August 2019 Issue by The Harvard-Westlake Chronicle

CHRONICLE the harvard westlake

Studio City • Volume 29 • Issue 1 • August 28, 2019 • hwchronicle.com

Ross to take new position

By Tammer Bagdasarian

better for our pursuit of excellence and for our relationships with family and friends and our general well-being. It’s really important that we do not lose sight of what we hope to accomplish at [River Park]— field space, gym space [and] facility space that will enable students to have more balance in their lives. That needs to be front and center for what we’re trying to do for Harvard-Westlake.” Members of the community will be permitted to use the tennis courts and fields when students are not practicing. In general, the facilities will be open to the public between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m, as well as on weekends. For recreation, River Park will also include a jogging trail, multiple plazas, wooded areas, ponds and a six-acre park. These areas will be fully acces-

Current Head of Upper School Laura Ross will assume the position of Associate Head of School in July 2020, replacing Interim Associate Head of School Debbie Reed. The decision to appoint Ross is the result of a search for a long-term replacement following the passing of former Associate Head of School Liz Resnick in March. President and Head of School Rick Commons said that, after asking Reed to fill the interim position in May, he gathered with the school’s leadership team to weigh different options. Ultimately, the school decided to refrain from conducting a nationwide search instead of electing to promote from within. “I came to the conclusion in the middle of the summer that I just couldn’t imagine finding somebody who would be better at leading, teaching, learning and collaborating with me and the other leaders of the school than [Ross],” Commons said. During the 2019-2020 school year, Ross will continue to serve as Head of Upper School, while Reed will carry out the duties of Associate Head of School. As Associate Head of School next school year, Ross will transition to more of an advisory role, dealing with larger-scope issues rather than day-to-day concerns, she said. Ross will work closely with Commons to help guide the school’s direction and oversee the major middle and upper school divisions. “The [Head of Upper School] job can be very reactive, and you are often dealing with a lot of issues as they arise,” Ross said. “At the same time, issues like the scheduling change have given rise to these huge conversations about what we value and who we are as a school.

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WALK IN THE PARK: The school unveiled plans to turn Weddington Golf & Tennis into River Park in a realistic computer generated design. In the proposed plan, the new facilities will include an athletic center, multiple fields and eco-friendly green spaces.

School announces plans for River Park By Lindsay Wu After a year-long design process, the school has released draft site plans for its River Park campus, which will offer athletic and recreational facilities to both the Harvard-Westlake and Studio City communities. The new project will not only help improve student life, but will also significantly benefit the neighbors and the environment, President Rick Commons said. The school intends to develop River Park from what is currently Weddington Golf & Tennis. The 16-acre property is located between Whitsett Avenue and the Los Angeles River, less than one mile from the Upper School. The proposed facilities will include two fields, one track, one gymnasium, a 50-meter

swimming pool and eight ten- Athletics Terry Barnum said. nis courts. “[River Park] is going to give These new spaces will sup- our athletes an opportunity to plement the existing Ted Slavin get home sooner,” Barnum Field, Taper Gym and Hamil- said. “Having additional athton Gym, enabling more teams letic facilities will allow them to train at the to not have to same time, stay late for Head of Upper practice as The project School Laura often as they will be really good Ross said. do now. They for [the school], the “How awewill have more some would it space when neighborhood and the be that girls’ they are pracneeds of the community.” ticing, since and boys’ basketball [could] —Rick Commons right now they practice at the to share President have same time, just spaces.” in two different Concluding gyms?” Ross said. “I just think, training sessions earlier will for us, it will make such a huge also allow students to achieve difference.” healthier lifestyles, Commons Currently, it is common for said. two or three teams to share “Students who participate one practice field. However, in sports regularly aren’t getthe increased number of ath- ting to sleep,” Commons said. letic spaces will allow multiple “We know from personal expesquads to train in their own ar- rience, and we know from scieas at the same time, Head of ence that getting more sleep is

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Former football head coach leaves school after 6-5 season, playoff loss By Keila McCabe The Athletic Department announced that former football Program Head Michael Burnett has stepped down and will no longer be able to coach the team due to personal reasons. Former assistant coach Ramsey Lambert will assume the role of Interim Head Coach of the varsity football team at the start of the term. During football’s summer training camp, Burnett informed players and their families that he would no longer be able to coach the team due to personal reasons.

“I have always preached that being a good husband and father is the most important part of being a man, and my last few years of coaching have not allowed me to be those things to my family,” Burnett said in an email to the football families. “The external pressures of coaching football have increased dramatically over the last several years, and those pressures over the past year have taken a personal toll on me and my family.” Head of Athletics Terry Barnum sent an email with Burnett’s message to the football families Aug. 5 before the first

day of team camp, the program’s annual summer training. “Summer has been going great,” Barnum said. “We have 50 guys out for the high school team which is a good number for us. The camp went really well. Guys had a good time. It was a mix of football and social activities, so they really got a chance to build some team bonds which hopefully carries to a successful year.” Lambert said although the coaching change was a surprise, the players are still • Continued on D2

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Aug. 28, 2019

Cohen to speak at ceremony By Hannah Han and Kyra Hudson To continue the tradition established last year, the Class of 2020 elected English teacher Sara Cohen as its faculty speaker. Cohen will deliver the closing speech at this year’s Senior Ceremony on Sept. 15. “I’m extremely honored to have been chosen to speak,” Cohen said. “[I’m] totally surprised. I had to read the email from [President Rick] Commons two or three times before it sank in.” The senior class chose Cohen to represent their grade through a vote including all of the faculty members. The Class of 2019 selected Upper School Coordinator of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and science teacher Nate Cardin to speak at their ceremony last year. Jaya Nayar ’20, who was in Cohen’s English class as a junior, said Cohen’s compassion and ability to connect with students will enable her to give a particularly poignant speech. “I think [Cohen] demonstrates the role of what it’s like to have a teacher who cares a about the students and that will also teach them a lot of meaningful things,” Nayar said. Cohen said that she is now focused on writing her speech for the event. “The speech is still a work in progress,” Cohen said. “Let’s just say there will almost certainly be at least one literary allusion. I came up with the topic the way I come up with all of my class discussion topics: I thought about my students, what they’ve shared with me about themselves and about the role I play in their lives. And of course, I thought about literature.”

CAITLIN CHUNG/CHRONICLE

QUAD TALK: Head of Upper School Laura Ross talks with Michael Lehrhoff ’20 and Justin Park ’20 on the quad. Ross will assume her new position in just under a year. In the meantime, Debbie Reed will serve as the Interim Associate Head of School.

Ross to become Associate Head of School in 2020 • Continued from page A3

The fact that now I will be able to spend my time focusing on conversations like that is something I am definitely excited about.” When Ross stepped in as Head of Upper School in 2017, she said that one of her biggest objectives was to bridge the gap between the administration and the student body by building strong interpersonal relationships. Ross said that since arriving at the school, she has been able to incorporate what she learned from students into her work. “My office will now be up in [Seaver Hall], so I will be a

little more out of the way, but that just means I will need to be more intentional about engineering those opportunities,” Ross said. “I don’t know what form [they] will take, but [building relationships with students] is still a major goal of mine and something that is really important to me.” Ross, who spearheaded the upper school block schedule initiative, will now be able to play a larger role in overseeing the change when it goes into effect during the fall of 2020. Commons said that he believes Ross’s familiarity with the scheduling change will benefit the school and that he is looking forward to collabo-

rating with her on similarly critical decisions. “She does not hesitate in any conversation to question something that I have offered as an opinion or a way of doing things, which I really need,” Commons said. “If we don’t have anyone questioning the things we are thinking about or the way we are approaching things, we surely aren’t as good as when we do have somebody offering new ideas and challenging us to defend the ideas we have.” The school is currently involved in an international search for a new Head of Upper School to replace Ross in 2020.

Commons said that the school is working to narrow down the list of candidates, and that he hopes to make a final decision by the end of October. “I’m hoping that by having an internal appointment in one position and the broad search in the other, we are not being too insular; that we are gaining the benefit of someone who really knows us,” Commons said. “I just have no doubt going into my work with [Ross] that she’s going to be great at it. When you hire someone from outside, you sometimes have your fingers crossed that it will work out. With [Ross] I know it’s going to work.”

In the issue...

A5 FELLOWSHIP FUN: Seven

students traveled to locations across the world after receiving an HWGo! fellowship.

A11 PEACEFUL PRACTICES: A

yoga class emphasizes living in the moment and disucsses the expectations we have.

B4-5 WALK

THE

PARK:

Community members express their concerns about the new River Park campus.

The Chronicle, the student newspaper of Harvard-Westlake School, is published 8 times per year and distributed for free on both the upper and middle school campuses. There are about 730 students at the Middle School and 870 at the Upper School. Subscriptions may be purchased for $20 a year for delivery by mail. Unsigned editorials represent the majority opinion of the seniors on the Editorial Board. Letters to the

C1 MINORITIES IN MEDIA:

Students reflect on the effects of casting black female actors in traditionally white roles.

D1 FIELD HOCKEY: Bella Gano-

cy ’22 pushes the ball up the field as the team takes the win against Bonita High School.

editor may be submitted to chronicle@hw.com or mailed to 3700 Coldwater Canyon Ave., Studio City, CA 91604. Letters must be signed and may be edited for space and to conform to Chronicle style and format. Advertising questions may be directed to Zack Schwartz at zschwartz1@hwemail.com. Publication of an advertisement does not imply endorsement of the product or service by the newspaper or the school.

AUG. 28, 2019

HWCHRONICLE.COM/NEWS

School to build new facilities

NEWS A3

• Continued from A1

ible for neighbors during the campus’s operational hours, Commons said. The school also plans to construct parking spaces and an underground garage for visitors to use. Students and faculty will not park in this structure and will take shuttle buses from the Upper School to River Park. The project will also feature one of the largest privatelyfunded water reclamation systems in Los Angeles, Ross said. After rain runoff is captured and treated, it will be used for landscaping purposes or released to the Los Angeles Ruver if storage capacity is reached. River Park is still in preliminary stages of development. Currently, the school is working with members of the Studio City community to identify and resolve their concerns. “We’re in the process of communicating with our neighbors, and their attitudes range from grateful and really excited to supportive and hopeful that it will work out to neutral to some who are opposed,” Commons said. “And there are some who are concerned because they simply don’t want the facility, as it stands, to change at all.” The school will continue to welcome feedback from neighbors through public meetings this coming fall. After its plans fully develop, the school will ﬁle environmental impact and trafﬁc studies reports, which impartial professionals will evaluate, Commons said. Subsequently, plans will become publicly available, and a local commission must then approve them. Finally, the school must attain approval from the city council, a process that can take approximately 18 months. Commons said the school hopes to start construction in two years and begin using River Park in four.

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SHANGHAI SAFARI: Recipients of the Faculty Summer Fellowship Program travelled to Shanghai to tour the panda reserves June 20. Although the primary objective of the trip was to learn about the history of Chinese cuisine, faculty members also toured major landmarks within each city.

Faculty explores Chinese culture and history By LAUREN CHO As a part of the ﬁfth annual Summer Faculty Fellowship Program, 20 faculty members traveled to various locations in China to explore the country’s history and cuisine from June 10 to 20. Director of Kutler Center and Summer Programs Jim Patterson said that there were multiple considerations that the group factored in when they chose China as this year’s fellowship location. “One factor that has weighed heavily on our decision [to travel to China] was looking at the cultural makeup of Harvard-Westlake,” Patterson said. “There is a large

population of students who Dunlop, well known among have that cultural heritage in chefs in Sichuan, traveled their families, so it is an op- with the group in the provportunity for the faculty to un- ince and guided the members derstand some of the history by explaining the history and and culture of the cuisine of speciﬁc students.” foods, history teacher The faculty memCelia Goedde said. bers started in the “As the plates city of Chengdu, came out, she would where they were able comment on all of to experience Sichthem and how a dish uan cuisine by eatmight be a particuing foods that reﬂect lar regional specialty ’ the Chinese culture. and how it might difCelia In addition, they fer from what we had Goedde toured historical a day or two earlier,” sites such as Mount Goedde said. Emei, Chengdu Museum and In order to provide more Dujiangyan, an ancient irriga- insight on Chinese cuisine, tion system. the group also visited a culiWriter and cook Fuschia nary museum to learn about WHITE S

Upper, middle school students visit World War II monuments in Europe By CELINE PARK

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EAGLE SCOUTS: Students accompanied by faculty members visited

Eagle’s Nest, Adolf Hitler’s secret hideout in the Berchtesgaden, Germany.

the development of Chinese cuisine. To conclude the journey, the faculty traveled eastward to Hangzhou and Shanghai, where they went on walking tours along historical sites, traditional lane streets and panda reserves. “The [Summer Faculty Fellowship Program] always exceeds expectations because there are so many elements that crisscross,” Interdisciplinary Studies Department Head and History Teacher Larry Klein said. “The places always play more deeply and more fully than they do on paper, and the underestimated piece of this is how everybody gets along.”

Students and teachers from both campuses traveled to Europe from Jun. 9 to 22 to experience historical World War II landmarks ﬁrst-hand. The group began its journey in London, where attendees visited well-known locations such as the Churchill War Rooms, the Imperial War Museum and sites on the Jack the Ripper tour. The next stop for the group was Normandy, France, the location of Operation Overlord (D-Day). The next stop for the group was Normandy, where they got to explore the beaches where Operation Overlord, commonly known as D-Day, occurred. Attendance Coordinator Gabriel Preciado said visiting Omaha Beach helped him fully realize the weight of the war. “[When I was there,] I was trying to imagine that fateful day,” Preciado said. “I was thinking about the young men who were involved and the sacriﬁces they made. It must’ve been a scary moment in their lives.”

History teacher Lilas Lane really compares in showing the said she thought the physi- horrors of the Holocaust than cal landscape of Normandy seeing the sites in person.” brought the history of World It was eye-opening for War II to life. Lane to see current-day Ger“Just imagine what it must have been like scaling those mans’ different feelings about World War II, cliffs, seeshe said. ing the craters of where “One of the the artillery Seeing the big takeaways had dropped was just how massive size of the the bombs, ambivalent camp in person made the Nazis and people still are their guns, me realize the true in Germany,” looking at scale of this atrocity.” Lane said. “I the stretch of the beaches,” —Grant Keller ’21 think it’s a Lane said. “It’s point of condifferent from ﬂict and there documentaries and photo- is still tension within the Gergraphs.” man society, for sure.” During After France, the group went to Munich to visit the the last four days of the trip, Dachau Concentration Camp students and faculty explored and learn more about the Ho- Berlin, where they saw Checklocaust. point Charlie, the Berlin War, Grant Keller ‘21 said he the Brandenburg Gate and thought the concentration also toured the Reichstag. camp was the most meaningNext year’s trip to Europe will ful place he visited. “Seeing the massive size of be focused on the Cold War, the camp in person made me Lane said. Some potential citrealize the true scale of this ies they might visit are Berlin, atrocity,” Keller said. “Nothing Warsaw and Budapest.

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AUG. 28, 2019

HWCHRONICLE.COM/NEWS

BLACC tours art museum

NEWS A4

By FRANK JIANG

Black Leadership Awareness and Culture Club hosted its annual retreat Aug. 18. This year, the event took place at the Middle School and included a trip to The Broad museum to help students further develop their self-identity as African Americans. BLACC first gathered on campus to engage in team-bonding activities and attend a panel that Executive Producer Nkechi Okoro Carroll and Actor Daniel Ezra, who worked on the show “All-American,” hosted. They described their experiences as African-Americans in the television industry and answered the audience members’ questions. “It was just really interesting to hear the parallel experiences between Carroll and Ezra] trying to make it in Hollywood and how a lot of kids in independent schools like Harvard-Westlake are trying to fit in and find their way in an environment that isn’t always so reflective of them,” BLACC

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STOCKING UP FOR SCHOOL: Student members of BLACC helped stuff backpacks to donate to underpriveleged children in the community. During the 30 minute parents and faculty panel, students were able to ﬁnish ﬁlling 200 bags with school supplies. co-chair Remi Patton ’20 said. Following Daniel Ezra’s and Nkechi Okoro Carroll’s panel, BLACC visited The Broad downtown, where they viewed the “Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power” exhibit. In addition, students perused other galleries on display, such

Prefects plan for school

as Jean-Michel Basquiat’s paintings, with their free time. The retreat concluded with another panel, where faculty and alumni answered any questions regarding the students’ trip. At the same time, members of the BLACC club helped as-

semble 200 backpacks to donate. “I remember this one exhibit included a upright door with the word ‘Admissions’ tacked on above it and a lot of hands and other shapes on the door,” Upper School Dean and faculty BLACC adviser Chris Jones

said. “I thought it was interesting how when we got back, a lot of other students noted this same exhibit due to the fact that even at a younger age during the middle school even, kids were already thinking about these things in the past too.”

year, take annual retreat cilities during all community periods.” At the end of the prefects’ Upper school prefects and Community Council members retreat, all members met with attended their annual summer Community Council members retreats from Aug. 16 to 18 and to discuss the culture of the Aug. 18 to 19, respectively, at school. Community Council Memthe same house in Escondido. Head Prefect Michael Lehrhoff ber Noah Aire ’20 said that he ’20 said that the prefects got to hopes that the two groups work know each other and formed together to reach their goals stronger bonds through dis- over the course of the school cussions and activities includ- year. “We had a meaningful talk ing kayaking, cooking and with Prefect Council about moplaying board games. “The retreat was incredibly rality and how we can work valuable because we developed together better this upcoming healthy group dynamics,” Leh- year,” Aire said. “I think both rhoff said. “It’s important to councils had great ideas that build a mutual trust and bond still need to be fleshed out with between the members. Our dis- more frequent meetings.” Aire also said cussions allow us to that he was happy to better understand the meet many of the new issues we face from members of Commudifferent perspectives, nity Council and diswhich in turn sparks cuss the future of the new approaches and club with them. initiatives.” “It was really cool Junior Prefect to have so many new Cleo Maloney ’21 ’ people,” Aire said. said that she enjoyed Michael “There were about spending time with Lehrhoff ’20 four returning memthe other prefects. bers and seven new “They’re all so devoted and committed, and it’s members, which felt very reincredibly inspiring, especial- freshing.” Community Council memly concerning ideas we brainstormed together for this year,” ber Isabel von Mende ’20 said Maloney said. “One night we all that the retreat was a fun way cooked pizza together and all to get to know the other comate at one big table after. It was munity council member “We took a bus to this gorso good plus just simply fun to geous house in Escondido with cook with everyone.” Lehrhoff also noted that the a pool and a movie theater,” council discussed the schedule Von Mende said. “We spent lots being implemented next school of time discussing and bonding.” year. Aire said that after meeting “We spent a bunch of time talking about the implications with the prefects, Communiof a new schedule through ad- ty swam and watched movies dressing misconceptions and while discussing goals for the finding solutions,” Lehrhoff upcoming year. “Every year, we have two said. The implications included educational benefits of re- major events,” Aire said. “We’re vitalized courses, and also the trying to figure out a big event drawbacks of overcrowded fa- to start with.”

