Inklings May 2023 Issue

2|

CONT ENTS

Opinions

Arts

6 Embracing identity

11 A&E

Lily Hultgren ’25 discusses what it’s like to grow up biracial.

7 Connections pro/con

Audrey Curtis ’25 and Caitlin Jacob ’24 reflect on connections.

Staples High School, 70 North Avenue, Westport, CT 06880

Learn about May’s greatest hits ranging from the Met Gala to “Guardians of the Galaxy” No. 3.

12 Junior prom

Take a look at junior prom captured in pictures.

News

Features

Sports

4 Dangerous school drop offs

8-9 3D printing club

13 After school pickleball

Staples initiates new procedures to protect pedestrians.

5 AI raises concern among

teachers Learn about AI detection tools adopted by Staples.

Members of Staples’ e-NABLE club create prosthetic limbs for people in need.

10 Summer jobs

Addison Moore ’24 and Gianna Amatuzzi ’24 describe their summer jobs.

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 Creative Directors Alex Gaines, Shivali Kanthan Assistant Creative Directors Avery Michalowski Business Manager Mia Kirkorsky Assistant Business Managers Charlotte Berner, Rylie Cordella, Caroline Zajac Communications Coordinator Caitlin Jacob Social Media Manager Ava Coyle, Poppy Harrington Broadcast Directors Zoe Alpert, Zoe Boxenbaum Exececutive TV Show Producers Nina Bowens, Ben Buchalter News Editors Henry Watson, Tatum Tighe, Sophia Reeves

On Wednesdays, teachers play lighthearted games of pickleball.

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 Editors Cassidy Gutman, Ayaan Olasewere Web Arts Editors Olivia Signorile Web Sports Editors Tristan Gonzales, William Murray Web Photostory Editors Audrey Curtis Advisors Joseph DelGobbo, Mary Elizabeth Fulco

Front & back cover photos by Preston Siroka ’25 Front & back cover designs by Alex Gaines ’25

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

@inklingsnews

Inklings News Online

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.

@inklings.news

Watch On the Wreckord!

EDITORIAL

|3

Safety issues call for identification card system

T

he Staples handbook states that before a student leaves school, the Assistant Principal’s (AP’s) Office must receive a written request or phone call from the student’s parents, or the parent can physically request a dismissal in the AP’s office. Additionally, students must sign out at the front desk before leaving and sign back in as well as bring a note upon returning.

But, let’s be honest... those rules are broken more often than they are followed.

Instead of instituting a policy that entices students to break the rules and sneak in and out of the building, the Editorial Board proposes implementing an identification card system as a better method of tracking students’ whereabouts. Doing so will improve school security and hold students accountable for breaking rules regarding off-campus policy.

Honesty and security: When sitting at lunch students see a group of their peers, Starbucks in hand searching for a door to enter the building.

Because all the doors to the school are locked for safety purposes, students who are sneaking back in resort to banging on the doors in the hopes that another student will open the door for them, which is also not allowed. The pressure for students to let their peers in creates an unsafe environment as students could potentially let people in who are a threat to the school.

The adoption of an identification card system would

24 an ’ h t provide a viable remedy n i Ka to both the issue of ival h S y sneaking ic b h p a Gr out and of students opening the doors for their peers. Because identification cards would track where students are in the building and when they enter, students would be less apt to sneak out because they would be held accountable for their actions. In addition, students a simple solution. If an idenwould be able to scan them- tification card is lost, the stuselves into the building, elim- dent can report the missing inating their need to bang on card and it can be deactivated. the door and the risk of letting unsafe people into the building. Examples: Other school districts around the state have already How they work: A possible concern with implemented the use of idenproviding students swipe cards tification cards. Middletown might be that students could Public Schools implementaccess the school when it is not ed ScholarChip kiosks at the properly supervised. However, main office, bus loop and stuthere are ways around this is- dent-parent drop off entrances sue. In order to make sure that around the buildings of their students are not able to enter high school and middle school, the building outside of school according to FOX61. The stuhours, the scanning devices dents carry their student IDs would be shut off at the end with them all day and their of the day and on weekends. attendance is managed via the As a bonus, the scanning ScholarChip kiosks. Middlesystem could function as a town Public Schools estabmeans to quickly tally students lished this system as a means in emergency situations. For of improving the attendance example, if there is a lockdown, and safety of the students. the identification cards could be used to keep track of the Conclusion: Under the current sign-in/ students who are pulled into classrooms from the hallway. sign-out system, Staples stuAnother concern might dents have flakey attendance, be that scan cards could be write fake passes and sneak in lost and fall into the wrong and out of school hiding from hands. But, once again, there is Dana’s security car patrolling

the perimeter of the building. The board proposes that Staples implements an identification card system for students as a means of improving the safety and attentiveness of the Staples community.

