Welcome back to another issue of the Tuskan Times!
With the sun coming out, flowers beginning to bloom, and a new energy in the air, our moods have truly been changing with the season, and this issue reflects that spirit.
We have the privilege of featuring three essays on Global Politics written by ISF students who were shortlisted for the Horizon Essay Competition. Make sure to check them out to gain insight into the thoughtful ideas and perspectives our community has to offer.
This issue also includes several exciting opinion pieces, from a Memoirs of a Geisha Book Review by 11th grader Allegra DiFlorio to a Bridgerton review by 11th grader Willow Wyatt
In addition, we’re continuing some of our most popular columns. Sophie Martin returns with another fascinating court case, this time exploring Dairy UK Ltd. vs Oatly AB, and Roma Anthony shares an article discussing the significance of returning fashion statements and trends
No matter what interests you or what you enjoy reading, we promise you’ll find something here in the Tuskan Times.
And if you’re not quite in the reading mood, this issue also features the winners and runnersup of the ISF Photography Competition Take a moment to explore the incredible photography talent of our school’s students and teachers
So go outside, feel the sun on your face, breathe in the fresh air, and enjoy the articles carefully curated by our incredibly talented team.
Thank you for all your support, and we hope you enjoy this issue of the Tuskan Times
Sincerely,
Téa Mijatović and Allegra DiFlorio Editors-in-Chief
EDITORS-IN-CHIEF
TÉA MIJATOVIĆ
ALLEGRA DIFLORIO
DEPUTYEDITORINCHIEF
ESME ALONGI
HEADOFLAYOUT
ROMA ANTHONY
HEADOFMARKETING
SANDY XU
SUPERVISOR
TESS HITCHCOCK
EDITORS
ALLEGRA DIFLORIO
TÉA MIJATOVIĆ
ESME ALONGI
MILENA FABBRI
LAYOUT
ROMA ANTHONY
SOPHIE MARTIN
SOFIA NAVARRO
SÄVEL PERÄNEN
MILENA FABBRI
EMILY ZHENG
PHINN HICKLER, GRADE 7
ISFPHOTOGRAPHYCOMPETITIONRESULTS
By Téa Mijatović ‘27
Téa is a Croatian-American junior with a passion for history and photography. She enjoys spending time with her family and her dog.
Thank you to all ISF students in Grades 6 to 12 and staff who took part in the ISF Photography Competition! We were thrilled to see the many creative and thoughtful photographs shared through the themes Landscape, Portrait, and Urban.
The student entries were reviewed by a group of teachers, while a panel of students judged the teacher entries. It was inspiring to see the whole community involved in celebrating photography and creativity Below are the results of this year’s competition:
Students Landscape
First Place:
Runner-Up:
Portrait
First Place: Louis Besançon (Grade 6)
Runner-Up: Dylan Xiao (Grade 12)
Urban
First Place: Sandy Xu (Grade 11)
Runner-Up: Dylan Xiao (Grade 12)
Leonardo Nieman Sheroziya (Grade 6)
Kailun Zheng (Grade 11)
Runner-Up: Bruce Baddeley
Runner-Up: Toby Dean
Runner-Up: Caroline Hay
Congratulations to all the winners, and a huge thank you to everyone who participated and shared their beautiful photographs with the ISF community, I hope you enjoyed being part of the competition, and we look forward to doing it again later this year!
Urban
First Place: Ben Fugill
Hitchcock
FRANCOPHONIE
IBDP FRENCH B CLASS OF ‘27
This week, from March 17th to March 20th, 2026, world marks Francophonie Francophonie refers to the global community of about 321 million French speakers, spanning every continent. French serves as an official language in 26 countries through the Organization Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), plus 4 more with partial status, totaling 30 nations. It’s a cornerstone of diplomacy and business, and one of the six official languages of the united nations
The Organization Internationale de la Francophonie, founded in 1970, united 88 member states and governments to promote French Language, cultural diversity, peace, democracy, human rights, and sustainable development.
— Activities During Francophonie Week —
Our school dove into the spirit from March 16th to the 20th with fun activities celebrating French culture
French music playlists shared daily to immerse everyone in iconic tunes. Videos of Grade 11 French B students baking traditional recipes.
A mini booklet compiled with classic Francophone recipes for students and families in our ISF community to try at home
A lively Kahoot quiz on Francophone facts, countries, and culture. Friday snack-time reading of French poems in the Library by Baudelaire, Eluard, Senghor and Hugo. French games during Friday lunch in the library
Interviews with school students and teachers on whether they speak French and why it's important (review below)
These activities aimed to appreciate how accessible the French Language is, and how prevalent it is within our own ISF community with students, teachers, and parents sharing a piece of the culture and language.
Member states of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie
— Global Celebrations Around the World -
Francophonie festivities vary by country, often peaking on March 20th (International Francophone Day) but extending into weeks or even a month:
Luxembourg: Celebrates all of March with concerts, exhibitions, and multilingual events promoting its three official languages (French, German, Luxembourgish)
France: Focuses on March 20 with schools contest, protest, film screening, and official ceremonies and the Assemblee Nationale
Canada: Hosts the Franco-Fête festival with music performances, literary readings, and community parades.
Senegal: Features cultural fairs and dance shows.
Haiti: organized literary contents, art exhibits, and radio narrations
Commonly used words in Belgium are “le souper” (dîner) which means supper, and “il drache” (il pleut), which means it's raining (heavily).
— Fun French Phrases! —
“C’est pas la mer a boire”
Direct translation: “it’s not the sea to drink”
Meaning: It's not the end of the world
“Dormir à la belle étoile”
Direct translation: “to sleep to the pretty star” Meaning: To sleep outside
"Devenir chèvre"
Direct translation: “to become goat” Meaning: to get frustrated
“Avoir la pêche”
Direct translation: “to have the peach” Meaning: To be in high spirits
BALLETSHOES&POLKADOTS:ORIGIN
By ROMA ANTHONY '27
Roma is a junior who is interested in the fashion industry through her passion for arts During her free time, she enjoys making new memories with her friends and traveling to different cities
Over the years, the fashion statements that ultimately shape the industry as a whole along with the trends in society change constantly. Some have a one-hit wonder moment, only relevant for a certain period of time, being quickly forgotten and replaced by another micro trend Contrarily, other trends and statements prove their versatility, becoming popular time and time again. As 2026 has only recently started, there have been many micro trends in the past months, but none that have seemed to represent the year as a whole In the past year, there was an immense amount of engagement surrounding chicness. Not only the physical style but also the essence and atmosphere of it. Through this trend, prints such as polka dots have been popularized along with ballet flats as an accessory Both of these aspects have been around long before this most recent trend came about. By learning about the original purposes of polka dots and ballet flats, and the significance they hold culturally, allows us/society to develop wider understandings surrounding the deep meanings seemingly insignificant micro trends have and how they’ve influenced social norms over time.
