December 2023

Shining a light on Fine Arts

percent of accidents during the holidays are caused by drunk driving

years of fourcast by the end of December 2023

Pour choices

Drunk driving increases in Dallas community around holidays

by Aadhya Yanamadala & Jessica Boll | Staff Writers

Every hour, around two people die in a drunk driving accident, and high schoolers are responsible for around 17 percent of these deaths. In Dallas alone, over 1,000 crashes are attributed to drunk driving every year.

Looking beyond Dallas, drunk driving is a na tionwide issue which is exacerbated around the holiday times (from Nov. to Jan.). Around these months, 25 percent of adults admit to drinking more, whether at parties or in their respective homes, which is reflected by the increased rate of crashes.

“People tend to imbibe and utilize more alcohol around the holidays for various reasons,” Health teacher, Adaku Ebeniro said. “Sometimes seasonal depression can be put in the mix or people are missing family members. They also might just simply have more

time off work.”

Nearly 40 percent of all vehicular accidents during November, December, and January are attributed to drunk drivers, an increase from the national average of 30 percent. However, these numbers don’t include the number of near-accidents that traumatize many drivers.

“On the day after Thanksgiving, I had an experience with a driver who I believe was drunk,” sophomore Ellie Bell said. “I was driving on the highway very early in the morning, at around 7 a.m., and saw a car swerving across several lanes of traffic, nearly causing half a dozen accidents. I was very scared that the car was going to hit me or another car and create a very dangerous situation.”

Drunk driving is primarily caused by two main types of detrimental drinking habits: binge and coping drinking. Among high schoolers across the United States, illegal binge drinking is more prevalent due to the heightened impact of community

Switching up the SAT

influences on those who are underage.

Driving under the influence is a problem that impacts all age groups and communities, including Upper School students at Hockaday. Many have experienced a family member or friend being killed in a drunk driving accident, and it is a trauma that lasts throughout a lifetime.

High school drivers must also be more alert on the road, as they are not as experienced in dealing with drunk drivers as other adults. Staying aware of your surroundings is the best to avoiding crashes.

“When I’m driving home on Friday nights, I get a little nervous,” sophomore Anna Claughton said. “I have to be extra aware because there’s always more erratic driving during that time.”

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is implementing “Drive Sober. No Regrets,” a traffic safety campaign, to ensure safe roads for Texans by reminding drivers, especially those under the age of 18, to make wise choices concerning driving. As part of the campaign, TxDOT is increasing law enforcement presence during December and early January to arrest more drivers under the influence.

“Just remember to be careful this season and we all have choices to make,” Ebeniro said. “We don’t want to put ourselves and especially others in danger.”

In 2024, the SAT is going to switch to new format and adds features

by Amitha Nair | News Editor

Long hours studying, completing endless practice tests and breaking down over a single score. The SAT and ACT are some of the most challenging tests for high school students. But in a few months, the format of these tests will change for good.

Starting in March 2024, the nearly century-old test will be offered only online, and the overall format will change with it. According to the College Board website, this change in delivery for this assessment is an improvement.

According to https://www.collegeboard.org/, “Going digital allows us to offer much more flexibility in terms of when, where, and how often the SAT is given.”

In addition to the change in delivery format, the length of the test will change.

“It is a shorter test; it is two hours and 15 minutes as opposed to closer to three hours,” College Counseling Associate Aspen Arnold said. “There are also randomized questions so not every student is answering the same question at the same time. It also makes it, so we don’t have to offer the test on the exact same day as every other school in the country, so there is more freedom there.”

Another significant change in the test is question adaptivity. The difficulty level of the test adapts to the user’s answer to the last question.

“You have two modules for the reading and writing and two modules for math,” Upper School Learning Specialist Jennifer Spradley said. “Depending on how you did one module one they can direct other questions to you in module two in both of those sections.”

This big change has led to opting for the ACT, a similar test that holds the same weight.

“We anticipate that some students will prefer the new digital adaptive SAT while other students will prefer the paper-and-pencil ACT,” Co-Director

of College Counseling Elizabeth Jones said.

While some students are waiting for the digital SAT others are trying to finalize their score before 2024 to avoid a completely new testing format.

“I am hoping to only have to take the physical SAT and finish my test attempts before the SAT goes digital, as I don’t want to take the digital SAT,” junior Anya Ahuja said.

There are many opinions from students and administrators, some encouraging the digital SAT and other wishing it would stay in its original written format.

“We don’t have to organize paper tests or get exams and answer sheets delivered back to College Board,” Arnold said. “So, I think from administration side it has been significantly easier and I think our proctors and our test monitors thought that too after the digital PSAT.”

While the responses from administrators and proctors have been nothing but positive, students have mixed reviews.

“SAT is better, because I enjoy the reading part of the physical SAT more and I am more comfortable with those types of questions,” Ahuja said. “I also enjoy reading longer passages.”

While other students find the written SAT to be more stressful, junior Carys Braun said the frantic page turning in the final minutes of the math sections causes a rise in stress then jumping between questions online on the digital SAT.

There are some students with mixed reviews, where some say they like one part of the digital

version but still think there are attributes of the written SAT that should stay.

“I like digital SAT better for reading because you can easily scroll through the passage and you don’t need to flip back and forth to go to the passage,” junior Sarah Holmes said. “I prefer the SAT for math, because I like doing my work on the page.”

There are many different opinions for this major change to the long-standing written test. Regardless, this decision stands firm with College Board. This huge change causes stress for all students.

“I think anytime there is a change it increases stress level of any students,” Spradley said.

“Ultimately there will be less stress because the reading portion will be much more manageable in terms of not having to go back through an entire two column passage to find an answer and because students will be able to use their calculator on the entire math section.”

Photo by Amitha Nair

Junior takes the digital SAT.

Graphic by Carys Braun

An anniversary to remember December 2023 marks The Fourcast’s 100th year of publication

by Shreya Vijay | Opinions Editor

The end of 2023 marks the Fourcast’s 100-year anniversary. The publication debuted on Feb. 1, 1923. In a male-dominated world, Ela Hockaday ensured her students would establish a publication that relayed student voices. One hundred years later, that publication has become an important aspect of student life at Hockaday.

Head of Upper School Dr. Lisa Culbertson ’96 described the dynamic of the Fourcast while she was a student. While she was not a part of staff, she described the similarities between then and now from the perspective of a reader.

“Students would pass out the paper versions and, then in advisory, everyone would read it,” Culbertson said. “It’s sort of similar in that way, and we were always super excited to support our friends who were in it.”

Culbertson added that the Fourcast allows students and faculty to engage in community conversation about relevant topics. One recent example of such conversation occurred when the new schedule was announced last year.

“It creates that conversation in the community,” Culbertson said. “I really appreciate that it becomes a unifying conversation about a topic.”

Culbertson said that the newspaper gives administration a glimpse of the student perspective. She added that pieces in the Fourcast, notably opinion pieces, reveal how a particular decision has been received among the student body.

“It can help Hockaday make

decisions,” Culbertson said. “The Fourcast is one of the ways of looking at the student voice.”

Culbertson reflected on Hockaday’s legacy, describing how Ms. Hockaday’s progressive vision for women resulted in the creation of the Fourcast.

“Journalism was a field place that was male dominated and she believed that females should have a voice,”

Culbertson said. “She gave the students a voice through the newspaper, and it’s a huge responsibility she gave to students.”

With recent stories, Culbertson applauded journalists for tackling controversial pieces. She added that the Fourcast has pushed the community to consider some difficult topics and become more critical about themselves. She also noted how the Fourcast continues to be published on paper every edition, which reminds her of her time as a student as well.

“There’s still something physical that we have in the hallways that we can pick up and talk about,” Culbertson said.

She encouraged students to hold onto aspects of the 100-year legacy while pushing for new and modern ways to tell stories.

“It’s an interesting responsibility to be a reporter of student voice for a population like Hockaday,” Culbertson said. “There are so many interesting things about people here and I think it’s a beautiful example of how students can lever their own voices within the school.”

In its 100 years, the newspaper has allowed students to realize their

passion for journalism. Kristin Lin ’12, while she was not enrolled in journalism, wrote a column for the Fourcast during her junior and senior years. Currently, she works as a production manager for the New York Times podcast “The Ezra Klein Show.”

“I remember it being a ton of fun,” Lin said. “It taught me the basics of journalism.”

With her job today, Lin says the Fourcast gave her a great first exposition to journalism practices. Her column was submitted to a Dallas Morning News competition and allowed her to gain exposure working with an official newspaper.

“I think getting to work with an editor was also an awesome experience,” Lin said. “The Fourcast was my first opportunity to get exposed to the world of journalism, which was really great.”

Reflecting on the 100-year anniversary, Lin added how important it was historically to have a newspaper that was created in a time where women did not have many rights. Lin also hopes that the newspaper continues to tackle controversial issues, inside and outside the community.

“The fact that Hockaday has been training its students to become journalists for so long is remarkable,” Lin said. “I hope that administration continues to allow students to publish stories of all sorts and allow reporting that students do to stand on its own merit.”

Regarding the 100-year anniversary, Culbertson also described how excited

she is to celebrate this milestone. She noted that current student-journalists have a responsibly to continue this legacy as the voice of the student body.

“To have a completely womenled newspaper is a really cool thing,” Culbertson said. “I think it’s inspiring and important and I think we need to celebrate this.”

Recent alum, Melody Hu ’23 reflected on her experiences as an Editor-in-Chief of the Fourcast.

“I had a really great experience as Editor-in-Chief and really enjoyed my time on the staff,” Hu said. “It is definitely a part of Hockaday that I really miss.”

As a freshman at the University of California, Berkeley, Hu said a lot of the skills she learned as an Editor help her in her work as a college student. Hu said her favorite part of being on the Fourcast was reading all of the pieces from the staff.

“I was always amazed by how funny, entertaining, or informative the articles could be,” Hu said.

Reflecting on the 100-year anniversary, Hu said how excited she was to celebrate this milestone. Additionally, she advised that staff members continue to take on controversial issues within the community.

“I think Hockaday students do a great job with writing pieces that are informative and thought provoking,” Hu said. “I’m excited to see the Fourcast publish more stories and do more in the future.”

Photo Courtesy of Laura Leathers

Photo Courtesy of Dr. Lisa Culbertson, Head of Upper School

New & returning impactful programs

Student leaders make a change in their community

by Alexa Muñoz | Arts & Life Editor

RETURNING! Gupta Guides Good Work at Genesis Women’s Shelter

Hockaday’s relationship with the Genesis Women’s Shelter has lasted 25 years, with students traveling almost every Tuesday to volunteer.

Genesis provides counseling for women seeking shelter from abusive domestic violence relationships, and Hockaday student as well as staff volunteers provide playtime for the women’s children.

“While their moms are in therapy sessions, we’ll spend time with their kids and do crafts, play football or tag, or just hang out and have fun with them,” sophomore president Sara Gupta said.

Students may also participate in the Students Tackle Abusive Relationships (STAR) auxiliary at Genesis, another educational volunteer opportunity. Meeting bimonthly, student responsibilities involve fundraising for Genesis, learning about teen dating violence and encouraging peers to educate themselves on the issue.

NEW PROGRAM! Lacsamana and Reddy are ready to experiment

Thanks to their early exposure to science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine, juniors Jordan Lacsamana and Naviya Reddy have always been interested in the fields. With their new recurring program, “STEM & Medicine,” Lacsamana and Reddy can share this passion with younger girls.

Every Day 4, 10 program members travel to David G. Burnet Elementary, a DISD school neighboring Hockaday, and work with kindergarten-aged girls. Experiments are done in their classrooms and are related to real-world occupations in STEM and medical fields.

“It’s really important to spark an early interest in STEM and medicine because the girls frequently don’t know much about it,” Reddy said.

Reddy and Lacsamana hope to create a connection between their experiments and the jobs the girls can do.

“We have planned elephant toothpaste, marshmallow catapults and bending water with static electricity balloons,” Lacsamana said. “We want to pair them with jobs like chemists, engineers, architects, doctors, or nurses.”

NEW PROGRAM! Coats and Cuban Coach for Change

The recurring program “Coaching for Change,” co-founded by juniors Alyssa Cuban and Hannah Coats, works to help athletes at Dallas Independent School District (DISD) schools develop sports skills. Their mission is to instill lifelong healthy habits, building students’ confidence in athleticism before they reach high school.

“As student-athletes at an all-girls school, we hope that the younger girls we work with will see their potential to grow with the sport while having fun with it,” Cuban said.