The Editoral Board voted 12-2 in favor of this opinion.

Want to be published in Inklings?

Scan this and submit your work!

NEWS

4|

incident, she was informed by the administration that there Sports Editor would be an increase in the chool drop offs have be- number of security guards come hazardous recently, during the morning dropoff as teachers have reported a in order to prevent incidents.

“We [now] have our sesubstantial rise in the number of curity guard out there most parents speeding past stop signs in order to drop off their chil- mornings by that three way dren at school before 8:00 a.m. stop sign,” Principal StafEnglish teacher Daneille ford W. Thomas Jr. said.

W i t h Spies reIt’s hard to physically the introcalled a duction recent stop them from of securiincident doing it, but to have a ty guards at the three-way presence out there...it d u r i n g morning stop near seems to help.” dropoffs, where - Ralph Morzello, drivers have the busSecurity Guard become es drive more rein and school faculty park. Accord- spectful of school traffic rules.

“I try to get out there as ofing to Spies, three cars were forced to stop as a student at- ten as I can [...] we’re out there tempted to use a crosswalk. 3-4 times a week, whenever the “The student was set to go,” weather allows,” school securiSpies said. “The car in front of ty guard Ralph Morzello said. me decided to make the left “It’s hard to physically stop turn and almost hit the stu- them from [recklessly speeddent and we were all shocked.” ing], but to have a presence After Spies reported the out there...it seems to help.”

Matthew Stashower ’25

S

“

Local Briefs

WATCH OUT Max Levy ’25 was walking across the road that leads to the Staples main entrance when a car came rushing toward him, forcing him to dodge out of the way.

However, the presence of security guards at morning dropoffs hasn’t always prevented close calls between students and fast drivers.

“One day I was walking to school and all of the sudden a car came bombing into the main entrance,” Max Levy ’25 said. “I had to dodge to get out of the car’s way.”

The school had previously installed speed bumps to prevent people from driving too fast on campus but removed them for the winter to make it easier for

Photo dramatization by Shivali Kanthan ’24

Rise in dangerous drop offs lead to increased security measures

snowplows to go through. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, speed can reduce vehicle speeds by approximately 10 miles per hour.

“We will return [the speed bumps] for the fall,”Thomas said.

Although drop offs have gotten better since the addition of security guards, Spies still thinks the school can improve its traffic for walkers.

“We can mark more crosswalks,” Spies suggested. “[The Staples parking lot is] not friendly for students who are walkers.”

Mia Bomback ‘25 Features Editor

June 3

June 3-4

June 4

Grammy-nominated Jazz singer at Levitt Pavilion

Dance performance at Bedford Middle School

Jam creation workshop at Wakeman Town Farms

Grammy award winning jazz singer Samara Joy will perform at the Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts on Saturday, June 3 at 7:30 p.m. Joy was named Best New Artist at the 2023 Grammy Awards, where she also won Best Jazz Vocal Album.

Westport Academy of Dance will perform their end-of-year recital at Bedford Middle School. The performances are broken up by age group, with the youngest dancers performing at 10 a.m. on June 3 and the oldest dancers performing at 1 p.m. on June 4.

Master jam preserver Pam Lillis will lead a workshop at Wakeman Town Farms on Sunday, June 4, from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Participants will learn how to make berry and stone fruit jam, as well as how to incorporate jam into a myriad of recipes.

news | 5

Teachers utilize new technology to catch AI-written student essays Nina Bowens ’25

Executive TV Producer

T

urnitin, a plagiarism detection site, recently released a new update to detect AI-written essays, and teachers have already utilized it to crack down on the influx of AI-usage in students’ work.

Thousands of kids across America have turned to new AI tools such as ChatGPT to aid them with completing homework assignments or more extensive projects. According to an article published by USA Today, “22% of students use the chatbot to help them with coursework or in extracurricular activities on a weekly basis.”

