The Hill - Issue 3

May 13, 2024

A Student Publication of the Belmont Hill School

Winter Sports Review

Issue #3

by Luke Clifford ’27, Henry Oh ‘29, and Brian Tang ‘29

With the spring seasons well underway, let’s review our winter sports teams. First, we have Varsity Hockey, led by captain Jake McManus and coach Coach Phinney. With an overall record of 19-11-1, the team came in 2nd place in the ISL Keller division. Leading in points was the captain Jake McManus, followed by the freshman David Bosco and sophomore Jake Tavares. Belmont Hill Varsity hockey also clinched a spot in the ISL playoffs as the 6th seed. In the large school ISL hockey tournament quarterfinals against Dexter Southfield, Belmont Hill started off the game with a great start. At the end of the 1st, BH was leading 1-0. In the second, BH scored a goal, followed by back-to-back goals by Dexter, and the second period ended with BH leading 3-2. At the start of the third, BH let in a power-play goal, followed by two back-to-back goals scored by Dexter. Belmont Hill pulled their goalie in an attempt to come back, but the game ended with a 3-6 heartbreaking loss to Dexter. Overall, the Belmont Hill Varsity Hockey team had a great season, including a spot in the ISL tournament.

Varsity Basketball, led by Coach Cofield and the captain Isaiah Langham, ended their season with an overall record of 10-15. The team started the season off strong with a double-OT win against St. Paul’s. Some highlights were Isaiah’s 31 points and 10 rebounds. Some other key players in the game were the junior Giacomo Kaplan, who scored 14 points, and the junior Jamari Robinson, who scored 19. They also had a major 35-point win against Groton on January 10th. The team also had a pivotal 6151 win against St. Sebastian’s on January 26th.

The Varsity Squash finished with fantastic wins, including the Jackson Tournament, New Englands, and the ISL. Led by captain Leighton Calhoun and coached by Mr. Brownell, the team ended their season with a 16-3 record and undefeated in the ISL. The team’s depth and extraordinary talent have helped them hold their title as ISL champs for many years. On the Varsity Squash team, Mattias Liem, Griffin Ramirez, Luke Clifford, Colton Jacobs, Griffin Clahoun, Leighton Calhoun, Hayden Okurowski, and Jai Karande have all been key players in the team’s success. At the 2024 New England Prep School squash tournament, the team defeated Green Farms Acadamy 4-3 in Divison 2. In their last official match of the season to win the ISL, the team defeated Milton Acadamy 7-0, solidifying their dominance in the ISL. To wrap up the season, the team made their way down to Philadelphia for the high school squash nationals. There, the team made their way into the finals against Pingry but lost in a close battle with the 7th seed, resulting in a 4-3 loss.

The Varsity wrestling team ended the year with another tremendous season. The team finished the season by winning the Graves-Kelsey tournament and ISL Dual Meet and placing high in many tournaments, such as the New Englands, where they placed third. The wrestling team also had many all-Americans, such as Isaac Novod, a third former. The wrestling team continued to dominate the ISL and ended the winter season with a bang.

WORLD

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The Hill

Death of Alexei Navalny

by Suhas Kaniyar ‘28

On Friday, February 16, the world was shocked by anti-Putin activist Alexei Navalny’s abrupt death. At his time of death, Navalny was jailed in the IK3 Penal Colony for propagating extremist activities and rehabilitating Nazi ideology.

The Russian Federal Penitentiary Service claimed that Navalny felt unwell while walking in the nearby town of Kharp, roughly 1,900 miles northeast of Moscow, and collapsed shortly afterward. Navalny’s death sparked protests worldwide, as many suspect Putin of killing Navalny to gain the upper hand in the impending 2024 election.

Alexei Navalny was an anti-Putin activist who exposed the corruption of the Russian Government. The 47-year-old’s campaign also focused on domestic issues, including inflation and the general economy.

Navalny believed in political freedom for Russia’s population while maintaining a stable economy and a steady global demeanor. After returning to Russia in 2021, Navalny had a lot to say about the new state of Russia. He claimed that the

Russian Government used slush money to fund a palace in the Black Sea, as well as that Putin was “a petty KGB officer who now masquerades as a great spy.” From the beginning of his presence on various social media platforms, it was clear that he provoked responses from the Russian Government and that the Kremlin was bothered by his vast following.

Many believe that Putin killed Alexei Navalny out of fear, thinking that Navalny was a threat to national security and his power. As proclaimed by Jake Sullivan, the “idea that he had to lock this guy up, try to muzzle and silence him, and now he’s trying to suppress and silence anyone who wants to come out and mourn him — that’s a sign of weakness.” On the global stage, Russia, a country that has remained nonchalant through criticism and backstabs, for a human rights activist to poke a hole through the red curtain is monumental.

