Vikings
Story on page 13
In light of the Laura Carelton tradgedy, the community assesses how to honor her legacy
STORY ZEKE BIERMAN & LILY KERR ART SARA GUGGENHEIMOn Aug. 21, 2023 what seemed like an ordinary day in Lake Arrowhead, California, Laura Carelton was working and managing her boutique, Mag.Pi. As a lifelong advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, Carelton displayed a pride flag in front of her store, deeming her shop a safe place for the community. While peacefully upholding her values and advocating for human rights, Carelton, mother of two Campbell Hall alumnae, was fatally shot for taking a stand for what she believed in by showing her support for her LGBTQ+ counterparts.
Christopher Dennis, associate head of community engagement, believes that while these topics are difficult to engage with, it is important to discuss and unpack tragedies like these. The DEIJ leadership team meets regularly to assess the climate of the school as well as discuss and seek out solutions for issues pertaining to inclusion and justice in the greater community. When tragedies and hate crimes like these occur, Dennis deems it crucial to respond to the community to provide resources, open arms and support.
“One of the things we did [in the wake of] this particular trag-
edy was to provide hot-line crisis support for LGBTQ+ identifying community members as well as support from our school support team,” Dennis said. “When something like this happens, there's an outpouring of people who are in solidarity of support, but there are also people who are in the identity that need something different. We try to provide opportunities for people to either educate themselves or just get connected in various ways. By speaking up, more of us can disrupt the problematic language that people get away with, which can de-escalate prejudice from [the moment] when they [begin to express] biased attitudes.”
When confronted with the news of Carelton’s death, Head
of School Julian Bull was outraged by the tragedy, especially as it hit close to home in the school community. Bull emphasizes the importance of speaking out about beliefs to declare the values of the community. While Bull is devastated by the hate crime, he is proud of the community’s immediate response to the tragedy and that the community is honoring Carelton as a hero.
"When Campbell Hall first flew the pride flag in front of the school a couple of years ago, the danger was that there are people who would assume because of their preconceptions that a Christian school would not be supportive of the LGBTQ+ community,” Bull said. “There are people who do
not even know that the Episcopal Church is progressive about these things. We want to be as public as possible so that there are no misunderstandings when somebody comes to the school who is not supportive of these things. I think that mimics the values of Laura Carelton; This is who we are, this is non-negotiable.”
Dennis sees these tragedies as opportunities to allow people to reflect on and re-evaluate their actions. He emphasizes that people can unlearn their biases if they are educated on how their beliefs can be problematic. He encourages community members to utilize their resources to cease harmful ideals and interactions at the source.
"When someone places a flag
in front of their business, it is not performative,” Dennis said. “It is actually an indicator saying, ‘I'm going to use my platform, my sphere of influence to let everybody know that this place is safe and has a standard for how people are treated and cared for.’ Having a flag is an active representation of a commitment, and no one should have to lose their life for these commitments. But the harm is definitely life threatening, because of the ideas of people who want to perpetuate hate.”
Jason Mills, high school computer science teacher and head of the Gender and Sexuality Alliance, also believes that symbols like pride flags are important to the LGBTQ+ community, and can help spread awareness, especially in difficult times like these. Mills understands how displaying these symbols makes people feel seen, while also getting people addressing potential issues within the community.
“Everybody wants to feel seen, they want to feel represented, they wanna feel valued because if people can see you and accept you for who you are, that feels good,” Mills said. “It could start conversations [about tragedies like these in the community]; hopefully better conversations than just what happened. I think that people want to be seen and recognized in dignity, and flags and symbols like that can help people get there.”
Every other year the Campbell Hall Art gallery hosts the "Wall Show." It consists of art works that are applied directly to the wall randomly, creating a unique exhibit that allows art pieces to blend into each other. Students apply different mediums ranging from painting, photography, figure drawing, print-making and ceramics to the wall show. High school visual arts teacher Gabrielle Ferrer feels that having an open space blends away the hierarchy of advanced and beginning artists that usually divide students in medium levels.
“When you see it all together, the [students] start to have conversations together,” Ferrer said. “The different drawings and pieces are always surprising and I think it makes the community perfect.”
Mercy Richter ‘24 takes classes in advanced photography and printmaking. By working with multiple mediums, she is excited to have the opportunity to contribute to the wall show to showcase her many talents. Richter felt that the wall show pushed her to pursue a newer process for creating art and collage.
“It was less digital and more of putting it all together with my bare hands,” Richter said. “I was building a scene on the wall which I thought was interesting"
Go Vikings! The annual Homecoming carnival attracted students of all grades to come over and have a good time. Vikings gathered for a night full of school spirit, community, fun, food, games, and classic American high school football. Varsity cheerleader Fiona Duffy ‘24 loves Homecoming because she gets to see her work on the team come to fruition. She believes it is a well-rounded positive experience that she would recommend to all students.
“Go on all the rides, get good food, watch the cheer team, cheer on the football team,” Duffy said. “Hang out with your friends and enjoy the high school experience.”
On Sept. 29 2023, parents, students, and faculty traveled north to Stanford University for the Challenge Success conference. The conference was intended for the purpose of learning more about how artificial intelligence can be used in the classroom effectively and to create a sense of belonging for every student. Rhoda Lawrence, parent of Sophia Harris ‘25 was ecstatic to learn and engage in this conference.
“Our goal as parents and educators must be to foster healthy school and home environments that value a student’s emotional well-being as well as their academic development,” Lawrence said.
Lawrence was overjoyed with the outcome of the conference and particularly satisfied with the high levels of engagement from the students, faculty and parents.
“We must take a closer look at exactly how we define success and the unintended pressures and consequences that result from school," Lawrence said.
Combatting hatred: Community member Laura Carelton was killed for upholding her values and taking a stand for LGBTQ+ rights.Speaking up for yourself and others, feeling welcomed and having respect for others. Teachers, students and other staff members try to bring these ideas to the school as part of our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) program. K-12 DEIJ coordinator Leticia Sanchez McPherson believes that it is in Campbell Hall’s interest to bring awareness to the community. She finds that through teaching and showing the kids what it is and how to make a positive impact.
Sanchez McPherson understands that DEIJ is seen everywhere, which is what makes it so important. However, to her, it is not just seeing the disparities in our system and taking note of the lack of diversity in our school, the need for equity, the desire for an inclusive environment for our children and the aim to create a just world. She believes that DEIJ work is crucial in our school system in order to prepare students to interact in a diverse world, and to be aware of microaggressions and other prejudices they may encounter.
“DEIJ is such a big part of our lives and people just don't know [about] it or don't want to see it,” Sanchez McPherson said. “DEIJ is everywhere, diversity is everywhere, but how do we deal with that diversity? I think it is a much broader topic than people see. There are all kinds of differences like diversity, sexual, religious, ethnic, etc, and as humans we get so caught up in our bubbles that we forget about all this. We have to make sure that everyone has equal opportunities and we don’t judge people for who they are [sexuality, religion, race, etc].”
Respect is a key part in showing inclusivity for Zoe Thomas ‘24. They feels that using the correct pronouns for her friends or supporting their identity makes a difference in the world. Thomas believes that if everyone respected others, the world could be more inclusive. They worry, however, that some students misunderstand the goals of DEIJ. For Thomas, it is all about being more open minded and accepting.
Co-Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice, Sarah Huss organizes the orientations along with her other co-director, Toya Holiday, that Campbell Hall has for seniors and freshmen each year. The sessions focus on the impact of DEIJ, what students can do and what they should be aware of. Trained advisors lead presentations and provide advice on how and when to speak up. Her goal is to make everyone feel welcome and safe at school.
“The goal is to speak up when people, peers or even teachers say things that are biased, offensive or hurtful,” Huss said. “You should find ways to interrupt that and not just ignore it. Campbell Hall is unique because we engage in community-building and curriculum with the students and parents.”
Thomas believes that DEIJ being presented in advisory is better because people can be more comfortable talking about personal experiences together. Some of these experiences can be personal and sharing in a small group is easier for students. This also helps build an emotional bond between the kids. Thomas finds this mature and feels that it is important to emphasize that everyone is affected by DEIJ.
“DEIJ is talked about because it affects people’s lives and you might not know that or understand it because you don’t know [its effect], but others do,” Thomas said. “I think to make the orientations less lecture-like we should have everyone talk about their personal experiences in life. Like discriminations they have faced. The more we communicate [empathy], the less lecture-like DEIJ is going to seem."
On May 2, 2023 at exactly 12:01 Pacific time, the Writers Guild of America declared a strike in response to the ongoing dispute with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. 11,500 screenwriters striked in hopes of improved income and residuals. The strike has caused both writers and actors everywhere to go out of business, causing all film production to come to a screeching halt. The strike has cost people their jobs, income and livelihood.
William Ludwig ‘25 believes his experience as a student on strike has impacted his ability to audition and acquire more work. Ludwig knows that he is not striking for himself or his personal lack of work or income, but rather in solidarity for lower level actors who are working their hardest to make a breakthrough. He believes that this strike is not to establish a higher income, but rather to ensure that everybody's living wage is maintained. That's just what he believes to be the bare minimum.
“When the writers went on strike, we were supporting the writers, striking with them every day, and [when] the actors are on strike, we're both in solidarity together, striking together and fighting for each other's living wages," Ludwig said.
Ludwig continues to express his sympathy for his fellow actors who depend on the industry for their livelihood and emphasizes the importance of solidarity between guilds. Ludwig highlights the need for fair compensation and recognition of the human efforts and work in the entertainment industry. He holds fast to the ideals that human talent and creativity cannot, and should not, be overshadowed by the advancements of technology. Similarly, Wyatt Kehoe ‘26 believes in the importance of human work rather than artificial intelligence in entertainment. Kehoe has a passion for acting and the strike brings up some concerns about his future in the industry. He acknowledges that acting is an increasingly difficult industry to be a part of, and it is even worse for him to see artificial intelligence taking the jobs that people worked so hard for. Kehoe hopes that the strike will serve as a wake-up call for the industry, prompting a reevaluation of the role of technology in entertainment and a renewed focus on human creativity and talent.
"I think that it is very important that the networks and big companies like Disney and Netflix see that acting and writing needs to be done firstly by humans and not by AI, but also that we get equal breaks, equal pay and all," Kehoe said.
Matt Silverstein, a Campbell Hall parent and writer who had been on strike, believes his dreams of creating future projects were crushed by the impact of the writers’ strike. During that time, he reflected on his career, causing him to feel concerns for current writers and actors who struggle to establish a living for themselves.
"I spent the last four years of my life creating my dream show, ... and now it looks like it's going to be killed because of the strike,” Silverstein said. “I've been able to look at younger writers and literally see where they live and realize that when I was their age, when I was at their level, I had a better place, I was paid more and overall I did better than they're doing."
Because of the reasons for striking and the current state of the industry, Silverstein does not see a future with a positive outcome. Silverstien also takes those
into account who are affected by the strike that aren't immediately considered which includes the farms that provide animals for television, businesses that rely on producing props and much more that goes into film making. Every single factor that goes into the industry is being brought to a screeching halt. Although Silverstein believes the strike has been detrimental to the economy of the industry and is a huge setback, he believes the strikers are also justified in their actions. Simultaneously, he believes picketing will not get the movement to the point the writers and actors are fighting for. Silverstein's advice to students highlights the urgency of the situation in Hollywood and in the industry, as well as the immediate need for collective action. He suggests that all students need to entirely boycott all streaming services in order to make an impact that will be paid attention to.
“Cancel your Netflix," Silverstein said. “Cancel your Hulu, you need to hit [the corporations] where it hurts and that's in the pocketbook. "The second [studios] stop making money, they're going to come to the table [and recognize] what is happening."
WHAT
“The strike is a good idea because we are fighting fore equal rights, equal pay and more security for jobs that have traditionally been very stable.
WARNER JANG
“Creative jobs are really under threat right now, especially with AI, and how rude the companies are to the people in the industry.”
V WATERS
"I completely support it because it's overdue that artists recieve adequate compensation, but also protections from being exploited by the changing environment in the industry.”
COSTEAU MAGEE
"They're completely justified, corporations need to take the writers more seriously than they have been.”
jobs have been lost in the month of August alone, raising the unemployment rate of the industry from 3.5 percent to 3.8 percent (1)
of 9,000 writers authorized the beginning of the strike. (2)
is the only other time period in which SAG and WGA have striked together. (3)
Hollywood productions have been delayed or halted by the strike. (4)
People in Protest: Wyatt Kehoe '26 strikes alongside the writers and actors in Hollywood. The 2023 Hollywood writers' and actors' strike impacts Campbell Hall's families and communitiesAs climate change puts Joshua Tree at risk, students and teachers assess the importance of environmental education
more important goal was for people to learn about themselves.
“Part of the reason I enjoy being outdoors is that it’s a place where I was able to learn about myself,” Reader said. “[When you] create space for people to experience some growth as a person in the context of nature, they have a positive correlation and memory with nature. It's a place where [they] go and have a good time, [are] challenged [and] overcome the challenge, [so] letting people have those experiences [in nature] plants the seed that inspires them to want to take care of the place they're in.”
Samantha Haller ‘25 enjoyed the school’s environmental ed trips because she met and interacted with new faces. By the end of her trip, she felt her trail group had become closer. While Haller appreciated the bonding experience that the trips offered, she found the greater importance in the connection with nature.
How healthy are healthy greens? Purchasing packaged and bagged salads might just be more damaging with the current California produce standards. An ongoing California produce epidemic began in 2018, when romaine lettuce distributed from Salinas experienced a recall.
