IN-DEPTH
ESD places emphasis on sportsmanship after years of struggling with a poor athletic reputation and rejected admissions offers tied to a perceived lack of respect on the field. In response, the administration introduced new restrictions on football games and student behavior in the stands. These restriictions raised expectations not only for ESD’s athletic teams and fans, but for the entire school.
CAPITAL JOURNAL
Explores what the Big Beautiful Bill means for the country and how it affects university and medicare federal funding.
A DAY IN BISHOP ARTS Co-Editor-In-Chief Reese Rawson spends the day in the Bishop Arts District. She shares her favorite experiences from blissful matcha to delightful candle making.
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THESPIANS IN SCOTLAND Over the summer, ESD Theater took a trip to England and Scotland to perform the play "Perchance to Dream."
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PARTAKING PRIVILEGES
The Eagle Edition staff believes that junior privileges should be given at the beginning of the year instead of during second semester.
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SPOTLIGHT ON ERNIE Highlights Ernie the Eagle's day in the life of being the mascot, favorite parts of mascoting and fun facts.
Plans for the future of ESD's campus, school and curriculum begin discussion among the administration.
Recent approval of Texas's redrawn congressional map has sparked a partisan redistricting battle.
Major flood strikes, taking lives and ruining camps across Kerville County
By Lincoln Clarke | Social Media Co-Manager
On the night of July 3, a raging storm quickly grew into a powerful flood, washing camp sites, lives and homes away along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County, Texas. The morning of July 4, 2025, is a day that many people will remember for the rest of their lives.
With 135 people dead, 27 being from Camp Mystic, and one 8-year-old Mystic camper still missing, this flood has become one of the deadliest floods in Texas history, according to Newsweek.
Mystic’s devastation felt close to home as it struck many ESD girls, including several upper, middle and lower schoolers who attend the camp. Libby Cuccia, an alumnus of the class of 2024, was a counselor at Camp Mystic during the disastrous flood.
“That night was very traumatic,” Cuccia said. “The rain was really loud, scaring all my campers, but we were told to stay put for three and a half hours.”
Cuccia described her experience as confusing and terrifying, but the trauma from that night did not end there, as she is still affected by it today.
“I get very triggered when [I hear] thunder and lightning,” Cuccia said. “I live every day to the fullest, knowing it could be my last because life is sudden and you never know what is coming next.”
Cuccia has continued to be affected by this horrific experience, and the event has specifically impacted her relationship with God.
“I have been growing closer to God since [the incident],” Cuccia said. “I have been going to church, spending plenty of time with camp girls [and] praying for the situation.”
This “slice of heaven,” as most campers, including freshman Stella Bates, would refer to Camp Mystic, was filled with traditional
activities, deep friendships and spiritual growth.
Bates attended Camp Mystic for seven summers. She was at camp during its first term this summer and left at the end of June, only eight days before the flood devastated the area. Bates was at home when she received the news from a text message in her cabin's group chat.
“I was devastated when I learned the news,” Bates said. “It is still something I am struggling to process, but I am sick thinking about [the] families [who were affected].”
"I LIVE EVERYDAY TO THE FULLEST, KNOWING IT COULD BE MY LAST BECAUSE LIFE IS SUDDEN AND YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT IS COMING NEXT."
“There have been a lot of different feelings,” Morrison added. “I have been grieving the lives lost, losing my second home and the effects of the tragedy."
Morrison has also felt a deep sense of sadness since the events of July 4. She was in Greece with her family at the time. The news led her to miss her camp friends back home even more.
“For days, every morning I woke up to more awful news,” Morrison said. “It was awful watching a place I loved so much be dragged through the mud. [It was also hard to] watch more devastating news and numbers come out about little girls.”
The news also broke freshman Harper Axley’s heart. She attended Mystic for the past seven years. Axley always associated Camp Mystic with its director, Dick Eastland, who lost his life in the flood while rescuing campers.
“I loved that place so much and all of the people who filled it,” Axley said. “Hearing about Dick Eastland’s passing was an indescribable pain because of who that man was and how much he meant to everyone who met him.”
Although Bates did not know any families directly affected by the tragedy, the news still struck her hard. Senior Riley Morrison, however, knew many families tied to the heartbreaking flood.
“I had a lot of friends who were there at camp,” Morrison said. “I knew older campers, counselors who saved lives and counselors who passed.”
Morrison attended Camp Mystic for the past 10 summers.
In the face of this hardship, she has spent time with camp friends, donated money towards rescue and relief efforts and spoken to those she loves regarding this loss.
Axley and her family, like many others, have donated to foundations supporting Kerr County rescues and redevelopment efforts. These initiatives have raised $100 million for Texas flood victims, including $1.36 million for Camp Mystic alone.
The event has united people together, even many who never attended Camp Mystic, in support of the camp and all the families who lost their children in the flood. Green ribbons have been tied around stop signs, trees and outside businesses throughout Texas, serving as a constant reminder of the Guadalupe River flood.
Other colored ribbons, including pink, yellow and purple, have been displayed around Dallas in remembrance of campers such as
Eloise Peck, Hadley Hanna and Lila Bonner, who all attended Highland Park elementary schools.
Following the flood, junior Mali Kate Venable spent time with her friends tying ribbons around trees in their neighborhoods.
“I never went to Mystic nor did I know anyone who was there [during the floods] personally,” Venable said. “However, I wanted to help and spread awareness in any way that I could.”
There are multiple organizations and plenty of GoFundMe pages, including Support Camp Mystic and Rebuilding Hope for Camp Mystic Girls, all of which are accepting donations in support of restoration in the areas affected by the storm. The tragedy has continued to affect thousands of people, leaving some traumatized and others processing grief.
“I am forever in shock about my favorite place being destroyed in one night and taking all these precious lives with it,” Morrison said. “I am still trying to figure out this path through grief, but every day feels a little easier, and I have kept [my] Camp Mystic friends extra close.”
“Heaven’s 27,” the group of Mystic parents who lost children during the July 4 flood, launched a campaign for summer camp safety and presented their proposals for new laws in Austin, Texas. The bill they presented to Gov. Greg Abbot consisted of three acts concerning emergency plans, moving operating cabins off of certain floodplains, staff training for emergencies and early-warning systems. Abbot signed the three bills on Sept. 5, ensuring future safety promotions for summer camps and enhancing flood preparedness throughout the state.
O4 in the South Lawn of the White House, the Trump Administration celebrated the passing and signing into law of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
The BBB, which was signed by the 119th U.S. Congress and President Donald Trump, is an 870-page legislation focused on government spending and changing parts of the federal government to align with the Trump Administration.
“It's probably the biggest piece of domestic legislation that's been passed, certainly since the Affordable Care Act, and the pure scope of American life in terms of how transformative it could be in the decades to come,” upper school government teacher Adam Walsh said. “There are aspects of the Big Beautiful Bill that touch on the cornerstones of the President's agenda, tax cuts and immigration policy."
According to USAFacts, the BBB includes measures to raise the debt ceiling and provisions such as no tax on tips, overtime pay or auto loans. Among the many changes, the bill introduces Trump Accounts. Every child born between 2025 and 2028 will be entitled to open a Trump account funded with a $1,000 deposit from Congress and the president. Parents and other entities may contribute up to $5,000 annually to the account until the child turns 18. At that time, the child may withdraw funds without penalty to cover education expenses or purchase a first home. A child may choose to keep the account until they reach retirement age. The new bill has received mixed reactions from the public.
“Through the tax cuts and spending, more money will end up in the pockets of middle-class Americans, which is good. The parts that are no tax on tips, no tax on overtime and the tax cuts really incentivize hard work, which align with my conservative values,” President of the Conservative Student Union and senior Charlie Cain said. “It’ll also, in the same way, benefit small businesses. If it just gets the economy flowing, everyone will probably benefit
at a higher rate. To seek a higher return on investments for colleges, the BBB ties colleges’ access to federal funding to the earnings of their graduates. According to National Public Radio, if graduate students earn less than someone with a high school diploma, universities may risk losing federal government funding.
“I think the taxation and the penalties on private universities are completely unfair [in] approaching elements of free speech. It’s just another way for the Trump Administration to exert control, power and domination over these universities that are educating people [about studies],” senior Arden Bowen said. “The Trump Administration, using their legal power to go and attack the universities of America, is [abusing] power [and] is something they should not be focused on because they have much larger problems at hand.”
The BBB contains modifications to every aspect of funding, from the immigration policies to government funding.
“I think you should want your representatives to know what they're voting on. When you pack so many things into a piece of legislation, that's just not possible,” Walsh said. “My problem with the legislation isn't with the legislation itself. It's with the process. The process should go back to the traditional method of legislation, which is when it is proposed by a legislator, it is debated on its merits, and then, if you want to change it, you vote to amend it. You don't pass it up and down as one giant thing.”
The Trump Administration added restrictions to Medicaid, a government-funded health care program that millions of disabled and low-income American citizens rely on. The BBB changes Medicaid re-enrollment requirements from annually to every six months, also mandating frequent income and residency verifications according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.
“Most nonpartisan groups have estimated that a significant portion of people will lose their medical insurance as a consequence of that,” Walsh said. "Mostly, that has nothing to do with eligibility. It has everything
become eligible. It's likely that some folks simply won't do that or won't be able to navigate the system. Some folks who are on Medicaid don't have the highest education level. Computers are a challenge for them, so they may lose benefits, even though they're eligible.”
"IN MY OPINION, [PEOPLE] HAVE THE RIGHT TO CRITICIZE THE ACTIONS OF YOUR GOVERNMENT, WHETHER YOU LOVE IT OR HATE IT... YOU'VE GOT TO REMEMBER THAT AS A MEMBER OF A CIVIL SOCIETY [AND] OF THE ELECTORATE, YOU HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY IN THIS TOO."
Adam Walsh Upper school government teacher
According to the American Civil Liberties Union, the BBB reduces the amount of funding that goes towards Medicaid and reallocates the funding towards President Trump’s deportation plans.
“The money will more likely be used towards deportations. You can allocate resources [and] have more ICE agents, but the bottom line is, finding individuals who are here illegally is not easy,” Walsh said. “You have to house them [and] go through the proper channels if you want to deport them, and certainly, the administration is trying to streamline that process as much as it can. The bill allows for [infrastructure] to take place [for deportations], but those things aren't going to happen overnight. A lot of that is going to take time. In terms of the United States' priorities, you could argue that this is the correct priority, because this is what the president ran on
Congress passes the Big Beautiful Bill, reshaping spending and tax policies Source: CBSNews/AlJazeera/Clerk.house.gov/Congress.gov
Center poll conducted from Aug. 4 to 10, 46 percent of Americans disapprove of the budget and tax laws inserted in the BBB, while only 32 percent of citizens approve and 23 percent remain unclear on their opinion of the bill. Both conservatives and liberals have opposing opinions about the legislation and what the future holds for America.
“I generally think that it is good for America, despite the fact it's a little worrying that it adds to the budget deficit. There's nothing that I super disagree with,” Cain said. “It's not great to see the deficit building, but the idea is that with the tax cuts, the main thing that's causing the deficit to go up, Americans will spend more and the market and the economy will grow. In the short term, the deficit will grow. [For] the long term, it'll shrink from this.”
Many liberals seem to have an opposite reaction to this bill and what this legislation does for America, nicknaming it the “Big Ugly Bill.”
“I think policy-wise, [the legislation] is pretty bad for the country. [The bill] is exactly enacted or written out in Project 2025, and it is setting the tone for the second Trump [Administration] and for what I would assume is going to be JD Vance's running platform in 2028,” Bowen said. “ I think spending and budget cuts affect so many people. The [number] of layoffs [reported] is insane. There's no way that's good for the overall American.”
The BBB serves as a reminder to Americans that the federal government has a duty to serve the people. Every legislation created should be beneficial for every American, no matter what race or income bracket.
“In my opinion, [people] have the right to criticize the actions of your government, whether you love it or hate it,” Walsh said. “Where the problem comes in is that you've got to remember that as a member of a civil society [and] of the electorate, you have a role to play in this, too. If you don't like components of this [bill] or anything, then you need to pay more attention during political campaigns.”
By Veda Bodhanampati | Staff Writer
By Stella Bartley | Web Editor
athered around the campfire at Wolf Run Ranch in 1980, Fr. Swann preached to his first graduating class, referencing the biblical Parable of the Lost Sheep. The passage tells the story of a shepherd who leaves his flock of 99 sheep to find the one that has been lost, representing God's unconditional love for each and every individual. From then on, Swann’s mission became clear: to create a community where no student was ever left behind.
Inspired by Swann’s mission to ensure every student at ESD feels a sense of belonging, Associate Head of Middle School Allison Darnell and the upper school deans created a plan to ensure each student has at least one trusted adult on campus whom they could turn to, much like the shepherd in the Parable of the Lost Sheep.
"THE ONE TRUSTED ADULT [TEACHER] PROGRAM DATES BACK TO ONE OF FR. SWANN’S FAVORITE GOSPELS ABOUT THE 99 SHEEP AND THE ONE SHEPHERD."
David
“The upper school deans, Mr. Auge and I attended a conference in Austin in February,” Darnell said. “One of the speakers was Brooklyn Rainey. She [discussed] her book, ‘One Trusted Adult’ and [emphasized] the importance of students having at least one trusted adult whom they feel they can trust and go to whenever they need someone.”
After listening to Rainey speak about her book, Darnell spoke with other middle school leaders from neighboring schools and was inspired to launch ESD’s One Trusted Adult teacher program.
“One educator [from another school] shared how they, as faculty, do relationship mapping, [which is] a strategy that identifies and ensures that every student has a positive connection with at least one adult at school,” Darnell said. “After sharing the takeaways from the conference with the ESD Leadership team, we decided to give relationship mapping a try here.”
Ann and Lee Hobson Family
Head of School Dave Baad pitched the idea of including the One Trusted Adult teacher program in the ESD 2030 plan, a multi-year project that is intended to reform and improve all aspects of the school.
“The launching of the One Trusted Adult teacher program is a part of the ESD 2030 plan, which we are currently starting to gradually implement here at ESD [and] our desire to create what we think is a really strong community, ensuring that every student and faculty member feels as if they are completely a part of ESD,” Baad said. “The One Trusted Adult [teacher] program dates back to one of Fr. Swann’s favorite gospels about the 99 sheep and the one shepherd. The students [at ESD] represent the 99 sheep, and the faculty represent the singular shepherd in the sense that they are leading the herd.”
The intention behind the One Trusted Adult teacher program circles back to Baad and the upper school deans’ desire to communicate with students about which teachers they resonate with and feel a connection to.
“The idea of the program is to raise awareness amongst faculty and to ask [teachers] about what kids they feel like they have created a connection with,” Baad said. “Along with that, we want to talk to students about what adults they feel a connection to, making sure that every student at ESD feels like they belong here.”
To support the implementation of the One Trusted Adult teacher program, Simpson Family Director of Emotional Wellness and Learning Support Services, Dr. Cara Holmes, said that feelings of displacement and isolation in school are a widespread issue across the nation.
“Most adults who work with children and adolescents are acutely aware of the youth mental health crisis in America,” Holmes said. “Across our country, young people are experiencing unprecedented rates of anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation, driven by a complex mix of social, academic and cultural pressures. This reality calls for schools like ours to serve as protective and compassionate partners in promoting students' emotional well-being.”
Holmes added that, as a school that is grounded in the value of community, ESD is particularly inclined to ensure that all students are provided with a space where they feel included.
“As an Episcopal school, we are uniquely positioned to do this work,” Holmes said. “Our tradition emphasizes the inherent worth and dignity of every individual, the call to live in community and the responsibility to care for one another. These values ground our commitment to fostering strong, authentic relationships between students and adults.”
for the 74th Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California, on September 12, 2022. (Chris Delmas/AFP via Getty Images/TNS)
TV host Jimmy Kimmel was pulled off air indefinitely on Sept. 17 following his comments about the shooting of Charlie Kirk. Jimmy Kimmel, who rose to prominence as the host of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live,’ which premiered in 2003, quickly became one of the top late-night talk shows in the United States. While Kimmel’s comments did not directly focus on Kirk, he did take aim at President Donald Trump and his response to the assassination. He claimed that Trump was “working very hard to capitalize on the murder of Charlie Kirk.” On Sept. 17, Nexstar and Sinclair, two of the largest broadcast companies in the U.S., stopped airing Jimmy Kimmel’s show on their ABC affiliated stations after Brendan Carr, Federal Communications Commissions Chair, suggested Kimmel should be suspended. The network did not explain their decision to cancel his show, however sources acknowledge that there was significant political pressure on the broadcasting station from the Trump administration.
Robert Redford arriving at the 71st annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, on Jan. 12, 2014. Robert Redford, the leading man with the golden-boy looks who won an Oscar for directing "Ordinary People" and later became a godfather for independent film as founder of the Sundance Film Institute, has died. He was 89. (Hahn Lionel/ Abaca via ZUMA Press/TNS).
Hollywood star Robert Redford died on Sept. 16 at age 89 concluding his career as an Oscar-winning star. Redford was a well known actor in the ’80s, and prominent cultural figure who played a role in shaping the acting careers of other developing Hollywood stars in the ’80s. Redford was most well known for his roles in the films “Butch Cassity and the Sundance Kid” as well “The Sting,” a 1973 Oscar winner. Redford was not only celebrated for his career as a successful actor, but also remembered for founding Utah’s Sundance Film Festival and winning the best director Academy Award for Ordinary People in 1980. Director Ron Howard, an American director and film maker, described Redford as “a tremendously influential cultural figure.” Redford’s’s legacy lies not just in his personal achievements as an actor and director, but the acting platforms he built for other productions in Hollywood.
This combination of pictures created on May 14, 2020, shows recent portraits of China's President Xi Jinping (right) and U.S. President Donald Trump. U.S. (Jim Watson/ Peter Klaunzer/AFP/Pool/Getty Images/ TNS).
