Merionite October 2021

The Merionite Ardmore, PA, 19003

October 25, 2021

The official student newspaper of Lower Merion High School since 1929 Volume 93, Issue 1 www.themerionite.org

COVID update: back to normal?

Vivian Collins ’24 Copy Editor After almost one and a half years of abnormal school days, district wide shutdowns, and Zooming into class from our beds, things are finally starting to feel a little more normal. Both the hybrid learning program and LMSD@Home have been discontinued. There are no more ten minute breaks in between classes or constant changes to the lunch schedule. Lunch & Learn is back, along with a full five-day week of classes. Despite the seemingly never-ending obstacles, the LMSD administration, the School Board, and the Health and Safety Committee have made the return to school possible. When asked what the biggest challenge was in preparation for this school year, Athletics and Activities Director Jason Stroup explained, “I think the biggest challenge is that things are constantly changing, so the target is constantly moving. We’re trying to balance all of those guidelines and trying to make school functional for students and staff.”

Pursuant to former Superintendent Copeland’s Health and Safety Planning Update, anyone entering the building must wear a mask at all times. This is in accordance with the order from the Pennsylvania Acting Secretary of Health, who instated a mandatory face-covering order effective September 7, 2021.

This mandate is for all Pennsylvania schools and is designed to reduce the spread of COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status. Masks are required on buses at all times as well. Wearing masks and making sure to follow the social distancing rules decrease the chances of another district wide shut down. Simply stated, wearing a mask will help promote the health and well-being of students and staff. All of these protocols align with the guidelines of the CDC and the Montgomery County Office of Public Health (MCOPH).

Unfortunately, it is no longer possible to maintain six feet of social distancing in school. Now that we’ve returned to the full in-person learning model, there are too many students and there is not enough space. In accordance with CDC guidelines, students need to maintain a three-foot distance from each other. Unlike last school year, there are now assigned seats on school buses to help with contact tracing.

Please see COVID UPDATE on page 3

Photo courtesy of Anika Xi ’23/Staff

An electric election Connor Kleinman ’24

Photo courtesy of Anika Xi ’23/Staff

While some normal traditions like Lunch & Learn have returned, the impact of COVID- 19 is still prevalent through socially distanced classrooms and the continued use of the Kobe gym and outdoor areas for students to study and eat.

The midterm elections are quickly approaching, and students will soon be affected by its outcome.

With a Democrat on the Republican ticket in a mostly Democrat-leaning area, a Democratic sweep is probable.

But who is on the ticket, and why does it matter?

Here is a quick overview of the school board elections: five Democrats are running for school board positions, but only four of them are on the Democratic ticket. A ticket is a group of individuals that are endorsed by a party. Thus when I mention “the Democratic ticket,” I mean the candidates that have been officially endorsed by the Democratic Party. The official Democratic ticket contains four candidates: Kimberly Garrison, Kerry Sautner, Melanie Schafmeister, and Anna Shurak. Broadly speaking, they stand for the expansion of public education, and believe that critical race theory is necessary in explaining and moving past the nation’s previous failures.

Please see AN ELECTRIC ELECTION on page 4

Activities back in action!

Michelle Kelly ’23 Sports Editor Much to the delight of students and faculty members alike, we were able to return to school in person this September. After a year apart, everyone at LM was desperate to reunite and form new connections. One of the best ways to accomplish both of these goals was to host an activities fair. However, things were a little different this time around. Activities and Athletics Director Jason Stroup mentioned, “We partnered with Student Council to do the activities far, which I don’t think we’ve done in the past.” Back in June, as Student Body President Leo Solga ’22 recalls, Student Council began planning the return of the activities fair, an annual event that helps clubs recruit new members and allows students to see the wide range of what LM offers.

Please see ACTIVITIES BACK IN ACTION! on page 2

Photo courtesy of Anika Xi ’23/Staff

The annual activities fair made a momentous return: over 70 clubs ranging from STEM to sports to community service set up stands to recruit new members.

Construction and commemoration

Bring back hybrid Fridays

OPINIONS

SPECIAL FEATURE

Read about the future of the Science Olympiad without Mr. Stettner and the construction of the koi pond. page 2

Ava Cohen ’23 explains why LM should bring back the hybrid Fridays from last year. page 6

See how students and teachers react to being back for the new school year. pages 12-13

NEWS

FEATURES

Satisfying sleep and school Graphic by Emma Liu ’22/Staff

Learn about the importance of sleep and how to better manage it. page 10

Back to school! Students and teachers react

SPORTS

Let’s go Aces!

Read about the Aces’ school spirit and the football team’s successful season! page 21

A&E

Concert comeback Find out how COVID-19 greatly affected concerts with new regulations and precautions. page 20

Photo courtesy of The Enchiridion

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October 2 , 2021

News The Merionite

Construction and commemoration: how Science Olympiad is moving forward Julia Dubnoff ’23 News Editor In February of last year, while LM’s Science Olympiad team was competing in a tournament, the team and the community as a whole suffered an indescribable tragedy; Beloved coach and science teacher Michael Stettner had passed away.

Mr. Stettner’s passing left a void in the hearts of many, and the Science Olympiad team without a head coach. This year, science teacher Andrew Samulewicz stepped into the role, along with Ms. Cooke and Ms. O’Bannon as assistant coaches. The year prior, Samulewicz was involved as an assistant coach working with the club’s build team, assisting in recordings and logistics for competitions. “There have been quite a few challenges,” states Samulewicz about his new position. “Because Stettner was so highly involved with the team and volunteered countless hours of his spare time, it has been difficult for students who are missing him not only as their coach but also as a mentor.

Losing someone like that is extremely difficult. With that said, I think students are coping well at this time and motivated to ensure we are a strong team in remembrance of his legacy.” According to Samulewicz, the leadership transition is made challenging by the fact that he cannot seek advice from Stettner.

Science Olympiad is heavily student-run. It boasts four experienced student captains, all of whom have years of experience under their belts. These students have faced challenges as well since Mr. Stettner’s passing, as is to be expected, but have been handling their responsibilities as needed. Captain Amy Huang ’23, who has been involved with Science Olympiad since she was in sixth grade at Bala Cynwyd, describes the changes in the team, “We lost a member of our family who meant so incredibly much to all of us.

But we have a great support system and can lean on each other. As a captain, I’ve been adjusting to working with our new coaches, which has been going very smoothly and I’m grateful for their commitment and flexibility.”

In honor of Stettner, Science Olympiad has embarked on a new mission—one that has already caught the attention of the student body.

The team has been contributing much of their time to constructing a koi pond in the courtyard, with more and more of it coming together each week. Stettner was dedicated to the subjects he taught, and the Samulewicz’s room serves as the team’s koi pond is a tribute to his love new home base. for animals and the natural world.

Photos courtesy of Amy Huang ’23

The team celebrates the progress made so far on the koi pond.

Bowen Ying ’22, another student captain, reports on the progress: “We’ve just finished the exterior design and are currently working on installing a water filter.” According to Huang, developing the exterior design involved steps such as digging out tiered layers, laying down felt, rubber, and rocks, and lining the edges with pavers and mulch. They are even hoping to install a small waterfall in the corner. The project should be completed shortly.

The team has faced a devastating loss. However, the captains and coaches maintain a steady optimism for the upcoming year. Samulewicz, for example, has many goals for the future of the club; from making himself and his classroom available to students both after school and during Lunch and Learn, to creating an “inclusive culture within the team that encourages all students regardless of their background to join.” Ying, meanwhile, has his sights set on continuing Science Olympiad’s impressive winning streak. The team is planning to attend several invitationals, and the competitors have already begun preparations. He says, “I’m hopeful that we’ll make it back to Nationals and continue beating Harriton!”

Activities back in action!

Continued from ACTIVITIES on page 1 This new partnership benefited all parties involved, since Student Council was able to reach out to student leaders and Stroup could handle the logistics and staff advisors. This organizational harmony was one of the key factors in the fair’s success.

The Activities Fair garnered more positive feedback than ever before. Stroup reported that, “Overall, the feedback was very positive from the club side and participant side.” Student Council advisor and Spanish teacher Sean Capkin also spoke to the benefits of the fair from both the club perspective and the student perspective. “With two grades of students who haven’t had a normal high school experience yet, [the Activities Fair] was necessary to help them integrate into the school.” Capkin emphasized, “We needed that formal way to connect the LM community, and it was great to see kids enthusiastically walking around, listening to music, and enjoying LM culture.” The student DJ, Mark Riggio ’22, was a huge hit and boosted the energy of the event, helping to maintain the flow of the fair as students explored and socialized. New and old students joined as one community, bringing back the some of unity lost last year.

In terms of club signups and member rates, the Activities Fair exceeded all projections. Solga stated, “I think it impacted member rates extremely positively in possibly every club and activity. Student Council was definitely positively affected and it helped demonstrate the things that Student Council can do.” In comparison to the drought of new students from last year, this influx of members was enormous. High-level STEM clubs such as Technology Student Association (TSA) sometimes have trouble recruiting younger students because of a perceived learning curve, but this exposure at the Activities Fair allowed new and old students alike to approach TSA with enthusiasm. TSA officer Katie Fang ’23 noted, “We had around seventy sign-ups and we have some extraordinary new members in TSA this year.”

In addition to well-established clubs like TSA, newer clubs had unprecedented success gaining new members. For instance, the LM Fishing Club was a huge hit.

According to club vice president Aidan Friedman ’23, “One-hundred fifty-five people signed up. So far, we’ve seen very active participation and we’re happy to have all of our new and old members together this year. We look forward to an exciting year of LM Fishing Club.” It turns out that the Activities Fair was more beneficial to smaller clubs than larger clubs, according to Solga: “This was the best opportunity for smaller clubs that don’t have the same outreach as larger clubs.”

The accessibility of this event made it so easy for every type of club to shine.

Looking back on the event, Stroup recalled, “We probably had more clubs, sports, and activities represented than we ever have had.” More than eighty clubs activities started on the right foot thanks to the success of the Activities Fair this year!

Photos courtesy of Anika Xi ’23/Staff and Katie Fang ’23/Staff

Students peruse activities in the Bryant Gym while Nathan Donagi ’24 checks out the Technology Student Association booth in the lower atrium.

News An electric election

October 22, 2021

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The Merionite

Continued from AN ELECTRIC ELECTION on page 1

Photo courtesy of HarritonTV

LM and Harriton students moderated the LMSD School Board Candidate Forum on October 5, at which Republicans Christina Fink and Brendan Sammon and Democrat Melanie Schafmeister, among other candidates, spoke.

These two key issues are the main reasons why the Lower Merion Democrats have endorsed them. The Republican ticket contains three candidates: Travis Kreiser, Christina Fink, and Brendan Sammon. They are the only three Republicans running in the elections. Their main goal is to balance what they see as a heavily biased, overreaching school board that contains only Democrats. The Republican Committee of Lower Merion and Narberth’s website states that they want to: “Implement a Student First Curriculum. If we hope to restore our reputation as one of the best public school districts in the state and beyond, we need to refocus our priorities and expand the opportunities made equally available to every student from Bala Cynwyd and Ardmore to Bryn Mawr and Gladwyne. This requires an educational program focused first on the basics in math, science, history and English reading, writing and public speaking, with curricula unfettered by the distraction of modern-era divisive politics.” They state that their primary goal “should not be the mere transmission of information but the development of basic skills needed to critically evaluate the full spectrum of thought and opinion on every subject … as well as transforming the no longer innovative “Senior Project” into a truly memorable learning experience for every student.”

Currently, the LM School Board contains only one-party since every member is a Democrat. This does not mean, however, that they agree on every issue. For instance, the final candidate on the ballot for the school board, Mary Brown, is a centrist Democrat. This means that she usually has difficulty obtaining endorsements from either political party before the primary.

Unlike the other candidates, Mary Brown doesn’t fit cleanly into one party’s ideology. Therefore, when the recent primary came around, she was unable to win the Democratic nomination. However, she did win the Republican nomination. But how? Well, in Pennsylvania, ballot laws state that you can run on as many tickets for the primary as you want. Mary Brown ran for the Republican and Democratic nominations. Since only three Republicans ran during the primaries, she was selected by voters to be the fourth member of the ticket. Each ticket comprises four candidates but is voted for individually. There are four spots on the school board up for grabs, and Democrats are hoping to maintain their dominance. Each voter can choose up to four candidates, which means all four Democrats will likely be chosen.

Many students are old enough to vote and can participate in this year’s election. Therefore, students have the opportunity to make an impact on the school district and overall community. They can advocate as a voice for their fellow students who aren’t yet old enough. All of this leads to the big question, what does the school board actually do? According to the LM website, “The major responsibility of the Board is to set policies that define the nature of public education from Kindergarten through the 12th grade. Parents and residents are encouraged to attend the Board’s Business Meetings and the Education Committee Meetings. Formal action is taken only at the Business Meetings.” The School Board is also in charge of hiring, which will have an influence on the staff at the upcoming Black Rock Middle School.

The Merionite spoke with a Republican supporter, who stated, “I think vaccine mandates would be interesting, since there seems to be some disagreemvnt there. I would like to hear other’s opinions as well. I would say it’s more of an it’s-your-choice thing, especially since it’s a public school, not a private one. But I would say that if there is a study that comes out that proves not being vaccinated significantly hurts other people, then I am all for it.”

A Democratic supporter also offered their perspective: “I think critical race theory or vaccine mandates should be looked at. Critical race theory is necessary to educate the people of our nation why they shouldn’t go back to racism, and how to recognize it in other countries. Vaccine mandates should also be looked at. I don’t like the idea of forced vaccinations, but studies have shown that being unvaccinated doesn’t just hurt yourself, it hurts other people too.”

In conclusion, the School Board elections this November could have a major impact on the student body at LM. They could lead to vaccine mandates, a more open or closed look on critical race theory, and many other changes could be made. For those of you who can vote, it is in your interest to vote on election day, because for those of you who can, you have finally gained a voice.

Ghost gun tragedy Luke Shepard ’24 Sports Editor

Photo courtesy of Anika Xi ’23/Staff

The community mourns the shocking death of Layth Evans.

The LM community was shocked by a shooting that occurred near Ardmore Avenue on July 10, which resulted in the tragic death of LM alumnus Layth Evans ’19. The event transpired after the 19-year-old allegedly attempted to sell a “ghost gun” to fellow LM alumni Micah Colbert ’20 and Elijah Smith ’18. Ghost guns, the purported reason for the interaction, are desirable when crimes are to be committed because they are purchased without a license.

Furthermore, ghost guns cannot be traced as they don’t contain any serial number. Instead of the serial number being erased or rubbed off from the firearm, ghost guns are assembled from raw parts and are not mass-manufactured.