According to a November 2019 CBS News article, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration began an investigation into romaine lettuce from Salinas after food poisoning affected produce in 16 states. The food poisoning was discovered to be caused by E. coli, a bacteria mostly found in warm-blooded organisms. The outbreak resulted in 40 people reporting sickness and 18 hospitalizations.
STORY BROOKE REILLY & SOFIA WARD ZEKE BIERMANHigh school math teacher David Riddell sits on the bus next to his fellow teachers, excited for the 10th grade Joshua Tree trip with a new group of sophomores. For the tenth consecutive year, he noticed the heat and humidity of the park had increased as he departed the bus. As he lays in his tent on a night that was supposed to be colder, he ponders the future of the Joshua Tree trip, wondering what climate change will do to the desert and the possibility of his students ever visiting it again.
Riddell goes to Joshua Tree each year to interact with sophomores, many of whom he works with already in class and advisory. He has grown to like the activities and enjoys witnessing bonds form between students. However, in his first year on the trip especially, Riddell feels he walked away with a greater appreciation for nature and knowledge of the ecosystem.
“A theme throughout the week [is] protecting your environment, [like] not trouncing off the path and ruining the wildlife that [exists],” Riddell said. “The naturalists spend a lot of time trying to have us be quiet and listen to nature, appreciating our place in it. It's not just a hot trip, it's an education in nature and [learning] how we can better exist in it.”
Jonathan Reader, a field coordinator at Naturalists at Large, the company in charge of the experiential education program for the Joshua Tree trip, got into the field of outdoor learning to be social while utilizing his environmental science degree. Having gone on many trips, including Joshua Tree, Reader would agree with Riddell that learning about the planet is integral to the retreat. Over time, however, Reader realized a
Michael Gambon, who played Dumble dore in the movie franchise Harry Potter, died at 82 on September 23. Sometimes referred to as "the great Gambon," he had a 60 year long career which he reaped a multitude of awards and recognition, including three Oliver awards and four BAFTA TV Awards. Gambon's other popular roles include George in "The Book of Eli," and his appearance in a 2010 Christmas special of "Doctor Who," in addition to his Broadway debut Skylight.
“Joshua Tree was a really good experience for the class overall, [we were] bonding, trying new activities and getting to know people,” Haller said. “I got to see a new environment with a different climate and it made me appreciate the natural beauty of the world a lot more. Laying on the rocks and looking at the stars made me feel very relaxed.”
According to Brendan Cummings’s 2019 petition for the Center of Biological Diversity, a nonprofit organization working to protect endangered habitats and species, even the most ideal climate scenarios will lead to the extinction of Joshua trees by the end of the century. Gus Jacobellis ‘25 understood the threat of climate change after visiting the park his second time for the 10th-grade trip, where he felt the park was noticeably warmer than when he had gone in 2018. In the past year especially, Jacobellis has felt strongly that the beauty of the park needs to be preserved.
“One of the biggest parts of Joshua Tree National Park is the Joshua trees,” Jacobellis said. “We replant dead Joshua trees and the goal is [the surrounding area is] going to regrow and revive. The Joshua trees are already dying out because of all the heat, so it’s becoming harder for them [to survive,] even in an environment that's so well known for [the] Joshua tree.”
Having worked as a park ranger and naturalist for four years, environmental science teacher Karl Frank realized the Joshua Tree National Park Association was well aware of climate change's impact. He believes the world needs to have an active role in combating climate change, and taking students on experiential ed trips is a step in the right direction because it gives them a chance to connect with and care about nature.
“In environmental science, we talk about how climate change [will] get worse,” Frank said. “There are fewer Joshua trees in the park because it's getting too hot for them. I could see a situation during an October trip that goes to Joshua Tree in the middle of a heat wave and it's miserable.”
On August 8, 2023, the most forceful series of fires started in Lahaina. Within 15 minutes of the first fire starting the winds spread the fire to the two primary access roads of the island. By August 10, it was reported that the wildfire had burned about 2,200 acres. Although it had been initially reported that there were approximately 115 deaths, it has just been revealed that the death toll has been amended killing 97 people, still leaving it to be one of the nation’s most deadly disasters. Around 3,000 structures had been damaged or destroyed. A specific cause for these tragic fires has yet to be found, however, on August 17 of this year evidence suggests that sparks produced by a downed power line may have touched off at least one of the fires.
On May 2 at 12:01 AM, the Writers Guild of America officially voted to begin a historic 2023 strike sparked by months of disagreement about how to revise the expired contract that had been put in place by the guild. Both actors and writers have sought streaming residuals and clarification on the use of Artificial Intelligence. After 148 days, on September 27 2023, the writers officially went off strike after reaching a tentative agreement with the studios. While the writer's deal has been ratified, the actor’s strike, however, has not ended and no agreement has been made with actors. While the full details of the agreement are not yet public, the writers were able to secure residuals on streaming, minimum staff requirement, and rules outlining the use of generative AI. This is considered a huge win by the public for the writers and sets a precedent about how studios treat their workers.
California is considered to be one of the United States’ largest food suppliers. A May 2023 California Local article by Jonathon Vankin reports that the Central Valley produces at least 8% of the U.S. food supply. The article also reports that at least half of the United States’ fruits and vegetables are grown in California, making E. coli and Salmonella outbreaks much more serious. The product recall and disease outbreak was recently made aware to Americans due to the release of a Netflix documentary titled “Poisoned: The Dirty Truth About Your Food” earlier this year. In the documentary, Northeastern University professor and food safety expert Darin Detwiler breaks down the lasting effects that E. coli and Salmonella exposure could have. Detwiler explains the personal effect the outbreak had on his family, sharing that his 17 month old son Riley had been exposed to E. coli from a meal at Jack in the Box in 1993 and had passed away from the illness. Mcormick, who interviewed Detwiler, stated that the documentary serves as a ‘wake-up call’ for Americans, and calls for people to be more conscious of what they are putting in their bodies.
In an interview with Northeastern Global News, Detwiler reported that 48 million Americans fall ill each year due to food-related diseases or bacteria exposure, with 128,000 hospitalized and almost 300,000 fatalities.
The documentary, as well as Kevin Loria’s August 2023 Washington Post article, reveals how E. coli and Salmonella made their way into romaine lettuce. Loria’s article indicates that a likely exposure came from the irrigation system set up on cattle farms that are in close proximity to the cattle. Loria explains that cattle carry more severe strains of E. coli and that the manure, full of bacteria, can seep into the water and contaminate produce. Bagged lettuce is considered to be the most dangerous, as bagged greens are handled more often than whole heads of lettuce. This means that whole heads are safer as their inner leaves are left less exposed.
Washing lettuce isn’t enough to remove the bacteria, and the CDC warns against trusting packaging that advertises ‘triple-washed’ as washing and vinegar soaks are not completely effective. The recommended course of action has been to purchase lettuce with an expiration date and refrigerate immediately. Leafy greens that can be cooked or steamed are the best alternative.
The CDC also recommends not leaving leafy greens in sealed containers for too long, even if refrigerated. The chances of bacteria growing is higher the longer the greens are exposed. It is important to be careful to avoid lettuce that is bruised, slimy or wilted. The outbreaks are more impactful to the elderly, pregnant or immunocompromised.
While markets like Erewhon, Sprouts, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods are considered to have the healthiest quality food, experts like Loria emphasize the importance of cleaning lettuce no matter where it comes from. The contamination of E. coli and salmonella are not the only contaminators in romaine lettuce, articles from as early as July 2023 have reported that deer feces are also finding its way into romaine lettuce and packaged lettuce products. The contamination of produce doesn’t end at romaine lettuce, according to a Good Morning America article. Other products like frozen vegetables have been recalled over listeria contamination as well.
PHOTO PHOTO PERMISSION NICK KENRICK VIA FLICKR PHOTO PERMISSION SOPHIA HARRIS PHOTO PERMISSION MIKAYEL KHACHATRYAN VIA FLICKR Experiential Education: Students in the class of '25 experience memories and life-changing bonds in the desert of Joshua Tree National Park. Quilatzli Partida '24 investigates the safety of leafy greens sold at storesMindless TikTok scrolling. Inability to sit through a full movie. Poor work habits. All of these factors feed into Gen Z’s terribly low attention span. According to Sara Lebow’s December 2022 article for Insider Intelligence’s, Gen Z has an attention span of 1.3 seconds for advertisements. The rise of social media has had a significant impact on Gen Z’s attention span and the extent to which they’re able to gain interest in a topic. This low rate also impacts how people focus in school, specifically when learning new material.
Izzy Teng ‘27 recognizes that she has trouble focusing in her classes because she finds it easier to do multiple things at once. She focuses more when she is multitasking on different assignments, rather than one at a time. Teng believes that social media has impacted how she focuses, something that most of Gen Z can empathize with.
“I can't stay focused on one thing at a time,” Teng said. “I need to be doing multiple things, not just one. When I'm doing homework I have a lot of trouble staying on task. Or at home, if I'm watching movies, I'll usually be playing a game; I have to do something else.”
Teng struggles with zoning out, an obstacle that many students share. She feels that social media has had an impact on her attention span and which topics she can stay interested in. This is primarily because social media constantly provides her with new information and floods her with entertainment. Because she has this constant source of entertainment, Teng doesn’t like to linger on information for any significant amount of time. For example, she believes she moves past pop culture news relatively quickly.
“I think social media has affected my attention span because I'm free to go on it whenever I want,” Teng said. “It's something that's always there for me to use; there’s always something new on, so I always want to be on it.”
Weston Kehoe ‘24 is a movie enthusiast. Not only does he love watching movies he loves making short films as well. But with a generation of people who prefer quick jolts rather than the slow burn of a film, Kehoe knows it is important for filmmakers to try and get their attention.
“Making films relatable is one of the most important things to connect with this new generation,” Kehoe said. “The key is trying to make the viewer see themselves in any of the characters; that's the thing that keeps them invested. Teenagers nowadays don’t have real validation, so to look up at a screen and see someone like them is the goal for me and probably should be for all filmmakers.”
Dr. Steven Wachs, high school psychology teacher, has studied all aspects of the human brain. Wachs, like most people, also finds himself mindlessly scrolling through Tiktok when he shouldn't be, but he doesn't blame the victims; he blames the apps. Each person’s ‘For You Page’ is curated to their interests, contributing to how much time people spend on social media.
“Nowadays, since the world is progressing so fast, our brain is trying to keep up to speed. Instant gratification through social media or even new additions to the world, like Postmates, are byproducts of the world moving at such a high speed,” Wachs said. "Which then relates to our attention span becoming lower.”
Camryn Itzikman ‘25, founder creator of Campbell Hall’s neurodiversity club, has
also noticed how fast people now move past news. Similar to Teng, Itzikman feels that if a topic is slow or boring, she will lose focus faster.
“I've noticed that a lot of people stay more engaged in a conversation much longer when they're interested in a topic or passionate about a topic,” Itzikman said.
“For me, I’ve noticed [if I’m] disengaged on a topic, I think I could probably stay focused for 2 to 3 minutes before getting distracted. For example, I’m engaged in anything science related, but I find myself disengaged in other classes [such as] history or Spanish that I don’t like.”
Social media, online shopping, Uber and Postmates are all examples of our world moving toward convenience. Wachs believes that is one of the main reasons for this generation's low attention span.
“Collectively our attention spans are dropping; there's no question about that,” Wachs said, “But besides social media being the reason for that, one of the main reasons for attention spans dropping is this new world of quick satisfaction. We live in a world where you are expected to give an Uber [driver] five stars per drive when that should be excellent. That is causing people to expect excellent reviews for satisfactory work, which leads to people thinking they don’t even need to put in effort, lowering the need for attention span.”
going to grow,” Roberts said. “Obviously, there's these big worries about if AI becomes self-aware, it takes over and it destroys everybody. Even in 100 years, that doesn’t seem like a really realistic outlook, although the more day-to-day kind of AI will be transformational.”
mans also cause accidents,” Mills said. “How many hours have these self-driving cars been driving and how many accidents have happened, versus how many hours humans are driving taxis and how many accidents have happened with them?”
Students and teachers contemplate the intentions behind dark humor on social media and what it means to engage in or avoid it
STORY PORTIA UMANSKYWe live in a world where humor dances on the line of comfort and controversy. When using dark humor, that line starts to get blurred. It begs the question: where is the line between a joke and a potentially harmful statement?
Elena Malone, CHAI Modern World History and Media Matters teacher, believes dark humor, with its tendency to tackle sensitive topics, often tests the boundaries of acceptability. In a society where comedy can be a source of solace and connection but also a trigger for offense and harm, Malone knows that understanding where this line lies becomes a pressing concern.
“There is this weird fine line where you're trying to lighten the mood, but you're not trying to dehumanize any group of people,” Malone said. “So I do use dark humor. It's not always dark humor, but it's always humor.”
Dark humor can especially be found on social media in the form of memes. Specifically, in the recent peak of TikTok, many videos are being posted that make light of sensitive topics. Malone believes that dark humor is perceived differently on social media versus in person.
“Memes kind of dumb down the discussion because there's no room to explain if you're on social media,” Malone said. “You see the meme, and if you post it, you probably are not going to include a little paragraph explaining what the meme means. So it does shut down any kind of conversation about it, and that's not good. When I use them in class, I'm hoping it leads to a conversation versus shutting down [conversation].”
Malone further acknowledges that, especially if one doesn’t know the person posting the meme, which most likely they don't, there is no way to know how it’ll be perceived. She feels it’s often difficult to know whether the person who posted a meme did so with the intent of harm or purely as a way of finding light in the darkness.
“If you're on social media, you don't have the lens of me interpreting it, as you see it however you like with your own [judgment],” Malone said. “You're going to interpret that piece of media differently than I am because we have different experiences, [or are different] ages, whatever. So if we don't talk about it, it's very easy that you could see [the message] in a completely different way.”