TikTok is set to be sold to a group of United States based investors, including Oracle, Andreessen Horowitz, and Silver Lake after intense pressure on TikTok's Chinese parent company, ByteDance. Following Trump’s election in January of 2025, the U.S. government demanded that ByteDance sell TikTok’s American operations, and on Monday Sept. 15 the U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Li Chenggang, China’s vice minister of commerce, claimed that a TikTok sale agreement had been reached during negotiations held in Madrid between U.S. and Chinese diplomats. Neither side has disclosed terms of the agreement, but sources familiar with the new framework predict that the new American investors will now hold the majority stake of the company. This sale marks a major moment in the debate over digital privacy, and how governments will continue to administer social media.
CREATING A CONNECTION Junior MK Spraker spends time in the library with Associate Director of Admission Rachael Bingham discuss her workload and studies. “Being able to trust in at least [one] teacher here at ESD is super [beneficial],” Spraker said. “Whenever I am feeling down or overwhelmed, I always find it helpful to talk to [my] teachers about it.” Photo by Stella Bartley
NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) General Alexus G. Grynkewich speaks during a press conference on the violation of Polish airspace by Russian drones, at the NATO headquarters in Brussels on Sept. 12, 2025. NATO will strengthen the defense of its eastern flank, following the intrusion of Russian drones into Polish airspace this week, announced NATO Secretary on Sept. 12. (Simon Wohlfahrt/AFP via Getty Images/TNS).
Three Russian fighter jets violated Estonia’s airspace on Sept. 12 for an unusually long period of time; however, NATO quickly responded and intercepted the Russian jets over Estonian territory. Ten days prior to the airspace incursion, Russia flew 21 drones into Polish territory, prompting NATO to shoot them down. Prior to the intrusion, the Russian fighter jets filed no flight plans with Estonia air authorities, their transporters were switched off, and there was no communication between Russia and Estonian air traffic control. The intrusion took place on a day when an international group of business leaders gathered in Narva, Estonia on the border of Russia, for the opening of a major new factory. Following the incursion of both Estonian and Polish airspace, Russia denied flying drones over Polish territory and claimed they were intended to be flown over Ukrainian territory.
As students walk into school on their first day, they are greeted by more than just the sound of classmates talking and classes beginning; around them, the construction noises are a reminder of the new era that ESD is embarking upon.
With a student population of an estimated 1,200 students, the school has begun a master plan as part of “ESD 2030.” The plan is essentially a guide for future construction and development, created years in advance to ensure the school can utilize and update its space to serve its community best. After careful consideration and selection, the administration has chosen Hastings Architecture to take on this task. Over the summer, the firm explored the campus and various other private schools in Dallas as models and sources of inspiration for potential additions.
“The last master plan was done in 2005, so it’s been about 20 years,” Parents Association Associate Head of School Ruth Burke said. “It’s time to rethink for the future. The way we teach [and] the way we learn is very different than [what] it was 20 years ago. So, our spaces need to be a little different than how they were initially constructed.”
This initiative is not only focused on new buildings or renovated facilities, but also intended to foster a welcoming environment where students can grow, teachers can guide and a place for the community to connect. Through surveys of current faculty and staff, both the Hastings firm and the executive board are gaining insight into the community’s wants and needs for the evolving campus. Its goals are
to design an inviting campus that honors innovation and the past.
“If you think about it, it’s a balancing act between staying true to who we are as a school and those special traditions and culture pieces that have gotten us here,” Burke said. “We’d like to have more of a welcoming environment when people arrive on campus, so they know where they’re going and how to enter.”
Although it is still early in the planning process, renovations completed in previous months mark the first steps toward anticipated change and growth across the campus.
“We have renovated facilities for [students] to enjoy this year: we put a brand new roof on the chapel, we did a ton of work on Jones stadium, we built a picnic pavilion for cookouts and tailgating, we got a new track and lockers got taken out of the hallway,” Ann and Lee Hobson Head of School Dave Baad said. “I’m imagining a possible Cook building renovation or building a new STEM building and some work to be done on the other side of Merrell with the athletic facilities and the classroom spaces in the West Wing.”
The various changes to athletic facilities are the first part of “ESD 2030” that have been completed. These changes are another step towards the school’s commitment to providing its community with spaces that honor and hone its students' athletic needs.
“There’s a saying, whether it’s at ESD or any school, [that] athletics are the front porch of your school, meaning it’s very public,” Athletic Director Thad Lepcio said. “[The field] is literally the first thing you see when you come to campus, so that’s going to make an impression. I think that there’s an added perspective [and] an added
responsibility that I have that that’s the first impression a lot of folks get driving down Midway.”
After the school’s 50th anniversary celebration last year, ESD continues to look towards the future and prosper. This year, efforts are underway to engage a broader range of students, faculty and staff in the planning process. This reach means that everyone’s wants, needs and concerns will be heard and considered for the future development of the school.
“I think as we continue down this master plan phase, getting student input is critical. I may think something’s a big deal and students may not care, and vice versa,” Lepcio said. “I think getting student input both academically and athletically is going to be huge moving forward.”
This process does not come without its challenges, though; managing limitless needs on a limited campus requires careful consideration in the future, especially as changes that will best uplift the community are
determined.
“The biggest challenges will revolve around just trying to narrow down what our top priorities are,” Burke said. “We want to add a lot of things, [but] we only have a limited amount of space and campus, and we have to abide by the city of Dallas ordinances and restrictions.”
As ESD looks toward its future, it serves as a reminder of how far this 50-year-old school has come and the ever-growing eagles in the community.
“The paradox is that while we dream about the future, we must remain rooted in ESD’s past,” Burke wrote in an article in The Crest last year about the master planning process. “[We must remember] the founding days of borrowed classrooms followed by a single gymnasium with partitions for classrooms, the sense of community and belonging that is nurtured by a campfire, sitting at round tables, teachers as shepherds and gathering every day to worship and reflect together.”
The administrators and student leaders are restructuring clubs to ensure that they are more organized, purposeful and aligned with ESDistinction, a developing platform that exposes students to several disciplines and provides networks or specialized areas of interest.
In the past, clubs struggled with unclear purposes and low participation. The result was a long list of clubs, some of which rarely met and lacked active members. According to Club
Committee sponsor Marcela Garcini, this year’s changes are about both clarity, accountability and becoming more aligned with ESD’s mission of igniting lives of purpose.
“Many of the clubs never had meetings or had no members,” Garcini said. “Pretty much, we’re ‘cleaning the house.’”
With fewer clubs on the roster, the focus is shifting toward ensuring that those remaining have defined goals and a lasting impact. Prospective clubs must now declare their mission through a constitution and outline of their
goals.
“Does every single club have a purpose? Do they have a community service component? Where are they even in the community?” Garcini said. “So, it’s not, ‘Oh, I want to create a club.’ It’s actually, ‘What is the reason behind having the groups?’”
To ensure purpose-driven club involvement, new requirements are being put in place. Students must outline their prospective club’s mission and goals.
Additionally, juniors and seniors are no longer allowed to start clubs just for resumebuilding. These constraints have caused 10 to 15 clubs to be cut from the roster.
“It’s better to have [fewer] clubs that are more effective and that really feel the needs of our kids,” Garcini said. “We have different interests from a lot of people, like business, technology and robotics.”
With fewer and stronger clubs, attention will shift to how leaders keep momentum and engage with members more effectively. Leadership and consistency are essential to these reforms. Club leaders are expected to keep meetings organized, engage members and connect their work to the wider community.
“If you say that you’re going to have a meeting and it doesn’t happen, people won’t come back,” Garcini said. “You have to be creative as a leader [for the club’s success].”
For students, the changes may feel stricter, but they also open new opportunities. With clearer
ESD lays the foundation for future renovations to our campus
By Josephine Holmes | Arts Editor
A LOOK AHEAD
The layout of ESD’s current campus provides a framework for further construction and development. “The way we teach [and] the way we learn is very different than [what] it was 20 years ago,” Burke said. “So, our spaces need to be a little different than how they were initially constructed.”
expectations, members can join new clubs with confidence that they will actually meet, pursue meaningful projects and connect with peers who have similar interests.
“People from the Club Committee are planning on sitting in on some club meetings to see how they’re functioning,” Club Committee Co-President and senior Arya Ajith said. “We’ll have more communication between clubs and the [Club] Committee, and more accountability for when these clubs are meeting.”
To increase visibility, clubs will also gain new platforms. The Student Council is now offering time during Town Hall for groups to share activities they have going on and a newly created media position on the Club Committee will manage social media highlights of club activities.
“We’re going to give the clubs at ESD a little more groundwork,” Ajith said. “[We’re also going to] get into the nitty-gritty of how clubs can be more interactive with the student body.”
The overall aim is to build quality over quantity, ensuring that clubs are purpose-driven platforms where students can pursue their interests, form friendships and develop leadership skills. Although Garcini notes that miracles won’t be made in one year, by focusing on accountability and purpose, clubs will become better all around.
“If you want to become a leader or you want to be making a difference,” Garcini said. “I think that we have a space for you.”
New structure emphasizes quality over quantity in student groups
By Gabriella Loewen-Eells | Staff writer
CLUB CONNECTIONS
Students at the club fair. "[The new system] is a lot more helpful for creating a more supportive and coherent community," sophomore and club fair attendee Harper Cernoch said. "It's more of an opportunity to get to know other people rather than just have little clubs with no one in them."
Fire scare in the chapel
A small fire broke out in the school’s All Saint’s Chapel on the morning of Aug. 12 during an inservice activity. The faculty and staff had just exited the chapel after a service in which the faculty lit a small candle for every student in the school.
The fire began when several tea light candles, left burning on a wooden table by the altar of the chapel, heated the surface enough to ignite it.
At 9:07 a.m., middle school sculpture and 3D design teacher Zach Allen entered the chapel to retrieve his backpack and discovered two small flames. He immediately pulled the nearby fire alarm and used the fire extinguisher to slow the spread.
“I was returning to the chapel to grab my bag from the narthex [entrance area] and noticed the fire through the windows,” Allen said. “After a bit
New coffee shop brews community
ESD unveils new track
ESD now offers a coffee shop, 4100 Roast, run by Sage Dining Services. The new spot serves as a place for students and faculty to recharge and enjoy a beverage before the school day starts.
The idea for the shop originated from a desire to bring the community together.
“I thought that the community would enjoy it,”
Sage Service Manager Rebecca Compton said. “And I thought it would be a great amenity for upper school, faculty and staff.”
So far, 4100 Roast is selling 50 cups of coffee per day, with their best seller being the vanilla iced latte.
However, Compton has a different preference, her favorite choice is the iced chai.
Since opening, the shop has quickly become a favorite among students, who have been vocal about
Over the summer, various changes were made to the outdoor athletic facilities including a newly upgraded track and field facilities, a brand new turf football field, and a pavilion for spectators.
The upgraded facilities are expected to enhance training for current athletes but also attract future athletes and improve the overall sporting experience at ESD.
The long overdue project cost about $1.8 million, according to Director of Athletics Thad Lepcio.
“The time seemed right to do it,” Lepcio said. “It was expensive, and I hope we do a better job taking care of it than we have in the past, as it's a really nice facility.”
With the increased care taken to keep this field in good quality, it is hoped that this field lasts for a very long time for future eagles to come.
In other changes to do with the field, the student
By Moss Barron and Griffin Green | Staff Writers
of scrambling I grabbed a fire extinguisher from the back of the sanctuary.”
“When the fire started, the pull station in the chapel was activated, and the alarm was sounded,” Director of Campus Security Jody Trumble said. “Mr. Allen had already exited the chapel to enlist assistance from nearby faculty members, and Mr. Auge was the first to respond to assist [him].”
Together, while following the school’s established fire response procedures, the two extinguished the flames by 9:09 a.m.
The effects of the fire were minor. The candle wax was blown on to the floor by the extinguisher's pressure and dry chemical residue was left, requiring cleanup. No lasting damage was done to the chapel itself.
their drink preferences.
“I enjoy getting a coffee to start my morning,” freshman Jules Fine said. “You know what they say, the early bird gets the worm.”
With the shop now up and running, students have suggested new drink ideas.
“I’ve been getting [drink] suggestions like cold foam, matcha lattes and things like that that the kiddos enjoy,” Compton said.
Junior Noble Provost hopes that 4100 Roast can make some of these new additions.
“I like to start my morning with matcha," Provost said. "I hope that 4100 Roast can add that as an option, but overall I really enjoy having a coffee shop that I can go to at school.”
section and parent section have flipped sides of the stands and now the student section is on the right, and the parent section on the left.
This change was made so that the middle and high school students could be in the same section together during the games.
While cross country is currently using the track, the track has sparked excitement in other ESD athletes who are thrilled to compete on it when the spring season rolls around.
“You could definitely tell the track needed some work last year,” junior Henry Swann said. “Nothing beats the feel of a fresh set track.”
The new additions have already sparked excitement among students, athletes, and staff alike, all looking forward to making the most of the state-of-the-art facilities.
School updates new policies for this school year
By Britt Reynolds | Staff Writer
Students’ hearts race as summer comes to a close and the pressure of getting back into the school year starts to build up. With the new semester approaching, unexpected updates to grading policies add even more stress.
The faculty held several meetings last school year to plan new policies for the upcoming year. As a result of these meetings and with the faculty's thorough collaboration, a new grading and late work policy was created. The seed for these changes was first planted in the upper school office.
“Mr. Peal and I started talking about initiative and goals [for the grading and late work policies] in October or November,”
Academic Dean Amy Henderson said. “We both agreed that we felt like there needed to be a more consistent policy, so we started that discussion. We met with department chairs in the spring and heard their feedback and opinions. Then, we met with faculty, tweaked things from there and rolled out the policy this year.”
Previously, policies regarding late work and the weight of grade categories were determined by the preferences of individual teachers. However, since the policies were left to each teacher's discretion, it was challenging for students to adhere to them across all their classes. This year, the new guidelines aim to promote consistency and efficiency, while also encouraging students to submit their work on time.
"Part of the problem was [that] different departments had different major and minor [grade] percentages,” Henderson said. “Across the board, some departments' late policy was really up to the teacher. I think there [were] only maybe one or two
departments that had an overall late policy. But other than that, it was really up to the teacher, and so we felt like it was difficult for the student to learn all these different late and grading policies. And if it were just by department, it could be consistent.”
The goal for the new late policy is to make submitting work on time as straightforward as possible across all departments. Once an assignment is late, students have five days to submit their work, subject to a 20 percent deduction. If the work is still not submitted by the sixth day, the student will be assigned to a proctored study hall or before-school testing in cases where the student does not have a study hall. After 10 days, if the student does not complete their work, they receive a zero for the assignment and are removed from the proctored study hall. Some students have mixed feelings regarding the new policy.
“I think [the new late policy] will positively affect me [as it will give me motivation], even though I think it might be a little bit unfair in the end,” sophomore Leighton Randall said. “If I'm five days late for an assignment or one day late, I'll still receive the same grade. And because of early morning practices and late afternoon lacrosse lessons, it's sometimes difficult for me to cram all my homework into one day.”
Additionally, assigning the same weight to tests, quizzes, and assignments across all departments ensures that no student sits at an advantage or disadvanatge, regardless of what teacher they have. However, this means that a geometry class will have the exact weighting of courses like AP Calculus BC, which some may think is unfair.
“I think it was kind of difficult to put all of the teachers on the same
page, just because our classes are very different,” Wooldridge Mathematics Department Chair and upper school math teacher Chris Northrup said.
“[For instance], if we're having an Algebra I class, some people might make the argument that it makes more sense to have completion a little higher, versus a senior math class, but the directive was to be on the same page. So, we made the best decision we could with [what we were given].”
"I
FEEL LIKE THROUGHOUT THIS WHOLE YEAR, MR. PEAL AND I ARE OPEN TO FEEDBACK AND SEEING HOW THIS WORKS AND WHAT, IF ANYTHING, WE NEED TO TWEAK FOR NEXT YEAR."
Amy Henderson Academic Dean
To determine the value of each course, Henderson consulted department chairs, who then discussed the weighting of each grading category with their respective departments. Clark Family Head of Upper School Matt Peal and Henderson determined the minimum and maximum percentages for the minor grade category. Furthermore, they
decided that teachers should have four major assignments per semester, each worth 25 percent. This ensures students are not disproportionately weighted toward any single assignment. However, these new aspects of the policy have caused some concern for teachers.
“I teach three different [class] levels, so my grading was a bit different in each one. However, in every class, I had five or six different grading categories, instead of the two we have now. I felt that this supported an ethic of consistency,” upper school Spanish teacher Jill Quarles said. “Students knew it was more important to be working consistently on all kinds of assignments, rather than overwhelming themselves because a few major grades weighed so heavily. It was also for students to easily see where they were strongest and where they most needed improvement.”
To monitor whether the new late policy is being applied consistently, Henderson runs a report every morning that highlights all the zeros in Schoology’s grade book. She then puts the zeros on a spreadsheet and tracks them for five days; with this, she has the date that the student would go into a proctored study hall if they didn’t get their work submitted within the first five days. Although the job may seem excessive, teachers believe that it will ensure students will have a successful school year.
"I feel like throughout this whole year, Mr. Peal and I are open to feedback and seeing how this works and what, if anything, we need to tweak for next year,” Henderson said. “That includes teacher feedback and student feedback, and the feedback so far that I've gotten has been positive.”
The Texas State Legislature gave final approval on Aug. 23 to an aggressively redrawn congressional map that sparked a redistricting race between the parties that could affect the fight for Congress well before any ballots are cast in the 2026 midterm elections.
Just three days after the Texas House approved the new map, the State Senate passed it in a partyline vote. While state redistricting typically happens every 10 years following the U.S. census, the state of Texas chose to redraw district lines mid-decade due in part by requests from President Donald Trump, who hopes to gain an advantage in the 2026 midterm elections.
“This is plain and simple gerrymandering. The population hasn't changed. We've got no rationale for doing it, other than what they're going to attempt to do is produce five new Republican districts,” upper school government teacher Adam Walsh said. “This is done by essentially doing what you always do in gerrymandering, cracking and packing, which means packing Democrats into some districts, and splitting them up and diluting the votes of the others.”
