradition, but opting out does not actually get you a mark on your transcript. One tradition, however, has gone too far: seniority.

Last week, I witnessed a group of Seniors heckle and aggressively stop a Prep from taking two chairs from a Senior table. The Prep tables were completely filled, and the Prep and his friends had nowhere to sit. One of the “Senior tables” was empty, but not daring to use the shared space in the Dining Hall because of arbitrary hierarchical rules, they only wanted to take two chairs. The Seniors, two times the size of the Preps, stood up and started yelling at them for taking the “Senior chairs.” The Preps, visibly uncomfortable and scared, did as they were told.

When I was a Prep, I was deeply uncomfortable with how I had to carefully navigate school spaces and “know my place”. The lounges that I envisioned myself chatting and working at when touring the school turned out to be spaces I am “not yet qualified” for; the much closer way to getting sauces for my chicken tenders across the Snack Bar was exclusive to upperclass students; somehow even the one-fourth of space I was allowed at in a shared school facility was often taken by those who have “worked up their ranks” for more access. There are too many stories to list – non-Seniors being yelled at, assaulted, and threatened with notes saying “I know where you live” in their mail boxes. I am still deeply uncomfortable now with the fact that I had to become a Senior to share these thoughts without fear of immense backlash.

The harms of seniority are clear.

One’s sense of belonging is directly impacted by their access to space. Sociological research has repeatedly proven relations between access to public spaces and integration into a community, especially for underrepresented and underprivileged students. Historically, the rhetoric we often hear in the school that “they still have access to other spaces” is the same rhetoric used to justify segregation. We know that barring access to spaces is fundamentally wrong and harmful to groups of people – what makes Senior privileges any different? If we take a look back at the countless angry conversations, fishbowls, Record articles written, and proclamations of “Prep grass” or “Prep lounge” from nearly every year, there is no doubt that Senior privileges always upset at least a large portion of students who come into the school aspiring to fully integrate into the community. “I still remember the anxiety I felt walking past Senior Quad,” said Zach Scrima ’22. “Some [Seniors], in fact, were known to ‘bark’... many [lowerclass students] are complacent for fear of ridicule, not out of respect for us Seniors.”

Given the harms, the justifications for seniority are nowhere near sufficient. Age and experience are horrible metrics for determining access and privilege. Traditionally, positions of political and economic authority have all been dominated by white male populations with the most “seniority” in these fields, and minorities are systemically barred from these opportu-

nities because of this faulty metric. In the modern day job market, companies have steered away from promoting and firing based on seniority because it does not meaningfully prove one’s ability or maturity.

Many argue that seniority is associated with respect and responsibility, but association is not entitlement.

Forcefully claiming a space and demanding through intimidation and aggression that others must pay respect is counterproductive and frankly embarrassing. Some raise examples, like only being able to drive at sixteen, as a justification for using seniority as a metric for access; however, unlike driving, sitting at the other side of the snack-bar or at Senior lounge does not require any more responsible conduct than what is asked of non-Seniors.

Forcefully claiming a space and demanding through intimidation and aggression that others must pay respect to your claim is counterproductive and frankly embarrassing.

The purpose of listing these parallel examples with more severity is not to argue that Senior privileges are inherently discriminatory (although, after the first Prep, a person of color, put the chairs back, another white Prep was treated with much milder attitudes and allowed to take the chairs, so perhaps exclusivity of privilege inherently favors the majority), but to illustrate why the principles behind these arbitrary rules are flawed. Instances of enforcing seniority appear to be trivial compared to the greater societal implications, but regardless of scale, a wrong is a wrong.

Perhaps deep down we all realize that there is no good justification for seniority, but its reward after three years of deprivation is simply too tempting.

The Class of 2021 sat at Senior tables and protested as Preps, but they were furious when a Prep lounge was created when they became Seniors. The Class of 2022, partially as a joke, claimed a Prep grass, but we are mistreating others now. The mindset that “younger students must suffer because I did” is intuitively wrong and oppressive because it perpetuates harm. Even if some of us did not dislike or protest against these privileges before, ware not excused from doing the right thing now.

We forget to treat each other with basic human decency and empathy in the cyclical enforcement of seniority.

Access to commodities is not a zero-sum game. Letting a Prep sit at a Senior table simply means sitting at another identical table; sharing Senior grass does not make the space disappear. Enjoying something for four years is objectively better than only enjoying it for one year. It takes a modicum of kindness and empathy to sacrifice the meaningless pride of ruling a hierarchy in exchange for so many students’ sense of security and comfort in our community.

