The Griffin: May 2021 Edition

Our mission: to enlighten and to entertain

Dulaney High School Timonium, Maryland

Volume 60 REVIEW

the griffin

Visit us at http://dulaneygriffin.org

May 24, 2021

Cheating in the age of COVID

see page 7

#

TO KNOW

10

GRADUATING GRIFFIN WRITERS ADVICE

geoff dochat, editor-in-chief varun khushalani, staff writer & film editor year and a half ago, many students were staying up until two in the morning studying for tests. Today, those same students are able to go to sleep early knowing that when they log on to take their online tests, they can find any answer they need on the internet with no one there to tell them not to.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States and closed schools last March, students and teachers alike had to adapt to a new digital learning environment. This created struggles with accessing classes, assignments and even internet connectivity. But, the ability to attend class within the comfort of students’ homes has made cheating much easier than in years prior.

Since it is impossible for a teacher to constantly monitor each student in a virtual setting, the opportunity to switch tabs during a test or text a

A see page 8

# TO KNOW

3.43%

THE ACCEPTANCE RATE FOR 2021 HARVARD APPLICANTS

see page 7 ENTERTAIN

see page 6 FOLLOW

friend for the answers has grown exponentially.

The virtual learning environment has put a massive strain on students’ motivation and mental health, and many times this has resulted in academic dishonesty.

“The virtual learning environment...has resulted in academic dishonesty.”

A survey was sent out for Dulaney students to anonymously reveal their work habits this past year and if they had ever cheated on an assignment. The survey asked for students’ grade and the academic level (Standard, Honors, GT, etc.)

graphic by varun khushalani of a majority of their classes. They were then asked if they have been academically dishonest in any way on a minor or major assignment, in what way and why they resorted to cheating.

Out of the students that responded to the survey, 84 percent had cheated on at least one minor assignment, and 48 percent had cheated on at least one major assignment. Most students said they opened a separate tab to help find an answer, and many others used their phones or texted a friend.

Teachers throughout the school have had instances where they caught their students cheating this year.

United States history teacher Daniel LaHatte has his own strategy for finding out if his students plagiarize any information for their essays in his classes. see CHEATING, page 2

Dulaney Rises to COVID Challenges

W

erin patterson, staff writer hen are we going back to school in person? When will the virtual classes resume after the ransomware attack?

When will COVID distancing end? We have all had these questions at some point this year.

Through this unprecedented time, Principal Samuel Wynkoop has led over 1,800 students and 100 staff members into another school year while doing everything for the first time.

Wynkoop said, “I’ve been doing this for 22 years and without a doubt it was the most challenging 365 days of my career.”

Not only were there issues with returning to school but also other unexpected difficulties.

The first school day of the pandemic, March 16th, 2021, was just the first stop on the timeline of struggles.

“We were all kind of confused as to what was going on in the world and how we were going to kind of be able to keep teaching and learning going well with being virtual,” Wynkoop added.

Despite the world’s uncertainty, school had to continue. Giving teachers adequate tools and training to persevere proved to be another struggle for Wynkoop and the Dulaney administration.

Reflecting on the end of the 2019-2020 school year, emotions were high and raw as the Class of 2020 went without a prom or in-person graduation. Not being in person but still needing to be there for support and working with them as they said goodbye was tough for Wynkoop.

As the summer of 2020 approached, the administration focused on planning for fall, gathering Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and

distributing schedules for students to be prepared for the fall.

The next biggest hurdle was the ransomware attack in late November 2020. The attack led everyone with a Dulaney-issued computer to need device reimaging. Students had to come to school every half hour for a fix. The attack also shut down all mass communication resources.

Any robocalls or email distribution lists were unavailable for use. Information had been extremely hard to share between students and parents. Details about the return to school were unavailable from Thanksgiving all the way until the new year.

Recently, students have returned to the building for hybrid learning. encountered new problems with Wi-Fi and internet usage. see DULANEY RISES, page 2

FYI: Graduation May 24 10 a.m.

2:30 p.m.

A Day Finals

A3 & A4: June 7 & June 10 A1 & A2: June 14 & June 17

@dulaneygriffin Find us at http://dulaneygriffin.org.

B Day Finals

B3 & B4: June 8 & June 11 B1 & B2: June 15 & June 18

Last Day of Classes June 18

2

the griffin

news & features

May 24, 2021

Cheating in the age of COVID continued continued from page 1

“I’ll copy and paste some phrases into Google and it, more often than not, spits out exactly where it came from,” said LaHatte.

photo by varun khushalani English teacher Meekah Hopkins shares similar issues in regard to students’ essays and other written classwork. She even has attempted to modify her coursework to avert students from being academically dishonest.

“For me as an English teacher, it’s usually about plagiarism,” said Hopkins. “I’ve changed assignments to make it more difficult or not worth the time to pursue that.”

However, this method only works on

writing assignments. Other assessments, especially those in a multiple-choice format, are nearly impossible for teachers to notice any cheating that may occur.

“It would not surprise me if students were finding other means to obtain information for multiple choice and other answers that all I receive is a score for,” said LaHatte.

In addition to the types of assignments students have cheated on, the survey also asked why students cheated. The most common reason for the cheating was lack of motivation, with the length of the assignment and other school work as other frequent explanations.

“Some [students] are pressed for time and are looking for the simple solution, some of them, I think. It is a lazy, dishonest process,” said LaHatte. “The substantial amount of students who are not engaging and not attending [class] probably didn’t get the information.”

In contrast, Dulaney’s Vice Principal, Dr. Robert Murray, feels that cheating this year has not been any more of an issue than in prior years.

“Is there cheating that goes on every year in every school all over the world? Yes. Do

“Is it widespread?

Not that I know of.” we ever know about it all? No. Is it widespread? Not that I know of,” said Murray.

“I think that, for the most part, people are honest...they know that their teachers are very flexible with grading and things of that nature—especially during this pandemic.”

Murray understands that students may be looking up the answers to questions on quizzes, but he believes students can benefit from it.

Dulaney Rises continued continued from page 1

Though they occurred before the ransomware attack and pandemic, they certainly have become more prominent this year.

In Wynkoop’s eyes, given the time and resource constraints, the return to in-person learning has been as good as it could have been.

He didn’t want Dulaney teachers to be bogged down on just passing through the curriculum, but to instead focus on connecting with students. He always told them some form of “just breathe.” He wanted to be the one responsible for handling the logistical information from the county. This included the timeline for returning and any messages from the county. The teachers were able to just focus on teaching.

Wynkoop said, “It really is a testament to the adults in the building because there are so many people that said ‘Hey Mr. Wynkoop, what do you need?’ Everybody pitching in makes light work.”

“I think that I am proud of our staff and our community that for the most part we’ve all been paddling.”

T

he 17-year Pharaoh Cicadas are approaching their return to the surface this summer. Because of their long time underground, they have become notorious, even catching the attention of Bob Dylan, who inspired, wrote “Day of the Locusts.” Since the song’s release in 1970, three cicada reappearances have occurred.

No Dulaney students are old enough to remember when Brood X cicadas last swarmed in 2004, but they’ll soon witness their emergence parts of Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and most importantly, Maryland.

photo by deajae waterworth

In fact, there’s no chance of missing them this summer: cicada mating calls can reach up to 100 decibels, approximately the same volume as a motorcycle. Their noisiness

can be attributed to their large size, which ranges anywhere from .75 to 1.25 inches, making Brood X the largest cicada brood.

It is also predicted that 1.5 million cicadas could emerge per acre, resulting in the population of Brood X nearing billions.

Brood X may reach these high numbers as they, ironically, are not very well adapted to survival. See, despite their wings, Brood X are ill-adapted to flying and become easy targets for predators all summer. Due to this vulnerability, they have developed a strategy to survive called ‘predator avoidance’; meaning there are so many cicadas that they can’t all be eaten and eventually the predators will have had their fill leaving the remaining cicadas to breed.