Previous to the redrawing of the congressional map, the Republican Party already made up the majority of the Texas House of Representatives. However, since taking office last January, President Trump has aimed to expand the Republican majority of the U.S. House of Representatives by encouraging states to redraw their congressional districts in favor of the Republican Party.
“The Republicans publicly said they wanted to gain five more Congressional seats to ensure President Trump a Congressional majority, as they fear he will lose the midterms,” Texas State Senator
Royce West said to the Eagle Edition. “I would also argue that no ‘principles’ actually guided the process; politics solely guided the process.”
While the bill approving the new congressional map was ultimately passed, before the party-line vote, many Democrat legislatures from the Texas House left the state. Specifically, Democratic lawmakers from the House of Representatives marched out of Texas with the intent of avoiding the upcoming vote. Not only Democratic representatives, but voters are concerned about the upcoming 2026 election, considering a total of five previously Democratic districts have been rearranged to favor the Republican Party.
“Those concerns and criticisms are not wrong. The current redistricting process has led to gerrymandering and diminished representation for both ethnic minority communities and rural areas,” West said. “The map recently passed by the Republican majority seriously disadvantages ethnic minorities by destroying districts that hold communities of interest together.”
The newly redrawn map poses some disadvantages for Democrats running in the upcoming 2026 election, and offers an advantage for Republican candidates as they now maintain 30 of the 38 Texas districts, indicating that they manage 79 percent of Texas.
“This is a significant step forward; Texas’ Congressional Redistricting Map will now more accurately reflect our state,” Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said in a press release on Aug. 23. “The people of Texas expect and deserve a Congress that represents their values.”
According to West, redistricting seriously impacts voter engagement. As seen following Texas’s most recent redistricting, when urban and rural areas are
combined into the same district, it is difficult to ensure fair representation for rural areas. The interests and needs of residents and governments within rural and urban areas differ, so when the two are merged to meet population thresholds, oftentimes a portion of the district is underrepresented.
“Imagine that you live in Lubbock, and your congressional district is anchored in Dallas or Fort Worth,” West said. “As a resident of Lubbock, it almost doesn't matter how you vote in that race because the large urban center of the district will determine the outcome. You are less inclined to be interested, pay attention to your representative, or pay attention to that election if you are represented by someone halfway across the state because they are not from your community, and your community does not have sufficient representation in that district.”
With growing urban populations, cities accommodate by providing housing, new schools, roads, law enforcement and other essential services. However, there is a concern that the rural areas of these newer districts are not given the same attention as urban communities.
“Due to gentrification and other factors, African American and Hispanic populations are becoming less concentrated and more dispersed across larger geographic areas, making it more difficult to draw districts that create opportunities for ethnic minorities to achieve office,” West said. “Overall, the challenges of population shifts and demographic changes profoundly impact our ability to achieve fair representation due to rapid urban growth, rural decline and the increasing dispersion of minority populations, which complicate districting efforts.”
Julie Johnson, a recently elected congresswoman for the
32nd district and past contributor of the Eagle Edition, lost a large percentage of her Democratic voters, considering her district shifted from a Democratic leaning urban area to a Republican rural area. From a more generalized perspective, Walsh explains how the recent redistricting now poses challenges for Democratic House of Representative seats.
“The problem with redistricting is [that] it leads to increased polarization because if your seat is safe blue or safe red, you're not worried about beating someone from the opposite party anymore. So, the only way you can lose your seat is if you lose in the primaries,” Walsh said. “Your incentive is not to compromise with the other party. Your incentive is to be a little bit more radical because the only way you're going to lose is if somebody comes in and says you're not Democratic enough or you're not Republican enough.”
Following the recent congressional map redraw, Texas legislatures and Texas residents are considering new and more impartial methods for the future of redistricting across the country.
“I believe that a non-partisan citizen redistricting commission could help make the process more transparent and equitable in the future,” West said. “If we had a commission, such as this, to draw the lines instead of the Legislature, that would take at least some of the politics out of the process.”
On Sept. 10, tragedy shook the nation as American Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University. Kirk, on his “American Comeback Tour,” sat under a white gazebo in front of a crowd of around 3,000 people.
Just as he finished his
question whether the Constitution’s First Amendment, which guarantees the freedom of speech to all people in the U.S., is merely an idea rather than a reality. Freshman Maxwell Bennett was in his Spanish class when he heard the news of Kirk's death.
“I was quite devastated when I heard about it,” Bennett said. “I was initially really concerned about his family, who
they bring it up, they'll discuss their opinions on it.”
In addition to Bennett, senior Lizzie Lett believes that this incident conveys volumes about how our country is in dire need of change, and it starts with exposing people to different opinions and ideals. This is especially challenging with social media presenting people with content that aligns with their preferences and beliefs, thereby limiting exposure to opposing
going to bring it up. And if
"JUST BECAUSE DOESN'T HAVE OPINION AS YOU DOESN'T MEAN THEY'RE A BAD
“I think that we have a big problem in our country right now,” Lett said. “Social media has put each individual in their own kind of bubble, where they only get fed information they agree with. This makes people angrier when someone has a different
opinion. And that leads to people getting hurt. Charlie Kirk is a prime example of this.”
According to Lett, America would be a lot safer and more productive if only we normalized having controversy amongst issues.
“I think people can benefit from making space for more uncomfortable conversations,” Lett said. “Avoiding them is harmful in the long run because when you do finally confront opposing views, it’s even more uncomfortable because people aren't used to that type of disagreement. Just because someone doesn't have the same opinion as you doesn't mean they're a bad person.”
As America works to process this tragedy and ensure it doesn’t happen again, Bennett believes that the school system faces hard questions about how to encourage future generations to discuss matters in an environment of respect and equality.
“I think to make controversial questions feel more open and respectful, schools should promote disagreement,” Bennett said. “If you're used to disagreement and having friendly debates with people, you can feel more open to not just sharing your opinions, but also taking in other people's opinions. I think that productive disagreement can lead to the betterment of society overall, so hopefully things like the Kirk incident don’t happen again.”
Redistricting battles take over Texas politics
By Lilly Traylor |
The nation questions what Freedom of Speech means
TURNING POINT Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, speaks to the crowd during his "American Comeback Tour" event at Utah Valley University. Influential conservative activist and prominent Trump supporter, Charlie Kirk was shot dead during an event at a Utah college.
Meet ESD's new upper school teachers through their fun facts, favorites, and their teaching journey.
Social media 'propaganda' purchases flood the screens. The community comments on these trendy items.
Dining revamped
Presidential Volunteer Service Award canceled, but ESD stays dedicated
By Sheridan Baily | Communications Manager
Junior Tag Bostian volunteers not merely as an act of service, but also as a way to create a just and ethical world for all.
For the past two years, Bostian’s efforts have earned him the President's Volunteer Service Award. But as of now, the program remains on pause, according to AmeriCorps.
AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, recognized students across the country for their dedication to service with an award. Former President George W. Bush established the award in 2003 through Executive Order 10717. At ESD, only upper school students were allowed to receive the PSVA. Freshmen were eligible for the bronze award with a minimum of 50 hours, 75 hours for silver and 100 hours for gold allocated within 12 months. For sophomores, juniors and seniors, receiving the award required 100 hours for bronze, 175 for silver and 250 for gold.
Last year, 99 ESD students received the award, along with a gold, silver or bronze pin with the award’s name and an American flag on it. Students also received a certificate specially addressed to the recipient and signed by the president. Junior Bella Tremblay received the PSVA twice.
“By getting the pin and certificate from the president, it showed the value of doing community service in the world,” Tremblay said. “I am very disappointed that the award [has been] taken away, but if ESD ends up offering an award, I will still make an effort to receive it. However, it does not have the same prestige as the President's Service Award.”
AmeriCorps was defunded of nearly $400 million of its $1 billion budget by the Trump Administration. AmeriCorps has yet to shut down the PSVA program, but has put it on hold along with over 1,000 of its other programs, according to America’s Service Commissions, a non-profit that represents state entities that manage AmeriCorps budget.
“Some 32,000 people across the country—mostly young adults but also senior volunteers— have had to immediately stop their work in fields like disaster recovery [and] education,” Jennifer Ludden, correspondent
at the national desk of National Public Radio, said on NPR. “The Trump administration also fired most AmeriCorps staff last month. The combined cuts have gutted a federal agency.”
As AmeriCorps continues to respond to its situation, so does ESD. Director of Community Service Learning Courtney Phelps announced that ESD will be introducing six new awards, each tied to a different core component, with five capped at a set number of recipients.
But many students find fulfillment not in receiving an award, but in the broader impact they are making in local and international communities.
Bostian recalled fond memories of going on a Students Shoulderto-Shoulder trip, aiding deportees and the homeless at the border in Tijuana, Mexico, reminiscing on his time spent at a soup kitchen in a homeless shelter and helping out at a shelter for children and mothers.
“We were not only focused on helping out these groups, but also aided people beyond the initiative,” Bostian said. “[For example] the shelter for mothers and children was an act of kindness.”
In July, junior Emory Simpson went on a Students Shoulder-toShoulder trip, volunteering in Key Largo with a focus on marine biology.
“We were at this place called Marine Lab, what they do is teach people about marine biology and the ocean, and so we would have two to three classes every day,” Simpson said. “We did a bunch of labs where we were looking for microplastics. We learned a lot about the interconnection between all of the species that live in the ocean.”
Among the species that Simpson studied was coral, and along with studying marine life another part of the program on her trip was marine exploration.
“We went snorkeling every single day, twice a day,” Simpson said. “Where we were in the Keys there were a bunch of diseases and stuff happening with the coral, so we kept that in mind when we went down.”
Simpson did not go on the trip with the intention of receiving service hours; it was the idea of a new experience that really enticed her, the hours were
secondary.
“I really just wanted to go meet new people, explore the ocean and snorkel a bunch,” said Simpson. “I’m happy that I got 40 hours, but it wasn’t really about that, it wasn’t about the awards.”
During the summer of 2023 senior Chambers Jones, also had an impactful experience as she volunteered with Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder in Costa Rica with a focus on ecology.
"AS STRANGE AS IT SOUNDS, OR AS UNCOMFORTABLE AS IT SOUNDS, BEING ACTIVE [AND] PUTTING SOME TIME IN EVEN WHEN IT'S INCONVENIENT TO HELP OTHERS IS ACTUALLY GOING TO FULFILL YOU MORE IN WAY THAT MOST THINGS DON'T."
Bryan Cupp Student Coordinator for Shoulder-to-Shoulder
“My favorite memory was playing with the locals as they taught us how to make tortillas from just corn and flour,” Jones said. “It was really fun connecting with the kids at their school and also speaking Spanish to them.”
Jones’ initial interest in service trips stemmed from seeing her friends and classmates recognized at the PSVA annual ceremony. Jones is disappointed that the award is no longer being offered; however, the impactful experience means more to her than the hours she acquired.
“Yes [the trip] got me a lot of hours and the President's Service Award, but it was so much more [than that],” Jones said.
“If people see that they will get a ton of hours or be recognized for going on the trip, they will go and [realize] that it is so much more than that, and they really had the opportunity to learn from different cultures.”
For a two-week-long Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder trip, students receive 100 community service hours. Student Coordinator for Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder and upper school history teacher Bryan Cupp has a different perspective on what community service and service itself truly mean.
“I think you guys are hungry for meaning,” Cupp said. “As strange as it sounds, or as uncomfortable as it sounds, being active [and] putting some time in even when it's inconvenient to help others is actually going to fulfill you more in a way that most things don't."
The Mayo Clinic, a nonprofit medical institution and hospital system, supports Cupp's assertion that volunteering provides a sense of purpose and meaning that both students and people yearn for.
“The work that volunteers provide is essential to everyday activities, giving volunteers a sense of purpose, especially when giving their time and talent in the areas they find meaningful,” Angela Thoreson, a psychotherapist at the Mayo Clinic, wrote in her 2023 article “Helping People, Changing Lives: 3 Health Benefits of Volunteering.” “Older volunteers experience greater increases in life satisfaction and self-esteem.” And volunteering can also provide numerous other benefits, such as improved physical and mental health.
“Volunteers report better physical health than nonvolunteers,” Thoreson said. “Research also has shown that volunteering leads to lower rates of depression and anxiety. Volunteering reduces stress and increases positive, relaxed feelings by releasing dopamine.”
According to Cupp, it can be difficult to define true service through an award or by community service hours. To Cupp, it is measured by dedication and by the change and impact made.
“Putting some time in, even when it's inconvenient, to help others is actually going to fulfill you more than another book,” Cupp said. “I think the quality of service and the level of contact or integration with the community that you're serving is all part of service learning.”
SUMMER OF SERVICE Underwater with a snorkeling mask, junior Emory Simpson is in Key Largo, Florida, as part of her marine biology curriculum during her Shoulder-to-Shoulder trip last July. “We were at a shipwreck, which was so cool, and the water was so clear,” Simpson said.
“The issue was we only saw one type of coral at the shipwreck. And it’s not supposed to be that way. There’s supposed to be a lot of different species.”
12:15 P.M.
12:30 P.M.
After seeing this place all over my TikTok feed, I knew I had to stop by and find out what all the hype was about. Chasen Matcha Bar may be a small, weekend-only “hole-in-the-wall” cafe, but it was buzzing with people and filled with the earthy aroma of matcha. The menu was stacked with unique options, making it tough to choose, but I landed on the Strawberry Fields matcha latte and it was divine. Smooth, slightly sweet, and beautifully balanced, it lived up to every bit of the online attention. It was a fresh and tangy drink to sip as I wandered through the streets of Bishop Arts.
2:15 P.M.
2:45 P.M.
After filling up on brunch, we visited the Sunday Bishop Bazaar, a lively street market with hundreds of vendors lined up under colorful tents selling everything from handmade goods to local treats. Each booth offered something unique, and the energy was infectious as crowds moved from table to table, eager to explore. From hand-poured perfumes and live poem readings to gooey s’mores cookies and one-of-a-kind jewelry, there was truly something for everyone. I even treated myself to a stylish ring made by a local Dallas jeweler. I could’ve wandered the market for hours; my mom practically had to drag me away to get me to leave.
In each issue, a staff member highlights a local gem in the DFW area. This time, Co-Editor-in-Chief Reese Rawson spends a day exploring the Bishop Arts District to discover what makes it special.
Hoping to grab a quick bite, I stumbled upon Oddfellows,
immediately caught my eye. I was with my mom and we were seated right next to the band, and between the upbeat music and the soft breeze, the vibes were just right. My mom and I split the chicken salad sandwich with a side of fries, and it was simply spectacular. The homemade whole wheat bread, paired with fresh, flavorful toppings, made each bite feel indulgent. The fries were thin, crispy and nicely seasoned—my favorite kind. With its diverse menu, laid-back atmosphere and prime location in the heart of the district, Oddfellows is definitely a spot I'd return to.
3:00 P.M.
4:00 P.M.
WICK-EDLY CREATIVE
Still riding the creative energy from the market, I felt inspired to make something of my own. That’s when I stepped into Paddywax Candle Bar, a vibrant candle shop offering hands-on classes for $45 per person. The lively atmosphere and DIY concept instantly drew me in, and I signed up on the spot. In the class, you choose your favorite vessel, blend your own scents and assemble the wicks to craft your candle from scratch. I picked a pot decorated with tomatoes and paired it with a warm vanilla sea salt fragrance, which was an unexpectedly perfect combo. About 35 minutes later, my creation was complete, and let me tell you, it smelled immaculate. After waiting for the wax to set, I left feeling proud of my candle-making skills. As I write this now, the candle is lit beside me, filling my room with a scent that’s not only amazing but also a perfect reminder of that joyful afternoon.
4:30 P.M. 05 03
4:15 P.M.
CHERRY ON TOP
With the sun blaring overhead and a craving for something cold and sweet kicking in, ice cream quickly came to mind. As we walked down the street, the irresistible scent of waffle cones and sugar led us straight to Swirled Peace. I got a cup of soft serve with a blend of vanilla bean, Mexican chocolate cake, and toro, topped with dark chocolate chip cookie dough, mango boba, coconut flakes, and rainbow sprinkles. The combination might sound chaotic, but it was, without a doubt, the best soft serve I’ve ever had. Each bite was an explosion of flavor and texture, and the ideal way to end my day in Bishop Arts.
Noelle Stovall | Staff Writer
A total of 251 teaching applications were submitted for the 2025-2026 school year. Out of these applications, 37 of them were for upper school faculty positions. In the end, these five new upper school teachers got the job.
LIZ CARSON Chemisy and Food Science
“I teach food science and chemistry. I've taught for 25 years, I taught chemistry for about 10 of those years when I first started teaching. Then I taught anatomy, physiology, AP Environmental Science and scientific research and design. My daughter graduated from [ESD] in 2022. She had such a great experience here and her teachers were so great, I kind of always had it in the back of my head. Then Mrs. Holsinger came up, she taught with me in Plano, and she [said] you should come [to ESD], so when I found out there was a chemistry opening, I was very excited.” Fun Fact are division one college lacrosse players.”
Chemistry and AP Reasearch
“I teach Honors Chemistry, AP Chemistry and AP Research. This is my 21st year teaching. Before ESD, I was at Poteet High School in Mesquite. I have also taught at North Mesquite High School and Woodrow Wilson High School, my alma mater, in East Dallas. Mrs. Ferguson told me ESD needed an AP Chemistry teacher, so I retired from public school and got here as
“I am also a college
Life editor Beau McKnight dives into the latest pop culture showdowns, breaking down the battles that have everyone talking. This issue it's the clash between the hit TV series, The Summer I Turned Pretty characters Conrad vs. Jeremiah.
On Wednesday nights, it is a ritual: I rush through my homework, make a fresh bowl of popcorn and get cozy in bed to watch the newest episode of Jenny Han’s fan-favorite series, The Summer I Turned Pretty. Since its debut in the summer of 2022, the three-season series has been a summertime obsession, as episodes are released weekly on Amazon Prime Video, leaving eager viewers like myself and many fellow Eagles something to look forward to. But the series not only consumes viewers’ Wednesday nights; it has also taken over the internet and sparked an online war.
