Bugle Issue 001 Semester 1 2025-26

THE

U B GLE Issue 001 2025-26

Student Life Day in the life of a boarder

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Meera Krish Students Sizzlin’ spices up Bolles’ newest clubs

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Zara Touheed Welcome new clubs, A recap of Student Life Expo

Zara Touheed Bugle hosts Great Pumpkin Coffeehouse

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Dawson Brydges Chaselovesebarbs makes huge waves in the world of Clash Royale

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Reid Moscarillo A batch made in Heaven Ellie Stewart Static Discharge goes to Canada Ellie Stewart Beyond the lunch line: Students enjoy the food at Bolles

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Ishaan Bansal How are students adjusting to the school

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Bulldogs travel far and wide Ava Salmani

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Meet your 2025 homecoming court Rollins Powell

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Bolles honors Hispanic Heritage Sree Alam

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Bolles students tune into morning announcements Hudson Powell

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Campus store eliminates unhealthy snacks Ava Salmani

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Student athletes balance homework Ava Salmani

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Sree Alam Catching up with mental health at Bolles

Grandparents Day is a hit!

Sree Alam

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Academics The new Hart of the history department Jolee Abbey

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Coach Boswell becomes Dean of Students Jack Laufer

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Bolles gets brand new Activities Director: Mrs. Murray Sree Alam

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Dr. Halloran retiring after 33 years at Bolles Ellie Stewart

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Remembering Mr. Gomez

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Jolee Abbey

year?

Hudson Powell Jax Thrive Club

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Sports 40

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Bolles swimmers make a splash at Junior Worlds Rollins Powell Girls’ crew scores 10th in the nation Vedika Shenoy

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Building champions: Cedric Scott joins our athletic team Wes Coughlin

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New girl’s flag football team kicks off

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Meera Krish Athletes can’t weight for a new strength and conditioning Rollins Powell Sound of Music lights up San Jose’s stage Zara Touheed Lights, camera, action! A recap of The Sound of Music Vedika Shenoy

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Vedika Shenoy

Bolles breaks ground on new baseball stadium Ishaan Bansal

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Coach Peter Verhoef coaches Team USA in Romania Ellie Stewart

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The history of Bolles crew: The rowing program’s historical background Akin Akande

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Winter sports takes full swing Wes Coughlin

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Bolles vs Bishop Kenny: The Bulldogs defeat the Crusaders Akin Akande

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Bulldogs on a Heater Jimmy Hunt

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Ruzanka ‘26 gives back: Childhood Cancer

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Awareness Month Bulldogs top Monarch Knights in 2025

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Broward County Showcase Dawson Brydges Mr. Rufus McClure celebrates at 100

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Ishaan Bansal

Op-Ed New dress code policy Tristan Schneider and Akin Akande Top 5 movies of 2025

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Breaking down the Jaguars’ roller-coaster season Jack Laufer

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Xander Edwards’ record: Bolles running back break state record Akin Akande

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Sawyer Powell Ruth, Bonds, or Ohtani: Who is the True GOAT

Jag’s future is bright this year Hudson Powell

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of Baseball?

JC Gonzalez Top 5 Albums of 2025

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Eli Kuvin The many faces of Eminem

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Sawyer Powell Yes, we care about the Kelce/Swift

Local

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engangment Jack Laufer

NFL pushes for a rule change

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Rollins Powell Mac Jones’27 shines in San Jose

tragedy 59

Jack Laufer Venezuelan wins 2025 Nobel Peace Prize

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Creepin’ around Jacksonville: Local Halloween activities Zara Touheed Best Study Spots Raaya Katugaha

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Breast cancer awareness starts with us Raaya Katugaha

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Meera Krish Editor-In-Chief cheats the system

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JC Gonzalez Homework isn’t worth it

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Meera Krish Josh Allen vs. Lamar Jackson

Ishaan Bansal Young Vizi: Vincent Barragan’s rise in music Tristan Schneider

Remembering Minneapolis school shooting

Eli Kuvin

Videos & Multimedia

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The Bolles Bugle Staff Co-Editors-in-Chief: Tristan Schneider Ellie Stewart Online Editor Sree Alam Co-Design-Editors Raaya Katugaha Zara Touheed Social Media Editor Jolee Abbey Photo Editor Dawson Brydges Coffeehouse Editor Hudson Powell Head Sports Editor Jack Laufer Assistant Sports Editors Akin Akande Wes Coughlin Staff Writers Ishaan Bansal Max Coulter JC Gonzalez Jimmy Hunt Meera Krish Eli Kuvin Reid Moscarillo Sawyer Powell Rollins Powell Ava Salmani Vedika Shenoy Advisor: Ms. Gastaldi Editorial Policy: The Bolles Bugle is the news magazine created by the journalism class at The Bolles School. Our publication focuses on increasing community awareness of in-school events and topics relating to the five news values: relevance, proximity, timeliness/novelty, conflict/controversy, and human interest.

Content in the Bugle is the responsibility of the editorial staff and not meant to reflect the views of the school’s administration or the faculty advisor. Please reach out to our faculty advisor, Ms. Gastaldi, with any questions or comments. She can be reached at gastaldie@bolles.org or at bollesbugleonline@gmail.com.

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Editor’s Letter Dear Reader, Thank you so much for picking up (or digitally accessing) this copy of The Bolles Bugle, the student news publication of The Bolles School.

The beats of this issue include Student Life, Academics, Sports, Local, Op-Ed, and Multimedia. Some featured stories include coverage of the swim team at Junior Worlds, remembrance of Mr. Gomez, and a video investigating hauntings in Bolles Hall Lobby.

This semester, we had the pleasure of presenting our biannual Coffeehouse. Thank you to everyone who performed and attended!

The Bugle exists to inform the student body of current events in the Bolles community and in the greater global one. Our mission is to encourage student awareness of the world around us. We value journalistic integrity and respect above all else. The Bugle also appreciates student engagement - leave us a story idea through the form on our website, or send us a direct message with any questions, comments, or concerns.

If you enjoy this issue and want more Bugle content, check out our website www.bollesbugleonline.com and follow us on Instagram @thebollesbugle for early article releases and additional content. Please also subscribe to our YouTube channel @thebollesbugle536 for many fun videos. Thanks for sticking with us, and welcome to the first semester edition of the 2025-26 school year!

Sincerely,

Ellie Stewart Co-Editor-In-Chief

Tristan Schneider Co-Editor-In-Chief

Student Life

Day in the life of a boarder Meera Krish Staff Writer

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magine waking up in a dorm with a room full of your best friends. For boarding students at Bolles, this is every day. Living where you learn can change one’s perspective on school. It’s not just a place to learn but also a place where boarders grow, learn independence, and build lifelong friendships that are like family.

in one place. For many, boarding becomes more than just living at school, it becomes a chance for them to discover who they are.

On the weekends, boarders are able to go off campus with dorm parents and Bolles day students, or they can stay and hang out in the dorms. Their schedules have routines but are lenient.

The Bolles School has boarders in every grade. There are currently 80 residents varying from 40 different countries and 14 U.S states. Some are returners, but many are new. Their lives are similar but also very different from ours. Being a boarder means living in a new place, and also means making new friends who become like a family.

Most students moved during the summer time on August 9th and 10th, almost a week before school started.

Some students, however, moved earlier in the week to get to know their fellow dormmates and get a head with settling on the new campus. Administrators and staff were also present during this time to assist boarders with moving and answer any questions. The early arrival helped students easily adjust and start forming bonds to carry them through the year.

One to two boarders occupy each dorm room, and they are able to decorate it however they like.

Each day they have a schedule which changes on weekdays and weekends. They hang out with other boarders during free periods, boarding activities, and meals. Every hallway is filled with laughter, chatter, and energy of students from around the world all

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Later in the evening, Kong eats dinner with the other boarders in Verlander Cafeteria.

After dinner, Kong and other boarders attend study hall time from 7:30-8:45 pm. Here, they complete any homework and study for tests.

Following study hall, boarders have the rest of the night free to entertain their personal hobbies.

Kong enjoys playing various games during this time. This is also a time for boarders to do their laundry and get ready for bed. Lights out during the week is 10:30, ensuring all students get a good night’s rest.

The weekends look slightly different because the boarders have more time to go off campus and enjoy activities outside the dorms. On the weekends, Kong enjoys waking up at 10:30 am and going to brunch.

ResLife itinerary including activities like “Trivia Night” and “Asian Town Market”.

Credit: Wei Lei Kong ‘29

Wei Lai Kong ‘29 describes his schedule during the school week.

Kong begins his day by going to zero hour and then going to his classes of the day, similar to the day students. After school, he goes back to his dorm around 3:20 PM. There he usually plays ping pong, games, or watches TV with his boarder friends.

On Saturdays, boarders enjoy going to places such as San Marco for coffee, getting their nails done, haircuts, and shopping. They then go back to the dorm for dinner at 5 PM. At night, they may go to the movies, play laser tag, or stay on campus to play dodgeball. On Sundays, they go to Town Center for shopping and then return back to their dorm. Lights out on the weekend is at 11:30 pm.

Between fun activities, chats with friends, and meals, most boarders have similar schedules. They also have access to help with their schoolwork each day because their dorm parents are often their teachers. For Bolles boarders, the dorms are more than school or a place to sleep: the dorms are home.

Students Sizzlin’ spices up up our newest clubs Zara Touheed Design Editor

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tudent’s Sizzlin’ is a new student organization that emerged over the summer of 2025 and aims to “Spread the love of food from student to student.” Their mission is to build a community where students can trade recipes, learn quick skills and see food as more than just fuel.

Sophia Zhang ‘28, the organization’s president, is a sophomore who is originally from China and moved to America when she was five. She saw the difference between Chinese school food and American school food. She noticed that many students here don’t pack their own lunches, and if they do, they are not often nutritious or healthy.

“I wanted to find a way where students and student athletes would be able to cook nutritious meals that taste good for themselves, even if they’re in a rush in the morning, something they could get done making quickly that still can fuel them throughout the day, physically and mentally,” Zhang said.

This new student organization is a place where anyone is able to share their favorite foods with each other, regardless of culture, and everyone can learn from their peers.

“Spread the love of food from student to student.”

— Sophia Zhang ‘28

“I love exploring different countries’ cultures through food,” she said, “and so I thought of a way that we, as a community, can share cultures with each other through our favorite quick dishes.”

Students Sizzlin’ logo and Instagram profile.

Credit: Sophia Zhang ‘28 When Zhang came to America, the way food in school was prepared in China was vastly different, featuring food that was filling and enjoyable to eat, compared to the US public school food that felt unappetizing. Zhang says, “In public school in the states, however, food became something I had to eat to survive, instead of something that is enjoyed.” This sense of dissolution eventually sparked the idea within her to create a club that reclaims joy, creativity, and connection from food.

She aims to create weekly Instagram reels by herself or with her friends, featuring her cooking food from various cultures, much like a cooking show. Her first reel, which she posted on August 24, was about creating a healthier alternative to energy drinks, as students are regularly seen drinking Celsius and other sodas offered by the campus store.

Matcha is what she proposed, and

the reel demonstrated a step-bystep guide on how matcha should be heated and whisked properly.

Zhang has also made another separate reel about how she should format videos for club members and viewers, and whether they should be weekly Instagram reels or posts, and even proposed the idea of a whole website dedicated to the club or a YouTube channel. Student Sizzlin’ overall is designed as a forum where anyone, regardless of their cooking experience or cultural background, is allowed to and can share their favorite foods.

Looking ahead, she envisions a vibrant community that will reshape how she and her peers view everyday meals, and that the organization itself will have a great impact on the student body.

Students Sizzlin’ 1st Instagram post, “Get to Know Me”.

Credit: Sophia Zhang ‘28

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Welcome new clubs A recap of Student’s Life Expo Sree Alam Online Editor

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his year’s Student Life Expo was a total success for both new clubs and existing ones. rom the fresh selection of new clubs to the popular ones that have been ongoing for years, there were plenty of options for students to participate in.

Like last year, the Expo was set up in front of the Bent Center, where tables were lined up in a big circle during activities, and students could walk around and sign up for whatever clubs caught their eye.

The Student Life Expo wasn’t always called the Student Life Expo. Last year, returning students may remember it as “Club Day,” a day dedicated to celebrating the Club Community of Bolles, which served the same purpose that the Student Life Expo serves now — encouraging student involvement and showcasing the variety of extracurriculars available.

Not much has changed about the structure of this event besides the name. This year, there are a total of 74 clubs, which is one of the largest numbers in Bolles’ history. Students were thrilled to see so many choices, ranging from academic clubs like FLBA and Robotics to more creative or service-oriented ones, like There are many new clubs this year as well. One of them is the Karaoke Club. The Karaoke Club’s main mission statement is “to bring joy to the Bolles community and beyond, through music, compassion, and energy.” The members of this club played music during the Student Life Expo to attract potential members and spread good vibes throughout the crowd. Their table was one of the liveliest, with students stopping by

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Rudrakshi Kumawat ‘26 promotes India club.

Credit: Zara Touheed ’28 to sing along or simply enjoy the music.

Another new club this year is the Happy Hearts Club, a group that focuses on “bringing joy to women in shelters by planning events that celebrate strength and build community.” The Happy Hearts Club plans to host multiple events in the future, including hands-on projects like creating care packages and organizing uplifting field trips to local shelters to support women in person. The club has already gained a strong following of students who are passionate about community service and making a difference in others’ lives.

The Pickleball Club is another exciting addition to the lineup.

This club is a bit more active than the others and focuses on bringing students together through the fun and fast-paced sport of pickleball. Their mission statement emphasizes teamwork, physical activity, and creating a welcoming environment for players of all skill levels. During the Expo, members brought paddles and balls to demonstrate the sport, which caught the attention

of many students passing by.

The first major project that all of these clubs will participate in is the upcoming Halloween Carnival, which serves as the first community service event of the year for clubs that choose to take part. Last year, rows of stands lined up along the River Campus, each decorated according to the club’s theme. Some stands sold treats and snacks, while others offered games, raffles, and face painting. It was a fun-filled day that brought the Bolles community together, and this year’s carnival promises to be even bigger and better.

Karaoke Club and Arabic CLub sets up for the Student Life Expo.

Credit: Zara Touheed ’28

Catching up with mental health at Bolles Zara Touheed Role in Bugle

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ere at Bolles, we have a concern line, which is a confidential way that people, anyone from parents, teachers, or students, can call or email if they are concerned about their peers or children. All that is asked is that the one reporting gives as much detail as they possibly can, and either it will be the guidance counselors who will follow up on that, or sometimes the dean is involved, usually it’s the best person fit for the job.

It was created for students who may feel hesitant about reaching out in person or for friends who are concerned about a certain student.

“It gives people an out on maybe sharing something they didn’t feel was something that happened, they didn’t feel was right, or witnessing something they didn’t feel was right, or worried about a friend,” said Mrs. Gendsuo, a school counselor here.

Bringing fun stuff, getting out there and showing our faces, so kids feel comfortable with us in a different capacity than maybe when they’re crying or stressed.”

— Mrs. Cussen One way that Bolles handles mental health around all campuses is by allowing students to participate in fun activities.

For example, every quarter, they will have hot chocolate, or at the

end of the year, for finals, both Mrs. Genduso and Mrs. Curran will arrange for a petting zoo of baby animals to come.

Mrs. Cussen believes in encouraging students to get out there and is a great change of scenery. “Bringing fun stuff, getting out there and showing our faces, so kids feel comfortable with us in a different capacity than maybe when they’re crying or stressed.”

Another program that is now operational is the Junior Mentor Program. It is a program that works with fifth graders on both the Ponte Vedra and Whitehurst campuses and trains about 25 or so juniors to have a retreat day with the fifth grade. They also have a Pre-K program where students will come and spend an hour with the youngest students and celebrate either Halloween

“We’re student support. We help you get through the day, and if you need a little more, we’re helping with that.”

— Mrs. Genduso

A green ribbon to represent Mental Health Awareness, and the words “You Matter.”

by doing arts and crafts at Whitehurst or Valentine’s Day at Ponte Vedra.

Credit: Zara Touheed ’28

Why they can do all these fun activities, organizations, and clubs is because of the stigma around mental health declining rapidly within the past decade, really. In the past decade, many countries and schools have made more steps towards mental health awareness and highlighted how to help students with anxiety, depression, or neurodiversity.

As Mrs. Genduso said, “We’re student support. We help you get through the day, and if you need a little more, we’re helping with that.” The counselors are here for the student body, and everyone should know they are welcome to be themselves at the Bolles School.

Other activities that take place on all Bolles campuses include convocations featuring speakers on topics such as mental health.

Student organizations and clubs are also involved, like the Mental Wellness Advocates club, whose mission is to raise awareness amongst the student body about mental health topics, which recently had a bake sale.

The counselors have also recently started this program with athletic liaisons. Once a quarter, they will select a member of the team who will communicate with the counselors on how the team is doing, or if any members were injured, so that they can reach out.

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Bugle hosts Great Pumpkin Coffeehouse Dawson Brydges Photo Editor

Karaoke Club performing Credit: Dawson Brydges

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omas Christman ‘27 came out for the second act of the night and performed “Iris”

by Goo Goo Dolls. The song is about the desire for love and the fear of truly being seen. “Iris” was originally written for the movie City of Angels but was popularized by the 2004 live performance in Buffalo New York when the lead singer decided to still perform the song despite the harsh weather conditions.

Christman performed this as a solo act, just his voice and his

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mandolin filling the room.

Sophia Zhang ‘28 performs a cover of the hit song “Valentine” by Laufey. Zhang is a professionally trained singer and is a member of the Bolles Singers. Throughout her performance, the lights changed into a darker blue, creating a nostalgic setting for her performance.

After Zhang’s memorable performance, the room seemed to take a lighter turn as the Karaoke Club took the stage. Vincent Barragan ‘29 (who performed the first act

of the night) joined Victoria Edgar ‘26 and the rest of the Karaoke Club to perform a sing-along of the song “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield. The lyrics were pprojected on stage, allowing the audience to sing along.

The next act of the night was performed by a banana? Actually, it was performed by Darien Darouse ‘27 sporting a banana costume.

Darien made his way to the drum set as Bugle’s very own Eli Kuvin took the stage, carrying an awkwardly long piece of paper.

fitting for the dark setting of the Lynch Theater.

Sophia Zhang ‘28 performing.

The next act was performed by Adi Yadav ‘28. Adi was a familiar face at Coffee House, as he performed last year. This year he performed “Burn.” Yadav was interactive with the crowd as he moved around through the audience rather than sitting in one place.

song written by her, while Fidel performed with the Jazz Band.

This year, the two teamed up to perform another original song.

Esha impressed the crowd with her amazing voice as Fidel did his part on his guitar.

For the next act, Christman returned to the stage. He was joined by Anya Burtak ‘27 to perform the hit song “Somebody I Used to Know” by Gotye. This song

Myka Das ‘28 on the piano.

Mr. Curran on the guitar.

After the piñata, audience members turned their attention to the screen that was rolled out on stage for the Mario Kart match.

Vibha Chalamasetty ‘28 called on 3 audience members to compete in the challenge. The audience cheered as Juliana Constantini ‘27 and teachers Mr. Bullington and Ms. McNesby took the challenge.

was easily recognizable to the audience as it holds over 2 billion plays on Spotify.

Many audience members questioned what was going on.

The pair recited a few jokes, ending with Darien on the drums.

On the last joke, Darien smacked the cymbal to the floor, and the two walked off stage like nothing even happened.

Darien Darouse ‘27 getting ready.

Myka Das ‘28 took the stage.

Das is a member of the Bolles Symphonic Band as well as the Bolles Drumline. Instead of showcasing her talents on the drums, she decided to perform “Piano Nocturenes” on the piano.

A nocturne is a musical piece that is inspired by the atmosphere of night time. This piece was very

Tomas Christman ‘27 on the guitar.

For the first round, Mr. Bullington took the lead, but was wiped out in the final 20 seconds of the match.

After the Mario Kart match, Esha Kasavaraju ‘26 joined the stage with guitarist Fidel Garcia ‘26.

Both were familiar faces as they performed in last year’s Spring Coffeehouse. The year before, Esha performed an emotional

Mr. Bullington playing Mario Kart.

Mr. Skapetis on the guitar.

With a blink of the eye, there was only one act left of Coffeehouse.

Bolles faculty members, Mr. and Mrs. Curran came out to perform the song “Lay Low.” This song is an emotional piece talking about the love between two people.

The duo’s voices harmonized perfectly, as Mr. Curran strummed his guitar. The lights lowered, and many members of the audience grabbed their phones to turn on their flashlights. This created a nostalgic atmosphere and a perfect way to conclude the 2025 Fall Coffeehouse.

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Chaselovesebarbs makes huge waves in the world of Clash Reid Moscarillo Staff Writer

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account grow,” Rathet said.

He has had a lot of growth recently, hitting 30 thousand followers, and he really enjoys how he can express himself through his videos. He also likes to talk and share his videos with friends at school or online.

Clash Royale was released by Supercell in 2016, a prequel to Clash of Clans, one of Supercell’s biggest games. Clash Royale brings in millions of people a day, and with that comes many fan pages and content accounts.

It has also opened up a new opportunity for him to make money. Once you hit 10,000 followers, you can sign up for the creator rewards program, and you can get paid for likes, views, and comments on all his videos over a minute long.

n the big world of mobile games, Clash Royale is one of the biggest, and one of Clash Royale’s biggest players is our very own Chase Rathet ‘27.

Clash Royale is a game of strategy. You must memorize the cards, their elixir, and what they counter. Clash Royale is played by placing your troops to take the tower of your opponent, and then also defending your tower from them. The wits that you need and different strategies are really what led to the blow-up of Clash Royale.

In the past year, Clash Royale has had a big revival with 4.2 million daily users since November 2024.

A big part of this growth is due to fan accounts and creators. One account that has experienced tremendous growth is Rathet’s account, known as Chaselovesebarbs. Rathet has 30 thousand followers and 7.7 million likes across all his videos in the past 2 months since he started it.

Chase’s content includes live streams, edits, and opinion videos on the game Clash Royale.

Chase’s biggest video that has become well-known to many is “The Mega Knight Edit,” with a total of 19.6 million views and 2.6 million likes. This has been talked about by huge creators like Jynxi and JuicyJ. “It’s been fun to be able to make videos, and I enjoy seeing the comments and watching my

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“I’m hoping to collab with more people and build my connections in the gaming scene,” he said.

With this, he will be able to meet new people and grow more. “I want to start doing more IRL stuff and maybe do a little more than Clash.”

When Clash Royale starts to die or slowly stops being fun to Rathet, he wants to keep creating content past Clash Royale, and his friends are eager to see what he comes up with..“I like watching his videos,” said Johnny Henderson ‘28, “and it’s cool to see someone I know blowing up like that, and I also enjoy watching his lives sometimes.”

Clash Royale loading screen.

Credit: Reid Moscarillo’28

Thomas Catto ‘27 is also a big fan who likes to tease Rathet about his success. “It’s cool to see him blowing up, but I still think I could beat him any day.”

Clash Royale king.

Credit: Reid Moscarillo’28

Chase` s TT Video Screenshot.

Credit: Reid Moscarillo’28

A batch made in Heaven JohnMarko James’s cookie business Ellie Stewart Co-Editor-in-Chief

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ince the fall of 2024, JohnMarko James ‘26 sells chocolate chip walnut cookies to students, faculty, and friends in the community.

James runs his business on Instagram, @johnmarkoscookies.

Customersmessage requests for fresh batches of cookies a few days in advance for birthdays, teacher gifts, or other special events.

He delivers the batch with his packaging, including his logo and an ingredients label, which he gets customized from a Bolles parent. “Sometimes I even trade the stickers for cookies,” he said.

“Bartering is great.”

changed the overall texture and taste. I know too much about cookies.”

when you are quieting your brain so that you can get back to the things that matter.”

He started his business by bringing the treats to parties as favors. “The demand was there,” James said. “People already wanted it, and it got to the point where people wouldn’t even let me come over unless I was bringing the cookies. So I said, ‘You know what? I’m going to start charging you for it.’”

Another important lesson James learned from running a small business is to take risks. “The best moment is never going to come. It is never going to be convenient to start a business. You need to just decide you want to do it.”

James usually takes about 30 minutes to bake each batch of chocolate chip walnut cookies.

This is the only kind of cookie he sells because he refuses to sell other flavors that are not perfect yet. “I’m going to stick with what I’m good at until something stops working. Then I’ll push out one of the other things I have cooking in the back.”

James often experiments with other recipes, “but they’re either not marketable or they just simply aren’t the perfected version yet.”

For example, peanut butterflavored cookies cost more money to make, so James would be required to raise the price of these cookies, making them harder to sell than his traditional batch.

James bakes a fresh batch of cookies.

Credit: JohnMarko James ‘26 James also posts updates to his Instagram account. If he makes extra cookies, James posts a story so students can find him at school and purchase the leftovers.

James spent two years in middle school crafting and perfecting his cookie recipe. “I quickly found out how ratios and new ingredients

James is typically busiest with his small business around the holidays and at the end of semesters. Now, he is “making a batch per week minimum.”

In addition to baking and selling cookies, James also works as a lifeguard, photographer, and is a part of the Bolles crew team. Owning a small business while managing many other commitments taught James the importance of being strategic with his time. “Free time is a waste of time. Even if it’s watching TV, that’s not free time. That is time

James sells his cookies with custom packaging.

Credit: JohnMarko James ‘26

James’s biggest supporters are his customers. “I’ll even give them free cookies every now and then.

They deserve it.”

As long as he has access to a kitchen and a Publix, James hopes to bring his cookie business with him to college. “If I get certain ingredients from other places, it doesn’t turn out the same. I’ve tried. It is specifically Publix’s that I need.”

Additionally, he knows he will have a market. “If I’m baking them, the smell will sell the cookies.”

James hopes everyone knows that there is only one way to eat a cookie. “Our cookies are really better with milk. Anyone who says otherwise is either wrong or lactose intolerant.”

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Static Discharge goes to Canada Ellie Stewart Co-Editor-in-Chief

Static Discharge fixes their bot before the competition.