We can preserve traditions without demanding that others must abide by them like rules. Seniority at the school currently demonstrates an obsession with exclusivity and privilege, emblematic of the worst stereotypes of a New England preparatory school. It has to stop.

This graphic shows the results from the survey, sent to students and faculty. 193 people responded.

Graphic | Ben Who ’24

Community Responses

The following opinions were submitted by students and faculty in response to the survey. Certain respondents chose to remain anonymous.

do these things. I feel like seniority is a part of the school’s history and we should all learn to respect it.”

-Ore Adedeji ’23

“I like how the tables are separated by grade as it is easier to find your friends this way.”

-Liam Waldron ’25

“Seniority is like a rite of passage. As much as people complain about it, they will be the same ones defending it once it is their privilege. But at the end of the day, that's all it is. A privilege. A collection of unspoken rules that most of the school doesn't even know about.

So, next time you see someone sitting at the "wrong" table or get up too early at an all-school, instead of berating them, remember that it's not their fault. They just haven't been taught. Empathize a little bit. Remember what it was like before you were a Senior.”

-Emiliano Leal ’23

“Seniority gives underclassmen something to work towards. I believe that it is a way for the Senior class to be role models that underclassmen can look up to, but that requires Seniors to be respectful and responsible members of our community. Just because a Prep sits at a Senior table does not mean they have to be chastised for their mistake; we can uphold seniority while still being true to our motto, "Guided by each other, let us seek better paths."”

-Billy Meneses ’22

“It creates an environment that values longevity over merit. With seniority, seniors are not inclined to be the leaders they ought to be.”

-Jill Reichenbach ’24

“Seniority in and of itself is a good thing: it's something everyone can look forward to and eventually enjoy.

I do take issue with the enforcement of seniority in certain cases. Seniority is based on respect and, as such, [must be] earned. When Seniors chastise lowerclass students for sitting at a Senior table, Seniors lose respect and thus their seniority. A respectful, polite ask should be all it takes.”

-Cooper Roh ’22 “If we are truly dedicated to equity and inclusion, why would we support systems of exclusion?”

-Mrs. Jane Herold “There are things at this school that are just traditions. As a Prep, I respected that Seniors had these “rights”, and looked forward to the day where I would be a Senior and I’d be able to

“Seniority is not about being better than others, or treating people disrespectfully. It is about those who are not Seniors respecting Seniors and the traditions. When we are constantly being berated [for being] poor leaders and not taking our role as leaders of the community seriously, the question must be asked: in what way are we leaders?

Because of our age? There are Upper Mids who are older than Seniors, does this mean they too are leaders of our community [in the same way]? No. The reason we are leaders is because the members of the community respect and look up to us. While this may be incentive enough for some, how can it be said we should not have things like Senior tables, Senior quad and Seniors lead, when it is our responsibility to be leaders of the community? If we are expected to act like leaders, treat us with respect and endorse our traditions.”

-Lachlan Penfold ’22

“When seniority affects the other grades’ way of life negatively, it becomes a problem because it is merely just a custom that should only be done if convenient.”

-Lower Mid “I think it's a fun tradition that should be respected to a certain extent. As long as it doesn't include severe hazing or bullying, I think it's something to look forward to throughout your time at Hotchkiss.”

-Prep “Seniors have a responsibility to show the rest of the school what leadership and respect is. They have seen Hotchkiss through good times and bad times but have persevered through it to make it to senior year. They deserve the right to sit at certain tables and enter in through certain doors. It is not as if Senior privileges make our lives significantly harder.”

-Lower Mid “It breeds a sense of entitlement. Experience should bring responsibility, not entitlement.”

-Faculty Member

The Hotchkiss Record

Friday, November 12, 2021

Opinions | 5

Lift Restrictions on Lowerclass Student WiFi James Sum ’25 Contributing Writer

Graphic | Isabel Su ’22

Our Grading System Needs a Change Stephanie Ge ’22 Opinions Editor

While art, athletics, and relationships can be judged with a variety of factors, our academic career is evaluated by a single number: our Grade Point Average (GPA). At the school, it is an unweighted measurement of academic performance, in some cases spanning four years, and an average of the final year grades for all classes taken at the school. We are rewarded for strong academic performance or a high GPA through recognitions including the Honor Roll, the Top Scholar distinction, Cum Laude Society and others.

Yet students’ drive and work ethic are not proportional to the rewards under our current grading system.