At the center of the battle is the lead character, Isabel “Belly” Conklin, as she picks which Fisher brother has her heart: "rebellious" Conrad or “perfect child” Jeremiah. While the Team Conrad vs. Team Jeremiah dispute has divided the internet since the show’s release, the stakes are even higher now, as this is the final season, causing an extreme increase in the intensity of the media madness.
On one hand, members of Team Conrad argue that his lifelong love for Belly, their intense high school history and his emotional maturity makes him qualify as “the one.” However, Conrad has been a free and sometimes reckless spirit who tends to let those around him down, giving members of Team Jeremiah some leverage in the argument.
Jeremiah is Conrad’s polar opposite: the “golden boy.” Jeremiah is reliable, outgoing and always looking to please those around him. However, his disloyalty fuels Team Conrad’s argument that he may not be so perfect after all.
Perhaps it is their differences that makes Belly’s heart so split between the two.
While at first the fight between brothers and their fans pertained mostly to the characters, it has turned into personal attacks on the actors who played those roles. Producer and director of the show, Jenny Han, has released “Community Guidelines” on behalf of the cast, stating that the show will not tolerate any hateful comments or slander towards the actors.
TikTok and Instagram users tend to lean towards Team Conrad, and as a result Gavin Casalegno, who plays Jeremiah has received extreme hate in comment sections. Casalegno encourages social media users to remember that they are criticizing a fictional character, and not to shift hatred towards him personally.
In an instagram post by The Summer I Turned Pretty instagram account, they created a post that said “The Summer We Started Acting Normal Online,” and captioned it: “The show isn't real but the people playing the characters are,” indirectly addressing viewers’ disrespectful behavior.
Contrary to the show’s statements, members of the cast have also taken sides in the dispute, starting which team they stand with. However others have created a new team, “Team Belly” who root for her happiness, without factoring any boys into the picture.
Ultimately in the final episode of the series “At Last,” Team Conrad came out with the win as Belly and Conrad reunited in Paris and ended up happily together, leaving viewers ecstatic.
This instance is not the first time we have seen the internet intensify character rivalries. In the 2009 nine-season series The Vampire Diaries, character Elena Gilbert is in a similar love triangle as Belly between two brothers. Despite its airing over 14 years ago, fans on social media still carry on the fandom rivalry through TikTok videos and analyzing clips of the show. This instance can only suggest that this Team Conrad vs. Team Jeremiah frenzy is here to stay, and will continue into the foreseeable future.
The mantra, “Propaganda I will not be falling for…” has conquered senior Harper Sands’ TikTok page as an epidemic of pricey, new trends takes over social media.
In a world where many are easily swayed into purchasing trendy items, just for them to seemingly fall off the face of the earth a month later, Sands stands her ground, doing her best to refrain from purchasing trending items deemed as “propaganda.”
“I personally do not believe in buying things that seem to come and go like Labubus and trendy clothes,” Sands said. “I used to fall for those sorts of things all of the time, but I learned my lesson. Influencers used to wear Koch skirts, which were huge in middle school and are pretty out of style now. Those skirts were crazy expensive for just one.”
"IT’S THE INDIRECT THING THAT GIVES IT ITS VALUE, BEING ABLE TO SHOW IT OFF. IF LABUBUS STARTED GOING FOR FIVE DOLLARS A POP, PEOPLE WOULD LITERALLY DEMAND LESS OF THEM.”
Travis Gilmore AP Macroeconomics teacher
Among these new fads that seem to have further increased the consumerism craze on social media are Labubus, mini dolls that can be attached to bags, Dubai chocolate bars, which originated in Dubai but whose flavors have been recreated by American companies and Parke sweatshirts, a sweatshirt that embraces a vintage style high neck cut. While all of these items could not be any more different, they share one thing in common: their high prices.
“The expensiveness of it is what gives it the value of being able to show it off,” AP Macroeconomics teacher Travis Gilmore said. “It’s the indirect thing that gives it its value, being able to show it off. If Labubus started going for five dollars a pop, people would literally demand less of them.”
The societal pressure to succumb to this “propaganda” for the sake of flashing wealth dates back to 1899, when economist and sociologist Thorstein Veblen coined the concept of “conspicuous consumption:” purchasing goods to display social status. While it is a long-standing concept, social media has only increased the amount of this consumption through influencers who promote products.
Junior Beall Carothers, an active TikTok user, has come across various wealthy influencers who have played a role in the popularity of Labubus, often advertising their collections as a symbol of their wealth.
“I bought my Labubu because I would see people on TikTok posting with them clipped to their $1,000 purses,” Carothers said. “They gave me iconic vibes, and I had to purchase one for myself to put on my school bag.”
What makes these goods so unique is their ability to follow a boom-bust cycle, falling in and out of trend with the flip of a coin. One moment society is obsessed, and the next there’s zero interest.
“A Ph.D. [thesis] could be written on each good in particular and why any good goes viral,” Gilmore said. “A bubble of demand where it’s so big that eventually it is going to pop. The quicker it grows, the harder it falls kind of thing.”
While some social media users like Sands opt out of purchasing these so-called “propaganda trends,” senior and Labubu owner Sophie Slotnik believes that there is no harm in purchasing one, and they are simply harmless toys.
“I don’t see an issue in collecting Labubus as long as it’s in moderation,” Slotnik said. “I intentionally save up some money every now and then to make purchases [on] Labubus, and it has not affected me.”
Economics explains that these types of goods are trending because of their prices. But there is also the question of why they strike the eye in the first place. In the case of Dubai chocolate, its delicacy-type reputation stems from the increased globalization of the world and increased tourism in Dubai.
“Because of tourism, [Dubai chocolate] has made its way to America,” Gilmore said. “And then it's, ‘Oh, I don't need to go to Dubai, I can have this chocolate right here,’ [and] ‘I get the experience of traveling without having to travel.’”
Junior Mackenzie Capp argues that Dubai chocolate differs from the rest of the trends currently on social media because it is unique and its flavor is well-deserving of the hype.
“In my opinion, Dubai chocolate is not ‘propaganda,’” Capp said. “It is simply just a method of making chocolate. It’s a unique concept that deserves the popularity that it has.”
Whether these trends are considered “propaganda” or not is up for interpretation based on the person. In the end, this consumerism is not necessarily considered a negative practice, and Gilmore remains unfazed by the new craze over these trends.
“I’m not scared at all,” Gilmore said. “This is nothing new. I think that people can make really poor financial decisions about this, but that should be scary for the individual person. From a societal point of view, [it is not scary].”
New social media crazes called out as "propaganda" and users are not falling for it
By Beau McKnight | Life Editor
percent of of students are Team Conrad
percent of of students are Team Jeremiah
Source: Sept. 23 poll of 109
by
By Griffin Green | Staff Writer
The robotics team is heading into the 2025 season with high hopes and a call for more student support at their competitions. After three years in a row of qualifying for state, team leaders such as seniors Michael Peralta and Harrison Adams say that their peers' energy at the events could propel them to even greater heights.
“It literally helps the team do better,” Adams said. “Spirit is actually a scoring category, so when people show up and cheer, we earn more points. On top of that, it’s just a lot more fun to see months of work finally come together.”
“Back then, it was kind of low-key, just cutting parts and seeing if you could make a robot work,” Adams said. “Over time, the program has grown a lot, and it’s been amazing to watch it develop.”
Peralta has always been passionate about robotics.
“I did it at my previous school,” Peralta said. “I saw the robotics group starting up my freshman year and signed my name right away. It’s been four years now and I've enjoyed it all."
The BEST Robotics competitions are usually held at Fair Park in Dallas with a one-day regional event and a multi-day state tournament. Students travel together on buses and spend hours competing, repairing and cheering.
By Anoushka Sinha | Copy Editor
"BUT IF YOU HAVE SOME FREE TIME, COME OUT. IT'S CLOSE BY, IT'S FUN TO WATCH AND IT REALLY DOES MEAN A LOT TO US WHEN PEOPLE ARE THERE."
Harrison Adams Robotics co-president
ROBOTICS SPIRIT
Students support and cheer on their peers at the BEST Robotics event during the 23-24 school year, at the '23 Dallas BEST Hub event at Brookhaven.“Having a large student attendance helps with spirit points, and helps everyone feel seen,” robotics faculty sponsor Dr. Charles Lena said.
“It helps us get a spirit point.”
Spectators can expect more than just driving around a robot for 14 minutes. The rest of the weekend is spent fixing things, talking to other teams, setting up the booth and presenting ideas.
Later this year, the team will compete in the “BEST Robotics” competition. Those competing in the event will design and build a machine to complete tasks on a timed course. They will also be judged on a company-style marketing presentation, an exhibit booth and a notebook, which contains the team's robot-making process.
When they were freshmen in 2022, Peralta and Adams joined the robotics team in its inaugural year.
“You get to walk around, see what people are building, talk to other schools and check out some really creative inventions,” Peralta said. “It’s a great environment and I think most students would be surprised how much fun it is.”
This season, the team is set out to achieve their goals of a fourth consecutive trip to state this year and to recapture the “best notebook” award, which they had lost last year by a quarter of a point.
In order to achieve these goals, Peralta believes the team needs to refocus its priorities.
“We need to manage our time better and try to build better systems than what we had in previous years,” Peralta said. “Last year we had one of the fastest robots in the competition, which worked well, but this year we want to be more creative in how we score our points.”
Adams understands students have commitments on the weekends, but wants to emphasize to the community how important their support is to the team.
“We’re not saying you have to give up your Saturday,” Adams said. “But if you have some free time, come out. It’s close by, it’s fun to watch and it really does mean a lot to us when people are there.”
The faculty sponsor of the robotics team, Dr. Charles Lena, echoes this sentiment.
“I mean there are small schools that bring their entire school to these events, so we need all of the help we can get when it comes to student support,” Lena said. “That’s the kind of support and enthusiasm that we need.”
He stares at lines of code filling up his screen. Each command he types takes raw data from laboratory instruments and transforms it into information that biopharmaceutical companies can use to develop new drugs. Through his internship experience, he discovered both questions and possibilities for his future.
Senior Harrison Adams spent the summer interning at TetraScience, a company that provides cloud-based solutions for biopharmaceutical research. His main task was to take data files and convert them into a standardized format so researchers could analyze them effectively.
“My internship lasted from the beginning of June to basically the start of school,” Adams said. “I did mostly programming. The company has to support a lot of different instruments, which all have data in their own format, similar formats, but you have to follow a set of practices to support that.”
This experience not only gave Adams a glimpse into a subject area he might want to pursue, but also into different working environments.
“It was entirely remote, so it taught me I don’t want to work remotely,” Adams said. “It also showed me that there’s a lot to computer science. Data is very valuable, apparently, to the point where these companies are willing to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to get it platformed, processed and useful to them.”
While some students like Adams pursue summer internships independently, many rising seniors participate in the ESD Eastin Family WORX Internship Program. Founded in 2014 by Robert Shive, the WORX program places nearly 90 percent of the rising senior class in internships in their demonstrated career fields each summer.
“Really, the program was created as a way for students to help answer the question, why do you want to major in this major,” Katherine Montgomery, coordinator of the Eastin Family WORX Internship Program, said. “Also, it helps students create a resume that they can then use as a job reference when they are applying to more internships in college and then for their first job after college.”
The process of matching students with opportunities is a comprehensive one. Committees of parents, alumni and staff review all the applications and resumes and conduct interviews before pairing students with their employers.
“We really try to find what a student is looking for and then we can find an internship that matches their interests [and] matches their personality, as much as possible,” Montgomery said. “It takes us about two and a half months to take all that information and match them, and we have little subgroups
and subcommittees that read and get to know each applicant really well.”
For students like senior Layna Girata, the WORX program exposed her to career interests in a hands-on environment.
“My top major is psychology, and so I got placed in a clinical psychology office with an alum,” Girata said. “I went for two weeks, and I just listened, learned from her and her colleagues in the office. I sat in on their meetings, did case studies where I mocktherapied a patient and we watched a cool show that showed the process of different types of therapy.”
Beyond observing the day-today work in the office, Girata found the personal stories and career journeys of the staff to be the most eye-opening part of her internship.
“They told me each about their education and career paths, how none of them really started out doing what they do now,” Girata said. “They said they didn’t know until their mid-30s or 40s, because you go on such a journey to find out. That was really comforting to me, because I don’t know exactly in psychology what I want to do yet.”
Seniors are not the only ones who choose to explore career fields and academic interests during the summer. Junior Pranavi Talasila tested her passions in business and attempted to confirm her desired future career early.
“The majority of the summer, I was actually taking two classes at Harvard,” Talasila said. “Since I was already in Boston, I was reaching out to some professors who were at other colleges to see if I could do research with them. So I did research with a professor from Boston College [on] economics and investments.
Through that research, Talasila spent weeks gathering data, analyzing strategies and learning more about her desired field of study. The experience gave her a clearer sense of direction as she begins to think about college and future opportunities.
“I already knew that I was interested in finance and investment-related [fields] with a little bit of coding,” Talasila said. “But it just solidified that this is what I wanted to pursue. Next summer, I already know that I want to dive deeper into that type of work and [it] just gave me a better idea for what I want to focus on.”
Erin Muriungi
Matching with a friend, Erin Muringi chose a backpack that stands out and brings some humor to her senior year. “I chose my backpack mostly because I thought it would be funny and I wanted something fun for senior year,” Muriungi said. “I am matching with my friend and we wanted to pick a unique backpack; one that we hadn’t seen anyone else wear.”
Aiden Ferguson chose a light-up Minecraft backpack, a nod to the game he used to play often. “I picked my backpack because I used to play Minecraft a lot,” Ferguson said. “I saw this one that lights up and liked it the best.”
Riley Morrison’s backpack is both cute and practical, bringing back memories of her major surgery. “I chose this backpack because I wanted a rolling backpack, like I had after my scoliosis surgery," Morrison said. "The backpack I chose was cute and fun and had a little bow on it. I also picked it because I wanted a backpack that can actually hold my items.”
Jackson Maddox went for a nostalgic choice, picking a Toy Story bag to honor his favorite childhood character. “I chose this backpack because I really like Toy Story and it was the funniest backpack I could find,” Maddox said. “I really liked Buzz Light Year when I was little.”
SENIOR HALL FRENZY Senior Will Cook makes his way through Senior Hall, navigating through the crowds of backpacks. "The hallways are always filled with seniors' backpacks," Cook said. "I can always spot out which backpacks are seniors' and which ones are other grades."
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.
Senior Evellyn Hargrave reaches new heights through her dancing, musical and performing career
The cast and crew of "Perchance to Dream" bring their original production to international audiences
By Gracie Nealon | Opinion Editor
As the final lights dim in Central Hall Studio in Edinburgh, Scotland, sophomore Harper Cernoch steps forward to bow for an applauding audience.
When she raised her eyes to scan the crowd, she took in a sea of unfamiliar faces smiling and cheering. Performing for these strangers halfway across the world became one of Cernoch’s most memorable moments in her theatrical career.
From July 25 through Aug. 8, 11 ESD student actors and technicians, accompanied by Performing Arts Department Chair and upper school fine arts teacher Lauren Redmond, upper school choir teacher Joe Snyder and upper school Technical Theater Director Ronnie Watson, traveled to Edinburgh, Scotland to perform their original production, “Perchance to Dream,” in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The festival, held annually during August, is the world’s largest performing arts festival, with nearly 3 million attendees each year.
The cast staged four performances of “Perchance to Dream” for international audiences during the festival, drawing over 200 viewers. Redmond described the festival as a theater lover’s dream.
“The city of Edinburgh quadruples in size during August,” Redmond said. “I’ve now been there four times to experience it, and it just gets better and better. Watching the kids engage with the Fringe is always special.”
Redmond wrote the script for “Perchance to Dream” herself, drawing inspiration from “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” to craft a dark, unsettling plot with a shocking ending.
“My initial description of it was a twisted ‘Alice’s [Adventures] in Wonderland,’” Redmond said. “But then the kids started telling me, it’s Alice meets ‘Coraline’; it has a ‘Coraline’-esque twist at the end. I thought it was perfect how they were describing it, because it’s dark and it doesn’t have the happiest of endings. You’re rooting for characters, and then the rug gets pulled out from under them.”
Unlike a typical production, “Perchance to Dream” was still being written during rehearsals, which took place at ESD in July.
Because of this, the show was constantly evolving, with fresh lines and scenes making for
dynamic rehearsals. The script’s flexibility allowed the cast and crew to make the show their own.
“It was amazing that Mrs. Redmond wrote the entire script herself,” Cernoch said. “For the first few weeks of rehearsal, she would say, ‘Okay, we have to change the script.’ There were always new lines and scenes for us to learn, but it was less difficult than I thought it would be. It was actually really fun.”
"I'VE ALWAYS PERFORMED FOR PEOPLE I'VE KNOWN: MY PARENTS, FAMILY MEMBERS OR THE STUDENT BODY," CERNOCH SAID. "PERFORMING FOR AUDIENCES AT THE FRINGE, THAT WAS A DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE FOR ME."
Harper Cernoch Sophomore
In short, the play follows a young girl named Asling, played by Cernoch, as she attempts to defeat the Jabberwock, Lewis Carroll’s fictional beast, and escape from Wonderland.
“I’m always worried if I’m going to be able to portray a character right,” Cernoch said. “Asling was unique, because she’s a lot less of a caricature like most people I’ve [played]. She’s a normal teenage girl who’s going through something difficult. So, if I wasn’t asking Mrs. Redmond what the best thing to do was, I was thinking, ‘What would I do in that situation?’ I found a lot of similarities between her and me. When Mrs. Redmond was describing her wardrobe, she said, ‘I’m thinking jeggings, a black shirt and some flannel.’ I was like, ‘So just what I wear on a daily basis.’”
Traveling abroad and performing for new audiences allowed Cernoch to grow as an actress. The experience challenged her to step outside her comfort zone and adapt to unfamiliar settings.
“I’ve always performed for people I’ve known: my parents, family members or the student body,” Cernoch said. “Performing for audiences at the Fringe and the people we were busking to, that was a different experience for me. It was also fun to be able to perform in such a different space than I normally do.”
Senior Ella Scarborough, who also performed in Scotland, stepped into the spotlight with her performance as Asling’s aunt, impressing her cast mates with a new level of talent.
