Inklings January 2022 Issue by inklingsnewsonline

Contents NEWS

With the recent Board of Education resignation of Youn Su Chao, Neil Phillips was appointed in December to ﬁll her slot.

OPINIONS

FEATURES

ARTS

SPORTS

Ella Alpert ’22 and Anna Diorio ’23 analyze the merit of the Connecticut Department of Education’s Voice4Change initiative.

Jeffrey Pogue ’23 ﬁnds a niche interest in the game of Scrabble. He hopes to share his skills with other members of the community.

Eliza Bowens ’22 has developed her passion for fashion designing and attends the New England Fashion and Design Association almost everyday.

Vivek Kanthan ’27 shatters the predictable by achieving serious accomplishments in karting at such a young age. His ultimate goal is to make it into Formula 1.

Front and back cover design by Aidan Rogers ’22 & Aedan Kiniry ’22 Photos of orginal art by Camille Vynerib ’23

Volume 89, Issue 5, January

Inklings Staff Editors-In-Chief

Natalie Bandura, Katie Simons

Creative Director Aidan Rogers

Paper Managing Editors Lily Caplan, Betti Kobak

Web Managing Editors Giselle Oldani, Anastasia Thumser

Associate Managing Editors

Social Media Director Lea Rivel

Broadcast Directors Ella Alpert, Lyah Muktavaram

Photography Director Camille Vynerib

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

Features Editors

Mishael Gill & Emily Goldstein, Lily Klau & Ella Shi

Arts Editors

Anna Diorio & Abbie Goldstein, Maria Krug & Elle Vail

Sports Editors

Gabi Gerig & Kiswa Khan, Phoebe Miller & Tori Wilson

Web News Editors

Toby Goldfarb, Abby Nevin

Web Opinions Editors Hannah Conn, Margot Richlin

Samantha Felner, Karina Murray

Breaking News Editor

Brooke Dembin, Margot Stack, Theresa Vandis

Finnegan Courtney & Maya Hruskar, Lucy Dockter & Julia Herlyn

Alix Glickman, Karlie Saed

Mimi Casey & Jared Leonard, Valerie Dreyfuss & Charley Guthartz

Julia Leitner, Sarah Marron

Business Directors

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

Public Relations Director Chloe Murray

Outreach Manager Shira Zeiberg

Tierney Kugel

News Editors

Opinions Editors

Web Features Editors Web Arts Editors Audrey Kercher, Hannah Ratcliffe

Web Sports Editors

Web Photostory Editors

Amanda Rowan, Ella Stoler

Advisors

Joeseph DelGobbo, Mary Elizabeth Fulco

More About Us

Inklings News is uncensored, unedited by administration and 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

Graphic by Lilly Weisz ’23

A call for compassion: now is the time to unite against COVID

n average, there have been 3,043 daily COVID cases in Fairfield County since Jan. 10, and we have seen a 131% increase in cases in the past 14 days with the spread of the new Omicron variant. For some of us who are young, double vaccinated or boosted and have a healthy immune system, it feels like we should be protected. We shrug and assume that contracting COVID may result in the same symptoms as a common cold. This perception is understandable, given that most of us may not have experienced a severe version of COVID ourselves or witnessed the illness affect our loved ones. We may not have seen the Omicron, or have understood the gravity of symptoms that may result, such as long-term fatigue or irregular heart rhythms. The safety measures we are encouraged and at times forced to undertake may seem unnecessary if each of us only considers

the seemingly minor risks posed to our own health. However, this focus on only our own safety is problematic because our actions have consequences that reach beyond ourselves. Many of our community members are in situations where they or their loved ones will be affected more severely by COVID: grandparents, younger siblings who are ineligible for vaccination or community members who are immunocompromised, im-

keep it from spreading. We have observed a disheartening lack of respect for others in our community when students allow their masks to slip below their noses, take down their dividers during lunch or congregate during mask breaks. These naive and seemingly harmless instances of disregard or

The few of us who are reckless are jeopardizing the

more susceptible to COVID. While it is comforting to see so many students following the COVID protocols and demonstrating increased empathy for others, the few who are reckless are jeopardizing these efforts. Given the high contagiousness of the Omicron variant, it takes a concerted effort on all fronts to

a more dangerous impact than we might realize, so there is a value in thinking beyond ourselves. It’s been a hard adjustment. Many past behaviors that were once considered minor offenses now hold much more dire consequences. For instance, before COVID, many of us would continue to come to school when we caught what seemed to be a minor cold without worrying about spreading it to others. Before COVID, ignoring a teacher’s comment about

taking your hood down or hat off may have been disrespectful, but it wasn’t life-threatening. But the times have changed, so our behaviors must change, too. We are all exhausted. We are all struggling, sad and angry, and rightfully so. But rather than reprieve when we slip down a mask, perhaps solace to some of these challenges lies in knowing that others in our community are taking care of us, and that we, in turn, are taking care of them. At the moment, we can’t have all of the high school experiences once promised in the past, but we can foster our community through a renewed effort to care about one another. The Editorial Board voted unanimously in favor of this opinion. Have an opinion you’d like to share? Write to Inklings at inklingsnews@westportps.org

Inklinations Do you think Staples students consistently follow COVID-19 protocols?

Maddie Hill ’22 “I don’t think people do a good job because when everyone’s at lunch, they usually take down the plastic dividers.”