The solution to this is clear; final grades should not be the only consideration for receiving these recognitions. The administration needs to implement a weighted grading system that takes a student’s course difficulty into consideration. A new weighted system would entail a fair, comprehensive evaluation of a student’s academic performance. It would encourage students to challenge themselves intellectually through an emphasis on work ethic, instead of just outcomes.

As of now, the hallmarks of academic achievement - high cumulative GPA, the Honor Roll System, the Cum

Editorial

Laude Society - neglect a vital component of a student’s academic performance: the rigor of course selections. The difficulty and the number of courses is a measurement of a student’s willingness to challenge themselves academically and their ability to succeed despite them. However, the lack of this essential factor in grade calculations has become a loophole.

The difficulty and number of courses is a measurement of the student's willingness to challenge themselves academically and their ability to succeed despite them.

The simple truth is that some students take advantage of this loophole by means of signing up for a lighter course load; and, even more outrageously, they are ultimately rewarded.

The administration’s refusal to take into account this vital, missing component reinforces the message that students who do not work hard can and will still be recognized for academic achievement. Thus, students are aware that largely GPA-based recognitions, such as making the Honor

Let ’s Earn our Traditions

How do we know what we know? This question is discussed around every Harkness table, investigated by each proof of a mathematical theorem, and evaluated in conclusions written for labs. It is one of the essential questions ingrained during Prep and Lower Mid Humanities. As students at Hotchkiss, we have always been taught to question knowledge: where does it come from? How do we come to accept it as truth?

But what about outside of the classroom? During Orientation, all new students are taught long-standing school traditions. Don’t walk through the middle doors. Only Seniors can step on Senior Grass. Touch the bearcat in the MAC on your way to practice. These traditions connect us to the thousands of students who have walked through these doors before us.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic completely disrupted our way of life, we followed these practices blindly because they were already embedded into our everyday lives.

When the student body left campus in March of 2020, we took our traditions with us. The turmoil of the past year-and-a-half has left us with a blank page. Thus, it is our responsibility to re-evaluate our traditions: where do they come from, and should we continue to uphold them?

In the survey we sent out to the school, there were mixed sentiments towards the role seniority should have on campus. Some responses were positive: many students, not just Seniors, are attached to the tradition of seniority. But, several responses suggested that members of the Senior class are abusing this tradition.

There is no right answer in this debate: these Senior spaces bring us together and give lowerclass students something to look forward to, but, at the same time, some Seniors take the enforcement of traditions too far.

Seniors, if you choose to follow and to enforce these traditions, we ask that you do so respectfully. Most of us have waited four years to sit at Senior tables, to step onto Senior Grass, and to lead the school out of all-school meetings. Let us be worthy of these privileges.

Upper Mids, Lower Mids, and Preps: we hope that you choose to follow these long-standing traditions. While it is not our right to force you to conform to these social norms, we will strive to be deserving of your respect.

Roll and being inducted into the Cum Laude Society, render drive and work ethic practically meaningless. Frankly, this grossly unjust reward system perpetuates this message every year.

A Spanish student, who requested to remain anonymous, said: “It’s demotivating to think that a hardearned A in a high-level course, like AP Spanish, has the same value as an A for a first-year Spanish course.

Even though I understand that everyone learns at their own pace, I believe a higher-level course is still objectively more difficult and should be recognized as such.”

A weighted grading system would motivate students to reach their full academic potential. It would emphasize work ethic rather than outcomes.

“Our objective is to learn, not earn good grades,” Yuki Zhang ’22 said. “A good outcome, a higher GPA, should naturally follow a strong work ethic.

If we had a weighted grading system, I wouldn’t worry about receiving a worse grade if I took a harder class. In that scenario, I would rather take the harder class.”

We need to expand our standards for academic excellence. Numeric grades should not be the only factor taken into consideration. The extent to which students demonstrate growth and a desire to challenge themselves should be a vital component in the school’s definition of achievement.

You are frantically mashing at your keyboard, desperately trying to complete your English essay as you eye the clock.

It reads 10:44 PM and it seems almost plausible that you will be able to type the final sentence in your essay. As you hastily upload your file and spam the “Submit” button, an error message jeers at you. You were only moments away from submitting an essay that could have tipped the scales of your grade, though the school’s WiFi policy remains obstinate. These are the very students that are victims of Hotchkiss’s WiFi policy. The abrupt WiFi cutoff is an unjust system that does not serve its intended purpose of ensuring a healthy sleep schedule.

At a school where students take different courses based on skill level, it is unreasonable to restrict all lowerclass students’ WiFi to a universal shut-off time.

