The Bolles Bugle: Quarter 4 2024

TABLE OF CONTENTS Editors’ Letter

Ava Lankarani Lucas Knapp Yusuke Nakatani Ellion Doyle Ellie Smith Joaquin Martine z Mya Bridgewater Lilly Salvador JP Nogueira Jaden Taher & Ni tin Mali Luke Balaskiewic z Abigail Gartner & Kathryn Sowers Noura Ossi Avery Suvoski Soumya Kondu Olivia Janse Va n Rensburg

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18 Katelyn Dye & Thomas Gorman Ava Mariotti Bennett Kirk Denzel Del Valle 19 Shruthi Pakala Will Sandner Ms. Morgan & Mr. Nesselrode Abby Bradley 20 Maddie Kaiser Mrs. McNesby Sam Perry Wesley Smith & Veronica SippensGroenewegen 21 Mr. Ferrari Milan Thomas Mr. Collins Dylan Schwartz 22 Ms. Jacobson Mrs. Westerlind Simran Naval Sarah Anne Thomas Krish Patel Santana Starks Jonah Landis Parth Jain Carter Lowe Holden Edgecombe Dylan Gatlin Mr. Jump Luis Lebrons Terrell McCoy Collin Norton Brody Mills Gabe Coleman Ms. Kalinski

Mr. Rivera Joe Graham Mady Dailey Harriet Loftin Bubbie Brown Kieran Roychowdhury Mr. Stam Maura Waller Mrs. Wood Billie Nimnicht Dr. Lieb Mrs. Dale Scott Rywelski Olivia Owens Johnny Allmand Coach O’Neill Ashkon Shirazi Senior Letter

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Dear Reader,

cessing) this up (or digitally ac g in ck pi r fo ch The Bolles Thank you so mu news magazine of t en ud st e th e, gl Bu copy of The Bolles School.

Amber Bansal hief Co-Editor-In-C

Isabel Bassin hief Co-Editor-In-C

school year. e of the 2023-2024 su is l na fi d an th Humans of This is our four Brandon Stanton’s of n io it ad tr e th in itions - instead Humans of Bolles, r straight news ed ou om fr t en er ff d of New York, is di content is comprise e th of ty ri jo ma g, an authentic of long form writin es that represent ag im ar ul ng si d short quotes an es community. look into the Boll stories and give es that tell deeper ec pi ct le se ve ha may only see We also lives of people we e th of s ew vi l na multi-dimensio on the surface. ow, green, lors: red, blue, yell co ve fi on d se ba is and This issue’s theme citement, growth, ex g, in ng lo n, io ss enting pa and purple, repres ly. mystery, respective check out re Bugle content, mo nt wa d an e su is agram If you enjoy this d follow us on Inst an m .co ne li on le ollesbug n photos our website www.b leases as well as fu re e cl ti ar y rl ea r e to the @thebollesbugle fo with us, and welcom ng ki ic st r fo ks an and videos. Th year! the 2023-24 school r fo n io it ed 4 r Quarte

cy: Editorial Poli

magazine e is the news The The Bolles Bugl lism class at na ur jo e th by ses cu created fo n io at Our public Bolles School. awareness of y it un mm co ng on increasi relating ts and topics in-school even levance, re : es lu va ws to the five ne , conflict/ liness/novelty proximity, time st. re te in n ma hu d controversy, an Bugle is the Content in the l staff of the editoria ty li bi si respon ews of vi e th t to reflec and not meant ration or the st ni mi ad ’s ol the scho h out to r. Please reac faculty adviso Gastaldi, with .

Ms r, so vi ad our faculty e can be or comments. Sh any questions .org. es ll bo e@ di al reached at gast

Bugle 024, The Bolles Copyright 2009-2

Divider Name

ange the fact that “I wish I could ch rld is pretty much everyone in the wo t or unhappy. I feel always stressed ou uld enjoy their like if everyone wo d be a lot better, lives more it woul ne who does their not only for everyo who makes the jobs and everyone that it does. [The world run the way lot more successful world] would be a joyed themselves if they actually en at they’re doing.” while they did wh

An ja li Gusani ‘25

“I look up to my mom a lot. Mostly because she’s doing great in life and she’s happy. I want to be like her one day. My horseback riding trainer too because she’s made a name for herself out there and works well. She’s accomplished and done a lot of big things.”

chitecchoose ar u can o t e v a h o “I would change y use it’s a nd it’s a a c e h b t a e m r tu and t r a ’s t i I’m movmake and It’s what . o d o t become n really fu . Hopefully I can very rds ture. I’m u f ing towa e h t t tect in done a lo an archi t it. I’ve u o d b n a a e e t r passiona chitectu ms for ar and reached out a r g o r p of ies t activit s.” differen ent firm r e f f dif o t o l a to

Ava Ludwig ‘27

kins Jaice Wil ‘25

“My grandkids are my passion. I always get my grandkids on the weekends and we do all kinds of fun things. I take them to the park, ride bikes with them, do arts and crafts, and play games. The favorite game is probably Uno, they are middle school age so they get really competitive. I have four, and they’re all girls.”

Elaine

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tant st impor o m e h t s evin i entor to “My dad K y life. He is a m ctivn m e to do a m i t person i s d n i eball ays f p my bas l e me. He alw h e k i h me l me.” ities wit ing with h s i f o g swing or

e Wyatt Wis ‘27

“My favorite part about being a teacher is hanging out with some really cool people that are still developing their concepts, their morals, their path in life, and it’s really neat to see how that changes over the years and just getting to know some really interesting people.”

vorite books, but “I have a lot of fa th ‘Existentialright now I’ll go wi ’ by Jean-Paul ism is a Humanism that he wrote Sartre. It’s a speech d and translated but it’s transcribe it’s in French— because originally, ly interesting I think it was real d it doesn’t reand well-spoken, an eech, it reads ally read like a sp nd of an overview like a book. It’s ki lism is, which is of what existentia who doesn’t know nice for a reader ilosophy books a lot about that. Ph dense and confusare usually pretty talk about what ing, so to have him ey is really helphe’s trying to conv to read a pretty ful. I usually like es, a little bit of wide array of genr everything.”