When police arrived at the scene of the crime, they found Evans unconscious with $500 in the car, likely from the deal. A gunshot wound to the face and an unresponsive Evans warranted police to pronounce him dead at the scene.

Police were later able to discover the accused perpetrators based on a report from Colbert’s roommate, 21-year-old Dorian Harris ’18. Harris handed over the weapon, turned himself in to custody, and allegedly told the LM police how Colbert not only took the firearm, but used it in the incident. While police determined that Harris wasn’t directly at the scene of Evans’ murder, he is still being charged with the illegal transfer of a firearm. Most of the charges facing Colbert and Smith revolve around robbery and murder charges.

All of the individuals involved in the shooting hail from the hallways of LM. Dean Rosencranz, a math teacher at LM and former teacher of Layth Evans, expresses frustration “at the young men for the terrible decisions they made.”

Rosencranz goes on to mention how he feels “sad for Layth and the others and for their families and friends.” While angry at the events caused by the suspects, Rosencranz expresses remorse for the men as a result of what happened.

As a child, Evans participated in the Narberth Basketball League and continued his athletics with a track stint during his time at LM. Evans was always “a quiet student with a polite manner,” regards Rosencranz.

Rosencranz also describes his resentment “at the culture of crime and guns that overcame [Evans and the other suspects].” Layth Evans will be remembered as a quiet, caring, and polite person through his mother and other family members as the LM community mourns a fellow Ace.

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October 2 , 2021

News The Merionite

Meritocracy for the win Lila Schwartzberg ’24 Arts & Entertainment Editor

The National Merit Scholarship Program, started in 1955, is a chance for students to receive academic scholarships and earn recognition for their Preliminary SAT (PSAT) and National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) scores. Around 1.5 million high school students take part in the program every year. After meeting the entry requirements, students take the PSAT exam, which, according to the College Board, “measures what students learn in school, determines if students are on track for college success, and opens doors for opportunities to prepare and pay for college.” Sophomores at LM take the PSATs, but they are not eligible to enter the National Merit Scholarship Program until their junior year. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation labels each year’s PSAT “the qualifying test designated for entry to a particular year’s competition.” The entry requirements include being a current high school student, taking the PSAT, and going to high school in the U.S. or meeting the citizenship qualifications for students who attend high school outside of the U.S. Approximately 500,000 high school students with the top PSAT scores in the U.S. are designated either semifinalists or Commended Students. The latter receive letters of recognition for their outstanding scores on the PSAT’s, but are typically below the required level to qualify as a semifinalist in their state. Opportunities still remain, though. “Although Commended Students do not continue in the competition for National Merit Scholarships, some of these students do become candidates for Special Scholarships sponsored by corporations

and businesses,” says the College Board. In most years, around ninety percent of semifinalists are chosen as finalists based on their academic accomplishments, skills, and work ethic. High school principals are given a Certificate of Merit to present to each finalist. There are different recognitions that finalists compete for, including the National Merit award (worth $2,500), corporate-sponsored awards, and collegesponsored awards. This year, 23 LM seniors were selected as semifinalists: Nina Aagaard, Samuel Aronson, Macy Donahoe, Matthew Eichen, Phillip Gao, William Johnson, George Lauri, Sean Li, Lily Ruth Mamary, Kierson McLain, Isaac Mittman, Annika Naveen, Dori Olson, Shoshana Promer, Kathryn Schweickert, Sophie Serruya, Caryl Shepard, Leo Solga, Vyomini Vakil, Ashtyn Webb, Jonathan Xu, Bowen Ying, and Jessica Zhong. Each of these students are now eligible to compete for 7,500 scholarships worth nearly $30 million. Additionally, 31 seniors achieved the designation of commended scholar: Lillian Abella, Victoria Bermudez, Alexander Bullard, Abigail Chang, Zev Charlson, Katherine Costantino, Lara Fernandes, Nathan Gooneratne, Alex Greenblatt, Katherine Jackson, Krysztof Jarocha, Ella Johnson, Liam Knudsen, Jacob Krimsky, George Lauri, Anran Liao, Connor Marsh, Ian Mernagh, Jonathan Miller, Megan Murray, Eric Nie, Alexander Nikolov, Spencer Rosenbaum, Ryan Rossman, Jack Shapiro, Janet Spingarn, Yvette Wang, Esther Werbach, Benjamin Wolf, Eric Yang, and Rachel Zhang. Congratulations to all and good luck to the semifinalists!

Graphic by Emmi Wu ’23/Staff

COVID update: back to normal?

Continued from COVID update: back to normal? on page 1 The staircases have returned to their original two-way use, and Stroup noted,“We found that [restricting the direction of staircase travel] wasn’t really effective so we changed that except over in the chemistry building where it is effective.” Based on the low number of reported COVID-19 cases, these safety protocols appear to be working, or at the very least have not aggravated the crises.

The district’s COVID-19 dashboard lists the vaccination rates for the district by grade level. As of September 26, the following vaccination rates for the district were reported: 81.6 percent of ninth graders, 82.3 percent of tenth graders, 79.7 percent of eleventh graders, and 83.4 percent of twelfth graders. The vaccination rates of staff members are not available to the public, but staff members who are not vaccinated or do not wish to share their vaccination status must be tested for COVID-19 twice a week. A more detailed report of vaccination rates can be found on the LMSD website along with more information about reported cases. While not presently required by the school district, the CDC, MCOPH, and LMSD strongly encourage vaccinations. Superintendent Copeland’s Health and Safety Planning Update states that, “If the high schools can reach a 90 percent vaccination level, the Health and Safety Committee will review whether masks will continue to be necessary at Lower Merion and Harriton.” Clearly one obvious path to the resumption of normalcy is to increase vaccination rates in the district.

The pandemic forced major changes upon extracurricular activities—especially involving large gatherings. Unlike last fall, both indoor and outdoor sporting events allow spectators. Fans boost school spirit, student morale, and encourage athletic performance. Athletes are no longer required to partake in weekly rapid COVID-19 tests. Stroup states that while “indoor sports are currently masking, outdoor sports are optional.” Clubs and activities can do a lot more compared to last year, but the same mask protocols apply for them as sport teams. For example, LM Players can finally put on an in-person production. The full return of extracurricular activities means greater opportunities for student involvement and the expression of school spirit.

In the past year and a half, school hasn’t been easy by any means. Students have missed out on major school events and milestones. Now that we’re back in the building, we want to make sure that school doesn’t have to shut down again. Last spring was a step in the right direction, and now the school is taking even more precautions to help ensure everyone’s safety. Masking and distancing guidelines are updated and better e n fo rc ed , m o st o f the district is va ccina ted, a nd extracurricular activities can return as usual. It is hopeful that with all of these protocols in place, the school year can continue as designed, and students can receive the education and enrichment they deserve.

Photo courtesy of Anika Xi ’23

Students congregate during Lunch and Learn in the library, something that has not occurred since 2020.

Opinions

October 22, 2021

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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 Victoria Bermudez ’22 Caryl Shepard ’22 Jonathan Xu ’22 News Editors Noa Cutler ’22 Julia Dubnoff ’23 Phillip Gao ’22 Ben Wolf ’22 Opinions Editors Shaine Davison ’23 Sonia Laby ’22 Ike Mittman ’22 Spencer Rosenbaum ’22 Features Editors Angela Ge ’23 Ella Johnson ’22 Olivia Lee ’23 Eric Yang ’22 Arts and Entertainment Editors Mia Hail ’23 Julia Russel ’23 Lila Schwartzberg ’24 Nolan Shanley ’23 Sports Editors Michelle Kelly ’23 Luke Shepard ’24

Editorial: An unexpected consequence October is almost over and the 2021-2022 school year is in full motion. We are thrilled to be back in school fully in-person and to be able to participate in sports and clubs to their full extent. However, the return to in-person school has presented an unexpected consequence: the overall workload for students has increased dramatically since online learning.

Throughout the fifteen month time frame when LM used Zoom to hold classes, there is no question that the academic workload was lower than it would be in a typical school year and for a good reason. In the middle of a global pandemic, LM was in no place to put huge academic pressure on students. From dealing with sick relatives and possible family financial issues as well as the loneliness that quarantine created, the school recognized that students had more than enough on their plates. As a result, teachers gave signif-

Copy Editors Vivian Collins ’24 Madeleine Fiks ’23 Zoe Hassett ’23

Senior Web Editor Katie Fang ’23 Web Editor Jessica Dubin ’23 Business Manager Mona Vakil ’22 Assistant Business Manager Noah Barkan ’24 Photographers Aiko Palaypayon ’23 Anika Xi ’23 Advisor Charles Henneberry The editors believe all facts presented in the newspaper to be accurate. The paper acknowledges that mistakes are possible and welcomes questions as to accuracy.

Inquiries regarding accuracy should be directed to the editors of the paper. Editors can be contacted via e-mail at merionite@ gmail.com or in Room 200A. To represent all viewpoints in the school community, The Merionite welcomes all letters to the editor. Letters can be sent via e-mail or dropped off outside The Merionite office. The Merionite reserves the right to edit letters to the editor for length or clarity. All unattributed images are courtesy of WikiCommons.

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

Securing the safety of students

Ezra Thau ’22

Graphics Editor Ilana Zahavy ’24

expected, the 2020-2021 school year definitely eased us into a new, more relaxed type of learning. As a result, diving back into in-person school this year was harder than expected.

It is certainly worth noting that last spring, school went back to fully in person for those who made the decision to return. So why is this year so much more difficult? The truth is, even though some students were fully in person, the relaxed mindset of having Zoom to fall back on still exists within the majority of the student body. If a student woke up and didn’t feel like going to school, there was always a Zoom link they could turn to. The harsh reality is that the vast difference in work from last year to this year has hit many students very hard.

Nevertheless, together as a student body we can only improve from here.

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

Gabby Tepper-Waterman ’23

Senior Design Editors Emma Liu ’22 Emmi Wu ’23

icantly less work. Most gave fewer tests; some didn’t give any tests at all. Many used project-based learning to assess students’ understanding. While projects certainly help advance one’s comprehension of a topic, they simply aren’t as rigorous as a closed note test. Furthermore, especially getting into the later months of quarantine, students became excessively comfortable on Zoom. Many would allow their attention to drift from their online classes to activities around their house. Overall, throughout the 2020-2021 school year, the pressure on students was much lower.

The start of the 2021-2022 school year has brought an abrupt halt to the comforts of online learning that we have adjusted to in the last year-and-ahalf. To name just a few examples, tests are back in full force, asynchronous Fridays no longer exist, and schoolwork feels like it has increased. Even though these aspects of school life should be

Sam Abella ’24 COVID-19 originated in early 2020 and dramatically transformed the world as we knew it. As we reach the tail end of the pandemic, it seems that we are finally nearing the light at the end of the tunnel. However, limited awareness and safety surrounding COVID-19 still continue to be major concerns. With the sudden emergence of the Delta variant, the risks have escalated even further. Fortunately, safe and approved vaccines are currently available to the public, ages twelve and up. In support of this, a government-led website affirms that “studies so far show that vaccinated people are eight times less likely to become infected and 25 times less likely to experience hospitalization or death.” This direct quote shows the true disparity in health and safety between those who are vaccinated and not and proves the substantial benefit in simply going out and getting a shot.

In accordance with these statistics, for schools to ensure safety they need to require vaccinations in order for students to attend school in person. The benefits of the vaccine are so significant that it would be entirely selfish and downright ignorant for them to be overlooked. The supporting statistics of COVID-19 infection rates when comparing vaccinated and unvaccinated people are supported as well. The shots have been affirmed to be safe, as they were fully approved

the way they used to. Many students have unpreventable tendencies to spend time with large groups of people, often unmasked, which is a threat to others. Mass groupings such as these, largely worsen the chances of widespread infection and transmission among numerous individuals. A longtime history teacher at LM, John Grace, had some things to say on the matter. When asked about his current standpoint on the management of COVID-19, he said, “I would like to teach students to the best of my ability, and in order to do so we should follow safety protocols as recommended by public health specialists.” The well-being of those who could be heavily impacted by contracting the virus within our community should not be overlooked, and by mandating vaccinations within schools, many lives can be saved.

Free speech and free will are what make America the great nation that it is. Ho ever, interpreting this by choosing whether or not to receive the vaccine is beyond foolish for those of age. Each vaccinated person reduces the risk of the next person getting it, causing a domino effect in which people are awarded protection.

Graphic by Emmi Wu ’23/Staff If society consists of people by the Food and Drug Administration continuously refusing the vaccine, (FDA). Originally, the vaccines were COVID-19 may continue to be a ramissued under an emergency use authori- pant concern. In order to prevent this, a zation (EUA), which legitimizes concern, system must be implemented providing however, after approval there should an incentive to get vaccinated. If schools be no second thoughts about its safety. required these vaccinations in order to The major issue we face as a commu- learn in person, it may save lives and nity is that people want to live their lives put the world back on track to recovery.

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Opinions

October 22, 2021

The Merionite

Bring back our Fridays Having a whole day off would make up for such a packed schedule. Not only that but Fridays off are also the perfect time to ask teachers for help. Lunch and Learn is great, except for sometimes when the hour gets taken up by meetings and then actually eating lunch. Instead of having this short block of time to try and get work done, a whole day where teachers are checking their emails to answer stu-

Ava Cohen ’23 Last school year, COVID-19 brought many downsides like virtual school and hybrid learning.

However, one of these changes was for the better: hybrid Fridays. Having the day off from school on Fridays was one of the most beneficial decisions that LM has made. A four day week makes a lot more sense, as it lines up with the four day letter schedule that LM already uses. It would fit perfectly so that we wouldn’t have to repeat a letter day twice in a week. Most importantly, the asynchronous day helped both the students and the staff. Almost any student you ask would love to bring back hybrid Fridays, and not just because it is an extra weekend day. I spent my Fridays off catching up on assignments. I was able to complete all of my work for the weekend before it even started. Blended Fridays allowstudents time to focus more on the quality of their work. Otherwise, they might be rushing to get it done so they can squeeze in even a little bit of free time. This year especially, I know a lot of people who don’t have any free periods including myself.

how they would like to spend their time since we were not forced into a schedule on these days. Not only were hybrid Fridays beneficial for students, but they were very helpful for teachers as well. I have talked to a few of them, and from what I have gathered, they used Fridays to plan for the week ahead, get on top of grading, and of course help students. Teachers spend a lot more time than we think planning for the upcoming week.

The weekly plans on Blackboard aren’t just teachers throwing together busy work, they are actually carefully planned activities and lessons that the students will do. Additionally, think about all the students teachers have and the papers and tests that need to be graded.

I’m sure it adds up and it must be hard to grade all of it during the week, so having a day where teachers can solely focus on grading would be extremely helpful.

