Meet WelcomeSuperfansyourcaptains! Back! Ben Claire Max
Editors-In-Chief Lucy Dockter, Julia Herlyn Creative Directors Maya Hruskar, Lily Klau, Lilly Weisz Paper Managing Editors Mishael Gill, Ella Shi Web Managing Editors Hannah Conn, Toby Goldfarb Associate Managing Editors Kiswa Khan, Phoebe Miller Business Directors Meg Enquist, Allie Gillman, Mia Kirkorsky Photography Director Camille Vynerib Asst. Creative Directors Shivali Kanthan, Elle Vail Public Relations Director Emily Goldstein Social Media Manager Alix Glickman Audience Engagement Manager Margot Richlin Broadcast Directors Anna Diorio, Abby Nevin TV Show Producers Zach Brody, Finnegan Courtney Asst. Business Managers Indie Ahl, Julia Leitner, Michael Pontoriero More About Us Inklings News is uncensored, unedited by administration, and does not allow for prior review. The Editorial Board determines editorial opinions that are au thored by the Editors-in-Chief. Inklings News serves as an open forum for the public and wel comes letters to the editor and other submissions. Send signed letters to orientation,sex,religion,withoutWestportThethePressationColumbiaInklingsbethattoInklingsbeportps.org.inklingsnews@westSubmissionswillnoteditedpriortopublication.Newsreservestherightnotpublishadvertisementspromoteproductsthatcouldharmfultostudenthealth.NewsisamemberoftheScholasticPressAssociandtheNationalScholasticAssociationandsupportsStudentPressLawCenter.decisionsofInklingsNewsandPublicSchoolsaremaderegardtorace,color,age,nationalorigin,sexualmaritalstatus,disability Breaking News Editor Audrey Kercher News Editors Genevieve Frucht, Mia Bomback Opinions Editors Addison Coughlin, Megan Kelly, Ava Cordella, Katherine Phelps Features Editors Caitlin Jacob, Lily Hultgren, Nina Bowens, Paige Tighe Arts Editors Ava Chun, Talia Varsano, Alexandra Gaines, Ruby Kantor Sports Editors Gabi Gerig, Matthew Stashower Web News Editors Jolie Gefen, Siena Petrosinelli Web Opinions Editors Nina Jones, Aidan Sprouls Web Features Editors Audrey Curtis, Samantha Sandrew Web Arts Editors Liora Perkins, Matthew Saw Web Sports Editors Talia Moskowitz, William Murray Web Photostory Editors Karlie Saed Advisors Joseph DelGobbo, Mary Elizabeth Fulco Inklings CONTENTSStaff News Opinions Features A&E Sports 3 Updates on COVID-19 and monkeypox by Finnegan Courtney ’23 Westport Public School’s health protocols will remain the same for this coming school year, despite the rise of the monkeypox virus. 4 Refection on junior year by Lilly Weisz ’23 Junior year, despite a rough start, allowed Weisz to learn to enjoy her classes again. 5 Freshman year “tips” (humor) by Toby Goldfarb ’23 In a humor piece, Goldfarb gives incoming freshman her best tips. 6-7 Summer occupations by Genevieve Frucht ’24 Learn how Staples’ students stay busy over the long sum mer break. 8 New teachers in school by Julia Herlyn ’23 & Ella Shi ’23 Meet some of the new teach ers you will see around the building this year. 9 Summer reading recommendations by Kiswa Khan ’23 Here are some top picks from Khan’s reading list. 11 Committed athletes by Ella Shi ’23 Meet Katharine Shackelford ’23 and Isabelle Nahon ’23, two of Staples’ athletes com mitted to university. 2 | Front & back cover design by Lily Klau ’23 & photos by Cami Vynerib ’23 Crossword 10 Back to school crossword Welcome back to school with our Sta ples High School themed crossword puzzle contributed by Jeffrey Pogue ’23 and Tavan Bhatia ’23. Inklings News On@inklings.newsOnlineWatchtheWreckord!@inklingsnews
Staples will be hosting its Back to School nights at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 8 for freshmen and sophomores and on Sept. 13 for juniors and se niors. Back to School nights will be in-person this year after two years of virtual or pre-re corded meetings. Parents and guardians will meet their students’ teachers for the upcom ing year and listen to each class’s curriculum.