“During rehearsals, Ella had this amazing shift where she went from reciting the script to performing,” Cernoch said. “She brought a lot of emotion to her character. I was really proud of her, because she hadn’t had a whole lot of speaking roles before this. Her character, [Asling’s] aunt, has a monologue where she has to recite this big paragraph of text in the script, and I was amazed by how much she brought to it.”
Redmond was pleasantly surprised not only by the cast’s dedication but also by how much they grew over the course of rehearsing and performing at the Fringe. Among them was senior Evellyn Hargrave, a student actress with extensive experience in ESD productions.
“Harper and Evellyn always do a great job,” Redmond said. “Carson has really grown in my time having him in my classes. Ella and Sloane probably had the most growth, but every single one of them just got better and stronger and louder. They all rose to the challenge. Thuy An, Krisha [and] the Sabella twins all did amazing.”
The cast’s hard work paid off, as the show was well-received by audiences. Cernoch noted that the crowd stayed fully engaged for the 45-minute performance, even responding emotionally to the plot twist.
“My favorite thing about the plot twist is listening to the audience,” Cernoch said. “In Scotland, because [the stage is] so much closer to the audience, you hear everything they say. The third night of the play, someone was crying. I also distinctly remember hearing someone go, ‘No!’ They were so distraught, and I was happy for that reaction because it means that I did a good job.”
When they weren’t performing at the Fringe or busking their show in the streets, the group spent time exploring Edinburgh’s
charming streets and scenic countryside. They visited Holyrood Palace, toured Stirling Castle and attended a Ceilidh, where they learned traditional Scottish dances. They also watched both professional and student productions at the festival, with a favorite, according to senior Gio Sabella, being “Joseph and the Technicolor Coat,” an interactive show performed by a high school group from Mississippi.
“During [‘Joseph and the Technicolor Coat’], they asked for volunteers,” Sabella said. “Carson’s hand shot way up. They pointed at him and brought him up. We were thinking that he was going to have a small role for a little bit, but he ended up being in the whole show as Joseph. It was funny because you could see the actors telling him what to do and say.”
In addition to Edinburgh, the group traveled to London, England, where they spent time exploring the city; they visited Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Palace, the Victoria and Albert Museum and other landmarks. While the historic sights left an impression, some of the most memorable moments came from the simple experiences of navigating the city together.
“It’s kind of weird, but I enjoyed going on the subways with my friends,” Cernoch said. “It was so chaotic. We were all trying to stay together, and there’s a picture of all of us holding on to one pole in the subway so that we didn’t lose track of each other.”
On their first night in London, the cast viewed a performance of “Oliver!" in the West End, a fitting preview since it will be their own production next year.
“Going into it, I wasn’t really sure what to think,” Sabella said. “I go to Broadway every summer, and I hadn’t really heard of ‘Oliver!’ But then we went, and I [loved it]. Just seeing what we could do and imagining the people that I know in certain roles got me excited.”
The theater group’s trip to Scotland left both cast and crew grateful for the experience and the leadership that made the trip possible.
“I’m really amazed by Mrs. Redmond and how she put the whole show together,” Cernoch said. “She was the focal point and the brains of this whole operation, as per usual. She was really good at putting her vision on the stage and helping us all work together to create something special.”
WELCOME TO SCOTLAND
The cast and crew of “Perchance to Dream,” accompanied by Redmond, Watson and Snyder, pose in front of a Scotland marker after their bus ride from London.
“As much as I love London, I’d have to say I liked Scotland more,” Cernoch said. “Both cities are gorgeous, and I’d say that they look and feel pretty similar. Scotland was a bit more enjoyable [though], since that was where we got to meet and bond with performers from other schools as well as watch their shows.”
At two years old, senior Evellyn Hargrave joined her first ballet class. Little did she, or her parents, know that her performing arts career would grow into a lifelong passion.
Hargrave participates in ballet, tap dance, jazz, singing and theater, while also playing the guitar. She travels all over the country and participates in shows, performances and camps, all of which have helped her hone her techniques.
The arts have been a part of her life for as long as she can remember. She first started participating in musicals during lower school. Since then, she has performed in multiple productions outside of school.
“My mom took me to see ‘The Nutcracker’ for the first time when I was a month old,” Hargave said. “I was a perfectly behaved baby. So she was like, ‘Okay, we'll put her in dance.’ Two of my babysitters were in ‘The Nutcracker’ as well, so I grew up around musical theater. Fourth grade was the first year I did my first production outside of ESD, and I was Mother Abbess in ‘The Sound of Music’ as a 10-year-old."
Due to her filled schedule, Hargrave is constantly moving between practices and extracurriculars, making it hard for her to find time to rest. She attends the Dallas Ballet Company, where she performs in shows such as “The Nutcracker” and is involved in the tap and senior company. For Hargrave, dance is just the beginning. She also attends biweekly guitar lessons, voice lessons, youth group, church band and theater rehearsals.
“I don't get as much sleep as I should, which isn't great for how much I do,” Hargrave said. “So this year, I'm really trying to focus on [sleeping]. I don't get an off day or hours when I'm not doing something; the only time that happens is at night, when I'm supposed to be doing my homework.”
Throughout her high school career as an eagle, Hargrave has acted in eight theatre productions: “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” “The Innocence,” “Anything Goes,” “Glory,” “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night,” “She Loves Me,” “All in the Timing” and “Perchance to Dream.” She will also perform in “The Importance of Being Earnest” as Gwendolen Fairfax this fall. Playing as Reno Srini in the musical “Anything Goes” is her favorite role so far.
“It was a really funny role,” Hargave said. “I think a lot of the time I'm either typecast as the young ingenue or the really serious old woman. While Reno Sweeney was like the young ingenue, she wasn't well-behaved. So I got to break free from that and do a little more comedy, which was so fun.”
To get into character and be ready for the performance, Hargave has a specific routine that she follows throughout the day before each show. Her process includes vocal warm-ups, mist for her throat, centering herself and saying a prayer before she goes on stage.
“You'll see me backstage,” Hargave said. “It looks like I'm mumbling to myself. I'm just going through my lines before my next scene. I'm locked in and quiet. I find praying over everybody and allowing the joy and love for what we do to shine through, and all of that really centers me. I recommend [that everyone] does some form of affirmation or [expresses] gratitude.”
Hargrave plans to continue her musical theater career throughout college. She is currently in the middle of an extensive audition application process for theater programs at 35 schools across the country. The process includes pre-screens, auditions and callbacks, all of which have different submission requirements.
“I started working on pre-screens back in May,” Hargrave said. “So when I'm auditioning for the program, pre-screens are typically due around Sept. 20. You have your three-song package, your pre-1970s, post-1970s, your pop song and then two different monologues, depending on the school.”
Hargrave realizes that dance and theater tie into each other in different ways; they both teach her valuable lessons about performance and confidence. Since Hargrave has been in highpressure performances such as singing at Carnegie Hall twice, dance reminds her that she does not always have to be perfect all of the time.
“Some days you're going to be able to do three pirouettes,” Hargrave said. “Other days, you can't even pop a single out. Progress takes time; it's okay to not be the best in the room, as long as [you are] trying your best. That's helped me a lot with singing and musical theater. You have to have some form of confidence and determination to be in the business at all. If you're expecting perfection all the time, [you are] never going to be satisfied with yourself, and [you are] not going to be able to enjoy it.”
By Sloane Everett | Content Manager
CHATTER BOUNCED OFF THE WALLS AS STUDENTS WALKED INTO THE CHAPEL, EXPECTING THE TYPICAL STRING OF INFORMATIVE LESSONS, PRAYERS AND HYMNS. HOWEVER, MOST WERE SURPRISED WHEN ANN AND LEE HOBSON HEAD OF SCHOOL DAVID BAAD BEGAN HIS CHAPEL TALK LAST APRIL, WHICH WOULD ALERT MEMBERS OF THE ESD COMMUNITY TO THE MONUMENTAL ISSUE OF ESD’S SPORTSMANSHIP.
Baad’s memorable chapel talk outlined his expectations for student and fan behavior, calling for immediate reforms on language, dress and respect towards opposing teams.
“[It was] really a build-up over my six years here,” Baad said in a recent interview with the Eagle Edition. “There were things I had seen happen that I didn't think fit squarely with [the] Episcopal identity.”
In his sermon, Baad focused on unhealthy competition, touching on the notorious St. Mark's rivalry and the use of Neil Diamond's “Sweet Caroline.” Although Baad agrees that rivalries are an important part of sports, whether it's high school, college or professional, they need to be done respectfully, with the primary goal being to push both teams toward progress.
“[The rivalry] has all the potential to be very good and healthy, because the St. Mark’s and ESD kids all know each other, so it should be like competing against your friends,” Baad said during the interview. “Despite our efforts to shut the profanity down, it kept popping up again, and that's why I felt like I needed to address it more forcefully in the talk.”
Two years ago during a pep rally, which could be streamed by alumni and parents, Athletic Director Thad Lepcio was blatantly disregarded when he and fellow administrators asked the student body not to sing “Sweet Caroline” at that Friday night’s game.
“What I don't think our students realize is that our live stream was still going on,” Lepcio said. “So alumni, grandparents, everyone heard it on the video stream, and the number of calls we received from families just embarrassed the community.”
The rivalry has been long-standing, often taking shape in unsportsmanlike and inappropriate behavior from both sides. Similar to ESD, in recent years St. Mark’s has implemented intense restrictions to cut down on poor sportsmanship such as banning “Beat ESD” shirts from being worn.
“I’ve seen poor sportsmanship at every school; it’s not just ESD but I think the ‘Sweet Caroline’ can get out of hand,” St. Mark’s class of 2026 student Christian Warner said. “I know some St. Mark’s faculty who heard an inappropriate chant from the ESD student section while live streaming the football game two years ago.”
It is important to note that students aren’t alone in this behavior; Baad’s expectations for sportsmanlike conduct extend to the greater community, including parents and faculty members.
“I think all of us, in a weak moment, might mutter something under our breath, but when it's out where everybody can hear it, then my expectation is that there are consequences for the player,” Baad said. “As far as parent behavior goes, it's going to get addressed either in the moment or afterwards when appropriate.”
The faculty understands that mistakes happen. Even so, they believe that all students are now aware of the standards that are expected of them and are capable of following the guidelines.
“When you're in a community, human beings are going to make mistakes,” Baad said. “But when you hear similar stories over and over again, that's when it's time to address it.”
The issue of students’ behavior at games doesn’t just affect the student body; it also affects the way those outside the community perceive ESD. In recent years, prospective ESD families have withdrawn their applications or denied enrollment offers due to behavior at sporting events.
“I have had a couple of conversations with families in the application process who have called to share what they perceived to be poor sportsmanship from our players and parents at a game,” Director of Admissions and Enrollment Cindy Newsom said. “It may be small things like mentioning that they didn't feel comfortable or welcomed in our stadium, or observations about
comments that are made on a court [or] field from our crowd.”
Prospective families have voiced these concerns in both direct conver sations and anonymous surveys sent to those who chose not to accept their offer of admission, with most concerns referencing middle and upper school behavior. However, there have been instances of unsportsmanlike behavior, even at the lower school level.
“I received a call from The Fellowship Sports Program, a K through sixth [grade] YMCA program, saying that one of our lower school teams will not be invited back because of their sportsmanship,” Baad said. “I also had an official call me and say that ESD players have the worst language.”
The admissions team handles these concerns by collecting and sharing data with the administration to take the proper steps forward. Out of 80 up per school offers of enrollment last year, 40 were denied.
“I think it's good to be reminded that being an ESD Eagle comes with expectations and I hope we all want that for our community,” Newsom said. “We all want ESD to represent a community where everyone is welcomed, and Mr. Baad's goal of purpose and belonging is a reality. The first step is identifying the behaviors that may be in conflict with that goal so we can strive to do better...I believe we can.”
Starting this year, the administration has set various new rules and policies for sporting events, such as on-campus Dallas Police Department officers, an entry-exit policy, no loud speaker in the student section and no parents or students permitted to stand on the track. In a Sept. 24 upper school poll, 54 out of 122 students said that they believe the new guidelines have positively affected behavior at games.
These changes have provoked mixed reactions from fans, students and parents.
“I am annoyed that we can’t have a speaker in the student section anymore,” senior Brant Briner said. “It’s a tradition to play hype songs and get the crowd to support our teams, and now it’s harder to do that.”
However, huge strides have been made in ESD’s conduct at sporting events. During a Sept 20 chapel talk, Baad announced that he and Lepcio had received positive feedback from both the Trinity Valley School and Second Baptist school.
“I have crossed paths with hundreds of opponents, coaching staffs and players behind the scenes over the years, your kids left an impression not only on the field, but also (if not more importantly) off the field,” Second Baptist said in an email about
“We have a reputation that I don’t believe we are proud of,” Clark Family Head of Upper School Matt Peal said. “Some of these new changes are logistical, but sportsmanship is a huge point of improvement for this year.”
ESD's football team. “They carried themselves like gentlemen with eye contact, engaging, respectful, gracious, appreciative and just flat joyful to get after it on the field.”
It is not only students off the field that impact ESD’s sportsmanship and reputation. The students on the field are equally important to the culture that shapes sportsmanship. Each student who is a part of a sports team can cultivate and inspire a shared morale not only within their team but within the community as a whole.
“I think our friendships definitely are affected a little just because everyone is so competitive.” St. Mark’s football player Blaize Schumacher said. “But at the end of the day, we both want to see each other succeed, except when we are playing each other.”
Sophomore varsity football captain Daniel Hoffpauir strives to make the spirit of the varsity football team prevalent throughout the community.
“My teammates are not just on the field with me, they are with me in the classroom, too,” Hoffpauir said. “So I think it’s important to create camaraderie that lasts on and off the field.”
With Hoffpauir being the first ever sophomore football captain at ESD, the power dynamic looks different than it has in the past. The captains, ranging from sophomores to seniors, allow collaboration for varied points of view regarding leading and sportsmanship.
“We have the unique opportunity for connectivity
with our captains being in three of the four grades,” junior varsity football captain Nicholas Marquez said. “It gives us a true sense of community that helps shape and reinforce the culture that the captains want to instill in our team.”
Although upperclassmen on varsity teams tend to hold leadership positions, underclassmen also contribute to team camaraderie. ESD is one of the few schools that permits freshmen to join varsity teams, giving ninth graders an opportunity to immerse themselves in team culture and build it throughout their high school career.
“This football team is like something I have never experienced before in my life,” varsity football player and freshman Wynn Wheeler said. “Looking up to the seniors, I am inspired to carry on their hard work and leadership that they have put into this team.”
Leading and cultivating sportsmanship is not strictly a student responsibility. Coaches can instill values of sportsmanship in their athletes, which facilitates opportunities for students to grow not only as athletes, but also as leaders.
“I wouldn't be the leader I am today without the coaches I have had,” varsity football junior captain Miles Link said. “They taught me how to act with respect towards others and [have] confidence.”
As coaches, players and administrators join together to cultivate sportsmanship, they prioritize positivity and respect on and off the field. Administration aims to make this year a drastic improvement from last year with the help of the athletes on the field.
“We are making intentional efforts to teach [sportsmanship], model it and expect it from each of our student athletes in the face of both success and adversity,” upper school science teacher and Football Program Director Richard Williams said. “I’ve been very pleased with the response of our football players and the respectful behavior they’ve displayed in our first couple of competitions toward both their competition and the officials.”
Sports Editor Margot Cathey reviews Soulman's Bar-beque and explores homemade BBQ sauce recipe.
Co-Editor-in-Chief Reese Rawson and Staff Writer Isabella Villgeas discuss the mixed reactions surrounding a brand new schedule change.
Dining revamped
As students step into the new year and upperclassmen assume their roles as leaders of the school, many members of the community are reflecting on current policies. One of these is the policy for junior privileges. Currently, juniors can petition for special privileges to be granted during the second semester, as long as they meet certain expectations. However, we, the Eagle Edition staff, firmly believe these privileges should not have to be earned. Instead, they should be considered an inherent right granted to students as they advance into their final years of high school.
For years, students have looked forward to junior year, not only for the academic milestones but also for the unique privileges that mark this stage as an important part of their life journey. Traditionally, juniors have been allowed to enjoy off-campus lunch once a week and wear sweatshirts outside the standard uniform. However, unlike the seniors, junior privileges are postponed to the spring semester and are now contingent upon students having high attendance rates, minimal community violations and complying with the dress code.
As a staff, we feel this policy is unfair, particularly given the inevitable pressures of the upperclassmen experience. Junior year is often described as the most
High school privileges should be given at the beginning of the year Summer camp inspires leadership qualities
By Kate Lewis | Social Media Co-Manager
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challenging year in upper school and entails taking AP classes for the first time, managing ACT and SAT preparation and navigating an intense workload.
This is where ESD’s guiding principle of “igniting lives of purpose” is especially relevant. To truly thrive academically and personally, students must already make countless sacrifices for the sake of optimum academic performance. Late nights, early mornings and weekends dedicated to studying or completing projects are not easy tasks. However, in the midst of this demanding environment, the excitement of small but meaningful privileges provides a critical source of balance and motivation.
Something as simple as looking forward to enjoying lunch with your friends at your favorite spot can be the extra encouragement needed to power through an AP U.S. History reading or finishing an essay for AP English Language and Composition.
We recognize the importance of encouraging students to strive for excellence and embody the best of what it means to be part of the community. Yet, we believe these privileges are more than just rewards for achievement; they symbolize the journey students have undertaken to reach this point in their high school career. They celebrate the growth and resilience of upperclassmen and are reminders of what it means to be the leaders of our school.
eadership is all about interactions with one another, and listening to others. Leaders prioritize others before themselves and are slow to anger. They lead by example. It is true that someone can hold a leadership position and lack these qualities. But it is then that true leaders, who don't possess these qualities, show their authentic power.
I have attended Camp Ozark in Mount Ida, Arkansas for the past seven summers. Over the years, camp has been a place where I've grown as a person, created lasting friendships and explored my faith. But above all, camp is where I experienced and practiced leadership firsthand. I have learned from both the counselors who have guided me and the peers who have inspired me.
