IN-DEPTH
Many teen drivers are unaware of the impact and dangers of distracted driving. Phone usage, sleep deprivation and intoxicants play a major role in road safety. A driver is not only responsible for the safety of themselves and their passengers, but for everyone else on the street. PG. 16
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CAPITAL JOURNAL
Venezualan President Nicholás Maduro removed from power by U.S. Delta Force, sending shockwaves through the global political landscape
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NEW YEAR NEW RESOLUTIONS
As the New Year begins, student and faculty take on resolutions to improve their physical and mental health
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"STRANGER THINGS" FINALE Controversy sparks with the recent "Stranger Things" finale episode, as viewers debate whether the shows ending was a perfect or mundane closing
FIFA TAKEOVER As Dallas prepares to host games for the FIFA World Cup, students and teachers find ways to get involved and participate in the fun
ONE LOVE COMMUNITY
The One Love Foundation makes it's mark on ESD students and faculty, bringing the community together through relationship abuse awareness
Campus renovation plans aim
Sprinkles Cupcakes closed in 2025, leaving longtime customers nostalgic for
SAGE 's new source of produce prioritizes Texas farmers and fresh foods for students
By Veda Bodhanampati | Staff Writer
To SAGE Service Manager Rebecca Compton, chopping produce, grilling meats and creating a diverse menu don’t begin with ordering ingredients off a list; they start with the care and dedication that Texas farmers invest in harvesting heart-healthy, delicious foods for their customers to enjoy.
SAGE Dining Services, the school’s food service provider, has sourced its produce for years from both local and corporate farms in Texas. On Jan. 13, SAGE announced they would start sourcing all their seasonal, fresh fruits and vegetables from small business farms located in Beaumont, Georgetown, Edinburg, Mission and Dublin, Texas. Such a big change was driven by the desire to know exactly where the produce was being grown.
“It wasn't easy to see where [the foods] were coming from with our [big farm] produce vendor,” Compton said. “Sometimes our produce would stay local, but it wouldn't list the farm, and I'd have to research [and] figure out where it was coming from.”
According to SAGE, they have always supported local farms because small businesses tend to pay attention to detail when harvesting quality produce for their clients.
“The biggest difference between a local farm [and] business farm is they allow the crop to mature,” SAGE Executive Chef Christian Bosquez said. “You'll get vegetables that are more ripe and ready to use compared to going to a large farm that probably pulls [the] crop, and they're letting [the crop] ripen just on the shelf. [For example], I noticed on the tomatoes right away; [they were] super, super fresh. This is much better than orders from our large producers.”
While produce from small businesses is fresher compared to mass-produced crops, SAGE also believes that they have a moral responsibility to support local farmers. They understand that when small farmers compete against big corporations, they are often sidelined due to the high costs of maintaining a business
that makes a consistent profit.
“It's harder for [small farmers] to compete against corporations,” Compton said. “Corporate farming has government contracts and an easy supply system to take their vegetables or citrus wherever it needs to go. Small farmers can get shoved out of that market because it's hard for them to support their costs and give the product that they passionately believe in. The Common Market kind of created itself so it could be a voice for those small farmers, and that's why we choose to do local sourcing. We're trying to keep those generations of farmers going.”
"WHAT I AM HOPING FOR IS THAT PEOPLE CAN NOTICE THE DIFFERENCE. LIKE IF THE TOMATOES TASTE BETTER OR [THE APPLES] TASTE LIKE SPECIAL APPLES. SOMEONE ALREADY EMAILED ME AND SAID THAT THE GRAPEFRUIT WAS REALLY GOOD."
Rebecca Compton ESD's SAGE Service Manager
Once a rock is dropped into the lake, a ripple effect is formed. When Texans decide to buy local, they boost farmers’ profits and also support small towns.
According to a University of California at Davis report summarized on July 18, 2016, for every $1 million made in revenue for local businesses, around 32 jobs are created, which is a three times increase of jobs generated, compared to an average of 10.5 jobs established when people
support supply chains.
“When people buy fresh produce grown close to home, the money stays in the local community,” Common Market, the wholesale food distributor that provides produce to ESD, employee Haley Casey said. “It helps farmers pay their workers, care for their land and keep farming in that place for the future. Local food also means shorter travel, fresher food and stronger connections between growers and the people they feed. By choosing local produce, schools and kitchens help support local jobs, local families and a healthier food system for everyone.”
For local farmers, the stakes are much higher compared to corporate businesses. Most of the crops they are producing are funded through loans. Small farmers have to pay extreme detail towards their product, so that they do not lose or waste their crops. If farmers do not make enough profit through selling crops, it is extremely difficult to pay off their loans, which fund their equipment, seeding the crops and planting them.
“Farmers probably have one of the hardest jobs,” Bosquez said. “Because all the corporate businesses want to sell millions of dollars of new produce, they can afford to lose a crop. [For] the local farmers, they have to make sure that they get the crop out… so those loans [can] be paid. If they lose a crop, their margins are very basic, so there's almost sometimes that they lose [money]. It costs [around] a couple [of] million dollars to do a thousand acres of produce, and if you lose a crop, it is very hard to pay those back. The biggest [worries] are that they don't have the capital.”
While harvesting produce remains important, picking up the crops and shipping them to customers is just as crucial.
“When we get an order, our farmers harvest the product, and we pick it up a few days before delivery is scheduled,” Casey said. “They are kept refrigerated from the moment they leave the farm until they arrive at the ESD kitchen. The goal is to move food
quickly and carefully, so it stays fresh and safe to eat. The food is stored in our warehouse in Houston, and at around 3 a.m. on delivery day, our driver arrives at the warehouse, loads up the truck and drives to Dallas.”
During the school year, the SAGE staff orders produce ahead of time to make sure they are ready to make meals. Because of the 60 pounds of vegetables utilized per day, farmers must have SAGE orders beforehand, as well as making sure that the crops will be shipped to the ESD kitchen on time.
“They want to know our orders [around] a month before school starts because they have to ramp up [the foods] they're going to have in their storehouse for us,” Compton said. “I'd say, [there are] 10 or 13 schools in the area. So when 10 or 13 schools all of a sudden need 10 cases of cheese for pizza day, that can create a big ripple effect of [farmers having] to get in [lots of] cases of cheese all of a sudden.”
SAGE hopes that investing in locally sourced fruits and vegetables will make lives a little sweeter for students.
"What I'm hoping for is that people can notice the difference, like if the tomatoes taste a little better or the apples [taste like] special apples," Compton said. "Someone already emailed me and said that the grapefruit was really good.”
Purchasing from local farms has a stronger effect than people realize. These local farms are deeply appreciative of all the love and support they receive from their clients.
“We hope our clients get fresh, great-tasting food they feel good about serving,” Casey said. “We want them to know where their food comes from and that it was grown with care. We hope they feel proud knowing their purchase supports a real farm and real people. Our whole team is driven by our mission to connect communities with local food from sustainable family farms. It feels good to know that what we do nourishes others and has a meaningful purpose beyond just making money.”
OMaduro had been removed from power at the hands of the American Delta Force unit in a swift operation. Years of mass protests and walkouts finally reached their climax in Venezuela when Maduro, who faced accusations of corruption, authoritarianism and human rights violations, was taken into American custody.
After the news broke, celebrations erupted across Venezuela and America, but beneath the cheers lay deep uncertainty about the strike's implications and what the future could hold for both Venezuela and the United States. Maduro is now in American federal custody with his wife. They each plead not guilty, with a court date coming up on Mar 17.
Under Maduro’s control, there was widespread dissatisfaction in Venezuela and the country suffered from hyperinflation and food and medicine shortages. Venezuelans also accuse him of human rights abuses, dishonesty and fraudulent elections. As pressure mounted inside the country, Maduro’s removal was seen by many citizens as a moral victory and a chance for nationwide renewal. There were massive parades throughout the streets of Venezuela, with jubilant citizens cheering after it.
“When somebody that tyrannical is taken away, there’s no reason to think people wouldn’t celebrate,” upper school history teacher Travis Gilmore said. “That reaction is completely understandable.”
However, according to Gilmore, despite the initial excitement, there is still reason for concern. Moments like this must be viewed beyond the initial celebrations, and the effects years down the line must be taken into consideration.
“Any time there’s been meddling and involvement from the outside into your country, even if it’s for the case of removing an authoritarian tyrant, history gives people reason to be worried,” Gilmore said. “There have been many historical cases in which the removal of a tyrannical leader did not benefit
in Afghanistan, just for them to return to power again in 2021. In instances like this, removing a tyrannical force from power only led to more economic instability and suffering, as the cycle repeated.
According to the United Nations, Maduro committed numerous abuses of power, including imprisoning political opponents and suppressing free speech. For many Venezuelans, simply seeing him gone felt like justice was served. The removal also conveyed to other authoritarian leaders around the globe that they are not invincible and should be fearful of American intervention.
“I would certainly say that this strike scared other global leaders,” junior Henry Swann said. “In particular, Iran should be a little fearful following these events.”
Supporters of the strike would also argue that stabilizing Venezuela could help restore the world's largest oil reserves to full efficiency.
“Venezuela has the largest oil reserves in the world, yet it is facing an economic crisis,” Swann said. “This help and redirection may be exactly what they needed in order to become the prosperous country they should be.”
Maduro’s removal did not completely dismantle the political system as his vice president, Darcy Rodriguez, remains in power. However, the situation in Venezuela is far from resolved.
This certainly raises concerns regarding Venezuela’s political state. If the same political figures remain in power, Venezuela risks experiencing a similar path to the one it is currently on. Rodriguez has agreed to follow President Trump's terms to stay in office. Trump threatened that if she was to not cooperate, she would “pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro,”according to The Times Magazine.
Now that President Trump has control over Venezuela and its interim President Rodriguez, serious legal and ethical concerns have arisen. Gilmore pointed out that allowing an outside power to determine who governs a country
Gilmore said. “America’s intervention basically confirms that they believe so.”
"PEOPLE WERE WILLING TO ACCEPT SOMETHING WORSE BECAUSE THEIR OWN GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN TAKEN FROM THEM. THIS COULD VERY WELL BECOME THE CASE IN VENEZUELA AS WELL."
Travis Gilmore Upper school history teacher
These types of interventions have not commonly had positive effects for both parties involved. In Iran in the 1950s, U.S. involvement removed a democratically elected leader and replaced him with an authoritarian ally. Decades later, that decision led to a revolution that left Iran more isolated and oppressive than before.
“People were willing to accept something worse because their own government had been taken from them,” Gilmore said. “This could very well become the case in Venezuela as well, and an even more tyrannical leader could come into power.”
Another concern is the motivation for American intervention. While American officials emphasized that democracy and human rights were the main reasons for the strike, Venezuela’s gargantuan oil reserves blur that narrative.
“Do they want what is good
look like is uncertain as of now,” Gilmore said. "But it seems like there are plenty of things that would be good for the U.S. and only for the US, and there's plenty of things that would be good for strictly, or primarily, Venezuela. This [strike has] cost the United States a lot of money. Presumably, they want a return on that investment.”
The Trump Administration has requested an unlimited supply of Venezuela’s oil supply, and President Trump has also urged American companies to begin investing in Venezuelan oil.
“The best case scenario would be for the U.S. to increase its oil reserves while also granting greater human rights to the citizens of Venezuela,” junior Noble Provost said. “I think this is certainly achievable.”
There are more technicalities regarding the consequences of violating international law.
“The intervention by the United States is certainly illegal by international law,” Gilmore said. “The implementation of international law has helped prevent global catastrophe; there hasn’t been a world war or a nuclear strike in decades, which is a huge success.”
According to Gilmore, there are times when violations of international law can have positive ramifications, though.
“When you see masses of Venezuelans celebrating in the streets, international law may seem abstract,” Gilmore said.
Undermining these norms of international law, however, could lead to negative consequences far beyond Venezuela, Gilmore warned.
“A good analogy to make about the situation of violating international law is Pandora's box in Greek mythology,” Gilmore said. “Once you open the box, you can't go back; you can't unring that bell. So the concern is, are we ringing a bell, [violating international law] that can't be un-rung? If we don’t follow international law, what is really holding everything together?”
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro removed from power by U.S. Delta Force, sending shockwaves through the global political landscape
By Griffin Green | Staff Writer
Nicolas Maduro
ByVal |Managing Editor
Forty-six years after the Islamic Republic of Iran emerged from revolution, the country is once again facing mass unrest, as protests reignite long-standing calls for regime change. The protests mark one of the strongest opposition movements to Iran’s Islamic Regime in decades, highlighting growing frustration over political repression and human rights violations.
The protests started on Dec. 28, 2025, with business owners expressing their anger at another sharp decline in Iran’s national currency, the rial. However, the protests quickly turned into calls for wide political change, with crowds fighting for freedom from the regime and the removal of its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
“Just extrapolating out from the images we’ve seen, I think the death toll is definitely north of 10,000 at this point,” upper school Leadership, Government and Public Policy Network Coordinator Adam Walsh said. “The regime is going to try and cover up as much as they can."
As the demonstrations spread, crowds in all 31 of Iran’s provinces protested against decades of authoritarian rule from the Islamic Republic. Large protests formed in major cities such as Tehran, Shiraz, Isfahan and Tabriz. Some videos of these protests shared on social media showed protesters chanting anti-regime slogans, clashing with the regime’s military forces and gathering in public squares.
“We lived through the Green Revolution and other uprisings, but this time it was different; this time they killed far more people,” Zeynab, an Iranian who was abroad during the protests said in an interview with El País on Jan. 24. “In the past, you knew someone who knew someone else who, in turn, knew someone who had been killed. This time, we all know someone who’s been killed. This regime has to fall.”
In response to the growing unrest, Iranian authorities imposed a nationwide internet blackout to limit communication among protesters and prevent footage from spreading internationally. Iranians have not had access to the internet or the outside world since Jan. 8, making the exact number of casualties difficult to confirm.
The U.S.-based Human Rights Activist News Agency reports at least 24,669 arrests and 3,919 confirmed deaths. However, Iranian activists and independent organizations report that the true number may be significantly higher, with many estimates reporting over 12,000 deaths. Human rights groups have condemned the government’s violent response and called for international intervention.
Many observers note that the current protests reflect deeper structural issues within Iran. Years of international sanctions, government corruption and economic mismanagement have weakened the country’s economy. Younger generations, in particular, have expressed growing dissatisfaction with social restrictions, fueling demands for long-term political change.
“If you compare this to the last major uprising after the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022, if you look at who was protesting then, it was predominantly more of the educated individuals around Tehran and young women,” Walsh said. “Now, you have a huge squad of the population protesting because lots of their complaints are economic, and it’s a lot more difficult for the regime to deal with their problems under these circumstances. ”
Meanwhile, Iranians both inside and outside Iran have been expressing their support for exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, who
left the country when the Islamic Republic first took control in 1979. Protesters have been hoisting up photos of Pahlavi during demonstrations, viewing him as a figure of national unity.
On Jan. 19, Iranian state television was anonymously hacked, showing a video of Pahlavi in which he urged the military to side with the people rather than the regime. In the video, Pahlavi called on soldiers and law enforcement officers to refuse orders that involve harming civilians.
"You are an anti-Iranian criminal,” Pahlavi said in a video posted to his Instagram toward Khamenei on Jan. 20. “You have neither honor nor humanity. Your hands are stained with the blood of tens of thousands of Iranians."
As protests intensified in Iran, so did international reactions.
President Donald Trump issued multiple warnings to the Iranian leadership, threatening military action.
“If Iran violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue,” Trump said in a Truth Social post on Jan. 2. Trump’s statements sparked debate among global leaders over foreign involvement in Iran’s affairs. Officials from the European Union urged Iranian authorities to respect the rights of the protesters while also warning against escalating military tensions in the region.
“Europe stands in full solidarity with the brave women and men of Iran who are risking their lives to demand freedom for themselves and future generations,” President of the European Union Commission Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement on X on Jan. 20. “The EU has already imposed far-reaching sanctions on Iran for human rights abuses.”
Trump later claimed that Iran had slowed or halted executions as a result of international pressure, calling the development a “major step forward."
“I don’t think Trump’s afraid of taking action in Iran,” Walsh said. “I’m sure the Iranian people are disappointed that there wasn’t more intervention, but I do think he could get involved in the future."
However, Iranian leadership quickly rejected Trump’s claims. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei responded by blaming foreign influence for the unrest. In a televised address, Khamenei said that outside powers were responsible for the chaos inside the country.
“The enemies of Iran, led by the United States, are behind these disturbances,” Khamenei said in a meeting with citizens of Qom Province on Jan. 9. “They seek to weaken our nation by spreading lies and provoking disorder.”
The current unrest has also revived memories of the 1979 Iranian Revolution, which originally overthrew the monarchy and established the Islamic Republic. Many Iranians say they feel increasingly disconnected from their government and disillusioned by unfulfilled promises.
“Iran has a really young population. They experienced a huge birth rate boom after the 1979 revolution, so those people didn’t want Iran to become an Islamic regime in the first place,” Walsh said. “The regime was never really on [a] firm footing in the first place; this is a woefully corrupt regime.”
For now, the protests stand as one of the most significant movements in modern Iranian history, reflecting decades of frustration and a growing desire for political and social change.
“I don’t see an easy way out of this regime,” Walsh said. “We’re not looking at a problem that’s just going to go away.”
On Jan. 19 at least 39 people died and dozens more were injured in a train collision in southern Spain, the country’s deadliest rail-crash in more than a decade. Rail-cars on a Madrid-bound train derailed and crossed over onto the opposite tracks resulting in a collision with an oncoming train in Adamuz that evening. The force of the crash derailed rail-cars on the second train with most of the fatalities and injuries occurring in its front cars. Around 400 passengers and staff were onboard both trains. Emergency services treated 122 people with 43 still remaining in hospital care, including 13 in intensive care. The force of the impact pushed the rail-cars into an embankment, ultimately trapping passengers in a twisted wreck complicating rescue efforts. Rail services between Madrid and Andalusia were suspended as investigators worked to determine the cause. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchex called it a “night of deep pain” for Spain.
DEMOCRAT TAYLOR REHMET FLIPS TEXAS SENATE SEAT
Democrat Taylor Rehment won in a special election Saturday for a Texas State Senate seat covering much of Fort Worth, flipping a district that has been reliably Republican for decades. Rehmet, a labor union leader, Air Force veteran and machinist, defeated Republican Leigh Wamsganss by more than 14 percentage points with nearly all votes counted. During Rehmet’s campaigning process he focused on lowering costs, protecting jobs and supporting public education. National Democratic groups, including the Democratic National Convention backed his run, while Trump publicly urged support for Wamsganss. Democrat voters say the win signals voter resistance to Republican leadership under President Trump’s second administration. While Rehmet’s term lasts only until January 2027, the result has boosted Democratic optimism for the midterm elections this Fall, despite the Republican Party majority in Texas.
Newly released government files shed light on Jeffery Epstein’s ties to powerful figures and their knowledge of his sex trafficking activities years before his indictment. The documents include communications between Jeffrey Epstein and with high profile business and political leaders in the U.S. and beyond. The release comes after the DOJ missed a deadline set by Congress for further disclosures. The release does still contain numerous redactions, and the DOJ has not yet clarified what materials have been excluded. Prior to Epstein’s death in 2019, Epstein had avoided federal charges through a deal approved by the U.S. Attorney Alexander Acosta, and was serving time on a lesser state conviction. Lawmakers are now demanding access to unredacted files to assess whether officials improperly concealed information in regard to Epstein’s communications with White House officials and other widely known public figures.
