thegates@ndapa.org
Volume LV
Issue No. 1
Fall 2020
Welcome Back, ND! (Coronavirus Edition) Avery Thomas ’21 Whether you are starting sixth grade or your senior year of high school, this year’s circumstances are not what anyone expected. Starting my senior year during a global pandemic was not something I imagined would ever occur. Fortunately, Notre Dame found a way for all students, faculty, and staff to come back to campus safely, and that August announcement led to much excitement throughout the student body that our beloved school doors would be open once again for classes. Since the last time the ND community was last on campus in March, many necessary school protocols have been put into place. Some examples of these protocols are mask usage, consistent sanitation, daily health checks, social distancing arrangements, and new hallway signage that limit the amount of students entering and exiting doors throughout the school. All of these new safety and wellness procedures have been working well, thanks to everyone’s cooperation. Entering the gates every day is something special that won’t last forever, a point discussed throughout the senior class.
When seniors are asked about their feelings toward coming back to campus, responses tend to be very positive and include praise for ND’s efforts to foster a safe educational environment. Katherine Lanzalotto ’21 had this to say about her feelings on the fall semester: “I feel really happy to return to campus and it’s great to see my friends again. I felt like I did not learn as much online during the last months of last academic year. I am grateful to see my peers and teachers again.” News of the return made many students even more grateful for Notre Dame, considering so many schools in the area are doing virtual learning. Still, seniors are concerned about the possibility of cherished traditions being canceled this year, along with the overall lack of a social life because of Covid fears. (Continued on p. 2)
Clockwise from top left: seniors Avery Thomas and Kat Lanzalotto; Hannah Jackson (’21); Ella Glennon (’21) and Dr. Willis; vending options by the Gym.
A New Fall Essential: Masks Jaiden Kennedy, ’21
Fall is finally here, and while it is time to bring out your sweaters and scarves, there’s one more accessory we can’t forget: your mask. Now that they are a part of our daily routine, we might as well make the most of it! Whether it be a crazy pattern, a sleek design, or the classic blue surgical, what masks are ND students rocking this fall? It’s important to note that while it is fun to pick out a cool mask, we have to ensure that the mask we choose is efficient. The surgical masks do a great job keeping droplets from spreading; just be sure to throw them away after each use! Any cotton mask is also safe, but it’s best to wear one with at least two layers of fabric. Hold your cotton masks up to the light: the fewer little holes you can see, the better. If you wear a cotton face mask, make sure you are washing it after each use. Having a few different masks that you can rotate through will make this super easy. And of course, make sure your mask is always above your nose!
It’s Pacific Time: Dr. Willis Joins ND Ella Glennon, ’21
Alongside the many new changes and policies the Notre Dame community has enacted in this unusual era, several new faculty members have joined our campus community for the 2020-2021 academic school year. Among the new faculty and administrators, we proudly welcomed Dr. Liz Willis, ND’s Associate Head of School, this fall. In September, I had the opportunity to chat with Dr. Willis about her life experiences prior to joining the Notre Dame community. We discussed (Continued on p. 2)
Welcome Back (Continued from p.1)
Shannon Clark, ’21, has noticed real changes to the social scene: “Student life is still thriving; it just looks a little different this year. Lunch is probably the weirdest part. At lunch, you can sometimes see your friends, but it is weather and teacher permitting. The tents outside are a feature enjoyed by many students and faculty during the day.” [The tents ND added to permit outdoor dining have been removed, as of November 1.] “Also,” Shannon continues, “most common areas on campus no longer exist, which is out of ND's hands as it would not be safe to allow students to gather in groups there. I personally miss the lounge, as it is my favorite spot on campus. I just wish I could see my friends more often during the day, especially as it is our last year all together. I hope I get to fulfill so many of the things I have been looking forward to for the past 6 years.” Lastly, seniors were asked about their expectations for the school year moving forward. A few seniors expressed their desire for normalcy and their hopes that fun school events will be able to occur throughout the spring as it is something that everyone looks forward to. As we continue to face Covid-19 related challenges as a school community, it is important that we continue to follow school protocols that keep us safe and keep us on our beautiful Notre Dame campus!