Ms. Vance

Olivia Ebeling ‘25

“If there was something I could change about my community, I would change how we have to drive everywhere versus walking. Walking everywhere would allow people to get out and meet one another and get more exercise.”

Estel la Bruneau ‘25

in crocheting so I “I invest my time stuffed animals to can give my little because I feel like friends or family little craft.” it’s a meaningful

Kayleigh Kasinger ‘24

“If I do have to pick my dream job... probably something in sports broadcasting or sports analytics. I’d be on ESPN, like a Mike Greenberg kind of guy in the sports industry without actually playing sports. I feel like that would be great. My dad got me into baseball when I was about four and I played until fifth grade. He taught me to not stay with one sport and that’s how I ended up finding track. I’ve been doing it for six years now and that’s something that I want to do up past college.”

omebody ou love s y w o n k ifice you g to sacr “I think n i l l i w are derstand when you m. You un you can e h t r o f things ng, and care are feeli that you how they w o h s d n at a to the act on th try to show love by . I t I love for them ings tha h t with d y l n l a a especi people m e h t they ting apprecia out what b a g n i k eing hin e, it is b people, t m o T . w o and ed n ds people would ne r a w o t e t lf for ona e yourse compassi iv g o t g n hem, and lli around t being wi e b o t g n ey have nti them, wa thing- th m.” y a w o w a t love the it’s like or you to f u o y e v to lo

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s Mary Agne

Andrew Ruzanka ‘26

Smith ‘25

“During the school week I’m obviously preoccupied with a lot with school and then after, I have practice every single day. Then, usually after that I just chill with my brothers at my house, do some homework. On the weekends. I spend a lot more time with my family and also my friends.”

Louis Joos ‘26

trates me ing frus iv r at D . g n reat but “Drivi can be g t se I I u . a t c s e o ing b the m y o n n a e d tim k. I’m use the same e to thin v e a h h t y n l i l actua ust get able to j nd just to being ention a t t a y a p not I drive I car and ut when b , s s ion and e r p decom y attent a p o t e v ha always like I’m actually l e e f I o ike Als lock in. e place l h t r e v o all tivities driving ts and ac nd r o p s t n re ike I spe for diffe . I feel l l o o h at home.” c s r afte car than e h t n i e more tim

t person in my “The most importan an extremely is life is my dad. He rson whom I can kind and gentle pe . all of my problems always go to with ng advice on He is always offeri my life and be a e ways I can improv nd, and student. better person, frie st interest at He always has my be to him as a role heart and I look up nt my life to look model of how I wa . I appreciate him like in the future so much.”

lson Ha l lie Ne ‘25

“So I’ve got two businesses right now. One of them is going to focus more online. That one’s gonna have more of a future. I think that one can bring in more money, which I want to share through charities and obviously something for myself. Ultimately, that’s my goal, to run that business. I’m starting a detailing business first. I’m using that as a stepping stone to funnel and basically put money back into my other business to get that one more off its feet.”

Drew Canestra ‘25

Alexiya Downer ‘25

“Traffic and driving safety. Running red lights and texting while driving should be more of a hazard than it is because some people get away with it. And it causes bad stuff to happen to others. When people on the streets around us while we’re driving are texting they get too close to us because they are not watching what they are doing and almost cause us to crash.”

Jolee Abbey ‘27

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Drawn to Art Ms. Kuonen shares her journey to success through doing what she loves. f Isabel Schimpf itor Coffeehouse Ed

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I think it’s safe to say that art is my passion,” says Ms. Kuonen.

It’s clear to any student in Kuonen’s classes that the Bolles fine arts teacher has a deep love for her craft. However, it’s difficult to pinpoint where her attachment to the craft began.

with paintings.

The inspired artist then started making larger scale projects.

“I made a couch that looked like something that IKEA would sell, but it was all made out of paintings. You could take it apart and hang it on the wall or put it together and have a real object.

I liked it because it was problem solving and ways to reinvent what painting meant to me.”

“I have been asked how I have gotten into art a lot in my life and honestly, I don’t think there was ever a physical moment in my life where I self-elected - I am an artist. It was just always a part of my life.”

“My mother was a dance teacher and a schoolteacher.” says Kuonen, “She taught at a Montessori school and would always bring home big pieces of butcher block paper. I have loads of memories of just drawing on butcher paper on the floor while she would make dinner.”

“Art’s always been a part of the rich fabric of my life.”

— Lily Kuonen Art continued to shape Kuonen’s life through school. She attended an art magnet school where one month students would learn from an African dance group and the next, professional storytellers.

After graduating from Savannah College of Art and Design, where she trained in 2D techniques, she quickly realized that 3D work was becoming an additional passion of hers.

Kuonen began fusing her academic training, her passion for mixed media, and her fascination with mechanics and puzzles. One of these revelations included her “clayntings.” These, as the name suggests, were clay pieces mixed

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Kuonen and partner install dragonfly work.

Credit: Ms. Kuonen As far as advice to other aspiring artists, Kuonen suggests engaging with local art and artists and just taking things slowly.

“Take on what you can accomplish. I think the expectation often times is you have to always be successful in everything all the time, and really, incremental change is valuable and necessary.”

Kuonen’s studio in progress.