The cicadas are predicted to return sometime in May. But while Brood X have still existed just underground, what have they been doing? Some believe they have simply hibernated, but this is not true. Really, they live a foot or two underground in a wingless nymph form, feeding on sap from tree roots until it’s their time to explore the outside world. As soon as they have burrowed out of the ground, they begin climbing the trees and mating. Once Brood X are above ground, they have a rather short life span of only five to six weeks.

The emergence of the cicadas have left many people worried about the environment and other animals—will they harm crops or local ecosystems, are they poi-

SEQUEL On May 7, a free edition of volume 33 of Sequel Literary Magazine was released online. The theme, Displacement, encapsulates the feelings of being “plucked”, “ripped”, and “torn from one where one belongs and dropped elsewhere”. @dulaneysequel

HONORS Love reading? Love writing? NEHS is for you!

National English Honor Society is looking for applicants who will be in grades 10 or 11 next year. Applications are due June 18th ask your English teacher for details or check out our Instagram: @dulaneynehs

MUSIC The following Instrumental Music students were winners in the BCPS Young Soloist Competition and whose performances will be broadcasted on BCPS TV: Ying Meng, Flute Mark Kuzink, Violin

BOARD Although this had been an extremely tough year, none of the students, teachers, or staff will ever forget it. The next upcoming hurdle to overcome is to determine how Fall 2021 will look following the district’s decision. Wynkoop reminds us that “we really are in the same boat and I think that I am proud of our staff and our community that for the most part we’ve all been paddling.”

The Cicadas are Invading cassie weymouth, staff writer

NEWS LINE

sonous to pets? The answer is no. These cicadas are generally benign, though it is suggested to try and lessen your pet’s consumption. Brood X won’t affect the food chain—other than creating another bountiful summer for predators—and no wellestablished or mature tree will be harmed.

However, wrapping juvenile trees in protective covering is recommended. Therefore, most worries are unfounded.

The student member of the Baltimore County Board of Education met with members of the Student Government Organization and administration on May 11. Josh Muhumuza met with senior class president Carmen Roy, SGO president Chris Cao, vice president Charlie Cavolo and principal Samuel Wynkoop to discuss promoting education and extracurricular activities in schools across Baltimore County.

ARTFEST ArtFest, Dulaney’s annual celebration of the arts, went virtual this year with a website dedicated to showcasing work by students in art, dance, music, theater, and writing programs at the school.

ArtFest is sponsored by and produced by the staff of Sequel.

DEBATE photo by mark slone

Other than people’s initial fear of large bugs crawling out of the ground, they are entirely harmless and will try to stay out of way as much as possible. Besides plumping up the birds and exciting scientists, Brood X are nothing to worry about and won’t be seen again until 2038. If anything, the cicadas are the most in danger as almost everything around them, including us, could make a meal of them.

Find us at http://dulaneygriffin.org.

Four Dulaney debate teams will be participating in the National competition over Memorial Day weekend. Congrats and best wishes to teams Lori Ackerman & Shrayaa Jayapal, Jane Cox & Michelle Wang, Harold Park & Ryan Tiedemann, and our co-presidents Alycia Wong & Jeongin Kim.

May 24, 2021

3 opinion

the griffin

The failure of hybrid learning O

eric sugarman, staff writer

n April 6th, Dulaney High School, as a part of their return to normalcy, began hybrid learning. The ability to opt-out of in-person learning has definitely been felt to those who chose to attend classes in-person when they were given the opportunity to. The efforts to encourage kids to return to school have been extremely lack-luster given the shortage of students willing to participate in hybrid classes.

The first class I ever attended in-person was during the second class of the day, and after 3 seconds on the Google Meet I was promptly kicked out due to a connection error. “No problem,” I thought, until BCPS wifi had decided I was done with online school that day.

This left me and the one other student in-person that day with a problem, how are we to attend our lecture? The short answer to that conundrum? We didn’t.

The rest of the day was spent sitting in partially air conditioned rooms or sitting outside pondering if this would be the last day of hybrid classes for the foreseeable future. A possible day of solid work was down the gutter.

The following day the internet was back up, but performing as if it were on life support. My teachers were barely able to relay their class plans through Google Meet and students in person were unable to access the class and could barely navigate Schoology without the risk of the browser crashing.

When I asked some of the teachers the reason for the high latency and the internet problems of the previous day, I received mixed responses ranging from

bandwidth issues or the counties inability to handle the “high load” of connections on the system.

I was confused with some of these responses and wondered why the school internet was incapable of handling the load of 100 or so students logging on to Google Meet when last year it was more than capable of running a steady connection with all 4 grades logged onto Schoology.

I consulted Chinese teacher and Tech Liaison Matthew Lovett with questions about the school’s internet.

“There were issues with BCPS Guests and BCPS Secure,” said Lovett regarding issues beyond those reported on April 9.

I considered the fact that Google Meets takes up more bandwidth than browsing the internet and downloading documents, however the usual load the internet would be bearing is still higher than the load of 100 students attending Google Meet. With the changes made after the first week of school teachers and students still experienced intermittent outages during classes , and poor internet while in school. The lackluster internet was supposedly the result of Google Meet taking up large amounts of bandwidth, yet a group Google Meet only requires 3.2 Mbps (uploading).

One could argue that all the students in person cause the network to experience bandwidth issues, however only the teachers are given access to Google Meet and there are still issues. It makes me wonder what they changed to the internet before hybrid learning started.

The dodgy messages we had received from the county regarding the outages

on April 9 were also concerning. During the day we were told via the announcements that the school was “experiencing internet issues” yet we were never given a reason.

Any questions I asked higher staff or teachers seemed to be guesses or excuses most likely given to them by the county.

“I can only speculate, they [BCPS] never really tell you the truth,” Lovett said about the reasons for the internet issues. “I think that there were bandwidth issues since too many students were streaming the Google Meet, and the internet had never been tested that way.”

Many questions arise from this: why aren’t BCPS being communicative with their IT staff? Why wasn’t the internet adequately tested for students coming back to school? If they are unwilling to stress test the internet before allowing students back in a hybrid environment how much do they care about returning to normalcy?

I wish these were the only issues I and other students have encountered during the adventures of hybrid learning, but they are not. On multiple occasions I was interrupted in the writing of the article at school due to intermittent internet outages, and my computer (a school distributed one) having its battery just fall off due to it inflating. I, along with many others share the sentiment that the return to hybrid learning has been a failure, due to issues ranging from internet outages to poor management of classes due to the split nature of the students.

Varsity Blues: Who’s really to blame?

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vinay khosla, staff writer

he 2019 college admissions scandal that rocked the nation and world has once again resurfaced in the new Netflix documentary Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal. The investigation, nicknamed Operation Varsity Blues by the FBI, charged fifty separate “co-conspirators” with various felonies including fraud and bribery.

The scandal was centered around rich and powerful parents paying huge sums of money to defraud universities and gain acceptance for their children.

While the documentary takes a special focus on Rick Singer - the mastermind behind the enterprise - the commentary by college admissions experts offers valuable insight into the causes of such a massive underground business.

Daniel Golden, author of The Price of Admission, takes a unique approach on the situation, and one which I find mirrors my own sentiments.

“I tend to focus the criticism on the colleges and universities that created this system...this scandal is not necessarily a reason for colleges to change their ways because it makes the colleges seem more exclusive and desirable than ever,” said Golden.

And he is right. While there is absolutely no condoning the immoral and illegal methods by which parents and families gained access to these elite institutions we have to ask ourselves why they were willing to risk everything to do so. Although an obsession with prestige is partially at fault, it’s still not the main perpetrator. I believe the ultra-competitive, succeed-at-anycost, impossibly demanding academic culture surrounding college admissions is what is to blame. And I speak from personal experience. Education consultant Barbara Kalmus sets up the conversation perfectly.

