Inklings March 2024 Issue

CONT ENTS

Opinions

8-9 Reading the News

Lily Hultgren ’25 discusses the importance of staying informed by reading the news.

News

4-5 Racial Protesting

The community speaks out about racial discrimination, protests for accountability and support for victims.

Features

10-11 Pending TikTok Ban

Staples students and faculty react to the bipartisan bill banning TikTok that passed in the US House of Representatives.

Arts

14-15

The Play Read about Staples Players production of “James and the Giant Peach.”

Sports

16-17 Spring Sports

Get to know how spring sports teams are preparing for their upcoming season.

Front & back cover by Alex Gaines ’25

Inklings Staff

Editors-In-Chief

Genevieve Frucht, Paige Tighe

Paper Managing Editors

Ruby Kantor, Talia Varsano

Web Managing Editors

Jolie Gefen, Talia Moskowitz

Associate Managing Editors

Ava Cordella, Paige Miller

Associate Web Managing Editor

Samantha Sandrew

Creative Directors

Alex Gaines, Shivali Kanthan

Assistant Creative Directors

Avery Michalowski, Olivia Signorile

Business Manager

Mia Kirkorsky

Assistant Business Managers

Charlotte Berner, Rylie Cordella, Caroline Zajac

Communications Coordinator

Caitlin Jacob

Social Media Managers

Ava Coyle, Poppy Harrington

Broadcast Directors

Zoe Alpert, Zoe Boxenbaum

Executive TV Show Producers

Nina Bowens, Ben Buchalter

News Editors

Sophia Reeves, Samantha Sandrew

Opinions Editors

Angelina Matra, Katherine Phelps, Lily Rimm, Demi Sasson

Features Editors

Mia Bomback, Zara Saliba, Lily Hultgren, Anna Kercher

Arts Editors

Addison Coughlin, Ava Chun, Siena Petrosinelli

Sports Editors

Sophie Smith, Matthew Stashower, Sage Cohen, Madison Mayr

Web News Editors

Ella Harrington, Rachel Olefson

Web Opinions Editors

Liora Perkins, Jack Robinson

Web Features Editor

Andi Jacobs, Ayaan Olasewere

Web Arts Editor

Alice Frascella, Olivia Saw

Web Sports Editors

Tristan Gonzalez, William Murray

Web Photostory Editor

Audrey Curtis Advisers

Joseph Delgobbo, Mary Elizabeth Fulco

More About Us

Inklings News is uncensored, unedited by administration, an 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.

EDITORIAL

Tutoring companies steal intellectual property, promote cheating

Imagine you are sitting in a test you have been anticipating for weeks. You have ferociously studied all weekend and even went to a tutor to get assistance. You look at the first question and think it looks familiar, but you don’t think much about it. But then the next one, and the one after that and the one after that are all questions you practiced. You quickly realize that your tutor gave you an older version of this test for practice, but you keep this realization to yourself and you finish the test in record time. After the test, all your friends are freaking out that the test was impossible, but you are confident that you received an A. However, inside, you recognize that it was an A you likely didn’t deserve.

Some members of our Editorial Board admit that their tutoring companies have provided them access to old Staples tests. This tutoring practice is not only deceitful, but is also equiv-

alent to cheating and harms students over the long term. Giving students exact test problems does not help them learn how to complete the material taught in the course; they only learn how to memorize answers.

There are also unforeseen consequences that this practice creates. For instance, teachers no longer return tests for their students to take home. Students get to view their tests during class time and teachers review the answers. But when the review is over, teachers recollect the tests, and students can no longer utilize them later on for studying purposes.

tions in advance or having essays written for them, then they are stealing intellectual property.

This tutoring practice is not only deceitful, but is also equivalent to cheating.

Westport Public Schools own all the materials that its employees produce, so as is specified under copyright law, when tutoring companies take intellectual property that is not their own and then uses it for their own financial benefit, that is against the law.

Board does not blame students for the corrupt practices of these tutoring companies. Students pay a lot of money to these companies because they are genuinely looking for support. These tutoring companies are the ones who harm students intellectually, ethically and lawfully when they overstep, overshare and overprepare. Therefore, their shady practices must end.

The Editorial Board voted unanimously in favor of this opinion.

Ultimately, if tutors are providing students with test ques-

The Editorial Board feels that if tutors are helping explain material to students in a fair way that does not consist of showing old tests or doing assignments for them, then tutoring is a useful and educational tool. Any other form of “support” should be stopped.