The death of Alexei Navalny prompted over 500 sanctions from the

United States, including the most significant financial penalties since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The sanctions imposed on Russia include striking Russia’s military-industrial complex, financial sector, procurement networks, and three high-ranking government officials related to Navalny’s death.

United States President Joe Biden said he will not back

down from a fright against Russia for the “death and destruction” it is causing and has promised a “major sanctions package” following the death of Alexei Navalny.

While targeting over 640 entities, the U.S. aims to expose the fraudulent price cap of Russia’s Sovcomflot crude oil tanker.

The United States also imposed sanctions on using MIR and attacked over a dozen Russian banks, investment firms, venture capital funds, and fintech companies.

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WORLD

The Hill

Unrest in Senegal

by Adrian Chen ’28

Senegal is currently facing a multitude of problems: Protests, riots, and allegations that the country’s president was staging a coup d’état–an unlawful seizure of power from a government. Though Senegal’s elections were set to take place on the 25th of February, these elections have yet to occur. In February, under claims of disputes between the judicial and legislative branches of government, Senegal’s sitting president, Macky Sall, recently canceled the upcoming elections indefinitely. By doing so, the president is essentially repealing the decree convening the electoral body–which was praised for being one of the first beacons of democracy in Africa. His act was the first postponement of a presidential election in Senegalese history.

Macky Sall’s acts faced significant backlash amongst the community. The U.S. embassy in Senegal issued a warning that violent protests could break out as tensions continued to rise, and many began questioning the legality of Sall’s actions. According to an NYT article, experts have asserted that canceling the decree convening the electoral body violates the electoral code and the Constitution itself. To add more, potential presidential candidate Theirno Sall accused the Senegalese president of treason, claiming that Macky Sall is “afraid of the consequences of his actions during all his years at the head of our country.” Ndongo Samba Sylla, an economist, indicated that Senegal’s electoral process was becoming a “system to cheat.” He further asserted, “Senegal is not democratic, for me. Democracy is about political equality. We don’t have that.”

On February 4th, demonstrators filled the streets of Dakar, protesting the postponement of the presidential elections. Police fired tear gas to disperse protesters. People were seen burning tires and throwing rocks, shouting, “Macky Sall, dictator!”

In light of Sall’s actions, many Senegalese people have decided to support an entirely different politician: Ousmane Sonko, who portrayed himself as a “savior from the country’s elites.” Sonko, who was previously in jail for insurrection and defamation of the country’s tourism, has only continued to gain popularity as his legal battles continued.

President Macky Sall’s postponement of the Senegalese elections has marked a historic first for the country. His actions have ignited allegations of undermining democracy and widespread protests. Tensions may only continue to rise as the future of Senegal’s democracy remains uncertain.

Mid-East Unrest

by Will Sandor ’27

The war between Israel and Hamas continues, as does the constant threat the Houthis pose to shipping.

The U.S. and UNICEF sent an airdrop to Palestine, delivering 38,000 meals and medical supplies. UNICEF claims that the airdrops are the most efficient way of getting aid into Gaza, but an official from UNICEF acknowledges that the drops often miss their targets.​​The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates criticized the U.S. for not getting Israel to help deliver more aid. Another tragic event happened in Gaza when an aid truck went through the city and thousands rushed to it and were either crushed by the convoy or fired upon for allegedly posing a threat to the Israeli soldiers on the trucks. The death toll ranges but is somewhere around 100.

In Yemen, even more chaos ensues as the Houthis terrorize the shipping industry. The Houthis have officially sunk a ship. The ship was the British Rubymar cargo ship, although the ship is now entirely underwater all 24 crew members were rescued in the days after it was hit with a missile.

The situation in the Middle East is delicate and has created a time of much tension.

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WORLD

The Hill

India’s Pollution Crisis

By Brian Tang ’29

On February 16, 2024, Dr. Karan Thakur talked to the Belmont Hill community about India’s Pollution crisis. Here is a deeper dive into this topic. India is the world’s second-most polluted country. India has long struggled with pollution, from urban centers filled with vehicle pollution to agricultural areas suffering from crop burnings. Mass air pollution is caused by construction, factories, and car emissions, among others. As the current No.1 country in population, this leads to many severe problems, as mentioned in Thakur’s speech. Many of these health problems are related to respiratory infections, such as lung diseases, COPD, and asthma bronchial infections. Air pollution can also lead to cardiac arrests and gastrointestinal issues. These massive amounts of pollution also hit some of the most populated areas, affecting millions. The large amounts of pollution hitting very densely populated areas lead to many deaths yearly. In 2019, around 1.67 million people died in India because of air pollution.