“There’s so much pressure on these kids. Because if a school offers fifteen APs and you’ve only taken one, you can cross off the top fifty schools in the

country.”

Now let’s extrapolate that claim to Dulaney where currently about thirty APs are offered. In order to even be considered an academically rigorous student at Dulaney, it’s my guess one would have to take around fifteen or more APs. Personally, I took twenty.

But that alone is not enough because you are also expected to receive straight As in these classes and score highly on the end of the year exams: ideally a 5, but a 4 is acceptable in some cases.

“While there is absolutely no condoning the immoral and illegal methods by which parents and families gained access to these elite institutions we have to ask ourselves why they were willing to risk everything to do so.”

Now this seems feasible enough; work hard and split up these difficult classes across sophomore to senior year, but that’s not all. You also need to take the SAT and/or ACT and score at least a 1500 and 34, respectively. As many SAT Subject Tests should also be taken for a score of 750+ out of 800, not below.

Great! Now you’re prepared to apply to elite colleges, right? Wrong.

You still need extracurriculars and activities outside of your academic achievements that will make you stand out (at least ten to fill up your Common Application). But it’s not enough to just be involved in such organizations, you need to lead them (state and national positions are best). Additionally, try to diversify by being a lifetime athlete and/or musician.

And beyond all of this there are miscellaneous pseudo-requirements such

photo by vinay khosla as at least three years of high school foreign language classes, being within the top 5% of your class, having an exorbitant number of service hours, excellent admissions essays, wonderful teacher relationships (for those all-so important recommendation letters), and so many more.

I myself followed all of these rules religiously. And it destroyed me. It’s virtually impossible to meet all these requirements—to do everything—and still care for your physical and mental health. I found myself sacrificing my happiness, my mental wellbeing, and my relationships for possible access to the prestige. And I’m far from the only one. Thousands of high schoolers do the same each and every day. Should we really blame these parents for using their means to spare their children from such experiences? They’re just doing what any parent would do if they could.

It’s time to hold the colleges themselves accountable. They have perpetuated an environment of toxic competition and achievement, setting impossible standards for acceptance.

Modern institutions have posed a choice to students: prestige or happiness?

After everything I will be attending an Ivy League university. And take it from me, it’s not worth it.

Find us at http://dulaneygriffin.org.

throwback:

letter to the editor

October 2016 Private: Surviving restroom treks: clipboard speaks out

D

ear diary, They told me that I’d be a delicate asset, cherished by every student for years to come. Their witty deception has zapped me.

Huffs and puffs and exasperated exhales create an aura around me. Stomps and eye rolls approach me, as if this passive-aggressive form of protest could culminate the power to take me away.

At first I was held tightly, firmly grasped like a young executive shaking the hand of a potential boss.

Now I hang limp, dangled between the thumb and index finger as if they’re afraid to touch me.

Sometimes, I’m tucked under a smelly teenage armpit. It’s nothing short of repulsive.

Others have told me I had it good. I’m pink and hey, that’s a nice color. But I reside in 303.

Sometimes I peer down the hall and sneak a glance at my orange-adorned comrade who lives in the cool, shady part of town. “Lucky guy!” On this side the students are sweatier. Stench, slipperiness and swelter overtake me every afternoon.

Smacked down hard against the unforgiving floor. Haphazardly tossed onto the paper towel rack. Teetering back and forth atop the stall, precariously positioned at best. Where will I fall next?

Scratches and scars decorate my exterior. I don’t blame anyone. Battle wounds are part of the job description.

Sometimes, late at night, I think about the pen that used to accompany me. What a good fellow, always loyal. One day he disappeared. He could have been displaced, or maybe stolen. I hear pens are a hot commodity. But maybe he left willingly.

Perhaps my love for him was unrequited.

Maybe that’s why no one writes on me anymore?

My pages have seen better days. Watermarks scale my edges, creases outline my borders like hair that’s crimped for prom. Who knows if I’ll even make it ‘til prom?

When I reflect on my life thus far, I can move past the incessant drops. I don’t even mind being disliked, I’ve always identified as more of an introvert anyway.

But the thing that erodes my self-dignity is the incessant proliferation of germs. They coat and cover me, trying to extinguish my flamboyant, pink shine. I can’t count how many times I have narrowly missed an encounter with the flushing machine.

It’s all very cyclic. I’m on 50 first dates, but the dates are arduous and unpleasant. I’m sure next year I’ll join the storage rooms filled with plans for the satellite cafeteria, homework grades and BCPS card scanners. dorrie gaeng, former staff writer

the griffin

4

map

the griffin

May 24, 2021

Seniors reveal post-grad plans

maryland U BALTIMORE LOYOLA U

Woolford, Wynter

Anderson, Deasha

Bream, Anna Choe, Kasey Felt, Jack Ridgill, Alex Woest, Cooper

CCBC

NOTRE DAME

BCCC

Chaulagain, Grishma Curran, Liam Freiert, Emma Glover, Katrell Hall, Robert Henson, Sam Jefferson, Brandon Jones, Ariel Leahy, James Leahy, Johnny Njihia, Prudence Papadimas, Panagiotis Paranzino, Isabel Rongione, Dylan Rothermel, Laura Thai, Janne Wong, Russell

Donis, Emily

MCDANIEL

Hooker, Nya

MOUNT ST. MARY’S

Alvarado, Karla Gali, Sreeja Wislon, Kendall

GOUCHER

Perry, Chareese

JOHNS HOPKINS

Wang, Cynthia Xie, Kristine

Khun, Sabrina Mussleman, Meghan Trikilis, Celina

TOWSON

Alevrogiannis, Gigi Baker, Blake Caslin, Cate Chamberlain, True Distaso, Ryan Flynn, Katie Gilliam, Leah Kohler, Evy Lupo, Isabella Mammadov, Emilia Mapolisa, Sean McNelis, Tina Obrecht, Lewis Pleis, Brady Talati, Rahil Zungailia, Lacey

UMBC MORGANSTATE Athar, Ayman

Davis, Anayah

COPPIN STATE SALISBURY

Anderson, Deasha

*: student was recruited for varsity athletics

Isaacson, Julia Vail, Carter Webber, Brandon

STEVENSON

Bartholow, Olivia Cadiz, Najell* Linhard, Claire Weller, Cassidy

ST. MARY’S

Foreman, John

Chaulagain, Krishna Gutierrez-Moulton, Carly Khan, Sajeel Stehman, Marina

UMD: COLLEGE PARK

Bark, Reid Buccheri, Graham Chen, Scott Chesser, Anna Cong, Grace Dochat, Geoffrey Ebright, Bradford Essig, Madelyn

Farlow, Wilson Garnes, Josh Gaumont, Meghan Gould, Ian Hightower, Cate Hobbs, Amalia Hughes, Rowan Huynh, Emma Khanna, Ananya Lannon, Becca Leiu, Ethan MacLaren, Maura Mahesh, Nandika McKenny, Evie Mezzullo, Olivia Monacelli, Grace Morrow, Teddy O’Brien, Shelby Patel, Tulsi Regine, Olivia Roughani, Melody Seldowitz, Elyse Srinivasan, Dhruv Urrutia, Katie Vahdatshoar, Sophia Wang, Jenny Winner, Sophia Yang, Xingwu

alabama AUBURN U

Alevrogiannis, Mariana Durmowicz, David Harrington, Quinn

arizona

connecticut QUINNIPIAC

Vogelsang, Ellie

U CONNECTICUT

Twomley, Carolyn

U OF ARIZONA

delaware

ARIZONA STATE

Hamilton-Carrington, Imani

Gordon, Ashley

Ellis, Ben

california

DELAWARE STATE

U OF DELAWARE

Bobango, Erin Constaniou, Marina Dailey, Marissa* Greten, Haley Smith, Kai Trageser, Megan