By LUKE SCHNEIDER

WHITE S

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ALUMNI ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Caitlin Chung ’20 talks to a fellow teacher during the conclusion for the “Being a Student Today” Conference. Chung spoke in the conference regarding her expierences as a student.

Students, faculty attend conference By Tanisha Gunby Faculty and student representatives attended The World Leading Schools Association’s Global Educators Conference in Prague from July 18 to 20. Attendees discussed topics that continued last year’s student conference theme, “Education for the Human Condition.” Educators, admissions counselors and teachers from high schools and colleges around the world also traveled to the conference in order to understand the different aspects and effects of the human condition on education. Through seminars and breakout sessions, attendees learned how to apply this knowledge within the classroom and the world of academia. Head of External Relations Ed Hu represented the school’s leadership team in Prague. He said his main goal was to help advance Harvard-Westlake position on the global stage. “It is helpful to hear about and connect with others from

schools around the world to “As a student, it was amazunderstand how we are all ing to be given a platform in dealing with common issues,” which I was able to speak in Hu said. “One of the themes front of educators from all over was how other schools with the world,” Chung said. “As a high-achieving student pop- high schooler, I never knew I ulations are dealing with the would get the opportunity to issues of mental health, well- have my opinions heard by ness, stress such an audiand balance.” ence.” Former Chung had It is helpful President attended many to hear about and Tom Hudnut of the presenserved among tations that connect with others the founding the teachers from schools around the had heads of the attendorganization, ed as well and world.” which allowed said she was —Ed Hu able to relate the school to become one Head of External Relations to many of the of the origithings that nal founding were portrayed members of WLSA. about the students. WLSA Student Council “It was really interesting Vice President and Photogra- to have teachers come up to phy Editor Caitlin Chung ’20 me afterward and engage in was invited as the 2018 Stu- a really meaningful converdent Conference Delegate to sation where we were able to speak about “Being a Student raise different points and get Today”. Chung said she was a better understanding of the grateful to have gotten the op- students’ perspective and the portunity to take part in the teachers’ perspective,” Chung WLSA conference. said.

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Aug. 28, 2019

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News A5

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HWGO! OFF: (Clockwise, from top left): Haley Levin ’20 travels to the American Frontier and feeds fish in a nearby pond. Scarlett Strasberg ’20 researches the history of Chinese filmmaking. Caitlin Chung ’20 speaks to a victim of the “Comfort Woman Crisis” in South Korea. Abe Kaye ’20 talks to a survivor of the Holocaust during his trip to the Netherlands. A man that Amelia Koblentz ’20 observed as part of her HWGO! fellowship sits near his herd of sheep. Otis Gordon ’20 meets a monk who practices Japanese meditation.

Adventure Time! phy and connecting it to her CaliAbe Kaye ’20: fornian and Texan roots, she said. Abe Kaye ’20 visited the Nether“Personally, the project hit lands for his HWGO! Junior Sumhome because I grew up with one mer Fellowship to learn more about foot in California and one in Texas, the Holocaust. because my mom’s side of the famiOver three weeks, Kaye spoke ly is from Texas,” Levin said. with Dutch individuals and their Her inspiration for the project relatives, who hid Jewish families was to blend photography with her during World War II, while workfamily values, Levin said. ing on his project, “Capturing the “[My project] stemmed from a Dutch Heroes of the Holocaust.” book I got for Christmas about road Kaye explained that he has trip photography,” Levin said. “I always been fascinated with the grew fascinated with this subject, Netherlands and learning about the which [takes] photo history and history of the Holocaust. [compares] it to U.S. history.” “I lived in the Netherlands for Levin said she is fascinated three years when I was little, so it with the relationship between the has always been a special place,” frontier and photography. Kaye said. “I also, of “In history class, we course, know about were learning about FredAnne Frank like many erick Jackson Turner’s others, but I wanted frontier thesis that he to know more stories published in 1893,” Levin like this and find out said. “It says that the more about this country frontiersman is the Amerduring a vital time periican man because [he is od in history.” all about] individualism, Kaye also discussed white’s self-sufficiency and courhow these stories served Haley age. Sixty years before, it as a learning experience Levin ’20 was the same time that for him. photography was being “I realized that much invented, and together, they grew of the conversation about World in tandem.” War II and the Holocaust is focused —Sandra Koretz on the death [and] the lack of life,” Kaye said. “While this is very imCaitlin Chung ’20: portant, and the time period was Photography Editor Caitlin tragic for the Jews, we sometimes Chung ’20 traveled to South Korea forget to honor the people themto shed light on the stories of Koreselves who were killed. They were an victims of the “Comfort Women not just numbers; each one had Crisis” in the Western World. their own story.” The controversy refers to the —Caroline Jacoby events that took place during World War II, in which the Japanese miliHaley Levin ’20: tary forced thousands of women to With funds received from an become ‘sex slaves’ for their troops. HWGO! Junior Summer Fellow“To see human rights taken as ship, Haley Levin ’20 traveled a means to a certain end first hand, across the western United States to that was hard for me to digest,” take pictures of the American fronChung said. “But [the survivors I tier. The theme of her project, titled met with], Ms. Kang and Ms. Lee, “Artifacts of the American Road,” showed me how to turn that devaswas photographing relics found in tation into power and hope.” in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. Chung said the most memoLevin’s fellowship consisted of rable part of her project was parstudying the art of travel photogra-

Seven juniors received HWGO! Summer Fellowships to travel to Asia as well as North and South America to study arts, history and other topics not typically covered in the school curriculum. The presentation date is not yet determined.

ticipating in weekly Wednesday protests to raise awareness for the topic, where she met Japanese students researching the issue. “They asked me whether the movement was anti-Japanese, and the answer is no,” Chung said. “It’s a movement for peace, human rights and women’s rights.” —Elise Chen Otis Gordon ’20: Otis Gordon ’20, a recipient of the Asia Initiative Fellowship, traveled to Japan for three weeks to study of the art and culture of Japanese Bonsai. During his trip, Gordon visited Osaka, Takamatsu and Tokyo, where he visited a temple and meditated with a monk. “He taught me this type of meditation called Zazen meditation, where you keep your eyes open the entire time and allow thoughts to wander your mind,” Gordon said. “He gave me insight into how Japanese people perceive nature and their surroundings.” In Takamatsu, Gordon said he worked at a nursery, where he pruned a tree, a task that can take up to 15 hours to complete. “When I was finally [finished], I was like ‘Thank God’, but also felt a huge sense of accomplishment,” Gordon said. —Mia Feizbakhsh Scarlett Strasberg ’20: Scarlett Strasberg ’20 traveled to Shanghai, China to research the development of China’s film industry after receiving the HWGo! Asia Initiative Fellowship. Strasberg attended a filmmaking camp run by the Shanghai University Film Academy, where she interviewed members of the entertainment industry. She also took a short trip to Hangzhou and watched several plays. “Despite the language barrier, the power of the performance shined through, and I was captivated by the universal language of hu-

man emotion,” Strasberg said. would be interesting to learn more After living in a hostel with peoabout the present state of affairs.” ple from different parts of the world, After visiting Spain, Daum creStrasberg said she learned the ated a documentary about his remeaning of being a global citizen. search and experience. She said she also gained con“It is a unique opportunity to fidence in her language skills and actually see places you learn about her ability to live independently. in class and take a closer look at “I made many new friends and subject matter that genuinely interlearned so much from the people ests you,” Daum said. who were around me,” Strasberg —Lauren Cho said. “That part of the experience could never be replicated.” Amelia Koblentz ’20: The program allowed her to To combine her interests in relearn about the development of ligious anthropology and archaeChinese entertainment from tradiology, Latin American and Iberian tional to modern film, she said. Studies fellowship recipient Amelia “China is faced with the quesKoblentz ’20 traveled to Lake Titition of holding on to its roots while caca, which is located on the borentering into the world after a long der between Peru and Bolivia, to period of isolaexplore the relition,” Strasberg gious beliefs of said. “This is seen the indigenous “It is a unique in its arts as the people living opportunity to actually great traditions there. see places you learn of Chinese opKoblentz era become less visited Cusco, about in class and take mainstream.” Puno, Copacaa closer look at a subject —Marissa bana and La Lee and Sophia Paz to learn matter that genuinely Musante more about the interests you.” Aymara, IntiAlex Daum ’20: raymi and oth—Alex Daum ’20 Latin Amerer indigenous ican and Iberian tribes through Studies Fellowship recipient Alex festivals and religious ceremonies Daum ’20 researched the history that occurred during her trip. and present-day societal status of “Along the way I saw amazing the Jewish community in Spain by sites and discovered how gracious traveling to six different cities: Maand friendly the local people are, drid, Toledo, Granada, Córdoba, especially in Peru,” Koblentz said. Girona and Barcelona. Although the indigenous culDaum said he initially contacttures in the region have existed for ed those in the Spanish-Jewish thousands of years, many are trycommunity with connections to his ing to rediscover the identities they Synagogue in Los Angeles. He then lost during the Spanish occupation, interviewed various rabbis and Koblentz said. She also noted that leaders located in Spain about Jewshe decided to explore the region ish history in the country. because of its largely underappre“I mostly researched correlaciated archeology. tions between the situation of the “On the winter solstice, the Jewish people in the past and in Aymara celebrate the ending of the the present,” Daum said. “Spain year by witnessing the sun rise,” has had a history of tolerance and Koblentz said. It was truly a magintolerance toward the Jewish ical experience.” people, and as a Jew, I thought it -Austin Lee

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A6 News

The Chronicle

New Faces on Campus

Aug. 28, 2019

Meet the twelve new faculty members who will be on campus during the 2019-2020 school year.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY EVIE DE RUBERTIS

Elizabeth Bergman: History By Siobhan Harms

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Elizabeth Bergman joined the Upper School History Department to teach Advanced Placement United States History, United States History and the World and Europe II. Bergman recently worked at Stuart Country Day School in New Jersey and has also

taught American Studies at Princeton University. Bergman received a bachelor’s from Columbia University and a doctorate from Yale University. Bergman said that she initially became interested in the school because of its reputation. “[Harvard-Westlake] is one of, if not the best school,”

Bergman said. “My family and I were also looking at Los Angeles, and it was an amazing opportunity.” Bergman said the structure of the departments remind her of teaching at a college. “It feels very much like being back at a university,” Bergman said. “It’s amazing to have a department of eleven

colleagues, which was larger than my department at Princeton.” Bergman said that she is enjoying the school’s sense of community. “It has been really nice to have such exciting and enriching intellectual conversations,” Bergman said. “I am thrilled. It’s truly amazing [to be here].”

her love of sharing the French language with others. Her passion for culture also draws her to travel and swing dance in her free time, Bruno said. As a member of the faculty, Bruno said she hopes to learn new teaching strategies, communicate well with her team and create strong bonds with students. She views the lan-

guage laboratory as a valuable tool and looks forward to using it with her students, she said. “I was very attracted to Harvard-Westlake because of its excellence, the importance placed on academics and the strength of the education,” Bruno said. “It reminds me of the traditional French high school structure.”

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high schools, including the Episcopal School of Los Angeles, where she taught writing, rhetoric and composition. She said her interests in literature naturally led her to teaching. “My mom is a teacher, so it’s like the family business,” Foushee said. “I’ve always loved school and English was by far my favorite subject.”

However, she became more interested in teaching during college, Foushee said. “I went to Sarah Lawrence [College], which is really strong in the humanities, and I had a lot of really wonderful literature teachers there [who inspired me],” Foushee said. Foushee said she hopes to use the skills she learned in

school to create an exciting, but informative classroom environment. “I’m really looking forward to getting to know all of my students in the classroom, and I hope to find some ways to form relationships with students outside of the classroom through extracurriculars,” Foushee said.

Pugh said the addition of Fox will allow the department to produce the best results for the community. “Nate is going to be a great help to our already spectacular technical director, Aaron Martin, as he will take some of the work off of [Martin’s] shoulders and allow our department to perform to the best of our

ability,” Pugh said. Pugh said that Fox’s knowledge of performance technology will aid the department by ensuring that the acoustics will be top tier. “Nate is a very valuable addition, as he allows us to devote more time and energy to each aspect of each performance,” Pugh said.

PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF NATE FOX

“At the same time, I’m looking forward to working with my students together to explore more approaches for language studying and enjoy the moment that they use the language to resolve realistic problems.” In the past, He has worked for the U.S. State Department’s Foreign Service Insti-

tute School of Language Studies in Washington D.C., where he was a Chinese language instructor, teaching multiple levels of the language to diplomats and foreign service officers. He also spent four years as a middle-school Chinese instructor at the Affiliated High School of Qinghai Normal University in China.

He earned both his bachelor’s degree in Chinese Language and Literature, as well as his master’s degree in Chinese Language Teaching from the Beijing Normal University. “In the future, I hope I can support all of my students succeed both in learning the language and being a global citizen,” He said.

Karine Bruno: French By Sophia Musante French teacher Karine Bruno joined the upper school world languages department, bringing 20 years of teaching experience to the classroom. Bruno will teach French II, French II Honors and French III to upperclassmen. Bruno attended Nice Uni-

versity in the south of France, received certification in Paris and gained seven years of teaching experience in France. In 2006, Bruno moved to the United States, where she taught at Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles and Holy Family High School. Bruno said that her passion for teaching stems from

Amanda Foushee: English By Marina Nascimento

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Amanda Foushee recently joined the English Department to teach English II and Advanced Placement English Literature: Good Grief to sophomores and seniors, respectively. Previously, Foushee worked at various colleges and

Nate Fox: Performing Arts By Julian Andreone Nate Fox joined the Performing Arts Department as an Assistant Technical Director this year after working as a technical director at Northern Arizona University. Fox said he is excited to help set up the light and sound requirements for on-

campus events such as choral and dance performances. “The position of Assistant Technological Director is [one] that we have always hoped to create and fill as it will better our ability to put on schoolwide events that live up to the standard that Harvard-Westlake expects,” performing arts teacher Rees Pugh said.

Bin He: Chinese By Melody Tang

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Bin He will join the Upper School World Languages department this August. He will teach Chinese II, Chinese IV and Post-AP Chinese during the upcoming year. “I’m so glad that I can work with so many highly engaged students together,” He said.

Aug. 28, 2019

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News A7

Melody Lee: Biology By Sandra Koretz

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Melody Lee is joining the upper school science department this year and will be teaching Advanced Placement Biology and Genetics and Biotechnology. Lee said she is looking forward to working with students who are passionate about biotechnology.

“I am most excited about that course because even though I am the only person who will be teaching it, it gives me a lot of flexibility to do what I am passionate about,” Lee said. Lee double-majored in biology and education at Smith College. Prior to moving to Los Angeles, Lee lived in New York and taught at Loomis-Chaffee

School in Windsor, Connecticut where she coached varsity cross country and acted as a dorm parent. Lee later received her master’s degree in molecular biology and genetics from New York University. In her free time, Lee also participates in multiple athletic activities, such as ultimate touch rugby, frisbee and track and field. She competed in

the touch rugby USA National Championships in 2017. Lee looks forward to working with students who are excited about science. “I am excited to work with motivated students who are passionate about the subject and that we can work together to do a lot of lab-based activities and projects,” Lee said.