Dr. Willis (Continued from p. 1)
Dr. Willis’s life, education, and the many influential factors that led her to join the Notre Dame community. Dr. Willis was born and raised in Southern California, as was her husband. She grew up in South Pasadena, and she attended a very small, sweet public high school. She describes the town she grew up in as very similar to downtown Wayne. She attended Loyola Marymount University, a Jesuit University just north of the LA Airport. Here, she double majored in Biology and History. She was a very involved student, participating in a service organization, a sorority, athletics, and even working as student manager of the campus gym. Overall, Dr. Willis had a very special, diverse college experience. When she was just 21 years old, Dr. Willis received her first teaching position as a teacher at the Holy Family School. After working at the Holy Family School, Dr. Willis obtained a full time job at an independent Catholic school in Pasadena called Mayfield Jr. School of the Holy Child Jesus. Although Dr. Willis enjoyed her time teaching at this school, she knew she was not finished educationally and professionally. She decided to get her Ph.D. in History at the University of Southern California. Here, she also had the opportunity to teach undergraduate students. After her experiences teaching at various schools, Dr. Willis was ready to take on a higher position, but senior administrative opportunities were limited in her area. Dr. Willis and her family faced the reality that moving out of state, or even out of the country, could be the best option for her career. She had a pivotal moment while attending a conference in Atlanta, Ga., a couple of summers ago: Every person she met at the conference had lived in multiple states before, and this realization sparked the conversation to move and conduct a national search for a new job, landing her at Notre Dame. One of the advocates looking out for Dr. Willis called her directly about the opportunity here at Notre Dame. Dr. Willis says Notre Dame seemed, “very attractive. I wanted to work with an all girls’ school. I wanted to work in a faith-based community. There are certain parts of the country where we felt like we could make our home there, and Eastern Pennsylvania was one of those regions. Notre Dame was on my short list.”
Although Dr. Willis’s previous work experiences are fairly different from hers at Notre Dame, she explains that she is adjusting well to the Notre Dame community. What does Dr. Willis like best about our school? “I like the people. The faculty are incredibly devoted to their students and their craft, to their practice of teaching. I think that everyone feels very responsible for delivering an excellent education.” Dr. Willis also explains that in this moment, at the peak of the 2020 pandemic, “I know the people that love this place, love what they do here, and they love the girls, and the girls love each other. That is still very very potent; it is almost tangible. You can feel it. The heart of Notre Dame is still there, even in the time of Covid.”
The Annual Mother-Daughter… Masque? Hannah Jackson, ’21 On September 18th, 2020, the faculty, staff, and seniors of Notre Dame gathered in the Aimee Willard Gym to celebrate mass before heading off to the annual Mother-Daughter Picnic. The picnic is a cherished tradition that all students look forward to, and is an excellent way of kickstarting the new school year. Starting with mass, our sixth and ninth graders usually receive their sunflower pins and St. Julie necklaces, and everyone goes off to eat lunch with their moms. As expected, this year looked a little different. Masks were worn, liturgical music was absent, and the Blue sisters were the only ones on the dance floor. One of the biggest changes was the inability to do the senior jump in the pool with our uniforms on. Given the times, it was understandable that this would be an unsafe tradition to honor, but the loss was still a bit saddening. Nonetheless, spirits were high with the addition of food trucks and the overall excitement of seeing everyone back at our favorite place. Despite these changes, we all appreciate the efforts our administration took to give us some version of normalcy. We are fortunate to be one of the only schools going back full time, and we owe it to the compassion of our administrators and the responsibility of our students. If we maintain this, Notre Dame can look forward to more of our beloved traditions. Top: Isabel Oliver and Mary Livingood (both ’21) live it up on the Mansion patio. Middle: Ella Glennon and Hanna Bodner (both ’21) strike a pose.
Denim Day at Notre Dame!
Kiera Chambers, ’21 On Friday, October 2, ND celebrated its annual Denim Day, a dress-down event to benefit breast cancer research and awareness. The day was filled with pink and denim--and even fun masks! Students were delighted to celebrate despite these trying times, and they decked themselves out from head to toe in pink and denim, some even rocking denim dresses, purses, and overalls. Overall, the day raised about $3,000. Have a look at some of the amazing outfits we saw this year! Seniors Grace Guerin and Meg Mackey (at right) wore matching pink gowns and denim jackets, while juniors Kelly McGinn and Phoebe Phillips (below right) rocked matching pink sweatsuits before AP Bio class. Junior Claire Chaplin (below) wowed her friends with her denim purse and matched denim on denim fit!
Streaming and Social Distancing: Quarantine Binge-Watching at ND
Sydney Worrell ’21 During the long quarantine period, the ND community as a whole spent plenty of time streaming and binge watching. To get the scoop on what shows were worth watching and which were a waste of time, The Gates conducted a schoolwide poll. The overwhelming favorite among students? Criminal Minds. Those who recommended the show say that it has “unique and exciting” storylines and a “great cast of funny characters.” Some shows that were also student favorites include Grey’s Anatomy, The Office, Gossip Girl, The Vampire Diaries, and New Girl. On the other hand, Glee and T iger King were ill-received; 7.1% of students listed Glee as the “least favorite show” they watched recently and 10.7% of students listed Tiger King . Two shows that received very mixed reviews were Outerbanks and All American. By contrast, teacher responses were much more scattered than those of the students. There wasn’t a series that was decidedly a favorite among the faculty; however, shows such as Schitt’s Creek, The Great British Baking Show, Little Fires
Everywhere, and The Boys were all mentioned positively. Similarly, a variety of shows were considered to be the least favorite, including Tiger King and “the Presidential debate,” as a few witty teachers responded. Hopefully, you’ll find your new favorite show among the recommendations of your teachers and classmates. Happy watching!