The Almanac itself recognizes the distinction in homework load between regular and honors courses: “For most classes, this means up to 45 minutes of preparation time per class period, though the greater demands of honors courses may require up to 60 minutes.” Despite this acknowledgement, the administration maintains that students who are enrolled in higher-level and honors courses are to complete their far more rigorous coursework within the same timeframe as ones who are enrolled in regular classes. This inequitable system begs the question of how this policy can in any way promote healthy lifestyles when all it does is add stress to students who cannot possibly finish their homework within the allotted time.

Moreover, the WiFi policy fails to consider aspects of homework load that are completely out of a student’s control. Even within the same courses,

some teachers give considerably more homework than others. Co-curricular obligations vary greatly too, with some team practices much longer than others.

These discrepancies mean almost every student, regardless of course load, is afforded a different amount of time to complete their work each night. Regardless, the WiFi shut-off time remains stringent and unyielding. It is not a reasonable consideration of students’ differing schedules and course levels, but a universal, inaccurate estimation by administrators of what would send students to sleep.

The problem has plagued Preps and Lower Mids to the point where it is common to obtain WiFi from Seniors and Upper Mids, a major rule violation. Frustratingly, it seems as though the school is more focused on punishing students who break the rules than considering if those rules are reasonable and fair. The fact that such a large number of students feel the need to have WiFi past 10:45pm indicates that there is a problem in the status quo.

Suggesting that all of them need to learn better time management skills or to stop scrolling through social media is an ignorant refusal to acknowledge that most students who use upperclassman WiFi are simply trying to make it through their work. Making it a punishable offense to finish homework encourages rule-breaking and The WiFi cutoff time is an unreasonable perspective of an idealistic student life. As a result of the administration’s good-faith attempts to enforce healthy habits, a great number of students who take advanced courses and receive a large amount of homework have suffered under the strict WiFi policy. Some are even punished for simply seeking to complete such work. The school has time and time again expected excellence from students, yet how should we achieve that if the flawed system continues to stymie our academic endeavors?

Graphic | Hannah Goldberg ’22

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Arts & Leisure The Hotchkiss Record

6 | Arts & Leisure

Friday, November 12, 2021

Meet Right Brain Logic

Beatrice Conti ’22, tuba

Simon Griffin ’22, baritone saxaphone

Taylor Hemelt ’23 Contributing Writer

Right Brain Logic, the school’s jazz ensemble, debuted in 2006 and is made up of approximately 20 student musicians every year. The ensemble practices twice a week and performs twice a year in Elfers Hall, with some students showcasing their improvised solos. Jazz has been a part of the music program for over 40 years, starting off as a few jazz private lessons and then evolving into an official jazz ensemble.

Mr. Michael Musillami, founder, director, and music composer for Right Brain Logic, and instructor in jazz guitar

Rahul Kalavagunta ’22, saxaphone

Giancarlo Mendoza ’23, baritone saxophone and ensemble improviser

Arts News

Tragedy on Film Set Raises Questions Naima Johnson ’24 Contributing Writer “Hollywood movies love using fake versions of real things for everything, except guns.” The sentiments in this quote from Trevor Noah have become more prominent with the growing controversy surrounding Hollywood and the entertainment industry’s use of real guns on sets. Most recently, many production and film companies have been under fire for their use of real guns in the wake of the tragic Rust shooting incident on October 21.

Alec Baldwin is an American actor and comedian best known for his work in films such as Beetlejuice and his Donald Trump impersonations on Saturday Night Live. While rehearsing on set for his upcoming Western Indie film, Rust, Baldwin shot a prop gun unknowingly loaded with live ammunition, accidentally taking the

life of cinematographer Haylna Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. Court documents later showed that the prop gun used in the incident was declared safe by the assistant director before handing it to Baldwin. This tragic incident brings the safety of filming and use of guns in Hollywood further into question.

This was not the first gun incident that has occured on a film set. In 1984, Jon-Erik Hexum mistakenly shot himself in the head with a gun that contained blanks, believing that it was safe. However, the impact of the blank fractured his skull, which forced fragments of bone into his brain and led to his death. In 1993, Brandon Lee, son of martial arts legend Bruce Lee, was shot by a co-star with a prop gun that contained an improperly made dummy round.

These misfortunes raise the question of whether or not Hollywood is prioritizing the safety and security of working con-

Haylna Hutchins was a rising cinematographer.

In Brief

Voice Recital Yixi Zou ’25 Staff Writer On Friday, October 29, the Voice Studio Recital showcased a total of 12 students who sang both English and Italian classical songs in Elfers Hall.

