Inklings 2021 Back To School Issue

Back to School 2021

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Front cover by Rachel Greenberg ’22, Aidan Rogers ’22 & Camille Vynerib ’23

Contents NEWS

The Connecticut State Department of Education directed districts across the state to return to a full in-person learning.

04

OPINIONS

05

FEATURES

10

Check out a satire on how to survive the obstacles of your new part-time jobs.

See what Bruno Guiduli ’22 and other students did to make some extra cash during their summer break.

ARTS

Tori Emmert ’23 talks about her family’s new restaurant, Cold Fusion, which opened this summer downtown.

SPORTS

Read about how athletes are getting ready for the fall season with new COVID-19 regulations.

11 12

Volume 89, Issue 1

Inklings Staff Editors-In-Chief

Natalie Bandura, Katie Simons

Creative Director

Public Relations Director Chloe Murray

Outreach Manager Shira Zeiberg

Aidan Rogers

Social Media Director

Lily Caplan, Betti Kobak

Broadcast Directors

Paper Managing Editors Web Managing Editors Giselle Oldani, Anastasia Thumser

Associate Managing Editors

Samantha Felner, Karina Murray

Business Directors

Brooke Dembin, Margot Stack, Theresa Vandis

Photography Director Camille Vynerib

Asst. Creative Directors Rachel Greenberg, Madeline Michalowski, Lilly Weisz

Features Editors

Mishael Gill, Emily Goldstein, Lily Klau, Ella Shi

Arts Editors

Anna Diorio, Abbie Goldstein, Maria Krug, Elle Vail

Sports Editors

Lea Rivel

Gabi Gerig, Kiswa Khan, Phoebe Miller, Tori Wilson

Ella Alpert, Lyah Muktavaram

Toby Goldfarb, Abby Nevin

Asst. Business Managers Meg Enquist, Allison Gillman, Mia Kikorsky, Lucy Zuckerman

Breaking News Editor Tierney Kugel

News Editors

Finnegan Courtney, Maya Hruskar, Lucy Dockter, Julia Herlyn

Opinions Editors

Mimi Casey, Jared Leonard, Valerie Dreyfuss, Charley Guthartz

Web News Editors

Web Opinions Editors

Hannah Conn, Margot Richlin

Web Features Editors

Alix Glickman, Karlie Saed

Web Arts Editors

Audrey Kercher, Hannah Ratcliffe

Web Sports Editors

Sarah Marron, Julia Leitner

Web Photostory Editors

Amanda Rowan, Ella Stoler

Advisors

Joeseph DelGobbo, Mary Elizabeth Fulco

More About Us

Inklings News is uncensored, unedited by aministratioand does not allow for prior review.

Opinions

The Editorial Board determines editorial opinions that are authored by the Editors-in-Chief.

Inklings News serves as an open forum for the public and welcomes letters to the editor and other submissions. Send signed letters to inklingsnews@westportps.org. Submissions will not be edited prior to publication.

Advertisements

Inklings News reserves the right to not publish advertisements that promote products that could be harmful to student health.

Membership

Inklings News is a member of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association and the National Scholastic Press Association and supports the Student Press Law Center. ................................................................

The decisions of Inklings News and Westport Public Schools are made without regard to race, color, age, sex,religion, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability or any other discriminating basis prohibited by local, state or federal law.

NEWS

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Town officials respond to Westport in red-zone important to continue the use of the other tools at our disposal to reduce transmission...”

With the rise in cases, Superintendent Thomas Scarice shared the reality of the upcoming year in a district wide email on Friday Aug. 20.

“Although the outlook with regards to the pandemic is not as positive as it was in June, we will continue to work towards providing as much normalcy as possible for your child as they return to school,” Scarice wrote.

“Like last year, we will approach matters in 4-6 week increments, while thoughtfully considering layers of mitigating measures.”

Included in the email are practices to keep students healthy for this upcoming school year. The most notable changes from last year are: fully vaccinated teachers will have the chance to

Lily Caplan ’22 Managing Editor

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year would be more normal.

“At the end of the school year I figured that we wouldn’t have to wear [masks],” Kyle Harrington ’22 said.

However, students have accepted the setbacks.

“It’s the unfortunate news that nobody wanted, but we knew [it] was coming,” Harrington said.