ND’s Diversity Club Finds Community in Quarantine
Kiera Chambers, ’21 It was July, and TVs were blaring with news of protests all over the country, as Academy of Notre Dame Diversity Club members prepared for yet another weekly meeting. Mrs. Rupertus, Mrs. Moffat, Mrs. Butler, Mrs. Burke, Ms. Tully, and Ms. Gallagher hopped on the Google Meet as students came flickering into the frame. Distinct conversations, troubling stories, and links to petitions filled the chat until the meeting came to a close. Nights like these left members of Notre Dame’s Diversity Club marveling at how fast an hour can fly by. After the tragic death of George Floyd in May and the social uproar that followed, Mrs. Rupertus, moderator of ND’s Diversity Club, reached out to its members to check in. What she didn’t realize at the time was that the community she’d be responsible for cultivating would grow in numbers and commitment all summer long. Junior Emma Oyakhire asked Mrs. Rupertus if the club could meet more frequently online, and Rupertus obliged. “People needed the support of classmates and teachers to know that there were other people in their community who cared about these topics,” she recalls. As the summer went on, the club met weekly and discussed topics such as racism in our country, at our school, and in our communities. Members also discussed petitions to sign, protests to attend (safely), and books to read. One night, the club watched Barry Jenkins’ If Beale Street Could Talk, a film documenting the flaws of the American justice system. A lively discussion among the members followed the screening. Whether it was reading excerpts from Peggy Mcintosh’s White Privilege (a really interesting read if you haven’t already!) or sharing experiences of racism that occur in our daily lives, activities at Diversity Club meetings were informative as well as foundational to its members’ understanding of racism and where it exists. (Continued on p. 5.)
Diversity Club members brace for a busy year!
ND to Mrs. Williams: “You’re right! We A re Family!”
Jade Bennett ’21 Notre Dame hired a few new faculty and administrators this fall, among them Mrs. Tina Williams, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. I had the privilege to sit down and get to know Mrs.Williams and talk to her about Notre Dame's future plans to make the school a more inclusive environment. Mrs. Williams came to Notre Dame after working at Lower Merion School District as a business education teacher for the past 27 years. While this is her first time holding a position here at Notre Dame, she has been a part of the community for a number of years as a parent to her daughter, Jordyn Williams, Class of ’22. Mrs. Williams’ love for teaching is evident, and she is excited to be making this new position her own here at Notre Dame. There is a kind of “open endedness” to the work she plans to do, though Mrs. Williams is quick to say her primary focus as the new director is to “make sure
Jade Bennett (’21) and Mrs. Williams enjoy some quiet time. every ND girl, regardless of what she looks like, is seen, heard and valued.” One of Mrs.Williams’ goals is to implement school-wide initiatives like talking about systemic racism, microaggressions and implicit biases. Her work as the new director of DEI is to educate students and make Notre Dame a welcoming community for all of our students. This past summer our country found itself in racial turmoil after the killings of multiple unarmed black people at the hands of police. These incidents sparked conversation and change in our country and our community here at Notre Dame. I asked Mrs. Williams how she believed Notre Dame has grown and learned from previous interactions involving race. She affirmed that there is always room to grow and reflect as a school and as individuals.“We have to reflect,” she cautions, “on what it is we want as a community.” Mrs. Williams talked about how she meets biweekly with DEI directors from other Main Line schools to discuss similar issues happening and come up with ways to help not only our school but the others as well. One thing they all have agreed on is working to “restore our broken relationships, whether this is a relationship between a teacher and a student, or student and a student.” She explains how having difficult conversations can help acknowledge past issues and restore our future relationships with each other. Toward those restorative efforts, Notre Dame plans to implement a DEI committee that will be a teacher-involved program. This committee will educate staff and be a resource for them to use and learn from, enabling (Continued on p. 5)
Diversity Club, Continued from p. 4.
Meet your 2020-2021 Five Main!
Mrs. Williams, Continued from p. 4.
At the end of last school year, junior Student Council representatives were invited to run for the five senior positions: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, or Athletics and Activities President. This was a challenging task due to virtual school, but hard work and dedication paid off; all of the candidates persevered and made the most of the traditional campaign videos and speeches. The election was a good reminder of our sisterhood and the spirit of ND. “Although the virtual election was not ideal, it allowed us to spend more time on the process and forced us to be more creative,” says Sophia Andrisani, current Vice President. The ND community and the country as a whole are still facing the current challenges from the virus, but student leaders all around the school have worked to keep ND the great place we all know and love. “I am so glad to have such hardworking and creative girls on the 5 Main with me and in our Student Council committees because together we have been able to come up with innovative ways to keep the traditions at ND alive while maintaining CDC guidelines. I’m so thankful for all of the wonderful teachers and faculty and my ND sisters for helping to make this year happen and for finding the good in such a difficult situation!” (Madelyn Schultz, AA President).
