The Parker Weekly, Page 1
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The Parker Weekly Congratulations Class of 2021!!
Volume CX, Issue 11
TWO EAGLES SOAR TO RAVENSCROFT
THE STUDENT BODY HAS CHOSEN Results of the 2021 Student Government Election
Justin Brandon and Angela Miklavcic Brandon To Leave Parker By Tess Wayland
H
ead of Upper School Justin Brandon and Science Department Co-Chair and seventh grade science teacher Angela Miklavcic Brandon will respectively be the Assistant Head of Academic Affairs and the new Assistant Head of Upper School at Ravenscroft School. Their departures were announced to the school community December 15, 2020 and are effective as of July 1, 2021. Ravenscroft is a pre-K-to-12 independent day school that describes their mission as “guided by our legacy of excellence, nurtures individual potential and prepares students to thrive in a complex and interdependent world” on their website. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, Ravenscroft serves a student body of 1200 with an 100-acre campus. Brandon began as Upper School Head in 2017, taking over from Interim Head Ruth Jurgensen, while Miklavcic began after Upper School Science Teacher Kara Schupp moved from the Middle School. As the Assistant Head of Academic Affairs, Brandon will oversee department chairs, the accreditation process, and holistic review of the school’s academic programming. He will also work closely with their Head of School to oversee the school’s institutional vision along with running day-to-day operations in their absence. Ravenscroft reached out to Brandon in October 2020 when their search to fill the position began. Miklavcic began her search process in December, after Brandon was named. Brandon noted that he was not independently searching before he was approached by the school. “It was nice to be noticed for the work I’ve done in my career and have someone reach out to me,” Brandon said. In his community-wide email, Principal
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June 10, 2021
Francis W. Parker’s COVID-19 Clinic. Photo courtesy of Francis W. Parker.
PROGRESSIVELY FIGHTING THE PANDEMIC Parker Opens 3-day Vaccine Clinic
W
By Max Keller
hen the Food and Drug Administration first approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccination in mid-December 2020, parents with children under 16 were left to wonder whether there was any vaccine in the future for their children. As worried parents searched for their own vaccine appointments, Pfizer continued trials and announced, on March 31, 2021, that trials for 12-15 year olds were complete with a 100% protection from severe cases of the coronavirus. With the April 12, 2021 request to expand the emergency use authorization, the end of the wait for an adolescent coronavirus vaccine was in sight. On May 10, 2021, the FDA announced that the Pfizer vaccine would be approved for adolescents 12-15 years old. Two days after this announcement, and immediately following the approval of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Parker parents received an email announcing a partnership with Instavaxx to offer a three day coronavirus vaccine clinic beginning on May 14, 2021. The first day of the clinic was open to Parker students only, with the following two days open to all Chicagoans between the ages of 12-18. This vaccine clinic was not the first time Parker took an active role in obtaining vaccination for members of the school community. Following the initial vaccine approval, Parker partnered with a different vaccine provider to obtain vaccinations for faculty and staff as soon as available in the
vaccination priority schedule. As professors from Harvard Medical School have stated that vaccination is the best path back to a pre-pandemic life, Parker was eager to find new opportunities to help vaccinate Americans in need of a shot. “Throughout the pandemic the administration and the school’s group of medical advisors have thought about how Parker could help provide vaccines when they were available,” said Parker Principal Dr. Daniel Frank. With the goal of helping to end the pandemic through vaccination, Parker’s vaccine clinic provided 692 vaccinations over the three days of the clinic. Parker was not the only independent school that wanted to make it easy for students to roll up their sleeves for vaccination. On May 5, 2021, in anticipation for the FDA’s approval, one week before Parker’s announcement, the Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School announced a onetime planned vaccine clinic for Bernard Zell students only. While it might have been less complicated to offer vaccine to only Parker students, Parker is about “citizenship and leadership in the community--that is why we took a community rather than a “Parker only” approach, which was easy to do as these values resonated with so many people that we had a great outpouring of volunteers to help at the clinic throughout the weekend,” explained Frank. In staying true to the mission, Parker took the responsibility to meaningfully participate in our society by opening the vaccine clinic to the broader community.
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T
By Sofia Brown
his past April, students’ Instagram accounts flooded with follow requests from Student Government candidates eager to share their ideas through an online platform. The posters that once lined the walls during election season were scarce, and the familiar hallway banter now transitioned to the Zoom chat box. In addition to the new style of online campaigning, familiar election events such as Democrafest, committee debates, and voting itself were also conducted through a virtual setting. “I definitely think that the digital format made a great positive impact in terms of spreading people’s ideas and getting people to know their candidates on a more personal level and learn about their platforms,” junior and Student Government Media Manager Mia Bronstein said. Voting via a Google Form took place throughout the school day on May 17 with the results being announced just hours later. Six out of the 20 committee-head positions faced a run-off election the next day. After the May 18 runoffs, Eli Moog, a rising senior, was elected Student Government president for the 2021-22 school year. A majority of the elected committee positions went to current sophomores and juniors. Different committees have different bylaws stating the maximum number of heads able to run. While most ran this year with either one or four students, the elected Social Committee under the acronym, “CRIME,” was one of the ones with five heads in a group. “We’re super excited to organize the events that we missed out on last year,” Junior Evan Ehrhart, the “E” in CRIME said. “We’ll do our best to give everyone an enjoyable social experience at post-COVID Parker.” While many committees were highly contested such as the Environmental Committee which had four groups in the running, other candidates ran unopposed. Junior Alex Carlin was one of those students. She ran for Treasurer, the position in charge
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The Parker Weekly, Page 2
T he P arker W eekly
“The Weekly” is supported by an endowment created in memory of Brad Davis ‘98 “Weekly” Staff ‘96-’98, “Weekly” Editor-in-Chief ‘97-’98
Visit us at parkerweekly.org
In this issue:
staff
Editor-in-Chief Editor-in-Chief Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Online Editor News Editor Features Editor Opinions Editor Photo Editor Political Liaison Culture Critic Culture Critic Columnist Columnist Columnist Columnist Cartoonist Copy Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor
Zach Joseph Julia Marks Nick Skok Tess Wayland Jacob Boxerman Emma Manley Sofia Brown Gabe Wrubel Grace Conrad Leila Sheridan Scarlett Pencak Lilly Satterfield Rosey Limmer Spencer O’Brien Denise Román Grayson Schementi Maddy Leja Samantha Graines Max Keller Alya Satchu Eden Stranahan
The Editorial Board of “The Parker Weekly” consists of the Editors-in-Chief, Managing Editor, News Editor, Features Editor, Opinions Editor, and Online Editor.
Letter From The Editors
Hi Parker! We made it. And what a year it has been. We have absolutely loved serving as your Editors-in-Chief this year, and hopefully you all enjoyed reading the paper as much as we enjoyed creating it. We hope that we were able to fulfill our goal for you all -- to continue to foster the community that “The Weekly” creates, and to carry on the legacy of previous editors. Publishing a paper while entirely virtual was not easy, so we applaud our wonderful writers and staff. Please be sure to congratulate all of our amazing writers on their work!! We also want to give a huge thank you to our advisors, without whom none of this would have been possible. So, enjoy the last issue we have for you guys, and we have full faith that Jake, Emma, and Tess will do an amazing job next year. We cannot wait to see what they do, and we will be sure to come back and visit! :) With much love, Zach, Julia, and Nick
writers
Zach Joseph ‘21 Rosey Limmer ‘21 Julia Marks ‘21 Spencer O’Brien ‘21 Denise Román ‘21 Alex Schapiro ‘21 Grayson Schementi ‘21 Nick Skok ‘21 Sofia Brown ‘22 Jacob Boxerman ‘22 Emma Manley ‘22 Alex Ostrom ‘22 Tess Wayland ‘22 Samantha Graines ‘23
Max Keller ‘23 Anya Landolt ‘23 Benjamin Rachel ‘23 Sophia Rosenkranz ‘23 Alya Satchu ‘23 Eden Stranahan ‘23 Lucy Wrubel ‘23 Alex Fidler ‘24 Deven Gupta ‘24 Arjun Kalra ‘24 Harry Lowitz ‘24 Cate O’Connor ‘24 Julia Peet ‘24
contributing faculty Faculty Advisor Faculty Advisor
Kate Tabor Eric Rampson
Quote of “The Weekly”
Tess: “Jake looks so symmetrical it’s scary.” Jake: “Never thought of myself as symmetrical.” — Tess Wayland and Jake Boxerman
The Parker Weekly, Page 3
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Playlist of “The Weekly” “WEEKLY” SUMMER JAMS By Alex Schapiro
The full mix can be accessed at https://open.spotify.com/playlist/16ZVNF3fCIRKLkRKA6VLgi or by scanning the code below.
LOVELY DAY
FEELS LIKE SUMMER
by Bill Withers
by Childish Gambino
WILD IRISH ROSES
GOOD LIFE by Kanye West, T-Pain
SOBER
by Smino
by Childish Gambino
SLIDE
ME MYSELF AND I
by Calvin Harris, Frank Ocean, Migos
by De La Soul
PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS (NIGHTMARE)
LOVE GALORE by SZA, Travis Scott
by Kid Cudi, MGMT, Ratatat
EVERYBODY LOVES THE SUNSHINE by Roy Ayers Ubiquity
WEEKEND
THE SPINS by Mac Miller
3005
PARTY IN THE U.S.A.
by Mac Miller, Miguel
by Childish Gambino
by Miley Cyrus
ROLLIN by Calvin Harris, Future, Khalid
IT WAS A GOOD DAY SUMMER by Calvin Harris
by Ice Cube
MS. JACKSON by Outkast
UCLA by RL Grime, 24hrs
Have something to say about what was published in this issue of “The Weekly”? Email our Managing Editor at sbrown@fwparker.org and write a Letter to the Editors to be published in our next issue!
The Parker Weekly, Page 4
End of Year Events
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AN UNCOM(PROM)ISED NIGHT Seniors Celebrated Their Prom Night May 27 By Eden Stranahan On Thursday, May 27, trolleys could be seen making their way down Clark Street en route to Morgan’s On Fulton. Upon further inspection, through the trolley windows one would see Parker’s class of 2021 eagerly making their way to their Senior Prom night. In a year filled with the loss or modification of many traditions, Parker was able to give the class of 2021 their well deserved and long anticipated Prom. Upper School Coordinator Rolanda Shepard has been working out the logistics for Prom alongside the Social Committee for months. “I sent an email to start talking about Prom in December,” Shepard said. “I think we may have had a meeting to get a plan going, just touch base about it before break, and then after break we started meeting consistently.” Taking into consideration COVID-19, the space for Prom was the largest concern. The venue ended up being Morgan’s on Fulton, with an outdoor area complete with a retractable roof that gave students the
Our very own “Weekly” editors at Prom! Photo taken by class of 2021.
ability to remove masks. “When we started planning, students were still six feet apart coming to school in Group A and Group B,” Shepard said. “We had to follow what the sanctions of the school were and keep in mind that if this is what the school is requiring us to do we have to follow that
until something changes… the area gave them freedom that allowed them to not think about being in a pandemic, the venue was beautiful and just enough space.” By time the night of Prom rolled around they were able to follow less strict guidelines compared to when the planning
began in December. “It was amazing,” Shepard said. “It was beautiful. It was so close to normal, and I was so happy just to see all of the students happy to be in the space and happy to have a sense of normalcy they hadn’t been able to have in almost two years.” There were pictures as well as trolleys left from Parker, which has never been done before. “Then it was also equitable,” Shepard said. “You didn’t need to worry about who was going to be comfortable being in someone’s house… not everybody came to the space that was normal, comfortable, and a neutral ground. It was a great start.” Senior Emily Simon attended Prom, and was also a part of the planning process as a Social Committee Head. “Prom this year was so much fun,” Simon said. “It did feel pretty normal. We got the trolley rides to and from Parker and a really good and actual prom experience. The DJ was great,
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(FINAL)LY DONE
Students Prepare for Their Newly In-Person Second Semester Finals By Alya Satchu As this year finds closure, several students disconnected from Zoom and indulged in an assortment of taxing assignments. Second semester finals made a comeback in 2021, after their unpredictable absence in-person the preceding year. Parker faculty have worked to plan meticulous assignments that capture the contents of this semester’s curricula. The logistics of finals didn’t differ from previous semesters. Finals took place from June 7 through June 9, with two hour periods twice each day. Students arrived at the designated time of their first final and left once finished. Students were additionally permitted to leave campus in between final periods. Middle and Upper School Director of Studies Sven Carlsson didn’t notice any major difference from finals this year compared to previous years. “I think on the surface there are no differences,” Carlsson said. “To see the actual difference you have to go under the surface. The main difference is the fatigue at this point.” Upper School History Teacher Jeanne Barr teaches three classes. Her senior class, Talk of the Town, immersed students in an independent project. Students were given the opportunity to choose the direction to take their final, given it correlates with their group’s theme. For Barr’s Upper School (US) History class, juniors engaged in a project-style final. “We don’t tend to give cumulative exams,” Barr said. “Recollecting all of those factoids is not necessarily a great
representation of having learned a lot in our classes.” For her Crimes In Humanity course, her sophomores read a book entitled “Born A Crime” by Trevor Noah and later discussed it. She described the book as refreshing, given the contents of the course are naturally rather morbid. “It’s a nice way to bring that class to look on the hopeful sides of these things and focus on healing,” Barr said. Upper School science teacher L e s l i e We b s t e r teaches three classes of sophomores in Advanced Chemistry and one class of seniors in Advanced Topics In Chemistry. Her sophomore classes spent half of the finals period taking a test, and the remainder on a project. “My usual philosophy for finals is that I write an exam that is basic chemical principles,” Webster said. “If they were here for all of the exams throughout the year, they should do very well on this quiz.” The student body has returned to campus with an array of new protocols enforced to keep the Parker community safe. However, several students still attend school on a remote platform, virtually Zooming into their classes. There is often a
disconnect that students learning remotely have reflected on, and during finals, this disconnect only deepened. “I feel like an observer but not a student in the classroom,” said junior Noemi Ponce. “I’m just watching what’s going on instead of participating. I think that teachers unconsciously forget that remote students are there, and when they remember, it’s a bit too late because it’s towards the end of the class.” Ponce has spent her entire school year remote and only recently decided to return to campus. For finals, her history class was required to engage in a mock trial. “That’s the one that kind of geared me to decide to come back in person because it’s a group project,” Ponce said. “I’ve experienced it online, and it was a really bad experience, so I don’t want to go through that again. So, I guess I’ll come in and I’ll take my precautions.” Ponce also notes the technical hardship she has endured. “I can’t really raise my hand through Zoom because the camera isn’t facing the teacher, and if I try to speak up, I’m scared that they’re not going to be able to hear me,” Ponce said. “Also, I haven’t had an experience where my classmates have
“Recollecting all of those factoids is not necessarily a great representation of having learned a lot in our classes.”