Before joining the school, Limerick obtained a master’s in interdisciplinary art and social practice from the University of Minneapolis. Afterward, they taught multiple classes at the university, including Art and Ethics, Intro to Contemporary Art and Theory and Intro to Experimental Media Arts. Outside of work, Limerick spends time as a performer, having done interdisciplinary

performance art for multiple years at many venues including the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, an airplane hangar in Santa Monica in collaboration with Postcommodity, and queer performance strongholds across London. Limerick said that, they were surprised by the school’s culture of trust and positivity and that they were excited about joining the community.

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ly inspiring to me, allowing me to explore movement, and then they inspired me to go to college for dance. I always want to inspire and encourage my students to explore movement and to be curious.” Before becoming a performing arts teacher, Moore earned a BFA at the University of Utah and an MFA from

California Institute of the Arts. After earning her degrees, she taught dance at Hastings College, CalArts and the Buckley School. Moore also choreographed Malibu High School’s annual musical for the past five years and plans to continue working with their students on these productions. One aspect of Moore’s ca-

reer that she enjoys is choreographing. “I just find it to be fascinating,” said Moore. “The constant problem solving, it’s like putting a puzzle together.” Moore said she is looking forward to directing the Upper School Dance Concert and collaborating with the students and production team.

from California State University, Los Angeles. When asked what she is most looking forward to at the upper school, Movsisian said she is excited to get to know and work with her new students. “I’ve heard how hard-working students at Harvard-Westlake are,” Movsisian said. “I am really excited to teach stu-

dents who are so hard-working and eager to learn. I’m looking forward to forging new relationships with my students and colleagues and becoming part of the Harvard-Westlake family. Everyone is so welcoming and helpful, and there a big sense of community and a very positive atmosphere in the school.”

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years old. He earned his bachelor’s degree in painting from Rhode Island School of Design and his master’s degree in studio art from University of California, Irvine. Thompson previously taught at several independent schools, including Crossroads School for Arts and Sciences. Although he mainly focuses

his time on teaching fine arts, he said he also enjoys playing tennis, basketball and guitar. Because he has recently spent time in his studio and focused on his own work, Thompson said he is excited to interact with students again. He also said he is looking forward to hearing students share their different ideas in

the classroom and witnessing all their contributions. “I have always believed that teaching as an artist, the work you do as a teacher really feeds the work that you do in your own studio and that they work in a reciprocal relationship and create a lot of great creative energy.” Thompson said.

with adults,” Wagner said by email. Wagner received two degrees at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and her master’s of education degree at Bridgewater State College for Latin and Classical Humanities. She also taught introductory Latin courses at the middle school for 23 years.

Wagner explains how excited and eager she is to start classes again because of how happy working around her students and fellow teachers makes her. “Young people have always infused my life with joy,” she said, “I am so looking forward to being with the students again and I can’t wait for classes to begin.”

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discovered her love for books when she was young, and acquired her first job working in a library at age fifteen. She has served as a circulation clerk, a library associate for children’s literature and, most recently, a library clerk at the Buggemeyer Library in Monterey Park. Wahl earned a bachelor’s degree in literature from East-

ern Michigan University, as well as a master’s in library science from the University of Southern California. Outside of her job, Wahl pursues her passion of silent films through her blog, “Silence is Platinum,” where she writes about the creators of the art to ensure their stories are not forgotten.

Reb Limerick: Visual Arts By Jason Morganbesser Reb Limerick will join the Visual Arts department for the upcoming school year as a new teacher of Video Art I, Video Art II and Video Art III. “I love to help students discover deep connections between themselves, their studies and the world at large,” Limerick said. “I see myself as a catalyst within the classroom, here to inspire artistic

exploration, critical analysis and empathic allyship.” In addition to teaching classes, Limerick will also help organize Westflix, the student film festival, which will be a red carpet event held at the Arclight Hollywood in March . “I am feeling grateful to be part of this amazing community and to look out my classroom window each morning and see a canyon of trees,” Limerick said.

Anne Moore: Performing Arts By Caitlin Munoz

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Anne Moore is joining the school community as a performing arts and part-time dance teacher. “I’m looking forward to working with the amazing dance students at HarvardWestlake,” said Moore. “My teachers growing up were real-

Gohar Movsisian: Math By Tessa Augsberger Gohar Movsisian joined the Upper School Mathematics Department this upcoming year to teach Algebra II with Analysis, Precalculus and Precalculus: Trigonometry and Functions. Movsisian worked as the chair of the mathematics department at Rose and Alex Pili-

bos Armenion School, a K-12 school in Los Angeles. Movsisian previously taught Algebra II, Precalculus, Advanced Placement Calculus and Advanced Placement Statistics. Movsisian earned her bachelor’s degree in pure mathematics from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and has a master’s degree in applied mathematics

Conor Thompson: Visual Arts By Alexa Druyanoff

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After substitute teaching photography at the school for two months last year, Conor Thompson will join the Visual Arts department full time to instruct Drawing and Painting classes. Thompson started painting in high school when he was 14

Joyce Wagner: Latin By Marine Degryse After six years of retirement, Joyce Wagner will be returning to the World Languages Department to teach a section of Latin II at the Upper School. Since her retirement in 2013, she has spent her time consulting for Paramount Pic-

tures, consulting for movies like Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension. While she spent most of her time working on different projects, Wagner also traveled to New England, where she relaxed, read many novels, and baked “decadent desserts”. “I was retired for six years and spent most of that time

Jessica Wahl: Library By Jane Hamilton

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Jessica Wahl joined the school community as a librarian this year. Along with her library duties, she will work in the upper school Learning Center to provide assistance for students in writing and executive functioning. “I’m hoping to bring my

love of libraries and literacy [to Harvard-Westlake],” Wahl said. “I love what libraries can do for people and what they have to offer. It’s not just books. It’s a place to come hang out [and] to get questions answered.” Wahl has nearly twenty years of experience working in libraries. She said she

A8 News

The Chronicle

Senior Faculty BBQ

Aug. 28, 2019

The faculty and the Class of 2020 returned to campus for the annual Senior and Faculty barbeque. Students and teachers reconnected over Wood Ranch BBQ food, recalled past memories and anticipated times to come.

PRANKING PRODIGIES: Dahlia Low ’20 chats with Larry Klein, as faculty and students reminisce and joke about the previous years’ senior shenanigans. Students and faculty were able to enjoy their time together beyond the classroom.

A DRAMATIC CONVERSATION: Ted Walch and Daniel Faultus discuss the coming school year.

LOOKING AHEAD TOWARD THE END OF THE ROAD: Angelica Sih ’20 and Broadcast Producer Yoohan Ko ’20 bond over barbecue for the coming school year.

A LONG HISTORY: Teachers Dror Yaron and Patrick McCullough share

memories of students who will soon begin their final year of high school.

BFFS: Sabina Yampolsky ’20 and Print Managing Editor

Casey Kim ’20 celebrate their first moments of senior year.

OH SNAP!: Noah Aire ’20 and Coco Kaleel ’20 express their excitement for the coming year as they converse over the complimentary senior barbeque.

ROBOTICS TEAM RECONNECTS: (From left to right) Justin Ansell ’20, Erik Anderson ’20 and Andrew Theiss share a laugh and enjoy the final moments of summer before the school year.

ALL PHOTOS TAKEN BY CAITLIN CHUNG/CHRONICLE

C HRONICLE the harvard-westlake

Editors-in-Chief: Tammer Bagdasarian, Lindsay Wu Digital Managing Editors: Luke Casola, Jessa Glassman Print Managing Editors: Kyra Hudson, Casey Kim, William Seymour

Opinion The Chronicle • Aug. 28, 2019

Los Angeles • Volume 29• Issue 1 • Aug. 28, 2019 • hwchronicle.com

editorial

Presentation Editors: Spencer Klink, Keila McCabe Executive Editors: Jeanine Kim, Will Mallory Multimedia Editor: Annie Beckman News Editor: Luke Schneider Assistant News Editors: Crystal Baik, Hannah Han, Siobhan Harms, Tanisha Gunby, Frank Jiang Opinion Editors: Emma Shapiro, Amelie Zilber Assistant Opinion Editors: Ethan Lachman, Austin Lee Features Editors: Joanna Im, Lauren Nehorai Assistant Features Editors: Lauren Cho, Ruoshan Dong, Marina Nascimento, Chloe Schaeffer A&E Editors: Jordan Murray, Sarah Reiff Assistant A&E Editors: Emma Limor, Celine Park, Khyra Stiner Sports Editors: Zack Schwartz, Eugene Wyman Assistant Sports Editors: Eugean Choi, Lucas Lee, Jaidev Pant, Kyle Reims, Charlie Wang Broadcast Producers: Coleman Katz, Yoohan Ko, Alex Mork Business Manager: Zack Schwartz Community News Engagement Editors: Sarah Healy, Zoe Redlich Events Engagement Editors: Madison Huggins, Anusha Mathur Assistant Business Managers: Lucas Lee, Emma Limor Assistant Broadcast Editors: Alex Amster, Alice He, Kyle Reims Junior Art Director: Evie de Rubertis Senior Staff Writer: Lee Nichols Freelance Artist: Hannah Mittleman Freelance Writer: Allie Landecker Layout Assistants and Staff Writers: Tessa Augsberger, Julian Andreone, Milla Ben-Ezra, Katherine Burry, Elise Chen, Marine Degryse, Quincey Dern, Ava Fattahi, Mia Feizbaksh, Sydney Fener, Justin Goldstein, Jane Hamilton, Benjamin Jacoby, Caroline Jacoby, Keira Jameson, Sandra Koretz, Marissa Lee, Jenna Lewis, Gemma Lippman, Sarah Mittleman, Caitlin Munoz, Jason Morganbesser, Sophia Musante, Liam Razmjoo, Ryan Razmjoo, Andrew Reiter, Amelia Scharff, Joshua Silbermann, Katharine Steers, Melody Tang, Adrienne Usher, Mary White, Maxine Zuriff Broadcast Assistants: Alexis Clancy, Dylan Giovine, Martin Kaplan, Julian Medina, William Moon, Zachary Berg, John Coleman, Ely Dickson, Benjamin Jacoby, Michael Schwartz, Oliver Wyman Advisers: Alexis Arinsburg. Brittany Brahn, Jim Burns, Max Tash The Chronicle is the student newspaper of Harvard-Westlake School. It is published eight times per year. Unsigned editorials represent the majority opinion of the seniors on the Editorial Board. Letters to the editor may be submitted to chronicle@ hw.com or mailed to 3700 Coldwater Canyon, Studio City, CA 91604. Letters must be signed and may be edited for space and to conform to Chronicle style and format. Advertising questions may be directed to Zack Schwartz at zschwartz1@hwemail.com. Publication of an advertisement does not imply endorsement of the product or service by the newspaper or school.

Prioritizing important issues

ILLUSTRATION BY ELISE CHEN

We live in a time when fewer and fewer people wake up Sunday morning to rolledup newspapers, still damp from their sprinklers and delicately folded up on their driveways. Seemingly, technology brings the entire world to our fingertips with Apple News alerts pinging our phones regularly and trivial Daily Mail stories appearing on Snapchat. Though we are constantly connected, it seems as though the general public has become increasingly unaware of what is happening around them, or more specifically, of the non-tabloid fluff: important occurrences worldwide. Recently, a picture of a burning forest circulated the Instagram stories of members in our community. When we first saw this post, many of us thought it was another fire terrorizing our flame-prone state, but the caption that followed shocked us all: the Amazon was burning, and nobody knew. Given that the ecosystem enables the majority of species on earth to live by providing oxygen and acting as a habitat to many animals. In addition, because it is close in proximity to Brazilian cities, it was disconcerting to see that the fire was not receiving any media coverage. After researching further, we discovered that the Brazilian rainforest has been burning at a record rate for over three weeks, according to NASA. It would be an understatement to say we were shocked, and we believe that the rest of the world should be too. The majority of us knew more about the latest update in Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth’s break-up drama than even the basic information about this ecological tragedy, revealing a sad truth about the direction journalism in the contemporary world is headed: the media prioritizes crowd-pleasing articles that maximize clicks over hard-hitting news stories.

The Amazon fire is not the only time a significant story has not received the media coverage it deserves. Last year’s Hurricane Maria proved the deadliest natural disaster on U.S. soil, according to a study published in the “New England Journal of Medicine.” During the same week, ABC canceled their highly advertised reboot of “Roseanne,” due to racist remarks from its lead actress. The fact that this hurricane, which, according to the same study, caused around 4,600 deaths, hid in the shadows of a story about a canceled TV show proves that journalism is drifting further and further away from its core tenets. As students journalists, our duty is to ethically report the truth and bring awareness to issues impacting global communities, not just the things we think will attract readers. Since so many media forums fight to stay alive by pleasing the public, they follow their ratings, which reveal a stronger interest in the newest addition to the Kardashians’ car collection than mass genocides or political protests. Because of our outrage at what we consider to be unjust media coverage of such a pressing issue, our mission this year is to focus on reporting the most important stories in our local community, which we believe our readers deserve to be informed about. We are committed to representing the voices of all of our students in each section, whether that means including more diverse perspectives in our feature articles, printing more guest editorials from members of the community or running more raw opinion stories. We will let nothing stand in the way of earning our audience’s respect by doing what we believe all journalists should: covering the topics people need to hear.

A10 OPINION

THE CHRONICLE

AUG. 28, 2019

Opposing elite hypocrisy By JESSA GLASSMAN

he royal family is always in the news, from tabloids fixated on Queen Elizabeth’s hats to Pippa Middleton’s romances to even Prince William’s receding hairline. Recently, however, a less light-hearted story circulated the media after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Harry and Meghan Markle, took two private jet trips within roughly one week. Lavishing in luxuries, such as enjoying private flights to fancy vacations, is not uncommon for celebrities or international royalty. But, considering that the Duke and Duchess are both outspoken climate change activists, their trips to Ibiza and Nice are particularly striking. Because the couple advocates for drastic action to combat global warming, their excessive use of private jets, which, according to ITV, produce seven times more carbon emissions per person than commercial flights, reveals a shocking discrepancy between ideas and actions.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are not the only celebrities who act hypocritically. This year’s topic at “Google Camp,” an A-list exclusive political summit that Google LLC hosted earlier this month in Sicily, was climate change. Despite this, Prince Harry and other celebrities including Katy Perry, Priyanka Chopra and Leonardo DiCaprio, took oil-guzzling super-yachts, private jets and helicopters to the event and were chauffeured around in Maserati SUVs. The gigantic carbon footprint of the event, combined with the exorbitant 20 million dollar price tag, brings the efﬁcacy of the summit into question and raises a greater problem of celebrity hypocrisy and superiority. Instead of paying for unnecessary amenities, like a concert by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Google and others summit attendees could have donated to a research organization or another group working to mobilize the mission these

public ﬁgures claim to support. This is just another example of celebrities speaking out against international dilemmas while simultaneously negating their words with their actions. Their behavior makes it seem as though they think they are exceptions to social rules due to their status. However, it is important to remember that these celebrities are people too; it is impossible to practice exactly what one preaches. For example, most decent people believe that clothing companies should not pay their overworked overseas employees fractions of pennies, yet most do not actively research employment practices at stores before shopping at them. Similarly, many consumers continue to lunch at Chick-Fil-A, knowing the company’s charitable foundation donates to anti-LGBT groups. The unfortunate truth is that it is essentially impossible to live without contributing to the world’s issues—whether they

be climate change, discrimination or some form of intolerance—because the majority of vital products are produced in unjust ways. With this in mind, celebrities should not shy away from using their platforms as a way to promote awareness and set a good example for the global issues they can inﬂuence. Because celebrities have large followings and receive lots of media attention, the impact of their words and actions is much greater than that of the the average citizen. Using their status to speak out about important issues they believe in is a step in the right direction, but not abiding by the words they expect others to internalize dilutes the impact of their activism. Public ﬁgures are not immune to criticism and

should, to the best of their ability, take actions that align with the philosophy they preach. It is necessary for the public to hold those with inﬂuence accountable, especially when self-proclaimed global warming activists take four private jet ﬂights over 11 days when vacationing and throw themselves fancy concerts to pat themselves on the back for being “woke” or ethical when, in reality, they are doing more harm than good. After all, actions do speak louder than words. ILLUSTRATION BY KEILA MCCABE

