IN-DEPTH
The Eagle Edition focuses on recent surges in
in the nation. Attacks have raised discussion among Americans, especially regarding how mental health and confidence in freedom of speech have been affected.
EAGLE EDITIoN
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CAPITAL JOURNAL
Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s recent claims about vaccines and their impact on how Americans navigate the medical system.
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STRIDE AGAINST ALS
Spreading awareness for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, senior Elliot Levy and her family participate in the Walk to Defeat ALS Association for her father, Rick Levy.
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STUDENTS WITH HUSTLE Upper schoolers are increasingly turning their passions into paychecks, taking on jobs that range from retail work to running their own businesses.
WHAT'S COOKIN?
Join web co-editor Stella Bartley as she tries fall treats from Village Baking Co.
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FORMULA ONE RUSH
There is a recent rise in the motorsport's popularity due to the F1 movie and students who have been loyal fans for years.
Photo illustration by Lilly Traylor
The Senior Olympic Games return along with their newest additon, a
Recent UN votes show support for the recognition
Israel, Hamas conflict halts under ceasefire
The first phase of the Gaza Peace Plan commenced as the two-year anniversary of the war closed in
By Isabella Villegas |Staff Writer
On Oct. 9, 2025, at the Sharm elSheikh summit in Egypt, President Donald Trump, accompanied by more than 20 world leaders, signed a mediated agreement to implement the first phase of the Gaza Peace Plan, which includes an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas War.
The ceasefire and hostage exchange, announced in early October as the war creeped near its two-year mark, included Hamas handing over 20 surviving hostages to the International Committee of the Red Cross and the bodies of deceased hostages, while Israel released roughly 1,900 Palestinian detainees. According to a Financial Times report.
Furthermore, the urgency to end the conflict is highlighted by the stark statistics of the devastation this conflict has caused on both sides.
“History often dictates the underlying causes of these conflicts. These things don't happen in a bubble. People didn't just wake up one day and say, 'Now we hate the people who live next to us,'” upper school government teacher and Public Policy Network Coordinator Adam Walsh said.
“If you want a final sort of peace, there really is no path to peace, in my opinion, that doesn't involve the Palestinians having some sovereign state.”
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, there are a total of 68,234 Palestinian fatalities and more than1,200 Israeli fatalities reported, and a total of 170,373 Palestinian injuries and approximately 5,400 Israeli injuries reported.
Additionally, according
to statistics posted in early October, Brown University has found that 212,343 people, as of Oct. 7, 2023, have been displaced in Israel, around 2 percent of their pre-war population. In Gaza, 2,070,260 individuals have been displaced, which accounts for 38.3 percent of the pre-war population.
"IN
THE CEASEFIRE WE'RE JUST TRYING TO, YOU KNOW, ALMOST LIKE AN ER DOCTOR TRIAGING A PATIENT, YOU'RE JUST TRYING TO STABILIZE
THE SITUATION."
Adam Walsh Upper school government teacher and Public Policy Network Coordinator
These drastic numbers have drawn global support for a resolution that will stop the continuation of pain and devastation among Palestinian and Israeli families. Walsh reminded students of the importance of mindfulness and attentiveness to current global news that is happening around the world, even if it is not affecting them directly.
“We are all on one planet, and the things that happen on the other side of the planet are almost certainly going to affect you, maybe not directly,” Walsh said.
“So first of all, if you care about other people, then you do need to
care about the world.”
The recent truce is one of tenuous stability. According to the Israeli military, on Oct. 28, Israeli troops faced grenade and sniper attacks in southern Gaza’s Rafah, resulting in the death of one soldier. In response, Israel launched widespread airstrikes throughout Gaza, claiming over 100 Palestinian lives, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
By Wednesday morning, both Israel and Hamas had publicly reaffirmed their commitment to the truce, which has been in effect since Oct. 10. However, this event marked the second flare-up; nine days prior, a similar incident resulted in the death of two Israeli soldiers and at least 36 Palestinians.
The current plan for peace between Israel and Hamas has promising characteristics; however, it is important to recognize that there have been many attempts in the past at a peaceful resolution, most notably the Oslo Accords. Signed in 1993, the accords were a set of agreements between Israel and the Palestinian Liberation Organization that aimed to establish a framework for peace, mutual recognition and ultimately a phased approach to Palestinian self-governance in the West Bank and Gaza.
But, according to Walsh, the current political climate differs from that during the Oslo Accords, which may affect whether it will endure.
“The Oslo Accords were mostly focused on the recognition of a Palestinian state. So that's very different from the situation that we find ourselves in today… there were acts of terrorism that were going on during that time period, and you could blame those acts of terrorism for the failure of the Oslo Accords,” Walsh said. “Post Oct. 7, you had
a full-on military conflict that was stretching on for multiple years. You didn't have that during the Oslo Accords. So there was an effort to bring peace, specifically brokered by Egypt and a couple of the other players in the region, but you didn't have this looming threat of a massive, large-scale war at the same time. So the ceasefire is very different. In the ceasefire, we're almost like an ER doctor triaging a patient, you're just trying to stabilize the situation. That's what we get out of the ceasefire right now.”
Walsh also attributes most of the challenges in the longevity and stability of the current ceasefire to the lack of trust between the two nations.
"A bankruptcy of trust, a total lack of trust between the two principal antagonists. In this case, you have Hamas on one side, and then you have Israel on the other side. So their big problem is you have two sides that just don't trust each other, and to a large extent, do hate each other,” Walsh said. “You have to find your way past that; you can't really find your way past that until you are looking at the future instead of in the past. The past argument is all going to be about who should be blamed for this. That's not going to get you anywhere. All right, a future-focused argument is going to be over.”
For now, the most tangible outcomes of this first phase of peace are the long-awaited reunions between released hostages and families, along with the aid deliveries for the Gaza Strip.
“The tragedies witnessed over the past two years must serve as an urgent reminder that future generations deserve better than the failures of the past." President Trump said on Oct.13 during the signing of the peace agreement between Hamas and Israel.
CAPITAL JOURNAL
Shas implemented numerous policy changes and cabinet appointments that have sparked intense public debate. Among the most controversial appointments was Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Throughout Kennedy’s term, his reliability as a health care professional has been questioned among medical professionals and government officials regarding his claims about vaccines and decisions to dismiss Centers for Disease Control and Prevention workers, as well as his replacements for federal mandated public health systems. On Sept. 22, President Trump held a press conference where he made several contentions that have been proven false by scientific research and medical professionals. One of these claims was regarding autism and its link to Tylenol.
"If you're pregnant, don't take Tylenol, and don't give it to the baby after the baby is born," Trump said. "There are certain groups of people that don't take vaccines and don't take any pills that have no autism. They pump so much stuff into those beautiful little babies, it's a disgrace."
According to CBS News, Anne Bauer, an experienced researcher who has analyzed more than 46 studies of Tylenol and its link to autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, did not find a link between the drug and conditions. In contrast, some studies suggested that Tylenol occasionally exacerbates other potential causes of autism, such as genetics. However, the majority of medical scientist's evidence largely refutes Trump's claims, specifically his anti-vaccine rhetoric and its link to neurodivergency in children.
neurodivergent disorders in minors have been looked at closely by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Physicians.
“So organizations have looked at the way the data was done, recorded and analyzed," Kumpuris said. "[They have concluded] that the connection [between autism and vaccinations] does not exist.”
In particular, Kennedy, who is not a physician and doesn’t have a medical degree, and members of the Trump administration have repeatedly questioned giving children under the age of 12 the Hepatitis B vaccine, a vaccine that combats sexually transmitted diseases, arguing that it is unnecessary and can cause autism. They argue that it is unwarranted to give to children who are most likely celibate. However, Kumpuris encourages American citizens to ask themselves if the benefits outweigh the risks.
“What has been shown is that in general populations, by three-quarters, by 75 percent, you can reduce the incidence of hepatitis B in children by doing the shot,” Kumpuris said. “Now, you have to give a lot of shots to prevent a few cases because it's still pretty rare. But the question is, what is the risk-benefit ratio? Does the risk outweigh the benefits, or the benefits outweigh the risk?”
These conundrums have led American citizens to continually ask themselves whether healthcare is a human right, who they should turn to for medical advice and if the government is a worthwhile source for healthcare advice.
President of the Conservative Student Union Charlie Cain said that he does not believe healthcare is a human right.
“I believe in negative rights like freedom from slavery and freedom of speech, but not positive rights," Cain said.“We
on trees. They have to be provided by someone else's work, and you aren't entitled
"WHAT THE SECRETARY HAS DONE IS THAT, HE HAS INTRODUCED SKEPTICISM, CONFUSION AND CONCERN INTO SOMETHING THAT WAS PRETTY MUCH SETTLED SCIENCE, AND BY DOING THAT, HE HAS MADE PEOPLE QUESTION RESEARCH AND THE MEDICAL SYSTEM IN GENERAL."
Dr. Andrew
Kumpuris
Fellow of the American College of Cardiology
to their time or property needed to supply it.”
However, senior Arden Bowen disagrees with Cain’s claims and feels that the recent allegations made by RFK Jr. had insufficient evidence, false claims and unreliable sources. Ultimately, this has caused her to lower her trust in the government when it comes to healthcare.
“I think our medical system and the insurance system are entirely broken. People cannot get the care they need daily due to insurance problems and the healthcare industry,” Bowen said. “I think particularly nurses and other professionals need to get paid more; people deserve to have healthcare no matter what, and that hospitals should reform their ER system, as many have
by the Trump administration to the American people is causing citizens to lose a significant amount of trust in healthcare providers who possess the necessary knowledge and credentials to perform their tasks.
According to PBS News, this argument was also a primary reason for the recent government shutdown, as many Republicans are voting against extending the Affordable Care Act, which, according to the United States Department of the Treasury, 45 million Americans rely on. Democrats and Republicans alike have not been able to find a middle ground on providing healthcare, which is prolonging the government shutdown which takes away pay for millions of government employees.
Senior Stella Wynne described the recent government shutdown as “ridiculous.”
“If the grown people elected to run and represent the government cannot agree on something, then maybe it's time for a change,” Wynne said. “I think it definitely could have been prevented under more decisive leadership.”
The American healthcare system is undergoing significant reforms, regarding vaccinations, food dyes and access to healthcare across the nation. As the Trump administration consistently questions vaccinations, claims about autism are thrown around and access to healthcare is debated regarding affordability and accessibility.
“What the secretary has done is he has introduced skepticism, confusion and concern into something that was pretty much settled science, and by doing that, he has made people question research and the medical system in general,” Kumpuris said. “I believe that is an incredibly dangerous route.”
President Trump's recent claims on autism spark conversation amongst millions of Americans
By Annabel Brown | Video Editor
Trump's compacts cause concerns to many
The Trump administration contacts nine universities to negotiate federal funding
By Barrett Coble | Web Editor
On Oct. 1, the Trump administration asked nine major U.S. universities to sign a new agreement called the “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education.”
The deal requires schools to adhere to a list of federal education priorities in exchange for preferred access to federal funding.
This negotiation is already sparking debate about academic freedom, free speech and college affordability. Sophia Sardiña ’25, an ESD alumna and a freshman at Vanderbilt University, one of the nine schools Trump contacted, harbors concerns about what these compacts might mean for college students.
“I think these compacts are a little concerning,” Sardiña said. “Freedom of education is something that America is well known for. We have top universities in the world, and having that be controlled or influenced by our president through grants is concerning to me, especially with private institutions like Vanderbilt.”
According to an article by CBS News, the compact asks schools to freeze their tuition for five years, ban sex and gender as factors in the admissions process, cap international student enrollment at 15 percent of the undergraduate population, with no more than 5 percent from any one country, reform or abolish offices that “punish or belittle conservative ideas” and waive tuition for “hard science” majors at wealthy universities with large endowments, allowing students "more educational opportunities."
“Obviously, I understand [universities] need to get federal funding, especially since we're a private institution and we don't get state funding. ” Sardiña said. “However, I would be very apprehensive if [Vanderbilt] were to completely agree with the entire compact because it would take away a great deal of self-determination that I believe shouldn’t be revoked.”
Letters outlining the plan, along with copies of the agreement, were signed by Senior White House Advisor May Mailman, Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Domestic Policy Council Director Vince Haley. The letter was sent to nine universities: the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Brown University, the University of Arizona, Dartmouth College, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Southern California, the University of Texas, the University of Virginia and Vanderbilt University.
The Trump administration requested written feedback from the schools by Oct. 20, intending to sign the first compacts by Nov. 21, 2025. As of Nov. 2, the University of Arizona became the latest institution to reject the President’s proposal, joining Brown University, Dartmouth College, MIT, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Southern California
and the University of Virginia, which had previously declined to sign the agreement. The University of Texas is the only school to accept the terms of the agreement at present.
“I know everyone is on their toes right now,” Sardiña said. “We are still waiting for Vanderbilt to respond. However, I do think that it's important that they say something relatively soon because by reviewing it for this long, while other schools have declined, is telling to an extent.”
While some universities are reviewing the proposal, others have pushed back. Vanderbilt University has said that they have plans to “carefully review and provide feedback,” while the University of Pennsylvania’s American Association of University Professors chapter called the letter “a threat to university self-determination.” The Trump administration claims the plan is voluntary and aims to make universities “more accountable to students and taxpayers.”
Although this compact only applies to universities, it could potentially affect current high school students preparing for college in the next few years. Changes to admissions rules, tuition policies or federal funding could reshape what college looks like for the Class of 2026 and beyond. Sophomore Meryl Tydlaska is concerned about attending a college that has lost some level of self-determination to the government.
“I feel like there are definitely some pros that could come from these agreements,” Tydlaska said. “One of those being lower tuition rates, obviously. However, I do want to make sure that when I apply for an independent school, it's actually independent.”
The proposed cap on international enrollment could impact competitive college admission rates as well as the admission process for students, while banning gender as an admissions factor might affect scholarships or diversity programs. The compact, additionally, emphasizes free speech and reducing “political indoctrination” on campuses to ensure political views are being treated fairly in the classroom setting.
“Specifically at ESD, I think that there are a lot of political views that lean one way,” Tydlaska said. “So, sometimes I feel like it’s just the safer option to not share your political beliefs, especially when you know that so many people around you disagree. I would hope that any college I attend makes room for political controversies safely and inclusively.”
These compacts are a part of a broader Trump administration attempt to reshape higher education. Earlier this year, the White House froze billions of dollars in federal funding for Harvard University and Columbia University over discrimination and antisemitism concerns. According to CBS News, supporters claim the new compact will restore balance and lower costs, while critics call it political interference in academic independence.
Nine universities were first contacted, but more schools could be approached in the future. For now, many high school students are watching to see how this debate unfolds and what kind of college environment they’ll be stepping into after graduation.
“I honestly wish our grade was a bit more educated on what it means to attend an independent college,” Tydlaska said. “I think to make the best decision, you need to be informed about all the information that could affect your college experience: one of those definitely being what Trump’s offers require of independent schools.”
According to Voices of America, Russia’s government recently announced plans to withdraw the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, an international agreement that bans all nuclear explosions. The treaty was first introduced in 1996 following the Cold War, and was put in place to prevent countries from both developing and improving their nuclear weapons. Russian President Vladimir Putin warned earlier this month that Moscow could revoke its 2000 decision to ratify the bill to “mirror” the stand taken by the United States, who has signed but not yet formally ratified the nuclear ban. The United States and other world leaders worry that this decision will now weaken the decades of progress put towards reducing nuclear threats. While Russia claims they do not plan to resume nuclear testing, there are widespread concerns that Russia will in fact resume nuclear tests to try to discourage the West from continuing to offer military support to Ukraine.
The Houthi movement, a rebel group based in Yemen, has violently targeted commercial ships passing through the Red Sea for months, disrupting one of the world’s busiest shipping routes. The Red Sea is one of the world’s busiest shipping routes, as it carries around 15 percent of global trade between Europe and Asia specifically through the Suez Canal. However, according to IFT Global in the past week, attacks on ships in the Red Sea have dropped, giving hope that tensions in this region are slowly easing. As of 2023, international naval forces from the United States and Europe have increased their patrol in this region, resulting in fewer naval interceptions. Since the United States launched the Operation Prosperity Guardian mission, naval forces from the U.S. and Europe have successfully intercepted Houthi missiles targeted as cargo ships. Since the Red Sea has historically been used as an indispensable shipping route, these attacks have not only affected global trade, but have raised shipping costs internationally. While there has been a notable drop in shipping attacks in the Red Sea, the Houthi forces still have military strength, so the region could see continued violence if Yemen’s conflict is not resolved.
As of 2023, a brutal war has continued in Sudan between the Sudan Armed Forces and the powerful paramilitary known as the Rapid Support Forces. The war quickly spread beyond Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, and now engulfs the western region of Darfur and the Kordofan states, where citizens are facing extensive violence. In just the past 10 days, the RSF killed thousands of individuals in North Darfur near the city of elFasher. According to EuroNews, the U.S. found the RSF “systematically murdering men and boys, even infants, on an ethnic basis, and deliberately targeting women and girls from certain ethnic groups for rape and other brutal sexual violence.” As the conflict continues, infrastructure and hospitals have collapsed, leaving thousands without access to healthcare. According to the UN, as this crisis deepens in Sudan, the United Nations for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs plans to launch a US $6 billion appeal to help 26 million people in Sudan and neighboring countries as the conflict persists.
RUSSIA STEPS BACK FROM NUCLEAR TEST BAN
DROP IN RED SEA ATTACKS BRING HOPE FOR SAFER SEAS
RSF KILLS DOZENS IN 10-DAY DARFUR ASSAULT
Spain's Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares Bueno speaks to reporters outside the congress centre in the Egyptian Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh on Oct. 13, 2025, ahead of the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit. (Khaled Desouki/AFP/Getty Images/TNS)
A visitor watches a video of a nuclear bomb test while touring the Atom pavilion, a permanent exhibition centre designed to demonstrate Russia's main past and modern achievements of the nuclear power industry, at the All-Russia Exhibition Centre (VDNH) in Moscow on Dec. 6, 2023. (Natalia Kolesnikova/AFP/Getty Images/ TNS) Kenyan President William Ruto gives an address when he received South Sudan President, Salva Kiir (unseen) and representatives of the opposition during the launch of a new round of peace talks with rebel groups on at the State
Graphic by Barrett Coble
JAPAN ELECTS FIRST FEMALE PRIME MINISTER
Relay race adds to Senior Olympic Games
As the morning heat intensified, senior Isabella Sabol pushed through the final stretch of the race, arms aching and heart pumping, nearing the corner to the finish line. Despite the physical toll of the race and several injuries, one that ended in the emergency room, each runner pressed on with determination to finish.
On Friday, Sept. 26, the senior class took part in the second of seven advisory Olympic games, allowing them to bond as a class and build core memories that will last a lifetime.
“I liked all of the memories [my advisory] and I got to build with the people around [us],” Sabol said. “The race was one of those shared experiences that just forces you to be together. I think these [competitions] just really make you and the people around get together, think strategically about how to problem-solve and have fun together.”
The class of 2026 has enjoyed a variety of school traditions, including Pass It On, homecoming and grade-level retreats, but senior class dean Marcela Garcini wanted to introduce something new for the senior class. Last year, Garcini pitched the idea of a special Olympic games event to Director of Summer Programs, health teacher and Softball Program Director Mike Schneider. Schneider focused on creating events that corresponded with actual Olympic Games, ensuring they were both meaningful and fun for seniors.