Robot Taxis. Autonomous military systems. Cyber conflict. Recent advancements in artificial intelligence strike ethical concerns amongst the community.
Alex Roberts, computer science department chair and associate director of information technology, incorporates lower levels of AI into his daily life, such as using triggered calendars, Google Maps and more. Roberts claims that the more “day-to-day” AI we use will soon transform the world we live in.
“AI affects a very small percentage in our lives right now, but I think that percentage is
In San Francisco, there has been controversy around self-driving car companies, as taxis are essential in some people's day-to-day lives. According to Whitfill Roeloffs of Forbes written in March 2023 about a recent taxi robot crash, one company has cut its fleet by 50 percent after three of their self-driving cars had been involved in accidents, one with an en-route firetruck. These accidents have caused a negative reaction among residents, with one spokesperson saying that these robot taxis impact overall driving safety.
AI frequently comes up in Jason Mills’ high school computer science classes. He believes that the creation of robot taxis can help our society, and aren’t actually as harmful as people make them out to be.
“Accidents are bad, but hu-
Mills recognizes that there are not purely downsides to these robot taxis, as humans have flaws too. However, he acknowledges that there are some things only humans can do that robots cannot, which battle the threats of AI taking over our society.
“As a society, we can afford to retrain people and help them get work. k, I feel like that's a societal responsibility,” Mills said. “There are some things that only a human can do; But if I do just need an auto cab, then I don't need to deal with a person. I won’t be worried about how much sleep this person got, or if they are somebody who would be judgmental of me personally, or if it would be an uncomfortable interaction.”
Cal Lesher ‘25 is a part of the school's robotics team and uses AI in their day-to-day life,
as well as coding for robotics. Similar to Mills, Lesher understands the pros and cons of AI in the world, and especially the potential threats to people's jobs that it poses.
“I think AI and humans can form a union and help progress our society,” Lesher said. “I feel that AI is going to control our life by any means [possible]. Phones have AI in it, and teenagers are always on their phones. Although some people may see AI as invasive in their lives, Roberts, Mills and Lesher, who interact with AI on a daily basis, believe that there are different sides to the topic. Mills believes that AI is the most helpful when people use it simply to aid them, rather than to do everything for them.
“For example, in math, if we can do those basic drills off the top of our head and then use the calculator to springboard into more interesting math problems, then that's a benefit,” Mills said. “With the advancements in AI of scientific calculators we see more students doing pre-calculus. All those opportunities are opening because of the advancements in AI.”
Sadie Kahane ‘26 also finds that dark humor has both positive and negative effects. She recognizes that she turns to dark humor as a coping mechanism in her daily life. Emily Bashforth’s December 2021 Patient. Info article states that dark humor is good because if you are drowning in problematic emotions, something else is being felt as well.
“Dark humor can go both ways,” Kahane said. “I don't feel like people that use dark humor are trying to be disrespectful, but [rather] it is to an extent a coping mechanism. At the same time, when you make a joke in person versus posting on social media, you'll get way different reactions."
Bashforth’s article also suggests that when feeling isolated, it can help people try and connect with others. Malone emphasizes dark humor's role as a coping mechanism, both historically and in current times. Even in the darkest places, like Auschwitz, people found ways to express humor to preserve their humanity. In modern society, the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and feelings of isolation have driven people to turn to dark humor to cope with difficult circumstances.
“I feel like it has been helpful for people getting through COVID, post-COVID or feeling really isolated right now,” Malone said. “Another story takes place in the [extremely] disgusting barracks of Auschwitz, there were jokes written on the walls of the latrines, which is kind of crazy that you could think people would hold on to their humor even in the most dark of places.”
STORY JULIET ZADAK ART SARA GUGGENHEIMAvid consumers of reality television wonder how realistic the love portrayed really is
Relaxation and Romance: Lennox Miller '25 and Journey Shapiro '26 spend their night watching "Too Hot to Handle," as they laugh at the differences between the relationships they see on screen versus their own.
"Love Island,” “Too Hot to Handle,” “Love is Blind.” Teenagers spend hours of their lives indulging in dating shows where strangers fall in love and overcome unexpected twists. With the abundance of reality, dating shows being produced, televised, and edited, depictions of love have become readily accessible to young and impressionable audiences.
Journey Shapiro ‘26 is drawn to dating shows for the entertainment aspect; however, she does not see events in each episode as anything more serious than something to keep her busy. Currently, in a relationship, Shapiro has firsthand experience of what it is like to have a deep connection with someone. This awareness is what allows her to see the shallowness of love on-screen.
“In my relationship, our most important values are communication, making time for each other, and trying to understand each other,” Shapiro said. “It is important to really try and love each other, even through hard parts of the relationship or even hard parts of your own life. Reality TV shows tend to not show all of the real details of communication and how people really feel because humans have a lot of emotions, and reality TV shows don't show all those emotions that are in the relationship.”
Similarly, Shapiro’s boyfriend Lennox Miller ‘25 is a fan of the show “Love Island” and recognizes discrepencies in how dating shows portray love. He values the connection he has with Shapiro, believing that it
is something more profound than one that can be found on screen. With cameras, scripting, and editing, Miller thinks that the actors on TV shows aren't able to build authentic connections and relationships.
“[With] dating in real life, you can be yourself with the other person, [and] you don't ever worry,” Miller said. “On TV, it [is obvious] everything that they do is on camera. So even though it might be real [in some aspects], there's still an element to it that they have to act.”
Thira Lydecker ‘26 acknowledges that what is televised is not an ideal model for what people should strive for in relationships. She believes that in shows such as “Too Hot to Handle,” contestants are more focused on superficial elements than trying to get to know each other emotionally.
“[Dating shows] set a bad example of what you should do in relationships,” Lydecker said. “They push [for] stereotypes of hookup culture and are less about genuine relationships and people who are together because they actually like each other.”
While he and his wife frequently view reality dating shows, high school English teacher Dion Simmons does not believe that entertainment media is the most reliable source when it comes to showcasing genuine connections. While he does believe that authentic bonds can be formed through dating shows, they are often broadcasted to be far from reality. Rather than young and impressionable minds taking influence from what they see on television, he recommends simply looking within one’s own life.
“The best thing for teenagers is to see
In action: Marika Gianni '24 works on a creative writing piece
Storytelling, innovation, creativity. To compile written ideas into a work of art takes many skills. Some students take an extra step, not only writing for English class but utilizing individualized prompts and rules to create their own published pieces.
Kingsley Marin ‘24 never wanted to admit his love for writing until his success impressed his parents and English teachers. After sharing his works with friends and family, they encouraged him to write more. Once he had good ideas, his first published book on August 16, 2023, through TeenInk, titled Bound by Blades came into existence.
“Bound by Blades is a timeless, reflective piece on how issues like propaganda and dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder have always been prominent even though they're not covered in history books,” Marin said. “I was thinking that there were still people dealing with these mental issues way before World War I started. This is just a part of mankind [that] I feel like no one's ever covered before. So I felt like it would be a very creative approach if I did that myself.”
Like Marin, Cameron Khosravi ‘24 formed his own idea for a book around what he thought was a unique perspective regarding his passions: golf and science. As captain of the golf team, Khosravi spends a lot of time watching his teammates swing their clubs. However,
real-life depictions of love in the lives of the people they know,” Simmons said. “I know for me, [connections between people I knew] were the thing that made me really think about what it took to be in a relationship; not only successes but difficulties in relationships that I saw gave me a heads up in thinking about what I may want and what I absolutely want to avoid. The media is not a place to learn [about love].”
Like Simmons, Director of Educational Services and middle school English teacher, Dr. Courtney Behrenhausen finds an increased value in real-life relationships, whether it is within her own marriage or her sons’ relationships. She recognizes the effects that embellishments in and scripting of reality television dating shows have on viewers.
According to a 2011 study by the US Girl Scout Research Institute, found that 80 percent of girls ages 11 to 17 who regularly watch reality shows believe that these shows represent real life and are unscripted. Behrenhausen notices these patterns in both her students and their friends and believes that these shows not only give an unrealistic view of how relationships should be but are also catalysts for unrealistic beauty standards and the role of appearance in a relationship.
“The way people look on those shows seems so perfect,” Behrenhausen said. “I worry that some people feel like they'll never have a boyfriend or girlfriend because they don't look like the people on those shows. We're always being shown perfect appearances and then it's hard when we feel like we can't live up to that.”
he also spends a lot of time in science classes. Khosravi became curious about how these two passions could be interconnected, and he wanted to share his discoveries with other golfers and scientists by publishing his informational book.
“The title is The Anatomy and Physiology of the Golf Swing,” Khosravi said. “I saw that there was a gap that needed to be bridged between the scientific theory of biology, physics, and biomechanics and the real-life application of relating them to the golf swing. By blending these two and bridging the gap, that's how my book accumulated.”
The process of publishing a book is one that took a lot of time and effort for Marin. Along with his lifelong battle of trying to accept that he had a creative element to his personality, he also had to do much more in order to truly understand the time period and issues he would capture in his novella. Because of the new perspective he was bringing to the historical genre, he wanted to get it right, even if that meant putting in much more time and effort.
“I first watched the series Vikings and then I watched The Last Kingdom, which is a Netflix series that covers the same time period,” Marin said. “Then, I wrote the book, which took around a month and a half to two months. Writing is [really just] rewriting, patience, and accepting criticism and feedback. Even though you're going to get so attached to your writing, the third-person point of view is really what's so important. The editing was really what took a lot of time; it took another two months. Then I sent it to the publication agency.”
Marika Giani ‘24 has also been interested in writing since she was young. She is compiling her works; however, hers don’t necessarily tell a consistent story. Giani is making a book out of the many creative writing stories she has written throughout high school so she can look back on them and see her journey expressed through words. Her writing will not terminate after she graduates. She believes that writing is an important and impactful part of her life, and cherishes the words she and her peers can share with the world.
“Writing is something you could always do,” Giani said. “Whether it's writing in a journal, which is something I always have done, or career-wise, [where] I'm not sure what I want to do yet, just being able to write creatively is something you can apply to a bunch of different jobs. Whatever I end up doing, [writing] will still be present in one way or another.”
Everyone's favorite up and coming star, Olivia Rodrigo has recently released her album "Guts." Whether it's helping someone through a breakup, screaming during car rides or background music ror getting ready, this new album has teenagers hooked. With her tour dates releasing, Ms. Rodrigo is quickly becoming more successful and influential across America.
2
Throughout the year, Netflix removes certain shows and movies from their platform in order to make space for new ones. However, some of our favorite pieces of media like "Ferris Beullers Day Off," "Pride and Prejudice" and the first two seasons of "Victorious" are being taken away from Netflix by the end of October, which can overshadow the exiting means of getting new shows on the streaming service.
3 4
Music icon Taylor Swift and football star Travis Kelce have made headlines due to their newfound relationship. Whether it is a publicity stunt, or something romantic, the two being seen together has taken over both the Swiftie and NFL communities. While some disapprove of the way Swift now the face of sports media, others are in more support of the two's happiness.
Dancing with the stars now features some of the most well-known influencers and celebrities from the past few years. Watching the creative moves of both experienced and inexperienced dancers is sure to intrigue viewers. Rooting for your favorite "star" and their partner can be a fun way to bond with family and friends, and even guessing who will take home first place.
STORY RILEY GREEN & GRACE SCHROEDER
PHOTO PORTIA UMANSKY
Through education, students and teachers learn how to uphold the boundaries of consent
STORY EMILIA RYAN & FRANCESCA LEON ART SARA GUGGENHEIMWhile many students are learning consent in Human Development classes, only eight states require it to be taught in schools, or to even mention sexual assault to students.
Campbell Hall human development teachers see the lack of education as a problem because they believe consent is a necessary feature in any healthy and safe relationship. According to Elena Malone, high school history and sex-ed teacher, young kids should understand the basics of consent and bodily autonomy. Malone believes when talking to kids about consent, it’s important that they understand the control each individual has over their own body.
“Ideally, kids would know about consent before high school because you want to have ownership of your own body,” Malone said. “So even as a young kid, you would understand, ‘this is my body and I get to decide what happens to it.’”
When consent was first being taught at Campbell Hall, Malone felt that many students were unclear about appropriate boundaries and how to read them. Students didn’t realize that for consent to be acceptable, it must be enthusiastic and consistent. Human development teachers put more emphasis on the impact alcohol has on consent, since they have experienced many students feeling confusion and having questions about intoxication relating to boundaries. Now, more kids are conscious of the impact sobriety can have on consent, and understand that consent once doesn’t equate to consent always.
Julie Scurry, secondary human development teacher, also recognizes the impact that teaching about consent has had on young people and how important it is to fully understand. She believes that in a class environment, when an emphasis is placed on con-
sent, it really brings the topic to the front of students’ minds.
“Teaching consent [in school] brought a new level of awareness,” Scurry said. “People started to realize how many violations were happening, and it became more of a necessity and a requirement. Even if consent is clear, there could be lots of other vignettes of stories that might’ve happened, which is why people need to continually practice it.”
Malone and Scurry both teach their students how to ask for consent and stress that it is a communication between two people. Boundaries that are set when expressing consent can be unclear, and many worry about accidentally hurting their partner or violating their boundaries, both teachers believe constant and consistent communication around consent is important.
Scurry has found that some students don’t understand that consent isn’t limited to sexuality, but rather encompasses a more general respect of your partner, respecting the boundaries that they place and understanding when they change.