“At this time, monkeypox is not widespread, and I don’t an ticipate an impact in the school setting,” Suzanne Levasseur, Westport Public Schools’ Su pervisor of Health Services, said.
Monkeypox, now consid ered a formal outbreak by the CDC, can cause painful boils and cysts on an infected body, in addition to flu-like symp toms. In extreme cases, the virus can be fatal. According to the CDC, there have been 82 reported cases of mon keypox in Connecticut, and local health officials are warn ing families to be vigilant. “Children are very active, social and tactile, so spread in settings like schools and day care facilities is something we need to consider,” Paulo Verar di, a UConn virologist and spe larlyticu“parsider,CTwithterviewgustansaidviruses,incialistpoxinAuinInif
sinceyearstwobeen[...]pointitnumbofkindyears.three“I’mjusttoatthisit’s COVID started, so it doesn’t all feel too special,” Ja cob DiDonato ’23 said.
“I think we have learned so much over the last two years and if the need arises to pivot back to some restrictions, we will be ready. We know what works,” Levasseur said. “I think that everyone is happy to get as close to pre-pandemic status as possible and looking for ward to the upcoming year.”
Julia Herlyn ‘23 Editor-in-Chief (she/her)
Students harbor mixed feel ings toward monkeypox and
Local Briefs
e Westport Library will be hosting Sto ryFest, a literary festival born out of West port five years ago, on Sept. 9-10. StoryFest is the largest literary festival in Connecti cut and includes talks from award-winning and debut authors about books that they will publish in the fall, including writers such as Isaac Fitzgerald and Saeed Jones. All are welcome to attend, free of charge. Sept. 9-10 StoryFest
Back To School Nights
Levasseur believes this year will be less strict in re gard to quarantining protocols.
the outbreak contin ues to evolve and infections become more widespread in diverse populations.”
Finnegan Courtney ’23 TV Show Producer (he/him) With the persistence of the pandemic,COVID-19aswell as the emergence of the mon keypox virus in recent months, many schools have been forced to adjust their health protocols. However, Westport’s protocols will remain as they were last year.
Overall, Levasseur feels as though the district is more pre pared for both diseases coming into this school year, compared to the response in previous years.
Shorefest
At this time, monkeypox is not widespread, and I don’t anticipate an impact in the school setting,”
Graphic by Lilly Weisz ’23
Sept. 8 & Sept. 13 Sept. 9
*As of Aug. 23
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“In terms of COVID-19, we ended the school year with close to a pre-pandemic sta tus,” Levasseur said. “Due to [recent] new recommendations from the CDC, I anticipate this will continue […] I don’t antic ipate the need to quarantine as we have in the previous years.”
- Suzanne Levasseur Supervisor of Health Services “
NEWS
COVID-19, with some feel ing concerned over the viruses’ spread while others feel fatigued from the protocols which have been in place for the past
COVID-19, monkeypox cause no new adaptations of new health protocols
Shorefest, an annual fundraiser dedicated to maintaining, improving and enhanc ing Sherwood Island State Park, will be held on Sept. 9 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the park’s Main Pavillion. Live music, a silent auction, appetizers and dinner will be provided. Tickets are $100 for adults and $15 for children age 12 and under.