advocated for me, where they’re like ‘oh, this person is raising their hand.’” Several members of the Parker community have noted concerns that students learning in-person will return home on testing days. “As someone who has been remote the majority of the time, I kind of take offense to that because I have been going through this the whole year,” Ponce said. “Why do you have the privilege to shift constantly?” A fair dynamic must be enforced when assigning a final between remote and inperson students. Barr assumes that a student learning virtually won’t affect the process or outcome of their work. “Whatever it is that we do, it’ll be the same as it is in class,” Barr said while planning her finals. “They’ll Zoom in, and I’ll design it in such a way that the remote students have just as much of an opportunity to express.” Throughout this year, there was speculation in the Parker community that remote students had access to additional assets while taking an exam. In the comfort of their own home, several opportunities to cheat might arise. Before her most recent exam, Barr was aware that some unfair advantages were present and allowed all students to take it virtually. “I made a choice that everyone could do it asynchronously,” Barr said. “Because it’s not fair, and I figure if kids really are plastering their walls with
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The Parker Weekly, Page 5
News
NEW YEAR, NEW PRESIDENT Junior Eli Moog Becomes New SG President By Zach Joseph
While last year’s Student Government for the different types of elections held election season was an anomaly, with over the years. “In past years it’s been very posters, in-person Democrafest, and casual normal, just in person, and then last year hallway debates forced to take a year off due was just not normal at all, and this year’s to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020/2021 a weird in-between, where we have a good iteration straddled a line in between back percent of the student body in-person but to normal and last year’s online-adapted also not,” Moog said. “I think as a candidate version. Some candidates chose to hang it was interesting to go through the normal posters on the walls, while others took to things you do like the debates, writing the Instagram to share their voices electronically. platform, and Democrafest but the fun parts Debates were made virtual and optional, and like the food, or the posters, or the banter in even Democrafest, typically a large outdoor the hallways were taken away.” Current gathering where candidates can “Last year, we had to make the S t u d e n t Government give away food and share their transition to online. And there president and senior Carter platforms, was forced to adapt seemed to be a lot of engagement, a Wagner helped run the election to a scheduled version where surprising amount of engagement this year and managed to candidates had t o v i s i t e a c h that was unexpected, which was see the contrast between this advisory for their great.” year’s and last points to be heard. Despite the changes, candidates were year’s fully-online season. “I think it still able to campaign and make their voices was novel,” Wagner said. “Last year, we heard by the Upper School community, and had to make the transition to online. And the election proceeded forward as planned. there seemed to be a lot of engagement, a After the Presidential speeches in Plenary, surprising amount of engagement that was students were sent a secure Google Form for unexpected, which was great.” To allow candidates to have their voices them to cast their ballots for the 2021/2022 Cabinet, resulting in junior Eli Moog heard, Senate hosted a variety of online becoming the next Student Government debates for each position so the student body could watch and ask questions. “It was president of the Upper School. In the past, Moog has run for several definitely hard because it’s harder to know positions, and as a result has gotten a feel the freshmen or the eighth graders because
you really cannot go in the middle school, but I think the debates and the speeches allowed that interaction for the most part and allowed candidates to talk to people,” Moog said. Despite not running for a position, Wagner noticed a bit of a disconnect with the optional debates held online. “We definitely noticed a bit of debate fatigue,” Wagner said. “I think nothing is going to be able to capture that feeling of being in a room with everyone who you’re talking to and being able to feed off of those people to get your point across.” Because not everyone in the Upper School was back in person, candidates had to make several changes to reach their audiences. “I think this year it was a little bit difficult with it being hybrid, with people trying to cater to both students who are online and in-person, and splitting their campaign instead of being all or the other,” Wagner said. “The election was so successful and I hope that next year and the year after that they continue getting back to that energy and enthusiasm that comes from everyone being in the building and participating in things like Democrafest and in-person debates.” Now that Moog has been sworn in, he
hopes to implement some plans to improve the Upper School for next year. “So I think that the first priority, the first thing we do, after I get a cabinet appointed, is definitely trying to work on the schedule and see how and where Student Government can come in on that,” Moog said. “I know, like, for instance, I’ve talked to Mr. Bigelow, he mentioned how his advisory loves that they can go out to eat, and then maybe in a post-pandemic world we can have one of those advisories be next to lunch period so we can do that.” J u n i o r and Executive Advisor Ivy Jacobs also has some plans she hopes to implement next year with the student body. “As Executive Advisor, my main goal next year will be reworking the Small Groups system,” Jacobs said. “I hope to adapt the system to create personalized conversations tailored to the wants and needs of the student body. Real change can be made as a result of these conversations.” While there was a divide with a lack of large, in-person gatherings, Jacobs hopes to find a way to safely bring these back to Student Government. “I believe
“I think nothing is going to be able to capture that feeling of being in a room with everyone who you’re talking to and being able to feed off of those people to get your point across”
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A SEMESTER WITH THE WESTERLIES 4th Annual Joan W. Harris Visiting Music Scholars in Residence By Jacob Boxerman This year’s 4th Annual Joan W. Harris Visiting Music Scholars in Residence were the Westerlies, a New York-based brass group that aims to, according to their website, “amplify unheard voices, paint new sonic landscapes, and cultivate a global community.” Music Department Chair Kingsely Tang introduced the group with a story of when he met Rep. John Lewis, who explained to Tang the importance of music during the Civil Rights Movement. Tang also discussed the importance of music to himself and our society. “It’s a reminder of the best of ourselves, it’s a reminder of the beauty of the world, and a reminder of everything we need to overcome,” Tang said. From a living room in Brooklyn, NewYork, the Westerlies spoke to and performed via a Zoom Webinar. The four-member brass band performed three songs live as well as showed videos they had produced in collaboration with Parker students.
The Westerlies performed virtually in the fourth year of the Joan W. Harris Visiting Music Scholars in Residence program. Photo from Vimeo.
As this year’s Joan W. Harris Visiting Music Scholars in Residence, the Westerlies have worked with students through Zoom class visits and virtual presentations throughout the past semester. They also recorded and shared a Morning Ex with the community. The Westerlies visited primarily with students in the Upper School Jazz Band,
led by music teacher Stu Greenspan. Over the course of the second semester, the Westerlies met with students in the Jazz Band over Zoom where they spent time working on the principles of composition and improvisation. Music Teacher Mike Matlock, who works with the Jazz Band, attended many of the Westerlies’ Zoom calls with the students.
Matlock appreciated the opportunity for his students to learn and hear from professional musicians who have had a less traditional career. “I think it’s so important for kids to see that because many times we think of a career in music as playing in the Chicago Symphony. Or, you know, or even what I do playing in theater and playing in pit orchestras,” Matlock said. “But there’s so much to having a musical career.” The Westerlies’ visits also provided a chance for students to hear directly from musicians in the field. “Right off the bat, when we heard some performances from them, it was like this sound that I had never really heard before… And the other thing that makes them unique is that they specialize in improvisation,” Matlock said. “As guests with the jazz ensemble they gave some insight into how to approach improvisation… I’ve learned a lot from it, as have the students.”
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The Parker Weekly, Page 6
Senior Events!
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COVID COMMENCEMENT How Graduation Will Look This Year By Emma Manley For the first time in over a year, more than 400 people will gather on campus together to celebrate this year’s seniors. The Class of 2021’s graduation will take place at Parker on Saturday, June 12 at 1 p.m. This year the graduation will be in the Parker auditorium. Senior Gradeheads Emma Castaldi and Yadiner Sabir and Upper School Dean of Students Joe Bruno looked at other venues for graduation, such as Rosemont Theater, to find a venue that would fit COVID-19 social distancing guidelines but ultimately decided on holding graduation at Parker. “I think at the end of the day their decision to make it at Parker and then eventually choosing to make it the auditorium was really amazing that it’s normal,” senior Julia Polsky said. “That’s what they always do, and so there’s just something so comforting in that. Maybe we might not get the luncheon that they would normally do, but at least we get the auditorium experience which is very quintessential to the Parker graduation.” Families will be in pods and in assigned seats to encourage social distancing. They will also arrive at Parker in waves to reduce risk. On May 13, the CDC announced that “indoor and outdoor activities pose minimal risk to fully vaccinated people.” Though
The graduating class of 2018 celebrates in the auditorium, similar to what is expected for this year’s class of 2021’s graduation. Photo courtesy of Francis W. Parker.
the CDC says that vaccinated people are not required to wear masks, attendees will still have to wear a mask and follow social distancing podding procedures at Parker’s graduation. Those who are unable to attend in person will be able to watch a livestream of graduation. Sabir, Castaldi, and Bruno began planning graduation and other end of year activities in mid-January. They also began working with the medical subcommittee to figure out logistics in
terms of restrictions for the coronavirus. “One of the first sentences that came out of one of the doctors’ mouths was ‘Our job is not to say no. Our job is to help you make it happen,’” Bruno said. “That set such a positive tone on all of the conversations with the medical committee. They have been beyond responsive and open.” Polsky’s mom is one of the doctors on the medical subcommittee. “ I think for her, there was a personal aspect to it and she really wanted to make it special,” Polsky said. “I’m sure she would have wanted it
to be special for any other grade as well but I think for her, it was probably more impactful.” Seniors will practice the day before graduation, on Friday, June 11. During the rehearsal, they will go through the logistics of graduation. “It is hard to do it before that Friday because we’re still working out details about graduation,” Sabir said. Traditionally, the Concert Choir performs at graduation. Since Concert Choir includes students from grades 10-12, only the seniors in Concert Choir will perform at this year’s graduation. Additionally, there will not be the traditional reception or luncheon after graduation. At the beginning of the year, Sabir knew that they would be able to do more than the class of 2020’s graduation. Last year’s graduation was a video with speeches recorded on campus. Students and families could not gather together so the video was steamed live and then sent to the rest of the school community. “I have enjoyed this class the most because of their attitude,” Sabir said. “This class already has seen what happened to the class of 2020 and from the beginning said that they had all intentions to make this year the best they could, and I think they did a
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A SENIOR STAYCATION Parker Team Replicates Senior Event By Lucy Wrubel Traditionally, Parker seniors look forward to traditions that culminate their year, and the pandemic interrupted one of their favorites: the senior retreat. Luckily, it was nothing more than a quick bump in the road, and this year the school was able to perform a quick turnaround and replicate the retreat as closely as possible. The senior retreat was traditionally held in Galena at the Eagle Ridge Golf Resort. “What’s nice about Galena is everything is there for us,” Joe Bruno, Upper School Dean of Student Life, said. The Ridge holds everything -- the meals, meeting spaces, town homes, a general meeting area, a canopy on the water, and numerous more lovely features. The challenge of having to include all of these elements at an alternative venue included many layers. “We had to replicate an entire venue that’s massive into one large room at Theater on the Lake,” Bruno said. Although difficult, Bruno believed it could be done successfully. Certain details about the senior retreat have always been kept under wraps. This is done in an attempt to keep the retreat special for seniors each year, and it was no different this year. “We kicked it off
with some rotations-- one group did team building, one group worked on a collective class mural, and the other group did an introduction to life after Parker from the alumni association,” Bruno said. “Following this came various activities, some of which are shared openly, but others that each student will have to wait to be exposed to until they’re a senior.” Consolidating the typical venue into a much smaller place was a large challenge, but it was doable. The only thing Bruno suggested is that he would have “ordered more iced coffee for the coffee bar. That’s all I would have done differently.” Senior gradehead Yadineer Sabir placed more of her focus on the events after the retreat, including both Prom, and College Shirt Day. “We had booked a boat tour for the afternoon on Friday, [but] because of the rain and the water, the company cancelled,” Sabir said. She suggested a Plan B, but
other than these two miniscule hiccups, one slightly more substantial than the other, the entire retreat flowed smoothly. As for the students, the retreat was seen as a huge success. Elliot Landolt, a senior, can attest to the success. “Everybody had a newfound appreciation for each other after spending those two days, and then having Prom and the next morning doing the college sweatshirt photoshoot,” Landolt said. One could expect the senior class to feel down about the retreat after missing so many vital parts of their senior year, but “everyone really bought into it,” Landolt said. Both Bruno and Landolt suggest that everyone was just happy to be together, as it was the grade’s first time being gathered together in person in over a year. “They basically packed the retreat into one day,” Landolt said. During a
“Everybody had a newfound appreciation for each other after spending those two days, and then having Prom and the next morning doing the college sweatshirt photoshoot.”