The co-founders hope to expand their program to sports like soccer and basketball but also make more time for fun by hosting gaga ball tournaments. Their primary mission is to collaborate with two DISD middle schools to see how far they can take the students’ interests in their respective sports.

Cuban, who extensively researched girls’ sports programs in DISD for her Government social impact paper, saw her opportunity to make a difference. Coats, who is also interested in the topic, met with Cuban and the head of athletics at Marcus Middle School to find resources and adjust their project.

“From there we got together and decided that it would be super cool to actually make a recurring program out of our ideas,” Coats said.

Now, every Day 5, “Coaching for Change” members travel to Marcus Elementary to educate kids on sports.

new on welch

A look at what’s happening on campus

Pumpkin Contest

Every year, the Class of 2025 has a pumpkin painting/ carving contest for Halloween. This year, the Berryman advisory, who painted Van Gogh’s “Starry Night,” and the Balog advisory, who painted Abe Lincoln, were both voted as the top two.

Jeremy Hays

Alongside directing and developing an off-Broadway show, new drama teacher Jeremy Hays joined the faculty mid-semester. “I’m really excited to showcase the students in the upcoming musical in February. There’s a lot of performing arts here, and I can’t wait,” Hays said.

Choir Concert

On Dec. 6, choir showcased their fall concert during the Upper School Assembly. Besides the usual heavenly vocals, the show included dialogue and even a moment where a girl screams.

Photo by Shifa Irfan

Photo courtesy of Jeremy Hays

Photo by Shifa Irfan

Photo Courtesy of Naviya Reddy

Photo Courtesy of Alyssa Cuban

Members of Varsity Basketball pose with athletes from Marcus Elementary.

Lacsamana and Reddy plan for their next meeting.

Arts &

6

Water bottles

Take a look some of the water bottles students bring to school.

10

Seasonal

sweets

Editor-in-Chief Harper reviews seasonal goods to spread holiday cheer.

A timeless tragedy Romeo and Juliet reminds audience of its age old message

by Danya Risam-Chandi | Features Editor

As Romeo, played by St. Mark’s senior Miller Wendorf, falls to the ground with a hopeless “thud,” Juliet, played by senior Ava Shipp, awakens and a look of horror crosses her face.

Soon after realizing her beloved has passed, she gives him a final kiss and stabs herself in the St. Mark’s black box theater. The famous tragedy of Romeo and Juliet was brought to life Nov. 3 –N ov. 5, directed and staged by the St. Mark’s drama department under the direction of new drama teacher Katy Tye. The cast included Hockaday and St. Mark’s Upper School students.

One of the most striking aspects of the play was the unusual theme: steampunk.

“We wanted to pay homage to the period Romeo and Juliet takes place in, but also modernize it for the audience so that they still feel like they can connect with the characters and the story,” Tye said. “Steampunk just fit the bill. It has that Victorian dated look to it, but still pulls in some modern elements.”

Tye also wanted to ensure that the actors felt connected to Shakespeare’s language.

“For my first play here, I wanted something the students could resonate with and ‘Romeo and Juliet’ seemed like the Shakespeare play to go with,” Tye said.

Shipp thinks she relates to Juliet because of their similar ages.

“I think it’s relevant that we are all around the same age as the characters in the play,” Shipp said.

However, Saxon Moseley, a junior who played Lady Capulet, saw the challenge in grasping a Shakespearean character.

“I think one of the hardest things is figuring out what kind of character you are,” Moseley said. “You could take it in a completely different way and just go crazy. It’s hard to decide what you can do to make the character your own.”

Shipp said she worked hard to understand the technical aspects of Shakespearean dialect.

“It’s almost like speaking another language,” Shipp said. “Certain words and the way things are said just do not translate to how we speak today. Inner monologue has been a big thing to help me figure out what I’m saying in my own words.”

Relating to Tye’s hope that the play would resonate with both the actors and the audience, Shipp and Moseley both see the play as a cautionary tale for teenagers.

“Teenagers of this time still need to think through things and also

need to realize that while things may seem very large and big in their lives, there are other ways to cope,” Moseley said.

Shipp points to the naivete of both Romeo and Juliet as the trigger for their infamous tragedy in the cautionary tale.

“A lot of people think of it as the first love story, but, in reality, Romeo and Juliet are very young and don’t know a lot about relationships or love when they first meet each other,” Shipp said.

Tye said she picked the play specifically with the hope that the raw emotions would strike a chord with the young actors and audience.

“Shakespeare’s plays really have a lot of human emotion running through them, and especially that of teenagers,” Tye said.

Moseley believes the play not only holds a message for teenagers, but for parents as well.

“I feel like for parents in this society, or any society, one message would be to be active in the lives of their children,” Moseley said.

The play not only entertained the audience, but also united Hockaday and St. Marks students to work together and bring attention to one of Shakespeare’s most famous works and its modern-day connections.

POP

CULTURE WITH HARPER

Editor In Chief Harper Harris is a pop culture fanatic, and she’s here to address what’s trending.

These past few weeks I have learned way too much about football, just so I can watch a Chiefs game and understand what is going on while I look for Taylor Swift in the stands.

In September, Swift was spotted at her first Chiefs game. This led to her going to a game almost every weekend and hanging out with Travis Kelce, the Chief’s star tight end.

I’m sure you already know all about the Swift and Kelce drama and dating rumors, but in case you don’t: Swift and Kelce have been seen together multiple times in the past two months and Swift has been spotted in the stands of multiple home and away Chiefs games. The pair has been caught holding hands on numerous occasions, on dates, and at each other’s homes.

While I think it is obvious the pair is getting along well and are most likely dating, I don’t think that some Swifties are treating the situation in the best, most appropriate way.

Some fans are taking to social media, claiming that Swift and Kelce are “going to get married” or that they are already “in love.”

I am a Swiftie, obviously, so I am happy for Taylor, but I am not thinking this far ahead in a relationship that is not my own and one that has been happening for only a few months.

Swift even sings in her song “Lavender Haze” from her 2022 album “Midnights” that “all they keep asking me is if I’m gonna be your bride; The only kind of girl they see is a one-night or a wife.”

In this song, Swift complains that the media scrutinizes her for dating people and not marrying. Now, it’s not just the media forcing Swift to conform to a certain type of relationship; some of her fans are at fault too. Fans need to let Swift explore this relationship without expecting anything big from it, especially since it is so new.

PHOTOS COURTESY Danya Risam-Chandi

Ava Shipp, playing Juliet, grapples with the loss of her cousin Tybalt and her love for Romeo, his killer.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF Danya Risam-Chandi

Juliet, played by Ava Shipp, desperately begs her mother, played by Saxon Moseley, to stop her impending marriage.

PHOTO COURTESY OF iHeartRadioCA VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Sharing sentiment through stickers

Students’ water bottles serve as scrapbook of past and personality

by Caroline Bush | Editor in Chief

Almost every student has their own water bottle, and aside from serving as great alternative to the plastic waste of disposable bottles, the reusable water bottle has become a way for Daisies to express their personalities. Stickers are the most popular way to decorate the cup, but choice of color and brand, friendship bracelets or charms and different lids are a few other ways to customize. Students love their water bottles because a lot of the stickers show off their favorite memories from trips or experiences.

Hayden Marchant Sidney Murray

When senior Sidney Murray looks at her water bottle, she thinks of her sister (who gave her half the stickers), the memories of trips where she collected them, and the activities she takes pride in.

“My water bottle has always been a way to express my interest and catalog my memories,” Murray said.

In addition to hydration, Murray said she always finds entertainment and comfort in staring at her water bottle during class, being reminded of the memories plastered across it. She also appreciates how people can learn what kind of person she is just by looking at container she carries around.

“I love when people stare at my water bottle before asking about a particular sticker,” Murray said. “Aside from aesthetics, I like carting around my Arnold Palmers and monsters in a bottle I love.”

Senior Hayden Marchant collects stickers from as many places as she can, putting them on her water bottle to remember her experiences.

“I love my water bottle because it’s like a scrapbook that I can use in my everyday life,” Marchant said. “I can look at my bottle when I’m bored and remember the good times.”

Marchant said her sticker from her camp, Sky Ranch, reminders her of all her camp friends and the home she have there. She also has a sticker of her family ranch’s cattle brand on her water bottle. Similarly, she has multiple Texas stickers on it; for example, her “Texas Chica” and “I like Texas” stickers showcase her love for her state and honor her 6th gen. Texan heritage.

“I also have a ‘Swiftie’ sticker to show my love of Taylor Swift, and a friendship bracelet tied to the top, the very first one I ever got.”

Alexandra’s Fashion Fourcast

Arts & Life Editor

Ivy Park by Beyoncé, Skims by Kim Kardashian and Guest in Residence by Gigi Hadid are all popular celebrity fashion brands most of us know by now – but Kylie Jenner is the most recent celebrity to join the fashion realm, with her latest business, Khy. Jenner announced her clothing line Oct. 24, with a debut collection numbered “001” that is first of many drops.

“001” was designed in partnership with Namilia, a Berlin-based brand that specializes in leatherwear. Within the first hour of its Nov. 1 launch, Khy made over $1 million in sales. In addition to its monetary success, three days after the launch of Khy, Jenner was honored as the Brand Innovator of the Year at the Wall Street Journal Innovator Awards. With such a prestigious award and

Alexandra Dassopoulos is a self-proclaimed fashionista, ready to report the latest news of the fashion world.

considering her familial connections, many of us are left wondering: What makes Jenner’s project special and how genuine is it?

Unlike many of her other celebrity counterparts, Jenner prioritized a wide size-range. Not only is Khy size-inclusive, it’s also extremely affordable: all pieces are under $200. While this low price point is appealing in theory, it’s an indicator of how Khy falls short in the sustainability sector. Faux leather, which is used extensively in the collection, is created with fossil fuels, sheds microplastics and takes hundreds of years to decompose.

Aside from sustainability, Jenner’s authenticity and involvement are also valid concerns. There’s a fine line between a genuine passion project and a money grab. Should

a celebrity be expected to design pieces or simply lend their name? In comparison to many of the celebs who don’t come from a fashion design background, Jenner does seem to be taking a more hands-on approach to her brand. In a Vogue interview, Jenner expressed the magnitude of her creative and corporate involvement for Khy, adding that she is the creative director of the brand and marketing, uploads and edits all of the brand’s Instagram posts, and even picks fabrics and co-designs the clothing.

Jenner also mentioned that she plans to work with many designers, and that her collections will be very different from one another, since Khy is inspired by her ever-evolving wardrobe. While the first Khy drop reflected Jenner’s edgy “King

Kylie” era, we’ll most likely see later collections embody the fluctuating style and identity of Jenner over the years.

Jenner poses in a faux leather dress from Khy’s “001” collection.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KHY

Highs and lows of holiday music

by Alexa Munoz | Arts & Life Editor

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Some spread holiday cheer with their significant others; others wallow in a melancholy abyss of brokenhearted loneliness, sipping their sorrows away with bottomless cups of hot chocolate. Luckily, American singer, songwriter and rapper Bryson Tiller has our backs with album “A Different Christmas.”

Inspired by a heartbroken holiday season, Tiller crafted an album catered to those surrounded by friends and family, who are not physically alone, but still feel lonely. Other inspiration stems from pioneers in Christmas pop: Ariana Grande, Pentatonix and Justin

Bieber, who makes an appearance on the album. Reminiscing about cherished memories with his past lover, the opening song “be mine this

by Elizabeth Truelove| Sports Editor

Even though he is arguably one of the most iconic Christmas characters, the Grinch and the kind-hearted growth of his heart never surrounded me with the same Christmas spirit that Rudolph and Frosty provided. My childhood self was so afraid of both Grinch movies, the original cartoon and Jim Carrey’s reenactment, that I asked my mother, “Mom, if his heart grows too big, will he die?”

Jim Carrey, but instead, I had found my favorite Christmas album of the past five years.

Christmas” encapsulates Tiller’s yearning for his ex despite his honest efforts to move on. Tiller’s classic R&B sound—his soulful voice singing about love, accompanied by trap snare drums—carries this song, making it my favorite from the album.

As the album progresses, so do Tiller’s feelings regarding the lonely Christmas season: he reassures listeners that with time, heartbreak gradually becomes more bearable. After three years of separation and COVID-19, 2021 was his first Christmas with his eldest daughter, Halo, bringing him a refreshing reason for holiday cheer.