This trend is seen at Staples, as students’ screens flicker between assignments and the AI tab, and more teachers are questioning the authenticity of submissions.

“The new AI kind of freaks me out, and I’ve definitely seen a lot of kids using it at Staples and in my different classes,” Molly Whittle ’25 said. “I’ve used it mostly to summarize articles. I feel like it is kinda a

way to have the thinking of asMore and more teachers at signments done for you, and it Staples, including Mary Kathis definitely convenient if you erine Hocking, have caught are in a time crunch. But, on their students with Turnitin. the other hand, I am not sure However, prior to that addiif using ChatGPT is worth tional screening, teachers had it because of Turnitin.com.” already noticed signs of AI The website, alongside other writing in their students’ work. detection services, recently un“I have [been suspicious] veiled its AI Innovation Lab sometimes if a student’s subon April 4. The new tool detects mission reads drastically difpercentages of pieces written ferently than the pieces they’ve by technology and relays that turned in previously,” Hocking information said. “StuI think turning over dents tend to teachers.

“AI writto have a the power of ing tools are particular creation and developing at voice or a rapid pace academic thought m a n n e r and so is Turof writto a machine is a nitin’s technoling, and step in the wrong the AI’s ogy to detect these emerging robotic or direction.” forms of misformulaconduct,” Turic voice - Mary Katherine Hocking, English Teacher s o m e nitin wrote in a statement. “Our t i m e s model has been trained spe- comes across differently.” cifically on academic writing The temptation of using sourced from a comprehensive AI and quickly relieving onedatabase. As a result, Turnitin self of a long assignment lures is more tuned to finding in- many students into a habit that stances of potential dishon- can damage their free thought esty in student assignments.” and learning development.

“

Some assignments are meant to be struggled through, and AI takes away a valuable lesson.

“As a former high school procrastinator, I can definitely see the temptation to use AI to turn out a piece of writing right away,” Hocking said.

“However, I think more is lost.

We’re handing over our critical reasoning and communication skills to a technology that we don’t know we can fully trust.

I think turning over the power of creation and academic thought to a machine is a step in the wrong direction.”

As educators, the shared initial reaction with ChatGPT’s debut was one of fear in regards to student’s misuse and for the future of what it means to be an educator.

“An article came out that said it was the end of the English department,” English teacher Kim Herzog said. “A lot of teachers were scared that if students start relying on this program, they are not going to think for themselves and actually learn really critical skills that apply beyond the English classroom.”

Graphic by Shivali Kanthan ’24

17% of 5,000 Stanford students admitted to using ChatGPT to assist on assignments and final exams.

(Stanford Daily) 51% of undergraduate and graduate students believe using AI software to complete exams is cheating.

(Forbes) 92% of students and 77% of parents are interested in how AI might help them learn. (Education Week)

6|

Lily Hultgren ’25 Features Editor

“

What is your ethnicity?” a new friend asks me.

My reply: “I’m half white and half Asian.”

Right after I utter that sentence my throat goes dry, as if there is a weight pressing down on my tongue. Nothing I said was incorrect, and yet, it feels like I just told a lie.

Being born and raised in the U.S., I have often felt more connected to the white half of my racial identity than to my Thai heritage. I know very little Thai language and am not well versed in Thai culture. Because of this, I have struggled throughout my life with my biracial identity, never feeling connected to both cultures equally. However, having conversations

OPINIONS about my race has allowed saying. If I can’t speak the lanme to come to terms with it guage, do I even have a right while cultivating genuine in- to say I am Thai American?

This “racial imposter synterest in aspects of Thai culture.

There have been times I felt drome” is anything but a Many embarrassed of my Thai side, unique experience. worrying it made me stand out. multiracial people struggle I used to feel self-conscious with imposter syndrome reabout friends coming over, lated to their ethnic identity.

M y thinking it struggle was weird to emthat my I can take a step brace my grandback and work on full idenparents tity is not spoke a embracing all parts new, and, differof my heritage. in some ent lanrespects, guage and my moththat my family referred to certain er had a similar experience; foods by their Thai names. she was born in the United At the same time, when I States, but her parents were am with my Thai relatives, I feel immigrants from Thailand.