Skidding out of Halkirk Street By AUSTIN LEE

S ILLUSTRATION BY EVIE DE RUBERTIS

Boycotting for change By LUCAS LEE AND EMMA LIMOR

merica is rooted in liberty, and although many claim that large corporations hinder our freedoms, consumers’ purchasing power illustrates the strength of our democracy. Large corporations still depend on the needs and demands of their consumers, namely us. When a company makes customer service mistakes or is insensitive to social issues, people hold it accountable. Ultimately, citizens exercising their right to protest must claim responsibility for the impact their boycotts have on society. While the choice to boycott is ours, we should remain cautious about how and when to exercise this power. Late in last year’s Fall and Winter fashion season, Gucci released a black-and-red knitted women’s turtleneck for $890 that covered the wearer’s mouth with large, blood-red lips. The garment resulted in a wave of social media backlash led by prominent celebrity leaders of the African American community— T.I., Spike Lee and Floyd Mayweather. In response, the brand immediately apologized, but the boycotting consumers did not stop there. They demanded a concrete solution, and Gucci created a $5 million Changemakers fund to invest in community-based programs and help provide scholarship opportunities for

college students who want to work in fashion. Gucci’s solution shows that boycotting is an effective form of protest. By rallying together, the black community was able to use their power as consumers to demand change. A similar situation of social insensitivity ensued when H&M dropped a green children’s hoodie that read ‘Coolest Monkey in the Jungle’ featured on a black model. In both the Gucci and H&M cases, boycotts successfully resulted in ofﬁcial apologies from the companies and discontinuation of the products and advertisements. In both of these examples, boycotting served its purpose by creating progress. When businesses act out of line, boycotts can lead to changes and, therefore, should be used. They put ﬁnancial pressure on companies to make changes and raise social awareness. However, boycotts should not be used in all situations. The line must be drawn at boycotting companies for individuals’ personal political alignments. There is a difference between companies who choose to invest their earnings in certain political causes and individuals supporting causes they believe in. When we choose to boycott, it is a decision that can affect every employee of the company. When Stephen Ross, a

primary investor in SoulCycle and Equinox, decided to hold a fundraiser for the Trump administration, many outraged opposers of his administration canceled their gym memberships and spin classes. Just as protesters have the right to express their political opinions, Stephen Ross should have the right to support whichever political campaign he desires without backlash from the other side. The truth is that no company is politically unbiased. If boycotts and protests against companies are sustained long enough, the entire company, including employees, can get hurt. Boycotting the company will not change the beliefs protesters oppose, and it will not stop Ross, for example, from supporting President Trump, ultimately failing to accomplish the initial goal. Still, boycotts are a great means through which we can take a political stance and stand up against what we know is wrong. Since the power truly does rest in our hands, we have to be cautious of how we use it. The act of boycotting is at the crux of American capitalism; it is the embodiment of the free market steering its course. Boycotts hold companies accountable for their mistakes, and they can be used as a power for good, but we must be weary of when we use them nonetheless.

tarting this fall, the school will strictly enforce its policy prohibiting students from parking on neighboring streets, including Halkirk Street. Students caught violating the rule will be punished severely, receiving an unexcused absence and being sent home that day. By truly removing off-campus parking, the school hopes to reduce demand, increase ride-sharing among students and improve relations with the neighbors. Though the school may be able to accomplish some goals, it will do so at a heavy price for certain students. After the school scrapped plans for a new parking garage due to heavy opposition from members of the surrounding community, it seems the administration decided the next best solution to the parking issue would be to reduce the amount of available parking. The removal of Halkirk Street as a free parking option puts many sophomore and junior drivers in a precarious position without a realistic solution. Students who have not held their license for a year may not legally drive anyone under 20 years old without a licensed adult accompanying them. Therefore, they must pay the full $1,300 to park in one of the Saint Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church parking lots, break the law to receive a reduced fee, have their parents drive them or take the bus. As a solo driver with a provisional license, I must pay the full price for a parking spot. I am not legally permitted to transport passengers under the age of 20 and am not willing to break the law to lower my parking fee. Although I understand why the school charges heavy fees for students unwilling to carpool, not being able to do so legally is an entirely different situation. Furthermore, as a student athlete, I have a schedule that eliminates the

possibility of carpooling with another student driving. For working parents, driving children to school can cause conflicts with work schedules and is often not a viable option. And while taking the bus allows parents to get to work on time, it provides little financial relief, as the bus fee and the price of a solo driver parking spot are now the same. Although the school had an issue with students parking illegally eight years ago, there have not been any significant complaints since. Furthermore, the complaint that the “quiet streets are being filled with cars” is unfounded. Cars already regularly pass through Halkirk Street, Alcove Avenue and Goodall Avenue to avoid the busy intersection between Coldwater Canyon Avenue and Ventura Boulevard. Additionally, students are generally respectful and keep noise levels down while walking to and from surrounding streets, and parked cars make no noise whatsoever. If the school truly wishes to solve the parking situation and improve relations with the neighbors, the only fair solution is forcing all students to take the bus or be driven. All students taking the bus, excluding those receiving financial aid, would pay the same price for transportation, and parents driving to school would have to deal with the resulting inconveniences. As this proposition is extreme and unfeasible, the school’s decision to strictly enforce a prohibition of student parking on Halkirk Street and other surrounding streets has ultimately caused many more headaches than it has solved problems.

hwchronicle.com/opinion

Aug. 28, 2019

Opinion A11

Moving into the new school year with a peaceful mind By Ethan Lachman

“T

ry to let go of expectations for this practice, your day and even your life.” The yoga instructor said each word slowly, emphatically—I can still hear the mantra to this day. Nevertheless, in my head, that world is long gone and I’ve traveled to another dimension. It is hard to believe that was just three weeks and a quick stretch ago. Somehow, I found myself doing chaturanga in the middle of a flourishing jungle in Costa Rica. Meanwhile, the sharp, screeching cicada chirps pierced my humble attempt to attain ‘inner peace.’ At the time, I thought that my first yoga class could not have been cheesier; of course, the instructor was painfully spiritual, and an embarrassed newcomer like myself was not ready for that level of straightforwardness. Like many others, I do not like being reminded that my goals are out of my control— that my fantasies may not manifest in the future. To combat this universal fear, we often formulate a detailed itinerary of how

to spend every waking moment, creating a false sense of control. Being prepared for the ups and downs of life is essential, but only thinking of the future can cause a loss of awareness of what is going on right in front of one’s eyes. In a long period of revelation, I realized that the words of the yoga teacher could not have been truer. Although there is no way to completely ignore one’s future desires, living in the moment is vital to learn. Being present is undoubtedly a skill and must be practiced through daily self-awareness. As we start a new school year, academic expectations ramp up and social pressures are reapplied. In an ideal world, we would release all expectations and experience life moment by moment. We would be aware of ourselves in order to create lasting memories rather than living in moments days and weeks away. Realistically, we set lofty expectations that, even when reached, may not feel quite right. I finally dragged myself to my first

ILLUSTRATION BY EVIE DE RUBERTIS

yoga class, but instead of being proud, I found myself disappointed that I could barely keep up with the sweaty man grunting in the back. Eckhart Tolle, a worldrenowned spiritual teacher, encourages captivating oneself in the here and now. He believes that people will inevitably judge a situation after observing it, but that they can choose how they respond to that judgement. Thus, it seems that our reaction to those judgements is what will determine our happiness. Our goal cannot be to release all expectations for the future, but to release our expectation that we will always be happy. We must realize that negative feelings will come and go throughout the school year and that staying engrossed in the journey, instead of fixating on the result, will yield maximum growth and happiness. Throughout the session, stretching nearly tore my hamstrings and by the time we got to savasana, the corpse pose, I could barely put my aching body to rest. Nevertheless, I cannot help but be grateful for the opportunity it gave me to reflect on the present. Often times, when a lessthan-ideal situation arises, we try to get out of it as soon as possible, whether or not there is an exit route in the first place. We do not always realize that if we embrace our inevitable hardships, we could find something even better than we expected. But just to be clear, I do not plan on going back to yoga any time soon.

How do you feel about the upcoming school year? Stressed: 41 percent Relaxed: 13 percent Both: 46 percent *189 students polled

Stone Kletecka ’21 “I’m feeling really good. This summer I worked really hard [and] prepared a lot for [school]. I’m coming in excited to get a headstart with [HW] Venture.”

Nico Guillen ’20

ETHAN LACHMAN/CHRONICLE

“[I feel] a mix of excited and anxiety and stress. I’m really excited, but I also know there is the college mountain looming.”

ETHAN LACHMAN/CHRONICLE

Jade Zoller ’22 “I’m very excited. It’s a little scary, but I’m excited for it... Moving campuses is a little nerve-racking, but I’m more scared for not knowing who the teachers are.”

ETHAN LACHMAN/CHRONICLE

Letter from the Editors

Better Together By Tammer Bagdasarian and Lindsay Wu

REAKING NEWS. It seems as if the words flash across our phone screens, laptops and television sets every other minute. In this current day and age, often the only constant is the endless stream of new information. And we at The Chronicle want to keep up. As the primary source of school news on campus, it is our duty to ensure we provide our readers with the most comprehensive and timely coverage possible. A major component of accomplishing this goal is our accessibility to the school community. We place a high level of importance on our print publication, but we also recognize that a monthly newspaper alone cannot feasibly keep up with the fast-paced news cycle on campus. Therefore, this year, one of our top priorities is to con-

tinue expanding our online presence. We are committed to increasing the consistency of our digital updates this year by producing more webexclusive immediate news coverage than ever before. As students, we recognize that most members of the school community do not have the time to constantly check our website for updates. In an effort to increase accessibility to our readers, we are adding Chronicle Updates, a regular online newsletter recapping the most significant stories or developments on campus over the past week. We will not only post these under a new tab on our website, but will also utilize email and social media platforms to guarantee everyone has the opportunity to stay up to date on school news. Though we have ventured online, one area of

CAITLIN CHUNG/CHRONICLE

BACK TO THE ROOTS: Editors-in-Chief Tammer Bagdasarian ’20 and Lindsay Wu ’20 aim to expand coverage through broadcast news, social media platforms and other engaging avenues. journalism that has previously remained unexplored to The Chronicle is broadcast. This year, however, we are excited to join with the growing broadcast program. With the new capability broadcast brings, we hope to increase and revolutionize our multimedia content. The broadcast team will continue to produce sports reports but will also work with our five other sections to create digital material, such as podcasts and videos, tied to their print stories.

Another vital aspect of The Chronicle is representing the school community’s plethora of differing opinions. We understand that, even with a robust staff of 97, it is impossible to represent each and every viewpoint. Therefore, we invite guest contributors to share their thoughts directly with the rest of our readers through letters to the editors, podcasts and guest editorials in our Opinion section. However, diversity of thought is a shared responsibility,

and our efforts to encourage more voices in the paper will be fruitless unless readers are willing to engage in a dialogue. Even as we seek to expand our coverage through newfound avenues, upholding journalistic ethics remains at the core of our principles. Improving our relationship with the school community requires a foundation of integrity that we must not lose sight of. In Volume 29, The Chronicle will break news, not trust.

Community The Chronicle • Aug. 28, 2019

Flight plan raises new concerns By Hannah Han

ILLUSTRATION BY EVIE DE RUBERTIS

WATCH OUT: Information on this chart depicting the transmission cycle of West Nile virus (WNV) comes from the California Department of Public Health (CDPA). The CDPA encourages people to help them track the virus by reporting any sightings of dead birds.

West Nile virus spreads through valley By Zoe Redlich West Nile virus (WNV), which can lead to the potentially fatal West Nile disease, has recently been discovered in four Los Angeles County communities including Reseda, Northridge, Carson and Signal Hill, according to ABC 7 News. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health announced Aug. 5 that the first two cases of the year had been identified. In addition to these four counties, there are five others in California that have experienced human cases of WNV and two where horses have tested positive for the disease this year, according to the Cal-

ifornia Department of Public Health (CDPH). “Every year in Los Angeles County, we see cases of West Nile virus infection, which can be serious, even deadly, especially for people over 50 and those who have existing health problems,” Health Officer of Los Angeles County Muntu Davis said in a press release. The level of WNV activity fluctuates annually and regionally, spiking from July through September, according to the CDPH. This past summer, weather conditions increased the risk of infection. Spring rains left pools of standing water in which mosquitoes breed. In addition, recent elevated temperatures

have led to an increase in the mosquito population. “I’ve seen signs about [WNV] in my doctor’s office, but I don’t know much about it,” Sherman Oaks resident Tali Tufeld '20 said. “I know my neighbors have a lot of mosquitoes this year, so maybe it’s related.” The virus led to 11 fatalities last year and two this year. As of now, there are no vaccines or other forms of medication to treat the disease. Eight out of 10 people who contract the virus show no symptoms; however, one in 150 people who are infected experience severe damage to their nervous system and exhibit symptoms as serious as

convulsions, coma and paralysis, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDPH advises people to protect themselves by using insect repellent containing DEET, draining areas of standing water and staying protected during dawn and dusk. “West Nile virus activity in the state is increasing, so it is important to take every possible precaution to protect against mosquito bites,” Former Director of the California Department of Public Health Dr. Karen Smith said in a press release.

Studio City For Quiet Skies is encouraging residents to contact their local representatives in opposition to the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) newest proposition to increase aircraft departures from Van Nuys Airport. The organization, whose mission is to reduce aircraft noise in the Los Angeles area, has also partnered with Former Executive Director of Bob Hope Airport Dan Feger to execute an initiative to limit air traffic above Burbank. Feger created the initiative in response to an online document released Aug. 6, in which the FAA stated its intention to create a “jet superhighway” from the Van Nuys Airport. This plan would increase the number of low-altitude planes flying over the Studio City area, co-founder of Studio City For Quiet Skies Suellen Wagner said. Under the FAA’s newest proposa, schools and neighborhoods along Valley Vista and Ventura Boulevard would experience a significant increase in air and noise pollution, Wagner said. The new superhighway would endanger residents living beneath the flight path, as it would pose a fire hazard to the Santa Monica Mountains and create a crisis that would negatively impact the physical and mental health of residents, Wagner said. Read the extended article online

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Features The Chronicle • Aug. 28, 2019

The New Normal As gun violence becomes more prevalent in the nation, Americans reflect on their desensitization towards guns in the media. • Continued on B7

ILLUSTRATION BY HANNAH MITTLEMAN

B2 Features

Aug. 28, 2019

The Chronicle

Students express their opinions on taking standardized testing at a younger age, while discussing classes and racial biases in tests. By Joanna Im and Lauren Nehorai

advance in order to minimize her stress. “I started prepping for the The summer before senior ACT at the beginning of this year typically means a fun summer, going into junior time full of pool parties, sunset year,” Azizzadeh said. “While drives and infrequent glances this was relatively early, I knew at college applications. How- my schedule would be particuever, some students, such as larly taxing, and I wanted [to Kate Konvitz ’20, have to sac- get] testing out of the way as rifice these teenage memories soon as possible. It will hopefor the sake of standardized fully allow me to be more fotest preparation. cused on schoolwork and reKonvitz said her testing op- lieve some pressure later on.” tions put her at a crossroads, Similarly, alumna Sophie forcing her to decide between Levy ’18 finished testing in cramming for the SAT the fall of her junior on top of her regular year, and she said it course work during was transformative the school year, or for relieving pressure limiting the number throughout her junior of testing opportuniyear and part of her ties she had by studysenior year. ing over the summer. “I anticipated that With a tightly packed my senior year would school schedule, Konbe as demanding as it ’ vitz said she had little turned out to be, so Kate time throughout her when it came around, Konvitz ’20 junior year to focus I was really relieved on standardized testing, and that I had gotten standardinstead wanted to focus on pri- ized testing out of the way so I oritizing her schoolwork and didn’t have to worry about that extracurricular responsibili- on top of classes, applications, ties. She said this choice has extracurriculars, essays and affected her summer, however, everything else,” Levy said. acting as a burden that takes Some students, including away from the time she could Andy Yang ’20, started testing have used to write college ap- as early as middle school. plications. “I personally [took] the “I think the timing of stan- SAT when I was in seventh dardized testing can be a big grade, and I think that I felt challenge, especially for Har- pressure to do so because of vard-Westlake students,” Kon- the level of competition within vitz said. “I had conflicts with students’ academic life,” Yang half of the offered test days said. “[Testing] is starting at during my junior year due to younger and younger ages, extracurricular activities, and which is shown by the fact that I was only left with one chance honor roll and programs like to take both the SAT and SAT II the CTY Talent Search require subject [tests] in order to avoid the SAT.” studying over the summer.” Yang is not With the SAT and ACT tests offered every other month, Kylie Azizzadeh ’21 said she was able to plan out her testing schedule far in white s

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JOANNA IM AND EVIE DE RUBERTIS

alone in taking standardized rately reflect a student’s true testing in middle school. In academic potential. 2006, a National Public Radio “I do not think standardstudy reported that approxi- ized testing is a good practice,” mately 120,000 students who Nayar said. “I think there are took the SAT were in seventh often biases in the ways that or eighth grade. tests are written that benefit However, Upper School usually white, wealthier stuDean Celso Cardenas said the dents, over everyone else. Beprime age to take standardized yond that, I don’t think stantesting is during sophomore or dardized testing accurately junior year. represents the capabilities of “I think students should students since people get nerreally wait until they’re familiar vous taking the test, and it’s a with the material,” Cardenas very long time for someone to said. “So some students [who sit still and think about the are] more topics they’re advanced in not necessarily certain arinterested in.” Whether or eas may end Nayar also not someone should up taking said that she take it at a younger it in second has not noticed semester of a significant age depends on their sophomore change in the specific academic year. It’s not age group taksituation.” black and ing standardwhite. In ized testing. —Andy Yang ’20 terms of [tak“The earliing the test] est I’ve seen is a in junior year, it really depends junior taking the [SAT or ACT] on the students’ knowledge in August, which is pretty norbecause we want them to be mal,” Nayar said. “The latest ready for it.” I’ve seen is a senior taking the These claims are also sup- test in September or October, ported by a 2016 ACT Research but that’s also pretty normal and Policy study, which com- since the senior is usually repared students’ performance taking the test in an attempt to on the ACT when they were in get a higher score.” seventh grade to their perforYang said that whether or mance in eleventh or twelfth not there has been a change grade. The study concluded in the age demographic taking that, on average, students had standardized testing, students a 9.4 point increase as juniors should ultimately decide when and seniors from their test is right for them. scores in seventh grade. “I think it’s good that stanAdditionally, Jaya Nayar dardized testing, even if it ’20 said she might be harder for younger believes that students, is generally open to standardized a large age range,” Yang said. testing does “People should take the test not accuwith the factor of age in mind, but whether or not someone should take it at a younger age depends on their specific academic situation.”