“The goal of the [senior] Olympics was to create events that did not require only athletic ability,” Schneider said. “I didn't want the most athletic advisory to win every event, so I tried to emphasize events that required
everyone's cooperation or participation, involved a great deal of teamwork by the advisory and would be fun. So, since running a marathon is the pinnacle of Olympic events, I knew that we couldn't have kids run a marathon, so I thought of making it a relay.”
Running the course was no easy task. Since Schneider believed running a simple relay around the track would be boring, he decided that students should run around the entire campus instead. When creating the course, he aimed to design a nostalgic tour of all the buildings and facilities where senior students have spent time and taken classes.
“I thought at first it was going to be pass the baton, but knowing the scope of the race, I thought that I needed to make it so that every team would have to follow the course,” Schneider said. “In other words, I wanted to make the course so that you couldn't skip any locations.”
The deeper meaning behind the race didn't stop at making the course a “nostalgic tour.” In fact, the only way an advisory could complete the race was by getting a particular item at every single handoff point. Each item the seniors received corresponded to the building or place they were running through. When running around the quarry, students picked up fishing reels and when running through the Frank Building, students picked up sheet music. Along with running the course, some students struggled to carry heavy backpacks filled with these items while ensuring no items fell out.
“As you go on with the race, there was a teacher at each handoff point [who] added another item to your bag so it got heavier and heavier,” Sabol said. “If you dropped or lost one of the items
before you got to the end when the teachers counted them, you could be disqualified or placed last.”
While running may not be every individual's favorite activity, Schneider knew that students would benefit from their classmates and friends cheering them on. He felt the easiest way for students to do this was to place students from other grade levels in their designated “flex spot.” The juniors were in the junior lounge forming a tunnel, the sophomores were to the left of the chapel and the freshmen were alongside the hallway to the study commons.
“Having run a marathon myself, I know that when the crowd lines the street and cheers you on, it's a pretty good adrenaline boost,” Schneider said. “I really wanted the kids to get that same boost, so it occurred to me that the best way was to get the whole upper school, and even middle and lower school, involved. Thinking about how the seniors do a tunnel for the [freshmen] in the senior hallway on the first day of school, I wanted to meld those traditions with the Olympic relay.”
While the race was charged with competitive spirit and excitement, the route, featuring stairs and other hazardous sections, unfortunately resulted in some injuries. As senior Stella Wynne was running by the fifth-grade pods, she fell down the stairs, but got right up and finished her part in the race. In fact, it was not until she reached the chapel that she realized she’d been injured. She was taken by ambulance to get stitches and is currently recovering from her injuries. She is expected to heal by the end of November from her fractured tibia.
“The teachers were very nice and helpful when I got hurt,” Wynne said. “Mr. Salz called my mom so I could talk to her because
my whole family was out of town when it happened. Running down the stairs full speed was not something I should have done. I should've slowed down a little bit. [However], I still loved the race and had so much fun.”
Given the occurrence of several injuries and even instances of students vomiting after the race, certain changes will be necessary moving forward. Although the race was meant to push students, if this event becomes an annual tradition, Schnider said it is vital that all students are kept safe and healthy.
“Man, [the seniors] were booking it the whole way, and I barely got from the starting line to the finish line before they were pulling up,” Schinder said. “So that really surprised me, but [it] was a good thing because that means they were really into it and they were having fun.”
Class of 2025 takes on another Olympic game, adding to a new ESD tradition
By Britt Reynolds | Staff Writer
CROSSING
THE FINISH LINE
Senior Ryder Sands and classmates round the corner to the finish line of the race. “The energy from the crowd seriously pushes you to give everything you’ve got,” Sands said. “It’s one of those moments where you’re not just running for yourself, but for your whole advisory. The relay race [was] such an electric feeling.”
Photo by Justin Powell
HALLWAY
Big Tex stands tall again
For many Texans, fall means one thing: the State Fair of Texas. The smell of Fletcher's corn dogs and funnel cake, the sound of carnival games and the towering presence of Big Tex are all nostalgic memories for senior Ava Sjogren. For her, the fair isn’t just a yearly event, but a childhood tradition.
“I’ve been going ever since I was little,” Sjogren said. “It’s really nostalgic, growing up and still getting the same experience every year.”
The sense of tradition blends perfectly with excitement for familiar favorites. When it comes to rides, the Crazy Mouse takes the top spot for Sjogren.
“It’s my favorite ride,” Sjogren said. “It's a perfect mix of speed, fun and a little bit of fear.”
Food is also a highlight for the many who visit the fair. The food court and all the yearly food creations fascinate visitors. For Sjogren, there is one snack that stands above the rest.
ESD goes gold
HOCO theme release
On Sept. 26, students and faculty dressed in gold to honor Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. While the initiative is a global campaign, at ESD, Child Cancer Awareness Month is led by Christine Martin, mother of former student Izzy Martin, who passed away after battling osteosarcoma—a type of bone cancer that originates from cells responsible for forming bone. Upper school biology teacher and Science Department Chair Marissa Infante worked with Izzy Martin during her career in middle school.
“September is now representative of childhood cancer awareness and the color gold is the color that represents childhood cancers,” Infante said. “[Martin’s] parents have been very active in creating a foundation to raise money and awareness for it.”
This year’s Homecoming release video energized the student body with its creativity and excitement. The circusinspired theme tied into the celebration’s motto: “The Greatest Show.”
Student body president Beau McKnight helped lead the project from the beginning. She played a large role in picking the theme.
“First, we had to write out a script and a storyline for the theme,” McKnight said. “We went through brainstorming phases, then we all met to finalize it.”
Once the idea was set, the team planned outfits and filming locations for the reveal video.
“We all met at school on Sunday and just filmed around the school,” McKnight said. “It took around two hours.”
After filming, senior student body vice president Bauer Berkley took charge of editing the film by adding music and effects to complete the production.
By Moss Barron | Staff Writers and Jack Coben | Co-Podcast Editor
“The Mega Dill Pickle is something I go to the fair for every year,” Sjogren said. “It is something I have been getting since I was a little kid, going to the fair for the first time.”
No fair trip is complete without a visit to the fair’s iconic greeter, Big Tex. Big Tex has stood at 55 feet tall since 1952, except for the time it was rebuilt in 2012 after a fire.
“Big Tex is my single favorite thing at the state fair,” Sjogren said. “Seeing him always makes me feel like a kid again.”
When Sjogren is not hanging out with Big Tex, eating the Mega Dill Pickle or on the Crazy Mouse, you can find her at the rope ladder climb, her favorite go-to fair game.
“Every year it feels the same in the best way possible,” Sjorgen said. “That’s what keeps me coming back every year.”
Team Izzy partners closely with the Osteosarcoma Institute. Each September, they encourage schools to participate in “Go Gold,” which is a day where students wear gold to show support for those affected by childhood cancer. The event also serves as a fundraiser, with proceeds directed toward research and patient support.
“Izzy was a great student,” Infante said. “It was a joy having her in class.”
According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 1,000 osteosarcoma cases in the U.S. are documented annually, with half of those cases found in children and adolescents. This statistic makes up 2 percent to 3 percent of childhood cancers, emphasizing the need for continued research and awareness despite its relative rarity.
“It was a grind to pump out all the work, but I enjoyed every second of it,” Berkley said. “I think it came out much better than I anticipated.”
While it was McKnight who spearheaded the idea, other members of the student council helped brainstorm additional themes.
“We had an idea to do something like ‘No Place Like Homecoming,’ which would’ve been more like ‘The Wizard of Oz,’” McKnight said. “That idea felt a little abstract, though. The circus theme gave us more to work with.”
The final video premiered on Oct. 8, capturing students' attention and setting the tone for an exciting week of activities to follow.
“The video was very entertaining and I thought the acting was also superb,” junior Kenan Prieto-Akmansoy said. “Overall, I am very excited about the whole week.”
Spark Board lights path for student innovators
The Eagle Spark Board connects students with mentors and real world career insight
By Margot Cathey | Sports Editor
Seniors Bauer Berkley and Tyler Brausa transformed their entrepreneurial visions into reality after they pitched their idea before the Eagle Spark Board in November of 2024 to a panel of investors, and secured the funding to launch a fully backed business.
Backed by ESD alumni and local entrepreneurs, the Eagle Spark Board offers mentorship and funding to students crafting their business pitches. In the entrepreneurship class, students present their ventures in an investor pitch-style competition each November, turning classroom concepts into investor-ready ideas.
On Oct. 8, Kyle Waldrep ’12 and former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert spoke to the senior class as part of the annual Deadman Lecture Series about their careers and their co-hosted podcast, Intersections, where they talk about critical issues happening in America.
“I am a founding member of the Eagle Spark Venture Board, and it all started when Mrs.
Livingston asked me a couple of years ago. My involvement goes back to when I was a student here,” Waldrep said. “We didn’t have Entrepreneurship here when I was a student, but we had economics and we had a business plan [similar to today’s]. Because I created a business plan, and I think it did decently well back when I was a senior in high school, I credit that for being the starting point of my entrepreneurial journey.”
Playing the role of an entrepreneur can be difficult for a teenager. Creating a business plan, finding investors and putting a great deal of thought and time into one idea is no simple task. But for Waldrep, he had a unique take on the start-up of his business.
After graduating from ESD, Waldrep went off to SMU to play tennis, but shortly after arriving, he was diagnosed with West Nile virus, spending two years in the hospital and having to relearn everything he had known. With determination, he started up his own business, Dottid, a real estate software company and eventually
sold it to a Fortune 200 company.
“In a lot of ways, I got to learn from a lot of people who had gone before me. So, I got to ask questions about their business, what people didn’t like about their business and what they loved about their business. I asked what made money and didn't, what challenges they [encountered] and I really got to formulate all these inputs from so many people to ultimately form the foundation of how I wanted to start the business,” Waldrep said. “So it was really just a sense of learning from other people because I didn't have the background of entrepreneurship; I just had the ability to listen and learn from people.”
Berkley and Brausa won the Incubator board, an investor backed program aiding students pursue their entrepreneurial dreams, in Livingston's entrepreneurship class last year.
Berkley presented an innovative Artificial Intelligence startup concept, and Brausa proposed a college aid website. Both Berkeley and Brausa are now receiving financial support from the Incubator board to fund their businesses in the real world.
“So my business idea last year I never would have thought would be able to make it this far. With the help of all the investors and incubator board, I have reached limits I'd never imagined,” Brausa said. “Im excited to see who wins this year and who can also make their business dream into a reality.”
The conversation between Waldrep and Leppert in front of the senior class hoped to grasp their attention before heading to college.
“I hope that the students were engaged and enjoyed the discussion. I hope they took away that both from Tom and me that it's not about your title or all of your successes,” Waldrep said. “It's about what you learn, and it's
about what you believe. What you believe about your life and how you want to live is ultimately all that matters.”
For current students in entrepreneurship, Waldrep will be sitting in as one of the “Shark Tank” investors, listening to all students’ pitches in late November. While students continue to work and devote time to their business plans, investors like Waldrep will look for specific details in the pitches and eventually pick a winner.
“There have been a lot of businesses that could really be real-world businesses and have real-world application, having a real-world impact coming out of the incubator,” Waldrep said.
“[When I was at ESD], I didn't have a good idea of the market scope, and I didn't have a solid understanding of my industry as much as I probably should have.
For the entrepreneurship students [who] are having to pitch, I recommend getting just as deep an understanding of who your market and target consumer is. You're going to know exactly what you're serving, who you're serving and how big that market is willing to make it happen.”
After all the pitches, the sharks will commence and pick their winner, ultimately funding one business pitch that they all believe will make it out in the real-world market.
“We help them get through it, but I have to give the students [like Brausa and Berkeley] credit. We help them think through it, like what's their go-to market, how to price their product and what are the hurdles they will face in their market,” Waldrep said. “[We are helping them] get from an idea to an actual, real, functional business that they can take to investors and go sell, hopefully making lots of money.”
Photo by Justin Powell
A step towards statehood: many countries back Palestinian State in UN vote
Since Israel’s establishment in 1948, Palestinians have been left with no state, no capital or no official documentation that recognizes them as a nation. According to the BBC, as of September 2025, 157 of the 193 United Nations members officially recognize Palestine as a state including Australia, Canada, Portugal and the United Kingdom, which were all previously strong allies with Israel.
The U.S. government and the Trump administration, one of Israel's strongest allies, continue to stand with Israel and disregard Palestine as a state.
“As if [they're trying] to encourage continued conflict, some of this body is seeking to unilaterally recognize the Palestinian state,” Trump said at the United Nations General Assembly last September. "The rewards would be too great for Hamas terrorists and their atrocities.”
The Israel-Palestine conflict's origins trace back to the 20th century. According to an Oct. 14 BBC article titled “Israel and the Palestinians: History of the conflict explained,” before the establishment of Israel in 1948, the region known as Palestine had an Arab majority population. During the British mandate period, from 1920 to 1948, Britain took control of the territory. The mandate concluded with the creation of the State of Israel in 1948.
That is when Palestinians fled their way into a small strip of Egyptian land surrounded by Israel known as the Gaza Strip. They also settled in East Jerusalem, which later became Palestinian territory.
However, in 1967, the Palestinians lost that territory and fell under Israeli control during the Six-Day War. On June 5, 1967, Israel, fearing an attack from Egypt, launched a series of air
strikes against Egyptian aircraft located in the Sinai Peninsula and the Gaza Strip. This resulted in Israel gaining control of the Gaza Strip and the millions of Palestinians living there.
In 2007, Hamas, a Palestinian militant and political group, took control of the Gaza Strip and became the governing authority over the Palestinians who live on this land. On Oct. 7, 2023, during Yom Kippur, Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel and murdered more than 1,200 people and captured more than 250 hostages. In response, Israel launched airstrikes into Gaza, aiming to destroy Hamas, followed by a ground invasion, initiating the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
“We live in a day and age right now where wars can be met right in our pockets, in terms of the images that come from the wars,” upper school history teacher Travis Gilmore said. “Most people have an inclination when they see terrible images from any war from any side that they want it to end. That's just a very human response.”
The war is at a cease fire at the moment; but during the September UN General Assembly, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a strong statement.
“I have a clear message to those leaders recognizing a Palestinian state after the horrific massacre of Oct. 7: you are giving a huge prize to terrorism,” Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the United Nations General Assembly last September. “It will not happen, there will be no Palestinian state [because] for years, I have prevented the establishment of this terrorist state.”
Many countries are choosing to recognize Palestine in order to support a two-state solution where a state of Palestine would be created alongside Israel in
most or all of the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem. This solution has been seen internationally as the only way to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, according to an August AP News article about countries that recognize, or plan to recognize, a Palestinian State.
“In the two-state solution, both Israel and Palestine are recognized fully and totally by the UN as two legitimate sovereign states. They have their own autonomy, their own self-control and the ability to decide what their destiny is in the future of their country,” Gilmore said. “Israel is a full member of the UN, but Palestine [is not], so Palestine [must] have full member status to complete the two-state solution.”
In 2012, Palestine was granted status in the UN as a non-member observer state. According to the UN, to be officially recognized as
a state, Palestine must be admitted as a full member of the UN. For Palestine to enter the UN, an agreement between the General Assembly and the Security Council must be made. The membership application is first sent to the Secretary-General. If approved, the application continues to go to the Security Council, where nine of the 15 members of the council must vote yes, with none of the five permanent members using their veto or voting against the application.
“Regardless of the Palestinians’ failure to meet the necessary criteria for UN membership, most of you sadly decided to reward Palestinian terror with a Palestinian State,” Israeli ambassador Gilad Erdan said. “It’s very sad because your vote will only embolden Palestinian rejectionism even more and make peace almost impossible.”
Palestinians inch closer towards state recognition
By Noelle Stovall | Staff Writer
STANDING WITH ISRAEL Canadian Prime Minister
Mark Carney speaks at a United Nations General Assembly meeting in support of a two-state solution between Palestine and Israel on Sept. 22 in New York City.
Getty Images/TNS
Love, strength, the walk to defeat ALS
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells controlling voluntary muscles. It affects a person’s ability to move, speak, eat and eventually breathe. Despite cases being documented since the 1800s, the cause of ALS remains unknown, and no cure has been found. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 5,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with ALS each year. Since no cure has been found, the most effective way to combat this
awareness. On Saturday, Nov. 8, the Levy family will participate in the Dallas Walk hosted by the Walk to Defeat ALS Association to raise awareness and funds for research.
“I hope that the ALS walk will raise money to go toward ALS research to hopefully find the cause of the disease, as well as a cure,” Dr. Rick Levy, father of senior Elliot Levy, who was diagnosed with ALS in September of 2024, said. “ALS isn’t even to the point where they know what the cause is. Almost every other disease that's been around that long, they know what the cause is, but because they don't know the cause, they don't have a treatment for it.”
Dr. Levy’s friends and family have gathered together to take action in support of ALS research, creating the Walk for Doc team. Together, the 73 team members have surpassed their $35,000 goal, raising $38,436 as of Nov. 2. “[The walk] is a great way to raise awareness and raise money for ALS research because they profit off of people going and walking
and participating,” Elliot said. “The media coverage of it will spread awareness, and it brings in donors. I just want to make it more known. Not many people know about it, and so I want to bring more attention to it.”
The disease has drastically altered Dr. Levy’s day-to-day life, making even simple tasks difficult. Daily routines that most people take for granted become major challenges for all individuals diagnosed with ALS.
“Pretty much every facet of my life has changed,” Dr. Levy said. “I can't take care of myself, I can't dress, I can't feed myself, I can't bathe myself and I can't go upstairs anymore. Everything other than my person-to-person interactions.”
Even as ALS progresses, Dr. Levy emphasizes the importance of maintaining close relationships. The biggest source of strength and comfort for him stems from all those in the community who have shown support.
“[I want] to make sure that my friends and my family know that I love them,” Dr. Levy said. “All of my friends who have come to visit me have been a huge source of comfort. My family has been great, helping me and spending extra time with me.”
Beyond the physical challenges, ALS affects each person differently and progresses uniquely for each individual. Many people do not understand the diversity of experiences and
symptoms the disease can cause.
“For some people who [don’t] know about it, it kind of gets clumped into one big idea where it is like, ‘Oh, they stop being able to walk, they stop being able to do this,’ but it's just a lot more than just motion,” Elliot said. “It’s hard for them to talk, it's hard for them to do certain things that no one thinks about. Like my dad, I have to help stretch his fingers because the muscles in his hand are also getting worse. And that is the worst part, because what do you mean he can’t stretch his hand? Also, it just progresses differently per person. Like I’ve seen people who’ve had it for 9 years, and they can still walk. Some people have had it for three months, and they lose all ability.”
For Elliot, helping take care of her father has provided an opportunity to strengthen their bond, even among the challenges of ALS. This experience has allowed her to spend more meaningful time with her dad and support him in his daily life.
“We’ve definitely gotten a lot closer because I’ve had to spend a lot more time [with him], taking care of him and helping him eat,” Elliot said. “Over the summer, when I would feed him, we both would just be sitting there, and I would take time out of my day to just hang out with him, and we would just talk. It was nice because it was very chill and kind of took away from the fact that he does have ALS.”
To raise awareness and support ALS research, the Levy family is participating in the Dallas Walk to Defeat ALS
Anoushka Sinha | Copy Editor
WALK FOR DOC
The Levy family, pictured on May 24, with Dr. Rick Levy standing fourth from the left and senior Elliot Levy on the right. “I think in some ways, ALS has improved my relationship with my kids,” Dr. Levy said. “They have all been so nice and helpful to me, whenever they can, because I'm home all the time, I get to spend more time with them.”