She would be embarrassed like an imposter. I sit and nod awkwardly whenever they try to by signs of “Thai-ness” in her speak Thai to me, feeling home. At the same time, she embarrassed that didn’t find full acceptance in I have no clue Thailand either. She never what they’re learned the Thai language flu-

ently so, when she visited Thailand, no one there assumed she was Thai; they called her “farang” which means foreigner.

I recently spoke to my mother about these struggles.

She helped me recognize that even though I feel like a stranger to Thai culture and only speak a few Thai words, it is still present in my everyday life. Whenever I take my shoes off when I enter the house or make sure to never put my feet by someone’s head, I am observing Thai practices.

Nothing changes the fact that I am half Thai. There’s no single way to be “Thai” or “Asian.” It is different for everyone. And while I still occasionally feel like an imposter, I can take a step back and work on embracing all parts of my heritage.

It may take a while for me to fully accept my biracial identity, but thanks to conversations with my mother and internal revelations, I can confidently say I am on the right track.

FOLLOWING HER HEART: Lily Hultgren ’25 has been able to find joy in embracing her biracial identity.

TH

Scan this QR code to read the full article on the web

AI

AM IC ER AN Photo by Caitlin Jacob ’24 Graphics by Genevieve Frucht ’24 & Alex Gaines ’25

opinions | 7

Graphic by Avery Michalowski ’26

Audrey Curtis ’25

Web Photostories Editor

“

Remember, it’s a ‘Connections’ day,” your second-period teacher announces, mockingly using air quotes, her message met with groans and disgusted faces from almost all students—except me.

Despite common criticism, this biweekly “connecting time≈is far more influential on students’ daily lives than one may think. Implemented in 2019, Connections formed a way for students to have an adult figure as a resource. While navigating busy lives and crowded schedules, the benefits of having another friendly face at Staples are endless.

From mold to

Covid-19, my middle school years faced a variety of obstacles. Hardly experiencing a traditional homeroom while there, I found one under a new name at Staples: Connections.

For overwhelmed freshmen facing the pressures of high school, it’s a relief to finally be given the time to take a break. While tasks assigned for this time receive frequent complaints, students aggravated by playing Kahoot or discussing weekend plans should reflect on the priorities and disposition of individuals instead of the activities’ quality.

Not everyone will be your best friend in Connections.

Yet, if you’re lucky, you’ll have dedicated teachers and generous students who allocate time to provide an assortment of desserts enjoyed by all. Every Tuesday and Thursday, I look forward to sugary treats, whether cookies, muffins or brownies. It’s a valued aspect of my Connections culture, which all classes should try to emulate.

Although everyone cracks jokes at its expense, Connections is here to stay. So, if you don’t enjoy your “connecting” time, at the very least just consider that a Connections day means only 45-minute classes. That is something we can all bond over.

Caitlin Jacob ’24

Communications Co.

S

ince my first day of high school, I have been told that Connections was the ultimate time to bond with my classmates and gain a teacher mentor. Theoretically, Connections is the perfect solution to the competitive nature of Staples—it should be a period for students to unplug and study without serious academic pressure.

The administration, however, fell short and consequently failed to provide a productive mental- and physical-healthoriented period. Due to the structure of often meaningless and mandatory activities, Connections fails to achieve its alleged purpose: a time to destress.

Activities proposed for Connections often fail to elicit enthusiasm from the student body. I recently walked into Connections in the middle of AP finals week, hoping for a break, when I was told we would spend the period reflecting on a series of videos.

This activity only added to the stress that many students already felt. We have also been asked to analyze unhealthy relationships. Though import-

Photos by Angelina Matra ’25 Graphics by Mia Bomback ’25 & Shivali Kanthan ’24

ant to learn about, it felt like a repeat of junior health.

Building relationships with my Connections class has been awkward to say the least.Though initially conceived to provide a time for support and advice, the inconsistency of interaction through the period has seldom allowed me to build substantial connections—ironic, I know.

Instead of Connections, the school could opt for a 30 minute study hall, which would be beneficial in allowing students to recharge.

With such an intensive, pressure-riddled high school environment, what students simply need is a time to destress.

FEATURES

8|

e-Nable chapter prints prosthetics, lends a helping hand

S

omewhere on the first floor, deep in the corner of the school, something revolutionary is blossoming. First, only a finger. Then two. The fingers lift from the cold metal they were born on. It’s moving. It’s alive!!

Well, not exactly. These prosthetic hands are not alive, but they have the power to change someone’s life.

