Merionite November 2022

The official student newspaper of Lower Merion High School since 1929 November 2, 2022

The Merionite

www.themerionite.org

Volume 94, Issue 2

Photo by Michelle Kelly ’23/Staff

Penn Wynne second graders marched around the field with peers and parents cheering them on in 2014.

Parades scared away Philip Reynolds ’26

Halloween is the holiday of spooky pumpkin carving, scary movie watching, and ornate house decorating. If you are an elementary schooler in LMSD, a big highlight of the year is the Halloween Parade, which, for many years, has been an event where the district’s youth show off their costumes and pageantry. This festive tradition was recently canceled this year by the district for a multitude of reasons.

Is this a reasonable safety precaution or is this controversy cancel culture’s next victim?

When Director of School and Community Relations Amy Buckman was interviewed by The Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Barbara Laker about the reason for the parades’ cancellations, she responded with the comment, “Security was a big concern.” She argued that when a bunch of elementary school students are accompanied in a field by adults who haven’t been screened or security checked, it creates more than a slight safety concern.

Another reason to abandon the tradition, Buckman noted, is that some parents can’t take off from work without a serious economic

impact on their family, and that not having your parents attend the parade can leave kids feeling disheartened (via The Philadelphia Inquirer).

On another note, LMSD is home to many different cultures and religions which may not agree with the tradition of Halloween. Students may be kept home from school or stuck in the library during the parade, which could make them feel left out. This doesn’t create the sense of belonging that the dristrict tries to embrace (via Laker). Regarding the cancellation of this seemingly wholesome and innocent tradition, Penn Valley fourth grader Jenna N’diaye said, “I don’t care much, and it’s more of a little kid thing, but our whole grade is pretty much upset.” When asked if the younger grades were especially upset, she said, “Yes, definitely.” Her mother, Rachel N’dyaie, added, “As a parent, I have mixed feelings about the cancellation of the Halloween Parade. It was really fun when my children were younger, but I can also see how many things have changed since COVID. My youngest is now in fourth grade, and while I am sad that there won’t be one last parade

for me to see, I also understand the reasoning of LMSD. There are a lot of logistics involved, both for the schools and for parents who need to arrive in the middle of a work day for the event; there are certainly families that may not celebrate Halloween as well. I am glad that the students will have the option to dress up in their costumes for school if they want.”

The cancellation has left a few parents disgruntled and confused. LMSD parent Linda Joseph comments, via 6ABC, “So next people are going to be offended by pumpkins? So we’re going to take away pumpkins or jack-olanterns or pumpkin carving?” Another parent expressed their confusion over the fact that there have been Diwali and Chinese New Year celebrations, which are also holidays that not everyone celebrates. Most parents are against the decision, but the district stands behind logical reasons for the cancellations. One thing is certain: the argument over this holiday is causing quite a stir within our community.

Is the fondly remembered tradition a safety hazard or is it just innocent fun? You decide.

Full Day K Julia Dubnoff ’23 Editor-in-Chief

Photo by Dylan Elgart ’23/Staff

LMSD Director of Elementary Education Dr. Jennifer Gaudioso recently spoke to the community about the district’s outlook on full day kindergarten.

NEWS

ACES acronym: meme or respected?

The LM community’s thoughts on a new school theme page 4

OPINIONS

Beyond the book Exploring Eurocentric standards within the LM English Curriculum page 8

Monday through Friday, students across thirteen grades attend school in LMSD. Halfdays, for most of the district, are saved for long weekends, special schedules, and alternate weather. But for most kindergarteners at the six elementary schools, every school day is a half-day: parents choose for students to enroll in either the morning or afternoon session, attending only a few hours of school each day.

Half-day kindergarten is the standard in the district. Full-day kindergarten has been offered only to those deemed possessing “high literary needs” since 2013 through the Extended Day Kindergarten program, and

to those in need of “additional academic and social/emotional support” since 2021 in the program K-Plus program. Extended Day Kindergarten admits six to eight students per school annually, and K-Plus eight to twelve.

However, LMSD is unique in its half day kindergarten, as 434 out of 500 Pennsylvania school districts offer full-day kindergarten to all students. The local group “Full Day K for LMSD” wants us to join them.

Last April, occupational therapist Abigail Rubin and her husband started an online petition directed toward Superintendent Dr. Khalid Mumin and the school board.

Please see FULL-DAY K on page 3

FEATURES

SPECIAL FEATURE

Something different

Midterm mayhem

Highlighting a unique small business on the Main Line page 14

LM students voice their opinions on the upcoming election this November pages 10-11

A&E

Music in the halls A musician highlights he diversity of opportunities within the LM music department page 13

From top left: Photos courtesy of Lindsay Gillston ’24, Abigail Mosenco ’24, Lily Padersky ’24, Eva Delmonte ’23, Keira Gibbons ’25, Eva Delmonte ’23

At Penn Wynne, Merion, and Cynwyd Elementary Schools, LM students used to celebrate Halloween with parades and peers.

SPORTS

Water polo: A deep dive Learn more about the recent history of the water polo team at LM and their promising fall season page 19

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The Merionite | News

November 2, 2022

Scouting for the stars Noah Barkan ’24 Opinions Editor The newly named Scouts of America made a huge shift three years ago to incorporate scouts of all genders in their activities and the rippling effects are still being seen today. The previously named Boy Scouts of America has been a staple in American culture for decades, teaching young boys the importance of adventure, collaboration, and leadership spanning across many fields and disciplines from art to community service to wilderness skills. In recognition of the lack of inclusivity within the Scouts, as female identifying members were directed to the wildly different Girl Scouts–featuring community service and cookie sales– they recently opened their doors to all students regardless of gender. This had a big impact on thousands of girls across the country, ready to sign up to join a “troop” or local chapter.

Sarah Chenoweth, 8th grader at Bala Cynwyd Middle School (BCMS), was among them. Previously, Chenoweth had dabbled in Scout activities via her brother’s work with them. “I found it pretty fun, so when girls were allowed, I immediately joined his pack,” Chenoweth recalls. Now, Chenoweth is a full fledged Eagle Scout receiving 48 more badges than necessary with a staggering total of 69, while being the first female to do so in the Constellation District, made up of Radnor, Haverford, Marple Newton, and LM. Chenoweth specifically comments that achieving this status is as much about learning as it is about teaching. She says it’s like “learning and showing others what we learned.” The importance of education has been a longstanding tradition within the Eagle Scouts, as has leadership. Historically, Eagle Scouts have been seen influencing the nation— from military generals, to Grammy winning musicians. It certainly seems like the preparation to achieve Eagle Status has gotten Chenoweth ready to pursue all that and more. She recalls the most fun of her badges—Metal Work and Sculpture–as well as the most difficult —Personal Management and Personal Fitness. She says it took a lot of self control to keep up with her routines to earn those two badges, “I definitely thought of giving up many times...It was a lot about reminding myself what I needed to do and what I was working towards.” Her determination certainly paid off. Beyond her badges, as part of the process to achieve Eagle Status, Chenoweth initiated a project installing scaffolding behind BCMS’s plant beds. To her, the project was about giving back to the community, especially to Communiqué, a specialized learning program at BCMS, who supported her in her pursuit. Chenoweth also thanks her parents and troop leaders for their support and encouragement through the process.

While she’s incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be in the scouts, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Chenoweth recalls, “There was a little bit of pushback...it was mainly because scouts used to be all boys.” She specifically cites the lack of updated documentation that still utilizes exclusive pronouns. She has high hopes for the future though, “Girls are joining every year...at some point, it’s probably gonna be equal.” She also praises the hard work of her troop leaders and members to make all the girls in her troop feel included.

So what’s next for the young Eagle Scout? Chenoweth says she’s not sure yet but that she plans to continue assisting her troop and continuing with her volunteering and community service. Whatever Chenoweth does, it’s clear that she will continue to influence her community. Chenoweth’s Eagle status pioneers leadership within the Scouts for young women everywhere in the Constellation District.

Photo courtesy of LMSD

Chenoweth becomes one of six percent of scouts per year to earn the rank of Eagle Scout.

Lawsuit lose out Luke Shepard ’24 News Editor

Graphic by Vivian Collins ’24/Staff

Dating back to 2010, LMSD was launched into national spotlight from reports of the district using the webcams on standard-issued laptops to access student photos and screenshots. The lawsuit was settled with $175,000 going to the son of the initial plaintiffs, David Robbins, and an additional $10,000 going to another student named Jalil Hassan who brought an additional lawsuit. The attorney representing the plaintiffs, Mark Haltzman, received $425,000 from the district.

With national networks such as CNN covering the issue, LMSD was briefly surrounded by negative press not only on the national level, but among the district’s residents.

Now, as the district attempts to balance desires for lights on Arnold Field, full day kindergarten, changed start times, and new facilities for Black Rock Middle School, lawsuits are demanding increased amounts of the budget. The money redirected towards legal endeavors prevents implementation of new district programs.

The current lawsuit, raised by aviation lawyer Arthur Wolk along with two other original plaintiffs, regards the increases in school taxes by LMSD. Citing repeated budget deficits, LMSD justified a 4.4% increase in taxes for the 2016-17 school year.

Based on the Act 1 Index of the Property Tax Relief of Pennsylvania’s Department of Education policy, certain maximums are set regarding Pennsylvania school districts’ ability to increase school taxes. However, LMSD claimed that budget deficits allowed for further tax increases up to 4.4%, even though the Act 1 Index established the permissible maximum increase in taxes at 2.4% for that school year. The supposed budget deficit turned out to be an actual surplus in the budget, with a $3.2 million surplus in the budget from the 2015-2016 school year as opposed to the acclaimed $9 million deficit. After initial legal filings, LMSD was mandated to reduce district taxes to the aforementioned 2.4% maximum increasable level by Montgomery County District Judge Joseph Smyth.

Zooming forward to 2022, the lawsuit ultimately ended with LMSD settling to offer $27 million back to township taxpayers. The final legal settlement’s acceptance was confirmed in a June meeting of the School Board, with approval from the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas on October 20. The legal proceedings that lasted for more than five years have finally terminated with a settlement between the school district and Wolk and the other plaintiffs. With the initial judge order in mind (only residents in Lower Merion Township as of August 2016), a grand total of $15 million will be paid back to these property owners. On top of this initial amount to be paid out, in 2023, 2024, and 2025, LM will issue rebates to township taxpayers. Rebates are typically tax funds given back to taxpayers after having overpaid for a given period. These rebates will run the budget roughly $4 million annually. If the district happens to experience unanticipated surpluses in the budget, the district will be required to pay back 50% of these gains to district taxpayers.

The lawsuit will serve to place constraints on LMSD’s budget moving forward. In order to enact new policies, the district will try to find the balance from paying these legal fees and meeting these community desires. For example, in recent school board meetings, LMSD has communicated their reluctance in moving forward with certain policies due to these anticipated constraints. Since it is difficult to anticipate future lawsuits, LMSD will have to move forward with portions due to the community. LMSD’s budget will be monitored to serve both legal and student needs as the district moves forward.

The Merionite | News

November 2, 2022

LM heralds Hispanic heritage

Roxborough football tragedy Eliza Liebo ’25 Graphics Editor On September 27, a targeted shooting of the Roxborough High School football team took place. When returning to the locker room following their scrimmage against Boys Latin Charter School and Northeast Highschool, the team was ambushed by five unidentified shooters who had been parked in an SUV near the school.

Sixty shots were fired at the team. This event tragically killed fourteen-year-old Nicolas Elizalde and left four other teens wounded.

Four suspects have currently been identified, two of whom have been arrested.

Yaaseen Bivins, 21, and Zyhied Jones, 17, have both been apprehended and charged with murder, along with four accounts of aggravated assault each. Troy Fltetcher, 15, is currently a fugitive and charged with murder and related offenses. Additionally, police have issued an arrest warrant for sixteen-year-old Dayron Burney-Thorn on murder charges. “Philadelphia police and our partners in law enforcement continue to tirelessly investigate this incident, and we ask for the public’s help in identifying the remaining suspects involved,” said District Attorney Larry Krasner. More details regarding the investigation remain unsolved as law enforcement works to bring justice to the victims, their families, and the community of Roxborough.

Many believe the easy accessibility of firearms, that made this attack possible,

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Mia Hail ’23 News Editor

is what is fueling increasing gun violence and the needless deaths of innocent people. Bivins, a pre-identified felon, was illegally able to purchase bullets used in the attack. More than 1,400 people have been shot just this year in Philadelphia, making gun violence an epidemic in the City and causing trauma for its citizens.

Students at Roxborough are now hesitant to join clubs and sports. A new type of fear has now been ushered into an an environment where stuPhotos by Luke Shepard dents used to feel ’24/Staff safe. The community near Roxborough High School is now suffering from trauma and loss as a result of this recent violence.

At LM, the growing fear of school shootings may begin to settle on the students as well. The Roxborough shooting, being in close proximity to LM, along with the Narberth shooting earlier this month, are examples of nearby, concerning gun violence. Last year, multiple threats were made which, although did not occur, still had a lasting effect on the student body.

As the issue of gun violence continues to grow due to easy access to firearms, many agree it is becoming increasingly vital for changes to be made in order to prevent another attack from occurring.

School should not be an environment where students feel threatened or at risk.

Every year, from September 15 to ing various cultures. Passing through the October 15, the United States recognizes hallways, one could not help but notice the Hispanic Heritage Month to celebrate the colorful representations of the prominent history and culture of American citizens Hispanic figures, often accompanied by with Hispanic ancestors. This past month, facts or critical artifacts from their career.

LM prioritized celebrating Hispanic AmerOutside of the door competition, on icans both from the LM community and the bulletin board by the counseling history. Each advisory that was interest- offices, many LM individuals had a ed in participating chance to write about in the display was their experiences as assigned a wellHispanic Americans known and impactand on how they typiful Hispanic Americally honor their culcan and decorated ture. The hallways the door in celebrapresented a balanced tion of the figure. mixture of Hispanic Across the halls, Americans at LM and dozens of decorated popular figures to try doors highlighted and give a voice to important Hispanic varying experiences. figures and their Individual clubs also work that often goes celebrated Hispanic underappreciated in Heritage month. For regular curriculums. i n - stance, Student CounFrom Dolores Huercil posted a celebraPhoto courtesy of Tara Pellegrino ta, co-founder of the tory post on the Aces United Farm Work- Room 230’s door decoration, Nation Instagram. LM ers Association, feautring Guatemalan entrepre- Democrats also took to to popular singer neur Luis Von Ahn, was among Instagram and posted Bruno Mars, the the winners of the decorating daily Heritage Highdoors ensured they competition. lights, which featured featured a wide variety of individuals. Span- quick facts about Hispanic Americans. ish teacher Tara Pellegrino, who organized Hopefully, LM will continue to celebrate the competition, shares her purpose behind the diversity of cultures within the comthe contest, “The door decorating contest munity throughout this year, outside of was an opportunity to turn the halls of Lower just heritage and history months. PelMerion High School into a colorful mural legrino concludes “Often in our country, that celebrates those folks who so rarely the contributions of minoritized groups make it into our history books.”While some are recognized only as tangential, when in were more thoughtful than others, the ini- reality, they have been fundamental to our tiative to educate students on Hispanic success as a nation. We need to start norHeritage month is a great start in promot- malizing the accomplishments of Latinos.”