Photo provided by Elliot Levy
Photo by Spencer Platt/
Traditions that tie us together in unity across cultures
Exploring how our school community celebrates diverse traditions together
By Lilly Traylor | News Editor
From Diwali and Día de las Muertos to Yom Kippur and Eid, the ESD community incorporates religious and cultural celebrations into student life and curriculum, revealing the school’s broader effort to educate and celebrate its diverse faith traditions.
By incorporating these religious and cultural celebrations into chapel services, student clubs and campus displays, ESD actively promotes religious inclusivity within the community. Student organizations, like the Jewish Student Union and Latinos Unidos, play a central role in organizing school-wide events to educate and celebrate their cherished traditions.
“As an active member of Jewish Student Union, I have tried to make the club more than just a safe space for Jewish students,” Jewish Student Union CoPresident Maddie Posten said.
“This year, we celebrated [Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur] with the school through our chapel talks. In my chapel talk, I focused on what Jewish holidays represent and how they are important not just for Jewish people, but for everyone. [So] while I have spent my eight years at ESD learning all about Episcopalian values, I hope to give back to my community by sharing my culture.”
Students often bring their personal traditions and family experiences from their faith backgrounds to ESD, offering a perspective on what their religion looks like in practice. Meals and food traditions are deeply woven into Jewish holidays; Rosh Hashanah is celebrated with apples and honey to symbolize hope for a sweet and prosperous year ahead, and Passover is associated with matzo ball soup, as it represents the unleavened bread eaten by the Jewish people as they fled Egypt during Exodus.
SAGE Dining plays an active role in highlighting these Jewish holidays by serving Jewishinspired cuisine on special days.
“At SAGE, we’re always excited to collaborate with the community to celebrate a wide variety of holidays,” SAGE Service Manager Rebecca Compton said.
“Partnering with teachers and students to create unique, themed
menus is one of our favorite ways to honor different traditions. Food is a powerful way to bring people together. We’re also committed to expanding the holidays we recognize and celebrate.”
While several festivities celebrated during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are integrated into the community, parts of these Jewish holidays are celebrated among close family and friends. As explained in Posten’s chapel talk in September, several Jewish students participated in a 25-hour fast over Yom Kippur to focus on spiritual introspection, repentance and prayer.
“The most meaningful tradition I celebrate during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is spending time with friends and family. I don't have much family in Texas, so it is nice to be around friends and catch up for the holidays,” Posten said. “For Yom Kippur, this year my family listened to services online with my grandparents at their synagogue in Seattle. Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement, so I fasted from 8 p.m. on Wednesday, [Oct. 1] until 8 p.m. Thursday, [Oct. 2]. That evening, we broke fast with family friends again, but before we started eating, my dad blew the shofar, which is a ram's horn used to mark the end of the holiday.”
Similarly, Krisha Bhatnagar, a Hindu student involved in sharing her faith and culture within the community, explained that ESD makes a mindful effort to celebrate Hindu holidays like Diwali through prayer in chapel, the creation of authentic Hindu art and the sharing of traditional dishes.
“To my understanding, ESD plans to continue celebrating through prayers coupled with food and various forms of art such as the Rangoli,” Bhatnagar said. “However, I hope in the future, there could be a way to include lessons or discussions to help students better understand and connect with the deeper meaning of the festival. I plan on doing a chapel talk in the very near future about the philosophy behind Diwali and aim to connect it to all students from various faiths.”
Diwali, a holiday particularly associated with Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, marks the beginning of the fiscal year in
India. Those who celebrate Diwali, including Bhatnagar, typically participate in a variety of rituals. One of these is Puja, which is the act of worship and reverence in Hinduism through prayers, songs and rituals.
“I see Puja as a way to reset myself by quieting my mind and focusing on the good. To me, it is like a personal reminder to overcome my inner flaws and live by the ideals that Diwali stands for,” Bhatnagar said. “Diwali is very important to me since it often emphasizes values such as community, which I believe is crucial, especially in times [when] everyone can feel divided. It’s when people from different backgrounds can come together and be united, which is what I believe is one of the core focuses of any religion in general.”
Latino traditions are also celebrated on campus. President of Latinos Unidos Club Aaron Sada said that the club tries to promote inclusivity among students and faculty in the school community while also making the club available to all students, not just those with Latino heritage.
“We try to be very inclusive. [Latino Unidos] is not necessarily just for people [who] know Spanish or have Latino descent.
A lot of people from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to join the group,” Sada said. “We’ve formed a lot of initiatives with nonprofits like Heart House. We bring educational activities so kids can learn an array of subjects outside of school. We're really trying to help the community in as many ways as we can.”
In celebration of Día de los Muertos, members of Latinos Unidos and the Spanish department create a display, called an ofrenda, that is covered with traditional foods enjoyed on the holiday, including sugar skulls and pan de muerto. Sugar skulls are decorative treats made of sugar, water and lemon, symbolizing joyful remembrance. Pan de Muerto means “bread of the dead,” and is a sweet, soft bread baked to honor loved ones. Additionally, intricate banners, or banderas, are hung around the School House, which serve as portals for the souls of the living and dead.
“ESD brought a popular
dancing group [known as folklórico dancers] to middle school chapel [during] Latino Heritage Month,” Sada said. “We set up ofrendas, which are tables [that] celebrate and remember past members of one’s family. It's actually quite common to include food items that were [associated] with those members. For example, let's say your grandfather really liked milk: one would set up a bottle of milk on the ofrenda to remember them.”
Through her chapel talks, Classic and Modern Languages Department Chair and French and Arabic language teacher Laila Kharrat makes an effort to share her faith and educate the community on Muslim holidays like Ramadan and Eid. Both Kharrat and several ESD students recognize the innovative ways in which other schools in the Dallas area, such as Greenhill, celebrate Muslim holidays.
“I see other peer schools celebrating everything from Ramadan and Eid to Diwali and Holi. At Greenhill, I’ll go in and see a huge display for Ramadan in the lower school, and I’ll go into the cafeteria, and there are always posters around the walls,” Kharrat said. “I think when parents are on board with providing something special for the school by bringing materials, initiating [cultural education] in chapel and providing a kind of dessert during lunch for celebrations like Eid, it creates something memorable.”
From student-initiated chapel talks to diverse cultural displays dispersed throughout the school, ESD strives to highlight all cultures and religions in the community to emphasize the importance of each student and faculty member.
“I think ESD already does create an [inclusive] environment by declaring that we are intentionally pluralistic as an Episcopal school, meaning that we purposely integrate many different types of people, whether it's different religions, races or backgrounds,” Kharrat said. “ESD embodies that everyone is made in the image of a loving God, and that it’s our personalities, intellects and abilities that make us who we are, which is [both] unifying and leveling.”
HANDS OF HARMONY Four students holding hands, each surrounded by symbols of different holidays including Yom Kippur, Day of the Dead, Eid and Diwali.
Illustration by Lilly Traylor
After getting dropped off by the Dallas Dart train right at the front gates, I got through a quick security line and walked a few minutes in to be greeted by Big Tex. Around me, families paused and posed for photos, children ran about and the smell of fair food drifted through the hot air. It had been a few years since I visited, and the view made me feel a familiar wave of nostalgia.
State Fair of Texas
In each issue, a staff member highlights a local gem in the DFW area. This time, Staff Writer Gabriela Loewen-Eells spends a day exploring the State Fair to discover what makes it the heart of Texas. Set against the backdrop of historic Fair Park, the State Fair of Texas’s grounds come alive with neon lights, fried foods, music and a variety of displays and exhibits. The grounds are overlooked by the iconic Ferris wheel and Big Tex. From midway rides to live entertainment to livestock shows and a new butter sculpture each year, the fair offers something for everyone. Established in 1886, it has grown into an annual event that showcases everything Texas. Even after visiting in years past, there is still reason to attend again.
2:50 P.M. 3:15 P.M.
Deciding to take a walk around the grounds, the Ferris wheel came into sight. While I might have taken my chances on it, it hadn't moved the entire time we were there. To be honest, it was kind of a relief since it goes so high.
4:30 P.M. 5:00 P.M. FAREWELL FAIR
Fried brownies in hand, I headed towards a pond we had passed earlier with swan boats floating about inside. The water misting in the air provided a much-needed break from the dry heat and I decided to settle on a bench to people-watch. The area was calmer than the rest of the grounds. It was the perfect moment to pause, snack and take in the fair from the sidelines, serving as a little pocket of peace before heading back into the chaos. 05
A little while later, I had to see the livestock barns. By this point, going indoors was a very welcome activity. The steady hum of fans and the smell of hay filled the space as cattle owners from across the country showed their animals in preparation for the shows. While I might not have been able to tell the difference between a prize-winning cow and an ordinary one, they were all adorable, and I even got the chance to pet one of them. As the sun began to set around 4:30 p.m., I knew the day was coming to an end. I made my way back toward the front gates, stopping for one last sweet treat, a fluffy cloud of cotton candy, to enjoy on the bumpy Dart ride back to the car.
FERRIS WHEEL FRENZY
The greatest costumes of all
"The Greatest Showman" inspired homecoming dress days
From clowns to Star Wars characters, upper school students brought the 2025 Homecoming theme, "Come One, Come All, to the Greatest HoCo of All," to life.
Beau McKnight | Life Editor
RYDER SANDS "A Million Dreams"
What was your inspiration for this outfit?
“My inspiration for this outfit was totally Kate Lewis. She absolutely owned it in the reveal video, and her confidence and style really set the tone for the whole week."
What is one word that best describes your outfit? "Out-of-the-ordinary."
What was your favorite part of this dress day?
"Without a doubt, the flash mob."
MARIAM MEKBEB-GILLET "Rewrite the Stars"
What was your inspiration for this outfit? "My inspiration for this outfit was my dads love for the star wars movies."
What is one word that best describes your outfit? "Unique."
What was your favorite part of this dress day? "My favorite part was seeing everyone's creativity in their outfits."
AVA SJOGREN "This Is Me"
What was your inspiration for this outfit? "I was inspired by Jojo Siwa's hair style from when she was younger. I went for the high ponytail with a rainbow bow."
What is one word that best describes your outfit? "Wild."
What was your favorite part of this dress day? "The walk-out song in chapel, 'This Is Me' is my favorite song on the soundtrack."
SAM OGELSBY "The Greatest Show"
What was your inspiration for this outfit? "[My friends] Daniel, Jack and I wanted to be clowns because we thought all [of] the details and aspects of our outfit would be cool."
What is one word that best describes your outfit? "Colorful."
What was your favorite part of this dress day?: "When we pie-d the teachers and got Canes."
WYNN WHEELER "Come Alive!"
What was your inspiration for this outfit?
"It was not super exciting, but I was inspired to wear it the best I could because of all of the hard work Student Council poured into making it."
What is one word that best describes your outfit? "Eagle-tastic."
What was your favorite part of this dress day?
"The homecoming football game."
Spooky showdown with fierce football rivalry
The varsity football team charged onto the home field on Oct. 31, ready to face their biggest rivals, the St. Mark’s Lions, in a high-stakes showdown to reclaim their winning streak after last year’s loss.
For the seniors, this was their last high school football game, and they filled the stadium with energy. However, the game did not go as the Eagles expected and it ended with a 21-14 Lions win. Senior and varsity football captain Will Cook comforted the team by reminding them of the season's strong moments and prepared the juniors to step up next year and take back the winning title.
“It was a hard time to be with the team and try to lift everyone's spirits in a comforting way,” Cook said. “I just did my best to bring an optimistic attitude and comfort everyone through this loss.”
The team went their separate ways after the game, doing their best to overcome this loss and taking time to process their emotions. Junior John Edge Sowa had a difficult time, but felt at ease because of the support he received from the team.
“Losing to St. Mark's was one of the worst feelings ever, but the way our team dealt with a loss and being together as a brotherhood made it bearable,” Sowa said. “It's easy for us to support one another because of how close our team is; this is definitely the most close-knit team I
have ever been a part of.”
The student body and cheerleaders did not let the pain of the loss ruin senior night and the excitement of a Friday night football game. The varsity cheer team had 10 seniors who were celebrated at halftime for their last game and senior night. Additionally, all cheerleaders flew in stunts during the fourth quarter and got to perform their own dance at the beginning of the halftime performance. Senior varsity cheer captain Ruby Cuccia, who had been cheering since seventh grade, took the field for one last halftime performance.
“It was so surreal to perform one last time,” Cuccia said. “Cheering for ESD has been such a big part of my life for six years now, and saying goodbye to it was one of the hardest things I have ever done.”
Even though the game fell on Halloween, the stadium was packed with fans willing to sacrifice the festivities to support the school.
And because the game was on Halloween, the annual costume contest and dress-up day was held on Oct. 30, allowing students to dress up for the Halloween fun without taking away the spirit dress and camo attire on Friday. The costume contest had five different categories, with each grade having an overall winner and then one group winner from the upper school. Junior grade-winner Mali Kate Venable dressed up as the beloved children's book character,
Fancy Nancy, and was elated to learn she had won the contest.
“I had the idea to dress up as Fancy Nancy from something I saw when I was scrolling on social media,” Venable said. “I wanted to put my own spin on it, so I added a fun butterfly headband and lots of colorful bracelets to fit her chaotic style.”
All the costumes this year were especially creative, particularly in the group category. Groups dressed as characters from the movie “Trolls,” pirates, bananas and more. The winning group dressed as characters from the movie “The Hangover.” Juniors Gracie Nealon, Stella Bartley, Emory Turner, Ariana Castilleja and Emory Simpson were members of the winning group,
leaving the competition with a free dress day for all five of them.
“We thought of the idea randomly one morning when we were all together and decided we wanted to go all out,” Turner said. “With the costume contest in mind, we did our best to get every detail right from the movie, having Gracie wear a stick on a bear and carry a baby doll all day.”
This week was filled with rivalry and energy as the students supported one another through losses and joined together in costume to overflow the campus with excitement.
“Although the outcome of the game was not what we had hoped for, I have never felt so supported by not only my team, but the school as a whole,” Sowa said.”
Hallo-weekend ignited football and costume extravaganza
Lincoln Clarke | Co-Social Media Manager
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
Senior and wingmen Gianluca Sabella cheers with the crowd on Oct. 31. "It was such an entergetic game for the wingmen. The student section was ecstatic and it was crazy being a part of that. Even when momentum was slow in the game it was a lot of fun making noise and riling up the crowd to support the team," Sabella said.
Photo by Ryder Sands
C laSh the
Life Editor Beau McKnight dives into the latest pop culture showdowns, breaking down the battles that have everyone talking. This issue she covers Taylor Swift's new album, "The Life of a Showgirl," and the unexpected backlash she has faced for it.
For the past 19 years of Taylor Swift’s presence in the music industry, she has dominated the pop music world, including my Spotify account; however, the release of her most recent album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” has received unexpected backlash from even some of her most devoted fans, including many within the ESD community.
Swift has released 12 studio albums, all of which have accumulated billions of streams over the years. For an artist with such diverse music, she tends to appeal to a wide variety of listeners encompassing all sorts of demographics.
After its release on Oct. 3, eager listeners rushed to stream “The Life of a Showgirl,” and instead of the overwhelmingly positive reviews she has received in the past after a release day, many fans expressed their distaste that the songs were unoriginal and boring.
Swift was met by many media outlets who compared her songs to those of other artists, drawing a fine line between being inspired by and stealing melodies. The cover song, “The Life of a Showgirl,” has many parallels to Jonas Brothers’ “Cool” and “Wood,” mirrors The Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back.” However, these other artists have yet to speak up against Swift’s “stealing” of their songs.
Another factor of the negative reviews expressed towards the album is the lyrics of some of the songs, as they seem unlike her typical poetic songwriting. Lyrics from her song “Father Figure” were described by Collider, a digital entertainment publication, as “amateur, and feel like a teenager scribbled it on a piece of paper and thought it was fire.” As a songwriter whose work earned its own course at Stanford University called “All Too Well (10 Week Version),” a title inspired by her song “All Too Well,” this account by Collider is quite surprising.
Additionally, in senior AP Literature and Composition class, students are reading Hamlet, which is the inspiration behind "The Fate of Ophelia." Hamlet, an intricate piece of Shakesperian literature, is all things but "amateur" and goes to prove that perhaps these claims made about her superficial songwriting are untrue.
Whether people were listening for enjoyment or to criticize her work, the album had a record-breaking performance — literally. In just the first week, she sold 1.334 million vinyl record copies, which is 475,000 more than the previous record holder. Additionally, the album’s opening song, “The Fate of Ophelia,” became the moststreamed on Spotify, and many songs still hold spots at the top of charts weeks after its release. Many longstanding Swifties turned to X, TikTok and Instagram to defend the artist, stating she is exploring new musical realms and possibilities, doing her best to keep fans hooked with songs for all listeners.
For an artist who has spent nearly two decades in the music industry, she has remained a constant presence under the spotlight. Perhaps her shift away from the styles of her previous albums is one of the things that keeps listeners coming back for more. As her own lyrics say, she “never goes out of style.”
Students form clans, play popular game
Junior Mason Love sends his final card to his opposing player, with only three elixir left and determination to destroy the tower. Putting all his trust into “Mega Knight,” his choice of using the card hits the enemy tower, ultimately winning him the game. Clash Royale, the mobile and web strategy game that Love participates in, has found a surprising resurgence this fall, especially among ESD students.
The well-liked game was released in 2016 and peaked in popularity with 33.5 million accounts that year. But the number of new accounts made on the game progressively whittled down in the following years, until a sudden increase in recent months.
“The increase in people playing Clash Royale can certainly be recognized in the ESD community,” junior William Elliott said. “I see people playing it everywhere I go.”
Of the many reasons why people have started playing the game, it seems that one is the most prevalent: students want to play with their friends.
“All of my friends kept talking about playing the game,” sophomore Luke Marsh said. “I didn’t want to be the only one not playing, so I decided to get it.”
The game is simple; players have eight cards, and they must place them strategically to achieve a victory over an opponent. Whoever's cards can knock down the opposing player's tower first wins the game.
“One great thing about Clash Royale is that you are able to knock out a game in a few minutes,” Marsh said. “It makes it super convenient for me to play at a moment's notice or in between classes.”
Part of the reason the game is so popular is due to its addictive nature. The objective of the game is to level up by winning matches and moving up in “arenas,” which are different battlegrounds players can unlock.
“Sometimes I just get stuck in the cycle of the game,” junior Jett Drusch said. “I have to keep playing in order to move up in arenas.”
Looking past the simplicities and engaging competition of the game, many factors allow it to strengthen the community. By playing a friend in the game, players promote a friendly, competitive spirit.
“My brother [and I] always love to play each other in Clash [Royale], and we play almost
every day,” Marsh said. “It is a great way to relieve stress by just sitting down and playing a quick game."
Not only can one play against friends in Clash Royale, but players can also team up with their friends and form a clan.
Different groups around ESD, including sports teams, have created their own clans to compete against one another.
“We have a lacrosse team clan, with almost 30 people in it,” Love said. “It has already bonded the team closer together before the season starts.”
Though Clash Royale is a male dominated game, with 64.7% male players and 35.3% female players, according to Udonis, a gaming website, females across campus still play and are involved in clans.
Senior Alex Eastin finds Clash Royale a fun way to engage with her friends and decompress during her busy days.
"THE
INCREASE IN PEOPLE PLAYING CLASH ROYALE CAN CERTAINLY BE RECOGNIZED IN THE ESD COMMUNITY. I SEE PEOPLE PLAYING IT EVERYWHERE I GO."