Mr. Jack Brown, instructor in voice, applauded for the students who per-

Photo | Wikimedia Commons

formed at the recital and pointed out the challenge of performing in Elfers with no microphone. He said, “Only two of the 12 students had prior performance experience, so it was remarkable how calm and collected the other 10 students were.”

Following the voice recital, the Music Department presented the piano recital on November 2 and the instrumental recital on November 9 in Elfers.

Community members can look forward to the Spring studio recitals with more students ready to showcase their work!

ditions over the final film presentation. In light of this tragedy, many producers and other workers in the entertainment industry urged state representatives to create “Haylna’s law,” which would ban the use of real firearms on film production sites in the state of California. Seth Gilliam P ’24, American actor, said, “I’ve worked on many films and TV sets where firearms are used. Never have I felt in danger, as the props departments and firearm specialists I’ve worked with have all been extremely careful and diligent when showing the actors how the weapons work and how to use them.”

The practice of using real guns and weapons as props in entertainment is not uncommon. However, even with the safety precautions, risk still exists. Most prop guns on film sets are actually real, but contain blank bullets instead of live ammunition. Blanks still contain gunpowder and casing but lack a projectile or bullet at the tip. Guns loaded with blanks create a verisimilar visual image of flash and smoke, which makes them appealing to filmmakers. However, blank rounds can still be fatal at close range, such as in the case of Hexeum.

Thus, the question arises. Should film production companies sacrifice authenticity to minimize risk? Gilliam commented, “Many times we are using weapons that have been modified to only shoot ‘blank cartridges’. These are not ‘live rounds’. I have no idea how or why these protocols were not followed in the Alec Baldwin situation. I cannot fathom it. ” Ultimately, it is clear that there are risks present in using real firearms as props on sets, and people’s lives should never be put at risk at the expense of maintaining authenticity in films. It is devastating that it cost Haylna Hutchins her life for Hollywood’s malpractices to be called out but it’s promising that voices advocating for the prioritization of safety on film sets are finally being heard.

To read more about interviews with the musicians, please scan the QR code.

AOI: Luke Louchheim ’22 Giulia Hurlock ’23 Contributing Writer

Luke Louchheim, a three-year Senior from Sagaponack, NY, took Architecture during his Upper Mid year and now takes Honors Studio Art Portfolio. He is also a Proctor in Wieler.

What first made you interested in architecture and the arts?

When I was trying to figure out a career for myself in the future, architecture seemed like the perfect thing for me because it is an intersection of STEM and art. I continued to pursue this interest by taking lessons and interning at a local architecture firm to learn how to use different architectural design softwares. This experience has allowed me to discover that I was more interested in the artistic side of architecture. When I came to Hotchkiss, I started pursuing architecture by taking studio art for my first, and then I built off of that with electives in architecture.

How has the school helped you grow in the field of architecture?

The school has so many amazing facilities. Last year for our project in Architecture, we took advantage of the Science Building’s Engineering, Fabrication, & Exploration (EFX) lab and used a wood laser printer there to build

models. We also worked a lot with the physics instructors. Mr. Michael Boone, [director of the EFX lab and instructor in physics & engineering,] was always super open to helping us out.

What is your favorite architectural style?

My favorite architectural style is Neo-Futurism, especially the work of architects like Zaha Hadid and Aaro Sarrinen. In general, I am a fan of any type of Modern architecture.

What is your favorite project you’ve created recently or in the past year?

Last year in Architecture, we were tasked to design a 1000 ft2 large house for two people for any place in the world. One of the biggest challenges was that the house also had to be completely sustainable. I chose to build my house on a random plot in Todos Santos, Mexico and studied many different things, such as the site’s wind direction, average temperature, and average sunlight hour, to see what was the best way to build a sustainable home. After doing this research, we drafted floor plans of the house and then built wooden structural models using the EFX Lab’s Wood Laser printer. The project spanned an entire year and took a lot of effort and research, but it was very rewarding to complete our final products.

To read more about and view images of the recital, please scan the QR code.

Luke Louchheim ’22 poses with his design.