Similar to students, the hour of Lunch and Learn takes up a lot of teachers’ free time to do other things if they are helping students for most of it. Fridays would allow for more time to help students. This way, teachers can ensure that students have an even better understanding of a topic because they will Graphic by Julia Zorc ’24 have more time to explain. I’m not sure dents’ questions is more helpful. Zoom office hours how the rest of our daily schedule would change were also very convenient because we could sit in if we were to implement hybrid Fridays again, but the comfort of our homes while getting the help we this day off would make up for whatever schedule needed at the same time. In addition, during CO- changes need to be made. Overall, there are many VID-19, there was even the option to go into school benefits of having Fridays off for the students and on Fridays, if one felt the need to. Overall, hybrid the staff of LMSD. Keeping Fridays asynchroFridays gave students so many different choices of nous would help enhance the school experience.

A switch to better grading

Max Fishman ’22 LM and the wider community are finally beginning to stabilize after perhaps the most irregular year any student, teacher, or administrator has ever faced. Now, after the pandemic laid bare the components of our education, some of those working to reassemble our school experiences are searching for improvements. The Weekly Plan represents the kind of simple changes that can make student life vastly more manageable. But more significant shifts in the basis of our learning are just beyond the horizon of, even before the pandemic sent us home, a group of teachers were working to reshape a fundamental part of education: grades.

From the perspective of students, grades are everything. Is this for completion or accuracy?

How many points is it and will it go in as a quiz grade? Questions like these follow an assignment as consistently as Kilpatrick’s bolt cutters follow a misplaced bike, and for good reason. Our GPAs are a critical piece of the puzzle that literally determines the rest of our lives. So between teach er, parent, and intra-student expectations, the weight of grade averages influence our attitude towards learning. The stress of traditional grading pushes many students to find the fastest way to an A, often without regard for retention and skill building. When an unforgiving number drives our work, homework and tests stop becoming measures of knowledge and start becoming hoops we’re meant to jump through to ensure a “successful life.”

As Spanish teachers of many years, Sean Capkin and Allison Mellet have grown quite familiar with the misguided pressures that the present grading system places on their students. So, in an attempt

to reduce stress and foster better education, they set out to implement a measure of learning focused on skills, understanding, and growth. Thus, Standards Based Grading at LM was born. “It emphasizes students’ ability to grow in their learning over time,” answered Capkin when asked about the goals of the Spanish Department’s grading transformation. Capkin and Mellet intend to discover, measure, and reward growth through a scale that clearly details four proficiency levels for specific standards like “presentational speaking” or “ability to infer meaning from a text.” Standards Based Grading means that, as you improve, your overall score does as well. So a student who starts the year with twos (approaching standard) but ends the year with threes and fours (meeting and exceeding stan-

Of course, if you make no effort in a class, you’ll still receive a poor mark, but bombing a unit test after a restless night no longer permanently drops your grade several letters. Instead, the onus is partially shifted onto the teacher, who is responsible for collaborating with underperforming students to work through solutions. After individual help during office hours or more class time devoted to grammar review, you’re always provided with additional opportunities to demonstrate growth and reach higher standards. From less student pressure to more teacher feedback, Standards Based Grading flexibly reworks the inputs and outputs of education to healthily encourage complete understanding.

For now, Standards Based Grading only affects some Spanish courses. After all, the change in my Spanish 4H class is the first culmination of a years-long initiative created by teachers in the pursuit of superior education. It was the teachers themselves, not the College Board or some indirect committee, who used what they knew about their students to forge the first sets of standards and get the ball rolling on educational innovation.

Yet, Mr. Capkin doesn’t “want to assume it’s going to be great or everyone is going to love it.” He firmly believes that the growth he expects from his students must be reflected in his own adaptation throughout the year. Assimilating a new practice into our everyday lives will take an army of dedicated teachers constantly willing to adjust and strive for better. So if after a year with the Spanish department, Standards Based Grading is shown to reduce stress and Graphic by Ilana Zahavy ’24/Staff clarify goals, much like the Weekly Plan, dard), receives the equivalent grade (an A) for their I’d look to our teachers to develop their own growth threes and fours, not a yearly average (a B or B-) focused models and enhance our learning. After the that includes the twos. By avoiding averages and pandemic shredded the meaning of achievement, choosing to report education through growth, those school leaders need to reflect on our archaic system who work hard to improve are not simply looking to that often over-stresses and undereducates stubalance their grade by maximizing points. Instead, dents. By empowering teachers to develop custom they must seek mastery to reach higher standards. criteria for their courses and pushing students to At face value, that might seem to induce more achieve growth over numerical perfection, Stanstress with each assignment, but by replacing dards Based Grading could transform LM into arbitrary point values with a standard grade out the best possible educational community. We’ve of four and rejecting grade averages, assign- been entering to get the “A” for years, but with a ments transform into opportunities for growth. new approach, we could finally Enter to Learn.

Opinions

October 2 , 2021

7

The Merionite

Lower merion’s educational union

Nina Aagard ’22 In the journey towards reopening schools during the pandemic, no group has been as involved in the struggle or as villainized as teachers’ unions. Many of these unions, especially in larger districts, were refusing to return to school until test positivity rates fell—which still seems like a long way off. While most trade unions engage in public strikes and protests, no others permeate more into the lives of American families.

Teachers’ unions have been scapegoated and isolated in the US for the last century. Even if you disagree with the actions of these unions with regard to the pandemic, it is impossible to deny that they play an important role in American society.

But the truth is, most people barely know anything about their local education union. LM’s union, the Lower Merion Education Association (LMEA), is one of the most interesting and unique education unions in the nation. Affiliated with its national and state level counterparts, the LMEA not only advocates for professional staff like teachers, but also for support staff, ranging from classroom aides to groundskeepers to mechanics for buses. Everyone who works in the district, except for administrators, can join the LMEA. Merged local unions, as the LMEA identifies itself, are few and far between, but present tremendous benefits for the employees they represent. Thus, this model should be implemented across district-level unions in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The most obvious advantage of a merged local education union is a greater collective bargaining power. A professional or instructional union only represents professional staff; a non-instructional union only represents support staff. The LMEA’s “wall-to-wall” policy means it encompasses everyone (except administrators) who works within the walls of the school district. In the event of a strike or protest, with increased manpower, the employ-

ees of the district are much more powerful in a single union. The pressure of professional and support staff combined makes the merged local model of a union more influential than separate unions.

Support staff often work jobs that can be paid hourly with fluctuating work schedules and responsibilities. There are fewer precedents for how they should be paid, and because most are blue-collar workers, their labor as a whole is seen as lesser to that of other employees within the district. This translates to disadvantages in collective bargaining, as seen below in the case of LMSD and Tredyffrin/ Easttown School District, abbreviated T/E. T/E encompasses eight schools and serves over six thousand students in Chester County. Its staff are represented by two unions: the Tredyffrin/Easttown Education Association (TEEA), which represents professional staff, and the Tredyffrin/Easttown Non-Instructional Group (TENIG), which represents support staff. T/E is consistently ranked as one of the best school districts in the Philadelphia area alongside Lower Merion, achieving high testing scores and sending its students to some of the best colleges in the nation. Furthermore, both Chester County and Montgomery County are among Pennsylvania’s most liberal counties, where around sixty percent of votes were for Biden in the 2020 election.

In reference to both districts’ policies for childrearing and childbearing leave, there are large discrepancies between the two. LM offers thirty days of paid child-bearing leave and one year of unpaid childrearing leave to all its permanent employees, professional and support staff. T/E’s contract with the TEEA also guarantees professional employees one year of unpaid childrearing leave. However, members of the support staff in the district are only allotted three months of unpaid child-rearing leave. With one-fourth the time off as their professional counterparts, it is clear that members of TENIG possess less bargaining power within their district and their work is less respected than in LM. Further discrepancies are seen in the working conditions and salaries of T/E’s support staff.

While LMSD pays its professional and support staff on an annual salary, T/E’s non-instructional employees earn hourly wages , which are less stable. In addition, support personnel in T/E have fluctuating work weeks, meaning hours can be changed up to a week in advance at the administration’s discretion.

The combination of these two factors puts support staff at an obvious disadvantage when compared with their professional counterparts. Employees are paid hourly, so they have an increased incentive to work as many hours as possible. But because their supervisors are able to change their work schedules

on a whim, non-instructional workers have less control over their hours and thus, their personal lives.

So why is it that in two highly ranked school districts there is such inconsistency with how support staff are treated? The difference is unions. Because T/E has separate local unions rather than a merged local, the labor of support staff is undervalued and does not receive the same respect as that of instructional staff. While there is no perfect comparison, T/E and Lower Merion are similar enough that these disparities we observe should not exist.

So how can LMSD’s success with its merged local be applied elsewhere? In the state of Pennsylvania, there are 500 public school districts, more than 170 charter schools, and over 3,000 private schools.

Imagine if all of these schools’ unions adopted the merged local model. For all professional staff to represent support staff and for all support staff to represent professional staff would not only make a massive impact on a district wide level, but would send rippling effects through non-local unions.

With the pressure of hundreds of merged locals in Pennsylvania, the PSEA will adopt policies that reflect the unity of all workers in education, and the merged local union model will spread beyond the state level. Thousands of school districts will be able to feel the benefits of representing all of their employees. Teachers, counselors, custodians, secretaries, classroom aides, and groundskeepers will come together to advocate for a change in education.

Graphic by Emmi Wu ’23/ Staff

Are suburbanites the problem?

Connor Kleinman ’24 Will suburbanites acknowledge their part in the political mess we find ourselves in? When an overwhelming amount of suburbanites consider themselves moderate, is it possible that they could have a part in the massive political divide in our nation?

I, for one, think that the answer is of course yes. According to Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program, not only do suburban swings now equate to general election victories, but the increasing urban-rural

divide has left politicians pandering to the moderate suburbanites. With suburbanites convincing both the people in urban and rural areas that each is against the other and everything they stand for, the divide increases. Similar to the middle child being forgotten after starting a fight between the oldest and youngest children, according to 538, suburbanites consistently consider themselves moderates.

Unfortunately for America in our two party system, the true middle vanished almost immediately after Barack Obama was elected. According to official exit polls from CNN, suburbanites voted for Clinton and Gore before moving to George H.W Bush in 2004.

After Obama was elected, there was a massive fleeing of working-class whites to the Republican Party, to escape what they saw as the democratic parties radicalization. LM consequently is a “moderate liberal democratic” area. While LM voted for the democratic candidate for all of modern memory, it is not nearly as homogenous as you would think. It does, however, fit perfectly into the analysis I have presented. Wealthy whites in the suburbs control which party wins the election, and with both parties increasingly starting to see demographic groups as monolithic (such as African Americans or rural whites) they have to cater to suburban needs to win

general elections. It is my opinion that suburbanites are just as, if not more implicated in the division in the country due to this, even if they consider themselves “moderate” or “centrist”. When LM votes in November, it will be a Democratic landslide. If suburbanites were truly willing to change sides, then there would be a much larger swing between parties, such as from the 1988-1992 elections, when the presidential election vote swung from Republicans to Democrats by 14 points. But now, in what was a much bigger difference between the candidates, there was only a swing of 2.3 points.

This puts to rest the argument that there are a lot of undecided voters. The only thing that will drastically change people’s opinions is a massive event such as January 6 or COVID-19. Now, of course, people may say that the supposed voting bloc of African Americans could support Republicans.

Or, that rural whites could support Democrats.

But when they are constantly bombarded with ads from their perceived side that say they are under attack, what motivation is there to seek out more opinions or to change sides? Therefore, I believe strongly, that instead of claiming they are innocent bystanders in the sea of partisanship, they should acknowledge their part in our current situation.

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Opinions

October 2 , 2021

The Merionite

Turbulent tradition

Noah Barkan ’24 Assistant Business Manager Anyone who’s been to the Main Line can observe that it is far from conservative. Voter turnout and election results in Lower Merion Township and surrounding areas have shown that citizens of these areas support modern, progressive, and sustainable policies. Despite this façade, the truth behind the wealthy white suburbs is that they have a lot of work to do. Racism, misogyny, homophobia and many other hateful mindsets can be seen throughout our bubble of a society. These obstructions of modernization and of general human decency can be reflected within the walls of LM. Exclusion and inequality run rampant under the radar of students who have been raised their whole lives to believe it is normal. A huge portion of the normalcy of these long outgrown inequities in the LM community can be attributed to one thing: tradition.

The importance of tradition at LM hits you like a truck when you join the school district.

“Tradition” appears next to words like “Respect” and “Kindness” throughout the halls of LMSD schools. As such, it has been used countless times to justify degrading aspects of the LM community.

One extremely prominent example of this revolves around football. LM constantly prioritizes the mostly male sport above all other fall sports. However, this fall, LM takes its overt misogyny to another level with its annual Maroon and White game. The game, previously named “Powder Puff,” is an annual tradition at LM. Despite the district’s futile, solely image-based attempt to shield the event from criticism by changing the name, the game still serves as a symbol for the destructive nature of tradition. The Maroon and White game allows any male student, football player or not, to teach female students how to play football. The event fundamentally plays to sexist binary-based stereotypes in which men are the teacher or coach, while even women who may be more experienced in football are forced to learn from their male counterparts.

Notably, the all-female sport field hockey won’t have a Maroon and White game. It’s shocking that this event exists, but when questioned, the immedi-

ate response seems to be, “we’ve done it for years.”

The damaging aspects of tradition in LMSD do not start and end in high school. The elementary and middle schools associated with LM also echo similar values. At Bala Cynwyd Middle School, dress codes concerning day-to-day appearance as well as for specific events such as chorus and band concerts are extremely binary.

Concert rules, such as “boys can’t wear sneakers” while “girls can’t wear flip flops,” serve as less overt sexist norms. Because many students attend LMSD from elementary school all the way through senior graduation, these values and ideas are grilled into their heads from a young age.

But why does LMSD focus so much on tradition? I believe it is because of the large number of alumni at LM. Alumni can be found everywhere, from teachers to the Parent Student Association to local residents. Alumni can have a huge impact on systems within the school.

Local alumni help support the school and its activities. Board and PSA members help keep our school running and a lot of them have great policies to help student voices be heard. However, in some circumstances, alumni can contribute to the harmful focus on tradition. Several of my peers who have worked with the school board have witnessed groups of alumni protesting necessary changes to move the school forward.

These values preach the idea that, because something has been done for years, it gets a free pass to continue. They undermine the power of the critical eye and throw out any notion that the past might be wrong. Instead of encouraging students to stick to what’s always been done, LM should focus its energy on innovation and originality that fights against oppression rather than promotes it. As seen repeatedly throughout history, the only way to make any real progress is to focus on the future and not the past.