Carolina Krug ’25

Alexa Anastasi ’22

“No, because a lot of students don’t wear their masks properly and in the cafeteria it’s hard to keep distance.”

“I think overall students have been able to do the best they could at following COVID protocols.”

NEWS

Neil Phillips named replacement to Westport Board of Education to the BOE unanimously to replace Chao. Phillips previously Staff Writer served on the Board in 2018 and on the Westport Representative Town Meeting from 2013 to 2018, where he spent time chairing multiple committees. eil Phillips will replace “We thought it was really imYoun Su Chao, a mem- portant for purposes of continuiber of the Westport ty to have someone fill Youn Su’s Board of Education (BOE) for spot who’s had some prior BOE multiple years, who resigned experience,” Democratic Town from the CommitBOE on tee Chair Dec. 6 due Andrew to personNevas al health s a i d . reasons. Chao “It’s stepping with a d o w n h e a v y from her heart that I role is - Former BOE Chair Elaine Whitney announce only one that our of many friend changand coles made league Youn Su Chao is resign- in the month of December. ing from the board for personal “This is a transitional time reasons,” BOE Chairwoman Lee for [the BOE] having lost a lot Goldstein said during the BOE of veteran, seasoned members meeting on Dec. 6. “We all wish all at once,” Phillips said. “It’s a her and her family all the best.” relatively new [Board] now, so I Phillips has lived in Westport think whatever experience I can for over 25 years and was added bring to the [BOE] I think might

Aidan Sprouls ’23

“I’m really very grateful that someone with Neil’s gravitas and experience and work ethic was willing to do this.”

be helpful for the current members.” The 2021 local elections led to Democrats Kevin Christie and Christina Torres and Republicans Dorie Hordon and Robert Har- NEW FACE ON BOE With the recent retirerington be- ment of BOE member Youn Su Chao, former coming a part BOE member Neil Phillips was selected as her of the West- replacement until the next election. port BOE. as well, so I chose not to run W h e n first serving on the BOE in 2018, again simply because of that Phillips chose not to run for re- condensed period of time.” Phillips’ second term election amid Coleytown Middle School shutting down due to will be served until at least mold and the process of finding the next local election which a superintendent which inter- is in November of 2023. “I’m really very grateful that fered with his professional life. “It created a lot of chaos someone with Neil’s gravitas and turmoil in the school and and experience and work ethcommunity back then so it was ic was willing to do this,” fora tough year to put it mildly in mer BOE Chair Elaine Whitney terms of stress,” Phillips said. said. “I just think he’s a superb “It took a lot of time from the choice and I’m very appreciaboard members and I felt that tive of his willingness to suppersonally and professionally port the board at this time.” Photo by Lucy Dockter ’23

Local Briefs

Chris Tatusko ’22 Staff Writer

MoCA Westport is inviting all to join them on Jan. 28 for the opening of their winter exhibit. Admission to the event is free and all COVID protocols must be followed. The event will take place from 6-8 p.m and is still currently scheduled, even with a recent rise in COVID cases. All updates will be posted on MoCA’s website.

The Westport PAL ice rink will host a public skate from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. every Wednesday until Feb. 23. Pricing for an adult without a Westport handpass is $10, and if an adult has a handpass, the price is $8. Children (12 and under) pay $6.25 without a handpass and $5 with a handpass. Currently, the rink is still open even with the rise in COVID cases.

feb. 23

Will Haskell will talk about his first book “100,000 First Bosses: My Unlikely Path as a 22 Year-Old Lawmaker.” The book is about his journey taking on an undefeated incumbent nominee. The event takes place on Jan. 27 and is free, but a registration is required on the Westport Library’s website as space is limited.

Local Public Skating

Jan. 28

MoCA’s Winter Exhibit

Jan. 27

Haskell’s Local Book Talk

NEWS| 5

Students submit Voice4Change proposals Julia Herlyn ’23

implemented in their school. Participating students can submit their proposals individually or as a group with an unlimited number of members, so long overnor Ned Lamont as they all attend the same school. and Connecticut Ed- Staples students Rebecca Schussucation Commission- heim ’23, Jeffrey Pogue ’23 and er Charlene Russell-Tucker Logan Goodman ’24 are working announced the launch of the on a proposal to implement an Voice4Change initiative, which advanced Social Engineering and empowers high school students Entrepreneurship (SEE) course around the state to decide how and create an engineering and over $1.5 million total federal design lab open after school to all relief funds should be spent in Staples students and staff. They schools. Participating students envision that their SEE course submitted proposals to the will provide a hands-on opporConnecticut Department of tunity for students seeking a Education college-level (CSDE) engineering describexperience. ing how “While they would our budspend their get plan s c h o o l ’s consists of allocated STEAM funds of equipment $20,000 by such as 3D Jan. 9, and - Governor Ned Lamont printers, laproposals ser cutters, deemed eliSurface lapgible by the CSDE will be vot- tops and modeling software,” ed on by students on March 11. Schussheim said, “we’re focused “This is an incredibly unique on creating a fun, collaborative time in education because we space for all Staples students, actually have additional resourc- whether you wish to animate, es, [which] allows us to be a build, code, draw or design.” little more experimental [and] After a student’s propostry some new ideas,” Gover- al is determined to be eligible nor Lamont said during the by the CSDE, students must Voice4Change announcement campaign in their schools to conference on Nov. 10. “We’re garner support from their going to get the best ideas by peers for the impending vote. listening to the people who are “I am probably more excited directly [impacted] by them.” about the campaigning part than In addition to improving I should be,” Goodman said. Connecticut schools according “Our campaign will be a mix of to individual schools’ needs, social media posts, fun slogans Voice4Change’s mission is to and titles [...], logos and more.” encourage civic engagement Cami Kolek ’23, who is subby prompting over 60,000 mitting independently, seeks high schoolers to propose and to secure machines that disvote on the plan that will be pense free menstrual products News Editor

