Merionite November 2020

The Merionite Ardmore, PA, 19003

November 30, 2020

The official student newspaper of Lower Merion High School since 1929 Volume 92, Issue 2 www.themerionite.org

The results are in...

News Editors In a year with tremendous unpredictability, the presidential election was no exception. Unlike previous elections, a considerable portion of the population opted to vote by mail to ensure their safety as COVID-19 case counts grew throughout the United States. In addition to “expectations of a close contest,” as noted by The Washington Post, mail-in ballots helped to increase voter turnout to record-breaking numbers.

This increase in mail-in voting delayed ballot counting in many key battleground states, causing the results of the election to be obtained four days after election day, on November 8. Pennsylvania, which allocated its electoral votes to Donald Trump in 2016, ruled that mail-in ballots could only start being counted on election day and tallied its in-person votes prior to mail-in votes. Consequently, when the results of the Donald J. Trump had a comfortable lead, but as time passed and the mail-in voting results came in, especially from Philadelphia and its suburbs, it became evident that former Vice President Joseph R. Biden would win the state. Finally, as Pennsylvania was called for the former Vice President, on Saturday, November 7, along with other major news networks, the Associated Press declared Biden the next President-Elect of the United States.

The results of the election mirrored the ever-growing political divide present in our nation today. While thousands of people took to the streets in various cities throughout the country to celebrate Biden’s victory, others stormed state legislatures claiming that the entire election was rigged against Trump. Despite the fact that Biden won both the popular and electoral vote, Trump refused to concede, claiming that rampant, widespread voter fraud hindered his chances at victory. The Trump Administration has enacted multiple lawsuits in states across the nation alleging voter fraud and inaccuracies in ballot counting. To date, most of these lawsuits have been rejected, with

Supporters celebrate former Vice President Joe Biden’s projected victory in Philadelphia.

Photos courtesy of Aiko Palaypayon ’23/Staff

Campaign for change

Return of a rivalry Victoria Bermudez ’22 News Editor

Maggie Monahan ’21

tion in which they could vote. As for those who remained too young to vote, they found other ways to get involved. In a survey sent out to LM students, 28 percent of The most common way for LM students to volunteer was phone banking. Organizations campaigning for both candidates held phone banks regularly in the months cial swing state. Other common ways that LM students contributed to the election process included writing postcards to voters, text banking, and working the polls.

In previous elections, the average age of a poll worker has been 72 years old, placing the average poll worker in a high-risk group for COVID-19. Worried about a shortage of poll workers, many of the young people in America stepped up to volunteer, including several LM students, such as MJ Pennington ’21, who describes poll working as

LM’s longest rivalry continues. The school’s 126-year spirit battle against Radnor proceeds amidst the detriments of COVID-19, and this year the Radnor Committee announced that from November 16 to November 21, the Aces would show their school pride with a series of themed days leading up to the Saturday of the game. Beginning in 1897, Radnor Week has remained an essential event to each school year as students gather to support the Aces’ football team. In the past, Student Council has hosted a wide range of activities to allow students to integrate themselves as a part of LM’s pride. These activities consisted of themed attire, hallway wars, Maroon & White Games, and a variety of other ways to support the school.

Please see RETURN OF A RIVALRY on page 2

risk involved in poll working during a pandemic, she says that the polling location she worked at “did a really good job of keeping social distancing, sanitizing all materials, and ensuring mask-wearing.” She also expressed a desire to continue poll working in future elections. When asked why she was motivated to volunteer, Pennington cites a feeling of helplessness at being too young to vote herself, stating that “it seems like in today’s “poll working seemed like a way to help out and be a part of the democratic process.” She is not the only LM student to be motivated to volunteer to make up for an inability to vote.

Please see CAMPAIGN FOR CHANGE on page 4

NEWS

Navigating the pandemic Bus drivers give insight on how they fight against COVID-19 during the pandemic. page 4

Photo courtesy of The Enchiridion

Jay Zheng ’22 evades a tackle from a Radnor linebacker.

OPINIONS

A&E

brief reopening was unsuccessful. page 7

How is Players operating with no inperson shows this year? page 12

The inevitable shutdown Shutdown doesn’t mean “curtains” Read a student’s opinion on why LM’s

SPORTS

Light it up?

Behind the motivations of advocates and adversaries of lights on LM’s turf. page 18

FEATURES

Fall-ing for these new looks Graphic by Emma Liu ’22

Graphic by Emma Liu ’22

Learn about some of this fall’s newest fashion trends. page 13

Photo courtesy of Rebecca Altman ’21

2

November 30, 2020

News The Merionite

Clubbing in hybrid Angela Ge ’23 Features Editor Clubs and extracurriculars that once occupied a huge portion of students’ time must now make drastic changes to adapt to the hybrid learning plan.

Activities like the Debate Club, Science Olympiad, and various culture clubs have Last year, the Debate Club met every Thursday and attended monthly scrimmages. During meetings, the members would break into groups based on the different debate types, hold mock debates, and discuss contentions for upcoming scrimmages. Although the contents of Debate Club have stayed roughly the same, the formatting has changed quite dramatically. Now, utilizing the popular conferencing service Zoom, the members are often able to meet online every Wednesday and then split off into three breakout rooms based on the type of debate: LincolnDouglas, Public Forum, and Parliamentary. At the meetings, members still hold mock debates and review their arguments, however, the online format presents unique challenges. For example, for students who are not debating individually, it became much

from test tallying and weekly microgoals to team bonding game nights. Their most recent invitational, hosted by The University of Texas at Austin, was in the Mini SO format. This invitational was completely virtual, and through Scilympiad they were able to provide timed tests online and ended the competition with an online awards ceremony. Wetherbee writes that he’s “very happy with how Science Olympiad is working considering all the barriers there are when it has to be done virtually. In terms of the organization as a whole, National Science Olympiad has been very proactive about getting things together so that competitions can happen virtually. Since a lot of Science Olympiad is about learning, the core of our club remains because we can still share resources, study, and motivate each other.” Wetherbee then mentioned three aspects in which Science Olympiad has been collaborate with each other, participate in the hands-on, in-person components, and the integration of new members. Although Science Olympiad has gone through many changes to stay running during these difficult times, they have stayed true to their goal of keeping students interested in STEM. Many culture clubs have also changed the formatting of how they operate. For example, the Asian Culture Club has turned to many virtual methods to connect its members.

Some of their new initiatives include movie nights, game nights, and virtual discussions. As Asian Culture

their partner during these prepara tory competitions. Being unable to talk directly to their partner, they had to use either the Zoom chat feature or a separate communication service to stay in touch during the competition. Additionally, the club used to have much larger tournaments, but due to the pandemic, competitions have “Asian Culture Club has been able to become very complicated to plan as adapt to the online climate by using Photo courtesy of Jonathan Xu ’22/Staff members can now only atZoom and other platforms such as tend them virtually. Fortunate- Members of Debate Club pose for a photo while attending their weekly meeting on Zoom. Discord for communication. It’s defly, the officers of the Debate, initely been odd to host events and Club Elliot Ginzburg ’21, Teresa Lu-Romeo ’21, Emily Shang ’21, Jack Shapiro ’22, Jonathan Xu ’22, and advisor, Mark Levy, who teaches Global Studies, have still found ways for members to stay involved, including virtual scrimmages with other schools. sics Club is also planning on taking similar approaches, from movie nights to cook alongs Another club which has been overcoming the challenges of the new schedule is and virtual competitions. During Classics Club’s meetings, the members learned about Science Olympiad. They have proposed many plans in order to maintain student Certamen, some of the NJCL chapter activities, played Kahoot, and were informed of participation, including Satellite SO, Mini SO, and MY SO. In Satellite SO, schools compete at their own campuses under the supervision of their coaches, meanwhile to not only integrate new members, but also to create bonds between existing members.

Mini SO is completely virtual and solely focused on test events, and for MY SO, stuEach club has faced a unique set of challenges in these difficult times. The Debate Club and Science Olympiad have found ways to continue competing virtudown at the end of the learning period. Furthermore, the club captains Noa Cutler ally while culture clubs have discovered new methods to bring its members together. ’22, Harper Segal ’21, Lu-Romeo, Shang, and Owen Wetherbee ’21, have thought of In a time like this, it is more important than ever to join the student body together many new creative initiatives to make sure the members stay interested and learning, through clubs and provide the students with new engaging ways to spend their time.

Return of a rivalry

Continued from RETURN OF A RIVALRY on page 1 For the 2019-2020 school year, during the entire week prior to the football game, students were encouraged to dress in beach attire, pajamas, and, of course, all-black on the Friday before the game. These black shirts, referred to as the Beat Radnor shirts, are a consistent aspect of Radnor Week as each year, the Radnor Committee creates a new design relating to the rivalry and sells them to students. Sweatshirts are also typically sold to LM students, and this year, the Spirit Committee even included face masks. The sweatshirts are printed with the quintessential “Beat Radnor” slogan, and the masks are a representation of LM spirit so they can be worn throughout the school year.

LM community, there were a few adjustments made to Radnor Week. Allie Stewart ’21, a member of the Radnor Committee, explained, “This year, we are doing some virtual activities that we think will be interactive and fun for people to participate in just to try to build morale and keep the tradition of Radnor Week because that’s very important to us.” LM persisted with the themed attire for this year with pajama day, beach and tourist day, celebatmosphere for all sports and to motivate LM football players through the pandemic, Stewart also expressed, “On Friday we will be having a super awesome, very detailed ‘hype video’ for the football team and all the fall sports because we want to make sure that everybody is included in the spirit and we also really want to make sure we support our football team because we can’t be there on the day of the game.” Though LM students were not all permitted to attend the Radnor vs. LM football game, some thought that the diligence of the Student Council still strengthened the team. As Izzy Bonita

A part of the LM’s Student Council, PhilCo has also arranged a multitude of events for our students. Commencing with an opportunity to aid Webster Elementary School and Coaches vs. Cancer, they hope to allow students to “Boo” other members of the community with treat baskets paid for by each student. Similarly, they are planning an Among Us tournament to increase class participation for both students and teachers Photo courtesy of The Enchiridion

Normally, students would gather in the Dawg Pound to cheer on their classmates.

