Inklings October 2023 Issue

October 2023

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CONT ENTS News Google will restrict sites that do not abide by CT student data protection laws on Oct. 23.

7 Trick-or-Treating

11 Horror-ish Movies

Features

Sports

Jack Robinson ’26 encourages societal acceptance of teenagers trick-or-treating.

Staples High School 70 North Avenue Westport, CT 06880

4 Google Restrictions

9 Staples Hosts Singapore

Singapore students from the Hwa Chong Institution will be visiting Staples through an exchange program.

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 Director Avery Michalowski 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 Photography Directors Alex Greenlee, Gabe Hellman, Max Saperstein

Arts

Opinions

News Editors Henry Watson, Sophia Reeves Opinions Editors Angelina Matra, Katherine Phelps, Lily Rimm, Demi Sasson Features Editors Mia Bomback, Zara Saliba, Lily Hultgren, Anna Kercher Arts Editors Addison Coughlin, Andi Jacobs, 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 Ayaan Olasewere Web Arts Editor Olivia Signorile Web Sports Editors Tristan Gonzalez, William Murray Web Photostory Editor Audrey Curtis Advisers Joseph Delgobbo, Mary Elizabeth Fulco

Here are three less intense horror movies for you to watch this Halloween.

13 Girls’ Volleyball Succeeds

The girls’ volleyball team reflects on their successful season so far and prepares for FCIACs.

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.

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Watch On the Wreckord!

EDITORIAL

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Crucial internet restrictions: Safeguarding student privacy trumps convenience

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tudents were once able to enjoy unrestricted access to a wealth of online resources at school; however, they were recently informed that the number of websites available to them has been limited. On Oct. 9, Staples announced that starting on Oct. 23, in accordance with new Connecticut state laws, Google would implement new restrictions on student email accounts in order to improve the protection of student data. Students will now only be able to log into approved sites with their school accounts. In order to access any unsolicited sites, students must log in using a private email address that is not associated with the school.

When first informed about these new internet access restrictions, the Editorial Board initially contended that these new measures reflect a lack of consideration for students’ rights and a failure to provide adequate information regarding the motives behind the restrictions. After all, many Staples teachers assign students videos or articles on websites such as YouTube or The Washington Post, and the Board at first felt that restrictions to these sites, and other similar ones, would be inconvenient as students would be required to access sites through a private email account.

However, after some research, the Board changed its perspective. As inconvenient

as the restrictions are likeThe Board realized that the leave your accounts in danger ly to be, they are necessary. real issue is that students and of identity theft and fraud. The Just think: How many faculty are not educated on in- questions that are asked are very times have you agreed to terms ternet safety. In order for this similar to verification questions of service without actual- restriction to make a difference, required by a bank or other ly reading the contract? How everyone needs to be more fa- significant institutions. This many times have you accepted miliar with how to protect means that you could be recookies without knowing what themselves on their accounts. vealing answers to your security a cookie is? How many of you From our research, we gath- questions, without realizing it. have sent emails detailing that ered four tips that we believe 4. Read user agreements/ you missed will bene- privacy agreements. It is imschool due to fit students portant to understand what a doctor’s ap- As inconvenient as the most: data you are allowing to p o i n t m e n t ? the restrictions are 1.

Use be collected by companies How many of privacy set- and how they plan to use it. likely to be, they you have sent tings. PrivaJust a few weeks ago, the emails about are necessary. cy settings Board was in the shoes of a relative who restrict what most students, as they too may be sick people and felt their rights to informaor in the hospital? How many companies can gather from your tion were being hindered. of you have uploaded a pho- profile. Diligently reading the However, after thoughtful to or video to your Google privacy settings and deciding consideration and research, the Drive or sent an email with what to consent to is immense- Editorial Board encourages all photos or videos attached? ly important, rather than auto- students to understand the imUndoubtedly, we all have. matically accepting the default portance of these laws, as they But this information is the settings, because, for the most will be imperative to the safety very information that compa- part, once your information is of students and their data on nies want to get their hands released, you can’t take it back the internet. The Board highon, and they are willing to 2. Be careful about sharing ly recommends that all stupay a lot of money to get it. personal information. Avoid dents take the time to educate AI companies and oth- using your real name on games themselves on internet privacy er corporations want to have or social media platforms. It is protections and implement access to the writing in your beneficial to use your real birth our tips into their own lives.