According to Emma Oyakhire, if there’s anything from Diversity Club that the whole school should know, it’s that, “Racism does exist, and it is not only a black issue; it’s an American issue and a Notre Dame issue.” Late to the discussion but still eager to participate? That’s great! Meetings have just begun for the fall and they are held weekly on Wednesdays at 4:30. If you’re interested in joining the Diversity Club Canvas Page, please email krupertus@ndapa.org.
Hannah Jackson, ’21
Below: Aidan Quintiliani (Treasurer), Madelyn Schultz (AA President), Hannah Jackson (Secretary), Sophia Andrisani (Vice President), Kiera Chambers (President). Bottom left: Diversity Club members Jade Bennett and Kiera Chambers.
teachers to teach what they have learned to students and be more prepared and educated for the hard conversations to come. ND was up for a much needed change and Mrs.Williams was the perfect step forward. Her office and personality are open with welcoming arms for all students here at Notre Dame. She is excited about the future and in the middle of planning some fun and inclusive events for our community, many of which she hopes will take place this spring. While there is still so much going on in the world and on campus, Mrs.Williams is a great outlet for any concerns or feelings you may have. She is dedicated to making Notre Dame a safe, inspiring environment for every student.
Your Summer Soundtrack Sadie Mordan, ’23 In a recently conducted, schoolwide poll regarding the basis of music over the summer, 34.7% of students said their favorite song to be released over quarantine was “Heather” by Conan Gray. The acclaimed release’s popularity may be directly correlated with its boost of publicity via TikTok--a social media platform which has the ability to single-handedly change the dynamic of music through over 800 million of its users. In regards to specific genres, the graph below displays the percentages when students where asked which group of music they spent the majority of their time listening to throughout quarantine.
The majority of the students polled listened to pop, however, indie/alternative music trailed close behind, ironic to its label.
As far as streaming platforms are concerned, Spotify dominated the listener’s pool over summer. Spotify in comparison to Apple has a version of their app where you can access music without paying a monthly subscription; Apple does not. The appeal of free music with a small price to pay in the form of occasional ads is appealing, and factors into why a majority of listeners utilize Spotify. However, if people prefer an exclusive streaming experience, the monthly fee for Spotify Premium is five dollars more than Apple Music, as is YouTube Music’s subscription.
When it came time for artist recommendations, 25% of those polled did not hesitate to suggest Harry Styles. With his most recent album, “Fine Line,” released in the late months of 2019, his second track became a popular radio tune over the summer, and didn’t peak at the top of the charts until mid-August 2020 (Billboard). Styles’ previous work with the former boyband One Direction was prominent in the polls as well, with 15% of the students surveyed reminiscing about the hits of the 2010s.
Musical Rehab: How Quarantine has Influenced the Music Industry Sadie Mordan, ’23 Mandatory self-isolation has musicians doing things they never thought they would, like performing emotional songs they pledged they would never be able to sing, or scrambling to reschedule a career-defining world tour. Quarantine has been nothing short of an emotional roller coaster, forcing many artists to start from square one with events planned months (if not years) in advance, and cleanse their musical palettes in order to become creative while complying with COVID-19 guidelines. Nonetheless, the industry did what it does best-thrive in uncertainty--and as a result of the long days and canceled plans, some incredible collaborations have emerged. A popular trend many celebrities participated in as the virus began circling the globe was socially-distanced singalongs. Notable hosts such as Lady Gaga, Disney, and Garth Brooks alongside his wife, Trisha Yearwood, led the pack in the efforts to raise money for various organizations. Each event was filled with a star-studded lineup that pleased all ages. For instance, One World Together at Home featured: Paul McCartney, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish, Elton John, Lizzo, Kacey Musgraves, and Stevie Wonder, to name a few. Taken together, the three listed programs (One World Together at Home, The Disney Family Singalong, and Garth Brooks’ FaceBook live concerts) allowed artists to cultivate a set list impressive enough to raise a total of $127.9 million. The music industry tends to find loop holes for just about anything. Artists and agencies are willing to go a distance to
entertain if it means a roaring crowd and booming atmosphere. Therefore, when the idea of drive-in concerts emerged, it was all the rage--especially when it came to country music. Rolling Stone Country’ s editor, Jon Freeman, interviewed Keith Urban, the first of many to perform a relatively simple, but meaningful show in compliance with CDC Guidelines. The return of drive-in movies was on the rise in quarantine as well, which made it easy to slide a stage in front of a movie screen and boom- you have a concert venue! As for the acoustics of the event, this particular drive-in Urban used--the Stardust Drive-In in Tennessee--was small enough to accommodate a clear, hearty sound so guests wouldn’t have to tune in through a radio station as an alternative (Freeman, 2020). It wouldn’t do the music industry justice in terms of its flourishing over the past months if its chart-topping works were not mentioned. Isolation had artists doing some self re-discovering, and what better way is there to express repressed emotion than through lyrical genius or a catchy beat? A huge surprise that shook the globe on July 23rd, was the announcement that Taylor Swift was dropping an entire album at midnight the following day. She took to Instagram, captioning her picture, “Most of the things I had planned this summer didn’t end up happening, but there is something I hadn’t planned on that DID happen. And that thing is my 8th studio album, folklore. Surprise….” Swift’s work is arguably the most successful release of quarantine by being, “The fastest album of 2020 to sell 1 million units in the U.S.” according to Bryan Rolli of Forbes. In addition, indie bands were on the rise and a multitude of catchy songs shared the spotlight due to exposure from the popular app, TikTok. However, notable debuts include: After Hours b y The Weeknd, and POPSTAR by DJ Khaled ft. Drake, as well as the spike in popularity of the HBO s how Euphoria’s original score by Labrinth.