Lilly Weisz ’23 Creative Director (she/her) Senior reflects on “hardest year at Staples”
For the first couple months of junior year, anyone mi norly acquainted with me would hear me say these words on the regular. I wasn’t alone in my sentiment; the class of 2023 hadn’t had a nor mal school year since seventh grade (mold, COVID-19), and there we were enter ing the infamous junior year. Steeping in fear and teenage angst all summer, I entered school already burnt out on summer homework. Due to sleepless nights and glaring computer screens, I allowed my negative expectation of Staples to become my reality. Even in my favorite classes, I could not see clearly because I was work ing until I hallucinated that my classmates were talking to me. en, it shifted. I was exhausted from the constant complaining, and I learned the more I pitied my self, the more I wove a false re ality that I was deeply unhappy. A little like jumping into a cold pool, I eventually got used to the work and the expectations and the looming thoughts of college and growing up. I al lowed my identity to expand beyond my stressors, and I let myself enjoy school for the first time in a long while. But you have to force yourself to us.StaplesingalizeIaroundLookingleap.Staples,startedtoretheamazresourcesoffersWhatother public school has five art teachers and classes such as silkscreen and pottery; or 43 science classes taught by passionate and brilliant teachers or a school newspaper with over 100 members? When I stopped seeing my work as something to slog through, and rather as an opportunity that I’m privileged to have, my life transformed. Of course, that’s a vague state ment; what did I actually do? I let myself enjoy class instead of worrying about a grade,
“I hate junior year.”
’WeiszLillybycontributedphotoandGraphic23 Staples helped me learn to love my life. - Lilly Weisz '23
FUN FRIENDSWITH(left to right) rio’s’23andLillyAnnaSchussheimRebecca’23,Diorio’23,Weisz’23LucyDocktercelebrateDio16thbirthday in New York City.
4 | OPINIONS
friendssubsequently,and,Iactuallyhadtospendlesstimeworkingathome.Iforcedmyselftocontactand hang out. In junior year, the center of your life doesn’t have to revolve around school, no matter what people tell you. I don’t hate Staples any more, and I don’t think I ever did. Staples helped me learn to love my life.
4 Make sure to memorize your locker code. ey are essen tial to daily student life, and it is highly embarrassing to refer to your phone when visiting your locker for the fth time in one day. Bo nus points if you memorize your locker combination.5Get to school extra early. Use this time to complete your assign ments for the next sev en days. Cool kids nev er sleep in during their morning free period.
Welcome fresh meat—err, fresh men! Let’s face it—the rst day of high school can be pretty daunting: new teachers, more homework and scary upperclassmen boys with facial hair. Lucky for you, as a senior almost done with her four year sentence—I mean high school—I am of fering you my ve best tips to survive the school year.
2Congregating in the middle of the hallway—or better yet, stairways—is the per fect method of catching up with your friends after an exciting summer. Other stu dents and faculty members DEFINITELY do not nd this annoying, and bonus points if you’re late to class.
PhotobyEllaShi’23
Toby Goldfarb ’23 Web Managing Editor (she/her)
Bonus point if you can eat your sandwich in the last minutes of your lab lunch.
Toby’s high school survival guide: 5 tips for freshman year 1
Freshman aquatics is the most meaningful sched ule on your transcript. Go the extra mile, swim as fast as possible and embrace the wet hair.
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3 Get a sandwich at lunch AT ALL COSTS. Even if getting to the front of the line takes about 75% of the allotted time, it’s completely worth it for a turkey, mozzarella and pesto sandwich on ciabatta.
Inklings humor/satire
Artichoke graphic by Lily Klau ’23 As to not diminish my credibility, I regress. You should de nitely NOT take this advice. Best of luck to the class of 2026 looking forward to seeing you all do double takes while looking for your room numbers (just kidding).
Students engage in enriching summer experiences
Genevieve Frucht '24 News Editor (she/her)
Photos contributed by Rebecca Schussheim ’23 work alongside 35 simulta neously brilliant and won derful rising seniors from around the world,” Schussheim said. “I will de nitely stay in touch with everyone I met.”
Many students use summer as an op portunity to fol low unique passions and dis cover new experiences. Some choose to go to camp, others go on vacation and some even conduct research. Here are three ways Staples students spent their summer this year.