Credit: Jay Manohar ‘26

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he Bolles robotics team Static Discharge, represented by seniors Jayan Deshmukh, Jay Manohar, and Meghanne Posick, competed in the Canadian Rockies Premier Event from July 25-27. The team brought home the first place Control Award and fourth place Offensive Power Ranking (OPR), while also setting a brief world record in points earned.

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“It was an incredible opportunity to represent Bolles at the international level,” Posick said.

“We were honored and proud to wear the Bolles name while competing against top teams.”

To qualify for the international competition, teams must perform well at their state competitions and are then chosen to represent their region. Last year’s theme was “Into the Deep.” Teams had

to create robots that navigate through an area to extract as many cubes as possible in two minutes.

Static Discharge was the first team representing Bolles to qualify for the Canadian Rockies Premier Event. They were one of the smallest teams in attendance, with a total of three members, as opposed to most teams with 15+ members.

“We like to have smaller teams where you have more of a role in the robot,” Manohar said. “It takes a lot more time, but it’s a lot more fun and rewarding.”

Static Discharge ended up rebuilding their robot between states and the international competition. “We maxed out the capabilities of the first robot, and we want to push our limits to be able to score as high as possible to be the best team in Florida,” Manohar said. “We designed a new mechanism that gave us more scoring opportunities, allowing us to score faster.”

It was an incredible opportunity to represent Bolles at the international level,” Posick said. “We were honored and proud to wear the Bolles name while competing against top teams.”

— Meghanne Posick ‘26 This newly invented mechanism, including a single button with preprogrammed directions, saved the team time throughout their matches, allowing them to ultimately collect more cubes and score more points.

Earlier in the season, Static Discharge, paired with other Bolles team Mischievous Mechanics, set a world record with 266 points earned. “We were randomly paired with them and then we both played the best match of our lives,” Deshmukh said.

While this milestone was very big for the team, the record only held up for about a month. Regardless, the team was very excited leading up to their upcoming matches.

At the competition, Static Discharge faced many challenges and continually worked to fix and improve their robot. “The team

from Montana was helping us fix our robot at the meet. We were sawing down parts of our robot,” Manohar said. “Sparks were flying.”

Such situations are common at robotics events, as robots are constantly breaking and being rebuilt. “There was a lot of tape and zip ties on our bot,” Deshmukh said.

Regardless of the setbacks, “We were mostly just having fun were in a good position,” Manohar said.

“There was definitely some stress, but it was good stress,” Deshmuk said.

At the Canadian Rockies Premier Event, Deshmukh, Manohar, and Posick focused on making sure their robot was in the best condition and position to compete. They perfected their robot through constant practice runs and tweaking the bot prior to matches.

Static Discharge made it to the quarterfinals when one of the axles on their bot broke.

This year, the team is working on simplifying their design attack.

“We’re trying to design our bot to have fewer parts, which means fewer things that can go wrong,” Deshmukh said. However, when things do go wrong, “It’s usually an easy fix, but it’s hard to plan for. With experience, you start to be able to know which points are going to move and probably break.”

The seniors on Static Discharge look to help future Bolles teams reach the same level. “Many of our seniors are sharing their knowledge of CAD (ComputerAided Design), coding, building, and outreach with the younger generation through camps, coaching other teams, and recruiting more young members to join our team,” Posick said.

“This year, we developed something that has never been done before in automation… you press one button and it basically drives and scores itself,” Deshmukh said.

This method even saved Static Discharge during one competition against another team, as its automation allowed for a quick manual recovery by Manohar after the bot collided with another team. “I have manual control just in case the automation doesn’t work,” Manohar said, which came in handy.

Static Discharge started the competition ahead of all the other teams, as they generated the most points and placed first in OPR (Offensive Power Ranking) on the first day of the competition.

“We smashed it,” Mahohar said.

“One of the awards that we won was the first place Control Award, which was based on the robot’s software. It’s using software to enhance robot driving and function,” Manohar said.

“Basically, we had the best coder,” who was Deshmukh.

Static Discharge wins first place Control Award and fourth place OPR. Credit: Jay Manohar ‘26 The team hopes to qualify at an international competition again this year. “We have really a good shot and a good team,” Manohar said.

“Seeing the fruits of our labor was very fulfilling, especially at such a high level, and we hope to keep achieving it,” Posick said.

“Getting to interact with many teams that are just as dedicated to robotics was a very invigorating experience.”

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Beyond the lunch line Students enjoy the food at Bolles Ishaan Bansal Staff Writer

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t 11:15 every day students at The Bolles High School wonder, “What is for lunch today?”

“The best food the cafeteria has served this year so far is tacos,” said Aiden Pereira ‘28. “This is a classic on Tuesday, and I’ve always loved their taste, although the food is definitely going to be even better as the year moves on.”

14 associates and 3 management personnel. “Approximately 90% of students buy lunch every day,” Trego said. Food options range from the grill to the salad bar which many students find ideal.

Many students eat cafeteria food in the dining area, and some choose to take food to the outside courtyard or outside the Center for Innovation (CFI).

Though The Bolles School was established in 1933, the cafeteria was established in 1926 as a part of the San Jose Hotel. It has always been located in Bolles Hall.

It has a prestigious history at this school and an important place for Bolles students according to Mr. Curran, a teacher at the high school. It serves not only as the main location to buy lunch for day students, but also provides all meals for boarders.

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The staff at FLIK Dining prepare and serve the food but they also ask for feedback from students to improve the selections and food.

“They’re always really nice,” said Khaleb Basdeo ‘29. “You know, if you have any questions about the food, they’ll answer them for you.”

The cafeteria has already made major improvements to encourage healthier habits. “All candy and sugary items have been removed.

We added a Fueled By Flik station to assist in healthier and athletic menu items,” Trego said.

The cafeteria is set up with stations, including the soup and salad bar, the grill, and the entreé station. Basdeo’s favorite station is the soup and salad bar. “I think that there’s a lot of fresh stuff there. I don’t have to really worry, you can really pick from anything, different soups every day, salad bars, and a bunch of healthy options.”

“All candy and sugary items have been removed. We added a Fueled By Flik station to assist in healthier and athletic menu items.”

- Mr. Trego On the San Jose campus, students and staff can purchase food at the cafeteria and the canteen. Mr. Trego, the Director of Dining at the Bolles School, explains that FLIK Dining is the dining service that serves Bolles, and they have run the cafeteria since 2014. The staff working for FLIK Dining includes

“My favorite place to eat is either at one of the tables to the side inside the cafeteria or at a table outside,” said Nishta Jijosh ‘26.

After she graduates, Jijosh said, “I’ll miss hanging out with my friends in there. We claimed a table and we’d always sit down there during activities and I would always know where to find them.”

The cafeteria before the lunch rush.

Credit: Ishaan Bansal

The cafeteria is a really nice place for students to meet and socialize.

“The best part about the cafeteria is being able to sit outside on the river campus,” said Pereira. “It’s really different from other schools where the cafeteria is just inside of a cold school building. At Bolles we can actually sit outside and look at the river. I’ve always had a really good time being able to sit outside with my friends and just eat lunch while overlooking the river.”

How are students adjusting to the school year?

Hudson Powell Coffeehouse Editor

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he Bolles 2025-2026 school year is in full swing now.

Students are familiar with their teachers, lunch schedules, and they have mostly settled into a rhythm. The stress of a brand new year has mostly passed. Students have reconnected with their friends and some have made new ones.

Most aspects of the school year are no longer brand new concepts for students, as they have now joined clubs, started fall sports, and taken a few assessments in their classes.

Students are excited to be with their friends again, as time with friends during breaks is what many students look forward to during the school day.

This year, Bolles added five additional minutes to the school day, and some students took some time to become familiar with the new schedule. Lucas Costas ‘28 said, “I’m finally

“It was very difficult at first, but now I am in a rhythm because I am more familiar with my classes and teacher expectations.”

— Luke Meiners ‘28 settling into the new schedule and I am enjoying spending time with friends.”

Other students believe that

the year has gotten easier academically as it has gone on. This is common because sometimes it takes students a couple of weeks to remember information from last summer.

Luke Meiners ‘28 said, “It was

Bolles Students returned to a renovated campus.

Credit: Hudson Powell

very difficult at first, but now I am in a rhythm because I am more familiar with my classes and teacher expectations.”

Aiden Pereira ‘28 also experienced a similar start to the school year. “At first this year was a little hard because of the summer work, which I usually never do well on,” he said. “But, since summer work is done, I’m doing a lot better in my classes and I’m still working on getting even higher grades.”

The difficult part is often understanding what makes each individual teacher tick and how to do well in their class.

As students are settling into the academic year, others who were new to the school are now forming a new community at Bolles. These new students not only have to learn their way

around campus. The campus is very large and spacious and abbreviations like CFI may be confusing to students. However, in the first couple weeks of the year, most students are able to figure out the layout of the school.

On top of being new to the campus layout, they typically come to Bolles not knowing many people. These stressors may seem big at first, but students are beginning to adjust to the new environment and they are starting to find a group of friends. Boarder Ryan Cahoy ‘29 said, “It’s been great, the community is very welcoming, especially my new friends on the swim team. I feel at home and it is great to be at Bolles.”

Getting into a sport is a great way to integrate into the Bolles community. New sophomore Matthew Qiu has enjoyed his time on the team, “It’s been great, the community is very welcoming, especially my new friends on the swim team.” Qiu has adjusted well, he said, “I feel at home and it is great to be at Bolles.” Doing the same sport as another person is easy common ground for a new student looking to make friends. It is a guaranteed social group that helps many new students get adjusted to life at Bolles.

So far students at Bolles are settling into their classes, and they are eager to take on the school year and all of its highs and lows. Leaning on friendships and building relationships with teachers seems to be the way many students will approach this challenge.

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Jax Thrive Club Meera Krish Staff Writer

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ax Thrive is an organization that has been around since 2017. With the help of many schools, including Bolles, it has grown significantly in the past 8 years. More than 850 teens have volunteered, accumulating over 11,000 community service hours and helping over 300 refugees.

The organization was created to help recently settled refugees in Jacksonville with things like education and self-sufficiency.

They have multiple programs, including Super Saturdays, they have super Saturdays which all students a part of the club here at Bolles and welcome to attend, and many do which are a helpful and fun time for kids, and EmpowHer, which helps female refugees with mentorship, self-defense, mind and body wellness, and provides students with feminine hygiene products.

Super Saturdays will be themed based on the holidays that month.

On the Super Saturdays they provide supplemental education services such as English, math, and science. There are arts and crafts for fun and physical activities like dance and sports. This is to teach the refugees more about America, to help them interact with other refugees, and learn more English.

More programs are the financial literacy program, which helps the refugee students learn about money and budgeting, and annual gift drives, which are done during back-to-school season, winter, and summer. Lastly, they offer a tutoring program where teen volunteers tutor the children. least two Saturdays every month.

The kids are not used to speaking English at home, and Super

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Jax Thrive poses at their booth.

Credit: Sahana Desai ‘27 Saturdays help them to keep it fresh in their minds. They teach them basic vocabulary words that would most likely not be taught in American schools because the other kids would already have an understanding.

For example, at the last Super Saturday they taught the younger refugees words like towel, toilet, and sink. Every Saturday, they help around 100 kids. They also offer virtual tutoring.

Jax Thrive is a nonprofit organization, so help from our school is very valuable to them.

At our school, there is a club in the middle headed by 3 students of class of 2030 Blake Joseph, Devon Hardy, Cathy Landa, and teacher Mrs. Velcio. The club has 35 members.

At the high-school the club is headed by students Olivia Owens ‘27, Greer Davis ‘27, and Jack Burnett ‘26, and teachers Ms. Moyer-Shad, and Ms. Jacobson.

The club works hard every year to try and get as many volunteers from our community as possible.

Throughout the year, they have fundraisers like food drives to help the refugees. Most of these

refugee families struggle to provide enough food for their children.

Because Jax Thrive is a nonprofit organization, it relies heavily on schools for donations.

Super Saturdays are themed based on the month, and last month’s is Halloween themed. At the last meeting, they made Halloween bags for the kids. Inside, we put little goodies such as candy and little toys. In total, they made 50.

This is a fun treat for the kids because they do not often receive items like this. Being a part of this club is helpful in many ways. It allows students to be a part of a different community and see life from others less fortunate than them from their perspective.

According to Sahana Desai ‘27 the club allows students to help other students in many ways.

The opportunity to spend your free time helping the community by tutoring refugee students, providing them with necessities like food, and teaching them activities.

The feeling of helping others less fortunate than you is one of the best feelings there is. This club gives that feeling, especially because there are so many different ways to help and so many opportunities to help.

Athletes can’t weight for new strength and conditioning center Rollins Powell Staff Writer

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he Bolles School has announced plans to build the Dream Finders Homes Athletic Performance Center on the San Jose Campus. A $6 million donation from Patrick Zalupski, founder and CEO of Dream Finders Homes, serves as the lead gift for this exciting new project.

Bolles first connected with Zalupski and his company last year.

Since then, the partnership has continued to grow as both sides share a strong commitment to supporting student-athletes. While the school has not yet completed its fundraising campaign, enough progress has been made to move the idea from concept to reality.

Construction is expected to begin in 2026 once the school reaches its $12 million fundraising goal.

“This gift is a game-changer,” said Bolles Athletic Director Rock Pillsbury. “It allows us to provide our students with the very best tools, knowledge and environment to thrive in the classrooms, on the fields, courts and pools.”

The football coaches took part in organizing the project. The training

“It allows us to provide our students with the very best tools, knowledge and environment to thrive in the classrooms, on the fields, courts and pools.”

— Rock Pillsbury (Athletic Director)

staff worked alongside them to prepare the necessary plans. The athletic department also supported and oversaw the planning process and reached out to the donors.

The new facility will be built next to the track on the away side of the football field, taking the place of the current pole vault and high jump area. Bolles is already planning a new space for those

A Model of the Dream Finders Homes Athletic Performance Center. athletes so they can continue their training without disruption; however, specific plans have not been announced.

The Athletic Performance Center will include state-of-the-art weight equipment, a hydrotherapy room, a training and recovery area, a covered 40-yard outdoor turf practice field, and a nutrition zone designed to help students reach their full potential. In addition to the 12,000 square foot facility, the practice field located behind the away side of the stadium will also be covered.

Inside the hydrotherapy room, there will be hot and cold plunges for recovery and injury prevention.

The nutrition zone will provide Muscle Milk protein drinks and other options so Bolles athletes can get proper nutrition after their workouts. There will be new dumbbells since the ones in the current weight room are broken, and all new weight racks, freeweights, and machines. These additions will allow students to

train smarter, recover faster, and maintain their health throughout demanding seasons.

Athletic Director Rock Pillsbury said the new facility will benefit every sport at Bolles. “Not only will our students be faster and stronger, but they will also have fewer injuries,” he said. The training and recovery rooms will use advanced sports science technology to enhance performance and overall well-being.

Bolles takes pride in its tradition of excellence in the arts, athletics, and academics, and this project supports all three areas by encouraging balance, discipline, and growth. It is part of a larger series of campus improvements designed to strengthen the entire Bolles community.

In addition to the performance center, Bolles also plans to expand and upgrade several other athletic areas. “We are also building the Hunt soccer locker rooms, updating the girls’ softball facility, adding a golf monitoring system, baseball locker rooms and coaches’ offices, and updating and expanding the swimming dryland room and coaches offices,” Pillsbury said. All of these projects are set to begin within the next year.

Pillsbury also believes that this new facility can attract athletic talent to our school. “To have a great weight room in addition to our fantastic coaches and teachers can only help attract new students.” Bolles is not only looking to improve their own athletes, they are also looking to draw in new talent from other places.

The Athletic Performance Center marks an exciting step forward for Bolles, providing athletes with advanced tools to shape an even brighter future for the entire Bolles Athletic Program.

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Sound of Music lights up San Jose’s stage Zara Touheed Design Editor

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rom November 13 through 15, on San Jose’s stage, the winter musical of the 2025-2026 school year is going to be The Sound of Music.

Laura Rippel, the Head of the Fine Arts Department and the show’s director, is extremely excited for Bolles to perform this show, specifically due to her love and passion for the show. For those unfamiliar, The Sound of Music is a musical about a young woman named Maria, who is studying to become a nun in Austria. She is sent to care for the seven children of a widowed naval captain, Georg von Trapp. Maria brings joy and music into their lives, and eventually falls in love with the captain. As Nazi forces take over Austria, the von Trapp family decides to flee their country for freedom.

Rippel believes this play is nostalgic for many students, including herself, which is why she chose it. It is also because she has a childhood fondness for one of the most famous Broadway actors of her time, Julie Andrews.

“She was the most phenomenal Broadway musical star. She is tremendous, with her ability vocally, her performance ability, and her acting ability. It’s off the charts. She’s done every musical, and they’re all amazing. So this was one that I absolutely loved,” said Rippel.

It is also extremely relatable to the audience and presents the question of “What would I do if I were there?”. Rippel said, “But the piece itself, what I think is important about it is that it is easy to look back and go, I would have behaved this way in that

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situation. I would have done this if that were happening. We all like to think that we would have done the right thing. The Sound of Music is about a time in which they didn’t really know what was going on, but they knew something bad was happening.”

The cast for the Von Trapp Children acting out “Do Re Mi”.

Credit: Zara Touheed ‘28 When the time came for auditions, many students came since it was a musical, and these often attract the student body more than typical shows. Rippel was extremely happy about this and adores having lower schoolers and high schoolers work together in shows, believing it creates an enriching and creative environment.

Lauren Berry ‘27 is a veteran of musicals at San Jose, with this show being her third time participating. She landed one of the lead roles and main characters as Louisa von Trapp, a 13-year-old girl who is clever and rebellious, and is the family’s middle child and master prankster.

Berry said, “ Auditions were scary at first, but when I was actually singing and dancing and acting, it was pretty fun, and by the end, I was pretty confident about it.”

The way that most musical auditions go is that they’re unique compared to other shows, because they usually take over the course of multiple days, partially because they are so much work.

Most musical auditions include a vocal, dancing, and acting audition, and this is why they tend to take more interest in the student body. Usually, they get 40 to 50 kids per show, and the way that callbacks work is that they will bring back students who they believe have a vocal range or skill set that works for specific characters or shows.

Rippel believes that musicals encourage students to express themselves in ways a normal show may not offer.“They just bring kids out of the woodwork,” she said Besides the cast, the crew plays a huge and extremely important part in any musical. Being part of the crew involves students making props and painting sets, and also being part of the leadership aspect behind the scenes. The stage manager of this show is Tristan Schineider ‘26. A stage manager’s basic job is to run the show from behind the scenes while the drum teachers get to take a break, and their responsibility is to basically know everything that is happening in the show.

Cast includes Victoria Soares, Cyrus Vaghefi, Ada Ertekin-Taner, Aydin Shirazi, Meghanne Posick, Melody Cherry, Rheona Roy, Isla Williams, Abby Naugle, Lauren Berry, Dante Camarda, Trayson Bonnett, Diya Comar, Shivba Deshmukh, Gabriela Encina, Esha Kasavaraju, Taylor Lageman, Adriana Mirarchi, Lane Morales, Jaina Neal, Harper Nussbaum, Olivia Owens, Aanya Patel, Kaliyah Perkins, Sofia Perlovich, Sanaa Perry, Lilybeth Posick, Andrew Wolpoff.

Lights, camera, action!

A recap of the The Sound of Music Vedika Shenoy Staff Writer

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n November 13,14, and 15, the Bartram Campus stage hosted the high school musical for this year: The Sound of Music.

The Sound of Music was first performed on Broadway in 1959.

The musical follows Maria, a soonto-be Austrian nun, as she leaves her church to become a governess for the seven kids of the Von Trapp family. Maria reintroduces music into their lives and falls in love with Georg Von Trapp, the children’s father. They get married and the family has to escape from Austria due to the rise of Nazi influences.

Filled with laughter, lights, and music, the show was a hit to all who saw it. From the beginning, the show entranced that audience with the dimming of the lights and nuns at the very start who walked in with candles.

The musical showcased the talents of the cast, including Victoria Soares ‘27 as Maria, Cyrus Vaghefi ‘26 as Captain Von Trapp, Abigail Cherry ‘27 as the Head Nun, Ayden Shirazi ‘28 as Max.

“Seeing it actually come to life with all the costumes is the most stressful and enjoyable part” — Ms. Morgan The Sound of Music also featured some middle schoolers acting as

Captain Von Trapp’s children, such as Kathy Landa ‘30.

The tech crew of the production worked hard, rolling out the necessary scene backgrounds and props. “Everybody’s singing really well. The acting is awesome.

Tech is doing good and the sets are really nice.“ said Chugay ‘28.

Tech had a tough job: making sure everything was rolling smoothly

The Von Trapp family all together on stage.

Credit: Brittany Tomokovich ‘28 so the actors could give the spectators a memorable night.

“I love getting hyped up before the play and helping everyone get hyped for the play,” said Curzio ‘26.

The musical was a success, with everyone left in awe at the cast.

“Unbelievably talented crew,” said Mrs. Morgan. The seats in the Bartram auditorium were all filled with eager folks waiting to see the performance put on by the crew, and they were not let down. The crew’s acting in particular echoed with many in the audience.

“Seeing these deep characters on stage really resonated with me,” said Barragan ‘28, a member of the audience.

People who couldn’t make it remarked positivly about the play. “I wish I had been there. I heard that the cast and crew were

amazing, and that there were some performances and songs that really lifted the room,” said Mr. Hicks, who had family visiting and could not attend, but hopes he can make the next one.

The cast themselves had wonderful memories from the show. “Seeing it actually come to life with all the costumes is the most stressful and enjoyable part,” said Soares. Mrs. Rippel, the direcctor of the play, remarked about how proud she was of the cast. They worked hard and powered through the challenges they encountered, like the sicknesses. “It’s amazing how individually you can only do a small thing but together you can do something so incredible,” said Mrs. Rippel.

Even though the actors gave the audience a show with no hitches, there were still some in the back.

“Teenage anxiety kinda just hit me out of nowhere and I have to not look at anybody’s face when I’m talking,” said Shirazi ‘28. For others, saying goodbye to the play and their friends was the hardest part. “It’s just gonna be hard to say goodbye to this thing we’ve been working on for so long, especially because I’m in middle school and a lot of these people will be graduating soon,” said Landa ‘30.

The next play put on by the cast won’t be a musical, but many are sure it will still be as much of a hit as this one. The actors can not wait to put on another spectacular show for the students and teachers of Bolles, and they especially can’t wait to see what new bonds and memories they’ll make with their cast and crew.

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Grandparents Day is a hit!

Sree Alam Online Editor

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randparents’ Day at Bolles has long been a cherished annual tradition, offering students the opportunity to welcome their grandparents onto campus and share a meaningful glimpse into their school lives.

On November 18, 2025, the event returned with an especially large turnout, reinforcing its importance as a day dedicated to honoring elders and recognizing the guidance they provide to younger generations.

Each year, Grandparents’ Day is designed to strengthen the connection between families and the school community. The 2025 celebration followed this tradition while also expanding on it, thanks to an altered schedule that allowed for a longer activities period. This adjustment gave students and their grandparents more time to engage with one another, explore campus, and take part in special events without feeling rushed.

“Every year I come to Bolles for Grandparents day, and the campus just gets even more beautiful by the year!”

— Claire Ezzel’s Grandparent The day began with a gathering in the school auditorium, where grandparents were welcomed to enjoy a chorus performance prepared by students in the arts.

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The performance highlighted not only musical talent but also the dedication and creativity fostered at Bolles. A short video followed, showcasing moments from student life and emphasizing the role that family support plays in academic and personal growth.

Rheona Roy ’28, a student in chorus, spoke about how they prepared for Grandparents Day, “Dr. Bryson always makes sure that we are extra prepared for when the Grandparents come on campus because our chorus performance always have been one of the main events that happen on Grandparents day.”

After the auditorium program concluded, students reunited with their grandparents and headed to the gymnasium for a designated photo session. Laughter, conversation, and excitement filled the space as families posed together, capturing memories that would last well beyond the day itself.

Following photos, many students took the opportunity to guide their grandparents on walking tours around campus.

Classrooms, common areas, and favorite gathering spots became storytelling landmarks as students explained their daily routines and academic experiences. One of the most popular destinations was the newly opened Center for Innovation, which drew significant interest from grandparents eager to see how modern learning spaces support creativity and problem-solving.

One of the many grandparents that attended this event commented, “Every year I come to Bolles for Grandparents day, and the campus just gets even more beautiful by the year!”

While the day was special for those who attended Grandparents’ Day remains an inclusive tradition. Students who were unable to participate this year will have the opportunity to do so in the future, as the event is held annually. This ensures that every student has the chance to share this experience with their grandparents at some point during their time at Bolles.

“Dr. Bryson always makes sure that we are extra prepared for when the Grandparents come on campus...”

— Rheona Roy ‘28 Ultimately, Grandparents’ Day serves as more than just a campus visit. It is a celebration of family, respect, and continuity across generations. By honoring elders and inviting them into the daily lives of students, Bolles reinforces the values of gratitude, connection, and community values that continue to shape the school year after year.

Bulldogs travel far and wide Ava Salmani Staff Writer

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ecently, students have enjoyed a five-day weekend for fall break with Thursday, Friday, and Monday off. After hard work during school weeks filled with sports, homework and extracurricular activities, the long weekend was a nice opportunity for students to relax and spend time with friends and family by socializing.

Thursday and Friday of fall break were teacher planning days where teachers met individually with the students’ parents to talk about their progress in classes so far and any if there are any concerns.

Meanwhile, students were off school. If parents were unable to meet with teachers in person, there was an option to do Zoom meetings instead.

Students are normally busy throughout the school week although fall break is a convenient time to spend time with friends.

Lynn Ibrahim ‘29 spent most of her time with friends and socializing as a way to take a break from school. “I hung out with my friends for fall break,” she said “I was at the beach for one of the days with my friends on Friday. I went to the Town Center on Saturday to go shopping for new school clothes because it’s starting to get cold outside and I need more sweaters for school. I had three sleepovers in a row with my friend Alexa. On Sunday, I went out on our boat with my family and we went to a seafood restaurant on the water.”

Annabelle Duce ‘29 was productive with her time by getting her personal things done. Duce said “On Thursday I caught up on all my homework, got ahead for next week and I

Taylor Logaman’s family vist a resort in Palm Beach.