Photo | Jill Lanzone ’22 and Luis Soto Moyers ’22

Sports The Hotchkiss Record

Friday, November 12, 2021

Sports | 7

With Main Building once again lined with psych cards and Blue & White bringing energy to campus, athletes are ready to take on Taft Day tomorrow. While Taft Day last year was held in the spring and limited to Varsity teams due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year it returns in the fall with all levels competing. In anticipation of tomorrow’s showdowns, fall athletes have been preparing mentally and physically all season. Below, athletes of all levels share their thoughts on gearing up for Taft Day competition with The Record. Best of luck to everyone who will be competing on Taft Day. Nate Seidenstein ’24 Staff Writer

Graphic | Quisha Lee ’24

Maxine Wexler ’25 JV Volleyball

I ’m s o e xc i te d to watch and support my teammates on Taft Day. It’s a great time where the whole community comes together and is in high spirits. Spirit Week is also definitely a fun time, and it gets everyone really excited about all the games and activities.

Even before I came to Hotchkiss, I have always heard about how fun Taft Day is from my older sister.

Now that I am at Hotchkiss and part of the community, I am beyond excited to take part in all of the fun activities and become a part of all of the fun traditions.

Christian Gallaher ’25

Sam Matte ’22

Varsity Football

Boys Thirds Soccer I've always enjoyed watching Hotchkiss face off against Taft and cheering for the Bearcat Army, but I haven't yet gotten to compete in Taft Day myself. Getting to play on Taft Day has been one of my most important goals at Hotchkiss before I leave.

This desire has pushed me to try out for and power through the absolutely physically demanding 3rds soccer team.

Audrey Yoo ’23

Last Saturday, the Boys Varsity Soccer team battled Kent under the lights at Sprole. The game started off quick as the team launched a series of attacks and counter offenses, pushing Kent’s defense consistently throughout the game. While the team created many chances, it was unable to capitalize on them, ending the game with a 0-0 draw.

Throughout the course of the season, the team has overcome challenges, such as a slew of injuries, to achieve success. Much of this resilience can be attributed to new coach Mario Williams ’12, who took the mantle as the team’s head coach this season after being assistant coach for two years. Mr. Williams returned to Hotchkiss in 2019 as a teacher in the Science Department. On taking on the role, Coach Williams said, “ I want to help young student-athletes to develop leadership, collaboration, and communication skills and provide them with an effective toolkit that they will be able to rely on and use for their entire lives.”

One thing Mr. Williams has worked hard to achieve is a culture of hard work and responsibility among team members. This has been cultivated through practicing at game-speed, running drills that hone the mental and physical strength of the players, and helping players find a love for the game.

Mr. Williams also uses a variety of technical drills to help players improve. One such drill is Rondo.

Mr. Williams described Rondo essentially as a version of “keep away”. He said, “The Rondo is

Thirds Field Hockey

I'm so excited for Taft Day because it’s a tradition I've always looked forward to every year, even when I was younger and wasn’t a student at Hotchkiss yet. We already beat Taft once before [this season] and so we’ve been training hard to make sure that we’ll be able to beat them again.

Boys Varsity Soccer Strives for Excellence Peyton Wexler ’22 Contributing Writer

Jeff Shi ’24

Varsity Mountain Biking

essentially a microcosm of how we play as a team and is an excellent environment within which we can improve our communication, defensive skill, passing and ball control ability, movement, and spatial awareness.”

We came into the season expecting to challenge for the playoffs and we knew it would take a lot of hard work to do so.

Right now that goal is still very much possible.

This game has always been a special one.

Playing Taft at home is something we’ve been looking forward to all year and after missing out on beating them two years ago, this year’s Taft Day is something that’s been on our minds. This game is the culmination of my football career as well those of many other Seniors on our team, and we ain’t leaving with a loss.

In Brief: Boys Cross Country Wins Founders League Championship

Carrie Cao ’23 Sports Editor

On Saturday, November 6, the Boys and Girls Cross Country teams competed in the Founders League championship with the Varsity and JV boys teams coming in first place.

With a time of 16:29:60, co-captain Huck Whittemore ’22 won first place in the individual boys competition.

Whittemore, Ciaran Groom ’24, and Owen Zinn-Keane ’22 all helped Hotchkiss become the only compet-

ing school with three runners in the top five. After coming in second place in the last three Founders League championships, the Seniors were able to notch not only their first Founders League Championship, but the first in the school's history. Team member Phil Warren ’23 said, "Being able to compete at Founders, and win for the first run since the event began was really something special. It's amazing to know this team and to be able to run with them everyday."

The girls teams were also very successful, with the varsity girls team placing in fourth place and the JV girls placing in third place. Leading the varsity team were Lower Mids Daphne Barrett ’24 and Grace Gordon ’24. Olivia Torchen ’22 led the girls JV team by finishing 15th place, followed by Sadie Salter ’25 and Hailey Harman ’22.