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Aug. 28, 2019

hwchronicle.com/features

Features B3

Cracking the Epstein Case Students weigh in on conspiracy theories that emerged after authorities found financier Jeffrey Epstein dead while awaiting trial on Aug. 10. By Spencer Klink

reputations tarnished [and] their careers ended.” “Woah,” Haley Levin ’20 Walker McGinley ’22 said in disbelief when she said he believes Epstein’s read the news of financier suicide was coordinated. Jeffrey Epstein’s death Aug. “Someone left a way 10. for him to kill himself,” McEpstein had been await- Ginley said. “He was being ing prosecution on charges watched due to the fact he of assaulting minors and sex had already tried to kill himtrafficking while in a cell at self.” the Metropolitan CorrectionOne popular theory asal Center in New York during serts that former President the time leading up to his Bill Clinton was involved death, according to CNN. in Epstein’s death. Clinton Despite the New York had visited Epstein’s priCity Office of the Chief Med- vate, heavily-guarded isical Examiner determining land many times, according that Epstein hanged himself, to an affidavit published by many individuals have devel- Virginia Giuffre, one of Epoped conspiracies regarding stein’s victims. President his death, ranging Donald Trump from assertions that demonstrated inEpstein did not comterest in this themit suicide to claims ory, retweeting a that he is alive. Of post from politi166 students surcal commentator veyed, 36 percent beTerrence Williams lieve these theories. with #ClintonbodCertain events ycount and #Clinfollowing Epstein’s toncrimefamily ’ death have further following the news Haley fueled the conspiraof Epstein’s death. Levin ’20 cy theories. On July Angel Ureña, 23, officials found Epstein a spokesman for the Clinton injured and unconscious family, condemned these acin his cell, leading them cusations on social media. to place him on suicide “President Clinton watch, according to CNN. knows nothing about the terHowever, authorities re- rible crimes [Epstein] pleadmoved Epstein from sui- ed guilty to in Florida some cide watch two weeks be- years ago, or those with fore his apparent suicide which he has been recently and confirmed updates charged in New York,” Ureña to his will two days prior wrote on Twitter. “He’s not to his death. spoken to Epstein in well Abraham Gallardo over a decade, and has never ’20 said that he believes been to Little St. James IsEpstein is not alive and land, Epstein’s ranch in New that there are several Mexico, or his residence in plausible scenarios for his Florida.” death. Levin said she finds it “I can see a reality where unlikely that Clinton had a he did commit suicide, a re- role in Epstein’s death. ality where he was coerced “I’m not a fan of [this into committing suicide or theory], but I am also not a one where he was killed,” fan of Clinton being involved Gallardo said. “We have in Epstein’s personal life,” some very powerful people Levin said. “It’s just much who had very close con- more likely to not be him.” nections to [Epstein]. A lot Gallardo, however, lends of people could have their the Clinton theory more

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credibility than Levin. within the American crimi“We do know that some nal justice system. individuals like Bill Clinton “[Attorney general Wildon’t have the best record liam] Barr has expressed when it comes to sex crimes,” shock at the ‘irregularities’ Gallardo said. “I think the that led to Epstein’s death,” Clintons being involved is a executive editor of Above legitimate [theory].” the Law Elie Mystal wrote Other important figures in The Nation. “Yet again, connected to Epstein include Barr is misrepresenting reFormer Secretary of Labor ality: Epstein was subjected Alexander Acosta, comedi- to entirely regular conditions an Chris Tucker and Prince within our prison system. Andrew, Duke of York, ac- Suicide is the leading cause cording to Business Insider. of death in American jails.” Trump himself used to conRegardless of conspiracy sider Epstein a close friend, theories, Levin said that the saying that Epstein is “a lot Epstein case is shameful. of fun to be with” and com“None of those families mending his taste in women will ever get justice for what who were “on the young- Epstein did,” Levin said. er side” in “Whether he 2002, ackilled himself cording to or not, whethIt’s not New York er he’s alive or Republicans against Magazine. not, [this case] Democrats. It’s the Howevis a disgrace er, former to our justice entire system of itself, Trump adsystem and to which is full of some viser Roger America.” very nasty problems.” Stone Jr. Gallardo tweeted that — Abraham Gallardo ’20 said that, ulTrump detimately, indinied offers viduals should to visit Epstein’s island and demonstrate skepticism tohome in Palm Beach. Addi- ward information they retionally, the New York Times ceive about Epwrote that when Epstein’s stein’s death. initial assault allegations “I think surfaced in 2008, Trump that individpublicly announced they uals should were no longer friends and always keep denied Epstein entry to vari- an open mind, ous clubs and facilities. but just beGallardo said that Ep- cause they have stein conspiracy theories an open mind ought not be defined by par- [doesn’t mean] tisan motives. they have to ac“I think a better take cept everything is that it’s not Republicans they’re told,” Galagainst Democrats,” Gallar- lardo said. “[Ando said. “It’s the entire sys- alyze] every piece tem itself, which is full of of evidence, every some very nasty problems, interview and every which in this case came out leak critically.” to be sex crimes.” Some theories regarding Epstein’s death are more mild in nature, instead asserting that he was able to commit suicide as a result of structural deficits existing

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B4 Features

The Chronicle

Aug.

Weapons of Mass Construction Students and community members debate the benefits and concerns of the proposed River Park constructions.

ILLUSTRATION BY HANNAH MITTLEMAN

28, 2019

hwchronicle.com/features

By Casey Kim

mitigation plan. I just think that’s unrealistic. I can tell “Do they really need you that people that live closer to this project are another giant pool?” As lifetime Studio City freaking out.” Friedman is not the resident Pam Friedman listened to school represen- only resident who does not tatives describe the new approve of the plans. Comconstruction plans for the munity member Teri Ausschool’s proposed River tin, who has lived in Studio Park, she said this was the City for over 30 years, said only question that plagued she is worried about how one of the few remaining her mind. While Friedman said green spaces in the neighshe was initially optimistic borhood will be utilized. “If you look about the plans at a map of Stufor the space fordio City and the merly known as surrounding area, Weddington Golf & this piece of propTennis, her hope erty is the absoquickly turned lute last bit of real to frustration as open space,” Ausshe learned more tin said. “Ideally, about the broad ’ I would like if the scope of the projAri school decided to ect that would afEngelberg ’89 value this particfect her communiular property in ty. “It seemed as though its present use.” Despite their lack of the project became a much bigger development proj- vocal support, some comect than my initial thought munity members such it was going to be,” Fried- as neighborhood resident man said. “Ripping out all Josh Rodine ’92, are in of those trees and all of favor of the plans. Rodine that grass and putting in said he believes that the AstroTurf on top is really new improvements will be a big problem for me. The a beneficial addition to the enormity of this project is a community. “I feel very positively huge red flag.” Friedman said that, about the project,” Rodine other than the ecological said. “I recognize that the impacts, her biggest con- school has real needs relatcern is the amount of traf- ing to its athletic facilities fic the new plan will bring that aren’t really being met now. The number of teams to the neighborhood. “Your kids are going that need to practice on to come down Coldwater the football field surpassed [Canyon] and then make a what that field can offer, right turn on Woodbridge and the staggered practicand then fan out in my es and the late hours that neighborhood with driving students are forced to enand parking,” Friedman dure [are] just not really said. “I have heard, as did workable.” Head of Communicasome of my neighborhood, the mitigation plan, [and] I tions Ari Engelberg ’89 said don’t think that your peo- that the school is doing its ple can enforce a traffic best to respond to the comwhite s

Features B5

munity’s mixed feedback icle poll of 189 students, on the project. while 61 percent said they “Some members of were in favor of the school’s the community have rea- now-defunct plans for a sonable questions about parking structure, only 41 the impact the project will percent of respondents said have on the environment or that they are in favor of the on traffic and noise in the school’s plans to build Rivneighborhood, and it’s our er Park. job to listen to those quesFriedman said that tions and address those the school would have concerns as best we can had more support from through the process,” En- the community if it had gelberg said. “Other mem- not previously proposed a bers of the community are parking structure. thrilled “We, as that Hara communivard-Westty, have had Ripping out all of lake into endure that grass and putting in the unbetends to develop the lievably bad AstroT on top is really a property in idea of that big problem for me.” a way that parking lot allows for —Pam Friedman deal on the continued side of Studio City resident west public acColdwater cess and with your preserves pedestrian the recreational, low-densi- bridge going over the top of ty nature of the site.” it,” Friedman said. The school hopes While the initial stagthat student athletes will es of the proposal have be able to utilize the new required listening to the state-of-the-art facilities for community’s feedback, the a more balanced schedule, school currently plans to Engelberg said. move forward with the proj“The goal in doing this ect, Engelberg said. is to ensure that more prac“Later this year, we tices and games take place hope to submit paperwork in the hours immediately to the City of Los Angeafter school, allowing stu- les to officially kick off the dents to get home earlier, environmental review prohave dinner with their fam- cess,” Engelberg said. “We ilies, get their homework think that process will take done and get to bed at a de- about two years, and then, cent hour,” Engelberg said. it would probably take an“The school has hosted and other two years to build the will continue to host meet- River Park. But these timeings to answer questions lines are still just estimates and gather feedback from at this point. The school is the community. Eventual- still in the process of lisly, we’ll work with design, tening to our neighbors’ landscaping and architec- concerns, a commitment tural teams to identify ways that was made immediatein which the community’s ly following the purchase of reasonable concerns can the property and one that be addressed.” the school will continue to According to Chron- honor.”

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B6 Features

The Chronicle

Aug. 28, 2019

Students discuss their views on feminism, and the current trajectory of the movement. By Jessa

Glassman The feminist movement is growing in relevance. Clothing brands are producing shirts that display witty catchphrases, and shows like “The Handmaid’s Tale” make social commentaries through female leads. Both the #MeToo and pro-choice movements are also gaining traction. Despite the growing spotlight on feminism, many people are choosing not to identify with it, including India Altschul ’20. “I do not consider myself to be a modern feminist, because I believe the current feminism agenda is not just about advocating for gender equality,” Altschul said. Only 20 percent of Americans surveyed consider themselves feminists, despite 82 percent believing in equality for the sexes, according to HuffPost and YouGov. On campus, in a Chronicle poll of 184 upper school students, 65 percent self-identify as feminists

compared to 87 percent who believe in gender equality. While there are many different reasons people might choose not to be associated with the feminist movement, Altschul said she has a few of her own. “I think that some current feminists hold a belief that all men are intentionally trying to put women down and are demonizing them for it,” Altschul said. “Although misogyny is still present today, I think that feminists are not helping themselves by radicalizing their agenda and targeting men.” Leader of the Gender and Sexuality Awareness (GSA) club Alexandra Du Manoir ’21 said she attributes the decreasing numbers of feminists to the lack of understanding surrounding the movement. “I think that feminism has become more inclusive and intersectional over the years, and although some people use this fact to weaponize feminism and say that it’s too radical, the truth is that they are uneducated about the core principles of feminism,” Du Manoir said. According to an article by the Women’s and Gender Studies department at Berry College, there are many harmful stereotypes about feminists that pathologize those involved in the movement and lead others to distance themselves from it even if they believe in gender equality. “One of the main stereotypes I’ve encountered around feminism is that we all think in an ‘I hate men’ mindset,” President of the Empower club Lilah

Weisman ’20 said. “Although you could certainly find a few fringe groups that fit that attitude, most of us really just want gender equality. That stereotype is quite harmful to the feminist movement, because it comes from a place of historically shutting down women who speak up for a cause because they are ‘too aggressive’ while a man would be considered a ‘go-getter.’” Sabina Yampolsky ’20 said she believes there are stereotypes about feminists that hold some truth. “I think that a main negative stereotype of feminism is that feminists are not completely enlightened about the causes they support,” Yampolsky said. “While some feminists know of the history of the women’s rights movement, many associate themselves with less-worthy causes. For instance, the leaders of the Women’s March [allied] themselves with notoriously antisemitic forces such as Farrakhan.” Regardless of whether one does or does not support all parts of feminism in its current state, Weisman said she believes that defining what it means to be a feminist should be simple and that those who do not consider themselves one are incorrectly defining the label. “Being a feminist is simply wanting gender not to be a factor in the way any person is treated,” Weisman said. “Although the definition is clearly subjective today, seeing as there is so much debate over what it means to be a feminist, I think that it really shouldn’t be. I think all

people should be feminists if their definition is similar to the one I described.” Additionally, Weisman said she recognizes that a common critique of feminism comes from the idea that the term perpetuates more discrimination by excluding people of color, transgender and non-binary people. However, she said she credits this idea to conservative groups attempting to divide the movement to maintain their privilege. Empower club adviser and Assistant Director of Communications Shauna Altieri said she believes this criticism attacks the outdated version of feminism that she and the Empower club are actively working to combat. “Because our understanding of gender identity has expanded from a two-choice system to a spectrum, we include everybody,” Altieri said. “We have changed the name of ‘La Femme’ to ‘Empower’ for this reason. We are purposely conscious of being more inclusive. It isn’t about men and women, it’s about individuals, however they self-identify, being equal.”

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Aug. 28, 2019

hwchronicle.com/features

Features B7

The Right to Kill Students reflect on the recent surge in mass shootings, as well as the public’s desensitization toward gun violence. By Kyra Hudson

think it’s important to remember that this isn’t normal.” When Alex Poe ’20 visited the Even though the disturbance Santa Monica Promenade, one of at the Promenade was only a her regular hangout spots, last scare, it represents a nationwide week, her trip quickly went south. trend. So far in 2019, there have As she walked from store to store, been 279 mass shootings in the Poe began to notice fearful shop United States, killing 262 people, attendants closing their business- according to the Gun Violence Ares due to a potential security vio- chive. lation. Reminded of all the recent While news of gun violence headlines about shootings on the has flooded the media for years, news, Poe said she automatically this summer’s back-to-back believed the incident to be a mass shootings in El Paso, Texas and shooting. Poe’s assumpDayton, Ohio the tion was not far from the weekend of Aug. 4 truth. stunned the country, “[The workers in the according to the New stores] wouldn’t tell me York Times. Between what exactly was going on, the high number of and I was really scared and casualties and the just [didn’t] know what to short mourning pe’ do,” Poe said. “I assumed riod between the El Alex that it was probably a Paso tragedy and the Poe ’20 shooting scare, since I had shock of Dayton, the heard about so many in the news issue of gun violence has become lately.” a major topic of conversation in While the Los Angeles Police the media this past month. Department confirmed that there Because the number of shootwas no active shooter on-site, the ings has steadily increased—there incident involved an armed se- has been only one week since curity officer who fired a gun to 2013 without an incident—gun subdue a knife-wielding man. Poe violence is now dominating the said that the entire experience media, according to the National made her fear for her life because Public Radio. she witnessed firsthand the un“The media needs to stop senfortunate, yet frequent, reality of sationalizing [shootings] and esmass shootings. pecially needs to stop reports of “To a certain extent, [shoot- the perpetrator’s history, characings] have become so common ter and motives,” Clay Skaggs ’20 that I’ll hear about them day after said. “By broadcasting detailed day in the news, and I’ll almost be information about shootings, meexpecting it where it really isn’t dia outlets turn tragedies into a as shocking to me anymore,” Poe trivial, sick form of entertainment said. “It seems more like an every- which numbs the public. While day occurrence than something the ability to commit such a crime that should be truly horrific, so I so easily may be due to America’s white s

unique gun culture, the solidifica- shootings, can produce severe tion of mass shootings as an all- levels of heightened stress which too-frequent phenomenon is due trigger feelings of emotional to America’s opportunistic media numbness,” Upper School psyculture.” chologist Sophie Wasson said. At least 27 people have been “This is a common reaction to arrested for threatening to com- trauma. Traumatic stress can mit mass shootings since the in- overwhelm your system. Your cidents in El Paso and Dayton, body can become so emotionally according to CNN. Though gun and physically fatigued that you violence continues to increase, have no other choice but to shut Americans feel a growing sense of down and become numb. It comes numbness and desensitization as from our body and mind’s need a coping mechanism for the gravi- to protect ourselves in the face ty of the shootof overwhelming ings, according feelings.” I can’t believe to Time MagaTo combat that our reality is we are zine. the emotional “Because spending this much time shock tragedies these things bring, making a talking about active are so overconscious effort shooters.” whelming, to limit news in– Laura Ross take can decrease our central Head of Upper School the desensitizanervous system basically tion and possible shuts down past a point,” Bruce anxiety associated with traumatHarry, an associate professor of ic media coverage, Wasson said. clinical and forensic psychiatry at With this in mind, the school has the University of Missouri School improved security procedures in of Medicine, said in an interview order to ensure that students feel with Time Magazine. “These are safe on campus, Head of Upper not things we’re hardwired to en- School Laura Ross said. dure.” “We were sitting there in that Violence has been proven to meeting and I was thinking, ‘I can’t desensitize people to what they believe that our reality is spending witness, according to the Jour- this much time talking about acnal of Youth and Adolescence. tive shooters, how to barricade a This phenomenon was previously door and running to the Ralphs if present in only those exposed to you have to leave campus,’” Ross high levels of brutality. However, said. “We’re so process-oriented because the media now covers about it. We want to give people more graphic incidents than ever, opportunities to process, be activindividuals have adopted these ists and try to make things better, tactics to manage how they deal but at the same time, our responwith the national tragedies, ac- sibility as a school is thinking cording to The Cut. about if we are doing everything “Tragedies, such as mass we can to keep people safe.”

