THECHARGER
LETTER FROM THE EDITORS-IN-CHIEF
Dear Reader,
Welcome to the eighth and final issue of The Charger for the 2024–2025 school year. If you had told us back in mid-2023 when we were knee-deep in the chaos of rebranding this publication that we’d go on to publish eight issues this year, we probably would’ve laughed. And yet, here we are.
This journey would not have been possible without the support of so many people. First and foremost, thank you to Mr. Spence for your infinite patience, your unwavering support, and your willingness to go above and beyond for us. From sitting through planning meetings to editing articles and layouts to going to bat for us when needed, we’re so grateful. A huge thank you is also due to Ms. Della Costa, who has not only helped us hone our craft, but has also been such a driving force in our ability to get so many issues out.
To Ms Arriola and Ms Lebrón, thank you for being part of the approval council and for putting up with our endless reminders to check spreadsheets and give final sign-offs And to our incredible faculty consultants Mr Jean, Mr Dickson, Mr Lindquist, and Ms Kohn—thank you for your time, your insight, and your trust
To our fellow editors and staff writers: your dedication, creativity, and love for this work have made The Charger what it is today And to you, our readers thank you for sticking with us, issue after issue
As we pass the baton, we’re thrilled to announce that Cooper Kahn (‘26), Allana Wren (’27), and Maddy Padmanabhan (‘27) will be taking the helm as next year’s Editors-in-Chief With a talented team behind them, we’re excited to see The Charger grow in ways we can only imagine
Some of our most meaningful memories at PD have been made in this newsroom. The Charger has given us a home to explore ideas, to grow as writers and leaders, and to tell stories that matter. Through debates over articles, arguments over layout, and hours spent in the newsroom, it has also brought us closer together.
We’ve had the privilege of covering stories that mattered and leaving behind a small legacy built on passion and persistence. For that, we are endlessly grateful. It has truly been one of the great honors of our time at Providence Day to serve as Editors-in-Chief.
With gratitude and pride,
Meha Khanna and Anish Vedantham Editors in Chief, 2024–2025
MEET THE SENIOR EDIT THE CHARGER’S CLASS
ANISH VEDANTHAM
Anish Vedantham is someone who practices what Currently the editor-in-chief of The Charger, he has with the student-led club since sophomore year, an great change to the PD community ever since.
When asked why he originally joined, Anish said, “I channel my love for writing I reached out to Uma B Editor-in-Chief at the time, and soon after, I came o staff writer ” He started writing articles inspired by politics When he became editor, Anish renamed th originally titled “PD Life” to “Features” to better re notable work done by both students and staff
When asked what he enjoys most about the paper, writers immerse themselves in topics they care dee politics, there have been so many articles I’ve edite leaps off the page ”
He also stated that on a personal level, he enjoyed environment and having to figure out the editing p issues this year, overseeing a wildly successful seas
Outside of the newspaper, he continues along with his passion for global issues by being involved in Model UN and Students for Students. He also runs cross country, specializing in long distance to connect with friends and stay healthy.
Anish plans to attend Oxford University in the fall and major in Philosophy, Economics, and Politics His choice in college factored in his aspiration to be involved in a global-minded academic community
Future Anish hopes “to work in government, where I can help shape policy that addresses real issues and improves people’s lives Whether it’s through domestic reform or international collaboration, I want to be part of creating a more just, thoughtful, and equitable society ”
Overall, Anish is most thankful to The Charger for the opportunity to allow him to explore his passion for journalism and grow as a writer. We look forward to the great things he will no doubt accomplish in the future, and will miss his profound contributions to PD’s community.
AUSTIN SKEETE
Austin Skeete, a co-editor for the Trending Section of The Charger, has been practically everywhere in PD Given his interest in journalism, he decided to join The Charger in his early stages of high school with an optimistic outlook His favorite part during his time at The Charger was getting to know everyone
Outside of his time at The Charger, Austin runs Cross Country and Track, participates in Model UN and HOSA, and played a role as a pirate in this year’s Upper School production of “Peter Pan ”
Given his interest in journalism, he decided to join The Charger in his early stages of high school with an optimistic outlook His favorite part during his time at The Charger was getting to know everyone From the writers to the editing staff, Austin has enjoyed collaborating with other students who share the same passion for journalism as he does “I’m so proud of what we have accomplished,” he says
As for his future plans, Austin will be attending the University of Rochester, where he will be running Cross Country and Track, while also participating in NROTC.