However, due to the pandemic, students have been supporting the Aces virtually.

all of the district’s eager student body, LM has found distanced and safe methods to incite enthusiasm through each of their creative activities.

News

3

November 30, 2020

The Merionite

Minding mental health Zoe Hassett ’23 Just a year ago, it would have been preposterous to imagine that a

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have thought that students would be outside which has made quarantining better.”

Listening to music, playing a musical instru-

on their computers, and having to socially distance from others? Nonetheless, this is the new reality. The abrupt change from the old way of life is stressful and there is a real fear not only about get-

taining their well-being during the pandemic.

In mid-October, LM adopted the new hybrid school model, which allowed for students to go

could have on loved ones. Additionally, while in the hybrid model, there was the looming possibility of quarantining again which would force everyone to separate from their friends and life at school. Due to this drastic change in everyday life, it is no wonder that mental health has been impacted. In a recent

dents decided to continue completely virtual learning through the LMSD@Home program, others who participated in the hybrid model school, students had the opportunity to see their teachers and interact with their classmates in a safe, socially-distanced manner. As a result, many students witnessed improvements in their

their mental health. Aniah Gagliano ’23 expressed that being distanced from her friends for a long period of time was difficult for her, claiming that, “Not being able to interact with my friends the way we used to, and also

friends and be more productive. And then anothTeachers at LM also noticed improvements when the hybrid model was implemented.

Chemistry teacher David Moyer explained

because things can’t be the way they were before the pandemic.” Students throughout LM agree that quarantine left a negative impact on their mental health. tive while staying at home for such long periods of time, others felt lonely since they

overall energy in the classroom was much better during the hybrid model. He also notes that simultaneously teaching students in school and at home is challenging, but he feels very fortunate sions on mental health, in the end it remains clear that staying positive and finding ways to have fun through difficult moments helps students and teachers remain both physically and mentally healthy throughout the course of these strange and trying times.

Graphic by Emmi Wu ’23/

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Teachers tackle a pandemic Lila Schwartzberg ’24 Since the introduction of the hybrid schedule on October 19, many LM classes have changed in a variety of different ways. Science teacher Dr. Carter-Montgomery, Foods and Nutrition teacher Jennifer Dawson, and Instructional Assistant Dawn Chapman shared their experiences about hybrid learning and how the new learning model changed their classes and teaching styles.

One of the most challenging aspects of the hybrid model last month for Carter-Montgomery was the abundance of technological requirements necessary to instruct classes with a variety of students simultaneously in-person and virtually. In her classes, Carter-Montgomery missed “not being able to do all the labs, dissections and hands-on activities that accompany

recipe.” Finally, Dawson shared a funny technology-related story about a Zoom bombChapman shared her colleagues’ sentiment regarding in-person learning and being able to spend time with students. “The goal in our classroom has always of sanitizer/cleaning wipes it has been a unique challenge.” She enjoyed the daily “eyeball contact” she got when students attended class in-person, even if

inquiry-based and that heavily encompasses labs and hands-on activities and adjusAltogether, she prefered “the closeness and warm atmosphere” of in-person class.

Unfortunately, Chapman and her fellow teachers will now have to deal students with the schedule the way it is.” She loved the social aspects of in person to fully remote lesson plans, and handling no in-person interaction or communication with any

and Lunch and Learn. Dawson discussed that “every day gets a little easier, but still lots of trial and error!

The students have been really patient though and the

LM to temporarily eliminate hybrid learning and return to full remote instruction. Principal

who also teaches Foods and Nutrition, added that as we continue to navigate this challenging year.”

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Dawson

The pandemic has presented many challenges to everyone: Dr. Carter-Montgomery must deal with a clutter of wires (left), students in Dawson’s Foods and Nutrition classes can no longer cook in school (above), and teachers like Nora Christman must remain home to teach their classes (right).

Photo by Dr. Carter-Montgomery

Photo courtesy of Nora Christman

4

News

November 30, 2020

The Merionite

Navigating a pandemic Vivian Collins ’24

Graphic by Emma Liu ’22/Staff

The coronavirus pandemic has been a difficult and challenging time for everyone. LM students, teachers, staff, and parents were required to make adjustments to their routines and adapt to life under pandemic restrictions. LMSD’s transportation department was also required to adapt to the “new normal” like other departments districtwide. However, the drivers were able to maintain their mission to ensure that the students arrived at school and returned home safely and on time.

Senior bus driver John Sandlof, who has worked for nearly 37 years, communicated, “I have driven the same route for over 34 years. I have students

in twelfth grade that haven’t had any other bus driver than me since kindergarten.” Sandlof thought quarantine would last for the rest of last school year and that students and staff would be back full-time in September. He spoke about his quarantine experience: “The hardest thing was getting used to not being at work and not seeing the kids and not knowing if all the kids that I’ve driven are okay and staying healthy.” Over the course of the quarantine, students were not physically in school, but the bus drivers were still able to play a role in transportation within the district. Sandlof was helping deliver meals to a distribution point in Suburban Square for students who rely on the district’s meal plan. Of that experience, he said, “I worked with Food Services to help get the meals to the children in the district. I drove the bus that the employees rode, plus some of the supplies they needed to enable them to distribute the meals to the kids.”

Throughout the community, many parents and students were concerned about the precautions being taken by bus drivers to keep the buses clean and safe when students started the fall hybrid schedule. According to Sandlof, “We’re trained to spray the buses and wipe them down between every run so that we try to make sure that the seats are sanitized.” He also said, “We make sure that every student has a mask, us drivers all have our masks on, and we do have extra and spare masks on the bus so if there is a student that forgets one, we have masks that are available to them.” Finally, regarding the recent hybrid schedule and being able to transport LMSD’s students once again, Sandlof expressed, “I love having the kids on the bus. I really, really missed having the children on the bus. So, for me, having the kids on the bus was a good thing. As a father and a grandfather I know that kids do need structure in the schools. I think the students are happy to be back at school.”

Sandlof and his fellow colleagues have been tirelessly working to keep busses clean for the safety of all students districtwide. “We would never want to put any child in a dangerous situation. And we’re doing our best as drivers to ensure the health and safety of every child that we transport,” he said.

Despite the challenges of the pandemic, LMSD bus drivers have continued to do what’s necessary to maintain the transportation system. So the next time you see your bus driver, don’t forget to thank them for their service.

Campaign for change Continued from CAMPAIGN FOR CHANGE on page 1 Many other students who volunteered to assist with the election process claimed that they chose to do so because they were too young to vote, and they felt that they needed to contribute somehow. In addition, the majority of those who volunteered contributed to campaign efforts for Joe Biden, and several cited their discontent with Donald Trump’s performance over the last four years as the motivation behind this. Others reflected on the significance of this specific election, with one student claiming, “I think this may just be one of the most important elections of my lifetime.” Another remarked, “This is a historic election, and I don’t want to look back in twenty years and regret not working on it.” It is true that in this election there seems to be more on the line. The current government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic has left many feeling disillusioned, and recent events, such as the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement in the wake of the murder of George Floyd and shifting dynamics on the supreme court after Justice Amy Coney Barret’s appointment, have given many a renewed sense of urgency. Of all the major issues that may be affected by this election, LM students responding to a survey were most concerned about the management of the coronavirus pandemic. Other issues that greatly worried LM students were climate change, social justice issues, and healthcare.

Only 8.9 percent of survey respondents were eligible to vote in the 2020 election, but that did not stop them from contributing to the electoral process however they could, whether that was poll working, writing postcards to voters, or canvassing for a candidate they supported. Young people everywhere have been critical to this year’s elections, eligible to vote or not, and LM students were no exception.

Photo courtesy of MJ Pennington ’21

MJ Pennington ’21 worked at the polls at Bala Cynwyd Middle School.

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Opinions

November 30, 2020

5

The Merionite

The Merionite Official newspaper of Lower Merion High School since 1929 www.themerionite.org Columbia Scholastic Press Assocation Silver Crown 2013 Editors-in-Chief Elliot Ginzburg ’21 Dhaval Sharma ’21 Sydney Zelinger ’21 News Editors Victoria Bermudez ’22 Phillip Gao ’22 Spencer Rosenbaum ’22 Caryl Shepard ’22 Opinions Editors Ike Mittman ’22 Jackie Munis ’21 Emily Shang ’21 Jonathan Xu ’22

Editorial: Forward, one step at a time We are indisputably a divided nation.

However, we have not been forced to confront that reality until now. Our newly elected president, Joe Biden, is set on uniting us, a valiant and commendable effort, but is that realistically possible?

On the eve of his presidency, Donald Trump leaves the United States in an era of deepened division. Outside partisan politics, the future and integrity of our democracy were on the ballot in this past election. There was widespread uncertainty about a peaceful transfer of power and previously uncontested voting practices. Party disputes over the election’s validity further dichotomized the nation. Although Biden won the elec-

tesville “good people,” who tried to take away healthcare from millions of citizens in need, who refused to wear masks en masse, and who denied that Black Lives Matter.

Unfortunately, we saw nothing like that.

