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THE HOCKADAY SCHOOL

DALLAS, TX 75229

VOLUME 76, ISSUE 6

MAY 1, 2026

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A LOOK INSIDE

NEW DAISIES DEBUT Lower School adds additional fourth grade class next year

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UNDER THE “MANOSPHERE” The emerging culture of male supremacy pushes dangerous ideas

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THE LAST SEASON Seniors’ competitive athletic careers come to an end

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The Hockaday School

NEWS

New Daisies debut

Lower School adds additional fourth grade class next year

By Lucy Pigott Opinions Editor tarting next school year, the fourth grade will expand to four homeroom classes instead of three, adding 16 students to Lower School. Cyndi Lewis, Admissions Director of Enrollment Management, said the decision to add a new class came from an increasing number of students applying specifically to fourth grade. “Dallas and Lewisville ISD have charter schools that are fourth through eighth grade, so a lot of families are looking for better schools and independent schools at the same time,” Lewis said. “We wanted to give these students an opportunity to apply.” The plan to add a new fourth grade class has been in progress for two to three years. “The conversations really began at the board level, then in various board committees,” Lewis said. “The talks continued with the head of Lower School, Michelle Goldsmith, the fourth-grade team and the Lower School team in general.” Lewis participated in discussions of a new fourth grade class.

“[We had] discussions with the question of if we would have a strong applicant pool,” Lewis said. “Having had seen the applicant pools for the previous three years, I could say very confidently that we would have a very good group of kids to select from.” Lewis said the addition of the new class will not detract from Hockaday’s tight community. “As always, we reevaluate enrollment annually to ensure that we maintain the close-knit learning environments and small class sizes that define the Hockaday experience,” Lewis said. Goldsmith said that along with the new class, Lower School is also making some changes to their Math and English programs and hiring a new teacher. “Instead of having one language arts teacher, one math teacher and one social studies teacher, we are creating a humanities program,” Goldsmith said. “So, we will have two humanities teachers and two math teachers, and they’ll each teach two sections.” Goldsmith said there will also be an additional fourth grade musical added

PHOTO: LUCY PIGOTT

Hockaday mission on Lower School wall

next year. Students will be split into two smaller groups for each play. The first musical will be during the winter, and the second later in the spring. “Typically, you stay with your homeroom all day long in Lower School,” Goldsmith said. “We have the opportunity to mix students up a little bit, so maybe they go to music with different people they were in math with.” The new fourth grade class will include an array of students from different backgrounds. “We are bringing in girls from a real variety of different schools,” Goldsmith said. “They're coming

from many, many different elementary schools, so it brings a lot of diversity, new thinking and a whole new mix of people.” Goldsmith is eager to see how the new students will bring change to the fourth grade. “I think it's going to be really exciting and good for our program to have this big new group of families, a new group of girls coming in, especially in fourth grade when [some of] the girls have been together for five years with the same people,” Goldsmith said. Goldsmith said the process has been a collaborative effort among the Lower School faculty. “We had a retreat back in January with everyone who teaches fourth grade,” Goldsmith said. “Music teachers, art, world language, the counselor, anyone who interacts with fourth grade, and we went off campus for a full day retreat. It gave us the opportunity to really work together and re imagine what fourth grade could be like.”

A week in their shoes

Inaugural Job Shadow Week launches in June By Aria Knepler-Pearl and Lucy Pigott News Editor & Opinions Editor

The inaugural Job Shadow Week, open to rising juniors and seniors, occurs June 8-12, giving Daisies the opportunity to explore career options by shadowing professionals at alumnae organizations. Laura Day, Director of Innovation and Collaboration, developed the program with the aim of making job shadowing more accessible to everyone. “I was learning that a lot of people got internships if they knew someone; but if you don’t know someone and you want to do something, then it wouldn’t work out,” Day said. “It didn’t seem fair.” Day collaborated with Amy Spence, Director of Alumni Relations, to pilot the program that includes 16 organizations, ranging from management consulting to an animal clinic. Day plans to grow the program year by year. “My hope would be next year we have more alums who want to participate,” Day said. “So then eventually we have so many [organizations] that we can place everybody.” Spots right now are limited; each host organization determines who they are able to accommodate, with some organizations requesting blurbs, resumes or interviews from applicants. Fifty-two students applied this year, including sophomore Claire Mennel.

“I just was really excited when I got the email [introducing the program] because I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up,” Mennel said. “It’s something that stresses me out.” Mennel selected HCA Pathology Services and Cathy Kincaid Interiors as her top choices. She sees shadowing as a chance to explore her interests. “I definitely have a lot of interests that are in different areas,” Mennel said. “So, I thought job shadowing is going be a great way to experiment with different areas and fields, and figure out what I really am most interested in.” She appreciates the effort Hockaday makes to build a network for students. “I think Hockaday does a great job at connecting you,” Mennel said. “In Upper School, there’s a lot of ways you can get connected with alumni, which is really nice for future jobs.” Kelsey Robertson ‘25 plans to host students through the Job Shadowing program at her business, Swingle Collins and Associates. “Daisies in the wild love meeting other Daisies in the wild, and we love helping each other,” Robertson said. “That goes for people older than me who help me, me helping my peers, them helping me, younger people and vice versa. The Daisy Network is incredible, and learning to utilize that

at an early age will make you so much more successful.” Robertson works in insurance and risk management. She says that while these fields may not appear exciting on the surface, there is much more to them than people believe. “Every day there’s a question [at work] I don’t know the answer to,” Robertson said. “The ability to reason through problems and try to come up with a solution is really important in my job, and it’s something that I know Hockadaisies do well.” Job shadowing is a valuable way for students to gain exposure to unfamiliar workspaces. “I think nothing can replace real world experience and seeing how you apply everything you learn in the classroom to a job,” Robertson said. “There’s also so many soft skills that are really difficult to develop in a classroom, but you can develop from just a little bit of exposure to the working world.”

Mennel and Robertson are both excited that the school is able to offer students this opportunity to experience a real word job. “I’m really grateful,” Mennel said. “It not only helps me figure out what I’m most interested in, but also, it helps me make connections with alumni. I think will be helpful in the future.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF KELSEY ROBERTSON

Robertson poses at a work event.

the

May 1, 2026

Fourcast

Hockaday heartbeats

Higher level of preparedness in CPR, first aid training on campus

By Mary Elise Estess Web Editor-in-Chief ith summer just around the corner, everyone is excited to head to the pool, drive to the beach, and enjoy the summer season. But with the summer months also comes a rise in accidents and injuries, driven by increased outdoor activity, longer daylight hours and travel. Alarmingly, recent studies show that most adults in America are unprepared to respond in an emergency situation. A recent survey from the American Heart Association (AHA) found that while 65 percent of Americans receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training at one point in their life, only 18 percent are up to date on their training. Similarly, a study by the National Institutes of Health reported that just 49 percent of high school students would be willing to perform first aid in an emergency. While these statistics highlight a nationwide lack of preparedness, Hockaday offers a different perspective. There is a strong sense of awareness around emergency readiness among faculty and staff, and students feel equipped with the knowledge to step in when it matters. Head Athletic Trainer Madissen Davis teaches the middle school CPR course and says that lack of preparedness can be attributed to hesitation and misconceptions about CPR and first aid. “A common misconception about CPR is that only professionals can do it,” Davis said. “People are also afraid of doing it wrong; fear of harming someone often outweighs the urgency to act.” At Hockaday, CPR and first aid education begins early. Middle school students take a health course where they learn basic first aid and earn CPR certification. Coach Davis teaches the middle school CPR course and believes that teaching students about CPR is an incredibly valuable lesson. “It builds confidence, responsibility, and early life saving skills,” Davis said. Many students also obtain certifications outside of school for jobs like babysitting and lifeguarding. Sophomore Juliet Allen was a lifeguard this past summer at a local Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA). Before becoming a lifeguard, Allen completed a fourday training course that included CPR certification, basic life-support training and lifeguard training. Her certification required a combination of classroom lessons and interactive water sessions.

PHOTO: MARY ELISE ESTESS

Fitness Center AED

Allen said she was surprised at how tiring and long the training was, and she was not fully prepared for its intensity. But overall, Allen is grateful for the experience and is glad she has multiple certifications. “I think everyone should know how to give chest compressions because you never know when there’s going to be an emergency,” Allen said. Allen says that because of her training she feels like she can better spot emergencies and be more aware of potential risks in everyday life and knows how she would go about helping people. Despite the intensity of lifeguard training, it is a popular job amongst Hockaday students. For junior Bristol Moore, who has been a lifeguard for the past three summers, the amount of strength it requires to perform CPR shocked her. “It's insane how breaking ribs is very common when doing chest compressions correctly,” Moore said. “I think that's why some people are afraid of trying CPR because they don't want to hurt the person.” Because of her many summers spent as a lifeguard, Moore is a huge advocate for the importance of CPR and first aid training. She encourages people to take classes and get certified if they have the opportunity because their triaining could save a life.

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“CPR is probably the easier part of having to save someone as a lifeguard,” Moore said. “Anyone can learn how to it and it's something you can use in multiple lifesaving scenarios.” First aid knowledge is not just for lifeguards; it is for anyone who wants to be prepared in an emergency. CPR certification is an important skill for everyone to know, but it is especially useful for certain roles like babysitters or camp counselors. All Hockaday faculty, staff and employees are CPR and AED certified. This training is required and must be renewed every two years, as certifications expire on that timeline. Director of Health Services and nurse Erika Herridge organizes these sessions. “Access to the right resources can be lifesaving,” Herridge said. “Our campus is very blessed to have 11 AEDs around campus in case of an emergency.” CPR skills can fade over time without regular practice, making recertification essential to ensure people can respond effectively in an emergency. “Repeated training improves muscle memory, reduces hesitation and increases confidence,” Davis said. A trained school community reflects more than just policy; Davis says that it embodies a culture of safety, preparedness, awareness and care for others. “Including emergency preparedness in education provides students and PHOTO: MARY ELISE ESTESS

Health class' CPR dolls

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teachers with real world skills that can help save lives any time and any place,” Davis said. However, outside of the Hockaday community a lack of preparation and awareness remains a prevalent issue throughout the country. According to the American Red Cross, 70 to 90 percent of cardiac related emergencies happen outside of the hospital, with 70 percent occurring in the home. These statistics explain why bystander action is critically important. The AHA published an article saying that bystander CPR can double or even triple the chance of survival. Roughly 78 percent of all preventable injury-related deaths in America occur in or around the home, but only 49 to 50 percent of people feel prepared to help in a serious lifethreatening emergency or injury. CPR certification and first aid knowledge are incredibly important skills and can be the difference between life and death in an emergency. The lack of CPR certified adults in the United States is primarily due to the fact that people do not want to take the time to get certified or don't want to travel to attend classes. “People avoid training or let certifications expire because of time, cost, feeling as if it's unnecessary, and discomfort thinking about emergencies,” Davis said. To increase participation in CPR training, many organizations offer online courses and certifications. “Take an Adult and Pediatric First Aid, CPR and AED class,” Davis said. “I believe that becoming certified for both age groups is critical.” As emergencies can happen anywhere and at any time, being prepared is not just valuable, it is essential. “Basic first aid knowledge can make the difference between life or death in an emergency,” Davis said.

The Hockaday School

FEATURES

Stepping into the spotlight

Students discover confidence on and beyond the stage

By Siena Ebert Editor-in-Chief

or sophomore Navya Desai, a new 2026 HSMTA (High School Musical Theater Awards) Outstanding Lead Performer Semi-finalist of Broadway Dallas for her performance as Paulette in the Upper School musical, Legally Blonde, performing has been a part of her life since early childhood. “When I was younger, my parents had the idea that I would be quite inclined to perform,” Desai said. “I started to sing before I could speak, so they put me in front of large crowds as I grew up which now allows me to be able to perform without any anxiety.” Desai views the stage as a space of freedom and self-expression rather than one of fear. “The spotlight feels like home to me,” Desai said. “When you step on stage and into another character, it's not as nerve-racking as people in the audience might think it is. It kind of feels like an opportunity to express myself without judgment.” That seemingly natural sense of confidence, however, does not come without lots of effort. “Confidence is so necessary in theater,” Desai said. “You have to be self-assured because if you're not, how are you supposed to step into another person and seem self-assured?”