Ever since their initial debut, ballet flats have always been considered a staple in the fashion industry and have recently become more popular through its exposure on social media to younger audiences. Prior to the 1700s, the art of ballet was always performed in heels until French ballerina, Marie Camargo, decided to wear flats during a performance, allowing her to dance with more intricate footwork/technique, causing other dancers globally to follow in her footsteps. The shoes became extremely popular when shoe repairer Salvatore Capezio opened a store across from Metropolitan Opera House, allowing the shoe to establish an image in the fashion industry as well. In the 1900s, Capezio finally developed an off-stage version of the shoe, causing it to gain even more popularity
Furthermore, the shoes constructed a name within the fashion industry through the help of Rose Repetto. During the 1950-60s, ballet shoes became increasingly popular among celebrities but unfortunately fell out of fashion until 2010s when the style of business casual dominated the fashion industry and market. In modern society, the shoes have begun to make a return through social media fashion trends that have promoted their versatility and practicality They are likely making a comeback due to recent trends piggy-backing off previous fashion styles and tweaking them to be more appealing for a modern audience. Therefore, communicating how ballet shoes as an accessory will remain a staple despite current trending fashion styles
Similarly to ballet flats, polka dot prints have been used consistently over time despite varying trends, developing an exciting and energetic image The pattern initially was introduced in the 1790s through the invention of the sewing machine which allowed for symmetrical circles to be implemented onto fabrics It was originally associated with a lack of hygiene and the plague due to the name originating from the Czech dance called Polka which was performed by peasants.
However, it soon became a leading trend in the following decade Between the 1840s and 1860s, the polka dance became incredibly influential, causing many items to be branded around it such as polka pudding, but polka pattern was the only name that truly remained relevant. The pattern continued to increase in popularity during the 1900s, especially with Disney character Minnie Mouse having a polka dot skirt as her staple item. Additionally, during this time period, many iconic figures were seen wearing items featuring the print which only established its place within the fashion industry and enhanced its popularity Evidently, polka dots quickly lost their reputation of uncleanliness and instead became a principal pattern used within the fashion industry. As of today, polka dots are often reflective of spring and summer months, incorporating a variety of colors and further illustrating how the pattern continues to remain relevant despite changing trends.
Both ballet flats and polka dots have established a significant place within the fashion industry, highlighting the versatility of the two trends through their presence in multiple eras with differing stylistic trends. Despite having specific cultural origins and meanings, they nevertheless have been able to develop an independent significance through contributions to the evolution of trends and the fashion industry overall. The two staples help us recognize the important role that simple, overlooked items have in the trends that are established through social media and over the years, emphasizing how micro trends may be interesting in the moment but fashion staples bring a sense of security and unity to an industry that lacks boundaries.
By NINA WIECZERZAK '29
Nina is a Polish student who loves writing and exploring the world through travel She enjoys playing tennis and listening to The Weeknd in her free time, always finding inspiration in music and new experiences
An American actor renowned for playing in films like Marley & Me (2008), Euphoria (2019), and Valentine’s Day (2010) passed away at the age of 53 on February 19th, 2026 Born in San Francisco, Eric Dane moved to Los Angeles to pursue a professional acting career. He is greatly recognised for his iconic, unforgettable role as Dr. Mark Sloan, also known as McSteamy, in the famous, awardwinning show 'Grey's Anatomy', which contributed significantly to his fame Married to Rebecca Gayheart in 2004, Eric Dane's first child, Billie
e on Shonda Rhimes s long-running series Grey s Anatomy, which evolved into a series regular role in Season 3 He ended up playing the character for the following seven seasons of the show “I think I had moments in my career where I was undeniably good. I wouldn’t say I was undeniably amazing, but I was undeniably good,” Dane said of his work as an actor in an episode of Famous Last Words, a show that premiered on Netflix after his death
13TUSKANTIMES
Dane became a champion for research and awareness following his announcement in April 2025 about his diagnosis with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, a degenerative neurological condition that progressively affects muscle function. Patients eventually lose the ability to speak, eat, walk, and breathe independently due to the degeneration of cells that control voluntary muscle movements. In September, he helped launch a three-year effort to raise over $1 billion in federal financing for ALS research He introduced himself as an actor, a parent, and “now a person living with ALS” in a promotional film, emphasising the importance of finally pushing toward ending this disease. By playing a firefighter who finds it difficult to accept assistance after receiving an ALS diagnosis in a November episode of the medical drama Brilliant Minds, he also used his talent to spread awareness Dane had a private chat with Famous Last Words in November 2025, where the actor discussed his legacy and life. Their one-hour interview, which was done knowing it would only be broadcast after his passing, delves deeply into a number of subjects about his highly successful on-screen career, his feelings about having ALS, and his love for his family, particularly his daughters Georgia and Billie.
Tributes from his Grey’s Anatomy co-stars came in after the devastating news of his passing When famous acting star Ellen Pompeo learned of his ALS diagnosis prior to his death, she immediately reached out, saying “As soon as I heard about his diagnosis, I texted him ‘I’m here if you want to speak’ And my phone rang 30 seconds later” Additionally, after learning of his death, Pompeo shared that “Since I heard about Eric’s passing, I haven’t been able to gather myself. I admired and respected him deeply… it shouldn’t have ended like this I am heartbroken” Reflecting on their time together on Grey’s Anatomy, she recalled their magnetic chemistry and how the cast became a family, with Eric being a source of love and support. She recalled his sense of humour on set and how he could make even the most difficult hours of filming more bearable In his memories of their relationship and rivalry on and off- screen, Patrick Dempsey, better known to fans as Derek Shepherd, called Dane “magnetic, kind, and endlessly dedicated to his craft.” Many similar opinions were expressed by other cast members, who claimed their best memories of him were not just about his skill, but also his friendliness and loyalty. He was more than simply McSteamy to many of them; he was a coworker who contributed to some of the most memorable and best scenes in
There is so much more to Eric Dane’s career than just his TV persona or nickname He will always be remembered by fans as the self-assured, endearing surgeon who gave Grey’s Anatomy its heart and charm. He was a devoted friend, a husband, and a father to his family and friends. And he became a real model of strength and standing up for others for many who were moved by his openness regarding ALS. Beyond just “McSteamy,” Eric Dane leaves a lasting legacy of courage, talent, and compassion. He is to be remembered as not just a nickname or a single role, but by who he truly was: a talented actor, a devoted family man, and someone who showed real strength at heart and expressed kindness with ease.
BADBUNNY
By Sofia Navarro ‘28
Sofia is a Mexican-American sophmore who writes about anything and everything. When she's not focused on school and writing she loves to spend time with her friends and family, shopping, and going out to eat.