Republicans have gained seats in the House of Representatives. They have a great shot to hold onto the Senate, something that wasn’t expected going into the

Arts and Entertainment Editors Noa Cutler ’22

Sports Editors Rebecca Altman ’21 Elijah Bloch ’22 Ellie Ward ’21 Ben Wolf ’22 Copy Editors Mia Hail ’23 Michelle Kelly ’23 Ezra Thau ’22 Senior Design Editor Cate Roser ’21 Graphics Editors Emma Liu ’22 Emmi Wu ’23 Senior Web Editor Teresa Lu-Romeo ’21 Web Editor Katie Fang ’23 Photographer Aiko Palaypayon ’23 Business Manager Madison Li ’21 Assistant Business Manager Mona Vakil ’22

Davis Giangiulio ’21 Arts and Entertainment Editor In my eighth grade classroom, two days after the 2016 election of President Donald Trump, I sat down to write a letter to myself. Being so distraught, I wanted to write to remind my future self of the pain that I felt, the fear that was prevalent, and the countless scenarios that were going through my head about how the next four years could play out. And, as to be expected, much of what I feared came true.

Earlier this month, when the elecelect Joe Biden, I was exuberant. Biden’s election put an expiration date on this dark era that I contemplated in November of 2016. As someone who is a part of a group that was marginalized by the Trump administration, who has family cies, I can breathe in a way I couldn’t for the past four years knowing that the target placed on my back will soon be gone for good. However, though I felt relieved that Americans had rejected another four In 2020, we had a chance to reject Trumpism at every level of the ballot. We had a chance to punish a political party for standing by the pain he caused for the last four years. The chance to hold accountable a political party that supports a president who called white supremacists in Charlot-

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 letters to the editor. Letters can be sent via side The Merionite Merionite reserves the right to edit letters to the editor for length or clarity. All unattributed images are courtesy of WikiCommons.

representative democracy; the hope to protect all of its citizens; the hope that despite our differences, we are and forever will be a united people. Biden has declared his conviction to fight for all Americans in our democracy and bring both sides back to the table once again.

Will the Biden administration live up to its promises? Will it restore the United States we once knew, or lead us to discover a better one? Only time will tell, but our hopes are with him.

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

contributors and not necessarily those of The Merionite e

Features Editors Maya Christianson ’21 Angela Ge ’23 Ella Johnson ’22 Eric Yang ’22

Davis Giangiulio ’21 Jonathan Sommer ’21

tion, 72 million Americans voted for Trump’s version of America. One where the rights of people of color, women, the LGBTQ+ community, and immigrants are denied. One where the media and science cannot be trusted. One where the cornerstone of our democracy, the vote of the people, is called into question. Just over fifty percent of Americans voted against that ideology, which is a reflection of where we are as a nation.

At the beginning of his acceptance speech, Biden promised to be a leader “who seeks not to divide, but to unify.”

The American people need a miracle to make that happen. Still, we are a country built on hope—the hope of a lasting,

either state legislative chamber in Pennsylvania, despite being on track to win at least one, and they’ve lost two of three statewide twenty electoral votes. These may seem like trivial losses compared to the presi

Graphic by Emerald Wu ’23

dency, which undoubtedly is the biggest prize on the ballot, but they matter more than some may realize.

With the 2020 census now complete, ence in redistricting not just Pennsylvania but the entire country. They will allow gerrymandering to run rampant for another ten years in critical swing states.

Even while President-elect Biden may be in the White House, Republicans will have a good shot at blocking any agenda to rebuild the country after the Trump presidency, and if they take the Sen-

ate, Biden’s plans are as good as dead on arrival. So while I’m obviously glad to see Trump ousted, in a repudiation that few incumbent presidents have received, I can’t help but feel devastated at the losses that have occurred lower on the ballot, and what it means for progress in this country.

In that 2016 letter I wrote to myself, I asked future me a simple question: “What did you do?” I’m glad to answer today that since then I did everything I could. I volunteered, organized for candidates and platforms, and I hope that I’ve encouraged more people around me to pay attention to what’s going on in our nation. But even with Trump gone, this isn’t a time to get complacent. The Republican Party will not suddenly become more moderate with its positions on social and economic issues just because its rhetorically abhorrent leader is gone. The Republicans are still going to push the same policies they did for the last four years, especially since 2020 didn’t deliver them a great enough rebuke at the ballot box to remove them from the positions of power to enact these policies.

The message is this: we can celebrate today. I will say the word “former” before President Trump’s title with pride. But we cannot get complacent. There is too much at stake and too much that threatens the rights and success of too many in enjoy the new dawn come January when Biden steps into the White House. But don’t think it’s time to go back to normal.

We still have to push the Biden administration on key priorities and stop Republicans from keeping the policies of the past four years alive. We still have to ask our future selves, “What did you do?” If you didn’t do enough the last four years, get involved now and make the next four count. Hopefully in a few years’ time, you’ll have an answer you’re proud of.

Classroom censure Biden has many crucial issues on his hands.

But let me ask you a question: how much time did your classes spend talking about these topics and the election? For me and for everyone that I interviewed, there was

Sonia Laby ’22 There is no doubt that the 2020 election is probably one of the most important elections our country has ever seen. With COVID-19, climate change, gun violence, and the economy, President-elect Joe

and very upsetting because electing a person to the highest seat of government will have a huge impact on the world. Presidentelect Joe Biden will have to deal primarily with stopping the spread of COVID-19.

With cases increasing more rapidly than ever, halting businesses by the thousands, and taking more lives than ever imagined, it is absolutely crucial that the virus is suppressed. Considering the fact that so much is on the line, it is very important

that we are educated about the election.

Every day we go to school to become more educated about the world. However, with class curricula so rigorous, it is schedule to teach about current events. In my opinion, these curriculums need to be reduced so that there is enough wiggle room for classes to spend at least a few days a year talking about current events.

Current events are important because they tell us how the world is changing day by day. It is necessary for students to understand them. This election is a huge current event that will go down in history and it is crazy to think that we have spent little time learning about it. This needs to change.

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November 30, 2020

Opinions The Merionite

Suppress voter supression

The United States prides itself on being the first republic. In theory, this would mean every eligible citizen (those who are eighteen years or older) would have the opportunity to vote for representatives in the government. However, not every American has had the ability to vote. Ever since its founding, the US has been afflicted by an epidemic: voter suppression.

Voter suppression refers to deliberate attempts to prevent people from registering to vote or voting. These attempts often hurt Black, Brown, and Indigenous people the most, stripping away their basic rights as American citizens. They directly undermine the idea of representative democracy the nation was founded upon. If people of color don’t have the ability to vote, they cannot elect officials who work on their behalf. Their needs are completely disregarded, and they continue to suffer. If the US wants to continue calling itself a republic, it must find a cure for this disease of underrepresentation.

I believe much of the reason this issue has yet to be addressed is due to the common belief that voter suppression ended after the Fifteenth Amendment was passed. In reality, the fight for voting equality has continued for centuries. Right after the Fifteenth amendment was passed, Southern legislatures created property taxes and literacy tests designed to keep Black voters from the polls. These tactics were designed to dramatically impact Black voter registration and sadly, they worked. In states like Mississippi, registered Black voters dropped from ninety percent to just six percent of the eligible population. In protests like the Selma to Montgomery march, activists shed blood just so that people of color had the right to use their voice, something that should have already been enforced as it is written in the Constitution.

One would think after these pro-

“

If the US wants to continue calling itself a republic, it -

tests that the American people would have come to their senses. After all, isn’t the US supposed to “establish Justice?” Is establishing justice denying Americans the right to their voices in their government? Unfortunately, the judiciary thinks so.

In fact, as recently as 2013, the Supreme Court amended the Voting Rights Act, an act designed to protect the rights of minority voters, and allowed nine states and several counties to change their elections laws without any federal approval. This ushered in a new era of voter suppression, with states implementing voter ID laws, greatly limiting voting registration windows, and gerrymandering (redrawing state districts to benefit one political party). These laws

often disproportionately affect minorities and people with a lower income.

Though it’s hard to say exactly how many voters have been deterred due to these tight restrictions, one study in Wisconsin found that 300,000 voters were impacted by the state’s strict photo ID laws. In addition, voter turnout in Milwaukee, where seventy percent of the state’s Black population lives, decreased by thirteen percent.

How can America call itself a representative democracy when it keeps people from representing themselves?

In 2020, we saw even further instances of voter suppression. In Georgia, people were forced to wait in long lines, sometimes for up to eight hours, to cast their ballots. A joint research effort by ProPublica and Georgia Public Broadcasting found that these lines affected “predominantly Black neighborhoods like Union City, just south of Atlanta”.

These policies extended to mail-in ballots as well. In the Navajo Nation, the average Native American is 38 miles away from the closest operating Post Office. This means that the ethnic group with the highest risk

Solutions not shutdowns

Editor-in-Chief Over the last few weeks, the novel coronavirus has ravaged our great nation’s cities and suburbs. No area has been left untouched by this endemic disease. LM shut its doors abruptly on November 16 after community officials panicked over rising case numbers throughout the country and state, in addition to several students and staff at LM testing positive for COVID-19. The temporary closure of our schools came in conjunction with new guidelines in many states and cities as the number of coronavirus hospitalizations continues to rise.

In addition, governors and mayors across the country recently instituted

permanently shuttered thousands of businesses across the country — particularly where strict restrictions on movement and commerce were instituted. In Philadelphia alone, more than 1,000 businesses in the immediate area permanently closed as a result of the first lockdown restrictions, according to the Philadelphia Business Journal. The city of Philadelphia was labeled as a virus “hotspot” from the onset of the virus and had some of the strictest restrictions instituted by any major city in the United States. These first restrictions were catastrophic to Philadelphia’s economy. An unnamed LM student noted that “it feels like half of the storefronts in Philadelphia are empty.” As of November 14, Philadelphia has announced sweeping new restrictions on restaurants and instituted measures that would limit all indoor gatherings. These regulations would impact gyms, salons, and thousands of other businesses in the area that rely on in-person commerce. The economic impact of restrictions like these will undoubtedly close even more businesses across our community. More and more Philadelphians will lose their livelihoods in the name of “public health.”