typical year, the seniors would depart on Wednesday afternoon, and return at 11 a.m. on the Friday before Memorial Day, kicking off the long weekend. The seniors had a week packed full of activities from the retreat to prom to college shirt photos, while the freshmen, sophomores, and juniors all had a regular week. Regarding next year, there is hope that the retreats will be able to return to normal, and if not, at least have a similar form. “We are so hoping. We might have to go to a different venue and shorten it up, but we are trying to have that same retreat next year,” Victoria Lee, sophomore Grade Head said. Some students have wondered why other grades could not have had their retreats this year, and there is a simple answer to that: “It’s the seniors’ last year, so we wanted to give them something,” Bruno said. The freshman, sophomores, and juniors all have at least another year of time to make up lost time, lost retreats, and lost events. The seniors do not. “These students’ time was quickly coming to an end, so we wanted to make sure that they felt a sense of community and celebration around the time of their graduation,” Bruno said.
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The Parker Weekly, Page 7
Clubs & Unions
REGISTRAR TO CLUB FAIR Yearbook Will Transition from a Class to a Club By Samantha Graines Every year, when Upper School students are strategically filling out their course request forms for the following year, many students check the box requesting to be enrolled in the Yearbook Class. However, Upper School students did not see that as an option this year as the Yearbook is transitioning from an art-credit class to a club. The yearbook class has met in the past during G3 and G5. Thirty to forty students received an art credit for their participation in the yearbook. In class form, there was a limited number of students who could be involved and other extracurricular activities, like Grape Jam, interfered. Yearbook Faculty Advisor Travis Chandler has worked with Head of Upper School Justin Brandon to make this change. Chandler believes this is the right decision for many reasons, one of which is that it makes the yearbook more inclusive. “It will be much more accessible for incoming freshmen who want to be a part of it but have not had a chance to when this was a class,” Chandler said. The club will be open to all members of the Upper School regardless of grade or experience. Chandler believes that the smaller group of students will lead to a more focused group. “I am hoping that it will attract the
most enthusiastic students and that will lead to a smaller but a more dedicated group working on the book,” Chandler said. The transition from yearbook to club has not changed the amount of interest for the yearbook. “It looks as if we have at least as much interest in it as a club than as a class. We have a lot of people who show interest in it as a club which is great,” Chandler said. “I would like to encourage anyone to reach out because we can always use help with different parts of the book.” Despite the same amount of participation, sophomore Annabelle Garelick, one of the 202122 Editors-In-Chief of the Yearbook, believes the interest has shifted form upperclassmen to underclassmen. “We got a lot of underclassmen interest which was good because usually not that many people would get into the class,” Garelick said, “But, then again, less upperclassmen participation because it is now not going to be an art credit, and people will be hesitant
to join to do extra work outside of school if they are not going to get a credit.” Yearbook editors have the ability to sign up for an independent study to get an art credit, although it is not necessary. Some students, previously in the Yearbook class, took advantage of the “easier” art credit that Yearbook provided. Senior Emily Simon, one of the current Editors-in Chief of The Ye a r b o o k , believes that the absence of an art credit will help to stop this. “Students would sign up just to check the art credit off the list, but the yearbook is a lot of work, which most people do not realize,” Simon said. “It will weed out the people who just want to use it as an art credit and keep it with the students who are dedicated to making it the best book possible.” The change from a class to a club will also help to ensure a smoother transition between the Yearbook staff from year to year. “When the upperclassmen graduated,
“It will weed out the people who just want to use it as an art credit and keep it with the students who are dedicated to making it the best book possible.”
there was not a bunch of experience coming from the younger side which made the transition into positions more difficult,” Simon said, “so as a club, anyone who wants to join can. That way, we will have a more rounded out age range.” Chandler believes that the club next year will look similar to how the class ran this year with independent and asynchronous classes. “It won’t be necessary to have every year-booker in the room for every single club meeting, but it will be necessary to have smaller groups to focus on pages that are due soon with the editors and they rotate out,” Chandler said. The Yearbook in club form will not give out any grades as it is recreational. Despite Simon believing it will be a very hardworking group, she is worried about what to do when participants are slacking off or not showing their best work. “There is always that question of if someone joins and does not give it their hardest work. How do we encourage them to be better and stay on top of their work when it is not a traditional class?” Simon said. Freshman Quentin Stauber, who is new to the Yearbook club, believes that he is already supported amidst the transition.
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A UNIONIZATION ATTEMPT
Teachers of the Latin School of Chicago Vote to become a Union By Ben Rachel The Latin School of Chicago, like Parker, is a private school located on Clark street. Unlike Parker, Latin doesn’t have a teachers union. Parker teachers and Chicago’s public school teachers are protected by unions. One union is the CTU, which is a labor union representing public school teachers, paraprofessionals, and clinicians. They fight for improved pay, benefits, and job security for its members. 185 Latin teachers have filed for union claims but have experienced pushback from Latin administrators. These teachers want to have “a strong collective voice,” to “regain an effective voice in the school’s decisions about teaching, learning, and student well-being,” and many other problems they want to fix for the students of Latin. “I believe Latin has some of the best teachers out there,” Latin student Coco Schuster said. Schuster talked about how the Latin teachers prioritize their students, and she believes that the union is just another way of helping the students. “They give
us a balance of independence and structure in and out of the classroom. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the help of the Latin teachers.” According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Head of School Randall Dunn spoke out about the 185 Latin teachers filling union cards. “We do not believe it is in the best interest of our students, faculty, staff or school as a whole,” Dunn told Chicago Sun Times reporters. “We believe that the best way to continue to move Latin forward and provide the very best learning experience for our students is by working in partnership with our faculty and staff in a way that is aligned with our shared values as a community.” One of the 185 Latin teachers, Elissabeth Legendre, disagrees with Dunn. “Together in the Latin School Union, educators at Latin School will have a stronger, collective voice they can use to support the entire school community and will be better positioned to use their acclaimed expertise and experience to help the administration make important decisions about effective teaching and
“I wouldn’t be where I am today without the help of the Latin teachers.”
learning at the school,” Legendre said. “Latin School teachers want to work with the administration to build a culture of mutual respect, equity-based professional development, and collaborative decisionm a k i n g . T h r o u g h collective work in their union, teachers at Latin can better assist the administration with efforts to create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive school community for students and employees.” Legendre is an Upper School language teacher at Latin who was one of the first teachers to file union claims. With the global pandemic changing many people’s perspectives, Legendre and many other Latin teachers have found that forming a union is the best course of action for their school. Legendre believes that the union will further enhance communication and collaboration with administrators and employees. She believes that this union will be very beneficial for students, teachers, families, and administrators of Latin. Legendre and the other 180 Latin teachers
are seeking to organize the Latin School Union to better advocate for students by regaining an effective voice in the school’s decisions about teaching, learning, and student well-being. Though it may seem like this would change the education system as a whole and change how students go about learning, Legendre believes that forming a union won’t change a student’s life. “We don’t expect that forming a union will change the day-today experience for students. Nothing will change with regard to our pride in our work at Latin or our dedication to our students,” Legendre said. “Over time, the union will allow teachers to better collaborate with school administration so that we can help keep Latin the top-tier institution that it is. When teachers are part of the decisionmaking process from the beginning, we can better know how to plan so we can focus
“Nothing will change with regard to our pride in our work at Latin or our dedication to our students.”
Continued on page 12
The Parker Weekly, Page 8
Lunch & Sports!
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SPRING SPORTS: SUMMER EDITION Spring Sports Return After Long Pause By Sophia Rosenkranz In 2020, spring sports were cut short as a pandemic was declared. In 2021, the new spring season, titled the “summer season,” is an opportunity to continue what was started the previous year. Now, teams are adjusting to a new schedule, and have begun playing and practicing together. Some students haven’t played together as a team for two years while others have not experienced spring sports at all. The new summer season also brings new opportunities. Director of Athletics Bobby Starks reflects on the summer season and how it is different from previous sports this school year. “This season stands out because unlike the previous seasons (fall, winter & spring) teams throughout the state are getting back to what we think of as a normal season,” Starks said via email. Starks mentioned how, while the season may not mimic those seasons of years past, the summer season has definitely made notable steps forward. Some of the progress includes the ability to have spectators and the opportunity to compete in the State Playoff Series. “Our summer student-athletes should be very grateful for the opportunity that is afforded to them this season,” Starks said. As mentioned by Starks, the
Parker’s Tennis team at practice. Photo by Arjun Kalra.
opportunity to play for the State Playoff Series is exciting for many student-athletes. Starks explained how the fall season had the opportunity to compete one round of postseason, and the spring and winter seasons did not have the option to compete in the post-season at all. Starks also explained his thoughts on the two year gap that some players experienced. “I have one main thought about this realistic scenario for some student-athletes at Parker, in the state, and in the country. I
hope our student-athletes understand that it is truly a gift and privilege to participate in extracurricular activities such as athletics,” Starks said. “Therefore when they have the opportunity to participate during practice or in a competition, I hope that they do their best. I hope that they thoroughly enjoy themselves and the time as the opportunities to participate do not last forever and they are not guaranteed.” Senior Emma Jung, one of the Girls Soccer captains, highlights the team dynamic and the season outcome. “I think
this season has definitely been the most strange out of all my years of playing in high school. I think having not ‘played’ for two years hasn’t greatly impacted the team, but the team dynamic has changed. It’s a very different team compared to recent years, but I think this team has shown a lot of resilience and urgency to want to play and strive to get better,” Jung said. Jung highlights how the team has worked with each other throughout the season. “At first, the team wasn’t very connected on the field, but the more we continued to play and practice together, the better we got. I know Amelia, Alex and I worked hard to make sure everyone on the team felt welcomed and felt that they were a part of the family,” Jung said. Sophomore Nariya Cooke, a member of the Parker Track team, highlighted her experience this year. “Even though it was condensed, I think the captains and coaches did a really good job with Zoom workouts and coming up with team activities to make up for lost time,” Cooke said. “We put in 100 percent effort every single meet.”
CAFETERIA TO CLASSROOM Lunch Shifts to In-Person By Alex Fidler Those who have been attending Parker for most of their lives will remember the daily lunch as something generally loved by all -- a time to be with friends, to chat about morning classes, and to enjoy food prepared by familiar faces. Students and teachers will recall waiting in the line for hot lunch or browsing through the grab-and-go containers, punching in their lunch codes and finding a place to eat. However, this has been added to the countless list of traditions that have been shifted dramatically by COVID-19. Since going back full time in person, students have been eating a bag lunch every day with their advisory, an isolating experience for some who may not have their closest friends in this group. “I think it makes it harder to socialize and get to know people,” new-to-Parker freshman Kyra Mathew said. In accordance with social distancing guidelines, students are only allowed to be unmasked while distanced from others and silent while eating. “Since in classes we can’t talk all that much either, it kind of keeps you from being able to make new friends,” Mathew said. Zac Maness, known to most students simply as Chef Zac, has had to make some major changes this year. “Personally, my least favorite part is not getting to see all the
Schupp Advisory takes a trip to go out to lunch. Photo by Emily Simon.
students every day,” Maness said. “It’s hard to not get reactions of the food we serve and just having that interaction. It’s difficult.” Maness has been thinking about what the cafeteria situation could look like next year. “Purely speculation, I imagine that they may open it up again for Upper School, and then we’ll continue to package food for the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth graders,” Maness said. “But I imagine that they’ll open up the servery again for Upper School students to come through.” Each week, those ordering school lunch fill out a Google form detailing their choices for the next five days. Once that time comes every day, a student grabs the
bag with everyone’s food and brings it up to their own advisory, where the paper bag lunches are divided between other students. All perishable food in the pre-packaged bag must be individually wrapped in plastic, along with plastic utensils for each student. This is a huge shift from how lunches were distributed in past years, where they were served on ceramic plates along with normal metal utensils which were washed daily. “It bothers me immensely that we’re throwing out all this recyclable plastic every day, though I’m guessing that COVID-19 protocols make recycling things we touched with our naked mouths too problematic,” Upper School History teacher Jeanne Barr
said about the environmental effect of the new lunch protocol. “It still bugs me, though, and I’ve taken to bringing my own plastic tray home everyday to recycle it there!” “We’re going through so many plastic containers now every day, like three hundred of those plastic containers that just end up in the landfill,” Maness said regarding the packaging decisions. “It’s not been a benefit to the environment in any way, so we definitely want to get away from that as much as possible. So the water bottles also, we were using so many water bottles every day, so we did discontinue the water bottles just to try to help offset the carbon footprint that we’re stomping around on the earth every day… It’s been disheartening.” Eating lunch solely with advisory groups has not only been tough on some students, but on teachers as well. “I love my Advisory, but I’m accustomed to working through my lunches as a way of minimizing what I have to take home at night,” Barr said. “So this arrangement distracts me, disrupts my productivity, and interferes with my ability to work with my students outside of class -- though I admit that it’s fun to hang out with advisees, and I’m definitely bonding with them. I get the necessity for now, but I am very much looking forward to open campus lunches again.”