Scarice remained hopeful, as almost all children ages 12-17 in Westport have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

“With high vaccination rates in our community, and a prudent approach, we can successfully begin the school year,” Scarice stated, “and in consultation with our medical advisor, and our local and state health departments, we can roll back mitigating measures as the conditions permit.”

year Infographic by Lilly Weisz ’23

airfield County, and Westport, were put into the “high transmission” category, which is the most severe level according to the CDC, due to the emergence of the Delta variant.

In response First Selectman Jim Marpe issued a town-wide mask mandate on Aug. 19. In the email sent to town, a quote from WWHD (Westport Weston Health District) director of health Mark Cooper was included.

“The COVID-19 vaccine is the most powerful tool against infection and severe illness, but the increasing number of breakthrough infections after vaccination are a reminder that no vaccine is 100% effective,” Cooper said. “As long as there continues to be cases of COVID in Westport, it is

remove their mask at the front of the class per DPH guidance, school lunch will return to how it was pre-pandemic and all Westport public school staff are required to be vaccinated. Students exposed to someone who is positive will no longer have to quarantine as long as they stay asymptomatic and be asked to obtain a test within 3-5 days. For unvaccinated students guidelines differ.

“Students in the classroom where everyone is wearing a mask will only be quarantined if they were within 3 ft. of another student positive for COVID-19,” Scarice wrote.

At the end of last year, many were hopeful that, with the growing number of fully vaccinated students and teachers, this upcoming school

Local Briefs

Associate Managing Editor

Catch a Lift will host its 7th annual CT Warrior Weekend from Sept. 10 to Sept.

12. The event will commemorate the 20 year anniversary of 9/11, beginning with a sunset celebration at the beach on Friday, a community workout alongside inspiring veterans on Saturday and a family bike ride on Sunday.

Compo Beach’s annual Lobsterfest hosted by the Westport Rotary Club will take place on Sept. 18 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Live music performed by the band “Hot Rubber Monkey” will accompany a meal of lobster, corn, coleslaw and more.

The Westport Women’s Club (WWC) will host its annual Yankee Doodle Fair fundraiser from Thursday, Sept.

23 through Sunday, Sept. 26. Proceeds from the fair go towards helping the WWC provide need-based scholarships for Staples seniors and grants to local community service organizations.

SEPT. 23-

Yankee Doodle Fair SEPT. 18

Lobsterfest at Compo Beach SEPT. 10

Warrior Weekend

NEWS| 4

Westport waves goodbye to remote learning

Lilly Weisz ’23

Assistant Creative Director

No return to remote learning Staples and other Westport Public Schools will not be returning to remote learning, as of a July 15 Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) decision.

“We want all students to have the opportunity to be in the classroom, where they learn best,” the CSDE wrote in a published letter of guidance.

“We want all students to have the opportunity to be in the classroom, where they learn best,” -CSDE

Homebound instruction Westport and other local school districts may require brief periods of remote learning in situations such as quarantining a person not fully vaccinated. Superintendent Thomas Scarice is also seeking further detail from the CSDE on at-home learning for students with medical conditions with which it is dangerous for them to attend school. The alternative for those students will be an at-home learning solution.

“We are continuing to get clarification on the guidance regarding the remote learning as it is a complex topic,” Scarice said.

Graphics by Lilly Weisz ’23

Elementary and middle school With the spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant, WPS has considered how to handle a potential spread of the virus among students too young to get the vaccine. Scarice plans for a similar procedure to last year, adding and taking away different COVID-19 safety measures in response to changing conditions. However, he does not foresee remote learning as a possibility.

“It is important to note,” Scarice said, “that elementary and middle school returned to full in-person, on-site schooling last year at the height of the pandemic based on the success of our layered mitigating measures approach.”

Safety measures Overall, Staples and the rest of the Westport Public School district is staying away from online learning. However, Westport is still committed to keeping in-person environments safe.

“Right now— and things are changing daily— we will all be wearing masks during the school day.” Principal Stafford Thomas wrote.

Graphics by Rachel Greenberg ’22, Aidan Rodgers ’22 & Katie Simons ’22

OPINIONS

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The Customer is Always “Right” And other tips for surviving part-time jobs* Jared Leonard ’22 Opinions Editor

Madeline Michalowski ’22

Assistant Creative Director *HUMOR

A

s hell, oops, I mean school begins, you somehow thought a part time job at a boutique downtown would be a lovely

way to spend your afternoon.