Full Day K Continued from FULL DAY K on page 1 She discussed her concerns online and with neighbors. Sure enough, many felt the same. “The petition just started spreading like wildfire,” she said. All in all, it received 1022 signatures. She started posting in Facebook groups, and soon formed “Full Day K for LMSD” with other locals. The group takes a multi-faceted approach: members attend school board meetings while also reaching out to board members to share their opinions.

Rubin, a Bala Cynwyd resident and mother of four, sent her eldest child to afternoon kindergarten last school year. “I got to kind of experience it first hand. Professionally, I’m an occupational therapist, so I have a certain understanding about the life development of a person, especially of kids.” Rubin stresses the impact of COVID-19 on development; with typical childcare and nursery schools closed during the initial year-and-a-half of pandemic, many children were unable to receive initial social experiences. “As I was experiencing all of these things while trying to reconcile the social opportunities that are crucial to development,” Rubin explained, “I realized these children have not experienced these very important, very necessary, very natural opportunities to engage with one another and watch people engage.”

A major concern of the group is working parents. Katie DuBoff, for example, is a mother of twins who attended half-day kindergarten at Penn Valley three years ago, hoping full-day schooling will eventually be available for her three-year-old. DuBoff describes, “As a working mom, I experienced childcare challenges of covering the other half of the workday—like so many other parents in our area.” Another working parent, Mariyam Vinci, elaborates on the costs for families on the way this impacts them: “Private full-day kindergarten costs families 10,000 to 30,000 dollars for the school year depending on where they go… there are lots of families that do not have the resources to be able to do this.”

All of this work began in April. Throughout October, Superintendent Mumin, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Alexis McGloin, and Director of Elementary Education Dr. Jennifer Gaudioso presented at weekly community meetings angled towards two elementary schools at a time.

These meetings discussed what Mumin listed five “competing Graphic by Annie Zhao ’24 interests” of the district right now: fields for Black Rock Middle School, lights on Arnold Field, healthy school start times, upcoming budget litigation, and full-day kindergarten. He mentioned beginning the process of creating committees around full-day kindergarten.

Implementing full-day kindergarten would require sorting out many logistics. According to McGloin, “there are a lot of areas that we have to think about, consider, and look at the implications for.’’ Areas of concern include providing sufficient transportation, developing new curriculum, and ensuring there would be sufficient classroom space for all students. She states that the board has currently contracted an enrollment study to calculate how many students would potentially enroll in full-day kindergarten and how much new staff would be required. As of now, the district sees “a significant increase in enrollment between kindergarten and first grade”, likely due to many families choosing to send students to private-sector schools for kindergarten to receive full-day education before beginning the next year at LMSD. An estimate of 17 or more kindergarten classrooms are thought to be needed throughout the district, equipped Photo by Luke Shepard ’24 /Staff with furniture and supplies for students. Exact LM yards are beginning to fill needs will be determined through a facilities with signs that provide both a QR and spaces evaluation. Of course, all these addicode and, and the link to a site to tional f a c - get further involved. tors would not be without a price tag. Based on initial estimates, the district would need to hire around 22.5 full-time teachers, which could cost around 2.475 million dollars. This calculation does not yet include paraprofessionals, cafeteria and recess staff, transportation staff, etc.

Bringing full-day kindergarten to LMSD has received little opposition, but doing so will require a lot more calculations on the districts’ part, and a lot of money. While many Photo by Dylan Elgart ’23/Staff parents hope they can send their children to The community meeting on Oc- full-day kindergarten as soon as next fall, no tober 12 lasted nearly 3 hours definite affirmation or negation has been isdue to a plethora of community sued by the district as to whether or not that could occur. While the interest among parents presentations. appears to be building momentum, fullday kindergarten has not been guaranteed in the near or far future for LMSD. The “Full Day K for LMSD” group asks that anyone wanting to advocate for full day kindergarten reach out to the local commissioner to “voice concerns and raise support.”

The Merionite | News

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November 2, 2022

School start times: a never-ending problem for LM Dylan Spivack ’24 Since 2014, healthy school start times have been a major discussion in LMSD. After many proposals and debates, what is the setback?

LM began their sleep research journey in 2014, when Judith Owens, a national sleep expert and pediatrician, was brought to LMSD to speak to our school community about sleep and the teenage brain. A few months later, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) stated that chronic sleep loss is incredibly common in adolescents and has an easy fix. Their expert recommendation was that in order for kids to be healthiest while learning, schools should not start before 8:30 am, supporting Owen’s statements made to LM. The LMSD community showed great interest in this research, so the acting LMSD superintendent, Dr. Wagner Marseille and the school board authorized the ISC to conduct a short term sleep study that focused on sleep and later start times for LMSD’s high school students. While gathering research, the study took into account the impact of changing the school start times, regarding the different challenges, opportunities, and logistical issues. The research from the ISC report concluded that “the lack of sleep in teenagers has a tremendous detrimental effect on their mental and physical health and ability to learn, and the benefits derived by more sleep are both staggering and undeniable.” After this information was presented to the superintendent in 2015, a survey was sent out to all Harriton and LMHS students to gather data on their sleep patterns. The results showed that only 3.6% of students were

getting adequate hours of sleep each night. The evidence proved that changed start times were essential to the better learning experience of our students, yet nothing changed.

The issue sat unresloved for several years until the spring of 2020, when after a series of community listening sessions, a changed school start time for highschool students was approved by the Lower Merion Board of School Directors, but only under the condition that lights would be installed on Arnold Field. It seemed that the future was brightening when an LM zoning officer approved the decision to install lights onto Arnold Field, only for the plan to be overturned in September 2021 by the Lower Merion Township Zoning Hearing Board. The district claims that lights on Arnold Field are essential for establishing new start times since they are necessary for school sports to practice safely after sunlight hours. Many disagree with this claim, especially a group of parents who have been advocating for healthy start times for almost a decade.

In the most recent meeting between the district and the LM community, the district remained adamant that field lights and healthy school start times should not be disentangled.

As research has demonstrated, LM adolescent students are continuing to pay the physical and mental health price due to the failed logistica process involved with modifying the high school start times.

For now, LMSD hopes to reslove this ongoing issue in the near future.

Graphic by Eliza Liebo ’25/Staff

ACES acronym: meme or respected?

Oyindotun Okunade ’25 On the first day of the new school year, the student body was introduced to the ACES acronym of Accountability, Character, Effort, and Safety. But, do students even care about the new acronym that is plastered all over the walls of LM? To some, it’s just another sticker on the cover of their laptop. To others, it is a new found motto. And to some, “it means nothing.” Here are a few responses from students who were asked to express their thoughts and opinions on the acronym and whether or not it means anything to them.

Some students at LM think that the acronym has been unimpactful. As junior Danielle Esan describes, the saying is “generic and seen everywhere.” Meanwhile, others in the LM community mention how, although it may seem pointless, they still care about and somewhat appreciate the acronym. “It doesn’t mean much but I do care about it,” explains Claire Messam ’23.

While the acronym has developed a more personal signficance for a few students, to Grace Shang ’25, it means “to be a good student and play my part as a student in the school.” For many, the new motto has inspired them to become better high school citizens.

On the other hand, some students feel that LM itself doesn’t reflect the acronym it claims to represent. “When it comes to LM, both as a high school and as a district, ‘accountability’ and ‘safety’ are about the last things I would associate with it,” says an anonymous responder.

Some students feel that LM hasn’t done much to enforce the motto. Georgia Bond ’25 says that “all they’ve done to

enforce it is put up signs. It just feels like another rule or reminder to us.” She mentions how it feels more like the school is trying to indoctrinate us into accepting this more as a ‘rule’ and nothing more. Negative opinions also arise from individuals who believe that the acronym is not fitting for a high school. Sophomore Keith Walsh details that the “ACES” acronym “feels like something you would see in an elementary school [and might] be the reason people don’t take it seriously.”

However, many teachers feel that the motto helps to steer LM towards a better environment. Diversity Coordinator Taj Byrd speaks about the fact that the acronym “represents shared expectations and strives to create a school where everyone can belong, feel safe, and thrive.” He explains that it is meant to foster a sense of accountability among students and make it part of our culture as a school. Additionally, Social Studies teacher Sania Mirzanschall mentions how the acronym helps place everyone into a healthy school community. Mirzanschall states, “the ACES acronym helps orient everyone, staff and students, to promote healthy learning habits and a healthy school culture.” Furthermore, Spanish teacher Tara Pellegrino describes how it helps us as students become the best version of ourselves. She says, “I love it. It embraces students on what they need to be.”

The ACES acronym is either what it simply stands for, something more, or just another sticker put on the walls of LM. Either way, the student body will be waiting to see how the new acronym will impact their LM experience.

Graphic by Emmi Wu ’23/Staff

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The Merionite | Arts & Entertainment

November 2, 2022

Don’t Worry Darling review 2022 Alexa Saler ’25 On Friday September 23, the most anticipated film of the year, Don’t Worry Darling, was released nationwide and sparked a lot of controversy and questions. The acting, directing, cinematography, and fashion were key topics in the many conversations about this film. The film revolves around a 1950’s housewife, Alice and her husband, Jack, who live in the idealized community of Victory, an experimental company town that houses the men who work on a top-secret project. While the husbands go to work, the wives stay at home and do housework. As the story progresses, Alice begins to experience flashbacks of her life prior to the Victory project and questions why she is there in the first place.

Firstly, the acting in this film was just as expected. Florence Pugh was amazing (as always), giving a very authentic performance. Harry Styles’ performance shocked many of us by showing more depth and range than what was anticipated. Prior to the film, he faced criticism from the media and was made a joke on Twitter and TikTok. Although Styles’ performance wasn’t the best, it definitely exceeded my expectations. Another actress is Kiki Layne, who played Margaret. Layne’s eerie character was one of the most essential elements to the plot, creating a lot of depth and helped move the story forward. As for the other characters, they weren’t as pivotal in the plot until the second half of the film, which is where director Olivia Wilde went wrong.

On the director’s side, Wilde did a decent job with the plot ideas, but the quality of the execution of the film was not as audiences hoped. She used specific tropes in the film

it didn’t make sense with the story. The plot was difficult to follow and was only cleared up at the end. In retrospect, that could be argued this created a sense of suspense. I think that the use of cinematography helped mask the director’s faults of the film. The shots of of all the characters, imagery, and hidden clues made it more compelling to watch.

Similar to the cinematography, the fashion in the film was another aspect that was greatly representative of the time period and overall theme. For example, in the beginning, Florence’s character wears a lot of clothes containing pink, red, as well as florals, but as the story progresses, her choice in wardrobe moves away from the typical 1950’s housewife look the more she snaps back into reality. Since the story revolves around mid-century suburban life, the use of dresses, hairstyles, and nail colors helped create the setting, and showed great amounts of attention to detail.

However, I think the real success of the film was the drama surrounding it. Prior to the film, there have been many reports of conflict between cast members and Wilde, such as a video circulating social media that showed Olivia saying that Pugh was being “difficult.” This sparked a media frenzy bashing the director for her unproffesional behavior. Another video showed Harry Styles looking like he spat on Chris Pines at the Venice Film Festival. These two instances caused immense attention to the film, which is what made the movie so successful. All in all, I would rate the movie a 7/10 and would recommend it to anyone who loves fashion, mind games, or simply Florence Pugh.

Graphic courtesy of Talenthouse

Derry Girls: teenage troubles Eilis Brannigan ’24

Graphic by Eliza Liebo ’25/Staff

After many long months of waiting, the third season of Derry Girls has finally been released on Netflix. Packed with hilarious dialogue, incredible writing, cameo appearances, and a killer soundtrack including The Cranberries, it continues to stand out and astonish viewers. Written and created by Lisa McGee, Derry Girls is a coming-of-age sitcom that revolves around five teenagers living in Derry, Northern Ireland in the 1990s. The first episode kicks off with the teenagers nervously waiting for their GCSE results (exam results that will determine if they are qualified to go to college.) In the same episode, they get into trouble with the police. Later in the season they try to get themselves to a FatBoy Slim concert. As they go on adventures, make jokes, and get into sticky situations, their city continues to undergo the chaotic period of sectarian conflict known as the Troubles. Following the lives of Erin, Clare, Orla, Michelle, and James, the third season dives deeper into what it’s like to be a teenager and growing up, especially in the challenging setting of their lives. As I watch the show, I can’t help but think about what it must have been

like for my dad and his sisters to grow up in Northern Ireland during this period.

Derry Girls does a brilliant job of shining light on how younger generations live during times of conflict and its darkness. Teenagers are constantly being forced to live through the arguments of adults and never having a say in how their lives are run. It is only when we grow up that we get to run our own lives.

The season comes to a close in 1998 when the five teenagers all turn eighteen, and vote on the Good Friday Agreement, which established how Northern Ireland should be run. The closing scene of the last episode is one of its most powerful and raw moments, when Erin says a few words for James’ movie. I don’t want to take away the power of the last scene, so you’ll just have to watch it to live it. From the beginning of the show, the five teenagers have grown up alongside Northern Ireland. As they grow up in the Troubles and change blossoms, everything finally comes to an end. As Erin’s Granda puts it “what if all this becomes a ghost story you’ll tell your wains one day. Hmm? A ghost story they’ll hardly believe.” Thanks to the Derry Girls for telling their ghost story.

Bringing glee to Funny Girl Charles Kurland ’24

Lea Michelle has taken the Broadway hit Funny Girl by storm. Previously starring Beanie Feldstien, Funny Girl opened in April of 2022 at the August Wilson Theater and was greeted with very unpleasant reactions from the audience. Many said that for a show like Funny Girl, one must have a lead that is stupendous and thrilling. The New York Times wrote that Beanie Feldstien offered “a pleasant performance,” and that she “is not stupendous.” The opinions on the show’s star girl were not set in stone. For years, rumors online had been circulating that Lea Michelle would star as Fanny Brice because she had previously starred in the immensely successful show, Glee. Lea Michelle was well known by her audience for singing “Don’t Rain On My Parade,” a song from Funny Girl, in the television series.