Graphic by Ilana Zahavy ’24/Staff

Switching the lunch schedule

Sarem Khan ’24 Our current school year is beginning to go back to the pre-COVID-19 ways: full classrooms, a regular schedule, sports back to normal, etc.

When the school year first began, we used a schedule in which a two-hour lunch break was divided into four thirty-minute lunches. Each grade was assigned their own designated lunch to eat and converse with their friends. During the remaining one-and-a-half hours, students could

do homework and meet teachers. This lunch schedule was an effective way for students to get work done and have enough time to eat.

In our current Lunch and Learn schedule, there is one hour to eat, work on homework, and meet with teachers. This hour is divided into lunches one and two. I normally eat during lunch one and meet with teachers during lunch two. Although this has been beneficial for me, I know that the recent change in schedule has caused a few problems such as long lunch lines, less available seating, and much more.

One major problem with the new schedule is the long lunch line. As a result of all four grades eating at once, students are crammed in the line and sometimes have to wait for an extended period of time before they can begin eating.

Some students spend almost half their lunch in line, giving them limited time to eat. Others even refuse to wait and decide to not eat at all. This can be detrimental to a student’s health as they need proper food and shouldn’t go through the whole

day hungry. Back when there were four lunches and Advisory schedule, the lines were much shorter, and students could quickly get their lunch. Some students even had time to go back in line and get some more food without having to wait. Having more time made lunch better for students, giving them time to eat without feeling rushed. It also reduced the crowds we were acustomed to seeing.

Today, there are approximately 1,500 kids who are all eating lunch at the same time. This is a stark contrast from the previous schedule where only about 400 kids were eating per thirty minute lunch. Thus, the amount of students filling the hallways, auditorium, and outside areas has greatly increased. This has caused some students problems with finding a spot to eat. For example, students might be forced to eat in a crowded area and their friend groups may have to split up because there is not a lot of space. Last year’s Advisory schedule avoided all these problems and had many more benefits than our current Lunch and Learn schedule.

Features

October 2 , 2021

9

The Merionite

Learning in the leaves Finley Hoffman ’23 As high schoolers, we latch on to any sense of freedom that comes our way.

During these past two school years, access to outdoor learning has been a part of this freedom. The school year is typically a stressful time where work continues to pile up, but sitting outside and enjoying the fresh air, even for a few minutes during the day, can be a reprieve from the pressure. Outdoor learning helps students improve their focus and provides a much needed change of scenery. Sitting outside in the courtyard during class or a free gives students the opportunity to find a secluded place to study. When asked about how she feels about learning outdoors, junior Annie Wackerman said, “It really helps to keep the class interesting. I tend to pay more attention when I’m in a more comfortable setting. Also, it makes learning fun!”

Like Wackerman said, students are more likely to perform better when they study and prepare in a setting that allows them to feel serene. The ability to sit outside in the sun versus being stuck at a cramped desk is a perfect way for students to experience a

new way of learning. Not only is learning outside a nice change of scenery, but it also allows students to bond with their classmates and form a strong relationship with their teacher. When a teacher gives students permission to sit outside, it shows that they trust the students to make good choices. A perfect way to stay in your teacher’s good graces is to prove that you are responsible enough to maintain the privilege of learning outdoors. Junior Maya Silbert, looking back on English class last year, said “One Friday at the beginning of the year we sat outside and played a bunch of icebreaker games as a class.

I think we all really connected with each other because we weren’t thinking about work and it was just super fun.

The connections carried on throughout the year.” When sitting outside by the art wing or under the tents in the courtyard you almost forget that you’re still at LM. The break from being inside the building is refreshing and important to the well-being of the students. Outdoor learning is a beneficial addition to LM’s daily life and gives students the chance to pause and take a moment to relax.

Club central Sam Abella ’24

An unfortunate issue surrounding current high school students is limited involvement in extracurricular activities. Low percentages of students participate, despite the trend that commitment leads to improved performance in academics, as proved by multiple government run studies. Luckily for students attending LM, various clubs and activities are readily available to join. These extracurriculars can not only be fun experiences, but help students grow as people and learner.

Additionally, they provide a great social setting in which it is easy to meet many different people who share similar interests. One of the great things about clubs at LM is that they include anything imaginable, meaning that there is something for everyone.

For example, if you have an interest in community service, BuildOn is a tremendous option for you. On the other hand, if you are interested in music or acting, Players is the club for you. Public speaking, competition, sports, coding, science, games, you name it and LM provides it. However,

if clubs are not for you, there are many other ways to get involved. A great way to do so is by joining a sport, regardless of prior experience. Some sports require a little experience and in that case the competition may be too advanced, however many have no cuts and are a great way to stay active. For example, cross country is a compelling sport to try where teammates are very social and tend to form valuable friendships, while getting a great workout in and competing at meets.

Before overlooking this entirely, ask yourself whether you have a little spare time, or want to improve in a subject, or simply wish to strengthen your college application. If you have an interest in checking these boxes, take a second to look on the LMSD website under schools, click “Lower Merion High School”, and scroll through the potential options under “Activities and Athletics.” To get started, send an email to the people in charge, and, most times you can drop something if you are no longer interested.

It is never too late to get involved!

Graphic by Juliana Messigner ’24

Photo by Anika Xi ’23/Staff

Students are excited to attend in-person school and be back to normal as much as possible.

Live on campus Crosby Johnson ’24

Walking around the hallways of LM, one might find loud chatter in the classrooms, teachers weaving through crowds of students, or a jam-packed DAWG pound on a Friday night in the Kobe Gym. This was not the case for students or faculty who attended LM last year. The hybrid structure that was seen as “normal” last year has been completely abolished, now, aside from students taking the LMVA route, all students attend school in-person, similar to how it was pre-COVID-19, with the exception of mask mandates. As a result of having all students in one classroom, teachers are able to construct better lessons and utilize their Wacom Tablet efficiently, allowing for better learning. Exchanging ideas also comes easier through the interactive form of discussions and presentations, which were hard to conduct on Zoom. Students have been given the opportunity to attend Lunch and Learn this year which was not available last year. This time allows for students to visit any teacher’s classroom to catch up on work or ask questions.

In-person learning has been beneficial to both students and teachers in a classroom setting. Not only was the efficiency of classroom learning improved with the adjustment to a fully in-person school, but clubs were also positively affected. Last year, many clubs were forced to meet virtually or only communicate through social media because of COVID-19 restrictions. Clubs at LM are now able to make use of Lunch and Learn to have meetings, something that rarely hap-

pened last year due to the split lunch schedule. Clubs that have competitions against other schools such as TSA were not able to attend in-person meetings to work on projects, making it difficult for contestants to master their events. Many clubs attend trips or competitions where students showcase the hard work and effort that they put in throughout the year.

Last year however, most competitions and trips were suspended or made virtual due to COVID-19. For freshmen, sophomores, and new students, clubs will seem more appealing in person with hands-on activities as opposed to virtual clubs. The reinstatement of in-person learning has proved paramount to social interactions within LM. For starters, the lunch plan has completely changed from last year when it consisted of four different lunches, preventing students from seeing all of their friends. Now, students can be seen working together in hallways or collaborative spaces during lunch. A popular tradition at LM is loading up a full Dawg Pound crowd to chant endlessly throughout a basketball or football game. However, due to COVID-19 guidelines last year, only a limited number of spectators were allowed to attend each game, eliminating the possibility of a classic game that everyone enjoys.

LM plans to host full crowds in the Kobe Bryant Gymnasium this year for the basketball season and is already taking advantage of this through the fall sports season. In comparison to last year, the future looks bright for this all in-person school year!

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October 2 , 2021

Features The Merionite

Satisfying sleep and school Lela Miller ’24 When it comes to sleep, it feels impossible to get enough. Forced to wake up early and unable to get to bed on time, it seems as if there’s no end to this exhausting cycle. It’s common knowledge that eight to ten hours of sleep are recommended for teenagers every night to maximize brain health and development. However, according to a CDC study, 72.7 percent of high school students don’t get enough sleep each night. Why is that? It could relate to the long waged argument about early school start times and circadian rhythms of developing teens.

While changing a 7:30 a.m. school start time may be out of their control, students at LM can prevent sleep deprivation by adapting and developing a sleep schedule. Before attempting to create a healthy, routine it is important to know that all people have unique needs. Dr. Ron Anafi, a specialist in sleep medicine at Penn Medicine, explained to The Merionite that, “the amount of sleep that it takes for you to feel and think your best is different for different people. It’s not quite as much as a ‘one-size fits all’ thing as you might think.” In order to construct a personalized schedule, students need to figure out the ideal amount of sleep that allows them to function at their best. Proper sleep has a big impact on both health and performance in school.

Sleep deprivation is linked to mental health issues, physical health issues, lack of creativity, and difficulty paying attention. Students who stay up late to finish homework ultimately harm their academic performance by taking away valuable hours of sleep which enable many important brain functions.

In the long run, having a better sleep schedule can help students perform better on tests, focus in class, and lower their stress levels. The busy schedule of a high school student will be more manageable when tackled with a fully rested mind. Falling asleep early is not an easy task for high school students

because their bodies produce melatonin at a later time than adults and kids.

This change in hormone production shifts their circadian rhythms. Additionally, insomnia can result from the stress of busy schedules and life events.

Science aside, it can be difficult for students to manage their time after school so that they are able to complete extracurriculars, homework, and maintain a nightly routine. If students are struggling with these issues, it is important that they address them rather than deeming them unimportant.

If students are on board with going to bed early but don’t know how to go about it, here are a couple tips from Anafi about how to alter one’s sleep schedule. Dr. Anafi says that although “you cannot control when your body falls asleep, for the most part you can control when you wake up.” Using this knowledge, “not letting yourself ‘sleep-in’ too much on weekends is a big help.” It is important to catch up on some sleep during the weekends but if one is waking up much later than normal, adjusting bedtimes and wake up times during the week will be harder. Anafi also recommended exercising in the mornings, miniGraphic by Emmie Luo ’24 mizing exposure to bright light (particularly blue light) at night, and maximizing bright light in the mornings.

Although school work can make the minimizing of blue light at night difficult, it can be helpful to allot time to work on the computer earlier in the evening, while non-screen activities/assignments can be completed later in the evening.

If students are able to get to bed early, their mornings and school days will be much smoother. The earlier one goes to bed, the less drowsy they will be when they first wake up and arrive at school. Although some changes may seem drastic and impossible to fit into a busy highschool schedule, they are still worthwhile to try to adjust to. Taking the time to develop a healthy sleep schedule will greatly benefit students’ success throughout the rest of the school year.

Vax attack Ben Cromer ’24 Over the summer, the COVID-19 vaccine was made available for children ages twelve and up. This allowed for all high school students to have the choice to get vaccinated. This enabled the district to open up vaccination clinics, where students could easily get the shot. Many people gladly attended these clinics, while others did not. These choices made in the summer are affecting our experience in school right now. California has just recently required vaccinations for students while other states have made it optional. Pennsylvania is one of the states that has left it up to choice. In Pennsylvania, some private schools have exercised their right to require the COVID-19 vaccine. One of these schools includes Penn Charter, which is very close to LM. On the other hand, LM does not have this right to require the vaccine as it is a public school - though we are using vaccinations to help us determine our restrictions and daily activities.

Right now we have less restrictions than we had last year, including Lunch and Learn, more indoor collaborative spaces, and less social distancing as well as the option to not wear a mask outdoors. Currently, school is enforcing a rule that has every student give one another three feet of space instead of the six required last year. This new social distancing requirement could also decrease if we increase our vaccination rate.

Currently 81.75 percent of all district high school students are vaccinated, with 12th grade being the most vaccinated at 83.4 percent. These numbers are based on the information the school has from their vaccination clinics and vaccination report cards that students and families have sent in.

If you are vaccinated and haven’t sent your information to the school, you should consider doing so as this would significantly help LM and the district.

These are great numbers, but prior to Pennsylvania’s mask mandate in school, the district was hoping that if 95 percent of the student body got vaccinated, there would be no need for vaccinated students to wear masks inside the school. The rate of transmission in LM is very low as only twelve students and three teachers have tested positive for COVID-19 since September. These are the highest marks from any school, which is very surprising when comparing the vaccination rate of LM to the unvaccinated population of all of the elementary schools.

This shows that schools have been doing well currently despite the lack

Graphic by Michael Aizenberg ’23

of vaccinations from a majority of the students. When over 85 percent of students in a school are vaccinated, this should be enough to allow for decreased restrictions. This also affects the events that go on around the school. Basketball season is right around the corner and if we have to wear masks and socially distance while watching basketball, that would be difficult. Getting to a higher vaccination rate would help ease the masking and distancing, making attending events like this more fun.

There are three steps that need to be taken in order for there to be less restrictions at LM. First, the state needs to ease its guidelines and allow for vaccination rates to play an important role in an individual school or district’s guidelines. Secondly, we need to get more people to send in their vaccine cards or to get vaccinated as this would help the school district ease restrictions. Third, we need the district to take action and ease restrictions when appropriate. If there are increasing cases, then there should be more restrictions placed, but if not, then restrictions should be decreased allowing for us to return to as normal of a school year as possible.

Arts & Entertainment

October 22, 2021

11

The Merionite

MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE PHASE FOUR Gabby Tepper-Waterman '23 Sports Editor

The next two years are packed with new and exciting Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) projects. Marvel’s long awaited Phase Four is finally in full swing. This phase features all of Marvel Studios’ productions set to be released from 2021 through 2023. Phase Four is the first phase in the MCU to include television series. It began with the release of the series Wandavision, at the start of 2021, and the theatrical film Black Widow, in July of 2021. Phase four welcomes the return of your favorite marvel characters as well as new faces and storylines.

Released this past September, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is Marvel’s first Asianled film. This film was made with a predominantly East Asian cast and creative team, inspired by Chinese folklore, and includes many martial arts action sequences. Shang-Chi is a huge step towards redressing anti-asian racism on screen. The film impressed Marvel fans from all over, collecting $71.4 million at the box office in its opening three days. If you have not had the chance to see Shang-Chi, make sure to hit the theatres soon, or see it on Disney+, starting November 12.

Over the next few months, fans can look forward to the films Eternals, releasing on November 5, and SpiderMan: No Way Home, hitting theaters on December 17.

Eternals takes place after Avengers: Endgame, and follows the Eternals - an immortal alien race created by the Celestials - who have secretly lived on Earth for over 7,000 years. The Eternals reunite to protect humanity from their evil counterparts, the Deviants.

This film stars Angelina Jolie as Thena, Richard Mad-

den as Ikaris, and Gemma Chan as Sersi. Immediately following Eternals is the release of the long-awaited and highly anticipated film Spider-Man: No Way Home. No Way Home ties up loose ends in Spider Man: Far From Home, and also ties into Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, which is set to release in March of 2022. Other upcoming MCU films include Thor: Love and Thunder, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, The Marvels, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, and Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3.