Google Drive to improve their year because the platform will abilities to replicate student establish proper age protections. writing. Companies want Do not use a photo of yourself The Editorial Board voted your medical information as a profile picture. Following unanimously in favor of in order to make people more this advice will allow less perthis opinion. vulnerable to their advertising. sonal information to be shared Identity theives will use your if data were to be breached. ic by Shivali Kanth information to commit fraud 3. Skip online quizaph an r G ’ 24 by opening accounts and make zes. Quizzes that purchases under your name. pop up on websites

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NEWS

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Google places restrictions on websites not complying with Connecticut law Paige Miller ‘24

Associate Managing Editor

Madison Mayr ‘24 Sports Editor

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oogle will, on Oct. 23, impose restrictions on US News & World Report, The Washington Post, Grammarly, LitCharts, Google forms, Spotify and other websites that refuse to comply with Connecticut’s student data protection laws. This means, students who attempt to access these restricted websites using their school email accounts will not be accessible and teachers will need to find new venues to present content more safely.

In 2016, Connecticut passed Public Act 16-189 “An Act Concerning Student Data Privacy,” in order to protect students from companies using their data for profit.

“Right now, there is a student privacy data contract with the state that was brought into the law right before COVID,” Principal Stafford W. Thomas Jr. said. “There were breaches that were going on, students’ information was being taken.”

For example, if a student has ever

been online shopping while logged charge of implementing these reinto their school account in another strictions, and the school is meretab, that company could give the in- ly complying with state demands. formation of what they were looking According to Connecticut at to another company like Quizlet student data privacy laws, when a and profit website is from sellnot abiding There were ing the stuthe state breaches that were by dent’s data. law, schools going on.

Thommust termias sent an nate access Students’ email on to the site. information was Oct. 9 to For instance, all students when Zoom being taken.” and facrefused to - Stafford W. Thomas Jr. ulty alertPrincipal comply with ing them of Connecticut these new restrictions. According law, the school switched to using to Thomas’ email, if a student pre- Google Meet because that website viously used their school account to does comply with Connecticut law. log into a now unauthorized web“As the various other laws site, they will no longer have access have been passed or amended, to that site on or before October Google has continued to make 23. Going forward, in order to ac- changes to their platform to recess any unauthorized websites, stu- main compliant,” Director of Techdents will need to change the set- nology Natalie Carrignan said. tings within that program in order Katie Fitzgerald ’25 said she to login using a personal account. understands the situation and beHe notes that sites will not lieves that the concerns about probe blocked completely; only the tecting student data are justified. use of the “Sign In with Google” “Although I do think this makes feature will no longer work. So, it harder to do work in school, I students can still access any site understand it is for safety purposif they use a private email login. es,” Fitzgerald said. “I don’t mind Thomas admitted he is not in switching to my personal account

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STAPLES POLL According to an Inklings poll, the majority of students and teachers admitted to regularly using websites that will soon be restricted.

65.4%

sing res tr i

Scan the QR code to read the full article.

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Graphics by Sophia Reeves ’25

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if that means it would have my and other’s information protected.”

However, given the fact that popular sites, like YouTube, have refused to comply and will soon face restrictions, some students, like Cooper Levinson ’24 find conducting research to be more inconvenient during the school day.

“I think oftentimes when I need to do research for projects that may be more not school appropriate, like genocide,” Levinson said, “it is harder to do it through my school account and I have to use third party sites which make it harder especially because those sites aren’t always legitimate.”

Levinson argues that if students are completing schoolwork they shouldn’t have to use private email to complete assignments.

Carrignan acknowledged the inconveniences that the restrictions will create.

“Unfortunately, not all vendors have taken the steps Google has and they have refused to comply with the law,” Carrignan said. “Therefore we have had to tell teachers that they are restricted from using those applications with students.”

news | 5

Student Assembly restructures to become more than just a club Photo by Sophia Reeves ’25

through the proper channels.”