Credit: Taylor Logaman ‘29 cleaned my room and organized my closet.” She also spent time with her friends by seeing a movie and going to practice her sport.

“On Friday I went to morning practice for crew, then went to the movies with some of my friends from school to go see Black Phone Two, which is a horror movie. After that we all went to a burger place for dinner.” The fall season is a perfect time for horror movies.

“On Saturday I went to an art class, worked out a little bit and played piano,” Duce said.

Unlike Duce, Silin Rajaei’29 spent her break traveling to New York City with her family. “For my fall break, I went to New York and I went to all the shops to get clothes, and I ate a lot of food. I also stayed with my sister who has a lot of cats and I love cats.”

Averi Patel ‘29 also spent fall break in New York. “I went to the Empire State building and I could see the whole city from above. I also walked around the street and

went to eat food and shop around the stores. The food that I got was ramen and Chinese food,” Patel said.

Patel got to see the culture of New York and experience their diverse food. She also got to see a famous building.

Unlike Duce and Patel, Logan Stahl ‘29 stuck with her floridian roots by spending her break at the beach. “I went to the beach with my sister and my mom and stayed for 3 days” The beach is quite a popular location for fall break considering Ibrahim, and Stah also spent their time there. Taylor Logaman ‘29 went to a beach aswell “For my fall break I went to Palm Beach and It was really fun and I got really tan. I went shopping at all the stores.

Although fall break was short, it gave Bolles students time to relax, get caught up on homework, and have fun.

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Meet your 2025 homecoming court Rollins Powell Staff Writer

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he class of 2026 Homecoming court was announced at Bolles, and these are the selected students: Lily Adams ’26 Patton Avera ’26 James Barger ’26 Naeem Burroughs ’26 Kate Campen ’26 Simeon Caldwell ’26 Evelyn Freeman ’26 James Gibbs ’26 Leila Goll ’26 Thomas Green ’26 Eduardo Justiz ’26 Julia Kappaz ’26 Terrell McCoy ’26 James McCranie ’26 Alyce Smith ’26 Andrew Smith ’26 Emily Stevenson ’26 Landon Wagner ’26 Madison Wotiz ’26 Claire Worley ’26 These seniors were selected because of their service to the Bolles and Jacksonville communities.

Lily Adams plays volleyball both for Bolles and the Powers Volleyball Club. She has been on varsity volleyball since 6th grade and is a team captain this season.

She is a Co-President of Pink Ribbon Jax, and the Social Media Manager of the FCA. She has over 150 service hours and has been a Bolles Admission Ambassador all four years of high school.

Patton Avera is a varsity basketball star with over 10 years of basketball experience on the club, middle school, and high school level. He has volunteered with the Donna Foundation for Breast Cancer, the Nanny’s Nation club, and the Tiger club. He also

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Homecoming Sweethearts in the Davis Gym. Credit: Kristen DeSmidt

volunteers with basketball camps to coach younger players.

James Barger is not only a club president but also volunteers with many organizations throughout Jacksonville. He is the leader of the Bolles Buddies Club, which focuses on making connections with the North Florida School of Special Education. He also volunteers with Backpack Buddies and distributes over 1.5 tons of food boxes to hungry families weekly. Finally, he is an offensive lineman on the varsity football team and is a team captain this season.

Naeem Burroughs is a wide receiver for the football team and committed to Clemson University after receiving over 30 Division 1 offers. He was a MaxPreps Freshman All-American in 2022, and a 2025 Under Armor All American. He also went to San Antonio Texas to play in the National All-Star Game on January 11th, and played against the best high schoolers in the nation.

Kate Campen is the Co-President of the Tiger club and a varsity

lacrosse player. She has also been on the mock trial team since 10th grade, and volunteers with Wolfson’s Children’s Hospital and with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Finally, she has created magazines focused on current fashion trends with the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Simeon Caldwell plays varsity football, basketball, and is a track and field state champion.

He is a Junior Mentor, and an Admission Ambassador. Finally, he is the former vice president of the Black Student Union, and he is committed to Ohio State University for football.

Evie Freeman is a team captain of the girls basketball team and is committed to Tennessee Tech University, and she is a varsity track and lacrosse player. She is a member of the National Honors society, and the Spanish Honors Society. She is a three time District Champion in the long jump and 100 meters, and she is a senior editor in the yearbook.

James Gibbs is a varsity football captain, and he volunteers at the Saint Marks church. He

Terrell McCoy is a girls basketball captain and a state runner up. She is also a 5x track state medalist, and a nominee for the Bahamas Female National Athlete of the Year. She is a resident hall council president and a member of the Bolles pre – medical club.

James McCrainie ‘26 (left), Landon Wagner ‘26 (middle), and Patton Avera ‘26 (right) at the Homecoming game.

Credit: Brianna Curzio’26

is a National Turkey Wildlife Foundation member, and he is a Co-President of the Tiger Club.

Leila Goll is a star student with a 5.1 cumulative GPA. She is the president of the FCA and the Justice for Jax club. She has played varsity basketball all four years of high school and has been a team captain since tenth grade.

Thomas Green is a member of the National Honors and National Spanish Honors societies. He is a captain of both the weightlifting and football teams. Thomas is also an officer in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He loves volunteering at Bolles and also leads a bible study and dog sits.

Eduardo Justiz is a volunteer and Co – President of the Hispanic Student Union. He collected over 500 pounds of clothes to send to his hometown in Cuba, and he is a Vice – President of the Bolles Pre-Medical club. He is also a champion of the Florida IFK Kickboxing tournament.

James McCranie is a member of the First Cohort of the Global Scholars Program, and a Global Online Academy ambassador.

He holds a wiffleball tournament fundraiser for Athletes Against Anxiety and Depression, and he went to Jamaica on a mission trip to help build houses for local families. Finally, James plays varsity basketball and is committed to Washington and Lee University.

Alyce Smith served as President of The Florida School of the Deaf and Blind Club, leading fundraisers and awareness efforts. A fouryear varsity lacrosse athlete and team champion, she also held leadership roles in community service initiatives. She is recognized as an AP Scholar and member of both the National and National Hispanic Honor Societies.

Andrew Smith is a Varsity football player. He is a Co – President of the Hispanic Student Union, and he competes on Varsity Track and Field.

Emily Stevenson is a cross country and track team captain. She is a Co – President of the mock trail team, and Bolles Senior Women Vice President. She serves on the

Duval County Teen Courts and volunteers at the Angels for Allison Summer Camp. She is also in the top 10% of her class academically.

Landon Wagner is a Varsity Basketball team captain, and a member of the National Spanish Honors Society. He is a Lacrosse team manager, and a member of the Spanish Exchange Program.

He volunteers with Nanny’s nation walks for ALS, and volunteers with Youth Basketball Programs.

Madison Wotiz is a varsity lacrosse defender and team captain. She volunteers often and has over 450 hours of community service.

She volunteers with the Tiger club, Feeding Northeast Florida, and the Leukemia and Lymphoma society.

She is the president of Senior Women and a member of the Student Government.

Claire Worley is a dedicated student-athlete and leader, excelling in varsity cross country and track while maintaining strong academic performance as a National Honor Society member. She demonstrates leadership through roles in student organizations and community service, including volunteering, part-time work, and international study in Taiwan.

Bolles Students are currently voting for the Homecoming Sweethearts, and they will be announced at the Homecoming Game on Friday the 10th.

Julia Kappaz is the Co-President of the mock trial team and the President of the DIPG Ellie club. She is also an Admission Ambassador and a member of the Tiger club.

She volunteers at St. Michael’s School for Special Needs in New Homecoming Queen candidates at the homecoming game.

Orleans and Feeding Northeast Credit: Briana Curzio’26 Florida.

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Bolles honors Hispanic Heritage Month Sree Alam Online Editor

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very year from September 15 through October 15, the United States celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, a national celebration that highlights the diverse histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans whose roots trace back to Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. This celebration, which began as a single week of recognition in the 1960s, was later expanded by Congress to a full month, acknowledging Students playing soccer during activities the growing influence and importance of Hispanic and Latino Credit: Senora Stam communities across the country.

What makes Hispanic Heritage Month so special is its focus on unity through diversity. It’s not just about recognizing famous figures or milestones, but also about celebrating the traditions, languages, and shared experiences that connect people of Hispanic descent. From music and dance to art, literature, and food, the celebration reflects a vibrant mosaic of cultures

that have shaped both local communities and the nation as a whole.

At The Bolles School, this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month was filled with energy, pride, and creativity as students and faculty came together to honor the spirit of the month. “Hispanic Heritage Month has been around since the 60s in this country, and it’s

a time to celebrate the roots of Latinos, specifically those of Hispanic heritage, meaning from Spain or a Spanish-speaking country,” explained one of the

“It’s about honoring your roots and sharing that pride with others” — Senora Stam Spanish teachers, Mrs. Stam. “At schools, we do it by celebrating with different events. For example, we have salsa on Friday, October 3. We played some dominoes, which is a traditional game of the Caribbean, Spanish-speaking countries. It’s just a time to be really proud about your roots and honor those Hispanics who have really made a profound impact.”

Spanish honor society serving food for the students.

Credit: Senora Stam

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The week’s lineup of activities perfectly captured the warmth and spirit of Hispanic culture.

Students gathered outside to enjoy salsa dancing, learning the rhythms and steps of one of Latin

“Hispanic Heritage Month has been around since the 60s in this country, and it’s a time to celebrate the roots of Latinos, specifically those of Hispanic heritage.”

— Senora Stam America’s most iconic dances.

The lively music and movement created a joyful atmosphere that drew curious onlookers and enthusiastic participants alike.

Across the courtyard, tables were set up for dominoes, a beloved pastime in many Caribbean countries such as the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Puerto Rico.

The clack of tiles and friendly competition brought an authentic

Seniors playing with dominos Credit: Senora Stam cultural touch to campus life.

Of course, no celebration would be complete without delicious food. A food truck served flavorful dishes inspired by Hispanic cuisine, giving students the chance to taste the culture they were learning about literally.

Beyond the fun and festivities, there was also a deeper purpose behind Bolles’ celebration. “I wanted to create a space for students who are Hispanic to feel seen,” the organizer said. “A lot of times they blend in, and I think it’s important for them to have a space to show with pride that

Dance lessons being taught by Credit: Senora Stam

they are Hispanic.” This sense of belonging and representation played a key role in shaping the week’s events, turning the celebration into more than just a cultural showcase—it became a meaningful opportunity for students to express identity and pride.

The celebration extended beyond the upper school campus as well. Bolles collaborated with the middle school, where two students shared their enthusiasm for Hispanic culture by leading a trivia presentation during a school convocation on September 29. Their presentation blended cultural facts with pop culture

“I wanted to create a space for students who are Hispanic to feel seen.” references, helping younger students learn interactively. “They got to share a little bit about that pride and a little bit of pop culture,” Stam noted. “It was really fun to see the middle schoolers so engaged.”

The event drew an impressive turnout of around twenty students, all eager to show off their skills and enthusiasm for the game.

Through each of these events, whether dancing, playing games, eating delicious food, or kicking goals, the Bolles community came together to honor a culture that thrives on connection, joy, and pride. The combination of education and entertainment helped students not only celebrate but also learn about the importance of Hispanic heritage and the many ways it enriches American life.

By the end of the week, it was clear that Bolles’ Hispanic Heritage Month celebration had succeeded in more ways than one. It brought students together across backgrounds, sparked conversations about culture and identity, and gave Hispanic students a well-deserved moment to shine. “It’s about pride,” Stam reflected. “It’s about honoring your roots and sharing that pride with others.”

Another highlight was the penalty kick competition, which celebrated one of the most beloved sports across Hispanic countries, soccer.

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Bolles students tune into morning announcements Hudson Powell Coffeehouse Editor

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his year, the Bolles Bugle created a new morning announcements program that airs every Monday morning.

The goal of creating the announcements was to create a human connection that the AI announcements could not, starting with a simple greeting, “Good morning Bolles Bulldogs, given by a student, fosters human connection that a machine cannot.

is a teleprompter and several cameras, but oftentimes Powell simply uses his phone to record.

Powell uses his phone because, “It is easier to transfer the footage onto my computer.” The room offers everything needed, a quiet place to record, a backdrop, and chairs for Powell and those being interviewed to use.

After Powell settles in, the

Every Friday at 1:00 PM, the final list of the morning announcements for the next week is created and sent to Powell. As soon as he is able to, he then goes to the video room in Bolles Hall to film the announcements.

“I wanted to create a way for students to get information from their peers instead of A.I.” — Sawyer Powell ‘28

Inside the video room, there

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Other clubs that have been featured on the announcements are the Olympiad in Neuroscience, the Bolles FBLA team, and the animation club. Any other clubs are welcome if they contact Sawyer as well. This so that students can promote their interests to the whole school.

Once all of the clips have been filmed, they are edited over the weekend and then sent to Ms. Marks. After her approval, the final video is sent to all of the teachers to be played on Monday morning.

Sawyer Powell ‘28 is the anchor for the morning announcements.

“I wanted to create a way for students to get information from their peers instead of AI,” Powell said.

The idea of the human-tohuman communication with the announcements aligns with the newly implemented phone policy, as both encourage face-to-face interaction.

talk about his club, the Rising Tides Club. “I was grateful to be called onto the announcements and share how my club makes an impact on the community,” Stutzman said.

Powell interviews a student on the announcements.

Credit: The Bolles Bugle announcements are taped. The announcements are read from the teleprompter and shot in several takes to ensure that they are of high quality. Then another section is often added to the announcements to make them original and unique. Something that Powell decided to add was the club spotlights to help bring awareness to clubs.

Then, if a club president is appearing on the announcements they are interviewed. Powell has now mostly adjusted to the schedule, “Sometimes I am a few minutes late to practice on Fridays, but I am enjoying working on the announcements.” Most of the filming occurs either during his study hall or right after school before he heads to swim practice.

Recently, club president Hudson Stutzman ‘28 was invited on the morning announcements to

Powell believes that the announcements are getting better and that each week the editing becomes easier. “I hope to make the video better and better each week as I get more experience with the editing.”

Powell hopes to include more unique additions to the announcements, “I hope for the announcements to be a way for students to promote their clubs and interests and to make it into something that students are excited to turn on on Monday mornings.” This could be videos promoting sports teams or extracurricular activities, appearances of teachers and coaches, and even adding someone to co-anchor the announcements.

Powell hopes to make these additions as the announcements gain more momentum and he gains more experience with filming and editing.

Campus store eliminates unhealthy snacks Ava Salmani Staff Writer

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tarting this year, the Bolles campus store made a significant change by replacing candy with healthy, nutritious snacks. Last school year, the store was packed with high sugar candies, chocolate chip cookies, and sweet drinks, gatorade, Hershey Bars, Reeses, Skittles and much more. Over time, unhealthy food can affect health and lead to problems later on. This is why the change was made Students buy food from the store so often because it’s quick and convenient, especially when school is over and students have practice, it’s a fast way to get food to be energized while attending a sport. It can also be convenient in the morning or throughout classes or breaks if a student is hungry for a small snack.

For the sake of students’ health, the store decided to make a change for good and decided to shift toward healthier options such as flavored water, nuts, baked chips rather than normal ones, high energy protein bars and many low calorie snacks.

“I really like the healthy food in the campus store, it’s perfect and easy to go to grab a healthy nourishing snack.”

- Riley Powell ‘29 “Parents, coaches, and teachers were asking for healthier options for the children to choose from

for the students.” There were many complaints about students consuming too much candy and sugar.

For some students they enjoyed the change. “I really like the healthy food in the campus store, it’s perfect and easy to go to grab a healthy nourishing snack, but I do miss the sweets. I wish that we could have healthy and unhealthy

Healthy snacks are now in the campus store.

Credit: Ava Salmani ‘29 snacks available at the same place,” said Riley Powell ‘29. Powell is open to change and healthy snacks. Some students are Saanvi Kondu ‘29 agrees and likes the healthy campus store. “I think it’s a good thing that the campus store shifted to a healthier side because the canteen and cafeteria already provide candy and other not necessarily healthy snacks.”

Others don’t like this change and want the candy back. “I liked the food before and I think they should bring back sweets because sometimes I feel like having a sweet treat.”

Nutrition is important especially for people who workout and go through a long day of school or play a sport. Students need to know how to properly fuel their bodies because it can help with

their sport performance and being energized. Bronwyn Griffiths wrote “When it comes to postworkout nutrition, you may think protein is all you need. However, simple carbohydrates play a role as well. The process of building muscle tissue during recovery does indeed require protein but to do this, you’ll need some energy – and it’s the one thing you’re probably lacking by the end of your workout.” This conveys that protein is essential for muscle repair, but carbohydrates are also important because they provide the energy needed for the recovery process. Without carbs, the body may not use protein to build muscle. It’s important for students and especially athletes to know that they need to properly fuel their body and only eating sugar and not protein is not effective.

From a teacher’s perspective, Mrs. Laura Lane Pelletier said that, “Choice is liberating. Our school store should reflect that, offering both healthy and not-sohealthy options. Students need to understand how processed foods affect their bodies, but they also deserve the joy of an occasional treat. As Oscar Wilde reminded us, ‘Everything in moderation, including moderation”. Being in control and knowing how to moderate what you eat in high school is important because later in life it’s a good habit to build.

Overall, students at the Bolles School are half and half with the change in food in the campus store. Although most say that there should be both healthy and unhealthy options and students should be able to choose what they eat rather than getting rid of it completely.

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Student athletes balance homework Ava Salmani Staff Writer

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ll student athletes spend seven long hours at school and they get tons of homework from all their teachers.

Not to mention, they also have to study for tests and quizzes weekly.

It’s challenging to balance the work load of school and practicing a sport. After school they head straight to practice for a few more hours, and by the time they come back home it can be exhausting to get work done. Getting homework completed after sports and school is a struggle in which many people experience especially if they are in advanced courses. It’s important to know how to balance school and sports to strengthen time management skills. So, what are some effective ways to get homework done while attending a sport?

Laya Pakala ‘29 said “Once I get home and start my work for school, I power off my phone and have a schedule of doing work for a subject for 30 minutes, and having a 10 minute break, and continue to do this until I finish all of my necessary work. This can also go for studying for assessments.”

Pakala makes an organized schedule for how long she studies.

This is effective because she gets a short break in between longer study sessions. Pakala also puts away distractions in order to stay focused.

“I get as much homework done at school so I can have time for sports.”

— Aubrey Young ‘29 A student on the swim team wisely uses school hours to get work completed. Galipalli takes advanced classes making her workload increasingly high.

Sriveda Galipalli ‘28 said, “I make

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sure I work at school so I’m not overwhelmed at home.” Working at school is efficient because this way more work is balanced.

Bennet LaConte ‘29 said “Balancing school and sports can be done by getting the work done as soon as possible to have the most amount of time possible to practice each day.” LaConte thinks that he shouldn’t procrastinate so he can also attend practice daily. For him it is a matter of accomplishing each task so he can focus on his training.

Student athletes doing work at lunch.

Credit: Ava Salmani ‘29 Aubrey Young ‘29 said “I get as much homework done at school as I can so I have time for sports.”

Using school time is an excellent way to manage a heavy homework load. For example, during zero hour or activity or lunch, Young works ahead to stay focused.

Charlie James ’29, a cheerleader, said, “I prioritize time for my homework as an athlete so I can have more time to myself.” For student-athletes like her, getting homework done is first priority.

James’ responsibility is to get work done in order to have time for herself.

Margot Pedrick ‘29 who plays basketball and flag football said, “To manage my time I plan around my games and practices to prepare for tests and do homework. I take a study hall and use zero hour, activities, and lunch to do homework so I won’t be

stressed that night after practice.”

By using her time wisely during free hours, Pedrick manages her time at school so that she doesn’t have to worry too much about her work when coming back from sports.

Homework is stressful at times, especially when students have many classes to focus on.

Sometimes they can forget to do an assignment. Managing stress is different for everyone but some methods include eating healthy and not skipping meals.

Getting enough sleep is also very important especially for athletes.

Teenagers ages 13-18 should get about 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night according to the American Academy of Sleep and Medicine.

This may be challenging because getting home late from practices can interfere with sleep schedules.

Having time to relax reduces stress for students. Research from Edutopia has shown that “Students are easily distracted, but regular short breaks can help them focus, increase their productivity, and reduce their stress.” Taking a break is just as important as working on homework because it can prevent burnout from studying too much.

Student athletes at Bolles learn time management when participating in sports because it’s a very useful strategy to get work done in a timely manner and it’s an important life skill used frequently.

This means that athletes have to learn how to manage their time differently because if they don’t then they won’t have good grades and won’t be able to do their sport.

Some time management skills include setting achievable goals.

Another useful strategy is setting timers that way students don’t get distracted and finish homework faster. Timers are a good way to set goals for yourself.

Balancing school and sports is challenging and stressful but when learning the right time management skills and working efficiently, it can be done.

Academics

The new Hart of the history department Jolee Abbey Social Media Editor

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r. Andrew Hart, a lifetime Florida local, now settles down into his new permanent setting, classroom 204 in Shultz Hall. After spending his life living and travelling around all of Florida, Hart is thrilled to call Bolles his new home.

then went to grad school at the University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, and studied history with concentration in regional history of Florida and the South.

Growing up, Hart was an avid swimmer and still enjoys

Hart started his academic career originally working in politics. He never thought of teaching as a career path until attending graduate school where he discovered his passion.

“Teaching was something that I found really enjoyable. I’ve always been passionate about history, but that time period was when I realized that I really enjoyed the profession and found it worthwhile,” he said.

He is enthusiastic about government and history, and teaching it to others to be more than what they think of it as a subject. “I’m really passionate about students finding a new appreciation for history, other than it just being facts and dates,” he says.

“I’m really passionate about students finding a new appreciation for history, other than it just being facts and dates.”

— Mr. Hart In his past academic career, Hart did his undergrad at the University of Florida, where he studied history and political science,

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A headshot of Mr. Hart.

Credit: Mr. Hart swimming today. “I swam competitively since elementary school and all throughout high school.” He even raced against Bolles in various meets. “I also swam on the club team in college for UF, and that was how I met my wife,” said Hart. Sports, and swimming in particular, continue to be a major part of his life.

miles), and half marathons. “I just raced my first marathon, and plan on running another,” he said.

“I really enjoy watching the progression and growth of the students through their academic journeys and seeing how that influences what they want to do in life,” Hart recalls as being his favorite part about teaching. This, as well as the well earned holiday breaks that he gets off.

Hart finds the reason for his love for teaching in seeing what the students hope and plan to do with what they learn in the classroom, and how that influences what they want to do tomorrow and in their career. “After all, they all are going to be the future leaders, and movers, and shakers of our society, so it is just interesting to see how that is going to play out,” he said.

Hart does not like to be presumptive, but after careful consideration, he says that if he had to choose three words to describe his personality and his teaching environment, they would be “enthusiastic, friendly, and witty.”

Hart participated in many other activities during school. “I was involved in the Interact Club during high school, and I was a part of the student government in high school and in college,” he said.

Outside of the classroom, Mr. Hart loves to “spend time outdoors, go fishing, go swimming, read some, and hang out with my family.” He has also recently begun running, and now competes in 5K’s (3.1

Mr. Hart and his son.

Credit: Mr. Hart

From dugouts to Deans’ Office: Coach Boswell becomes Dean of Students Jack Laufer Head Sports Editor

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s a student, nothing good ever happens in the dean’s office. Nobody ever likes being sent there. But, in truth, the people you will meet there are kind and always want to help. This year, there is a new smiling face in there: Coach Boswell.

This school year marks Boswell’s 25th anniversary of being at Bolles. Before his time here, Boswell taught Health and Biology at Englewood High School in Jacksonville while also coaching their baseball team. Since he started working here, he has held various job titles such as Head of Security, Dean of Residential Life, and Administrative Assistant. Now, he holds two: Dean of Students and head baseball coach.

Though Boswell has been here for a while, he still has much to learn about being a dean.

“I’m still trying to learn everything there is to know, really on the Internet part of our system, such as Veracross,” he said.

When Boswell isn’t at school, there is a very good chance that he is outside. Boswell loves all things outdoors like fishing, golfing, and baseball. In 1987, Boswell was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 31st round and played two years in their organization.

Here at Bolles, Boswell is most known for his astounding career as being the head baseball coach, a role he has filled for 21 years.

Boswell has contributed to five State championships and recently recorded his 500th career win in 2023. He has coached three players here at Bolles who have made it to the major leagues: Austin Slater ‘11, DJ Stewart ‘12, and Hunter Barco ‘19.

Something that people might not know about Boswell at first glance is that he is a grandpa. “I love it.

I have two grandchildren today, and I’ll have three by Christmas.”

Boswell explained that there is a big difference between being Dean of Residential Life and Dean of Students. “I have 800 students instead of having 100 up in the dorm… so it’s a bit more difficult.”

The only hiccup that Boswell has experienced so far has been the lack of downtime.

One goal for Boswell this year is to learn every student’s name. “It’s been very easy learning all the baseball players and a lot of the athletes by watching, and being up in the dorm and getting to know all of them. But now I want to learn everybody’s name.”

In a sense, being a dean and a baseball coach have some similarities. “When I’m in their lives on a daily basis, it’s so much better,” Boswell said.

“I know where they’re at, I know where they’ve gone, and I know what they’ve done.”

— Coach Boswell

Coach Boswell poses at his desk.

Credit: Jack Laufer ‘27

If there is one thing that Boswell wants students to know about him, it is that he is approachable.

“I’ve been there. I’ve been in their shoes. I’ve had three kids in their shoes who have gone through Bolles. I know where they’re at, I know where they’ve gone, and I know what they’ve done.”

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Bolles gets brand new activities director: Mrs. Murray Sree Alam Online Editor

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rs. Murray is a dedicated educator whose professional journey reflects an enduring passion for learning. Currently in her eighth year of teaching, she brings not only academic expertise but also an energetic, student-centered philosophy that makes her a valuable member of the Bolles faculty.

From a young age, Mrs. Murray envisioned herself pursuing a career in engineering, a path she remained committed to until her junior year of high school.

