looks

Features 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 ment, and there are so many great ways to style them, including over hoodies and and layering opportuni- ties, there are a lot of styles and clothes to dive into! 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 range from chic and stylish to comfy Graphic by Emmi Wu ’23/

Fall activities

Olivia Lee ’23

that is not possible (due to the cir of 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 roast- the 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 approach- ing, many people are experiencing with nonperishable foods and sani- all necessary safety precautions!

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.

The 25th hour

Nolan Shanley ’23

- sure that my editing skills are a ten out of ten for ev ery 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 people laugh and feel happy, along with speaking to be famous. I would come up with video concepts out on social and global issues. I feel like there aren’t 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?Graphic by Cate Roser ’21

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 dif having 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 ques- tion 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 shut- who had plans to tour colleges were no longer able to visit, creating an obstacle in the lengthy process. ent than previous years. With deadlines approach ing, 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 deci sion 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.

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 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 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.

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 Graphic by Cate Roser ’21

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?

Arts & Entertainment November 30, 2020 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 to- On the other hand, despite the multitude of risks wards STEM-related classes. Madeleine Fiks ’23 describes associated with this career, some LM students are willing to that she’s felt some pressure from her family to take STEM take the plunge. Noah Lipsitz ’21, an avid photographer, uses courses as opposed to art, and she feels as if “there’s a his art as both a source of income and a hobby. He wants stigma around other courses like cooking and art that make to eventually focus on documentary, adventure, and stothem seem less valuable.” However, she asserts that STEM rytelling, and currently has done client work with the food courses, and by extension careers in those subjects, do not necessarily discourage creativity. “I know many people who his long term goal is to use his art to create stories. Lipsitz take Computer Science at LM, because you have the ability to be creative while doing math-oriented things,” Fiks says, career in, but believes it’s worth it. “I feel like the way talking about all 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 opMany students feel that only certain artistic paths have der that category. This blocks them from pursuing an Graphics by Avery Adelman exercise of portraying existential dread. tions of them all and that’s because it’s so open ended.” Lipsitz added that if your work is unique enough “then 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 professionally. Students must weigh the risks, but in a subject dedicated to out of my art, seeing as though it makes me really happy, but I don’t think there’s many 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 us all of the joy that the holiday season brings. 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

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. Home Alone

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

The Polar Express 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. Elf

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 transport holiday spirit to life on your own screen. Daddy’s Home 2 same family as the original, in which a biological 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.

Sports The Merionite

Recruitment in quarantine

College athletics recruitment is taxing under the best of circumstances, and the COVID-19 pandemic Brown-Swint ’21 describes it, “stress on stress!” One critical issue for potential recruits this year less recruits because of money concerns and some 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 Eric Blum ’21

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. Ben Warren ’21

the coaches in-person and performing for them, a that something is certainly lost without a campus

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 disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic has not only go to junior college for a year or two, I may do a high schools around the country who lose out on scholarships and the opportunity to play college sports, especially as the sports world will continue

Photo courtesy of Amari Brown-Swint ’21

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

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 Proposals to delay school be able to play games at night, schoolers must also consider the logistics of sports and are numerous signs that all Director of School and Com- munity 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 Arnold Field, named after General Henry Harley “Hap” Arnold in 1950, has also cause heightened noise remained without permanent lights for its entire existence. decisions or timelines for

Eyes on the Prize Talia Bierschwale ’21, Sara Beqiraq ’21, Ella Lawrence ’21

After a long-awaited 2020 volleyball sea- son, the LM girls’ volleyball team is currently everyone to continue working hard this - get the season rolling, but after a long sum- - ing 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 re- onto the LM record board for career blocks, season, the Aces have been able to quickly - - - - - Perri’s hundreth varsity win after the team ing into the gym on the Jaguars’ senior night, 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

Photo courtesy of Sara Beqiraq ’21

The Aces have earned remarkable results so far this season, rank

Winter sports update Ben Wolf ’22 Sports Editor

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 arguably have the most baltime due to an outbreak in the organization, and it also caused Another student at LM, Alex negatively so far, as there have been mul -

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

What sport(s) do you play?

What is your favorite winter activity?

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

Grace Downey ’23

Sophomore

Grace Downey What sport(s) do you play?

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

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

Jack Lledo ’22 Junior Jack Lledo

Hannah Shalaby ’21 Senior Hannah Shalaby

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?

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?