Presidents of the e-NABLE club – Hugo Jacques ’25 and Sebastian Rodriguez ’25 – and constructor Preston Siroka ’25 3-D print prosthetic hands with the goal of becoming an official chapter of e-NABLE, a national organization that donates 3-D printed prosthetics to people in need.

“We work really hard throughout the whole process,” Siroka said, “but it’s [for] a really good cause: people who are low income and can’t really afford or have public access to healthcare.”

In order to become an official chapter of e-NABLE, the club must print hands and send them to review-

at the organization. ter was first introduced by In order to become a certi- Wong’s in his CreAtive Techfied chapter of e-NABLE, the nological Solutions class. In club must print hands and send class, students were tasked with them to reviewers at the orga- researching how one might be nization. Once the reviewers able to create an e-NABLE verify their prototype’s quality, chapter, and from there, they the club gets a badge for that continued to develop the idea.

“We bit off (...) more specific design and are then eligible to apply to the organiza- than we could chew for a setion so they can make prosthet- mester course,” Jacques said.

The club has printed four ics for clients. The club’s goal is hands to acthus far. quire as m a n y Once we submit [our Three are Phoebadges models] for approval, nix v2s so they which are can help we can get badges a version m o r e which certify us to of the bapeople. print a certain type of sic 3-D “ I printed suspect hand.” h a n d , we ’ l l Phoenix. get that - Hugo Jacques ’253 The only c e r t i fi kinetic cation next year and then we’ll be part prototype was made by Siroof a network,” science teach- ka with his personal printer. er and advisor Dr. Humphrey A kinetic hand is powered by Wong said. “Then we’ll find one’s body and is designed to a client, someone we can fit be used by amputees. It has a the hand to, and we’ll learn fully functioning wrist and finhow to do that and be a bet- gers that open and close. These ter chapter and hopefully get hands take Siroka 55 hours to maybe two or three client print, one hour to assemble requests through the year.” and only $6 to make. Their low The idea to become a chap- cost increases the accessibilers

“

ity of e-NABLE prosthetics.

The first step in creating a prosthetic hand is finding the design files for the desired type of hand. The prototype’s design SDF files are downloaded from the e-NABLE website and then sent to the 3-D printer. It is crucial that the correct hand is selected when printing because two similar looking hands can have drastically different characteristics.

Club members then assemble the printed pieces of a kinetic hand in the following process: each finger is connected to a distal part. Then the wrist to the hand joint. Fishing line is tied through the distal and finger parts. Finally, the knots are adjusted to set the hand parallel to the wrist, allowing the hand to bend with high strength using minimal momentum.

While this hand has been fully assembled, this kinetic prosthetic will never be used for a real person because of its fast manufacture. When a hand is made for a specific client, the club must adjust the prosthetic towards their preferences.

“The tension is to be adjusted in order for them to uniformly bend to a desired position,” Siroka said.

Infographic by Caitlin Jacob ’24

Samantha Sandrew ’25 Associate Web Managing Editor

|9 |9

When customizing the prosthetic to serve a certain person, different types of Polyatomic Acid (PLA) are needed.

Each part of the hand corresponds to specific plastic fiber such as PLA, Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU).

Prosthetics materials vary based on their function. But, not every printer is suitable for all materials. The school’s printer materials were outdated. So, the club bought devices around $200-300 each, which classifies them as entry level printers.

Another difficulty that comes with designing a hand for

a specific person is sizing. The group will need precise measurements of parts of the client’s body in order to make a prosthetic that fits, Siroka explained.

“The main difficulty was making the [3-D] printer [work]” Siroka said. “There are a lot of errors that can go wrong, especially with cheaper printers.”

But despite the challenges that come with building these prosthetics, Staples’ e-NABLE and its members are looking to help underserved communities in any way they can.

So, if you go down into the dark and hot room of 1033, you’ll see life in the making.

Flexible finger joints & grippy TPU finger pads.

Flexible TPU wrist joints.

Fishing line is found in between layers.

Photo by Samantha Sandrew ’25

Tensioner pins, located inside the gauntlet.

3-D PRINTING CLUB president Sebastian Rodriguez ’25 (left) and founding member Luca Caniato ’25 (right) prepare to design and print a Phoenix v2 prosthetic hand.