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for contracting severe cases of COVID-19 didn’t have access to safe methods of voting this election. Though these may not seem like deliberate attempts to suppress votes, in reality, it is. A nation that is complacent is just as guilty. No person in the US should have to choose risking their life or participating in their democracy. These attempts to suppress people of color must be addressed in our political system.

For those who can vote, finding a permanent cure for voter suppression falls on you. When voting for your senators, see if they support the Voting Rights Advancement Act. This bill fights to establish “new criteria for determining which states and political subdivisions must obtain preclearance before changes to voting practices.” For those who can’t vote, make sure you call your current senators and inform them you are interested in passing this bill. After, make sure you inform your friends and family about voting requirements in the state and ensure they obtain the correct documents. No eligible voice in a republic should be suppressed, especially on the basis of race.

new measures over their jurisdictions that they claimed will save lives. These local and state officials have disregarded the limited advice given from the federal government and instead established their own disastrous restrictions. The second wave of lockdowns occurring across our country will undoubtedly cause even greater harm to our nation’s economy. Not only will Americans face economic devastation like never before, they will also suffer the greatest violation of natural rights known to mankind.

I firmly believe that the switch from hybrid to remote learning is a justified measure for protecting students, staff, and families throughout our district. However, the sole reason I support this change is because the district has provided an effective synchronous model of virtual learning for students of all ages and abilities. In contrast, the second wave of lockdowns instituted in major cities will be detrimental to small and middle-sized businesses that have miraculously survived the first round of lockdowns.

The first lockdown which lasted from March through early summer

The new lockdowns being instituted across our nation and community will not only harm the economic livelihoods of millions of Americans but will also hinder the natural rights of all people in our nation. Lockdowns are unfortunately meant to place restrictions on what Americans can and cannot do on a given day.

Instead of placing limitations on what a given individual can do with their business or personal life, the government should vest trust within their own people. People have a constitutional right to make their own decisions and live a life of liberty. People should weigh the risks of contracting the virus before going out to support their local businesses.

Moreover, businesses should not be ordered to close by local and state governments without adequate financial support. It is time for our levels of government to provide solutions for businesses and unemployed Americans before imposing lockdowns on already-fragile communities. State governments should not have the right to close down businesses and put millions out of work if they cannot find adequate solutions to help families put food on the table or pay rent at the end of the month. Americans need a solution that factors in public health but also recognizes that millions of other Americans will suffer dramatically with new lockdowns.

City and state lockdowns that are accompanied by the closure of hundreds of thousands of businesses could have a lasting impact on the future of LM students. The American workforce will not be at the same vitality that it once was when we leave high school. It is time for our governments to create real solutions for struggling Americans prior to mandating stifling restrictions.

Math tests: 3 COVID tests: 0

Liam Shack ’22 After seven months of school closures, it is clear that we will not be going back to a normal schedule any time soon. Despite over 250,000 COVID-19 deaths and counting, many parents and students still longed for a return to in-person education.

The school responded by rushing to figure out a plan to safely return students to the classrooms.

With brand new safety regulations in place, the school is trying very hard to prevent students from contracting COVID-19. The school has divided the student body into two cohorts, moved desks further apart, limited lunch seating to desks spaced six feet apart, and offered contactless lunches to all students. But did the school do enough to keep all LM students and faculty safe? The answer, sadly, is no. The desks in classrooms are just not far enough apart, the cafeteria filled with unmasked students is essentially a feeding ground for COVID-19, and students in hallways are in no way being forced to social distance. Most importantly, the school does not test students for coronavirus. While LM followed many COVID-19 guidelines, the lack of testing combined with natural human social behavior, causes the safety measures to fall short in seriously limiting the spread of the virus.

The first day I walked into the building, I expected to see desks in classrooms very far apart and desks in the cafeteria even farther apart. I was very suprised to see how close the desks were. Terrifyingly, they do not appear to be the recommended six feet apart — some students have even suggested that the school measures from the center of the desk rather than from the sides of the desks. When a student leans over to the side of their desk,

Opinions The Merionite

they can get dangerously close to a student in a neighboring seat. This is especially unacceptable in the cafeteria since students are not wearing masks when eating lunch.

In addition to desks not being six feet apart, students in the hallways are close together and socializing at potentially dangerous distances. On top of this, one-way stairways are occasionally used by students going both directions, and little has been done to reduce the threat created by these students’ actions. It is natural for teens to want to congregate and be close to each other; perhaps a reminder in between classes would have been helpful.

Desk spacing and social distancing aside, the biggest issue with the return to school is the lack of testing. So far, we have seen many other schools, such as Friends Central, do COVID-19 tests regularly. They test students in each of their cohorts on returns from vacation, as well as randomly during the school year. With the amount of money in the school district’s hands, LM should be able to do regular COVID-19 testing within each cohort. Even without testing at the school, we are already seeing COVID-19 cases rise. We would know right now how many students have COVID-19 if we did testing without the worrying of wondering.

It has been tough adapting to the effects of the pandemic on our school. I miss my friends, playing water polo, and swimming.

COVID-19 also makes it very difficult to form meaningful connections with teachers and new friends. Unfortunately, while the school is attempting to prevent COVID-19 cases, not enough has been done and much may be impossible. The reality of the situation is it is very hard to get high school students to follow social distancing guidelines. While the school can set strict guidelines, it is the responsibility of the student body to follow them and sometimes that may not happen. This is why regular testing is an impotant part of in-person education. Otherwise, we are waiting for the inevitable outbreak at our school.

November 30, 2020

The inevitable shutdown

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Mia Hail ’23 Copy Editor As COVID-19 continues to sweep the globe and US cases are reaching all-time highs, the virus reminds us that this pandemic is far from over. Many countries in Europe, in order to combat this “second wave,” are switching back to a full country lockdown. Meanwhile, in the US, cases are skyrocketing with seemingly no end in sight; each day there are thousands of new cases and hundreds of deaths. Countries around the world are again closing shops, restaurants, theaters, and placing travel bans. Yet, they are doing everything they can to keep schools open. Shutting schools down for the entire end of the year in March was extremely challenging for all students, and in recognizing that, schools are going to cling onto in-person classes for as long as possible. However, as case numbers surge, schools are bound to become new epicenters for the virus, leaving communities to make their own decisions whether or not to close.

For LMSD, the question isn’t if schools close, but for how long will they stay closed? With LM reverting back to online school after only four weeks of in-person instruc-

outbreak. In March, we all experienced the rapid turn around the virus created, as schools initially closed for only two weeks, which then turned to four, and eventually to cancelling the entire rest of the school year. This was after only edent was set that the school board will take a similar approach in this second wave, which has already proven to be true with the recent closing of LMSD. Not only are rising cases a concern for schools, but the imminent winter, which raises new concerns about COVID-19 cases rising once people are no longer able to spend time outside. The winter months are usually synonymous with that this year, not only will there be the

cases. Until now, people have found ways to spend time together outside while keeping plenty of distance and with a constant circulation of fresh air.

The fear is that in the cold weather people are forced to spend more time inside in close proximity, consequently causing case numbers to drastically rise.

While it’s important to remain optimistic about going back to school, it’s hard to do so when reading the news of the rising coronavirus cases and the warnings that the worst is still to come.

As cases continue to rise, LMSD has to prioritize their student’s health over in-person education. After four weeks of hybrid in-person learning, LMSD has made the decision to return to fully virtual school until December 4, then they hope to return to the hybrid model for the remaining weeks leading up to winter break. Going online for these next few weeks isn’t going to change the COVID-19, the spread of the virus among fact that COVID-19 cases are rising, and the district seems inescapable. Everyone are bound to continue to do so. Schools in the district is interconnected, with are a dangerous breeding ground for COVID-19, and despite the district’s teams traveling to play other schools, extracurricular activities, and even social distancing, and mandatory people who disregard social distanc- daily health checks, these minimal ing guidelines when with their friends.

Although the LM community has had in the case of an outbreak. Although I relatively good control of the virus hope LM will reopen soon, the harsh since March, cases will rise, as they reality is that it’s looking more are around the country. At the time of probable every day that we will remain writing this article, there are multiple in fully online school for a long time.

Unless things drastically improve all the LMSD schools, including four while we’re virtual, it seems extremecases at LM. All it takes is one asymp- ly unlikely that we will be returntomatic person to spread it across the ing to school before January, and entire district, and suddenly there is an even that is an optimistic outlook.

Safe and sound

Jessica Dubin ’24 Fall is one of the most festive times of the year. People gather with friends and family for fun activities and holidays like Halloween and Thanksgiving. Although some may think staying home is the only option with the new wave of COVID-19 cases, there are many ways to participate in the fall festivities while staying safe. It’s important to not get discouraged

and remember there's always a safe alternative. There are many activities that allow people to celebrate the fall. Places like Linvilla Orchards have corn mazes, hayrides and many more fall festivities that allow everyone to remain distanced. They only run activities that have limited contact with others and have strict mask policies, along with social distancing guidelines that help ensure safety.

As long as each person follows the guidelines and washes their hands, these activities can be done safely. Additionally, people can also pick pumpkins that can be used to decorate their home. Carving pumpkins is another festive activity to do with the pumpkins you pick, which can be done very safely with friends or family. Each group can gath-

er distanced outside and have a pumpkin carving and/or decorating contest! Another fun fall activity is apple picking, which people can enjoy with others and later make festive dishes with the apples that they picked. Something else to do to get into the fall spirit is make a bonfire, roast marshmallows, and enjoy the warmth of the fire outside with friends and family.