Theater is also about handling “I would say probably this year was failure. Auditions, callbacks and the scariest because I've never had casting decisions come with rejection, such a big role before,” Moran said. “It and actors must navigate setbacks. made me second guess myself a little “Theater and performance are all bit because I wasn’t always confident about putting 100 percent of yourself that I deserved the role.” out there and then being okay with That initial uncertainty became part being shunned,” Desai said. “Rejection of a larger learning process that Moran is something that's taught me how has learned is not always linear. to fail and get back “Eventually, I got PHOTO COURTESY OF NAVYA DESAI up afterwards.” my confidence back up Beyond confidence and realized I earned this and resilience, theater role for a reason,” Moran also offers performers a said. “Since starting unique opportunity for at nine years old, I've self-discovery. experienced different “Acting allows you to roles between being an access different parts of ensemble, having one yourself that you didn’t line or having 300 lines. even know existed,” Desai I learned that you aren't said. “A lot of times it's always going to get the roles that you can never part you want and you even imagine playing, Desai at four years sings a have to learn to adapt.” Bollywood song for a party. and it's more about The lessons learned finding who you are inside on stage often extend far beyond different characters.” it. Moran's theater background For senior Jessie Moran, that has directly influenced how she self-discovery comes hand-in-hand approaches challenges in the with moments of fear. Taking on classroom, particularly when it comes the role of Elle Woods in this year’s to public speaking. "Legally Blonde," Moran was pushed “I'm in a social entrepreneurship beyond her comfort zone and forced class right now, and we're working to reevaluate her own confidence as a on presentation pitches that we will leading character. present in front of a panel of judges,”

Moran said. “I think it can be really nerve-racking standing in front of others, but having a background in theater has taught me to be charismatic and authentic in those types of situations.” While Moran has applied her theater experience to build confidence in academic settings, others have taken those same skills beyond both the classroom and the stage. Dylan George ‘25, who participated in Hockaday theater, uses her skills to navigate real-world conversations. “Theater taught me how to talk about things that might be hard or uncomfortable,” George said. “In high school, I was part of Planned Parenthood’s TACT [Teenage Communication Theatre], which is a sex ed acting troupe. We would visit juvenile detention centers and other communities in the DFW area and talk about vulnerable topics that may be an uncomfortable topic for teenagers.” At Brown University, George continues her passion for theater in addition to her studies in neuroscience. George said, “Even if I don’t end up pursing acting professionally, theater is still such a huge part of my life and it's important to make time for what you love."

Teacher workload blooms in spring Faculty tackle end-of-year tasks By Aria Knepler-Pearl News Editor

It’s no secret that student stress skyrockets during springtime, but the impact of the end-of-year workload on teachers is overlooked. As the second semester draws to a close, faculty experience an increase in workload. “The kinds and depth of skills we are assessing are slightly more complex than they are in the fall semester,” Upper School English teacher Dr. Jason Goldstein said. “The grading can be more intricate.” In addition to grading and student conferences, celebratory senior events, club meetings and assemblies fill Goldstein’s second-semester calendar. “What’s distinctive about the spring is the quantity of events outside of class,” Goldstein said. “That puts a squeeze on the time we have to meet with students, grade papers, craft assessments and do lesson planning.” The reduction in available STAT time is a challenge for Upper School science teacher Brandi Finazzo. “Now that you’re in the spring, there’s only so many class days left, and there’s only so many STAT periods that don’t have an assembly,” Finazzo said. “It just feels more stressful because there’s less free time.” Finazzo openly communicates this tight schedule to students.

“I kind of know the tension points Despite the extra work that it throughout the year, and I try to requires, Goldstein said that teachers forecast that to students,” Finazzo said. enjoy supporting their students “They can wrap their heads around through recommendation letters, the idea and then come back [to class] typically written over the summer. PHOTO: ARIA KNEPLER-PEARL ready to dive in.” “All of our teachers, This sentiment in English and is echoed by other departments, Ben Gerdts, really go above and Upper School beyond in trying English teacher. to accommodate “One thing that students,” Goldstein I really love about said. “I’m not the Hockaday is we exception. That’s have the courtesy pretty much the cornerstone, and I standard around here feel like my students at Hockaday.” do a really nice job When juniors of understanding request recommenthat we are going to dations, Gerdts likes work as hard as we to meet with them can,” Gerdts said. “It to discuss what they Dr. Goldstein writes a to-do list. is kind of embedded found valuable in in a lot of our students to just be more his class. understanding of others’ situations.” “Normally, I ask them, ‘What College recommendation letters are growth have you accomplished in my also challenges that arise, especially for classes here?’” Gerdts said. “I always English teachers, in the spring. look forward to students thinking “To tell [my students’] stories back to how much they’ve grown. through a letter is rewarding,” Seeing that confidence boost has been Goldstein said. “But it is a significant really nice.” investment of time beyond the Gerdts, Goldstein and Finazzo try school year.” to make time for every student request.

“If a student believes that I’m the person who is best suited to support them by writing a letter, I do whatever I can to make that possible,” Goldstein said. “Being part of that process is a true honor.” As their workload increases, Hockaday teachers rely on organizational habits. Gerdts finds it helpful to map out his schedule on paper. “I will put schedules together when I’m starting to feel stressed,” Gerdts said. “What I find is when you can literally check something off, it feels so good, and then your stress level drops.” Similarly, Goldstein utilizes physical to-do lists, which he always writes on special paper. “I use pencil and paper,” Goldstein said. “To me, writing by hand with my favorite stationery and writing instruments provides great joy, and I feel like doing so gives me more control over my schedule than ceding the scheduling to some app.” In the face of their demanding spring workload, teachers remain motivated by their students. “I see you all working hard, and that inspires me to work hard,” Goldstein said. “My goal here is to support my students as much as humanly possible.”

May 1, 2026

the

Fourcast

Building more than a magazine

Brighter Magazine creates community for women navigating cancer

By Anderson Rhodus Multimedia Writer hat began as a Through her time interning, conversation between Menon learned skills needed in both friends grew into a journalism and nonprofit work. nonprofit publication “I have learned a lot about the inner that serves women affected by cancer. workings of a nonprofit and how many After supporting a close friend moving parts it requires to produce through cancer treatment and a publication, fund-raise money, run witnessing the events and distribute PHOTO COURTESY OF HELEN BOWLES impact of cancer the product,” within her own Menon said. family, Helen Bowles Brighter aims to recognized a gap in address the isolation traditional lifestyle many patients feel publications. Having during treatment. lost her mother to Unlike traditional pancreatic cancer, medical resources, seeing multiple Brighter approaches Brighter Magazine's staff photo relatives face cancer through ongoing skin cancers and supporting a a lifestyle lens by focusing on how friend diagnosed with ovarian cancer women live, feel and see themselves in 2017, Bowles was motivated to during and after diagnosis. create Brighter Magazine to address “Cancer is a really scary thing,” this absence. Menon said. “Through our publication “[My friend] desired to see a and other efforts, we strive to remind beautiful lifestyle publication curated women that they have a strong for women like her whose lives had network of people who want to been impacted by cancer,” Bowles support them.” said. “Cancer doesn’t discriminate; Sophomore Anna Little, who neither should we.” interned for Brighter Magazine in the Student interns play a fundamental summer of (insert year here), primarily role in producing Brighter Magazine. worked on Illuminate, a guide focused Since its early stages, Hockaday on cancer awareness and prevention students have contributed through for teens. editing, research-based writing “My role included researching and social media, helping build the and writing articles, creating social foundation of the publication. Today, media posts and planning a closet interns typically work through clean-out event to raise money,” Little Brighter’s summer program, where said. “I learned how to work in an they assist with writing, layout design office environment and collaborate and outreach initiatives. with others toward a shared goal,” “My role as an intern for Brighter is Little said. composed of a myriad of things,” junior As a nonprofit publication, Brighter Maya Menon said. “We write articles, provides its resources to women at design layouts for the magazine, a small cost. Published quarterly, fundraise and organize events.” the publication consistently features content written by specialists in PHOTO COURTESY OF MAYA MENON oncology care, including estheticians, social workers and nutritionists, aiming to provide real, credible information for readers. Articles often focus on topics such as navigating beauty and skincare changes during chemotherapy, adapting clothing after surgery, and mental health during treatment improving health literacy. Each of Maya Menon and Cate Baker volunteer for the closet cleanout.

PHOTO COURTESY OF HELEN BOWLES

Alina Zheng, Anna Little and Lang Cooper advertise the magazine's closet cleanout.

these topics allowing women better understand their bodies and treatment. In addition to its current work, the publication is also currently aiming to expand accessibility. With support from Lyda Hill Philanthropies, Brighter is developing a Spanish version of the publication. With this addition, the publication hopes to serve patients at UT Southwestern, Parkland and Methodist. Senior Pilar Hoitsma, a student in the Spanish in the Community class, has been working directly on this expansion. “My role within this process with Brighter has been to translate fulllength articles from their issues,” Hoitsma said. “From being involved with Brighter, I have learned the

importance of accessibility and the immense responsibility it is to be the bridge between Brighter and the Spanish-speaking community.” This student-led translation effort is the final piece of the puzzle for Bowles, who sees the Spanish edition as a vital step in reaching every corner of the local community. “To accomplish our project, we have partnered with bilingual members of the community,” Bowles said. While the translation adds a new layer of accessibility, Bowles clarifies that Brighter's goal extends beyond the information found on the page. “We don’t supply a woman with a publication,” Bowles said. “We provide her with community.” GRAPHIC: ISABELLA PORTERA

FEATURES

The Hockaday School

Seasonal stress

Teens face a different kind of pressure during the summer

By Haniya Khowaja Features Editor

tudents of all ages anticipate “It is so easy to get isolated and the arrival of summer vacation. to do nothing,” Daniel said. “Being The break serves as a breather proactive about sending the text to go from the daily stresses of the hang out, or being purposeful about school year, offering time to relax spending your time is something and recharge. However, summer can that really helps me mentally during introduce a different kind of stress. the summer.” With internships and jobs in high Staying “purposeful” can be PHOTO COURTESY EMORY DANIEL difficult when the demand, many teens feel pressured to pack constant presence their schedules as of social media much as possible. serves as a reminder For sophomore of what others are Emory Daniel, a doing. Sophomore typical summer Adrienne Ruiz says week is filled with that exposure to social lifeguarding, coaching media can amplify swim and giving feelings of isolation. private lessons. The “I feel like you spend time spent with her more time alone with friends, younger kids your thoughts over and the outdoors the summer, and it is both refreshing can cause you to start and fulfilling. to spiral or overthink Daniel coaches swim to young kids. “I love working and everything,” Ruiz said. being busy,” Daniel said. “Being busy “Especially on social media, if you’re helps me feel more relaxed. If I have seeing all your friends’ stories about nothing to do, I get kind of antsy and their cool trips and hangouts, it makes feel like I should be doing something.” you feel more alone.” When she’s not working, Daniel To counter feelings of loneliness, enjoys biking and hiking, activities Ruiz tries to recreate the structure she said help her avoid feelings of of the school year by making a daily loneliness that can surface during the itinerary of fun activities to do with her summer. sister.