“Knowing how to take care of yourself, how to communicate your needs and wants and setting boundaries for yourself is a huge piece,” Scurry said. “It's an ongoing and continuous conversation, and I’m constantly looking
FACTS
19% of people strongly agreed that not saying “no” indicates consent for more sexual activity. Less than 1/3 of people were taught anything about consent, sexual assault, or healthy relationships in secondary school.
for examples and ways to help people understand what consent means.”
Gina Brown ‘25 believes that another crucial aspect of consent is reassurance and making sure that the other person doesn’t feel pressure or is only saying yes out of obligation. She understands that even if someone gives consent, their body language and facial expressions might indicate otherwise. Brown considers consent to be something that both partners should be completely clear on, and believes that checking in and revisiting expectations can prevent miscommunication or violations.
“[Consent is] more of an understanding between two people,” Brown said. “There has to be a mutual understanding that everyone's okay, to make sure that nothing happens that isn't consensual.”
Brown also believes that consent is important to ensure that everyone participating in a romantic or sexual relationship is comfortable and excited about what is happening. She understands that without it, people can feel violated, disrespected, ignored or even assaulted. Brown believes that healthy relationships are part of what sustain us as people, and consent is an essential part of the way to get there.
“It’s better to speak your mind and to be very vocal when you're in situations where consent is needed,” Brown said. “Being vocal about your boundaries might be hard sometimes, but it’s better than regretting what happens.”
Wayne Behlendorf might not live at Campbell Hall, but after 70 years as a Viking, the one word he uses to describe this school is home.
From fostering a love for music in students to leading chapels, working with kindergarteners, being an active member of the music and arts department and even being an elementary schooler himself, Belendorf has done it all and more at Campbell Hall. Not only are his roots intertwined with the school, but his entire family’s are too.
“My brother and sister both went here from kindergarten to sixth, my mother taught here for several years and I had two great nephews that attended here. So for Behlendorfs, it’s been a span of 4 generations here.”
Behlendorf not only holds a special place for the school in his heart, but also for teaching. For him, there is nothing better. Throughout his many years as a mentor, he’s carried one specific philosophy with him.
“We’re all teachers in some way. We pass lessons onto everyone we encounter,” Behlendorf said. “And I just love sitting back and watching young people learn and grow into adulthood.”
Having worked at Campbell Hall for 30 years, he’s even taught children of his former students, and when comparing their adult lives to his own, he sees just how fast time flies.
“Staying in touch with students gives me the privilege of seeing them moving on, seeing what they choose to do for work and seeing them raising families too.”
In respect to his reputation as an iconic, smiling face on campus, Behlendorf recognizes that he wasn’t always the teacher he is today and it took a lot of learning to get there. But Behlendorf takes credit that once he learned how to teach, he was in fact very good. He appreciates all of the opportunities education has given him, including the experience of teaching for two years in Ethiopia. Behlendorf always strived to expand his knowledge beyond just the subject he taught.
“Most people don’t know much information outside of their subject, and they might not care to,” Behlendorf said. “But, when I had a student who was struggling, I’d go out and buy an Idiot’s Guide to Physics or something, and try to read three or four pages.”
F
rom trying new recipes, to spending time with friends on the football team, to keeping track of what shifts he’s working each week, Shai Ben-Yehuda has perfected his balancing act. Mindfulness practices and time spent for himself have even made its way in between all the buss and bustle of each day. Ben Yehuda’s culinary passions stem from a generational love of food passed down from his dad as well as his interest in health and diet. His dad bakes, so while he whips up pastries, whisking meringue and icing cakes, Ben-Yehuda makes the savory dinner, fileting steaks with butter and thyme. They’re a team in the kitchen and it’s one of the reasons why they’re so close. Cooking and enjoying a delicious meal brings people together. That's his philosophy. At Campbell Hall, he started the holistic health club in hopes to further his knowledge of healthy eating habits and to teach others about a clean diet and what you’re putting in your body when eating processed foods. One activity Ben-Yehuda enjoys is morning surfing whenever he can, emphasizing how the ocean mist is a refreshing start to his day on late starts. He feels that having outlets to relax and take a beat away from all the business of one’s
schedule is vital for a balanced and happy life. Ben-Yehuda is also in the new philosophy class at school which he feels has prompted him to think about life in a different way and question his reality and the ways of living. He describes the class to be equally eye opening and interactive. It has opened his eyes to different ideas, concepts and ways of thinking that he claims encourages him to look at the world from a new perspective. The interactive environment as an eight-person, discussion based class has opened the floor for students to dive deep in meaningful conversations. In hopes to further strengthen his skills in the kitchen, Ben-Yehuda applied for a job at Lakeside Golf Club, and though he doesn’t get much time in the kitchen and mainly makes his pay as a busboy, he has consequently discovered lifelong skills that he wouldn’t have been exposed to isolated in the kitchen. After working there for four months now, he feels that he has not only gained better time management habits, but it has also given him a leg into the workplace and forced him to eliminate procrastination from his vocabulary. Some days his job can be difficult as serving and being in the service industry is humbling and prompts you to think about what this work really entails. You must have people skills and know how to adjust based on who you’re serving or dealing with. He has learned how to manage school work with work hours at the club which sometimes forces him to choose between eight hours of sleep or to have a social life. Balancing one’s responsibilities, commitments and work isn’t the only thing to think about, as Ben-Yehuda believes that the key to success in all aspects of one’s life falls into managing mental and physical well being too.
Behlendorf carries the philosophy that education expands beyond both the classroom and school. If he taught students on the basketball team, he would go to every game he could. Aside from his passions in symphony and travel – he’s traveled to over 70 countries – Behlendorf always went out of his way to support his students.
“One thing that was really important was to encourage teachers to support their students in other things that they are doing; sports, drama, music, whatever,” Behlendorf said. “I even noticed that the students I went to see play in their games worked harder for me in my class.” He also doesn’t hesitate to share pieces of his wisdom. According to Behlendorf, who always seems to have a smile on his face, students should get to know more of their peers than just their group of friends.
“Say hello to everybody and do it with a smile, even when you don’t feel like it,” Behlendorf said. “Because they’ll think, ‘why is that girl always smiling and happy?’ And they’ll say, ‘well, you have a smile on you, that’s your fall back.’”
STORY EMILIA RYAN PHOTO EMILIA RYAN STORY ELLA DUNCANSON PHOTO ELLA DUNCANSON“You realize how little spare time you have so much on your plate, so through working, football, schoolwork, cooking and making time for myself, I’ve learned I need to prioritize managing my time and create a system. Going to sleep early and making sure I get enough hours of sleep so I can function the whole day is key.”
allowing him to step into their shoes.
“The movie talks about other people who are discriminated against and how men are just at the top of that chain where they’re dominating every field,” Lewis said. “The takeaway is that we should be treated equally; even if it’s a touchy issue like the movie covers, we really should all be viewed as equal.”
The message of the Barbie movie resonates with Tyler Parouse ‘25 as well. Although Parouse does not feel as seen as Schwartz did in the movie, she acknowledges the impact that it has on the world. She compares the influence of the Barbie movie to Taylor Swift’s recent Eras Tour, as both are making headway for women in the entertainment industry.
“The Barbie movie says a lot about feminism and I think Taylor Swift being such a powerful artist does too,” Parouse said. “It’s great to see some representation in a world that’s usually [dominated] by men.”
ART: SARA GUGGENHEIM
The movie theater overflows with pink and sparkly outfits. Sadie Schwartz ‘24 watches with rapt attention as the actors on the screen create a fictional yet honest and in some ways real story highlighting the struggles women face in real life. Between the Barbie movie and Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, Schwartz feels seen and heard because they both celebrate and validate women in today’s society.
“[The Barbie movie] was hilarious, but at the end, it really got me because it made me feel seen as a woman,” Schwartz said. “We all understand that women have fewer rights in society but that movie spoke about how it impacts us and how we actually feel about it, and I don’t think that’s been talked about [much] before.”
Along with feeling emotionally validated in her struggles as a woman, Schwartz feels inspired by the movie and its director, Greta Gerwig. The success of the female-directed film gives her hope that she can one day fulfill her dreams as a director in a male-dominated industry.
“It makes me feel like I can actually do something in life,” Schwartz said. “It made me realize I might actually have a chance to pursue this [career]. And I can; I am talented and I can do things.”
After watching the Barbie movie, Jake Lewis ‘25 has a better understanding of the difficulties women face. Lewis feels that the movie gave him a new sense of empathy for the women in his own life, broadening his perspective and
21%
of labor productivity would be increased if barriers of employment were eliminated. [1]
When 10% more girls go to school, a country’s GDP increases by an average of [1]
3%
Sara Guggenheim ‘26 has been a big fan of Taylor Swift for some time. She looks up to the hard work and dedication Swift puts into her songs, as well as the empowering way she presents herself to the public. Guggenheim supports Swift because of the way she fights for what she believes.
“Taylor Swift has been able to pave the way [for women] in such a hard industry,” Guggenheim said. “She was able to stick up for herself, be involved in politics and express her thoughts on human rights. [She] also creates such beautiful storytelling. She does both at the same time.”
Guggenheim recognizes that both Taylor Swift and the Barbie movie are inspiring because of how they represent women’s empowerment. She feels that they exemplify how women can be successful and powerful, while at the same time being a normal person who does normal things. Guggenheim appreciates the way they are normalizing both ends of that spectrum and allowing girls to be both simultaneously.
“You don’t have to be a girl boss, you don’t have to be empowering all the time; you can be just a girl and that can be empowering,” Guggenheim said. “[Swift and the Barbie Movie] inspire me because I think they take the pressure off of having to be a very successful woman and have to work ten times harder [than men]. They show me that I can be that, but if I don’t want to that’s okay too.”
According to an article in August 2023 from The Direct by David Thompson, the Barbie movie became Warner Bros.’ highest-grossing movie on August 16th. According to an article in August 2023 from Time by Jeannie Kopstein and Mariah Espada, the Eras Tour was projected to generate nearly $5 billion in consumer spending in the United States alone. Katana Stewart ‘25 recognizes the economic impact these events have. She also realizes that the Barbie movie and Taylor Swift are particularly noteworthy because of their ability to connect to their audiences on a personal level; the struggles that they face are ones that their audiences go through every day.
“[The Barbie movie] just makes you feel like you’re not alone in the world,” Stewart said. “It makes you believe that the director went through [those difficulties] too and that every woman is going through this. [The message that] it’s not just you was really powerful in the Barbie movie. And as for Taylor Swift, she wrote these lyrics because she felt [those feelings] as well.
STORY: EMMA WEINBERGER
PHOTO PERMISSION: ABBY SATENBERG
Grandmother. Mother. Daughter. Generations of women pass down lifelong lessons to each other that shape society and the world around them.
Generations of feminism have evolved over the years. This is seen through the Satenberg family, starting with Susie Marias, mother to Karen Satenberg, and grandmother to Abby Satenberg ‘24. When Marias was younger, life was very different to how both Karen and Abby’s childhoods went. Something that wouldn’t be as big of a deal today like getting your ears pierced or a tattoo was a very rare occurrence when she was growing up. Everyone got married and had kids younger. Despite the changes as generations progress, the overall life skills and lessons that get passed down about feminism remain the same.
“Some of the lessons we pass down are good manners, family values, being nice to people and always being there for each other,” Marias said. “In my opinion as the years go by it becomes more stressful. It does make me very happy to see the progress made by my daughter and granddaugh-
STORY: MADELINE EWING91%
of people in the U.S. believe it is very important for women to have the same rights as men. [3]
Companies
Sources:
more people say that women’s rights have improved in Poland since 1991.
STORY: ELLA DUNCANSON AND TEA MALTZMANPHOTO PERMISSION: ELLA DUNCANSON AND TEA MALTZMAN
In a household where Legos were stomped on by Barbies, cars were replaced by Disney princesses, and trips to batting cages detoured to the mall, our father figures redefined themselves.
Growing up, our fathers have been our number one supporters. Not only have they shown us the strength that we hold, but, most importantly, they have empowered us as women.
As female athletes, we have grown up in a world where girls are just as strong as guys, if not stronger. We owe this to our fathers. It started with them throwing us on a soccer field, a tennis court and ski slopes at way too young of an age. They have pushed us from the beginning. They have sat through countless breakdowns, manic episodes and hours of complaining. Yet, nothing discouraged them. No amount of tears would turn the car around. It might have taken a Pinkeberry stop on the way, but still, they would persist. They’d force us to go to that one soccer practice, or take that one tennis lesson, or ski down that one daunting black diamond course. Our dads have motivated us to keep working and taught us the importance of never giving up.
Without a doubt, our fathers are our number one fans. They have always been on the sidelines cheering louder than anyone else, refusing to stop embarrassing us and never failing to get a side-eye or two. Though after scoring a goal, or winning a match, we find ourselves looking for no one else but our fathers to see their faces light up at our victories. This fuels us.
Not only did they ignite our passion for sports, but they have helped us form a strong work ethic that can be traced to our success in many other aspects of our lives. We stand tall and confident on the field and on the court because we know our worth. We don’t get discouraged when in competition with a man because they’ve instilled in us the idea that there is nothing that we are not capable of, no matter who or what is on the other side.
ter while watching from the outside. I love watching it and I think you guys are doing a great job with it all.”
Karen Satenberg shares a similar fulfillment to her mother as she oversees the progression happening within each generation and as her daughter grows up. For her and her mother’s generations, there was still a stigma around what jobs women could or couldn’t do. Women were generally supposed to be housewives, teachers and a mom, tending for their children. Through her daughter, she recognizes how our society has grown.
“Nowadays, there’s a lot more working women with powerful jobs that were traditionally male dominated jobs,” Satenberg said. “Women now are much stronger. There is less of the traditional attitude about comparing men and women.”