Credit: Ms. Kuonen Today, in addition to teaching and inspiring young Bolles artists, Kuonen also creates large scale public installations. She has made indoor projects, outdoor projects, memorials, kinetic sculptures, stainless steel statues, traditional bronze sculptures, and more.

For the future, Kuonen plans on working more sustainable practices and materials into her teaching like flowers and turmeric. She still believes in having a fondness for one’s work and mixing their careers with one’s passion.

“You have to like what you do. It’s fun, it’s hard, it’s challenging, but you’ve got to love it!”

She typically makes two projects a year with one of her most notable ones being the Organ Donor Memorial here in Jacksonville.

Like most creators, Kuonen takes inspiration from other artists.

“There are people that inspire my teaching side of production and then there are people who inspire my personal side of production.

Of course, my peers inspire me, but one artist who really stuck with me is Anne Truitt. She writes about life intertwining with art and when I read it, it was exactly what I needed to read at that time in my life.”

Detail of collection by Kuonen.

Credit: Ms. Kuonen

“The thing I miss most is my pet guinea pig, Autumn, who sadly passed away last night after living a whopping 12 years.”

Ava Lankarani ‘25 name “I would like to change my perspective on others a bit more. I feel like I’m a bit harsh on judging people before I get to know what kind of person they are. I think that one of the biggest things that has helped me is progressing in my walk of faith. You can’t judge people by their actions at the same time when God died on the cross for our sins. I think in general that is how I’m working through it, by putting my faith and belief in God and knowing that I shouldn’t be doing those things.”

e lse in th ywhere e n a a e J b e s d o l ould cho “If I cou my t now I w h g i r d ly. I miss is l d r a b wo o s n e ss Japa food her pan. I mi food. The e e h h t t r d e n f pre family a it but I e k i l I good and food.”

Japanese

katani ‘27

a Yusuke N

“If I could change something about myself, I would change my eye color.

I feel like it would be cooler. Just for like one day I want to see what I would look like. I don’t know, I just want to look cooler, unlike 80% of the world. I would change it either to hazel, violet….or like the two color eye people…., or like blue. Even like light, light brown would be ok.”

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Lucas Knapp ‘26

Ellion Doyle ‘24

est time my tough y l b a b o r nd I “I’d say p my ACL a e it r o t I and then r a e was when y a r asn’t run fo ught I w o h t couldn’t I d n I rack a ut then ruined t ollege. B c o mt o c o g ’t n I did t going to u B . e g comcolle t I didn’t a h did go to t y p p verall I’m ha n life. O i e mit. But m d e t we just edirec because mit. It r g n i h t good record.” it was a l 4 by 1 o o h c s e h broke t

th ‘24 El lie Smi

“I miss the free time the most from my childhood. I miss being able to hang out with my friends and not have to stress about the quiz tomorrow or the test at the end of the week.”

is upset, I think “If anyone I know t thing is to make the most importan at you’re there for sure they know th they have the them—so they know you need to give. support, that’s what portant to go up I don’t think it’s im them what they to someone and tell eir life. I think should do with th eck up on even it’s important to ch ke, oh, like ‘how random people to li y?’ It’s something are you doing toda at can mean so as little as that th much.”

Joaquin Martinez ‘27

Mya Br idgewater ‘25

“I miss my older brother Daniel the most. He’s in college right now and we were really tight before he left. Now I don’t see him very often, I don’t think I’ve seen him since last summer, which has been almost a year. So I think I miss my older brother the most.”

Lilly Salvador ‘24

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“The hardest thing I’ve been through is probably learning English. It was hard to adapt. It was hard to learn and I had like no friends, no family.

Nobody to be with for like a good couple months. But then I learned how to live here.”

JP Nogueira ‘25

“I had a very happy childhood. My dad was a sailor, so the sound of the sea or the rigging on a ship always reminds me of my dad. The crackling of a fire is the sound of our house in the winter up in the Lake District where we would be snowdeep and toasting crumpets over the fire. I love the smell of newly cut grass in England when the earth is damp, the smell of grass is redolent of summer. I heard the wind on the river and it did make me feel of nostalgic towards my family.”

out my s most ab s i m I g n d sleep “The thi ng a goo i v a h s i d childhoo .” e l u d e sch eep on the sl g n i d d a , of uld say “And I wo ea is the amount d d i d a ki . An schedule I had as t e a h m t i t e free tim ructured t of unst n u o sities, m a e th my curio e r o l p x e f I had to e a lot o ay I hav d o t t s l .” i o wh to d riculars extracur

Mrs. Kervin

her ‘25 Jaden Ta i ‘27 Nitin Ma l

“I’d say, probably playing in the U.S. Amateur. I was really nervous.”

Luke Balaskiewicz ‘25

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ard.”

itis is h

“Senior Kathryn:

think ll I can a l d n “A : a tropica Abigale ach and e b e h t s about i .” vacation really h I’ll be g u o h t n “Eve Kathryn: .” t n sunbur unburnt ther be s a r d ’ I , h y Bora “Yea Bora. I sa Abigale: a r o B n i the ing here all and cook w ’s t a h t k like ause They loo .

Bora bec o g s r e c luen on social tart inf t of fun o l a e v a they h media.” for sure. ca that’s i a m a J t is “No there th Kathryn: a cruise wear n o o t g n d i e allow I’m go t o n ’m I nd est.” summer a say Key W d l u o w I camo.

any regrets, “I don’t really have at old so, I don’t because I’m not th ly done anything know. I haven’t real ble. I guess the that’s too regretta a regret is reason I don’t have to learn from my because it’s better ell on them.” mistakes than to dw

4 Sowers ‘2 Kathryn 4 ar tner ‘2 Abiga le G

“I don’t think you should have regrets because you can’t really change anything about the past. I’ll probably have regrets later in life, but, in the grand scheme of things, I feel like it’s not that important to dwell over something that already happened.”