Ah, how naive. This must be your first job. You truly have no idea what you’ve actually gotten yourself into. Allow us, if we may, to offer some words of advice: Get out while you can.

After two summers of working in customer service during high school, we, Jared and Madeline, are self-described experts. So, by following some of our advice

3:00 pm: Make sure you clock in right away because there’s no way in hell you’re working for free. Let’s be honest, you’re only here for the money and that’s okay. We get it.

4:30 pm:

You hear your stomach growl and lucki-

ly your “break” is here. Now, you’d think you would be able to sit down and refuel after hours of dealing with half of Fairfield County. Maybe you’d like to check your phone, answer your mom’s text or even eat your PB&J. You thought wrong. Inhale that sandwich like you’ve never eaten before because a rush just came in and some teenage girls want to know if you have that crop top in an extra small.

6:15pm:

and past experiences, we might be able to help prevent countless breakdowns, anxiety attacks and tear-filled bathroom breaks.

To start off, if you plan to work weekends, make sure you set numerous alarms for the next morning and ensure that your ringer is on. Now, this may seem like a menial and obvious task, but trust us, you don’t want to wake up late and

3:30 pm:

might feel like you’ve earned a smoothie bowl or that shirt sitting in your online cart, but you’re playing a dangerous game. Continue down this path and just as quickly as you got paid, you’ll have spent your entire paycheck.

Good job!

You’ve made it through the day and if you think

that was bad, you’ve got a long year ahead. Hopefully, our advice has helped and you look back on your day with at least a

Your first customer arrives and she

may appear to be an understanding Westport mom, but her fast-paced walk up to the register makes it clear that she’s on the warpath. Get ready because she wants the manager. She purchased a dress from the store three years ago and as expected, the seam is starting to wear, but she demands her money back. You quickly make it clear that you’re new here so you’re still learning the ropes.

Wrong move. Never show weakness. After 30 minutes of verbal abuse, she finally leaves and you just stand there, dumbfounded. Nevertheless, plaster on your fake smile and newly developed customer service voice. It’s just easier that way.

6:00 pm: After a long day of work, you

have to fabricate some ridiculous lie to your boss. However, if you do find yourself needing a quick lie that is guaranteed to work, some classics include having a flat tire, thinking you were on the schedule for later in the day or even having a family emergency. Remember, honesty isn’t the best policy here—if you want to keep your job, that is.

After serving 10 Karens, sever-

al obnoxious groups of teenage girls and a couple of clueless dads shopping for their daughters, you can finally close up for the day. You walk out to your car with messy hair, wrinkled clothes and a dwindling will to live. You check your phone and see that your friends have made plans for the night. Take it from us: your social battery is drained, so just go home.

small sense of pride, aside from your humiliation. We know it’s miserable, but if it really gets to the point where you can’t stand

it anymore, you can always quit in a blaze of glory. After all, a good quitting story could make a great college essay topic.

OPINIONS| 6

CON

PRO

Masks ensure Staples safety Vaxxed shouldn’t be masked Abby Nevin ’23 Web News Editor

T

he question of whether we should wear masks in the fall has a simple answer: there is no question.

In order to keep the Staples population safe from the spread of the Delta variant and the possibility of getting COVID-19 from those who remain unvaccinated, we must continue masking.

The Delta variant is currently the predominant strain of COVID in the United States. According to recent data published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Delta variant is more infectious when compared to other variants, even in vaccinated individuals.

According to the Daily Voice, the Delta variant now accounts for approximately 80% of all new infections in Connecticut and continues to be the dominant strain of COVID-19 within the state.

With this information, it would be irresponsible of the students and faculty at Staples to remain maskless for the fall as it puts our peers, ourselves and our families at great risk.

Additionally, having unvaccinated students and faculty is inevitable, which makes mask wearing even more critical.

Unvaccinated people coming to Staples and gathering inside of the building increases the risk of transmitting COVID or the Delta variant to other students, unvaccinated or not.

Having COVID spread throughout our school such as it did last year will only result in another year of uncertainty as to whether or not we will continue to learn from home or in school.