The club plans to run difSports Editor ferently this year, starting Catie Campagnino ‘26 with having student repreStaff Writer sentatives go to Board of he Student Assem- Education meetings and frebly has been updated quently meeting with Princiand changed to Stu- pal Stafford W. Thomas Jr. to dent Council in hopes of in- make sure the school is adcreasing student involvement. dressing problems that mat“We’re expanding it past just ter to the student population. like a group of students kind of “I think everyone has things just talking with their teach- to say about the school and ers,” Student how we can Council coi m p r o v e president it,” Student Dylan FioWe’re making a C o u n c i l FIRST MEETING Student Council co-presidents, Dylan re ’24 said. o - P r e s i - Fiore ’24 and Patrick Coleman ’24 present to whole student cdent “We’re makPatrick members on how elections this upcoming year will work. government.” Coleman ’24 ing a whole student govsaid. “So I feel ernment.” like all we’ve co-presidents discussed how to ing sure that we have a larger - Dylan Fiore ’24 A d v i done is kind become elected officials. There representation,” Moeller said. sors, StaNew students joining the of expand- were many different leadership ples librarian Nicole Moeller ed enough where every- opportunities for students of all council will provide new and English teacher Jamie one’s voice should be heard ages. Some positions include: ideas for how to improve Pacuk have been making sure and we can get things done.” secretary, class officials, stu- the school and have a largthat the students in StuLast year, the club met dent representatives, fundrais- er network for the council. dent Council feel like they in Pacuks’ classroom, but ing chair, co-communication “Now I feel like getting have an impact on the school. this year they will meet in officer, etc. This is a significant more kids involved, there’ll “We’ve been really looking the Staples library, so it will upgrade of positions from be more of a variety of ideas,” at how to adjust it to repre- be open to more students. last year’s student assembly. Fiore said. “This will hopefulsent it to student voices,” Pacuk The first meeting was held “We are taking the student ly result in an increase for evsaid, “so we can get the voices on Monday Oct., 9 where the voice that we had and mak- eryone’s enjoyment at school.”

Sage Cohen ‘25

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OPINIONS

Too big, too small, just right: the quest for the perfect pair of jeans

Then, one day when I was feeling especially defeated, I Broadcast Director relayed my disappointment to my mother. That’s when she pulled out a pair of jeans from here are infinite op- her time in high school that tions for fit, color, were almost 30 years ago. They length and rise, but no were dark-wash and low-rise, pair ever feels quite right. I’m and were a far departure from talking about everyone’s least the style of jeans that lined my favorite item to shop for: jeans. closet shelves. My mom, being The best pair provides con- noticeably half a foot taller than fidence, while the worst can I am, insisted that these would only emphasize insecurities. be my new perfect pair despite I take our height my denim Each imperfection difference. shopping off n c e was a reminder that she Opersuadthe internet and into the jeans are a kind of ed me to try real world on, I record for memories. them because onnoticed the line shopweathered - Zoe Boxenbaum ’25 ping is just holes on the too unreliable. Too frequent- knees and a broken belt loop ly, I’ve had my hopes dashed from years of use, and I loved when online purchases arrive every defect. The worn details in the mail and fail to live up told a story and provided charto expectations. Call me picky, acter that no new pair of jeans but inevitably, no online pair of could ever possess. Ultimately, I jeans meet my high standards. had never worn a pair so perfect.

Sometimes when I go to the Each imperfection was a store, I get lucky after carefully reminder that jeans are a kind selecting a pair of jeans from the of record for memories. The store’s racks. After careful anal- memories of birthdays, new ysis and scrutiny of the quality places, the ins and outs of of the jeans in the dressing room friendships, unstoppable tears mirror’s reflection, I occasional- and complete joy become enly find a pair that are acceptable. twined in the blue-tinted fabBut more often than ric that we don each day. But not, I return home emp- only the ultimate pairs can ty-handed from my attempt- stand the test of time, and I ed jean shopping spree. have, thankfully, found mine.

Zoe Boxenbaum ‘25

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rine y Kathe b s o t o h

Photo by Zoe Boxenbaum ’25

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BUTTONED-UP Zoe Boxenbaum ’25 believes jeans capture memories of life experiences and that imperfections give them character.

Phelps

’25

opinions | 7

Teenagers shouldn’t be judged for Jack Robinson ‘26 Opinions Editor

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What are your plans for this Halloween?” my parents once asked me on a chilly autumn day when I was 13. I, being the innocent child I was, already had my plans set. Every excruciating day since the previous Oct. 31, I had been counting the weeks, the hours, the seconds until the next Halloween night rolled around and I could trick-or-treat again. Halloween was the highlight of my year.