“

ILLUSTRATION BY HANNAH MITTLEMAN ’20

Aug. 28, 2019

hwchronicle.com/features

Features B8

Faculty members discuss the affordability of housing in Los Angeles and how school housing programs help them. By Ethan Lachman

teachers, so we said, ‘Great, we’d love to stay there for a year as we Upper School Dean Chris sort of get our feet wet in the Los Jones (Taylor ’18, Avery ’23) has Angeles area.’” Head of Upper School Laura never enjoyed such a short commute to work—approximately Ross, who also lives on campus, said that although the length 375 steps, to be specific. “I joke about it in a sense,” of each tenant’s stay varies, the Chris said. “But I really appre- school tends to provide on-camciate it. [Living in on-Campus pus housing for faculty whose housing] is so convenient. We’ll tasks are especially time-consuming, as well as on a needstay as long as they allow us.” While it may seem that the based system. “We want to be thoughtful,” campus ends at Hamilton gym, through a maze of driveways lies a Ross said. “Housing in Los Angeles small community of approximate- is expensive, so we are thoughtful ly 10 houses. This neighborhood with the allocation and the needs is a part of the school’s attempt to of our faculty members.” According to Zillow, the mecombat what Robert Lee Walters, dian price for a home a Studio City-based realas of July 31 was tor and founder of Leland $689,500 in Los AngeProperties, considers an les and $1,309,900 in urgent housing problem Studio City. Walters, for teachers in Los Angewho has sold housles. es in Los Angeles for “It’s just tough for more than 30 years, teachers these days to get said that even with an affordable housing,” Walupper-end teacher salters said. “It’s just [that in ary of $75,000, there is Los Angeles], New York, ’ still a lack of economChris Jones Southern California, San ical housing for faculFrancisco... you just have ty members in Studio to be careful.” For a handful of teachers, the City. English teacher Lucas Gonzaschool’s solution is these homes. The 10 competitively priced lez, who has lived in expensive on-campus houses vary in size, cities such as New York, said the ranging from almost 600 square costly housing takes a toll on his feet to approximately 3,500 other financial opportunities. “For people like me that arsquare feet, Chris said. He and his wife, Director of Diversity, en’t rolling in the big bucks, it Equity and Inclusion and Associ- is a kind of existential crisis beate Director of Admission Janine cause you just kind of work to Jones first moved into on-campus live,” Gonzalez said. “None of the housing with their two daughters money that you make really goes after relocating to Los Angeles to ensuring any kind of financial eight years ago to work at the savings or long-term security.” To purchase homes in Los Anschool. “Before coming out here, I geles, teachers often must venworked at a school in Ohio, and ture outside of the Studio City [my family and I] were trying to area and deeper into the valley, make the move,” Chris said. “And despite less than ideal situations, we were trying to sell our house Walters said. “Even the choices in Northridge there, and the housing market at the time was really bad. With- or Reseda are limited,” Walters in negotiating, the school let us said. “Most homes start around know that there was a house that $400,00. You may even be pushed they used in the past for visiting out to Simi Valley, which is even white s

further out, but that’s such a long and that the convenience of the drive that would be frustrating for location led to an overall positive anybody, let alone our hardwork- experience. ing teachers.” “The only thing that was afAs the Jones family adjusted to fected was that it was easier for living on campus, they eventually my friends to come over and hang requested additional time in the out,” Taylor said. house, Chris said. Chris, who is aware that nu“Living here for that year, we merous teachers in Los Angeles just grew so accustomed to the have to take on second jobs to convenience of being this close,” afford adequate housing, said he Chris said. “We petitioned to see is especially grateful for his own if we could stay in the house a living situation. little bit lon“I think ger, and we about bewanted to get ing able to a second year, live in this the second house and year became even paythe third and ing whatnow we’re in ever the our [eighth].” discounted Although rate is, it’s I can’t imagine teachers living still expenon campus sive to live what it’s like for teachers pay a reduced in Los Angewho are having to sort of price for their les ,” Chris figure out what their own homes, the said. “I school lifts can’t imaghousing is going to be.” the heavy ine what burden of any it’s like for —Chris Jones necessary reteachers Upper School Dean pairs, Chris who are said. having to “Just like if sort of figwe were here ure out on campus what their and there was something goown housing is going to be.” ing on, we would file a mainteThe issue of improving nance report,” Chris said. “We housing for teachers is evdo the same thing with the er-present, Chris said. Alhouses, and it’s the school’s though he may be comforthouse, so the school takes care able at the moment, he said of all of it.” the idea of bettering the lives Even though Ross’s school of his fellow educators is on and home lives are inherenthis future agenda. ly intertwined, the benefit of “I’ve thought about this living on campus is clear, she long and hard,” Chris said. said. “If I ever wound up in some sort of “It’s sometimes hard to get leadership position, I think one of work out of your mind because the things I’d like to take on is tryyou’re like, ‘I could be in my office ing to find more affordable housin five minutes,’” Ross said. “But, ing for faculty. I know that if [upI mean really, the pros outweigh per level administration] had the the cons by a factor of a million.” resources to do it, they would try Taylor ’18 said that living in to do something housing-wise for on-campus housing with her fam- everyone. It’s just trying to come ily barely impacted her social life, up with a solution that’s feasible.”

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ILLUSTRATION BY EVIE DE RUBERTIS

Arts & Entertainment The Chronicle •Aug. 28, 2019

As movies begin giving black women a more prominent voice in Hollywood, students comment on how the change impacts them.

By Jordan Murray Most Disney fans envision Ariel as the mermaid princess with red hair, blue eyes and white skin, but in an era that is pushing for more inclusion, Disney is beginning to diversify its casting. In early July, The Walt Disney Co. announced that black singer and “Grownish” actress Halle Bailey will star as Ariel in the live-action remake of “The Little Mermaid.” “I’m glad [Bailey] got the role,” Naomi Ogden ’20 said. “I remember her from Disney Channel’s ‘Next Big Thing,’ and it’s good to see a new face on the acting scene. Hollywood needs to remember that there are more than five black actresses out there.” Ogden also said that casting a black actress for the role of Ariel will have a large effect on young girls of color.

“It’ll be good for little girls of color to see someone that looks like them too,” Ogden said. “It may not seem like that big of a deal until it’s Halloween, and one less little black girl has to [have] her mother straighten her hair and spray it red.” Over the past several years, audiences have witnessed an uptick in diverse casting, with minorities representing 19.8 percent of leading roles in 2017, which is nearly twice the 2011 number. Talent agent for International Creative Management Dana Sims said that Hollywood is beginning to think more globally when searching for actors to fill existing roles. “I applaud Disney for recognizing communities and people that would have been background players or side notes,” Sims said. “If you’re Disney, and you have been doing one thing the same way for decades, it’s the natural evolution of storytelling. Because of the Internet, now more than ever, we live in a global village.” Patrick Gonder, a film instructor at the College of Lake County, said that he finds the uproar about casting Bailey amusing because Hollywood has been white-washing characters since 1896. “I’ve noticed a lot of memes online where people say, ‘Well if we can have a black Little Mermaid, then I guess it’s okay if we have a

white person play Martin Luther King Jr.,’” said Gonder. “That meme is completely ignorant of the fact that that’s exactly what Hollywood has been doing for about a century. They had a white man play Gandhi.” Gonder also said that the updated versions of the films are vital to the success and commercial appeal of the film. “Every year, somebody takes a play by Shakespeare, and they present it in a new way,” Gonder said. “If we [presented] it like they did in Elizabethan times, then Shakespeare probably would be dead.” Bailey isn’t the only black woman who has recently been cast in a traditionally white role. Lashana Lynch, who is known for her role as Maria Rambeau in Captain Marvel, was cast as the new 007 in the next James Bond movie, “Bond 25.” Harper’s Bazaar reported that in the movie, James Bond has retired, and Lynch has taken over his 007 code name. Lynch will become the first black woman to ever take on the 007 role. When former undercover FBI agent and author Naveed Jamali heard that 007 was cast as a black woman, he tweeted in support of the decision. As one of the FBI’s most successful double agents, Jamali said the casting is important because it realistically represents the diversity of spies in the real world. “People don’t understand [that] both women and peo-

ple of color, in many cases, [are] not playing in a supporting role, they’re playing a starring role,” Jamali said. “It’s important for the world, and [specifically] Americans, to understand that [the] intelligence community isn’t made up of just straight white men, and we’re better because of it.” Guy Hartstein ’20 said that Lynch taking on the code name does not affect the movie, as long as James Bond remains himself. “Casting a black actor doesn’t change the nature of the character because James Bond has nothing to do with skin color or anything that may entail,” Hartstein said. “James Bond is known for his bravado, sexual promiscuity and physical prowess, things that male actors are traditionally taught to convey. I’m not affected by what an actor identifies as, as long he’s the same character.” Josephine Amakye ’21 said that Hollywood diversifying their castings will impact future opportunities for not only the children but also the actors themselves. “Through casting black actors in roles previously played by white actors, more children will grow up feeling represented in the shows and movies that they watch, and that is so valuable,” Amakye said. “It also opens a lot more doors for black actors in the industry, and many of them starting out can pursue a career in entertainment without feeling limited to working on select productions.”

ILLUSTRATION BY EVIE DE RUBERTIS

Gertie Brown and Saint Suttle are the first black people cast in a movie: “Something Good- A Negro Kiss.”

Hattie McDonald becomes the first African American to be nominated for an Academy Award.

Sidney Poiter is the first African American man to win an Academy Award, with “Lilies In The Field.”

2001 marks the first year two black men are nominated in the same category at the Oscars.

“12 Years a Slave” wins the Oscar for Best Movie, marking the first year a Black-centric movie wins.

Disney casts Halle Bailey as Ariel, and MGM casts Lashana Lynch to take over the role of 007.

C2 Arts And Entertainment

The Chronicle

Aug. 28, 2019

Sketches of Summer Students spent their summers attending programs to help further develop their skills in various art forms.

By Sophia Musante Marissa Lee

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Evan Rappaport ’22 took part in a jazz program at Stanford University over the summer to explore the the world of professional music and develop his skills in preparation for the upcoming school year. During the program, Rappaport took several classes that focused on various elements of jazz music and improved his skills in both the bassoon and baritone sax-

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ophone. In addition to learning from high-level musicians, Rappaport also received the opportunity to attend several professional concerts for free. Rappaport said he left the program with a new understanding of jazz and different approach to his own music. “I learned to improve my style by listening to other artists,” Rappaport said. “For example, tap dancers and a rhythm guide helped me improve how I im-

provise using different rhythms.” Rappaport said his participation in the program is reflective of his love of music. Since he began playing the alto saxophone in the fifth grade, Rappaport said music has become an increasingly important part of his life. “To me, music is a fun way to express your emotions,” Rappaport said. “Everyone has a unique style, so it’s a different way to express yourself without using words.”

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whose work she can follow, she said. Offor added that the lessons she learned from her time at SAIC made her eager to continue her artistic future at the upper school. “This program helped remind me that, while I only take painting and photography class, I can still incorporate other mediums into my work,” Offor said. “I hope that I can continue to have an open mind and explore the possibilities of what I can create.”

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to experience what it would be like going to an art school compared to going to a regular Aspiring painter college,” Offor said. i Mim er aph togr and pho At SAIC, Offor fothe Offor ’21 attended cused on photography School of the Art Instiand figure painting, but IC) tute of Chicago (SA spent time working this summer, where she also wings and video dra on and y took a photograph art. She said she espefigure painting class. cially enjoyed painting her Offor said that people as they interactexperience at SAIC ed with their peers and prompted her to seri their environment. Her ously consider becomteachers encouraged st. arti ing a professional her to experiment with “I have been intermore interdisciplinary a ested in pursuing art and introduced her career in art for a while to many new artists now, and I wanted

By Maxine Zuriff and Kate Burry

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because it ga creative free ve actors Lilah Weism improve,’” W dom a n ei ’20 spent her su said. “It sou sman “Some piece . mmer n s w e studying th put together cheesy, bu ds a little eater at the the first t it really National H d a y ended up changed m igh School y min in th e Institute Th final show,” Weisman sa dset.” ea Weisman id she Division, m ter Arts sa id. “It was a was able to or apply the lot of monly know e comp ow le er ss on ov er th s she le n as Cherubs, at Nor product wh e final her day-to-d arned to th ich you ay li University. western don’t norm “In life, if yo fe. D ally get as u have seven-week uring the a n an impulse actor.” in or idea to Weisman to tensive, cr T ea h e te program ga ok voice, or do a ve movement her with a I’ve learned nything, an new look on to just do classes. Stu d acting acting, Wei it.” Weisma dents also sman said. n said. “If performed yo “[An] impor u see somet in the play tant “Rose and mantra I le fair that up hing unthe Rime.” arned is se ‘always push Weisman crosses you ts you or yo r u rs el f the play wa said to the edge boundaries personal s unique of , speak to ability, or yo your yo ur peers or u will not authority a to an bout it.”

ILLUSTRATION BY EVIE DE RUBERTIS

Aug. 28, 2019

hwchronicle.com/ae

A&E C3

Senior staff members share their quintessential “Hot Girl Summer” playlist picks, along with a reason why they love each song.

Fake ID

(Riton and Kah-Lo)

Friday Night Big Screen (GIRLI)

“The feeling of being a teenager.” - Jeanine Kim

Hot Girl Summer (Megan Thee Stallion)

Bags

(Clairo)

Come Over (The Internet)

“Such a vibe.” - Annie Beckman

ILLUSTRATED BY SARAH REIFF

(Carrie Underwood)

Hungry Like The Wolf (Duran Duran)

“It’s a timeless classic.” - Jessa Glassman

“Perfect while driving on PCH.” - Amelie Zilber

Before He Cheats “It’s my go-to jam.” - Emma Shapiro

“Summer mood.” - Jordan Murray

(Denzel Curry) “It has amazing production.” - Spencer Klink

“Blast it with your friends.” - Sarah Reiff

Ricky

Lauren

(Men I Trust) “Not a narcissist, it’s a good song.” - Lauren Nehorai

Hot

(Young Thug ft. Gunna) “I like the Wheezy beat.” - Zack Schwartz, Luke Casola

C4 Arts And Entertainment

Students to act in “Into the Woods”

The Chronicle

Aug. 28, 2019

By Marine Degryse and Caitlin Munoz

’21 to love the musical. “I think it is really interesting that [Into the Woods] enThe Performing Arts de- captures a bunch of different partment plans to stage the classical fairytale stories,” du musical “Into the Woods” this Manoir said. “[The musical] is able to tell an abundance of fall. “I’m super excited to audi- very important life morals in tion, because it’s my last year such a short amount of time.” The original Broadway proat Harvard-Westlake, and this is one of my favorite musicals,” duction of ‘Into the Woods’ Leila Dall’Olmo ’20 said. “I love won several Tony Awards, ‘Into the Woods,’ because it and the movie adaptation rehas so many characters and ceived three nominations at the Academy Awards and the storylines that are exciting.” Golden Globes. The theater de“It’s very much partment will hold an ensemble show, student auditions for meaning that everythe musical starting body is integral to Aug. 27. Students it,” Spears said. “If will then be cast into that role is in there, it roles including Cinhas a very particular derella, the Big Bad and important part to Wolf and Rapunzel. play in the story.” Director Michele ’ Du Manoir said Spears said she Leila that to her, Little Red chose this show beDall’Olmo ’20 Riding Hood is the cause the variety of characters it has makes it eas- most interesting character. “Although [Little Red Ridier to cast. “Since [the show] is about ing Hood] seems to be an innofairytales, anyone of any iden- cent story and is told to chiltity can audition, and we can dren growing up, it actually make that work for their char- has very dark undertones and I think it’s interesting to play acter,” Spears said. With an overarching theme around with the contrast of of being careful of what one the darkness of the story while wishes for, “Into the Woods” playing such an innocent begins with the story of a bak- character,” du Manoir said. Spears said that the shows’ er and his wife who are cursed by a witch and rendered child- many components make rehearsal even more hectic. less. The couple embarks on a Regardless of the huge time musical journey through the commitment that goes into woods to find four essential producing plays, Spears’ said ingredients that could reverse the end result is always intheir fate, meeting classic sto- credibly satisfying, making all rybook and fairytale charac- the work worth it. “It is always exciting,” ters throughout their quest. Having various types of Spears said. “The audition storylines and characters all process, rehearsals and exencompassed into one is what ploring the material all make allowed Alexandra du Manoir the experience wonderful.” white s

NETFLIX.COM

POLI-THINKING: Peyton Hobart (Ben Platt) contemplates his political campaign in a new upcoming Netflix original series, “The Politician,” where he plays a student determined to become president.