Galveston residents cheered as at least 200 volunteers rescued more than 152 sea turtles along the shoreline during a powerful winter storm sweeping across the South. Each sea turtle was carried from the water and into vans where they were temporarily housed with the Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research on South Padre Island. When water temperatures drop below 50 degrees, sea turtles can become immobilized in a coma-like state, leaving them unable to swim or feed which ultimately puts them at risk for injury and exposure to predators. Following their temporary stay on Padre Island, the sea turtles were transferred to Texas A&M University at Galveston where they were gradually warmed, examined and medically cleared for release. As temperatures in Texas have begun to warm, Gulf coast waters have also gradually warmed enough for a safe sea turtle release in the coming weeks. SEA
It was just after dawn in For more than 50 years, ESD has slowly but surely built a diverse campus with elements of nature, traditional architecture and divinity. However, the school is expected to undergo a plethora of changes to enhance the facilities and all areas of academia, including the arts and athletic programs.
ESDPA Associate Head of School Ruth Burke has been at the forefront of the process as the administrative leader of the revolutionary rebrand that plans to enhance ESD’s traditional feel while also expanding the campus.
The renovation plans, which have been in progress since late December 2024, are conducted by Hastings Architecture the Nashville, Tennessee based firm that has implemented their ideas regarding architecture and interior design. In the past, they have renovated campuses such as Vanderbilt University and other private schools across the country. The firm is essential to the renovations and assists administrators with all concerns.
Another important factor for the renovations is a heavy emphasis on student feedback, which has been integral to past ESD projects. One of the first forms of feedback was at a student council meeting earlier this school year.
"They asked us in a [student council] meeting what [renovations] would change our everyday lives,” junior Story Sinelli said. “We talked a lot about how we love the feel of the journalism room
[because of] how open the windows are. I think they're definitely going to take our suggestions.”
Burke highlighted the importance of parent and teacher responses when the project is unveiled to the public later this year.
"Once the master plan is finalized and approved by the board and zoning changes are approved by the city, we will then begin to design new buildings and renovations,”
Burke said. “We look forward to engaging both students and teachers in the design work of new teaching and learning spaces. Their input will be very important as we want to create new spaces that are impactful and relevant to the everyday experience at ESD.”
However, some students are concerned that ESD will lose its traditional feel as a result of the renovation process, like plans for larger windows and complete renovations of middle and upper school classrooms.
"I like the new modern buildings,” junior class representative Michael Chiste said. “But I also feel like we should keep some of the old architecture, like in the study commons, but mix it with some new modern buildings.”
Head of School Dave Baad addressed these concerns and said that the renovations would actually emphasize tradition. The plans, although still in progress, aim to make the All Saints Chapel the center of the campus, highlight green spaces and improve the quarry.
"In my mind, [the
renovations] only emphasize what we love about this campus,” Baad said. “And are focusing on what could make it even better.”
Over the years, ESD’s campus has grown exponentially, but throughout its more than 50 years of service, the buildings have faced their share of setbacks, fueling excitement about potential new spaces.
"One reason I'm so excited about this plan is that I think it has the potential to transform this campus in incredibly meaningful ways,” Baad said. “I would say the two things I am most excited about is the way the quarry will be activated; I think it's going to be really beautiful. [The second] is going to be a very creative way to address the traffic and the parking, [which] is going to bring the entire campus together.”
The parking and carpool plans have long been in progress due to concerns from neighborhood residents and the steady increase in the size of the student body and faculty. Both student lots are crowded as well as teacher parking places, ultimately raising conversation on ways to expand the spaces while ensuring the lots remain close to campus.
"The improvements to our traffic and parking plan [might sound] boring,” Burke said. “But it truly is critically important to our operations as a school and the experience of our community members, visitors and neighbors.”
However, some students said that they are most excited
for the plans to add more natural lighting through larger windows in classrooms, as well as improving the athletic facilities and the Cook Building.
"There’s kind of a lot of things wrong with [the Cook Building],” Chiste said. “[And] there's only one side with bathrooms.”
Burk emphasized that, throughout all the conversations and work, it is a priority to remain true to the essence of ESD.
"We are and have been as a school for 50 years,” Burke said. “I feel strongly that we can preserve what makes ESD so special while being innovative and forwardthinking at the same time. It's an exciting time to be an Eagle.”
Students and faculty alike await renovations that will change campus forever
By Annabel Brown | Video Editor
Following a meeting held in December 2025, Clark Family Head of Upper School Matt Peal and the upper school faculty began creating a layout for a possible schedule change in the upcoming years, thinking ahead for the betterment of ESD’s future.
Motivated by several factors, the ESD faculty brainstormed ideas for a new upper school schedule.
“We actually started road-mapping this schedule change around two years ago, and it started because the middle school was going to contact Independent School Management to look over their schedule,” Peal said. “We weren't dying to have ours changed, but since we were already working with [ISM], we included the upper school schedule for evaluation.”
After ISM looked over the upper school schedule, there were a couple of main concerns that arose, driving the upper school faculty to come up with some possible solutions.
“When we got the report back, there were three main things that we wanted to consider changing regarding the upper school schedule,” Peal said. “The first and main thing was that we kind of always want to reassess
The Student Council will host a “kiss drive” to celebrate Valentine’s Day on Feb. 11. This new initiative will allow students to purchase Hershey’s kisses for a special someone through a Google Form, which will be announced on the microphone and delivered during lunch that day. Even though each student will receive three Hershey’s kisses as a gift from the council, students will be able to purchase additional kisses for two dollars.
“I will definitely be buying a lot of kisses for people special to me,” senior Ruby Cuccia said. “You don’t have to buy kisses for just a boyfriend or girlfriend; I’m buying them for my friends to show them my appreciation.”
This will mark the first time the council will have an activity during the school day to celebrate the festivity.
Amid Southern Preparatory Conference sports, the competition cheer team has been training for the National Cheerleaders Association after making it through regionals last December. Last year, the team attended the competition, placing fourth out of 12 teams.
“We practice three times a week,” freshman Charlotte Gray said. “We have been practicing our chants and cheers for a while now, probably since November.”
The competition was supposed to be held in Fort Worth on Jan. 24, but due to the sudden ice storm that hit the Dallas–Fort Worth area, the in-person cheer routine was canceled. The competition was changed to a virtual format, with teams live-streaming their performances to the judges.
whether or not our class length is ideal. We want to be up to date on the newest research coming out about students and their ability to focus or retain information in the classroom.”
In addition to this, Peal said that the lack of time provided during designated break times, such as during big and mini flex, was an issue being considered as well.
“We recognize there's not enough club meeting time,” Peal said. “So, we are trying to come up with a way to create more time and space for activities beyond academics.”
Intending to start implementing at least some of these schedule changes by next year, Peal is hopeful to see some positive changes throughout the upcoming year on campus.
“There will be changes soon and not just to the schedule,” Peal said. “But, as of now, I don't know how dramatic that will be. I don't envision us getting rid of exams altogether, though we have discussed changing the structure and timing of [midterms and finals], along with possibly reevaluating how we go about APs and honors courses.”
“While we’ve been in high school, [the] student council never really did anything fun for Valentine’s Day, and we wanted to change that,” Student Council President Beau McKnight said. “It’s also going to be helpful to raise funds for student body week, so we can make it super exciting and fun.”
The student council seniors hope to start a kiss drive tradition that continues years after they graduate and raises funds that will be recycled into the next year’s student council funds.
“Valentines day is one of my favorite holidays, so I’m really excited to celebrate with STUCO,” Cuccia said. “I’m also excited to hear who got each other kisses when they announce it.”
“It was definitely a different dynamic than what we were all expecting,” Gray said. “Having to do it in the competition gym with everyone watching us made it a little more stressful for some of us.”
According to Gray, the score sheet was broken down into difficulty and execution within certain stunts such as tumbling, pyramids, and jumps. There was also an overall composition score for the routine. All scores were added together out of 100, and the team received a 92. Many students enjoyed spectating the competition.
“It was fun for all of us to be able to go and watch,” junior Mason Love said. “We were all very excited to go cheer the girls on.”
FBy Searcy Mae Ferguson | Staff Writer
rom viral nostalgia surrounding Starbucks’ iconic Unicorn Frappuccino to Triangl's return of its signature neoprene swimsuits, it is clear that the culture of 2016 is reemerging and defining 2026. And alongside chokers and pink-hued Instagram filters, 2016’s top hit songs are also coming back.
This “revival” stretches far beyond curated playlists. Professional sports teams like the Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs have posted nostalgic Instagram content, highlighting their success a decade ago. Consumer brands are also leaning into the trend, posting about discontinued products and aesthetics that once defined youth culture.
According to data cited by the Herald Times, searches for “2016” on TikTok increased by 452 percent as of Jan. 10. Similarly, Spotify reports a 71 percent increase in playlists titled “2016” compared with 2024.
For many ESD students, the trend goes beyond data and into memory.
“I really hope the Unicorn Frappuccino rumors are true,” sophomore Drew McLaren said. “As an avid Starbucks lover, I am eager to see new drinks come out, especially those that remind me of stress-free times like 2016.”
The year 2016 is remembered as a cultural high point before the coronavirus pandemic, before AI surrounded the workplace, classrooms and daily life and before algorithms dominated the internet.
According to Clay Routledge, an existential psychologist, nostalgia often peaks during periods of major change.
“People tend to be nostalgic when they’re anxious about the future or [if] they’re not sure what direction in life to take,” she said
in an interview with the NBC Today Show on Jan. 19. “I think this generation is dealing with those anxieties, and they’re using nostalgia as a way to respond to them.”
"WHEN I THINK BACK, I WAS 9 YEARS OLD. I DON’T REMEMBER EVERYTHING, BUT I REMEMBER HOW ENJOYABLE LIFE FELT. THAT FEELING HAS STUCK."
Ruby Cuccia Senior
Fashion has emerged as one of the most visible forms of this nostalgia. Skinny jeans, bomber jackets, slip dresses, saturated fabrics and ballet flats are taking over 2026, sharply contrasting the early 2020 minimalist palette.
“I have been loving the trend ‘2026 is the new 2016’ because it brings back so much nostalgia from my childhood,” McLaren said. “I remember all of the times when social media wasn't as widespread, college was never a worry and life was all about snack time in the lower school.”
Social media platforms are leading this throwback. Instagram and Snapchat now prominently feature retro filters, while posts are often paired with music from the same era. These include tracks by
Drake, Rihanna and early Billie Eilish among the most popular choices.
“With everything going on in the world, something nostalgic like 2016 just seemed simpler,” senior Ruby Cuccia said. “The era gives people a sense of happiness and excitement.”
Celebrities have amplified the movement as well. The iconic basketball player LeBron James recently shared a 2016 Cavaliers championship photo, Kylie Jenner, the American socialite, posted a nod to her “King Kylie” era and influencers Alix Earle and Jake Shane have uploaded throwback content, encouraging fans to revisit their own archives.
“It seemed like celebrities were more engaged with their fan base and more ‘normal’ in a way [because of this trend],” Cuccia said. “For example, how their Instagram was way more casual and less curated.”
The hashtag #2016 has already been used in more than a million TikTok posts and over 37 million Instagram posts, according to a recent ABC News post.
Users are revisiting personal milestones and cultural touchstones alike: the premiere of “Stranger Things,” which debuted its first season in July 2016 and recently wrapped its fifth and final season; the year “Hamilton” swept the Tony Awards with 11 wins; Madonna being named Billboard’s Woman of the Year; and monumental athletic events like the Rio Olympics and the World Series.
“I enjoy watching TikToks of people sharing pictures and trends from 2016 that I never
experienced or saw because I was 6 [years old],” McLaren said. “It puts into perspective how different life was for high schoolers in 2016 compared to now and also showcases the parallels between both time periods.”
For the ESD community, the revival is more than a trend; it is a shared reminder of simpler carefree times, which is the energy students are bringing into this second semester of the school year. In 2026, looking back is not just sentimental, it's a way for students, faculty and staff to navigate the present together.
“When I think back, I was 9 years old,” Cuccia said. “I don’t remember everything, but I remember how enjoyable life felt. That feeling has stuck.”
Craving the familiar taste of a sweet treat from Sprinkles Cupcakes, junior Ruby Hollinshead was surprised to find a sign on the door of the Preston Center location announcing that the store had permanently closed on Dec. 31, 2025.
Founded in 2005, Sprinkles began as a charming small business, gaining popularity for its inventive cupcake ATM that dispensed fresh cupcakes around the clock. In 2012, the brand was acquired by a private equity firm, a transition in ownership that critics believe marked the beginning of a gradual decline in customers and store locations, ultimately leading to the closure of all stores nationwide in 2025.
To many, the closure of all stores was a major disappointment, including Hollinshead.
“My mom has been buying me cupcakes from Sprinkles for my birthday since I was super young,” Hollinshead said. “I remember being so excited whenever I came home to a box of their colorful cupcakes on the kitchen counter when I was in elementary school.”
Hollinshead, in particular, recalls two key elements of the franchise that stood out to her.
“The [cupcake] ATM and the little pink sugar logos on top of the cupcakes were what first drew me into the brand as a kid,” Hollinshead said. “Those two details are what really stuck out to me about Sprinkles and kept making me come back for more even as I grew up.”
Following the shift in ownership at Sprinkles, Hollinshead said she noticed a decline in the quality of the baked goods served at the store.
“Leading up to when the store closed, I noticed that the cupcakes had become a lot drier,” Hollinshead said. “The cake itself was not nearly as moist, and the frosting had this crunch to it like
there was this hardened top layer.”
The quality of food was not the only change that Hollinshead observed when she bought from Sprinkles in the months leading up to the company’s nationwide closure; she also noted that, through the years, the customer service and overall store environment had become drier as well.
“The employees kind of stopped making an effort to interact with their customers ever since they got the little tablets at the counter where you place your order [digitally],” Hollinshead said. “The whole atmosphere felt kind of gloomy in general. It felt like it was not a super welcoming environment, but when I was little, I remember it being much brighter and more colorful.”
Sprinkles was not the only franchise to face a decline in their product’s quality following a change in ownership. Clothing brands such as Reformation faced similar challenges as their majority stake was bought by a private equity company. Senior Chambers Jones, an adamant buyer from Reformation, recalled a similar experience.
“I've been shopping at Reformation for years and really like their clothing. I feel like they always have what I'm looking for,” Jones said. “But, I think the shift in ownership has led to more financially based decisions versus what their customers want. I haven't really noticed a difference in their production, but I think they're [generally] successful when it comes to reaching their target audience despite these changes.”
Regarding the process by which smaller companies such as Sprinkles are bought out by private equity firms, upper school business and entrepreneurship teacher Amy Livingston believes that large corporations are usually drawn to the uniqueness of small businesses, leading to buyout offers.
“Usually, a big company sees something it likes in a smaller one; it could be a strong brand, a cool product or a smart team, and decides it’s faster and more efficient to buy it than build it themselves,” Livingston said. “They closely examine the company’s financial statements and risks, factor in their own strategic planning, agree on a price, decide on how to structure the deal and then complete the purchase. After that, the smaller company might remain mostly the same or gradually be absorbed into the larger organization.”
According to Livingston, big corporations can make it really hard for small companies to compete, especially when they can lower prices, control distribution or dominate advertising.
“But, it’s not always bad,” Livingston said. “Some small companies actually grow faster after
being acquired because they finally have the resources and support they were missing. It really depends on how the big company chooses to use its power and what smaller companies are aiming for.”
Although a business’s quality can decline after being purchased by a larger corporation, some small businesses end up succeeding on a larger scale, such as companies that offer plumbing or home services.
“Sometimes quality improves because the company has more money, better manufacturing, better capital equipment or wider distribution,” Livingston said. “Other times, quality drops when the focus shifts to cutting costs and maximizing profits. Consumers usually notice when a brand loses what made it special in the first place, and that’s often when people say, ‘It was better before they sold.’”
Companies grapple with surviving the pressure of private equity, leaving students mourning the loss of their favorite businesses
By Stella Bartley
Across Dallas, citizens struggled to embrace a holiday spirit as temperatures continued to rise statewide last December. In early January, Texas temperatures almost reached the 2021 record high of 82 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. However, towards the end of the month, these weather conditions rapidly shifted to a nationwide freeze, leading to the mass cancellation of schools for up to four days during the week of January 25 to 31.
Typically, the winter season is known for ski jackets and bundling up by the fire. However, this past Christmas, students found themselves going out to lunch wearing tank tops and shorts, as temperatures reached a high of 80 degrees, according to NBCDFW News.
Senior and president of the Environmental Awareness Club, Chambers Jones, said she was concerned about the global warming that loomed over Christmas break last month.
“The weather over break definitely made Christmas a lot less enjoyable,” Jones said. “I don't think anyone really knows why this is happening all of a sudden. And now, temperatures are freezing, and there’s ice all over the road. I think Texas is definitely living up to its reputation of having ‘bipolar weather.’ Of course, it probably has to do with global issues, but I think people are confused because not everyone knows a lot about the environment.”
This past holiday break, Dallas weather reached a high of 80 degrees on Friday, Dec. 26. According to CBS News, these
temperatures won’t last forever, but this has definitely been one of the most delayed cool-downs that Dallas has experienced. While the usual Christmas season consists of seeing lights, caroling and dressing up for warm winter dinners, the unanticipated change in weather called for some alterations in many families’ holiday traditions.
“I mean, it's been weird going from wearing full winter outfits to going to lunch on New Year's Day in a tank top,” Jones said. “Usually, every Christmas, my family and I go look at Christmas lights in Highland Park, and we have to bundle up really warm. This year, however, we wore summer clothes and walked around like it was the middle of June. It's just taking so much longer for it to get cold; it's really concerning. I really hope that this is just a warm front and not something more serious.”
Amidst all this concern, the Trump Administration has made several changes regarding environmental policies. Since his first term, the Trump Administration has expanded fossil fuel production by loosening environmental rules, speeding up approval for drilling projects, opening federally protected lands such as the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to energy development and offering financial incentives to oil, gas and coal companies. Meanwhile, the administration reduced federal backing for renewable energy sources like wind and solar. These efforts were supported by major legislative and executive actions such as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” guidance outlined in “Project 2025” and an executive order promoting “American Energy.”
Junior Lillian Fadora* believes
that a lot of the policies the current administration has passed have been counterintuitive.
“I know every situation has pros and cons,” Fadora said. “And it's so hard to find solutions to every problem. We do have a big inflation problem in America, and it seems the only way to reduce that is to allow for more fossil fuels. I just really hope we don’t inflict damage on the environment that can’t be undone.”
In 2025 and 2026, the shift toward fossil fuel "energy dominance" has significant environmental and public health implications. While U.S. emissions rose 2.4 percent in 2025, according to the Institute for Energy Research, due to weather and data center demand, experts predict the administration's deregulatory actions will cause emissions to decline much more slowly than previously projected over the next decade. This leaves students to question how making a change in their everyday lives can help prevent global warming.
Jones helps organize projects focused on fighting climate change. One major initiative is the annual No Plastic November, which encourages the community to reduce plastic water bottle use, since plastic waste significantly contributes to pollution and global warming. The club is also planning a spring book drive to keep used books out of landfills.
“The projects we do are very important,” Jones said. “However, I think the best way to prevent climate change is really just to spread awareness.”
Upper school environmental science teacher John Gallo shares Jones' belief that education is the best way to spread awareness and
allow students to form their own opinions on how best to treat the environment.