Along with these exciting films, there are many new MCU television series on the way, all of which will be released on Disney Plus. Hawkeye, releasing November 24, is set where Clint Barton must work with the young Kate Bishop to confront enemies from his past. Bishop, played by Hailee Steinfeld, is a new face in the MCU and emerges throughout this series as the first female Hawkeye. Yelena Belova, played by Florence Pugh, will return in this series from her debut in Black Widow. In addition to Hawkeye, Ms. Marvel, Moon Knight, She-Hulk, Secret Invasion, The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, Ironheart, Armor Wars, and an untitled Wakanda series are all television series set to release on Disney+ throughout the next few years as a part of Phase Four.

Phase Four will undoubtedly bring many exciting films and television series to the MCU over the next few years. Expect new and familiar faces, the introduction of entirely new concepts, and some unexpected connection points to be made. So, keep up on your release dates and stay tuned for these new Marvel projects!

Graphic by Ilana Zahavy '24/Staff

“Falling” for these music recommendations Hadia Ahmad '23

Fall is all about new beginnings. After coming back from summer break, I’m sure we are all a little stressed about school. I’m hoping to keep your mind off that stress by recommending some of my favorite albums. These albums are all different yet amazing.

Hive Mind by The Internet: Released in 2018, Hive Mind has solidified itself as one of my favorite albums of all time. It’s associated with some of my favorite people and some great memories. I first discovered The Internet in 2018 when my friend recommended that I listen to their song, “Palace/Curse (feat. Tyler, The Creator & Steve Lacy).” This then led me to listen to their newly released album Hive Mind. Thirteen tracks of alternative, R&B sounds, Hive Mind is an

Graphic by Emmi Wu '23/Staff

album worth listening to. The song I like the most is titled,“Hold On.” Syd, singer and songwriter for The Internet, is pure talent. She was blessed with a soothing, angelic voice that fits the after-school unwind vibe. Those who like the music of artists like Steve Lacy, Solange, and Tyler, The Creator, would love them. Walking home while listening to Hive Mind and stepping on maple leaves while wearing layers of clothes sounds like the perfect autumn afternoon, for me at least.

For Lovers by Lamp: For Lovers (2008) is an album that consists of only eight consistent tracks. It’s a short Japanese pop album under the sub-genre “shibuya-kei.” Shibuya kei is simply a micro-genre of pop associated with Japanese retail music linked with Shibuya shopping centers from the late 1990s.

I discovered this album in 2019 while doing math homework. It happened to be in my recommendations and the album cover was so simple yet intriguing, I had to click on it. After I listened to it the first time, I found myself replaying it over and over again. What’s so special about this album? For Lovers is a peaceful, yet unique blend of calming vocals and simple chord progressions. It’s perfect for an after-school nap or it can be used as a focus boost while doing work. My favorite tracks include “Behind the Moon Shadow” and “For Lovers.” Even if you don’t typically listen to foreign music, For Lovers is a great start if you’re trying to get into it.

Perfect Velvet by Red Velvet: The Perfect Velvet could potentially be classified as a “Halloween” album. The photos used to promote this album have dark undertones, masked with a cheerful appearance. The title track, “Peek-a-boo,” has a music video that radiates an eerie and mysterious vibe. Red Velvet is a Korean pop group with two sides. “Red” and “Velvet.” “Red” meaning more upbeat and happy, “velvet” meaning more toned down and mature. The Perfect Velvet encompasses the group’s “velvet” side conceptually, but music-wise takes more after their “red” side as it’s mostly up beat. Why should you listen to Red Velvet this fall? Known as some of the best vocals and sound in the Korean industry, Red Velvet showcases both their talent and versatility in this album. Listening to this album will truly prepare you for October 31.

The season of movies

The season for watching classic summer movies such as Mamma Mia!, The Parent Trap, and High School Musical 2 is over.

Summer is at its end, and autumn’s chilly weather has arrived.

It is time to watch some scary horror films during the spooky season, or to watch a classic romcom, such as When Harry Met Sally, while cozying up and drinking some hot apple cider.

Movies that take place in the fall, such as Fantastic Mr. Fox, Planes, Trains, & Automobiles, Knives Out, and Remember the Titans, are perfect for the season. Since Halloween is around the corner, Beetlejuice, The Addams Family, and Casper are a must see. Horror movies that are terrific for the fall include Halloween (1978) and The Blair Witch Project.

If you’re in the mood for a throwback, I suggest The Witches of Eastwick. This eighties classic has a killer cast, including Cher, Susan Sarandon, Michelle Pfeiffer and Jack Nicholson, and revolves around three witches who accidentally fall in love with the devil. Secondly, I recommend you add Little Women, Mystic Pizza, and Silver Linings Playbook to your watchlist

Eilis Brannigan '24

Graphic by Emma Liu '22/Staff

Horror movies that are best to watch during the fall, rather than any other season, include Bad Hair, Suspiria, Children of the Corn, Ginger Snaps, and the scariest, most horrifying one of them all, Coraline. If you’re not into horror movies, there are still some great Halloween movies that are enjoyable, not scary, and humorous. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, and Paranorman are just some of my favorites. I also suggest Young Frankenstein (1974), Ghostbusters (1984), and Labyrinth. An important part of fall is the beginning of a new school year. When desiring a good high school movie, I suggest Election, starring Reese Witherspoon, which follows three students running for class president. Their teacher, Mr. McAllister, is played by Matthew Broderick who also appears in another fall high school movie called Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Other school related movies I recommend are Rushmore, Juno, Dead Poets Society, and lastly, Matilda. Fall is a great time to watch movies and to eat pumpkin desserts, so hop onto that couch and get to it!

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Rigor is lower, expectations are lower, technology use is increased but that’s not always good.

More stressful in general. Students struggle more, especially with focus and routine. Teaching is harder- we’ve been given extra things to do but nothing has been taken away.

On a scale of 1-5, how crowded do you think classes are in comparison to before the pandemic?

0%

At some point our school and society will need to decide to return to ‘normal.’

On a scale of 1-5...

How enthusiastic do students seem to be back in the building?

0%

2.6%

9.2%

3.9%

51.3%

36.8%

How compliant have other teachers/staff been with mask wearing?

0%

3.9%

7.9%

47.4%

40.8%

52.6%

How compliant have students been with mask wearing?

0%

3.9%

47.4%

23.7%

23.7%

27.6%

1

2

3

4

Asynchronous Fridays

5

15.8%

No No

Lunch & Learns

Yes

Yes

Breakout rooms, awkward silences, different lunches, six-foot spaced chairs, LMSD@home, late start times, contact tracing: The 2020-2021 school year forced LM students to adapt to a new learning environment. With students and staff having to adapt to multiple different schedules and the looming threat of returning to virtual learning altogether, last year presented numerous challenges outside the typical high school experience. However, with the prevalence of the vaccine and a decrease in COVID-19 cases, students and staff were allowed to return to full in-person learning last year and a “normal” schedule this year. The Merionite explores how LM’s students and staff feel about finally returning to the building. Take a look!

Do you prefer midterms, finals, tests or projects?

Hybrid

Caf/library

Other

Sub

Normal

Asynch F r

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idays

I think that teachers need to be a lot more strict about enforcing the wearing of masks. Many students have masks under their chin or nose and the teachers say nothing about it.

No

Yes

Fully in person

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On a scale on 1-5 how safe do you feel at school?

Lunch & Learn

Virtual

How safe does school transportation feel?

4%

12%

1

2

26%

29%

29%

3

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5

Graphics by Emma Liu ’22/Staff, Emmi Wu ’23/Staff, Ilana Zahavy ’24/Staff

14

October 2 , 2021

Features The Merionite

To be what you wish to be Ruby Romano-Lehr ’24 Welcome child to my humble abode!

I swear my shop isn’t sketchy Despite it being way off the road

With only one other friend Be a dynamic duo It will be fun in the end!

Do you want to be a gremlin?

Do you want to be a ghost?

Do you want to be the person you love most?

Maybe an iconic pair Like partners in a crime duo Maybe something more mellow And lots of effort to show

How about a witch?

How about an owl?

Or maybe a cat That makes dogs howl

Be a cute couple?

Perhaps both of your favorite ships?

Hopefully you have some of the same ones Or just get some tips

Something trendy Something not Something homemade Something bought

An angel and a demon A pixie and a dragon Materials of lace or even satin

Simple like a sheet ghost Complex and colorful hair Don’t stress yourself out Stun people and let them stare

Well my shop closes in ten And you still seem to be lost So when you see the cottage going straight The roads shall be crossed

You said something non-cliche?

I might have something for you Just drink this potion We’ll see what you turn into Look in the mirror Can you not see your reflection?

Drink this one instead It will give you a better direction I see this time you’re a superhero Don’t know too many though Is it from that one franchise?

Wait, HEY don’t shoot me with that crossbow!

Ok now you’re in a uniform What’s this from?

Graphic by Matilda Schwartz ’25 They all blend together Or maybe I’m just dumb You think this looks generic?

I can give you a stronger elixir I can’t guarantee that It will be a definite fixer Ah, silly me!

That had a tag This potion was meant for a group!

My eyes are a bit bad

Well it still worked And there are now several costumes on the floor But choose which you like I hope they aren’t a bore Say, do you have friends?

Dress up together!

This set specifically is a group of game characters And the material is light as a feather Or maybe you want to go

But you’ve gone all the way out here And I have one potion left in store It’s a bit of a dangerous one though And it hasn’t been tested out before Think of where you want to go Drink this and you’ll be there Can’t guarantee that it will work Hope that didn’t give you a scare Have a safe trip dear child Don’t worry about accidentally making a scene Make sure no one steals your candy And have a very happy Halloween!

Introducing...

AXE: Pumpkin Spice Lila Anafi ’24 Many of our customers douse themselves in enticing scents like Dark Temptation or Anarchy for Him in hopes of achieving the ideal alpha male image. But what if you feel no boost in strength after smearing your torso with Axe: Recharge Game? You’re not alone.

October is finally here. That’s why we teamed up with a 16-year-old Starbucks barista to bring you Axe: Pumpkin Spice. It’s our first body spray scented with the crisp flavor of autumn, the toughest season of the year.

Ever since the pre-release of Axe: Pumpkin Spice in early July, our public resources team has been bombarded by hundreds of emails. “I don’t get it,” one loyal customer wrote. “I get why you made all the other flavors, but not this one.”Another customer agreed: “I don’t want to smell like a Starbucks frappuccino. I want to smell like the lovechild of Thor from The Avengers and Edward Cullen from Twilight.

I think you should go back to making those types of body sprays.”

To anyone who shares their opinion, we want to issue a public statement: this isn’t the same pumpkin spice in your friend’s latte. Each pumpkin is picked and crushed within our bare, calloused hands. Each autumn spice is ground to smithereens by our lumberjack hatchet. Each droplet of sweat, infused with our mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg, and aerosol.

“I didn’t win any fights or get a date,” says one of our product testers. “I was hired to work on a hayride, though. That’s pretty cool too.” It’s time to achieve the image you’ve all been waiting for. This fall, stomp in the autumn leaves while smelling like success.

Graphic by Emma Liu ’22/Staff

Features

October 2 , 2021

15

The Merionite

Paranormal encounters in the night Hadia Ahmad ’23 Ghosts, demons, even ghouls, people believe in all kinds of supernatural beings, and around Halloween, they decorate their houses accordingly. Their front lawns are adorned with spider webs, carved pumpkins, and anything else that’ll give it a “creepy” yet festive look. Many people focus on scary stories in October, remaining apathetic to these topics in other months, however, it’s different in other countries. In places like the Middle East and Pakistan, Jinn stories are told all year long. In Islamic Mythology, a Jinn is like a spirit. It is not dead and is its own being, however, they typically aren’t seen by the human eye, similar to a ghost. The most popular Jinn stories sound something like this: “I saw a Jinn at the park. I know it was there because it was dark and no one was around, and all of a sudden a swing started to rock back and forth.” People who tell these stories will guarantee that the wind wasn’t to blame. There are also stories of Jinns possessing humans or animals, causing them to say things that are eerie and frightening.

One time my uncle claimed his son was possessed by a Jinn. In the middle of the night his son knocked on his door saying words in a language he didn’t recognize.

I thought, “He was sleepwalking and started speaking gibberish. That has to be it.” I constantly doubted these Jinn sightings until one night, I saw one myself.

It was 2018 and I was driving home from a family friend’s house after a small dispute. I didn’t have a phone at the time so the only thing that kept me occupied was looking out the window. Our car weaved around familiar roads and I found myself fidgeting with the hem of my shirt, anxious to get home. The summer heat seemed to affect everyone’s mood, making them easily irritable.

There wasn’t a single car on the road and we were illuminated by the headlights and flickering street lamps. It felt like the opening scene of a cheap horror film.

We were about to arrive at home. I breathed in and felt a lump in my throat when I swallowed. I took my hand and applied a small amount of pressure on my neck, thinking that would ease the feeling. “We’re gonna be home soon anyway,

I’ll just wait until I can drink water.” We had finally reached our town. There’s a train station by my house, during the day it’s nothing short of a peaceful scene, but at night it’s unpleasant to look at. The side of the station is accompanied by a looming forest, darkness overtaking the surrounding area. We turned onto the street which led to the train station, but the car felt lopsided. I sat up. The lump in my throat felt worse. I pressed my neck and glimpsed out the window.

Why did we stop? My cousin, who sat next to me, was the first to point out what we saw. Something emerged from the forest and started to move towards the car.

The thing moved closer to us. It picked up speed and we saw it clearly. It was running towards us. I sat still and this creepy thing was coming closer to our line of sight. Why are we stopped? Why aren’t we going? My mother was focused on a conversation with my aunt and she didn’t notice the scene taking place right outside her window.

The “thing” looked like a man, but it wasn’t. It had the longest legs and hair I’ve ever seen, and when it ran it seemed to jump a little and it’s knees bent in such a way that I thought its legs would give out at any moment. I suddenly let go of my neck.

I accidentally put too much pressure on it, so when I did, it sounded like a gasp.

It was next to us. It was at the stop sign. I forced myself to look. I didn’t care if it was a murderer, we could just drive off, I just needed to see its face. I scanned everywhere. “Wait, but that’s not possible,” I remember thinking, “It doesn’t have a face.” My mother was looking at it too now. Her eyes looked glossy. She was searching for it, I could tell. She was looking for its face. It stood directly under a street light wearing white, torn clothing and a skirt that ended just above the knees. Every single detail was so prevalent except for its face. It didn’t have one.

As we drove off , I turned back to catch another glimpse, but it was gone.

Ever since that night, this has been a story I’ve told time and time again.

Whenever I make a new friend, this is always one of the first things I tell them.