The population of unvaccinated students and faculty in Staples also poses a threat towards the Westport community, as students will return home after school and see their families. If someone were to contract the virus at school, it would be spread to family members and then to the friends of those family members, etc.

It is important that we work together as a community to help protect one another, and not disregard the danger that COVID and the Delta variant pose to our peers and town.

POLL

Should Vaccinated Students Wear Masks? *Data collected from a survey of 296 students from Aug. 19 through Aug. 24

Finnegan Courtney ’23 News Editor

T

his year, Connecticut students will be wearing masks until at least the end of September, regardless of vaccination status. However, this is the wrong decision, especially for Westport students.

It should be, as our President said just a few months ago, “vaxxed or masked.”

Those who are fully vaccinated should have the option to remove their masks in school and those who are not should have to continue wearing one.

According to the most recent state data, nearly 93% of Westport residents aged 12 to 17 have at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, with nearly 84% being fully vaccinated.

With most of the town vaccinated, the probability of a COVID outbreak in schools are low and masks shouldn’t be worn.

The vaccines have been a proven commodity, with high protection rates against COVID-19. Why should those who have taken the easy step of being vaccinated have to suffer the same fate as those who choose not to? Even if 37.8%

62.2%

NO

YES

a booster shot is required to prevent the vaccine’s effects from waning, the booster will do its job.

Even the Superintendent of Westport schools, Thomas Scarice, has admitted in recent school board meetings that the high vaccination rates among both adolescents and teenagers provides “an incredible layer of protection against coronavirus and its variants.”

To me, the state should leave this choice up to the individual towns. While towns in the state do have the option to mandate masks in public places, mask wearing in schools was decided by a state executive order in early August. Westport is different from other towns.

I honestly believe that if towns were given the choice to decide, Scarice and the Board of Education would be taking a very different look at this upcoming school year with regard to masks.

It is true that the variants of COVID, specifically the Delta strain which has caused a resurgence in COVID cases across the country, is a concern. Cases are now 17.3 per 100,000 in Westport which is at the red zone level, according to the state’s COVID tracker.

If the Delta variant continues escalating, I would say all should wear a mask. This is due to the fact that the stats show the vaccine is less effective against that variant; but in this current climate, I believe those vaccinated are protected due to the case numbers not being as high in Westport.

Either you’re vaxxed or you’re masked, end of discussion.

Graphic by Ella Shi ’23

Graphic by Katie Simons ’22

Coloring Corner Want to relive summer one last time? Use this coloring page as a way to relax the same way you did during the summer!

GAMES| 7

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FEAT

Graphics by Rachel Greenberg ’22

From jackpo

Staples community partak Betti Kobak ’22 Managing Editor

S

ports betting no longer requires a trip to a casino in Vegas; people can do it in the comfort of their bedrooms, legally or not. While online gambling and betting were popularized in the 90s, platforms have recently gained massive traction in the sports world for teenagers.

In March, 2021, Governor of Connecticut Ned Lamont made an agreement with Mashantucket Pequot Tribe and the Mohegan Tribe to better the gaming option, including sports wagering.

Betting has recently become

legalized for people 21 and older; however, it is not completely available until it reaches its final approval from the state.

Despite the current inability to bet on legal sites, individuals find loopholes in order to gamble during sporting events.

Popular websites such as DraftKings and Action247 are used by teens as domains to defy the age minimum of 21 and negate Connecticut’s laws on betting.

“Betting should be legal because people will do it anyway. If you legalize it, you can regulate it,” Ben* said.

The appealing aspect of betting for teens is the thrill and incentive it gives them to watch ordinary sports games. With high stakes and the possibility of winning, people have found a hobby to develop out of entertainment. “[Betting] had me more invested in the game and made it more interesting to watch because now the team I was

TURES

ot to jeopardy:

kes in illegal sports betting *Names have been changed to keep anonymity rooting for could make or addiction and lose me money,” Ryan* said. encourages his Since so many individuals students not to participate in this activity, studo it. He recomdents are not mends putting monentirely wore y ried about “[Betting] had me more i n t o the legal re- invested in the game the stock percussions market of betting and made it more or fantasy despite being interesting to watch leagues, as underage; they are much h o w e v e r , because now the team safer and smartthere are I was rooting for could er alternatives other remake or lose me money.” to “I betting. percussions think -Ryan* when [betting] they are worried about. starts at such Because kids do not want a young age where students their parents to find out, they are not mature enough, their tend to use money from their brains are not fully developed jobs and bet it through payenough to uwnderstand that it ment services such as Venmo. becomes a sickness,” Klein said.