“I realized I was terrible at math. And I was like, well, I don’t want to do this for the rest of my life if I don’t like math,” she said. This realization prompted her to explore other passions.“I decided I wanted to be a maritime archaeologist, so someone who goes into shipwrecks and discovers treasure.” Although fascinating, she recognized that such a career lacked stability.

While studying anthropology in college, Mrs. Murray gained hands-on experience by volunteering with a museum, where she was assigned to sort thousands of seashells. That moment proved significant in her decision to pivot toward education. She recalled discovering a teaching program through her district in South Florida, explaining, “With that, if you got a degree in teaching and you went back to the county, you were guaranteed a job. So I signed up for that… and that was the first time I

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Caption: Shannon Murray in her house.

Credit: Mrs. Murray

thought I would actually be pretty good at that.”

Her transition into teaching was also influenced by her husband, who was working at the University of Florida’s English Language Institute, where he taught international students. Mrs. Murray described

how his enthusiasm for teaching contributed to their joint decision.“He really liked it, and he would tell me all the stories of all these activities, and it sounded really fun,” she said.

“So we kind of were both like, maybe we should be teachers.”

of all these activities, and it sounded really fun,” she said. “So we kind of were both like, maybe we should be teachers.”

“My dream has always been to teach ancient world history. I’m just over the moon with getting to teach that, and I think the kids will feed off of that energy too.”

-Mrs. Murray She also highlights her time working with students at Gainesville High School during her internship, and her leadership as a swim coach and summer camp staff member at Oak Hall School in Gainesville.

Before joining Bolles, Mrs. Murray taught at Bartram Trail High School in St. Johns County, where she primarily taught geography and the culture was very supportive. “If I had any ideas, the administration always encouraged me to pursue them.”

While she appreciated her experiences at Bartram Trail, Mrs. Murray expressed her excitement about the additional resources available at Bolles.

“The difference is that Bolles is actually giving me the resources to do that, versus before I had to find the resources and get creative… I feel like I’m going to be a better teacher here,” she said.

Mrs. Murray teaches World History, a subject directly tied to her academic background. She minored in Classics during college, focusing on the study of ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt.

She describes teaching this course as a dream fulfilled.

“My dream has always been to teach ancient world history. I’m just over the moon with getting to teach that, and I think the kids will feed off of that energy too.”

Her enthusiasm for the subject is matched by her belief in creating an engaging, memorable classroom environment where

students are encouraged to explore their interests and connect with history on a deeper level.

In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Mrs. Murray also serves as the Student Activities Director. This role allows her to merge her organizational skills with her passion for student engagement. “I love welcoming people, and I like making people feel comfortable and at home and getting people excited about things.”

For Mrs. Murray, fostering school spirit is one of her main goals for any school she works at.

“I went to a school that had zero school spirit. I didn’t get that experience, so I love being able to give that experience to other people, because I really feel like I would have enjoyed high school a lot more if I had cared more about my school.”

She believes that involvement and participation are central to a meaningful high school journey.“You only get one high school experience, you’re not going to regret doing something— you’re going to regret not doing something.”

Outside of the classroom, Mrs. Murray’s personality is equally vibrant and diverse. She enjoys swimming, running, playing board games, acting, reading, baking, and traveling. She has completed a marathon and climbed Mount Whitney, the tallest mountain in the continental United States.

diverse opportunities, whether academic, extracurricular, or personal.

Ultimately, Mrs. Murray views education not only as a career but as a meaningful opportunity to guide students toward success while ensuring their high school years are enriching and memorable. She is motivated by the belief that students should be encouraged to grow in multiple dimensions, not just academics.

She talks about how her high school experience differs from high school now. “At my school, we weren’t encouraged to join sports or do extracurriculars; we were just told to get good grades, and that was it. I think you guys are in a really cool place.”

Mrs. Murray is committed to using her position to ensure students at Bolles feel supported, engaged, and inspired.

“I like to do everything. I will try literally anything.”

-Mrs. Murray She proudly shares these fun facts with her students to help them see her as approachable and relatable.

Her love for new experiences shapes her approach to life. “I like to do everything. I will try literally anything.” This openness to new challenges translates directly into her teaching style, where she encourages students to explore BOLLESBUGLEONLINE.COM

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Dr. Halloran retires after 33 years at Bolles Ellie Stewart Co-Editor-in-Chief

Dr. Halloran at her desk.

Credit: Ellie Stewart ‘26

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r. Kathryn Halloran plans to retire at the end of this school year after 33 years at Bolles. She serves as Honors and AP Biology teacher, AP Seminar teacher, prom sponsor, and Honor Council advisor.

Halloran first began teaching at a public school in New Jersey.

However, she didn’t always want to be a teacher. “I wanted to be a

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researcher, and then I discovered that teaching was a lot more fun,” Halloran said.

She mainly researched population biology, which she got her doctorate in. Halloran became a teacher’s assistant, where she discovered her love for teaching.

Now, Halloran is “certified to teach all levels of math, chemistry, and biology. I’ve taught all of those

things.”

When Halloran’s family moved to Jacksonville for her husband’s job, she looked for a school to enroll her children. She discovered Bolles and thought it would be a great community for not only her children, but also her. “I applied to work here. It was the only place I applied to.”

Halloran’s main goal as a teacher is to teach students to “question things, rely on evidence, and look beyond emotions to actually what’s actually there, and to end up with students who don’t just learn the subject, but learn how to think about things in general.”

Halloran also hopes to teach her students to be kind to one another.

Of all the classes Halloran teaches, biology is her favorite.

She enjoys teaching all grade levels in different ways. “Freshmen are fun because they believe everything you tell them. But the upper levels are more fun because they actually talk to you.”

“I’m a storyteller. I love to tell stories, and the more you can integrate a story into it, the easier it is to remember it.”

— Dr. Halloran Halloran’s students especially enjoy her teaching bits, including Malibu Barbie, the purple crayon, and the forklift. “I include them because sometimes biology can be a dry subject,” she said.“I’m a storyteller. I love to tell stories, and the more you can integrate a story into it, the easier it is to remember it as opposed to a string of facts.”

Many of Halloran’s students also value her teaching style and efficient curriculum. “Unless it serves a purpose, it isn’t worthwhile to do. Very often in education, we are pushed to give a certain amount of homework, whether it serves a benefit or not.

And the older I get, the less willing I am to listen to that.”

In addition to teaching Biology and AP Seminar, Halloran also advises the Honor Council. She took up the position just after she began teaching at Bolles when

the last advisor was looking for a partner. Wanting to be more involved with Honor Council, Halloran took up the role.

Halloran acts as Grand Jury for the Honor Council and meets with students to evaluate the evidence if they plead innocent. “We always meet with the advisor because we want the student to feel supported… and feel free to talk to us about what’s happening,” Halloran said.

When she first got involved, Honor Council gave a Saturday suspension to each person who violated the Honor Code. Wanting the Honor Council to teach the students instead of punishing them, Halloran worked with administration and students to modify the system. “We talked about how to minimize second offenses and to make it more of a learning experience because our purpose is to teach kids to follow the Honor Code, not to punish them.”

Now, if students are found guilty of violating the Honor Code, they are required to write an essay reflecting on the experience and what they learned. Also, if students go to Honor Court a second time, they have the option to plead innocent. Since starting this, Honor Council receives less second offenses. “We are doing a better job of training them overall.

And I think that’s helped a lot.”

While no advisor is lined up to take on Honor Council Advisor next year, Halloran looks for someone who is empathetic and strict when needed.

Halloran is also the sponsor of prom. She began as junior prom sponsor but soon assumed the role of sponsor for the entire event. “I figured this is my punishment, because I didn’t go to my senior prom,” she said. “I worked at the hospital in respiratory therapy.”

parents requested prom be moved earlier in the spring to spend more time with family after graduation, and one of Halloran’s first moves as prom sponsor was to move prom to a more convenient date.

“I’m really going to miss the kids and not knowing what the day is going to bring. When you’re a teacher, you never know.”

— Dr. Halloran Halloran’s favorite part of sponsoring prom is seeing the dresses students wear. “I love to see the dresses. It used to be when we sold tickets. I’m a nosy child, and I liked seeing who was going with whom. But now that they just sign up online, you don’t see that anymore.”

Next year, Halloran hopes to find someone who is willing to get involved with prom and listen to the students. “It’s their prom, not our prom.”

Halloran’s plans for next year include moving to Charleston, SC to be with her grandchildren. She has seven in total— 2 who live in Charleston. Her plans include “playing with my grandchildren all the time.”

Halloran will miss the students most when she leaves. “I’m really going to miss the kids and notknowing what the day is going to bring. When you’re a teacher, you never know. Even if you have it planned, you never know how it’s going to actually go… the children know when I get bored, they’re in trouble.”

When Halloran first came to Bolles, prom took place hours after graduation. Many students and BOLLESBUGLEONLINE.COM

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Remembering Mr. Gomez Jolee Abbey Social Media Editor

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unday, September 21st, marked a turning point for The Bolles School that will have a long-lasting impact on both the faculty and students.

Mr. Gomez will always be remembered for his constant smile, his love for his students, and his never-failing comic book references.

He first arrived at the school midyear, filling a newly opened spot in the math department. A trait about Mr. Gomez was that he “was always willing to do whatever it took for the team. He was put in several spots where we needed him to teach something, and he always said ‘Sure, I’ll teach that’ without hesitation,” said one of his colleagues, Mr. Lyons.

When he joined Bolles, Gomez immediately showed off his contagious smile everywhere he went. “He was always smiling, every day,” Lyons recalled. This made him an extremely desirable candidate for the position. “I liked him a lot and I hoped we were going to hire him because I really enjoyed the time that I got to spend with him during his interview,” said math teacher Mrs. Dostert.

Gomez was consistently trying to care for his students and challenge them academically at the same time. “He always had a lot of really good ideas on ways to challenge the students without making the class too hard,” said Dostert.

Mr. Gomez always believed in focusing on “thinking that the point of being a teacher is to make sure that you are not only giving good content to the children that they can use, but that you are instilling some morals into the students and

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Mr. Gomez enjoys a Jaguars football game.

Credit: Laura Dostert being more than just their class teacher,” said one of his close colleagues, Mr. Dostert.

Although he had differing interests and hobbies, Mr. Gomez was always very admirable to Mr. Lyons, and he shared that his favorite memory with him was, “We were at lunch one day with some other teachers talking about college football, and he said, ‘I don’t get why people in the South like that so much,” said Lyons.

Something about Mr. Gomez that he will be honored and remembered for by the teachers and friends he had during his time at Bolles, was that “he was very conscientious about what you put into your body…he always cared about eating healthy and scolded me for drinking soda, even with his poor health,” said Mrs. Dostert.

He had many moments and memories that he left with everyone whose path he crossed that they will always cherish. “We went tailgating with him and his wife at a Jaguars

game, that was a ton of fun…he brought this tiny little grill that took two hours to cook a steak, it made us all laugh,” Mrs. Dostert recalled.

His contagious smile, along with his ability to make anyone laugh and brighten up a room, will leave Mr. Gomez a memorable legacy on all of his peers at Bolles for a long time to come. “He will be remembered for that smile and just the happiness,” said Lyons.

“I think he is going to be remembered for being a really good person, a really good man, and a really good father,” said Mrs. Dostert.

Along with his legacy, Mr. Gomez left everyone at Bolles with a lesson.

“Even when life is hard and you are going through things that you can not push through easily, and life has thrown you the biggest curveball, you can still do your job and do it well,” said Mrs. Dostert.

He did it all, and all while keeping a smile on his face, and the strength and willingness it takes to fight the unimaginable.

Sports

Bolles Swimmers make a splash at Junior Worlds Rollins Powell Staff Writer

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his August, Bolles sent eight athletes to the Junior World Swimming Championships in Romania. There were over 100 nations present and roughly 600 swimmers. Current Bolles students and Bolles Graduates competed in this meet.

• • • • • • •

Liam Carrington ’26 represented Trinidad and Tobago Lucas Young ’26 represented Uruguay Leah Chin ’27 and Chrissy Shirley ’26 represented Jamaica Lucero Mejia ’26 represented Guatemala Fayth Jeffery ’27 represented Saint Lucia Riley Miller ’26 represented the U.S. Virgin Island Tristan Dorville ’25 competed for Saint Lucia

• These athletes qualified by being one of the top two fastest swimmers in their country in an event, while also going faster than the meet’s time standards. They started training with this meet in focus over a year ago.

“I am proud of the way I handled adversity. The biggest teaching moments in life come from when you don’t get your way.”

— Tristan Dorville ‘25 The swimmers went to meets across the country to practice swimming at such a high level.

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Some of the meets didn’t go so well, but Coach Jake Gibbons ’15 said,“a lot of progression happened through the winter and spring leading up to the meet.”.

They split off from the rest of the team towards the end of the summer and then continued practicing until the school year started. They departed for Romania on August 13.

Bolles athletes and Coach Peter Verhoef at the pool.

Credit: Peter Verhoef

These athletes were competing at the biggest stage of the sport, and Gibbons said the more exposure they get and more meets they go to on this level the more prepared they will be.

The athletes needed to lean on their training and believe in their abilities if they wanted to perform well.

Many of the swimmers treated the meet as a learning experience,tying just as hard to learn as they were to perform and place. Gibbons said that they didn’t take any races for granted and cherished the moment. They weren’t just looking for best times or making finals, but to just realize what an awesome opportunity this meet was for them.

Tristan Dorville ’25 summed up his experience as an athlete at Junior

Worlds., “I am proud of the way I handled adversity. The biggest teaching moments in life come from when you don’t get your way.

Bolles is known around the country as a prestigious swim program, with alumni including over 50 Olympians and even world record holders. Gibbons said that even though Bolles has a tradition of sending swimmers to the highest level of competitions, the tradition doesn’t just carry over. “Actually sending another generation of swimmers to that meet and then having them come back to the high school season brings a unique perspective to our team.”

The Bolles swim team head coach Peter Verhoef had the ultimate honor of representing the United States as Team USA’s head coach.

Gibbons believes that the culture Peter has built at Bolles is the main reason he was selected for this role, and our swimmers representing multiple nations reflects that culture.

The Bolles athletes saw multiple top 20 finishes, including Carrington in the 50 and 100 meter backstroke and Lucas Young in the 200 meter breaststroke. Young also set a National Record in his 200 I.M. with a time of 2:07.49. In addition, Mejia, Chin, and Shirley were all in relays that placed in the top 20 as well.

Bolles’ top swimmer at this meet was Liam Carrington, who made finals in the 100 backstroke and missed by one place in the 50 backstroke.

As the athletes return to campus, their experiences will continue to inspire both their teammates and the entire school community.

Girls’ crew scores 10th in the nation Vedika Shenoy Staff Writer

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his summer, the girls crew team went to Nationals and earned 2nd place in the B Final, 10th overall in the whole country.

June 12- June 15, in Sarasota, Florida. The weather was hot and unpredictable, with lots of thunderstorms, causing a “lot of our races and practices got cancelled and moved,” said Bassin. Despite this obstacle, the team manages to stay focused

The girls’ team, consisting of Chi Vo ‘27, Broward Kavanaugh ‘28, Sophia Zhang ‘28, Presley Swain ‘27, and Olivia Bassin ‘27, initially won 2nd place in regionals, securing them a spot for nationals. After that win, their coaches decided to turn up the heat in order to make sure they raced well in nationals.

In a crew team you have the rowers and you have the coxswain.

The coxswain calls the turns and tells the girls what to do in the heat of the race. In the nationals team, Vo served as the coxswain.

The girls said they had around two to three hours of extra rowing once or twice a week. It was around a “month of training

“Lot of our races and practices got cancelled and moved.”

-Olivia Bassin ‘27 after regionals,” said their coach, Connie Kirsch. “The girls did a really good job keeping themselves focused.”

Kirsch relied heavily on her assistant coach, Coach Kayleigh Thomas. “She did a wonderful job preparing the athletes for regionals and was an excellent coxswain coach,” Kirsch said.

Nationals took place from

them 10th in the country. The girls worked hard to score this high, which also happens to be the “best result for any Bolles crew in the boathouse,” said Kirsch.

“Turning the corner and seeing all of your friends and family and coaches looking and cheering is really rewarding.”

— Sophia Zhang ‘28

The team in front of sign.

Credit: Coach Connie Kiersch and not lose sight of their goal.

Additionally, it offered them free time to get to know each other and their coaches better. They would hang out in each other’s rooms and play games such as Banagrams and Uno. Eventually, the girls had to participate in what is known as the time trials. In the time trials, each boat must complete the course as fast as they can. Their personal times will be compared to other boats’ personal times and depending on how well they did, they will be allotted a place in Final A, Final B, Final C, or Final D. The Bolles girls team got 12th overall, placing them in Final B. For the girls, this was a pivotal moment in their journey. “This was a huge realization that we can do this,” said Bassin.

Then, the girls raced one more time, coming in 2nd place, naming

The team seeks to keep the momentum going this year of crew, hoping to return to nationals with more boats. The girls all have personal goals as well, “to become closer to the freshmen and new people that joined,” said Vo. Along with their impressive accomplishment, this was a touching experience for the girls.

“Turning the corner,” Zhang said, “and seeing all of your friends and family and coaches looking and cheering is really rewarding.”

The girls getting ready to race.

Credit: Coach Connie Kiersch

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Building Champions: Cedric Scott joins athletic team Wes Coughlin Sports Editor

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n integral part of the athletic development for most student-athletes in various sports is strength training and conditioning. This takes many consistent days of time and training to see noticeable results, and with the help of our new strength and conditioning coach, Cedric Scott, athletes will be more prepared for their sports than ever before.

Cedric Scott was hired as the new strength and conditioning coach last summer and brings energy and many years of experience to the Bolles staff. Scott grew up in Gulfport, Mississippi, and played football, baseball, and track in high school. He earned a scholarship to play football at the University of Southern Mississippi and then went on to play professionally for the New York Giants, Cleveland Browns, Scottish Claymores and Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League.

With an undergraduate degree in Exercise Physiology, Scott returned to Southern Mississippi to finish his master’s in sports management after his athletic career was over.

This is also the same place that he began his career in strength and conditioning.

“I’ve always liked the human body and biomechanics (human movement), and when I went to college, I saw how the strength and conditioning coach energized and instructed the players,” Scott said. “He spent more time with

drawbacks to working with the NFL, specifically in strength and conditioning. “You do not get to see if what you programmed actually work because sometimes you don’t get to spend a whole lot of time with a player,” Scott said.

“It’s a tough business. Guys get cut, and their dreams of playing NFL, of playing at a professional level are over. You can’t help them.

There is nothing you can do.”

Scott Overlooking Jaguar practice.

Credit: Cedric Scott the players than any of the other coaches, so I was like, that’s something I could see myself doing.”

In 2009, Scott started working for Southern Mississippi as a strength and conditioning coach until 2012.

Then, he briefly worked at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. More recently, he was hired by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2012 and was there for 13 years.

This brings us to today, as he is now a member of the Bolles athletic staff.

Family photo post-win vs Trinity Christian.

Credit: Cedric Scott

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Having a job in the NFL is a dream that thousands of people have but are not able to make it a reality.

Although this is the dream job for many, there are still several

Scott enjoys fishing with his kids.

Credit: Cedric Scott Nonetheless, there are many pros to working with the NFL. “One of my favorite parts is working with the most elite athletes in the world,” he said, “Just finding what a player needs, helping develop that, and then seeing them be successful at their craft.”

He finds that working with these amazing athletes on their small weaknesses is his favorite part as a strength and conditioning coach.

Along with much expierence, Scott hopes to bring much more to the Bolles athletic staff. “I want to just try to give athletes a little insight on what can be achieved, give a little insight on the expectations of student athletes, and a little insight on how to get to the next level,” Scott said.

Coach Scott brings experience to he Bolles athletic staff and will be a very important part of the bright future Bolles athletics.

In the short time Coach Scott hasbeen at Bolles, he has already proven to be a very valuable addition to the athletic staff. He has already worked with many of our Bolles athletes. Scott brings more than just experience; he brings a new style and attitude to the Bolles strength and conditioning program. Bolles athletics will be on the rise over the next few years, and Coach Scott will be an important part.

Scott Coaching Live Reps.

Credit: Cedric Scott

Performance coaches need to bring the energy every day so tht athletes can get as much out of their workouts as possible, even when athletes may not have the energy. “And sometimes it’s tough, but when you remember why you do this job, why you love seeing athletes reach their performance goals, that’s just the energy in itself,” Scott said.

“A lot of strength coaches feed off their athletes. And sometimes it’s tough, but when you remember why you do this job...that’s the energy in itself.”

-Cedric Scott

Scott locking in for Jaguar practice.

Credit: Cedric Scott

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New girls’ flag football team kicks off Vedika Shenoy Staff Writer

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n June 16, 2025, Bolles added three more sports to their roster, including girls flag football.

his daughters’ interest did. “Once I started coaching and hanging around, I saw the empowerment, the competitiveness, and confidence of all female athletes,” he said. In his free time, he helps Smolko with PRIME GP. Tucker is excited to start as the defensive

Flag football has been gaining popularity for a while now. It is a non-contact form of football, one of America’s most prestigious sports. Many people would argue that it is a much safer alternative to football because, instead of tackling the opponents, an athlete simply has to remove the flag belt from around their opponent’s waist.

“Once I started coaching and hanging around, I saw the empowerment, the competitivness, and confidence of all female athletes.”

— Coach Tucker Coach Tucker played for the University of Cincinnati, but his interest in this sport started when

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The coaches are very ecstatic about this project. They can’t wait to see how much they can achieve. “I want to win the whole thing,” Wheat said, already prepared for the season to begin.

The other coaches agree with this sentiment, promising to try their hardest and possibly win states.

“There’s nothing more empowering than seeing a team bond and start playing for each other rather than individual athletes.”

This year’s flag football season takes place in the spring and will have three coaches: Coach Isaac Smolko, Coach Chad Tucker, and Coach Alex Wheat Jr. Head Coach Smolko has been in the football business for a while. He attended Penn State, where he played in college, then proceeded to play in the NFL for four years. He played for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts, and the Baltimore Ravens.

Outside of the team, Smolko runs a successful club team known as PRIME GP.

able to see so far from the girls at the Bolles school is phenomenal,” Smolko said. The coaches all rem ark how the athletes at Bolles are exceptional and cannot wait to start the season with them. “It’s a really amazing team,” said Tucker.

Isaac Smolkov practicing with the Ravens.

Credit: Wikimedia Commons coordinator for the girls flag football in the spring.

Coach Wheat played for Utah State and Coastal Carolina University. In 2017, Wheat helped with many sports sleepaway camps, which is where he first took an interest in flag football.

Additionally, a couple of his friends and teammates played for Team USA flag football, helping foster his interest. Occasionally, Wheat, just like Tucker, helps coach PRIME GP. Wheat will be the offensive coordinator for the girls team.

The coaches are all expecting a very competitive season. A few girls have been training with the coaches for about a month already, and “what we’ve been

— Coach Tucker They’re also excited to watch the girls bond and build a community with each other. “There’s nothing more empowering than seeing a team bond and start playing for each other rather than individual athletes,” Tucker said. As a father of two girls who are playing flag football, Tucker understands the importance of the kind of community the girls will be able to build.

The coaches encourage everyone to try out. “We don’t care how good or bad you think you are,” Wheat said. They hope to have more people at tryouts during spring and would love to see a growing interest in this sport. The coaches are exhilarated to see how far their team will go and the community they will make.

Bolles breaks ground on new baseball stadium Ishaan Bansal Staff Writer

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he new stadium is a marvelous feat of engineering and a huge advancement for the Bolles community because of the new advancements made.

“Bolles has a tradition of excellence, and it is proof that there is not only excellence on the team but excellence in all of our facilities,” said Coach Boswell, the Dean of Students and the head baseball coach.

The baseball stadium needed a renovation because it was not fit for everyone and there have not been many improvements, as other facilities are becoming more advanced.

“So we are trying to stay up with the times, and this has been a process of about 10 years that we’ve been working on, trying to build our own facility. I’ve been here 25 years and we haven’t done much upgrading to it,” said Boswell.

The process of trying to get a renovation has taken about 10 years and the construction process should end soon.

“Bolles has a tradition of excellence, and it is proof that there is not only excellence on the team but excellence in all of our facilities.”

—Coach Boswell Boswell explained that raising the money to build the stadium started around 3 or 4 years ago. December of 2024 is when

The baseball stadium is under construction.

Credit: Ishaan Bansal ‘29 the construction started and the stadium should be ready for use at Thanksgiving.

Bolles Athletic Director Rock Pillsbury, also added on to this statement that the opening day of the stadium is February 13.

The baseball stadium is named after Chipper Jones ‘90, who graduated from Bolles and spent 19 years playing for the Atlanta Braves. The stadium cost 3.7 million dollars and has many major upgrades from the previous one with new facilities and an increased seating capacity.

There will be a new meeting room for coaches to meet with players, a new locker room with showers, and two new media towers to hold the press box. There will be new dugouts and new field houses for the varsity and junior varsity teams.

The stadium will be able to hold 300 people and is by far the best in North Florida, according to Boswell.

The new baseball stadium is bigger

and better looking than before, and Boswell hopes that more students will come to attend Bolles and join the baseball team.

“I like everything, I’m so happy for our players to be on a great field, have their own clubhouse, and really take ownership of it. It’s just going to be absolutely beautiful for them, it’s the first thing you see when you come onto Bolles campus. I think everybody is going to look at it and be Wow, that’s just absolutely beautiful,” said Boswell.

“We leveled it, we added irrigation, and we added new drainage, so the baseball field has really been improved,” said Coach Pillsbury.

There are other projects are coming for Bolles Athletics, including improvements to the softball field, the Uible Pool, the Hunt Family Soccer Complex, and adding simulators for the golf team.

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Coach Peter Verhoef coaches Team USA in Romania Ellie Stewart Co-Editor-in-Chief

Coach Peter with Bolles swimmers at Junior Worlds.

Credit: Peter Verhoef

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his year, Team USA chose Bolles’ head swim coach Peter Verhoef to coach the men’s team at the World Junior Swimming Championships in Romania from August 14-25.