“Debí tirar más fotos, de cuando te tuve,” is one of the most popular lyrics in one of the most popular songs by one of the most popular artists currently. The song is “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” by the one and only Bad Bunny! Bad Bunny was born on the 10th of March, 1994, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. His music genre is a blend of reggaeton and trap music, and he sings all his songs in Spanish. On the 5th of January, 2025, the album DtMf, which stands for debí tirar más fotos (I should've taken more photos), was released His fame skyrocketed after the release of the album DtMf and broadened his audience. “I should have appreciated more of the moments, the present; I should have appreciated more the people who were around me, the people who loved me," is what Bad Bunny told Jimmy Fallon while discussing the meaning of his album. The album spent four weeks at spot #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
On September 25th, 2025, it was announced that Bad Bunny would be the 60th Super Bowl halftime performer. The Super Bowl is the most popular annual sporting event in the United States of America. Although football is very interesting and fun to watch, we all know the best part is the halftime show Each year, they have a different artist headline the show, usually with one or more guest performers. As soon as it was announced, there was a lot of positive response from fans, but also quite a lot of backlash. Americans argued that football is an American sport that takes place only in the USA and the performer should be a citizen of the USA, not Puerto Rico. People also said that since he only sings in Spanish, it is very unAmerican, and he shouldn't perform. In addition to this, Bad Bunny is also very vocal about how Trump has been responding to immigration policies and that he disagrees with him very much, even saying, “Before I say thanks to God, I'm going to say ICE out,” at the 2025 Grammy Awards after winning an award.
Corey Lewandowski, who is the Department of Homeland Security adviser, said, “ It’s so shameful that they've decided to pick somebody who just seems to hate America so much to represent them at the halftime game” Even Donald Trump, who is the president of the United States of America, said things like "absolutely ridiculous.” with regards to the selection. He also claimed he “never heard” of Bad Bunny, even though he's one of the most popular figures currently Trump even announced he wouldn't be attending the Super Bowl because of Bad Bunny’s performances. In fact, Turning Point USA created a separate Super Bowl halftime show that aired simultaneously with Bad Bunny's performance They had multiple performers, yet only had 5 million views, while Bad Bunny had 128 2 million views. On Sunday, the 9th of February, the 2026 superbowl took place, and. Bad Bunny’s halftime show broke records. It's now the 4th most viewed Super Bowl performance in history, as 128 2 million people were watching it live on TV It currently has over 100 million views on YouTube, and all social media consumption set a record of 4 billion views just within the first 24 hours, and is a 137% increase compared to last year This includes fans, broadcaster partners, influencers, and more Bad Bunny’s performance lasted 14 minutes, with around 14 songs, 2 guest singers, many celebrities, and lots of hidden meanings.
Bad Bunny started his performance singing the song “ Tití Me Preguntó, “ dressed in all white Zara, with the number 64 on the back of his jersey
The stage was set up in a very meaningful and symbolic way: he didn't want the performance to be a political movement or protest against ICE; rather, he wanted to show and promote his culture and heritage.
He had many short moments of Puerto Rican culture through food stands of tacos, piraguas, coconuts and even had a nail stand We can deduce that this represents that the effect of the prevalence of poverty in many Latin countries has resulted in people having to hustle to achieve things and to gain money to support themselves and their family The boxing match added to the show further connects to Puerto Rico and Mexico, as it's a very important sport and even provides athletes with opportunities to showcase their national recognition. In fact, some of the best boxers in the world come from Latin countries There were also old men playing dominoes, which is a game that is very popular in Latin culture As Bad Bunny was walking past all of this, he was also going through what resembles sugar cane fields, which calls out Puerto Rico’s slave history, as well as its resources and labor When America invaded Puerto Rico in 1898, and the USA took over all control of Puerto Rico from Spain, the U.S corporation turned large agricultural areas and natural resources into places that grow sugar cane Although it generated profits for companies, it also limited economic diversification and left rural workers with low pay, which led to an increase in poverty.
At one point in the show, he also gave a Grammy to a little boy who was watching TV with his family. This represents himself when he was younger who always dreamed of having a Grammy one day Interestingly, there was also a real wedding that happened: The couple invited Bad Bunny to sing at their wedding but Bad Bunny decided to invite them to the Super Bowl as part of the performance He really made their wedding day one to remember After they were announced husband and wife, Lady Gaga started singing, “Die with a Smile.” She sang the song in a salsa style to make it fit the vibe and meaning of the performance She also had a live band in the back called Los Pleneros de la Cresta They’re a Puerto Rican band that was created in 2013. Bad Bunny also had many famous people who made guest appearances.
Some of these people include: Cardi B, Pedro Pascal, Karol G, Jessica Alba, Alix Earle, Ronald Acuña Jr, David Grutman and more They were all standing in la Casita (the small house), which represents what a typical Puerto Rican house looks like. It reflected family gatherings, music playing loudly, and house parties. Later in the performance, the popular Puerto Rican singer, Ricky Martin, who sings the song “ Viva La Vida “ , made a surprise performance. He sang the Bad Bunny song, “What Happened in Hawaii. ” which is about U.S colonialism, criticizing the U.S’ conquest ofHawaii and the manner in which they did it In the context of this performance, it relates to Puerto Rico's own political status and colonial history It drew a parallel between Hawaii and Puerto Rico as they are both island territories under the U.S control. One of the biggest hidden meanings in this whole performance was when Bad Bunny started singing “El Apagón” (the blackout), and had three people dancing on utility poles, symbolizing Puerto Rico’s ongoing power crisis and representing issues with their electrical grid, government management and privatization
My personal favorite part of the whole performance was at the end he had an American football in his hands and the words “ Together we are America ” were written on it. The only time he spoke in English the whole performance was when he said, “God bless America “ He then proceeded to walk off the field while naming every single country in South and North America, while the background dancers carried the flags of all countries. Through this, he proved that America consists of so many countries, not just the USA The quote, “ The only thing bigger than love is hate” was on the large screen for everyone to see With the world currently facing so many problems including immigration issues, wars, poverty, oppression, and more, this quote reminds us that although love is very powerful, hate is even more powerful, especially hate rooted in injustice, discrimination and oppression. This message aims to make the audience and viewers reflect on everything going on lately, reminding them that while hate can be loud and overwhelming, love and unity are necessary to challenge it Lastly he closed the performance with his hit song “Debi Tirar Más Fotos", while dancing with everyone else on stage.
OLYMPICS
By ALICE DI VINCENZO '29
Alice is a British-Italian Freshman who writes about a series of topics usually based on current world events. Outside of the Tuskan times she enjoys gymnastics and participates in MUN
FromhugeMilan indoorarenastosnowy
Cortinamountains,here's yourcompleteguidetothis year 'sWinterOlympic gameshostedhereinItaly.