“Education is key, so I think a certain level of awareness is important,” Gallo said. “Whatever students can do to build their education, whether it's reading on their own or taking a course, is going to increase their awareness, and that's going to help them to think more and make better decisions in the future. If you're unaware, climate issues will just go on and could get worse. So it's about knowing what's going on and making your own decisions about it.”
Like many, Gallo can only hope for a better environment for future generations, and that starts by educating students and actively striving for change.
“What I hope to see, and I think what everyone hopes to see, is a good future for everybody on the planet,” Gallo said. “That means my students and then their kids and their grandkids. Everyone deserves to live on this planet, and it's our responsibility to preserve it.”
*Names have been changed to protect the identity of the student
Across Dallas, temperatures continue to keep students and faculty on their toes
Junior Delaney Noland strolls through the icy streets of Preston Hollow, Dallas on Tuesday, Jan. 27, on of the first day school was canceled because of the snow. "I had a lot of fun over the snow days," Noland said. "Although, it was a bit hard to find stuff to keep myself entertained."
Entrepreneurship students take their businesses to the next level, finding funding and guidance
By Emmy Moss | Co-Editor-in-Chief
Seniors Estee Bines, Margot Cathey and Greta Solomon step into the Bell Theater in stylish Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Cowboys Jerseys on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, after a semester of preparation and learning, ready to present their business, ReChamp, in front of a row of Dallas business leaders and judges.
Every year since its creation in 2017, the Entrepreneurship class, taught by upper school history teacher and Business, Entrepreneurship, and Marketing Network Coordinator Amy Livingston, has spent a semester taking students through the process of creating their own business. At the end of the semester, each group presents their business in front of a board of judges compiled of Dallas entrepreneurs and previous Incubator Board Selections as part of the Shark Tank competition.
“It was definitely pretty intimidating at first, being in a big room of adults that have been super successful as well as students at the school,” Bines said. “But I think we were all just so excited about [ReChamp] that it wasn't necessarily that scary. We were so passionate and excited about the idea, and we wanted everyone else to see it the same way.”
There are two categories that students can win in the Shark Tank competition. The first are the Shark Tank business winners, which this year include junior Jake Loftus for FlashGrade, senior Saanvi Maadi for Hemly and senior Jackson Maddox for Talent Bridge. These winners were chosen for their presentation skills. The second group of winners is the EagleSpark Incubator Selections, including Bines, Cathey and Solomon for their business ReChamp, senior Tate Hill for his business Cheflet and seniors Finley Lear, Davis Royall and Andrew Russell for their business AceAP. These groups were chosen because of their strong business ideas and will continue through the process of acquiring funding to turn their businesses into reality. The winners of the EagleSpark Incubator Selections continued to present their ideas to more judges, in hopes of accumulating more funding and guidance on their businesses. On Feb. 2, ReChamp and AceAP pitched their business to the judges.
“Bauer just pitched yesterday to the ESD board. ReChamp, and then FlashGrade, which is not an Incubator [winner], but a Shark Tank winner, are pitching to the Capitol campaign board in February,” Livingston said. “Cheflet, AceAP, Rent Safe and Fix it Now are pitching at the ESD alumni business meeting in a couple of weeks. The more they
" WE WERE ALL JUST SO EXCITED ABOUT RECHAMP] THAT IT WASN'T NECESSARILY THAT SCARY. WE WERE SO PASSIONATE AND EXCITED WE WERE SO PASSIONATE AND EXCITED ABOUT THE IDEA, AND WE WANTED EVERYONE ELSE TO SEE IT THE SAME WAY."
Estee Bines Senior and Co-creator of ReChamp
can pitch, the more experience they get.”
Outside of the community, ReChamp, a brand that repurposes sports jerseys into fashionable tops so that women have options other than baggy shirts to support their favorite teams, has grown into a profitable business.
“After the [Shark Tank] competition, even before we knew the result, my dad was really encouraging of us trying to start this business. He has worked in the retail space for his whole life, so he reached out to people who could help,” Bines said. “Two weeks ago, I went to New York with my dad for 24 hours, and I met with two possible seamstresses. And, we have another pitch coming up to the alumni board in January where ESD is giving us Dallas Cowboys jerseys to sew and rework to wear for our pitch.”
The idea of the Shark Tank competition began as a project in the general economics course,
where students would present their business ideas in front of the class, and it eventually evolved into an optional presentation to judges made up of Dallas business leaders. Livingston decided to make the project its own course, Entrepreneurship, where students go more in-depth on creating a business through a basic business plan. In this course, entering into the competition and presenting in front of judges is a requirement. The Incubator Board was added later as a way for students to turn their ideas into real businesses by having outside funding.
“I was noticing after [a student would] pitch something, a couple of years later, I'd hear about a business that was very similar,” Livingston said. “I'm thinking, ‘My students created that, and here's some other person in California [who] created the same thing. You create this amazing business, but we're not doing anything with it.’ And so I was thinking, ‘Wouldn't it be just a great opportunity if kids could actually foster their business here while they're still in school?’”
The Shark Tank competition takes students' entire semester’s worth of work and presents it in front of a board of judges. This year's judges include business leaders Bradley Berkley, Kyle Waldrep ‘12, Victoria Knight ‘12, Li Sung Kung, Preston Munster and inaugural and 2025 Incubator Board Selections Addison Page ‘24 and Bauer Berkley ‘26, respectively. These people are chosen because of their experience in the business world and ability to fund businesses.
“Kyle Waldrep and Victoria Knight were both members of the Class of 2012. They did this [competition] when they took regular Econ with me. Kyle made a cupcake company, and Victoria made a music-related business,” Livingston said. “It's really cool because the kids now come back as grown-ups, and then they help me with the class as my sharks.”
This year, senior Bauer Berkley, who won the competition last year with his business AI Editor, judged his classmates and friends on their ideas.
“Me being able to see all my friends pitch and being able to analyze their businesses as unbiased as possible, I thought it was very cool, and I really loved it,” Berkley said. “I think [judging] came naturally to me. They also gave us a sheet
to help guide us because [Mrs. Livingston] also wants it for the grade that the kids will get on their pitch. But I really thought it came naturally to me.”
Berkley is also continuing his interest in business and the Shark Tank competition by submitting his newest business, Fix It Now, to be judged. Berkley’s app is designed to use artificial intelligence for solving everyday problems that are usually overlooked such as setting up technology or fixing broken objects. Fix It Now will soon be in the App Store.
“My original [business] was a college guidance software that helped kids with navigating the college process and figure out, not only what college you want to go to, but also how to make your essays better, including an AI editor,” Berkley said. “My second [business] is an app where you take a photo of something that's broken, and it tells you how to repair it step-by-step, telling you what you will need.”
Outside of gaining knowledge about entrepreneurship and how to plan a business, students also gain the knowledge of presenting in front of judges, some of whom they have never met before. Livingston believes that this experience is one that students can take away, no matter what career they pursue.
“It's just so cool for me as a teacher to see them gain that confidence, because that's not easy,” Livingston said. “I mean, it is nerve-wracking to walk into the Bell and pitch to some sharks you've seen once, but then some you haven't seen, and then you have all these students come in. I mean, that's nerve-racking, and it really is a growth moment. They just gain so much confidence.” Livingston also encourages students to have faith in themselves, even when they are not in front of a row of judges. She pushes to each student that their business is their own and to believe in whatever idea they may come up with.
“I always tell the kids at the beginning of the year, don't ask me my opinion because I'm not going to give it to you because my opinion doesn't matter,” Livingston said. “I'm just the teacher. I'm not the entrepreneur. So you can have your own business idea, and I may hate it, but what does it matter if I hate it? It's your project, it's your business, it's your baby.”
The Episcopal School of Dallas
10:30 A.M.
11:45 A.M.
Driving up Main Street, I spotted a small cafe on the corner with a line stretching out the door. Craving a diner-style brunch, I knew this place would hit the spot. Once seated, I took in the oldfashioned stools, red cushioned booths and malt machines, which immediately captured the nostalgic vibe the area is known for. The menu was enormous, offering everything from breakfast and Tex-Mex to nearly every sandwich variation imaginable. I ordered the American Breakfast: scrambled eggs, fried potatoes, toast and coffee. Like the menu, the plate was packed with food and well seasoned. It was the ideal fuel for the day ahead.
2934 Main St.
2:45 P.M. 4:00 P.M.
If you ever visit this area, you must check out Adair’s. According to my mom, this saloon is the heart of Deep Ellum and one of the area’s oldest establishments. She may be biased because she worked there in her 20s, but it is unlike any place I’ve visited. With drawings, neon lights and iconic photos covering the walls, along with a large stage at the front, Adair’s offers a cool atmosphere, a place to dance, a great burger and an allaround good time. Plus, the staff will give you Sharpies to sign your name on the wall. Even though I visited in the late afternoon before that night’s performance, I would recommend staying for the live music. Nearly every night, a local band takes the stage, and over the years, artists such as Jack Ingram, Deryl Dodd and members of The Dixie Chicks have performed there. 2624 Commerce St.
After my terrarium-making class, the heavenly aroma coming from down the street caught my attention. I followed it to a small hole-in-the-wall bakery famous for its beignets. The Le Bon Temps menu offered specialty lattes and other treats, but I had one thing in mind. When my name was called, and I opened the brown bag of freshly made beignets, I knew I had made the right choice. They were soft, warm and dusted with soft and delicate powdered sugar. Honestly, I still dream about those beignets and plan to make the trip back to Deep Ellum very soon to get them again.
A friend told me about the concept of a plant bar, so I wanted to experience it for myself. Jade & Clover offers classes where guests can create custom planters and terrariums. I decided to design my own planter, starting with a succulent and a pot to match. The staff was extremely helpful, guiding me through each step of the process. I decorated my planter with colorful sand and intricate designs, then topped it off with a crystal geode. Now the plant sits on my desk, adding greenery, decoration and a meaningful reminder of the day. 2633 Main St. Suite 150
In each issue, a staff member highlights a local gem in the DFW area. This time, Co-Editorin-Chief Reese Rawson spends an afternoon exploring Deep Ellum to discover what makes it truly special. Established in 1873 and located east of downtown, Deep Ellum offers something 02 05
After stopping into a few shops along Elm Street, Poets Books caught my eye. The name suits the store as its carefully curated selection offers niche and unique reads for any book lover. The owner, poet Marco Cavazos, also writes his own literature and uses the space as a writer’s studio. When I walked in, the shop buzzed with curiosity as customers discussed their current reads and browsed the shelves with intent. Nothing compares to choosing and reading a physical book, and I did just that by purchasing “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Whenever I’m searching for a new read and want to explore a thoughtfully curated selection, Poets will be my go-to spot.
The everyday habits and choices behind lasting personal change
By Lilly Traylor | News Editor
Every January starts with packed gyms and color-coded planners, but by the month’s end, the momentum fades. Research suggests that New Year’s resolutions often fail not from a lack of effort, but rather that the goals themselves are unrealistic amidst busy schedules.
Behavioral scientist Katy Milkman of the University of Pennsylvania explains in her article, “The Psychology of New Year’s Resolutions,” that goalsetting increases motivation and encourages self-reflection by giving people a psychologically “fresh start.” The effect helps individuals to mentally separate from past setbacks and feel more focused on future change.
Granted, she notes that 48 percent of individuals, women in particular, rank fitness and dieting as an “expected” top priority for resolutions.
For students in particular, both setting and maintaining goals can be especially challenging. Balancing academic responsibilities with personal and social commitments often adds pressure that makes following through more difficult.
“Students have a lot on their plates: school, athletics, extracurriculars, friends, relationships and family,” Associate Director of Emotional Wellness Merredith Stuelpe said. “These factors can be a source of support, but also can bring unavoidable demands, expectations and stress at times. This can impact the ability for them to stick with goals due to feeling overwhelmed, [having] time constraints, [feeling] peer pressure and exhaustion.”
A new study from Cornell University’s SC Johnson College of Business was conducted in July of 2025 to see how some individuals follow through with their New Year’s resolutions compared to the majority of individuals who do not. The Cornell study revealed that individuals who set goals that were fun, rewarding and engaging were not only able to stick to their goals for the remainder of the year, but actually maintained these resolutions as a habit in their lives.
Stuelpe agrees that motivation is an important factor when setting goals.
“Starting over in January lends itself to a natural reset point; it feels symbolic,” Stuelpe said. “This
creates energy and motivation to start over and establish fresh goals, leaving behind disappointments. If you are a naturally disciplined person, sticking to goals will probably be much easier and more natural for you. However, by creating small achievable steps and having support and rewards in place for achieving them, resolutions can be achieved.”
"IN ORDER TO BETTER SERVE MY ATHLETES, STUDENTS, COLLEAGUES AND FAMILY BETTER, I AM GOING TO HAVE MORE TRUST IN MYSELF AND HOW I COACH AND LEAD."
Evan Hadrick Cross Country and Track Program Director
But goals don’t have to begin on January 1. For most students at ESD, goal setting is already an essential part of academic and athletic success. Students like junior Rachel Wang have set competitive running goals to improve sports performance and endurance in crew.
“Recently, I’ve enjoyed running, and I wanted to continue progressing with it,” Wang said. “I also thought it would be good for my [health] and to build endurance for my sport, [crew]. I want to row in college, and crew is an endurance-based sport, meaning that sometimes we have to perform 20 to 30 minute races. I think running, even three miles each day, will improve my performance in the sport.”
According to Forbes, 23 percent of individuals quit their resolutions within a week; however, some are able to sustain goals and resolutions by having friends and family keep them accountable. Oftentimes, following through with a
resolution means committing to the goal with another person to create a competitive atmosphere.
“I have told my dad and a few of my close friends, so I think that by having other people know about it keeps me accountable,” Wang said. “I also run with my little brother a lot because he has a similar New Year’s resolution. Sometimes my brother will make me run with him, and once we start running, we’ll become competitive with each other too. [As a result], we are able to run longer if we run together rather than just running on our own.”
When individuals set unrealistic expectations for themselves that are neither enjoyable nor motivating, they are unlikely to follow through with the resolution. However, when individuals give themselves grace if they miss a day, they are more likely to continue working towards their goal and turn it into a sustainable habit rather than a ritual of perfection.
“I usually run either in the mornings before school or after [crew] practice in the afternoon, but I just have to average three miles a day, so [I don’t have to run] three miles every single day,” Wang said. “I am able to balance this goal with my schoolwork and other commitments [because] I am flexible with it, so if I have a busy day or a difficult workout planned in crew practice, I will just skip running that day, and I will run more on the weekend."
Many resolutions focus on removing a habit from daily practice. This could include wanting to stop mindlessly scrolling on one’s phone, stop eating sugar or stop overspending. However, according to Dr. David Spigel at Old Dominion University in his article, “Psychology Behind New Year’s Resolutions and Meaningful Life Change,” the brain wants to hold on to comforting habits even if they hurt a person’s well-being in the long run.
For sophomore Kiana Fatahiyar, instead of simply restricting herself from spending time on her devices altogether, she decided to add a new daily habit into her routine with the purpose of minimizing her screen time.
“I had noticed that my screen time last year was the highest it has ever been, so my aunt and I decided to challenge each other by reading a book of our choosing throughout the month,” Fatahiyar
said. “At the end of the month, we can talk about what we read, and hopefully it will help us both drift away from our devices.”
According to Spigel, replacing an unwanted habit with a new one makes it easier to eliminate the old behavior, rather than simply trying to “give up” that unwanted habit altogether. Additionally, having another positive result stemming from a resolution aside from its main desired effect, one is even more devoted to accomplishing a goal.
Incorporating reading into her daily routine not only helps Fatahiyar limit her screen time but also allows her to deepen her relationship with her aunt. By participating in this New Year’s challenge with her aunt, Fatahiyar is held accountable while also benefiting from the main desired effect: to minimize her screen time.
“We read mainly classic novels in school, so this will help me understand the language better and force me to read books I normally wouldn't reach for if I had the choice,” Fatahiyar said. “I hope to grow to love reading more by the end of the year, but more importantly, build my relationship with my aunt. I hope this can be something we bond over, and I look forward to it each month.”
Emotional investment is a driving factor that builds consistency when one sets a goal for themselves. Oftentimes, goals are set with the mindset of improving one’s own quality of life, but setting a goal with the mindset that it may improve somebody else’s life will motivate them to follow through with their goal for the sake of another group or person.
For Cross Country and Track Program Director Evan Hadrick, emotional investment is a primary contributor to maintaining a goal, as his goals are rooted in those around him.
“My resolution for 2026 is both a coaching and personal goal, which is to trust my instincts and be more steadfast in my approach,” Hadrick said. “I'm used to being very adaptable, depending on the people who surround me, and that can sometimes lead to me straying away from my principles and coaching philosophy. In order to better serve my athletes, students, colleagues and family better, I am going to have more trust in myself and how I coach and lead.”
For many students, chapel is a familiar rhythm of their daily school routine, offering a place for reflection, music and community. What often goes unnoticed is the intention behind those moments. A significant amount of the structure and sense of belonging intertwined into chapel today can be traced back to the late Rev. Amy Heller.
Life Editor Beau McKnight dives into the latest pop culture showdowns, breaking down the battles that have everyone talking. This issue explores "nepo- babies" and their legitimacy in the entertainment industry, wondering if they truly deserve their fame.
The term “nepo-baby” first started circulating after a 2020 blog post on “Pop Culture Died in 2009,” and quickly gained a reputation for controversy, sparking debates over the clash between hard-earned fame and the advantages of being born into high status. Derived from the word nepotism, the term describes the power and opportunity that is gained from having successful relatives or connections in a certain workspace. While it is seen in the corporate world as business owners passing along positions to family or friends and granting jobs based on their relationship rather than their qualifications, nepo-babies in the entertainment industry are far more prone to backlash.
The question is, why does this inherited opportunity offend so many viewers? Is the public scrutiny they face valid? It is easy to jump to the conclusion that their automatic high status in the entertainment industry is entirely unfair; however, public outrage often ignores what occurs behind the scenes. All producers are simply looking for actors or models who will bring them the most profit. While a nepo-baby may gain the chance to audition for a certain role that the average person would not have, they would not get cast if they were not expected to be successful and a profitable figure.
As award season for the entertainment industry passes each year, the recipients are under the spotlight, and unfortunately for nepo-babies, this is often the time when they are exposed to having privileges that benefit their achievements.
When these nepo-babies are exposed, respect for that individual instantly plummets. For example, “Stranger Things” actress Maya Hawke was discovered to be the daughter of actor and writer Ethan Hawke and actress Uma Thurman, and was met with instant criticism online. While these individuals are born into fame, it is something they do not have control over, and it makes deeming their careers illegitimate seem a little extreme.
Social media plays a huge role in heightening the backlash these actors face, and in many cases, causes actors to step up and address the hate they receive. Those who respond acknowledging their privilege tend to receive the most grace, whereas public figures who deny their privilege and claim that they have worked just as hard continue to experience disapproval from the public. Hawke is one of the nepo-babies who has come forward, explaining to a The Times of London reporter in 2024, “There are so many people who deserve to have this kind of life who don’t, but I think I’m comfortable with not deserving it and doing it anyway.”
It is also important to recognize that some nepo-babies have gone far beyond their privilege and have created highly respected careers of their own. While a debut role or audition opportunity may be a direct product of nepotism, the ability to continue a career for decades takes dedication and talent. Actors such as Angelina Jolie, Dakota Johnson and Ben Stiller all came from privileged backgrounds with ties in the industry; however, they have also put on some of the strongest performances in cinematic history and won unbiased awards, all of which have contributed to their long-term success in the film industry, something that is not guaranteed by privilege alone.