Thanksgiving is also a holiday that will be celebrated very differently this year. Families are not going to be able to have their large family gatherings like normal, but there are many ways to stay connected with loved ones and participate in annual traditions. One thing to do is have an outdoor Thanksgiving, if the weather permits, which

reduces the chance of spreading COVID-19 and allows everyone to celebrate safely while still being with extended family. Another option is to celebrate online, connecting with family and friends and enjoy a meal together. We can’t let this virus take away our sense of community, as we can still participate in normal fall festivities while following the safety guidelines. These guidelines are extremely important to follow because they are the best way to reduce the spread of the virus. If people do not follow them, the virus rates will increase and continue to worsen. As long as people properly social distance, wear their masks, and wash their hands, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the holiday season while staying safe.

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Opinions

November 30, 2020

The Merionite

Dangers of drilling noteworthy that only one well has been drilled in this refuge and, as per a New York Times investigation, the results were very discouraging. Many have opposed this drilling.

economic competitiveness in the drilling industries. of oil drillers in the past, however, at this time, some oil companies are not too enthusiastic on starting this process as oil

we will never stop suing them.” Environmental groups call it the “biological heart of a priceless ecosystem,” and they will continue to advocate against oil drilling, but they are afraid that once drilling rights are sold, it will be harder for a future president to reverse this plan. The recent deci-

Sarem Khan ’24

dering herds of caribou, polar bears and other species.

Unfortunately, the animals who reside in these ninehomelands. Recently, the Trump administration has decided to push ahead with plans to allow drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. With its beginning leases projected to be granted by the end of this year, drilling Energy companies’ interest in Arctic Refuge has risen and fallen over the past few decades. The discovery of oil duction in the region. The fostering of this plan to drill was one that was widely disputed and controversial. It is also

up to a decade for oil to be actually extracted, during which time the need for fossil fuels may decline with development of other sources of energy, such as solar, wind, and wave

refuge’s coastal plain and to all the living life on that land. became the latest to announce its revised policy, joining Wells almost any area in the Arctic. Oil spills are a common occurrence during the process of extracting oils and gas. In

It is imperative that if the Trump administration decides to proceed with their actions, they protect the environ-

tons of oil lost. Not only do these spills harm the environment in a massive way, the animals who inhabit those

our duty as human beings and inhabitants of this planet to protect what we have left of such pristine areas of wildlife as the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. While people can contest the idea of prohibiting the destructive drilling of natural areas, there are many irreversible and devastating outcomes that will follow if the supporters of this campaign proceed with the proposal, such as loss of innocent animal lives, damage to the environment, and many other future

ine all the damage done to the ecosystem during that time!

Proponents of drilling argue that improvements in drilling technology have lowered drilling costs and increased the

First world lawn signs ject is simple: it doesn’t matter. Biden, Trump, and BLM signs are commonplace around LM, however, a majority of the houses with signs concerning lights on Arnold Field only have signs concerning that issue. Why would someone feel strongly enough about lights at LM to put up a sign but not that could change the world for years to come? The answer -

Noah Barkan ’24 One of the most recent issues that has arisen for debate in the community is whether LM should put lights gomery Avenue from the high school and is surrounded by a residential neighborhood. Arnold Field is one of the big-

divide and privilege LM has. From the higher test scores to the more advanced technology to the sushi served in the cafeteria, LM and the community that surrounds it has a clear are located only miles away. Of course, there is a portion of

of the day, we can still go to bed without the threats and wortaxes might change, we might get mad at our TV screens, we might hear sad stories on the radio, but we never have to count on a tip from an angry customer or stress about highlight the divide and disconnect much of LM experiences in their suburban lives. Today “we” face huge problems worlds away from the reality we live in. Kids whose lungs seen at much higher rates in poor neighborhoods, we have

at least some time on it. This fall, football, girls’ and boys’ -

urban areas. While teens are out in Philadelphia, twenty minutes away, dealing with systemic racism, police brutality and being afraid in their neighborhoods, we are wor-

The issue of the lights resurfaced due to the debate over school start times. Both sides of the argument seem to have rounding the school, streets are littered with yard signs arguing “No Lights On Arnold Field” or “Let LM Athletes Shine.” taped to the metal bars of the gate. My opinion on this sub-

LM families who are minorities and who these elections and

furthest things from our minds. Of course, anyone can put

Graphic by Emerald Wu ’23

be aware of the gift that these are the problems that face us.

The MAGA era

Max Blumenfeld ’21

me it appears that this unwillingness to compromise is the single greatest obstacle to true progress in our nation. The sitting president of the US expressed the sentiment that he

doesn’t mean compromising on my basic rights. Half of that is true, but half of it is not. I won’t try to deny having that privilege, but I’m not blinded by it (at least in this case); this

did not cast their electoral votes for him. Of all the horrifying things Agent Orange has said in the last few years, that one is, in my opinion, the most damning. He’s the president of the US, not just the Red States, and it’s his job to care about all Americans, not just the ones who voted for him.

It isn’t just within the government itself that you see

to get everything you want all at once, even though a lot of what you want is human decency. You’ll help more people, and sooner, if you settle for part of what you want today, and let the Republicans get what they want somewhere else, than you will if you wait to do anything major until you can do it without giving up ground. If you’re a hard-line conservative (I mean a real conservative, not a MAGA hat owner),

my own views as an example here: I agree with the Republicans that it’s best to have a smaller national government, us in his farewell address that political partisanism posed about forty percent of congressional votes fell along party lican-controlled Senate during Obama’s second term did the same to President Trump, albeit with less success. The very foundation of a representative government and its biggest advantage over direct democracy is that it is supposed to prevent a majority faction from ignoring what everyRepublicans didn’t use to believe that the other party winning the White House would lead to the end of days. To

economic action to the minimum reasonable level. I also

that racism and homophobia are bad, and that, if it can be avoided (which it easily can), people should not die due to crats would call me a racist and Republicans would call me a about racism and with Republicans about communism.

If you’re a hardcore liberal, you might be rushing to say that I’m blinded by my privilege, because as a white guy living in LM Township, compromising with Republicans

reform and LGBTQ+ rights are also pushing socialistic policies, and socialism is basically communism, and communism is bad, so they must want to destroy your way of life and therewhere people of all races, genders, orientations, and national origins have the same rights, is still capitalism, and giving up ground to progressives on social issues isn’t a threat to it.

This isn’t one of those performative pleas for unity you see burning the country down if Trump had won a second term.

While it would be really nice if we could realize that we all live they are, it’s pretty obvious that that’s not going to happen

Features

November 30, 2020

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The Merionite

Transforming tradition Julia Russel ’23 Thanksgiving is a holiday that all families look forward to every year. It is a special time to gather with loved ones, family, friends, and enjoy the extended holiday. It is a nice excuse for families from all over to come together, but more importantly, it is a time to look back and give thanks as a family. Unfortunately, large family gatherings are not encouraged during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Gathering around the dining room table with all our loved ones, catching up on each other’s lives, enjoying freshly made turkey, homemade pumpkin pies, and special desserts, will sadly be missed this year. To be able to celebrate this wonderful holiday without any risk of harm would require the event to be outside and require the participants to exhibit adequate social distancing. This inconvepast. After all, there are many guidelines that need to be followed in order to keep everyone safe and healthy. However, all these disruptions to this traditional holiday should not distract from the importance to recognize everything that we ought to be to be thankful for in the past year. While some are just staying home with their immediate family or hosting outside gatherings with more family members,

everyone will have to adjust to the new precautionary constraints.

Nolan Shanley, a sophomore, is celebrating Thanksgiving celebrate at his grandparent’s house surrounded by a variety of food. This year, to protect the more vulnerable elderly family members, they are moving the dinner outdoors. There will be warm. The food will be distributed in a safe manner so the family will still be able to feast on the holiday foods. In addition, they will maintain distance between each family member to reduce the risk of sickness. Shanley explains,“Although this loving holiday will my whole family in a safe way.” This year, due to all the pandemic Thanksgiving will be drastically altered. For this Thanksgiving, my family and I decided to participate in the holiday with just us rather than meeting with cousins and grandparents. We believe it would be the safest way while still having a great time. At the end of the day, the most important thing is to have a fun family time in a safe environment and create special lifelong memories.

Graphic by Katherine Fang ’23

The turKEY to Thanksgiving leftovers Sydney Harman ’23 their plates with food while surrounded by friends and family. Due to COVID-19, dinner tables might have a few less guests than usual, but similar to past years, there will still be large amounts of waste and excess food. According to the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation, “In the US, we waste up to forty percent of our food each year.” They also mention that experts expect around 200 million pounds of turkey to be leftover and thrown out Thanksgiving. There are many simple ways to avoid waste, such as preparing space for leftovers, pacing yourself during dinner, turning them into new dishes, and donating. By following a few of these ideas, both the environment and community could experience a positive impact.

It is important to prepare for the night by making sure food storage options are available in your home. Plastic bags, tin foil, plastic wrap, and storage containers being accessible are important for a quick and easy cleanup. It is important to clean up promptly perature for an extended period of time leaves it susceptible to bacteria growth that may spoil the food. It is also important to make room in the freezer and refrigerator of your home. There’s nothing worse than taking the time to cram your leftover food into the freezer and have it not even be able to close. Before Thanksgiving night, clear old and spoiled food out so that the new leftovers

don’t unnecessarily go to waste because of a lack of storage space.

During the dinner, be sure to pace yourself. Always remember that your eyes are bigger than your stomach! Only take what you know you can eat, because you can always go back for seconds.

Since you aren’t going to save the leftover food on your plate, don’t take excessive amounts of food that will have to be thrown away.