William Elliot Junior
“I’ve played Clash Royale since seventh grade because a lot of my friends said it was fun,” Eastin said. “Even though the game is male dominated, it’s still a blast for girls”
Students feel the game's fastpaced nature is a large contributing factor in their decision to play. As most games are shorter than three minutes, it does not require a long attention span.
“I think that students in our generation have a lesser attention span, which has led to games like Clash Royale and apps like TikTok really becoming popular among us,” Love said. “The constant action and intensity of Clash Royale definitely add to the appeal of the game.”
Video game makes unexpected resurgence in the community
By Griffin Green | Staff Writer
percent of students dislike Swift's new album
percent of do like Swift's new album
Source: Nov. 3 poll of 32 upper school students
Photo by Griffin Green
Balancing books, paychecks: ESD's growing side-hustle culture
From retail to art commissions, students find creative ways to make money
By Valentina Boltchi | Managing Editor
Senior Nico Davis transforms as he puts on his work shirt, shifting from an ESD student to a Tyler’s shoe department sales associate.
Across campus, students like Davis are finding creative ways to earn money and gain experience outside the classroom. Whether through retail jobs, babysitting or starting small businesses, upper schoolers are embracing side hustles that teach them responsibility, time management and independence while helping them save for the future.
“I wanted to make my own money while also contributing to my resumé,” Davis said. “I learned a lot of valuable lessons and communication skills by getting a job.”
For many students, work doesn’t stop when the school day ends. Student side hustles have exploded in recent years, with many students taking on both conventional and unconventional jobs to earn money. According to a 2024 Pew Research Study, nearly 50 percent of U.S. students ages 16 to 18 hold some kind of job during the school year or summer. Senior Estee Bines worked at a local clothing store,
Clover, during the summer. “I loved working at Clover. I learned so much about the fashion industry,” Bines said. “It was a cool experience because I got to work and shop.”
"BY WORKING A RETAIL JOB, I'VE LEARNED SO MANY NEW SKILLS. WHILE IT MAY BE HARD TO BALANCE WITH SCHOOL, IT'S WORTH IT FOR THE EXPERIENCE."
Nico Davis Tyler's employee and student
However, some students have also found ways to leverage their hobbies into ways to make money.
Senior Sophie Slotnik turned her passion for art into a small business, creating a platform where she earns commission on each piece she sells.
“I’ve always loved painting and art,” Slotnik said. “It wasn’t until I posted a video last year and received comments about purchasing that I realized I could turn this into a small business.”
Through her business, ArtbySlotnik, Slotnik has sold celebratory banners, dorm paintings and even phone cases via her website.
“Sometimes I see people who I don’t know too well wearing my case, it just makes my heart so happy,” Slotnik said. “It has become something that people genuinely enjoy and purchase.”
Similar to Slotnik, other students have leveraged their creativity to make products.
Junior Estee Piccagli started her homemade jewelry business, Bead Rules, this summer after friends asked her to make them necklaces.
“Bead Rules makes mostly bandana necklaces with charms, and those are definitely our best sellers as we theme them to college colors,” Piccagli said. “I’ve learned so much about communication by fulfilling orders on time.”
Turning hobbies into jobs doesn’t just have to be art-based; sophomore Gabby Aston has found a way to incorporate her passion for robotics while gaining work experience by working in a Children’s Robotics Lab, where she is paid.
“Teaching kids robotics has taught me that being patient and curious is crucial to helping them learn and grow,” Aston said.
“My job has helped me learn a lot about myself, too. It’s a great learning experience.”
And other students find fulfillment through other services.
Senior Drew Dundon babysits for multiple families in her neighborhood, managing her own schedule and rates.
“I get an allowance from my parents, so sometimes it’s nice to have a bit of extra money for other things,” Dundon said. “I love hanging out with kids, so I knew babysitting would be the perfect job for me.”
While balancing school, sports and work isn’t easy for these students, most agree that the benefits outweigh the challenges. From time management to teamwork, students learn valuable lessons through their jobs.
“Sometimes it’s hard to balance all my commitments, and I’ll find myself finishing orders the night before they’re needed,” Slotnik said. “The good thing about my art business is that I can work on my products whenever I need. It’s not a set time like a store job.” Student jobs offer more than monetary benefits. Working while in high school looks good on a college application as it demonstrates commitment, hard work and ambition.
“Side hustles are an excellent way for students to demonstrate their entrepreneurial skills and learn important lessons about responsibility, time management and financial management,” Assistant Director of College Guidance Katherine Montgomery said. “Students can showcase these skills and passions in an essay or short answer supplements on their college applications.”
From custom phone cases to babysitting, jobs equip students with the skills necessary to thrive in a real-world environment.
“Working at Tyler’s has taught me so much about communication and how to make customers feel heard,” Davis said. “I would recommend that high schoolers try getting a job because it gives you so much real-world experience you can’t get otherwise.”
BEAD RULES Junior Estee Piccagli's newest style for her jewelry business "Bead Rules," includes a multi-colored link chain and various charms, customizable to each customer. "This is one of my favorite necklaces we sell," Piccagli said.
"I love the colorful chain and fun charms."
Photo by Betty Wheeler
From massive teddy bears to duo costumes, students across every grade went all out for this year's homecoming asks.
By Valentina Boltchi | Managing Editor
Josh Logan & Beau McKnight
After a fun-filled day at the state fair, senior Josh Logan’s giant teddy bear prize was paired with a classic homecoming ask sign. Senior Beau McKnight, who had never been to the state fair before, was shocked. “Since this was my fourth time asking Beau to homecoming, I wanted to make it different and interactive," Logan said. “It took me a long time to win the bear, but it was worth it when I saw her reaction.”
EAGLE'S TALONTED TRENDS
John Edge Sowa & Elise Henderson
Junior John Edge Sowa went for a sweet and sporty ask, using a decorated football with their names spelled out on the front. “Because my date does cheer and I do football, it made sense to incorporate that into my ask,” Sowa said. “I didn’t just want to do a sign, so I decided to decorate something else, I thought it was super
Braden Berkley & Drew McLaren
Thursday Night Lights turned into the perfect opportunity for sophomore Braden Berkley to ask Drew Tilly to be his date for homecoming at the last JV home game after playing Dallas Christian. “She usually waits for me to get out after the game, so I knew this was the perfect opportunity,” Berkley said. “I think she was really surprised and excited.”
Charlie Rawson & Chloe Javaherian and Drake Royall & Jill Pennington
Freshmen Charlie Rawson and Drake Royall went all out, channeling the iconic “Dumb and Dumber” blue and orange tuxedos. “We thought a duo-ask would be super creative and fun,” Rawson said. “We added some comedy to a classic moment, which made the ask memorable.”
ARTS
Junior Preston Mooney turns a casual past time into a passion
More than teachers: faculty reveals their artistic side
Faculty members from various departments exhibit their art, displaying creativity and versatility
By Kate Lewis | Co-Social Media Manager and Stella Bartley | Co-Web Editor
Lamont English Department Chair Tolly Salz, middle school French teacher Joumana
Arraj and Performing Arts Fine Arts Chair
Lauren Redmond, despite not teaching a visual arts class, are some of the faculty who submitted their artwork to this year's faculty art show.
“Sabbatical Works,” an exhibition that featured the artwork of 19 faculty members, opened at the Jennifer and John Eagle Gallery on Sept. 25. Salz found her love for art early in her life. Her mother was a big inspiration, so Salz sewed, did pottery and woodworking as a child. She even did a whole backsplash of plates and tiles in one of her first houses.
“I grew up in a family where creativity was extremely valued," Salz said. “I’ve always worked with my hands and stuff like that.”
However, as Salz grew up, she spent little time pursuing art. It wasn’t until she volunteered in upper school ceramics and pottery teacher Nathan Williams’ wheel-throwing class last year that she was reminded of how much enjoyed creating art. She began to work with woodturning soon after.
“There is no guide [to creation],” Salz said. “Your job is to create what you’re going to create.”
Salz believes, as a perfectionist, woodturning has allowed her to release emotions and has given her the ability to trust the process. She uses her creativity in woodturning as a way to release her emotions and grow as an artist. As an English teacher, Salz believes that expressing yourself is critical to maintaining your creativity.
“The process of creating is wonderful,” Salz said. “And I love seeing my colleagues putting themselves out there.”
While expressing oneself is a vulnerable and difficult task at times, it can inspire others to open up and share their unique traits. Salz’s role as an artist is not her most recognizable title: most students know her as the Lamont English department chair. However, she hopes that
expressing her creativity and versatility through the faculty art show can inspire students to live an open life, not tied down to just one thing.
“I want students to see that having a creative life is so important,” Salz said. “Every single one of us can draw; we just don’t know it.”
Similar to Salz, Arraj felt honored to have the opportunity to display her art in the faculty show.
"I WANT STUDENTS TO SEE THAT HAVING A CREATIVE LIFE IS SO IMPORTANT. EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US CAN DRAW; WE JUST DON'T KNOW IT."
Tolly Salz Lamont English Department Chair
“I felt very honored and grateful that Mr. Larsen included my art in the show,” Arraj said. “[I love] that he also included all our faculty members who aspire to create and be creative, even though they're not actually in the art department themselves.”
As a teacher in the foreign language department, Arraj considers her participation in the art show a profound lesson for students, proving that teachers can wear many titles.
“[Teachers at ESD] are educating kids to be a whole [person],” Arraj said. “I like [students] to see different aspects of [their] teachers, not just in the classroom. They can be the artist or the runner; they have different talents and interests aside from what they teach.”
Arraj’s piece, 'Encounter,' is strongly connected to her personal values, representing her desire for peace in the world.
“[My piece] started as a
flower pot,” Arraj said. “It was in pastel, and then I somehow folded the paper, and then I redid it as a meeting between two groups of people: one orange group and one green group. [This represents] peaceful communication.”
Arraj’s art is intended to represent that, despite people’s differences, they are capable of coming together and creating compromise.
“[I named my piece] ‘Encounter’ because it was like a bunch of complementary colors coming together,” Arraj said. “[The colors are all] very different, but still, they [are] harmonious on the page.”
Along with representing Arraj’s virtues, this piece is also connected to her experiences, going deeper into explaining why the piece places such an emphasis on achieving harmony.
“Because I lived [through] the Lebanese war, it marked me, and I'm always looking for peace,” Arraj said. “I found that meeting [in the middle of] two different parties or groups of people is a good way to hope for [and find] peace.”
As teachers from different departments come together, Performing Arts Department Chair and upper school fine arts teacher Lauren Redmond contributed a form of art that was new to her. As a fine arts teacher, Redmond is used to her art being performed as a live event.
“Performing art is very different from hands-on art,” Redmond said. “If you blink, you miss it because it is live, always subject to change.”
While many art pieces submitted by faculty had deeper meanings that allowed for viewers’ interpretation, Redmond wanted to highlight that art is straightforward.
“Sometimes I think it’s good for art to be looked at and appreciated,” Redmond said. “It does not always have to be dissected.”
Redmond, along with many others, were surprised by the faculty that submitted their artworks, not knowing that they enjoyed art at all.
“I had no idea that some of the other faculty members do what
they do,” Redmond said. “It is fun to remind people that you are more than a one-trick pony.”
Visual Arts Department Chair and upper school sculpture and design teacher Dane Larson oversaw the art show and encouraged teachers to submit work. Larsen expanded the show this year by giving all teachers the opportunity to submit work, not only to those in the art department.
“Previously, we only had three non-visual arts teachers submit work from the art department." Larsen said. “We specifically opened up this year's show to all faculty, and it was the biggest show yet.”
Following the largest teacher contribution the faculty art show has seen, Larsen intends on expanding encouragement towards teachers for their submission in years to come.
“Inviting the rest of the faculty was a major change this year,” Larsen said. “Especially after the expansion, we will always do a faculty show.”
The faculty members who exhibited their work are: MS French teacher Joummana Arraj, US technical theater director Ronnie Watson, US Visual Arts Department chair and fine arts teacher Dane Larsen, US engineering teacher Don Snook, US history teacher Kathy Carroll, US photography teacher Lynda M. González, US fine arts teacher Juan Alberto Negroni, US film teacher Bobby Weiss, MS technical theater director Donny Covington, MS 2D studio art teacher Christy O’Neal, US sculpture and 3D design teacher Zach Allen, Lamont English Department chair and US English teacher Tolly Salz, LS art teacher Jordan Hale, director of Gill Library, US librarian, and adviser to the Honor Council Mary Jo Lyons, LS aide Wendy Kenneybrew, LS permanent substitute Jessica H. Williams, second grade teacher Devoine Coble, US Performing Arts Department chair and fine arts teacher Lauren Redmond, LS early childhood art teacher Amber C. Stautzenberger, US ceramics and pottery teacher Nathan Williams.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Faculty members
carefully arrange their
for the
Juan Negroni, Amber C. Stautzenberger, Jordan Hale and Zach Allen
artwork and prepare
"Sabbatical Works" faculty art show at the Eagle Gallery. "It's always inspiring to see the incredible range of creativity and talent among our faculty," Allen said.
Photo by Lynda Gonzalez
for drawing
By Craighton Jefferies | Podcast Co-Editor and Subscriptions Manager
Preston Mooney Sketching the faces ee y
Stemming from a young age, junior Preston Mooney has turned his drawing skills into a hobby that eases his mind from the stress of school, clubs and extracurriculars.
“When I was first learning how to read, write and draw shapes, my parents told me that I'd always been drawing stuff,” Mooney said. “I'd always been interested in it, and over time, as I have grown up, I continue to draw. I got better and better.”
Mooney would watch YouTube videos and tutorials on specific aspects of drawing to help him learn more. Along with videos, in elementary and middle school, Mooney put himself in art classes to further learn and improve.
“My first good drawing that I remember making was probably Michael Jordan during art class in fifth grade,” Mooney said. “I redrew him later, but that really good drawing started my interest.”
Mooney focuses his drawings on comic characters and superheroes, often faces from Marvel and DC. While he was in art class, he learned that he did not like being told what to draw. His drawings have developed over time from cars and objects to more human-style pictures.
“I'd rather draw whatever I feel like doing, whether that be a superhero or a realistic drawing,” Mooney said. “I don't enjoy [it] when people tell me exactly what to draw. So now it's just a hobby that I do when I don't have homework or when I don't really have anything to do on the weekends.”
Mooney typically uses pencils, sometimes incorporating different shadings with pens, but generally avoids paint. However, instead of making decisions with color, he makes decisions on how he plans his drawings, depending on their size and style.
“Depending on what I'm drawing, like if I am drawing on a bigger canvas or small paper, I'll print a picture or create a grid on my phone of the reference so that I can then create the same grid on the piece of paper, so that my drawing is exact,” Mooney said. “Otherwise, I'll just use a ruler, a pencil and my phone to look at something to draw.”
Mooney’s art and what he wants to create change with his interests. As of right now, he enjoys drawing comic style, athletes or movie characters. His drawings also vary in how long they take.
“Right now I'm working on two different drawings,” Mooney said. “One is a Batman drawing, and one is an Iron Man drawing where his head [takes up] the full page. If I'm really motivated, I'll finish a drawing in two or three days, but most times it'll take me a month because I do it once or [twice] a week.”
What Mooney loves most about drawing is the feeling of completing artwork and the memory it leaves.
“After finishing something, it's very satisfying to complete a project and [it] makes me proud of myself,” Mooney said. “The actual drawing is also just something cool to have and get to look back on.”
Junior Preston Mooney’s artistic journey and the ways he continues to nurture his drawing hobby
Michael
watched 'Iron Man' with my brother and decided to draw this after I watched it. This was in seventh grade and I sketched it with a pencil, then used chalk colored pencils to color it."
FStory by
together. In the 1960s assassinations of political Malcom X in 1965 and of George Wallace footprint on American “A classic example assassination,” Mrozek who shot Charlie Kirk [have the] ‘I hate that’ associated with it.’ I think they were community, and larger chaos.”
Political figures are the K-12 School Shooting on school grounds Loyola Marymount attacks on churches
“I think we can see because they're all “I guarantee you that ‘I hate that way of thinking,’ to cause harm to them.’ I also think there misery.’”
This seemingly undemocratic purely out of anger, figure, has been advised around 400 BCE. Seniors class have been reading the past couple of weeks, Eumenides,” in which to justice through democracy Eumenides.’
“When I consider and unrest, the impatience about the ancient Furies recently cited from and Composition teacher Present Moment”: injury and insult. Their Their names are Grudge, with the undigested suffering of the first may remind us of the
AMERICA Freedom,
2024, and the ICE shooting in Oct 2025, a rising fear of political violence has sprung up in the public's eye. However, there is a split between political violence and nihilism.
“The bottom line is that political violence is never okay.
Whether you have a good reason or a bad reason, you know, shooting somebody is not the answer,” upper school history teacher and junior class dean Claire Mrozek said. “I want to be sure that just because the person or the [attack] was politically [related] doesn't necessarily mean that it's politically motivated.”
The term “nihilistic violent extremist” has arisen to describe such acts that do not fall under the political violence category. Nihilistic violent extremists are attackers whose goals lie in their desire for chaos, destruction and an overall hatred towards society. In the United Kingdom, this is referred to as “composite violent extremism,” where the attacker does not have stable or known ideologies. Their purpose is not to stop a political agenda, but rather to instill more chaos, destruction and factions through their acts.
"In this country, [we have] 1,700 domestic terrorism investigations, a large chunk of which are nihilistic violent extremism,” FBI director Kash Patel said to a U.S. Senate Committee in September.
“[Nihlisitc violent extremism consists of] those who engage in violent acts motivated by a deep hatred of society, whatever the justification they see it as.”
This is not the first time in American history that acts of political violence have been this closely spurted
Mrozek believes education. She prioritizes as current events.
“I'm a teacher, so Mrozek said. “I think to have somebody else about what's good and now. But I think your at it critically and trust really the only way ESD Community In recent years, America political violence dividing some students have encompassing the much of an overt reaction to the killing of Kirk,
“I did make a point get their feedback Upper School Matt several of our students, But for the members Kirk’s assassination, happened. In the times through the hard waves
“Especially after and [CSU] was a lot Conservative Student of hard to even start emotional about [the incident, it was a lot about their views,” Blake Gubert said. about it, because people With every attack some students feel engage in meaningful a certain way.
“[Being around an personal views or [my] the other perspective, said. “I definitely feel in on conversations react.”
Political violence if they are receiving March 2023 survey 71 percent of principals or hateful comments five percent of principals government issues.