To be clear, our Editorial

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Graphic by Alex Gaines ’

NEWS COMMUNITY SPEAKS OUT

RACIAL PROTEST Westport students and parents gather outside Staples High School and Bedford Middle School on Feb. 27 to call for reform of policies regarding racism and hate speech.

Westport Public Schools face accusations of racism

Lily Hultgren ‘25

Features Editor

Zoe Alpert ‘25

Broadcast Editor

Westport Public Schools received calls for a reform of its policies regarding racism following a peaceful protest on Feb. 27, outside of Staples High School and Bedford Middle School. The protest was in response to a Board of Education meeting where Westport parents Dr. Carol Felder and Richard Anderson spoke out against the racism their daughters experienced within the school system.

Following the protest, over 30 Westport collectively parents submitted a letter on March 5 to the Board of Education and Westport Public Schools Superintendent Thomas Scarice, advocating for multiple short-term, medium-term and long-term policy proposals.

Scarice shared that he was appreciative of parents who shared their suggestions on potential policy changes.

“The district has been committed to improving our school cultures and working to prevent misconduct such as racism, antisemitism, homophobia and any other misconduct directed at groups of students,” Scarice wrote in a March 12 email. “The overall strategy in confronting these matters

is to build a strong program of prevention, and to ensure that when misconduct occurs, it is thoroughly addressed.”

The district plans to implement other changes such as updating the Student Behavioral Code of Conduct and providing staff training on topics such as microaggressions. Such changes are also outlined on the recently published website: westportdeib. org. The website went live on March 13, around two weeks after the Feb. 27 demonstration that was organized by Dr. Felder, Anderson, their friends, as well as Westport Onyx, a group that aims to support the town’s Black community.

“

We don’t want sympathy; we want action.”

- Dr. Felder

After experiencing repeated microaggressions from her peers, one of Dr. Felder’s daughters, Riley Anderson ’27, said she discovered text messages between two acquaintances, containing blatantly-racist comments targeted at her. After showing screenshots to her teacher, it was reported to both the counseling department and administrators. The initial reaction from the school led Riley to believe that the situation would be handled satisfactorily. However, she said she was disappointed by the outcome.

“We had support from many people from many walks of life at the protest, and that was just very heartwarming,” Dr. Felder said. “We said that it was a community issue and the community showed up in support of us to solidify that it truly is, and that there are many people who desire that same change.”

Prior to the protest, Dr. Felder spoke at a Feb. 15 Board of Education meeting about racist behavior her daughters were exposed to. After reporting the incidents to the school, how the school handled the situation left her feeling “hopeless” and “not heard” or “seen,” which ultimately led to her decision to speak out during the public comment section of the meeting.

“In my mind, I was assuming [the perpetrator was] going to be expelled because what he said to me was completely inappropriate and something that’s not tolerated,” Riley said. “I just felt as if the consequences were very inadequate.”

While disappointed at the school’s response, Riley is grateful for her parents for taking action and the community’s outright support.

“What my parents have done is show that this is not something you are going to get away with,” she said. “You can’t let people get away with these things; it leads them to do it again.”

Dr. Felder felt similarly about the school’s response.

“We were met with sympathy, but sympathy does not help the problem,” she said. “It’s appreciated but we don’t want sympathy; we want action.”

Harold Bailey Jr., the chairman of TEAM Westport, an official Westport committee whose goal is to promote inclusivity and belonging in regards to race, ethnicity, religion and the LGBTQIA+ community, pointed out how this has been an ongoing issue in Westport.

“The problem is not something the schools alone can handle. It’s a town problem,” Bailey said. “And we’ve been talking about the last 20 years [about] making people aware of microaggressions, stereotypes, systemic racism, on antisemitism and the really insidious ways that fits into the way people talk and think.”

Board of Education member Kevin Christie said that in addition to the Board revising its policies, other work must be taken to implement change.

“Racism is learned,” Christie wrote in a March 10 email. “As individual members of the Westport community, we should ask ourselves, where is it coming from? A truly effective assault on racism in our schools will require support from the community and at home.”

In the future, Riley hopes those engaging in racism will be called out for their actions and be met with appropriate consequences. Riley feels strongly that she and any other victims will be heavily supported through any experience regarding racism.

“There’s a whole community of people who stand by any victim,” Riley said, “[...] and make sure that perpetrators know that it’s not okay what [they’re] doing. It’s not okay at all.”