For all of the saved leftovers you will be reheating for the next week, there are so many easy and delicious ways to make new dishes from the old ones. You can transform baked sweet potato, squash, or pumpkin into a festive fall soup by blending it and adding a few spices. Turkey can be added to anything from salad to a breakfast burrito. Leftover cranberry sauce can be a substitute for jelly on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, added to yogurt, or used to top a desert. When biscuits turn stale they can be ground up and used for breadcrumbs. These are only a few examples, and many recipes can be found by simply searching the internet. ing meal, not everyone is able to experience the same. Any unopened and untouched food can be donated to a food pantry or organization. There are also many shelters that accept food donations, and you can access a directory of them at foodpantries. org. Thanksgiving is about being grateful for what you have and giving back to your community and those who are less fortunate.

Border by Ilana Zahavy ’24

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Graphics by Cate Roser ’21/

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November 30, 2020

Arts & Entertainment The Merionite

Shutdown doesn’t mean “curtains” Davis Giangiulio ’21 Arts & Entertainment Editor For LM Players, spring usually means the third and final production of the year. Last year, they planned to draw students and community members alike to the school with a performance of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged). However, the COVID-19 pandemic, of course, cut that production short.

While school has returned in some form and sports are back in action, Players is still not operating like it once was. There was no musical the week before Thanksgiving this year, in fact there are no productions planned at all so far for this year.

“At the moment, it seems that big productions will be extremely difficult, though not impossible, to put on at this time,” said Players President Anne Hamilton ’21.

These setbacks aren’t stopping the Players Executive Board from exploring other options in order to keep the club alive during the pandemic.

Hamilton said, “At the beginning of the year, we began planning for a showcase, or festival of sorts, to be able to celebrate what Players members can do.” However, that idea fell through, in a way that is emblematic of the difficulty of creating and participating in activities during this time. Continuing, Hamilton added, “We’re so used to doing similar things with similar structures that it becomes difficult to break out of that box and get people excited about something new.” Earlier this month, Players met for the first time in person since March in order to “bring [the] community back to life,” according to Hamilton. The leadership team is working to try and see what the members want to do and how they believe they should press forward.

But nothing will ever live up to live productions.

Hamilton said she “gave up on volleyball my junior year so that I could put more effort into Players, so it’s definitely a major disappointment to not be able to do what I’ve been doing and what I am good at.”

Rebecca Altman ’21, a member of the club, also felt that same sorrow, saying, “It’s sad that the Class of 2021 can’t have the normal Players experience for their last year of high school…

While I’m glad it’s still running in some capacity, it doesn’t mean that it isn’t disappointing.”

“I definitely miss Players as usual, but I

Graphic by Emma Liu ’22/Staff understand that it would be impossible for us to operate as usual in these circumstances, so I am thankful for what we get to do,” said Lily Greenberg ’23. She also added she did feel sympathy for the seniors who won’t get to participate in their final year the same way they had expected to.

Hamilton says what she’s missing most at the moment is the community of Players. That’s why for now, most of Players’ ideas are focused on “[bringing] back that sense of community.” Ideas include online movie nights and game nights, with a goal to choose activities that everyone can benefit from and participate in. Despite the changes, Hamilton sees this as an opportunity for Players.

“I am really excited about the opportunities that we have to spread our wings and try new things.”

Amongst loyal members of the club, there seems to be no wavering in enthusiasm and attitudes

towards Players. “I really appreciate all that the board has done to try to get us the Players experience as best as possible,” says Greenberg.

“Obviously I miss Players, but leadership decisions are super dependent on what the safety regulations allow, and I understand that they are doing what they can while following those regulations.”

Altman agrees, “I think [Players leadership is] doing the best they can considering the circumstances we are in.” She added, “I don’t see how they can feasibly do [a production] without excluding large groups of people due to restrictions.”

Players may be very different this year, but Hamilton still made an impassioned plea for students to join. “We want as many people to get involved as possible, even if you’re a senior who has never even considered it before. We have options for anything that you could imagine.”

Fall albums roundup Emmi Wu ’23 Graphics Editor At this time of year, it’s easy for students to feel overwhelmed, and with stress levels starting to increase, music is the perfect way to destress. Whether you’re crying over a bad grade to the new album Party Favors, dancing it out to some new fall hits, or studying to some chill beats in Wachito Rico, you’re bound to find something to enjoy among the season’s newest music. Below is a compilation of noteworthy fall releases, complete with reviews and highlights.

Positions by Ariana Grande: Ariana Grande’s long awaited album has finally been released, and shockingly enough, it did not live up to expectations. Though none of the songs are especially bad, the album overall seems repetitive and a lot of the songs lack any personal meaning.

Her other albums were filled with a variety of different styles and emotion, but Positions feels more like one very long, drawn out, 41 minute song. Even the best songs from the new album, such as “34+35,” “pov,” and “positions,” are simply not as powerful as her previous works.

Bright Lights, Red Eyes by Ruel: A rising artist, who is somewhat new on the Pop scene, Australian singer-songwriter Ruel Graphic by Emmi Wu ’23/Staff

has one of the best voices I’ve ever heard. However, though his voice is beautiful, the production of the new album is a little dull. It is strikingly similar to his old album, Free Time, and it could’ve served him well to try something different this time. Bright Lights, Red Eyes simply sounds like an extension to Free Time.

Fake It Flowers by Beabadoobee: Beabadoobee, who recently rocketed to stardom after her song “Coffee” was sampled in the now TikTok-viral song “Death Bed,” is most often recognized for her sentimental, lo-fi, ukulele songs. Though she made her name in the lo-fi genre, Beabadoobee’s new album, Fake it Flowers, branches out with quite a surprising change in style. The album creates a sense of delicacy through Beabadoobee’s soft and airy voice, while simultaneously channeling the best parts of alternative rock music with her graceful vocals and grunge-style production flawlessly complimenting each other. The album’s utilization of quiet-loud dynamics would make it the perfect soundtrack to a ’90s coming-of-age movie.

Wachito Rico by Boy Pablo: To me, Wachito Rico is the definition of an indie album. Lyrically, it’s very melodramatic, but Boy Pablo’s voice is nearly devoid of emotion. However, his other albums have a similar ambiance, so perhaps that was intentional. Despite the angsty lyrics, the album’s production is actually quite cheerful.

Based heavily in percussion, the energetic beats and unique guitar riffs make the album rhythmical. While none of the songs particularly stand out from the rest, Wachito Rico is still a very catchy and delightful album.

Party Favors by Sir Chloe: A very dreary and mysterious-sounding album, Party Favors is a go-to for crying. This heavily-reverbed indie album is filled with grainy guitar riffs and dynamic vocals. The band’s music is very bold, and lead singer Dana Foote’s unique voice brings out a lot of emotion. For a debut album, it is definitely better than anticipated. All of the songs have a similar aura while maintaining a certain uniqueness in regard to lyrics and production, making the songs distinguishable and enjoyable.

Features

November 30, 2020

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The Merionite

Fall-ing for these new looks Gabryelle Tepper-Waterman ’23 With summer gone and colder weather upon us, fall brings a new selection of and layering opportunities, there are a lot of styles and clothes to dive into!

ment, and there are so many great ways to style them, including over hoodies and -

and hoodies that you can wear to school, around the house, or

iconic fall fashion piece that

patterns and styles and can be giving you a vintage-inspired ered on top of almost any-

trends this fall, and my favorite,

another bold, vintage fashion ily be paired with a sweater and casual pants for a dressed

top or t-shirt over a long sleeve, a -

are cozy, cute, and perfect for are a comfortable, but still chic fall fabrics and patterns to explore lar and timeless one, denim, comes in almost every type of

-

Graphic by Emmi Wu ’23/

range from chic and stylish to comfy

Fall activities Olivia Lee ’23 that is not possible (due to the cirof things everyone should do before the cold winter days come,so sit tight and enjoy the fun fall activity ideas!

lent, burning some wood and roastthe leaves turn brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow, and we need more pandemic friendly, so grab some pictures, jump in a leaf pile, 2. Eat All Pumpkin-Flavored with the summer wardrobe and temperature is dropping and we - fect time to get rid of all the short sleeves and replace them with big, We have the smells, we have the food, but we are missing the festive brighten our morning and create full experience of Autumn without -

the fall colors that just screams mats and a few pinecones will

everything and fall fashion to helpthan ever, individuals and fami- ing people in need, there are all great ways to create the best memand the winter season approaching, many people are experiencing with nonperishable foods and sani- all necessary safety precautions!

Graphic by Emmi Wu ’23/

14

November 30, 2020

Features The Merionite

The 25th hour Nolan Shanley ’23 It’s that time of the year again, where we rewind the clock an hour! Daylight savings is my favorite day of the year because of how it cures my sleep deprivation. Imagine if daylight savings happened every day. If we were lucky enough to experience an extra hour every single day, I would use that hour to accomplish things I have always wanted to do.

sure that my editing skills are a ten out of ten for every video, and I would make sure that I’m original and unique from the other content creators. I would cause I’m not interested in college, instead I was born to be famous. I would come up with video concepts

people laugh and feel happy, along with speaking out on social and global issues. I feel like there aren’t

Graphic by Cate Roser ’21

days, and certain issues need to be spoken about now more than ever.

In addition, another way I would spend this extra daily hour would be to explore Philly late at night with friends. I’ve always found the city so fascinating at night, and I would love to explore Philly and attempt to hit every iconic attraction that I usually take for granted. Some of these attractions include the Rocky steps by the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Walnut Street, the LOVE sign, and more. I would also spend the extra hour driving around with my friends, going to every fast food chain in our area, and ordering food from each place and eating it afterwards. As I’m writing this, I’m realizing how much of a blessing it would be to have an extra hour every day. But to be honest, if we’re being realistic, I would probably end up wasting that extra hour by bingeeating Häagen-Dazs Cookie Dough ice cream as I rewatch Ariana Grande music videos half asleep, like what I do every day. So, that’s how I would use my extra hour. How about you?