The Rocky! Read All About It Ella Canavan, ’21 First published in August of 2020, The Rocky is a newspaper that involves students from the Greater Philadelphia Area. Originally started by Maddie Gamburg (21’) of Germantown Academy, the paper is completely student-run and has writers and editors from various schools in the surrounding area. Schools represented in the paper, by writers or editors, include
The Agnes Irwin School, William Penn Charter School, The Baldwin School, and many more! The paper focuses on local news, such as what is going on in our schools and our city, but also national and global news, like the upcoming presidential election. The goal of the paper is to report as accurate and unbiased news as possible, and create a place where students can read reliable information about their area. Specific sections in the paper include sports, arts and entertainment, opinion pieces, and much more! The name of the paper, The Rocky, is a tribute to Philadelphia’s own fictional boxing star, Rocky Balboa. For the city, Rocky represents perseverance, something the paper wants to bring to their work as they connect with the surrounding community and work hard to bring accurate news to students. Not only does the paper share dependable information with the community, it is also a place where students can share their opinions and speak out about what is going on around them. Want to join the team of writers? Anybody interested in voicing their opinion, and making an impact by communicating real news to the students of the Greater Philadelphia Area can join the team. Joining our team of writers is simple, just log onto the website at therockyphilly.org, click on the “about us” tab, and then the “contact us” section. The website will ask for your name, email, phone, and a message. We also can be reached on Instagram @therockyphilly and by email at therockyphilly@gmail.com. Follow us on Instagram for updates on upcoming headlines and articles, and interactive stories ranging from polls to day in the life vlogs of our editors!
To SAT or not to SAT? That is the (new) Question
Meghan Gallary ’21 After the outbreak of the coronavirus this past March, hundreds of US colleges and universities have decided to become test-optional for students graduating high school in 2021, since countless SAT and ACT centers were forced to shut down. As the college application process rapidly approaches, high school seniors now have the rare opportunity to choose between sending or withholding their scores. It has long been argued that measuring students through standardized testing is unfair in many aspects, but especially when considering the unearned advantage granted to those who can afford hours of professional test prep. Numerous studies, such as a 2015 analysis from Inside Higher Ed, have shown there is an exponential correlation between final scores and yearly salary. The research found that “...in each of the three parts of the SAT (reading, writing and language and math), the lowest average scores were among students from families who make less than $20,000 in family income, while the highest averages were among students from families who make more than $200,000.” While some schools have announced the new test-optional policies will remain specific to the 2021 freshman, others have decided to phase out SATs and ACTs as an admissions requirement. Leaders of the University of California academic system (incorporating representatives from UC Berkeley, Los Angeles, San Diego, Davis, Irvine, Santa Barbra, Riverside, Santa Cruz, Merced and San Francisco) see a window to “allow the University to create a new test that better aligns with the content the University expects students to have mastered for college readiness.” Other big-name schools planning to extend their test-optional policies past the class of 2025 include Tufts, Haverford and Davidson. [For more on test policies at popular colleges, visit https://expertadmissions.com/test-optionalcolleges-in-response-to-covid-19-2020-2021/]
The Election Section
Sydney Worrell, ’21 As is well known by now, there is an election approaching on November 3. Former Vice President during the Democratic Obama administration, Joe Biden, is running against the Republican incumbent, President Donald Trump. To get informed about the stances of each candidate, see the figure on p. 9. Elections are the essence of the American democracy and the importance of voting cannot be understated. To learn more about how to vote and the significance of voting, The Gates spoke with Kat Lanzalotto, an ambassador for Rock the Vote, a nonprofit organization that “aims to raise election awareness, talk about voting issues, and register voters.” As an ambassador, Kat works to help family, friends, and other members of the community learn how they can vote and why it is important, especially in the current climate. Kat’s message to seniors who are eligible to vote this year is that “our politicians aren’t representing young people… but by voting in people that we trust in government we can live in a country where we have trust in our public officials.” According to census.gov, fewer than 53% of eligible voters ages 18 to 29 have voted since 1980, while the percentage of voters ages 45 and older has not dipped below 67%. The beliefs of the younger population are under-represented in government because young eligible voters are not exercising their right to vote. To ensure that your voice is heard, go to your local polling place from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on November 3.