In this series, her character, Rachel Berry, is cast as Fanny Brice and captivates the audience with her dazzling, but fictitious, performance. Since her days on Glee, fans have only dreamed of seeing Michelle’s television character performance come to life in a genuine Broadway show. This dream became a reality on July 11 when Lea Michelle announced to her fans that she would be taking on the “almost destined” role as Fanny Brice in Funny Girl. She said that, “a dream come true is an understatement.”

captivating performance with stellar vocals. The New York Times raved about Lea Michelle’s performance and stage presence. The article writes, “Lea Michelle, who took over the role on September 6, turns out to be that stupendous Fanny.” The article further goes on to explain, “both vulnerable and invulnerable, kooky and ardent, she makes the show worth watching again.” Lea Michelle has done something stupendous with this show. Once an outdated and dry musical, she has taken this performance, molded it into her own, and transformed the face of Funny Girl forever.

To her true fans, this opportunity is a dream of a lifetime and as many fans say, “was inevitable” due to the fact that she was destined to play Fanny Brice.

Since her public announcement, the anticipation to see Lea Michelle’s, “Don’t Rain on My Parade” performed on the August Wilson Theater stage skyrocketed. On Funny Girl, Lea Michele’s performance did not lack any controversy. Upon her first week performing, Lea Michelle announced that she would not be performing at her regularly scheduled Saturday performance. It was later revealed that she had tested positive for COVID-19, leaving many fans disappointed. This followed with an understudy attempting to fill in the shoes of her role. At last, she returned to the stage on September 20 as charismatic (and healthy) as ever, delivering a

Graphic by Julia Zorc ’24/Staff

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The Merionite | Arts & Entertainment

November 2, 2022

BTS remains loyal to their Army Dia Ahmad ’23 Arts & Entertainment Editor I remember how I found BTS in 6th grade. I was talking non-stop and my Korean friend It almost seemed that BTS’ respective company, Hybe, shared the same opinion. They decided the best way to make me shut up was to force me to listen to had BTS collaborate with western artists such as Nicki Minaj, Me their music. I instantly fell in love with the cinematic shots in their gan The Stallion and Halsey. They also released multiple songs in music videos and the versatility of their music. Over time, my love English as a way to grab attention from their western fanbase. On for the group faded but I still appreciate their older albums. Even October 17, CNN announced that BTS’ oldest member, Jin, would after I stopped keeping up with BTS, one thing was always clear to embark for his military service later this year. Prior to this state me—they would probably never go to the military; not only did they ment, the Korean parliament was able to pass a law in 2020 statcontribute 3.6 Billion US dollars to the Korean economy, but they ing that extremely successful male celebrities may put off their service also changed the music industry. Korean artists like PSY, 2NE1, and until they are 30 years old. Since Jin is almost 30, he let the world Girls Generation all worked hard to make K-pop more popular glob know that his time to enlist is now, but before he leaves he plans on ally. BTS was the first groups to go viral and become recognized. releasing a solo album in order to make the temporary partMany people debated their role in Korean society. Is it fair ing less painful. David Liu ’23, told me that the news “brought for them to be exempt? The Youtube Channel Asian Boss in him to tears,” especially since Jin was his bias. Bias is a K-pop terviewed many citizens on the streets of Seoul asking them slang term for one’s favorite member in a group. I take a lot of this question, and even fans of the group said that they should, Photo courtesy of CNN inspiration from V from BTS, and I grew up watching his concert clips, “We are still at war and it is their duty.” I was surprised to hear this opinion because I so to think that I might not get to see him in concert while I’m in college is disheartening. thought that their impact on the economy mattered more than their 18 month service.

Nonetheless, I respect BTS’ decision and I encourage others to do the same.

Fall into festivities

Inside the zine

Ethan Quan ’25

Fall Fest, a day of celebration for music and the arts of LM, took place on October 8. Its goal was to expose the community, especially elementary school students, to the arts of LM. At the forefront of the event was Jessica Villante (the organizer), Players, the rest of the music department, and BuildOn. Together, they hosted numerous activities in hopes of inspiring kids to pursue the arts.

During Fall Fest, the music department had student musicians travel around and play their instruments in various parts of the school. This allowed kids to get an engaging and intimate experience with instruments and live mu sic, which can be absolutely life changing.

In the spirit of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Players curated events for children (and adults) to enjoy. Their face paint-

Ezra Ftaiha ’25

ing station was a hit, and a big group of smiling kids lined up in the atrium to partici pate. As a way to get kids interested in live theater and to promote their show, Players hosted a sing along to “Be Our Guest,” a beloved show tune. These activities filled the halls with even more musical cheer.

Fall Fest ran like a well oiled machine thanks to the amazing BuildOn volunteers.

By guiding people through the school and answering questions, they allowed members to present their work without worry.

It is imperative to the future of the arts that communities show off their music to the younger student community.

Fall Fest helped to expand the range of audience for the music of LM. With events such as Fall Fest, children are able to be introduced to live music and performances and thus the value of the arts.

Photo courtesy of Ethan Quan ’25

Watch out artists! InsideOut, LM’s digital art club, is under new management! With the club’s currenr management come fantastic ideas and changes. Thanks to seniors Abigail Parks, Annie Wackerman and Lily Greenberg, InsideOut is getting ready to bring its best year yet. Since 2014, the club has gone through many faces ranging from comics, animation, graphic design, and photography, but has always been welcoming to each and every medium of art. InsideOut is striving to be come the best place at LM to share any art!

The style of InsideOut is changing for the better! Previously, they sported a clean, gallery-like look, but to better reflect the various art styles of its mem bers, the aesthetic of the club is changing to an eclectic look along the lines of zine.

Zine is a term for magazine styled art that is popular with punk artists. This means that anything from grunge to formal will find its place perfectly! The leadership of the three new leaders will help InsideOut grow into a powerful platform for all artists to express who they are through their art.

Whether you're an artist looking to share your art, or someone looking to join a team of artists, InsideOut is the

place to be. Everyone works for the common goal of sharing and supporting art.

For people interested in working behind the scenes of InsideOut, there are many ways to help out; ranging from web design to promotional work, with many more inbetween! InsideOut offers an inclusive space for all artists at LM to share and create art, and for members to make new bonds and to strengthen their old friendships.

To kick off the year, they did an October spooky themed art contest, and they plan to hold new competitions every month. So, make sure to keep up with them by showing up to their weekly meet ings. Along with the art contest, they also got right to work on the revamping of their logo to fit the spooky Halloween vibes.

Every month, they plan to redesign based on the theme of the monthly submissions to further the aesthetic of the contest.

Everyone is welcome in InsideOut, no matter if they are new to art or a veteran. It's a great community. If you are interested in the visual arts and want to share that with the greater community, then this is the place for you. The club is a blast and is great for making new friends. In sideOut is the perfect place for any art ist looking to improve or share their art!

Strike on the Schuylkill Oren Goldberg ’25

On September 4, 2020 the Philadelphia Museum of Art reopened its doors after a six month closure due to COVID-19. That January, the museum had been rocked by repeated, long-standing allegations of sexual misconduct and physical abuse from management.

Additionally, in February of 2020, the museum had laid off 85 employees and 42 others took “voluntary separation agreements.” Returning to work, the museum workers found themselves without hazard pay, unsafe conditions, little benefits, and overall low wages.

On October 27, 2021 an employee of the PMA asked a question during a Q&A session to general counsel Bill Petersen: Was the museum concerned about the number of staff leaving? Were they going to take any action to try to retain staff?

Petersen replied that while the museum was sorry to see them leave, they were free to go.

“The message was clear: Stay or go, I don’t care,” says striking worker Emily Rice in an ar ticle for online art magazine Hyperallergic. Rice continues, “It no longer feels like I work at Philadelphia’s premier art museum. We no longer have enough staff to function properly. We have no archivist, no rights and reproduction specialist, no collections database manager; we have only one paper conservator, one preparator, and one press officer. Each remaining staff person is covering the work of two or three people.”

The staff at the Philadelphia Museum of Art voted overwhelmingly in favor of union izing in this past August and have been fighting for a contract ever since. On August 30, after fighting for a contract for two years the museum workers voted to authorize a strike with 99% voting “yes”. “I was certain the museum would start working with us, but as with many parts of this process, I was wrong,” says Emily Rice on the Union’s one-day warning strike on September 16. The PMA workers have been on strike since September 26, accompanied by an outpouring of support from the broader arts community and the leftwing community in Philadelphia and massive rallies on the museum’s iconic front steps.

Despite the large amount of support coming from the art world there isn’t much that can be done internally. “The artists don’t own the pieces in the museum anymore,” says art department head and LM teachers union leader Russel Loue. He continues, “They can however, raise their voice. Most of the artists in the museum are dead. For the contemporary living artists there’s not much they can do. It’s a very niche world.”

While unfortunately the artists are virtually powerless in this situation, like any other strike or labor related action, it is about the people, both the striking workers them selves and the general support they garner from the public make these things successful.

“I love going to art museums, but until the PMA fairly compensates their workers I just can’t support them,” says Nick Barr Bono ’23, “While I am a fan of art, it’s the people who make art and people are always more important.” Sam Donagi ’25 said, “I

Graphic by Ilana Zahavy ’24/Staff

stand with the unions no matter what. People deserve fair wages and fair treatment. Art museum workers unionizing is no different to me than any other workers unionizing.”

These two members of Generation Z are not alone. Even a cursory glance at labor activity and union membership shows a sharp rise over the past few years. Major ambitious movements such as the efforts to unionize Starbucks and Amazon are only a few examples of this trend. While not long ago the labor movement was perhaps seen as dead or a relic of the past with workers unions having become synonymous with corruption and low membership, our generation has been at the forefront of a new era in workers rights.

So be it because of pandemic polarization, economic downturn, or impending climate catastrophe, Generation Z have shown that we will raise our voice and stand up for what we believe is right. Even if you love art, it’s crucial to take into consideration what goes on behind the scenes in these museums as well as what the general work experience is like for many young people these days. As shown time and time again these past handful of years one doesn’t need to look too far for change to be happening, this is a movement going down in our backyard. As the old labor anthem goes, “Which side are you on?”

On the morning of Friday October 14 the PMA Union, an affiliate of the AFSCME District Council 47 reached an agreement with the Philadelphia Museum of Art and announced a two year union contract after 19 days of striking. The union voted 99% in favor of the contract and got all of their demands met, mainly those about wages and healthcare benefits. “I feel good about the terms,” said Union President Adam Rizzo in a quote for The Philadelphia Inquirer, he continues, “they met every demand we asked for.”

This union victory comes off the heels of the aforementioned union victories for workers at Amazon and Starbucks locations across the country. The PMA will be opening their Henri Matisse exhibit on October 20, now with a unionized workforce. Only time will tell how this specific union’s actions unfolds, but these recent events show the im pact that labor action can have.

November 2, 2022 The Merionite

Official newspaper of Lower Merion High School since 1929 www.themerionite.org Columbia Scholastic Press Assocation Silver Crown 2013 Editors-in-Chief Julia Dubnoff ’23 Angela Ge ’23 Emmi Wu ’23 News Editors Vivian Collins ’24 Mia Hail ’23 Zoe Hassett ’23 Michelle Kelly ’23 Luke Shepard ’24 Opinions Editors Sam Abella ’24 Noah Barkan ’24 Joy Donovan ’23 Madeleine Fiks ’23 Features Editors Ava Cohen ’23 Crosby Johnson ’24 Olivia Lee ’23 Lila Schwartzberg ’24 Arts and Entertainment Editors Dia Ahmad ’23 Sebastian Havira ’23 Siobhan Minerva ’24 Gabby Tepper-Waterman ’23 Sports Editors Shaine Davison ’23 Sarah France ’24 Nathan Grunfeld ’24 Gideon Wolf ’24 Copy Editors Ben Cromer ’24 Jessica Dubin ’23 Lela Miller ’24

The Merionite | Opinions

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Editorial: Enforcement and education Clubs are an inspiring educational activity to take part in, teaching valuable life skills in collaboration, creativity, and leadership. They can additionally foster constructive competition and serve as a positive influence on the community as a whole. All of what clubs stand for and serve in the students’ lives relies on one thing—community. Classes already offer rigorous coursework and clubs fill the void of active collaboration in topics students are passionate about.

A central barrier, however, to this pivotal aspect of student activities is a rising issue in most LM clubs: gender barriers.

The issue is simple: there is very little gender diversity within clubs. Almost every single club or student organization has striking disparities in club breakdown, often leading to one gender dominating participation, leadership, and inclusion.

LM’s student robotics club, DAWGMA, is one of the most evident examples of this. The extreme gender breakdown is shocking.

This is hardly an irregularity, but the data is stark. This year’s demographic data reveals a 1:3 female to general membership correlation of only 21 respondents though officers state last year’s demographics started at around 10% female and dipped down even lower through competitive seasons. This means, in many cases, a “build day” could have two students out of a lab of thirty who are female in LM’s only robotics club.

Even though the simple lack of diversity is harmful, far more widespread is the lack of inclusivity and prompted participation within clubs. Though several clubs may have demographic diversity, lack of inclusion and gender integration creates a sense of separation. This division can be seen clearly through LM’s prominent Debate Club. Though the

breakdown in numbers is fairly diverse, the club divides itself into three different sections for the three separate models of debate; Parliamentary, Public Forum, and Lincoln-Douglas. It is within these pockets of the club that a model echoed throughout the rest of LM activities is seen. Parliamentary is almost exclusively female. Yet in both Public Forum and Lincoln-Douglas, there are virtually no female participants.

So what causes these patterns? Given the competitive student culture at LM, there clearly is not a lack of interest in club participation. Many also note that, while several clubs have nearly exclusively female membership, there are few that have only male members. The reason for the socially-constructed disparity seems to lie in leadership. When predominantly male staff or gender diverse staff were present in LM’s Mock Trial team, there was a notably higher number of male competitors in the club. However, throughout the 20212022 school year, Mock Trial leadership was only female and, consequently, male participation harshly decreased. Similarly, DAWGMA’s officer team is completely male while the deputies are 3:1 split male to female revealing a 10% female leader ship team, directly mirroring last year’s membership demographic estimate. Even here, The Merionite’s staff is mainly female, possibly correlating with a 3:1 female to male split this year. In LM’s Student Council, many students note that it is far more male dominated this year (with a nearly all male cabinet) than in past years. As shown by Student Council, though, the correlation of leadership to membership is not a two sided street. While male students seem uncomfortable participating in female

-led clubs, female students do not seem to share the similar feeling with male dominated leadership. Despite the primarily male cabinet, there is still a surplus of female students in Student Council making it one of the more gender diverse clubs at LM. This represents the demasculinizing stigma amongst men being subject to forms of inferiority to women—especially in a professional, intellectual based setting.