Very Large Array: The Very Large Array near Socorro, New Mexico is the world’s largest radio telescope, consistng of 27 dish antennas. Summer Science Program: Schussheim (middle) atended the rigorous Summer Science Program (SSP), where she researched astrophysics.
Rebecca Schussheim ’23 conducted research in astrophysics at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. Along with two Schussheimcollaborators,calculatedthepredictedorbitofthenearRebecca Schussheim ’23 Earth asteroid 1993 MO. “While I have always been fascinated by the broad er workings of our natural world,” Schussheim said, “it was incredible to apply my knowledge of physics, vector calculus and astronomy to a tangible and observable prob lem with very real implications.” Schussheim heard from several guest speakers and she also was able to eat lunch with the head of NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordi nation O ce and one of the heads of the US Space Force. “[ e program] was no doubt challenging, yet it was also incredibly rewarding to
FEATURES6|
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Simulation Results: PJ Loranger ’24 ultmately concluded that a change in the compositon of the partcle collider would address some of the most major challenges that come with it.
Eliat Excursion Jordy Greenspan ’24 snorkels in the Red Sea in Eilat, Israel.
Coastal Cool-Off : Jordy Greenspan ’24 water hikes in Ein Gedi, Israel.
Since elementary school, Jordy Greenspan ’24 has spent her summers at a sleep away camp, but this year she traveled to Israel for ve weeks. She traveled through the country, visiting cities such as Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Tiberius and Safed. Visiting all of these cities opened her up to so many places that are in uential to Jewish culture.
Photos contributed by Jordy Greenspan ’24
PJ Loranger ’24 spent part of his summer at the University of Iowa where he conducted research PJ Loranger ’24 with a member of the universi ty’s High Energy Physics Lab. Scientists need special detectors to capture the outcome of rocks being smashed together in order to nd out what’s inside. at is where Loranger came into play. “ ere’s a bunch of issues with the way we cur rently build those detectors,” Loranger said, “so my job was to write a program that simulates a new type of detector de sign so we could see if we want to build it and use it at CERN [Europe an Organization for NuclearUnlikeResearch].”classes in school, Loranger was able to use his knowledge in dif ferent areas of math and sci ence to research something that intrigues him; he also was able to collaborate with oth ers who shared his interests.
“Zionism connects me to my ancestors,” Green span said, “and [Israel is] now such a special place to me.”
Photo contributed by PJ Loranger ’24
“I loved spending time with my camp friends and connecting with my Ju daism,” Greenspan said. Not only did she visit cit ies, but Greenspan also spent three days camping in the Negev desert, as well as par ticipated in a 24-hour Is raeli army day simulation.
Jordy Greenspan ’24
“I really enjoyed the pro gram, and I got to meet a whole host of amazing peo ple,” Loranger said. “I partic ularly enjoyed the intensity and the ability to apply the stu I’ve been working on at school to real world problems, even though I was running on no sleep and mostly co ee for the majority of the program.”
Stephanie Sileo Art Teacher
What classes will you be teaching this year?
“I’d have to say watermelon, especially with the heat that has been going on these past few months.”
“I’ll be teaching Graph ic Design, Printmak ing and Advanced Printmaking, and AP Art” “I’m excited to work with the students, and I’m excited to create some really cool art.” “I’ve been really into fruit iced popsicles—lime avored. at’s where it’s been this summer.” “Next year I’ll be doing In tro to Programming, Em bedded Systems (which will be like circuits and small computers) and Web Design.”
“I like a sherbert. Not an ice cream—a little bit too creamy—but I like a sherbert, water-based.”
“I’m really excited to kind of explore some creative projects with students. Once we get done with the basic materials, I want to let some of my classes go and develop some of their own ideas.”
What are you looking forward to this year?