Because this was no ordinary Christmas, the Tillers spent time

in his recording studio, decked out with Christmas lights, producing “winter wonderland”—a twist on the classic Christmas carol. While Tiller worked to avoid a traditional rendition, favoring his original songwriting’s authenticity, the father-daughter duet was irresistible, bringing tears to his and listeners’ eyes.

If you find yourself missing the one that got away this holiday season, try tuning in to the Louisville artist’s holiday album before reaching for that next cup of hot cocoa. Each song is sure to make this year “a different Christmas.”

To say the least, the Grinch movies were not a childhood staple for me during the holiday season. However, after years of refusing to watch this classic, I was finally convinced by the more recent animation from 2018. What surprised me most about the movie was not that I had finally gotten over my irrational childhood fear of

Popular artists such as Tyler, The Creator, Run-DMC, Pentatonix and others collaborated on the movie’s soundtrack. While certain songs are remixed Christmas classics, such as Pentatonix’s “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” my personal favorites were those that took the original songs of the Grinch and added a modern twist.

Tyler incorporates key facts and a background to the Grinch’s character while simultaneously creating such a catchy beat that you don’t even care if it’s from an animated movie soundtrack.

In conclusion, this soundtrack has not only begun my love for the Grinch movies but also made me realize that music can make or break a movie. In the future, I hope artists continue to modernize original Christmas music so that the joy surrounding the holiday season can be listened to all year round. Tiller

For example, Tyler, The Creator’s songs “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” and “I am the Grinch (feat. Fletcher Jones)” included his musical style alongside similar lyrics from the original version. “I am the Grinch” is my personal favorite.

However, while not “classics,” I

believe the remaining Christmas songs on the album were chosen very appropriately. The songs “Christmas Is” and “Christmas in Hollis” by RunDMC bring an upbeat, hip-hop vibe to the movie, illustrating the grumpy Grinch as “too cool for school” rather than the malicious villain in the liveaction version. With such music, the movie was not only lively, but took on a new perspective.

1. Pop

2. Rap

3. Indie

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PHOTO COURTESY OF SPOTIFY

‘Tis the Season to elevate your wardrobe

Winter trends and holiday season styles take on new silhouettes

by Alexandra Dassopoulos & Larkin Clouston |Arts & Life Editor & Staff Writer

As the weather gets colder and we feel temperatures drop, the slight chill in the air carries with it a new season of fashion. This winter has brought some vintage trends back in style, along with a distinct color pallet. Holiday party and winter outfits have evolved beyond the sequins we’ve seen in previous years. From celebrities and micro-influencers to Hockaday students, everyone is participating in the fashion and accessories that are all the rage right now.

Pointed-toe boots

You’ve seen them on Rachel Greene in “Friends,” but pointed-toe boots are making their way out of the nineties archive and into 2023, with Bella Hadid wearing them recently. The trending version comes just below the knee and is mainly seen in neutral leather tones. Fold-over shaft boots have also made their way into the winter fashion scene, offering an almost futuristic element. No matter the shape, these boots are sure to remain a classic, reliable staple.

Red

From cherry red chrome nails worn by Hailey Bieber to burgundy bodysuits paired with leather pants, red is officially the color of the season, but in a more chic and upscale way than seen before. As worn by your favorite celebrity or influencer, Bordeaux red is one shade that has been trending this season. This dark red has not only been seen on nails and tops but also handbags, shoes and coats this winter.

Bows

Whether it’s tied around your ponytail or clasped with a charm on a gold chain around your neck, the bow has become a charming accessory that cannot be ignored this fashion season. This coquette piece has been seen on the New York Fashion Week runway, TikTok and even in our very own Hockaday hallways this winter.

Leather jackets

The more structured leather blazers of 2020 have been replaced with new silhouettes, including moto jackets and oversized, distressed bombers. These pieces range from aviator styles, with chunky belts and sherpa trim collars, to racer jackets with colorful accents. Such leather outwear has evolved into a versatile, “cool girl” piece found in many Hockadaisies’ closets that can be paired with simple black dresses or loose-fit denim, often adding a retro or masculine touch.

Off-the-shoulder tops

Many of us might’ve purchased an off-the-shoulder top circa 2016, pairing it with a choker and some skinny jeans. 2023 has upped this look to a new, sophisticated level. Off-the-shoulder sweaters are trending at stores from Old Navy to Free People and offer a comfortable but effortless basic to your closet. These off-the-shoulder sweaters are typically paired with jeans, dress pants and denim midi skirts.

Lace tops

Black sheer lace tops are trending as an edgier take to a holiday party outfit, while white or light-neutral lace tops offer a more feminine and wintery look. These tops can be paired with leather miniskirts or dark-wash jeans to add a sophisticated feel in contrast to the dainty lace.

Holiday bags

Bags from this winter season have brought with them unique shapes, unconventional handles (like oversize chains and top knots) and a range of materials and textures, including oversize sequins and metallic crochet. With such features, these statement pouches and purses can elevate your ensemble, whether on a casual weekday or at a glitzy holiday party.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JW PEI

Anthropologie’s take on the beaded-bag trend, implementing an intricate, sweater-like woven effect that complements the metallic embroidery. This bag brings a pop to any holiday look

PHOTO COURTESY OF J. CREW

PHOTO COURTESY OF ANTHROPOLOGIE

PHOTO COURTESY OF FREE Peo PLE

PHOTO COURTESY OF JADEN THOMAS

Senior Jaden Thomas rocks a Bordeaux-red jacket and boots.

PHOTO COURTESY OF VIRGINIA DUNN

PHOTO COURTESY OF FREE Peo PLE

This Free People top combines both the off-the-shoulder and lace trends of this season.

Sophomore Virginia Dunn poses with her dog while sporting a gray off-the-shoulder sweater.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ANTHROPOLOGIE

PHOTO COURTESY OF REFORMATION

PHOTO COURTESY OF REVOLVE

Savoring seasonal sweets

Reviewing holiday-themed goods around Dallas

by Harper Harris | Editor in Chief

Since the holiday season is here, I decided to venture around Dallas to try and find the best seasonal drinks and snacks. Here are the top four I tried.

Starbucks Iced Gingerbread Latte

Notorious for its holiday menu, Starbucks never disappoints with their festive drinks and goods. I have had their peppermint mocha and iced sugar cookie latte, but I have not had the iced gingerbread latte. I was a little bit underwhelmed, surprisingly. I could taste the gingerbread flavor and cinnamon but wished there was more, since that was the whole point of the drink. I also hoped the color of the drink would be darker, resembling gingerbread, but it looked like milk. Finally, I hoped there would be more coffee in the latte. Since I paid almost $6 for a tall, I hoped to get more from the drink.

White Rock Coffee

Turmeric Ginger Chai

My favorite local coffee shop and Preston Royal study spot, White Rock Coffee, always keeps me on my toes with their seasonal items. Since I had already had two coffees the day I ventured to taste all these drinks, I ordered the hot turmeric ginger chai at White Rock. It was a nice change from the iced coffee I had earlier in the day, and it was the most flavorful item I had. While it was the most expensive drink at $7, the hot chai was my favorite item out of all four I tried, so I am sad that it is seasonal and will only be available for a few more weeks.

Dutch Bros Zero Sugar Iced Peppermint Bark Mocha

While it is new to the DFW area, Dutch Bros has made its mark here as a staple drink stop. I have only been a few times, so I am not as familiar with their normal menu or their holiday menu as I am with Starbucks’. I ordered a small zero sugar iced peppermint bark mocha. In this drink, I could taste more of the flavors than I could in the Starbucks drink. While it was advertised as “zero sugar,” I could taste the sugar and would not recommend it if you were worried about sugar. A small at Dutch Bros most resembles a grande at Starbucks, and this drink was just under $5, versus the almost $6 tall at Starbucks. I think the Dutch Bros iced mocha gets you more for your money based on size and flavor.

LDU Toasted Pumpkin Bread

I swear by Starbucks’ pumpkin loaf, so when I walked into LDU I was hesitant to buy their toasted pumpkin bread. I was glad I did, though. The pumpkin bread tasted more homemade and had way more flavor than any Starbucks loaf I have ever had. The LDU slice had nuts baked into the bread, which I liked since it added available seasonally and Starbucks’ is available year-round, I recommend the LDU pumpkin bread due to its festive flavors.

CUP OF JOE’S WITH CAROLINE

Editor-in-Chief and Trader Joe’s employee Caroline Bush gives us an inside look at some of her favorite items from the store.

I don’t think you can ever go wrong with chocolate milk, but the chocolate milk from Trader Joe’s is absolutely out of this world. One sip of this creamy, rich drink will satisfy your sweet tooth. It also pairs perfectly with another sweet treat like a cookie or brownie.

The mini “Hold the cone!” ice cream cones from Trader Joe’s have been a fan favorite for years, and they never disappoint when it comes to putting a seasonal twist on the classic treat. The peppermint flavor pairs perfectly with the chocolate of the cone, satisfying your need for that taste of Christmas. PEPPERMINT “HOLD THE CONE!”

The peppermint pretzel slims give you the satisfaction of having a holiday delight that’s both sweet and salty. With their candy coating and thin pretzel base, this addicting snack will be perfect for any holiday party or get together.

The perfect selection

Librarians share a few hidden gems in the Upper School library

by Lang Cooper | Staff Writer

Up the stairs of the LLARC, the Upper School library holds approximately 35,000 books. From mysteries to science fiction, the library has an option for everyone. Director of Hockaday Libraries Corey Lott and assistant librarian Hannah Riggert are ready to help students find the perfect book.

“I look for new and creative ways to attract students or patrons to the library and then highlight all the great things we have,” Lott said.

Lott and Riggert work each day to provide a wide selection of books.

their struggles in life.

“It has been popular over the last couple of years and just got adapted into a film,” Riggert said.

Another recommendation from the librarians is “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” by V.E. Schwab. The novel, set in 1714, tells the story of an immortal woman who is forgotten by everyone she meets.

“ I look for new and creative ways to attract students or patrons to the library and then highlight all the great things we have.”

Corey Lott Upper School Librarian

The librarians take recommendations from students and teachers for new books, but also look through catalogues of book reviews from a myriad of companies.

“I will often see a book and think this would be an awesome JRP topic or a perfect book for your free time,” Lott said.

One of the most checked out books in the library recently is “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe” by Benjamin Alire Sáenz. The book is young adult fiction and tells the story of two friends through

“It is a perfect mix of historical fiction and magical realism,” Riggert said.

Lott said another memorable read was “Bird by Bird” by Anne Lamott. This story intricately teaches readers how to become better writers.

“I was one of the best reads I ever had,” Lott said. “It was about how to write, but also brought her stories to life. I think about it at least once a year, years later.”

Both librarians love the variety they can have within their job. Lott begins her 20th year working at Hockaday, while Riggert begins their second.

“I love working here, not only because of the beautiful library and book selection, but also because of the eager students who seem to love the books as much as we do,” Riggert said.

Overview of the second floor Upper School library.

Director of Libraries Corey Lott with her favorite book. Assistant Librarian Hannah Riggert with their favorite book.

PHOTOS BY LANG COOPER

Mass Communications

Cornerstones

This is Cornerstones staff member sophomore Maya Bakshi’s first year on staff after taking Intro to Journalism her freshman year. All members of the yearbook must take the full year Intro to Journalism course before joining. As a part of the Cornerstones staff, Bakshi does anything from taking photos to designing layouts.

Cornerstones is a place that allows its members to get pretty creative. An immense amount of work goes into designing a spread

Vibrato

Vibrato is an award-winning literary magazine run by Hockaday students. Throughout the year, they collect pieces of art from students and put them together in a collection at the end of the year.

As Co-Editor-in-Chief junior Diya Cadambe started as assistant Literature Editor her freshman year and worked her way up to Managing Editor before taking on her current position. Her time in Vibrato has contributed to the rapid development of leadership skills and a confidence she said she wouldn’t have found elsewhere.

Inspired by the posters she saw hung

Debate

Junior Isa Moreno joined the fine art because of her love for communication.

“I love talking and through debate, I’ve been able to channel that into skills that are really useful,” Moreno said.

Additionally, for Moreno, the debate class has helped her build confidence while becoming more concise in her speaking and communication with others.

Throughout the year, the debaters, who participate in the Worlds School debate format, are required to participate in tournaments that allow them to interact with other schools while learning more about the issues and controversies that exist in

Shining a light

Fine Arts are a crucial part of a Hockadaisy’s time in Upper School. classes overall, getting creative and expressing oneself is easy. Fourcast

alone and even when writing photo captions. Cornerstones staffers have to learn how to fit a large description into a few words.