The visions of king-size Milky Ways that Compo Beach had to offer were already dancing in my head; ‘twas around two or three weeks before Halloween, and I really wanted candy. Thus, I enthusiastically replied, “I’m gonna go trick-or-treating!”

Little did I know, the child- doors asking for candy. Sue me. like fantasy of Halloween was Teens trick-or-treating is about to be snatched away be- frowned upon mostly because fore my very eyes. Based on my many parents think that high parents’ reaction to my answer, school kids will be out causing you’d think I revealed I was chaos, but this is often far from dropping out of school and the reality. Trick-or-treating is shaving my head. I thought at often one of the least troublethe time some activities for t h a t I thought at the time teenagers on Halm a n y There are that many kids my loween. kids my far worse things age still age trick-or-treat... going on at weekw e n t parties. But I realized that this end trick-orstill, many adults treating, was false. have the fantasy - Jack Robinson ’26 but after of teens tricka survey of my peers, I realized or-treating as some sort that this was false, and in fact, of lawless hellscape stuck very few kids my age did. How- in their heads. One town in ever, I wholeheartedly believe Chesapeake, Virginia even that teens should be allowed to banned trick-or-treatwear a hoodie with a shoddy Ja- ing for those over son mask and knock on people’s 15. Many adults

also might turn teenagers away, and in a survey by Evolve, only 18% of adults surveyed think you’re never too old to trickor-treat. But I think that trickor-treating can be a welcome distraction for teens stressed out about school. The fun of planning a costume and going out with friends can encourage their creativity and social skills.

Personally, trick-or-treating with friends is some of the most fun I had as a kid, and I don’t think there’s any reason why teenagers shouldn’t be allowed to. Everyone likes candy, and everyone likes free candy even more. So this Halloween, I promise no tricks. I’m just here for the treats.

Pho itlin

to b y Ca

Jacob ’24

Infographic by Demi Sasson ’25

Photo contribu ted by Jack Rob inson ’26 Photo contribu ted by Jack Rob inson ’26

BOO! Jack Robinson ’26, pictured in both images, believes that at 15, he should be able to have the same amount of fun trick-or-treating as he did at 7.

FEATURES

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Incoming Singapore exchange students need host families Matthew Stashower ’25 Sports Editor

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fter a 19-hour flight, anticipation brews as they arrive in a new country, very far from the one they came from. As they step out of the airport, breathing American air for the first time, they drive an hour, passing the city skyline and into Westport.

This is what 19 sophomore boys from Singapore will soon experience, but only if they have a place to stay with a host family.

The world language department is still looking for host families for Nov. 27-Dec. 9. Host families will provide transportation, some meals and accommodations in their homes. Any families interested in becoming a host family should reach out to Zachery at mzachery@westportps.org.

Staples High School plans

to host the boys, plus three fac- tion,” World Language Departulty members, from the Hwa ment Coordinator and program Chong Institution in Singa- organizer Maria Zachery said. pore. The hope is for each stu- “They will have a day where dent to be assigned a host fam- they do only art classes, [and] ily from Westport with whom days they go [on] field trips all they will live. The host families over New England, to places will ideally include Staples stu- like Boston, Hartford and New dents who Haven.” will mentor S t a the students ples and Exchange from Sinthe Hwa programs gapore. The Chong Inexchange stitution — naturally offer students will fourth an opportunity for the attend classhighest people to make es with their performing host sibconnections that school in lings and get Singapore, last a lifetime.” new experiaccording ences both - Maria Zachery to the SinWorld Language Department g a p o r e s e from inside Coordinator and program organizer t u t o r i n g and outside Staples. center The “They will have days to ex- Integral Learning Academy— perience things they have here first established this exchange that they don’t have there, like program in 2013. The Hwa Culinary Arts or Radio Produc- Chong Institution was looking for a high-performing school in the United States and Staples was recommended by the Teachers College in New York.

The program used to be reciprocal and Staples students used to go to Singapore, but that practice ended in 2015 due to a lack of interest. The 2019 COVID

“

pandemic halted the exchange program, which makes it four years since the last group of exchange students visited.