“After the death moments where I felt
A Fractured Nation: When Anger turns into Action
1960s and ’70s, similar patterns emerged with the political leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., and 1968 respectively, and the attempted assassination in 1972. However, nihilistic violence has also left its American history.
example would be Lee Harvey Oswald with the JFK Mrozek said. “People like Lee Harvey Oswald, the guy Kirk and the guy who shot at the ICE detention center, that’ ideology, [and the] ‘I want to assassinate someone people who were alienated from the larger larger American society, and they wanted to cause are not the only ones being attacked. According to Shooting Database, there have been 205 gun incidents so far in 2025, as of Oct. 21. According to The Lion, University's newspaper, there have been nine violent churches in the U.S. in 2025.
see a trend, but we cannot make any assumption that violent, they all are in the same basket,” Mrozek said. that there are some of these that were people who think thinking,’ or ‘I hate that group of people,’ and ‘I want them.’ are lots of people who say, ‘I just want there to be undemocratic form of violence, in which people act anger, whether towards the world or a specific political advised against since philosophers like Aeschylus Seniors in their AP English Literature and Composition reading and studying Aeschylus’ “The Orestia” for weeks, focusing on the last play of the trilogy, “The which ‘The Furies’ transform from justice through rage democracy and become ‘the Kindly Ones’ or ‘the consider the notion of Fury in our modern world, the violence impatience and inflexibility, I am reminded of an insight Furies of Aeschylus’ Eumenides that a mentor of mine Lewis Hyde in his own essay,” AP English Literature teacher Harry Ruedi said. “Furies: The Myopia of the “The Furies “cling to the memory of hurt and harm, Their names are Grievance, Ceaseless, and Bloodlust. Grudge, Relentless, and Payback. They bloat the present undigested past.” This Fury dominates the tragic fall and first two plays of The Oresteia, and Hyde’s commentary the way this Fury dominates our modern cities today.”
such as the multiple prayers in Chapel, the constant bringing him up in classes, and the discussions about his political views,” Ivy said. Students can experience stress, anxiety, depression and desensitization from hateful speech and violence in politics, according to the article “Prevalence and Psychological Effects of Hateful Speech in Online College Communities” published in June of 2019 by Koustuv Saha, Eshwar Chandrasekharan and Munmun De Choudhury. However, in such heightened times of political discourse, students can still work together to create a just and proper way of showcasing the foundational beliefs of America.
“I would love to see the Progressive Student Union and the Conservative Student Union come together on some sort of initiative,” Peal said. “Whether it's passing out the American flag and owning everything that the American flag stands for, rather than it being a symbol of one way or another. [Another example is] if they supported some community service project that goes out and serves people. All of those things are central to our mission and our core [values]. I would love to see them come together and present a unified front and recognize that individuals matter.”
America’s Struggle with Speech and Violence
Words engraved on bullets, the media voicing their passions, politically driven assassinations and uncertainty regarding Americans’ First Amendment rights are all relevant issues the nation is currently facing. These concerns often raise the question of where society stands in this entanglement and what it means for a government that is supposed to be “of the people, by the people, for the people.”
“I believe that a segment of our population has been conditioned into a mass psychosis,” ESD parent and “The Will Cain Show” host Will Cain said to the Eagle Edition. “This mass psychosis makes many believe that everyone who disagrees with them is a threat to their existence. [For some] weak-minded people, if [they] feel like there's a threat to [their] very existence, there’s nothing left to do but to turn to violence.”
Percent of students say they have noticed a recent increase of political violence in America
Kirk’s assassination brought some of these political divisions to the surface, particularly those between conservative and liberal affiliations. According to PBS News, Kirk’s alleged assassin, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, had turned sharply to the political left over the past year and wrote a note beforehand stating, “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.”
“I’ve heard lots of discussion from both sides regarding this [assassination], but never anything as extreme as resulting in [violence],” Gubert said. “Because of the state our country is currently in, I think the rise of political violence is pushing people apart when we really need to be getting closer to each other.”
Robinson’s extreme actions represent the dangers Cain described
AMERICA AT GUNPOINT: Freedom, Firearms and Fury
that the answer to this rise in violence can be found in prioritizes her students' knowledge in U.S. history, as well I think the cure [for] every problem is education,” think that it is so easy for people, young and old, in 2025 else think for them. I wish there were clear-cut choices and what's bad [and] what's true and what's false right your ability to find out the information you need, look trust your own instincts to make the right decision is we move forward."
Community Reflects on National Political Tensions America has experienced countless attacks of dividing both major partisan parties, and while have been affected by the ferocity of political violence United States, faculty have not necessarily seen reaction from the student body, specifically in regards Kirk, which occurred on Sept. 10. point during a StuCo meeting to check in with kids and on how students were feeling," Clark Family Head of Peal said. "And while clearly this had an impact on students, as a whole, StuCo stressed, ‘We are doing OK.’" members of the Conservative Student Union, in light of assassination, it was challenging to come to terms with what had times of hate and violence, CSU became more unified waves of hurt and pain.
the Charlie Kirk incident, it was a lot more tense lot more passionate about their views,” senior and Student Union member Blake Gubert said. “It was kind start conversations about it, because people felt so [the situation].”“Especially after the Charlie Kirk lot more tense and [CSU] was a lot more passionate senior and Conservative Student Union member “It was kind of hard to even start conversations people felt so emotional about [the situation].” attack and response from politicians and public figures, that it has become harder to express an opinion and meaningful conversation without the opposing side reacting an opposite opinion] hasn't really affected my [my] outlook on the world, but it just made me see perspective, in kind of an intense way,” sophomore Miles Ivy feel like I can't share my opinions on [issues] or join conversations sometimes because of the way other people will violence can hinder students’ mental well-being, especially receiving negative comments from other students. In a conducted by the University of California Riverside, principals reported that students had made demeaning comments to both conservative and liberal students. Sixtyprincipals also communicated political conflict over issues. of Charlie Kirk back in September, there were many felt uncomfortable and isolated in the days following,
Percent of students say they support civil discourse regarding national, political and social events
of politics pushing individuals toward a state of “mass psychosis.” The bullets Robinson used to kill Kirk also bore engravings with phrases such as “Hey, fascist. Catch!” “If you read this, you are gay” and lyrics from the Italian song “Bella Ciao.”
“‘Bella Ciao’ is an anti-fascist song dating back to the 1920s or ’30s in Italy and has become an online meme for Antifa and antifascists more broadly,” Cain said. “So, if you're saying that everyone who disagrees with you is a fascist and then an assassin writes ‘Bella Ciao’ on his ammunition, he's revealing that he believes someone who disagrees with him, Kirk, is a fascist.”
Across media platforms, political opinions have been expressed more vocally than ever. Late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel received backlash and was suspended by ABC after stating that the “MAGA gang” was “desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them” and that they were trying to “score political points from it.” According to the BBC, many felt these comments were misleading to the American public and offensive, given the nation’s current political climate.
Peal said that, as a private school, at ESD, constitutional rights are checked at the gate when parents and students sign the handbook and their enrollment contract.
“What I hope never has to happen is that someone says something so egregious that it becomes a discipline situation,” Peal said. “What I would remind people is that your freedom of speech is not freedom from the consequence of said things that are counter to our mission and Episcopal identity.”
Americans are reconsidering what the First Amendment means to their core freedoms and their role in a democracy, as well as what aspects of society it applies to. In an interview with ABC News, James Weinstein, a constitutional law expert at Arizona State University, said the First Amendment only protects people from government censorship or restrictions on speech; it does not, however, forbid a private person or entity from censoring someone’s speech. Therefore, private employers can legally fire someone based on their contract and conduct, including what they post on social media. As debates over free expression grow more heated, understanding where constitutional protections begin and end has never been more important.
“I think that people shouldn't hinder our freedom of speech in school because it's an essential part to talk about,” Gubert said. “I don't think that people should be suppressing our speech, and we must [discuss] how radicalism is affecting our school and society.”
Political violence is not the way forward. According to Everytown, a gun violence prevention organization, innocent people die from gun violence every day in this country, and no matter the viewpoint, violence is never the answer. It is up to future generations and political leaders to combat polarization and the forces that fuel violence in society to prevent these horrors from continuing, which Cain agrees with.
“I think the best way to [meaningfully engage in political discussion] is to first educate yourself on why you believe what you believe and reinforce or second-guess your opinions through that [education],” Cain said. “Constitutionally, philosophically and religiously, understanding [your beliefs] gives you a great amount of confidence. And if you're confident, then you don't respond insecurely to anyone who tells you that you're wrong.”
Percent of students feel comfortable expressing their political opinions at school
Percent of students say their mental health has been somewhat affected by national violence events
Source: Nov. 3 poll of 94 upper school students who answered the survey 18
Percent of students believe people should be educated on political news
OPINION
STANCE
Proctored study hall and testing should be held in two separate rooms
Proctored study hall provides a space for students who require a structured environment to work quietly during the school day. However, this space is also used for students who need to make up or complete tests during their free period. While this is convenient for utilizing space on campus, it has created an environment where many of the test-takers are unable to focus. As a staff, we believe that the school should designate a separate room exclusively for testing.
Currently, the proctored study hall is required for new to first semester upper school students and freshmen as well as students with a grade of 79 or lower in a class. In theory, this environment is meant to promote student productivity. However, in practice, it involves side conversations and noise, which are typical in a classroom filled with students doing various tasks.
While it is understood that the reasoning behind the current set-up is due to the combination of limited available proctors and lack of available classrooms, these challenges could be resolved through collaboration to form a newly implemented system.
We are also aware that there are established rooms and times to make up tests during the before and after school testing periods. However, athletes with multiple games a week or morning practice and students with testing accommodations who need to make up multiple tests, may not
The addictive nature of power: how community combats corruption in leadership
By Kate Lewis | Social Media Co-Manager
Pbe able to complete all of their missing assignments during these allocated times, forcing them to make up assessments in proctored study hall.
During standard testing environments, students are usually provided with proper conditions in a silent and focused classroom. However, those who need to complete an assessment outside of class due to absences or extended time conditions are expected to perform well while surrounded by peers completing homework, conversing with one another, people coming in and out of the room or constantly moving around. These noises can become major distractions when a student is trying to recall information or write under time pressure.
Testing carries significant weight for students as assessments greatly contribute to grades, college transcripts and even student confidence. It is disadvantageous for students to be academically evaluated while surrounded by noise and distractions.
Research strongly supports that forms of distraction negatively impact testing performance. According to the National Institutes of Health, a study done at the University of Southern California in May 2014 found that even mild distractions significantly disrupted participants’ cognitive processes.
A study conducted as part of a Ph.D thesis at the Shadid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and published in 2019
in the Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences, found that noise exposure directly affects the brain’s ability to focus. In this study, researchers discovered that as noise levels increased, brain activity in the areas responsible for attention and visual processing was significantly altered. Certain waves were shifted, showing increased mental fatigue and decreased focus. These findings suggest that, in order for maximal assessment performance, the brain requires a proper testing environment, containing limited noise distractions.
The purposes of a study hall and a testing environment are different. A study hall is designed for students to work productively in a flexible environment where they have the option to collaborate when necessary or catch up on assignments. Testing, on the other hand, requires silence and structure to ensure focus, especially for those with conditions such as ADHD and anxiety. Many of the students taking tests in the proctored study hall room fall into this category, as they often receive extended time accommodations. These students, in particular, are more prone to performing worse on assessments when facing too many distractions. Combining these two environments is not beneficial for either group.
This issue does not just affect the test-takers, as students in the study hall are also impacted when the room becomes overly restrictive or even crowded due to testing. Proctors usually ask
the students to be quieter, and students completing homework and assignments are not given the chance to collaborate with peers when needed or ask questions they may have.
Students are encouraged to do their best work, but that expectation becomes harder to achieve without conditions that allow full concentration.
The solution only requires a thoughtful adjustment to how campus space is used. The school already has multiple classrooms that could serve as designated monitored testing areas.
A sign-up system managed by the academic office, teachers or proctors can make this process more organized and fair. Students could sign up for testing slots during their unproctored study hall periods, ensuring supervision while allowing for quiet conditions.
Creating a separate testing room is a matter of convenience, academic integrity and student well-being. This adjustment would also reinforce ESD’s core values, as it would respect those testing and studying, as well as the integrity of the learning process itself. This would allow students to perform to the best of their abilities and reduce stress.
Separating test-taking from proctored study hall is a small logistical change that would create a positive impact on academic fairness and student experience. As a staff, we believe it is necessary that ESD takes this step toward supporting these concerns.
KATE's TAKE ON LEADERSHIP
ower is an all-pervasive and fundamental force in human relationships, influencing social, political, and economic interactions. When leaders strive for power, they tend to seek the benefits that accompany it. But when misused, it can have negative consequences.
In an article published in Communicative and Integrative Biology in 2023 entitled “On the Effects of Power on Human Behavior and the Limits of Accountability Systems,” independent scholar Tobore Onojighofia indicated that power is addictive to its holder and leads them to hold on to and accumulate more power, which ultimately fosters corruption. Power abuse disorder has been coined as a neuropsychiatric condition exhibited by the addictive behavior of the powerholder. Onojighofia also suggests that areas of the brain linked to addiction play a major role in responding to social rank and hierarchy.
Recurring factors that tend to lead to corruption in leadership
vary, but they all have dangerous outcomes. The concentration of power and long tenure tend to weaken internal dissent. The longer someone remains in control without renewal or rotation, the more opportunities for corruption accumulate. Poor accountability and weak oversight lead to one person making all of the decisions. Leaders without independent review, such as boards, audit committees or external regulators, are likely to abuse power because there is no one to check them.
If we look back to history to try and pinpoint corruption in leadership, the most notorious example is Adolf Hitler. Hitler was addicted to power like it was the air he breathed. He reigned as Leader and Reich Chancellor with no oversight. After winning the 1932 German presidential election, he wasn’t satisfied; he needed more control and more power.
As the totalitarian leader of the Nazi regime, he deemed who was worthy and who wasn’t, aiming to establish a “master race.”
However, corruption is not inevitable. Many of the factors that foster corruption can be turned around. A leader committed to integrity must model it visibly in decisions, language, hiring and daily behavior. Leaders must view ethics not as a constraint but as a foundation. Having strong audit systems, internal control, external
review bodies and empowered ethics offices can act as brakes on misconduct.
A prime example of a leader who acted proactively and fought against corruption is President Theodore Roosevelt, who held office from 1901 to 1909. He used the Sherman Antitrust Act to break up large corporate monopolies that harmed the public. Its purpose was to promote fair competition by ensuring that markets were not controlled by a single dominant entity. This is an exact representation of a foundation of integrity and ethics, fostering audit systems and external review bodies to counter corruption in leadership.
It doesn’t take being the president to be affected by the pull of corruption. No matter the size of a leadership position, all leaders are susceptible to corruption. That’s why it’s important to understand what corruption is and what leads to it. In this way, one can avoid it in a job, relationships and everyday life.
Allowing your community to help and guide you guarantees that multiple points of view are considered, resulting in a wellrounded decision. I have made many mistakes unknowingly, and without the revisions and advice of my community, I would have never been able to develop new leadership skills. Not every day is perfect, but in order to grow, one must allow their mistakes to be a learning experience.
Being a part of a community is a special resource that many take for granted. Our community allows us to grow with one another and build loving relationships. At Camp Ozark, the summer camp I have attended for the past seven summers, we have a saying abbreviated “F.I.T.,” standing for “First is Third.” It means that if you put God first, others second and yourself third, you become first in the race of life. While power is tempting and corruption is around every corner, by working with people, acting with integrity and putting others before yourself, you will not only become an example of great leadership, but you will finish first in the race of life.
As junior class president, the opportunity for corruption is present every day. In my position, I hold the power to make decisions that could affect my class as well as the student body. I combat it by using integrity, passion and ethics. I care so deeply for my classmates and everyone at ESD. My care encourages me to work with integrity and high morals. As I act and make decisions to ensure I avoid corruption and collaborate with parents, peers and teachers. With the help of others, I can avoid corruption and continue to grow as a leader.
The staff stance reflects the opinion of the Eagle Edition staff, and it does not reflect the opinion of the school, newspaper advisor, faculty or staff.
what's COOKIN' Fall themed dishes
Village Banking Co. review
By Stella Bartley | Co-Web Editor
Having heard about the assortment of fallthemed baked goods at Village Baking Co., I rushed to the cafe in hopes of discovering the perfect treat to enjoy as the leaves begin to fall and the weather grows colder. The moment I stepped inside, I was immediately greeted with the comforting aroma of cinnamon and coffee. I waited patiently in line, looking over the seasonal items listed on the menu. I felt particularly drawn to the sweet pumpkin scone and the savory quiche. The dainty pumpkin scone had a soft, tender interior paired with a sugary surface coating its top half. The texture was moist yet delicate, a balance that is undoubtedly hard to achieve when baking. Each bite of the scone carried the warm pumpkin flavor, perfectly embodying the essence of a crisp fall afternoon. The dough was not too sweet, allowing the rich flavor to shine through without being overpowered, an issue I often find in other pastries. Despite the refined presentation of the scone, it still tasted homemade, offering a sense of comfort with each bite. Next on my plate was the quiche, which looked almost too pretty to eat. The golden crust covering the top of the savory dish crumbled beneath my fork, revealing a creamy spinach filling accompanied by small pieces of meat, egg and cheese. Each bite felt light and airy while still managing to satisfy my appetite, allowing me to appreciate each of the delicious ingredients in the dish. The custard inside the quiche was
Opposite points of view discuss the ethics behind the true
crime genre
True crime allows for better awareness and conversation within the justice system
Sheridan Bailey | Communications Manager
True crime media often carelessly exploits the tragedies of the victims for profit
Josephine Holmes | Arts Editor
Peter Chadwick and Quee Choo “Q.C.” Chadwick were once high school sweethearts, married for 21 years, but their love story took a tragic turn in 2015. Behind the gates of their lavish community in Newport Beach, California, Peter Chadwick gruesomely murdered his wife. After being released on bail, Chadwick was on the run for four years. During that time, “48 Hours,” a popular true crime series, aired the case, which ultimately led to his capture in Mexico in 2019.
True crime has captivated the world, drawing billions of views, and creating a cultural phenomenon that manages to entertain and educate the public simultaneously. For women who are increasingly more likely to become victims of violent crimes than men, according to the Council on Criminal Justice, an organization that works to create policies and leadership for the criminal justice field, they have turned to true crime as a method of psychological rehearsal.
As exemplified when in 2002, in West Columbia, South Carolina, 15-year-old Kara Robinson was abducted by serial killer Richard Evonitz and held at gunpoint. At that moment, Robinson, having watched true crime television shows, began to recall useful information. From memorizing details of her environment to studying her captor, 18 hours after she was kidnapped Robinson escaped. She waited for Evonitz to fall asleep before she freed herself from the restraints, and then she ran. She took the details she retained to the authorities, leading officers to Evonitz, which, as a result, solved three cold case murders.
One of Netflix’s hit shows, “Monsters,” produced by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, with each series documenting a case that has previously captivated the interest of Americans: from Jeffrey Dahmer to Erik and Lyle Menendez to Ed Gein. While the entertainment aspect of true crime has been successful, the ethics of the series have been under fierce debate, causing severe scrutiny.
Both the Dahmer and the Menendez brothers series have been criticized by the victims' families, as they were deeply frustrated with the portrayals of the characters in the show. The relatives of the Menendez brothers called the show a “phobic, gross, anachronistic, serial episodic nightmare,” and the relatives of the victims of Dahmer called the first season “harsh,” “careless” and “retraumatizing.”
But Murphy, one of “Monsters” producers, responded to the criticism. He said that he thought that “[the] show is the best thing that has happened to the Menendez brothers in 30 years in prison. It [has] informed an entire generation about that case and launched millions of conversations about sexual abuse.” The release of the series was followed by a wave of public support, which contributed to the Menendez brothers being resentenced from life in prison without the possibility of parole to 50 years to life in prison and making them eligible for parole.
Still, mis-portrayal is evident with both the victims of Dahmer and the Menendez’s, with the brothers even speaking out against it, However, the “Monsters” series is an outlier concerning true crime. While the producers may have re-centered the focus of the show to satisfy the entertainment needs, this series as a whole is among the minority regarding this level of misrepresentation.
Even as the Menendez brothers criticized the series, they did not criticize true crime as a genre. They actually utilized it for their benefit, as they collaborated with a new Netflix producer for another true-crime documentary so that “people can understand the truth.” While the documentary was not a sensation like “Monsters,” the "Monsters"series piqued the interest of the audience, giving forth to the success of their own documentary.
