Inklings October 2022 Issue

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A tribute to Michael Sansur

Michael Sansur, a beloved tech education teacher, tragically died in a car crash on Oct. 15. One student of his, Marley Brown ’23, originally wrote an email to Principal Thomas to share her memories and appreciation of Mr. Sansur, and she granted Inklings permission to publish it. We thank Marley for her contribution and hope her letter can bring some comfort to the community in this time of hardship.

Marley Brown ’23

Though I can never do justice to explaining or honoring the life of Michael Sansur, as there is so much I did not know, I would like to share my experiences with him as a teacher and mentor.

I met Mr. Sansur right before I became a freshman, after learning that I had not been accepted into his Tech Ed I class. My father reached out to the school to ask why I was not admitted, and we were eventually put in contact with Mr. Sansur. I told him that I had selected his class, and that even though I had previously told my guidance counselor that it was the main elective I wanted, I was still not admitted. I talked to him and he realized that the class I had wanted to go into was all male, and that there were a lot of freshman boys in that class. Mr. Sansur fought for me to be in Tech Ed I and I ended up being the

only girl in that class, and apparently one of the first girls he had taught. Mr. Sansur then did the same process to get me into Tech Ed II. He believed that I had the same right to be in his classroom as any of the boys did, and that I should be able to get that opportunity, regardless of my gender.

me now is a bedside table that I made with him. It holds records in the bottom and has a secret compartment with a William Shakespeare quote carved into it. It is torched to perfection.

scan this QR code to donate to the Sansur family

He believed that I had the same right to be in his classroom as any of the boys did, and that I should be able to get that opportunity, regardless of my gender.

Mr. Sansur always said I was one of his favorite students, but maybe he said that to everyone; he was just that kind of person. Or maybe it was because I reminded him of his daughter, which he often told me. Either way, he sent my mother an email at the end of freshman year talking about how it was a pleasure having me

in class, and that he couldn’t wait to see me in his classroom again and see the things I would make. He brainstormed project ideas with me and supported me every step of the way, even going along with my insane ideas. When I had the idea to scorch my projects, he taught me how to use a blowtorch and a flamethrower, and how to achieve the look and color I wanted. Sitting next to

Ihave

always known that I wanted to be a teacher and I love helping people. I have written the syllabus that’s on the chalkboard in Mr. Sansur’s classroom all of my four years at Staples. Freshman year I came into school on back to school night, and I helped him explain the class and talked about my own experience to the parents. I did that again this year, and I wish that I could go back and hear him talk about his love for being a teacher just one more time. This year, he told me that he thought I would make an amazing teacher, and that if English did not work out, I should consider Tech Ed.

My freshman year, school ended early because of COVID and transitioned to online learning. Though most teachers did not communi cate with us and just posted assignments online, Mr. Sansur made sure to meet with us individually every single class period. Not only was

he an amazing teacher, but he was one of the kindest and most caring people I have ever met. COVID was a hard time for me, and whenever we would meet he would always ask me how I was, and he genuinely cared about my well being. I remember one time, I went for a short walk and lost track of time, missing the start of my individual check in. Mr. Sansur Zoom called me, and I picked up in the middle of the forest. Instead of being frustrated, he just chuckled to himself, and we talked and joked for 10 minutes about online “not” learning and the COVID lockdown. He told me he was finding it hard to keep a sense of normalcy with his students, and how he was excited to get back into the classroom and build things again.

Not only was he an amazing teacher, but he was one of the kindest and most caring people I have ever met.

Mr. Sansur pushed me to be a better student and to challenge myself. This year, I started as his Teaching Assistant, and I only wish that I could have had more time. We started planning my TA during the second half of my junior year, when I was unable to go to PE. Instead, I went to academic support which, by chance, was with him. He told me about his time as a student

teacher and his experiences in the classroom. He made me create lesson plans with him, and even told me what units he wanted me to teach all by my self. This year, he had me lead most of the demonstrations and give the safety talks to his students. He introduced me to the parents of all of his students at back to school night, and raved about how I wanted to be a teacher, and how he was going to con nect me to people, to make that dream a reality. He said the same speech every 10 minute class period and always mentioned how much he loved being a teacher and how he loved see ing all the students’ incredible creations. I had planned to cre ate a guitar with him this year. I hope I will find a way to still accomplish that in his memory.

or a cookie, and often asked if he could have another one to save for his family (though a few times I saw him eating them on his own later on).

I could never pass by Mr. Sansur’s classroom without popping my head in to say “hi” and check on what he was doing with his students, and he was always the first person

Michael Sansur was one of those people who leaves a lasting impact on your life.

I thought of talking to when I had big news.

Two weeks ago, I got back my ACT score and after my parents, he was the first person I told. I told him about my various entrepreneur ial adventures and showed him pictures of things I had made at home. On Wednesday of last week, I asked him to write my college rec. Unfortunately he only got around to completing the reference form, which I can not bring myself to give to any one as it’s one of the last things I have of his that relates to me.