So, what is the solution? Many might claim the key to diversity is having a gender diverse leadership team–with focus on male leadership–in order to make everyone feel comfortable. After all, it clearly worked for Student Council. But this would disadvantage the female students who worked hard to achieve these same leadership positions.

Instead of blaming and penalizing female leadership for the men unwilling to participate in female-led clubs, the real solution is to hold male students accountable in recognizing misogynistic biases they host and address them head on.

Further, it is crucial that we as a society work to examine the causes of what might seem like a small-scale issue of student club membership demographics, but has much larger implications. We must ask ourselves what the biases we individually host impact and how they can contribute to a culture in which male students feel uncomfortable having a female leader.

The collaboration and teamwork seen in clubs is not going anywhere. What changes, however, is the voices that are incorporated within those collaboratve environments and whose voices we as a community choose to uplift. That is up to us.

Unsigned editorials reflect the general opinion of the staff and not the opinion of any single editor.

Articles and letters featured in the Opinions section reflect the viewpoints of individual contributers and not neccesarily those of The Merionite editorial staff.

Senior Design Editor Ilana Zahavy ’24 Graphics Editors Eliza Liebo ’25 Tillie Szwartz ’25 Julia Zorc ’24 Senior Web Editor Katie Fang ’23 Web Editor Claire Wang ’23 Business Manager Cam Gordon ’23 Eli Gordon ’23 Assistant Business Manager Anna Costantino ’24 Photographers Dylan Elgart ’23 Anika Xi ’23 Social Media and Outreach Dani Itkin-Ofer ’24 Julia Russel ’23 Nolan Shanley ’23 Advisor Charles Henneberry The editors believe all facts presented in the newspaper to be accurate. The paper acknowledges that mistakes are possible and welcomes questions as to accuracy. Inquiries regarding accuracy should be directed to the editors of the paper. Editors can be contacted via e-mail at merionite@gmail.com or in Room 200A. To represent all viewpoints in the school community, The Merionite welcomes all lettersto the editor. Letters can be sent via e-mail or dropped off outsideThe Merionite office. The Merionite reserves the right to edit letters to the editor for length or clarity. All unattributed images are courtesy of WikiCommons.

HWC’s: A Path to Success Are all women’s colleges truly beneficial or are they stuck in the past?

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock Fall. The season of Friday night football, Halloween, pumpkin patches, and highly dreaded college applications. Scanning through websites describing the opportunities that different schools provide gets repetitive. The abundance of options among the 5,300 colleges in the US can be overwhelming. However, for those interested in attending a Historically Women’s College (HWC), the options are more slim.

Specifically, anyone interested in studying at an HWC is choosing from 28 schools.

Katherine Fifty years ago, there were almost ten Potts-Drew ’26 times the amount of HWCs than today; what caused the drop? Why were these schools more popular in the 20th century? A main reason that they were appealing to young women was that it was an opportunity to obtain a higher degree. Education for women, especially at undergraduate and graduate levels, has not been around for that long compared to male education. HWCs played a very important role in advancing these disparities and shutting down stereotypes that women are not as capable as men. Women were able to dive deeper into their interests and receive degrees as a bonus. Advanced education became a widespread asset for women all over the country because of the number of HWCs colleges that were established.

Depite the misconception that HWCs do not prepare women for the male-dominated, competitive work environment they may encounter in the future, HWCs report higher levels of collaboration and also provide higher levels of academic challenges. When speaking with

Alex Greenblatt ’22, a current student at Wellesley, she explained that students at HWCs are a lot more competitive with themselves, versus other people, and that “there’s an immediate bonding that comes from going to a small school, even more so with HWCs, and that leads to a pretty civilized academic experience.” She also mentioned that for women interested in going into traditionally male-dominated fields, such as STEM, they get “to be in an environment where their teachers look like them and their classes are filled with like-minded peers.” This encourages students to persevere and find inspiration.

Historically Women’s Colleges report incredible findings—the numbers say it all. People from co-ed colleges have an average of 65 percent graduation rate, while HWCs at a comparable level have an approximate eighty percent graduation rate. On top of this, around 81 percent of HWC attendees continue their education after college to earn an advanced degree, and graduates are twice as likely to go on to medical school and receive doctorates. HWCs have definitely made a name for themselves in the government, as well, comprising twenty percent of women in Congress.

In my eyes, HWCs are an opportunity for a great community of hardworking individuals to collaborate and experience a pivotal part of their lives together. Graduation rates soar and the students thrive under the academic environment. These schools have not failed to impress with the inspiration seeded into their alumni, who continue to work hard in dedicating themselves to the care of their schools. Hillary Clinton, Alice Walker, Meryl Streep and many more continue to speak highly of their experience in attending an HWC. This creates a tight-knit student/alumni group which is an interest point for many. HWCs have repeatedly produced graduates who excel through their careers, and will continue to do so.

The Merionite | Opinions

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November 2, 2022

New school, new priorities For most students, the years spent in middle school are a developmental period of growth between elementary school and high school.

Students learn valuable lessons in time management, experience more difficult classes, and begin to adapt to a new independent schedule. But for LMSD, the addition of Black Rock Middle School (BRMS) has created a rift between the Vivian Collins ’24 educations of all three middle schools in the district.

News Editor BRMS was built with state of the art facilities. The school is a brand new building packed with modern technology, a completely different classroom model, and amenities such as movable furniture. Since it has been built, all three middle schools have adapted a new, content-based curriculum and learning structure. When I was fortunate enough to tour and experience the luxurythe new building, it was clear to me that Bala Cynwyd Middle School (BCMS) and Welsh Valley Middle School (WVMS), are not nearly as equipped to keep up with these education-based changes in curriculum.

The conditions of a classroom are extremely im-

portant to the success of a student. Almost every piece of furniture in BRMS is moveable, allowing for versatile classroom designs. Even bookcases and lounge chairs can be repositioned to increase student productivity. At BCMS and WVMS, there is not only a lack of mobile furniture, but also a lack of space for the furniture to rest. Students attend classes in rooms almost identical to those of LM, not rooms that resemble those of Google Headquarters. At BRMS, there are also specialized rooms called “nests” that are designed to be isolated learning areas for individual students or collaborative work. Rooms like this can be extremely beneficial to students’ learning capabilities and group project skills, but do not exist at the other two middle schools. Additionally, located in the center of BRMS is what administrators have dubbed the “heart,” an open atrium filled with more mobile furniture and technology charging stations. This area not only works to create a helpful and positive space for students, but helps foster a better social community.

The new curriculum for middle schoolers fits the new mold of BRMS, but will not work at BCMS and WVMS. The curriculum changes include a more content based style of learning in which the subjects students learn build off of one another. For example, if a student is learning about Newton’s Laws of Motion, they will discuss it in science class, learn the equations in math class, and design an experiment in technology education. While this new model of edu-

Beyond the book Recently, discussions of the importance of representation and equality h a v e beco m e commonplace at LM. Especially in tokenized months such as Black History Month and Women’s History Month, it is common Noah Barkan ’24 to have lessons Opinions Editor and small units targeted toward highlighting works of marginalized communities. Many allies and fighters for equality have called into discussion the importance of diversity and celebration of historical figures prominent in their given subject. While many teachers attempt to amend the system to squeeze in representation, one point not being taken into account is the innate destructive nature of the system itself.

Current modes of English curricula rely on what is widely considered to be generally excellent. When it comes to literature and the arts, the subjective decision about whether or not it is “good” is at the crux of whether it will be integrated into the class.

But what does “good” or “excellent” look like? The truth is, excellence is a social construct and the way we view and rate works comes down to the society and culture we live in. When the history of our country, especially relating to literature and arts, is taken into consideration, the cracks begin to show.

It is widely agreed that Shakespeare was a pioneer of his time and his work is still held in high regard throughout LM’s English department.

Jane Austen and her novels riddel my early years at Bala Cynwyd Middle School. From my past seven years at LMSD, I have been required to read Edward Allan Poe’s The Raven in at least three different classes. All of these writers and works are widely agreed upon as quality, but the truth is, poetry, novels, and plays hail a Eurocentric privileged past. A mixture of cultural diffusion, dissipation of language, and systemic barriers for achieve-

ment means a majority of “classic” authors in these fields are white, privileged, European descendants. Perhaps more importantly, the standard of excellence within novels, poems, and playwriting was developed by these same groups.

What does this leave us with? A concept of quality literature and arts developed by and for wealthy, white Eurocentrists.

Many have recognized the lack of diversity and inclusion within these groups of authors and have attempted to combat it by including a more diverse set of novelists, poets and playwrights.

By pinpointing specific authors and artists of color, many believe equality and diversity have been achieved. Instead, this mindset has led to a performative way of celebrating people of color who have been able to best conform with the Eurocentric culture. Though any and all artists and authors should be celebrated, it is important to not force a media or expectation on artists and authors as a whole. Figures like Amanda Gorman are making history and changing the world but high school students’ education should not be limited to just her.

Media forms of “good” art as well as literature could easily be expanded beyond what it is today. Pivotal parts of communication and analysis, some of the aims of the English curriculum, could be achieved through more inclusive forms. Things like spoken word, a pertinent part of several indigenous communities including the Lenni-Lenape people whose land LMHS occupies, could be an integral part of literature and arts curriculum.

Other forms such as lyrical music and the importance it has within the Black community as well as the historical significance of lyrics in education during Jim Crow are all facets that should be delved into rather than being regarded as too un-excellent to include within curriculum.

At the end of the day, we as a society must confront what we believe is important to learn about and what is not.

We need to address the aspects of our life so heavily rooted in our societies’ history and examine the importance they still hold. Finally, we need to dedicate ourselves to true inclusion and diversity, not just within LM as many English curricula are far worse, but throughout the world.

cation will significantly improve student learning, I do not think it can be replicated similarly between the schools. This system works so well at BRMS because it is exactly what the school was designed for. BCMS and WVMS do not share these same advanced classrooms nor the resources to accommodate the curriculum updates. Along with the new curriculum, there is a completely different schedule being implemented.

Once again, this schedule fits the mold of BRMS, but, having attended BCMS myself, I can safely say that the staggered dismissal times and lack of bells will be detrimental to hallway travel at BCMS and WVMS. Only one group of students in the district will experience the benefits of BRMS in correspondence with the recent changes of learning. This results in only a third of the high school’s populations having a different mindset when it comes to education, therefore putting all other students at a disadvantage. LMSD would have been better off allocating the 90 million spent on BRMS to create positive change throughout the entire district. Even if building a new middle school was inevitable, it is unfair for LMSD to build a brand new, state of the art facility that only some middle school students will be able to truly experience. Instead of pouring all of their funds into one school, each middle school should have been equally updated with the funds, which would result in significantly better educated and adequately adjusted students for learning changes across the district.

Cancelling opinions Have you ever wondered what would have happened in this country if abolitionists were not ab l e to make themselves heard? What would our society be like if instead the C i vi l Rights Aaron Silber ’26 Movement had been silenced? When we think of “cancel culture”, we may think of people doing something positive by holding someone accountable for bad behavior, but are we also making it impossible for diversity of opinion to exist?

Diversity of general opinion is a critical, influencial part of democracy.

Without it, positive change can not happen. One might claim that people do not get canceled for having a different opinion. They get canceled for having an opinion that offends someone. But isn’t it also true that many people were once offended by the idea that women should be allowed to vote, that people of all races should attend the same schools?

Aren’t some people offended by Critical Race Theory In School? The problem is not so much the content of what is being “canceled” but more so the disapproval of anything that goes against the general consensus, even if it prompts progress.

So, what is “Cancel Culture” exactly?

The Wikipedia definition of Cancel

Culture is a form of ostracism in which someone is thrust out of socialor professional circles whether it be online, on social media, or in person. Being ostracized would have a huge impact on someone’s life. It would make sense that many people would be afraid to express controversial opinions. But what if that controversy would lead to positive change?

Oftentimes, cancellation is a form of punishment for ignorance. In many cases, one’s lack of knowledge about a subject is what results in social outcast.

But working to help the other person understand the issue better or see the other point of view relies on communication. Maybe the person who offended us did not understand the issue, but they could learn to understand it better with discussion. They are not as likely to be fully open-minded toward an attack as they would be to a conversation. If it’s not punishment, what are we trying to achieve? I would suggest an alternative to openly disagree and make our point of view known. If it is impossible to make the person who offended us understand why their words or actions were harmful, we can make it known publicly that our ideas matter. Should we really be in agreement about everything anyway? Do we really want to live in a world where people tell us what to think? Only you get to decide what you want to say, because your opinion does, in fact, matter.

Diversity of opinion benefits a democracy to progress forward, and if Cancel Culture prevents that from happening, then we will just get nowhere.

Graphic by Eliza Liebo ’25/Staff

November 2, 2022

The Merionite | Opinions | Political Review

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Pot Politics In a society as politically driven and polarized as the one we live in today, campaign promises are any political candidate’s best friend. That being said, we see time and time again our elected politicians struggle to follow through with the initiatives and ideas laid out during their campaigns, or fail to do so completely.

The archaic nature of recent marijuana laws, as well as its classification as a Schedule One drug, has resulted in thousands of individuals bearing the implications and stigmas that follow a possession related conviction.

During his 2020 campaign, President Biden promised he would, “decriminalize cannabis use and automatically expunge prior convictions,’’ but nearing what would mark two years of his presidency, he was still yet to do so. That is, until this month.

Aliyah Brownstein ’24 On October 6th, President Biden announced a pivotal first step in the reversal of the War on Drugs. His announcement declared the pardoning of all federal offenses of marijuana possession as well as a re-evaluation of the classification of the drug. This initiative will provide assistance to those who have been denied schooling, jobs, and even housing on the grounds of a marijuana possession conviction. Though many rejoice at President Biden’s step towards legalization, the history of the War on Drugs has had an immense impact, and this move can be considered nothing if not too little, too late.

The War on Drugs is arguably our country’s longest and most brutal war, disproportionately affecting those of lower socio-economic status and people of color.