“I like the school year more because I have a schedule and know what I’m going to do hour by hour,” Ruiz said. “During the summer, I feel like I lose that kind of structure that school sets.” The lack of structure reflects a broader challenge many students face once the routine of school disappears. A study from 2025 published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine shows how a shift from a structured to unstructured daily routine can be detrimental to one’s health, causing disruptions in sleep, declines in physical activity and worsening mental health. Clarissa Fuentes ‘19, a medical student who graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in Neuroscience and Behavior, emphasized the importance of maintaining balance in the summer. “I think there’s a different kind of stress during the summer,” Fuentes said. “Instead of stress for academic performance,

it shifts to feeling like, ‘I’m not doing enough,’ which is unfortunate. Summer should be a time for relaxing and enjoying not having to worry about school.” Fuentes also highlighted the risks of increased social media use. According to the American Psychological Association, teens spend 4.8 hours on social media a day on average. Without the structure of the school year, that time can increase significantly over the summer. “Don't underestimate the value of your experience,” Fuentes said. “Comparison is the thief of joy. Everyone has a different path in the summer, and the perspective of how you are viewing other’s experiences is really impactful on your mental health.” GRAPHIC COURTESY RACHEL GENG

Rhythm and roots

Dance impacts diverse cultures and traditions

By Tanvi Cherukuri Features Editor From traditional Indian dance like Bharatanatyam to traditional Chinese dance like gǔdiǎn wǔ, dance serves as a powerful form of expression that reflects the values, histories and identities of various cultures. According to the International Theatre Institute (ITI), International Dance Day was founded to celebrate the birthday of Jean-Georges Noverre, the creator of modern ballet. Every April 29, dance receives world-wide attention, preserving traditions and creating connections. In fact, Hockaday students participate in a variety of dance styles ranging from Kuchipudi to Step, exemplifying the diverse community of Hockaday. Junior Betty Liu does gǔdiǎn wǔ, a type of traditional Chinese dance that emphasizes fluidity and grace. “It's the ballet of traditional Chinese dance, and it's the base for all different forms of Chinese dance,” Liu said. Liu finds that dance has helped her connect better with her culture. “I feel like after moving to America, I did not have a connection with my identity at home, and the Chinese identity that I have,” Liu said. “So, I started doing Chinese dance, and I think it's a way that I can connect back

with my heritage and dance with other how far we have come to continue people who are Chinese American.” the tradition.” Sophomore Bailey Horne shares Senior Nadia Guevara, president this desire to honor one’s culture and of the Latin and Hispanic Student views Stepping, a form of percussive Union (LHSU) said dance provides a dance, as an art form carrying connection among the many cultures various themes. of Latin America. “Stepping originated from “Latin American culture in fraternities and general has a lot PHOTO COURTESY AMEYA INDARAM sororities, and of different races it had themes and ethnicities,” of unity along Guevara said. with friendship, “So, I think perseverance that it is a good and leadership,” representation of Horne said. “You’ll each individual see a lot of step country, and it is performances important to pass during showcases that on.” along with people Beyond pledging towards its cultural those fraternities significance, and sororities.” Guevara said the This theme of true power of connection is what dance comes from Indaram performs Kuchipudi for a recital. keeps the dance the joy it brings. form standing tall in the present. “Dancing brings a smile to my face “Stepping has a lot of cultural when I am able to dance with people, importance towards the African such as family or friends,” Guevara American community, and also it said. “I think that it promotes unity, has lasted for a long time before us,” which is another reason why dance is Horne said. “It is a way to celebrate so important.”

This emphasis on community is also important to sophomore Ameya Indaram, who does Kuchipudi, a type of Indian classical dance which can be performed as a solo or group. “It helps you build a connection with who you are dancing with, but it also teaches you a lot about discipline and having passion for others,” Indaram said. “So, it helps you develop skills to build relationships with others.” Indaram notes that this sense of connection is rooted both in the meaning conveyed through it and the history of Kuchipudi. “It comes from the same type of family as Bharatanatyam, which is also from South India, except Kuchipudi is a traveling dance form,” Indaram said. “From the 1300s, there were dance troupes who go traveling from town to town, village to village and perform.” This shared art form across various cultures demonstrates how movement expresses what speech cannot. "Dance is a common language,” Indaram said. “You can convey things using your body that you might not be able to connect with words. It’s another form of storytelling which helps us better articulate themes like connection and unity.”

the

May 1st, 2026

Fourcast

Artists shine at ISAS

Students from across the Southwest showcase their talents

By Samara Bhatki & Emilie Illum Staff Writer & Photo, Graphic and Castoff Editor bustling energy radiated from the St. Mark’s campus, from April 9 to April 11, as students showcased talents in visual and performing arts at the annual Independent School Association of the Southwest (ISAS) Arts Festival. The festival included performances, workshops, critique sessions and art displays, with students from schools around the Southwest area enjoying activities such as improv showcases, rock bands, and watercolors. With a fun, community-oriented atmosphere, students had the opportunity to participate in new arts and make new friends. For many of the students attending, their art is not just an activity but also a form of self-expression, something that takes hard work and heart, and sharing their work is an exciting but nerve-racking endeavor. “It was really eye-opening,” junior AP Visual Art student Madrid Garrett said. “I was able to see something that a lot of my peers treasure dearly and watch them perform it. I was so proud of all of my friends.” Attending ISAS for her second time, Garrett and her classmates displayed the artwork they had created throughout the year for students and professional art critics to view. She noted that ISAS offered a unique opportunity for her to explore new styles and perspectives. “Art is so subjective, and depending on your background, you interpret things differently,” Garrett said. “Having different schools be able to see your art and interpret it in a way that maybe other people from Hockaday wouldn't interpret was really cool.” Outside of performing, ISAS offers more ways for students to grow through workshops hosted by various teachers, critics, and artists. These activities not only educated students but also gave them the opportunity to compare their styles to other

students’, broadening their horizons by introducing new possibilities. Some students even tried or observed arts they had never heard of before, such as thread painting. Junior Betty Liu, from the advanced Hockaday Dance Theater class, debuted a jazz dance that she co-choreographed in the Hockadance showcase, which featured all studentchoreographed pieces. She also enjoyed attending other schools’ dance performances and dance workshops, where she gained insight into new creative expressions for her dance routines. “After watching different dance performances and seeing all of the creativity and different choreography in their dances, I have definitely gained more ideas for new choreography next year,” Liu said. Chorister junior Anashe Barwa praised the [All Saints Catholic School] choir and integrated new ideas for future vocal performances, inspired by their performance to improve her own skill. “They just have a certain sound that I feel is very unified,” Barwa said. “I got a lot of different ideas for techniques that I can incorporate into my own vocal performance and bring home with me to my choirs.” Students often recognize ISAS as a source of inspiration as they begin new pieces after greater exposure to diverse techniques. Events such as film showings, coffeehouses, and orchestra concerts are most attended by students who also practice these art forms and are seeking ideas for their next work. Garrett also commented that ISAS offered a unique opportunity for her to explore new styles and perspectives beyond the Hockaday community. “[ISAS] allowed me to see a lot of different stuff that I wouldn't be able to see,” Garrett said. “I was able to learn different techniques from different teachers, so it really helped expand my artistic knowledge.” For some attendees, the festival is exciting but overwhelming, with new faces, impressive artisic spectacles and new opportunities at every corner. However, this stress pushes students out of their comfort zone, helping them grow more confident in their work and allowing them to discover new talents. Liu notes that ISAS’s wide audience can lead to performance anxiety, even for artists seasoned on the stage. “Performing at ISAS is different than performing at Hockaday,” Liu said. “I know everyone at Hockaday, so it feels much more comfortable and less stressful, but at

Hockadaisies clap while watching performances at ISAS.

PHOTOS: SAMARA BHATKI

Morgan Bowers and Maddie Isaac duet at ISAS.

ISAS, I get more nervous because there are a lot of people watching.” Chorister junior Anashe Barwa said she also experienced intense nerves while performing at ISAS. “The crowd is a mix of people, a lot of [whom] we don't personally know,” Barwa said. “It can feel a little daunting since this is their first impression of us as a choir.” While exposure to large, unknown audiences can be intimidating, these experiences are crucial to creating a more resilient and confident artist. Most attendees will spend an entire semester or even a year creating pieces for their showcases, refining and rehearsing for weeks. This preparation adds to both the excitement and the pressure of the event, making the moments of performance all the more important. Despite the nerves, the environment, Barwa notes, is welcoming and encouraging to students of all skill levels, emphasizing community over technicality. “Everyone's there to have a good time, and everyone’s there to support and love the arts,” Barwa said. “Everyone is there to share what they love and love what they share.” Cross-school collaboration is a defining feature of ISAS, which offers the rare opportunity to meet someone with different training or techniques. Short interactions such as compliments on showcases in the hallways and feedback on performances create a lasting impact on students, who value the

support and new experiences that the festival provides. Garrett agrees with Barwa, sharing that students attend to appreciate and celebrate the arts, not to compare their art form to someone else’s. “It was just a really collaborative experience instead of competitive,” Garrett said. “You were really just learning from your peers, and I think that was really cool.” All in all, ISAS provides a valuable experience for artistic students, inspiring students to create, pursue and display what they have worked so hard on. Students leave excited about their growth, grateful for their impactful experiences, and ready to take on new challenges. “I love ISAS,” Barwa said. “I love the amount of people that are there and connecting with people who love the arts and are just as passionate about them as I am.”

Sudha Kodem sings at ISAS.

ARTS & LIFE

The Hockaday School

Under the “Manosphere”

The emerging culture of male supremacy pushes dangerous ideas

By Aneeka Tansen Managing Editor

n March 11, Netflix released a 90-minute documentary “Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere.” Louis Theroux, renowned journalist, broadcaster and author, showcased the emerging views of a network of creators who have coined themselves the “manosphere.” The term “manosphere” refers to online spaces that promote male focused ideologies from fitness, finances and, more dangerously, male supremacy. Through the documentary, Theroux interviewed and addressed famous manosphere, or “alpha male,” creators, notably Harrison Sullivan (HSTikkyTokky), Amrou Fudi (Myron Gaines), Andrew Tate and Justin Waller. Despite receiving heavy heat from the internet for their controversial quotes, these influencers have accumulated a considerable fanbase of young men. Hillcrest High School junior Keegan Balluck said that these influencers have no effect on how he leads his life. “I’ve seen them online for a long time, since I was in middle school,” Balluck said. “But my friends and I don’t view them as role models. They are just funny to listen to and get references from.” Although Balluck believes the ideologies spread by the manosphere

methods, the influencer’s terminology are distasteful, he doesn’t believe they will have a major impact on has gained popularity among teens. Balluck jokingly used words with the younger generations. suffix "-maxxing" frequently when “There will always be some fans referring to Clav. who faithfully believe everything “I want to looksmax 24/7,” Balluck they say, but most people see their misinformation for what it is,” Balluck said. “[Clav] says stuff like that, and said. “I don’t think they PHOTO COURTESY OF NETFLIX everyone latches onto his way of speaking.” will have a big While Balluck impact on most views this content of our generation, as comedic and who can see nonsensical, junior between right Lily Navitskas sees and wrong.” these influencers In late 2025, in a different light. streamer After watching Clav(icular) the documentary, (Braden Peters) Navitskas said exploded across Theroux accurately all platforms, specifically Kick, represented the manosphere. a livestreaming “I thought it platform, for was a pretty good his attempts representation,” to “looksmax,” Navitskas said. “As or maximize his women push into attractiveness. “Inside the Manosphere” documentary cover professional and collegiate spaces, In this process, Clav promoted [these creators] view that as women dangerous and unhealthy taking things from them, so they try methods such as bone smashing, and prop themselves up to a time methamphetamines for weight loss when they took up more space.” and anabolic steroids for aesthetics. Although the outwardly hateful Today, Clav boasts over 28 million ideologies seem impossible to follow likes on TikTok. to some, Navitskas has witnessed real Although most viewers don’t fans of these creators. attempt to fully replicate Clav’s

“I have a family friend who goes to Jesuit, and I have tried to tell him that I think a lot of [the creators] are ragebaiting for clout,” Navitskas said. “But he is in an all-boys environment, doesn’t have any female friends of his own and thinks me and my sisters are stupider than him.” Just like Balluck, Navitskas sees manosphere content on her TikTok. Bone smashing, a trend of applying blunt force to facial bones with the intention of making a more chiseled, masculine face, has frequently appeared on Navitskas’s for-you page. “I’ve seen a lot of bone smashing, and I think it stems from insecurities now that social media is big,” Navitskas said. “Back then, you wouldn’t see as many really beautiful people, but now that social media is only pushing the best of the best, once you see all of it you forget what normal people look like.” Navitskas feels that the manosphere will have a lasting effect on younger generations. “I think [the creators] are starting to radicalize young men more than they should, because they are so far extreme that they are starting to make extreme sexism seem more normal and mainstream,” Navitskas said. “I think it's going to divide young men and women and more."