The winter Olympics, which is held every four years, brings athletes together from all over the world to compete in sports played on snow or ice When you first think of the winter Olympics, the first events which come to mind for most people are skiing, snowboarding and ice skating… but beyond these familiar favourites, the winter Olympic games have 16 exciting sports which all showcase skill and strategy Some of the lesser known for events include: bob sledding, which may sound like childhood snow fun, but in the olympics is a serious and high speed technical game, involving precise and strategic technique; Luge, which involves sliding down a course using a sled as fast as possible; and Curling, often called “chess of ice” where groups of athletes slide granite stones towards a target called a “house”
Beyond the variety of sports, Milano Cortina 2026 stood out because of its standout performances, talented athletes, and defining moments that made this year's Olympics memorable Norway took the first place title in the amount of medals, (winning a whopping 41 medals in total, 18 being gold), followed by The United States in second place. But there were still record beating and unforgettable performances from all countries The women's figure skating champion, Alysa Liu, was the first American woman in 24 years to bring home a gold medal for the U.S.A. with her elegant and powerful performance on the rink. Eileen Gu finished her Olympic games with an impressive third run score of 94 75 to capture the women's freeski halfpipe gold medal, becoming the most decorated Olympic skier of all time. Chinese speed skater, Ning Zhongyan, set a new olympic record in the Men's 1500 meters, earning a gold medal and heightening his status as a talented skater by beating famous athletes like Jordan Stolz and Kjeld Another record was set by Johannes Klaebospeed, a Norwegian skier who won a total of 6 gold medals, becoming the first Winter Olympic athlete to win six gold medals at a single games, breaking the Olympic record! These remarkable performances and astonishing world records truly captured the spirit of the games and demonstrated the remarkable talent and dedication of all the athletes presented at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics
Beyond all of the medals and achievements, the Winter Olympic games once again proved the power of sport to unite nations. Whilst athletes competed raced competitively on ice and snow, the moments of sportsmanship and mutual respect for all countries competing reminded us that these games are not just about who won the most medals Competitors from “rival” countries were often seen congratulating each other and celebrating each other's achievements. In a world often divided by politics and conflict the 2026 Olympics offered a rare moment where the focus shifted to compassion and shared celebration through sport.
From the bright arenas of Milan to the snowy slopes of Cortina, the 2026 Olympics delivered unforgettable moments, countless medals brought home, inspiring Olympic records broken, while also showing the unity and passion which sports can bring. In the end, Italy's 2026 Olympics left us all with memories and meaning beyond just the competition
Only if you promise me that you will shine forever...
OLYMPICGAMESANDTHEIRWAYOF IMPACTINGFASHION
By EMMA ROSSI ‘29
We can choose to think of sports and fashion as two opposite worlds. But we can also choose to see them as a whole, as it has been portrayed during the Olympic Games in Milano-Cortina. 2026 Olympic Games were held in one of the world’s fashion capitals, Milan, where everything can turn a simple outfit into someone's best outfit The Games became not only a celebration of athletic excellence, but also a global runway of national identity and design. In the opening ceremony all the different countries were presented and wore some of the world's most famous fashion houses Brands like Lululemon, Armani, Moncler, Adidas and Ralph Lauren, all collaborated with countries to create their pieces for the opening ceremony. The Olympics are an event the world always waits for, and this year's winter Olympics became one that people will remember also thanks to the brands’ collaboration with this important event. In Milano-Cortina 2026, sport was not only about medals, it was also about identity, but about the power of fashion to represent a nation
No one ever expected such high-end fashion houses to participate in this sporting event, not only as supporters but as real creators and designers of the opening ceremony Brands like Armani and Moncler supported different teams in creating outfits that they would wear for the ceremony. Giorgio Armani represented Italy and Moncler represented Brazil. Giorgio Armani is one of the world's most well-known fashion houses Its elegance and pureness was highlighted also during the Olympic Games opening He was also chosen to represent Italy as he had been since 2012, he was still honoured due to the passing of the designer and creator of the brand Giorgio Armani, this past September The opening ceremony started with the world famous model Vittoria Ceretti bringing the Italian flag.
This year, for this occasion three groups of models walked down the runway of the opening night all put in three parallel rows and each row wearing one color to then create Italy's flag, green, white, and red Italy’s suits for the ceremony embodied perfectly what the brand is in itself: class and elegance all put into a suit The uniforms of the sports team were produced by EA7 which is the sports line created from the brand.
For these Olympics the brand has used clean palettes, including blue and white which is used to represent the dolomites and the snow. The kits also include big three dimensional embroidery on the back with writing of the ski suits that say the name of the country Also a part of the national anthem is embroidered inside of the polo shirts and the jackets to include an extra patriotic touch to the designs. As another high end brand that dressed a team at the Olympics we can see Moncler that created kits for the national team of Brazil Moncler is known for cold weather clothing, so they are always a certainty. Their use of precise tailoring and technical materials really shows the knowledge of the brand in this area They also used the colour white to represent the snow, they also used ivory as a color. The insides though were green to represent one of Brazil's colors.
Moncler also added the name of the nation at the back of the jackets to identify the country, also this was written in green, for the same reason as the interior The clothing is made to look voluminous also to represent snow covered mountains. This partnership marks Moncler’s comeback into representing a team at the Olympic games, since it hadn't done so since 1968
Other important brands that we are less used to probably seeing making custom sets are Lululemon, Adidas and Ralph Lauren. Although two out of three of the brands stated are already known for their sportive collections so it's easier for people to imagine them in this world All of these brands participated in the winter olympics joining one of the teams and designing their uniforms. Lululemon partnered with the national team of Canada, Adidas created pieces for Great Britain, and Ralph Lauren for the USA Lululemon is a rather new brand since it was originally created in the 2000s, but it's a brand that has grown in popularity easily thanks to their comfortable sportive clothing that many people seem to appreciate The brand decided to show the country's identity clearly, since they used the country's symbol (maple leaf) as the main statement. In fact they made the leaf oversized to show the pride of the nation. The brand also used the country’s landscape as inspiration for colors, since uniforms come in colors from a deep red to green, as said before the brand is already specialized on active wear, so their uniforms included thermoregulation technology and adaptive fits that gave comfort to all athletes. Furthermore adidas is also a specialized brand in active wear, and during these winter olympics they represented Great Britain.
The brand used the county's colors blue, red and white, and also used the Union Jack, the country's flag, to give even more identity to the team. The adidas team stated that they wanted the kits to be simple yet powerful to deeply embody the nation's character Lastly a brand that has been creating uniforms for the USA for 10 years, Ralph Lauren. This year the fashion house was mostly concentrated on showing the craftsmanship in their designs and creation for the team The opening ceremony ensemble consisted of a pair of tailored pants with a knit sweater depicting the american flag and a wool coat with wooden toggle buttons. The brand uses the United States flag’s colors for the uniforms to make it even more authentic, since the brand's goal is to tell a story through their style
In conclusion the 2026 Winter Olympics proved that sport and fashion can come together to create something more powerful. Hosted in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, the Games became more than just a celebration of athletic achievement, they became a showcase of identity and design thanks to collaborations with brands like Giorgio Armani, Moncler, Lululemon, Adidas, and Ralph Lauren, uniforms became symbols of national pride and storytelling. The Olympics showed that the games are not only about medals, but also about how a nation presents itself to the world
THECREAMOFTHECROP?UK’SSUPREME COURTSAYSOTHERWISE
By SOPHIE MARTIN ‘27
In a recent case that has churned up controversy across the food and drink industry, the UK Supreme Court has ultimately ruled against the Swedish lactose-free company, Oatly, impeding on their endeavour to register the trademark “Post Milk Generation " The court case of Dairy UK Ltd vs Oatly AB, based on whether or not the word “milk” can be used in a slogan for plant-based products, has violated UK trademark and food-labelling laws.