“Yearbook gives me a lot of freedom to take a ton of photos, which I really love, and to capture different parts of the student life here at Hockaday,” Bakshi said. “I can manipulate how things look and the design of things.”

Bakshi said going into journalism is a good way to share how you see the different aspects of the Hockaday world.

around the halls in Middle School, Cadambe decided to join Vibrato once she got to Upper School. Although the class has also given Cadambe the opportunity to learn more technical skills like Adobe InDesign and Photoshop, she is especially appreciative of the sense of community.

“I’ve made some of my best senior friends from Vibrato,” Cadambe said. “The community is something that’s a big part of it, but it’s also an actual class. It’s fun, it’s really intuitive, and you get to enjoy yourself.”

Cadambe encourages people to look at Vibrato with an open mind and to appreciate the effort that goes into the book year-round.

the world. Despite their travels and similar format to other fine arts, debate is not always seen as such.

“We’re not always seen as a fine art or recognized as a fine art,” Moreno said. “On the surface level, it’s just speaking, but what it really is is something that you can do a lot of social impact with – you can volunteer as a judge – but you can also get into other formats, like with STEM, and go to a lot of competitions.”

Moreno encourages those who are hesitant about joining debate to still attempt it.

“Try it it’s definitely worth it,” Moreno said.

Photography

Sophomore Emily Winchester is in Intermediate Photography. She plans to continue and join Advanced Photography.

Winchester said photography is the reason behind the growth in her imagination and understanding of the creative process. She also believes photography has taught her many different skills.

“I really like to learn the film process, developing and just working through different cameras,” Winchester said. “Also, I learned all the different formats and ways that you can take pictures and the way that you can print negatives.”

The photography class fosters an environment where students can learn from peers about different perspectives and approaches, valuing group work and collaboration. Students learn the importance of considering details and staging for impactful photography.

Film

Sophomore film student Isla McKenna has been in film since her freshman year and is now taking Advanced Filmmaking.

“It’s such a small class, so you really get know the other people, and it makes me take English and creative writing more seriously because I know it will help me in my filmmaking,” McKenna said.

Film students also get the opportunity to participate in film festivals in different ways. Because of film, McKenna got the opportunity to direct the largest student-led film festival in the country. She applied through her Middle School film teacher. McKenna became the assistant producer at first and then received the position of director. Other students have had the chance to win awards by submitting their films to festivals.

Orchestra

Much of junior violinist Liz Steger’s life revolves around the Hockaday orchestra.

In addition to her fine art playing a huge role in developing her skills as an instrumentalist, she also loves the way she’s able to find camaraderie through being a member of the orchestra.

“I’ve played violin for eight years now,” Steger said. “At first, when I decided to do orchestra it was because we had to do a fine art – something I had to do, but the reason I stuck with it is because there’s something really special about the way the music you make blends with everyone else’s.”

In addition to appreciating the team aspect of the orchestra, Steger also finds that the different grades that blend into one class make it a better experience.

“There’s pretty much one or fewer classes that we all get put in, so we’re all stuck with it,” Steger said. “It’s not like other classes where you have certain people one year and others another year. It’s helped that we’ve been in orchestra this whole time and have been able to form a relationship.”

As Hockaday’s only instrumental orchestra, the group participates in several concerts and performances each year.

“We’re playing some Christmas music at North Park in December,” Steger said. “Then in the spring semester, we’ll have a pop concert and our senior solos performance.”

Sophomore

Members of Orchestra, including senior Lily McKenna perform at Dr. Leathers’ Convocation.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CORNERSTONES

Cornerstone Editors-in-Chief Stella Grabham and Hayden Marchant during class.

PHOTO BY BELLA RAYMOND

Students experience grade Upper and Sachdev sing makes program concerts the April. performed “Jubilate alongside and on and members large, community.

Choir

light on Fine Arts

By Anjy Fadairo | Assistant Web Editor and Shifa Irfan | Staff Writer

School. With 11 different fine art disciplines available and 30 unique Fourcast spotlights ten of the Fine Arts classes provided here.

Choir

Freshman Aryaa Sachdev’s first experience with choir was in seventh grade and continued singing into her Upper School career.

“The atmosphere is just so warm, and the people are so friendly,” Sachdev said. “I just I really love to sing and being around those people makes singing so easy and free.”

Each year, the Upper School choir program participates in a variety of concerts and last year, they concluded the year with a trip to New York in April.

While on the trip, students performed a collection of songs called “Jubilate Deo” at the Lincoln Center alongside several other high schools and colleges.

This year the choir is focusing improving its creative elements and reach by getting in contact with members of the Dallas community at large, rather than just the Hockaday community.

“A goal for this year is to get people

outside of Hockaday to come to our performances,” Sachdev says. “We’re trying to be a better choir in by bringing more people from outside to view and critique our performances.”

One way they’ll be accomplishing this goal is through their concert

“The Light of Hope Returning” which they’ll perform at Temple Emmanu–El in December.

Senior Layo Isaacs-Sodeye, a four-year member of Hockaday choir, hopes that their performance will be the start of more community outreach for the Hockaday choir.

“Our teacher, Ms. Poe, was super excited to get the venue because its gorgeous, but also because the first time the Master Work performed was also in a temple,” Isaacs-Sodeye said.

“Besides that, this is my first time in the choir performing a concert somewhere besides Hockaday or North Park. We’re being out in the community, and I think that we’re going to do that a bit more often.”

Visual Arts

Ceramics

Freshman Samantha Moseley attempted ceramics for the first time this year. Despite being a novice to the fine art, she already loves it.

“Ever since I’ve seen people doing clay or pottery, I’ve always wanted to try that,” Moseley said. “When I came to Hockaday, I got the opportunity to try.”

Moseley views her fine art as unique because, in addition to being a confluence of painting, sculpting and photography, ceramics occupies space in a way the work of other fine arts doesn’t.

“Other fine arts, they present something on a wall, but we have to present on a pedestal because our stuff is 3D,” Moseley said.

She also said she will keep doing her fine art throughout Upper School.

“I’m definitely going to continue ceramics,” Moseley said, “I’m probably going to do it all four years.”

Studio Art

Siri Cherukuri, a senior in AP Studio art with a passion for painting, is well-known for her award-winning paintings.

Art provides her with relief, and art class has become her time of the week to relax and escape from the stressfulness of regular school life.

“I’ve really liked art for a long time – I started when I was seven – but I never really did art seriously until I was in high school,” Cherukuri said. “I really wanted to take AP Art and am I excited I get to do it this year.”

The AP Studio Art class has provided Cherukuri with an environment to grow and expand her skills beyond her usual level. The art room itself resides in a corner of the Fine Arts building, allowing for a separate space from the main building where artists can focus.

Dance

Senior Elena Zeballos is a member of Hockaday Dance Lab and will play the Mad Hatter in Hockadance’s upcoming production of “Alice in Wonderland.”

Although Zeballos has been dancing since she was five years old, she emphasized how Hockadance is open to people of any level of skill. Students audition and are sorted into different classes based on skill level, allowing for a mix of grades and ages.

Hockadance strives to create a collaborative environment where students contribute creative ideas, segments and poses for performances. At the end of the year, Hockadance puts on a production of dances fully choreographed by the students.

“Joining dance is another way for me to bond with all these different girls with the same passion as me, and it’s so fun,” Zeballos said. “I can make friends with people in different grade levels, and we all get to kind of geek out over dance.”

Drama

Sophomore Izzy Hu first took up drama during her freshman year. Having no prior experience in the fine art, she said she was pleasantly surprised by the opportunities and community she found within the class.

“Everything was really chill, and I really enjoyed the culture within the class,” Hu said.

New drama teacher Jeremy Hays also provided insight into the Drama classes, explaining how the Hockaday students have provided a community where vulnerability can be shown.

For drama students, a hallmark of each year is the fall play. This play is annually held by the theater students and showcases Upper School actors from all grades.

Besides this, many students look for opportunities in St. Mark’s plays and in Hockaday’s musicals.

“There are many opportunities to apply drama, and I’m really grateful for the experience,” Hu said.

Sophomore Lillian Sells paints her page in her Intro to Art class.

Senior Lauren Shaw reads a monologue as part of an in-class exercise.

PHOTO BY ANJY FADAIRO

PHOTO BY ANJY FADAIRO

PHOTO COURTESY OF CORNERSTONES

Students in Dance Workshop perform during last year’s “Harlequinade.”

Top Chefs

Student cooking club creates change through collaboration

The woman with many hats

Dr. Fishel continues to inspire future scientists

by Shreya Vijay | Opinions Editor

Dr. Barbara Fishel, Upper School Dean of Studies, wears many hats as an educator and administrator.

After working as a researcher, Fishel started teaching at Hockaday over 25 years ago, and she currently teaches AP Biology, Advanced Genetics and Chemistry.

Fishel said she loved biology while in high school but never had any intentions to become a scientist. Looking back, she describes how she always loved science and biology in particular.

In college, Fishel took a variety of courses and ultimately graduated with a major in natural sciences.

“When I was in college, I ended up getting enough credits from different things,” Fishel said. “I took many history and English courses while in college and I ended up deciding to major in natural sciences.”

Shortly after graduating from Michigan State University, she got a job at the University of Michigan and learned proper lab techniques which made it clear to her that she wanted to pursue a career in science. For her PhD she worked on Dictyostelium discoideum, a cellular slime mold that is a model system used to study changes in the genes that are used during development. She tried to find the gene that was turned on when the organism went from single-celled to multicellular.

“I was focusing on one gene in particular,” Fishel said. “Ultimately, I was able to characterize the process.”

After earning her PhD, she did postdoctoral research in California on cell

division and cancer before moving to Dallas to work at UT Southwestern as a member of their research faculty. Later, she moved to Arizona and started teaching at the University of Arizona.

“I decided I wasn’t really enjoying the competitiveness of the research environment,” Fishel said. “I started to teach, and to my surprise, I discovered I liked that.”

Fishel taught at the University of Arizona for six years. There, she learned that students taking Introduction to Biology at the college level did not know it well enough. Then, she moved back to Dallas to work at Hockaday, and she was originally hired to help develop a science curriculum that would help college students remember material covered in their high school classes.

Fishel described her past experiences with previous student advisories, which she considers to be some of her favorite memories at Hockaday.

“I’ve been fortunate to have many advisories,” Fishel said. “There’s several between the years 2008-2014 where we became very close and still keep in touch.”

Upper School English Teacher Sarah Blanton ‘14 was a member of Fishel’s advisory. She described how her bond with her advisory and with Fishel were some of her favorite memories as a student.

“She was a really good advocate for me in ways I didn’t know,” Blanton said.

Upper School Science Teacher Jessie Crowley described how Fishel has helped her in many ways with her own career as a formal educator, since Crowley’s background is in informal education.

“She has such a wealth of knowledge when it comes to teaching strategies, but she also has such a wealth of knowledge when it comes to biology,” Crowley said. “In that way she has been super helpful as a new teacher here at Hockaday.”

This year is Crowley’s first year teaching AP Biology, and she said that Fishel has helped her ensure her students are learning the content in the best way possible.

“She’s allowed me to shadow her and her teaching techniques which I’ve learned a ton from,” Crowley said. “I’m eternally grateful for her knowledge and her experience.”

Crowley also added how Fishel is extremely approachable, not only for teachers, but for students as well.

“I thought ‘oh I could work at a high school and see if I could figure that out’,” Fishel said.

Fishel was originally hired as a nonadministrative chair of the science department. As the years progressed, she eventually became the Dean of Studies, and she now works in more general curriculum oversight as well.

Her favorite memory with Fishel was in her 8th grade science class. One day, while Blanton and her friend were doodling during class, Fishel approached them. However, instead of scolding them for not paying attention, Fishel seemed intrigued.

“She had a conversation with us about it,” Blanton said. “It’s something that I try to do in the classroom as well as a way of using that as a chance to make a connection with students.”

Sports science spans subjects

“As a teacher, I appreciate that there’s no stupid questions with Dr. Fishel,” Crowley said. “She’ll never make you feel that way, and that’s what makes her such a great educator.”

Fishel says she loves helping students pursue their own projects, which is another reason why she loves working here at Hockaday.

“The girls here are unbelievable people and students,” Fishel said. “It’s just so rewarding to be a part of this community. I learn from the students every day.”