“No one will get in “That is my real big concern.” trouble because everyone does it and because it is getting legalized in plenty of states,” Chris* said. “I just don’t want my parents to find out.”

Personal Finance teacher Lenny Klein has known a lot of gamblers in his life, both students and friends. He acknowledges that betting is a real

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FEATURES| 10

Students enrich summer with jobs, personal passions Julia Herlyn ’23 News Ediitor

s athletadvantage of hi ok to 2 ’2 li du ning chilruno Gui er, privately trai m m su is th s st ccer field. ic intere akeman town so W e th at er cc players imdren in so help the younger to ity un rt po op ion,tr ying to “Having the once in their posit as w I e us ca be n uiduli said. prove is a lot of fu ilar coaching,” G sim h ug ro th er tt self-manget better and be was flexible and le du he sc k or t basis. In Guiduli’s w ers on a reques ay pl n ai tr ld ou soccer could aged, as he w that coaching ed er ov sc di in life. doing so, he pursuing later s er id ns co he being able to be something n of mine and io ss pa ge hu a special to “Soccer is r kids is really he ot ith w n io hing soccer share that pass , I plan on coac lly ua nt ve “E . id gives me a me,” Guiduli sa warding and it re ly ib ed cr in st me I love.” because it’s ju d sharing the ga an g in ay pl ue in chance to cont ’22

by Bruno Guiduli Photo contributed

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r or some students, summe ch, bea means lounging at the preparing for the upcom y awa g ing school year, vacationin up ng chi from home or finally cat s view on lost hours of sleep. Other school their precious time off from — aljob as an opportunity to get a pasir the lowing them to explore (of les sions and fill their schedu eben course, with the additional . gh) dou fit of making some extra

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race Fuori ’23 occupied some of her time this summer by working at Saugatuck Rowing Club Restaurant, seeking order and routine in her days away from school.

“I wanted to get a summer job to help create structure throughout my summer,” Fuori said. “I like the feeling of having a routine and having a work schedule gave me that.”

Fuori worked at the cafe, taking inventory of the items sold, restocking items as necessary, serving members and assisting the chefs in the kitchen. Upon closing, she cleaned the cafe and took inventory again, ensuring that the establishment could place proper orders for the following day.

“It was definitely a good experience—the members were really nice and

I made a lot of connections that could be useful in the future,” Fuori said. “The hours were flexible and I still had a lot of free time. I also feel that it taught me a lot of responsibility and other important skills that will help me later in life.”

ri ’23 Photo contributed by Grace Fuo Photo contributed by Matthew Gatto ’23

M

atthew Gatto ’23 utilized his time off to instruct younger children in sports. Gatto worked for Westport Parks and Recreation, coaching tennis every weekday from 1 - 6:30 p.m at courts at Staples and working at Wakeman Town Farm.

“A typical day of work began with me teaching the youngest children at Wakeman Town Farm,” Gatto said.

“Then, I would drive up to Staples where I taught the junior team.”

At Staples, Gatto would start clinics by running drills with players for 30 minutes. He would then have them serve and play out points, heading back to Wakeman at 5 p.m. to teach yet another clinic.

“Originally, I was motivated to apply for the job because my older sister worked for the town,” Gatto said. “Over time, I became more motivated by seeing the kids improve and begin to enjoy the sport.”

Gatto expressed gratitude for his job, describing his own love for the sport and for mentoring at large.

“I feel most fulfilled when I am mentoring and teaching young children,” Gatto said. “I could see myself pursuing a career similar to this kind of work.”

ARTS

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Cold Fusion: Tori Emmert talks gelato Photos by Camille Vynerib ’23

has the location of the storefront Q: How influenced sales?

on Main Street definitely brought A: Being in more customers. There is so much

foot traffic downtown, which has helped bring new people into the shop who maybe didn’t hear about Cold Fusion before. We have a great community of customers.