At the core of the dispute was an objection carried out by Dairy UK Ltd, which is the trade coalition that represents the British dairy producers. Dairy UK contended that the term “milk” is legally safeguarded under retained EU Regulation 1308/2013, which caches the designation for products obtained from mammals Coinciding with the Supreme Court’s summary, the regulation remains implemented under UK law after Brexit and limits the commercial use of terms in relation to dairy products in specific circumstances. Oatly, who was popularised from their striking and usually provocative marketing, claimed that “Post Milk Generation” was obviously a cultural phrase and not a literal description of their products. Oatly remained steadfast in the point that the slogan did not deceive consumers into believing that their oat-based beverages were indeed dairy products
Rather, they emphasised it was a monumental shift towards more plant-based options Despite this, the Supreme Court took a more serious perspective. In their judgement, the Court maintained that the word “milk” stays within a shielded designation and that its addition in an official trademark of lactosefree goods would conflict with food-labelling regulations. The justices decided that even if it were to be used in a broader phrase, the word would still instigate that protected category. Additionally, the Court vacated Oatly' s claim that the given phrase was suitable under a restricted exception permitting expressive uses. Furthermore, the judges contended that, “Post Milk Generation,” worked as advertising instead of a direct portrayal such as “milk-free ” Essentially, the Supreme Court was reluctant to water down the defense afforded to dairy appellations. Hence, the trademark was pronounced to be illegitimate in the UK. This judgement has broad ramifications for the exponentially growing plant-based segment As of today, grocery store shelves house various oat, almond, soy, etc. beverages that are adequate alternatives to conventional dairy products. A wide range of brands have to depend on dairy-related vocabulary to set themselves against milk and other products Once this decision has been made, companies will likely have to start considering the limit at which they can go without perpetrating any regulatory boundaries.
For dairy producers, the judgement is a major success Safeguard on food names, they claim, are present in order to avoid consumer confusion and to guarantee there is fair competition between companies. From the dairy producers viewpoint, this outcome assures that specific terms and phrases cannot be used carelessly for marketing purposes
In contrast, for the plant-based brands, this case may leave a sour effect on a prospering market, yet in such legal denotations of this scale, these companies are unable to simply “cry over spilled milk.” The identity of many companies, especially Oatly, rely heavily on their creative branding and marketing, because it allows them to question prevailing norms and promote sustainability Even though the judgement applies directly to the trademarking in the UK, it promotes a clear message in regards to the legal limitations that encircling the protected food language.
In places far beyond the courtroom, the Dairy UK Ltd vs Oatly AB case mirrors a wider societal change. Consumer preferences are rapidly changing from trends, dietary restrictions, environmental regards, and health awareness.
As various alternative products continue to become more favourable, the tension between more traditional sectors and modern food inventors continues to grow. The decision made by the Supreme Court reinforces how tedious it is to maintain steadiness between commercial liberty and parliamentary transparency
In conclusion, this case reaches far beyond a dispute over a slogan, rather, it emphasises how terminology, marketing, and law perpetuate in influencing contemporary markets As various companies attempt to proceed down this everlasting path, one aspect will always remain clear, and that is that when it comes to protected food terms, the courts are never prone to skim over the details
BIOHACKINGSOCIETY:IMPACTON
SOCIETYANDETHICALCONSIDERATIONS
By EMILY RUHS ‘27
How could bio-hacking impact society, and what regulations or guidelines should be put in place to ensure it is practiced safely and ethically?
Bio-hacking is a broad canopy term which refers to the practice of editing human biology via life-style changes and experiments, as well as by scientific and technological intervention The stated goal of bio-hacking, by those who advocate and conduct it, is to optimize human performance and enhance human capacities beyond their natural limits. The various types of bio-hacking range from those largely deemed acceptable and reasonable, to highly experimental and futuristic; the latter delve into the fields of biotechnology, gene editing, and cybernetics, which fuel a notion of transhumanism that opens up endless possibilities for dangerous, rampant, and highly treacherous advancements
As bio-hacking is a multilayered concept, entailing various degrees of severity, the extent to which it poses major ethical concerns and threats to society is dependent on the specific degree and type of bio-hacking being discussed. Hence, this essay will focus on ‘major’ bio-hacking which goes beyond minor life-style adaptations, and discuss the extent to which this phenomenon undermines and poses a threat to human liberty and autonomy. (Langmaid; Marks)
The most concerning subfields of bio-hacking explore the integration of non-human/abiotic parts into human bodies, genetic editing, and hormone manipulation. These practices are highly experimental as they often use cutting-edge medical advancements on the fringe of human technology
Nevertheless, clinical trials involving the insertion of microchips into human brains in order to combat paralysis are already underway (Neuralink) A key question and concern is to what extent the use of this new technology, which has often been evolving with good intent, can be regulated and controlled in order to avoid malpractice?
For example, as Harari discusses in Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow, experiments to control the physical movement of rats by stimulating certain neurons in their brains have already raised ethical concerns Harari points out how such experiments violate the autonomy of rats and cautions that the extension of similar bio-hacking to humans presents a threat to the liberal democratic order (Harari).
While new practices and technologies of biohacking come with new challenges, the concerns about their effects on individual and societal liberties are old. The concept that bio-hacking might infringe on liberty is heavily reflected in Michel Foucault’s introduction of the theory of ‘biopower’ (developed in the mid 1970s) Foucault discusses how modern sovereign states are expanding the ways in which they exercise power, not only through traditional coercion in the form of laws backed by sanctions, but also by strategically using new demographic data to influence population behaviour The use of such data (for example data on fertility rates) enhances the capacity of states to pursue certain policy objectives and to alter the outcomes of politics, including electoral processes - an approach which Foucault terms ‘biopolitics’ Viewed through this lens, it is clear that bio-hacking may extend state control over individuals to new levels, by increasing the potential for data collection and its applications in directly manipulating human behaviour. (Means; Taylor)
Utilizing bio-hacking to coerce human behaviour constitutes a significant breach of human liberty, autonomy and discretion According to Jack Donnelly, who has extensively written on human rights, individual liberty can only be guaranteed if human rights are protected (Donnelly)
Furthermore, there is insufficient evidence to ensure that bio-hacking will not be institutionalised and utilized in such a manner that it becomes a tool for execution of biopower and control of populations.
It would, therefore, be highly irresponsible to allow for the unchecked advancement of bio-hacking without first considering the significant risks and potential adverse global implications for liberty and autonomy as well as broader society. In order to address these risks and potential dangers, strong regulations and frameworks which protect individuals from high-risk experimentation and unwanted interference with their autonomy are necessary. There is an urgent need to raise greater public awareness of the potential dangers involved Individuals need to be informed about the relevant risks and their personal data needs to be contractually protected. Institutions that offer biohacking procedures need to be registered and regulated. It would be desirable to develop global ethics guidelines and regulations in this field To this end, it may be helpful to convene a panel of medical and human rights experts, from all around the world, to discuss and agree a set of international guidelines that will be acceptable and implementable across countries While reaching such a consensus may not be easy due to different cultures and attitudes across countries, it is necessary because of the global nature of the issue.