New course teaches students about science behind movement

by Bennett Trubey| Editor in Chief

Combining physics with form, Dr. Jennifer Fore, an Upper School Science teacher and the Varsity Track and Field pole vault coach, leads the new Sports Science class. With the introduction of Interdisciplinary courses to the 2023-24 Course Catalog, students have been able to explore new and varying branches of study, such as Sports Science.

“In the back of my mind, I was thinking: ‘How can I make this work?’” Fore said.

The scientific metrics used in her pole vault and track and field training inspired her to create the class. She hopes the course allows her students to embrace the Athletics cornerstone inside and outside of the classroom.

“It’s another option to help them understand some of the science behind what they’re doing,” Fore said. “Not just going through the motions.”

The class, largely composed of student-athletes, spends time in the Fitness Center and the classroom. In the Fitness Center, Strength and Conditioning and Head Track and Field Coach Laboris Bean leads the students through a variety of

movements and helps break the actions down.

“I’ve got the course broken down into running, jumping and throwing, because those are universal movements,” Fore said.

Using programs like Logger Pro and OnForm, students analyze their motions in videos with the help of physics teacher Dr. Stephen Balog. They can measure the angles of their bodies and calculate related measurements like velocity and acceleration. Then, students can relate the movements of their muscle groups in class examples to motions in their respective sports.

“I’m kind of the middleman trying to put all of the pieces together and make the flow of the coursework,” Fore said. “It’s been a good tandem between the three of us.”

She hopes to extend the impact the course has on her students as well. For example, she has encouraged them to take a closer look at their own nutrition, hydration and sleep and observe how such factors affect students’ athletic performance.

“It’s very personal because they can go into their own biomechanics,” Fore said. She enjoys seeing her students’ competitive edge, referring to the course as her “fun class.”

During one session in the Fitness Center, Fore said, the students began a competition to see who could jump the highest, often repeating their measurements multiple times as they

tried to beat their peers.

“They’re all interested in sports, and they’re invested because they want to get better,” Fore said. “Walking them through how they can get better by understanding the physics, biomechanics and proper form actually puts all those pieces together in a more structured environment.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF SARAH BLANTON Fishel with her class of 2014 advisory at prom.

Students’ motions, such as jumps or sprints, are individually recorded. Using Logger Pro, the class can measure their bodies’ angles in the videos and draw connections between the form and physics they learn.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ALYSSA ANDERSON

A festival of love, light and devotion

South Asians around the world celebrate Diwali

by Anika Shah | Staff Writer

Around the world, the celebration, history, and traditions surrounding Diwali are beacons of light and prosperity to its celebrators. Signifying the victory of good over evil, the five days of Diwali are some of the most paramount days of the year in South Asia.

This year, the festival falls from Nov. 10-14, with Diwali taking place on Sunday, Nov. 12.

The festival of Diwali lasts five days from the 13th day of the dark half of the lunar month Ashvina to the second day of the light half of the lunar month Karttika. In the Gregorian Calendar, these days usually fall in late October and early November.

clay lamps, called diyas, in their honor. This tradition continues today.

Diwali is derived from the Sanskrit word “Dipvali,” meaning “row of lights.” It traditionally commemorates the return of Prince Rama of Ayodhya, his wife Sita and brother Lakshman back to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile.

South Indians and Sikhs celebrate Diwali differently, with South Indians commemorating Lord Krishna, the god of protection’s victory against the demon Narakasura.

For Sikhs, Diwali coincides with another festival called Bandi Chor Diwas. This celebrates the day that the 6th Sikh guru, Guru Hargobind, and 52 other Hindu Kings were released after being imprisoned unfairly by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir.

According to Hindu tradition, Rama is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the God of Preservation, who often appears in various incarnations to provide salvation for humanity. Sita is an incarnation of Lakshmi, the wife of Lord Vishnu and the goddess of wealth and prosperity.

The residents of Ayodhya were excited for the return of their rightful King and Queen, so they lit small

Each day of the Diwali festival signifies and celebrates a different aspect of the culture. Day one, Dhanteras, is dedicated to cleaning homes and purchasing small amounts of gold. It is also considered an auspicious day to make new beginnings. Day two is Naraka Chaturdashi, or Choti Diwali, and celebraters apply aromatic oils and then take a bath; this tradition is said to remove sins and impurities.

Choti Diwali also marks the day that Prince Rama returned to Ayodhya.

The next day is the main celebration of Diwali. Families gather for Lakshmi Pooja, a religious ceremony honoring Lakshmi. This is followed by parties, feasts, and firecrackers.

The following day is Goverdhan Pooja, the first day of the new year. It celebrates the Baal Roop of Lord Krishna, the god of protection and love. This day is commemorated with trading gifts and devotees offer 56 varieties of vegetarian food to the young form of Lord Krishna as mark of gratitude.

Finally, the culminating day of Diwali is Bhai Dooj. This day celebrates the bond between sisters and brothers.

Hockaday students observe Diwali in many ways, including decorating and lighting diyas.

“My family turns on every single light in the house,” senior Anisha Sharma, Hindu Student Association (HSA) co-founder, said. “Then we put diyas on all the window sills.”

While lighting and decorating diyas is one of the fundamental Diwali celebrations, there are many other ways of celebrating, including painting rangoli. Rangoli is a form of art drawn on the sidewalk in front of a house to welcome Hindu gods to the household. Other ways of celebrating include exchanging gifts, lighting firecrackers, and holding poojas. A pooja is a worship ritual that offers devotional homage and prayer to a deity. Offerings are usually made in the form of flowers or fruit.

Sharma also shared how the Hindu Student Association (HSA) is planning on celebrating Diwali.

“We are planning on having lots of discussions in our group about what Diwali means and are hopefully planning on collaborating with the South Asian Student Association,” Sharma said. “We are also hopefully hosting a party outside of school which allows us to further delve into our culture.”

Junior SASA CoPresident Anya Ahuja said everyone is welcome to learn about Diwali at one of the group’s upcoming meetings.

“We will be painting rangoli, playing a movie, and doing different Diwali related activities,” Ahuja said. “In addition, we are trying to plan a co-Diwali party with our St. Mark’s counterparts.”

Order in the mock courtroom

Club

offers

students a look into the legal profession

by Aadhya Yanamadala | Staff writer

For all the “Suits” lovers and aspiring lawyers, Hockaday Mock Trial offers students a unique perspective on what it is like to be a trial lawyer. Every year, 160 Texas schools and more than 2,000 students flock to a simulated courtroom.

Mock Trial is an academic competition where students try to win a fabricated court case that changes each year, participating in procedures similar to a real courtroom.

After receiving the year’s case topic, team members sift through stacks of affidavits and exhibit papers to prepare for the competition and formulate their arguments. Teams must craft a case for both sides because they can be assigned to either position.

Club president and founder senior Eva Spak started the club this year after previously competing with Cistercian’s Mock Trial team.

“My experience and Cistercian and my coach really helped me, especially with reducing filler words like ‘um’ in my speeches,” Spak said.

This year’s case is “Alex C. Eubanks vs Aquatic Center for Exploration.” Both entities are fighting over the inheritance of a millionaire who died in an underwater submersible accident. A never-seenbefore electronic will was found next to his body and it gifts all his money to a recipient only mentioned as ACE. Mock Trial competes Jan. 20 against teams from across Dallas. Quarterfinals, semifinals and finals are scheduled in January and February. If the team makes it through the Dallas Trial District, they will

advance to the State Texas Mock Trial competition in early March. The competitions are sponsored and organized by the Dallas Bar Association.

The team will either be assigned to Eubanks or the Aquatic Center for Exploration around ten minutes before the trial starts. Three members of the team serve as witnesses, which gives them an opportunity for a little bit of improvisation, because witnesses must answer questions in the form of their “character” without contradicting what is in the teams’ affidavit.

Three other students will act as the actual lawyers. They will give opening and closing statements and cross-examine their witnesses. The entire process takes around 90 minutes. Judges assign an overall score for both skills as an attorney, as well as skills as a witness. Teams with the highest score advance to the next level.

Dallas is one of the most competitive areas to compete in Mock Trial. To prepare for the competition, the team practices frequently, role playing as both attorneys and witnesses. They review law and common objections that come up in trial. They also must ensure that everyone on the team understands the court case and their role in it.

Mock Trial promotes a variety of skills that are useful both in and out of the competition.

“It’s a great outlet for theater kids to do the improvisational witness part,” John Klassen, Mock Trial sponsor and Upper School history teacher, said. “Certainly, it supports great public speaking skills.”

In a broader framework, the competition also gives members an idea of what a possible legal career could look like.

“Mock trial teaches me how to pose direct and cross examination questions like a lawyer, while also inspiring me to pursue trial law as a career,” sophomore Sara Gupta said.

Mock Trial members discuss their case

PHOTO BY AADHYA YANAMDALA

Junior Anya Ahuja celebrates Diwali with her parents.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ANYA AHUJA

Sophomores and siblings celebrate Diwali PHOTO COURTESY OF SARA GUPTA

Heard through the Hockahalls...

“ - Dr. Walts

I just want Travis Kelce to give me a hug and tell me everything will be ok.”

“

I’m not an awkward person, I swear.”

- Sunnie Wang 25’

“

- Dr. Bartlett Pumpkin spice is the worst flavor ever created.”

“

This year for Christmas I just want apologies.”

- Cassidy Golden 25’

Top Hocka-chefs Seniors take cooking club to the next level

by Harper Harris | Editor-in-Chief

Seniors Meredith Burkhart and Katherine Shoup founded the Elevated Cooking Club this year and have already held multiple meetings and contributed to multiple events with their baked goods.

After talking to one of their friends at St. Mark’s, who is the president of its cooking club, Burkhart and Shoup decided to create one at Hockaday, looking to collaborate with St. Mark’s over the course of the school year.

“We have done three events with St. Mark’s,” Shoup said. “The first one was just me and Meredith to figure out how they run it and to watch their club meetings. We went and cooked for the first day of school at St. Mark’s and we made coffee cake and pumpkin bread for faculty and students. Then, we helped them cook for their first coffeehouse and then they helped us for our coffeehouses.”

At Coffeehouses, both clubs provide baked goods like pies and loaves for attendees. Members of both clubs usually meet the morning of Coffeehouse to bake these goods.

“We have two groups at two houses baking, so we have more space,” Burkhart said. “Usually there are around 12 people per house and then multiple groups making multiple dishes per house.”

Freshman Mila Haffar has attended all the Saturday bakes and said that she has enjoyed being a member of the club.

“I thought the bakes were really fun because I got to meet people from other grades, especially juniors and seniors,” Haffar said.

While Burkhart and Shoup have collaborated with St. Mark’s like judging a grade-wide cooking competition, they also host their own meetings with Hockaday members only.

“We have held one meeting so far with just Hockaday,” Shoup said. “We made edible cookie dough because it is easy to make, and you don’t have to use the stove. We also asked for people’s ideas if

they have any dishes that they want to make or want to teach other people any skills.”

The presidents also expressed interest in getting involved in social impact with their club.

“We were researching if shelters would want any of our goods or hospitals and medical workers,” Shoup said.

Later in the year, Burkhart and Shoup want to host a cookout with members of the St. Mark’s club and keep baking for Coffeehouses.

“We have focused on baking, which we want to keep doing, but we want to expand into cooking, so a cookout with St. Mark’s is the perfect opportunity to do that,” Burkhart said.

Regarding the future of the club, the presidents are looking for an underclassman to continue the club.

“We would love to see a junior step up and continue the legacy,” Shoup said.

Defining diversity Board hosts new events to facilitate discussion

by Leyah Phillip | Staff Writer

In a world full of new ideas and opinions, the Student Diversity Board (SDB) strives to ensure everyone’s voice is heard. Senior Ashley Chemmalakuzhy began assisting with SDB in her freshman year as an intern, and now she is this year’s board chair.

“Our main focus is to promote conversation about different topics within the Upper School, Chemmalakuzhy said. “We’ve done a lot of different events. We mostly do forums, which are kind of our more formal events, and then chit-chats, which are our more conversational events.”

This school year, SDB is suggesting new ideas to encourage different conversations and connect their events to a broader subject. The board chose “The Spectrum of Viewpoints” as the theme for this year, centering their activities on this concept.

“We always talk about very complicated issues, but what we’ve noticed in our conversations is there are usually a lot of different perspectives beyond a simple yes or no,” Chemmalakuzhy said. “So, we wanted to really highlight that this year with our different conversations and the different topics we choose.”