Photos by Mia Bomback ’25

10 |features

Students acquire summer jobs, enhance work experience Genevieve Frucht ’24 Editor-in-Chief

W

hen it comes to summer activities, students have many options. Nonetheless, many students choose to work in order to gain experience and make some extra money.

There are many places to work in the summer such as camps, restaurants and at the beach. Here are a few places some Staples students are working this summer.

Addison Moore ’23 Cafe Barista

A

ddison Moore ’23 has been working at the Westport Library Cafe for almost a year and will continue the job this summer. Moore not only serves customers, but also completes tasks to make sure the cafe stays organized.

“I make coffees, cold brews, teas and everything in between,” Moore said. “I also have to regularly restock, make drinks for later and count the cash at the end of the day.”

ADDISON MOORE works at the Westport Library Cafe throughout the summer and during the school year.

He earns $15 per hour.

Photo by Mia Bomback ’25

Gianna Amatuzzi ‘24

G GIANNA AMATUZZI has a paid internship with the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary, created for Catherine Hubbard, who passed away in the Sandy Hook shooting.

Photo contributed by Gianna Amatuzzi ’24 Graphic by Alex Gaines ’25

Paid Intern

ianna Amatuzzi ’24 will spend her summer working at the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary. Currently, Amatuzzi is on the sanctuary’s Junior Executive Board and is looking forward to taking her involvement to a higher level. Amatuzzi will be a counselor at the sanctuary’s annual summer camp, as well as help plan other events that the sanctuary hosts yearly. “[I will] work with the head of the sanctuary to develop upcoming events and programming,” Amatuzzi said, “[such as] help organize [the] annual ‘Catherine’s Butterfly Party’ event, a birthday remembrance for Catherine and an annual celebration of the sanctuary’s accomplishments.”

11 |

A&E highlights of May

L

et’s take a look into May’s most highlighted moments in pop culture. Between the Met Gala, a blockbuster new movie and the beginning of a world tour,this May has been a marvelous month.

Caroline Zajac ‘25

Asst. Business Manager

Met Gala controversy This year’s Met Gala on May 1 was in remembrance of Karl Lagerfeld’s designs with Chanel, Fendi and his own couture line. His controversial reputation as a misogynist, racist, homophobe and fatphobe led to some dressing in his honor and some dressing in protest.Either way, the designs were memorable. Afterall, the Met Gala is dubbed the “Super Bowl of Fashion” for a reason.

Ame l

T ia

ar sy ’ 2

Photo contributed by Amelia Tarsy ’24

4

“While I may love Karl Lagerfeld’s designs with Chanel, I’m not sure whether or not it was a good idea to honor him at the Met Gala,” Amelia Tarsy ’24 said. “The whole world was reminded of Karl Lagerfeld’s not-so-picture-perfect reputation.”

Graphic by Avery Michalowski ’26

I am Groot!

The final sequel to the “Guardians of the Galaxy” series, “Guardians of the Galaxy No. 3,” was released in theaters on May 5 to give fans an emotional, action-packed roller coaster of a movie. In the film, Peter Quill must rally his team to defend the universe; if they fail this mission it could lead to the end of the Guardians as we know them. Marvel fans say this is a must-watch.

Hann o

Kath

n ry

Photo contributed by Kathryn Hannon ’25

the latest beats

Graphic by Avery Michalowski ’26

Queen Bey

Nonsense

Sabrina Carpenter Queen Beyonce kickstarted her Renaissance World Tour in Stockholm on May 10. This concert will have 56 stadium dates internationally and is projected to gross $2.4 billion in revenue. The Renaissance setlist is set to have 36 songs for a threehour show. This concert is split into seven parts with choreographed dances, bedazzled costumes and jaw-dropping sets.

eC

Grac

“I plan to go to the Renaissance World Tour this Summer,” Grace Cauley ’23 said. “I wasn’t sure what Beyonce had in store for us fans, but I knew it would not be a let down. I can’t wait.”

Photo contributed by Grace Cauley ’23

Ain’t That Some Morgan Wallen

a u l ey ’ 2

3

Graphic by Shivali Kanthan ’24

25 n’

“This was the best Marvel movie since ‘Endgame’,” Kathryn Hannon ’25 said.

“I definitely recommend watching it. This movie truly brought tears to my eyes. I will miss the ‘Guardians of the Galaxy.’”