Head of School Tyler Hodges comments on the significance of Verhoef’s nomination. “Coach Verhoef continues to elevate the Bolles Swimming and Diving program and provide limitless opportunities for our studentathletes to succeed at all levels.

His selection as the head coach for the United States men at the Junior World Championships just affirms what we already know – he is one of the best swim coaches in the world and is seen as a leader in the US swimming community.”

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Dillon Brigman, one of the men’s team captains, also acknowledges Verhoef’s impact on Bolles and his valuing of a tradition of excellence. “Coach Peter being selected symbolizes Bolles’ outward reach into the nation.”

Team USA selected Coach Peter in the spring of 2025, primarily looking for a coach who could lead a strong team culture moving into the 2028 Olympic cycle. “The goal was having somebody really work on bringing the kids together and creating a sense of team going to the meet,” Verhoef said.

“And they felt like I could help them do that.”

The team arrived at the pool four days before the start of the meet.

Verhoef focused on helping the team “adjust to the time zone, the

pool, and getting prepped for the nine-day-long meet.”

Part of the challenge of attending a meet as long as Junior Worlds is staying mentally prepared throughout the duration of the competition. “Some people, it really affected them,” Verhoef said. “I think it’s a learning experience. At this point, our job is to help them identify how they get better, what they can do, and help them through that.”

He also had the opportunity to talk with other Bolles swimmers competing for other countries.

While he was not able to directly coach his swimmers, Verhoef still checked in with them throughout the meet. “I thought they did a really good job representing Bolles and representing their

country,” Verhoef said. “They seemed like they were connected and taking in the experience.”

Verhoef finds that coaching a national team is similar to coaching at Bolles, but on a larger scale. At Bolles, “we get ready for a big meet in terms of showing up to the pool, sharpening our skills, and making sure we’re dialing into our pace,” Verhoef said. Additionally, the coaches at Bolles emphasize the importance of “meetings with the team about being able to race faster, finding things to celebrate, and carrying that energy into the next day.”

Verhoef’s main cultural goal was to encourage the athletes to feel comfortable and excited to race.

“When you get to a meet like that, everybody wants to be there.

They’re excited about racing. So it’s not so much getting people to buy into it, but getting people to create an environment where they don’t feel so much pressure that they can’t perform.”

Verhoef believes the best thing an athlete can do in that type of environment is to trust themselves.

“It’s a very different energy from showing up at a club or high school meet where you’re one of the team… You feel the pressure of being part of the team, and you have to be ready to mentally step up.”

His selection as the head coach for the United States men at the Junior World Championships just affirms what we already know – he is one of the best swim coaches in the world and is seen as a leader in the US swimming community.”

— Mr. Hodges

The swimmers and coaches of Team USA. Credit: Peter Verhoef To take the pressure off the swimmers, “We actually talked to the staff about not discussing the medal count,” Verhoef said.

“Which we did end up winning, but we really wanted them to just focus on swimming as fast as they could.”

Having swum twice at both Olympic Trials and the World University Games, Verhoef understands the value of mental preparation. “Any time you get to that level, pretty much everybody there is physically and technically prepared,” he said. “It really comes down to a mental game.”

Swim team captain Louis Joos ‘26 comments on Verhoef’s experience as a swimmer and how it impacts him as a coach.

“He understands the sacrifice that comes with competing at the highest level of our sport,” Joos said. “With his experience, he has been able to elevate our tradition of excellence here at Bolles swimming and within USA Swimming as a whole.”

One area where Verhoef worked with the athletes on improving their preparation was in the call room. “Part of our preparation for the team is winning the call room— being able to stand in there and mentally be able to stay relaxed and focused on yourself.”

be successful.”

Additionally, Verhoef hopes to help his athletes focus on winning the race as opposed to following their pace. “Sometimes you don’t get to race your race strategy.

You need to try to beat the person next to you,” he said. “You’ve got to be willing to take that risk instead of just doing what you’re used to.”

Verhoef’s favorite memory of the meet was seeing the men’s and women’s teams work together. They watched many USA swimmers win medals, and also cheered on the girls’ 400 freestyle relay as they broke the world junior record.

Overall, Team USA won the competition with a total of 22 medals, including 10 gold, 6 silver, and 6 bronze, according to World Aquatics.

Verhoef looks forward to hopefully coaching at that level again.

“We’d love to continue figuring out how to make Team USA better and coach through those weeks a little bit better. That would be awesome.”

The coaches of Team USA. Credit: Peter Verhoef

Something Verhoef hopes to bring back to Bolles is technical work.

He highlights the importance of racing skills, including starts, turns, and finishes. “You can get to that meet without them, but you can’t BOLLESBUGLEONLINE.COM

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The history of Bolles crew The rowing program’s historical background Akin Akande Co- Sports Editor

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ew schools in Jacksonville carry as wide a reputation as Bolles, from their challenging academics to their competitive sports teams. One sport that doesn’t get as much attention is crew. Rowing is actually a strong program at Bolles. It takes advantage of something a lot of other schools don’t have, which is the St. Johns River right behind campus. Bolles’ crew dates back to 1933, which is when the school was founded. The cadets would participate in naval programs, and rowing was one of them.

This is because Bolles used to be a military academy, before it became the school we know today. The founders, Roger and Agnus Cain, used the former San Jose Hotel property to set up a small boathouse for $1,500 to store cutters and rowboats. In the 1940s, the fleet expanded. Colonel Painter, who was the founder of Bolles, acquired a 45-foot training cruiser called the Manana. It served as a flagship for Bolles’ fleet. These naval activities lasted until around the year 1962, when Bolles stopped being a military

The modern Boat House.

Credit: The Bolles school academy and became a college prep school. After this transition, the crew program slowed down.

The following school year. Richard

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Zahne joined the faculty. He previously taught at a northern school with an active rowing program. According to Bolles alumnus John Carswell ’63, Zahner found an old eight-man canvashull shell in a shed on campus and began recruiting students to row in a non-organized program.

The canvas shell was used more as a recruiting tool than as a useful boat. Zahner managed to

Historical Crew shell with rowers.

Credit: The Bolles School

acquire two wooden eight-man shells. That spring, the Bolles crew members participated in two competitions, one against Jacksonville University and

Historical shells and Boat House.

Credit: The Bolles School the other against JU and the Princeton JV. During this time, rowing wasn’t as widespread, so Bolles was able to compete against colleges and universities.

Historical Boat House.

Credit: The Bolles school Unfortunately, that year, there was a fire that burned down the boathouse and shells. Because of this, the Bolles rowing program went dormant for almost three decades. Bolles’ crew didn’t make a comeback until the spring of 1994. Bill Borg, 70, the senior vice president of student and support services, called a meeting on the edges of the St. Johns River. He proposed bringing back the crew program. Eventually, his plan succeeded, and Bolles’ crew made a return. Mark Frampton became the new head coach. In the fall of 1994, 38 students joined the crew program, and it started to grow over the years. Today, Bolles’ crew has a history of success on the water. As of this year, Bolles has 16 Boys state championships and 8 girls state championships.

They have also had success in sending students to college for rowing. Since 1996, Bolles has sent about 93 students to row at the collegiate level. Overall, the crew has become a part of Bolles’ successful culture. With access to the St.Johns River, historically dedicated coaches, and a record of competitive victories, the Bolles crew continues to thrive.

Winter sports take full swing Spotlight on wrestling, girls weightlifting, soccer, and basketball Wes Coughlin Sports Editor

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s the fall sports season is wrapping up, winter sports are here! Many teams are going to or have already kicked off their seasons this winter, including girls’ weightlifting, basketball, soccer, and wrestling. These students have been preparing extensively this offseason and are looking forward to translating their work, whether that be on the court, field, or in the weight room.

excited to have the opportunity to get stronger and learn from the coaches,” she said. There are also some returning members, including Elle Friebel ‘28. All these girls, returning and new, are looking forward to a successful season.

The soccer teams, both JV and varsity, are set to begin this winter as well. The team is led by Head Varsity Coach Jim Lieb, who has been at Bolles since 1997. The soccer

The wrestling team will kick off its season in early December with the Optimist Invitational at Sandalwood.

The wrestling team is led by Head Coach David Trigg, who was hired in September 2024. They practice 4 days a week for about 2 hours.

Brett Bearden ‘28 is returning to the team for his sophomore year after securing a spot on the podium in the class of 1A State Championships last year. “I want to go undefeated this year and become the state champion,” Bearden said.

Lucas Comora ‘28 is another returning member, after being among the top 4 in districts last year. Comora ‘28 is also looking to make a statement start this year. He is also looking to go far in the postseason, but he shared something unique. “I am looking forward to hosting the district duals at Bolles,” Comora said. The wrestling squad has been putting in hard work and is ready to take home a state championship this year.

The next sport kicking off in the winter is girls’ weightlifting. This new program started in 2023. The team is led by head coach Tyler Jump. After placing runner-up at the district championship in 2024, they are looking to do even better this year. Abby Naugle ‘28 plans to join this year as one of the new members on the team. “I’m very

Justin Kang ‘27 jogs on the field.

Credit: Dawson Brydges teams have been practicing three days a week since the start of the school year and are now ready to show their work on the field.

The varsity team is led by senior centerback Graham Stiegler ‘26 and senior goalkeeper Hudson Drum ‘26. They will start their season at the Keystone Jamboree in Keystone Heights and set the tone for their season The JV and varsity girls soccer teams will have their first matchup against Oakleaf High School on November 3. The head coach for girls’ soccer is Matt Lacy, and he has been the varsity head coach since 2005. These teams’ rosters have also been solidified, and they have

begun in-season practice. Before this season began, the girls worked their craft for many hours. The offseason workout program consists of lots of running, touches on the ball, and sometimes weights. These coaches also count on the players to work on their own, whether that be through skill training, club soccer, etc. The team is led by seniors Bubbie Brown ‘26 and Mia Lieb ‘26, who have been on the team for all four years of their high school careers. This great community of players is ready to go far in the playoffs this year And last but certainly not least, our basketball teams. The boys’ basketball teams, both JV and Varsity, will start their season with a matchup against Wolfson on November 21. The varsity team is led by head coach DeAndre Walker, and the JV team is led by coach Adrian Wilkinson. The offseason workout program has varied throughout the year, but one thing is for certain: these guys have been putting in work. Whether it be through conditioning, skill work, or scrimmaging. This team has many senior leaders, including John Williams ‘26, Jesse Williams ‘26, Landon Wagner ‘26, and others.

The girls’ basketball team is coming off a memorable year after making it all the way to the state championship last year. The teams are led by head varsity coach Kelly Stevenson and head JV coach Sean O’Neill. After the way last season went for them, this team is making a huge case for why they are a top favorite in the area to win a state title. JV and varsity both start their season with a matchup against Orange Park on November 17.

The Bolles community can’t wait to see these teams kick off their seasons. If you have the chance, please come out and support these teams. Go Bulldogs!

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Bolles vs Bishop Kenny The Bulldogs defeat the Crusaders Akin Akande Co- Sports Editor

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olles has played Bishop Kenny since 1977, when the Bulldogs beat Kenny 36-0. At

Bolles was historically known as the dominant team. Bolles always came out with the victory. The rivalry was not created because of the clash in skill level between these two teams over the years, but rather because of how

History tends to repeat itself. On Friday, September 12, 2025, the Bolles Bulldogs played Kenny away at their field. Just like the first time Bolles played BK in 1977, the Bulldogs beat them 36-0.

The Bulldogs charge the field.

Credit: Jaxsin Visuals

this time, it was just another win for Bolles, but the rivalry became

Christian Hayes with the football.

Credit: Jaxsn Visuals real on October 8, 2022, when Bishop Kenny won against the Bulldogs at their own home field.

Ever since that game, the rivalry between Bolles and Bishop Kenny has been intense.

Before they faced off in 2022,

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The excitement spilled onto the campus as well, even though it was an away game that night. The day of the game was spirit day on campus. Students were allowed to wear Bolles t-shirts and apparel instead of the normal dress code.

This added to the hype leading up to the game later that night.

When Friday night arrived, the energy at Bishop Kenny was described by some as “electric.”

The Bolles student section was excited as the team ran out. It was a whiteout-themed game for Bolles, so the crowd was filled with students in white clothing. Every big play was met with immense cheer. When the final whistle blew, the Bulldogs stood victorious.

To them, it was a victory and redemption.

shocking the win for the Crusaders was in 2022.

Heading up to the match-up this year, the build-up to the Bolles vs Bishop Kenny game was intense. The week of practice leading up to the game was also intense. The Bulldogs had been training hard Monday through Thursday for the opportunity to defeat Bishop Kenny on their home field on a Friday night.

The last time Bolles varsity had played at Bishop Kenny’s field, they had a heartbreaking loss in 2022. Neither the players nor the coaches wanted to feel that pain again. Throughout the week, the Bulldogs practiced with passion.

Senior leaders and coaches were motivating the team throughout the week, so when the time came, the Bulldogs would defeat the Crusaders.

Naeem Burroughs ‘25 pledges to the flag.

Credit: Jaxsn Visuals

Bulldogs on a Heater Jimmy Hunt Staff Writer

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he Bolles volleyball team has high hopes for this season.

They are currently 9–6, which isn’t too disappointing considering the tough competition they faced early in the year. The Bulledogs have only given up four sets in their last six games. They are on a six-game winning streak and starting to find their rhythm as a team.The team is led by seniors Lily Adams ‘26 and Terrel McCoy ‘26. This is Adams’s third year on varsity, which gives her tons of experience. This is McCoy’s first year on the team, but her six feet four inches of height gives her an advantage that most players don’t have. Even though this is McCoy’s first season playing, she is already doing great, having only three attack errors throughout the whole season.

that directly score points, leading the team by far.

When junior Mercy Johnson ‘27 was asked about the key to her team’s recent success, she responded, “We have been very consistent with our hitting, and our communication has been swell,” said Mercy Johnson ‘27.

Communication is important in

Mallie Brackin serving.

Credit: Dawson Brydges every sport, but it’s especially significant in volleyball. When the other team hurls a ball over the net in your direction, you’d better hope the whole team is on the same page. These key factors in their success have helped them maintain their current six-game win streak.

Izzy Fisher ‘27 ready to receive opposing serve.

Credit: Dawson Brydges

The Bulldogs’ star player is Sophia Albaugh ‘27, who is committed to Boston College. Albaugh already has 132 kills which means spikes

Pregame rituals are important for many teams to stay consistent and perform well. Sophomore Mallie Brackin was asked if they have any pre-game rituals or things they do before games to get dialed in. She said, “Yes, there are a couple of things. “Before every game, when the other team is warming up, we play Win Whammy in the locker room and get food as a team after school,.” said Mallie Brackin ‘28. Win Whammy is a song the team always plays together before taking the court—it gets everyone energized and in sync. Brackin also mentioned that the one time they didn’t play Win Whammy, they

lost—so they better keep playing to avoid breaking their win streak.

These pre-game rituals might not only help them keep winning but also help them achieve their goal.

When Sophia Albaugh ‘26, Mercy Johnson ‘27, Mallie Brackin 28’, and Mary Cronk ‘27 were asked about their end goal for the season, they all yelled at the same time, “To win a state championship!”

The ultimate goal for the team is a state championship. If they complete their goal, it would be extraordinary, considering it would be their second championship ever, with the first one dating back toin 1989. Their goal is possible if they continue to play as they have been—and as long as they keep playing Win Whammy.

Another big boost that may have helped the team this season is the support at their home games. For every home game, the Boisterous Bulldogs Instagram account posts a new theme for all the students to wear to the games, with examples like Blue Out and Pajama Night.

This tradition builds school spirit and makes more students want to come and cheer. The big crowds give the team energy and confidence. With more of an audience, the Bulldogs haven’t folded under pressure—they’ve excelled under it. The players mentioned loving the bigger audience than they’re used to and said that even though there’s a lot of cheering and yelling from the stands, it doesn’t affect their focus.

The reward of hearing the cheers when they earn a point outweighs any extra pressure.

The Bulldogs have a bright season ahead of them. With their strong teamwork, growing confidence, and the support of the Bolles community, they are determined to keep their hot streak alive and chase a state championship title for the first time since 1989.

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Jags’ future is bright this year Hudson Powell Coffeehouse Editor

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eing a Jaguars fan for years, I’ve seen how far an NFL team can fall. From going 1-15 in 2020 to going to the AFC Championship game in 2018. The Jags have been great and they have been terrible.

This year, the Jags are looking the best they have in five years, and they had a great offseason

hiring a high risk high reward scenario, but I believe it will pan out because of the way he turned around Baker Mayfield’s career. He will likely have the same impact on Lawrence, who could use a positive turnaround to his career after missing several games due to injury.

In the front office, the Jags hired a new GM, the former head of scouting for the Rams, James Gladstone. This will serve as a change of scenery for the Jags as many were

Trevor Lawrence runs onto the field.

Credit: Christian Schultz/News4Jax

the ball is one in a million. No one else in the pros plays two ways. He is a wide receiver and defensive back, addressing needs at both positions for Jacksonville. Other notable picks include defensive back Travis Hunter jukes out a defender.

Credit: Christian Schultz/News4Jax

to help them get there.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are headed to the next season hoping to make a playoff appearance. They were busy this offseason, with several signings and trades that aimed to get their roster in top shape.

There was also a complete gutting of the coaching staff, with the Jags hiring new head coach Liam Coen.

The biggest change the Jags made was the decision to hire Liam Coen as head coach.

Coen has never been a head coach before, making his

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Travis Hunter dodges a defender.

Credit: Christian Schultz/News4Jax

unhappy with the Jaguars previous GM. In April, the Jaguars had big plans for the NFL draft, and it showed. They desperately needed depth at receiver and defensive back, so, in the first round of the draft, the Jaguars traded up with the Cleveland Browns to acquire the second pick. With that pick, they selected Travis Hunter, a player that plays both offense and defense out of Colorado.

His ability to play both sides of

Travis Hunter bring his energy.

Credit: Christian Schultz/News4Jax

Caleb Ransaw out of Tulane with the 88th pick, OT Wyatt Mulim with the 89th pick out of West Virginia, and RB Bhayshul Tuten with the 104th pick out of Virginia Tech.

Hunter was the best pick of the Jags draft, but he came at too much of a cost. The Jags traded their first round pick in next year’s draft. This could be too high of a cost and will certainly be a huge mistake if Hunter’s two-way talent doesn’t transition to the NFL. When free agency hit, the Jaguars made some moves to boost their roster. Notably, the Jags signed offensive tackle Robert Hainsley, who will serve (as a captain) as the team’s starting center this season.

The Jags further boosted their offensive line with the signing of Patrick Mekari, a 27 year old lineman who was most recently with the Baltimore Ravens.

explosiveness.

The receivers should also be heavily competing as there are many wide receivers with a shot at the number 2 spot behind Brian Thomas Jr. Dyami Brown, Tim Patrick, and Travis Hunter will each have to shine in order to earn the spot. In my opinion, Hunter will be the best because of his ability to adapt to both sides of the ball and because of the dominance he showed in college.

Trevor Lawrence throws a pass.

Credit: Christian Schultz/News4Jax

for the Commanders which is why the Jags decided to bring him on as an exciting addition.

The Jags really brightened their roster, and it shows a positive outlook heading into the next season. The Jags have a shot at the playoffs, and they should be exciting to watch this year.

As far as trades, the Jaguars made a few moves. They recently traded for former Lions receiver Tim Patrick who is looking to get an increased role on the Jags. I hope he will flash in a new system where he can be another option at receiver.

Trevor Lawrence takes a snap.

Credit: Christian Schultz/News4Jax

At quarterback, the Jags signed QB Nick Mullens, playing backup to Trevor Lawrence. Mullens showed flashes when playing at Minnesota and is a solid backup option for the Jags.

As a final major signing, the Jags beefed their receiver core with Dyami Brown. He really flashed in the playoffs

This year, there has been some debate over what the depth chart will look like at certain positions on the roster.

At running back specifically, the Jaguars have three players who could potentially take the job. Tank Bigsby, Travis Etienne Jr., and Bhaysul Tuten. I believe the Jaguars should trade Etienne, who has been inconsistent with injuries throughout his career, and lean on Tank Bigsby, who had a great year. They should also give Tuten opportunities as he was excellent in college and has high potential, given his 4.32 second 40 yard dash and 40.5 inch vertical showing he has considerable speed and

Travis Hunter locks up a defender.

Credit: Christian Schultz/News4Jax

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Breaking down the Jaguars’ roller-coaster start Jack Laufer Head Sports Editor

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n October 6, I think I hit a new high in my life while walking out of Everbank Stadium shortly after the Jaguars stunned the Chiefs on Monday Night football by a score of 31-28.

I hugged strangers in Jaguars jerseys, googled how much Super Bowl tickets cost, and shouted “DUUUUVALLLLL” until I practically lost my voice.

On October 19, I thought I hit a new low in my life after I woke up to an ESPN notification alerting me that the Los Angeles Rams just scored their third straight touchdown on the Jaguars to go up 21-0.

I have watched almost every snap of Jaguar football this year. There have been many moments where I was proud to be a Jaguar fan, but also some moments that made me want to donate all my merch to my local Goodwill.

Entering this season, the Jaguars had some question marks around them due to many reasons—one of which being the new coaching staff. In shocking fashion, everyone the Jags hired were young and inexperienced with their new job titles. On top of inexperience, they are all very young. Right now, the hot trend in football is to hire a young staff.

Look at some of the best teams in the NFL right now: Eagles, Rams, Colts, Bills, and Packers. The common theme among them is that they all have young coaches.

I’m not saying that an old coach is a bad thing, but their time is almost up. Heck, we’ve even seen Grandpa Reid in Kansas City start to digress in his old age.

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When the news broke that Liam Coen signed an extension with the Buccaneers, I was devastated.

Ever since the Jaguars fired Doug Pederson, Coen was by far my favorite to take the head coach job. The whole event revolving around his hiring here in Jacksonville was so bizarre, and I’m so thankful he got hired.

So far, I think he has been a good coach. I have been a fan of his schemes, creativity, and most importantly, his passion. During the Bengals game when the broadcast cut to Coen screaming at QB Trevor Lawrence to hit his WRs in the chest, it made me feel proud because of how passionate Coen is. Granted, some playcalls have had me scratching my head at times, but he’s led us to a winning record through 8 weeks, so I’m not complaining too much.

I react to Devin Lloyd’s 99 yard touchdown.

Credit: Jack Laufer ‘27

The other major hire this offseason was 34-year-old James Gladstone as General Manager, and I think that he has also been a slam dunk so far. What I feel separates Gladstone from our previous GMs is that Gladstone is not afraid to go out and make a big move. I knew something was different about him when Gladstone said in a press conference, “When there’s an opportunity to be bold, we’re not going to flinch.”

“When there’s an opportunity to be bold, we’re not going to flinch.”

— James Gladstone

One of the first moves he made was arguably the most gutsy move of the entire offseason by trading up with the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft to select WR/CB superstar Travis Hunter. Another thing I appreciated about that move is how secret the Jaguars really kept it. Up until the actual moment the news of the trade broke, nobody had a clue about what the Jaguars were going to do, even though the trade had been agreed to two weeks before that night. Gladstone said in a press conference that his goal was to “raise the floor” of the roster and target players that are “intangibly rich.” At this trade deadline, I expect Gladstone to be active and go target a position that has been struggling this year, such as offensive line or wide receiver.

Another bright spot this year has been Travis Hunter. Hunter was having a strong start to his career, until he suffered a non-contact knee injury during the bye week.

Before his injury, I think he was the most consistent player on both sides of the ball. My only critique for him is something he cannot control: his playing time. If you go back and watch his college games, you would see him on the field almost every play, offense or defense. If the Jags are serious about making the playoffs this year, they need to have Hunter on the field often when he returns from injury.

The biggest issue the Jaguars have faced so far has undoubtedly been the drops.

Through nine games, the Jags lead the NFL in dropped passes with 25, which leads to a 9.9% chance on every ball thrown.

Brian Thomas Jr., the supposed

“star,” leads the NFL in individual drops with a total of nine. A notso-fun fact is that if the Jaguars had no drops this season, Trevor Lawrence would be top 10 in completion percentage and third in completions.

them. It feels like since week two, we’ve been asking for them to fix the drops and penalties, but absolutely nothing has happened.

When you really think about it, it’s a miracle we’ve won 5 games with those numbers. If they can tidy up those things, I think we’ve got Thankfully, the Jags addressed the something special here. drop issue at the trade deadline by acquiring former Raiders WR Looking ahead, the Jaguars have Jakobi Meyers. Meyers’ is known a fairly easy schedule. According for not dropping the football. His to tankathon.com, they have the drop rate is 5.6%, which ranks sixth-easiest strength of schedule #1 on the Jaguars. Last year, he remaining. Our remaining finished with 126 targets and zero opponents have a combined drops… so that’s really promising. losing record. Considering we’re Sure, the Jaguars did give up still the Jaguars, it’s obviously some good draft capital, but I going to be an uphill battle. But, think this trade means that the if we fix the penalties, drops, and Jaguars are ready to win now. (hopefully) stay injury-free, I like our odds this time around. And The other self-inflicted issue has who knows… maybe if they do been penalties. The Jags are also well, I’ll start looking into Super the fourth most penalized team Bowl tickets again. in the NFL, and have played one less game than the three above

Trevor Lawrence throwing a tight spiral.

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

The Jags’ scoreboard after clinching their division in 2022.

Credit: Jack Laufer ‘27

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Xander Edwards’ record Bolles running back breaks state record Akin Akande Co-Sports Editor.

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igh-school football is a stage where young athletes can show off their potential and start their athletic path. On September 26, 2025, that stage was lit bright for when The Bolles School faced Baldwin High School.

During that game, sophomore running back Xander Edwards broke one of Florida’s most iconic records, which is Derrick Henry’s single-game rushing touchdown record. Edwards’ eight-touchdown record was not only a personal triumph, but a moment that showed the evolving nature of high school football. The game itself was nothing short of historic.

The Bulldogs defeated Baldwin 73-49. This game was a highscoring offensive battle. Edwards rushed for 517 yards on 38 carries.

His eight touchdowns surpassed Derrick Henry’s previous record of six. Henry achieved this during his time at Yulee High School in 2012.