Camp Ozark starts every morning with Tribal Competition, a way to move your body in healthy rivalry with your friends. First-year campers are initiated into this tradition by being assigned to either the Red or the Blue Team. Each team is led by two chiefs—a male and a female counselor. The chief and chieftess
lead each team in every session. As our leaders, they run with us in every race; we never do anything alone. They cheer us on when we win and pick us up when we lose. To me, that is the meaning of a good leader: they give unconditional support.
Camp Ozark presents the Order of The Arrow award at the end of each session to one person from each war party who embodies the three flames of tribal competition: maximum effort, maximum enthusiasm and maximum sportsmanship. These three flames of tribal competition and the Order of The Arrow, are not unique to Camp Ozark. While the flames originated at Camp Ozark, the three flames can be applied to every aspect of any camper’s life, whether they are at camp or at home going about their daily lives.
If there is anything I have taken away from participating in tribal competition numerous times in my life, it is that I should do everything in my life with maximum enthusiasm, maximum effort and maximum sportsmanship. Bringing maximum enthusiasm into every aspect of my day allows me to spread contagious energy to turn my environment into a lively surrounding. When I turn my surroundings into an energetic aroma, I am able to make the most out of whatever it is I may
be doing. Giving maximum enthusiasm ensures that I can be proud of myself for my effort, even if the outcome isn’t what I had hoped. Most importantly, bringing maximum sportsmanship makes whatever I’m doing with whoever I'm doing it with, a positive learning environment.
THAT IS THE MEANING OF A GOOD LEADER: THEY GIVE UNCONDITIONAL SUPPORT.
Encouraging others to succeed helps me just as much as it helps them. Regardless of whether I am playing a sport, walking into class at school or talking with my classmates, I try to apply the three flames of tribal competition, to ensure that my peers and myself are getting the most out of all of our experiences. Although I understand that not everyone is able to experience the enthusiasm of Tribal Competition at Camp Ozark, I know that those of us who experience it can share what we have learned in our community. In fact, I believe anyone who experiences true leadership can do the same. When I was able to witness valuable leadership firsthand, it was infectious, and I wanted to spread that feeling to as many people as possible.
And I am not the only one who sees summer camp as a place to grow and learn leadership skills. Former United States President George W. Bush attended Camp Longhorn during his childhood. Bush becomes exceptionally enthusiastic, even emotional when speaking of his time at Camp Longhorn. Bush believed that his experience there was so transformative, that he sent both of his daughters there, to ensure they got the same experience to grow as a leader that he did. Leadership is not innate; it is something we learn through exposure and by observing those we admire. And this experience has a domino effect: good leaders will inspire others. It is not the titles you earn, but the way you make others feel, that makes you a great leader. Whether you like being the center of attention or working behind the scenes, you can always impact others in a positive way. Those who lead best are those who never stop learning.
Soulman's Bar-B-Que review
The new schedule reduces stress, enhances productivity and creates a balanced day.
Reese Rawson | Co-Editor-in-Chief
Community reports mixed reactions regarding the recent schedule change
Made with good intentions, the new schedule results in unmotivated, sluggish students.
Isabella Villgeas | Staff Writer
When the clock hits 10 a.m. after first period, students rush to get to the next class of their morning: three hours of back-to-back instruction before chapel. With no breaks in between, they’re expected to show up and put in an equal amount of effort in each class, regardless of the subject. This was the reality of the old daily upper school schedule, which students followed last year and in previous years.
However, this year, instead of being “trapped” inside the classroom for hours of uninterrupted learning, the new schedule breaks up the day, allowing for a less rushed and more manageable experience for students. I enjoy the new schedule and prefer it over the old one, especially because it makes my day feel more balanced and less frantic.
The revised schedule helps me feel less stressed and more productive during class, from getting work done to participating in class discussions and group work. Last year, there were some days when I had AP BC Calculus, AP Physics I and AP U.S. History backto-back in the morning. A handful of times, I even had a test or quiz in all three. Not only was it mentally draining to sit through such highly demanding courses without a break, but I also couldn’t give each class my full attention and effort simply because I had no time to decompress from one class to the next.
Now, with Chapel at 10:05 a.m. every morning followed by Big Flex, I have a chance to regroup my thoughts and organize myself for the next two classes. It helps me feel ready to take on the rest of the day with a clear mind and an eagerness to learn.
I also believe this change allows Big Flex to be used more efficiently. Instead of being scheduled toward the end of the day, moving it to the morning gives students more time to complete homework, meet with teachers, participate in advisory or attend clubs. When it was scheduled at the end of the day, I often felt too tired from earlier classes to use that time as productively as possible. Now, I get most of my work done and feel more motivated, using the time to study or finish assignments while feeling refreshed.
Additionally, Big Flex is now 30 minutes instead of 25. Last year, events like club meetings, Town Halls and upper school convocations felt rushed, and at times, their goals couldn’t be fully met due to the limited time. While five extra minutes may not seem significant, the added time makes the block longer and allows for greater productivity. During one Big Flex period, I was even able to attend a Town Hall meeting, grab a book from my car, meet with a teacher and finish a few homework math problems— all within the 30-minute block.
With lunch now moved from 12:50 to 1:15, the long wait between meals can be tough. I've found balance by bringing a snack to eat before my second class, which helps me stay full and focused. Previously, chapel took place after the three morning classes and just before lunch. I remember struggling to concentrate during the sermon and often feeling ravenous even before the service started; all I could think about was eating. With Chapel now scheduled earlier in the day, students can now “soak in” the sermon’s message and reflect on it, rather than simply counting down the minutes until lunch. Although I’ve heard chatter in the halls that some students prefer the old schedule, the reality is that changes are always hard to adjust to. The new schedule isn’t perfect, and there are likely still a few kinks to work out, but overall, I find it much more practical; it helps reduce the feeling of chaos between classes and provides better structure to our days.
Ultimately, the new schedule was created with students’ best interests in mind, and I think the administration did a great job implementing it.
The new schedule modification has sparked a range of mixed reactions among upper school students. The schedule hasx brought with it later lunch times, an unusually long stretch before second period and the overall feeling of a longer school day.
The goal for the new schedule was to reincorporate daily worship and advisory into the morning, restructure club time and break up back-toback classes, which previously left students exhausted by the end of the day.
The objectives for the new schedule modification were the reinstatement of the tradition of daily worship in the morning and bringing back energy into club and advisory time.
A common complaint from students is that the schedule has pushed back lunch until 1:10 p.m.
According to a No Kid Hungry study from April 2023, when students experience hunger during the school day, “80 percent observed a negative impact of hunger on concentration, 76 percent noted decreased academic performance and 62 percent reported increased behavioral issues.” Furthermore, many ESD students have schedules that include having to arrive at school hours before 9 a.m. to attend clubs, meetings and sports; this makes the wait time for lunch even more unbearable for students, as they are likely already hungry from their quick breakfast.
The lunch time should have remained consistent, regardless of the schedule change.
The new schedule’s lunch block only gives students 30 minutes to traverse through the long lunch lines and have enough time to dine. Many students have used the Mini Flex period to have more time to eat and take a break from academics. This results in Mini Flex being unnecessary to the schedule, as students use it to soak in a few extra minutes of lunchtime.
Similarly, Big Flex is a free period designed to give students time to meet with teachers, work on homework or go to club meetings, but with the schedule changes, it can feel like a waste of time for many students. Since it begins at 10:35 a.m., after just one class, students often haven’t accumulated enough work from classes yet for them to work on.
The timing of classes has made the day feel increasingly longer and more draining. Second period does not begin until after 11 a.m., leaving many feeling unproductive and sluggish.
Students also feel dissatisfaction from more than just the scheduling annoyances, as they were not able to voice opinions in the decision of the schedule change. Even so, the changes were made with both faculty and students' best interests in mind. Although students would have loved to have more representation in this decision, with more opportunities to vocalize their suggestions.
According to Assistant Head of Upper School Max Augé, feedback was taken into account when making the decisions for the latest schedule change; however, some students still feel unrepresented in their opinions on how it can be improved from its current state.
The previous schedule had been in place since 2018, with incremental changes being made throughout the years, especially during COVID-19. Therefore, to continue the consistent improvement of student life, changes are bound to be made.
As the year progresses, we will need to determine whether adjustments will be made to the schedule or if we must wait for it to run its course while becoming accustomed to it. For many students who are already struggling to adapt to the new schedule and the rushed meals, and are frustrated with the limited representation of ideas in opinions on the schedule, they might find reassurance in knowing that the schedule may not be permanent. ESD as a school will definitely learn from this newest schedule and see what works for students and what does not.
ESD students should have the opportunity to offer feedback and have a stronger voice when impactful decisions, like the change of the daily schedule, are made.
Percent of ESD students like the new upper school schedule
Percent of students dislike the new upper school schedule
We all know one senior in the back of an introductory engineering class or beginner's art class, and often the irony is humorous— maybe the upperclassman is even happy to be in an “easy” course.
At ESD, students must get one fine arts credit, one religion credit, half of a computational thinking credit and half of a health science credit, on top of core classes, as a graduation requirement. These credits hinder students from taking courses they are interested in, and often feel a burden to complete them; I believe that ESD should provide better compensation for students in certain academic paths—like those who follow the journalism or engineering paths—and should not require all to have to meet these requirements.
Certain electives are required to ensure each student receives a well-rounded education, but each class is already well-rounded here; we learn art in our history and English classes and engineering in our math or science classes. Students have many chances throughout their high school years to find their passion, and, if they want to, they could choose to enroll in different electives to get a feel for art, engineering, law or business.
According to the National Library of Medicine in an journal about the importance of interest in learning, interest is a psychological state of attention and an overall inclination towards an object or subject. Without interest, students will have to work harder in classes they are not interested in to maintain their GPA. So, making these electives
mandatory either means taking a student’s time away from studying for their core classes that may tie into their desired career path or causing their grades to slip. Most of these mandatory classes are beginner-level, so the outcome may not be extreme, but forcing a student to take a class they are uninterested in puts a block in their education.
Additionally, some students have already chosen a certain elective they want to take for all four years. For example, newspaper and yearbook are four-year courses, yet members of the publications only get two half credits waived: half fine arts and half computational thinking. For students who are still interested in taking other electives, this means giving up a study hall. This not only affects journalism students, but also students in photography, theater, etc. In this case, the reasoning behind mandatory credits seems to contradict itself as they prevent students from taking classes they are truly interested in.
At the very least, these credits should be made mandatory during freshmen and sophomore years, when the workload is not nearly as heavy. Also, this would allow students not to find themselves surrounded by freshmen, struggling to pay attention, instead of in a more challenging, engaging course.
Accommodating for credits is not only an issue for academics, but also for extracurricular interests. Going to ESD itself is a social commitment. I would say the administration has done well in making sure that the community is at the forefront of the experience, as well as helping everyone to feel included. I could
not imagine a more welcoming, supportive school and student body. However, the decision made last year to make two community credits mandatory each year has added stress to finding your place in the community. That is why I believe students have the capacity to find their place in the community without the burden of two community credits lingering over them.
Specifically, in a rigorous school like ESD, being on a sports team is a huge commitment. Two hours of practice after school, plus three-hour games twice a week and weekend tournaments average out to about 14 hours a week on the field or court inseason, plus working during the off-season. On top of that, students must keep up with schoolwork and stay ahead of every class they may miss for a game. The same goes for actors in the play or musicals, who will stay at school until midnight rehearsing their scenes and for newspaper and yearbook staff members the week before going to press. Still, we are expected to engage in two community credits per year without counting any of these electives we participate in, clubs that take time outside of school or our community service.
Last year, we wrote a centerspread on the issue of ‘burnout’ in high school, and mandatory credits are one reason for this. Students should be encouraged
to engage in activities other than just studying, but when extracurriculars are not accounted for, students end up spending hours each week doing something they are not passionate about. This is exactly what leads to burnout, which can have effects on students’ mental, emotional and physical health. Although I may just sound like someone arguing about credits because they have gotten in my way in the past, the issue to me is not having mandatory credits, it is the inflexibility of them. Students should be able to sit down with their guidance counselor or advisor in order to create a high school plan that works for them, instead of being told that they have to take a certain class or join an extracurricular activity. At a school where we strive to ignite lives of purpose, we should know that you cannot fuel a student with something they are not passionate about, but you can burn them out.
By Emmy Moss | Co-Editor-in-Chief
COURSE CHAOS
Each student is required to fill out their courses for their high school years. This graphic represents a student's original schedule and final schedule after taking into account required credits. Graphic
Parents should bear responsibility when their child commits an atrocity
By Sheridan Bailey | Communications Manager
Classrooms, spaces meant to be places for learning and growth, have too often become sites of tragedy. School shootings have become so common that they no longer shock us, which is a tragedy itself. And when the shooter is under 18, the responsibility rarely extends beyond the child. If the shooter dies at the scene, so does the responsibility. That should not be standard practice; when the shooter is under 18, an adult must be held responsible.
Exactly two weeks apart, two horrific school shootings occurred: one in Minnesota at the Annunciation Catholic School on the morning of Aug. 27 and the most recent on Sept. 10 at Evergreen High School in Colorado. The 16-year-old suspected shooter at Evergreen is reported to be a student at the school. And that raises a haunting question: when a minor is allegedly responsible for a school shooting, should the responsibility fall solely on the child or also on the parents or guardians who failed to oversee their children and enabled their access to deadly weapons? The
law may differ, but morally the answer is obvious: parents have a duty to prevent their children from inflicting atrocities like school shootings. History shows us what happens when that duty is ignored.
On May 18, 2018, at 7:32 a.m., 17-year-old Dimitrios Pagourtzis, a quiet honor roll student at Santa Fe High School in Galveston County, Texas and member of the school's football team, walked into his art class and opened fire. According to ABC News, as he moved from victim to victim, he sang along to the lyrics of Queen’s “Another One Bites the Dust.” That day, Pagourtzis allegedly killed 10 people: 8 students and 2 teachers. Before the shooting, the warning signs of his mental instability were evident. Pagourtzis isolated himself, made disturbing Facebook posts and purchased alarming items like a Nazi shirt, which said “Born to Kill.” All of these warnings were disregarded by Pagourtzis’ parents, Antonios and Rose Maria Kosmetatos. Survivors of the shooting and family members of the victims later sued the parents, and in court, the father of Pagourtzis defended himself by testifying, “Sometimes it takes years to realize that your child is sick.” Years too late, during which their son allegedly became a mass murderer and 10 funerals transpired. The result of the civil case was that the parents walked away unscathed with no liability, and now legally can not face any charges.
Pagourtzis is now awaiting trial as he has been consistently deemed mentally incompetent to stand trial. After the shooting he was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder.
This Santa Fe High School shooting brings up another painful question: could parental oversight have prevented this?
In the case of the Santa Fe High School shooting, the families of
the victims said yes, and the law said no. The refusal to hold the parents of the shooter accountable is indefensible, and anyone who looks at the tragedy can see the evident parental neglect. This sets a standard of complacency. The issue is about the parents who lacked the initiative that could have potentially changed the outcome of the shooting. Even though parental neglect may not be the primary cause, it undoubtedly factors into high school shootings involving minors as the shooter.
Now contrast that with the Oxford High School Shooting.
On Nov. 30, 2021, the day of the shooting, Ethan Crumbley was in class, and on a piece of paper he sketched images of a gun and a bullet. On that same piece of paper he wrote, “The thoughts won’t stop. Help me. Blood everywhere. My life is useless.” The school counselor, who was alerted about the sketch by one of Ethan Crumbley's teachers, quickly called his parents, Jennifer and James Crumbley, to the school. After the meeting, Jennifer and James Crumbley did not pull their son from class, and instead, they returned to work. Hours later, their son pulled a gun out of his bag and opened fire, killing four students. James Crumbley had bought the gun for his son just four days earlier. This time justice did not stop with the child shooter: it held the parents accountable. In 2022, Ethan Crumbley was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 24 years. Two years later, his parents were both convicted and each charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter. They are currently serving a minimum 10-year sentence in prison. During the trial, Jennifer Crumbley testified, “I wouldn’t do anything different.”
At the sentencing, parents of the shooting victims who died on Nov. 30, 2021 gave their remarks.
“While you were purchasing a gun for your son and leaving it unlocked, I was helping her finish her college essays,” Nicole Beausoleil, mother of 17-year-old victim Madisyn Baldwin, said, according to CNN. “When you texted, ‘Ethan don’t do it,’ I was texting Madisyn, 'I love you please call mom.’”
“The blood of our children is on your hands, too,” said Craig Shilling, father of Justin Shilling, according to NBC News.
“This tragedy was completely preventable. If only they had done something, your honor, anything, to shift the course events on November 30, then our four angels would be here today,” Jill Soave, Justin Shilling’s mother, said, according to CNN.
The difference between the Santa Fe and Oxford shootings is not the difference between the lives lost, but the difference of accountability. One set of parents escaped without consequence and one set is serving time behind bars. One trial disregarded parental negligence; the other recognized it as a crime. This contrast should not exist.
School shootings should be preventable, yet they seem to follow the same sequence: a child pulls the trigger, families are forced to bury their loved ones and the parents of the shooter move on with their lives facing little to no legal accountability, while the victims' families stay stuck in time.
In order to break this cycle, it starts with holding the right people accountable, not just the children. The adults who turned away, ignored the signs and gave them access to deadly weapons should be punished for their negligence. If we do not start this, parents will continue to be forced to plan funerals instead of birthday parties.
Ivividly remember walking into my first Journalism I class. It was the first day of freshman year and my first class period. I sat down, not knowing what to expect, excited for the opportunities to come. After an hour spent discussing AP Style and other journalistic rules, I remember thinking, “I may have to drop this class.” To tell the truth, I had only enrolled in journalism because I was interested in writing and my eighth-grade advisor had suggested that I take the class. In hindsight, I am forever grateful that I did not drop the course; the newspaper has helped me develop the skills to become a better writer, more professional and an overall accountable student, while also introducing me to a community of support and love.