On a more personal note, I make a lot of baked goods in culinary, and I always have more than I know what to do with. My go to taste testers have always been my teachers, specifically my favorite teachers. While most of the teachers I would offer these goodies to would polite ly refuse them and say, “I’m on a diet” or, “I don’t eat baked goods,” I knew that I could al ways count on Mr. Sansur to try my newest concoction and give me a raving review. He would never turn down a cupcake

Michael Sansur was one of those people who leaves a last ing impact on your life. He in spired me, and I will remember him and everything he gave me and taught me for the rest of my life. I have always said that if I can change one person’s life for the better, then I will have lived a good life. I only hope that in the future I can have as much of an impact on some of my students as he had on me.

I miss you already Mr. Sansur. Thank you for every thing. I promise I’ll do every thing I can to make you proud.

Michael Sansur, tech education teacher, worked at Staples High School for 18 years. Before Staples, Sansur worked in the Ansonia Public Schools from 1997 to 2005, according to CTInsider.

Photo contributed by Staples Yearbook club

CONT ENTS

Opinions

8 Lessons of babysitting

Abby Nevin ’23 acknowledges the life lessons learned from babysitting.

9 Am I enough?

Ava Chun ’25 reflects on the pressure to succeed in high school.

News

5 Fentanyl-laced candy

Federal law enforcement recently confiscated a large amount of fentanyl that was to be disguised as candy, prompting parental concern.

6-7 Banned books

Books in the Staples library have been challenged by some parents who allege the books endorse harmful messages.

Features

10-11 New ropes course

Staples’ new ropes course hopes to build peer bonding, confidence, etc.

12 Staples Vision

Staples Vision encourages students to connect with their faith.

Inklings Staff

Editors-In-Chief

Lucy Dockter, Julia Herlyn Creative Directors

Maya Hruskar, Lily Klau, Lilly Weisz

Paper Managing Editors

Mishael Gill, Ella Shi Web Managing Editors

Hannah Conn, Toby Goldfarb Associate Managing Editors

Kiswa Khan, Phoebe Miller

Business Directors

Meg Enquist, Allie Gillman, Mia Kirkorsky

Photography Director

Camille Vynerib

Asst. Creative Director

Shivali Kanthan Public Relations Director

Emily Goldstein Social Media Manager

Alix Glickman

Audience Engagement Manager

Margot Richlin

Broadcast Directors

Anna Diorio, Abby Nevin

TV Show Producers

Zach Brody, Finnegan Courtney Asst. Business Managers

Indie Ahl, Julia Leitner, Michael Pontoriero

Breaking News Editor

Audrey Kercher

News Editors

Genevieve Frucht, Paige Miller, Mia Bomback, Henry Watson Opinions Editors

Addison Coughlin, Ava Coyle, Ava Cordella, Katherine Phelps Features Editors

Caitlin Jacob, Lily Hultgren, Nina Bowens, Paige Tighe Arts Editors

Ava Chun, Talia Varsano, Alexandra Gaines, Ruby Kantor Sports Editors

Gabi Gerig, Madison Mayr, Demi Sasson, Matthew Stashower Web News Editors

Jolie Gefen, Siena Petrosinelli Web Opinions Editors

Nina Jones, Aidan Sprouls Web Features Editors

Audrey Curtis, Samantha Sandrew Web Arts Editors

Liora Perkins, Matthew Saw Web Sports Editors

Talia Moskowitz, William Murray Web Photostory Editor

Karlie Saed Advisors

Joseph DelGobbo, Mary Elizabeth Fulco

More About Us

13 Spooky movie review

Elle Vail ’23 recommends three must-watch movies this Halloween.

14 October highlights

Arts Sports

Read more about the latest in arts and entertainment for the month of October.

15 Sports toxicity

Athletes discuss the toxic body image sports create after years of coaching.

16-17 Wealth inequality in sports

A report shows that sports teams in wealthier Connecticut towns have been proven to rack up more state championships than poorer towns.

Inklings News is uncensored, unedited by administration, and does not allow prior review.

Opinions

The Editorial Board determines editorial opinions that are authored by the Editors-in-Chief. Inklings News serves as an open forum for the public and welcomes letters to the editor and other submissions. Send signed letters to inklingsnews@ westportps.org. Submissions will not be edited prior to publication.

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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, disabil ity or any other discriminating basis prohibited by local, state or federal law.

Inklings News Online

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Fentanyl disguised as candy discovered ahead of Halloween

Samantha Sandrew ‘25 Web Features Editor

Westport parents, such as Aneta Rompre, have concerns about their child potentially receiving fentanyl disguised as candy while trick-or-treating.

An undercover Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent, with the help of the Rocky Hill police, con scated 15,000 fentanyl pills disguised as Skittles and Nerds candy that two men attempted to smuggle into Connecticut on Sept. 8. e two men were charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute.

As Halloween nears, the fear of drugs being disguised as candy has grown. Many

“My concerns lie with my children’s health and safety,” Rompre said. “Lacing or disguising the drugs to mimic candy increases the possibility that children unknowingly become innocent victims.”