New Delhi is India’s capital, home to around 20 million people. It is ranked as one of the most polluted cities in the world. Research from a 2021 study from the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) found that air pollution can reduce the average life expectancy of New Delhi residents by nine years. The same study also found that all of India’s citizens are constantly enduring annual average pollution levels above the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. However, India took significant steps to solve this crisis. In 2019, the Indian government launched the NCAP (National Clean Air Program) to reduce particulate matter by 20 to 30 percent. This action was in response to crop burning in states like Punjab and Haryana, where crop burning makes a significant contribution to air pollution.

Overall, India’s air pollution crisis is still very severe, affecting millions every year, but the Indian Government is taking steps towards solving this issue.

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POLITICS

The Hill

Biden and Trump Square Off

By Grady Figler ‘27

Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley has officially dropped out of the 2024 presidential election, leaving just two candidates, them being sitting President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. Ideally, Americans would have two perfect candidates to choose from, but that is far from the truth this year. Both men bear with them their distinct unique issues and plenty of drama.

Before 2016, a president facing severe legal battles was unthinkable, as the specific scenario had never come up.

During 2016, though, many legal disputes following the 45th President’s scandals came to light, casting a shadow on the President’s legitimacy and the Government’s legitimacy. Donald Trump faces 91 felony counts in two state courts and two separate federal districts. Any of these cases may result in a prison sentence for the 77-year-old.

There is no specific time for hearings and decisions, signifying that Trump can campaign for the 2024 Presidential election while fighting his legal disputes. In over 30 states, cases were filed concerning Trump’s presence on the 2024 ballots. These cases claim that since Trump started an insurrection on January 6th, 2021, he must be excluded from the ballots, as per the 14th Amendment. Trump appealed rulings made by authorities in several states, in which the case went to the Supreme Court, where each justice ruled that Trump could not be removed from the ballots. A post-election disqualification was also shut down, meaning Trump will be on the ballot in each state.

There are two major Manhattan cases against Trump, one being sexual assault and defamation, where the former President is going to have to pay penalties of up to 85 million dollars unless an appeal is taken, in which case he would have to pay 20% of that number. Next are the 37 felony counts brought forth by the Department of Justice in connection to Trump’s handling of classified documents. After he left office, Trump brought boxes of documents to his Mar-A-Lago residence, which were stored carelessly. This indictment centers more upon Trump’s refusal to give the information back to the Government after

many requests. The charges include obstruction of justice, withholding of documents, and false statements. The trial date has not been set yet.

Lastly, there are 2 election subversion cases, one from the DOJ once again, and the other from Fulton County in Georgia. The ladder is going after 19 people including Trump for a large conspiracy to steal the 2020 election.

Several of the people charged have already struck plea deals, and the proposed trial date for the remaining defendants is August 5, 2024. As for the DOJ case, Trump is being charged with 4 federal felonies in connection with his attempt to consolidate power after losing the election to Joe Biden in 2020. There is no set court date as the case is currently on hold. Donald Trump has a lot on his hands, as the question right now is whether or not he will be able to multi-task and become President again while staying out of jail, or if it will be too much for him to handle.

There have been ongoing concerns over President Joe Biden’s age, and competence for years now, but the jokes and worries appeared more recently. A special counsel investigated his handling of classified documents in his Delaware home and the report that came from it is almost hard to accept. It states that the current commander-in-chief ’s memory is hazy, fuzzy, faulty, and poor, while also having significant limitations. In fact, these allegations have gone so far as to say that Biden could not recall when he was vice president or when his son Beau died of brain cancer. The 81-year-old defended himself by claiming “My memory is fine.” However, not long after he would make matters worse while discussing war in Gaza, when he referred to Egypt’s leader as “the president of Mexico.”

Biden will not face any charges for his alleged mishandling of documents, however, his voters will undoubtedly grow even more concerned after hearing what came from this recent special counsel report. Possibly opening the door even wider for Donald Trump’s return to office in 2024.

POLITICS

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The Hill

Mayorkas Impeachment

by William Sandor ‘27

In a close 214-213 vote, the House of Representatives impeached Alejandro Mayorkas, the head of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This was the second time Mayorkas was questioned in front of the House facing impeachment, though he won in a 216-214 vote the first time. Republicans have felt strongly about immigration policy and the way the DHS has handled the flood of immigrants from Mexico.