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Summer Activities!
YOUR SUMMER ACTIVITY CONSULTANT HAS ARRIVED Chicago Presents a Summer of Opportunities By Julia Peet With people getting vaccinated, cases going down, and Chicago starting to open back up again, people are already making plans for a fun summer. In the interest of keeping cases from rising again, music venues, sports stadiums, and restaurants are slowly opening with limited capacities that still provide many more options than we had last summer. With increased guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the past few weeks saying vaccinated people don’t need to wear masks in many settings, a whole other level of activities will be allowed for people 12 and up to take part in. With restrictions easing up some people have been confused but, “If you are vaccinated, you don’t have to wear a mask outside,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci. This age group includes all members of the upper school whose lack of activities last summer may make them even more excited to try new things this year. One of the most highly anticipated activities this summer will be concerts. With various artists rescheduling concerts that were cancelled due to COVID-19 and more new ones being put on the calendar, hundreds of people, especially teenagers are eager to attend. One of these concerts is Lollapalooza which is requiring attendees
to be vaccinated or receive a negative test before arriving. Freshman Sarah Matthews is planning on attending Lollapalooza this year. “I feel okay going to concerts in the future knowing that they have been approved by organizations like the CDC,” Matthews said. “Adding on, I’ll be vaccinated so it adds an extra feeling of protection for the future.” In terms of transitioning back to large group gatherings and the general public’s interest in doing this, “I think people might want to go to concerts even more considering we haven’t been able to for a year,” freshman Natalie Drake said. Another expanding industry this summer will be restaurants. Restaurants have been hit hard during the pandemic with limited indoor eating and capacity restrictions. The owner of the restaurant Chilam Balam anticipates improvements this summer with more and more people vaccinated.
“I think people getting the vaccine really helps. Some of our customers are feeling more safe now. Little by little we are coming back to life,” the owner said. Outdoor eating was limited throughout the winter, but now that the weather is starting to get warmer, people are starting to return to their favorite neighborhood restaurants, both to get out of the house and to support local business owners. O n e opportunity many students didn’t have last year was attending camp. For many, camp is something they have been doing for years, and it was a hard thing to miss. However this year many camps have had a whole year to put protocols in place that will let campers return safely while still being able to enjoy a camp experience. “Missing camp last year sucked,” freshman Naomi Gross said. “Since I’m so close to the end of my time as a camper, I was really looking forward to it. I also missed out on the opportunity to travel to
“This summer will probably be more social than last because more and more people are getting the vaccine.”
a lot of cool places through a program for freshmen that got canceled. I really wanted to be able to see my friends especially since a lot of them don’t live close to me and knowing I wouldn’t see them for two years was super sad.” Travel may also be much more common for people with planes being deemed safer and cases going down in many states. “This summer will probably be more social than last because more and more people are getting the vaccine,” freshman Ella Currie said. “I also think there will be less of a panicked feeling this summer because hopefully things will be more under control.” Some people weren’t so lucky and had their summer plans cancelled. “I am part of a year-long leadership fellowship with a culminating three-week summer trip to Israel that unfortunately was canceled due to COVID-19,” junior Mia Bronstein said. “I was really looking forward to traveling and doing something we haven’t gotten to do in so long… but hopefully we will be able to gather in a fun way to make up for this.” Overall the coming summer will present many opportunities for people to get out and have experiences that weren’t an option last year.
SIGNS OF NORMALCY
Events Around Chicago that are Open For Fully Vaccinated People By Deven Gupta On Tuesday, May 5 the city of Chicago announced a concert series, particularly for fully vaccinated residents against COVID-19. The city is starting to move closer towards getting free from the pandemic restrictions and towards activities and events that give off a sense of normalcy again. As cases of the coronavirus start to decline, events such as concerts are opening up for the residents again. T h e concert series started near the end of May in Hyde Park as summer nears closer. I f y o u are fully vaccinated, indicating that you have gotten your second shot before May 8, you can attend the concert series. “I love the idea that we can open up these venues,” Nurse Anne Nelson said. “I think people will start to appreciate this, and they need some kind of reward for what they’ve gone through,” Nelson said. Events like these are
bringing back the art and culture of the city. As the city moves forward, restaurants, bars, and other places will start to open longer for fully vaccinated people as a gesture to encourage people to get their vaccine. Benjamin Kagan, a freshman who helped hundreds of people over the past months get their vaccine, agrees.. “It’s crucial to get vaccinated. It’s doing a service to the community,” Kagan said. Benjamin Kagan helped people who struggled t o m ake an appointment, especially those that w e r e o l d e r. “There should be no struggle to find an appointment,” Kagan said. “Now that they are more accessible, the question is if you want to get it instead of if they are available to get.” Parker has successfully made the shift back to in-person learning after being online for a year. The school helped contribute to the vaccination attempts across the city by
“I think people will start to appreciate this, and they need some kind of reward for what they’ve gone through.”
opening its own vaccine clinic. “I thought that it was wonderful,” Upper School English teacher Mike Mahany said. Just after the CDC authorized the vaccine for 12 to 15-year-olds, Parker stepped forward to help get as many students vaccinated. “What the school did was an amazing idea. They were lending a helping hand,” Kagan said. O n F r i d a y, May 14, the vaccination clinic was open to just students, but it was open to anyone in the city on the weekend. As Parker leads the way, other places around the city are following. Events such as Bulls, Cubs, and White Sox games have seen a spike in attendance as well as other opportunities for the community as a whole to feel normal again. Mahany, a big sports fan, was excited for more fans to be able to attend these games. “I think that it’s the right time to start allowing fans to sporting
events,” Mahany said. In these upcoming weeks, teams like the Chicago White Sox and the Chicago Cubs have increased the seating capacity from 20% to 60%. “It’s the perfect time to include more fans at these events though I wouldn’t want to go if they raised it to full capacity,” Mahany said. Mayor Lori Lightfoot said that she looks for Chicago to be reopened by July 4. “I can see Parker getting closer to normal as we approach the upcoming school year. Once the vaccine comes out for the younger children, we can make that bigger step,” Nelson said. All of these openings are starting to show everyone that they are getting closer to normal. Parker, and other schools, actions are inspiring and encouraging the community to take the next step forward however anyone can.
“I can see Parker getting closer to normal as we approach the upcoming school year. Once the vaccine comes out for the younger children, we can make that bigger step.”
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New Faces
INTRODUCING VAHN PHAYPRASERT Parker Hires a New Intermediate and Middle School Head By Cate O’Connor After searching through over 40 qualified resumes, conducting interviews, and touring the school with finalists, Parker has chosen Vahn Phayprasert to take over the role of Intermediate and Middle School Head. As of July 1, Phayprasert will formally join the Parker community, replacing former Intermediate and Middle School Head John Novick as he leaves to pursue leadership opportunities outside of Parker in his professional career. Along with this change of leadership comes change for the whole school community, but especially the students in the affected intermediate grade levels. Additionally, the change in leadership opens the door to new goals and a new Intermediate and Middle School atmosphere. Phayprasert comes to Parker from a background that includes experience as both an educator and administrator. He has previously workedas both an elementary and middle school teacher and also worked as an administrator of the Millbrae School District in California for twelve years. Phayprasert has had experience as “part of the elementary and middle school
community in terms of learning about that developmental stage, as well as all the different activities and academic curriculum pieces that go into that environment.” When entering a new environment, “the first step is to build really strong relationships,” Phayprasert said. He has come to learn that besides the importance of relationships within the community, between administrators and their colleagues, students, and families, it is important to engage with “the outside community as well,” Phayprasert said. “My first priority would be building those connections and strong relationships.” The relationships and collaboration between administrators in important roles, such as Division Head, and their fellow faculty and teachers are crucial in cultivating a safe and cheerful environment. “When students can see a team that is closely connected and works well together, it creates a good space for learning and brings joy to learning,” eighth grade English teacher David Fuder said. As the new IS/MS Head, Phayprasert hopes to continue work with “the notion and
concept of diversity, inclusion, and equity.” As Parker strives to create an environment that values this work, Phayprasert hopes to aid in the process. Additionally, Phayprasert hopes to further collaborate and create a space where students, and the needs of students, are the focus. Phayprasert wants “to understand what students are feeling.” His first step in that process would be “to have students engage in a survey of some sort to take a needs assessment in regards to how they’re feeling.” More specifically, “what they feel in their environment.” From there, Phayprasert hopes that the adults in the community can collaborate to find solutions that best serve the student body. Over his eight years at Parker, Novick has seen a great increase in student access to technology and media. At this same time began the startup of “a number of new ally and affinity groups,” Novick said. “Anything worth doing, you want to do it well, you don’t do it alone,” Novick said. “The more you do things together, working with other people, the better those things turn out.” In the hiring process, Parker involved a variety of students, teachers,
faculty, administrators, and trustees to ensure that they filled this position for the most optimal outcome. As the community of Parker, along with Phayprasert, embark on this new chapter of Parker’s history, there is much to come. “The potential for being able to see things differently through new leadership also creates the potential for further growth,” Phayprasert said. Phayprasert plans to spend his time at Parker learning and growing alongside students. “I hope to really understand the school structure and understand what makes Parker so great in terms of the academic and extracurricular programs that take place,” Phaypraser said. Phayprasert has an open-door policy and he is “open to not only positive and great conversations, but also open to conversations that may be difficult.” “Partnership highlights my philosophy and the type of relationships I want for students, family, and staff,” Phayprasert said. He is eager to become a part of the Parker community.
NEW HEAD
Chris Arnold Will Be Joining Parker to Lead the Upper School By Harry Lowitz On March 25, Principal Daniel Frank released an announcement to the Parker community titled “Parker Welcomes New Head of Upper School Chris Arnold,” introducing the new administrator who will be joining the Parker community on July 1. Frank explained the process of searching for and selecting a new Head of Upper School. After developing a job description, Parker distributed it to many networks that connected them with a diverse range of educators. Resumes were then sent in, and Parker reviewed them and determined who the main contenders were for the position. Parker conducted several rounds of interviews with various bodies of students, administrators, and parents. Finally, Frank made the decision based on input from many community members. Parker conducted a “nationwide leadership search” to fill the position after Justin Brandon announced his upcoming departure as Head of Upper School. According to the message from Frank, Parker reviewed over 32 qualified resumes, completed five in-depth phone interviews, and eventually, school visits with the finalists. F r a n k a p p r e c i a t e d A r n o l d ’s administrative experience as well as “the way in which he talked about his own educational values and experience and vision and what he would hope to contribute to life at Parker and what he appreciated
about Parker.” Frank described Arnold and the asset he would soon be to both the Upper School and the whole Parker community. After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Acting from Illinois State University and a Master of Fine Arts degree in directing from the University of Memphis, Tennessee, Arnold worked as a professional theater director. He later submitted his resume to The Chicago Academy for the Arts to become a director at the school, but he ended up becoming a teacher. Arnold revealed that the current Jake from State Farm actor, Kevin Miles, was one his first students at The Chicago Academy for the Arts. “When I came there I just really kind of fell in love with teaching and connecting with high school students,” Arnold said. He requested more work and additionally became an English teacher at The Chicago Academy for the Arts the next year. The position of Chair of the Theater Department became available and Arnold got the job, marking his first work as an administrator. Arnold then went to National Louis University (IL) to get his English and
Education Administration Certification. He began working at Deer Path Middle School in Lake Forest, IL where he taught Middle School and was a Creative Arts Department Chair. School administration eventually became a reality for Arnold as he pursued the Assistant Head of School position at The Chicago Academy for the Arts when the job became available. He returned to The Chicago Academy for the Arts and has held that position for the past three years. Arnold originally saw the opening for Assistant Principal at P a r k e r, t h e position he currently holds at The Chicago Academy for the Arts. He applied and later was contacted for an interview. On the same day that he heard about the interview, he discovered Parker also had an opening for Head of Upper School, a position that intrigued him even more. “That’s actually the job I want, “ Arnold said. “That one, right there.” He stuck with his application for Assistant Principal but made it known to his interviewers that he had interest in both positions. After Priyanka Rupani was
“Arnold recalled thinking that Parker ‘gels with who I am, what I believe in, and what I stand for.’”
chosen for Assistant Principal, Parker asked Arnold to interview for Head of Upper School. Arnold had interview days for both positions, and he noted the differences in the experiences. When interviewing for Assistant Principal, “by the end of the day I really kind of felt like I had lost a lot of steam.” However after nine hours of interviews for Head of Upper School, he felt that the job had been “charging” and “igniting” his “batteries.” According to Arnold, seven or eight years ago when he was an arts teacher, the principal at his school encouraged him to look into progressive education and specifically John Dewey, the philosopher and progressive education leader who worked with Colonel Francis Wayland Parker.. Arnold said that this is where his appreciation for the educational philosophy began. Arnold became interested in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and social justice work, establishing a Diversity Day to accompany the existing Holocaust Remembrance week at Deer Path Middle School. These initiatives were ignited by his growing interest in Progressive Education. Parker was already on Arnold’s radar and over time he became more curious about the school and hoped he would become
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Features
A LOOK INTO THE FUTURE What Will Next Year Look Like?