Staples High School’s School Resource O cer Ed Wooldridge recommends reporting any abnormal food to the police. He also emphasizes the importance of having safety discussions with youth.

“[Our children] are probably seeing more stu on social media than we actually talk to them about. Have more conversation with your kids,” Woodridge said. He also urges parents to remind their kids not to take candy from strangers. “Everybody should be vigilant and not take ‘candy’ or pills from anyone under any circumstances,” Staples nurse Anne Fitzpatrick said. “Fentanyl is a very potent opioid and can cause an overdose in very small amounts.”

extra vigilant during holidays like Halloween, where food is exchanged between strangers.

“As law enforcement, we are trying to make sure the public is being safe and that we keep an eye on them,” Wooldridge said. “But parents and kids have to be diligent too.” ere are alternatives to traditional Trick-or-Treating for those who are worried. At the Trick-or-Treat with Stew Leonard’s Characters event at Stew Leonard’s in Norwalk, children 8 under, in costume, can come to collect candy throughout the store for free.

Ultimately, parents bear the decision whether to practice traditional trick-or-treating.

“Parents should do what’s in the best interest for their kids,” social studies teacher and parent Suzanne Kammerman said.discussions

Law enforcement stays

Nov. 11-14

Nov. 11-19

Westport Library Big Fall Book Sale Staples Players puts on “Guys and Dolls”

e Westport Library book sale will begin on Nov. 11 from 8:45 a.m. -1 p.m. for ticket holders followed by free admission from 1-6p.m. e sale will continue through Nov. 14 with free admission (hours vary per day).

e Staples Players will present an opening night for “Guys and Dolls,” a classic Broadway musical. Tickets went on sale on Oct. 22 and can be purchased 30 minutes before curtain time in the lobby.

Nov. 19

Family “Chopped” Challenge

At the Westport-Weston YMCA, families will work together to make the best meal from ingredients in a mystery basket. Non-members can enter for $45, while members will pay a $30 fee.

Mia Kirkorsky ’24 Business Manager

Fentanyl is a very potent opioid and can cause an overdose in very small amounts."

- Anne Fitzpatrick Staples Nurse

“

Staples library display incites community response at BOE meeting

Lilly Weisz ‘23 Creative Director

Nine Westport residents spoke on the con troversy surrounding Staples High School (SHS) Library’s Banned Books Week display during the public comment section of the Board of Educa tion (BOE) meeting on Oct. 3. Some attendees sought to chal lenge the books featured in the display, especially “This Book is Gay,” “Lawn Boy” and the graphic novel “Genderqueer.”

The BOE’s public com ment differs from an official appeal to the BOE. Such an appeal would require complet ing nine steps out of a 10-step process to challenge materials.

So, while the district has received nine seperate for mal challenges to eight of the books on display—including one challenge to all books on the display—none of the chal lengers have taken step two of the procedure, which is to reach out to talk in-person with the Staples library media special ists. Step three would be to report any reso lutions de cided by the library me dia special ists to the principal.

“I’m still waiting on an official challenge,” SHS Principal Stafford W. Thomas Jr. said.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Each BOE meeting be gins with 15 minutes allotted for public com ment, in which residents can discuss issues not on the agenda. The residents speaking against

the books expressed discom fort and displeasure that these books, which contain sexually explicit scenes and informa tion, were available in the SHS library and advertised by the Banned Books Week display.

One of the books in con tention, “This Book is Gay,” includes guidance in navigat ing sexual encounters in the LGBTQIA+ community, and includes an explanation that the book’s purpose is to pro vide a same-sex version of the sex education taught in schools, including explicit diagrams with the intent to educate. The sex education section begins with a content warning for younger readers and anyone who may feel uncomfortable.

A second book on display, “Genderqueer,” contains images of an adult discovering aspects of their sexuality. The graphic nov el is a coming-of-age memoir.

One parent, Camilo Riano, referenced that “Genderqueer,” contained images of an adult sexually touching a child. In klings confirmed that the book does depict an adult and mi nor engaging in a sexual act.

It’s in refer ence to con tent in the classic Greek text “Plato’s Symposium.”

The con text for the scene in the graphic novel is an imagined teenage fantasy and does not discuss themes of nor pro motes acts of pedophilia.

Other residents were concerned about the ac tive role librarians played in distributing these ma terials to the student body.

“It’s now one thing to have books available. It’s another to

market them so aggressively,” Westport parent Alma Sarel li said. “I’m not saying this because some of these books may address the perspective of one sexual orientation or an other. I’m saying this because a school is not the same as a commercial or adult bookstore.”

A smaller number of West port residents approached the podium to speak in favor of the Banned Books Week display. Parent Brian McGunagle, Pres ident and founder of Westport PRIDE, a community group for LGBTQIA+ people and allies, stat ed that he only spoke on behalf of himself and not for any organization.

“It is very important for our children to be exposed to different lifestyles and ways of life,” McGunagle said.