Features

November 30, 2020

15

The Merionite

Freshmen’s First Fall Crosby Johnson ’24 Due to COVID-19, many schools, including LM, had to begin in-person instruction later in the school year. We began the school year learning from home, in a completely different environment and learning style than we would usually be accustomed to during a regular year. Normally, we would go back to school at the beginning of September. As a freshman, the delay of in-person school has certainly made for a weird start to high school, but there are both pros and cons to the situation.

The back-to-school delay cial situations, especially for me as a freshman. It was hard mates and teachers through a screen, especially because there were many new faces.

Some of my classmates’ zoom personalities are different than in class, so it was hard to form a true understanding of who people are. Because in-person lunch is socially distanced, it is hard to have conversations and meet new people, so I haven’t had the chance to really meet people who didn’t go to middle school with me. relief to get back into school and walk through the halls back to in-person school, it school year. My teachers went over what we had to do in the classroom and how to get to places. It felt like the start of

school, besides the fact that we already had work assigned to us.

However, being at home while others are in school feels different. It is often hard to tell whether your teacher is trying to talk to you or to the people that are in school. I had a difhaving a small workload in an all-virtual format to having a larger workload, along with other changes that accompany the transition to hybrid format that I was unprepared for. The sudden need to wake up two hours earlier for a 7:30 a.m. class was a drastic change from the 9 a.m. start time of online school, and I have been very tired recently, as days where I go into school feel very long.

One upside of starting inperson school later is that the holidays come quicker. We have many off-days coming up in the next two months, and this school year seems to be moving quicker than previous ones because of the easier nature There have already been a handful of COVID-19 cases inside thedistrict, so I think that it is not looking very promising for the district to continue in-person school through the winter, particularly as COVID-19 is projected to worsen in the colder months. Hopefully we can continue this hybrid schedule in the future, as it has helped me get to know the environment of LM and a hint of what it would be like if all were normal.

We All Count Ruby Romano-Lehr ’24 The days of thanking, The days of dread, The days of thinking, Of the days ahead.

For what comes after Commotion sets in, It doesn’t matter if You’ve begun To think of all the decisions to come, To hope that it will all be some Sort of difference For better or worse A glistening light Or a dark curse.

While I am left, I try and be unbiased, I don’t want to start a war, I don’t think of myself as the highest.

I have my opinions And you do too, But I see people for their personality And not always for their views.

Just know that it matters All the facts, Know your side, And don’t look back.

Look to a future With no COVID or pain, Look to a future Filled with healthy people and no strain.

Your vote matters No matter the amount, Let’s end this today We all count.

Graphic by Emma Liu ’22/

Cov-ED college applications Shaine Davison ’23 The coronavirus pandemic has left many question marks for all students partaking in college perience touring during the lockdown and stated “I applications. While the LM Class of ’20 faced many visited, and got a decent feel [for the campus], but obstacles when it came to making college decisions, this year’s seniors are completely unable to par- colleges without the campus life makes it exceptionticipate in the usual college decision process. Back Treiman decided that he “really liked the school from and schools began to shut down, the students plan- online tours and info sessions,” but in-person visits ning to apply the following year had just begun their allow you “to actually feel the campus vibe in person.” decision journey. LM seniors Sydney Zelinger and Dilsheimer has also toured campuses, but stated, “I Danny Dilsheimer voiced that they began looking couldn’t really get a sense of the students but I did of at colleges in the “beginning and middle of junior the environment.” Most schools are hosting virtual was formed to connect students to college success er prospective students. While in-person tours are and opportunity, states that “spring of Junior year ideal, yet impossible right now, it seems as though is a good time to visit campuses.” With the US shutwho had plans to tour colleges were no longer able to visit, creating an obstacle in the lengthy process. ent than previous years. With deadlines approaching, more and more students need to navigate their as online webinars and information sessions, the future. Most college campuses are slowly reopening, process is still challenging. For students who have with the hope that freshmen will adjust to the school applied, or are going to apply early decision to a and college life. For students applying for early decision or are already enrolled in a school, being able LM senior, Will Treiman, applied early decision and to attend normally is still unknown and undecided.

16

November 30, 2020

Arts & Entertainment The Merionite

Happy holidays: pandemic edition Katie Fang ’23 Website Editor

Who wouldn’t look forward to this time of the year? Very little compares to the joy of seeing family, receiving and exchanging gifts, and celebrating traditions and culture. But this year, the festivities that are usually celebrated have to undergo some necessary modifications due to COVID-19. Generally, we would greet a group of family and friends with a hug or handshake and say, “the more, the merrier!” Although we cannot adhere to such customs given the circumstances this year, we can still find ways to enjoy the holiday season. Because COVID-19 is still a prevalent factor in our lives that needs to be taken seriously, many LM students and their families are taking amended, safe steps to celebrate this year.

As LM students recently returned from Thanksgiving break, the celebrations of many students and their families were dissimilar with years past. Eva Delmonte ’23 had some changes in her usual holiday plans. “Usually on Thanksgiving when we get together with my dad’s side of the family, we have a huge meal at one of his siblings’ houses,” she said. Unfortunately, Delmonte’s family couldn’t all get together this year due to there being “so many of us on my Dad’s side.”

Instead, only Delmonte’s grandma attended their family’s Thanksgiving celebration, where they were able to enjoy a meal of delicious foods such as turkey, soup, and pasta. Michael Aizenberg ’23 also described not being able to celebrate with as many people as he had in previous years. “Normally we have guests or we go to a family friend’s house,” he stated, “but this year we are doing it alone.” But despite these changes, Aizenberg hasn’t lost the spirit of Thanksgiving.

“I’m thankful for my awesome family and friends.”

Alveena Khoday ’23 celebrated Diwali, the Indian Festival of Lights, which is celebrated as the return of Lord Ram who defeated the demon king after fourteen years in exile. Diwali is made up of five days: Dhanteras, Naraka Chaturdashi, Lakshmi Puja, Padwa, and Bhai Dooj.

Throughout these days, Khoday and her family celebrated many activities as they usually would including cleaning the house, making food, worshipping the goddess of wealth named Lakshmi, lighting firecrackers, and exchanging gifts. Khoday says Diwali is a special holiday for her. “Because I have grown up in America, sometimes I feel that I am not loyal to my Indian background, but celebrating festivals like Diwali with my family reminds me of my heritage

along with eating extremely delicious food.” Even though her family’s celebrations were slightly different this year, she was still able to share the festivities of this significant holiday with those around her. “Usually during Diwali, we have a huge party with friends and family, but this year we had a Zoom celebration instead. Even with everything going on, I also was able to exchange some food with our neighbors. It was interesting to see how it all worked out.”

This coming December, there are of course many more holidays to be celebrated. “Normally, I celebrate Hanukkah with my immediate family at home,” says Ari Steinfeld ’23. “This year, I’ll still be staying at home but meeting on Zoom with some other members from beyond our immediate family.” Steinfeld plans to do prayers over Zoom and open presents with their family. “Hanukkah is more of a holiday celebrated in the home with family,” says Charlotte Jacobson ’24. “The most significant difference is that there will not be any Hanukkah parties that my family will be attending.”

Jacobson will still be able to celebrate her usual traditions this year, such as lighting the menorah, playing dreidel, and eating delicious fried foods.

Despite the tumultuous backdrop of this year’s season, Aiko Palaypayon ’23 is very excited to celebrate Christmas.

“During the Christmas season, my family sets up decorations of Jesus’ nativity in front of our Christmas tree. In past years, I really enjoyed assembling the Christmas tree, and finding the old holiday crafts I made in elementary school,” Palaypayon comments. Unfortunately, her tradition of eating dimsum on Christmas Day may need to take place at home, but she will still be able to continue her other traditions such as buying presents for her friends.

Nathan Donagi ’24 is also excited to give gifts, but it comes with a twist. “My family is quarantining gifts this year,” in order to make sure they’re COVID-free, “but it’ll still be an exciting experience,” Donagi says. Emmi Wu ’23 remarks that she has plans to look forward to as well, “I plan on baking cookies, since I found some great recipes over quarantine, and watching movies. I’m also hoping that it’ll snow this year so I can play in the snow like the good old days.” Even with the pandemic, some traditions are unstoppable.

This year has been anything but normal, but when it comes to celebrating traditions, LM students are making the best out of a difficult situation and finding ways to still have some festive fun.

Graphic by Cate Roser ’21

Shopping season transformed Ava Cohen ’23

If you have been shopping within the past couple months, you know how different it is. From social distancing, wearing masks, and lines due to limited capacity in stores, it all feels very dystopian. There’s no doubt that shopping has changed drastically from the way we once knew it.

From January to mid-March, shopping could be considered a fun outing, where shoppers would spend time with friends and family doing something enjoyable. However, this all changed during the pandemic.

One of the first things that brought a lot of attention to the seriousness of the virus was in early March when shelves became bare as Americans prepared for a potential lockdown, panickingly stocking up on supplies. Thinking back to when there was a toilet paper shortage feels like decades ago. When our

world began to shut down, supermarkets were one of the only stores allowed to remain open. As a result, the retail sector was devastated and many employees of the industry lost their jobs as the economy faltered.

Now that lockdown restrictions have been relaxed and stores have been reopened for several months, there are new guidelines, including mask requirements, markings to maintain six-feet distance apart, and strict capacity limits, that have been put in place to ensure the safety of customers. Because of this, shopping has become less of a “fun” activity and is now viewed by many as more of a quick errand to run when it is deemed necessary. Obviously, this is all rightfully in an effort to avoid the spread of COVID-19. However, it is interesting to see how life has progressed over the course of the last eight months in the sense of something as simple as shopping, the idea of it now completely altered in our minds.

Now, as the holidays approach, stores face a new challenge: Black Friday and mass holiday shopping.