Noura Ossi ‘27

Avery Suvoski ‘27

“Do I feel like I have a purpose in life… yes, because I think my purpose in life is to help others.

Through volunteering, mostly. I tutor people, and I think that helps the most—in Spanish and math. Middle schoolers. I think they get a lot out of it—I hope they do.

I feel a sense of fulfillment from helping others.”

Soumya Kondu ‘25

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Combatting Cancer Olivia Janse Van Rensburg ‘24 raises money with LLS in her father’s honor Isabel Bassin hief Co-Editor-in-C

O

livia Janse Van Rensburg ‘24 was nine years old when her father passed away from ABC Lymphoma.

Now 18, Rensburg raises money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, so far totaling $157,000 and was recently honored at the LLS banquet for her contributions.

Who do you miss most?

“My father.”

When did he pass away?

“December 17 of 2015.”

How did you grapple with that as a young child?

“When you’re so young, and you’re told that your parent has this diagnosis that is incurable, it does not seem real. You hear about bad things, but you never

expect them to happen to you.”

How has losing him affected you?

“For the first two years it didn’t seem real. Honestly, as I grew up in elementary school, it didn’t seem real. Like at all.

It just seemed like he was on vacation, or he wasn’t there. And

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then it started to sink in, and it more affected my lifestyle. I really was able to get through it, and the hard days would be days like his death day and his birthday, or father-daughter stuff. People say that time heals but it doesn’t. The older you get, the harder it is, because you start to think of things like your wedding, your kids, prom pictures, stuff he won’t be there for. It definitely is hard, but it’s also something that I know that if I can deal with that, be strong through that, I can be strong through anything.”

What’s your favorite memory of him?

“I never wanted to go to my bible study at church. I would hate it because I was alone. He would drop me off, then he would stand outside the window making me and all of my classmates laugh for like 10 minutes until I was comfortable and then he would leave.”

How do you honor him now?

“LLS is a big way. It is crazy how much money plays a part in cancer research. LLS was a huge tribute to him, I did it all in

honor of him and it was really hard, but it was one of the most humbling and rewarding things ever.”

What do you wish you could tell your dad?

“I love him and I’m trying to do my best for him every day.”

What do you think he’d say to you right now?

“That he’s proud of me.”

(Left) Rensburg with her father.

(Above) Rensburg presents at the LLS Banquet in April (Below) Rensburg learns to ride a bike.

: Katelyn

otatoes ashed p you m s i d oo n orite f em whe “My fav ou can eat th rson, e p y ged because fant, middle-a uld put in . You co t e l u d are an a t. Ther elderly , or sal r e t t d u l and an b u , n them . You co gravy o ny variations bacon on ma eese, or are so ttle ch i l a w thro well.” them as :

Thomas

rm. It’s veal pa u put s i d o o ded. Yo orite f “My fav t of veal brea there, some cu on wing a nice cheese ce gro bit of n i e s l t t t i i of ed a l ave lik s, and it’s one h I . e c d in ett sau ssachus is hard to fin a M n i up hat hings t ry.” those t e count h t f o s a all are

Dye and n y l e t a K Gorman Thomas

“The barn makes me feel safe because I get to disconnect and I’m always working on a project and I get to focus on that and not think about whatever is going on at school. I get to focus with nothing distracting me.”

Ava Mariotti ‘25

Anything f money. o s t o l , y I like “Mone ng, like i l video b m a g playing from d n a y e n mo ke to gambling ours on end. I li games r h a lot of games fo d n a t f a ecr play Min .”

A T G like

Kirk Bennett ‘26

“I feel safe st with my family in Puerto Rico.

Being with my family there remin ds my of my childhood and growin g up with th at culture.

I always fe lt safe and it was so fun spending m y childhood there.”

Denzel Del Va l le ‘26

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people, d with n o b I eah, it’s how umor. Y h “That’s other y m h oug fun of g n i k a it’s thr m king nd just just ma , g n i y jokes a l y’ll not bul hen the k people— u know, and t hin yo But I t fun of— of you back. he n ating t g make fu inely appreci ntin nu mplime ey o c e just ge k i erson, l them, like th ve other p at se I lo miling , becau e l i them, s m s ve a pretty me I ha l l e have a t e peopl it when e.” il good sm

Paka la Shr uthi ‘24

“I really liked them. Get that tingly finglie. You know, the feelin’s. God, why are you asking me this? Ask him.

I feel like I gave you gold there.

That’ll sell papers. Tingly finglie.

Soulmates do the tingly finglies.”

Will Sandner ‘25

lrode

Mr. Nesse

ry being the libra I n i e d i r d “I take p place an lcoming e w ilosophy h a p h e c su ave th h e h t o b enters th think we student a able t e r m o i f t el com e f that any d l u o they sh library omed.” and welc n Ms. Morga

print. If the kids g n ing i p l e love help I , “I love h p l e h d some new they nee with the y l l a i c e p them, es system.” printing

lrode Mr. Nesse n Ms. Morga “I think I do believe in soulmates The right p . lace, the rig ht time, the right p eople—when fate brings them togeth er. It would definitely feel like n othing else —it would its own scen be ario. Like tw o vibes— picture this —two atoms with the rings aroun d them, and then there’ a transfer s of energy. E veryone ha these transf s ers of ener gy, but the transfer of energy betw een two soulmates is stronger. It ’s more powerful a nd beautifu l than other ones. I thin k if you hav e to change something to make it work, it’s n your soulm ot ate. kind of thin It’s a first meeting g.”