Finally, his words of advice for other current or upcoming high schoolers is this: “Try new things Everybody is so afraid of being bad at something in high school when in reality this is the best place to do it Go out and join a new club, sign up for something random, try a new sport for a season These four years go by so quick make the most of them ”
CHARLIE HITT
If you know anything about the coverage of Providence Day Athletics, chances are you know the name Charlie Hitt, or you have at least heard him on the mic calling games for the Providence Day Sports Network That same passion for sports shines through in his work as Sports Section Editor for The Charger
Outside of writing for The Charger, he loves spending time with his friends, watching sports, and calling games for PDSN. As for his future after graduation, Hitt plans to attend the University of Georgia where he will be studying business
Charlie began writing for The Charger early in his high school career He attributed his love of English as one of the main reasons why he decided to get involved in writing for the school newspaper. He made the move up from writer to section editor in his junior year, and he has been the driving force behind the sports section of the paper ever since. “The most enjoyable part of my role is talking about current and upcoming events/news with my writers. That’s what I enjoy most [about] the club,” he says
His wise words to his past self are “to trust myself, lean into my talents, make sure I have good friends, and always keep an eye on the future ” Charlie’s contributions to The Charger and PD athletics coverage will be missed very much, but we hope nothing but success for his future endeavors after graduation
The
conference was held on February 27, 2025
FRESHMUN 2025
BYLUKELONGIN
Providence Day has always been at the forefront of Model United Nations programs, sending delegates to local, regional, national, and international conferences To give all students this opportunity and experience, the ninth grade faculty created FreshMUN, which is a conference for the freshmen at PD and is a required part of their social studies curriculum. Students work in pairs and prepare through Global Civics class; a full day is dedicated to the actual conference.
This year, the two topics addressed at the conference were the Ukrainian war and the refugee crisis Each country had two delegates, one for each topic Students spent weeks researching their country and topic to prepare a thorough argument to present to their peers
On the day of the conference, students arrived at school in their nicest outfits, holding folders with their materials To start, students had a few minutes to warm up, then everyone delivered their opening statements Throughout the conference, delegates debated their global issues Led by upperclassmen chairs, the students eventually presented resolutions outlining their countries’ proposed solutions to the issues The day concluded with the award ceremony, where many students were presented certificates from the chairs leading the conference; the awards included Best Delegate, Outstanding Delegate, and Honorable Mention.
”I liked hearing other people’s views,” Jamie Liu, a freshman, says. “FreshMUN really teaches people how to build relationships with others, and also builds their research skills ” She mentions how the program helped with strengthening the bond between her and her fellow freshmen, as well as her ability to present a thoughtful argument “It was quite a positive experience,” Ashley Zhang, a sophomore chair for FreshMUN, states “We had a lot of trouble deciding who to give awards to, because everyone participated fully and really understood the spirit of Model UN ”
FreshMUN is a valuable experience for all ninth graders; it provides students with a chance to develop their research, collaboration, public speaking, and debate skills, which are all important in life no matter the career For some students, FreshMUN can spark an interest which they never would have known about. For others, FreshMUN allows students to step out of their comfort zone and try something completely new. Overall, it’s a great way for students to both explore and address pertinent world issues, as well as sharpen their critical thinking and practical problem-solving skills.
FreshMUN
CHARGERS IMPACTING COMMUNITIES
BYDRENNANSHALL
The Charger Impact Challenge offers PD’s freshmen a fun and engaging opportunity to participate in philanthropy at local organizations
On March 11, students traveled to different locations, such as Beds for Kids, Trees Charlotte, and Charlotte Bilingual Preschool, to give back to their communities by assisting dedicated individuals to make a difference
“We try to pick places that students are interested in going [to, and] places that would be easy to return to in the future” Mrs. Benoit, the Ninth Grade Programming Dean, says.