For something almost inevitable in every workspace, the backlash toward nepo-babies in the entertainment industry feels unjust, but this just might be another unavoidable experience of having a career that is constantly under watch by the public eye. Ultimately, this nepo-baby controversy seems to be more about public reaction to success derived from privilege, than about the actual talent of actors, models and other public figures who have found their way to fame.
percent of students think "nepo-babies" deserve their fame
38 percent of students think "nepo-babies" are undeserving of fame
Heller, or Mother Amy, as many fondly referred to her, who served as the school’s senior chaplain from 2014 to 2021, passed away peacefully on Nov. 24, 2025, after a long battle with breast cancer. Her impact extended beyond the seven years she spent at ESD. From establishing the virtues of the month to emphasizing the school’s Episcopal identity, her guidance shaped all aspects of the campus.
“She was a really huge mentor to me,” Stemmons Family Senior Chaplain Fr. Nate Bostian said. “She had done youth ministry before, and she had a real heart for working with students. I got to know about school chaplaincy through her and saw what she did as a school chaplain and really fell in love with it.”
ESD’s E.P.I.S.C.O.P.A.L. virtues were inspired by the foundation Heller created. What began as “virtues of the month” eventually wove all divisions of the school together, helping students grow spiritually and ethically.
“I used her work and then added on to it by making it an acronym and making it the E.P.I.S.C.O.P.A.L. virtues that go along with our mission and our Episcopal identity,” Bostian said. “The other thing that she did that was really, really important was that she brought community service and Diversity Equity and Inclusion under the Episcopal identity shield. We believe that since everybody is made in the image of a loving God. Everybody ought to be welcomed, have a safe place and have a place where their voice counts and matters. She really helped formulate that and make that part of the Episcopal identity here.”
From her devotion to ensuring each student had the support they needed to her day-to-day presence, Heller was known to be a source of serenity, encouragement and empathy. She displayed this by her desire to transform ESD into a community that reflected the true Episcopal identity.
“She was the one who really wanted to have full-time chaplains in lower school, middle school and upper school so everyone had the pastoral support and the excellence in chapel ministry that would help them be their best selves,” Bostian said. “So, because of her and her work building the foundation, we now have three full-time chaplains. The other thing is, just on a personal level, her support, her encouragement, her really patient way of listening and hearing people, I mean, it just was immensely powerful in my life.”
Heller’s influence extended to every aspect of life. Chapel, mentoring, outreach and even casual interactions were infused with her calm, steady presence. The legacy she left behind ensured every member of the community could feel valued and free to grow.
“Amy was gentle. She was an intellectual powerhouse with extremely strong character, but what she presented most often to students and families was a gentle warmth that reflected God’s grace and love,” Rector at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church and ESD parent Rev. Dr. Chris Girata said. “In a community that often felt
a high level of pressure, with lots of concerns about setting children up for the future, Amy had a knack for focusing on the present and being grateful for the blessings of each day.”
For senior Evellyn Hargrave, who has been at ESD since first grade and remembers Heller well, Heller had a way of making chapel feel alive and inviting, turning everyday routines into moments that captured students’ attention and made them feel included, even years later.
“I remember my advisory sat front row [in chapel] in fifth grade, and it was a little daunting having the entire middle school behind your back,” Hargrave said. “But Mother Amy pulled out her classic mystery box, and we were like, ‘What is happening right now?’ Everyone else knew this was Mother Amy’s thing, but it made the environment of the chapel so much more approachable, fun and involved everyone. Mother Amy paved the way for showing us what it means to be in a community that is supporting you at all times, even when you don’t know what’s going on.”
The moments in chapel weren’t just about rituals or lessons; they were opportunities to instill the feeling of belonging to something greater. Through small, memorable traditions, Heller built a legacy, emphasizing that to belong to a community means truly caring for one another.
“Mother Amy is one of the people who gives me hope for the Episcopal Church and for Episcopal schools,” Bostian said. “She's a saint in my life, so I really think the world of her. We all have very special people who have been formative in shaping us, and she was one of mine.”
Heller’s influence carried into the deepest moments of life, leaving a mark on everyone fortunate enough to know her. The unwavering hope and grace she displayed signify the strength of her legacy and how much she valued her community.
“I visited her a few days before she died,” Girata said. “Although she was too weak to sit up, her strength and courage showed forth through her bright smile. She was eternally hopeful, knowing that life is precious and that even death itself would not be the end. We laughed a lot, cried a little and prayed one last time. Amy is and will remain a beacon of hope for our community.”
Heller is survived by her husband, Roy Heller; her children, Noah Heller and Anne Heller; her sister and brotherin-law, Rebecca Carr and Peter Carr; five nieces and nephews; and her parents, Donald and Barbara Groves.
Heller is remembered for shaping everyone at ESD through faith and love
By Anoushka Sinha | Copy Editor
IN LOVING MEMORY
Rev. Amy Heller performs a Eucharist service during the 2015-16 school year. "As a priest, [Heller] created faithful communities for people everywhere she went," Rev. Dr. Chris Girata said. "When she received a life-threatening diagnosis, she faced the prospect of death with faithful courage."
Senior Lizzie Lett's Gold Award project emphasizes the importance of epilepsy awareness
By Emma Allen | Business Manager
Afew minutes before a recent Sunday service began, middle school English teacher
Elizabeth Pool heard a sudden noise from several pews ahead and saw a young girl collapse to the floor. As people around her hesitated, Pool stepped in, remembering senior Lizzie Lett’s chapel talk on epilepsy awareness just days prior.
“No one really jumped in to do anything,” Pool said. “A congregant said out loud, ‘Is she having a seizure?’ I got up and walked the eight or 10 pews up and saw the girl on the floor, face down. I immediately rolled her to her side and stayed with her.”
Pool handled the situation with such attentiveness that others in the church began to trust her with medical equipment.
“A few other people came to help at this point, and one person even grabbed a first aid kit and a medication for seizures to inject and immediately handed it to me, like I really knew what I was doing,” Pool said. “The truth is, I did not know what would happen next. I just remembered what I had heard a few days prior: ‘Stay, Safe, Side.’ I had rolled her to her side, cleared away the hymnals that had fallen and stayed with her until her parents arrived, both on staff at the church and not present at the time. A minute or two later, she was up and okay.”
Pool’s immediate response to the situation was thanks to Lett, who has been presenting about epilepsy awareness as part of her Girl Scouts Gold Award project, focusing on the correct steps to take when someone has a seizure. Lett has seen firsthand how seizures affect people and quickly realized that
most don’t know how to respond when encountering one.
“I grew up with a sister who has epilepsy, so I’ve been around seizures my entire life,” Lett said. “I came to the realization a few years ago that the majority of people don’t know about seizure first aid and awareness, and I also found out that two kids in Texas died in public schools because people didn’t know how to handle their seizures.”
Epilepsy is a brain condition that results in seizures caused by surges of electrical activity in the brain. According to the Epilepsy Foundation, one in 26 people will develop epilepsy in their lifetime. With seizures being more common than perceived, basic seizure first aid can save someone’s life.
“It’s easy to assume that we will know what to do when an emergency arises in front of us,” Pool said. “But we don’t really know until we are in that moment.”
Presenting and teaching fifthand sixth-grade students in physical education classes, along with seventh- and eighth-grade students at her church, Lett designed her presentations with precision. Rather than presenting medical information in a way that could overwhelm younger students, she focused on breaking down complex guidance into manageable steps.
“A lot of research went into it and just taking information that's complex, trying to make it understandable for the younger age range,” Lett said. “So, I incorporated games they [would] find entertaining. I also ran my presentation by a group of people and had them give ideas and suggestions on how to make it better for middle schoolers.”
This project, while in honor of her sister, is also part of Lett’s effort to earn the Girl Scouts Gold Award,
the highest achievement in Girl Scouts. By dedicating a minimum of 80 hours to the project, those intending to achieve the award must create a project identifying a community issue and creating an impact.
“The Gold Award has to be sustainable, so it has to be something that lasts for generations,” Lett said. “It is trying to empower girls to make a project on their own and make a lasting change in their community.”
The most memorable moments for Lett have come from students themselves. One interaction in particular stuck out and confirmed the importance of her work.
“One little girl came up to me right after the class and told me she had a seizure two weeks prior,” Lett said. “She told me she was so glad I gave this presentation because when she had the seizure, nobody knew what to do.”
Lett’s work extended beyond inperson presentations. Collaborating with school resources and creating a social media account, she ensured epilepsy awareness stayed a topic of conversation over time, instead of being forgotten after a single event.
“I also created an Instagram account for the project,” Lett said. “I was posting information about what I was presenting and including pictures of the kids doing the activities. Mrs. Darnell also gave me access to the middle school Schoology page, and I did fun facts every day, which were little informational posts about epilepsy.”
Lett’s chapel talk served a different purpose than her classroom lessons. The talk aimed to connect students emotionally to the issue while still grounding the message in real information.
“The goal of the chapel talk was to inform the students I didn’t
get to in the presentations,” Lett said. “I wanted to make it less of an informational session, though, still having some important information in there, but also have a story behind it, making it more interesting and special.”
As the project continued to gain attention in the community, Lett received feedback from teachers and adults as well. Those conversations reinforced how important this information is.
“It’s been really interesting because I wasn’t expecting to get so much feedback with people connecting to the topic of epilepsy,” Lett said. “I’ve had teachers come up and thank me for doing this as they have relatives who have experienced seizures.”
How to help someone during a seizure
Stay
Stay with them and remind them you're there. This includes counting or looking at a clock to see how long the seizure lasts.
Safe
Remove any objects that could cause harm to them. Do not restrain their movements or put anything in their mouths.
Side Put them on their side to make sure their airway is open.
The Episcopal School of Dallas
From a colorful shine to sleek black boots, students incorporated their own sense of style through cowboy boots at the Junior Symphony Ball on Jan. 31.
By Lincoln Clarke | Social Media Co-Manager
A fun pop of color with red, yellow and blue, captured in a sparkly boot, brought senior Estee Bines' outfit to life. These boots were colorful and different, making Bines stand out from the crowd.
“I wanted to incorporate a fun splash of color into my outfit for the night,” Bines said. “These boots were the perfect way to spice up my outfit and highlight my love for color.”
Shiny white boots with a simple brown stitch paired perfectly for a simplistic look, which is what junior Madison Stiles wore to the dance. These boots were an easy pop of color, contrasting her black dress.
“These boots were a gift from my friends and my very first cowboy boots too,” Stiles said. “I wanted to show them off and JSB felt like the perfect occasion.”
A sleek black boot to match a black dress was the look sophomore Drew McLaren strove for at the dance. The matching boots were the best way to blend in for the night and match the theme of the dance.
“These boots perfectly matched my dress,” McLaren said. “They were also super comfy, allowing me to dance all night without being uncomfortable.”
From virtual tutoring to online fundraising, students use digital platforms to give back
By Lincoln Clarke | Social Media Co-Manager
Finding a passion and pursuing it through community service to meet the ESD hours requirement can be challenging, but it makes those hours all the more rewarding as your impact extends throughout the community. This is exactly what sophomore Veda Bodhanampati has done with her passion for education.
Education has always been a key interest for Bodhanampati, so tutoring and any form of teaching children were aspects she sought when looking at non-profit organizations to spend her time working with. After researching throughout her freshman year, she came across Learn to Be, an organization that provides free online tutoring globally, allowing other students to volunteer as tutors for those who need help in school.
"I WANTED TO BE ABLE TO BE THAT SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR OTHER KIDS WHO MAY NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE OPTION OF MEETING WITH THEIR TEACHERS OR AN EXPENSIVE TUTOR."
Veda Bodhanampati Sophomore
Brown boots paired with a tuxedo were the perfect pair for junior Michael Scimo as his outfit for the night. Brown is a simple, yet classic boot color, being Scimo's first choice when deciding which boot to wear.
“I think a brown boot is a classic Texas style,” Scimo said. “I thought these were the best pick for my outfit that night.”
“I struggled in my English classes early on and found meeting with teachers was the best place for support,” Bodhanampati said. “I wanted to be able to be that support system for other kids who may not have access to the option of meeting with their teachers or an expensive tutor.”
Tutoring prices have increased by 5 percent annually since 2020, when the world shifted to online learning, according to My Engineering Buddy, an online tutoring website. Online learning increased awareness of learning struggles in students, creating a high demand for tutors. As a result of the high demand, prices for tutoring shot up and now range from $80 to $110 an hour for a single tutoring session. This pricing is also subject to change as tutors continue to raise prices as their experience and credentials increase. Another challenge that Bodhanampati encountered is the inaccessibility to tutors due to the excessive distance to tutoring centers. This barrier has made online tutoring a popular alternative for students and tutors, including Bodhanampati.
“Living farther away from tutor organizations and not being able to drive made me get creative,” Bodhanampati said. “Being able to pursue an interest in educating others while receiving service hours, all while being at home, is the best and most convenient setup for me.”
Many students, especially those under 16-years-old or without a license, struggle to find in-person service opportunities that are convenient for their schedule and their parents. Online community service has increased since the pandemic allows students to have a broader reach on organizations and opportunities for service.
AmeriCorps measured virtual volunteering for the first time in 2023 and found that 18 percent of volunteers reported partially or entirely virtual participation in September 2023.
Along with online tutoring, other organizations provide online service opportunities for students to earn hours and still pursue a cause they are passionate about. Blood Cancer United, an organization dedicated to fundraising money to improve life-saving blood cancer research, provides free information and support services for patients and their families, and they are a voice for those seeking access to quality, affordable and coordinated care. The organization allows students to become team member candidates, meaning they lead a group of students in fundraising to reach a team goal of their choice.
Team Finish the Fight is run by junior Lincoln Clarke and Parish Episcopal School junior Wesley Oudt. They manage a team of students all across Texas to raise money for patient research.
Sophomore and Finish the Fight team member Drew McLaren campaigns in hopes of making an impact on the research for a cure.
“Being a member of Blood Cancer United is so rewarding and an amazing opportunity for high school students who are juggling busy schedules while also wishing to become involved in a greater cause,” McLaren said. “I love being a part of this organization because it is majority online, allowing me to dedicate time to my schoolwork and my community simultaneously.”
While juggling schoolwork, sports and clubs with community service is a challenge, especially for students with limited accessibility to in-person opportunities, McLaren feels that the impact service brings is worth the time and effort sacrifices.
“Getting involved in any organization is important, but finding one that aligns with what you are passionate about makes the work much more rewarding,” McLaren said. “I encourage everyone to get involved in their community, even if they cannot drive or are super busy, because there are always ways to help.”
Seniors display AP Art in annual showcase, the ending to a four-year journey
By Josephine Holmes | Arts Editor
People’s hearts are framed. The art that students have put their heart and soul into is hung throughout this room, where every surface, including the ceiling, is covered in students’ work. ESD students’
‘Beyond the Frame,’ aptly named AP Art Show, is the culmination of months and years of promising sketches, failed projects and final pieces.
This semester, 22 seniors will present their art across two shows on Feb. 4 and March 27. The exhibitions will span disciplines such as ceramics, sculpture, photography and drawing, allowing seniors to showcase their AP portfolios. While the senior AP Art Show celebrates their finished works, their effort stretches back to freshman year.
“Some students begin already in ninth grade, making absolutely amazing work. They have a clear vision, and they're ambitious, and some students really take a long time growing,” Visual Arts Department Chair Dane Larsen said. “Both versions are interesting, and it’s a great thing to see.”
The exhibition features work primarily created during the students’ junior and senior years, which best present their sustained investigations and artistic growth. Typically, each collection consists of five to 10 pieces, though it can be a struggle for students to narrow down their selections.
“Those [selected pieces] are usually based on the work that they feel most proud of,” upper school fine arts teacher Juan Negroni said. “Usually, it’s also the work that delivers their sustained investigation clearest.”
While the portfolios may look like a compilation of artwork, each piece is the result of meticulous planning and preparation for the College Board examination.
“In photography we made a sustained investigation, and then from that sustained investigation, we derived all our products from,” AP photography senior Sophie Kharazi said. “Mine was about exploring human individuality and human character through digital manipulation.”
Every September, at the
beginning of the school year, students and faculty start to prepare for this annual art exhibition. Despite all the pieces and presentation, the show is almost entirely studentrun. Students are split by their shows and then into positions, ranging from group leader to communications.
“[Students] do the communications work [and] the artist statement. They photograph and share work they talk about,” Larsen said. “They figure out what food they want to order or purchase for their show. We talk about installation practices and how to not ruin the gallery when you're installing the show.”
None of this work, in terms of pieces and exhibitions, could be done without the continued support from teachers. By this point, having spent years with their graduating students, teachers are well-experienced with the art show process and seniors.
“I advise them on which pieces to select and how to install them, and I mostly guide them through the process of taking them, as I am the AP teacher,” Negroni said. “But I also help them make decisions for them to look good when they show their work.”
For seniors, this exhibition may just be a single moment in their high school careers, but ESD teachers repeatedly embrace this show, year after year, guiding students through the process and observing the little moments. Through the show, they have seen not only the growth of the individual artists but also the continued evolution of the showcase and the support from the graduating class.
“Since I became department chair, I've been the backstage stage manager guy, and I never did that before, so that was a really fun switch for me to go from sitting in the audience,” Larsen said. “But now I'm backstage, and I get to see those backstage moments and see them cheering each other. I really love that I get to see them as a group, quietly cheering. It's nice.”
As personal themes become public, students display these pieces that have required
devotion and execution. This show is a way for the school and families to recognize the effort and dedication that all of these seniors have put in, often in the busiest times of their high school careers.
“I really feel so happy for the kids. I don't see kids with their parents very often, so I get to see families together and those interactions. Sometimes I get to see older siblings come back to see a show who may have been in my class before,” Larsen said. “I get to see parents experiencing a side of their kid that they may not be that aware of. So oftentimes, those are the moments when they realize that, ‘Oh my gosh, my kid has been doing this thing for four years, and I barely got to see it.’ It’s great to see those moments.”
As school enters the spring semester, juniors start to think of the behemoth year ahead. It can be daunting for students taking an AP art course for the first time, crafting a portfolio and story with all the added pressures of senior year.
“My advice to any juniors is to think about what you love to do and what motivates you to make art, and think about the things that you care about, enough that you get angry about them or that you want to fix them, or that you love them and it may bring you joy,” Larsen said. “My hope for any junior [is] that the work is continuing to improve.”
Sometimes the hardest part of making the AP portfolio is developing a consistent and interesting theme that can sustain an artist for the whole year. There is always a plethora of ideas to choose from, but ultimately, the most important thing is to explore meaningful, personal ideas.
“My biggest advice for juniors upcoming to AP is to really find something that interests you specifically and then build off of that, instead of just following a constant theme or not knowing what you want to do or not having a concept developed,” Kharazi said. “I think finding something new that interests you and building off of that is much smarter because you’re actually going to have fun and enjoy making the art.”