“We’re going to get the best ideas by listening to the people who are directly [impacted] by them.”

in all of the women’s and gender neutral bathrooms at school. “[My proposal] would ease a lot of the stresses that periods bring, running out of products, forgetting them, having to ask a classmate or having to walk all the way down to the nurse to get them,” Kolek said. “It’s disappointing that we have so little say in school policy as students, so this is an unusual opportunity for students to have an impact on the school that we ourselves attend.” James Cao ’23 proposes a penpal program between Westport and another nearby town that is different socioeconomically, such as Norwalk or Bridgeport, as well as coordinate a school drive that would donate classroom supplies to an in-need school district or youth center. “In my opinion, the letter exchange helps broaden Staples students’ world view,” Cao said. “Westport is a town with very little economic diversity [...] We talk a lot about becoming ‘global citizens’ in our connections classes but we rarely get the chance to do so. Somehow, in a world more connected than ever, it feels like our world view has become more narrow. [But], Staples students want to make the world a better place. It’s pretty obvious to [see.]”

“This is an unusual opportunity for students to have an impact on the school.” - Cami Kolek ’23

“Our campaign will be a mix of social media posts, fun slogans and titles.” - Logan Goodman ’24

“We talk a lot about becoming ‘global citizens’ [...] but we rarely get the chance to do so.” - James Cao ’23 Photos contributed by students

Scan the QR code to read more about the Voice4Change initiative.

6 |NEWS

Graphic by Katie Simons ’22

Fairfield County weekly COVID cases since Nov. 1

COVID CASES The number of COVID cases, documented above, have dramatically increased since the beginning of November, according to USA Facts. will help in preventing illness.” Before the recent case surge Asst. Creative Director from Omicron surrounding December break, case numbers in Westport Public Schools were he FDA approved the low, the brunt of which were in Pfizer COVID vac- elementary schools, where many cine for 12 to 15-year- are still unable to be vaccinated. olds on Jan. 3, adding to the Levasseur reminds the commuDec. 9 approval for 16 and nity that COVID still spreads by 17-year-olds. This comes af- droplets, so Westporters should ter the emergence of the continue wearing masks, social Omicron COVID variant. distancing and especially getting vaccinated. Health “ W e officials have seen a do not difference,” yet know Staples about how nurse Anna severe Fitzpatrick Omicron said, in Supervisor of Health Services is, its ease Sue Levasseur r e f e r e n c e of transto the premission or viously rehow well duced case numbers, “in how we current vaccines and medicaare quarantining less due to kids tions function against it. being vaccinated. I think it’s real“Omicron is so new and we ly great because we want to keep are still learning a lot about it,” you guys in school. It’s better for Westport supervisor of health seryou mentally and emotionally to vices and district COVID liaison be here with your peers learning.” to the Connecticut Department Some Staples students, such of Health Sue Levasseur said, “so as Jack Johnson ’22, used to be we don’t know 100% how effechesitant to get the COVID boosttive the vaccines and the boosters er shot and questioned the neceswill be. But the evidence really sity of receiving a third vaccine. suggests now that it certainly

Lilly Weisz ’23

“Omicron is so new and we are still learning a lot about it.”

Upon learning about the Omicron variant, however, Johnson adjusted his opinion, acquiescing that new vaccines may be helpful against coronavirus mutations. “I guess you’ve got to take a booster if you want to fight them,” Johnson said. While top scientists are researching how effective the booster shot will be against Omicron, the FDA does know that, in general, boosters increase a person’s antibody levels against COVID. Though the Omicron variant is now the most prevalent in the US, the Delta variant is still highly infectious and boosters are necessary to replenish declining COVID vaccine efficacy. Many other Staples students have gotten a booster or are planning on receiving a booster, along with many families in the Westport community. “It is important to maintain COVID regulations, even when things appear to be getting better,” Tanvi Gorre ’23 said. “As with all viruses, they mutate, and that can be a serious danger to the rest of the world. So, we just need to remember to do our part and stick with regulations for as long as it takes so we can protect everyone.”

12-17 year olds eligible for boosters five months after second shot (CDC)

Graphic by Rachel Greenberg ’22

Boosters bolster health amid COVID surge

OPINIONS

How we are meeting the mental health crisis with cookies, slight rejiggering of test weight allocation SHS Administration

!"#$%&'#()*+%,-. News Editor

Good afternoon Wreckers, Welcome back to school this year! So far, 2022 is feeling an awful lot like 2021, only with even more COVID. But on we go. We, the Staples administration, know that times are tough, and that stress levels are at unprecedented levels. Even the US Surgeon General has issued an advisory about the mental health of our nation’s youth, as coping with COVID has made an already depressed and anxious student population even more suicidal. So, in our ongoing efforts to take care of you, to empathize and show compassion under these exceptionally miserable circumstances, we have taken extraordinary measures to make midterm exams less stressful. As you forget what your friends’ unmasked faces look like, as you spend yet another day staring at a computer screen, quarantined from all human contact, and as you lose grandparents to COVID, keep in mind: midterms will count fractionally less in the overall computation of your final course grade.