Along with being a teacher, Satenberg is an amazing mother of two, one son and one daughter, and feels that their generation is more different to hers than her generation is in comparison to her mother’s. Aware of how hard being a kid is in today’s world, especially with social media, Satenberg teaches traditional feminism.
“I teach Abby to use her voice and enforce the perspective that boys are not smarter or more powerful, but equal to girls,” Satenberg said. “The body it’s coming out of shouldn’t
make a difference. It’s nice for a man to bring flowers or open a car door, but I try to teach Abby to be respectful of anybody, male or female. I think if a guy or girl puts themselves out there, you need to be respectful on both sides.”
Abby Satenberg ‘24 has taken in the message her mom shares with her about feminism. Satenberg is a strong leader on the Campbell Hall Yearbook and girl’s varsity soccer team who has been taught by both her mother and grandmother that girls are powerful individuals that can be whoever they want to be.
“I love spending time with my mom and grandma,” Satenberg said. “They remind me of all the opportunities I have and that these gender boundaries are meant to be broken.”
Having strong women in your life, just as Satenberg has had, can make an impact for a young girl. Traditions are valued in their family and they always show up for one another no matter what. They are filled with hope that there will be many more amazing generations of women in their family constantly reminding each other that they are strong and can achieve anything they set their minds to.
“Being a mom is the greatest thing I’ve ever done,” Satenberg said. “And I hope that my love shines through Abby and the future of Satenberg women.”
In both of our families, our dads are lone men in a house of three women. Consequently, they are always outnumbered and so their dignity of being “ always right” is consistently proven wrong. However, we learn from each other. We have them to thank for contributing their opinions, and they have us to thank for humbling them when necessary. Over the years, they have adjusted to our wittiness, and we have, too, to their dad jokes. We have found a common ground. This balance is what makes our relationship so special.
Aside from reluctant trips to Erewhon to drop $20 on colorful smoothies, girl dads are given the opportunity to join in on their daughter’s journey through girlhood with them, even the messy parts. Especially the messy parts. More than anything, we appreciate the time they have spent to stick with us. They pick us up when we fall. They encourage us like no one else. They celebrate our losses, our wins and everything in between. Every day they remind us that we have the power to do anything we set our minds to. With that, we want to say: thank you dads. Thank you for (attempting) to learn how to braid hair for soccer games and “perfecting” slick back buns for ballet class. Thank you for laughing at us when we fall and giving us thick skin. Thank you for always holding us up to high standards and setting the bar to never settle for the bare minimum.
Discovering me
Shylah Olmstead '26 looks back through her years at the school, rejecting labels that have been thrown onto her
STORY SHYLAH OLMSTEADNo one here knows who I am. Everybody seems to have the wrong idea, misunderstanding anything from my Instagram feed to the phases I've gone through at Campbell Hall. Maybe they see me as this confident girl who likes fashion. Maybe they see the awkward, funny girl from 6th grade, perhaps my loner era of 7th grade, the wannabe popular girl from 8th, a girl finally finding herself in 9th, and maybe a lost girl in an environment that seems to confuse her even more from 10th.
Everybody has this “perfect” perception of who I am, but is that really true? Do they know that my only true friends are my sister and her little brother Atticus and that I spend my free time going
to arcades to win the most useless, expensive thing with my tickets? I am a girl who may or may not already be transitioning to a Disney adult, the girl who only feels safe when blocking out all the sounds of the world with music. Or maybe I might be the most lonely girl they have ever met, even if it doesn’t seem that way.
There are three reasons why this may be happening. Number one, people really like labels. A part of the human condition is that we love to stamp a brand on somebody's forehead to make sense of who they are. It’s something we do unconsciously; we assume. From how people dress or the people they hang out with, we determine who somebody is in our mind, and that assumption may or may not be accurate. I do this as well, because it’s inevitable. We all have assumed something about somebody, because it's a familiar and normal behavior.
Everybody is a victim of how others perceive them. Somebody may see you doing something as simple as tripping and think you are clumsy, they may see you laugh at the wrong time and think you are a complete fool.
Number two, I have the worst trust issues. All my life, I have been stabbed in the back and, maybe unintentionally, done some stabbing. Countless times, people have lost the spark of the excitement of
being my friend, which has helped me build a wall to protect the person inside me, the person no one really knows now. Unwittingly, the person I am has been hiding behind a stone wall that separates my true self from the people around me. This was my solution to being hurt countless times.
Once I realized what I had been doing, I tried to use the tools of therapy to break down the wall. However, once I tried to connect with my true self, people began to assume that I was now pretending to be someone I was not. We all love to distract ourselves from our own issues by judging others in order to make ourselves feel better about the absolute mess that is reality. I don't blame anybody for feeling this way, god knows I have done it countless times.
Number three, I have known these people for way too long.
In my eleven years at Campbell Hall, my classmates have seen the good, the bad and the very ugly. All of the times I have completely embarrassed myself, they've been right there, from the time I peed my pants at the ripe age of 10 to the time I completely messed up the mock trial in 7th grade. These moments are the instances we remember the most from people. These years are a time of growth and maturity, but being in an environment where everybody knows everything about everybody, there
crimes that hurt others, whether or not they are violent. We have been getting used to seeing crimes happen, either in person or online; soon we are not going to care about the news and what is going on in the world, because it will just be another day of the same thing happening. It is as if we are reading the same news article, just with a different name attached to it.
Why should we care? I’ve asked myself this multiple times. If there is nothing I can do, then why is it important to keep reading and learning about these crimes and issues? If it's not impacting me, why in the world should I care? Well, if everyone thought like that, then the world would just stay the same, which means it will continue to get worse. This is why we need to start “de-normalizing” crimes, as I like to call it. We have to talk about them, educate about them and, of course, start looking at these crimes as if they aren’t normal, everyday occurrences.
STORY GRACE URUN PHOTO OREN WEISSMANWe hear about something new in the news every day, whether it be about climate change or a mass shooting. Both big events are happening in our lives and both are being looked over; somehow nothing has changed. In recent years, our society has normalized crime. What I mean is that we think of crimes as normal.
When we look at the news, are we even shocked anymore? Personally, I am not, but I know I should be. Sure, there are many news events out there that do startle me from time to time, but everything seems so “normal” that I just find myself not caring as much. Most crimes around us are not heard about because we don’t give them any acknowledgment. This might be why it keeps occurring, because no one is holding anyone accountable.
While we only hear about one or two new things every day, a report done by the FBI in 2017 stated that “a violent crime was committed every 24.6 seconds.” This means there are far more “violent” crimes committed than most people are aware of. And what about the crimes that aren’t considered violent? There are many
It is beneficial to make sure crimes do not get let off the hook. Informing people on what you read and just sharing someone's story could end up making a difference to somebody. Our community continues to stay strong by informing, educating and supporting one another. It shows that the victims of these situations aren’t alone. Many crime victims go through loneliness and survivor's guilt, leading to possible mental health issues. Talking and educating communities could lead to people coming together and feeling less isolated. The more people that are being represented in communities the stronger we come together. If we all stand up for each other we could be in a better place.
Let's put ourselves in the position of these victims for a second. If something had happened to a loved one because of a hate crime none of us would just be okay. If something happened to me, and no one was talking about it and relating to me, that would lead to isolation and separation. We would all feel alone, as if there is not a community where hundreds of thousands of people are going through exactly what these people are going through. Speaking up can help many victims and make everyone open up in sharing their story.
It is time we start now to revamp the way we see crimes, to open our eyes to horrific ways people are getting hurt and dying. It’s time to stop acting like this isn’t an issue. It is time to see the things that are happening in our world, and it is time to start caring.
isn’t room for accepting that people change. I don't resonate with the day I peed my pants, or even the shoe I wore last year, and labeling someone because of situations that happened years before is a selfish, but admittedly human, thing that we do. Erasing the labels we collectively wrote on my forehead was the most challenging thing I have ever done. To others, I may still be the plastic wannabe from eighth grade, but I am so much more than that, and that is what's important. As teenagers, this is the time to
find ourselves, to wipe away those labels placed on us and show others the people we want to be. Don’t waste these years of freedom by wanting to be somebody else; trust me, it's not worth it. Find who you are, not to please others, but to please yourself. I know it’s hard to find out who you are in an environment that already thinks they have you all figured out. But once everybody starts to grow up and discover what makes them unique, then hopefully, they will get to see who you really are.
Scrolling on my TikTok For You
Page, I am flooded by posts from the latest influencers like Alix Earle and Hailey Bieber, persuading me on how to perfect the ultimate selfcare routine. I am promised that the key to self-care is everything from bath salts and serums, to the latest hundred-dollar LED face masks. As a teenage, dopamine-seeking girl, I click ‘submit order’ without thinking twice. Packages begin dancing in my head as I immediately begin tracking their delivery date. I purchase these products expecting to become my new best self. However, when I giddily rip open my FedEx package and apply all the various serums and creams, the initial thrill wears off quickly when I realize nothing has changed. I wonder why these so-called ‘miracle’ purchases leave me with the same insecurities I’ve always had. I sit at my desk looking at the overflow of useless junk that I've purchased, the barely touched Tatcha face cream sitting next to the Peter Thomas Roth eye patches with the plastic seal still attached. While these products can feel like temporary solutions, they are meaningless in the long term.
What's the point of buying these things if, at the end of the day, you look at yourself in the mirror with the same insecurity-driven thoughts? While self-care has become the latest trend in the beauty industry, it has its limitations.
According to McKinsey and Company, the amount of revenue generated by the self-care market was approximately $430 billion in 2022 and is estimated to reach $580 billion by 2027. The amount that people spend on self-care and beauty products is the same if not more than what they spend on apparel, footwear, eyewear, pet care and food.
I sought out how to move my mind-
set away from these useless marketing ploys. Frustrated by the excessive and unnecessary beauty products, I started exploring podcasts and attempting to get through self-care books. However, I realized that I could listen to all the podcasts and read all the selfcare books in the world, but nothing would change if my mindset was not altered as well. The solution was not on the outside but simply from within.
For me, self-care is allowing myself to embrace my imperfections. I started changing how I would perceive myself when I walked by a mirror. Instead of reverting to thinking about how I could better my appearance, I would find something that I saw, and even if I didn't truly mean it I would compliment myself. Once I got into the practice of instantly saying positive things rather than making negative remarks I started doing it organically. While changing old habits takes time, it is far more rewarding than temporary fixes.
Ultimately, self-care means engaging in activities that make you feel good rather than trying to buy your way into a good mental state. Although marketing argues otherwise, things that make a positive difference in your well-being are a lot cheaper and more fun than indulgent luxuries. While what may benefit you mentally can be different than what would help your friend or sibling, exercising, going outside and hanging out with people who make you feel good are all ways to restore.
Self-care is not jade rollers and massages but rather a messy and continual practice. And, if I'm being honest, I will continue to buy into the commercialized self-care industry, because who doesn't love a facial? But this also means making room for what's ultimately important: focusing on your mental, physical and spiritual well-being.
PHOTO DELILAH FISHBURNE Hidden away: Olmstead obscured her true personality because of others' perceptions, causing her to question who she truly is. Breaking news: Social media sensationalism has led Grace Urun '26 to reflect on how crime lost its shock value.LEON
Mman-shaming, androphobic and female chauvinist are some of the words being used to describe the pink, glittery paradise known as Barbie Land.
Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” has become the most successful film of 2023, generating over 1.38 billion dollars in revenue since its release. Barbie has become increasingly popular across many demographics, from young people of all genders, to adults who view Barbie as a critical figure in their childhood, to women who once shunned what Barbie stood for only to see the movie and walk away with a new perspective. For years, Barbie has represented the objectification and oversexualization of women along with an oversimplified view of female career success. Through Barbie’s historic mass production, women have been told that they can be “anything they want to be,” unless what they want to be is just good enough as they are. This movie is throwing a wrench into that whole narrative, a narrative that many conservative thinkers were quite happy with. Because so many conservatives, especially Christian fundamentalists, are watching this movie through a misogynistic lens, they are missing the point of the film, which is to combat the systemic issues of patriarchy and misogyny.
Women have always been the main characters in the Barbie franchise, with men only existing as accessories. In past films, Barbie falls in love with Ken and becomes a more central figure in the Barbie storyline. Not only was Barbie and Ken’s love story taking away from the idea that women exist individually, but it put more em-
Breaking Barbie: A man's hands breaks a Barbie doll to convey how the world is portraying the film. phasis on the expectation for women to fall in love.
Conservatives have said that it is disappointing that Grera Gerwig’s Barbie didn’t fall in love with Ken, but those criticisms just continue to feed into the narrative that women need to exist for men in order to be valued. However, in Gerwig’s “Barbie”, it is clear that Barbie has no interest in Ken; her attention is directed toward things that make her happy.
Throughout the movie, Ken is constantly trying to be good enough for Barbie trying to stand out, to be happy and unbothered by the fact that his existence in this world is insignificant. During Ken's first appearance, the narrator tells us that “Ken only has a good day when Barbie looks at him.” This idea is brought up again at the end of the movie when Barbie tells Ken that he needs to figure out for himself who he really
"The student store burgers have plain and simply gotten worse since I first got to Campbell Hall. I don't know if it's just me but they have gotten colder, the quality has gone down, and quite frankly, they just simply don't hit the same. When I first got here, they were melty, cheesy and hot. I just want that Campbell Hall classic burger feel back."