Providence Day’s freshmen took part in meaningful philanthropy for the Charger Impact Challenge
A key aspect of PD is philanthropy, as seen with the many service clubs and other opportunities that encourage students to support their local communities around campus PD partners with regional and national organizations to raise awareness about issues in our world These opportunities foster respect, kindness, gratitude, and empathy for local schools and organizations
As part of the challenge, students spend the day completing a variety of activities and tasks that aim to improve the lives of students and community members in Charlotte “We wanted to incorporate more community service and connect with our community,” Benoit explains
Created in 2015 under the name “Be the Change,” the idea has evolved in many ways over the last decade. These expansion efforts included speakers, presentations, many projects throughout the year, and now a full day dedicated to service However, the mission remains constant: instill a sense of social responsibility and commitment to positive change in students Although the Charger Impact Challenge is a day long, the impact reaches beyond that, inspiring students to collaborate and engage with philanthropic efforts more in their lives and futures The event also develops teamwork, leadership, dedication, unity, and commitment to change: invaluable skills in the classroom, on the field, in the workplace, or any other situation
In addition to the service, students also participate in activities that benefit young children in the long term At the end of the day, they gather on campus to create SPARK flashcards, a tool designed to help younger students memorize “sight” words These simple words improve reading comprehension, enabling students to understand texts quicker. This small contribution allows teachers to focus on other important tasks, such as classroom management and personalized instruction.
The Charger Impact Challenge is a rewarding and impactful way for freshmen to make a difference in their community through hands-on service As students continue to grow, the empathy, collaboration, and understanding developed through the program will inspire future generations to give back and maintain a positive outlook on the world
April Fool’s Day is a day full of distrust and laughter, because things are not what they seem Photo courtesy of
THE SILLY STORY BEHIND APRIL FOOLS DAY
BYSAMICOHEN
On one day a year, specifically, people enjoy playing pranks on others
April 1, better known as April Fools’ Day, friends will fool friends, family will fool family, and strangers will fool strangers It is a day full of distrust and laughter because things are not what they seem. After getting caught, the culprit follows the joke with the saying, “April Fools!” But why exactly is April 1 a worldwide holiday and a popular time to play tricks on close friends and random people?
In the late 1500s, France replaced their Julian calendar with the Gregorian calendar, a more accurate alignment with the solar year and representation of leap years Of course, some people were late to receive the news that the beginning of the new year would start on January 1 instead of March 1 Therefore, for the entire month of March, the uninformed people would celebrate the new year So, when the first day of April came around, these people were known as “April’s fools” as they thought it was only the second month of the year, and they were widely made fun of for not understanding the new calendar
From there, the joke spread rapidly, creating a day filled with mockery and pranks The jokes symbolized the people who have not been paying attention Even after everyone understood the calendar, tricks were still being played on others to remember the time when dates confused people.
The pranks continue year after year as tradition without fail; it is funny to see to what extent people go with their pranks on this special day It is a fun time of year, and it is great to live a day when everyone is cautious of their surroundings while trying to get a good laugh out of other people making a fool of themselves!
Canva
On one side of the spectrum are the Cleveland Indians and Washington Redskins (formerly). Both of these teams built their identity around stereotypes but in different ways. After losing Nap Lajoie, the player the Cleveland Indians were previously named after, the team adopted their name after Native American player Louis Sockalexis However, in the 2010s, issues began to arise regarding the name and especially their mascot, Chief Wahoo, as critics argued they proliferated harmful stereotypes Chief Wahoo was an ugly caricature of an Native American, a stark contrast from other Native American logos While the Washington Redskins’ logo depicted a less inappropriate depiction of an Native American, the name “Redskins” also proliferates harmful stereotypes Images like Chief Wahoo and names like “Redskins” outweigh the value of teams’ identities by creating a false narrative about Native Americans that obscures their true heritage and identity
On the other side of the spectrum are the Florida State Seminoles and Chicago Blackhawks Florida State represents the best possible scenario for teams using images of Native Americans. The university got permission from the Seminole tribe of Florida to use their name and logo, as well as many traditions used at the games. Florida’s permission from the tribe and ensures they maintain an appropriate representation of the tribe and Native Americans in general While the tribe doesn’t gain anything fiscally, the university’s partnership with the tribe has allowed them to better educate the community on the history and contributions of the Seminole tribe However, the Chicago Blackhawks don’t take such an involved approach Named after Black Hawk of the Sac and Fox nation, whose resistance to American expansion after the war of 1812 served as inspiration for some Native Americans
However, the Chicago Blackhawks did not receive permission from the Sac and Fox nation to use the name, and April Holder, one of Black Hawk’s descendants, opposes the continued use of the logo Critics continue to argue that the organization has not lived up to its commitment to education about Native American heritage and many call for them to change the logo. However, the organization has argued it is honoring the legacy and contributions of Black Hawk to Native American communities.