After my first J1 class, I continued on this trend of “firsts:” the first time I failed an AP Style quiz, the first time we watched “Shattered Glass” and the first newspaper story I wrote for the Eagle Edition. Even though my story was about the dangerous eating habits in America and Red 40 food dye, I was entranced by creating something— brainstorming questions, conducting interviews and eventually writing pieces—that was all my own.
After a year of learning, I found myself at a crossroads between yearbook and newspaper. I had always assumed that I would join the yearbook staff because I had heard that they have “less work.” However, the idea of writing for the Eagle Edition called to me. Eventually, our teacher, Mrs. Rosenthal, sat me down and voiced her hopes that I would join the paper, as she believed that I would thrive as a staff member. Although I am still not sure if she was recruiting me to compensate for the lack of writers on the newspaper staff as opposed to the yearbook, I am so thankful for that push.
Going into sophomore year on the Eagle Edition staff, the “firsts” continued. The first summer workshop came and went. I placed my first page. I even made it to the first dreaded Sunday workday. And before I knew it, the end of sophomore year had arrived, and it was time to apply for a leadership position. I am still unsure as to what Mrs. Rosenthal and the EICs that year saw in me when they appointed me the position of Life Editor, but because of that opportunity, I learned more than I could have imagined about the inner workings of the newspaper and the responsibilities that come with being an editor.
Finally, the end of junior year
Dear Editors,
When I first came to ESD, I felt a strict divide between my grade and the grade above me. We didn’t really associate.
I always looked to the class of 2026 as being above me and above my friendship level. But once I entered upper school, it seemed everything had changed. Both grades would constantly associate with each other, both inside and outside of school. Whether it was in the classroom, at school dances or even just inter-friend-group hangouts outside of school.
To me, this has been one of the most memorable parts of upper school, and I am forever grateful. Having the opportunity to be close friends with the class of 2026 throughout my time in upper school at ESD has given me the chance to not only learn from those above me, but also have a greater group of friends than those solely in my grade.
The class of 2026 and class of 2027 are friends inside of school, and we also frequently combine social events outside of school. For example, we will go to football games and dances together.
One of my most vivid memories so far from upper school is with members of the class of 2026. They are not only mentors in
sports, but also in academics, club life and so much more. Having guidance from many of these individuals has allowed me to do better academically and socially, and I believe that our grades are setting an example for years to come.
"ESD WILL CONTINUE TO BE MORE THAN JUST A SCHOOL — IT WILL REMAIN A FAMILY. ”
Michael Scimo Junior
The same is true in clubs and leadership opportunities. I watched the class of 2026 take initiative, run meetings and encourage others to get involved. Seeing them lead with both confidence and humility inspired me to take on more responsibilities myself. I realized that leadership isn’t about holding a title: it’s about lifting up the people around you.
came, and it was time for the rising to run for new roles. I took a leap in applying for the Co-Editor-inChief position, and it paid off. Being appointed as a Co-EIC for this coming school year, along with Reese, is an opportunity that I am so lucky to have. Abby and Easterly and Lauren and Sophia, the EICs in the years before us, have been inspirations. The way they made the newspaper staff feel like a family and encouraged all of us to put forth our best work is something I strive for.
Over the summer, Reese and I had the privilege of redesigning the newspaper with Mrs. Rosenthal’s guidance, and now we get to organize and help lead our incredible staff into this school year.
After three years of firsts, we are finally getting a taste of our lasts. Our last summer workshop just passed—six hours I never thought I would miss. Now, we are working on our first issue and soaking in every moment. Reese and I hope to make this year's newspaper memorable for everyone who reads it, and I could not imagine a better group of people for this job than our staff. Although it is bittersweet to be in the realm of ‘lasts,’ I would not want to spend my last year on the paper with anyone else, and I can not wait for our readers to see what they are capable of.
Now, as my class has begun to connect more closely with the class of 2028, I notice myself stepping into the same role that the current seniors once played for us. Whether it's helping freshmen or sophomores adjust to the workload or encouraging someone to join a club, I find myself and see others in my grade passing along the same guidance that meant so much to me.
The classes of 2026 and 2027 have embodied the ESD virtue of community perfectly and are proving that there doesn’t have to be such a social divide between grades to begin with. A united upper school not only leads to the expansion of the great sense of community we already have at our school, but it also proves that grades don’t have to be divided to begin with. As I look to the future, I hope that this tradition continues. The classes of 2026 and 2027 may have been the ones to break down many of the barriers between the divide that is often felt between different grades, but it’s up to the younger grades to carry that spirit forward. If they do, ESD will continue to be more than just a school—it will remain a family. And for me, that is one of the greatest lessons I could take away from my high school years.
By Michael Scimo
ESD varsity football team goes into the season confident despite projections
By Craighton Jefferies | Subscriptions Manager & Podcast Co-Editor
Junior captain and quarterback Miles
Link opens an Instagram post from Texas Private School Football on Aug. 7, projecting ESD finishing the season with a 1-8 record, ending the division in last place. Previously being doubted by fans and receiving poor projections, Link walks off the field with pride after the varsity football team defeated the Bishop Dunne Falcons in their first game of the season.
After summer workouts, practices and scrimmages, Link led the Eagles to a 70-0 victory over the Falcons on Friday, Aug. 29 at Gene and Jerry Jones Family Stadium, but gave deserved credit to the team.
“I am excited about winning and doing things that people didn't think we could do,” Link said. “[We were] projected dead last in almost every ranking of [the Southwest Preparatory Conference], and I'm excited to prove a lot of people wrong.”
Link believes that one of the team’s best qualities is their sense of unity and community. The majority of the team has known each other for years now.
“I think everybody's so closely knit, no matter if you're a senior or freshman,” Link said. “I think this team's chemistry sets us apart from the rest of the competition.”
As a captain, one of Link’s duties is to connect the underclassmen with the rest of the team, especially the players on the offensive side.
“I like rallying my guys up, getting them pumped for games, practices and whatnot," Link said. “I like being the leader of the offense, knowing that everything runs through me and I can help lead the way to scoring points.”
Even though the football team lost a lot of seniors last year and has a majority of underclassmen players, one area where they developed was in the weight room.
Director of Sports Performance and assistant football coach Phil Mosley thinks that the summer went pretty well.
“I thought attendance was
pretty good,” Mosley said. “I think as a group, we got stronger, and I thought our testing week went really well. We had school records set in the pro agility [test] and pretty high marks in our vertical jump and broad jumps.”
After all of the progress in the weight room, Mosley believes in the team and the end goal of winning an SPC Championship.
“I THINK THERE IS NO CEILING FOR THIS TEAM, AND THE SKY IS THE LIMIT. I THINK WE CAN ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING WE SET OUT TO DO, AS LONG AS WE WORK AT IT.”
Phil Mosley Director of Sports Performance and assistant football coach
“I mean, I've been really proud of how well they've worked together,” Athletic Director Thad Lepcio said. “I think the chemistry is as good as it's been in my [three seasons]. This is a group that's been together for a long time, from middle school to now.”
Because there are only 32 players, unlike last year's 38, Lepcio is cautious, but believes in the team, especially if they stay healthy.
“It's a small senior class, so it's going to be interesting to see who steps up as an underclassman to be [a] leader,” Lepcio said. “We don't have a lot of numbers, so there are a lot of guys that don't have a lot of Friday night experience [who] are going to have to step up.”
In addition to shifts within the football team, there are also changes to the stadium. These include a re-turfed field, along with the additions and organization of the stadium and its offerings. The construction started at the beginning of summer, ending just before school started. Along with the new additions, there have been both internal and SPC policy changes.
“I think there is no ceiling for this team, and the sky is the limit,” Mosley said. “I think we can accomplish anything we set out to do, as long as we work at it.”
According to Football Program Director Richard Williams, the players on the team have all bought into their goal for a championship. Players like Link have also set and are motivated to meet their personal goals.
“One goal I have is breaking a record for sure,” Link said. “Breaking a passing record, a rushing record or a touchdown record, whatever it is. And then for the team, we've kind of set a goal of really winning a championship. Honestly, winning more than what people thought we would do.”
The overall gist of the season this year is optimistic, according to coaches, players and fans.
“The biggest change that students will feel is that we have flipped sides of the stadium, and this is largely because there's this renewed, I would say, push towards creating a fan zone,” Clark Family Head of Upper School Matt Peal said. “The Parents Association is putting up more of an awning. Eventually, the coolers [and] concession stand will be over there. There's going to be, in the future, almost like a bazaar, with tents and tailgating.”
In order to keep the ESD community together, lower, middle and upper schools are now on the side closest to Montwood Lane. This is different from last year because they are no longer spread out across the stadium. Peal assures that this was not because of poor behavior or as a punishment.
“I've heard some grumblings that kids think that we're moving them because they did something wrong, and it actually had nothing to do with that,” Peal
said. “It's a future plan about getting all of ESD in one kind of critical section.”
This is not the only change this year. Another new policy involves the students’ entering and exiting the stadium. This year, once students leave the stadium, both home and visiting, they will not be allowed to re-enter.
Additionally, some recent SPC policies relate more to distributing game play and sportsmanship. These include policies that prevent students and fans from using noise makers, like a speaker, during play.
“I don't think many people know that we were actually put on probation by the SPC,” Peal said. “But they've kind of just told us [to fix our behavior]. So in order to do that, we're really not going to be able to storm the field. And the speaker is a no-go anymore. We aren't great about controlling the speaker at all times.”
Peal said that it is not the content of the music, but playing music during plays, that could affect the game. He expects people to show up and support the team despite these policies.
“If it's not about supporting your friends, being a part of that environment [and] community, then maybe don't come—that's fine, too,” Peal said. “If people don't show up because they can't bring a speaker, or because they have to stay in the stands and can't go out and do things they shouldn't be doing in the parking lot, shame on us.”
Lepcio agrees and believes that high school football games are an important part of the culture and memories of growing up. For policies like the speaker that could hinder an experience, he thinks that the student section and cheer team can help each other.
“I think the students need to work with Coach Schroeder and the cheerleaders because they can have a speaker and we can incorporate and work together,” Lepcio said. “But I think that falls [under] the umbrella of sportsmanship. We've got to do better, whether it's the players on the field, the students and even parents. [Everyone] has to step up and do their part.”
During the first home game of the season, senior Ava Sjogren watches the roaring stands go wild. Donning cowboy hats and boots, flannels, braids and an enthusiastic demeanor, the student section cheers and energizes the crowd and, of course, the ESD football team.
On Aug. 29, the energy radiating from the lively student section at the Gene and Jerry Jones Family Stadium was no coincidence. Behind the scenes, a dedicated group of students known as the Horde worked together to plan the theme, design shirts and fuel the student body with spirit.
The Horde is composed of two members from each grade. They hold monthly meetings to talk about and plan upcoming events.
“A meeting usually takes place in Ms. Garcini's room during a flex or another off-period,” junior Horde member Michael Chiste said. “We meet in order to pump up the school spirit for the year.”
While some Horde members participate in various sports, each one plays a role in deciding the themes for the student section. This group also helps communicate with the pep rally committee and promote school spirit.
“The Horde is a great part of ESD, and especially [creates] school spirit,” Sjogren, member of the Horde, said. “We are the sports committee, basically assigning game themes for all seasons, helping with pep rallies and communicating [to] hype up game times and locations.”
Senior Horde member Finley Lear, along with Sjogren, enjoys bringing spirit to the school. Because he isn't on the football team, during the fall, he is able to plan game themes and hype up
the student section.
“I love seeing the whole school come out to watch the teams competing,” Lear said. “We have themes like USA and Jungle that I can't wait to see everyone dressed up in.”
"IT IS DEFINITELY A LOT OF FUN BEING ON THE HORDE WITH MY BROTHER, WE GET TO COME UP WITH IDEAS TOGETHER AND SEE THEM [COME TO LIFE]."
Asher Lear Sophomore Horde member
Each year, two new boy and girl members from the freshman class are asked to join.
“I was so excited when I was asked to be a part of the Horde,” freshman member Wynn Wheeler said. “I can't wait to have a voice in picking the themes and hyping up the student body.”
Chiste was also asked to be on the Horde as a freshman. With this being his second year, he knows how to guide the freshmen.
“I was thrilled when I was asked to join because it meant I got to play a role in creating a special environment [with] school spirit,” Chiste said. “I love the new freshmen, and I'm so glad we have their input now.”
For some, the Horde is a family tradition. For example, Sjogren was asked by her senior sister, Ella
Sjogren ‘23, to join.
“When I was a freshman, my sister was a senior [and] a part of the Horde,” Sjogren said. “So, it was an honor to be a class representative and carry out the family legacy.”
Along with Sjogren, sophomore member Asher Lear was also asked as a freshman to be on the Horde; his brother, senior Finley Lear, was a junior at the time.
“It is definitely a lot of fun being on the Horde with my brother,” Asher Lear said. “We get to come up with ideas together and see them [come to life].”
For big games all year round, such as against Highland Park, St. Mark’s, Hockaday and Greenhill, the Horde designs shirts for the student body to wear. They create designs such as “Beat St. Mark’s” or “Take State.”
“When we sell shirts, we usually have to go through the Eagles Nest,” Chiste said. “This means that they sell the shirts and keep track of them for us to hand them out.”
Along with designing shirts, the Horde also has an Instagram page with various designs. This page contains announcements
and promotions to remind the school of the theme for the upcoming game and its date.
“This year, we are planning on adding [junior] Carson Osterstock to help us with graphic designs,” Chiste said. “[This] will ultimately enhance our social media presence.”
Although this club is fully student-run, it is still in contact with administrators who approve the themes. There are no faculty members who sponsor the club, so students must communicate with the administrators themselves, instead of doing so through a teacher.
“We work pretty hand-in-hand with administration,” Sjogren said. “Just making sure themes are appropriate, getting the sports schedules, etc.”
The Horde members are expected to keep the themes confidential until they announce them on Instagram.
“This year is going to be the best one yet,” Sjogren said. “While there are still many surprises, I can say that the student body will love them.”
Behind the scenes of creating a spirited school inside and outside the stands
By Betty Wheeler | Design Editor
WHERE IDEAS START
Horde members sophomore Asher Lear, junior Kate Lewis and senior Ava Sjogren meet on Sept. 3 to discuss the upcoming football game. "It's good for us to be in person to talk about the themes," junior Horde member Kate Lewis said. "We can each share our ideas."
Photo by Betty Wheeler
the Eagle spreads pride across campus
By Emma Allen | Business Manager
Ernie the Eagle is no longer just a game-day surprise, but has helped school spirit reach new heights.
There is now one designated student who wears the suit and regularly attends cheer practices, pep rallies and games. Ernie even has a spot in varsity cheer’s routines, making the mascot a true part of the team. Whether it’s at practice, Friday night lights or pep rallies in the gym, Ernie is there to bring a lighthearted energy. Constantly ready to pump up the crowd, Ernie has quickly become a centerpiece of campus pride.
For Ernie, ESD’s sense of community begins each morning with daily worship, becoming a moment to reset and prepare for the day.
“There’s something really special about gathering the whole community together every morning,” Ernie said. “It’s like the nest before we all take flight for the day.”
Music helps build the energy Ernie feeds off of. When the fight song begins at pep rallies or games, Ernie feels a strong surge of school spirit.
“As an eagle, I’ll admit my singing voice is more squawk than soprano, but there’s nothing better than hearing the cheer team and every student belt it out,” Ernie said. “Between the music,
the movement and the roar of the crowd, the fight song is my ultimate pump-up anthem.”
The most crucial part of Ernie’s game-day routine is food. Ernie fuels up with breakfast the morning of games.
“Breakfast tacos are my sacred pre-game fuel,” Ernie said.
“Nothing gets me ready to rally the crowd like a good tortilla in the morning. Some mascots stretch or meditate, but I just like to wing it.”
Once the game starts, the crowd makes all the preparation worth it. The crowd’s cheers give Ernie the stamina to keep moving.
“The roar of the crowd keeps me going,” Ernie said. “When everyone’s cheering, it’s like fuel for my feathers.”
Some of Ernie’s best memories, though, come off the track and football field. Visits to lower school gym classes have shown that the mascot’s role goes beyond sports.
“Those kids look at me like I’m a superhero,” Ernie said. “Their smiles could power an entire stadium.”
At the heart of it all, Ernie claims that being the mascot is about representing the school and carrying its spirit everywhere.
“It’s an honor to represent ESD,” Ernie said. “Every time I step into the spotlight, I know I’m carrying school pride on my wings.”
Favorite song that gets played on game night: I love them all! Sure, I can’t sing (trust me, nobody wants to hear an eagle screech through the speakers), but I can sure bust a move. My talons were made for dancing.
Favorite football game theme?
Camo night. As a bird of prey, nothing feels more natural than blending in and striking fear into the St. Mark's student sections. Sorry lions, but your roar’s got nothing on my wingspan.
Favorite pre-game snack?
Granola bars. Oats and chocolate chips are the perfect fuel for flapping. But hey, I am an eagle, so if you notice the goldfish crackers mysteriously disappearing from the Eagles’ Nest, it was totally me. Can you blame me? The store is basically named after me.
Favorite spot on campus: The Quarry. I perch there, watch the turtles, and throw shade at squirrels. The sound of the water is calming until I dive-bomb a passing snack. I feel bad for the kids who enjoy fishing. Not my fault they practically throw themselves at me.
What's the longest you've consecutively worn the suit? Suit? What suit? You mean my majestic feathers? Honestly, the Texas sun turns me into a roasted chicken real quick. I can flap around for about 15 minutes before I risk turning into a turkey. But as the temperature cools down, look out Texas, here I come.
Favorite NFL or college football mascot: Normally, I don’t honor the enemy, but Sebastian the Ibis? I have to admit I look up to him. Ibis and Eagles? Natural disaster duo. Go Hurricanes.
SINCE SHE JOINED THE CREW team during the spring of her freshman year, senior Maggie Chein has formed lasting bonds with her teammates and developed a strong passion for rowing. She faces the challenges of demanding practices and long races, but also finds a sense of excitement in the energy of the competition. Additionally, she appreciates the trust and unity within the boat, knowing that each rower’s effort contributes to the team’s success. Chein plans to continue rowing beyond high school, announcing her verbal commitment to Yale University on May 31, 2025.