Westport schools hosts event addressing hate, bias in community

Caitlin Jacob ’24 Communication Coordinator

Wiestport Public Schools administrators, in coordination with Temple Israel, held a community event, “Addressing Incidents of Antisemitism and Bias in our Schools,” on March 13 to discuss how incidents of hate, bias and antisemitism should be handled. The event follows recent hate-based allegations relating to racism and antisemitism present in the school district and Westport community.

We need to respond to keep students safe.”

- Lee Goldstein Board of Education chair

The discussion was broken into three segments: a presentation on how Holocaust education is incorporated into the curriculum, the district response to hate and a Q&A. The importance of social- emotional learning was also covered. Speakers included Superintendent Thomas Scarice, Principal Stafford W. Thomas Jr. and Temple Israel Rabbi Michael Freidman. Principals at every school level, along with local politicians and Jewish leaders, spoke. The district has recently faced increasing pressure to speak about the effects of instances of hate within an educational environment.

“Back in December, there

ADDRESSING REPORTS Rabbi Michael Friedman greets the crowd at Temple Isreal. Attendees included Westport Public School leaders, such as Principal Stafford W. Thomas Jr. and Superintendent Thomas Scarice. Graphic contributed by Dan Woog

were very public allegations of antisemitic bullying at school,” Board of Education chair Lee Goldstein said. “While we cannot talk about any individual student incidents, we can discuss what we do system wide and at each school to prevent antisemitic and all bias-based incidents as well as what we do in response when they occur.”

Both Temple Israel and the Westport Public School district acknowledge the importance of building a relationship with a local synagogue.

“I estimate that about 20% of the Westport population is Jewish,” Freidman said. “The Jewish community is therefore invested in making sure our schools are safe for Jewish families – and equally importantly, for families of all other minority groups who have historically been the targets of hate and persecution.”

[Inklings News could not confirm the statistic above.]

Some critiqued the presentation, specifically relating to its

clarity with regards to addressing racial incidents and bias.

“I wish [the meeting] was a little less general, focused on the process, and more focused on the current issues that everyone is concerned about,” Westport resident Maggie Diamond said.

Ultimately, while the district is attempting to reduce the number of hate-based incidents through increasing education, it acknowledges there is still a chance of bias occurring.

“Sometimes we do have incidents, and we need to respond to keep students safe, investigate what happened, administer consequences, help students learn and grow and when possible, re-establish good relationships between the parties,” Goldstein said. “We all abhor these instances, but we need to confront them honestly.”

To access descriptions of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) strategies and policies implemented at Westport Public Schools, visit westportdeib.org.

Graphics by Samantha Sandrew ’25 & Olivia Signorile ’25

7 STEP PLAN Westport Public Schools “Addressing Incidents of Antisemitism and Bias in our Schools” on March 13 for Westport parents, school officials and religious leaders to discuss recent allegations of discrimination. The school system created a seven step plan to address any past and future issues.

Afew weeks ago, I made the reluctant first step towards a positive self-image: I opted for a sort of “digital detox,” and bid farewell to the toxic wasteland of jealousy that thrives on Instagram. After all, in the wise words of Olivia Rodrigo, “co-comparison is killing me slowly.”

I am three weeks Insta-sober, my FOMO has faltered and I no longer hold myself to such unrealistic standards of beauty or lifestyle. I’m also living under a rock.

Now, I’ve never rendered myself a pop-culture fanatic, but I’ve always tried to stay “in-theloop” about celebrity happenings, at least those pertaining to my favorite actors and artists. So when Taylor Swift announced her 11th studio album, “Tortured Poets Departments,” and earned her fourth Album of the Year award at the 2024 Grammy awards, I was shocked to find out…. a whole two days after the fact, in math class.

OPINIONS Peace out,

@miabomback_25 Features Editor

I’m a pretty big Swiftie. Had I known it were the Grammys, I probably would’ve watched. Or at least stayed up waiting for my post notification from @taylornation announcing the good news. Except I didn’t know the awards were that weekend because I didn’t see an announcement post (or story repost) on Instagram. Had it not been for a friend and fellow fan asking me my opinions on the album’s tracklist one day in math, I could’ve gone days without knowing the groundbreaking news.

got Robbie’s Oscars snub. Did you guys know Olivia Rodrigo is dating Louis Partridge?

When you decide to delete social media, you have a duty to stay informed.