The Parker Weekly, Page 11
SUMMER WORD SCRAMBLE
By Arjun Kalra to be. Here have been some changes,” Carlsson said. This year has also allowed for a change in how we think about the pressures of school. “We included breaks, we included tutorial more than one time a week,” Fuder said. “We wanted to alleviate some of the strain on being in-person all day and then going home with the additional hours of schoolwork, so we were trying to be sensitive to that and we hope to keep some of that next year and beyond.” With next year also comes new leadership throughout the school. The new Upper School Principal will be coming in at a time when students have been through an upheaval, and he wants to listen. “Ultimately what I want to do is I just want to listen. If you want to talk to me, come talk to me. I’ll hear you out. By all means, let’s have a conversation,” Incoming Upper School Head Christopher Arnold said. “How can I help you, or how can I manage your expectations in the right way? So I really just want to roll up my sleeves and get in there with students to see what I can do to be helpful.” This year has been a disruption to how the world operates, and next year will likely return to a sense of normalcy. However many believe one must not forget the lessons learned during COVID-19. “We need to work together to make sure we not only go back to the same old same old,” Carlsson said, “but that we actually learn from what happened.”
“However I definitely don’t see us going back everything the same as it was pre-pandemic.”
I really just want to roll up my sleeves and get in there with students to see what I can do to be helpful.”
“We need to work together to make sure we not only go back to the same old same old, but that we actually learn from what happened.”
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NVCTIOAA
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SMUMRE
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DNREGA
IEMECRAC
SUCSNEREN
Answers: BEACH, SWIMMING, FAMILY, SUN, ICECREAM, PICNIC, VACTAION, SUMMER, GARDEN, SUNSCREEN
This year has brought a lot of changes. Recently, falling positivity rates, new CDC guidelines, and increased vaccine eligibility have begged the question: What will next year look like? M a n y have viewed this year as an opportunity to reassess the status quo, as the world was changed and what was normal was thrown out. As Parker moves into next year, there remains the question of the Coronavirus: Will next year be normal? “Really the question becomes are we hybrid or fully in person,” Middle and Upper School Director of Studies Sven Carlsson said, “I think a lot of that decision is going to be made this June and July, however I definitely don’t see us going back everything the same as it was prepandemic.” T h e m e d i c a l subcommittee, which was established in mid-2020 works to help advise the school on how to act during COVID-19, believes the school will be able to return to relative normalcy next year. “I mean it could be normal.” Parker parent and physician at Northwestern Eric Ternman said. “It depends on what the numbers do, we don’t have to worry about cohorts or masks or anything like that if there aren’t cases in Illinois.” The pandemic has forced many to rethink what they had been doing for years. “During this year I have realized that I need to meet students where they’re at rather than expecting them to be somewhere they’re not.” eighth grade E n g l i s h teacher and team leader David Fuder said. Throughout this year, Morning Ex along with many other non-academic activities, were sacrificed for time, however they are likely to come back next year. “Another thing is not having MX. Like we have some questions on when MX is going
The Parker Weekly, Page 12
Colonel Columns
A MICROSCOPE OF THE MODEL HOME
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I’M PRETENDING YOU ASKED Thank You, Parker
Seniors Only
By Spencer O’Brien
By Rosey Limmer
Cartoon by Maddy Leja.
As we all know, and seem to be reminded almost daily, this past year and a half has been super wonky. As a graduating senior, I felt disconnected from Parker and my grade. Even once we were back in the building, I didn’t feel as if I was truly a big fish in this Parker bubble. There were kids in my grade that I hadn’t spoken to, or even seen, in over a year. I felt more like an independent student working towards the day I would graduate and not a member of the senior class. However, this past week remedied my fears of graduating without feeling like a part of the community I will be leaving behind. Spending time just being together with each other, having fun and being silly, reminded me what Parker offers us outside of academics. I was able to speak to people who I normally don’t see and feel like part of the community again. The shining jewel of last week’s senior retreat and programming was Prom. I went to Prom sophomore year, and it was mostly taking pictures and sitting around talking to my friends. But this year, I remember the pure joy I had at Prom. I was on the dance floor for almost the entire nigh,t and I was happy to be surrounded by my entire grade. Even the teachers were quick to say it was the best prom they had been to in years. Prom was a visual representation of the family that is created within a grade at Parker. By having only seniors at Prom, I felt like we were back in seventh grade at a Bar Mitzvah. I enjoyed being around my grade and was shown reasons why I love each and every one of the people who grew up alongside me. It felt like a goodbye, but not in a sad way. Prom was able to give us all closure on our time at Parker. As I get ready to leave this place where I have spent the past seven years of my life,
the place where I grew up. I am not only so grateful for Thursday night and the time with my peers, but also know Prom will stand out as one of the best memories from my time at Parker.
LATIN UNION Continued from page 7 on students.” “I think Latin’s attempt to unionize makes perfect sense,” student body President-Elect Eli Moog said. “Latin also clearly has the same problem as Parker regarding the role of parents, and a strong teachers union would absolutely help counter that.” Moog also touched upon Parker’s union. “I think the Parker union is a great force in our school,” Moog said, “one that obviously makes the lives of our teachers better, but also improves our lives as students.” As the pandemic winds down, change is definitely an essential part of coming back to normal. With everyone having lived through such an unprecedented year, many new problems and opportunities have appeared. One of those opportunities for 185 Latin teachers is forming a union. This is no easy task and it is quite controversial among administrators, politicians, and the community. Parker is one of the only private schools that has a teacher union, and Latin wants to become one of those schools. Legendre and the other Latin teachers are fighting for their union, however they are facing administrators and board members who believe that a union “won’t be beneficial for Latin.” Both sides have their arguments of whether it would be beneficial or not, but only time will tell as Latin teachers form a union.
Dear Parker, I feel the need to say thank you. My grade seems to have a love-hate relationship with you, but I can honestly say that in the end, you did more for me than I probably ever did for you. You taught me to strive for greatness and to just laugh or smile when I don’t know what’s actually going on. You taught me to be kind when it counts and to be passive-aggressive when I want something really bad, and you taught me to always keep going -- no matter what sort of obstacle lies ahead of me. Time and time again Parker has given me phenomenal opportunities and advantages to help me be a better, smarter human, and it’s helped me to meet some of the best people on the face of this planet. I’m acutely aware that when the incoming freshman graduate, all memory that I ever went here will most likely be promptly forgotten. Sure, I have a tile on the wall, but I heard the other day that you only last as long as the people who remember you do, and that sort of scared me. I had this 12hour freak out about how I’ve been here for six years, and it might not have mattered at all. That I was one of the thousands of people who had graduated from Parker around the globe, and that I myself couldn’t really name most of the graduating class of 2018, so who was I to judge? Then the thought occurred to me that literally, every single person who has ever graduated here has probably had the same exact thought. This sort of put things in perspective. To hope to be remembered is to ask a gargantuan favor of the world around you. Better to make your time count and have fun doing it. So what if someone in my class sees my yearbook photo in ten years and is like, “hey, look it’s that kid who did musicals and wore a jacket everywhere.” The musicals are some of the best things I’ve ever spent time on, and jackets are cool. Or at least, I like them. Shut up. Anyways, I’ve been thinking a lot about time lately. Time is odd because it’s pretty much the only thing that’s been going forever, and isn’t going to stop anytime soon. Often, I find this concept frustrating. I read my letter to myself from the freshman retreat the other day -- I wrote a list of things that would help me remember my life if I got amnesia. The concept is fairly stupid, so do me a favor and don’t put too much thought into it. All of the things I wrote down were random little tidbits from my day, not a single thing about my life as a whole or my friends or my family -- just 15 different things I had experienced on that exact day. All before 10 a.m.. That’s not even halfway through the day. I’ve probably made a million different little moments since then. Millions of things that might
help me remember who I am. Millions of things and millions of people all swirling around in my head all at the same time and all of them make up a little part of me. You see, time frustrates me because each of these moments only happens once and then it’s over. It makes me want to grab time by the collar and scream in its face to stop or to go faster or to go back so I can relive the good things and maybe skip past the bad ones, but then what would life be but the past and all we ever have is the future. We, as a people, spend so much of our lives scraping for the past that sometimes we forget to live in the moment. I have to say thank you to Parker because so many memories were created here, whether it was learning something, meeting someone new, Parker helped to open doorways for me - and for that, I must say thank you. Every day and every night, there are people laughing and dancing and crying and dying and smiling and drinking and dreaming and looking out on the beach at the horizon and wondering what’s next and all of it happens within seconds and the only words there are to describe all of that are terrible and beautiful. Thanks for reading, anyone that stuck this far. So as a farewell, I will now quote a book I like: “We gaze continually at the world and it grows dull in our perceptions. Yet see from another’s vantage point, as if new, it may still take our breath away.” -Dr. Manhattan Thanks for reading, and see you later, Spencer O’Brien
WESTERLIES Continued from page 5
The Westerlies also discussed the classical music canon and its lack of diversity. The Westerlies explained how they are working to try to move away from the “narrow tradition of the past and create an inclusive, diverse new canon.” Tang said he was “very encouraged when talking to the Westerlies early on” by their commitment to social justice and representation, a commitment that he believes aligns with Parker’s mission. “At its core, ideas of social justice and ideas about equity are about how we see people as human beings, and seeing them as having value, and how they express their value and knowledge and talents to different disciplines,” Tang said. “That shouldn’t just be something in a history class… and we want our guests to reflect that.” The Westerlies will be returning to Parker in the fall, ideally in person, said Tang, where they will continue to work with students throughout the school.
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Colonel Columns
The Parker Weekly, Page 13
THE JOYS OF LIFE
LET’S GET REAL
Parker
See You Later Parker
By Grayson Schementi This week, after a long hiatus induced by multiple comas, I will finally be discussing something that I am quite the expert on. In fact, it is the school that I go to. That’s right, this week’s Joy of Life will be all about the Model Home itself: Parker. Side note: I don’t even know why I do those intro paragraphs. YOU READ THE TITLE! You know that it is, in fact, this week. So I don’t know why I do it. BACK INTO PARKER! Founded in 1901, Parker...I’M NOT PLAGIARIZING! Parker is the best school on the planet. Fact. Parker is the best school that HAS EVER BEEN on the planet, and also better than all the schools that will be on Mars. Fact. Most controversial, Parker is objectively better than Latin in every single conceivable way; I will die believing that. Fact. (I added another fact to round out the set). But where did Parker come from? Who built it? WHY IS IT SO PROGRESSIVE (like Bernie Sanders, or Theodore Roosevelt, or the CIA apparently). The answers are very simple, my friends, if you follow me down the road. The land belonged to Anita McCormick Blaine. She had a big house, I think...otherwise known as a mansion. It was located where the field is now. There are pictures somewhere. Where? The Archives. The first principal was Flora J. Cooke. She was one of those people who was really awesome and said very good words and also she’s why we call Cookies, C o o k i e s . Because her last name was Cooke. Parker people are notoriously c l e v e r. B u t where would you find these good words? The Archives. The namesake of the school was Colonel Francis Wayland Parker, a fighter for the 4th New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry on the Union side (the ones that were against slavery (YOU KNEW THAT you went to Parker (that might not be true, I don’t mean to offend (I wanted more parentheses so that this looked like one of the calculus problems I had on my AP test (Parker shouldn’t be so anti-AP, they are
By Denise Román fun and becoming more in line with the progressive ethos (or at least the calculus one is)))))). Parker developed the Quincy Method, which I will discuss further... HERE! The Quincy Method is basically that, if you ever want to raise your Quincy, Massachusetts children to not be farmers for eternity, you have to treat them like human beings and not beat their butts everytime they talk out of turn. It is a method of education in which STUDENTS are the center. This was, and still is, very progressive. You know what else is progressive? The first parents association! And another? The first e n t i r e l y student-run p a p e r ! Yo u know what else?... I don’t know what else. DO YOU KNOW WHY? Because the aforementioned archives ARE NOT BEING MANNED BY ANYONE! Ok that’s not exactly true; Andy Kaplan has a key and technically the Secretary is in charge of all the Student Government documents in there. I would know because, as Secretary in sophomore year, I met with Andy Kaplan and got an exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime, behind-thescenes tour of the archives. And Parker needs to maintain them. They need to hire a part-time employee to maintain those archives and allow the community to truly connect to the history of the school that they are associated with. As my final sendoff, I ask for Parker to uphold the archives, share the history of the school, and focus on its progressive roots as it moves forward into a post-Covid world. Deal? It has been a true honor writing for “the Weekly” these past two years. I will miss it greatly. Good-bye, good-bye, good friends, good-bye.