This is a night I’ll never forget, all of my doubts had finally disappeared.

Graphic by Lindsay Gillston ’24

Graphic by Eliza Liebo ’25

Charred by the cold James Korin ’24 Almost like it was charred by the cold, the sleek black streets seemed to absorb all light but a glimmer off the ice. As the search party drew near, their flashlights reflected off the falling snow like millions of falling lightbulbs in the sky. Though they had only been out for an hour that night, the effects of the cold were blatantly visible. Snot formed frosted peaks below their chins, and snow dyed their hair white.

While their faces were concealed, the disappointment remained noticeable in their expressions. It had been three days since Tim Hasler went missing, and two days since the first snow of the blizzard. At this point, they were searching for a body.

Tim Hasler was interrupted by the final bell of the school day. He and his friends were discussing plans to hang out that afternoon, before the snowstorm was expected to hit. He shoved his puffy winter jacket farther into his backpack and walked out of the building. Before he left for school that morning, Tim’s mom practically zipped the jacket on him herself. Of course, he immediately removed it as he began to walk to school. But the sting of cool wind against his neck made him reconsider this. As Tim walked, he texted his friends about a potential sleepover that night, stumbling over every curb that he failed to notice. When he turned the corner, a sudden gust of wind sent an eerie chill vibrating down his spine. Tim looked down and kept texting. After a few more minutes, he realized that he had made a wrong turn and spun around, accidentally walking right into a low hanging branch. The impact knocked him onto his back and left his face throbbing.

After slowly rising and letting out a groan, Tim noticed that he had dropped his phone when he fell. He surveyed the sidewalk and the grass nearby before spotting a glint from inside a storm grate. His phone, barely seven feet below, was practically within his reach. Tim placed his backpack behind the tree and crouched over the storm grate. Noticing the ladder inside, he optimistically attempted to lift up the grate. To his surprise, Tim was able to lift the grate just enough to rest it

against its own hinges, leaning at a slightly precarious angle. Looking at the sky one last time, Tim saw that it had started to flurry. He slowly climbed down the ladder, the metal rungs clinging to his fingers due to the freezing temperature.

Just as Tim stepped his foot onto the floor seven feet below, an impressive gale of wind and snow whipped across the world above, causing the storm grate hinges to creak and slam shut with a mighty clang. Startled, he hurriedly dropped down onto his knees. The tight concrete walls made him claustrophobic. After scurrying around, Tim found and grabbed his phone which was half submerged in a thick grey substance. Upon flipping it over, he saw that his whole screen had shattered, and the phone wouldn’t turn on. When he began climbing the ladder, Tim noticed a substantial change in the temperature. The metal was now nearly unbearable to touch, and he saw nothing but white through the slits of the grate above. Tim tried to lift up the grate again, but he struggled much more than before. While holding onto the ladder with one hand, he shook and pounded against the grate with his other, urging it to release him. But the thin layer of snow above had frozen over, cementing the storm grate into the ground. Tim stuck his hand through a slit in the grate, waving it rapidly and screaming for help, begging for someone to come.

Snow has a special ability to conceal reality. One of the searchers looked around, but all she could see was a blur of white haze. All she could hear was the muffled crunching of her feet on the ice. She had been out for over three hours, and her gloves were nearly soaked through. It was time to go home. As she trekked back to her house, she knew her son, Tim, was lost forever. But the snow has a way of distorting direction, and she made a wrong turn. Before she realized her mistake, a loud snap below her foot made her stop. She slowly looked down and saw a dark finger in the snow, directly beside a gnarly hand sticking out of a storm grate. The hand was completely blackened by frostbite, almost like it was charred by the cold.

Features Back to school interviews Pumpkin spice specials

16

October

, 2021

The Merionite

Ella Hoffman ’25

Below eight students, two from each grade, respond to five questions each about the start of the school year! The students shared their thoughts and experiences on school so far.

Freshman Questions Q1: What are your thoughts on ninth grade so far?

A1: For the most part I like most of it.

A2: Pretty good, and there isn’t a huge amount of work which is nice.

Q2: Which do you like better, high school or middle school? Why? A1: I like high school better because there is more freedom.

A2: Probably high school because we get a lot more freedom than we did in middle school. Plus there are more clubs, sports, and options for us.

Q3: What has been your most enjoyable class so far?

A1: So far I love ceramics.

A2: Probably math because my math teacher is so sweet, and she barely gives homework. Plus I have a bunch of friends in my math class.

Q4: What are your thoughts on assigning Lunch and Learn?

A1: I don’t love it because sometimes I don’t have the same lunch as my other friends.

A2: I don’t love it. I’d rather be able to choose where I go for the hour.

Q5: What extracurricular activities interest you? What clubs have you joined?

A1: I am on the LM tennis team.

A2: I’m on the LM dance team and LM squash in the winter.

Sophomore Questions

Avery Ender ’24

Trader Joe’s is a grocery store known for its seasonal items and there is no shortage of delicious favorites this time of year. I tried all of the pumpkin spice flavored items just in time for fall. The first thing I tasted were the Pumpkin Blondie Brownies, and I have to say, they set the bar pretty high for everything pumpkin. Imagine pumpkin bread mixed with everyone’s favorite baked treat. I do have a few critiques, though. I’m not the biggest fan of pecans, so if you’re not a nut-lover like me, beware. They could also use some more icing. Overall: 8/10.

Next up, Pumpkin Spice Batons.

If you are not a pumpkin spice fanatic, but still want a taste of fall, these are for you. They taste like vanilla flavoring, but as you keep eating them (and you will), the pumpkin spice flavor builds. Overall: 7.5/10 The Pumpkin Tortilla Chips were surprisingly good. They had just a hint of pumpkin, so you can eat them all year long. Without any dip or sauce, they’re just fine, but I added the Lightly Spiced Pumpkin Spread, meant to go with meats and cheeses,

and they were great. The pumpkin spread had an interesting flavor profile. It’s like the jelly you would find inside of a hamantaschen for Purim, but pumpkin flavored. I’d give the Pumpkin Tortilla Chips a 7/10, and the Pumpkin Spread a 6/10. Now, Pumpkin Flavored Joe-Joe’s are a classic. The pumpkin spice flavor is just strong enough and not too overpowering. Overall: 9/10.

Here comes the Pumpkin Cheesecake. This one is a toss up. The crust on mine got a little soggy and gritty.

It is worthy of some praise because the taste is pretty good, but the texture is where it loses points. Overall: 6/10.

I want to preface this last one by saying that I don’t drink coffee. If you do drink coffee, you’d probably like to dip the Pumpkin Biscotti in your coffee. Overall: 5.5/10.

Don’t just take my word for it; go try some fun fall flavors at Trader Joe’s! The only thing I felt like was missing was a fall-themed cookie butter – let me know if you find one, or if you try any other heavenly autumn snacks.

Q1: What are your thoughts on tenth grade so far?

A1: It’s really fun; it’s not as stressful as I thought it would be.

A2: I think that tenth grade has gone very smoothly so far.

Q2: What has been your most enjoyable class so far?

A1: Global Citizenship: the class is really interesting because of the current events we talk about.

A2: My most enjoyable class is AP Psychology.

Q3: How are things different from last year from online classes?

A1: This is the first year I have experienced Lunch and Learn so it’s really fun! I also like having everyone in the school at the same time.

A2: I definitely have to pay more attention.

Q4: Are you happy to be back in person? Why? A1: Yes, it was so hard to concentrate at home and it was never fun being online while there were other students in the class.

A2: Yes, I love seeing everyone.

Q5: What is an accomplishment you want to achieve this year?

A1: Become really involved in some clubs and stay up to date with current events.

A2: Receiving all A’s.

Junior Questions Q1: What are your thoughts on eleventh grade so far?

A1: 11th grade has been great so far. I’m happy to be back at school with the normal schedule.

A2: It has been very stressful and overwhelming, but also rewarding. I feel like the work I am doing this year is leading to something bigger in my life.

Graphic by Chloe Martin ’25

Senior Questions Q1: What are your thoughts on twelfth grade so far?

A1: It’s tough, but I’m happy to be able to experience it in a somewhat normal way.

A2: I find it pretty hard managing my afterschool activities and applying to colleges.

Q2: Are you happy to be back in person? Why? A1: Yes, I am very happy to be back in person. Last year, going to class through Zoom was challenging and it was hard to make connections with teachers and other students.

A2: I am very happy to be back in person. At home I really missed the social aspect of school and it is way easier to get help from teachers in person.

Q2: Are you happy to be back in person? Why? A1: I think that it has been so long that school circumstances haven’t been “normal” or close to what they were when I was a sophomore or freshman. Even though we wear masks now, I think school feels as close to what we had in the past, with spirit, Lunch and Learn, and a normal bell schedule.

A2: Yes definitely, it’s nice to see my friends and teachers and get help during Lunch and Learn.

Q3: What have you enjoyed more this year than last?

A1: I am enjoying the return of Lunch and Learn.

A2: I have enjoyed the social aspect more this year than last year.

Q3: What is something that you have been enjoying since being back at school?

A1: Eating lunch outside with my friends.

A2: Using Lunch and Learn to talk to teachers.

Q4: What is something you are most excited about? Or nervous?

A1: I am most excited to meet with clubs in person and see all of my friends. I am also looking forward to the return of many fun school events.

A2: I am most nervous about standardized tests like the ACT and AP tests.

Q4: How do you think high school has prepared you for college?

A1: I think that it taught me how to manage my time well, but I think that college and high school are so different. We will never be 100% prepared.

A2: The amount of homework is pretty rigorous, especially for AP classes. Also making new friends in classes.

Q5: What is an accomplishment you want to achieve this year?

A1: I hope to do well in my classes and overall have a fun, successful year.

A2: I want to achieve a good balance of working hard and learning a lot, while also prioritizing my mental health.

Q5: Have you had a teacher that has made a difference in your years at LM? If so, who?

A1: Definitely Mr. Burch.

A2: Mr. Grugan because he helped me so much and never judged my questions.

Come See Our Show...

Comics

Comic by Emmi Wu ’23/Staff

Clownery

Masking

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Comic by Emmi Wu ’23/Staff

Comic by Ilana Zahavy ’24/Staff

Fill in the Blank

Comic by Emma Liu ’22/Staff

18 October 2 , 2021

Arts & Entertainment The Merionite

The 2021 Met Gala: the highlights, the good and the bad An anticipated disappointment

The highlighted looks

Siobhan Minerva ’24

Charlie Kurland ’24

The annual Met Gala is the most anticipated exhibitation of fashion, where designers get to showcase their creations as the scarlet carpet is rolled out onto Fifth Avenue, Manhattan, New York City, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Designed to raise funds for the Met’s Costume Institute, the Gala has been held every year since 1948 (except 2020), inviting Hollywood stars, models, and the social elite to celebrate and fundraise at a new exhibit at the museum.

The cancelation of the 2020 Met Gala brought great disappointment to both viewers, guests, and designers who lost their opportunity to advertise their avant-garde designs of the season. This year, numerous stars returned from past years and many new faces were seen walking the daunting velvet steps, including Emma Chamberlain, Amanda Gorman and Lil Nas X. Chosen by curator Andrew Bolton, this year those invited were given the theme American Independence, corresponding to the new exhibit “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.” Some questioned this theme, thinking that celebrating American Independence seemed to disregard the state of our country and the countless injustices still seen today. Most stars remained tonedeaf to the significance of this theme given the state of the world, and few managed to achieve the assignment.

One of the stars that brought fashion and substance to the carpet was Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. She sashayed up the velvet steps in a white off the shoulder gown with the phrase “Tax the Rich” written in stark red letters across the back. This bold statement quickly sparked controversy among both stars and social media.

Some thought it was hypocritical of her to express such a message while at the same time attending such a frivolous event. In response, Cortez claimed that now is the time to bring awareness to healthcare, childcare, and other issues America faces, thus “taxing the rich” was an appropriate statement. Furthermore, Dan Levy was seen sauntering in a suit that highlighted an art piece by David Wojnarowcz, artist and activist. The image is of two men kiss-

ing, depicting a statement of queer, love. Ocasio-Cortez and Wojnarowcz were able to adhere to the theme presented while still making meaningful statements about our country and its issues. They represented American independence in a way that was relevant, constructive, and also fashionable.

As for the stars on the opposite side of the spectrum, Emma Chamberlain stunned audiences with a beaded gold dress. Unfortunately this dress was designed by

Graphic by Nina Aagaard ’22 Louis Vuitton, and it made no reference to American Independence.

Emma was among the majority of stars who showcased stunning garments but failed to follow the theme.

This lack of cohesion confused many. When surveying LM students about what they would have thought the theme was given the outfits presented, some responses were “Wealth,” “Throwback,” “Futuristic,” and “Sci-fi.”

This lack of commitment to the theme isn’t something new or unexpected for the Met Gala. Year after year stars disregard the theme leaving the public and artistic institutions to question the purpose of the event and what revisions need to be made to it. “Fashion’s biggest night out” has transformed into fashion’s biggest night of disappointment.

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As one of fashion’s biggest events of the year, the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala, also known as the Met Gala, takes place in New York City, where celebrities walk the carpet in style. With the theme of this year’s Gala being “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion,” many guests took different approaches to match their outfits to the theme. Whether it was paying homage to old Hollywood celebrities, making a strong political statement,

or quite literally wearing an American flag, these fashionable stars made history with their unique looks.

One of the most iconic looks of the evening was worn by, as predicted, Kim Kardashian West. Walking onto the carpet in an all black Balenciaga gown with a mask covering her whole face, Kardashian gave the fashion community a new way of looking at what the red carpet really means.

Her all black bodysuit made almost a silhouette of her body, creating an avant-garde look. After her iconic ensemble went viral, West released an explanation stating, “What’s more American than a shirt head to toe?”

Hollywood spectators suggested that “for someone who is always criticized for being overly sexual, West showed that she can cover every square inch of her skin and still find a way to be criticized and ridiculed.” One

fan, in a tweet that West reposted on her Instagram story on September 14, “THAT is American culture.”

Also making an appearance at the Met Gala was Billie Eilish with an old Hollywood Marilyn Monroe inspired look. With her over exaggerated fit, the dress she wore definitely made a statement. According to Eilish’s fanbase, “this look was very unexpected” because she is more known for her “goth” looks and not a nude colored ball gown. What also surprised fans was the designer of the dress. Eilish usually leans towards looks by Louis Vuiton and Burberry but instead went with the unexpected choice of Oscar de la Renta. She also made history at the Met Gala, being the youngest chair of the Gala ever. Not shying away from making an activist statement, Eilish agreed to wear Oscar de la Renta on the carpet if the company would terminate all use of fur in their designs, and they agreed.

With not one, not two, but three looks on the red carpet, Lil Nas X sure knew how to make an entrance.