After a quick Internet search, I realized just how “last-year” all my pop-culture knowledge truly was. Without my daily Deuxmoi updates, I was blissfully unaware of the tumultuous feud between Megan and Nikki and Mar-

Pop culture news is one thing. Sure, it’s fun indulging in high-society gossip, whos-marrying-who, who-divorcing-who or who’s-going-to-be-reincarnated-as-the-second-royal-Paytas-baby. But 54% of teenagers cite social media platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat and Tiktok as a major source of world news. And that’s a real problem. Being off Instagram has forced me to consume all sorts of information in a more thoughtful way. My lack of access to the app—coupled with my innate desire to be, at least minimally, well-informed—has led me to look beyond a reposted infographic to deliver valuable information about the state

of our world, and to credible

pendent journalists committed to delivering the truth. I never realized how much information I ignorantly absorbed without bothering to verify the facts or even the source, just by scrolling through my Instagram feed. When you decide to delete social media, you have a duty to stay-informed. No, not on the status of Jacob Elordi’s relationship with Olivia Jade, but current issues that hold tangible consequences for real individuals (and, if your friends are like mine, the Jacob Elordi stuff is pretty important to know, too). And for those of you who are still scrolling through Instagram, you have a responsibility there, too—to supplement the ill-informed infographics your friend reposted because some celebrity did, or the out-of-context quote turned internet memes, with factual, meaningful engagement with the world around you.

Graphics by Alex Gaines ’25

Why YOU should read the news

Lily Hultgren '25 Features Editor

Before my junior year, I honestly never kept up with the news. I had only a vague idea about some current events, especially because they often aren’t covered in our classes at school. While I was interested in current events, I didn’t put any effort into learning about them. I thought that the world was too chaotic and it would be too overwhelming to read article after article about crisis, conflict, messy politics and even more horrific and discouraging information.

Photo by Angelina Matra

AStaying Current

s I embarked on my junior year, I found myself constantly surrounded by information and media about huge events that were happening at both the national and international levels: Kevin McCarthy was ousted from being Speaker of the House, the Ukraine-Russia war was fighting on, the Israel-Hamas war had begun and much more. It was impossible to avoid confronting these major and complicated issues. And

so, to somehow make sense of it all, I decided to begin to read news articles on these topics. I was surprised to find that the more I read and the more I became informed, the less overwhelmed I became. Not only did becoming more knowledgeable about current events help me navigate the world around me, but I also found myself gaining motivation to learn even more and motivation to take action on issues that I felt strongly about.

Infographic by Zara Saliba ’26

’25

Inklinations

Jasmine Schiffman ‘25

“I get most of my news from Instagram stories, mostly reposts from big news sites.”

Importance of the news

Regularly checking the news online quickly became a habit. Every day I look at articles on a variety of different current issues. I even started exploring different formats of news, like on the radio and podcasts. Now, I can see that my choice to not engage with the news was a privilege that many cannot afford to stay ignorant on. For countless people, the issues discussed in the news are directly

impactful in ways we may never fully understand. But, to truly make a difference in the world, we have to take the steps to understand what is going on and understand others’ experiences and perspectives. That starts with being informed. It is a privilege that many of us can choose to stay ignorant, but that attitude has to change. Yes, the world is messy. It is brutal. It is overwhelming. It can be hard to read about.

John Caggiano '26

“I don’t really read the news, but I’ll look at ESPN for sports news.”

Escaping the bubble

It is tempting to live in a bubble, protected from the outside world. However, it is our duty as teenagers, the next generation who will soon share the responsibility of leading the world, to become engaged citizens. We can only do that if we start to educate ourselves on what is happening all around

us. I am not saying that every second of your day should be consumed by the news and that you shouldn’t take any breaks from absorbing information, but if teens can start putting in the effort to be more informed on current events, then we can be better equipped to navigate and improve the world together.

Photos by Katherine Phelps ’25

Infographic by Paige Tighe ’24

FEATURES

#Banned #Banned #Banned

“TikTok Ban” Bill soars through the House

Nina Bowens ‘25 Executive On The Wreckord Producer

One and a half days a month. That is roughly how long the average American spends on TikTok, with a screen-time report of 95 minutes a day. After opening the app around 20 times a day, the average TikTok-er mindlessly scrolls through shortspanned videos that range from entertainment to educational to rather odd clips that make one question why they have the app in the first place. However, with the potential ban of the application altogether, the very future of TikTok, and by extension, students, is up for debate.

After a 352-65 vote on March 13, the House of Representatives passed a new bill that would grant the President the ability to deem social media apps under control of foreign contenders, such as TikTok, as national security threats, and issue a ban of the app from all online app stores—unless the foreign entities cut ties with China within the next 180 days.