“As my final send-off, I ask for Parker to uphold the archives, share the history of the school, and focus on its progressive roots as it moves forward into a postCovid world.”
“It has been a true honor writing for “the Weekly” these past two years. I will miss it greatly. Good-bye, good-bye, good friends, good-bye.”
As I wrap up my last two weeks of senior year, it’s difficult to believe that my high school career is coming to an end. Like the band Semisonic said, “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.” Five years ago, I came to Parker with an emerald and gray backpack, shaking, and with a number two pencil in hand. Throughout my years at Parker, I participated in the trial of Socrates, made a home out of the fourth-floor gallery, ate Chef Zac’s bagels, laughed, embarrassed myself, and painted the hallways of Parker with nothing but perspective. Now, I’m headed off to college, with a black Northface backpack, Bic lead pencils, excited but shaking. In the middle of the senior retreat, I was told to write goodbye letters to people who have impacted my high school experience. Before writing any letter, I reflected on the word, goodbye. I concluded that I don’t believe in saying “goodbye,” rather “see you later.” The word “goodbye” implies that there isn’t a possibility that you’ll encounter someone’s presence down the road. This may sound cheesy, but I believe you re-encounter people in your life that were meant to stay in it. Most importantly, you choose whether or not someone continues walking with you in the next journey of your life. That’s why I’ve found it essential to re-think about the way we leave people in our lives. On a lighter note, like many seniors, I’ll miss the uniqueness of being a Parker student. Many things make Parker unique such as Morning Ex, bagpipes, window painting, and County Fair. I’ve come to realize that Parker’s uniqueness will leave me with many stories to reminisce about. Stories that only people who have attended Parker will understand. For example, when I tell a stranger that I had a piece of the house in eighth grade at the Corinthian’s Morning Ex, they’ll be utterly confused. If I told this to a Parker alumnus or student, we would probably start singing the Piece of the House song together. For the class of 2021, being a senior wasn’t an easy road. From being socially and physically distant from our friends/ classmates, navigating the college process
to maintaining focus in online classes, we’ve made it to the end of the tunnel. I hope you continue illuminating your light wherever you go. If your light isn’t appreciated, step away because there will be people who will keep it radiating. Finally, I’d like to say thank you to Parker teachers, security, maintenance staff, and everyone who made my Parker experience unforgettable. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. See you later, Parker.
“The word “goodbye” implies that there isn’t a possibility that you’ll encounter someone’s presence down the road. This may sound cheesy, but I believe you re-encounter people in your life that were meant to stay in it.”
YEARBOOK Continued from page 7
“The editors have done a great job of keeping me motivated, and they still make it fun and helpful,” Stauber said. One way that 2021-22 Yearbook Editors-In-Chief, Garelick, junior Alex Carlin, junior Mia Bronstein, and junior Sofia Brown, have tried to ensure a smooth transition is through a week of Josten Zoom teach-ins. Jostens is the software that the Yearbook uses, and each new member was required to attend one of the teach-ins. “I thought that the teach-in sessions have been super valuable for me, but also for everyone else,” Stauber said. The Editors-In-Chief have utilized other softwares, so all members of the club are on the same page. “We also made a google classroom, so people know when things are due and when to come, and posted resources like videos, so everyone who is new to the club is transitioning smoothly into knowing how to use the software,” Garelick said. The club will also allow for the editors to have more independence. “I have made the transition of giving the editors more and more of the responsibility,” Chandler said, “This is the final step where they will really be in charge of the club and I will just be here to help make sure things are kept on the rails.” “I am excited for the transition,” Simon said, “I think it will be a challenge, but Mr. Chandler and the Editors-In-Chief next year are an amazing group and I know they are ready to take it on.”
The Parker Weekly, Page 14
EDITORIAL
Editorial
Take Care of Both Yourself and Others This Summer
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LETTER FROM THE (FUTURE) EDITORS
By Jake Boxerman, Emma Manley, and Tess Wayland
By “The Parker Weekly” Something that we as humans so Summertime is always bittersweet. We say goodbye to our peers, teachers, desperately need but rarely take advantage of and Parker itself for a few months, and is the concept of a break, and pre-pandemic for seniors, much longer. But it can also very few of us recognized this lesson. For provide countless opportunities for jobs, some of us, we have been working 24/7 internships, summer camps, and time to rest since September 8, and for others it began and recharge in preparation for a new year in much earlier. Our usual flurry of snow days the fall. So, this summer, we urge you to take and mini-breaks in the week were given up this time and rest, in whatever way applies for extra class days thanks to Zoom, and to you, after a physically and emotionally this work hard/play less mentality can have a damaging effect on challenging year. Ta k e c a r e o f “be proud of yourself for our adolescent minds. Let’s get back those yourself, but don’t forget others in the making it through a year days with the best process. unlike anything any of us summer we could have. For over have ever experienced. Don’t possibly H o w e v e r, a year we faced schedule changes diminish your successes and s u m m e r c a r e and drastically achievements from this year, hopefully extends beyond just yourself. changed from inperson, to online, even if they weren’t ‘normal,’” A l t h o u g h t h e pandemic is rapidly to in-person again. The shift of academic intensity was improving with vaccination availability, it is challenging for all of us to manage, and not yet over, and as we continuously stress, ending the year with a finals week after respect those around you physically, and being fully remote for almost eight months emotionally. Beyond following COVID-19 is not an easy feat. We may have made this protocols, remember to check in on your point before in previous editorials about friends and loved ones. Despite the fact that the world is the new year and the uncertainty of going back, but it still stands. Nobody could have changing, the routines that you may have predicted what the 2020/2021 school year fallen into with contacting others should would look like for Parker students, and the not change as well. Though you may not be fact that we rolled up our sleeves and tackled at home regularly on a Friday night, try to it head-on is an accomplishment that we all carve out time to talk with others who may be still waiting to get back to “normal.” Both should take with us as we move on. So first off, be proud of yourself for you and your loved ones will appreciate it in making it through a year unlike anything any the long run, however inconvenient you may of us have ever experienced. Don’t diminish believe it to be for the time being. We ended the school year last year your successes and achievements from this year, even if they weren’t “normal,” and with uncertainty about what the fall would took place online or in a different unusual look like, given that we had just spent three whole months format. indoors, adapting But, with “Although the pandemic to our new world successes also comes downfalls, is rapidly improving with with the coronavirus pandemic. And now, and most of us have experienced some vaccination availability, it is not as some of us are kind of burnout yet over, and as we continuously preparing to go out into the world, as we reached the final few weeks of stress, respect those around you beyond the walls of Parker that we have class. Homework physically, and emotionally. known for countless w a s p u s h e d o ff years, we are still in exchange for activities to better our mental health, a faced with that uncertainty, albeit a new decision that we most likely would not have kind. Do any of us know what the fall of made in an alternate school year. However, with summer on the horizon, 2021 will look like for school life at Parker? our priorities may shift, and we on “The Will we still have to social distance? Wear Weekly” want to stress that, without the masks? Eat lunch in our advisory pods? constant stress of homework, tests, and Who knows? What we do know, however, projects, do what makes YOU happy. Read is that we can take this time between June a book for fun, try out a new hobby, spend and September to rest, recharge, and prepare time outside, or, what we like to do, catch up ourselves for the future. on the latest issue of “The Weekly.” Burnout and exhaustion is our bodies’ way of asking for help, so listen, and let yourself rest.
The 2021-2022 Editors-in-Chief. Photo by Zach Joseph.
Hi everyone! We are extraordinarily excited to be the Editors-in-Chief of “The Weekly” 2021-22! Jake was so thrilled that he sent Tess and Emma a thumbs up emoji. It feels like just yesterday the three of us were writing for “The Clark Street Journal” — look at us now! All three of us live for this paper, its staff, and the community it serves. To document life at Parker ethically and responsibly for the 111th year of continuous publication, through both its failures and its triumphs, is a privilege we do not take lightly. In addition to the traditional work of “The Weekly,” we’re ready to work with both new and old administrators to impress upon them the importance of student journalism and student voice. We also hope to continue creating great content that the entire student body can interact with on our website (www. parkerweekly.org) and on our Instagram account (@theparkerweekly) — give us a follow to stay updated! “The Weekly” will remain as a reliable source of news for the greater Parker community, a consistent and accessible way for the student body to be informed and connected as we acclimate to a new normal next year. As we all return to the building, we’re so excited to be a part of bringing Parker back together – passing out Weeklys after MX, opening up the Pub Office, and laughing over the backpage in the hallways. Through a difficult and painful year, we’ve turned to the paper for support and we hope our community can do the same as we work through another adjustment period. We’re honored and proud to be your Editors-in-Chief for the 2021-22 school year and to continue the strong work of our predecessors in advocating for a free, open “Weekly.” Sending love from an unlocked Pub, Jake, Emma, and Tess
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GRADUATION Continued from page 6
For the first time in over a year, more than 400 people will gather on campus together to celebrate this year’s seniors. The Class of 2021’s graduation will take place at Parker on Saturday, June 12 at 1 p.m. This year the graduation will be in the Parker auditorium. Senior Gradeheads Emma Castaldi and Yadiner Sabir and Upper School Dean of Students Joe Bruno looked at other venues for graduation, such as Rosemont Theater, to find a venue that would fit COVID-19 social distancing guidelines but ultimately decided on holding graduation at Parker. “I think at the end of the day their decision to make it at Parker and then eventually choosing to make it the auditorium was really amazing that it’s normal,” senior Julia Polsky said. “That’s what they always do, and so there’s just something so comforting in that. Maybe we might not get the luncheon that they would normally do, but at least we get the auditorium experience which is very quintessential to the Parker graduation.” Families will be in pods and in assigned seats to encourage social distancing. They will also arrive at Parker in waves to reduce risk. On May 13, the CDC announced that “indoor and outdoor activities pose minimal risk to fully vaccinated people.” Though the CDC says that vaccinated people are not required to wear masks, attendees will still have to wear a mask and follow social distancing podding procedures at Parker’s graduation. Those who are unable to attend in person will be able to watch a livestream of graduation. Sabir, Castaldi, and Bruno began planning graduation and other end of year activities in mid-January. They also began working with the medical subcommittee to figure out logistics in terms of restrictions for the coronavirus. “One of the first sentences that came out of one of the doctors’ mouths was ‘Our job is not to say no. Our job is to help you make it happen,’” Bruno said. “That set such a positive tone on all of the conversations with the medical committee. They have been beyond responsive and open.” Polsky’s mom is one of the doctors on the medical subcommittee. “ I think for her, there was a personal aspect to it and she really wanted to make it special,” Polsky said. “I’m sure she would have wanted it to be special for any other grade as well but I think for her, it was probably more impactful.” Seniors will practice the day before graduation, on Friday, June 11. During the rehearsal, they will go through the logistics of graduation. “It is hard to do it before
Continuations that Friday because we’re still working out details about graduation,” Sabir said. Traditionally, the Concert Choir performs at graduation. Since Concert Choir includes students from grades 1012, only the seniors in Concert Choir will perform at this year’s graduation. Additionally, there will not be the traditional reception or luncheon after graduation. At the beginning of the year, Sabir knew that they would be able to do more than the class of 2020’s graduation. Last year’s graduation was a video with speeches recorded on campus. Students and families could not gather together so the video was steamed live and then sent to the rest of the school community. “I have enjoyed this class the most because of their attitude,” Sabir said. “This class already has seen what happened to the class of 2020 and from the beginning said that they had all intentions to make this year the best they could, and I think they did a great job. I think they have been resilient, they have had a great sense of humor, and they’re just great sports.” Castaldi and Sabir also prepared students at the beginning of the year for possible changes such as no graduation. “To have a gathering like this, I’m very shocked and very pleased because I would have never expected it,” Castaldi said. “We did kind of have this conversation right at the beginning of the year like ‘This year might be entirely different from what you imagined.’ So after having those conversations it’s very exciting that we can be here, where we are.” Additionally, Castaldi and Sabir have reminded seniors to continue to be vigilant with social distancing so that graduation can happen. “Graduation is the goal,” Castaldi said. “We want everyone to be there so we really had to have conversations with the senior class about, ‘hey, if you want to be at graduation and you want it to happen not virtually, these are the things you’re going to need to think about and consider.” The seniors filled out a form about end of year senior events including graduation. Seniors marked whether they would be fully vaccinated by graduation as well as how many family members will be attending. Additionally, the seniors had two extra COVID-19 saliva screenings before graduation and other senior events such as Prom and the senior retreat. Any decisions regarding quarantining of any seniors will go through the medical subcommittee. The commencement ticket request form also asked about vaccination status, saying that family members can attend regardless of vaccination status but the question was included in the form to calculate capacity. Each family is guaranteed two tickets but could request up to four more. Families could also ask to be podded in two groups. This year’s student speakers are Bodie Florsheim and Emme Silverman. Bruno
“They’re going to many different places and it’s their time now to make their lives, whatever they want to make out of them.”