Mother

Meghan Trainor

a & e|12 Graphic by Jordy Greenspan ’24

Gena Frucht ’24 Editor-in-Chief

J

by Jordy Greenspan ’24 unior prom was hosted at Staples on Saturday, Graphic May 20.

Though the day was filled with rain, students still danced the night away. Along with dancing, there was food, a photo booth, airbrush tattoos and flip flops.

Lindsey Price ’24 & Defne Merih ’24

Tyler Rockwell ’24 and Kate Hetcher ’24

“Prom was so much fun. I loved dancing with my friends and the playlist was really good. Even though it was a rainy day, that didn’t dampen our enthusiasm. It was a magical night.”

-Hadley Naples ’244 ’244 Jessica LoCas

tro & Harriso n

Putman ’24

per ’24 Charlotte Jum

4

24 &

hi ’ n Nis Gillia

’2 wan arma D a i Tish

Photos by Gena Frucht ’24

SPORTS

13 |

Pickleball serves teachers new inviting community Siena Petrosinelli ’25 Arts Editor

T

ick, tock, tick, tock. As seconds sluggishly pass by, sweat trickles down the temples of teachers. Tick.

As student laughter and talk blare in the teacher’s ears, they only have one singular thought captivating their mind. Tock.

The minute hand strikes 2:45 p.m. as energy surges through their feet like lightning. Tick.

Tock. As they peer out into the hallway, they check to see if anyone is watching. With no one in sight, teachers race like cheetahs down the stairs, passpass ing the cafeteria without even spotting the trash scattered atop the tables. Tick. They reach their final destination with relief and enter through the blue doors creating one cohesive group.

Tock. Chatter erupts,

smiles emerge and the while, you’re welcome to come.” community grows.

With a variety of staff Every Wednesday from 3-4 members participating in p.m, staff members compete in these cooperative games, it has lighthearted games of pickle- built an inviting community. ball. Starting in spring of 2022, “All staff is invited, so you Christine Wanner, health and get to see a lot of different staff physimembers cal edlike teachucation ers, nurses, “It’s great to meet departguidance people from all over ment and paras,” that you normally c h a i r, Jennifer has orCirino, wouldn’t be able to ganized Staples see.” picklibrar ian, -Jennifer Cirino leball said. “It’s Staples librarian games great to in the meet peofieldhouse for staff members. ple from all over that you nor“I would love to see more mally wouldn’t be able to see.” [staff members] pickleThe popularity in pickle come,” Wanner ball has increased to 4.8 mil milsaid. “I certain- lion “picklers” in the Unit Unitly want any- ed States, with it becoming one to know America’s fastest growing sport, whether you’re according to The New York a first time Times. The Staples commu commuplayer, or you’ve nity has followed this trend been playing for a with pickleball not only be be-

“

ing offered to staff, but also to students in the sophomore racquet games course. Pickleball has brought smiles and joy.

“Everybody on the court is the same. It doesn’t matter who you are, or what you are,” Library Paraprofessional Christine Harris said. “It’s a lot of fun. Nobody is out there to win necessarily, it’s all about laughing and getting some exercise.”

14% of americans played pickleball at least once in 2022 (YouGov)

Graphic by Shivali Kanthan '24

Photo dramatization by Preston Siroka '25

PICKLE COMMUNITY Staples librarian Jennifer Cirino plays pickleball with her fellow teachers every Wednesday.

Photo by Matthew Stashower '25

14 |

Spring Awakening!

Spring awakening!Contributed by Kai Seo ’24 and Ella Tobben ’24

By Kai Seo, Ella Toben, Jeffrey Pogue - Published by Jeffrey Pogue and Tavan Bhatia on https://crosshare.org 1

2

3

4

5

6

12

13

15

16

18

19 20

21

7

8

9

28

23

24

26 30

33

31

36

37

31 The sixth wheel of the common question words

32

38

39

41

42

45 48

49

50

51

52

ACROSS ACROSS 1 Ten out ___ 6 __ __ black sheep 9 out Key___ to get out?

1 Ten 12__Like Kevin 6 __ black sheepMcCallister onget Christmas 9 Key to out?

1213 LikeCousin Kevin McCallister of inc. or org. on Christmas 14 Letters before 13 Cousin of inc. or org.a superhero's 14 Letters before a name, perhaps superhero’s name, perhaps 15 Alamo and Jefferson, 15 Alamo Jefferson, for and example for example Journey fueled by a big 1616 Journey fueled by a big head? head?