According to the Population Reference Bureau, 100% of Singapore’s population lives in urban areas, so they don’t get to experience a suburban community like Westport.

“It was an exposure, a different way of life,” World Language Department Assistant Susan McCarthy, who was a host in 2013, said. “We have extended family in the area so [the exchange student we hosted] got to meet the grandparents and cousins. My son played football so [the student we hosted] got to experience football.”

The exchange program provides opportunities that benefit both the visiting students and the families that host them.

“Exchange programs naturally offer an opportunity for people to make connections that last a lifetime,” Zachery said. “There are language connections, cultural connections, social connections.

It should help not only the people traveling, but the host families and people can learn to celebrate differences and similarities across cultures.”

HELP WANTED: If you are interested in becoming a host family, contact Maria Zachery at mzachery@westportps.org EXPLORING NEW ENGLAND For one of their field trips, the Hwa Chong Intitution’s students from 2019 visited Yale University and explored the Yale Old Campus.

Photos contributed by Maria Zachery

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT:

features| 9

SINGAPORE

4 English OFFICIAL LANGUAGES Tamil

Malay

Graphic by Olivia Signorile ’25

TROPICAL ISLAND IN SOUTH-EAST ASIA

Singaporean Mandarin

TOTAL POPULATION IS 6.02 MILLION THIRD RICHEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD Infographic by Demi Sasson ’25

VISIT TO YALE On their 2019 trip to Yale University, Singapore students saw Branford College, one of Yale’s 14 residential colleges.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Highlights of October

Corbin Chaney ’25 Staff Writer

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ake a look at October’s most highlighted moments in pop culture.

Featuring Drake’s album, “For All The Dogs,” the newest horror movie “The Exorcist: Believer” and the relationship between Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.

Drake’s eighth studio album, “For All The Dogs,” debuted Oct. 6. It was initially planned to release on Sept. 22, but it was pushed back two weeks due to tour conflicts with fellow rapper 21 Savage. Savage makes an appearance on “For All The Dogs” along with artists SZA, Yeat, Lil Yachty, Bad Bunny and others.

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“The new album is gonna be good, seeing as the past albums that Drake has put out [have been filled] with bangers,” Twain Dominigue ’25 said. “ I feel like this one is gonna be the tip of the iceberg.”

Graphic by Avery Michalowski ’26

Drake’s out of the doghouse with new album “For All The Dogs”

American pop singer, Taylor Swift, has entered into a relationship with Kansas City Chief ’s tight end Travis Kelce. Both Swifties and football fans have poked fun at each other, with some Swifties claiming that Kelce was unknown before his relationship with Swift, and Chief fans joking about having to adjust to the “annoying” new Swift fan base attending football games.

Geor

gia

Mori ’2

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Graphic by Alex Gaines ’25

Sparks are flying: Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift hard launch

“I think she’s a queen because if she wants to date a football player, the world is yours, Taylor Swift,” Georgia Mori ’24 said. “I’m not really a big fan of her music, but I can appreciate that she is an icon.”

“The Exorcist,’’ released in 1973, is considered one of the greatest horror movies of all time. Yet, the newest film in this series fails to meet its high expectations. Many reviews claim that it lacked the thrill that previous films in the series had, while others believe it was a simple cash grab for studios.

aldo ’24 b U

J.C.

“‘The Exorcist” movie seemed pretty cool. Not as good as the original, but I found it decently dramatic,” J.C. Ubaldo ’24 said. “It was also very dark in detailing the consequences of one’s actions.”

Photos by Corbin Chaney ’25

Graphic by Avery Michalowski ’26

“The Exorcist: Believer”: terrifyingly mediocre

a&e | 11

Top 3 horror movies for people who don't like horror

A

s we enter the spooky season, we see the same horror movies return to put us all in a spooky spirit. However, not everyone enjoys horrifying gore, as seen in movies like “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.” So, here are the top three movies that will make you jump out of your seat, but still be able to sleep soundly at the end of the night.

What we do in the shadows “What We Do in the Shadows,” 2014, follows the average life of vampire roommates as they battle over chores and their daily blood supply. The mockumentary is the perfect balance of freakiness and jump scares and is filled with quirky and charming jokes that will make you drop dead in the best of ways. Many students, including film club president Jordana Trisman ’24, love it.