In conclusion, the explicit goal of bio-hacking is to transcend natural human capacities and improve quality of life for the global population. Some types of bio-hacking are clearly based on good intentions, and there may be practices that, under certain conditions, might lead to improvements in individuals’ health and well-being
At the same time, as Foucault already anticipated half a century ago, there are also many ways in which bio-hacking could violate individuals’ rights and liberty, posing significant threats to society and the liberal world order. Without proper regulation, bio-hacking technologies could be used or ‘weaponised’ for unethical purposes. The need for action is urgent, due to the rapidly evolving advancements of these technologies
By ESME ALONGI ‘27
Esme is a junior who writes about a variety of progressive and linguistic subjects Outside of the publication, she enjoys crochet and figurative ceramics
Today, suicide occurs more commonly than the passing of a minute (World Health Organization). Improving mental health worldwide is a complicated topic, and one condition that has yet to be effectively integrated into public policy is gender dysphoria, a psychological condition (as outlined in the DSM-5) in which a person’s gender identity does not align with their assigned sex. This discrepancy causes “significant distress,” which in practice can involve serious issues like “selfhatred, depression, and even self-harm” (Davy and Toze; Mangin). Those with gender dysphoria are typically transgender or genderqueer. These children are more susceptible to suicidal ideation, and therefore potentially more at risk, but also more receptive to affirmation (World Health Organization). For youth, educational institutions are particularly pertinent locations as they spend almost a third of each weekday there, so the question of how schools can best support trans children in gendered spaces is a relevant one Currently, school policies do not bestow suitable access to these spaces and thereby harm trans students. Ideally, policy reform in these locations would positively affect social norms surrounding and the mental health of trans people
Before understanding the faults in our current system, it should be noted that there has been significant social progress made for genderqueer people The 2013 change in the DSM-5’s label of transgenderism played a large role in this progress Before 2013, the label was “Gender Identity Disorder,” which pathologized being transgender afterwards, the label was “gender dysphoria,” an improvement because the Manual recommended that anyone experiencing it should receive “support to lessen their feelings of anxiety and isolation” rather than be treated as having a disorder (Arenas et al.).
Because of President Trump’s policies, however, trans rights laws have regressed The politicallydriven polarization of this issue Trump’s
supporters alone have spent millions of dollars on anti-trans election ads has led to divisive debate over how to best protect children (Alfonseca and Kim) One of the most heated areas of this debate surrounds gender-split spaces The common issue with these spaces for genderqueer students is that an explicitly binary situation, where students are denied access to their self-identified gender’s space, can lead to feeling unsafe at school and worsening dysphoria Two spaces at the center of this controversy are gender-split sports and bathrooms.
Regarding sports, the main disagreement centers around whether trans children, especially trans girls, should be allowed to play on teams corresponding to their gender Many people worry cisgender girls might be denied opportunities or even be put in an unsafe position by having a trans student on their team after all, “boys constitute more of a risk to girls because they are generally stronger, larger and heavier” as claims the UK Department for Education. Therefore, any trans girl would inherently perform better than any cis girl, stealing athletic scholarships and risking cis girls’ physical safety However, there have been no statistically significant studies that verify the idea that trans women would have an unfair advantage; a report from the National Library of Medicine claims an individual’s sex “does not determine their success…at any athletic event” and that any sexbased differences would be significantly minimized, if not “erased,” by gender-affirming hormone treatment (Oberlin). Moreover, the report mentions that there is significant variance in stature and ability within cisgender students; some cis girls will be “stronger, larger or heavier” than others and yet they are still allowed to play on the same team (Oberlin) Conversely, it should be obvious that some trans children are unskilled at sports, just as some cis children are. The purpose of participating in sports goes beyond winning sports are equally a means of community-building, something trans children often need more than
most. No research shows that trans children have a particular advantage over cis children, especially after receiving gender-affirming hormone therapy, but research does show that sports participation is important for them Therefore, when a sports team is split by gender, policy should support trans athletes in playing for their chosen team.
Bathroom policy is even more charged than sports. Some assert that transgender students could violate girls’ safety in bathrooms This fear informs US policy; nearly half of all states ban trans K-12 students from using their preferred restroom (Movement Advancement Project). The fear comes from the inherently transphobic idea that trans women are secretly nefarious men who want easier access to women’s bodies and spaces (Arenas et al.). As with cis girls’ safety in sports, there is a lack of research supporting the idea that trans girls would make bathrooms less safe (Arenas et al ) In fact, lack of access to appropriate restrooms for trans people can actually harm them, both by worsening gender dysphoria and also on a physical level—trans students can face harassment from peers and might even avoid using school restrooms altogether (Arenas et al.). Moreover, the fear that trans girls would violate female spaces by exposing themselves or harassing students misunderstands and misrepresents the trans perspective. Trans girls in restrooms “want to be girls, not boys, and are therefore unlikely to want to expose their male genitalia to other girls” (Arenas et al ) There is, therefore, no justification to disproportionately ascribe lurid intent to trans girls. As with sports, bathroom policy should allow suitable access, as current policy psychologically harms transgender students without providing any benefit for cisgender people
Trans children are a small but deeply relevant group in mental health discourse. While there has been a recent spike in the polarization and extremification of trans youths’ rights, educational institutions’ policies have been improving Still, it is
important to ensure that this progress continues so that trans children can be comfortable and free to live happily and successfully. Policies which disallow trans children to participate with other students of their own gender are not only incongruent with scientific research, but deeply psychologically harmful to trans students. Therefore, trans students must be allowed to participate with their corresponding cisgender group so they may achieve the true psychological progress of feeling safe and happy, and all selfimprovement and positivity that results from it. Trans children, like all children, deserve to feel accepted and protected by policy we have yet to see how society might improve once this group receives that security
BRIDGERTON:NEWSEASON,SAMEFLAWS
By WILLOW WYATT ‘27
Willow is an Italian-American junior who is most interested in writing about history, fashion, linguistics, and media. Outside of Tuskan Times she participates in Model UN and Environmental club as well as many historical hobbies.
Dearest Gentle Readers,
We have at last been graced with another installment in the increasingly popular Bridgerton franchise. This season continues the progress through the numerous Bridgerton children, following the trials and tribulations of the prodigal son, Benedict His primary love interest an illegitimate daughter-turned-maid named Sophie.
Along with the main storyline, we also explore Violet’s return to love after years of widowhood Her daughter Francesca also experiences a great shock and learns to create new relationships. In addition, Queen Charlotte (whose wigs and costumes grow ever campier) must grow and learn an alien concept to herself: letting go
To begin this critique one must first analyze the premise (spoiler warnings are in order). The poor treatment of illegitimate children is quite accurate to the era and the demotion of Sophie to the rank of a maid renders the Cinderella parallels unmistakeable One major gripe I had with this actuality, though, is how diminished working-class characters are; it was said that Sophie, despite having lived as a lord’s daughter for the majority of her life, could do the work of four maids Indeed, when she was forcibly removed from her post in her abusive step-mother’s household, her absence started the “Maid Wars” in which domestic staff were in high demand to fill her void. One can understand how the writers wanted to make her stand out as a special character due to her abilities However,
“it comes across as entirely unrealistic and classist.”