For Staples’ students, this could mean the end

of their beloved app, completely altering their intake of news and entertainment.

The bill, Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Control Act, is currently being deliberated in the Senate. If it is passed, President Biden has stated that he will sign it into law. However, should there be a small contingent to filibuster or request a hold of the bill on the Senate floor, the process will be drastically prolonged. Many students, such as Abe Lobsenz ’25 who is currently enrolled in A.P. Government and Politics: We The People, have noted the potential impact of an inefficient Senate on the passage of the bill.

“

We trust our citizens to be worthy of their democracy. We do not trust the government to decide what information they may or may not see.”

- Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT)

message to the Senate,” Lobsenz said, “but by nature, the Senate is the more deliberative of the houses, and will therefore take more time to decide on nearly any bill. From what I’ve read, the Senate Democratic Leader is not even sure if he will schedule the bill to be heard on the floor.” The bill was proposed following continued concern about TikTok’s parent company,

ByteDance, mainly regarding the company’s alleged ties to Chinese Communist Party (CCP), and fear for American user data. The goal of the law would not be solely to ban TikTok, but rather, pressure its

China-based owner to sell portions of its stake down to 20%.

With roughly 50 million American users on TikTok per day, the fear of its outlaw has plagued the nation. For many, the thought of losing a source of happiness and nostalgia is worrisome, should the fate of the app eventually land on the President’s desk.

“I feel really upset about TikTok being banned because I feel like it was a really big part of my childhood,” Rhiya Anand ’25 said. Whereas other students are more wary of the potential dangers of data-sharing amongst the company’s leaders, and choose a different social media platform to favor. “I prefer to use Instagram Reels over TikTok because I would rather trust my data within the country rather than give it to a foreigner,” Eddie Van Der Merwe ’25 said, “and I am uncomfortable with what the app might do with my data.”

The debate on whether or not to ban TikTok has existed for the past couple of years and has invoked passion within both Democrats and Republican representatives, including Connecticut’s District 4 representative Jim Himes. Himes was one of the 50 Democrats to vote against the bill, citing that banning TikTok

“The sweeping victory in the House certainly sent a

would endanger democracy by impeding on the First Amendment rights of Americans.

“Adversaries like China shut down newspapers, broadcast stations, and social media platforms. We do not,” Himes said in a statement. “We trust our citizens to be worthy of their democracy. We do not trust our government to decide what information they may or may not see.”

Many students and teachers have contemplated the reality of the ban passing through the House.

“I don’t know that it’s a First Amendment violation because there are other social media platforms,” English teacher Jesse Bauks said. “I understand how it can be a security concern, but I don’t know how severe the concern would be. If China or any other group were infiltrating or buying user data information, they probably have already done it.”

The likelihood of the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Control Act passing through the polarized Senate in a timely manner is low, especially due to the fact that the banning of TikTok has been a hot-button issue for many years. Trump

attempted to ban the applica tion as well as Chinese-owned WeChat in 2020, but was blocked by Federal Courts who cited he had overstepped his au thority in using his emergency economic powers to put these applications out of business.

“If there’s compelling evi dence, the Court may extend the power over Congress at the expense of the American peo ple,” A.P. Government teacher Robert Shamburg said. “We’ll just have to wait and see how compelling of a reason the gov ernment is able to articulate.”

Another concern about the banning of TikTok is the thou sands of small businesses that rely on the platform for pro ceeds, a number nearing five million this year. With the im plementation of “TikTok Shop” in November of 2022, the sales and survival of these busi nesses are entirely dependent on the upholding of the app.

“I feel bad for those peo ple whose main source of in come was through TikTok, [as] now they have to find something else in very little time,” Anand said. “Their life will be completely changed.”

Scan here to read the full article!

Hill ’27

Tyla

Ozgen ’25 “

“ “

It should be up to each person to understand how the Chinese government is involved and then decide for themselves if they want to take part.”

I understand why the government is looking to ban [the app], but TikTok users will just move to a different platform for their content.”

I support the TikTok ban because I don’t trust the Chinese Communist Party, and people have valid reasons to be concerned.”

Infographic by Zara Saliba ’26

Lucy

Horace Staples

STUDENT SUBMISSION

Gillian Nishi ’24 & Jordana Treisman ’24

To most Staples High School students, the name just invites confusion between the high school and the office supply store. Everyone has the vague idea of a long-gone man holding the name and funding the school, but there is more to his story.