Unlike the "Monsters" series, many producers have actively worked with the families to provide an accurate representation of the events that occurred. Such as, "American Murder: The Family Next Door," a true crime docu-series which documented the Murdaugh family murder, was not only authorized by the family it also utilized archival footage that was provided by the family. This series is an accurate representation of true-crime.
True crime like any film genre has its flaws and has its exceptions that do not accurately represent the genre. But, there is nothing else like true crime, there is nothing that is able to entertain and inform the public in the extent that true crime has.
Percent of students who do not believe the public consumption of true crime has gone too far
We don’t sit in a courtroom eating popcorn while a mother mourns her child, but we do it from our couches on Sunday night, for entertainment. With the rise of Netflix documentaries and internet sleuths, the true crime genre has quickly grown in profit and popularity, specifically since the 2010s, according to a 2022 article published in The Guardian. Behind dramatic music and soft voices, real people’s horrific realities are replayed in front of a camera. But cameras can’t capture the depth of human emotions: rage and love, guilt and empathy, but most importantly, pain.
True crime encourages desensitization to the horrors of the victims: rape, torture and mutilation. Nowadays, the courtroom has transformed from a place of justice to one where people exploit tragedies for better ratings or sponsorships. What started as an honest effort to raise awareness has transformed into a corrupt industry that commodifies pain, packages stories and disregards the people they claim to honor.
It is vital to recognize that true crime is not an inherently sinister genre; however, it neglects the victims and glorifies the killers. People are often unaware of the impact of their consumption of true crime, which becomes apparent in cases of who is acquitted versus who is prosecuted. Just like in any movie or TV show, physical appearances matter in true crime as well. According to a 2010 Cornell University study, less attractive criminals were not only 22 percent more likely to be guilty but received almost two years of additional jail time when compared to “good-looking” criminals.
As true crime media like the controversial television series “Dahmer” or coverage of the Luigi Mangione case it is crucial to recognize how personal perception can influence the idea of justice itself. Even without realizing it, watching true crime media can determine how justice is served through sensationalized storytelling and collective bias.
As victims become characters in a story, their suffering become less impactful, undermining the empathy and understanding this genre is meant to present. When entertainment outweighs empathy, justice is no longer the purpose of these retellings. “Dahmer” exemplifies the plethora of problems that litter this genre. The little to no consultation and approval from the victim’s families, the glamorization of the crime and graphic depictions of the atrocities that Jeffrey Dahmer committed mar the show. But most importantly, as suggested by the title, the series focused on the serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, and less on the lives of the 16 people he was convicted of murdering.
"There [are] a lot of sick people around the world, and people winning acting roles from playing killers keeps the obsession going, and this makes sick people thrive on the fame," Shirly Hughes, mother of Tony Hughes, a man murdered by Dahmer, said to TMZ in 2023. “It's a shame that people can take our tragedy and make money. The victims never saw a cent. We go through these emotions every day."
As people’s traumas become commercialized, the humanity of the victims is lost to an algorithm. Along with the romanticized portrayal of perpetrators to increase viewership, criminals are elevated into the spotlight, while the victims are left in the shadows. People tend to toe the line between truth and trauma, torn between the desire to understand humankind’s evil and exploiting the people who lost their lives. This line becomes increasingly thin as accessibility and prominence rise. A 2022 poll from YouGov found that “half of Americans say they enjoy the [true crime] genre, including 13 percent who say it’s their favorite genre.”
The problem is not in the interaction with true crime. Rather, the problem lies among the people profiting from this genre: media outlets, streaming platforms and podcast creators—it’s never the victims. Ryan Murphy’s prolific directing career in the thriller, semibiographical genre has generated $341 million in profit and broken numerous Netflix records, despite various controversies, as noted by Parrot Analytics. With the monetization of murder, people can become quick to sacrifice certain morals or journalistic procedures when crafting content. A common inconsideration is the violation of victims and their families’ privacy, when personal details like age, name and background are laid bare, which can reopen closed wounds. Although true crime may help some people process these horrors, it is imperative to remember that people process grief in different ways, and the aftermath of these tragedies can cause more harm than good.
In the end, if empathy were the true goal, true crime wouldn’t end with a “play next” button.
Percent of students who believe the public consumption of true crime has gone too far
Source: Nov. 3 poll of 94 upper school students Illustration by Josephine Holmes
Taking the college process step-by-step
If I could go back to freshman year and give myself one piece of advice, it would be to take things step by step. When I started high school, college seemed like something ages away; it seemed like something only “future me” would have to deal with. But junior year arrived a lot quicker than I expected, and suddenly, “future me” was just me.
The expectations piled up, and a sense of impending doom fell upon me. I had to maintain my grades in the many AP and honors classes I was taking, secure leadership positions and somehow prepare for standardized tests, all while balancing a social life and pretending I wasn’t completely in over my head.
The biggest obstacle I had to overcome during junior year was standardized testing. The SAT and ACT, which started as mythical tests that set precedent for what college you were admitted to, turned into something everyone constantly talked about. Honestly, I was intimidated by them and was scared to take one until I felt completely ready. I told myself I’d do a bunch of prep during the summer, get used to my junior year classes and then get it over with.
The problem with that plan was that I never felt ready. I kept putting it off, and the longer I waited, the more intimidating the tests became. The truth is, regardless of the number of practice problems you do, the best way to get ready is actually to take a test. Sit down for a full practice test or even register for an official one early in the year
so you don’t limit the number of available attempts.
Also, try both the SAT and ACT before you focus on one test. I initially chose the ACT because I thought the paper format would be better for me. However, I found that the ACT’s time constraints and its heavy focus on reading comprehension did not play to my strengths. When I finally gave the SAT a try, I realized its structure and timing worked much better with how I think and process questions. You really won’t know what test is best for you until you try both, and experimenting early can save a lot of time and ease stress. Meanwhile, I had to tackle the dreaded Common App essay. How was I supposed to consolidate my entire identity into 650 words? I racked my brain and tried to write something impressive, something I thought admissions officers would want to read, but the words felt forced and robotic. Nothing felt authentic to me. What helped was breaking the essay down into smaller pieces. Instead of trying to write the “perfect” essay, I started by brainstorming small moments that truly felt like me. I didn’t worry much about structure or flow at first; I just wanted to
convey my real experiences. My essay doesn’t mention my intended major or any of my extracurriculars, and that’s okay. While I’m definitely not saying writing about either of those topics is a mistake, what I personally found is that it is easiest to write about something small and personal. Additionally, please listen to your junior year English teacher when they ask you to make a first draft of your essay. It might feel tedious or unnecessary, especially when you have a bunch of exams to study for, but putting effort into the assignment will save you a lot of stress during the summer. Even if that essay isn’t “the one,” it helps to get words on paper and figure out what works and what
Grades are another area where taking things step by step really matters. During your freshman and sophomore years, there isn’t much pressure, so it’s easy to think you can coast. But what you do in your first two years of high school will make all the difference.
Developing habits like turning assignments in on time, putting effort into your work or meeting with teachers helps a lot. Also, if freshman or sophomore year didn’t go as planned, don’t give up. Improvement doesn’t go unnoticed; showing growth over time and having an upward trend can speak volumes about your progress to colleges.
As an underclassman, clubs are another thing you can get involved in that will aid in college applications. You don’t need to join every club or take on leadership roles right away; what matters is finding activities that genuinely interest you, not your best friend, and committing to them.
Though I’m not completely done yet, the biggest lesson I’ve learned is that high school and the college application process work best when you take things slowly. You don’t have to figure everything out and you definitely don’t need to score perfectly on every test, essay or assignment. Focus on small, meaningful things, and in the future, you will be grateful for starting early and being patient.
Taking things one step at a time can simplify the college application process
By Anoushka Sinha | Copy Editor
TIME SLIPPING AWAY
Constantly chasing the future and striving to meet every expectation, students rush through their days focused on what’s next, forgetting to pause and appreciate the moments that quietly slip away.
Graphic by Anoushka Sinha
America is numb: our desensitized culture
America increasingly consumes violent themes in our daily lives
By Sheridan Bailey | Communications Manager
Inever drive in silence. My music always blares louder than the sound of passing cars. As I exited the parking lot on Sept. 16, exhausted after a long day of school, a song by Kevin Gates came up on my Spotify curated playlist. I sat there as Gates, a rapper from Louisiana, notorious for his explicit lyrics and crude and graphic descriptions of his sexual and violent encounters radiated through my ears. Usually, I will press skip and move on, but not that time. I drove home with no emotion on my face: no reaction, no feeling. I realized I was immune. I was desensitized.
Desensitization is a process characterized by experiencing a reduced biological and psychological response to violent triggers and stimuli, according to Dr. Nicholas L. Carnagey, Dr. Craig A. Anderson and Dr. Brad J. Bushman, psychologists at the Iowa State University. As a result of ongoing exposure to violence like crude music, the media and video games, we become numb and less empathetic, as well as less likely to aid victims of violence. The sad truth is that America is becoming
increasingly desensitized, not just to the explicit lyrics of rappers like Kevin Gates, but to violence itself, which is becoming too prevalent a theme in our country.
Ninth place on Rolling Stones’ “The 50 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs of All Time,” N.W.A’s, a hip-hop group from Compton, California, “Straight Outta Compton” is considered revolutionary. It brought West Coast rap mainstream. Still, this single, which topped charts and accumulated awards, was anything but censored. This song popularized not only West Coast rap but also music with clear themes of violence.
N.W.A raps, “When I’m called off, I got sawed-off,” and “Squeeze the trigger, and bodies are hauled off.” N.W.A describes his song as a “murder rap to keep [everyone] dancing." This song gave way to a new genre of “gangsta rap,” popularizing gang culture and normalizing violence in society. Even as“gangsta rap” faded, new genres with similar roots in violence took hold of the music industry.
Drill music, a hip-hop genre which originated in Chicago in the early 2010s, became a phenomenon similar to “gangsta rap". Drill music is recognized by its violent lyrics, heavy beats and slow tempo, and was popularized by early Chicago rappers like Chief Keef and Lil Durk. Drill music has continued to stay mainstream due to social media. The “sturdy" is one conduit that is keeping drill music relevant. Just on tiktok the “sturdy” dance has over 400 thousand videos and climbing that are tagged with #sturdy. However, people are getting "sturdy” to lyrics about serious gang-related issues, desensitizing them to violence and death.
“People around the country are dancing,” Grammy-awardwinning rapper and Martin Luther
King Jr. Visiting Professor at MIT said to the Harvard Gazette, regarding drill music. “I’m thinking, ‘You all [are] dancing on graves. People are dying.’”
Drill music in particular has been criticized for more than its violent nature. “[It feeds] the idea that Black culture is more destructive than other cultures,” Saida Grundy, a professor of sociology at Boston University, said in a debate over drill music which was hosted by the Hutchins Center for African-American Research at Harvard University. Still, as America consumes more music with violent themes, we are progressively becoming desensitized. But it is not just what comes through our ears: it is what we see.
Through the media, the American people are constantly consuming violence. We are constantly seeing the “Dead at…” headline when we turn on the news channel. Notifications pop up on our phones alerting us to the recent shootings occurring across the country and we see gory deaths in our movies. It is not the fault of the news stations or the movie producers, but the fault of a culture that has allowed violence to become an integral part of lives when it should not be. Not a day goes by that we are not confronted with the realities of violence, but the more it pervades the entertainment industry, the more we are immune to it.
Along with the media, video games continue to normalize violence. Games like Grand Theft Auto and Fortnite contribute to this normalcy, as death and killing are not just aspects of the games but are integral parts of them. Although it is argued that the killing in these video games is not real and therefore is not harmful, research indicates otherwise.
“Playing a violent video game, even for 20 minutes, can
cause people to become less physiologically aroused by real violence,” Nicholas L. Carnagey, Craig A. Anderson and Brad J. Bushman, psychologists at Iowa State, published the study in 2006 in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology. “Individuals who play violent video games habituate or ‘get used to’ all the violence and eventually become physiologically numb to it.”
This problem of desensitization is progressing as generations begin to consume this violence at much younger ages.
Although we can not control the violent actions of others, nor what violent themes producers include in their films and TV shows, we can attempt to reverse the effects of desensitization by reconditioning our brains.
According to Yasmin Al-Zubi of the Department of Psychology and Social Work at the University of Texas at Arlington in an article which was published in the Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, to recondition our brains, we have to lessen our intake of violence as much as possible. The group acknowledges that this is difficult, as violence is everywhere, but to resist desensitization, we should limit the violent themes we are absorbing. Whether that is restricting the amount of explicit music you choose to consume, taking a break from gory horror movies, or putting down the video game controller, all of these choices can reduce one’s susceptibility to desensitization.
As a society, we need to care about gang and physical violence, not normalize it. Violence is not something to be enthralled with; it hurts people, devastates families and damages communities. Violence kills not just in video games but in real life. A kill in a video game is not the same in real life, but our culture is giving us the illusion that death is insignificant.
Letter the editors FROM
People often ask me,
“What sports do you play? What teams are you a part of?” As much as I wish I could answer,
“I’m the captain of my school’s volleyball team,” or “I participate in three sports a year,” I often find myself at a loss and usually awkwardly respond, “I’m not really involved in sports right now.”
Although I played junior varsity volleyball my freshman year and have counted pickleball as my community credit for the past two years, something is still missing from that answer. However, reflecting on my time at ESD, I’ve realized that I’ve been selling myself short when I reply to that question. Being involved in extracurricular activities isn’t limited to school sports; community engagement is found in unexpected places. Ultimately, it’s about how students pursue their passions and become involved in something that enhances the community, and I believe that is where teams thrive the most.
For me, that engagement has shone through most clearly in my role as a member of the Eagle Edition. Not only did being on staff help me find my voice in writing, but it also opened up a whole new array of interests, including writing, communications and design. Additionally, our publication and staff, much like a sports team, have won numerous awards and are nationally recognized for our work, demonstrating that
success and recognition don’t happen only on the field. The excitement of going to press and seeing our hard work come to life is unmatched, and I’m forever grateful for the connections I’ve made. Leading this group as coeditor-in-chief with Emmy has been the highlight of my high school career, and our “team” is arguably the best on campus. EEV43, you have my heart!
Additionally, I’ve found my teams through various clubs across campus. Being a member of groups like Itinerary, Ambassadors, Community Service Council and Vestry has unlocked experiences I would have never had otherwise. I’ve made some of my best friends through them, and it’s really special to leave my mark on the aspects of ESD that make the community unique.
Volunteering for the past two years at Walnut Hill Elementary School has brought me to a team centered on engagement and service. Working with secondgrade students has been an honor, as I have assisted them in their learning and watched them grow as students and individuals. These opportunities have inspired me to appreciate education and help facilitate it for those in need, and I’m so glad I signed up for this role in my sophomore year.
Furthermore, I’ve found my teams through working outside of school. The past four summers, I have worked at a clothing boutique in Nantucket called Hill House Home and have made some of my most cherished memories. Though it’s technically
a job, and I’m paid to be there, working alongside summer friends and coworkers from all over makes the work feel fun and fulfilling. The lessons I’ve learned and the mentorship I’ve received are unmatched, and I wouldn’t trade them for anything.
From first to eighth grade, I considered basketball my favorite sport. I loved playing it with my dad, my brother and my friends. However, once I got to high school, I quit because, in all honesty, I feared I wouldn’t be good enough to play at a higher level and felt uncertain about what to expect. Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if I had kept playing. So this year, I’ve decided to go out of my comfort zone and try basketball again. I don’t know what to expect, and I’m not 100 percent sure I’ll make the team, but I’m excited to be part of it and hopefully contribute positively to the program.
Don’t get me wrong, I wish I had pushed myself earlier to try more sports throughout high school. However, I don’t regret the extracurriculars I’ve been involved in or the impact I’ve made; I truly believe these experiences have shaped who I am today. If you’re reading this and feel unsure about joining a club or trying out for a team, I strongly encourage you to go for it. Even if you don’t get the position you hoped for or it doesn’t work out, the lessons you’ll learn are priceless.
Everything happens for a reason, and what’s truly meant for you will find its way. Plus, you’ll never know unless you try.
Letter the editors TO
Dear Editors,
Iused to love school. Controversial take, but when we first learned to annotate in fifth grade, when multiplication tables were fun and back when the stakes were fairly low, I loved school. I love to learn and try new things, and school used to be the perfect place to do so. My teachers encouraged curiosity, celebrated creativity and made learning feel like discovery rather than routine. But somewhere along the way, something changed. Classes were no longer about exploring new ideas—they became about compliance and adhering to curricula. Lessons became less about why something mattered and more about how to get the right answer. The goal of school was no longer to truly connect with concepts or develop a passion for learning, but instead to earn a five on an excruciatingly long standardized test. Essay writing stopped being creative when the goal became impressing a grader under time pressure. Somewhere between DC travel journals and AP exams, school was no longer about learning, but performance. This shift didn’t happen by accident—it was driven by policy. History shows that when
students are academically evaluated based on a standardized formula of creativity, their desire to learn drops dramatically; they are less energetic, less expressive and less innovative. The “No Child Left Behind Act” passed in 2002 strongly emphasized standardized testing and measurable student outcomes. And though the concept behind standardized assessment is sound—providing a uniform way to measure student performance— the act handed the reins of American learning to corporations disguised as nonprofits.
The College Board, for instance, is a self-proclaimed “nonprofit” that assesses our intelligence and decides how ready we are and how much our knowledge is worth… for a fee. The College Board runs the SAT, AP exams and most of the “college readiness” curriculum we’re pressured to follow. It’s pretty obvious: this educational tool is more of a monopoly, capitalizing on American education. They claim to be measuring intelligence, but half the time, it feels like they’re just measuring how well we can memorize their answer keys.
In a system where billiondollar testing companies define what it means to be educated, curiosity and a genuine desire for
knowledge do not stand a chance. Honestly, how can we explore when the only thing that counts is what fits in a bubble sheet?
Since 2002, the United States has faced a “Creativity Crisis;” American students as young as six struggle with expressing themselves. Even in high school, I’ve found myself writing to the rubric, carefully phrasing sentences so that they perfectly match everyone else’s, rather than expressing my own voice and style. I know how to write for the grader, but not for myself. I’m not alone in this experience; millions of other students across the country feel the same way I do.
We’ve diagnosed the problem for years—lower creativity, higher burnout—yet rarely do we ask why we keep treating students like data points instead of people being prepared for the “real world.” **Spoiler alert: the real world won’t care if your thesis statement fits in one sentence.**
The solution isn’t fewer tests or eliminating AP classes. I can entertain the notion that they help prepare students for collegelevel rigor (even if many colleges don’t accept AP scores and make students retake the classes anyway).
What we really need is more
trust: trust that students are most engaged in learning when they’re allowed to explore freely, question endlessly and fail occasionally. In trusting that process, education measures not just what students know, but how deeply they think, how creatively they approach problems and how passionately they engage in the world. Maybe if a “five” on an AP exam valued creativity more than conformity, students like me would finally have room to grow, not just academically, but as curious, conscious thinkers. I want to love school again, and I’m slowly rediscovering that love in classes that value critical thinking over standardized perfection. I hope every student gets the chance to experience that, too: the joy of learning not for a grade, but for themselves.
By Arya Ajith
Students try to balance school and athletics
Student-athletes struggle to find time to make up missed school work caused by games
By Sloane Everett | Content Manager
After a long school day full of meetings with teachers and making up missed work, swing football player freshman Wynn Wheeler has to sprint across the school to get to practice on time.