Q: What makes Cold Fusion special? definitely a mix between the ice cream A: It’s and the family-owned aspect of our busi-

QC & A

ness. Our connection to the town is very important, but also, we use all-natural ingredients, no preservatives, no artificial colors or flavoring.

Toby Goldfarb ’23

OPENING DOORS Tori Emmert ’23 (center) and her family opened Cold Fusion in downtown Westport in July.

Paper Sports Editor

’

old Fusion, located at 178 Main Street, opened on July 8, serving handmade, kosher-certified gelato and sorbet made with all-natural, locally sourced ingredients — and love. Owned by the Emmert family, longtime members of the Westport community, Cold Fusion has evolved from a wholesale business based in Newport, Rhode Island into a new local staple. Although their gelato is milk-based and their sorbets are water-based, their business is community-based and each bite is enriched with flavor and care. Cold Fusion’s owner’s daughter, Tori Emmert ’23, enjoys working behind the counter alongside her family, where she learns the craft of entrepreneurship and ice cream scooping. did Cold Fusion become a business, what is its Q: How history? family bought the company from someone else alA: My most six years ago. The previous owner took the business

do you find inspiration for Q: Where the flavors?

A:

We draw inspiration from popular flavors, and then we like to experiment with ingredients and put our own spin on flavors to see what tastes good.

are the challenges of opening a Q: What small business during COVID?

were a big struggle in getting A: Permits open. Everything’s a lot slower with

COVID. I think working with contractors and builders, we’ve noticed that there’s been supply shortages with wood and tile. We also had to find staff, but overall, we’re really happy with the outcome of our storefront.

as far as he could, and we bought it from him to expand Cold Fusion.

your favorite flavor and the most Q: What’s popular flavor?

through word of mouth and social media (@coldfusionwestport and @coldfusiongelato). We opened a store in Westport because we have such a great community here and we figured, what better place to have a business?

chunks. I also really like the cappuccino chip. Another really popular flavor is the salted caramel chunk, which is my dad’s favorite.

favorite flavor would have to be Q: How long has Cold Fusion existed without a storefront? A: My either the dark chocolate sea salt or the peanut butter xanadu, which is peanut had a storefront during our wholesale business in A: We butter gelato with caramel and chocolate Newport, Rhode Island and we built the business out

SPORTS

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Teams adapt to lighter COVID-19 regulations for the 2021 season

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New COVID-19 Regulations: Fall sports are planning on having regular seasons without many regulations, unlike last year. Liv Kovics ’24 prepares for her soccer season and Raina Mandayam ’22 prepares for her swim season.

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“We will have a regular season consisting of playing against all 15 teams rather than playing in a smaller conference like last year.”

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one group practice, coming back from a difficult fall season last year when there had to be two separate practices each day. The team is excited for all the members to be able to feel a part of the team again this fall.

Jacowleff expressed how important it is to see the Westport community coming together for games.

“Staples High School is a very competitive school where students are, rightfully so, pushed to have the best GPA, highest SAT score, most well-written essay,” Jacowleff said, “so it is nice to have one night every week where the student-body comes together to support each other positively.”

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Football coach Matthew Jacowleff explained that the

ability to not wear masks makes a “considerable difference in our ability to commuiven that high school nicate and coach the players.” students are now eligible When it comes to the quarto be fully vaccinated, it antine rules this fall, vaccinated is finally time for Staples students and asymptomatic students and to grab their logowear and post- staff will not be required to isoers and head out to the superfan late when exposed to a positive sections for games, and this time COVID-19 case, but unvaccinatat full capacity. While nobody ed students exposed to the virus seems more will have familiar to quarwith the antine for quickly 10 days. curated Sports changes teams are brought by excited COVID-19 for the than high upcomschool athing season letes, the after the amount of challenges progress posed by -Gaby Gonzalez ’22 Girls’ varsity soccer captain the world the 2020 has made school in the past y e a r . few months calls for an “As of now it all looks (almost) normal season. good,” Gaby Gonzalez ’22, capThis year, athletes are only tain of the girls’ varsity soccer required to wear a mask for in- team said, “meaning we will door sports such as volleyball and have a regular season consisting cheerleading practices, according of playing against all 15 teams to the Staples athletic director rather than playing in a smallMarty Lisevick. Masks will only er conference like last year.” be required for other sports when The Staples football team students are inside locker rooms. this year will once again have

SPORTS| 13

A new game: test optional policies can alter college recruitment

W

hile some seniors rejoiced to hear that many colleges will continue their test optional policies into the 2022 school year, athletes looking to be recruited faced uncharted territory.