February Show Fin Boots
Lizzie Lett
McElree PHOTOGRAPHY
Xander Monteiro 2D ART
Riley Morrison PHOTOGRAPHY
Mithul Nadampali PHOTOGRAPHY
Jackson Paddock SCULPTURE
Tatum Reynolds ARCHITECTURE
Isabella Sabol STUDIO ART
Ava Sjogren CERAMICS
Sawyer Stuelpe 2D ART
March Show
Juliet Allen PHOTOGRAPHY
Bauer Berkley PHOTOGRAPHY
Grayson Duncan SCULPTURE
Aiden Ferguson SCULPTURE
Cole Horton PHOTOGRAPHY
Brooks Prestidge
Tripp Rhodus PHOTOGRAPHY
Sophie Slotnik 2D ART
Abby Stacy SCULPTURE
Jaden-Jhames Young 2D ART
At just 4 years old, even before learning how to swim, sophomore Elaine Yao was already playing the violin. From after-school lessons and practicing in her bedroom to attending state competitions, she never fails to pick up the violin and practice, creating music that brings joy to those around her.
“Practicing is the key thing you have to do when playing the violin,” Yao said. “And it's not like you have a team, so you have to practice alone and isolate yourself and really get into it. The violin has taught me how to stay motivated and not give up easily in all parts of my life. You can't really give up because if you don't practice, you're not gonna do well.”
Not only is Yao a dedicated straight-A student, a varsity volleyball player and thoughtful friend, but she’s also a disciplined violinist who understands what it takes to improve and succeed. She applies that discipline to her daily life, practicing for at least two hours each day. It doesn’t matter if she has a sports game or a test, Yao never fails to pick up her violin and get to work.
“Normally, when I practice, I go into my room, I take out my music stuff and I practice my skills,” Yao said. “I practice my skills for techniques, then I practice etudes and then I practice my repertoire. Basically, every 20 minutes or every hour, I take a two-minute break, then try to keep practicing, or I separate my practices to maybe right after school and then later at night.”
Although playing the violin is primarily a solo pursuit, Yao’s overall growth and accomplishments reflect the support she’s received from her family and friends. Her mom pushed her to practice from a young age, and she also grew up surrounded by family members who played musical instruments. Her brother and cousins play the piano and violin, and she learned from their hard work and dedication, as well as inspiration from popular violinists..
“There are a lot of famous violinists who inspire me,” Yao said. “Like Hillary Hahn, and then there's a lot of violin on social media, and sometimes I like watching their videos and learning from them.”
During the summer of 2025, Yao attended a onemonth violin camp in Vermont, where she practiced for at least four hours a day and improved her technique. She said that she also grew emotionally by playing in more complex settings, such as in quartets. Her piano accompanist, Ben Loeb, even offered her the opportunity to play in the Czech Republic in late Nov. 2025, performing her concerto before a European audience. Even though she didn’t get to travel, she said that she was very grateful for the invitation.
“When you start at such a young age, playing the violin is just fun, and it really doesn’t matter,” Yao said. “You can’t be a prodigy unless you want to be, and not everyone will be. There will always be people better than you and worse than you, but what matters is staying on your own path and growing from your own knowledge.”
After applause
"I always love spending time with my family and friends, so it was so fun to play with them."
By Britt Reynolds | Staff writer
Yao’s violin
continued dedication to music
Summer sounds q "Summer camps were always so much fun. I loved getting to practice with new people and getting the feel for things in a new space."
Shared stage "I used to love playing in groups. At my very first studio we did so many group performances and I loved it."
Nervous notes "I remember I was so nervous, but also so excited to perform my first solo at a concert. That is a day I will never forget."
Musical mentorship "My old teacher was so supportive and I worked with him for a while. His name is Charles Krigbaum, and he was
Green Mountain "This day was so much fun. I was with my quartet group at Green Mountain, a summer camp I went to in Vermont. We were playing in a bookstore."
ANY TEENAGERS COUNT DOWN THE DAYS THE ABILITY TO DRIVE. THE FREEDOM EXCITES GRANTING THEM A NEW TYPE OF RESPONSIBILITY DID NOT PREVIOUSLY HAVE. HOWEVER, THIS CAN QUICKLY BE DULLED BY A LIFE-ALTERING INFRACTION CAUSED BY DISTRACTIONS, INTOXICATION.
Despite the fact that texting and driving, as well as driving under the influence of alcohol and other intoxicants, are illegal, thousands of people disregard the law, resulting in many accidents. And even though these accidents affect hundreds of thousands every year, data points to one primary demographic. The Federal Communications Commission reports that the largest proportion of drivers who are distracted at the time of crashes falls under the 15 to 20-year-old age group. High schoolers make up the majority of this population, and many of them are sitting behind the wheel for the first time.
One of many of these high schoolers is sophomore Daniel Hoffpauir.
“I definitely have the urge to respond to texts when I’m driving,” Hoffpauir said. “Especially when I can see the notifications pop up.”
The Department of Motor Vehicles and many other sections of driver’s education courses spend hours educating new drivers on distracted driving. Although the programs share specific stories of tragic events, including thorough explanations of the horrors resulting from the accident, the FCC reports that nearly 325,000 people are injured in distracted driving accidents every year. In 2023 alone, 3,275 deaths were caused by distracted driving.
A common misconception is that a glance or answering one text will not be harmful. However, while driving at a substantial speed, a quick look can cost someone's life. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that at 55 miles per hour, looking away for five seconds is like driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed.
A Feb. 2 poll of 132 ESD students showed that 30 percent of students look at their phone 5 or more times while driving. While many think looking at their phones at a stoplight is not harmful, it becomes a cognitive distraction while driving. After looking at it, the brain holds onto the information, remaining focused on the phone, instead of the road.
“I try not to look at my phone while I am driving,” sophomore Zachary Fish said. “But I do check my phone at stoplights.”
However, even if a person is driving safely, it is very possible that others are not. Tyson Dever, a former baseball player at Texas State University, was sitting at a light when suddenly he was crashed into by a cement truck. The truck sent him flying into oncoming traffic. Dever is now paralyzed from the waist down, not because he was doing anything wrong, but because someone else was distracted while driving.
As a precaution, car manufacturers have worked to implement car functions like CarPlay and Text-To-Speech to ensure drivers can respond to texts in a safe way. By listening to the message and responding verbally, the distraction seems to dissipate. However, while noble in its intent, and even if the driver's hands are free, the cognitive distraction is still present. This prevalent distraction is also present when driving with children or other distracting passengers.
“Whenever I’m driving, loud voices tend to distract me,” senior Stella Wynne said. “Especially younger kids.”
Children present a large disturbance when driving if screaming, crying or throwing objects. While they know nothing of the hindrance they are causing, it can be extremely dangerous to both the person driving, the kids themselves, drivers and pedestrians. Additionally, many high school students find a job in carpooling children. This combination of new drivers and heightened distractions can result in catastrophic outcomes if not managed properly.
“I drive kids to their cheer practices every week,” sophomore Gabby Atson said. “It is really hard to focus, especially on the highway, when they are yelling.”
A common, ubiquitous distraction that drivers do not necessarily see as such can be listening to music while driving. Even though music is used as an enjoyable part of a car ride, it can also be a keen factor in distracted driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 25 percent of accidents are caused by in-vehicle music. Despite this, not all invehicle music is inherently dangerous. Listening to music at low volumes, from 70 to 80 decibels, is acceptable and safe.
“When I am driving with my friends, we always listen to loud music,” sophomore Sam Oglesby said. “It can be distracting, especially when we are all singing along.”
It is fair to say that safe driving requires the driver’s full attention. There are other types of behaviors that teens commonly engage in that may lead to crashes.
RUNNING ON EMPTY: TEENS AND DROWSY DRIVING
Although being tired while driving may seem harmless, drowsy driving remains a leading cause of teenage crashes.
According to the National Transportation Safety Board, 30 percent of all teenage car accidents are due to drowsy driving.
“When I don’t get enough sleep, I feel more tired and distracted while driving and it becomes harder to stay focused on the road,” Aston said. “My reaction time slows down, which makes it more difficult to respond quickly to traffic or unexpected situations.”
While sleeping, the brain works to strengthen important memories and focus on neural reactivation. According to a story published by the Yale School of Medicine, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience Dr. George Dragoi emphasizes in his interview how, when people do not get enough sleep, they
"MOTOR CRASHES LEADING DEATH
1,885 DRIVERS IN PERCENT AGES WERE CRASHES DRINKING.
DAYS UNTIL THEY HAVE EXCITES TEENAGERS, RESPONSIBILITY THEY THIS EXCITEMENT LIFE-ALTERING ACCIDENT OR DISTRACTIONS, LACK OF SLEEP OR
can develop highway hypnosis when driving, which is a mental state where people drive distances with barely any memory of their expedition.
While asleep, the brain works vigorously to restore important memories. Not enough sleep for the brain to function properly leads to a lack of focus when teenagers have to drive the next day.
“Your brain consolidates memories, replenishes, repairs and you don't have time to do all of that, then it compromises the brain's full ability to do all of the tasks,” science teacher and Assistant Head of Upper School for Academics Amy Henderson said. “And when people are driving, teens included, a lot of times, maybe not all of their attention is on driving. So, if they look down their phone, they change the music and they're really tired when their brain isn't functioning at full capacity, then you have that inattention that can be very dangerous as well.”
When driving while sleep-deprived, people’s reaction time slows down, and they are not able to quickly respond to what is going on around them when they are behind the wheel.
“Somebody who is sleepy and is driving will tend to fall asleep, and so there's no reaction time,” Sleep Medicine Doctor Leon Rosenthal said. “What determines this for a young person [is the] brain maturation and risk-taking. It's an issue of being asleep and not being able to react.”
According to Rosenthal, when people are not processing information or are not processing it at the same level as when they are awake, performance is affected. In tests designed to assess sleepiness, the single most reliable indicator of being sleepy or asleep is not a delayed reaction time, but a complete lack of response to stimuli.
"MOTOR VEHICLE CRASHES ARE THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH FOR TEENS. 1,885 YOUNG DRUNK DRIVERS WERE KILLED IN 2020, AND 29 PERCENT OF DRIVERS AGES 15 TO 20 WHO WERE KILLED IN CAR CRASHES HAD BEEN DRINKING.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
“And when driving, that gets reflected in not reacting on time to the stimuli," Rosenthal said. “Then most people tend to wake up, but they wake up too late to react on time.”
The regular reaction to not sleeping a full nine hours for a student, most of the time, is that they will sleep extra the following day or on the weekend. Even though teenagers may be able to catch up on some of their sleep on another day or during the weekend, sleep deprivation can still affect teens and impair their driving.
When driving while tired, people are prone to microsleeps. Microsleeps are involuntary, but brief lapses into sleeping that can last around 10 to 30 seconds. They happen whenever the brain shuts down. When microsleeps occur, people do not realize that they have fallen asleep, according to the National Sleep Foundation.
“The brain generates different types of brainwaves, and once you are asleep, the brainwaves tend to slow down,” Rosenthal said. “Microsleeps are the ones that, when they happen, [can] put somebody at great risk of sleeping at the wrong time. So those are very well defined. [Microsleeps have] EEG manifestations [which are] the slowing down of the brain waves. When we fall asleep, our eyes tend to roll slowly, so you are just disconnected from what's happening around you, and that can be [like] five seconds. That's enough [time] if you're behind the wheel to have an accident.”
According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, a person who drives while being awake for 17 hours equivalent to someone driving with a 0.05% blood alcohol concentration. If someone were to stay awake for 24 hours, their impairment would be comparable to a 0.10% BAC.
“Alcohol can affect the prefrontal cortex. Right inhibitions are lowered [and] they're more apt to take more risks because [the] judgment isn't there,” Henderson said. “Especially teens whose prefrontal cortex isn't developed. It compares to sleep, because you don't have that sleep, then your body and brain are kind of running on fumes, and you don't have that reaction time and judgment, similar to alcohol.”
Having a good night's sleep is imperative for making safe and good decisions when someone is behind the wheel. According to a Feb. 2 poll, 56 percent of ESD students have driven in a car while having less than 5 hours of sleep.
“Getting enough sleep helps me stay alert and aware while driving, which makes me feel more confident and in control,” Aston said. "Being well-rested is important because it not only keeps me safer, but also helps protect other drivers and pedestrians by reducing the risk of mistakes.”
ALCOHOL, DRUGS AND DRIVING: A DEADLY MIX
However, even removing all distractions and getting adequate sleep is not enough for a safe drive. Imagine waking up with a stuffy nose, taking some Benadryl to relieve the symptoms, then continuing about your day, driving to work or school. While most people overlook taking simple medications, drugs like Benadryl could cause severe sedation, reduce alertness and slow reaction times. These actions alone indirectly increase your chances of getting into a car accident.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 64 percent of seriously and fatally injured drivers tested at five major trauma centers during the second quarter of 2020 had at least one impairing substance in their system.
While many presume that impaired driving is strictly the result of alcohol, it can be caused by a multitude of factors. These factors include drugs, prescribed or not, like opioids, marijuana, stimulants and anti-depressants, as well as over-the-counter drugs—drugs that you can buy in a pharmacy without needing a doctor.
Junior Madison Stiles recently suffered from two seizures and was diagnosed with epilepsy. She was prescribed Keppra to help prevent more seizures. While taking Keppra, she was limited from driving for three months, as Keppra has side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue, irritability and behavioral changes.
“I don't think people take drug impairment as seriously as alcohol impairment because once you take a continuous medication, you forget that it actually does affect you every day, even though you don't notice it,” Stiles said. “For example, my medication makes me more tired and irritable, and most days I forget, when I feel extra tired or mad, that it might just be my medicine affecting me more that day than the day before. So I think drugs impair people in a ‘sneaky’ way they wouldn't expect because each day is different and you never know how bad or good you will feel on a certain day and at a certain moment.”
This could be dangerous because Stiles does a warning sign before her seizures begin. As there are no warnings, she could pass out and seize at any time, which could be catastrophic and even fatal if driving.
“The doctors explained that due to me not knowing any 'feelings’ before passing out, I could be driving and pass out with no knowledge and run into someone or something and kill myself or be severely hurt, so that is why it is dangerous,” Stiles said. “I definitely see my rule of not being allowed to drive as protecting others just as much as myself, because when driving, you are a danger to everyone around you, and I would be in no control of who or what I hit at all if I completely passed out.”
While this is a more drastic case, many common OTC drugs can similarly impair the ability to drive, along with alcohol, which has become more prevalent in recent years, and is relevant to ESD.
Within the United States, according to research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens. 1,885 young drunk drivers were killed in 2020, and 29 percent of drivers ages 15 to 20 who were killed in car crashes had been drinking. There are still many cases of driving under the influence where the driver crashed and survived.
At ESD, security and safety measures are in place to ensure that there is no driving under the influence. ESD’s Head of Security Officer Jody Trumble said that during school events and dances, there are more police officers present for everyone’s safety.
“We have officers that circulate through the crowd, at games, at doors and entrances and in the parking lot in an attempt to both deter the problem and perhaps stop someone from driving while intoxicated,” Trumble said. “The idea is not to be punitive, as security does not deal with student discipline, [but] our job is to keep you all safe. Driving with any level of intoxicating substance in your system is not safe.”
At school dances, when walking in, students have to roll a pair of dice. If they roll a specific number, they are then submitted to a breathalyzer test. This is one way that ESD limits alcohol consumption. However, student council sponsor and upper school English teacher Natalie Webb is looking for more ways to limit drinking.
“We are really looking for suggestions or ways, or what students think would actually be useful, because it's one thing for adults to have ideas, but we're not really living your lives,” Webb said. “So, [we are] trying to get an idea of what might actually be motivational or helpful in general.”
Webb also said that, as a teacher, she talks to her students before events and reminds them of the dangers of alcohol and peer pressure. She also said she hopes and assumes that parents talk to their kids as well.
According to a Feb. 2 survey of 132 ESD students, 59 percent of ESD students reported that they know someone who has driven drunk, 70 percent said that they know someone who has ridden in a car with someone intoxicated and 38 percent said that they personally have ridden in a car with the driver intoxicated.
With drugs like alcohol becoming increasingly accessible for teenagers, and the possibility of driving under the influence of any drug remains extremely dangerous, ESD continually tries to inform, teach and show the potential dangers to limit what could happen to the community.
As distractions such as screaming children, cell phones and loud music are removed, the amount of sleep the driver gets increases and the indulgence in toxic substances is eliminated, the safety of driving increases substantially. Partaking in these acts not only puts the driver’s life in extreme danger but also increases the risk for anyone driving near. The task of driving responsibly requires one’s full attention, and that is done by eliminating all distractions and hindrances to one's cognitive abilities.
30
percent of students admitted to looking at their phone at least five times while they are driving
56
percent of students reported to have driven with less than five hours of sleep at some point
25
39
percent said that they personally have ridden in an intoxicated driver
70
percent of students know someone who has nodded off while driving percent said that they know someone who has ridden in a car with an intoxicated passenger
Source: Feb. 2 poll of 132 upper school students
Teachers should have stricter deadlines for grading tests and quizzes
ESD has a rigorous curriculum; as students advance each year, their workload increases as well. Teachers often schedule tests in backto-back weeks, while also expecting their students to learn new material, take additional courses' quizzes and prepare for projects and quite often, will take a month to return the graded assignment to the detriment of their students.
To support ESD students, we, as a staff, believe teachers should establish a solid deadline for grading each test and quiz.
Receiving graded tests on time is vital for a student. Countless upper school students end up taking new tests before they receive their grades for previous quizzes or tests. This can seriously hinder a student, as many rely on old quizzes and tests as a study tool.
For example, when a student writes a timed rhetorical analysis and is required to take another one two weeks later, they should receive their first one to look over before taking the second. If this rule is not honored, students will not know if they wrote their thesis correctly or if they did not implement appropriate evidence from the given text.
According to Advances in Health Sciences Education, a forum and research program, students show significant improvement after looking at their old work and reflecting on their performance. This allows students to develop a form of critical thinking that supports success later in their careers.
Additionally, when a teacher
How leaders are formed: the importance of genuinity and individual connection
By Kate Lewis | Social Media Co-Manager
waits a long time to grade a major assessment, which is typically 50 percent of the course grade, it limits the student’s ability to improve their overall grade, as they only have homework and minor grades in the grade book. This school year, the school has implemented grade checks every quarter. According to Assistant Head of Upper School for Academics Amy Henderson, these grade checks require teachers to finish grading all of the assignments on time and record them in the grade book.
The purpose of this policy is to put people in and out of proctored study hall, while also guiding teachers to have all grades in the grade book. However, this system can be flawed. Because of the large amount of time between each grade check, the tests that need to be graded pile up, and teachers may take material out of the grade book to meet the deadline they are given. This is not allowed, but there have been some instances where teachers have tried to hide past tests. There is also a “soft policy” that recommends teachers to grade tests within 10 days, but there is little enforcement that comes with it.
The school has good ideas on keeping grading efficient, but it seems there is enough wiggle room for teachers to wait a decent amount of time to grade. Waiting a full month to put a grade in the grade book is not a reasonable action.
Another disadvantage for students when teachers don’t grade and post results promptly, is when students are placed in
a proctored study hall because they have a grade below 78 in a class, and their teacher has not graded the assignment that could get them out. A delay in posting grades causes additional stress for students, as well as creating an obsession with this grade.
According to Queen’s University of Ontario’s article about the effects of grade obsession on a student in 2023, grade obsession can lead to depression, low self-esteem and increased anxiety. When students are overly stressed about their grades, they begin to limit themselves and stop taking academic chances. Additionally, they can start to fall behind in their other classes because they are quite worried about having a bad grade in one class.
Furthermore, according to the Eagle Edition Feb. 2 2026 poll of 132 students, 74 percent feel that their teachers take an extended amount of time to grade their tests, 71 percent undergo stress when waiting for test grades to be released, 70 percent utilize old tests and quizzes to study and 53 percent do not think grade checks have helped their teachers grade faster. These results show that much of the student body has experienced struggles this year, due to waiting long periods of time for tests to be graded.