Ultimately, the Chair ad journed the public comment section with a recess from the meeting after a board mem ber spoke out of turn mul tiple times and a communi ty member questioned the presence and legitimacy of this Inklings reporter cover ing the events of the meeting.

BOARD OF EDUCATION

At the start of the gen eral meeting, BOE Vice Chair Liz Hey er sought to add an agenda item to publicly discuss the “treatment of materials in our school library that encourage harmful and unsafe behavior.”

The motion fell short of the two-thirds vote needed to pass.

“Avoiding public discus sion can often escalate an is sue unnecessarily,” Heyer said.

“I felt it was important to ad dress the issue being raised by the community members we represent and to signal to the community that some Board members did feel strongly about discussing the issue.”

Adding the item would mean both BOE members and public attendees would have been able to engage in discus sion over the Banned Books Week display. Without an agen da item, BOE members are pro hibited from discussing a topic.

BOE Secretary Neil Phillips voted against the motion, explaining that the BOE was only made aware of the controversy less than a week before the gener al meeting and he felt unpre pared to publicly comment. In addition, he said the BOE only received 10-13 emails on the subject, mentioning how past issues have attracted many more emails, and thus, warranted the primary focus of the Board.

“We have typically ap proached most agenda items with supporting documenta tion provided before a meet ing,” Phillips said. “To better inform the board members as well as the public, and for a topic as sensitive as this one, I would have expected no less.”

The board remains divided on the issue, and, as of the writ ing of this article, banned books are not on the agenda for the next general meeting on Oct. 25.

Scan the QR code to read the full version on the Inklings website.

“It is very important for our children to be exposed to different lifestyles.”

-Brian McGunagle, Westport parent

A school is not the same as a commercial or adult bookstore.”

-Alma Sarelli, Westport parent

“Banned Books Week” Display

The library’s display included the following top 10 most contested books of 2021.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian (2007)

By Sherman Alexie

A teenage boy decides to leave his home, the Spokane Indian Reservation, to go to a nearly all-white public school.

All Boys Aren’t Blue (2020)

By George M. Johnson

A coming-of-age memoir about the author’s experi ences growing up as an Af rican-American member of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out (2014)

By Susan Kuklin

A series of stories written by transgender and gen der-neutral teenagers re counting their experiences.

The Bluest Eye (1970)

By Toni Morrison

An African-American girl who fights to combat racism, family struggles, and her own negative self-image amid the Great Depression.

Gender Queer (2019)

By Maia Kobabe

An autobiographical graphic novel about Maia Kobabe (e/em/ eir)’s struggle with eir sexuality and gender.

The Hate U Give (2017)

By Angie Thomas

An African-American teenager grapples with racism, police brutality and social activism.

Lawn Boy (2018)

By Jonathon Evison

A Mexican-American considers the hardships he has faced in his life as he enters a phase of self-discovery.

Me, Earl and the Dying Girl (2012)

By Jesse Andrews

An introverted teenager befriends a classmate who has just been diag nosed with lukemia.

Out of Darkness (2015)

By Ashley Hope Pérez

A teenage love story between a Mexican girl and an Afri can-American boy amidst the 1937 New London school explosion in Texas.

This Book is Gay (2014)

By Juno Dawson

A collection of testimo nials from LGBTQIA+ individuals, reflecting on childhood experiences and answering readers’ questions.

OPINIONS

Lessons from babysitting: back to the basics

Abby Nevin ’23 Broadcast Editor

*Children’s names have been changed for anonymity.

Notto toot my own horn, but I’d say I’m a pretty good babysitter. I tell the best bedtime stories, bandage boo-boos to the T and make some awesome boxed mac and cheese.

But the kids are not the only ones who bene t from my babysitting; I bene t, too.

Take the interaction that I had with 5-year-old Ben and his sister, Anna. Ben shouts in a t of rage, upset that his sister has just won an intense game of “Chutes and Ladders.”

“Are you overwhelmed, Ben?” his rstgrade, big sister asks.

“Yeah,” he whines. “I just tried really hard and I’m sad I didn’t win.”

“I think it’s smart to take some deep breaths,” Anna said.

She then comforts him, as she models taking deep breaths and he fol-

lows her example.

I sat back in awe. Not only was I shocked by the emotional maturity of these intelligent kids, but I thought to myself, “When was the last time, I, a 17-year-old, reminded myself to breathe in a time of frustration?”

Through this small act of empathy, Ben and his sister demonstrated a skill that I let lapse in my life: a reminder to calm the heck down. A er that night, I have now made sure to incorporate steady breathing in times of stress, like when I take a test or get frustrated.

Babysitting has also taught me to hone my compassion skills. Caring for children has allowed me not only to be understanding but particularly pa-

tient when a child is faced with an obstacle.

Take 3-year-old Eliza, for example. Eliza got so upset over her brother’s highway robbery of her favorite Barbie doll that she ran from me, slamming her bedroom door while screaming and hiding underneath her bed.