Carmine Corica Math Teacher
“I’m going to be teaching Algebra I, three sections of geometry and one sec tion of pre-calc next year.” “I’m very much looking for ward to showing everyone the beauty of math. It’s de nitely one of those subjects that has a lot of really cool patterns and applications to it.”
8 |FEATURES NEW HIRES:
Max Kolb Computer Science Teacher
Get to know some of Staples’ new teachers
What is your favorite summertime snack?
Photos by Ella Shi ’23
I’ve been experimenting with many di erent genres over the sum mer. Here are some of my top choices that I would recommend.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | 9 Daisy Jones & The Six Just Kids Book lovers Kiswa Khan ’23 Assoc. Managing Editor (she/her) Book review: top 3 reads of the summer
Happy reading!
All the characters in this book were incredibly tangible and introspective, but also relat able and easy to connect with. Overall, I loved the smalltown trope and the chemistry between the characters. Every page was so funny and perfect, and the story never lacked depth.
Nora Stephens and Charlie Lastra both work in the publish ing industry. ey nd them selves in a small town in North Carolina editing a book to gether after Nora’s sister plans a trip to Charlie’s hometown. e story involves com ing to terms with grief, in dependence, family circum stances and the special bond Nora shares with her sister. I found it refreshing that the romance between the char acters simply moves in tandem with their lives rather than be ing the main plot of the book.
This book is hands-down one of my favorite books ever. “Just Kids” is a love letter from Patti Smith to her best friend Robert Mapletho rpe. It chronicles their life to gether as artists and best friends in New York throughout the 60’s and 70’s. eir story touch es upon themes of adulthood and identity, but it is also about friendship, love, youth, music and meaningful relationships. I don’t usually love mem oirs, but I absolutely fell in love with their story and Pat ti’s way of telling it. I was en grossed in their adventures, but above all, I loved how easily they clicked despite their dif ferent identities. e fact that they were able to nd comfort in the presence of one another was beautifully captured. You really get the sense that they were their truest selves when they were with each other. is is a beautiful sto ry of soulmates and trag edy. If you like poetry and rock and roll, read this book!
The rise and fall of the famous 70’s band “Daisy Jones & e Six” involved erce rivalry be tween the lead singers and shared emotional turmoil. e story is written in an interview format, where ev ery band member is a narra tor, and every decision made in the past is brought to light. is adds a layer of reader stim ulation, since you nd your self having to piece together a story with all the di erent perspectives that you have. e book exhibits the chal lenges of living in the public eye and the transformation and denial of one’s identity in the interest of tting in. is book is a true display of life and a reminder that even with fame, celebrities exist with us in the assumptions and stigmas of our world. “Daisy Jones & e Six” is a must read and brings im portant considerations about humanity and choice to light.
(contemporary romance) (historical fiction) (memoir/autobiography)
10| arts Back to School Crossword Contributed by Tavan Bhatia '23 & Jeffrey Pogue '23 1. Squeezing snake 4. Rug 7. 10.Cul-de-_____Itlooksgood on 11.paper?Rowing tool 12. Big bang cause? 13. Iron, to 22.21.org.19.casuallyples18.incoming16.14.MadameBlanchardonMonsieurorClayHomeofTheBeanSlangtermfortheclassAuditiononlyStaChorusgroup,MarchMadnessAsternCauseofJunior summer stress 24. Barbie’s beau 26. On the run 28. “I’m __ __!” 