The border has been a point of tension for Democrats and Republicans. The Biden administration has taken a much more lenient approach to immigration, unlike his predecessor Donald Trump. In December 2023 alone, nearly 250,000 migrants have come from Mexico. Since Biden was elected, the number of deported immigrants has dropped by 40%. The GOP blames the increase of fentanyl trade on the influx of South American illegal immigrants. In California alone, there have been 66 deaths related to fentanyl this year, and at this rate, there are likely to be 726 deaths. Relative to the 222 deaths in 2017 this is a significant increase.

Whether the cause of these deaths are because of illegal migrants bringing fentanyl across the border is up for debate, but Republicans certainly feel as though Mayorkas has played a significant role in the flood of migrants.

Although Republicans are criticizing Biden, the Democrats are reinstating policies that former President Trump enacted.

The Democrats aren’t entirely doing this because it is part of their agenda, but rather, because it will leverage Republicans into supporting funding to Ukraine. Some Republicans are offering financing for the reinstatement of Title 42. Title 42 is a law that expels illegal immigrants seeking asylum before they get a trial during a public health crisis. The migrants get a trial, but they are not allowed to wait in the United States.

Trump used this law during Covid and now the Republicans want it to be used once again. Another victory for Republicans is that Biden and Mayorkas have decided to restart the building certain portions of the wall Trump started the construction of.

Mayorkas still has a step before he can be removed from the Cabinet. He faces a trial in the Senate, that will vote on whether he should be removed from his position. Like when Trump was impeached and questioned by the Senate, it would be unlikely for Mayorkas to get fired. The Senate is currently a 50-50 split between Republicans and Democrats. In this case the Vice-President acts as the tie-breaker, this means that the Democrats have the majority in the Senate, which will most likely save Mayorkas from being removed.

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WORLD

The Hill

Kansas City Chiefs Parade Shooting

by Grady Figler ‘27

The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in overtime of Super Bowl 58. This victory capped off a season of adversity and uncertainty for the Chiefs, as they had an uncharacteristically poor regular season. Their most valuable player, Patrick Mahomes, was able to lead them through a gauntlet of teams in the playoffs. This included wins over the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and the number one seed Baltimore Ravens. After this remarkable run, they were able to win their third Super Bowl in five years. Officially cementing themselves as a dynasty. This should have been the talk of every newspaper after the Chiefs’ parade in Kansas City, but instead, gun violence dominated the headlines. Shots were fired at the Chiefs’ Super Bowl celebration, killing one and injuring nearly two dozen. A gleeful celebration with a crowd of roughly one million people was brought to a horrific end by Lyndell Mays and Dominic Miller. Mays was at the end of his probationary period from a previous incident where he displayed a gun during a basketball game, causing fans to flee the gym. There were lots of statements and stories that came up from victims and suspects in the initial court hearing about this crime. The rough chain of events that seems to have formed from these stories goes something like this: Dominic Miller and Lyndell Mays, who do not know each other, were among multiple people arguing at the parade. Mays pulled his gun, which caused others to do the same in response, he then started shooting at someone random who said “I’m going to get you,” which Mays interpreted as “I’m going to kill you.” Mays was eventually shot as well, and was quoted talking about the incident, “Stupid, man, just pulled a gun out and started shooting.” Dominic Miller comes into the picture as a bit less guilty. He is shown on video shooting after others had already started the violence. After questioning, Miller claimed that he started firing because someone was shooting at him first. A friend of Dominic,

Marques Harris, who suffered a brutal wound after being shot in the neck, states that Mr. Miller should not be charged because he was only trying to protect others. Harris’ story blames Lyndell Mays for the shooting getting so out of hand, and he backs up the idea that Miller only fired in retaliation.

No matter what truly happened, this is an absolutely tragic event, and puts parade gatherings like these in jeopardy. As someone who has been to the Patriots and Red Sox championship celebrations, it is deeply saddening to see such fun and lighthearted activities turn violent in our country.

2023 Economics Update

By Suhas Kaniyar ‘28

Reflecting on the 2022 - 2023 fiscal year, as inflation slowed and the labor market expanded, the U.S. economy grew faster than anticipated. This article provides a comprehensive overview of how inflation, housing sector inactivity, and other economic conditions will dictate the economic environment in 2024.

Historically, high inflation has often been followed by restrictive monetary policy, and 2024 will follow suit. Since 2022, inflation has fallen 5.6%, from 9% in June 2022, to 3.4% in December 2023. Amid a supply-side crisis and restrictive monetary policy, inflation is expected to further slow down to 2% throughout 2024. The plummet in inflation will result in dropping interest rates and higher unemployment rates.

Despite the Federal Reserve’s efforts to drop interest rates, the economic growth throughout 2024 will be limited. However, this trend is not distinctive to the United States, as the average global inflation rate is expected to plunge 5.8% in 2024, also dropping global average growth from 3% to 2.9%. As inflation subsides in 2024, more foreign investment, consumer and business spending, and global trade are expected.