Horace Staples, born Jan. 31, 1801, started as a school teacher. Eighty years and countless businesses later, he became the wealthiest man in Westport and was the bestknown and oldest citizen in town, according to 06880.

Staples became tired of watching Westport children travel to Bridgeport or Nor-

walk for their education. When the town failed to act on land that he had offered for a school, he took matters into his own hands.

Directing part of his fortune to this project after his only daughter had passed, Staples opened a building on West Avenue on Oct. 31, 1884. Staples High School claimed that by 1887, the developed library, with 950 volumes, and a fully furnished chemistry lab gave the school its excellent reputation. No other school in Connecticut could beat it, and to this day, it is still one of the top public high schools in the state.

With Staples High School's great regard, students previously celebrated Founder’s Day on Staples’ birthday with hymns and music, which

he passed in 1897. Now, one of the few material reminders of Staples is a conserved portrait of him outside the main office.

Staples’ access to high-quality public education for almost 139 years should not be overlooked, and the school should celebrate the man who started it all.

On the day of his funeral, all businesses in town had closed while eight Staples students carried his coffin.

As further reported by 06880, the headstone that marks his grave in the Green’s Farm’s Church lower cemetery was recently restored in 2018, as well as that of his second wife, Charrey’s. The gravestones of his daughter and son remain in poor condition and the grave of his first wife is still missing.

Graphics by Alex Gaines ’25

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Art honors society

unveils showcase

“Assemblage”

Demi Sasson ’25 Opinions Editor

Displayed up and down the hustling, bustling Staples hallways are the compilation of pictures, paintings and portraits created by members of the National Art Honors Society (NAHS).

After being a part of her high school’s NAHS, graphic design teacher Carla Eichler started a chapter at Staples for students enrolled in art classes.

“The goal is so that students have a chance to use their art, talent and expertise for social good,” Eichler said.

Members of NAHS must obtain 10 hours of community service in the arts, five of which are helping out within the Staples community. Helping set up the December and May art shows along the auditorium is one way for the

students to engage with the Staples community and fulfill their service requirements.

“[It’s] a great way to help out with the community especially when it’s in areas of interest,”

Harry McLaughlin ’26 said.

“Such as art where you could be setting up the Westport MOCA’s art shows or even doing something like a live drawing/Q&A session for viewers at the Westport Library.”

This year, members of the NAHS also had the chance to submit a piece of art they made in school or in their free time to the NAHS showcase displayed outside of the high school auditorium.

“I feel it’s important to represent and set an example for the other members,” vice chair Kayla Damiano ’25 said. “I chose this piece because it’s one of my favorites that I’ve made over the past three years, and I think it represents me as an artist really well, while also reflecting on my personal interests.”

“Magazine layout design”

Some artists use softwares like Adobe InDesign to create their pieces, taking inspiration from other creations like Vanity Fair magazine and TV shows. For other works, like their assemblage piece, artists could pay homage to relatives or important people in their life.

“[The assemblage piece] includes testimonies to my memories of [my grandmother] and her character as a Holocaust survivor and American Immigrant from Holland,” Jordy Greenspan ’24 said. “The lipstick and rings attest to her appearance and value on investments that one can pack up and leave with in times of crisis.”

“I think it represents me as an artist really well, while also reflecting on my personal interests.”

Kayla Da miano ’ 25

“[The assemblage piece] includes testimonies to my memories of [my grandmother].”

Jordy Greenspan ’ 24

munity. Thus, their contribu tion to the showcase and other Staples art displays makes the presence of art all the more important throughout the school.

Members of the NAHS find comfort in their com -

“Submitting my art into the showcase was a way for me to contribute to the Honors Society, helping to promote and celebrate art within our school,” Greenspan said. “I felt that by sharing my work, I could inspire others and contribute to the vibrant artistic atmosphere at Staples.”

Art & photo contributed by Kayla Damiano ’25

Art & photo contributed by Jordy Greenspan ’24

Staples Playe rs presents

James AND THE GIANT Peach

Players prepares for immersive, technical production

Elsa D’Elia ’25 Staff Writer

Almost every member of the Staples community is likely familiar with the feeling of waiting in anticipation for the start of another Staples Players production, the excited chatter of an auditorium laying in wait.

On March 21, Staples Players will be premiering “James and the Giant Peach,” led by Beck Fipp ’27 as James.

kind and understanding that before we [got] through the first act, I felt completely comfortable and was having a blast.”