We are not asking teachers to grade all tests by the next day; that would not be a feasible solution to maintain. Teachers might have certain reasons for delayed grading, including teaching multiple classes. According to history teacher Claire Mrozek,
Dining revamped
teachers might be waiting on students to make up a missed test, or have different grading techniques that require chunks of time they don’t have right away. If a teacher is struggling because they are truly busy, not because they have procrastinated to the last second, there should be ways to offer some support. Mrozek also said that a provided form of a teacher’s assistant would be “an amazing idea to assist faculty in certain circumstances.”
Stating that teachers do not care about their students' education would be a false accusation. ESD teachers want their students to learn from their mistakes; that is why most take the time writing commentary specific to the child to nurture their academic abilities. It would benefit the students if teachers had their grades by the end of the week or the start of the next week, depending on the timing of the test. At a minimum, a teacher should not be able to implement another test or major grade if the previous major grade has not been returned or placed in the grade book.
Teachers should be expected to have a stricter deadline for grading major assignments that have a great impact on the course grade. They should still be allowed the freedom of grading they choose, as each class is set up differently and cannot effectively abide by the same exact policy as another. But more rules set in place would help students feel comfortable that their teachers care about their grades. Overall, we believe that the school would see an improvement in students’ well-being.
leadership in one's character.
Acommon misconception about leaders is that they are “born with it.” Many people believe that leaders inherently possess all the traits necessary to lead. However, the truth is that there are no rules set for becoming a leader or for who can be one.
Being a leader doesn’t mean being the loudest in the room, the most outgoing person or the most organized. What matters most is the genuine relationships you build and the bonds you form. In a book called “Return on Character” by Fred Kiel, recommended to me by Ann and Lee Hobson Head of School Dave Baad, the author quotes Abraham Lincoln saying, "Character is the tree. Reputation is its shadow.”
In other words, the way we treat others, or our “tree,” reflects our character, its “shadow.”
This quote itself debunks the false narrative that most people use to portray the best leaders. Lincoln does not say that the most extroverted or loudest person casts the biggest shadow. Instead, Lincoln places the value of true
Coherent to Lincoln, Baad believes that compassion, forgiveness, kindness, clear communication and trust are more important than charisma or voice in a leader. To him, leadership is less about prominence and more about connection. True, meaningful relationships with the people you are leading are more important than anything else. Leadership is built by choices: choosing to show up, choosing to support others, choosing to act with integrity and choosing to take responsibility, even when it's difficult. These actions build leaders more than “natural talent” could. Some leaders work best in groups, and others work best one-on-one. One is not better than the other; in fact, they complement each other. All leaders are different, have distinct backgrounds and bring different skills to the table. Leaders truly exercise their leadership when they collaborate with their peers, capitalizing on each unique skill and trait.
The ESD administration completed a workshop in August of 2023, where they ran tests and activities to help identify their character traits. The administration had various members whose test resulted in an
extroverted identity, and various members whose test resulted in an introverted one. What this illustrates is that the people who lead us every single day don’t fall into just one category. They work together, using all of their unique attributes to make this school the wonderful center of igniting lives of purpose that it is. Similarly, in cheerleading, a sport I am passionate about, each aspect of the routine is made up of a variety of skill sets. There are two bases, one backspot and one flyer per stunt group, each utilizing their individual skills to complete the stunt. I am the main base, for example, responsible for holding up my flyer. My build and muscle are what enhance my ability to do my job. Likewise, my flyer has impeccable balance and remarkable flexibility. All four members of our stunt group, with our own unique talents, work together to keep the stunt in the air. However, if I were to switch spots with my flyer, having her hold me up, we would crumble. My point is that each of us has different talents and skills that God blessed us with. If we spend too much time fixed on what we don’t have or using it as an excuse, we will crumble. You do not have to be the most flexible person to be an asset to your stunt group, and you certainly do not
have to be the strongest to allow your stunt to stay in the air. What you do need, though, is the will to work with others, using their strengths beside your own to build something special.
Not only is teamwork important and a necessary skill in cheerleading, but it is apparent in all activities and aspects of life. What I have learned from cheerleading, specifically stunting, I have applied to other activities I am involved in such as student council. Whether we are planning an event, discussing possible theme ideas or pitching an idea to administration, it is vital to rely on each individual's strength to ensure we are working to the best of our abilities. For example, the student council executive board is made up of a variety of students with different talents. What is true cheer, and in any other team or group setting, is true in leadership. You don’t have to be the loudest in the room, and you don’t have to be the biggest personality. What you do have to be is present. As a leader, the most important thing you can do is show up for the people you are leading, build genuine connections with them and support them with kindness and generosity. Through these acts, your tree flourishes, strengthening its shadow.
make the dough
1 cup whole milk with yeasr and a spoon of sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar
Mix sugar, butter, eggs, vanilla knead dough for 5-7 minutes rest the dough until doubled fry with vegetable oil @ 375F
2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Make frosting and spread on donuts
6 tablespoon salted butter , melted
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups flour 1-2 quarts vegetable oil
RecipefromSally'sBaking
The "Stranger Things" finale was one of the best endings to any show in modern-day cinema
The "Stranger Things" finale was underwhelming and fell short of many viewers' expectations
As the final episode of “Stranger Things” season five crept up on me, I began to dread the thought of having to watch it. Not because I thought that it would be disappointing, but because it made me sick to think that the show so central to my upbringing was coming to an end.
When I finally mustered the courage to start the finale, my emotions were all over the place.
The two-hour and eight-minute episode, which was released on Dec. 31, transported me through countless emotional shifts, combined with a satisfying close to the plot, with a sentimental reflection of the 10 years of the show. I believe that it was the best ending to any show in modern-day cinema.
With regards to the five-season storyline, the conclusion was flawless from start to finish. Characters and details from earlier seasons were woven into the last episode, leaving many people, including myself, with nostalgic feelings from the show's earlier years.
Most notable was the return of Kali, Eleven’s sister, who last appeared in season two. Kali’s legendary comeback in season five played a major role in defeating Vecna, the villain and puppet master behind all of the “strange” things occurring in Hawkins.
I began watching the series in fifth grade, when the characters were also middle schoolers, and just recently finished watching it as a senior, just like the characters who graduated high school in the finale. The final scene transported viewers to the very first episode of the entire series, recreating the opening scene that started the journey for the cast as 12-year-olds as they played Dungeons and Dragons in the Wheeler family’s basement, the board game that is central to the plot of the show. This full-circle moment created a gratifying closing of a chapter that many, including myself, aren't entirely ready to let go of.
Not only was the finale emotionally touching, but it was complex and visually engaging. The producers and directors made full use of their $400 million budget, breaking it down to $50 million per episode. This large investment was evident with the elaborate props and visual effects that brought the multiple-dimensional worlds to life.
The series is known for its impeccable soundtrack that pulls some of the greatest ’80s hits, and the songs played in the finale align with this tradition. While the scenes on their own evoked intense emotions, the music was the cherry on top, leaving me in tears for the last 50 minutes of the show. In Eleven’s final scene, Prince’s “Purple Rain” played in the background as she parted ways with her loved ones, leaving many viewers distraught. Later in the episode, Fleetwood Mac, the late ’60s to early ’70s renowned rock band, played “Landslide,” its lyrics representing the grief associated with life’s changes, as the characters reflected on all they had been through over the years.
These songs have gone viral on social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, and creators direct their content towards themes of friendship, nostalgia towards their childhood and loss, a perfect example of how influential the finale was on those who watched it.
I believe those who were underwhelmed and unsatisfied with the ending felt that way due to the unrealistic fan theories that spread rapidly on social media. Many individuals took it upon themselves to write their own endings based on how they wanted the series to end; when it went a different direction, they were instantly disappointed.
Fans developed the “Conformity Gate” theory, which created the expectation for another “secret episode” that was believed to air on Jan. 7. Once again, when this theory didn’t come true, viewers acted as if the series was incomplete as opposed to simply accepting that the “Stranger Things” story had come to a beautiful end.
In the end, I saw the “Stranger Things” finale as more than just the end of a show; it was the end of a decade-long era that was executed perfectly, and I would not have changed any detail.
Airing its first episode on July 15, 2016, the “Stranger Things” franchise became a phenomenon. The show has grown alongside me, following me through my elementary, middle and upper school years. Its finale, released on the first day of 2026, aligns with my high school graduation year. So, “Stranger Things” has mirrored my journey along with the characters’ journey, bringing both of our stories full circle.
I had high expectations of the “Stranger Things” finale. The Duffer Brothers' decision to release the episodes in groups of three initially brought excitement and anticipation, making the beginning of the season feel like a major event, clicking from one episode to the next. However, by the time the next few rounds of episodes were released, my excitement faded quickly. Rather than delivering a powerful and satisfying conclusion, the finale felt predictable and very underwhelming.
Many online fans on platforms like TikTok and Instagram shared my disappointment. The finale lacked the highly anticipated emotional payoff it had promised. As a show I have watched since childhood, I expected the final episode to be thrilling, meaningful and shocking. Instead, the conclusion felt disorganized and overly expected; it did not live up to my expectations and the show's incredible legacy.
What made the ending the most frustrating was how rushed and unplanned it felt. In the Netflix interview, “Our Last Adventure,” when discussing the finale, the Duffer Brothers said that creating it was “terrifying because you see all of these shows that people love and adore, and the ending falters.” Even with this, several fans, including myself, found the final season irritable and almost obvious. As said in the interview, the brothers went into production without having a script for the finale. The plan was always that Eleven was going to die, but they were not sure how. This sole example adds more to my dissatisfaction with the ending of the show, as its “wrapping up” completely missed the point of the plot and didn't even feel like a regular “Stranger Things” episode.
I felt a sense of nostalgia when I watched seasons one through four, as I grew up watching each episode. But the new episodes felt repetitive, revisiting moments and plot twists I had already seen. The gory, scary and unknown factors that had filled the prior seasons seemed to disappear, and everything that made the show one of a kind was noticeably missing. I found myself losing interest in the series that previously never failed to keep me hooked.
The deciding factor in my disliking the series was how quickly fans on social media turned to criticism rather than praise. Online comment sections, videos and photos were filled with confusion and frustration, as if the ending left no true legacy of importance. Instead of talking about how good the finale was, several fans, including myself, are left debating whether it ruined the show or not.
The show that once thrived on surprising turns and creative minds became overly polished and performative, prioritizing making the viewers happy rather than sticking with the original show’s identity of shock and surprise. What should have been a daring and scary conclusion was ultimately a pitiful, and “safe” way of ending possibly the greatest show franchise ever created.
Beyond single disappointment, the reaction to the finale pushed fans into rewiring the show themselves. On TikTok, viewers began circulating theories like the so called “conformity gate,” convincing one another that a secret episode would drop after the finale to fix everything it failed to resolve. The fact that fans had to invent endings for themselves and cling to the hope of a new conclusion speaks louder than any “good review.” If viewers would rather believe in an imaginary episode than accept the real finale released, it further underscores how weak and unfulfilling the ending was.
At the end of the day, “Stranger Things” and all of its seasons will be a show I hold close to my heart, but nostalgia can only carry something so far. The final season should’ve felt like a reward for loyal watchers like myself, but instead, it felt like a missed opportunity.
Percent of students believe that the "Stranger Things" season five finale was flawless
Percent of students believe that the "Stranger Things" season five finale was underwhelming
Well, what are you planning to do with that?” Students who consider studying the humanities— history, literature, philosophy, language and the arts—are well acquainted with this question.
An education in computer science, medicine or business is widely considered more valuable than being knowledgeable in poetry, music theory or theater.
College students file into STEM fields, drawn by the prospect of financial security and careers in a rapidly advancing, technological economy. According to The Hechinger Report, a non-profit news organization, the number of humanities degrees awarded to undergraduates in America decreased by 25 percent from 2012 to 2020. To meet the growing demand for STEM and business classes, many colleges have reduced or defunded their humanities departments.
In the 1989 film “Dead Poets Society,” English teacher John Keating, played by the late Robin Williams, offers a profound statement on behalf of the humanities: “Medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love are what we stay alive for.” Although the maths and sciences are important, the humanities are indispensable, as they bring balance to our education and, more importantly, help us understand ourselves as humans.
The practical benefits of the humanities in an educational context are worth noting. They
foster valuable “soft skills” sought by employers, such as critical thinking, communication, adaptability and empathy. Fighting against the humanities’ recent decline in higher education, a handful of universities have reaffirmed the importance of a well-rounded curriculum, even for those pursuing STEM fields.
Brown University encourages pre-medical students to major in the humanities or social sciences through their Program in Liberal Medical Education. According to the school’s official website, nearly 38 percent of admits to its Warren Alpert Medical School are humanities or social science majors. The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai offers the HuMed program, which allows humanities majors to bypass the MCAT test and traditional science requirements.
“Some of the experiences of medical school challenge your humanism as much as they enhance it,” Academy for Medicine and the Humanities Director Suzanne Garfinkle-Crowell wrote on the school’s official website.
“As a preclinical student, I found myself excited by all of the new scientific knowledge I was accumulating, but distanced from the 'bigger' questions and ideas that had attracted me to medicine in the first place. ‘What is human suffering and how will I relieve it?’
‘How do you help people come to terms with their illnesses [or] face death?’”
Through math and science, we seek to understand the laws and processes that keep the Earth spinning. In human biology, we learn about our anatomy and how we sustain life. But through the humanities, we look to understand
what it truly means to be human. American industrialist Joseph Irwin Miller said it best: “The calling of the humanities is to make us truly human in the best sense of the word.”
At their heart, the humanities are a timeless celebration and critique of human nature. Stephen Spielberg’s film, “Schindler’s List,” honors the integrity of human compassion, and Picasso’s “Guernica” lays bare the realities of warfare. British rock band Keane’s “Somewhere Only We Know” reflects on the passage of time and the resilience of love, and Franz Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis” confronts the impact of alienation.
Japanese illustrator Hajime Isayama’s “Attack on Titan” serves as a testament to our innate need for freedom, and Jean-Paul Sartre’s “No Exit” sheds light on our intrinsic fear of the unknown.
These are but a few installments in the vast collection of artforms that create a mosaic of human experience. Artists and creators channel their emotions and perceptions into philosophy, literature and the arts; as humanities scholars, we benefit from their insights.
When art or literature resonates with us, we form an inadvertent connection with its creator. In giving the work the appreciation it deserves, we acknowledge another human’s lived experience. Through that act of recognition, we become connected to all who have been moved by the piece before us.
The humanities weave a web of global connection. We immerse ourselves in experiences we’ve never had and get to know people we’ve never met. Yet, in each work, we find something to relate
to: we see our own lives reflected back at us, and we find comfort or perhaps a moment of sudden clarity.
A work may reach the most personal parts of who we are. We see ourselves in a character, an author or an artist. The humanities are stepping stones in answering fundamental questions like, “Who am I?” and “What do I want in life?”
The humanities offer a window into different cultures. But when we study the humanities, we begin to see not a world divided, but a collective humanity. While our customs and values may differ, our experiences and emotions are deeply alike. We realize that both pain and love transcend race, language and culture. Now more than ever, we need the humanities to remind us that we are the same.
The humanities drive our culture and bring color and emotion to our lives; without them, our world would be sterile. In truth, we are humanities students every day: sitting at the piano bench, revisiting a childhood favorite animation or attending a school theater production. In my own life, I have found that the humanities are what stay with me: “Cinema Paradiso” by Giuseppe Tornatore, the film that changed the way I think about everything; “Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol, the song my mom played during my childhood; and “East of Eden” by John Steinbeck, the book I keep revisiting over and over again.
Emotion and understanding are gifts we take for granted and ones we must live fully into. By both engaging with and practicing the disciplines that make up the humanities, we honor the greatest gift we have: the ability to feel and to understand.
By Gracie Nealon | Opinion Editor
A closer look at the disparity in how dissent is being approached
By Sheridan Bailey | Communications Manager
Renée Good, a mother of three, was shot and killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis on Jan.7.
Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse in the VA Health Care System, was fatally shot by an ICE agent while assisting a peaceful demonstrator in Minneapolis on Jan. 24.
Halfway around the world, in Tehran, Iran, Erfan Soltani, an Iranian man and active protestor who had participated in numerous protests, was arrested in Fardis on Jan. 8 and was sentenced to death along with thousands of other Iranians.
Same month. Two different countries. Three different scenarios.
What all these individuals have in common is that in each case, their involvement in or around protests was met with violence or punitive action.
In America, today, in response to the current upheaval in Iran,
the current administration applauds Iranians for protesting for freedom and an end to oppression. However, on the home front, people protesting ICE’s aggressive, and in some cases deadly, actions are met with the contrary: mass arrests, violence, deportation, and, as evident with Good and Pretti, death.
But this contradiction between the response toward Iranian protests and the response toward immigration protests in the United States exposes a new truth: this administration is celebrating dissent abroad while working to suppress it here at home.
Throughout American history, the act of protesting has been woven into the fabric of the red, white and blue, and into life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Our First Amendment guarantees the right to peaceably assemble “and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”
Protesting defines America. In 1773, the Sons of Liberty threw tea into the Boston Harbor in protest against taxation and were described as “enemies to their country” for doing so, but they paved the way for revolution.
Then, to the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and ’60s, when protesters were called deviants and rioters as they fought segregation and discrimination.
This trend continues to today's protests in Los Angeles, New York, Minneapolis and many other cities across the nation, as Americans gather in defiance of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials.
Without these historical acts of protest, America would be unrecognizable; it would not be America at all. The art of a protest has been proven to be important and ingrained in America.
"CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE FORCES THOSE IN POWER TO LISTEN; PROGRESS HAS HISTORICALLY BEEN MADE BECAUSE THOSE IN CHARGE WERE FORCED TO LISTEN."
The same act of protesting, which was and is being demonstrated in America, is taking place in Iran. Every day, Iranian protesters are shot, stabbed and wounded, but the most substantial is the death toll, which continues to climb as protests rage on, but the death tolls reported are vastly different. The Iranian government estimates 3,000 deaths, the Human Rights Activists News Agency estimates 6,000, and the doctors treating the wounded in Iran report death tolls around 30,000. As the world watches the
human rights violations being committed against the people of Iran, President Trump has publicly encouraged these protests, even proposing military strikes to attempt to topple the Islamic Republic. This stance stands in stark contrast to his response to the demonstrations on American soil.
According to NBC News on Jan. 15, Trump wrote on Truth Social, “If the corrupt politicians from Minnesota don’t obey the law and stop the professional agitators and insurrection from attacking the patriots of ICE, who are only trying to do their job, I will institute the Insurrection Act, which many Presidents have done before me, and quickly put an end to the travesty that is taking place in that once great State.” This is not reform, nor accountability; it is suppression. As of now, according to a YouGov Poll, over half of Americans want change, and those Americans have faith in this country and want its leaders to acknowledge their sentiments and their deep regard for change. That is why they are protesting. Instead of combating these protests, the administration should be listening. The same way this administration addresses protests abroad should be the same way they address protests on American soil. To continue addressing protests as they are now is hypocrisy, not leadership. Civil disobedience forces those in power to listen. Progress has historically been made because those in charge were forced to listen and that can happen again today. The question now is whether our leaders will listen.
We proudly support the Eagle
Emmy and I have used our Letter from the Editors in recent issues to reflect on our upbringing in the journalism program, our appreciation for our staff and everything we have learned throughout our high school careers. This time, I wanted to shift the conversation to something I’ve gained a more nuanced perspective on: music.