U of CALIFORWASHINGTON NIA IRVINE Furnari, Nikki COLLEGE Parrish, Miranda U of CALIFORflorida NIA SANTA U OF MIAMI BARBARA Sutton, Gwen

Find us at http://dulaneygriffin.org

Sun, Anne

U OF TAMPA

Frohme, Sarah Jones, Morgan

the griffin

May 24, 2021

georgia

U OF GEORGIA

Nicoll, Julia

kansas

U OF KANSAS

Chadwick, Matt

COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY

Lamousin, Peter

new york BARNARD

Kim, Jeongin

illinois

HOFSTRA

DEPAUL

Holden, Morgan

NORTHWESTERN U

NEW YORK UNIVERSITY

Khushalani, Varun

White, Sammy*

U CHICAGO

Yao, Kathy

indiana

INDIANA U

Occorso, Kristen

louisiana LOUISIANA STATE U

Elliot, Pierce Harrington, London

RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE

Proefrock, Kate*

DUKE U ELON

Williams, Todd

U OF MASSACHUSETTS

Forester, Colin

michigan

WINSTON SALEM STATE

Willerup, Emma

U OF MICHIGAN

Szumski, Joelle

HIGH POINT

Harris, Sania

ohio U OF CINCINNATI

McClellan, Connor

minnesota

pennsylvania

Choi, Ryan*

Marshall, Jayden

missouri

EASTERN U

CARLETON

WASHINGTON U ST. LOUIS

Molavi, Annelise

new jersey

NEW JERSEY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Schaefer, Josh*

STOCKTON U

Crum, Jaedyn

Meuller, Ian

SUSQUEHANNA U

Oluajayi, Isaiah

TEMPLE U

Jecelin, Grace McCamie, Isaiah

UPENN

VILLANOVA

Margolis, Jacob

EASTERN MICHIGAN

PENN STATE: HARRISBURG

SYRACUSE

massachusetts

Mason, Janey

PENN STATE

Hetherington, Taylor Lipchin, Julia Robinson, Kaitlin Shuster, Adam Wolfe, Shaun

Khosla, Vinay DeBrabander, Malek

north carolina

NORTHEASTERN U

Tunison, Griffin*

Sibila, Matthew Sugarman, Eric

Martin-Yeboah, Martin Young, Vince

Horn, Caroline

MOUNT ALOYSIUS

CENTRAL PENN

Culp, Connor* Reilly, Sammy

GETTYSBURG

Roy, Carmen* Trivett, Tori*

JUNIATA

Cavolo, Charlie Ghabrial, Laila

YORK COLLEGE

Kamowski, Jessica

rhode island

Kareem-Ojo, Opeyemi

WILLIAM AND MARY

Mercer, Allie*

washington

U OF WASHINGTON

Maybhate, Gautam

washington, d.c.

AMERICAN U

D’Avila, Sky Keyes, Anna Szumski, Andrew Wong, Scott

GEORGE WASHINGTON U

Mowbray, Emily*

west virginia

WEST VIRGINIA U

Grim, Scott Mace, Micaiah

armed forces Barnes, Carissa

gap year

McCray, Anthony

south carolina U OF SOUTH CAROLINA

Labbe, Grayson Frederick, Kyle

tennessee U of TENNESSEE

Carter, Ally Mummert, Natalie

texas

BAYLOR U

Elkins, Jackson Lodge, Annie

virginia

BRIDGEWATER

Schiefelbein, Nick*

JAMES MADISON U

LEHIGH

LIBERTY U

Zieger, Sabrina*

VIRGINIA WESLEYAN

Thomas, Amelia

Sack, Miriam

MARYWOOD

5

PROVIDENCE COLLEGE

Drechsler, Delaney Mozoki, Todd*

Federico, Kevin

map

Dausch, Andrew

VIRGINIA TECH

Blair, Emma Parker, Julia Sheggrud, Thomas

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This map portrays data for seniors who responded to the 2021 senior survey.

Those who did not re-

the griffin

6 sports

May 24, 2021

The Lions Return to the Diamond

T

cooper woest, staff writer he year 2020 was the curveball of all curveballs as the world stopped for the COVID-19 pandemic.

The world stepped up to the metaphorical plate to face a pitcher that no one knew. Some countries were able to bounce back quickly, but in the United States, the strikeouts were piling up. It was overwhelmingly evident that most Americans were affected by the seemingly endless closures and cancellations of all things we loved. For nearly 8 million high school athletes across the country, it stung a little more. In a flash, these athletes were separated from an aspect of their lives that they had been so committed to for years, often having played from the age of five or even younger. This included Dulaney’s baseball team.

“My initial reaction was shock and just disappointment,” said senior pitcher Todd Mozoki when touching on his initial reaction to the postponement of the 2020 Dulaney baseball season. “I really felt for the seniors who grinded all winter and were going to finally play as a senior and get their last season ever, taken from them.”

With such a long time between seasons, it has been very challenging for athletes to adjust to the return to the field. Baseball is a game that requires a combination of skill and good physical conditioning and without the chance to play, these skills can be diminished quickly.

But since other Dulaney players like Mozoki have been actively working to maintain and increase the quality of their game, the team should be primed for a good season.

Senior outfielder Rahil Talati has high hopes for the season and expects the team to perform well.

“I think that we’ll do well. Our senior class is pretty

“It means a lot to have more year after losing a whole season.

It really taught me to appreciate every moment and don’t take anything for granted. ”

solid and the younger guys look pretty good,” said Talati.

To players like Mozoki and Talati, this season means a little more because of having missed an entire season last year due to the pandemic and watching the seniors get their last season taken from them. In addition, this season also could mark the last season of organized baseball for most of the team.

“It means a lot to have one more year after losing a whole season. It really taught me to appreciate every moment and don’t take anything for granted,” said Mozoki.

“It feels great to be back out on the field especially since we didn’t get to play last season…missing the season last year definitely impacts that but also for most of us it’s the last time that we’ll be playing baseball.”, said Talati.”

The Lions play their first game of the season on May 1, and the team hopes to pick up where they left off. As they take the field and step between the lines for the first time in over a year, they will act as a glimpse back at normalcy where we all can step up to the plate and hit the curveball.

Lions Levelling Up: Senior Athletes anna albergo opinion editor griffin tunison, sports writer ammy White will be continuing her athletic career this fall, playing lacrosse at one of the most prestigious programs in the country for both athletics and academics: Northwestern University. White is a 3-sport athlete who, in addition to lacrosse, has excelled in both basketball and soccer in her time at Dulaney. Dominating all three sports, she is one of the best multi-sport athletes that Dulaney has seen in recent history. Inside Lacrosse, one of the top lacrosse media outlets in the country, recently published their women’s lacrosse rankings for the 2021 class, with White coming in at #6 in the nation. She is a dynamic athlete with game changing speed and will be taking her talents from Baltimore County to the Big 10 next year, starting what should be a great 4 year run for White and the Wildcats.

“I look forward to learning from one of the best coaches in the nation to help me improve my game and be a better overall player,” said White. She is appreciative of her opportunity to play at Northwestern, and hopes to have as much of an impact on their program as she did with Dulaney. “I knew since I moved across the street from Dulaney that I wanted to go there even with all my friends from club lacrosse going to private school,” said White. This decision to stay near home and attend Dulaney is something that Coach Korrow and the entire women’s lacrosse program certainly appreciate. White hopes that she can teach younger girls that you can still get to the highest level by going to a public school, and that the program here at Dulaney plays at a high level which allows the athletes to succeed and develop as both people and athletes.

Todd Mozoki will be taking his talents to James Madison University this fall, playing baseball for the Dukes.