As the government combats inflation in 2024, restrictive monetary policy will undoubtedly impact wage growth. Wage growth is expected to slow as inflation decreases, although tight labor market conditions should

continue to support most job opportunities. Given that, unemployment is expected to rise to 4.3%, above the original expectation of 4.1%, and the current 3.7%.

While wage growth is slowing, the U.S. labor force expects many new additions. While allegations currently pursue Alejandro Mayorkas regarding the surges in immigration (600,000 extra immigrants), all kinds of migrant workers have undoubtedly propelled the economy in 2023. Foreign-born workers now make up 20% of the workforce and during 2024, an extra 5.2 million workers, mainly composed of immigrants, will join the labor force. These additions are expected to raise the U.S. GDP (Gross Domestic Product) by 2% in 2024, and thinking beyond the next few years, foreign-born workers are expected to contribute $7 trillion to the U.S. GDP over the next decade.

Recent surges in mortgage rates have undoubtedly shaken the housing market. Housing sector activity has dropped roughly 40%, and with 75% of mortgages locked in at 4% or below, the housing market has frozen. While house values shot up 6% in 2023, reaching all-time highs, housing affordability reached a 40-year low. Experts predict that the housing market will rebound, picking up in the third and fourth quarters of 2024, although a comeback will not be easy. Until mortgage rates are back in the 4-5% range, there will be a lack of houses for sale in the U.S.

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ARTS

The Hill

Honk Jr.

by Patrick Snail ’28

After successfully collaborating with the Upper School in Explicit Permission, the Middle School partnered with Winsor for the Spring Musical, HONK Jr., massing 23 members. Unlike earlier plays this year, HONK Jr. is a musical based on another story: The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Andersen. A fourpiece band performed the music, and the actors and actresses were equipped with a microphone system. The complicated series of sets and props were handled by the tech and run crews, composed of members of the set crew and faculty, including Mr. Conway, the head director, Mr. DiResta, Mr. Fulham, and Mr. Ojeni. The tech crew helps create, decorate, and set up the sets, while the run crew ensures that the actors, actresses, and the sets are ready during the show. The musical was entertaining for all ages, and Belmont Hill and Winsor’s excellent actors and actresses are guaranteed to make the show one to remember.

International Soccer Update

by Declan Carroll ‘27

Jurgen Klopp’s imminent departure from Liverpool at the end of the season has sent shockwaves through the soccer world. The charismatic German, known for his passion, tactical understanding, and infectious personality, announced a heartfelt video on Liverpool’s social media channels. While fans knew this day would eventually come, the timing of Klopp’s decision has caught many off guard, especially considering Liverpool’s strong position in various competitions this season. Since he arrived at Anfield in 2015, Klopp has transformed Liverpool into one of Europe’s most formidable teams.

Under his guidance, the club has captured the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and two League Cups (one he won this season), etching his name into Liverpool’s storied history. Despite his contract running until 2026, Klopp has cited a lack of energy as the primary reason for his departure, emphasizing the need for a one-year break to recharge. Liverpool now faces the daunting task of finding a suitable successor to fill Klopp’s “huge boots.” The departure doesn’t stop with Klopp; his assistant managers and development coach are also set to leave at the end of the season, further signaling the end of an era at Anfield. As Liverpool prepares for life after Klopp, speculation abounds regarding potential replacements. Names like Xabi Alonso, Roberto De Zerbi, and Julian Nagelsmann have been thrown into the mix, but whoever takes the helm will have monumental expectations to meet. For Klopp, his legacy at Liverpool is secure. He leaves behind a team and fanbase forever grateful for his contributions, promising to never manage another English club out of respect for Liverpool. As the club bids farewell to their beloved manager, they do so with gratitude for the memories and accomplishments he’s brought during his remarkable tenure.

The news of Kylian Mbappé’s decision to leave Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has once again ignited speculation and intrigue in the football world. While similar reports have surfaced in the past, this time feels different. Unlike previous instances that might have been perceived as negotiating tactics or power struggles, Mbappé seems resolute in his departure. His tenure at PSG, though marked by success on the pitch, has been overshadowed by a sense of transactionality rather than genuine emotional connection. Despite emerging as one of his generation’s most marketable and talented players at PSG, Mbappé’s legacy lacks iconic moments, particularly in European competitions, which can be blamed on his teammates. His international achievements with the French national team include winning the 2018 World Cup and the Nations League. On top of those note-worthy achievements, they also came in second in the 2022 World Cup, where he scored a hat-trick in the finals. Mbappé’s ambitions likely extend beyond domestic success. Despite significant investment and managerial changes, PSG has failed to establish itself as a true powerhouse in European football.