UPDATE
Sydney Worrell, ’21 At press time (November 12, 2020).... The excitement and tension could be felt in the air as eager voters waited in line at the polling places on November 3. Because 2020 has been so full of surprises, Americans this year didn’t experience an election day, but rather an election week. Due to COVID precautions (including high absentee voting) and state specific ballot counting rules, certain states took longer to release their election results.
Glossary of Major Terms this Election --SW, ’21 World Health Organization According to the World Health Organization, they “direct and coordinate international health within the United Nations system.” Current restrictions on U.S.-Cuban relations According to the Council on Foreign Relations, there are “prohibitions on commerce with businesses owned by the Cuban military” and other trade restrictions. There are also significant travel bans to Cuba, including a ban on cultural exchanges and educational travel there. Affordable Care Act According to HeathCare.gov, the goal of the Affordable Care Act is to “make affordable health insurance available to more people.” According to the IRS, the ACA “contains comprehensive health insurance reforms and includes tax provisions that affect individuals,
Constantly on everyone’s minds during election week were Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Arizona, Florida, Texas, and Nevada. These battleground states not only were projected to be the determiners of the election, but they also were some of the last states to release their results. While Donald Trump was able to hold onto Texas and Florida, Biden/Harris ticket made gains in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Arizona; all three states were won by Trump in 2016. While Democrats were expecting Nevada’s 6 electorate votes to bring Biden from 264 to the finish line of 270, an unlikely state emerged to decide the election. Although Trump was leading in Pennsylvania for the majority of the race, the state’s sudden switch to blue sealed Joe Biden’s victory. This late shift can be credited to Pennsylvania’s unique rules about ballot counting this election. Unlike other states, the mail in ballots in Pennsylvania could not be counted until election day. Because significantly more Democrats voted through mail, the Republicans were projected to win before these votes were counted. The 2020 election proved to be both thrilling and progressive. The representation in government following the election is among the most inclusive it has ever been. To name a few: Yvette Harrell of New Mexico is the first Republican Native American in Congress, Democrat Sarah Mcbride of Delaware is the first transgender woman state senator, Democrat Cori Bush is Missouri’s first black congresswoman, Democrats Mondaire Jones and Ritchie Torres of New York are the first openly gay black men elected to Congress, Democrat Marilyn Strickland of Washigton is the first Korean American in Congress, and Democrat Mauree Turner is the first non-binary state legislator and Oklahoma’s first Muslim lawmaker. Of course, Kamala Harris as the Vice President-elect also satisfies some “firsts”; she is the first female VP, the first black VP, the first Asian/Indian-American VP, and the first child of immigrants to be VP. Not to mention, her husband Doug Emhoff is the first second gentleman and the first Jewish spouse of a Vice President. We will probably discover even more firsts before too long, since we are certain to see much more of Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and Presidentelect Joseph Biden during these next four years. families, businesses, insurers, tax-exempt organizations and government entities.” “Zero tolerance” policy on immigration According to a government report (discussed in an article by Ron Nixon for The New York Times), the “zero tolerance” policy on immigration calls for the criminal prosecution of anyone who illegally crosses the border into America. This policy has resulted in the separation of “thousands of children from their families.” Paris agreement According to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Paris agreement aims to “strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change by keeping a global temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.” The agreement also aims to improve each of the participating countries’ ability to handle the impact of climate change.