Throughout the past year, they’ve had to decide whether or not to send their standardized test scores in the pre-reads process.

Even with the opportunity to go test optional, Gabriel Chinitz ’22, who will play lacrosse at Bryant University, felt that most coaches he spoke to encouraged sending test scores to help streamline the process.

“Every coach that I talked to asked for an SAT score or an ACT score, so they really want a score to just gage your academic level,” Chinitz said. “Test scores can help you a ton because even if you don’t have very good grades and you have a good SAT, they can push you through their admissions process and get you in.”

Lily Harrington ’22 carried the same sentiment that test scores can help to quicken the process; however, the Colby College commit didn’t send her test scores, per her coach’s advice, which ultimately complicated the process.

“I thought that going through the process would be much easier because you could go test option-

Graphic

by Anna D

iorio ’23

a l and a lot of stress would be put away,” Harrington said. “For me, it made the process longer because there were more things they had to look at since I went test optional. A big thing was class ranking. They don’t usually do that with most schools, but with the schools I was applying to they had to look at that more deeply and so it took me an extra month for them to go through my stuff.”

Harrington attributes the coach’s advice to the results of the previous year’s class, where many athletes did not send their test scores and were still

admitted to the school.

“A lot of [the coaches] said that’s how they got their [athletes] because they went test optional,” Harrington said. “They very highly recommended it with their class this year because it would make it easier, but certain things, like I said with the class ranking, was more strict.”

However, other athletes felt that their coach’s advice to not send test scores created no issues and actually simplified the process. Both McKenzie Didio ’22, who will play lacrosse at the University of Delaware, and Tighe Brunetti ’22, who will play tennis at Villanova, felt that their coach-

es didn’t need their test scores. “[Last summer,] test sites were still closed and there was nowhere I could take [the ACT] and as I started to talk to coaches, a lot of the schools I was talking to were going test optional, so we kind of put aside going in to take a test,” Didio said. “Our coach didn’t want us to spend the time [getting] tutoring and everything when we would be able to get into the school without needing test scores.”

While Brunetti still took the ACT, he also felt that the coaches he interacted with believed that he wouldn’t need his test scores.

“The coach said I didn’t really need the tests,” Brunetti said. “I submitted them to him anyway, so I don’t know if he gave it to admissions or not, but all I know is he said I was clear for admissions.”

Ultimately, Didio believes that requiring any student to submit standardized testing scores poses difficulties to those with fewer resources.

“I don’t think standardized testing is a fair measurement of a person’s ability in the classroom,” Didio said. “I think there are a lot more factors that should go into applying to schools rather than just strictly how good you are at taking a test because people also have different access to tutors [...] I think it puts some at an advantage and others at a disadvantage.”

GAMES| 14

Back To School Bingo Bingo Back-To-School

A YOU GET TEACHER CAN’T ASSiGNED SAY SEATS YOUR NAME A FRiEND GREW 5 iNCHES OVER THE SUMMER AN OLD TEACHER WAVES AT YOU

YOU CRY

YOU LiE A SENiOR THAT YOU GiRL READ WHiSTLES YOUR IN YOUR SUMMER FACE READiNG YOU GO TO THE WRONG CLASS

YOU SHARE A FUN FACT

YOU HAVE YOU GET TO FiLL THE CAFE A FRiDAY OUT AN FUN LiNE iS “ABOUT EMAiL TOO ME” FROM THE LONG SHEET LiBRARY

A TEACHER KNEW YOUR SiBLiNG

YOU HAVE TO DO A 180 iN THE HALLWAY

YOU’RE LATE TO A CLASS

YOU MEET A NEW FRiEND

A TEACHER SOMEONE READS A MENTiONS CAMP SYLLABUS

YOU'RE OUT OF BREATH

BY THE THiRD FLOOR

YOUR NEW SHOES GET DiRTY Bingo by Katie Simons ’22

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Graphic by Lily Caplan ’22