This story could have been told myriad other ways without relying on that which has already been portrayed to a dizzying extent. Are the writers just lazy, or have they found a commercially successful formula to exploit ad nauseam?
As stated above, Benedict Bridgerton first takes notice of Sophie at a ball (to which she was not allowed to go), that just so happened to be a masked one. Thus, part of her face was covered. This fact is used to explain why Benedict could not realize, despite many meetings and ample time together, that Sophie is the one with whom he danced. His baffling selective blindness is so frustrating and humorous that netizens have been creating memes and videos drawing glasses onto Benedict, since he is not making an utterly evident connection
This leads to another extraordinarily frustrating point regarding the premise: the dreaded miscommunication trope. The two protagonists, especially Sophie, constantly withhold information from one another, even when it may obviously benefit them; this is most damning with Sophie as she is characterized as intelligent, clever, and even cunning. It is not well written or justified miscommunication, rather, it is miscommunication for the sake of stretching a mostly vapid plot over eight hours and two parts.
Regarding costumes, they are certainly eyecatching Resembling actual regency fashion less and less, they now merely use an empire waistline and floor length silhouette as a starting point to express their creativity. I would argue this is not done effectively with the exception of Cressida and the Queen whose vestments have become so absurd as to enter the realm of camp
The least realistic and most disingenuous costume choices were those of the maid’s costumes, especially the silk chiffon aprons daintily laying upon their skirts; yet another insult to the labour and responsibilities of working-class characters
Although my review has been quite scathing so far, I don’t want to give the impression that this beloved show has no merit at all; to be sure, it can be wildly entertaining and make some nuanced points about society and individual characters While I wouldn’t recommend the acquisition of the Netflix subscription only to watch Bridgerton, if you are already in possession of one, I would encourage you to engage critically with the medium, and find the merits yourself
BOOKREVIEW:MEMOIRSOFAGEISHA
By ALLEGRA DIFLORIO ‘27
Allegra is an Italian-American junior who loves to write book reviews. Other than writing for the Tuskan Times, Allegra can be found playing volleyball or hanging out with her cat, Juni.
With the new edition of the Tuskan Times comes a new book review… and this time it's about Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden. Interestingly, I first picked up this book from the bookshelf at my grandmom’s house and quickly discovered that my mom gifted this book to my aunt, her younger sister, in 1999, when my aunt was 16. So not only is there a note from my mom written in the front cover, dated to 1999, but there are also little notes that my aunt wrote in 2000, talking about her boyfriend at the time (Nick) and her travels from L.A. to Florence. It brought me so much joy to discover that this book has been in my family for so long and that I am reading it at the same age my aunt was when she read it
Written by Arthur Golden in 1997, Memoirs of a Geisha is Golden’s most famous work and was written based off of interviews with former geisha Mineko Iwasaki
Golden was born in Tennessee and went to Harvard University for art history, eventually receiving a degree in Japanese art. He then went to study at Columbia University, where he earned an M A in Japanese history and simultaneously learned Mandarin. After spending a summer at Beijing University as a part of his intensive asian culture studies, he moved on to work in Tokyo for an english language magazine and it was there that he researched the Geisha culture After returning to the US, he got his M A in English from Boston University and eventually finished Memoirs of a Geisha, which was eventually adapted into a movie in 2005. Golden currently lives in Brookline, Massachusetts with his family (Golden)
Memoirs of a Geisha tells the story of nine year old Chiyo as she is sold by her father into the entertainment district of Kyoto from her home in a poor fishing village, after her mother’s death Chiyo is brought to what is essentially a boarding house for Geishas, where she works as a maid until commencing her training as a Geisha.
First of all, what a compelling story - Sayuri goes from being a maid, practically a slave to then becoming one of the most celebrated Geishas in Japan The fact that it is narrated in first person is absolutely enthralling and really connects the reader to the characters.
I have learned so much about Japanese culture and Geisha culture, more specifically, and if it weren’t for the novel, I would have never been exposed to such interesting information The concept of a Geisha being owned by her ‘danna’ (or patron/sometimes romantic partner) and the idea of little girls being sold into this line of work is still a little hard to accept for me, especially as a woman and feminist at that. However, the novel is very reflective and open about discussing such topics
Overall, I have to say that I could not put Memoirs of a Geisha down. Not only is it entertaining, but also so informative and genuinely interesting. I am surprised that I hadn’t read it sooner, to be honest Therefore, I would definitely recommend this novel to anyone and everyone Happy reading!
WHYMANCHESTERUNITEDISTHEBEST TEAMINTHEWORLD
By ZEPHYR BAJAJ ‘31
General Scipio changed the entire fate of Rome with only 6,00 men and a whole lot of resilience. After being crushed by Hannibal at Cannae, Rome refused to surrender While Hannibal was stuck in Italy without enough reinforcements, General Scipiot took the fight to Spain to cut off Carthage’s silver and supplies. Finally, Scipio invaded Africa, forcing Hannibal to leave Italy to defend his home. At the Battle of Zama, Scipio used superior cavalry and clever gaps in his infantry lines to neutralize Hannibal’s elephants, delivering the knockout blow that turned Rome into the dominant power of the Mediterranean. Similarly, Micheal Carrick changed the fate of Manchester United.
The Manchester United tactical formation has shifted significantly Previously, their 3-4-3 (or 34-2-1) produced questionable results For example Bruno Fernandes played as a deep central midfielder, a position where he was not allowed to dribble the ball and move freely. On the other hand, Micheal Carrick has him playing as a central attacking midfielder, a position where he is allowed to express himself and thrive with the ball Thus far, playing as a Central Attacking Midfielder Bruno has already shown that he belongs in the position scoring one goal and assisting 14 in only 17 matches He has created 53 chances in the final third under Carrick opposed to where he had 78 chances in 42 games under Amorim. Furthermore, players like Manioo or Casemiro who play as double pivots have improved enormously. Because, like Fernandes they play in positions they thrive in
Securing wins against big teams is crucial. Manchester United beat Arsenal who have been thriving in European championships and are currently first in the Premier League Additionally, Manchester United thrashed Manchester City in the Manchester derby creating chaos around the world. Afterwards, Manchester United flourished. Players such as Harry Maguire commented, “Carrick has galvanized the team
” Moreover, the fans commented, “In Carrick we trust,” and “It’s like watching prime United again.”
The intensity and aggression Manchester United play with is breathtaking Defensive players notably including Luke Shaw, Martinez (Licha) and Harry Maguire put their bodies on the line. For instance when Harry Maguire ran the whole pitch and slide tackled Barry to make a crucial block against Everton in the 79’ minute Additionally, goals conceded every match has reduced from 1.9 percent to 0.9 percent, showing that Micheal Caricks tactical formation of 4 behind is working.
In conclusion, Manchester United has improved greatly in a short period of time and is indisputably the best team in the world
CADILLAC;THEAMERICANDREAM
By MILENA FABBRI ‘29
Milena is an Italian-Canadian freshman who loves writing about sports and global excellence. In her downtime, she enjoys playing volleyball, listening to music, reading, and traveling!