S P O R T S
The Benefit of the Bubble: The Return of Professional Sports Molly Hughes ’22 Earlier this year, one of the largest sources of American entertainment was put on hold: professional sports. As months of the COVID-19 pandemic passed, each professional league created its own return-to-play protocol. Major League Baseball was the first to resume the season, but it was also the league that saw the most positive coronavirus tests for players and staff. The NBA and NHL were next, each creating “bubbles” for the players to live in while finishing their seasons. The NFL took a similar approach to the MLB, as players and staff are still traveling for games, with some stadiums even allowing a limited number of fans to enter. But which league did the best job controlling the number of cases? MLB had the most cases of coronavirus, with over 100 players and staff testing positive by mid-August. The league also had fewer “restrictions” than the NBA and NHL, but more restrictions than the NFL regarding fan attendance. MLB players are required to complete two temperature checks and a symptom questionnaire before leaving the house or hotel to go to the field. At the field, they are required to repeat the temperature checks. The players should wear masks at all times except when they are on the field or in the dugout, and no spitting, chewing tobacco, or sunflower seeds are allowed. Even though these protocols seem like they would work, it is evident that either the players did not follow them correctly or they did not work as well as expected. The NBA created a “bubble” at ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Fla. A few select teams were allowed to enter the facility, and the players and staff were tested for coronavirus and quarantined in their hotel rooms for 48 hours upon arrival. The NBA had only two positive cases inside the bubble as of July 29, 2020, and they had some players break the rules who were required to quarantine for at least ten days. Because life might get boring in the bubble, the athletes had access to players-only lounges with TVs and games and team-organized outings like bowling and golf. The NBA was able to create a relatively safe environment that still incorporated fun activities for the players. The NHL took the same bubble approach as the NBA and had select teams split between two hotel locations in Canada. The players and staff were tested every other day, and the league managed to keep the case count at zero. The NHL also had athlete lounges in the hotel for the players to relax and unwind. The NFL did not postpone the season at all, because they were not in-season in the early months of the pandemic. They started their pre-season training on the usual schedule and took a similar approach to the MLB by allowing the players and staff to travel between cities and fining anyone who breaks protocol. Some teams, like the Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars, will host a limited number of fans in the stadium, while others will have none. The NFL has had at least 84 players and staff members test positive for the coronavirus as of Oct. 10, 2020, and a few games have been postponed due to team-specific outbreaks.
The resumption of professional sports has been a way for people to destress in a time of high stress, and clearly the “bubble” method worked best to keep the athletes and staff members safe. The NHL did the best job mitigating the case numbers, and it’s a miracle that they finished the season with such a low number of cases, compared to the totals in other leagues. The Mordan sisters--Kendyl (’25), Sadie (’23), and Amelia (’22) --attended the first Eagles game that permitted fans in the stands.
HS Athletes Adjust to the Dead Period Madison Frank, ’22 COVID-19 has caused everyone to change their way of life, and college recruiting has also had to adjust to the current atmosphere. When COVID cases began to rise in March, the NCAA put a “dead period” in place, meaning no college coach could meet a player in person, host a camp or clinic, or attend a game or tournament of a recruit. The dead period is in place until April 15, 2021, meaning by April all in-person recruiting will have been put on hold for over a year. College recruiting is a complicated, stressful, and multistep process under normal circumstances, and even more so during a dead period. The dead period has delayed colleges’ recruiting timelines, making it difficult for players to be seen by a coach. Says junior lacrosse player Molly Hughes, “The dead period has lengthened my recruiting timeline by a lot because I haven’t been able to attend camps and prospect days, and coaches haven’t been able to come see me play at tournaments. A lot of the schools I’m interested in are slowing down their recruiting process.” The dead period not only affects the timeline for when an athlete will receive an offer to a school, but also the school an athlete may choose. Molly Hughes worries, “I might not be able to visit all of the schools or meet the coaches in person, so I might miss out on a school that I would have really liked.” Junior field hockey player Julia Hneleski does not believe the dead period will affect the school she chooses, because she was able to figure out her top choices prior to the dead period. She does however, feel the mental strain of college recruitment right now: “The extended dead period,” she says, “has made me more irritable, probably because it’s added the stress of committing through my junior year when I had planned to do it during the summer and then the beginning of fall.” The dead period makes recruiting harder for both coaches and players, but there are still important steps for a recruit to take during this time. College counselor Mrs. Losey advises all athletes in the recruiting process, “to keep up contact with coaches via phone or written correspondence as much as possible. If you're in the middle of your recruiting process and have been in contact with coaches previously, make sure to stay in touch and give updates periodically (academic or athletic) and continue to let the coach(es) know of your interest. If you're at the beginning of your process, don't be afraid to start reaching out to coaches via recruiting questionnaires, email, or online recruiting profiles.” Staying in contact with coaches also involves game film. Since in-person recruiting is not an option, game film and highlight videos hold a new level of importance. Coaches want to see what a recruit has to offer, whether it be a skills video filmed at home or a highlight video after a showcase.
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Even though the recruiting process, especially in a dead period, is stressful and slow, at least all athletes are in a shared situation. Coach Williams, ND’s field hockey coach, reminds athletes “it is important to be patient. These are unprecedented times and it is a new situation for both players and coaches. Everyone is in the same boat and the recruiting process will be slower than normal so it's important not to panic.”
Fall Sports are Back! Madison Frank, ’22 Fall sport seasons are back at Notre Dame--with tennis, field hockey, cross country, soccer, and volleyball all receiving high school seasons. This year, however, seasons have been shortened and all games will be played within the Inter-Academic League. Even though there will be no league champion and no PAISSA champion, ND's teams are excited to be competing once again! [Alert: With the announcement that ND will be virtual until December 7, scheduled games reported below have actually been canceled and the fall season for all sports is on hold.]
Tennis Notre Dame tennis is ready to compete! Varsity tennis will play seven matches this season, and JV tennis will be playing in five matches this season as well. Good luck to tennis as the teams face Episcopal, Penn Charter, Agnes Irwin, Springside Chestnut Hill, and Germantown this season. The team’s last match will take place on November 21st.