Mozoki has that rare combination of a power arm and power bat, excelling at both hitting and pitching during his time at Dulaney. He has a daunting fastball, which he throws at 90 mph and above. He supplements his fourseam fastball with a changeup, two-seam fastball, slider and a wipeout curveball. Mozoki has been one of the best

S

two-way players that Dulaney’s baseball program has seen in a very long time, and he looks to continue his success for the Dukes next year.

Mozoki is looking forward to “reaching his full potential and making memories with his teammates next year at JMU.” As a senior captain, Mozoki has prioritized setting an example for the younger players and leaving the program better than he found it; he is a true representation of what it means to be a Dulaney baseball player.

Kate Proefrock will be continuing her athletic career at Syracuse University this fall, playing field hockey for the Orange. Proefrock is crafty with her stick and has advanced ball control that allows her to get by defenders and score with ease. As a 4-year varsity player, she has been crucial to the success of the Dulaney Field Hockey team. Proefrock and the Orange will look to dominate the ACC and continue their success in the coming years.

Proefrock is “looking forward to seeing all of her hard work pay off and play on the big stage of the sport she loves.” She said that she has impacted the Dulaney Field Hockey program in a positive way by pushing her teammates and bringing out the best of them.

“As a senior, people look up to me and it’s important to set an example and show others what it takes and to push yourself to be the best you can,” said Proefrock.

Marissa Dailey will be continuing her running career this fall at the University of Delaware. As a 12 season varsity cross country and track athlete, Dailey has been an integral part of Dulaney’s success over the past four years. Last season, she led the Lions to county and regional championships in cross country. She will be joining the Blue Hens distance squad this fall as they look to place in high in the CAA. Dailey chose Delaware because she shared similar views with the coach on training and liked the team culture.

“The way the girls described their experiences on the team and with the other girls and coaches made me want to join,” said Dailey.

Lions’ soccer star, Connor Culp, is headed to Eastern University this fall where he will be playing goalie for the

The Griffin’s mission is to enlighten and entertain.

Dulaney High School, 255 E. Padonia Rd. Timonium, MD 21093 dulaneygriffin@bcps.org (410) 887-7633

Student population: 1,923 1,923 Staff population: 160 To accomodate the limitations of printing during COVID-19, this edition is a stand-alone edition of Volume 60. Find previous articles from this year and previous editions at http://dulaneygriffin.org May 2021 Volume 60 A Columbia Scholastic Press Association member

editors-in-chief: geoffrey dochat, jeongin kim advisor: cassandra eppers

the griffin Find us at http://dulaneygriffin.org

Eagles’ soccer team. As a two time captain of the men’s soccer team at Dulaney, Culp lifted the Lions to their first regional championship in 17 years back in 2019. He was also named to first team Baltimore County in 2019. Culp is looking to carry that same success to the Eastern.

“My goals for the next four years are to be one of the best goalkeepers in the conference,” said Culp.

Ryan Choi is off to Carleton College to compete in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference for golf.

Choi’s hardwork and dedication have shone through as he has been a consistent contributor for the Lions over the past four years in the championship season. Already, Choi is looking towards his future after college with golf.

“My goal is to continue to get better at golf to a point where I can compete at a small tour level,” said Choi.

But in the meantime, he is focused on “golfing and making lifetime friends for four years.”

Carmen Roy is set to play field hockey at Gettysburg College next year, adding on to the number of Dulaney field hockey players continuing their athletic careers.

Roy has been a pivotal part of the Lions’ push for a state title in recent years. She will be joining a strong group of women at Gettysburg where she will be competing in the Centennial Conference.

After playing field hockey for 12 years, Roy’s goals are to make herself an “all around stronger person in the classroom and on the field.”

Emily Mowbray will be competing alongside George Washington’s Lacrosse team next year. In her four years at Dulaney, Mowbray has contributed to many successful lacrosse seasons two of which ended in consecutive state championship appearances. Mowbray said Dulaney lacrosse has strengthened her work ethic and ability to push herself. She is looking to continue that trend in the coming years.

“I hope to learn new skills to make me a better player and help push my team towards success during the season,” said Mowbray. graphics by grace monacelli

The Griffin welcomes story ideas, commentaries and letters to the editor. These may be brought to room 113, placed in Cassandra Eppers’ mailbox in the office or emailed to dulaneygriffin@bcps.org. All submissions are subject to editing and must be signed. The Griffin Editorial Board makes all final decisions regarding content.

The staff editorial reflects the thoughts of the Griffin staff, but all other opinon pieces reflect individuals’ views, not the paper’s.

Interested in advertising in The Griffin or purchasing any photos seen in this issue? Use the same contact information.

May 24, 2021

the griffin

7

opinion & features

New Beginnings for Marvel

L

jackie sibila, staff writer onging. Rusted. Seventeen. Daybreak. Furnace.

Nine. Benign. Homecoming. One. Freight car. Any true Marvel fan will immediately recognize the infamous words that trigger Bucky Barnes, the Winter Soldier. These words, which have not been heard since “Captain America: Civil War,” have reappeared in the new mini-series, “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.”

The show dives into the complex narrative of Bucky Barnes’s life after he lets go of his assassin ways, as well as post-snap Avenger Sam Wilson, the Falcon. It’s jampacked with action, plot twists and tributes to beloved characters. However, “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” isn’t just about Bucky and Sam. Real-world issues are incorporated to highlight their prevalence in today’s world.

The show takes place after “Avengers Endgame’’, separately portraying the lives of Bucky and Sam. Bucky has been pardoned by the government, now requiring therapy since he must be a normal civilian. He attempts to make amends with people he hurt as the Winter Soldier, a mind-controlled assassin. One of the first topics the show touched on was Bucky’s PTSD. Instead of brushing off his trauma, he has to learn to overcome his nightmares and self-hatred head-on. Bucky’s given new development that displays the beginning of his healing process without the Winter Soldier.

But Bucky isn’t the only one navigating a new life. Sam contemplates what to do with the shield bequeathed to him by Steve Rogers. He ultimately hands it to the U.S. government, choosing to only remain the Falcon.

Bucky and Sam then team up to investigate a rebel group known as the Flag-Smashers who want to unite the world, though violently by killing with their supersoldier strength.

This quest leads them to Baltimore, where Bucky introduces Sam to another super-soldier in hopes of

gaining information about the newly created supersoldier serums. The audience soon finds out that there had been a Black super-soldier for years and the government had hidden it. This man, Isaiah, had been a hero, but because of his race, he was denied the recognition, respect and humane treatment he deserved. In addition, when Bucky and Sam are arguing outside, a cop shows up and asks Bucky if Sam, who is Black, is bothering him.

This show touches on the topic of racism and this scene exemplifies the dangerous treatment of Black Americans in this country.

It is imperative that platforms such as TV shows touch on topics such as these. Not only does it raise awareness and bring this topic to the forefront, but it also gives the viewer the perspective of seeing the discrimmination firsthand, assisting in the acceptance that something must be done about this. It demonstrates the hypocrisy of Captain America, both Steve Rogers and John Walker (the “new” Captain) fitting a specific type, while supposing to represent everyone in our country. Incorporating the topic of racism into The Falcon and The Winter Soldier gives educational value to the show and gives the message that the treatment of Black Americans must be changed.

“The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” has done a great job of integrating these heavy topics into an engaging plot. Audiences remain entertained throughout with the return of Zemo—the antagonist back from “Captain America: Civil War”—introducing the Flag-Smashers and the new Captain America, John Walker. The season had a satisfying ending with Sam finally wielding the shield and taking down the Flag-Smashers, while Bucky lets go of his past and accepts what good life can be.