Prior to Biden’s announcement, the legislation regarding marijuana usage resulted in 600,000 arrests annually in the United States, most of which were simply for possession, and overwhelmingly targeted minority groups. All the while, marijuana continued to be consumed on an everyday basis in white communities with little to no repercussions.

Careful examination of Biden’s initiative reveals just how much work needs to be done at both the federal and state level. Not only are undocumented immigrants convicted for possession not included in Biden’s recent pardons, but data for incarcerated individuals due to marjiauna possession show there are only around 6,500 individuals incarcerated at a federal level, leaving nearly 30,000 at a state level unaccounted for.

The federal pardons are simply not enough. Given that two years passed in the presidency before anything was even mentioned about the efforts being taken to legalize and decriminalize marijuana, it is difficult to predict whether we can expect much more

to be done by the federal government any time soon.

That being said, potentially the most significant aspect of this announcement is the possible rescheduling of marijuana from a Schedule One drug. This current classification means it not only has a high potential for abuse, but that there is no accepted medical use as treatment in the U.S. dictated by federal law.

When Harry A. Anslinger campaigned in an effort to make cannabis illegal, his motivation fell in the name of fear, greed, and utter racism. What was the end result?

Marjiuana, a drug often used for medical purposes with zero reports of death related to overdoses, is now categorized at the same level as Heroin, LSD, and Ecstasy.

The rescheduling of marijuana is not solely important to decriminalization, it’s factually necessary. If it were to move even to a Schedule Two drug, we would not only see the elimination of criminal penalties and convictions for possession, but also widespread use in medical treatment.

With midterms approaching quickly, the stakes couldn’t be any higher. Millions of people throughout the U.S. have been eagerly awaiting measures to be taken in favor of loosening marijuana laws, and this recent effort could be the turning point on election day. It is without a doubt pivotal for candidates in reaching demographics that could swing the midterms, especially in Pennsylvania, a notorious swing state.

Graphic by Ilana Zahavy

‘24

How selective is our service?

On Friday October 7, the Selective Service twitter account tweeted, “Parents, if your son is an only son and the last male in your family to carry the family name, he is still required to register with SSS [Selective Service System].” The tweet reached 2,297 replies, a sizable sum compared to the 22 and, even smaller, five replies received by the account’s previous two tweets. Repeatedly brought up in the large number of replies was the topic of transgender individuals, andhow they fit into this statement. Somecommenters made ignorant and tone-deaf remarks such as, “For the purpose of SSS my son will identify Kal Hachadoorian ‘23 as a girl starting with his 18th birthday. “Checkmate fascist.” Others speculated about the tweet’s (and the system’s) transphobic and misogynstic undertones, with one person saying, “The list of ‘who needs to register’ also includes […] transgender ‘PEOPLE’..but only those with a certain ‘natural-born-phsyiological-advantage-for-this type-of-thing’ if you catch my drift.”

This person also included screenshots of the relevant section of the SSS official government website, which states that “US citizens or immigrants who are born male and changed their gender to female are still required to register,” whereas “[i]ndividuals who are born female and changed their gender to male are not required to register.”

Though not by any means a new rule, the tweet drew attention to this outdated idea, rehashing longstanding debates not only about the draft, but also about what constitutes both transphobia and misogyny in today’s ever-progressing society.

The draft happens to be an excellent lens through which to view both of these issues.

A military draft, which is the practice wherein the government makes enlistment in the armed forces mandatory, was first used in America during the Civil War in 1863, and was reinstituted in 1917 with the Selective Services Act in preparation for World War I. 1940 marked the birth of a peacetime draft in the United States, which is still in place today.

At all three of these points in history, though to varying degrees, most women were still confined to the home and stuck playing a very specific, very limited role in society: cooking, cleaning, and caring for children. Because of this, it would have been a ridiculous notion to suggest women be included in the draft; family life as it was known back then would have completely fallen apart. Now, however, with gender roles and stereotypes becoming increasingly challenged each year, and a rise of individuals identifying as transgender, the very idea of gender is shifting away from merely biology and more towards the sociological idea of gender as a social construct.

Now, the thought that men can be drafted while women cannot seems as though it should be obsolete.

Except, it isn’t actually about men and women. While at the time the draft was first put in place the almost nonexistent number of out trans individuals would have made the distinction completely meaningless, the SSS website now makes it clear thatthose who must sign up for the draft arebiological males, not men.

The question is, is thata valid distinction to make?The debate over when gender should be the most important factor to lookat, and when biological sex is actually more appropriate, shows up over and over again in the field of trans discourse.We’ve seen it before in debates over sports, restrooms,

and women’s colleges, just to name a few. When it comes to the draft, if, as our tweeter from before suggests, the reason the SSS wants specifically males as opposed to men, it is because of their so-called “advantage”.

There is a very strong argument against such a rule. Every human being is going to vary in their natural aptitude for certain activities based on traits they may or may not have. For example, to be good in combat, being tall, fast, and strong would without a doubt give one an advantage.

And, while it is true that on average males are taller, faster, and stronger than females, is an average enough to force an entire sex into a category relying on such traits, and exclude the other sex from that category altogether?

There are always going to be certain people who win the genetic lottery, and certain people who don’t. The pool of people required by the SSS to sign up for the draft is go- ing to range in genetic aptitude greatly, even if only made up of males. Not to mention that, with only under 1.5% of the draft-aged population identifying as transgender (as reported by most surveys and estimates), counting trans people in the draft as the gender they identify as would, in the end, have almost a negligible effect.

As one of the tweets from earlier insensitively joked about, there are some concerns that a man might fake being a trans woman in order to avoid the draft. However, with the death rate of trans women being the highest of any gender identity, almost two times higher than that of cis men and three times higher than that of cisgender women, faking it seems like the bigger risk. Not to mention the fact that the very prevalent issue of toxic masculinity would likely stop most men from even considering the idea. So, it turns out that the draft is a case where biological sex isn’t a good metric to use when determining who has to sign up.

Interestingly enough, when you break down that argument, the idea that gender should matter in the slightest also falls apart.

Though it would be nice to have a clear conclusion on the topic, this answer is not one-size-fits-all. It isn’t always the case that both sex and gender are meaningless categories to sort individuals into. Sometimes, dividing individuals by either sex or gender can be helpful, such as in studies of mental illnesses or physical diseases that present differently according to sex, or how gender definitively plays into the aforementioned example of women’s colleges. It is important to always consider each scenario on its own, and come to an informed conclusion based on the specifics of that situation. However, more often than we as a society may tend to think, neithersex nor gender actually end up being as important as we first assumethey are. The draft is a prime example of this phenomenon.

Graphic by Ilana Zahavy ‘24

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The Merionite | Arts & Entertainment

Fabulous fall reads

Spooky season flicks

Siobhan Minerva ’24 Arts & Entertainment Editor

As the air grows crisp and the prospects of going outside to pass time become bothersome, the yearning for a warm drink and good book grows even stronger.

Fall time brings the stresses of school, sports, and clubs, leaving many with no time to slow down. Reading is one tool to reduce these stresses and improve mental health. Taking thirty minutes out of your day to block out all other distractions and dive into a fictional world could be the key to managing anxiety. Whether you like a classic story with a twist, a suspenseful page turner, or a novel that will time travel you into another period, there is a book for you.

Riveting novel Mad Honey, written

by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan, was released October 4.

In this new narrative, Olivia McAfee has done everything “right” in life. She went to college, got married, and now lives in the suburbs right outside of Boston.

She lives with her brilliant husband who is a surgeon and her son, Asher. Abruptly, her life was upended and she was forced to move back to her New Hampshire home when her husband revealed his dark past. Lily Campanello is a student living with her mom. She has never lived in one area for too long, and she moved to New Hampshire for her senior year of high school. The hardships of love and death dissect these protagonists, testing them to their very core. Those who like a twist to the traditional American life would find Mad Honey hard to put down.

Suspense, thrill, and crime are just a couple ways to describe Kimi Cunnigham Grant’s These Silent Woods. Cooper and

November 2, 2022

Alex France ’26

his young daughter, Finch, are cut off from the outside world in their remote Appalachian mountain home. For most, this isolation would drive them mad, but for Cooper, he likes to hide. Finch has been born into this isolated world, and her loneliness eats at her as she matures. The only people that know they exist is a local hermit and Cooper’s old friend who brings them food each winter. When his friend does not show up one winter, disaster ensues. Suddenly, the isolated bubble that they have been living in was broken and their way of life is threatened. With the threat of their lives, Cooper has to decide to continue his hiding, or face the sins of his past. This book is a page turner and will emerge the reader, making them feel as though they are in these very woods.

The Marriage Portrait is sure to take the reader into another period of time. Written by the winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award and Women’s Prize, Maggie O’Flarrell developed an exhilarating story set in Renaissance Italy.

In the 1550’s Florence lived curious Lucrezia, the daughter of a duke. After the sudden death of her sister, she is forced upwardly in the social ranks and forced to marry a new duke. Feeling like a stranger in her new home, Lucrezia has to cope with her new life and societal pressures to produce an heir.

Full of drama, O’Flarrell illustrates this woman’s battle to survive in a world filled with rules that limit her choices.

Any of these books would pair well with a cozy night in and a bowl of warm soup. You will not only be taking a break from staring at your screens, but you will also be improving your mental health.

While everyone loves a good classic the infamous Overlook Hotel, a lavish, Halloween slasher movie, nothing keeps secluded resort located in the Rocky you on the edge of your seat like a film Mountains while it’s shut down over the filled with mystery, suspense, and a feeling winter. He takes his wife and son up with of vulnerability. Classics like Friday the him, looking forward to the quality time 13th and Scream may be perfect to get a their family needs. However, he soon quick scare in, but if you’re truly searching starts to lose his mind and encounters for a horror movie that defies expectations the many horrors of the Overlook Hotel, and explores themes beyond the standard while his son struggles to deal with a of the genre, grab a bowl of popcorn (or newfound ability to communicate with candy corn) and enjoy these three movies. others through a silent language called Comedian-turned-director Jordan Peele’s the Shining. Stanley Kubrick’s mega-hit first venture into the genre is filled to the film hits all the cornerstones of a classic, brim with plot twists, acing the characterizing unsettling images, and of its small but complex social commentary. Get group, delivering hardOut centers around Chris hitting shots of snowy Washington, a black man Colorado, and brilliant who is visiting his white performances across the girlfriend’s family for the board, especially by Jack first time. While awkward Nicholson’s Jack Torrence. handshakes are expected, My personal favorite, nothing prepares Chris The Silence of the Lambs, for this visit as he starts to directed by Jonathan unravel strange mysteries Demme, follows the story and find that the family of an aspiring FBI agent, is not who they seem. Not Clarice Starling, who is only does this provide tasked with tracking excellent commentary on down a serial killer who bi-racial relationships and murders and skins his modern confederates, but victims, Buffalo Bill. After Graphic by Tillie Szwartz ’25/Staff it makes your hands sweat she hits dead end after and your hair stand up when something dead end, she is forced to ask for help just doesn’t feel right. A fantastic final from imprisoned serial killer and former turn of events sets up an exciting finale psychiatrist Hannibal Lecter. Anthony that gives the film its infamous name. Hopkins’ Hannibal is one of the all-time A 1980 classic based on the Stephen great performances, perfectly delivering King novel, The Shining excels at keeping a manipulative and sadistic killer, but the audience guessing on what’s real and still captures that ounce of humanity what’s going on in Jack Torrence’s crazed that Hannibal has left. An exhilarating mind. A former teacher desperate to third act capitalizes on the unpredictability make ends meet after being fired from of Lecter and even raises the question: his job, Jack takes a job as caretaker of who is really crazy, us, or Hannibal?

Graphic by Ilana Zahavy ’24/Staff

Radnor week is one of the most important weeks at LM. For those who don’t know, Radnor week is the week leading up to the annual LM vs. Radnor football game and is filled with lots of fun. The week consists of spirit days, decorations around the halls, lunch-time games, T-shirt sales, a school-wide pep rally, and more!

This year’s Radnor Week falls from October 31 to November 4, with the rivalry game on Saturday, November 5. Radnor Committee works around the clock to make sure that this is the best week of the year. This year, Radnor Week may look a little different.

Avery Bickell ’23, Chair of the Radnor Committee, explains that

“instead of hallway wars, we decided to do a Halloween themed atrium, which corresponds to Monday’s theme, along with Beat Radnor and blackout decorations in the surrounding hallways.” On Monday morning, the walls will be covered with “Beat Radnor,” Halloween decorations, the score board, and more. Similar to the spirit week in the beginning of the school year, there will be an assigned theme for each day preceding the big football game. There will once again be a school-wide spirit competition where points are given to the most spirited grade. Take a photo, tag @acesnation on Instagram, and get your grade some spirit points! The football game will have a theme of

STYLE HIGHLIGHT Noor Ahmad ’26

Graphic by Emmi Wu ’23/Staff

“Beat Radnor” merchandise. Do not worry if you do not have any Beat Radnor gear because this year, the Beat Radnor T-shirts, designed by LM’s Philanthropy Committee, will be sold for $10 in the lower atrium everyday leading up to the pep rally. The pep rally is a school wide event that will be held on Arnold Field during school on Friday, November 4.

There will be performances from the cheer squad, football team, dance team, the seniors, and even the teachers! Thanks to the LM Socials Committee, videos, posts, and updates will be shared on @acesnation regarding the Radnor Week themes, dates, times, and more! Go Aces and beat Radnor!

Decorating the rivalry

As a kid, I thought my older sister, Dia Ahmad ’23 had a terrible style. She would wear awkward fitting clothes, chunky shoes, and oversized coats. I saw the potential, but her outfits looked terrible on paper.

I thought to myself, “unless she has some crazy epiphany, her style is going to be trash for life.” On the first day of school this year, she changed my mind.

What makes her style hers is that she doesn’t only borrow from trends, she’s constantly experimenting with the unconventional. She can go from pearl necklaces, thrifted dresses, mary jane shoes and leg warmers to baggy Maison Margiela trousers and old polo shirts. She doesn’t actively avoid trends either.

Her opinion is that, “if a trend speaks to you, do it.

Even tweak it a bit so you can make it yours. But if you’re following a trend just so you don’t look bad…” She followed this statement with laughter.

When asking about what inspires her, she tends to pause and blankly state “I don’t know. I wear what I like and if I see something that looks good I wanna copy it and make it my own. I watched a lot of anime and cartoons as a kid. Maybe that.” Dia is a huge fan of the anime Nana. The show takes heavy inspiration from the brand Vivienne Westwood, which is also the brand of ring that Dia wears on her hand everyday.