The danger of a single narrative

Junior Madrid Garrett uses art to connect with homeless individuals By Claire Gicheru Castoff Editor

In middle school, junior Madrid Garrett searched for a way to use her passion for art to make a lasting impact on her community. As she entered high school, Garrett recognized the growing issue of homelessness in Dallas and approached the problem from a creative perspective. “I volunteered with charities in Dallas a lot, and I realized that giving people food and water is important, but proactively trying to better situations is what really makes a difference,” Garrett said. After identifying this issue, Garrett found a way to make a meaningful impact on her community. “I did some research, and Baylor had just started their street medicine team,” Garrett said. “I did some cold emailing and calling and then started going out with them.” The street medicine team works to address the healthcare crisis among members of the Dallas Community who are experiencing homelessness, as their living condition can often make it harder to access medical assistance. “What street medicine does is it goes into homeless encampments, and

it basically works as their primary care physicians,” Garrett said. From her time interning with the street medicine team, Garrett gained a deep empathy for the unhoused. “When you are experiencing homelessness, it can feel isolating,” Garrett said. “You feel like no one is there for you. There’s a community, but it is really you out for yourself." Garrett emphasizes that many people hold preconceived notions about people experiencing homelessness but never really understand the full picture. “I think people misunderstand the pathway to get out of homelessness and how difficult it truly is,” Garrett said. “In order to get housing, you have to have identification and a driver's license and know your social security number." However, those items are often stolen. Garrett clearly saw the issue: people experiencing homelessness are not understood by society. So, she found a way to make sure that they know they are seen by her. When she interns, she goes up to meet individuals or families waiting for

medical assistance. Garrett prioritizes understanding the backgrounds of the people she interacts with. “I'll ask first thing: ‘do you need medical attention?’” Garrett said. “If they say no, then I say ‘Hey, what's your name?’ ‘Where were you born?’ ‘What did you do before this.” While she listens to them talk, Garrett creates a piece of artwork that represents their story, using charcoal, oils and pastels to make it come alive. “[These portraits] show that people experiencing homelessness have families and kids or were in the army,” Garrett said. “What really matters is that they’re feeling seen by society. Instead of being seen as something that needs to be fixed or a problem that needs to be taken care of, they are seen as individuals.” Although volunteering can feel heavy emotionally, Garrett cherishes the people she meets. “There was a lady whose nickname was Mama G,” Garrett said. “She previously had not been identified, but now she’s gotten into housing. It’s heartwarming to see the positive impact in the end.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF MADRID GARRETT

Garrett's portrait of a veteran newly housed.

Garrett has seen change born from small actions. She believes the best things society can do is close eyes to biases and open hearts to humanity. Garrett said, “Treating [people experiencing homelessness] like human beings is the biggest thing you can do.”

May 1, 2026

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Fourcast

Filtered beginnings

Social media influences the college freshmen experience

By Bella Portera Arts & Life Editor s Daisy Decisions roll in, seniors are preparing for their post-graduation lives. In the digital age, many students rely on Instagram and Snapchat during this process to make college friends and find roommates. While digital platforms can serve as an effective tool for communication, the influence they have on college freshmen can be both beneficial and harmful. Senior Aneeka Misra, a rising music major at the University of Texas at Austin (UT), said she has felt pressure to present herself well on social media as she prepares for her freshman year. “I want people to want to be friends with me, so I want to portray who I am to the best of my ability on Instagram, which seems impossible because there are so many facets to each person,” Misra said. Although she has been able to create connections quickly through social media, Misra notes that Instagram and similar platforms can be deceiving when looking for a roommate. “It’s difficult to really see what type of person someone is unless you actually meet them in person,” Misra said. “You want to ask the hard questions about rooming with someone, but you also don’t know if they are going to be truthful or if they are presenting themselves a different way online than who they actually are.” Misra’s brother was in a fraternity at UT, inspiring her to consider sorority recruitment during her freshman year. Nonetheless, Misra notes that social media can add excessive stress to students as they prepare for recruitment. “There is a lot of pressure to make sure that you aren’t doing anything that sororities wouldn’t approve of and to make sure that you are posting PHOTO COURTESY OF CLAIRE CAHOON

Cahoon with her mom on Bid Day

enough so they can see who you are,” on campus, I would look at the actual PHOTO COURTESY OF CLAIRE CAHOON Misra said. university website and go Many students turn to social media to Reddit for the negative for inspiration and advice as they enter parts. Then, you can have college, which Misra believes can both the two extremes and help incoming students but also cause meet somewhere in harm as they try to learn more about the middle.” their colleges. While finalizing her “There are a lot of college and rush application and awaiting influencers on social media, so there decisions, Helfrich found is a lot of information available, which her lack of social media can be both good and bad,” Misra incredibly conducive to said. “I get information overloaded her wellbeing. on social media, even now that I’m “Throughout my done applying. I feel like it can cause college application unnecessary stress.” experience, I was not Cahoon with her chapter Furthermore, Misra believes that constantly bombarded chapters because they are following the way college is portrayed online can by college-related posts,” the chapters online,” Cahoon said. sometimes lead to insecurity rather Helfrich said. “When I was feeling "You can create a lot of negative than foster excitement for really bad about everything, I could freshman year. take a break in a way that other people pressure for yourself to make your own social media reflect theirs, and then “I think college is represented who constantly had that on their feed online as the best days of your life, couldn't. That was really beneficial for you could finally meet somebody from the chapter face-to-face and realize but in reality, college is what you my mental health.” ‘this is totally not for me." make it,” Misra said. “It can make While social media plays a crucial Cahoon advises students interested PHOTO COURTESY OF ANEEKA MISRA you disappointed role in college in recruitment to keep an open mind when your networking and as they learn about different sororities experiences don’t recruitment and prepare for Bid Day. always match up preparation, it is “It’s important to show an interest with what people not everything. in multiple chapters on social media. are posting on Claire Cahoon When you are preparing to go through social media.” ’22, a UT senior recruitment, make sure you aren’t Unlike Misra, completing showing favoritism towards only one Senior Anne her textiles or two chapters,” Cahoon said. “In my Marie Helfrich, and apparel opinion, until you go to every house, a rising student major with a you don’t know what you want to do. at Washington focus in fashion Give everybody a chance in real life University in St. merchandising, and on social media.” Louis (WashU), is the former According to Cahoon, every chose not to have president of a UT potential new member (PNM) will social media sorority chapter. be assigned a recruitment counselor throughout high “The biggest (or “Rho Gamma” at UT) as a source school, believing pressure I felt of information and assistance before it would be too was about recruitment. While Cahoon thinks stressful and people making social media is helpful for basic unreasonably assumptions tips and tricks, she said it can be time-consuming. Aneeka Misra ’26 about me and my misleading for students. However, as she prepares for college, behaviors through my social media,” “On social media, people think they she has started to have certain fears Cahoon said. “It was the first time that know everything about systems they about the impacts of her decision. what I was posting could potentially have never been inside of themselves,” “There is definitely a fear that have an impact on what my Cahoon said. “Recruitment looks a I will lose connections future had.” little bit different at every school and with friends that I have Though she recognizes the everybody’s experiences are unique. or that I will not be able importance of maintaining a decent It can be really tempting to listen to to successfully make social media presence during some of those people, but they don’t connections at WashU,” recruitment, Cahoon says that really know what they are Helfrich said. Instagram’s role in recruitment is not talking about.” Highlighting the as substantial as people think. As Hockadaisies prepare for college numerous biases “The only time a judgement would propagated online, be made off of social media would be if and sorority recruitment, Cahoon reminds students that everybody is Helfrich stresses the somebody posted things that weren’t nervous, even if it doesn’t seem like importance of utilizing appropriate or reflected poorly on it online. reliable sources for college the chapter,” Cahoon said. “I would “I would just remind everybody to research rather than relying challenge people to keep their social be true to themselves and post things on social media’s portrayal media genuine to themselves while that are true to you,” Cahoon said. “It’s of college life. staying polished and appropriate. high stress, but if you give yourself “College life information Leading into recruitment, just be grace and do what's best for you, it on social media will consistent and show that you will pay off.” definitely be skewed are excited.” towards the positive, Cahoon also warns against basing especially in posts from the sorority research solely in chapters’ college,” Helfrich said. “To social media accounts and posts. find out about residential “In their heads, people establish life and the social scene that they know and can fixate on

The Hockaday School

Safety first

Manage your risks abroad

TITLE ART COURTESY OF SHRAVYA VYAS

Students take precautions to stay safe while traveling. By Sara Vijay & Brooklyn Friesen

Opinions Editor & Sports Editor

Solo travel

Student developing app

Every year, millions of people travel alone to new cities or countries yet concerns about personal safety and emergencies remain a common challenge for many travelers navigating unfamiliar environments on their own. Sophomore Kenzie Surowiec is developing a project focused on improving safety for individuals traveling alone, particularly young women. “I am currently testing many projects,” Surowiec said. “For example, I am trying a ‘match’ [system] where if you are traveling somewhere, you partner with another person traveling to the same place, and if either of you is in trouble, you help each other.” Surowiec began creating the project as part of the University of Pennsylvania’s Social Innovators program, which is a 12-week intensive program that guides students through identifying a community issue and creating a potential solution over several months. Through the program, students regularly meet with advisors, who guide them through the process and help them refine their ideas. Surowiec said a previous international travel experience influenced how she began thinking about safety. “In 2023, I went on a group trip to Japan for a different program,” Surowiec said. “When I was there, I realized that I would enjoy traveling

COVER ART COURTESY OF JOYCE JIN

by myself, but it also led me to realize the dangers in that as well. That experience led me to think about this project and how people can support each other while in foreign places.” As part of the early research phase of the project, Surowiec conducted interviews with travelers to better understand the types of concerns people experience when visiting unfamiliar places independently. Surowiec recalled one interview in particular that illustrated the kinds of situations some travelers experience while abroad. “When I interviewed people, I found that a lot of women felt unsafe when traveling to foreign places,” Surowiec said. “Specifically, I interviewed one woman [who] was followed at night while in Paris, but luckily, she found a store that was still open and was able to go inside. She got very lucky, but not all people do.” Surowiec said she is now focused on turning her research and planning into a practical tool that travelers could use when navigating unfamiliar places. “I am trying to put it into action by creating a website or app that people can access,” Surowiec said. In addition to her ongoing work on the project, Surowiec emphasized the importance of preparation and awareness for women planning to travel independently. “Utilize all your resources,” Surowiec said. “And make sure you research before traveling alone."

Last summer, I traveled solo to Argentina to study Spanish. Traveling abroad can involve many layovers and overnight flights, and I was prepared for the long journey ahead. While I was enjoying my movie on the plane, I got very unexpected news: that I would be arriving in a completely different airport because of weather issues. I ended up arriving in Pensacola, Florida, at 2 a.m. instead of my layover in Atlanta, Georgia, missing my connecting flight. The Pensacola airport has around 10 gates and a Chickfil-A that opens up at 5 a.m. Not only did this make me more tired, I also had to attempt to stay awake during the early morning hours. I waited by my gate while talking to really helpful flight attendants that were willing to answer any questions I had. I ended up getting upgraded to first class on my way to Atlanta, so I slept for a few hours. Once I finally made it to Atlanta, I had 12 hours before my new connecting flight to Argentina. Although I was exhausted, I decided to walk around the airport to avoid falling asleep. Multiple people had told me to stay awake so I wouldn’t miss my new flight, so I took this adventure upon me. I ended up walking 10 miles and 20,000 steps inside the airport before I needed to head back to my gate. Even though staying awake for almost 32 hours straight sounds horrible, I made the most of my situation. While delays are frustrating and I’m sure most people who travel often have experienced them, staying safe while stuck in the airport during these delays is very important. While in the airport, I GRAPHIC: BROOKLYN FRIESEN

focused on these three things: always keeping my phone charged, constantly texting my parents and staying awake. Once I made it to Argentina, I followed even more safety tips because I was exploring a foreign city. There were a few things I knew before going, like not walking on the streets with my phone out and keeping my bag in front of me on the subway, but there were also tips that I learned to stay as safe as possible. An example of this was only taking licensed rideshare services, like Uber, to avoid walking back to my homestay in the dark. Argentina also experiences winter during our summer months, so it would often be dark around 6 p.m. I felt a lot safer traveling this way using rideshare services once it was nighttime. Subways also stop running after 10 p.m., so if I was out with my friends after that, rideshare apps allowed me to get back home. Ordering Ubers was easily accessible if you had the app downloaded, and it was a much safer and easier alternative to get around the city. Although I only used Uber on my trip, rideshare alternatives such as Lyft and Alto are also great options to safely travel, even if it is just around Dallas. They also provide teen services, so you are guaranteed a safe trip to your destination. My trip to Argentina taught me that staying alert and making good choices while traveling helps me stay safe and navigate difficult situations. While sometimes it was hard to follow these safety precautions, they allowed me to have a better travel experience overall. It made me a lot more independent and gave me confidence to stay safe while having fun. Looking back, this adventure was not only beneficial for learning Spanish, but it allowed me to gain a better understan-ding of travel safety.