Rating: 5/5

Fans Have a ‘Love Story’ with “Fearless (Taylor’s Version)”

W

alycia wong, news editor hen I was five, I always played “You Belong With Me” by Taylor Swift on Guitar Hero, screaming the lyrics I had internalized in the microphone. Thirteen years later, I belt out the same words to a familiar, yet matured voice in the driver’s seat of my car following the release of “Fearless (Taylor’s Version).”

“Fearless” was Swift’s No. 1 record back in 2008 and the re-recorded version was met with the same success, debuting at the top of Billboard’s charts instantly.

“Fearless (Taylor’s Version)” includes all 19 songs from her original deluxe album, a song from 2010 and 6 “Vault” tracks (songs she wrote, but hadn’t released).

As the only re-recorded album to ever take the top spot, the new record sold 291,000 album units in the U.S., making it the biggest first week for any 2021 album and the biggest week for a country album since 2015.

But why is Taylor Swift re-recording her albums?

In 2005, record executive Scott Borchetta signed Taylor Swift to Big Machine Records. However, under this contract, she didn’t own her work’s master (original) recordings, so she didn’t have the rights to make, sell or distribute copies of her songs. Borchetta eventually sold Big Machine Records to Scooter Braun of Ithaca Holdings, who refused her ownership of her masters.

Now signed to Universal Music Group, Swift controls her recent music but is currently re-recording her old work to gain rightful ownership.

Updating 17,000 TikTok followers about Swift, Bailey Houghton has shared why she thought “Fearless (Taylor’s Version)” was such a hit. (Note: she’s been a Swiftie since the very beginning 2006 debut album).

“I think that it’s been successful for two reasons -

older swifties like myself are excited to relive and revel in the nostalgia of the release, and younger swifties that were too young to really revel in it when it was initially released feel like they’re experiencing it for the first time,” she said.

Personally, I experienced a little bit of both. Taylor’s Version of “Love Story” and “You Belong with Me” brought me back to blissful elementary school days, while the production quality of “Tell Me Why” and “The Way I Loved You” gave me a newfound appreciation for the songs as I replayed them.

Some fans have stated that they still prefer to listen to Swift’s younger voice; however, both Houghton and I disagree with this sentiment. Houghton summarized it best when she gave her thoughts on the matter: “The fact that Taylor owns this work and that she has been so excited to put it out and remaster it all outweighs the nostalgia of the older versions” she argued.

Swifties are extremely eager for the release of the re-recorded versions of the other five albums, through which they can relive their past and hear each song in a new light.

Personally, I absolutely loved “Fearless (Taylor’s Version).” While I wasn’t a huge fan of the Vault Tracks (except Mr. Perfectly Fine), the entire album was masterfully created and sentimental. Overall, I’d rate the album a 8.5/10.

Now at eighteen with a job, I’m looking forward to buying all the merchandise I wasn’t able to purchase as a kid and revisit the times when I only listened to Swift’s album “Red” for months or made “Blank Space” my ringtone in middle school.

Applications Skyrocket, Acceptance Rates Plummet

A

sophia paranzino, features editor A record-breaking 57,000 students—a group larger than the Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) high school student population—applied to Harvard this year. Subsequently, the university’s acceptance rate was 3.43%, the lowest of all time, according to The Harvard Crimson. While Harvard certainly does not represent the average American university, these statistics are indicative of a trend occurring within most college admissions that is affecting millions of students across the country.

The cause of this dramatic increase in applicants is no secret. Just like most everything else this year, the pandemic has had a great impact on the college admissions process. Due to the pandemic, many students were unable to take the SAT or ACT, two aptitude tests commonly required as part of applications. As a result, colleges became test-optional for the 2020 application cycle so that students would still be able to apply.

Without testing requirements, more students applied to the more selective schools this year. But, while aplicant pools grew, school capacities remained the same. Because of this, top universities have become

more exclusive than ever.

With a successful year of test-optional admissions complete, many contemplate the necessity of standardized testing at all. This issue is not new as critics have cited the lack of accessibility for lowerincome and minority students. Each SAT test costs $52, a price that may disadvantage certain groups of people.

Furthermore, while the SAT claims to be an aptitude test that assesses potential skills rather than pure knowledge, students still choose to optimize their scores through practice and tutoring. Lower-income students may not be able to afford these resources and as a result, their scores may lack in comparison.

So while this year has been crazy for college admissions, it has also been an informative experience for many universities to improve their admissions system and help make it more accessible for all. Already, some have extended their test-optional policies for the 2021 application season as current juniors will likely face similar issues. This is no doubt a welcome choice as test scores have always been a point of stress when applying to schools.

Find us at http://dulaneygriffin.org

The SAT: Important or Irrelevant?

M

esha singhai, staff writer aking its first appearance in 1926, the Scholastic Aptitude Test, or SAT, has evolved to become a subject of controversy among college admissions officers and students alike. Though the SAT has only progressed in respect to its organizational structure and type of content tested, the social implications of this exam have changed.

The SAT, a noble attempt to standardize college admissions procedures in an effort to increase access to higher education, has actually become a showcase of privilege and wealth.

Numerous affluent parents have gone so far as to pay adults to take the SAT or ACT for their child in order to boost their scores enough to make them competitive for elite colleges.

And while these are rare occurrences, upper middle class students generally also have access to private tutors and endless resources. The unfortunate truth is that the SAT consistently favors privileged communities over black and latino communities.

Despite this gapering divide in our society, the recent decision of multiple schools (including elite institutions) to go test-optional for the foreseeable future might offer a new hope for those disadvantaged by the SAT. College admissions officers may look past an absence of test scores and put greater emphasis on extracurricular activities, essays, and/or other academic achievements in its place.

Students who applied during the 2020-2021 school year seem to concur. A recent statistic by Common App shows that only 44% of students who applied to college through February 15 submitted SAT or ACT scores, compared to 77% the year before. This 33% decline can be attributed to the idealistic mentality that college admissions officers will not take test scores into account, especially during a pandemic.

It is true that college admissions are shifting away from using the SAT as a key factor in determining admissions, but students should still keep this optimistic outlook in check.

Colleges have previously promised us that factors such as legacy status, financial aid requirements or race would not affect our chances of getting in, but they often oversimplify the truth in an effort to make the admissions process look more fair.

Regardless of this oversimplification, we can still try to give these colleges the benefit of the doubt. In 2021, University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), an ivy league institution, reported that 75% of their Early Decision applicants who were admitted also submitted test scores. This means that a fourth of their Early Decision applicants earned admission without submitting their test scores. However, this percentage is one of the highest this year. Georgetown University reported that only 7.34% of its Early Action applicants who did not submit test scores earned admission.

UPenn offers us hope that the college admissions process is changing to be more inclusive. The days of test-scores crushing self-worth and dreams of higher education seem to be left in the past.

Unfortunately, with every improvement comes a reality check. It is true that poor test-takers have a better chance at their dream schools because of test-optional policies. However, many other elite schools have refused to release the percentage of students who gained admission without submitting their test scores. The reason for this is likely because an extremely small percentage of students were actually able to do so, despite admissions officers’ claims that going test-optional would “not hurt your chances.”

Nevertheless, Robert Schaeffer, interim executive director of FairTest: National Center for Fair & Open Testing, states that a large majority of colleges will still remain ACT/SAT-optional for the near future. But this doesn’t mean that there will be a complete flip in the admissions process. A high SAT score will always make an application more appealing to an admissions officer, as universities often use the SAT as an objective measurement for intelligence and ability to succeed in college.

The simple truth is that the SAT will always remain important and offer a boost to your application, but it will never guarantee admission. The recent decision of many colleges to go test-optional will make higher education more accessible, though students must put in their work elsewhere if they do decide to go test optional.

May 24, 2021

the griffin

7

opinion & features

New Beginnings for Marvel

L

jackie sibila, staff writer onging. Rusted. Seventeen. Daybreak. Furnace.