“Get away from me!” she yells as I peek my head through the cracked open door.

At this moment in time, I wanted to throw in the towel. It was the rst day I had babysat these kids. Although I was confused and concerned about what to do next in this situation, I reminded myself to relax and consider how she felt. What triggered this behavior? How could that have made her feel? What should I do to help her calm down? In that mo-

ment, I discovered I could empathize with her. As a high school student struggling with the pressures of college applications, homework, extracurriculars and other normal drama, I can get easily frustrated and be especially hard on myself. e key to getting Eliza to open the door (and the key to dealing with my own stress) is patience.

I have applied this thinking to my own home and social relationships. I know that when making an important decision for my life, I must rst nd the patience to calm down and evaluate my own thoughts and feelings.

In times when I feel stressed, I nd that now more than ever before, I revert back to the skills I have developed through babysitting. I have been making an e ort to speak to myself more kindly, and to be more lenient with myself in times of pressure. ese skills that I now apply to myself are those I largely credit to the job of babysitting, small individual experiences that gi ed me the lessons I am grateful for every day.

The key to getting Eliza to open the door (and the key to dealing with my own stresses) is patience.

Photo dramatization by Kiswa Khan

Graphic by Shivali Kanthan

Photo dramatization by Natalie Chun

Am I enough? Standing out proves stressful in college applications

Ava Chun ’25 Arts Editor

high school, one of the top schools in America. She should have been celebrating, right? Wrong. It still wasn’t enough. She transferred to Northwestern University the next year.

about college since I was 11. e pressure rst started when I was an 11-year-old Asian American who played violin in my school's chamber orchestra. But did any of that matter?

would increase my chances of getting into a great school when it's nally time to apply.

When my oldest sister was going through the process of applying to college, she got rejected from her dream schools and some of her safeties. She started to get worried that her application was too common; they thought she was blending in with all the other applicants.

In the end, my sister got into NYU her senior year of

My sisters and I grew up thinking our best isn’t good enough. We live in a community of overachievers that set such high expectations for everyone that sometimes it’s hard to see if and when we ever are successful.

Case and point: I’m a sophomore and I've been stressed

An Asian American who plays an instrument and has straight A’s? at’s a resume that resembles a lot of other people’s applications as they apply to college.

Seeing

this issue, I was pushed into dance and other extracurricular activities in the hopes it

Today, as a sophomore, I go from math tutors to dance teachers to volunteer coordinators all so I can gure out how I’m going to stand out from every other stereotypical Asian student applying. Juggling all my activities is overwhelming.

Over and over I am reminded that my grades won’t get me into the best colleges. My activities aren’t enough. My ethnicity isn’t enough. My passions and interests aren’t enough. So what will it take to prove that I am enough? Am I enough?

Sometimes it’s hard to see if and when we are ever successful.

FEATURES

Ropes course provides adventure, promotes community

Charlotte Berner ’25 Staff Writer

“The first activity that we did involved walking across wood while touching your classmates and everyone need ed to be connected to each other,” Isla Goldberg ’25 said.

Sophomores at Staples high school returned back to school from summer vacation, ready for another year of kickball games and badmin ton practices in gym. However, students were shocked to find that Staples has taken Sopho more Cooperative Activities to the next level - a higher level.

The Project Adven ture Course, standing just under 30 feet tall, has been built both in the fieldhouse and out side of Staples High School. The federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) provided $63,200 worth of funds to be implemented in the high school’s physical education (P.E.) program.

The building process for the course is nearly complete and certain aspects of it are already being used in the sophomore Cooperative Activities class.

Students will first try the on-ground portions of the course in their class, such as

The concept of adventure education has been imple mented at other schools and has been a subject of discussion in West port for six years. But, it wasn’t until the COVID-19 pandemic that Staples High School was granted mon ey from federal funds to build the adventure course.

“It helps a lot with leader ship and trust and overcoming a fear of heights. It is also great to be supported by your peers, and you have a great sense of pride to accomplish some of these feats,” Thom as said.

It helps a lot with leadership, trust and overcoming a fear of heights. It is also great to be supported by your peers and you have a great sense of pride once accomplishing some of these feats.”

The Staples P.E. pro gram consists of many creative activities such as archery or skate boarding. How ever, the ropes course is truly one of a kind. It has a unique abil ity to bring different types of students together through trust and communication.

“This is a program that has been requested multi ple times by the P.E. depart ment,” Westport Superinten dent Thomas Scarice said, “but was never approved in the budget process [until now].”

Training for P.E. teachers that will supervise this course will be held on Nov. 8. This training qualifies the staff to instruct students, as well as

“I think kids in P.E. fall in a spectrum between athletes and kids uninterested in sports,” Staples gym teacher Jeffrey Doornweerd said. “They all can benefit from learning how to work together, but this [ropes course] takes the athleticism out and focuses on them try ing to achieve a common goal.”

In addition to the teach ers and administrators, Staples

- Principal Stafford W. Thomas Jr.