How do you get ready for a regatta?
[On the] day of, I have a routine. I usually wake up about two hours before the race, have two packets of instant oatmeal and a Gatorade. We try to get to the course about an hour before launch to check the boat and prepare. Then, we warm up with a little run and specific stretches. I’ll have some fruit snacks and an energy drink throughout this.
What has been your favorite moment on the team?
We were in Philadelphia for the Stotesbury Cup, and we’d raced a time trial, but the river was moving really fast, so we didn’t know if we were going to race the next day. Then, Coach Jones woke us up at 6:30 a.m. and [said], ‘You guys are racing at 8 a.m.,’ and we all [ran] downstairs to breakfast. [After], he came into the kitchen and [said], ‘I lied, everything’s canceled. You guys won because we placed first in the time trial.’ It was chaotic, but really fun. What goals do you have for yourself and the team this season?
I want to go fast, but I also want everyone on the team to be a contributor. I want the team to be the kind of place where everybody knows that they’re valued for what they bring to the table. At the end of the day, it's not about how fast you go, it's about the kind of effort you give and what you get out of it.
What motivates you to continue rowing?
I love it, and I don't think I'd be continuing it if I didn't love it. It's my personal break from school. I also think I just want to see how fast I can go, what I can do and how hard I can push myself.
What is the most challenging part of the sport, and how do you overcome it? It's an endurance sport, so there [are] some days where training is just the most boring thing, but doing [it] with other people is helpful. I will have bike sessions where I just sit and [talk] or put on a good playlist. Just doing it with people is usually the big one. Even [in] the hard, intense workouts, if everybody in the room has good energy, then it kind of brings everybody up, and it makes it way easier. What makes crew different from other sports?
I think you have to have a different kind of trust with your teammates than you do in other sports like basketball or soccer. You have to trust that everybody in your boat is pulling as hard as they can. You also can't really have a star player in rowing because it's not the kind of sport where you stand out. It's where you win or you lose the unit. What advice would you give to someone new to the sport?
Stick it out. If I'm being straight up, it kind of sucks until you figure out what's going on. It can be really intimidating, and once you get a little bit better at it, it becomes so much more rewarding. There's a lot of opportunity to grow from it that isn't present in every sport, but I think rowing is special, and that it develops a kind of toughness that I don't think is in every other sport as much.
What do you enjoy most about race day?
My favorite part of race day is once I'm done racing, and I can cheer on everybody else racing. I love being the "hype man." I love helping everybody get in the boat and chasing them down the course, yelling. The energy is unmatched.
VARSITY FOOTBALL SENIOR CAPTAIN
Andrew Russell sees being on the football team as one of his high school highlights. He feels that playing football has helped guide him and build strong bonds with many members of the ESD community, no matter their grade level. As a captain, he feels honored to represent ESD and mentor future generations of players. Throughout his high school experience, he has played alongside some great athletes and, more importantly, outstanding teammates and mentors. Russell hopes to fill their shoes and be that person to the younger players.
What is it like being on the football team?
The football team has to be one of the best sports teams to be on. The large amounts of time and hard work you put in for the team create a strong bond between you and your teammates. That's why being a part of this team is such a high privilege.
What is it like being a captain?
Throughout high school, I have looked up to the varsity football captains as leaders and mentors. Being in that position now is a great honor, and I hope to step into that leadership role and really be a role model for younger players.
What do you and other captains do to help mentor the younger players?
My fellow captains and I work hard to set a strong standard for how players act on and off the field. Along with this, we can hold people accountable, while also supporting them, which makes the team and each individual stronger.
What has been your favorite moment with the team?
My favorite moment with the team thus far has to be when the whole team went to Cedar Creek Lake after football camp at Wolf Run. This allowed us to come closer together as a team and really bond into a brotherhood.
What do you do before each game to get ready? Before each game, I stay calm and focus on my job for when I get on the field. I like to listen to music with the team in the locker room, and my go-to pregame meal is pasta with chicken.
How do you keep your body healthy through the entirety of the season?
During the season, it is really important that I take care of my body by staying hydrated and eating the right foods. I will also make appointments with physical trainers if I need to in order to keep myself in shape.
What makes being on a team so special to you?
Being on a team allows you to become really close with your teammates. Going through highs and lows with a group of people who are all trying to achieve the same goal allows you to connect with some really cool people.
What motivates you to continue playing football after a tough game?
Tough games in which you lose and get beat up can really make people question why they play football. For me, I think about using these hard games as a learning experience for the team. What really defines a team is how they bounce back from these losses and face adversity continuing the season. My love for the sport and my team allows me to not only continue playing football after a tough game, but it motivates me to get better. What makes football different from other sports?
Many people say the extreme physicality of the sport makes football different from all other sports. Although I agree, I believe the mental aspect of the game is the leading differentiator. Showing up almost every week day throughout the summer and in the fall can drain your mental capacity. The amount of hours and focus needed to compete in this sport at a high level makes this game mentally challenging, but it also teaches people how to overcome these challenges, which is a necessary skill to learn for the future in
By Moss Barron | Staff Writer
This year marks the launch of the new sports performance credit, where athletes can work out and earn credit in their sport during their offseason. It’s a fourday-a-week program that blends strength training and conditioning with an athletic credit.
“We meet four days a week, Monday through Thursday,” varsity soccer player and junior Bella Tremblay said. “Depending on what we do that day, we finish between 5:30 p.m. and 5:45 p.m.”
The class, led by Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach
Abbie Ongaro and Director of Sports Performance Phil Mosley, allows athletes of all sports to prepare in a more structured way during the off-season, while still counting as a community credit needed for graduation.
Freshman basketball player
Michael Sorrell feels the mix of workouts have already helped him
see improvement in both strength and agility.
“In the class, we do cardio, lift weights and work on all parts of the body,” Sorrell said. “The coaches push you to do your best every time.”
According to The National Institutes of Health, numerous studies have shown that off-season workouts can help prevent injury by reinforcing muscles, tendons and connective tissue, while also keeping athletes in good shape. These factors can help lead to better performance when their seasons begin.
“The goal is [for student athletes] to always improve and get better,” Ongaro said. “ [It is important they are] ready for [their] sport, instead of trying to get ready while their season starts.”
Workouts shift each day, with lifting sometimes coming first and other times running. They will adjust as seasons change.
“We start with dynamic warmups and stretching. Then, we lift in three blocks with three or four-set workouts,” Tremblay said. “After that, we sprint outside, use a treadmill or use a bike. Each class includes both strength and conditioning.”
Tremblay, who plays club soccer, believes the class will help boost her endurance and strength in the long run.
“I feel like the class will also help prevent injuries," Tremblay said. ”We build more muscle and get stronger.”
The workouts planned each day are intentional. Ongaro and Mosley ensure that each one is affective and allows athletes to grow.
“It’s athletic development, power and strength,” Ongaro said. ”The workouts vary by season, specifically directed towards the [strength group] targeted.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, experts express that thoughtfully structured offseason training, often called “general physical preparedness,” is key. It prepares athletes for more demanding training down the line.
“We want everyone to come out, work hard and put a lot of effort in,” Ongaro said. “This will help upcoming seasons for other teams.”
Because this is the program’s first year, Ongaro expressed that they’re smoothing out logistical bumps.
“We’re working through the kinks, but hopefully this year will go well,” Ongaro said. “Small things [include] being on time and bringing cleats.”
Another kink that presented itself was being without Mosley, as he coaches football during the fall season.
“We're a little bit short-staffed
in the stream conditioning world,” Ongaro said. “For us, it's important that we have the right [athletes] in the right place.”
"WE WANT EVERYONE TO COME OUT, WORK HARD AND PUT A LOT OF EFFORT IN. THIS WILL HELP UPCOMING SEASONS FOR OTHER TEAMS."
Abbie Ongaro Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach
Nonetheless, students say the class is already paying dividends in their sports.
“I think sports performance is a good credit for somebody who wants to focus on one sport,” Tremblay said. “It helps me stay active.”
By bringing real training science into the school day, building strength, preventing injuries and building habits that last, sports performance aims to give students more than just a credit, but the opportunity to reach their full athletic potential.
“You truly feel like when you leave, you [have already gotten] better,” said Sorrell. “I am excited to see where it gets me in basketball season.”
BLOCK BUSTER TRADE
On Aug. 28, All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons was traded from the Dallas Cowboys to the Green Bay Packers for defensive tackle Kenny Clark and first-round pick in the 2026 and 2027 drafts. Parsons signed a fouryear $188 million contract with the Packers.
"MY DREAM FROM THE GET-GO WAS TO TRY AND CREATE WAYS, 365 DAYS A YEAR, FOR PEOPLE TO ENGAGE IN WHAT WE’RE DOING."
Jerry Jones General Manager and owner
According to ESPN analyst Todd Archer, Parsons' new contract has made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
“I honestly am okay with the trade,” junior Ryan Cole said. “It gives the Cowboys $41 million in cap space, which allows us to sign and lock down more good players.”
In an ESPN article by Rob Demovsky on Sept. 7, Parsons said that the past few months were the hardest of his career, and he wants to prove to the world that the
The Dallas Cowboys have worn the label “America’s Team” for nearly half a century, but the documentary “America’s Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys” only focuses on owner Jerry Jones’ era—from his purchase of the Dallas Cowboys in 1989 through the 1990s.
The eight-episode series features interviews with NFL stars—Jerry Jones, Jimmy Johnson, Barry Switzer, Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin and Deion Sanders. The filmmakers frame the Cowboys' dynasty years as a football masterclass.
“My dream from the get-go was to try and create ways, 365 days a year, for people to engage in what we’re doing,” General Manager and owner of the Dallas Cowboys Jerry Jones said in an interview with The New York Times in August.
The series begins in 1989, when Jones purchased the team for $140 million. He then fired Hall of Fame coach Tom Landry and hired his friend and former teammate Jimmy Johnson. The seemingly painful Herschel Walker trade of the '89 season became the foundation of the ’90s Cowboys.
“After watching the documentary, that trade was one of the smartest decisions possible,” long-time Cowboys fan and junior Ryan Cole said. “It allowed [the Cowboys] to draft Emmitt Smith and create the beginning of ‘The Big Three.’”
The series nods to the origin of the nickname, “America’s Team,” before the "Jerry Jones era." The NFL popularized the nickname in the late ’70s when Roger Staubach was leading the Cowboys, and the documentary expresses how the ’90s changed the nickname into a nationwide identity.
“When you say ‘America’s Team,’ you think of the Cowboys,” Dallas native and junior Preston Mooney said. “Everyone knows that, even people who hate the Cowboys.”
Jerry Jones Jr. heavily emphasizes how technology has reshaped the NFL. From streaming services like Amazon Prime to players' safety, technology has dramatically affected the industry and keeps constantly adapting to keep the fans engaged.
“At the end of the day, the NFL is an entertainment business,” Jerry Jones Jr. said in an interview with the Eagle Edition. “Technology has a big impact, not just how people watch, but how the game is played itself.”
The documentary closes by emphasizing Jones' reputation as both a gambler and a visionary for the Cowboys' future. His risks, from firing Landry to trading Walker, shaped a dynasty that is still widely remembered today. With the Parsons trade, the Cowboys may once again be entering a period where risky moves could shape the next chapter of “America’s Team.”
“Nothing is stopping us from going and using those picks we got in the trade to get another player,” Jerry Jones said in an interview with ESPN. “Don’t rule that out.”
From left, Amir Rozwadowski, his wife Charlotte Jones, Gene Jones and her husband and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, Karen Hickman and her husband Stephen Jones and Lori Lemon Jones and her husband Jerry Jones Jr. pose for photos on the blue carpet before the movie premiere of Netflix's "America's Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys" at the Egyptian Theatre in Los Angeles, California on Aug. 11, 2025.
by Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News/TNS
Jerry Jones bets big on the future, Cowboys documentary highlights big moves of the past
By Jack Coben |
Micah Parsons (1) of the Green Bay Packers reacts after sacking Jared Goff (16) of the Detroit Lions during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images/TNS
price the Packers paid was worth it. He was immediately listed as an impact player on the Packers roster. Although some fans may not love the trade, it allowed the Cowboys to extend cornerback DaRon Bland for four years and guarantee him $92 million.
“I think this trade could be very beneficial for the Cowboys,” junior Preston Mooney said. “I think that Jerry Jones had a plan when he traded Hershel Walker, and I think what is happening right now with Parsons could be the same situation.”
The Parsons trade also started a debate about the Cowboys’ longterm strategy. Fans questioned why the team would part ways with such an incredible defensive talent entering his prime, while others compared the trade to Hershell Walker. ESPN analyst Bill Barnwell argued on Aug. 28, the day of the trade, that trading Parsons for multiple first-round picks could significantly reshape the roster for years to come.
“Micah, in my opinion, is the best defensive player in the league,” die-hard Cowboys fan and junior John Edge Sowa said. “I think that trading him to the Packers was a huge mistake, but Jerry Jones might have something up his sleeve like he did when trading Hershel Walker.”
The relationships, memories and values from my time as an athlete will stay with me forever
By Margot Cathey | Sports Editor
You can usually spot me in the Gene and Jerry Jones Family Stadium during any given classic Friday night football game. The stands are always packed and the student section goes crazy every time the varsity football team scores effortlessly. I acknowledge, as I sit there in the bleachers, not wearing cleats, that athletic endeavors have been a huge part of my ESD life.
Whether sweating profusely during field hockey drills, playing lacrosse or sitting in class, ESD athletics have always been the most thrilling aspect of school. The highs and lows of athletics have molded me more than any classroom lesson.
Looking back, I’ve realized that winning has never been the central takeaway from my years of playing sports. Sure the feelings of winning in the buzzer beater game and the thrill of receiving a trophy are wonderful, but they all blend together and leave me with no inner feeling. What stands out the greatest in a victory are the small moments. The pre-game hype ups
in the outdoor women's locker room, screaming “Every Time We Touch” by Cascada at the top of our lungs, the prayer we say before we run onto the field holding each other tight and the way laughter erupts from every one of my teammates the second we get to practice. These certain memories and bonding moments carry a weight that wins alone could never
One of the greatest gifts sports have given me is the chance to build relationships that extend far beyond the field. The teammates I’ve leaned on in the toughest losses and have played every game with feel like family, no matter the grade we’re in. We have seen one another at our best, fired up for game day, and at our worst, losing in the most important state and SPC games. These kinds of bonds are rare and extremely special with the additional community aspect ESD has to offer entirely. These kinds of relationships have morphed me into the athlete I am today. Regardless of any necessary talent or hard
work, I’ve been taught to trust my teammates and coaches entirely, knowing we are there for one another no matter the score. Alongside the bond with my entire team comes the significance of my coaches wisdom and trust.
While being yelled at and taught plays is a minor slice of the big picture, each and every coach I have ever had has become a role model, teaching me how to lead, how to handle pressure and how to carry myself with integrity on and off the field: a lesson I will truly always remember and cherish.
Sports have also forced me to learn balance in a distinct way in a way nothing else could. Going through high school, having to balance staying up until midnight studying for a test and then waking up for Friday morning practice the following morning is draining.
Leaving the cook doors after bombing a math test and having to go straight to two hour practice never seemed ideal, but the back and forth and great commitment taught me that life is merely about pacing yourself. Knowing when to push and when to pause, even in the time consuming moments have taught me immense amounts of perseverance that I will carry into college and beyond. The energy to be able to balance both in the classroom and on the field is a blessing in disguise, even when it seems the hardest.
Beyond balance, athletics have been my greatest mentor in
discipline and respect. Leaning back on the chapel talk Mr. Baad shared in April regarding sportsmanship crossed my mind while writing this, facilitating a thought of mine.
Sportsmanship isn’t just about shaking hands after a game; it's about learning to respect your teammates, most difficult opponents, “unfair” referees and even yourself. I’ve had to face the frustration of hard calls, tough losses and practices where no play seemed to click no matter how hard I tried, but through these moments, I have learned patience. Over the past eight years, I have learned that discipline is not merely about just showing up annoyed to practice or waiting for it to be over, it is about being willing to respect the process and the people surrounding me.
More than anything, ESD athletics have shaped me into the person I am now. As cliche as it sounds, ESD’s community is far greater than anything I have ever experienced, with sports being the main determinator of that community. The memories, values and experiences I have made during my years here will never be unaccounted for. As I continue to share more about my experiences here at ESD, as a voice for athletes and an athlete myself, I hope to continue and share more about the lessons learned through sports, while also highlighting the best, driven moments possible.
By Stella Bertley | Web Co-Editor
From The Nest highlights students' unique passions and showcases their personal collections. Each feature shows off a glimpse into the stories, creativity and dedication behind these favorite items.
Bob Marley
"Marley got me into reggae music. My favorite quote of all time is 'If you get down and you quarrel every day, you're saying prayers to the devils I say, why not help one another of the way?' off of his song 'Rastaman Vibration.' He has been a massive influence on me and I truly believe his music has made me a better person."
At the young age of 17, Henry Swann has built a record collection that rivals those of lifelong music fanatics, filling his bedroom shelves with everything from classic rock to old school jazz.
Swann started collecting records when he was just 13 years old, receiving his very first record as a gift from his mother on his birthday.
“For my 13th birthday, my mom [gifted] me a Kendrick Lamar record: Good Kid, M.A.A.D City,” Swann said. “I already owned some turntables from DJing, so I put them on there. I remember I put the [record] on and immediately thought that it sounded a lot better than listening to it on my phone. It just felt so much more authentic.”
Although Swann has an appreciation for all music
genres, his current favorite genre is old school rock.
“I think my favorite overarching genre is probably rock,” Swann said. “I've gotten really, really into a few [rock] bands recently. Grateful Dead is my favorite band ever, I was [thrilled] when I got a hold of my first Grateful Dead record.”
For Swann, his love for music naturally led him to start collecting records, compelling him to continue adding to his growing collection.
“Music is my favorite thing in the world,” Swann said. “I’ve always thought that if I love these albums so much, why not own them physically? So, when I got my first record, I felt [like I needed] to continue buying more.”