I love music. One of my favorite things to do is drive around with it blasting in my car. I attend as many concerts as possible, and nothing compares to going to and dressing up for a country music concert. I believe songs hold memories, and certain ones have the power to transport you back to specific moments and people in your life.
After watching the new season of “Stranger Things,” I began to notice just how many iconic songs came out of the 1980s. Because the show is set in that era, it has gained a reputation for bringing popular tracks back into the spotlight. Some of the most noteworthy songs I’ve added to my rotation include “Purple Rain” by Prince, “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac, “I Think We’re Alone Now” by Tiffany and “Upside Down” by Diana Ross, which is probably why my Spotify Wrapped claims I have the music taste of a 67-year-old. Every time they play, I’m reminded of the series and its writers’ impeccable taste in music.
However, I may be a little biased toward this era, especially
Dear Editors,
To me, there is nothing that can compare to that one feeling when you are in the car with your friends, windows down and the sunroof open, blasting music and watching the sun slowly set, hot summer air swirling and tangling your hair. It feels like you’re levitating in this intangible euphoria, but somehow the most grounded and present you’ve ever been. Eventually, a quietness settles, and the music becomes slower and softer, and hoarse voices giggle over the latest embarrassing experiences and inside jokes. It is in those moments that I feel so grateful to be in the driver’s seat, nails tapping the wheel along to the beat. Since I can remember, I always looked forward to my 16th birthday. At one point, I think I even had a countdown, checking the days off until that bittersweet moment where I was finally free to grasp my first real taste of independence. I still remember the day I got my driver’s license and picked my friend up to go to dinner. I remember plugging in my phone and picking my own choice of music on the drive over, finally able to play whatever I
since my parents have it playing in our house nearly 24/7. Music has always played an important role in my life, and I believe it’s one of the most unifying forces among my family and friends. My grandmother can play almost any song on the piano by ear. My uncle, Steve Holy, is a country singer with two No. 1 hits from the early 2000s: “Brand New Girlfriend” and “Good Morning Beautiful.” While I wish I could say I inherited that level of musical talent, I can play the harmonica and “Heart and Soul” on the piano, so let’s just say music notes are in my blood. Music truly is a universal language. You might have nothing in common with someone, but once songs and genres enter the conversation, the possibilities are endless. This summer, I participated in a traveling program called Moondance in Europe with 12 other teenagers I had never met. Not only were we strangers, but we spent the entire 17-day trip without our phones. One of the main ways we bonded was through music, especially “Broken Window Serenade” by Whiskey Myers. A few of the guys knew how to play the guitar and harmonica, and every night we gathered around the fire to sing together. Now, whenever I hear that song, I’m instantly transported back to Albania and the priceless memories we made.
Though I have hundreds of favorite songs, one stands above the rest: “All Your’n” by Tyler
Childers. I play it when I’m happy, sad, anxious or bored, and no matter what, it lifts my mood. I’ve seen Childers perform live three times and will again in April; whenever he tours near Dallas, I make sure to go. The chorus, “So I’ll love you till my lungs give out,” captures unwavering love and devotion. It’s the most beautiful love song I’ve ever heard, and I highly recommend giving it a listen.
My friends and I also have “theme songs” we associate with our group and play whenever we’re together. After some discussion, we agreed on “Nokia” by Drake, joking that each name he sings represents one of us. According to senior Brant Briner, “Skyfall” by Adele and “Me and the Devil” by Soap&Skin represent his friend group. He says they have “aura” and hype him up whenever his mood needs a boost.
Music plays an essential role in our lives, shaping our emotions, relationships, cognition and self-expression. The song I feel best represents our staff is “Upside Down” by Jack Johnson for its celebration of curiosity, new perspectives and joy in simple discoveries. We challenge the mundane, and every person brings something meaningful to our class and publication. Like in “Curious George,” we value collaboration and never fail to “turn the whole thing upside down,” finding what others say can’t be found and seeing the world differently.
wanted without being told that it was too loud, too sad, too energetic or whatever excuse my parents made up to change the song. While I appreciated the time I spent learning to drive with my parents, there was something about being completely on my own that was both so exciting and daunting.
"IT IS IN THOSE MOMENTS THAT I FEEL SO GRATEFUL TO BE IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT, NAILS TAPPING THE WHEEL ALONG TO THE BEAT."
There’s something about music that has always drawn me in. My parents can attest that ever since I first got my hands on an iPod and a speaker, I’ve
had a habit of blasting music loud enough to echo through the entire house. That has continued into my teen years, and now I always seem to be hopping in the car just to hear the music pulsing through the speakers.
Some of my favorite memories from being 16 are the hours I’ve spent driving, whether it be alone or with my friends, listening to a song that somehow always perfectly captures the moment. I sometimes feel like these smaller moments are overlooked, and I find myself craving a latenight drive to the grocery store, listening to Phoebe Bridgers, a run to Andy’s with prime Justin Bieber pulsating through the speakers or looking at Christmas lights while everyone sings along to the “Hamilton” soundtrack.
Time feels so slow during those drives, life seems to pause and all that matters is that all the worries of the outside world just go quiet.
As much as I adored the idea of my newfound independence, after almost one whole year of driving, I learned that independence doesn’t mean I have to be isolated. I’ve never felt closer to my friends than when I am on one of these drives with them, and even when I’m by myself, I have yet to feel lonely.
The College Football Playoff thrilled the ESD community as the CFP selection committees decisions remain controversial.
Dallas comes alive as the city prepares to host the chaos and tourism that comes with the World Cup
By Sheridan Bailey | Communications Manager
As the clock continues to count down for the 23rd FIFA World Cup, Dallas is preparing for an event of a lifetime, on a scale this region and the world have yet to experience: a 48 team World Cup.
Dallas is not just one of the 16 cities hosting World Cup matches across North America; Dallas is at the center of it, hosting nine matches, more than any other city will host. With that, according to the Dallas-Fort Worth World, nearly 2 million eager fans are expected to travel to the city.
Junior Bella Tremblay will be one of the nearly 90,000 people packed into AT&T Stadium on Monday, June 22, as Argentina faces Austria in a highly anticipated match up headlined by one of the greatest players of all time, Argentina's Lionel Messi.
“Messi is my favorite player ever,” Tremblay said. “When I got my tickets for Christmas, I literally started crying because I wanted to see Messi so bad.”
Unlike the rest of North Texas, where football and basketball events are repeatedly the most popular, according to varsity boys soccer coach and upper school history teacher Philip McCarthy, the World Cup is superior.
“The World Cup is quite simply the most significant event on the planet,” McCarthy said. “In an era of fragmented media and niche streaming, very few events remain monocultural, yet this tournament serves as the world’s greatest unifying force.”
McCarthy has been eagerly awaiting this tournament for four years, but he has a different perspective on how this World Cup should be experienced in our host city.
“I am not going to a game this World Cup because I actually don’t think that is the best way to experience this tournament,” McCarthy said. “In my opinion, the best way to enjoy the World Cup is to watch it with other people, and go to the FIFA Fan Festival and watch the games
with thousands of other fans.” Director of Events and Entertainment Cindy Solomon, a Dallas native, along with the FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee, is helping organize the FIFA Fan Festival in Dallas.
This event, which is the official free public venue of the FIFA World Cup, will run from the first match hosted in Dallas on June 11 through the last, taking place on July 19. The festival will be set outside of the stadium, where spectators will have an immersive experience if they do not manage to secure tickets.
"THE WORLD CUP IS QUITE SIMPLY THE MOST SIGNIFICANT EVENT ON THE PLANET. THIS TOURNAMENT SERVES AS THE WORLDS GREATEST UNIFYING FORCE."
Philip McCarthy Varsity boys soccer coach
“Our FIFA Fan Festival is down at Fair Park [and] we are taking over Dos Equis Pavilion, and we have over a million square feet of activation space,” Solomon said. “We’re bringing this kind of mini-city to life.”
The FIFA Fan Festival brings the excitement of the World Cup beyond the Stadium gates, allowing fans to experience the thrill firsthand.
“Only so many people are going to be able to go to a FIFA World Cup match. Our stadium is very big, but it holds about 85,000 people,” Solomon said.
“Come down to the FIFA Fan Festival, and you’ll see what it’s like to watch a goal be scored and
20,000 people start cheering.”
Senior class dean and upper school Spanish teacher Marcela Garcini is an avid soccer fan. Garcini has been working to obtain tickets for the World Cup for over a year, entering raffles with up to 4.5 million people, but has yet to obtain a ticket.
“I am very excited because I think that you can see the best of the best, the skills, the quality [and] the passion,” Garcini said.
ESD’s Youth Board for the One Love Foundation spreads awareness of relationship abuse through its initiatives beyond athletics.
Dining revamped
WORLD CUP PREP
On Nov.18, the North Texas
has been in existence for really seven years now,” Solomon said. “I joined the organizing committee in April, and so a lot of what we’ve been doing is laying the groundwork.”
PLAYERS ON WORLD CUP ROSTERS will be in Dallas to play in the World Cup representing 18 teams
“I don’t care what people say, soccer is a worldwide sport, it doesn’t matter which country you are from. Everyone is excited, all the continents have different techniques, and it’s really exciting for me.”
The World Cup is a cultural phenomenon, gathering people from many distinct cultures, and an aspect of that phenomenon is music. Each World Cup coins an iconic theme song, which allows listeners to reminisce about the World Cup long after it is over.
Senior Micah Kwende remembers “Waka Waka” by Shakira from the 2010 World Cup.
“‘Waka Waka’ gave me memories and brought the African vibe to the World Cup,” Kwende said. “I hope that I will be able to attend a game this year, but I don’t know yet.”
This year, the theme song is “Desire” by Robbie Williams and Nicole Sherzinger; however, as a lifelong soccer player, this song is incomparable to songs like “Waka Waka” for Kwende.
“I have not listened to the World Cup song for this year,” Kwende said. “I hope it lives up to the same hype that songs from past years have.”
Much like the way music can unite global communities and serve as a symbol for this year's World Cup, the World Cup is universal, not solely for soccer enthusiasts like Kwende.
“In 1994 was the last time, [and] now we’re in 2026; that's how long it’s been since the U.S. has hosted a World Cup,” Solomon said. “It’s a once-ina-generation, once every two decades opportunity, so take advantage of it.”
MILLION TICKETS REQUESTED for the FIFA World Cup over the initial application phase - a record breaking number
PERCENT OF UPPER SCHOOL believe that the World Cup is one of the most exciting sporting events on the planet
GAMES WILL BE IN DALLAS for the FIFA World Cup the most of any other city hosting across US, Mexico and Canada
Source: FIFA and Feb. 2 poll of 132 upper school students
The clusters of students dressed in white from head to toe screamed at the top of their lungs as the varsity boys basketball team faced the Greenhill Hornets on Jan. 9. In the midst of the white stands, three boys buzzed around dressed as beekeepers, "sweeping the hornets.”
Although winter events can be less desirable to attend due to cold weather, attendance, dress participation and school spirit make them exciting. The effort students put into their outfits extends from Greenhill games to St. Mark’s games and even into packed college stadiums, where game-day fashion has become so important.
“The student council decided to make the theme of the Greenhill games on Friday whiteout, with hopes to make more people come,” senior and Student Body President Beau McKnight said. “There was such a big turnout at the games. It was awesome.”
Students wore white sweats, white jackets and white ESD shirts to match the theme. Some went beyond the white-out theme and got more creative. Three sophomore boys, Sam Oglesby, Max Ornani and Wayte McKnight dressed up as beekeepers.
“We thought it would be a fun way to bring school spirit,” Oglesby said. “We got to wear the costume all day at school, and everyone loved it.”
These boys decided to plan their outfits two days in advance and came through with the idea of fitting the theme while also being creative. Their creativity helped students in the stands get more excited about the game because of the school spirit.
“It is hard to find perfect clothes for a game because my friends and I always want to be fun, but also match the theme,” Oglesby said. “I have realized that the more creative outfits always bring the most enthusiasm.”
The cold-weather games and events typically draw a smaller crowd because the extra effort to dress appropriately can be a deterrent. For this reason, during this season, the student council tries to keep up game attendance by encouraging a themed dress for the games.
“I loved seeing everyone show up to our game in their white,” junior and varsity basketball player Khizer Salmon said. “It makes everything more fun with people there.”
Games against ESD’s biggest rivals encourage enthusiasm and bring the community together, in particular when St. Mark’s is the opponent.
“St. Mark’s games are always my favorite because the whole
school is the most excited,” Salmon said. “All of the camo for our biggest rivalry gets me so hyped up.”
And for St. Mark's football games, the school gets decked out in camouflage for what is called “poaching season” against the Lions.
“We try to make the winter rivalry just as exciting as the fall game,” Beau McKnight said. “We hope that the camo theme for the basketball game against St. Mark’s makes more people come.”
Because being in camo can cover the whole body, students take advantage of the cold weather to wear several layers of camo in the winter.
“My friends and I are so excited to dress up for the St. Mark’s game,” Oglesby said. “We want to go all out with camo suits to 'hunt the Lions,' and I hope everyone goes all out as well.”
Not only do game day outfits come into play during high school games, but college game days also offer a theme for students to dress up for. Schools such as the
"WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A FUN WAY TO BRING SCHOOL SPIRIT. WE GOT TO WEAR THE COSTUME ALL DAY AT SCHOOL, AND EVERYONE LOVED IT.”
Sam Oglesby Sophomore
University of Texas at Austin and the University of Alabama make around $10 million a year selling clothing items for games. Many high schoolers attend college football games and base their outfits on themes and school colors.
Creative outfits and themed games boost attendance and school spirit, even in the cold
By Betty Wheeler | Design Editor
SWEEPING THE HORNETS Sophomores Sam Oglesby, Max Ornani and Wayte McKnight dress up as beekeepers during the Jan. 9 varsity boys basketball game against Greenhill. "The more creative the outfit is, the more school spirit there is," Ornani said. "The best part was being able to do it with my best friends."
“I plan my outfits for [UT football] game days about a week in advance,” junior Gigi Madans said. “I love to shop on Amazon and go to the games with my friends all dressed up in burnt orange.”
Many girls who dress up for college game days have fun finding clothes for the event because it makes them more excited to watch football.
“I love watching football games with my friends, but getting dressed up is my favorite part,” Madans said. “I love when I get to dress up for ESD games because it makes me as excited as I am for college game days.”
From basketball games on Friday nights to Saturday night games in Austin, themed dressing builds community and friendships, encouraging more people to watch games.
“I love dressing up for games because it encourages me to show up even when it's cold or I am busy,” Madans said. “It’s all about showing up and being part of something with everyone else.”
Returning from Switzerland, athletes face challenges transitioning back into sports
By Noelle Stovall | Staff Writer
After spending their first semester of sophomore year abroad in Switzerland, Parish Ellis and Franklin Custard returned to campus in early January and transitioned into winter sports midseason, as well as the sports they play outside of school.
Returning from a semester abroad introduces student athletes to challenges beyond transitioning back into academics, as they also had to adjust back into sports midseason due to the Swiss semester running halfway through the winter sports season. Being abroad for three months required Ellis to miss soccer preseason training, early games, practices and the beginnings of new team bonding. Ellis experienced pressure as she had to quickly adjust to new drills with teammates who had already been practicing for over a month together, leaving her to adapt quickly to a new, rapidly moving environment.
“It was really weird [coming back] because I hadn’t played soccer in a while, and although I was in good running shape, I wasn't in good soccer shape,” Ellis said. “The coaches expected me to know what was happening, but I was really lost because I just got put into a drill and had to learn it super fast.”
LAST RALLY ON COURT
Sophomore Franklin Custard plays in a spring of 2024 home tennis match. Custard spent the first semester of his sophomore year abroad.
“The hardest part of coming back was the muscle memory, which is kind of forgotten after three months, but it came back pretty quickly, so it wasn't that big of a deal,” Custard said. “It took probably two hours of hitting until I felt comfortable with the game again.”
Photo provided by Franklin Custard
Playing soccer for the first time in a while after being abroad was one challenge for Ellis, but transitioning into the team that had been together since the beginning of the season was something she had to adjust to as well.
“It definitely started off weird because there was a new team dynamic and everything because it had already been a month and a half of the whole season,” Ellis said. “It was challenging coming back at first, and I think that it took a little bit of time to get back into it, but once I did get back into everything, it was good, and I realized I missed it.”
Coaches also play a significant part in helping athletes feel welcomed and comfortable when
transitioning mid-season. Varsity soccer coach Wendy Howe believes that she and the team's role in leadership and inclusivity played a big role in helping Ellis adjust her way back into the team.
"IT WAS CHALLENGING COMING BACK AT FIRST, AND I THINK THAT IT TOOK A LITTLE BIT OF TIME TO GET BACK INTO IT, BUT ONCE I DID GET BACK INTO EVERYTHING, IT WAS GOOD, AND I REALIZED I MISSED IT."
Parish Ellis Sophomore
“With Parish returning midseason, it allowed an opportunity for the current players and coaches to welcome her with open arms, without judgment, and we didn't skip a beat, due in a huge part to the leaders on the team,” Howe said. “I wouldn't say it has been challenging, but an opportunity for growth. We wanted to make sure she feels a part of the team and understands the expectations of the team culture.”
Ellis faced the adjustment of reconnecting with her team and peers after months away. However, she believed that her soccer team was the best place to return to and felt fully welcomed back. She said she did not encounter any challenges despite returning mid-season, as she had played with many of the same teammates during her freshman year.
“It was really fun to come back,
especially because my teammates were kind of the first people I saw out of everybody as soon as I got back, other than my close friends,” Ellis said. “It was really exciting not only to be back on the team, but also to practice again with the same people I played with last year.”
Custard had a similar experience adjusting back to a sport where he had to regain selfconfidence. Custard encountered some challenges returning to tennis training after studying abroad for three months. Since the tennis season lasts all year long for Custard, his time off from coaching and tournaments left him to face physical and mental readjustments and challenges upon his return. However, with consistency and daily practice, Custard was able to adjust and regain confidence.
“For me, the tennis season is all year round, so I'm always doing
tournaments and things like that,” Custard said. “It was definitely hard at first, like hitting with my coach after three months, and you can't really expect to be the same as you were before, but I try not to think about that and be consistent every day and practice, and so far it's paid off.”
Although Custard was able to readjust physically to tennis with extensive training, he found that reentering to the competitive side of the sport, such as tournament rankings, presented challenges to his performance on the court.
“The hardest part coming back was definitely the rankings, tournament-wise. I lost a lot of my points to get into tournaments, so I have to build that back up,” Custard said. “But I was still in pretty good shape after everything and getting back on the court, even after three months.”
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 week one of ESD football and the upcoming season, as well as predictions for the first week of college football. Scan here to listen!
WRESTLING WITH HIS LAST SEASON
Ending the last varsity wrestling season of his high school career, senior Gianluca Sabella has found joy and motivation throughout his four years on the team. Sabella dedicates his time to building up his teammates and staying disciplined in self-improvement.
Why and when did you start wrestling?
I started wrestling on and off in fifth and sixth grade. But [I started] actually wrestling on a team in seventh grade. I started [wrestling] because I liked the physical aspects of football, just beating other guys and just really being physical, but I could never play tackle football. So, my parents were just, like, ‘You should wrestle.’ So I started wrestling because it was a lot of fun. It is kind of like martial arts.