With his first look being a caped gold gown with intricate designs, he looked like royalty. His second look was an all-gold suit of armor and was quickly taken off to reveal a black and gold sequined bodysuit.

This look was designed by Donatella Versace. For his first Met Gala ever, the rapper sure did bring it.

Not afraid to make a political statement was Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. She wore an elegant, off the shoulder, white dress with “Tax The Rich” written in bright red lettering on the back. The entire look was made by Brother Vellies. In an interview, Ocasio-Cortez explained, “I think it’s time to bring all classes into the conversation.” And while many were big fans of AOC’s look that evening, there was a lot of backlash towards it.

Political commentators stated, “Going to an event for the super-rich with ‘tax the rich’ written wouldn’t change a thing. It’s a stunt to justify her presence at a fancy shin-dig that doesn’t match her political persona.”

With many superb looks, the Met Gala was a memorable night. With symbols towards American culture, political statements, and an ode to Marilyn Monroe, the night was a huge success with many outstanding looks.

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Arts & Entertainment

October 22, 2021

19

The Merionite

Dancing into the school year Inbal David ’23

Picture courtesy of Inbal David ’23

The LM Dance Team is currently one of the largest student-run clubs at LM with over 35 members. Student captains choreograph hip-hop dances that are performed at Maroon Madness and home basketball games. In addition, the captains create the senior dances for the pep rally and the Amazing Ace opening dance number. The student body will witness new dances this year and get a chance to see their friends and peers do what they love most. Last year, due to COVID-19, rehearsals were strictly over Zoom and dances were filmed due to the inability of having a live audience. The dance team missed out on almost all their performances, and didn’t get the chance to experience the community that the team usually creates. The Dance Team are ready to return to a sense of normalcy and are really looking forward to live performances. LM Dance Team captains, Zoe Agiv ’22, Inbal David ’23 Sammi Murray ’22, and Annabel Slogoff ’22, have in-person practices planned as well as expertly choreographed routines. While continuing to be socially distant and wearing masks, the team will rehearse afterschool twice a week and perform in front of a live audience

at many of LM’s highly anticipated events. The dance team is not only a highly spirited and energetic group, but it also create a safe space for students from all types of backgrounds.

LM is fortunate to have many sports teams and competitions year round, and the dance team is happy to spread LM spirit. Agiv explained that she is “super excited to have as close to a normal season as possible, since last year was spent mostly on Zoom. The fact that we are practicing in person is already such a big step forward! I am looking forward to our performances coming up and making sure that this is the best dance team I have ever seen!”

Junior Gabby Tepper-Waterman exclaims, “I can’t wait to actually perform at the pep rallies this year and have the experience of performing in front of the LM student body!”

As a first-time captain, David is extremely excited to have an awesome year with a great group of dancers, and to be able to represent LM in the best way possible. Rehearsals are in full swing and the dancers are already preparing for all the exciting events coming up this year. The first of many live performances will be in early November at the Radnor Week Pep Rally.

Find someone new to follow Noah Barkan ’24 Assistant Business Manager

From past movements to current activism, there is constantly one group left out of conversations about diversity and inclusion: disabled individuals.

In a culture designed by and for abled people, it’s extremely difficult for disabled individuals to pursue careers in beauty, fashion, and art. In the world of social media, censorship and guidelines give privileged individuals a much better shot at fame and representation. The achievements and contributions of disabled people in the U.S. have been ignored for centuries and it’s important that we give them the credit they deserve. Consider giving these influencers a follow.

Chella Man - @chellaman: Chella Man is an artist, actor, author, activist, and journalist from central Pennsylvania. In his various written works, Man talks about his experiences growing up Asian-American, Jewish, genderqueer, and deaf. Some of his work includes columns written for Teen Vogue and Them Magazine. Man most recently published his premier book Continuum. The book is an addition to Penguin Random House’s Pocket Change Collective. It explores intersectionality through activism and talks about Man’s experiences. In 2018, he worked with TedX on his talk, Becoming Him. In his talk, Man discusses the importance of self-identification and its distinction from presentation. He explores the impacts of gender and identification stereotypes and how they affected his transition. In 2019, Man was cast in DC’s Titans as Jericho, a mute fighter who uses sign language to communicate. Man signed with IMG as its first Jewish-Asian model and has been modeled in several magazines including companies like Calvin Klein and American Eagle. Most recently, Man visited the White House to spread awareness about healthcare for those with disabilities. Man showcases his talent for modeling and different mediums of artwork on his Instagram page.

Lauren “Lolo” Spencer @itslololove: Lolo Spencer is an actress, company founder, and model. She was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS which landed her in a wheelchair when she was fourteen. Spencer became a disability influencer to help give advice and representation for disabled people. Now in her 30s, Spencer has over 20,000 followers from both her Instagram account and YouTube channel. Spencer’s YouTube series “Sitting Pretty” has quickly evolved into her brand new production company, Sitting Pretty Productions. The company is dedicated to changing the narrative of the “disability lifestyle” and combating ableist stereotypes seen in society. The company’s first project, The New Narrative Podcast, is a lifestyle series that introduces fellow disabled guests alongside Spencer to talk about their stories. Apart from activism and social media, Spencer has been featured in several TV shows and movies including The Sex Life of College Girls and The eZWay. She was most prominently known for her role in Give Me Liberty, a comedy about a medical transport driver for which Spencer was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female Actress in 2020.

Sinéad Burke @thesineadburke: Sinéad Burke is an Irish author, model, CEO, influencer, and Council of State member. She was diagnosed with achondroplasia but prefers the term “little person.” Burke began her career as an elementary school teacher. She began a popular blog called Minnie Mélange, which is no longer running. She won the Alternative Miss Ireland competition, an LGBTQ pageant, in 2012. Burke became the first “little person” to be on the cover of Vogue magazine and attend the Met Gala. She also appeared on the cover of the ‘Forces for Change’ issue of British Vogue and the Business of Fashion. However, her career didn’t end with modeling. Burke became a published author in 2020 with her book Break the Mould, which won the Specsavers Children’s Book of the Year award. Burke also founded and ran her own company: Tilting the Lens, which works to raise accessibility standards to create more equitable opportunities for everyone. Burke also hosted a TED talk “Why design should include everyone” in which she discussed her experiences being left out of conversations about accessibility. Burke currently serves as an ambassador for the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and the Irish Girl Guides. In 2019, the President of Ireland appointed her to his Council of State which advises the President on matters within their reserved powers.

Graphic by Zuzu Bissell ’25

Aces in the Arts How are you involved with the arts at LM? I am currently Head of Wardrobe in Players so I work with the other PDS (Production and Design Staff) to create the costumes for our actors to wear on stage. I mostly teach the crew how to Rose Solga ’23 use machines, read instructions and work to Costume Designing produce some incredible pieces which are a form of art in their own right.

What’s the best thing about arts at LM? The best thing about arts at LM is the community that comes with it. I have met some of the best people I know in Players. The atmosphere of craftsmanship helps us to produce each of our own unique pieces either through costume design, scenery, lighting, props or on stage as an actor.

Why do you like art?

I like to do art because there are so many different ways to create an art piece and it’s just overall really fun and relaxing!

How are you involved with the arts at LM? I get involved with art by taking art electives like the Art honors courses.

Juliana Messinger ’24 Drawing/Sketching

20

October 22, 2021

Arts & Entertainment The Merionite

Concert comeback Jessica Dubin ’23 Website Editor

Back to Broadway?

Lily Padersky ‘24

As the world begins to reopen and return to some degree of normalcy, an important question is on everyone’s mind: How do we return to our normal lives while still keeping everyone safe? This is a big question that is brought up when concerts are beginning to take place again. Artists like Pit Bull, Machine Gun Kelly and J. Cole are currently on tour. In addition to touring, big music festivals like Made In America and Governors Ball also made their return recently. With COVID-19 cases still occurring and people wanting to get life back to “normal,” there are many safety precautions in place to accommodate large public events. One precaution many concert venues are implementing is that attendees must show proof of vaccination. They require that people either bring their vaccination card, a photo of their card, or some other sort of documentation from a healthcare provider as proof that they received both doses of the vaccine more than two weeks prior to the concert. If attendees are not vaccinated but still want to attend the concert, they must get a PCR test or antigen test within 72 hours of the event.

They must show proof of negative test results either digitally or in print. Following approval of their proof of vaccination or negative test results, concert goers are normally given a wristband to show they have permission to attend. Making sure that everyone who enters the facility has either been vaccinated or tested helps to minimize the rate of transmission. Another precaution being implemented is that attendees must wear masks when they are not eating or drinking. Although most concerts and festivals say mask wearing is mandatory, this precaution is not easy to enforce so it is not very effective. Junior Julia Russel said that, “Although masks and proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 tests were mandatory at Made In America, no one wore their masks and I know many people who got COVID-19.” These precautions are a step in the right direction, but it is still hard to completely return to our normal lives and keep everyone safe, especially at concerts.

Graphics by Joy Rao ’23

Graphics by Emma Liu ’22/Staff ’22/Staff

“Just two weeks after celebrating the return of Broadway, one of the most ticipated shows has been shut down,” announced CBS New York. Broadway’s famous show Aladdin opened to the public with much excitement after eighteen months of closure, only to shut down after one day. The much-anticipated return of Broadway hit a rough patch soon after. Aladdin first opened in 2014 and ran uninterrupted through March 12, 2020. After the suspension caused by COVID-19, the show reopened on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, but immediately closed showings on Wednesday, September 29, because of a COVID-19 outbreak.

COVID-19 cases were reported in the musical’s company. Dr. Blythe Adamson who works with Disney’s theaters discussed the impact, “These positive cases are most likely related to an exposure from one positive case.” This one exposure caused the whole musical to shutdown, meaning they were unable to perform for the many viewers in line, who left disappointed. Chelsea Petterson was a fan waiting to see Aladdin when she was told it shut down, “We got here at 6:20.

The show was at 7:00. As soon as we got in line, they said the show is closed because of COVID-19.” She also stated that they were upset to have missed the showing, but when the show opened again on Thursday, they were able to watch it.

Understandably, the actors’ health is extremely important and must take high priority. According to Broadway this is a potential worrying experience as they look forward. This will greatly affect the precautions they take so that a situation like this can be avoided in the future. The Broadway producers are worried that this is just the beginning of shutdowns because of COVID-19. Several other shows have begun to reopen, including fan favorites like Wicked, Hamilton, and The Lion King. For now, these shows remain open and are bringing in the revenue Broadway needs, but the rising fear of more shows being cancelled is concerning for producers, actors, and fans. These Broadway shows are conscious of the decisions they make in regards to COVID-19. If they have even just one exposure, they must shut down like Aladdin did, which is one of their worst nightmares. Aladdin has raised concerns about whether Broadway will be able to stay alive during a time when the future is full of uncertainty.

Sports

October 22, 2021

21

The Merionite

Let’s go Aces!

Elijah Bloch ’22

Photo Courtesy of The Enchiridion

The Aces fans showed out at the White-out game, propelling LM football to a victory over Harriton.

“Let’s go Aces!” is a phrase the LM Football team has been hearing shouted at them from the roaring Dawg Pound each and every game this season. The Aces have developed a team with a 3-6 record thus far; however, their winning percentage is not indicative of the booming start that this team has come out to, especially on the offensive end. Led by emphatic dual-threat quarterback, Jack Lledo ’22, the

Aces have put up 47, 48, and 49 points in their three wins this season. Lledo has accumulated over 1,100 passing yards in seven games, rushed for over 400 yards, and has twenty total touchdowns. However, this has been an effort led by many as the squad’s star-studded offense includes running back Jay Zheng ’22. Zheng has been averaging an impressive 6.2 yards per carry and 14.5 yards per reception.

He also has accumulated a near 500 yards from scrimmage, and 6 touchdowns.

Unfortunately, Zheng’s season was cut short due to injury, but that surely won’t stop the Aces from giving everything they have to continue their successful season.

When asked how school spirit has benefited the team this year, Lledo notes that, “the extra support this year from our student section has really brought out the best in our team. Everyone wants to make a big time play in front of the whole school and the home field advantage they provide is definitely appreciated by all of us.” This season, the attendance from students at football games has been unprecedented. The higher volume of spirit all began with a hard fought loss on September 3 at Haverford High School. Although the team lost, the turnout from Aces fans, especially students, was fantastic. The loud roars when the players scored a touchdown or made a defensive stop definitely granted the team a second gear, and maybe even more to play for. For an athlete, there is nothing better than putting on a show in front of your crowd. The Aces experienced this in the game following Haverford, where the team faced off against one of LM’s biggest rivals, the Harriton Rams. With perhaps the largest turnout of the season, LM dominated the Rams, pulling off a stunning 47-6 victory on Arnold Field. It wasn’t just the team that was successful, as you could hear the roars of the mighty Dawg Pound from a mile away. The chants from the crowd electrified the Aces who could not stop playing their hearts out for the home crowd. Hopefully, the amazing attendance continues and the squad can continue having a great year on the field.

Phlying phenoms Krzysztof Jarocha ’22 After an intense summer of training, the LM boys cross country team lined up on that Friday afternoon. Khan broke the LM sophomore record with a blazing on the start line in September, ready to race. The Aces opened up the season on time of 15:37 to earn twelfth place Meanwhile, Bullard trailed close behind for September 14 against the top teams in the Central League, including Haverford, thirteenth place. Gannon and Litvin also finished strong, running in the low sixranked number eight in the state comteens and setting personal bests. ing into the season. With blistering heat The rest of the varsity seven, inand a hilly course, fast times were not cluding Jacob Krimsky ’22, Alex expected. However, Sarem Khan ’24 Goonewardene ’24, and Krzysztof and Simon Schmeider ’22 both manJarocha ’22, surged home as a pack aged to break 17:00 on the course. in the seventeens. Despite being Khan took his first high school victoa man down, the boys took home ry while other runners, such as Alex another third place as a team, losBullard ’22, Drew Gannon ’23, and ing only to Pennsylvania’s number David Litvin ’22, were not far bethree, Hempfield, and Maryland’s hind. Overall, the team placed five top ranked Loyola-Blakefield High runners in the top ten and comfortSchool. After edging out Downingably came out with the team victory. town East by just one point in this The Aces stepped it up a notch in race, the Aces became the numtheir first major race of the season. ber one ranked team in the disThe PIAA Foundations Invitational trict and number four in the state. is a critical early season event, where The team then set its sights top teams from across the state come on the Central League Champito test their legs on the state chamonships on Saturday, October 16, pionship course. On a muddy day, where they finished in first place the seven varsity runners started off in the meet. Now, their district controlled, racing through the halfrivals, Downingtown East’s CouPhoto Courtesy of The Enchiridion way mark in eighth place as a team. gars, await them at the District As the finish line drew closer, the The varsity squad poses with the trophy after their third place finish at One Championships on October 29, Aces picked up the pace, placing their the Paul Short Invitational. where the two titans will clash in top five runners in the top fifty. Lita battle of inches in order to win vin led the charge while Bullard followed close behind. When the dust settled the title. This will also be the Aces’ last chance to set some personal records on and all was done, the team came out third on the podium, losing only to top a fast course before returning to the hilly state course the following Saturday. ranked teams, North Allegheny and Downingtown East. This impressive perOn November 6 the team will hear the gun go off one last time as they conformance catapulted the team up the rankings all the way to fifth in the state. test the perennial North Allegheny and La Salle College High School for the The Aces had little time to rest as they prepared for the Paul Short coveted state championship. A podium finish is certainly achievable for Invitational the following weekend. The varsity seven came into the race miss- the LM squad, which would improve on their previous seventh place pering Schmieder but set their sights high nonetheless. The Paul Short course is formance from the meet two years ago. The team looks forward to challengrenowned as one of the fastest in the country, and times did not disappoint ing for the state title in a race where every second can make a difference.