Ultimately, there is no right way to use Native American logos and names There will always be an opposition to the use of Native American imagery, and the critics are right The names and logos come from a time when Native American stories and heritage weren’t recognized as much as they are today However, there are steps teams can take to try to maintain their identity while also respecting the identity of Native American communities Florida State is
How can teams maintain their identity without proliferating harmful stereotypes? Photo courtesy of Julia Ray
THE DAYLIGHT SAVINGS DEBATE
BYELISEPATEL
Every year on the second Sunday of March, our clocks are set forward one hour, marking the start of Daylight Savings Time
After eight months, clocks are set back an hour, returning to standard time This phenomenon fell on March 9 this year It was first introduced to the United States when the Standard Time Act was passed by Congress in March 1918. Due to U.S. involvement with World War I at the time, Daylight Savings was intended to conserve energy by extending daylight hours, reducing the need for artificial lighting.
The act was short-lived, as it was repealed in 1919 However, Daylight Savings Time was reinstated for similar reasons from 1942 to 1945 during World War II, giving it the nickname “War Time ”
For more than two decades, the absence of federal regulations led to the application of Daylight Savings Time to fluctuate across states The Uniform Time Act of 1966 ended this confusion and created a national policy, determining that Daylight Savings Time would begin on the last Sunday of April and end on the last Sunday of October In 1974, during the “energy crisis years,” Congress passed a bill that called for year-round daylight savings, reducing the need for electricity This was unsuccessful, so nearly a year later, Congress reverted back to standard Daylight Savings.
Through the years, Congress passed bills adjusting the starting and ending dates to the time change, including the Energy Act Policy of 2005, which set the dates used today
There are endless debates on whether Daylight Savings should continue While some people feel it has more negative effects than positive, others argue the contrary Coinciding with its original implementation, it does allow for more natural light rather than artificial light Daylight savings leads to more evening daylight, which is argued to encourage people to leave their houses Additionally, studies have shown that more daylight reduces the amount of robberies by 7 percent and improves road safety by 13% during dawn and dusk hours
Alternatively, there are many negatives associated with Daylight Savings To start, the switch to and from Daylight Savings Time is expensive. For instance, in 2016, New York City spent 1.5 million dollars on its Dusk and Darkness Safety Campaign.
Also, studies have shown that changing the time affects the body's circadian rhythm, causing illnesses in more vulnerable populations In addition, the tiredness we experience is known to lead to an increased risk of daily injuries, car accidents, and depression Finally, in today’s world of modern technology where almost everyone owns a cellphone or computer, daylight savings isn’t tremendously effective in reducing energy consumption, as people are often on their devices regardless of the weather outside
While there is a clear divide when it comes to the advantages and disadvantages of Daylight Savings Time, it is also clear that policymakers, when coming up with new policies of regulation, should weigh both tradition and the current setbacks
CELEBRITIES ON BROADWAY
BYMADDYPADMANABHAN
Broadway has always been extravagant in the productions brought to its stages, so it’s no surprise that the glitz and glamor of musical theatre has attracted many celebrities for several decades
Among them are actors and singers, disguised as long time, die hard theatre fans, that have given electrifying performances in today’s most-anticipated shows Others are popular influencers making cameos in the ensembles of casts; however, they always manage to give the audience performances charged with their energy that has been felt by their fans outside the theatre world Here are just a few of the many celebrities you might be able to see for yourself during your next trip to New York City.
Nicole Scherzinger, former member of The Pussycat Dolls, plays Norma Desmond in the Broadway run of “Sunset Boulevard”, a thrilling production about a faded silent film star’s need for continuous fame The musical, directed by Jamie Lloyd, is a revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s original screenplay Scherzinger will play her final performance in Sunset Boulevard on July 13, 2025, at the St. James Theatre.
Tony and Academy Award winner Denzel Washington is starring in “Othello”, a Shakespearean tragedy about Othello, a decorated war commander becoming a target for a jealousy-driven plot by Iago, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, an American actor with 30 years of experience in film and theatre under his belt. See Washington and Gyllenhaal in Othello at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre until June 8, 2025!