Graphics

Photo by Caroline Zajac ’25

Photo by Phoebe Miller ’23

TEAM CLIMBING A belay team consisting of four sophomore girls prepares to work as a unit and prevent injury for their climber, who is beginning the next task.

Graphic by Ben Lorenz ’24 Photo by Paige Tighe ’24

THE CENTIPEDE Lexie Fass ‘25 grapples her way down the “Centipede” activity, supported by her peers and her belay team. This task builds trust, as well as allows students to conquer fears or nerves.

Staples Vision encourages inclusive environment to connect with faith

Mishael Gill '23 Managing Editor

Ifyou happen to peer into room 3001 on any given Friday afternoon, you will see a group of teenagers por ing over Biblical text. Intellec tual, right? Intellectual indeed. Staples Vision is a religious

opportunities. According to their club leaders, their mis sion is to build godly people in an inclusive Christ-centered community through biblical exploration and servant lead ership. Club presidents, Spen cer Yim ’23 and Asher Dahlke ’23, came up with the idea for Staples Vision in their fresh man year, where they sensed the lack of an inclusive com

sticking point for us: having a vision for the future and a vision that is dictated on our personal beliefs,” Yim said. “It’s super important to all the students out there who have that back ground [...] but also for students who maybe are looking for different re ligions, [or] are looking to explore.”

Both presidents also highlighted their focus on inclusivity, whether it be in terms of different faiths or in terms of different degrees of religious commitment.

church-going folks, but also people of various faiths, have a sense of community when they gather with others who have that same belief, people who support them,” Yim said. “So, it’s that kind of relationship, that kind of bond we’re hop ing to bring to Staples.” Dahlke added that the discus sion of vari ous faiths brings new perspec tives to light and can promote the same sense of community that Vision aims at nurturing.

Spencer Asher

“In our conversations, we have levels of people who have read most of the Bi ble, to people who have not even read more than a page,” Dahlke said. “We’re all there to help each other out and learn more from each other and each other’s perspectives.”

In the past decade, the U.S. has seen a major increase in youth atheism. According to a 2018 study done by Barna, a Christian polling firm based in California, the percentage of teenagers who identify as atheist (13%) is double that of the gen eral population (6%). Both Yim and Dahlke agreed that this disconnect from faith has only grown, and it has been a goal of Vision to provide a safe space for members to explore their personal relationship with faith.

“Studies have shown that

“I think religion can be a really enriching thing, and whether or not you decide that someone else’s religion is cor rect or that you want to believe in it, I think looking at all the perspectives is so im portant,” Dahlke said.

According to club advi sor and science teacher Al exandra Krubski, Vision has been successful in fostering a safe and uplifting environ ment for all of its members.

“It has been really awe some to see students come together that I don’t think would have crossed paths otherwise,” Krubski wrote in an email. “The sense of com munity that has come out of Vision, both between the students, and in their works of service in the greater communi ty has been a blessing and some thing I am proud to be part of.”

VISION Staples Vision has volunteer opportunities every month, including a fundraiser on Thursday, Oct. 27 in partnership with the local non-profit Filling in the Blanks, which will help provide weekend meals to students on school lunch plans. If you are interested in getting involved, contact Asher Dahlke ’23 or Spencer Yim ’23.

That was a big sticking point for us: having a vision for the future and a vision that is dictated on our personal beliefs.”

- Spencer Yim '23

“

Photo by Paige Tighe ’24

CLUB PRESIDENTS Spencer Yim ’23 (left) and Asher Dahlke ’23 (right), co-presidents of the club Stapes Vision, hope to create an environment that inspires others to envision a future based on their biblical beliefs.

Photo by Mishael Gill ’23

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Movies for Fright Night:

Elle Vail ’23 Staff Writer

Halloween is what some may call the most exciting time of the year: jack o’lanterns, cra zy costumes and candy are key features for this favorite of holidays. But if you’re a hor ror bu like me, it is the many nights of jumpscares that make this holiday so special. With Westport having its own horror- lm contributions with “ e Last House on the Left” and “Friday the 13th,” it is only right to honor the industry that has lmed scenes in our very own town. at’s why I’m giving you my top three terrifying lms to binge this year.

Get Out

Released 02-24-2017

e second horror lm I have to recommend is just as psychological, yet twice as gory. Starring Florence Pugh and directed by Ari Aster, “Midsommar” is beautifully mind-bending. Contrasting dark themes with a consistently uorescent and elegant setting, “Midsommar” follows college students’ travel to a festival in Sweden where the sun never

sets. Quickly accelerating, the students nd themselves in a community of traditions in corporating both psychedelics and malicious acts. Caught in a world where survival is all, the students quickly turn on each other leading to an incredibly morbid and thought-provok ing ending. “Midsommar” is gripping, and truly more of an experience than a movie.

ose familiar with the horror industry likely know the name Jordan Peele. Known for his disturbing creativ ity and psychological ap peals, Peele has been glori ed since his debut lm, the Academy-Award-winning “Get Out.” Following an inter racial couple visiting the girl’s parents, the Black boyfriend slowly nds himself increas

ingly disturbed by the robotic actions of fellow Black resi dents. Peele, perfecting the slow burn, ultimately reaches the climax of this lm with help from hypnosis and the inabili ty to get out. Terrifyingly psy chological, I would recommend this movie to anyone in terested in how horror has evolved today, speci cal ly in terms of social justice.