22

October 22, 2021

Sports The Merionite

Arnold light-years away Gideon Wolf ’24 Last year, spectators at sports games were one of the last things on everybody’s mind. However, with the fall sports season in full swing and fans being allowed back into the stands, a familiar debate is reappearing: the lights on Arnold Field. These lights would not only allow LMSD to implement the later start times, but would also have a huge impact on the LM athletic program. With the installation of lights, LM will have the ability to host night games and have later practices. These night games could provide a big boost in school spirit, especially after a year in which spectators were discouraged from attending games. However, the installation of lights on Arnold Field is not as popular in the surrounding area.

Currently, it’s impossible to drive near the school for very long without seeing signs opposing the lights. Covering

the lawns and sidewalks in the neighborhoods surrounding LM, the signs make it abundantly clear that many residents are not in favor of installing lights on Arnold Field. They fear that night games will lead to crowds of loud students strolling through their streets in the dark. In a testimony to the zoning board, attorney Phil Rosenzweig, representing the Wynnewood Civic Association, claimed that building light towers by the turf would “obliterate the quality of life for all homes that back onto Arnold Field.” Other detractors of the construction worry about light pollution or even claim that the money would be better spent in other areas.

Regardless of the complaints, many people are still in favor of the proposed lighting. An online petition in favor of constructing lights on Arnold Field has garnered over 600 signatures, most

Photo by Michelle Kelly ’23/Staff of which are from LM students. Most of these people believe that hosting the occasional rivalry or playoff game would go a long way in increasing school spirit and a sense of community amongst students. The lights would also allow more flexibility in scheduling games and practices.

As the LM football, field hockey, and soccer teams enter the most crucial stretches of their seasons, the sun begins setting earlier each day. Ben Cromer ’24, a member of the boys’ soccer team, believes that being able to practice on the turf without racing the sun would “allow us to get better prepared for stronger opponents and playoffs.”

Photo by Michelle Kelly ’23/Staff

Despite these positives, the proposal to construct lights on Arnold Field recently suffered a major setback. On September 16, LMSD announced that “the township’s Zoning Hearing Board overruled the sound determinations of its own Zoning Officer with regard to the district’s proposed installation of athletic field lighting at Lower Merion High School’s Arnold Field.” With the pressing issue of implementing later start times and the myriad of benefits they would provide to the athletic programs, it is still very possible that lights will eventually be built. Until then, those hoping to attend an adrenalating night game at Arnold Field will just have to wait.

Bring back the athletes!

Sarah France ’24 During the fall of 2020, LM sports teams faced a new kind of challenge.

Although the athletes were thankful to still have a season, COVID-19 restrictions greatly impacted the season’s length, quality, and overall feel. Many LM teams were not allowed to compete against teams outside of the Central League, cancelling all aspirations of earning a district title. The addition of masks, travel restrictions, and lack of spirit really put a toll on LM’s fall athletes last year.

This year, aspects of LM’s normal athletics have returned. The LM football team head coach Joseph Augustine responds, “Yes, we have returned to full normalcy. We are able to practice and compete this year without having to wear masks or face shields while playing.” Augustine’s words relate to every outdoor fall sport. Athletes now have the freedom to decide whether they are comfortable wearing a mask while being outdoors or not. Being able to run freely without the restriction of a mask changes the game for many players.

LM boys’ varsity soccer coach, Nicholas Severini, agrees that “There really aren’t too many differences [this season], when compared to 2019 and other seasons prior to COVID-19.” On Saturday October 9, dozens of LM students filled Harriton’s stands to support the varsity soccer team at the long-awaited rescheduled game against Harriton. A crowd of pink Aces cheered as they watched the boys tie 1-1. The spirit and support from the students was missed last year, but it has certainly returned for the 2021 fall season. A similar sight was seen when the football team faced Harriton

in their white-0ut game to honor those lost on 9/11. Being able to watch and cheer on our Aces has really reinstated a sense of normalcy this fall.

Last year, COVID-19 also impacted the amount of players trying out for each sports team. During quarantine, many student athletes had to make the difficult decision to opt out of fall sports for health and safety concerns. With more students getting vaccinated, many athletes made their return to the fields this August to give it their all at tryouts. Severini states, “We had a lot more players try out this year. We had over eighty players, and I think this is due to many different factors.” Augustine relays a similar dynamic as he states, “Now that school has started, we are still getting more and more players coming out even as our season is going on.”

It’s safe to say that this fall season has brought back what high school sports are supposed to be about - fun! Athletes no longer have to feel oxygendeprived while sprinting in a mask and students now feel safer trying out for their chosen sport. Not only has the 2021 fall season felt more normal for the athletes, but the student body is reverting back to their old traditions of going to football games and cheering on the Aces! As the season continues, LM hopes to continue its path to normalcy as teams pursue district titles and compete at the state level, something that wasn’t permitted the season prior. Although school might not feel completely normal yet, our student athletes are flourishing in what appears to be an almost normal season.

Photo by Michelle Kelly ’23/Staff Mask-free LM students showed out for the varsity boys’ soccer game vs. Harriton, sporting pink for breast cancer awareness.

Photo courtesy of The Enchiridion LM boys’ cross country competes at a race without masks.

Sports

October 22, 2021

23

The Merionite

Hockey hype Juliano Lucca ’23 The LM boys’ ice hockey team is looking forward to the start of another exciting year. Since COVID-19 shortened last year’s season, they are looking forward to a full season. The Aces have missed their games, events, and practices that haven’t occurred since 2019.

Team evaluations took place two weeks ago, initiating workouts at the school gym, team meetings, and other

team events. The current group of skilled players is optimistic about the upcoming season and building a strong foundation for years to come. For the first time ever, the best players from LM and Harriton combined to form a JV team. The new roster has 25 players from LM, the largest group in years.

One of the top players is Connor Dillon ’23 whose work ethic is unmatched. He can play both forward and defense and has emerged as an important leader of the team. He is the second Dillon to play for the Aces, following his brother, Schuyler Dillon ’20, who led the team in points for several years. The starting goalie for the team, Juliano Lucca ’23, is looking to improve his game. Last season was Lucca’s first as the starter, taking over for the former senior Ben Williams. Lucca improved from his freshman year, showing growth in all aspects of his game. Another player, Andrew McCann ’23, can shut down opponents with great defensive plays. McCann showed he was the same solid defenseman he was as a freshman after bouncing back from an injury. He also looks to have another solid season ahead.

While the schedule is still being finalized, the season will most likely begin with preseason games in

Photos by Anika Xi ’23/Staff

October and the regular season starting on November 1. Some of the teams they will play include Harriton, Marple Newtown, and Sun Valley. Harriton looks to be one of their biggest rivals this season due to LM’s loss to them on senior night last winter. This year, the Aces play them twice, looking to seek revenge for the disappointment of last year’s defeat.

Both JV and varsity home games are played at the Skatium in Havertown. It’s always great to see fans at games. Nothing is better than the beloved Dawg Pound.

Rise of the guys

David Miller ’24

Photo courtesy of The Enchiridion

The boys’ JV soccer team is halfway through their season and currently undefeated. Having scored an astonishing seventy goals in just nine games, the Aces have coupled their goal scoring prowess with an impressive defensive record. In those nine games, the Aces have let in zero goals. It is an outstanding accomplishment for the team that has been working hard since the season began in August. The Aces biggest win came in a 13-0 shutout against Pottsgrove. They will have to put that success behind them, however, as the season only gets harder from here on out. The Aces still have to play Conestoga, Radnor, Haverford, and Harriton. These games will not come without a challenge, as all teams have given the Aces a major headache on the field in the past.

The Ace’s success throughout the first half of their season has been nothing short of remarkable and they look to continue that success for the rest of the fall.

Photo by Anika Xi ’23/Staff

Photo by Anika Xi ’23/Staff

Unattributed photos courtesy of The Enchiridion Photo by Michelle Kelly ’23/Staff

Main Line Athletes of the Week

Congratulations to the LM athletes who earned this award that recognizes them for their exceptional athletic achievement

Reid Joseph ’22

Reid Joseph ’22 is a striker and captain for the LM boys’ varsity soccer team. He has had a very successful season, scoring over ten goals to help the Aces go undefeated for their first nine games. Last year, as a midfielder, Joseph was a second team All-Main Line boys’ soccer selection.

In his interview, he mentioned how crucial his teammates are at LM, supporting each other and always playing smart. Joseph strives to be the hardest working player on the field at all times, a quality he developed at a young age.

He was honored as Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week on September 27.

Laila Newborn ’22 is a middle hitter/middle blocker on the LM girls’ varsity volleyball team. Her success is undeniable as she holds LM records for most blocks in a season and in a game, and has one of the top hitting percentages on the team. Last fall, she was a second team All-Main Line selection, and was both second team All-Central League and All-District 1 honorable mention as a sophomore.

Newborn cites her passion for team success and aggressiveness on the court as her most valuable qualities. She loves the intensity and the loud cheering.

She received this honor on September 20 after a nomination by her coach.

Laila Newborn ’22

Photos and information courtesy of The Main Line Times

24

Sports

October 22, 2021

The Merionite

Transportation troubles Michelle Kelly ’23 Sports Editor

This school year, the workforce is drastically lacking crucial contributors. Along with shortages in the restaurant industry, manufacturing, and retail, transportation is suffering greatly to meet the demands of reliant users. In LMSD, students in kindergarten through 12th grade rely on school buses to travel to and from school every day.

The district also outsources buses and drivers to other schools in the area. Thus, the LMSD transportation system reaches over 9,000 students daily, according to the LMSD website, impacting thousands of families with each decision made. Unfortunately, the recent shortage of transportation has proven very difficult . to maneuver, especially given that it is not limited to LMSD. In middle and high school, buses are also used to transport student-athletes to games and off-campus practices. However, the district’s fleet and chartered buses are facing driver shortages and having trouble meeting the typical needs of all sports teams. Parents, students, and faculty members have received messages from administrators asking to help recruit bus drivers. In an email from LM Activities and Athletics Director Jason Stroup on September 15, he informed parents and guardians of fall sports athletes that “there is a nationwide shortage of school bus drivers,” and asked those who “know of anyone who might be interested in becoming an LMSD bus driver” to submit an application with the district. This is not a normal request, seeing as there is an entire division of administration that handles transportation. Part of their job is to recruit the bus drivers necessary to keep the system running. However, the

widespread scarcity 0f bus drivers issue has echoed throughout the district in ways that we’ve never experienced before.

For sports teams that take buses to games and practices, district transportation is a crucial part of their season. This year, it was not always guaranteed that buses would run as usual. In the previously mentioned email, Stroup wrote, “We may choose to dismiss high school student athletes early (around 1-1:30 p.m.), so that LMSD bus drivers can take the athletes to their away games, and then return to the District to make their regular afternoon runs.” Although these instances were rare, it was concerning for some students who would then have to make up missed schoolwork for even more classes than are normally missed for sports. Thankfully, the district has been strategic in its plans, which have allowed most bus runs to occur as normal. According to a wide array of students and coaches across a range of fall sports at LM, most have been minimally to not affected by the bus shortage. Stroup said, “Our transportation department has been working very hard to make sure that we’re able to get buses, so kids aren’t leaving too early from school.” He also mentioned the work of transportation dispatcher Dolores “Dee” Venafra, who has worked in the district for over 25 years. Venafra is mainly responsible for sports transportation for both LMSD high schools, and, in Stroup’s words, “is fantastic, going above and beyond for all of our sports teams to make sure we have trips.” Thanks to Venafra and other staff members across the district, LMSD has been able to overcome this nationwide challenge.

Graphic by Emmi Wu ’23/Staff

Featured Athlete: Sydney Yermish

Photo courtesy of American Junior Golf Association

LM junior Sydney Yermish, already an accomplished golfer, recently won the PIAA District One Golf Championships, a title she won in ninth grade as well, and is heading to States this week. However Yermish’s success on the greens is not her greatest accomplishment. Yermish, a volunteer first responder with the Penn Wynne-Overbrook Hills Fire Deparment, launched her charity, “Birdies for the Fallen,” using her golf matches to raise money and awareness for The National Fallen Firefighter Foundation (NFFF). The foundation develops programs to honor fallen firefighters and assist their families, something that holds great meaning to Yermish, as she has firsthand experience dealing with the loss of a fellow firefighter. Yermish has also recently committed to the University of Michigan for Division I women’s golf. The LM community is proud of Yermish’s professional and personal successes and wishes her luck in her bright future!

Photos courtesy of respective athletes

Freshman Marcello Froio

Sophomore Andrew Cook

Junior Avery Bickell

Senior Laila Newborn

What sport(s) do you play?

Soccer What is your greatest athletic achievement?

Starting on JV, helping my team go undefeated for 13 games What are you most looking forward to this season?

Keep contributing goals and assists to the team What’s your favorite hype song to workout/party/dance to?

Time Flies - Drake

What sport(s) do you play?

Football, basketball, and track What is your greatest athletic achievement?

Starting on varsity football as a freshman What are you most looking forward to this season?

Beating Radnor What’s your favorite hype song to workout/party/dance to?

Dreams and Nightmares - Meek Mill

What sport(s) do you play?

Field Hockey and Lacrosse What is your greatest athletic achievement?

Commiting to University of Maryland, go Terps!!

What are you most looking forward to this season?

I’m so excited to play with such a great group of girls!

If you could trevel anywhere, where would you go?

Santorini, Greece

What sport(s) do you play?

Volleyball What is your greatest athletic achievement?

Main Line Athlete of the Week What are you most looking forward to this season?

Districts and States!

If you could trevel anywhere, where would you go?

Dubai What’s your favorite hype song?

Shake It Up - Trippie Redd