Of course, a leading character isn’t all that defines a show. An entire dedicated group of actors is needed, including Finley Chevrier ’24, who plays Earthworm.

“Throughout my years [in theater,] I’ve acted in 11 different shows. My first was “James and the Giant Peach,” and now my last show is also ‘James and the Giant Peach.’”

er on the production team.

“It’s pretty fun. I run backstage so all the set pieces and set changes are by me,” Damiano said. “During the show process, I am in charge of making sure we know what set pieces go where and when, along with helping to train the Production Assistants.”

Working alongside Damiano, stage manager Tyler Rockwell ’24 deals with production, too. Rockwell is in charge of the 11 crews that make up tech.

-Finley Chevrier '24 “

Chevrier said.

It’s really special, and unlike anything Players has put on in a while.”

James and the Giant Peach is the second production Fipp has been a part of since joining Players.

“I will never forget the feeling of walking down the hallway towards the black box [theater] for the first read-through on the first day of rehearsal,” Fipp said. “I was so nervous my teeth were chattering, but everyone was so

“I can guarantee it’s really special, and unlike anything Players has put on in a while.”

What goes on backstage is equally important as what’s seen on stage. Huge effort is put in during the months leading up to shows, with crew members working hard. As a part of creating magic backstage as well as on it, Kayla Damiano ’25 serves as the Assistant Stage Manag-

“During the show, I call all live lighting cues, and some sound effects with the lighting designer in the lighting booth,” Rockwell said.

“I’m also on headset with the spot operators and backstage managers to maintain clear communication and act quickly in case of emergency.”

These duties have been tested during the production of “James and the Giant Peach.”

“‘James’ has been one of the most technical shows Players has ever done since I’ve been here,” Rockwell said. “It’s very theatrical with many moving pieces and components, such as trap doors and moving walls.”

Photo by Elsa D’Elia ’25

Photos contributed by Kerry Long

MEET JUSTIN PAUL

BEHIND THE SCENES Justin Paul ’03, a renowned composer, visited Staples Players on March 11. Paul composed the music and lyrics for “James and The Giant Peach,” the musical. He has recieved Oscar, Tony and Grammy awards for his more famous works like “The Greatest Showman” and “La La Land.” He came to Staples to give the Players a better understanding of the music and lyrics behind the play.

“Being able to collaborate with someone who worked so closely on the show we’re currently performing allowed all of us to have a much deeper understanding of the meaning behind the lyrics.”

Graphics by Alex Gaines ’25

Photos contributed by Kerry Long

Photo by Elsa D’Elia ’25

Yusef Abdallah ’25

SPRingING INTO THE SEASON

Get to know Staples’ upcoming sports

Nina Bowens ‘25

Executive TV Show Producer

With March coming to a close, spring sports, such as lacrosse, rugby, baseball and tennis, are in full swing – no pun intended. The pressure is on for captains and their teams after fruitful fall and winter seasons. As the weather gets warmer, the initiative to join Superfans in the stands is growing. But still, a lack of familiarity with the sports keep some from showing up at games with Wrecker pride.

Championships are on the line… and fans are simply a requirement for victory. So it’s crucial for the Staples community to familiarize themselves with the following sports.

Girls’ Rugby

Due to the sports uniqueness, and that the Staples’ program was introduced in 2019, the girls’ rugby team plays “sevens,” meaning there are fewer players on the field than boys’ rugby. The boys usually play an 80 minute game with a total of 15 players per team, whereas the girls have seven minute halves with seven players per team.

The sport itself consists of the objective of gaining yards on the field while passing backwards to teammates. Approximately 20 girls are currently signed up, but upperclassmen encourage all to participate or support the team at the football stadium for home games. Their first game is on April 4.

“The team is always trying to prioritize getting new players and learning new things,” winger Sophia Novello ’25 said, “and just support an overall open and friendly environment.”

boys’

tennis

Coming off of a competitive preseason and tryout, the 12 players on the boys’ tennis team are ready to take their season by storm. They play each of the other FCIAC schools in the format of four singles matches and three doubles matches. Each match is worth one point for the team. Their main priority is to reclaim their title as the best team in the state, which they had cemented for six consecutive years, but it was stolen by Greenwhich in a 4-0 match in the 2023 season.

“As a returning upperclassman,” Lucas Ceballos-Cala ’25 said, “the biggest idea I am trying to instill in our team this year is a sense of unity and responsibility off the court. While our on-court performance will ultimately decide our end result, I think it will be how deeply we each believe in our shared responsibility and mission that will silently make or break us.”