*Any text in bold is true information

<shsadmin@westportps.org>

Make no mistake: you will still be tested on all the material of the first semester. However, to lower the impact on your grades, to make these tests less “highstakes” (maybe more of a medium-high s t a k e ) instead of being worth 10% of your final grade as usual, the midterm exams this year will count as a regular summative assessment that will factor into your second quarter grade. The worth of the exam will be entirely up to your teachers, who are under no obligation to explain it to you at any time. For those of you who were hoping a good midterm g r a d e c o u l d b o o s t your aver-

age and make up for a disappointing first semester, well, that’s no longer a possibility. But that’s just how the cookie crumbles. And speaking of cookies… wait, no cookies will be provided during the midterm break periods because of, well, COVID. As death, despair and degradation fill your days, and you prepare for these newly fangled midterms, um, I mean “summative assessments,” remember these very helpful tips: 1. Take advantage of your break in between exams: We know how much you loved our wellness breaks and were looking forward to some of your favorite activities (cookies, ice cream, hypnotists, petting zoos, therapy dogs), but because of COVID, we cannot do any of this. In-

Take deep breaths: Breathing is important [...] Just do not breathe too hard around other people.

stead, use your 30 minute break in between exams to get into the mindset for the next exam or simply stare at a wall and think about your grades, your future, college, environmental apocalypse, the dehumanization of late capitalism and, of course, COVID. We are disappointed to not be able to offer the usual cookies and milk, but we believe that if you think hard enough, you will be able to imagine the sweet flavor of your favorite treats. 2. Take deep breaths: Breathing is important. No one can deny the restorative and stress relieving properties of breath. Also, it is necessary to live. Just do not breathe too hard around other people because of, well, COVID. Try it: in….and out… Feel better yet? No? Maybe you just are not doing it right. I know some of you might say, why not just cancel midterms? To that we reply, do not be crazy! But for this year’s summative assessments, try to relax. Maybe the world is falling apart all around you, but at least it can happen while you imagine eating a cookie.

Graphic by Shivali Kanthan ’24

8 |OPINIONS

Graphics by Madeline Michalowski ’22

Voice4Change offers students the chance to have a say in where educational funds are allotted. Students from more than 45 districts and 80 schools in Connecticut will submit proposals to the Connecticut Department of Education that will then be voted upon by students to determine what the $20,000 grants will be used for at each school. However, opinions differ as to whether or not wealthy districts like Westport need such funding.

Anna Diorio ’23

Ella Alpert ’22

Arts Editor ge has somehow always played a factor in judging a person’s ability to create change. The younger you are, the more people underestimate how much of a mark you can make. The Connecticut State Board of Education realizes the power of the youth voice. They understand that the ability to spark change isn’t dependent on age. Voice4Change is grounded in giving students the opportunity to voice their opinions, as well as develop essential skills

in the world. It’s this premise that I am supporting. Voice4Change is about recognizing the changemaking capabilities students have, offering a way for students to pursue them and equipping students with all of the tools they need to go on to become future leaders. As a current high school student, I was thrilled to see so many of my peers throw themselves into learning more about the initiative and crafting their proposals as soon as it was announced. Often with the social standards that naturally exist in high school, students feel hesitant to engage in such seemingly ambitious, “nerdy” activities. But watching the overwhelming amount of students promoting their ideas in front of Governor Ned Lamont, State Senator Will Haskell and Congressman Jim Himes—I was amazed at just how many of my peers want-

ed to make a difference in our community. It even inspired me to craft my own proposal. These values that Voice4Change strives to promote are something that should also be added at the local level. The Westport Board of Education meets frequently to decide whether more tax funds should be allotted to the music program, or to plan changes in the school-schedule for the upcoming month. These changes are made without giving students a voice and we just have to adapt. If I am the one who is attending school for nearly seven hours a day, devoting an additional number of hours at night to studying and doing homework year after year, I don’t feel it’s unreasonable to ask for a say in such a fundamental part of my day-to-day life, not to mention the foundation of my future. Voice4Change promotes such positive messages about the importance of youth civic engagement—messages that are worth spreading even further.

Broadcast Director verything about Staples exudes wealth. From the grand archway at the front entrance, the sheer size of the building, state of the art sports facilities and well landscaped

hallways, a library equipped with dozens of desktop computers, laptops, 3D printers and more. So why do we need $20,000? In addition to providing COVID-19 aid, the mission of Voice4Change is to provide students with input in the allocation of their school’s resources and to experience the process of creating and lobbying for a proposal. Although it is important for students to be involved in these decisions, this can be achieved without putting $20,000 on the line. Connecticut has one of the highest rates of education disparity in the country. Wealthy school districts like Westport thrive and are placed highly in nationally rankings of public schools. However, even more districts are left behind to fail. According to CSDE data from

the 2019-2020 school year, out districts, about 70% spend more than $18,000 per student. Voice4Change earnings will just barely account for one student’s expenditures. Districts with the lowest expenditures spend around $10,000 per student. I will not deny that all students despite their zip code have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, but we can’t ignore the immense privilege wealthy districts have to improve this experience. Under-resourced schools that were already struggling are put at an even greater disadvantage due to the pandemic. Instead of creating a program like Voice4Change in which everyone is given money, the state should determine which towns most desperately need aid. Wealthy towns like Westport are so fortunate to have resources to mitigate the effects of Covid. Yet issues like learning loss from online school or student burnthrowing money at the problem. Many of the issues that have arisen at Staples as a result of Covid speak to the larger culture of the school. Prioritizing mental health and minimizing stress can be accomplished without $20,000. $1.5 million of federal aid is not going to solve Connecticut’s education disparity, or all Covid related problems in schools. However, if divided between those who need it the most, this mon-