1818 Something a delighted Something a delighted heart or traveling heart or traveling shorebird may do shorebird may do 19 Dog-___ (like some well-read books) (like some 19 Dog-___ 20 Centerpiece the flag well-readonbooks) of West Virginia 20 Centerpiece on the flag 25 ___-sci (major) of West Virginia 26 Ironically patriotic chant ___-scibook (major) 2725 Children’s protagonist 26 Ironically patriotic chant embarassed by her 27 Children's book long name protagonist 33 Farmer’s ground embarassed by her breaker? long name 34 Minion

33 Farmer's ground breaker?

34 Minion

32 They are closer than friends, per an adage

40 43

35 Common Spring weather pattern... or the herald of 20A, 27A, 6D, in a phrase 35 Common Spring

41weather Speak,pattern... as oneor might from a podium the herald of 20A, 27A,

in a phrase industry 426D, Meatpacking 41 Speak, as one might and slum life, to Upton from a podium Sinclair and Jacob Riis 42 Meatpacking industry respectively and slum life, to Upton

Jacob the Riis boba 44Sinclair Boba,and without respectively 4644Our national mammal Boba, without the boba and largest 46 Ourthe national mammal mammal in North and the largest America mammal in North America

47 the femur to the tibia 47 the femur to the tibia 4848It's It’stopped topped with with feathers a colonial feathers as aascolonial American punishment American punishment 49 Like vinyl discs and

49 Like vinyl discs and vaporwave vaporwave 50 What a participant on a

50popular What show a participant may say on a topopular a dress show may say 51toFirst responder for a dress CPR

5152First responder Becomes toxic if for CPR as in 2008 unwanted,

52 Becomes toxic if unwanted, as in 2008 DOWN

36 Irritate 37 Milky morning pick-me-up

38 Computer gamer's game hub

46

47

29 What one does with select dice in Yahtzee

30 How many cooks spoil the soup, per an Answers adage? to last months crossword:

34

35

44

27 Half athe dance left to play the 28 This must not be done online and on topcrossword of pop, according to Dr. Seuss check your answers!

17

22

29

24 Cold War proxy war in Southeast Asia, for short Scan the QR code to

11

14

25 27

10

39 Oxidates 40 One might settle it 43 What one ties at a wedding 2 Absolutely crush, as a DOWN sports team

3 Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, 1 Klutzes and Deuteronomy, 2 Absolutely crush, as a together sports team 3 Genesis,ofExodus, 4 Tendency matter Leviticus, Numbers, exhibited by the and Deuteronomy, inevitable mess in the together cafeteria by third 4 Tendency the of matter lunch waveby the exhibited inevitable mess in the

5 1983 Nintendo cafeteria by thevideo third game for short lunchconsole, wave 5 1983 video 6 Result ofNintendo a ruptured game console, for short aorta 6 Result of a ruptured

7 Producers of 70% of aorta our7 Producers oxygen of 70% of

our oxygen 8 Direct cause of the 8 Direct cause of the Great Continental Drift, Great Continental Drift, according to "Ice Age" according to “Ice Age”

9 Aural bongo?

9 Aural bongo?

10 Vermont vacationer 10 Vermont vacationer activity activity 11 TikTokker’s lie

11 TikTokker's 17 ___ Talk lie 21 Talk Uno + uno 17 ___ 22 + Portuguese greeting 21 Uno uno 23 Rhythm game popular 22 Portuguese greeting among Jpop fans 23 Rhythm game popular among Jpop fans

44 This Inklings issue!

45 Summer drink addition 46 It's measured in cups?

Cold War proxy war in Southeast Asia, for short 27 Half a dance 28 This must not be done on top of pop, according to Dr. Seuss 29 What one does with select dice in Yahtzee 30 How many cooks spoil the soup, per an adage?

31 The sixth wheel of the common question words 32 They are closer than friends, per an adage 36 Irritate 37 Milky morning pick-me-up 38 Computer gamer’s game hub 39 Oxidates 40 One might settle it 43 What one ties at a wedding 44 This Inklings issue!

45 Summer drink addition 46 It’s measured in cups?

ads |15

Since 1979, the healthiest dogs on the block thrive on Dr. Bob Goldstein’s formulated products.

925 Post Road E., Westport CT 203.222.7173 earthanimal.com