Both the Boys and Girls Cross Country teams are now off to the New England championships on November 13 at Andover.

– Mo Nuhu ’23 This strict attention to detail and dedication of the team has translated into a record of 6-6-4.

Although this may not have been the place the team expected to be in at the season’s start, the team is still vying to close out the season strong and make a push to make the NEPSAC playoffs. The team uses the rallying cry “deep into November” in order to focus and hone in on the goal. Captain Mo Nuhu ’23 said, "We came into the season expecting to challenge for the playoffs and we knew it would take a lot of hard work to do so.

Right now that goal is still very much possible."

The team's final game is tomorrow, in a showdown against a currently undefeated Taft on Taft Day. The team looks to come out with a win and close out the season strong.

James Bushell ’22 celebrates with the team after scoring a goal.

Photo | Vinnie DiCarlo

The Hotchkiss Record

8 | Sports

Friday, November 12, 2021

Atlanta Braves Take Home World Series Harrison Hoffman ’24 and Ben Who ’24 Staff Writer and Opinions Editor

The Atlanta Braves shut out the Houston Astros on November 2 to win the 2021 World Series, its first franchise victor y in over 20 years.

The best of seven series only lasted six games as Atlanta pounded the Astros with explosive hitting and kept the Houston team’s bats silent with masterful pitching. The exciting series capped off an MLB season characterized by by top class talent and competitive matchups. This past season was filled with extremely talented players, teams, and newcomers who have shown that the future of the MLB is bright. It is always a shame when the season comes to an end, however, there are many exciting playoff games and series to look back upon.

This historic MLB season was a sign of normalcy returning to sports after a year influenced by the pandemic. The empty stadiums, neutral sites, and shortened schedules that characterized the 2020 season were but a distant memory. Leading up to the playoffs, several teams pushed for contention all the way up to the

final day of the regular season. In the end, ten teams, including four wild card teams, made it to the postseason knock-out tournament. Over the course of 29 days and several intensive matchups, the pool was narrowed from ten teams to one, with the Atlanta Braves crowned as MLB champions of the 2021 season.

A few of the most memorable match ups throughout the playoffs include the Tampa Bay R ays v s.

Boston Redsox, L.A. Dodgers vs.

Atlanta Braves, and Astros vs. Red Sox. The Red Sox defeated the Rays in four games ending in Boston. This series came as a big shock to the baseball world as the Rays were large favorites and the Red Sox were a wild card team. Standout players for the Red Sox included Kike Hernandez and Rafael Devers, as Boston’s impressive hitting took down the Rays.

The Dodgers and Braves faced off in the NLCS, with Atlanta emerging as eventual winners of the six game series. Braves players with impressive performances throughout this series included Freddie Freeman and Joc Pederson. Another notable series was when the Astros faced the Red Sox, with the Astros ultimately winning themselves a spot in the World Series.

In the end, the Braves defied the odds, going from an 0-4 losing streak to start the season, to winning the World Series. This is the team’s fourth World Series and it’s first since 1995.

Game One was in Houston but the Braves came out on top with a score of 6-2. During the game, Braves pitcher Charlie Morton actually broke his leg in the middle of an inning and continued to thr 16 more pitches.

The next few games went back and forth between the two teams until Game Six, with the Braves up 3-2 in the series. The action in Game Six, which was played in Houston, began with Jorge Soler’s monster three-run home run shot in the third inning off of Houston starter Luis Garcia that was hit so far it left the ballpark. The Braves made little errors in the field and looked ver y dangerous at bat.

The Astros were unable to match their performance and notch hits against the strong Braves defense.

Eventually, the Braves beat the Astros by a score of 7-0 to become 2021 World Series champions.

This exciting World Series was a perfect ending to this season and all baseball fans are already counting down the days until next season begins!

Henry Emswiler ’22 rallying the team.

Athlete of the Issue:

Henry Emswiler ’22 Chloe El Hadj ’25 Staff Writer Henry Emswiler, a four-year Senior and a co-captain of the Varsity Football team, plays defensive lineman and offensive tackle. Co-captain Will Hedley ’22 said, “Henry has always been a welcoming person since the very first day I arrived on campus. His discipline holds everyone accountable and motivates us to work harder and push ourselves. He makes every person around him better.”

What are your plans for the future?

While I am unsure of my exact plans for the future, I hope to continue to play football at the collegiate level.

This sport has helped shape the person I am today and I am not ready to let that aspect of my life go quite yet. I hope to finish out this season strong and continue to improve.