Nine. Benign. Homecoming. One. Freight car. Any true Marvel fan will immediately recognize the infamous words that trigger Bucky Barnes, the Winter Soldier. These words, which have not been heard since “Captain America: Civil War,” have reappeared in the new mini-series, “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.”

The show dives into the complex narrative of Bucky Barnes’s life after he lets go of his assassin ways, as well as post-snap Avenger Sam Wilson, the Falcon. It’s jampacked with action, plot twists and tributes to beloved characters. However, “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” isn’t just about Bucky and Sam. Real-world issues are incorporated to highlight their prevalence in today’s world.

The show takes place after “Avengers Endgame’’, separately portraying the lives of Bucky and Sam. Bucky has been pardoned by the government, now requiring therapy since he must be a normal civilian. He attempts to make amends with people he hurt as the Winter Soldier, a mind-controlled assassin. One of the first topics the show touched on was Bucky’s PTSD. Instead of brushing off his trauma, he has to learn to overcome his nightmares and self-hatred head-on. Bucky’s given new development that displays the beginning of his healing process without the Winter Soldier.

But Bucky isn’t the only one navigating a new life. Sam contemplates what to do with the shield bequeathed to him by Steve Rogers. He ultimately hands it to the U.S. government, choosing to only remain the Falcon.

Bucky and Sam then team up to investigate a rebel group known as the Flag-Smashers who want to unite the world, though violently by killing with their supersoldier strength.

This quest leads them to Baltimore, where Bucky introduces Sam to another super-soldier in hopes of

gaining information about the newly created supersoldier serums. The audience soon finds out that there had been a Black super-soldier for years and the government had hidden it. This man, Isaiah, had been a hero, but because of his race, he was denied the recognition, respect and humane treatment he deserved. In addition, when Bucky and Sam are arguing outside, a cop shows up and asks Bucky if Sam, who is Black, is bothering him.

This show touches on the topic of racism and this scene exemplifies the dangerous treatment of Black Americans in this country.

It is imperative that platforms such as TV shows touch on topics such as these. Not only does it raise awareness and bring this topic to the forefront, but it also gives the viewer the perspective of seeing the discrimmination firsthand, assisting in the acceptance that something must be done about this. It demonstrates the hypocrisy of Captain America, both Steve Rogers and John Walker (the “new” Captain) fitting a specific type, while supposing to represent everyone in our country. Incorporating the topic of racism into The Falcon and The Winter Soldier gives educational value to the show and gives the message that the treatment of Black Americans must be changed.

“The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” has done a great job of integrating these heavy topics into an engaging plot. Audiences remain entertained throughout with the return of Zemo—the antagonist back from “Captain America: Civil War”—introducing the Flag-Smashers and the new Captain America, John Walker. The season had a satisfying ending with Sam finally wielding the shield and taking down the Flag-Smashers, while Bucky lets go of his past and accepts what good life can be.

Rating: 5/5

Fans Have a ‘Love Story’ with “Fearless (Taylor’s Version)”

W

alycia wong, news editor hen I was five, I always played “You Belong With Me” by Taylor Swift on Guitar Hero, screaming the lyrics I had internalized in the microphone. Thirteen years later, I belt out the same words to a familiar, yet matured voice in the driver’s seat of my car following the release of “Fearless (Taylor’s Version).”

“Fearless” was Swift’s No. 1 record back in 2008 and the re-recorded version was met with the same success, debuting at the top of Billboard’s charts instantly.

“Fearless (Taylor’s Version)” includes all 19 songs from her original deluxe album, a song from 2010 and 6 “Vault” tracks (songs she wrote, but hadn’t released).

As the only re-recorded album to ever take the top spot, the new record sold 291,000 album units in the U.S., making it the biggest first week for any 2021 album and the biggest week for a country album since 2015.

But why is Taylor Swift re-recording her albums?

In 2005, record executive Scott Borchetta signed Taylor Swift to Big Machine Records. However, under this contract, she didn’t own her work’s master (original) recordings, so she didn’t have the rights to make, sell or distribute copies of her songs. Borchetta eventually sold Big Machine Records to Scooter Braun of Ithaca Holdings, who refused her ownership of her masters.

Now signed to Universal Music Group, Swift controls her recent music but is currently re-recording her old work to gain rightful ownership.

Updating 17,000 TikTok followers about Swift, Bailey Houghton has shared why she thought “Fearless (Taylor’s Version)” was such a hit. (Note: she’s been a Swiftie since the very beginning 2006 debut album).

“I think that it’s been successful for two reasons -

older swifties like myself are excited to relive and revel in the nostalgia of the release, and younger swifties that were too young to really revel in it when it was initially released feel like they’re experiencing it for the first time,” she said.

Personally, I experienced a little bit of both. Taylor’s Version of “Love Story” and “You Belong with Me” brought me back to blissful elementary school days, while the production quality of “Tell Me Why” and “The Way I Loved You” gave me a newfound appreciation for the songs as I replayed them.

Some fans have stated that they still prefer to listen to Swift’s younger voice; however, both Houghton and I disagree with this sentiment. Houghton summarized it best when she gave her thoughts on the matter: “The fact that Taylor owns this work and that she has been so excited to put it out and remaster it all outweighs the nostalgia of the older versions” she argued.

Swifties are extremely eager for the release of the re-recorded versions of the other five albums, through which they can relive their past and hear each song in a new light.

Personally, I absolutely loved “Fearless (Taylor’s Version).” While I wasn’t a huge fan of the Vault Tracks (except Mr. Perfectly Fine), the entire album was masterfully created and sentimental. Overall, I’d rate the album a 8.5/10.

Now at eighteen with a job, I’m looking forward to buying all the merchandise I wasn’t able to purchase as a kid and revisit the times when I only listened to Swift’s album “Red” for months or made “Blank Space” my ringtone in middle school.

Applications Skyrocket, Acceptance Rates Plummet

A

sophia paranzino, features editor A record-breaking 57,000 students—a group larger than the Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) high school student population—applied to Harvard this year. Subsequently, the university’s acceptance rate was 3.43%, the lowest of all time, according to The Harvard Crimson. While Harvard certainly does not represent the average American university, these statistics are indicative of a trend occurring within most college admissions that is affecting millions of students across the country.

The cause of this dramatic increase in applicants is no secret. Just like most everything else this year, the pandemic has had a great impact on the college admissions process. Due to the pandemic, many students were unable to take the SAT or ACT, two aptitude tests commonly required as part of applications. As a result, colleges became test-optional for the 2020 application cycle so that students would still be able to apply.

Without testing requirements, more students applied to the more selective schools this year. But, while aplicant pools grew, school capacities remained the same. Because of this, top universities have become

more exclusive than ever.

With a successful year of test-optional admissions complete, many contemplate the necessity of standardized testing at all. This issue is not new as critics have cited the lack of accessibility for lowerincome and minority students. Each SAT test costs $52, a price that may disadvantage certain groups of people.

Furthermore, while the SAT claims to be an aptitude test that assesses potential skills rather than pure knowledge, students still choose to optimize their scores through practice and tutoring. Lower-income students may not be able to afford these resources and as a result, their scores may lack in comparison.

So while this year has been crazy for college admissions, it has also been an informative experience for many universities to improve their admissions system and help make it more accessible for all. Already, some have extended their test-optional policies for the 2021 application season as current juniors will likely face similar issues. This is no doubt a welcome choice as test scores have always been a point of stress when applying to schools.

Find us at http://dulaneygriffin.org

The SAT: Important or Irrelevant?

M

esha singhai, staff writer aking its first appearance in 1926, the Scholastic Aptitude Test, or SAT, has evolved to become a subject of controversy among college admissions officers and students alike. Though the SAT has only progressed in respect to its organizational structure and type of content tested, the social implications of this exam have changed.