May 1, 2026

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Fourcast

Giving globally Volunteers serve overseas

Over the course of the year, several students around Hockaday go on mission trips to help communities abroad. Sophomore Stella Fish travels to a small city in Guatemala with her grandfather for 10 days to set up eye clinics. Fish helps test people’s vision and helps guide them through their prescription. “I test their vision and then they get their eyes dilated,” Fish said. “Then we use a machine that can give them a prescription which they can use to get sunglasses or glasses. Lastly, they go to the doctor, my grandfather, who narrows in on the health of their eyes.”

“We typically get into the airport in Costa Rica late at night, so we need to be aware of our surroundings,” Zavala said. The group also worked in areas with little formal security, which made awareness even more important. Additionally, the group received clear safety guidelines before starting work. “In orientation, we are told some rules we must follow,” Zavala said. “For example, one rule is not to pet the dogs and cats there because they are strays and some are aggressive or have diseases.” She also added that construction safety was also emphasized. “We are also told that you always PHOTO COURTESY OF VICTORIA ZAVALA need to have your glasses and helmets on if you’re going to be near the construction,” Zavala said. With those precautions in place, Zavala began working alongside her family and other volunteers. She spent long days helping construct houses from the ground up, teaming up with her brother on parts of the build. “We're on the roof building, and it's both fun and meaningful for me to spend Zavala poses with family for whom she built the house. time with my family like that,” Fish describes how she feels safe Zavala said. due to the support she has around her. As the days went on, Zavala said For example, Fish stated that the base the experience became more than just in which the clinics are in has armed physical work. guards. She also is always around “My favorite memory was on the her grandfather and in the past has second day of building,” Zavala said. traveled with her mother. “I was building on the roof with my “I cannot wear shorts there because brother when two of the kids for whom of cultural norms, and I have to be we were building the house came to careful with money and make sure I the building site to check it out. They keep it safe in my wallet,” Fish said. saw us on the roof, and they were Fish believes that this experience waving to us, and it solidified why I is very important in molding love doing this so much.” her gratitude. She also shared another example of “I feel like this trip grounds me in the emotional impact of her work. how lucky I am,” Fish said. “Whenever “On the final day, when we I come back, I appreciate small things completed the building of the house, I used to take for granted.” we were able to show the family their Junior Victoria Zavala participates new home,” Zavala said. “They were in Homes for Hope, a service program super emotional and very grateful.” that brings volunteers to Costa Rica Zavala believes that service trips to build homes. Zavala had gotten are very important in shaping some of involved with this program through her qualities. her mother’s friend. “It's taught me the gift of gratitude," “One of my mom's best friends, Zavala said. "And how a little bit of Mrs. Hirzel, is one of the leaders of the work can really change someone's program,” Zavala said. “Her family has life forever." PHOTO COURTESY OF VICTORIA ZAVALA been doing it for about 10 years, and my family has always wanted to get involved, but we never took the next step to register until last year.” Zavala described what the experience looked like once the group arrived. “I go to Costa Rica for about four days,” Zavala said. “And for the first two days, we build homes in a neighborhood or community.” She explained the precautions she must take in order to ensure her wellbeing while traveling. Zavala works on a house with fellow worker.

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ARTS & LIFE

The Hockaday School

Stitching connections

Needlepoint ties crafters to their communities By Elizabeth Farrell Editor-in-Chief

ustom ornaments, key fobs, Similarly, Department Chair of pillows, grad gifts and Mathematics Caroline Robb also uses belts. These are just a few needlepointing to make personalized of the needlepoint projects gifts for her family. She has made two that students and faculty have made pillows and a door hanger for her for themselves, their families and their daughter’s nursery as well as a belt for friends. While, on the PHOTO COURTESY her husband, and OF CAROLINE ROBB surface, needlepoint she is currently looks like a fun and creative way to make unique projects, it also serves a larger purpose of taking crafters off their screens and helping them make deeper connections with their community. For sophomore Kate Pauley, needlepointing has allowed her to disconnect from her phone and stay in tune with her creative side. Pauley said that she Robb's needlepoint work doesn’t even have to decide between spending time on her working on needlepoint ornaments for phone or needlepointing because the all of her family members. answer is obvious. “I love the fact that I can make “I don't even think about my things for people: that it's something phone,” Pauley said. “I just want to that I feel like is creative but not needlepoint when I get home like I taxing,” Robb said. don't even consider it. [Needlepoint] Robb’s journey with needlepoint completely took place of the screen, began when she was pregnant since and it was a really healthy thing.” being on screens made her feel sick. Taking time out of her day to “I found that needlepoint kept concentrate on needlepointing helps me off my screen,” Robb said. “At Pauley feel relaxed and improves night I had something to do; I wasn't her mental health by alleviating watching TV, I wasn't doom scrolling anxiety. Pauley even picked up her and I fell in love with it.” needlepoint to deal with her grief after As someone who has picked up experiencing loss. many temporary hobbies throughout “It's a good escape because when her life, Robb can see herself you're doing [needlepoint], you're needlepointing long-term. only focusing on that,” Pauley said. “I had a hiatus [from “For me, I can't really think about needlepointing] when the baby was other stuff, so it kind of takes away just born and it was too stressful to PHOTO COURTESY OF EMILY BLUMENTHAL from the other do anything stresses that else,” Robb usually would said. “I preoccupy realized I your mind.” was doom In addition scrolling, I to the relaxing was too and mindclearing experience that needlepointing gives her, Pauley also Blumenthal's needlepoint projects. uses the craft to impact her community. deep in my phone, When Pauley wants to I was getting get someone a gift, she headaches and it Blumenth a l' s p r ojects often turns to needlepoint wasn't good. My to make a handmade present. sleep was all thrown “It makes you feel like you have a off, so I thought, ‘You know what? purpose,” Pauley said. “You’re not just Let's change this up. Let's go back spending that useless time on your and try needlepoint point and see phone, and you are actually doing how it goes.’ Then, there was a something for someone else.” huge difference.”

Robb said that needlepointing “I definitely think it's important gives her a creative outlet that doesn’t to have other hobbies and creative require strenuous mental activity and outlets because it's just a really nice allows her to disconnect from screens. break at the end of my day to do For these reasons, Robb consistently something that's not on my screen and needlepoints every night before she is relaxing,” Blumenthal said. goes to bed. Blumenthal has noticed a “It's one of the best things I've significant decrease in the amount of done for my mental health in a long time she spends on her phone since time,” Robb said. “Having a young beginning needlepoint. child is really stressful, and when she “Especially over winter break, goes to bed, I spend an hour after those couple days when I was home, she goes to sleep decompressing and it really took down my screen time needlepointing just to calm down substantially,” Blumenthal said. “I about eight notches. Putting the noticed it [went] down a couple of baby to bed is not an easy task, so hours, so it was a crazy change.” [needlepointing] just takes all the Using technology for the majority pressure off for the day.” of her school day along with her Robb has also used needlepoint to frequent temptation to pass time on build connections with others. social media motivated Blumenthal “If I'm around my husband, to disconnect and take some time to I’ll have a conversation because explore her creative side. [needlepointing] doesn't take so much Junior Tari Agbeyangi also focus that I can't talk to someone,” said that making needlepoint part Robb said. “I really don't love of her daily routine has kept her watching TV with people because I PHOTO COURTESY OF TARI AGBEYANGI feel like it's not social enough, and you're not investing time with that person, but [needlepoint] lets me focus better on a conversation than other activities.” Robb has even made new connections with people from the greater needlepointing community in Dallas at coffee shop meetups. One of Agbeyangi's needlepoint works “Reddit has a huge needle point disconnected from her phone and in community as does Facebook,” Robb touch with her creativity. said. “You can get really deep and ask “It's something that's really people what they're doing and how mindless, so you don't need as much they would approach something.” attention for it,” Agbeyangi said. “It's Junior Emily Blumenthal also something I do every day for about 40 connects with others over needlepoint. minutes before I go to bed, so it's just Blumenthal recently took one of her to wind myself down and really get me friends to a needlepoint store and off my phone.” plans to give her lessons because it can Blumenthal and Agbeyangi plan be frustrating to learn at first. to start a needlepoint club next year “When I first started, I did get really to spread their passion for the craft. frustrated with myself because I was Agbeyangi said that along with teaching myself, and I would just decreasing screen time, needlepointing mess up sometimes,” Blumenthal significantly helped with her said. “But then I learned that mistakes stress levels. happen and it's okay, and I learned “I remember before I started how to fix them a little bit more needlepoint, I would always be really because practice makes perfect.” stressed out which was not good,” Blumenthal values the perseverance Agbeyangi said. “Since I've started that needlepointing has taught her needlepoint, I've been much calmer.” and the mindful time she gets to spend needlepointing. The craft has become one of her favorite offline and stressrelieving activities. She needlepoints for one to two hours on the weekends, and if she has a slower week, she does it for 30 minutes every night.

May 1, 2026

the

Fourcast

Fake fame frenzy

Social media users are hooked on AI-generated reality TV By Sophia Salem Business Manager ou open TikTok one day and come across something new. Watermelina, an AI-generated reality TV character shaped in the likeness of a watermelon, is mulling over whether she should choose Bananito or Orangelo as her love interest, “Love Island” style. In March, millions of users on TikTok chose to subscribe to AIgenerated reality TV, and it reflects a rising trend in AI-generated content on users’ feeds. But why are people watching very obviously fake reality TV when the whole concept of it is to get a peek into real people’s lives? Junior Anusha Chowdhary described it as entertaining, but lacking depth. “At first, I thought it was interesting, because it was something to keep me entertained,” Chowdhary said. “Eventually I realized since it’s AI, the video generator sucks, the plot line is a little distorted and it doesn’t build attention to a climax properly.” Fully AI-generated social media accounts have recently spread globally across platforms, commonly using applications like Sora AI to create their content. And while many

opinions online reject these accounts as not even entertaining, they have been able to gain millions of followers in just a short period of time. “I think it’s like a bandwagon effect,” Chowdhary said. “‘AI Love Island’ gained popularity so quickly just because people were posting about it because it was new. Then it kept growing because people thought that everyone else was watching it, so they should check it out too, even if it might not be the most interesting.” The fact that this AI-generated content is widely available on social media platforms like TikTok is another reason for its popularity and consumption. After having seen these videos on her TikTok feed, Junior Sadie Small came to a conclusion as to why this type of content has garnered so many new followers. An AI Fruit post on TikTok

“I think a reason people are drawn to AI Reality TV is because it’s accessible to everyone on social media platforms,” Small said. “That way, it’s easier to watch than actual reality TV.” The concept of reality TV became popular because of its projected authenticity, and these AI-generated stories mimic reality TV. Ironically, this content does not include any real people or glimpses into authentic personal life, making it dissimilar from true reality TV in almost every aspect. “Nobody who watches AI-generated fruit thinks that the story is following a real person,” Small said. “The reason people watched it was because of its short-term entertainment value.” It may even be that people watch AIgenerated reality TV instead of its authentic counterpart because of this fakeness. “I think the lack of

real people might be a reason why people had initially started watching this kind of content,” Chowdhary said. “Viewers don’t have to feel any negative emotions for characters that don’t exist, whereas, in normal reality TV, participants having emotional moments might deter people from watching it because they want reality TV to only be feel-good.” As AI continues progressing, it also raises the question of how ethical it is and whether or not AI-generated art should be viewed the same as art created directly by a person. Additionally, an increasing amount of research is revealing how harmful the overuse of AI is, as it constantly uses electricity to power the data centers and wastes immense amounts of water to cool the process. “AI has so many bad things that it does to our society that people don’t realize,” Chowdhary said. “We have to realize that it’s not just something trivial and funny, but an exploitative practice that wastes resources that a lot of people don’t have.” PHOTO: SOPHIA SALEM

Lost in translation

International students face culture shocks By Gwendolyn Becker Multimedia Editor

After living and attending school in foreign countries, senior Mimi Davison and juniors Tari Agbeyangi and Masha Ivchenko share a sense of resiliency mixed with a bit of homesickness. After being born in Australia in 2007, Davison came to America when she was 15 to finish high school at Hockaday. Life as a high school student surprised Davison the most. “I feel like American school culture is very different not just in terms of things like football games, but it's way more competitive,” Davison said. “School here is much more focused on academics, but in Australia, school culture surrounds athletics.” Davison still misses some aspects from home, despite a community of Australians in Dallas. “I feel homesick mostly about the little things, like Australian food such as acai bowls,” Davison said. “Also just walking around and hearing other people have an Australian accent.” Davison’s openness to trying new things helped her most during this transformation into her life in the United States. “One of the biggest things is just to say yes to everything,” Davison said. “Try everything new [and] meet all different people even those you wouldn't normally talk to or have a conversation with.”