Student-athletes must learn to balance their time between sports and academics, and find ways to fit in practices and games while studying, completing homework and keeping their grades up. This task requires students to manage completing their work, as well as teachers being able to accommodate their needs.
Some athletes have found this demanding, causing them stress about getting tasks completed to the best of their ability. Wheeler has found that his transition from middle to upper school has been difficult due to the intense football schedule, mixed with the pressures from his classes.
“Ever since the jump from middle school to high school, everything has just been so different academically and sports-wise,” Wheeler said. “It's really hard to focus on academics because everything is [associated with] football. I am trying to get good grades because it matters, but also focus on sports because it matters just as much.”
Recently, athletes have felt as if they have been missing several classes due to early releases for away games. The new schedule makes an average student-athlete miss two classes each time they leave school early. The more school an athlete misses, the more they will have to make up, on top of their normal workload.
Even though some athletes have complained about the number of games they have, coaches and administrators have found it challenging to accommodate athletes' academic and extracurricular needs.
“We don't come close to playing the number of games we could play,” Athletic Director Thad Lepcio said. “We get such
resistance from students and families about how they can't play on these weekends and don't want to play [during] vacation periods. We feel like we do try to accommodate an awful lot.”
If an athlete misses a test, quiz or major grade because of a game, they have to find time on their own to make it up in either after or before school testing. This may seem like plenty of time to make up a grade; however, athletes are typically not able to attend after school testing because coaches expect them to be at practice starting at 4:30 p.m., giving them less time to catch up.
“Finding time to make up missed tests and quizzes
“THIS IS THE FIRST PLACE I'VE BEEN IN 31 YEARS WHERE WE HAVE SO MANY STUDENTS [MISSING] PRACTICES BECAUSE OF ACADEMIC PRESSURES."
Thad Lepcio Athletic Director
is probably the hardest part about everything,” Wheeler said. “Everybody has different schedules, and having to adjust to your schedule right now and to what you've missed is extremely hard, especially for a freshman who hasn't really done any of it before.”
Additionally, student-athletes become overwhelmed with their workload, mixed with their sports schedule, because they are typically involved in various clubs, extracurriculars and advanced classes. Recently, a line of obligation has become
blurred as student-athletes have gotten comfortable with skipping morning practices, so they can instead study for an upcoming test they have that morning.
“This is the first place I've been in 31 years where we have so many students [missing] practices because of academic pressures,” Lepcio said. “And this is where I do feel our coaches are very accommodating. I think in advance, if a student were to come to a coach and say, ‘Coach, I've got two or three tests,’ that to me is a little bit different. I think we have times where students aren't exercising the best time management, and that gets us in a little bit of trouble.”
The best solution to limit athlete stress is to have cooperation between coaches, teachers, advisors and students to help discuss the best way they can make up for missing work on time, without missing any part of practice. This requires athletes to stay in constant contact with their teachers, keeping them informed of any classes they will miss and asking for ways they can make up work to the best of their abilities.
“I wish there were maybe a class or an organization or something like that that helps you balance everything,” Wheeler said. “But, you know, it's not impossible. If you get the hang of continuously emailing and meeting with your teachers, it becomes easy and second nature.”
After a while, student-athletes become used to the workload and handling their game schedule.
Varsity girls volleyball senior captain Tatum Reynolds has found that since playing three sports all four years of high school, she has learned how to manage her time responsibly.
“There are times [when] I might be stressed,” Reynolds said. “But I have learned that it is best not to procrastinate when it comes to getting schoolwork done. When I get stuff done in advance, I find I have more free time at night after practice and games.”
PERCENT OF STUDENT-ATHLETES have had trouble making up missed school work
PERCENT OF STUDENT-ATHLETES don't think their teachers understand their busy schedule
PERCENT OF STUDENT-ATHLETES think their game schedule is reasonable
PERCENT OF STUDENT-ATHLETES have found they have learned how to better manage their time because of sports and school
Source: Nov. 3 poll of 94 upper school students
Photo by Eagle Edition staff
Motorsport popularity accelerates worldwide
With engines roaring, 400,000 spectators in the stands and millions of fans watching worldwide, Formula 1 driver Lando Norris raced to a first-place finish at the Mexican Grand Prix on Oct. 26. Norris, with a wide lead of 30.3 seconds, moved into the top spot in the 2025 World Drivers’ Championship, a season-long competition among Formula 1 drivers. Thanks to the recordbreaking Brad Pitt “F1” movie, Formula 1 reality series and the sport’s growing presence on social media, this exhilarating, 200-mileper-hour exhibition has captivated wider audiences.
Celebrated as “the pinnacle of motorsport,” Formula 1 is the world’s highest class of singleseater auto racing. In a unique blend of engineering and sport, 10 teams compete to win the Constructor’s Championship, each fielding two cutting-edge cars piloted by highly-trained drivers. Each season includes circuits in cities around the world, such as Monza, Italy, São Paulo, Brazil and Shanghai, China, while teams continuously refine their cars for optimal performance on race day.
Senior Chaz Frederiksen, one of Formula 1’s 827 million global fans, claims the thrill of the sport has attracted a die-hard fanbase, especially among ESD students.
“Formula 1 stands out because it is a dangerous, high-speed sport,” Frederiksen said. “It’s fast, and all the drivers are fighting for the same result. Even if you’re not into Formula 1, it’s easy to recognize that it is very impressive. Anyone who says Formula 1 is just driving cars in circles clearly hasn’t watched the sport. If you look into it, you realize just how rigorous it is to be a driver.”
According to a recent analysis by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, nearly 3.9 million fans attended the first 14 races in 2025, the greatest mid-season attendance in Formula 1 history.
A Clinical Associate Professor at Texas A&M University College of Dentistry and a Formula 1 enthusiast, Dr. Andrea Rothman, was among the record-setting crowd at the 2025 Budapest Grand Prix as she celebrated her 60th birthday.
“It was a tremendous experience,” Rothman said.
“[My husband and I] went to the qualifiers on Saturday and the race itself on Sunday. It was an incredible first Grand Prix. [Charles] Leclerc for Ferrari had pole position, [but] he didn’t even podium. Lando Norris for McLaren won, followed by his teammate Piastri: McLaren [finished] one-two at the race.”
Since its debut in 1950, Formula 1 has been a cultural touchstone in Europe. During a trip to Marinello, Italy, senior Michael Peralta found that Formula 1 is an integral part of Italian culture.
“There were Ferrari flags everywhere, along every shop,” Peralta said. “I’d hear people talking about two things: soccer and Formula 1. I went to this local restaurant, and two people were chatting it up with the owner about the race the night before. I’ve never seen that in the States; it's always football.”
Historically, Formula 1 has struggled to gain traction with American audiences. However, the FIA reports that, with the introduction of the Miami Grand Prix and the Vegas Grand Prix in 2022 and 2023, the American fan base has reached 52 million this season, an 11 percent increase from last season. Live viewings of Grand Prix races by Americans are up 23 percent from 2024.
“The Vegas track has attracted a lot more American viewers,” Frederiksen said. “Also, race coverage has improved. When you watch [Formula 1], you see the drivers’ times and totals, and they’ve added multiple camera
angles. Everything is a lot more user-friendly. I think that better technology, not just in the cars but in general, has helped increase popularity.”
The FIA reports that 43 percent of global fans are under 35 years old. A 2025 survey released by the F1 and Motorsport Network revealed that the United States stands out for accelerated fan growth among younger audiences, with 70 percent of Gen Z respondents reporting that they interact with Formula 1 content daily.
“This study shows that [younger audiences] are increasingly following Formula 1 for the stories and the many opportunities to engage with the sport, and then they’re becoming hooked on the fantastic racing," F1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali said in a statement.
"The sport is embedded in culture now, via streaming, storytelling and social media, and that’s helping more people connect.”
According to the FIA, 107.6 million people follow Formula 1 across social media platforms.
Steve Nash, the digital producer at Haas, a Formula 1 team, claims that drivers, many of whom are in their teens and twenties, are extremely popular on social media with younger fans.
“There [are] more eyeballs on the sport than ever,” Nash told Autosport Business earlier this year. “There are more storylines than ever, probably more personalities, and I think even with a younger demographic of drivers who are much more social media savvy, who have grown up in a social media era, they're all over it. There's a breed of fans that follow the sport purely through social media. I've met people who that's all they do, they don't actually watch a race, they just watch the narrative.”
Contributing to the growing popularity of Formula 1 is Netflix’s seven-season docuseries “Formula 1: Drive to Survive,” which packages the sport’s many facets into reality television. The show was Rothman’s introduction to Formula 1.
“A few years ago, [my husband and I] began watching ‘Drive to Survive’ on Netflix,” Rothman
said. “Besides the racing itself, we were interested in the personalities. That’s what drew us in. We got to know the drivers and the principals who manage the teams. The show also talks about [the engineers], and you see in the garages where they are testing and talking about equipment.”
Through “Drive to Survive,” fans can feel like they know all 20 drivers personally. The docuseries, Rothman believes, helps her understand concepts and recognize shifts in driving styles.
"ANYONE WHO SAYS FORMULA 1 IS JUST DRIVING CARS IN CIRCLES CLEARLY HASN'T WATCHED THE SPORT. IF YOU LOOK INTO IT, YOU REALIZE JUST HOW RIGOROUS IT IS TO BE A DRIVER."
Chaz Frederiksen Senior
“I think the personalities are fabulous,” Rothman said. “Carlos Sainz is my favorite driver because I’m a fan of Spanish culture and good-looking Spanish men, so that was my initial draw. It's been interesting to watch because he was initially a strong driver, but he has lost his seat. But the personalities draw you in for sure, and watching certain drivers develop or lose a skill is interesting.”
A recent development in Formula 1’s increasing popularity is the global release of the “F1” movie in June. Directed by Joseph Kosinski and starring Brad Pitt, the movie earned $600 million at the box office, making it the largest-grossing sports film of all time.
“We saw the ‘F1’ movie with Brad Pitt, which was part of this whole evolution of the interest in [the sport],” Rothman said.
Netflix series and record-breaking blockbuster drive American interest in Formula 1
By Gracie Nealon | Opinion Editor
UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL
Mechanics display a race car at the Fanatec GT World Challenge America, a motorsport series with races held at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Peralta prefers smaller events like these over the Formula 1 Austin Grand Prix because they offer a more engaging experience. “A great opportunity to learn is when you go to these smaller events, because the drivers really care that you’re there,” Peralta said. “They’ll let you into the pit lane. They have signed autographs for me, and I got to sit in one of their race cars one time.”
Photo by Michael Peralta
“I thought it was entertaining. It wasn’t necessarily realistic, because I’ve watched ‘Drive to Survive’ and now I’ve been to a Grand Prix in the flesh, so I would reserve it for entertainment. But it was delightful.”
In response to the new buzz around Formula 1 media, Peralta and other hardcore enthusiasts believe that social media, “Drive to Survive” and the “F1” movie are drawing fans who don’t appreciate the aerodynamic engineering central to the sport.
“To understand the technical regulations of Formula 1 is to understand the sport itself,” Peralta said. “Part of the thrill of motorsport is that you’re watching these drivers compete in cars that are incredibly advanced, the most advanced you’ll ever see, and real people are driving these machines almost perfectly every single lap.”
Peralta argues that to be a true fan, one has to make an effort to understand the fundamentals of Formula 1. He believes that with technical knowledge, a viewer becomes more invested in the sport.
“The drivers have to know how they want their car set up, how it works, what different driving styles there are, what braking points they want and what lines they take,” Peralta said. “As a viewer, you eventually learn their patterns. And so when you notice a change in their patterns, you can feel more excited, because you’re connected with the sport. That’s the glory. That’s why I love watching Formula 1. The cars are just so technically advanced that any minor change can bring a huge amount of effect.”
Alternatively, Rothman encourages everyone to explore the sport and find something about it that interests them, whether it's the mechanics, the spectacle or the competition.
“You don’t have to know anything technical about it,” Rothman said. “You can watch it for the technical stuff, you can watch it for the flag to start and flag to finish, you can watch it for the matching outfits, you can watch for the drivers themselves [and] you can watch thinking, ‘I wonder if a woman will drive someday.’ There’s something in it for everyone to watch and enjoy.”
Epic ending in extra innings: Dodgers claim victory
The Los Angeles Dodgers defeat the Toronto Blue Jays 4-3 in the 2025 World Series
By Moss Barron | Staff Writer
The World Series has a way of drawing in even the most casual fans, including freshman Wright Schoelkopf, who doesn’t follow baseball during the regular season.
“I usually am not very interested in baseball,” Schoelkopf said. “But I always tune into the World Series because it gives off a completely new vibe that the regular season simply can’t do.”
This October, as the 2025 World Series begins, the spotlight is back on baseball. Junior baseball player and Texas Rangers fan Miles Link feels that this time of year always feels different.
“The World Series has always been very entertaining to me,” Link said. “Even if your team isn’t in it, which mine isn't, it's still so fun to watch.”
While the Texas Rangers didn’t make it to the World Series this season, let alone the playoffs, this hasn’t stopped Link from following the games.
The atmosphere makes him remember how he got into baseball in the first place.
“I’ve played since I was 5 years old,” Link said. “It started in the front yard with my dad, and that's when I really got into it.”
Baseball is one of the most popular sports in the spring among high schools across the country, according to Next College Student Athlete, a recruiting program for collegiate athletes. Many students on the ESD baseball team have grown up playing competitively, and seeing professional players push through situations serves as both inspiration and motivation.
“I like to watch a player go through a tough inning or come through with a clutch hit,” Link said. “It's way more mental than a lot of people like to think.”
WINNING MINDSET
World Series at Dodger Stadium Photo by Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times/TNS
This series has been especially competitive, with both teams responding to their losses with a win.
The Toronto Blue Jays won the first game, and the Los Angeles Dodgers responded by winning the next two.
“This [was] one of the most exciting World Series,” Link said. “The back and forth is one of my favorite things to watch.”
Game 3 of the series went into 18 innings rather than the standard
9-inning game, which tied the record for the longest game ever played. It spanned over 6.5 hours, until it was ended with a walk-off single by Dodgers player Mookie Betts.
“I couldn't watch the whole game since it ended at 3 a.m.,” Schoelkopf said. “But I watched the highlights after, and it looked like a really good game.”
While professional players battle it out on television, ESD’s baseball team has been using the series as a chance to study strategy. Varsity baseball coach
Matt Coker believes that watching these games will help players mentally through the season.
“I tell them to watch how guys deal with the pressure of the big moments in a game,” Coker said. “Those big moments get your heart rate up and foster anxiety. Watching a pitcher taking a deep breath before each pitch can help slow the game down in their mind and control their heartbeat when the game is on the line.”
For Link, he enjoyed watching the rise of young stars across the league, particularly Paul Skenes, who plays for the Pittsburgh Pirates and has made it to the All-Star Game every year he has been in the league.
“I find it a lot more exciting with all the young talent,” Link said. “They’re changing how people look at the game, especially Skenes. His pitching is revolutionizing the game.”
That mix of young energy and classic baseball fundamentals has also caught the attention of Ann and Lee Hobson Family Head of School David Baad, a lifelong baseball fanatic.
"[Baseball] is my favorite sport [and] I love it," Baad said. "I'll watch any level of it anytime. [I] just love the game."
Baseball has always been more than a game for Baad. In light of the World Series, it reminds him of the memories and shared moments that it has brought, touching on his past.
"My experience with baseball
started when I was 3 years old. My dad was a huge baseball fan," Baad said. "It’s always been a big part of our family."
With baseball season at the high school level beginning months after, Link feels that the World Series happens too early in comparison and wishes that there was less distance between the two.
“Watching [the World Series] puts me in the mood for baseball season,” Link said. “It’s a shame that [their seasons are] so spread out.” As the Dodgers and the Blue Jays battled it out and took it to game seven, people all around the nation tuned in to watch and hoped for an exciting game. Baad believes that the postseason tells a different story than the regular season.
“You get into the playoffs and it's very intense," Baad said. "Every game is very important [and]so much is riding on every pitch."
Tensions remained high throughout game sevens. In the fourth inning of, Dodgers pitcher Justin Wrobleski hit Blue Jays Andrés Giménez with a pitch, which resulted in both dugouts clearing, and a heated confrontation.
“I was really hoping for a fight [during the game],” Link said. “It was a really chippy moment, and I felt like it gave the players more of a spark to play just a little bit harder.”
The game spanned 11 innings, and the Dodgers had the lead going into the final inning after Dodgers catcher Will Smith hit a go-ahead home run that put the Dodgers in the lead. The Dodgers later made a crucial double play, closing out the game and successfully winning the 2025 World Series.
“It was a great series to watch,” Link said. “Just pure entertainment the entire time. I hope next year can live up to how good this year was.”
Podcast Co-Editors Jack Coben and Craighton Jefferies tackle the latest sports world news. Tune in for recent sports news. This issue, they focused on the rivalry Homecoming football game vs. St. Marks, and some of the teams hopes and preparations for the game. Scan here to listen!
The Toronto Blue Jays' Vladamir Guerroro Jr. yells towards his dugout after hitting a two-run home run during the second inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during Game
4 of the
FOR STAR CROSS COUNTRY
runner Shridhar Gowrishankar, cross country is more than just a sport, it is a blend of dedication, balance and team camaraderie. Not to mention, Gowrishankar's personal growth through the hardships of the sport is something that is irreplaceable and provides useful tools for all aspects of life. Additionally, the support system of fellow runners and coaches makes tough races and high pressure moments bearable. Motivated by successes of his own and of his teammates keeps his determination consistently strong as the season progresses on.
What motivates you most during a race when it starts to get tough?
Teammates and coaches cheering us on and friendly competition from equally skilled peers motivates me to push myself even when it gets very intense. I'm also motivated by my own desire to break my personal goals and make myself proud. The feeling of accomplishment when I finish a race and break a personal record makes all the practice and preparation totally worth it.
Can you share a memorable race or moment from this season that stands out to you?
A memorable race was the Southwest Christian School Invitational, where the girls team won 1st place, the boys team won third place, and nearly every member of the team set a PR. Seeing the entire team share success like this was extremely rewarding to see, and I was so proud of everyone for working hard towards a common goal, and then seeing that work pay off.
What goes through your mind during a race when it starts to get tough?
When the races get tough, I like to think about a comfortable place. This helps me keep pushing, and find my extra gear during a hard race.
What does a typical week of training look like for you?
In a typical training week, I’ll go to practice everyday and then I'll also take some runs in the mornings and nights. In order to be successful, you have to train outside of practice as well.
What’s one part of training that people might not realize is so important?
Staying hydrated is an extremely important part of the sport that people may not realize. I find that I always perform better in races when I am well prepared and hydrated compared to those when I am not. I also make sure to drink a ton of fluids during race weeks and especially the night before.
What personal goals are you aiming for this season?
FEATURED ATHLETES
CHANGERS GAME
This year, I am trying to set new PR’s, but more importantly I want to be a good teammate. I’m not a freshman anymore, so I want to step into more of a leadership role on the team, and replicate what some of the leaders on the team did my freshman year.
What do you think makes your team’s culture or dynamic special compared to others?
Our team is very close together and we spend more time with each other than other teams we've seen. We are all varsity and all workouts are done together with the same expectations in terms of duration and effort. All of this time spent together created a very special bond throughout the team. I wouldn’t have wanted to do it with any other team.