"Pizza and pineapple is incredible. A lot of people think fruit and pizza tastes weird, but I don't think of it in that way. For me, pizza is already great, but the sweetness of the pineapple just creates an amazing flavor explosion, its great. People need to be more open to what they put on their food because they are missing out on something amazing. "
CONDIMENTS SUCK SUSHI IS OVERRATED
"Maybe not all condiments, but the three main ones. Ketchup, mustard and mayo don't get the job done for me. They just taste slimey and gross, I can't stand them. I personally eat my French fries plain. People call me crazy but honestly it brings out the taste in the fry I prefer an aoli or a chimichurri sauce, something that gives me a pop in flavor."
"Don't get me wrong, I don't think Sushi is terrible. I don't hate it. But, people overate it so much. Pain sushi, especially, is just bland to me and doesn't hit the spot like it does for some people I guess. It's not in my top five favorite foods. No way. For me, there are simply just better options out there with much more flavor and substance."
is. Ken explains that he “only exists within the warmth of her gaze.” Ken represents the struggle that many women experience, to be seen and valued for their strengths, gifts and contributions as individuals, rather than being judged by the value they offer to men. Prior to Barbie, women were only seen within the context of men; as wives, mothers, daughters, etc. In our culture, women are taught to exist “within the warmth” of the male gaze. In Gerwig’s reversed world, she has men and women trade places to highlight a misogynistic dynamic, and suddenly, people are upset about how the film treats men. Some people are uncomfortable watching this movie in which men are treated poorly because we are so used to seeing men in positions of power. Society has conditioned so many of us to feel uncomfortable with the idea of men being weak,
unsure, emotional, etc. But this expectation that men must be strong and self-assured can also be stifling. It puts a lot of pressure on men to constantly feel strong and unbothered, while telling them that they will be happy and fulfilled if they have power over others. Ken was not finding his purpose when he took over Barbie Land, but instead playing a part that he thought would give him power. Ken was still faced with the ultimate challenge we all have, which is to understand ourselves. Ken’s development was hindered by patriarchal ideals, and because he didn’t feel that being open and vulnerable was an acceptable option, his hurt feelings almost destroyed Barbie land. Gerwig’s message is not just that patriarchy hurts women, but that patriarchy hurts everyone, by creating such a narrow set of expectations and roles to be fulfilled.
What many people don’t understand about the Barbie movie is that anti-patriarchy isn’t equivalent to anti-man, because we see in this movie the damage that patriarchy does to every character, including Ken. Patriarchy harms women in the real world, it upsets the Kens in Barbie Land, it disempowers all of the Barbies and it makes life harder for everyone. By demanding that people’s gender determines their self expression, their emotions, their power and their value, we take away people’s right to decide for themselves who they want to be, which is the whole point of Barbie in the first place.
returned. I had talked all this talk just for it to be the end of June and for me to have no job. But I work well under pressure. As I sat down to make my resume, I noticed one small issue: I didn't have anything to say. As my resume came to a close, the star points on the paper turned out to be that I was a nice guy (I think) and highlighted in bold at the top was “NO DEGREE.” My brother quickly pointed this out only after I delivered it to fourteen different stores on Larchmont.
From traveling all around the world, to summer blowouts, to college stress, the 2023 summer was packed with everything for Oren Weissman, except a job. In February of 2023, I told my mom that finding a job would be easy. ‘Mom, we live right next to a giant street with a bunch of stores on it; there's no way by the time July rolls around that I don’t have a job.’
This form of undeserved confidence carried into March, and then April, and then into May. If I knew the wrath of my mother when I was sitting at home playing Madden in August, or when I asked to go out for the eighth night in a row in July, I would have definitely tried a little harder to get a job.
But as a positive person I am all about lessons, and I believe that not getting a job this past summer will actually be more beneficial for my growth as a high school student than me getting one, and here's why.
June started out amazing. My family and I traveled to Greece, and my friends and I got to take a boys’ trip to Mantuak. I can admit, however, that I thought a job would be secured for me back home at this point. My BS to my mother had gone so far to the point where I was even confused why I didn't have a job when I
But I still had my confidence, and I was still positive. I mean, c'mon, I had talked with Steve at Village Pizza, he basically said I had the job in the bag! And I had been going to Peet's Coffee before Steelers games for years; they basically were required to hire me out of pity. I still felt good, and after convincing my mom that the talk with Steve was basically a job offer, she felt good too.
As the weeks rolled by, Steve didn’t email, Peet's Coffee didn’t email, and neither did any of the other 12 stores. I was left wondering if I was too late on the job search or if my selfclaimed “leadership skills” weren't enough to push me over the hump. My mom was mad, I was disappointed and my brother laughed at me. But in mid July, my final shot came.
‘Dude! There is an opening at the camp I work at for another counselor.’ Not the most convincing argument, I thought to myself, but worth a try nonetheless. After this offer was proven to be an offer made for me for the following summer, all hope was finally lost. And the cherry on top: the resume website I used to construct the worst resume of all time fooled me on their subscription policy. By this point in August, the resume I had made basically turned into a family joke, so when my dad got a $39.99 charge from the resume website I built it with, things didn't sit well with him.
My argument is this Mom: I have a job for next summer. I’m not going to sit here and say that I gave it 100 percent, or continue to say that Steve really did almost give me the job right on the spot. But I will say that I had an absolutely incredible summer. One filled with laughs, cries and memories that will last a lifetime. So, overall I liked my job search. It taught me to prepare for things earlier than expected, and mom, I promise I will get a job next summer. I think.
KINGSLEY MARIN '24 LUCA SACCONE '25 ELLIS FRIDAY '26 RIO REDWOOD '25 STORY FRANCESCA LEON ART SARAH GUGGENHEIM"Some people are uncomfortable watching this movie in which men are treated poorly because we are so used to seeing men in positions of power."Bathed in sorrow: Oren Weissman '24 poses with a coffee shop that refused him a job. STORY OREN WEISSMAN PHOTO PERMISSION DAVID WEISSMAN STUDENT STORE BURGERS PINEAPPLE ON PIZZA
students have stopped purchasing textbooks entirely, which causes them to fall behind in classes, and ultimately not get the most out of their education here. We feel ripped off.
We witness and experience this issue every school year. And we have not gained any sense that the school is making the necessary efforts for a solution.
It’s the beginning of the school year. The dynamic changes that Campbell Hall has made over the summer are on display. This is a time when the school highlights the progress they’ve made, and everyone is settling into their classes. However, one glaring problem still lingers: The price of textbooks.
According to a 2023 study conducted by Education Data Initiative, the average cost of textbooks for Kindergarten through 12th-grade
students in private schools is around $500. The editorial board members added up the cost of our 2023-2034 school year textbooks, and our totals ranged between $500 to $1,000. This has brought to our awareness that Campbell Hall students are on the higher end of this (already costly) spectrum.
The student body is exhausted from spending a check on all their textbooks, just to throw them in a closet at the end of the year and repeat the cycle over again. It has come to a point where
ALets just say this, the spiritual center is the most underrated spot on campus. Calm, relaxing and euphoric are three words that can encapsulate the vibe of the spiritual center. A great place to do work, but an even better place to sleep, the spiritual center offers a place to to take a step back from our busy lives. SPIRITUAL CENTER
The calm and peacful spiritual cennter
BThe senior Patio is nothing less then a Campbell Hall classic. While the loo slightly changes from year to year, it’s overall great vibe and school spirit shines through just as much as ever this year. However, the early year heat has made the patio less of a destination spot for seniors, and even some leaving the patio at times to cool off indoors. While it has it’s issues, the Senior Patio remains a Campbell Hall staple SENIOR PATIO
Spirit week's floor will always be high simply due to the fact that it’s basically free dress the whole week. 2023 spirit day came with new additions such as soccer mom day and classics like Adam Sandler day. However, the seniors didn’t get their classic pep rally in the gym, and the pie and burgers weren't up to par this year, rounding spirit day to a B
While the school acknowledges the advantage of the online CH bookstore being a one-stop shop that provides streamlined solutions for book purchasing, it's an expensive (and unattainable) process.
After much thought, we have ideas. Our first proposal is to create a process where books can be recycled among grades. Textbooks serve no use once a class is over, so there is no reason that every year students should have to go and buy the same books their peers bought last year and do not need anymore. It is a notable amount of money and on top of that, contributes to more paper waste. The textbooks don't have to be directly dropped down for free, but a system where students can easily sell the books back to other Campbell Hall families would keep the money fluctuating within the community rather than to mass-produced vendors.
There is an option to sell books back to the Official Campbell Hall online bookstore, though you only gain around $20 dollars for a $300 textbook. This is absurd. And, while there is a feature called the marketplace where students can purchase used versions of required textbooks, they are still costly. Whereas, we are proposing to come up
with a more sustainable, cheaper, and convenient solution. What if the yearly uniform exchange expanded into a book exchange as well? The uniform exchange has been highly regarded for years as a sustainable and inexpensive option to our normally expensive dress code. So why don’t we add books to the assortment?
The second solution to this issue would be taking out physical textbooks entirely. While this may seem overboard on the surface level, underneath it lies a very intriguing and feasible option. Money aside, it is impossible to neglect the fact that every student buying multiple hundred-page textbooks is harming the environment. It wastes paper that doesn't need to be printed and is destroying student’s posture from having to juggle the heavy weight of these books. Whether we like it or not, the world is being taken over by technology. And so our curriculum has to adapt accordingly. We need to take advantage of the infinite resources available to us, beyond words written by one historian or mathematician decades ago. We now have podcasts, films, photographs, journalists! The media is coming out with new information every day, allowing for a diverse and more complex education. There is simply not enough reasons to justify the difficulty of the textbook process and the prices. Textbooks are falling into the past.
The loss of the Campbell Hall softball team has gone brutally unrecognized. It seems as if this occurrence has been drowned out in a sea of new football facilities and basketball recruits. Though the situation has gone unseen to most, the loss of the team has been detrimental to the athletes’ careers; Softball was my sport. I have played since I was five years old. Being a part of the Campbell Hall team was my first time being on a real team, not just in a little or recreation league, it was a real high school varsity team. But the Campbell Hall Next initiative stripped the team from its roots — literally. First, the entire backfield which was our field, was ground up into soil. The field where we had spent so many practices together, where we won multiple games by fifteen runs. Campbell Hall provided nowhere else for us to go to play or practice. Our team was already small enough with only nine people, but this loss of a field just caused more players to quit. This was no surprise though.; How could you have a team if you didn't even have a field for them to practice on?
The baseball team and their field were no help to our case. They made it increasingly difficult for the team to lend their field to us for even just a couple of hours throughout the week. It felt like the athletics department lacked even an ounce of remorse and claimed that these renovations were for the betterment of Campbell Hall. Sure, they were right. We would have nicer fields and better facilities, but when? That was the important question; How long was it going to be before we could have a field again and what were we supposed to do in the meantime? The answer was nothing. There have been no efforts towards managing
this problem. Even the Instagram post about the renovations didn’t acknowledge the fact that they had completely destroyed our home field, instead calling that whole back stretch of land a “multipurpose area.” This alone is insulting.
As our players dwindled away, so did our coach. The terrible results of the situation, as well as the treatment of the team and our facilities, left her feeling completely obsolete. So what better to do in this situation than to leave? And this was when parents began to get involved. Meeting after meeting with Ms. Prince and Mr. King only resulted in more parental eye rolls and complaints. Not only did these meetings get us nowhere, they seemed to set us back even further.
So our small group of around four was now left without a field, without a coach, and without a team, and obviously, with no season. For my sophomore year and the following years, my favorite sport completely disappeared from the face of Campbell Hall athletics.
As if we were forgotten enough back there on the “multipurpose field,” It feels as if the athletic department made no effort to recover our team. They claimed that the lack of a team was because no one was showing interest in the sport, but this was not on us. If Campbell Hall made a fraction of the effort that they do to draw attention to sports like football and basketball and put some of it towards softball, I believe that we could have a full team of players.
A multitude of efforts have been made by the softball families to reestablish a team. It has been almost a year now and we haven't made an ounce of progress. , and it doesn’t look like we're going to break ground anytime soon.
Student newspaper of Campbell Hall School
4533 Laurel Canyon Blvd.
Studio City, CA 91607
(818) 505-5325
Editor-In-Chief's
Ella Duncanson
Tea Maltzman
News Editor Ezekiel Bierman
Features Editor Emilia Ryan
Opinions Editor Oren Weissman
Sports Editor Emma Weinburger
Copy Editor Christopher Braun Assistant Editors
Brooke Reilly, Riley Green, Madeline Ewing, Nathan Engman
Staff Writers Lily Kerr, Leon Francesca, Shylah Olmstead, Quilatzli Partida, Oren Podell, Grace Schroeder, Portia Umansky, Grace Urun, John "Wes" Vahradian, Sofia Ward, Charlotte Weinburger, Juliet Zadak
Graphic Desighner
The mission of ThePiperis to investigate and present the most relevant topics and issues pertaining to the lives of our school community. Truth, objectivity and accuracy are the primary goals of all staff members. Journalists uphold the right to express unpopular opinions or to agree with the majority and will never gather information in an inappropriate or unethical manner. Furthermore, ThePiperis intended to serve as a forum for student voices.
The unsigned editorials that appear in this publication represent the opinion of the editorial staff.
Letters to the editor are encouraged and should be submitted to Oren Weissman weissmo@campbellhall.org. Letters should be concise, and the writer may ask to be printed anonymously. Letters may not be printed if deemed inappropriate for print by ThePiper editorial board.
ThePiperdistributes 1,000 copies, free of charge to the Campbell Hall community. ThePiperis a member of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association and the National Scholastic Press Association.
PHOTO OREN WEISSMAN PHOTO OREN WEISSMAN Senior patio on a nice october day PHOTO OREN WEISSMAN BStudents celebrate spirit day in their jerseysStudents and coaches question Campbell Hall's school spirit and suggest ways to improve the support we give our athletes.
and giving you support, especially if you aren't having the best game. It boosts your confidence.”