FEATURES

New GFS club seeks to promote multiculturalism !"#$%&'()#*#+#,%-.. Broadcast Director hen parents Beatriz Jones and James McLaughlin approached Greens Farms Elementary School (GFS) teacher Amanda Moitoso with the idea for a culture club, Moitoso jumped at the offer. The three now organize and meet every month, inviting students in grades t h r e e through

members will learn about a new cultural group or practice and complete a fun craft or activity that supports their learning. During their kickoff event, the club invited guests from TEAM Staples, Staples’ multiculturalism club, to speak about diversity and help the members brainstorm topics they want to learn about later in the year. “I was really impressed with all of the students and their insights. I felt that the teachers did a fantastic job plan-Amanda Moitoso ning the meeting GFS Teacher and making it interesting for the students,” Tessa Moore ’22, a president of TEAM Staples, said. “I am so excited that a club like this is being created at GFS that will be able to start conversations and education about diversity and multiculturalism from such a young age.” In late November, for example, the club explored the topic of “holiday lights,” learning about how lights are represented in different fall and winter holidays. The club ended the meeting by

“It’s clear that they are interested in broadening their knowledge of our global community.”

l e a r n about different cultures and heritages. “[The club was founded] to promote the knowledge of culture and diversity to our school community. It is a major goal of the district and our school to increase awareness, understanding and acceptance of diverse heritages and others’ cultural identities,” Moitoso, who is also a member of the district Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, said. Thus far, the GFS club has met once after hosting their kickoff event. Each month, club

Graphic by Lilly Weisz ’23

making a craft Christmas tree, menorah, kinara and paper diya to represent Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza and Diwali, respectively. “In January we’ll be meeting again to learn about the Chinese New Year since that’ll be coming up in early February. We hope to teach students about the traditions of the holiday and bring some awareness of Chinese culture to our members,” Moitoso said. Moitoso hopes to expand the program to all club members to run GFS’s “All-School Meetings” in which they will be able to teach the entire school what they have learned about a certain heritage or culture. “We’re only just beginning, but we received positive feedback from the students re-

YOUTH DIVERSITY The

Moitoso said. “It’s clear they are interested in broadening their knowledge of our global community, and we look forward to helping them achieve that through this club.”

Photos contributed by GFS teacher Amanda Moitoso

10 |FEATURES

Pogue ﬁnds enrichment, competitive streak through Scrabble /0012%3100,#4%-.5

Asst. Business Manager n a colorful game board, players piece together words from “cat” to “appendectomy” in a crossword fashion. While it might not be an activity most would classify as competitive engagement, success in this word game hinges on extensive knowledge and strategy like many conventional athletic

tiles and overabundant sweating. For Jeffrey Pogue ’23, recreational and competitive Scrabble serves as an enriching activity with m e a n ing that goes beyond building an extensive vocabulary. “In the best of ways, Scrabble became an outlet for me,” Pogue said. “There are days when I would spend around six hours at a time playing it online. Especially recently, it is my go-to activity if I want to forget about things for a bit.” Pogue started playing Scrabble in sixth grade, inspired by his brother who competed for several years. He honed his skills by practicing with experi-

player could defeat their opponent with even a basic word set. “The whole game is about managing to look ahead and trying to maximize your chance at getting a good position,” Pogue commented. “There is looking at the right areas on the board, and there is blocking your opponent; so there is a lot of strategy in the game beyond just knowing a lot of words.” Pogue quickly excelled to the national and international level in Scrabble. Between grades six and eight, P o g u e won a total of $13,000 competing in partner Scrabble tournam e n t s -Jeffrey Pogue ’23 in Philadelphia and Florida. He took his talent to Malaysia in 2019, returning with a unique cultural experience and many new friends. “I didn’t go to the world competition to win,” Pogue said. “I went mostly to meet people and get the experience, which was incredible [...] I met players from all over the world.” In the future, Pogue hopes to share his Scrabble skills with members of the community. He noticed a demonstrated interest in the word game among teachers and students at Staples and even plans to initiate a Scrabble club in the 2022-23 academic year. “I really don’t think I would be the person I am today without Scrabble,” Pogue said. “If I can help a child have something even close to what Scrabble has been for me, I would consider that a massive success.”

“I didn’t go to the world competition to win. I went mostly to meet people and get the experience.”

Library and supplemented his practice with frequent reading. As he has become more proembraced strategy as an element just as essential to success—if not more so—than a large vocabulary. His experience has demonstrated that a skilled Scrabble

SHARP SKILLS

Photo by Cami Vynerib ’23

Graphic by Shivali Kanthan ’24

Jeffrey’s Tips 1.

In the end, the game is about points. Don’t hold out on using your good tiles for big scores!

Look out for areas where your opponent might be able to outscore you.

Try to keep a balance of vowels and consonants, and avoid doubling up on letters.

If all else goes wrong, and you find yourself about to lose a game, remember that the little wooden tiles make excellent projectiles. GLOBAL GAME

NATIONAL TALENT

GRAND PRIZE

12| FEATURES

Controversial congregation:

Bathroom socialization stimulates friendship, frustration 600#%/072+)%-..