Big crowds, small spaces, touching

various different items – all things that are to be avoided during a pandemic. Black Friday and the large amount of in-person shopping that follows after could be considered one of the most unsafe activities during these times, and experts fear the possibility of new outbreaks arising from it, which is why extra precautions will need to be put in place. While it may take some of the usual joy out of shopping during this season, it is necessary to ensure our community’s health doesn’t deteriorate further.

Different stores have different ways of dealing with changing their policies due to the pandemic, but all

seem to be planning to extend the special Black Friday deals to month long savings instead of a few days.

It’s no longer Black Friday, but “Black November.” Home Depot, for example, is adjusting their sale dates to start earlier, around November 6, and end later, around December 2. Some stores in the King of Prussia Mall had deals beginning in mid-September that run through the end of the year.

Plus, many stores are offering more delivery and pickup options to ensure as minimal contact as possible. This is all in an attempt to avoid the dangerous mass crowds that Black Friday is known for. While many will likely shop online this year, the few that go to malls and stores could deteriorate public health. This situation is terrifyingly possible, but stores are doing everything in their power to avoid it.

Clearly, shopping during the COVID-19 pandemic is much more complicated than anyone would have thought. Looking back to when COVID-19 hit, who knew the virus would get so bad that it would transform an aspect of our lives that previously seemed so easy into a hassle?

Graphics by Emmerald Wu ’23

Arts & Entertainment

November 30, 2020

17

The Merionite

Careers in art: impractical or undervalued?

Arts & Entertainment Editor LM’s art hallway, though now devoid of students, is home to countless graphic design or advertisement as alternatives: “I want to have creative freedom.” renderings and paintings, classrooms full of works-in-progress, and photographs Similarly, many students do not want to turn art from a method of relaxation into lining the walls. Many students are drawn to the creative outlet that art classes and clubs highlight of the day. But despite the respite that art is known

this sentiment, saying “I see art as a stress reliever, so if I saw it as a future career choice that would add some pressure.”

This pressure to avoid art can sometimes be traced to a student’s home environment. Due to a growing career market in technology, parents often push students towards STEM-related classes. Madeleine Fiks ’23 describes that she’s felt some pressure from her family to take STEM courses as opposed to art, and she feels as if “there’s a stigma around other courses like cooking and art that make them seem less valuable.” However, she asserts that STEM courses, and by extension careers in those subjects, do not necessarily discourage creativity. “I know many people who take Computer Science at LM, because you have the ability to be creative while doing math-oriented things,” Fiks says, talking about all

On the other hand, despite the multitude of risks associated with this career, some LM students are willing to take the plunge. Noah Lipsitz ’21, an avid photographer, uses his art as both a source of income and a hobby. He wants to eventually focus on documentary, adventure, and storytelling, and currently has done client work with the food his long term goal is to use his art to create stories. Lipsitz

career in, but believes it’s worth it. “I feel like the way we are raised, art is never really seen as much of a job where you can make real money from. But from what students, but others would still prefer to pursue art if they could.

I’ve learned, it is one of the most special career opGraphics by Many students feel that only certain artistic paths have tions of them all and that’s because it’s so open ended.”

Avery Adelman Lipsitz added that if your work is unique enough “then exercise of portraying existential dread. der that category. This blocks them from pursuing an you can one hundred percent make a living out of it.”

However, he emphasized that for professional artists, money is not the end been drawing their whole life and painting for over six years. They create everything goal. “If you talk to any artist, not one will tell you that they do it for the

out of my art, seeing as though it makes me really happy, but I don’t think there’s many

professionally. Students must weigh the risks, but in a subject dedicated to creativity, there’s no easy answer as to if it is possible to make a career out of it! If someone wants to pursue art, they may end up creating a dream job for themselves.

Watching in a winter wonderland Copy Editor

across the world have been stuck inside, remaining in isolation. However, chilly winter days have an almost magical way of making everything cozy, calm, and comfortable. Settling

The Grinch

Home Alone

Elf

us all of the joy that the holiday season brings.

There’s nothing more recognizable than this movie’s Macaulay Culkin movie cover, an

This comedy for all ages tells the story of a grown man, Buddy, who was raised by elves in the North Pole. Upon learning he is actually a human, he travels to New York City to meet his true father. This heartwarming reunion makes you laugh out loud no matter how many times you’ve seen it. Buddy’s

to steal Christmas from the neighboring town of Whoville and abandon holiday cheer forever.

The silly comedy and fantasy make this fun for the whole family, especially younger children.

Love Actually

realizes he’s accidentally been left home alone for Christmas, while his whole family is away in action scenes, pranks, and, of course, that holiday family reunion. Plus, there are plenty of sequels!

transport holiday spirit to life on your own screen.

The Polar Express

Daddy’s Home 2

With over ten stories and twenty distinct characters, this movie is enticing and incredibly to watch with friends on a chilly December night. love and laughter, as well as nuances that leave a way each love story is intertwined, you realize how special it is to spend the holidays with those you love.

same family as the original, in which a biological Christmas Eve learns how to believe in himself and harness the power of imagination. Unable to sleep, he rides aboard a train to the North Pole to visit Santa and learn what true Christmas spirit entails.

The deeper messages hidden throughout this sweet story make it a classic for this time of the year.

holiday season, each of their own dads come to spend time with the family and attempt to unite everyone further. Of course, there are plenty of obstacles along the way, but they only make for more laughs throughout the movie.

18

Sports

November 30, 2020

The Merionite

Recruitment in quarantine Ben Warren ’21 College athletics recruitment is taxing under the best of circumstances, and the COVID-19 pandemic

the coaches in-person and performing for them, a

disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic has not only

Brown-Swint ’21 describes it, “stress on stress!”

One critical issue for potential recruits this year

that something is certainly lost without a campus

go to junior college for a year or two, I may do a

less recruits because of money concerns and some high schools around the country who lose out on scholarships and the opportunity to play college sports, especially as the sports world will continue

period,” meaning that coaches cannot meet with Recruiting camps were an important part of Sage

that came out of a strong performance at one Photo courtesy of Allison Stewart ’21

Stewart, a two-time state qualifying swimmer, zooms through the pool — and on her computer.

transition to recruiting during the pandemic, she are not allowed to meet any D1 coaches in-person, so Brown-Swint has encountered similar issues with her future team at North Carolina State

Stewart, Brown-Swint, and O’Connor are among Photo courtesy of Amari Brown-Swint ’21

Photo courtesy of Eric Blum ’21

Brown-Swint, along with eight other seniors, signed their letters of intent to play D1 athletics for next year.

Blum, a pitcher on the LM baseball team, plans on continuing his athletic career at the collegiete level, but is unsure where that will be.

Light it up?

Luke Shepard ’24

plan for the addition of lights for safe participation in sports after daylight later times for going to bed, for scheduling after-school and, ultimately, catching the becoming more and more that certain sports teams could be able to play games at night,

Proposals to delay school schoolers must also consider the logistics of sports and

are numerous signs that all Director of School and Community Relations, says that in response to a new start

allation of lights could lead to students hanging around

School Board of Directors Graphic by Emmi Wu ’23

ship to install lighting on decisions or timelines for

Arnold Field, named after General Henry Harley “Hap” Arnold in 1950, has remained without permanent lights for its entire existence.

also cause heightened noise

Sports

November 30, 2020

19

The Merionite

Eyes on the Prize

Talia Bierschwale ’21, Sara Beqiraq ’21, Ella Lawrence ’21 After a long-awaited 2020 volleyball season, the LM girls’ volleyball team is currently everyone to continue working hard this get the season rolling, but after a long suming a thoughtful letter to the administration, Lane ’22, and middle blocker, Jasmine Plack ’21 were both recently featured in and coaches are required to wear masks at nia” during the weeks of October 26 and all times, sanitize during breaks, and reonto the LM record board for career blocks, season, the Aces have been able to quickly

-

-

Photo courtesy of Sara Beqiraq ’21 The Aces have earned remarkable results so far this season, rank-

- Perri’s hundreth varsity win after the team ing into the gym on the Jaguars’ senior night,

Winter sports update Ben Wolf ’22 Sports Editor

The Aces led throughout the entire match, brought home the long awaited win against -

’21 as she reached an incredible milestone of this historical win with my teammates was

The Merionite.

The NFL is back in business Thomas Penn ’22 -

-

last year, but they sadly had to miss time

contenders, remain undefeated to

after he broke the record for most

won back-to-back road games against the Titans and Balti-

-

-

Tennessee Titans had to miss time due to an outbreak in the organization, and it also caused

arguably have the most balAnother student at LM, Alex

negatively so far, as there have been mul-

-

Sports

20 November 30, 2020

The Merionite

Ellie Ward ’21 Sports Editor -

-

Ellie Ward ’21/

wins in every one of their twelve games.

Girls’ cross country races into centrals Sarah Hurst ’21

-

-

-

Sarah Cooke ’21

LMXC (middle) has run against tough competition, like Haverford (left) and Garnet Valley (right), this season.

Jack Scholz ’24

Freshman Jack Scholz

Grace Downey ’23

Sophomore Grace Downey

What sport(s) do you play?

What sport(s) do you play?

What is your favorite winter activity?

If you had to get a tattoo, what would it be?

If you could replace one Thanksgiving food, what would you replace and what would take its place?

If you had to get rid of breakfast, lunch, or dinner, which would you choose?

Jack Lledo ’22

Junior Jack Lledo What sport(s) do you play?

If you could replace one Thanksgiving food, what would you replace and what would take its place?

Do you prefer hot chocolate or apple cider?

Hannah Shalaby ’21

Senior Hannah Shalaby What sport(s) do you play?

What are you most looking forward to this holiday season?

Keeping Up With the Kardashians Do you prefer hot chocolate or apple cider?

Emerald Wu ’23