The saga reflects a complex relationship between player and club, intertwined with financial considerations and the quest for greatness. As Mbappé once again eyes a move away from PSG, the football world waits with bated breath to see how this chapter unfolds. His future already feels decided, as only Real Madrid can facilitate his lucrative salary demands.

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TECH

The Hill

Apple Releases New Apple Vision Pro

by Henry Oh ’29 & Suhas Kaniyar ’28

The Apple Vision Pro is a mixed-reality headset that was introduced to the world on June 5, 2023, as one of the most significant technological innovations of the 21st century. Over 200,000 units were sold in the first ten days of pre-order release and were available to the world on February 2, 2024. The Apple Vision Pro can also run popular Apple applications like Books, Camera, FaceTime, Maps, Messages, and Photos, and in the future may serve as the replacement for smartphone devices.

On the outside, Apple Vision Pro resembles ski goggles, but with a much more innovative inside. Apple executives have been reviewing the headset since May of 2022, and the company has been hiring directors to develop the Apple Vision Pro for years. At Apple’s 2023 Worldwide Developers Conference, the company showcased the headset for the first time, and pre-orders started on January 19, 2024. The Apple Vision Pro represents a vision that revolutionizes the Virtual Reality Market. It contains 23 million pixels across two micro-OLED displays, more than a regular TV. Apple Vision Pro runs the visionOS, a 3D user interface navigated by eye tracking and speech recognition. A difference from other Virtual Reality headsets, such as Oculus or Orzly, the Apple Vision Prois that it is lighter than other mixed-reality headsets.

When the Apple Vision Pro came out, it was praised for its

high-quality user interface but was criticized for its high cost and short battery life. Apple is reportedly working on a cheaper version to satisfy its consumers, so the Apple Vision Pro would be easily accessible.

In the coming years, the design of the Apple Vision Pro will serve as the prototype of future innovations regarding the virtual reality market.

The Problems with the New Tesla Cybertruck

by Connor Lynch ’27

Introduced in 2019 and first delivered in 2023, the Cybertruck is a revolutionary stainless steel electric pickup truck produced by Tesla. The sharp edges, stainless steel body, and overall peculiar build catch many’s eyes and give a glimpse into the future of automotive design. From the rise of the popularity of Tesla, publicity on social media, and a hefty base price of $80,000, expectations were high for the electric vehicle. Despite the high expectations, a failure to maintain promised benchmarks, poor build quality, and corrosion of the stainless steel body ruined the Cybertruck’s first impressions.

The Cybertruck had an original estimated range of 500 miles on a single charge. The most common uses for the pickup truck, such as off-roading and towing, require high range. Throughout the development, the estimated range dropped by 32% to 340 miles on a single charge, significantly impacting one of the most notable benefits of choosing the Cybertruck over pre-existing vehicles. For comparison, a competitor to the Cybertruck, the electric Ford F-150 Lightning, has an estimated range maximum of 320 miles. However, range estimates are hypothetically calculated using perfect conditions, leaving room for false representation of true performance. Cold temperatures and high speeds deplete the Cybertruck’s battery quickly. A range test by a customer showed a new Cybertruck had a range of only 254 miles at a temperature of 46°F and when at an average speed of 70 mph. Overall, people living in colder parts of the world will suffer from dramatic reductions in range, affecting many potential customers.

With the Cybertruck being quite expensive, high build quality is expected for customers. However, some customers reported blatant panel problems. Pictures show rear panels skewing away from the body and door panels misaligned from the rest of the vehicle. Based on customer reports, the Cybertruck possesses flaws in quality control measures. If Tesla cannot maintain meticulous production, customers will not trust the company and turn their heads away from the Cybertruck.

The stainless steel exterior of the Cybertruck provides exceptional resistance to impacts, including bullets or baseballs. Despite its strengths with impact forces, Cybertruck owners must stay apprehensive about corrosion on the exterior. Tesla states that any corrosive substances, such as road salt or bird droppings, must be immediately removed from the exterior to prevent corrosion. Road salt is commonly used in the winter, forcing owners to constantly wash their cars, which will inevitably become a nagging inconvenience. Tesla does offer wraps for the Cybertruck to assist corrosion prevention, but as of February 2024, only two locations in California offer this service, which is over $6,000.

Currently, numerous problems are impacting the Cybertruck. For the reputation of the Cybertruck to improve and for the pickup truck to gain a significant edge over its competitors, Tesla must fix quality control measures, improve the battery range, and make the exterior wraps more accessible and less expensive.