Records in sports are symbolic; they represent the limits of athletic effort until someone else can pass those limits. In this case, Edwards’ accomplishment serves as a reminder that no record can’t

Xander stiff arms Baldwin player.

Photo by Jaxsns visuals be broken. It also shows how the standard for high school football can evolve.

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Derrick Henry was not only one of Florida’s most well-known high school athletes, but also a Heisman trophy winner and now one of the greatest running backs to play in the NFL. His high school performances were once thought by people as untouchable, serving as a benchmark for young athletes across the state. By surpassing Henry’s single-game

Xander takes handoff in pregame.

Photo by Jaxsns Visuals

touchdown mark, Edwards didn’t just rewrite the record books; he reinforced the idea that greatness at any high school level can be challenged and redefined. This kind of achievement serves as an inspiration for future high school football players.

Furthermore, the importance of this record extends beyond just Xander as an athlete. That game highlights the collective efforts of his teammates and coaches.

Football, unlike some other sports, relies on teamwork. One of the reasons Xander broke this record was because of how well the offensive line played. Every touchdown that night represented not only Edwards’ ability but also the combined precision and determination of the entire Bolles offense. This record embodies what high school sports can teach, which is collaboration and the pursuit of shared goals.

From a broader perspective, the game also reflects the growing competitiveness of high school athletics in the modern era.

Social media, live broadcasts, and online highlights allow moments like Edwards’ to reach audiences far beyond the local community. In doing so, these performances inspire athletes nationwide and remind fans that history can be made anywhere— even under Friday night lights on a high school field. Records like this one connect generations of players and fans, bridging the gap between past legends and future stars. The breaking of Derrick Henry’s record represents more than just a numerical achievement. It stands as another obstacle to be overcome by future athletes.

In the end, Xander’s recordbreaking game is more than just a moment of personal glory; it was a reflection of progress, teamwork, and dedication. By surpassing this state record once held high by a legend like Derrick Henry, Edwards proved that greatness is never limited to an era or a player. His accomplishments and milestones will set the bar of what is attainable as an athlete, and it will push future generation athletes to push themselves and work harder to achieve their dreams.

Xander runs onto Baldiwn’s field.

Photo by Jaxsns Visuals

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NFL pushes for a rule change Rollins Powell Staff Writer

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he push sneak, popularly known as the “tush push,” was almost banned in the NFL over the summer. The Green Bay Packers proposed that the rule be changed citing the reason for the ban as an injury risk.

The Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst and Outgoing President Mark Murphy addressed the fact that their team is not successful against the play but stated that it is not the reason.

“I know we’re not very successful against it, I know that”, Murphy said.

Murphy went further on his statement about the play, saying how it took no skill and was bad for the game. “I am not a fan of this play. There is no skill involved, and it is almost an automatic first down on plays of a yard or less.”

The Packers didn’t want to ban this play for the better of the game but because they wanted to benefit themselves. They were simply trying to get an edge over other teams in the league.

“I am not a fan of this play. There is no skill involved, and it is almost an automatic first down on plays of a yard or less.”

— Mark Murphy The team that uses this play the most is the Philadelphia Eagles, who ran the play 39 times last season and were successful 32

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times. They use the play so often that they call it the “Brotherly Shove,” a play on Philadelphia being the City of Brotherly love.

The play works like this: the quarterback lines up undercenter with multiple players.

Usually the running back, a tight end, and a receiver stand behind the quarterback.Once the ball is snapped the quarterback is pushed headfirst, this is very useful

a year ago,” said Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula. His team supported banning the play even though they are good at it.

On May 21, 2025, a meeting of all 32 teams head coaches, executives, and owners was held to debate and vote on the legality of the push sneak play. The event started with Eagles owner Jeffery Lurie making a passionate speech in defense of the play.

His speech lasted almost an hour, and after a while, the room started to get very tense. The San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York made an inappropriate comment, and that was when NFL commissioner Roger Goodell decided to call off the debate.

Eagles running the “tush push.”

Credit: Creative Commons for gaining short yardage. The official rule change proposal was “offensive players cannot assist the runner except by individually blocking opponents for him.” This would change the play because the entire point is the players behind the quarterback push him.

They then moved on to the “privileged session”, where only the team owners could attend. The vote was held, and the results were shocking.

The play needed 24 votes to ban it, but it only received 22. Everyone believed the play would be banned, even Eagles Owner Lurie, who stated he believed the odds the play was considered legal were “slim.”

Another team that is opposing the “tush push” is the Buffalo Bills. This is surprising considering the Bills run the play almost as much as the Eagles and are very successful at not only defending the play but also running it.

This means the play can still be used in the 2025 – 2026 season, but we will see if there is another vote next summer. In their week two game this year, the Eagles ran the tush push 7 times.

The Bills head coach Sean McDermott addressed the play and how it is an injury risk to the players, and why they support the ban. “To me, there’s always been an injury risk with that play, and I’ve expressed that opinion for the last couple of years or so when it really started to come into play the way it’s being used, especially

This is outrageous, no play has ever been run that many times by any team ever. The ban this off season didn’t work, but the league definitely needs to try again next season. This play is bad for the league, and it takes no skill. The Eagles need to be stopped because it has gone too far already.

Habem publius, aure adem iam

Mac Jones ‘17 shines in San Francisco Jack Laufer Head Sports Editor

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olles’ own Mac Jones ‘17, went 3-0 with wins over the New Orleans Saints, Arizona Cardinals, and Los Angeles Rams during his starting stint with the San Francisco 49ers.

Jones got the opportunity to start due to 49ers’ starter, Brock Purdy, suffering a toe injury in week one versus the Seattle Seahawks.

Purdy missed two weeks and returned in week four to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars, and then missed the following week. In the game that Purdy played, he turned the ball over three times and lost 26-21. Many NFL fans were curious as to why the 49ers would not allow Jones to start against the Jaguars and possibly give him a shot at revenge for the

Jones ‘17 throwing a tight spiral.

Credit: Aaron Berkshire Jaguars’ declining his fifth-year option in April of 2024.

Nonetheless, Jones shone when his name was called, throwing for 905 yards, six touchdowns, and completing more than twothirds of his passes. Jones’ most memorable moment was when he went 5/7 for 59 yards on the final drive vs. the Arizona Cardinals to

set up the game-winning 35-yard field goal by kicker Eddy Piñeiro.

But, arguably, the most important thing he accomplished wasn’t necessarily a stat; it was keeping the 49ers’ playoff hopes alive. Since keeping the 49ers undefeated, they had an 81% chance of making the playoffs. If Jones had lost one game, it would have gone down to around 50%.

If he had lost both, 32%. If he had lost all 3, that number would go way down to 8%.

Jones’ three wins with the 49ers beats the number of wins that he had during his time with the Jaguars. In Jacksonville, it took him seven games to hit two wins.

Jones has had many ups and downs throughout his entire football career. Jones only started one year in high school, won the national championship at Alabama, got selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft, was traded, dropped, and is now in San Francisco. “I’ve been through a lot, but I feel like it makes me stronger and not making a big deal about things that aren’t a big deal… You’re never going to be perfect.”

“I’ve been though a lot, but I feel like it makes me stronger.”

— Mac Jones ‘17 Since arriving in San Francisco in March, Jones has had an important role in the locker room.

Jones said, “It’s your friends, it’s your brothers that you’re playing with out there and the closer that you can be off the field the closer you’re going to be on the field. I think everyone knows that about

me and I really appreciate the guys on this team for having my back. I have to continue to earn that every day. Like, just because it’s one week doesn’t matter.”

Being a Bolles quarterback, Jaxson Flowers ‘28 feels inspired and encouraged by the way Mac Jones has been playing recently.

“It’s crazy because he went to my school and played my position.

It just shows that I could be in the same position he’s in right now in the future.”

Mr. Stam ‘00, who taught Jones his freshmen year, thinks it’s “very cool” to have taught an NFL quarterback, but is no stranger to teaching professional athletes here at Bolles. Along with Jones, Stam has taught Major League Baseball players DJ Stewart ‘12, Hunter Barco ‘19, national Cross Country champion Charles Hicks.

Stam said that producing high level athletic talent “is just kind of how Bolles is.”

Stam described Jones in the classroom as “goofy, silly, kind, and an A-level student.” He also mentioned how Jones was an anomaly in a sense that he had to grow into his talent. “Mac was just crazy because you never would have thought that when he was a freshman, he would go play football at Alabama… the athletic ability probably wasn’t there yet.”

To this day, Stam and Jones still have a relationship. “If he’s ever on campus or something, he’s a person I try to see. He’d come up and give me a hug.” said Stam.

Looking forward, Jones might continue to get playing time due to Purdy’s lingering injury. Until Purdy can return, 49ers fans hope that the good times can keep rolling with Jones.

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Venezuelan wins 2025 Nobel Peace Prize Ishaan Bansal Staff Writer

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n October 10, 2025, María Corina Machado was announced to be the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. Machado is an opposition leader in Venezuela. Venezuela is a country in South America currently under a non-evidential democracy, and its economy is suffering.

Millions are not aware of the political unrest occurring in this country.

María Corina Machado won the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her work in combating the rise of authoritarianism in Venezuela.

Machado is an opposition leader in Venezuela, explained Chandler.

Machado tried to run for president but got disqualified. The National Election Council declared that Nicolás Maduro, the current president of Venezuela, won the presi-

In Venezuela, at the moment, the political situation is in chaos because there is a president who is acting as a dictator, and people all over the world are not sure if the country is in a dictatorship or a democracy.

“I would say things in Venezuela are quite strenuous right now. You have this situation where there is a president in power, and they continue to say that they are being reelected, but we do not see evidence that there is a reelection happening,” said world history and AP Comparative Government teacher Mrs. Chandler.

“One of the things we try not to stress in this global program is not just becoming aware of what is going on in the world, and being interested in the world, but that you are willing to take action on things that you see.”

- Mrs. Chandler

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Venezuelans fighting for democracy Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons dency, but there was no evidence to support this statement.

Machado has put great effort into fighting for her country, and she has been hiding since January.

“Essentially, she is trying to be the opposition voice to Maduro,” said Chandler, “ but standing up to this can be dangerous to seek out. It can be dangerous to speak against this authority and this authoritarianism.” Machado had chances to leave the country and seek exile, but she chose to stand up for her country.

Besides Venezuela having troubles within the country, other countries surrounding it are having issues because Venezuelan citizens are trying to leave.

“Because of rapid inflation and growing poverty, there are a lot of people trying to see if there is

a way to pursue work in another country. So one of the big ways other countries are getting affected are the migrants into Colombia,” said Chandler.

Inflation has skyrocketed in Venezuela, and savings are not really useful anymore because the currency has fallen. “Daily life is a struggle, because of rapid inflation, people did have savings in the bank and the value of that has dissipated. They do not necessarily have a way in the government and individual rights have been restricted,” said Chandler.

Venezuela’s economy is mainly based on oil, and limits from other countries are hurting its economy.

“Because of oil sanctions, the falling price of oil… and those are getting compounded along with the government mismanagement which is hurting their economy,” said Chandler.

This crisis within Venezuela is being recognized all around the world, especially in America.

Chandler explains that The U.S. has been at odds with Venezuela since Hugo Chávez, the former president of Venezuela, took power.

At The Bolles School, the Global Scholars Program focuses on the world and what can be done to fix it.

“One of the things we try not to stress in this global program is not just becoming aware of what is going on in the world, and being interested in the world, but that you are willing to take action on things that you see,” Chandler said. “So if you see a global issue, then you have to reflect on what I can about that.”

Young ViZi Vincent Barragan’s rise in music Tristan Schneider Co-Editor and Chief

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ot every high school student can say they wrote, performed, and produced their own album, but Vincent Barragan’28 can. Vincent, also known as Young ViZi, has recently released his first rap album on all major music platforms: Spotify, YouTube Music, and Apple Music.

The start of Vincent’s music career was a sudden and interesting one with Vincent having no prior music before 2024, besides very little piano work when he was a kid.

Vincent started his musical journey back in November 2024 as a feud with fellow student Jacob Kohn’26. “I had this whole rap feud against him, which peaked when I made a diss track against him… we’re chill now… after that, I kind of started writing a bunch of stuff,” he said.

Although his journey started last November, he really picked up speed the following March when he started actually recording his music. YoungViZi is not even his first project in music; he has had several smaller projects that were like stepping stones, building up his music career.

“So I ended up revolving around five different projects until I came up with Young ViZi,” Barragan said.

Each of these projects remained unfinished because they weren’t Vincent’s vision. Each project slowly evolved into the Young ViZi persona. Young Vizi takes a lot of inspiration from famous artists such as Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar for his style in telling a story through his music. He also takes inspiration from another

Young ViZi preforming with the Karaoke club at the fall Coffeehouse credit: Bolles Bugle student from Beachside High School who goes by Octane.

“Seeing him release music and actually gaining some traction, it made me realize I could actually do this. It’s not some far fetched fantasy,” he said.

On October 17,, Vincent released his first full album titled YVZ to all major music apps. The album is composed of 13 original

“Seeing him release music and actually gaining some traction, it made me realize I could actually do this. It’s not some far fetched fantasy,” — Vincent Barragan’28 songs totalling over 45 minutes in length. The album itself is the arc of Young ViZi. He starts off with a big opening which leads into the middle of the album that highlights his self doubt and overthinking. After this he regains his confidence and closes out the album.

Many of Vincent’s songs are about reflection, such as the song “Mike Dean,” which shares how as he gets more successful, he can see his closest friends slowly fading and leaving him. Another song that’s about reflection is his song “What Did I Lose?”

Vincent has also collaborated with Ocatane in his song “What Did I Lose? - Remix,” which marked a great achievement as he worked with one of his major sources of inspiration.

More recently, Vincent performed at the Bolles 2025 Fall Coffeehouse. He sang a fiveminute-song composed of his favorite parts from his new album.

He performed first and was hyped up by many of his friends and fellow classmates.

Besides rapping, Vincent wants to pursue a career in politics when he gets older. But not to worry, as he plans on continuing his Young ViZi persona for now, with a new release planned for later this year.

It is safe to say Young ViZi isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

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Creepin’ around Jacksonville: Local Halloween activities Zara Touheed Design Editor

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hough the spooky season has passed, here is a recap and a celebration of all local Halloween events that happened this year!

One event in the Jacksonville area we have is our local zoo!

‘Spooktacular’ is an event hosted by the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens, sponsored

by Vystar, featuring treat stations throughout the venue and numerous fall festivities. On the Great Lawn, there are lawn games, a DJ, and photobooths.

For older kids and adults who enjoy the scares of Halloween, the Lost Swamp, there are many, according to the Jax Zoo website, “demented forest creatures lurk in the shadows, ready to torment brave souls who enter their eerie domain”. Spooktacular dates can be found on the website, and the hours are from 5:30 to 9:30 pm.

If haunted houses are up your alley, the 13th Floor Haunted House will take your interest. According to USA Today, it is part of the top 5 most terrifying haunted houses in America,, and lives up to the hype. With multiple kinds of attractions like the Asylum, where you end outside the gates of an abandoned insane Asylum supposedly haunted by a figure called the Nurse. They also have Horror High, where you are at a haunted high school, or a more fantasy-themed attraction called Rise of the Kraken, where you have wandered too close to a ghost ship.

Some other activities they offer are axe-throwing, five-minute escape rooms, and a new experience called Return of the Dead: Zombie Shoot, where

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people get to shoot colored water balloons at an army of the undead. It is recommended for people 13 years old and above.

and friends is Cannibals in the Catacombs at Prototype Escape Rooms, and is perfect for the Halloween season. It’s an expertlevel difficulty room, themed around the Paris catacombs. As a player, you are an anthropologist trying to become a famous person in your field, Arthur, who became obsessed with an alleged ancient cannibalistic tribe, and has gone missing. It is up to you to find him under a house. It is recommended to play with three to six players and is under the horror genre.

So if you have nothing to do on Halloween night next year or just in the fall season, visit your local areas and check out what they are doing. You might find a new spot to hang out or make a new friend, regardless, with all of these local spots Halloween will always be exciting.

Congaree and Penn’s pumpkin patch.

Credit: Congaree and Penn

If anyone is looking for something more family-friendly, then Congaree and Penn host a pumpkin patch every year from September 16th to November 2nd.

All you have to do is purchase a farm pass, and with that, you are allowed to visit the pumpkin patch, see the barn animals, and just walk through the acres and surrounding forest as well.

Anyone can pick any pumpkin they like, and each of them costs $12. Also at Congaree and Penn, they are hosting “Fall on the Farm Grounds.” There will be live music and other fun events like on Halloween night with wagon rides, and a barbecue.

An activity that is both for families

The entrance of Jacksonville Zoo’s Spooktacular decorated with jacko-lantern.

Credit: Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens

Best Study Spots Raaya Katugaha Design Editor Studying is an integral part of being a student, but it can sometimes be overwhelming. We see our endless lists of tasks and become discouraged before even starting. Long hours in the same environment can make it hard to focus, therefore creating a tense and inefficient workspace.

Changing up your surroundings - like studying at a cafe - can make the work feel more manageable, and help you stay motivated in a cozy and productive atmosphere. After visiting 10 local cafes, these 5 offered the most inviting, focused, and overall fun places to study!

Foxtail Hours: 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM Location: 2039 Hendricks Ave Ste 114, Jacksonville, FL 32207 Ambience: 10/10 Variety of drinks: 6/10 Variety of food: 6/10 Taste of drinks: 8.5/10 Taste of food: 7/10 Work environment efficiency: 10/10 Drinks Tried: Chai Latte, Pumpkin Iced Chai Latte, Matcha Latte, Caffé Latte, Hot Chocolate, Blood Orange Refresher, Pumpkin Chai Latte, MapleBerry Latte Food Tried: Banana bread, Fresh blueberry muffin, Birthday cake pop, Cookies & Cream cake pop Review: Foxtail has a lovely, open atmosphere that is incredibly studyconducive. The energy is always upbeat, the baristas are courteous, and there’s a lot of room to spread out. Seeing other people working there always helps me feel motivated, and the pastries are always a pleasant advantage to studying! The highlight of this cafe is the ambience and mood, so if you are looking for a snug place to get work done, I’d highly recommend Foxtail!

Southern Grounds & Co. Hours: 6:30 AM to 9:00 PM Location: 1671 Atlantic Blvd, Jacksonville, FL, 32207 Ambience: 7/10 Variety of drinks: 9/10 Variety of food: 9/10 Taste of drinks: 8/10 Taste of food: 8/10

Work environment efficiency: 8/10 Drinks Tried: Frozen Caramel Latte, Frozen White Chocolate Latte, Iced Chai Latte, Iced Matcha Latte, Mango Smoothie Food Tried: Steel-cut Oats, Fresh Fruit, Yogurt Parfait, Eggs Benedict.

Avocado Toast Review: Once you navigate the lessthan-easy parking situation, walking into Southern Grounds is a breath of fresh air. The decor is cute, the art is exciting, and the aroma is delicious.

It is a fun place to go with friends as the environment is light and calming.

The highlight here is the decorative setting and the wide selection of food and drinks. If you want a place with a variety of options while you study, Southern Grounds is the way to go!

Picture of Tsaocaa’s comfy interior.

Credit: Raaya Katugaha Le Petit Paris Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Location: 9965 San Jose Blvd, Suite 46, Jacksonville, FL 32257 Ambience: 9/10 Variety of drinks: 5/10 Variety of food: 9/10 Taste of drinks: 8/10 Taste of food: 10/10 Work environment efficiency: 8/10 Drinks Tried: Lavender-flavored Perrier Sparkling Water Food Tried: La Palette, Le Germain, Lorraine, Le Marais, Chocolate Hazelnut Croissant, Strawberry Cheese Plait Review: I’ve been consistently coming to Le Petit Paris for the past two years, and I love it every time. The interior is a bit loud sometimes, but the lighting is very warm, and the staff is always welcoming. The food and pastries are scrumptious, and my personal favorite is the chocolate hazelnut

croissant. I would suggest Le Petit if you are looking for a meal and pastry while you study!

Tsaocaa Mandarin Hours: 11:30 AM to 8:45 PM Location: 10991 San Jose Blvd UNIT 2A, Jacksonville, FL 32223 Ambience: 8/10 Variety of drinks: 9/10 Variety of food: 8/10 Taste of drinks: 9/10 Taste of food: 9/10 Work environment efficiency: 8/10 Drinks Tried: Rose Oolong Tea, Brown Sugar Bubble Tea, Mango Pomelo Sago, Thai Milk Tea Food Tried: Original Egg Waffle, Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken, Fried Pork Dumplings, Fried Coconut Shrimp, Half Hot Dog & Half Mozzarella Since I’ve moved to Jacksonville, I have loved Friday boba study sessions! The interior is so cute, and the diverse menu provides a drink for any mood - refresher, smoothie, milk tea - and it also features a variety of flavors. In terms of food, the needto-try snacks are the dumplings, egg waffles, and Korean corn dogs!

It is a friendly, comfortable place to detox and be productive, and I highly recommend it if you are a bubble-tea fanatic!

Aroma Corner Hours: 11:00 AM to 7:30 PM Location: 5111 Baymeadows Rd #12, Jacksonville, FL 32217 Ambience: 7.5/10 Variety of drinks: 10/10 Variety of food: 7/10 Taste of drinks: 10/10 Taste of food: 9.5/10 Work environment efficiency: 9/10 Drinks Tried: Brown Sugar Bubble Tea, Thai Milk Tea Food Tried: Sweet Buttermilk Crumble Toast, Taro Mousse Cake Aroma Corner, another boba cafe, offers delicious bubble tea and distinct Vietnamese desserts. While it is a smaller store, the atmosphere is very calming and provides a quiet place to focus. My personal favorites are the taro mousse cake and thai milk tea! I would recommend it if you are craving boba or a niche dessert while you study!

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Breast cancer awareness starts with us Raaya Katugaha Design Editor

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very two minutes a woman in the United States is diagnosed with breast cancer. It’s the most common cancer diagnosed among women. Despite significant advancements in treatment, especially in the past ten years, breast cancer still claims the lives of over forty thousand women each year. However, thanks to the research, the five-year relative survival rate for localized breast cancer is ninety-nine percent, demonstrating that awareness and acceptance do make a difference.

An interview with Bolles alumna Dr. Cynthia Anderson ‘90, the Section Chief of Breast Radiation Oncology at Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center, provided some of the key information behind the development of breast cancer, and how we can help support the people we love.

treatments: surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. This is the most vulnerable time in a patient’s journey, and when they require the most encouragement.

“The best thing is to ask individuals with breast cancer what their needs are and how they feel you could be of best help. The most challenging thing they face, from the support standpoint, is that other people tend to give unsolicited advice. This can feel very overwhelming and is actually unhelpful. So I always encourage people to ask; ask them what they need, and be prepared for the possibility that the answer right now is either ‘nothing’ or ‘I don’t know’.” Making yourself available and dependable is often the best you can do for them.

Dr. Anderson explained that breast cancer is typically a process where the duct within the breast transforms from being a benign pipe that’s meant to be the passageway for milk from the milkproducing glands to the nipple. When this happens, irritation can occur in that duct or in any part of the breast, which can cause cells to transform from benign to malignant.

“This transformation usually occurs as a result of hereditary factors that predispose a patient to breast cancer,” she says, “or commonly, the accumulation of environmental factors.” The most significant risk factor for developing breast cancer is age. Other risk factors include hormone replacement therapy, a history of prior cancer treatments, and nulliparity (never having given birth).

There is a wide variety of treatment options based on the stage of a patient’s breast cancer. The early stage would be considered stage I or II. The advanced stages are stages III and IV, with stage IV meaning that the cancer has spread to other organs of the body. Patients have an individualized plan of care and sometimes may need two or three

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San Marco lions show off their tutus.

Credit: Raaya Katugaha

city has been working arduously in creative ways to make a difference.

At Bolles, we had a volleyball game with a pink-out theme where students (including the volleyball players) wore pink ribbons. Additionally, last week, Bolles hosted the Buddy Bus Mobile Mammography, which provides 3D screening mammograms in a comfortable setting.

Outside of Bolles, numerous community efforts have also been made. The DONNA Marathon Weekend is a meaningful event that brings runners together in solidarity, with opportunities to engage in other events post-run, including a presentation by Mayo Clinic.

Additionally, Light Jax Pink serves as a visual testament to the support of people facing breast cancer. Their mission is to turn the exterior lights pink this October at major businesses, landmarks, and other residences, including Acosta Bridge, Baptist Health, Mayo Clinic, and Florida Blue.

Breast cancer touches every corner of our community, including teens. Breast cancer awareness is crucial because community support can significantly impact the lives of those affected. By learning, listening, advocating, and showing our support, we can turn awareness into prevention. So the next time you see a pink tutu, or are driving on a bright pink bridge, remember the resilience and courage it represents as well as the call for awareness and compassion.

As teens, we do not deal with breast cancer directly, but it is so prevalent that it’s almost impossible not to know somebody who’s been affected by it. The best way to provide support is to discuss it openly and make conversations about prevention feel normal. Teens can have a profound emotional impact by demonstrating compassion and encouragement to people undergoing treatment.

Although this is unlikely to happen now, education about our own bodies should begin now.

Our local community in Bolles and Jacksonville goes above and beyond to show unwavering support for this cause. From buses to marathons, the

Albaugh ’27 & Brackin ‘28 pose after their pinkout volleyball game.

Credit: Sophia Albaugh

Ruzanka ‘26 Gives Back Childhood Cancer Awarness Month Dawson Brydges Photo Editor The Instagram account, @ big.a.memes, run by Bolles Senior Andrew Ruzanka ‘26, is a common page that shares funny memes regarding Bolles’ athletes and their opponents. His account is widely popular among students.

On September 1, Ruzanka made a more meaningful post to the account. Instead of posting memes taunting Bishop Kenny’s football team, Ruzanka sent out a video sharing a powerful message.

Ruzanka tells the story of his younger sister. She’s now 13, but when she was eight weeks old, she was diagnosed with leukemia, an aggressive form of blood and bone marrow cancer. “My family was absolutely devastated,” Ruzanka said. Ruzanka’s sister went through many treatments to get rid of the cancer.

While it was hard on his sister, it was also hard on Ruzanka’s family. Their family spent a lot of time at the hospital as she went through her treatments, “It was emotionally taxing on our family seeing her go through that,” he said.