Abby Bradle y

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nely s genui i y r o d m e team an piest m “My hap the girl’s crew he friends n h t being o o-captain wit m. I like the c ea a t g e th uild bein ade on le to b b m a e n ’v e I e that e’ve b ow we lture w r years and h team cu u o d in ater an e last f over th both on the w wing se like ro so l e e f are clo I l o it’s a ssroom. sport s the cla camps, e , h s c a i t n t a y g r e e r v o is a ing t other cool go ct with e n n o pretty c ting to and get s.” athlete

Kaiser Maddie ‘24

“Currently, it’s spending time with my family, my wife, my dog and golfing in the beautiful spring Florida weather.”

coming ew album n e h T . t wif st ‘cause “Taylor S joy almo f o g n i a th r a long out, it’s aiting fo s out and w n e e b you’ve y come it finall PEE!’ When you time and EE st like ‘Y to something, you’re ju te ally rela a deeper can actu more of u o y you feel s e it giv it makes o s d n a on sad. It connecti kind of ’s m u b l a he et more better. T cause I g e f b y p p a h ’s kind o makes me and that , o t n e .” t y s li every da music to e off of iv v r u s I what

Mrs. McNesby

y Sam Perr ‘26

“A good frie nd and respectf is genuine, honest, ul of someo ne’s values and time.”

Wesley Smit h

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‘24 Veronica Sip pensGroenewege n ‘24

ry with ove Bar rst pet l I , s r i Sande ed my f ife “Barry . I nam t ay, my w r d a e h t h r i y b m h l 0t al ders ry. My 4 ph. Barry San r a B r e ev ra d. I nticate n autog e a h e t m u a t go and cards, framed Sanders ce told y r jersey r a B on er 30 okies. I an adult. o r have ov m e h was of t several ed him when I i, Michigan, v v o o l N n know him I store i n o z . I don’t i l r l e e V w a y n r I ell ve ber it as so sh ted m w e I m e , r m I hi as draf say to im. He w ed when I h what to d e v o . I l etir shocked s eight and r ive.” a w m I for at when s very a w t I was 17.

y, be the always sa d l u o My dad w m es today.

“My mo l i m s e n ow meo never kn reason so say, you s You y a . h lw g a u would g thro n i o g ’s e t eon hing tha what som ly good t n g my o n i e v h a t h e ay. So may b d o t m e h e, you to t ly tell m happens l a c i s a b dad s, they to other mom and e v o l e h re’s good w t that the know, sho w o n k o t ee need to s ld.” or w s i in th

ri

a Mr. Ferr

“I think my favorite thing about myself is that I’m very understanding and I’m a good listener. I love that because in terms of friendships, I love that my friends always come to me for advice or if they ever just want to rant about something that’s bothering them they always come to me. I find that to be one of the nice things about our friendships so I think it’s nice that they think I’m a good listener and someone they can always talk to no matter what.”

Milan Thomas ‘24

s Mr. Col lin ‘05

“Rock climb ing makes m e happy because it’s a lot of fu n, it’s like problem solv ing, and it ’s a fun spor There’s a lo t. t of sociali zing, a lot people arou of nd you, you get to work together, an d it’s reward ing.”

Dylan Schw

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ar tz ‘24

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Jacobson Slams Ellie Stewart or ts Editor Copy Editor/ Sp

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tory Slam is an organization that holds story telling competitions in cities all over the country, including here in Jacksonville. Each participant puts their name in a hat so they can compete in a random order. Each has five minutes... five minutes to tell a story relating to the night’s theme, vying for awards for the judge’s or audience’s favorite.

Ms. Jacobson was first introduced to Story Slam when she went to a competition with her friends after Mr. Dickson’s 50th birthday party. “I looked it up online and there were two tickets left… But we went, and my friends had put my name in the hat,” Jacobson says.

“I enjoy watching people come into themselves, and the way that the audience supports them if people get nervous.”

— Ms. Jacobson Ironically, her name was drawn first, and with no time to prepare, Jacobson went with one of her tagline stories from college.

The theme for that night was improvisation, and so she spoke about “what it’s like to invent yourself on the fly.” During college, whenever she met someone new, Jacobson would create a new career for herself. Her story about reinventing herself earned her the top prize.

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Ever since winning her first competition, Jacobson has been closely connected with the organization. One person she looks

Ms. Jacobson and Mr. Dickson back stage.

Credit: Ms. Jacobson up to is George Dawes Green, who started a podcast entitled The Moth in the late 1990’s that helped make Story Slam famous.

“The idea is that we are like moths, and stories are like the flame,” Jacobson says. “We are drawn to stories, and so much like the flame is attractive to the moth, but also deadly to the moth, it is the same thing with our relationship with stories.”

Jacobson competes around three to four times a year. “I compete less now, in part because I want to make as much space as possible for new voices.” When she isn’t telling stories, Jacobson enjoys contributing to Story Slam by baking for the competitions. For example, she remembers, “when the theme was ‘untethered,’ I baked braided pastries.” Baking for the competitions and helping out backstage even when she isn’t competing allows her to continue staying connected with the organization.

Jacobson’s favorite part of Story Slam is watching others perform

and tell all kinds of stories.

“I really, really respect all the storytellers who take to the stage,” Jacobson says. “It takes a certain amount of courage to go up and stand in front of strangers and tell the story.” As a teacher, Jacobson believes she has an advantage in Story Slam because every day she stands in front of students and teaches them new material. “I have so much respect for people who don’t do that all the time,” she says.

When she is watching others perform, she enjoys “watching people come into themselves, and the way that the audience supports them if people get nervous.” She believes that the Story Slam community, especially here in Jacksonville, is very welcoming to performers, and she is thrilled to be a part of it.

Mr. Dickson telling a story.

Credit: Ms. Jacobson One of her favorite memories is when Mr. Dickson won first place.