Ben Platt to star in new Netflix show “The Politician,” premiering this fall By Emma Limor Following his nationwide music tour, Ben Platt ’11 will star in a Netflix original series, “The Politician,” set to premiere Sept. 27. Platt, who is best known for his lead role in the Broadway musical “Dear Evan Hansen,” has won Grammy, Emmy and Tony awards over the course of his career. “It’s nice to see [Platt] branching out into other mediums more recently after gaining a lot of exposure for his run on Broadway,” Charlie Albert ’21 said. “He has been in a handful of films and is releasing his own album, and I am interested to see what he brings to the table in this TV show.”

In the new musical comedy, Platt plays Peyton, a wealthy teenager who begins his political career in high school and plans to ultimately become the President of the United States. The show traces Peyton’s campaign for student council and his conflicts with opponents. “Having just seen the trailer, I’m really excited to see the show,” Lola Cortez ’22 said. “I feel like everyone can relate to the plot, and I can’t wait to see more of Platt’s work.” Student actor and singer Alon Moradi ’21 said he is proud to be at the same school that his role model attended. “It is very inspiring to be able to have choir and acting classes every day with photos hanging on the walls depicting

[Platt] in the same shows that we are doing as high school students now,” Moradi said. Moradi explained the importance of the legacy alumni leave behind and the footsteps that he hopes to follow in. “I think the legacy of performing arts [here] allows the program to thrive and drive the future students here.” Maddie Boudov ’21 reflected on the impact Platt’s legacy has on her acting career. “For me, hearing about Ben Platt’s career and seeing him push his boundaries as an actor inspires me to be like him,” Boudov said. “Knowing that the beginning of his acting career was at our school shows us that we can make it to Broadway.”

Alumna films, directs documentary focused on strengthening friendship

By Celine Park

together.” During the trip, Shooshani Alumna Camille Shooshani and Moret explored different ’13 filmed and directed her parts of Central and South first autobiographical Net- America. They also visited desflix documentary, which fol- tinations such as Mexico City, lows the journey she and her Bogota, the Amazon and the best friend, Léa Moret, took to Atacama Desert. South America after graduatOne of the main challenging from college. es Shooshani encountered was The film focuses on the that the experience of filming pair’s friendship, as well as and directing was relatively Moret’s search for alternate new to her, she said. methods “We were to Western doing everymedicine in indeFriendship is a love thing Central and pendently, that has no obligations South Amerso we had no tied to it, but it can also ica as she one to tell us looks to cure what to do,” propel you so much her cystic Shooshani further.” fibrosis, a said. “We had potentially —Camille Shooshani ’13 to be our own life-th r e a t and be Director of ”Léa and I” bosses ening genetin charge of our ic disorder own finances.” that affects the lungs and diDespite initial obstacles, gestive system. Shooshani said she and Moret “I wanted to shoot [a vid- strengthened their friendship, eo] and practice filming, and which became one of the film’s [Moret] really, for the first main themes, during the cretime, wanted to talk about ative process. her illness,” Shooshani said. “Friendship is different “We really wanted to travel to from romantic or even familSouth America for a while and ial love,” Shooshani said. “It’s explore the region a little bit, a love that has no obligations so we put those three things tied to it, but it can also propel

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you so much further.” Jasmine Wang ’21, who watched the documentary, said the film changed her perspective on companionship for the better. “[The film] moved me in ways I didn’t expect it to,” Wang said. “It really speaks to the power of friendship and what it means to be there for someone while they are healing.” The documentary also featured young women discovering the deeper meaning behind their actions, even during confusing times, Shooshani said. “There are not enough stories about what a female friendship is and what it feels like, especially as young women,” Shooshani said. Shooshani said that the film is a good representation of life after college with her best friend. “We were literally right out of college when we did this, so it’s such an amazing document of that time,” Shooshani said. “You’re thrown into the world for the first time, and that’s really what this story is about. Another aspect of the movie is about what it means to face your pain, but mostly it’s about female friendship.”

FLIXABLE.COM

GAL PALS: Camille Shooshani (left) and Léa Moret (right) stare into the South American desert as they reflect on their journey. Moret hopes to find alternative methods to curing her condition.

Sports The Chronicle • Aug. 28, 2019

Football

KYLE REIMS/CHRONICLE

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THIS IS ‘HOWE’ WE DO IT: Quarterback Marshall Howe ’21 winds up under the Friday Night Lights during the season opener against Birmingham High School. Howe exhibits his poise on the field as he protects the ball. They lost 34-0, with Howe throwing for 185 yards, two interceptions and no touchdowns.

Tumultuous off-season leads to a fresh start for football By Kyle Reims

coaching duties. Despite the current cirAfter experiencing an cumstances, Lambert said off-season with numerous he is very happy to work with changes, the football team’s this team. “It’s going really [well],” roster is very different than it Lambert said. “I feel most was at this time last year. In addition to those who days, we’ve gotten better graduated, namely starting from one to the next and so running back Sultan Daniels that’s always positive. I love ’19, the Wolverines also lost being here. This is a great, quarterback Jameson Wang great school to be at. And the kids have been noth’20 and receiver Tering but awesome.” rell Long ’21, two The Wolverines key players who plan to fill the void transferred after Wang left by promotlast year’s season. ing Marshall Howe Coach Michael ’21 to the starting Burnett also stepped quarterback role. down Aug. 5, citing “Being named the stress of the job starting quarterback and the toll it took is a huge honor for on his family life. ’ me,” Howe said. “It’s Linebackers coach Evan really been a long Conrad Cuda reRoderick ’21 process, so it’s nice signed as well. to see all of my hard Ramsey Lambert, who joined the coaching work come to fruition. I can’t staff as an assistant over the wait to display all of the hard summer, will assume head work that my teammates and white s

I have put in throughout the off-season on Friday nights.” Lambert praised his new quarterback, specifically complimenting his ability to read the field and defenses. “Marshall is very coachable,” Lambert said. “He’s extremely smart, he’s got really good accuracy and he understands the game, which enables him to manage the other players around him. He understands where the ball needs to go and at what times. He doesn’t force stuff, and he’s just making the plays he’s been coached to do.” Although the team encountered many difficulties prior to the start of the season, the players are still optimistic for the upcoming season and chance to make a deeper run in the playoffs, Vito Ameen ’20 said. “I’m feeling good about the team so far,” Ameen said. “I feel like we’re ready for

I’m feeling good about the team so far. I feel like we are ready for our first game, thanks to our coaching staff. I have confidence in our staff to continue making the team better through the season.” — Vito Ameen ’20 Offensive & Defensive Line

our first game, thanks to the coaching staff. Even though Coach Burnett leaving at the start of camp was a shock, I have confidence in our staff to continue making the team as a whole better through the season.” Howe said he thinks the struggles of the off-season can help strengthen the team, and believes that the high talent level of the players will lead the team to improvement. “Dealing with adversity as a team can help us in the future,” Howe said. “We have a lot of great talent this year, and I think we will only get stronger as the season progresses. We do have a fair

white’s

number of new faces, so our team chemistry both on and off the field will improve. On top of that, we will have guys returning during the season, and we will continue to get faster and stronger throughout the year.” Safety Evan Roderick ’21 said the team’s goal is to focus on one game at a time. “We have to go 1-0 every week,” Roderick said. “We do that, and we’ll win a championship.” Last year, the Wolverines’s finished with a 6-5 overall record and a 3-1 league record. The team’s home opener will take place Aug. 30 against Venice High School.

Field Hockey

Team looks to dominate season By E ugean Choi and L ucas L ee

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GOING GOING GONE-OCY: Midfielder Bella Ganocy ’22 leaves the defense in the dust during the homecoming win against Bonita 1-0.

After dominating its competition with a 39-0 overall record over the past two seasons, the field hockey team is looking to defend its two consecutive LAFHA Championship titles and finish the season undefeated once again, midfielder Rachel Brown ’20 said. Defender Ella Moriarty ’21 said that the squad is excited to play again as they attempt to secure a championship for the third consecutive season.

“I think we all feel very proud to be undefeated twice,” Moriarty said. “I think it also helps us because it puts a lot more pressure on us and motivates us to work even harder the next year.” Field hockey is not showing any signs of slowing down, Moriarty said, shutting out Westminster High School 9-0 in the season opener Aug. 19. Despite the strong start to the regular season, Brown said that she understands the squad has not reached

its full potential. “We are continuously trying to improve by setting goals for ourselves,” Brown said. Unlike last year, there are no freshmen on the roster. Even though the team lacks younger talent, Brown said that the seniors will embrace their role as the leaders and role models for the sophomores and juniors. The Wolverines lost several key players last season, including former • Continued on D6

D2 Sports

The Chronicle

Aug. 28, 2019

Boys’ Water Polo

CIF champs look to repeat success By Jaidev Pant After defeating Newport Harbor High School 5-3 last season to become CIF Division I Champions, the boys’ Water Polo team looks to repeat its success this year. Driver Christopher Kim ’20 discussed the squad’s expectation to defend its title. “There, of course, is pressure, because now we have a target on our back,” Kim said. “Every team good or bad will give us our best game, but as long as we play our game, I think we can win again.” In addition, players said that this year, the squad must focus on not playing down to its competition. “The mindset that we can and will win any game we play, solely because of who we are, can get to our heads very easily and cause us to get complacent with our focus and overall performance,” goalkeeper Asher Schwartz ’21 said. Head of Athletics Terry Barnum said he is confident in the team’s ability to repeat as champions. “We are defending Division I champs, so obviously we have some holes to fill, but we have got a young group of guys who are working really, really hard,” Barnum said. “I know they want to defend that championship badly.

They don’t want anyone to think they have fallen off.” Attacker Shay Gillearn ’21 said that the squad will have to adjust after attacker Pierce Maloney ’19, utility Alexander Bucur ’19 and attacker Ryan Neopole ’19, key contributors to the team’s successful championship run, graduated at the end of last season. “The loss of our three previous seniors will have a big impact on the team,” Gillearn ’21 said. “However, the rising seniors have stepped into a great leadership role to fill the gap.” Schwartz said that this year’s most important games are against Newport Harbor High School on Oct. 12, Mater Dei High School on Oct. 22 and rival Loyola High School on Oct. 30. “Newport is an improving team who we have had to face many times this year, including the CIF [Division I] finals and throughout club season,” Schwartz said. “They are definitely our biggest competition this year, and we want to defeat them to prove that we are the better team.” Attacker Ethan Joei ’22 said that the team has had a busy offseason, with many of the players competing under HarvardWestlake affiliated club team Los Angeles Premier Water Polo Club, where

Football

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GOING OUT WITH A PANG: Cristian Pang ’20 treads water, looking for an open teammate behind the defense in a 15-1 dominant win against Notre Dame High School last season.

they finished second in the Junior Olympics. Players said their work in the summer helped the team develop both physically and mentally. “In our off-season, we got so much fitter because we conditioned and swam a lot,” Joei said. “We went hard in the weight room to build our strength. More importantly, we went through dark times as a team to build our character. We really focused on our team culture and improved traits like attitude, focus and effort.” In addition to playing on club water polo teams, players are also competing at the national level. Goal-

keeper Nolan Krutonog ’20, defender Nicholas Tierney ’20 and utility George Avakian ’20 are all playing on the Youth National Team in the Union Americana de Natación Youth Pan American Championship. Despite the loss of key seniors from last season, Schwartz said that the team will be very experienced behind the leadership of eight seniors. “It’s good that we have a lot of seniors and upperclassmen this year,” Schwartz said. “The senior class is one of the most talented classes we’ve ever had. A lot of them have been receiving playing time since they were

freshman, so that development definitely allowed us to win the championship last year. With this group of guys, we will have an experienced and strong starting lineup.” The squad opens up the season by playing against league opponent Alemany High School at the Copses Family Pool on Aug. 29 and play their first tournament Sept. 19. “Our goals for this season is to become the best players and people we can be inside and outside the pool,” Kim said. “As long as we follow the system and trust the process, winning and another CIF title should come with it.”

New year new coach: Ramsey Lambert named Interim Head • Continued from A1

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LAMBO: Interim head coach Ramsey Lambert patrols the sideline during the season opener against Birmingham High School.

focused on their initial preseason goals. “It was definitely a little bit of a shock from everybody’s standpoint, from players to administration, to parents and myself and the rest of the staff as well, but I think the kids’ resiliency really helped us move from absorbing that shock,” Lambert said. “We started this with a mission in the off-season, working hard in the weight room and working hard on our skills. We have to get back to that because we don’t want that to go as time wasted in the off-season. We want to make sure that becomes something fruitful for us on Friday nights.” Wide receiver Jason Thompson ’22 said training camp gave the team an opportunity to adapt to the new changes. “Over the span of the team camp we all really came together and bought into each other and our coaching staff as we focus on the season ahead,” Thompson said. ‘[Lambert] has shown a lot of trust in us players and is designing

a lot of our game plan based on the personnel we have on our team, playing to our strengths.” Lambert joined the coaching staff this summer as an assistant intended to primarily focus on defense. Although Lambert is a new addition to the staff, Barnum said the athletic department wanted to ensure the team was comfortable with the Interim Head. “Instead of trying to introduce someone new two weeks before the first game, we felt giving someone who has already been here with the boys, understands our system has a good relationship with the players gave both our boys and our program the best chance for success,” Barnum said. In addition to years of college playing and coaching experience, Lambert was most recently the head coach at La Cañada High School and Santa Monica High School. “I’ve had amazing mentors from multiple state championship coaches, the college level, being at a public school as well, my experience from all those

mentors really gave me a perspective on different aspects of football,” Lambert said. “When I became the head coach, I was able to look back, ‘well, which coach did that really well,’ and how can I implement that into what we are trying to do at this school.” Lineman Julian Kay ’21 said Lambert is a great addition to the program. “[Lambert] brings passion, energy and the unique ability to communicate his ideas as well as implement suggestions from the team,” Kay said. Wide receiver Brendan Kang ’20 said despite the unfortunate timing of the coaching change, the team has recovered well. “We strongly believe that the team handled the adversity of last minute head coaching change extremely well,” Kang said. “We believe it helped us come together and understand that we are all striving for the same goal: winning games and eventually a division championship. We are determined to win, and we are buying into [Lambert] and the rest of the staff.”

Aug. 28, 2019

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Sports D3

inbrief

Girls’ Volleyball

Keila McCabe ’20 commits to Tufts

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BLOCKERS: Kennedy Hill ’22 and former senior member Lauren Juzang ’19 try to do a block in order to deflect the spiked ball back to the other side. Hill said that the team will practice more and more to not only improve but also achieve a perfect season.

Chronicle Presentation Editor and Big Red Editorin-Chief Keila McCabe ’20 committed to Tufts University for softball this summer. Last season, McCabe was the coCaptain of the Wolverines softball team and the squad finished 6-9 overall and 4-5 in the league. McCabe started all 8 games, led the team in runs scored and had three complete games wins to clinch a CIF birth. In her sophomore season, the Wolverines softball team finished 6-9 overall and 4-5 in the league. In sophmore McCabe finished with a batting average of .346 and an on base percentage of .385.

-Ryan Razmjoo

Team looks to build off last season’s success

Four All-American swimmers chosen

By Alex Amster

Adam Copses ’20, Jameson McMullen ’20, Tommy Park ’20 and Ronald Dalmacio ’20 were selected for the 20182019 All-American award. For Copses this is his second consecutive honor in the 500 free. McCullen achieved honors in the 100 and 200 free events, while graduating with five All-American honors. Park received an honor for the 200 individual medley. Dalmacio was selected for both the 100 fly and the 100 backstroke.