Dia does not believe that money can buy someone’s style. Many people purchase fake Vivienne Westwood

Maya Silbert ’23

Graphic by Annie Zhao ’24

jewelry because they’re in love with the Saturn-like orb on the logo. Her opinion on this is, “I think everyone deserves to look good no matter what their financial situation is like. I buy fakes myself, but the only reason I bought this ring is because I had enough money, it looks super cool, and it was my middle school dream.”

Despite her opinion on the relationship between money and style, her biggest dream right now is to possess a pair of Maison Margiela tabi boots. She’s always been into unique styles but was too scared to experiment. However, she has a confident mindset now.

Her celebrity style influences are Seulgi from Red Velvet and V from BTS. As for more mainstream celebs, these include Dev Hynes, Faye Wong, and Bella Hadid.

She spends a lot of time going through my dad’s and my wardrobe, looking to see if she can turn random clothing items into an outfit. She stole her dad’s necktie, a brown jacket, and printed pants in order to reenact Hoyeon Jung’s Louis Vuitton runway look.

Her biggest tips for anyone trying to get into fashion can be condensed into a few points. In summary, she said to not be scared to try new things. “Break your comfort zone from time to time. If your outfit draws attention, then let it. Try new colors and don’t let people dictate how to dress based on your skin tone or body type. You don’t need big brands on your feet to look good.

You just need to mess around a little and be confident.”

November 2, 2022

The Merionite | Arts & Entertainment

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Sky Blue Sky: a hidden classic Sawyer Friedman-Olshan ’26 When you search an artist on Spotify or Apple Music, the apps will showcase the most popular songs or “essential albums.” These recommendations are useful, but limiting.

Too often than not does the algorithm bury a band’s most interesting music. A great example of this is Wilco, the indie band that defind the early 2000s. Apple and Spotify recommend Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, the band’s most popular album and biggest commercial success. It won numerous awards, including a nomination for album of the year. But Wilco’s best album, Sky Blue Sky, is unfortunetly, nowhere to be found on the main search results on the pages of Spotify.

Jeff Tweedy, Wilco’s lead singer and rhythm guitarist, was not content to keep producing albums like Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, even if some critics at the time said it was their magnum opus. Instead, he reinvented the band with a totally new sound. Tweedy changed the lineup of the band, adding keyboard player Pat Sansone and the virtuosic electric guitarist Nels Cline. Nels Cline created some of the band’s strongest, most complex and intricate instrumentals.

The album kicks off with “Either Way,” in which Cline’s majestic lead guitar is full of soft arpeggiated chords that add to the ambiance and sonic complexity, for which the album strives. “Either Way” is followed by the just-as-dreamy “You Are My Face,” the lyrics of which take the intimate perspective of Tweedy as he tackles themes of depression, social class, and family. These lyrics work beautifully with the heavy rhythm section of the second half of the song, making the track a big stand

out on the album. The next song, “Impossible Germany,” is the album’s best. Here, Tweedy talks about a relationship where he was putting in more effort than he was getting back from his partner. The lyrics pair words and phrases that conflict, showing how much the it is disconnected. The guitar solo in the last third of the song compares to the well known solos in The Eagles’ “Hotel California” and Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” The pace intensifies as we get to the heart of the album with the song “Side with the Seeds,” which seems to fit seamlessly with the established sonic tones of the album until the last minute when Cline once again shows off his incredible skills with another fantastic solo. However, unlike the one in “Impossible Germany,” this solo is more aggressive, full of intense riffs that feel like he’s waging an epic battle, and comes in stark contrast to the more mellow somber sounds of many other tracks on this album. Some of the other worthwhile tracks on Sky Blue Sky are “‘Please be Patient with Me,” a guitar-heavy beautifully orchestrated masterwork, and “On and On and On.” This piece is one of the most creative pop-rock songs, with its dissonant piano chords and Tweedy’s gental vocals.

Sky Blue Sky remains a hidden gem in the sea of indie pop-rock that dominated the early 2000s. It is bold, and relentless; there is nothing quite like it. Despite the lack of commercial success, Sky Blue Sky should be considered a great triumph in the music space for its truly novel sound. There are many great sounds out there and Sky Blue Sky is an example of what we might be missing out on.

Graphic by Tillie Szwartz ’25/Staff

Music in the halls Alistair Browning ’26 Thanks to the Music Department, LM has not only instilled academic excellence, but also creativity in the young minds of our school. Theo Sillio ’26 for instance, is a devoted member of the symphony and show orchestras.

“I love the variety; we play older works, more modern pieces and everything in between.” While Theo may play the french horn, there’s a place for musicians and performers of every variety. Whether it’s choir, wind ensemble, jazz or another course, the options for creativity are boundless.

For those interested in the more technical aspects of music and performance, AP Music Theory is sure to please.

Learning the intricacies of song and sound isn’t an easy task, but students who persist will find it’s well worth the wait.

As someone who has loved performing and creating music from a young age, I’ve known just how challenging learning an instrument is. Difficult, yes, and at times even grueling, but I’ve known few things quite as rewarding. A recent study from The National Center for Biotechnology has shown that learning an instrument can have a wide aray of benefits, both mental and emotional. Reduced stress greater creativity, and even increased cognitive function are just a few. Obsessed with the music of the past? Can’t

stop listening to the classics? You’ll feel right at home in Music and Modern Culture, a class dedicated to exploring the twists and turns of popular music within the last few centuries. Whether you’re covering the first jazz hits that transformed the American music scene, or the “British invasion” of the 60s, the only limit is creativity.

Now while some students may be playing the greatest songs from the past, others are charting their way into the future. Students in Music Production spend their time learning the foundations of digital composition and how to use those tools to create and compose their own works. “It’s really interesting to learn about the different components of songwriting and to make my own own works,” says Sawyer Friedman-Olshan ’26.

Musical achievement isn’t new to LM; distinguished alumni include artist Lizzy McAlpine and producer Howard Benson. One great aspect about LM music resources is that whether you go on to become a professional musician there are resources give anyone the chance to decide their own path; you can write your own song, educate yourself on music history, or learn a new instrument. Starting is the hardest part, all you have to do is be brave and play the first note.

The atmosphere of the music rooms are open and inviting, breeding creativity.

Photos by Dylan Elgart ’23/Staff

CHAOS NOW* Khoi Vu ’26 On October 7, Jean Dawson released his sophomore album, CHAOS NOW*. The album took nearly two years to complete, and he hasn’t come out with anything since his extravagant, experimental debut dubbed Pixel Bath. This song got great attention, jump starting Dawson’s career, with songs such as “Triple Double”, featuring A$AP Rocky, and “Power Freaks.”

The first three tracks of CHAOS NOW* start the album off strong. “THREE HEADS*” and “GLORY*”are very guitar driven alongside Dawson’s loud vocals. But, the pace starts to slow down with “KIDS EAT PILLS*.”As the song rounds the bend to Isaiah Rashad’s verse, the guitar becomes mellow, allowing Rashad to rap about drug abuse and his mental health issues. The next track, “POSITIVE ONE NEGATIVE ONE*”, trails from powerful instrumentals, to lower heavier beats. “BAD FRUIT*” and “0-HEROES*” bring more chaotic, feel-good rock to the table. “BAD FRUIT*” has ethereal string and choir sounds, including a guest appearance from Earl Sweatshirt.

The next two songs, “SCREW FACE*” and “PORN ACTING*” show the borderless, unhinged elements of Jean Dawson’s sound. “BLACK MICHAEL JACKSON*” and “HUH*” are forgettable when put up against the rest of the tracklist. “HUH*”

bears Dawson’s established guitar-heavy sound, but doesn’t manage to encapsulate the listener. As the album becomes blurier, the last two songs, “SICK OF IT*” and “PIRATE RADIO*” combine themes from the entire album.“SICK OF IT*” delivers the craziest performance, giving the listener a small two minute piece of what it’s like to be genuinely insane. Yet, “PIRATE RADIO*”switches things upside down, beginning wirth a hopeful acoustic guitar, adding texture by contrasting.

Regardless of Dawson’s struggles that have caused him to act carelessly and make poor life decisions, there is hope for the future of his music career. The acoustic guitar is quickly followed by an orchestra, similar to that of “BAD FRUIT*” Combining the guitar, booming percussion, and the elegant orchestra, “PIRATE RADIO*” brings a strong, emotional end to CHAOS NOW*. Despite having its dull edges and blurry moments, CHAOS NOW* is an enticing, chaotic, and diverse album just like its predecessor. Over the past years, Dawson has established himself as a unique artist in his field. He is a scientist when it comes to sound, constantly trying out new combinations. Dawson produces robust sounds, with hopes to be a future wellknown name amoung artist, and listeners alike.

Graphic by Eliza Liebo ’25/Staff

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November 2, 2022

The Merionite | Features Something Different by Eric

Fabulous, festive, fall activities

Lila Schwartzberg ’24 Features Editor

Lila Anafi ’24

Photo courtesy of ABC News

Eric Wells shares his incredible journey to becoming a store owner LM alum, 30-year-old Eric Wells and his parents opened a buisness called “Something Different” in hopes of creating something he can call his own. The nonprofit gift store celebrates individuals with disabilities and “is staffed entirely by volunteers, some of whom, like Eric, are living with disabilities and some who aren’t.” Eric’s mom, Bernadette Wheeler says that the store’s goal isn’t to make a profit–it’s to create a community.” In retail there’s a lot of flexibility with all of the different jobs and schedules. Wheeler explains how “these factors make it easier for someone with special needs to find a regimen that fits them.” The store regularly hosts speakers on topics prevalent in the disabled community and social activities including dances, yoga, sports team viewing parties, and more. Many of the store vendors also employ people with disabilities or donate a small amount of their earnings to charity.

Looking to get a head start on holiday gift shopping? Look no further than “Something Different by Eric” for some great options that anyone is sure to love: 1. Main Line or Philadelphia map pillow ($35.00) 2. NCAA 2016 Championship wall art ($159.00) 3. For the pet gift box ($49. 99) 4. Holiday serving towels ($15.00)

Tired of just carving jack-o-lanterns for the fall time? Well, just because Halloween is over doesn’t mean it’s too late to have some seasonal fun. Here are some crafty and entertaining projects to undertake this fall!

1. Pumpkin squirrel feeders: Bird feeders are great, but why even bother having one? Let’s be honest with ourselves– which animal is really going to eat those seeds? The world is a cruel and unforgiving meritocracy, and if squirrels insist upon stealing their fill year after year, so be it. Leave out your pumpkin of choice on the porch or windowsill and the squirrels will do the rest.

2. Fallen leaf counterfeit money: Are you broke? Luckily for you, most people don’t pay enough attention to know whether they’re holding a dollar bill or a carefully designed leaf. For this craft, all you need is a traceable image of George Washington’s face and a tree.

3. Pumpkin wall insulator: Ever noticed how pumpkins go bad after a little while? Does your family refuse to turn up the thermostat? If so, this may be the craft for you. Just open up a hole in your bedroom wall and insert the remains of your pumpkin into the crack. It’s pretty much the same texture as wall insulation, anyway. The more pumpkin inside your walls, the warmer it gets.

4. Pumpkin height insoles: Do you want to be the tallest person at the Thanksgiving dinner table? This time, when your grandparents comment on how much you’ve grown, they won’t be lying. By layering slices of pumpkin flesh on top of each other and inserting them into your shoe, your height is yours to choose.

5. Fallen leaf hair extensions: Need to add some volume to your hair? Do you often find yourself disliking your hair after a haircut? Fear not. With fall comes an influx of potentially perfect hair extensions scatered across the sidewalk. Simply twist your hair around the stem of a fallen leaf and finish it off with a dab of glue. Repeat until the desired look is achieved, or until no leaf-free hair remains.

And there you have it! With such a spectacular seasonal selection of do-it-yourself activities, there’s no reason to be bored as the weather cools and the days get shorter.

5. Holiday Christmas plate, Book and serving tray ($29.99) 6. African purses ($15.00) 7. Choose to be grateful sign ($25.00) 8. Eagles pillow ($25.00)

Currently at LM, students are also working to make a more inclusive community within our Best Buddies club. Jaiden Do ’23, our LM Best Buddies Vice President, has been nominated to be 2022 Champion of the Year for Best Buddies Pennsylvania. Jaiden will be recognized on Friday, November 11 at the Philadelphia Champion of the Year Gala at the Drexelbrook Catering and Event Center in Drexel Hill.

It would truly mean a lot to the LM Best Buddies community if you would attend the gala or make a donation in Jaiden’s honor if you are able to do so. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Jaiden, Heather Van Horn or Aaron Datsko.

Graphic by Ilana Zahavy ’24/ Staff

**Comments are collected through a Google Form and may not reflect the general opinion of students or staff**

Taylor Swift is more lyrically genius than KanYe

School lunch is not healthy

Someone needs to host a deodorant drive for this school and people need to shower.

Pineapples belong on pizza!

College prep level and honors level classes should not be together

Graphic by Eliza Liebo ’25/Staff

Lower Merion’s curriculum is more STEM based than humanities based

Ugg Platform Minis look terrible and even Bella Hadid couldn’t pull them off that well

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The Merionite | Features

November 2, 2022

Stuffing your faces Jake Stoller ’24 While Thanksgiving primarily encourages Americans to express gratitude and enjoy time with friends and family, it also serves as the perfect excuse to stuff yourself with excessive portions of turkey dinner. However, such a complicated meal calls for particular planning and an inevitably stressful day of cooking. So, if you’re short on time this year or opt to scale down this year’s Thanksgiving menu, here’s a guide on which dishes to keep and which to let go.

7. Brussels sprouts or green beans Let’s be honest. No one sits down at the Thanksgiving table and immediately eyes the green beans or brussel sprouts. Sure, there are ways to elevate average brussel sprouts or green beans, like baking or sautéing them instead of boiling, but there’s only so much one can do to mask simply mediocre vegetables. At their best, these bland veggies attract minimal interest and would probably go unnoticed if left out. Needless to say, there are plenty of other dishes that will better complete your turkey dinner.

6. Pumpkin pie As soon as the leaves begin to change, every imaginable pumpkin flavored product hits the shelves– a clear indication that fall has arrived. Pie is a perfect example of an area where the pumpkin flavor just doesn’t belong. This dessert has a bland, slightly sweet taste that doesn’t exactly scream excitement.

If you’re looking for a cozy seasonal drink at Starbucks, the Pumpkin Spice Latte is a great way to go. However, if you’re seeking the best Thanksgiving pie, keep looking.