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SPORTS

The Hill

BH Hill NFL Mock Draft

by Patrick Snail ‘28 and Jackson Roy ‘29

On April 25th, the day of the NFL 2024 Draft, one question remained: which teams are drafting who? Today, we will analyze a mock draft posted on NFL.com by one of their experts, Daniel Jeremiah, and four ways the Patriots could have approached this draft. Patrick and Jackson made their predictions and analysis before the NFL draft.

1. Chicago Bears (From CAR): Caleb Williams, QB, USC This is a no-brainer. Williams shows excellent potential and is the most prominent quarterback in the draft. The Bears can trade Justin Fields to fill in the other holes in their lineup, such as their receivers. Williams is coming off a Heisman-winning year just two years ago when he totaled 4,537 yards and 42 touchdowns with just five interceptions.

2. Washington Commanders: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina Thankfully, the Sam Howell era is over. Even though he does not have a solid receiving core to back him up, his gameplay prevents the Commanders from taking anyone but a quarterback. Maye’s draft stock has dropped recently, but with some technical fixing, Maye can utilize his strong arm and decent football IQ to become a real problem on the field. Maye is coming off a stellar senior year before an even better junior year, where he had 4,321 total yards with a 66.2% completion percentage with 38 yards and seven interceptions.

3. New England Patriots: Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State The Patriots’ defense was pretty decent, but they still lost many games due to no offensive production, which means quarterback is the obvious choice, right? Mac Jones is terrible, and Bailey Zappe doesn’t show much potential, but this type of receiver shows up once in a generation. MHJ stands at a staggering 6 foot 4 inches and 205 lbs, has terrific hands, and has impressive stats to go with it. Last season, he caught 67 passes and had over 1,200 yards, averaging 18.1 yards per catch. He caught for 14 touchdowns and even rushed for 26 yards on two attempts with a touchdown. Even though Mac Jones is not great, he was left to dry on offense. His receiving core was subpar, and the leading receiver, DeMario Douglas, only had 561 yards. With MHJ at wide receiver #1 and rookie DeMario Douglas developing over the offseason, the Patriots’ receiving core would fully reset. The final challenge in this scenario is the quarterback position. The Patriots can risk a second-round pick on a mediocre quarterback, pick up a questionable quarterback in free agency, trade for a quarterback, or trust that Mac Jones or Bailey Zappe can produce with their improved receiving core. We have seen what decent quarterbacks could do with a stellar receiving core, like the 49ers. Of course, the Niners have a more noteworthy quarterback and receiving core, but the potential is there.

4. Arizona Cardinals: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU The Cardinals need support for Kyler Murray. He is back and healthy, and with the next best option apart from MHJ, the Cards offense is set up for more success. There are still many holes within the offense and defense of this team, but things are finally looking up.

5. Los Angeles Chargers: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame Herbert is a top-10 quarterback in the league and has the weapons to throw at. Joe Alt is a reliable, low-risk pick that can immediately benefit the Charger’s offense. The Chargers do not have much to improve drastically on their offense, but this year’s lackluster defensive class prevents them from drafting a defensive player in the first round.

We have already looked at the Marvin Harrison Jr. path, but two other options are apparent for the Patriots. The first is trading up to the first overall draft pick. If the Patriots attempt to trade up, they can draft Caleb Williams.

However, the tradeoffs are questionable. First, this trade would be easier to make with the Bears because they do not need a new quarterback and are open to not drafting one. In the worst-case scenario, the Bears get Marvin Harrison Jr. and keep Justin Fields with some bonus trades or players from the Patriots. On the other hand, the Patriots are in a situation where they have an encouraging future with Caleb Williams, but they would have to improve their receiver room. This scenario is similar to the current situation with Bryce Young in Carolina. Although he is a rather good player, his lack of support is holding him back.

The two options rely on the Commanders’ pick. If the Commanders do not pick Drake Maye, he falls into the Patriots’ hands. Otherwise, Jayden Daniels will also be on the board, even if the Commanders choose Drake Maye. These two quarterbacks are exceptional and great options for the Patriots, but there are mixed opinions. Drake Maye has consistently been a top prospect since the beginning of the season, even when his draft stock fell. His redshirt freshman year was stellar, with 4,321 passing yards and 38 touchdowns to only seven interceptions. However, he was sacked 40 times that season. His next year was a slight decline, but still, he was impressive, especially with not as much help around him as other quarterbacks.

One worry about Maye is the competitiveness within his division. He plays for the North Carolina Tar Heels, an ACC team. He competes against the other quarterbacks in stronger divisions, such as the SEC and the Pac-12. The ACC is pretty competitive but weaker than some other divisions.