“He could tell that he had nailed it,” Jacobson says. “He actually jumped off the stage and ran down the aisle and was getting high fives.” Memories such as these are why Jacobson continues to be involved with Story Slam, and she recommends it to any new aspiring performer.

? It truly depends “What motivates me life. Successful on what part of my me a great deal of outcomes motivate tivates me, like the time. Process mo important. The how I get there is the way are just as little steps along tcome. My nana, important as the ou e is a motivating my grandmother. Sh in general. She factor in my life e years old and is a hundred and on model for me my she has been a role I can be even half entire life and if the time I’m the woman she is by point in my life, her age or at any life to be very I would consider my successful.”

Mrs. Westerlind

“I am looking forward to relaxing, graduating, and going to college!”

Simran Nava l ‘24

see mirror, I e h t n i t look ntial, bu “When I has pote o o do h t w t e n n a someo hey w t t a h w eone now doesn’t k l yet. Som a i t n e t o t p ts to do with tha , who wan y t i doesn’t l i b a orld but with w e h t r o d g f in yet an lso somethin they fit a e t r u e b h , y w t muni know m o c a d e n p ople. fi for other wants to s e i t i n u mm ndent foster co is indepe o h w e n think eo people. I I see som n o lf s e i l e r e yourse but still ion to se t a r i p s e n e i s day and it’s a big or every r r ee your s i m o t e h d in t ng, an i g n a h c e nd your how you’r tential a ation o p d n a e inspir influenc nge as an a h c e l b i poss self.” for your

e Thomas ‘25

n Sarah An

“In 10 years I hope to be in medical residency.”

Krish Patel ‘25

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e, I rs to liv u o h 4 2 d y ha of God. I “If I onl the word d a e r can get p s would far as I s a t i d rea the best would sp can and I s a g n lo us for as .”

I can

Starks Santana ‘26

“Dang only 24 hours left… I’d probably travel to Texas where most of my family is and we’d play board games and watch movies. You can’t do a lot in 24 hours and I really miss them so that’s probably what I would do. I would not do any school work. I most definitely wouldn’t do anything that involves school or grades or anything like that.”

ten year old “If I could give my d tell him to self advice, I woul w activities, experiment, try ne ges, and do as explore new langua can.” many sports as you

Jonah Landis ‘25

Parth Jain ‘24

“If I could give advice to my ten year old self, I think the first thing I would say is that it’s important not to be afraid of making mistakes. I feel like I missed out on a lot of opportunities and I kind of limited myself on what I said and what I did, and I wasn’t able to have as much fun as I feel like I possibly could have.”

Carter Lowe ‘25

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ken school more “I’ve definitely ta sen up my grades— seriously as I’ve ri point increase almost a full GPA ar. I take school since freshman ye I probably just more seriously, also g picture and I’ve look more at the bi focusing on small been trying to stop that annoy me events in my life ly going to matter because is it real nths? I want to in a year or six mo ow more, be more just go with the fl ly on other people independent, not re w, talk more to as much as I do no .” people and be open

k ct, I thin it re abstra e o s m u a e c h e t b “In grow u o r y s p l e e in you debate h onfidenc c nd e a r o s m e ti gives you the abili g n i v u a o H y . t s fend wha own idea dge to de e nt as l a w t o r n o k p the lly im a e r s i n r people’s believe i ing othe t n o r f n o edge and well as c er people’s knowl th beliefs. ability, o nging your own lle you grow then cha ly helps r l a e r t i e a bette I think nd becom a y l l a u t intellec t.” s a resul person a

Holden Edgecombe ’25

“My biggest strength, I would say, is my ability to build relationships with my students. I always say relationship building because I’m really good at following what my students are doing. With people outside of school too. If they have, for example, a family member who was sick, I try to ask them about that or pay attention to what’s going on in people’s lives and have a genuine care for how they’re doing. That strength helps me a lot in education because a lot of my students have so many things going on in their lives.”

Brody Mi

l ls ‘25

“You have to work hard to complete achievements and nothing is gonna be free. If I have any exam or any project I have to do it and do my best to get a good grade.”

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Mr. Jump

Luis Lebrons ’26

d le aroun the peop d n d a e s e d c n c “My frie ive to su lp me str e e feel h m o d h e p w l me ds he n e i r f y y helped in life. M t myself, and the ou best self better ab come my e b o t e Like in me striv entally. m , d n a y l end Jake physical good fri a he t d a o t h g I t goin r a the gym, t s o t red me he inspi ry.” in Janua k gym bac

tlin Dylan Ga ’27

“My overarching goal would probably be to have at least three more offers in any sport that I do, whether it be basketball or track and field, and I hope to get those this summer. But it’s what ever God wants, so I’m not going to push it too much. In three or four years, I definitely want to be in the Division 1 level playing where I become a household name, like Angel Reese or Caitlin Clark, and I can actually be a role model for younger girls like me who are tall.”

g I’m looking “Honestly somethin change. I’m a forward to is just change whether huge advocate for l every day or it’s something smal ke going to something major li ght around the college which is ri stly, I’m just corner for us. Hone t the future really excited abou growing as a in general and just periencing new person, and just ex things.”

Terrell McCoy ’26

Collin Norton ’25

“Well, I definitely haven’t gotten any taller, but as far as changing goes, that’s a good question. I think in middle school I was really just a shy person in general, and I still think part of that is a large component of my personality, but my dad, he’s a professional photographer, so I’ve always had a camera in front of me, whether he’s just taking pictures or random home videos or whatever, and I think more in high school, starting like freshman year, especially because, we were all online for COVID, I started getting more comfortable being in front of the camera.”