will be doing the speech and Upper School English teacher Mike Mahany will be reading the poem. Students and faculty were nominated and voted on via a Google Form. “This is, in my years here, the first senior class I’ve really felt I know every one of their names. First and last,” Bruno said. “It feels so special, I could not feel more honored to take a few minutes on graduation day, to be able to speak to this class because they’re a really special group. These students have shown up for me in more ways than I think they will ever know and have taught me so much about myself.” Castaldi, Sabir, and Bruno said that they think the seniors are excited for graduation. “I’m super excited for graduation,” Polsky said. “It’s not that it can’t come sooner, I’m gonna enjoy my last week of normal school and then finals, but this is probably what I’ve been looking forward to most.” Sabir’s son will be one of the seniors graduating this year. “I am very excited for him and for the rest of the class,” Sabir said. “They’re going to many different places and it’s their time now to make their lives, whatever they want to make out of them.” “I’m so excited because these students deserve to be celebrated and we are going to celebrate them in such a big way,” Bruno said. “This job comes with a lot of difficult components, but these are the times that make the job all worth it: celebrating students, watching them as they leave here and they grow, and seeing all the things that they accomplished and all the ways that they change the world.”
CHRIS ARNOLD
Continued from page 10
part of the community at some point in his career. Arnold recalled thinking that Parker “gels with who I am, what I believe in, and what I stand for.” Arnold offered some ideas he had for his first year at Parker. He appreciates the fact that Parker already has a good thing going, and he is hoping to get a “lay of the land” and begin understanding what could be improved. Arnold plans to do this by speaking with students, faculty members, and more, to start thinking about what he can offer to the school to make it better. The Student Interview and Recommendation Board (SIRB), led by senior Olivia Hanley, met with two candidates for Head of Upper School. SIRB has about 12 member students and they conduct their own interviews, but for senior positions like Head of Upper School, Frank and Middle and Upper School Director of Studies, Sven Carlsson, attended as observers. Because Arnold was at different points in time a candidate for both jobs, SIRB had two interviews with him. Hanley “still thought that he found ways to make his answers new, exciting, and fresh.” According to Hanley, the questions SIRB used for their administrative interviews
The Parker Weekly, Page 15
included, “Why do you want to work at Parker? How do you view progressive education?” They also allow time for the candidates to ask questions of the board and afterward, SIRB members stay behind and discuss the candidate. SIRB members then exert their influence over the decision by filling out a form to reflect on each candidate. “Of all of the interview panels, I really truly loved talking to the students,” Arnold said. He appreciated their questions and their care for the interview. Arnold said he was “moved and impressed” by his interaction with SIRB. The experience added to his preexisting respect for Parker students built by interactions with former Parker students at The Chicago Academy for the Arts. He is “excited to actually get into the school,” and get to know students “as individuals.” H a n l e y a p p r e c i a t e d A r n o l d ’s commitment to learning about Parker students in order to make the best changes. “Some candidates have the tendency to want to hit the ground running,” she said, “but I like that he really wants to make sure that he is doing things that benefit us.” Hanley also noted his commitment to transparency which would make the relationship between the students and the administration more smooth. Also coming from The Chicago Academy for Arts is English teacher Christine Hoffman. Hoffman and Arnold both shared a similar sense of excitement to continue working together. Arnold is both pleased to have a familiar face at Parker as well as to have the presence of a teacher he regards as “a fantastic educator” and “a beloved member of this community.” Hoffman reflected on Arnold’s presence at The Chicago Academy for the Arts. “Mr. Arnold led a number of initiatives that were helpful in coalescing the community at our school,” she said. “It was great working with him, and yes, I’m excited to work with him again.” Hoffman cited the impact that Arnold had on DEI programming at The Chicago Academy for the Arts as a very positive result of his work. Frank thought that having faculty and administrators with backgrounds in arts education would benefit Parker. Frank and other interviewers respected that these new teachers and administrators especially would understand “that creativity can be nurtured, identified, expressed, [and] shared in different ways, and that felt like a very Parker approach to things.” Frank predicted that Arnold would be committed to having a full presence at Parker by attending and supporting students in all of their activities as well as giving them a chance to share their ideas and express themselves. Frank was confident that the Upper School administration was very ready to be reactive to the voice of the students. Arnold is committed to listening to and learning about students and he is excited to join the Parker community this summer. “You can leave the theater but the theater never leaves you,” Arnold said, quoting a mentor of his, continuing “and now instead of directing productions I am directing schools.”
The Parker Weekly, Page 16
VACCINE CLINIC
More Continuations
Continued from page 1
Planning the vaccine clinic required significant coordination throughout the Parker community. Throughout the pandemic, communication regarding COVID-19 protocols, safety, and any positive cases have come primarily from the Parker nurses, Nurse Anne Nelson and Nurse Shelby Turner. While Nurse Anne, as she is known throughout the Parker community, worked closely with the Administration, the teachers, and the medical sub-committee of the Board of Trustees, parents consistently turned to Nurse Anne for information during the pandemic school year. When it came time for the vaccine clinic, parents again began calling Nurse Anne to ask about bringing a vaccine clinic to Parker even before the official FDA approval for adolescents. The Parents’ Association Co-Chairs, along with members of the Parents’ Association Executive Team, researched potential providers for an on-site clinic and shared the information with Nurse
PROM
Continued from page 4 everybody was up and dancing, and it was really nice to see everyone all dressed up after only seeing each other at school and in pajamas on a Zoom screen.” As a head of the Social Committee, Simon saw the planning that led up to the event. “On the Social Committee we couldn’t know how well it was going to go before it happened,” Simon said. “But I really think it went the best it could have.” Out of 75 senior students who attend Parker, Shepard estimated around 70 turned out to the event. “You have to think there may have been gatherings that took place out of school,” Shepard said. “But did those include the whole class?” Senior Elliot Landolt attended prom. “I had a ton of fun at Prom this year,” Landolt said. “I think the two main reasons it was so successful were because A, we were not permitted to leave and B, there were no juniors and no underclassman.” At the venue there was dancing and DJ-ing done by a Parker alum Brian Smith ‘09. “It was a good good night,” Shepard said. “Normally at prom students start to leave before the night is over, and there are always some people that are kind of stuck behind. This year everybody partied and had a ball until I made the announcement that it was over.” Landolt felt that staying the full time at Prom was beneficial to the experience. “The first reason it was so amazing for the full two hours was because we were forced to be there,” Landolt said. “So we really bought into having a really fun two hours. Everybody knew this was a really monumental night and the retreat built up
Anne. One of the suggested providers was Instavaxx, a provider that operates a vaccine clinic at Lincoln Park at 2674 N. Halsted. Nurse Anne shared that she contacted Parker parent and member of the medical sub-committee, Dr. Ricardo Rosenkranz, asking, “do you know this place, Instavaxx, and he said, yeah I know the owner… and the rest is history.” Despite the incredibly short timeframe, Dr. Rosenkranz obtained the necessary approvals from Dr. Frank and other members of the medical subcommittee to offer the vaccine clinic at Parker. The entire process from suggestion to vaccination was 10 days. Excitement filled Parker’s Big Gym and the Bailey Garden, where people waited for their turn to be jabbed by Nurse Anne, Nurse Shelby, and other vaccinators. “I loved the positive spirit of the clinic,” said Nurse Anne. “The people were happy to be at school getting their families vaccinated.” Students who received their vaccine at the May 14 clinic agreed with Nurse Anne. “I felt it was a very efficient, safe, and overall good experience,” said sophomore Kai Contractor, who received his first dose of the vaccine at Parker. Seventh grader Ari Deutsch echoed a similar sentiment as Contractor. “I liked getting to it. We really went in with a comradery.” Simon also felt the rtreat added to the tight knit feeling between the seniors at Prom. “We were already kind of on that bonding vibe and were getting along with each other really well because of the retreat. I was super, super grateful that we had an opportunity to have prom.” “With the retreat and everyone being super excited for this one thing, it was nice to have the time to come together,” senior and Prom attendee Bella Charfoos said, also noting the impact of the senior class retreat that was held the day prior. Due to space and the COVID-19 guidelines, this was the first ever senior-only prom. “As sad as I am we didn’t get to enjoy Prom with the juniors, I think it really made for a unique experience,” Simon said. “As a grade we are really close, and everyone was able to be really carefree and dancing, and we got to see everyone because of the smaller group. I obviously wish there were no restrictions, but as we didn’t get a prom last year, having it with just the seniors was super super special.” Landolt felt the absence of younger grades made for a better experience. “I think it really would’ve hurt the experience we had if younger grades were there,” Landolt said. “We were all really comfortable being with each other after the retreat, and therefore nobody was afraid to dance. Everybody was together on the dance floor. Juniors and sophomores may also hinder the experience because they don’t have as much sentiment for Prom, for seniors this is the last hurrah.” Landolt, Simon, and Charfoos all described Prom in a positive light. “This one culminating thing was really the cherry on top to a perfect week, it was really the perfect night,” Charfoos said.
the vaccine at Parker. It was a friendly and familiar environment,” Deutsch said. Nurse Shelby shared a similar excitement. “It was awesome to see Parker students so excited to roll up their sleeves and do their part to protect themselves and others. The gym was filled with hope and happiness—it was an honor to be a part of,” said Shelby. According to Nurse Anne, close to 500 members of the Parker community received a vaccine over the course of the three day clinic. With the expanded vaccine availability, the majority of Parker students in both Middle and Upper School are now vaccine eligible. With vaccination, there is cautious optimism for a return to pre-pandemic life at Parker. “Hopefully, the more people who are vaccinated, the healthier the community will be, and the healthier the community becomes the more likely city health guidelines will allow schools to return to a more normal set of arrangements,” Frank said when asked about the impact of the vaccine on the 2021-22 school year. “We will study the situation closely over the summer with frequent updates to our community along the way.” With nearly 700 people vaccinated over the three day Parker vaccine clinic, those
MOOG
Continued from page 5 that forums like town halls have not been utilized effectively by Cabinet, turning them into, not always so bad, study halls and caf visits, but without providing engaging opportunities for conversation in the high school,” Jacobs said. “I hope to be able to engage the student body in in-person town halls, in order to get feedback, collect opinions, and hear directly from the student body.” As his term as President ends, Wagner reflects on the fears he still has for Student Government in the fall after the half-online, half-in-person year the school recently had. “My biggest fear is that because we’ve had that gap, that year of freshmen who haven’t experienced what it truly is like, sophomores haven’t had a real Democrafest since eighth grade, freshmen haven’t been in plenary, so there’s definitely going to be a lot of teaching that needs to occur,” Wagner said. “My fear is that, those traditions that make Student Government fun, I hope that it’s not too difficult to go back into those, and I hope that anyone on Cabinet is able to revitalize those and add their own new things and create broader inclusion.” Given the new administrative changes that will take place this summer, Moog hopes to use this transition to solidify Student Government. “I think also kind of off of it, there’s gonna be two new administrative members, to see how we can work with them to establish Student Government, and then also to make sure that they kind of understand what Student Government is, and that hopefully, that will allow us to get along,” Moog said.
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near-700 people will return the weekend of June 4 for second doses and, potentially, new people seeking first doses. “We’re going to continue the clinics, we are going to do both first and second shots on June 4th, and after graduation, probably at the end of June, we’ll probably do another one, (vaccine clinic) so stay tuned,” Nurse Anne said. With additional clinics planned for the weekend of June 4, and likely other dates throughout the summer, Parker will continue to play a positive role in ending the pandemic through increased access to coronavirus vaccine to all Chicagoans.