At the latest Student Diversity Board chit-chat, “Trick or Treat: Costume or Controversy,” students decorated Halloween cookies and discussed how to avoid cultural appropriation with their peers. The board members chose this topic for their first chit-chat of the year because of its timeliness and relatability. All board members are trained to facilitate chit-chats and forums. This ensures discussions are respectful and open to all ideas.

After hearing the Supreme Court’s ruling on the SFFA vs. Harvard case, SDB began to plan their upcoming

forum on Affirmative Action where board members will educate their peers on the history of affirmative action. They will also discuss the case’s effects on students. “We’re having our first forum on affirmative action, and it is obviously a more complex topic, and everyone might not come to that conversation with the knowledge necessary to navigate a conversation respectfully,” Chemmalakuzhy said. “We’re going to have a small presentation to give a little background and some tips on how to maintain respect in a conversation.”

SDB aims to give the Hockaday community a space to respectfully share their views and discuss difficult topics free of judgment. Sophomore board member Sara Gupta was an intern for the board in her freshman year and joined to discuss important social and cultural issues with her peers.

“I wanted to join SDB because as an international student who recently moved from Mumbai, India, diversity was really important to me,” Gupta said. Starting her second year on the board, Gupta wants SDB to continue being a place where all students can feel seen and heard.

“I think the main goal of SDB is to create an informative and safe listening space for the Upper School body at Hockaday where students can talk about pertinent issues and gain perspective on it,” Gupta said.

As the board chair this year, Chemmalakuzhy hopes to plan lots of different events this year to promote engagement.

“We want people to realize that we all have our own unique experiences that shape how we see the world and impact the way we come to every conversation,” Chemmalakuzhy said.

An Elevated Cooking Club meeting.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MEREDITH BURKHART

Mistletoe makes memories A project focused on the love, light and laughter of the holiday season

by Danya Risam-Chandi | Features Editor

Stella Wrubel has sold mistletoe to her friends, family and neighbors. This small business not only showcases her entrepreneurial spirit, but it also spotlights an important cause: food insecurity in North Texas.

Wrubel first started the project at a mere six years old.

“It was when I was watching the news, and Hurricane Sandy was affecting New York,” Wrubel said. “My godfather lives there, and I had just visited for the first time, so that was just crazy to me.”

The tragedy gave her the inspiration to try and raise money for the Red Cross with a lemonade stand. However, since it was November at the time, she quickly realized that lemonade was not a viable product idea.

After brainstorming with her parents, she came up with a new idea: mistletoe.

“Looking back, mistletoe is a great product to sell during the Holiday season, because it is not affiliated with any religion,” Wrubel said. “So, it’s a really inclusive option that’s just about loving each other.”

The first year, Wrubel and her family collected mistletoe from their country home. Then, they sold it from a stand in their front yard. They reached out to friends and family and asked them to come out and support their cause as they raised awareness and spread holiday cheer.

“We brought in two thousand dollars that first year which is way more than we ever expected to,” Wrubel said.

The next year, they decided to sell mistletoe again.

“I enlisted a friend of mine to help that year,” Wrubel said. “Actually, we became friends because his mom forced him to come volunteer at the stand.”

Quinn Graves, a senior at the Greenhill school, has helped lead the project ever since.

The first time he volunteered for Jingle Bell Mistletoe he was in the first grade. His mom brought him to volunteer because his teacher thought he and Stella needed to get along better.

“Our teacher told my mom we would either stay enemies

or be friends for life,” Graves said. “She told our parents to try to coordinate our friendship and get us to spend more time together.”

The idea worked and the two of them enjoyed working the mistletoe stand together.

“I ended up loving it and I’ve done it every year since then,” Graves said.

Eventually, they enlisted two more of their friends from The Lamplighter school, Trever Godkin and Isabella Dickason, who both are currently seniors at the Parish Episcopal School.

“One of my favorite traditions from this project is when Trevor and I carol in the back of Stella’s grandfather’s pickup truck,” Graves said. “We just start screaming Christmas carols at the top of our lungs.”

A couple years after the stand had started, Stella decided to donate the money from the stand to the North Texas Food Bank, which has provided 144 million meals to North Texans to date.

“We took a tour of the food bank, and they took us through everything,” Wrubel said. “They showed us the packaging process and the various parts of Dallas that they serve.”

In 2018, the four students wanted to find a new, unique way to grow the business.

“One day, we were all looking at the Guinness World Record book and started wondering if there were any records that had to do with mistletoe,” Wrubel said. “We went online and found out that there is a record for most couples kissing under the mistletoe.”

That year, they resolved to break the record and put their names in the Guinness World Record book, all while raising awareness about food insecurity and money for the North Texas Food Bank. They worked with Klyde Warren Park to secure a venue, found a Guinness judge to come and spread the word across North Texas for couples to come and take part in the momentous event.

The event day finally came, and, at the end of it they had broken the record with 340 couples kissing under the

Riveting research papers

mistletoe.

However, this summer they checked the Guinness World Record website and found out that someone else had broken it in 2019.

This year, the four friends wanted to try and take back their record as well as break their fundraising goal. They hosted the event in Klyde Warren Park again on December 3rd.

While, the event did not break the record, it did fundraise $87,000 and pushed the group over half a million dollars in money fundraised.

“This project has really impacted the way we think about the holidays,” Graves said. “Where many people would be thinking about gifts, either for themselves or for friends and family, we are really focused on selling the mistletoe and raising money for the North Texas Food Bank.”

Both Stella and Trevor feel grateful for the time this project has given them to spend with their closest friend and their families.

“We get to do this thing with people we care about,” Graves said. “This project gave me my three best friends and their parents have become part of my family as well.”

Juniors share JRP topics, reasons for researching

by Kailey Bergstedt | Editor-in-Chief

Anyone who attended Hockaday during their junior year is incredibly familiar with the three-letter acronym: JRP, which stands for Junior Research Paper. The JRP is a ten-page research paper written over the course of the first semester of junior year. It can be about any topic of the student’s choosing, as long as it relates to an aspect of American history that occurred before the 2000s. Topics range from pop culture to war to examinations of social phenomena. After submitting their topics in late September, juniors submit an outline and “mini draft” of the first four pages of their paper before Thanksgiving Break, and then turn in the full ten pages the day they leave for Holiday Break. Here are some of the topics students have chosen to write about for their JRPs.

Zoe Heintges

Topic: “I am writing about the circus and its effect on various labor laws in America, including child labor and the abuse of captive animals.”

Why: “I think the circus is very interesting and was drawn to writing about it for my JRP, but was not sure specifically what to argue. I did more research into various aspects of the circus and eventually settled on this.”

Jordan Lacsamana

Topic: “I chose to write about how the 1996 Batman series reflected the growing ideals and movements of the decade in its design plot and characters.”

Why: “I knew that I wanted to choose a topic that had not been done before, and I had been looking into writing about comics and animated shows. I chose this topic because it brought those two together.”

Dithyae Devesh

Topic: “My JRP is about how complacency and ignorance blew up the American economy in the late 1900s to early 2000s.”

Why: “I was researching the dotcom bubble when I became invested in a book that blamed large corporations and the government for blowing up the economy and crashing the stock market, which led to the worst recession since the Great Depression. I though this topic was super interesting, so I decided to write my JRP on it.”

Tennie McFarland

Topic: “I am writing about how midcentury female flight attendants impacted women’s rights in the workplace.”

Why: “I chose this topic because I wanted to write about something involving women’s rights, and I learned about many of the sexist requirements for being a flight attendant during the era of Pan-Am Airlines, which I knew would be very interesting to learn and write about. Additionally, my great-aunt was a Pan-Am flight attendant in the 1980s, and I loved hearing about her experiences and knew that she would be a great resource during the writing process.”

Sophie Karthik

Topic: “My JRP is about lipstick as a representation of female independence.”

Why: “I initially wanted to write about sexism or Pacman’s effects on American consumerism. I realized the use of lipstick throughout history could relate to both topics, so I decided to write about how, as a symbol of female expression and empowerment, lipstick has permanently altered the course of American history, both socially and politically.”

Trevor Godkin, Stella Wrubel, Quinn Graves and Isabella Dickason spreading holiday cheer while hosting the Jingle Bell Mistetoe fundraising event.

PHOTO COURTESY OF STELLA WRUBEL

PHOTO COURTESY OF STELLA WRUBEL

Indoor track season begins Varsity track team tries something new

& Wellness

Athletes shine in non-school sports

Students excel in synchronized swimming, taekwondo and half marathon training

by Audrey Liu | Staff Writer

While Hockaday competes in 14 sports, many students choose to participate in non-school clubs or train for competitions outside of school. Keep reading to follow three seniors in their extracurricular sports.

Synchronized Swimming

Senior Paige Glowacki puts on her goggles and plunges into the cold pool to practice her artistic swimming routine. Practicing artistic swimming since she was in fourth grade, senior Glowacki has won second in a duet at the U.S. National Championships and qualified for the international Pan American games in August.

Glowacki’s training routine includes practice five times a week, both after school and on the weekends. At practice, her team spends an hour out of the water doing cardio workouts, weightlifting, stretching and land drills. Land drills focus on the movements the swimmers do with their hands while listening to music. After land training, the team gets in the pool, starting with a warm-up before moving on to routines and specific synchronized swimming work.

Synchronized swimming includes team, acro, duets and solo routines events. Glowacki participates in teams, duets and acro and said she enjoys all of them. Both team and acro routines have eight members, but Glowacki says teams are often the hardest, and acro includes more acrobatics and tossing teammates out of the water.

Glowacki said one of her favorite aspects of the sport is the close-knit team environment.

“We’re so close to each other at the pool and outside,” Glowacki said. “You’re a part of the team, and you’re all doing the same thing. It’s just really uniting and supportive too, the environment.”

Although Glowacki’s team encountered the challenge of people leaving, Glowacki said that her goal is to come back from that, prepare for the upcoming competition season and do well at Nationals. She also aims to make the most of her final year in the sport.

“Swimming with these people, it’ll be extra special this year,” Glowacki said.

Taekwondo

Evita Nino started taekwondo at three years old and since then she has represented Team USA internationally at the World Taekwondo Championships in Italy in 2015. She won four gold medals and two silver medals, which was the most out of Team USA.

Nino’s parents encouraged her to take up the sport as self-defense, and Nino fell in love with the sport.

“I’ve just loved it ever since,” Nino said.

Taekwondo consists of two key events: patterns and sparring. Within patterns and sparring, Nino said her favorites are individual patterns and continuous sparring. In individual patterns, two participants perform simultaneously an optional and a designed pattern, and the winner is determined by the competitor with the best technical content, power, balance, breath control and rhythm. In continuous sparring, competitors score points by kicks and punches to the body and head in rounds of two minutes.

Nino said her favorite aspect of Taekwondo is learning to control body movements.

“It’s not really like a fighting sport,” Nino said. “It’s more an artistic form of expression, using your body to manipulate certain movements, but also just the control and the power that comes from it.”

She explained that her class recites five tenants before each class: courtesy, integrity, perseverance,

self-control and abdominal spirit.

“Everything we do, we have to embody those tenants, so I think it really builds your character and defines who you are,” Nino said. “It’s one of those sports where I would not be the same if I didn’t do it.”

Over the summer, Nino plans to open her own taekwondo school to coach kids and bring them to tournaments to help her instructor, who has cancer and cannot teach anymore. Eventually, Nino also hopes to continue taekwondo at college.

Nino urges everyone to check out the taekwondo Olympics.

“It’s a really cool Olympic sport to watch, so when the Olympics comes around, watch it,” Nino said.

Half marathon training

As a soccer player and high jumper (track), senior Hayden Marchant doesn’t really consider herself a runner. Despite that, she is training to run the half marathon at the BMW Dallas Marathon Festival Dec. 10.

The 13.1-mile route starts and ends at the Dallas City Hall Plaza and goes all around downtown Dallas.

She said her dad has been training and running with her. Marchant’s training includes running three to five miles three times a week and one long run on the weekend, increasing in length each week.

While she runs, Marchant finds motivation in music.

“I listen to music and just kind of look at the trees,” Marchant said. “I listen to this super hype playlist I made.”

Marchant said the biggest obstacle for her has been the weather. Marchant has been training indoors frequently due to heat and rain.

Marchant said she has seen great progress.