Agbeyangi was born in the United States, lived in Nigeria for 12 years and then lived in the United Kingdom for two years before moving to Dallas to attend high school. This experience of moving between multiple countries has shaped Agbeyangi’s adaptability. “It's definitely taught me how to get used to things really quickly,” Agbeyangi said. “When I have a big change to get through, it will be fine because I've gone through this before and I know how to adjust easily.” To deal with homesickness, Agbeyangi has found comfort in her Hockaday support system. “My friends are the biggest help when I feel sad,” Agbeyangi said. “And always knowing that I do eventually go back to visit. Something that is helpful is just looking forward to those trips when I go back to visit [friends and family].” Agbeyangi mainly felt culture shocks with school and transportation. “If you pay attention in class [in London or Nigeria], you’ll be fine, but here, a lot of the testing is application,” Agbeyangi said. “Also, the dependency on cars in the United States is shocking because in London and Nigeria you can walk to places, but here you need a car to do anything.” Ivchenko moved to the United States from Ukraine in freshman year. She felt the biggest cultural shock

PHOTO COURTESY OF TARI AGBEYANGI when she was talking to a lady in a fast-food shop. “In Ukraine, small talk is uncommon, but here, many people begin conversations with ‘How are you?’” Ivchenko said. “So, when this lady [at the fast food shop] asked me that, I proceeded to tell her about my day because I didn't realize that the intention of the phrase was really just to be polite.” Ivchenko’s experience when she first got to the United States was not easy, but it taught her many things such as how to be resilient and adaptable. “Moving here was the scariest thing in my life,” Ivchenko said. “I didn’t know Agbeyangi and her dad American culture, people or Thus, my persistence gradually helped the English language very well. me in becoming more confident in my Stepping out of my comfort zone ability to communicate, like holding taught me that adaptation to certain discussions in my English class.” situations is one of the key factors to Through it all, Ivchenko has grown, succeed.” learned and become incredibly strong. One of the hardest challenges that “Ultimately, adjusting to a new Ivchenko has had to work through in country takes time and tremendous the United States is learning English. effort,” Ivchenko said. “But a “I used to get very upset at the positive mindset will guide anyone inability to explain and express myself to improvement.” in English as I would do so in my native language,” Ivchenko said. “But I pushed myself to practice even if I felt doubtful or embarrassed at the time.

SPORTS

The Hockaday School

From false fixes to real recovery Athletes separate fact and fiction in sports rehabilitation

By Juliette Friguletto Managing Editor

ead Athletic Trainer Madissen Davis commonly sees athletes pushing themselves through pain and injury and finds it ultimately results in more detrimental long-term health consequences. Athletes are urged to recognize the health risks associated with overworking during recovery. “The number one thing I see is people harm themselves by aggressively stretching an injury, which in most cases causes microtears or complete tears and delays healing,” Davis said. “Also, icing is often overused, and excessive or prolonged use can actually slow the body’s natural healing process by limiting necessary inflammation and blood flow.” For junior Elle Mayrosh, the recovery process has been far from simple. After breaking her ankle during cross country season and having surgery in the fall of 2025, coming back to sports from this injury has been difficult as she navigates conflicting guidance from multiple

Sophomore Jill Teinert felt a strong mentors. Ankle strength plays an identity shift after tearing her ACL important role in both track and cross country, and a lack of it can playing basketball in the summer of 2024. While mentally and physically affect balance and running ability. dealing with a long recovery period Yet, for many athletes who have strong emotional ties to their sport, it that ranged from six to 12 months, Teinert found it important to find becomes difficult to disappoint others with absence. PHOTO COURTESY OF MATT'S PHOTOGRAPHY herself again in new, unique “My coaches activities like and physical playing guitar therapist do not and weightlifting always agree on things,” Mayrosh whenever possible. “You really said. “It’s hard to have to build an challenge authority identity outside of when they have opposing views, sports,” Teinert said. “I had to and the expectation keep myself away from my coaches from basketball is to be running as much as possible.” completely, and In addition then I just pivoted to certain hobbies to pressure from to keep my mind coaches, athletes occupied while may experience a loss of identity recovering.” Myths like ‘if that contributes to you can move it, the rush to return Teinert plays in a game post-injury. it must not be from an injury.

broken’ also contribute to returning to sports too quickly. “Commonly, athletes often resist modifying their activity, whether they’re dealing with a potential injury or transitioning back after one.” Davis said. “Many high school athletes continue participating in physical activity despite being in pain rather than following recommendations to modify, often due to peer pressure and not wanting others to think they’re taking the easy way out.” Recovery remains an essential process, one which should not go overlooked by any athlete regardless of the injury. Consulting a doctor or physical therapist or simply just resting can prevent athletes from prolonging their injuring. Any kind of extensive pain, no matter how small, is something to be addressed. “Take the recovery day-by-day,” Teinert said. “Some pain is normal with any sport, but you want to realize the problem so you can address it. You always want to get to ideally the point of no pain so you can perform at your best.”

JV waters the meadow Teams build athletes' skills and confidence By Katie Ma Web Editor-in-Chief

At the beginning of fall sports season, junior varsity (JV) field hockey coach Meagan Rowe works to form her team. One major quality she looks for in athletes is hand-eye coordination. Agility and constant movement, as well as an open mind, also factor in. “When a lot of people come to watch field hockey, they’re like, ‘I don't understand this sport at all,’” Rowe said. “It's a bit complicated. So, I think the willingness to learn and try something new that is a little different than a lot of other sports is important.” Coaching at the JV level puts Rowe in a unique position. Although the team does not compete to win at Southwest Preparatory Conference (SPC), it is essential for keeping younger athletes interested in the sport and allowing them to enjoy the game without the large time commitment of varsity. “JV is a good mix of girls that are brand new to the sport who are trying something out, which is amazing to do at any age, and some girls that just need a little bit more time or need to be pushed to more of a leadership role,” Rowe said. The focus is on developing their individual skills so that when they move up to varsity, they can hit the ground running. “We always ask, ‘is it better to be on varsity, but never go into the

PHOTO COURTESY OF CAMILLA FUENTES

Fuentes recieves flowers on her senior night.

game?’” Rowe said. ‘Or, ‘is it better to stay on JV, but never come off the field and be the one dictating the play and really helping the team move along?’ That leadership brings a different skill set that is so unique and important.” Because field hockey is one of the few sports where all of the coaching staff for all teams are full-time faculty, communication between the varsity, JV and middle school coaches is constant, benefitting the athletes. “We talk pretty much daily, if not every other day, about what we're doing at practice, how some athletes are doing and how the newer athletes are picking up the sport,” Rowe said.

“We talk of some of the concepts they are covering at the varsity level, and I try to replicate that as best I can at the JV level so that the girls are best prepared to move to the next level.” Sophomore Amy Yan is one athlete who made the transition up after playing JV basketball as a freshman. Playing at the varsity level was a big step up for her. “With varsity, we have a lot more practices because the JV practices got canceled a lot,” Yan said. “We also have more games. I would also say that practice is way, exponentially more intense than JV because of the pace at which we do the drills and also the difficulty of what we're practicing.” Yan credits the JV team with helping her build the fundamental skills that she needed to get onto varsity and do well there. “The importance of having JV teams is to be good for if you want to

eventually play on varsity, but maybe you're not ready for that yet,” Yan said. “It’s also a bit less intensive for people who maybe just want to play for fun.” Senior Camilla Fuentes, who has played on the JV soccer team for the past four years, focuses on enjoying the sport. This past season, she was the only senior on the team. Fuentes is also a four-year member of the varsity softball team. “JV was a much better fit in atmosphere for me,” Fuentes said. “On varsity softball, there’s a lot of pressure to do well and not make mistakes. JV soccer is a lot more chill, and you can have a lot more fun and not worry too much about it.” Fuentes also captained the JV soccer team this year. “As the only senior, it's kind of expected of you to be a leader,” Fuentes said. “My coach also pulled me to her office and told me that the girls from before left the team to me and that I had to be a good role model for the younger girls.” Fuentes believes JV teams provide more opportunities for students. “I think it's important to have JV teams because not everyone can or wants to play at a varsity level,” Fuentes said. “It's important that there's a space where people can play and have fun and still continue to develop their skills so they can play at the varsity level later if they choose.”

the

May 1, 2026

Fourcast

Perfection in performance Athletes equate self-worth to sports outcomes

By Savannah Simon Arts & Life Editor aturally, athletes crave progress; however, some forget that failure is still a step forward. Whether it is due to parental pressure or an internal drive to succeed, the lines between athletic performance and selfworth begin to blur. Sophomore Abby Crook, a crosscountry and track athlete, believes running gave her purpose and edified her will to persevere. Originally, Crook got into running as a way of connecting with her older sister and bridging the disconnects the age gap between them. She hated running and cried frequently during preseason, often considering quitting. However, she wanted to prove to herself that she could do hard things and not let her sister down. “I can't imagine my life without it,” Crook said. “I think it teaches me about how you have to work really hard to get what you want.” Every day she tackles balancing her love for her sports and not letting the pressures consume her. She acknowledges that running hurts and it takes a strong sense of perserverance to push through. The competition on the track can feel overwhelming, and Crook coaches herself out of incessantly checking her opponents’ race times. When she gets on the track, she reminds herself that at the end of the day, she must believe in herself; even when someone else is ahead, the fact she is on the track is a win. “Running is such a mental sport, and it hurts so much,” Crook said. “It has taught me that no matter how much something hurts, you're going to be better after.” PHOTO COURTESY OF REAGAN NGUYEN

Varsity lacrosse fiercely fighting for the win

Competitive athletes like Crook struggle to address both physical prowess and their mental health as they progress. Metrics like “run time” and “goals scored” often start to feel like character flaws rather than athletic missteps, especially when someone else is performing better. “I make my (personal records) PRs my entire identity,” Crook said. “If I don’t run well, I’m not happy with myself.” Junior Jameson Dondero, a fiercely devoted rower, feels the same pressures of achieving new PRs. Rowing is one of the Crook powers through a race at the Texas Relays compitition. only sports with published is an integral part of her and she PRs, creating the isolated would fall apart without it. pressure that one athlete will always “I look forward to being with quantifiably be better than another. the people on the team and having a Dondero recognizes that athletics purpose,” Dondero said. “When I’m constantly require change, and the in the workforce and don’t have that only way to rise in ranking is to adapt. “I had such a mindset shift, because anymore, it’s going to be hard.” Varsity Coach Rodney Skaife in sports there is no perfection,” also worried about a life without Dondero said. “You just strive for the best you can and be one percent better sports until his fear came to fruition. At one point during his early soccer every day. That [mindset] helps with and golf career, he had to cope with a my goals and how I approach things.” catastrophic injury that took him off Much like Crook, Dondero the field. He held a leadership role in discerns that as her sports grew almost every team he played on which more competitive, her self-identity served as a coping mechanism for him, became increasingly tied to her sports but the journey without it burdened performance. Rowing seized her him greatly. every waking moment, her obsession “In high school, I fell on fire and leaking into every conversation she burned the back of my legs and had to held with her classmates. have skin grafts,” Skaife said. “I hated “I had this problem where I talked it, because I was captain of most of my too much about rowing,” Dondero teams and had to sit out.” said. “We had this grade-wide ban Rather than pushing himself past on talking about sports in general his limits and trying to play, he learned because everyone the power of patience. He continued was like, ‘you to hone his love for his sports, even guys talk too despite his injury. Through the trials much about and errors of his athletic career, your sports.’” Skaife learned what obstacles student When wins feel like successes, athletes face. He stresses that the losses start to feel hardest part of coaching is reminding his athletes that their goals have to like exasperated be achievable in order to protect failures. their mental health. Even when the “When I pressure comes from parents, he had [one] bad advises Hockaday athletes to focus on situation after their own goals and aspirations. [another] bad “Where people get in trouble is situation, I went when [pressure] becomes internal, and down into a they look at themselves too harshly,” spiral,” Dondero Skaife said. “It’s usually because of said. “It does unrealistic expectations.” take a lot to get When looking to the future, he out of that, but hopes his athletes will obsess over the whenever you love of their sports rather than their do, then you’re quantified performance. aware and not “We're all guilty of it, that you going to let that become result-based and focused, happen again.” because that's all you hear,” Skaife Despite the said. “You don't hear about the team obstacles, she that lost every game, but everybody feels like rowing

PHOTO COURTESY OF ABBY CROOK

loves it. We have somehow got to get enjoyment as a priority.” Skaife also believes that fixating on a singular sport can curate toxicity. “I think there's a huge problem at the moment of people focusing on one direction where [athletes] are not seeing the transfer of skills from sportto-sport,” Skaife said. “If you're doing well somewhere, the likelihood is you can do well somewhere else too. You just need the same exposure.” Varsity Lacrosse Coach Molly Ford agrees with Skaife that playing a sport means adapting. Ford tore her ACL right after qualifying for the US women’s team and had to drop out. However, her love for lacrosse grew the longer she could not play and after returning seven months later, she made the team again. In her eyes, a good work ethic breaks down obstacles. “[Sports are] figuring out how to work hard and see your goals come alive,” Ford said. “Achieving your goals is huge and is something that you can use in real life after sports are over.” Despite the duality of the good and bad pressures sports bring, Ford urges Hockaday athletes to remember that they are strong, resilient young women, and can always come to their coaches. She believes in the celebration of successes instead of the miseries of mistakes. Most of all, she insists that athletes remind themselves to love what they do. “Every day is a different day for every player,” Ford said. “I think being able to get out on the field and enjoy [playing] helps their mental health. I think there are times where expectations can be a hindrance on mental health.”