Whitney Jones ‘25, varsity girls’ soccer player, loves to be involved in school spirit and knows the school community can do better. In order to do this, she believes that it all starts with showing up.
“Showing up to the games, showing up for your classmates in all aspects and really participating in spirit weeks makes a difference,” Jones said. “When there's a strong sense of community, it really brings everyone together and mixes the grade levels. It creates a better environment to be in every day.”
Similar to Jones, Chloe Herriott ‘24 is very involved in athletics and has witnessed Campbell Hall’s capability to promote school spirit firsthand. As a soccer player and an indoor and beach volleyball player, Herriott has seen all kinds of crowds at games. Ultimately, she agrees the student body can do better.
STORY CHARLOTTE WEINBERGER PHOTOS TÉA MALTZMANPep rallies, football games and school spirit. The strong desire to increase Viking culture is an opportunity to bolster our school community.
Varsity football head coach and secondary physical education teacher Dennis Keyes is celebrating his tenth year at Campbell Hall. Throughout his experience, he has noticed the lack of school spirit that believes a much better job can be done in terms of showing support and community building.
“Our parents do a great job and show up [to games], but as far as the student body goes, there’s only a handful that we see,” Keyes said. “Whether you're playing on the team or involved in the activity that's going on, we need to work on having that willingness to go out there and support each other.
THE STUDENTS WHO deemed the most school spirited, ARE SHOWN TO PERFORM BETTER THAN AVERAGE
OUT OF THE ATHLETES WHO PERFORMED because OF SCHOOL SPIRIT, 90 percent have felt A GREATER CONNECTION TO THEIR CLASSMATES, teachers AND SCHOOL
After students and athletes feel supported by their fellow classmates and teachers, they tend to be more involved in other school events
Source: National Federation of State High School Association National Association of Secondary School Principals
As a school, we can have a lot more activities centered around building morale. I've been doing this for a while and when the crowd is really into it and bringing energy the players feed off of that.”
Keyes acknowledges that homecoming and playoff games seem to attract the most amount of student support, and the overall goal would be to extend that enthusiasm to all games throughout the season.
Varsity football player and track and field team member Kit Halls ‘24 feels similarly to Keyes that the school needs more spirit. When the stands are filled with more students cheering the team on, he feels that it makes the athletes more confident and play better overall.
“Showing up and being energetic whenever there's a sporting event, repping the school's colors and uniforms and just being present within the environment would genuinely increase performance,” Halls said. “It's also great when there are people cheering you on
“Last year, our home games had a full student section and there was so much cheering,” Herriott said. “It was a very packed gym during this time, which was so fun to see because our girl’s varsity volleyball team went so far and so for the home playoff games, it got crazy!”
Herriott felt the added support and energy made a tremendous impact that the school should build on and make it a school goal to continue consistently. She feels the school community should strive to support teams from the beginning of the season, not just if they make it to a playoff. It goes the same for wins and losses, the teams need support regardless.
According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, students that are involved with their school and show school spirit tend to do better overall and become more successful. This association serves as the national power which promotes and protects the values of education-based high school athletics and activities. Not only do they say that students who show up for their school and
Mila Mijailovic'24, varsity volleyball player, understands the importance of showing pride towards your school's team and being supportive for the athletes.
How does a crowd affect the way you play?
"Having a good, high energy crowd is really nice and helpful. It helps keep the team moral up and overall makes the game very fun.
How would you define your team?
How do you support your favorite team?
"I like to go to the games when I can. It's really fun to get all the spirit merch and watch the team play."
"It's a really fantastic community and we all love each other. It's been super fun to play with all these amazing people. I look forward to practice every single day and I love each and every single person on the team."
Dennis
Keyes "Whether you're playing on the team or involved in the activity that's going on, we need to work on having that willingness to go out there and support each other. As a school, we can have a lot more activities centered around building morale. I've been doing this for a while and when the crowd is really into it and bringing energy the players feed off of that.”
exhibit school spirit do better academically, but there are also benefits that include being more engaged in social and civic matters, and overall becoming happier than those who are not as spirited.
Like the other athletes, varsity girls’ basketball captain Christina Sepulveda ‘24 has experienced the little support brought to the girls games and wishes it were better. After going all the way to the state playoffs last year, she is eager to do it again. However, this year she knows an increase of support from her school community is possible and will most definitely help. For Sepulveda, the energy brought from the crowd has a major effect on the game and the players. Not only does she feel it is a confidence boost, but she feels it is nice for athletes to know that their school cares.
“We definitely do lack a student section during our games and it affects us because when people do not show up for the team it makes us feel like we're not important or we are not good,” Sepulveda said. “If people were there to support us,
What does school spirit mean to you?
"School spirit means to me to have pride in your school and supporting all the teams. It's also coming together as a school to be happy for the school and their teams."
What is your routine before a big game?
"I don't have a big routine. Obviously we warm up and I stay very hydrated. I also try not to eat a lot before a game because then I don't feel great."
Athletes, coaches and trainers explore the "walk it off" mentality in sports
STORY NATHAN ENGMAN & OLYMPIA BROWN PHOTO ELLA DUNCANSONAccording to a March 7, 2023 U.S. News & World Report article on which high school sports cause the most injuries, approximately 5.2 million high school athletes received sports-related injuries between 2015 and 2019. Injuries in school athletics are very common. Athletes, aided by their coaches and trainers, have to consider when its appropriate to persevere through pain, while still keeping in mind their physical limitations.
Mingus Allen ‘25, varsity football player, understands the importance of smart decision-making regarding health and physical well-being. Allen believes that considering both individual health as well as considering team circumstances, such as current score and how far into the season the game is, are important.
“We have this saying, ‘are you hurt or are you injured?’” Allen said. “If you're hurt but you can still perform, you’re expected to go out and perform, but if you’re injured then you have to sit out and listen to your body. I think there’s definitely a mentality as athletes that you don’t want to tell the trainers how hurt you are because you don’t want them to sit you out if you feel that you can still play. [However] If you're injured, you should definitely prioritize your safety and your body [over sports].”
Jacquelyn Loya, an athletic trainer, sees injured athletes on a daily basis. She teaches athletes the difference between the pain caused by an injury and the pain caused by just being hurt. Loya warns that athletes who downplay their injuries run the risk of suffering further injury and possible secondary injuries down the line.
“We have conversations with athletes daily,” Loya said. “Some injuries where the risk is just way too high for them to go out and play can ruin their entire season versus missing one game. If you're not healthy and able to perform, there's a high risk of not just injuring yourself, but your teammates as well. During competition, athletes at times will push through an injury and unfortunately as a result their injury will worsen; it's a lesson they have to learn the hard way. Listening to your body and taking care of your health is part of being an athlete. This is developed over time and experience.”
In his seven years of coaching, Alex Canty, head coach for the girls’ varsity basketball team, constantly considers the wellbeing of the student versus their drive to play. Canty understands the importance of communication with trainers along with mental toughness from the athlete. As a coach, Canty strives to push his players to their utmost potential while still acknowledging physical limits.
“It’s a very hard balance to strike,” Canty said. “Balancing between the desire to play and win and knowing that a student shouldn’t play is difficult for both athletes and coaches. Last year
I had an athlete that hurt her ankle. She really wanted to play and I told her that the playoffs are going to be much bigger than this one game, so whether we win or lose, I want to keep her healthy. I don't think it's smart for players on any level to push through any major injuries; you have to listen to your body and know your limit.”
Varsity soccer player Ava Beddor ‘26 believes that athletes need to prioritize their physical well-being over success. She feels that athletes need to know what their bodies are capable of in order to become better athletes. Beddor reflects on the reasons behind why players often push themselves to succeed. She emphasizes how important a team can be and how teams can make you want to persevere and keep going.
“It's important to persevere through certain aspects of sports,” Beddor said. “When it comes to being injured and the importance of health and your body being protected, it's important to know your limits. Coaches and teammates make you want to push your limits and whether you're hurt or not, you want to continue forward. If it's to win a championship or just to win a game, you want to continue for your team.”
As the varsity girls’ soccer coach for over 20 years, Marty Rackham argues that the mentality of athletes pushing through injuries is becoming less and less common due to increasing anxiety and depression in athletes. He believes that when players dismiss their injuries, they’re risking their ability to compete at a higher level as well as their future in the sport. When he played soccer and chose to push through his injuries, it was because he felt his team needed him on the field, even though that affected him later on.
“If you tell a player to get out there, grow up, run it off, you're feeding anxiety,” Rackham said. “Later that night, they're going to think less of themselves and they might think less of a teammate. I wouldn't push it unless I know it’ll be okay, and the consequences in high school might be that you don't get to play at the next level in college. I was all-in as an athlete until the last whistle blew. I never played again and I'm paying the price.”
VOLLEYBALL record 25-4-0
recent scores Mayfield 3-2
FOOTBALL record 1-5-0
recent scores Victor Valley 17-21
GIRLS GOLF record 3-0-0
recent scores Crossroads 241-281
CROSS COUNTRY record 0-0-0
meets
Ella Del Pero '26, member of the girls varsity volleyball team, reflects on the community that has formed around the team. Del Pero feels that the energy that is in the varsity team brings a great deal of enjoyment to the sport for her.
“I love the community and my teamates,” Del Pero said. "I have a blast at practice and It's always something I look forward to. Whenever it feels like we're about to lose the game, we stick together."
“I love just playing with my teamates and working on team chemistry," Christian Arejian '26 said. "Getting to play football with such a good group of people is really great and they make me better every day."
Del Pero thinks that, especially when the team is struggling in a game, that the comradarie that the players feel with one another helps push all the players to the best of their ability.
"Last year we were in the quar-
ter finals," Del Pero said. "We lost our first two sets It felt like we were going to lose. But we stuck together and I believe that if we didn't stick together and we didn't have our bond we would have lost."
"Running on a team is always easier than running by yourself," Eli Reyblat '26 said. "When one person is struggling, the other person can cheer them on. It makes it so all of us can run our best."
GIRLS TENNIS
“Just watching all my teamates play tennis so well makes me appreciate the sport more," Amanda Bergman '25 said.
"I really like the camaraderie within the team, It makes a sport that is usually more individual way more fun.”
“I love the sense of camaradarie all of have together,” Katana Stewart '25 said. "Golf is an indidual sport and knowing that I have a team behind me motivates me everyday. Golf very precision based and has taught me the value of patience."
The athletics department reflect on their recent social media campaign
STORY SHYLAH OLMSTEAD PHOTO PERMISSION CH ATHLETICSGame day, tryouts, committed. From flashy slogans to sport photography, Campbell Hall has used social media as part of a renewed push to excite the student body about the numerous athletic events that happen throughout the year. As a new era of Campbell Hall dawns, it is critical to involve essential pieces of our society in school.
Kris King, Director of Athletics, hopes to bring more awareness to the school’s athletic programs. He feels that creating a unified school image is important for the relationship between the student body and school athletics. He also feels that increased social media activity allows athletic programs to reach an audience outside the community.
"Campbell Hall’s social media is leveraged by informing our community,” King said. “It has potential to inform the outside world, putting our stamp and giving Campbell Hall a brand presence outside our gates. Social media is a great tool to utilize when used the right way, and gives us a chance to inform everyone about games, scores and much more. Our athletics teams find it essential to highlight all of our student-athletes. You get to learn about a whole team in its entirety when you shine a spotlight on each member.”
Last year, Britney Ward moved from the Communications department to Athletics and took over the athletics Instagram account, @chathletics. With this new position, she finds herself able to prioritize the Instagram account, taking it to the next level.
"My main intention is to inform our community about our games and what is current in our athletic department,” Ward said. “So, for me, that is my main focus. The account is mainly geared toward our community, students and parents because from what I found out in the past, people do not know when games are. That’s concerning for an athletics department like ours."
Ward sees our Instagram as the central hub of information about the sports community, serving as an initial perception of Campbell Hall’s sports programs for a wide audience. Ward has a great deal of responsibility, juggling high school, middle school and elementary school sports. But for Ward, creating a feed that accurately and positively represents what the school has to offer is difficult and has proven to be quite nerve-wracking.
"I would like our student-athletes to be represented,” Ward said.
Athletes and coaches reflect on the affects of practicing during summer in preparation for the school year
The Campbell Hall girls basketball team walked into the huge Arizona stadium filled with amazing teams from around the west coast. They felt a little defeated and unprepared, given that they hadn’t spent any time together as a team.
Even more than the actual summer practices, basketball player Poppy Silverstein ‘25 uses them as a time to connect with team members. She feels that a strong team bond makes for a good season and helps them succeed in the future.
“In June we went to Arizona for Section 7, which was a lot of fun,” Silverstein said. “It was a little tournament and, more than just basketball; it was a lot of team bonding. We got really close as a team and that's definitely going to reflect on the season this year.”
Like Silverstein, Ellis Friday ‘26 feels that not attending summer practices for football leads to a disconnection with the team and has experienced this firsthand. Friday found it difficult to give up his summers in order to be there for practices, which is why he missed many of them.
“I missed out on important team bonding time,” Friday said. “Last year the team had more chemistry and by the time that the first game started we were already a team. This year it felt like I joined a team but I wasn’t a part of it until a few weeks into the season.”
Brad Himes, varsity baseball head coach and secondary physical education coach, acknowledges that team bonding and un-
Gym, makerspace, cafeteria. The Viking Center is beginning construction soon, and with its opening in June 2026 it will bring a multitude of new facilities.