What advice would you give to other football players?

I would advise other players to be the hardest worker on the field. Football is a game where effort, intensity, and heart are the most important thing on the field. The best players are the ones who give it their all every play without a fail.

Graphic | Hannah Goldberg ’22

Photo | Teddy Loescher ’24

Are there any traditions on the football team?

A f ter e ver y game, we award "Bearcats" to players who did well.

These players receive stickers that they put on their helmets for games.

Additionally, there is the very important tradition of brotherhood which has lasted for around 129 years. Developing this brotherhood is a huge priority because it helps us come together on the field. The football team has been a large part of what has made my time at Hotchkiss so special and it is because of that brotherhood that I will remember it forever.

What is your goal for the remainder of the season?

After COVID-19 cancelled last year’s season, my main goal has been to cherish this season as much as possible, especially since this is my last one at Hotchkiss. Although our team had a rocky start to the season, we had a big win against Lawrenceville which raised everyone’s spirits. My hope is that we continue to develop a strong brotherhood and beat Taft!

W h o ha s h elp ed you th e m o st throughout your football career?

Over the years, I have made lots of improvement on and off the field and the person who has helped me do so is Coach Brodie Quinn. He is part of the reason that I fell in love with this sport and he has helped me through every success. He has held me to high expectations and provided me with the lessons on how to be a leader, a hard worker, and a good person.

Texas Governor Signs Bill Targeting Transgender Athletes

Mia Nyoike ’24 Contributing Writer

On Monday, October 25, Governor Greg Abbott (R) signed into law House Bill 25, which requires student athletes in public schools to compete on sports teams based on the sex stated by their birth certificate. The bill is set to take effect on January 18, 2022, and lines up with similar measures being taken in several other Republican-dominated statehouses countrywide.

HB25 exceeds the current rules created by the University Interscholastic League (UIL), which enforces school sports rules in Texas. Under the UIL’s rule, students are assigned a team based on their birth certificate, but arrangements can be made to have certification that lines up with one’s gender identity.

Due to this new legal change, however, the UIL must adjust their regulations in order to meet the expectations of the new bill. An excerpt from HB25, written

by State House Representative Valoree Swanson (R), said, “The purpose of this act is to further the governmental interest of ensuring that sufficient interscholastic athletic opportunities remain available for girls to remedy past discrimination on the basis of sex.”

Although some congresspeople such as Rep. Swanson claim to have good intentions by “protecting” girls and creating a fair competitive environment for

them, many human rights activists still find this new bill troubling. They argue that transgender children who found a safe haven in sports can no longer find this, adding salt to a bleeding wound after Senate Bill 1311 was passed in May banning gender-affirming medical care for transgender youths. Furthermore, in 17 other states, similar transphobic legislation is being pushed by lawmakers just this year. This has led to the outrage of parents countrywide, who argue that forcing transgender girls to play sports on boys teams unreasonably attacks trans people and the LGBTQ+ comminity at large, exacerbating their increased vulnerability to mental health issues.

Research regarding trans rights reaffirms that trans people playing with their preferred gender is not only better for their mental health, but has a clear (though often contested) biological fairness. A survey conducted by the Trevor Project investigating LGBTQ+ mental health in 2020, states that 41% of transgender youth considered suicide, but only 12% of these adolescents attempted suicide when they were treated with gender-affirming care. Additionally, studies regarding testosterone levels in girls have failed to show a clear and strong correlation between athletic ability and hormone levels, further questioning the bill’s legitimacy. Republican lawmakers also fail to realize that many cisgender women have hormonal imbalances, causing them to naturally

produce more testosterone than the average amount, which further prods at the true intentions of these bills.

Imagine being so unwanted in your own communiy that your school purposely misgenders and targets you solely based on the way you identify.

– Stella Del Mazza Rocha ’25

Stella Del Mazza Rocha ’25, an openly queer student angered by HB25, said, “These lawmakers refuse to recognize that after a few years of hormone therapy, the hormonal gap between a cis girl and a trans girl has essentially closed, which goes to show that the reasoning behind this bill is lack of education.

Because of these Texas legislatures, many trans youth will be emotionally destroyed. Imagine being so unwanted in your own community that your school purposely misgenders and targets you solely based on the way you identify.

Trans youth are so incredibly marginalized and a school environment is supposed to be a safe place for students to escape this purgatory, but HB25 is creating nothing of the sort.”

Transgender athlete CeCé Telfer won an NCAA title for Franklin Pierce University.

Photo | CeCé Telfer