The girls’ volleyball team is off to a slow start after beginning its season with a record of 5-5. The program has had to adjust to the loss of many crucial players from last season, including senior captains Eve Baxter ’19 and Lindsey Kelly ’19, as well as several underclassmen, opposite Eva Lekovic ’21 said. “It has been a big adjustment to lose so many players, but we have been practicing hard,” Lekovic said. “Each practice, we have been looking better. We are a really young team, so we are going to improve as the season progresses.” The squad traveled to Honolulu, Hawaii on Aug. 8 for its

annual Ann Kang Invitational tournament to kick off the season. Opposite and captain Carly Wallace ‘20 said the trip was a bonding experience for the team and that it gave the new players a chance to build team chemistry. “Since we have a lot of new players, it was an amazing opportunity to not only work with each other and grow as a team on the court, but to also spend quality bonding time together,” Wallace said. “This team has always had incredible team chemistry, and I expect that to be the case this year as well.” The Wolverines began the tournament with a 3-0 record, beating Mililani High School, Lolani High School and Santa

Margarita High School. Despite its undefeated start, the squad fell to 3-4 overall after losing four consecutive games and was forced to make adjustments. The squad defeated Pearl City High School in its last game of the Hawaiian tournament on Aug. 10. Following the Wolverines’ return to Los Angeles, they competed in the Lakewood Tournament on Aug. 17 where they beat South El Monte High School but lost to Burroughs High School. The results of the game against Long Beach Polytechnic High School Tuesday were unavailable due to press time. The team begins league play Sept. 9 against Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy. Wallace said

the game will give the players a chance to boost their confidence. “It’s still early on, so it’s hard to predict the season, but I expect us to be very competitive in league this year,” Wallace said. “We did lose some players, and of course, we miss having them on the team. We had six seniors graduate, including our starting setter, but we now have two really good freshman setters who I look forward to playing with. Overall, we are an underclassman-heavy team which has not been the case in the past, so I’m very excited to see how we progress this season and for the future of the program.” The Wolverines are scheduled to play Oakwood High School on Thursday.

Girls’ Tennis

Girls hope to reach CIF finals

By Lucas Lee After the departure of three seniors from last year’s squad, the girls’ tennis team hopes to build camaraderie behind the leadership of returning players. Last season, the team started strong and defeated Beverly Hills High School in its home opener. However, singles and doubles player Kylie Azizzadeh ’21 said the squad struggled to secure consecutive wins until the middle of the season. “Our goals are to improve our overall consistency and start out stronger at the beginning of matches rather than having to mount a comeback at the end,” Azizzadeh said. Previously made up of mostly underclassmen, the entire varsity roster will return. Around thirty new players also recently participated in tryouts, making this year historically successful in recruiting, singles and doubles player Kate Konvitz ’20 said. Despite the loss of last season’s seniors, the team hopes to develop its younger players

-Eugean Choi

Pablo Greenlee ’20 chooses UCLA Pablo Greenlee ’20 recently announced his verbal commitment to UCLA on July 18, officially becoming a part of the graduating class of 2024. Greenlee has been playing soccer for the past eight years and is ready to take his game to the next level on a division one collegiate stage. Pablo showed he was a division one level player by earning the titles of 2018 CIF Mission League MVP - Defensive Player and 2017-18 Team MVP. Greenlee has experience and knowledge, as he was on Varsity soccer since his freshman year in high school.

ZACK SCHWARTZ/CHRONICLE

BACKHAND: Senior Madeleine Dupee ’20 prepares for the ball. After the loss of last season’s seniors, Dupee said that she will embrace more of a leadership role for the incoming underclassmen. with the help of experienced veterans, Azizzadeh said. “Since we were such a new team last year consisting of a lot of freshman, a big challenge for us was being able to work together as a team,” Azizzadeh said. “I think as we continue playing together and building stronger relationships, we will be able to overcome this challenge .” Although tryouts began at the end of the summer, players have begun training independently during the offseason. Because tennis is an individual sport with lots of

intricacies, the players benefited from the guidance of private trainers and elite tennis camps, Konvitz said. Going into the season, the players are currently reacquainting themselves with the team environment, and have worked to continue building team chemistry. Both go hand in hand with achieving a winning season, Zoller and Konvitz said. “At times, our team struggles with communication on the court,” Zoller said. “The team’s goals are to communicate well and bond more in order to feel more comfortable

on the court. We are looking forward to being together and playing.” Singles and doubles player Kimberly Tan ’22 said that the squad looks to avenge themselves in their season opener Sept. 4 against Westlake High School, who the Wolverines lost 11-7 to in their first match of last season. Their first home game will take place Sept. 10 against Mira Costa High School. “The team’s goal is to create an inclusive environment for every player and embrace the strengths of each player’s game,” Tan said.

-Marine Degryse and Julian Andreone

Drew Bowser ’20 takes MVP honors Drew Bowser ’20 was on the field Aug. 11 at the Perfect Game All-American classic in San Diego, along with Peter Crow-Armstrong ’20. Their game was broadcasted on Major League Baseball (MLB) Network. Bowser not only won the Home Run Challenge, but also took MVP honors, leading the West with a 4-2 win. He was named one of the best high school MLB draft prospects on the field. After his performance, Bowser was named to the 18U National Team to play Friday in Gijang, South Korea alongside Crow-Armstrong. -Eugean Choi

The Chronicle

D4 Sports

Aug. 28

Boys’ Water Polo: Aug. 29 4:00 P.M. vs Alemany Girls’ Volleyball: Aug. 29 5:00 P.M. vs Oakwood Football: Aug. 30 7:00 P.M. vs Venice Cross Country: Aug. 27 8:00 A.M. @UCSB Invitational

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8, 2019

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Sports D5

Field Hockey: Sept. 5 5:00 P.M. vs Newport Girls’ Tennis: Sept. 10 3:30 P.M. vs Mira Costa Girls’ Golf: Sept. 12 3:30 P.M. vs Chaminade

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D6 Sports

The Chronicle

Aug. 28, 2019

Field Hockey

Squad still undefeated in Orlando • Continued from D1

captains Sydney Pizer ’19, Isabella Huang ’19 and Cypress Toomey ‘19. Despite the loss, program head Erin Creznic said she is confident in the current team’s abilities on the field. “We have a very strong senior class, and I have no doubt that they will be great leaders on our team,” Creznic said. “All of those players have become stronger and more skilled since last season. They have improved greatly since their first year on varsity last year.” After training hard during the off-season, defender Scarlett Strasberg ’20 said that the team’s members have adjusted to the new team dynamic and that she believes each player will improve as the season progresses. Judging from their practices and lifts during the offseason, left forward Samantha Yeh ’20 said the players are training and preparing to be perfect this year as well. During summer preseason, the team’s daily training sessions consisted of two hours of play and one hour of lifting. When the season begins, the squad will practice three days each week and compete the other two. “The practices can be tough sometimes, but in the end, they are only improving us as players both mentally and physically,” defender Sarah Rivera ’21. “[Competing alongside] your friends on the team makes it much more fun.” During the off-season, team captains emphasized squad camaraderie through

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CAUSE FOR C(ELLA)BRATION: Midfielder Ella Ganocy ‘22 pushes the ball upfield in a match against Westminister High School on Aug

31. The Wolverines won the game in a shutout by a score of 10-0, eventually going on to finish the season undefeated and as CIF champions.

bonding experiences outside of practice. “Because our team is so [close], we hang out pretty regularly, whether it’s grabbing lunches after practice, going to someone’s house to swim or even our annual sleepover,” Brown said. The team competed in the annual Kaylee Scholarship Association Events tournament this past Thursday, Friday and Saturday, which helped build chemistry and condition before league play, goalie Caitlyn Dovel ’21 said. “It’s a great experience to

see how other people play in different states, and the different drills and warm-ups they do before game starts,” Dovel said. “I also think it’s fun to reach out and make a couple of new friends that we can sometimes recognize every year when we return to Orlando for the KSA tournament. This year, unfortunately, we had no [substitutes] for the [games], so it should really prepare us for the upcoming season when we will be able to sub out. The heat of Orlando helps conditioning. We take our weather at home

for granted. The humidity in Florida is definitely a factor in our game.” In the squad’s downtime, the coaches and players visited Walt Disney World Resort, highlighting the close bonds the players have already built with each other, Dovel said. “Every day after our games, we [went] to Disney World,and I think just being at the happiest place on earth is bonding in itself,” Dovel said. “But also every night before we go to sleep, we did activities and fun little games all together in one of our rooms.”

The team opened the tournament by shutting out Mountain Lakes High School 4-0 Thursday. On Friday, the squad won 4-1 and then 8-0. The scores of the games Saturday were unavailable as of press time. Field hockey will return to regular season play against Fountain Valley High School on Thursday. Last season, the Wolverines defeated the Fountain Valley Barons in both matches, winning 8-0 Sept. 20 and 7-0 in the first round of the LAFHA playoffs.

Girls’ Golf

Squad hopes to redeem Mission League title By L ee Nichols and Luke Casola This season, the girls’ golf team hopes to continue its seven match winning streak from the end of the 2018 season by beating Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy High School in the first match of the season Sept. 5. Despite the undefeated stretch, the squad placed second in the All League Finals on Oct. 15 after finishing first overall in the All League Mid-Season Tournament on Sept. 18. With the 2019 season looming, the team is anticipating another successful season by relying on its senior leadership, Katie Kennedy ’21 said. “The team has a lot of depth,” team captain Daisy Wan ’20 said. “That depth is really important to us because it gives us the flexibility to have multiple lineups, so that we all feel fresh and strong for each match.” Kennedy said the seniors

helped plan events and coordinated with the coach to build chemistry and stronger relationships. After bonding on a retreat last year, the players planned a team dinner and drove together to practice and tournaments. Though the team fell short of winning a third straight Mission League title last season, team captain Skylar Graham ’20 said the squad needs to work on its skill level, not just its chemistry, to redeem the title. “We need to lower our score as a team,” Graham said. “If we can do that, as well as start to hit some more greens this season, we’ll be in good shape to make it to the CIF playoffs and to hopefully win Mission League.” In order to win playoffs and another league title, Wan and Graham said that all of the players have to be on top of their game, shooting better than average with scores in the seventies.

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GOING GREEN: Kimberly Wang ‘21 examines the green before putting in a league match against Notre Dame High School on Sept. 20. The Wolverines went on to win the match by a score of 182-181.

“We’ve had a pretty long and hard summer of training to get ready for this season,” Graham said. “We really just need to keep that in mind and stay determined. Last season, we had a lot of success, and hopefully that will happen again, but we can’t

let that success make us too comfortable with our playing. We all know that we can always improve.” After losing the season opener last year to Oaks Christian High School 196191, the squad is striving to open the season stronger

with a win against Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy on Sept. 5, Kennedy said. Last season, the team defeated Flintridge Sacred Heart 268188. “We have to get going early, or we will regret it later in the season.” Kennedy said.

Aug. 28, 2019

hwchronicle.com/sports

Sports D7

Cross Country

Team strives to place higher in CIF Playoffs

By Charlie Wang Despite the departure of many runners, the boys’ and girls’ cross country teams hope to make it to the CIF Playoffs again under the leadership of program head Jonas Koolsbergen. “The athletes who have been with us have done some excellent preparation,” Koolsbergen said. “Our team running camp in Big Bear was productive and special as always. We are a little less experienced than last year’s team, but ready to step into the spotlight and make our mark.” To start its campaign to the State Championships, the team will first compete Aug. 31 at the 2019 Univeristy of California, Santa Barbara Invitational. Last season, the girls’ team finished first in the Mission League, while the boys’ team finished second. The squad also had two runners, Daniela Quintero ’22 and Nathalia Quintero ’21, reach the CIF State Championship finals for the 5000 meters category last year. Both the boys’ and girls’ teams have lost several key contributors, including Avery Keare ’19 and Keon Mazdisnian ’19. This year’s team is also much smaller than last year’s. Siji Smolev ’22 said that the current team has found a new identity that has brought the runners closer together and made them more supportive of

each other. He said he believes that the runners’ strong bonds will propel the team to greater heights. “I think our team is special because of our chemistry,” Smolev said. “Running is a sport that takes a lot of willpower, so having that camaraderie helps you to push yourself past your limit”. Along with the change in size, Runner Isabel Lawrence ’21 said that the team has a different mindset than in past seasons. Lawrence said that the team members have a lot more confidence and belief in themselves as a group. “I think one of the biggest differences in our team this year is our mentality,” Lawrence said. “Especially for the members that were part of our amazing team last year, we are definitely more goal-oriented and hopeful for the future because of everything we experienced last year. The fact that we believe in our potential is really big.” Lawrence added that while the team’s primary goal is to win, the runners also want to enjoy the process. “Our goals this year definitely include making CIF and just to get on the podium at state,” Lawrence said. “Who doesn’t want to win a ring? But if that doesn’t happen I hope that, at the very least, some people will accomplish personal records or other personal goals. But more important is to do all of this while having fun.”

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SPEEDY SPENCER: Runner India Spencer ‘21 passes her competition at the Woodbridge Cross Country Classic on Sept. 16. Spencer finished the race with a time of 18:16:40, and a 6:05 pace.

Koolsbergen said he expects success at the League and CIF level. “Our goals are always to have success on the League level, be in the mix at the CIF level and qualify for the California State Championship Meet,” Koolsbergen said. The team began preparing for its upcoming season early in the summer. The team runs and lifts four days each week and recently competed in a preseason meet. The meet gave the runners experience for the many invitationals and meets they will compete in throughout the season. The whole team recently attended a five-day training

camp in Big Bear where the runners trained and participated in team building activities. Isaac Dienstag ’21 said that training in a higher altitude environment will help the team in the future. “Training and being in the high altitude meant workouts became much harder because of the thinner air, causing us to get a lot of great training in while we were there,” Dienstag said. Dienstag said that, overall, the team members understand that there will be many challenges, but hope their hard work in the off-season and their chemistry with each other will lead to with a strong

season. “This is going to be challenging for us, but I think with the hard work of everyone on the team, we can make it happen,” Dienstag ’21 said. Koolsbergen said that he is ready for the Wolverines to be challenged this season at the Mt. SAC Invitational and at the Palos Verdes Invitational. “The league meets are exciting as an opportunity to test ourselves and succeed,” Koolsbergen said. “The Mt. SAC invitation is a famous Cross Country classic and the Palos Verdes Invitational is new for this group and will be different than most meets and will be a lot of fun,” Koolsbergen said.

NEWEST ISSUE OF BIG RED COMING SOON

D8 Sports

The Chronicle

WOLVERINES ONLY

Aug. 28 2019

MARSHALL HOWE

RYAN ALBERT/CHRONICLE

y dad played quarterback for University of California, Berkeley, my grandfather played linebacker and fullback for Stanford University and my cousin played wide receiver for Stanford and the Cincinnati Bengals. Football has been a part of my life since day one. I could not tell you when I started playing, but the sport is in my blood. When I started, it just came naturally to me. While I don't have a first football memory, I remember traveling with my dad to Knoxville when I was three years old to watch Cal’s season opener against the Tennessee Volunteers. While the Golden Bears lost the game, I vividly remember how thrilled I was just to be there and soak in the football atmosphere. At seven or eight, I began playing recreation-league flag football at Palisades Recreation Center. At that age, football was lively and carefree. I was always pretty gifted when it came to throwing the football, so I played quarterback. I didn't play school football until it was offered in sixth grade at my old school, St. Matthews Parish, but it wasn't tackle. While I enjoyed flag football in this atmosphere, I was ready for the next step. I was very young for my grade, so when the opportunity was presented to repeat seventh grade and go to Harvard-Westlake, I took it. Despite being nervous and scared about entering a new school, it turned out to

be one of the best decisions of my life. During the summer before seventh grade, I put pads on for the first time at the middle school. Back then I was probably 5'6," 115 pounds and timid, having never hit anyone in my life. On my first day, I played scout team linebacker. One of the first plays of the period was an inside run straight to me. I expected to step up and make an easy tackle, but to my surprise, I was obliterated by my now-teammate Jake Kelly '20. I remember staring up to the sky, lying on the turf and thinking to myself, “My God, what have I gotten myself into?” It was quite the introduction to tackle football. Since then, I have tended to enjoy the offensive side of the ball much more than the defensive. I soon learned that there are many obstacles to football other than that brutal physical introduction. I did not expect to play much as a seventh grader, and I was right. In eighth and ninth grade, the trend persisted as I continued serving as a backup quarterback, but last year, in my sophomore season, I got my first taste of legitimate varsity football. It was Wednesday of the second week of our season, and in two days, we would play Venice High School. Coach Burnett approached me after that practice and told me I was going to start and play at least the first half of the game due to a situation with our starting quarterback at the time. I was totally shocked and

frankly a bit nervous. However, I played well. In the second quarter, I dropped back and threw my first varsity touchdown pass to Sultan Daniels '19, which helped us lead 22-21 at halftime. After that game, I went back to being a backup, but I got valuable playing experience in numerous games throughout the season. I continued to train hard and even helped lead the junior varsity team to an undefeated season. After that season, our starting quarterback decided to transfer, presenting me with the opportunity to compete for the starting job. It was a very long and strenuous process, but ultimately it was enjoyable, and it all paid off. Being named starting quarterback for the upcoming season was such an honor for me. While I enjoy the game itself, football is so much more to me than just a sport. The relationships and bonds the game creates have given me so much, including many of my best friends at the school. On top of that, the game and the positions it has put me in have taught me so much, including a great work ethic, patience and resilience. As cliché as it may seem, football has really made me the person I am and has shaped much of my life. While it sometimes seems it is just a sport to play and enjoy with friends, football has given me opportunities, friendships, lessons and experiences that I will always be grateful for.