Maye led his team to a mediocre 8-5 season, ranking them 6th in the ACC. This, combined with his recent down-year, has led many fans to question his consistency and ability to compete at a high level. Jayden Daniels is a different story. Early in the season, he was projected to fall to the second or third round, but his remarkable season has convinced many that he is a top 3 college football quarterback. Daniels boasted four awards last season: the Heisman, Davey O’Brien, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm, and Walter Camp Awards. He had an unbelievable 40 touchdowns to 4 interceptions. One reason that some doubt him is the fact that he has only had one substantial season. Before 2023, he did not win any awards and was not a high-ranking prospect. Some believe he is a one-season-wonder and will not succeed in the NFL.

Page 11

SPORTS

The Hill

What is Ken Pom? And how does it help pick March Madness brackets?

By Tyler Grossman ‘27

In 1999, the KenPom system was created by a man named Ken Pomeroy to provide a ratings system for all kinds of sports. Five years later, the site became college basketball exclusive. He aimed to come up with a more efficient system that uses advanced analytics in order to show how strong a team would play that night. Ken Pom tracks the offensive efficiency, defensive efficiency, strength of schedule, and recent performance of teams. The main stats, however, that Ken Pom uses to rank its teams are adjusted efficiency margins which are the team’s adjusted offensive efficiency. This is measured by how many points they score per 100 possessions, minus a team’s adjusted defensive efficiency, which is how many points a team allows per 100 possessions. Another statistic that KenPom uses to track and rank teams is adjusted tempo. Adjusted tempo is the amount of possessions a team has per game. This helps to show what style a team likes to play. Teams such as Alabama, who like to play a faster style of game, have a high adjusted tempo, while teams such as Virginia with a lower adjusted tempo like to slow the game down. The next stat that Ken Pom uses to rank and compare teams is a statistic called luck which is a team record compared to what Ken Pom thinks their record should be. Another analytic is the strength of the schedule which shows the efficiency of the team’s opponents. Non-conference strength of the schedule is the exact same thing and shows how strong or weak a team’s non-conference schedule was.

Ken Pom along with other historical statistics can help to predict a March Madness champion. For example, every champion since 2001 has been both top 57 and 37 in offensive and defensive efficiency, with all but one having been top 21 in offensive efficiency. Also, only one coach with less than five years of experience at a school has won a national championship. Every champion since 1990 has come from a conference with four plus bids a reason not to pick a mid-major as your champion. Finally, every champion since 2004 was top 12 in the week six AP poll. Things like this are taken into consideration when predicting the winners for these March Madness games.

Page 12

BACK PAGE

The Hill

Kazuo Ishiguro Review

by Ryan Chang-Wu ‘27

I really enjoyed my time reading Never Let Me Go, and would certainly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a deeply moving read.

For some background, Kathy is a former student of a boarding school called Hailsham, that is positioned in England.

As Kathy is getting ready to make her first donation while being a carer for her donors, she recounts her life in Hailsham and her times after, mostly in the form of anecdotes in tangential fashion about herself and her best friends Ruth and Tommy, and their complex relationships. There is nothing particularly shocking, or gruesome about Kathy’s story, and yet it leaves many readers with a sense of being a part of a nightmare.

Ishiguro’s writing is elegant and restrained, creating an atmosphere of quiet unease that permeates from every page. The story unfolds through Kathy’s narration, offering a compelling perspective on the characters’ experiences and emotions.

There is an incredibly subtle mastery of several different genres in the novel. The hint of Sci-fi meshes smoothly with psychological fiction. Because the characters are trapped in all of this, the end result is Tragedy. You feel so bad for Ruth, Tommy & especially for Kathy, as the book moves you through its progression.

Never Let Me Go raises questions about what it is to be human, and what you choose to do when staring at the face of death.

Subtle, eerie, chilling, and often poignant. I hope you will give it a try!

Food Review

By Declan Woolbert ‘27

One of the biggest changes going into this year at Belmont Hill was the lunches. With the introduction of Mr. Maws and his food team, everyone was waiting to see what the new lunches would look and more importantly taste like. After several months of enjoying Mr. Maws’ dishes, the question remains, which of them is the best?

1 - Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese - Throughout the last few months we have enjoyed many different versions of this dish with the highlight being the chicken tenders over mac and cheese, but nearly every version has been a top tier meal.

2 - Ramen - We have only seen this dish once so far, but that was all we needed. The Ramen was exceptionally popular especially given the added flavor from the spicy noodles.

3 - Grilled Cheese - This is a school lunch classic and it never disappoints. The bread was well cooked and the tomato sauce added another layer of flavor. The option to include meat in the dish also helped give it nutritional value culminating in a tasty and well balanced meal.