Broadcast Director

8#)12%91,:4;%-.. Editor-in-Chief

*Names have been changed for anonymity

very day the cafeteria, library and hallways of Staples are crowded with large groups of laughing friends. However, some students gravitate towards a more private setting: the bathroom stalls. Kayla* has been sitting in the handicapped stalls of the girls’ bathroom since her sophomore year and has met the majority of her friends there. For her group, the stalls provide a place of solace away from the hectic halls and large crowds. “I enjoy sitting in the bathroom opposed to the cafeteria or library because I just do not like being around big groups of people who don’t like me, and I just don’t like being around people really,” Kayla said. In the past, Kayla and her friends have been accused of drug use by teachers and ad-

Photo by Abby Nevin ’23

ministrators patrolling the bathrooms. However, Kayla and her friends do not partake in these activities in the bathrooms and simply seek an unmonitored area of the school for privacy. “The school administration always moves us [and] always makes us leave our comfort z o n e , ” Kayla said. “Also every time we’re in the bathroom they accuse us of vaping and s*** when we just want to get away from everyone at the school.” Assistant Principal Patrick Micinilio explained that since there are no teachers on duty in the bathroom and no security cameras, this is the central location for students to participate in illicit behaviors. “Bathrooms are unsupervised areas of the building, so when students gather in the

stalls, they know they are not being watched,” Micinilio said. “There is an assumption that students who congregate in one stall might be vaping—either nicotine or THC. Many of the students who have been caught vaping in our building have done so in the bathrooms, and oftentimes it is when they have been in groups.” In addition to the bathrooms being unmonitored, the administration has - Kayla* other reasons for prohibiting restroom rendezvous. “Bathrooms are not hygienic meeting areas,” Micinilio said. “It is [also] unfair to the individual for whom the stall was made, and they are forced into an uncomfortable and unfair situation.” Kayla expressed that she and her group of friends are always willing to leave the stall if a student with a disability

“Every time we’re in the bathroom they accuse us of vaping and s*** when we just want to get away from everyone at the school.”

needs to use it. However, Julia*, a student with a disability, supports Micinilio’s testament as the presence of these groups has provided obstacles for her. “It’s very inconvenient to the people who need it,” Julia said. “I can use the smaller stalls if I have to but it’s [challenging] [...] you have to knock on the door and sometimes they come out, but sometimes they don’t.” Julia suggests some modmake the purpose of the handicapped stalls more obvious. “Maybe put the [handicapped] symbol in there,” Julia said. “If you go to restaurants they have a symbol of a person with disabilities on the stall.” Ultimately, while Micinilio feels as though Staples offers plenty of spaces where students can gather and relax, Kayla feels as though the privacy of the bathrooms provides a safe space that other locations can’t emulate. “I don’t think that a new space would give us the same comfort that we get in the bathrooms,” Kayla said.

ARTS

Marvel’s

attempts to hit the target, misses the mark

he Marvel cinematic universe should have ended after “Avengers: Endgame.” “Endgame” featured a climax that included nearly every character across the series and concluded the stories of several major characters. But Marvel, it seems, does not leave well enough alone. Marvel has continued making movies, with seemingly no end

joyable stories released after “Endgame,” there’s been a noticeable drop in quality. “Black Widow” and “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” were both mediocre

| 13

Hawkeye’s former identity as the Ronin, a masked vigilante who became infamous for his murder of countless criminals. The dynamic between the enthusiastic and eager Kate and the grave and somewhat jaded Hawkeye is a main focus of the show, and while both actors give a good performance, their dynamic can feel a little forced at times. Kate, for example, has erences Hawkeye’s “marketing issue,” something that always ever she would bring it up. Renner’s performance as Hawkeye, portraying a man who has become tired of his career as a hero and just wants t o spend time with his family,

dard, too. Marvel movies have never been high art, but one thing that usually appeals to me is the action. However, in the absence of characters with actual turn into physical brawls. The choreography is impressive, but

vel cinematic universe (MCU), and as is becoming something of a pattern for newer MCU

may be considered an upgrade for some viewers, but d o n ’ t go into this show expecting anything near the level of action in most

ing. Many of his interactions with others are humorously awkward, as he often responds to awestruck civilians with curt politeness, trying to end the interaction as soon as possible. Kate, on the other hand, was not as dynamic.

warm experience. Ultimately, ing watch, but you won’t miss all that much by skipping it. eye (Jeremy Renner) and his ee Steinfeld). It follows these main characters through New cover a conspiracy involving gangs, wealthy businessmen and

stance to make me feel attached. The storyline was, for the most part, pretty predictable, and most of the plot twists could be seen coming pretty al fake out plot twists where it was implied that something was happening that was far tually ended up happening.

acters from previous shows recurring characters either; none of them have appeared

of most of Marvel’s (somewhat

While there have

ed off interesting but devolved as the show went on. “Hawkeye”

Marvel movies or shows– both in terms of quality and quantity. The show also keeps up

23 r’ a sk ru H a ay M y sb hic p a Gr

ily have to watch these in order to understand what’s happening within the context of the show, not having seen them might detract from the experience, especially as certain plot twists rely on the viewer having prior knowledge of previous marvel films.