Midsommar

Last is perhaps my favor ite: “ e Blair Witch Project.” A turn for the horror industry, “ e Blair Witch Project,” di rected by Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sanchez, was the rst lm to increase fear-factor us ing solely hand-held cameras. Involving three college stu dents researching their nd ings on the Blair Witch for a thesis project, this classic hor

ror lm left me avoiding the woods months later. Freakily realistic and personal, “Blair Witch” is beautifully detailed and raw, even creating hyste ria prior to its release through publicizing missing yers for the main characters. Terrify ing and incredibly acted, “ e Blair Witch Project,” appeals to all, although I would not rec ommend hiking the day after.

Highlights of October

Zoe Alpert ‘25 Staff Writer

Styles in “Don’t Worry Darling”

Oct. 21 marks the the ater release date for Michael Grandage’s “My Policeman” featuring Emma Corrin, Da vid Dawson and Harry Styles. The movie was adapted from the 2012 romance novel writ ten by Bethan Roberts which takes place in England in the 1950s. The story of forbid den love has been reviewed as heartbreaking and compelling.

“I can’t wait to see [the

Olivia

Wilde’s “Don’t Worry Darling” star ring Florence Pugh and Harry Styles made its theater debut on Sept. 23. Gemma Chan, Chris Pine, Olivia Wilde and Kiki Layne make up the star-studded cast. Jack Chambers (Styles) and his wife Alice (Pugh) live in an idealized 1950s community town called “Victory,” where the men work on a top secret proj ect, and the women enjoy the

luxury and beauty of their per fect paradise. However, when things start to appear suspi cious, Alice can’t help but won der what she’s doing in Victory.

So far, the movie has had mixed reviews after its fifth week in the box office. The psychological thriller has left many viewers shocked, with several questions remaining unanswered.

“I would say the [...] movie was overall very cha

Styles in “My Policeman”

story] portrayed on the big screen,” Rosie Kauppinen ’25 said. “I read the book as soon as I heard about the movie, and I absolutely love it. I think it’s an extremely important story, and I love that it’s being shared.”

The film is also set to be released to Amazon Prime Video on Nov. 4. This will be Harry Styles’ second movie that he’s starred in branch

ing out from being a singer,

“I love that Harry is broadening his horizons and going into acting,” Kaup pinen said. “I think he has a really natural talent for it.”

“[Styles’] character in ‘Don’t Worry Darling’ is practical ly the opposite of his charac ter in ‘My Policeman,’” Grace Power ’24 said. “So it will be really interesting to see him act in those two separate ways.”

otic and confusing to fol low,” Katie Hannon ’25 said. “Although, I do think Olivia Wilde did a phenomenal job with the cinematography.”

While the movie left some questions unanswered, it was entertaining to be able to interpret those details on your own.

“I really liked the mov ie,” Filipa Lemcke ’24 said. “It was really unpredict able and super fun to watch.”

Swift shines with new album

On Aug. 29, Taylor Swift posted to social media to an nounce her 10th upcoming studio album, “Midnights.” With 13 tracks, the album was released Oct. 21. This al bum will come in the midst of Swift re-recording her other albums. This news is a huge deal to many eager fans.

“‘Midnights’ is a really big deal and really exciting be cause it’s her 10th album, her first new album release since ‘Folklore’ and ‘Evermore’,” Marley Brown ’23 said. “And those were surprise releases. She’s said that this is one of her most personal albums and all the songs have been writ

ten throughout her life. It’s going to be really cool to hear.”

In Swift’s album announce ment, she included a note de scribing the album as “the stories of 13 sleepless nights scattered throughout my life.”

“I’m just excited to hear new music and dif ferent styles,” Brown said.

Graphic by Avery Michalowski

Graphic by Abby Dellavalle

Graphic by Abby Dellavalle ’23

SPORTS

Destructive body-image hinders athletes

Phoebe Miller ‘23 Associate Managing Editor

Looking into a mir ror, a person often stares into their own eyes, their mouth, their facial structure. But for many athletes, their gaze is often drawn down to their body.

The sports of gymnas tics, dance and figure skating, among oth ers, are often body-cen tric. Many athletes who compete in these activi ties are driv en by per fectionism, and while this can cre ate a moti vating push for some, others feel it has damaged how they view themselves.

Camryn Harris ’24, who competes in Irish step-danc ing, has had several experienc es with what is referred to by many as a toxic body-image culture that exists in sports.

“At my old school, and even where I am now, I have [dance] teachers that make comments about what we eat getting close to competition,” Harris said. “I have friends that look a lot different than they did when they started. I wouldn’t say eat ing disorders, but the verge of.”