Field Hockey Prior to the announcement of the shortened season, ND field hockey spent five weeks practicing twice a week in hope of receiving a season. Nockey is making the most of every game with the team’s strong 5-1 win against Penn Charter. This year’s field hockey teams look different as Varsity will only play seven games, JV will play four games, and there is no JV B team. Good luck to the players in their upcoming games!
Cross Country Cross Country starts the season strong with a win in the team’s opening race. ND cross country faced Episcopal Academy and Agenes Irwin on October 31st. The team beat Episcopal 21-37 and defeated Agnes Irwin 18-43. Only three races will take place this season with cross country facing off against Penn Charter, Germantown, Agnes Irwin, and Episcopal. Good luck to XC in the team’s next two races!
Soccer ND soccer is back on the field with an exciting season ahead. Varsity soccer will play a seven game season, and opened the season with a 2-5 loss to Penn Charter. The team will continue to fight for wins in its upcoming games this season. JV soccer also has five games scheduled. Varsity plays its final game on November 20th and JV plays its final game November 21st. Best of luck to Noccer this season.
Volleyball Varsity volleyball continued to showcase why the team has won the Inter-Ac and PAISSA championships in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 during the team’s opening match. The team defeated Agnes Irwin with a 3-1 win. JV volleyball also started strong with a 2-0 win over Agnes Irwin. Varsity and JV will both compete in seven matches this season and play their final games on November 21st.
Opinion: Our (Virtual) Senior Year --Meghan Gallary, ’21 Coming from a family with ten older cousins, I’ve heard over and over again that senior year of high school is an absolute blast. It starts with everyone getting a chance to bond over the agony that is the college process--and then, as our days left together begin to count down, connect over our past memories and plans for the future. Being Notre Dame students, we can’t go a week without hearing the phrase ‘time flies at ND,’ but it doesn’t fully sink in until you’re the oldest on campus. No more looking up to the ‘big kids’: the moment you have been waiting for since either 6th grade or freshman year has come, and finally, you are the ‘big kids’ yourselves, unable to understand how it could possibly be your last year inside the Gates. A year that normally consists of extra affection, come Kairos, Fall Fling, Spirit Day, Advent Angels, Winter Ball, 100 days before Graduation, the Agape Dinner or the end of an athletic season...each one breaking over us with a wave of nostalgia and sentiment. Yet for us--the Class of 2021--these emotions are even harder to navigate, as we may have gone through some of our closing traditions without even knowing it. Wearing masks, completing a daily check and trying to stay six feet from each other has been a tough enough adjustment in itself, but now, for the second Friday the 13th in a row, it has been announced that our community will be switching back to virtual learning. Going online at the end of junior year was difficult, of course, but I’ll be the first to admit we lucked out in some ways: SATs and ACTs became an option instead of a requirement, and with extra study hours a lot of us were able to easily maintain or improve our grade point averages before having to send them off with our college applications. However, this time it is much harder to find the silver lining. One of the best parts about going to school for seven hours five days a week is being with our classmates, and not having those interactions while still worrying about homework and assessments isn’t ideal, not by a long shot. It doesn’t take long for ND to feel like a second home, and being away for three weeks--or longer--will be a challenge, especially knowing we’re graduating in the spring. If it helps everyone in our families and in our community stay healthy, of course count us in. We will do our part. But the impending fear of possibly having to sacrifice more, beloved moments remains painful to consider.
News Flash: As your Gates editors were about to send this fall issue to press, the Notre Dame community was hit with disappointing news indeed: Covid numbers are soaring in Pennsylvania--they are climbing in every state in the U.S. With winter upon us and hospitals filling up with patients, our Administration has made the decision for us to go temporarily virtual. Being virtual from November 16 through December 4 will enable everyone to quarantine on the other side of holiday travel, and should ensure that we are all healthy, happy and ready for Christmas when we meet again, right here on campus, on December 7! I hope that watching the seniors attempt to make the most of our final, unforeseen months as a grade enables ND’s underclassmen to make their time together really count while they have it. I think every senior class has said what I’m thinking, but it is nonetheless worth repeating--we’d all give anything to stay a little longer.
Stay safe, Everyone, until we meet on campus again.
Get excited for our holiday edition of The Gates! In our second issue, coming in January, we’ll focus on our favorite Notre Dame holiday happenings, and we’ll put our Middle School in the spotlight, with features on our 8th grade leaders and our wonderful new students in grades 6 and 7. Our Gates Middle School correspondents--Helen Potts (’25) and Ashley Kelly (’26)--will be hard at work, and they could use your help! If you are in Grades 6, 7 or 8 and you would like to participate in our next issue, email us at thegates@ndapa.org The Class of 2021 at the Mother-Daughter Picnic and on Spirit Day, 2019.