5. Cranberry sauce Easily the most underrated item on this list, cranberry sauce takes the fifth spot. Some packaged dishes might suffice for your turkey dinner, but there is a substantial difference between homemade cranberry sauce and cranberry sauce from a can. Not only is canned cranberry sauce a

gelatinous mess, but it somehow always tastes like the can it came in. Unlike its canned counterpart, homemade cranberry sauce from scratch is a versatile condiment and good on its own too. If you have the time, be sure to consider including cranberry sauce on your Thanksgiving dinner menu, but make sure it’s homemade.

4. Apple pie On the dessert side of Thanksgiving dinner, the classic apple pie is hard to beat. A nicely browned, flakey crust with a sweet granny smith apple filling pleases even the most picky of guests. The dish is simple enough to make and doesn’t require too many ingredients, making it a strong candidate for an above average and time-efficient last course. Therefore, apple is without question the superior Thanksgiving pie.

Graphic by Ilana Zahavy ’24/Staff

3. Turkey and gravy At the heart of any Thanksgiving meal is the turkey and gravy. Thanksgiving without turkey is like Christmas without Santa Claus or Halloween without candy: outrageous and quite frankly, offensive.

Arguably more functional than cranberry sauce, gravy completes any decent turkey or mashed potatoes. A traditional Thanksgiving dinner simply can’t

Frosty fashion

Hadia Ahmad ’23 Arts & Entertainment Editor Winter is my favorite season of the year for many reasons. Staying inside and drinking warm beverages, the snow, and most importantly–the fashion. Layering is timeless, and this winter I believe that we’ll be observing the following fashion trends: Huge scarves: Maybe it’s just me, but sometimes at school I’ll be so tired during my free time that I’ll want to nap. A scarf is the perfect accessory if you’re someone like me. It’s comfortable, stylish, and underrated. I think this winter we’ll see a lot of people wearing comically large checked scarves around their necks.

Unique “preppy” looks: As the weather gets cooler, more people start to wear pullovers and sweater vests, but I think this winter will make way for a more unique “preppy” type look. It’s already a trend to wear ties with casual outfits (gorpcore) but what if we started wearing crochet ties? Neckties made out of beads? I can already picture people wearing unconventional messenger bags to add on to this studious-esque look.

“Weird” shoes: I believe that shoes have the ability to make or break an outfit (especially the way in which your pants and shoes interact). These days I’ve been seeing many people playing it safe but stylish with Adidas Sambas, Reebok Club C or New Balance 550’s. But I also believe that this winter many people might come outside their comfort zone just to wear something a little more..different. Recently, I’ve been super in love with the design of the Maison Margiela black tabi boot. It’s a classic ankle boot with a split in between the toes. I doubt I’ll have the money to buy them this winter, but I’m so in love with the design I can’t help but look at other split-toe shoes such as the white Nike Air Rifts. I also feel like many people will be seen wearing incredibly tall platform trainers and combat boots.

Subtle cosplay: Have you ever loved a movie so much that you wawnted to reenact certain outfits from it? Maybe you saw Chungking Express (dir. Wong Kar Wai) or any other Wong Kar Wai film and completely fell in love with the character’s unique and classy style.

I think this winter we’ll definitely see a lot of people casually dressing up based on movies or shows they love. There’s no need to spend money on this trend either. It’s easy to copy a color palette, or maybe just a few layering choices a character made. I’m definitely going to do this.

It’s almost a given that winter fashion will not be confined to these 4 trends, however, I definitely think they’re going to be instyle based on popular movies and past trends. Use this winter to develop your style, Graphic by Tillie Szwartz ’25/Staff layering skills, and personal color palette.

exist without Turkey and gravy, granting it top three status, but not without room for improvement.

2. Mashed potatoes Mashed potatoes are the glue that holds Thanksgiving dinner together. The fluffy, buttery dish pairs excellently with turkey and gravy and considerably enhances the dishes surrounding it.

Whether your mashed potatoes are flavored with garlic, mashed finely, or left a bit chunky, you can’t go wrong. Furthermore, the dish is relatively easy to make and won’t overwhelm your shopping list with its ingredients. For these reasons, mashed potatoes take a strong second place.

1. Stuffing Easily the most flavorful dish of a Thanksgiving dinner, stuffing takes first place. When it comes to stuffing, there is certainly not much room for error. Too little time in the oven and the bread will still be hard. Too much time in the oven and the stuffing will turn mushy and gluey. However, when properly baked, a perfect batch of stuffing outshines any well-cooked bird. Stuffing also stands out as a versatile dish, complimenting any mashed potatoes or turkey and it’s delicious when doused with gravy. Despite stiff competition, stuffing’s

unrivaled taste and superior versatility substantiate its claim to the top position on this list.

Whether or not you include stuffing on this year’s menu, Thanksgiving has something to offer for everyone. Come this November 24, you can be sure to look forward to some classic football, an extended weekend, and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in addition to the most widely celebrated feast in all of the United States. No matter how you observe Thanksgiving this year, here’s to a day of gratitude, appreciation, and most importantly, outstanding dining.

Homecoming hype Alexa Saler ’25 Hey LM! Remember last year, in the first week of November where we danced, had fun with friends, and most importantly, were dressed to impress? Well, we are back at it for the second year in a row. LMHS will present our schoolwide Homecoming Dance on November 5. This event will be held at LM from 7-10 PM. Tickets were be sold the week of October 24 in the Lower Atrium. There will be music, entertainment, snacks, and the attire will be semi-formal. Speaking of attire, since it’s a new year, we all can amp up our fashion game for this highly anticipated event. If you are new to LM, or are continuing your years at school, here is a list of trends and staple pieces that are great for homecoming.

Graphic by Ilana Zahavy ’24/Staff 1. Wearing fall colors: Although we all love and sometimes miss summer, pastels are out of season for the fall time. Colors like red, dark green, navy, browns, and purples are the perfect colors for fall. Whether it is a dress, cute pantsuits, or anything of your choice, darker tones are great to style any autumn outfit. Another color scheme that will also look amazing this “hoco” are Earth tones. Colors like browns, greens, beige, and black are simple yet signify fall time and are super easy to find either online and in stores.

2. 90’s/early 20’s fashion: If you’re like me, right now for this fall season, your entire Pinterest board or Tik Tok is filled with clothing inspo from Gilmore Girls, Friends, 10 Things I Hate About You, or other movies and TV shows from that period of fashion. All of these trends and outfits are some of the most iconic fashion inspirations for our generation. In turn, dressing like some of these characters will make for a very fashion forward homecoming. Whether it is a slip dress, halter dress, black spaghetti strap, corset, low rise pants, or formal cargos, any of these are must haves for this year’s homecoming.

3. Scoop tops: Whether it be a shirt or dress, the scoop neckline has been trending all over the media making it one of the most popular fashion trends of 2022. This neckline really attributes to the 90’s/early 20’s style that was mentioned early in our list of must haves. As well as being super trendy and in style, scoop tops also compliment jewelry so well.

4. Gold jewelry: Along with Earth tones, gold jewlery is a great compliment for the fall. Right now, dainty layered gold necklaces, cute chunky gold rings, as well as gold hoops are a good way to accessorize your look. Although silver is really cute for summer and winter, it’s not the metal for this season making gold the number one pick.

5. White/black button ups: These classic and easy shirts are a staple at homecoming and are so easy to pair with any pants. Since it’s autumn, the best form of this shirt would be a long sleeve. These shirts are also super accessible and easy to find making your outfit less of a hassle to acquire and still rubber-stamped for homecoming.

This list of must haves is just a small guide to help you prep. With all that being said, these clothes and accessories can definitely take a hit on our environment.

Keeping that in mind, we should all try to buy from websites/stores who sell sustainable clothing, maybe buy used or thrifted clothes, buy from local businesses, or even shy away from fast fashion brands that only make unsustainable clothing so we can show this “hoco” and show a little love to the planet. We hope this guide helps you at least have some ideas of what to wear, and wish you an amazing homecoming 2022!

Features

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November 2, 2022

The Merionite

LM’s Thanksgiving traditions Ella Hoffman ’25 Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of year. We get a few days off of school to relax, most people have a nice dinner with family and friends, and some watch football or bake their favorite dishes in the kitchen. For my Thanksgiving, I start the day off volunteering at a church in the city where I serve meals to people who, unfortunately, do not have the privilege to have a nice home cooked meal. In the afternoon, I spend time with my extended family at my house and make desserts with my mom, sister, and brother. Although I am not the biggest fan of Thanksgiving food, I love the desserts we make, including pumpkin pie, brownies, and chocolate chip cookies. Everyone spends their Thanksgiving differently, so let’s see what others do!

This year, English teacher Melissa McCloy is excited to be spending Thanksgiving at her house with her extended family. Her favorite dish to make and eat is sweet potato with marshmallow topping—which is more popular than people would expect. She says she has had it for as long as she can remember and “of course it is delicious.” Her most memorable Thanksgiving was when she was in college because she and her roommates had a friendsgiving meal. What made

it so special was that she made a Thanksgiving platter for the first time. A tradition her family does at the Thanksgiving dinner table is making a phone call to a family member that is not there or could not make it.

Social Studies teacher Carla Rehak is spending her Thanksgiving at a relative’s house. Her favorite dish to eat and make is any kind of stuffing. When she was younger she despised it but as she got older she began to enjoy it. Her most memorable Thanksgiving was the first time she hosted with her family. Her turkey came out perfectly and she will never forget that. Something her family does every Thanksgiving is go to a football game in the morning. family. While, she is and cooking most of the meal her dad is going to make the Graphic by Juliana Messinger ‘24 turkey. Her favorite dish to make is macaroni and cheese. She says it is a complex meal to make because everyone has different preferences on how they like theirs. Her most memorable Thanksgiving is her first Thanksgiving as a mom. Lastly, a tradition her family has is running a 5k called the Turkey Trot.

The following students shared their traditions: Julia Mintz ’25: Who are you spending your Thanksgiving with?

This year’s Thanksgiving dinner is with my family at my grandparents’ house.

What is your favorite dish to make or eat and why?

I love making apple pie with my grandma.

Do you have any thanksgiving traditions? If so, what are they?

I really enjoy watching football and cooking together on Thanksgiving.

Sydney Piskai ’25: Who are you spending your Thanksgiving with?

I am spending Thanksgiving with my immediate family.

What is your favorite dish to make or eat and why?

I love pumpkin pie with dark chocolate lined crust.

Do you have any thanksgiving traditions? If so, what are they?

Going around the table and saying what everyone is grateful for!

Sophie Thomas ’26: What is your favorite dish to make or eat and why?

My favorite dish is mashed potatoes and gravy because I love potatoes and my mom makes them really good.

Do you have any thanksgiving traditions? If so, what are they?

My family and I all tell each other what we are grateful for and why.

Andrew Rankin ’26: Who are you spending your Thanksgiving with?

I’m spending Thanksgiving with my family.

What is your favorite dish to make or eat and why?

Cranberry sauce.

Do you have any Thanksgiving traditions? If so, what are they?

I go to a food kitchen in the city in the morning and feed families or people that ca not afford a thanksgiving meal.

Eliza Castello ’24: Who are you spending your Thanksgiving with?

I am spending Thanksgiving with my family and cousins.

What is your favorite dish to make or eat and why? love our Thanksgiving turkey because my dad makes it best.

Do you have any thanksgiving traditions? If so, what are they?

Spending it at my cousins house each year with football on before dinner.

Rashelle Gross ’25: Who are you spending your Thanksgiving with?

Mom and sister.

What is your favorite dish to make or eat and why?

Marshmallow sweet potatoes are the best!

The Merionite | Sports

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November 2, 2022

Sky-high expectations James Korin ’24 Emerging from a strong 2021 season, the LM Boys’ Ultimate Frisbee team has big shoes to fill. With the loss of last season’s captains, Charlie Hurwitz ’22 and Morey Averill ’22, the captain positions were filled by sophomore Becker Joseph and junior Jonah Labovitz. Will the Aces be able to continue where they left off? All indicators point to yes.

The Aces have already started their fall season strong with a successful tournament against rivals Radnor High School and Harriton High School. “The Dawgs had a great tournament last weekend,” said Becker Joseph ’25. Indeed, the tournament showcased the new and improved Aces, and started off the fall season with a bang.

Previously, Radnor had been a tough competitor for the Aces, but the first game of the season wasn’t a competition at all; it was a slaughter. The Aces put on a dominant performance, quickly gathering a large lead over Radnor. Becker Joseph ’25 led the team with five assists, demonstrating his elite handling ability. On the other side of the disc was Javier Gonzalez-Recober ’24, leading the team with four points. The Aces’ cohesion was displayed on offense and defense throughout the entire game. Luke Meyer ’24 put up an exceptional defensive exhibition. He forced a total of five turnovers, securing the 15-6 win for the Aces.

Unfortunately, the Aces could not continue their commanding play into the second game against Harrition. After quickly getting a lead, Harriton was able to maintain it for a majority of the game. Each LM point was followed by another from

A look at LM football... in multiple forms Football icon courtesy of Freepik

Dominant dawgs Jack Kartsonis ’23 On October 7, the Aces traveled to Harriton High School to play in one of the Central League’s most notorious rivalries. Both LM and Harriton had losing records entering the game and were looking to bounce back after twenty point losses. Fans flooded the bleachers to see the Aces’ defense absolutely dominate the Rams offense in a game that was in LM’s control from the start. The Aces’ offense also took care of business in the win, but it was really their defense that kept the game a blowout all night.

One of the main concerns entering the game was whether or not the Aces were going to stop Matt Krebbs, Harriton’s star wideout. It was imperative for the Aces to contain the senior receiver, who is arguably the best player on the Rams roster. Krebbs ended the game with only seven catches for 51 yards, with most of his production coming when the game was out of reach. In retrospect, the Rams should’ve made a better effort to give Krebbs more touches, as they didn’t repeatedly target him until the fourth quarter. Yet most of the credit lies, not on the Ram’s questionable playcalling, but with the Aces for stopping the receiver. Their secondary did an outstanding job of containing him throughout the game.

Another key contributor for the Aces’ defense was their front seven. The defensive line made multiple stops in the backfield for the first time all season. Aidan Fliszar ’23 set the tone with a sack on the third play of the game, while Jack Diamondstein ’24 kept the momentum going with a fumble recovery in the second half. Typically, it’s been the Aces’ defensive line that fills the gaps for their linebackers to make the plays, but tonight the defensive line made a ton of plays themselves. That’s not to say that the Aces’ linebackers didn’t show out too. Their middle-linebacker Andrew Cook ’24 was all over the field.