SG ELECTION Continued from page 1
of managing the Student Government budget and running the Participatory Budgeting program. “Although I did not get to participate in a debate, I enjoyed running my Insta and campaigning in other ways,” Carlin said. “I’m so excited for Student Government next year.” Despite the unusual format of this year’s elections, some aspects stayed largely the same with only a few necessary adaptations made for remote learning. Senate continued the long standing tradition of hosting debates between opposing candidates, but instead of having the viewers cluster in the Humanities Center, students and teachers were able to watch the events with their advisories through a Zoom webinar. In addition to the debates, the Student Body was able to learn more about the candidates through a Student Government Instagram account, created and managed by Bronstein. The page featured details surrounding each contested position in addition to information about upcoming election dates. “People seem really excited about having that centralized account,” Bronstein said. “It felt really gratifying when people would repost my posts on their story and their own personal accounts.” She later noted that over ten people reshared one of the posts about the voting timeline. There were also many options to stay updated on the election for nonInstagram users. The Directors of CrossGrade Communication (DOCCs) Grace Conrad and Leila Griffin put together a folder of 45-second videos made by each of the candidates summarizing their platform. While the videos were primarily meant for the eighth grade, the entire Upper School Student Body was able to view them as well. Now, the incoming committee heads look forward to the first meeting with their faculty advisors on June 2. After a brief introduction, they’ll work to plan their focus points for over the summer and begin to lay out ideas for the next school year. “I’m excited to be a Pride head in person because we’ll be able to do a lot more fun events and activities that we wouldn’t be able to do online,” sophomore Luca Lennon said, looking towards the future. “Pride 2021-2022, here we come!”
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Even More Continuations
FINALS
Continued from page 4 the answers, then more power to them. If you took the time to do that, you learned the material.” In a skills-based language class, Upper School Spanish teacher Yadiner Sabir notes that students can easily use a translator while taking an assessment, yet she rarely is cognizant of it. “They can always use a translator, but in the end when you take that exam after a year of practicing those skills, it is going to be evident whether you were actually practicing the skills or if you were using a translator or getting help you were not supposed to get,” Sabir said. With students learning remotely, both Barr and Sabir have used DigiExam, an online application that ensures students are not cheating on their device during an assessment. It locks the student’s screen and prevents them from entering other applications. If a student is required to use extra time, DigiExam can take that into account. Additionally, if internet connectivity issues arise, the exam will automatically shut down and notify the teacher. “I liked Digiexam while we were remote because it gives me the most control I can have over the integrity of the exam,” Sabir said. “It’s very convenient in that sense.” Last year at this time, most Parker faculty were scrambling to maintain a productive curriculum in the heat of the Coronavirus. Many plans for finals were disregarded or reduced. “I think last year, teachers were just struggling, and the learning curve was so hard and it was exhausting,” Barr said. “I was staying up well past midnight every night. So, I don’t think anyone or anything should be judged by last year’s experience as long as someone was trying.” Upper School math teacher Steve Tyler notes the importance of finals, as it prepares students for higher education and stimulates development. He reflects on his college experience. “There were certain college exams that were three hours,” Tyler said. “I think it’s important for high schools to give all students the opportunity to prepare and get used to that. For last year’s finals, those students don’t have that building block where they’re getting ready to handle a three hour exam.” Carlsson notes the significance of finals. “I think it’s important because the idea of finals is to have some sense of closure,” Carlsson said. “We do try to have a cohesive curriculum where we’re viewing people as continuing to grow throughout their time here. On that journey, I think it’s important to have finite growth markers so that you can see not just the continuity but designated moments where you can say ‘hey, we are going to stop and reflect in a meaningful way.’”
OFF TO RAVENSCROFT Continued from page 1
Dan Frank highlighted Brandon’s work on professional development, faculty organization, and communication. He described his work on projects like Family Conference Day, Career Day, the Upper School Council, and the Upper School Diversity Task Force. As a part of his work with diversity, equity, and inclusion, the Young Men of Color Symposium and the Administrators of Color Conference were developed with Brandon’s management and partnership. “He’s been instrumental in being a team member and a leader, in trying to take our Parker ideals and turn them into a reality,” Frank said. Brandon supported increased staffing for Robotics, Model UN, Student Government, and other extracurriculars, as well as for departments like technology and history. He held weekly meetings with Student Government to discuss student life and concerns and tried to stay visible and connected to students through both structural work and more casual traditions like Oreo Friday. Junior Alex Carlin is one officer who worked with Brandon this year as a Senate Head. “He was receptive to what we had to say and we were productive,” Carlin said. The last 14 months of Brandon’s time at Parker occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of which was spent with the Upper School learning remotely. After navigating the shift to online learning with faculty, Brandon oversaw the full return to the building on April 19, culminating in Prom and Graduation for the Class of 2021, along with the creation of the Remote Student council for those who remained at home. Frank noted that Brandon worked not only to support Upper School but considered other divisions in bringing his constituents back to the building. “He had people who were still longing to find a way to actually be in the same place together and as soon as we were able to do that,” Frank said. In addition to the pandemic, Brandon managed public fallout over several disciplinary incidents, including reports of sexual harassment following Gender Week in 2019 and text messages containing racist hate speech the same year. Carlin witnessed the aftermath of these controversial moments during Brandon’s time at Parker. “In the future, Parker has an opportunity to learn and grow from its past mistakes and become stronger when dealing with disciplinary actions,” Carlin said. “Now as it stands, I wouldn’t say that our school is fantastic at dealing with and
confronting issues and instead we keep them under the rug.” Also during Brandon’s tenure was a nationwide creation of Instagram accounts meant to challenge private schools and predominately white institutions following the murder of George Floyd. @Fwpanonymous gave a platform to the voices of Parker community members, particularly those with stories of injustice, oppression, r a c i s m , m i s o g y n y, sexual assault, classism, ableism, and homophobia at the school. Posts highlighted experiences that took place both during and prior to Brandon’s headship. Brandon acknowledged what he labeled as the gaps in school protocol that these experiences highlighted to him.“Each of those situations brought up other layers within our community,” Brandon said. “A lot of the responses were never just about that one situation. They were about several situations that led to this kind of outcry, which is a correct response to what was going on and to where people were.” Following town halls and small-group discussion, Brandon assisted with changes to the handbook regarding definitions of hate speech, harassment and protocols for reporting incidents and more consistent discipline practices.“It took some pain to get there, but I think we’re a better community for recognizing and naming and growing from it.” Brandon oversaw the prior-review of “The Parker Weekly” that was put in place by Frank and Jurgensen. A “Weekly” Editorin-Chief at the time wrote that she believed it was in response to the publication of the editorial “Hear Us,” though no formal reason was given by administrators. This increased oversight was relaxed this spring. “In relation to ‘The Weekly’ or any other student project, it just is his best, fair, honest feedback to help the student project be the best it can be,” Frank said. “It was always with the motivation of promoting learning, offering reflective perspectives that maybe hadn’t been considered before a chance to talk with him.” Though he’s begun transition meetings with his team in Raleigh, Brandon has continued both his divisional work at Parker and his weekly meetings with Incoming Head of Upper School Chris Arnold. “The goal I have in any space is to make sure I leave it better than I found it,” Brandon said.
“He’s been instrumental in being a team member and a leader, in trying to take our Parker ideals and turn them into a reality.”
Brandon is not the only division head transitioning in this way – Head of Intermediate and Middle Schools John Novick is also leaving the school. “Both of us are leaving for promotions,” Brandon said. “Both of us have been sought after, because of the work that we’ve been able to do in our careers.” Between Parker, Latin, and the University of Chicago Lab, Brandon, who described the position as having a shorter job cycle, is the longest tenured Head of Upper School currently serving. There are around six other administrative vacancies at Parker that have been or will be filled by the fall. Miklavcic’s new role at Ravenscroft is similar to a Dean of Faculty position, where she will evaluate, observe, and coach teachers, work with department chairs, and on-board new Ravenscroft families. Before her time in the Middle School, Miklavcic taught Upper School for almost 20 years and will make her return teaching one chemistry class and serving as an advisor at Ravenscroft. Though Miklavcic stated she will miss middle schoolers, she added that she is excited for the change. “Things will be maybe a little bit less silly, but also the opportunity for deep serious discussions is a little bit different,” Miklavcic said. “Bigger kids have bigger problems.” Beyond working in the Middle School, Miklavcic said she has overseen the robotics department, encouraged co-teaching and interdisciplinary work, and tried to make voices heard as a Co-Department Chair. Miklavcic has worked with her co-chair George Austin on these projects. “Although I’ve only known her for a short number of years, I feel like I’ve known her for decades, both as a colleague and as a friend, and I’m going to be missing her tremendously on both those levels,” Austin said. Frank shared that he will miss Brandon’s collaboration, contributions, and humor. “He’s always very approachable, a real problem solver,” Frank said. “He’s been a full participant and a very generous spirit.” Brandon, Miklavic, and their secondgrade daughter Jozi Brandon will be relocating to North Carolina this summer. “I’m looking forward to more trees,” Miklavcic said. “It’s easier to get to green space there than it is here, less traffic between me and the trees.” Both Brandon and Miklavcic are looking forward to applying Parker’s progressvive philosophy to Ravenscroft. “The progressive nature of Parker has been really helpful because it allows us to just try things and take risks in a way that I hadn’t experienced at prior schools,” Brandon said. “I’m looking forward to bringing that to Ravenscroft, when we start imagining and doing responsibly, instead of just imagining and never doing.”
“Things will be maybe a little bit less s i l l y, b u t a l s o t h e opportunity for deep serious discussions is a little bit different.”
The Parker Weekly, Page 18
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W H AT ’ S N E X T F O R T H E C L A S S O F 2 0 2 1 ? Acevedo, Aviel...................................Syracuse University, NY Adami, Andrew.......................................Tulane University, LA Auerbach, Julia.............................Northwestern University, IL Blickstein, Zoey............University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI Buono, Eleanor.............University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI Bustamante, Adrian.............Claremont McKenna College, CA Bustamante, Angel .............................Middlebury College, VT Butler-VanderLinden, Brendan..........Southern Methodist University, TX Butler-VanderLinden, Ethan.......University of California, San Diego, CA
Charfoos, Isabella..........................University of Michigan, MI Collins, Ada...........................................McGill University, QC Conrad, Grace...................................New York University, NY Dhingra, Rohan.................................University of Chicago, IL Ehrlich, William.....................Cornish College of the Arts, WA Fardon, Oscar....................................Vanderbilt University, TN Feitler, Alexander..............................University of Chicago, IL Florsheim, Bodie...........University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI Freedman, Camille ..............................Harvard University, MA Garchik, Matthew........................Northeastern University, MA Gordon, Leah................................Northwestern University, IL Gordon, Matthew......................................Boston College, MA Gourdji, Benjamin....................................Duke University, NC Griffin, Leila..........................................Emory University, GA Gross, Jonah...........................................Lehigh University, PA Gross, Rebecca.................................New York University, NY Hanley, Olivia..........................................Brown University, RI Hoerr, Amelia.........University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL
Isaacs, Ethan................Indiana University at Bloomington, IN Joseph, Zachary................................Vanderbilt University, TN Jung, Emma.......................George Washington University, DC Kass, Griffin...........................................Tulane University, LA Keim, Noah................................................Yale University, CT Landolt, Elliot...............................Georgetown University, DC Leja, Madeline...............................University of Michigan, MI Lieb, Danielle............................................Elon University, NC Limmer, Rosey.................University of Colorado Boulder, CO Mabrey-Wakefield, Aziza ..........................Grinnell College, IA
Mansueto, Daniel..............................Vanderbilt University, TN Marks, Julia..............................University of Pennsylvania, PA Meiselman-Ashen, Samual............University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI
Mendeloff, Madeline.....................University of Michigan, MI Moore, Aniya..........................................Goucher College, MD Munger, Adam........................................Tulane University, LA Muro, Takato..............Washington University in St Louis, MO Neff, Ethan....................University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI O’Brien, Spencer...............................University of Chicago, IL Ori, Ava................................................Dartmouth College, NH Pencak, Scarlett.................Southern Methodist University, TX Polsky, Julia ......................................University of Chicago, IL Rihter, Galini.................................Northwestern University, IL Rodriguez, Veronica............The University of Edinburgh, Scotland
Román, Denise..................George Washington University, DC Rothman, Aaron..................................Stanford University, CA Sabir, Yaaseen.........................University of New Mexico, NM Samuels, Maxwell....................................Tufts University, MA Samuels, Tessa.......University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL
San Fratello, Nathalie.............................Colorado College, CO Satterfield, Lillian..........................University of Michigan, MI Schapiro, Alexander...................................Yale University, CT Schatz, Caleb................Indiana University at Bloomington, IN Schementi, Grayson.............Claremont McKenna College, CA Sennett, Gabriela....................................Bowdoin College, ME Sheridan, Leila..................................Columbia University, NY Silverman, Emerson.................................Duke University, NC Simon, Emily......................................Syracuse University, NY Siskel, Nathan...............................Northwestern University, IL Skok, Nicholas..............University of Southern California, CA Spieske, Aliya................................University of Michigan, MI Torres, Christian........................Columbia College Chicago, IL Wagner, Carter..........................................Tufts University, MA Weinberg, Aidan..........................Northeastern University, MA Werneck Fraga, Joao Pedro.........Washington University in St Louis, MO
Wright, Asha...........................................Tulane University, LA Wrubel, Gabriel......University of California, Los Angeles, CA Zindel, Lydia..........................................Emory University, GA
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