30. _____ Cantorum, a Staples chorus 33. Each of us! 35. Sarcastic sentence 36.enderFashion line? 37. With 7 down, Staples principal 38. Controversial ge netic editing: Abbr. 39. Your exclamation upon fnishing this 40.puzzleSnakes’ greetings 41. America’s uncle 1. Back to the Future 2.bullyWhat one might mis spell ‘embarrass’ with 3. Ohio’s “Rubber City” 4. Favorite drinks of Staples students to stay awake 5. Sound of relief 6. Half a sextet 7. SHS _____ and Students 8. Teen affiction 9. Corporation’s IT VIP 15. 20.17.writingKindergartener’spreferencePicturesqueCool___cucumberScan the QR code above to play the onlinecrosswordandcheckyouranswers! Inklings Crossword - Back to School Edition By Jeffrey Pogue and Tavan Bhatia - Published on crosshare.org 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 ACROSS 1 Squeezing snake 4 Rug 7 Cul-de-_____ 10 It looks good on a paper? 11 Rowing tool 12 Big bang cause? 13 Iron, to MadameBlanchardonMonsieurorClay 14 Home of The Bean 16 Slang term for the incoming class 18 Audition only Staples Chorus group, casually 19 March Madness org. 21 Astern 22 Cause of Junior summer stress 24 Barbie's beau 26 On the run 28 "I'm __ __!" 30 _____ Cantorum, a Staples chorus 33 Each of us! 40 Snakes' greetings 41 America's uncle DOWN 1 Back to the Future bully 2 What one might misspell 'embarrass' with 3 Ohio's "Rubber City" 4 Favorite drinks of Staples students to stay awake 5 Sound of relief 6 Half a sextet 7 SHS _____ and Students 8 Teen affliction 9 Corporation's IT VIP 15 Kindergartener's writing preference 17 Picturesque 20 Cool __ _ cucumber 23 The Staples Key and Student of the Month, e.g. 31 Home of the "Starry Night", for short 32 The smallest bit 33 Motive question 34 EMT's destinations ACROSS DOWN 23. The Staples Key and Student of the Month, e.g. 24. Home of BTS and 25.kimchiSomeone to keep 27.closer?With 10 Across, rightpapernationally-acclaimedtheyou’rereadingnow 29. WWE fnishing 31.movesHome of the “Starry Night,” for short 32. The smallest bit 33. Motive question 34. EMT’s destinations
A: “I started playing field hockey in fifth grade and joined club field hockey in the winter of sixth grade. I play for the club AGH in Greenwich. I play defense and sometimes defense center-mid.”
A: “I am excited to continue my academic and soccer careers at Brandeis. I am looking forward to being a part of such a successful program and can’t wait to play and travel with teammates from around the country.”
Q: What are you looking forward to do in field hockey at Hamilton?
Isabelle Nahon ’23 Hamilton College Womens’ Field Hockey
Q: What's your background in soccer?
Graphics by Lily Klau ’23 Photos contributed by Katharine Shackelford ’23 & Isabelle Nahon ’23
Athletes announce college commitments over summer
(she/her)
A: “I’m super excited to play at Hamilton, and I hope that we can make it to the final four. Right now Hamilton is top 10 for D3, so I hope to continue to improve my own skills and to continue to push myself. As for academics, I’m super excited to be in a challenging environment and absolutely love the campus and community.”
Girls’ soccer vs. Ridgefeld Wakeman Field B 4:00 p.m.99 Football vs. Conard Staples Stadium 7:00 p.m. Boys’ soccer vs. New Canaan Loeffer Field 10:00 a.m. 10 Girls’ S&D vs. Fairfeld Warde Staples High School Pool 4:00 p.m. 16
inUpcomingVARSITYSports: 7 Boys’ golf vs. Norwalk Longshore Golf Course 3:00 p.m. September | 11SPORTS
Over the summer, Staples athletes have remained ac tive and determined. Recently, multiple Staples ath letes announced their commitment to universities. Two of them are Katharine Shackelford ’23 and Isabelle Nahon ’23.
Q: What are you looking forward to with playing soccer at Brandeis?
A: “I started playing soccer when I was four years old. I played rec and travel and then joined a club team in fifth grade. I currently play for CFC (Connecticut Football Club), ECNL (Elite Clubs National League) and Staples girls’ varsity.”
Katharine Shackelford ’23 Brandeis University Womens’ Soccer Scan the QR code to join SuperfanstheFacebookgroup!
Ella Shi ’23 Managing Editor
Q: What’s your background in field hockey?
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