Gabe Coleman ’24

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Julia Kalinski: Perservering in times of change t Caylee Padget On line Editor

“That was probably the biggest kind of transition just because teenage life in the former Soviet Union was very different than than it is here and just acclimating to how to have friendships, how to dress, how to do all these things was challenging, but after about a year, the school was very small and people really came around me as a community were really supportive.”

M

rs. Julia Kalinski is the Director of Alumni Engagement here at Bolles.

Kalinski grew up in Kyiv, Ukraine, and tells the story of living behind the Iron Curtain to inspire others to persevere in times of change.

Kalinski’s homecoming court in 2003 at Orangewood Christian school in Orlando.

Credit: Julia Kalinski

Kalinski in a traditional elementary classroom in Ukraine Credit: Julia Kalinski “The Chornobyl disaster happened when I was about a year and a half. I moved with my family to Azerbaijan, which was also part of the Soviet Union at the time. And I was there for about five years. After that, in about 1991 to 98, I lived in Kyiv still, but it was now independent.

Once the Soviet Union broke up, and became an independent state, the transition there was interesting.”

In times of change, Kalinski reflects, communities often come together to make life easier for those around them.

“Culture is very collectivistic and community-oriented. So a lot of people really looked out for each other.

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“You’d never go to someone’s home without bringing like a treat or something that you had. Maybe you bake a bunch of cookies and you would share that, and then they would return your plate with candy or something. So, it was very much about giving what you have and being grateful for others, so people became close just because the outside world was so unstable.”

Kalinski reflects that being in a new culture is a challenge, but also eye opening.

“That transition was hard but taught me a lot of lessons and gave me a lot of perspective... As I got to know people and heard them, I think I blended in and adapted really well.”

When undergoing a transitional period in life, Kalinski recommends, “just to be open. I think we can just really kind of dig our heels in the way we’re used to doing things and not be open to new ideas of different ways.”

Kalinski lived in this community for the first 11 years of her life and then moved to America to study English in an exchange program in Orlando. “I lived with a family for about a year. I learned English very quickly. The adapting to America was definitely different. I remember my first memories were landing in Miami and going into a Walmart, and just having the plethora of choices.”

As Kalinski transitioned from Ukraine to the U.S., she had to learn English quickly as no one spoke Ukrainian in her host family. She lost her accent and began adapting to the teenage culture she was immersed in.

Kalinski in her wedding dress at the president’s office in Kyiv in 2012.

Credit: Julia Kalinski

“I am most afraid

of hair.”

Mr. Rivera

“Medium-rare steak. Maybe like a mashed potato side and broccoli on the side maybe that? Maybe some asparagus.”

Joe Graham ‘25

e use ther ens beca i l a o n t i d e r “I believ e, it’s ha out ther h c u m anything o s is ere isn’t h t t a h t dn’t be believe ere woul h t dless t a h t here’s en T . e else or f i l f form o ey would another think th I . s e i t i t maybe possibil ke us bu i l f o maybe d n color or look ki n i k s t feren with dif hair.” without

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ley Mady Dai ‘27

“Do you know Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters? The Bermuda Triangle? That’s how Amelia Earhart died, there’s this big monster in there and it ate her. That’s why nobody can find anything. Somehow her logistics were wrong so everyone thinks she was over the Pacific. All of a sudden her plane crashed, she dove down, you know, she’s swimming in the water. And this big ‘ol monster, literally like the one in Percy Jackson, just a mouth with sharp teeth comes and swallows her up. She was able to live inside of the monster, but now she’s dead.”

Harriet Loftin ‘25

s the Pari lot about cy a a r d i r p a s e n “I’ve h his co t ’s e r e h ing in s. T Catacomb people liv ys ’s e r e h t hat nd I alwa theory t acombs, a t a C urban s i r a because the P t i t u o b a lot of ff a here and hear stu t n w o d I think s go explorer lost. But n e t t o g of hisave people h it’s part e s u a c e d the ol b that’s co i code an c n e i V a D the bloodlin tory. Or d like a a h e s b u s t e h ig t J k that m idea tha ly. I thin i ry.” m o a e f h t a cy and conspira e t i r o v a my f

in a movie? Wow, “Who would play me have students that’s a toughie. I Jason Statham saying I look like ally don’t know. now. Okay. But I re plays Star-Lord?

What’s the guy who s we’ll go with Chri Chris Pratt? Yeah, Pratt.”

rown Bubbie B ‘26

“I guess it might surprise people that I’m actually kind of athletic.

My build doesn’t really seem that way, and also I like sports a lot.

Basketball, football, I follow it.

The Jaguars and the Lakers have held up a lot. Well, for fun, I play basketball like every day and I used to do cross country. I think people would be surprised because it doesn’t look like I’d be someone that’s actually athletic. Because I’m very skinny.”

Kieran Roychowdhury ‘25

Mr. Stam ‘00

“If I had to tell the whole world one thing it would be to take a deep breath because you do not need to be worrying. Though worry can sometimes help push people in the right direction, it also causes a lot of stress and too much stress can be unnecessary. Majority of the time it is better to take a deep breath and relax because life is much more fun and rewarding when you do not have anything to worry about. YOLO.”

Maura Waller ‘26

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rprised that I “People would be su degree and I’m have a philosophy gy. Well, a BA in teaching technolo Masters in techphilosophy, then a in ophy degree I got nology. The philos ’s er st Ma e th then El Paso, Texas, and om JU. Philosophy, fr s wa gy lo in techno . I used to really I just outgrew that ople and make them sit and talk to pe s and all that. I change their mind anymore. And then don’t do philosophy gy one, I’m teaching with the technolo I love and I’m all the classes that me time.” learning at the sa

Ms. Wood

“To the world I’d say, ‘stop wasting water, you’re destroying the planet.’