Long-time TikTok star and competitive dancer Charli D’Amelio is making waves in the ensemble of “& Juliet”, a jukebox musical reimagining the tragic ending of the famous Shakespearean play, “Romeo and Juliet ” Catch her through September 7, 2025 at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre.
Shining right alongside D’Amelio is Joey Fatone, former NSYNC member and beloved American actor and television personality Now playing Lance in “& Juliet”, Fatone has always been a Broadway lover, making his debut in “Rent” in 2002 In fact, he’s such a theatre buff that he recently announced an extended run of his cameo in the show; make sure to see him from April 22 through July 31!
Make sure to catch these five outstanding actors and actresses putting on amazing performances in theatres around New York City!
Musical theatre has attracted many celebrities Picture courtesy of Canva
13 ARTS THE FOUR NATIONS FACE-OFF
BYNICHOLASSMITH
One of the most memorable traditions every year for American sports leagues is the all-star games Whether that is the NBA and MLB’s All-Star Weekends, or the NFL’s Pro Bowl, many fans have memories of these important parts of every sports season.
However, in recent years, the four main sports leagues have struggled with keeping fan interest Leagues have tried various ideas in an effort to try and counter keep fans Unfortunately, until this year, none of the leagues got to where they wanted to be
This year, seeing a decline in viewership continue, the National Hockey League (NHL) and its commissioner, Gary Bettman, decided another change was needed Leagues like the NBA and NFL have been altering the formats of their respective All-Star weekends for years, but the NHL took a completely different approach: they scrapped it altogether
Instead, the NHL settled on the 4 Nations Face-Off, where the league invited four nations to compete for an in-season trophy. The U.S., Canada, Sweden, and Finland participated.
And the inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off broke records
Over five days in February in Montreal, each team faced the other three nations once in a round-robin style tournament After this, the top two teams advanced to a one game final, which was played at TD Garden in Boston
The final in Boston pitted the U S vs Canada in a highly anticipated match After Canada opened the scoring with a goal from Nathan MacKinnon in the first of three periods, the U S scored two straight goals Canada tied the game 2-2 before a scoreless third period, sending the game into overtime
With eight minutes left in sudden death overtime, Connor McDavid, arguably the world's best player, slapped home a winner for Canada off of an assist from teammate Mitch Marner. The goal gave Canada the Four Nations Title and the world hockey crown until the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy
That final drew 16 1 million viewers, the second most for a hockey game in the last decade The huge viewer population was the most ever for a non-NFL game on ESPN+
But even more, the Four Nations Face-Off served as a potential model for other leagues to improve their All-Star competitions and garner continual interest from sports fans
The teams invited by the NHL for the first ever Four Nations Face-Off: The United States, Canada, Sweden, and Finland Pictures courtesy of Canva
Charlie Hitt is the editor of the Sports section for The Charger and has been writing since his junior year Charlie loves watching sports particularly Boston Celtics and Carolina Panthers games and is the play-by-play broadcaster for varsity football, basketball, and soccer games at PD. He has also been a film/TV actor for over five years, having most notably acted as a lead character in Lifetime’s murder-mystery “Secret Lives of Housewives,” as well as upcoming indie film “The Grand Strand ”
Austin Skeete is a senior at Providence Day School. He is an editor for the Trending section and has been writing for The Charger since his sophomore year This is his first year on the editing team of The Charger and he looks forward to working with the other editors to make this year's paper the best one yet. Outside of writing, he is a captain of the Cross Country and Track teams and enjoys reading science fiction books
Julia Maybry is the editor of the Trending section for The Charger, and she has been writing since freshman year At Providence Day, Julia participates in the Track and Cross Country team, and outside of school, she plays piano Julia takes a strong interest in current events, whether they are pop culture or major political events. As the editor of the Trending section, Julia hopes to see writers learn about and take interest in whatever is happening at the moment, as doing so only broadens their world perspective.
Allana Wren is a sophomore at Providence Day, who joined the newspaper club in ninth grade She loves writing, in both journalistically and creatively writing Allana started off writing in the Student Life section of the paper, and she is now editing for Opinion Allana is loves the Opinion section and enjoys seeing all the different passions students have Aside from the being a newspaper editor, she is one of the tenth grade leaders for Providence Day’s Global Studies Diploma. She also is a part of the cheer team and loves to dance outside of school
Mr. Matt Spence is the faculty advisor for The Charger.