SINCE SHE JOINED THE FIELD hockey team her freshman year, Marloh Madison immediately fell in love with the sport and decided to dedicate her high school sporting career to it. Madison said that the reason the sport is so special to her is because of the excellent support system, team bonding and exciting game schedule that have developed her into a better athlete, student and person. She has made strong friendships whom she can always rely on and has learned more about herself through the sport than she expected.
What is your favorite part of field hockey?
My favorite part of field hockey is doing one-on-ones, even though I don't get to do them that often in games. They’re so fun to practice with my teammates.
How does field hockey affect your academic and social life?
Since field hockey is a lengthy commitment, I haven't had as much time to do homework and study. Because of this, I don't hang out with my friends as much as I'd like to, and I don’t have a lot of time to do homework or study for tests and quizzes.
How do you personally contribute to the field hockey team?
I contribute to the field hockey team by being a supportive teammate and providing encouragement. I always give feedback to my teammates so they can identify areas for improvement and work on them.
What sticks out to you about field hockey in comparison to other sports? What stands out about the field hockey team is the rigorous training we undergo to build endurance and strength for the game.
What is so special about field hockeys commodore compared to other sports? Whether it's a timed mile, weightlifting twice a week, or game-speed scrimmages, we are always pushing ourselves to the next level. The level of comradery of the team is also super unique to the field hockey team as we have a lot more games this year.
What is your favorite part about being goalie?
My favorite part of being a goalie is the feeling I get when I prevent a goal. Whenever I prevent a goal, I feel the most tuned into the game and most aware of my surroundings. I feel like everything moves in slow motion, and then when it happens —me saving a ball —everyone cheers really loudly. And it makes me feel proud of myself and my team for not being scored on.
Why have you stuck with field hockey all of these years?
I stuck with field hockey for as long as I have because, as I played, I began to love the sport. It was also the sport in which I excelled and wanted to put in the effort to become good at. During the off-season, I would play with a club team and attend camps, which helped me maintain my skills.
What does a typical week of practice look like for you?
Practices will typically be held every day after school from 4:30 to 6 p.m., except for Fridays, when we have morning practice so that we can attend the football games. We will lift weights twice a week, followed by either drills or scrimmages. On weeks when we have a game, we will focus on running during practice. Even though I play as a goalie, I still participate in the running sessions, and I’ve noticed that my mile time has improved as a result.
Every issue, the Eagle Edition highlights two athletes who stand out for their respective sports.
Shridhar Gowrishankar Junior Shridhar Gowrishankar runs during his meet at Cistercian on Oct. 18.
Photo by Rawaan Khan
Marloh Madison
Junior Marloh Madison before ESD's victory against Hockaday on Oct. 30.
Photo by Annabel Brown
Beyond the sidelines: new sportswear policy
SBy Jack Coben | Co-Podcast Editor
tudent-athletes are adjusting to a new uniform policy that aims to create a balance between school uniform standards and team pride. The new guidelines require athletes to wear their school uniform, even when traveling for their respective sports. This changed from last year, when student-athletes were able to wear their sports' spirit attire on gamedays.
Athletic Director Thad Lepcio said that while these changes are subtle, they reflect a broader effect across the high school to uphold ESD’s expectations while also promoting athletic events.
“The way it's written now, you can wear a [sports] uniform top with regular dress bottoms,” Lepcio said. “The top just has to have sleeves.”
The simple rule requiring all tops to have sleeves makes it difficult for teams like basketball, whose jerseys are sleeveless, to show their team spirit on game
days. Instead, they have to wear either a polo shirt or another shirt that the entire team wears.
“I think it is just a balance,” Lepcio said. “We want the students to be proud of their activities and of their teams, but we also want to maintain the school's standards.”
Students in sports such as football and lacrosse, whose jerseys already include sleeves, are allowed to wear their game jerseys on some game days. The lacrosse team usually opts for a polo and khakis, whereas the football team wears their jerseys with jeans and boots. With this, there is also a more noticeable change this year: teams are only allowed to wear their team uniform on specific game days.
“The bigger change was on travel days,” Lepcio said. “The school is now asking that you wear the school uniform. We’re giving students enough time after dismissal to change into travel clothes if they want to.”
According to Lepcio, this change was designed to reinforce
the school’s image and uniform standards during academic hours, while still respecting the athletes' comfort and time. The goal is to give teams the flexibility they need without compromising how they represent ESD during the school day.
“For home games when there is no spirit or free dress day, we still have the privilege to wear our jerseys with uniform bottoms,” senior football captain Will Cook said. “Yet, even that was close to getting taken away.”
Many student-athletes, similar to Cook, have felt the impact of this change. Through not being allowed to wear their jerseys, many athletes find that this new policy is not properly compensating for the athletes during the school day.
“It makes a few of the guys feel underappreciated sometimes,” Cook said. “Over the past year, it seems like many events that have been traditions for years, causing no harm to anyone, have been taken away for no good reason.”
The policy also accounts for the
differences between sports. The ESD administration believes that finding fairness across all teams isn’t easy.
“If you look at lacrosse, they play about 20 games a year. Football plays once a week, so it's easy for them to wear uniforms every Friday,” Lepcio said. “But what about sports like basketball or baseball that play 30 or more games a season? What's the frequency? It is all about trying to find that balance.”
That balance extends to programs where the traditional uniform may not fit classroom expectations. Such as sports who wear unique and different uniforms. Those that are not acceptable for the school guidelines.
“What should wrestlers or swimmers wear?” Lepcio said. “It is about allowing every sport to show pride in their program in an easy way that makes sense for the school.”
More importantly than fairness, Lepcio views the policy as a change aimed at strengthening school spirit. Through athletes encouraging others to show support at their games.
Photo by Jack Coben
Students athlete commits: navigating the recruiting process
From emails in the inbox to phone calls at midnight, varsity lacrosse player and current senior Josh Logan decided to commit on Sept. 8, 2024 to the University of Virginia to play Division I lacrosse. Although only 3 percent of students commit to playing a sport in college, according to the National Collegiate Athletic Association, it is a choice that is worthwhile to the people who love their sport.
Logan has already gone through the process of committing, but juniors such as basketball player Drew Guy and rower London Ezell are in that process this year. The commitment process differs for each sport due to recruiting timelines. When committing to a college, a student athlete decides to join the school's athletic program hoping to receive a scholarship. Athletes first verbally commit to the college and then sign a National Letter of Intent to make it official. While some athletes receive full scholarships, some receive no scholarship money at all but they still decide to play for the school.
“For lacrosse, you can start receiving texts and calls from college coaches on Sept. 1 at midnight [of junior year],” Logan said. “After this, you can set up visits to colleges and then see if you will receive an offer.”
"IT IS THE MOST EXCITING PART OF MY DAY JUST TO BE ABLE TO BE WITH MY TEAMMATES AND BE ABLE TO WORK TOGETHER TO STRIVE FOR THE SAME COMMON GOAL. I CANNOT WAIT TO BE ON A COLLEGE TEAM WITH LIKE-MINDED GIRLS COMMITTED TO PUSHING THEMSELVES TO GET FASTER AND WHO HAVE ALL DONE THE HARD WORK TO BE WHERE THEY ARE NOW."
with schools and getting on calls once in a while,” Ezell said. “The biggest part is sending updates to them like race results, setting a new [personal record] or even letting them know about a hard piece you did at practice that you were proud of.”
For crew specifically, coaches like to see the athletes' 2K time which should fall between 7:10 and 7:30 minutes.
“Your 2K time is a piece you do in the spring that shows your speed compared to others,” Ezell said. “Colleges mainly look at that as an indicator if you're a good fit, performance-wise, for the team.”
On the other hand, in the basketball recruiting process, coaches can reach out to athletes as early as June 15 after 10th grade. After they reach out, coaches can come to schools and observe the players in person.
“I have started talking to schools, and they are beginning to visit ESD to observe me in person,” Guy said. “Soon I will start visiting schools, meeting with coaching staff and touring campuses.”
After coaches contact the athletes they are interested in, most of the time, the players then go visit campuses. During Guy’s senior year, he will have to miss more school to do so.
“I will play at more camps and see coaches again this summer,” Guy said. “Then I will figure out what school I will go to, probably sometime in the fall of my senior year.”
When athletes choose to go down the path of the recruiting process, it means they must make sacrifices, such as missing dances or schoolwork. Athletes often spend up to 20 hours a week for their sport. In the summer or off season they spend less time doing their sport but they are strength training and having meetings during that time. Regardless, these students sacrifice these events because they have a passion for their sport.
“I chose basketball because it is my passion. I enjoy it every day and I don't get tired of it,” Guy said. “I could be tired and sore, but I am still up to play basketball because it means everything to me. It's the best thing in my life, and it keeps me going.”
College coaches text, email and call athletes with unofficial offers in order for them to come and visit the school; then, they are able to receive an official offer. Under the legal contract of the NCAA, Sept. 1 is the first date coaches can contact athletes. Because this date is during the school year, athletes may have to miss some days of school to visit the college campus.
“Missing school meant doing some work ahead of time,” Logan said. “It is definitely worth missing some days in order to choose the right school.”
For rowing, however, the process is different. The official commitments don't occur until the end of junior year and the beginning of senior year. This recruiting process is more academically driven, and coaches watch athletes for a longer time before contacting them.
“It's emails back and forth
From high school althetics to college level sports, students reflect on their journey.
By Betty Wheeler | Design Editor
The athletes who commit all strive towards the same goal: to become better at their sport. For a sport like rowing, teamwork is dependent on the team’s performance, so the coaches have to have in mind how the athletes compete with their teams.
"It is the most exciting part of my day just to be able to be with my teammates and be able to work together to strive for the same common goal,” Ezell said. “I cannot wait to be on a college team with like-minded girls committed to pushing themselves to get faster and who have all done the hard work to be where they are now.”
When choosing a college to play a sport at, athletes also take into consideration the academics the school has to offer and wether or not it will be a good match for them.
“It is important to take your time and think about what school will set you up to be successful in life,” Logan said. “A school that can give you a great education, a great team and great coaches is very important.”
Junior Drew Guy plays in a game
Senior Josh logan gets ready to shoot the ball against Jesuit to win the game during his junior season. "Playing with my team is something I am definitily going to miss when I go to college," Logan said. "Starting over is scary but I am looking forward to a new chapter ahead."
Photo provided by Josh Logan
Junior London Ezell wins the Youth National Championship in her 2K time last June. "My mindset going into the start of recruiting was never to get stressed because I have such a large opportunity in front of me," Ezell said. "It has helped me so much just to take a step back and know that everything will go as it should and I will end up rowing where I fit best."
Photo provided by London Ezell
As college rivalries heat up, the debate on gameday watching rises
By Margot Cathey | Sports Editor
There's something about the Texas-OU weekend that sends Dallas into full game day mode.
From ESD hallways buzzing with Longhorn and Sooner talk to watch parties planned days in advance, every student seems to have their own tradition. As the annual Cotton Bowl kicked off, the debate reignited: Is it better to brave the madness of popular college football games or enjoy the rival games from the comfort of home?
The debate between the two has dominated college football. While rival team games are exciting to watch, the pain of getting to and from the game with all the surrounding chaos has affected various aspects of students' opinions. Whether it be the large crowds, overwhelming noise or extreme heat, several students prefer watching these large games online compared to in person.
As an avid football fan, sophomore Sam Oglesby attended the Texas-OU game at the Cotton Bowl and enjoyed it, regardless of the heat and rough crowd. For him, experiencing it
MARGOT'S
The virtual or in-person gameday divide i
DRIVE GOES BEYOND THE SCOREBOARD AND EXPLORES WHAT MOVES ATHLETES, TEAMS AND FANS ALIKE
firsthand was more enjoyable than anything else.
“Being at the Cotton Bowl had its pros and cons. While it was super hot and crowded, that wasn’t great, but because it was super fun and I was with all of my best friends, I had a great time,” Oglesby said. “I like going to these big games because they have big implications on the rankings of college football, and these games are super important to me regardless of the chaos.”
Being a highly competitive, ranked collegiate team means great roaring crowds, often adding to the intensity and environment
“I think the chaos of these games adds to the experience immensely.
For example, Texas A&M has the 12th man, and because the crowd is so big and loud, it makes the game so important and fun,” Oglesby said. “I think it's super important for fans to show up to these games because having a big crowd makes it so much better of a game and has a huge effect on it and the players.
dHaving a huge student section and overall crowd population just makes
the game so fun. I would rather go to the game no matter the circumstance, rather than watch it online.”
While these games are undeniably exhilarating for the “typical” fan, many students prefer watch parties over attending in person, saving time and money with a more relaxed atmosphere surrounded by friends.
Senior Sophie Slotnik, also a football fanatic, loves the thrill of an in-person game, but is more of a watch party fan for huge college football games.
“The stressful environment significantly decreases my game experience when I go to big inperson college football games. Being at home, I don't need to rush to find a seat, and I get to be as comfortable as I want,” Slotnik said. “I get to have the luxury of being out of the beaming sun, I can watch it inside or outside and I can pause and replay moments that I want to rewatch and visualize the game from a way better perspective.”
Whether fans find themselves drenched in sweat among the huge crowd or sitting with friends at home on a couch, regardless of location, the Red River Rivalry always delivers. For many, the annual game isn't just about football; it's about tradition, being with friends and family and sharing the excitement that the Cotton Bowl brings.
“Being home watching the game with friends was the best decision I ever made. I have been to previous games years before, and my experience has never been as good
as the one this year was,” Slotnik said. “In addition, the prices at the game are significantly higher, so staying home and surrounding yourself with the people that you want to watch the game with is fun, and you save money instead of buying concessions and eliminate the chances of being charged.”
Beyond the Cotton Bowl, the same debate plays out at other intense match-ups like SMU vs.TCU, where passionate fan bases force spectators to choose between the chaos in person or relaxing at a watch party.
"I went to the SMU vs. TCU game, and it was super exciting because it’s another rivalry game. By being at the game, I really got to experience both sides of the teams, which was fun, and I enjoy that aspect. But for a limited amount of time with all the noise, I felt super anxious and not very engaged with the game because of the chaos getting to my seat,” Slotnik said. “So I think for me, I like to watch online games with the people I love around me and enjoy myself without the chaos implemented in.”
For me, these big college football weekends feel like a “Dallas holiday.” Every year, my friends and I begin to plan everything out, what to wear, who's hosting and whether it's worth going to the game. I’ve done both, and while nothing beats the sound of the crowd after a touchdown, there's something special about being surrounded by all your friends, all yelling at the TV as if we’re in the student section ourselves.
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Eagles lose in a heartbreaking Homecoming game
Late touchdown drive falls short, as St. John's hands ESD a narrow Hoco defeat 20-17
By Jack Coben | Co-Podcast Editor
As the Episcopal School of Dallas Eagles took the field under Friday night lights last Friday at the Gene and Jerry Jones Football Stadium, alumni and fans alike knew that this game was gearing up to be an exciting Homecoming football game.
The school hosted its annual Homecoming football game on Friday, Oct. 24.
The game drew a packed crowd of students, alumni and families.
The Eagles took on the St. John’s Mavericks from Houston. Despite the Eagles’ strong performance, the Mavericks took the victory, 20-17. “It was frustrating,” junior Miles Link said. “We came very close at the end, but ultimately came up short.”
FIGHTING FOR FIRST Quarterback Miles Link drops back, catches the snap, and goes into the pocket, going into the fourth quarter on Oct. 24, in a tight game versus the St. John’s Mavericks. “It was a very close game,” Link said. “I just knew I had to go out there and put the team in a good situation to win.” .
Loftus
The first half played slowly, with both the Eagles and the Mavericks scoring on their first drives. Then it slowed in the second quarter, where the Eagles scored a field goal to take a 10 -7 lead, while the Mavericks scored again but missed the point after, leaving the score 13-10 going into the second half.
“Going into that fourth quarter, I was not nervous,” Link said. “I knew what I had to do, and I just wanted to go onto the field and
get it done, and win the game.”
In the fourth quarter, the mavericks scored with around three minutes and 50 seconds left. Link takes the field with his offense and drives 80 yards for the score. That put the Eagles only three points behind the Mavicks.
“I just knew we had to grind out that possession, no matter what, if we wanted to win,” Link said.
“I usually slide when I scramble, but in drives like that, I just chose to put my shoulder down and get
those extra yards when possible.” Students gathered in the student section, their emotions at their peak. Everyone was focused on the game and the intense battle between the two teams.
“We were all going crazy at every play,” junior Ryan Cole said. “Games like this one make you so excited and really tap into your school spirit.” Even though the Eagles did not end up victorious, that Homecoming game was the most
exciting Homecoming game Cole had ever seen, with the Eagles Cheerleaders and wingmen adding so much to the experience, getting everyone rowdy and excited for the nail-biting ending. The Wingmen even do pushups throughout the game, as many pushups as the Eagles football team has scored points.
“That game was so hype,” Cole said. “When we got that last touchdown, and I did those 17 pushups with the wingmen.”
Photo by Jake
Word Search Eagle Eye
FROM THE A COLLECTION
By Craighton Jefferies | Podcast co-editor and subscriptions manager
Bunny "My grandma gave me this bunny at the hospital when I was first born and I have had it ever since. I used to sleep with it every night and bring it on every vacation, but it got super worn down and has a bunch of holes so I have to be careful with it."
From The Nest highlights students' unique passions and showcases their personal collections. Each feature shows off a glimpse into the stories, creativity and dedication behind these favorite items.
Ellie "I got Ellie when I was on vacation in Newport, Rhode Island, two summers ago, and there was a store with hundreds of them, so my dad let me get one."
Bean
"I got Bean around Christmas time last year because it was a limited edition collection, and Christmas is my favorite holiday. I keep Bean in my car because he fits perfectly on my dashboard and I love to have him everywhere I go."
"'My friend
"I got Sir Quacks after our final exams last year. He is also one of my favorites because I love how he is holding a baby duck in his arms."
THE LYLA ZICARELLI
Jellycat Collection
Senior Lyla Zicarelli began collecting Jellycats the day she was born, when her grandmother gave her her first Jellycat, Bunny. Zicarelli's collection continues to grow and expand as she ages.
“My grandmother gave me my first one in the hospital, and as I got older, my parents got me more Jellycats,” Zicarelli said. “When I turned 13, I started buying them. I would order them online because they're super soft, and then I decided to start collecting them.”
Jellycats is a London-based brand of stuffed animals that has risen in popularity over recent years. Zicarelli has collected Jellycats of various sizes, animals and colors, totaling 32. But even with all of those choices, Zicarelli still has favorites.
“Lamb Lamb or Bunny is my favorite because I sleep with Lamb Lamb every night, or the one my grandma gave me,” Zicarelli said. “The one my grandmother gave
to me, Bunny, is special because it came from her.” Zicarelli believes that Jellycats are highly sought after due to their softness and diverse styles. They ship fast and also make keychains, which Zicarelli has.
“A lot of my friends have a lot of Jellycats too, but people are usually surprised that I have so many,” Zicarelli said. “My friends get me them too, so my collection keeps growing. They know I really like Jellycats, and for Christmas or for Secret Santa, they give me more.”
All of her Jellycats have names, and Zicarelli is currently getting a new elephant one that she will name Ellie. These popular stuffed animals range from around $30 to $80.
“Jellycats are really fun, and people should get them for how awesome they are,” Zicarelli said. “They are comfy to sleep with and fun to have.”
Lamb Lamb "My Mom got me Lamb Lamb about a year ago, and he is one of my favorites because I like to bring him with me when I travel. He also fits perfectly in my bag."
Stripes
Emmy got me the tiger for my birthday last year, and I love the pattern he has on him. I also love how soft he is."