“I didn’t think I could do it at the beginning,” Marchant said. “I didn’t think I could run three miles and now I count that as an easy

I’m

day.

just really excited to actually finish and show myself that I can do it.”

Paige Glowacki and her duet partner Sarah Seo perform their artistic swimming routine.

Evita Nino poses at the World Taekwondo Championships in 2015.

Hayden Marchant runs next to the Schuylkill river in preparation of her race.

PHOTO COURTESY OF PAIGE GLOWACKI

PHOTO COURTESY OF HAYDEN MARCHANT

PHOTO COURTESY OF EVITA NINO

Sailing to success

Hockaday sailors find passion and success on the water

by Lang Cooper and Sarah Moskowitz | Staff Writers

As the strong winds ripple her sails, sophomore Winnie Young leans out of the boat to keep it level.

Young began sailing when she was six years old during the summer in Canada. This year, she transitioned to sailing yearround, inspired by her younger brother, who sails competitively. She used to sail single-handed in the summers, meaning she was the only person in the boat, and Young now sails a double-handed boat.

“I like the double-handed boat more and the community,” Young said. “Overall, double-handed sailing is more fun for me.”

Freshman Cata Parra sails a single-handed boat, following in the footsteps of her mother. She began sailing at a club when she was 12 years old.

While growing up in London, Parra sailed in the tumultuous waters on the London River. When she moved to Texas, Parra eagerly joined a club, excited to pursue the sport more rigorously.

Both Young and Parra sail at the Rush Creek Club on Lake Ray Hubbard, which is about 45 minutes to an hour from home for each of them.

“Because of the commute, sometimes it can be a bit stressful with homework as well, but otherwise it’s good,” Parra said.

In the double-handed boat, Young is part of the crew, meaning her responsibility is ensuring that the boat is flat. During regattas with high wind, Young is hooked onto the boat and leans out of it. However, if there isn’t high wind, Young is in the middle of the boat.

Parra explained that different regattas require

Hoop Hopes

sailing in different conditions with varying techniques.

“In the summer, it’s usually been super light wind, but in the winter the wind gets really heavy,” Parra said.

Parra and Young had success in a recent regatta, the Chocopalooza, the biggest regatta in Texas which was hosted by the Rush Creek Club. Young placed third in the whole regatta, against both girls and boys. Parra placed fourth in two of her single-handed events.

“It can be hard and intimidating sailing against guys, but learning to overcome that is very exciting,” Young said. “It has motivated me to work harder, and I’ve learned that I can be just as good as any of the guys, because hard work pays off.”

Throughout her time sailing, Parra has learned to persevere and keep going despite challenging conditions and changes in boats.

“I recently moved to a new, bigger boat, which was challenging at first because of its size,” Parra said. “I’ve learned to keep going despite challenging wind conditions, and sailing has been really fun for me.”

Young and Parra have hopes to continue pursuing their sailing passions in their futures.

“I’m happy with my choice to commit to sailing year-round because it makes me a better sailor,” Young said. “I get to compete at more regattas and meet new people.”

Three new athletic coaches and sports psychology experts help elevate Hockaday basketball program

by Anya Aggarwal| Staff Writer

As the winter athletic season reaches full swing, the basketball program has not only engaged new leadership, but also a new mindset. The addition of Coach Gabby Moss to the Varsity team and coaches Isabella Shadle and Lynn Khaing to the Junior Varsity team has helped players step up their game and find new inspiration.

Shadle, Class of 2019, started playing basketball in elementary school and continued through high school. She served as Varsity starting point guard in her freshman and sophomore years and earned the MVP title as a sophomore. A recent Vanderbilt University graduate, she is currently studying for the MCAT in addition to her coaching duties.

strong start in its opening game, scoring almost double the highest scoring game last season.

The team has also started using new strategies during practice to become more comfortable during competitive games.

“The new coaches are very supportive,” sophomore JV player Leela Phillip said. “We have definitely been doing more simulated scrimmaging, which has been really helpful with our performance. Even though the season has just started, our team has already improved.”

“ Hockaday athletics helped mold me into the person I am today.”

“When Coach Bean mentioned that Hockaday was looking for an assistant coach, I knew I wanted to help out,” Shadle said. “Hockaday athletics helped mold me into the person I am today, so I am excited that I have been given the opportunity to give back to one of my favorite aspects of the school.”

Isabella Shadle ‘19

Khaing, a previous Middle School tennis coach has moved to a full time JV Basketball coach for the season.

“Because Coach Khaing is also a tennis coach, I feel like he gives really good overall advice, not just about how to improve in athletics but also about how to focus on strong sportsmanship in general,” said sophomore JV co-captain Fendley Obert.

Under this new leadership, the JV team made a

There are also several new freshmen players bringing talent to the program In addition to Obert, the JV team has elected Vanessa Levy as co-captain, helping bridge the camaraderie between the freshman and older Upper School players.

“Both captains have proved to be amazing leaders,” Shadle said. “They’re very motivational and demonstrate such hard work themselves that it helps rally the team towards the right direction and mindset.”

Mindset has been a critical part of the relationship between players too.

“I love the “big sister” type relationship we have with the junior team members,” Levy said. “For the first time, we are also

working closely with the sports psychology coaches, Coach Matt Gutierrez and Brooklyn Wascom. They’ve helped us create healthy mental strategies even when our physical game is down.”

The special emphasis on the quality of the team is something all parties have noted as the most rewarding of the entire experience.

“I think the best part is that the players have really bonded through funny moments at practice and through congratulating each other on great plays,” Shadle said. “The psychology coaches have helped us advance our team’s strengths through team dinners and other planned activities which has just taken our spirit to the next level.

PHOTO COURTESY OF WINNIE YOUNG PHOTO COURTESY OFCATA PARRA

Parra sails in the single-handed boat at the Chocopalooza.

Young and her sailing partner in the double-handed boat work together during a regatta.

Varsity Basketball after a game.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ASHNA TAMBE

Indoor track season begins Varsity runners try something new

by Emily McLeroy | Staff Writer

Following their SPC championship last season, members of Varsity Track decided to take it to the next level this year by competing in indoor track. Although indoor track is not school-affiliated, the students plan to train together and compete at meets together.

Track captain senior Alyssa Anderson looks forward to participating and helping others train for it as well.

“Indoor track is like track, but with different events and a different track,” Anderson said. “I’m looking forward to just doing well and being able to set myself up well for the season. Indoor Track is a good way to see how you’re going to be running when the spring season comes.”

To train for the upcoming indoor season, the team plans to do different

things, like lifting and practicing running workouts specific to their events.

“Then, hopefully, sometime mid-November we’re going to start going out to the track and running,” Anderson said. “Eventually we’re going to have to get competing mode, and we’ll do that here with our new track.”

There are several area colleges that host indoor meets.

“There are like eight meets we could potentially go to, but we want to get two or three good ones in,” Anderson said.

Anderson is trying to get as many members of the track team to join as possible.

“Overall, the more people that we get to do it, the better our track team will be,” Anderson said. “I feel like doing indoor track will be a good way to get us started earlier and get our skills to where they need to be before SPC. It’s great because you’re able to see how you’re improving and if your training

Junior Laure Ghorayeb also looks forward to running indoor track over the winter. She has been on the Varsity team for two years and wants to make her third season

even better.

“I want to do indoor track because it allows me to train for the spring season and get to participate in the sport I love for another season,” Ghorayeb said.

She wants to use the indoor season to work on her speed.

“I think that the extra training and practice that the winter season will bring will help me and everyone else improve so that during the regular season we can really perform to the best of our ability,” Ghorayeb said.

Head Varsity Track Coach LaBoris Bean had similar thoughts about the indoor season.

“Indoor track will make outdoor track better because the people who do it can get more experience running big meets with a lot of people and will have a smoother transition into outdoor track without being nervous,” Bean said. “It will help them realize their potential.”

Taking the trek Hockaday students playing golf, diving and rowing practice off campus

by Anika Shah | Staff Writer

She packs up five minutes before class ends and anxiously taps her foot as she waits for class to end, sitting on the edge of her chair. As soon as she’s dismissed, she books it to the LLARC. There, she waits for her carpool buddies before heading to practice.

Off-campus sports have been a fixture at Hockaday for decades, going back to the 1940’s. Currently, Hockaday offers three off campus sports: rowing, diving and golf.

Travel time to practice has often been a point of contention for offcampus sports, as there are often specific times that athletes have to be at practice. However, in more recent years, these times have become more lenient and flexible.

echoed this sentiment.

“Practice usually isn’t disrupted by the travel time since we practice nearby, at the Jesuit pool,” Smith said. “When there is traffic or construction, it usually holds us back by a few minutes, but since we start at 4:30 p.m. everybody usually makes it on time.”

Receiving recognition and support from the Hockaday community is also a big issue for off campus sports.

“ Sometimes, rowing feels like its own little bubble, far away from campus.”

Lily McKenna

“I don’t think golf gets enough attention,” senior Emma Madden said. “It’s hard to come to our tournaments, since they are normally during the school day, so it’s usually just Coach Skaife, our coach, and we don’t end up on Hockaday’s social media very much either.”

However, both Smith and McKenna said that they have seen more support in the recent seasons.

give more Instagram content to the Hypewomen and Hockaday Athletic pages.

The dynamic of competing and practicing off campus is also very different than practicing on campus.

“I would say practice is disrupted a bit by travel time, but we do our best to mitigate it,” senior rowing co-captain Lily McKenna said. “Whoever gets there first gets oars down or things like that so that we are more prepared and efficient.

Diving co-captain junior Alice Smith

“It is hard to come to regattas, especially when most of them are in Oklahoma or Austin,” McKenna said. “But when we do race in Dallas, it’s nice to see parents, friends and even the Hypewomen come out and cheer us on.”

The rowing coaches and captains have been working on making sure they

“Practicing and competing off campus creates a generally positive environment,” Smith said. “We are also a small team, so it helps create a close-knit dynamic.”

However, there are some negative sides to this dynamic.

“Sometimes, rowing feels like its own little bubble, far away from campus,” McKenna said.

The teams have found ways to

connect and support each other through team bonding and traditions, despite the distance from campus.

“The rowing team is filled with traditions,” McKenna said. “Senior ice cream nights with the coaches, brunches after Saturday morning practices and surprise bowling to destress are all big parts of the team”

Madden said that teambuilding is a big part of the golf team.

“Whenever we go to away tournaments, we always have dinner together as a team,” Madden said. It’s really fun and a great way to team build.”

Hockaday crew team return back to the dock after their practice at Bachman Lake.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CORNERSTONES

Opinions

“Writing” wrongs

Writers are Hollywood’s backbone

by Gretchen Jones | Guest Writer

If I had a nickel for every time someone told me I’ll be a starving artist if I follow my heart into a career, I’d be rich. And, with salary agreements for writers still hanging in the balance, I’ll need every nickel I can get. In America, home of the largest film industry in the world, the power to entertain is unparalleled. As intricate and complex as it seems, every T.V. show, movie, and even late-night program boils down to one thing: story. Behind the scenes of every story, ranging from a gripping television episode to a blockbuster film, are the unsung heroes—the writers. These storytellers dedicate their lives to crafting the narratives that define our culture. Yet, as the Writers’ Guild of America (WGA) strike comes to a close, it’s time we understand and resolve problems within major studios for the sake of the future of storytelling and young screenwriters like me across the world.

As streaming services have risen from the ashes of COVID-19 lockdowns, so have the expectations for television writers. Due to streaming, the production of television is significantly shorter, with less episodes and fewer seasons. With budgets maintained, major broadcasting studios have left less room in their budgets for “writer’s rooms,” the rooms filled with writers, their aides, and their ideas. Many shows have fewer writers on their staff, even more without aids, and yet the calendar of due dates for production remains the same. The WGA’s official website features testimonials from Guild members, including that of an anonymous writer and showrunner expressing their experience working on a limited series. According to the

showrunner “[they were] working seven days a week, 12-hour days on average, in a desperate attempt to succeed with the limited tools provided” (WGA).