For the first time in 10 years, the Formula 1 grid is growing. In 2026, the eleventh team is joining the grid: Cadillac Formula 1 Team. This means 2 more drivers, 2 more cars, and 22 spots on the starting grid This also represents a massive manufacturing boost to the sport, as America’s largest automobile manufacturer, General Motors is finally onboard. How might this impact the sport?
The team takes over from the existing Andretti Global entry after a multi-year battle with the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the governing body of F1 which decides the rules and safety regulations, finally granted the license to the team last October. Whilst most new entrants in the sport take over old team husks, factory, and all, Cadillac starts completely fresh Cadillac F1 will design and manufacture their own chassis (the car’s base frame) while using a Ferrari engine, but starting in 2029, they will produce their own power unit
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff argued that the €387 “does not make up for the direct loss in income”, and that the predicted amount of money in the fund would be too low to rightly compensate all teams. So, in this case, Liberty Media is taking a risky gamble by assuming that Cadillac will make F1 more profit than they “take” from the pot – but since this is their first season in the sport, it is highly unlikely Simultaneously, they bring in the American public and more primarily, American sponsors. But in 2029, when Cadillac starts manufacturing their own engine, it's expected for the team to excel This is because when a team manufactures their own chassis and power unit, they are able to build both around each other, and this integrated car performs much better.
Ultimately, Cadillac F1 Team is a well funded team, with resources, sponsors, and highly experienced drivers They have potential to be a midfield team in their first season, and may still top teams like Aston Martin and Alpine. Their real potential shines however in the longterm, with General Motors vast resources, veteran driver feedback, and their 2029 engine, Cadillac could become a genuine podium contender by 2030
ARTWORK: RICHARD HU (GRADE 8)
RULENUMBER9
By MILA APPLEBAUM
'30
Yesterday started as any other normal day: Arty (the house bot) woke me up at 7 a.m. Breakfast was on the table by 7:15 and eaten by 7:30. After brushing my teeth, my sister and I made our way to the big screen to listen to the daily announcements Nothing special The same government-imposed message played on the screen:
“Rule number 9: everyone is to partake in The Council’s weekly assemblies, which shall not be missed unless an unlikely drastic situation takes place.”
Eight o'clock, and it’s time to go to school. I had no idea that by 2:32 p m that same day, I would be unable to see my sister ever again
Today started exactly the same: same breakfast, same outfit, same routine. But instead of morning chitchat and giggles bouncing off the walls, silence filled the room Eight o’ five, and just like always, I met my best friend Everest to walk to school.
“So, how are you?” she asks me.
“Mad ”
“Mad?”
“It’s not real. I know that she didn’t leave. She promised me that if we were to leave, she would not leave me behind ”
Evie didn’t seem convinced. “So what do you think happened?”
I closed my eyes for a minute Maybe all that talk about rebelling caught on to the government Maybe all her thoughts about ‘perfect equality’ got out. I always assumed that our walks to school were unmonitored, that we were free to speak. But I guess not
My mind has sort of been blank the whole day, but I still feel anger building up And when it’s time to go home, all the feelings I was bottling up explode
I launch myself at the guards who roam the country to ‘protect us,’ but everyone knows they’re spies
“How dare you! All of you?!” I shout, with tears streaming down my cheeks. “All of this is a lie. This country, all of us, we’re being lied to! You need to stop controlling us! Some of us might be too brainwashed or scared to stand up to the government, but my sister wasn’t and now she’s being punished. Equity and justice are fundamental aspects of a well-built society, but not like this! You’re programming humans to all act perfect, but perfection shouldn’t be enforced!”
Screaming, crying, kicking; I’ve now lost control of what I’m saying. I feel numerous sets of hands grab onto me, and before I can finish screeching, everything goes dark. Dark, black, silence.
“Ow,” I say out loud I don’t comprehend where I am, but I can comprehend the throbbing in my head. And the pain in my arm, probably from a sedating mixture. There’s a person sitting in front of me Behind a glass door, but in front of me I’m struggling to make out who it is, but something about her warm, gentle smile clears my vision.
“Isa!” I exclaim with a slight tone of surprise.
“Hi, Luna ”
“What happened? I thought you got taken away.”
“I got chosen to partake in a special program in Asia; I was so excited that I stayed the night at school to plan for it ”
“What? You’re leaving me? But you promised!”
“I know I’ll miss you a lot, but this is a great opportunity.”
My eyes tear up as I stare into hers… but they’re not her eyes I look closer and notice a slight shine at all four corners of her head It’s a hologram It’s an AI hologram
I stand up to leave, but not before turning to the guards that block the side doors.
“You guys got her eyes wrong Hers are bigger, and the shade of green is off.”
Now I start fueling up again. “If you’re going to lie, then at least get her eyes right!”
I can tell I’m about to cause a scene, but apparently so can they. A loud alarm blares with red, throbbing lights. I try to run, but there’s nowhere to go.
“BANG!”
A cold, hard hit to the head. And once again, I’m brought into pitch black. Dark, black, silence.
THECHOKEHOLDOFMYBREATH
By Valentina Marin ‘27
Valentina is a Chinese-Australian-Italian who loves creative writing and is interested in Literature and History. In her free time she loves journaling, listening to music, and watching movies.
Breathe. Inhale. Exhale
Think…
5 Things I can see,
4 Things I can touch,
3 Things I can hear,
2 Things I can smell,
1 Thing I can taste.
Remind myself that it is not the end of the world if I don’t have time to finish this assignment
“It is not the end of the world if you fail this test” they say.
Then why does it feel like the walls are tumbling down and my heart is racing faster and faster that it physically burns?
Why is there a buzzing in my head that will not quiet down no matter how hard I try?
Waking up every day and feeling this over, and over again
Every minute of the day there is always something to worry about.
The uncompleted Math assignment that was due weeks ago,
The Science test coming up on Monday
The Geography test, also on Monday
The language verbs that I was supposed to know by heart since the beginning of sixth grade.
“Stress?!”
“This isn’t stress You do not know what stress is ” they tell me as the list adds up of things that need to be completed by tomorrow.
Endless tasks that never let me take a breath. So much to catch up on and so little time.
I do not remember the last time I did something for myself.
If not for my Maths teacher, My Science teacher, My Geography teacher, My language teacher. If not for my parents. When do I have time to do something for me?
Breathe
Inhale.
Exhale
I can see the grey sky above me. I can feel my hair tangled in a knot. I can hear the beat of my heart pounding against my chest
I can smell the perfume on my wrist that calms me down.
I can taste the saltiness of my tears that rest upon my lips.
I have to remind myself that the world is not ending I am safe here on my bathroom floor.
Accept this moment but know that it will not be forever
There will be brighter moments where the sky will be clear,
Where I will be able to feel the warmth of the sun on my skin,
Hear the songs that come from the birds, Smell the fresh green grass, And where I will be able to taste my cherry red lipstick,
Where I will smile once again.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF RETURNING FASHION STATEMENTS AND TRENDS