“It’s super funny and chaotic,” Trisman said. “[The move was directed by] Taika Waititi, who did ‘Jojo Rabbit,’ so he makes it really interesting.”

Graphic by Ava Chun ’25

Before I wake otos by Sama Ph n

andrew ’25 aS h t

“Before I Wake” is a film that follows two parents, Jessie (Kate Bosworth) and Mark (Thomas Jane), who take in a foster child. The child begins to have nightmares about ghosts and monsters which come to life in their house.

“Even though it’s a scary movie, it has a [bittersweet] twist at the end,” horror movie enthusiast Ashley Podziba ’24 said. “I like when movies leave you with something to think about and this one definitely did.”

Death race 2000

This 1975 film captures America as an authoritarian regime where transcontinental road racing dominates the sporting world. Following this annual race, drivers including “Machine Gun” Joe Viterbo (Sylvester Stallone) compete for the win. However, this movie has a twist: the racing points are tallied based off of the brutality of every murder they commit.

Graphic by Alex Gaines ’25

“It’s a shocking movie because it violates the habits of social society,” Latin teacher Perry Tavenner said. “While it is gruesome, it also is really old, so the special effects are funny.”

SPORTS

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Senior comitted athletes share college commitment experience Sophia Reeves ‘25 Paper News Editor Caroline Zajac ‘25 Assistant Buisness Manager

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taples seniors have reflected on their sports college commitment. A few of these students have shared their advice and experience on the sports recruitment process.

Max Jossen ’24 Max Jossen ’24 committed to Southern Connecticut State University for baseball. Jossen believes that the environment at Staples helped for his recruiting process as it gave him more motivation.

“The competitive atmosphere of Staples carried into the recruiting aspect because Staples prepared me for the rivalrous part of it,” Jossen said.

Ben Burmeister ’24 Ben Burmeister ’24 is ready to join Notre Dame lacrosse thanks to Staples, which has trained him with college-paced practices. Burmeister chose Notre Dame because he will have a smooth transition from high school to college with its welcoming environment.

“When I visited I was immediately welcomed by the team,” Burmeister said. “I felt like I fit in well with their locker room and culture.”

Evelyn Chudowsky ’24 During Evelyn Chudowsky ’24’s commitment process to Cornell, she learned how to balance soccer and academics, which helped her develop as a person off and on the field.

“I can’t thank my coaches, Barry Beattie and Mackenzie Pretty, enough for the invaluable lessons they’ve taught me,” Chudowsky said.

sports | 13

Spiking success: girls’ volleyball dominates FCIAC with an exceptional record Paper Opinons Editor

Storey Ahl ‘25 Staff Writer

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ump. Set. Spike. The volleyball sails over the net and hits the floor between the opposing team’s legs. Another point for Staples.

With a total of eight wins in the season so far, Staples girls’ volleyball has been leading the FCIAC. “Our only two losses have been in non-conference games,” co-captain Lucie Nivaud ’24 said. “Our past five games, we haven’t dropped a set.”

The most important aspect of the game is consistency. Volleyball matches are divided into sets of 25 points; the match

ends when a team wins three sets. In order to win all three, the team works on making the fewest mistakes possible.

Success during matches depends on practice, which are half skills-based and half scrimmage-based.

During scrimmages, the next game’s starting lineup plays against the rest of the team.

“We try to have practice that simulates game situations as much as we can,” varsity coach John Shepro said. “[But] we try to keep it fun and light.”

For co-captain Siobhan Jebb ’24, the most important aspect is the player’s mentality.

“We always want to keep the energy high and positive,” Jebb said. “Volleyball is a really mental game.”

To accomplish this, players participate in different traditions that encourage team

spirit. Pre-game discussions are held in the shed where the team huddles, claps and cheers each other on. After games, players give each other shoutouts in-person or in the group chat.

“The bench is just as important as the players on the court,” Jebb said. “The spirit that comes from them after every point, whether we lose it or not, it’s so important.”

When the team does win, everyone is ecstatic.

“Shep runs down the aisle of the bus and screams and we all go crazy,” Nivaud said.

There are many special games that team members like Emma Guster ’25 look forward to.

“We feel that these games are going to be some of the most exciting and the competition will definitely push us to give it our all,” Guster said.

With limited time until

the FCIAC and state tournaments begin, every single practice and game matters.