I was trying to think of something important enough to tell the whole world and something that an average person could help with. I considered saying ‘stop all wars’ but I realized that the average person can’t stop a war, but for an issue like water overuse, an average person can make a contribution by using less water personally.”

ted k. I star good coo y t ts when t n e a r r p estau r “I’m a n a i l a t lege, so in I working l and col o o h c s h hig ed. So, I of learn I was in d n i k I thing ere nd every that’s wh a g n i h t too, any can food can cook i x e M e k I li food, Italian.

Mexican f o t o l a heast so I cook i, and other Sout pert in ha Indian, T . So, I’m not an ex ods ike to Asian fo s, but I l g n i h t e os d try to any of th ecipes an r s h t i w nt as good a experime make it o t r e w o k c h ra ut ng firec figure o I’m maki . e b d l u it co onight.” shrimp t

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Billie Nimnicht ‘24

Dr. Lieb

“I am afraid of getting sick. I don’t know how to explain this eloquently but I have an odd fear of having plans and then getting sick and not being able to make my plans, or being sick while I’m out of the country or out of town. I make myself sick ahead of time before I even go where I’m going. For instance, right now I have a trip in two weeks, and I started feeling bad this week and my mind just started playing tricks on me.”

Ms. Dale

ll dice n you ro e h w e s u down at ca set them “Dice, be o t t n a w ys her ones you alwa r. The ot e b m u n t es sts are the high ouls. Gho h g d n a people ts are ghos ey haunt h t d n a e r ss them.” everywhe mes posse i t e m o s and

w Scott Ry

elski ‘25

“If anyone could play me in a movie, I think it would be Adam Sandler.

I feel like he would hit me in the right way.”

Olivia Owens ‘27

nt some mac and “My final meal, I wa c and cheese cheese. Homemade ma ke, a juice box, ca with a big slice of But the fried and fried chicken. s with with my ye chicken from Pope Definitely that, Chick-fil-A order. e things.” because I love thos

Johnny Al lmand ‘25

“Support the cause of decency to each other. Most definitely with the chaos and madness of conflict and war we see right now. It is a repetition of what the world knows didn’t go well in the past. And when you launch these aggressive actions against each other, we forget about how to be decent human beings. As someone who has traveled the world quite extensively, it’s pretty mind boggling. I think it goes back to the idea that people just don’t value human life. It’s sad to watch.”

Coach O’Neill

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Lights, Camera, Ashkon eider Tristan Schn iter Contributing Wr

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shkon Shirazi ‘24 has performed in five Bolles plays in his highschool career. He perfectly embodies each and every one of his roles, which takes time, determination, and creativity.

Playing a character takes more than just reading the lines. A good actor will go deeper into their character’s thoughts and motivations, and this is exactly what Shirazi does. This process can take weeks or even months to perfect for a performance.

which shows in his excellent performances. He has to spend weeks creating his characters from the ground up, and needs to make sure that all the characters he has played don’t combine.

Shirazi uses different voices for each character he plays. He is able to do this by listening and mimicking people he has heard, which usually takes him a couple of days. He takes his accents very seriously, sometimes staying in the character’s voice for hours after a show. “One time I had to speak a Scottish accent and after the show, I spoke with a slight Scottish accent for the rest of [the day].”

A great performer can also improvise on the spot. This is another skill Shirazi uses. He can perfectly make his own improvisation look convincing, while also being able to respond well when someone uses improv towards him. Improvisation is also just a fun way of messing with the audience and cast.

Shirazi is a very creative person, and he uses his talents to embody his characters, with his proficient accents and voices or how he carries his character through interactions with others. Shirazi is a great performer and everyone cannot wait for what he will do next.

“To perform as a made-up character takes a ton of creativity. The actor has to make up everything. They have to come up with the accents for the character, how they walk, how they interact with the set and the cast. It’s not something everyone can do. But I think if you’re willing to practice, anyone can do it.”

“What’s motivating this character?

Why are they saying what? Once you understand the motivation, then you can kind of get into the mindset of the character.”

- Ashkon Shirazi Shirazi uses his vast creativity to become his characters,

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Ashkon Shirazi preforming in “The Play that Goes Wrong” Credit: Ashkon Shirazi ‘24

Dear Bolle

s communi

Amber B ansal Co-Edit or-In-C hief Isabel Bassin Co-Edit or-In-C hief Hailey Christy Contrib uting W riter Caylee Padgett Online Editor

ty,

Thank you for suppor ting our p We’ve lear u ned a lot and have lo blication these past you. It’s yo v four years e d sharing ur support . this exper that gives has been a i ence with our journa large part l i of our hig sm meanin forum for g. Bugle h school c us to grow areers and , change, a nd try new has been a things.

For Amber , who will b e the best p studying a art of bei t Stanford ng on Bugl University well as le e has been arning ho next year, the people w to becom on staff a e a leader s .

Isabel, wh o will be studying a will miss t Northwes crafting a tern Unive rticles th voice and rsity this e most. She experimen fall, has loved ting with staff. findng he different r writing st yles while on Hailey, wh o will att end Florid combining a State Un her passio iversity, e n for vide well as ge njoyed ography w tting to l ith tellin earn abou g stories a t jounalis s m.

Caylee, goi ng to the University getting to of Central know new Florida, w staffers. S learning a ill miss he has enjo bout so ma yed interv ny cool pe iewing an ople in th d e Bolles co It has bee mmunity. n a joy an d honor to can’t wait serve on t to see wha he Bugle s t’s next fo happy sum taff, and w r the publ mer! e ication. G ood luck a n d Signing of f, The Bugle

Seniors

The Bolles Bugle 2023-2024 Issue 004: Humans of Bolles