The Tom Coughlin Foundation helped my family so much.

— Andrew Ruzunka ‘26 As Ruzanka’s sister was still fighting, the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation stepped in to help.

The Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation, started by former NFL

coach and executive Tom Coughlin, was created in honor of Jay McGillis. McGillis was a strong safety who played for Coughlin’s team at Boston College. During his time on the team, McGillis developed leukemia. He passed away 8 months later.

During McGillis’s final 8 months, Coughlin saw firsthand the physical, emotional, and financial

The Tom Coughlin Foundation flyer.

Credit: Tom Coughlin Foundation strains the Jays’ family faced. After going through the tragic events with McGillis’s family, Coughlin promised himself that if he ever got the chance, he would create a way to help families whose children are battling cancer Coughlin kept his promise and started the fund. For 30 years, the foundation has provided over $34 million in support to over 6,700 families in Northeast Florida, Southeast Georgia, and the New York/ New Jersey area.

September is a particularly significant month for the family and the Tom Coughlin Foundation, as it is Childhood Cancer Awareness month.

Thankfully, Ruzanka’s sister won her battle against cancer and has now been cancer-free for the past 13 years.

To celebrate the cause and to thank the foundation, Ruzanka has organized a GoFundMe. All of the proceeds will go to the Tom Coughlin Foundation to help them continue to help other families whose children are battling cancer. Ruzanka believes it is very important to give back to the fund. “My sister would not be with us today if it wasn’t for the Foundation,” he said. Ruzanaka’s goal was to raise $200, but that goal was topped with a total of $616.

As this month comes to an end, be sure to donate to the GoFund me to help the Foundation help families in need.

Please donate here: https:// ig.me/2X8yR2ARA5l5Qe3 Or go on Instagram to @ big.a.memes and click on the Bio to donate now.

Ruzanka’s family happened to be one of the recipients of the fund.

The foundation provided the family with emotional support as well as financial support to help pay for her treatments. “Me and my family are extremely grateful for what the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund has done for our family” Ruzunka said.

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Bulldogs top Monarch Knights in 2025 Broward County Showcase Dawson Brydges Photo Editor

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n Wednesday, August 20, the Bolles Football team loaded the buses to head south and take on the Monarch Knights in Fort Lauderdale for the fourth annual Broward County National High School Football Showcase.

This showcase lasted from 8/218/23 and presented some of the top high school football teams in the nation. This year, the event featured 8 games at 3 different venues. This is the Bulldogs’ first time participating in this event.

not stop the Bulldogs’ offense highlighted by Bolles running back Xander Edwards ‘28 rushed for 157 yards and 2 touchdowns. Quarterback Jayden Weatherly ‘26 also had a good game on the ground, rushing for 66 yards and 2 touchdowns.

While the Bulldogs dominated in the run game, they also struck through the passing game. Clemson commit Naeem “The Dream” Burroughs ‘26 hauled in 3 receptions for 91 yards. These 3 receptions included a 58-yard highlight reel touchdown where he made multiple defenders miss. Burroughs also played on the defensive side of the ball, making a key

Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale, FL) lost to the Archbishop Mavericks (Fort Lauderdale, FL) 42-35. Despite the loss, Cardinal Gibbons quarterback Jayden Torres threw for 269 yards with 4 touchdowns, as well as rushing for 62 yards on just 7 carries.

The final game of the night on Thursday, 8/21, featured the Bolles Bulldogs facing off against the Monarch Knights (Coconut Creek, FL). The Bulldogs dominated the Knights 34-15. The Knights could

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The Dillard Panthers (Fort Lauderdale, FL) enjoyed home field advantage vs. the Dr. Phillips Panthers (Orlando, FL). Dillard did not disappoint the home crowd as they blew out their opponent with a final score of 39-0.

interception in the 2nd quarter.

Defensively, the Bulldogs put immense pressure on the Monarch offense, forcing hurried throws and many turnovers.

The #1 ranked team in the nation and the defending national champions, Mater Dei Monarchs (Santa Ana, CA) took on the #10 ranked St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders (Fort Lauderdale, FL). The Monarchs dominated in the first half with a score of 26-3. However, Mater Dei fans watched their team collapse in the 2nd half while the Raiders scored 20 unanswered points. After 2 touchdowns by the Raiders, and Mater Dei’s 15th penalty of the night, the Raiders cut the deficit to just three points. Unfortunately for the Raiders, their comeback was cut short when Mater Dei picked up a key first down with a little over a minute left in the game, winning the game with a final score of 26-23.

The next day of the showcase, the Corner Canyon Chargers (Draper, UT) played the West Broward Bobcats (Pembroke Pines, FL). The Chargers were winners in this contest defeating the Bobcats 38-13.

The Chargers came into this game as a heavy favorite because they were ranked #1 in Utah, while West Broward was ranked #123 in Florida.

The Broward County National High School Football Showcase finale was between #5 ranked St Frances Academy Panthers (Baltimore, MD) and #7 ranked Chaminade-Madonna Lions (Hollywood, FL). The Panthers showed the nation why they are a top five team, defeating the Lions 42-13. The Panthers relied on a dominant run game finishing with 320 rushing yards.

All the teams that participated enjoyed a stay at the Visit Lauderdale Hotel. The hotel provided the players with a snack room as well as a breakfast buffet. Teams also enjoyed lunch at Dave and Busters where players could eat and play in the arcade before they ate.

After a good night’s sleep and lunch,16 teams showcased their talents on the field.

To kick off the showcase, the Piper Bengals (Sunrise, FL) faced the Peachtree Ridge Lions (Suwanee, GA). Piper’s home field advantage didn’t help much as they lost with a score of 34-6.

The American Heritage Patriots (Plantation, FL) took on St. Joseph’s Prep (Philadelphia, PA). In the middle of the 3rd Quarter, the Patriots were looking at a 28-point deficit. The Patriots rallied in the 2nd half. With 55 seconds remaining in the game, Patriots kicker Kade Bailey kicked a 40-yard field goal to complete the comeback with a final score of 31-28.

Broward Showcase Flyer Credit: Broward County Showcase

These are the final scores from the showcase:

Peachtree Ridge Lions 34 Piper Bengals 6 Archbishop Mavericks 42 Cardinal Gibbons 35 Corner Canyon Chargers 38 West Broward Bobcats 13 American Heritage Patriots 31 St. Joseph’s Prep 28 Dillard Panthers 39

Xander Edwards ‘28 runs free Credit: Keith Jaxsn

Dr. Phillips Panthers 0 #1 Mater Dei Monarchs 26 #10 St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders 23 #5 St Frances Academy Panthers 42 #7 ChaminadeMadonna Lions 13 Bolles Bulldogs 34 Monarch Knights: 15

Xander Edwards ‘28 and Jayden Weatherly ‘26 running free Credit: Jaxsin Visuals

The Bolles Bulldogs are off to a great start after their “South Florida Takeover” win. After the win vs Monarch, Bolles is part of the top 100 teams in the nation.

The Bulldogs will have their first home game this Friday (8/29).

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Mr. Rufus McClure celebrates at 100

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Ishaan Bansal Staff Writer

ne of Bolles’ long-term teachers just turned 100 years old on September 24, 2025. Mr. Rufus McClure has been a valuable part of the Bolles family since 1951. During his time at Bolles, he has influenced many careers and made a significant impact on the school.

Ms. Greenland, a Latin teacher at Bolles, recalls McClure hiring her 49 years ago. “During my interview he asked about my credentials, but he also talked about going to the symphony and doing music things.” She was impressed by his efforts to get to know all the staff on a personal level. She gives much of the credit of her success as a teacher to Mr. McClure.

McClure taught English throughout his time at Bolles. Additionally, he brought the AP program to Bolles and taught AP English Literature while acting as Head of the English Department. He recently told Ms. Greenland that he remembered teaching a student, Kevin Sack, how to write proper English essays back in 1977. That same student has now won three Pulitzer Prizes.

“I think some of my fondest memories of him are from his work with the honor council, because he really made it very studentcentric, and embodied the whole idea of the Bolles honor code.”

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— Dr. Halloran

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Dr. Kathryn Halloran is an AP and honors biology teacher and AP Capstone, as well as the Chair of the Honor Council. She met Mr. McClure 33 years ago when she started teaching at Bolles. Her most prominent memory of Mr. McClure was his influence on the honor council. “I think some of my fondest memories of him are from his work with the honor council, because he really made it very student-centric, and embodied the whole idea of the Bolles honor code.”

after we graduated. He has the deepest love for Shakespeare than anyone else I have ever known. He is really good at teaching kids how to write. He knew about the personal struggles in the lives of the writers and how that influenced their writing,” said Anderson.

Mr. McClure has certainly left a mark on thousands of students and many faculty. In addition to leading the English department and honor council, he served as Academic Dean from 1964-1980.

“He was always fair. He forced kids to rise to a higher level and to achieve their best to avoid mediocrity. He had high expectations and kids rose to that expectation,” Ms. Greenland said.

Mr. McClure celebrates his birthday.

Photo Credit: McClure Family On a personal level, Halloran is most fond of his personality and not taking things personally. “If somebody did poorly in his class, he did not think that was because they did not like him or anything, he really wanted to figure out what was the matter and help them do better.”

Dr. Cynthia Anderson ’90 has known Mr. McClure for almost 40 years since she joined the honor council as a student. She recalls his presence on campus as a distinguished gentleman full of wisdom who always wore a bow tie and sometimes a beret.

“He always remembered our names during high school— even

Each year he attends the middle and upper school awards ceremonies, where he hands out awards in his name. For middle school, the award is given to the most improved middle school student and the teacher who had the greatest influence on that student. In high school the award is given to the student member of the honor council who has contributed the most.

McClure also still regularly attends the National Honor Society induction ceremony. For the past 20 years, he has walked the Acosta Bridge on his birthday which he did again this year.

Ms. Greenland is close with McClure and his family, and she helped celebrate his birthday with his family at the end of September. “That is the way it works at Bolles. Once you enter the Bolles community, you are in the Bolles community for a lifetime,” Greenland said. People remember him as a helper, director, and guide to writing well.

Op-Ed

New Dress code policy Akin Akande Co-Sports Editor Tristan Schneider Co-Editor and Chief

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he dean’s office at the Bolles School does not have a new dress code but a new approach to dress code policy.

tucked in. The first time you are caught with your shirt untucked, it’s a warning. But after that, students will be given increasing demerits.

Denzel DelValle ‘26 believes that the dress code has a positive impact on the school’s learning environment. “I think to a certain

This year, if you are wearing some form of clothing not in dress code (for example, a T-shirt and shorts), you have to wait in the dean’s office until someone can bring you a piece of clothing that is in dress code.

“Kids will find a way to get around getting dress-coded anyway.”

— Joseph Riley ’27

Riley and Olivera are normally in dress code, they said, so they have not had any first-hand experience with these concerns.

The deans have also promised to be stricter about keeping shirts

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The new rule added this year is the ability for the Dean’s Office to hold students who are outside of the dress code in their office until they can get the proper clothes. This new addition did not come out of nowhere, however.

It is a consequence of students disregarding the dress code for some time.

The current student dress code today is the most flexible and lenient in the school’s history, mainly because of changes made with COVID. Before the changes, male students used to wear ties, no tennis shoes were permitted, dresses were allowed, and many types of skirts, like Maxi skirts, were banned.

Some students shared doubts about this new approach. “I don’t think it’s necessary to make students wait in the dean’s office all day if they come to school out of dress code,” said Joseph Riley ‘27. Andreas Olivera ‘27 agreed.

“But in practice, I do think it’s very effective,” he said.

Riley recognizes the efforts to keep students accountable, but thinks “kids will find a way to get around getting dress-coded anyway.”

the idea of a dress code, as it has had one since the school opened as a military school in 1933. This school year, 2025-2026, the Bolles administration has tightened its grip on its dress code policy.

Mason Armbrust ‘27 in dress code Credit: Akin Akande ‘27 extent it can help the learning environment at Bolles. You should show up to school prepared,” he said. Students should be held to high standards to attend Bolles, and the dress code is one of those standards, he said.

If Olivera and Riley could design the school’s dress policy, they would shift it somewhat. “I would relax the restriction for tops and outerwater,” Olivera said. “I also feel like sometimes you can’t control if your shirt is untucked because of so much sitting down and standing up.”

The Bolles School is no stranger to

“If you wear something that’s out of dresscode and you get to wear it all day at school... a behavior doesnt really occur” — Ms. Denmark

The school has always been focused on current trends in fashion, always adjusting rules to fit in more with the ever shifting society.

Before this school year, they would receive a demerit and be sent on their way. This year, students will be held in the dean’s office

Before this school year, if a student was out of dress code, they would receive a demerit and be sent on their way. This year, students will be held in the dean’s office until they receive a new set of clothes. This will also count as an unexcused tardy for their class.

This change is well justified in the fact that the school rules have been abused in the past couple of years.

“If you wear something that’s out of dress code and you get to wear it all day at school… a behavior change doesn’t really occur,” said Dean of Students Mrs. Denmark.

Students have to stay in the office, but if a student can drive, they can go home to pick up their own clothes. Furthermore, if a student has an important quiz or test, then they will be permitted to leave and take the quiz out of dress code.

“I let them go and take their quiz and come back,” said Denmark.

“So we’re pretty aware, and the point is not to keep you out of school. The point is for you to dress within the guidelines.”

The deans will also allow friends and boarders to lend students

The deans will also allow friends and boarders to lend students clothes, and the deans will keep a little stash of clothing for students to borrow if their parents cannot come in time.

The school is hoping this change will help limit the number of students breaking dress code this year and for the foreseeable future, Denmark said. So far, the policy has had little to no backlash from parents and overall has been a very positive and effective change.

Student being held in the office due to dress code.

Credit: Tristan Schneider ‘26

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Top 5 movies of 2025 Sawyer Powell Staff Writer

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hile many 2025 films flopped at the box office, there are a few that truly stood out to me and are causing many to return to the theaters. In this article, I will be going over my top five favorite films that have been released in 2025 so far.

Happy Gilmore 2 My fifth favorite film, Happy Gilmore 2, which came out this year, unfortunately did not have a premiere, and came to Netflix on July 2, 2025. While it got backlash for playing off of nostalgia value, I found Happy Gilmore 2 to be entirely different from its first film and enjoyed it very much. Adam Sandler’s performance in this film was very impressive, and I loved the return of Christopher McDonald’s character, Shooter McGavin, not as Happy Gilmore’s enemy, but as an ally. It did not mind the nostalgia value, and I found the return of Ben Stiller’s character Hal, both hilarious and enjoyable. There were also many celebrities cameoing in the film, such as rapper Eminem, and NFL football player Travis Kelce.

Overall, I found the film both wellwritten and enjoyable to watch, and it is a well-deserved top-five film of 2025.

Heads of State Another film I would have preferred to watch in the theater, and not in my living room, was Heads of State, starring Priyanka Chopra Jonas, John Cena, and Idris Elba. This film was riveting and humorous, a prime example of an action/comedy movie. It also presents a deeper meaning to the audience, two very different people setting aside their differences for a better cause. It is this message that made Heads

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of State stand out more than the other action movies that came out this year.

F1 Coming in at number three for me is Brad Pitt’s new film, F1.

This movie far exceeded my expectations, and I feel it will become a staple piece in Brad Pitt’s career. He plays a washed up race car driver, Sonny Hayes, who gets recruited by the Formula One racing team APX to be their second driver and save the team from being sold. I was on the edge

Mission Impossible ovie poster Credit: Paramount Pictures

of my seat the entire film, and the drama and acting of the film made an impressive feature film.

Superman A film I was incredibly excited I got to see in theaters was the Superman film. This ranks so highly because, like Formula 1, it severely exceeded my expectations. I have not seen many DC movies, but I am very familiar with James Gunn, since he directed all three Guardians of the Galaxy films for Marvel Studios. The characters were phenomenal, and the story was well written, action packed and extremely enjoyable to watch.

Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning This film was by far the greatest to come out this year so far. As sad as it was to watch the Mission Impossible series come to an end, Tom Cruise’s performance was phenomenal. I especially enjoyed the final scene with the in-air stunt where Tom Cruise actually jumped from one plane to another. Along with this, it had one of the best plots of any film I have ever watched, connecting every film in this series to this finale. What also stood out to me was how every moment, something completely unexpected happened, and, like all the Mission Impossible films, the different backdrops went perfectly with the theme of this film. It is a well-deserved film of the year for 2025.

While many films that were released this year, these movies stood out to me the most because, not only were there amazing actors with top tier performances, but the writing was also incredible. Any good film must have a good story behind it, which, to me, is the main reason why these five movies are the best ones this year.

This film was by far the greatest to come out this year so far. As sad as it was to watch the Mission Impossible series come to an end, Tom Cruise’s performance was phenomenal.

— Sawyer Powell ‘28

Ruth, Bonds, or Ohtani: Who is the True GOAT of Baseball?

JC Gonzalez Staff Writer

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he debate over who is the greatest baseball player of all time has lasted generations, ignited arguments, and defined the sport’s legacy.

Baseball is a game built on history and statistics and on legends and evolving eras. While many names have been thrown into the conversation, three stand above the rest: Babe Ruth, Barry Bonds, and Shohei Ohtani. Ruth was baseball’s first superstar, Bonds its most feared hitter, and Ohtani its first true two-way phenomenon in the modern era.

Babe Ruth is often considered the default answer to this debate, the original face of baseball and a player whose legend remains in American sports. His career numbers still look unreal even today: 714 home runs, a career OPS of 1.164, and a OPS+ of 206.

He revolutionized hitting in the 1920s, shifting baseball from a strategy-based small ball era into a power era that still exists today.

Ruth was not just a hitter. Early in his career, he was also an elite pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, posting a 94–46 record with a 2.28 ERA. He excelled on the mound and at the plate long before anyone knew such a thing was possible on a championship level. Ruth played before Jackie Robinson integrated baseball in 1947. He never faced Black players, Latino stars, or today’s international talent. He did not have to hit against 100-mileper-hour relievers, advanced defensive analytics, expanded bullpens, or modern athletic training. His greatness is unquestioned, but his era limits the argument that he is the greatest player of all time.

Barry Bonds presents a different kind of argument. If the discussion is about who the greatest hitter in baseball history is, there may be no better answer than Bonds.

His career reads like a video game set on rookie mode: 762 home runs, seven MVP awards, 688 intentional walks more than some teams in MLB history, and a .609 on-base percentage in 2004, the highest ever recorded.

In his later years, he became the single most feared hitter ever.

Pitchers avoided him. Managers

Bonds looking at the crowd.

Credit: WikiMedia Commons

walked him intentionally with the bases loaded. He broke statistical spreadsheets and sanity at the same time. But as dominant as Bonds was, he played only one side of the game. He mastered hitting like no other, but he did not pitch, he did not change positional expectations, and he did not redefine the limits of a baseball player.

Pitching and Hitting is where Shohei Ohtani separates himself from every player in history.

Baseball fans once insisted that Ruth’s two-way dominance could never be replicated in the modern game. Ohtani has not only proven to have Ruth’s two-way ability, but he has put up better numbers while facing stronger opponents, in a harder era.

In 2021, he hit 46 home runs, stole 26 bases, drove in 100 runs, posted a .965 OPS, and had a 3.18 ERA with 156 strikeouts in 130 innings. In 2023, he had 44 home runs, led the league in OPS at 1.066, and had a 3.14 ERA as a pitcher. He is the only player in MLB history with multiple seasons of 30 home runs and 150 strikeouts as a pitcher. He is the only player ever with two unanimous MVP awards.

Treating Ohtani like any other player is impossible. He is a top three hitter and a top ten pitcher at the same time, something baseball had never seen before and was said was impossible. He hits like Aaron Judge and pitches like Gerrit Cole in the same game.

Ruth saved baseball and made it a national obsession. Bonds took hitting efficiency to a place no one has reached since. But Ohtani changed the definition of what a baseball player can be. He inspired a new generation of players to dream beyond positional labels. The GOAT should not just be the best player of a

Ohtani getting ready for his atbat.

Credit: WikiMedia Commons past era, but rather the player who redefines the game forever.

That player is Shohei Ohtani.

When judged by impact, skill, and what it truly means to redefine the game, Shohei Ohtani now stands alone as the real GOAT of baseball.

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Top 5 albums of 2025 Eli Kuvin Staff Writer

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usic today is all about clicks, views, and popularity.

We are losing touch with the art quality and expression in the form of an album. Albums comprise a comprehensive piece of work that encompasses complex feelings and emotions, working together to weave a narrative in a way that can’t be accomplished in books or movies.

Music connects us all, regardless of where you are from or what you like to do; everyone enjoys music. That feeling when you are immersed in the beauty of an album is unmatched. However, it’s hard to find high-quality work, as artists today often repeat the same songs, hooks, and styles.

Everywhere you look, it’s copy and paste. Here are some of my favorite listens from 2025 that will broaden your musical horizons and open your mind to new and experimental styles, coming together to create a cohesive body of work.

Ain’t No Damn Way! By Kaytranada

Kaytranada, the critically acclaimed hip-hop producer, chooses to switch up his style and create a groovy, dance focused album that makes your head bop the whole way through.

Kaytranada typically releases hip-hop-focused albums featuring big-name collaborators like Don Toliver, Anderson .Paak, and Childish Gambino. In this album, Kaytranada takes a different approach. A purely dance album with immaculate grooves, catchy vocal loops, and versatile synth loops that stay stuck in your head all day.

Rather than a strict concept album, Kaytranada opted for a laid-back approach. On his instagram story he said “this album is strictly for workouts, dancing and studying and for people that love beats”. His goal with the project was to create an album that would make people dance, perfect for a house party, a workout, or just as background music.

The songs on the album are uniquely produced, featuring mesmerizing and catchy loops.

Luka Vukelic ’29 loves the album. “I had the track DON’T WORRY BABE / I GOT U BABE stuck in my head all morning,” he said. That one was my personal favorite.” The catchy vocal loop and addictive drum pattern come together to create a bounce that will repeat in your head all day.

Showbiz! by MIKE

Album cover for “Ain’t No Damn Way!” by Kaytranada.

Credit: Kaytranada

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Showbiz! by MIKE is an experimental sample-based hip hop album. It contains laid back beats and hypnotic lyrics. Showbiz! is an album that illustrates the chase and work it takes to reach “showbiz” or success. MIKE talks about his beginnings and dreams of success, until he becomes the

MIKE performing at a concert.

Credit: Eli Kuvin ‘28 “Artist of the Century” and must learn how to manage that success and continue to improve.

The start and bulk of the album is energetic and bright. With pitched-up samples and loops, and a rapping style that sounds bright and upbeat. However, after an emotional interlude, the album transitions to a more somber soundscape, featuring lower-paced rapping and deeper pitched samples. MIKE explains how it feels to become successful and how he maintains his steady growth.

I saw MIKE’s concert on his Album of the Century tour, and it was an incredible experience, at The Albatross in downtown Jacksonville. A small venue where he delivered a very personal performance. He was interactive; he joined the crowd and even held a dance competition.

The entire album is consistent and impressive, but some of my personal favorites include “Spun Out,” which features a warm, lo-fi sample and hypnotic drums that complement MIKE’s unique flow style. Another standout track is “Da Roc,” – an experimental track

with a rap cadence that keeps you on your toes. “Man in the Mirror” is also a notable track, featuring a comforting pitched up sample and MIKE’s recognizable rap cadence.

Vanisher, Horizon Scraper By Quadeca Quadeca puts together an orchestral, cinematic, emotional album that sounds like the raging ocean. With big, moving chords, pulled together by ambient strings, synths, and woodwind instruments, this album truly feels like a journey through struggles.

Baby by Dijon Dijon creates a universe within his R&B, soul, and pop music blend on an album. Every song brings a new unique experimental production choice and strong powerful emotions.

Each song shines an underlying theme of love and family, which articulate a complex personal journey.

Dijon’s unique synth and drum choices throughout the album separate him from other R&B artists. The album has a certain texture and passion that is uncommon in our musical world.

This texture combined with the emotional vocals and acapella layer create a new niche “subgenre” or R&B.

Album poster for “Live Laugh Love” Credit: Earl Live Laugh Love Earl Sweatshirt

Live laugh love is an experimental hip hop album by the critically praised Earl Sweatshirt. In the album, Earl sweatshirt takes a positive view on life, talking about how his life changed, becoming a father, and enjoying the things around yourself. This comes in contrast to his previously dark topic matter.

This album is a blend of so many genres that it is difficult to describe.

It contains indie, orchestral, and hiphop influences that all pool together and become indistinguishable from each other. Every song has a very clear and moving emotional statement. Covering topics like big choices, nostalgia, and finding out who you are. Every song is lengthy but thought out and articulate.

With only 14 tracks, the album is 1 hour and 9 minutes long. But every track is so diverse and interesting that you never get bored or find anything repetitive. Any time you think the album is going to go in one direction, it flips into another and keeps you on your toes.

But Quadeca wasn’t always so

Earl sweatshirt’s rapping style is complex and iconic, with deep internal rhymes, hidden meanings, and metaphors. The combination of these deep, thorough rhymes and abstract unexpected production mix to create a beautiful piece of work that rivals his highly acclaimed previous albums.

Album cover for “Baby” by Dijon Credit: genius.com

The track (Referee), the groovy drumbeat, and emotional vocals tell the story of a girl who had the chance to call it but was too late. I also enjoyed the track KindaLove, with big emotional chords and a sense of completion and contentment in Dijon’s vocals. He talks about finding a deep, passionate love that makes his heart pump.

Although all tracks on the album are incredibly creative and unique, a few tracks stick out in particular to me. Crisco contains a beautiful vocal loop and an intriguing rap cadence that keeps you engaged throughout.

Tourmaline is a testament to the journey life takes you on, it has an emotional sample and delivery style. Live is also an amazing track, with a jazzy, soul feel to the first half until a beat changes, then it switches to a darker synthy groove.

Album photo for “Vanisher, Horizon Scraper” by Quadeca experimental. Kaden Townsend ’26 says he appreciates the “progression of Quadeca as an artist. He started off as this crappy YouTube rapper, but he’s evolved into this artistic musician who’s concerned about the quality of his record.” And it truly is impressive the improvement of quality that we have seen in Quadeca. He was originally this “meme” rapper who truly transformed into a respected artist who puts his full effort forward into everything he does.