PREPARING FOR THE SEASON (left to right) Noah Wolff ’25 and Hayden Frey ’24 hope to beat there 15-8 record from the ’23 season.

PREPARING FOR THE SEASON (left to right) Eleanor Carter ’24 and Katy Bouchard ’24 invite all to support rugby both on or off the field.

Photos by Alex Gaines ’25

in girls’ rugby

4/4

vs. Fairfield and North Haven

12:00 p.m.

upcoming home games

In boys’ tennis

In girls’ lacrosse in baseball

4/6

4/2

4/8 vs. Ridgefield 4:00 p.m. vs. Greenwich 4:30 p.m. 5:00 p.m. vs. Masuk

girls’ lacrosse

To rejuvenate their team, captains hope to push players such as D1 commit Keira Best ’24, who is playing for Davidson in the fall. They also have an impressive defensive line-up with two senior captains and Katie Fitzgerald ’25, who plays for the Ireland national team.

Alice Anderson ’24 hopes to bring positivity to the entire program and encourage fans to come support at Ginny Parker field, especially at their first home game against Masuk on April 6.

“Our team already is closely bonded which will translate towards our chemistry on the field,” Anderson said. “We always celebrate our wins, and collectively improve ourselves after a loss. I will always remember the memories, laughs and rituals we share as a team.”

baseball

After losing impressive seniors last year, including Hiro Wyatt ’23 and Chris Zajac ’23, the baseball team is prioritizing selflessness and chemistry among the players. Their record in the 2023 season was 21-6, including winning FCIAC and state tournaments, and they hope to match that this year. To achieve this goal, Max Jossen ’24 seeks contribution from a variety of players. They plan to qualify for both FCIACs and states to have their performance at its peak for playoffs.

They are set to play their biggest rival, Warde, twice this season: first on opening day, away on March 30, and again at home on May 3.

“People should come to baseball games this year because we have a lot of talent that will be shown at our games,” Jossen said, “and it becomes an advantage when more and more people come to support you and your school.”

in the ’23 season.

LEADING TO VICTORY (left to right) Captains Jack Farnen ’24, Nick Porzio ’24 and Max Jossen ’24 hope to reclaim FCIAC championships, which they earned

GAME READY (left to right) Captains Madison Mayr ’24, Alice Anderson ’24, Caroline Cooper ’24 and Keira Best ’24 plan to play at Staples’ 10 times this season.

Boys’ basketball reflects on successful season under Goldshore

Will Murray ‘25 Web Sports Editor

Despite waving goodbye to nine seniors after a successful 2022-23 season, Staples head coach Dave Goldshore led a young Staples team to finish the regular season with an 11-4 record in the FCIAC and a 15-5 overall record. These results earned Staples the No. 4 seed in the Fairfield County tournament and the No. 12 seed in the Division I State tournament, which was the Wreckers’ first time competing in the Division I bracket.

Due to the instrumental role of last year’s seniors, especially 6-foot-8 center Chris Zajac ’23, questions arose about the inexperience and small stature of this year’s team before the season even began.

Wilton by 17 points, 60-43. This set up an iconic 40-point per formance by captain Sam Clac hko ’26 in a semifinal win over top-seeded Ridgefield, which booked the Wreckers their second consecutive trip to the FCIAC championship game.

However, in a tight over time contest, No. 2 seed Trumbull took down Sta ples 70-67; this marked the Wreckers’ second year in a row finishing as finalists in the FCIAC tournament.

“The goal of any coach is to get their team to be play ing their best basketball at the end of the season,” Coach

No words can describe how thankful I am to have been a part of such an amazing program.

- Nick Sikorski '24

able to do just that.”

“Coach Goldshore frequently told us to focus on playing bigger than we stood and playing tougher than our opponent,” captain Adam Udell ’25 said. “Playing with that toughness helped us gain an edge over many teams throughout the season.”

This toughness proved especially important when the FCIAC tournament rolled around. In the quarterfinals, Staples simply overpowered

As for the state tour nament, Staples’ sea son came to an end when they were knocked out by a stellar East Catholic squad, who were the Divi sion I reigning champions.

“No words can describe how thankful I am to have been a part of such an amaz ing program,” captain Nick Sikorski ’24 said. “The culture that is built from day one by the coaching staff is spe cial and something I will never forget.”

Sam Clackho ’26 averages ≈ 24 poInts per game

Information from Westport Journal