In addition to harsh working conditions, the compensation for writers has also decreased. Despite increases in television production budgets over the past few years, minimum wage for writers (also known as Minimum Basic Agreements, or MBAs) have fallen. Yet, the playing field for television writers is not equal. In fact, comedy-variety writers working on streaming series are not pay protected with MBAs for their scripts while their episodic writer coworkers are. With streaming being the main exposure for many modern television programs and limited series, writers aren’t earning the residuals that they would for programs airing on cable or live television, recording every run and rerun. To add insult to injury, in addition to the decrease of cable-based viewership, physical media has become obsolete (DVD? VHS? Betamax? What are you, my grandma?), causing writers not to be paid for each item purchased. But television writers aren’t the only ones affected; over the past five years, pay for feature-film writers has decreased

GRETCHEN JONES

Pick and choose

by Caroline Ballotta |Staff Writer

As a student with ADHD, when the new schedule was announced at the end of last year, the 100-minute class periods seemed incredibly daunting to me. While the longer classes are certainly a challenge, I did not anticipate how difficult it would be to not have Conference and Y periods. In previous years, I used both Conference and Y period for my extended time on quizzes and tests, allowing me to schedule two assessments per day. However, the new schedule does not allocate significant chunks of time for students to have meetings and get work done. With assemblies and Social Impact opportunities, our only significant amount of free time, WIN, is often cut short. This has made it incredibly hard to schedule times to use my extended

23 22

Are you an Oxford lover or a tennis shoe wearer?

Marksmen and Daisies

Standoff Staff editorial on the two schools and their relationship over time.

by 14% (The Vulture). Unsurprisingly, with underpaid writers working themselves to the bone, the quality of television and films has decreased. The writers aren’t entirely to blame, however. With major studios so focused on profit, they’ve forgotten one crucial thing: unbridled creativity. Despite screenplays being a chance for creativity, the modern writer is stifled by demands from both studios and the audiences themselves. To be honest, we’ve become lazy as viewers. We want to go to a movie, watch up to two hours of Visual FX and flat jokes, then leave the theater feeling utterly unchanged, placing writers in a small box for our patronage. Studios have picked up on this fact, often forcing writers to follow a strict formula for success in the box office, taking away from the one reason writers, though sometimes begrudgingly, pull up Final Draft every morning: selfexpression. Besides, in the aftershock of COVID-19, few people actually go out to the cinema to see a movie, making streaming and online rentals the industry’s main source of income (Taylor and Francis Online). Sure, it’s convenient, but it’s not the same as seeing a movie on the big screen, the way the cast and crew intended. As a result, production budgets are limited overall, with many scenes in scripts

New schedule challenging for studentswith learning differences

time.

On days when I have multiple tests or quizzes, it ultimately becomes a choice of which assignment I am going to use my extended time on. With the way WIN period is structured, there is not enough time to use extra time for more than one project, forcing students to pick and choose between which assignments they will use their learning plan for.

Learning differences are

cut due to budget constraints, the story the writer wanted to tell lessened and simplified. So, how does a writer survive in an industry such as this? Fear not, dear reader, as there is still one version of the art form untainted by the grubby hands of corporate Hollywood: independent films.

In the case of independent filmmaking, smaller budgets come with smaller restrictions. When you watch an independent film, you are supporting the very essence of creativity. Unencumbered by audience expectations, writers are free to express themselves, pushing the very boundaries of story. By embracing independent cinema, you are backing the voices of writers who dare to be different, refusing to conform to the status quo of Hollywood. Sure, they might not be a two-hour Marvel Studios lightshow, but you’ll leave the theater different from when you first entered. When it all boils down, a writer’s job is to persuade; evoking emotions you never thought you could feel through a compelling story. So, the next time you pull up Hulu, or even go out to your local theater, opt for a film from IFC or A24 instead of Fox of Warner Brothers. The future of storytelling may just depend on it.

not just something that can be neurodivergent students. Instead of getting rid of the new schedule completely next year, the class periods could be altered. If the periods were shorter, then there could be either a longer free period and more time to use extended time. While students are still receiving their extended time, it impacts their other classes, the course of their day and how much homework they get done, which can lead to students falling behind in classes because of how teachers organize their lessons. It is not a question about equality in terms of accommodations, but a question of equity inside and outside the classroom.

PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS GRAPHIC

Scholarly shoes for scholarly students

by Melinda Hu | Staff Writer

As a dedicated-saddle-oxford wearer, I can personally attest that saddle oxfords are the superior school shoe.

Saddle oxfords are white and green leather shoes with rubber soles. They were first introduced as a part of the uniform in 1953. This means that saddle oxfords were not only recognized by Miss Ela Hockaday herself but also have a history of 70 years at Hockaday. The history of oxfords at Hockaday is longer than that of the history of Nike, HOKA, On Cloud or Under Armour, which are some popular shoe brands I’ve seen in the Hockahalls.

It is also a tradition to wear saddle oxfords at commencement with socks of the college the graduates are attending in the upcoming fall. The scuffed-up oxfords you wore throughout your experience as an Upper Schooler at Hockaday get to accompany you on your final day as a Hockadaisy as you walk across Graduation Terrace.

Some may argue that the saddle oxfords are uncomfortable, but like any leather shoe, oxfords just need a little

breaking in. Once broken in, they feel more comfortable than any other shoe.

Though it may sound weird, many people love wearing oxfords because of the memories they hold. I started wearing my saddle oxfords my freshman year, gaining the attention of my field hockey team which also had a few members wearing oxfords. We also played a scavenger hunt where whenever we saw one of the members wearing saddle oxfords, we would snap a quick picture and send it to the team group chat. Our team soon came up with a new name for the white and green leather shoes: Scholars. We came up with this name because wearing our saddle oxfords made us feel like scholars and intellectuals.

“Scholars” is a name very fitting for students who attend a school where one of the cornerstones is Scholarship. Green and white saddle oxfords are unique shoes that represent the history of Hockaday. Any time you see someone rocking the oxfords in the Hockahalls, take notice because you can be sure that Daisy is a Scholar.

STAFF STANDOFF

The case for comfort

by Melody Tian | JADE Editor

Every step a student takes in this school should be a comfortable one. For some, it might mean wearing the green and white saddle Oxfords. For me, it’s my tennis shoes. One of the main reasons why I appreciate being able to wear my tennis shoes is comfort. We all have unique feet, and what’s comfortable for one person might not be the same for another. Unlike the stiff saddle oxfords, tennis shoes are built to cushion and protect the feet, reducing the chances of discomfort, blisters or foot problems. Allowing students to wear their own tennis shoes ensures that we can navigate the school day without the discomfort or pain that can sometimes come with formal oxfords, which in some cases, may even become a learning distraction.

Since school uniforms can be financially burdensome, the addition of a pair of $80 saddle Oxfords only increases the financial strain on students and their families. Allowing us to wear our own tennis shoes, which we likely already own, significantly reduces the cost of maintaining our school wardrobe.

Personally, I also find carrying an extra pair of shoes for PE and athletics can

be quite cumbersome. It seems more practical to wear tennis shoes throughout the day, since it eliminates the need to haul around an additional pair of shoes and simplifies my daily routine. I also won’t ever have to worry about leaving my shoes at home and being caught in a situation where I must decide whether to bother my parents to fetch my shoes.

We Love It, We Love It Not

HOLIDAY BREAK:

The upcoming two-week break will give students much-needed time to sleep and reflect upon the year.

WINTER EVENTS: The winter season means winter concerts and assemblies. While these are exciting and offer students a chance to appreciate peers, they often coincide with WIN periods.

Though some might argue that wearing saddle Oxfords increases school spirit, the iconic plaid skirt and polo shirt can still stand as symbolic representations of our school’s identity, even if we have a choice in our footwear. In fact, allowing students to express themselves through their choice of comfortable shoes can add to our school’s identity by fostering a culture of inclusivity. The idea of allowing students to wear their tennis shoes may seem like a deviation from traditional school attire, but it is more comfortable, cost-effective and convenient. By giving students the option to choose their own footwear, the school can ensure that every step a student takes is, indeed, a comfortable one.

COLLEGE LETTERS: Throughout December and January, seniors are turning in final college applications while beginning to receive letters back from colleges.

TESTS AND DEADLINES

The nearing break means the conclusion of various units and lessons. With this comes an onslaught of tests and quizzes – many of which will fall on the same day.

fEDITORS-IN-CHIEF

Kailey Bergstedt, Caroline Bush, Harper Harris & Bennett Trubey

JADE EDITORS

Aadya Kuruvalli & Melody Tian

WEB & SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR

Hanna Asmerom

NEWS EDITOR

Amitha Nair

ARTS & LIFE EDITORS

Alexandra Dassopoulos & Alexa Muñoz

FEATURES EDITOR

Danya Risam-Chandi

ASSISTANT WEB AND CENTERSPREAD EDITOR

Anjy Fadairo

SPORTS EDITOR

Elizabeth Truelove

OPINONS EDITOR

Shreya Vijay

PHOTO, GRAPHICS & CASTOFF EDITOR

Elle Myers

STAFF WRITERS

Larkin Clouston

Shifa Irfan

Cece Johnson

Anya Aggarwal

Caroline Ballota

Jessica Boll

Lang Cooper

Melinda Hu

Audrey Liu

Sophia Lou

Emily McLeroy

Sarah Moskowitz

Leyah Philip

Anika Shah

Mary Bradley Sutherland

Aadhya Yanamadala

FACULTY ADVISER

Kristy Rodgers

EDITORIAL POLICY

The Fourcast is written primarily for students of the Hockaday Upper School, its faculty and staff. The Fourcast has a press run of 600 and is printed by Midway Press. It is distributed free of charge to the Hockaday community. The staff reserves the right to refuse any advertising which is deemed inappropriate for the Hockaday community. Opinions will be clearly marked and/or will appear in the views section. Commentaries are the expressed opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect that of The Fourcast staff, its adviser or any other member of the Hockaday community. The Staff Stance on the views page reflects the position of The Fourcast staff, but not necessarily the position of the Hockaday administration or community. The Fourcast staff determines the content of each issue and strives to work as independently as possible in producing the student newspaper, but the content is subject to prior review by the head of Upper School, the communications director and other members of the Hockaday leadership team. Letters to the editor and guest columns are welcome and should be addressed to the editor-in-chief. Only signed pieces will be published. Corrections and clarifications from previous issues will be found as designated in the news section. Any questions or concerns should be addressed to Editors-in-Chief Kailey Bergstedt at kbergstedt24@hockaday.org, Caroline Bush at cbush24@hockaday.org, Harper Harris at hharris24@hockaday.org or Bennett Trubey at btrubey24@hockaday.org.

the The staff editorial is an unsigned piece representing a consensus of opinion among members of The Fourcast editorial board regarding a current issue.

Marksmen and Daisies in unity

Let’s improve our relationship with St. Mark’s

As the pictures from homecoming appear on your Instagram explore page and football games wind down, there is one school you will always hear mentioned in the Hockahalls: St. Mark’s.

St. Mark’s is an elite allboys school just around the corner from us on Preston Road. We’ve shared an affili ation for decades. An all-girls school partnered with an allboys school, what could possibly go wrong?

Standing in front of the bleachers at St. Mark’s football game, you will see a sea of Hockaday students dressed perfectly in theme, rooting and cheering for the Marksmen on the field. However, it appears the Marksmen got lost at the intersection of Forest and Welch on their way here, where our new acre-spanning athletic fields lie, because we don’t see them at most of our games. It would be nice to see the same level of effort from our brother school, especially after the work we put in to attend their games.

band made an appearance.

In addition to the band’s pep

Although we do not see the same level of participation from St. Mark’s students, it is refreshing to see how our peers are able to lean on their “brothers” who attend St. Marks. At the Hockaday pep rally, the St. Mark’s

rally attendance, we also enjoy watching St. Mark’s students perform with Hockaday students in plays like “The Addams Family” and at events like Coffeehouse. While this is important, we hope to see more cohesiveness between the two schools. Examples of this can include integrated classes, intramural sports and joint clubs. By implement-

ing these ideas, both student bodies will benefit from the different perspectives of the opposite gender, and someone from a different school.

Some may say St. Mark’s and Hockaday are separate institutions and should stay that way. However, we believe that both young girls and young boys should be able to grow up and interact with each other even though they do not go to school together. While our schools are based on separate principles, the underlying goals are the same: building leaders for a brighter future. With this, it is outrageous to say that our “business” should be separate when our schools have thrived due to the bond with each other’s schools. The main goal of high school is to make long-lasting friendships that will continue through the hardships and tribulations of adulthood. With the limited chances we get to interact with them it is nearly impossible to do this by relying only on the students that we meet at Hockaday. We hope we are able to see more effort made from our brother school as well as the implementation of some of our ideas to further better our relationship within our two schools.

GRAPHIC BY CARYS BRAUN

Oh the places we’ll go...

City,

While others venturesouth to see

return to Hockaday .

By: Elle Myers