“We hope that as the season progresses we’ll continue our improvement,” Shepro said.

“That’s one of our goals for the year: every practice and every game we’ll continue to get better. So as FCIACs get closer, hopefully that comes to fruition as each practice and each game shows improvement.”

Graphic by Blake Carlson ’26 Photo by Angelina Matra ’25

STAPLES GIRLS’

VOLLEYBALL NOVEMBER CIAC First Round

TUESDAY

Angelina Matra ‘25

07

AWAY - HIGHER Seed 6:00 pm --------------varisty game

thursday

NOVEMBER CIAC SECOND Round

09

AWAY - HIGHER Seed 6:00 pm --------------varisty game

Saturday

NOVEMBER CIAC quarterfinals

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AWAY - higher seed TIME TBD ------------varisty game

wdenesday

NOVEMBER CIAC SEMIFINALS

15

AWAY - NEUTRAL SITE TIME TBD ------------varisty game

DIG IT Senior girls’ volleyball players (from left to right) Lucie Nivaud ’24, Avery Flesich ’24, Izzy Rivel ’24, Keira Lichter ’24, Molly Belknap ’24, Carly McGarry ’24 and Siobhan Jebb ’24 help carry the team’s record of 9-4.

SATURDAY

NOVEMBER CIAC CHAMPionships

18

AWAY - EAST HAVEN TIME TBD ------------varisty game

SCAN THE QR CODE FOR DETAILS

14 | Interactive

Creepy Crossy

Contributed by PJ Loranger ‘24, Kai Seo ’24 and Ella Tobben ’24

Scan the QR code to the left to play the crossword online and check your answers!

Answers to last month’s crossword:

ACROSS 1 Good songs, informally 5 Slavic caesar derivative 9 Job holder?

14 Out on the Caribbean 15 Garment for balneotherapy recipients 16 To register at an institution on the British Isles 17 Paranormal TV series 19 Winged minister of Zeus and guardian of the underworld 20 Saturine moon 21 Mamás 22 Fabulous expression of excitement 23 Cross over 26 Energy drink said to unleash the 46A, 19A, and 58A, for example, or a subject of 59A and

DOWN 17A. 27 Ocean liner named for Queen Liz. 31 To stain or attempt to destain 33 “Come, let me clutch ___” 34 Land focused government org.

35 Destination 37 Tragicomedy fares 39 Prefix for sphere, in an atmospheric layer 40 The beans that cured a bad case of stripes 44 Vous ____ belle.

45 Greek embodiment of bloodlust 46 Archaic name for an aristocratic leech 48 Stockholm syndrome sufferer 50 Hindu goddess of power, love, and

devotion 53 Vehicle compartments 56 Type of expensive royal crustacean 58 Similar to onions 59 Fictional account of global undead warfare 61 What an online viewer may do after they like and comment 62 Variation agcy.

63 “___ es mi hermana.”

64 Archaic, second person form of “had” 65 Oven for making plates and bowls rather than food 66 Found below a Y.T. video

13 Cities in Minnesota and 1 Crazy, or like 46A? Nevada 2 “Crikey, Mate! _____ 18 Green light novelist, for ‘Beaut!” short 3 Objects known to 21 Like a soldier stuck in make the mud people trip, as per 24 Unspecified degree television tropes 25 Lowest string on a 4 Geographic origin of cello, phonetically Germanic ethnicity 26 Lovers of an 5 Father of Ariel individualistic skiing 6 Often the first chair violinist, in an orchestra alternative 28 Spanish name meaning 7 Kentuckian lawyer, “emerald”, for short politician, statesman, 29 Argonaut hailing from and wrestler Messene 8 Indicator of img.

30 World’s largest quality association of 9 To be swindled 10 Defective, insufficient, HIV/AIDS professionals, by incompetent 11 Late October weather initials 31 Oaf exclamation 12 To run with bounding 32 Zero thickness and infinite length strides

35 Critically disparaged actress Zadora 36 B’way used to be one of these things 38 To review for a test or quiz 41 James Bond author 42 Televised fight club 43 Threads 47 Screamin’ secretary of the treasury?

49 CSS property setting the distance between element and its parent 50 A demand of the Russian government 51 Largest retail ‘corp stores 52 Gallipoli invaders, by initials

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