The SAT, a noble attempt to standardize college admissions procedures in an effort to increase access to higher education, has actually become a showcase of privilege and wealth.

Numerous affluent parents have gone so far as to pay adults to take the SAT or ACT for their child in order to boost their scores enough to make them competitive for elite colleges.

And while these are rare occurrences, upper middle class students generally also have access to private tutors and endless resources. The unfortunate truth is that the SAT consistently favors privileged communities over black and latino communities.

Despite this gapering divide in our society, the recent decision of multiple schools (including elite institutions) to go test-optional for the foreseeable future might offer a new hope for those disadvantaged by the SAT. College admissions officers may look past an absence of test scores and put greater emphasis on extracurricular activities, essays, and/or other academic achievements in its place.

Students who applied during the 2020-2021 school year seem to concur. A recent statistic by Common App shows that only 44% of students who applied to college through February 15 submitted SAT or ACT scores, compared to 77% the year before. This 33% decline can be attributed to the idealistic mentality that college admissions officers will not take test scores into account, especially during a pandemic.

It is true that college admissions are shifting away from using the SAT as a key factor in determining admissions, but students should still keep this optimistic outlook in check.

Colleges have previously promised us that factors such as legacy status, financial aid requirements or race would not affect our chances of getting in, but they often oversimplify the truth in an effort to make the admissions process look more fair.

Regardless of this oversimplification, we can still try to give these colleges the benefit of the doubt. In 2021, University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), an ivy league institution, reported that 75% of their Early Decision applicants who were admitted also submitted test scores. This means that a fourth of their Early Decision applicants earned admission without submitting their test scores. However, this percentage is one of the highest this year. Georgetown University reported that only 7.34% of its Early Action applicants who did not submit test scores earned admission.

UPenn offers us hope that the college admissions process is changing to be more inclusive. The days of test-scores crushing self-worth and dreams of higher education seem to be left in the past.

Unfortunately, with every improvement comes a reality check. It is true that poor test-takers have a better chance at their dream schools because of test-optional policies. However, many other elite schools have refused to release the percentage of students who gained admission without submitting their test scores. The reason for this is likely because an extremely small percentage of students were actually able to do so, despite admissions officers’ claims that going test-optional would “not hurt your chances.”

Nevertheless, Robert Schaeffer, interim executive director of FairTest: National Center for Fair & Open Testing, states that a large majority of colleges will still remain ACT/SAT-optional for the near future. But this doesn’t mean that there will be a complete flip in the admissions process. A high SAT score will always make an application more appealing to an admissions officer, as universities often use the SAT as an objective measurement for intelligence and ability to succeed in college.

The simple truth is that the SAT will always remain important and offer a boost to your application, but it will never guarantee admission. The recent decision of many colleges to go test-optional will make higher education more accessible, though students must put in their work elsewhere if they do decide to go test optional.

May 24, 2021

8 features

the griffin

from me to you: A letter from a 2021 Senior

grace monacelli, sports editor

A

s my time at Dulaney comes to a close, I have learned much more than I can fit into 700 words. Regardless, I wanted my last article for The Griffin to be memorable for me, and what better way to do that than a walk down memory lane, sharing what I’ve come to know about high school with all of you. There might not be anything in here that applies to you right now, but hold on to it because maybe it will someday. So, I’m going to give you some of the best social and academic advice that I have to offer.

First and foremost, do not leave Cheez-Its in your gym locker. Now I’m definitely not speaking from experience, but if you happen to do this, it is highly likely you’ll end up finding a mouse in your clothes when you’re trying to change at the end of class. Anyways…

To my freshmen and sophomores, please enjoy the time you have ahead of you. Everyone will tell you this, just like they told me, but it really is true: the next few years are going to fly by. You’re going to have some challenging times between where you are now and where you’ll be by the end of your senior year, but do not let those stand in your way. Your friends will change, and so will you, but that is the most beautiful thing about high school. The last time you walk out of these doors, you will not be the same as you were the first time you entered.

With that being said, I would highly recommend taking advantage of all the opportunities high school provides you to grow. The first thing you should do is get involved around the school in any way you can. I’m not trying to be a buzzkill, but you’ll want as many activities as possible for your college resume. Not only that, but if you’re gonna be around here for 4 years, you might as well make the most of it. There’s a club for anything and everything here (we even have a cheese club)—clubs can be an opportunity to find a delightful group of people that are passionate about the same things as you! Joining clubs and sports teams was also a wonderful way for me to meet upperclassmen who helped me get through the ups and downs of high school. Similarly, you should write down EVERYTHING you do in terms of community service, clubs, teams, etc. You will be amazed by how much you forget you did, and you’ll need to recall activities all the way from freshman to senior year. If you start doing this early on you’ll thank yourself so much in the future.

To my juniors, I hope you can make the most of your senior year and enjoy it just as it should be.

The future is coming at you fast, but as scary as that is, the top suggestion I have for you is to enjoy all the little moments you have before you get there. I spent a lot of time this year worrying about college and I can guarantee you will too, but just remember that everything will work out exactly as it is meant

to. Don’t be afraid of following a plan you didn’t originally have!

Your senior year is meant to be memorable, so go to all of your fundraisers and senior events.

It’s also the best time to reach out to that person you lost touch with. They’ll probably miss you as much as you missed them.

When you look back on your time at Dulaney, you won’t remember the petty fights with friends or the insecurities you had—you’ll remember the people and how you all connected. Remember that just as others will impact you, you’ll impact them. Be wise about the way you carry yourself.

I often wished I could redo certain moments differently, but now that high school is over, I realize there is not one thing I would change. You will have this revelation yourself; it might just take you some time to get there. Being where I am right now is so bittersweet because Dulaney has given me so many memories to take into the future. I wish all of you the best of luck and hope you will also look back and be proud of what you did here.

With big love to the Lions,

Grace Monacelli

Community makes up for Lost Senior Year miranda parrish, staff writer

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eniors across the nation have had a less-thantraditional last year of high school. The activities and seniority that come near graduation have been canceled. As it has been frustrating, Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) students, parents and teachers have pushed for in-person learning and in turn, in-person activities.

Dulaney seniors were thus able to enjoy “Senior Barbeque” in late April, allowing them to continue the decades-long tradition of painting the rocks behind the school. Dulaney is also having a “Senior Celebration” instead of a typical prom, which was to be held at Timonium Fairgrounds but has been moved to Martin’s Valley Mansion due to vaccine rollouts at the Fairgrounds. Since Dulaney has been hosting prom after-parties for several years now, the PTSA was able to extend “Senior Celebration” for a longer duration, so students will have prom and after-party at one location.

Compared to other nearby high schools, Dulaney’s senior year is closer to normalcy. For instance, Loch Raven High School will not have prom and Towson High will have a parent-run split prom (May 15 at the Irvine Nature Center).

While schools vary in their parties, most intend to have an in-person graduation. Dulaney, Loch

Raven and Towson are all planning to have an inperson graduation at Towson University’s SECU Arena, during the week of May 24 through May 28.

Most schools will have two time slots for graduation with limited tickets—Dulaney allows two tickets per student. The first slot will start at 10 a.m. for students with last names starting with A through L, and the second will start at 2:30 p.m. for students with last names starting with M through Z. The annual senior awards will be held as well on May 21. Awards and scholarships from Dulaney alumni were gifted to an array of seniors with both athletic and academic achievements.

These cautiously safe plans may not have been expected, but these efforts to make the end of the year “normal” are ultimately what will make 2021 more memorable. Furthermore, seniors are now arranging their annual “Senior Week” in Ocean City with their friends or are taking a different approach by road tripping through different parts of the United States. With more and more states reopening, this summer is looking bright as it is to become one that will never be forgotten.

photos by maddie essig

AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT In rememberance of those we lost this year, and the legacies they leave behind in their friends and families.

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