Whether he was in coverage, stopping the run, or rushing from the defensive end position, it was quite easy to see the enormous impact Cook was making. He finished with 6 tackles, a forced fumble, and some serious pass rushes towards the end of the game.

LM’s defense managed to prevent big plays, while their offense converted them.

The Rams only 20-plus yard gain came on a 27 yard pass to Marquis Kubish. The play, which included a remarkable seven second scramble by Harriton quarterback Logan Rothberg ’23, was by far their longest of the night. As a result, the Rams were forced to move the chains over the course of long drives. On the other hand, LM’s offense was continuously producing explosive plays. A 49 yard pass to Sam Zheng ’23, a 51 yard pass to Declan Mack ’24, and a 39 yard run by Mekhai Smith ’24 were scores that gave the Aces an early lead in the blowout win.

All three levels of the Aces’ defense worked to contain Matt Krebbs, stop the run, and prevent big plays in what was a dominant performance. Their 34 points on offense, in addition to the shutdown defensive effort made it impossible for Harriton to even compete. The Aces now have a chance to make a run for the Central League Playoffs if they can continue to perform like this in their final stretch of games.

Harriton. However, after a stellar adjustment made by Coach Harry Friedman, the main offensive threat on Harriton was neutralized by Toby Potts-Drew ’24 who put up a masterful defensive performance. Still, the Aces’ efforts were not enough to come back against Harrition, resulting in a final score of 8-15. Despite their tough loss, the Aces maintain their good spirits and welcome a rematch. Over the fall and spring seasons, there will be plenty of opportunities to defeat Harriton.

The fall season is still young, and there are still a plethora of events in the near Graphic by Tillie Szwartz ’25/Staff future for the Aces. The month of October, filled with three tournaments, is followed by at least one other tournament in November. Over the next few months, the Aces will be able to improve their chemistry and skills in preparation for the spring season. Captain Jonah Labovitz ’24 commented that the “team looks really good this year,” commending the “young talent” and “strong core.” It will be exciting to watch the growth and development of the Aces as the season continues.

New name, same game?

Josh Greenberg ’24 In continuation of school tradition, LM will be holding the annual Maroon & White flag football game this November. A staple of Radnor Week festivities, the Maroon & White Game allows for students of all grades to enjoy themselves while playing some football, and can be a great way to add to the excitement and boost school spirit leading into the big game against LM’s Central League rivals. However, if you don’t recognize this long-standing school tradition, you’re probably not alone, as it recently underwent a name change.

Last fall the school decided to change the name of the Powderpuff game to the Maroon & White Game. The Powderpuff game was not a tradition unique to LM. Across the country, girls - either from different grades or different schools compete against each other in an annual flag football competition. The original intention of the game was to include female athletes while men were fighting in World War II. Although the nature of the event changed over time, the basis for the game remained intact. In more recent years, the football team would be filled by a predominantly male roster, while females would be permitted to participate in the Powderpuff game. While the Powderpuff game was far from equal to playing on the football team, the event gave female students an opportunity to compete in a fun and exciting game. At LM, male students serve as coaches for the female participants, hoping to guide their team to victory.

Still, despite the name change, the actual contents of the event at LM did not seem to change at all. In fact, some believe the name change was only made in order to avoid any possible controversy, as the Powderpuff tradition itself has faced increased criticism in recent years. Detractors of the event point out that the name “powderpuff” implies girls are weaker and incapable of partaking in more serious competition. They also believe it further enhances gender stereotypes by forcing girls to be coached by male students, suggesting that they are less knowledgeable of the sport, even though the male coaches aren’t required to play football.

Moreover, opposing voices point out that the game separates males and females, as the tradition is intended to be for girls only. Another simple way to continue the tradition while avoiding upholding gender stereotypes would be making the game available to all students, Graphic by Calleigh Newbert ’26 regardless of gender or their sexual identity. However, while including all students in the Maroon and White game seems like a well-intentioned and reasonable solution, attempting to implement this policy has only resulted in further controversy. Although players are happy to be accepting of others in the community, many female participants remain uncomfortable with the idea of including males in the Maroon & White game. Some potential concerns are that players would be uncomfortable letting male competitors reach for flags around their waists, or that allowing males to play would take away from the competitive nature of the event. For now, there has been no significant controversy surrounding a male student requesting to play in the Maroon and White game at LM. However, a final resolution regarding the inclusivity of students of all gender identities at LM in the game is yet to have been decided upon.

Despite the controversy swirling around the inclusivity of the Maroon & White game, many players still look forward to the event. The groups of girls, from all grades in LM, who continue to participate each year clearly feel the Maroon & White Game is merely a fun tradition that should not be impeded upon by complaints about gender stereotypes. On the other hand, making the event more gender inclusive could allow all students at LM to enjoy the event to a greater degree. As Vivian Collins ’24 exclaims, she “really [doesn’t] care who plays, as long as we have fun and the juniors win.”

The Merionite | Sports

November 2, 2022

19

Cross Country Championships Aine McCann ’24 On Saturday, October 15, after a season full of change and adjustment, LM’s crosscountry teams competed at the Central League Championships. Under the leadership of new coaching staff, Assistant Coach Sean Capkin for the girls and head and assistant coaches Neal Berman and Isaac Jennings for the boys both teams finished in the top half of the league at Centrals. For the girls, impressive performances from Lela Miller ’24, Sarah France ’24, and Michelle Kelly ’23 secured a sixth-place finish. For the boys, Sarem Khan ’24 and Alex Goonewardene ’24 took fifth and sixth place with a pair of tough performances. Andrew Gannon ’23 and Ethan Murray ‘24 finished eighth and fifteenth, carrying the boys to third-place overall. Both teams will now turn their focus to varsity districts at Lehigh University on Friday, October 28. Most of the boys’ District Championship-winning team from last year has gone off to col-

lege, but new captains Blum ’23, McGreevey ’23, Gannon ’23, Goonewardene ’24, and Khan ’24 are looking to lead a relatively young team to great heights. Sarah France ’24 emphasized the improvement she has noticed throughout the season, saying “We’ve had so many girls take over a minute off their 5k times from last year, and we are preparing to take even more off as we approach both the varsity and JV district one championships.”

Both the boys and girls teams will be competing at districts in late October, where they will be fighting for spots in the state meet either in teams or as individual qualifiers. It has been a season of transition for LMXC, but a successful one noneth eless. And, there’s still plenty of time for these talented athletes to show that despite the comings and goings of runners and coaches, the teams’ history of success will continue.

Articles last updated on October 25th, 2022

Photos courtesy of Marchelle Else

She’s got the drive Sarah France ’24 Sports Editor

Water polo: a deep dive Felix Kohler ‘25

The absolute pinnacle of every high school athlete’s career is being crowned the state champion. LM’s Sydney Yermish ’23 has done so not only once, but twice. On October 18, the LM senior claimed the title of state champion for her second consecutive season. These past two years, the golf sensation has won back to back Central League, District, and State titles.

With the help of incredible coaches Scott Seibert and Brooke Fireman, the senior concluded her great high school career at the 2022 PIAA state championships at the Penn State Golf Course on October 18-19. Yermish scored 5 under par at the tough course, beating many other gifted golfers all fighting for the state chip. This was a big win for Yermish, she reveals, “It feels great to be back-to-back state champion. I lost in a playoff my freshman and sophomore year. The Central League was the only league in the entire state held back, so to finally win my junior year was truly incredible. Now, to win my senior year, my last year here, and back that win up, is a whole other feeling.”

When she’s not dominating the course, Yermish spends her time at the Penn Wynne-Overbrooke fire station as a volunteer firefighter. Balancing school and athletics is a struggle for many athletes, but Yermish goes above and beyond when she chooses to help serve and protect her community. Her passion for service makes it worth her time. She reasons, “I was always interested in emergency services and joining was the best decision I ever made. I got to meet a whole set of people who I’d consider my family. I also love what we do, I love the adrenaline rush pulling up to a fire, but more importantly I love helping the people that need it. I plan to get my EMT later in the school year as well!”

Next fall, the senior will retire her LM uniform for the colors of blue and yellow. Yermish is committed to the prestigious University of Michigan where she will continue her athletic and academic careers. She is excited to continue her remarkable success at the division one level. Yermish states, “There are no strict goals laid out right now, however, I want to be a continuous asset for my team. Michigan is a top university for academics and golf, so hopefully I can learn from others on the team to help further my game.”

Photo courtesy of PA Prep Live

Graphic by Tillie Szwartz ‘25/Staff and Emmi Wu ’23/Staff

Seven years ago, Caleb Shack, a former student in the Lower Merion class of 2019, had an idea: create a water polo team at our school. In collaboration with the athletic directors and the assistance of teacher, Mr. Benjamin Walsh, Shack’s idea became reality. Several years later, the sport has stimulated immense interest throughout LM, and the team is now in its second year of being recognized as a PIAA varsity sport. The path to get to this point was never easy, yet student persistence and motivation have helped grow the team into what it is today.

The team originally started at LM a few years ago, but only as a club sport. It was led by Walsh, who played the sport in his youth and wanted to give interested students a chance to play. When asked about the team’s beginning, he said that “the team was pretty big at first, around 30 people, but it was a place for students to mostly fool around. But I knew that there was always a serious core, a group of students who really wanted to play, and as the numbers dwindled, it showed more and more.” Although it was frustrating at times, Walsh saw the team slowly grow. He was inspired by his youth coaches and knew a better team could be built. Thanks to his leadership and student determination, a community was cultivated around the sport and the kids began to play more seriously throughout the years. Within time, Walsh and his players were ready to take the next step.

Despite the team’s improvement, not being accepted as a varsity sport posed problems. Games were difficult to organize due to strict PIAA rules, practices were rare, and there was little motivation from many. Despite this, with support from late principal Sean Hughes and others, a student-led movement earned the team the recognition they deserved, and the team finally became a LM varsity sport in 2021.

“Each year is a lesson for us” - Coach Benjamin Walsh “Last year was getting a feel for the water and building a community. This year has been growing pains. We are still figuring things out and the team is changing. There are higher expectations and you need to be dedicated, we are building a community, and yet there is still a lot to do better” Walsh voiced. Higher expectations and community belonging are the things that will always be at the core of the team. These values are major components of the team, according to many players. LM Andrew Stickney ’23, a captain, said that “There is a special camaraderie to the team. The coaching is great, it was welcoming from the start, even before it was varsity, and I think that each player finds their worth one way or another on the team. Having been here for four years I have seen the team grow and mature, and the sport was fun to pick up, and came naturally.” The biggest reason for the rise in popularity of the sport at the school seems to be its uniqueness and difficulty. There are not many sports like water polo offered at LM, and it is also a fun challenge for many people. The sport not only consists of extensive treading and swimming, but it is also an extremely aggressive contact sport. As stated by fellow captain, Ansel Nathanson ’23, “You need to be able to swim well, but I think that’s something you can get better at over time. It isn’t like a swim team where it’s just laps back and forth. It is enjoyable and showed me that it can be fun to learn how to swim and stay in shape.” Along with water polo being an awesome sport, the combination of challenge, team, and personal achievement has resulted in the growth of the sport at LM. But what is next for the team? When asked, Walsh said he would like to continue to have the sport grow and be student-led. He wants to develop a girls team and start a middle-school program that would teach swimming skills and the sport’s basics. To him, water polo goes well beyond the actual game, and it can show people swimming can be applied in multiple ways. “We want to improve as people and become more patient”, Stickney voiced, “The sport is certainly undervalued at the moment, but I think that through improvements and the community, that will hopefully not always be the case.”

The Merionite | Sports

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December 2, 2022

Setting up for success Andrew Badt ’24 Recently, the very impressive LM girls’ volleyball team has gathered quite a bit of attention amongst the LM community. In a pivotal match against their crosstown rival, Harriton High School, a large crowd came to watch, including the LM Dawg Pound, who were there to cheer and support the Aces in their commanding 3-0 win. Currently, LM Photo courtesy of Andrew Badt ’24 holds a dominant record of seventeen wins to only three losses, ranked as one of the top girls’ volleyball seasons in the history of LM. Assuming they finish the season strong, winning against Conestoga and Haverford, the team will earn the first seed and grant them a bye in the first round of Districts.

Volleyball 17-3

Football 2-7

Some key players contributing to the success of this years’ season include seniors Claire Hamilton, Tianna Stavrianos, and Rachel Cheng, as well as juniors Brooke Johnson, Norah Cotter, and Jenna DeTemple. Hamilton is nearing the record for the most aces in a single volleyball season in LM history, an extremely impressive feat to accomplish.

Stavrianos ’23 also seeks to break the LM single-season assist record as she currently holds second place for most assists in a season this year. Brooke Johnson ‘24 has had a phenomenal season thus far. When asked about her experiences, Johnson said, “This season has been so much fun as we make new records and push ourselves with every game. I’m so excited to see where else this season takes us and what else we will achieve!”

The players’ success can be further attributed to the beloved Coach Lauren Perri, who looks to make another district appearance in her tenth season coaching girls’ varsity volleyball. Last month, Jasmine Chang received a Faces of the Aces selection for her work ethic and commitment to the volleyball program. All students should make sure that they go to the girl’s playoffs games as they continue their phenomenal season.

Soccer Girls: 16-1-1 Boys: 16-1

Tennis 7-4

Cross Country November 5th: States

Water Polo 1-16

Field Hockey 10-8

Photos courtesy of (from left to right) Grace Heaton ’24, Sydney Grunfeld ’24, Devon Christini ’25, Alex Goonwardene ’24, Jack Kartsonis ’23, Lila Schwartzberg ’24/Staff , and Leora Tiffany ’23

All photos courtesy of respective athletes

Freshman Jackson Hart What sport(s) do you play?

Football What are you most excited for with your sport?

The Radnor game What is one thing you could not live a day without?

My phone

FACES OF THE ACES

Sophmore Kami Wendelken What sport(s) do you play?

Cross Country & Track If you were a superhero, what powers would you have?

Super speed What are you most excited for with your sport?

Going to Districts and improving my track PRs with the 800m and 1600m!

Junior Ava Grandwetter

Senior Simon Rosen

What sport(s) do you play?

What sport(s) do you play?

Water Polo What are you most proud of regarding your sport?

Holding my own on a co-ed team against all-male teams What motivates you to work hard?

Accountability to my team

Soccer What are you most proud of regarding your sport?

Getting first team all league Who would you want to be stranded with on a deserted island?

Seth Rogan

Graphic by of Emmi Wu ’23/staff