As far back as 2010, Head of School Julian Bull, the administration and the buildings and grounds committee had been working to design the Viking Center. After conducting master planning, they identified some of the shortcomings of the campus and even considered whether it was necessary to purchase another campus in Los Angeles. Agreeing that Garver gym alone is not able to fulfill the needs of the school’s athletic programs, they worked on designing a new complex.
“The gym at its current level sends the signal that we don't really care, and that's dangerous for a school like ours,” Bull said. “We want people to walk on campus and say, ‘they care about athletics and I can see why because they have a gym that has enough space for their programs.’ That's what happened with the AEC; people understand that we care about the arts because of our rehearsal spaces, the recording studio, and all of our [facilities].”
“I want to highlight who they are, what sport they play, their talents, and the variety [of sports] we offer. There is a bit of pressure because I want to ensure we are looked at positively and all of our sports are represented. Running the account, I’m really just trying to get the information out there."
Grace Reiner ‘25 is a member of the varsity girls’ tennis team. Having played since she was six years old, Reiner has the experience to be a leader on the court. Reiner feels that increased social media attention on the schools athletics has many positive effects on athletes and teams as a whole.
“For a while, there were definitely situations where certain teams weren’t getting as much coverage and they were kind of being left in the dust,” Reiner said. “But now it seems that for the most part, all the teams have the same coverage; occasionally there will be a team who gets their own post, but that’s part of the game, and you can’t always be front and center no matter what. As of recently, the media coverage for sports has been really amped up. The tennis team has done a really good job voicing our opinions on being underrepresented and seeking more support from the school.”
After the construction of the AEC in the fall of 2012, the specifics of the Viking Center were explored in greater detail, along with initial design on the third phase, a theater auditorium that will have a performance stage with a fly space – a large area above the stage where scenery can be hoisted up and dropped down using a system of pulleys and levers.
Along with looking forward to having facilities that allow for expanded physical therapy and athletic training programs, Athletic Director Kris King is excited about more court space for practices. With only one gym, athletic teams often struggle to schedule practices, with many getting home late. But in the new Viking Center, retracting bleachers will allow for the floor space to act as three volleyball courts, potentially allowing for more sophisticated and time-efficient practices.
“Right now we get out of school at 3:40 and we've got three volleyball teams, three boys basketball teams, three girls basketball teams,” King said. “Because we only have one gym and one court, some of our players are getting out of practice so late. It's really going to help with getting everybody home a lot earlier.”
derstanding what is coming up as part of the sports season are the most significant parts of participating in summer practices. Himes believes that attending summer practices is valuable as they can give a player an advantage over other athletes.
Like Silverstein and Friday, Himes finds the summer practices benefit camaraderie as well as preparedness.
“The biggest benefits to summer practices are the team bonding [earlier in the season], meeting people and understanding the road in front of you,” Himes said. “I've been here a long time; my players know what they need to do at this point. We've been consistent with that, but walking in and understanding maybe the speed of the game, how to be with your teammates and what's expected of you [is important]. That's kind of a leg up before you even get to the season.”
Depending on the athlete and their grade level, Himes believes that summer practices have many benefits for athletes but also coaches He finds that the sessions help coaches figure everything out before the season. Further, he believes that no matter what sport a student is playing they have to put in the work before the season in order for it to be impactful.
“We're playing, [essentially], a varsity competition in the summer so we can show the freshmen where they need to be [performing] at,” Himes said. “It's good for them and it's tough in baseball because it's the first time that you play someone out of your age bracket.”
Silverstein feels that instead of learning new skills during summer practices, players can get better by practicing the basics of basketball. Her team does lots of conditioning and
drills in order to master the fundamentals which not only helps better their skills, but also strengthens their stamina.
“The summer practices are definitely keeping my body in shape because obviously not everybody can attend them,” Silverstein said. “We can't go over plays and learn new things, so it's mostly conditioning and drills on fundamentals and I get better that way.”
However, attending summer practices is a difficult commitment for many families. Himes understands that families cannot always be in town the whole summer. Having team members absent makes it difficult for coaches to work out practices and games without athletes being there.
“In the summer, I know there are families that take trips and we want them to be there for sure,” Himes said. “Sometimes we have some people out of town and we only have 10 players.”
Because he was out of town, Friday missed a lot of practices and games. Friday missed playing with the team and building up that team bond that he felt was present last season.
“I am not eligible to play until the 5th game which is almost half the season,” Friday said. I didn't have enough practice. I missed all the technical stuff we went over and missed meeting the new freshman players and getting to know the team.”
Bull finds that the difficulty in sharing the gym also manifests in tensions and resentment between different programs. Between arts, athletics and events, the near-constant occupation of the gym leaves others outside during time that could be spent practicing.
“The reality right now is that space conflicts create tensions that are just not helpful to anybody,” Bull said. “When the basketball team in December can't really get into the gym for a couple of weeks, that's nobody's fault; the gym is also the dance department’s performance space and that’s all they’ve got. But I hate the fact that those things are in conflict. I'll be happy that not all, but some of that conflict will go away.”
King feels that the addition of athletic facilities will bring the school’s athletic program up to par with nearby schools such as Harvard Westlake and Notre Dame. The gym, with room to seat almost a thousand spectators, will allow for Campbell Hall to host CIF playoff games in basketball and volleyball, and a hall of fame will celebrate present and past athletes along with the school’s 80 year athletic legacy.
However, students will also have to make sacrifices during the construction. The front field will be closed during construction to house construction logistics equipment, parking limited by the demolition of the grove and trailers for the athletic training staff, middle school classes and lunch services. With the front field occupied, football, baseball and soccer games will be hosted off campus during construction. However, some practices will still take place on campus with the opening of the new back field complex in the second week of October.
King argues that the perception that the Viking Center is strictly for athletics is not accurate. Pointing to the addition of classrooms, a theater-tech and robotics makerspace and a large cafeteria with indoor seating, he sees the Viking Center as a community space that welcomes all students. He also maintains that many students not participating in athletic teams will benefit from the new facilities for their own training and PE classes.
“A lot of non-athletes still want fitness; with the new training and weight center, they're going to be able to fully utilize that,” King said. “We've checked off boxes that will invite all of our students in, and my goal is to ensure that every student feels very welcome into all of those spaces, and feels that it’s just as much theirs as it is as a football player’s. I am confident that when it's built and students are in and out of the doors, there's no feeling of [exclusivity]."
Scoring on Social Media: The Campbell Hall Athletics' Instagram posts to hype up an upcoming football game. STORY GRACE URUN PHOTO OLIVER PHILLIPS Sports and Sunshine: Football team practicing during the summer.Since last year, Campbell Hall has expanded its staff, specifically in the athletics department. After getting to know some of these new coaches, various new coaching styles and goals for the upcoming seasons have been brought to light. This new staff and the changes they make will provide insight on what the future looks like for these teams.
Trevor Raffauf, the head coach for the golf team, has always wanted to coach high school athletes. He feels that the positive impact his high school coaches had on him fueled his interest in coaching, and he hopes to spark a similar love for the sport in his athletes as his coaches did for him.
“I've always wanted to be a high school coach,” Raffauf said. “I have had very influential coaches growing up in hockey and baseball; I've always wanted to do the same thing because they had such a positive impact on my life and who I am today. I'm a pretty optimistic person, so positive feedback works to create a positive team environment where people are interested in learning.”
Alum Daniel Kelly '18, track and field coach has been a runner for ten years. His knowledge of the program and coaches drew him to the program and inspired his desire to coach. He describes himself as a coach who balances both intense, military-style coaching with a more laid-back approach.
“What drew me to Campbell Hall was knowing the program so well,” Kelly said. “I just felt like I could do such a good job because I'm very familiar with the school and the program. I know a lot of the staff and it just kind of feels like home. I feel that I'm not very strict,
but I'm able to be strict when I need to be.”
Coach David Grace, the new head of the varsity boys basketball team, believes in a form of coaching in which he uses positive reinforcement with his athletes. He believes each player should feel supported and important to the team.
“I think we do it through positive teaching and through positive encouragement, to tell them that they are really good and they're very special,” Grace said.
The new head coach of our girls’ volleyball program, Kat Thyer, has had an extensive history in the sport. While playing in college, Thyer ranked top 50 in the country for sets. Aside from her volleyball career as a player, Thyer has also had substantial experience in coaching.
“I've been coaching since I was in college, so probably for 10 years, but I didn't start really coaching my own teams until I was done playing, which was in 2016,” Thyer said. “After reading a book that characterizes most coaching styles, I would say that mine is more of a cooperative coaching style where I talk with my athletes a lot about what they think they need to work on."
In a technical sense, Raffauf stresses the importance of self-diagnosis in the game of golf. He notices a player’s feeling of gratitude after they can master a certain concept of the golf swing, which can lead to more motivation to get better at the game. Raffauf believes that the path to achieving this skill starts with changes during practice and having a sense of self-awareness so players can know what to work on.
“I want to do something where everyone is basically shadowing what I'm working on with a specific player so that they can see how everyone swings,” Raffauf said. “[We would work on] being able to self-diagnose, and [an understanding that] what I can see in a golf swing versus what they see isn’t the same, because everyone sees something different."
Kelly has recently started implementing new strategies within his team. He calls one of these new techniques “spreading the peanut butter evenly.” This strategy helps runners pace themselves by not expending too much energy at the start and running at a consistent pace. Kelly hopes to improve his runners' stamina by practicing this skill early on in the year.
“I really want to emphasize the mileage and the distance instead of more speed work,” Kelly said, “doing more speed work earlier in the year isn't quite as successful as doing more long distance earlier in the year to prepare them for their long races.” He believes that this change in practice may be the key to improving distance running.
As she works to improve her team’s performance, Thyer believes that the largest issue to be addressed is consistency. She feels that her team needs to organize themselves in a proper way, specifically on defense.
“We definitely want to continue to have our hitters, all of our hitters, being more terminal,” Thyer said. “In past years, they relied heavily on only a few hitters and we're trying to open that up a lot. We're also really focusing on being disciplined in defense and making sure we're all in the right spots and doing our jobs so things move more smoothly.”
Along with the other coaches, Kelly wants what's best for his team. He strives to help each of his athletes reach their goals. As a coach, Kelly is motivated by his athletes and their successes.
“I just want the best for my athletes, for my students, for my kids,” Kelly said. “I think that they absolutely deserve it, as they're out there working hard every day. They inspire me to be better.” Similarly, Grace wants what is best for his team, and strives to help each player reach their personal goals. He said, “Our goals are always to have the student-athlete in mind, get the most out of their experience, and help them reach their dreams and their goals.”
Dani Marrero ‘27 feels that the team is very inclusive. She was grateful for the chance to spend quality time with the older girls, gain a sense of comfort and break the wall of intimidation.
“Hawaii helped me develop a strong relationship with all of the upperclassmen,” Marrero said. “I was paired to room with a senior and she kept an eye on me like an older sister. Everyone else welcomed me in and made efforts to make me feel comfortable.
I felt so supported the entire time.”
Off the court, the girls took advantage of the sightseeing that beautiful Hilo has to offer. Their adventures included going swimming in the ocean, trying local ice cream and hiking at the famous Akaka Falls State Park. Starkman finds that the most memorable moment of the trip was cliff-jumping with her teammates.
“Outside of the hotel, there was a lagoon where we could lay on the beach and jump off the rocks,” Sierra said.
Welcome our new number one singles player, Audyssie James '27! She has been playing tennis since she was five years old. After being homeschooled her whole life for tennis and acting, she decided to go to Culver City Middle School as an eighth grader last year. Now that she has joined us this year, she is crushing it on the court, winning three out of three sets at every match. She loves singles because it's a sport where she doesn't have to worry about messing up as it's just her. Though she has a killer left handed forehand, backhand is her favorite. Growing up using a right handed forehand has made her backhand even stronger. Come watch Audyssie kill it at a match on our new home courts!
The serene waves of Hilo brush into shore. Lush rainforests surround. The blazing sun shines down on the Campbell Hall Girls’ Varsity Volleyball team as they compete for victory in a tropical paradise.
The team was invited to the Kamehameha Labor Day Classic Tournament in Hilo, Hawaii this past September. Despite missing the first two days of school, this one-of-a-kind trip kickstarted a season full of opportunities for the Vikings.
Sierra Starkman ‘24 feels that the trip to Hawaii was one of the best experiences she has had at Campbell Hall. A smile pervaded her face the entire time as she
bonded with new teammates and fostered connections with the other 17 girls. Stepping into the role of captain, Starkman worked especially to establish her role as a leader and a mentor to the team.
“Leading our team in Hawaii, along with Mila and Thea, was a responsibility that all three [of us] loved taking on,” Starkman said. “We share a similar balance of discipline while keeping our positivity and love for each other at a high. This consistency has created a strong foundation for the team where we are all supporting each other. Playing in Hawaii was fun, but winning was even more fun.”
As 11 of the 18 girls on the roster are graduating this year, seniors dominate the team. Even so, incoming freshman
“We all woke up one morning and decided to go swimming together, and we all had so much fun jumping off rocks and being with each other.
Our chemistry and enthusiasm translated to the court where we fought hard to win games in the afternoon.”
Cy Larks ‘24 acknowledges the amazing guidance she has received on this well-organized trip. She feels that the athletic directors, Kris King and Jenn Prince, along with the new coach, Kat Thyer, worked really hard to support the players during this time.
“The dynamic with our new coach is seamless,” Larks said. “It is still really early in the season, but we are rapidly improving. From the athletic directors to our coach, down to the players, we have an incredible support system that feels like a family. Hawaii really reinforced this.”
STORY WES VAHRADIAN PHOTOS ELLA DUNCANSON Campbell Hall Vikings get to know the newest coaching staff in the athletics department