According to Jumpstart by WebMD, almost 80% of elite female athletes said they were aware of their body im age. But this perception is not limited to professional athletes.

Victoria Fidalgo ’24, who

has been a competitive gym nast since she was 6 years old, said that being surrounded by mirrored images of your body for years can distort your view of who you are.

“I would always have to con dition in front of the mirrors. I would have to do floor dance in front of the mirrors, we would warm up in front of the mir rors,” Fidalgo said. “It was just so toxic because there’s a point where you don’t need to look at yourself that much, especially in a leotard.”

is the role that body im age can play in boys’ sports.

“From what I have seen, there are some people who are on the smaller side and seem to feel a little intimidated in the weight rooms or at practice,” an anonymous former Sta ples male athlete said, “so they go out of their way and spend hours working out, trying to put on muscle, trying to get bigger, just so they fit in more.”

However, he stressed that his former coaches

shared because of the stig ma that surrounds the topic.

“I feel like [boys] bottle it up and kind of just keep it to them selves,” he said. “Our coaches and everyone make it very ob vious that we have somewhere to go. We always have someone to talk to, but I feel like boys don’t feel like they should.”

While the outlook of body image on teams is often harm ful, many feel that their team mates do their best to look out for each other and fight

-Camryn Harris ’24

Activities like ice-skat ing are so fo cused on the body often because the sport itself is based on having a set look, with out which, a person could be at a disad vantage when being scored.

Uniforms for synchro nized skating require tight leggings, a tight tank top and a body pop, which is essen tially tights for your upper body. Similar to gymnastics and dance, skaters are of ten required to wear clothes that show off their bodies.

“It’s all very fitted, because synchronized skating is all about the lines, and the aesthet ic is very important,” Sam Paris ’23, who competes internation ally in skating, said. “So the lines of your body, of the strokes and pushes that you make, you want to be able to see the extension, and baggier clothes can kind of hinder the look of the sport.”

An aspect that is not always widely discussed

I have friends that look a lot different than they did when they started. I wouldn’t say eating disorders, but the verge of.”

“

Report highlights impact of wealth inequality on state championships

Talia Moskowitz ‘24 Web Sports Editor

In every inspirational sports movie, the coach sits the losing team down at half time in the locker room and delivers one message: with enough hard work and per severance, the underdogs can still win the big game.

However, the results of a recent report from Hearst Connecticut Mediasuggest a different reality: ultimately, money plays more of a role in whether a team wins or loses.

According to Hearst, over the past 10 years, teams from the five wealthiest towns in Connecticut accumulated over 159 state championships for all sports. The state’s 10 poor est towns, in contrast, acquired only 44 state championships Westport ranks among the

our team plays club field hock ey in winter, spring and sum mer,” Stevens ’23 said. “When we play teams like Danbury or Westhill we typically shut them out 10-0, which isn’t fun for either team. It’s not a fair matchup for girls who play club year round to play against girls who only play during the school season.”

Alterna tively, Barry Beatie, head coach of the Staples girls’ soccer team, did not sub scribe to the notion that his team’s success could be attributed to Westport’s affluence. The Sta ples girls’ soccer team has been

fall. They currently sit unde feated in second place in the FCIAC regular season ranking.

“When people say that the reason the Staples program is so good is because Westport has a lot of money, I feel like it takes away from all of the tal ent and quality our players have and all the work that we put in to win cham pionships. We win because we deserve it,” Beattie said. Still, others point out that poor er districts and their subsequent ath letics programs lack access to the same array of re

games,” Dewitt said. “The Gatorade and water are also super helpful to rehydrate af terwards. And it’s so nice be cause I don’t have to think about packing my own food.”

As the weather gets colder, each player has access to insu lated, weather-proof jackets to keep warm on the side lines. The program was even able to bring in a nutritionist at the beginning of the season to ed ucate players on when and what to eat to perform their best.

Wealthy towns across the FCIAC have attempted to re allocate their own resources to schools in Bridgeport specif ically, where the athletic pro grams fall significantly behind, with the exception of boys’ bas ketball. In 2019, Staples foot ball, led by former head coach Jon Zames, donated shoulder pads, helmets and guardian caps to Bridgeport Central’s football program. The guardian

ing head injury and cost $60 a piece. The Central coaching staff responded with gratitude, saying that their program would have never been able to afford this equipment on their own.

not be made by donations and charity alone. Coaches have looked to the CIAC for a solution. Reconfiguring the playoff season, for example, to bring some more fairness to the system, has been discussed,

Graphic by Shivali Kanthan

It’s not a fair matchup for girls who play club year round to play against girls who only play during the school season.”

-Francine Stevens

PLAYER PARKA Each player and coach receives an insulated, weather-proof jacket (as seen in the photo above) to wear on the sidelines during the game. A coat like this isn’t accessible for teams in poorer town.

Photo by Demi Sasson

Hearst

Spooky Surprise

Halloween

Jeffrey

- Inklings

ACROSS DOWN

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

Graphic by Lilly Weisz

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