The Hockaday School

SPORTS

The last season

Seniors’ competitive athletic careers come to an end

By Mia Frary Staff Writer

or senior Cata Littrell, lacrosse became a part of her life in the third grade and quickly became a fundamental part of her character. She has played on her school team and for club team Grit Dallas, envisioning herself playing collegiate level lacrosse one day.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CATA LITTRELL

“Hockaday is really nice because you get what you put into sports,” Littrell said. “So if you want something that’s really intense or you want to win some championships and practice every single day, then you can do that.” Littrell said. “If you just want a fun sport where you can meet new people and you want a low-key thing, then you can get that too.” Entering Upper School presented a new challenge for Littrell; she faced a learning curve as other players began to catch up to her in height and athleticism. “Lacrosse recruiting happens really early and that learning curve really tested my mental strength,” Littrell said. “As a Middle Schooler, I based a lot of my personality around playing lacrosse and being this athletic girl, and not seeing the reward in that anymore as a freshman in high school was very difficult.” After years of envisioning her future college athletic experience, Littrell said that the stress and pressure of recruitment began to take away the joy of her favorite sport. “Going into my sophomore year summer, thinking about recruiting, I was really worn and exhausted and I kind of saw it as once I committed

PHOTO COURTESY OF LILY ROBERTS

to a college I was just done; it took me a long time to realize that is when the work really starts,” Littrell said. “You need to start preparing yourself to play at that next level, and I realized that wasn’t something I was really able to do and wasn’t something I wanted to do, so mid-way through my recruiting summer I officially decided that I

As a track and field athlete and captain, senior Lily Roberts never truly explored the path of running in college. “I didn’t really ever consider it as an option,” she said. “I was thinking more about what college I’d be happiest at.” After seeing a significant improvement in her performance from her sophomore year to junior year, Roberts’ view on her potential of running at the next level changed, but by then she felt it was too late. “There was a big jump for me between sophomore and junior year,” Littrell ‘26 plays lacrosse. Roberts said. didn’t want to play in college.” “And by then, recruiting season had Littrell said this decision was already started.” extremely hard as lacrosse was such a Despite her uncertainty in the large part of her life for so long. recruiting process, Roberts’ experience “It was definitely a difficult choice, with track and field has still been and it took me a lot of time to come to incredibly meaningful and impactful terms with it,” Littrell said. “I had to to her. She recently beat the school step away and find myself as a regular girl.” But even now, with her final season and her time as a captain coming to an end, Littrell doesn’t see it as a true ending. “I don’t feel like it’s ending, I just think it’s changing,” PHOTO COURTESY OF PEYTON JOHNSON Littrell said. “I feel like this season is just making record for the long jump, and although sure that I give it everything I have her events are individual, she feels and make sure that this team strives to that none of it could be accomplished leave an impact.” without the support of her team. While Littrell found that her “You don’t always think of track as solution is stepping away from the a team sport, but it’s one of the most collegiate path, other Hockaday encouraging [sports],” Roberts said. athletes never even got to experience “You get to uplift your teammates the recruiting process. during a meet, and they do the same for you.” A similar dedication to personal commitment and teamwork defines senior, who found a different kind of fulfilling rigor in rowing. Although she only began in freshman year, for senior Peyton Johnson, rowing quickly became a Roberts 26’ celebrates track meet win. central part of her

high school experience. “Rowing has taught me to take my work ethic to the next level,” Johnson said. “It made me more organized, more focused and better at managing my time.” As a two-season sport with yearround demands, rowing required a level of discipline and commitment that shaped her daily life. At the same time, it taught her a balance between independence and teamwork in sports. “You’re only in control of yourself, but you’re all working together,” Johnson said. When it came time to consider college, she approached the decision with a clear priority of academics over athletics. “I wanted to pick my school for my school, not for rowing,” Johnson said. Although she explored the possibility of recruitment, she ultimately struggled to see herself committing to a college based primarily on athletics. However, that process helped her feel confident in her decision. “Going through recruiting made me realize this was the right decision for me,” she said. Now, as her final season unfolds,

Johnson 26’ rows at Regatta.

her relationship with the sport has shifted. Without the pressure of recruitment or the need to prove herself, she has found a new sense of perspective. “I always felt like I had to prove my worth,” Johnson said. “Now, I can just enjoy it. I’m sad that it’s coming to an end, but I’m excited to try new things.”

May 1, 2026

OPINIONS

Trade your bed for a barista Coffee shops create an ideal study space

By Siena Ebert Editor-in-Chief

tudying is more than a pastime. It requires sustained focus, time and a level of commitment that is difficult to achieve in a space designed for comfort and distraction. While studying at home may seem convenient, it often undermines productivity. The bed, traditionally associated with rest, becomes a constant temptation, inviting you to lie down “just for a minute” after a long day. The refrigerator calls from the kitchen, turning a quick snack into an extended detour of chopping, cooking and cleaning. Then there is the phone. Without external accountability, it becomes the ultimate distraction. A quick fiveminute break can spiral into hours of mindless scrolling while assignments sit untouched. Without clear boundaries, the line between work and rest begins to blur, reducing study time to scattered, unfocused effort. The most effective place to study is not at home, but in a cozy café. Coffee

shops provide an environment that naturally encourages concentration. The steady hum of conversation, the rhythm of baristas at work and the presence of others create a sense of quiet accountability. You are not being watched, but you are not entirely alone. Going to a café transforms studying into a deliberate activity. Packing a bag, finding a seat and ordering a drink creates a routine that signals it is time to focus. Unlike at home, where distractions are built into the environment, a café offers a space where productivity feels like the expectation rather than the exception.

Critics of cafe studying often point to noise and cost as drawbacks. However, moderate background noise can actually enhance focus and creativity, offering a balance that silence at home often lacks. While buying a drink may seem like an unnecessary expense, it can serve as both an investment in productivity and a tangible incentive to keep going. Coffee shops also offer flexibility that home cannot. When focus begins to fade, there is always the option to “café hop” and move to another nearby coffee shop. A change of scenery can reset attention, restore motivation and make long study sessions feel less draining. Instead

PRO

of pushing through burnout in the same room, students can refresh their mindset simply by relocating. Ultimately, productivity is not just about time spent, but about the quality of that time. Studying at home may feel easy, but ease often leads to distraction. In contrast, a café offers three elements essential for meaningful work: structure, intention and momentum. In a world filled with constant digital distractions and blurred boundaries between work and rest, environment becomes a powerful tool rather than an afterthought. Choosing where you study is, in many ways, choosing how you study. A café does not eliminate distractions entirely, but it reframes them, placing you in a setting where focus feels purposeful rather than forced. For students looking to study more effectively, the solution may not be more discipline, but a better space that works with your habits instead of against them.

STAFF STANDOFF Study Location Edition

Be comfortable

Homes act as consistent study spaces By Jenny Chu Staff Writer Picture this: a Hockaday student at a café with plans to study and get a bite to eat. There’s the familiar pressure to buy something, as well as the hunger that magically sparks when you see a case full of pastries. There are the kids who won’t stop talking in the corner, the LinkedIn bro on a Zoom call with thick black headphones. These are all scenes I have experienced when trying to study at a coffee shop, and once the excitement wears off, it’s subpar for the effort, sustained pressure, and cost it requires to exist there. Personally, I find my home or the library a much calmer and more efficient location to “lock in.” What begins as a change of scenery can quickly become an inefficient routine that prioritizes atmosphere over consistent, focused academic productivity for many students. Though these choices may seem insignificant, they add up over time and might be affecting your wallet and

your mentality more than you think. It’s really important to stay conscious of your time management, and setting is undeniably an aspect of it. Furthermore, if you’re studying as a group, good luck. I’ve had club meetings and study sessions at these establishments, and there is often too much noise to even hear each other properly or completely focus on work. You can even work as a group at home and have all of the community and fun of studying outside, but with a controlled and efficient external noise level. Cafés may help your motivation in the short term, but over time they

become counterproductive to actual action and dedication. We often don’t consciously think about how much our environment affects our focus and stress levels, but in the case of academics they become paramount. Arguably, homes are for rest and sleep, and sometimes it’s hard to associate a calming place with the stress of work, yet it is ultimately for your benefit. After all, these $6 coffees add up to something that can’t merely be written off as a trifling expense. In my case, staying at home provides the perfect opportunity to have access to meals without spending

CON

extra money or gas, and I can work in a space that is entirely my own. I can dress comfortably, control the noise level, and complete tasks at my own pace. While this may not apply to most students, for whomever it does, it’s a worthy change to note. Eating at home also promotes healthier habits, since you’re directly seeing and making what you’re eating. For a change of scenery, you could even try studying outside, whether at a park or on campus. Outdoor spaces provide natural light and fewer commercial pressures, both of which improve mood, give you free vitamin D, and reduce cognitive fatigue in a beautiful, open environment. Ultimately, I believe it makes more sense to prioritize studying in spaces that are already accessible and free, rather than paying for the “privilege” of working in a potentially distracting space. It’s helpful to save that money, no matter how infinitesimal. Tuition doesn’t pay itself!

The Hockaday School

OPINIONS

Beyond the AP label

Students should weigh classes before course selections

By Haniya Khowaja Features Editor hen course selections for next year began, debate sparked among Hockaday students over how to fulfill the U.S. history requirement. While some registered for the Advanced Placement (AP) course in hopes of earning college credit, others chose one of the three Honors seminars, either because they were less interested in pursuing an AP history course or because they preferred a more in-depth approach to U.S. history through focused themes. This divide reflects the differences in students’ priorities and approaches to course selection. While AP classes can be worthwhile for students whose goals align with earning college credit, meaningful learning should remain the priority. For some, AP courses offer structure and breadth that can be appealing. However, factors such as credit transfer policies, course

weighting and the difference between depth and range all play a role in determining whether AP or Honors is the better choice for a student. In 2026-2027 course catalog, Honors classes are “taught at or above the AP level and are designed by Hockaday faculty members.” While they provide comparable rigor, AP classes follow

college. Some schools grant credit for high AP scores, while others do not. Policies vary by institution and subject. At some colleges, a score of 4 or 5 is required to earn credit, while others do not require certain exams at all. Because of this variation, it’s important for students to research individual college policies before

a curriculum with exams by College Board each May. Because both options are academically challenging, students are often left weighing other factors when making their decision. College credit is one of the main reasons students choose AP courses, but whether that credit is awarded depends on the

assuming AP scores will transfer. Also, all courses at Hockaday are weighted equally, meaning neither AP nor Honors classes provide a GPA advantage. Another factor that affects student choices is interest in the subject. For those who enjoy a faster-

paced, broad overview of a topic, AP courses can be rewarding. However, instead of filling schedules with multiple AP classes, students may benefit more from selecting courses that align with their interests and learning styles. For example, Honors seminars may appeal to students who prefer to engage in a single theme in greater depth rather than covering a wide range of material. When deciding between AP and Honors courses, students should consider whether the class supports both their academic goals and personal interests. While AP courses can offer potential college credit and a broad academic foundation, Honors seminars provide space for deeper exploration and discussion. In the long run, a balanced course load matters more than the number of AP courses on a transcript.