14 |ARTS

Photos by Maya Hruskar ’23 STAPLES ART SHOW Pictured (top) is a pastel art piece Sophie Alcyone ’22 created in AP Studio Art. She enjoys being creative and experimenting with different styles. Pictured (bottom) is a painting made by Emmy Marcus ’22 in Advanced Painting.

ARTS| 15

Art show showcases student progression in skill, creativity

t’s that time of year. Walking down the auditorium hallway, students’ eyes are pulled from their phones and to the collection of art competing for attention. A wacky assortment of pottery lines one side of the hall, while select pieces from each of the many artistic disciplines at Staples, including photography, graphic design, oil painting and drawing, fills the other. It’s a veritable cornucopia of art, displaying every level of skill and creativity from the art community at Staples. mille Eskell, Staples drawing

tion of the tenants of art, spatial relationships in art [and] how plements that they’re using.” The Staples art show occurs twice a year, once at the end of end of the year. Teachers select the best work from their classes to put on display for the school. This show displays artwork from beginner to advanced classes, providing experienced artists they’ve come and new artists the opportunity to be inspired. “The projects in this class al prompts that allow for the as much as possible,” Oscar

tal Foundations Honors, said.

ticed with changing proportions

tal media. In order to take the class, students can choose from different prerequisites to gain skill and experience. Zoe Finger ’23 took Graphic Design 1 and 2,

said. “And then on the next one, I had to distort things to make it more calming and cutesy.” As students advance in art classes, they learn more

dations Honors. “In my graphic design classes we used Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and a bit of Dimension,” Finger

about skill and technique, but they also discover more about themselves as an artist and

ing increasingly original pieces. come more creative,” Eskell said, “because it’s speaking a language; it’s just a visual language.”

tions we’re using InDesign and After Effects on top of Photoshop and Illustrator.” The switch from skill

cyone ’22, a student in AP Studio Art. “You don’t have to do one thing, one way prescribed in order to cyone said. “It’s more like you do what you want and try to take it to the next level in terms of actual skill.” In AP Studio Art, students spend the year exploring a theme they choose through a series of artworks. Alcyone’s

Scan this QR code to read

students in the Staples art ent feelings nighttime department written by can give a person, Toby Goldfarb ’23 whether it be safe and Photos by Cami Vynerib ’23 comfortable or scared and Graphic by Madeline Michalowski ’22 uncertain. She explains that her STAPLES ART SHOW The Staples art department put on its annual show, displaying a plethora of different art types. periment with different styles. Pictured above is a bracelet created by Madison Futoma ’22 in Jewelry Making. Also pictured are artists Zoe Finger ’23 and Oscar Scher ’23 showing off their digital art.

ARTS| 16

Bowens paves way to fashion industry Business Manager

ational Geographic Magazines from the 1980’s are cut up and layered over one another to assemble a collage. That pattern is then laid on top of paper croquis (diagrams of people) to help visualize the patterns on a human frame. The patchwork is then reshaped once more to create a tangible design of clothing through free drawing. This is just one of Eliza Bowens ’22 fashion projects in which she has drawn inspiration from the ordinary everyday object and

her desire to enter the fashion world at a young age. fashion design in seventh grade,” Bowens said. “I did a summer dress, a simple white plain pencil dress. It

had crosses in the back, cater to the demands required and there was a cape, too.” of her in order to work competBowens continued to pur- itively in the fashion industry. sue her interest in fashion de“If you can’t draw, then you sign because it offered her can’t pursue design,” Bowens something that other forms of said. “You have to be able to artistic expression could not. be good at drawing,” Bowens “I found pleasure in painting said. “That’s why I have takand drawing, but I never really en all of the art classes here, so felt like I could express myself to that I can advance my skills.” my fullest,” Bowens said. “With In addition to taking select fashion, I see myself having a courses at Staples, Bowens has future in it. [The art form] has taken the precaution of builda kind of class and luxury to it ing her portfolio since freshman that a lot of art forms don’t tend year. As Bowens has high aspirato have.” tions of pursuing Bowfashion as a ca“I feel like clothing ens’ dedireer, she is applycan make you feel cation to ing to a variety of really powerful, but her passion fashion schools can be seen in locations init can also make you four to cluding Florfeel really weak.” ence, London, Eliza Bowens ’22 week after Belgium, Dubschool at lin and Paris, the New England Fashion and as well as Parsons School of Design Association (NEFDA) Design, a top fashion dein Norwalk. There, she designs sign school in the United and constructs collections with States which she has the guidance of her teachers. already been accepted “I feel like clothing can to with a partial scholmake you feel really arship. She ultimatepowerful, but it can ly hopes to study in also make you feel Europe, however, really weak. That’s because of her ache why I wear such to travel and expericolorful things.” ence other cultures. Instead of fall“I know that I ing into the com- would be good at mon trend at Sta- hopping from place ples of loading up to place,” Bowens on Honors and said. “I’m hoping to A.P. courses, Bow- get an internship in Florence or Paris, with classes that will and then hopefully get a job A WORLD OF somewhere FABRIC in Europe Eliza Bowens ’22 where the experiments with a fashion variety of materials capitals in making her deare.” signs come to life. As

Bowens is on track to graduate this year, she acknowledges that her high school experience differs from many of her peers. She has advice for incoming freshmen and lowerclassmen who may be dealing with hesitations or are skeptical of straying from what is normalized. “If you have a passion, then I would say to follow it instead of doing things because everyone else is doing them,” Bowens said. “It just wastes your time.”