What do you love about wrestling? It's not a team sport. It's very individual. So, the reasons why you win or lose are based on yourself. You can't blame other people, and you take steps and work towards things like getting better, and it's all on you.
What have you learned from wrestling?
It's taught me that you have to persevere, and no one's going to come to save you; you kind of save yourself. So whether you keep on getting beat up on, you have to just get stronger, faster [and] smarter on the mat, and you can really relate that to all things in life. If you want to improve yourself, you have to do it. No one's going to do the work for you, and so few have all the results. You’ve got to do the work to get those results.
What have you gotten out of this season of wrestling?
This season has been a fun season because there are only three seniors, but two participating seniors. There are so few seniors, and we have a lot of freshmen too, so it's been kind of fun to teach them moves, and get to know them a lot, try to leave an impact and just make them better wrestlers.
How do you support others on your team?
I support others probably by teaching them and trying to give them support. Because when I was a freshman, [and] whenever you're freshmen, you kind of just get beat up on by the seniors and juniors. When I was a freshman, I didn't really get too many words of encouragement, but I always tried to teach them how to be better, and go hard on them, but also try to motivate them to do better and push themselves.
What are your goals for this season?
I would just say, try to do the best I can and just have fun because sometimes wrestling can just get in your head. You can [ask yourself]: ‘Am I good enough? Is all this work worth it?’ So I've been trying to put in work subtly, every season. I'm trying to just enjoy the bits of the hard work that I've been doing.
How do you stay motivated?
It's hard, I'm not gonna lie; sometimes that motivation kind of crashes. It's not really about motivation. It's about discipline. You have to stay consistent. So whenever I have to go on a run, or continue staying motivated in practice, you kind of have to get in and force yourself to be in that mind place and do the work, even if you aren't fully there.
What’s your pre-match routine?
I listen to a little rap to get me excited. But sometimes, if I'm feeling a little anxious, I have to mellow out with some kind of slower music.
HITTING HER 1,000TH POINT
Tatum Reynolds is a four-year varsity starter who's been playing basketball since she was 7 years old and, since then, has spent time practicing on her own, attending club practices and working on her game. She upholds the role of a two-year team captain who has led her team through thick and thin, pushing through challenging games, managing coaching changes, and smiling through it all. On Dec.12, 2025, in a home game against Westlake Academy, she scored her 1,000th career point, one she got to share with her family and friends. As this is her last year playing basketball in high school, she hopes to go out with a bang and secure another SPC win.
When did you first start playing basketball?
I first started playing basketball when I was maybe seven, in second grade. I stuck with it because I really enjoyed improving my game and skill set, and I loved playing on different club teams and making a bunch of friends through basketball.
How has your role on the team changed from your freshman to senior year?
I feel like the dynamic of the basketball team has shifted significantly from my freshman year. [During] my freshman year, I was the youngest starter on varsity and the only freshman starter, so I got to learn a lot from the girls who were older than me. But now, as I have been a captain for the past two years, it’s my job and role to lead those who are younger than me.
What is one game or performance from this season that stands out to you the most?
I would definitely say when we played Westlake Academy [this season], where I scored my 1,000th career point. That was pretty fun. A lot of my friends and family came to support me and that really meant a lot to me. Especially since it was a buzzer beater, it was so fun seeing everyone screaming and having my team come and run up to me.
What did it mean to you personally to reach the 1,000-point milestone during your senior season? It meant a lot to me to hit 1,000 points because I have put in a lot of time and effort into improving myself over the last four years and just throughout my entire life. Hitting this milestone just showed that all my hard work paid off. I even got a custom-made basketball, cookies and signs from my friends.
When you scored your 1,000th point, what emotions were going through your mind?
I was first of all really surprised because it was a buzzer beater, so I just kind of shot the basketball with no expectation of it going in. I didn't know if it would go in or not, but after hitting it, I was really excited because I thought that was a pretty cool way to get my 1,000th point.
Looking back, what do you think were the biggest factors that helped you reach 1,000 career points?
I'd have to say my sister. She’s the point guard, so she’s the facilitator and the one who gets me open. I don't think I could get all of my shots without her. Also, my dad, because he’s spent a lot of time with me on the court over the years, helping me work through my shooting slumps. and improving my shot and skill set.
What advice would you give to younger players who hope to one day reach a milestone like 1,000 points?
I would say, it sounds cliché, but never give up, because I have definitely wanted to quit. But even though times get hard or you're not performing the best, just know that it will get better, keep going and put in the work it takes.
As she moves through a regular day on campus, junior Madison Stiles, one of the leaders of ESD's branch of the One Love Foundation, spots One Love logos everywhere. From shooter shirts during sports practices to the weight room and spirit dress days, the distinct blue stylized emblem of a heart can be seen throughout campus. ESD is a strong supporter of the nonprofit organization.
“It makes me so happy to see support for the program because I think a lot of people don't understand the extremities of this situation,” Stiles said. “Having the prevalence of this program on our campus brings light to teen relationship abuse.”
The One Love Foundation, an organization that highlights and raises awareness of relationship abuse, is mainly promoted through sports, where teamwork and leadership play a crucial role in spreading awareness of its mission. But, their impact extends beyond just athletics. It acknowledges that most young people and adults are not directly taught the healthy and unhealthy signs of a relationship; therefore, they often lack the resources to remove themselves from unhealthy relationships. As stated on their website, their mission is to “empower young people with the tools and resources they need to see the signs of healthy and unhealthy relationships and bring life-saving prevention education to their communities.”
According to Merredith Stueple, the school’s associate director of emotional wellness and ESD’s One Love supervisor, the school has supported the One Love Foundation for 20 years.
“Getting students comfortable talking about these types of issues is very important," Stuelpe said. "Each year, I feel the program is impactful to our school."
The organization was founded in 2010 by Sharon Love and her family after Sharon’s daughter, Yeardley, was killed by her boyfriend weeks before her graduation at the University of Virginia. To prevent others from finding themselves in Love’s situation, her family wanted to come up with a course of action to educate the public about abusive relationships. Through their research, they found that relationship abuse is common around the world. According to the One Love Foundation, more than one in three women experiences relationship abuse in their lifetime and it is easy to
ignore prominent signs in an abusive relationship. One Love focuses on patterns that usually lead to an abusive situation. As it grew, it became a nationwide nonprofit with over 3.6 million people in workshops.
“One Love also has various Youth Boards across the nation,” Stiles said. “These boards help share the program through schools and reach different pools of students.”
The school annually selects four junior representatives to run the One Love program, which plans methods to raise awareness. This year, Stiles, along with juniors Kate Lewis, Curtis Mathes and Michael Goglia, were selected to lead the school’s youth board and are currently completing an online training process. Additionally, these four leaders have selected 10 girls and boys, teaching them about the organization and giving them the tools to manage events.
“These leaders will also go through training with us one night to learn about One Love,” Stiles said. “Then they will help manage the special programming day with us, with our grade.”
Communities and schools can get involved in the organization in several ways. Schools are encouraged to reach out to the board of directors, and students are welcome to get involved by going to their website and signing up for workshops and events. One Love is partnered with over 12 companies that contribute more than $10,000 a year. Companies can utilize their partnership to educate employees, engage in conversations about relationship abuse, and encourage volunteering throughout their organization.
“Students can get involved through their website,” Stiles said. “We are going to be hosting numerous fundraisers and events during the spring to create opportunities to donate and raise awareness for their cause and to gain support from the ESD community through lacrosse.”
The juniors are working on several projects for the spring. Stiles said that they are working on two main fundraisers. One of them includes organizing a girls versus boys lacrosse game where the teams switch sticks. This game has been organized in the past, raising awareness through lacrosse. The second idea is to make merchandise for athletes.
“We also talked about getting shooter shirts for the girls and guys to wear in warm-ups before a lacrosse game and dedicate that
game to One Love,” Stiles said. “[This] gives opportunities for fans and parents to donate to its cause.”
"THE ORGANIZATION'S PLAN OVERALL IS TO CONSTANTLY SPREAD THE WORD. ESD IS ACCOMPLISHING THIS GOAL BY CONTINUING TO SUPPORT THIS PROGRAM AND SPREADING ITS VALUABLE INFORMATION EACH YEAR."
Madison Stiles Junior and ESD leader of One Love
The goal of One Love is to spread information, and by creating these fundraising events, ESD is successfully supporting the organization. Although ESD’s youth board has grown significantly in the past couple of years, it still experiences some conflicts. Stuelpe said that there can be difficulties with spreading the message effectively and safely.
“We have to make sure the groups are balanced with outgoing people and better listeners,” Stuelpe said. “[We also have to] make sure there are no relationship struggles within the groups.”
It is challenging to convey a sensitive message effectively to a group of people, especially when unaware of personal experiences. It is also difficult to ensure that students take the topic seriously, given its significant magnitude.
“Our teen leader group makes sure to implement serious leaders to advocate for the severity of the issue,” Stiles said. “Also approaching the topic with sensitivity and making everyone feel as comfortable as we can,” Stiles said.
By teaching students about the healthy and unhealthy factors of a relationship, ESD makes sure that not only the student body is aware of relationship abuse, but also the entire school community. ESD’s investment in the One Love foundation reveals the efforts to reinforce a culture of respect and safety through the community. Its presence on campus helps athletes display meaningful messages on the field and highlights the power of a united community.
“The organization's plan overall is to constantly spread the word,” Stiles said. “ESD is accomplishing this goal by continuing to support this program and spreading its valuable information each year.”
The ESD community spreads relationship abuse awareness through participation in the One Love Foundation
By McCall Moore | Staff Writer
ESD ONE LOVE EVENT In 2022, ESD and Hockaday varsity girls lacrosse played a game dedicated to the One Love Foundation. Both teams wore One Love shooter shirts during warm ups and coaches showed up with hats and T-shirts.
'25
Nestled in the Aledo Independent school district, Summit Ranch offers an unparalleled lifestyle for those seeking refinement, privacy, and breathtaking views. Situated on 2-4 acre lots, each property is crafted to blend seamlessly with the natural beauty of its surroundings.
As transfers in collegiate lacrosse become increasingly common, team culture and commitment is redefined
By Margot Cathey | Sports Editor
In the world of college sports, coaches often struggle to keep their teams united during the four years of college. According to a March of 2025 Forbes article, “How the Transfer Portal is Shaping the Women's NCAA Tournament," transfers increasingly shift the focus on building stability over time on a team, to assembling talent quickly, ultimately weakening strong team culture.
Although we see it in more popular sports like women's and men’s basketball and football, I have seen the same occurrences start to happen within the collegiate level of women's lacrosse. Many athletes transfer from school to school in search of personal benefit, whether that means more playing time, a healthier team environment or a better coaching staff. These reasons may increase the impact and betterment of an individual player, but this constant disorganization tends to create instability and pull teams apart more than ever.
At a young age, athletes have to decide whether they want to play a sport in college or not. From watching my teammates,many of them spent their adolescent years switching schools or club teams for better programs,
ultimately paving the way for these athletes to make similar decisions at the collegiate level. Because these switches are normalized at younger ages and not taken seriously, they make room for athletes to make the same choices in college.
According to NCAA collected data on transfer rates across Division I sports, the four year transfer percentage for women's lacrosse is about 3.4 percent. Because women's college lacrosse does not provide revenue to players, these college athletes enter the transfer portal merely for recognition. Women in the collegiate level are seeking pure opportunity, at the greatest possibilities they can get, knowing they do not receive much money.
Usually an athlete does not enter a program thinking they will have to enter a transfer portal. During the 2024 lacrosse postseason, multiple ACC and Division I women’s lacrosse coaches remarked in coverage of transfer activity that the portal has reshaped roster building. Coaches like Sara Tisdale of Florida State in June of 2025 during an official Florida State press release, expressed concern that transfers are increasingly driven by athletes seeking better competitive fit and opportunity to contribute, bringing players experience and leadership to be
competitive contributors to a team.
Personally, as a young athlete who has had to balance school and sports at the same time, there is almost no time to focus on one's personal life or mental health. Having experienced this in high school, the collegiate stress seems purely unimaginable. Women in the lacrosse world have to balance academics, athletics and mental health. In an article titled "Necessary Evil” published in Frontiers Media, a publisher of peer-reviewed journals, author Sarah Stokowski wrote about the difficulties of establishing a programmatic culture in the transfer portal era. According to her research, the constant turnover of players can disrupt a team's cohesion and continuity, which can be stressful and disorienting for athletes as they adjust to new environments rapidly rather than developing long term relationships and shared team norms. These pressures have been linked to elevated stress and mental health challenges among athletes. As the transfer portal becomes more relevant, the media focuses on points of pressure and reasons why athletes could be transferring. With constant social media surrounding young collegiate athletes, it’s hard for the public to understand why an athlete may enter the portal. This concern has been echoed by Division I women's lacrosse
coaches themselves. Boston college women's lacrosse coach, Acacia Walker-Weinstein, described in an 2025 interview covered by IKNL, a digital news outlet that aggregated and quoted several coaches about the transfer portal before the NCAA tournament, the transfer portal as a “slippery slope,” meaning that the portal brings unknown circumstances and is sometimes necessary for an athlete, but that it's important to find adversity in the hardest of times. Additionally, Walker-Weinstein said that, “In some ways, one of the toughest and most important lessons you can learn is that sometimes there isn’t an out. Sometimes you just have to find a way and tough it out and find happiness because there’s happiness everywhere.”
Today, coaches are expected to lead, recruit and maintain a strong team, one where athletes would not feel inclined to transfer for any reason. Sometimes, a team can have no problem with winning, but ultimately, the coaching staff is not always the most beneficial to the players and the team all together.
However, the responsibility and reasons for transfers cannot be attributed only to coaching institutions. These young women shape the future of lacrosse, and ultimately, when players stay committed and reliant on a team, others will eventually follow. A recent academic study on the transfer portal suggests that frequent movement can foster an individual first mindset, prioritizing oneself over the team.
Although it's unintentional, the portal weakens team camaraderie and increases emotional strain on athletes.
ABy Jack Coben | Podcast Co-Editor
fter sitting on the edge of his seat for three and a half hours, senior Andrew Russell and his friends jumped up and screamed at TV as they celebrated the game-sealing interception by the University of Indiana’s cornerback Jamari Sharpe. The play sealed the Hoosiers' 27-21 win over the University of Miami Hurricanes in the 2026 College Football National Championship on Jan.19 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Under Bloomington’s Head Football Coach Curt Cignetti, the Hoosiers have completed one of the most remarkable turnarounds in college football history after finishing the 2023-24 season 3-9. After the Hoosiers' 15-0 dominating season, they cemented a perfect 16-0 record by winning the National Championship, putting them among the among the ranks of the `2019 Louisiana State University Tigers team led by Joe Burrow, who is now a quarterback
for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Indiana quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza led the Hoosiers' offense, completing 16 of his 27 passes for 186 yards and a pivotal 12-yard touchdown run on a fourth down late in the championship game. His performance helped Indiana overcome a strong Miami defense that featured many future firstround NFL draft picks.
"This victory is so sweet for everybody, the entire Hoosier Nation," Mendoza said in a post-game interview with ESPN announcer Laura Rutledge. "It's really sweet for me. I was a two-star recruit."
While Indiana claimed the spotlight after a historic playoff run, this year's playoff picture only held four SEC teams, with one of those making the semifinals. The Ole Miss Rebels, led by quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, had a remarkable playoff run after beating the Georgia Bulldogs on Jan. 1, 39-34, but ended their season in a harsh four-point loss to
the Hurricanes on Jan. 8.
“Getting to watch Miami play was really fun,” junior Ryan Cole said. “After watching them play against Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl, it really showed how good a team they are.”
This year's College Football Playoff was very close, with four games ending within one score of the other team.
“I think having close games makes watching so much more fun,” Cole said. “Some games weren’t that fun to watch, just because it was a blowout.”
Many semifinal games remained close, and many were physical, with momentum shifts. Several teams leaned very heavily on their ability to run the ball. Various coaches, including Cignetti, took risks on fourth down; Cignetti went for two fourth downs on the same drive, allowing Mendoza to rush for 12 yards and get the touchdown.
“I was on the edge of my seat the entire game,” junior Henry Lanyon said. “After that touchdown, I had a good feeling [about the Hoosiers]. However, my nerves settled when Carson Beck threw that last interception.”
The 2026 CFP added a personal layer of excitement beyond the onfield results. Senior Bauer Berkley, a future University of Miami student, said that their post-season run marked his first true opportunity to follow his future school.
“I could not be more excited to be going to Miami,” Berkley said. “Ever since getting in, I have watched every single game.”
Since Berkley received his acceptance letter, he has celebrated every Hurricanes game with his friends. Berkely explained that Miami’s win over Ole Miss was one of his favorite football games he has ever watched.
“I watched the game with a lot of
Ole Miss fans, and watching Miami win made that even sweeter,” Berkley said. “But a bunch of my buddies have converted to Miami fans, so that makes it more fun just that they all support me.”
The setting of the national championship being in Miami added to the excitement. Playing in an NFL stadium and on the Hurricanes' home field only intensified the matchup.
“I went to the national championship in Miami,” Berkley said. “It has been amazing these last few weeks rooting for the Canes. I am just disappointed that it ended this way.”
While Berkley is not the only senior who is enthusiastic about the CFPs, he emphasized that he has wagered on some games with his friends.
“I do not condone sports gambling,” Berkley said. “However, I have made some friendly bets with my friends regarding Miami winning.”
Fans' experiences have reflected the pride people have in their alma mater and the schools they are interested in.
“I think some three-loss teams would’ve played a more competitive game than James Madison or Tulane,” Cole said. “I think that Texas or Notre Dame teams could’ve potentially put up a better fight in the first round of the playoffs.”
Kent Lanyon ’25, who is the brother of Henry Lanyon and a current freshman at Indiana, was so prideful that he ended up in tears after the final whistle of the game.
“Getting to see Kent that happy was really cool,” Henry Lanyon said. “My uncle bought me a ticket in Vegas that was $100 on IU winning the championship, so that only adds to the excitement for my brother and me.”
By Searcy Mae Ferguson Staff Writer |
From The Nest highlights students' unique passions and showcases their personal collections. Each feature shows off a glimpse into
The
"This
the middle of the building process, my cat Rosie jumped on it, causing it to break. I was very frustrated and had to start over. Because of this, the set took me around a month to complete."
Freshman Charlie Rawson has had a love for LEGOs from a very young age and started collecting sets when he was around age 10 years old. This passion began because his dad, Brian, had a knack for them since his youth, and it inspired Rawson to get started.
“I remember when I was around 4 years old, my grandmother bought me a Superman LEGO,” Rawson said. “I wasn't able to build it, so my dad built it while I played with the minifigures.”
Since then, Rawson has built over 80 sets, totaling over 100,000 pieces. Because of how many LEGOs he has built, he converted his home’s workout room into a LEGO lounge. The sets don’t just take up space, but are a major time commitment.
“The time it takes for me to build them varies from
one day to over three weeks,” Rawson said. “[It all] depends on the size of the LEGO.”
The Eiffel Tower took him a month to build, and because of this, it is his favorite set.
“Around 10 of my LEGO sets are over 10 years old, such as the Diner and Bank,” Rawson said. “The LEGO Eiffel Tower is the largest set ever manufactured, which makes it pretty special.”
Through LEGOs, Rawson has learned life lessons that have followed him to the present.
“[LEGOs] have taught me patience because sometimes building them can be very frustrating,” he said. “LEGOs are often very fragile, which can lead to them breaking, and putting them back together is very difficult and stressful.”