PHOTO: ISABELLA PORTERA

Mind vs machine

How Daisies can balance the advantages of AI with ethics By Claire Gicheru Castoff & Special Features Editor We are the AI generation - each one of us is seeing revolutionary changes in our society before our very eyes. Our generation is completely attached to artificial intelligence; we are hooked on its expediency and ease. In a society that demands more work at a quicker pace, large language models like ChatGPT and Gemini can help us keep up with the world. Does AI have negative impacts? Absolutely. As a community, should we shut out AI and ignore its existence? Absolutely not. AI is here to stay, so learning how to use it ethically is critical for everyone. According to the Student Handbook, “The Hockaday School is committed to leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance educational outcomes and foster a culture of innovation and responsible digital citizenship as appropriate.” One of the most impressive

qualities that we have as Daisies is our self-reliance and self-assurance. However, with our busy schedules and activities inside and outside of school, AI seems like the solution to help us measure up to the demanding expectations put on us. I’ve heard the saying “to do hard things, you have to do hard things” many times. As annoying as it can be to hear when you’re exhausted, it has some truth to it: How can we trust ourselves to do the truly hard things when the stakes are high if we can’t do the hard or uncomfortable things when the pressure’s low? I think this guideline helps with figuring out when it’s appropriate to use artificial intelligence. Think to yourself: if am I missing out on an opportunity to improve a skill here, is it worth it? Sometimes when I get really stressed out about studying for a test,

I’ll have artificial intelligence help create a study schedule for me, giving me a visual layout of how much time I should spend reviewing each topic. I’ve also tried to ask ChatGPT for extra practice problems for math or break down hard concepts for science. It sometimes makes things a little simpler for me to understand, but no AI chatbot has ever provided me with a better explanation than a teacher has or even one of my peers. We can’t only rely on or depend on the aid of AI chatbots. These chatbots are not in our classrooms, so they cannot take into account our unique curriculum in their answers or understand the methods that we are taught. Hockaday education is invaluable and one-of-a kind. While we rush to ask all AI chatbots for immediate answers, I truly believe we often already have the answers ourselves

from our individual and unique human experiences. Learning in this environment is a privilege. It’s easy to forget the privilege you have when you are so used to that. We should take full advantage of the opportunities we have here at Hockaday. A lot of us use AI to work more efficiently, but also because many of us have a fear of failing. High school is the time to make mistakes so we can correct them while we have teachers who want to help us grow. I understand that it may seem like AI’s work is valued more than our own, but we must remember that the work our brains produce is far more invaluable. Embrace doing the hard things and your human mistakes and learn from them – each step is an investment in your future self. Trust yourself and your capabilities: you are far more qualified than you know.

USE MAGIC SCHOOL AI FOR SCHOOL APPROVED CHATBOTS

The

May 1, 2026

Fourcast

Real or a performance? Influencers promote dangerous ideals

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Siena Ebert & Elizabeth Farrell WEB EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Mary Elise Estess & Katie Ma MANAGING EDITORS Juliette Friguletto & Aneeka Tansen COPY EDITING TEAM Haniya Khowaja, Isabella Portera & Sophia Salem MULTIMEDIA EDITORS Gwendolyn Becker & Anderson Rhodus NEWS EDITORS Aria Knepler-Pearl ARTS & LIFE EDITORS Isabella Portera & Savannah Simon FEATURES EDITORS Tanvi Cherukuri & Haniya Khowaja SPORTS EDITOR Brooklyn Friesen OPINIONS EDITORS Sara Vijay & Lucy Pigott CASTOFF & SPECIAL FEATURES EDITOR Claire Gicheru BUSINESS MANAGER Sophia Salem STAFF WRITERS Mia Frary, Sophie Cho & Samara Bhakti 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 400 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 Editorial on the Opinions page reflects the position of The Fourcast staff, but not necessarily the position 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 editors-in-chief. Only signed pieces will be published. Corrections and clarifications from previous issues will be found in the news section. Questions or concerns should be addressed to Editors-in-Chief Siena Ebert (SEbert27@hockaday.org) or Elizabeth Farrell (EFarrell27@hockaday.org).

crolling through social media, it’s easy to feel like you know celebrities. From Instagram posts to advertisements on television, a built-up online persona latches onto fans. Yet, what passes as authenticity online is anything but. Social media celebrities present a polished performance with an intimate façade, shaping society and its viewers in ways most fans don’t consider. Most problems start with the ‘curated’ nature of online content. Social media content is crafted to gain likes, sponsorships and public approval. Celebrities hold a unique social responsibility, with influence that can shape anything from mental health to productivity standards, shifting the cultural norms of their followers. The norm should be to have the courage to show imperfection, rather than covering up raw moments and disregarding their importance. Fans are more authentically drawn to this, no matter the topic. 31-year-old Taylor Frankie Paul, a Utah based influencer, built her career from, as she states on her Instagram, “be[ing] completely okay with being misunderstood.” As the founder of MomTok, a TikTok community of Mormon influencers from Utah, she has garnered over six million followers as of April 2026. Paul is famous for her “Taylor Frankie Paul-style" of sweatpants, Crocs and an oversized hoodie. Fans commend Paul for staying true to her comfort-based style rather than following trends. A few months into her TikTok stardom, Paul was caught in a sexual scandal with her then husband Tate Paul, fellow MomTok member Miranda Hope and her husband Chase McWhorter. Paul exposed the scandal in a candid live stream shortly following her divorce announcement. Today, Paul is part of Hulu reality show “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives”, which showcases MomTok’s drama following the sexual scandal that gave the group their fame. With SOURCE: IMBD

four seasons released, Paul is labeled as the star of the group by many of MomTok’s members. Paul gained her notoriety from her unabashed nature. Following her divorce, Paul began dating fellow influencer Dakota Mortensen, having a child with him in March 2024. In 2023, TMZ published a copcam video of the couple following a domestic violence complaint with Paul allegedly the aggressor. The footage made headlines. Critics claimed Paul is a dangerous role model for young women, but many supporters said that Paul showed what it was to be human by being candid about her experience dealing with tumultuous emotions of motherhood, a difficult relationship and online criticism. Paul escaped criticism relatively unscathed until March 2026. On March 19, TMZ released a previously unreleased video showing Paul and Mortensen’s 2023 domestic altercation behind the scenes. In the video, filmed by Mortensen, Paul is shown throwing chairs and screaming while her child is present. In the subsequent fallout, ABC pulled upcoming season 22 “The Bachelorette,” which starred Paul. Despite her actions, her fans continue to stand by her. On March 29, Paul posted an Instagram video in which she is playing piano. Fans posted hundreds of supportive comments. User @ justanotherinstagal commented “Energy shift is REAL... it’s only up from here babe ”; user @jswinggle commented “ Healing one day at a time;” and user @jadekevinfoster commented “you’ve got this babe your the star, and stars never fall @ taylorfrankiepaul x.” Paul represents a broader movement of fans enabling influencers, claiming they are just ‘human.’ But when a human becomes an influencer, should there be new expectations or them? Not all celebrities contribute negative, misleading prompts on the internet. Some stars bring positive awareness to social issues on their platforms. For example, influencer Emma Chamberlain shares real-life struggles with mental health and personal insecurities on her platform. While detached from the curated standard of Instagram and YouTube, she still has gathered a large following, promoting shared vulnerability rather than achieving perfection. Her story simply promotes confidence and acceptance in society rather than the shallow, superficial concepts that many influencers gravitate towards. Six years ago, Chamberlain debuted her podcast, “Anything Goes” as a conversational podcast applicable to anyone. Organized in a stream of consciousness style, Chamberlain often records from the

SOURCE: SPOTIFY

comfort of her bed. In an episode, she will discuss whatever comes to mind, from friendship breakups to 80’s fashion to more existential, philosophical questions. Chamberlain also gets candid with her fans by sharing her personal struggles with the hopes she will spread awareness and inspire her listeners to better themselves. On July 6, 2023, Chamberlain released an episode that she admitted she had been avoiding titled “nicotine addiction.” Chamberlain talked about her journey away from nicotine in a personable way, citing specific moments in her life where she felt embarrassed about her use or moments when she repeatedly fell into the addiction. Although Chamberlain is now viewed as closer to a celebrity than content creator, her fame originated from her editing style on YouTube. At 16, she revolutionized vlogging formats by editing her videos around her self-deprecating humor and fast-paced videos. Her older videos are filled with high energy, memedriven cuts and effects that show her lively persona as a teenager. Today, however, Chamberlain’s style has evolved to reflect her personal evolution. Her editing style is now slower paced and has longer shots, with an artsy feel to all her work. Despite Chamberlain’s acceptance of public struggles and vulnerability, many social media stars do not recreate the same environment of acceptance on their platforms. Although influencers such as Chamberlain do exist, they fill a much smaller percentage of content creators, and don’t completely erase the toxicity promoted by the thousands of other ‘perfect’ accounts or the thousands of influencers who promote dangerous ideals. As these pages are specifically created to build a façade of perfection, the positive influence brought in by truthful influencers is rarely understood or appreciated in the grand scheme of the internet. Consumers of social media should take all content, regardless of the influencer, with a grain of salt, acknowledging that what you see is part of a brand that has been curated for years.

The Hockaday School

May 1, 2026

CASTOFF

Fiona Treacy Vicky Santana UT Austin Texas A&M Audrey Liu Sophia Lou s r Undecided Yale we Lilly Po rews d . An U. of St

Asom Sena UBC

Anya Tewari UChicago Lang Cooper Pepperdine

Jada Muhia Boston U.

Mary Hall Undecided

Lola Lambert Undecided

Kathryn Epperson IE University Anaiya Saxena Northeastern

Betty Wimberly Boston College

Maya Patel UT Austin

W o N rks YU

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Me Gr lin U ay d T D Au a Hu a sti Ya m n le on te

Kristy Chen Rice U. Jes Scr sie ipp Mo An s C ran ni olle eP ge en d W leto as n hU

u gw o Od stin i om Au Na UT Maddy Nguyen

Undecided

Pan Yolanda ern Izzy Hu est Northw UT Austin

a Anjali Kond Brown

Emily McLeroy Johns Hopkins

Sara Kocurek Brown

Jiajia Li Undecided

Sasha Kitson Georgetown Isabella Luo Columbia Pilar Hoitsma Santa Clara

Sarah Moskowitz Dartmouth Sara Framjee Texas A&M

Reva Donepudi Undecided

Anne Helfrich WashU

Cata Littrell Undecided

ple Mia Tem olina h Car U. Sout

Louella Jacobson U. of St. Andrews

Laila Scott UT Austin

Anika Gopal UT Austin

Lola Railsback Connecticut C.

Caiti Muller U. Kentucky

Birdie Anderson Leela Phillip Sewanee Rice Lily Brown Wake Forest Celina Li MIT

Sara Gupta UT Austin

Kate Kroeger Tulane Evelyn Yau Rab NYU e Van l McN der utt bilt

Eleanor Bell TCU

Cortney Buford UPenn

Grace Jiang NYU

Olivia Reagor Stephens College

Eleanor Murchison Auburn

Alina Zheng UT Austin

Xeno Bennet St. Olaf College

in W

Callie Li MIT

Callan Fox Davidson College

Virginia Dunn Undecided

ta llot e Ba olin te Car Colga

Aimee Hsu Emory

Gabby Carter Howard U.

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Allie Gerber Undecided n Guru z i n e D rn weste North

Isla McKenna Brown

Elyana Brook UCLA

Anika Shah UT Austin

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Claire Ying Undecided

Jessica Boll Boston U. Eliza Vand Stone erbi lt

May a Ba

Angela Yan CalTech

Lily Roberts UT Austin

Megan Li UC Berkeley

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Lily Fagelman UT Austin

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Nadia Guevara Undecided

Mischa Rutl edge UT Austin

Savannah Chun UPenn

Fendley Obert Columbia U.

Allison Wagner Undecided

Devyn Galardi TCU

Aadhya Yanamadala Harvard

Raiya Clayton Lehigh University

Nitya Yarlagedda Undecided

Sophie Zhan Vanderbilt

ns mo im &M ie S s A dd Texa Ma

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Sharika Mandyam WashU ni a Nai Aany ided c Unde Iris Zhang Undecided Chloe Oescheger r e t s e h Undecided inc Emily W iversity Un Baylor Anna Claughton u p a g Tulane Riya San d e id c Unde Angelina Crook son Mimi David TCU Tanvi Joshi UCL Undecided