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The many faces of Eminem Sawyer Powell Staff Writer

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minem is one of the most amous and successful rappers of all time. He has sold the most albums of any rapper and he is widely regarded by fellow rapper 50 Cent as the greatest rapper in history. From his more mainstream hip-hop songs, such as “My Name Is,” to his rapid-fire bars on “Rap God,” Eminem has a wide variety of in his songs. Sometimes it is almost as if different people write his songs, given his diverse styles. This is partially true. Eminem, like some other rappers such as Tyler, the Creator, has multiple per each of his songs, these personas are Marshall Mathers, EMINEM, and Slim Shady. Each of these characters makes up the whole personality of this legendary rapper.

Marshall is both Eminem’s kindest and most aggressive persona. This character is the one to whom Eminem puts his most emotion. Marshall Mathers is the rapper’s real name, so this may be the closest to how Eminem is in real life. He can be clearly present in songs such as “Somebody Save Me,” “Mockingbird,” and “Killshot” and is the presiding character in the albums “Recovery” and “Revival.”

Marshall is the father of Haliey, and that can make him much more careful and defensive than Eminem’s other two personas. When Machine Gun Kelly directly spoke about

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Eminem’s daughter, it was Marshall Mathers who decided to step in. The song Eminem put out as a response to MGK’s “Rap Devil,” “Killshot,” quite possibly ended MGK’s career as a rapper and forced him to change genres. It shows how Marshall is willing to cross boundaries even Eminem won’t to defend the ones he truly cares about. He is known for giving the audience a small window into his actual life,

The Marshall Mathers LP 2 Eminem

rather than covering it up with wacky lines like Slim Shady Vincent Baragan (‘28), is an avid Eminem listener. Barragan said, “I think Marshall Mathers is definitely the more self aware persona.” Vincent also said he associates Mathers with songs “Beautiful” and “Somebody Save Me,” and “Half of ‘Recovery.’” Marshall also gave us Eminem’s most lighthearted and inspiring songs, “Somebody Save Me” and “Mockingbird.” These songs brought listeners to tears and are genuinely a moving collection that showcases a lighter side of Eminem, not commonly seen in his work.

EMINEM is the rapper’s chosen name. He serves

up the fresh and fast bars his fans know and love and have come to expect. Unlike Marshall Mathers, EMINEM is not supposed to be likable.

He is cold, unforgiving, and highly aggressive. The rapper created the name Eminem by combining his initials, and to avoid being sued by M&M’s, he spelled it out instead.

EMINEM is a combination of Slim Shady and Marshall, just like the name itself. He is known for his fast lines and lyrical genius and is making more and more appearances in Eminem’s albums. He is the lead character in almost all of Eminem’s newer albums, and has recently taken a darker turn. His rise to predominance started in the Marshall Mathers LP II, when he broke records with 9.6 syllables per second in his fastest bar. EMINEM also dropped disses on rappers P Diddy and Joe Budden, among others. EMINEM destroyed

“When I think about Eminem,I think about ‘Lose Yourself’ and ‘8 Mile.’”

—Luka Vukelic (‘29)

Benzino and Melle Mel on his last album, “The Death of Slim Shady,” for their opinions on his career and how they think he does not deserve his position as one of the Top 5 greatest rappers of all time.

When a fan, Luka Vukelic(‘29) thinks about Eminem “I think about ‘Lose Yourself’ and ‘8 Mile.’” EMINEM is also the rapper’s choice to speak out to his fans. This is first shown when this persona was introduced in “The Marshall Mathers LP” in “Stan,” where he explained how he does not want his fans to be crazy over him, but he appreciates their love. EMINƎM is a dangerous and powerful persona that will end careers just as easily as Marshall and Slim when given the chance.

what I think he did, did he?”

(Mathers, Marshall. “The Real Slim Shady” Marshall Mathers, 2001, https://www.eminem. com/song/real-slim-shady/) perfectly sum up the whole persona. Slim Shady’s voice is significantly higher than Marshall’s and EMINEM’s, and his songs usually cover more sensitive and offensive topics.

He leaves audiences gasping with disses on Michael Jackson, Christopher Reeves, and

11/5/2013, A photo of Eminem’s old house, The Marshall Mathers LP 2 Finally, Slim Shady is the “Devil” on rapper Eminem’s shoulder, constantly struggling between right and wrong with Marshall Mathers and coming up with the rapper’s out-ofpocket and offensive lines that

“it is Slim’s “unhinged comedic aspects” and that he is “not afriad to speal what comes to his mind” which truly seperates him from Eminem’s other two personas” — Kaden Townsend (‘26) shocked audiences and first propelled Eminem to fame.

He is famously known for his denim overalls, old-fashioned goalie hockey mask, chainsaw, and bleached-blond hair, a wild look to complement his already insane persona. He is the dominant persona in almost all of Eminem’s early work, from “The Slim Shady LP” to “Relapse: Refill.” Slim primarily revolves around shock value rapping. The lines, “Oh, wait, no way, you’re kidding. He didn’t just say

Marshall Mathers, grows tired of Slim’s rude and offensive behavior. When Slim tries to get Marshall canceled by Gen-Z, along with all the stress Slim has put on Marshall over their thirty-six-year rap career, he finally snaps and decides to put Slim out for good. This internal struggle between right and wrong suggests that Marshall has possibly finally decided to stop relying on Slim for coming up with offensive lyrics, and there will be fewer and fewer appearances for Slim later in Eminem’s career.

4/26/2002, Eminem sitting on a stage behind a curtain with a spotlight pointing at the microphone, The Eminem Show.

The Eminem Show Eminem

Donald Trump, and shows that there is a small part of Eminem that does not want to grow up in terms of maturity. Whether it is negative or positive, the only thing Slim Shady truly wants is attention. An avid Eminem listener, Kaden Townsen(‘26) He said it is Slim’s “Unhinged comedic aspects” and that he is “Not afraid to speak what comes to his mind,” which truly separates him from Eminem’s other two personas. Townsen also said that the three songs he mainly attributes to Slim Shady are “Without Me,” “The Real Slim Shady,” and “Just Lose It,” the latter of which is the cause for Michael Jackson to buy Eminem’s entire music catalog because of Eminem’s diss. It goes without saying that Slim Shady is deployed only whenever Eminem feels it is entirely necessary, and he almost always causes controversy whenever he is let loose. In Eminem’s most recent album, “The Death of Slim Shady,” the rapper’s persona,

All these characters are personifications of the self.

Eminem has made a vast number of personas to amplify his emotions, but these three stand out the most. They all offer a window into a different part of his life, Slim representing his younger years, and Marshall and EMINEM an older version of the rapper after fame. Each of these helps the audience better understand the enigma that is Eminem.

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Yes, we care about the Kelce/Swift engagement Jack Laufer Head Sports Editor

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n August 26, 2025, the music superstar Taylor Swift announced her engagement to the tight end of the Kansas City Chiefs, Travis Kelce. Kelce proposed to her with a 10-carat diamond ring that is worth an estimated $500,000-$1,000,000.

The jeweler, Kindred Lubeck, is from Neptune Beach, Florida, and attended Florida State University.

This exciting news sent the pop culture world into mayhem.

Swift’s official Instagram post has already accumulated 35 million likes (as of 9/1/2025) and ranks ninth on the all-time most-liked Instagram posts.

The news of the engagement broke shortly after Swift and Kelce set the record for most concurrent listeners to a podcast with 1.3 million, set on Travis Kelce’s podcast New Heights. On that podcast episode, Swift announced her 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl.

For some people, this engagement is monumental news.

For others, they really couldn’t care less. This clash of opinions leads to the question: how much does the world REALLY care about this engagement? So, in order to find out more, I went around campus asking students and faculty their thoughts about the engagement between Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.

Though Marshall Skinner ‘28 doesn’t quite know what to think of the engagement, his sister is a huge Swiftie. Skinner learned of the news through a sports network, which shocked him.

Skinner has a theory about the whole thing being a publicity stunt. “I don’t think they’re going to get married for a little bit,” he said. “I think they will drag this publicity out for a while.” So, even though Skinner is thrilled for his sister, he “really couldn’t care less.”

Olivia Owens ‘27 is thrilled about the engagement and is trying her hardest to land a spot on the wedding guest list. “Do I think that

Travis Kelce proposing to Taylor Swift.

Credit: ChatGPT “Cartoon Travis Kelce proposing to Taylor Swift.”

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there are more important news articles to be looking at instead of this engagement? Yes. But will I stop reading the articles?

No,” said Owens. She is looking forward to listening to the good music that Travis Kelce will inspire Swift to write.

Zach Schaefer ‘27 is quite happy for the couple getting engaged.

Though he is a little tired of seeing Swift during the Chiefs games, he says,“if they’re in love, they’re in love” and we should “be happy for them tying the knot.”

Viviana Gomez ‘28 is a serious Swiftie. She has nearly every single Taylor Swift song on her playlist and she loves the couple getting engaged. “I’m really excited for her [Taylor] and Travis.

They make a great couple. I can’t wait to keep up with them.”

Now, in my opinion, Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift are cool and all, but the whole thing has gotten quite old. Back in July 2023, I was shocked when news broke that notorious “loud-mouth” Travis Kelce started dating Taylor Swift, who seems like the most gentle and nicest person in the universe.

I remember telling my mom, “Six months max, just you wait!” But here we are, more than TWO years later, and they’re getting married.

And to be honest, I like the couple.

Listening to their podcast together really showed how (shockingly) compatible they are. Both have great personalities, and it really shows. I think they’ll be together for a long, long time.

Has the media coverage of their relationship gone a little too far?

Yeah. Has it been annoying at times? Yes again. But, should we celebrate this engagement? I say of course. So, congrats to Taylor and Travis, and let’s hope that this relationship doesn’t end with another breakup song.

Remembering Minneapolis school shooting tragedy Meera Krish Staff Writer

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chool shootings have been a problem in America for decades. The first school shooting occurred in 1764, 261 years ago, at Enoch Brown schoolhouse in Pennsylvania.

This event is also known as the first school massacre. Since then, the rate of school shootings has climbed too high. The rate has significantly increased in the past 10 years, going from 47 shootings throughout the U.S 2014 to roughly 218 in 2024.

Just recently, on Wednesday, August 27, a school shooting occurred at the Minneapolis Annunciation Catholic school in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The students were attending a worship service when 23-year-old Robin Westman attacked the school. The reason why will most likely never be known because after the school shooting, Westman shot herself.

Police suspect the reasoning was religious, and the shooting was a Catholic hate crime.

As a child, Westman attended Minneapolis Annunciation. Two children were killed and 18 people were injured.

“School shootings are a terrible event in our community and need to be stopped.”

— Riya Krish, ‘31 Firearms are now the leading cause of death for children ages 1-19. School shootings are a major part of this. Although our country has been working to stop them, they continue to happen week after week.

The Annunciation Catholic school is speaking to the authorities.

Credit: Chad Davis Photography Something must be done to stop these shootings, but what? First, we must know the cause. Many times, it has to do with mental health. Mental health is one of the biggest prblems teens face in today’s society. Many times it goes unnoticed and undiagnosed.

Mental health awareness exists, but isn’t talked about enough.

Kids who think they might be struggling are usually too scared or embarrassed to admit it. When mental health goes unnoticed, it can result in terrible actions, such as kids wanting to hurt others.

The lack of mental health awareness has been the cause of many school shootings. Also, having easy access to guns in our country gives kids the opportunity to use one.

Another reason school shootings are happening is that students are being exposed to violence in video games and in the media at a young age, especially students with older siblings. They might see a shooting game and not understand exactly what is going on, but to them, the game is fun, and they want to play it.

Some kids guilty of attacking schools wanted to get back at others, or may have experienced

trauma, or may have been bullied.

The fact that school shootings are still happening to this day shows we are not doing enough as a community.

“School shootings are a terrible event in our community and need to be stopped,” said Riya Krish ‘31.

Another student, Saanvi Kondu ’29, said, “I think they are devastating events that show serious issues with access to firearms, health, and school safety.”

School shootings should not still be happening. Students shouldn’t have to go to school knowing that there is a possibility they could get shot, and the fact that an attacker could be a student in their class that they see every day makes it even worse.

School is a place where we are supposed to learn and make memories with our friends, classmates, and teachers. It is a place for growth physically and mentally. Hopefully, our country will soon realize just how many school shootings are occurring each year and take more action to protect our future generations.

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Josh Allen vs. Lamar Jackson Who is the better quarterback?

JC Gonzalez Staff Writer

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osh Allen and Lamar Jackson are currently two of the NFL’s best quarterbacks. People may think Allen is better because he won the most recent MVP. Or Jackson is better because of his superb stats, but who is actually better? Let’s dive deeper into their stats and accolades.

Bills recorded a win over Lamar Jackson and the Ravens 41-40.

The Bills were down 15 points with 3 minutes to go. Allen threw for 394 yards, 2 passing touchdowns, and had 2 rushing touchdowns, and over 250 yards of his were in the 4th quarter alone. Some would describe him as the clear hero of the game and led his team to a comeback victory against a top team.

“He doesn’t have as much help as Lamar does and he makes his worse

Josh Allen had an impressive season in 2024, winning the league’s, Most Valuable Player. That is the most prestigious award you can get in any sport. He threw for almost 4,000 yards and had 28 passing touchdowns as well as just 6 interceptions. He also tallied 531 rushing yards and 12 rushing TDs. It’s also important to note that Allen sat out on 11 total quarters throughout the season due to the Bills putting in their backups in because of their lead. That is one quarter away of missing out on stats from 3 whole games.

Last season against the 49ers, Josh Allen became the first player in NFL history ever to record a passing, rushing, and receiving touchdown in the same game. His ability to shake off defenders and find a receiver downfield is what makes him so

“He had one of the best statistical seasons last year with a 10-1 touchdown to interception radio.”

— Jackson Guthrie ‘28 good. He also has the ability to take his yards on the ground and run people over.

In week one of this NFL season, the Bills played the Ravens in a Sunday night matchup. Josh Allen and the

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Bill’s Quarterback Josh Allen looking downfield.

Credit: WikiMedia Commons team look better,” said Hager.” “The Bills just beat the Ravens 41-40 last week all thanks to Josh.”

Chase Rathet ‘27 has the same opinion about Josh Allen. “ I think Lamar Jackson is an elite quarterback, but Josh Allen’s ability to save plays and be the hero in tight games gives him the slight edge” Rathet.

Josh Allen is 7-6 in his playoff career. His most recent playoff win was against the Ravens, sending Lamar Jackson and his team to Cancun.

While Josh Allen continues to dominate with his arm strength and playmaking ability, it’s Lamar Jackson’s unique style of electric speed and versatility that makes him so good. Lamar Jackson is a two-time league MVP, in 2019 and 2023. He could’ve easily won MVP last year too. Jackson posted career highs in passing yards and

completions, and also was the most efficient quarterback last season.

He is debatably the best dual-threat QB ever and has had multiple 1,000 rushing yard seasons.

“I believe Lamar Jackson is better than Josh Allen because Lamar Jackson is a more accurate passer, said Brody West ‘28. “I also believe Lamar is a better rusher than Allen.”

Jackson had a 10-1 touchdown to interception ratio. He threw for 41 touchdowns and only 4 interceptions. He had 45 total touchdowns with 4 rushing TDs and 915 rushing yards. He had a passer rating of 119.6.

Even though Allen won MVP, Lamar was first team All-Pro over Allen.

“Lamar is easily better than Josh Allen due to being a two-time MVP and has the highest passer rating of all time.” Guthrie.

Lamar Jackson has 3 playoff wins in his career and has a 3-5 record in the postseason. Jackson is a generational player who has developed into one of the best passing quarterbacks as well as his raw talent of being a good runner.

Whether it’s Josh Allen’s strong arm and his hero-like style or Lamar Jackson’s ability to keep defenses guessing, both quarterbacks continue to prove why they’re among the best talents in the NFL today. This debate is too close to

Lamar Jackson throwing a football.

Credit: WikiMedia Commons

Homework isn’t worth it Meera Krish Staff writer

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omework has been an idea that has been practiced throughout the decades.

But is it really useful? Because of its many cons and how much time it takes up for students, I do not believe so.

Homework was popularized by an Italian educator named Roberto Nevilis in the 19th century. He wanted to expand learning outside of the classroom. He believed students needed to reinforce what they were learning.

Soon after, homework spread across the world and even became a way to punish some students. According to the Rocky Mountain Collegian Records from the 1960s show this. The progressive education movement, Britannica’s definition of the progressive education is; a movement that took place in Europe and the United States during the late 19th century as a reaction to the narrowness and formalism of traditional education.

“I think homework is useful but not too much because it gets in the way of other work and doesn’t teach that much” -Duce 29 Homework became an important part of this and a useful way for students to study for tests.

Homework became globally

accepted and is now used in almost every country. According to World Population Review, some countries, like the United States, give many hours of homework each week, while others, like Finland, only give a few, and are higher ranked in education.

According to these statistics above, homework is not helping students receive higher grades.

Two children are doing homework.

Credit: Pexels.com

This might be due to taking away their studying time. Annabelle Duce ‘29 agrees with this, she said. “I think homework is useful but not too much because it gets in the way of other work and doesn’t teach that much,” According to Shockwaves and Innovations, some countries like Findland do not require homework because they focus more on interactive learning and tests. However, most schools like ours, give students homework almost every day. Although it is not required, it is the teacher’s choice.

I personally would rather not have homework. I believe it is useful in some classes, but I think it should be optional, or become extra work for students who do not fully understand the material.

However, most teachers who assign homework grade it.

Therefore, if you do not do your homework, you will receive an F for that one. It also causes students to be stressed trying to balance homework, studying, and after-school activities.

Madelyn Byrd ‘29 said “I think homework is not useful because it repeats what we do in class and stresses me out, it causes me to lose sleep or have to miss after-school activities for it.”

Although I cannot speak for all students, I believe most would rather not have homework every night and would prefer to spend that time studying and doing other activities they enjoy. Not all students agree with this, though. Sabrina Desai 31’ said, “I think homework is useful because it allows us to see if we understand the material we learned in school”.

Some students believe homework is useful, and so do teachers.

Our country has been using homework as a way of learning for decades, and therefore, we have not gotten rid of it.

Although homework has pros it clearly has more cons, those being, homework takes away time for students to study, and causes students stress. by looking at World Population Reviews statistics, it is shown to cause students to not do as well academically, and personally, I believe it is not worth taking away time from studying, which is worth a higher grade than homework. Overall, homework is not worth it.

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Editor-In-Chief cheats the system Eli Kuvin Staff Writer

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ince November 9, 2022, the Bolles Bugle website has been plagued by the article “Is Humpty Dumpty Really An Egg?” On the right side of the article reader on our website, there is a trending list. For the past three years, “Is Humpty Dumpty Really An Egg?” has been the number one trending article. But who would want to read an article on Humpty Dumpty? And how does it beat other, more interesting articles? It begs the question of foul play, and a feud between Editors-in-Chief that goes beyond just numbers.

Tristan Schneider ‘26, currently a Co-Editor-in-Chief, wrote the article his freshman year. The article was the first that Schenider wrote, and thus not very good.

The article consists of minimal writing, boring images, and fabricated quotes.

In the article, Schneider uses two quotes from someone named “The Calculator Guy.” If the name isn’t suspicious enough, Schneider also does not fully cite the quotes. He simply just says “The Calculator Guy.” But there is no Calculator Guy on the Internet, and certainly not one who wrote about Humpty Dumpty being an egg. The quotes are quite obviously fabricated.

Schneider most likely couldn’t find people writing about his topic, and thus came up with his own quotes.

Schneider’s article is not particularly eye-catching either.

Containing a boring title about Humpty Dumpty and a stock photo. Neither are very intriguing.

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And how often do people think about Humpty Dumpty? Not very much.

whenever it gets passed he has to go in and change the data to move his article back to first place.

With these flaws, we are left to wonder: who is clicking on this article? The answer I found was that we don’t know where the traffic is coming from.

But why would Schneider want to keep his article at the top so badly? He enjoys making his rival Editor-in-Chief mad. “It’s his favorite thing to poke fun at me.

I think that he’s doing it to taunt me,” said Stewart.

Schneider uses the article as leverage all the time. “It’s not my fault I’m better than her,” he said.

He uses his fabricated data and fake success to prove he is better than her.

Ellie Stewart ‘26 pushes an egg with the face of tristan schneider off a cliff Credit: Sora AI Ellie Stewart ‘26, the other CoEditor-in-Chief, says that “Tristan hacked into the system. He put numbers, views, and likes on his article that it did not receive.” But how would he have done this?

One way he could have boosted his stats is by opening and reloading a tab he had on a device or devices. Doing such would generate views, pushing the article to the top of the trending list.

Schneider could have also accessed the website and manually changed the data.

Rather than real clicks and views, his data could have come from changes he made in the website.

This would make sense because sometimes new articles overtake Humpty Dumpty for first place, but eventually Humpty Dumpty reclaims its spot. Maybe, Schneider wants to make sure the article stays in first place, and

Schneider even doubles down with dirtier insults: “Ellie? More like smelly.” An elementary attempt to engage Stewart in an argument.

Schneider is trying to take down Stewart in his route to becoming a better author.

“He knows I put more effort into my article than he did,” Stewart

“Ellie? More like Smellie” —Tristan Schneider ‘26 said about her past article: “Instagram creator and former Bolles swimmer rises to Varsity Head Coach.” This story should have had more click logically, as Coach jake has a big following on instagram, and posted Stewart’s article on his instagram story.

Through all these facts and disputes, there is one thing we may never know: who, if anyone, is reading “Is Humpty Dumpty Really an Egg?” And why is it still number one on the charts after three years? The only plausible answer is foul play.

Videos and Multimedia

Raaya Katugaha Design Editor

Conrad or Jeremiah?

Jolee Abbey Social Media Editor

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onrad or Jeremiah? This summer, Jennie Han’s The Summer I Turned Pretty was a hit! Everyone had a preference and opinion on the main character, Belly, and her final love interest. Editors Raaya and Jolee ask Bolles students about their favorite pick for Belly. Link to our video with the QR code below!

Only murders in the Bugle

Eli Kuvin Staff Writer Sawyer Powell Staff Writer

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ho killed Tristan? This fastpace plot turning video takes you on a wild ride as you investigate the murder of the Bugle Co-Editor-in-Chief. Was it Hudson and Rollins? With their plot to coup for Editor-in-Chief position? Was it Jolee? Does she hold a grudge against Tristan? Or was it Ellie, his Co-Editor-in-Chief?

Figure out when watching this thrilling murder mystery.

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Tristan Schneider Co- Editor in Chief

Meet the Bolles Bugle

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n this comedy skit video, the Bolles Bugle goes through the process of producing their first magazine of the year while going through crazy challenges.

Max Coulter Staff Writer

Vollyball rising stars

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ey look into this lady Bulldogs 2025 season and their key players and rising stars.

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Max Coulter Staff Writer

Football Stars

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his 2025 Bulldog football team is making a huge run and to make state this year.

They have accomplished so much with their stars’ national collegiate attention and undeniable special traits thet make them great.

Take a look at some of these key players that aid the Bulldogs in winning it all this year.

Max Coulter Staff Writer

Lebron vs Jordan GOAT debate

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ebron James or Michael Jordan? One of the most heated debates of the sports world. Bolles students are asked who they thought was the GOAT, and evidence and reasoning follow.

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Max Coulter Staff Writer

Bolles Trivia

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olles students are interviewed in random trivia on geography, history and animal facts.

Reid Moscarillo Staff Writer

Angel Reese vs Caitlin Clark

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ngel Reese vs Caitlin Clark is one of the biggest debates in womens sports right now, both with 2 very diffferent but effective playstyles. Let’s see who Bolles thinks is the best.

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Wes Coughlin Assistant Sports Editor

College football predictions

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he College Football Season is here! Wes Coughlin gives us his thoughts and predictions on which college superstar will take home the Heisman Trophy this year.

In this video, Wes will breakdown top players by stats, performance, and overall ability.

Go to The Bugle’s Youtube channel (link on page 65) to watch the full video.

Or scan the QR Code to the right.

Dawson Brydges Photo Editor

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his season, college football has many exciting teams to look after. Dawson will dive into the stats and predict which team will take home the trophy this year Go to The Bugle’s YouTube channel (link on page 65) to watch the full video.

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Jimmy Hunt Staff Writer

Fantasty Football sleepers and busts

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n this video JC Gonzalez and Jimmy Hunt talk about their fantasy football sleepers and busts for the 2025 NFL season.

They give statistics and critical reasoning on why they think players will do well or poorly.

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Jimmy Hunt Straff Writer

T

his is a video on the beef between Drake and Kendrick Lamar. We’ll talk facts and then ask students who they like more and why.

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Drake vs Kendrick

Raaya Katugaha Design Editor

What are Bolles students dressing up as for Halloween this year?

Jolee Abbey Social Media Editor

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et’s take a look at what the students’ Halloween costumes are this year, and their reasoning behind them.

Reid Moscarillo Staff Writer

Best Spots to Hangout on Campus

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ets see where the best spot to hangout on campus is, as we take a tour of the spots and see what are fellow classmates have to say about them.

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Tristan Schneider Co-Editor in Chief

Bolles is haunted part 2

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n this video, the Bolles Bugle investigates Bolles Hall for paranormal actiities and ghosts after many reports from boarders in this terrifying sequel.

Special thanks to the following for helping make this video: Vedika Shenoy’28, Sree Alam’26, Eva Sur’29, Adam Shaalan’30, Cameron Macdonald, Hermione Gutta’28, Rudrakshi Kumawat, and Tristan Schneider’26.

Jimmy Hunt Staff Writer

Canteen vs Cafeteria Food

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his is a short asking students if they prefer the Canteen food or the cafeteria food and why.

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Sawyer Powell & Eli Kuvin Staff Writers

Investigation of our haunted school

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any people wonder if ghosts actually exist. Find out with Bugle staff writers Sawyer Powell and Eli Kuvin in their terrifying investigation of Bolles Hall. Warning, this video is not for the faint of heart and even contains the image of an actual ghost

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