DESIGNER AT WORK Bowens works on her drawing skills, sketching designs that she then turns into unique pieces to be modeled.

Photos contributed by Eliza Bowens ’22

Theresa Vandis ’22

SPORTS

|17 Graphic by Rachel Greenberg ’22

Kanthan proves karting is more than bumper cars Hannah Ratcliffe ’22 Web Arts Editor

acing around the track

sively pushing other drivers off the track to gain the

ers are much more aggressive,” Kanthan said. “[Other racers] will go for an overtake when there isn’t really much space and they’ll bump you off the track.” Despite these obstacles,

try weekend after weekend to race for the podium; this is the life of a professional race car driver, which is now the life of

cess as he consistently achieved

Kanthan grew up watching Formula 1 and IndyCar racing.

tion, SKUSA SuperNationals.

al track and asked him to try out for the junior league team. “My dad took me and my brother to an indoor karting track in New York, and I liked it so I joined the league and I won,” Kanthan said. “We then thought it would be a good idea to move to outdoor karting and then from there to Nationals.” Kanthan quickly realized his ous. Finishing third in his ie year in 2020 made him realize that he had what it took to race alongside the best in the United States.

ing time training in Italy, he

ment and frequent traveling, Kanthan’s family decided to switch him to online school. While there were efforts to keep tem in Westport with a possible hybrid curriculum, the district did not approve the request. “We pretty much asked if [the

pretty tough to deal with at the time just because people don’t understand the sport,” Lee Ann Kanthan, Vivek’s mother, said. “ I t ’ s just out of the norm, so a lot late it to just bumper cars and it is nothing like that.” Kanthan’s ultimate dream is to make it into Formula 1, where there are only 10 teams and 20 seats. Unfortunately, Formula 1 has become very dependent on money, so the Kanthan family is starting to look for sponsors to support Kanthan’s travels in 2022. Kanthan also hopes to gain more support from the local Westport community, which ing his races on his Youtube and Instagram accounts under his name. Despite his young age, he believes he has a spot in the future of motor racing. “Vivek handles stress very well on and off the track, and he also manages his time well given his busy schedule,” Vivek’s brother, Nikhil Kanthan ’23 said. “I think aspiring to be one of the best racing drivers

in the world is what pushes him to work on his craft, which, at the current moment, is karting.”

PODIUM RESULTS Kanthan became the SuperNationals Vice Champion in 2021.

racing category where erful at 11 horsepower hour. The karts

Phot o by V s contri bu ivek Kant ted han ’27 OBJECTIVE Kanthan’s ultimate goal is to make it into Formula 1, a motor racing championship.

18 |SPORTS

Rybchin derives fulﬁlling experiences, learning from unconventional sports

Mimi Casey ’22

this unique quality. “Just because I don’t have

to increase its speed and accuracy.

taples High School has more than 30 sports teams. Zachary Rybchin ’22 is a state champion athlete, although he’s not on any one of them. He’s

college scouts watching me perform, doesn’t mean what I compete in doesn’t matter, or

consideration. Curling requires

chin said. “If anything, it puts a chip on my shoulder to work

consciously steadied nerves and careful predictions. In addition to pragmatism, these sports are also physically demanding.

Opinions Editor

ten years combined, with the state recognition to show for it, yet ment other athletes have earned. Rybchin is well aware of the obscurity of his chosen sports a n d tion can be derived f r o m

wing political views. “You don’t

Despite the lack of recognition, Rybchin is similar to many elite athletes in his dedication to and profound fondness for his sports, atypical characteristics perfectly aligned with his own inclinations. “I can speak for myself in saying that I love the idea of sports—the competition, the ment, pushing yourself to do better—but I’m not much of a natural athlete,” Rybchin said. “I’m not going to throw further, run faster or be stronger than others, so I decided to focus on

culation to accurately place or

conception is that it’s easy to do, and that it’s not a strenuous sport,” Rybchin said. “First of all, just try being on a sheet of ice in a 30 degree room. You need to know how heavily you throw the stone, what shots you can and municate with your teammates.” Because of the vibrant and developed around both sports,

ple with a wide range of political sion and devotion for the sport.” ty that most people have with Rybchin’s passions has been tal, and can be best summarized by Rybchin’s own thoughts on the relationship between public perception and reality: “While our sports might be a ate competitors and no less an athlete than someone who plays basketball or golf,” Rybchin said. “We might be a bit more eccentric than people that tend ties, but we zig when others zag.”

three different disciplines: bchin said. “We may all live ing). Participants get 20 shots in each position & attempt to get as high a score as possible while aiming at paper targets. Curling, meanwhile, is played on ice. Each team alternates in sliding a stone across the ice towards a target, with the object being to have your team’s stones closest to the center. When team members are not themselves throwing the stones, they quickly walk with it across the ice as it travels, sweeping the ground before it

ball or tennis and assume how they vote. During my time in the

rity does not equate to solitude. verse group of friends who I never would’ve met had I

ested in different things, but we are all bound together by the sports we play together.” Outside of these groups, however, a lack of information ous misconceptions

tion] tion,”

must

Rybchin

Photos contributed by Zachary Rybchin ’22

Graphic by Rachel Greenberg ’22

said, referencing the common

COMPETITION Rybchin won in is also practicing for the bonspiel, a curling tournament.

ADS| 19

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Inklings January 2022 Issue

Articles inside

OPINIONS

SPORTS

ARTS